Katie Ledecky won the 1500m freestyle at the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California, continuing her 16-year streak of wins. Other notable results include Gretchen Walsh winning the 50m butterfly and Luca Urlando setting a championship record in the men's 200 butterfly.
Key Facts
Katie Ledecky won the 1500m freestyle in 15:36.09, maintaining her long winning streak.
Lani Pallister of Australia took silver with a personal best time of 15:38.62.
Gretchen Walsh won the women’s 50m butterfly in 24.65 seconds, improving from her preliminary time.
Luca Urlando set a new championship record in the men’s 200 butterfly with a time of 1:53.11.
Katharine Berkoff won the women's 100m backstroke, with Regan Smith second.
Luke Hobson won the men’s 200 freestyle, followed by teammate Gabriel Jett with a personal best.
The Pan Pacific Championships were moved to Southern California this year to prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Each country is limited to two swimmers in each final to allow more nations to compete in the championship races.
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England's cricket team had a midnight curfew rule to limit players' alcohol consumption after several past incidents involving bad behavior. The curfew was reintroduced in January 2024 but was removed seven months later under new leadership, with the team now trusted to manage their own conduct.
Key Facts
England imposed a midnight curfew on cricket players after several off-field incidents during tours.
The curfew originally started during the 2017 Ashes tour and lasted over four years before ending in 2022.
It was brought back in January 2024 following fresh trouble on a recent Ashes trip.
Captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson broke the curfew early in the 2024 season.
Director of Cricket Rob Key considered imposing a total alcohol ban but decided against it.
Coach Brendon McCullum acknowledged confusion about the curfew rules before retiring.
New coach Stephen Fleming lifted the curfew in mid-2024, trusting players to behave responsibly.
England cricket players have a history of celebrating with alcohol after major victories.
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Maryland’s defensive end Zahir Mathis suffered an injury during practice that will end his 2026 season. Mathis was a key player last year, and his absence will impact Maryland’s defense as they prepare for the upcoming football season.
Key Facts
Zahir Mathis, a defensive end for Maryland, got a season-ending injury in practice.
Mathis had 22 tackles and 6 sacks as a freshman in 2025.
Maryland’s coach is Mike Locksley, who has a 37-49 record over eight seasons.
The team struggled recently, winning only two Big Ten games in each of the last two seasons.
Maryland’s athletic director, Jim Smith, said they want to keep players and recruit better talent.
Sidney Stewart, another defensive end, will take on a bigger role this season.
Maryland’s football season starts September 5th against Hampton.
Maryland will also play UConn and Virginia Tech in non-conference games in September.
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Spanish Olympic skateboarder Danny León performed a skateboard jump at the same time as a solar eclipse, when the moon passed in front of the sun. He shared a video of this stunt on his social media and described it as the best move of his life.
Key Facts
Danny León is a skateboarder from Spain who competes in the Olympics.
He timed a jump to match the exact moment of a solar eclipse.
A solar eclipse happens when the moon moves between the sun and Earth, blocking the sun’s light.
León posted the video of his stunt on social media platforms.
He called the jump ‘the move of his life.’
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The Denver Broncos will play the Atlanta Falcons in their preseason opener, but starting quarterback Bo Nix will not play due to recovery from ankle surgery. The game will be a key chance for backup quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger to compete for the backup job while Nix prepares to return in upcoming games.
Key Facts
The Broncos face the Falcons Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in their preseason opener.
Head coach Sean Payton said starters will only play about 15 plays each.
Bo Nix, the team's main quarterback, will sit out this game because of right ankle surgery.
Nix previously missed the AFC Championship Game due to the same injury.
Backup quarterbacks Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger will split playing time in this game.
Stidham is expected to start against Atlanta.
The backup quarterback role is important because Nix’s injury last season hurt the Broncos’ playoff chances.
The Broncos return 20 of 22 starters from last season’s team that went 14-3 and earned the AFC’s top seed.
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The Carolina Panthers signed tight end Darren Waller to a one-year contract ahead of the 2026 NFL season. Waller, a former Pro Bowl player, played last season for the Miami Dolphins after coming out of retirement.
Key Facts
Darren Waller signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.
Waller is a former Pro Bowl tight end.
He played for the Miami Dolphins in 2025, recording 24 catches, 283 yards, and six touchdowns in nine games.
Waller will join Panthers quarterback Bryce Young’s group of receivers and tight ends.
Waller began his NFL career in 2015 with the Baltimore Ravens as a wide receiver.
He switched to tight end in 2016 and faced suspensions related to substance abuse.
Waller had success with the Las Vegas Raiders from 2019 to 2022, with 280 catches, 3,394 yards, and 17 touchdowns.
The New York Giants traded for Waller in 2023, but he retired before the 2024 season due to injury.
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Tyrese Haliburton is ready to play again after missing last season due to a torn Achilles tendon. He is excited about new teammates Kelly Oubre Jr. and Larry Nance Jr., who joined the Indiana Pacers this offseason, and plans to help lead the team in the upcoming NBA season.
Key Facts
Tyrese Haliburton missed the entire 2025 NBA season recovering from a torn right Achilles tendon.
He said he is fully healthy and ready to play when the season starts in October 2026.
The Indiana Pacers signed veteran players Kelly Oubre Jr. and Larry Nance Jr. during the offseason.
Haliburton is excited to have Oubre on the team, especially for his defense and versatility against strong opponents.
Larry Nance Jr. will add experience and depth to the Pacers’ frontcourt.
The Pacers also drafted Purdue player Braden Smith with the 38th pick after trading with the Chicago Bulls.
Haliburton helped eliminate the New York Knicks from the 2025 playoffs but missed the next season when the Knicks won the championship.
The Eastern Conference is very competitive with teams like the 76ers, Miami Heat, and others adding strong players.
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The Carolina Panthers lost their new wide receiver Chris Brazzell II to a season-ending injury early in training camp. However, rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan impressed coaches with his strong practice performance, showing he can take on a bigger role this season.
Key Facts
Chris Brazzell II, a third-round pick, injured his left knee ligament and will miss the season.
The Panthers chose not to add a new receiver from free agency after Brazzell’s injury.
Tetairoa McMillan, a first-round pick last year, is stepping up as the main wide receiver.
In practice, McMillan made a strong one-on-one move and scored a touchdown.
Panthers coach Dave Canales praised McMillan’s growth in strength and skill since last season.
McMillan caught 70 passes for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns in his rookie year.
He is considered a tall, strong, and skilled receiver similar to well-known NFL players.
McMillan is expected to improve and potentially earn Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors this year.
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San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames left a recent game early because of a back injury but is not expected to miss much time. The team is concerned because the Giants have few options to replace him if he needs to go on the injured list.
Key Facts
Willy Adames left the game against the Houston Astros early with a back injury.
The injury happened while he was trying to turn a double play in the seventh inning.
Adames has had back problems since June and missed three games earlier this season.
Giants manager Tony Vitello says Adames probably will miss the next game but won’t need to go on the injured list.
Adames has not performed as well this season, possibly due to his back issues.
The Giants have limited backup shortstops, with Casey Schmitt out for the year and Christian Koss not playing well.
The Giants hope Adames can play again starting Saturday in a game against the Colorado Rockies.
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Sam Leavitt, the new quarterback for LSU, is still managing his injured foot as the football season approaches. He had surgery last year and has done follow-up procedures but feels ready for the season, though he needs to warm up his foot before practices.
Key Facts
Sam Leavitt transferred from Arizona State University to LSU.
He injured his foot last season during a game against Baylor.
Leavitt played through the injury before having season-ending surgery later that year.
He had additional treatment on his foot in April this year.
Leavitt said he must warm up his foot before practice but otherwise feels ready.
LSU’s coach, Lane Kiffin, is happy with Leavitt’s progress and health this week.
Last season, Leavitt threw for 1,628 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.
LSU improved their team by adding new receivers from the transfer portal to support Leavitt.
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Florida State University will retire the jersey number of Sebastian Janikowski, a legendary kicker for their football team. Janikowski was a key player in FSU's 1999 national championship and had a long NFL career primarily with the Oakland Raiders.
Key Facts
Sebastian Janikowski's No. 38 jersey will be retired by Florida State during the season opener on August 29.
Janikowski helped Florida State win the national championship in 1999.
He won the Lou Groza Award twice, given to the best college kicker.
Janikowski was an All-American twice and named to the Associated Press’s All-Time All-America team in 2025.
He was the last kicker selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, picked 17th overall by the Oakland Raiders.
Janikowski played 17 seasons with the Raiders and one with the Seattle Seahawks in 2018.
He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2011 and was a second-team All-Pro that year.
Janikowski is the 13th player to have a jersey retired by Florida State, joining other football legends.
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The Minnesota Vikings named Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback after competing with J.J. McCarthy during training camp. McCarthy said he wants to stay with the team and keep working hard, but his future with the Vikings is uncertain.
Key Facts
Kyler Murray will be the Vikings' starting quarterback this season.
J.J. McCarthy lost the starting job but plans to stay ready and keep working hard.
The Vikings also have veteran quarterback Carson Wentz on their roster.
McCarthy is open to staying with the Vikings and loves the team and fans.
McCarthy led the Vikings last season with a 6-4 record as a starter.
Last season, McCarthy threw for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
The Vikings drafted Kyler Murray in 2024 to compete for the quarterback position.
McCarthy played college football at Michigan, where he had a strong record from 2021 to 2023.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers sent right-handed pitcher Seth Halvorsen back to their Triple-A team after his first game with them. They called up pitcher Landon Knack to take his place as they manage their bullpen during a busy game schedule.
Key Facts
Seth Halvorsen was traded to the Dodgers from the Colorado Rockies in late July.
Halvorsen struggled with control earlier in the season but performed well in Triple-A with no runs allowed in over 6 innings.
In his Dodgers debut, Halvorsen pitched the 10th inning, threw 11 pitches, and reached a fastball speed of 101.3 mph.
The Dodgers are currently in a 13-game stretch without any days off.
Landon Knack was recalled to replace Halvorsen on the Dodgers roster.
Knack has played parts of three seasons with the Dodgers, mainly in 2024 as a starter.
Knack had a 3.65 ERA in 2024 over 69 innings and has recently been dealing with injuries.
The roster changes help the Dodgers manage pitcher workloads during a demanding schedule.
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Russell Westbrook announced his retirement from professional basketball after 18 years in the NBA. The Los Angeles Clippers, one of the teams he played for, shared a message honoring his career.
Key Facts
Westbrook played 18 seasons in the NBA and retired at age 37.
He started his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder alongside Kevin Durant and James Harden.
Westbrook reached the NBA Finals in 2012 but lost to the Miami Heat.
He played for several teams including the Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets, and Kings.
The Clippers posted a congratulatory message on social media about his retirement.
He averaged a triple-double in multiple seasons and holds the NBA record for most triple-doubles.
Westbrook was the NBA MVP in 2017 and is part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Although he never won an NBA championship, he is expected to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney said none of his players have stood out during early fall practice this year. This comes after a disappointing 2025 season where Clemson lost several games and did not meet high expectations.
Key Facts
Clemson football coach is Dabo Swinney.
Swinney said no players have impressed him during the start of fall camp.
Last season, Clemson started ranked No. 4 but lost three of their first four games.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik, once a top candidate for a major award, had a less successful year and was drafted in the fourth round by the New York Jets.
Clemson finished the 2025 season with a 7-6 record after losing their bowl game.
Swinney may be cautious about raising expectations after last year's results.
The new season begins in September, and it remains to be seen if any players will emerge as key performers.
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The Cleveland Browns have chosen Deshaun Watson as the starting quarterback for their preseason opener against the Chicago Bears. Watson will play the first half, while Shedeur Sanders will start the following week, as the team continues to evaluate who will lead the offense in the regular season.
Key Facts
The Browns’ preseason opener is against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Saturday.
Deshaun Watson, who signed a $230 million contract, will start the game and play the first half.
Shedeur Sanders, a second-year player, will start the next preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.
Both quarterbacks have shared time with first- and second-team offenses during training camp.
Coach Todd Monken said both players will get opportunities; the competition for the starting job is ongoing.
Watson is recovering from two Achilles tendon injuries and has worked hard with trainers and his team.
Both quarterbacks must learn a new offensive system led by coach Monken and offensive coordinator Travis Switzer.
The preseason games will influence who becomes the Browns’ regular season starting quarterback.
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UFC fighter Islam Makhachev has won 16 straight fights and may retire soon, according to commentator Joe Rogan. If Makhachev retires after his upcoming fight, the UFC will need to choose a new welterweight champion.
Key Facts
Islam Makhachev has a 28-1 professional fight record.
He has won 16 consecutive fights and 17 of 18 UFC fights.
Makhachev trains with Khabib Nurmagomedov at the American Kickboxing Academy.
Khabib Nurmagomedov retired in 2020 with an undefeated 29-0 record.
Joe Rogan said Makhachev could retire after beating Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330.
If Makhachev retires, he would give up the welterweight championship title.
UFC fighters Michael Morales and Carlos Prates are potential successors for the title.
Carlos Prates is the current No. 1-ranked welterweight and has a three-fight winning streak.
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The New York Mets have signed veteran relief pitcher Chris Devenski to a minor league contract and assigned him to their Triple-A team in Syracuse. Devenski previously played for the Mets and has pitched 11 seasons in Major League Baseball, including being an All-Star in 2017.
Key Facts
Chris Devenski signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.
He was assigned to the Mets’ Triple-A team in Syracuse.
Devenski became a free agent after being removed from the Pittsburgh Pirates roster.
This season, he pitched 2.1 innings with the Pirates, allowing two earned runs and striking out three batters.
Devenski played 13 games for the Mets during the 2025 season with a 2.16 ERA and 14 strikeouts.
Over 11 MLB seasons, he has a record of 27 wins, 22 losses, a 3.93 ERA, eight saves, and 432 strikeouts.
He was an All-Star in 2017 while playing for the Houston Astros.
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Alex Rodriguez, a former baseball player, said the Los Angeles Dodgers are good for baseball. He explained that the Dodgers' use of money to build a strong team is similar to what the New York Yankees did in the past. He also noted that spending a lot of money does not always lead to winning, as shown by the New York Mets’ struggles.
Key Facts
Alex Rodriguez spoke on ESPN’s "The Michael Kay Show" about the Dodgers’ impact on baseball.
Rodriguez compared the Dodgers’ team-building to the Yankees’ strategy in the 1990s and 2009.
He said both the Dodgers and Yankees used financial power to hire top players.
Rodriguez pointed out the New York Mets spend a lot on players but are currently in last place in their division.
Dodgers’ leader Andrew Friedman made some mistakes when he moved from Tampa Bay to the Dodgers.
The Dodgers did not win immediately after spending a lot but eventually became successful.
Fans either admire the Dodgers’ success or dislike their big-spending approach, but many people are paying attention.
Rodriguez believes the attention and competition are good for baseball overall.
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Analyst Daire Carragher from Pro Football Focus predicts that the USC Trojans football team is likely to make their first College Football Playoff in 2026. The team has top recruits and showed progress last season despite some losses, and winning key games could put them in contention for a national title.
Key Facts
USC is considered one of eight teams most likely to make their first College Football Playoff in 2026.
USC has the highest-ranked recruiting class in college football for 2026.
The Trojans had the highest explosive pass play rate (19.6%) among Power Four teams last season.
Head coach Lincoln Riley led the team to an 11-3 record in 2022, with quarterback Caleb Williams winning the Heisman Trophy.
USC moved to the Big Ten conference recently and finished 9-4 overall in the last season.
The team won important close games against Michigan and Iowa, showing growing strength.
Key upcoming games against Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana will be vital for Playoff chances.
Carragher notes the Trojans have a strong potential to compete for a national title if they secure two wins in those key matchups.
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