The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium turned toxic on Tuesday night as supporters reached a breaking point following a devastating 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United.
As the final whistle blew, the message from the stands was unmistakable: the fanbase has lost faith in manager Thomas Frank.
Tottenham fans tell Thomas Frank he needs to go
The most damning moment of the evening occurred long after the ball had stopped rolling.
As Thomas Frank made the walk across the pitch toward the tunnel, he was met with a barrage of angry comments from the home support.
Prominent Tottenham fan Chris Cowlin captured the scene on social media, noting that fans were heard shouting “It’s time to go” directly at the Danish coach.
The frustration wasn’t limited to a few disgruntled voices; a significant portion of the South Stand stayed behind to voice their disapproval, signaling that Frank’s time could be over soon.
By chanting for a former manager while the current one is still in the dugout, the fans sent a clear message to the board: they want Pochettino back.
Thomas Frank convinced his job is safe
Despite the poor results and supporters’ growing outrage, Frank claimed after the game that he is convinced he will not be sacked just yet.
Speaking to the media after the latest defeat, he said: “I’m convinced I will still be in charge. I understand the question and it’s easy to point to me, but it’s about the whole club.”
??| Thomas Frank:
“I'm convinced I will still be in charge [for the NLD]. I understand the question and easy to point to me but it's about the whole club.”
With Spurs sitting just five points above the relegation zone, it is now a matter of urgency for the club.
If they decide to stick with Frank for the remainder of the season, and the results don’t improve, a shock relegation could become a strong possibility.
A misplaced iPhone 17 Pro Max always feels like you’ve been punched in the gut, which is why the astute decision would always be to pay a monthly AppleCare+ fee that covers theft and loss. One lucky customer, who may not have known that he would fall into this specific circumstance, recounts how Apple sent a new unit touting eight times the internal memory of the first one. Keeping in mind the ludicrous premium the technology giant charges for storage upgrades, whether it’s an iPhone or a Mac, getting a replacement with more space than before will always put a sparkle […]
New research suggests that the way adolescents use social media is not a uniform experience but rather splits into distinct personality-driven profiles that yield varying social results. The findings indicate that digital platforms largely reinforce existing friendships rather than helping isolated youth build new connections. These results were published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior.
Psychologists have debated whether apps like Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat help or harm adolescent development for years. Some theories propose that these platforms simulate meaningful connection and allow young people to practice social skills. Other perspectives argue that digital interactions replace face-to-face communication with superficial scrolling, leading to isolation.
However, most previous inquiries looked at average behaviors across large groups or focused on simple metrics like screen time. This approach often misses the nuance of individual habits. Real-world usage is rarely just about logging on or logging off. It involves a mix of browsing, posting, liking, and chatting.
Federica Angelini, the lead author from the Department of Developmental and Social Psychology at the University of Padova in Italy, worked with colleagues to move beyond these binary categories. They wanted to understand how specific combinations of online behaviors cluster together. They also sought to determine if a teenager’s underlying social motivations drive these habits.
The research team recognized that early adolescence is a formative period for social and emotional growth. During these years, close relationships with peers become central to a young person’s identity. Because these interactions now occur simultaneously in physical and digital spaces, the authors argued that science needs better models to capture this complexity.
To achieve this, the team tracked 1,211 Dutch students between the ages of 10 and 15 over the course of three years. They used surveys to measure how often students looked at content, posted about themselves, interacted with others, and shared personal feelings. The researchers also assessed the students’ psychological motivations, such as the fear of missing out or a desire for popularity.
Using a statistical technique called latent profile analysis, the investigators identified four distinct types of users. The largest group, comprising about 54 percent of the participants, was labeled “All-round users.” These teens engaged in a moderate amount of all activities, from scrolling to posting.
The study found that All-round users generally maintained moderate-to-high quality friendships throughout the three-year period. Their digital habits appeared to be an extension of a healthy offline social life. They used these platforms to keep in touch and share experiences with friends they already saw in person.
The second largest group, making up roughly 30 percent, was identified as “Low users.” These individuals rarely engaged with social media in any form, whether passive scrolling or active posting. While it might seem beneficial to be less dependent on screens, the data showed a different story for this specific group.
These Low users reported lower quality friendships at the start of the research compared to their peers. Their lack of online engagement appeared to mirror a lack of connection in the real world. Without a strong peer group to interact with, they had little motivation to log on. The data suggests they were not simply opting out of technology but were missing out on the social reinforcement that happens online.
A smaller group, about 8 percent, was termed “High self-disclosing users.” These adolescents frequently used digital platforms to share personal feelings, secrets, and emotional updates. They tended to prefer online communication over face-to-face talk.
This group scored higher on measures of anxiety and depression. The researchers suggest these teens might use the internet to compensate for difficulties in offline social situations. The reduced pressure of online chat, which lacks nonverbal cues like eye contact, may make it easier for them to open up. Despite their emotional struggles, this group maintained high-quality friendships, suggesting their vulnerability online helped sustain their bonds.
The final group, labeled “High self-oriented users,” made up roughly 7 percent of the sample. These teens focused heavily on posting content about themselves but showed less interest in what peers were doing. They were driven by a desire for status and attention.
Unlike the other groups, High self-oriented users were less concerned with the fear of missing out. Their primary goal appeared to be self-promotion rather than connection. Notably, this was the only group that saw a decline in the quality of their close friendships over the three years. Their focus on gaining an audience rather than engaging in reciprocal friendship likely failed to deepen their personal relationships.
The analysis revealed that social media generally acts as an amplifier of offline social dynamics. Teens with strong existing friendships used the platforms to maintain those bonds. Those with weaker connections did not seem to benefit from the technology.
This supports the idea that the benefits of social media rely heavily on pre-existing relationships. Adolescents who struggle socially in person may find it difficult to use these tools to build meaningful relationships from scratch. Instead of bridging the gap, the technology might leave them further behind.
The study also highlighted the role of motivation. Teens who used social media to seek status were more likely to fall into the self-oriented or self-disclosing categories. Those who simply wanted to stay in the loop tended to be All-round users.
There are limitations to consider regarding this research. The data relied on self-reported surveys, which can sometimes be inaccurate as people may not remember their habits perfectly. Additionally, the study was conducted in the Netherlands, so the results might not apply universally to adolescents in other cultural contexts.
The researchers noted that some participants dropped out of the study over the three years, which is common in longitudinal work. The study also did not strictly differentiate between friends met online versus friends met offline, though most participants indicated they communicated with people they knew in real life.
Future research could benefit from using objective measures, such as tracking app usage data directly from smartphones. It would also be beneficial to investigate how these profiles evolve as teens move into young adulthood. Understanding these patterns could help parents and educators tailor their advice, rather than giving generic warnings about screen time.
ETH’s market structure and fractal analysis from 2021 and 2024 provide insights where significant buy demand may exist. Currently, it’s on the downside.
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Sam Bankman-Fried asked a federal appeals panel for a new trial in the FTX fraud case, arguing that new witness testimony could weaken the case that led to his 25-year sentence.
İtalya Kupası çeyrek finalinde Como, 90 dakikası 1-1 biten maçın penaltı atışlarında Napoli'yi 7-6 mağlup ederek yarı finale yükseldi ve Inter'in rakibi oldu.
İngiltere Premier Lig'in 26. haftasında Manchester United, deplasmanda West Ham'la 1-1 berabere kaldı. Kırmızı Şeytanlar'ın 4 maçlık galibiyet serisi sona ererken taraftarın saçlarını kestirmesi de ertelendi.
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Türkiye Basketbol Federasyonu, Beşiktaş GAİN Erkek Basketbol Takımı'nın Yunanistan temsilcisi Panionios'a konuk olduğu maçta ev sahibi takım taraftarının açtığı küfür ve hakaret içerikli pankartı kınadı...Devamı için tıklayınız
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Sam Darnold is the talk of the NFL world after the quarterback won Super Bowl LX for the Seattle Seahawks. While he didn't have a perfect game, he showed enough poise and patience to beat the New England Patriots, 29-13.
The question now becomes where Darnold lies in the pantheon of NFL quarterbacks in 2026.
Los Angeles Rams defensive back Quentin Lake, who's faced Darnold a few times in his career, told FanDuel TV's Kay Adams that the Seahawks quarterback is "steady" but doesn't inspire same fear when playing against him like Lake's own quarterback, Matthew Stafford.
"If you're talking like 'Matthew Stafford' fear? No. To be completely honest," Lake said. "He's a great quarterback. He's a world champion. He's a Super Bowl champion quarterback. You can't take that away from him. But personally, I've seen what fear is. I go against a Hall of Fame quarterback every single day. And that's a different level."
Why would Lake say this? Just look at the on-field production between Darnold and Stafford in the games that they faced off. Darnold went 2-1 against L.A., but threw for 895 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions. Stafford, meanwhile, had 961 yards passing, eight touchdowns and no interceptions. Similar yards and touchdowns, but the 6:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio doesn't do Darnold any favors.
Now, Darnold proved to be a great quarterback in the playoffs. But when it comes to the fear Lake feels when facing Darnold vs. Stafford, it sounds like there's no contest.
Cleveland Browns quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave is off to a new city.
The veteran head coach who has been around the block at both the NFL and college level has spent the last two seasons with the Browns. He was named as the Browns' quarterback coach in 2025 after spending the prior year as a senior offensive analyst under former head coach Kevin Stefanski. Musgrave is now off to the Big Apple, taking the quarterbacks coach job with the New York Jets under their new offensive coordinator Frank Reich.
The #Jets are hiring veteran Bill Musgrave as QB coach, source says. Musgrave has been with the #Browns the last three seasons, serving as QB coach last year. pic.twitter.com/5QVgBhurLP
The Browns have not hired a quarterbacks coach yet as new head coach Todd Monken builds out his staff. However, there is a chance that offensive coordinator Travis Switzer or passing game coordinator Danny Breyer could take over that room as well. Monken himself has plenty of experience working with quarterbacks, so it looks to be a spearheaded effort. They have hired an assistant quarterbacks coach, however, in former NFL quarterback Matt Baker.
Monken's staff is beginning to take shape, and Stefanski's old staff is finding new jobs. Quite peculiarly, however, Musgrave did not land back in Atlanta with Stefanski as he opted to hire former Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt as quarterbacks coach instead.
New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks played in Super Bowl LX (Photo by Stan Grossfeld/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
The 2026 Super Bowl didn’t draw in another all-time record, but it was close, with the game becoming the second most-watched Super Bowl to date.
Super Bowl LX, which saw the Seattle Seahawks defeat the New England Patriots in a defensive-heavy game, brought in an average 124.9 million viewers across NBC and Peacock.
Last year’s game hit an all-time viewership record as it reached 127.7 million viewers for the Chiefs-Eagles game, surpassing the previous year’s record viewership of 123.7 million, which, at the time, marked the event’s biggest audience in history.
Additionally, Bad Bunny’s halftime show brought in 128.2 million viewers. For comparison, Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 halftime show set a new record as the most-watched Super Bowl halftime performance in history with 133.5 million viewers, rising 3% from the 129.3 million viewers that tuned into Usher’s halftime show the previous year.
It’s worth noting that while the 2025 game was available to stream on Fox-owned FAST channel Tubi, this year’s game didn’t include a free streaming option as NBCUniversal drove subscribers to Peacock amidst the Olympics and ahead of the NBA all-star game.
The game, itself, wasn’t too much to write home about, with the Seahawks leading the Patriots 9-0 by halftime, though things got more interesting in the fourth quarter, though not enough to usher in a victory for the Patriots. The Seahawks emerged as victorious in a 29-13 win over the Patriots.
The energy was picked up by Bad Bunny’s halftime show, which saw the musician make history as the first halftime performer to sing entirely in Spanish. Paying tribute to Puerto Rico and celebrating the Latinidad community, Bad Bunny welcomed Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga to perform alongside him. He also brought in celebrities, including the likes of Pedro Pascal, Karol G, Cardi B, Jessica Alba and Alix Earle, to the field to participate in the festivities.
Thomas Frank insists his job is not under threat at Tottenham Hotspur, despite his side extending their winless run in the Premier League to eight matches.
It leaves Tottenham, one of six ever-present Premier League clubs in the top flight, five points above the relegation zone.
But Frank says he has been assured his position as manager is safe.
Asked by TNT Sports if his job is under threat, Frank said: "I spoke to them [owners] yesterday, so no.
"I understand the frustration and the easiest thing is to point at me. That's part of the job unfortunately. I will work day and night to turn this around but it is not just one person. There is no doubt we need to improve and I need to be part of that."
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about supporters booing at full-time, Frank added: "I understand the frustration. It has been building up a little bit - last season it was similar playing in Europe and the Premier League.
"We need to be resilient, mentally and physically. I am 100% sure that it is a team effort, and it is not only one person. We are all aligned and we know what needs to be done."
Having taken 10 points from 15 in their first five Premier League fixtures under Frank, Spurs have managed just 19 from their next 21 matches.
Their run of eight games without a win is their longest since going nine without victory in 2008 under Juande Ramos - who was sacked with the club bottom of the table.
"You've got to say what it is and they are in a relegation fight," Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle told TNT Sports.
"The players have to understand that and the fans have to understand that.
"It is the reality and you have to scrap for every single point."
Boos rang around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the final whistle, while there were pockets of empty seats at kick-off.
"A lot of fans have lost faith in what Thomas Frank is doing here," added former Spurs striker Les Ferdinand.
"It is desperate times. And desperate times call for desperate measures."
'Loss of support towards Frank'
Thomas Frank has guided Tottenham to just seven Premier League victories this season [Getty Images]
The Tottenham hierarchy now have a huge decision to make.
Thomas Frank's future at the club is uncertain. That isn't a secret, of course - it has been the case for weeks.
Large sections of the supporters want him sacked. The boos that rang round Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at full-time were testament to that prevailing feeling from a disgruntled fanbase.
Crucially, there has been a loss of support towards the Dane internally.
So, the fact Frank's disastrous first season in charge lurched to deeper depths following this defeat by Newcastle may have significant consequences.
If Nottingham Forest, who occupy 17th, beat Wolves on Wednesday night they will go level on points with Tottenham.
Frank is understandably hesitant to admit his side are in relegation fight - but the numbers don't lie.
That said, it may not be Frank's problem for much longer - Tottenham's latest loss will push the beleaguered manager closer to what appears an inevitable exit.
Indeed, such has been the level of contemplation regarding Frank's immediate future at Tottenham in recent weeks that this loss will almost certainly trigger further soul-searching from the club's leadership group.
The fact the Spurs board have stuck by Frank during such a difficult period proves they want the appointment to work.
The easier decision would have been to show Frank the door by now.
However, the Tottenham hierarchy believe Frank has been dealt a rough hand.
There's an acknowledgment that the season has been disrupted by multiple injuries to key players.
There is also recognition that the squad needs repair work - particularly considering the departures of their two main sources of goals in Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
There is also a sense behind the scenes that the squad is lacking in leadership. It was why they signed England international Conor Gallagher and tried to land Andy Robertson from Liverpool - both with plenty of Premier League experience.
There is also a sense from Tottenham's executive team that the club require a period of managerial stability.
But by the same token, sources have told BBC Sport that work towards a contingency plan in the event they make a decision they really don't want to make illustrates the precarity of Frank's position.
If the club decide to part with Frank in the immediate aftermath of this Newcastle defeat, they will have 12 days until their next fixture against Arsenal on 22 February.
That leaves Tottenham with a prolonged window to execute their replacement plan and leave Frank's successor with time to implement a blueprint for the north London derby.
The pressure on Frank is at breaking point. We are about to find out if Tottenham crack.
5 buried Cowboys who could rise from the grave with new defensive coaching
Dallas Cowboys fans have suffered long enough, but they haven't been alone in their misery. No, the lackluster defensive performances of the last two seasons have taken their toll on fans and players alike. On one extreme was the drastic shift from Dan Quinn to Mike Zimmer in 2024, with many failing to latch on to the teachings of the former mastermind. Then there's the shift from Zimmer to Eberflus, who had never even achieved the statistical success that sometimes occured in Zimmer's career.
To make matters worse, Eberflus was robbed of his force multiplier when Micah Parsons was traded away a few weeks before the regular season, after a full offseason of planning around his immense talent. The question is, knowing these systemic limitations, can the Cowboys' front office ever have a true sense of the players caught in the waves of those consequential hires? If Christian Parker can effect immediate change, which players have a chance of shock and awe, 2026 seasons?
Here are five candidates who have done little of significance, but could be surprise contributors in the very near future.
Linebacker Marist Liufau
The Cowboys drafted Liaufau out of Notre Dame in the third round in 2024 with the No. 87 overall selection. He played 520 defensive snaps for Zimmer, third-most on the club behind Zim's coach-on-the-field Eric Kendricks and DeMarvion Overshown. Liufau was rotational until Overshown tore his ACL, and he showed some signs of promise as an eventual starter.
However he never caught on with Matt Eberflus, getting buried in the rotation and seeing just 200 snaps on the year, including just 12 snaps in the final three games of the season when Dallas was out of the hunt. So can he actually play? It will be interesting to watch how Parker works him in, if at all. If not, he'll end up a wasted top-100 pick.
Defensive Tackle Perrion Winfrey
One of the most exciting stories of 2025 training camp was the addition of the UFL defender, Winfrey. He was routintely standing out in practice, which mattered even more during Parsons' holdout while everyone was trying to see what the level of talent was. Before the trades that brought in Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams, the Cowboys had nothing at DT aside from Osa Odighizuwa and plans to rotate defensive ends inside on passing downs.
Winfrey stood out, then mysteriously landed on IR with a back injury prior to the season opener, where he languished for months. Winfrey ended up appearing in just one game, Week 16, where he played 34 defensive snaps. Signed for just over $1 million for 2026, he's going to have a chance to show Parker and new defensive line coach Marcus Dixon what he can offer.
Cornerback Caelen Carson
The Cowboys thought they had something in 2024 with their fifth-round pick based on training camp work. Carson started the first few games of the season while DaRon Bland was out, then was benched until returning for Week 9 and Week 10. A shoulder injury ended his year, then his 2025 started with a knee injury. He still has yet to show he's much in coverage, and the question is what system fits him best.
Safety Markquese Bell
Bell has been with the Cowboys for four seasons now, though his rookie year as a UDFA didn't ask much of him on defense. In 2023, he played linebacker for Dan Quinn's defense more than safety, and acquitted himself rather well in his 700 snaps, all things considered. Dallas had very little left at the position, and he managed the challenge. He barely saw the field in 2024 under Zimmer before injuring his shoulder in November.
He did see some action in 2025 with Eberflus, 356 defensive snaps, but his coverage number dropped from a 83.5 in 2023 to a 45.3 in 2025.
Defensive Tackle Jay Toia
Toia may not be a victim of coaching but rather circumstance. Drafted out of UCLA in the seventh round, there shouldn't have been much expectations for his rookie season. A big-bodied defender, Toia say the club add Kenny Clark to the equation at the start of the season, then swap in Williams for Mazi Smith mid-year. The three-headed DT monster didn't have much room for Toia, so it will be interesting to see what a full offseason in an NFL weight and training system could do for the former Bruin.
BERLIN, Germany (AP) — Freiburg advanced to the semifinals of the German Cup after a 5-4 penalty shootout win at Hertha Berlin on Tuesday.
Freiburg goalkeeper Florian Muller saved Pascal Klemens' sudden death spot kick in the Olympiastadion in Berlin to secure his team's place in the last four of the competition. Yuito Suzuki's strike had put the visitors 5-4 in front, meaning Klemens had to score to keep the shootout going.
After the game ended goalless in regulation time, Yuito Suzuki fired Freiburg ahead in the 96th minute. Eight minutes later the game was level again when Fabian Reese struck with a shot into the top corner.
Muller denied Michael Cuisance earlier in the shootout, but Freiburg's Johan Manzambi then saw his spot kick saved by Hertha keeper Tjark Ernst.
Four teams are vying for a spot in the Schuylkill League Girls Basketball Championship.
Lourdes Regional and North Schuylkill will face off in the first semifinal game at 6 p.m. Schuylkill Haven and Mahanoy Area will play for the final spot in the title game at 7:30.
6.9-rated Red gives Michael Carrick major selection headache to dwell on in lengthy wait for Everton trip
Benjamin Sesko has just fired himself into contention for his first start under Michael Carrick.
Despite being on the pitch for only 21 minutes, the Manchester United frontman oversaw the most impactful display of any of his teammates.
He entered the fray with United trailing by a goal at the London Stadium, and proceeded to have two shots on target – the second of which rescued a vital point to extend the side’s unbeaten run under Carrick.
Benjamin Sesko delivers late leveller off the bench
(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Sesko did it in some style, too. His finish looked near impossible from the angle he was at and the fact that he was under pressure from Axel Disasi, yet he managed to rifle the ball into the back of the net with just one touch.
It marked the Slovenian’s fifth goal in his last six appearances across all competitions since Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties, two of which have come in Carrick’s reign.
Against Fulham at the start of the month, he clinched a hard-fought win for United via yet another last-gasp contribution.
Has Sesko earned a start vs the Toffees?
Alas, with Sesko becoming a dependable figure to provide goals when needed, it begs the question as to whether it’s time for him to be granted his maiden start of the Carrick era.
The interim manager has 13 days to mull over his team selection, as this weekend’s FA Cup action means United don’t play again until Monday, February 23, when they take to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time to face Everton.
From Carrick’s perspective, he has been so delighted with the performances that his trusted line-up has delivered that he’ll be reluctant to make any changes.
The sole change he has made thus far was a forced one and came in the form of Matheus Cunha replacing Patrick Dorgu following the latter’s 10-week injury layoff.
Como hold their nerve to knock Napoli out of Coppa Italia on penalties
Como produced a brave display at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, holding Napoli to a 1-1 draw before prevailing in a tense penalty shootout to reach the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
Cesc Fàbregas’ side will now face Internazionale for a place in the final, while the other half of the draw sees Atalanta waiting to play either Bologna or Lazio.
Penalty drama decides encounter
From the outset, Como showed no fear. The visitors pressed strongly, with Nico Paz and Perrone catching the eye, and they went ahead in the first half when Baturina converted from the spot after Olivera had brought down Smolcic in the box.
Napoli responded early in the second half. Vergara, in fine form, capitalised on a deflection off Hojlund to slip past the defence and level the score. The remainder of normal time saw the Azzurri push forward, but despite several chances, neither side could find a winner, taking the tie to penalties.
In the shootout, tension ran high. Lukaku missed for Napoli, while Milinkovic kept Perrone’s effort out. The drama continued until Butez denied Lobotka, sealing Como’s dramatic passage to the semi-finals.
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Tuesday the team “will never shut the door” on potentially finding a role for Andrew McCutchen, a longtime cornerstone of the franchise.
The Pirates on Monday reached an agreement with veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna on a one-year contract worth $12 million, subject to Ozuna passing a physical. The deal would make it more unlikely McCutchen, who is unsigned, would be needed on the Pirates' roster. Ozuna would assume the designated hitter role, which was McCutchen's primary spot in 2025.
The 39-year-old McCutchen is a five-time All-Star and the 2013 NL MVP. He has played 12 of his 17 seasons in the majors with the Pirates.
Cherington said he believes McCutchen “will always be a Pirate."
"I think most people feel that way. I certainly speak for the organization and that’s how we feel,” Cherington said.
Even though it appears more unlikely there will be a spot for McCutchen on the roster following the agreement with Ozuna, Cherington said “forever is a long time” and he would not rule out an agreement with McCutchen, who hit .239 with 13 homers last season.
“I think this is a moment in time,” Cherington said. “And I think there’s a long time ahead of us. ... I don’t think you ever — the Pirates will never shut the door, completely shut the door, on Andrew McCutchen. That’s just how we feel about him. That’s not going to happen.”
Even so, Cherington said the start of spring training in Florida means the Pirates are “focused on the players that are here, focused on how do we get ready for the 2026 season? ... You know longer term, you know we don’t need to make any declaration about the longer term. Just focus on today right now.”
Pirates manager Don Kelly said McCutchen “is always going to be a Pirate in everyone’s heart” and said, as a former teammate, “you respect him and everything that he means to the team and the city.”
Cherington said he hopes to protect the team's relationship with McCutchen.
“No matter what, Andrew’s a Pirate and certainly our desire will be to continue to have a really strong relationship with him into the future, whatever that looks like.”
Cherington said his priority has been to make personnel decisions that put the team "in the best position to win more games in 2026.”
“I feel confident that every decision we’ve made has been about what we believe is best for the team,” he said. “Sometimes when you are making those decisions, they’re going to be hard. You know, some of those decisions are hard. And I think that, again, that’s the nature of these things. Tremendous respect for Andrew. And certainly our desire would be to have a strong relationship with him going forward.”
Rich Ruohonen is the oldest athlete for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The 54-year-old works as a personal injury attorney in Minnesota for his day job, but he’s also one of the most accomplished figures in his sport as a two-time national champion. This is his first appearance at the Olympics after years of just falling short.
Ruohonen used his spotlight at the Olympics on Tuesday to deliver an important message: what’s happening in his home state of Minnesota right now is not okay as federal immigration officers tear apart the city looking to meet deportation demands from President Donald Trump.
“What’s happening in Minnesota is wrong. There’s no shades of gray. It’s clear.”
“We love our country. We’re playing for the U.S., for Team USA,” Ruohonen continued.
Watch Ruohonen’s full comments here:
NEW: American curler Rich Ruohonen criticizes ICE at the Winter Olympics, says it has been a really “tough” time for people in Minnesota.
“We'd be remiss if we didn't at least mention what's going on in Minnesota…”
The Olympics have always been political through the history of the games, and Team USA athletes are using their voice to speak out against Trump during these games. Ruohonen isn’t the first, and he likely won’t be the last.
The Browns may . . . or may not have their franchise quarterback on their roster.
New coach Todd Monken acknowledged the day he was hired that he is "intrigued" by three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson. But Monken also said he is as excited to work with Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and any other quarterback the team acquires.
Watson, 30, and Monken have communicated and are “eager” to work together once the offseason program begins in April, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports.
Watson began working with his private trainer in South Florida on Monday and will start his throwing program on Wednesday with private quarterbacks coach Quincy Avery, per Cabot. Some of the Browns' receivers could join him.
Doctors fully cleared Watson for football activity in November, and he will have no restrictions this offseason.
Watson has an $80 million cap hit for 2026 in the final year of his five-year, fully guaranteed contract.
He spent the entire 2025 season rehabbing a twice-torn Achilles at the team facility. Watson has not played more than seven games in any of his four seasons and has played a total of 19 games, throwing 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Monken told Nathan Zegura of the team website that the Browns will explore all options for their franchise quarterback.
“I’m excited to get started with the guys that we have in the room now, and then looking to add to that possibly,” Monken told Zegura. “You’ve got to have a quarterback to give yourself a chance to win in this league. We know that. You also have to have good players around them to really get it going. So I’m excited about Shedeur, Deshaun, Dillon and who else we might add to that in terms of competition to really have this offense take off.”
Jan 22, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Ivan Juric (3) defends Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) shoots the ball during the second half at Rec Hall. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
Fresh off a 78-77 overtime loss to the Indiana Hoosiers, the Wisconsin Badgers are staying on the road against the Illinois Fighting Illini, facing a top-10 team for the fourth time this season.
Three of those have been on the road, with Wisconsin traveling to Provo to face the BYU Cougars earlier in the season, where they lost 98-70. They also lost at home to the Purdue Boilermakers by 16 and beat the Michigan Wolverines on the road 91-88 to secure their lone Quad 1 win so far this season.
Now, they’ll take on an Illinois team that has been one of the best in the country this season, going 20-4 so far, including 11-2 in the Big Ten. The Fighting Illini were on an impressive 11-game winning streak before narrowly losing by three to the Michigan State Spartans this weekend.
For Wisconsin, the magic number has been 80 points. They’re 14-0 when scoring 80 points this season, but have only done so once in their past four games. Slow starts have been an issue for the Badgers, but they’ve also made some impressive double-digit comebacks. That was the case against Indiana this weekend, but Wisconsin couldn’t get the job done in an overtime period that was marred by officiating controversy.
The Badgers haven’t won at the State Farm Center since 2019, and they’re facing one of the most complete Illini teams under Brad Underwood. Illinois has star freshman Keaton Wagler, who has jumped into the top-five pick conversation with a strong season. He’s leading Illinois in points, assists, and steals, transitioning into that point guard role for the Illini, and has shot an impressive 43.3 percent from three.
But Illinois is complete. They’ve got great depth, physicality, scoring, and good defense. They will be without senior Kylan Boswell, who is still recovering from a broken right hand, but Illinois is still a 10.5-point favorite heading into Tuesday evening.
Can the Badgers find a way to another top-10 upset on the road? Stay tuned as our game thread is officially open!
Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was a tough game, we expected that really. I don't think we were at our best in terms of sharpness and attacking side of the game. So sometimes you have to make the most of what the night throws at you.
"Credit to the boys for coming back again, it is a great trait to have in the team. There are positives to take from it, you can't win every game, we certainly didn't want to come away from here without a point.
"It is not surprising, that is what Ben has got in him. He is dangerous in and around the box. That's two really important goals for him - one to get a point and the other to get a win. Delighted for him.
"We have to give credit to West Ham, they defended well and closed spaces of. We just lacked that spark. I won't be too harsh on the boys, we will learn from tonight and come back strong."
Did you know?
Manchester United have conceded at least once in each of their last 18 away league games, their longest run without a clean sheet since a 25-game streak between September 1970 and September 1971.
United have both scored and conceded in each of their last 11 away league games, their second-longest such run after a run of 12 between September 1966 and March 1967.
The Red Devils had just nine shots against West Ham, only the second time this season they've had fewer than 10 in a Premier League match (5 vs Spurs in November).
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Disappointed, all of us are to get this in the end. We had a good game, the boys worked hard but today it was not to be.
"It is a draw that gives us sadness but the way we competed today was really good.
"It is a mix of everything - the need that we have and the work from the boys today deserved so much more.
"We should be proud and this is the way, we must compete in every game like this.
"We should keep the standards, I said that to the boys and their faces are of a job well done. They hurt and it is painful.
"You look back to the game and it is always the final moments that you think you almost got across the line but then get a big punch in the stomach. It is painful."
Did you know?
At 95:11, Benjamin Sesko's equaliser for Manchester United was the latest result altering goal West Ham have conceded at home on record in the Premier League (since 2006-07).
The Hammers have dropped more points from winning positions than any other side in the Premier League this season (20).
Tomas Soucek's opener for West Ham was his 39th Premier League goal, the outright most of any Czech player in the competition's history (one more than Patrik Berger).
Spurs manager Thomas Frank endured another disappointing day at the office - Sebastian Frej/Getty Imagesb''b''
Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham Hotspur have an itch that needs scratching and it seems that until they have a good go at it, nobody is going to be able to ease the pain the club’s desperate supporters are feeling right now.
Thomas Frank had said it would be “well deserved” if Tottenham’s fans sang the name of Pochettino, so he could hardly blame them for doing just that as his side slumped to an 11th league defeat of a miserable season against Newcastle United.
It was in the 49th minute, with Tottenham trailing by a goal, that the Spurs fans decided it was time to once again declare their love for Pochettino. They later followed it up with chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” at Frank.
Goals from Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey heightened relegation fears, with Spurs now 16th in the table behind Leeds United and five points above third-from-bottom West Ham United.
There is no sign that Frank is the man to turn it around, even though he deserves respect for the way he has handled himself and he is right to underline an injury crisis that robbed him of 10 players ahead of kick-off against Newcastle United and saw Wilson Odobert forced off in the first half.
Pochettino, who is committed to the US national team until after the World Cup, cannot come to the rescue this season. But, even though they will have to wait until the summer, one thing is clear: Tottenham’s fans want Pochettino back and the Argentine wants another go at the club he still loves.
Pretending any differently has become pointless. Nobody can truly capture the hearts of the Spurs supporters until they have been given a chance to fall head over heels for Pochettino all over again. In the meantime, it seems fans would rather anybody but Frank is put in charge of the team until the end of the season
Vinai Venkatesham, Spurs’ chief executive, and Peter Charrington, the club’s executive chairman, were inside the stadium on Tuesday night where they were left in no doubt what the supporters want and expect. It remains to be seen, however, whether they will give the masses what they wish for.
Even before this latest catastrophe, Frank acknowledged that it would be futile to try to convince Tottenham fans and Pochettino to get over their love affair.
“I met Mauricio a few times, great guy, a great coach,” said Frank. “I think he’s a legend [here]. He was part of transforming the club, from where it was at that stage, to where it ended up being in terms of being close to winning the Premier League title.
“Getting into the Champions League final. If you are close, then you are very close to winning it. Sometimes it’s football, it’s margins. Pochettino did a top job here and is a true legend, so if the fans sing his name it’s well deserved.”
Mauricio Pochettino, who took Spurs to the European Cup final in 2019, is idolised by the club’s fans - Chris Brunskill/Getty Images
Frank was responding to Pochettino’s appearance on the High Performance Podcast, which host Jake Humphrey closed by saying: “You love Tottenham, you want to win the Premier League and Tottenham now have the facilities to win the Premier League. Let’s see what the universal energy does.”
Pochettino, who regularly references his belief in universal energy, jumped in to say: “Now we are focused on the USA, and we are going for the World Cup.” Before Humphrey added: “Return to the Premier League as World Cup winners.”
If Pochettino returns to the Premier League at anywhere other than Tottenham next season, then the Lewis family and Venkatesham will see their popularity plummet even further.
Pochettino often referenced the need to distinguish between perception and reality during his Tottenham days, but he was happy to indulge the fantasies of the club’s fans towards the end of his hour-and-a-half with Humphrey.
“To win a Europa League, that the team won, is good, but it’s not enough,” said Pochettino. “It is not enough to challenge for the Carabao Cup, or the FA Cup, or the Europa League, or the Conference [League].
“It’s a club that should be, or needs to be because the fans, what they expect is, to be in the Champions League, fighting for the Champions League, trying to believe that you can win the Champions League and also fighting for the Premier League and believing that you can win the Premier League.”
Spurs are currently closer to the Championship than challenging for the Champions League, but there are players Pochettino would no doubt relish working with such as 19-year-old Archie Gray, who briefly got his team on level terms against Newcastle.
An equaliser for Spurs and it's Archie Gray with it as he bundles home the Tottenham corner to draw them level! 💥
Frank was asked on Monday whether he regretted setting a negative tone by telling supporters that Tottenham will lose matches in his very first press conference as head coach.
The Dane said no and claimed there has to be “a nice combo between reality and selling hope”, but it is clear that, in the eyes of the fans Pochettino is the only man capable of providing some optimism.
One former Spurs staff member told Telegraph Sport: “It’s got to the stage where Pochettino is the only coach who will be given any time with the fans. They’ve tried everything else and they want to give him another go. Until that happens, it feels like nobody has got much of a chance.”
Last March, in an interview with selected English journalists, Pochettino said: “I would like one day to come back. Not because of my ego, it’s because I would like one day to win with Tottenham.
“We were so close and it was so painful and then with Chelsea it was one year, very productive, but we spend nearly five and a half years there [at Tottenham] and we achieved to be in a Champions League [final], to fight for four years to be one of the contenders for the Premier League, when before the club was fighting for different things.”
The old adage may say “never go back”, but it seems increasingly clear that Tottenham, with Daniel Levy no longer at the helm, have little choice but to give it another whirl with Pochettino. Until then, neither party appears ready to move on and Frank appears to be fighting a losing battle to convince anybody otherwise.
Frank: I am 1,000 per cent sure I am right man for Spurs
b'' Frank’s next match with Spurs will be at home against league leaders Arsenal - Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Thomas Frank claimed he is “convinced” he will remain in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, despite being subjected to chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” from the club’s fans.
Frank came out fighting following the defeat by Newcastle United, insisting he is not the only man to blame for the Spurs slump, underlining the club’s injury crisis and saying he is “1,000 per cent sure” he is the right man for the job.
With the club already out of the FA Cup, Tottenham face north London rivals Arsenal next. But Frank claimed to be confident that he will keep his job for that game and stressed he is not the only man to blame for the club’s slump.
Asked if his job is under threat, Frank said: “I spoke to them [the owners] yesterday, so no. I understand the frustration and the easiest thing is to point at me. That’s part of the job, unfortunately.”
On whether or not he will be in charge for the Arsenal game, Frank added: “Yeah, I’m convinced I will be. I also think it’s never only the head coach or the ownership or the directors or the players or the staff. It’s everyone. If you do something right, you build something that can last. Of course, we are not in a top position now. Everyone knows, directors, ownership, myself, what position we are in, what we need to improve and what we need to do better. That is what we are working very hard on.
“I understand the fans’ frustration. We are in a position we don’t want to be in and we are working very hard day and night to change. I also think it is a situation now the club has been in, it’s fair to say, for almost two years struggling to combine Europe and the Premier League. It’s something for me, the team, the club, the players, we need to learn to do even better physically and mentally to deal with that.
"3 points off the relegation zone... wow, it's tough times" 🤯
Les Ferdinand understands the Spurs' fans frustrations as they drop ever-closer to the relegation zone 👀
“And part of that of course is the 11 injuries or 10 plus a suspension plus another one today which of course doesn’t help in a situation like that. The injuries, I think they need to be massively taken into consideration. I haven’t really said it too much, but everyone can see the impact of things.”
Frank was asked if he still believes he is the right man for Tottenham and he replied by saying: “[I am] 1,000 per cent sure. I am also 1,000 per cent sure that I never expected us to be in a situation like this with 11 or 12 injuries on the back end of this and what we’ve been facing. But I know when you need to build something and need to get through things, you need to show unbelievable strong resilience.
“I think it is fair to say there are a few before me up here, not only for Tottenham but in many other clubs, that have lost their head many times. I think you need to have a calm head, carry on, keep fighting and keep doing the right thing, make sure we stick together because we can only do this if we stick together. That is the board, that is the leaders, that is the players, that is the staff, that is me and that is the fans. We’ve got to get through this.”
10:02pm
Post-match thoughts of Dominic Solanke
"We don't want to be anywhere near the bottom of the table...but we know we can turn it around" 💪
Spurs striker Dom Solanke admits they're at the wrong end of the Premier League table but has faith in the squad to turn it around.
“I think that the players gave everything. Newcastle were better than us overall in the first half but we came back in the second half. We are a little bit hit by injuries so it is not a full team with confidence and flow. We still though had a chance to take something from that game but we were unable to. We definitely need to understand we are not in a top position and we have to fight to get out of this. I understand the frustration of the fans and the easiest thing is to point the finger at me. That is part of the job. I will fight to turn this around. No [not worried about his future], I spoke to the board yesterday. What I do is I work hard and put a side out there that is ready to fight.”
09:53pm
Post-match thoughts of Eddie Howe
"We're still in there fighting" 💪
Eddie Howe was proud of his Newcastle side after their 2-1 victory away at Spurs.
“It has been a while. I have been playing different positions and today was playing a little bit higher up. The manager is demanding I need to get my numbers up and thankfully I got my goal today.”
On his instinctive finish for his goal:
“I knew I was in the box and played a one-two with Gordy [Anthony Gordon]. It was instinctive really, left foot, nice finish.”
On his big celebration:
“It has been tough. I like to think I am a box-to-box midfielder scoring goals. Obviously my first goal today and pure emotion. Just happy with the three points.”
On his injury earlier in the season:
“I got injured in my first start, out for two months. I need to build back fitness, I was in and out the team. Feeling good, feeling fit. I want to stay in the team, keep scoring goals, keep getting assists and keep helping the team out. “
09:48pm
Les Ferdinand on TNT Sports
"3 points off the relegation zone... wow, it's tough times" 🤯
Les Ferdinand understands the Spurs' fans frustrations as they drop ever-closer to the relegation zone 👀
February 14: Aston Villa vs Newcastle (FA Cup) February 18: Qarabag vs Newcastle (Champions League) February 21: Manchester City vs Newcastle (Premier League) February 24: Newcastle vs Qarabag (Champions League) February 28: Newcastle vs Everton (Premier League)
A busy few weeks ahead for Eddie Howe’s side, playing in three competitions, including their Champions League play-off tie against Qarabag.
09:41pm
Tottenham’s next five matches
February 22: Tottenham vs Arsenal (Premier League) March 1: Fulham vs Tottenham (Premier League) March 5: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace (Premier League) March 15: Liverpool vs Tottenham (Premier League) March 22: Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
They will be in Champions League last-16 action in March. With 12 days now between today and their next game in the north London derby, will Tottenham think about a managerial change?
Possession: Tottenham 53%-47% Newcastle Shots: 16-21 Shots on target: 2-5 Corners: 2-12 Touches in opposition box: 28-54
09:30pmKey moments
Full time
The final whistle is met by a plethora of boos inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Newcastle clinch a 2-1 win, which they do deserve. Thiaw gave them the lead before Gray’s equaliser. However, Ramsey’s first goal for Newcastle has earned them all three points. Thomas Frank was under massive pressure going into night and that has been ramped up even more. Could this be the final straw for Frank at Tottenham? By the end of the night, they may only be three points clear of the relegation zone.
09:28pm
90+5 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
Into the final 60 seconds we go, although that may be slightly extended by Guimaraes’ injury.
09:27pm
90+2 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
Solanke’s overhead kick is blocked by Burn before van de Ven blazes over. Time is running out for Tottenham to find an equaliser.
Guimaraes limps off pretty slowly and is replaced by Hall.
Six added minutes as chants of “Sacked in the morning” are sung at Thomas Frank by some inside the stadium. It may well have come the away fans.
09:23pm
89 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
That is a cynical foul from Guimaraes, who is booked for that challenge of Simons, and then goes down hurt. He did look like he was struggling a few minutes ago and has now gone down.
09:22pm
88 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
Eddie Howe is making a double change as Woltemade and Osula come on for Willock and Gordon. Newcastle assistant coach Jason Tindall is shown a yellow card during those substitutions.
09:20pm
86 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
There have been plenty of empty seats throughout the game tonight and the number of those is increasing as some home fans have decided they have seen enough.
09:16pm
83 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
Newcastle have conceded the most goals (14) in the final 15 minutes of league games this season so the travelling fans may not be feeling entirely comfortable right now.
09:15pm
81 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
With Leeds fighting back to level their game at Chelsea to 2-2, Tottenham are currently set to drop to 16th, just five points above the relegation zone.
09:08pm
74 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
Double change for Newcastle as J Murphy and Tonali replace Elanga and Ramsey, who scored Newcastle’s second goal tonight.
09:03pm
69 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
Thomas Frank makes a change as Kolo Muani replaces Gallagher.
09:01pmKey moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Ramsey restores Newcastle’s lead
Tottenham were not level for long. Ramsey sweeps home into the far corner from Gordon’s pass into him and races off to celebrate with the travelling fans. That is Ramsey’s first goal for Newcastle so no wonder the very animated celebrations.
WHAT AN ASSIST 🤩
Amazing feet from Anthony Gordon and he puts it on a plate for Jacob Ramsey who puts Newcastle back into the lead!
Van de Ven pulls off a crucial block to deny Barnes inside the Tottenham penalty area before the hosts counter. Simons goes down, wanting a free-kick but it was a blatant dive and Anthony Taylor correctly books the Dutchman. A second yellow card for diving for Tottenham tonight after Sarr’s in the first half.
09:00pm
66 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 1
Eddie Howe will be so disappointed with his team; they were dominant for the first 50 minutes but did not properly take advantage of that dominance.
08:57pmKey moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Gray equalises for Tottenham
For 50 minutes, they were woeful but the home side are on level terms. It comes from their first corner of the game, which goes to the back post. Sarr heads it back across goal, where Graay volleys home from inside the six-yard box. Pope claimed he was impeded but the goal is given.
An equaliser for Spurs and it's Archie Gray with it as he bundles home the Tottenham corner to draw them level! 💥
Two bookings come in quick succession as Spence goes into the book for a poor challenge on Elanga.
08:52pm
59 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 1
If the scores here and at the London Stadium stay the same, Tottenham would be just five points above the relegation zone.
Back on the pitch, Burn is booked for a rash challenge on Gallagher and there were not many protestations.
08:50pm
56 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 1
You can just sense that the momentum is beginning to turn in Tottenham’s favour. Despite a pretty abject first 50 minutes from the hosts, they are just one goal behind.
08:47pm
53 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 1
Tottenham have barely threatened the Newcastle goal but that was a chance for Tel. Gray drives down the right, all the way into the Newcastle box, and puts the ball across the box into the path of Tel but the Frenchman is on the stretch and cannot keep his effort on target, with his shot looping into the crowd.
08:44pm
50 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 1
Tottenham are on the ropes here as Newcastle press for a second. There is another penalty shout from Newcastle as Willock goes down under a challenge from Simons. The Dutchman does kick the back of Willock’s boot and got none of the ball. Simons can count himself a little fortunate that a penalty was not given there.
08:42pm
48 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 1
It has been a fairly chaotic start to this second half in the driving rain of north London. VAR did check that incident between Spence and Elanga but does not intervene. It was very similar to the incident in the first half, where Thiaw slightly nudged Solanke in the back.
No penalty - John Walton/PA
08:41pm
47 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 1
Thomas Frank will have wanted to have seen his side come out with a bang after the break in response to the first half but Newcastle have started where they left off. Tottenham are looking nervy again.
Newcastle want a penalty as Elanga goes down under a challenge from Spence. What will VAR make of that?
08:39pm
Second half
We are back under way in north London. How will Tottenham respond to a pretty poor first half? They will probably be relieved they are not more than one goal behind and they did come from 2-0 down after a similarly poor first-half performance against Manchester City to draw 2-2 recently.
Thomas Frank has made a change at the break and it comes in the centre of midfield as Palhinha replaces Bissouma.
Willock, despite looking like he might have picked up an injury before the break, has come back out for the second half.
08:34pmAnalysis
HT verdict
b''
Newcastle deserve the lead at half time but has Joe Willock injured himself doing a knee slide celebrating a goal ruled out for offside?
As for the offside, to the naked eye the still image used to say it was offside looked onside to me. Maybe my ageing eyes are playing tricks on me!
Possession: Tottenham 44%-56% Newcastle Shots: 4-11 Shots on target: 0-4 Corners: 0-9 Touches in opposition box: 11-27
08:23pm
Half-time
That is it for the first half and Newcastle lead 1-0 at the break courtesy of that late goal from Thiaw. They were inches away as well from scoring another goal as well but Willock’s effort not long before Thiaw’s goal was ruled out. Plenty of boos from the home fans at the half-time whistle.
Boos echo round the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the half time whistle goes 👀
The visitors were denied moments ago but they are not to be denied this time. Deep into added time in this first half, Willock sends in a cross from the right to the back post, where Thiaw heads towards goal. Vicario makes a smart save on his own line down to his right but Thiaw is the quickest to react, putting the rebound into the back of the net. Thiaw was the hungriest to get to it first after the save and he is rewarded.
Newcastle are not to be denied, and it's Malick Thiaw who gives them the lead! 💥
Vicario keeps out his 1st header, but can't do anything to stop the rebound, and the Magpies go 1-0 up!
The home fans are getting very restless about their side passing backwards and not looking to move the ball up the pitch with any sort of intensity.
08:17pm
45 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
We are into five added minutes, due to Odobert’s injury, and that may be extended due to that VAR review.
08:17pmKey moments • Video
NO GOAL! Willock’s effort ruled out
It was incredibly close but Willock is adjudged to have been just offside. It always looked close in real time but it did feel like he would be just onside. However, that is not the case and the game stays at 0-0. It was Willock’s head which put him in an offside position. Talk about fine margins!
So, so tight!
Newcastle think they've taken the lead, but VAR thinks otherwise 👀
Joe Willock finished off the incisive counter attack, but it seems he mistimed his run by a millisecond, and Spurs are saved...
That has been coming for the visitors and they deserve to take the lead just before half-time. The move originates from a lovely first-time pass from Guimaraes into Ramsey, who feeds a through ball into the path of Willock, who had made the run forward. It initially looked like Willock was taking too long and had allowed van de Ven to get back but Willock cuts inside and then picks out the far corner. VAR is going to take a look at whether Willock was offside when he made the initial run forward. Was he ahead of van de Ven or not? This is very close...
08:12pm
42 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Referee Anthony Taylor is spot on there. The Tottenham players and fans thought that Sarr was going to be awarded a free-kick but instead Sarr is shown a yellow card for diving. As the replays prove, the referee was absolutely right to book Sarr as it was a clear dive.
08:11pm
40 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Newcastle have got into some dangerous positions but have lacked a clinical and cutting edge with the final pass, decision or shot. They really should be in front but the game remains level.
08:06pmAnalysis
35 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
b''
Newcastle have played really well but haven’t turned pressure into goals. It’s been a familiar failing this season.
08:05pm
34 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Odobert has received some treatment to his leg for a few minutes now and it appears his race is down tonight. Tel is ready to come on to replace his compatriot. Odobert did walk off but has gone straight down the tunnel.
Another injury for Tottenham - Ian Walton/AP
08:02pm
31 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Play is halted as Odobert has gone down in some pain. Thomas Frank will be worried about this being another injury to add to the likes of Kulusevski, Maddison, Kudus and Richarlison.
08:00pm
29 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Newcastle are now up to eight corners. Elanga’s delivery is headed to the edge of the box, where Ramsey takes a touch before powerfully shooting. There is a deflection and the visitors will have another corner.
There is a bit of a mad scramble inside the Tottenham box but Gordon’s header goes wide. Eddie Howe will be disappointed that his side have not taken the lead considering their dominance in this first half.
07:56pm
26 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
It is pretty subdued inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with most of the positive energy coming from the travelling Newcastle fans. Most of the noise coming from the home fans are groans.
07:54pm
22 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Solanke goes down inside the Newcastle box under a challenge from Thiaw wanting a penalty but referee Anthony Taylor waves the appeals away. VAR does take a look at a nudge in the back from Thiaw but the on-field decision of no penalty stands.
07:50pm
19 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Dragusin has now nearly scored two own goals in this first half as Vicario is forced to punch away after his centre-back sliced an attempted clearance towards his own goal. There is plenty of anxiety and frustration amongst the home fans.
07:48pm
17 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Newcastle are definitely in the ascendancy right now and have another corner as Ramsey’s shot deflects behind off van de Ven.
The visitors are now up to six corners with the hosts under the pump right now.
07:45pm
14 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Newcastle have made a confident start to this game, in a similar fashion to when they played away at Liverpool around 10 days ago. They started well in the first half of that match, taking a 1-0 lead, before Liverpool dominated from around 35 minutes onwards in that game to win 4-1. That night they also lined up with the same front three as they do tonight, with bags of pace up top.
07:41pm
10 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Elanga drives the ball across the floor into the box and Barnes attempts a clever flick from behind him but there is not enough power on it to trouble Vicario.
07:39pmKey moments
8 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Newcastle are inches away from taking the lead. Space opens up for Willock to drive towards the box and get his shot away. The effort looks like it might nestle into the far corner but it goes just wide, perhaps kissing the outside of the post.
07:38pm
7 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
The TV cameras have panned to the stands, where Tottenham captain Romero is sat with Maddison. Whilst the latter is still out with a long-term injury, Romero is suspended again this season after a red card on the weekend. How many games as the Spurs captain missed this season alone due to suspension?
Simons has an effort from the left side of the box from a narrow angle but drags the shot into the side netting.
07:34pmVideo
3 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
The first corner of the night goes the way of the visitors as Bissouma heads behind a decent cross from Elanga out on the right touchline.
Elanga takes the corner he won and puts it into a dangerous area. The ball comes off Dragusin, who does not know much about it, and the ball loops just over his own bar.
Tottenham head the corner away but Newcastle keep it alive. Elanga clips the ball back into the box, with Solanke attempting to clear, but the ball ends up with Botman at the far post but the Dutchman’s header goes just over.
Early pressure on the home side.
How has that missed?! 🤯
Great delivery from Elanga and it's turned towards his own goal by Drăgușin but flies just over the bar.
We are under way at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Both teams and both managers are in desperate need of a win so who will come out on top tonight?
b''
There are either a lot of late comers or a lot of empty seats at Tottenham tonight. The Newcastle end is full, but there are a lot of gaps in home areas. You wouldn’t know it is such a big game for Spurs from looking around the stadium.
07:27pm
Nearly ready for action
Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off. Here is a reminder of the teams:
Tottenham: Vicario, Gray, Dragusin, van de Ven, Spence, Sarr, Bissouma, Gallagher, Odobert, Solanke, Simons. Substitutes: Kinsky, Palhinha, Tel, Souza, Kolo Muani, Oluesi, Byfield, Williams Barnett, Rowswell.
The pre-match entertainment inside the Tottenham Hotspur has included a home team-inspired quiz. I think Thomas Frank and Spurs sporting director Johan Lange would make a strong quiz team - good on Abba and Scandinavian noir. The weather inside the Tottenham Hotspur stadium is so bad that even Jason Tindall looks a bit pasty in the rain.
07:14pmAnalysis
What about Tonali’s future?
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There has been a lot of noise around Sandro Tonali this season and increasing speculation about a future away from Newcastle United but the Italy international has not been dropped because of that.
Tonali is not starting against Tottenham because he has looked out of form for months and in need of a rest. Others have attracted more criticism, but the drop off in performance levels from Tonali, compared to last season, has been dramatic.
It is still a brave call from manager Eddie Howe to leave him out, just as it is to pick Anthony Gordon at centre forward rather than either of his expensive summer signings Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade.
Wissa does not look fit and Woltemade looks like a bad fit but Gordon is still a winger not a centre forward.
But Tonali has not been playing well and Newcastle’s midfield has been far too easy to play through recently. It will, of course, lead to more suggestions that the former AC Milan star does not want to be on Tyneside much longer.
Newcastle, though, are surprisingly relaxed about all the transfer talk about the midfielder, who was supposedly offered to Arsenal in January and who has since been linked with a summer move to Manchester City, Manchester United and Juventus.
The player’s agent has publicly cranked up the pressure by hinting the 25-year-old would be interested in a move if Newcastle do not qualify for the Champions League. It has felt like a summer transfer saga has been well signposted.
Yet, the main power brokers at St James’ Park have shrugged it all off, almost dismissively, in private. They have pointed out that the player has not told anyone at Newcastle that he would like a move and, in fact, stressed to both sporting director Ross Wilson and Howe last week that he is extremely happy at the club.
It has also been pointed out that if Tonali wants a big money move in the summer - he is effectively under contract until 2030 - he needs to be playing a lot better than he is at the moment for anyone to be willing to make a bid that could tempt Newcastle to sell a player who cost them £55m in 2023.
07:09pm
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07:05pm
Jason Burt: Howe needs to change
Something needs to change at Newcastle United. That change is not a new manager. But it is the current manager changing his tactics to allow Newcastle to play more like a big team.
Following Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat by Brentford, there was an emotional response from Eddie Howe. The 48-year-old is an emotional character, which some at the club might find ironic given he is also regarded as sometimes being aloof.
But Howe did publicly question himself. On Monday, ahead of the crucial Premier League fixture away to Tottenham Hotspur, he clarified he still felt he was the right man for the job, but there was also the kicker that he would quit if he no longer believed that.
06:57pm
Newcastle’s last five results
Newcastle 2 Brentford 3 (Premier League) Manchester City 3 Newcastle 1 (League Cup) Liverpool 4 Newcastle 1 (Premier League) PSG 1 Newcastle 1 (Champions League) Newcastle 0 Aston Villa 2 (Premier League)
06:51pm
Tottenham’s last five results
Manchester United 2 Tottenham 0 (Premier League) Tottenham 2 Manchester City 2 (Premier League) Eintracht Frankfurt 0 Tottenham 2 (Champions League) Burnley 2 Tottenham 2 (Premier League) Tottenham 2 Borussia Dortmund 0 (Champions League)
Frank does not want to mention the R-word, but Spurs may have to face up to it soon
Perhaps it is not surprising that Tottenham Hotspur players are not thought to have salary-reduction clauses in their contracts in the event of relegation, given the club have only had to seriously consider the prospect of going down once in the Premier League era.
Thomas Frank, the head coach, did not want to mention the R-words – Romero or relegation – on Monday, but the threat of dropping into the Championship is something that Spurs may have to front up to if they lose to Newcastle United on Tuesday.
Tottenham do not comment or guide on the specifics of player contracts, but ex-staff members who worked at the club during Daniel Levy’s era as chairman told Telegraph Sport that salary reduction relegation clauses were not inserted into contracts during their time at Spurs.
06:27pm
Howe admits: I will leave Newcastle if I feel I am not the right man
Eddie Howe has declared he would step down as Newcastle United manager if he did not feel able to take the club in the right direction.
“The club is always number one, and from my perspective I will always act in the best interests of the club,” Howe said. “I’ve got to think, am I the right person to do the job? Am I giving value and am I helping the players? Am I the right person to get results ultimately?
“As long as I feel that in my heart and in my spirit, [that] my desire and my motivations levels are as high as they have ever been… that’s the key question I always have to ask myself. Am I the right person to take the club and the team forward? It’s a feeling that you have and as long as that feeling remains inside of me I will fight every day, with the maximum I have, to bring success to the club.
06:22pm
This round of Premier League games
Tonight: Chelsea vs Leeds Everton vs Bournemouth Tottenham vs Newcastle West Ham vs Manchester United
Wednesday: Aston Villa vs Brighton Crystal Palace vs Burnley Manchester City vs Fulham Nottingham Forest vs Wolves Sunderland vs Liverpool
Betting on the football today? Take a look at these best betting sites chosen by Telegraph Media Group
06:07pmKey moments
Two managers under big pressure?
We are treated to a midweek round of Premier League football and we are in north London as Tottenham host Newcastle at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. When these sides met at St James’ Park back in early December, the game ended in a 2-2 draw after a dramatic conclusion. That game was goalless through 70 minutes but then sprung into life. Newcastle led twice but Cristian Romero’s 95th-minute equaliser earned Tottenham a point. Tottenham do not have a good recent record against Tottenham; they have lost five of their last seven Premier League games against Newcastle.
Tottenham fell to a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United on the weekend, with their cause not helped by a first-half red card for their captain Romero. That loss means that Thomas Frank’s side are still yet to register a league win in 2026, with their last Premier League victory coming at Crystal Palace at the tail end of December. Tottenham start the day down in 14th, just six points above the relegation zone.
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero is suspended after his red card at the weekend - Adam Vaughan/Shutterstock
“There is no doubt we are desperate to win games, desperate,” Frank said. “And I am focusing on Newcastle. That is a great opportunity ahead of us against a good team. That is the main thing. Can we go out there and get three points? That will be very good and then climb from there. Look forward, that is what we need to do. That is the main focus.”
Tottenham will be without defenders Kevin Danso and Destiny Udogie due to injury whilst Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison remain long-term absentees.
Newcastle lost at home to Brentford last time out, which leaves them down in 12th, 11 points off the top four. They have just one win in their last eight, which has ramped up the pressure on Eddie Howe.
“I will do better. It is part of the evolution,” Howe said. “These challenging moments are when you grow the most. I am looking forward to that. The club is always number one. I have got to think I’m the right person to get results, and give value. As long as I feel that in my heart and spirit, my desire and passion for the job will always be there. That is why I am sitting here now, if I did not think that I would not be. I will fight every day to the maximum for success for this club. When you do not win it is an easy criticism to make, to accuse the players of [a lack of effort]. I see the players every day. The squad is strong in terms of psychology, if there are suggestions that people feel we did not leave everything on the pitch, we have to take that on the chin and address that in the next game.”
Lewis Miley and Anthony Gordon are doubts for tonight’s game whilst Joelinton is ruled out.
The Houston Rockets will play host to the Los Angeles Clippers at their home arena of Toyota Center this Tuesday (Feb. 10) evening in the first of two tilts in a home-and-home series for the Rockets with the Clippers this week. In it, Houston will be looking to build on the momentum they established with a hard-fought win over arguably the best team in the league earlier this week.
On the other side of the ball court, the Clippers are on the hunt to extend their current win streak against other Western Conference foes. This ought to be a Rockets win with Houston the better team in terms of record and talent. But Los Angeles is still a dangerous team, as their current streak attests.
Records, standing, and streaks
At present, the Rockets have a 32-19 record, good enough for fourth place in the Western Conference.
The Clippers are the owners of a 25-27 record and a two-game win streak, good enough for 10th place in the West.
What happened in the last game for each team?
Houston beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-106 on the road.
Los Angeles beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-96, also on the road.
Injuries
For Houston, Fred VanVleet (ACL repair) and Steven Adams (left ankle surgery) are out.
For Los Angeles, Bradley Beal (hip) and Darius Garland (toe) are out.
Canadian ice dancing duo Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are currently sitting in the bronze medal position at the 2026 Milan Olympics
In their individual rhythm dance performance on Monday, Feb. 9, Gilles made a miraculous wardrobe malfunction save to prevent the pair from receiving a one-point deduction
Gilles and Poirier will perform one last time in the games on Wednesday, Feb. 11 in the ice dance free dance competition
Canadian ice dancing duo Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are no strangers to the Winter Olympics and the tedious rules of professional figure skating.
The 2026 Milan Olympics are the third winter games for the longtime skating pair, who have already made quite the splash with their performances, and are currently sitting in the bronze medal position for ice dancing. Gilles and Poirier competed in the ice dance team event on Friday, Feb. 6, but it was their individual rhythm dance performance on Monday, Feb. 9 that has crowds talking.
Typically, after the pair's straddle rotational lift, they transition into their final pose with one of Gilles' hands grabbing her ponytail. Yet, in their individual rhythm dance performance, one of Poirier's wrist cuffs got stuck on Gilles' tights during the lift, causing her to make a miraculous behind-the-back save to end with the cuff in her hand.
If the wrist cuff had ended up on the ice, it would've resulted in an automatic 1-point deduction, allowing Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson of Great Britain to knock Gilles and Pirier out of the bronze medal position.
Figure skating fans on Reddit are marveling at Gilles' quick thinking and almost completely unnoticeable save.
Piper Gillies and Paul Poirier
Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty
"Somehow she was able to grab it and hide it behind her back with what looked like magic...I wondered why she didn’t do the pony tail grab!!!," one Reddit user commented.
The theme for this year's rhythm dance competition was music from the '90s, with Gilles and Poirier performing to RuPaul's "Supermodel." Throughout their routine, Gilles and Poirier can be seen using their hands to form crowns on their head, posing for a fake camera, and taking major advantage of "hairography."
Going into their second 2026 Olympics performance together, the pair was looking for redemption with Friday's performance.
"We came into this event unsatisfied with our performance a few days ago, and that allowed us to sharpen our focus. It was such a joy to perform today," Poirier told CBC.
Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier
Gabriel BOUYS / AFP via Getty
Gilles and Poirier's 2026 Olympics journey will come to a close on Wednesday, Feb. 11, when they compete together in the ice dance free dance competition, meaning they have one dance left to compete for their first-ever Olympic medal.
Since both Gilles and Poirier are 34, it's rumored that their Olympic performance on Wednesday will be their final dance on the world stage.
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When the CBC asked the Canadian duo about the possibility of not winning their first Olympic medal at the games this year, Gilles immediately turned the idea down.
"I'm not putting that out in the universe," she said. "What we're going to try to encapsulate at the Olympic Games is just creating our own moment. This is for us. This has been our journey."
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.
Team USA captain Hilary Knight, appearing in her fifth Olympics, has tied two career U.S. Olympic records at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
Her assist against Canada on Tuesday, Feb. 10, gave her 32 career points, tying U.S. recordholder Jenny Potter. She picked up an assist on Caroline Harvey's opening goal, though it wasn't awarded until later in the game.
Knight next suits up in the quarterfinals against host Italy (time and date TBA).
Here's what to know about Team USA women's hockey captain Hilary Knight:
How many Olympic goals and points does Hilary Knight have?
Knight has 14 goals, tying the U.S. Olympic record shared by Natalie Darwitz and Katie King. She has 32 points, tying Jenny Potter's U.S. Olympic record. Her 18 assists are three behind Potter's record of 21.
How many Olympics has Hilary Knight played in?
Milano Cortina is Hilary Knight's fifth Olympic appearance. She also played in Vancouver (2010), Sochi (2014), Pyeongchang (2018) and Beijing (2022).
How many medals does Hilary Knight have?
She won a gold medal in 2018 and silver medals in 2010, 2014 and 2022.
Where does Hilary Knight play in the PWHL?
Knight plays for the expansion Seattle Torrent in the Professional Women's Hockey League. She played for Boston the previous two seasons.
Leeds Fight Back from Two Down to Deny Chelsea Crucial Win
Chelsea Let Control Slip as Leeds Punish Costly Errors at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea’s pursuit of a top four place stalled after surrendering a two goal advantage in a breathless 2-2 draw with Leeds United at Stamford Bridge. What appeared, for long periods, a routine home victory instead became a study in lapses of focus, defensive hesitation, and the Premier League’s enduring capacity for chaos.
First Half Authority Sets Chelsea Up
For an hour, Chelsea looked every inch a side building momentum under Liam Rosenior. Their control was measured rather than frantic, the ball moving with purpose, Leeds pushed back into containment.
Joao Pedro opened the scoring with a finish that reflected both composure and confidence, delicately lifting the ball over Karl Darlow after being released by Cole Palmer’s incisive through pass. It was a goal shaped by timing and clarity of thought.
Palmer then doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after Jaka Bijol clumsily felled Pedro in the area. At 2-0, Chelsea were cruising. Leeds had yet to record a shot on target, the contest drifting towards inevitability.
Defensive Lapses Change Momentum
Games can turn not through sustained pressure but through moments of carelessness. Chelsea offered Leeds their lifeline.
Moises Caicedo’s challenge on Jayden Bogle, unnecessary and clumsy, handed Lukas Nmecha the chance to reduce the deficit from the spot. He converted calmly, shifting the emotional balance inside Stamford Bridge.
If the penalty reopened the door, the equaliser flung it wide. A simple ball over the top triggered collective uncertainty between Josh Acheampong, Malo Gusto, and Robert Sanchez. Hesitation replaced authority, the clearance never came, and Noah Okafor prodded home.
Rosenior’s frustration was unmistakable.
“If we want to improve and get to where we want to be, we have to make sure we’re switched on for 90 minutes. It’s as simple as that,” he said.
“I’m devastated because some of the football we played was excellent. We should come away with three points and we haven’t because two of moments in the game we haven’t taken care of. We gifted Leeds a point.”
Chelsea still had chances to recover. Pedro struck the crossbar with a header, Palmer later blazed over an open goal after neat work from Pedro Neto and Caicedo. The opportunities were there, the execution was not.
Leeds Resilience Earns Reward
Leeds’ comeback owed little to tactical reinvention and everything to persistence. Daniel Farke’s side had been second best for long stretches, yet refused resignation.
Their away record suggested vulnerability, one win on the road all season, but their response reflected growing belief.
Table Implications After Stamford Bridge Drama
The draw leaves Chelsea fifth after Manchester United’s stalemate with West Ham, a missed opportunity in the race for Champions League places.
Leeds, meanwhile, climb to 15th, six points clear of the relegation zone. With twelve matches remaining and the forty point benchmark in sight, survival looks increasingly attainable.
The future of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is about as clear as muddy water right now.
With the future Hall of Famer taking his time to decide on his future, we have heard several little indicators of his thought, with Kelce citing he's excited to work with Eric Bieniemy again.
In truth, we don't really know what Travis will do, and there's a fair chance, at least right now, he doesn't either.
But for CBS Sports' Jordan Dajani, in a crazy prediction, he sees Kelce retiring from the NFL...then unretiring and coming back.
"The 2025 season did not end the way Travis Kelce or the Kansas City Chiefs wanted, but Kelce's contract is finished, and he will decide to hang up the cleats at 36-years-old,” Dajani writes. “Kelce is often compared to Rob Gronkowski when pundits debate the best tight ends of the modern era.
"He will have another thing in common with Gronk, as Kelce ends up coming out of retirement in August after a visit to the team facility during training camp.”
Putting it simply, Kelce has done everything he possibly can in the NFL, and no one would begrudge him for walking off into the sunset with Taylor Swift to enjoy the rest of his life.
Granted, the 2025 season didn't end the way he had hoped, even though he still led the Chiefs in major offensive categories.
It is better for players to retire when they are still productive, instead of Kelce going around in Year 14 and posting just 200 yards or even worse, getting injured.
So, there is a lot to think about for No. 87 over the coming weeks as free agency comes into view.
But could Kelce retire and then unretire? We've seen it happen before.
Even at 34, the veteran has proven to still be effective. In 2025, Macks played 12 games, posting 32 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and 39 quarterback pressures. He also graded highly against the run with a Pro Football Focus run defense mark of 80.6 (8th among edge rushers).
Despite his age, Mack’s veteran leadership, pass-rush production, and elite run defense provide stability in a room that's currently thin with both him and Odafe Oweh pending free agents.
Given the team’s hefty cap space, a reunion is likely if no better offers surface. However, Mack could ultimately decide to retire or sign with another contender, even if the offer is worth taking.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We are in a good run of results. Probably today was not our best performance but we got the win today where we have not been brilliant.
On Rayan's performance after giving away the penalty: "Some decision you have to accept when the player is so young at 19 and it is his first week with us. He showed character, personality, hasn't been affected. I've liked what I have seen from him character wise. He has started really well.
"I think it is still too early. We know that he has some good offensive things and we have to help him develop other things. We see him more as a winger and we have to help him in this process."
On James Hill's player of the match performance: "Hilly has been fundamental for us because Everton are such a threat with aerial balls. He was the first one to deal with the first balls."
Did you know?
Bournemouth winger Rayan (2 goals, 1 assist) became just the third teenager in Premier League history to have a goal or assist in each of his first three appearances, after Robbie Keane and Anthony Martial.
The Cherries have scored at least once in each of their last 11 Premier League games, only ever enjoying a longer run in the competition between December 2017 and April 2018 (14).
BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 25: Lincoln Cosby, #3 of U18 Overtime Elite in action during U18 Overtime Elite v U18 ALBA Berlin during the EB Adidas Next Generation Tournament at Uber Eats Music Hall on May 25, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by David Grau/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images)
Not only is head coach Dusty May making moves on the court by leading the No. 2 team in the country, but he and his staff have made another big splash in high school recruiting. Announced on Tuesday evening, 2026 four-star forward Lincoln Cosby has committed to the Michigan Wolverines.
NEWS: 2026 Top-25 recruit Lincoln Cosby has committed to Michigan, a source told @Rivals.
The 6-foot-9, 195-pounder from IMG Academy in Montverde, Florida is ranked 38th overall in the 2026 class, the 18th-ranked small forward and seventh-ranked player in Florida, according to the 247Sports composite.
Cosby was originally intending on being part of the 2027 class, where he was a consensus top-10 recruit, but he chose to reclassify to 2026 to join the Wolverines next season.
May and the staff hosted a few recruits in Ann Arbor back in October, including Cosby, where he had the opportunity to see the facilities, meet with the coaches, attend a Michigan football game and speak with current players.
“The trip was great seeing the facilities, the area, and campus,” Cosby told The Michigan Insider at the time. “It met all my expectations from that aspect. Getting to meet a lot of the coaches in one setting was good too. The whole staff is full of great coaches and more importantly great guys who from what I have seen have great intentions. I have a good relationship with the whole staff and seeing the team practice and play also was an experience.
“The play style and culture (stood out the most to me about Michigan). I appreciate and take notes on how they use their bigger skill players like Yaxel (Lendeborg). Last year they had Danny Wolf and they were used similarly.”
Cosby is still a raw prospect at just 17 years old, but the forward averaged 15.2 points per game on the Pro16 circuit last summer and is known for his size and pure skill.
Cosby is the fifth member of the class for Mic, joining forward Quinn Costello (No. 40 overall), guard Joseph Hartman (No. 87), guard Malachi Brown (No. 194) and center Marcus Moller (unranked). The other four are all signed with the program. However, Moller’s status is currently pending as he goes through treatment for testicular cancer.
Ilia Malinin will carry his lead into the second half of the men's competition on Friday [Getty Images]
From the astonishing to the emotional to the downright bizarre, the Olympic figure skating men's short program on Tuesday night had it all.
But the star once again was the USA's Ilia Malinin, who stormed to the top of the leaderboard with a stunning routine featuring a quad flip and quad lutz - two of the hardest techniques in the sport.
Although he did not quite land the quad axel which has earned him the nickname 'Quad God', it put him top of the short program with a score of 108.16.
And unlike in the team event, where he made errors and was somewhat style over substance, this was an ominously clean routine from the 21-year-old – and he even threw in a backflip for good measure.
Japan's Yuma Kagiyama, generally regarded as Malinin's biggest competitor for first, is more than five points behind after slipping on his triple axel.
Kagiyama is second on 103.07, while France's Adam Siao Him Fa impressed with a score of 102.55. Daniel Grassl, the best hope for hosts Italy of another medal on the ice, sits fourth with 93.46.
But all eyes are on Malinin as he strives for individual Winter Olympic gold. He has not been beaten in competition for almost two and a half years.
And after recording more than 200 points in the team event free skate – the second half of the men's event - which secured the USA team gold on Sunday, few would bet against him here.
He entered the rink ready for a fight, shadowboxing at the camera. And he brought the fight to his rivals.
The battle will be concluded on Friday evening in the free skate, where Malinin will be the 24th and last man to compete.
It is impossible to imagine what American skater Maxim Naumov has been through in the last 12 months.
Just over a year ago, his parents - former world champion pairs skaters Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova - were among 67 people killed in a plane crash in Washington DC. Of those on board the flight, 28 were athletes, coaches or parents connected to US figure skating.
Naumov said that his dream to make Team USA was one of the last things he spoke about with his parents before they were killed.
"They are my superheroes, my role models, and my biggest support system. I just wanted to make them proud here," he told the BBC after his performance.
"My dad said: 'Everything is practice until it is the Olympics'. I can't describe to you in words how much I just felt what he said. Also, there are truly no words for being able to step up to the occasion, I just wish that I made them proud."
He made it to the Games, and was second on the ice on Tuesday, dancing to Nocturne No. 20 by Frederic Chopin.
After a slight slip on his triple axel, Naumov regained composure and skated a technically solid routine.
As he finished, the 24-year-old looked to the sky on his knees with tears in his eyes as the arena erupted. With a huge smile, cameras captured him saying "thank you" – perhaps to those both inside the arena, and in another place.
And it was good enough for the judges, who awarded Naumov a season best of 85.65 points for the performance – enough for a spot in the top 24 and a place in the free skate on Friday.
As the scores came in, Naumov held up a picture of his late parents with him as a young child.
"I bring it everywhere that I go," he said of the image, which showed him holding hands with his parents while stood next to an ice rink. "It is in my bag, so it is literally right here on my heart.
"They deserve to be here, to be right next to me, to look up at the scores together and say: 'Look at what we just did!'"
The Minion skated... but failed to qualify
Tomas Llorenc Guarino Sabate completed his look with a Minion-themed armband [Getty Images]
One of the most eye-catching stories in the build-up to the Games was that of Spanish figure skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate.
Throughout the 2025-26 season, Sabate has performed to songs from the Minions while wearing a yellow T-shirt and blue overalls, like the characters' outfits.
However, at the Olympics it seemed as though Sabate, known for his flamboyant and unusual routines, would have to change his usual routine in the men's singles because of a copyright issue.
But after all that, it went wrong almost immediately for Sabate as he tripped on his first element. The Universal fanfare, as done by Minions, had barely ended.
Ultimately there were too many technical errors, and a score of 69.80 was not enough to take him through as he finished in 25th place.
But Sabate, who has been keen to thank all those who took up his cause to allow his music at the Games, bowed with gusto to all four sides as one of Milan-Cortina's most memorable characters exited the stage.
Since the 1980s, there have been many sports moments that have captivated American audiences, but the Miracle on Ice, which saw the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team made up almost entirely of amateur and college players, defeating the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, has transcended time. Naturally, there have been many documentaries, and the 2004 feature film Miracle, portraying the historical upset. With the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games quickly approaching, the Netflix documentary Miracle: The Boys of '80 focuses on connecting with the members of the ‘80s team to recount their monumental victory.
In an interview with TV Squad, one of the directors of Miracle: The Boys of '80, Max Gershberg, explains how having access to unseen footage enabled them to present a fresh perspective on a well-known story in sports.
“We were lucky enough to make this in conjunction with the Olympic channel, the IOC,” said Gershberg. “And they allowed us to work with this great treasure trove of never-before-seen footage, this really gritty, beautiful 16-millimeter film of the Lake Placid Games and the hockey tournament. And it allowed us, I think, to animate this iconic event in a new way. The vantage point of the events, the aesthetic of Lake Placid, it's unlike anything that's been out there. So, visually, I think people who watch the documentary will get to see the game itself and the setting in a new way.”
After Sports Illustrated named Team USA’s victory over the Soviet Union the top sports moment of the 20th century, members of the team have repeatedly revisited the historic upset from fans and the media. Co-directors Jake Rogal and Max Gershberg sought fresh reactions from the players.
“We wanted to kind of spark something new in them,” said Gershberg. “We wanted to surprise them. So, we worked very hard to find pieces of old footage that they haven't seen. We showed them a lot of footage. One of the thrills for us through production was watching their reaction to these little nuggets, these things that they hadn't engaged with before. We tried to frame their stories a little bit more intimately. My feeling was that people know the story of this team as a collective. They know this event, but we had an opportunity, I think, to animate some of the personal stories in a little bit more of a poignant way. And that was one of our focus points as we went along.”
Coach of the 1980 United States Olympic Hockey Team, Herb Brooks played on the 1964 and 1968 Olympic teams, as well as on five other U.S. National Teams, had a gritty and no-nonsense coaching style. Because Brooks passed away on August 11, 2003, production had to use audio clips of Brooks voice and interviews with his family to bring his story to life.
“Well, one of the dimensions that came to light, I think, in a special way, is the dynamics that existed between the players and the famous coach, Herb Brooks,” said Gershberg. “And obviously, Herb passed away more than 20 years ago, but we wanted in this film to bring him to life in a way to really give him presence. And so we use a lot of old audio of his voice. We interview his kids, and they have a bunch of old artifacts that really haven't been out there, notes, playbooks, interesting little keepsakes.”
Along with the action that took place on the ice, the most memorable moment of the Miracle on Ice was the Hall of Fame announcer Al Michaels shouting, “Do you believe in miracles? … Yes!” during the final seconds. Michaels had gone on to be the voice of multiple sports and currently is the play-by-play commentator for Prime Video’s coverage of the NFL. Gershberg speaks to how the Miracle on Ice remains as one of his favorite moments, despite the moments that he has witnessed.
“I think this still holds such a special place in his heart, and he's such an incredible storyteller that he remembers the vivid details still all these years later, and he recounts them in such wonderful fashion,” said Gershberg.
The Miracle on Ice remains not only a historical sports moment but also an important cultural moment in American culture as the 1980s’ Olympics took place against the backdrop of the Iranian hostage crisis and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Gershberg believes those who are unaware of the story or fans who vividly remember this story will enjoy seeing this story told in a new way.
“And regardless of your background or where you were in the country or whether you were a hockey fan or not, this moment really did unify the masses,” said Gershberg. “I think, in a way, that arguably no sports moment in history ever has quite like it.”
Miracle: The Boys of '80 is now available on Netflix.
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Rory McIlroy has won the career Grand Slam and he’s won the Players Championship twice so there aren’t too many pros more qualified to weigh in on the hot-button topic of the week — should March be major?
“I'd love to have seven majors instead of five, that sounds great,” McIlroy said with a smile.
But while he is quick to classify The Players as “one of the best golf tournaments in the world,” he doesn’t think it needs to be considered a major.
“I'm a traditionalist, I'm a historian of the game. We have four major championships. You know, if you want to see what five major championships looks like, look at the women's game. I don't know how well that's went for them,” McIlroy said while speaking to the media ahead of the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he's defending his title.
‘Is the Players a major’ has been argued since before the first tee was stuck in the ground at a championship that dates to 1974.
“Before the first putt has been stroked, the first hotdog sold or the first complaint made about the rough, it has been billed as golf’s Super Bowl,” wrote Golf Digest’s Dwayne Netland. “This is quite a burden for an unborn event, no matter how noble its blood, but if the grandiose plans materialize, the Tournaments Players Championship may become the sport’s fifth major event.”
The debate has ebbed and flowed over the years and the Players has been unofficially tabbed “the fifth major,” but a spark was reignited when the PGA Tour launched a campaign for its flagship event with the tagline, “March is going to be major.” Then Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee fanned the flames with a take that blew up on social media over the weekend.
“In every single way that a metric could be used to measure whether something is a major, the Players, to me, stands alone and above the other four major championships as not just a major. It is, in my estimation, the best major," he concluded.
McIlroy neither attempted to one-up Chamblee with even more hyperbole nor knock the Players for being unworthy of praise. He didn’t want to tread in those waters and instead played the role of Switzerland.
“I think from a player perspective it's amazing. I think from an on-site fan experience it's amazing. It's an amazing golf course, location, venue,” he said. “But it's the Players. Like it doesn't need to be anything else. I would say it's got more of an identity than the PGA Championship does at the minute. So from an identity standpoint, I think The Players has got it nailed.
“But it doesn't — I think The Players can be — it is an amazing tournament in its own right and I don't think it being classified a major or not a major makes it any more or any less. I'm still very proud to have won that tournament twice as I'm sure all the other champions are. I don't think – it stands on its own without the label, I guess.”
Asked what he thinks the PGA Championship’s identity should be, McIlroy, a two-time winner of the Wanamaker Trophy too, said, “I think glory's last shot. I think it needs to go back to August.”
That may take some work to reconfigure the schedule – again! – but, hey, that’s what the Future Competitions Committee is supposed to be addressing. For now, McIlroy may have coined the next Players tagline: March, it stands on its own without the (major) label.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior speaking to TNT Sports: "I don't want to talk about the football that we played. If we want to improve and get to where we want to be, we have to make sure we're switched on for 90 minutes. It's as simple as that.
"Devastated because some of the football we played was excellent. We should come away with three points and we haven't because two of moments in the game we haven't taken care of. We gifted Leeds a point."
On Leeds' goals: "I don't know if we need to make the challenge for the penalty. But even at 2-1, we need to take the sting out of the game. Whether we think it is handball, we are still in control of the situation. You kick the ball away and ask for handball after. These are small points moments that have cost us three points today.
Did he think it was handball in the build up to Noah Okafor's goal?: "At the time I did. I still haven't seen it. The rule is if there is any contact with his hand, it should be disallowed.
"From my understanding, if there is any handball in the build-up to the goal, it should be disallowed. They (VAR) need to help the referee."
Did you know?
Joao Pedro has scored six goals in his last eight matches in all competitions for Chelsea; more goals than any other Blues player across the 10 games Liam Rosenior has been in charge.
Since making his debut for Chelsea in the Premier League (September 2023), Cole Palmer has scored 18 penalties, more than any other player (Salah 15).
Rob Havenstein spent 11 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and never wore another jersey. He was the last holdover from the St. Louis era, the one guy who made the move back to LA in 2016 and stuck around long enough to see it all the way through.
Havenstein announced his retirement Tuesday on Instagram, closing out a career that started as a second-round pick in 2015 and ended with a Super Bowl ring.
“11 years, 150+ starts, 4 time captain, 4 NFC West Championships, 2 NFC Championships and 1x Super Bowl Champion. What a ride it’s been! I can look back on my career and smile knowing I have given everything I had and more to the game I love,” Havenstein wrote. “In saying that, I am officially retiring from the NFL.”
Los Angeles Rams lineman Rob Havenstein (79) during training camp at Loyola Marymount University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
He was one of the steadier pieces the Rams had up front for a long time. Four-time team captain, starting right tackle when Los Angeles took home Super Bowl LVI after the 2021 season. The kind of player a franchise builds around quietly.
The past three years told a different story. He hasn’t finished a full season since 2022 and only played in 32 games over that stretch. A depth role was probably the ceiling from here, and Havenstein clearly felt it was the right time to walk away.
Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (79) with his family on the field prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
His retirement post covered a lot of ground. He thanked the Rams for believing in him when not everyone did back in 2015, gave credit to teammates, coaches, fans, and his parents, and saved a special mention for his wife, who he said kept him going throughout the whole journey.
The Tar Heels knocked off the Blue Devils 71-68 following a game-winning shot from Seth Timble, resulting in UNC fans rushing the court to celebrate, on Saturday, Feb. 7. While fans in the arena certainly seemed to appreciate the instant class, so did viewers watching at home.
According to ESPN, the game averaged 3.5 million viewers and peaked at 4.8 million. That is a 53% spike from the first time the teams faced off in 2025. The game was the most-watched men's basketball game in the last four years.
Duke and UNC are scheduled to conclude their regular seasons with their second matchup of the season on March 7, from Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.
At one end of the ice was the brother, pumping his fists. At the other was the sister, jumping up and down with her broom in her hand and a look of disbelief on her bespectacled face.
Isabella and Rasmus Wranå, Sweden’s first-ever team of siblings at the Winter Olympics, won gold in mixed doubles curling on Tuesday night, beating U.S. pair Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin.
The Wranås persevered through a nailbiter of a championship game in front of a spirited, pro-U.S. crowd and pounced after the Americans left an opening in the last end. Isabella threw the winning stone and hunched close to the ice, watching her brother sweep until their red stone knocked out the Americans’ yellow rock for a 6-5 victory.
“It’s a perfect shot for me to have, a takeout,” Isabella Wranå said. “But of course you’re nervous. It’s the last shot and you know if you make it, it’s an Olympic gold. But I felt like we kept the calm. We talked about how we’re going to throw it and I knew that I had a really strong sweeper.”
The Americans made history just by getting this far. They became the first U.S. team to medal in Olympic mixed doubles, and Thiesse is the first American woman to medal in Olympic curling.
“It’s been a long time coming, and this is a really big day for USA Curling and for women’s curling in the U.S. I hope that I can bring this medal home and inspire the next generation of women to be up on that podium someday,” Thiesse said.
The Wranå siblings grew up as rivals and were coached by their father, Mats Wranå.
Their current coach, Alison Kreviazuk, said she saw them work on communication throughout their run.
“They’ve got two different personalities out there, so it’s finding that mix of how they can complement each other,” Kreviazuk said. “Figuring out how to talk with each other, I think that they’ve really, really nailed it over the past couple years, and it’s showcased.”
Throughout the match, the Wranås enjoyed a somewhat silent camaraderie with their small contingent of fans. The two remained stoic while Dropkin played to the crowd, whipping up the loud American supporters.
The Wranås won the world title in 2024. Thiesse and Dropkin won at worlds a year earlier.
The Swedish duo started their Olympic bid on stumbly legs, losing three games in a row in the round robin. The skid prompted the Swedish media to label their Olympic bid a “Curlingfiasko.”
But they managed to turn it around and won most of their remaining matches.
It was a heartbreaker for the Americans, who enjoyed roaring support. An American curler screamed from the rafters, “Show me your biceps!” Dropkin obliged.
Thiesse is a lab technician and Dropkin a real estate agent. Dropkin is engaged and Thiesse is married.
They were classmates in college. Dropkin asked Thiesse to be his mixed doubles partner after a failed qualification run for the Beijing 2022 Games. She agreed and they were world champions a year later.
Italy wins bronze
Italy’s Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner won bronze, defeating Britain 5-3.
It was a bittersweet result for the Italians, the defending Olympic champions whose fans packed the stands throughout the round-robin in hopes to see a repeat. And it was devastating for the Brits, Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat, who were expected to make the final after exiting the round-robin with the most wins of any pair.
They faltered against exacting throws from Mosaner and Constantini, who hails from Cortina and has become a darling of this stadium. The British duo walked off the ice dejected.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
The incident reportedly took place following a Super Bowl party hosted by the NFL star at Dahlia’s nightclub in the city’s Mission district, after the rapper and his entourage attempted to get into the event.
According to a witness, who had gone to seek help from management to calm the situation, two shots were then fired. They returned to find that White had been shot in the left leg, per the report.
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White was shot following an argument involving rapper Lil Baby at a private party in San Francisco, police have said (AP)
A 9mm shell casing and a .45-caliber shell casing were found by police near to the scene of the shooting. The report stated that White was uncooperative when asked who had shot him and no suspect has yet been named.
The Independent has reached out to a representative for Lil Baby for comment.
The 49ers told NBC News that White had undergone surgery on his ankle Monday.
“Keion White was a victim of a shooting and sustained a bullet wound to his ankle this morning in San Francisco," the team said in a statement.
The Independent has reached out to the team for an update on White’s condition.
In an initial police statement San Francisco police said, “Officers rendered aid and requested paramedics to the scene. The victim was transported to [a] local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.”
White and Lil Baby, real name Dominique Armani Jones (pictured), got in an argument after the rapper and his entourage attempted to enter the NFL star’s private party, police say (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
The shooting occurred after a “verbal altercation between two groups inside a business,” police added.
White had posted photos on Instagram on Sunday evening attending Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, which featured his former team, the New England Patriots, taking on the Seattle Seahawks.
The 27-year-old joined the 49ers in October last year.
The incident comes after 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt in Union Square, in San Francisco, in September of 2024.
This is a great decision from Monken and the front office. Staley is one of the more respected running backs coaches in the NFL with a good track record. Last year, he was able to get Quinshon Judkins up to speed as a real weapon very early in the season, despite Judkins missing all of training camp due to off-the-field issues.
We also saw flashes from fellow rookie Dylan Sampson under Staley's coaching, though the struggles of the offensive line were often too much for the running backs to overcome. With the offensive staff looking good, most of the attention turns to finding the right replacement for Jim Schwartz.
Michigan basketball picked up a major commitment on Tuesday, as 2026 four-star wing Lincoln Cosby announced he is headed to Ann Arbor.
Cosby, a 6-foot-8 small forward from Montverde Academy (FL), confirmed his commitment to Michigan and head coach Dusty May, giving the Wolverines one of the most intriguing upside prospects in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
Once viewed as one of the top prospects in the 2027 class, Cosby reclassified to 2026 and still projects as a high-ceiling wing with length, athleticism, and defensive versatility. He holds a 92 rating on 247Sports and a 0.9860 composite score, ranking among the top wings nationally in his class.
Michigan beat out heavy competition, including programs like Alabama, Georgia, Arizona State, and Cincinnati, to secure Cosby’s pledge. His commitment marks Michigan’s fifth commit in the 2026 class, continuing strong recruiting momentum under May.
NEWS: 2026 4⭐️ Lincoln Cosby has committed to Michigan and Dusty May, he told @LeagueRDY.
Cosby is a 6-foot-8 wing with major upside who was previously one of the top overall prospects in the ‘27 class before reclassing to 2026.
With his size, positional flexibility, and developmental upside, Cosby fits exactly the type of long, modern wing Michigan has prioritized as it builds toward the future.
The Seattle Seahawks are fresh off a Super Bowl victory, and there's no reason to believe they won't be the team to beat entering the 2026 NFL season. While the Seahawks are still understandably celebrating as the reigning champs, ESPN has already released its early power rankings for next year, and Seattle is reasonably holding the No. 1 spot.
After showing signs of heading in the right direction under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald in 2024, with a 10-7 record, the Seahawks secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 14-3 record in 2025. Signing Sam Darnold and bringing in valuable pieces on both sides — along with allowing Macdonald to shape the defense to his liking even more — led to Seattle becoming a powerhouse and the team to beat when the 2026 campaign kicks off.
Over the years, we've seen Super Bowl champions take a step back the following season, whether it be due to coaching or roster changes. The good news for the Seahawks is that they have plenty of cap space available, which will be helpful in trying to retain players like Kenneth Walker, Rashid Shaheed, and Coby Bryant in free agency.
In addition to Seattle being in a fantastic spot to improve their roster, they'll have plenty of marquee players returning. Losing offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak could take some adjusting for the Seahawks, but Macdonald is still calling the shots, and the key pieces on offense are still in place.
Even though Seattle is going to have a target on their back as the current champions, they're in a stellar spot to defend their crown in 2026.
Magnusson late strike gives Hearts crucial Edinburgh derby win
Tómas Magnússon came off the bench to score in the 88th minute, securing a 1-0 victory for Hearts over Hibernian at Tynecastle and stretching their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to six points over Rangers, who have a game in hand.
The Jambos were without several first-team regulars and found it difficult to impose themselves in the opening stages. Hibernian had the clearest openings, with Martin Boyle firing over from close range in the 69th minute after neat work from Nicky Cadden.
The deadlock was broken late in the contest when Harry Milne delivered a precise cross into the box, and Magnusson reacted fastest to steer the ball home, sparking celebrations among the home supporters. Hearts then defended resolutely to see out the win despite late Hibs pressure.
The three points strengthen Derek McInnes’ side’s grip on the title race. Rangers sit second, while Celtic trail by nine points with two games in hand. Hearts now turn their attention to a pivotal trip to Ibrox on Sunday, aiming to maintain their advantage at the summit.
📋 Fla line-up set to face Vitória, chasing first win in the Brasileirão
Flamengo visits Vitória at Barradão this Tuesday (10), at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), in the opening match of the third round of the 2026 Brasileirão.
With one loss and one draw, the current national champion is in 14th place with one point and is seeking its first win in the championship.
Meanwhile, Leão da Barra is in 12th place on the table with three points.
Vitória is coming off a heavy defeat to Palmeiras by 5-1 in the last round of the Brasileirão.
Coach Jair Ventura chose to leave Marinho on the bench, as well as goalkeeper Lucas Arcanjo and forward Lucas Silva.
Flamengo, on the other hand, is coming off a 7-1 thrashing of Sampaio Corrêa in the Cariocão, when they played with a mixed squad.
Compared to the team from the last round of the Brasileirão (1-1 with Internacional), coach Filipe Luís opted to start Evertton Araújo and Pedro in place of De La Cruz and Bruno Henrique, respectively.
If things had gone the way the Chicago Bears wanted months ago, the former Arlington Park site would already be a construction zone for building their new stadium.
Now, it seems after years of little progress, the Bears may be close to a decision as to whether they will build in north suburban Arlington Heights or Indiana.
More than 300 acres of prime real estate, once home to Arlington Park Racetrack, remains undeveloped in Arlington Heights. The Bears own the property and have released drawings of a proposed stadium.
But they have since brought northwest Indiana, including a proposed site near Wolf Lake, into the picture. And Indiana lawmakers are moving full steam ahead before the end of their spring session in less than three weeks.
"That again for me shows how serious we are in Indiana, that we have a bill in place and structured about making sure those economic and financial things are taken care of," said Indiana state Rep. Earl Harris, who represents the state's 2nd District.
And it appears that Portage, Indiana might be making a grab for a Bears stadium.
The city says it is hosting a news conference on Wednesday to premiere a first-look proposal video and talk about a possible site there.
That press conference is set for noon at the Marina Shores at the Dune Harbor Yacht Club and Event Center.
But Illinois leaders say they are working hard to keep the Bears from crossing the state line. Sources close to the negotiations told ABC7 that a group of legislative leaders and Bears representatives have met several times a week since early December. That's before the Bears released the possibility of moving to Indiana.
The discussions surround the state paying for infrastructure around stadium while the Bears would pay for the stadium. The team also wants property tax certainty while the state wants assurances that the team will make going to games affordable for families.
Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner has been involved in the discussions.
"I think we are in a position now, where if we can do all the work, I believe we land in a place that works for everybody. I am confident that can happen," said Buckner, who represents the 26th District.
Illinois state Sen. Mark Walker from Arlington Heights agrees, telling ABC7, "People in the governor's office had been working on it for weeks. I think they're very close. They're working in the best interest of the Bears and the state."
In the meantime, while Chicago is not apparently in the running, Mayor Brandon Johnson says the city is not giving up.
"To your point about those two locations, Hammond, Arlington Heights, they ain't Chicago. They're not," Johnson said.
The clock is ticking. Sources say they expect the Bears to announce a decision in the next few weeks. ABC7 reached out to the team, but they said they have no comment.
Spanish figure skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate successfully brought the Minions to Milan on Tuesday, following a music rights dispute that had overshadowed the Winter Olympics. Donning his distinctive yellow-and-blue costume, Sabate embodied the mischievous spirit of the animated characters during his men's short program.
Despite nerves and an early mistake, Sabate declared, "It felt amazing." His performance was set to a soundtrack beginning with peals of laughter from the lovable children's characters, originally introduced as henchmen to criminal mastermind Gru in Despicable Me.
Sabate explained that the Minions allow him to express himself "even though I'm a little bit shy at the beginning," adding that the dispute had revealed the extent of his support.
Sabate had been performing the fan-favorite program all season. (Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
Sabate had been performing the fan-favorite program all season, thinking he already had the proper approval. It all changed suddenly last week when he revealed he'd been told he couldn't use the music.
“When I did my post I was certain I wouldn’t do the Minions,” he said Tuesday. “That’s why I did the post, as a way of warning the people, whoever expects the Minions at the Olympics, ‘I’m sorry but don’t, unfortunately it’s not gonna happen.’ I can’t expose myself to getting sued.”
He was stunned by the outpouring of support on social media as he tried to persuade the likes of Universal Studios and musician and producer Pharrell Williams to grant him the rights to skate to a medley of music related to the Minions, who have since appeared in several “Despicable Me” sequels and their own spinoffs. The final approval came through Friday.
“I didn’t realize the reach my skating had even outside of the figure skating world, and it helped me realize how far I’ve come, how far my skating has brought me,” he said.
Just how far will only sink in after the Olympics.
“I haven’t had really the time to take everything in and just appreciate everything,” he said.
Sabate finished 25th in the short program, falling one spot short of qualifying for Friday's free skate.
He’s far from the only skater caught up in music-related drama at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Petr Gumennik of Russia, competing as a neutral athlete, had to change the music for his short program over a last-minute rights issue. He dropped music from “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer,” a psychological thriller, replacing it with a track from a Russian romantic epic. Even U.S. champion Amber Glenn had a copyright tangle with a Canadian artist.
What's next for Sabate? He's been answering a lot of fan messages. More are likely on the way.
“I want to be the kind of person that replies to their fans,” he said. “They take the time to write to you and I want to take the time to answer.”
NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Como advanced to the semifinals of the Coppa Italia for the first time in 40 years after beating Italian champion Napoli in a penalty shootout on Tuesday.
Stanislav Lobotka's sudden death spot kick was saved by Como goalkeeper Jean Butez to spark wild celebrations on the field in Naples as Cesc Fabregas' team won 7-6 in the shootout.
The game had ended 1-1 in regulation time.
Martin Baturina fired Como ahead from the penalty spot in the 39th minute, but Antonio Vergara leveled just after the break.
Napoli came close to a winner when Amir Rrahmani saw a header cleared off the line in the second half.
Romelu Lukaku failed to score for Napoli earlier in the shootout and Maximo Perrone also missed for Como.
Napoli is a six-time winner of the Coppa Italia, most recently in 2020.
The Philadelphia 76ers will return home to play host to the New York Knicks on Wednesday in the final game before the All-Star break as they look to pick up an important win at home. The Sixers went 3-2 on their 5-game West Coast road trip and will look to build on that momentum against their division rivals.
As far as the injury report is concerned, Paul George (league suspension) is out. The 9-time All-Star has served six of the 25-game suspension thus far as he looks to be ready for a return to help Philadelphia in the playoffs.
Joel Embiid (right knee injury management) is listed as questionable. The big fella missed Monday's loss to the Portland Trail Blazers due to the injury as he was unable to give it a go.
Quentin Grimes and Dominick Barlow, who also missed the loss to the Blazers due to both having an illness, are listed as questionable.
One of three returnees from a year ago, Roman Burke is averaging seven points a game for Lincoln this season. (Ernie Abrea)
In the middle of his 43rd season coaching high school basketball, Carl Jacobs has learned to be patient. Especially with a team that returned just three players from last season.
But with as much success as the Lincoln Mustangs boys have had - at least 22 wins in each of the previous six seasons, a 146-33 record and four straight Academic Athletic Association titles - the 63-year-old has been checking his watch and tapping his toes.
"I think we're getting there," he said Monday. "I'm seeing a little more unselfishness. Guys are learning their roles. Our defense is starting to click."
At 9-2 in AAA play, the Mustangs (15-10 overall) hold a half-game lead over Lowell, a team that stung Lincoln with a 68-45 win over Jan. 15. The teams are scheduled to play at Lowell on Thursday, but all sports are on hold this week while teachers in the San Francisco Unified School District are on strike. For a second straight day, San Francisco schools were closed Tuesday.
"Just when we were clicking," Jacobs said. "Been a strange season to date."
The three returners from last season, guards Fred Davis (9.1 points per game), Roman Burke (7.0) and Dwayne Gaines (8.0) have been consistent, Jacobs said. The two newcomers to the starting lineup are dynamic sophomores, 6-5 leading scorer Maximo Haas (13.5) and rebounder Mathaius Riemedio (6.7 per game), a 6-1 "Draymond Green-type," Jacobs said.
"Both are super kids and have injected a lot of energy and skill to the team," Jacobs said. "Maximo gives us excellent length down low we haven't had in a while. He's very skilled. Mathaius is amazingly tough and gritty. He loves taking on 6-7 and 6-9 players. He can handle the press, he passes well. His game has really developed."
They'll all need to develop and improve from the first game against Lowell, which Jacobs said was one of the low points in recent years. "Give Lowell a ton of credit because they played super well, but I didn't recognize our guys frankly," he said. "We have some real talented guys but we've had some games we simply weren't ready to play. I think we are now. It's the stretch run. There's no time to wait."
Riordan update: Following their most emotional win of the season, a 53-51 buzzer-beating victory Jan. 27 over St. Ignatius at USF, the Chronicle's top-ranked boys team Riordan hasn't had a game due to tuberculosis outbreak on campus. Four boys games were postponed, but two of them - at Bellarmine and a home game with St. Francis - have been forfeited by those squads, according to Riordan coach Joey Curtin.
"We were cleared to play but those teams decided to forfeit," Curtin said Friday.
Chronicle top 20 basketball
BOYS
Rk.
School
W-L
Prev.
1.
Riordan
18-1
1
2.
Salesian
23-3
2
3.
St. Ignatius
19-2
3
4.
Moreau Catholic
21-3
5
5.
Clayton Valley Charter
22-3
6
6.
Marin Catholic
21-3
7
7.
De La Salle
21-5
4
8.
Oakland
20-6
11
9.
Liberty
21-3
10
10.
Bishop O'Dowd
17-7
9
11
Bellarmine
15-6
12
12.
Mitty
13-8
8
13.
The King's Academy
18-3
13
14.
University
21-5
14
15.
Milpitas
20-1
15
16.
Granada
18-7
16
17.
Dublin
19-8
19
18.
California
14-12
NR
19.
Amador Valley
16-10
18
20.
Dougherty Valley
18-8
17
GIRLS
Rk.
School
W-L
Prev.
1.
Mitty
19-2
1
2.
San Ramon Valley
22-3
2
3.
Carondelet
22-4
3
4.
Priory
16-5
4
5.
Piedmont
16-3
5
6.
Cardinal Newman
19-7
10
7.
St. Francis
18-4
11
8.
Riordan
12-6
7
9.
Pinewood
18-4
6
10.
St. Ignatius
16-5
8
11.
Bishop O'Dowd
15-8
13
12.
Oakland Tech
14-10
9
13.
Salesian
16-10
12
14.
Clayton Valley Charter
19-8
14
15.
Acalanes
18-6
15
16.
Redwood
20-6
16
17.
Dublin
20-6
17
18.
Pittsburg
17-7
18
19.
Los Gatos
16-5
20
20.
Moreau Catholic
18-6
NR
Curtin said that all Riordan students were back in school Monday and the Crusaders were planning to play Tuesday night as scheduled at No. 12 Mitty. Riordan's girls, who played and lost Friday at St. Francis (56-49), were scheduled to host top-ranked Mitty on Tuesday.
"It's been a very odd two weeks for us," Curtin said. "We've practiced every day but the boys are champing at the bit to play games again."
Girls basketball: Second-ranked San Ramon Valley-Danville closed the regular season last week with three lopsided wins, two in the East Bay Athletic League over Dougherty Valley-San Ramon (85-20) and Monte Vista-Danville (95-22) and surprisingly a 33-point win over then-No. 6 Pinewood-Los Altos (70-37) behind 20 points from reigning Metro Player of the Year Ella Gunderson and 13 points and nine rebounds from San Jose State-bound Alyssa Rudd. … Pinewood, a four-time state champion, was coming off a second loss this season to No. 4 and host Priory-Woodside, 42-40 on Friday behind a combined 30 points from Gabby Wickham and Sasha Johnson. Abigail Yew had 17 points for Pinewood, which lost Jan. 16 at home to Priory, 40-39.
Smith AAA signing: Balboa 6-foot-2, 220-pound running back Mekai Smith gave an inspirational message to AAA athletes after signing his letter of intent last week to Nevada. "Don't let anybody tell you that you can't do it," he said during a ceremony on campus Wednesday. "I know the AAA doesn't always get the exposure other leagues get, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. If I can do it, you can do it. Just stay in school, keep your head down and work hard. Your time is coming."
Smith, who rushed for 2,447 yards and accounted for a California-best 53 touchdowns for the state Division 7-A champions, was the first Balboa player - and just third AAA football player - in 20 years to sign straight out of high school to a Division I program. He thanked his coach Fred Velasquez "for believing in me and helping to shape me into the young man that I am."
Briefly: Salesian-Richmond All-Metro basketball player Carlton Perrilliat signed a letter of intent to play football at Sacramento State for first-year coach and former McClymonds-Oakland head coach Alonzo Carter. … Riordan senior and future Oregon standout Tommy Tofi (6-6, 330) was selected the Cal-Hi Sports state Lineman of the Year last week. … Riordan quarterback Mike Mitchell, Pittsburg wide receiver R.J. Mosley, all-purpose player Jaden Jefferson (De La Salle-Concord) and Serrra place kicker Saul Marks were other first-team All-State selections.
Freelance writer Mitch Stephens has covered high school sports for the Chronicle since 2001. Email: mitch@scorebooklive.com
PEBBLE BEACH — Rory McIlroy said Tuesday that Brooks Koepka being back on the PGA Tour after a three-year absence is "a big deal." As for the impending return of Patrick Reed perhaps later this year, well, his enthusiasm seems considerably more muted.
It was a subtle slight, but a slight nevertheless directed at Reed when McIlroy was asked to chime in on the recent defections of the two major winners from the LIV Golf League and how that affects the overall landscape in men’s professional golf.
“I think Brooks coming back, one of the best players of our generation, five-time major champion, that's a big deal,” McIlroy said at Pebble Beach Golf Links, where he is the defending champion of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am that begins on Thursday. “Patrick earning his way back through really good play over on the DP World Tour, that's great for him.”
OK, at least one player coming back is great for the PGA Tour.
In the next breath, the Northern Irishman added, “I'm all for anything that makes the PGA Tour stronger, and those two guys coming back make the PGA Tour stronger.”
A nice save.
McIlroy, 36, is making his season debut this week in the $20 million no-cut signature event that propelled him to a special year in which he won the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam.
When LIV was launched in 2022, McIlroy was the leading voice in support of the tour and was a driving force in changes to it, including the creation of signature events. Those actions seemed to stem the momentum that LIV was building when it started signing players like Koepka, Reed, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.
Koepka is returning after accepting a deal with the tour—the Returning Member Program that included a $5 million donation to charity. Reed is eligible to play tour events in September, and with two wins already on the DP World Tour this season, which have pushed him to No. 17 in the World Ranking, he is positioned to earn a full tour card for the 2027 if he remains among the top 10 in the Race to Dubai. He currently leads the standings.
McIlroy sees a shift a notable in the battle between LIV and the tour.
“It certainly, I think, swung the pendulum a little more in the PGA Tour's favor,” he said. “The sentiment has definitely changed from, say, 18 months ago. You're going to see guys are going to get to the end of their contracts and whether they're going to get the money that they were paid the first time around remains to be seen.
“But like I've said before, I think everything that's happened over the last few years, it forced the tour to think about things differently … create these signature events but then rethink the entire schedule and what's going to happen '27 and beyond. I think the guys over there are maybe seeing that and it might entice them a little bit more [to come back].”
The latest chance for the Golden Eagles (9-15, 4-9 Big East) comes against Villanova (18-5, 9-3) on Feb. 10 at Finneran Pavilion.
MU has never lost at Villanova's on-campus venue in head coach Shaka Smart's four seasons. Last season's loss to the Wildcats came at Wells Fargo Arena.
Guards: Nigel James Jr., Adrien Stevens, Chase ROss
Forwards: Ben Gold, Royce Parham
Marquette at Villanova
The first meeting between the teams on Jan. 10 left the Golden Eagles lamenting their missed chances in the final minutes of a 76-73 loss at Fiserv Forum. MU has gotten a lot better since then, with the team leaning into its young talent in James, Parham, and Stevens. But MU isn't quite ready to beat a good team in a hostile environment.
Prediction: Villanova: Villanova 75, MU 68
What channel is Marquette vs Villanova on tonight? TV, livestream
United conceded first in the second half and while the Red Devils toiled for large parts as the Hammers threatened to score on the counter, their efforts paid off in the end as Sesko volleyed in a superb equaliser in the 96th minute.
It was a point that kept their top-four charge on track after Chelsea’s draw to Leeds at Stamford Bridge, with United now two points behind third-placed Aston Villa, who face Brighton tomorrow.
And Butt was quick to highlight that he thinks his former club will be successful in their pursuit of the top four, with the ex-England midfielder also praising the “different mindset” that United showed.
“This was going to happen sooner or later. It’s good to go back up the road with a point, and Everton I think they’Il go on and win that. And I think they’ll finish fourth or third in the league, and that will be a really good end to the season for Michael [Carrick] and Man Utd,” said Butt.
“I think six weeks ago, Man Utd lose that game 2-0 or 3-0, but now they’re in a different mindset, they’re a different group of players, there’s a different management team, and that’s why they get a result. But six weeks ago, [I] guarantee they’d have lost that.
Sesko’s superb late volley secured the draw after the visitors toiled for large parts (AFP via Getty Images)
“I’m convinced they would have lost that game, their heads would have gone down, they’d have given up a little bit, but now there’s a different mindset,” he added.
The draw means the Red Devils stay one point ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea with 12 games left to play in the league. Carrick’s side have been knocked out of the FA Cup so they will not play again until Monday 23 February, when they face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
A position often considered weak, second base has built up some legitimate depth.
The top tier consists of two elite yet injury-prone options in Ketel Marte and Jazz Chisholm Jr. Each (predictably) missed some time last year which allowed Brice Turang to lead the position in a breakout season. Otherwise, even an aging Jose Altuve remains highly productive while Nico Hoerner has proven his consistency.
Past that group, veterans Ozzie Albie, Brandon Lowe and Gleyber Torres offer different types of profiles along with youngsters Jackson Holliday, Luke Keaschall and Ceddanne Rafaela who could be ready to take a step forward.
Marcus Semien has a chance to rejuvenate his career after landing with the Mets and Jorge Polanco may just be their clean-up hitter. Matt McLain is another year removed from injury and don’t forget about Xavier Edwards, Bryson Stott, or José Caballero for stolen bases. There are a lot of options at this position and each fits a different archetype.
Below you’ll find what the Rotoworld staff forecasts for second base heading into spring drafts, along with profiles and projections for all the top options. More fantasy baseball draft prep content is on the way in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
⚾️ Coming soon: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.
⚾ 2026 Fantasy Baseball Second Base Rankings
** Rotoworld staff consensus rankings **
Player
Pouliot
Samulski
Schiano
Short
Montanez
Bissell
Shovein
Crawford
Consensus Avg
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
3
1.63
Ketel Marte
1
2
1
2
2
2
3
1
1.75
Brice Turang
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
2
2.63
Luke Keaschall
4
9
5
4
7
4
5
5
5.38
Jose Altuve
6
4
4
7
6
6
7
6
5.75
Nico Hoerner
10
6
6
6
4
5
4
9
6.25
Jackson Holliday
5
7
10
5
5
7
15
4
7.25
Ceddanne Rafaela
8
8
15
9
9
9
8
11
9.63
Xavier Edwards
7
12
12
11
12
13
6
7
10
Ozzie Albies
25
5
7
8
8
12
12
10
10.88
Brandon Lowe
19
13
8
12
11
8
14
8
11.63
Jorge Polanco
9
11
11
13
14
10
18
13
12.38
Bryson Stott
12
14
13
14
13
14
10
15
13.13
Matt McLain
13
10
14
16
19
11
17
17
14.63
Luis Garcia Jr.
14
17
18
15
17
15
13
14
15.38
Gleyber Torres
16
16
9
18
18
19
19
16
16.38
Marcus Semien
25
15
16
17
15
18
16
12
16.75
Brendan Donovan
15
18
17
20
20
25
21
18
19.25
Tommy Edman
11
25
19
19
25
20
25
25
21.13
Otto Lopez
18
25
25
25
25
16
11
20
20.63
Jose Caballero
25
20
25
25
25
17
9
25
21.38
Brett Baty
17
25
20
25
16
25
25
25
22.25
Lenyn Sosa
20
19
25
25
25
25
25
19
22.88
Jeff McNeil
25
25
25
25
25
25
20
25
24.38
Editor’s Note: Projections and dollar values courtesy of Matthew Pouliot; player rankings are based on consensus.
⚾ 2026 Second Base Projections and Previews
1) Ketel Marte — Arizona Diamondbacks
2026 Outlook: There’s never been a productivity concern with Marte, just an availability one. He’s taken at least one trip to the injured list in six of the last seven seasons and missed a combined 64 games over the past two years. On the other hand, no second baseman has come close to his .913 OPS over that same two-year span. Just last season, the only qualified players with a higher OPS were Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, George Springer, Cal Raleigh, Kyle Schwarber, and Juan Soto. That is the definition of elite company. Marte’s value takes a hit in rotisserie formats because stolen bases aren’t part of his game, but he has every chance to be one of the most valuable hitters in the league… if he manages to stay healthy.
2026 Outlook: It took a little longer than most fantasy enthusiasts might have hoped, but Chisholm finally reached the 30-30 mark for the first time in his career last season. The boost from Yankee Stadium was real, but the juicy production was backed by legitimate thump, including a 91st-percentile barrel rate. He remains a valuable source of speed and he should provide plenty of counting stats in the Yankees’ lineup. The batting average risk and injury history will keep him out of first-round consideration, but he profiles as a strong pick second-round target while carrying second base and third base eligibility.
2026 Outlook: In a shock, Turang was the top overall second baseman in 5x5 leagues last season. Even more shocking, his ascent came as his stolen base total tumbled from 50 in 2024 to just 24 in 2025. Rather than a profile driven by speed, Turang found his groove as a run-producer. His 97 runs scored led all second basemen, 81 RBI trailed only Brandon Lowe at the position, and 18 home runs more than doubled his previous career-high. He also put up a .288 batting average, good for top-20 among all qualified batters. This may not have been a total fluke either. For the first two years of Turang’s career, he had some of the worst power metrics in the league. Last season, his average bat jumped up from 66.2 mph to 70.7 mph. With that, he more than tripled his total barrels and raised his career max exit velocity by nearly three full ticks from 108.3 mph to 111.2 mph. To give more confidence these gains could be sticky, the three months in which Turang had his fastest average bat speed were the final three of the year. There was a moderate tradeoff in hunting for more power as his strikeout rate went up and contact rate down, but neither dramatically enough to outweigh the additional damage he was able to create. Turang is a consensus top-five second baseman heading into 2026.
2026 Outlook: Is this the end for Altuve as an elite player? His .771 OPS was his lowest in a full season since 2013 and his .265 batting average was a stark break from his career norms. The speed also seems to be evaporating – which is not a shock for a 35-year-old – as he stole only 10 bases on 16 tries in 2025. On the other hand, Altuve still managed 26 home runs which tied for the fourth-most among second base eligible players despite power metrics that look more like that of a slap hitter. A failed experiment in the outfield has led to eligibility there this coming season, which is nice for his fantasy value too. Through it all, he graded out as a top-five second baseman last year and it’s hard to doubt that he can’t do so again. He’s earned that benefit of the doubt.
2026 Outlook: Keaschall broke on the scene like a mad-man with five stolen bases, three doubles, and more than twice as many walks than strikeouts during his first week as a big leaguer last April. Then, a fractured forearm knocked him out of action for over three months. He returned in early August and was still impressive, closing the season with a .795 OPS, four home runs, nine steals, and more excellent plate discipline over his final 42 games. He figures to hit near the top of the Twins’ lineup next season and could ride his contact-oriented approach with tremendous plate discipline to a high batting average, high on-base percentage, and sit near the league lead in stolen bases.
2026 Outlook: Hoerner is a throwback type of player. Almost no one makes more contact than him and his other elite, carrying traits are speed and defense. That makes for a very steady player that’s easy to project. He’ll have a high batting average that can sneak near .300, something like 30 stolen bases and plenty of runs scored without any meaningful power production. He’s sat between the third and sixth most valuable second baseman by earned value three years running and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him fall in that same range again.
2026 Outlook: One of the game’s most productive second baseman since he debuted nine years ago, Albies carried a poor 2024 into a much worse 2025. This two-season downturn raises legitimate questions as to whether or not he can bounce back near his previous heights. Age shouldn’t be a concern yet since he’s still 29 years old, but there are troubling signs. Albies’ batted ball quality has drifted from solid to poor over the last three years and the Braves have responded to such by moving him down in their lineup. Runs and RBI used to be a staple of his fantasy value and he will get fewer of them hitting lower in the order. Possibly notable, he had a .272 batting average in the second half with nine homers and seven steals. That made him the third most valuable 2B after the break, so maybe there’s still value here.
2026 Outlook: Lowe’s 31 home runs tied with Jazz Chisholm Jr. to lead all second base-eligible players last season. It’s the second time he’s crossed the 30-homer threshold and coincidentally, those are the only times Lowe’s played more than 130 games in a single season. Funny how that works. If he can stay on the field, he has a chance to be atop the position power-wise. It is worth noting that his new home at PNC Park in Pittsburgh is one of the most difficult places for a left-handed hitter to homer out of whereas Steinbrenner Field – the Rays’ home field last year – was quite hitter-friendly.
2026 Outlook: Torres is what he is at this point in his career: a 20-homer bat who will steal a handful of bases and get on base a ton without a particularly high batting average. It’s not an exciting profile production wise, but everything under the hood still looks so good. Few players in the league make better swing decisions and his contact rate is quite high. Yet, his bat speed and raw power just aren’t where they were once perceived to be and his all-fields approach severely knocks down his power projection, especially in a home park like Comerica in Detroit. This is a quality real-life player, just not an exciting one in fantasy anymore. He’ll be much more valuable in OBP and points-based leagues though.
2026 Outlook: One of the more difficult players to project, Holliday still has the shine of a former number one overall prospect without yet producing as a big leaguer or showing the underlying skills to make us believe a jump to stardom is imminent. A near 20-20 season in 2025 came with a lowly .690 OPS, poor bat speed, and a below-average zone-contact rate. The clearest path for him to take a step forward would happen if he found a way to pull a much higher share of his fly balls. He was in the 15th percentile of such last year and that severely capped how many home runs his middling power could produce in Camden Yards which is much, much friendlier to right field compared to left. Growth there along with natural physical projection entering his age-22 season could make him a 30 homer threat overnight. Otherwise, taking him at his ADP near pick 130 requires a bit of a leap of faith.
2026 Outlook: For the first shock of the Mets’ offseason, they signed Polanco in mid-December with the expectation that he’d replace Pete Alonso as their primary first baseman. Polanco has appeared in exactly one game at first as a pro, but reportedly got work there with the Mariners’ coaches last year and the Mets have given every indication he can not only handle that position defensively, but possibly even excel. Gaining eligibility there will be great for his fantasy profile. Joining a lineup with Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Bo Bichette in it won’t hurt either. There's a decent chance Polanco hits clean-up behind those three stars and with that, 30 home runs and 100 RBI are in play should he stay healthy. That’s always been the hold up with him though as he’s played over 120 games just twice in the last five seasons.
2026 Outlook: After a rollicking close to the 2024 season, Edwards came out of the gate with a .263/.337/.291 slash line and just four stolen bases over the first six weeks last year. At that point, he was placed on the injured list with a back strain and replaced at shortstop by Otto López. When Edwards came back, he was installed as the Marlins’ second baseman and closed the season with a .292 batting average and 16 stolen bases over his final 97 games. That’s not quite the level of production we saw to conclude 2024, but one that was good enough to be among the top-10 second basemen by year's end. He profiles to be in that same range once again.
2026 Outlook: Speed and defense will always keep Stott’s floor relatively high. His production at the plate also trended up last season, but more so because the Phillies have begun to hide him a bit more from left-handed pitchers rather than any true skill improvements. He did seem to make an adjustment to be a bit more passive at the plate. This allowed him to drop his chase rate and work deeper counts. However, pitchers responded by simply throwing more pitches in the zone, unafraid of the damage Stott could do. He’s a good bet to be a near league-average hitter who will hit 10 to 15 home runs and steal around 30 bases with a middling batting average in a touch less than a true full-time role.
2026 Outlook: Evaluating McLain is a “beauty in the eye of the beholder” situation. He had a phenomenal 89-game sample in 2023 with 16 homers, 14 stolen bases, and an .864 OPS as a 23-year-old. It felt like he was one of the game’s ascending stars before a left labrum tear in spring training the following year forced him to miss the entire 2024 season. He returned last year, but was statistically one of the worst hitters in the league with a .643 OPS over 147 games. Funny enough, his profile as a hitter wasn’t extremely different in these two vastly different stretches production wise. His contact rates and the quality of his swing decisions were nearly identical. His batted ball quality dropped some, just not enough to constitute how much less damage he did. Perhaps another year removed from serious shoulder surgery helps that power come back and makes McLain a diamond in the rough after pick 200.
2026 Outlook: Players like Rafaela are so fun to watch. Defensively, he’s one of the game’s best centerfielders and routinely makes catches that seem impossible on contact. Yet, he found himself pushed to second base for 24 games last year because of the Red Sox’s logjam in the outfield. He was formidable there, but significantly less valuable in a real-life sense. Especially because he’s an agent of chaos at the plate. He steps in the box without much of a plan besides wanting to do damage and take war hacks. In doing so, he chased pitches out of the zone at one of the highest rates in the league. That approach led to an extreme feast or famine profile. For example, he put up a .647 OPS over the first two months of the season, then caught fire with an .861 OPS through June and July before faltering to a .622 OPS in August and September. That all led to a poor 91 wRC+ by season’s end and it’s anyone’s guess as to whether he’ll ever become a more consistent hitter. Yet, 20 homers and 30 stolen bases are well within reach and that alone could make him a highly valuable second base eligible player.
2026 Outlook: Is a career revival possible for Semien? After a five-year run as one of the game’s best second basemen, age began to catch up with him in 2024 as his .699 OPS was a ten-year low (2020 notwithstanding). Then, he was even worse last season and it’s fair to ask whether or not he could ever be a plus hitter again. That being said, an abysmal first 56 games with a .173 batting average and shockingly low .485 OPS destroyed his full-season line past the point of no return. In his final 71 games, Semien slashed .270/.338/.464 with 14 home runs before a foul ball fractured his foot and ended his season in late-August. That looked more like the Semien of old and maybe a trade from the Rangers to the Mets could help him get back on track.
2026 Outlook: The Mariners swung a trade for Donovan late in the offseason that will likely increase his fantasy value. Without much power or speed, Donovan’s greatest assets as a player are his great hit tool and on-base ability. With the Mariners, there’s a decent chance he hits lead-off ahead of Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez, Josh Naylor, and Randy Arozarena which would help him score more runs than he ever has. It’s also possible he hits behind that quartet in the meat of the order, which could drive up his RBI total. Again, it’s still not a sexy profile without many homers or stolen bases to speak of, but he’ll be productive elsewhere.
2026 Outlook: A popular breakout pick last year after a strong 2024, García flopped hard. He couldn’t keep his on-base percentage above .300 and played more like a replacement-level player than a starting caliber one. That’s called his role into question a bit as the Nationals front office underwent a regime change and there are rumblings he will get time at first base this coming season because of his inconsistent and mostly poor defense at second. Extra versatility and eligibility help his profile because it’s hard to project how productive he’ll be with a career .709 OPS. Yet, he still makes tons of contact, has slightly above average power, and is a willing base stealer. So, a 20-20 season is in play. He may lose his green light though with a shifting organizational philosophy and a poor track record of efficiency on the base paths.
2026 Outlook: Edman has continued to trend in the wrong direction over the last year. A legendary run during the 2024 postseason gave way to a dreadful 2025 campaign that was overshadowed by a nagging ankle injury. The Dodgers didn’t acquire anyone to challenge him for playing time at second base heading into the season, but that same ankle injury hasn’t gone away and there are murmurs that he will miss Opening Day as we enter camp. Hyeseong Kim and Miguel Rojas will both get a chance to siphon off reps at second given the uncertainty surrounding Edman. Those two aren’t much competition for a healthy Edman though.
2026 Outlook: Baty entered last season as a bit of an afterthought for fantasy managers after the emergence of Mark Vientos in 2024, but the former top prospect ended up being the more productive player while showing maturity and growth defensively. The 26-year-old put himself back in the fantasy conversation with a strong month of May, but he really took off in the second half, slashing .291/.353/.477 with nine homers over 55 games while seeing time between second and third base. His improved selectivity at the plate showed up in a major jump in barrel percentage. Baty always flashed good power in the minors, so it’s very possible things are beginning to click for him. He’ll enter spring training as a bit of a question mark after the addition of Bo Bichette at third base, but there’s still plenty of opportunity for at-bats between first base, the DH spot, and left field. If the playing time is indeed there, he’ll be mixed league relevant as a multi-positional eligible player.
The 2026 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo has come to a close. Champions were crowned across every event, and those who rose to the top left Dickies Arena with both bragging rights and a lot of money added to their 2026 standings.
The men’s timed events, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping, were strong from start to finish. Fort Worth’s format tested consistency and execution every step of the way.
The rodeo began with progressive rounds, split into 7 brackets. After two rounds within each bracket, the top two money earners advanced directly to the semifinals, while third place moved on to the Wild Card round. Once the progressive rounds concluded, the Wild Card sent two additional competitors in each event to the semifinals.
From there, two semifinal rounds narrowed the field to eight, four from each semifinal. Those eight finalists represented the best in Fort Worth this year earning the chance to compete for one of the most sought after titles of the winter rodeos.
Steer Wrestling
Bridger Anderson of South Dakota and Trisyn Kalawaia of Hawaii tied for the win in the steer wrestling. They both stopped the clock at 3.8 seconds to split the championship and $16,000 each.
Anderson, 27, continues to build momentum early in the season. A three-time NFR qualifier, he made his third appearance to Vegas in 2025, finishing ninth in the world standings. Following his Fort Worth performance, Anderson sits second in the 2026 world standings and is on pace to possibly surpass $1 million in career earnings this season.
Kalawaia, just 23, is also off to a strong start in 2026. The Hawaiian cowboy is currently third in the world standings and credited Fort Worth as a big turning point towards big goals.
“This is definitely the biggest win of my career,” Kalawaia said following the the big win.
Both cowboys were quick to point to the horsepower behind them and the work of their hazers, noting that success in steer wrestling is never a one man effort.
Justin Shaffer finished third with a 3.9-second run to earn $8,000, while Tanner Brunner rounded out the top four at 4.1 seconds, adding $4,000 to his season earnings.
Tie-Down Roping
Consistency paid off in the tie-down roping, where Kincade Henry closed out Fort Worth with the fastest run of the finals. The 24 year old Texas cowboy stopped the clock in 7.5 seconds to win the title and the $20,000.
He competed in Bracket 2 early in the rodeo, he won his bracket to advance and continued to pick up speed as the week went on. He was 8.5 seconds for second place in his semifinal, setting himself up for the final night. When it counted most, Henry delivered his quickest run of the rodeo to secure the championship at 7.5 seconds.
A four-time NFR qualifier, Henry finished a career best third in the world standings in 2025 during his fourth trip to the National Finals Rodeo. Following his Fort Worth win, he holds a strong lead in the 2026 world standings with nearly $50,000 already earned.
Marty Yates finished second with a 7.7 second run followed by Haven Meged in third at 8.1 seconds. Zack Jongbloed rounded out the top four, clocking 8.2 seconds on finals Saturday night.
Team Roping
Team roping at Fort Worth turned into a matter of simply getting the job done. Qualified, clean runs were hard to come by throughout the week, and that trend carried into the finals.
When Corben Culley and Trent Vaught were fourth out on finals night. With many strong teams to go, nobody was sure that they would stay on top. But their 5.4-second run proved to be the difference, standing as the only clean run of the finals and earning them the championship.
Neither Culley nor Vaught has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo yet, but their Fort Worth win puts them in rare company early in the season. Following this big win, the duo now sits No. 1 in the world standings on both the heading and heeling sides.
Vaught, who hails from Arkansas, and Culley, an Iowa cowboy, capitalized on an opportunity, proving that in team roping, execution matters just as much as speed.
In the past two Winter Games, there was a simple answer to that question: Norway. In 2018, Norway led the way with 39 total medals, also tying Germany for the most gold medals (14). In 2022, not much changed — Norway again paced all countries with 37 medals, including a Games-leading 16 golds.
Now, as the Winter Olympics head to Italy, there will be plenty of storylines to monitor. How will the debut of ski mountaineering look? How will Lindsey Vonn’s official Olympic comeback attempt go after another knee injury? And how will the return of NHL players impact the hockey competition?
There will be plenty of contenders to finish atop the medal chart, with Norway, the United States and Germany all expected to be in the mix.
Below, The Sporting News will track the top medal-winning countries at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Follow along to see which nations emerge as the top contenders at the Milan Games.
Norway is leading the way for overall gold medal count, owning six as of Day 4 of the 2026 Winter Olympics, with the second-highest being Switzerland's three gold medals (last update: Feb. 10).
Switzerland captured the first gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics when skier Franjo von Allman won the men's downhill.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 07: Acaden Lewis #55 of the Villanova Wildcats drives to the basket in the first half of a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Capital One Arena on February 07, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Villanova Wildcats 18-5 (9-3) vs Marquette Golden Eagles 9-15 (4-9)
Where: Finneran Pavilion (Villanova, PA)
When: Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 PM
Betting Line: Villanova -9.5 (subject to change)
How to Watch: TNT + truTV
How to Listen: Villanova Sports Radio Network
Net Rankings: Villanova 32, Marquette 114 (Quad 3)
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As February unfolds, India is set to emerge as a tourism hotspot, thanks to a variety of cultural, artistic, and community-driven events. From the Udaipur World Music Festival to the colourful Goa Carnival, visitors can expect an immersive journey into the country’s rich cultural tapestry. These events, curated to attract domestic and international travellers, offer a perfect blend of tradition, modernity, and adventure, ensuring that February is an ideal time for visitors to explore India.
India, with its diverse cultural roots, beckons tourists to experience its symphony of traditions this February. Whether it’s the vibrant Goa Carnival, where people come together for music, dance, and colourful parades, or the Udaipur World Music Festival, an event set against the historic backdrop of Rajasthan’s lakes, the country is offering unforgettable experiences for every kind of traveller. With a surge of visitors expected from across the world, here’s a look at the top tourism events this month.
Udaipur World Music Festival 2026: A Melodic Journey in Rajasthan
The Udaipur World Music Festival, held from 6–8 February 2026, is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated events in India. Now in its 10th year, the festival promises to bring together over 150 artists from 11 countries. This year’s celebration will feature performances across genres, from folk to fusion. The lake city of Udaipur, with its pristine waters and historic palaces, sets the stage for this world-class event. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to enjoy melodies against the backdrop of Udaipur’s iconic lakes and heritage venues like the City Palace, creating a perfect blend of music and history. The festival has attracted international attention, and Rajasthan’s tourism sector is set to see a boost, thanks to the influx of both international and domestic visitors.
The event, backed by the Rajasthan Tourism Department and other cultural organizations, presents a fantastic opportunity for travellers to explore Udaipur beyond its typical tourist attractions. Visitors can enjoy a musical journey while exploring Udaipur’s majestic forts, lakes, and rich cultural heritage. The festival will feature renowned artists like Kailasa, Amit Trivedi, and many others, making it a must-visit for music lovers and culture enthusiasts alike.
Rajasthan’s tourism department is keen to leverage this festival to promote the city as a cultural capital and as an excellent destination for music tourism. As Udaipur is often regarded as the Venice of the East, it is poised to welcome a wave of global visitors looking to embrace the magic of the city and its music festival.
Goa Carnival: India’s Fun and Festive Extravaganza
From the 13th to 16th February 2026, the Goa Carnival will once again light up the streets of Goa, one of India’s most popular beach destinations. This four-day spectacle, which has been part of the state’s tradition for over 500 years, attracts thousands of tourists each year. Backed by the Goa Tourism Department, the Carnival will feature colourful parades, vibrant street performances, music, dance, and traditional Goan cuisine. The Goa Carnival is known for its lively atmosphere, where tourists can engage with the local community, witness performances by local artists, and enjoy some of the best seafood in India.
In 2026, the Goa Tourism Department is keen to expand the carnival’s reach by enhancing its digital presence. Tourists are encouraged to attend themed events that reflect Goa’s Portuguese colonial history, Goan traditions, and coastal charm. Visitors to Goa can spend time soaking in the carnival atmosphere while enjoying Goa’s beautiful beaches, historic churches, and unique street food experiences. For those seeking a mix of cultural vibrancy and relaxing beach holidays, the Goa Carnival offers an unbeatable combination of both.
Paraw Regatta Festival: A Maritime Adventure in the Philippines
The Paraw Regatta Festival in Iloilo, Philippines, offers a unique and picturesque experience for adventure-seeking tourists. This historic maritime festival will be held on the 3rd weekend of February. Tourists visiting Iloilo will get to experience thrilling sailing competitions aboard paraw boats — traditional Filipino boats with beautifully coloured sails — gliding across the Villa Beach Strait. In addition to the races, the festival also showcases cultural performances, street food, and arts exhibitions, making it an ideal event for both adventure and culture enthusiasts. The festival is a fantastic way to discover Iloilo’s rich maritime history and beach destinations while enjoying a thriving local culture.
The Paraw Regatta Festival will also offer visitors a chance to engage with Iloilo’s fishing culture through boat races and local artisan markets that reflect the city’s deep ties to its coastal environment. As Philippine tourism continues to recover from the pandemic, festivals like this offer an authentic way to experience the best of the country’s maritime culture and laid-back lifestyle.
Panagbenga Festival: The Philippines Blooms with Colour
Baguio, Philippines’ summer capital, is famous for its Panagbenga Festival, a month-long celebration of flowers, culture, and tradition. Kicking off in early February, this festival features grand flower floats, street dancing, and cultural performances that celebrate the region’s history and the beauty of its landscape. The Panagbenga Festival serves as a platform to showcase the Cordillera culture and highlights the region’s blooming flowers that symbolize growth and renewal.
For tourists, this is an opportunity to witness the stunning flower parades that transform the streets of Baguio City into a vibrant mosaic of colours. The festival also features live performances and displays from local artisans and cultural groups, making it a well-rounded experience for anyone interested in learning more about the Philippines’ cultural diversity. Whether you’re strolling through the flower-filled streets or attending the grand float parade, Panagbenga is a festival that promises unforgettable memories.
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival: A Magical Winter Experience in Japan
While February brings warmth to the cultural scene in India and the Philippines, Japan’s Hirosaki Castle offers a serene winter wonderland for travellers seeking a snowy escape. The Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival, held from 5–7 February, transforms Aomori Prefecture into a magical snow-covered landscape. The festival showcases snow lanterns, kamakura huts, and large snow sculptures, creating a unique experience for tourists seeking a picturesque winter adventure.
This event is an extraordinary opportunity for visitors to experience Japanese winter culture, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the traditions of the region while also enjoying the breathtaking snow sculptures and artistic displays. For winter lovers, this festival provides a peaceful and beautiful break from the bustling cities, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the snow-filled wonderland of Aomori.
Conclusion
India and the Philippines shine this February, as festivals in Goa, Udaipur, and Baguio, along with maritime traditions in Iloilo, offer something for every traveller. From the festive streets of Goa to the majestic sailing races in Iloilo, February presents an opportunity for both cultural exploration and adventure. Whether visitors are looking for a vibrant carnival atmosphere, an artistic music festival, or serene winter beauty, these destinations promise unforgettable experiences. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to explore these global gems, February is the time to go. So, pack your bags, and immerse yourself in the vibrant, cultural celebration of India and the Philippines this February 2026.
American Airlines is making a bold investment in the future of travel at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) by expanding its Admirals Club® lounge to provide passengers with a luxury experience that matches the airline’s growing presence in the region. Spanning over 10,000 square feet, the new lounge will replace the existing space in Concourse L and offer travellers a more comfortable, spacious environment to relax, work, or refresh during their airport journey. The upgrade is part of American Airlines’ ongoing commitment to improving customer experiences in Chicago, a major hub for the airline.
According to Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer, the new Admirals Club will offer a host of premium amenities including floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the runway, distinct zones for relaxation and work, and an overall design inspired by the vibrant community and culture of Chicago. Garboden emphasized that the investment is aimed at offering travelers more space, better services, and a streamlined, luxurious experience from start to finish.
American Airlines is deepening its ties with Chicago, where it has recently seen a surge in traffic, with more than 500 daily departures and a growing network serving over 180 destinations worldwide. The new lounge is set to accommodate the increased number of passengers who pass through O’Hare each day, offering both relaxed spaces and private meeting areas for business travelers.
More Space, More Amenities: The New Admirals Club Lounge Experience
Set to open in 2026, the new Admirals Club will feature multiple “neighborhoods”, each designed to cater to the varying needs of travelers. Whether guests are looking for a quiet space to work, a comfortable lounge area to unwind, or a private zone for meetings, the lounge will provide it all. The lounge will also boast upgraded amenities, such as a premium buffet, additional seating, and more charging stations for electronic devices, creating a convenient environment for both business and leisure travelers.
Additionally, passengers can expect local design elements that celebrate the culture of Chicago. The lounge’s aesthetic will feature artworks and decor inspired by the city’s iconic architecture, its vibrant arts scene, and its unique architectural features. It will also boast natural lighting and open spaces, making it a welcoming environment for visitors.
American’s efforts to enhance the customer experience at O’Hare are part of the airline’s broader strategy to expand premium travel offerings across its network. The new lounge will be one of the largest Admirals Clubs in the country, serving first‑class passengers, business class passengers, and loyalty members who access the lounge through annual membership plans or credit card benefits like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.
A Nod to Sustainable Travel and Convenience
The new Admirals Club lounge will also reflect American Airlines’ commitment to sustainable travel. Several environmentally friendly features are being incorporated into the lounge design, including energy‑efficient lighting, sustainable materials, and water-saving technologies. This commitment to sustainability aligns with the growing trend among airlines and airports to minimize their carbon footprint while still providing top‑notch services to passengers. American’s ongoing focus on eco‑friendly practices sets the stage for more sustainable initiatives in the travel sector in 2026 and beyond.
A Growing Hub: More Travel Opportunities in 2026
With the ongoing construction of the new lounge, American Airlines is also working to expand its network at O’Hare. This year, the airline will operate more than 500 peak daily departures, adding new routes to destinations like Kahului, Hawaii (OGG) and Allentown, Pennsylvania (ABE). These new services will strengthen American’s Chicago hub, providing travelers with more direct options and higher-quality flight experiences, including Flagship® Business lie-flat seats on long‑haul routes.
O’Hare is positioned to remain one of America’s busiest airports, and American Airlines is increasing its footprint there in response to the growing demand for both domestic and international travel. Passengers flying from O’Hare will also have access to Flagship® lounges in addition to the expanded Admirals Club, ensuring that travelers experience premium amenities at every stage of their journey.
New Lounges, New Connections: A Major Shift for Airport Travel
The upgrade in the Admirals Club also marks a broader trend of premium lounge expansions across U.S. airports. Increased airport capacity, better amenities, and higher‑quality service are expected to become more prevalent as airlines compete to attract business travellers, who are increasingly willing to pay for the extra comfort of lounges and private spaces. American Airlines’ move to expand its lounge offerings reflects its focus on customer retention and increasing its market share in a post‑pandemic world where air travel is steadily rebounding.
What to Expect for Travelers in 2026 and Beyond
As premium travel demand continues to rise in 2026, the new Admirals Club will offer an enhanced experience for passengers, positioning O’Hare International Airport as a central hub for luxury travel. By offering more convenience, comfort, and personalization, American Airlines is showing its commitment to providing superior experiences that cater to both business and leisure travelers.
The expanded lounge is just one piece of American’s broader plan to offer more seamless travel experiences, higher service standards, and a strong focus on customer satisfaction. As travel demand continues to grow in 2026, American Airlines’ investment in its Chicago hub and premium lounges signals an exciting future for passengers who value comfort, convenience, and quality at every stage of their journey.
The Tianshan Mountains in Kyrgyzstan are a natural masterpiece, offering untouched landscapes, exhilarating trekking routes, and an authentic glimpse into Kyrgyz nomadic culture. Nestled between Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, China, and Uzbekistan, the Tianshan range remains an underrated gem in Central Asia, attracting adventurers and explorers seeking solitude and pristine wilderness. If you are a traveller seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience, this mountain range is one of the most untouched and beautiful places you can visit.
Kyrgyzstan’s Tianshan Mountains: A Unique Natural Wonder
The Tianshan Mountains stretch over 2,500 kilometres, encompassing a variety of ecosystems and landscapes, from lush forests and rolling meadows to snow-capped peaks and glacial lakes. The highest peak in the Tianshan is Jengish Chokusu, towering at 7,439 metres, making it the highest mountain in Kyrgyzstan. Alongside this giant, Khan Tengri, rising at 7,010 metres, is a climber’s dream with its distinctive pyramid shape, often referred to as one of the most beautiful peaks in the world.
This breathtaking range is not just for seasoned mountaineers; it offers something for everyone, from casual trekkers to extreme sports enthusiasts. Its remote beauty, coupled with the rich cultural heritage of Kyrgyzstan, gives it a distinct place in the world of adventure tourism.
A Trekker’s Paradise: Explore the Unmatched Trails of Tianshan
Hiking and mountain trekking are among the top activities in the Tianshan. The trekking routes here are world-class, with landscapes that range from rocky cliffs to glacial rivers. Adventurers can hike through the Ala-Kul Lake and explore Kel-Suu Lake, renowned for their serene turquoise waters and surrounding peaks. The Tian Shan offers one of the longest and most scenic treks in Kyrgyzstan, especially in the Sary-Chelek region, which is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The experience of walking through the high-altitude meadows, spotting wildlife like the snow leopard and Ibex, and staying in traditional yurts makes this a truly unique travel experience. Trekking here requires preparation, but the rewards are immeasurable. The region offers guided tours for those who want to explore the remote wilderness but may need assistance in navigating the tougher trails.
Kyrgyz Culture and Nomadic Heritage: A Glimpse into the Heart of Central Asia
More than just a natural paradise, the Tianshan Mountains are home to Kyrgyzstan’s rich nomadic heritage. As you explore the mountain valleys, you will encounter nomadic communities who have called these mountains home for centuries. These communities are often seen herding yaks and horses and living in traditional yurts, a symbol of Kyrgyz culture.
Kyrgyz hospitality is renowned, and visitors are often invited into these homes for a cup of Kumys (fermented horse milk) and traditional meals. The warmth and hospitality of the Kyrgyz people make a visit to the Tianshan even more memorable. Moreover, the region’s Silk Road history offers travellers a deeper connection to the ancient culture of Central Asia, where goods and ideas flowed through the mountain passes for centuries.
Why Tianshan Mountains Should Be On Your Travel Bucket List
While the Tianshan Mountains are known among mountaineers and trekkers, they are still a hidden gem in the world of tourism. The region remains largely untouched by mass tourism, making it a perfect destination for those seeking tranquility and adventure. The area is also becoming more accessible with the development of eco-tourism and infrastructure, making it easier for visitors to experience the mountains without compromising on environmental sustainability.
Government and local tourism boards have been making efforts to promote sustainable tourism in Kyrgyzstan, with a focus on preserving the environmental integrity of the Tianshan region. Hiking, camping, and horseback riding are the primary activities that have been developed for tourists. However, the vastness of the region means that crowds are scarce, providing visitors with a truly untouched wilderness experience.
Travel Tips for Visiting Tianshan Mountains
If you’re planning a trip to the Tianshan Mountains, here are a few travel tips to keep in mind:
Prepare for the Altitude: The Tianshan Mountains are known for their high altitude, which can lead to altitude sickness. It’s important to acclimatize before embarking on more strenuous hikes.
Hire Local Guides: The Tianshan is vast and often difficult to navigate. Local guides are essential, both for safety and to gain insight into the local culture and history.
Bring the Right Gear: Proper trekking gear, including sturdy boots, warm layers, and high-altitude clothing, is essential. The weather can change rapidly, so always be prepared.
Respect the Local Culture: While visiting nomadic communities, remember to be respectful and follow local customs. Always ask before taking photographs, and be mindful of their way of life.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the Tianshan Mountains is during summer (June–September) when the weather is most favorable for trekking. However, winter (December–February) also attracts those seeking a skiing experience.
Tianshan Mountains: Kyrgyzstan’s Hidden Gem and Adventure Playground
The Tianshan Mountains are more than just a mountain range; they are an untouched piece of nature that offers adventure, culture, and serenity to those who seek it. Whether you’re an avid trekker, a nature enthusiast, or a traveller seeking to connect with one of the last nomadic cultures, the Tianshan region of Kyrgyzstan provides a unique and unparalleled travel experience.
It’s no wonder that the Tianshan is slowly becoming one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for those in the know. As Kyrgyzstan’s tourism continues to develop sustainably, the mountains will undoubtedly continue to draw in adventurous spirits from around the globe.
Club Med is known for providing luxury vacations with an all-inclusive package. They just announced new Winter 2027 vacation deals. These new winter trips are for every type of vacationer. Some trips are for people who enjoy skiing and have snow-capped mountains, while other trips are for people who enjoy warm sunshine. These new trips include vacations with spa retreats and vacations where you can sit on the beach and do nothing. These new trips will have elements of relaxation, adventure, and luxury.
Winter vacations can be spent in warm or cold destinations. These new trips go from the cold mountains in Japan to warm, beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. No matter if you are going to be winter vacationing with family, friends, or alone, there will be a vacation for you. They have world-famous resorts for skiing for those who love to hit the slopes, or if you love just sitting on the beach and doing nothing, you can go to the beach, and if you are adventurous and love the wild, you can go on safari. They have new and amazing destinations every winter, and are redefining winter vacations.
Asia Pacific Winter Getaways: Ski Resorts
For the Asia Pacific region, Club Med has winter activities and cultures for snow-covered landscapes. An example is the Club Med Tomamu located in the northern region of Japan, Hokkaido. This resort offers a vibrant setting that offers fresh snow trails for skiing and snowboarding, plus après-ski activities, making it ideal for thrill seekers and families.
Just a short distance from Tomamu is Club Med Sahoro, which is ideal for those who want a calm setting while skiing. This beautiful resort offers a blend of Japanese history and modern relaxation. Club Med Kiroro Grand and Exclusive Collection Kiroro Peak offers a nice variety, with family skiing in the New Year and adult-only peace. Ski season at these resorts lasts until early May, which is perfect for those who want winter to last a little longer.
Moving further west, Club Med Changbaishan is situated within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This resort is a nature sanctuary combining snow-covered forests, hot springs, and views of Heavenly Lake. Club Med Beidahu offers a more close-knit experience, ideal for families looking for an introduction to mountain living, surrounded by vast winter views.
European Ski Resorts: Alpine Luxury and Indulgence
Europe’s famous mountains will feature prominently in Club Med’s winter offerings for 2027. The renewed Club Med Pragelato Sestriere in Italy puts guests in the heart of the Via Lattea (Milky Way) and offers skiing delights, charming slopes, and mouthwatering Italian cuisine.
Located in Switzerland, Club Med Saint-Moritz Roi Soleil is the ideal combination of the Engadin valley’s refinement and the enchanting horse sleigh ride. This sophisticated resort opens the doors to exceptional skiing and the traditional Alpine life. In addition to exceptional slopes, Club Med Alpe d’Huez in France boasts 300 days of sunshine—a must-visit for winter sports lovers looking for sun.
Club Med Val d’Isère is a fantastic choice for your ski vacation, offering a perfect blend of world-class ski slopes, spa facilities, and a gourmet restaurant. From recreation to relaxation to luxurious indulgence, Club Med Val d’Isère combines all of these things seamlessly to provide an unforgettable experience.
The Americas: Tropical Getaways and American Ski Resorts Snowy Getaways
Club Med has brought together snowy getaways and tropical getaways for a winter experience like no other. In Canada, Club Med Québec Charlevoix is situated in the Laurentian forest and the St. Lawrence River, creating a stunning winter wonderland. Guests can take in the natural beauty of the region, unwind in Nordic spas, and enjoy a delicious meal inspired by the local cuisine. This resort is ideal for guests who like winter getaways rich in culture.
If you prefer the sun, you can join Club Med 2, an elegant sailing yacht, as it journeys across the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Bring your adventurous spirit, as this is a sailing yacht where you can enjoy an all-inclusive vacation at an exclusive beach resort.
What would you say is your best holiday moment? I think I would choose spending quality time with family in comfort and safety, on the voyage we undertook to beautiful destinations, and the adventure on the winding and climbing paths, the magical moments, the wondrous places, and the driving ourselves, where we decided to stop and roam the hidden corners of the places we visited along the way, it was beautiful memories traveling to Club Med along with the adventure and excitement, we visited Club Med Italy, the Maldives, and enjoyed overwater villas, which are the Manta Exclusive Collection, the most spectacular and unique Ivonis where we have overwater villas. Most recently, we enjoyed Club Med Phuket. We were pleased with the new Family Oasis, which has an incredible balance between amusement and fun.
Club Med South Africa: Coastal and Safari Adventurers
Safari breaks new ground in winter travel for Club Med, with a unique and never-before-offered combination of South Africa, a beautiful and exceptional destination that offers both the comfort of a beach and the excitement of wildlife. In one of the most captivating corners of the world, this new destination is a perfect mix of luxurious and beautiful beach accommodation and exciting safari country wildlife.
Wrap the safari touches of adventure with the surrounding beautiful nature, and Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari is the perfect destination for all those longing to have a double ecstasy. The addition of nature and excitement, Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari, is an exciting new addition to the winter collection of 2027 Club Med.
An All-Inclusive Experience for Everyone
At Club Med, our winter escapes focus on creating a seamless and luxurious vacation for our guests. With our premium all-inclusive packages, we take care of everything and leave your only focus as enjoying time away from your day-to-day life. With gourmet meals and world-class activities, Club Med sprinkles a little more magic on your vacation and focuses on your relaxation and enjoyment.
We will open bookings for our magnificent winter destinations shortly, and we encourage guests to prepare early for these unrivaled resorts. No matter your desired escape—be it snow-capped mountains, tropical beaches, or off-the-beaten-path adventures in South Africa—Club Med Winter 2027 Collection will be your winter holiday haven.
Conclusion
With winter just around the corner, Club Med encourages people to take a different approach to their winter holiday with its array of all-inclusive packages throughout the world. Club Med’s Winter 2027 collection includes ski holidays to the French Alps, winter forest holidays in Japan, and beach holidays in the Caribbean, creating the perfect holiday for every type of traveller. These premium resorts offer adventure and relaxation, world-class service, and make every winter holiday an experience to remember.
The Tet (Lunar New Year) 2026 travel season in Vietnam is expected to be busier than ever. With millions of passengers flocking to airports across the country, Vietnam Airlines has ramped up its efforts to manage the anticipated surge in travellers. The airline is cracking down on carry‑on baggage regulations, as part of its strategy to streamline operations and improve the overall passenger experience. Let’s dive into everything you need to know before you head to the airport this holiday season.
Stricter Carry‑On Baggage Rules: What’s Allowed and What’s Not?
Vietnam Airlines is sending a clear message to passengers this Tet season: be mindful of your carry‑on baggage. In an effort to reduce airport congestion and improve efficiency, the airline has introduced stricter baggage guidelines for travellers, especially those in Economy Class. Passengers can carry one main piece of luggage up to 10 kg, plus one small personal item such as a handbag or laptop. The total carry‑on weight is capped at 12 kg. Any excess baggage will be subject to additional charges or delays at security checkpoints.
This is not just about maintaining safety — it’s about keeping things smooth and swift as travellers rush to catch their flights. Vietnam Airlines is asking all passengers to check their baggage allowance ahead of time and make sure their bags fit within the prescribed limits. If you’re unsure, it’s better to check in extra luggage online in advance. That way, you’ll avoid last‑minute hassles at the airport.
Tet Travel Tips: Beat the Rush with These Airport Hacks
Tet is one of Vietnam’s biggest travel periods, and the airports are going to be packed. But don’t worry – Vietnam Airlines has made it easier to navigate the holiday chaos. Here’s how you can avoid the stress and enjoy a seamless travel experience:
Check in online 24 hours before your flight: Skip the long lines at the airport! Vietnam Airlines offers online check‑in services, allowing you to get your boarding pass and make baggage adjustments from the comfort of your home.
Arrive early, but not too early: With massive traffic expected at Vietnam’s major airports, it’s advisable to give yourself extra time. However, don’t arrive too early, as check‑in counters only open 3 hours before departure for international flights and 2 hours for domestic flights.
Purchase checked baggage in advance: Want to avoid last‑minute stress? Pre‑buy your checked luggage online to get better rates and quicker processing at the airport.
Make use of digital services: Vietnam Airlines has partnered with VNeID, Vietnam’s digital identity system, to speed up check‑in and security clearance for passengers using biometric identification. It’s quicker, easier, and safer.
Airport Traffic Surge: What You Can Expect at Vietnam’s Major Airports
As millions prepare to board flights to visit family or head out on holiday, major airports like Tan Son Nhat International in Ho Chi Minh City and Noi Bai International in Hanoi are set to experience record-breaking passenger traffic. With up to 1,017 flights per day at Tan Son Nhat Airport during peak Tet travel, the airport will be handling a substantial rise in domestic and international flights, which can cause delays and congestion.
Noi Bai Airport is expecting 116,000 passengers per day, with a significant increase in international travellers coming from destinations like South Korea, Japan, and the United States. Vietnam Airlines has already warned passengers to anticipate delays, particularly during peak hours, and recommends that you take the necessary steps to stay informed about your flight status through the airline’s app and website.
Vietnam’s Aviation Infrastructure Prepared for Tet Surge
Vietnam is gearing up for this busy travel period with upgraded infrastructure and technology at key airports. For example, Tan Son Nhat is nearing completion of Terminal 3, designed to manage the growing passenger volume. With added biometric check‑in options and revamped security procedures, the airport aims to reduce wait times and improve the flow of passengers.
At the same time, Noi Bai Airport is boosting its capacity with clearer signage and more efficient check‑in counters. This initiative aligns with Vietnam’s broader commitment to enhancing its aviation infrastructure to accommodate the booming tourism and aviation sector. The upgrades aim to ensure that Tet 2026 is a successful and stress-free holiday season for both passengers and airport staff.
Aviation Policy: What Vietnam Airlines is Doing to Streamline Tet Travel
In addition to its carry‑on baggage enforcement, Vietnam Airlines is ramping up passenger services to maintain efficiency during this busy period. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) is working alongside airlines to manage flight schedules and ensure timely departures. The focus is on keeping operations smooth while balancing high demand for flights.
Vietnam Airlines has also rolled out digital solutions that allow for faster boarding and less paperwork, helping to streamline the check‑in process. Passengers are encouraged to use the airline’s mobile app and self‑check-in kiosks to speed up the process.
Conclusion: Vietnam Airlines’ Efforts to Make Tet Travel Enjoyable
With Vietnam Airlines tightening its baggage regulations and promoting digital check‑in systems, Tet 2026 promises to be a seamless and enjoyable experience for travellers across Vietnam. By following these simple travel tips, passengers can ensure a smooth and stress‑free journey as they join the millions heading home or embarking on new adventures this holiday season.
Remember: early check‑in, proper baggage management, and utilizing digital services are the keys to success during this busy period. Make sure to plan ahead and travel smart, so you can focus on enjoying the festivities with loved ones!
Lo Lo Chai Village in northern Vietnam is officially a tourism hotspot, and it’s all thanks to an impressive accolade that’s put the remote village on the global map. Recently named the “Best Tourism Village 2025” by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Lo Lo Chai has seen an unprecedented surge in tourism. As the Tet holidays (Lunar New Year) approach, the village has hit maximum capacity, with all homestays fully booked well ahead of time, highlighting the growing appeal of community-based tourism.
For visitors looking to experience this cultural gem, it’s clear that early planning is essential, as accommodation spots in Lo Lo Chai become increasingly rare.
A Rural Paradise Transformed by International Recognition
Tucked away in the picturesque Lung Cu Commune of Tuyên Quang Province, Lo Lo Chai is a quintessential example of rural Vietnamese charm. Traditional earthen homes, breathtaking mountain views, and the vibrant culture of the Lo Lo ethnic group set the stage for an unforgettable travel experience. The recent UNWTO recognition has served as a catalyst, attracting an influx of global visitors eager to explore the village’s deep-rooted history and unspoiled landscapes.
The Best Tourism Village award is more than just a title. It reflects the village’s commitment to preserving its heritage while providing a sustainable tourism model that benefits both locals and visitors alike. The government’s push for rural tourism, integrated with the protection of local traditions and the environment, has propelled Lo Lo Chai into the spotlight. This rural paradise now balances cultural integrity with a booming tourism economy, providing a template for future destinations across the globe.
Record Demand for Tet Holidays Sends Accommodation to Full Capacity
It’s not just international visitors flocking to Lo Lo Chai. The Tet holiday—one of Vietnam’s most celebrated times of the year—is bringing domestic tourists in droves. As the Lunar New Year approaches, there’s an explosion of demand for accommodation in the village. All 63 homestays in the area were booked by early February, leaving many would-be visitors scrambling to find alternatives.
This marks a shift in how Vietnam’s rural destinations are being perceived. Once considered remote and difficult to access, Lo Lo Chai is now a prime destination during Vietnam’s peak holiday season. Local tourism agencies report that tour groups and individual travellers have rushed to secure their place in Lo Lo Chai, drawn by the village’s rich cultural heritage and the promise of a peaceful getaway away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
Sustainable Tourism on the Rise: Lo Lo Chai’s Recipe for Success
What sets Lo Lo Chai apart from other popular Vietnamese destinations is its sustainable tourism model. The village prides itself on community-based tourism, where local residents play an integral role in welcoming and engaging with tourists. This system not only provides a source of income for villagers but also ensures that tourism growth is aligned with environmental preservation and cultural conservation.
By preserving traditional Lo Lo architecture, customs, and crafts, the village has created a tourism model that benefits both the local community and tourists. The UNWTO recognition is a testament to this approach, as it highlights the importance of maintaining local culture while supporting sustainable economic development.
As more visitors flock to the village to learn about ethnic traditions and experience authentic rural life, Lo Lo Chai’s commitment to responsible tourism becomes even more evident. The growing demand serves as a reminder of the shift towards more meaningful travel experiences, where visitors not only explore new places but also contribute to the well-being of the community.
What to Expect When Visiting Lo Lo Chai: A Traveler’s Dream
Lo Lo Chai is more than just a peaceful village in the mountains—it’s a cultural experience like no other. The village offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the daily life of the Lo Lo people, a minority group with their own distinct language, customs, and traditions. Visitors can participate in local crafts, enjoy traditional food, and hike through some of the most scenic landscapes in Vietnam.
The village’s proximity to the Dong Van Karst Plateau also provides spectacular views of the surrounding mountain ranges, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
However, with the current surge in popularity, tourists are encouraged to plan ahead to secure accommodation and avoid missing out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Lo Lo Chai’s Future: A Model for Rural Tourism Growth
Looking ahead, Lo Lo Chai’s future appears even brighter. As it continues to benefit from international recognition and domestic interest, the village is set to play a key role in Vietnam’s sustainable tourism sector. The influx of tourists brings not only economic benefits but also a chance for the village to share its culture and preserve its way of life for generations to come.
As more regions in Vietnam and around the world look to community-based tourism as a path to sustainable development, Lo Lo Chai provides a shining example of what can be achieved when heritage and modern tourism are thoughtfully integrated.
With the Tet holidays highlighting its growing popularity, Lo Lo Chai Village is poised to remain one of Vietnam’s top destinations in 2025 and beyond, offering an unparalleled experience for those who venture off the beaten path.
Nestled in the heart of Gabon lies Ivindo National Park, one of Africa’s most extraordinary wilderness areas. Recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this untouched gem of the Central African rainforest is an unspoiled paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, and eco-tourists alike. Known for its spectacular waterfalls, abundant wildlife, and lush tropical forests, Ivindo offers a unique opportunity to experience the rich biodiversity of the Gabonese wilderness like never before.
A Biodiversity Hotspot in the Heart of Africa
Ivindo National Park, which covers a staggering 300,000 hectares, is a biodiversity hotspot that remains one of Gabon’s most important conservation areas. Located in northeastern Gabon, the park is part of the Lower Guinean Rainforest, one of the world’s most ecologically rich and rarely disturbed ecosystems. The park’s lush landscapes are home to a wealth of wildlife, including forest elephants, lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, and many species of primates and birds.
Ivindo’s dense rainforests, clear rivers, and black-water streams support over 200 species of birds, over 40 species of mammals, and more than 100 species of trees. The park is also known for its remarkable fish populations, some of which are endemic to the region. The park’s ability to maintain such a rich biodiversity is one of the reasons it has earned its World Heritage Site status.
Ivindo’s Iconic Waterfalls: Kongou and Mingouli
Among Ivindo’s most noteworthy features are the Kongou and Mingouli waterfalls, both located along the Ivindo River. These spectacular falls are an awe‑inspiring sight to behold and have become some of the most iconic natural landmarks in Gabon. With their cascading waters, stunning scenic views, and pristine surroundings, they make Ivindo National Park a must-visit for nature photographers, adventurers, and travellers seeking to witness the raw beauty of Africa’s wilderness.
Kongou Falls, in particular, is often considered one of the most impressive waterfalls in all of Central Africa, with its towering, multi-tiered cascades flowing into the misty ravines below. The falls are not only a marvel of nature but also play a critical role in the ecosystem, supporting the surrounding wildlife and maintaining the delicate ecological balance of the region.
A Rich History of Conservation and Protection
Ivindo National Park has been the focus of conservation efforts for years, making it one of the most well-protected parks in Gabon. The Gabonese government, in collaboration with international conservation organizations, has worked tirelessly to ensure the park remains a sanctuary for wildlife while promoting sustainable tourism. Gabon’s National Parks Agency is actively involved in preserving the park’s pristine environment by managing the park’s resources, enforcing anti-poaching laws, and fostering local community engagement.
The park’s World Heritage Site designation has only reinforced these efforts, ensuring that Ivindo continues to be a global symbol of conservation and biodiversity preservation. The designation also brings attention to the region’s significance in climate regulation and the need to protect its forests, which act as vital carbon sinks.
Wildlife and Ecosystems: A Trekker’s Paradise
For visitors eager to explore Ivindo’s pristine ecosystems, the park offers a variety of adventure experiences, from trekking through dense forests to birdwatching in the canopy. The diverse landscapes, coupled with its rich wildlife, make Ivindo National Park a haven for eco-tourists. Walking safaris are a popular activity for those seeking to get closer to nature, with expert guides offering insights into the park’s ecosystems, local wildlife, and the importance of its protection.
Visitors to Ivindo can observe the forest elephants, lowland gorillas, and chimpanzees that call the park home. Additionally, the park is a sanctuary for the endangered Bongo antelope, as well as the elusive African golden cat and forest buffalo. Visitors can also witness the seasonal migrations of bird species, with Ivindo serving as an important stopover for migratory birds along the Central African flyway.
Getting to Ivindo National Park: A Remote but Accessible Adventure
Ivindo National Park may be remote, but it is accessible to visitors willing to embark on an adventure. The closest airport is Makokou, from where travellers can reach the park via local roads. Visitors typically fly into Libreville, the capital city of Gabon, and then travel to Makokou by either domestic flights or overland routes. Once in Makokou, travel to the park is usually organized through tour operators offering guided trips and transport services.
For travellers looking for an immersive, nature‑centric experience, guided tours are available, including multi-day expeditions that include camping in the park, guided hikes, and stays in eco‑lodges. These tours are designed to provide access to remote areas of the park, with the opportunity to witness the park’s biodiversity up close.
Conservation Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite its protected status, Ivindo National Park faces ongoing conservation challenges, primarily from illegal logging, poaching, and human encroachment. Gabon’s government, along with international conservation bodies, is working to address these issues through sustainable resource management and by enhancing community involvement in the protection efforts. The park is also part of a larger initiative in Gabon to promote eco-tourism as a sustainable economic alternative to destructive practices.
The future of Ivindo National Park depends on continued global cooperation and local action to ensure the preservation of its rich ecosystems. As more visitors flock to this breathtakingly beautiful location, it’s crucial to maintain the balance between conservation and tourism to safeguard the region’s wildlife and its place in global ecological efforts.
Ivindo National Park: A Living Sanctuary for Nature and Wildlife
Ivindo National Park is one of Africa’s last untouched wildernesses, and its UNESCO World Heritage Site status solidifies its place as an essential global biodiversity reserve. With its extraordinary mix of waterfalls, forests, wildlife, and conservation efforts, Ivindo is a must‑visit destination for any eco-tourist or nature enthusiast seeking to explore Central Africa in its purest form. By visiting this park, travellers not only gain a deeper appreciation of the natural world but also contribute to preserving this invaluable part of Gabon’s heritage.
As the world prepares for a landmark year of global sports, Marriott International is forecasting a major travel boom tied not just to leisure trips, but to “live tourism” — travel driven by major events. At a recent earnings call, Marriott executives emphasized that experiences‑based travel, especially linked to the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup 2026, is becoming a central force in global travel demand, rather than a one‑off spike. This trend reflects a broader shift in how tourists choose destinations — opting for journeys that combine travel with live, unforgettable cultural and sporting occasions.
Marriott expects the World Cup alone — being held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — to generate a significant uplift in hotel booking fees, with projections of $55 million to $65 million in revenue tied directly to fan stays and travel activity. CEO Anthony Capuano described this surge as part of a persistent trend rather than an isolated event, a shift Marriott calls “live tourism” where travellers increasingly plan trips around major global occasions.
World Cup 2026: A Travel Catalyst for North America
The FIFA World Cup 2026 promises to be a travel phenomenon — the first World Cup to be hosted across three nations, with group stage matches in 16 cities spanning the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The scale of the tournament is unprecedented and expected to draw millions of visitors from around the world. Marriott Bonvoy, the company’s loyalty program, is positioned as an official partner, offering exclusive accommodations and curated fan experiences, enhancing the connection between sport tourism and hotel stays.
Global travel advisers and national tourism bodies like the U.S. Travel Association have highlighted the World Cup as a key opportunity to bolster inbound travel, especially in North American destinations that have struggled with slower international arrivals. Although broader travel data indicates inconsistent patterns — with some metrics showing flat or even declining international bookings — event‑focused travel such as World Cup tourism is expected to provide a meaningful fillip to hospitality and services sectors this year.
Olympic Momentum: A Continued Force in 2026 Tourism
Alongside the World Cup, the Olympic Games — both Winter and Summer editions — are also anticipated to significantly shape travel trends in 2026 and beyond. Marriott executives argue that major international sporting events serve not only as tourist draws but as anchors for travellers to extend their stays, explore host regions, and engage with local cultures. This pattern aligns with broader global tourism trends showing that travellers seek experiential and immersive trips, not just conventional sightseeing.
In partnership with various travel and tourism stakeholders, national tourism boards are promoting event tourism to enhance economic impact. For instance, government research and data from the World Travel & Tourism Council have repeatedly shown that major live events have a lasting impact on visitor spending, local job creation, and regional economic development — leading many destinations to focus their marketing strategies around such occasions.
Live Tourism: The Emerging Travel Paradigm
Marriott’s concept of “live tourism” refers to the idea that travel demand is increasingly anchored by participation in shared, high‑profile experiences — from world championships in sport to festivals and cultural celebrations. Rather than seeing these events as occasional boosts, Marriott believes they are becoming structural growth drivers for the travel industry, influencing where people choose to go and when.
Marriott forecasts continued growth in revenue per available room (RevPAR), particularly in markets tied to major events. This is partially due to strong demand within the leisure and international segments, even as some traditional business travel sectors lag behind. By aligning hotel inventory with event calendars and enhancing loyalty program offerings linked to experiences, Marriott aims to capture a larger share of what it calls the experience economy — where travel decisions are driven by the value of memorable activities rather than just destination appeal.
Event Tourism and Broader Travel Mobility Trends
The trend toward experience‑driven travel is not limited to sports alone. Cultural events, music festivals, global conferences, and even local celebrations are increasingly influencing travel patterns worldwide. Hospitality and travel planners note that travellers are now blending multiple purposes in a single trip — attending events while exploring nearby attractions, dining, and entertainment — driving higher overall visitor spending and deeper engagement with host communities.
Government tourism agencies from various countries, including Visit USA destinations and national tourism boards, often work with private sector players like Marriott to promote event tourism. These collaborations aim to reduce policy barriers, streamline travel processes, and enhance the visitor experience from arrival to departure, strengthening the role of live events as key drivers of regional tourism growth.
Economic and Cultural Impacts of Live Events Tourism
Live tourism has substantial economic implications. Major events can attract inbound visitors whose spending supports local hotels, restaurants, transportation, and retail sectors. Additionally, such travel often extends stays, increasing occupancy rates and boosting ancillary services like tours and entertainment. Government agencies typically measure these impacts to justify investments in event infrastructure and broader tourism marketing campaigns.
The cultural impact is equally significant. Large‑scale events foster international exchange, promote cultural understanding, and encourage repeat tourism as visitors discover new regions and experiences. For destinations hosting events like the Olympics or World Cup, this can lead to sustained interest long after the final whistle or closing ceremony.
Conclusion: A New Travel Norm Shaped by Experience
As travel patterns evolve, Marriott’s forecast highlights a broader industry shift toward travel driven by live experiences and global events. With the 2026 World Cup and Olympics on the horizon, the travel industry is poised for a year where shared experiences — rather than solely destination attractions — drive booking decisions, economic activity, and global mobility.
This emerging live tourism era suggests that travelers are seeking more than just places to visit; they want events to attend and stories to tell, marking 2026 as a transformative year for global travel demand and hospitality strategy.
On a crisp winter morning in Warsaw, Kosciusko County’s welcoming heart, local innkeepers, attraction owners, and outdoor guides shared a surprising but uplifting story with me: tourism is not only surviving — it’s thriving. In 2024, travellers flocked to this Midwest destination in greater numbers than ever before, drawn to its lakes, trails, and small‑town charm. The ripple effects of those visits have given a palpable boost to family‑run businesses, bustling cafes, and community projects — a genuine testament to travel’s power to transform a local economy.
Tourism’s Big Numbers: A Local Economy Supercharged
According to the 2024 Tourism Economic Impact Report released by the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau (KCCVB) — developed with economic analysts and in collaboration with state tourism partners — the county recorded a total economic impact of $95.8 million from tourism activity in 2024.
This figure encompasses direct visitor spending on accommodation, food, recreation, attractions, and shopping, plus the wider economic flows those dollars create through supply chains and wages. Essentially, money spent by visitors multiplied throughout the county’s economy, helping businesses stay open and people find work.
Visitor Volume and Spending Trends
In 2024, about 2.1 million people visited Kosciusko County. This number underscores the region’s growing appeal as a travel destination, especially for short breaks and road trips from nearby states.
Those visitors collectively spent roughly $187.2 million within the county, covering everything from cosy lodgings near Lake Wawasee to meals at local eateries and purchases at independent shops. These figures illustrate how leisure travel in smaller, nature‑rich destinations is rebounding strongly, with Midwest explorers increasingly choosing road trips, lake vacations, and outdoor experiences — trends supported by broader national tourism research.
Jobs, Wages, and Economic Participation
Tourism in Kosciusko County isn’t just about dollars in registers; it’s about jobs with real families attached to them. In 2024, the industry supported 2,145 local jobs, ranging from hotel staff and restaurateurs to tour guides and retail workers who depend on traveler activity.
These positions generated an estimated $54.3 million in wages, effectively lifting earnings for thousands of local residents. Many of these jobs are linked directly to travel services and hospitality — sectors that often struggle to recover post‑pandemic — making this growth especially meaningful. For families whose livelihoods hinge on tourism footfall, these wage gains translate into meaningful stability and opportunity.
Tax Revenue: Funding Community Services and Infrastructure
Another significant contributor to Kosciusko County’s vitality is the tax revenue generated by visitor activity. In 2024, tourism produced approximately $20 million in state and local tax receipts.
These funds help underwrite public services and infrastructure, including:
Road maintenance and transportation improvements
Parks and lake conservation
Safety services that benefit residents and visitors alike
In effect, tourism taxes ease pressure on property taxes, giving broader community benefits beyond travellers themselves.
Where Visitors Came From
The KCCVB data reveals that most travellers came from regional markets:
Around 60% were from within Indiana itself, drawn by weekend getaways and family trips.
A significant share — more than 9% — came from Illinois, reflecting interstate road travel patterns.
Ohio visitors made up more than 8% of the total, highlighting Kosciusko County’s appeal to surrounding states.
This distribution underscores the county’s role not as a distant tourist hub, but as an accessible regional travel destination favoured by Midwestern explorers.
Why Kosciusko County Attracts Travellers
Visitor interest in Kosciusko County isn’t accidental. The destination offers a unique blend of natural beauty and accessible recreation that few areas its size can rival:
Over 100 natural lakes, including Lake Wawasee, perfect for boating and lakeside retreats
11 trail systems that invite hiking, cycling, and outdoor adventure
Quaint small towns with local shops, breweries, and cultural events
A welcoming community known for hospitality and family tourism
These attributes position the county as ideal for leisure travel, micro‑getaways, and active vacations, particularly appealing to couples, families, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Destination Marketing and Strategic Growth
Behind these strong tourism figures lies thoughtful destination marketing by the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The organisation promotes local travel experiences through digital campaigns, printed guides, and partnerships with regional tourism groups, amplifying the county’s reach to a wide audience of potential visitors.
Efforts such as visitor passports, digital signage, and earned media features in travel outlets help keep the county top‑of‑mind for families planning getaways. These strategies not only attract more visitors but also nurture a tourism brand that extends beyond a single season or event.
Looking Ahead: Sustainable and Inclusive Travel
Kosciusko County’s tourism success in 2024 offers a template for how small‑community tourism economies can grow sustainably. By balancing nature‑based attractions with local business support and savvy marketing, the county is building a travel ecosystem that benefits both visitors and residents.
State tourism partners, including Indiana’s official destination marketing organisations, continue to spotlight regions like Kosciusko County as pillars of broader travel growth across the Midwest.
For the residents of Kosciusko County — from cafe owners in Warsaw to families running lakeside rentals — the 2024 tourism figures aren’t just abstract numbers on a page. They reflect real visitors making memories, supporting small businesses, creating jobs, and contributing to community life. The travel boom has given this corner of Indiana a renewed sense of purpose — one where local character, natural beauty, and community warmth combine to create one of the Midwest’s most compelling travel stories.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, US has adopted AI-based search methods as its modern approach to travel marketing. The city has become a leader in digital tourism marketing through its partnership with Orange 142 and the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. The partnership develops new SEO methods for tourism through its study of both existing SEO practices and upcoming Generative Engine Optimisation technologies. The new method enables tourist destinations to maintain their presence in the market through AI-based search systems which control consumer behavior.
The upcoming webinar titled How to Get Your Brand Recommended by AI: A Pigeon Forge Case Study promises to detail how the destination shifted its marketing strategy to an AI-ready framework, offering valuable insights for destination marketers worldwide.
Transitioning from Traditional SEO to AI-Ready Framework
The webinar will outline Pigeon Forge’s step-by-step transition from conventional SEO methods to AI-driven frameworks designed for generative search platforms. Amy Warner, the Assistant Director of Tourism at the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, shared her perspective on this journey, highlighting how the evolving landscape of AI and generative search demanded a fresh approach. According to Warner, the move to GEO not only aligned with the digital marketing needs of Pigeon Forge but also enabled the team to remain competitive in an increasingly AI-powered world.
Warner explained that working with Orange 142 has brought clarity to the evolving trends in AI, especially concerning the importance of structured storytelling, intent signals, and authoritative answers. These elements are critical in ensuring Pigeon Forge remains highly visible and easily discoverable for prospective tourists through generative search engines. By focusing on these areas, Pigeon Forge aims to answer questions that tourists may have, from seasonal activities to logistical concerns, using AI to create a seamless, dynamic user experience.
The Power of AI-Powered Discovery
The collaboration has brought more than just increased visibility for the city; it has offered valuable operational insights as well. Ask Martha, an AI-powered tool, is an example of how AI-driven platforms are reshaping tourism marketing. This tool gives real-time answers to travelers’ questions, from trip-planning to local attractions, further reinforcing the city’s position as a leader in innovative marketing.
In a statement, Ashwini Karandikar, EVP of Media, Tech, and Data at 4As, emphasised the importance of this shift, noting that AI is changing how brands are discovered and evaluated. The case study goes beyond theoretical frameworks, showing marketers a practical, repeatable approach to adapting their strategies for AI systems. The move toward AI discovery marks a fundamental change in the marketing landscape, where visibility no longer hinges solely on traditional tactics but also on engaging with generative AI in meaningful, measurable ways.
Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO): A Game-Changer for Tourism Marketing
At the core of this digital transformation is Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO), a cutting-edge approach designed to ensure that tourism brands are recommended by generative AI systems. This method places emphasis on creating content that answers specific user intents while staying authoritative and highly relevant to the target audience. Through GEO, tourism boards can align their messaging with what generative AI algorithms favour, allowing for improved brand visibility and the ability to meet traveller expectations more effectively.
This approach contrasts with traditional SEO methods, where keywords and backlinks dominate the ranking process. GEO, on the other hand, focuses on structured content and creating authoritative answers that meet the needs of both AI search engines and consumers. The Pigeon Forge tourism team, in partnership with Orange 142, is a prime example of how destinations can benefit from this approach, leveraging AI to ensure that potential visitors find exactly what they’re looking for when they need it.
Webinar Insights: Marketers Can Learn from Real-World Results
The webinar, led by Christy Nolan, VP of Delivery Solutions at Orange 142, alongside Ben Hale, Senior Account Director at Orange 142, and Amy Warner, will provide marketers with practical, real-world examples of how this innovative digital strategy can be implemented. The aim is to help tourism boards, brands, and destination marketing organizations understand how AI-driven discovery is reshaping visibility, performance, and long-term growth.
As Warner notes, this process isn’t just about digital tactics but also about fostering long-term partnerships with agencies and partners that understand the complexities of AI. She explained that collaborating with Orange 142 has been pivotal in guiding Pigeon Forge through this evolving landscape. In her view, having trusted partners is essential as AI advancements continue to grow.
A Roadmap for AI-Driven Tourism Marketing
Pigeon Forge’s embrace of AI-driven search is just the beginning of what promises to be a groundbreaking shift in how destinations market themselves. With the rise of generative AI, the need for strategic partnerships and innovative solutions is paramount. The Pigeon Forge case study and the upcoming webinar on Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) offer key takeaways for tourism marketers looking to stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly AI-powered world.
Christy Nolan and Ben Hale from Orange 142 lead digital marketing research to develop new advertising methods which all travel destinations and their associated companies should study. The future of travel marketing is here, and it’s powered by AI. Pigeon Forge has shown that with the right strategy, partnerships, and technology, any destination can stay visible, relevant, and ahead of the competition in the digital age.
Samsung today announced the Galaxy Unpacked event set for February 25, 2026, where the Galaxy S26 series will be unveiled. Samsung has shifted the Unpacked from its usual San Jose venue to San Francisco in the United States.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Unpacked invites are also out, featuring a sparkling box containing stars of artificial intelligence. The Korean tech giant continues to keep Galaxy AI at the forefront of its mega launch event of 2026.
Unpacked is going to be an in-person event in San Francisco. However, Samsung will also livestream the event, which everyone can watch through YouTube and Facebook and Instagram handles, along with the website.
Get ready for a mobile experience designed to remove friction from the things you do every day. The new Galaxy S series is coming – built to simplify everyday interactions, inspire confidence and make Galaxy AI feel seamlessly integrated from the moment it’s in hand.
Unpacked event to go live at:
As of 10 a.m. PT (Pacific Time)
Washington (US – EST): 1 p.m. EST
London (UK – GMT): 6 p.m. GMT
New Delhi (India – IST): 11:30 p.m. IST
Seoul (South Korea – KST): 3 a.m. KST
Bangkok (Southeast Asia: 12 a.m. ICT
The release of event invite also marks the beginning of reservations for the next Galaxy. As usual, Samsung fans can reserve the next Galaxy. Reservation is free in the US and ensures early buyers grab maximum benefits during preorders.
Source – Samsung Mobile Press
Unpacked 2026 will bring Galaxy S26 series and Galaxy Buds 4 lineup. From the software side, Samsung is also unveiling the One UI 8.5. Agentic AI will be a key highlight at the event, a major upgrade over the Galaxy AI.
Galaxy S26 and S26+ will use Exynos 2600 in Asia, Africa, and Europe. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is going Snapdragon worldwide, and the two siblings will also feature Qualcomm-made chipsets in the US, Canada, and China.
Leaks suggest Galaxy S26 series price could remain unchanged in the US. Seasoned Samsung users may notice a major letdown at checkout. It’s said that Samsung may not offer a free storage upgrade due to soaring memory prices.
Samsung is going to launch its new Galaxy S26 series at the Galaxy Unpacked event, likely on 25 February 2026. Along with new smartphones, Samsung will also introduce its new stable software update, One UI 8.5, which is equally grabbing attention. This raises an interesting question among Galaxy fans: are users more excited about the new Galaxy S26 smartphones or the One UI 8.5 update?
Right now, Samsung has already started the One UI 8.5 Beta Program for the Galaxy S25 series. This allows users to test new features before the official release. However, users of other devices like the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold and Flip models, Galaxy A series, and more are still waiting. These devices are expected to receive the update only after One UI 8.5 is officially released with the Galaxy S26 series.
One UI 8.5 update brings many useful improvements. It offers upgrades to Galaxy AI and Bixby, better connectivity features, improved Quick Share, and new options for the Home and Lock screens. Samsung has also worked on battery performance, power management, and security to make the overall experience smoother and safer. Once released, these features will gradually reach more Galaxy devices with this major update.
Source – DUXDUCIS
On the other hand, the Galaxy S26 series will come with new upgrades. These phones are expected to feature a new camera design, a faster processor, new software, better performance, and more. Samsung may also introduce some features that work only on the Galaxy S26 models and may not be available on older devices.
Samsung already has over 1 billion active Galaxy devices. It seems like most of the fans are waiting for One UI 8.5 instead of the Galaxy S26 series. So, what are you waiting for – the One UI 8.5 update or the Galaxy S26 series? Share your thoughts with us via comments on our social media platforms.
Samsung has confirmed that its first Galaxy Unpacked event of 2026 will take place on February 25 in San Francisco, California, with the Galaxy S26 lineup expected to headline the show alongside a continued push around Galaxy AI.
All the ways to watch Winter Olympics Short-Track Speed Skating 2026 live streams for FREE, with William Dandjinou and Arianna Fontana headlining the action.
Dawn over Kovir, a bold new story mod for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, has recently been released. It introduces a completely new region and allows players to step into the role of Ciri.
The ThinkPad T16g Gen 3 is a large 16-inch workstation and Lenovo includes pretty much any feature you can think of. However, when it comes to the performance, the new laptop can be a bit disappointing and it is actually the slowest GeForce RTX 5080 we have tested so far.
Beelink has now released its first AMD Gorgon Point mini-PC globally. Offered with up to 64 GB of RAM, the Beelink SER10 Max also comes packed with USB4 and 10 Gbps Ethernet in a compact metal housing.
Anker has listed the Prime Power Bank (20K, 220W) Black Myth: Wukong Limited Edition at its Amazon storefront in some EU countries. Recently released in the US and the UK, this version of the accessory has a striking black and gold design. It can be used to power up to three devices simultaneously, with charging information shown on the integrated display.
Webb found the earliest and most distant galaxy ever observed — MoM-z14. In this observation, Webb is seeing the galaxy as it was 280 million years after the Big Bang. The observation is reshaping our understanding of what our universe looked like in its early years.
The Tecno Pova Curve 2 is significantly thinner and lighter than the Apple iPhone 17 Pro, but it still sports a battery that is twice as large. Tecno has now revealed the unusual design and some hardware details shortly ahead of launch.
Xiaomi has now given the 2K Monitor A27Qi 2026 its first release. Preceding a full global launch, the new 2K Monitor A27Qi features several significant upgrades over its 2025 predecessor without costing much more in the process.
Apple announced record-breaking iPhone sales for Q4 2025, which in turn resulted in the best-ever financial quarter for the company, posting $143.8 billion in sales revenue. That's a 16% increase year-over-year, which is quite impressive for a company of this scale. The reason for the unprecedented iPhone demand? Some analysts believe it's the color orange.
China seems to be a big contributor to Apple's recent success. While previous quarters had either flat or declining sales in the country, the fourth quarter last year turned out to be a resounding success for the smartphone maker...
With a likely return to the UEFA Champions League on the horizon, Milan’s management is already laying the groundwork for a crucial transfer window that could shape the next phase of the Rossoneri’s evolution.
Christian Pulisic has quickly become one of the central pillars of Milan’s modern project, symbolizing the club’s renewed ambition to compete at the top of European soccer. With a likely return to the UEFA Champions League on the horizon, Milan’s management is already laying the groundwork for a crucial transfer window that could shape the next phase of the Rossoneri’s evolution.
Behind the scenes, financial planning is intensifying, with the club quietly preparing a significant budget boost that could reinforce Massimiliano Allegri’s squad and secure long-term stability around key players like Pulisic. While the Champions League alone will bring a financial windfall, Milan is exploring additional ways to expand their spending power—and a major update has emerged regarding its strategy.
The Rossoneri’s long-term planning has taken on added urgency as they push toward a return to Europe’s elite competition. The club currently sits in a strong position domestically, making Champions League qualification increasingly likely. That alone would provide a substantial financial injection, but the Rossoneri are looking beyond UEFA revenue streams.
According to Tuttosport, the club’s financial foundations for next season are already being laid, with a significant influx of funds expected from player sales tied to loan agreements.This budget could prove decisive in strengthening the squad around established stars such as Pulisic, while also targeting a top-tier striker and an experienced defender.
General view inside San Siro stadium.
How Milan could raise around $77 million
The mystery surrounding Milan’s expected $77 million windfall lies in a carefully constructed network of loan deals with conditional obligations and options to buy. In total, up to six players currently out on loan could be sold permanently, generating a massive cash injection for the club.
One of the most significant deals involves Alex Jimenez, whose move to Bournemouth has already been confirmed as permanent. Reports fromSky Italia and Fabrizio Romano state that the obligation to buy was triggered after performance-related conditions were met. The deal is worth around $21 million plus $5.5 million in bonuses, though Real Madrid will receive 50% of the fee due to a sell-on clause.
Alvaro Morata’s situation is also expected to bring funds to San Siro. His loan at Como includes a conditional obligation to buy, and La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Milan anticipates receiving around $16.5 million for the Spanish striker. In addition, Samuel Chukwueze’s loan spell at Fulham has been another positive development. If the Premier League side exercises its option to buy, the Serie A giant would receive around $26.5 million, reflecting strong performances in England.
Samuel Chukwueze of AC Milan celebrates with his team-mates Christian Pulisic and Alvaro Morata
Lorenzo Colombo’s loan to Genoa includes a conditional obligation to buy for roughly $11 million, contingent on performance benchmarks and survival in Serie A—conditions he is close to meeting after scoring six goals in 24 appearances. Then there is Tommaso Pobega, who is expected to join Bologna permanently for about $7.7 million, while Filippo Terracciano could move to Cremonese for $3.8 million, provided they avoid relegation.
If all these deals are finalized, Milan could generate more than $77 million in transfer revenue, creating a significant financial buffer for the summer 2026 market.
Additional revenue and complex cases
Beyond the core group of loanees, Milan also has potential income tied to other players, although these deals appear less certain. Yunus Musah’s loan to Atalanta includes a $22.5 million option to buy, though his limited playing time may reduce the likelihood of a permanent transfer.
Ismael Bennacer’s loan to Dinamo Zagreb includes a $11 million purchase option, with the Croatian club covering a portion of his salary. While these deals are not guaranteed, they represent further upside for the team’s financial strategy. Calciomercato also notes that if every buy-out clause were activated, Milan could collect as much as $103 million, with roughly two-thirds already considered realistic.
Yunus Musah of AC Milan in action
What this means for Pulisic and his future
The potential return to the Champions League will further strengthen Milan’s finances, but the club is not relying solely on UEFA prize money. The strategy of monetizing loaned-out players is part of a broader squad overhaul, with around 55% of the current roster reshaped compared to last season.
For Pulisic, this financial strategy signals the club’s commitment to building a competitive project around him and other key figures. The American winger has already become a central figure in the squad, and the club’s willingness to plan a major investment window underscores their belief in the current core.
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, the situation has become increasingly complicated for a crucial figure in France’s goalkeeping hierarchy, and what was once a promising path toward the tournament has turned into a growing concern.
Ousmane Dembele’s rise as a central attacking force for Paris Saint-Germain has coincided with major changes across the squad, but one of his closest teammates is now facing an unexpected crisis that could derail his international ambitions. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, the situation has become increasingly complicated for a crucial figure in France’s goalkeeping hierarchy, and what was once a promising path toward the tournament has turned into a growing concern.
Behind Mike Maignan’s established status as the undisputed No.1 for France, the battle for backup roles is intensifying. Several candidates are struggling for consistency and playing time at club level, creating uncertainty within Didier Deschamps’ plans. And for one Paris Saint-Germain player, the circumstances have become particularly alarming, raising the possibility of watching the World Cup from home.
Les Bleus’ goalkeeping picture has undergone significant changes since Hugo Lloris stepped away after the 2022 World Cup. Mike Maignan has taken over as the primary option, while several names have rotated as backups. Brice Samba, Alphonse Areola, and a young PSG goalkeeper have all been considered part of the emerging hierarchy.
However, recent club developments have destabilized that structure. Several French goalkeepers were benched at their respective clubs over the weekend, highlighting a growing crisis of confidence and continuity. Samba’s omission appears temporary and linked to internal tensions at Stade Rennais, while Areola’s situation at West Ham is more concerning after a run without clean sheets and a recent demotion. Yet the most worrying case comes from Paris.
Mike Maignan of France looks on
The PSG star at the center of concern
In the middle of this uncertainty stands Lucas Chevalier, a highly rated French goalkeeper who arrived at Paris Saint-Germain with expectations of taking a major step forward in his career. Instead, his situation has deteriorated rapidly.
He has lost his status as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, with Luis Enrique now preferring Matvey Safonov in key matches. The young keeper has been repeatedly left on the bench, including during a dominant 5-0 win in the Classique, confirming his slide down the pecking order.
According to L’Equipe and RMC Sport, the French national team staff are monitoring the situation with growing concern, fearing that a lack of playing time could cost him a place in the 2026 World Cup squad. The situation is described as precarious, with critics pointing to inconsistency and underwhelming performances since his move from Lille.
Lucas Chevalier of Paris Saint-Germain reacts
France’s coaching staff reportedly expects him to reclaim his starting role and rediscover the form that earned him his international call-up, but time is running out. Four months before the tournament, the hierarchy behind Maignan is described as “seriously complicated.”
Hidden reason with serious consequences
For Chevalier, the threat of missing the World Cup stems from a surprisingly simple yet devastating factor: playing time. Unlike injuries or off-field issues, his World Cup dream is at risk because he is no longer trusted as PSG’s starter and has limited opportunities to prove himself.
L’Equipe warns that if he does not play again and perform, he could miss the tournament entirely. This is a stark reversal for a goalkeeper who recently started in France’s 3-1 win over Azerbaijan and was viewed as a rising contender for the national setup.
With traditional backup options struggling, the door has opened for unexpected challengers. Jean Butez, currently impressing at Como, and Robin Risser, thriving at Lens, are being closely watched by the French staff.
Ousmane Dembele of France during the UEFA EURO 2024.
Tigres UANL play against Forge in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup first round. Below is all the key information you need, including the date, venue, kickoff time, and options to watch or live stream the match in the USA.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Tigres UANL vs Forge on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
Tigres UANL vs Forge
WHAT
CONCACAF Champions Cup
WHEN
10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT • Tuesday, February 10, 2026
The first leg went nothing like the script, turning into a tight, tactical stalemate that ended scoreless and left the series completely undecided. Tigres UANL couldn’t find a breakthrough on the road and now return home with the advantage of familiar surroundings, where a win would seal progression.
Forge FC, on the other hand, head into hostile territory with a rare chance to pull off a statement result and advance. With everything riding on one match, this decisive leg is one you won’t want to miss.
More details about watching the game on DirecTV Stream
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If you’re planning to follow more games on this platform, you can check out the full DirecTV Stream soccer schedule to stay up to date with upcoming matches available via the service.
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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).
Chicago Fire are reportedly accelerating negotiations for Robert Lewandowski, and now a Major League Soccer player and teammate of the striker in Poland has weighed in.
For months, Robert Lewandowski has been linked to rumors and speculation about potential moves to clubs across different continents. One of the more concrete possibilities appears to be Major League Soccer, with Chicago Fire at the center of talks. A Poland national team player shared his thoughts on the matter.
This week, journalist Nicolo Schira reported on X that Lewandowski received a formal offer from Chicago Fire to move to MLS once his contract with Barcelona ends on June 30 of this year. The proposal reportedly includes a two-year deal, an appealing detail considering the player’s advanced age.
When asked about these rumors, a teammate of the Polish star expressed excitement about the possibility. “Yeah, I saw some news and maybe he will come. I think it’s a very good opportunity, you know?” said Houston Dynamo midfielder Mateusz Bogusz during a recent interview shared by Deporte Total USA on X.
The 24-year-old midfielder will return to MLS this season after a short stint in Liga MX with Cruz Azul. It will be his second spell in the United States, having played over 90 matches with Los Angeles FC in 2023 and 2024.
Mateusz Bogusz playing for Poland.
“The MLS is growing, the organization here is very good, you know?” Bogusz reflected during the same interview. “So, that’s a very good step. Not only for the old players, but for the young players who want to come here.”
What’s Lewandowski’s situation right now?
Speculation about Robert Lewandowski’s future has only intensified over time, as the calendar has become a key factor in the decision. From January 1, 2026, the Polish striker will be free to negotiate and sign a contract with any club in the world, taking effect in the second half of the year.
This is because FIFA rules allow players with less than six months remaining on their contracts to negotiate freely. Lewandowski is tied to Barcelona until June 30, and if he does not agree to an extension, he will become a free agent after that date.
While there have been rumors that Barcelona could offer Lewandowski an additional year, there are currently no reports of concrete negotiations. In fact, speculation around potential offensive reinforcements for Barcelona, such as Dusan Vlahovic or Julian Alvarez, only adds to the uncertainty.
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal admitted he doesn't always watch soccer
Lamine Yamal has been a breath of fresh air not only for Barcelona fans, but also for neutral followers around the world who enjoy a talented player. He isn’t even 19 yet, yet he has achieved records that most teenagers dream about.
There are many tools to watch almost any match in the world nowadays. However, it’s also true young players seem to analyze videos less than before. That’s what Yamal admitted in a recent interview with ESPN.
Yamal explained, when talking about what he does outside of the sport: “I try to be with my friends and live my life. I try not to focus just on soccer, to not be all the time focused on the match, or watching videos of the defender I’m going against.”
Yamal spoke about his non-soccer activities
The Spanish attacker has the benefit of his profession to experience things that very few people can. Achieving success so young provides advantages he didn’t have growing up. But he still has normal hobbies.
Yamal doesn’t have too many hobbies (Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Yamal said this about how he takes his time off: “I’m trying to enjoy the entire day and, at the moment I’m on the field, give my everything. But coming out of it I just want to disconnect all I can from soccer.”
A day for him, if he were invisible, would be like this, Yamal described: “I’d have breakfast on a rooftop. In the evening I would play a match in some park, for example at Rocafonda. Then I would go on a bike ride or skate with my friends.”
Yamal’s humble origins
Yamal can probably buy anything he wants. Even if he hasn’t been a player for too long, succeeding at such a great club and with Spain provides him enough resources to get anything he desires.
The star mentioned how he used to have fun when he was a child: “When I was a kid, we didn’t have the possibility of buying a PlayStation or a Nintendo, so we played with my friend on the floor with some Pokémon cards, which cost one euro.”
Yamal has been a star for Barcelona since his debut
Lionel Messi's Argentina won the U-20 World Cup in 2005 with a rare habit, according to Spain's Fernando Llorente.
Lionel Messi has been an example of professionalism since he started representing Barcelona 20 years ago. He was even the main star of a star-studded Argentina U-20 that won the World Cup in the Netherlands. But according to Fernando Llorente, their preparation wasn’t ideal.
Llorente joined a roundtable to talk about the importance of hydration that included the likes of Luis Figo. The former striker, who finished right behind Messi in the top scoring list at the 2005 U-20 World Cup with five goals before Spain were taken out in the quarterfinals, revealed a rare habit that Argentina players were said to have.
When talking about his past experiences, he said: “To tell a story, I remember when he played against Messi’s Argentina in the U-20. It was said that they were allowed to drink Coca-Cola with the meals, but we couldn’t. They eliminated us, they sent us home, and they moved on. In the teams I’ve been on, we weren’t allowed to drink things like that.”
Figo also talked about hydration
Figo was probably the main name among the participants at the roundtable. The former Barcelona and Real Madrid star also won a Ballon d’Or, capping a career marked by talent and a controversial move between the giants. Just like Llorente did, he spoke about the topic from his experience.
Figo went from Barcelona to Real Madrid as a player (Angel Martinez/Getty Images for Laureus)
The Portuguese spoke in general terms about elite teams and performance, linking physical preparation to consistency on the pitch. His comments were framed within the broader discussion about hydration and recovery in modern soccer.
For him the change needed is easy to see: “Real Madrid need to hydrate more to play better. It gives you mental health, performance, and better recovery, because they have talent.”
Figo on his preparation as a player
It’s clear that what Figo did as a player worked for him, because his performance was higher than most. But the Portuguese recalled that during his time there was reluctance to change a routine that already seemed to work.
Figo said: “In a world of high competition I’ve only had a nutritionist since 2004. With the habits of hydration and nutrition I had, when you contact a nutritionist you are one step behind because if you had some habits that worked for you, altering that routine makes you wonder if it’s the best for you.”
Messi was the best player of the tournament in 2005
With an AFC Champions League Two match up next, Al Nassr’s head coach revealed why Cristiano Ronaldo will not return to the team following his SPL boycott.
Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have reached common ground with the Saudi Pro League after reportedly agreeing to end his brief strike. However, with Al Nassr set to play an AFC Champions League Two match, head coach Jorge Jesus explained why the Portuguese star will still miss the upcoming fixture.
After sitting out Al Nassr’s last two matches amid tensions with the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Ronaldo has reportedly reached an agreement to return to both training and match action. Still, questions surfaced over whether he would feature against Turkmenistan’s FK Arkadag on Wednesday, February 11.
Speaking at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference, Jorge Jesus confirmed that Ronaldo will not be included in the squad for the AFC Champions League Two clash. “We decided to rest Cristiano Ronaldo and the main starting players due to the heavy match schedule and the upcoming important clash against Al Fateh,” he stated.
Addressing expectations of Ronaldo’s return after two consecutive absences, Jesus pointed to a familiar pattern behind the decision: “Resting Cristiano Ronaldo for this match is nothing new. The player often does not take part in matches played outside Saudi Arabia.“
Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr during the Saudi pro league match between Damac and Al Nassr.
With that clarification, attention now shifts to Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League matchup against Al Fateh, where Ronaldo is expected to return. After missing games against Al Riyadh, Al Ittihad, and now FK Arkadag, the Portuguese star is set to be back on Saturday, 15 days after his last appearance against Al Kholood in January.
Other stars to miss Al Nassr game
Ronaldo will not be the only notable absence for Al Nassr on Wednesday, as Jesus confirmed several other key players will also be rested. Among the high-profile names unavailable are Marcelo Brozović, Iñigo Martínez, João Félix, Kingsley Coman, Sadio Mané, and Mohamed Simakan.
Currently second in the Saudi Pro League with 49 points, one behind leaders Al Hilal, Al Nassr are prioritizing their league ambitions. The second leg of the Round of 16 against FK Arkadag will be played next Wednesday, February 18, at Al Awwal Park, where the availability of the club’s stars could depend on the outcome of the first leg.
Head coach Jorge Jesus (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Al Nassr.
is seemingly inching closer towards securing an immediate world title shot following his points defeat to Terence Crawford last year. The 35-year-old lost his undisputed super-middleweight crown in September, with Crawford claiming a unanimous decision victory after moving up two weight classes. But while ‘Bud’ announced his retirement several months later, Canelo has opted to […]
Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing will crown its inaugural champion next month. The newest boxing promotion on the block has promised big things for the sport, looking to break the mould set by the four major sanctioning bodies, the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF. While White may have recently dialled back on a previous promise not […]
Bu gün futbol üzrə İtaliya Kubokunda 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 1/4 final mərhələsinin növbəti oyunu keçirilib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, növbəti oyun günündə bir qarşılaşma baş tutub.
“Napoli” doğma meydanda “Komo” ilə üz-üzə gəlib. Doğma meydanda penaltilər seriyasında uduzmuş Neapol təmsilçisi kubokla vidalaşıb. “Komo” isə yarımfinala yüksəlib.
İtaliya Kubokunda 1/4 final mərhələsinə fevralın 11-də keçiriləcək “Bolonya” – “Latsio” oyunu ilə yekun vurulacaq.
Bu gün futbol üzrə İngiltərə çempionatında (Premyer Liqa) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 26-cı turuna start verilib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, ilk oyun günündə 4 qarşılaşma baş tutub.
Dörd qolun qeydə alındığı “Çelsi” – “Lids” matçında qalib müəyyənləşməyib. “Vest Hem” – “Mançester Yunayted” görüşündə də tərəflər hərəyə 1 qol və 1 xalla kifayətləniblər.
“Everton” evdə “Bornmut”a, “Tottenhem” isə “Nyukasl”a məğlub olub.
26-cı turun qalan görüşləri fevralın 11-də və 12-də keçiriləcək.
“Neftçi”nin qapıçısı Kenan Piriç Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 19-cu turu çərçivəsində “Qəbələ”yə qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandaların bu gün Bakıda baş tutmuş oyunu meydan sahiblərinin 1:0 hesablı qələbəsi ilə başa çatıb.
Kenan Piriç matçdan sonra klubun mətbuat xidmətinə açıqlamasında bunları söyləyib:
“Qəbələ”nin əks hücumlarda yaxşı çıxış etdiyini bilirdik. Oyunda üstünlük quran tərəf biz idik. Qaşrılaşma ərzində 2 dəfə səhvə yol verdik, rəqib komanda həmin vaxtlarda təhlükəli hücumlar yaratdı. Təəssüf ki, ikinci hissədə oyuna istədiyimiz kimi başlaya bilmədik.
“Qəbələ”nin futbolçuları hücumlar yaratmağa başlayırdılar. Sevinirik ki, qapımızı toxunulmaz saxlamağı bacardıq. Son 3 oyunda qol buraxmırıq. Bu, çox yaxşı göstəricidir. Təbii ki, burada tək qapıçının yox, bütün komandanın payı var”.
Rusiyanın “Lokomotiv” (Moskva) klubunun mərkəz müdafiəçisi Mark Mampassi bundan sonra “Turan Tovuz”un uğurları üçün çalışacaq.
Arena.az bu barədə Tovuz klubunun mətbuat xidmətinə istinadən xəbər verir.
Müdafiəçi icarə müqaviləsi əsasında cari mövsümün sonunadək bölgə təmsilçisinin şərəfini qoruyacaq.
Ukraynada dünyaya göz açmış Mark Mampassi Donetsk “Şaxtyor”unun yetirməsidir. 22 yaşlı futbolçu karyerası ərzində Ukraynada “Mariupol”, Türkiyədə “Antalyaspor”, Belçikada isə “Kortreyk”in formasını geyinib.
Ukrayna Premyer Liqasında “Mariupol”un heyətində 22 oyunda meydana çıxmış futbolçu 1 assistlə yadda qalıb. O, Belçika klubunun heyətində 44 oyun keçirib, 1 qol və 2 assist müəllifi olub. Mampassi “Lokomotiv”də də 18 oyunda meydanda olub.
Mark Ukraynanın U-16, U-17 və U-19 yığmalarında forma geyinsə də, əsas millidə debüt şansı qazanmayıb.
Xorvatiyanın paytaxtı Zaqrebdə keçirilmiş reytinq turnirində 3-cü yeri tutmuş Azərbaycan güləşçisi Zəhra Kərimzadə bu uğurunu şərh edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, ötən həftə baş tutmuş reytinq turnirində ölkəmizi qadın güləşi üzrə millimiz təmsil edib.
2024-cü ildə yeniyetmələr dünya və Avropa üçüncüsü olan Zəhra Kərimzadə ilk dəfə böyüklər arasında fəxri kürsüyə qalxıb. 18 yaşlı güləşçimiz 72 kq-da bürünc medal qazanıb. 1/4 finalda olimpiya mükafatçısı, dünya və Avropa çempionu Buse Tosuna 0:2 hesabıyla məğlub olan Kərimzadə üçüncü yer uğrunda qarşılaşmada gənclər arasında dünya və böyüklər arasında Asiya çempionu Mahiro Yoşitakeyə (4:1) qalib gəlib.
Gənc güləşçi yarışla bağlı təəssüratlarını bölüşüb:
“Böyüklər arasında keçirilən reytinq turnirində bürünc medal qazandığım üçün çox sevincli və qürurluyam. İlk görüşdə türkiyəli olimpiya mükafatçısı Buse Tosunla qarşılaşdım. Məğlub olsam da, ruhdan düşmədim. Bürünc medal uğrunda Yaponiya təmsilçisiylə güləşdim. Titullu rəqiblə qarşılaşacağımı bilirdim. Məşqçilərimiz məni psixoloji və taktiki cəhətdən görüşə yüksək səviyyədə hazırladı. Onların verdiyi motivasiya nəticəsində qarşılaşmaya tam hazır oldum. Mübarizəmiz gərgin keçdi. Sona kimi güləşdim və qalib oldum. Üzərimdə əziyyəti olan baş məşqçimizə, federasiyamıza və şəxsi məşqçimə təşəkkür edirəm. İnşallah, növbəti yarışlarda bürünc medalı qızıl medalla əvəz edərəm”.
Antonio Conte explained his anger at the referee after the Coppa Italia shoot-out exit to Como, but above all the injury crisis. ‘We’re having an incredibly positive season, in the circumstances.’
There was a great deal of controversy too, as at the 50th minute Jacobo Ramon was fortunate not to receive a second yellow card for his foul on Rasmus Hojlund on the edge of the penalty area.
Even the first card caused some anger on the touchline, as some thought Ramon’s foul on Hojlund was enough to warrant a straight red for denying a clear scoring opportunity.
Conte fuming at referee after Napoli exit
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Antonio Conte, SSC Napoli head coach, gestures during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“It’s certainly not a good season for referees and for VAR, I hope they can find something that will improve the situation. The fact is, everyone is complaining, coaches, players and fans, so the sport needs to step up and improve, because just as we improve our teams, Rocchi has to improve his referees and VAR officials.
“It’s not good for football, it’s not good for us.”
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli reacts after missing a penalty in the penalty shootout during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
It went to not just a penalty shoot-out, but sudden death, where the decisive errors were made by Romelu Lukaku and Stanislav Lobotka.
“I credit the lads, because it was certainly not easy to face a Como side with a full squad available, who had rested for 10 days,” continued Conte.
“We were coming off a game played against Genoa three days ago, which we ended with 10 men and lost another player to injury, as Scott McTominay is so important for us.”
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Antonio Conte, head coach of SSC Napoli, looks down in disappointment during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
The Partenopei were already out of the Champions League and are now eliminated from the Coppa Italia in the quarter-final stage too.
“I can only praise these players, because we are pushing beyond our current potential. We have very few resources available, which are simply nowhere near the ambitions that we should’ve had for this season.
“Despite that, the lads are doing remarkably well. Como will go into the semi-final, we won the Supercoppa Italiana and the Scudetto in the last year and a half. It’s disappointing, because there are years where you’d want to do more, but considering the squad at our disposal right now, any coach would struggle.
“I thank the fans, who can see the effort we are putting in against a complete Como squad. Despite all the difficulties, we were centimetres away from qualifying for the semi-final.”
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Antonio Conte, SSC Napoli head coach, gestures before the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
At least with only Serie A to focus on and one game per week, Conte was asked if he could promise Napoli can at least try to challenge Inter for the Scudetto now, and potentially find out why they’ve had so many injuries?
“What an absurd question,” he laughed bitterly.
“How can you predict Di Lorenzo’s injury, or Lukaku with a detached tendon, De Bruyne with damage to a tendon in a leg he already had an operation on, or Gilmour who needs surgery and spends months out. How can you predict that?
“What we can do is go to a shrine and pray, because these are injuries that last for the whole season. With six or seven important players out for months at a time, it forces the same ones to keep playing all the time, so that creates problems for McTominay and Rrahmani.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Antonio Conte, SSC Napoli head coach, gestures during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“I don’t think this sort of thing has ever happened to another club. On top of that, I was told we couldn’t do anything on the transfer market either, we brought in two young lads to give us a hand.
“I think what we are doing this season is incredibly positive, in the circumstances. As for the Scudetto, there’s a nine-point gap, we have serious problems and you are talking about the Scudetto. Come on. There’s Inter, Milan, Roma, Juventus, even Como, what are we talking about?
“We have to be serious in questions and evaluations too, otherwise it all becomes ridiculous,” concluded a visibly angry Conte.
Cesc Fabregas reveals what he told Como about his experience ahead of the penalty shoot-out against Napoli to reach the Coppa Italia semi-final. ‘I’d been in their situation.’
The Lariani will face Inter in the Coppa Italia semi-final, a stage of the tournament this club had only ever reached once before in 1986, when once again they eliminated the reigning Serie A title holders.
Martin Baturina had converted the opening spot-kick before half-time, while Antonio Vergara scored the equaliser straight after the restart.
Fabregas taking Como to new heights
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Martin Baturina of Como 1907 celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“It is an historic achievement, a positive time, but we have another very important game coming up on Saturday. We must leave the euphoria to the end of the season,” Fabregas told Sport Mediaset.
“It will be tough to shake off the adrenaline, but we listened to music for 10 minutes in the locker room, now we will begin preparing for the weekend, as we want all three points.”
There was a moment of controversy on 50 minutes when Jacobo Ramon was very lucky not to receive a second yellow card for his foul on Rasmus Hojlund just outside the box.
Seeing that his player was fortunate, Fabregas immediately moved to substitute the defender moments later.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli gestures during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“Obviously, he would get sent off at the next foul, he is a 20-year-old who is lacking experience, this is his first full season as a professional. A good thing about being that young is you don’t feel the pressure, but the negative is that you can be a bit too free and easy as well.
“I had to take him off, because going down to 10 men in a situation like this would make everything far more difficult.”
The decisive errors in the shoot-out were Romelu Lukaku drilling wide and Jean Butez parrying from Stanislav Lobotka, while Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved from Maximo Perrone.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli reacts after missing a penalty in the penalty shootout during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“I thought the first half was good, but in the second less so, and unfortunately it’s not the first, second or even third time that has happened. It means we need to improve a few things,” noted Fabregas.
“We had from the start sent a positive signal, that we came here to play on the front foot and not just wait and defend. We did do things a little differently in defence today, because we didn’t press too high, as they have players with such quality who can find those spaces and hurt you.
“In order to compete in Serie A, you need a centre-forward of the level of Hojlund and he’s so good. I understand that Napoli had a lot of injuries, but we had suffered with quite a few injuries too in January and February, but with a young squad we always tried to take the initiative and play on the front foot.
“We moved to five at the back for a few minutes, as don’t forget we are Como, and we are a small club in this competition, so in that situation we preferred to lock it down.”
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Jean Butez of Como 1907 celebrates with his teammates after making the decisive save in the penalty shootout during the Coppa Italia Quarter Finals match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
In his speech to the team before the penalties, Fabregas told the Como players to ‘enjoy’ themselves, which is quite an ask in that tense atmosphere.
“I thanked them for giving me this experience as a coach, as a person, because many of them had never been through an experience like this, so it was fundamental they had belief, but also needed to enjoy this moment.
“I told them, I’d been in Napoli’s situation of being the ‘big’ team expected to win and that it adds a bit of fear. We were also lucky to be first in the draw, as that helps. I thanked the players for all they do, as removing a few older lads like Moreno, Morata and Alberto, the average age is 22.
“We need to maintain humility and keep working, because we’ve got three in a row now.”
The semi-final is the only stage of the Coppa Italia that is played over two legs, so with home and away fixtures, although it’s not a long trip in this Lombardy Derby.
The other semi-final is between Atalanta and either Bologna or Lazio.
Como will face Inter in their first Coppa Italia semi-final for 40 years, after eliminating Antonio Conte’s Napoli in a sudden death penalty shoot-out, following the 1-1 draw.
The Partenopei lost Scott McTominay in a controversial 3-2 win over Genoa, so Eljif Elmas dropped into midfield with Giovane getting his first start upfront, as David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Kevin De Bruyne were injured, but Vanja Milinkovic-Savic returned in goal. Como earned a 0-0 draw here in Serie A back in November, but were well rested as their Serie A Week 24 fixture with Milan was rescheduled to February 18.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Nico Paz of Como 1907 battles for possession with Giovane of SSC Napoli during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Jayden Addai’s ambitious lob landed on the roof of the net in the opening minute, while Jean Butez rushed out of his area to nod clear when Rasmus Hojlund sprung the offside trap.
Juan Jesus needed a desperate block after Alex Valle shrugged off Pasquale Mazzocchi to get into the area, but Como were awarded a penalty.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Martin Baturina of Como 1907 celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Alex Valle got down the left and stood up a cross to the back post for Ivan Smolcic, who was brought down clumsily by Matias Olivera from behind. The Lariani have failed to convert numerous penalties this season, including one in their Serie A match against Napoli in November, but this time Baturina drilled it into the near bottom corner just beyond Milinkovic-Savic’s fingertips.
Jacobo Ramon was inches away from giving Napoli a spot-kick, as he brought down Hojlund just outside the penalty area on a long goal kick and VAR evaluated, but decided against upgrading the yellow card to red.
The hosts equalised within 60 seconds of the restart, as Hojlund’s first-time flick in the centre-circle was probably supposed to be for Giovane, but instead kept rolling into the path of Vergara, who surged forward and kept his cool to beat Butez one-on-one.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Antonio Vergara of SSC Napoli celebrates with teammate Pasquale Mazzocchi after scoring his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
There was controversy moments later, as Jacobo Ramon brought down Hojlund on the edge of the box and was very lucky not to receive his second booking. Inevitably, Cesc Fabregas took Ramon off to rescue him from danger, amid fury from Conte on the touchline.
Napoli were a different team to the first half, as Hojlund’s head only grazed a Sam Beukema cross, then on the resulting corner Amir Rrahmani’s header was cleared practically off the line by Nico Paz.
Tasos Douvikas couldn’t keep his header down on a Lucas Da Cunha free kick, but Mergim Vojvoda forced a great fingertip save out of Milinkovic-Savic at the near post.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli gestures during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Just like in Serie A, the teams could not be divided, but here went straight into a penalty shoot-out. Como famously have a poor record from the spot this season, while Milinkovic-Savic is the best goalkeeper in the league on these situations.
Lukaku stepped up with a stuttering run-up only to drill it wide of the target, while Baturina beat Milinkovic-Savic for the second time this evening, but Maximo Perrone’s central attempt was parried.
It went to sudden death, and Milinkovic-Savic was so lucky, as his penalty went in off the underside of the bar and the back of Butez’s head.
They kept going until Butez parried the Stanislav Lobotka effort, sending Como through to their first Coppa Italia semi-final in 40 years.
Napoli 1-1 Como (6-7 on pens)
Baturina pen 39 (C), Vergara 46 (N)
Penalties: Da Cunha (C, goal), Politano (N, goal), Douvikas (C, goal), Lukaku (N, miss), Baturina (C, goal), Spinazzola (N, goal), Perrone (C, saved), Alisson Santos (N, goal), Smolcic (C, goal), Elmas (N, goal), Diego Carlos (C, goal), Milinkovic-Savic (N, goal), Vojvoda (C, goal), Gutierrez (N, goal), Valle (C, goal), Lobotka (N, saved)
Noel Aseko has been linked with a move away from German champions Bayern Munich, and the likes of West Ham United and Brighton are keen on securing his signature.
According to a report from Transfermarkt.de, the two Premier League clubs are monitoring the 20-year-old and could make a move for him in the summer. The defensive midfielder has struggled for regular opportunities at the German club, and he is yet to make his senior debut with them.
Noel Aseko needs a move
The player will be desperate for more opportunities, and moving to the Premier League could be ideal for him, especially if West Ham or Brighton are prepared to offer him the gametime he needs.
It will be interesting to see if the German champions are willing to sanction his departure.
The German under-21 international is currently on loan at Hanover 96 until the end of the season, and the club has an option to sign him permanently for €1 million. However, the German champions have an option to bring him back to the club for €2.4 million in the summer. If West Ham or Crystal Palace are prepared to pay a premium, it would not be a surprise if Bayern Munich decided to bring him back and sell him immediately for a profit.
Noel Aseko of Germany U21 controls the ball under pressure from Patrick Kelly of Northern Ireland U21. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
It will be interesting to see how the situation develops. The midfielder needs to join a club where he will get ample opportunities. Sitting on the bench at a big club would be detrimental to his development. It remains to be seen whether he can sort out his long-term future quickly enough to focus on his football again.
In a moment that left Stamford Bridge in stunned silence, Cole Palmer produced a strong contender for miss of the season during the final seconds of Chelsea’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Leeds United.
The England international, usually so clinical in front of goal, blazed over from point-blank range with the net at his mercy, costing the Blues a vital victory in their push for the Champions League places.
Cole Palmer could have won It for Chelsea in stoppage time
The miss came in the 94th minute of a thrilling encounter.
After Chelsea had surrendered a two-goal lead, Moises Caicedo surged into the right side of the penalty area and delivered a perfectly weighted low cross across the face of the six-yard box.
Unmarked and standing just a yard out, Cole Palmer seemed certain to tap home for his fifth goal in two matches.
However, the 23-year-old shocked everyone as he failed to connect with the ball properly, sending it high over the crossbar into the Shed End.
Palmer remained slumped in the net for several seconds, head in hands, as manager Liam Rosenior watched on in disbelief from the touchline.
It was a rare human error from a player who has already netted four Premier League hat-tricks this season.
The result ensures that Leeds United remain Chelsea’s “bogey team” for the 2025-26 campaign.
Daniel Farke’s side had already humbled the Blues with a 3-1 win at Elland Road back in December, and they showed similar resilience here to secure a league double avoidance.
Chelsea had appeared to be cruising after goals from Joao Pedro and a Palmer penalty put them 2-0 up.
However, a spirited Leeds fightback saw Lukas Nmecha convert from the spot before Noah Okafor capitalised on a defensive mix-up between Robert Sanchez and Josh Acheampong to level the scores.
While the point moves Leeds four points clear of the relegation zone, the night will be remembered for Palmer’s late horror miss, a moment that might haunt Chelsea’s top-four aspirations come May.
Cristian Romero is reportedly unhappy with the hierarchy at Tottenham Hotspur and could be seeking a high-profile exit this summer.
According to Argentine outlet TyC Sports, the World Cup winner’s relationship with the Tottenham board has reached its peak, placing one of the world’s premier defenders firmly on the market.
Real Madrid on alert: Cristian Romero wants Tottenham exit
Real Madrid have identified the search for a world-class central defender as a primary objective for the 2026-27 season.
Romero, who has been a standout performer individually this season, is now a “concrete option” for the Spanish giants.
Report suggest Madrid are prepared to offer upwards of €100 million to secure the 27-year-old, viewing his aggressive, front-foot defending as the perfect successor to the legendary leadership of players like Sergio Ramos.
Romero shown red vs Manchester United (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Romero is frustrated over lack of ambition from Tottenham
The Argentine’s discontent stems from what he perceives as a lack of sports planning and ambition from the Tottenham board.
Romero, who inherited the captaincy following Son Heung-min’s departure, recently caused a stir on social media by describing the club’s lack of winter transfer activity as “disgraceful.”
Following a recent 2-2 draw with Manchester City, Romero posted that it was “shameful” the squad was left with only 11 fit senior players due to poor recruitment.
While manager Thomas Frank insisted the matter was “handled internally,” the public outburst has signaled a fractured relationship between the captain and the decision-makers at the club.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is under a lot of pressure after a disappointing run of form, and he could be shown the door at the end of the season.
Even though he helped Newcastle end their prolonged wait for a trophy, he has not delivered this season. Newcastle are currently 12th in the league table and hope to do much better. According to journalist Mark Ogden, Howe could be on his way out of the club in the summer, and he could be replaced by the England national team manager, Thomas Tuchel.
The 52-year-old German will be out of contract after the World Cup, and it would not be a surprise if he takes over at a Premier League club. Newcastle have the resources to build a formidable team, and he could be excited to manage them. He has helped Chelsea win the UEFA Champions League, and he has managed some of the biggest clubs in the world.
Mark Odgen has claimed on ESPN: “Newcastle’s progress since being taken over by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund in 2021 has slowed to a halt, and repeated problems in the transfer market have frustrated Howe. With the England job likely to become available when Tuchel’s contract expires after the World Cup, a natural parting of the ways could happen at Newcastle this summer.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel is an option for Newcastle United (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Ogden feels that Howe could end up managing the England national team. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. For now, the manager will be focused on getting the best out of his team and helping them get their season back on track. Newcastle have a quality team, and they should be finishing in the top half at the very least.
Crystal Palace are interested in signing the Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi.
According to journalist Mirko Di Natale, they will face competition from Chelsea and Everton for the 28-year-old defender. The player will be out of contract at the end of the season, and the Eagles are hoping to sign him on a bargain. It is no secret that they need a quality central defender, especially after Marc Guehi’s departure.
Senesi has proven himself in the Premier League with consistent performances, and there is no doubt that he would be an asset for the Eagles. Signing a layer of his quality and experience for free would be a masterstroke. Crystal Palace need to tighten up at the back, and they have been quite poor in recent months. It remains to be seen whether they can convince the player to join the club.
The opportunity to join a club like Chelsea could be more attractive for the player. It remains to be seen whether the Blues decide to make a move for him. They could also use defensive reinforcements.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are a quality team as well. They could be an attractive destination for the defender, especially if a move to Chelsea does not materialise. Crystal Palace will certainly fancy their chances of beating Everton to his signature. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is a target for Real Madrid at the end of the season.
The Spanish club is interested in signing the International and they are preparing to offer around €75 million in order to sign him, as per TuttoJuve.
Real Madrid eye Sandro Tonali
The 25-year-old has established himself as a key player for Newcastle, and they will not want to sell him easily. It will be interesting to see if Real Madrid can convince the Premier League club. They need more quality in the middle of the park, and the Italian defensive midfielder would be a useful acquisition. He will help protect the back four and allow the creative players to operate with more freedom.
It is fair to assume that the player will be attracted to the idea of joining Real Madrid. They are widely regarded as one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they could offer him the platform to fight for major trophies regularly. It would be a huge step up in his career, and the player will be tempted to make the move. It will be interesting to see if the two clubs can finalise an agreement in the summer.
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle in action vs Man United (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Other clubs are monitoring his situation, and there is likely to be intense competition for his signature. Real Madrid must move quickly to get the deal done. They have had a disappointing season by their standards, and they will look to bounce back strongly. They will be hoping to win titles and the Champions League next season. They need more quality in the team, and the Newcastle star could be a useful acquisition.
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A new analysis of long-term dietary habits suggests that your daily cup of coffee or tea might do more than just provide a morning jolt. Researchers have determined that moderate consumption of caffeinated beverages is linked to a lower risk of dementia and better physical brain function over time. These results were published in the journal JAMA.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease represent a growing health challenge as the global population ages. Current medical treatments offer limited benefits once symptoms appear, and they cannot reverse the condition. This reality has prompted medical experts to look for lifestyle habits that might delay the onset of cognitive decline. Diet is a primary area of focus because it is a factor that individuals can control in their daily lives.
Coffee and tea are of particular interest to nutritional scientists. These beverages contain chemical compounds that may protect brain cells from damage. These include caffeine and polyphenols, which are plant-based micronutrients with antioxidant properties.
Prior attempts to measure this potential benefit have yielded mixed results. Some earlier inquiries relied on participants remembering their dietary habits from the distant past. Others checked in with participants only once, failing to capture how habits change over a lifetime. To address these limitations, a team led by Yu Zhang and Daniel Wang from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Mass General Brigham undertook a more expansive approach.
The investigators analyzed data from two massive, long-running groups of medical professionals. The study included over 130,000 female nurses and male health professionals who provided updates on their health and diet for up to forty-three years. Unlike smaller snapshots of time, this project tracked dietary habits repeatedly. Participants filled out detailed questionnaires about what they ate and drank every two to four years.
This distinct method allowed the researchers to reduce errors associated with memory. It also helped them calculate a cumulative average of caffeine intake over decades. The team looked for associations between these drinking habits and three specific outcomes: the clinical diagnosis of dementia, self-reported memory problems, and performance on objective cognitive tests.
The data revealed a distinct pattern regarding the consumption of caffeinated beverages. Individuals who drank caffeinated coffee had a lower chance of developing dementia compared to those who avoided it. The relationship followed a specific curve rather than a straight line.
The greatest reduction in risk appeared among people who drank approximately two to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day. Consuming more than this amount did not result in additional benefits, but it also did not appear to cause harm. This finding contradicts some earlier fears that high caffeine intake might be detrimental to the aging brain.
Tea drinkers saw similar benefits. Consuming one to two cups of tea daily was linked to a lower likelihood of dementia diagnosis. In contrast, the researchers found that the results were not statistically significant among those who drank decaffeinated coffee. This distinction suggests that caffeine itself may play a central role in the observed neuroprotection.
The study also looked at how well participants could think and remember as they aged. In a subset of the participants who underwent telephone-based testing, higher caffeinated coffee intake tracked with better scores on performance tasks. These tests measured verbal memory, attention, and executive function.
The difference in scores was roughly equivalent to being several months younger in terms of brain aging. Even among people who carried genes that usually increase the risk of Alzheimer’s, the link between caffeine and better brain health remained consistent. The researchers also assessed “subjective cognitive decline.” This is a stage where individuals feel they are having memory slips before a doctor can detect them. Higher caffeine intake was associated with fewer reports of these subjective problems.
These results add weight to a growing body of evidence linking caffeine to neurological health. However, the findings do not perfectly align with every previous study. For example, recent analyses of the UK Biobank database also found that coffee drinkers had a lower risk of neurodegenerative conditions. That research highlighted that unsweetened coffee seemed most beneficial.
The UK Biobank findings differed slightly regarding decaffeinated coffee. While the Harvard team found no link between decaf and dementia risk, the UK study suggested decaf might still offer some protection. This discrepancy implies that other compounds in coffee besides caffeine might play a role, or that different populations metabolize these beverages differently.
Other research utilizing brain imaging has offered clues about why this might happen. A study from the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle study of aging found that higher coffee consumption was associated with a slower buildup of amyloid proteins in the brain. These proteins are the sticky clumps associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
The new Harvard study aligns with the theory that caffeine helps maintain neural networks. It supports the idea that moderate stimulation of the brain’s chemical receptors might reduce inflammation. Caffeine blocks specific receptors in the brain known as adenosine receptors. When these receptors are blocked, it affects the release of neurotransmitters and may reduce the stress on brain cells.
Researchers have also observed in animal models that caffeine can suppress the enzymes that create amyloid plaques. It appears to enhance the function of mitochondria, which are the power plants of the cell. By improving how brain cells use energy, caffeine might help them survive longer in the face of aging.
Additional context comes from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the United States. That separate analysis found that older adults who consumed more caffeine performed better on tests of processing speed and attention. The consistency of these findings across different populations strengthens the argument that caffeine has a measurable effect on cognition.
Despite the large sample size of the new Harvard analysis, the study has limitations inherent to observational research. It demonstrates an association but cannot definitively prove that coffee causes the reduction in dementia cases. It is possible that people who start to experience subtle cognitive decline naturally stop drinking coffee before they are diagnosed. This phenomenon is often called reverse causation.
The researchers attempted to account for this by conducting sensitivity analyses. They looked at the data in ways that excluded the years immediately preceding a diagnosis. The protective link remained, suggesting that reverse causation does not fully explain the results.
The participants in this study were primarily white medical professionals. This fact means the results might not apply perfectly to the general population or to other racial and ethnic groups. Additionally, the questionnaires did not distinguish between different preparation methods. The study could not separate the effects of espresso versus drip coffee, or green tea versus black tea.
Unmeasured factors could also be at play. Coffee drinkers might share other lifestyle habits that protect the brain, such as higher levels of social activity or different dietary patterns. The researchers used statistical models to adjust for smoking, exercise, and overall diet quality. However, observational studies can never fully eliminate the possibility of residual confounding variables.
Future science needs to clarify the biological mechanisms at play. Researchers must determine if caffeine is acting alone or in concert with other antioxidants found in these plants. Clinical trials that assign specific amounts of caffeine to participants could help confirm these observational findings.
The senior author of the study, Daniel Wang, noted the perspective needed when interpreting these results. “While our results are encouraging, it’s important to remember that the effect size is small and there are lots of important ways to protect cognitive function as we age,” Wang said. “Our study suggests that caffeinated coffee or tea consumption can be one piece of that puzzle.”
For now, the data suggests that a moderate coffee or tea habit is a generally healthy choice for the aging brain. It appears that consumption of about three cups of coffee or two cups of tea provides the maximum potential benefit. This study provides reassurance that this common daily ritual does not harm cognitive function and may help preserve it.
The study, “Coffee and Tea Intake, Dementia Risk, and Cognitive Function,” was authored by Yu Zhang, Yuxi Liu, Yanping Li, Yuhan Li, Xiao Gu, Jae H. Kang, A. Heather Eliassen, Molin Wang, Eric B. Rimm, Walter C. Willett, Frank B. Hu, Meir J. Stampfer, and Dong D. Wang.
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Roberto De Zerbi’s time at Olympique de Marseille is nearing its conclusion, according to information from RMC Sport.
Despite leading training at La Commanderie on Tuesday, the Italian technician is understood to be deeply affected by the club’s recent humiliating defeats and, in particular, by what he perceives as a lack of response and commitment from his squad.
De Zerbi reportedly used the session and subsequent exchanges with players to gauge whether he still retained the backing of the dressing room. The feedback did little to reassure him. Sources indicate that the former Sassuolo and Brighton coach no longer feels full adhesion from his group and is increasingly convinced that he does not have the resources required to turn the situation around.
Discussions have also taken place between De Zerbi and Marseille’s hierarchy regarding a negotiated end to their collaboration. While the 45-year-old has at times been described as unpredictable and capable of late reversals, the prevailing feeling is that the decision has effectively been made.
The final step rests with owner Frank McCourt, whose approval will be required to formalise the separation.GFFN | George Boxall
West Ham 1-1 Manchester United: Sesko’s late strike preserves Carrick’s unbeaten record
West Ham United were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United in the Premier League at the London Stadium on Tuesday evening.
West Ham came out flying from the blocks, with Senne Lammens making a superb save to deny Crysencio Summerville in the 13th minute.
United’s first genuine opportunity came from a corner which Harry Maguire headed wide.
Luke Shaw came close to putting United ahead with a first-time shot before the half-hour mark, only for Aaron Wan-Bissaka to clear the ball off the line.
Tomas Soucek broke the deadlock in the 50th minute, guiding Jarrod Bowen’s low cross into the far corner to register his third goal against United.
Casemiro thought he had drawn United level in the 63rd minute, after heading Kobbie Mainoo’s cross into the net, but his effort was ruled offside.
Deep into stoppage time, Benjamin Sesko rescued a point for United with a clever finish, keeping interim manager Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run.
Unai Emery open to signing Jadon Sancho on permanent deal
Unai Emery says Aston Villa would consider keeping Jadon Sancho (25) beyond his loan spell if the winger continues to improve.
The 25-year-old joined Villa from Manchester United last summer on a temporary deal, with his contract at Old Trafford set to expire at the end of the season.
Sancho has made 23 appearances in all competitions, scoring once and providing one assist. Both contributions have come in recent weeks, with a Europa League goal against RB Salzburg and an assist for Morgan Rogers in the win over Bournemouth.
Villa boss Emery said it is too early to decide on Sancho’s future but praised his recent progress: “Not yet, but he is a fantastic player,” said Emery, speaking to the media before Villa’s Premier League clash against Brighton. “If he plays his best football, we will want him, but other teams could also be interested.”
Emery added that Sancho’s early-season performances did not meet expectations but believes the winger is now moving in the right direction.
“The first part of the season was not enough,” he said. “Now he is getting better and accepting the challenge.”
Sancho is aiming to finish the campaign strongly as Villa continue to compete on multiple fronts. Emery stressed the importance of consistency, saying every match will be key for both the club’s ambitions and the player’s future.
For now, Sancho’s focus remains on maintaining his form and contributing regularly as Villa look ahead to the final months of the season.
Coppa Italia | Napoli 1-1 Como (6-7 pens): Sudden death sends Fabregas into semi-final
Como will face Inter in their first Coppa Italia semi-final for 40 years, after eliminating Antonio Conte’s Napoli in a sudden death penalty shoot-out, following the 1-1 draw.
The Partenopei lost Scott McTominay in a controversial 3-2 win over Genoa, so Eljif Elmas dropped into midfield with Giovane getting his first start upfront, as David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Kevin De Bruyne were injured, but Vanja Milinkovic-Savic returned in goal. Como earned a 0-0 draw here in Serie A back in November, but were well rested as their Serie A Week 24 fixture with Milan was rescheduled to February 18.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Nico Paz of Como 1907 battles for possession with Giovane of SSC Napoli during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Jayden Addai’s ambitious lob landed on the roof of the net in the opening minute, while Jean Butez rushed out of his area to nod clear when Rasmus Hojlund sprung the offside trap.
Juan Jesus needed a desperate block after Alex Valle shrugged off Pasquale Mazzocchi to get into the area, but Como were awarded a penalty.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Martin Baturina of Como 1907 celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Alex Valle got down the left and stood up a cross to the back post for Ivan Smolcic, who was brought down clumsily by Matias Olivera from behind. The Lariani have failed to convert numerous penalties this season, including one in their Serie A match against Napoli in November, but this time Baturina drilled it into the near bottom corner just beyond Milinkovic-Savic’s fingertips.
Jacobo Ramon was inches away from giving Napoli a spot-kick, as he brought down Hojlund just outside the penalty area on a long goal kick and VAR evaluated, but decided against upgrading the yellow card to red.
The hosts equalised within 60 seconds of the restart, as Hojlund’s first-time flick in the centre-circle was probably supposed to be for Giovane, but instead kept rolling into the path of Vergara, who surged forward and kept his cool to beat Butez one-on-one.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Antonio Vergara of SSC Napoli celebrates with teammate Pasquale Mazzocchi after scoring his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
There was controversy moments later, as Jacobo Ramon brought down Hojlund on the edge of the box and was very lucky not to receive his second booking. Inevitably, Cesc Fabregas took Ramon off to rescue him from danger, amid fury from Conte on the touchline.
Napoli were a different team to the first half, as Hojlund’s head only grazed a Sam Beukema cross, then on the resulting corner Amir Rrahmani’s header was cleared practically off the line by Nico Paz.
Tasos Douvikas couldn’t keep his header down on a Lucas Da Cunha free kick, but Mergim Vojvoda forced a great fingertip save out of Milinkovic-Savic at the near post.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli gestures during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Just like in Serie A, the teams could not be divided, but here went straight into a penalty shoot-out. Como famously have a poor record from the spot this season, while Milinkovic-Savic is the best goalkeeper in the league on these situations.
Lukaku stepped up with a stuttering run-up only to drill it wide of the target, while Baturina beat Milinkovic-Savic for the second time this evening, but Maximo Perrone’s central attempt was parried.
It went to sudden death, and Milinkovic-Savic was so lucky, as his penalty went in off the underside of the bar and the back of Butez’s head.
They kept going until Butez parried the Stanislav Lobotka effort, sending Como through to their first Coppa Italia semi-final in 40 years.
Napoli 1-1 Como (6-7 on pens)
Baturina pen 39 (C), Vergara 46 (N)
Penalties: Da Cunha (C, goal), Politano (N, goal), Douvikas (C, goal), Lukaku (N, miss), Baturina (C, goal), Spinazzola (N, goal), Perrone (C, saved), Alisson Santos (N, goal), Smolcic (C, goal), Elmas (N, goal), Diego Carlos (C, goal), Milinkovic-Savic (N, goal), Vojvoda (C, goal), Gutierrez (N, goal), Valle (C, goal), Lobotka (N, saved)
Match Report: Man United clinch last-gasp 1-1 draw against West Ham
Manchester United rescued themselves from an embarrassing defeat to West Ham United in what was a poor performance from Michael Carrick’s side.
Following four excellent victories on the trot, Man United appeared to be a shadow of their former selves during their trip to London, showing little attacking intent in a low-energy performance.
Still, Benjamin Sesko produced a moment of magic in stoppage time to clinch a point away from home for United.
First half
Man United were on the attack from early on, with Matheus Cunha playing a lobbed through ball that went astray. Still, the visitors came agonisingly close to breaking through the Hammers’ defence for an early goal.
West Ham sought to hit back, with Jarod Bowen almost breaking through the defence before Harry Maguire dispossessed him.
In the 13th minute, the hosts almost scored when Crysencio Summerville beat the defence with a whipping in a shot that curled toward the right post. Senne Lammens produced a stunning diving save to keep the score level.
In the 22nd minute, United earned a corner, with Bruno Fernandes thumping a threatening low ball to Luke Shaw in the centre of the box. While Shaw did brilliantly to take a shot with his first touch, former teammate Aaron Wan-Bissaka cleared the ball off the line.
The hosts showed no signs of backing down, continuing to pressure United in their final third, although the visitors remained focused as they successfully carried out their defensive duties.
It seemed as if United were losing their concentration when in possession, regularly giving the ball away as half-time approached. Still, they seemed composed in defence.
Five minutes before the break, United finally looked threatening, as Shaw burst up the field and threaded a through ball to Amad on the left. Unfortunately for him, his shot from a tight angle hit the side netting.
It was a somewhat subdued first 45 minutes of football from both sides, although United showed some signs of attacking threat. Michael Carrick would have no doubt wanted his team to turn up the heat as they headed out for the second half.
Second half
Four minutes into the second half, United fell behind. Bowen passed the ball to Thomas Soucek, who was perfectly positioned in the box to tap the ball into the back of the net. It was poor defending from Shaw and Lisandro Martinez, who allowed the Hammers to counter from pretty much nowhere.
In the 57th minute, Diogo Dalot gave away an unnecessary free kick by sliding into Summerville. He received a yellow card and was lucky not to give away a penalty, given how close the ball was to the edge of the box.
Fortunately, Amad, who acted as a one-man wall, managed to block the incoming cross.
In the 62nd minute, United drew level as Casemiro got on the end of a surgical long ball from Kobbie Mainoo, putting the ball in the back of the net. Then, VAR decided to review the goal for a possible offside. Unfortunately, Casemiro was determined to be fractionally offside, meaning that the score remained 1-0.
With little over 23 minutes to play, Carrick made a double switch. Cunha and Maguire made way for Benjamin Sesko and Leny Yoro. It appeared that Maguire may have been struggling with a hamstring strain, so United would hope for a quick recovery.
Shaw sent a threatening cross into the box, though Bryan Mbeumo’s header floated wide.
In the 82nd minute, Carrick decided to inject more attacking firepower into the team by replacing Dalot with Joshua Zirkzee.
Amad took a shot from a corner, though the goalkeeper made a confident save.
West Ham came close to doubling their lead when Adama Traore burst down the wing, although Yoro did well to slide in and block his effort on goal.
Fernandes delivered an excellent cross to Zirkzee, whose header glanced wide.
Still, with seven minutes of stoppage time, it wasn’t too late for United to grab a late equaliser.
Moments later, Callum Wilson danced past United’s last defender, going one-on-one with the keeper. Lammens did well to remain steady, producing an excellent leg save before Wilson was flagged offside.
Then, at the death, Sesko saved United from an embarrassing defeat. With a brilliant first touch, the striker guided a cross from Mbeumo into the top corner to make the score 1-1.
Moments later, the full-time whistle blew. It was a moment of relief for United, with Sesko saving his team from humiliation. Clearly, Carrick needs to go back to the drawing board to understand where his team went wrong.
Four things we learned as Man United snatch injury time draw at West Ham
Manchester United’s magical renaissance under Michael Carrick stumbled but didn’t quite fall in East London where they snatched a last-gasp draw at West Ham.
After a turgid first half the hosts took the lead shortly after the interval and looked to have defended it well enough to condemn United to a 1-0 defeat, but Benjamin Sesko‘s glorious injury time finish salvaged a point for United. Here are four things we learned from Carrick’s first dropped points in charge.
Time machine performance
United were unrecognisable from the full-throttle side reborn against Manchester City. Parts of the first half were played at walking pace, and the team that could have scored within a minute against Fulham last weekend struggled to do anything at all in the final third.
Certainly West Ham tails were up after a good run of form boosted their chances of Premier League survival, but it was a crushing disappointment that United – the league’s form side – looked so sluggish. They snatched a draw from the jaws of a deserved defeat straight out of the Ruben Amorim era, and put in the kind of performance Red Devils hoped they had put behind them since sacking the Portuguese coach.
Regression session
Part and parcel of United’s dreary performance was the reversion to type of certain key players. Diogo Dalot’s run of fine form came to an end as his momentum-killing mistakes crept back in and he rounded it off with a petulant yellow card.
Further up the pitch Matheus Cunha misfired and Amad was peripheral – things we’ve seen all too often this season. Carrick must find a way to bring back the feelgood factor which has powered his revolution to date, and if that involves switching up the starting lineup then so be it.
It might be broke, consider fixing it
United have hardly put a foot wrong in the Carrick era so far, and not for nothing has the interim head coach been consistent with his team selections. For the third game running, Carrick started an unchanged XI and it’s difficult to argue with his logic.
But it seems that he didn’t factor in a chronic inability to play twice in a week, or some other unnamed factor which drained all the zest out of the team until their backs were firmly against the wall.
It was a reassuring hour before the game as Carrick’s consistency continued to prove a welcome change from Amorim’s relentless tinkering, but the flat performance indicates that rotation isn’t necessarily a bad thing – particular when Sesko came off the bench to pinch an essential equaliser with a wonderful finish.
Passing a positive
Since Carrick took control United have been much slicker on the ball, and it was a similar story tonight despite the drop in tempo. The Red Devils played their way out of tight corners with a coolness and understanding that has been sorely lacking – the fact that these exchanges didn’t bear goalscoring fruit is another story.
Cunha and Bruno Fernandes were smart in the middle of the pitch, and Harry Maguire continued to build a strong understanding with the fleet-footed Lisandro Martinez to bring a calmness to pushing it around at the back. There is work to do to bring back the urgency, but at least the technical side of things was still on display tonight.
He takes a lot of responsibility on himself - Pep on Haaland
Pep Guardiola had paid a fulsome tribute to Erling Haaland and stressed that the star striker cares deeply about his own contributions to City’s success.
Haaland bagged a vital penalty winner in a 2-1 weekend win at Liverpool which put us just six points behind Arsenal and also put the giant Norwegian on 21 goals in the Premier League so far this term.
Guardiola was hugely impressed with the composure of the No.9 in slotting away in the caldron of Anfield and insisted the goal and victory will have thrilled the fab forward more than most.
“I know it’s not easy,” the boss said in his pre-match press conference.
“Anfield in the 91, 92 minutes, in the situation we have, taking it there, making this composure and his body language with his eyes with fire in that, it’s not easy.
“That defines the good players.
“He takes a lot of responsibility on himself, he wants to help all the time.
Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych wears a helmet depicting Ukrainian sportsmen and women during a skeleton training session at the Winter Olympics (FRANCK FIFE)
US ski star Mikaela Shiffrin suffered more Winter Olympic heartbreak on Tuesday as Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych vowed to continue wearing a banned helmet depicting victims of the war with Russia.
On the ice in Milan, US figure-skating sensation Ilia Malinin further burnished his growing reputation as he closed in on a second gold medal in his debut Games.
America's top team of Shiffrin and individual downhill champion Breezy Johnson were firm favourites to win the women's team combined event in Cortina d'Ampezzo after Johnson topped the times in the morning's downhill run.
But Shiffrin stuttered through the slalom -- her specialist event -- and the US pair finished in a disappointing fourth place, with Austrians Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber claiming gold.
Defeat will sting for 30-year-old Shiffrin, who is the most successful World Cup skier of all time and came into the Games in red-hot form.
The two-time Olympic gold medallist had a point to prove after a disastrous showing at the 2022 Beijing Games, where she failed to win a single medal.
But Shiffrin was a full second slower than Emma Aicher, whose session-leading time of 44.38sec gave Germany silver while another US pairing, Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan, took bronze.
The American said she would learn from her disappointing run, which cranks up the pressure ahead of next week's slalom, the final alpine skiing event of the Games.
"I didn't quite find a comfort level that like allows me to produce full speed, so I'm going to have to learn what to do, what to adjust in the short time we have before the other tech races," she said.
Shiffrin's poor performance denied Johnson a second gold of the Games after she triumphed in the downhill on Sunday, when Lindsey Vonn suffered a broken leg in a brutal crash.
Vonn, 41, who had been expected to share star billing with Shiffrin at the Milan-Cortina Games, revealed on Monday she had suffered a "complex tibia fracture" when she crashed in the downhill and would need "multiple surgeries to fix properly".
- Helmet row -
Away from the ski slopes, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned Ukrainian skeleton racer Heraskevych from wearing a helmet that features pictures of sportspeople killed since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, but has allowed him to wear a black armband instead.
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said the headwear contravened guidelines but that the IOC would "make an exception to the guidelines to allow him to wear a black armband during competition to make that commemoration".
Gestures of a political nature during competition are forbidden under the Olympic charter, though athletes are permitted to express their views in press conferences and on social media.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had defended Heraskevych's right to wear the helmet, thanking him "for reminding the world of the price of our struggle".
And the athlete, who was one of Ukraine's two flag bearers in the opening ceremony in Italy, told reporters at the Cortina Sliding Centre that he had no intention of backing down.
"I used it in all trainings... I used it today, I will use it tomorrow, and I will use it on race day (Thursday)," he told reporters.
Heraskevych said he disagreed with the IOC's decision "because I truly believe that we didn't violate any rules".
In a strongly worded Instagram post he said: "Even though the IOC wants to betray the memory of these athletes, I will not betray them."
Ukrainian Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi told AFP this month that Russia has killed "more than 650 athletes and coaches" since it invaded Ukraine, according to the latest data.
In late-evening action, figure skater Malinin, unbeaten in individual competition for two years, performed his trademark backflip to top the standings in the short programme of the singles competition, delighting the crowd.
The 21-year-old, with the team title already under his belt, is well placed to win gold after Friday's free skating section.
Earlier Tuesday, Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Klaebo added a seventh Olympic gold to his career haul as Norway stayed top of the medals table with six golds.
In the Olympic women's ice hockey preliminary round, the United States hammered reigning champions Canada 5-0.
Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg holds up the net with his twin sons, Sam and Charlie, following a 70-66 victory against Kansas in the finals of the Big 12 Tournament at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday, March 14, 2015. (David Eulitt/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Nebraska 2025-2026 Season
OverallRecord: 21-2
Big 10 Record: 10-2
Previous 3 Games
2/7: W – 80 – 68 vs Rutgers @ Away
2/1: L – 69 – 78 vs Illinois @ Home
1/27: L – 72 – 75 vs Michigan @ Away
Nebraska Personnel
Starters
Position
#
Player
Class
Height
Weight
Min
Pts
Reb
Ast
Center
51
Rienk Mast
Sr.
6’10”
250
29
15
6
3
Power Forward
9
Berke Buyuktuncel
Jr.
6’10”
245
25
7
6
2
Wing
21
Pryce Sandfort
Jr.
6’7″
210
32
17
5
2
Guard
10
Jamarques Lawrence
Sr.
6’3″
185
28
11
2
4
Point Guard
1
Sam Hoiberg
Sr.
6’0″
180
31
10
5
4
Bench
Position
#
Player
Class
Height
Weight
Min
Pts
Reb
Ast
Guard/Wing
31
Cale Jacobsen
Jr.
6’4″
195
21
4
3
2
Center
5
Braden Frager
Fr.
6’7″
215
23
12
4
1
Key Analytics
(Per KenPom.com – National Rank in ())
KenPom Ranking – 12
Offense
Adjusted Efficiency: 121.6 (29) – Big 10 Only: 117.3 (5)
Adjusted Tempo: 66.8 (204) – Big 1o Only: 65.8 (7)
Average Possession Length: 16.9 (104) – Big 1o Only: 19 (17)
Effective Field Goal%: 56.3 (25) – Big 1o Only: 50.2 (6)
Offensive Rebound%: 25.9 (328) – Big 1o Only: 23.1 (18)
Three Point%: 35.7 (81) – Big 1o Only: 38.2 (1)
Two Point %: 59.3 (25) – Big 1o Only: 57.1 (4)
Defense
Adjusted Efficiency: 93.7 (11) – Big 1o Only: 101.2 (3)
Adjusted Tempo: 66.8 (204) – Big 1o Only: 65.8 (7)
Average Possession Length: 18.4 (341) – Big 1o Only: 19 (17)
Effective Field Goal%: 47.5 (38) – Big 1o Only: 50.2 (6)
Offensive Rebound%: 27.1 (41) – Big 1o Only: 27.4 (4)
Three Point%: 30.2 (228) – Big 1o Only: 30.4 (3)
Two Point %: 49.6 (141) – Big 1o Only: 54.3 (8)
Key Stat for Purdue
Offense
(Per KenPom.com – Big 10 Rank in ())
Effective FG%
Purdue Offense: 57.6 (2)
Nebraska Defense: 50.2 (6)
Thoughts:
Purdue’s offense has to dominate this game. Nebraska can be a streaky shooting team; if the Boilermakers can be steady on offense, there will be opportunities to build a lead or get Nebraska back in after they go on a run. Conversely, if the Boilermakers hit a dry spell and Nebraska hits one of its patented three-point barrages, the game could get out of hand.
Either way, Purdue needs to put the ball in the basket.
Defense
Three Point%
Purdue Defense: 34.6 (12)
Nebraska Offense: 38.2 (1)
Thoughts:
Purdue struggles to contain three-point shooters. Purdue overhelps and over-switches on defense (in my humble opinion), which leads to open outside shots. Any drive that threatens the lane opens up multiple outside shooters. Purdue’s guards go under screens or switch everything.
Best-case scenario? Nebraska is cold because they’re going to get plenty of opportunities.
Brief Thoughts
Can Purdue avoid the big Nebraska run?
The Cornhuskers are going to put together a few runs because of their shooting. Purdue can handle a couple of 10-to-3 runs because Nebraska can also go cold. What they can’t handle is a 15-3 run that allows the Cornhuskers to play in clean air. Purdue has to stay attached to this team’s hip and hope to outplay them down the stretch.
Nebraska doesn’t have much depth. Maybe Purdue finally decides to play big boy ball in the paint instead of flipping shots at the rim? Getting Mast in foul trouble would be much appreciated.
Fletcher Loyer is 10-14 from three over the last two games. If anyone can match Nebraska shot-for-shot, it’s a red-hot Loyer. I’d like to see Purdue run some offense for him early and see if they can get him going. He’s been using his ability to draw fouls and get to the line to calibrate his deep shooting. I’d like to see him aggressive early.
Predictions
KenPom
Purdue: 71
Nebraska: 74
Drew
Purdue: 68
Indiana: 67
Looking Into the Crystal Ball
Look, I’m a homer. If you’re looking for an unbiased prediction, a team blog probably isn’t the best resource. Illinois and Michigan beat up Nebraska on the inside. Purdue turns back the clock, allows TKR to work in the paint, and softens up the Cornhusker interior early. It’s a back-and-forth game. Purdue has the ball last, and Loyer finishes off his career day with a dagger 3 over Hoiberg.
(As an admitted homer, even I’m a little embarrassed by the above paragraph…unless it happens, of course…then you heard it here first.)
Andy Ryan scored deep into injury-time to help Irish Premiership leaders Larne rescue a point in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Glentoran at Inver Park.
Paul O'Neill gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot, but goals either side of half-time from Pat Hoban turned the game on its head before the striker was sent off following an altercation with Ryan, who netted the rebound after his spot kick was saved.
James Akitunde scored a last-minute winner as Coleraine came from behind to beat Portadown 2-1 at the Showgrounds.
Matthew Fitzpatrick netted a hat-trick as Linfield strolled to a 6-0 victory over Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park.
Carrick Rangers continued their good run of form with a 2-1 win against bottom side Glenavon and Cliftonville got back to winning ways in the league as they saw off Bangor 3-1 at Solitude.
Ballymena United's game against Crusaders was postponed, the fifth game at the Warden Street Showgrounds to fall victim to the weather in 2026.
Late drama at Inver Park
Larne took the lead just after the 20 minute mark when Andrew Mills came charging out of his goal to try to beat O'Neill to the ball, but he clattered the Larne striker.
O'Neill then dusted himself down to score the spot kick, despite Mills getting a hand to it.
Glentoran got a stroke of good fortune just before the break when Marcus Kane's low strike from outside the box took a fortuitous deflection off Hoban and wrong-footed Rohan Ferguson for an equaliser.
It was that man Hoban again who flipped the game on its head less than five minutes after the restart. The former Derry City striker met James Singleton's beautiful ball to the back post and put the visitors ahead.
Singleton then struck the post himself before Larne had a big penalty claim when Jarlath O'Rourke looked to have used a hand to block Ryan's header on the line.
Ryan was involved in another controversial incident from the resulting corner when he and Hoban clashed with the Glentoran forward denied his chance at a hat-trick as he was shown a straight red card with a quarter of an hour remaining for his part in the coming-together.
Despite this, it was Glentoran who had a big chance to seal the three points late on, but Jordan Jenkins couldn't beat Ferguson one-on-one.
That would come back to bite them as, deep in stoppage time, MJ Kamson-Kamara handled in his own box to give Larne another penalty.
Ryan stepped up and, after his effort was saved initially by Mills, he buried the rebound to seal a point.
Glentoran were shown a second red card after the final whistle as Ryan Cooney was too vociferous with his views towards Shane Andrews.
Akitunde the hero for Bannsiders
The visitors opened the scoring midway through the opening half thanks to Josh Ukek's third goal of the season.
A Coleraine free-kick deep in Portadown territory was cleared by Steven McCullough as far as the striker standing midway inside the Coleraine half.
He still had plenty to do, but showed great pace and skill to evade the Coleraine defence before firing low past Ryan Schofield into the far corner of the net.
The Ports had chances to add to their tally in the opening 45 minutes, but Schofield produced a fine reflex save to deny Luke Wilson while Jack Scott's goal bound shot was well blocked by Mark Connolly.
Chances were few and far between at the other end, Will Patching coming closest for the hosts with a well-struck volley which was brilliantly palmed away by Alex Moore.
The Portadown goalkeeper produced a string of fine saves immediately after half-time, twice denying Joel Cooper and diving high to his right to palm away Patching's 30 yard free-kick.
He was powerless to prevent the former Linfield man drawing the hosts level with 15 minutes remaining, however.
Ben Wylie cut in off the right wing, laid the ball off to Cooper and the midfielder did the rest, drilling a low left-foot shot low into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
Just when it seemed the game was going to end in a draw, the home side hit the front deep in added time when Akintunde somehow got on the end of a Patching free-kick to spark wild scenes of delight in front of the Railway End.
Blues hit Swifts for six
After an end-to-end opening 20 minutes, it was the Blues who broke the deadlock as Fitzpatrick slotted home.
Ethan McGee did well to stride forward and cut through the heart of the Dungannon midfield, before finding Fitzpatrick, who beat the offside trap and fired home across goal with his right foot.
The Blues doubled their lead three minutes before the break through Kyle McClean, who made no mistake from a relatively tight angle after being fed by Adam Frizzell.
Linfield added a third on 62 minutes, with substitute Isaac Baird firing home from close range with his first touch after some lovely work down the right from McGee.
Fitzpatrick added his second 15 minutes from time with a lovely flick into the bottom corner, before he completed his hat-trick 12 minutes later with a superb finish from a tight angle to make it 17 goals for the season.
Substitute Sean Brown put the icing on the cake for David Healy's side, thumping home from the edge of the box.
Carrick's league winning run continue
Carrick went ahead on 15 minutes as a ball down the right wing sent Paul Heatley clear. He then cut back inside and curled a left-footed effort high into the left-side of the net for his ninth goal of the season.
Glenavon had to wait until the 22nd minute for their first chance. Paul McGovern's cross from the right seemed harmless, but Luke McCullough almost diverted into his own net. Thankfully, for him, Scott Pengelly saved well in goal.
On 35 minutes, a second goal arrived for the hosts and it was the captain, McCullough.
Aidan Steele delivered from the right and the defender rose highest to head into the right-hand side of the goal from 12 yards.
Things got worse for Glenavon when they were reduced to 10 men. Niall Quinn received a straight red card for a challenge on Heatley, who was through on goal.
However, on 76 minutes Glenavon were thrown a lifeline. Carrick failed to deal with a long ball forward and could only half-clear to McGovern on the edge of the area.
He slid the ball inside to Campbell, who rifled home from 20 yards, but it would be Carrick who would hang on for the three points.
Reds see off Bangor
After a tentative opening in north Belfast, the visitors should have opened the scoring when Ben Arthurs rounded Lewis Ridd after a slack Kyle McClelland back pass, but he was denied by a sliding goal-line clearance from Jonny Addis.
Five minutes before the break, Arthurs went close again as he met Reece Neale's cross, but could only watch his effort drift the wrong side of the post.
Moments later, Lee Feeney's men were made to pay when Conor Pepper found Joe Gormley on the edge of the penalty area and the veteran striker shifted the ball onto his right before finding the bottom corner.
Just before the hour, the away side equalised in bizarre fashion when Addis blocked Stephen Fallon's shot from inside the penalty area, only for it to deflect off Pepper and into the net.
Cliftonville restored their advantage less than a minute later when Gormley headed Rory Hale's left-wing cross into the path of Michael Glynn, who fired home via the woodwork.
Substitute Brian Healy gave the Reds a two-goal cushion when Callum McCay drove at the heart of the Bangor defence before slipping the ball in behind for Healy to slot past a helpless Gareth Deane.
Bangor had the chance to reduce the deficit minutes later from the penalty spot, but Harry Lynch's tame effort down the middle was easily saved by Ridd.
Around 2,900 top athletes from around the world converged on Italy to take part in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, hoping to bring home medals across 116 events.
Olympians from Team USA have won a total of 330 Winter Olympic medals through Beijing 2022 — second only to winter sports powerhouse Norway. This year, Team USA is bringing around 230 athletes to the Winter Olympics, which run from Feb. 6 to Feb. 22.
These are some of the American athletes to watch.
Alex Ferreira
This is freestyle skier Alex Ferreira's third trip to the Olympics. Ferreira took home silver at PyeongChang in 2018 and a bronze medal in Beijing in 2022.
"It's awesome representing Team USA, because I look at us and I think we're the best team in the world, and then it's special," Ferreira recently told CBS News. "It's a big deal to Team USA, to bring home a medal for America and for your town, for your state, for your country. It's huge."
If he couldn't compete in his Olympic sport, Ferreira said he'd compete in either track and field or trampoline.
The 31-year-old athlete, who started skiing at age 3 and began competing at 10, specializes in the halfpipe. His first competition was an aerials event, which his mother enrolled him in without informing him, according to Team USA. He's also medaled at the Winter X Games. During the 2023-2024 season, Ferreira swept five world cups, X Games Aspen and the Dew Tour. Ferreira also skis under his alter ego, an older man who goes by the name Hotdog Hans.
Alex Hall
Milano Cortina is 27-year-old freestyle skier Alex Hall's third trip to the Olympics. He made his debut at the PyeongChang Games in South Korea in 2018. Hall said he has more confidence now and a different outlook than he did then.
"Going to enjoy some of the smaller things at the Olympics, not necessarily the grandiose things," Hall told CBS News.
He won gold in slopestyle in Beijing in 2022, and earned gold in four different disciplines at the X Games: big air, slopestyle, knuckle huck and real ski.
Hall secured the silver medal in men's slopestyle at this year's Olympics.
Hall, who was born in Alaska to an Italian mom, spent more than half of his life in Europe. He grew up just a few hours away from where he'll be competing.
The skier said he's looking forward to meeting with athletes from around the world and hearing their stories, something which should be easy for him since he speaks several languages, including English, French, Italian and German.
Alysa Liu
Figure skater Alysa Liu, now 20 years old and back from a surprise retirement from the ice at 16, headed to the Olympics for her second time this year. She was the youngest U.S. figure skating national champion in history, winning the title at age 13. She won another national title at 14 before taking a break from skating after the 2022 Olympics.
The U.S. took home gold in the figure skating team competition this year, with Liu skating the short program.
After her comeback to skating, Liu won the women's singles world title at the 2025 World Championships. Olympic men's skating gold medalist Brian Boitano called it "the biggest comeback in sports history."
Liu recently told "60 Minutes" that as she prepares for the Olympics, she views herself as more of an artist than an athlete.
"I view competitions more as, like, a stage for performing," she said.
Amber Glenn
Figure skater Amber Glenn, 26, made her Olympics debut just weeks after winning her third straight U.S. title. She's the first woman to do so since Michelle Kwan.
The U.S. took home gold in the figure skating team competition this year, with Glenn taking on the women's free skate. She's also among American athletes who've been speaking up about the political situation at home.
Glenn told CBS News that being an Olympian is "an incredible opportunity" because she'd "get to be on the biggest stage an athlete can be on, and I'd be able to voice my beliefs and my opinions and my message."
The skater has spent years advocating for mental health awareness and the LGBTQ+ community; Glenn came out as bisexual and pansexual in 2019.
"When I came out initially, I was terrified. I was scared it would affect my scores or something, but I didn't care," she said in a Team USA post from 2024. "It was worth it to see the amount of young people who felt more comfortable in their environments at the rink, who feel, 'Oh, I'm represented by her, and she's one of the top skaters.'"
Brittany Bowe
This is Florida speedskater Brittany Bowe's fourth trip to the Olympics. The 37-year-old two-time Olympic bronze medalist specializes in long track. She said her earlier experiences in the Olympics have taught her to focus on the process.
"In years past, it's been really easy to be outcome-oriented, and I have found that that doesn't work. That can be become really debilitating in your preparation," Bowe told CBS News. "The cards will fall as they will, and for me to just stay focused in the moment, in the process and be ready to go when that gun goes off."
Bowe carried the American flag during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.
"Being an Olympian is so important to me because it has given me the platform to inspire people, to encourage people, and it's also given me an opportunity to live out my childhood dream," Bowe said. "It's given me an opportunity to bring a whole squad of people along, and being able to take my family all around the world, for them to be a part of it has been really, really meaningful."
She was edged out on Monday in the 1,000 meters, finishing in fourth.
Caroline Harvey
As a 3-year-old newbie to ice hockey, Caroline Harvey told her aunt she'd make the 2022 U.S. Olympic team, according to Team USA. Her childhood prediction came true when she became the youngest member of the team and helped the U.S. earn a silver medal in Beijing.
"Anytime you get to wear that crest and represent your country, it's the biggest honor, and being able to do it at an Olympic setting is just something that is unforgettable," Harvey told CBS News.
The 23-year-old athlete was named the best defender at the 2024 and 2025 IIHF Women's World Championships. She's also a two-time NCAA champion for the Wisconsin Badgers.
She's hoping to take home gold in Milano Cortina, but said success is ultimately "knowing we did everything we could to be successful in playing our team game."
Corinne Stoddard
Milano Cortina is 24-year-old skater Corinne Stoddard's second trip to the Olympics.
She went to Beijing in 2022, where she broke her nose during her very first race, according to Team USA. Stoddard competed in the rest of her races while unable to breathe out of one nostril.
This year, Stoddard crashed during the women's 500m. Her fall took down several of her competitors. She later told NBC the softer ice condition is better suited for figure skating, not speed skating. The American still has three events to go and told WBIR that her team will need to make adjustments.
Stoddard started roller skating in kindergarten, then switched to inline skating a year later. When she was 11, she began speed skating. While Stoddard does not yet have any Olympic medals, she's a three-time world medalist in short track speedskating.
The skater said she's dreamed of the Olympics since she was a child, which required a lot of hard work along the way.
"I would always have training every day after school, so there wasn't much time for like, play dates or sleepovers growing up," she told CBS News. "There wasn't much time as, like, a teenager, to go out with friends on the weekends. And then for my last two years of high school, I did online when I moved out to Salt Lake to start training with the national team, so I didn't get to do any of, like the typical like, prom and stuff like that. But to me, that's all worth it."
Deedra Irwin
Deedra Irwin grew up wanting to be an Olympian, but she was thinking about the Summer Olympics, not the Winter Olympics.
"I wanted to be an Olympic track star. I had no idea the Winter Olympics were a thing," Irwin told CBS News.
The 33-year-old athlete picked up skiing in high school as a way to stay in shape between the fall cross-country season and the spring track and field season, according to Team USA. It wasn't until she was 25 that she started participating in biathlon.
She went to the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where she finished 7th, the best finish ever for an American in an individual biathlon event at the Olympics.
"We've trained so much throughout our lives to just get to this stage," Irwin said. "And so I think for me, it means a lot of, like, community and family and friends. I don't remember the last time I was home for Christmas in the past, like, eight years."
Erin Jackson
Gold medalist speedskater Erin Jackson, 33, is making her third Olympic appearance — and this year, along with bobsledder Frank Del Duca, she also led Team USA as a flagbearer during the opening ceremony.
In 2022, Jackson became the first Black woman to win gold in an individual event at the Winter Olympics — after nearly failing to make the team that year.
Jackson slipped at the U.S. trials. Teammate Bowe, who qualified for the 500, 1,000 and 1,5000-meter races at trials, gave up her spot in the 500-meter race to ensure Jackson would get to skate in Beijing.
"Each of my Olympic appearances have been super different, just like coming in at all different stages of my career, and this one coming in as the reigning champion, there's going to be a lot of pressure, but that's what I'm looking forward to," Jackson told CBS News.
Jackson first started ice skating shortly before her first trip to the Olympics. She first stepped onto an ice rink in 2016. Jackson spent years inline skating before that.
"I'm just super grateful to be able to skate in circles for a living, and I just want to keep doing it as long as I can," she said.
Jackson participated in the 1,000 meters on Monday, briefly holding the lead, before finishing in sixth.
Hilary Knight
Ice hockey player Hilary Knight, 36, has been to the Olympics four times and has medaled each time, taking home a gold and three silver medals. Milano Cortino is her fifth Olympics.
"And never would I have imagined being able to compete in five Olympic Games," she told CBS News. "I mean, that's just, that's crazy in the best way."
Knight, during a preliminary round game against Canada on Feb. 10, tied the all-time U.S. women's hockey record for most Olympic points. The 5-0 game was the the largest margin of victory ever in the U.S.-Canada Olympic hockey rivalry, according to Team USA.
Ice hockey play has become a lot faster over the years, Knight said.
"It's a lot more technical, tactical. There's more of a dynamic, skillful level to it as well, and the visibility is ever growing, which is really exciting," she said.
Knight played a key role in creating the Professional Women's Hockey League.
Ilia Malinin
Figure skater Ilia Malinin is making his Olympic debut. The 21-year-old, known as the "Quad God," is the first athlete to successfully land each of the six types of quadruple jumps in one program. His strong performance helped lead the American skaters to a gold medal in the team event, and he's aiming for more in the individual competition.
Malinin took first in the men's singles short program on Feb. 10, with a program score of 108.16. He'll advance to the free skate, a medal event, scheduled for Feb. 13.
According to Team USA, Malinin eats a chocolate bar before each competition.
Malinan, whose parents were Olympic figure skaters for Uzbekistan and whose grandfather was a figure skater for the USSR, started skating at 6.
He won gold at both the 2024 and 2025 ISU Figure Skating World Championships.
This is freestyle skier Jaelin Kauf's third trip to the Olympics. The 29-year-old silver medalist specializes in moguls and dual moguls, the latter of which will make its debut at the Olympics this year — something Kauf said she's been waiting a long time for.
"It's just such an exciting sport," she told CBS News. "I've probably excelled in that historically more than singles, and so it'll just be really cool to be a part of that on the Olympic stage, being a part of that debut."
Both of Kauf's parents were professional mogul skiers.
"My mom has always been my biggest hero and role model, just watching how she's just gone at life and done what she's done, pushing the boundaries," Kauf said.
Jordan Stolz
Speed skater Jordan Stolz, 21, started skating on the pond behind his family's home after watching Apolo Ohno and Shani Davis in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, according to Team USA.
He made his Olympic debut in 2022. Stolz specializes in the 500-meter, 1,000meter and 1,500-meter. He became the world champion in all three categories at the ISU Single Distance World Championships in 2023 and again in 2024.
Stolz also skates professionally for the Dutch team, Albert Heijn Zaanlander. Speedskating is a widely-followed sport in the Netherlands, and Stolz said he hopes to bring more awareness to speed skating in the U.S.
"It's obviously not going to be as much as it is in Holland. I wish it was but maybe someday it will be, but at least I can do a little bit," Stolz told CBS News.
Kendall Coyne Schofield
Milano Cortina will be ice hockey player Kendall Coyne Schofield's fourth trip to the Olympics. She previously took home a gold and two silvers.
"I'm just so excited to feel revived through these games with family, friends, fans, excitement, just energy, all the things that we weren't able to experience in Beijing because [of] the pandemic," Coyne Schofield told CBS News.
This will also be the 33-year-old athlete's first Olympics as a mom, something that she said has made her a better hockey player.
"It's put my life into perspective," she said. "It's provided me with [an] abundance of patience that I didn't have previously."
Her son chants "USA, USA," whether the team wins or loses, she said.
Off the ice, Coyne Schofield voiced a hockey announcer in the Pixar movie "Inside Out 2."
Korey Dropkin
This is 30-year-old curler Korey Dropkin's first trip to the Olympics, though he's been curling for most of his life.
"It's a family sport. Honestly, it's like religion to me," Dropkin told CBS News. "I grew up at the curling club. My parents were super involved with a junior program at our curling club. My brother was five years older. He was already curling. I followed in his footsteps. I was like his shadow."
After graduating from high school, Dropkin moved to Duluth, Minnesota, which has become the U.S. curling capital.
"I've dedicated my whole life to getting to the Olympics and hopefully medaling at the Olympics," he said. "I moved myself and relocated and really dedicated a lot of blood, sweat and tears. So being an Olympian, finally, I've been close, and now finally realizing the Olympics is just a big dream come true."
Alongside Cory Thiesse, Dropkin delivered Team USA's first-ever medal in mixed doubles curling, taking home silver.
Kristen Santos-Griswold
Speedskater Kristen Santos-Griswold, 31, almost chose not to go to this year's Olympics after heartbreak in 2022. She was in bronze medal position with just two laps to go in the 1,000-meter when a bump by an opponent caused her to fall. The bump was later ruled a penalty, but the disheartening finish had Santos-Griswold considering retirement.
"When I decided that I was going to keep going, I was like, 'All right, I'm doing it for me. I'm going to make it all worth it. I'm going to enjoy the journey," Santos-Griswold told CBS News. "I think that's just helped to, like, catapult me into going into Olympic year with number one on my helmet."
Santos-Griswold has been training for most of her life. She started figure skating at 3. When she was 9, Santos-Griswold saw speedskating in a commercial on TV, decided she wanted to try it, and fell in love.
"Being an Olympian means everything," she said. "It's something that I've been working towards my entire life. I started skating when I was 3 years old, and I'm 30 now, so solid 27 years of dreaming about this."
Santos-Griswold is currently working on a doctorate, with plans to be a physical therapist once her skating career is over, according to Team USA.
Lindsey Vonn
Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, who made a comeback several years after retiring, was determined to compete in her fifth Olympics — despite a recent injury on the slopes that left her with a ruptured ACL. But the effort ended in a crash just seconds into her downhill race, with Vonn being airlifted off the mountain in front of stunned spectators. (Teammate Breezy Johnson went on to win the gold.)
The 41-year-old Vonn previously competed at the Olympics in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2018, taking home gold and two silver medals.
In a statement posted to social media a day after her crash at Milano Cortina, Vonn urged others to try to achieve their dreams, even if they don't pan out.
"I hope if you take away anything from my journey it's that you all have the courage to dare greatly," she wrote. "Life is too short not to take chances on yourself. Because the only failure in life is not trying."
Vonn is the only American woman to win Olympic gold in downhill, according to Team USA, and she also has the most victories by any skier — male or female — in a single discipline.
Vonn started skiing at 3. She learned with her father and grandfather, both of whom were competitive skiers, and made her Olympic debut at 17. She retired in 2019 amid severe knee damage. Vonn has since had knee surgery and told CBS News she's now the strongest she's been in her career.
"The only thing I think that's maybe more challenging at 41 is just the grind of being away," she said. "I kind of got used to being at home with my dogs and my family, and I got away from, you know, the routine of being on the road, which doesn't necessarily change because of age, just, I think, more from being away from the sport for six years."
In 2022, John Clarey, then 41, made history as the oldest alpine skier to medal at an Olympic Winter Games. Vonn said her age won't stop her from competing at the coming Olympics.
"If I have the opportunity to compete, I'm going to," Vonn said. "Just because I'm 41 doesn't mean I can't do that if I physically feel good, which I do, I feel better now than I did in my 20s. So you know, I don't see there to be any reason why I can't do it at 41."
A week before the start of the Games, Vonn crashed in one of her final downhill tune-ups. While she was airlifted off the mountain to receive medical treatment after injuring her left knee, she assured her fans on social media that her Olympic dream was "not over."
"This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics… but if there's one thing I know how to do, it's a comeback," she wrote.
"I'm not letting this slip through my fingers. I'm gonna do it. End of story," she said.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates
Ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates are back for another the Olympics — and they're already setting a high bar, scoring a world-best 91.06 points in rhythm dance as the competition began on Feb. 6.
Chock, 33, competed in 2014, 2018 and 2022, while Bates, 36, began his Olympic run in 2010.
Their partnership began in 2011, and they won Olympic gold during the team event at their third Olympic Games. The duo helped Team USA win its second consecutive gold in the team event at Milano Cortina 2026, triumphing in both the rhythm dance and the free dance.
Chock and Bates are the favorites to win individual Olympic gold later in the Winter Games, if they can edge out the French duo in the free dance on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
"There's so much pride behind it," Chock told CBS News. "I think growing up and seeing other athletes represent Team USA meant a lot and shaped a lot of how I view sport and athleticism, and there's so much pride that comes with representing your country in the Olympic Games on the biggest stage for sports in the world. And it's just been the greatest honor of my life to be a member of Team USA."
Chock and Bates have also won three consecutive ISU World Figure Skating Championships, starting in 2023.
They're partners off the ice, too. The couple got married in 2024.
Maxim Naumov
Figure skater Maxim Naumov made his first appearance at the Olympics after a year marked by tragedy and an emotional comeback.
His trip to the Olympics comes a year after his parents, former world champions Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, died when their plane collided with a military helicopter on approach to Washington, D.C. His parents, who were popular coaches at the Skating Club of Boston, were among 67 people killed in the crash.
Naumov delivered an emotional skate on Feb. 10. "Mom and Dad, this is for you," was projected on the big screen overhead before he started his short program. Naumov held a photo of his parents as he awaited his score, just as he did at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January.
"Having role models be right there in the house, at the rink, just everywhere, they inspired me to want this dream and it would mean absolutely everything for me to be at the Olympics," Naumov said in a social media post. "I'm working as hard as I possibly can and I'm doing everything in my power to do so. Doing it for them would be even more beautiful."
Mikaela Shiffrin
Skier Mikaela Shiffrin, 30, headed to the Olympics for the fourth time. She first skied in the Olympics in 2013 and has earned two gold medals and a silver.
Shiffrin specializes in slalom, giant slalom, super-G and downhill. She's the first alpine skier to record 100 FIS World Cup wins and the first athlete in FIS Ski World Cup history to win in all six disciplines.
In 2024, Shiffrin crashed after losing control while on the course for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. Then last year, she said she was dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder from another crash, during which she suffered a puncture wound and severe trauma to her oblique muscles.
Mystique Ro
Skeleton racer Mystique Ro, 31, headed to the Olympics for the first time, but she's no stranger to competition.
Ro competed in track & field. Then, in 2016, she was invited to a rookie camp by USA Bobsled/Skeleton. Coaches there told her she was a little small for bobsled and pushed her to try skeleton.
During skeleton, racers on sleds — head first and face down — can reach speeds of around 80 miles per hour, using body shifts to guide the sled through the course.
"Once you get away from the fear, it starts to become a game," Ro told CBS News. "So if you get past the fear, that's the first step, and then you can kind of enjoy the sport for what it is."
While plenty of kids ride sleds down hills, Row said this isn't the same.
"The speed is significantly faster, and there's a lot more peril involved if you're not prepared for it," she said.
She made her FIL World Cup debut in 2023 and, the following year, became the first American athlete to win a skeleton race on the World Cup circuit in eight years.
Nick Goepper
Milano Cortina is skier Nick Goepper's fourth trip to the Olympics. In 2014, he took bronze in Sochi, contributing to a U.S. podium sweep in men's slopestyle skiing. Goepper won silver at the Olympics in 2018 and again in 2022.
"To me, being an Olympian has meant legacy," he told CBS News. "I am a huge fan of history. I love reading about people who have done, you know, amazing things and family connections and just like, you know, people's eyes always light up when you talk about the Olympics."
The 31-year-old athlete retired after Beijing, but then returned less than a year later to compete in halfpipe instead of slopestyle.
Goepper said his approach to competition and the Olympics has changed over the years.
"I can sit back and enjoy the little moments a little bit more. I can savor things a little more, which is nice," he said.
Paula Moltzan
Alpine skier Paula Moltzan made her Olympic debut in 2022.
"I feel like I learned a lot in my first Olympics, and so to take all those lessons learned into another opportunity would mean a lot to me," she told CBS News.
Those lessons took her to an Olympic podium this year. She won bronze alongside Jackie Wiles in the women's team combined.
Moltzan, now 31, won the junior world slalom title when she was 20, becoming the first American woman to win the event at the junior world championships. She also won the NCAA women's slalom title as a freshman at the University of Vermont.
After her Olympics debut in Beijing at 27, Moltzan became a two-time world medalist. She won a title in the parallel team event in 2023 and her first individual world medal, a bronze, in giant slalom in 2025.
She said her family sacrificed a lot to support her skiing career.
"I think they took second mortgages out on my house to allow me to compete in sport. And then my siblings as well, I definitely had the priority because of my athletic ability. They gave up maybe smaller moments, like going to summer camp so I could go to ski camp," she said. "But it all becomes worth it when you're there with your team, representing Team USA."
Red Gerard
This is Red Gerard's third trip to the Olympics. The 25-year-old snowboarder won gold in slopestyle in 2018 when he was just 17, becoming the youngest American snowboarder to achieve the feat, according to Team USA.
"I quickly learned that first Olympics how big it is and how cool it is," Gerard told CBS News. "Ever since, you just kind of want to get back on that stage because there is no stage bigger than the Olympics."
Gerard returned to the Olympics in 2022, finishing fourth in slopestyle and fifth in big air. The snowboarder won in slopestyle at the 2024 and 2025 X Games.
Gerard started snowboarding when he was just 2-years-old. In 2007, his family moved to Colorado, where they built a snowboarding park in their backyard to support Gerard's passion.
Ryan Cochran-Siegle
Alpine skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle, 33, heads to the Olympics for his third Games. Cochran-Siegle, the son of an Olympian, started skiing at the age of 2.
He tore his ACL and lateral meniscus in 2013 at the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships, according to Team USA. Five years later, he made his Olympic debut in 2018 in PyeongChang. Cochran-Siegle won his first FIS World Cup Race in 2020, but missed the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships in 2021 with a fractured neck.
The skier came back in 2022, where he won silver in super-G at the Beijing Games. He was the only U.S. alpine skiing medalist at the Beijing Games.
Cochran-Siegle told CBS News that during his previous Olympic appearances, he learned to embrace the moment and to trust and believe in himself.
"Just going out there and doing what I love and putting myself out there is what's important," he said.
Anthony Santander, who last year signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract with the Jays, will miss the next 5-6 months after undergoing left labral surgery.
In addition, pitcher Bowden Francis is undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, sidelining him for the entire season. Francis, 30, went 2-8 with a 6.05 ERA in 14 starts for the American League pennant winners.
Santander parlayed a 44-homer All-Star season with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 into a lucrative five-year deal with the rival Blue Jays last January. The contract has proven to be a disaster.
Santander was limited to 54 games last year with injuries and batted .175 when healthy. He was effectively reduced to a spectator’s role as the Blue Jays returned to the World Series for the first time since 1993 before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Now he’ll attempt to return before the end of the 2026 season to give the Blue Jays some return on the $16.5 million salary he’ll earn this year.
Francis was impressive in 2024 (8-5, 3.30 ERA) but shuttled back and forth between Toronto and Triple-A Buffalo during an inconsistent 2025 season. The Jays signed Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to bolster their rotation this offseason.
A Manchester United supporter has missed out on the chance for a first haircut in 500 days after the team spurned the chance to seal a fifth consecutive victory.
His daily video updates on ‘The United Strand’ have accumulated millions of views - while Ilett planned to donate his hair to The Princess Trust, a charity that provides wigs to young cancer patients dealing with hair loss as a result of their treatment.
United were managed by Erik ten Hag when Ilett began his challenge and when the Dutchman was sacked, successor Ruben Amorim could only muster a run of three consecutive wins during a troubled campaign last season.
After Amorim’s departure, Michael Carrick led United to four consecutive wins against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, setting up the chance of a fifth in Tuesday’s trip to West Ham United.
But against an in-form Hammers side, United could only manage a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium, with Benjamin Sesko’s 96th-minute leveller cancelling out Tomas Soucek’s opener after Casemiro saw a goal disallowed.
For Ilett, it means the opportunity to finally shed his huge mop of hair, a moment he planned to share with his now enormous following of millions on social media, has now gone up in smoke.
Former United midfielder Carrick, who replaced the sacked Amorim in early January, said he had been told by his children of the added significance of beating West Ham and revealed Ilett’s challenge had made him smile.
“My kids have made me aware of it but it certainly won’t go into the team talk from a professional level,” Carrick said. “I can understand what’s going on with it and it does make me smile but it won’t have an impact ultimately in the end.”
Texas A&M is in bounce‑back mode, and Monday night’s matchup has quickly become the most important game of this challenging stretch. After dropping back‑to‑back Quad 1 SEC games, the Aggies need a response — and Missouri presents the opportunity to steady the ship.
This midweek meeting could serve as a turning point for both programs. A&M enters as the favorite, but if the shooting struggles from the Florida loss carry over, Missouri has enough to hang around and make things uncomfortable.
"They've shown at times that they could get wins at home and shown at times they can play well on the road. So, be a fight, be a physical game."
Regardless of the opponent, the message inside the program hasn’t changed. The Aggies have to get back to playing good basketball. They looked sharp against Georgia and Alabama, then followed it with one of their worst offensive outings of the season in Gainesville.
" I'd stay with what we got and knowing that we have to have the humility as a program to know that just like every other team, every night's not going to be perfect."
The SEC has been as unpredictable as any league in the country this year. On any given night, teams in that top eight‑to‑ten range can beat anyone. Even with the recent setbacks, A&M has positioned itself to make a run at the SEC regular‑season title and strengthen its NCAA Tournament résumé. But none of that matters if they don’t take care of business first — and there’s still a lot of basketball left.
Below is the full preview of the Missouri matchup from Coach Bucky McMillan.
Texas A&M will host Missouri on Wednesday, February 11, at Reed Arena at 8 p.m.
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.
David Moyes reacts after the Premier League match. (Getty Images) | Getty Images
Another big game between teams fighting to get into the European places. Before kickoff, Everton were 3 points clear of the Cherries. The Blues were looking to do the double over Bournemouth after their narrow 1-0 victory courtesy of a deflected Jack Grealish goal. Everton’s form at home has been poor and David Moyes was tasked with sorting this out if their goal of Europe was to be achieved.
Team News
David Moyes made two changes to the side that won at Fulham with Michael Keane and Harrison Armstrong making way for Jarrad Branthwaite and Tyrique George.
Andoni Iraola’s also made two changes to his side with Ryan Christie and Alex Toth in the side, with Lewis Cook and top scorer Junior Kroupi being dropped to the bench. Tyler Adams was named among the substitutes after being out for almost two months with a knee injury.
Match Report
A Tuesday night match under the lights at Hill Dickinson. The Evertonians were in full voice with a rousing rendition of Forever Everton before the kickoff. Andy Madley was the man in the middle and if I don’t mention him again in this report it will be the best thing! Let’s also give a big hand to the mascot with James Tarkowski who was leading the cheering from his wheelchair.
A slow start to the match with Everton giving the ball away in their own half which led to a long throw which needed a VAR check to clear Tarkowski of a foul in the box. Some good work by Ndiaye on the right put the Cherries on the back foot for the first time.
Ndiaye was then popping up on the left wing and forced a corner after a free kick from Garner. The resulting corner was delivered by Garner and was lobbed back into the six yard box. Ndiaye made a flick at the ball which he missed but the ball hit the back of the net. Unfortunately, Ndiaye was well offside and the goal was chalked off.
Everton’s pressure was causing issues for Bournemouth. The rain was coming down in buckets which was making the surface very slick and difficult to control. Both teams were struggling to keep possession of the ball which was making the match very disjointed.
Gueye took an elbow to the face and was forced to leave the pitch because he had blood coming out of his mouth. A free kick for the Cherries was easily handled by Pickford who was trying to get his players up the pitch. When Adli took down Dewsbury Hall it was surprising that a yellow wasn’t given.
The resulting free kick was drilled goalward by Garner and when Petrovic spilled it, Barry could not get his shot on goal. Everton got the ball back right away and when Ndiaye met a lovely cross, Petrovic scrambled and made a super save to deny Everton.
Tyrique George laid off a nice ball but Mykolenko did not overlap. George then lost possession and Evanilson should have done better but Pickford made the save. Another free kick for Everton from Garner was played short and when Bournemouth could not get the ball out, Rayan lost the ball and took Branthwaite down in the box. Andy Madley never hesitated to point to the spot. James Garner picked up the ball and then handed it to Iliman Ndiaye who slotted it into the side netting to break the deadlock.
Bournemouth looked to respond quickly as three minutes of additional time was announced. Rayan took a shot but Gueye slid in front and forced a corner which was well defended by Garner. The half ended with Everton in the lead and Pickford having little to do in his net.
The rain had not slowed down as the second half kicked off. Bournemouth were trying to control possession but the Blue wave continued to press and when Ndiaye was gifted a ball, he slide the ball iinto the middle which was well defended. Truffert then lost the ball to Dewsbury Hall who’s shot was goalbound but was kept out by a diving header from Hill. Bournemouth were creaking.
Everton’s pressure was being vocally supported by the Evertonians in the stands. Bournemouth were trying to get the ball wider but they were being contained. Incredibly, Everton were not 3-0 up when Barry was on the ball inside the six yard box and this time it was Jiminez who denied the striker.
Bournemouth had their first attempt on goal and when Rayan went past Mykolenko, the winger went down and looked for the penalty but Madley was having none of it as Rayan had clipped his own feet. Rayan was given yellow for his complaints. Areola made two changes with Kroupi and Ünal coming on for Toth and Evanilson.
The match was brought back to parity when Rayan met a lovely cross from Truffert. Pickford had no chance and the cross was unplayable. Moyes had seen enough and brought on Beto and Armstrong for Barry and George. Thierno Barry was on the bench with his head in his lap knowing he should have done better today.
Incredibly, the match was turned on it’s head as Bournemouth took the lead with a free kick that was met by Ünal who headed the ball into an empty net.
Everton were all over the place and were giving the ball away too easily. They finally got on the ball but were committing me forward which led to O’Brien taking down Kroupi. Andy Madley took out his red card and the Irishman was off. In ten minutes, Everton had completely lost the plot.
Everton were trying to get the ball forward and Mykolenko was getting some joy on the left. The pressure was building and Ndiaye’s ball into Beto was behind the striker which made it easy for the keeper to coral it. Bournemouth took off Christie and Adli for Brooks and Cook. Brooks was immediately given a yellow for delaying the restart.
The free kick was met by Branthwaite but his header went over the bar. Bournemouth were hanging on with the Blues pressing for the equalizer. Gueye found himself on the edge of the box and forced a corner but the final touch was missing. Tarkowski was spending more time in the Bournemouth box and the Cherries were just hoofing the ball away.
Five minutes of additional time was announced as Everton had another corner. Armstrong couldn’t get any power on his header. Keane entered the match with Mykolenko being withdrawn. Bournemouth were trying to get on the ball but the blue wave continued. It was Pickford lobbing it forward and when Armstrong fouled Hill, the fans started to head for the exits.
A final push and a free kick was given to Everton on the edge of the box. Pickford was in the mix as well. Garner delivered it but no one could get a foot on it and the match ended with the referee’s whistle. A cacophony of boos rang down from the stands.
Everton’s Man of the Match
Iliman Ndiaye: The Senegal winger was all action when Everton were going forward and also did the hard work defending. His penalty was taken with aplomb and his fast feet created difficulties for the Bournemouth backline. Too often his good work ended in disappointment as the finishers struggled or defenders made some great plays.
Instant Reaction
Everton will rue the missed opportunities today with the Toffees hitting the post and having two certain goals cleared away by the Bournemouth defenders. Looking at the match from a data point of view, Everton controlled most of the play and I suppose that the disappointment was present because they were frustrated by the number of chances. It was good to see Everton pushing for an equalizer even when they were down to 10 men.
There is nothing that drives me crazy more than when fans are booing their own team. Today, as I said above, we had the chances, but we also played some good football. Our home form has been poor but the way that Evertonians turn on their own team so quickly is unfortunate. In the fifteen minutes before the first Cherries goal, we were bossing the match and needed our supporters to continue to back them when the match was tied. That did not happen and the chaotic moments that followed should have seen more support rather than less. We can be disappointed but lets not cut our team down at the knees.
The wide play for Everton was far more balanced today with George and Ndiaye both willing to attack the Bournemouth wide areas. Later in the first half, George had the ball and it looked like Mykolenko was going to overlap into space, but the Ukrainian full back stopped in his tracks. More time needs to be played together so they understand each other. It surprised me when George was withdrawn with Armstrong replacing him on the left. Why not keep George on the pitch and put Ndiaye into the middle?
After a sensational week powering No. 25 Iowa basketball (18-5, 8-4 Big Ten) to its first six-game winning streak in conference play since the 2015-16 season, Hawkeyes senior guard Bennett Stirtz has captured Big Ten Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive week, per the league's announcement on Feb. 9.
While he is officially recognized by the Big Ten Conference as "Co-Player of the Week" for the second straight week, sharing the title this time with Indiana redshirt senior guard Lamar Wilkerson, the 6-foot-4 native of Liberty, Mo., still has accomplished feats that are worthy of the award.
In Iowa's wins over Washington and Northwestern, Stirtz averaged 29 points, 3.5 assists, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game on 60.6% shooting from the floor (20-of-33), 57.1% from 3-point range (8-of-14) and 83.3% from the free-throw line (10-of-12).
Against the Wildcats on Feb. 8, Stirtz tallied a new career-high 36-points, which is the most by a Hawkeye since Luka Garza in 2021 and are tied for the fourth-most in a game in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. In addition, Stirtz's six straight games with 20 or more points is the longest such streak by an Iowa player since Keegan Murray in 2021-22 and the most by a Hawkeye guard since "Downtown" Freddy Brown’s 16-straight contests in 1970-71.
Stirtz is also the first Hawkeye to win back-to-back Big Ten Player of the Week honors since Murray in 2022.
Stirtz and Co. will look to remain hot as they travel to the XFINITY Center in College Park, Md., for a matchup against Maryland (9-14, 2-10 Big Ten) on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. CT, with the game airing on FS1.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
During last week's Radio Row ruckus, we neglected to mention that the Washington Post disbanded its sports department.
Given the general outcry that was articulated by others far more eloquently than I ever could, I'll stick with my initial reaction to the news: "What the eff?"
On Tuesday, Commanders coach Dan Quinn met with reporters for the first time since the Post punted its sports section. The team had three empty seats in the front row for the now-absent Post reporters.
Quinn, in a video posted by JP Finlay of NBC 4, noted the empty seats and said he was "bummed" to learn about the decision. "Their presence is missed," Quinn said.
The accountability the Post brought to sports teams and leagues also will be missed. Reporting regarding former Commanders owner Daniel Snyder helped expedite his forced exit in 2023. More recently, in-depth reporting from the Post potentially sparked a federal investigation regarding a doctor who may have responsibility in connection with the May 2025 death of Colts owner Jim Irsay.
As corporations and oligarchs gobble up more and more independent media, true journalism — finding out the stuff they don't want us to know — will become more and more rare in sports, because there will be fewer outlets whose employees are not beholden to the rich and powerful.
Which will allow those who are doing things they shouldn't be doing to keep right on doing them.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Bruno Fernandes during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on February 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Manchester United’s perfect run under interim boss Michael Carrick came to an end on Tuesday, though it wasn’t a defeat for the Reds, thanks to some stoppage-time heroics.
Carrick went with an unchanged XI for the third game in a row, but the team finally met the tight defensive test that some had suspected in each of the past two games. West Ham weren’t necessarily in a low block, but the pressure in midfield and ability to collapse on ball carriers at the right time made for a frustrating first half.
United had a look on a set piece delivery from Luke Shaw, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka had one of several good defensive actions to deal with the creativity of his former teammate. Amad had another good look at goal towards the end of the half, but fired wide on a chance created by Shaw.
An uneventful first half didn’t force any changes at halftime, but a goal out of the break for West Ham got Benjamin Sesko warming up on the touchline.
Luke Shaw got caught trying to deal with a runner in space by himself, and lost the battle as the rest of the team got back to defend. Jarrod Bowen’s low cross was met at the near post by Tomas Soucek, who turned it in past Senne Lammens for 1-0.
United thought they’d found an answer through Casemiro, but a VAR review overturned the goal. Kobbie Mainoo played a cross in toward the Brazilian, but he was only just getting past the last man in defense when the ball was played.
Sesko arrived as a reinforcement in place of Matheus Cunha, who had been frustrated for much of the game, but the introduction of a focal point for the attack didn’t immediately pay off. The problems remained largely in midfield, where United struggled to progress the ball through the West Ham press before they could even get to the final third creation stage.
In stoppage time it was another striker off the bench Joshua Zirkzee, who had a chance to equalize, seeing a glancing header painfully pass just outside the far left post. Just a moment later, Sesko got a chance of his own on a low inswinger from Mbeumo, falling perfectly for him to hit a shot inside the near post and give United the goal they were so desperate for.
There was still time for a winner, but Amad couldn’t get a shot off on United’s last venture forward, and the game ended all square.
Carrick will have two weeks to work with the squad before heading back out against Everton at whatever their fancy new stadium is called.
Erling Haaland among Britain’s biggest taxpayers, reveals new report
The amount of tax Erling Haaland had to pay over the last 12 months has been revealed as the Manchester City striker was uncloaked as one of the biggest contributors to Rachel Reeves’ Treasury.
Haaland, alongside Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, was estimated to have contributed to more than any other Premier League player, to stand in 72nd and 81st place respectively in the latest ‘tax rankings’.
Surprisingly, it is the first time a list of footballers paying tax – which also includes Manchester United’s Casemiro and former Chelsea man Raheem Sterling – has been estimated, and comes after a crackdown that could extract millions in additional tax from clubs and their stars.
While Erling Haaland’s 28 goals in 36 games for Pep Guardiola’s side brings all the glory to the Norwegian’s stature as one of the best strikers in world football, the amount of tax he paid will certainly draw a grimace.
Over the last 12 months, the Norway international has paid a total of £16.9 million, according to the latest available account, with the Manchester City striker reportedly earning around £500,000 per week.
However, according to The Sunday Times, the 25-year-old could earn approximately £10 million more through image rights and bonus payments until his latest contract at the Etihad Stadium expires in 2034.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah was the second-highest player at £14.5 million, while Casemiro and Sterling were taxed around £20.7 million combined, and Anfield captain Virgil van Dijk was required to pay approximately £9.7 million in taxes, as per the PA news agency.
There is a significant drop from the payments made by Haaland and Salah, but it is a common theme inside Manchester City’s squad that millions of pounds are paid into the UK Treasury annually, with other players at the club paying large amounts.
Bernardo Silva, who has been the subject of strong links to an exit in the upcoming summer window when his contract expires, is Manchester City’s second-highest earner, according to payroll databases, and it was confirmed that over the last year that he has paid £9 million.
That was the same as his Portugal teammate and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, as both earn around £15.6 million base gross income per year – around £300,000 per week.
Others inside the club who would pay considerable tax are the likes of Omar Marmoush, Ruben Dias, Gianluigi Donnarumma, John Stones and the club’s new centre-back Marc Guehi – who is earning roughly £250,000 in East Manchester.
The upward trajectory of money in football continues to grow unprecedentedly, but City are doing an excellent job of keeping up with the latest financial trends in the game, and performances are a key indication and foundation of financial growth.
After beating Galatasaray at the end of last month, it was revealed by the Manchester Evening News that Manchester City would pick up around £42 million for their Champions League league phase campaign alone, with more yet to be earned through the last 16 and beyond.
Feb 4, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Tom Pelissero on the NFL Network set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
This is not a secret: the Minnesota Vikings will onboard a new quarterback this offseason, either to support J.J. McCarthy as a veteran backup or compete for his job at training camp. And thanks to NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero, an early list is reportedly on the table, including Kirk Cousins, Mac Jones, Kyler Murray, and Geno Smith.
Pelissero’s list puts Cousins, Jones, Murray, and Smith in the Vikings’ orbit as Minnesota weighs its big quarterback decision.
It’s not a list from heaven, but Minnesota could do much worse.
Pelissero’s List Illuminates Minnesota’s Quarterback Plan
The quarterback position takes center stage early in the Vikings’ offseason.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins surveys the field late at Bank of America Stadium during a road matchup, operating Minnesota’s offense in the fourth quarter on Oct. 1, 2023, as the game tightened in Charlotte. The moment captured Cousins managing pressure and clock while the Vikings pushed for a finish against Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.
Kirk Cousins
If Cousins’ return to Minnesota is a genuine possibility, the central question becomes not whether it happens, but what role he would fill.
Cousins was an undisputed QB1 for years, but that’s no longer the case. A reunion would be complex, and Kevin O’Connell would face three options: immediately install Cousins as the Week 1 starter, allow him to compete with J.J. McCarthy, or use him as a strictly backup option — the same insurance role he was projected for in Atlanta in 2025.
In 2023, his last season as Minnesota’s starter, Cousins ranked fifth in the NFL among quarterbacks in EPA per play. In 2024, that number plummeted to 30th out of 35 qualifying passers. Any assessment must consider his torn Achilles from a few years ago; projecting Cousins’ performance in 2026 demands more realism and less nostalgia.
The primary allure of a return lies in the financial aspect. Because the Falcons have essentially already paid Cousins — handsomely — for 2026, his next contract will likely be a bargain. That changes the discourse significantly. The cap-related frustration that followed him from 2018 to 2023 disappears if his salary aligns with that of a backup.
If affordability eliminates the resentment that once surrounded Cousins, will parts of the fanbase that rejected him at his previous price now embrace him at a discount — especially if his role is flexible rather than guaranteed? Who knows.
Mac Jones
The main item surrounding Jones’s 2026 plans isn’t if he can start in the NFL, but what it would cost to acquire him.
In 2025, Jones started eight games for San Francisco, leading the 49ers to a 5–3 record. Extrapolated to a full season, those numbers project to 4,570 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 69.6 percent completion rate. That’s Top 15 QB stuff.
Those statistics are also comparable to Sam Darnold’s 2024 season, the same year Minnesota finished 14–3. Neither Jones’s recent game film nor his efficiency metrics suggest he would suddenly regress in Minnesota.
San Francisco is positioned to capitalize on the desperation of quarterback-needy teams via trade, and Minnesota must decide if it will enter the Jones sweepstakes. Jones is a good fit for many teams. Ultimately, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski must decide if sending 1st- or 2nd-Round pick to The Bay — or something similar — is worth it.
Kyler Murray
Murray’s talent is evident, regardless of other options.
Over seven seasons, his EPA+CPOE numbers exceed those of Baker Mayfield, C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, and Daniel Jones — all quarterbacks currently projected to start in 2026. That established efficiency isn’t negotiable, even though some Vikings fans are oddly hesitant about Murray to Minnesota.
Arizona’s situation strengthens Murray’s case for change. With a new head coach, the Cardinals seem ready to move on after seven years and just one playoff appearance with Murray. The man could be traded any day or released in March.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray prepares on the sideline at State Farm Stadium before kickoff, pulling on his helmet prior to facing Atlanta on Nov. 12, 2023, in Glendale. The pregame scene showed Murray locked in as Arizona finalized plans and personnel ahead of a home matchup under bright desert lights. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images.
Considering only realistic possibilities, Murray quickly emerges as a top candidate. Based on his career production and status as the No. 1 overall pick in 2019, he represents the best quarterback Minnesota could realistically acquire this offseason, barring improbable trades involving players like Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson.
Murray has everything going for him on any given Sunday — aside from height — passing accuracy, arm strength, speed, mobility, and experience.
Geno Smith
Smith’s extensive resume sets him apart from many quarterbacks available this offseason, making him an attractive option for teams that want stability and insurance.
Since 2013, Smith has started 98 games, with his teams compiling a 42–56 record along the way. He averages roughly 203 passing yards per game, with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 124 to 89, and has added 12 rushing touchdowns.
Raiders quarterback Geno Smith watches the sideline at NRG Stadium during a road contest, tracking communication as Las Vegas faced Houston on Dec. 21, 2025, in Texas. The in-game moment reflected Smith assessing adjustments and flow while the offense navigated a challenging environment away from home under prime-time conditions. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images.
Seattle’s decision to name him their starter in 2022 revitalized his career, as Smith seized the opportunity, delivering a breakout season with 4,282 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. He retained the role for three seasons before joining the Raiders via trade, which propelled the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win after signing Sam Darnold in 2025 free agency.
However, Smith’s tenure in Las Vegas appears short-lived. With the Raiders widely expected to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza using the first overall pick in April, Smith could be traded or demoted. Should he seek a new team, Minnesota is a decent landing spot for all parties.
It’s worth noting that Smith will turn 36 in October.
Howe worried about another Guimaraes injury after Newcastle beat Tottenham
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admits he is worried about another possible injury for star man Bruno Guimaraes.
The midfielder was forced off late on in Newcastle’s 2-1 away win at Tottenham, as goals from Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey secured a huge away win for Howe’s side.
“Not sure,” the Newcastle boss said on Guimaraes. “He’s a little bit worried.
“He said he’s never had a problem with his hamstrings before so is it cramp, was it a muscle problem?
“It probably feels more of an injury to me but let’s wait and see and try and stay positive at this moment.”
Howe was full of praise for his players and the Newcastle fans following their victory, meanwhile.
“A great response from the players, they really did inspire each other and help each other,” he said. “I think it was one of our best performances of the season, a dominant display.
“Our supporters have travelled far and wide to watch us and we feel like we’ve let them down on a few occasions, so nice today that we get that moment to celebrate with them.
“Not just me, but the players and some of the new players get a chance to experience the love from the fans. That was a special connection and I’m grateful it’s still there.”
Palmer Gets 8, Acheampong With 5 | Chelsea Players Rated In Lackluster Draw Vs Leeds United
Chelsea entertained Leeds United at Stamford Bridge earlier tonight as they hoped to secure all three points at home in the Premier League. The Blues made a decent start to the game and scored the opening goal in the 24th minute when Joao Pedro found the back of the net. Liam Rosenior’s men went into the half-time break 1-0 up on the scoreline.
Cole Palmer doubled Chelsea’s lead from the penalty spot in the 58th minute. However, Leeds got a goal back just three minutes later thanks to Lukas Nmecha’s penalty. Noah Okafor equalised for the visitors in the 73rd minute as Chelsea were held to a lackluster 2-2 draw in front of their home fans.
Let’s take a look at how each Chelsea player fared during the clash against the Whites.
Sanchez failed to make a save in the game and conceded twice tonight.
RB: Malo Gusto – 6.5/10
He did his fair share of defending and made one good chance going forward.
CB: Josh Acheampong – 5/10
Acheampong looked shaky at the back and was guilty of making a poor error during the game.
CB: Trevoh Chalobah – 7/10
He gave a good account of himself on the defensive end of the field, but failed to keep things solid in the second half.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Joao Pedro of Chelsea scores his team’s first goal past Karl Darlow of Leeds United, whilst under pressure from Sebastiaan Bornauw of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on February 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LB: Marc Cucurella – 6.5/10
He caught the eye at times on both ends of the field and was replaced at half-time.
CM: Moises Caicedo – 6/10
Caicedo anchored the midfield well and made one good chance in the final third.
CM: Andrey Santos – 6.5/10
The Brazilian talent earned possession back once and was tidy with his passing.
RW: Cole Palmer – 8/10
He gave a good account of himself on the offensive end of the field and has got a goal and an assist to show for his efforts.
CAM: Enzo Fernandez – 7.5/10
Fernandez engineered a few key chances for others around him, but there was no goal for him tonight.
LW: Estevao – 7/10
He managed to shine at times but failed to threaten the opponent’s goal.
ST: Joao Pedro – 8/10
He was always willing to have a shot and managed to score the opener in the 24th minute.
Former Detroit Lions star Tracy Scroggins has died
The retired defensive end, who played his entire career in Detroit, was 56
Family members said in a statement that they believe he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease that has been associated with head injuries that can be sustained playing football
Former Detroit Lions star Tracy Scroggins has died at 56, his family confirmed.
The retired defensive end suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), his family said in a statement provided to TMZ on Monday, Feb. 9.
CTE is a form of brain disease that is associated with head injuries that players can sustain while playing football or other contact sports, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can cause symptoms such as memory loss, aggression, impulsive behavior and issues with motor skills.
"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Tracy Scroggins," family members said. "Tracy was a devoted father, cherished family member, and loyal friend whose life was marked by remarkable strength and perseverance.”
The statement continued, “Playing in the NFL gave Tracy the opportunity to pursue his lifelong dream and to rise from poverty."
“However, unfortunately, the NFL was also ultimately the cause of his untimely demise. Tracy spent every moment of retirement courageously battling the devastating effects of CTE. While our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing that he is finally at peace," it read.
CTE is diagnosed only through a neuropathological autopsy performed after death. Family members did not say if Scroggins will undergo the necessary testing.
Tracy Scroggins
George Gojkovich/Getty
The veteran Lions player was with the franchise for the entirety of his 10-year career in the NFL. Drafted in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft, he was the 53rd overall pick.
The Checotah, Okla. native first attended Coffeyville Community College before going on to become a Golden Hurricane for the University of Tulsa, according to The Athletic. He was a defensive linchpin on a 10-2 team that went on to win the 1991 Freedom Bowl.
After moving on to the Lions, he amassed 60.5 sacks over a decade, trailing only Michael Cofer (62.5) and Robert Porcher (95.5) on the franchise’s all-time career sack list. During Scroggins’ tenure — and with the help of Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders — the team made the playoffs for three consecutive seasons from 1993-1995.
On Monday, the Lions honored Scroggins in a statement on X.
“We join the NFL community in mourning the loss of Lions Legend Tracy Scroggins, who played his entire 10-year career in Detroit (1992-2001),” the team wrote.
As Scroggins’ family mourns his death, they hope to remind others about who the athlete was off the field.
“While many knew him for his career as a professional football player in the NFL, those closest to him knew him as a kind-hearted and generous man who cared deeply for his family and friends," his family said.
Injured Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum reacts to the team's NBA win over the Atlanta Hawks (Kevin C. Cox)
Boston star Jayson Tatum took another step in his return from a torn Achilles tendon when he practiced with the Celtics' G League affiliate but said Tuesday there's no timeline for his return to the NBA.
"I'm feeling good," Tatum told reporters in Boston. "It was good to be a part of practice (Monday) with the Maine G League guys. Today is 39 weeks (since surgery), so it's been a long journey, and it's just the progression of rehab.
"It was the next step. It doesn't mean that I'm coming back or I'm not. I'm just following the plan, so it's just another step."
Tatum was carried off the court in the fourth quarter of game four of the Celtics' Eastern Conference semi-finals loss to the New York Knicks and had surgery on May 13.
He surprised many in September when he said in an interview with NBC's Today Show that he hadn't ruled out a return this season.
The six-time NBA All-Star, who was a member of the USA's Olympic gold medal-winning teams at the Tokyo and Paris Games, has attended most of the team's games this season while continuing a rehab process he called "exhausting".
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said Tatum "looked good" in practice but also stressed it was just another step in the process.
"He's continuing to just chip away at the progression of his rehab, and it was great to see him take another step," Mazzulla said. "There's been a lot of steps and milestones along the way, starting from just walking, and it was great to see him get to the next one."
The Celtics are currently 34-19 and tied with the New York Knicks 5.5 games behind the Eastern Conference leading Detroit Pistons.
Tatum recently told "The Pivot" podcast that he knew a late-season return could affect the chemistry of Boston's current lineup.
"Yeah, I mean, it might look different," Tatum said of his potential role.
"I haven't played with these guys or with this group, but (the Celtics have) lot of high-IQ guys out there. I like to consider myself one of those types of players.
"So if that did present itself, and if I did come back, we professionals will figure it out."
The Baltimore Ravens are quickly filling out their new staff under Jesse Minter, with former Ravens coach Anthony Weaver being named defensive coordinator.
Yes, Minter will be the one calling the plays according to reports, so Weaver will oversee other aspects of the defense and help install the gameplan.
But this move could be seen as a good one, as Weaver was part of the Ravens staff under Mike Macdonald in 2023 when Baltimore had the best defense in football. Granted, Weaver's time in Miami as its defensive coordinator wasn't great, but he didn't have a lot to work with.
Now, under Minter, who led the Chargers' superb defense, the Ravens could be about to have a dominant defense to go with Lamar Jackson's offense. And that could spell trouble for the rest of the AFC.
Having Minter and Weaver spearheading the defense seems like a good match on paper, but that likely matters little if the offense doesn't pull its weight.
The Ravens need a healthy Lamar to push this team towards a Super Bowl in 2026.
With Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, and Mark Andrews as the top weapons, there's enough to put up points, but Jackson has to be the one orchestrating it.
Last season was horrific for Baltimore, and in Minter's first season, that can't happen again. Nor can Lamar miss a handful of games.
After four consecutive league wins, Bruno Fernandes and his teammates dropped points on West Ham’s pitch (Premier League Matchday 26).
The Hammers, fiercely fighting for survival (18th place), nearly claimed the scalp of the Mancunians at the London Stadium (1-1).
In the 50th minute, the Czech giant Tomáš Souček deflected a cross at the near post to outwit the Manchester goalkeeper, Senne Lammens.
But in the 96th minute, Benjamin Šeško saved the day by snatching an equalizer, cleverly redirecting Bryan Mbeumo’s cross.
Michael Carrick thus avoided his first defeat on the Manchester bench since taking charge on January 13. However, this draw against a relegation-threatened side remains a poor result. Man United remain stuck in fourth place in the PL standings.
Leeds United produced a superb coming to fight from two goals behind and earn a valuable point in the Premier League against rivals Chelsea.
Trailing at Stamford Bridge, a Lukas Nmecha penalty gave the Whites a lifeline before Noah Okafor pounced after a scramble in the area to level proceedings!
Ahead of kick off in the capital, Daniel Farke had made three changes to the side that beat Nottingham Forest last time out, recalling Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Nmecha into the starting XI.
Following an even opening to the encounter, the Whites had the first attempt on goal when James Justin rose highest to meet an Ilia Gruev set piece, forcing Robert Sánchez into an early save.
Brilliant defending from the Bulgarian midfielder then prevented Chelsea’s Cole Palmer from troubling Karl Darlow, retreating brilliantly to block the England international’s effort from a Marc Cucurella cross.
It was Bornauw’s turn next to intervene, putting João Pedro under enough pressure so the forward was unable to get a shot away inside the area.
The hosts did take the lead, however, moments later through the Brazilian who raced through onto a Palmer pass and finished beyond the outstretched Darlow.
Keen to respond, appeals for a penalty were waved away as Gabriel Gudmundsson was sent tumbling to the floor under a challenge from Malo Gusto, but there was nothing doing for referee Robert Jones.
In the final meaningful action of the opening period, Palmer would have been baring down on goal if not for a crucial last-ditch challenge from Justin as the Whites cleared their lines.
HALF TIME: Chelsea 1-0 Leeds United
The Whites emerged from the break unchanged, attacking a packed out away end as they searched for the leveller at Stamford Bridge.
After a left-footed strike from Estêvão dragged just wide of the upright, a first alteration from the dugout introduced forward Okafor into the action, replacing Bornauw in an attacking change.
Chelsea doubled their advantage from the spot just before the hour mark. Palmer converted from 12 yards after Pedro had been brought to ground inside the area.
United were having to defend as Chelsea searched for a third to put the tie to bed and Enzo Fernández lashed a wayward effort over the upright from a narrow angle after an initial scramble in the middle.
After sustaining the pressure from the hosts, Leeds halved the deficit through a penalty of their own after Jayden Bogle was fouled by Moisés Caicedo, latching onto a loose ball deep in the Blues’ half.
Up stepped Nmecha who kept his nerve, sending Sánchez the wrong way and firing a sixth Premier League goal of the campaign into the back of the net!
And almost as soon as the Whites were back in the clash, they were level! Bogle was again involved, wrestling back possession and marauding into the area.
After numerous challenges, several ricochets and an almighty scramble, the ball fell to Okafor who had the simplest of tasks as he bundled into an empty goal, cueing pandemonium in the away end!
Farke’s side had to be alert to prevent the hosts from retaking the lead as Justin made another fine challenge inside the area to dispossess Jorrel Hato, before a second change saw scorer Nmecha make way for Daniel James.
Chelsea threw everything forward in search of a last-gasp winner, including missing two glorious chances through Pedro and Palmer, but the Whites’ defence held firm to secure an important and well-deserved point on the road!
Attentions now turn to Emirates FA Cup action for the trip to Sky Bet Championship outfit Birmingham City on Sunday afternoon.
The Liam Rosenior reaction after his Chelsea side blew a 2-0 lead at home to Leeds on Tuesday was intriguing as the young manager saw his team succumb to familiar failings.
Defensive mistakes impacted Chelsea late on, as Rosenior's run of consecutive Premier League wins at the start of his reign as Chelsea boss ended at four.
Here is the latest Liam Rosenior reaction from Stamford Bridge.
Liam Rosenior reaction
On how frustrated he was with the second half: "Six minutes. Six minutes of switching off. We were in complete control of the game. I don't want to talk about the football. If we want to improve and get to where I think we can be, we have to just make sure we are switched on for 90 minutes. It is as simple as that. Devastated because some of the football we played was excellent and we should come away with three points. And now we haven't because of two moments in the game we haven't taken care of and we give Leeds a point, we gift them a point," Rosenior told TNT Sports in the UK.
On any complaints on the penalty given against Caicedo: "Genuinely haven't seen it back. I don't know if we need to make the challenge in that moment. Moi [Caicedo] has been outstanding in my time but even at 2-1 we just need to take the sting out of the game, keep possession of the ball. Whether we think it's handball or not in that moment, we're still in control of the situation, we kick the ball away and then you ask for handball after. These are small moments that have cost us the three points today that we need to eliminate from our game."
On if he thought it was handball on Leeds' equalizer: "At the time I did. I still haven't seen it. People are still questioning whether it is or isn't. The rule is that if there is any contact with his hand it should be disallowed. But I haven't see it back to make that judgement."
On being told it was a non-deliberate handball: "The rule is the rule. From my understanding if there is any handball in the lead up to the goal it should be disallowed. If they have said that, then someone explain the rules to me. Because they need to help the referee. You [the reporter] saying that has just got me angrier because that is unacceptable if they've come with that judgement."
On regrouping and almost winning it late on through Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer: "The energy of the team has been excellent since I've been here. The fitness, the quality of our play. We shouldn't be in that situation. It is a great piece of play again. 99 times out of 100 Cole scores that but we shouldn't be in that situation. They are the things I need to eliminate for us to get to the potential that I think this team is capable of, which is very, very high."
On Marc Cucurella coming off at half time: "Unfortunately he felt his hamstring at half time. We made the change with Jorell [Hato]. Jorell came on and played very, very well. Hopefully it's not too serious but it was a substitute for an injury."
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The son of Tiger Woods is staying in state to pursue college golf. Charlie Woods made a verbal commitment Tuesday to play for Florida State.
Woods, a junior at The Benjamin School in North Palm Beach, is No. 21 in the American Junior Golf Association ranking.
His lone AJGA victory came at the Team TaylorMade Invitational last May, and he tied for ninth in the Junior PGA Championship last summer to boost his ranking and draw interest from top college golf programs.
Woods will join Miles Russell, the No. 1 player in junior golf who also committed to the Seminoles.
Tiger Woods also chose to stay in state when he left high school in Southern California, playing two years at Stanford. His daughter, Sam, currently attends Stanford.
Major champions who played at Florida State include Brooks Koepka, Paul Azinger and Jeff Sluman.
Jai Opetaia will soon look at add another belt to his cruiserweight trophy case.
Chris Hyde via Getty Images
Jai Opetaia and Brandon Glanton will make history on Sunday, March 8 in Las Vegas. Opetaia and Glanton will be the first two fighters to contest the Zuffa Boxing championship in any weight class when they headline Zuffa Boxing 4 on Paramount+ at the Meta Apex.
Opetaia, the reigning IBF cruiserweight champion, looks to add the Zuffa cruiserweight title to his collection against Glanton.
It is unclear at this stage whether the IBF title will be on the line or if Opetaia will be allowed to keep the belt. Neither Zuffa co-founder Dana White nor the official artwork for the fight made any mention of the IBF belt. An inquiry sent with the IBF remains unanswered as of publication time.
Australia's Opetaia (29-0, 23 KOs) is a two-time IBF cruiserweight champion, having previously held the title from July 2022-23. He defeated Mairis Breidis in an upset to capture the championship in July 2022 and then beat Breidis again in a May 2024 rematch to become a two-time titleholder.
Opetaia has made four defenses of his title in his current reign as IBF champion. He faced off with WBC titleholder Noel Mikaelyan during Zuffa Boxing 1 on Jan. 23, with the suggestion being that the pair would clash in a unification bout next. Uncrowned, however, broke the news a few days later that Opetaia's Zuffa debut would not be against Mikaelyan.
Glanton (21-3, 18 KOs) has never boxed for a world title before. He lost a split decision to David Light for the WBO No. 1 contender spot in December 2022. The American then suffered a majority decision defeat to 3-0 Soslan Asbarov in his next fight. Glanton managed to string together three wins in a row before falling short to Chris Billam-Smith on the Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn 1 undercard this past April at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. Glanton returned to his winning ways with a sixth-round stoppage of Marcus Browne in October.
Cole Palmer’s face said it all. His mouth agasp in utter disbelief, the 94th-minute open-goal miss of the weekend’s hat-trick hero perhaps signalled the end of Liam Rosenior’s honeymoon period. And once more, it’s against Leeds United where fortunes change for a Chelsea manager.
Before the visit of Daniel Farke’s men, Rosenior’s early career at the Stamford Bridge helm consisted of seven wins in nine games, only suffering defeat in Chelsea’s two Carabao Cup semi-final legs against quadruple-chasing Arsenal. His impressive record had admittedly been aided by a favourable run of league fixtures, with his only top-half opponents coming in the form of Brentford in mid-January. But considering the backlash from a portion of the fanbase following his appointment, alarm bells were yet to really sound on BlueCo’s pick.
Dropped points against Leeds, however, could be the reality check that shifts the tide, as was the case in December. The visitors’ dismantling of Chelsea in this season’s reverse fixture plunged a club with a growing ambition of a title charge into turmoil. Defeat at Elland Road, eight days on from a stunning 3-0 win over Barcelona, can be seen as the turning point that led to Enzo Maresca’s messy demise. A month and two wins in seven games later, the Italian was sacked.
Chelsea were overrun in that contest, falling victim to a blistering start by Daniel Farke’s side as they fell behind inside six minutes. There was a brief sense the same was about to happen when Jayden Bogle, bizarrely playing in a second striker role rather than his usual wing-back position, found himself in the Blues box inside 60 seconds, a break stemming from Cole Palmer giving the ball away cheaply. Without Dominic Calvert-Lewin in support, who lost his race to make fitness, Bogle ended up running the ball out of play, but it was an early glimmer of hope for the visitors.
That glimmer was swiftly snuffed out as Chelsea grew increasingly comfortable. Leeds became camped in their own half as the hosts pressed and probed, who found the breakthrough in the 24th minute thanks to a scything Chelsea move, cutely finished by Joao Pedro after being slipped in by Palmer.
Joao Pedro opened the scoring for Chelsea (Getty)
That’s eight goal contributions in his last nine outings for the Brazilian, who had seen his star fade after an electric start to his Chelsea career. The instant impact he made in New Jersey last summer, lighting up the latter stages of the Club World Cup before carrying that form into the opening weeks of the season, led many to tip him as the Premier League’s signing of the season. He is now rediscovering the potency that justified that initial hype.
The roles of Chelsea goalscorer and provider were swapped after the break, in a way. Jaka Bijol gifted the Blues a penalty in the 56th minute, pushing Joao Pedro in the back with both hands to send the striker tumbling over. The Slovene’s appeals were pointless - it was stonewall. And off the back of his first-half hat-trick at Molineux - including two converted spot-kicks - there was no mistake from Palmer, tucking past Karl Darlow to double his side’s lead.
Cole Palmer doubled Chelsea’s advantage from the spot (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea were cruising, with Rosenior looking on course for an fourth straight league win. The new Blues boss has so far looked impermeable to an upset - but then the wheels came off.
Just as it seemed a clumsy challenge down one end had put the game out of sight for Leeds, a clumsy challenge down the other end offered the visitors a way back. Moises Caicedo’s tripping of Bogle gave referee John Brooks another simple decision to make, and Lukas Nmecha - deputising for Calvert-Lewin - sent Robert Sanchez the wrong way.
Six minutes later, things weren’t so black and white for the referee. Noah Okafor tucked into an open net after a calamitous mix-up between Sanchez and Josh Acheampong, who failed to clear the ball after Bogle had forced himself into the box. It seemed, however, that Chelsea’s sinners would get a reprieve, with replays showing the ball to have touched Bogle’s arm in the build-up.
A delay ensued - not as long as we’ve seen in the recent past, but one significant enough for home fans to believe a jog to the monitor was imminent. But that didn’t come; the goal was given. Leeds were resurrected, Chelsea crestfallen.
Farke’s side still had a quarter of an hour to survive as Chelsea upped the ante, but while taking no credit away from their defensive reslience, there was a sense it just wouldn’t fall for the hosts now that they’d surrendering total control.
Joao Pedro was nearly the hero as his late header crashed off the bar, but it’s Palmer who will have sleepless nights after skying a last-gasp chance with the goal gaping from a couple of yards out. Caicedo, who must have thought he’d set up a late winner when squaring it across the six-yard box, could not quite believe his talisman hadn’t scored as he looked lifelessly into the Matthew Harding Stand.
Palmer was dejected after missing a late sitter (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Palmer was crouched, dejected, before the full-time whistle even went, with Leeds winding down the final seconds of the clock. For Farke’s side, it’s another point towards survival.
Champions League qualification remains paramount for the Blues and this result on its own will not harm them too much, with sixth-placed Liverpool going into the matchweek four points adrift. But as we saw at the tail-end of 2025, things can snowball and fast. Just ask Rosenior’s predecessor.
Manchester United failed to win for the first time under interim head coach Michael Carrick on Tuesday, but the Red Devils still extended their unbeaten run to five games with a stoppage-time equalizer to draw 1-1 with West Ham.
Below is the latest Michael Carrick reaction, speaking after Benjamin Sesko scored in the 96th minute to steal a point for Man United and keep them 4th in the Premier League table.
Michael Carrick reaction — What did Man United boss say after dramatic draw with West Ham?
We'll have Carrick's post-match interviews and press conference as soon as they start, here.
After suffering a heartbreaking loss to Canada in the gold medal game four years ago, the United States women’s hockey team made a massive statement in Milan. In a preliminary round showdown that many expected to be a tight battle for Group A supremacy, the U.S. completely overwhelmed their rivals, cruising to a dominant 5-0 win to secure first place in the knockout stages.
With the tournament’s biggest names on the ice, the Americans’ elite depth has been the story of the afternoon. Hannah Bilka has been unstoppable, netting two goals to lead the charge, while Caroline Harvey sparked the offense early with a goal and an assist. Not to be outdone, captain Hilary Knight added a late assist to tie the all-time U.S. Olympic points record, reminding the world that the veteran core is still as dangerous as ever.
On the other side, Canada reeling all game, and for the first time in their history were shut out at the Olympics. Without captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who is day-to-day with an injury, the Canadiens were stifled on offense throughout 60 minutes.
With the win, the U.S. clinched first place in Group A and the top seed in the quartefinals. Here is a look at the full stats from the game as the United States extended the win streak to seven against their arch rivals.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 28: Errol Spence Jr. poses on the scale during the weigh-in for his title fight against Terence Crawford at T-Mobile Arena on July 28, 2023. Spence Jr. and Crawford will fight for the undisputed world welterweight championship at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 29. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Errol Spence, a former unified welterweight champion, is anticipated to make his return to the ring for the first time since losing to Terence Crawford in fight against Tim Tszyu, which will take place in Australia this June. The fight will headline a PBC on Prime PPV with Spence moving up to 154 lbs.
By the time this fight takes place, Spence, 35, will have been out of action for nearly three full years since getting throttled by Crawford in a highly anticipated undisputed welterweight showdown.
Meanwhile Tszyu, 31, looks to gain some career stability after having achieved world champion status only to have gone 2-3 in his last five outings, two of which were stoppage losses. Tszyu most recently took a unanimous decision win over Anthony Velazquez this past December.
But while this fight is being lined up for the summer, Tszyu is said to still be targeting a March fight on the undercard of Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro, and if that fight doesn’t go his way one would think it would put a summer fight with Spence in serious jeopardy. As of now nothing appears to be inked, but for now this appears to be the way things are headed.
The weather has taken a turn for the better and given us a taste of spring in Greater Cincinnati. Another reminder of warmer weather? The high school basketball postseason.
That's where we're headed as the Ohio High School Athletic Association has started to release statewide brackets and the Kentucky High School Athletic Association held its state tournament draw show last week.
This week's girls basketball power rankings takes a look at where the top 10 stands as the postseason draws closer.
These are the second-to-last rankings of the season as teams across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky will wrap up the regular season next weekend.
Next in line: Walnut Hills, Campbell County, Springboro, Purcell Marian, Notre Dame, Bishop Brossart, Ryle, Mason
10. Holy Cross Indians (21-3)
Last week: NR
Analysis: Holy Cross has cemented itself as a Ninth Region contender with an 18-point win over Ryle after trailing by 9 points. The Indians have one more regional test against Cooper in addition to a trip to Bishop Brossart before the postseason begins.
This week: at Cooper (Feb. 11), vs. Walton-Verona (Feb. 12), at South Oldham (Feb. 14)
9. Cooper Jaguars (15-6)
Last week: 8
Analysis: The Jaguars are on a minor slide after consecutive losses to George Rogers Clark, Simon Kenton and Taylor County, adding some intrigue to the Ninth Region postseason conversation. The two real tests on the horizon are a senior night game against Holy Cross and the regular-season finale against Assumption.
This week: vs. Holy Cross (Feb. 11), at Dixie Heights (Feb. 13), at Newport Central Catholic (Feb. 14), vs. Grant County (Feb. 16)
8. Lakota West Firebirds (16-4)
Last week: 7
Analysis: Lakota West should feel confident about its chances to finish the regular season with a share of its first Greater Miami Conference title since 2020. Hand up, I should have included Zoe Odame on my top freshmen list from a few weeks ago; she's become a consistent starter and is averaging 9.2 points and 2.6 rebounds.
This week: at Sycamore (Feb. 11), vs. Mason (Feb. 14)
7. Seton Saints (19-3)
Last week: NR
Analysis: The Saints closed the regular season on a strong note with wins over Badin and Purcell Marian. They now turn their attention to the postseason and completing one of the most successful seasons in school history.
This week: No games scheduled
6. Winton Woods Warriors (15-5)
Last week: 6
Analysis: The Warriors are out of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference race but did well to avoid their third two-game losing streak of the season. They have two more games, one this week and one next week, to stay fresh before the postseason begins.
This week: at Loveland (Feb. 12)
5. Princeton Vikings (16-3)
Last week: 5
Analysis: Princeton has had winning streaks of eight games and five games earlier in the season. How long could their current streak last through the end of the regular season and into the postseason?
This week: vs. Lakota East (Feb. 11), vs. Fairfield (Feb. 14)
4. Simon Kenton Lady Pioneers (24-2)
Last week: 4
Analysis: Simon Kenton is now the only Kentucky team to not lose to an in-state foe. The Lady Pioneers are 2-1 so far against their end-of-season gauntlet with road wins at Cooper and Frederick Douglass. A win at Sacred Heart on Friday will launch them into the state title contender conversation.
This week: at Sacred Heart (Feb. 13)
3. West Clermont Wolves (19-2)
Last week: 3
Analysis: You know that scene in "The Dark Knight" where the Joker says, "And here. We. Go," right before he expects a bomb to explode? The same phrase can be used ahead of the Wolves' final regular-season game, a trip to Milford on Feb. 18 with the ECC on the line. Both teams will be well rested for what is now the most anticipated game of the regular season in Southwest Ohio.
This week: No games scheduled
2. Milford Eagles (20-1)
Last week: 2
Analysis: Win or lose in their last game of the season, this year will go down in the history books for Milford. The Eagles have already secured the longest winning streak in school history and have won 20 games in the regular season for the first time ever. The immediate goal is to win their first ECC title next week.
This week: No games scheduled
1. Mount Notre Dame Cougars (20-0)
Last week: 1
Analysis: The Cougars are undefeated Girls Greater Catholic League champions for the eighth straight season. They've added a game against Miami Valley Christian Academy this Saturday, but a first undefeated regular season since 2021-2022 is within their grasp.
Austin Reaves ruled out vs. Spurs due to injury management
The Lakers will also be without Austin Reaves against San Antonio. Reaves has also been ruled out of the game due to left calf injury management.
Reaves recently returned to game action after an extended stay on the sideline due to a left calf strain. Given the fact that the Lakers just played last night, the team is likely just being cautious with the fifth-year guard.
One of boxing's best champions, Shakur Stevenson, is up for facing UFC champion Ilia Topuria in the ring.
During a live stream with streamer Aiden Ross, Stevenson, along with Terence Crawford, discussed the differences between MMA and boxing, which led to a nonchalant challenge from Stevenson. While Ross attempted to pump up the UFC's profile, Stevenson and Crawford naturally sided with boxing as the superior sport based on skill and popularity.
"I saw you say that, you gotta take that back – you said that the UFC is better than boxing," Stevenson said to Ross.
Ross defended his position as best he could with two of the best boxers on the planet sitting just inches away.
"UFC will never be better than boxing," Crawford said.
"At all – it ain't even close," Stevenson added. "The skill level is different."
"UFC is good for what they do, and we good for what we do," Crawford said. "You gotta think, if I can't whoop you with my hands, I can kick you, I can take you down. It's a whole different mental capacity than just kicking, punching."
Ross continued to defend UFC, asking if former two-division champion Jon Jones was someone who could dominate in boxing. Stevenson didn't hesitate with his blunt answer.
"Hell no," Stevenson said.
"OK, Ilia Topuria?" Ross replied.
"Tell him come fight me," Stevenson said.
"He's a crazy boxer, bro," Ross warned.
"I don't care. Tell him to come fight me," Stevenson said.
Stevenson recently won the Ring Magazine and WBO World Super Lightweight titles by defeating Teofimo Lopez on Jan. 31. Weighing in at 138 pounds, Stevenson, who moved up from boxing's lightweight division of 135 pounds, would be the much smaller man in a potential crossover fight against Topuria.
As the UFC's lightweight champion, Topuria weighs in at 155 pounds. The weight difference doesn't stop at lightweight, though, as Topuria has suggested moving up to 170 pounds to chase a third UFC title in the welterweight division.
We've seen multiple boxing-MMA crossover fights over the years, and they've all turned out in a similar fashion. In boxing, the boxer typically dominates the MMA fighter, and the opposite is true inside the cage. The most famous example was in 2017, when Conor McGregor stepped into the ring against one of boxing's all-time greats, Floyd Mayweather, for "The Money Fight."
The fight took place during the height of McGregor's stardom as an active fighter, and the pre-fight build included a world tour with stops in Los Angeles, Toronto, New York, and London. The hype was off the charts, but when the bell rang, it was clear McGregor had very little to offer Mayweather as a pure boxer. Mayweather won the fight by TKO in Round 10.
"I thought McGregor did good, but I think Floyd let him look good," Stevenson said. "... Floyd was trying to entertain y'all – make it fun."
"(Mayweather) carried him, but McGregor did do some good things in there," Crawford said.
McGregor was considered one of the best boxers in the sport at the time, who possessed a heavy left hand. Topuria's weapon of choice is his right hand, and he is also currently considered the best boxer in MMA today. There have been many parallels between the two UFC greats, as Topuria looked up to McGregor early on, but has since soured on the Irishman. Landing a crossover boxing bout against Stevenson, who possesses some traits of Mayweather in the ring, would just be another example.
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 17: Washington Nationals President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni (R) introduces Washington Nationals Manager Blake Butera (L) during a press conference at Nationals Park on November 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. Butera became the eighth manager in Nationals team history and the youngest manager in Major League Baseball since 1972. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Earlier today, the Nationals held a virtual press conference with Paul Toboni and Blake Butera before pitchers and catchers officially report tomorrow. I was actually able to participate in the presser, and asked a question to Blake Butera. Unfortunately, time ran out before I could ask my question to Toboni, but there is always next time. For the full presser, here is the link.
Manager Blake Butera (12:00) and President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni (12:20) will meet the media this afternoon. Tune in to the link below to watch live:https://t.co/0yrrYYrxrn
It was a lot of fun to be a part of this, and I was truly honored. We have come a long way as a site in the past year or so, and hopefully this is the first of many press conferences for us.
Toboni actually shouted out the Washington Post Nats team which was recently laid off. I thought that was a cool touch. He seemed genuinely shocked and horrified by the decision. I feel the same way about it too. It was a very classy move from him and something I appreciated.
On to the questions themselves, I asked Butera about which player he thinks will surprise people this season. If you want to watch along, my question is at the 11:30 mark. Butera said that Robert Hassell III is the player that could surprise people.
Got to ask Blake a question about who could surprise this spring. He shouted out Robert Hassell III. Hopefully I can get a chance to ask something to Paul next time https://t.co/0PF4tWlkv7
He told me that when discussing the Nats deep group of outfielders, “Sometimes people forget about Robert Hassell”. Butera noted that Hassell was motivated to get bigger and stronger this offseason. He told me that he was impressed with how hard Hassell worked this offseason. As one of the players that got down to Florida early, Butera got to see Hassell put in that work.
Hassell’s focus on getting bigger and stronger this offseason has already become a storyline heading into camp. At a fan event a couple weeks ago, Butera said that Hassell put on 25 pounds of bulk this offseason. That is a big change and will be something to follow as we head into the season.
We saw Jacob Young put on muscle last offseason and it did not have the desired effects. Hopefully, Hassell’s added weight helps his game. When you looked at him last year, it was pretty clear that he had room to add weight. However, 25 pounds in one winter is a big transformation. I am curious to see how he carries that weight and if he can maintain his athleticism.
As for the press conference as a whole, there was not any groundbreaking news, but it was still interesting. Toboni and Butera got to talk about their process which I found neat. Butera discussed some of his first impressions about the players and how he is settling into the job.
Toboni talked about his process oriented vision. One part I found interesting was when Toboni said he and the staff will be challenging players on their weaknesses. The example he used was chase rate. If a player is chasing too much, they will show them the specific numbers until they get better.
This was a cool event for me and a big step for the site as a whole. I am grateful to the Nats for letting me be a part of this. We will be heading down to West Palm Beach for a week in March, so hopefully we get more opportunities to talk with Blake and Paul soon.
💇♂️❌No haircut for United, West Ham end their winning run
Today, Manchester United visited West Ham in a match that generated a lot of anticipation beforehand due to the story of Frank Ilett.
The club fan promised he would cut his hair when the Red Devils achieved five wins in a row, and he has now gone 493 days without visiting the barber.
With four consecutive wins, it seemed like the meme was about to end, but West Ham was not willing to give in at any point. The first half was very evenly matched between both teams, with hardly any chances to highlight.
However, the second half started in the worst possible way because Tomáš Souček put the Hammers ahead in the 50th minute. From there, Nuno Espírito Santo's side settled into the match, while Carrick's men grew increasingly nervous.
After just over 40 minutes of play, United couldn't find a way through, and it wasn't until the 90+5th minute that, after a cross from the right, Šeško scored the equalizer. Given how the match played out, Carrick leaves clenching his fist with the last-minute draw. However, Frank Ilett will have to keep his mane and restart his challenge.
West Ham x Manchester United - Highlights, Summary and Match Report
Incidents: The story of the match
1':
The match begins
West Ham United takes the lead against Manchester United, 1-0. Tomás Soucek finds the back of the net with a left-footed shot from close range into the bottom left corner, assisted by Jarrod Bowen.
50':
GOAL West Ham: Tomás Soucek (West Ham) scores!
Tomás Soucek scores goal number 3 in the competition (23 matches)
It's now West Ham United 1, Manchester United 1. Casemiro scores for Manchester United with a header from the center of the box, directing it into the bottom right corner. The assist came from Kobbie Mainoo.
77':
Opportunity wasted. Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United attempted a header from the center of the penalty area but failed to find the target. The cross was delivered by Luke Shaw.
There were better photos of Facundo but I felt that this one perfectly represented his essence: nearly harpooning a former teammate through the back of the skull. | Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images
Today, Tuesday 10 February, is Facundo Roncaglia’s 39th birthday. He topped out as a squad member for Fiorentina for 2 years. He was never even a regular starter, swapping in and out with Nenad Tomović, but he was one of the most beloved pieces of those magical Vincenzo Montella teams, even inspiring a Facebook meme page (listen, 2012 was a different time). As I was thinking about Facundo, I started wondering about the other players on those teams. And because everything’s terrible right now, let’s look back at that 2012-2013 roster.
I’m breaking this thing into 3 pieces to keep it digestible. We’ll start with the goalkeepers and defenders, of course, with the midfielders and forwards emerging in the next couple weeks. Drop suggestions for other rosters in the comments if you’ve been wondering what happened to Players X, Y, and Z. Anyways, let’s get down to the important business of Remembering Some Guys.
Luca Lezzerini is back, baby. After a solid career mostly spent in Serie B, he returned to Fiorentina this summer to add veteran leadership and help with the academy graduate requirements. He probably won’t play but his sideline antics have been excellent and he looks set to join the list of beloved eccentrics like Lupatelli and Antonio Rosati as third goalkeeper.
Cristiano Lupatelli retired in 2015 and spent a couple years as a coach for the Primavera before working with the Juve and Italy youth teams. He’s now graduated to working with the senior Azzurri. The bald head remains but he’s sadly ditched the sideburns/goatee with a nondescript stubble.
Neto is 36 years old and back in Brazil with Botafogo. He’s had one of the wildest gun-for-hire careers in recent memory. Following his acrimonious departure from Florence, he’s turned out for Juventus, Valencia, Barcelona, Bournemouth, and Arsenal. We always thought he was a good goalkeeper but that’s an incredible CV.
Emiliano Viviano has become one of the more enjoyable media figures in the calcio extended universe. The massive-sideburns-and-mustache combo have been replaced by a beard and a dignified flat cap but he’s still the same zany, fun-loving guy, mixing his personal experience of the top flight to provide insight from a guy who played at the very tippy top of the game. He also just shared a story about being drunk for a game at Arsenal, which is fun. For a guy who’s worn his Viola heart on his sleeve for his entire career, he’s done very well. Bonus points for being one of the first to support Jakub Jankto coming out a few years ago, too.
Michele Camporese is back in Serie B with Livorno after the Amaranti snapped him up on a free late last month. He’s had a peripatetic career since bursting onto the scene by pocketing Zlatan Ibrahimović in his first 45 minutes as a pro but he’s earned one of the greatest honors any player can achieve.
Marvin Compper returned to Germany after just half an imcomppararble season in Florence. He had a spell at Celtic as well before hanging up his boots in 2020 with Duisburg and going straight into coaching. He’s been all over the place, mostly working as an assistant manager in the Red Bull system before signing up as Enrico Maaßen’s top lieutenant at St. Gallen. I can’t believe I missed him on the touchlines last year when Fiorentina won 2-4 at the Kybunpark but he was there and helped Espen give Raffaele Palldino’s boys a hell of a time.
Ahmed Hegazy never worked out in Florence but has carved out an impressive career across three continents with West Brom, Al Ahly, and Al-Ittihad, helping the latter win the league in inspirational fashion as he stayed on after suffering a late injury. He’s now captaining NEOM FC, a weird and slightly gross addition to the Saudi Pro League, and shows no signs of slowing down even at 35, although he’s retired from international duty after a dozen years and 88 caps.
Saverio Madrigali retired from the pro game aged just 23, having never made a competitive appearance for Fiorentina. I believed in his long-term potential and thought he deserved more than the single U18 cap he got but injuries eventually got to him. He’s left the game completely, returning to his native Pisa and I swear to god opening a goddamn fancy cake bakery (on Via Fiorentina, no less), which is apparently thriving if the 4.6-out-of-5 average on Google reviews is to be believed. If ever the Hallmark Channel was going to make a movie about a former Fiorentina player, it’s got to be him. And yeah, he’s still outrageously handsome, far more chiseled than a bakery owner has any right to be. Chapeau, Saverio.
Gonzalo Rodríguez was the soul of those magical Fiorentina teams, raiding forward to chip in key goals, spraying the ball across the park, and doing all the Argentine centerback things you’d expect. His romance with a local gelato shop owner, rock and roll guitar, and approachable off-field persona made him effortlessly cool. It stung when he was unceremoniously shuffled off to San Lorenzo, where he played another 3 seasons before retiring in 2020. He’s still around the city, popping up for the legends game last year which saw Gabriel Batistuta display his old prowess, but the Young Defender maintains a low profile from what I can tell.
Facundo Roncaglia, ah, Facuno Roncaglia. Happy birthday, big guy. His contract with Sarmiento just ran out but he played 22 games in the 2025 season for them (and picked up just 6 bookings). He’s probably weighing his options but could very well continue his career, which is wild. We all know why we’re here, though. Roll the tape.
Stefan Savić was a gawky 20-year-old who arrived in Florence alongside a heap of cash in exchange for Matija Nastašić. He quickly established himself as a slightly goofy, stolidly mustachioed figure at the back and formed a good partnership with several more adventurous defenders, remaining stolidly at the back. He moved to Atlético Madrid in 2015 and spent 9 highly-decorated years in the capital before departing for Trabzonspor, where he’s still a regular starter.
Nenad Tomović is 38 years old and back in his native Serbia with Čukarički. I wish he’d gotten there a couple years ago so we could’ve had a reunion with him in the Conference League but he was in Cyprus at the time. He’s nailed down a job as a dependable veteran and could keep going indefinitely. He became something of a meme towards the end of his Fiorentina tenure but he was solid as anyone for those first couple seasons.
Nii Nortey Ashong was a standout Primavera leftback who made his senior debut in the 2011-2012 Coppa Italia against Empoli. Unfortunately, that was his only senior appearance for Fiorentina, although he made the matchday squad several times in 2012-2013 and moved to Latina the following year. He’s been something of a nomad ever since, turning out for 9 clubs in 12 years since, mostly in Serie C. From what I can tell, he’s currently playing with amateur side Sanmichelese and, at 31, could continue for another decade at that level.
Manuel Pasqual left Empoli in 2019 but didn’t officially retire until January 2020, when he took on a job as a match commentator, first on the radio with RAI and, after a year on the mic, with DAZN for TV broadcasts. You can catch him sometimes on the world feed although he hasn’t gotten a Fiorentina game since 2024. He’s not just doing color commentary, though. After knocking out his thesis at Coverciano, he worked as a coach with the Italy U18s under Daniele Franceschini for a year and a half before taking over the U16 job. I haven’t been able to find his thesis at Coverciano but I assume it’s about crossing until your damn leg falls off.
Mattia Cassani was a regular starter the previous season but fell out of favor with Montella in 2012-2013 despite costing the club over €4 million. I really thought he’d be the solution at rightback but the curse at that position was too strong; he’d earned 11 Italy caps and, aside from 90 minutes against Malta, never turned out for the national sided again. He spent a couple years in Parma opposite Massimo Gobbi and hung up his boots in 2018 with Bari. After some time away from the game with his family, he’s started coaching at the grassroots level, working skills with young players.
Charlie Woods has made his college choice, and he’s heading to one of the strongest collegiate men's golf programs in the country. In news first reported by Rivals.com, the junior at the Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Fla., has made a commitment to Florida State.
The son of Tiger Woods can be expected to land a significant NIL deal with the Seminoles, who had been rumored to be the front-runners in the recruiting battle for Charlie. He was the only player among the top 10 boys’ players in the American Junior Golf Association’s Class of 2027 to not have committed to a university.
Two years ago, the Seminoles, helmed by Trey Jones, were led to the NCAA Division I match-play championship finals by former World Amateur No. 1 Luke Clanton, ultimately losing to Auburn 3-2. They have been highly successful in their recruiting since, landing Miles Russell, the top-ranked player in the Class of 2027, and now Woods.
Charlie Woods, who turned 17 on Sunday, currently ranks 21st among all classes in the AJGA’s individual standings. In his last eight counting events, he has two top-10 finishes—a win in the Team TaylorMade Invitational and a T-9 in the Boy’s Junior PGA Championship. Woods qualified for the U.S. Junior last summer but shot 81-74 and did not reach match play.
In November, Woods was recognized for his strong season by being named a first-team member of the Rolex Junior All-America Team by the AJGA for the first time.
In high school play last year, Woods shot a team-best 68 to help his Benjamin team win the Florida state title in its division.
The Tampa Bay Rays have announced they will also celebrate former Rays third baseman Evan Longoria with a weekend of events and recognition dubbed, “Longo’s Legacy Weekend.”
The team will honor Longoria by inducting him into the Rays Hall of Fame on Saturday, July 11 and will retire his No. 3 jersey on Sunday, July 12.
During his time with Tampa Bay, Longoria was a three-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner. He was named AL Rookie of the Year in 2008 and was the 2009 AL Silver Slugger recipient at third base, becoming the second player in team history to earn a Silver Slugger.
Longoria’s contributions helped send the Rays to the first four postseason appearances in franchise history, including a World Series run during his rookie season in 2008. He delivered a legendary walk-off home run in “Game 162” against the Yankees in 2011, securing the American League Wild Card. In 2025, Longoria signed a ceremonial one-day contract to retire from the game as a Tampa Bay Ray.
Previous Rays Hall of Fame inductees include former Devil Rays third baseman Wade Boggs (2023), former Rays outfielder Carl Crawford (2023), former Devil Rays first baseman Fred McGriff (2024), Rays Radio broadcaster Dave Wills (2024), and former player, manager and Rays senior advisor Don Zimmer (2023). Both Wills and Zimmer were inducted posthumously.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 07: Jaylen Watson #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on from the field during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 7, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I started my first deep dive into free agency this offseason when I wrote about the cornerback market earlier today. Really, Tariq Woolen or Jaylen Watson seem to make the most sense if the Green Bay Packers are actually going to add an outside veteran at the position.
I’ll get some similar pieces up at nose tackle, which seems to be thin, and center, where the big prize is Tyler Linderbaum, once I get a full look at the options.
Here, I want to ask you guys who you want the team to sign in free agency, though. Is there someone off the radar that you’d like the Packers to get a look at, or is it just the big, pricey names? Fire off your thoughts in the comment section below.
The San Francisco 49ers are coming into the 2026 offseason with two clear needs to address, one on each side of the ball.
Defensively, a pass rusher, edge defender, or outside linebacker is the top need. Nick Bosa cannot be the only good pass rusher on the team, and Bryce Huff wasn't nearly good enough. Offensively, wide receiver is the clear top need.
Brandon Aiyuk is leaving the team after not playing all season, and his 2026 contract has been stripped of its guarantees. Jauan Jennings is a free agent as well. PFF.com's Mason Cameron named Jennings the best landing spot, which was some good news for the 49ers.
Jauan Jennings' top landing spot is good news for 49ers
"Jauan Jennings, Best Landing Spot: San Francisco 49ers," Cameron writes. "...The 49ers are projected to possess over $42.9 million in cap space, so an extension is highly feasible and would answer a crucial offseason question for this offense."
While the 49ers could turn to the 2026 NFL Draft to acquire wide receiver help, simply re-signing Jennings makes the most sense.
The 49ers aren't strapped for cap space, and Jennings likely would be open to a return. Of course, if he gets strong offers from other teams around the league, the 49ers might need to pivot. But Cameron believes the 49ers are his best landing spot.
Jennings is 28 years old and coming off a strong year for the 49ers. He caught just 55 passes and had just 643 yards on the year, both far lower than his 975 yards and 77 catch 2024 season.
But his nine touchdowns this year were a career high, beating his previous high of six from the 2024 season. The 2020 seventh-rounder has turned into a star for the 49ers and will be one of the most highly coveted free agents this offseason.
While the 49ers might have a tough time retaining him, the 49ers are the best possible landing spot for Jennings.
As long as John Lynch offers a fair contract to the veteran wide receiver, Jennings should try to return to the 49ers. Brock Purdy and Jennings have good chemistry, and the Kyle Shanahan offense is a good one to be a wide receiver in.
MILAN — Ilia Malinin screamed in joy halfway through his short program in the men’s competition Tuesday night at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He had just completed his three industrial strength jumping passes without a hitch, including two majestic quadruple jumps. Now he was flying past center ice, and his emotions got the better of him, and he let out a yelp into the icy arena air. He was back, and he knew it.
The 21-year-old self-proclaimed “Quad God” had already lived a lifetime at these Olympic Games. He had experienced the interesting combination of being both tested and, now, rested. The Olympic team figure skating competition had challenged him in ways he hadn’t expected. But he had passed that test, leading the Americans to the gold medal by doing double duty in both the short and long programs when he hadn’t planned to.
The whole experience had left him with “an incredible feeling,” he said Sunday night.
Now it was 48 hours later, and Malinin was on his own in the individual men’s event. On his own and back to his old self, the skater who has won four consecutive U.S. championships and the last two world titles.
His score? 108.16 points, a healthy five points ahead of Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, who had 103.07. With a long program packed with his record-breaking seven quads, Malinin is back to being the strong favorite to win the gold medal Friday night. How things have changed for him since his shaky short program in the team event over the weekend.
But that team competition, he predicted Sunday, “really set me up for the individual event.”
Turns out he knew exactly what he was talking about.
iBuyPower has a 9% discount for its RDY Element 9 Pro R07 gaming PC. With AI consuming RAM left and right, buying pre-built PCs like this will be much better for you than buying expensive parts to build one by yourself.
Alinea Analytics estimates reveal Subnautica 2 as the most wishlisted game releasing in 2026 on Steam with 3.8 million wishlists, followed by Forza Horizon 6 and Resident Evil Requiem, both showing strong pre-release momentum.
The original creators of the Fallout series have revealed it was a "B-tier product" for a while, and failed to secure two major licenses during development.
Applied Materials, Inc., the leader in materials engineering for the semiconductor industry, today introduced new deposition, etch and materials modification systems that boost the performance of leading-edge logic chips at 2 nm and beyond. The technologies supercharge AI compute through atomic-scale improvements to the most fundamental electronic building block - the transistor.
The transition to Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistors is a major industry inflection and a critical enabler of the energy-efficient computing needed to deliver more powerful AI chips. As 2 nm-class GAA chips ramp to volume production this year, Applied is introducing new material innovations to enhance next-generation GAA transistors for angstrom nodes. The combined impact of the new chipmaking systems contributes a significant portion of the total energy-efficient performance gains of GAA process node transitions.
Marathon is slated to launch on March 6, 2026, but a handful of influencers in China have apparently already been testing the games out ahead of the official launch, according to a post on Reddit and UCG on YouTube. The post and YouTube review detail some of the reports from the hands-on testing, revealing both in-game content and some first impressions about gameplay. First off, it's notable that the game has received a massive visual overhaul in terms of assets and UI, which is something the Marathon dev team has already shown off in previews and gameplay teasers, but the game world is overall much darker and more mysterious. The first-hand experiences in the post claim that there is deep world-building with a focus on the narrative and personalities in the game. The PvE is reportedly "extremely challenging," with enemy AI proactively calling in reinforcements to keep up the pressure, offering players little rest between combat encounters.
That's not to say players should expect to be getting buddy-buddy with other players, since the loot game pushes players to see each other as an easy way to grab loot. The reviewer also suggests that Marathon will seemingly emphasize the late game experience rather than encouraging early PvP and combat. Players are instead encouraged by the game systems to focus on completing missions, levelling up base stats, and upgrading gear before heading into combat situations. According to the reviewer, there will be decent variety when it comes to weapons and skills, and the skill balance is well tuned between the seven different character classes we know of so far. There are apparently 28 guns in the game, each with at least two skins, and the ability to change the gun model in some cases. Some additional information posted in the comments from the Chinese game event claim that there will be "more verticality than players expect," and that completing faction quests can unlock permanent map shortcuts between zones. There is also apparently an in-game creature called the Anomaly, which will be able to reshape the map mid-game. One source also claims that, in one game, there were three teams of six players each, bringing it up to 18 players per match.
A team at the University of California, San Diego has redesigned how RRAM operates in an effort to accelerate the execution of neural network models. According to UCSD electrical engineer Duygu Kuzum, the approach could eventually enable a new class of local AI applications, assuming the technology's remaining challenges can...
StepCapture lets you capture workflows and turn them into clear SOPs in seconds. Start a recording in your browser, and it automatically takes smart screenshots, labels clicks and keystrokes, and compiles step-by-step guides with editable page titles and URLs that you can share via encrypted links.
You can use StepCapture to onboard faster, train teams, and publish searchable knowledge bases with custom branding. Its features include advanced blur, AI-powered capture, and one-click sharing across any website or app.
MTN has finalized an agreement to offer Amazon Leo, Amazon’s satellite internet, as an authorized reseller for maritime deployment. MTN will initially provide the service across key maritime industries, including commercial shipping, yachting, offshore and cruise and ferry, according to the company. Amazon Leo is building a satellite communications system powered by a constellation of...
The Board of Directors of Royal Caribbean Group today declared a quarterly dividend of $1.50 per common share payable on April 3, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 6, 2026. The previous dividend was $1.00. “This dividend increase reflects the continued strength of our business and the momentum across...
Animawings has outlined an expanded Northern Summer 2026 flying program built around seasonal leisure and city travel from multiple Romanian airports. The schedule reflects a mix of newly introduced routes and previously disclosed additions, with services spread across late March through the end of September 2026. Weekly and multi-weekly frequencies are deployed using Airbus A220-300 and A320 aircraft, shaping a network aimed at serving summer travel demand across several established international destinations.
The latest update confirms two additional routes not previously listed, supplementing a broader set of network changes that together form a diversified seasonal offering. Operations span Bucharest, Cluj, Iași, Suceava, and Timișoara, with flight frequencies ranging from once weekly to six times weekly depending on route and period.
Newly Scheduled Routes for the Summer Travel Window
Among the most recent additions to the Northern Summer 2026 schedule are two leisure-oriented routes timed for the peak travel season. A weekly connection between Bucharest and Chania is planned from 6 June through 26 September 2026, operated with the Airbus A220-300. This route was last operated during the Northern Summer 2023 season and returns as part of the updated schedule.
A second new route links Suceava with Irakleion, scheduled from 4 June to 24 September 2026. This service is planned once weekly using the Airbus A320, extending summer travel options from northeastern Romania during the core holiday period.
These two additions sit alongside a wider group of services that had already been announced for the same season, collectively shaping the airline’s summer footprint.
Broader Route Additions Across Romania
The wider Northern Summer 2026 program includes multiple departures from Bucharest beginning as early as late March. Services to London Gatwick and Munich are scheduled to operate up to six times weekly, while Geneva and Milan Malpensa are set for three weekly rotations. Seasonal leisure services from Bucharest also include Kavala, Thessaloniki, and Chania, each planned with weekly frequencies during the June–September window.
Beyond the capital, Cluj is positioned with routes to Athens, Thessaloniki, and Olbia, combining spring starts with extended summer operations. Iași is scheduled to gain a weekly connection to Palma de Mallorca between early June and late September. Timișoara features one of the most diverse summer lineups, with services planned to Athens, Kavala, Kefallinia, Olbia, and Thessaloniki, using Airbus A220-300 aircraft across most routes.
Seasonal Flying and the Summer Travel Mindset
Seasonal route planning plays a central role in shaping how travelers approach summer journeys. The clustering of start dates in late March, early April, and early June aligns with shifting travel patterns as demand transitions from spring city trips to peak-season leisure travel. Weekly services, in particular, reflect a rhythm often associated with extended stays rather than short breaks, reinforcing the seasonal nature of these operations.
From a traveler perspective, such schedules are typically structured around predictability rather than intensity. Once-weekly flights emphasize timing and planning, while higher-frequency routes from Bucharest suggest steady movement throughout the season. The overall structure of the network highlights how summer travel often blends flexibility with fixed travel windows.
Travel Patterns Shaped by Multi-City Departures
The use of multiple Romanian departure points illustrates how summer travel demand is distributed beyond a single hub. By spreading routes across Bucharest, Cluj, Iași, Suceava, and Timișoara, the schedule reflects varied regional access to international travel during the peak season. This approach aligns with travel behavior that favors direct departures closer to home during high-demand periods.
Aircraft choices also contribute to the travel experience, with the Airbus A220-300 frequently assigned to medium-density routes and the A320 supporting selected services. Such fleet deployment is consistent with balancing capacity and seasonal demand without overconcentration on a single market.
Network Overview and Timing Structure
Across the full Northern Summer 2026 schedule, routes are phased to cover spring launch periods and summer-only operations. March and April mark the start of several city connections, while June through September is dominated by leisure-focused services.
Taken together, the schedule outlines a structured summer travel program built entirely around defined start and end dates, measured frequencies, and established international destinations. The emphasis remains on seasonal connectivity rather than year-round expansion, positioning the network squarely within the summer travel cycle.
Travellers flying out of State College Regional Airport (SCE) will soon have more options as United Airlines and American Airlines expand their scheduled daily flights to major U.S. hubs. Starting March 30, 2026, United will boost service with additional flights to Chicago and Washington, while American will add flights to Philadelphia later this year, strengthening travel connectivity for residents, students, and visitors alike. This ramp‑up in service reflects growing demand for regional travel and improved access to long‑distance connections.
Airport officials announced the changes as part of continued efforts to offer more convenient travel from State College, which plays an important role in both business and leisure aviation within central Pennsylvania. With more flights each day, local flyers will find it easier to connect to national and international routes through major airline hubs.
United Airlines Expanding Key Routes: Chicago and Washington
United Airlines plans to increase its daily flights out of State College Regional Airport beginning March 30, 2026. The airline will operate up to six flights most days to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, up from the current four daily services, giving passengers more flexibility to connect to domestic and global destinations. Additionally, United will boost its service to Washington Dulles International Airport to four flights per day, up from three currently offered. This expansion enhances access to the nation’s capital and United’s broader network.
The increased frequency on these routes is expected to support not only leisure travel but also business connections, especially given the region’s strong ties to industries that often require quick, reliable travel to Chicago and Washington. United’s larger presence also complements the airport’s existing offerings, which already include regular services to key hubs.
American Airlines Adding More Flights to Philadelphia
Later in 2026, American Airlines will also expand its operations at State College Regional Airport by adding a fourth daily flight to Philadelphia International Airport, increasing from the current three. This additional service offers more convenience for travellers heading to the greater Philadelphia area or connecting to American’s extensive network of domestic and international flights.
Philadelphia serves as a critical hub for American and provides access to routes across the United States and beyond, making this expansion a valuable addition for passengers in central Pennsylvania. The enhanced schedule is set to help reduce travel times and improve connections for both business and leisure flyers.
Boosting Connectivity for Local Travelers
The expanded flight schedules come as part of broader efforts to strengthen air service at State College Regional Airport, which serves a diverse catchment area including Penn State University students, business travellers, and families. Increased daily service makes it more convenient for residents to choose SCE instead of driving to larger airports such as Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, or Harrisburg for direct flights. Airports with a broader range of departure options can help stimulate the local economy, support tourism, and improve quality of life for area residents by reducing travel burden.
A 2025 study highlighted that only a small percentage of local travellers used State College Regional Airport compared to larger airports nearby, underscoring the potential impact of expanded services in keeping travel demand and related economic benefits within the region.
Stronger Regional Air Service Strategy
The flight expansions are linked to ongoing initiatives to strengthen air service at SCE. Regional stakeholders — including the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County, the airport authority, and local tourism bureaus — have been working together through efforts like the State College Air Service Alliance to secure stable and enhanced airline offerings. Such partnerships aim to provide support for existing routes and attract new carriers or services in the future.
The strategy behind boosting regional airline service is not only to offer more flights but also to ensure the airport remains competitive and responsive to travel demand. Enhanced air connectivity can support corporate travel, academic engagements linked with Penn State, and regional tourism.
Benefits for Business and Leisure Travelers
For business travellers, the additional flights provide more flexible departure and arrival times, making it easier to schedule meetings in major cities like Chicago, Washington, and Philadelphia. Leisure flyers also benefit from a broader travel window, allowing for weekend getaways or connecting flights to leisure destinations without needing to travel far from home for departure.
These improvements reflect a trend seen at many regional airports across the U.S., where carriers are gradually increasing service frequency to meet traveller demand while strengthening local air travel infrastructure. Regional airports like SCE play a crucial role in reducing travel time and opening up opportunities for residents throughout central Pennsylvania.
Passenger Experience and Airport Growth
Airport administrators say that the additional flights will also help improve the overall passenger experience — less crowding, more timing options, and smoother connections — enhancing the appeal of departing from State College. The airport has steadily focused on improving facilities and passenger amenities to match its expanding flight operations.
With these changes, SCE is positioned to become a more attractive departure point for local flyers, drawing travellers who might otherwise drive to larger hubs. Increased service frequency has the potential to bring more jobs, business opportunities, and tourism activity to the region, expanding the economic footprint of the airport.
Conclusion: Enhanced Travel Options Bring New Opportunities to Central Pennsylvania
The planned expansion of daily flights by United Airlines and American Airlines reflects growing confidence in travel demand at State College Regional Airport. For passengers in central Pennsylvania, the added flights mean greater flexibility, enhanced connectivity, and a stronger airport that can better serve both routine travel and special trips. As operations ramp up in March and throughout 2026, SCE will be a more convenient choice for travellers heading to major U.S. hubs and beyond — a positive development for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
Travel disruptions have struck New York, John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) today, with 7 cancellations and 75 delays affecting numerous flights. Major international airlines, including Iberia (Spain), Air France (France), and KLM (Netherlands), are facing operational challenges. These disruptions have impacted flights traveling to several key destinations, including the United States, the Netherlands, and Mexico, among others. As a result, travelers are dealing with significant delays, causing frustration and uncertainty for passengers heading to both domestic and international locations. For those affected, it’s important to stay updated on flight statuses through their respective airlines.
With delays mainly affecting connections between New York and destinations like Amsterdam, Los Angeles, and Mexico, passengers are advised to take swift action. If you’re traveling today, be sure to check for real-time updates on your flights and make necessary adjustments to your travel plans.
Total Disruptions Today
Today, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), one of the busiest airports in the United States, has been experiencing significant travel disruptions. A total of 75 delays and 7 cancellations have been reported at the airport, affecting both domestic and international flights. These disruptions are causing headaches for travelers heading to and arriving from various global destinations.
Cancellations at JFK
A few key destinations have seen cancellations affecting flights at JFK:
Adirondack Regional (SLK): A 100% cancellation rate was reported for flights to this regional airport.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD): Cancellations also occurred on flights heading to Spain’s capital, with 25% of flights affected.
Charles de Gaulle/Roissy (CDG): Flights to Paris also saw a 14% cancellation rate, disrupting travel to one of Europe’s major hubs.
While cancellations are relatively low in number, the impact on travelers is still significant, particularly for those on international connections.
Delays Across Multiple Airports
On the delay front, JFK has seen delays across a number of major airports and international cities:
Chicago O’Hare Intl (ORD): This U.S. hub saw 37% of flights delayed today, a major disruption for passengers traveling to and from one of the largest air travel hubs in the country.
Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS): Passengers traveling to Amsterdam have faced a 50% delay rate, adding stress for those with tight connections within the European continent.
Los Angeles Intl (LAX): With a 7% delay rate, flights to Los Angeles experienced a moderate level of disruption, although it is still one of the lower delay rates observed.
Norman Manley Int’l (KIN): Jamaica’s Norman Manley International saw a 50% delay rate, which is significant for travelers planning vacations or business trips to this Caribbean island.
The delays are particularly impacting long-haul travelers, including those heading to European and Caribbean destinations. Passengers from these areas may face additional travel strain if they need to rebook or adjust their plans.
Impacted Airlines, Airports and Destinations at JFK
The disruptions at JFK are being felt across several international and domestic airlines, with certain carriers more affected than others:
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD) and Charles de Gaulle/Roissy (CDG) passengers are likely dealing with flight cancellations from Iberia and Air France, two airlines known for their transatlantic connections.
Chicago O’Hare Intl (ORD) is a major hub for American Airlines, which may have contributed to the delays observed today.
Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) passengers traveling via KLM are also feeling the impact, as the airline operates many flights to and from JFK.
Norman Manley Int’l (KIN) delays could be linked to Caribbean Airlines and JetBlue, both of which serve routes to the Caribbean.
What Affected Passengers Can Do Now
For travelers impacted by today’s delays and cancellations at JFK, here are a few steps they can take:
Contact Airlines for Rebooking: Passengers should immediately contact their airlines for rebooking options if their flights have been canceled. Many airlines offer flexible rebooking policies, especially in the event of weather disruptions or air traffic issues.
Monitor Airport Announcements: Travelers should keep an eye on real-time updates provided by JFK‘s flight status board or the airline’s mobile app. This will provide the latest information regarding departure times or gate changes.
Consider Alternate Routes: If your flight has been delayed significantly, consider alternative routes or airports. For example, flights to Chicago O’Hare or Los Angeles might be available at nearby airports that could provide faster travel options.
Prepare for Delays: Passengers should be prepared for long wait times. It’s advisable to have entertainment, snacks, and any necessary medications on hand to stay comfortable while waiting.
Explore Airport Amenities: While waiting, JFK offers various amenities such as lounges, restaurants, and duty-free shops to help passengers pass the time.
Conclusion
Travel disruptions at John F. Kennedy International Airport today have affected numerous destinations and airlines. With 75 delays and 7 cancellations, travelers should stay informed and prepared for potential delays. It’s important to stay in touch with airlines and monitor real-time updates to adjust travel plans accordingly. As JFK continues to be a vital hub for both domestic and international flights, passengers should expect continued impacts from the disruptions seen today.
Salt Lake City, Utah, is getting more attention as an attractive place to visit, as well as the latest hot spot for aviation training. Meeting the City’s growing need for certified pilots is ATP Flight School, one of the biggest, most reputable flight training schools in the whole country. ATP Flight School was, more than any other flight school, the first to register cadets for participation with SkyWest Airlines’ Pilot Pathway Program, which highlights the increasing demand for pilots in the regional airline market.
With regional airlines currently experiencing a pilot shortage crisis, ATP Flight School’s comprehensive training programs, especially in collaboration with one of the biggest airlines in the world, SkyWest, is of the utmost importance. Increased pilot demand from major U.S. airlines has created a need for most aspiring pilots to have clear, definite job openings and the flexibility to start their training quickly. ATP Flight School is providing that opportunity.
SkyWest Pilot Pathway Program: Your ticket to the Major Airlines
SkyWest Airlines’ Pilot Pathway Program is one of the most well-structured and focused airline training partnerships with ATP Flight School. ATP students gain the opportunity to secure and advance through the pathway steps, all the way to First Officer at SkyWest Airlines. Each of our pathway program cadets kickstart their airline career during training as they begin to accrue the requisite flight hours to be eligible to sit as a first officer.
With SkyWest Airlines, ATP Flight School students quickly gain a leg up in seniority, mentorship, and the potential of accelerating their timeline significantly towards professional piloting. Flight instructor candidates who have achieved the required minimum of 1,500 hours are first in line to be considered for First Officer positions at SkyWest. This opportunity is a huge incentive to choose ATP Flight School for most aspiring pilots.
Expanding Need for Aviation Industry Pilots
The aviation industry is experiencing a workforce gap, and the need for qualified pilots shows no sign of slowing down. These gaps are being filled by cadet programs such as those offered by SkyWest. Due to the merger of ATP Flight School and SkyWest, as well as other major airlines, ATP Flight School now provides the quickest pilot training. Industry analysis indicates that regional airlines have begun to hire only from their own established cadet programs. As a result, flight schools such as ATP are directly connected to the major airline industry. As air travel increases, the pilot shortage will continue to grow, making SkyWest’s Pilot Pathway cadet program essential to providing qualified flight crews.
An All-Inclusive Experience for Future Pilots
The ATP Flight School experience is about much more than obtaining a pilot license; it is about giving students the tools necessary for a successful career within the airline industry. ATP Flight School has made airline partnerships with over 39 airlines (some of which are competitive majors, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines). Partnerships with airlines are a key recruitment tool, and these airline partnerships guarantee a job to students after completing their flight training (a crucial aspect of the flight school experience).
ATP students are also able to participate in the SkyWest Pilot Pathway Program and other regional and major airline programs. Such extensive hiring agreements and ATP’s stellar reputation for graduating safe and professional pilots make it the top choice flight school for many aspiring pilots. ATP’s commitment to airline-focused training enables pilots to be job-ready to fly for major U.S. airlines immediately after graduation.
ATP’s Nationwide Success and Utah’s Top Choice
Apart from excellent training programs and partnerships with airlines, ATP Flight School has successfully become the top choice for new pilots in Utah. Currently, the school has 428 active Airline Career Pilot Program students from Utah. This also helps confirm the school as the most prominent in the state. In the past 12 months, over 1000 ATP graduates received jobs with airlines. This speaks to ATP’s training programs and their solid partnerships in the industry.
The Future of Pilot Training
The airline industry continues to grow, and with it, the challenges related to pilot shortages. ATP Flight School will continue to develop its programs to meet these growing and changing demands. With their ongoing determination, they constantly improve their training techniques and increase their airline partnerships, with major airlines like SkyWest ATP Flight School, which will continue to meet pilot demands in the coming years.
Closure: An Encouraging Future for Pilot Training in Salt Lake City
In the ATP Flight School Review, we have established that Salt Lake City has airport accessibility and a growing demand for airline pilots, making it a location of great importance in the growing field of airline travel. Airline travel is here to stay and is a great field for growing pilot skills. The ATP Flight School location in Salt Lake City has great potential for young aviators and is partnered with various airlines to ensure a step-by-step guide to a successful pilot career.
\tAs the airlines increase the number of pilots they plan to employ, ATP Flight School in Salt Lake City is positioned perfectly to prepare the next generation of pilots.
Travel flows between Taiwan and South Korea are set to widen as Starlux Airlines has filed planned passenger services linking Taiwan with Busan beginning in early June 2026. The filing outlines a dual-origin approach, with operations scheduled from both Taichung and Taipei Taoyuan using the Airbus A321neo. The move places Busan as the focal Korean destination within this plan, while reservations for the services are expected to open at a later date.
The proposed schedule introduces multiple weekly frequencies from Taichung alongside a daily operation from Taipei Taoyuan. Each service is planned with the same aircraft type, signaling a consistent onboard product across both routes. The rollout timeline places Taipei Taoyuan flights ahead by one day, followed shortly by Taichung operations.
Service Details Filed for June 2026 Launch
Under the filed plan, the Taichung–Busan route is scheduled to begin on 2 June 2026. This service is set to operate three times per week and will be flown with the Airbus A321neo. Separately, the Taipei Taoyuan–Busan route is planned to start on 1 June 2026, operating once daily with the same aircraft model.
The structure of the plan highlights two distinct Taiwanese departure points feeding into the same Korean city. By distributing capacity between Taichung and Taipei Taoyuan, the proposed services align with varied regional travel demand without altering the core route focus.
Implications for Cross-Border Travel Demand
For travelers, the introduction of additional links between Taiwan and Busan represents a widening of available travel pathways rather than a shift in destination scope. With services planned from both a northern and central Taiwanese hub, passenger access to Busan is positioned to become more diversified. The daily frequency from Taipei Taoyuan suggests a steady flow aimed at routine travel patterns, while the three-weekly Taichung service introduces periodic connectivity.
From a travel planning perspective, the use of a single aircraft type across both routes may contribute to a uniform experience regardless of departure point. The timing of early June also places the launch at a point often associated with increased seasonal travel movement, though no specific demand projections or seasonal strategies have been stated.
Travel Experience Considerations for Tourists
For tourists, the planned Busan services reflect a broader pattern of connectivity shaping travel choices rather than introducing new travel concepts. Direct services from multiple Taiwanese cities can influence itinerary flexibility, allowing travelers to consider departure points based on convenience rather than routing constraints. The presence of a daily option from Taipei Taoyuan further supports repeatable travel planning, while the Taichung frequency introduces an alternative rhythm for travel schedules.
Such filings often signal intent to serve leisure-focused demand alongside general passenger movement, even when no explicit tourism strategies are detailed. The consistency in aircraft deployment may also play a role in shaping expectations around comfort and service continuity, factors commonly considered by travelers when evaluating route options.
What the Filing Signals for Tourism-Oriented Travel
The planned services point toward sustained interest in Taiwan–South Korea travel corridors. Busan’s role as the sole Korean destination in this filing concentrates attention on a single market rather than dispersing capacity. For tourism-focused travel narratives, this concentration can be viewed as an effort to deepen connectivity on an established route framework without expanding into additional locations.
The delayed opening of reservations also leaves space for travelers to monitor developments before committing plans. While no further operational details have been shared, the filing itself establishes a clear intent and timeline, which can be relevant for forward-looking travel considerations tied to mid-2026 schedules.
Travellers arriving at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) this week were met with significant operational delays and cancellations. The capital’s primary airport saw 15 flight delays and 8 cancellations, leaving passengers stranded in terminals or scrambling to make last-minute travel arrangements. These disruptions come at a time when airports across Canada are already experiencing heightened demand due to the peak travel season.
Airport staff worked tirelessly to manage the growing number of queries, but for many passengers, the confusion only added to the frustration. Some passengers were stuck in terminals for hours, while others were redirected to other airports to find new connections. The chaos was felt especially in Ottawa’s popular domestic and international routes, affecting flights heading to major hubs like Toronto Pearson, Montreal Trudeau, and Vancouver International.
Ottawa’s Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, known for its efficient operations, is no stranger to disruptions, but the scale of this particular episode has raised concerns among frequent travellers. According to sources from Canada’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), delays and cancellations are often a result of a combination of weather conditions, air traffic congestion, and technical difficulties. However, in this case, many travellers were caught off guard by the delays.
A Closer Look at the Impact on Travellers
The most visible impact of the delays and cancellations was felt in the passenger lounges and ticketing counters. Passengers were initially notified of delays through the airport’s flight information display systems, but many still struggled to find clarity on whether their flights would be departing soon or if their connections would be affected. For some, it meant missing important business meetings or events in other cities, while others simply faced the inconvenience of having to re-book their journeys.
One traveller, Lorna Whitmore, shared her experience after a flight from Ottawa to Montreal Trudeau International Airport was delayed for more than four hours. “It was incredibly stressful not knowing when we’d be able to board the flight,” Whitmore explained. “We were only told that there was an issue with the plane, and we had no updates for over an hour. It was chaos.”
As delays mounted, several passengers also faced the grim reality of having to rebook their flights for the following day due to cancellations. Many reported that the airport’s customer service lines were overloaded, causing further frustration as staff tried to manage the influx of queries.
Why Did This Happen? Understanding the Causes of Delays and Cancellations
In recent months, several airports in Canada, including Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier, have struggled with operational efficiency, especially during the busy seasons. The situation at Ottawa’s airport reflects broader trends across the country where increased passenger traffic combined with staff shortages has created a perfect storm for disruptions.
According to aviation experts, flight delays and cancellations typically occur when factors such as weather, airspace congestion, or equipment issues compromise the operational efficiency of an airport. On days with bad weather or higher-than-usual demand, airports like Ottawa are vulnerable to congestion, which causes flight schedules to slip.
Despite these pressures, Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is known for its efficient infrastructure and commitment to keeping operations running smoothly. However, during the peak travel season, every airport experiences challenges. The air traffic control system can only handle so much at one time, and once delays start accumulating, it becomes increasingly difficult to recover the schedule.
Airlines Affected by the Ottawa Airport Disruptions
The airlines operating out of Ottawa were also caught in the web of delays. WestJet, Air Canada, Porter Airlines, and Jazz (ACA) were among the carriers experiencing the most significant delays at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier.
WestJet had multiple flights delayed, affecting passengers travelling to key destinations like Toronto and Vancouver.
Air Canada, as one of Canada’s largest carriers, also saw its operations impacted, with some of its popular domestic flights delayed due to earlier flight disruptions.
How the Airport Is Responding
In response to the delays, Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport issued a statement acknowledging the issues and assuring passengers that all steps were being taken to manage the disruptions. The airport management worked with airlines to reroute affected passengers and expedited the process of rebooking flights.
Airport officials are also reportedly working to enhance their real-time information systems to provide passengers with more accurate and timely updates. As airport traffic continues to increase, officials are planning to improve coordination with air traffic controllers to reduce future delays and enhance efficiency.
What the Future Holds: Moving Toward More Reliable Operations
While the recent disruptions have been frustrating for passengers, there is hope for improved efficiency in the future. Experts believe that as airports invest in modernising infrastructure and improving communication systems, operational challenges will become easier to manage.
Ottawa’s Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is likely to continue seeing growth in traffic, and officials are optimistic that the lessons learned from these recent disruptions will lead to better preparedness in the coming years. With improvements in air traffic management systems, better coordination between airlines, and a focus on customer service enhancements, future travel disruptions may be minimised.
For now, passengers can expect an enhanced focus on timely communication and streamlined rebooking processes, aimed at reducing the long waits and confusion that affected many during this incident. Passengers are advised to stay vigilant and regularly check flight statuses on official airline websites and the airport’s flight information boards.
A Personal Perspective: The Human Side of Airport Disruptions
For all the technical data, the reality of flight delays and cancellations boils down to the human element. Whether it’s a business traveller rushing to an important meeting or a family trying to reach a reunion, delays impact lives.
At Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier, passengers like David Monroe, who was trying to visit family in Toronto, expressed sympathy for the airport staff but also voiced concerns about the lack of timely updates. “It’s a frustrating experience, but I understand these things happen. What’s disappointing is the lack of clear communication,” said Monroe.
While the disruptions at Ottawa’s airport were unfortunate, they offer an opportunity to reflect on how airports and airlines can better serve the needs of their passengers in an increasingly complex travel landscape.
China Airlines has appointed Stellar Entertainment as its new inflight entertainment (IFE) content service provider, enabling a refreshed catalogue of films, television shows and audio programming for passengers. The partnership introduces premium content, including Disney+ offerings, to the carrier’s onboard entertainment portfolio — making China Airlines the first airline in Taiwan to offer Disney+ in the air. Content programming will be regularly updated based on seasonal studio schedules and passenger viewing trends, and will include movies, series and programmes from internationally recognised brands to improve cabin experience.
China Airlines, Taiwan’s principal international carrier, has announced a strategic enhancement to its inflight entertainment offerings by appointing Stellar Entertainment as its new IFE content service provider. The move is part of the airline’s continuous effort to modernise its onboard experience and meet evolving passenger expectations in long‑haul and regional travel. Under the new partnership, China Airlines will deliver a curated and regularly refreshed range of entertainment content, including films, TV shows, audio programmes and exclusive content from globally recognised brands. A key highlight of this upgrade is the incorporation of Disney+ entertainment options onboard, giving leisure and family travellers access to content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic. The refreshed offering reflects a broader focus on passenger satisfaction as cabin experience becomes an increasingly important element of full‑service travel in the competitive aviation market.
What the New IFE Partnership Entails
Under the new arrangement, Stellar Entertainment will function as the content service provider (CSP) for China Airlines’ IFE systems. This role includes curating, licensing and regularly updating the airline’s in‑flight entertainment catalogue to align with passenger preferences and industry trends. Programming will draw from a wide spectrum of genres and content formats, from popular Hollywood films and series to documentaries and family‑oriented content. The approach enhances variety and relevance for travellers across different demographics and journey types.
A stand‑out element of the partnership is the planned introduction of Disney+ onboard, which will be available across China Airlines’ network. This makes China Airlines the first Taiwanese carrier to integrate Disney+ content into its IFE offering, providing passengers with access to blockbuster franchises and beloved classics during their flights. Disney+ content will be presented alongside other high‑quality programming from major studios, including Warner Bros., Paramount and Universal.
Advantages for Travellers — Travel Experience Impact
Broader Choice and Premium Content
The enhanced IFE catalogue curated by Stellar Entertainment will offer travellers a wider array of films, series and audio programming, catering to diverse preferences including family‑friendly content from Disney+. This expanded offering can significantly improve travel experience, especially on long‑haul flights.
Relevance and Freshness
Regular updates to content based on seasonal studio releases and viewing trends mean that frequent flyers will see fresh and current entertainment options on successive trips. This avoids stale or repetitive choices, making each flight’s entertainment experience feel new and engaging.
First‑in‑Market Experience for Taiwan
By becoming the first Taiwanese airline to bring Disney+ content onboard, China Airlines sets a new standard for full‑service carriers in the region. Leisure and family travellers will particularly benefit from the inclusion of popular and iconic franchises available mid‑flight.
Improved Passenger Satisfaction
Inflight entertainment is a key component of overall travel satisfaction. Superior content offerings contribute to better passenger engagement and comfort, which can influence perception of the airline and repeat business.
Disadvantages and Considerations for Travellers
Content Access Varies by Aircraft and Route
Even with the content upgrade, availability of entertainment features can vary by aircraft type or route, meaning some passengers might not experience the full suite of offerings depending on their flight.
Potential Data or Connectivity Dependencies
Where streaming or Wi‑Fi‑assisted entertainment is involved, passengers may require in‑flight connectivity, which may be limited on certain flights or available for an additional fee.
Expectation Management
With the introduction of high‑profile content partners like Disney+, expectations for IFE quality will rise. The airline will need to maintain regular updates and high‑quality programming to meet traveller expectations consistently.
Conclusion — Travel Experience Enhancement
China Airlines’ appointment of Stellar Entertainment as its new IFE content service provider marks a significant upgrade in its inflight entertainment strategy. By curating a broader and more dynamic content catalogue — anchored by the introduction of Disney+ titles — the airline aims to enhance the overall cabin experience across its network. These improvements reflect a broader trend in aviation where carriers are investing in premium digital services to bolster passenger satisfaction and differentiate their product in a competitive travel market. For passengers, the refreshed entertainment offering promises a more enjoyable and engaging journey, though ride experience can vary based on aircraft and connectivity conditions.
Capella at Galaxy Macau, which is set to be launched in February 2026, is a major leap in the luxury hospitality sector. Macau is considered to be the entertainment capital of Asia. The unique service style of the hotel will play a significant role in the development of luxury hospitality. The hotel will be located in the heart of Galaxy Macau and will display a unique style by offering a luxury accommodation service that is different from the usual service that is being provided in the region. The unique style will also allow luxury travelers to have a unique escape. The accommodation will also have exclusive suites.
With Macau continuing to experience peak growth in its hospitality industry, driven by escalating demand for luxury tourism and premium travel experiences, Capella at Galaxy Macau is set to emerge as an important factor in upping the standards in luxury hospitality services. The opening is set to redefine luxury hotel offerings in Macau, promoting the growing trend for high-end tourism in Macau.
Luxury Hospitality Growth: Meeting the Demands of Affluent Travelers
The rapid expansion of luxury hospitality in Macau reflects the shifting preferences of today’s affluent travelers, who are increasingly seeking personalized experiences, innovative design, and cultural immersion. Capella at Galaxy Macau is at the forefront of this trend, offering a new standard of luxury that integrates art, design, and wellness. The hotel is designed to cater to this growing segment, providing an exceptional range of exclusive suites, fine dining, and curated cultural experiences that appeal to the evolving needs of modern luxury travelers.
As the demand for luxury experiences rises in Asia, particularly among high-net-worth individuals, Capella at Galaxy Macau taps into this growing market by offering guests an immersive experience that goes beyond traditional hotel stays. The hotel’s artful design, including custom LED installations, luxury amenities, and bespoke service, highlights the importance of personalized luxury in attracting international tourists who value authentic experiences and exclusive offerings.
Design and Art: Shaping Macau’s Luxury Hospitality Identity
Capella at Galaxy Macau exemplifies the growing trend of luxury hospitality combining art and design as core components of the guest experience. The hotel’s jungle-inspired design and the use of art throughout its public spaces not only reflect the vibrant culture of Macau but also enhance the experience of guests who expect more than just a place to stay. The lobby and private areas feature carefully curated pieces by renowned artists, such as Laura Cheung and Bruno Moinard, reflecting the city’s creative energy.
This emphasis on art and design mirrors the growing recognition of the luxury hospitality sector as a key player in cultural tourism. Capella’s commitment to design excellence not only elevates the hotel’s reputation but also contributes to the luxury tourism market in Macau, positioning the city as a destination for visitors seeking highly personalized, luxury experiences that engage with the local culture.
Culinary Excellence: The New Frontier for Luxury Hospitality
Another defining feature of Capella at Galaxy Macau is its focus on gastronomy. Under the leadership of Michelin-starred chef Vicky Cheng, the hotel is set to open an independent fine-dining restaurant in 2026, offering modern French cuisine that reflects Cheng’s adventurous culinary vision. This addition highlights the growing trend of culinary tourism in the luxury hospitality sector, where guests seek not just luxury accommodations, but also exceptional dining experiences that offer both innovative menus and culinary storytelling.
In addition to the fine-dining offerings, Capella’s Botanica restaurant, led by Executive Chef Stephen Hsu, brings an innovative take on international comfort food with Asian influences. This focus on gastronomic excellence positions Capella at Galaxy Macau as not only a leader in luxury accommodations but also in luxury gastronomy, contributing to Macau’s rising reputation as a culinary destination for luxury travelers.
Sustainability and Technology: The Future of Luxury Hospitality Growth
As part of Macau’s hospitality growth, sustainability has become an important focus for luxury hotels. Capella at Galaxy Macau incorporates eco-friendly practices into its design, offering sustainable luxury without compromising comfort. The hotel features energy-efficient systems, motion-sensing LED lighting, and sustainable materials throughout, aligning with global trends toward responsible tourism and green hospitality. These initiatives meet the increasing demand from eco-conscious luxury travelers who prioritize sustainability alongside luxury experiences.
The integration of technology into luxury travel is another significant aspect of Capella’s growth strategy. By offering state-of-the-art services, including digital concierge systems, customizable room controls, and interactive guest experiences, Capella caters to the growing tech-savvy luxury traveler who seeks seamless digital interactions during their stay.
Capella at Galaxy Macau – A Key Player in Luxury Hospitality Growth
Additionally, the opening of Capella at Galaxy Macau recognizes the increased significance of luxury hospitality in Asia and Macau’s new status as a global leader in luxury travel within the region. Ultimately, with its emphasis on design, personalized service, gastronomy, and cultural discovery, Capella at Galaxy Macau is elevating the pace of luxury hospitality development in Asia. As the luxury travel sector expands further, Capella is poised to be integral to the future of Macau’s travel sector, providing highly superior experiences for the globe’s most discerning travelers.
With its philosophy of sustainability, artistry, culinary excellence, and innovation, Capella at Galaxy Macau embodies everything that represents the future in luxury hospitality – an exclusive experience that is set to create new standards in luxury hotels in Macau and Asia.
Málaga serves as Spain’s southern coastal treasure which has developed into a vibrant and attractive dining destination that competes with other culinary locations throughout the nation. The food scene of the city in 2026 presents a captivating combination of traditional culinary elements and contemporary dining practices which showcase both its historical charm and its current culinary growth. The city of Málaga offers dining experiences that range from open flame grilled sardines to high-end culinary experiments which establish a new standard for dining in one of Spain’s most popular cities.
The Heart of Málaga’s Culinary Identity: Tradition with a Twist
Málaga’s food culture is anchored in its rich traditions, yet it never stands still. The culinary emblem of the city is undoubtedly espeto de sardinas, a simple yet perfectly executed dish of sardines grilled over a wood fire on the beach. This cooking technique, tied to the city’s fishing heritage, remains a firm favourite. The delicate balance of heat control, timing, and high-quality fish results in a dish that requires no adornment, it is perfect as is.
Another staple that defines Málaga’s identity is the fritura malagueña, a mixed fry of small fish and seafood. Locals know that the best versions of this dish are light, crisp, and dry, never greasy. These traditional meals are still a part of daily life in the city, but as Málaga’s food scene evolves, there is a noticeable shift towards culinary sophistication without sacrificing the authenticity of these iconic dishes.
A Modern Twist on Málaga’s Culinary Staples
While Málaga’s classic dishes like porra antequerana (a thick, hearty cold soup) and ajoblanco (an almond and garlic-based cold soup) remain a constant, there is a modernisation of their presentation. Chefs across the city are redefining these meals, adding creativity and precision while staying true to their roots. This marriage of the old and the new is what makes Málaga’s culinary scene so special in 2026.
Málaga’s food is also characterised by an openness to experimentation. Newer restaurants and cafés are playing with traditional Spanish flavours, bringing fresh influences from international cuisines while keeping the local essence intact. In this dynamic city, every meal is an opportunity to experience something both familiar and new.
Chiringuitos and the Beachfront Food Culture
For visitors who wish to experience Málaga’s food culture authentically, the chiringuitos (beachside restaurants) are a must-visit. These informal eateries have been an integral part of the city’s culinary identity for decades. In 2026, they come in two distinct flavours: classic and contemporary. Classic chiringuitos continue to focus on the traditional grilling methods, particularly the espeto de sardinas, while the newer wave of chiringuitos is bringing a more chef-driven approach to beachside dining, even incorporating curated omakase-style dining experiences.
The neighbourhoods of Pedregalejo and El Palo are renowned for their chiringuitos, where the seafood is fresh, the grills are hot, and the setting is unbeatable. Visitors can enjoy the smell of grilled sardines mingling with the ocean breeze as they sit back and savour the simplicity of beachside meals that have been perfected over generations.
The Mercado de Atarazanas: A Culinary Hub for Locals and Tourists
No visit to Málaga is complete without a trip to the Mercado de Atarazanas, one of the most vibrant food markets in Spain. Located in the heart of the city, Atarazanas is not just a place to buy fresh produce; it is a culinary journey in itself. The market offers everything from seafood to cured meats and locally grown fruits, providing a direct link to the city’s food culture. For anyone looking to experience the essence of Málaga’s cuisine, a walk through the market is essential.
Fine Dining in Málaga: A New Era of Flexible Gastronomy
While Málaga’s food culture is deeply connected to its coastal roots, the city has also embraced a new wave of fine dining that reflects its growing global stature. In 2026, the city boasts a flourishing modern restaurant scene, with chefs moving away from rigid, formal tasting menus in favour of more flexible dining experiences. Restaurants are offering diners the freedom to choose their dishes, control the pace of their meal, and enjoy a more relaxed, yet equally impressive dining experience.
These modern dining establishments represent a fresh attitude towards food. In Málaga, it’s no longer about following set rules; it’s about finding joy in eating, whether through a carefully curated tasting menu or a more casual à la carte meal. The city’s culinary offerings now range from elegant, easy-going fine dining to ambitious, high-concept restaurants that still maintain the city’s laid-back vibe.
The Campero: A Málaga Icon
The campero sandwich, another beloved local dish, is often overlooked but is truly essential to understanding Málaga’s culinary soul. This warm, pressed sandwich, filled with hot fillings and accompanied by bold sauces, is the perfect meal for a late lunch or quick dinner. It represents Málaga’s unique blend of everyday comfort food and elevated culinary traditions. As one of the city’s most iconic street foods, the campero continues to be a firm favourite among locals and tourists alike.
Málaga’s Wine Culture: A Perfect Pairing for Every Meal
While beer is a common accompaniment to many meals in Málaga, the region’s wine culture deserves more attention. Málaga is known for its sweet wines, particularly those made from Moscatel and Pedro Ximénez grapes. These wines pair beautifully with Málaga’s seafood dishes, such as fritura malagueña, and offer a unique opportunity to experience local flavours.
For dessert or a slower, more relaxed meal, a glass of Málaga’s sweet wine can transform a simple dinner into something truly memorable. Wine pairings are becoming an integral part of dining in Málaga, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the city’s culinary heritage.
A Culinary Map for 2026: Experience Málaga Like a Local
In 2026, Málaga’s food scene offers something for everyone. Whether you’re after traditional dishes like espeto de sardinas or seeking out modern dining experiences that push the boundaries of Spanish cuisine, Málaga’s culinary map is ready to be explored. The city’s food culture continues to evolve, but it remains deeply rooted in the traditions that have defined it for centuries.
Looking Ahead
Málaga has established itself as one of Spain’s top culinary destinations. The city maintains its historical food traditions while developing contemporary culinary practices. The dining options in Málaga range from beachside barbecue restaurants to upscale dining establishments, which showcase the city’s culinary heritage and its ongoing development as a modern city. The most authentic way to experience Málaga exists through its culinary offerings, which make the city essential for all food enthusiasts.
South Korea-based low-cost carrier T’way Air has outlined plans to introduce a new international route connecting Seoul Incheon International Airport with Jakarta during the Northern Summer 2026 season. Reservations for the route have already been opened, indicating firm intent to enter one of Southeast Asia’s most significant air travel markets.
The service is scheduled to begin on 29 April 2026 and represents another step in the carrier’s broader international growth strategy. With this addition, travelers will gain a new nonstop option between South Korea and Indonesia, a pairing that plays a notable role in regional travel flows across Asia.
Flight Schedule, Aircraft, and Capacity Details
Operations on the Incheon–Jakarta route are planned five times per week, with flights scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The route is set to be operated using an Airbus A330-300 aircraft, positioned as a mid- to large-sized widebody within T’way Air’s fleet plans for long-haul and high-demand markets.
The configured aircraft will offer a total of 347 seats. Of these, 12 seats will be allocated to business class, while the remaining 335 seats will be designated for economy class passengers. This cabin layout reflects a mixed-use approach, accommodating both premium and high-volume travel demand on the route.
By deploying the A330-300, the airline is aligning aircraft capacity with expected passenger volumes between South Korea and Indonesia. The choice of equipment also signals an emphasis on efficiency and consistency across longer international sectors within its expanding network.
Jakarta as a Gateway for Regional Travel
Jakarta holds a central position within Indonesia as the country’s political, economic, and cultural focal point. From a travel perspective, the city functions as a major Southeast Asian hub, supporting onward connectivity to other destinations within the country.
For travelers arriving from Seoul Incheon, Jakarta serves as an entry point that connects with popular Indonesian destinations, including Bali and Yogyakarta. This positioning reinforces Jakarta’s role as a strategic gateway rather than solely a point-to-point destination, particularly for visitors planning multi-stop itineraries while traveling in the region.
The addition of a nonstop service from Incheon is positioned to support travel flows that extend beyond the capital itself, strengthening the overall accessibility of Indonesia from Northeast Asia.
What This Route Means for Travelers
From a travel-oriented standpoint, the planned service introduces additional flexibility for passengers moving between South Korea and Indonesia. A five-times-weekly schedule allows for varied departure options across the week, which can be relevant for both short stays and extended travel plans.
The presence of both business and economy class seating ensures that different traveler segments are accommodated within the same service structure. This balance supports a broad spectrum of passenger needs without altering the core configuration of the route.
As international travel networks continue to diversify, routes such as Incheon–Jakarta play a role in shaping how travelers navigate Southeast Asia, particularly when direct connectivity is available from major Northeast Asian hubs.
Tourism-Focused Network Expansion
The planned Jakarta route fits into T’way Air’s wider international expansion strategy, which currently spans Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Japan, Central Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America. Within this context, Indonesia represents an additional layer of connectivity in a region already central to tourism-driven travel.
By strengthening its Southeast Asia presence, the airline is positioning itself within markets that are closely associated with leisure travel patterns. The route structure and aircraft selection suggest a focus on sustained demand rather than seasonal experimentation.
From a tourism lens, expanded airline networks contribute to broader travel accessibility, allowing destinations to be reached with fewer transfers and more predictable schedules.
Strengthening Links Across Asia and Beyond
The launch of the Incheon–Jakarta route also reflects a broader trend of airlines reinforcing links between Northeast and Southeast Asia. For travelers, this translates into more direct routing options and potentially smoother journeys across the region.
As T’way Air continues to build out its international footprint, routes such as this align with its stated goal of enhancing connections across multiple continents. The Jakarta service complements existing routes by filling a geographic gap within Southeast Asia, while maintaining alignment with the airline’s overall network scope.
With reservations already available and a defined start date in place, the Incheon–Jakarta route stands as a clear component of the carrier’s Northern Summer 2026 plans, reinforcing its role in Asia-focused travel connectivity.
Snapdragon’s latest flagship processor is a scorching performer in more ways than one. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset delivers blazing-fast performance for 2026’s Android flagships, but early tests show it also runs extremely hot. With great power comes great heat: some benchmark stress tests pushed this chip to a searing 56°C internally, which is far too hot to hold comfortably. While everyday tasks won’t reach such extremes, heavy gaming or rendering can turn your phone into a hand-warmer and even trigger emergency cooldown measures. Here’s what you need to know about the 8 Gen 5’s thermal issues and what they mean for you.
Blistering Temperatures in Stress Tests
A clear example comes from the Red Magic 11 Pro, a gaming phone built specifically for sustained performance. According to testing reported by Android Authority, the device shut down during a 3DMark stress test despite using an active cooling fan and a dedicated thermal system. This result shows that even phones designed for gaming struggle to control the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 under maximum load.
Standard flagship phones fare worse. In testing of the Nubia Z80 Ultra, reported by PhoneArena, surface temperatures exceeded 50°C, making the phone uncomfortable to hold. Without active cooling, the device was forced to reduce performance quickly to prevent further heat buildup. These results highlight how difficult it is for passive cooling systems to handle this chip during sustained workloads.
Big Performance Drops Under Load
Excess heat leads directly to thermal throttling. In GPU stress tests, some Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 devices saw performance drop by more than 50 percent from the start of the test to the end. In extreme scenarios, sustained heat forced the chip down to less than one third of its peak performance.
By the end of prolonged tests, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 was running slower than the previous generation flagship processor. While the chip excels at short bursts of speed, it struggles to maintain those levels without aggressive cooling. In long gaming or rendering sessions, older chips that generate less heat can sometimes deliver more consistent performance.
Gaming Phones Help, But Only to a Point
Gaming phones still handle the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 better than standard flagships. Larger vapor chambers, liquid cooling systems, and internal fans allow devices like the RedMagic 11 Pro to sustain performance for longer periods. However, testing confirms that even these phones can suffer shutdowns or severe throttling during extreme workloads.
This points to a wider issue across the industry. Cooling systems are struggling to keep up with the power demands of modern flagship processors. Raw performance gains are increasingly limited by how effectively heat can be removed from the chip.
Daily Use Is Mostly Fine
For most users, these thermal issues will rarely appear. Reports from long-term daily use show no noticeable overheating or throttling during common tasks. Web browsing, messaging, navigation, video streaming, and casual gaming do not push the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 close to its limits.
Heat problems mainly occur during sustained high-load scenarios. Extended gaming sessions, graphically demanding titles, emulation, and heavy rendering workloads are where performance drops become noticeable. Casual users will experience fast and smooth performance, while power users may see dips during long sessions.
Looking Ahead: Cooling Tech to the Rescue?
Thermal challenges like these have phone makers and chip designers looking for new solutions. Interestingly, Samsung has developed a “Heat Pass Block” (HPB) technology that could help tame hot chips in the future. HPB essentially adds a tiny heat-sink layer directly on top of the processor to dissipate heat more effectively. It first appeared in Samsung’s Exynos 2600, where it delivered about a 16% improvement in thermal resistance thanks to a copper layer that helps draw heat away from the silicon. Rumor has it Qualcomm might adopt this Heat Pass Block tech in the next Snapdragon 8 Gen 6 processor to help rein in temperatures. If true, that could allow next-gen phones to run cooler or at least sustain peak performance longer than the 8 Gen 5 does.
In the meantime, expect smartphone brands to get increasingly creative with cooling. We’re already seeing bigger vapor chambers in devices (Apple even added one in the iPhone 17 Pro for the first time), and some gaming phones include mini internal fans. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 shows that cooling is now as critical as raw performance. For everyday use, it remains a powerful and reliable chip. Under sustained workloads, however, heat management has become the defining challenge for flagship smartphones.
Lexar has officially launched the JumpDrive D500, a new high-speed solid-state USB drive with both USB Type-A and Type-C connectors. The product is now listed on the company’s website and targets users who want fast, reliable storage that works across multiple platforms, including phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops.
Lexar JumpDrive D500 Specifications
The JumpDrive D500 uses the USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface and is available in four capacities: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. Lexar claims the drive can deliver maximum read speeds of up to 400MB/s and write speeds of up to 400MB/s.
The 128GB and 256GB models feature 400MB/s read and 360MB/s write speeds, while the 512GB version hits 400MB/s for both read and write. The 1TB variant records slightly lower read speeds at 390MB/s but maintains a 400MB/s write speed.
The drive features a compact swivel design with a metal housing made of aluminum alloy. It supports 360-degree rotation and includes a lanyard loop for added portability. Lexar has designed the drive to handle daily wear and tear while maintaining its performance across a wide temperature range from 0°C to 50°C.
Lexar has also integrated support for its dedicated mobile app. The Lexar app is available for Android, iOS, and HarmonyOS and enables automatic backup of photos and videos from smartphones. It works offline and supports features like Live Photo backup on iPhones. However, it does not support iCloud backup or devices running HarmonyOS Next.
The dual-connector layout allows seamless file transfer between devices without adapters. Lexar claims the 1TB version can store over 300,000 photos, 18,000 minutes of HD video, or more than 110,000 songs.
Lexar backs the JumpDrive D500 with a 5-year limited warranty. The drive is expected to become available through retail and online channels globally.
In related news, Lexar has also launched the JumpDrive A50V and C50V USB drives recently in 512GB and 1TB variants, offering read speeds of up to 200MB/s.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Foldable phones once promised to be the next big wave in smartphones, bringing a fresh take on a pocket large screen experience. But after years of fast growth, 2025 marked the first real slowdown for the category. Industry data has revealed that the foldable segment not only cooled off, but may have actually declined. But is this just a one-off dip, or does it point to a wider trend? Read on to find out.
Foldables in 2025: A Rare Decline After Years of Expansion
For much of the early 2020s, foldables grew rapidly as more brands entered the space and technology improved. These flexible phones got better and better, and certain models became a lot more accessible in terms of pricing. However, reports have projected a drop in foldable smartphone growth in 2025. According to Counterpoint Research, panel shipments for foldable displays are expected to fall about 4% in 2025 after flat gains in 2024.
Motorola Razr Fold
The report adds that shipment figures show a broader trend of foldable phones losing popularity as manufacturers shipped fewer models than in previous years. The declining number of distinct foldable phones in 2025 reflects caution from brands that once flooded the market with multiple models.
Samsung’s Sales Dip and Market Share Struggles
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 2026 Olympic Edition
Samsung has been the long standing leader in the foldable segment. But the South Korean tech giant has been seeing a decline in foldable sales. This continues even after the release of its latest Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 series of foldable phones. Overall, foldables still make up a tiny slice of the entire smartphone landscape. Despite eye-catching new releases, they’re estimated to account for just around 1.5% of all smartphone sales. In other words, more than 98% of phones sold remain traditional slabs.
Consumers Are Still Wary
While the global market cooled, China bucked the trend with solid growth. Foldable shipments in China expanded significantly, with reports indicating over 30% growth in 2025, thanks mainly to strong demand for Huawei’s models and other local brands. That regional outperformance highlights that demand pockets do exist, although this does not reflect a true global momentum just yet.
Why 2026 Could Be Pivotal
Many analysts see 2026 as a turning point for the foldable category, and one major reason that could back this growth is Apple’s highly anticipated first foldable iPhone. Multiple reports suggest Apple plans to launch a foldable device in the second half of 2026, potentially leveraging its massive customer base to expand awareness and adoption.
This could be great for the entire foldable segment since Apple’s entry could expand markets rather than just redistribute existing demand. Apple’s launch of its foldable will likely lead to significant growth in foldable display shipments in 2026 as well, thanks to renewed interest.
What 2026 Needs to Break Through
Here’s what the foldable phones need to truly shift from niche to mainstream in 2026:
Better pricing and durability: Foldables need to close the price gap with high-end flat phones and continue ramping up durability to lessen repair and longevity concerns.
Clear use-cases: These devices must stand out with everyday advantages for productivity, multitasking and media.
Apple’s entry as a catalyst: If Apple’s foldable iPhone delivers strong performance and ecosystem synergy, it could validate the category for millions more buyers outside current early adopters.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Special edition phones have become more than just flashy devices. These devices are now collectibles, conversation pieces, and often reimagined versions of hardware you already know and love. So for January 2026, we have compiled a list of a few standout limited edition smartphones that tap into pop culture, global events, fashion, gaming, and more. From Westeros-inspired dragons to Swarovski bling, here’s a guide to the most appealing special edition phones around right now.
Realme 15 Pro Game of Thrones Limited Edition
First on the list, we have the Realme 15 Pro Game of Thrones Edition that goes all-in on fantasy with a bespoke design and collector appeal. Inspired by HBO’s iconic series, this special variant features a color-changing “Dragonfire” leather back that shifts from black to red in higher temperatures.
Realme 15 Pro Game of Thrones Limited Edition
The phone also sports custom golden accents around the camera module and themed UI elements, plus exclusive packaging that includes Westeros-related memorabilia like house sigils and souvenirs. Apart from the nod to the popular fantasy series, the limited edition model features the same specs as the regular Realme 15 Pro, which include the 6.8-inch 144Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, and a 7,000 mAh battery.
Motorola Edge 70 Swarovski Edition
If fashion tech is your thing, the Motorola Edge 70 Swarovski Edition is one of the most elegant special phones this season. This variant dresses the Edge 70 in Pantone’s 2026 Colour of the Year, Cloud Dancer. This adds a soft and serene white finish that is decorated with 14 Swarovski crystals.
Motorola Edge 70 Swarovski Edition
It is a part of Motorola’s “Brilliant Collection” and adds a luxurious bling to the super thin phone. The rest of the specs of the Edge 70 remain identical, bringing a 6.67-inch pOLED display, Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, 50MP dual cameras on the rear, a 4,800mAh battery pack, and a sub-6mm body.
Motorola Razr FIFA World Cup 2026 Edition
For fans of football, Motorola has another great limited edition phone for you. The Motorola Razr FIFA World Cup 2026 Edition arrives as a celebration of the sport’s biggest event. This special edition model keeps the Razr’s base flip phone hardware but adds a themed vegan-leather exterior patterned with colorful graphics inspired by the tournament’s branding.
Motorola Razr FIFA World Cup 2026 Edition
You’ll find FIFA-themed wallpapers, ringtones, and logos pre-loaded, making this not just a phone but a celebratory accessory for fans. Hardware-wise, you get a tall 6.9-inch foldable AMOLED display, a MediaTek Dimensity 7400X chipset, a 3.6-inch cover display, and a 4,500mAh battery that supports 30W wired fast charging and 15W wireless charging.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 Olympic Edition
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition is one of the standout special releases of early 2026. Designed specifically for athletes participating in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, this Flip 7 variant features a unique blue-and-gold theme inspired by Olympic spirit, plus curated apps like communication tools for athletes and connectivity enhancements.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 2026 Olympic Edition
Although not available directly to the public, this edition is being gifted to thousands of Olympians and Paralympians and could become a prized collector item in resale communities. It preserves the Flip7’s core foldable hardware while adding distinctive design and software elements tied to the games.
Red Magic 11 Pro+ Wuthering Waves Edition
Gamers looking for something vibrant should check out the Red Magic 11 Pro+ Wuthering Waves Edition, launched in China with an Energy Red themed design inspired by the popular mobile game Wuthering Waves. Beyond the striking colorway, this edition includes custom UI themes, icons, wallpapers and even themed charging animations, along with themed accessories like a protective case and badges.
Red Magic 11 Pro+ Wuthering Waves Edition
The hardware remains flagship-grade with specs such as a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, a 6.85-inch 144Hz AMOLED display, a 7,500 mAh battery, RGB lighting effects, and an active cooling system with a built-in fan.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Lexar has launched new 512GB and 1TB variants of its JumpDrive A50V and C50V dashcam USB drives. The expanded storage lineup is aimed at drivers who require long-duration video recording for vehicle surveillance and security. The 1TB model can store up to 96 hours of footage from four dashcams in Li Auto vehicles.
Lexar JumpDrive A50V & C50V Specifications
The JumpDrive A50V uses a USB-A connector, while the C50V is equipped with USB-C. Both drives support USB 3.2 Gen 1 and offer read and write speeds of up to 200MB/s. Lexar uses high-quality TLC NAND flash memory in both models, which helps improve durability and allows the drives to handle high rewrite workloads over extended periods.
Lexar said the drives are designed for continuous 24/7 loop recording and can automatically overwrite older footage when storage is full. This feature supports dashcam and sentry mode use in electric and connected vehicles. The drives ship preformatted in exFAT but can be reformatted to FAT32 or NTFS if required.
The JumpDrive C50V measures 28.8 x 22.5 x 16.23 mm and weighs 13.5 grams. The USB-A based A50V is slightly smaller at 22.5 x 14.9 x 20.25 mm and weighs 6.2 grams. Both models are built to withstand extreme in-car temperatures. Lexar rates the drives to operate between -40°C and 75°C, with storage temperature tolerance up to 100°C.
Lexar said the drives passed compatibility testing with various new energy vehicles. They support plug-and-play functionality on many systems, though some vehicles may require formatting via the infotainment system. Each drive includes a one-year limited warranty and has passed Lexar’s internal automotive-grade reliability testing.
Pricing and Availability
The 512GB model is priced at 779 yuan ($112), while the 1TB version is priced at 1,419 yuan ($205). The new storage options are now available in China through official retail channels.
Realme has announced a new colour option for its 2025 Breakthrough Best Seller smartphone, the Realme Narzo 90x 5G. The new finish is called Valentine’s Special Maroon. It joins the existing Nitro Blue and Flash Blue options and becomes the third colour variant available for the device.
The Valentine’s Special Maroon version will go on sale starting 14 February 2026 at 12 PM. It will be available through Amazon India and the Realme India website. The company has not confirmed pricing yet, but it is expected to match the current colour variants. Since this is only a new colour option, there are no changes to the hardware or software. Realme may announce launch-day offers or limited discounts, which should be detailed once sales begin.
The Narzo 90x 5G originally launched on December 16. It features a 6.8-inch LCD display with a 1570×720 pixel resolution. The screen supports a 144Hz refresh rate, a 180Hz touch sampling rate, and up to 1,200 nits of peak brightness. Display protection is handled by DT-Star D+ glass.
The smartphone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor. The chipset includes two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores running at 2GHz, paired with a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. It comes with 6GB or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of eMMC 5.1 storage. Storage can be expanded up to 2TB using a microSD card.
For cameras, the phone features a 50MP Sony IMX852 rear sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and an 8MP front camera with an f/2.0 aperture. Both cameras support 1080p video recording at 30fps. Other features include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, a single bottom-firing speaker with 400 percent Ultra Volume, an IP65 rating, and MIL-STD 810H certification.
The Narzo 90x 5G packs a 7,000mAh battery with support for 60W fast charging. It measures 166.07×77.93×8.28mm and weighs 212g. Connectivity options include 5G SA and NSA bands n1, n3, n5, n8, n28B, n40, n41, n77, and n78, along with dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.3, and a USB Type-C port. The phone runs Android 15 with realme UI 6.0.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Battery capacity in smartphones keeps creeping upward, but this latest rumor suggests Oppo might be preparing something on an entirely different level.
According to Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station, Oppo has entered trial production for a new dual-cell battery pack rated at around 8,500mAh typical capacity. If accurate, that would put it well above most current flagships.
Oppo Find X9 Pro
The leak claims the setup consists of two 4,190mAh cells, giving a combined rated capacity of 8,380mAh and a typical advertised figure close to 8,500mAh. More interestingly, it’s said to support 100W fast charging without aggressive throttling. The tipster didn’t confirm the exact device, but the clues point toward the upcoming Find X10 series, likely a higher-end variant.
The current Oppo Find X9 lineup already pushed battery capacity past the 7,000mAh mark. Moving to 8,500mAh wouldn’t feel out of place.
Other rumors around the Find X10 series include dual 200MP cameras and a next-gen chipset, potentially something in the Dimensity 9600 class. So pairing that hardware with a massive battery would make sense.
There’s also a possibility this battery could land in a future OnePlus flagship instead. However, separate leaks suggest OnePlus may be experimenting with even larger capacities, possibly approaching 9,000mAh and 120W charging.
Chinese brands have been aggressively pushing battery innovation lately. Companies like Honor, Xiaomi, and Vivo are all experimenting with higher-capacity silicon-carbon cells.
The logic is straightforward: efficiency gains alone aren’t enough anymore. To meaningfully extend battery life, brands are increasing physical capacity while trying to maintain fast charging speeds and manageable thermals.
Nothing has been officially announced yet, and trial production doesn’t guarantee final implementation. The Find X10 series is expected sometime in late 2026, so there’s still room for adjustments.
But if this leak holds up, Oppo could be positioning its next flagship as another genuine battery champion. For anyone tired of charging every night, that alone makes this rumor worth watching.
OnePlus has started rolling out OxygenOS 16.0.3.500 for users in India. The update is now available for the OnePlus 11 and the OnePlus 12R. As with previous updates, this is an incremental OTA and will first reach a small number of users before expanding to a wider rollout over the next few days.
OnePlus 11OnePlus 12R
For the OnePlus 11, the update focuses on small usability changes and security improvements. In Drawer mode, app categorization has been improved with the addition of two new categories called Office and Finance. These categories are meant to make it easier to find work-related and finance apps without scrolling through long app lists. The update also includes the February 2026 Android security patch, which fixes known security issues and improves overall system safety.
Privacy-related features have also been updated on the OnePlus 11. Users can now browse files stored in Private Safe by sliding the side slider. It is also possible to search for files directly within folders inside Private Safe. In addition, files stored in Private Safe can now be shared without moving them to another location, making secure file handling quicker and more practical.
The OnePlus 12R receives a different set of changes focused on charging and battery use. OxygenOS 16.0.3.500 adds a new bypass charging feature. When the phone is used for gaming, video streaming, live streaming, navigation, or other high-load tasks, users can connect the charger and enable bypass charging. This allows the phone to draw power directly from the charger instead of the battery, which helps reduce heat and battery wear during heavy use. The OnePlus 12R also receives the February 2026 Android security patch.
Like the OnePlus 11, the 12R gains the same Private Safe improvements. Users can browse files using the side slider, search for files within Private Safe folders, and share files directly from Private Safe.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Samsung is expected to begin mass production of its Exynos 2700 processor in the second half of 2026, according to a report from The Korea Economic Daily citing Kiwoom Securities. Analyst Park Yoo-ak stated that the chip will be manufactured using Samsung Foundry’s second-generation 2nm GAA process (SF2P), with initial yields reaching approximately 50%.
The Exynos 2700 could mark a significant shift in Samsung’s mobile strategy. The chip is projected to power around 50% of the upcoming Galaxy S27 series smartphones. This would be a sharp increase compared to the Exynos 2600, which currently powers about 25% of the Galaxy S26 lineup. The Galaxy S26 Ultra exclusively uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip across all markets.
Park Yoo-ak noted that yield improvements and growing customer demand for cost-effective solutions are expected to help the Exynos 2700 gain more traction. Samsung has reportedly asked its partners to promote the SF2P process, which indicates confidence in the chip’s production readiness.
Samsung completed the base design of the Exynos 2700 in 2025. Benchmark leaks suggest a 10-core CPU layout using a unique 4+1+4+1 cluster configuration and a new AMD-based Xclipse 970 GPU. The early test results showed lower clock speeds and performance figures, but the chip appears to be in its engineering phase.
Kiwoom Securities expects Samsung’s non-memory division to post a 21% year-over-year revenue increase to 36.4 trillion won ($24.8 billion) next year. The firm also forecasts an operating profit of 1.8 trillion won ($1.22 billion) for the division.
Samsung aims to cut reliance on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips and turn its mobile processor business profitable by expanding Exynos deployment in future flagship phones.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and the Galaxy Watch Ultra isn’t just about specs; it’s about lifestyle. One is designed for everyday comfort and smart health tracking, while the other targets extreme durability and outdoor performance. With limited-time discounts currently live for US customers, the decision becomes even more relevant right now. This comparison breaks down where each watch truly excels, helping buyers decide whether sleek practicality or rugged endurance offers better value during the ongoing deal window.
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Design and Display
Build & Comfort
Galaxy Watch 8 focuses on comfort and daily usability. Its slim aluminum body and lighter weight make it easy to wear all day and comfortable during sleep. The flatter design also fits better under sleeves, giving it a clean, classic smartwatch feel.
Galaxy Watch Ultra, on the other hand, prioritizes durability. Its titanium frame and thicker build feel extremely solid, but the added weight is noticeable during long wear. It feels more like an outdoor instrument than a lifestyle accessory. Both meet MIL-STD-810H standards, but the Ultra’s materials inspire more confidence in harsh conditions.
Display Brightness & Visibility
Watch 8 stands out with a 3000-nit peak brightness, offering excellent visibility in direct sunlight. The Ultra’s display remains sharp and colorful, but doesn’t match the same brightness advantage.
Verdict
Watch 8 favors comfort and visibility, while Watch Ultra is built for toughness over elegance.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Sensors & Tracking Accuracy
Both watches share Samsung’s BioActive sensor suite, delivering accurate heart rate, SpO₂, ECG, and sleep data. The Watch 8 adds an antioxidant index, leaning more toward wellness insights. The Watch Ultra counters with water temperature tracking, clearly targeting swimmers and outdoor users. For everyday health tracking, accuracy remains largely similar across both.
Workout Modes
Workout support is strong on both models, with automatic detection and detailed post-activity stats. The Watch Ultra feels better suited for long hikes, swimming, and endurance workouts due to its rugged build and larger battery. The Watch 8 comfortably handles gym sessions, runs, and daily fitness routines without feeling excessive.
Verdict
Watch 8 is ideal for daily health tracking, while Watch Ultra shines in demanding fitness environments.
Performance and Software
UI Smoothness
Both watches run on the Exynos W1000 (3nm) chipset with 2GB RAM, resulting in smooth navigation and fast app launches. Every day performance feels identical, even during multitasking. Watch 8 ships with Wear OS 6, giving it a slight head start in software longevity.
App Support & Features
App support remains the same across both, including Google apps, Samsung Health, LTE calling, and payments. The Ultra’s higher storage option benefits users who store offline music or maps, though most users may not need it. Software polish is consistent and mature on both devices.
Verdict
Performance is evenly matched, with Watch 8 gaining a small edge thanks to newer software out of the box.
Battery and Connectivity
Battery Life
Battery life is a clear advantage for the Watch Ultra. Its 590 mAh battery lasts noticeably longer, especially with GPS or LTE usage. The Watch 8 delivers reliable one-day battery life but requires more frequent charging. Both support 10W wireless charging.
GPS, Bluetooth, LTE
Connectivity options are identical, including dual-frequency GPS, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, NFC, and eSIM. GPS accuracy and call reliability are consistent on both models, even in challenging environments.
Verdict
Watch Ultra wins on battery endurance, while Watch 8 is sufficient for regular daily use.
Pricing
At around $259.99, the Galaxy Watch 8 offers strong value with flagship-level features at a more accessible price. The Galaxy Watch Ultra, priced at $379, justifies its cost through premium materials and longer battery life rather than added software features. The price gap is significant and only makes sense for users who need extra durability.
Disclaimer: Prices are approximate and may vary based on country, region, and applicable taxes.
Conclusion
Best For Whom
Galaxy Watch 8 is best for users who want a lightweight, comfortable smartwatch focused on daily health and fitness. Galaxy Watch Ultra is designed for outdoor enthusiasts, swimmers, and users who prioritize durability and battery life.
Final Verdict
Galaxy Watch 8 delivers a better all-around experience for most users, while Galaxy Watch Ultra is a powerful but more specialized option.
100MP selfie test: A 100MP front camera is being tested, a possible industry first.
Dual 200MP rear cameras: The prototype includes 200MP main and 200MP telephoto sensors.
Impact still unclear: Real benefits will depend on software, heat control, and processing power.
According to a well-known Chinese tipster, Digital Chat Station, a major smartphone brand is testing an extreme camera setup for its next ultra-flagship phone. The prototype reportedly features a 200MP main rear camera, a 200MP telephoto camera, and a 100MP front-facing camera. If released, the 100MP selfie camera would be an industry first.
The leak notes that the device uses a custom small-pixel sensor solution and is still in early testing, meaning the final hardware may change before launch. The manufacturer’s identity was not revealed, but commenters speculate it could be OPPO or vivo.
This development is notable because front cameras have seen far fewer upgrades compared to rear cameras. A 100MP selfie sensor could significantly improve video calls, live streaming, vlogging, and social media content creation, areas where smartphones are increasingly replacing dedicated cameras. However, challenges such as processing load, heat, storage demands, and real-world image quality could limit how transformative such high resolutions actually are.
Industry trends already point toward dual 200MP rear camera systems becoming common in future flagships. At the same time, companies like Huawei, OPPO, and vivo are reportedly experimenting with new front-camera sensor formats.
For now, all details remain unconfirmed, but the testing hints at where smartphone imaging could be heading next.
New Spring Festival features add countdowns, animated fireworks, and gesture controls to the rear display
Major camera upgrades improve video recording, night scenes, and creative shooting modes
Festive back screen features are exclusive to the China-only Xiaomi 17 Pro series
Xiaomi 17 Pro
Xiaomi has announced a new Spring Festival software update for its Xiaomi 17 Pro series, introducing festive back screen functions along with a range of camera enhancements. The update is scheduled to roll out in mid-February.
One of the main additions is a set of Lunar New Year features designed for the phone’s rear secondary display. From Lunar New Year Day 1 through Day 7, the back screen wallpaper will update automatically at midnight each day.
On New Year’s Eve, a countdown animation will begin at 11:55 PM. When midnight is reached, a fireworks animation will automatically play on the rear display.
The update also introduces gesture-controlled interactions. Users can trigger the fireworks animation remotely by making a fist and then opening their hand in front of the back screen, without touching the device.
In addition to festive visuals, Xiaomi is expanding camera capabilities across the Xiaomi 17 series. Intelligent Scene Card support, adapted from the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, improves photo and video capture for fireworks and stage performance scenes.
For video creators, Xiaomi has added LOFIC recording with support for up to 4K at 60 frames per second, enhanced LOG recording with additional LUTs, dual-view recording using both front and rear cameras, and rear-screen full-frame recording for immersive video selfies. Further improvements include better slow-motion performance, enhanced night video, and improved ultra-wide-angle distortion correction.
The new back screen festive features are exclusive to the China-only variant of the Xiaomi 17 Pro series. International users will not receive these features, as the Pro models are not available globally.
Xiaomi 17 Pro Series — Updates:
Spring Festival Back Screen Features
Daily Lunar New Year wallpapers from Day 1 to Day 7
New Year’s Eve countdown animation on the rear display
Fireworks animation triggered automatically at midnight
Air-gesture control to trigger fireworks without touching the phone
Features rely on the rear secondary display
Camera Updates
Intelligent Scene Card support adapted from Xiaomi 17 Ultra
Dynamic photo capture while recording video
Enhanced LOG video recording with expanded LUT support
Customizable camera interface and toolbar layout
Dual-view recording using front and rear cameras simultaneously
Improved slow-motion video performance
Enhanced night-scene video recording
Improved ultra-wide-angle distortion correction
Camera Features With Explicit Hardware Limits
LOFIC video recording with support up to 4K at 60fps
Honor has been launching two generations of numbered smartphones each year in China, while the global market typically receives only select models. That’s why the Honor 300 and 500 series were launched in China but skipped for global markets. Now, the brand is said to be working on the Honor 600 series for both China and international markets.
In the latest development, Honor is gearing up to launch the Honor 600 Lite. The device was recently spotted on multiple certification platforms, and it has now appeared on Geekbench, revealing its chipset and other key details.
Honor 600 Lite Geekbench listing
Recent certifications, such as GCF and TDRA (UAE), have revealed that an Honor phone bearing the model number LNA-NX1 will be called the Honor 600 Lite when it arrives in the global market. Honor has not launched a “Lite” version of its numbered series in China before, so the 600 Lite is unlikely to be released there.
The Honor 600 Lite’s Geekbench listing indicates that it is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7100 chipset. Currently, the only other phone known to feature this chip is the Infinix Note Edge, and it is speculated that the upcoming Tecno Pova Curve 2 may also adopt it.
While the chipset name is not explicitly mentioned in the Geekbench listing, the model number MT6858 along with CPU and GPU details (via metadata) are enough to confirm that the device features the Dimensity 7100 SoC.
The Geekbench listing further shows that the Honor 600 Lite comes with 8GB of RAM and runs Android 16, which is likely paired with MagicOS 10. It achieved scores of 994 and 3023 points in the single-core and multi-core tests, respectively.
Honor 600 Lite NBTC listing
Apart from appearing on Geekbench, the device has also surfaced in the database of Thailand’s NBTC certification. As usual, the listing hasn’t revealed anything significant about it. Upcoming reports are expected to reveal more details about the device.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
HyperOS 3 is one of the biggest upgrades to Xiaomi devices to date, bringing loads of new features and improvements across the system. It’s based on Android 16, but on top of that, Xiaomi has introduced several exciting and useful features in HyperOS 3 that make the stock Android feel like a less feature-rich update.
Here are the five HyperOS 3 features that make it better than stock Android.
Android 16 adds Live Updates to show ongoing tasks (delivery, ride, etc.) in the notification area and on the lock screen, but HyperOS 3 goes much further with HyperIsland. Xiaomi’s implementation features a dedicated pill-style hub at the top of the screen with the ability to show multiple live activities at once (up to three), letting users monitor several concurrent tasks simultaneously and interact with each individually.
HyperIsland offers rich inline controls (play/pause, call actions, accept/decline, navigation shortcuts, etc.) and supports gestures like tapping to expand and swiping to switch islands. What’s more interesting is that users can swipe down an island to open the related app into a floating window for instant multitasking. The Live Updates in Android 16 have fewer controls and don’t offer floating-window behavior for islands.
Xiaomi’s HyperIsland also offers better integration with system features and extends support to a wide range of third-party apps like WhatsApp, YouTube, and Spotify. At the same time, Android 16’s Live Updates work best with Google’s own apps and depend heavily on app developers to make the required changes.
2. Cinematic lock screen and AI dynamic wallpapers (with deeper editing)
Lock screen in HyperOS 3
HyperOS 3.0 focuses on offering a redefining lock-screen experience with new AI-assisted features and deeper customization, while stock Android 16 focuses more on core OS usability than on lock-screen creativity.
The new AI Cinematic Lock Screen feature in HyperOS 3 creates a story-like, cinematic effect each time you unlock, and the AI Dynamic Wallpapers feature transforms your photos into stunning cinematic visuals. HyperOS 3 also features smoother lock-screen transitions, like AOD to lock screen to home screen, making the lock screen feel more premium and lively.
In short, Android 16’s lock screen is clean and functional but less focused on creativity and personalization, but HyperOS 3 explicitly promotes personalized editing.
3. Much stronger cross-ecosystem features, including Apple integration
HyperOS 3.0 excels at cross-device connectivity, especially with Apple devices, while stock Android 16 mostly focuses on bridging gaps among Android devices.
The “Touch to share” feature on HyperOS 3.0 now works with Apple devices too. So, you can now share photos, videos, files, and Wi-Fi passwords with Apple devices simply by touching both devices. Users can also run Xiaomi phone apps on iPad using the Home Screen+ feature with full support for iPad multitasking. Plus, they can unlock their Xiaomi devices using Touch ID or Face ID.
Apple devices can connect to a Xiaomi hotspot with just one tap. Additionally, users can instantly locate their Xiaomi phones from Apple devices, further strengthening Xiaomi’s cross-ecosystem capabilities.
4. HyperAI for smarter writing, transcription, and translation
HyperOS 3.0 provides a suite of AI features as a part of HyperAI, while stock Android 16 relies on Google apps (Gemini, Translate, Photos, etc.) to deliver the most visible AI features.
The AI Writing feature in HyperOS 3.0 can rewrite text in multiple styles, generate captions for images, and features a “DeepThink mode” for longer content in Notes. The AI Speech Recognition helps reduce background noise, convert speech to text while recording, and generate an instant summary when the recording ends.
HyperAI also offers AI Search to search the web for instant answers, generate AI summaries of search results, and find on-device content quickly, while the AI Translate feature does live interpretation for calls/meetings, bilingual subtitles by transcribing and translating audio, and an offline mode for face-to-face conversation translation.
5. Stronger privacy and security layer
The stock Android 16 features Android Protection, which layers multiple protections, such as Theft Detection Lock, offline device lock, USB protection, and anti-scam safeguards. Many of them are also available on Xiaomi devices running HyperOS 3, but the software also includes several security features developed by Xiaomi that are not present in stock Android 16.
HyperOS 3 offers Quantum-level data protection for protection against future quantum attacks on communications. It also features Edge-to-cloud AI data security, ensuring data stays private with on-device and cloud privacy computing, and MiTEE‑powered security protocols for interconnectivity.
So, HyperOS 3.0, based on Android 16, is a pretty significant upgrade for Xiaomi devices, bringing plenty of additional features and improvements over stock Android 16.
To ensure you don’t miss out on the important updates from Xiaomi, remember to visit the Xiaomi section on this website regularly. Alternatively, you can join us on Telegram to get instant notifications about the latest HyperOS updates, along with the biggest tech headlines.
Infinix is teasing its upcoming Note 60 Pro, and early looks suggest it’s mixing design cues from some of the most talked-about phones from last year. The teaser showcases a large new camera island that resembles the latest iPhone 17 Pros, but borrows a design element inspired by Nothing’s Phone (3). So let’s check it out.
Infinix Note 60 Pro Teased
Looking at the teaser poster, the Infinix Note 60 Pro features a bold rear camera island that seems inspired by the iPhone 17 Pro Max. But what stands out is the active Matrix Display on this module. You also get an active dot-matrix style panel that can display info like time, weather, notifications, music controls and charging progress. The dynamic visuals in the back of the phone draw creative parallels to the Nothing Phone (3)’s Glyph interface, but with its own twist.
Infinix Note 60 Pro with Rear Matrix Display Teased
Pair this with a choice of new colorways, namely Solar Orange, and the Note 60 Pro is offering a vibrant new look. The brand has also confirmed that the upcoming mid range phone will be equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 5G. On the front, this model sports a tall 6.78-inch Ultra HDR display with a 1.5K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. A massive 6,500mAh battery pack powers the Note 60 Pro, which supports 90W wired fast charging and a new “Battery Self Healing Tech”.
Other notable features include a 50MP Night Master main camera, JBL tuned stereo speakers, a premium leather textured back panel, a 3D IceCore VC vapor-chamber cooling system to keep temps in check, and more. The company has yet to confirm the launch date and pricing details, but the device is set to debut soon. We can expect the Infinix Note 60 Pro to be unveiled during the MWC 2026 event.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
China has unveiled the world’s first 5-ton-class passenger eVTOL
The V5000 completed a full conversion flight, proving the large eVTOL’s feasibility
It can carry 10 passengers and fly up to 1500 km in hybrid mode
World’s First 5-Ton eVTOL Takes Flight
China has reached a major aviation milestone with the successful flight of the world’s first 5-ton electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, the V5000. The aircraft completed a full conversion flight at the Kunshan Civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Test Flight Operation Base in Jiangsu Province, smoothly transitioning from vertical takeoff to fixed-wing cruise and back to vertical landing. The flight was confirmed by local authorities, marking a breakthrough for large-scale eVTOL development.
From Concept to Large-Scale AirTaxi
The V5000 Sky Dragon was independently developed by Fengfei Aviation Technology, while the passenger-focused V5000 Matrix was unveiled by AutoFlight. Unlike most eVTOLs in service today, which weigh under 3 tons and carry fewer than six passengers, the V5000 enters a new class. It seats 10 passengers or carries multi-ton cargo, showing that eVTOLs can scale beyond small urban air taxis.
Design, Range, and Capability
The aircraft uses a compound wing and three-surface aerodynamic layout, powered by up to 20 lift motors. Its high-redundancy design allows safe flight even with motor failures. The pure-electric version offers a 250 km range, while the hybrid variant can reach up to 1,500 km, opening the door to regional routes and logistics missions.
Why This Matters Globally
Leading Western eVTOL developers remain focused on lighter aircraft for short city trips. None have flown a 5-ton-class eVTOL. The V5000 shows China moving faster toward large, practical, multi-role eVTOLs, signaling a shift from experimental air taxis to real aerial transport systems.
Alienware has officially launched the AW2526HL, a new 24.5-inch gaming monitor in the Chinese market. The monitor is now listed on JD.com and priced at 1199 yuan ($173).
Alienware AW2526HL Specifications
The AW2526HL features a 1920 x 1080 resolution IPS panel with a native 300Hz refresh rate. It delivers a 1ms grey-to-grey response time, which helps minimize motion blur and ghosting during fast movement.
The display reaches a typical brightness of 400 nits and supports a 1000:1 contrast ratio. It produces 8-bit color and covers 99% of the sRGB color gamut, allowing for accurate color reproduction suitable for both gaming and general media tasks.
Alienware has equipped the monitor with AMD FreeSync Premium support along with VESA Adaptive-Sync compatibility. The monitor also includes TÜV Rheinland-certified ComfortView Plus hardware-based blue light reduction, which filters harmful blue light without compromising color accuracy.
In terms of design, the monitor features a fully adjustable stand that allows tilting from -5 to +21 degrees, height adjustment up to 130mm, and pivot rotation to suit different desk setups. It also supports VESA wall mounting for greater installation flexibility.
For connectivity, the monitor includes two HDMI 2.1 (TMDS) ports and one DisplayPort 1.4 input.
The monitor has also passed TÜV eye comfort certification and meets several visual performance criteria, including refresh rate stability and color accuracy. Alienware offers a 3-year warranty with original parts replacement under standard usage conditions.
In related news, Alienware has recently launched the Area-51 desktop powered by AMD’s Ryzen 9000X3D series, starting at $3,349.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Honor appears to be doubling down on its focus on large battery capacities across its portfolio. After recently launching devices such as the Honor Win and Win RT with 10,000mAh batteries and the Honor Power 2 featuring a massive 10,080mAh unit, a new leak now suggests that the upcoming Magic 9 series could continue this trend. According to the leak, the next-generation flagship lineup may arrive with significantly bigger batteries than its predecessors, reinforcing Honor’s push towards long-lasting performance.
Honor Magic 9 series battery capacity tipped
Honor Magic 9 series battery capacity tipped
Well-known tipster Smart Pikachu claims that the Magic 9 lineup will remain photography-focused while also emphasizing battery endurance as a key selling point. The leak indicates that upcoming models in the series could feature battery capacities ranging between 8,000mAh and 9,000mAh, which would represent a noticeable upgrade compared to previous Magic-series smartphones.
For context, the current Honor Magic 8 lineup already includes sizeable battery units. The standard Magic 8, equipped with a 6.58-inch display, houses a 7,000mAh battery, while the Magic 8 Pro and Magic 8 RSR, both featuring 6.71-inch displays, offer slightly larger 7,100mAh batteries. These models are powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipsets, setting expectations that the next generation could bring both performance and efficiency improvements.
Rumors also indicate that the Magic 9 series may be among the early adopters of the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 platform. In terms of display sizes, early speculation points to a compact 6.3-inch panel for the standard Magic 9, while the Magic 9 Pro / RSR could grow to around 6.85 inches.
In related news, Honor is also said to be working on the Honor 600 series, which may debut by May 2026 in China. A recent report states that the vanilla Honor 600 may house a 6.57-inch OLED screen and a huge 9,000mAh battery. The other details of the Honor 600 series are under wraps.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
BYD has filed a lawsuit challenging U.S. tariffs imposed during Donald Trump’s earlier presidency
The company is seeking refunds for tariffs paid since April 2025
The case could have wider implications for U.S.–China trade and tech tensions
source: en.byd.com
Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, challenging tariffs that were imposed during Donald Trump’s earlier presidency.
The case was filed on January 26, 2026, in the U.S. Court of International Trade under case number 26-00847, and was publicly disclosed in early February. Four U.S.-based BYD entities: BYD America, BYD Coach & Bus, BYD Energy, and BYD Motors, are listed as plaintiffs. The defendants include several federal agencies, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Treasury Department, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
BYD argues that the tariffs were imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a law that does not explicitly authorize the use of tariffs or border taxes. The company claims this represents an overreach of executive power and is asking the court to declare the measures invalid, block their enforcement, and order refunds of all tariffs paid, along with interest and legal costs.
Beyond BYD, the lawsuit could have broader implications for U.S.–China trade and the ongoing tech rivalry. If the court limits the use of IEEPA for tariffs, it may weaken a key U.S. trade tool and encourage other Chinese firms, especially in batteries, solar, and EV supply chains, to pursue similar legal challenges. Analysts say the case also reflects a shift toward Chinese companies using U.S. courts, rather than diplomacy alone, to challenge trade restrictions.
Rumour mills have been speculating that the new Apple MacBook Pro models powered by M5 Pro and M5 Max chips would go official in February 2026. However, a new report has emerged claiming that these devices could be unveiled in March. Here is a look at what the latest information suggests about Apple’s upcoming refresh.
M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro launch timeline tipped
14-inch MacBook Pro M5
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that new MacBook Pro models powered by M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could arrive as early as the week of March 2, possibly alongside the rollout of macOS Tahoe 26.3. The upcoming refresh is expected to focus mainly on internal upgrades rather than design changes. Current-generation models with M4 Pro and M4 Max processors reportedly remain in limited supply, which often signals that a replacement launch is approaching.
Historically, Apple’s MacBook Pro update cycle has not always followed predictable patterns. In 2023, the company introduced two major refreshes within the same year, suggesting that rapid updates can occur when new chip technology becomes available.
If the M5 Pro models debut in early March, a second upgrade later in 2026 may still be possible. To recall, the M5 MacBook was announced in October 2025, which suggests that a new MacBook Pro model with several upgrades may debut around the same time this year.
Possible M6 redesign and broader Mac roadmap
Reports indicate that a more significant redesign could follow with the introduction of M6 Pro models. Rumored changes include OLED display, a thinner chassis, and the possibility of touch support, representing a larger shift compared to the expected M5 refresh. Such an approach would allow Apple to maintain momentum with incremental updates while preparing for a major hardware overhaul later.
Other Mac devices are also said to be in development, including updated Mac Studio models, a new Studio Display, refreshed Mac mini systems, and a lower-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone-class processor. If Apple follows a similar strategy to past launches, the M5 Pro update may act as a transitional step before a more ambitious redesign arrives toward the end of the year.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
iQOO has continued to reveal new information about its upcoming smartphone ahead of launch, gradually building anticipation around the iQOO 15R. The company has now shared additional specifications that highlight the device’s display and gaming-focused capabilities, offering a clearer picture of what users can expect when it debuts later this month.
iQOO 15R display and performance details revealed
The iQOO 15R will feature a 1.5K AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate aimed at delivering smoother visuals during daily use and gaming. The panel supports HDR10+ and reaches up to 5,000 nits of local peak brightness, improving outdoor visibility.
The screen also integrates eye-care features such as adaptive colour temperature adjustments, a low-brightness sleep screen mode, and motion-based prompts designed to reduce visual discomfort during extended usage. Although the screen has not been confirmed, it is expected to feature a 6.59-inch panel.
Under the hood, the smartphone will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset paired with the company’s in-house Q2 supercomputing chip, which helps maintain stable 144fps gaming performance. A dedicated network enhancement chip is included to reduce latency and provide a more consistent online gaming experience. The device is also equipped with a 6.5K IceCore VC cooling system to help manage heat during intensive tasks.
The iQOO 15R carries a dual rear camera setup led by a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-700V primary sensor with optical image stabilisation, supported by an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens. Details about the front camera have not been confirmed yet. The handset packs a 7,600mAh battery with support for 100W rapid charging, while software duties are handled by OriginOS 6 based on Android 16. The company has promised four years of Android updates along with six years of security patches.
Additional features include IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance, an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, and an IR blaster. The device is expected to launch in Triumph Silver and Dark Knight colour options and is confirmed to be priced under Rs 50,000 in India. This pricing suggests that it will rival the OnePlus 15R in the Indian market.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
It looks like Samsung might be revisiting one of its more interesting camera experiments from the past. A new report out of Korea suggests the company is exploring the return of variable aperture on future Galaxy smartphones, possibly starting with the Galaxy S27 series.
According to Korean publication ET News, Samsung’s mobile division has asked Samsung Electro-Mechanics and MCNEX to begin developing smartphone-ready variable aperture systems. Industry sources quoted in the report describe Samsung as “strongly committed” to bringing the feature back, which suggests this isn’t just early-stage experimentation.
A feature Samsung already tried back in 2018
Variable aperture isn’t new for Samsung. The company introduced a dual-aperture system on the Samsung Galaxy S9, allowing the camera to switch between f/1.5 and f/2.4. It carried over to the Samsung Galaxy S10 before quietly disappearing with the Galaxy S20 lineup.
Galaxy S9 variable aperture system
For those unfamiliar, variable aperture allows the camera lens to physically adjust how much light enters the sensor.
A wider aperture (lower f-number) helps in low light and creates stronger background blur.
A narrower aperture improves sharpness and depth of field in bright conditions.
On Galaxy smartphones, most improvements over the last few years have come from processing algorithms rather than mechanical lens adjustments. Bringing back real optical control could give Samsung another tool to improve image quality, especially in challenging lighting.
Earlier rumors had suggested the feature might return with the Galaxy S26 series, but that now seems unlikely. The focus appears to have shifted to the Galaxy S27 lineup, which would likely arrive in early 2027 if Samsung sticks to its usual schedule. The feature would likely roll out exclusively on the Galaxy S27 Ultra to differentiate it from the rest of the lineup.
Interestingly, this development comes alongside separate rumors that Apple may introduce variable aperture on the iPhone 18 series, potentially in 2026 and possibly limited to Pro models.
If Samsung manages to refine the technology and keep the module slim, variable aperture could make a meaningful comeback in flagship smartphones. And for mobile photography enthusiasts, that’s at least something to keep an eye on.
The comments on the HONOR Magic8 Pro Air unboxing videos are full of praise for this phone, and I’m not at all surprised. It really is that good. Weighing just 155 g and boasting a 6.3-inch display, it’s even lighter than the so-called ‘Air’ phones on the market. It takes us back to the days when mobile phones were compact and easy to hold. If you’re tired of phones getting bigger and heavier every year, you’ll understand exactly why this device exists.
Design
For how thin and light it is, the Magic8 Pro Air doesn’t skimp on essential features at all. It has an IR blaster, NFC, stereo dual speakers, wireless charging, and even a physical SIM slot. Other than the USB 2.0 port, there’s barely a flaw to find. The triple-camera setup shifts its center of gravity slightly upward, but its ultra-light, compact build means you never feel that top-heavy awkwardness in your hand.
Honestly, I’ve never liked the feel of the iPhone Air. It’s way too thin—holding it feels like holding a piece of corrugated paper. The slightly thicker Magic8 Pro Air, on the other hand, delivers a far better hold. I know that might sound like an excuse, but it’s how I truly feel. And I’m a total fan of small phones—the Magic8 Pro Air is the tiniest among all Air phones. So yeah, HONOR built my dream phone.
Now, everyone has their own preferences. The iPhone Air is still the thinnest Air phone around, and it looks better too. But one thing’s undeniable: the Magic8 Pro Air blows the iPhone Air out of the water in specs. The most obvious win? It’s triple cameras.
Cameras
Of the Magic8 Pro Air’s three cameras, the ultra-wide is the weak link—everything else is flagship-grade.
The 3.2x telephoto lens is perfect for daily use, with a focal length that’s just right, not too long, not too short. Image quality is solid too; it’s barely different from the main cam in most cases. You just need a steady hand, though—any shake and the shot gets blurry fast. Even at 6.4x zoom, it still performs surprisingly well, and I’m really happy with that.
The main camera is flawless, right up there with other flagship phones. Colors are vibrant, and the bokeh effect is stunning. Since the telephoto lacks a macro mode and has a minimum focusing distance of nearly 50cm, the main cam takes on macro shooting duties. The ultra-wide can do macro, too, but neither camera delivers satisfying macro shots.
The ultra-wide is easily one of the phone’s biggest letdowns. It’s better than the 8MP ultra-wides on budget phones—50MP clearly boosts sharpness, and daytime shots look totally fine. But as soon as the light dims, image quality drops off a cliff around the edges. Video on the ultra-wide isn’t the best either; there’s a lot of frame tearing. Switch to the main cam, though, and all those issues disappear.
For a 155g phone, this camera performance is seriously impressive. A great main cam, a solid telephoto, a decent ultra-wide in daylight—it’s easily the best triple-camera Air phone you can get.
The camera’s quick-launch button? It’s not great. Just like the iPhone’s, it’s a struggle to switch to your desired focal length with it. And since it’s a capacitive touch button, not a physical one, the tactile feel is off. As an AI button, though, it’s pretty good. It basically does what Apple Intelligence promised in its launch ads—hold up the phone, and it tells you what you’re looking at. The only downside is the lack of customizability; most of the time, I forget it’s even there.
Performance
The Dimensity 9500 is one of the most powerful mobile chips currently available, so HONOR made the perfect call by putting it in the Magic8 Pro Air. I even think there’s a reason HONOR went with a MediaTek chip—they’ve clearly found a secret optimization formula. Its performance in Honkai: Star Rail is insane, with perfect power efficiency and frame rates that are almost scary good. We checked, no funny business here—its resolution is the same as other phones, over 900P.
We can’t guarantee it won’t throttle when it gets hot in summer, but I can say its gaming experience in winter beats a lot of flagships. No AI frame interpolation or AI super resolution, but this thing is basically a gaming phone in a compact body.
Display & Battery
The display tuning works perfectly with battery life. Daily streaming and scrolling look sharp and natural, and the screen’s power draw is super well-controlled—no excessive battery drain for the sake of better visuals. It strikes the perfect balance between experience and efficiency.
This screen handles gaming and media with ease, and it lays a great foundation for the phone’s battery life. Pair that with a large-capacity battery, and whether you’re a heavy gamer or a light daily user, you get all the battery life you need. A full day of normal use means no need to top up the battery constantly. Our real-world tests back this up: 15 minutes of Honkai: Star Rail uses just 6% battery, 20 minutes of high-load Genshin Impact only 5%. Even heavy gaming doesn’t eat through the battery fast, and light daily use keeps power drain super low.
Verdict
How many of you love the iPhone Air for its lightness and thinness, but hate the compromises—single speaker, no physical SIM, only one camera, and short battery life? Well, HONOR has the solution.
I’ll admit, the Magic8 Pro Air is an incredibly appealing phone. It’s cheaper than the iPhone Air in China, but it’s still a lot more expensive than I thought it would be. If it gets a $100 price drop down the line, this will be the perfect phone in the world—no exceptions.
After teasing the arrival for the past few days, the Oppo K14x 5G has gone official in India today. Designed to deliver power, performance and smoothness, a top-tier trio that defines OPPO’s promise of a worry-free, all-day experience, the device targets students, early jobbers, gamers and value-conscious users. Positioned as an entry-level model in the upcoming K14 series lineup, the smartphone focuses on battery life, everyday performance, and durability. Here is a look at what the phone offers.
Oppo K14x 5G specifications and features
Oppo K14x 5G
The Oppo K14x 5G features a 6.74-inch LCD display with HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and supports high brightness mode reaching up to 1,125 nits, improving visibility in outdoor conditions. On the front, the device houses a 5-megapixel selfie camera designed for video calls and basic photography needs.
On the rear, the handset carries a dual-camera system consisting of a 50MP primary sensor paired with a 2MP monochrome lens for portrait effects and depth information. The phone runs on ColorOS 15.0 based on Android 15, but there is no information about the phone’s update policy.
Under the hood, the device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, paired with up to 6GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of internal storage across variants. The phone is backed by a large 6,500mAh battery and supports up to 45W fast charging, helping users get through extended usage without frequent charging breaks.
Oppo K14x 5G
The device also includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric security and retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature that is becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones. Other specifications include an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.4, USB Type-C connectivity, and dual SIM support.
Oppo K14x 5G price in India, availability
The Oppo K14x 5G comes in two variants, with the 4GB+28GB model priced at Rs 14,999 (~$165) and the 6GB+28GB version priced at Rs 16,999 (~$190). Pre-orders have already started, and the device will be available via Flipkart, OPPO India’s website, and offline retail stores starting February 16. Buyers can choose between Prism Violet and Icy Blue colour options.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
On February 8, 2026, AGIBOT hosted AGIBOT NIGHT in Shanghai. The 60-minute event was livestreamed globally and featured humanoid robots as the sole on-stage performers and hosts. According to the company, this was the first large-scale live event in which robots led the entire program without human presenters.
Why AGIBOT Organized the Event
AGIBOT said the event was intended to show that embodied artificial intelligence systems are ready to operate beyond controlled laboratory and industrial environments. The company used the live format to test system stability, coordination across multiple robots, and sustained operation under real-world conditions. The event also explored how robots might function in social and cultural settings rather than purely technical roles.
Robot-Led Segments Including Dancing, and Comedy
The program consisted of robot-led segments such as group dance performances, runway-style walks, and choreographed routines requiring synchronized movement. Humanoid robots also handled hosting-style roles, including transitions between segments and on-stage interactions. Additional performances included comedy skits, music-based acts, and illusion performances, all carried out entirely by robots without human intervention.
Human–Robot Joint Performances on Stage
Several segments featured humans performing alongside robots. These included joint dance routines where humans and humanoid robots moved in synchronized patterns, as well as shared illusion and card magic performances. The segments required real-time alignment between human motion and robotic movement, highlighting coordination rather than pre-recorded or isolated demonstrations.
Performances Involving Multiple Robot Types
In addition to humanoid robots, quadruped robots participated in coordinated routines on stage. These performances involved interaction between different robot form factors, with humanoid and quadruped robots operating together in shared choreography and movement-based segments. Multiple robots performed simultaneously without visible interruptions.
Robot Models Demonstrated During the Event
AGIBOT used the event to showcase its range of robot platforms. Full-sized humanoid robots were used for hosting, navigation, and large-scale stage performances. Smaller humanoid models focused on expressive movement and interaction. Industrial humanoid robots demonstrated controlled manipulation capabilities, while quadruped robots were used for mobility-focused routines.
What the Event Demonstrated Technically
The company emphasized reliability over isolated technical feats. Robots operated continuously throughout the 60-minute program without resets or performance breaks. According to AGIBOT, more than 5,000 humanoid robots had been delivered globally by the end of 2025, positioning the event as evidence of scalable deployment rather than a one-off showcase.
Cultural Timing and Public Setting
AGIBOT NIGHT was held during the Chinese Spring Festival period, when entertainment events typically focus on family and shared experiences. By staging the event at this time, AGIBOT placed humanoid robots within a familiar cultural context, presenting them as participants in public life rather than industrial tools.
What This Signals for Humanoid Robotics
The event reflects a broader shift in the humanoid robotics industry toward systems capable of operating at scale in live, public environments. Rather than focusing on prototypes or controlled demos, AGIBOT NIGHT positioned humanoid robots as coordinated systems able to perform reliably in real-world cultural settings.
Vivo is expected to hold a launch event in March in China. The event is expected to see the arrival of the Vivo X300 Ultra, Vivo X300 Max, and the company’s first camera. In a new development, the upcoming Vivo Pad 6 Pro has received approval from the country’s 3C certification platform, indicating that it may also launch soon in China, probably at the March event.
Vivo Pad 6 Pro / iQOO Pad 6 Pro 3C certified
As can be seen above, two new tablets bearing the model numbers iPA2673 and PA2671 have received approval from the 3C authority in China. These could be the upcoming iQOO Pad 6 Pro and Vivo Pad 6 Pro, respectively. While the iQOO device has been spotted with a power brick that supports up to 80W charging, the Vivo Pad 6 Pro’s power adapter supports up to 90W charging.
To recall, the Vivo Pad 5 Pro was announced along with the Vivo X200 Ultra and Vivo X200s in April 2025 in China, whereas the iQOO Pad 5 Pro was announced in May. Therefore, it is likely that the iQOO Pad 6 Pro may debut around a month after the Vivo Pad 6 Pro.
According to tipster Digital Chat Station, the Vivo Pad 6 Pro / iQOO Pad 6 Pro will arrive with a 13-inch display and a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. In addition, these tablets are expected to pack huge batteries, but the exact capacity is not known yet.
Other details about these tablets remain under wraps. Like the Vivo Pad 5 Pro and iQOO Pad 5 Pro, their successor editions are expected to pack nearly identical specs.
In related news, the Vivo X300 Ultra’s standard version, which bears the model number V2547A, has also been approved by 3C. This comes close on the heels of the X300 Ultra Beidou Edition’s 3C certification, which was spotted earlier this week. Both devices have been listed with a 100W charger.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
OpenAI has started testing a new feature inside ChatGPT that could change how some users experience the platform. The company confirmed that a limited rollout has begun, with early feedback expected to shape future expansion and refinements.
OpenAI begins ChatGPT ad testing with privacy safeguards
Example of ChatGPT ad
The test currently applies to logged-in adult users in the US who are on the Free and Go subscription tiers. Paid plans such as Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Education will remain ad-free. According to OpenAI, advertisements will appear as clearly labelled sponsored placements that are visually separated from normal responses to avoid confusion. The company says answers generated by ChatGPT will remain independent and will not be influenced by advertisers.
During the trial phase, ads are matched with conversation topics, previous chats and past ad interactions to improve relevance. For example, someone discussing cooking ideas may see promotions related to food or grocery services. However, advertisers do not receive access to individual conversations or personal details, as OpenAI states that only aggregated performance data such as views and clicks is shared.
OpenAI says introducing ads helps support infrastructure costs and enables broader access to advanced AI features, especially for lower-cost or free users. The Go plan in the US costs $8 per month, positioning it as an affordable subscription alongside the free tier. Users who prefer an ad-free experience can switch to higher-tier subscriptions or opt out of ads with certain usage limitations.
The move has also sparked reactions within the AI industry, including criticism from competitors questioning how ads might affect user trust. OpenAI maintains that safeguards are in place, including restrictions preventing ads from appearing near sensitive topics such as health, politics or mental health. Users will also have control over ad settings, including dismissal options, feedback tools and the ability to manage personalisation preferences.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
iQOO announced the Z11 Turbo in China last month. It’s the company’s top-of-the-line smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. As usual, iQOO will also launch a few other models in the lineup, among which the iQOO Z11 and iQOO Z11x have now surfaced in the first set of leaks.
According to the fresh information shared by well-known tipster Digital Chat Station, the upcoming iQOO Z11 series has now been approved for network access, which usually means the launch isn’t too far away.
iQOO Z11 and Z11x Specificatoins
One of the devices carries the model number V2551A in the 3C listing, which is likely to be the standard iQOO Z11. The phone is said to ship with a 90W fast-charging adapter, paired with a battery estimated to be around 9,000mAh. If true, it would make the Z11 one of the largest-battery phones in its segment.
The phone is also expected to feature a large 1.5K LTPS display and a mid-range processor, suggesting iQOO is aiming for a balance between performance, battery life, and display quality rather than chasing flagship specs.
Alongside this model, the tipster also mentioned a second version that could be called the iQOO Z11x. This is said to feature a 6.76-inch FHD+ LCD display with a high refresh rate. The chipset is rumored to be the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4.
Interestingly, the use of an LCD panel seems to have sparked some reactions, with one user joking that releasing an LCD phone with a 7s Gen 4 chipset in 2026 feels like a “miracle.” Digital Chat Station responded humorously, calling it a “rare LCD.”
The conversation also briefly touched on other Vivo devices. When asked whether the upcoming vivo X300 Ultra might feature a 6,800mAh battery, the tipster responded with a clear “no.”
As always, none of this is official yet. We’ll keep you posted if anything becomes official.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Lenovo is starting to drip-feed details about the upcoming Legion Y700 (2026), and the biggest reveal so far is that it features a 165Hz display. But if you’re wondering why a tablet needs a 165Hz refresh rate, Lenovo has explained exactly this in a detailed post on Weibo.
According to Lenovo, the Legion Y700 (2026) features a 3K display with a resolution of 3040 x 1904 pixels, paired with a 409ppi pixel density. On paper, that is already premium territory.
But Lenovo knows that many people will look at the 165Hz number and ask an obvious question: Isn’t 120Hz already smooth enough?
Lenovo Legion Y700 (2026) 165Hz refresh rate is a choice for users
According to Lenovo, the answer lies in how refresh rates actually affect real-world use, especially gaming.
The company explains that a 60Hz display refreshes every 16.67ms, while a 144Hz display drops that interval to 6.94ms. At 165Hz, the refresh interval goes down further to 6.06ms. While those numbers may not sound dramatic, Lenovo argues that the difference becomes noticeable in fast, competitive games.
The company uses a familiar gaming scenario to make its point. In fast-paced shooters or MOBAs, quick camera movements, aiming, and map dragging can expose the limits of lower refresh rates. At lower refresh rates, these actions can introduce slight visual jitter or instability, which can throw off aiming or timing.
Lenovo says the biggest advantage of 165Hz is how it reduces that jitter to make moves feel smoother and more stable when it matters most.
Beyond smoothness, Lenovo claims 165Hz helps address ghosting and system latency, two common issues in competitive games. Faster refresh cycles mean moving objects appear clearer, with smoother edges, making it easier to track targets.
At the same time, a higher refresh rate also reduces the delay between a screen tap and the resulting visual change.
For non-gaming use, Lenovo says power consumption shouldn’t be a major concern. The Legion Y700 (2026) includes an intelligent refresh rate system that adjusts automatically. It ramps up during scrolling and motion, then drops down when reading or viewing static content to save battery life.
As for whether 165Hz is necessary for everyday tasks like browsing or reading comics, Lenovo’s answer is refreshingly honest: it’s subjective. The company suggests users simply try it and decide for themselves.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Among the two rumored flavors, Qualcomm is expected to bring LPDDR6 RAM and a full-fledged GPU for only the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro. A newly leaked block diagram now suggests the Pro chip may also have another exclusive feature: an HPB design.
According to a leak from China, Qualcomm is expected to adopt Heat Pass Block (HPB) technology, the same cooling method used in Samsung’s Exynos 2600. Instead of relying on more traditional layouts, HPB places a dedicated heat-spreading layer directly on top of the chipset package. The goal is to move heat away from the silicon faster, before it becomes a performance bottleneck.
Qualcomm’s recent chips have aimed for extremely high peak frequencies, with rumors suggesting the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro could reach even 6GHz. Sustaining those speeds has been a challenge in the past, often forcing the chip to throttle down once temperatures rise. HPB is designed to reduce that problem by giving the processor more thermal headroom.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro to use Package-on-Package memory
The schematic leak also reveals other technical details. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro appears to use a Package-on-Package (PoP) design, where memory is stacked closely with the processor to save space.
The chip supports both LPDDR6 and LPDDR5X RAM along with UFS 5.0 storage using two high-bandwidth lanes.
Beyond raw performance, the chip may also focus on productivity features. The leak hints at multi-display support, which could enable desktop-style experiences when phones are connected to external monitors.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro AI-generated image
If true, the leak suggests Qualcomm is seriously rethinking how it handles heat in its most powerful chips. Adopting HPB could help the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro maintain high performance for longer periods, instead of briefly hitting impressive numbers before slowing down.
That said, it’s still unclear whether this cooling solution will be exclusive to the “Pro” variant. There’s no confirmation yet that the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 will receive the same treatment.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Acer has launched a new Predator Orion 7000 gaming desktop in China featuring the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and RTX 5080 GPU. It is priced at 29,999 yuan ($4,333) on JD.com and follows last year’s global IFA debut of the RTX 5090 variant, now bringing the RTX 5080 option to China.
Acer Predator Orion 7000 Specifications
The system runs on Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K with 24 cores, including 8 performance and 16 efficiency cores, reaching boost clocks up to 5.7GHz. It integrates an NPU for accelerating AI tasks like gaming, productivity, and content creation. Acer pairs it with a Z890 chipset and sets a 200W PL1 power limit for sustained performance.
Graphics performance is handled by the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080, which comes with GDDR7 memory and supports DLSS 4 with multi-frame generation. The GPU delivers up to 1800 TOPS of AI computing power.
Acer uses its FrostBlade X360 thermal system to manage heat. The desktop features a 360mm all-in-one liquid cooler and three ARGB fans. The chassis includes panoramic tempered glass side panels with EMI shielding and 16.7 million color ARGB lighting, customizable through PredatorSense software. The build uses 85% PCR recycled plastic.
The system includes 64GB of DDR5-5600 memory and supports up to 128GB via four DIMM slots. For storage, it includes a 2TB SSD, one PCIe Gen5 M.2 slot, two Gen4 M.2 slots, and a hot-swappable SSD bay. There are also two 3.5-inch HDD bays for additional storage.
In terms of connectivity, the desktop includes Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen1 and Gen2 Type-A ports, USB-C, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort outputs, RJ45 Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6E. The top I/O section includes three USB-A 3.2 Gen1 ports, one USB-C 3.2 Gen1 port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. DTS:X Ultra support is available for spatial audio.
In related news, Alienware has recently launched the Area-51 desktop featuring AMD’s Ryzen 9000X3D processors, starting at $3,349. ASUS has also introduced the ExpertCenter P500 desktop equipped with a Ryzen 7 CPU and support for RTX 5060 graphics.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Audio-Technica has introduced the ATH-WP900SE, a limited-edition over-ear headphone designed to accurately reproduce the sound of string instruments, with a clear emphasis on guitars.
The ATH-WP900SE features solid ash wood earcups, a material widely used in electric guitars and basses. Each unit is finished in a three-tone sunburst lacquer inspired by classic guitar designs. The lacquer work is carried out individually by Japanese guitar manufacturer Fujigen, resulting in visible wood grain and a deep gloss similar to that found on musical instruments. This is the first time Audio-Technica has applied a guitar-style lacquer finish to its headphones.
At the core of the headphones are newly developed 53 mm dynamic drivers created exclusively for this limited edition. The acoustic structure has been tuned specifically for string instruments. A redesigned voice coil improves linear motion and control, while uniform airflow behind the driver helps reduce unwanted resonance and uneven vibration. Audio-Technica has also optimized the acoustic port shape to deliver tighter bass. The company says this setup allows clear reproduction of guitar contours, strong low frequencies, and natural sustain.
The ATH-WP900SE offers a frequency response range of 5 Hz to 50 kHz, a sensitivity rating of 98 dB/mW, 37 ohms of impedance, and a maximum power input of 1,000 mW. Despite the large driver size, the headphones weigh around 235 grams without the cable.
Comfort features include low-resilience memory foam used in both the headband and ear pads, wrapped in artificial leather to support long listening sessions. The earcups swivel flat, making the headphones easier to store in the included pouch.
Audio-Technica uses its A2DC detachable connector system for stable signal transmission. The box includes two 1.2 m cables: a 3.5 mm unbalanced cable and a 4.4 mm balanced cable for use with compatible headphone amplifiers and high-resolution audio players. Additional accessories include a Fujigen cleaning cloth for the lacquered wood housing and a handwritten serial number card.
Pricing & availability
The ATH-WP900SE is available for pre-order in Japan and is priced at 110,000 yen, or about $750. The official release date is February 20, 2026.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Samsung is one of the most popular smartphone brands in the world, and new reports clearly show why. According to a recent report, Samsung now has over 1 billion active devices. Active devices are phones that people are using every day, not just phones that were sold and left unused.
By the end of 2025, more than 1 billion Samsung smartphones were being used across the globe. This is a huge achievement and shows how much people trust Samsung. The brand offers phones in many price ranges. From budget phones to premium models, Samsung has something for everyone.
Samsung’s success also explains why its devices are often listed among the best Android phones. People continue using Samsung phones for a long time, which helps the brand maintain such a large number of active users.
Image via Counterpoint
Only Apple comes close to Samsung in terms of active devices. Apple isn’t far behind, and in fact, it’s the only brand with even more active phones than Samsung. Nearly one out of every four smartphones in the world is an iPhone. Apple also led the market in revenue and overall phone sales in late 2025.
After Samsung and Apple, the next most-used phone brand is Xiaomi, but it still has a long way to go to match the top two. Companies like Oppo and Vivo have millions of users. While other brands are growing, none come close to the number of active devices Samsung and Apple have.
Stellantis NV, the company that makes Jeep and Ram, is thinking about leaving its battery project with Samsung SDI in the US.The company wants to save money after reporting more than €22 billion ($26 billion) in losses. Slower sales of electric vehicles have made Stellantis rethink its plans for batteries and EVs.
Bloomberg reports that Stellantis is exploring ways to sell its stake in the Indiana battery project with Samsung. No final decision has been made, and leaving the project could be costly and time-consuming. Stellantis said it is still “in discussions with Samsung on the future” of the joint venture. If it exists, the company may sell its share to another party.
The Indiana battery plant started in 2024 and was Samsung’s first in the US. Stellantis and Samsung planned to invest $2.5 billion and create 1,400 jobs.Some batteries from the plant are now being used for energy storage, and Samsung has found new customers for these batteries.
This move follows Stellantis’ exit from a separate battery partnership with LG in Canada. While the company continues to buy batteries from that plant, it is pulling back from investments that are not profitable.
The decision shows that big EV investments are being reevaluated. Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa is trying to cut losses and focus on projects that make more financial sense. For Samsung, the Indiana plant is now shifting partially toward energy storage, a market that is growing faster than EV batteries. Stay tuned for more information.
Here's how to watch the F1 2026 Bahrain pre-season testing. Stream all the live action from the two three-day tests at the Bahrain International Circuit.
After numerous news reports documented Masha Bucher's close business and personal relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Bucher took to X to explain.
The tech giant handed over the personal information of a journalist and student who attended a pro-Palestinian protest in 2024. This is the latest example of ICE using its controversial subpoena powers to target people critical of the Trump administration.
Whatever the cause of the departures, the cumulative impact is alarming. There is a lot of work left to do at xAI, and an IPO will bring more scrutiny than the lab has ever faced before.
A new and well-equipped smartwatch is supposed to stand out with its materials and very extensive feature set. The wearable is made of titanium, which should result in decent durability.
With a high-resolution touchscreen and a keyboard, this new device is intended to provide solid input options but also make it easy to use a computer setup with a secondary display. Compared to the first generation, the KeyGo Gen 2 has a higher resolution, and the keyboard sports RGB lighting.
Digital Foundry compared how the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Switch 2 port fares against other platforms. While sacrificing detail, some visuals are crisper than in the PS5’s performance mode. Nintendo’s console could also have an edge on the Steam Deck, which often fails to maintain 30fps.
Deal | Everspace is a space shooter in which you must survive numerous dangers. You will face various enemies, use multiple weapons, and collect numerous resources in a world with procedurally generated levels.
The Baseus PicoGo AM52 Qi2.2 power bank has been launched in the US and Europe. This new accessory snaps onto recent iPhones and compatible smartphones for up to 25W wireless charging. Also with a 45W USB-C port, it promises faster charging without overheating.
Casio has finally released the G-Shock MRGB2100D-2A watch in more countries across North America and Europe. Launched at the start of 2026, this premium model has a blue and silver design, with titanium casing and strap. Its features include radio control, Bluetooth connectivity and Tough Solar charging.
Microsoft has issued new guidance warning that 2011 Secure Boot certificates begin expiring in June 2026. Windows updates are rolling out 2023 replacement certificates, with some PCs requiring OEM firmware updates.
Motorola unveiled the Motorola Signature last month as the first smartphone under its new Signature series. We've received one at our office for review, but before we put the Signature through its paces, let's do a quick unboxing and see what's on offer.
The Motorola Signature comes in two colors - Pantone Martini Olive and Pantone Carbon. We received the Pantone Martini Olive version, which came in a black-colored retail package, including some documents, a SIM ejector tool, and a transparent protective case with magnets.
Our unit didn't come with a power adapter, but in some markets,...
While Manchester United still compete to secure a UEFA Champions League spot, they're already eyeing a $130 million star to bolster Bruno Fernandes' midfield next season. Nonetheless, Manchester City have reportedly joined the race to sign him, complicating the Red Devils' plans.
After Michael Carrick’s impressive impact, Manchester United have emerged as one of the Premier League’s top-performing teams. With Bruno Fernandes at the helm, they currently rank in the top five of the standings. However, Carlos Casemiro’s departure at the end of the season has prompted them to target a midfielder valued at $130 million. Complicating the Red Devils’ plans,Manchester City have reportedly entered the race for his arrival.
In an effort to bolster consistency in their midfield, Manchester United have targeted Elliot Anderson as a potential key signing. Due to his impressive performances, Nottingham Forest reportedly demand £100 million (approximately $136 million) for his transfer. While the Red Devils are not rushing his signing, Manchester City are prepared to meet this substantial fee, viewing him as a pivotal player for the future, according to TEAMtalk.
While a move to Manchester City could be very appealing, Elliot Anderson may not have his place in the team fully guaranteed. With Rodri, Nico González, Tijjani Reijnders, and Phil Foden in the squad, the Englishman would not be a guaranteed starter under Pep Guardiola. As a highly rated young prospect, the 23-year-old would be seeking immediate prominence, especially as he is already an established Premier League star.
Unlike the Citizens, Elliot could be an undisputed starter at Manchester United. Having lost Carlos Casemiro, he would be the main bet in the midfield, alongside Kobbie Mainoo. Moreover, the Red Devils sports project has been strongly boosted by Michael Carrick’s arrival, making his adaptation easier. Nonetheless, they could need to secure their UEFA Champions League spot to secure the 23-year-old star arrival, as it is still the main difference with Pep Guardiola’s team.
Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest FC playing in the UEFA Europa League.
Not only Elliot Anderson: Man United eye two other midfielders
Throughout the 2025–26 season, Manchester United have been determined to strengthen their midfield, as Manuel Ugarte has failed to fully convince and Casemiro’s expected departure at the end of the campaign has accelerated this priority. While Elliot Anderson is reportedly the Red Devils’ top target, Manchester City’s alleged interest could complicate the operation. As a result, they are also looking at two other midfielders.
According to Sky Sport, the Red Devils have also included Carlos Baleba of Crystal Palace and Carlos Baleba of Brighton & Hove Albion on their list. Like Elliot, both midfielders could be involved in transfers exceeding $100 million, as they rank among the best in their position in the Premier League. For this reason, Manchester United may not rush to finalize their next signing, as they have alternatives if Anderson’s arrival does not materialize.
Real Madrid are reportedly interested in two Premier League stars who were FIFA World Cup champions with Argentina.
Real Madrid’s disappointing performance this season will undoubtedly have consequences going forward. Despite still facing the decisive stages of La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the Spanish club is already considering its future options, with two Argentina World Cup winners currently excelling in the Premier League emerging as reported targets.
“It is well known that Real Madrid are looking for a center back for next season, and in recent months several names have already surfaced as potential options. The latest to join that long list is currentTottenham defender Cristian Gabriel Romero, 27,”Mundo Deportivo reported on Tuesday.
The Argentine center back is a key figure for Spurs and is, in fact, the club’s captain. However, he has made headlines this season due to controversies with club executives, as well as for hurting his team by receiving a red card just 29 minutes into last weekend’s match against Manchester United.
This is not the first time Cuti Romero has been linked with a move to a Spanish giant. Last summer, Atletico Madrid were close to signing him, while in recent weeks he has also been mentioned as an option for Barcelona. The Catalan club, like Real Madrid, is searching for a top-level center back, and the Argentine fits that profile.
Ramon Sosa of Paraguay kicks the ball against Cristian Romero and Alexis Mac Allister of Argentina.
Alexis Mac Allister could also be an option for Real Madrid
Cristian Romero is not the only Argentine player who could leave the Premier League next summer to move to La Liga. “Mac Allister is one of the midfielders who has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid,” Diario AS reported. The Liverpool midfielder has delivered outstanding performances in recent seasons in England, fueling speculation about his future.
However, Alexis’ father and agent urged caution when addressing those rumors. “I have to be cautious. He is playing for Liverpool right now. In the future, if the opportunity arises and it is appropriate, he will have to make his own decisions,” Carlos Mac Allister said, according to Diario AS. “What I can say for now is that Alexis is focused on Liverpool and the current season. Alexis is very happy and comfortable at Liverpool.”
Romero and Mac Allister face a major challenge ahead
Regardless of what happens with their respective club careers, Cristian Romero and Alexis Mac Allister currently have a major challenge ahead: defending the title Argentina won at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Argentina will arrive at the 2026 World Cup in North America as one of the favorites to lift the trophy, based on their recent success and on a generation of players that blends youth, experience, and talent. That group also includes Enzo Fernandez, another star linked to Real Madrid in recent rumors, along with Paris Saint-Germain.
Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner's Trophy.
Christian Pulisic remains one of the most closely monitored figures at Milan, and his recovery status has become a central storyline ahead of the upcoming clash with Pisa.
Christian Pulisic remains one of the most closely monitored figures at Milan, and his recovery status has become a central storyline ahead of the upcoming clash with Pisa. With the decisive phase of the season approaching, every fitness update carries major implications for Massimiliano Allegri and his plans, especially as Milan’s attack continues to battle physical setbacks.
The American star has been sidelined recently, sparking concerns among fans and analysts alike. But as Milan returns to training and prepares for a critical away fixture, the mood at Milanello has shifted toward cautious optimism. Behind the scenes, medical staff, coaches, and players are working to ensure the squad regains full strength at a crucial juncture in the campaign.
The Rossoneri’s offensive department has been plagued by injuries and fitness issues, leaving Allegri with limited options. Christopher Nkunku is currently the only forward guaranteed to be available for the Serie A trip to Pisa, while Rafael Leao continues to manage an ongoing adductor problem.
Leao’s condition has been carefully monitored, with the club keen to avoid complications such as pubalgia. Although he has returned to group training, his physical condition remains a concern, especially after being left unused in the recent match against Bologna.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring a goal with Rafael Leao.
Niclas Fullkrug remains another option, though he is expected to be used as an impact substitute rather than a starter. Meanwhile, Alexis Saelemaekers’ recovery is progressing, but the Belgian is unlikely to be risked in Tuscany, with a return more likely in the rescheduled match against Como.
Will Pulisic be called up?
The biggest question mark heading into the Pisa fixture revolves around Pulisic’s availability. The American winger has been working separately due to bursitis in his iliopsoas, but reports suggest his condition is improving rapidly. As preparations intensified at Milanello, Allegri and his staff closely monitored the American’s progress, weighing the risks of rushing him back against the need for creativity and dynamism in attack.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, “Pulisic trained separately but is expected to rejoin full training today or tomorrow, with the inflammation almost over.” Further confirmation came fromTuttosport, which suggested that the 27-year-old could be included in the squad: “Pulisic is OK, he’ll be on the bench in Pisa.”
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan warms up before the Serie A match.
This means Pulisic is expected to be called up for the match, although he may not start and is unlikely to be at full fitness. Allegri has made it clear that he does not want to take unnecessary risks, preferring to manage the winger’s workload carefully.
Allegri’s cautious approach and what Pulisic’s return would mean for Milan
Despite the encouraging signs, Allegri remains cautious. The coach has repeatedly emphasized the importance of long-term fitness over short-term gains, especially with the decisive part of the season approaching.
Pulisic’s return, even in a limited role, would provide a significant boost. His creativity, pressing, and attacking versatility are crucial elements in Milan’s tactical structure, and his absence has been felt in recent weeks. Although he may not be at peak condition, his presence in the squad would offer Allegri an important tactical weapon, particularly in the second half of matches, where his pace and dribbling can change the tempo.
Pumas UNAM take on San Diego in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup first round. Below is all the key information you need, including the date, venue, kickoff time, and options to watch or live stream the match in the USA.
Here are all of the details of where you can watch Pumas UNAM vs San Diego on US television and via legal streaming:
WHO
Pumas UNAM vs San Diego
WHAT
CONCACAF Champions Cup
WHEN
8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT • Tuesday, February 10, 2026
San Diego FC flipped the script in what many thought would be a grind-it-out rivalry showdown, turning their home game into a statement performance. The MLS team overwhelmed Pumas UNAM with pace and pressure, rolling to a convincing 4–1 victory in the opening leg and seizing a major edge in the first-round matchup.
With that cushion, San Diego head south knowing it can absorb a two-goal setback and still punch their ticket to the next stage, while Pumas must chase a rare three-goal triumph on home soil to keep its hopes alive. All signs point to a tense, high-stakes return leg with plenty on the line, so fans won’t want to miss a minute of this decisive showdown.
More details of how to watch
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Marcus Ingvartsen of San Diego FC and César Garza of Pumas UNAM
As speculation grows ahead of the 2026 World Cup, a familiar question has resurfaced: could the two American leaders reunite at club level in Italy and build chemistry once the summer tournament ends?
The idea of Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie sharing a club dressing room again has quietly captured the imagination of fans and insiders alike. Both players remain central pillars of the USMNT, and both continue to shape their careers at the highest level in Europe, with one thriving in Milan and the other enjoying a resurgence in Turin. As speculation grows ahead of the 2026 World Cup, a familiar question has resurfaced: could the two American leaders reunite at club level in Italy and build chemistry once the summer tournament ends?
Behind the scenes, shifting contract dynamics, rising performances, and interest from Europe’s elite clubs have placed the versatile midfielder at the center of a major transfer storyline. Juventus’ internal decisions, Milan’s recruitment strategy, and the player’s own ambitions are all converging into a narrative that could define his next chapter.
Weston McKennie’s renaissance in Italy has been one of the most striking developments of the season. Once viewed as a rotation option, the American has transformed into a tactical cornerstone under Luciano Spalletti, delivering consistent performances and crucial goals.
His contract situation has attracted attention from multiple leagues. Italian journalist Nicolo Schira reports that clubs from Serie A, Ligue 1, La Liga, and the Premier League are monitoring his status. At the same time, MLS franchises have also expressed interest in bringing him back to the United States.
Inter and Atletico Madrid have emerged as notable suitors, with the Nerazzurri reportedly viewing him as a potential long-term replacement for aging midfield options. His versatility, defensive work rate, and attacking output have made him one of the most sought-after midfielders available on a potential Bosman deal.
Milan’s strategic monitoring and the Pulisic factor
Milan’s recruitment model has increasingly focused on identifying high-value opportunities, particularly players nearing contract expiry who can deliver immediate impact. With Pulisic already a central figure in the club’s long-term project, the possibility of adding another USMNT leader has naturally fueled speculation.
Calciomercato reported that Milan identified McKennie as a potential free-transfer target amid stalled renewal talks with Juventus. From a tactical standpoint, the move would make sense: experience, versatility, and international pedigree align perfectly with Massimiliano Allegri’s midfield needs. For the national team, having two leaders operating within the same club environment could strengthen chemistry ahead of the World Cup.
im Ream #13, Weston McKennie #8, Christian Pulisic #10, and Antonee Robinson #5 of USMNT
The turning point: Milan’s real position revealed
According to Matteo Moretto on Fabrizio Romano’s Italian YouTube channel, Milan have recently been linked with McKennie, but they are not really interested in the player and have not confirmed whether this is a viable option. This revelation shifts the narrative significantly, suggesting that while the Rossoneri monitored the situation, they have not moved toward concrete negotiations.
The update suggests that Milan is unlikely to be McKennie’s destination, despite earlier reports and speculation about a potential Pulisic reunion. Juventus remain confident they can leverage McKennie’s happiness in Turin and his relationship with Spalletti to secure a renewal, though negotiations remain complex due to salary demands and agent commissions.
Weston McKennie #8 of the United States is congratulated by Christian Pulisic #10 after scoring a goal.
Despite Kylian Mbappé’s ability to lead Real Madrid through his goalscoring impact, the Spanish side are facing a major setback. Following a serious injury, one of Los Blancos’ key stars will reportedly be sidelined for around two months, leaving fans concerned.
Following Xabi Alonso’s dismissal and the uncertainty surrounding Álvaro Arbeloa, Kylian Mbappé has emerged as the undisputed leader of Los Blancos. Even so, the team is not at its best, as their style of play has failed to fully convince. On top of that, Real Madrid are dealing with the injury of one of their top players. Against all expectations, he is reportedly set to be sidelined for two months, leaving fans concerned.
After feeling a twinge in the opening minutes of Real Madrid’s game against Rayo Vallecano, Jude Bellingham left the game and was diagnosed with a semitendinosus muscle injury in his left leg. Although they decided not to publish an estimated return date for the Englishman, Diario AS reported that he would be out for a month. However, he could take up to two months to recover, leaving the team without one of its main stars, reports Ramon Alvarez de Mon.
Far from enjoying the best season of his career, Jude Bellingham has already suffered two injuries in the 2025–26 campaign, interrupting his progression. Additionally, his performances on the pitch have come under heavy criticism, as he is well below his best scoring average, with just six goals in 28 matches. Nevertheless, the Englishman had been a key player for Álvaro Arbeloa, playing a crucial role alongside Arda Güler.
In the absence of the Englishman, coach Arbeloa could opt to move Federico Valverde back into midfield, alongside Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni. As a result, Arda Güler would take on a more offensive role on the right flank, something that has already proven beneficial against Valencia. In addition, Real Madrid have recovered Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal, meaning the right-back position would no longer be a growing concern.
Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid goes down with an injury during the LaLiga EA Sports match.
Brahim Diaz faces a defining chance to secure his place at Real Madrid
Throughout the 2025–26 season, Jude Bellingham has been heavily criticized, as he has lost his offensive influence. In addition, the Englishman has failed to make an impact from an organizational standpoint, raising serious doubts about his ability. With his reported two-month absence, Real Madrid would be forced to look for alternatives within their roster. For this reason, Brahim Díaz could be facing his best opportunity to secure a place in the rotation.
After shining at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Morocco, Brahim Díaz returned to Real Madrid in top form. While he missed a decisive penalty in the final, he finished as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals. Despite having played just 600 minutes this season, the 26-year-old star could reclaim his place in the rotation ahead of Arda Güler, as he has proven to be a difference-maker in attack.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match.
The creator of the Panenka style explained why Real Madrid's midfielder Brahim Diaz missed the infamous penalty for Morocco in the AFCON final
Real Madrid’s attacking midfielder Brahim Díaz had a brilliant Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco, all the way until the penalty that changed the outcome of the final defeat to Senegal. A miss in the last minute of regulation where he tried to imitate Antonín Panenka sent the match to extra time.
Díaz was the subject of criticism mainly because of how he chose to take the penalty. Instead of a more conventional strike, he opted for the soft touch known as a Panenka. Precisely the former Czech player explained why he believes Díaz missed in an interview with “El Larguero”.
Panenka said: “It took me two years of training every day to master that penalty. I’m convinced that Brahim didn’t have it trained deeply enough to use that style. In that moment the idea came to him and he tried it. That’s why I think he didn’t score.”
Panenka made history 50 years ago
Panenka may not have had a career filled with individual accolades, but he made history with a great Czechoslovakia team. In the Euro 1976 final, his side went to a penalty shootout against West Germany and ended up winning.
Panenka won the Euro with Czechoslovakia (Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images for Golden Foot)
The result was surprising, but the way it happened made his name remembered to this day. A delicate chip down the middle by Panenka was something not even the legendary Sepp Maier expected, sealing the final penalty for the title.
When asked if taking a penalty like that could be seen as disrespectful to the opposing goalkeeper, Panenka said: “I don’t agree. I thought it was the most probable way to score. In a European final you don’t think about mocking the opponent. I love football, my intention wasn’t to laugh at anyone.”
Díaz’s Africa Cup of Nations
Until the missed penalty in the final against Senegal, Díaz had been the star of the team. The midfielder was decisive from the group stage, scoring against Comoros, netting again in the draw with Mali, and adding another goal against Zambia to finish the group as leaders.
Díaz also carried Morocco through the knockout rounds. He scored in victories against Tanzania in the round of 16 and Cameroon in the quarterfinals. With five goals, he finished as the tournament’s top scorer.
Brahim missed a last minute penalty for Morocco in the AFCON final
Mauricio Pochettino could leave the USMNT after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a major Premier League club emerging as a potential destination.
The USMNTwill face perhaps the biggest challenge in its history this year. The team will have the responsibility of representing the United States at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as tournament hosts and, unlike in 1994, they will do so with a highly competitive squad. In that context, Mauricio Pochettino’s work will be crucial to achieving the desired goals. However, the coach could see his future in the Premier League after the summer.
Reports indicate that Tottenham Hotspur could be Pochettino’s destination in the near future. “Former incumbent Pochettino is ready to return to the role he left in 2019,”TeamTalk reported this week.
Indeed, Spurs enjoyed a highly successful period with Pochettino as head coach between 2014 and 2019. He arrived after standing out at Southampton and, during his more than five years at the London club, built an extremely competitive team that came close to winning major honors.
Tottenham never finished lower than fifth in the Premier League under Pochettino, and they were runners-up in the 2016–17 season. They also enjoyed their best run in European competition, reaching the final of the 2018–19 UEFA Champions League.
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Tottenham fans want Pochettino back
Those achievements earned Mauricio Pochettino the affection of Tottenham fans, who dream of seeing him return as soon as possible. In fact, during recent matches, supporters at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium have frequently chanted songs referencing the Argentine coach.
That sentiment comes amid growing dissatisfaction with the team’s results, which has put Thomas Frank’s future in doubt. Under his leadership, Spurs came close to winning the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, a title that slipped away in a penalty shootout after Tottenham had led for much of the match.
Since then, performances have been inconsistent. In the Premier League, the team finds itself in a difficult position, sitting 15th in the standings and just six points above the relegation zone. However, in the UEFA Champions League, Spurs finished fourth in the standings and qualified directly for the round of 16, placing them in a very strong position in that competition.
What is Pochettino’s situation with the USMNT?
Mauricio Pochettino arrived in the United States to take over the national team in late 2024, replacing Gregg Berhalter. Since then, he has coached 22 matches, posting a record of 13 wins, two draws, and seven losses. His biggest test so far was the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, where the team lost the final to Mexico.
Looking ahead, it is clear that the culmination of his work will be the 2026 World Cup, where the USMNT will face the pressure of playing in front of home fans with the eyes of the soccer world upon them. While much could change depending on how things unfold, that tournament could represent Pochettino’s final challenge with the national team.
The Argentine coach’s contract expires this summer, at the conclusion of the World Cup. If things go well for the USMNT, Pochettino could receive an offer to continue for the next World Cup cycle. However, he would also be free to pursue other opportunities, and that is where a return to the Premier League emerges as a tempting option.
As Inter Miami look to bolster the squad, Lionel Messi has reportedly received a disappointing update regarding the potential return of an Argentine teammate who helped the club win the 2025 MLS Cup.
Lionel Messi has begun preparations for the 2026 season, with Inter Miami’s front office making significant investments in new signings to strengthen the squad in pursuit of international success. However, the Argentine icon has reportedly been dealt disappointing news regarding the potential return of an Argentine teammate who also lifted the MLS Cup with the Herons.
Following their successful 2025 MLS Cup run, Inter Miami secured the returns of striker Tadeo Allende and goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo, two players who played key roles late in the campaign. Still, while the club explored bringing back another Argentine MLS Cup winner, it now appears the Herons will be without one important piece.
According to transfer expert César Luis Merlo, club sources indicate that Baltasar Rodríguez’s return to Inter Miami is “practically ruled out.” Despite the MLS side pushing for a deal, the current outlook points to the midfielder remaining at Racing Club in Argentina.
Rodríguez’s future became uncertain after his one-year loan expired, despite finishing the season as a regular in Inter Miami’s first team. The club initially chose not to activate his purchase option, but later reopened talks in an attempt to bring him back.
(L-R) Baltasar Rodriguez #11 talks to Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF.
With negotiations revived, Inter Miami reportedly reached personal terms with Rodríguez in January and then focused on agreeing a transfer fee with Racing. While a deal valued at around $5 million was discussed, talks have now stalled, leaving Rodríguez’s future far from Fort Lauderdale.
Who will replace Rodríguez?
After dealing with fitness issues early in the 2025 season, Rodríguez worked his way into Javier Mascherano’s starting lineup and finished his stint with three goals and three assists in 22 appearances. While not a primary contributor in terms of scoring, he played an important tactical role on the left side of midfield, providing balance and ball progression as Messi operated on the right.
It remains unclear whether Inter Miami will pursue another midfield signing, but Mascherano has already tested internal options. The Argentine coach has deployed Telasco Segovia on the left side during Inter Miami’s recent friendlies, suggesting the Venezuelan could become the primary option there, with 21-year-old Kenan Hot serving as depth.
’s business partner and co-founder of MVP Promotions, Nakisa Bidarian, has highlighted three possible options for the internet star’s next outing. The 29-year-old comes off a sixth-round stoppage defeat to Anthony Joshua in December, when a crushing right hand caused his jaw to break in two places. Prior to the finish, Paul had spent most […]
Beşiktaş GAİN Erkek Basketbol Takımı, BKT Avrupa Kupası B Grubu 18. ve son haftasında Yunanistan temsilcisi Panionios ile karşılaştı. Beşiktaş mücadeleyi 74-114 kazanırken, açılan çirkin pankart için de kulüpten açıklama geldi
Panionios-Beşiktaş müsabakasında ev sahibi takım taraftarları "çirkin" bir pankart açtı.
Başkent Atina'daki Makis Liougas Spor Salonu'nda yapılan mücadelede Yunan taraftarlar, Beşiktaş Kulübüne ve siyah-beyazlı taraftarlara küfür ve hakaret içeren ifadelerin yer aldığı pankartı tribüne astı.
Beşiktaş, maçtaki pankart hakkında açıklama yayınladı:
İşte Beşiktaş'ın açıklaması;
"Beşiktaş GAİN Erkek Basketbol Takımımızın BKT EuroCup’ta Yunanistan temsilcisi Panionios Athens ile deplasmanda oynadığı karşılaşmada; kulübümüzü, taraftarlarımızı, Türk Polis Teşkilatı’nı ve milli-manevi değerlerimizi hedef alan alçakça ve provokatif pankartı en ağır şekilde kınıyor ve lanetliyoruz.
Bu çirkin saldırı yalnızca Beşiktaş’a değil, Türk milletinin onuruna, tarihine ve kutsallarına yönelmiş açık bir nefret eylemidir. Hiçbir spor organizasyonu, hiçbir platform; düşmanlığı, ırkçılığı ve milli değerlerimize yönelik hakareti meşrulaştıramaz.
Sporun birleştirici ruhunu kirleten bu ahlaksız ve hadsiz tavrı asla kabul etmiyoruz. Beşiktaş JK olarak; bu provokasyonun sorumlularının en ağır şekilde cezalandırılması ve benzer rezaletlerin tekrar yaşanmaması adına EuroLeague yönetimi nezdinde tüm hukuki ve idari girişimlerimizi kararlılıkla başlatmış bulunuyoruz."
Suudi Arabistan'da Karim Benzema ile Cristiano Ronaldo arasındaki gerilim artıyor... Ara transferin son gününde lider durumdaki Al Hilal'e transfer olan Karim Benzema, transferini engellemeye çalışan Cristiano Ronaldo'ya mesaj attı.
Suudi Arabistan'da ara transferin son gününde lider durumdaki Al Hilal'e transfer olan Karim Benzema, transferini engellemeye çalışan Cristiano Ronaldo'ya mesaj attı. Fransız yıldızın mesajını Telegraph paylaştı.
Telegraph'ta yer alan habere göre; Benzema, eski takım arkadaşına, "Daha yüksek bir maaş kazandım ve bir başka şampiyonluğu kazanma yolundayım" şeklinde mesaj gönderdi.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Hilal'e Al Nassr'dan daha fazla destek verildiğini iddia ederek transferin iptalini istese de Karim Benzema'nın transferi gerçekleşti.
“Qəbələ”nin məşqçisi Georgi Çixradze Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 19-cu turunda “Neftçi”yə qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandaların bu gün Bakıda baş tutmuş oyunu meydan sahiblərinin 1:0 hesablı qələbəsi ilə başa çatıb.
Georgi Çixradze matçdan sonra təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında bunları söyləyib:
“Maraqlı və dinamik oyun oldu. Bilirdik ki, “Neftçi” matçın əvvəlində sürətli oynayacaq. İlk 15 dəqiqədə sürətdə geri qaldıq. Rəqib oyuna aqressiv başladı. Nəticədə qol buraxdıq. Amma bundan sonra çox yaxşı oyun nümayiş etdirdik. İkinci hissədə bizim qol vəziyyətlərimiz oldu. Elə epizodlar idi ki, bilmirəm onları necə əldən verdik. Amma bu, futboldur, belə hallar olur. Mənə elə gəlir ki, məğlubiyyətə layiq deyildik.
Prins Ovusu gənc oyunçudur, öz üzərində işləyir, inkişaf edir. Premyer Liqada ilk mövsümüdür. Onun məğlubiyyətə görə bu qədər məyus olmasını başa düşmək olar.
Rza Cəfərovu daha əvvəldən transfer etmək istəyirdik. Həmin vaxt alınmadı. Gənc futbolçudur. Ona böyük ümidlər bəsləyirik. Rzanın potensialına bələdik. “Sabah”la kubok matçını yaxşı keçirmişdi. Ona görə bu gün qapıda Rzanın dayanacağını planlaşdırmışdıq”.
Azərbaycan millisinin və “Qarabağ”ın cinah hücumçusu Nəriman Axundzadə bundan sonra Amerika Birləşmiş Ştatlarında (ABŞ) çıxış edəcək.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə MLS təmsilçisinin mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
21 yaşlı futbolçu ilə 2029-cu ilin 30 iyununa qədər müqavilə imzalanıb.
O, P-1 vizasını (ABŞ-də idmançılara verilən xüsusi viza) aldıqdan sonra rəsmən komandanın heyətinə daxil olacaq və meydana çıxa biləcək.
Ağdam klubu da bu transferi təsdiqləyib: “Klubumuzla ABŞ təmsilçisi “Kolumbus Kru” arasında aparılan danışıqlar yekunlaşıb: Nəriman Axundzadənin MLS klubuna keçidi barədə razılıq əldə olunub. “Qarabağ”ın yetirməsi olan Nəriman Premyer Liqada 84 oyunda 24 qol vurub. O, komandamızın heyətində 3 dəfə ölkə çempionu, 1 dəfə kubokun qalibi olub.
Bu illər ərzində klubumuzun uğurları üçün çalışan Nəriman Axundzadəyə göstərdiyi əzmə, peşəkarlığa və verdiyi töhfələrə görə təşəkkür edir, karyerasının yeni mərhələsində ona uğurlar arzulayırıq”.
Xatırladaq ki, “Qarabağ”ın öz yetirməsi hesab olunan Nəriman Axundzadə 2023-cü ildən Ağdam klubunun əsas komandasında çıxış edirdi. Sağ cinah vingeri “Qarabağ”ın əsas komandasında 127 oyuna çıxıb. O, bu oyunlarda 35 qola imza atıb, 17 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.
Azərbaycanın U-19 və U-21 yığmalarında da forma geyinmiş hücumçu 2023-cü ildə əsas millimizdə debüt edib. O, Azərbaycan yığmasının heyətində keçirdiyi 13 oyunda məhsuldar fəaliyyəti ilə diqqət çəkməyib.
“Qarabağ”la 2028-ci ilin 30 iyununadək müqaviləsi olan Nərimanın keçidi üçün ABŞ klubu Azərbaycan çempionuna 2,5 milyon avro ödəyib.
“Neftçi”nin baş məşqçisi Yuri Vernidub Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 19-cu turunda “Qəbələ”yə qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandaların bu gün Bakıda baş tutmuş oyunu meydan sahiblərinin 1:0 hesablı qələbəsi ilə başa çatıb.
Yuri Vernidub matçdan sonra təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında bunları söyləyib:
“Birinci hissədə çox yaxşı oynadıq. Bir qol vurduq. İkincini də vura bilərdik. “Qəbələ”nin isə ümumiyyətlə fürsətləri olmadı. İkinci hissə bir qədər fərqli alındı. Komanda bu meydanda uzun müddətdir qələbə qazanmırdı. Hesabda öndə idik deyə, bəlkə də komanda müdafiə olunmağı seçdi. Bu da bizim istədiyimiz oyun deyil. Daha yaxşı oyun gözləyirdik. Oyunçulara dedim ki, bu gün bizə qələbə laızmdır ki, yolumuza davam edə bilək. Onlar buna nail oldular. Mən də təşəkkür edirəm. Oyun yaddan çıxır. Nəticə isə həmişə yadda qalır”.
Yuri Vernidub “Qarabağ”la “Neftçi” arasındakı oyunun təxirə salınacağı barədə xəbərlərə də toxunub:
“Bu, harada yazılıb, kim deyib? Mənə deyilsə ki, oynayaq, oynayacağıq. Oynamayaq deyilsə, oynamayacağıq. Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasında 12 komanda var. Bizə görə onlardan biri bizik, digər 11 komanda isə rəqibdir. Mənim üçün hər oyun önəmlidir. Rəqibin “Qarabağ”, “Sumqayıt” və ya “Kəpəz” olmasının fərqi yoxdur. İstəyirəm ki, hər oyunda qələbə qazanım. Qarşımda duran tapşırıq budur”.
Ukraynalı mütəxəssis yeni transfer Breno Almeyda barədə də danışıb:
“Onu uzun müddətdir izləyirdik. Bizdə çox yaxşı skautinq var. Bu oyunçu həm skautların, həm də məşqçi heyətinin xoşuna gəldi. Həm cinahlarda, həm də hücumun mərkəzində oynamağı bacarır. Yaxşı sürəti, texnikası və driblinqi var. Ondan gözləntilərim böyükdür. Sabahdan etibarən bizimlə məşqlərdə olacaq. Əlbəttə ki, kollektivə tam uyğunlaşması üçün bir az vaxt lazımdır. Bir həftədən sonra oynaya bilər. Dərhal onu oyuna buraxa bilmərəm. Məşqlərdə futbolçuya baxmaq lazımdır”.
Bu gün futbol üzrə Azərbaycan çempionatında (Premyer Liqa) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 19-cu turuna yekun vurulub.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, turun qapanış matçında “Neftçi” ilə “Qəbələ” üz-üzə gəliblər.
Əliyar Ağayevin idarə etdiyi görüş “Neftçi Arena”da təşkil edilib. Görüşün taleyini bir qol həll edib. Paytaxt təmsilçisi növbəti qələbəsini qazanmaqla yarış cədvəlindəki mövqeyini yaxşılaşdırıb.
“Şamaxı”nın baş məşqçisi Ayxan Abbasov Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 19-cu turunda “Qarabağ”a qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandaların bu gün Şamaxıda baş tutmuş oyunu meydan sahiblərinin 1:2 hesablı məğlubiyyəti ilə başa çatıb.
Ayxan Abbasov matçdan sonra təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında bunları söyləyib:
“Üzücü məğlubiyyət oldu. Hava şəraitini nəzərə alsaq, meydanda xarakter göstərmək lazım idi. İlk hissə daha çətin keçdi. İkinci hissədə bir az hava düzəldi. Ümumən, pis mübarizə aparmadıq. Rəqibimiz “Qarabağ” idi. Ən böyük problemimiz oyunun sonlarında qollar buraxmağımızdır. Futbolçulara bununla bağlı xəbərdarlıq edirik. Təəssüf… Orada elə böyük epizod da yox idi. Təəssüf ki, boşluq verdik. Yenə də mübarizələrinə görə uşaqlara təşəkkür edirəm. Qarşıdakı oyunlara hazırlaşacağıq.
“Qarabağ”la kubokun cavab matçında da üz-üzə gələcəyik. Oynadıqca bir-birimizi daha yaxşı tanıyırıq. “Qarabağ”a qarşı aqressiyasız oynamaq mümkünsüzdür. Bütün oyunlarda bu formada olmaq istəyirik. Bəzi matçlarda alınmır. Aqressivlik kubokun cavab oyununda bundan çox olmalıdır”.
Abbasov əvəzetmələrinin uğursuz adlandırılmasına da münasibət bildirib:
“Oruc Məmmədov özü əvəzlənmək istədi. Kərim Rossi yorulmuşdu. Oyuna girən futbolçuların səhvi yox idi. Səhv müdafiədə idi. Müdafiə xəttinə əl dəymədik”.
“Qarabağ”ın baş məşqçisi Qurban Qurbanov Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 19-cu turunda “Şamaxı”ya qarşı keçirdikləri oyunu şərh edib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sözügedən komandaların bu gün Şamaxıda baş tutmuş oyunu Ağdam təmsilçisinin 2:1 hesablı əzmkar qələbəsi ilə başa çatıb.
Qurban Qurbanov matçdan sonra təşkil edilmiş mətbuat konfransında bunları söyləyib:
“İlk növbədə azarkeşlərimizə təşəkkür edirəm. Belə çətin hava şəraitində komandanın yanında oldular. Futbolçularımı təbrik edirəm. Çox vacib 3 xal qazandıq. Birinci hissənin əvvəlində “Şamaxı” bizdən daha aqressiv idi. İkinci hissədə oyunu ələ ala bildik. Futbolçular belə meydançada topa nəzarət etməyi bacardılar. Bunun sayəsində son saniyələrdə qələbə qolu vuruldu. Qarşıdakı oyunlara hazırlaşacağıq.
“İmişli” ilə matçda heyətdə hansısa dəyişikliklər ola bilər. Bu heyət əvvəlki matçda oynamamışdı. Bir az istirahətə ehtiyacları var idi. Yəqin ki, bəzi rotasiyalar edəcəyik. Bəzi futbolçulardan narazılığım var. İstədiyim performansı göstərə bilmirlər. Belə şəraitdə keyfiyyət göstərmək elə də asan deyil. Amma elə elementlər var ki, onları vaxtında etmək lazımdır”.
Qurban Qurbanov Nəriman Axundzadənin ABŞ klubuna keçidinə də toxunub:
“Danışıqlar ciddi gedir, sona yaxınlaşır. Bu gün də oyundan sonra bir futbolçu mənə yaxınlaşıb dedi ki, yaxşı təklifim var. Bunları əldə saxlamaq heç də asan deyil. Sakitləşdirməyə çalışırıq, başqa xəbərlər gəlir. Futbolçunu da başa düşmək lazımdır. Elə yerlərdən təkliflər gəlir ki, ora ancaq pula görə getmək olar. Elə pul təklif edirlər ki, futbolçular “yox” deyə bilmirlər. Belə problemlərimiz var. Yenə də oyunlara yaxşı motivasiya ilə hazırlaşmağa çalışırıq.
Nəriman kimi oyunçunun komandadan getməsi bizim üçün heç də ürəkaçan deyil. Son vaxtlar baş verən məlum məsələlərə görə getməsi lazım idi. Çünki özündə deyildi. Hər gün fərqli fikirdə idi. Yəqin nəsə oxuyub gəlirdi, qarşısına nəsə çıxırdı. Toparlanması üçün getməyə ehtiyacı var idi. Buna görə belə addım atdıq. Son iki ildə böyümək üçün çox əziyyət çəkib. İnanıram ki, daha yaxşı Nəriman görə biləcəyik.
Bəhlul Mustafazadənin də Çin klubuna keçidi mümkün idi. Bir neçə detal oldu. Bəhlulla danışmışdım, razılaşmışdıq. Onun tərəfində idim. Bəzi detallar var. Çox da dərinə getməyək”.
Bu gün futbol üzrə Azərbaycan çempionatında (Premyer Liqa) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 19-cu turuna yekun vurulacaq.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sonuncu oyun gününün ilk qarşılaşması Şamaxıda baş tutub.
“Şamaxı” doğma meydanda son çempion “Qarabağ”la üz-üzə gəlib. Qardan çətinliklə təmizlənmiş Şamaxı şəhər stadionunda keçirilən və vaxtından bir qədər gec başlamış bu oyunu Kamal Umudlu idarə edib. Üç qolluq görüşün sonunda “Qarabağ” əzmkar qələbəyə sevinib.
Premyer Liqa 19-cu tur 10 fevral
“Şamaxı” – “Qarabağ” 1:2 Qollar: Oruc Məmmədov, 14 – Xoni Montiel, 18. Kamilo Duran, 90+4. Hakimlər: Kamal Umudlu, Namiq Hüseynov, Vüsal Məmmədov, Ruslan Quliyev. VAR: Kamranbəy Rəhimov. AVAR: Eyyub İbrahimov. Hakim-inspektor: Munis Abdullayev. AFFA nümayəndəsi: Yavər Rəhimov. Şamaxı şəhər stadionu, 14:30.
Şamaxı: 1. Rikardo Fernandes, 5. Arsen Ağcabəyov (k), 2. Abdulla Rzayev, 97. Oruc Məmmədov, 82. Rüfət Abbasov, 9. Karim Rossi, 10. Andrey Tirkovyanu, 11. Dioqo Balau, 4. Sezar Enrike, 44. David Santos, 8. Alfons Msanqa. Ehtiyat oyunçular: 62. Abdulla Seydəhmədov, 99. Səlim Həşimov, 17. Rafael Məhərrəmli, 80. Həbib İsmayılov, 21. Bilal İsmayılov, 27. Emil Süleymanov, 7. Edqar Adilxanov, 48. Ramiz Muradov, 77. Nihat Mehralıyev, 14. Ravil Qafarov, 90. Davud Mənsumov, 19. Abdullahi Şuaybu. Baş məşqçi: Ayxan Abbasov.
Qarabağ: 99. Mateus Koxalski, 13. Bəhlul Mustafazadə, 44. Elvin Cəfərquliyev, 10. Abdullah Zubir (k), 81. Kevin Medina, 20. Kadi Borges, 2. Mateus Silva, 9. Xoni Montiel, 15. Leandro Andrade, 35. Pedro Bikalyo, 17. Kamilo Duran. Ehtiyat oyunçular: 97. Fabian Buntiç, 55. Bədavi Hüseynov, 77. Ramil Şeydayev, 27. Toral Bayramov, 22. Musa Qurbanlı, 32. Hikmət Cəbrayılzadə, 3. Sami Mmae, 18. Dani Bolt, 6. Kris Kuaku, 21. Aleksey Kaşuk, 11. Emmanuel Addai, 24. Jeremi Qnali. Baş məşqçi: Qurban Qurbanov.
“Everton”un ingiltərəli sol cinah hücumçusu Cek Qriliş aldığı ciddi zədə səbəbindən 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün sonunadək oynamayacaq.
Arena.az bu barədə Britaniya mətbuatına istinadən xəbər verir.
30 yaşlı futbolçu bir müddət əvvəl zədə almış və müalicəsinə start verilmişdi. Həmin vaxt oyunçunun bir neçə ay oynaya bilməyəcəyi vurğulanırdı. Lakin həkimlər sonradan onun əməliyyat olunmasına ehtiyac duyublar. Ayaq sümüyündə sınıq aşkarlanmış Qrilişin bu əməliyyatdan sonra uzun müddət bərpa prosesi keçməsi gözlənilir. Onun cari mövsümdə bir daha meydana çıxmayacağı dəqiqləşib. O, ən yaxşı halda yayda məşqlərə başlayacaq.
Xatırladaq ki, Qriliş cari mövsümün sonuna qədər müddətə “Mançester Siti”dən “Everton”a icarəyə verilib. O, cari mövsümdə bu komandanın heyətində meydana çıxdığı 22 oyunda 2 qol vurub, 6 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.
Cek Qriliş “Aston Villa”nın məzunudur. Futbolçu həmçinin “Notts Kaunti” (icarə) və “Mançester Siti”də çıxış edib. “Mançester Siti” Qrilişi 2021-ci ilin avqust ayında “Aston Villa”dan 117,5 milyon avro məbləğ müqabilində “şəhərlilər”in heyətinə qatıb.
Ümumilikdə Qriliş “Mançester Siti” üçün 157 oyuna çıxıb, 17 qol və 23 məhsuldar ötürmə ilə fərqlənib.
Cek Qriliş 2020-ci ilin sentyabr ayında debüt etdiyi İngiltərə yığmasının heyətində 39 oyuna 4 qol və 8 məhsuldar ötürmə ilə fərqlənib.
“Transfermarkt” internet-portalı 30 yaşlı ingiltərəli sol cinah hücumçusunun transfer dəyərini 25 milyon avro məbləğində qiymətləndirir.
Braziliyalı futbolçu, 27 yaşlı hücumameyilli yarımmüdafiəçi Breno Almeyda bundan snra “Neftçi”nin uğurları üçün çalışacaq.
Arena.az bu barədə paytaxt klubunun rəsmi saytına istinadən xəbər verir.
Belə ki, “Neftçi” bu il ilk transferini həyata keçirib. Braziliyalı hücumameyilli yarımmüdafiəçi Breno Almeyda artıq “Neftçi” ailəsinin üzvüdür. 27 yaşlı futbolçu ilə 2,5 illik müqavilə bağlanıb.
Sonuncu klubu “Etnikos” (Kipr) olan Almeyda Braziliya, Səudiyyə Ərəbistanı və Malta liqalarında da oynayıb. O, 2024-cü ilin yayından çıxış etdiyi “Etnikos”un heyətində bu mövsüm 14 rəsmi oyunda meydana çıxıb, 3 qol və 5 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub. Almeyda 2024-cü ildən formasını geyindiyi “Etnikos”da bütövlükdə 47 oyun keçirib, 6 qol və 10 assistlə yadda qalıb.
Braziliyalı sağ vinger karyerası ərzində “Portuqeza RJ”, “Fiqeyrense”, “Nova İquaçu RJ”, “Retro” və “Sampayo MA” klublarının da formasını geyinib.
Sonda onu da bildirək ki, “Neftçi” Brenonun transferi üçün “Etnikos”a 200 min avro ödəyib.
Futbol üzrə Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının 19-cu turunun bu gün keçirilməli olan “Şamaxı” – “Qarabağ” oyununun başlama saatı dəyişilib.
Arena.az bu barədə Peşəkar Futbol Liqasının (PFL) rəsmi saytına istinadən xəbər verir.
Xəbərdə qeyd olunur ki, qarşılaşmanın başlama saatının dəyişdirilməsinə güclü qar səbəb olub. Belə ki, Şamaxı şəhər stadionunun qazonu tamamilə qarla örtüldüyü üçün meydançanın təmizlənməsinə ehtiyac var. Stadionun daha yaxşı vəziyyətə gətirilməsi, komandaların isinmə hərəkətlərini normal yerinə yetirə bilməsi üçün matça əvvəlcədən nəzərdə tutulduğu kimi 14:30-da deyil, 14:50-də start verilməsi planlaşdırılır.
Sonda onu da qeyd edək ki, Şamaxı şəhər stadionunda qazonun qardan təmizlənməsinə klub rəsmilərindən də dəstək göstərənlər var. Hətta “Qarabağ”ın baş məşqçisi Qurban Qurbanov da bu işdə öz köməyini əsirgəməyib.
“Nyukasl”ın baş məşqçisi Eddi Hau “sağsağanlar”ın qış transfer pəncərəsindəki fəaliyyətsizliyi ilə bağlı sualı cavablayıb.
Arena.az ingilis mütəxəssisin müvafiq cavabını təqdim edir:
“Nə var, ortadadır. Biz müvafiq şəraitdə işləməyə çoxdan adətkarıq”, deyə Hau eyhamla vurğulayıb.
Qeyd edək ki, Azərbaycan çempionu “Qarabağ”ın UEFA Çempionlar Liqasının pley-off mərhələsindəki rəqibi olan “Nyukasl”da problemlər bitmir. Britaniya mətbuatının iddiasına görə, ardıcıl uğursuz nəticələrdən sonra baş məşqçi Eddi Hounun postu laxlayıb.
Premyer Liqa klubunun rəhbərliyi artıq yeni baş məşqçi axtarışına başlayıb. Təsadüfi deyil ki, “sağsağanlar” çempionatın son 4 matçının 1-də heç-heçə edib, 3 dəfə isə məğlub olub. “Nyukasl”ın avrokuboklara vəsiqə şansı artıq minimuma enib. Bu üzdən Hounun mövsüm bitməmiş qovulması gözlənilir.
Bütün turnirlər daxil olmaqla son 5 görüşdə qələbə üzü görməyən komanda bu gün Premyer Liqanın növbəti turunda “Tottenhem”in qonağı olacaq. Daha bir məğlubiyyət Hounun istefaya göndərilməsinə səbəb ola bilər. Bu baş verərsə, “Nyukasl” hətta “Qarabağ”la matça yeni baş məşqçinin rəhbərliyi altında çıxa bilər. Ancaq rəhbərlik daha çox “Qarabağ”la görüşlərin nəticələrini gözləmək fikrindədir.
Qeyd edək ki, “Qarabağ”la “Nyukasl” arasında ilk oyun fevralın 18-də Bakıda, cavab qarşılaşması isə 24-də Nyukaslda keçiriləcək.
Bu arada İngiltərə millisinin baş məşqçisi Tomas Tuxelin DÇ-2026-dan “Nyukasl”ı çalışdırması gözlənilir. Almaniyalı mütəxəssis bu posta əsas namizədlərdən biridir.
Xatırladaq ki, Tuxel İngiltərədə daha əvvəl “Çelsi”ni də çalışdırıb.
Azərbaycan millisinin və “Qarabağ”ın cinah hücumçusu Nəriman Axundzadə bundan sonra Amerika Birləşmiş Ştatlarında (ABŞ) çıxış edəcək.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə Ağdam klubunun mətbuat xidməti məlumat yayıb.
Klubun yaydığı açıqlamada bunlar qeyd edilib: “Futbolçumuz Nəriman Axundzadə ilə bağlı klubumuzun MLS (ABŞ) təmsilçisi “Kolumbus Kru” (Columbus Crew) klubu ilə aparılan danışıqları yekun mərhələyə çatıb və tərəflər arasında razılıq əldə olunub. Mövcud razılaşmaya əsasən, futbolçuya qarşı tərəf ilə şəxsi müqavilə şərtlərinin müzakirə edilməsinə icazə verilib. Prosesin növbəti mərhələləri ilə bağlı əlavə məlumat rəsmi şəkildə ictimaiyyətə təqdim olunacaq”.
Xatırladaq ki, “Qarabağ”ın öz yetirməsi hesab olunan Nəriman Axundzadə 2023-cü ildən Ağdam klubunun əsas komandasında çıxış edir. Sağ cinah vingeri indiyə qədər “Qarabağ”ın əsas komandasında 127 oyuna çıxıb. O, bu oyunlarda 35 qola imza atıb, 17 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.
Azərbaycanın U-19 və U-21 yığmalarında da forma geyinmiş hücumçu 2023-cü ildə əsas millimizdə debüt edib. O, Azərbaycan yığmasının heyətində keçirdiyi 13 oyunda məhsuldar fəaliyyəti ilə diqqət çəkməyib.
Sonda onu da qeyd edək ki, “Qarabağ”la 2028-ci ilin 30 iyununadək müqaviləsi olan Nərimanın keçidi üçün ABŞ klubunun Azərbaycan çempionuna 2,5 milyon avro ödəməsi gözlənilir.
Türkiyə millisinin və “Yuventus”un sol cinah hücumçusu Kenan Yıldız İtaliya klubu ilə yeni müqavilə bağlamasına şərh verib.
Arena.az xatırladır ki, “Yuvnetus” rəhbərliyi “byankoneri”nun türk ulduzu, 20 yaşlı futbolçu Kenan Yıldızla müqaviləsinin müddətini 2030-cu ilin yayına qədər uzadıb.
Türk ulduz “qoca sinyora” ilə əməkdaşlığını yeniləməsini şərh edib:
“Yuventus”da çox məmnunam. Özümü burada evdəki kimi hiss edirəm, ətrafımda ailəm var. Əminəm, yaxın gələcəkdə bizi qış uğurları gözləyir”, deyə Yıldız inamla bildirib.
Xatırladaq ki, Kenan Yıldız Almaniyanın “Bayern” klubunun yetirməsidir. Türk futbolçu “Yuventus”a 2022-ci ilin iyul ayında azad agent qismində qoşulub. 2023-cü ildən Turin təmsilçisinin əsas komandasına cəlb edilmiş türk hücumçu meydana çıxdığı 116 oyuna çıxıb, 25 qola imza atıb və 19 məhsuldar ötürmə verib.
Yıldız 2023-cü ilin oktyabr ayında debüt etdiyi Türkiyə milli komandasında 26 oyun keçirib, 5 qol vurub və 4 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.
“Transfermarkt” internet-portalı 20 yaşlı türk hücumçunun transfer dəyərini 75 milyon avro məbləğində qiymətləndirir.
Inter are increasingly likely to have Benjamin Pavard returned to them in the summer, as Olympique Marseille do not intend to buy him outright.
The defender was sent out on loan to the French side at a cost of €2.5m, with an option to buy at the end of the campaign for a further €15m.
It had been hoped that Marseille would be willing to activate that purchase option and therefore put some much-needed funds into the Inter coffers.
Inter might get Pavard back from Marseille
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 25: Benjamin Pavard of Internazionale controls the ball during the warm up prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Pavard has made 26 competitive appearances so far this season for Olympique Marseille, contributing one goal and three assists from defence.
His performance was singled out by the French media following the embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, and is therefore increasingly unlikely to remain beyond June 30.
It would also devalue Pavard, whose contract with Inter only runs to June 2028.
The 29-year-old had hoped that this experience in Ligue 1 would give him more regular playing time and a better chance of making the France squad at the 2026 World Cup.
Como director Carlalberto Ludi assures Cesc Fabregas ‘was a world class player and is even better as a coach’ working with a club that has ‘unlimited ambition.’
The Coppa Italia quarter-final against Napoli kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
The winner will be decided after 90 minutes or go straight to a penalty shoot-out, as there is no extra time, to decide who faces Inter in the semi-final.
Como set no limits on Coppa Italia ambition
LECCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 27: Nicolas Paz of Como 1907 celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Como 1907 at Stadio Via del Mare on December 27, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
“We cannot know where we will end up, but the ambition of this club is unlimited. We want to keep raising the bar every single time.”
It is always a special moment when Fabregas faces off against Antonio Conte, who was his coach when Chelsea won the FA Cup.
They already met earlier this season in a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Maradona in Serie A, where Vanja Milinkovic-Savic parried an Alvaro Morata penalty.
ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 15: Cesc Fabregas, Head Coach of Como 1907, applauds the fans at the end of the Serie A match between AS Roma and Como 1907 at Stadio Olimpico on December 15, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Big clubs are believed to be sniffing around the coach, so are Como worried about someone making Fabregas an offer?
“It has already happened. Cesc was a world class player and he is even better as a coach,” said Ludi.
“We are in a honeymoon period, he is added value for the present and the near future.”
Como are well-rested, because their Serie A Week 24 fixture against Milan was rescheduled to February 18 due to San Siro being used for the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
Tasos Douvikas is only on the bench, so it looks as if Nico Paz could be used as a False 9, or alternatively Jayden Addai.
The toxic atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium reached a breaking point on Tuesday night as home supporters made their feelings known during a dismal display against Newcastle United.
With Spurs trailing and appearing devoid of ideas, the stadium echoed with the loud, rhythmic chanting of one specific name: Mauricio Pochettino.
Tottenham fans chant Mauricio Pochettino’s name
With Spurs trailing one-nil at half-time, Jay Harris, Tottenham correspondent for The Athletic, took to X to confirm the scenes.
The choice of chant is a pointed message to the board. Pochettino, who led Spurs to a Champions League final and a golden era of Premier League stability, is currently serving as the head coach of the USA National Team.
However, his enduring special connection with the club remains a shadow over every underperforming successor.
Following a 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle, Tottenham’s losing run has extended into a full-blown crisis.
Goals from Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey cancelled out a brief glimmer of hope provided by an Archie Gray equaliser, leaving Spurs in 16th place, just five points above the relegation zone.
Crystal Palace signed Evann Guessand on loan from Aston Villa during the January transfer window.
The player made his debut against Brighton recently, and he created the match-winning goal for his team. The Ivory Coast attacker came on as a substitute and made an immediate impact.
Evann Guessand has made his mark
Crystal Palace fans were delighted with his performance on his debut for the club, and most of them took to social media to demand his permanent signing at the end of the season. The Eagles have an option to sign the player permanently in the summer, but the deal could become an obligation if certain conditions are met.
Given his performance against Brighton, Crystal Palace will certainly be delighted to sign him permanently in the summer. It remains to be seen whether he can sustain that level of performance in the coming weeks.
Evann Guessand of Crystal Palace in action during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
He has previously shown his quality in France, and there is no doubt that he is a quality player. However, he struggled at Aston Villa. The West Midlands club will look to let him go permanently, and it remains to be seen how the situation develops. A permanent move in the summer could be ideal for all parties. The player will focus on his performances and look to establish himself as an important player for the Eagles.
This is a great opportunity for him to get his career back on track through regular high-level football. Crystal Palace have an exciting team, and they will hope that Guessand can help him bounce back after a disappointing first half of the season.
The Ivorian is at the peak of his career, and if he manages to continue performing at a high-level in the coming months, he could be an asset for the club.
Crystal Palace beat Brighton in their last Premier League clash, and they will look to get back on track with a series of impressive displays.
They have been quite poor in recent weeks, and it remains to be seen whether their January signings can help turn things around in their favour.
Shearer on Jorgen Strand Larsen
Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer has now questioned the signing of Jorgen Strand Larsen. He believes that Crystal Palace have paid a lot of money for a player who has just one league goal this season. It will be interesting to see whether the Norwegian can return to his best and help Palace have a strong season.
Shearer said to Metro: “The Strand Larsen of last season can lift Crystal Palace but I’m not sure this season’s version can. It’s unbelievable amount of money to pay for someone who has one league goal this season. He has to show the form of last season and not this one if he wants to prove himself at Palace.”
Jorgen Strand Larsen during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace have done quite well under Oliver Glasner overall, but they have not been at their best in this campaign. The departure of multiple players has severely weakened the Eagles, and the Eagles have dropped quite a few points in recent months. They need their top players to step up and deliver now.
They have put their faith in Larsen, and it will be interesting to see if the former Wolves striker can silence his critics and make a defining impact in the coming weeks. He has shown his quality in the Premier League last season, and there is no doubt that he could be an asset for the Eagles.
Last week, Blizzard Entertainment hosted the second of its flurry of showcases to kick off 2026 with an Overwatch Spotlight, digging into the future of the game and everything players can expect for the coming year. Outside of the official name change back to just 'Overwatch,' we got a look at everything coming in Season 1: Reign of Talon, which has officially gone live. The showcase clearly reinvigorated the Overwatch community, because not only did the game have its "biggest weekend by player count in over a year," according to a press release after the showcase, but the launch of […]
Apple has managed to use its considerable market heft to aggressively manage the cost of various key components, allowing the base storage variants of the upcoming iPhone 18 lineup to launch at the same price points as their iPhone 17 counterparts, as per a fresh supply chain analysis. Jeff Pu: Apple’s goal is to keep starting selling prices of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max "unchanged or at a similar level" to those of their iPhone 17 counterparts TF International Securities analyst, Ming Chi-Kuo, noted towards the end of January that Apple was working round the clock to prevent […]
Sometime in 2027 to 2028, AMD could release Medusa Halo, its next-gen entry in the high-performance Halo APU lineup. It's said to feature Zen 6 CPU cores and RDNA 5 graphics. A new leak suggests it could also support LPDDR6 memory, enabling bandwidths up to 460.8 GB/s on a 256-bit interface with 14,400 MT/s speeds.
A longitudinal study in Christchurch, New Zealand found that individuals who displayed the most severe ADHD symptoms as adolescents were at an elevated risk of developing substance use disorder, depression, and suicidal ideation in early adulthood. They were also more likely to engage in crime and be unemployed. These individuals tended to have lower income and living standards, and less stable relationships. The paper was published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning or development. It typically begins in childhood, although many individuals continue to experience symptoms into adolescence and adulthood. Most often, ADHD is diagnosed when an individual starts school as behavior caused by ADHD comes into conflict with school rules.
ADHD is more commonly diagnosed in males, although females are often underdiagnosed due to less overt symptoms. Genetic factors play a major role in ADHD. ADHD often co-occurs with other conditions such as learning disorders, anxiety, depression, or oppositional behavior. Symptoms can significantly adversely affect academic performance, work productivity, and social relationships.
Study author James A. Foulds and his colleagues used data from a 40-year longitudinal study of a birth cohort in Christchurch, New Zealand to estimate the association between ADHD symptoms in adolescence and a broad range of mental health and psychosocial outcomes in early adulthood up to 40 years of age.
Data used in this analysis came from the Christchurch Health and Development Study. This study enrolled 1,265 individuals born in Christchurch in 1977 and assessed them annually from birth to 16 years of age. After that, data were collected when participants were 18, 21, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of age. In the final three data collection waves, 75–80% of surviving study participants provided their data.
Data used in this analysis were assessments of ADHD symptoms, conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder symptoms when participants were 14–16 years of age. Of the data collected between 16 and 40 years of participants’ age, study authors used information on substance use disorders (alcohol and cannabis), illicit drug use, and internalizing mental health problems.
Internalizing mental health problems are psychological difficulties characterized by inwardly directed distress, such as anxiety, depression, and withdrawal. Of the data collected between participants’ 25 and 40 years of age, this analysis used information on participants’ unemployment (lasting at least 3 months), relationship breakdowns, income, and home ownership.
Results showed that the 25% of participants with the most severe ADHD symptoms in adolescence were more likely to smoke tobacco (34% vs 15%), fulfill criteria for alcohol use disorder (26% vs 14%), and cannabis use disorder (18% vs 7%) compared to participants with less severe or no ADHD symptoms.
These individuals also more often met the criteria for major depression (29% vs 19%), anxiety disorders, and suicidal ideation. They were more likely to have been arrested (9% vs 3%), more likely to have engaged in both violent and property crime, and were more often unemployed. Participants who had the most severe ADHD symptoms as adolescents owned their homes less often and tended to have lower personal income. They more often reported breakdowns of relationships.
“Higher levels of adolescent ADHD symptoms are associated with substance use problems and criminal offending in adulthood. Long-term secondary prevention activities are needed to detect and manage coexisting problems among adults with a history of ADHD,” the study authors concluded.
The study sheds light on the links between ADHD symptoms in adolescence and key life outcomes in adulthood. However, it should be noted that the study was conducted on a group of individuals born in a single city (Christchurch) in the same year (1977), meaning that the observed associations may be affected by cultural and social specificities of Christchurch during the studied period. Results in other cultures and other historical periods may differ.
The study authors also note that only 5 participants were prescribed stimulant medication for their ADHD. This differs from the modern situation where people suffering from ADHD receive medication for their condition much more often. Finally, it remains unknown how much the association with the outcomes is due to ADHD symptoms and not due to other co-occurring conditions like autism spectrum disorder, a condition that was largely not diagnosed properly in the 1970s.
Asya AFC Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde Al Ittihad, konuk ettiği Al Gharrafa'yı 7-0 yendi. Fenerbahçe'den Al Ittihad'e transfer olan Youssef En-Nesyri, mücadelede 1 gol - 1 asistlik katkı verdi.
Beşiktaş, EuroCup'taki Panionios maçında Yunan taraftarların yaptığı ırkçı ve provokatif pankartı kınayarak sorumluların cezalandırılması için hukuki ve idari girişim başlattığını açıkladı.
🎙️Araújo breaks his silence: my anxiety turned into depression
In a revealing interview following his return to the pitch, Ronald Araújo decided to open up about the most difficult process of his career.
The FC Barcelona defender confessed that, behind his image of strength, he went through a deep mental health crisis that kept him from being at his best for more than eighteen months.
The brave call for help
"I was battling anxiety for a year and a half, and that turned into depression," admitted the Uruguayan. Araújo explained that, due to his roots and personality, he tried to keep everything to himself and "carry on" by inertia, but the lack of confidence ended up affecting his performance and personal life.
The turning point came when he realized he needed to "raise his hand" and seek support from his family, spirituality, and specialized professionals.
The fight continues today
Now, feeling "completely different" and recovered after a recent goal, the defender sent a message of awareness to the sports world: "We are people, beyond being footballers. It's not all about money or fame."
Araújo emphasized that working with experts gave him the necessary tools to handle the pressure and, finally, enjoy football with happiness once again.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Stephen A. Smith speaks at SiriusXM on Radio Row at Super Bowl LX on February 05, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM) | Getty Images for SiriusXM
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the midst of one of the worst drouts in franchise history. Sure, they have made it to the postseason in each of the last three seasons, but they’ve lost their three playoff games by a combined score of 89-37. Nine years without a playoff win marks the most in franchise history, and their seven consecutive playoff losses are just two behind the Detroit Lions from 1991-2016 for the most in NFL history.
All of these factors have added up and put Team President Art Rooney II under a microscope, with many believing it’s time for him to step aside and hand the keys to his son, Dan. One of those who is especially critical of Rooney is ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who went scorched Earth on the Steelers’ President.
“You go out and get a coach that’s considered a lateral move who, by the way, is 27 years older than the previous coaches that you hired when you hired them, giving an infusion to the Steeler Nation and the Steelers fanbase,” Smith said on First Take, via Chris Ward of Steelers Now. “I’m just looking at this man here, I’m talking about Art Rooney and the quotes. You’ve given the Pittsburgh Steeler fanbase nothing to be excited about.”
Smith continued, taking what some perceived as a low blow, saying that Rooney II is a Rooney in name only.
“You’re a Rooney, but you ain’t them because your record proves you ain’t them,” Smith said.
The hiring of Mike McCarthy has fans concerned about the direction of the team, as the Steelers opted not to hire a younger coach to lead this new era. Should the Steelers go yet another season without a playoff win, the criticism will only grow louder.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
Slovenia’s fans had waited long enough. Long enough meaning three days.
First, gold medal favorite Nika Prevc landed in silver in the women’s normal hill on Saturday — commendable, for sure, but not enough for this crowd and not enough for her. On Monday, her brother, Domen Prevc, another favorite, landed in sixth.
But on Tuesday night, Slovenia reminded everyone why it is one of ski jumping’s most dominant nations, winning gold in the mixed team normal hill with a team consisting of Nika, Domen, Nika Vodan and Anže Lanišek.
Norway, which entered the second round ranked third, snuck ahead of Japan in the final jump for silver, with Japan winning bronze.
Slovenia led by 9.2 points over Japan after the first round of jumps, with Norway the only other country in medal contention. Though Norway’s Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal produced the night’s longest jump, 104.0 meters, Slovenia was far more consistent, led by Lanišek bouncing back from disappointment in Monday night’s individual competition to leap 102.0m.
With two rounds remaining, Slovenia knew that solid jumps from the Prevc siblings would bring home their first gold of the games. Having been in tears after missing out on gold in the women’s normal hill, Nika produced a jump of 98.5m to extend Slovenia’s lead, ensuring that her brother only needed to produce the bare minimum to give both siblings their first Olympic gold.
Domen, competing away from his favoured large hill, duly obliged. His jump of 102m gave Slovenia a 30.9-point lead over silver medalists Norway, who overhauled Japan after world record holder Ryōyū Kobayashi blinked with his second-round jump.
On landing, Domen skied into his sister’s arms — ensuring that Slovenia defended ots title from 2022 in Beijing, where older brother Peter was part of the team.
Standing in parts of Tuesday’s crowd, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in Ljubljana, the capital; or maybe Planica, the mountain town that hosts World Cup ski jumping events; the Slovenian border is only a few hours’ drive away. There were shirts reading, “I feel very Olympic today;” top hats in white, blue and red; scarves saying, “I feel sLOVEnia;” and many, many flags.
“It’s incredible,” Lanišek said. “After yesterday’s performance, it couldn’t go any worse. First of all, I’d like to (thank) the whole coaching staff, they have trust and belief in me. It’s perfect. Yesterday, the pressure was in my head. It was like a worm. I tried to stay calm. It’s sport, sometimes you get your reward, sometimes you don’t.”
Texas A&M (17-6, 7-3 SEC) will host Missouri on Wednesday night, looking to earn its eighth win in SEC play after suffering back-to-back losses to Alabama on the road and Florida at home amid one of the toughest three-game stretches in the regular season.
While Saturday's 86-67 loss to the Gators was a blowout and a clear by-product of poor shooting, the news that Alabama center Charles Bediako, who was officially deemed ineligible by the NCAA after Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court Judge Daniel F. Pruet denied his motion for a preliminary injunction, ending the former NBA G-League player's 2025-2026 season.
In five games this season with Bediako in the lineup, Alabama went 3-2, including close wins over Texas A&M (100-97) and Auburn on the road (96-92), scoring five points and grabbing four rebounds against the Aggies, and 12 points and three boards against Auburn. In both games, Bediako's size and strength in the paint played a big role on defense and likely prevented several possessions that could have gone the other way.
Immediately after the news, it was assumed that Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMillan would comment on the matter, leading to Tuesday's press conference, where he was asked if the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee should factor in Bediako's ineligibility, especially for the Aggies, Auburn Tigers, and Tennessee Volunteers, who all fell to the Crimson Tide with the 7-footer in the lineup.
"How is it made right for us? Because they're not going to be able to play with their full roster against the other teams when we had to play against their full roster."
McMillan "hopes" that the Selection Committee will factor in Bediako when the time comes, and while it's highly unlikely these three wins will be vacated, it's important to note that Texas A&M's road loss to Alabama is considered a Quad 1A loss, and likely won't impact the Aggies' tournament seeding more than "bad losses" against Quad 3 and Quad 4 opponents.
Here is the entire quote from Bucky McMillan regarding Charles Bediako's ineligibility:
Texas A&M basketball coach Bucky McMillan on if the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee should factor Charles Bediako (who is no longer eligible) playing in Alabama’s 100-97 win over A&M when determining seeding: “You hope it’s got to be.” pic.twitter.com/DjiHgn6LUd
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New Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak (left) shakes hands with general manager John Spytek at Tuesday's introductory press conference for Kubiak in Henderson, Nev.
HENDERSON, Nev. — What do our parents always teach us? Learn from your mistakes.
The Las Vegas Raiders and owner Mark Davis appear to have gotten the memo.
Tuesday, the Raiders introduced Klint Kubiak, a 38-year-old offensive guru and Super Bowl champion as their new head coach after he was officially named the team’s latest head coach on Monday. He replaces Pete Carroll, a 74-year-old defensive guru and Super Bowl champion. Both coached in Seattle, both got their ring while with the Seahawks.
But that’s where the difference ends.
The Raiders needed to get younger. They needed someone more in sync with modern football the way it is being played and coached in the second quarter of the 21st Century. They needed someone who can work with, not resist general manager John Spytek. And they needed someone who can develop their next quarterback, most likely Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
Kubiak checks all of those boxes. Especially when it comes to working with quarterbacks. And that’s why this is a good hire. He may not be an eloquent speaker or witty like Petey was, but if Kubiak can get the Raiders to win, does it really matter?
I like that the Raiders took their time, did their homework, interviewed a wide range of candidates, let Spytek lead the search, make sure everyone was on the same page with the decision and then threw their support behind the call to bring Kubiak on board. No knee-jerk actions. No “Patriot Way” or some other nonsense. No fretting over head coaching experience of lack of it. It was all about making sure that end the end, they go the guy they wanted, and needed to turn this franchise around.
For what it’s worth, Kubiak said all the right things Tuesday, from thanking Raiders legends like Marcus Allen, Charles Woodson, Howie Long, Mike Haynes, Jim Plunkett and Rich Gannon sharing the dais with him, to Spytek for having the faith in him to hire him as a first-time head coach, to promising a tough, physical brand of football from his team to being grateful to all those who helped him along the way to get to this moment.
I’m sure he has a sense of humor and we’ll see it come out at some point. But Tuesday was a day for honesty and straightforwardness, and there’s nothing wrong in that. Besides, what would you rather see from him, a guy who wins the press conference but goes 3-14 on the field? Or someone who tried to get comfortable in his new role but will be best suited wearing a headset on the sidelines and figuring out how to win come Sunday?
You may think the Silver and Black have been down this road before when they selected Josh McDaniels in 2022. Like Kubiak, McDaniels had made his name as a play-caller, an offensive mind who teamed with Tom Brady to win six Super Bowls.
The difference? McDaniels had previous head coaching experience and it didn’t go well for him when he was in charge of the Denver Broncos. And things certainly didn’t work out for him in his year-plus in Las Vegas. Kubiak is in charge for the first time. I look at his hire much like the ones in Chicago with Ben Johnson, with Liam Coen in Jacksonville, young guys who are attuned to modern-day football, can relate to today’s players and have spent years honing their craft to prepare for the opportunity to be an NFL head coach.
“The NFL is all about competing,” Kubiak said. “With the resources in this building, Mr. Davis has set us up for success. Now we have to go out and earn it.”
How can you not like what Kubiak did with Sam Darnold, a journeyman quarterback who finally achieved the ultimate success after coming up short with the Jets, Panthers, 49ers and Vikings? Kubiak himself has gone from team to team — Vikings, Broncos, 49ers, Saints —as he honed his craft before it all came together for him with the Seahawks, a team that had a dominant defense and enough weapons on offense to give Kubiak a chance to contribute to Seattle’s success.
He’s going to enjoy coaching running back Ashton Jeanty in Las Vegas. He’s going to love working with tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer. He’ll look to make receivers Tre Tucker, Dont’e Thornton and Jack Bech more productive. And whoever he gets to coach the Raiders’ offensive line will get some talent to work with, assuming they can stay healthy, along with whoever the team drafts and signs in free agency.
I don’t know if he’ll get to coach Maxx Crosby. The latest rumors have the All-Pro edge rusher wanting out of Las Vegas and we’ll see if that turns out to be the case. But that’s Spytek’s call to make. If Crosby is here, I’m sure Kubiak will be excited to work with him. If he leaves, you’ve got to believe the Raiders will receive some assets in return that will make them an improved team at some point.
Kubiak said he talked to Crosby Tuesday morning and looked forward to more conversations going forward. We’ll see if that manifests itself into a relationship that keeps Crosby a Raider long-term.
Kubiak reportedly has a five-year deal in place. That’s longer than Carroll had, which was three years. If he and Spytek develop a working chemistry and can see things in the same prism this will work. If it doesn’t, then we’re looking at yet more change, probably at the GM’s office.
But I believe these two will get along, work together for the betterment of the franchise and ultimately get it right.
Davis is sure hoping he got it right. He is now paying five, count ‘em five head coaches — Jon Gruden ($10 million), McDaniels ($10 million), Antonio Pierce ($8 Million), Carroll ($16 million) and now, Kubiak, whose deal is reportedly in the range of $75 million over the five years. In addition, the Raiders are paying Chip Kelly, who was Carroll’s former offensive coordinator, $6 million. That’s a lot of money to spend on people who are no longer in your employ. But if the investment in Kubiak ultimately pays off with the Raiders making it back to the Super Bowl, a place they last visited in 2003, it will have been worth it.
Predicted Starting Line-Up: Manchester City vs Fulham (Premier League)
Manchester City return to the Etihad Stadium in Premier League action after two away matchdays in a row as they take on Marco Silva’s Fulham.
In the reverse fixture, the two teams produced a 4-5 thriller at Craven Cottage with City coming out on top thanks to goals from Erling Haaland, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden and a Sander Berge own goal.
Pep Guardiola’s men into this one off the back of an exciting 1-2 comeback win at Anfield against Liverpool – only the third triumph the Blues have earned at the Merseyside ground this century.
Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku and Savinho are currently in Manchester City’s medical department and will miss Wednesday’s match, while for the visitors, Tom Cairney and Sasa Lukic are both injured.
During his usual pre-match media duties, Pep Guardiola confirmed that Abdukodir Khusanov is fit and available for the clash against Fulham after his head injury sustained against Liverpool, while John Stones’ return to availability was also confirmed.
Since Manchester City play before Arsenal this midweek, the game will be a great chance to reduce the gap to three points and put pressure on the current league leaders ahead of their clash away at Brentford.
Here is how we predict the hosts will line-up against their West London opponents this week!
Predicted XI
Arguably Manchester City’s saviour against Liverpool, Gianluigi Donnarumma continues to show why he currently holds the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper in the world, and the Italian will feature in between the posts.
Matheus Nunes has consolidated himself as arguably one of the best right-backs in the Premier League this season, and the now-former midfielder may start once again for the Blues this week.
The rise of Abdukodir Khusanov is admirable as the Uzbek centre-back lives his best moments since he arrived at the Etihad Stadium over a year ago, and the No.45 may be in line to continue as a starter despite Rúben Dias’ return.
We predict that the recently signed and already impressive Marc Guéhi will once again form a partnership with Khusanov in the back line for City this week, in a pairing that is already working out pretty well for the club.
As for Rayan Ait-Nouri, the Algerian has been gaining increased game time after his AFCON pause over winter, proving exactly why Manchester City bought him from Wolves during the last summer market. The left-back should be in the initial eleven one more time.
Rodri’s performance at Anfield on Sunday afternoon was one of his best since coming back from injury, and if physically capable of playing almost 50 hours after another masterclass, the Spaniard simply should.
Captain Bernardo Silva is a leader by example, making him essential in such a match. The legendary No.20 is also key for the new formation as a second holding midfielder with freedom to roam on the pitch, making the Portuguese a likely presence on this team sheet.
Rayan Cherki gives pleasure when on the ball, and against Fulham he should return to the line-up. After being left on the bench at Anfield, Tijjani Reijnders may start to complete an advanced midfield duo.
Manchester City’s striking partnership should be composed by goal scorers Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo, and with this tactical set-up, Pep Guardiola could use a 4-2-2-2 formation on the ball while defending in a classic 4-4-2.
Hincapie, Martinelli And Gyokeres To Start | 4-3-3 Arsenal Predicted Lineup Vs Brentford
Arsenal will face off against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium this Thursday night as they look to secure a good result on the road in the Premier League. The Gunners managed to earn an impressive 3-0 win over Sunderland recently, which should give them a lot of confidence going into this game.
Mikel Arteta will set his players up in a 4-3-3 formation and is expected to make some changes to his first XI for this clash. Piero Hincapie, Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres could all play from the start of this game.
4-3-3 Arsenal Predicted Lineup To Face Brentford
Defence
David Raya will feature in between the sticks for the Gunners after he kept a clean sheet in his last league outing. William Saliba will continue to operate alongside Gabriel at the heart of the Arsenal backline as they look to keep things solid at the back during the game.
Jurrien Timber will try to put in a solid performance at right-back, while Piero Hincapie looks to catch the eye on the other side as the left-back. Both of them will have to pick and choose their moments to join in on the attack.
Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera will provide cover for the defensive positions on the bench.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 07: Viktor Gyoekeres of Arsenal holds off Nordi Mukiele of Sunderland during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on February 07, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Midfield
Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Kai Havertz will make up Arsenal’s midfield. Their main focus would be to move the ball well and engineer some decent chances in the final third.
Eberechi Eze and Christian Norgaard will be named on the bench as they wait for their chance to make an impact in the second half, if needed.
Attack
Gabriel Martinelli will try to catch the eye on the left flank, while Noni Madueke hopes to put his pace to good use as the right-winger. Viktor Gyokeres will lead the line for the Gunners down the middle. He managed to score a brace versus Sunderland, which should give him a ton of confidence going into this game.
Gabriel Jesus will have to settle for a spot on the bench and might come on to influence the game in the latter stages if the North London club are in need of a goal by then. However, Leandro Trossard is a major doubt for this clash.
Report: Newcastle United interested in move to sign 22-year-old La Liga striker
Newcastle United Eye Etta Eyong Move as Premier League Dream Grows
Transfer speculation has a habit of arriving in waves, and few names are riding the current tide quite like Etta Eyong. As reported by Fichajes, the Levante striker finds himself at a crossroads, his future “once again located far from Spain and increasingly closer to English football.”
For Newcastle United, a club recalibrating its attacking options, this is more than idle gossip. It speaks to recruitment planning, stylistic alignment, and the relentless pull of the Premier League’s financial gravity.
Levante Spell Lacks Expected Spark
Eyong’s time at Levante has not unfolded with the upward surge many anticipated. There have been flashes, moments that reaffirm why Europe’s elite once circled, yet the consistency required to anchor long term belief has wavered.
As outlined in the original report, “Etta Eyong’s current spell at Levante UD has been more inconsistent than anticipated by the club’s management.” That inconsistency matters. For strikers, rhythm is currency, and LaLiga offers little patience when output dips.
Levante, for their part, retain faith. They still view Eyong as a player of consequence, though no longer untouchable. Financial reality sharpens that perspective. A significant sale would ease pressure and fund squad reinforcement, a dynamic increasingly common across Spanish football’s middle tier.
Newcastle Monitoring Situation Closely
Where Spain’s interest has cooled, England’s has intensified. Newcastle United, according to Fichajes, “continue to be highly regarded” suitors, tracking Eyong’s trajectory even through quieter periods.
Recruitment staff reportedly admire his “physical profile, power, and potential for growth.” Those traits translate well to Premier League demands, where transitional speed and duelling strength shape attacking success.
Importantly, this is framed as forward planning. With concerns around Nico Woltemade’s fitness and output, Newcastle’s interest represents strategic layering rather than reactive buying. The club appears to be identifying players who can evolve alongside its project.
Photo IMAGO
One scout is said to view Eyong as “a striker built for English tempo, capable of stretching defensive lines in ways data alone cannot measure.”
Financial Landscape Shapes Negotiations
Money, inevitably, frames the conversation. Eyong’s mooted €30 million valuation places him in a curious bracket, steep for many Spanish sides, attainable for Premier League investors.
Levante recognise that leverage. Negotiating with English clubs alters the economic equation, offering what the report describes as a “financial advantage.”
The fee would mark a landmark sale, yet Newcastle’s ownership structure means such figures sit within calculated risk territory. Particularly for a player viewed as developmentally unfinished.
Premier League Appeal Driving Decision
Equally significant is the player’s own stance. “Etta Eyong himself wouldn’t be opposed to a change of scenery that would allow him to relaunch his career,” the report states.
The allure is obvious. Exposure, wages, competitive intensity, global visibility. England offers a stage that can reignite stalled momentum.
Developmental pauses are not terminal. Environment, tactical fit, and confidence often dictate resurgence. Eyong’s camp appears to believe a Premier League move could provide precisely that ignition point.
With summer approaching, all parties hover in evaluation mode. Levante weigh timing, Newcastle weigh value, Eyong weighs destiny.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a Newcastle supporter’s perspective, this report lands in an intriguing space between opportunity and calculated gamble.
Eyong’s profile fits the recruitment model the club has leaned into recently, high ceiling, physically equipped, tactically adaptable. Fans have seen how the Premier League can sharpen raw attributes into elite output when coaching structure aligns.
There would, however, be natural caution. Inconsistency in LaLiga raises questions about week to week reliability. Supporters would want reassurance that this is not another developmental project without immediate impact, particularly if Champions League ambitions remain active.
That said, the €30 million valuation feels aligned with modern squad building. Not bargain territory, yet far from prohibitive. If Newcastle believe, as suggested, that “this is a strategic move, not an emergency operation,” patience may already be baked into expectations.
There is also stylistic curiosity. Eyong’s pace and counter attacking instincts could complement Newcastle’s transitional threat, offering tactical variation against deeper defensive blocks.
Ultimately, supporters tend to rally behind players who choose the project as much as the platform. If Eyong views Tyneside as the place to “relaunch his career,” that intent alone would generate early goodwill.
Excitement, cautious optimism, and recruitment intrigue, all familiar emotions on the road to another transformative summer.
LAWRENCE — Kansas basketball is in the midst of an eight-game winning streak, following a Big 12 Conference victory Monday at home against Arizona.
The No. 9 Jayhawks (19-5, 9-2 in Big 12) just dealt the No. 1 Wildcats their first loss of the season. KU did so, without freshman guard Darryn Peterson available. It was a win that both showcased how well Kansas can perform regardless of whether Peterson is on the court and left one wondering once more what the group’s ceiling can be if Peterson is regularly available.
Kansas’ attention now turns toward a game Saturday on the road against No. 4 Iowa State. The two teams met earlier this season in Lawrence, in a game the Jayhawks won with ease. This rematch will once again test what KU is capable of on the road against a high-profile opponent in a challenging environment.
Before KU and Iowa State match up, though, here are some of the latest NCAA tournament bracketology projections for the Jayhawks as of Tuesday afternoon:
This projection places Kansas as the No. 3 seed in the East Region, with a round of 64 matchup against No. 14 seed North Dakota State. Win, and the Jayhawks would play against either No. 6 seed Clemson or one of a pair of No. 11 seeds in UCLA or San Diego State. Should KU advance all the way to the Sweet 16, a couple of potential matchups include No. 10 seed Texas and No. 2 seed Illinois.
This projection places Kansas as the No. 3 seed in the East Region, with a round of 64 matchup against No. 14 seed ETSU. Either No. 6 seed Louisville or No. 11 seed Santa Clara would await KU in the next round, should the Jayhawks advance. Of course, Louisville and Kansas are no strangers to each other, as the two played in an exhibition game ahead of the season that KU won on the road.
This projection places Kansas as the No. 2 seed in the East Region, with a round of 64 matchup against No. 15 seed Harvard. A win would see the Jayhawks go up against either No. 7 seed Villanova or No. 10 seed Texas in the next round. A potentially high-profile Sweet 16 matchup could occur, with No. 3 seed Purdue in the region as well.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
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The U.S. figure skating team has already won gold at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. But perhaps even more importantly, Amber Glenn and her teammates’ already iconic “Blade Angels” trio are officially a part of athletic history.
This year’s Olympics already marked a major LGBTQ+ milestone within the event, with Glenn, who is pansexual, becoming the first openly queer Olympic women’s figure skater. Fellow athletes Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito round out the 2026 U.S. Olympic women’s figure skating dream team. And while they’re dominating on the ice, their friendship is also the envy of young fans.
As TikToker @jessaugustyn perfectly explained in a recent video, the trio is so appealing because they represent three key subgroups: “alt, gay, and from New Jersey.”
Once Glenn, Liu, and Levito were named to the U.S. team, they immediately did what any sane people would do: brainstorm an official name for their triple threat of a team in their group chat. They eventually settled on one of Liu’s suggestions, “Blade Angels,” announcing the name in a January 27 U.S. Figure Skating social media post.
“Isabeau was really set on Powerpuff Girls,” Liu shared in a February 2 interview. “I came up with Blade Angels, but I had a ton of horrible ideas, too. It was a group decision.”
Another frontrunner? “Babes of Glory,” which Liu said was tossed out because, “Hello! Copyright!”
While I’d like to believe that Blades of Glory star Will Ferrell and the eponymous Power Puff Girls would’ve let copyright issues slide, “Blade Angels” has become a pretty legendary moniker for the skaters all on its own. Look no further than your local TikTok “For You” page, where fan edits celebrating Glenn, Liu, and Levito’s team have been blowing up for the past few weeks. Is it too soon to start fancasting an Avengers-style team up movie about them?! (For the record, my money is on McKenna Grace, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, and Hannah Cheramy).
Between the “Blade Angels’” success and Bad Bunny’s recent Super Bowl halftime show, watching Americans perform on the global stage actually feels… good, somehow? What a concept!
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“I did anticipate this but I am disappointed by it,” Glenn wrote on Instagram.
As much of a palate cleanser as the “Blade Angels” have been these past few weeks, representing the U.S. hasn’t necessarily been easy on the skaters themselves. On Sunday, Glenn wrote in a post to her Instagram stories that she would be taking a social media break for mental health reasons after facing “outlandish” backlash for her comments supporting LGBTQ+ rights.
During a February 4 Olympic press conference, Glenn was asked about President Donald Trump’s “approach toward the LGBT community.” The second Trump term has made sports a cornerstone of its attacks on trans athletes, as the administration seeks to ban trans athletes from competing across the board.
“It isn’t the first time that we’ve had to come together as a community and try and fight for our human rights,” Glenn said. “Now, especially, it’s not just affecting the queer community, but many other communities, and I think that we are able to support each other in a way we didn’t have to before, and because of that, it’s made us a lot stronger.”
Glenn added that she won’t “shut up about politics,” because “it is something that affects us in our everyday lives.”
“Of course there are things that I disagree with, but as a community, we are strong and we support each other, and brighter days ahead,” she continued.
The New York Jets could potentially go from one 2022 NFL draftee in the backfield to another.
The Jets are in danger of losing Breece Hall in free agency, but could Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III be a potential replacement?
Jets named top potential landing spot for Kenneth Walker III
Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports seems to think so, as he recently named New York as a top landing spot for Walker, who will be headed for free agency after helping the Seattle Seahawks come out victorious in the Big Game.
"The Jets also fall into the category of lead running back potentially going elsewhere. Breece Hall is a free agent. Selected five picks before Walker in the 2022 NFL Draft, Hall has been less explosive but significantly more consistent down to down," Pereles wrote.
"The Jets' offense was dismal in 2025, but with a new offensive coordinator in Frank Reich, a new quarterback almost certainly coming to town, a solid young offensive line and some of the deepest pockets in free agency, New York could be a fit."
As pitchers and catchers start to report to their teams’ camps this week, signaling the official return of baseball, it’s time to take a look back at each club’s offseason and give them a final grade for their work.
On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman go through all 30 teams division by division, talking about the newest additions and subtractions for each side, as well as which teams could’ve done a little bit more.
Did the Los Angeles Dodgers do enough to bolster their squad and try for a three-peat? Did the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies do the right thing by essentially running back their rosters? Are the Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Guardians throwing away a golden chance during a championship window? With at least one team getting an A and another getting an F, find out how your squad did this offseason.
5:45 – AL East
25:04 – NL East
38:52 – AL West
51:11 – NL West
1:01:08 – AL Central
1:17:30 – NL Central
Photo by Brandon Sloter/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Photo by Brandon Sloter/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor is being evaluated for a stress reaction in his left hand.
Lindor experienced some soreness in the area around his left hand and wrist over the past couple days. David Stearns, the president of baseball operations for New York, said Lindor is going to visit a hand specialist on Wednesday to check his hamate bone.
“It is possible this will result in hamate surgery. If it does, that's a six-week recovery, which puts us right at opening day,” Stearns said. “So at this point, even if it does require surgery, we would remain optimistic that Francisco would be back for opening day.”
Lindor was left off Puerto Rico's roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic over insurance coverage.
Stearns also announced that Juan Soto is going to shift from right to left field. The change was finalized after discussions between the slugger and manager Carlos Mendoza.
Soto also is going to play left for the Dominican Republic in the WBC.
“Over the last month or so, as Mendy and Juan were talking about the season, Juan was working out in left field because he's going to play left field for the D.R. in the WBC,” Stearns said. "As they had their conversations, he felt really comfortable there.
“It made sense for us from a roster perspective, so we're going to go forward with it and everyone's on board with it.”
The USA and Canada continue to hold top spots in women's hockey, both starting the Olympics undefeated.
They finally clashed on Tuesday, Feb. 10, with no affection between them.
The rivalry between the USA and Canada is considered one of the most intense in Olympic history, driven by their longstanding dominance, numerous gold-medal matchups, and the significant competitiveness between the two, especially in ice hockey.
In Canada, hockey is a key part of the national identity, so a loss to the U.S. often feels like a major disappointment. In most cases, there is no sitting on the fence for this rivalry, but why is that different for the Dunne family?
The Sporting News breaks down why the USA-Canada women's hockey rivalry has divided the Dunne family.
Why USA-Canada women's hockey rivalry has divided Dunne family
The USA-Canada women's hockey rivalry has really stirred up feelings within the Dunne family, mainly because of a relationship that crosses borders.
Josh Dunne, who plays as a forward for the Buffalo Sabres, is dating Ella Shelton, a talented defenseman for the Canadian national team.
Meanwhile, Josh’s younger sister, Joy Dunne, is making her mark as a promising forward for Team USA.
"We've got Benedict Arnold in the family... He's got seats with USA tomorrow we may not let him in..." 😂
The USA/Canada rivalry is a unique one for the Dunne family. NHL son Josh is dating Canadian player Ella Shelton... while his sister Joy plays for #TeamUSA. #Olympicspic.twitter.com/vILvar2mIN
Although the siblings cheer each other on, the rivalry on the ice stays fierce. Joy Dunne compared the USA-Canada matchup to the passionate Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, illustrating just how intense it can be.
Joy is an American hockey forward proudly representing Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. As a junior at Ohio State University, she is celebrated as one of the sport's bright rising stars, especially after being named the 2024 National Rookie of the Year.
In her Olympic debut, Dunne has been a wonderful offensive force for Team USA, helping them stay undefeated through the preliminary rounds.
Who is Josh Dunne?
Josh Dunne is an American professional ice hockey forward currently serving with the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL.
Josh is Joy Dunne's older brother, the forward for Team USA.
Dunne has become a consistent NHL depth player this season after spending most of his early career in the American Hockey League. Hockey certainly runs in the Dunne family.
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa and captain Dani Carvajal hold peace talks after tension
Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal has cut a miserable figure on the bench over recent weeks, and after he watched David Jimenez start ahead of him on Sunday night against Valencia, and then Trent Alexander-Arnold come on instead of him, his frustration seemed to reach boiling point. It seems that Carvajal and manager Alvaro Arbeloa have lowered the temperature at the Valdebebas training ground though.
Carvajal was seen venting his frustrations to fitness coach Antonio Pintus after the match on Sunday night at Mestalla, which have cumulatively built up after five straight games on the bench. The 34-year-old has played just 27 minutes since returning to fitness, during which time Los Blancos have played 10 matches. Carvajal was reportedly baffled by Arbeloa’s decisions, feeling fit to play, and at the very least, fit for the final 15 minutes of a match. Alexander-Arnold has recovered more recently, and from a more serious injury, but was chosen ahead of him.
Carvajal and Arbeloa hold peace talks
Image via Reuters
According to Marca, Carvajal and Arbeloa spoke to each other during Real Madrid’s training session on Tuesday morning at Valdebebas, in a relaxed manner. The two exchanged their opinions without tension, and they put to bed the matter, agreeing to look forward from now on. Diario AS add that both now consider the matter resolved, and have viewed their conversation positively.
Will Carvajal return to action now?
Real Madrid host Real Sociedad in a tricky encounter this weekend at the Bernabeu, and all eyes will be on Arbeloa’s line-up. It would be bold to start any of his three options, given Jimenez is in theory the lowest down the pecking order, and both Alexander-Arnold and Carvajal have not started games for the past three months. Fede Valverde could also drop into right-back, although the word from the Bernabeu has been that he will be playing in midfield from now on.
The Minnesota Vikings are going to bring in a quarterback this offseason. At the very least, they will bring in a veteran who can compete with J.J. McCarthy for the starting spot. But would the Vikings be willing to give up the requisite capital to land a top-tier quarterback?
Joe Burrow has been rumored to want out of Cincinnati after a cryptic press conference in December. He played with Justin Jefferson at LSU in 2018 and 2019, and Burrow would fit in perfectly in Kevin O'Connell's pass-happy scheme.
However, Dianna Russini of The Athletic poured cold water on the rumors, saying it doesn't sound like Cincinnati wants to trade Burrow anywhere.
Despite the hopes and dreams of Minnesota Vikings fans, the Cincinnati Bengals have no intention of trading Joe Burrow — to Minnesota or anywhere else. As for Burrow’s overall happiness? Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase told me he isn’t worried about Burrow’s future, despite late-season speculation after another missed playoff opportunity.
“Everything gets blown out of proportion with him,” Chase said. “He still loves to work on his craft and become the best every day.”
That likely won't stop the Vikings from trying to acquire Burrow, but the report isn't surprising. When healthy, Burrow is a top-three quarterback in the league and gives the Bengals a chance to win every week.
We'll see if this changes at all during the offseason. But right now, it sounds like dreams of Burrow in purple are just that – dreams.
The Warriors were one of a few teams in trade rumors over the last few weeks, as they looked to make an impact move before the trade deadline.
They ultimately decided to trade for Hawks' center Kristaps Porzingis, but there was almost a different reality where they traded for former DPOY Jaren Jackson Jr. instead.
How the Warriors almost traded for Jaren Jackson Jr. instead of Kristaps Porzingis
*The following intel was provided by NBA insider Brett Siegel
Kristaps Porzingis is a trade deadline addition the Warriors were happy with, but he wasn't their first or even their second trade deadline target when it came to a big addition at the forward/center position.
The obvious first option was Giannis Antetokounmpo, but as we know, the Bucks decided to hold off on trading the former MVP and NBA champion.
This brings us to their second option, which was Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jackson Jr. did get moved at the deadline, as the Grizzlies found common ground with the Jazz on a deal.
However, the Warriors were in talks to try to get Jackson Jr. before that eventually happened.
"Jackson became the Warriors' Plan B before the trade deadline, but their pursuit came with clear concerns and caveats," said NBA insider Brett Siegel.
He detailed that there was a world where Golden State made room and got assets to try to put a real trade together for Jackson Jr., but "Butler's injury and other teams' pursuit of Jackson only raised his price right before the deadline."
Siegel said the Grizzlies had a request for a haul that consisted of an enticing package of players, and most importantly, three draft picks, but the Warriors were unwilling to give up that much draft capital.
We were able to get the framework on what the Warriors' best offer was for Jackson Jr., as Siegel detailed it to be "some variation of two clear draft picks, some sort of swap, Kuminga, Buddy Hield, and another contract for salary purposes."
The Warriors ultimately parted ways with Kuminga and Hield in the Porzingis trade, but the extra assets appear to be what they were unsteady about giving up.
Lastly, Siegel said the Grizzlies had interest in Moses Moody, but that Golden State was reluctant to part ways with him and the draft capital they were asking for.
It certainly could have been a very different deadline if the Warriors struck on a deal for Jackson Jr., but it appears they were satisfied with a less risky move in the end, which was Porzingis.
Although the Warriors want to be competitive, especially while Steph Curry and Draymond Green are playing, they are aware of the value of draft picks further down the line, which in the end was enough to prevent them from making a risky trade for Jackson Jr.
Carlton Davis III sees the New England Patriots as a hot destination for upcoming free agents to desire playing for in 2026.
The Patriots advanced to the Super Bowl this year, losing to the Seattle Seahawks 29-13. Davis III started all 17 games of the regular season, as well as all four games in the 2025 NFL playoffs at cornerback. The 29-year-old finished with two interceptions in the postseason. Despite the loss, the Patriots went 9-0 on the road, regular season and playoffs included. New England became AFC champions behind AP NFL MVP runner-up Drake Maye.
“Why wouldn’t you want to be here if we’re gonna compete for championships? We’re gonna win games and we have a good time doing it… I don’t see a reason why you wouldn’t wanna play here,” Davis said.
Patriots linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson, defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga, safety Jaylinn Hawkins, as well as offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr., will all be unrestricted free agents when the market opens for players to start signing with teams on March 11. According to Over the Cap, New England has $42.7 million in cap space for 2026 to strengthen their roster for another hopeful run to the Super Bowl next season.
The Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl 60 champions. It's an incredible accomplishment, and it's their second Super Bowl title in franchise history.
But now that the Super Bowl is past them, the Seahawks have more work to do regarding their offseason plan. Free agents, trades, and the NFL Draft are all coming up shortly, and those decisions will be major ones.
Kenneth Walker, the Super Bowl MVP, is a free agent, and a big looming decision for the Seahawks. And while ESPN's Brady Henderson has an offensive player as the Seahawks top priority this offseason, it's not Walker.
Seahawks' top offseason priority isn't Kenneth Walker, but another offensive player
"What is their top offseason priority?" Henderson writes. "Te-sign wide receiver Rashid Shaheed. The Seahawks have other key unrestricted free agents... But arguably none would be as hard to replace as Shaheed, a productive No. 2 receiver and a Pro Bowl kick returner."
With Walker a free agent, along with Coby Bryant, Tariq Woolen, and a few other key players on the defensive side of the ball hitting free agency, Hendrson believes Shaheed is the top priority for the Seahawks this offseason.
The reason is clear: it's a whole lot more difficult to find a player like Shaheed than it is to find a good cornerback, running back, or safety.
Bryant and Woolen are great players, and the Seahawks have the money to bring them back. But, Henderson believes Shaheed signing an extension should be the Seahawks top priority this offseason.
Running backs are especially easy to come by, and there will be plenty of solid free agent options this offseason. J.K. Dobbins, Rico Dowdle, Travis Etienne Jr., and Breece Hall are just a few of the alternative options for the Seahawks.
Narratively, letting Walker walk after his Super Bowl MVP would be a mistake. Seattle's front office should re-sign Walker this offseason.
But the order of operations, at least for Henderson, should begin with re-signing Shaheed to a long-term extension to keep one of the more explosive playmakers in Seattle.
PARMA, ITALY - FEBRUARY 1: Luciano Spalletti, Kenan Yildiz of Juventus during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Juventus FC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 1, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) | Juventus FC via Getty Images
Something very uncommon happened to me while browsing my totally illegal streaming service of choice to find the Juventus game this past weekend. In a truly shocking turn of events, I wasn’t tuning in just for the responsibility I have as a writer of your friendly neighborhood blog BWRAO. It wasn’t something I needed to watch because I’m nothing if not a diligent journalist with integrity and morals.
I don’t just write hot fiery takes in this here blog. I write correct, well-researched, accurate takes thank you very much.
I was tuning in because I was legitimately excited and looking forward to watching my team. Ladies and gentlemen, they let Juventus be a fun team again. The fools, the absolute fools.
Notice I said, fun, not great … yet. The baffling defeat against Cagliari, the Coppa Italia elimination by a not-very-impressive Atalanta side, the draw against an extremely mid Lazio side and the wasted opportunity against AS Monaco in Champions League — with a decent chance at the time to get into the top eight and an automatic berth into the round of 16 — are proof that this team is not quite there yet in terms of consistency.
But man, when it’s fun, it’s fun, isn’t it? They can play good, fun ball. Juventus throttled Napoli, Cremonese and Parma in Serie A and convincingly beat Benfica in Europe during that same time period. And did it all with a combined 14-1 scoreline.
(How fun is it to beat the brakes out of Napoli again? A lot. Was it a tad bit more fun to do it with Antonio Conte patrolling the touchlines for the south siders? Yes, yes it was.)
Again, a seriously challenging team does not drop points the way Juventus have, and if we are realistic the Serie A title looks all but done with Inter Milan holding a 12-point advantage over the Bianconeri. But the fact that Juventus is playing well is not something we have seen too much recently.
Consider me … intrigued, Mr. Spalletti.
(The closest pursuer to Inter? Their crosstown rival, the Max Allegri-led AC Milan! Good luck, I did not throw out my massive Allegri tifo.)
Let’s cook.
Having a good time
Not every team with gimmicks is a good team. But every good team has gimmicks.
I have no scientific evidence of this statement, but it feels true, right? I think it’s just a natural consequence of a place with good chemistry. Very often, you end up spending a ton of time with the people you work with. Inside jokes, traditions, rituals. They all start to naturally develop in these environments and you can tell something like that is happening with this Juventus team. You start seeing the group celebrations, players having their own silly little gestures and things that everyone on the team joins in. These are all good things.
Are they a bit dumb, sometimes even going into the realm of cringey? Of course they are, but that’s the point! The entire concept of an inside joke is that everyone not in on it doesn’t get it.
(Also, I’m 32 years old, officially older than all but three (3) active players in the Juventus squad. It is natural and logical that I find that the silly things younger people do are kind of dumb. They are not for me, it’s fine. Have fun, young guns.)
(Arek Milik, Carlo Pinsoglio and Mattia Perin are the three players older than me, for what that’s worth. I’m playing a bit fast and loose with the definition of “active” players, I understand that.)
Let’s not forget that there is a direct correlation between Juventus having players doing silly celebrations with signature moves and the Bianconeri being a good football team. Have we forgotten about the Dybala Mask? Paul Pogba’s Dab? Cristiano Ronaldo’s SIUUUU? All stupid to various degrees, all relevant to the team being successful. When we don’t have that the team loses, this is all very scientific.
I, for one, welcome all the silly gimmicks that our players want to do, if we are not going to be in any sort of title race, at least let’s have some fun doing it.
Starboy
Speaking of contrived celebrations!
«La nostra storia continua» ⭐️
Il futuro è bianconero. Kenan Yildiz fino al 2030.
There is no scenario in which renewing Kenan Yildiz to a contract through 2030 is not good news for Juventus. Despite his young age, Yildiz has already shown enough this season to prove that he is not only the future of this club but the present as well. The fact that they could re-sign him until the end of the decade while also not paying him anywhere near a massive deal shows me two things.
Juventus, despite everything, is still a destination type of club that can tie up top-tier talent that is coveted by every club in Europe. There is finally a player that is worth building around for the upcoming years.
This is no small thing. Really ever since Ronaldo left the team, there hasn’t been a true game-breaking type of player in Juve’s employment and definitely not one that combines Yildiz’s talent with his age. If everything goes right, we are talking about someone who has the potential to lead this team for the next ten years, at least.
Of course, signing Yildiz is the first step. In today’s game it’s hard — or impossible — to hold on to elite talent if you are not consistently challenging for silverware. Juventus is just not at a stage where they can be characterized as a team that will challenge for those accolades every year so Yildiz might be a lifelong Juventus fan all he wants but if this current trend continues for a couple more years, how long do you think it will take for the Turkish star to get a wandering eye around Europe?
All that being said, it’s much easier to start building the next great iteration of the Bianconeri with the angular rock set in place.
Parting Shot of the Week
Thanks to Atalanta shellacking Juventus a week ago, the Bianconeri were unceremoniously dumped out of the Coppa Italia. The domestic cup competition is always important if you win it and very easy to disregard if you lose it, then again, for a “big” club you should aim to win every competition you participate in.
We are very far from the halcyon days of last decade when anything outside of a domestic double was seen as an irredeemable failure of a year, but at least on paper, the fact that Juventus is staring straight at the barrel of another season with no realistic chance at lifting a major trophy should raise some red flags.
(In theory, it’s a possibility that Juventus makes a miracle run in the Champions League, sure. Inter could also self-destruct in league play, but both those scenarios look pretty unlikely, as fun as it would be especially to see Inter Milan choke the title away.)
Spalletti has managed to right the ship and as previously discussed it has been more fun to see this team play recently, but at some point the expectation should be higher for a club with Juve’s pedigree. Because if you don’t, well, you blink and you have almost the exact same amount of major trophy wins this decade as Manchester United. You never want to be in that spot.
(Man United has won two domestic cups to Juve’s two domestic cups. However, the Bianconeri also claim a Supercoppa victory which in theory counts as a major trophy. Yup, we have been exactly one Supercoppa better than the poster club of mismanagement and inadequacy.Whether the Supercoppa should count as a major trophy is a subject for another day.)
Ken Roczen became the fourth winner in five rounds of the 2026 SuperMotocross World Championship at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, scoring his fourth top-five of the season.
With this win, Roczen extended his winning streak to seven consecutive Supercross seasons, and he moved into second in the championship standings, five points behind the new leader, Hunter Lawrence.
Roczen has four podium finishes in 2026 and a worst finish of eighth in the second race at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
Lawrence was philosophical about his fourth consecutive runner-up finish. He can afford to be with a perfect record of top-five finishes that has now propelled him to the top of the chart, but he knows Eli Tomac's trouble in Arizona is not an indication that his rival has lost any speed.
While it wasn't a victory, Cooper Webb's third-place finish in Glendale offered encouragement. Rounds 4 and 5 of the 2025 season were pivotal in Webb's championship, and his gap to the leaders is a manageable 15 points. Webb cannot count on Lawrence, Roczen, or Tomac to slow down, so the pressure continues to mount.
Justin Cooper is getting closer to scoring a Supercross podium with his fourth-place finish in Glendale. That is his first top-five of the season, although he came close in the first two rounds with sixth-place results in Anaheim 1 and San Diego.
Fifth-place Jorge Prado earned his second top-five of the season. His first came in Anaheim 1 when he stood on the podium in third. Since then, he's continued to show speed, but had back-to-back seventh-place finishes in Anaheim 2 and Houston.
Everything was going well for Tomac in Arizona ... until it wasn't. He was fast in qualification, won his heat, and had a great gate pick. He bobbled on the opening stretch and was knocked down when Christian Craig crashed in heavy traffic. Tomac spent four laps getting his rhythm and catching the back of the pack. He moved into the top 20 on Lap 7 and the top 15 on Lap 16 (of 23).
Tomac salvaged as many points as possible with a 12th-place finish. Craig remounted and finished 14th. Colt Nichols was also involved in the opening-lap incident; he finished 16th.
Vince Friese earned the holeshot before fading to 17th.
Here are the 450 Supercross results, lap times, and points standings after Round 5 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona:
England Test captain Ben Stokes has successfully undergone surgery for a facial injury, he confirmed on social media.
The 34-year-old all-rounder posted an image on Instagram showing his bruised and swollen right eye and cheek, accompanied by the message: "May not look like it… but the surgery was a success."
Stokes had earlier this month disclosed he was hit in the face by a ball, sharing an initial photograph with the caption, "You should see the state of the cricket ball."
It was later reported he sustained the injury while coaching academy players at Durham’s indoor cricket centre.
His return to England follows the 4-1 Ashes series defeat in Australia over the winter, a tour currently subject to an extensive review.
Ben Stokes has undergone surgery on his facial injury (PA)
While his future leadership has faced scrutiny, England coach Brendan McCullum has labelled some of the fallout as "out of order”.
England had headed Down Under with high hopes of claiming a first series win in Australia since 2010/11.
However, they lost the opening three Tests in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide as Australia wrapped up a series victory inside 11 days of cricket.
Stokes’ men did pick up a consolation win in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, coming out on the right side of a thrilling two-day match.
However, the series ended on a low as England suffered another defeat in Sydney.
Stokes is now recovering at home while some of his team-mates headed on to a subsequent limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka before playing in the T20 World Cup.
England survived a major scare in their first match of the tournament on Sunday, beating Nepal by four runs. They play their second game against West Indies on Wednesday.
Stokes is anticipated to play for Durham in the initial County Championship rounds before England commence their Test summer against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4.
King Leatherbury, a Hall of Fame trainer known as “King of the Claimers” for his ability to turn cheaper horses in lower-level claiming races into winners for more than six decades, died Tuesday. He was 92.
He died at his home, according to the Maryland Jockey Club, which was informed by his son Taylor Leatherbury. No cause of death was provided.
Leatherbury retired in 2023 as the third trainer in history, behind Dale Baird and Jack Van Berg, to win at least 6,000 races. His final total was 6,508 to go with purse earnings of $64,693,537, according to Equibase. He won 52 training titles in Maryland — 26 each at Pimlico and Laurel — and four at Delaware Park.
“He’s one of a kind,” Taylor Leatherbury told Laurel Park. ”There’s never been a man more appropriately named than my father.”
Leatherbury, along with fellow Hall of Famer Bud Delp, Richard Dutrow Sr., and John Tammaro Jr., were known as the Big Four of Maryland racing. They dominated the state in the 1960s and '70s and helped modernize training of thoroughbreds for speed and stamina.
“I really enjoyed the days of the Big Four,” Leatherbury told Laurel Park in 2013. "It was fun trying to compete with them and it made us all better trainers.”
Leatherbury led North American trainers in wins in 1977 and 1978, and won 300 or more races each year from 1975 to 1978.
He was a first-ballot inductee to the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame in 2015.
Leatherbury saddled one horse in the Kentucky Derby, with I Am the Game finishing 13th in 1985. That horse was fourth in the Preakness that year, one of Leatherbury's four starters in the second leg of the Triple Crown.
A Maryland native, Leatherbury took out his trainer's license in 1958 and won his first race the next year at Sunland Park, now known as Tampa Bay Downs.
"I got started because my father had horses, a breeder and owner and I just enjoyed betting on them, really, so I decided to get in the game,” Leatherbury told Laurel Park in 2013. “I have never really considered this work. I enjoy it, which has probably made the difference.”
After earning a business administration degree from the University of Maryland, he mastered the claiming game, in which owners buy horses from designated races for a specific price, by studying race charts and past performance statistics. He did much of his work from home rather than at his barn, where a devoted staff carried out his orders.
“Back in those days, the early '60s, no one claimed horses,” Leatherbury told The Washington Post in 2005. “Those were the days people started managing horses in a business-like way.”
The best horse of Leatherbury’s career was Ben’s Cat, whom he bred, owned and trained to 32 wins — 26 in stakes races — and more than $2.6 million in purse earnings from 2010-17. Ben’s Cat died in 2017 and his remains are buried near the paddock at Laurel.
He also trained Grade 1 winners Catatonic and Taking Risks. He claimed Port Conway Lane three times, and the horse won 52 of 242 starts from 1971 to 1983, racing until age 14.
He is survived by Linda, his wife of 62 years, and twin sons Taylor and Todd.
The NASCAR Cup season officially gets underway this weekend with the 68th running of the Daytona 500 on February 15.
Before that, NASCAR sent eighth-generation watermelon farmer and Trackhouse Racing star Ross Chastain to New York City for a very unique activation.
As part of the sport's new 'Hell Yeah' campaign, NASCAR fitted a mock 1:1 replica of a Chevrolet Cup engine to a billboard, complete with sound, and set a Guinness World Record for the world's loudest billboard. The engine was built in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, while both Hendrick and ECR Engines helped to ensure authenticity.
This morning in Times Square, @NASCAR set the @GWR for the loudest billboard! 🔊
"Setting a Guinness World Records title is a proud moment for our sport and serves as a bold statement to get the 2026 season started,” said Tim Clark, NASCAR’s Chief Brand Officer. “The billboard puts the visceral energy of NASCAR front and center and invites everyone to experience what makes our sport so unique.”
Chastain pushed the button and mashed the gas to set the new record, and just as he does after every race win, proceeded to smash a celebratory watermelon -- but this time in the middle of Times Square. The engine reached 133.7 decibels with smoke billowing from the billboard, smashing the previous record of 100 decibels. A representative from GWR was on site to measure the attempt and certify the new record. They then presented Chastain with an official plaque.
NASCAR is aiming to get back to its roots this year, while also putting the sport in front of new eyeballs with its 2026 marketing strategy. A recent high-energy commercial that has been positively received is also part of this 'Hell Yeah' campaign.
Watch: Watch Super Bowl Sunday ad that put NASCAR's 'Hell Yeah!' attitude on display
Mass interest in 200-game Liverpool star; Clubs are in contact
There's an incredible amount of interest in a 200-game Liverpool star. Clubs are in contact.
The January transfer window has been shut for a week now but that only means clubs are fully focused on what's to come this summer. And Liverpool will absolutely be busy.
For one, last summer's transfers simply haven't delivered the squad they want. The Reds spent enormous amounts in an attempt to improve a title-winning group. Instead, things have gone backwards.
Not only that, but Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate are out of contract this summer. Both will need replacing if they don't agree to new deals with the club.
Then there's the fact that interest from Saudi Arabia has returned for Mo Salah. That promises to be possibly the biggest decision the club or Salah faces in 2026.
He's far from the only one with interest in him, however.
Curtis Jones is a wanted man
There's significant interest in Curtis Jones heading into the summer transfer window. The Scouser will enter the final year of his contract, sparking a rush for his services.
Of course, there was an offer in January. Inter tried to get him on loan with a buy option, while Tottenham Hotspur considered a move before signing Conor Gallagher.
Boca Juniors dreams of bringing Paulo Dybala back home
Boca Juniors dreams of bringing Paulo Dybala back home
Paulo Dybala, 32, could soon be heading back to Argentina. The forward, who has spent the last three and a half years at AS Roma, currently earns an annual salary of €8.5 million, including bonuses.
Facing the need to cut costs, the Italian club is now only offering a contract extension worth €4 million per year—a reduction of over 50%. This significant pay cut could prompt Dybala to consider leaving.
Boca Juniors, the club where Dybala began his career, is closely monitoring the negotiations and, according to expert Ekrem Konur, is preparing an offer for the summer transfer window. The Argentine giants are eager to seize this opportunity to bring back one of their former stars and thrill their fans with the long-awaited return of “La Joya.”
Francisco Lindor has a stress reaction in his left hamate bone, New York Mets president David Stearns said Feb. 10, and the All-Star shortstop is expected to miss six weeks, putting his status for Opening Day in doubt.
Lindor, 32, had already been ruled out of competing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic due to insurance concerns regarding past offseason surgeries, but Stearns said this injury emerged recently and wasn't part of the WBC decision. Lindor will see a hand specialist Feb. 11, says Stearns, which should determine whether Lindor requires surgery.
Hitters often have surgery to remove the hamate bone once it fractures, with recoveries ranging from a few weeks to a couple of months. Lindor is coming off his fifth All-Star season, and the fourth consecutive year he's finished in the National League's top 10 in MVP voting.
"Knowing Francisco, I’m optimistic, even if he has to go the surgery route," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said on a video call with news reporters. "Found out a couple days ago and didn’t think much of it because this is a guy who’s played through a lot. For him to say something this early, I was like, hmm.
"But if he has to go that route, I’m optimistic he’ll play shortstop for us on Opening Day."
Meanwhile, Mendoza confirmed that Juan Soto will move from right to left field this year, a move that evolved from conversations they had about him playing left for the Dominican Republic in next month's WBC.
The Mets acquired Luis Robert to play center field, and Soto − in the second year of a 15-year, $765 million contract − might be better suited for left, anyway. Former center fielder Tyrone Taylor and rookie Carson Benge are, for now, expected to command most of the playing time in right field.
"I asked him, 'How would you feel playing left field for us?" Mendoza said. "He said, 'I'm willing to do whatever. If you want me to pitch, Mendy, I'll pitch.' I asked if it made sense for both.
"He said, 'Absolutely.'"
The Mets won 83 games but missed out on a playoff berth by one game last season.
WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative Paul "Triple H" Levesque speaks at a WWE news conference at T-Mobile Arena on October 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was announced that WWE wrestler Braun Strowman will face heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury and WWE champion Brock Lesnar will take on former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez at the WWE's Crown Jewel event at Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 31 - Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Jim Shank, a beloved, longtime WWE production employee, died last week after a battle with colorectal cancer, and various members of the WWE roster and corporate office paid tribute to him on Monday. "WWE Raw" went off the air with a graphic remembering Shank, who worked for WWE for over 26 years, according to PWInsider.
Paul "Triple H" Levesque posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, sharing the graphic that aired following "Raw." He wrote that Shank was a "fixture backstage and an incredible teammate," and someone who helped "create the magic" during WWE shows.
"Raw" General Manager Adam Pearce called Shank, who was WWE's Technical Operations Manager, an "unsung hero" in a post to X. He thanked Shank for his friendship. Both Rusev and Nattie also shared tributes to Shank on their own X accounts, with Rusev also sharing the graphic. Like Pearce, Nattie also called him an "unsung hero" behind-the-scenes.
"Jim was always thinking of others, always showing up for everyone else," Nattie wrote. "His memory will stay in our hearts."
Godspeed, Jim Shank.
WWE has many unsung heroes: Incredible men and women that perhaps aren't seen on screen, yet truly make everything we do shine. Jim is unquestionably one of those, and has been a respected member of our family for years.
World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk shared the "RIP" graphic to his Instagram story on Monday. "Rest easy my friend," Punk wrote, accompanied by the saluting emoji
According to PWInsider, Shank celebrated his 60th birthday in January. He started with WWE during the Attitude Era when he joined the company in November 1999. In 2025, WWE employees, as well as and friends and family, of Shank raised over $200,000 to help him with a new therapy for his treatment. PWI reported that former WWE chairman Vince McMahon contributed over $122,000 to the GoFundMe.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 14: Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) looks on during the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Philadelphia Eagles on December 14, 2025 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“If Howie [Roseman] makes that call, I’m coming back, one more.”
Graham talked about coming in halfway through last season and having to learn some new techniques when he moved inside. Still, he had fresh legs after resting most of the year, and was able to have a huge impact. He noted that it was a great group of guys on defense that weren’t selfish for a stat line and all worked together, which resulted in BG’s impressive sack numbers in just a few games.
The veteran also talked a bit about how the Eagles will have to pay Jalen Carter big money soon and how that will affect some upcoming roster decisions. He quipped that Jaelan Phillips, Reed Blankenship, and one other contract would combine to total what the organization will need to pay Carter.
If the only thing BG needs to come back is an invite from Howie, the Eagles GM should absolutely make the call. He’s earned the opportunity to come back, was still playing at an elite level, and is probably a much cheaper option when considering the salary cap.
Do you want Brandon Graham back for one more season? Or should the team allocate that salary elsewhere? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
If you are wholly unfamiliar with how Major League Baseball arbitration cases work, this headline could sound somewhat ominous. The reality, though, is that MLB’s arb system is something of a binary system if salaries for eligible players are not hammered out and finalized by a certain date, and an independent arbiter simply gets to pick which side – the player, or the team – has a number that is most deserved.
That’s precisely what went down today between Tyler Stephenson and the Cincinnati Reds. The team’s veteran catcher had submitted a $6.8 million request for the upcoming 2026 season, and the Reds had come in with a $6.55 million number, and despite those two being incredibly close (by baseball salary standards) it was up to an arbiter to decide between the two. And, as MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon relayed, they picked Stephenson’s $6.8 million mark.
The $250K is even less significant in the grand scheme given that the 2026 season will be Stephenson’s final year of team control before he reaches free agency. Since arb salaries become benchmarks on which future year salaries are built, a difference of even that amount in a first year of arbitration could end up escalating further in each of the subsequent trips through the process, but in Stephenson’s case, this is obviously the last time he’ll be doing that.
It remains to be seen whether this February will also be the final time he reports to Goodyear, Arizona as a catcher in a Reds uniform. The Reds went out and acquired Jose Trevino this time last winter to augment the catching mix and immediately signed him to a contract extension through at least 2027 (and potentially 2028), and top catching prospect Alfredo Duno has rocketed up the rankings after his monster 2025 in the minors. That means the writing may be on the wall for Cincinnati’s 1st round pick from back in 2015, but it could also be the right kind of fuel for him to do everything he can to have a monster platform season in 2026 before hitting free agency.
Regardless, one final, major piece of the roster puzzle for 2026 has been adjudicated.
We have an action-packed episode of 'The Dunker Spot' coming your way!
To kick us off, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones take a look at how the big movers from the trade deadline have already affected their new squads. James Harden making his impact on Cleveland, Jaren Jackson Jr. doing what he can on a tanking Utah and more!
From there, the fellas dive into the fracas from the Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons matchup, where the Hornets also saw their 9-game win streak snapped.
Finally, to round out the show, Nekias and Steve break down all the Unrivaled action from the weekend, break down a trade, and preview the highly anticipated 1-on-1 tournament.
If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.
1:24 James Harden debuts with Cavs 11:57 Jaren Jackson Jr. debuts with Jazz 18:43 NBA tanking? 24:36 Nikola Vucevic debuts with Celtics 33:25 Jose Alvarado debuts with Knicks 38:09 Ayo Dosunmu debuts with Timberwolves 46:20 Chicago Bulls’ newest guards 51:29 Jared McCain debuts with OKC 54:00 Pistons vs. Hornets brawl 57:41 Cam Thomas debuts with Bucks 1:00:26 Unrivaled thoughts & takeaways
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden smiles as he heads off the court after being interviewed following the Cavaliers' victory over the Denver Nuggets in an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - JANUARY 17: A detailed close up of the Indiana Hoosiers dunking against the Iowa Hawkeyes showing the IU and Adidas logo on the ball on January 17, 2026, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Indiana men’s basketball has extended its latest offer in the high school class of 2028 as head coach Darian DeVries and staff look to the future.
Michai White, the No. 1 point guard prospect in the class of 2028 as of this writing per the 247Sports Composite, landed an offer from the Hoosiers per Dushawn London of 247Sports. He attends Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, and has offers from Louisville, Northwestern and Stanford, among others. Indiana is one of his earlier offers.
White attended St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey, prior as a freshman last season. Notable alumni of Brewster Academy include Donovan Mitchell, TJ Warren, Matas Buzelis, Devin Carter and current Hoosier Reed Bailey.
Indiana’s staff has a few connections to former Brewster players outside of Bailey. Former Brewster guard Mason Moses spent one year with Kenny Johnson at Georgetown last season and Tennessee forward JP Estrella signed with the Volunteers during Rod Clark’s time on staff.
The Hoosiers’ other offers in 2028 are both 5-star small forwards: AJ Williams out of Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy in McDonogh, Georgia, and Colton Hiller out of Coatesville Area Senior High School in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.
Curry was so "fully committed" to the vocal performance of rebounding and rapping giraffe Lenny Williamson that the Golden State Warrior's voice squeaked in the recording studio, says Dillihay. And it was awesome.
"There’s a line about Lenny and his sick rhymes, and I took my voice up, and it cracked," Curry told USA TODAY at the "GOAT" world premiere on Feb. 6. "And (Dillihay) loved it. He started laughing."
After some discussion, the goof seemed so good that Dillihay and Curry, a producer on the movie, opted to keep it in. The decision came after consultation with Stephen's wife of 14 years, Ayesha Curry, who voices a goat named Carol.
"Ayesha was like, 'Keep the audience guessing if that was me,' " says Curry.
Oh, it's him. And we have proof with the clip. Curry says voice work is all part of learning the business as Unanimous Media, his production company with Erick Peyton, takes flight.
"It was cool to collaborate with (Dillihay) in the studio, and see what kind of range I had as a voice actor," says Curry. "It was challenging but it was fun."
Stephen also "1,000 percent" sought advice from Ayesha during the process, running lines with the more experienced actress.
"I actually got to watch one of her (vocal) sessions before I went," says Curry. "She has been acting her whole life and is the talented one in this space So she kind of broke the ice for me, which was cool."
The voice cast of the family-friendly sports comedy includes Gabrielle Union, Nick Kroll, David Harbour and Andrew Santino. The animated underdog film follows a determined young goat, Will Harris (Caleb McLaughlin), who dreams of making it big in an ultra-competitive animal sports league, pushing past doubters to play pro roarball.
"This is a big deal for our community. It was all hands on deck to get things rolling and put everyone in all different spots so kids could view it comfortably," Arvanigian said. "It's been amazing the support we've seen all around the world. It's been absolutely insane. We've been so proud and, we all deep down knew he was special."
Algonquin set up large televisions in its gymnasium, the library and black box theater. Students shuffled in and out depending on their lunch period or the bell schedule carrying signs like "Sweeping the competition with Korey Dropkin," and "Gonk (Hearts) Korey."
Physical education teacher Kristen Marcone kept the crowd's spirits up during a tense, defensive match. She started watching over the weekend when she heard he was a fellow Algonquin alumn.
Late in the match, Dropkin wiped sweat from his brow and breathed heavily after an aggressive sweep down the ice.
"It's way harder than shuffleboard," Aarush Shah said to Marcone.
"WAY harder than shuffleboard," she responded.
After Sweden's sibling team of Isabella and Rasmus Wrana finished the decisive end to claim gold, Algonquin's collective community experienced a gut punch.
"It has unified our school. We're a big close-knit community as it is, but the unification that the sport and Korey and his family have done has been amazing for us," Arvanigian said. "To embrace him and his family but also learn something new as a whole entire school. Curling for us is not a mainstream sport, but it's exciting to see the excitement in the kids to see the sport come to life."
"We're just so proud of Korey and proud of who he is," she added. "We're just psyched he was where he was and that he was able to medal. The silver is amazing to be where he's at today."
A silver lining where he's at from the place he'll always be from.
Contact Kyle Grabowski at kgrabowski@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kylegrbwsk
Former LSU Tigers linebacker Greg Penn always felt like an extra coach on the field due to his high football IQ. Now, he's becoming the real thing.
Matt Moscona of LouisianaSports.net broke the news on Monday night that Penn would be joining Lane Kiffin's Tigers staff as a defensive analyst.
The linebacker spent a full four years on the LSU roster as a player, joining as a four-star recruit from the 2021 class. He was the No. 221 overall recruit in the country, No. 23 linebacker and No. 10 player out of Maryland per the 247Sports rankings.
He wasn't someone who raked in a ton of accolades throughout his career, but was always a solid player. It's probably why his career evolved into coaching. He had the instincts, but didn't test well athletically and never made it to the NFL.
Penn did have 264 tackles across his Tigers career. He had 17.5 go for a loss with 5.5 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and four passes broken up. There was an argument to be made for him being All-SEC in 2023, but that was a stacked year, and Harold Perkins had all the attention from LSU.
The biggest accomplishment of his playing career was earning the No. 18 over his final season, proving his leadership and the respect he had earned from his teammates/coaches.
He should fit right in and will be able to learn from a fantastic linebackers coach in Blake Baker during his first year on the staff.
It appears that he will be replacing another former Tigers player, as Moscona also reported that Jermauria Rasco will be leaving his defensive analyst role for a defensive line assistant role with the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Rasco joined LSU's staff in 2024. He has also coached for the Arizona Wildcats and the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns. He played for LSU from 2011 to 2014.
Nearly four months after his first UFC title defense ended in trauma, Tom Aspinall is still trying to get his vision back to full strength.
UFC heavyweight champ Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) was badly poked in the eyes by Ciryl Gane (13-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) at UFC 321 in October, resulting in a no contest and leading to significant complications for the Brit.
There's no certainties around Aspinall's UFC future, but it's clear he is trying to get back to 100 percent, and on February shared a medical update confirming he has completed a surgical procedure on both eyes (via Instagram):
The statement from Aspinall's medical team at Optegra indicated the UFC champ will be working toward returning to competition, which would likely set up an immediate rematch with Gane.
Aspinall has minced no words on his feelings about his French rival, and said he will make him pay for cheating in the first fight.
Two Premier League teams absolutely desperate for points at all costs will clash in London as Tottenham host Newcastle on Tuesday.
Both clubs are suffering through poor runs of form and are in need of any positive results, giving this match a nervy and tense feel.
The hosts are in the most dire situation, languishing 15th in the league standings, just six points above the drop as Thomas Frank is on thin ice at Spurs.
For Eddie Howe and the visiting Magpies, they aren't under threat of relegation, but their position in 12th leaves their chances of qualifying for Europe next season on life support. Their total of 33 points through 25 matches puts them 10 points back of fifth-place Chelsea, meaning a shot at a Champions League place next year is almost certainly out of the question.
The Sporting News is following the Tottenham vs. Newcastle match live, providing score updates, commentary, and analysis.
Following the game, this section will be updated with analysis of the Tottenham vs. Newcastle match.
Tottenham vs. Newcastle key moments
1 hour to kickoff: Let's have a look at the starting lineups. Dan Burn, Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga all come back in for Newcastle, who have Anthony Gordon leading the line and both Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade on the bench.
2 hours to kickoff: For the second straight season, Tottenham are experiencing polar opposite fortunes in Premier League and European competitions. While they sit 15th in the Premier League table 25 matches into Thomas Frank's debut season, they managed to secure a fourth-place finish in the league phase of Champions League action.
That's key for Frank who now gets room to breathe as they recover their Premier League position, not scheduled to compete in the Round of 16 in Europe until the middle of March. Thanks to their early FA Cup exit, Spurs won't play again after this match until February 22.
Cristian Romero is suspended for four matches after his red card last time out against Manchester United. His challenge on Casemiro was deemed serious foul play, meaning a three-match ban. An additional game is added on to the suspension because it was Romero's second Premier League red card of the season.
Destiny Udogie, Kevin Danso, Pedro Porro, and Djed Spence are all dealing with injuries. Spence is the only one with a chance to play in this match, while the others need a few more weeks.
Long-term absentees include Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison, all of whom need until at least April before returning, if not longer.
Newcastle team news
Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley are both considered game-time decisions, with the former recovering from a minor hamstring injury and the latter working through a dead leg.
Joelinton will not take part in this match, Eddie Howe confirmed, as he battles back from a groin injury.
Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, and Emil Krafth are also out, with the latter potentially back soon while the other two need significantly more time before returning.
ALBACETE, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 03: Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona celebrates a goal during the Spanish Cup, Copa del Rey, Quarter of Final football match played between Albacete Balompie and FC Barcelona at Carlos Belmonte stadium on February 03, 2026, in Albacete, Spain. (Photo By Irina R. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images
Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has given a new interview where he has discussed his mental health issues after taking a break earlier in the season.
The defender has been asked about that game and says that after he was sent off he realised that he had been struggling with his mental health for some time and needed some help.
“In the moment, with the adrenaline rush, you just go for it. You feel sad, but then, when the game is over, it all comes crashing down on you. I already felt like I wasn’t okay, that’s the truth, but out of habit you try to keep going, and sometimes you need help,“ he told Mundo Deportivo.
“I’d been dealing with anxiety for a year and a half that turned into depression, and I was playing like that. That doesn’t help, because on the field you don’t really feel like yourself. You know your worth and what you can contribute on the field, and when I wasn’t feeling well, I knew something was wrong. That day I realized that was it, that I needed to talk to professionals and the club so they could help me.”
“Things have changed quite a bit because I’ve learned so much during this time. I think it was the right thing to do after that decision I made. I feel different and I’m happy about it, because I’m more at ease, happier. I can enjoy what I love to do, which is playing football, and that helps a lot,” he added.
“Well, it’s different… you see things from another perspective. I felt like the worst of the worst was over, and now I see things differently. The time I took off was for a reason, because in the end I was able to work through it with professionals, with my family, and spiritually, which is what I needed. So I think that did me a lot of good, and today I feel like a completely different person.
“The time I took off was for a reason, because in the end I was able to work through it with professionals, with my family, and spiritually, which is what I needed. So I think that did me a lot of good, and today I feel like a completely different person.”
Arauoj has since returned to action with Barcelona and scored his first goal since his comeback in the Copa del Rey win over Albacete.
Arne Slot, manager of Liverpool looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on February 8, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images) | Getty Images
SUNDERLAND VS. LIVERPOOL
| Wednesday, February 11th | Premier League | Stadium of Light 8:15PM BST/3:15PM EST
Sunderland are unbeaten at home, and are the only Premier League team able to claim such a record. Indeed, their unbeaten home record is the longest by a newly promoted side since Nottingham Forest’s 21-game-streak in the 1977-78 season (yes, they went unbeaten all season at home and then won the title). They come into this match sitting 9th on the table in comparison to Liverpool’s 6th, but it’s apparent which team is more pleased with the current state of affairs. Nonetheless, they’ve had a mixed run in the last five, losing last match against Arsenal 3-0 after beating Burnley by the same scoreline the match previous. Shockingly they subsequently lost to West Ham United after beating Crystal Palace at home: their two home games have been wins, while their away efforts resulted in two losses, having shipped three goals in each. They did beat Everton away in the FA Cup, but did so via penalties, drawing 1-1 at full time.
They’ll be pleased to have Liverpool at home is what I’m saying, as their record at the Stadium of Light is very different than their wider one; that Liverpool at present seem a team able to be got at will only spur on a home crowd under the lights. Historically, all three of Liverpool’s defeats to Sunderland in the Premier League era have come at the Stadium of Light, though their last win was back in 2012.
The Black Cats have struggled in midweek fixtures thus far this season, and likely are not built to play at these intervals — though this caveat is limited both by Liverpool’s own squad depth struggles, the fact that they played on Saturday and thus have an extra day to prepare, and the fact that their last goal in these challenging midweek fixtures came against Liverpool at Anfield. Meanwhile, Liverpool have only won two away matches this season, drawing three and losing five.
Nilson Angulo, Sunderland’s January signing, will be available for this match, and Noah Sadiki has returned to fitness and could feature as well. Bertrand Traoré remains sidelined with injury for the Black Cats, as, importantly, does captain Granit Xhaka.
Trai Hume has filled in as captain in Xhaka’s absence, and the hard-working, vocal Hume has done well to maintain Sunderland’s high standard. Xhaka’s creativity will be a continued miss for Sunderland, however, as the midfielder had been crucial for his side’s creativity in front of goal.
Brian Bobbey is Sunderland’s top scorer with five goals, while 20-year-old Chemsdine Talbi will be looking to score to make it a goal both home and away against the league champions.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)
Alisson; Jones, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Wirtz, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Ekitiké, Gakpo
Liverpool have had six players play at right back this season, but will be missing (likely) four of them given ongoing injuries to Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, and Sunday’s suspension to Dominik Szoboszlai — the latest of Liverpool’s self-inflected wounds. Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s match, Arne Slot confirmed that Joe Gomez will train for the first time with the team on Tuesday, and could thus be involved on Wednesday night. Should be not be fit, though, Slot has confirmed that natural right back Calvin Ramsay will not be called upon, hinting instead at the other two league-used options: Curtis Jones and Wataru Endō.
This further limits Slot’s choices in midfield, as Jones would be a natural replacement for the absent Szoboszlai should the Hungarian be asked to play his more natural position. Slot will likely move Florian Wirtz into the 10 role behind a front three, but this would mean fielding his strongest starting XI — not something he’s been wont to do this season, preferring to leave at least one strong option on the bench. Federico Chiesa might play a role as the only player on the bench with senior experience, but Slot has not liked to use the Italian given any other option. Rio Ngumoha, too, will be available. (Full disclosure: I did just Google the squad list to see if it’s possible I had forgotten someone. I had hoped there was a midfielder I had forgotten. Alas.)
Liverpool have drawn their last four games against newly promoted side, and are facing the potential to go winless in five straight such meetings for the first time since 1981 — not a record the Reds will want to add to a season of frustration.
A squad stretched thin in a challenging atmosphere will want to cash in on their individual superiority early if possible, and a bright start from the Reds would go a long way toward making this one manageable. Given that the Reds have very little when it comes to reinforcements, now would certainly be a good time for attacking fluidity to come to the boil to take the pressure off a defense spread thin and characterized by lapses in concentration.
The Managers Have Their Say
Arne Slot: “But it’s not only that they [Sunderland] have a good record at home, they have had a very good season. But the record at home, I was aware of that as well. And already played against City and Arsenal at home, so that tells you how good of a season they are having and how strong and good they are at home.”
Régis Le Bris: “To be fair I think we played the game we wanted to play [in the loss v. Arsenal]. We were bold and aggressive in our high press. I think our mid-press was better compared with the home game. Our deep press was good as well but they found solutions with shots from outside the box. We had good control of the ball. The main difference was the level of threat. They were really good with that and created five or six chances while we made one and a half. It is positive as we know where we are in our journey but there’s a long way to go to achieve this challenge. It’s really positive, confidence is getting better and we have more solutions now to fix different problems.”
The Officials
Referee: Chris Kavanagh Assistants: Dan Cook, Marc Perry Fourth Official: Thomas Bramall VAR: Darren England Assistant VAR: Craig Taylor
If you haven’t done so already, we’d love if you signed up for an SB Nation account and join the community at TLO. We’ll bring you and your fellow Liverpool fans from around the world full coverage of every match from the 2025-26 season in the Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cups along getting you breaking news, insight and opinion, tactical discussion, and post-match reactions as the new season plays out. Hopefully you’ll join us for it!
Lindsey Vonn suffered heartbreak in potentially her last ever Olympic event as she crashed in the women’s downhill skiing.
Vonn required surgery on a left-leg fracture from the crash in Cortina, Italy, for which she was airlifted to hospital.
It arrived shortly after the 41-year-old American ruptured ligaments in her left knee, with Vonn requiring lengthy treatment for her latest injury.
She has now addressed the disappointment, with her social media message already attracting over one million likes.
Photo by Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom/Getty Images
Coco Gauff inspired by Lindsey Vonn after Winter Olympics heartbreak
Vonn posted on Instagram: “Yesterday my Olympic dream did not finish the way I dreamt it would. It wasn’t a storybook ending or a fairytale, it was just life.
“I dared to dream and had worked so hard to achieve it. Because in downhill ski racing the difference between a strategic line and a catastrophic injury can be as small as 5 inches.
“I was simply 5 inches too tight on my line when my right arm hooked inside of the gate, twisting me and resulted in my crash. My ACL and past injuries had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever.
“Unfortunately, I sustained a complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly.
“While yesterday did not end the way I had hoped, and despite the intense physical pain it caused, I have no regrets.
“Standing in the starting gate yesterday was an incredible feeling that I will never forget. Knowing I stood there having a chance to win was a victory in and of itself.
“I also knew that racing was a risk. It always was and always will be an incredibly dangerous sport. And similar to ski racing, we take risks in life.
“We dream. We love. We jump. And sometimes we fall. Sometimes our hearts are broken. Sometimes we don’t achieve the dreams we know we could have. But that is the also the beauty of life; we can try.
“I tried. I dreamt. I jumped. I hope if you take away anything from my journey it’s that you all have the courage to dare greatly.
“Life is too short not to take chances on yourself. Because the only failure in life is not trying. I believe in you, just as you believed in me.”
The post has almost 60,000 comments, one of which from tennis superstar Coco Gauff simply read: “So inspiring.”
Her fellow tennis players Jannik Sinner and Jakub Mensik have also reacted to the post with heart emojis, which Gauff added to her words.
Coco Gauff needs inspiration after shock Qatar Open exit
It is truly inspirational from Vonn, who has enjoyed a fantastic career and will long be remembered for her fantastic achievements.
And it’s amazing to see that her motivation and determination are not only transcending her sport, but the entire sporting world.
Tennis players are just one group that she is continuing to inspire, with Vonn clearly having a big impact on her fellow American Gauff.
Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
At 21, Gauff is at the other end of her career, although like Vonn she has already inspired plenty of others herself.
Right now, however, the youngster will be in need of motivation, having just lost her first match at the Qatar Open.
The two-time Grand Slam champion suffered a shock defeat to Elisabetta Cocciaretto, having also lost her doubles opener with Victoria Mboko in Doha.
The Los Angeles Chargers’ most recent addition to the coaching staff has been away from the NFL for five seasons. Adam Gase, who the Chargers are reportedly hiring as a passing game assistant coach, is a former head coach of the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets.
Gase has not coached in the NFL since the 2020 season. The Jets fired Gase after the team went 2-14 in 2020. He is now 47 years old and will make his return to NFL coaching in 2026 with the Chargers.
He is the third reported addition to the Chargers’ offensive coaching staff this offseason. Los Angeles hired Mike McDaniel as the new offensive coordinator to replace Greg Roman in January. Then, the Chargers hired Butch Barry as the offensive line coach and Max McCaffrey as the running backs coach.
Gase is believed to be replacing Marcus Brady, who was the Chargers’ passing game coordinator for two seasons. Brady is joining former Chargers defensive coordinator and now head coach Jesse Minter in the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff.
Dec 29, 2019; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Jets head coach Adam Gase looks on against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Gase Was One of the Top Offensive Minds in NFL in 2016
Gase was successful as an offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears and as a quarterbacks coach for the Denver Broncos early in his career. He eventually earned his first NFL head coaching job with the Dolphins in 2016.
But Gase was not able to replicate that same level of success as a head coach. Miami fired Gase after three seasons, and the Jets fired him after two seasons. Between coaching both teams, Gase held a 32-49 record, which also included one playoff loss in 2016 with the Dolphins.
After New York fired Gase, he did not coach in the NFL for five seasons.
Now, he will return to coaching within an offensive staff and will hopefully be able to be successful like he was earlier in his career.
After winning the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks as offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak has arrived in Las Vegas as the Raiders’ next head coach.
As expected, one of the first questions for Kubiak focused on All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby, whose goal is to win. Speculation about his future with the organization recently surfaced after he allegedly told minority owner Tom Brady that he plans to leave Las Vegas, according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer.
Those rumors were addressed on Tuesday when Kubiak spoke to the media, revealing that Crosby was the first player in the Raiders’ building and that they shared a cup of coffee together.
“I got to a cup of coffee with Maxx this morning. Love talking with him,” Kubiak said. “And I look forward to continuing those conversations. He was the first one in here working out. So that fired me up.
“We want him to be a part of our success going forward, there’s no doubt about that.”
If Kubiak’s comments are accurate — which seems likely — it doesn’t sound like Crosby is ready to walk away from the Raiders just yet.
Crosby is under contract through 2029, so the Raiders aren’t obligated to trade him even if there’s some potential drama. While that could complicate Kubiak’s first offseason, Crosby hasn’t given any clear signals that he plans to leave, and it doesn’t appear the Raiders have any intention of moving their franchise centerpiece.
Augsburg and USMNT youngster Noahkai Banks names favorite club and childhood football idols
Since the start of the season, Noahkai Banks has established himself as a regular starter in FC Augsburg’s three-man backline, making 17 Bundesliga appearances this term.
The 19-year-old is widely regarded as a bright prospect, with United States coach Mauricio Pochettino previously saying that Banks has the potential to become one of the best centre-backs in Europe.
For now, Banks is enjoying gaining his first experiences in the Bundesliga, but if his rapid rise continues, he may eventually look to take the next step elsewhere. The question is: where could he see himself playing?
“It's difficult to say. I really enjoy playing in the Bundesliga to be honest. But there are a lot of great leagues, such as the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga," Banks told Bulinews.com and reporters from other publications during a roundtable on Wednesday.
He went on to name a specific club that he's always particularly liked.
“One of the clubs I idolized while growing up was Barcelona. I think I can say that's my favorite club. So yeah, maybe one day it would be a dream to play for them, but let's see what happens,” said Banks.
It’s no surprise, then, that Banks mentioned Lionel Messi as one of his biggest footballing idols and “the best player of all time.” As he also pointed out, however, the Argentine superstar plays in a very different role to himself.
In terms of defenders, Banks looked up to a 2014 German World Cup winner.
“My biggest idol growing up was Jérôme Boateng at Bayern," he revealed.
“I really admired his playing style, and after the 2014 World Cup, where he performed so well, I became a big fan. I think there are some similarities in the way we play. Obviously I’m not at his level yet, but I can see a bit of that similarity.”
Banks will be hoping for his second call-up to the senior United States national team in March. The Augsburg defender earned his first call-up to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad in September, but didn’t get to make his debut at that time.
Man United’s electric start under interim boss Michael Carrick nearly came to a screeching halt, but Benjamin Sesko played hero off the bench again as his 94th-minute equaliser salvaged a 1-1 draw with West Ham on Tuesday.
While the five-match winning streak under the new manager came to an end, Carrick preserved his unbeaten record with the last-gasp goal, Sesko’s second late strike in three matches after winning it late against Fulham in stoppage time.
The opening 45 minutes of this match were utterly forgettable on all fronts, as neither side had any interest in attacking the opponent, combining for just five total shots of little note.
Then, shortly after the second-half restart, the Hammers produced one dangerous counter-attack and profited, as Tomas Soucek finished off a wonderful run and cross from Jarrod Bowen.
That was it for the Hammers, who went back into their shell and saw out the match. For the rest of the way, it felt as if Bruno Fernandes, who has been white hot through the recent winning streak, was powerless to help United claw back level.
Yet West Ham could not finish off the victory, as Sesko came off the bench to put the ball in the back of the net through four of the seven added minutes, flicking a brilliant finish inside the near post on a looped feed from Bryan Mbeumo.
The draw slightly strengthens Man United’s Premier League standing, still sitting in fourth but not a point clear of fifth-placed Chelsea. For West Ham, they would have gone level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, but instead remain two back with Forest yet to contest their midweek match.
The Sporting News is following the West Ham vs. Man United match live, providing score updates, commentary, and analysis.
This section will be updated with commentary and analysis of the match once it concludes.
West Ham vs. Man United key moments
90+6 min: GOAL! MAN UNITED! BENJAMIN SESKO HAS DONE IT AGAIN! After his stoppage-time winner against Fulham, he scores the equaliser here today!
Bryan Mbeumo finds the substitute at the near post with a looped ball, and Sesko manages to produce a truly STUNNING flicked finish out of the bag of tricks, poking it into the back of the net! West Ham's hearts are broken!
90+4 min: Chance, Man United! JOSHUA ZIRKZEE MISSES BY INCHES! The Man United substitute wins an aerial duel at the top of the six-yard box from a central position, looking to redirect the ball inside the far post, but it bounces just wide! That was the moment!
68th min: Harry Maguire seems to be struggling with a hamstring injury he suffered earlier in the first half, and will be replaced by Lenny Yoro. Matheus Cunha is also hauled off and replaced by Benjamin Sesko.
63rd min: Chance, Man United! CASEMIRO BAGS THE EQUALISER FOR MAN UNITED! He races in on goal and meets the ball from Kobbie Mainoo on the right, heading it home!!
BUT NO! He's offside! The goal was initially given, but the VAR Craig Pawson confirms that the Brazilian was leaning over the line! Casemiro's muted celebration betrayed his fear that this would be wiped away!
50th min: GOAL! WEST HAM! TOMAS SOUCEK SCORES WHAT COULD BE A MASSIVE GOAL IN THE RELEGATION BATTLE!!!
West Ham counter with a long-ball down the middle, and it's held up to Jarrod Bowen who carries it forward. He brings the ball out wide right before delivering a bobbling cross to the face of goal where Soucek bundles it home!
Those 45 minutes were right up there for the worst half of football of any match this entire Premier League season. A combined 5 total shots worth 0.28 xG between them so far.
Two organised sides with zero intent of attacking the opposition. Zero goal mouth action. Horrible.
13th min: Chance, West Ham! SENNE LAMMENS MAKES A HUGE FULL-STRETCH SAVE! He keeps out a curling shot from Crysencio Summerville which was destined to tuck inside the far post!
Kickoff: They're under way at the Olympic Stadium in London in the pouring rain! Both teams have every reason to go for all three points here, will that make for an exciting 90 minutes? Let's hope so!
1 hour to kickoff: Lineups are in! There are no surprises whatsoever, as both XI's are exactly as predicted.
2 hours to kickoff: Michael Carrick has rejuvenated Manchester United seemingly in an instant. His first task after being hired as interim boss was to put Bruno Fernandes back in a starring role on the pitch.
The move has worked wonders, as Carrick has suggested — not without merit — that Fernandes is playing like the MVP of the league right now. "Yeah, quite possibly," the United manager pondered when asked if that were the case.
Since returning from injury, Fernandes has delivered a goal and five assists in five Premier League matches. The Portugal star now has 74 chances created this season in league play, twenty-seven more than anyone else, an astonishing total compared to the rest of the league.
Most chances created in the Premier League this season:
Mason Mount picked up a muscle injury that kept him out of matches against Fulham and Tottenham, and he's expected to miss one more game before potentially returning against Everton next time out.
Matthijs de Ligt has been missing since November with a back issue, but could return soon. This game is likely too soon, but a late February return could be on the cards.
Patrick Dorgu had been in good form this season, but a hamstring injury suffered in late January will keep him sidelined up to 10 weeks.
Rarely, in a 3-0 defeat, is your goalkeeper also your best player. Yet in Dundee United's recent loss to Hearts, that may well have been the case.
Factor in that Ashley Maynard-Brewer was making his debut, and hadn't played a game since August, and the story becomes more surprising.
"When I spoke to the manager and the goalie coach [Paul Mathers], the intention was to come here and play – it was a show of faith from the manager for me to come straight into that Hearts game," Maynard-Brewer said.
"It's definitely been an eventful few weeks, but I think it's helped just coming straight into games and being part of the team.
"I wanted my debut to be a positive result and a positive performance, but we found ourselves two goals down with 10 men quite early on and that was pretty tough."
The Australian, who previously featured in the Premiership while on loan at Ross County, arrived in January from Charlton on a six-month deal.
The 26-year-old was promoted to the Championship with the Addicks last year but found playing time almost impossible to come by in the first half of the campaign.
"But personally, after not playing for a while, it was just about controlling what I could control and looking at my performance," the keeper said. "Then the Hibs game was, I thought as a team, we performed really well.
"There were definitely some positives to take from that performance, it was just frustrating to concede two set-piece goals late on.
"The training standards have been really high and the performance at Hibs, I thought we definitely deserved something. A positive result against Aberdeen would just get us back on track."
Senior guard Mia Moore was the star of the show on the day, putting up 30 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. She excelled from outside the arc, going six for five from three, and went 10-of-13 overall from the field.
Moore's point tally was the most of her collegiate career and her third time getting over the 20-point mark.
Behind Mia Moore’s big night, Clemson still delivered a balanced and physical team performance, led by DemeAra Hinds and Rusne Augustinaite. Hinds was dominant inside, finishing with 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting, 11 rebounds, two steals, and a block, anchoring a Clemson frontcourt that controlled the paint.
Augustinaite added 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting and 2-of-8 from three, providing steady scoring on the perimeter while finishing with a +23 plus-minus, a statistic that measures a player's impact by calculating the point differential between their team and the opponent while that specific player is on the court.
As a team, Clemson shot an efficient 56.9 percent from the field and 50 percent from three, while overwhelming Boston 42–18 in points in the paint.
The Tigers also received strong bench production, outscoring Boston’s reserves 27–12, reinforcing a complete, multi-level effort that extended well beyond Moore’s scoring outburst.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
Report: Liverpool considering move to sign former Chelsea forward
Liverpool Eyeing Christian Pulisic Return Amid AC Milan Contract Uncertainty
Reports from Tuttomercato, suggest Liverpool are monitoring Christian Pulisic’s situation at AC Milan as talks over a new deal stall. The United States international, now 27, has long been on the club’s radar, dating back to his Borussia Dortmund days when interest from Anfield was well documented.
The latest update indicates the winger had been close to renewing only three months ago, yet no formal offer has arrived. That delay has reportedly left the player ‘taken aback’. His confusion is said to be heightened by Milan securing fresh terms for Mike Maignan during the same period. Even so, Pulisic is described as ‘very happy’ in Milan, and there remains an expectation that San Siro officials will table a proposal soon. His current contract runs until June 2027, which gives the Italian side a degree of control over any negotiations.
Form in Serie A Turning Heads
Pulisic’s output this season strengthens the case for renewed interest from Premier League clubs. He has delivered 10 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions, a return that underlines his value in Max Allegri’s attacking structure. His broader creative metrics across Serie A also place him among the elite performers in his role, with strong numbers for successful passes, chance creation and shots on target.
Liverpool supporters will recall his ability to influence big fixtures. He has scored three times against the Reds during his career, including an early strike at San Siro in last season’s Champions League meeting, a match Liverpool went on to win 3-1. Performances of that calibre tend to keep recruitment departments attentive, especially when a player combines goal threat with consistent ball progression.
Financials and Fitness Concerns
From a financial standpoint, the deal would appear manageable. Pulisic is currently earning just over £85,000 per week, a figure that could be improved without unsettling Liverpool’s existing wage structure. His estimated market value, around £40.2m, sits within a bracket that would not stretch Anfield’s resources in a typical summer window.
Photo: IMAGO
There are, however, clear considerations around durability. Since the start of the 2023-24 campaign he has recorded seven separate absences through injury, each brief, yet collectively enough to prompt caution. Liverpool’s recent recruitment has leaned towards availability as much as quality, and any serious pursuit would require robust medical confidence.
Transfer Timing Hinges on Europe
Another factor shaping the outlook is Liverpool’s competitive trajectory under Arne Slot. The head coach stated in his press conference that Champions League qualification has an ‘enormous impact’ on transfer policy. With European participation still to be secured, decision makers may delay firm moves until the club’s status for next season is clearer.
Unless Pulisic’s situation in Milan deteriorates sharply, this story feels exploratory rather than advanced. Interest from Liverpool and Arsenal aligns with his profile, yet tangible progress would likely depend on contract talks at San Siro stalling further and on clarity around Anfield’s European schedule.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
This link carries intrigue but limited urgency. Pulisic’s quality is evident, and his numbers in Italy deserve respect, yet the Reds already have established options across the forward line. Recruitment under the current regime has prioritised durability and tactical fit, and his recent injury history raises legitimate questions about reliability across a full Premier League season.
There is also the matter of squad balance. If funds are available, many fans would argue they are better directed towards positions that have shown greater need during the campaign. Adding another wide attacker, even one with Pulisic’s pedigree, could create congestion without clearly elevating the starting XI.
European qualification remains a decisive variable. If Champions League football is secured, Liverpool may target a younger profile with resale value and long term upside. If it is not, committing £40m plus wages to a player approaching his late twenties may feel like a short term fix rather than strategic planning.
In short, it is a rumour worth monitoring, though supporters may prefer patience until stronger, locally sourced confirmation emerges.
Liverpool Are In The Running For This Newcastle United Midfielder: Should Slot Snap Him Up?
In a recent report, journalist Graeme Bailey stated that Liverpool are in the running for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali. It is understood that the Reds would have to compete with Arsenal and Manchester City in the race to land the Italy international next summer.
Tonali’s Impressive Form In The Premier League
Tonali has enjoyed a decent campaign at the Tyneside club as he has put in a series of eye-catching performances for them at the centre of the park. The Italian talent has participated in 37 matches for the Reds this season, securing five assists in the process across all competitions.
The 25-year-old is currently among the best central midfielders in the Premier League. Thus, Liverpool would do well to get a deal done for him this summer.
His current contract at St. James’ Park will run out in the summer of 2028, which could make it difficult for the Reds to sign him on the cheap later this year.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 21: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Newcastle United FC and PSV Eindhoven at St James’ Park on January 21, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Should Liverpool Boss Arne Slot Snap Tonali Up?
Tonali is a good tackler of the ball and can read the danger well to secure the ball back for his side inside his half. He usually puts his foot through the ball when the opposition are on the front foot and is a tidy passer as well.
The Italian talent can even create some meaningful openings for his teammates in the final third when he is playing regularly and with confidence on the field. However, Tonali has to find a way to add more goals to his game. Still, he has got a wealth of experience in the Premier League and won’t take much time to settle into life at the Merseyside club.
We can expect Tonali to bring more quality and depth to Liverpool boss Arne Slot’s midfield department. He is more than capable of earning a regular first-team spot at Anfield in the coming years.
At 25, Tonali has his peak years ahead of him, which makes him a decent choice for the Reds to pursue at the end of this campaign. All in all, Slot would be wise to go all out to snap him up later this year.
One of the biggest problems facing Microsoft's capex pertains to chip tariffs, and the U.S. might finally be waking up to the self-inflicted pain it's causing.
Trust announces the launch of the new Seron Slim Multi-Wireless Hyperscroll Mouse - combining a portable design with ultimate productivity, this wireless mouse is the ideal companion for professionals who work across multiple devices and locations.
At just 31 mm in height, the Seron's ultra-thin design easily slips into any bag, whilst its premium metal hyperscroll wheel with tilt function makes navigating through lengthy documents and spreadsheets effortless. Whether scrolling vertically through reports and webpages or horizontally across data tables, users can work more efficiently throughout the day.
SilverStone has quietly expanded its comprehensive range of CPU cooling solutions with a myriad of brand-new designs, across both air and liquid cooling lines. A pair of 2U small form factor server/workstation CPU cooling solutions have gained the most media attention. As expected, the Taiwanese manufacturer has not issued any press material for this pair of freshly introduced AMD-oriented products. The SST-XE02-AM5B cooler's naming scheme clearly states that it is intended for deployment on Team Red's AM5 socket, although SilverStone's specification sheet mentions compatibility with the older AM4 platform. The SST-XE02-TR5B SKU's credentials list support of AMD's sTR5, SP6, TR4, and SP3 socket types.
The newest AM5B and TR5B models share similar traits; mainly a provision of five 6 mm heat-pipes combined with aluminium fins—marketed as offering "excellent heat conducting efficiency"—and a centrally-positioned 60 mm PWM dual ball bearing fan. This fan model's specification sheet lists an RPM range of 2000 to 14,000, a 72.8 CFM maximum airflow rating, and max. air pressure of 47.18 mmH2O. Mean Time To Failure (MTTF) is estimated at 70,000 operational hours. Despite featuring the same fan, the two low-profile SST-XE02 models deviate in terms of CPU TDP ratings—the AM5/AM4 compatible cooler is rated up to 170 W, while the ever so slightly larger/heavier sibling (sTR5/SP6/TR4/SP3) is capable of tempering up to 350 W. Naturally, the more capable unit is tasked with handling (for example) EPYC 8004 and Ryzen Threadripper 7000 processors.
On February 28, Monster Hunter Wilds will celebrate its first anniversary, and Capcom will be marking the occasion with a sizeable new content update that will introduce performance improvements and a slew of in-game events throughout February and March. Update 1.041, which lands on February 18, delivers the new missions, monsters, weapons, and rewards, alongside the aforementioned anniversary events. Monster Hunter Wilds producer, Ryozo Tsujimoto, announced the new update in a video posted on the official Monster Hunter YouTube channel. Tsujimoto also announced that Capcom is working on a new expansion for Monster Hunter Wilds that is on the same level as Iceborne and Sunbreak for Monster Hunter Worlds and Rise. Given the direct comparison, it's likely that this will also be a premium paid expansion coming in at around the same $39.99 price point as the aforementioned Worlds expansions. Aside from sharing that more details will arrive "this summer," meaning between June and August, no details have been shared about the contents of the new update, but the comparison also suggests we will see it launch with a new locale with a new hub, missions, and enemies.
The February 2026 update will add a new boss, the Arch-tempered Arkveld, a monster available to hunters above rank 100, in its own 10-star event quest alongside special 10-star quests featuring all four previous Arch-tempered monsters and rare rewards. Completing the Arch-tempered Arkveld quest will unlock a special optional hunt-a-thon quest pitting players against all four Arch-tempered monsters in a single quest. The update also makes the winning sword and pendant from the weapon design contest available to everyone as a special event quest reward. There will also be a collaboration with Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, and the anniversary events will make all previous time-specific event rewards available again through a weekly rotation of previous seasonal events. The anniversary events and collaboration will feature new and fun twists on existing quests to match the Festival of Accord vibes, with matching Stories rewards. The event festivities will last for a month, from February 18 to March 19, and there will be special one-time event rewards. The development team has also analyzed game data and prepared a special limited-time event featuring a buffed version of the least-hunted monster in the game, with the quest again delivering special cosmetics and rewards. Tsujimoto says that Capcom still has more in-store for Monster Hunter fans that it will reveal closer to the anniversary event start date.
Hello everyone! The twenty-something devs at Vermila Studios would like to thank you very much for your interest in Crisol: Theater of Idols. Today is an incredible day because, after more than five years under development, we can see everyone experiencing the game. Do not hesitate to leave a review, they are very encouraging and help us improve the game within our abilities. We hope Tormentosa surprises and terrifies you equally, and that your blood will protect you from all evil. Go for it, good luck!
Crisol: Theater of Idols is a first-person horror/action game set in Hispania, a twisted version of Spain. Play as Gabriel, a soldier who uses blood as both weapon and lifeline. Explore the cursed island of Tormentosa, uncover dark secrets, and battle horrifying enemies. Will you survive? Crisol is developed by Vermila Studios, and published by Blumhouse Games.
The Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike is now available for purchase at a hefty $180 price tag. The Swiss manufacturer claims that the new mouse can provide a competitive edge over traditional solutions – a selling point likely to appeal to esports athletes and other professional gamers.
Air India has unveiled its first flagship Maharaja Lounge at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone for premium travelers and the airport hospitality scene in India. Located in Terminal 3, this expansive 16,000 sq ft lounge promises to transform the luxury travel experience, attracting not just frequent flyers but also enhancing New Delhi’s appeal as a global tourism hub.
The lounge’s grand opening represents a key element of Air India’s ongoing efforts to enhance its premium ground services. With its impeccable blend of traditional Indian aesthetics and contemporary luxury, the lounge is set to become an international symbol of comfort, cultural heritage, and sophistication. Air India’s Maharaja Lounge is more than just a space; it embodies the airline’s refreshed brand identity, rooted in Indian culture while offering world-class amenities for travelers from all over the globe.
A Heritage-Inspired Design with Modern Luxury
The lounge’s design has been meticulously crafted by Hirsch Bedner Associates, an international design studio known for creating spaces that combine cultural legacy with modern luxury. The lounge’s interior design mirrors India’s rich heritage, incorporating opulent elements with cutting-edge technology. It reflects a fusion of tradition and modernity, offering travelers a serene and elevated atmosphere before their flights.
Tailored Spaces for Every Traveler’s Needs
The lounge is divided into various distinct zones that cater to different traveler preferences:
Business and First Class Areas: Spacious, ergonomic seating arrangements designed for productivity and comfort.
Aviator’s Bar: A chic, speakeasy-style bar offering fine wines and whiskeys, perfect for unwinding.
Globetrotter’s Study: A peaceful zone with curated reading materials and dedicated workspaces for those who prefer a quiet retreat.
Serenity Area: Relaxing recliners and a tranquil atmosphere, ideal for pre-flight rest.
Crystal Bar: An upscale bar space in the First Class section, offering bespoke cocktails and premium champagnes.
First Class Sleep Suites: Private suites for travelers seeking complete rest before their journey.
Tarmac Views: Dining and seating areas designed to offer a scenic view of the runway and aircraft movements.
A Dining Experience Like No Other
Air India promises a culinary experience that caters to both Indian and international tastes. The lounge will feature live cooking stations, where passengers can watch chefs prepare delicious meals from a variety of cuisines. The dining options will reflect the rich diversity of Indian cuisine, complemented by premium wines and a range of hand-crafted cocktails.
“We aim to provide not just food but a true gastronomical journey, showcasing the essence of India while catering to global tastes,” said a spokesperson for Air India.
Special Cultural Touches
The Maharaja Lounge offers unique cultural elements that add an authentic Indian touch:
A Tea Programme featuring freshly brewed Indian teas served alongside traditional snacks.
‘Beverage on Wheels’ services inspired by the Indian tradition of gueridon dining.
Exclusive Maharaja-designed postcards, offered to guests as a souvenir to take home a piece of India’s cultural legacy.
These thoughtful details further elevate the experience, allowing travelers to connect with the rich cultural traditions of India even before boarding their flight.
An Experience That Will Boost Tourism
The launch of the Maharaja Lounge is expected to have a positive impact on tourism to India. The luxurious new lounge will appeal to international travelers seeking world-class experiences, enhancing New Delhi’s reputation as a premium travel destination. By offering a seamless and sophisticated travel experience, Air India aims to attract high-spending tourists, making the country more appealing as a destination for both business and leisure travelers.
“The introduction of the Maharaja Lounge aligns perfectly with New Delhi’s ambitions to be a leading destination in the global tourism market,” a tourism official from India commented. “It is expected to not only attract more international travelers but also boost India’s standing in the global luxury travel scene.”
Access for Premium Travelers
The lounge will be accessible to First and Business Class passengers, as well as Gold and Platinum Maharaja Club members and qualifying Star Alliance frequent flyers. Air India is offering this exclusive access to its most loyal customers starting 16 February 2026, with further plans to expand lounge access as part of the airline’s larger premium services strategy.
Part of a Larger Global Strategy
Air India has plans to expand its presence in major international airports by introducing more signature lounges in key cities worldwide. This move is part of a broader strategy to reposition itself as a global leader in premium services. The new lounge in New Delhi is the first step in this ongoing transformation, reflecting the airline’s commitment to elevating customer experiences.
The Future of Travel at New Delhi’s IGI Airport
The launch of the Maharaja Lounge aligns with a growing trend of airport luxury services globally. New Delhi, already a major hub for international tourism and business travel, is poised to become a center of luxury airport experiences in Asia. This new addition to IGI Airport is a clear indicator of the airport’s growing significance as a world-class international hub.
The Maharaja Lounge is expected to play a pivotal role in drawing tourists who appreciate high-end travel experiences. Its opening marks an exciting development for both Air India and New Delhi, enhancing the appeal of India as a top destination for luxury travelers and furthering the country’s goals to be a global leader in the tourism industry.
Travelers heading to Oregon in February 2026 will have to prepare for odd weather. With an unprecedented warm weather front heading to Oregon, February will likely become the warmest ever recorded. However, rising temperatures do not indicate the absence of potentially dangerous unexpected weather patterns. Traveling to Oregon in February requires close observation of the weather to ensure the best travel experience.
Record Breaking Temperatures in Oregon
Currently, Oregon has recorded the highest temperatures ever seen in February, and that record seems to continuously shatter over time. The National Weather Service and Weather.com record the predicted temperatures during February to range consistently between 30° and 50°. Because of these temperature records, travelers to Oregon during February will experience milder and more temperate winters than previous years. Because of these record temperatures, it may be wise to invest in or make the use of previously neglected outdoor adventure gear.
February of this year could break records from previous years such as February of 1963 and 2015 where Oregon reached an average temperature of 41.7 degrees F. This February could be one of the warmest in Oregon history and could be one of the warmest in the history of recorded temperatures in Oregon. Because of these high temperatures, it is a perfect time for winter travel. Whether you are a fan of the warm travel or winter travel, you can travel to Oregon and enjoy the warm winter temperatures.
What Does This Minimum Temperature Mean for Your Travels?
This February, temperatures are above average, meaning there is almost guaranteed to be perfect hiking and skiing weather. With these temperatures and possible snow, you have tons of options for outdoor activities. Go hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, or just enjoy the beautiful Oregon scenery.
While traveling, the ever-changing weather in Oregon can not only create delays, but also perplex and confuse travelers. Even in the present moment, snow, and potential snow, is a variable on the road. Forecasts show snow may show at the end of February, with Portland having the greatest chances. Last year, Portland had a snowstorm that surprised both residents and travelers that pushed the snowstorm to Valentine’s Day. Check the weather often, and adjust your plans to stay safe in Portland.
Expect the Unexpected: Snow May Be On The Move
While temperatures may seem manageable, avoid traveling to Oregon if you want to avoid all snow. Weather changes alter plans. Snow can appear at moments that seem perfect in Oregon. For the remainder of winter and early spring, the prediction is to have temperatures close to 40 degrees. With that said, temperatures can easily drop in the early morning or late evening hours to bring snow.
In February 2025, Portland experienced an unexpected seasonal snowstorm, leaving visitors guessing if winter was coming to an end. It is wise to prepare for a quick dusting of snow if you’re traveling to the region at the end of the month. Bringing some extra layers to stay warm, and preparing for rain, or slippery roads will help ensure you have a pleasant trip.
What to Pack for Your Trip to Oregon This February
When visiting Oregon in February, it is best to prepare for a little bit of everything. With the rapidly changing weather, pack accordingly. Showers can come at any moment, so be sure to pack a jacket that can stand up to the rain, and even layers you can remove for the warmer periods. It is best to pack a good set of shoes and a jacket for exploring the outdoors. If you will be visiting areas such as the Oregon Coast, or even Mount Hood, you will need a good set of shoes as well.
February may not have the snowstorms that some guests are looking forward to, but still make sure you are ready for anything. Weather for the Crater Lake National Park and Multnomah Falls can change rapidly, so be sure to check the weather before heading to the snow and remote spots.
February 2026 Warm Weather Activities
February’s warm weather gives travelers yet another chance to experience the splendors of nature that Oregon has to offer. Portland’s warm weather presents great opportunities to walk around the city, visit the Japanese Gardens, and relax as well as participate in outdoor activities at Washington Park to do some hiking, or visit Mount Hood for skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing.
For anyone that is considering a trip to Oregon in February, you will be able to enjoy pleasant weather walks along the coast or a trip to the world-famous Cannon Beach where you can see the picturesque snow-covered mountains of Oregon can be enjoyed this month, if you plan your trip to Oregon at the right time.
Thoughts of Travelers Visiting Oregon This February
For anyone that is considering a trip to Oregon in February, it will be a month of pleasant weather and memorable adventures. Take advantage of the warm temperatures in the state and the ability to do various activities outdoors. Depending on the weather, snow may even drop, so skiing or snowball fights may be a fun addition to your trip. Oregon is perfect for people with various interests, ranging from hiking, driving around to explore the lesser-known areas, and even visiting urban sites.
Weather can be expected to shift in the state, but it is good for travelers visiting the state in winter and it will be even better for travelers visiting Oregon in early February.
Sweden is capturing global attention in 2026 not just as a beautiful Nordic country but as a breathtaking model of sustainable progress. The Swedish Government’s bold commitment to become the world’s first fossil‑free welfare state by 2045 is reshaping how locals and visitors live, work and travel. This vision forms the backdrop for a tourism revolution that positions Sweden as a top sustainable travel destination in 2026.
From pristine forests to innovative eco experiences, Sweden is humanising sustainability for travellers. Visitors now arrive not just to see dramatic landscapes but to engage with a culture that blends nature, social responsibility and climate action like no other place on Earth.
Sweden’s National Mission: Fossil‑Free by 2045 Inspires Tourism
The Swedish Government’s climate ambition goes far beyond slogans. Sweden aims to reach net‑zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, a powerful pledge enshrined in national policy and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. This commitment responds directly to the global climate agenda and sets a blueprint for long‑term societal transformation.
This framework includes a Climate Act, a Climate Policy Council and rising milestone targets which guide both public and private sectors. It is these robust policies that have earned Sweden top rankings in sustainable development indices – making the destination not only environmentally responsible but genuinely transformative for travellers seeking purpose‑driven journeys.
Eco‑Experiences that Elevate Travel Beyond Sightseeing
Sweden’s approach to sustainable tourism is immersive and meaningful. Official tourism platforms highlight nature‑centred lifestyles, supporting responsible travel choices that respect local culture and ecosystems.
Visitors can embark on eco tours such as dog‑sledding in Arctic terrain or timber‑rafting through forested waterways in Värmland. Whale‑watching in Skåne, glamping in the High Coast and slow‑paced exploration of national parks all offer powerful ways to connect with the natural world while treading lightly.
This focus extends beyond activities – Swedish sustainable tourism principles emphasise informed, respectful behaviour that benefits local communities and preserves the environment for future generations.
Local Initiatives Show How Communities Are Driving Green Travel
Across Sweden, regional partnerships and destination collaborations are further boosting sustainable travel. In the west, climate‑smart holiday packages encourage low‑carbon stays, with electric last‑mile transport from train stations to lodgings.
Projects like “Stepping up Sustainability” unite tourism businesses around common green principles, promoting rural and urban destinations alike. This collective effort means visitors find authentic experiences that directly support local cultures and economies.
Nature, Culture & Accessibility: Why Sweden Is Unique
A distinctly Swedish concept called allemansrätten – the Right of Public Access – invites everyone to enjoy nature responsibly. It grants people freedom to roam forests, lakes and countryside respectfully, blending tourism with everyday life in a way few nations offer.
This access, paired with Sweden’s extensive hiking and outdoor infrastructure, opens unparalleled opportunities for mindful interaction with the landscape. In 2024, the Stockholm Archipelago Trail – a 270km sustainable hiking network across 20 islands – was recognised for promoting responsible trail tourism that protects fragile ecosystems while enthralling travelers.
Government & Tourism Bodies: Driving Responsible Travel Together
Sweden’s sustainable travel success is not accidental. National tourism authority Visit Sweden joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), emphasising long‑term environmental responsibility in marketing and tourism strategy.
This partnership highlights Sweden’s proactive role in global sustainable tourism. It aligns destination marketing and industry standards to ensure greener choices for travellers, vibrant local economies, and reduced ecological footprints.
Sweden’s Ministry of Climate and Enterprise also champions sustainable outdoor life and environmental policies, playing a central role in linking climate strategy with destination development.
Small Towns & Big Ideas: Sweden’s Ecovillage Innovation
Away from the cities, pioneering sustainability communities offer transformative experiences. On Gotland, Suderbyn Ecovillage showcases permaculture and environmentally friendly living, drawing travelers eager to learn and participate in eco‑living practices. These meaningful stays turn vacations into educational journeys, blending culture, community and sustainability.
Sweden’s travel narrative in 2026 is more than spectacular scenery – it’s about purposeful journeys that enrich both the visitor and the destination. By aligning shrewd climate policy with responsible tourism experiences, Sweden is rewriting what it means to travel sustainably.
For visitors seeking more than a holiday, this Nordic nation offers a chance to witness and participate in a living model of environmental stewardship. Whether through slow exploration of ancient forests, immersive eco tours, or sustainability education in unique communities, Sweden invites the world to travel greener, travel deeper, and travel smarter.
Tennessee Unites New York City, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Massachusetts and Other 45 US States Turbocharging Tourism with New Marketing Campaigns and Policy to Attract More Tourists, Latest Update is Here
The US tourism sector is undergoing a major transformation as Tennessee leads the charge, uniting New York, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Massachusetts, and 45 other US states in an unprecedented tourism marketing campaign aimed at attracting more tourists in 2026. This new wave of tourism strategies and policies promises to turbocharge the US tourism industry like never before. Tennessee, New York, Pennsylvania, and Idaho are not only redefining their tourism strategies but also setting new standards for tourism marketing across the country. These states, along with many others, are rolling out innovative policies and bold new campaigns to ensure they capture the attention of domestic and international visitors.
With 2026 fast approaching, these US states are pulling out all the stops to ensure US tourism reaches new heights. From global campaigns to locally-focused initiatives, each state is now competing to become the ultimate US travel destination.
Whether it’s Pennsylvania’s history, New York City’s vibrancy, or Idaho’s outdoor adventure, these states are taking tourism marketing to a whole new level. You don’t want to miss what’s coming next! Read on to discover the exciting updates that are sure to make 2026 the best year yet for US tourism!
Most Visited States
Pennsylvania ~216.6 million total annual visitors
Florida ~143.0 million total annual visitors
Tennessee ~126.9 million total visitors
Colorado ~86.9 million total visitors
New York (state) ~72.6 million total visitors
Ultimate US Tourism Boom: Why 2026 Is the Year to Travel to America
The US tourism sector is gearing up for an explosion of opportunities, with US states unveiling game-changing tourism campaigns for 2026. From the bustling streets of New York City to the breathtaking landscapes of Colorado, the US is setting the stage for the most unforgettable travel year in recent history. US travel is being redefined as states prepare to launch jaw-dropping campaigns that will captivate the world. The Americas are calling, and US tourism is going all-in. Let’s dive into the 2026 US tourism revolution that promises to redefine everything we know about American travel.
Tennessee: A Cultural Mecca for Global Tourists in 2026
Tennessee is ready to light up US tourism in 2026 with a revamped tourism approach that showcases new attractions and unmissable experiences. The state’s tourism office is rolling out campaigns designed to capture the attention of travelers worldwide, particularly focusing on its rich cultural heritage and natural wonders. With the introduction of new music events, Tennessee will solidify itself as a top destination for visitors in 2026. Whether it’s the Graceland Museum or the rolling hills of Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee is positioning itself as one of the US tourism jewels. (press.tnvacation.com)
Tennessee’s Revolutionary Sound Bites Campaign
Tennessee is rewriting the rulebook for US tourism with the launch of its sensational new campaign, Sound Bites. What if food could be transformed by the power of music? That’s exactly what Tennessee is offering with its bold new initiative. This innovative campaign unites two of the state’s most cherished traditions—music and food—in a way that’s never been seen before. Forget about music as mere background noise. Now, it’s an essential part of the dining experience. Tennessee’s Sound Bites campaign invites visitors to savor food in an entirely new way, one that uses the power of music to elevate the dining experience and amplify the flavor. Tennessee’s hospitality industry is proving that music is much more than just a sound – it’s a vital ingredient in what makes food taste even better.
From Nashville to Memphis and beyond, Tennessee is setting a new standard for culinary experiences. US travel has never looked this exciting. US tourism in Tennessee is about to explode, and the world is taking notice of the incredible food-and-music pairing offered by the state’s vibrant cities. If you want a sensory adventure that will shake your taste buds and your ears, Tennessee is calling.
State
Tourism Campaign / Initiative
Focus Area
Source
Pennsylvania
America250 & Tourism Expansion
Major events like FIFA World Cup, MLB All‑Star Game, NFL Draft
Ben Rector, Lee Brice, and DJ Paul Team Up with Tennessee’s Top Chefs in Groundbreaking Food and Music Pairings
Tennessee’s Sound Bites campaign is a star-studded celebration of all things US tourism. The campaign has brought together renowned chefs and world-class musicians to create a truly groundbreaking collaboration. Picture this: Ben Rector, the celebrated singer-songwriter, teams up with Chef Philip Krajeck of Rolf and Daughters in Nashville to create a culinary masterpiece designed to be paired with an original song. It’s a combination of two of Tennessee’s greatest strengths—music and food—that will leave your senses reeling.
This isn’t just about good food or good music. This is sonic seasoning—a concept pioneered by Dr. Charles Spence—that uses elements like pitch, tempo, and rhythm to enhance how we perceive taste. Tennessee’s Sound Bites campaign leverages this powerful science, allowing visitors to experience flavors like never before. Whether you’re in East Tennessee enjoying the sounds of Lee Brice and Chef Jeff Carter or rocking out in West Tennessee with DJ Paul and Chef Felicia Willett, the experience is nothing short of magical.
Tennessee’s US tourism sector is thriving, with tourists flocking to cities like Nashville and Memphis to experience this unique blend of music and cuisine. The world of US travel will never be the same again. With Sound Bites, Tennessee is making waves across the globe and positioning itself as a must-visit destination for travelers seeking more than just the usual.
From Memphis to Nashville, Tennessee Reimagines the Dining Experience with Music
Imagine sitting down at a table in Nashville, the heart of US music culture, while a live performance enhances the taste of your food. This is exactly what the Sound Bites campaign offers. Tennessee has long been famous for its musical roots, but now the state is blending its deep history in US music with the vibrant flavors of its culinary scene.
The Sound Bites campaign is offering an immersive dining experience that goes far beyond what you might expect from your average US tourism trip. It’s an experience that will captivate all your senses. Every bite of food is carefully curated to pair with the sound of live music, creating a whole new world of flavor. Whether you’re indulging in smoky Memphis barbecue or tasting fresh Southern specialties in Nashville, the music enhances every bite.
Tennessee’s innovative campaign, in collaboration with celebrity chefs and musicians, is rapidly gaining attention. This is not your typical US travel experience. Sound Bites is a game-changer. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime journey where music and food come together to form a truly unforgettable experience, and US tourism is poised to be forever transformed.
Pennsylvania: A State Poised for Unprecedented Growth in 2026
Pennsylvania is taking the tourism game to the next level with its bold new initiative, tied to the America250 anniversary celebrations. This is more than just a tourism campaign; it’s a full-on experience aimed at attracting tourists from across the globe. Major events like the FIFA World Cup, MLB All‑Star Game, and NFL Draft are making Pennsylvania the hottest destination of 2026. The Pennsylvania tourism department is throwing a massive spotlight on the state’s rich heritage, diverse culture, and jaw-dropping attractions. This is just the beginning of a tourism boom that will make US tourism unstoppable in 2026. You won’t want to miss it. (dced.pa.gov)
New York City: The Ultimate Global Destination for 2026
If there’s one place you can’t afford to miss in 2026, it’s New York City. With its new campaign, “Where the World Comes to Play,” targeting international markets, NYC is preparing to show off its best side to the world. With 2026 FIFA World Cup matches hosted in the city, you can expect an influx of tourists, eager to soak in all the culture, nightlife, and iconic attractions that make New York City a global tourism hub. The city is officially calling on the world to visit, and the world is listening. This is US tourism at its finest. (business.nyctourism.com)
Colorado: Digital Marketing Meets Epic Outdoor Adventures in 2026
If you’re an adventure seeker, Colorado is pulling out all the stops for 2026. Visit Colorado Springs has secured a 2026 tourism marketing grant to launch a powerful digital campaign that’s set to capture the hearts of outdoor enthusiasts. From hiking and skiing to exploring rugged national parks, Colorado is ready to showcase the US tourism sector at its best. The state’s official tourism office is investing in targeted promotions that will make it the go-to destination for anyone craving the ultimate outdoor experience. Get ready for an adrenaline rush like never before in 2026! (visitcos.com)
Connecticut: From Heritage to Gastronomy – A 2026 Tourism Goldmine
Connecticut’s tourism office is setting the stage for a bumper year in 2026. The official launch of the “Pizza Capital of the U.S.” campaign puts the state front and center in the hearts and minds of food lovers worldwide. By linking its rich heritage to gastronomic experiences, Connecticut is ready to welcome US tourism in ways never seen before. This campaign isn’t just about food – it’s about highlighting everything that makes Connecticut unique, from historical landmarks to scenic views. This is a must‑visit destination for anyone planning to explore the best of US tourism. (ctvisit.com)
Idaho: Your 2026 Road to Adventure
Idaho’s2026 Official Travel Guide has hit the shelves, showcasing everything this amazing state has to offer. From idyllic mountain retreats to thrilling outdoor activities, Idaho is pulling out all the stops for its tourism marketing efforts in 2026. Whether you’re exploring the Sawtooth Mountains or sipping wine in the state’s finest wineries, Idaho offers an escape for every kind of traveler. Get ready to see Idaho rise in the ranks of US tourism this year. (commerce.idaho.gov)
North Dakota: The Heart of America’s Great Outdoors
North Dakota’s tourism office has just unveiled a new set of promotional materials for 2026 that spotlight the state’s most breathtaking outdoor experiences. With major marketing pushes focused on the International Peace Garden, the Badlands, and cultural tours, this campaign is designed to draw US tourism to the less‑explored areas of the country. The state is ready to welcome tourists who are looking for something new and exciting in the Americas. (dctourismonline.com)
Wisconsin: Set Sail Into the 2026 Great Lakes Tourism Boom
Wisconsin is making waves in the tourism sector with its bold push to promote Great Lakes cruising in 2026. US tourism is getting a whole new look thanks to Wisconsin’s official promotions, which spotlight the state’s scenic coastline, historic lighthouses, and vibrant waterfront festivals. With record‑breaking visitor numbers expected, Wisconsin is set to become the number‑one destination for those looking to explore the Great Lakes in 2026. (content.govdelivery.com)
Massachusetts: Discover the History, Culture, and Beauty of 2026
Massachusetts has just launched its “Made Possible” campaign, which emphasizes the best of what the state has to offer. From historic tours in Boston to exploring the stunning Cape Cod coastline, this campaign highlights the rich history and culture that has made Massachusetts a must‑visit destination in 2026. Whether you’re a history buff or an adventure seeker, Massachusetts promises an unforgettable experience for all. (mass.gov)
Florida: Sunshine, Beaches, and 2026 Trade Show Glory
While Florida may not have unveiled a brand new, consumer‑facing campaign specifically for 2026, its trade shows and industry‑focused events are putting the state on the map for US tourism in the coming year. The “Never Lose Your Splash” campaign highlights Fort Lauderdale’s charm, bringing tourists from across the world to bask in the state’s sun and surf. With major events planned throughout 2026, Florida’s tourism sector is primed for an epic year ahead. (visitfloridamedia.com)
A Year of Unprecedented Growth and Innovation
2026 is set to be an extraordinary year for US tourism, as states across the country unveil new campaigns that promise to draw millions of visitors, both domestic and international. From the urban vibrancy of New York City to the rugged outdoor experiences in Colorado and the historic charm of Tennessee, US travel is on the brink of a major revolution. With tourism numbers set to soar, 2026 will be a landmark year for the US tourism sector. Let’s dive into the states that are poised to dominate US tourism this year and beyond.
State
Tourist Arrival / Visitation Estimate (Latest)
Source / Notes
New York
~9.8 million overseas visitors in 2024
The U.S. Dept of Commerce’s NTTO reports New York as the top state for overseas visitors in 2024 (~9.8M). (Trade.gov)
Florida
~8.9 million overseas visitors in 2024
NTTO data shows Florida ranking second for international / overseas arrivals.
Massachusetts
~1.5 million overseas visitors in 2024
Ranked ~7th in NTTO overseas arrivals reports.
California (for comparison)
~6.95 million overseas visitors in 2024
NTTO overseas arrivals — demonstrates the relative scale. (Mize)
Pennsylvania
Only state‑level overseas share available (~669k in a prior BTS summary)
Historical BTS state overseas data shows PA among states receiving hundreds of thousands of international visitors (last published estimates). (Bureau of Transportation Statistics)
Connecticut
~268k overseas visitors (historical approx)
Bureau of Transportation Statistics indicates a modest overseas market share for CT (exact NTTO breakdown not published for more recent years). (Bureau of Transportation Statistics)
Colorado
~382k overseas visitors in older state stats
Historic BTS data suggests CO had ~382k overseas visits; current state estimates likely higher with domestic tourism factored in. (Bureau of Transportation Statistics)
Official recent overseas arrival breakdowns for WI are not published in NTTO summaries; estimated domestic visitation is significant based on broader state tourism reporting. (see below)
Idaho
—
Idaho does not appear in top ranked NTTO overseas arrival lists; international visitation is relatively smaller and dominated by domestic tourists. (Note below)
North Dakota
—
Similar to Idaho, ND has minimal published overseas arrival stats and is better understood through domestic tourism figures than international visitor counts.
Pennsylvania: A State Ready to Make History with America250 Celebrations
In 2026, Pennsylvania is set to lead the charge with its massive tourism initiative tied to the America250 celebrations. This campaign is not just about celebrating history — it’s a dynamic marketing push aimed at attracting global tourists for major events like the FIFA World Cup, the MLB All‑Star Game, and the NFL Draft. Pennsylvania’s tourism sector is going all-in, with multimillion-dollar investments to market its historical sites, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultural scene. The Pennsylvania tourism department is already preparing for a record number of visitors, with some estimates predicting over 200 million total visitors in 2026. Major events combined with the America250 campaign will make Pennsylvania the US tourism epicenter this year. (dced.pa.gov)
Key Takeaways:
Massive event tourism for major global sports events.
The America250 campaign will drive historic tourism numbers.
New York City: The Ultimate Global Travel Destination in 2026
New York City is gearing up for one of its biggest years in history. With its newly launched global campaign, “Where The World Comes to Play”, NYC is positioning itself as the top destination for international visitors. This campaign is specifically targeted at international tourists, with a focus on FIFA World Cup 2026 visitors. In 2026, NYC will be one of the host cities for the World Cup, and the city’s tourism sector is preparing for an influx of global visitors.
The NYC tourism department is leveraging its world-famous landmarks, vibrant culture, and thriving arts scene to attract tourists from around the world. In 2024, NYC saw a staggering 9.8 million international visitors, and 2026 is set to break that record. With more than 64 million visitors expected overall, New York is ready to welcome the world like never before. (business.nyctourism.com)
Key Takeaways:
The World Cup 2026 will be a major draw for international visitors.
New York is preparing for record-breaking tourism numbers in 2026.
Florida: The Sunshine State Shines Even Brighter in 2026
When it comes to US tourism, Florida has long been one of the most sought-after destinations, and 2026 will see the Sunshine State step up its game even further. In 2024, Florida welcomed nearly 9 million international visitors, ranking second only to New York for overseas tourism. With an array of beaches, theme parks, and vibrant cultural experiences, Florida is set to continue its reign as a top US tourism destination.
Florida tourism is heavily influenced by domestic visitors, but international markets, particularly from Europe and South America, are expected to grow significantly in 2026. The state’s tourism board has already rolled out marketing campaigns targeting eco-tourism, beach tourism, and even trade shows like Florida Huddle. The upcoming 2026 tourism season will be a crucial year for Florida’s tourism sector. (mize.tech)
Key Takeaways:
Florida remains one of the most popular US tourism destinations.
The state’s beaches, theme parks, and cultural attractions are major draws for global tourists.
Tennessee: A Hotspot for Cultural Tourism and New Attractions
In 2026, Tennessee is bringing the US tourism sector to new heights. From Nashville’s country music scene to the awe-inspiring beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee offers a diverse tourism experience that attracts millions of visitors. In 2024, Tennessee recorded a massive 126.9 million total visits, reflecting its widespread appeal.
Tennessee’s official tourism marketing campaign for 2026 will focus on its musical heritage, outdoor adventures, and new attractions like the upcoming Songteller Hotel. The state’s tourism sector is prepared for another record year, thanks to its iconic landmarks and unparalleled hospitality. The state’s ongoing commitment to cultural tourism and its natural beauty make it a prime destination for both domestic and international visitors. (press.tnvacation.com)
Key Takeaways:
Tennessee’s musical heritage and outdoor attractions are central to its 2026 tourism push.
Cultural tourism and new attractions will fuel Tennessee’s tourism growth.
Colorado: A Destination for Adventure Seekers and Nature Lovers
Known for its majestic mountains and stunning national parks, Colorado continues to be a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The state’s tourism office has already secured a 2026 marketing grant to promote its outdoor activities, cultural events, and adventure tourism. While Colorado has seen steady growth in tourism over the years, the state is expected to see a significant uptick in domestic tourism and international visitors.
As part of the tourism push, Colorado will focus on showcasing the state’s hiking trails, ski resorts, and wildlife experiences. With an estimated 87 million total visitors expected for 2026, Colorado is positioning itself as a top destination for adventure tourism. (visitcos.com)
Key Takeaways:
Outdoor adventures and cultural tourism will drive visitation to Colorado in 2026.
Colorado is poised to see record numbers of both domestic and international visitors.
Massachusetts: A Cultural and Historical Hotspot
Massachusetts has launched its “Made Possible” campaign, focusing on the state’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty. With nearly 1.5 million international visitors recorded in 2024, Massachusetts remains a top US tourism destination. Its stunning coastline, historic landmarks, and world-renowned museums make it a must-visit for anyone exploring the Americas.
In 2026, Massachusetts is expected to see a rise in visitors thanks to new marketing initiatives aimed at expanding heritage tourism. With Boston’s iconic sites, such as the Freedom Trail and Harvard University, the state is making a strong push to attract international tourists. (mass.gov)
Key Takeaways:
Cultural tourism will remain a key pillar for Massachusetts tourism.
Historic sites like Boston will continue to attract millions of visitors in 2026.
The Future of US Tourism in 2026: A Record-Breaking Year
The US tourism sector is preparing for an explosion of visitors in 2026. From Pennsylvania’s historic celebrations to New York’s global outreach during the FIFA World Cup, states across the country are pulling out all the stops to attract visitors. The US tourism industry is on track to surpass previous records, with Florida, Tennessee, Colorado, and California all expected to see significant growth.
With over 200 million total visits expected across the US tourism sector in 2026, the Americas are ready for an unforgettable year. Don’t miss out on experiencing the best of US travel — from cultural tourism to adventure sports, 2026 is shaping up to be the most exciting year for US tourism yet.
Oman’s capital, Muscat, is set to host a new family-oriented destination with the announcement of a Nickelodeon-branded hotel. This new hotel will be part of the sprawling Aida development project, which began construction in 2023. Developed by Dubai-based Dar Global, Aida is a mixed-use development that spans across approximately 865 acres, including hotels, residences, and golf facilities. The Nickelodeon Hotel will be one of the major highlights of this ambitious project, aiming to attract families from around the globe with its fun and unique offerings.
A First of its Kind in Oman
The Nickelodeon Hotel in Muscat will feature 120 rooms, with a range of accommodation options designed for families. The hotel’s offerings will include one-bedroom units as well as more spacious three-bedroom residences, catering to different family sizes and preferences. This move reflects the growing demand for family-centric vacation experiences in the region, particularly in Oman, which has seen an increase in family-friendly tourism infrastructure in recent years.
The hotel’s design will align with Nickelodeon’s signature style, incorporating bright colors, fun designs, and interactive experiences for guests of all ages. This theme will complement the Aida development, which is envisioned as a world-class leisure destination for residents and visitors alike.
The Aqua Nick Waterpark and Themed Entertainment
Guests staying at the new Nickelodeon hotel will be able to enjoy a wide range of family-friendly amenities, ensuring that the property will be a hit with both kids and parents. One of the main attractions will be the Aqua Nick waterpark, an expansive water play area that will feature a variety of slides, splash zones, and interactive water features. This waterpark is set to become one of Muscat’s top attractions for both hotel guests and the public.
In addition to the waterpark, the hotel will offer a range of themed dining venues that will immerse guests in the beloved characters and worlds of Nickelodeon. These family-friendly dining spots will be designed to provide fun and interactive meals, ensuring that every moment spent at the hotel is filled with excitement. For younger guests, the hotel will include a Club Nick kids’ clubhouse, a dedicated space where children can take part in various activities and enjoy games, arts and crafts, and other entertainment. Live performances will also be a key feature of the Nickelodeon Hotel, with game shows, character appearances, and the famous “slime” experiences that have become a hallmark of the brand.
A Global Expansion for Nickelodeon Resorts
The Nickelodeon Hotel in Oman adds to an expanding portfolio of Nickelodeon resorts around the world. The brand is already well-established in several popular destinations, including the Dominican Republic, Mexico’s Riviera Maya, and Turkey. The resort in Muscat will be the latest addition to this growing network of family-friendly hotels, bringing the brand’s signature fun and interactive experiences to the Middle East.
Nickelodeon’s hotel developments are known for their emphasis on luxury family-friendly amenities, ensuring that parents and children can enjoy a relaxing yet exciting holiday experience. The expansion into Oman is part of a larger trend of global hospitality brands catering to the growing demand for high-quality family vacations.
New Nickelodeon Resort Set for the United States
In addition to the Oman property, Nickelodeon’s expansion into the global resort scene includes an exciting new development in the United States. Set to open later in 2026, the Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Orlando will be located in the heart of the theme park capital of the world. This resort will feature more than 400 hotel rooms and condo units, with some of the accommodations available for purchase.
The Orlando resort will offer a series of unique and imaginative themed suites, including rooms inspired by Nickelodeon’s most iconic characters. These will include suites dedicated to characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Dora the Explorer, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Orlando Nickelodeon resort will allow guests to interact with these beloved franchises in person, adding an exciting layer to the immersive vacation experience.
This new development in Orlando will complement the brand’s commitment to creating destinations where families can experience the magic of Nickelodeon in an immersive, upscale environment. It will provide the perfect blend of relaxation, fun, and themed entertainment for families seeking a once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience.
Expanding Family-Centered Tourism in Oman
With the announcement of the Nickelodeon Hotel in Muscat, Oman is positioning itself as an emerging family-friendly destination in the Middle East. The country’s tourism sector has seen a steady rise in international visitors, and projects like the Aida development aim to attract high-end family travelers who seek a blend of adventure and luxury.
The Aida development will offer a wide variety of activities for guests, with the Nickelodeon hotel being one of its standout features. This expansion into Oman reflects a growing global trend where family-friendly resorts and themed hotels are becoming increasingly popular, as parents look for destinations where children can have just as much fun as the adults.
A New Chapter for Family Holidays in the Middle East
The introduction of a Nickelodeon-branded hotel to Muscat marks a significant step forward in the region’s tourism development. It brings a globally recognized family brand to Oman, one of the most up-and-coming destinations in the Middle East. As the region continues to invest in its tourism infrastructure, the new hotel will help to attract both regional and international visitors looking for an exciting, family-oriented vacation spot. The combination of luxury accommodations, themed experiences, and an immersive waterpark at the Nickelodeon Hotel promises to make Muscat a major player in the family vacation market in the Middle East. The hotel’s opening is expected to further boost tourism numbers and offer a new dimension to Oman’s rapidly developing leisure tourism sector.
The rolling hills and lakes of the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania, are pulsing with renewed energy as The Great American Getaway 400 — NASCAR’s premier Cup Series race — is scheduled to roar back to Pocono Raceway on Sunday, June 14. This event not only marks another thrilling chapter in Pennsylvania’s motorsport tradition but also plays a major role in energising travel and tourism throughout the Commonwealth. For families planning a summer vacation, race fans plotting a getaway, and road-trip adventurers seeking new experiences, the Poconos are calling.
Local travel businesses and destination planners have started reporting rising inquiries for hotel stays, campground bookings, and flight reservations as visitors from across the United States prepare to turn the historic race weekend into a multi-day experience.
Historic Return of a Motorsport Classic
Pocono Raceway has been a fixture on the NASCAR calendar for more than five decades, originally hosting races as early as 1974. Today, the Great American Getaway 400 is the headline event of a tripleheader weekend that includes support races, fan activities, and community celebrations.
This year’s race is part of Governor Josh Shapiro’s tourism strategy, which places Pennsylvania’s breadth of natural beauty and outdoor adventure alongside world-class sporting occasions on the travel map. The event is broadcast internationally — reaching millions of viewers — and is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region.
Tourism Economics: Big Numbers, Bigger Impact
State tourism officials estimate that the NASCAR weekend at Pocono Raceway injects $75 million to $100 million annually into the Pennsylvania economy, benefiting hotels, restaurants, gas stations, retail outlets, and local attractions.
More than 60% of race fans travel from out of state or abroad to attend the event, turning a single-day race into a multi-day vacation for many families and motorsport enthusiasts. Travel planners have noted an uptick in bookings at resorts, rentals, and campsites across Monroe, Carbon, Pike, and Wayne counties.
Road-trip visitors are also increasingly combining their NASCAR weekend with explorations of nearby state parks, scenic trails, and local history museums — making the Pocono region a holistic destination rather than just a racing stop.
From Ferris Wheels to Fan Zones: Planning Your Trip
For visitors flying into the region, Harrisburg International Airport and other nearby hubs are reporting spikes in travel interest for mid-June arrivals. Leisure travellers are encouraged to secure accommodations early as hotels fill up quickly during the race weekend, and rates tend to rise sharply closer to the event.
The area also offers a rich calendar of activities beyond the racetrack — from relaxing hikes around scenic lakes to exploring vibrant downtown districts filled with local crafts, boutique eateries, and heritage sites. Families with children can balance the high-octane excitement with nature trails, paddleboarding, and regional festivals that often coincide with the NASCAR weekend.
Travel advisors recommend visitors build flexible itineraries that allow time before and after race day to fully experience the diversity of the Poconos. With its forests, waterfalls, golf courses, and lakefront beaches, the region is ideal for travellers seeking both thrills and tranquillity.
Governor’s Vision: Tourism at the Forefront
In recent years, Pennsylvania’s government has placed tourism at the heart of its economic development strategy, realising that travel expenditures support thousands of jobs and contribute billions in revenue. The NASCAR partnership — particularly under the “Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway” brand — showcases how major events can spotlight the state’s attractions while driving sustainable economic growth.
“NASCAR Cup Series races are some of the biggest and best sporting events in the world — and nobody does it better than Pennsylvania,” Governor Shapiro said, highlighting the race’s twin role in sporting excellence and travel appeal.
Beyond the Track: Explore Pennsylvania’s Hidden Gems
Race weekend visitors are increasingly turning their Pocono itinerary into a broader Pennsylvania exploration. Scenic drives through rolling countryside, historic town centres, craft breweries, and artisan markets are all part of the visitor experience. Nature lovers often pair the race with excursions to state parks, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks that define the region’s summer charm.
Road-trippers from nearby states like New York, New Jersey, and Maryland are especially drawn to the convenience of combining a high-energy sporting event with relaxed outdoor exploration — a perfect recipe for family and friend getaways.
Looking Ahead: Travel and Tourism Momentum
As the Poconos prepare to welcome another wave of motorsport fans, local businesses are optimistic that the spill-over benefits will last far beyond race day. Many restaurants and attractions reported that visitors extend their stay by several days, boosting shoulder-season tourism and reinforcing the region as a year-round destination.
With its blend of adrenaline, scenic beauty, and hospitality, the Pocono Mountains continue to demonstrate that major sporting events — when combined with rich travel experiences — can transform a traditional race weekend into a full-fledged tourism phenomenon.
This year’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway isn’t just about fast cars and roaring engines — it’s about the Poconos’ economic revival, tourism influx, and summer adventure. Whether you’re a racing fan or a nature lover, the Poconos promises an unforgettable getaway experience. Make sure you book your trip early, as the magic of the race weekend is just the beginning of the great things Pennsylvania has to offer.
Hambleden is tucked away in the beautiful Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire, and is all so beautiful, it is a regular feature in major Hollywood films. The lovely English village is a great place for people wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life, and as such is very popular for films and TV shows.
A Hollywood Favourite
Hambleden’s unique blend of stunning landscapes, historical architecture, and timeless English charm has drawn production teams from Hollywood for decades. Its charming streets, rural vistas, and characterful cottages make it an ideal setting for films and TV shows looking for a quintessential British feel.
Over the years, Hambleden has appeared in several well-known films, including the 1968 classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the adventure-packed The Avengers, the animated 101 Dalmatians, and Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow starring Johnny Depp. More recently, the village played host to Nanny McPhee Returns and the 2022 sequel to Enchanted, starring Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey.
Why Filmmakers Choose Hambleden
The village’s timeless appeal lies in its perfect combination of natural beauty and historical authenticity. With its beautiful stone cottages, narrow lanes, and unspoiled countryside, Hambleden offers a picture-postcard setting that brings a touch of old-world charm to any production. Its proximity to London also makes it easily accessible for film crews while maintaining a peaceful, rural atmosphere.
Well-known directors, such as Tim Burton, have chosen Hambleden as a setting for their films due to its cinematic quality. Burton’s Sleepy Hollow, which required an eerie, gothic backdrop, benefited greatly from the village’s secluded, atmospheric nature. The enchanting landscape of Hambleden, with its rolling hills and ancient woodlands, fits perfectly with the themes of many films, enhancing the storytelling experience.
Explore the Village
Beyond its cinematic appeal, Hambleden offers plenty for travelers looking to immerse themselves in British village life. The heart of the village boasts its local amenities, including a quaint post office, café, and village shop that serve as a hub for locals and visitors alike. The village’s gastropub, The Stag and Huntsman, offers a warm welcome, serving delicious meals in a cosy setting that makes it a perfect stop after a leisurely stroll.
Visitors to Hambleden can also enjoy walking tours through the picturesque countryside surrounding the village. From charming lanes to expansive fields, the area is a haven for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life. The nearby Culden Faw Estate, with its 3,500 acres of woodlands and parklands, is another gem that adds to the appeal of the area.
A Hub for Film Buffs and Nature Lovers Alike
For film enthusiasts, a trip to Hambleden is a chance to walk in the footsteps of iconic movie scenes. The village offers guided tours that take visitors to locations featured in famous films and TV series. Whether you’re a fan of Agatha Christie’s Poirot or Good Omens, Hambleden allows you to experience the magic of these productions firsthand.
For nature lovers, the stunning countryside surrounding the village offers an array of walking and cycling routes. The landscape of the Chiltern Hills, with its beech woodlands and chalk downs, is perfect for those looking to enjoy the outdoors. The area is home to a rich variety of wildlife and boasts some of the most beautiful views in England.
Stay in Style: Where to Sleep
If you’re planning to stay overnight, Hambleden offers a variety of accommodation options to suit different tastes. The village is home to The Stag and Huntsman, a boutique inn that blends traditional English charm with modern comforts. Perfect for those looking to experience a genuine village atmosphere, this inn provides a peaceful retreat with the added benefit of being close to filming locations and the village’s other attractions.
For those seeking a more rustic experience, the nearby countryside offers several charming bed and breakfasts and self-catering cottages. These options allow visitors to fully immerse themselves in the rural English lifestyle.
How to Get There
Hambleden is located in Buckinghamshire, easily accessible by car from London and other major cities in southern England. The village is a short drive from the M40 motorway, making it an ideal day trip for those staying in or near London. Trains to the nearby town of Henley-on-Thames provide easy access to the village, with a short bus or taxi ride from the station to the heart of Hambleden.
Conclusion
Whether you love watching movies and want to see popular filming sites, or you are just looking to getaway to a calm little village, you’ll find what you need in Hambleden. The village’s beautiful setting, engaging story, and amazing appeal are the reasons this wonderful location is popular with film makers. Why not see the charm of Hambleden and walk the path of the movie stars?
Arch RoamRight has teamed up with Tern to revolutionize the travel insurance experience for both travelers and advisors. This groundbreaking partnership makes it easier than ever to purchase travel insurance directly during the booking process. As the first travel insurance provider integrated into Tern’s platform, Arch RoamRight is offering a seamless solution to travelers and advisors alike. With this collaboration, travel advisors can now conveniently provide insurance options alongside other travel services, streamlining the booking experience. Travelers benefit from instant access to trusted protection, ensuring they are covered from the start of their journey.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation, making travel planning simpler and safer. By integrating travel insurance into Tern’s all-in-one platform, Arch RoamRight and Tern are paving the way for more efficient, accessible, and comprehensive travel solutions, enhancing the overall customer experience.
A Game-Changing Partnership for Travel Advisors
For years, travel advisors have faced challenges in offering travel insurance to clients at the right time—often struggling to integrate insurance options within their existing workflows. The collaboration between Arch RoamRight and Tern solves this issue by offering insurance solutions directly on the platform, ensuring that travelers and advisors can access and purchase the necessary protection easily as part of the travel planning process.
This partnership reflects both companies’ commitment to innovation and enhancing the travel experience. With Tern’s advanced technology, travel advisors are now able to offer Arch RoamRight’s trusted travel protection products seamlessly as part of their booking process. The result? A smoother journey for both the travel advisor and the customer.
The Integration: A Smooth Experience for Travelers
Travelers booking their trips via the Tern platform will now have immediate access to Arch RoamRight’s comprehensive travel insurance coverage, ensuring that they can easily purchase travel protection during the booking process. Whether it’s trip cancellation, emergency medical coverage, or lost baggage protection, Arch RoamRight’s insurance products are designed to cater to every travel need.
For many travelers, purchasing insurance can often be a last-minute afterthought. However, by offering travel protection products directly within the Tern platform, Arch RoamRight is removing the hassle of seeking insurance separately, which can often be confusing and time-consuming. Now, travelers can add insurance coverage while finalizing their bookings, offering them peace of mind from the very beginning of their journey.
Focus on Technology and Customer Experience
One of the key factors driving the partnership is the shared commitment to technology and improving the customer experience. Arch RoamRight has long been an industry leader in offering innovative travel insurance solutions. With its easy-to-use mobile app and robust online platform, Arch RoamRight provides customers with instant access to their insurance policies, claims tracking, and travel resources, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience while traveling.
On the other hand, Tern’s platform is specifically designed to simplify the travel planning process for both travelers and advisors. Tern’s ability to integrate a wide range of services, from booking flights to securing insurance, aligns perfectly with Arch RoamRight’s mission to streamline travel-related decisions for customers. This collaboration strengthens both brands’ efforts to make travel planning a more efficient, comprehensive, and enjoyable process.
Tern’s platform serves as a one-stop solution for all travel-related needs, providing advisors and travelers with the tools they need to navigate the complex world of travel. The inclusion of Arch RoamRight’s products means that travel insurance can now be seamlessly incorporated into the broader travel booking ecosystem, providing an all-inclusive, hassle-free experience for users.
The Future of Travel Insurance: Innovation at Its Core
The partnership between Arch RoamRight and Tern not only demonstrates a shift toward more integrated and seamless travel solutions but also highlights the broader trend of innovation in the travel insurance space. As the travel industry evolves, providing customers with quick, easy access to essential services like travel protection is becoming a top priority for companies looking to stay ahead in a competitive market.
The introduction of direct booking capabilities for travel insurance via Tern represents an important step forward in making travel insurance more accessible and user-friendly. As consumers continue to seek convenience, Arch RoamRight’s efforts to align itself with cutting-edge platforms like Tern signal a commitment to meeting the changing needs of today’s modern traveler.
Travel advisors, who often act as the key decision-makers for travelers, now have a powerful tool at their disposal, enabling them to offer clients enhanced value and streamlined service. The ability to offer travel protection products during the booking process not only boosts their operational efficiency but also enhances their relationship with customers by providing them with greater value at every stage of the booking process.
What This Means for Travelers
For travelers, this partnership signifies a significant shift in how travel protection is offered. No longer will travelers have to go through the tedious process of finding insurance products separately from their travel arrangements. The integration of Arch RoamRight’s insurance products within Tern’s platform ensures that travelers can purchase protection seamlessly as part of their booking experience.
Whether traveling for business, leisure, or a special occasion, travelers will have peace of mind knowing that their trips are protected from unexpected events. The ease with which they can access these insurance products directly through Tern’s platform reflects the growing demand for convenience in the travel industry. As a result, travelers are now more equipped than ever to protect their trips and ensure a safe, enjoyable journey.
Looking Ahead: The Growing Role of Technology in Travel Protection
As travel continues to rebound and evolve post-pandemic, technology will play an increasingly important role in shaping how the industry operates. The collaboration between Arch RoamRight and Tern is an excellent example of how travel companies are leveraging technology to improve the customer experience and meet the demands of modern travelers.
The partnership exemplifies the shift towards more integrated, user-friendly travel experiences that prioritize convenience, safety, and peace of mind. By providing a seamless solution for booking both travel and insurance in one place, Arch RoamRight and Tern are paving the way for a new era in travel insurance.
Conclusion
This innovative partnership between Arch RoamRight and Tern is set to redefine how travel insurance is offered and experienced. By integrating Arch RoamRight’s products directly into Tern’s platform, travelers can now purchase travel protection as part of their booking process, eliminating the hassle of seeking insurance separately. For travel advisors, this collaboration means greater efficiency and the ability to provide added value to their clients. As both companies continue to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible, travelers can look forward to an increasingly seamless and secure travel experience in the future.
Travelers will encounter delays on Oregon 99E due to maintenance work on the Abernethy Bridge. Bridge maintenance work is underway, and the hours will impact construction, planning, working, and other traffic. Because of this, planners will have to look for alternative routes to take.
Oregon 99E Closures
Oregon 99E will be closed for two nights to traffic for the construction of one of the bridge girders. Oregon 99E will be closed for the first time at 10 p.m. on Friday, February 12, and will be reopened at 5 a.m. on Saturday, February 13. It will have its last closure at 10 p.m. on Saturday at 7 a.m. and will be reopened on Sunday.
There may be a third overnight closure February 14-15 (Saturday to Sunday) depending on the progress of the bridge construction, which may impact the work zone traffic. For any immediate changes, travelers are advised to check the ODOT website or follow other local news sources.
Traffic Detour for Drivers and Pedestrians
Driver detour and traffic redirection along the construction zones and work areas will be directed to I-205 for bypass access, even along the overnight construction zone areas on Oregon 99E. Commuters are encouraged to travel along that route, as it is expected to be a lengthy closure and delay along the through-traffic section of I-205.
There will be access restrictions along the routes and areas available for pedestrians and bicyclists. Expected delays should be accounted for outside of the designated closure time. For the safety of construction personnel and for their own safety, adherence to provided construction safety control devices or zone controls is expected from the public and cyclists.
ODOT officials state that the closure will keep workers and the public safe. Crews will follow guidelines to keep the area safe and to make sure construction runs smoothly. I-205 will be the main detour, and walking on 99E will be open, but there will be some construction interruptions. Anticipate delays.
Construction on the Abernethy Bridge
Construction on the Abernethy Bridge will involve system girder installation, which is critical for the bridge’s future. These construction upgrades will help the bridge, which is essential to the city’s transportation system. Bridge upgrades are essential.
Keeping Oregon 99E open is a priority for the sake of the businesses and people who live there, but the area will be impacted. Planning ahead is recommended for residents, and businesses will see a change in customers.
Oregon City has road closures for maintenance, pending possible third closures over the weekend and the possible long-term closure of the bridge. This will change your travel for a few days. Check road closure updates from ODOT for the changes and adjust your travel strategies.
In Perspective: New Goals from Abernethy Bridge Construction
We appreciate your patience and understanding while we repair this crucial transportation resource and expand the bridge’s lifespan. This is part of the bridge’s overall upgrade project and maintenance work. ODOT considers this to be the “final stretch of the project.”
Please check ODOT’s website for updates and be mindful of the bridge roadwork and potential closures so you can organize your travel to avoid disruptions.
Conclusion
Travelers to Oregon City will need to adapt to the construction in the short term. The state will be closing Oregon 99E underneath the Abernethy Bridge from February 12 to 14. The closure will be necessary in the short term to preserve the state structure. Drivers will be required to use the detour via Interstate 205. Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to access the area and will have no more than a minor delay. Closures of this kind are quite disruptive, and ODOT and state authorities will work with travelers to ease the burden of the closures.
In the construction of new facilities in Oregon City, the goal will be to provide even more reliable and safe options. While necessary, the bridge construction will help provide even more safe options for those who travel on Oregon 99E.
West Virginia and Western Maryland are advised to closely monitor weather conditions as a fast-moving winter storm is expected to bring hazardous snow, freezing drizzle, and gusty winds on Wednesday morning. These conditions are likely to cause slippery roads, unsafe travel, and potential power outages, making it vital for residents and travelers to stay informed and prepared, particularly during the morning commute.
The storm will impact both regions, creating dangerous travel conditions from the early hours of the morning through the afternoon, as snow and freezing drizzle combine to make roads hazardous.
From about 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, light snow accumulation of up to one inch is expected in several areas, including western Garrett County in Maryland, as well as neighboring western Grant and Pendleton counties in West Virginia. In addition to the snow, periods of freezing drizzle are anticipated, which will likely create a glaze of ice on roads, bridges, and elevated surfaces. The combination of snow and ice will create dangerously slippery conditions.
Wind gusts could reach speeds of up to 45 mph, further complicating travel as the gusty winds may blow snow and ice across roadways. This could cause additional hazards, including fallen branches and isolated power outages, as trees weakened by the ice struggle to withstand the strong winds.
The most dangerous time for travel is expected to be late tonight through the Wednesday morning commute, with untreated roads and bridges potentially becoming slick. Even small amounts of ice can lead to hazardous driving conditions, particularly in areas like U.S. 219 and I-68 near the Backbone Mountain corridor. Secondary mountain roads will also be susceptible to ice buildup, making them a concern for early commuters.
Transportation crews from the Maryland Department of Transportation and the West Virginia Department of Highways will be actively treating priority routes to prevent icing, but drivers are urged to remain cautious, especially as road conditions can change rapidly. Higher elevations and shaded areas are more likely to experience freezing conditions, and sudden icy patches can appear unexpectedly. The gusty winds may also blow snow and ice across the roads, further impairing visibility and making driving more treacherous. Additionally, these strong winds could bring down tree limbs that have already been weakened by the freezing rain.
Residents and travelers in the affected areas should be prepared for difficult conditions on Wednesday morning. Schools and businesses in these regions should keep an eye on the weather and make adjustments accordingly. Given the hazardous travel conditions, it is highly recommended that non-essential travel be avoided, especially during the morning commute. Drivers should allow extra space between vehicles, slow down on curves, bridges, and overpasses, and exercise caution when approaching intersections or entering roads that might be covered in a thin layer of ice.
In addition to road safety, residents are advised to secure any loose outdoor items, such as patio furniture, trash bins, and decorations, which could be blown around by the high winds. Power outages are also a possibility due to fallen branches or downed power lines, so it’s wise to have backup plans for charging devices and to keep extra batteries on hand in case of an extended power disruption.
Travelers are urged to monitor weather conditions closely throughout the day, as winter storm conditions may persist longer than initially anticipated. Anyone planning to head out during the storm should check local forecasts and travel advisories before leaving. It’s crucial to keep updated on any potential road closures, delays, or service interruptions, especially in areas prone to more significant ice accumulation.
West Virginia and Western Maryland are urged to monitor weather conditions as hazardous winter weather, including snow, freezing drizzle, and gusty winds, is forecasted for Wednesday morning, creating dangerous travel and potential power outages.
In conclusion, residents and travelers in West Virginia and Western Maryland should stay vigilant as a winter storm brings hazardous conditions on Wednesday. With snow, freezing drizzle, and strong winds expected to create dangerous travel and potential power outages, it’s crucial to monitor updates and take necessary precautions. Limiting travel, securing outdoor items, and preparing for brief power disruptions will help ensure safety during this challenging weather event.
Google Maps lets you pick a vehicle to show where you are on the map. You can choose the type of car or truck and even its color. Right now, if you want to change your car, you have to do it on your phone. On Android Auto, you can see your chosen vehicle while driving, but you can’t change it from your car’s screen. That is about to change.
The Android Auto version 16.2.660604 shows a new option, Driving avatar, in the navigation settings. With this, you could pick your vehicle directly from your car’s screen. You can choose the style, like an SUV or a sports car, and even the color. It works just like the interface you see on your phone.
This change will also sync with your Google account. That means if you change your vehicle in the car, it will update on your phone too, and vice versa. So, you can pick up your car either way, in the car or on your phone.
Image via Android Authority
Most people may not change their avatar very often, but it’s a fun way to personalize your Maps experience. You can pick a car that looks like yours or even a dream car you wish you had.
Google hasn’t officially released this feature yet, but it seems ready and polished. Once it’s available, Android Auto users can make their navigation more fun and personal without touching their phone. Even though it’s a small feature, it adds a little extra enjoyment to everyday driving.
Microsoft introduced a scanner that detects poisoned open-weight language models by analyzing attention behavior, memorization leaks, and trigger flexibility.
Sony has confirmed that it will be releasing a new version of the WH-1000XM6. Coinciding with the arrival of the WF-1000XM6, the new WH-1000XM6 release will mirror an equivalent refresh of the older WH-1000XM5, too.
New iQOO and Vivo tablets have been spotted in early leaks. Rumoured to be the iQOO Pad6 Pro and the Vivo Pad6 Pro, the pair are rumoured to combine 'massive' batteries with large displays, charging upgrades and flagship performance to boot.
Orico’s two new NAS devices are supposed to stand out with built-in AI features and a sleek metal case that still allows quick drive access thanks to a magnetic front cover.
More than six years after its launch, the Fujifilm X-Pro 3 remains one of the most unusual cameras on the market. With a small secondary display on the rear of the main screen and a hybrid viewfinder, the X-Pro 3 sets itself apart from basically all competitors. Now, rumors reveal additional details regarding the launch timeframe of its successor.
Ayaneo has started selling its first AMD Strix Halo-powered gaming handheld. Rivalling the OneXPlayer X1 Pro and GPD Win 5, the Ayaneo Next II attempts to surpass both with a 9.06-inch and 1,155-nit OLED display combined with a huge 116 Wh external battery pack.
The interior of the upcoming electric Ferrari has been spruced up by Jony Ive's renowned skeuomorphism, or design with a human feel. Apple's former design chief is not a fan of Tesla's cold, practical approach to EV interiors.
State Street argues the US dollar could fall to multi-year lows if the Fed cuts rates more aggressively, a scenario that could shift capital toward Bitcoin and risk assets.
Multiple long-term Bitcoin valuation models suggest that BTC’s drop to $60,000 opened up a rare discounted buying opportunity. Do traders and institutional investors agree?
The six-month central bank pilot brings together market infrastructure providers, banks and Web3 companies to assess how core UK markets could move onchain.
New Grayscale research shows Bitcoin’s price behavior is increasingly tied to equities, particularly software stocks, challenging its long-held safe-haven narrative in the short term.
Apple is widely rumored to be introducing variable aperture on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max later this year, and Samsung is apparently paying very close attention to iPhone-related rumors. That's because the Korean company is now said to be considering re-adding the feature to its lineup as well.
The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S10 both had variable aperture main cameras, but the feature was dropped with the Galaxy S20 generation in 2020. If Samsung does adopt it again, then expect to see it on the Galaxy S27 family next year, so after a seven-year hiatus.
It's quite interesting how...
Despite Mohamed Salah having regained his prominence at Liverpool, he is reportedly eyeing a move away from the club. As a result, the Egyptian is said to be edging closer to a major Saudi Pro League side following Karim Benzema’s departure.
Following the drama surrounding Mohamed Salah, Arne Slot has restored him to the starting lineup in Liverpool’s most recent matches. However, the Egyptian’s future seems increasingly likely to move away from Anfield by the end of the season. In this context, the veteran is reportedly edging closer to a move to the Saudi Pro League, as Karim Benzema’s departure has opened the door for him to take on a leading role.
According to Santi Aouna of Footmercato, Al Ittihad are already in talks with Mohamed Salah’s agent to secure his arrival for the 2026–27 season. With the Egyptian still under contract at Liverpool until 2027, his departure could involve a transfer fee—something the club may be open to amid the issues they have experienced with the veteran this season. As a result, Salah could become the face of the Saudi Pro League.
Following the departures of N’Golo Kanté and Karim Benzema, Mohamed Salah could be offered an extremely high salary at Al Ittihad, valued at £400,000 per week (nearly $544,000 per week), reports the Daily Mirror. As a highly recognizable figure in the Middle East, the Egyptian’s arrival could have a significant cultural impact and head coach Sérgio Conceição would gain a prolific goalscoring figure, having lost his two biggest stars.
The Reds seem open to Mohamed Salah’s departure, but they would require a £30–50 million fee from a Saudi Pro League club to make it happen. With interest from Al Hilal and Al Qadsiah, Al Ittihad are moving quickly to finalize the operation, aiming to secure the Egyptian’s arrival for the 2026–27 season, according to Topskills Sports UK. Moreover, the veteran has supposedly already agreed to the proposal, leaving only the clubs to reach an agreement.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during Brighton’s game.
Liverpool face a major attacking shakeup as Salah’s exit looms
Throughout the 2025–26 season, Liverpool have experienced a rather particular offensive downturn, as the departure of Luis Díaz left the team without a true dribbling winger. Moreover, Mohamed Salah’s exit is approaching, which would leave the team without a range of wingers. In addition, the Reds are also looking to allow Federico Chiesa to leave for Serie A. For this reason, they are reportedly seeking to reinforce their offense.
According to several reports in England, the Reds are determined to target a dribbling winger to strengthen their offense. Backing the continuity of Dominik Szoboszlai as a right winger, they are instead looking toward Bradley Barcola or Yan Diomande to reinforce the left flank. With the sales of Chiesa and Salah, Liverpool could afford a move for either of the two stars, a deal that would exceed €100 million, TEAMtalk reports.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Karim Benzema of Al Hilal.
Neymar gave Lionel Messi a gift that also includes a reference to three-time World Cup winner Pele.
Neymar and Lionel Messi are close friends and never miss an opportunity to show their bond. In this case, the Brazilian forward gave the Argentine star a gift that also pays tribute to the FIFA World Cup icon Pele.
On Tuesday, Santos shared a photo on their official social media accounts showing Messi posing with the No. 10 Santos jersey featuring Neymar Jr’s name, accompanied by his sons Thiago and Mateo, who also received identical gifts.
“From Neymar Jr to Lionel Messi. From the Prince to the Genius,” the Brazilian club wrote in the post. “The Sacred Jersey, of immeasurable value, with the number eternalized by the King. 10 of Neymar. 10 of Messi. 10 of Pelé. An infinite legacy in the history of football. Greetings from Vila Belmiro, Lionel Messi!”
Indeed, it is a jersey with a glorious history. Pele was, of course, the most important player to wear it between 1956 and 1974, achieving six Brazilian Serie A titles, two Copa Libertadores, and two Intercontinental Cups. During that period, Pele also established himself as the most important player of his generation, leading Brazil to three World Cup titles in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
De Neymar Jr para Lionel Messi. Do Príncipe para o Gênio.
O Manto Sagrado, de valor imensurável, com o número eternizado pelo Rei. 10 de Neymar. 10 de Messi. 10 de Pelé. Um legado infinito na história do futebol.
In more recent years, other stars have worn the No. 10 at Santos, including Robinho, Diego, Paulo Ganso, and Gabriel Barbosa. Neymar wore the No. 11 during his first spell at the club, but upon his return in early 2025, he assumed his superstar status and finally took the jersey that Pele wore for nearly two decades.
The friendship between Messi and Neymar goes beyond the present
Neymar and Messi first crossed paths on the field during the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup, when Barcelona beat Santos 4-0 to claim the title. Two years later, the Brazilian forward was signed by Barcelona and began a successful four-year spell alongside Messi.
That time together helped forge a deep friendship that endured even after Neymar’s controversial move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. Four years later, Messi followed a similar path, and they were teammates in France for two more seasons.
Their friendship has remained strong since then, despite often being rivals at the international level. In fact, after defeating Neymar’s Brazil in the final of the 2021 Copa America, Messi briefly stepped away from Argentina’s celebrations to spend time talking with his friend on the sidelines.
Will Messi and Neymar meet again on the field?
Messi seems destined to finish his career with Inter Miami, where his contract runs until December 31, 2028, when he will be 41. Neymar, meanwhile, likely has several years left as a professional, having just turned 34. However, his future beyond this season remains uncertain.
Given the unlikely scenario of Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. crossing paths again at the club level again—either as teammates or rivals—their next possible encounter may be at the international level.
Neymar’s main goal is to regain his best physical and sporting form to return to the Brazil national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At the same time, while Messi has not confirmed it, everything indicates he will play his sixth World Cup with Argentina this summer. If both teams win their respective groups, Argentina and Brazil could meet in the semifinals.
Neymar and Lionel Messi were teammates at Paris Saint-Germain between 2021 and 2023.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have claimed the top spot in MLS valuations at $1.45 billion, raising questions about where Son Heung-min’s LAFC and Thomas Müller’s Vancouver Whitecaps rank.
Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami has fueled exponential growth for the franchise over the past few years, culminating in the club reaching the top of Major League Soccer in overall valuation. With Inter Miami now valued at $1.45 billion, questions naturally arise over where other star-linked franchises, such as Son Heung-min’s LAFC and Thomas Müller’s Vancouver Whitecaps, rank across the league.
Sportico, the sports business publication, released its annual MLS franchise valuation rankings for 2026, and for the first time in the list’s history, Inter Miami sits atop the league. The club’s valuation of $1.45 billion places it ahead of every other MLS franchise, reflecting both on-field success and rapid commercial growth.
Compared to the 2025 edition of Sportico’s rankings, the Messi-captained side ranked second with a valuation of $1.19 billion. Following their MLS Cup triumph and with the opening of Miami Freedom Park approaching, the Herons posted a one-year valuation increase of 22 percent, the largest jump in the league, ahead of Chicago Fire FC, which recorded a 20 percent rise.
Where do LAFC and the Whitecaps rank?
With Inter Miami now leading MLS in valuation, attention shifts to where the rest of the league’s marquee clubs fall in the rankings. Son Heung-min’s LAFC, which had topped Sportico’s MLS valuations in every previous edition, now sits second with a valuation of $1.4 billion.
Top 10 MLS Franchise Valuations in 2026 according to Sportico.
Despite losing the top spot, LAFC have hardly experienced a downturn. After being valued at $1.28 billion in 2025, the club posted a 9 percent annual increase, reinforcing its status as one of the league’s most financially successful and stable franchises.
Rounding out the top 10 are LA Galaxy ($1.17 billion), Atlanta United ($1.14 billion), New York City FC ($1.12 billion), Seattle Sounders FC ($915 million), Austin FC ($910 million), Columbus Crew ($800 million), and FC Cincinnati ($790 million). Meanwhile, despite being one of the headline moves of the 2025 summer transfer window, Vancouver Whitecaps are notably absent from the league’s top tier.
In fact, the Thomas Müller-led Whitecaps saw a decline year over year, both in position and valuation. Vancouver ranks 29th among MLS franchises at $450 million, reflecting a 4 percent annual decrease, ahead of only CF Montréal, which sits last at $430 million.
How much were Inter Miami worth before Lionel Messi?
Since their founding in 2018, Inter Miami’s most recognizable figure had been co-owner David Beckham, with the club steadily growing but remaining outside the league’s top valuation tier. In Sportico’s 2022 report, the Herons ranked 10th in MLS with a valuation of $585 million.
Messi’s arrival in 2023 proved transformative. Inter Miami surged to a $1.02 billion valuation in the 2024 report, and with nearly another half-billion added since then, Messi’s impact has extended well beyond the pitch, reshaping the club’s global profile and financial standing.
Heung Min Son (L) of the Los Angeles Football Club, Lionel Messi (M) #10 of Inter Miami CF, and Thomas Muller (R) #13 of the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Beşiktaş GAİN Erkek Basketbol Takımı, BKT Avrupa Kupası B Grubu 18. ve son haftasında Yunanistan temsilcisi Panionios ile karşılaştı. Ev sahibi takım taraftarları "çirkin" bir pankart açtı. Beşiktaş ise cevabı 74-114'lük galibiyetle verdi.
Beşiktaş GAİN Erkek Basketbol Takımı, BKT Avrupa Kupası B Grubu 18. ve son haftasında konuk olduğu Yunanistan temsilcisi Panionios'u 40 sayı farkla 114-74 yendi.
Başkent Atina'daki Makis Liougas Spor Salonu'nda oynanan mücadeleye iyi başlayan taraf, ev sahibi Panionios oldu. Yunanistan temsilcisi, mücadelenin 5. dakikasını 15-13 önde geçti. Bu bölümden sonra üstünlüğü ele geçiren siyah-beyazlılar, ilk çeyreği 31-26 önde tamamladı. İkinci çeyreğe 10-0'lık seriyle giren Beşiktaş, farkı çift haneye çıkardı. Periyodun sonuna kadar etkili oyununu sürdüren siyah-beyazlı ekip, devre arasına 59-37 üstün girdi.
Maçın ikinci yarısında da hücumda etkili olan Beşiktaş, 25. dakikada 31 sayılık fark (41-72) yakaladı. Rakibine farkı kapatma şansı vermeyen siyah-beyazlılar, 29. dakikada farkı 34 sayıya (46-80) çıkardı. İyi bir maç çıkartan Beşiktaş, bitime 2 dakika 36 saniye kala 45 sayılık (65-110) fark buldu. Siyah-beyazlılar, kalan bölümde rahat bir oyun sergileyerek sahadan 114-74 galip ayrıldı.
Grubunu ilk 2 sırada bitirmeyi ve çeyrek finale yükselmeyi geçen hafta garantileyen Beşiktaş GAİN, 13. galibiyetini alarak maç fazlasıyla liderliğe yükseldi. Beşiktaş, grup liderliği için ikili averajda üstün olduğu ve haftaya zirvede giren Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse'nin yarın yapacağı maçı kaybetmesini bekleyecek.
Panionios ise 15. yenilgisini yaşayarak grubu son sırada tamamladı.
Yedi oyuncu çift haneye ulaştı
Beşiktaş'ta süre alan tüm oyuncular skor üretirken 7'si çift haneye ulaştı.
Siyah-beyazlılarda Vitto Brown ile Anthony Brown on beşer, Morgan 14, Thomas 12, Yiğit Arslan 11, Dotson ve Kamagate onar, Zizic 8, Lemar 7, Mathews ile Sertaç Şanlı beşer, Berk Uğurlu ise 2 sayı üretti.
Mücadeleyi 10 ribauntla tamamlayan Kamagate, "double-double" yaparak galibiyete katkı verdi.
Yunan takımında ise 19 sayı kaydeden Watson, maçın en skoreri olmasına rağmen farklı mağlubiyeti önleyemedi.
Beşiktaş Avrupa Kupası'nda rekor kırdı
Siyah-beyazlı takım, BKT Avrupa Kupası'nda en fazla sayı bulduğu maçı oynadı.
Panionios karşısında 114 sayı atan Beşiktaş, kulüp tarihinin bu turnuvadaki sayı rekorunu kırdı.
"Kara Kartal" geçen sezon BKT Avrupa Kupası A Grubu dördüncü haftasında sahasında Almanya'nın Ratiopharm Ulm ekibini 107-74 yenerek sayı rekoru kırmıştı.
Yunan taraftarlardan "çirkin" pankart
Panionios-Beşiktaş müsabakasında ev sahibi takım taraftarları "çirkin" bir pankart açtı.
Başkent Atina'daki Makis Liougas Spor Salonu'nda yapılan mücadelede Yunan taraftarlar, Beşiktaş Kulübüne ve siyah-beyazlı taraftarlara küfür ve hakaret içeren ifadelerin yer aldığı pankartı tribüne astı.
Fenerbahçe'nin galibiyetinde başrol oynayan Marco Asensio, hem oyun kurucu kimliği hem de bitiriciliğiyle Süper Lig'e damga vurmaya devam ediyor. 2026 Dünya Kupası öncesi İspanya Milli Takımı teknik heyetine de güçlü bir mesaj gönderiyor.
Fenerbahçe'nin sahadan 3-1 galip ayrıldığı Gençlerbirliği maçında Marco Asensio takımın beyni olarak sahnedeydi. Asensio, 3-1'lik skorla biten mücadelede oyunun her alanına dokunarak komple bir performans sergiledi. 1 asist yapmasının yanı sıra, 3 kilit pas ve 1 yaratılan büyük şans ile hücumun merkezindeydi.
Rakip yarı sahada %92 pas isabeti (23/25) ile oynayarak baskının sürekliliğini sağladı. 2 şutundan birinin direkten dönmesi, maçın skorunun onun adına daha da farklı olabileceğini gösterdi. 0.64 Asist Beklentisi (xA), yaptığı asistin tesadüf olmadığını, doğru pozisyon almada ne kadar usta olduğunu kanıtladı.
Matador bu sezon ulaştığı 9 gol ve 7 asistlik performansıyla kariyerindeki en fazla gol katkısı sağladığı dönemi yaşıyor. Real Madrid ve PSG gibi devlerde geçirdiği dönemlerin ardından Türkiye'de "ikinci baharını" yaşıyor.
Fenerbahçe Teknik Direktörü Domenico Tedesco, maç sonrası yaptığı açıklamalarda Asensio'nun milli takım kapısını sonuna kadar zorladığını belirtti:
Asensio, çok üst düzey bir oyuncu ve Dünya Kupası'nda olmak için tüm kaliteye sahip. İyi ki kararı ben vermiyorum; İspanya'da çok fazla iyi oyuncu var ve seçim yapmak zor, ancak Marco'nun kalitesi tartışılmaz.
Dursun Özbek yönetiminin Fabian Ruiz, Fofana ve Gueye gibi bahsi geçen yıldızların kulüpleriyle hiç görüşmediği geçen sezon Mario Lemina gibi bir süreç yaşamamak için isimlerini kullandığı iddia edildi.
Galatasaray camiası transfer döneminin kapanmasıyla birlikte büyük bir hayal kırıklığı ve "yönetimsel strateji" tartışmalarıyla çalkalanıyor.
Özellikle teknik direktör Okan Buruk’un süreç boyunca yaptığı açıklamalar ile gerçekleşen hamleler arasındaki uçurum, "Buruk kandırıldı mı?" sorularının yüksek sesle sorulmasına neden oldu.
Okan Buruk, transfer dönemi boyunca taraftara ve camiadan sabır istedi. Hedefin "direkt katkı sağlayacak" isimler olduğunu vurguladı. 28 Ocak tarihini işaret etti.
- Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde bu oyuncuları oynatamayacağımız için biraz daha zamana ihtiyacımız var. Doğru zamanda, doğru oyuncuları getireceğiz. Sıkı bir çalışma yapıyoruz.
Ancak gelinen noktada, "direkt katkı" beklenen 8 numara transferi yapılmadı. Kadroya güçlü rotasyon için Noa Lang ve Boey dahil edildi. Asprilla, Nhaga ve Can Armando ise sadece "yatırımlık" oyuncular olarak geldi.
İddianın büyüğü ise yönetimin taraftar baskısını kırmak adına Fabian Ruiz, Fofana ve Gueye gibi dünya yıldızlarıyla ilgilendiği algısını yarattığı oldu. Yine aynı iddialara göre yönetim bahsi geçen yıldızlar için kulüplerine hiçbir zaman resmi bir bonservis teklifi iletilmedi. İlk amaç daime önce oyuncuları ikna edip ardından kulüplerine "Biz oyuncuyla anlaştık, satın alma opsiyonuyla kiralayın" stratejisi oldu.
Geçtiğimiz Ocak ayında Mario Lemina transferi taraftarın yoğun baskısı sayesinde gerçekleşti. Bu sezon da benzer bir baskı oluşmaması için yönetimin "yıldız isimlerle görüşülüyor" imajı çizdi. Ancak somut bir adım hiç atılmadı. Okan Buruk her ne kadar kamuoyu önünde nezaketini korusa da, transferlerin yetişmemesi yüzünden kırgın ve kızgın.
Matteo Guendouzi'nin bonservisi 28 milyon Euro... ancak kolay (4 milyon Euro) ve zor bonuslarla (8 milyon Euro) 40 milyon Euro'ya yükselme riski var. Aynı şekilde maaşı 4.5 milyon Euro... ancak kolay (2 milyon Euro) ve zor bonuslarla (2 milyon Euro) maaşının da 8.5 milyon Euro'ya yükselme ihtimali bulunuyor.
Fenerbahçe'nin oyuncusu Mattéo Guendouzi transferinde rakamlar netleşmeye başladı. Toplam maliyeti ve maaş yapısıyla dikkat çeken transferin detayları "En-Nesyri modelini" anımsatan bir bonus sistemine dayanıyor.
Lazio ile yapılan anlaşmaya göre Fransız oyuncunun transferin en dikkat çekici yanı peşinat ödenmemesi. Toplam 28 milyon Euro’luk ana bonservis bedeli iki taksite bölünmüş durumda. İlk taksit Temmuz'da 15 milyon Euro olarak ödenecek. 13 milyon Euro'luk ikinci taksit ise lig başladığında.
Guendouzi’nin transferinin toplam bonservis maliyetinin başarıya endeksli maddelerle birlikte 40 milyon Euro seviyesine ulaşacağı iddiası ise camiada "neler oluyor" dedirtmeye başladı. Oyuncunun sahaya çıktığı maç sayısına bağlı olarak devreye girecek olan 4 milyon euro'luk bir bonus maddesi var. Ayrıca şampiyonluk ve Şampiyonlar Ligi’ne katılım gibi kulüp başarılarına endeksli toplamda 8 milyon euro'luk bir de zor bonusun bahsi geçiyor.
Guendouzi'nin maaş tablosu da başlangıç rakamı olan 4.5 milyon euro'nn çok üzerine çıkabilecek bir esnekliğe sahip. Tıpkı En-Nesyri transferinde olduğu gibi "düşük" görünen baz maaşın üzerine eklenen bonuslar toplam kazancı ikiye katlayacak cinsten. Kolay bonuslar (maç sayısına bağlı) 2 milyon Euro civarında. Zor bonuslar da (başarı odaklı) yine 2 milyon Euro civarında.
Sergen Yalçın'ın "kazanmak için inanmadığım şeyleri söyledim" dediği Rafa Silva'nın Beşiktaş'tan ayrılığının arasında "güven ve samimiyet" sorunun yattığı iddia edildi.
Rafa Silva gitti ancak Portekizli oyuncuyla ilgili dedikodular bitmedi... bitecek gibi de durmuyor. Sergen Yalçın’ın Portekizli yıldızla yaptığı görüşmeye dair "İnanmadığım şeyleri söyledim" itirafının ardından, cepheler arasındaki gerilim yeni bir boyut kazandı.
Sergen Yalçın, Rafa Silva’nın antrenmanlara çıkmayı reddettiği dönemde oyuncuyu geri kazanmaya çalıştığını ancak bunu samimi olmayan bir yöntemle denediğini dile getirdi.
- Rafa'yı çağırdım, 'Sen bizim en iyi oyuncumuzsun, hedefe bizi sen götüreceksin' dedim. Bunları söylerken aslında inanmıyordum, sadece durumu kurtarmaya çalışıyordum ama yine de ikna olmadı.
İddialara göre Rafa Silva’nın Sergen Yalçın ile arasındaki köprüleri tamamen atmasının temelinde bu "güven ve samimiyet" sorunu yatıyor. Silva’nın, hocasnın kendisine karşı dürüst olmadığını hissettiği ve bu konuşma tarzından ciddi şekilde rahatsızlık duyduğu iddia ediliyor.
Yıldız oyuncunun, profesyonellikten uzak bulduğu bu yaklaşım sonrası takımdan tamamen koptuğu ifade ediliyor. Yalçın, oyuncuyu idare etmenin imkansız olduğunu savunurken, kulübün bu ayrılıktan sağladığı ekonomik ferahlığın göz ardı edilmemesi gerektiğini vurguladı.
En az 20 milyon euro'luk bir karları olduğunu savundu. Ancak 18 milyon Euro, stoper Agbadou'ya yatırıldı.
Youssef En Nesyri devre arasında Fenerbahçe'den Al Ittihad'a transfer olmuştu. Faslı golcü ilk golünü Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde attı.
Youssef En Nesyri devre arasında Fenerbahçe'den Al Ittihad'a transfer oldu. En-Nesyri ilk maçına 2-0 kaybedilen Al Nassr maçında çıktı. İkinci maçına ise Asya Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde çıktı ve maça ilk 11'de başladı.
28 yaşındaki futbolcu, 3. dakikada ağları sarsarak yeni takımında ilk golünü attı.
Torreira'nın saha içindeki performansını korumak, saha dışındaki ruhsal dengesini sağlamak için Galatasaray yönetimi konusunun uzmanı Grisel Marachlian'ı spor psikoloğu olarak görevlendirdi.
Lucas Torreira üst üste yaşadığı ailevi dramlar ve Güney Amerika’ya dönme arzusuyla kariyerinin en zorlu virajında. Uzman Spor Psikoloğu Grisel Marachlian’la terapilere başlayan Uruguaylı yıldız derin krizlerde çözümün sadece sahada olmadığını da anlamış durumda.
Spor Psikoloğu Grisel Marachlian’ın uzmanlık alanına giren "yas yönetimi", Torreira gibi elit sporcular için kritik bir süreç. Marachlian’ın metodolojisine göre, Torreira'ya verilecek destek çok değerli.
Torreira’nın profesyonel bir "savaşçı" kimliğinin ötesinde, yas tutan bir evlat olduğu gerçeği ön plana çıktı. Marachlian, sporcunun bastırılmış duygularının sahada "odak kaybı" veya "ani öfke patlamalarına" yol açmaması için güvenli bir dışavurum alanı oluşturulmasını sağlamaya çalışıyor olmalı.
Torreira'nın Arjantin (Boca Juniors) veya Brezilya seçeneklerini değerlendirmesi, ailesine yakın olma güdüsüyle doğrudan bağlantılı olduğu kabul ediliyor.
Bu noktada psikolojik destek Uruguaylının isteğini duygusal bir kaçış istediğine işaret ediyor gibi duruyor.
Okan Buruk'un 750 gün sonra Galatasaray formasıyla sahaya dönen Sacha Boey'den beklentisi Juventus maçlarına karşısına koyacağı Kenan Yıldız'ı sahadan silmesi.
Galatasaray taraftarının sevgilisi Sacha Boey tam 750 gün aradan sonra yeniden parçalıyı sırtına geçirdi. Dönüşüyle camiada büyük heyecan yaratan Fransız sağ bekin kısa süreli (75'nci dakikada oyuna girdi) performansı ve Juventus maçı öncesi Okan Buruk’un planlarına giriş şekli dikkat çekiyor.
Uzun bir aranın ardından Galatasaray forması giyen Boey'un maç sonunda duyguları çok netti.
- Çok çok mutluyum yeniden burada olmaktan. Geri dönmekten mutluyum. Yolumuza iyi şekilde devam ediyoruz.
Boey, ayağının tozuyla çıktığı ilk maçta fiziksel gücü ve oyun disipliniyle bıraktığı yerden devam ettiğinin sinyallerini verdi. Özellikle hücum bölgesindeki pas isabeti göz doldurdu.
Topla Buluşma 20
Rakip Yarı Sahada Pas İsabeti 10/10 (%100)
Kazanılan İkili Mücadele 2
Savunma Katkısı / Geri Kazanma 1 / 1
Top Kaybı 3
Teknik direktör Okan Buruk, Boey'in dönüşüyle birlikte Şampiyonlar Ligi’ndeki Juventus maçı için stratejisini belirlemeye başladı. Buruk’un, İtalyan devinin parlayan yıldızı Kenan Yıldız'ı etkisiz hale getirmek için sağ bekte fizik gücü ve hızıyla bilinen Sacha Boey’i görevlendirmesi bekleniyor.
Rizespor maçının yıldızlarından Noa Lang için "30 milyon Euro verilir mi?" tartışması çok erken başladı... destek ve köstek olan mesajların daha ikinci maçtan ortaya çıkması herkesi şaşırttı.
Galatasaray yeni transferi Noa Lang, adaptasyon sürecinin takım arkadaşlarının desteğiyle hızlandığını itiraf etti. Taraftarın enerjisinden övgüyle bahsetti. Sampiyonluk yarışı hakkındaki soruya özgüven dolu bir yanıt verdi:
- Sadece kendimize odaklanıyoruz. Şu an sürücü koltuğunda olan biziz!
Takım içindeki kimyanın her hafta daha iyiye gittiğini vurgulayan Lang, henüz %100 performansına ulaşmadığını ve maç ritmi kazandıkça daha iyisini yapacağını da sözlerine ekledi.
Okan Buruk da Noa Lang’ın enerjisinden oldukça memnun.
- Noa, oynadığı oyundan zevk alan bir isim. Sadece skor üretmiyorlar, öndeki tüm oyuncularımız (Barış, Yunus, Osimhen) savunmaya da katkı sağlıyor. Takım içindeki bu rekabet, başarı için en önemli anahtarımız.
Noa Lang’ın performansı camiada iki farklı görüşü beraberinde getirdi.
- Olumlu Görüşler
Osimhen için muazzam bir servisçi ve "faydalı" bir partner. Dikine pasları ve içeri kateden oyun yapısıyla yaratıcı. Barış Alper ile yakaladığı uyum umut verici.
- Negatif Düşünceler
30 milyon Euro'luk değerine dair mali şüpheler. Fiziksel olarak daha agresif ve dirençli olması gerekliliği. Savunma yardımı konusunda Sane'nin gerisinde kalması.
Rizespor maçı öncesi ısınmasında Barış Alper ile Noa Lang’ın özel olarak çalıştığı "gol provası" aksiyonları, sahada meyvesini verdi.
Galatasaray yönetimi ve teknik heyeti tam da Fotospor'un yazdığı gibi Renato Nhaga'yı kısa vadeli değil, gelecekteki büyük yatırımı olarak görüyor.
Genç oyuncu, fiziksel açıklarını kapattıktan sonra asıl patlama yapacağı planlar üzerinde çalışılıyor.
Galatasaray’ın genç yeteneği Renato Nhaga, Şampiyonlar Ligi listesinin dışında kalınca gözler teknik heyete çevrilmişti. Fotospor, Okan Buruk’un bu kararı, sadece taktiksel bir tercih değil, oyuncuyu korumayı amaçlayan bilimsel bir veriye dayandıran bir haber yaptı.
O haberinde Fotospor, Nhaga'nın dışarıda kalmasının nedeninin 3 test olduğunu yazdı.
1. Kas Kütlesi ve "Fiziksel Çarpışma" Riski
2. İzokinetik Testler: Hız Var, Fren Yok
3. Kemik Gelişimi Henüz Tamamlanmadı
Rizespor maçı sonrası açıklamalarda bulunan Okan Buruk, genç oyuncuya olan güvenini ve izledikleri stratejiyi şu sözlerle özetledi:
- Nhaga'ya durumu anlattık. Galatasaray'ın geleceği için çok önemli bir potansiyel. Ancak Şampiyonlar Ligi farklı bir arena; orada daha tecrübeli isimlerle devam etmeyi seçtik. Nhaga'yı bugün kullanıp bitirmek yerine, gelişimini tamamlamasını bekleyip onu bir yıldız olarak inşa etmek istiyoruz.
Fenerbahçe'de basketboldan sorumlu yönetici Cem Ciritci'nin 'isim sponsorluğunda bir değişiklik olabilir' açıklaması sonrasında gözler Beko'nun yerine Ülker'in geçmesi sürecine kilitlendi.
Fenerbahçe Beko'dan sezon sonu itibarıyla dev isim değişikliği bekleniyor. Basketboldan sorumlu yönetici Cem Ciritci’nin geçtiğimiz günlerde yaptığı “isim sponsorluğunda bir değişiklik olabilir” açıklaması kulisleri zaten hareketlendirmişti.
Mevcut isim sponsoru Beko’nun, sezon başında belirlenen bütçe sınırlarının dışına çıkmadığı (Nigel Hayes-Davis transferi için ekstra ödenek sağlanmadı) şu dönemde, Ülker'in yeniden isim sponsoru olarak döneceği iddiası iyice arttı.
Cem Ciritci’nin daha önce vurguladığı, “nütçeyi kısmayacağız. Fenerbahçe hep Final Four ve şampiyonluk kovalayacak seviyede kalacak. Bunun için plan ve programlarımızı yapıyoruz” sözleri, olası bir Ülker anlaşmasıyla finansal gücün yeniden eski haline getirilmesi için hazırlık yapıldığı konuşuluyor.
İddialara göre Beko ile olan iş birliğinin ardından Ülker’in yeniden ana sponsor ve isim ortağı olması için görüşmeler sürüyor. Değişikliğin zamanlaması henüz netlik kazanmadı. Hedef sezon sonu olarak öne çıktı.
Beşiktaş'tan ayrılmak istediği iddia edilen Vaclav Cerny'den iddialar hakkında net cevap geldi.
Beşiktaş'ta Çekyalı yıldızı Vaclav Cerny'nin "ayrılmak istiyor" iddiaları gündeme gelmişti. İddialardan kısa süre sonra, Beşiktaş Kulübü resmi açıklama yayımlayarak 28 yaşındaki oyuncunun ayrılmak istediğine dair iddiaları yalanladı.
Cerny'den de iddialara için bir cevap geldi. Vaclav Cerny, sosyal medya hesabından Fenerbahçe'yi mağlup ettikleri Ziraat Türkiye Kupası karşılaşmasının sonunda siyah-beyazlı taraftarlara üçlü çektirdiği videoyu paylaşarak "stres yok" anlamına gelen "No stress" notunu düştü ve yanına kartal emojisi ekledi.
Giovanni Manna insists the Coppa Italia quarter-final against Como is ‘a very important competition,’ but he wishes Napoli had played this season ‘with a normal number of injuries.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
The winner will be decided after 90 minutes or go straight to a penalty shoot-out, as there is no extra time, to decide who faces Inter in the semi-final.
Como are well-rested, because their Serie A Week 24 fixture against Milan was rescheduled to February 18 due to San Siro being used for the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
Napoli reshuffle again in Coppa Italia
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Giovane of SSC Napoli runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Khephren Thuram of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SSC Napoli at Juventus Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“This is part of the sport, it’s not our fault and not theirs either, so we are not seeking any alibis,” Manna told Sport Mediaset.
“It is a very important competition, we want a prestigious semi-final against Inter. We are accustomed now to playing in difficult circumstances, so we’ll give our best.”
Scott McTominay aggravated an inflammation of the tendon in his thigh and is therefore rested, with David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Kevin De Bruyne injured.
It means January signing Giovane gets his first start for Napoli, while Alisson Santos is on the bench. Are they the buys Manna wanted in mid-season?
“It was certainly more complicated than we had hoped, we tried to do some other deals, but the parameters weren’t suitable. So we decided to focus on two young players with margin for significant improvement and in my view can be functional for our style of football both today and in future.
“So we are eager to see them in action, but also in no rush.”
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Antonio Conte, head coach of Napoli, looks on prior to kick-off in 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)
Others like Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku are only fit for the bench, while Alessandro Buongiorno is left out after his disastrous performance against Genoa.
Goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic returns after several weeks out with a muscular problem, especially as his penalty save allowed Napoli to earn a 0-0 draw here with Como in November.
“I would prefer to have seen how things would’ve gone if we’d had the full squad at our disposal, or at least a normal number of injuries. I’d have loved to be able to see how this team would’ve handled the season in normal circumstances,” noted Manna when asked how the campaign was going.
NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 01: Vanja Milinkovic-Savic of SSC Napoli saves a penalty shot by Alvaro Morata of Como 19 during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 01, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“Seeing as that was not possible, we have to look forward. We already won the Supercoppa Italiana, we have the chance to progress in the Coppa Italia, it’s true we went out of the Champions League, but in Serie A we are pretty much where we expected to be.
“What happened is not an alibi. We are fortunate enough to have a great squad, a real coach, and a group with guts. That has allowed us to stay pretty much on track, then we’ll see what happens.”
Khephren Thuram reveals what it feels like to face his brother Marcus and why he thinks their father Lilian will be cheering on Juventus against Inter. ‘Our whole family will be in the stands.’
The Derby d’Italia kicks off at San Siro on Saturday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).
Neutrals will be hoping for a repeat of the extraordinary thriller that saw Juve emerge 4-3 winners in stoppages, with both Thuram brothers on target.
Thuram brothers face off in Derby d’Italia
TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Khephren Thuram of Juventus scores his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and FC Internazionale at Allianz Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“When you grow up with a brother who plays football, it’s natural you would always love to be in the same team,” Khephren told Sky Sport Italia.
“In school, we would always pick each other first to go into our sides. But now we are professionals, we both play for big Italian clubs, and that is good too. I hope to play many games alongside him for France.
“I expect a great game, because these are two big teams, both playing well, and tough on a tactical level. It will be difficult for both sides.”
Will the two brothers speak before the big match this weekend?
“We speak every day, but never about matches. We discuss more important things than football. Our whole family will be in the stands this time, though.”
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: The players of FC Internazionale celebrate as Federico Gatti of Juventus scores an own-goal during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and Juventus – Serie A TIM at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 04, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
It is a situation where their father, former Juventus and Parma defender Lilian, is going to feel a little torn.
However, Khephren has an idea of why the Bianconeri might get the benefit of a smile from their dad.
“He will be neutral, but I am the baby, so perhaps he’ll have a little bit more attention towards me.”
PARIS, FRANCE – MARCH 28: Lilian Thuram attends the UEFA Woman’s Champions League Quarter Final match between Glasgow City and Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes on March 28, 2015 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
Juventus have certainly boosted their form since Luciano Spalletti took over from Igor Tudor, so how does the coach differ from his predecessor?
“He asks me to always keep moving, to anticipate the play, but the most important thing is to play with my qualities and know that I am strong,” said Khephren Thuram.
“He is one of the coaches who most in my career has tried to make me understand my own strength. I enjoy working with him, he also gives me tips on where to improve, but I’ll keep those details to myself.
“Spalletti is very demanding with the team, he asks us for many things, and we try to deliver for him.”
With Scott McTominay out of action, Napoli rely on Rasmus Hojlund, Giovane and returning Vanja Milinkovic-Savic against Nico Paz’s Como in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.
The winner will be decided after 90 minutes or go straight to a penalty shoot-out, as there is no extra time.
Whoever goes through can then prepare for the semi-final against Inter.
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Eljif Elmas of Napoli (right) sprays his teammate Scott McTominay’s right ankle 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)
Napoli earned a controversial last-gasp 3-2 victory away to Genoa in Serie A at the weekend, but McTominay felt pain from a recurring inflammation after scoring one of the goals.
He is therefore rested, with the usual list of absentees like David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Kevin De Bruyne.
The good news is that goalkeeper Milinkovic-Savic is available after a couple of weeks out, with Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku fit for the bench.
January signing Giovane therefore steps into the trident attack with Hojlund and Antonio Vergara, dropping Eljif Elmas into midfield to replace McTominay.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 04: Vanja Milinkovic-Savic of SSC Napoli in action during the warm up before the Serie A match between SS Lazio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on January 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Nico Paz is the star man in attack, with impressive Martin Baturina and Jayden Addai, but with Tasos Douvikas and Alvaro Morata on the bench, it’s possible the Argentine will be used as a False 9.
Of course, this is a big reunion for Fabregas and Antonio Conte, who worked together to win the FA Cup at Chelsea.
It could also be the first Coppa Italia semi-final for Como in 40 years, since eliminating then reigning Champions of Italy Verona in 1986.
COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 10: Nico Paz of Como 1907 looks o during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Vincenzo Italiano outlines where Bologna must be more alert and effective if they are to break the crisis against Lazio in the Coppa Italia quarter-final. ‘We must battle for every ball.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Wednesday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
The winners will be decided after 90 minutes or go directly to a penalty shoot-out, as there is no provision for extra time.
Whoever emerges will then go on to play Atalanta in a two-legged semi-final.
Italiano dealing with Bologna crisis
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Vincenzo Italiano head coach of Bologna FC during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Parma Calcio 1913 at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Although Bologna are the reigning Coppa Italia holders and reached the Supercoppa Italiana Final, losing to Napoli in December, their recent Serie A form has been dismal.
“We must battle for every ball, knowing that any situation can become favourable, for example in the build-up to the Christian Ordonez goal for Parma,” said Italiano in his press conference.
“This is when we need determination and presence. I ask all the players to read the game, to have a greater sense of danger.
“We also must create more scoring opportunities, that is the key to emerging from this difficult moment. We know the path that we have to take.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 03: Vincenzo Italiano head coach of Bologna FC during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AC Milan at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 03, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Balancing Serie A, the Coppa Italia, Europa League and Supercoppa Italiana is proving to be quite a strain on Bologna’s resources this season.
“What surprised me the most is how much energy we waste, we are struggling to recover from one match to the next. Our focus has to be on preparation and studying the opponents.”
Lazio have changed quite a bit in the January transfer window, with some players leaving and others like Kenneth Taylor and Petar Ratkov arriving.
“Lazio achieved a great result against an on form Juventus at the weekend, but Maurizio Sarri and I know each other well. We’ve got to put in an impeccable performance if we are to reach the semi-final,” concluded Italiano.
Torbjorn Heggem and Lorenzo De Silvestri are out of action.
Jonathan Rowe, Riccardo Orsolini and Lewis Ferguson celebrate for Bologna against Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the Europa League (@bolognafc1909)
Manchester United have been told to sign Cristian Romero from Tottenham Hotspur.
According to a report from Fichajes, Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has urged the club to sign the Argentine defender at the end of the season. The 27-year-old has been linked with a move away from Tottenham, and it will be interesting to see if Manchester United is willing to provide him with an exit route.
The defender will cost around £70-80 million. Manchester United certainly have the financial muscle to avoid him, and he could prove to be an excellent acquisition for them. It is no secret that they need a quality central defender, and the South American could be ideal. Apart from his qualities as a defender, his leadership skills could prove to be invaluable as well. He could be the ideal long-term replacement for Harry Maguire at Old Trafford.
The opportunity to join Manchester United could be tempting for the South American. He will look to fight for major trophies, and the chance to represent Manchester United will be hard to pass up.
They have shown great improvement in recent weeks, and they will look to fight for trophies in the coming seasons. The defender will certainly be attracted to the idea of taking the next step in his career and joining a bigger club. He is well settled in the Premier League, and he could make an immediate impact at Old Trafford. Even though the transfer would be a substantial investment, the player’s quality would justify the move and establish him as an indispensable asset for the club.
Manchester United need elite players like him if they want to compete regularly for major trophies.
Saudi Arabian giants Al Ittihad have reportedly opened talks with the representative of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, reigniting speculation over one of football’s longest-running transfer sagas.
According to French outlet Foot Mercato, the Egyptian international is now significantly “more open” to a move to Saudi Arabia, marking a notable shift in his stance compared to previous windows.
Mohamed Salah open to Saudi Pro League move as Al Ittihad open talks
Despite signing a lucrative contract extension with Liverpool until 2027 following a stellar 2024–25 season, Salah’s position has evolved.
While the 33-year-old had previously prioritised staying in the Premier League, reports claim his agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, is now actively engaging with Al Ittihad.
From Liverpool’s perspective, this summer could represent their final opportunity to secure a massive transfer fee while also removing Salah’s significant wage package.
Salah will go down as one of Liverpool’s greatest ever
Should Salah depart this summer, he would do so as an undisputed Liverpool legend.
Since joining from Roma in 2017, the “Egyptian King” has been the driving force behind the club’s modern success, registering 251 goals and 119 assists in 426 appearances across all competitions.
Competition
Appearances
Goals
Assists
All Competitions
426
251
119
Mohamed Salah’s stats for Liverpool across all competitions
Salah has shattered numerous club and Premier League records, establishing himself as not only one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players, but one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.
Last season, he single-handedly powered Liverpool to a Premier League title, scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists in 38 league games.
Across all competitions, he finished with 34 goals and 23 assists, in what many considered should have won him the Ballon d’Or.
During his nine years at Anfield, Salah has helped Liverpool win a Champions League, two Premier League titles, two League Cups, and an FA Cup, while also becoming the club’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer.
If this truly marks the end of Salah’s chapter on Merseyside, the farewell at Anfield would be one befitting a genuine footballing icon.
Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on the Gambian defender Sedi Kinteh.
According to a report from The Daily Mail, Manchester United are keeping tabs on the 19-year-old, and his performance has impressed Jason Wilcox.
Kinteh has done quite well for Tromso and has attracted Chelsea’s attention as well. The 19-year-old is not just a quality defender; his recovery pace has been extremely impressive. The defender clocked a top speed of over 37 km/h this season, which makes some as fast as the Tottenham star Micky van de Ven.
Kinteh is capable of operating centrally as well as a fullback. His versatility could be a huge bonus for Manchester United or Chelsea in future. It remains to be seen if either of the two clubs decides to come forward with an offer to sign him. The opportunity to join a premier league will be exciting for the youngster. It would be a step up in his career, and he would get to test himself at the highest level.
Meanwhile, the defender could be available for a fee of €6 million. Manchester United and Chelsea certainly have the financial muscle to get the deal done, and it remains to be seen where the 19-year-old ends up. He should look to join a club where there is a prominent role for him. He needs ample first-team exposure in order to improve further and fulfil his potential. Sitting on the bench at a big club would be detrimental to his development. Therefore, he should choose his next destination very carefully. At the reported asking price, he could be a major bargain for either club.
Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Antonio Rudiger at the end of the season, and the player is ready to return to the Premier League.
According to a report from TeamTalk, the German International will be out of contract at the end of the season, and the 33-year-old is unlikely to sign a new deal with the Spanish club. The player is currently exploring his options and has already held talks with multiple clubs in England.
The defender is reportedly open to taking a pay cut to return to the Premier League. It will be interesting to see if Spurs sign the player on a free transfer. They need more depth in the defensive unit, and the 33-year-old could be ideal.
He has played in the Premier League with Chelsea, and he should be able to settle in quickly and make an immediate impact. Apart from his quality as a defender, Spurs could use his leadership skills and winning experience as well. The 33-year-old could prove to be an excellent acquisition for them. The defender helped Chelsea win the UEFA Champions League during his time at the London club, and he will help the club win trophies as well.
Cristian Romero is expected to leave the club at the end of the season, and the German International could be a short-term replacement for him. Signing a player of his quality on a free transfer could prove to be an excellent move for Tottenham. It remains to be seen whether they can secure an agreement with the player in the coming weeks. The defender is eligible to secure a pre-contractor agreement with Tottenham now.
Arne Slot believes this has been the toughest season of his career “by a mile” as his Liverpool side prepare to take on Sunderland on Wednesday. The Reds suffered their eighth loss of the Premier League season on Sunday, when they fell to a late 2-1 defeat against Manchester City at Anfield. The reigning champions […]
The number of wishlists a game has is never a one-to-one for how many copies it'll see when it finally releases, but you can't say those wishlists count for nothing, especially when there are millions of them, which is exactly what Subnautica 2, Forza Horizon 6, and Resident Evil Requiem have on Steam. Instead of its usual sales reporting, analyst firm Alinea Analytics' latest report digs into which upcoming titles have the most wishlists on Steam. Now, it's worth noting that the report clarifies that Valve's own ranking for the 'Top Wishlists' games on Steam also accounts for how quickly […]
According to two separate and trustworthy sources, Microsoft is reportedly considering the merging of the Xbox Game Pass Premium console subscription tier with PC Game Pass. The Verge's Tom Warren heard that the plans are far from finalized, but that's what Microsoft is thinking right now, and Windows Central has subsequently backed up the reporting with its own sources. Here's a breakdown of the respective feature sets as they are currently available to users: Feature PC Game Pass Xbox Game Pass Premium Price $11.99/month $14.99/month Platforms PC only Console, PC, Cloud First-Party Day-One Access Yes No (added within 1 year) […]
When people feel physically closer to someone who could be harmed, they are less willing to sacrifice that person for the greater good, according to a new finding reported in Cognition & Emotion.
Moral dilemmas, situations where any available option violates an important moral value, have been used to study how people balance rules like “do not harm” against outcomes like saving more lives. Classic examples such as the trolley and footbridge dilemmas show that people often reject utilitarian solutions when harm requires direct physical contact, suggesting that emotional responses play an important role in moral judgment.
The trolley dilemma is a thought experiment that asks whether it is morally permissible to pull a lever to divert a runaway train, sacrificing one person on a side track to save five people on the main line. The footbridge dilemma modifies this scenario by asking if one would physically push a large person off a bridge to stop the train, rather than using a mechanical switch.
Federica Alfeo and colleagues were motivated by an open question in this literature: is it the type of action (e.g., pushing versus pulling a lever), or the physical closeness to the victim, that drives these moral choices? Building on theories of psychological distance and prior work on emotion in decision-making, the authors set out to disentangle how proximity itself shapes moral judgments and emotional reactions.
The researchers conducted two studies using computer-based, interactive moral dilemmas modeled on the footbridge scenario. The scenarios were presented from a first-person perspective, allowing participants to experience the unfolding situation as if they themselves were at the scene.
In Study 1, 261 participants responded to scenarios that required different actions implying different levels of physical proximity to a victim: pushing someone directly, using a gun, or pulling a lever that opened a trapdoor. Participants made a forced choice between a deontological option (letting five people die) and a utilitarian option (sacrificing one person), while their response times were recorded.
After each scenario, participants estimated how physically close they felt to the victim using a visual distance scale. They also rated their emotional responses using standardized ratings, spanning negative emotions (e.g., fear, anger, sadness), moral emotions (e.g., guilt, shame, regret), and positive or neutral emotions. Importantly, emotions were assessed both for the option participants chose (factual emotions) and for the option they rejected (counterfactual emotions).
In Study 2, the researchers tested 46 additional participants to further isolate proximity. Here, the action remained constant across all scenarios (pulling a lever), while only the visual distance to the victim was manipulated. This design allowed the authors to examine whether perceived proximity alone, without changing the action, was sufficient to alter moral choices and emotional reactions.
Across both studies, participants reliably perceived the intended differences in physical distance, confirming that the proximity manipulations worked as designed. In Study 1, moral choices varied systematically with proximity. Participants were less willing to endorse the utilitarian option when the scenario required closer physical contact with the potential victim.
When harm felt more immediate and personal, participants tended to favor deontological choices, even when those choices resulted in worse overall outcomes. Scenarios implying greater distance, by contrast, were associated with a higher likelihood of sacrificing one person to save five.
Emotional responses mirrored these decision patterns. Negative emotions and moral emotions, including guilt, shame, regret, and disappointment, were strongest in high-proximity scenarios and weakest when the victim was farther away. Importantly, emotions associated with the unchosen alternative were consistently more intense than emotions linked to the chosen action.
This pattern suggests that participants anticipated the emotional consequences of both options and tended to choose the one expected to minimize emotional distress. Response times did not meaningfully differ across proximity levels, indicating that emotional intensity rather than deliberation time distinguished the scenarios.
Study 2 replicated and clarified these effects while holding the action constant. Even when participants always performed the same action, greater perceived distance increased utilitarian responding, whereas closer proximity reduced it. Emotional patterns showed a similar structure, with proximity amplifying negative and moral emotions and counterfactual emotions again exceeding factual ones.
Together, these findings show that physical closeness itself, not just the type of action, plays a central role in moral decision-making.
These findings are based on hypothetical, computer-based dilemmas, which may not fully capture how people behave in real-world moral situations involving genuine stakes and consequences.
Bitcoin (BTC) price has rebounded towards $70,000 on Tuesday, February 10, during the North American session. The flagship coin rebounded from a demand zone around $68.5k in the past two days, thus aiming to retest its supply zone around $71,250.
Nonetheless, Bitcoin price has suffered a significant decline in its Open Interest (OI), thus fueling the bearish sentiment. According to market data from CoinGlass, BTC’s OI has dropped from above $90 billion in October 2025 to hover about $45.7 billion at press time.
Two Main Reasons Why Bitcoin Price May Retest $85k
Renewed interest from whales
According to onchain data analysis, Bitcoin whales with an account balance of above 1000 BTC have been accumulating year-to-date. Moreover, Bitcoin addresses with an account balance of 1000 have surged by 50 in the past few weeks.
With onchain data showing the retail traders still reluctant to buy BTCs at current levels, amid extreme fear of further capitulation, the odds of a Bitcoin price rebound remain palpable.
BTC Price Aims to Fill Unfilled CME Gap
The main reason why Bitcoin price may rebound to $85k is due to its unfilled gap above $79k and below $85k. Historically, any gap in the Bitcoin CME Futures formed has been filled.
With the BTC price forming a potential bull flag after a notable selloff to around $60k, the flagship coin is likely to rally towards $85k soon.
What’s the Bigger Picture?
Although BTC price may rebound towards $85k soon, the intense fear of further capitulation is palpable. Furthermore, more crypto traders are predicting a similar Bitcoin capitulation in the coming weeks to the 2022 bear market.
A growing online debate about whether Bitcoin had the “fairest launch in history” has taken a new turn after comments from David Schwartz, Chief Technology Officer at Ripple, sparked controversy across the crypto community.
The discussion began after a widely shared social media post claimed Bitcoin’s launch was uniquely fair and impossible to replicate. Critics quickly pushed back, arguing that early miners, including insiders close to the project’s creation, accumulated a large share of the initial supply before public awareness increased.
Schwartz Says Fairness Debate Based on “False Premises”
Responding to the debate, Schwartz argued that many discussions about launch fairness rely on incorrect assumptions. He stated that it is not inherently unfair for creators of a network to retain a portion of the value they help create, especially when early participants face significant uncertainty and risk.
Schwartz also said that early investors did not necessarily have guaranteed advantages. According to him, early participation involved high risk, with many early adopters unsure whether the project would survive at all. As adoption increased and the technology became more widely known, the risk declined, but the opportunity to participate still remained open to the public.
He further said that hindsight often creates the impression that early participants had an outsized advantage, when in reality the risk-adjusted benefits became clearer only years later as the ecosystem matured.
Comparisons With Ethereum Fuel Further Debate
Some analysts involved in the online discussion compared Bitcoin’s early mining phase to the public pre-sale structure used by Ethereum, arguing that both networks allocated roughly similar portions of supply to bootstrap development. Supporters of this view claim that the idea of Bitcoin having a uniquely “perfect” or “immaculate” launch may be overstated.
Critics, however, maintain that Bitcoin’s lack of a formal pre-sale still distinguishes it from later blockchain launches, keeping the fairness debate unresolved.
“Opportunities Improved Over Time,” Schwartz Adds
In follow-up comments shared online, Schwartz said the opportunity to participate in Bitcoin did not meaningfully worsen in its early years. Instead, he argued that the investment opportunity gradually improved as the risk of total project failure declined and the possibility of long-term success became more visible.
He added that the debate changes mainly after 2018, when it became harder to argue that late entrants had no disadvantage compared with earlier participants. By that stage, Bitcoin had already matured significantly, making early participation advantages more apparent.
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Nəriman Axundzadə MLS təmsilçisi “Kolumbus Kru”ya keçib. Hücumçu klubla 3.5 illik müqavilə imzalayıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Kolumbus Kru”nun meneceri İssa Toll klubun mətbuat xidmətinə açıqlamasında forvardla bağlı fikirlərini bölüşüb:
“Nəriman komandamıza əlavə güc qatacaq bacarıqlar gətirir. Onun texniki qabiliyyətləri və yüksək iş tempi üslubumuza uyğun gəlir. Gənc yaşına baxmayaraq, Nəriman ölkə daxilində, Avropa arenasında və milli komandada dəyərli təcrübə qazanıb”.
Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının XIX turunun “Neftçi” – “Qəbələ” oyunundan (1:0) sonra meydan sahibi komandanın baş məşqçisi Yuri Vernidub jurnalistlərin suallarını cavablandırıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis əvvəlcə görüşlə bağlı fikirlərini bildirib…
– İkinci hissədə komanda ilk hissədəki tempi göstərə bilmədi. Səbəb nə idi?
– Bəli, səmimi desəm, ilk hissə kifayət qədər yaxşı oynadıq, rəqibə fürsət vermədik. Daha bir qol da vura bilərdik. Digər məsələ ilə psixologiya ilə bağlı idi. Komanda ev oyunlarında uzun müddət idi qələbə qazanmırdı, ona görə psixoloji gərginlik vardı. Uşaqlara dedim ki, bizə qələbə lazımdır, sonra da yolumuza davam etməliyik. Futbolçulara təşəkkür edirəm. Oyun yaddan çıxır, amma hesab həmişə qalır.
– “Qarabağ”la oyunun təxirə salınmasını istəmədiyiniz bildirilir…
– Kim yazır bunu? Deyilsə, oynayaq, oynayacağıq. Desələr yox, oynamayacağıq.
– Rəqib məşqçi dedi ki, oyunda aqressiya var idi…
– Aqressiya yox, intensivlik var idi.
– “Qarabağ”la oyun məsələsi çox gündəmdə qaldı. Onlarla matça xüsusi motivasiya ilə çıxmağa ehtiyac var, yoxsa sıradan matç olacaq?
– Azərbaycan çempionatında 12 komanda var. Mənimçün rəqibin fərqi yoxdur. Hər oyun vacibdir.
– Hakimlik barədə fikirləriniz?
– Mən baş məşqçiyəm, işim komandanı meydana çıxarmaqdır. Hakimlərin işinə Hakimlər Komitəsi rəy verir. Bəzi epizodlarda anlaşılmazlıq oldu. Amma qərəz olduğunu düşünmürəm.
– Breno Almeyda oynamağa hazırdır?
– Onu uzun müddətdir, izləyirdik. Yaxşı skautinqimiz var. Bu oyunçu skautların və məşqçi heyətinin xoşuna gəlib. Cinahlarda və mərkəzdə oynaya bilir. Yaxşı driblinqi, sürəti var. Ondan gözləntilərin çoxdur. Sabahdan bizimlə məşqlərə qoşulacaq. Tam hazır olması üçün vaxt lazımdır. Onu dərhal oyuna buraxa bilmərəm. Baxmaq, tanış olmaq lazımdır.
Azərbaycan Premyer Liqasının XIX turunun “Neftçi” – “Qəbələ” oyunundan (1:0) sonra qonaq komandanın məşqçisi Georgi Çixradze jurnalistlərin suallarını cavablandırıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, mütəxəssis əvvəlcə görüşlə bağlı fikirlərini bölüşüb…
– Maraqlı, dinamik oyun oldu. Bilirdik ki, “Neftçi” matçın əvvəlində sürətli oynayacaq. İlk 15 dəqiqədə sürətdə geri qaldıq. Rəqib oyuna aqressiv başladı. Nəticədə qol buraxdıq. Amma bundan sonra çox yaxşı oyun nümayiş etdirdik. İkinci hissədə daha çox qol şansı yaratdıq. Bəzi epizodlar var idi ki, onları necə əldən verdiyimiz maraqlı gəldi. Futboldur. Düşünürəm ki, bu gün məğlubiyyətə layiq deyildik.
– Prins Ovusu yüz faizlik epizodu dəyərləndirə bilmədiyi üçün çox məyus olmuşdu. Komanda yoldaşları ona təsəlli verirdi. Futbolçunu bu durumdan necə çıxarmaq olar?
– Prinsi sakitləşdirdik. Gənc oyunçudur, öz üzərində işləyir, inkişaf edir. Premyer Liqada ilk mövsümüdür. Belə şeylər olur.
– Rəqib “Neftçi” olduğu üçün bu gün qapıda Rza Cəfərova şans verdiz?
– Rzanı daha əvvəldən transfer etmək istəyirdik. Həmin vaxt alınmadı. Ona böyük ümidlər bəsləyirik. Rzanın potensialına bələdik. “Sabah”la kubok matçını yaxşı keçirmişdi. Ona görə bu gün qapıda Rzanın dayanacağını planlaşdırmışdıq.
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“Neftçi” “Etnikos”dan hücumameyilli yarımmüdafiəçi Breno Almeydanı transfer edib. Msport.az xəbər verir ki, “ağ-qaralar”ın braziliyalı futbolçu üçün Kipr klubuna nə qədər […]
🚨 BREAKING: West Ham and Man Utd confirm lineups for PL clash
West Ham and Manchester United have confirmed their lineups for this evening's Premier League clash at the London Stadium.
The Red Devils have enjoyed a strong unbeaten run since Michael Carrick assumed control of the team on an interim basis.
Some of their big triumphs include victories against title challengers Manchester City and Arsenal, while they have also beaten Tottenham and Fulham in that time.
The Hammers, on the other hand, are also in good form having won four of their last five matches across all competitions.
So, as United look to make it five wins on the bounce, here's a look at how both teams shape up.
Can United get the job done, or will West Ham disrupt their momentum?
🏟The final warm-up before the World Cup: Chile to face Spain in a friendly
The Spanish National Team now has its definitive roadmap set for the World Cup. Before establishing their headquarters in Chattanooga, Tennessee, "La Roja" will make a strategic stop in Mexico. On June 8, according to MARCA, the Cuauhtémoc Stadium in Puebla will be the venue for their final preparatory friendly, where the national team will face their Chilean counterparts.
A high-level opponent and World Cup memories
Spain was looking for a top-tier adversary to fine-tune their lineup a week before their debut against Cape Verde in Atlanta. Although playing against Mexico was considered, scheduling conflicts and sporting risks tipped the balance toward the South American side. Interestingly, the return to Puebla brings back bittersweet memories: it was there, in the 1986 World Cup, that Spain lost to Belgium on penalties in the quarterfinals.
The road to the United States
Luis de la Fuente’s preparations will begin at the end of May. After a lower-intensity match on June 4 at Riazor (possibly against China), the squad will fly that same night to Mexican soil. Awaiting them will be a Chilean team in the midst of an institutional crisis, which, after missing out on their third consecutive World Cup, will serve as the last major physical and tactical test for the Spanish internationals before crossing the border to their base in the United States.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: A general exterior view of Hill Dickinson Stadium, home stadium of Everton on January 26, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Live Blog
57’ – Now the Cherries are wanting a penalty here after Mykolenko and Rayan went for the ball along the goalline. VAR says nothing doing and Iraola is unhappy. Rayan has been booked for dissent by the way. Double change, with Toth and Evanilson off, Unal and Kroupi on, like for like that I can see. Beto and Armstrong are getting ready to come on.
55’ – Trouffert cuts in and fires a left-footed shot for the far post, goes just wide, Pickford did look to have that covered.
54’ – Barry fights and finds Ndiaye in space, he shimmies and his cross back into the box is met by Barry.. OMG how did he not score? Jimenez somehow made a Tarkowski-esque tackle to block his shot with the goal gaping.
52’ – Ndiaye leaves his studs in on a tackle on Christie. No tears shed by the Blues for him, he’s been a pest in the past.
50’ – Everton corner from the left now, poor and low from Garner, flicked on by George but Bournemouth clear. George and Garner keep pushing and Bournemouth can’t clear their lines. Good spell to start the second half by the Blues.
48’ – Almost a gift!! Petrovic with an awful pass straight to Ndiaye, but defender Hill tackles well, and then throws himself in front of KDH’s shot. Inswinging corner, partly cleared, George beats his man but his cross is cut out by.. Hill again.
46’ – Second half underway at Hill Dickinson, Everton lead 1-0.
Halftime Thoughts – A pretty even game that saw Everton close out the half the stronger side and get the go-ahead goal over Bournemouth. Both sides have been strong in the second half, so there’s still quite some football to go here.
45+1’ – Bournemouth pushing forward, win a corner with Rayan’s shot blocked by Gana. Inswinger from the Everton left, low and cleared by Garner. Long throw into the box, off Garner’s head then arm.. oooh. Inadvertent deflection, shouldn’t be an issue. Now Ndiaye trying to break, loses the duel to Trouffert, and there’s the halftime whistle. Everton lead 1-0 at the break.
45’ – Three minutes to be added on.
40’ – KDH fouled about where Garner just fired his shot from, will he try again? Taken short and Everton look to have overdone it.. or have they? Branthwaite does well to nick the ball off Rayan and is fouled in the corner of the box! Penalty says Madley, and there will be no questions about this from VAR. Garner has the ball, but now Ndiaye takes it and sets it down. Steps up, shoots into the low left corner and Everton lead, 1-0!
38’ – KDH shields the ball well but George gives it away in his own defensive third, ball comes to Evanilson for a shooting chance, deflected off Tarky and comes to Pickford, luckily.
35’ – Blues have definitely stepped up a gear in the last ten or so. Ball bouncing in the middle and both KDH and Gana go for it and clash with each other. Heavy hit to the jaw for KDH from Gana, but is okay.
33’ – Liking George, he’s not afraid to show for the ball. If anything, it’s allowing KDH to ‘disappear’ a bit. Ball into the Everton box, team clearance and then the Blues can break with KDH, Ndiaye on his right and Barry in front, but too many striped shirts follow him and the counter is foiled.
29’ – Dewsbury-Hall turns Adli and then gets rugby-tackled to the floor. Madley gives the freekick, but no card. Central-ish position, about 35 yards out. Under the conditions, this is worth a pop.. Garner’s attempt dips and bounces and Petrovic makes a right hash of it.. and then Barry’s follow-up on the rebound is even worse, hitting it wildly. Ball back into the box, deflected and Ndiaye from an impossible angle at the back post, sees his shot come off the goalie’s midriff and the post, ooh.
26’ – A few groans going around the ground as Everton have misplayed a few passes here, and are quickly losing possession when they do get the ball. Cherries freekick from the edge of their attacking third. Toth into the box, too close to Pickford who claims in the rain, which has increased in volume here.
23’ – At the quarter mark of the game here, nothing between the two sides. You’d suspect that both teams are playing exactly the way they prefer here.
20’ – Still no shots for the Blues. Bournemouth are doing a lot more of the possessing and attacking, but the Blues have kept their shape. George is very active on the pitch, not sticking to the touchline on the left, and this is allowing Mykolenko to overlap as well.
15’ – Pretty even game so far, most of the action concentrated in the middle third.
8’ – Ndiaye looks to have stamped on Jimenez as they fought for the ball, but it remains an Everton corner. Garner inswinger, Petrovic punches clear with Barry close, Gana loops the ball back into the box, Ndiaye misses his backheel and the ball evades Petrovic.. goal! Offside however, ahh.
4’ – Tarky goes in on Senesi who goes down, VAR deems no foul. Corner into the box, that and the following cross are both cleared.
2’ – Ndiaye is out on the right, George in Grealish’s spot on the left. Toffees give the ball away in their own half, Christie tries a shot that Tarkowski blocks.
1’ – Underway! The visitors kick off.
The lights go off, the siren rings out and is quickly followed by Z-Cars as the players come out in rainy conditions. Should make for some for a slick pitch.
Starting Lineups
Everton – Tyrique George makes his debut Everton start tonight. Jarrad Branthwaite replaces Michael Keane in defence too.
After back-to-back away games, Everton are back home at Hill Dickinson Stadium where they have struggled in recent games. What might help is that visitors Bournemouth are not the kind of team to sit back and pick the Blues off as they try to control possession, and instead will take the game to the hosts.
Everton are best when ceding ball possession and sitting back in a compact formation, and will intentionally or inadvertently fall into that with Andoni Iraola not curbing his side’s attacking instincts wherever they play. Both sides are unbeaten in their last five games with Bournemouth sitting in eleventh with 34 points while the Toffees are in eighth with 37 points.
For David Moyes, this is the healthiest his squad has been all season with just the one player out – Jack Grealish had surgery yesterday, confirming the bad news that his season is over.
The Cherries will be minus a few familiar faces, with Justin Kluivert, Marcus Tavernier, Ben Gannon-Doak and Julio Soler all out. Midfielder Tyler Adams is back in training but unlikely to make the game, but David Brooks came through as a late substitute over the weekend and is expected to be in the matchday squad.
Match Details
Competition: Premier League Matchweek 26
Date and start time: Tuesday, January 10th at 11:30 a.m. PT / 2:30 p.m ET / 7:30 p.m. BST
Stadium: Hill Dickinson Stadium, Merseyside, England, United Kingdom
Bournemouth had Everton’s number last season, beating them all three times they met, including a home defeat at Goodison Park in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. This season though the Blues have already beaten the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium thanks to a Jack Grealish winner, ending a run of four straight losses to Bournemouth.
LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Justin Verlander is going back to his first big league team, agreeing to a $13 million, one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday.
Verlander, who turns 43 on Feb. 20, is looking to rebound from a frustrating year with San Francisco. The deal for the three-time AL Cy Young Award winner includes $11 million in deferred payments starting in 2030.
Verlander’s 266 victories are tied with Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey for 34th on baseball’s career list, while his 3,553 career strikeouts are eighth and closely trailing Don Sutton with 3,574.
Verlander said he needed a “relentless pursuit of finding something, anything to make it click” in turning his struggles around last year with the Giants. His 2.60 ERA from July 23 through the remainder of the season ranked fourth in the National League with a minimum of 60 innings pitched.
Verlander returned June 18 after being sidelined for a month by a strained right pectoral muscle. The right-hander wants to keep pitching after a disappointing season in which he began 0-8 and was winless in his initial 16 outings before a win at Atlanta on July 23.
He went on to finish 4-11 with a 3.85 ERA and 137 strikeouts over 29 starts spanning 152 innings. He has 266 wins, still far off from joining the 300-win club but something he could approach with a strong, healthy 2026.
“First half, quite difficult. Happy I was able to find some mechanical fixes to kind of get back in the right direction and pitch well in the second half,” Verlander said following his final outing Sept. 27. “I think obviously you’d always rather it go well, but it’s nice to be able to turn it around, especially after a few months it gets really draining and it’s tiresome. You’ve just got to come in every day and have a positive mindset and keep working hard.”
The second-half turnaround mattered to Verlander, who limited foes to a .228 average over his final 13 appearances. He allowed two or fewer earned runs in 10 of his last 13 starts.
Manchester City Have Set Their Sights On This Everton Midfielder: Good Option For Pep?
In a recent report, Fichajes revealed that Manchester City have set their sights on Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as they look to bolster their squad later this year. It has been mentioned that the Mancunian club are eager to get a deal done for the English talent next summer.
Dewsbury-Hall’s Impressive Form At Merseyside This Season
Dewsbury-Hall has enjoyed a decent run of form at the Merseyside club as he has put in a string of impressive displays for them at the centre of the park. The English midfielder has netted five goals and earned four assists in 19 matches for Everton this season across various competitions.
The 27-year-old has caught the eye at times with his performances for the Toffees in the Premier League. Thus, it is no surprise that Man City are showing interest in recruiting the English playmaker this summer.
His current contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium will run out in the summer of 2030, so Man City would have to make a convincing offer if they want to recruit Dewsbury-Hall later this year.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 07: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Everton celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Fulham and Everton at Craven Cottage on February 07, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images)
Is Dewsbury-Hall A Good Option For Manchester City?
Dewsbury-Hall doesn’t mind working hard for his team inside his half. He is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet and has got the vision to create some inviting chances for his teammates on the offensive end of the field.
The English sensation can contribute by scoring and creating his fair share of goals up top. He is primarily a box-to-box midfielder but can also operate as a defensive midfielder or as an attacking midfielder if told to do so by his manager.
We can expect Dewsbury-Hall to bring more quality and depth to Man City boss Pep Guardiola’s midfield department. He has what it takes to fight for a regular first-team spot at the Mancunian club.
At 27, Dewsbury-Hall has his peak years ahead of him, which makes him a decent option for Man City to consider this summer. He might even help the Mancunian giants challenge for some major honours over the next few years. Therefore, it makes sense for Guardiola to step up his efforts to bring Dewsbury-Hall to the Etihad Stadium at the end of this campaign.
Arsenal head to Brentford knowing three points are essential as the title race tightens and their midweek trip comes with little room for error.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Arsenal head to Brentford for the final fixture of the midweek round knowing there is little margin for error in the title race, with the possibility that their lead at the top could be cut to three points should Manchester City defeat Fulham on Wednesday night.
Three points against the Bees are essential for Mikel Arteta’s side as the pressure continues to build.
Brentford have emerged as one of the season’s surprise packages. Many expected them to struggle after the departure of Thomas Frank, who left to join Tottenham, with his replacement by Keith Andrews, who was promoted without first-team managerial experience.
The club also lost captain Christian Norgaard, who moved to Arsenal’s bench, while Yohan Wissa joined Newcastle United and Bryan Mbuemo moved to Manchester United.
Despite those significant losses, Brentford have adapted impressively and currently sit seventh, level on points with Liverpool, six clear of Newcastle and 10 ahead of Frank’s Tottenham. They remain firmly in contention for a European place, with just 10 points separating Aston Villa in third from Everton in eighth.
Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Brentford, like Arsenal, will be without several players for Thursday night.
Fabio Carvalho remains sidelined with a long-term issue after undergoing surgery, with Andrews previously confirming the operation had gone well.
Antoni Milambo is also out long term following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Kevin Schade is unavailable through suspension, serving the second game of a three-match ban, while former Arsenal kid, Josh DaSilva, continues his recovery after a lengthy absence from a knee injury, with Andrews saying in December that he was progressing well but not yet ready to return, with hopes of seeing him back later this month.
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
Brentford’s first ever Premier League victory came against Arsenal in August 2021 in that infamous Friday night game that should have been postponed because so many of Arsenal’s players had covid, but since then they are winless in eight meetings with the Gunners.
Arsenal have won their last three league visits to the Gtech Community Stadium by an aggregate score of 7-1, while Brentford have managed just one win in their last 11 home London derbies.
Arsenal, by contrast, have lost only one of their last 23 Premier League London derbies and remain unbeaten in their last 12 midweek league matches, even if Thursday nights have recently been less kind when it comes to wins or goals (none of either in the last three).
For Arsenal, the equation is simple. With games in the title race getting fewer and rivals waiting for any slip, this is a fixture they must navigate successfully, against an opponent who have already shown this season they are more than capable of punishing complacency. They recently beat Villa at Villa Park with only 10 men. They have also beaten Newcastle (a) but were also unable to beat Spurs in both League games, which is not a good look for anyone this season.
Coppa Italia quarter final line-ups: Napoli vs. Como
With Scott McTominay out of action, Napoli rely on Rasmus Hojlund, Giovane and returning Vanja Milinkovic-Savic against Nico Paz’s Como in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.
The winner will be decided after 90 minutes or go straight to a penalty shoot-out, as there is no extra time.
Whoever goes through can then prepare for the semi-final against Inter.
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Eljif Elmas of Napoli (right) sprays his teammate Scott McTominay’s right ankle 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)
Napoli earned a controversial last-gasp 3-2 victory away to Genoa in Serie A at the weekend, but McTominay felt pain from a recurring inflammation after scoring one of the goals.
He is therefore rested, with the usual list of absentees like David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Kevin De Bruyne.
The good news is that goalkeeper Milinkovic-Savic is available after a couple of weeks out, with Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku fit for the bench.
January signing Giovane therefore steps into the trident attack with Hojlund and Antonio Vergara, dropping Eljif Elmas into midfield to replace McTominay.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 04: Vanja Milinkovic-Savic of SSC Napoli in action during the warm up before the Serie A match between SS Lazio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on January 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Nico Paz is the star man in attack, with impressive Martin Baturina and Jayden Addai, but with Tasos Douvikas and Alvaro Morata on the bench, it’s possible the Argentine will be used as a False 9.
Of course, this is a big reunion for Fabregas and Antonio Conte, who worked together to win the FA Cup at Chelsea.
It could also be the first Coppa Italia semi-final for Como in 40 years, since eliminating then reigning Champions of Italy Verona in 1986.
COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 10: Nico Paz of Como 1907 looks o during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons have some key players headed for free agency, but they don't currently have enough cap space to keep everyone. Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham has some big decisions to make, including what to do with tight end Kyle Pitts.
The former top-five pick is arguably Atlanta's top free agent, and at just 25-years old, he should have plenty of interested suitors around the NFL. Pitts is coming off the second-best season of his NFL career -- 88 catches for 928 receiving yards and five touchdowns -- and was one of the only pass-catchers to stay healthy for all 17 games.
The Falcons could potentially re-sign Pitts or use the franchise tag on him if they fail to reach a long-term deal, assuming Cunningham and the rest of Atlanta's front office wants him back. So, how much money would it take to re-sign the young tight end?
A new feature from Pro Football Focus predicts Pitts will be the highest-paid tight end in the 2026 NFL free agency class. PFF projected Pitts to land a three-year, $48 million contract.
"Kyle Pitts ended the year showing flashes of the talent that made him a top-five pick in the 2021 draft," wrote PFF's Mason Cameron. "His 91.8 PFF receiving grade from Week 13 through the end of the regular season ranked as the third-highest mark in the NFL. Even in a small sample, that level of talent is something NFL general managers crave when shopping for a dynamic weapon to bolster an offense."
The Falcons may have competition for Pitts' services, but the abundance of tight ends likely to be available in free agency should prevent the numbers from getting out of hand.
PFF highlighted Pitts' prior relationship with Falcons president of football Matt Ryan as a potential factor in negotiations. Pitts was the team's top weapon in 2021, which was Ryan's final season in Atlanta.
"Considering the tight end market features a variety of quality options, including names such as David Njoku, Isaiah Likely, and Dallas Goedert, Pitts’ best opportunity to reach a high-profile contract offer may be in the hands of his old teammate and the Atlanta Falcons’ new president of football operations, Matt Ryan," added Cameron. "Pitts generated a career-best 81.1 PFF grade while playing with Ryan, which may benefit the 25-year-old tight end’s extension talks within the Falcons’ facility."
The Falcons currently have around $26 million in salary cap space available, according to Over The Cap's projections. NFL free agency officially starts on March 11, with the legal tampering period opening on March 9.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and offensive tackle Will Campbell have both addressed their respective injury concerns and Super Bowl performances as the team enters the offseason.
Maye confirmed he will not undergo surgery on his throwing shoulder, while Campbell revealed he played in the championship game with a torn knee ligament, acknowledging his "disastrous" outing.
Maye, who received a pain-relieving injection before the Super Bowl loss, stated his recovery plan is simply rest.
"Just get some time off. Time’s the best healer. Definitely just need time off," Maye said on Tuesday.
"Nothing that needs anything to be done. Just some time away and time to get some rest and time away from football."
Maye is planning to rest rather than undergoing surgery on his shoulder (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
The young quarterback dismissed the idea that the long playoff run overstressed his arm, attributing his discomfort to an "unfortunate hit" during the AFC Championship game.
Despite the injury, he maintained he was "able to make throws in the game and was myself."
In the Patriots’ 29-13 defeat by Seattle, Maye threw two touchdown passes but was sacked six times, intercepted twice, and lost a fumble that led to another Seahawks touchdown.
Meanwhile, left tackle Will Campbell disclosed on Tuesday that he suffered a torn ligament in his knee late in the regular season, which sidelined him for four games on injured reserve.
Despite this significant injury, Campbell returned to start the season finale and all four playoff games, including the Super Bowl.
His performance in the Super Bowl, however, was heavily scrutinized.
Campbell conceded two sacks on Maye and allowed a staggering 14 pressures, the highest by any NFL player in a single game this season, according to Next Gen Stats.
He admitted his knee "wasn’t 100%," adding: "I mean, I don’t think when you tear a ligament in your knee, it’s not going to be how it was before, but I was healthy enough to go. I’m not going to say that it held me back, but it wasn’t the same as it was before, obviously."
Campbell, who was carted off the field in Week 12 after 12 consecutive starts protecting Maye’s blindside, acknowledged the criticizm.
Campbell admitted to having a difficult outing in the Super Bowl (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
"It comes with the job when you don’t perform," he stated. "Obviously, I was picked high, paid a lot, so people expect a certain thing, and I expect more myself. So, whenever I don’t perform ... obviously it sucks, but it doesn’t suck for anyone more than it sucks for me."
Despite the challenging end to his season, Campbell has the backing of his coach and quarterback.
Coach Vrabel expressed confidence in the 22-year-old, stating: "He’s 22 years old. He’s our left tackle. He’ll get better. He’ll get stronger. We aren’t moving Will to guard, center, tight end or anywhere else."
Maye, who shares a close friendship with Campbell, also voiced his support, predicting a bright future for his teammate.
"The expectations of a first-round pick, I think he’s dealt with so much this year," Maye said.
"It’s going to be great for him in the future. He’s going to be a great player in this league, he already is a great player in this league. … I love Will. I look forward to playing with him for a long time."
As the Patriots players clear out their lockers and head into the offseason, both Maye and Campbell are focused on recovery and improvement, with the team looking ahead to the next season.
BOSTON (AP) — Infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and the Boston Red Sox finalized a $6 million, one-year contract on Tuesday.
Kiner-Falefa can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses for plate appearances: $100,000 each for 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500.
The 30-year-old hit .262 with two homers, 40 RBIs and 21 doubles in 138 games last year for Pittsburgh and Toronto, which selected him off waivers on Aug. 31. He played shortstop, third base and second.
Kiner-Falefa batted .162 (6 for 37) in the postseason. Representing a title-winning run, he was thrown out at home plate by second baseman Miguel Rojas on Daulton Varsho's grounder in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kiner-Falefa, 30, has a .262 average with 36 homers, 286 RBIs and 100 steals over eight seasons with Texas (2018-21), New York Yankees (2022-23), Toronto and Pittsburgh. He won a Gold Glove at third base in 2020.
Boston placed right-hander Tanner Houck on the 60-day injured list to open a roster spot.
With Super Bowl 60 done and gone, the 2025 NFL season has come to a close. But now, we enter a new era: the mock draft era! The offseason begins soon, but it is now the perfect time to release my 1.0 official mock draft. Before we begin, let's lay some ground rules:
There will be no trading picks
We are still using ProFootballNetwork's mock draft simulator
We are also still using PFF's player rankings
These mocks are what I believe will happen. We will likely release mocks of what I would do, closer to the 2026 NFL Draft
Now that we have that out of the way, we will be going through picks 1-32, with some brief observations at the end!
1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB , Indiana
2) New York Jets: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
3) Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
I want to go on record now that the Fernando Mendoza pick will turn out poorly for the Las Vegas Raiders. Mendoza was the head of one of the greatest College Football teams of all time, but does not have a high enough ceiling to warrant being drafted this high. Look for the Raiders to be back in this range in 3-4 years. Sorry, Raiders fans.
The 2026 NFL Draft starts at pick three. The Arizona Cardinals have needs that can't be filled at this spot, so they lean toward the best player available in David Bailey out of Texas Tech. His massive upside is going to be very tempting to pass up this early. But it is also a very obvious trade-down spot.
The first reach of the NFL Draft is at nine and in Kansas City. The Chiefs have quite a few holes to fill with this rebuilding roster, and instead of taking a building block for when quarterback Patrick Mahomes returns healthy, they take a running back, probably 35 picks too early.
The Minnesota Vikings stick to what most mocks have them doing, taking Clemson cornerback Aveion Terrell. His physical man-to-man coverage skills blend well in this Brian Flores defense.
Speaking of reaches, we turn to the Cleveland Browns. Ty Simpson at pick 24 is egregious, but it is very Cleveland Browns. They desperately need a quarterback, as Shedeur Sanders is very obviously not the answer long term, even if he was gifted a Pro Bowl nod.
The lone tight end in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Kenyon Sadiq out of Oregon, would be an excellent successor to the position for when George Kittle retires. Kittle, rehabbing from a torn Achilles, could teach his ways to Sadiq all offseason, and Brock Purdy would have a lethal weapon once again.
Feb 6, 2026; Cortina d'Ampezzo, ITALY; Breezy Johnson of the United States in women's downhill training during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images | Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
The Winter Olympics are underway in Italy, and some medals have already been earned by some of the best athletes on the planet.
And Team USA is on the board as well with their first gold medal.
While the 2026 Winter Olympics are just starting, we’ll be keeping track of Team USA’s effort throughout the Winter Games here with a look at each medal secured by the athletes in Milano Cortina.
How many medals have Team USA won at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Here is a table with a look at the medal count for Team USA, which will be updated daily.
Team USA Medal Count
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Total
Team USA
2
3
2
7
Who has won medals for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Here we will take a deeper look at each medalist from Team USA.
Breezy Johnson: Gold, women’s downhill
Breezy Johnson’s dream of competing at the 2022 Winter Olympics ended in Cortina four year ago.
Now she has a gold medal.
Johnson suffered a devastating crash at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina during a training run four years ago, a crash which partially dislodged a large chunk of cartilage in her right knee. As a result, she had to withdraw from the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games. But she conquered Cortina in the women’s downhill to secure both a gold medal, and the first medal for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Team USA: Team figure skating
The United States collected their second gold medal in the team figure skating competition.
And it was a narrow victory over Japan.
The event came down to a battle between the final two men’s skaters: Ilia Malinin of the U.S. and Shun Sato of Japan. Malinin had lost in the short program to Yuma Kagiyama earlier in the competition, who was replaced by Sato as the long program is considered his strength. And while Malinin delivered a disappointing performance with his long program — his result was his lowest free skate score in his last five competitions — it was still enough to see the United States through to a 69-68 win over Japan.
Ben Ogden: Cross-country skiing
A decades-long drought for Team USA in cross-country skiing is over.
Ben Ogden took silver in the cross-country skiing sprint on Tuesday, becoming just the second U.S. male cross-country skier to win an Olympic medal, and the first in 50 years.
Bill Koch took silver in the 50K classic at the 1976 Winter Olympics. As fate would have it, Ogden started his own cross-country skiing journey in the Bill Koch Youth Ski League. Ogden finished with a time of 3:40, a second behind gold-medalist Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo from Norway.
Alex Hall: Freestyle skiing
Alex Hall’s attempt at a repeat gold medal in freeski slopestyle fell short, as he was nipped by Norway’s Birk Ruud 86.28 to 85.75. Hall’s second run pulled him within a half-point of Ruud, but could not catch him on his final run.
With the silver medal, Team USA has secured seven of the 12 medals in the event’s history.
Jacqueline Wiles/Paula Moltzan: Alpine combined
As expected, Team USA secured a medal in the women’s team combined.
But it was not the pairing many expected to see.
Team USA favorites Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin were in contention for gold as expected, after Johnson delivered the fastest downhill leg. But Shiffrin, winner of seven of eight slaloms this season, only finished 15th in her portion of the event, dropping the pair out of medal contention.
They missed out on bronze by 0.06 of a second.
Instead, that bronze went to Team USA pair Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan.
Cory Thiesse/Korey Dropkin: Mixed doubles curling
The United States has its third medal ever in Olympic curling.
Mixed doubles team of Corey Thiesse and Korey Dropkin advanced to the gold medal game against Sweden, but fell 6-5 to Swedish siblings Isabella and Rasmus Wranaa. But with the win Thiesse became the first American woman ever to win an Olympic curling medal, as Team USA’s previous two medals came in men’s curling.
Ashley Farquharson: Women’s luge
Ashley Farquharson made Team USA luge history, winning a shocking bronze medal in the women’s luge singles competition. Her bronze medal comes 12 years after Erin Hamlin took bronze at Sochi in the 2014 Winter Olympics, becoming Team USA’s first-ever luge medalist.
Chris Mazder took silver in the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Germany’s Julia Taubitz took gold, and Latvia’s Elina Bota — who also made history as the first woman from her country to take a singles luge medal — took silver.
Seattle Seahawks' quarterback #14 Sam Darnold and Seattle Seahawks' head coach Mike Macdonald celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 8, 2026. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
The Los Angeles Rams missed their best chance at a second Super Bowl under Sean McVay thanks to an expected run from the Seattle Seahawks. Who will be the next surprise NFC playoff team in 2026?
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Seahawks have +750 odds to repeat next year, followed by the Rams at +800. Five of the teams with the highest Super Bowl odds reside in the NFC, yet as this season has proved, anyone could come out of nowhere. The conference also featured four different playoff teams from a year ago, including the top-seeded Seahawks, and No. 2 seed Bears.
New Orleans is a possible contender, as they won four of their last five to finish the season, and play in the painfully bad NFC South. The Saints will play a last-place schedule and have a chance to tee off against weaklings like the Browns, Cardinals, Raiders, Giants and of course, their dreadful division. They already have some believers out there.
The Giants are also a strong possibility, given they hired former Super Bowl champion coach John Harbaugh this offseason. While Harbaugh suffered a heartbreaking end to his time in Baltimore, brighter days seem to be ahead for him in the Big Apple. Before New York hired him, the sentiment around the league was that Big Blue was an elite head coach away from making some noise. With loads of promising young talent already on the roster, it’s hard not to feel that way.
The Giants are a head coach away from being ELITE 👀
Feb 7, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Berke Buyuktuncel (9) in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
It’s a Tuesday night in Big Ten country and as the snow starts to melt in West Lafayette, things will be heating up in Lincoln, Nebraska as a struggling Purdue team travels to Nebraska where the top-ten Cornhuskers look to stay at the top of the Big Ten.
#13 Purdue 19-4 (9-3) at #7 Nebraska 21-2 (10-2)
Nebraska is one of the nation’s most surprising teams of the season. It came out of nowhere, winning its first twenty games of the season including giving Illinois one of its two conference losses.
Its only losses have come to that same Illinois team and Michigan on the road. Nebraska has proved itself more than a flash in the pan under Fred Hoiberg. Instead, Hoiberg has built a program that keeps getting better and better.
Purdue has been a surprising team, too. After spending the off season as national title favorites and the start of the season as the #1 team in the country, the Boilers have struggled mightily over the last month. Its not just losing three straight games that has Purdue fans worried. Purdue, at one point the most dominant offense in the country, has seemingly lost its mojo and jump shot.
But it’s deeper than that. Purdue’s shooting will find its level, but something seems off. The best five Purdue players don’t seem to fit, and it’s unclear what rotation doesn’t come with major sacrifices elsewhere. It has fallend own the ap poll, all the way to 13th, and its seeding seems to be slipping with each week.
It’s now Purdue going into a top-ten building, a place where it’s historically struggled in recent years, needing a win for both its profile and to stay in the race for the Big Ten.
Spider-men Meme
“They have a great offensive and defensive system… they stick to their rules.”
That sounds like something opposing coaches say about Matt Painter and his Purdue Boilermakers, but instead, it’s Painter talking about what Hoiberg has built at Nebraska.
“They prey on your lack of discipline,” Painter said.
That’s a formidable position as Purdue is reeling off one of its sloppiest offensive performance, a home win that was never easy against what should have been an over matched Oregon team. Purdue had 14 turnovers against the Ducks. Its offensive rating keeps dropping as its offense has started to look like a collection of mismatching parts. The two big lineups and teams constantly doubling TKR in the post has taken away a lot of Purdue’s easy buttons for points.
That’s a scary trend going into Nebraska where its aggressive, trapping, double and triple teaming defense has given Purdue trouble in the past.
Big time big men matchup
Pryce Sandfort has been fantastic for Nebraska. He’s scoring 17 points a game on 40% shooting from three and he makes tough shots, open shots, and is relentless on and off the ball. He’s become an elite top scorer and helped Nebraska transition from a tough matchup to one of the best teams in the country.
But Nebraska’s cogs and system still runs through its unique, multi-faceted big man, Rienk Mast.
At 14.7 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, Mast’s numbers don’t do his affect on the game justice.
There’s just not many guys as big as Mast that’s as good with the ball in his hands. Because of his size, the whole court is available to him, and the shooters around him become more dangerous when he has the ball.
“You just don’t normally see that from 6-9 guys,” Painter said about Mast’s game facing up and his collection of skills. “He gives them everything on both ends of the court.”
Oscar Cluff has not been having the same impact on the floor the last couple weeks, but Nebraska and Mast is the exact kind of matchup where Cluff should thrive and remind Purdue fans of his value. Cluff is one of the best bigs switching on the perimeter in the country, and that ability to hedge and play out there was part of why Painter and company valued bringing him over. Mast is too big to go small against but usually leans on having an athletic or skill gap over other bigs. Cluff should be able to match both his physicality and be able to step out and stay with Mast on the perimeter.
It should be one of the better big men matchups in the conference this season, and a good back and forth battle.
Big Ten up for grabs
Purdue still has games against Michigan, Michigan State, and Nebraska. It can have a big hand in its own destiny, but the truth is likely that Purdue can’t afford another loss in the Big Ten.
With Michigan, Illinois, and Nebraska all above Purdue in the standings and Michigan State at three losses as well, there’s no more margin of error for Purdue who lost three straight conference games.
“I don’t see a couple of those teams getting to four losses,” Painter said ahead of heading to Nebraska.
That means if Purdue’s senior class wants to land its third conference title, it’ll need to most likely win out from here. That starts with winning on the road against a top-ten Nebraska team.
Although the Magic forced 10 turnovers in the first half of Monday’s game at Kia Center against the Bucks, the team had only scored six points off those takeaways.
Orlando actually trailed by three points at the halfway mark, 54-51, largely due to its lack of shotmaking. Milwaukee had made 40% of their 3-point attempts before the break and held the Magic to just 19% from distance.
Then came the third quarter.
Jamahl Mosley‘s squad notched 10 points off five Milwaukee turnovers, shot 54.5% from beyond the arc and outscored the Bucks 36-20 in the 12 minute stretch to take control and capture a 118-99 victory in front of a national TV audience on Peacock, NBC’s streaming service.
“There was a point in the game where we just kind of turned it on,” Magic forward Jonathan Isaac told the Orlando Sentinel in the locker room after the 19-point victory. “We were playing solid defense throughout but that third quarter, seemed like we were able to just put couple (stops) together and then fuel our offense.
“Once your defense starts fueling your offense, it’s kind of just wraps from there,” he added.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers described Orlando as the more physical team after the loss and, while the third quarter was when the Magic took over, the team believed it was just a matter of time for the dams to break defensively.
“It was a good defensive game overall,” Magic forward Paolo Banchero said. “(The Bucks) have been a pretty high-scoring team. They’ve been shooting the ball really well, especially without Giannis (Antetokounmpo).
“We just did a good job of running them off the line and forcing them to take tough shots,” he added.
In the three games prior to facing Orlando, the Bucks had scored 130-plus points twice, averaging 125.7 in that stretch. For the Magic, Monday’s game marked the second in its past three holding an opponent to fewer than 100 points.
It was also Orlando’s third straight win, something the team hadn’t accomplished this Nov. 25-Dec. 1. Although they’ve won five of their last seven, they’re still not pleased.
“I mean, honestly, I would contribute that to them being lesser teams,” Banchero said when asked what’s changed defensively as of late. “Not that good, you know? I think Utah took their starters out, Brooklyn not being very good. Milwaukee, they’re alright.
“So, I think we’ve just got to lock in and continue to just be who we are defensively and hopefully it translates to when we see some better teams down the road,” he added.
Getting Franz Wagner back helped, too. In his first game back from a nine-game absence managing the extended rehab of a left high ankle sprain, the Magic forward racked up 14 points, five assists and two rebounds in just 17 restricted minutes.
The contest served as just the 18th regular season game since the start of the 2024-25 season in which Wagner, Banchero and Jalen Suggs shared the floor out of 134 possible games in that stretch.
In 12 games together this season, the Magic trio has recorded a net-rating of plus-15.2 when on the court, according to NBA.com. Of the 48 three-man lineups that have played at least 140 minutes together for Orlando this season, that net rating leads the team.
“Obviously still working my way back and obviously got to find a rhythm out there … But pleased with how I played and hopefully could help the group win,” Wagner said.
After starting his previous 317 NBA games played with the Magic, as well as 55 college games played in two season at Michigan, Wagner came off the bench for the first time since his youth days with Alba Berlin in Germany. That allowed Mosley to better control his minutes as he works back to form from injury.
“It’s definitely different,” Wagner said. “But I came off the bench before in my life so just trying to find other ways to obviously get ready and be ready once you get subbed in. Sometimes it’s fun to have a change of routine like that.”
Banchero appeared to avoid a major injury himself when Isaac blocked a Kevin Porter Jr. layup late in the third quarter and the ball ricocheted off Banchero’s right hand.
Banchero said it was his right index finger that got hit and it felt “a little stiff” after the game, but he didn’t undergo an X-ray on Monday night.
“It’s alright,” he said. “Hopefully it doesn’t bother me too much. … “It’s probably just a jammed finger, just jammed it pretty good.”
The Magic host the Bucks again on Wednesday in their final game before the NBA All-Star break.
Although Orlando has won three games in a row four different times this season, it has yet to win four consecutive contests.
“It’s important,” Isaac said about the last game before the break. “I think we definitely sent a message (Monday night) and I don’t feel any reservations about next game. We’ll be fine.”
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Before a new landlord shuttered the iconic Brickyard Lounge and Grill last month, you could walk into the tiny, race-themed restaurant located two miles from Daytona International Speedway, skip the menu and ask them to bring you what NASCAR chairman Jim France orders.
A 1-pound cheeseburger burger and basket of crispy fries appeared.
At 70-year-old Mario's Restaurant in nearby Ormond Beach, the hostess says with first-hand knowledge that the late Bill France Sr. ordered the grouper francaise whenever the family popped in.
NASCAR's founding family members are regulars at nearly every restaurant — dive or upscale — as well as the local shops and businesses that comprise the city's roughly 75,000 people living along 23 miles of central Florida's coastline.
“The Frances are wonderful people who come in for lunch,” said Annette Allan, owner of the Brickyard. “They treat the employees very well and are some of our favorite customers.”
Four generations have set roots in the city since France Sr. fled Washington, D.C., in the mid-1930s to escape the Great Depression. He was an aspiring racer and landed in Daytona Beach, where men like him were already running hot rods on the famed beach.
By 1940, he was considered the best stock-car driver in the country and was fed up with unsavory race promoters running chaotic events in which participants were shorted their share of the purse. He bandied a group together for a meeting at the Streamline Hotel, where they created the framework for what is now NASCAR.
The family never relinquished control and instead built NASCAR into a billion-dollar company that stands as the top motorsports series in the United States. The family also never left Daytona Beach.
“It is pretty remarkable that family, multiple generations, has chosen to stay here when they could literally live anywhere in the United States,” said Lori Campbell Baker, a resident since 1991 and executive director of the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“They have put Daytona Beach on the map for millions of people, and they invest in this community. That name recognition has given the city several Super Bowls without ever having to bid on them. Daytona Beach is known as a place to compete, and we could never have afforded, never had the budget, that the advertising the France family and the speedway gives us for free.”
Daytona International Speedway
France Sr. began construction in 1957 for Daytona International Speedway, where a 78th season of NASCAR begins Sunday with the Daytona 500, and the facility anchors the city. It already has held one world-class event this year, last month's Rolex 24 at Daytona, the most prestigious endurance race in North America.
The track is open nearly daily for various racing events, and the grounds are used for everything from 5K runs to “Welcome to Rockville,” a four-day music festival that recently signed a 10-year extension with the track.
But the speedway's impact is felt throughout the city, where the civic center has a robust calendar of conventions, expos and competitions. At the same time as the Rolex last month, thousands of cheerleaders flocked to the city for an annual competition. Gymnastics champions are crowned in Daytona, volleyball tournaments and archery competitions are won, and even the Florida Truck Driving Championship is held.
“Instead of saying, ‘We’re going to compete for the championship,' people say, ‘We’re going to Daytona Beach,'” Campbell Baker said. “We get so many ancillary events because people think, ‘If Daytona Beach is the big place, we need to compete there, too.’”
One Daytona
One of the most important France contributions to the city has been One Daytona, a 300,000-square-foot mixed-use lifestyle and entertainment center directly across from the speedway. It was the vision of Lesa France Kennedy, executive vice chair of NASCAR and France Sr.'s granddaughter.
Opened in late 2017 and developed by a France-owned company, it is a year-round dining, shopping and entertainment destination that complements the “World Center of Racing.”
Without the facility, Daytona Beach has no Costco, no Bass Pro Shops, no P.F. Chang's or the race-themed high-end hotel that is part of Marriott's Autograph Collection. Gallery500, an art gallery in the complex, is owned by France Kennedy and some of her own creations line the walls.
“My sister really has a developer mindset and a process to bringing people together. She has a lot of passion and vision, and she drives these projects and doesn't really get enough credit for that,” said Brian France, who spent 15 years as NASCAR chairman. “Our family isn't looking for credit, but they recognize that from a support standpoint, a municipality and a local government, in every market, has to come together to make events as successful as possible.”
France Kennedy hosted the Art of Speed, a luxury car show and art event that benefits the NASCAR Foundation, the night before the Rolex last month. As she walked The Associated Press around the grounds, people stopped her to say hello, told her how much they enjoyed the event and asked about her family.
She got a hug from a restaurant owner who told her she'd just missed her husband by mere minutes. France Kennedy then took the AP to the space next door to Tiano’s Cucina Italiana and explained how the owner was building it into a market as an extension of the eatery.
Why was One Daytona so important to France Kennedy?
“We now have this fabulous entertainment facility directly across from the track that our fans can enjoy,” she told the AP. “Plus, I like fun things to do, too.”
Art of Speed last month set a record by raising more than $50,000 that goes to the NASCAR Foundation, a children's needs-focused nonprofit that has donated more than $50 million to various causes over the last 20 years.
The family also runs the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award in honor of Bill France Jr.'s late wife, and that award gives annual grants to organizations across the country that support children's causes.
The Frances have a tower named for them at Halifax Health Center near the speedway and created Speediatrics, a pediatric emergency department that is NASCAR themed.
There's also a large commitment from the France family to arts and culture in Daytona Beach as a significant donor to the Museum of Arts and Sciences, where the CiCi and Hyatt Brown Museum hosts the largest collection of Florida-based art in the world.
France Kennedy also was instrumental in bringing the Boston Pops and other renowned artists to the Daytona Beach Peabody Auditorium.
Why did they stay in Daytona Beach?
For France Kennedy, it is simple: She grew up on the water and returning to Daytona Beach after graduating from Duke to join the family business was an idea planted in her by her late grandmother, Annie B.
She enjoys leaving her office across from the speedway, being home in 10 minutes, changing into comfy clothes and taking in her water view. Her son, Ben Kennedy, returned to Daytona Beach after graduating from Florida. Now 34 and married, he has chosen the city as his home as he climbs the ranks toward someday taking over NASCAR.
Jim France lives along the Halifax River, his three children remain local and the family quietly blends in with everyone from the longtime residents to the snowbirds. If you don't know them, you would have no idea you are seated next to a billionaire at Corleone's Famous New York Pizza and Gyros.
They remain committed to the area, and if possible, many in NASCAR's top leadership would get the Brickyard Lounge moved into One Daytona to retain access to their beloved cheeseburgers. They remain abreast of the ongoing renovations at Billy's Tap Room, another racing-themed area institution that has been shuttered for nearly two years, and do their best to bring Florida-based businesses into One Daytona.
“I think it's home. Why does Warren Buffett live in Omaha, Nebraska?” Brian France said. “Daytona Beach is our home and, of course, we happen to have the biggest event, the Daytona 500, in our hometown. It's a community that our family remains committed to and rather quite passionate about.”
Auburn softball caught the attention of national voters following its four-win season-opening weekend.
The Tigers will enter week two of the season with 15 votes in the latest Top 25 Coaches Poll after earning wins over Notre Dame, Michigan State, Clemson, and Penn State at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida.
Auburn softball stumbled to North Florida in the season opener, 11-3, but responded by winning both games on day one of the NFCA Leadoff Classic on Friday. The Tigers topped Notre Dame, 5-4, behind a three-hit day from Haven Roebuck. Auburn softball followed suit later in the day by beating Michigan State, 9-6. Auburn's McKaela Walker erased Michigan State's early 2-0 lead with a grand slam in the 2nd inning; Haven Roebuck, Kylie Shaw, and Kyla Stroud each logged RBI hits in the 5th inning to give Auburn a comfortable enough lead to cruise to victory.
The Tigers opened day two of play with a 10-5 win over then-No. 13 Clemson. Auburn logged 13 hits in the win and scored multiple runs in three innings to knock off Clemson, which included a four-run 7th inning headlined by a Kylie Brockman two-RBI double.
After falling to Pitt to close day two of the weekend, Auburn stunned Penn State with a 4-3 win over the Nittany Lions on Sunday in walk-off fashion. A throwing error by Penn State shortstop Kaylie Walters in the bottom of the 7th inning allowed McKaela Walker to score from 3rd base and nail down the win. Ella Harrison was stellar in the circle for Auburn in the win by striking out 11 batters and allowing five hits in a complete-game effort.
Auburn softball returns to action Thursday to face Illinois on day one of the War Eagle Classic at Jane B. Moore Field. Auburn will also host Bradley, Campbell, and Binghamton as part of the weekend tournament.
Rank
Team
Record
Points
Previous
1
Texas Tech (25)
6-0
767
2
2
Texas (5)
4-1
720
1
3
Tennessee (1)
5-0
716
4
4
Florida
5-0
655
6
Oklahoma
3-1
655
3
6
UCLA
5-0
614
7
7
Florida State
5-0
580
8
8
Texas A&M
4-1
474
11
9
Arkansas
4-1
464
9
10
Alabama
5-0
454
15
11
Nebraska
3-2
427
10
12
LSU
6-0
426
16
13
Stanford
5-0
399
18
14
Virginia Tech
5-0
378
19
15
Oregon
2-3
355
5
16
South Carolina
3-2
262
12
17
Arizona
3-2
260
17
18
Clemson
3-2
242
13
19
Mississippi State
4-0
229
22
20
Georgia
4-1
199
20
21
Ole Miss
3-2
144
14
22
Duke
4-1
135
23
23
Florida Atlantic
5-0
96
24
Virginia
4-1
93
25
Southeastern Louisiana
4-2
65
Others receiving votes:
Oklahoma State (63), Grand Canyon (57), Arizona State (47), Michigan (36), Ohio State (20), Auburn (15), Michigan State (10), North Florida (6), Liberty (5), Nevada (4), Belmont (3).
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
Beard plans to visit each of his top schools over the upcoming months. He has a May 29 visit with Clemson, a June 4 visit to Florida, a June 12 visit to Georgia and a June 19 visit to Tennessee.
Beard is a local recruit for UGA and coach Kirby Smart. He is a key in-state target in the rising senior class and plays high school football for Prince Avenue Christian School in Bogart, Georgia, which a short drive from Athens. Beard plays for the same high school former Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff played at.
The 5-foot-9, 200-pound running back is ranked as the No. 63 player in America, per 247Sports. He's the No. 6 prospect in Georgia and the No. 4 running back in the nation.
The Prince Avenue standout attended the Georgia-Alabama game during the fall. Beard is the Peach State's top running back in the class of 2027.
Georgia running backs coach Josh Crawford recently visited the elite running back prospect. The Bulldogs will look to land a commitment from Beard after his visits in a few months. Georgia already has a commitment from five-star class of 2027 running back recruit Kemon Spell.
Andrew Beard's top schools
NEWS: Four-Star RB Andrew Beard is down to 4 Schools, he tells me for @Rivals
The 5’10 195 RB from Bogart, GA is ranked as the No. 6 RB in the ‘27 Class (per Rivals Industry)
Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary.
During the Lakers' 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years.
After two seasons at New Mexico State University, Reggie Jordan, a 6-foot-4 guard, went undrafted in 1991. He spent two years with the Grand Rapids Hoops of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) before the Lakers brought him in during the 1993-94 season.
He appeared in 23 games with the Lakers that season and averaged 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 11.3 minutes a game. He returned to the CBA the following season before spending five more seasons in the NBA with four different teams. Jordan ended his NBA career with lifetime averages of 2.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and one assist in 8.9 minutes per game.
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 27: Andrew Miller #48 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during their game at Yankee Stadium on April 27, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
At the conclusion of the 2014 season, Brian Cashman certainly knew his team was approaching a pivot point. After missing the postseason for the first time since 2008, the Yankees GM was tasked with replacing a franchise icon — Derek Jeter, whose retirement represented the end of an era. To this end, Cashman swung a three-team trade for Arizona’s Didi Gregorius, a little-known shortstop who the team hoped could fill the captain’s shoes. Much of the narrative around the team that offseason revolved around this crucial decision. But another offseason acquisition would prove nearly as exemplary.
Andrew Miller Signing Date: December 5, 2014 Contract: Four years, $36 million
After a historic run at the University of North Carolina, Andrew Miller was as close to a sure-thing prospect as they come. The Tigers took the 6-foot-7 lefty sixth overall in the 2006 MLB Draft. After he made just three outings at Class-A, Detroit could wait no longer to see their phenom in the midst of a pennant race, calling him up to the bigs for an eight-game stint to end the year, with his debut coming on August 30th at Yankee Stadium.
Perhaps due in part to this meteoric rise, Baseball America ranked Miller as the 10th-best prospect in baseball entering the 2007 season. He struggled in 13 starts that year but, at the age of 22, still appeared destined for success.
That’s when the Tigers made him available as the centerpiece of an all-time blockbuster that would alter the fortunes of two franchises. In the deal that netted them Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis, Detroit shipped their former top prospect off to the Marlins. But, after he posted a 5.89 ERA in 220 innings across three seasons, Florida threw in the towel too, pawning Miller off on the Red Sox. When he fared no better in his first season in Boston, the former can’t-miss prospect appeared to be a textbook bust.
That’s when the Red Sox made a decision that would resurrect Miller’s career. As he approached his 27th birthday, Boston converted their failed starter into a full-time reliever. The lanky lefty excelled in his new role, leveraging his arm talent into nearly-doubled strikeout rates from his days in the rotation. After two-and-a-half years as a key cog in Boston’s bullpen, they flipped him once again at the 2014 trade deadline, this time to the Orioles in a trade that brought back Eduardo Rodríguez. He quickly became a Baltimore folk hero of sorts, allowing just three runs in 20 innings as the Orioles took the division before holding opponents to just one hit and no runs in 7.1 playoff innings.
A free agent after this remarkable campaign, the player who’d nearly pitched his way out of baseball was now a hot commodity once again. With the Yankees losing their incumbent closer David Robertson to free agency, they were in the market for a top bullpen arm to pair with Dellin Betances. With Robertson commanding $46 million from the White Sox, Cashman instead made a savvy pivot to a slightly more cost-effective option, signing Miller to a four-year, $36 million contract. He revealed after the fact that his new fireman had an offer on the table elsewhere for $40 million that he eschewed for the chance to pitch in the pinstripes.
In addition to the money differential, the ability to pair Miller with the even-taller Betances — who stood six-foot-eight — may have driven Cashman’s decision. “I was taught the bigger, the better,” Cashman said. “It doesn’t always play out that way, but I like big power pitchers, so I do have a lot of those types, and I’ve always gravitated to those types.”
Cashman initially demurred when asked which of his two bullpen giants would close upon the signing. “I’m not in that mode,” the GM said. “I’m actually in the mode of, well, this was an opportunity too good to pass up, especially without a draft pick attached to it. It protects us and gives us diversification and reinforces our efforts to continue to have a strong bullpen.”
Manager Joe Girardi reinforced this, indicating the team would begin the year alternating between Miller and Betances in the ninth based on matchups. But Miller put this tandem to rest quickly, tearing off a 17.2-inning scoreless streak to begin his Yankees tenure. By the time he allowed his first run, he’d saved 13 games and was firmly entrenched as the team’s closer. He’d finish the season with a 2.04 ERA in 61.2 innings en route to the Mariano Rivera Relief Pitcher of the Year Award, the first Yankee to take home the honor since it was renamed for their franchise’s icon.
The following offseason, the Yankees somewhat surprisingly unseated their newly feted closer, trading for Aroldis Chapman from the Reds and installing the Cuban Missile in the ninth. Miller was even more effective in a setup role, pitching to a 1.39 ERA through July as he earned his first All-Star berth. Along with Chapman and Betances, Miller formed a trio known as “No Runs DMC,” a fearsome late-game combination that struck out 41.8 percent of opponents during their time together.
“I had the best seat in the house for probably the two most electric pitchers in baseball,“ Miller later said humbly of his partnership with Chapman and Betances.
Unfortunately, the team’s fortunes did not follow their bullpen’s. At the Trade Deadline, sitting at .500 and seven games back of the division lead, the Yankees commenced a fire sale that included trades of Miller, Chapman, Carlos Beltrán, and Ivan Nova. The rare rebuild allowed the Yankees to import a bevy of talent, headlined by Gleyber Torres in the Chapman trade.
For Miller, their haul from Cleveland included Clint Frazier, Justus Sheffield, Ben Heller, and J.P. Feyereisen, a king’s ransom in the context of how well-regarded Frazier and Sheffield were at the time. The talented Frazier would spend a frustrating and controversial five years with New York, while Sheffield ended up getting flipped for James Paxton, who struggled with injuries during his two years in pinstripes but was mostly effective when healthy, including a memorable six-inning, one-run start in Game 5 of the 2019 ALCS to keep the Yankees’ season alive.
For his part, Miller continued his run of dominance, pitching to a 1.48 ERA through his first year-and-a-half in Cleveland. He was a rubber-armed playoff hero during their run to the 2016 AL pennant, winning ALCS MVP honors and recording a 1.40 ERA across 10 games and 19.1 innings, pitching in just about any scenario and not running out of steam until the climactic World Series Game 7 against the Cubs. Back for more playoff action the following October, he was matched up against his old Yankees teammates in a memorable ALDS. The veteran allowed just one run in five innings, but it was an iconic lefty-on-lefty solo homer off the bat of Greg Bird that broke a scoreless tie in the seventh inning of Game 3 to key the Yankees’ series comeback from down 2-0.
After parts of three seasons in Cleveland, Miller pitched for three more years in St. Louis before retiring at the age of 36. In a testament to his determination, the former bust took a circuitous route to finally realizing his vast potential. And, while his time in New York was brief, it ranks among the most dominant runs of relief work in the franchise’s history.
See more of the “50 Most Notable Yankees Free Agent Signings in 50 Years” series here.
The Kansas City Royals' Alcides Escobar (2) dances his way back to home after running to first base during base running drills at spring training in Surprise, Arizona, Saturday, February 25, 2012. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
We’re trying a new series at Royals Review, a daily mid-day question of the day to hear about your opinions on a fun or pressing question affecting the Royals or baseball in general. Chime in and drop your answers below!
Spring training is here! Pitchers and catchers report today, and will have their first workout tomorrow, with the first full squad workout on Monday. The first spring training game will be on February 20 against the Rangers, as the team tunes up for the season opener on March 27.
Now that spring training is upon us, there are certain storylines Royals fans will be most interested in, such as:
Los Angeles, CA - May 30: Fresno State Head Coach Ryan Overland (left) walks up to the mound at the NCAA baseball regional tournament game between UCLA and Fresno State at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
As we continue our preseason coverage of the 2026 Mountain West baseball season, our next stop is our preseason conference team.
The Mountain West awarded five Nevada players on its preseason team, as San Jose State trailed with three, and Fresno State, Washington State, Air Force, UNLV and New Mexico had one representative each.
MW Connection Preseason Team
C- Walker Zapp, Sr, Air Force
Zapp capped his 2025 campaign as Air Force’s offensive catalyst, hitting .330 with 65 hits, 18 doubles, five triples, seven homers and 43 RBIs while adding eight steals and anchoring the Falcon lineup. Against Mountain West pitching, he produced 37 hits and 26 RBIs, showing he can be a run producer even from the catcher spot.
Behind the plate, Zapp started all 51 games, threw out 11 would-be runners and posted a .970 fielding percentage, giving Air Force both offensive punch and defensive leadership. With his game-calling and experience, he enters 2026 as one of the league’s most respected backstops.
1B- Griffen Sotomayor, Sr, Fresno State
Sotomayor enjoyed a breakout 2025 season, batting .330 with 68 hits, 16 doubles, seven home runs, 44 runs scored and 41 RBIs while posting a .519 slugging percentage in his first full year with the Bulldogs. He also delivered nine 3-hit games and showed an ability to swing the bat consistently throughout the lineup.
As a senior first baseman/DH, Sotomayor brings middle-of-the-order power and contact ability to Fresno State’s offense, providing RBI upside and veteran poise. His production will be key as the Bulldogs aim to build off their 2025 postseason.
2B- Jun-Hyuk Kwon, Sr, Nevada
Kwon brings championship experience to second base after helping Nevada capture the 2025 Mountain West regular season title (34-23, 19-11 MW). He slashed .346/.441/.571 with eight home runs, 33 RBIs and 11 doubles. Kwon’s strong defense and consistent contact were key ingredients in a Pack lineup that batted .294 and hit 56 home runs.
His leadership up the middle and baseball instincts make him a stabilizing presence in Nevada’s infield. As a senior second baseman, expect Kwon to be a table-setter and run-producer in key situations for a Wolf Pack team picked to contend again in 2026.
3B- Sean Yamaguchi, So, Nevada
Yamaguchi burst onto the scene as a freshman, batting .324 with 72 hits, 13 doubles, 13 home runs and 50 RBIs, tying a Mountain West freshman home run record and earning Freshman of the Year honors.
His combination of pop and plate discipline gives Nevada a steady middle-order bat, and his defensive confidence at third base adds value on both sides of the ball. As a sophomore, Yamaguchi is poised for an even bigger role in 2026 after a historic debut.
SS- Karsen Waslefsky, Sr, New Mexico
Waslefsky was a key part of the Lobos’ offense that hit .337 last year, as he batted .298 on the season with an .828 OPS, scoring 32 runs on 42 hits while driving in 31. He finished the season with six doubles, one triple and five homers.
Defensively, his fielding percentage was at .959 with 47 putouts and 116 assists on 170 opportunities with just seven errors. As a senior shortstop, his glove and experienced bat will be integral to a Lobo squad hoping to build on its prolific run production.
OF- Khalil Walker, Gr, New Mexico
Walker was one of the Lobos’ most consistent bats in 2025, flirting with a .400 average and ending the year just under .400 with standout slugging and on-base skills. He was among the NCAA’s top hitters in midseason metrics, reflecting his elite bat-to-ball skills and contact rates.
With multiple extra-base hits and terrific on-base ability, Walker will be counted on to provide offense from the top of the order and spark New Mexico’s potent lineup once again.
OF- Max Hartman, Sr, Washington State
Hartman posted a strong 2025 offensive season, hitting around .363/.438/.518, with five home runs and a .475 on-base percentage that made him one of WSU’s most productive bats.
His athleticism in the outfield, paired with a disciplined approach at the plate, gives Washington State a reliable presence atop or in the middle of the lineup. As a senior leader, Hartman’s offensive consistency will be a major asset in conference play.
OF- Alex Fernandes, Sr, San Jose State
Fernandes stood out in 2025 with an advanced offensive profile, hitting .361/.447/.509, which led the Spartans and made him one of the Spartans’ most dangerous hitters. He was also named to the Mountain West All-Tournament Team after recording eight hits and six runs scored across the Tournament’s five games as the team’s leadoff hitter.
His combination of on-base ability and gap power gives SJSU a dynamic presence in the outfield, and as a senior he’ll be counted on to drive in runs and set the table in key spots throughout the season.
UTL- Jayce Dobie, Sr, Nevada
The two-way player had a breakout 2025, batting .339 with 65 hits, 15 doubles, seven homers, and 36 RBIs while also pitching with a 2-2 record and 37 strikeouts over 43 innings.
His rare dual-threat ability as both a hitter and pitcher makes him one of the most versatile players in the Mountain West. As a senior, Dobie’s bat will be a run producer for the Wolf Pack and his flexibility will give Nevada strategic depth all season long.
P- Alessandro Castro, Jr, Nevada
In his 2025 debut campaign, Castro emerged as a weekend starter for Nevada, finishing 4-1 with a 4.39 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 10 Mountain West starts. With some more unknowns on Nevada’s pitching staff, Castro will most likely become the Pack’s Friday night guy.
His ability to miss bats and pitch deep into games provided stability for the Wolf Pack rotation, and entering 2026 Castro will be looked at as an anchor of a staff aiming to repeat as regular-season champions.
P- Carson Lane, Jr, UNLV
Lane was a cornerstone of the UNLV rotation in 2025, posting a 6-4 record with a 4.23 ERA and 85 strikeouts across 78.2 innings.
His experience and ability to win ballgames give the Rebels an established arm at the top of the staff, and as a junior, Lane will be crucial to UNLV’s aspirations to climb the conference standings.
P- Tyler Albanese, Jr, San Jose State
Albanese delivered a strong sophomore season with San José State, finishing 4-3 with a 2.97 ERA over 39.1 innings while striking out 56 batters across 39.1 innings. He also picked up nine saves, showing poise and strike-throwing ability out of the bullpen or as a starter.
As a junior, his demonstrated command and consistency make him one of the more reliable arms in the Mountain West heading into 2026.
P- Tyler Patrick, So, Fresno State
Patrick went 1-3 with a 4.26 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 38 innings. He was a key contributor to Fresno State’s pitching staff during a season that saw the Bulldogs return to postseason play. He owned the lowest ERA for a freshman during the 2025 season. Patrick pitched 3.0 innings out of the bullpen in a high-stakes extra innings game against Nevada during the Mountain West Championship, keeping the Wolf Pack scoreless in extra innings and allowing the Bulldogs to win.
Looking ahead, Patrick’s youth and experience from a full season give him the chance to be a breakout arm for Fresno State in 2026.
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Matthew Pouliot
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Slovenia’s fans had waited long enough. Long enough meaning three days.
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