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LSU’s football team, ranked 11th, is preparing for their season opener against Clemson while practicing with former NFL players like tight end Dae’Quan Wright. There is uncertainty about whether these players can compete due to a new Southeastern Conference (SEC) rule banning pro players from returning to college football, which a judge has temporarily blocked.
Key Facts
Former NFL tight end Dae’Quan Wright practiced with LSU under new head coach Lane Kiffin.
LSU also had defensive lineman Zxavian Harris and defensive back Blake Cotton, who spent time with NFL teams this offseason.
The SEC recently passed a rule stopping pro players from returning to college football but a Texas judge put that rule on hold.
Coach Lane Kiffin supports adding experienced players to help the team regardless of outside criticism.
LSU players agreed they want former professionals on the team if it helps them win.
NCAA requires a seven-day waiting period before players like Wright can play after joining the team.
Other former LSU players involved in legal cases with the NCAA may or may not return to play.
About 400 athletes have sued the NCAA over eligibility and related rules.
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British tennis player Harriet Dart won a match at the US Open for the first time in 19 months, beating Peyton Stearns to reach the second round. Dart made a strong comeback after losing the first set and praised the support from her family and coach Marion Bartoli.
Key Facts
Harriet Dart won a US Open singles match for the first time since the 2025 Australian Open.
She beat American Peyton Stearns 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to reach the second round.
Dart came back from being a set and a break behind in the match.
Her family, including parents and cousins, were present to support her in New York.
Marion Bartoli, 2013 Wimbledon champion, has been coaching Dart since January.
Dart is ranked world number 131, while Stearns is ranked more than 75 places higher.
Dart will play against 25th seed Marie Bouzkova in the next round.
Dart described New York as her "home away from home" because of her family and the supportive atmosphere.
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Bill Belichick led the University of North Carolina football team to a 15-10 win over TCU in their season opener. ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum admitted he was wrong to doubt Belichick after the victory and now sees potential for the team to reach a bowl game this season.
Key Facts
Bill Belichick is in his second season as head coach at North Carolina.
North Carolina won their first game of the season 15-10 against TCU.
Last week, Paul Finebaum criticized Belichick, calling him a "grouch" and "bully," and doubted his success in college coaching.
Finebaum changed his opinion after the win and said Belichick "still has it."
Belichick’s first season at UNC ended with a 4-8 record.
The football program is dealing with off-field issues, including an investigation involving general manager Michael Lombardi.
Finebaum believes UNC can now reach a bowl game this year, which means winning enough games to qualify for a postseason game.
UNC’s upcoming games include hosting East Tennessee State and playing Clemson on the road.
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Boston Red Sox radio commentator Will Flemming criticized New York Yankees player Jazz Chisholm Jr. during a game, calling him a "bush league player" and saying he "plays the game the wrong way." Flemming later apologized after receiving negative reactions and threats for his comments.
Key Facts
Will Flemming made critical comments about Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. during a live broadcast.
Flemming said Chisholm "plays the game the wrong way" and suggested a Red Sox pitcher should "fight" him.
The Yankees scored 9 runs in the eighth inning and won the game 16-1 against the Red Sox.
Chisholm had a strong game, with 2 hits in 3 at-bats, 2 walks, and 3 runs scored.
Flemming received backlash and threats after his remarks went viral on social media.
Flemming apologized publicly, saying he let emotions affect his words and did not intend disrespect.
The Yankees and Red Sox are current rivals competing for Wild Card spots in the postseason.
The teams are likely to meet in the playoffs again this year.
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Manchester City has agreed to buy winger Iliman Ndiaye from Everton for a deal worth up to £65 million. Tottenham Hotspur’s earlier plan to sign Ndiaye fell through because they could not agree terms with Everton on a related transfer involving Richarlison.
Key Facts
Manchester City will pay Everton a guaranteed £60 million plus up to £5 million in add-ons for Iliman Ndiaye.
Tottenham had agreed with Everton for Ndiaye to join Spurs, with Richarlison moving to Everton in a separate deal.
Richarlison and Everton could not agree on personal contract terms, blocking Tottenham’s move for Ndiaye.
Richarlison posted on Instagram expressing his frustration about others deciding his future and said he will remain at Tottenham for now.
Tottenham is now negotiating a loan deal for Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk for the season.
Manchester City’s interest in Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, valued at £80 million, seems likely to end as Liverpool wants to keep Gakpo without a replacement signed.
Liverpool recently bought Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for up to £123 million and wants another attacking player if Gakpo leaves.
Liverpool’s attempts to sign Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr have stalled due to high prices.
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Lionel Messi announced his retirement from Argentina's national soccer team after a long international career that started in 2005. He made this decision following Argentina’s loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final and the recent death of his father, Jorge Messi.
Key Facts
Messi began playing for Argentina's national team in 2005 and is the country's top scorer with 125 goals in 207 games.
He announced his retirement in a handwritten note on Instagram.
Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Messi cited exhaustion and the death of his father as reasons for retiring from international play.
Messi will continue his club career with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Jorge Messi, Lionel’s father, was his longtime manager and agent, passing away at age 68 after a long illness.
Jorge played a key role in supporting Messi’s early career, including helping secure treatment for a growth hormone deficiency and facilitating his move to Barcelona.
Messi’s club career includes 17 seasons at Barcelona, two years at Paris Saint-Germain, and ongoing play at Inter Miami, winning multiple titles and individual awards.
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The Minnesota Vikings have kept four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster for the new NFL season: Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer. Kyler Murray will start the first game against the Green Bay Packers on September 13, but the team’s decision to keep so many quarterbacks is unusual and creates uncertainty about their future plans.
Key Facts
The Vikings' final roster includes four quarterbacks, which is rare in the NFL.
Kyler Murray was chosen as the starting quarterback.
Other quarterbacks on the roster are J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer.
The Vikings’ first game of the season is on September 13 against the Green Bay Packers.
Keeping four quarterbacks means the team has many options but also potential challenges in managing playing time.
The decision has drawn attention because most teams choose fewer quarterbacks to keep their roster balanced.
The Vikings’ quarterback situation may change as the season progresses.
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Several college football teams face very challenging schedules in the 2026 season, including Texas, Ohio State, Arkansas, Michigan, and USC. These teams will play many games against highly ranked opponents, making their path to the national championship difficult.
Key Facts
Indiana won the national championship in 2025 with an undefeated record but has a tougher schedule in 2026.
Texas is ranked among the top three toughest schedules nationally and will face several top-ranked teams at home and away.
Michigan plays multiple ranked teams, including a rivalry game against Ohio State late in the season.
Arkansas faces a very tough schedule, including games against Georgia, Texas A&M, Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, and LSU.
USC has a less challenging nonconference schedule but faces tough opponents in the Big Ten conference.
ESPN ranks Arkansas as having the toughest schedule this season.
These difficult schedules could significantly affect which teams reach the College Football Playoff.
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The Baltimore Orioles claimed outfielder Luis Robert Jr. off waivers from the New York Mets near the end of the MLB season. Robert had a strong August but struggled overall in 2023 and will now join the Orioles as they compete for a playoff spot.
Key Facts
Luis Robert Jr. was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles.
The New York Mets placed Robert on waivers after activating Juan Soto from the injured list.
Robert played six seasons with the Chicago White Sox and won a Gold Glove in 2020.
In 2023, Robert made the All-Star team, hit 38 home runs, and won a Silver Slugger award.
Robert struggled with injuries, including a three-month absence due to a spine herniation.
He had a strong August with 6 home runs and an .841 OPS (a measure of hitting performance).
The Mets save $5 million on Robert’s salary by letting him go because of luxury tax limits.
The Orioles, one game behind a playoff spot, may add Robert to their postseason roster.
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Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football at age 39, ending a remarkable career with Argentina. He played in six World Cups, won the 2022 tournament, and was a key player in multiple major victories before focusing on his club career in the United States.
Key Facts
Messi played in six men's World Cups, with 34 total appearances, a record.
He jointly holds the record for most tournaments played with Cristiano Ronaldo and Guillermo Ochoa.
Messi scored or assisted 185 times in 207 games for Argentina.
He led Argentina to win the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América.
Messi announced his international retirement shortly after his father’s death.
He currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) with a contract through 2028.
Despite his international retirement, Messi remains a top player in MLS, recently scoring four goals in a single match.
His retirement highlights the end of an era in international soccer but does not necessarily mean he will retire from club soccer soon.
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The Chicago White Sox traded for outfielder Tommy Pham from the Philadelphia Phillies on August 31, 2023. Pham, a right-handed batter, will help the White Sox as they compete for the AL Central division lead and prepare for the postseason.
Key Facts
Tommy Pham was traded from the Phillies to the White Sox on August 31, 2023.
Pham previously played for the Phillies, New York Mets, and Baltimore Orioles during the 2023 season.
He signed a minor league deal with the Phillies on June 27, 2023, and played for their Triple-A team before the trade.
The White Sox were unexpectedly leading the AL Central division with a record of 72-64 at the time of the trade.
Pham bats right-handed, which balances the White Sox’s mostly left-handed outfield lineup.
He will provide cover for the White Sox’s right-handed hitters in case of injuries.
The White Sox made this trade partly so Pham would be available for their postseason roster in October.
The Phillies chose to call up catcher Rafael Marchan instead of Pham when expanding their roster on September 1, 2023.
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Joshua Kushner, a venture capitalist, expressed regret for supporting FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in the World Cup, which has since been canceled. Kushner said he did not fully understand the politics involved in global football, although he supported the goal of investing more money in all member countries.
Key Facts
Joshua Kushner was set to lead an investment group in FIFA’s Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) plan to sell 20% of a new FIFA commercial subsidiary.
The FFE plan proposed raising $4.2 billion to distribute more funds equally among FIFA’s 211 member countries.
FIFA scrapped the FFE plan in July following strong opposition and controversy.
Kushner said the plan aimed to help smaller and less developed football nations by increasing funding for grassroots football and talent development.
UEFA, Europe’s football governing body, opposes FIFA President Infantino and has asked a New York court for documents and testimony related to the plan.
UEFA alleges the World Cup’s value was deliberately set too low, and that Infantino did not consult FIFA’s leadership before pushing the plan.
Kushner’s company, Thrive Eternal, is involved, and Kushner has also agreed to buy the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers for a record $12.5 billion.
Kushner said he regrets involvement because he underestimated football’s political challenges but still supports the idea of spreading investment more fairly.
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Lionel Messi retired from international soccer as Argentina’s top scorer and player with the most appearances. He almost gave up his national team career in 2016 after several close losses but later continued to achieve great success, winning multiple major trophies with Argentina.
Key Facts
Messi retired from international football after Argentina’s Copa America loss in 2016 but reversed his decision two months later.
Before the reversal, he had played 113 games and was disappointed by losses in the 2014 World Cup final and Copa America finals in 2007, 2015, and 2016.
Since returning, Messi played 94 more games and scored 70 more goals for Argentina.
He helped Argentina win four major trophies, including the 2022 World Cup and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.
Messi is Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and has the most appearances for the national team.
Diego Maradona once criticized Messi’s leadership, but Messi has since become Argentina’s key player.
Before 2016, Messi was highly successful at club level with Barcelona, winning many titles and Ballon d’Or awards.
The period between his 2016 retirement announcement and return is seen as a major moment in Argentine football history.
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The Seattle Seahawks, reigning Super Bowl champions, face a tough challenge to repeat their success in the strong NFC West division. Their main competitors are the Los Angeles Rams, who recently got star defensive player Aaron Donald back from retirement, and the San Francisco 49ers, who have made key player additions. The NFL season will begin with a Super Bowl rematch between the Seahawks and New England Patriots.
Key Facts
The Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl last season with strong defense and quarterback Sam Darnold.
The Seahawks lost offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and star running back Kenneth Walker in the offseason.
The Los Angeles Rams signed Aaron Donald, a top defensive player, returning after a two-year retirement.
The Rams also have star defenders Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie, and their offense is led by MVP Matthew Stafford.
The San Francisco 49ers added wide receiver Mike Evans and brought back Deebo Samuel to support quarterback Brock Purdy.
The 49ers hope defensive star Nick Bosa will recover fully from injury to strengthen their defense.
The NFL season starts September 9 with a game between Seattle and New England, and the Rams and 49ers play the first regular-season game in Australia the next day.
The NFC West is considered a very competitive division with top teams vying for the championship.
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Aryna Sabalenka won her first match at the 2026 U.S. Open, starting her attempt to win three straight titles in a row. Carlos Alcaraz, the 2025 U.S. Open champion, also began play after a wrist injury kept him out for months.
Key Facts
Aryna Sabalenka beat Camila Osorio 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the 2026 U.S. Open.
Sabalenka aims to be the first player since Serena Williams (2012-14) to win three straight U.S. Open titles.
Carlos Alcaraz played his first U.S. Open singles match since April after a right wrist injury.
Top-ranked player Jannik Sinner is out because of a knee injury.
Novak Djokovic lost in the first round for the first time at this tournament, breaking a 19-0 record in opening matches at the U.S. Open.
Sabalenka has reached the last three U.S. Open finals and won in 2024 and 2025 after losing in 2023.
Other defending or past champions playing on the same day included Naomi Osaka, Iga Swiatek, and Stan Wawrinka.
Sabalenka’s world No.1 ranking is at risk if she does not win the U.S. Open; Elena Rybakina could overtake her by reaching the semifinals.
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Joe Burrow, the quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, says he believes the team has a strong chance to win the Super Bowl. The Bengals have not reached the playoffs for three years, but they improved their team in the offseason. Burrow is openly setting high goals for himself and the team.
Key Facts
The Cincinnati Bengals reached the Super Bowl in 2021 but have missed the playoffs for three straight seasons since then.
The team improved its defense and offensive line during the offseason to support Joe Burrow.
Burrow believes this is the best team he has played with in his career.
He frequently calls the Bengals a Super Bowl-caliber team.
Burrow says players and teams should openly set high goals, like winning the Super Bowl.
He won a college championship and says talking about goals is important to achieving them.
Burrow has won many awards, including three Pro Bowls and two Comeback Player of the Year awards.
He is entering his seventh NFL season and wants the Bengals to meet their championship potential now.
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Novak Djokovic lost in the first round of the 2026 US Open, marking his earliest exit in a Grand Slam tournament in 20 years. He has now gone three years without winning a major title and has struggled with physical and health issues throughout the season.
Key Facts
Djokovic lost to Mariano Navone in five sets at the 2026 US Open first round.
This is his earliest Grand Slam loss since the 2006 Australian Open.
He has a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles.
Djokovic has not won a major tournament since the 2023 US Open.
He has faced physical challenges this year, including a right shoulder injury.
Djokovic struggled in hot, humid conditions due to an ongoing health condition.
He reached the Australian Open final early in the year despite injuries.
His recent performances include early losses at the French Open and Cincinnati Open.
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Aaron Donald, a top defensive player, has ended his retirement and signed a one-year, $20 million deal to return to the Los Angeles Rams. He says he feels as strong and capable as before and is ready to play at a high level again.
Key Facts
Aaron Donald had been retired from the NFL for nearly two and a half years.
He signed a one-year contract worth $20 million to rejoin the Los Angeles Rams.
Donald has been training and studying his own movements to ensure top performance.
At 35 years old, he played very well in his last NFL season in 2023.
His 2023 stats included 53 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 23 quarterback hits, and eight sacks.
Rumors of his comeback were supported by his workouts with the team and contact with coaches.
The Rams are considered strong contenders for the Super Bowl with Donald and other key players.
Donald said he feels as good or better than before and ready to compete again.
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Manchester City’s plan to buy Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo for £80 million is nearly falling apart. Liverpool wants to keep Gakpo unless they can sign a new winger before the transfer deadline.
Key Facts
Manchester City started talks to buy Cody Gakpo from Liverpool.
Liverpool agreed to sell Gakpo only if they found a replacement player first.
Liverpool recently signed Bradley Barcola from Paris St-Germain for up to £123 million.
Liverpool also tried to sign Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr but had trouble agreeing on prices.
Without a replacement, Liverpool plans to keep 27-year-old Gakpo.
Manchester City may now try to sign Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye instead.
Ndiaye was expected to join Tottenham, but Manchester City’s interest might change that.
The transfer deadline for deals is Tuesday.
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Lionel Messi announced his retirement from playing soccer for Argentina after 20 years on the national team. He will continue playing for his club, Inter Miami, but will no longer represent Argentina in international matches.
Key Facts
Messi retired from Argentina’s national team at age 39.
He played for Argentina for two decades, starting in 2006.
Messi is Argentina’s all-time top scorer with 125 goals.
He played in six World Cups and won the tournament in 2022.
Messi scored 8 goals in the 2026 World Cup, close to the top scorer Kylian Mbappé.
He announced his retirement after the 2026 World Cup final loss to Spain.
Messi delayed sharing the news because his father was very ill and passed away in August 2026.
He will keep playing for Inter Miami and recently scored four goals in one match.
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