Lando Norris, a McLaren Formula 1 driver, says he won't ask his teammate Oscar Piastri to let him pass in the final race of the season to win the championship. Norris, Max Verstappen, and Piastri are all in the running for the title, with the final race taking place in Abu Dhabi. Norris needs to finish on the podium to win the championship, but his standing could change based on the race outcome.
Key Facts
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are McLaren teammates.
Norris leads Max Verstappen by 12 points and Piastri by 16 points in the championship.
The final race of the season is in Abu Dhabi, with 25 points awarded for a win and 18 for second place.
McLaren may consider asking Piastri to let Norris overtake if it helps secure the championship.
Norris stated he would not ask Piastri to let him pass and emphasized fairness.
Norris has come from behind in the championship with strong performances, including back-to-back wins in Mexico and Brazil.
Max Verstappen can potentially win the championship by finishing first in Abu Dhabi and Norris finishing fourth or lower.
Joe Root scored his first Ashes century in Australia, helping England reach 325 runs on the first day of the second Test match in Brisbane. Despite an early setback, Root and Zak Crawley led a comeback, but Mitchell Starc's six wickets challenged England. Australia’s Mitchell Starc also made history by surpassing Wasim Akram's record for left-arm seam bowlers.
Key Facts
Joe Root scored 135 not out, marking his first Ashes century in Australia.
England ended the first day with a score of 325 for nine wickets.
Mitchell Starc took six wickets for Australia, reaching a total of 415 Test dismissals.
Starc surpassed Wasim Akram's record for most dismissals by a left-arm pace bowler.
Zak Crawley contributed 76 runs in a partnership with Root, helping recover from a poor start.
Australia made team changes, dropping Nathan Lyon and playing Michael Neser.
Travis Head will open for Australia due to Usman Khawaja's injury.
The series consists of five Tests, with Australia leading 1-0 after winning in Perth.
Northampton fly-half Fin Smith talks about the challenges he faced after losing his place in the England rugby team for the autumn internationals. Despite performing well in the Six Nations and touring with the British and Irish Lions, Smith was not selected over competitors George Ford and Marcus Smith. He remains positive and engaged in regular discussions with England’s coaching staff about team selections.
Key Facts
Fin Smith, a 23-year-old fly-half, played for England in the 2024 Six Nations and has 13 national caps.
He started matches against France, Scotland, Italy, and Wales during the Six Nations tournament.
Smith toured with the British and Irish Lions but was not first-choice during Test matches.
In the autumn internationals, George Ford and Marcus Smith were chosen over him for the England team.
Smith regularly communicates with England coach Steve Borthwick to understand selection decisions.
The selection decisions were not due to poor performance but rather opportunities taken by other players, like Ford.
Smith values the experience and connections made during the Lions tour and continues to believe in his abilities.
Joe Root scored his first century in Australia during the first day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, helping England reach 325-9. Root's performance included a partnership with Jofra Archer, who helped add crucial runs towards the end of the day.
Key Facts
Joe Root scored 135 not out, marking his first century in Australia after 30 attempts.
England ended the first day with a total score of 325-9.
Root had a key partnership of 117 runs with Zak Crawley, who scored 76.
Mitchell Starc from Australia took 6 wickets, with figures of 6-71.
Jofra Archer and Root added 61 runs for the last wicket to boost England's score.
England faced challenges early, losing wickets to be at 5-2, but Root's innings stabilized the team.
The match is part of a day-night Test, meaning they play into the evening under lights.
Joe Root scored his first Test century in Australia during the second Ashes Test against Australia. By the end of the first day, England's cricket team had a score of 256-7.
Key Facts
Joe Root hit his 40th career Test century.
This is Root's first Test century in Australia.
The match is part of the Ashes series, which is a cricket competition between England and Australia.
The event took place in Brisbane.
By the end of the first day, England's team had scored 256 runs for 7 wickets.
Newcastle United's new chief executive, David Hopkinson, aims to make the club one of the top teams in the world by 2030. He plans to increase the club's revenue significantly and improve its competitive standing in football. Achieving these goals will involve closing the financial gap with top clubs like Manchester City.
Key Facts
David Hopkinson is the new chief executive of Newcastle United, following Darren Eales' resignation.
Hopkinson aims for Newcastle to be a top football club globally by 2030.
Newcastle is currently 12th in the Premier League.
The club's revenues are expected to grow from £140m in 2021 to more than £400m.
Manchester City recently generated £715m in income, showing the financial gap Newcastle aims to close.
Hopkinson has experience working with major sports teams like the Toronto Raptors and Real Madrid.
There is a plan in place to increase revenue and improve team performance by focusing on high-level sponsorships and internal organization.
Newcastle has doubled its staff to over 550 but still needs to fill key senior positions.
Flamengo won the Brazilian football title by beating Ceara 1-0 at the Maracana stadium, just days after winning the Copa Libertadores against Palmeiras. This victory marks Flamengo's ninth Brazilian championship and their third in the last seven seasons.
Key Facts
Flamengo defeated Ceara 1-0 at the Maracana to win the Brazilian title.
Flamengo also won the Copa Libertadores against Palmeiras in Lima.
This is Flamengo's ninth Brazilian title, with three earned in the last seven seasons.
Samuel Lino scored the only goal in the game against Ceara.
Flamengo now has a five-point lead in the Serie A standings with one game left.
Flamengo is the fifth team to win both the Serie A and Copa Libertadores in the same year.
Flamengo could still win the Intercontinental Cup, playing against Cruz Azul next.
The Golden State Warriors are looking to trade for Herb Jones, a basketball player from the New Orleans Pelicans, to strengthen their team. Herb Jones recently signed a three-year contract worth $67.6 million. The Warriors want a player like Jones to improve their defense and shooting as they prepare for the upcoming NBA trade deadline.
Key Facts
The Warriors want to trade for Herb Jones, a player from the New Orleans Pelicans.
Herb Jones is known as a "3-and-D" player, which means he is good at shooting three-point shots and playing defense.
Jones recently signed a three-year contract extension worth $67.6 million.
The New Orleans Pelicans currently have the worst record in the NBA at 3-19.
The Pelicans may consider a long-term rebuild, especially after losing Zion Williamson to injury.
Multiple NBA teams, including the Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers, are interested in acquiring Jones.
The Warriors are looking to strengthen their team before the NBA's February trade deadline.
Joe Root scored a century in the second Ashes Test match in Brisbane. This was his first Test century in Australia, making it his 40th Test century overall.
Key Facts
Joe Root scored his first Test century in Australia on December 4, 2025.
The match is the second Test of the Ashes series, held in Brisbane.
Root's century came in his 30th innings in Australia.
He reached this milestone while England was at 256-7.
Root's career now includes 40 Test centuries.
This century places Root one behind Ricky Ponting's record of most Test centuries.
Root's performance was praised by former teammate Sir Alastair Cook.
The achievement ended debates about Root's status as an all-time great without a century in Australia.
WWE President Nick Khan confirmed that Pat McAfee will return to his role as a commentator for WWE after the college football season ends. McAfee has been working with ESPN's "College GameDay" but is set to rejoin WWE commentary soon. His return coincides with the lead-up to WWE's "WrestleMania" events.
Key Facts
WWE President Nick Khan announced Pat McAfee’s return to WWE commentary.
McAfee has been busy with ESPN's "College GameDay" until the college football season ends.
McAfee last appeared on WWE TV in September for a single event.
Khan mentioned the return on McAfee’s show, confirming it will happen after college football slows down.
McAfee and his commentary partner Michael Cole are popular among WWE fans.
McAfee has participated in WWE storylines and matches, with some significant victories.
WWE’s "Royal Rumble" event is reported to be in Saudi Arabia in January 2026.
LSU hired Lane Kiffin as their new head coach with a seven-year contract worth $91 million, making him one of the highest-paid coaches. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry disagreed with the contract's structure, which goes against his previous statement about changing contract terms for LSU coaches. Urban Meyer criticized LSU for not following Landry's declaration.
Key Facts
LSU hired Lane Kiffin as head coach with a $91 million contract over seven years.
Lane Kiffin will earn $13 million per year under the new contract.
Kiffin's deal includes an 80% payout if he is fired before the contract ends.
Governor Jeff Landry previously stated LSU would change contract structures to avoid guaranteed payouts.
Landry expressed frustration over a $54 million buyout for the previous head coach, Brian Kelly.
Urban Meyer publicly criticized LSU on a podcast for Kiffin's guaranteed contract.
Kiffin's LSU contract also has clauses rewarding him for Ole Miss's potential wins in the College Football Playoff.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo from February 6 to 22. Polo Ralph Lauren is the official outfitter for Team USA, making uniforms and villagewear available for purchase. Fans can buy jackets, sweaters, and more to support Team USA during the games.
Key Facts
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held from February 6 to 22 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
Team USA's athletes are preparing for the games in various sports, including snowboarding and ice hockey.
Polo Ralph Lauren is making Team USA's official uniforms and casual outfits for these games.
This is the 10th time Polo Ralph Lauren has provided outfits for U.S. Olympic athletes.
Fans can purchase the Team USA Winter Olympics gear, which includes jackets, t-shirts, and more.
NHL player Jack Hughes is one of the ambassadors for the brand's Olympic campaign.
The Los Angeles Lakers are interested in trading for Herb Jones, a strong defensive player from the New Orleans Pelicans. The Lakers are looking to improve their team, especially their offensive and defensive balance, and Jones is viewed as a good fit. The Pelicans, currently struggling in the league, might consider trading Jones for future assets.
Key Facts
The Lakers have a record of 15-5 in the Western Conference, standing in second place.
Herb Jones is a well-regarded two-way player, known for both offense and defense.
Jones signed a three-year contract with the Pelicans worth $67.6 million that lasts until 2029-30.
Last season, Jones played only 20 games due to a shoulder injury.
He has been named to the All-NBA Defensive First Team in the past.
The Pelicans are currently last in the Western Conference with a record of 3-19.
New Orleans is considering the trade for Jones as they face challenges and have few incentives to maintain the current team structure.
The Cleveland Browns' head coach Kevin Stefanski is under scrutiny as the team's performance has declined since their last playoff appearance in 2023. Speculation suggests he may leave, with the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans seen as possible destinations for him if the Browns decide to find a new coach. Stefanski has had two successful seasons in the past but has struggled in recent years.
Key Facts
Kevin Stefanski is the current head coach of the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns have struggled, winning only three games last season and the same number this year.
Stefanski led the team to the playoffs in his early years with the Browns, achieving two 11-win seasons.
Speculation surrounds his future, with possible interest from the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans for their coaching vacancies in 2026.
The Browns' decision to switch quarterbacks, including moving from Baker Mayfield to Deshaun Watson, is part of the broader team challenges.
Stefanski has faced criticism this season for the team's performance and game management decisions.
Team management decisions made by owners and the general manager have also influenced the team's current standing.
The Philadelphia Eagles are having trouble with their offense, according to quarterback Jalen Hurts. They have been scoring fewer points in recent games and are experiencing challenges that include poor play-calling and missing key players. The team is trying to find ways to work through these issues and improve their performance.
Key Facts
Jalen Hurts is the quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles recently lost a game to the Chicago Bears with a score of 24-15.
The team has an 8-4 record but faces challenges on offense.
Their recent average points per game dropped to 19.5 from an earlier average of 28.4.
Hurts has been sacked 14 times in the last four games.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo's play-calling has not been effective.
The absence of starting right tackle Lane Johnson adds to their difficulties.
The Eagles are preparing to play the Los Angeles Chargers on December 8.
NBA analyst and Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony criticized the Los Angeles Clippers for releasing his friend, Chris Paul. Anthony expressed surprise and disagreement with the decision, emphasizing Paul's importance to the team. Paul was released after just 16 games with the Clippers, causing shock within the organization.
Key Facts
Carmelo Anthony criticized the Los Angeles Clippers for releasing Chris Paul.
Chris Paul is a well-known NBA player and considered one of the greatest in Clippers history.
Paul was released after only 16 games with the team.
Clippers guard James Harden and forward Kawhi Leonard were surprised by Paul's release.
Reports indicated communication issues between Paul and head coach Tyronn Lue.
Carmelo highlighted that Paul played a big role in making the Clippers a successful team.
The Clippers are currently facing challenges, with a 6-16 record.
The organization's financial operations president defended the move as part of a broader strategy.
Darby Allin, a wrestler in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), was injured during a match and had to go to the hospital. This injury puts his participation in a current tournament, the Continental Classic, at risk. His future in the competition is unclear, and AEW is determining if he can continue.
Key Facts
Darby Allin, a popular AEW wrestler, got hurt in a match against Kevin Knight.
He went to the hospital but has since been released and can travel.
Allin's participation in the ongoing Continental Classic tournament is uncertain due to his injury.
The Continental Classic is a round-robin tournament, meaning each wrestler competes against all other wrestlers in their group.
Allin currently has 0 points in the tournament, which affects his standing.
If Allin cannot continue, it might affect the tournament's results since his opponents could gain points by default.
AEW officials are expected to give an update on Allin's status during the upcoming show, Collision.
The Toronto Blue Jays are considering signing a new player in the free-agent market. Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette are both mentioned as potential signings, but Bichette, who is already associated with the Blue Jays, might be the more likely choice. The Blue Jays also recently committed to a large contract for another player, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays are actively looking into signing new players in free agency.
Kyle Tucker visited the Blue Jays' facility in Florida and is considered a potential signing.
Bo Bichette, who is a two-time All-Star, currently plays for the Blue Jays and may stay with the team.
Bichette led the American League in hits twice but has faced questions about his defensive skills.
The Blue Jays have recently signed Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a significant contract, which could impact their future spending.
There is speculation about whether the Blue Jays can afford to sign both Tucker and Bichette.
MLB insider Mark Feinsand suggests Bichette is more likely to sign with the Blue Jays due to less competition from other teams.
The New York Giants are searching for a new head coach for the 2026 season. Kevin Stefanski, currently with the Cleveland Browns and a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, is a likely candidate if the Browns let him go. Stefanski has a background in coaching quarterbacks and offense, which aligns with the Giants' needs.
Key Facts
The New York Giants are looking for a new head coach in 2026.
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is deemed important to the team.
Kevin Stefanski, now with the Cleveland Browns, may be a candidate for the Giants' position.
Stefanski won the NFL Coach of the Year award in 2020 and 2023.
He helped the Browns win 11 games and reach the playoffs in those award-winning years.
Stefanski's current record with the Browns is 43 wins and 53 losses.
Despite recent struggles, he is still seen positively in NFL circles.
The current pool of head coach candidates is considered weaker than in past years.
