American athlete Ja’Kobe Tharp set a new world record in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 12.75 seconds at the NCAA outdoor championships in Eugene, Oregon. This broke the previous world record of 12.80 seconds set in 2012 and also surpassed the NCAA record.
Key Facts
Ja’Kobe Tharp is an American hurdler who runs for Auburn University.
He ran the 110m hurdles in 12.75 seconds during the heats at the NCAA championships.
The previous world record was 12.80 seconds, set by Aries Merritt in 2012.
The NCAA record before this was 12.98 seconds, set by Grant Holloway in 2019.
Tharp’s time was achieved with a legal tailwind of 1.0 meters per second, which means conditions were allowed for record purposes.
This was the first world record set at an NCAA championship since 1976.
Tharp is 20 years old and was the under-20 world champion in hurdles.
He finished sixth in the 110m hurdles final at the 2025 world championships in Tokyo.
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A large street mural showing football player Neymar da Silva was created in Novo Hamburgo, Brazil. Six artists worked together for two days to paint the 850-square-meter artwork before the FIFA World Cup.
Key Facts
The mural covers 850 square meters.
It features football star Neymar da Silva.
Six artists collaborated on the mural.
The painting took two days to complete.
The mural is located in Novo Hamburgo, Brazil.
It was unveiled shortly before the FIFA World Cup.
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French sailor Charlie Dalin, who won the Vendée Globe solo round-the-world race in 2024-25, has died at age 42 after a long battle with cancer. He had a rare form of gastrointestinal cancer but still completed the race in record time.
Key Facts
Charlie Dalin was a French yachtsman and Vendée Globe champion.
He won the 2024-25 Vendée Globe, a non-stop solo round-the-world sailing race.
Dalin set a record time of 64 days, 19 hours, and 22 minutes in the race.
He was diagnosed with a rare gastrointestinal stromal tumour in late 2023.
Despite his cancer diagnosis, he competed and won the race.
Dalin previously finished second in the 2020-21 Vendée Globe.
He chose not to share his illness publicly at first to avoid disrupting his plans.
Dalin later wrote a book called "The Power of Destiny" about his fight with cancer.
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The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage will run from June 11 to June 27, featuring 72 matches. The article highlights five important group stage games to watch, including matches such as Brazil vs Morocco and England vs Croatia.
Key Facts
The World Cup 2026 starts on June 11 and will have 72 group stage matches over more than two weeks.
Brazil, a five-time champion, will play Morocco in New Jersey on June 13.
Morocco are the current African Cup of Nations champions and made it to the semifinals in 2022.
The Netherlands will face Japan in Dallas on June 14; Japan defeated strong teams in the 2022 World Cup group stage.
France will play Senegal in New Jersey on June 16; they last met 20 years ago when Senegal won.
England and Croatia will meet in Dallas on June 17, a rematch of their 2018 semifinal.
These key matches can influence which teams top their groups and advance in the tournament.
Fans can follow the games live with match updates and results on Al Jazeera’s World Cup 2026 page.
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Serena Williams’s return to tennis ended early because her doubles partner, Victoria Mboko, got a knee injury at the Queen’s Club tournament. Mboko slipped on the grass during her singles match, causing her to stop playing and withdraw from the doubles event.
Key Facts
Serena Williams returned to tennis after four years and played doubles with Victoria Mboko at Queen’s Club.
They won their first doubles match against the third-seeded team on Tuesday.
Victoria Mboko injured her knee when she slipped on the grass during her singles match on Wednesday.
Mboko was forced to retire from her singles match and withdrew from the doubles event.
The Queen’s Club courts are known for being high quality but can be slippery early in the tournament.
Mboko is ranked as the third seed at Queen’s Club.
Serena Williams plans to play doubles in Berlin and possibly at Wimbledon with a wildcard entry.
Mboko’s future in tennis is uncertain due to her injury.
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Martin O'Neill has been reappointed as the Celtic football team manager after leading them to win the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup last season. Celtic decided not to seek a new manager, choosing instead experience and stability under O'Neill, despite some concerns about the club’s recruitment process and board issues.
Key Facts
Martin O'Neill, aged 74, continues as Celtic's manager following a successful double-winning season.
O'Neill is recognized for his ability to motivate players and connect well with the team.
Celtic’s board opted for O'Neill instead of bringing in a younger or more modern manager.
The club had problems with poor recruitment decisions and a struggling transfer market.
O'Neill's team won both the Scottish Premiership title and Scottish Cup last season.
There have been tensions between some fans and the club’s board during O'Neill’s tenure.
Celtic signed five players on loan during the current period, including Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The club needs improvements in its recruitment department to support future success.
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A German soccer fan named Freddy is traveling across the United States and Canada, sharing his experiences as he follows Germany’s 2026 World Cup team. His videos of everyday American life, like visiting restaurants and sports events, have gone viral and attracted millions of views.
Key Facts
Freddy (@FreddyLA7) is on a six-week road trip across the U.S. and Canada before the 2026 World Cup.
He shares videos reacting enthusiastically to common American experiences, such as late-night meals at Waffle House and stops at Walmart and Buc-ee’s.
His posts have received millions of views and made him popular online.
Freddy has visited places including North Georgia, Atlanta’s Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, Tennessee, and Alabama.
He attended a college football game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, which got over 8 million views.
U.S. brands like Wendy’s and Cracker Barrel have engaged with Freddy during his trip.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey have publicly recognized Freddy’s journey.
Freddy’s travel highlights the U.S. to international visitors ahead of the World Cup.
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Shaun Edwards, the defence coach for France’s rugby team, is negotiating his departure a year before the Rugby World Cup. His contract still has 18 months left, and there are challenges due to France wanting to keep their tactics secret.
Key Facts
Shaun Edwards has spent nearly seven years coaching France’s rugby defence.
France won the Six Nations three times during Edwards' time as coach.
France allowed more tries than most teams in their recent campaign.
Edwards has not attended France's training since the last tournament.
There have been past tensions between Edwards and France’s head coach Fabien Galthie.
Edwards showed interest in coaching in the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship.
Rugby teams often include rules to keep their coaching methods private and prevent coaches from joining rival teams quickly.
Edwards has been linked to coaching England’s team before but was never hired.
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The New York Knicks made the largest comeback ever in an NBA finals game by overcoming a 29-point deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4. This victory puts them close to winning their first NBA championship since 1973. The team, often underestimated in the past, has shown resilience and experience in overcoming tough situations.
Key Facts
The Knicks erased a 29-point deficit in Game 4 of the NBA finals against the San Antonio Spurs.
This comeback is the largest ever in NBA finals history.
The win brings the Knicks close to their first NBA championship since 1973.
Many players and the coach showed strong emotions after the victory.
The Knicks have made multiple big comebacks during the 2026 playoffs.
Several key players were overlooked or traded by other teams before joining the Knicks.
Coach Mike Brown was previously dismissed by another NBA team but leads this comeback.
The team emphasizes not giving up until the final buzzer sounds.
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The New York Knicks won an important Game 4, and their fans, including some famous people, celebrated excitedly. The victory created a joyful atmosphere among supporters.
Key Facts
The Knicks played and won Game 4.
The win was described as legendary.
Fans were very happy and excited after the game.
Some well-known celebrities were present among the fans.
There was a party or celebration after the win.
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Martin O’Neill has been officially named the permanent manager of Celtic football club after serving twice as temporary manager last season. He signed a one-year contract with an option for another year and led Celtic to win both the Premiership and Scottish Cup last season.
Key Facts
Martin O’Neill, 74, returned to Celtic as manager in October after Brendan Rodgers left.
He won every domestic game during his first temporary spell, losing only to Midtjylland in the Europa League.
After a brief replacement by Wilfried Nancy, O’Neill came back in January to finish the season.
Celtic won the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup under O’Neill last season.
O’Neill signed a one-year deal with an option for one more year to stay at Celtic.
Club officials said the appointment is the start of a busy summer focused on strengthening the team.
O’Neill has managed Celtic before, from 2000 to 2005, with similar success.
Other candidates linked to the job before O’Neill’s appointment were Robbie Keane and Jens Berthel Askou.
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France’s national soccer team has arrived in Boston to take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their first match will be against Senegal on June 16 in New Jersey.
Key Facts
The French team landed in Boston ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Fans gathered outside their hotel to welcome the players.
France’s opening game is scheduled for June 16 in New Jersey.
They will play against the Senegal team in this first match.
The 2026 World Cup is being hosted partly in the United States.
The article mentions some concerns about US travel rules affecting World Cup participation.
Other World Cup-related topics include preparations by Mexico and reactions to political issues.
The article includes a brief note about controversies around the event’s organization and geopolitics.
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Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca will host the opening match of the 2026 World Cup, becoming the first stadium to hold World Cup games in three different tournaments. The stadium has a rich history, including iconic moments like Brazil’s 1970 victory and Diego Maradona’s famous “Hand of God” goal in 1986.
Key Facts
Estadio Azteca was built between 1961 and 1966 and originally held over 107,000 fans.
It hosted football matches during the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, including the final.
The stadium was central to the 1970 World Cup, hosting 10 matches including the opening game and the semifinal between Italy and West Germany.
Pele won his third World Cup there in 1970, celebrating in front of the crowd.
In the 1986 World Cup, the stadium hosted nine matches including the opening game and the quarterfinal where Diego Maradona scored the “Hand of God” goal and a famous solo goal against England.
Estadio Azteca sits more than 7,000 feet above sea level in Mexico City.
The stadium recently completed nearly two years of renovations to prepare for the 2026 World Cup, the largest tournament in history.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first time the stadium hosts matches in a third different World Cup tournament.
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Serena Williams’ partner Victoria Mboko has withdrawn from their doubles match at the Queen’s tennis tournament due to a left knee injury. Mboko hurt her knee during her singles match and had to stop playing, which means Williams and Mboko are out of the doubles competition.
Key Facts
Serena Williams returned to tennis after almost four years away.
She partnered with Victoria Mboko for doubles at Queen’s tournament.
Mboko, aged 19, injured her left knee during a singles match.
Mboko had to retire from her singles match after a fall.
The doubles quarter-final match was scheduled for Thursday.
Mboko’s injury caused Williams and Mboko to withdraw from doubles.
Their opponents, Leylah Fernandez and Laura Siegemund, move to the semi-finals.
Mboko was playing against Karolina Pliskova when she got hurt.
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Eric Karabell shares his predictions for fantasy baseball, focusing on players who may have strong performances soon. He mentions prospects like Byron Buxton hitting 50 home runs and Hunter Goodman making an impact in the National League.
Key Facts
Eric Karabell is providing forecasts for fantasy baseball managers.
Byron Buxton is expected to hit 50 home runs.
Hunter Goodman is noted for breaking into the National League.
The article focuses on players with potential upcoming success.
Fantasy baseball involves choosing players based on their predicted performance.
Predictions help managers make decisions for their fantasy teams.
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Three soccer fans from Argentina rode their bicycles 11,000 miles to Kansas City to watch their country’s first game in the World Cup. They made this long trip even though they did not have tickets to the match.
Key Facts
The fans are from Argentina.
They biked a total distance of 11,000 miles.
Their destination was Kansas City, where the World Cup game was held.
Their goal was to see Argentina’s first game in the tournament.
They traveled without having tickets to the game.
This journey was completed for the 2026 World Cup event.
Their story was featured by ABC News.
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The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup has updated rules for extra time, penalty shootouts, and ways to keep the game moving faster. Matches tied after regular time will have 30 minutes of extra time, followed by penalty kicks if still tied. New rules also speed up throw-ins, substitutions, and include hydration breaks.
Key Facts
Each match lasts 90 minutes, split into two 45-minute halves with additional stoppage time added.
If a match is tied after 90 minutes in knockout rounds, 30 minutes of extra time is played in two 15-minute halves.
If still tied after extra time, the game is decided by a penalty shootout consisting of five shots per team, then sudden death if needed.
Group stage games can end in a draw and do not have extra time or penalty shootouts.
The golden goal rule, where the first extra time goal wins immediately, was removed in 2004 due to negative feedback.
New rules speed up the game by enforcing a 5-second countdown on slow throw-ins or goal kicks, and players must leave the field quickly after substitutions.
Players receiving medical treatment must stay off the field for one minute after play resumes.
Players can receive red cards for covering their mouths, leaving the pitch in protest, or if the whole team walks off, the team forfeits the match.
Each half will include a mandatory three-minute hydration break 22 minutes into play.
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The World Cup returns to North America in 2026, with the United States, Canada, and Mexico hosting the tournament. The event will be much bigger than in 1994, featuring more teams, more matches, and wider cultural impact, reflecting How soccer has grown in popularity and professionalism in the U.S.
Key Facts
The 2026 World Cup will have 48 teams playing 104 matches in 16 cities across three countries.
The 1994 World Cup had 24 teams playing 52 matches in nine U.S. cities.
FIFA expects up to 5.5 million fans at the 2026 tournament, breaking attendance records set in 1994.
Some critics worry expanded groups and travel between three nations may affect players and fans.
New countries like Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Uzbekistan, and Jordan will compete for the first time.
Major League Soccer launched after 1994, now with 30 teams and high attendance, showing soccer’s growth in the U.S.
Soccer is now the third most popular sport in the U.S., surpassing baseball in TV viewership.
The U.S. men's team is ranked 16th globally and includes players active in top European leagues.
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A recent poll by Emerson College found that 45 percent of Americans are not interested in the FIFA World Cup starting this week. The survey included 1,200 people and was done on June 7 and 8.
Key Facts
The poll asked 1,200 Americans about their interest in the men’s FIFA World Cup.
Conducted on June 7 and 8, 2024.
45 percent said they were not interested at all in the tournament.
The World Cup is starting this Thursday.
About one-third of respondents showed some level of interest in the event.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup has started in North America with 48 teams competing. Matches are held in cities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with the group stage beginning on June 11 and the U.S. team playing its first game on June 12.
Key Facts
The 2026 World Cup features 48 teams, up from 32 in 2022.
The tournament begins June 11, 2026, with Mexico hosting South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
There are 12 groups, each with 4 teams; each team plays 3 matches in the group stage.
The top two teams from each group, plus the eight best third-place teams, move on to the knockout rounds.
The U.S. Men's National Team is in Group D with Australia, Paraguay, and Turkey.
The U.S. plays its first match on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in California against Paraguay.
Host cities in the U.S. include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
The knockout rounds begin July 4, with quarterfinals in Boston, Inglewood (California), Miami Gardens, and Kansas City.
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