Younes Ebnoutalib, a 22-year-old football player, made a significant impact this season by scoring 12 goals in 17 games for the German second-tier team Elversberg. This success led to his transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt, a major German club, marking a big step up from his previous position in the fourth league tier. Ebnoutalib is now seen as a rising talent in German football, with a chance to follow in the footsteps of previous successful players from Eintracht.
Key Facts
Younes Ebnoutalib scored 12 goals in 17 games for Elversberg before moving to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Eintracht Frankfurt bought him for £6.9 million.
Ebnoutalib played in the fourth league tier for FC Giessen just one year ago.
He comes from a sporting family; his father was an Olympic silver medalist in taekwondo.
Eintracht hopes Ebnoutalib can follow previous stars like Manchester City's Omar Marmoush.
Daniyel Cimen, Ebnoutalib's former coach, believes he has great potential.
Ebnoutalib had a challenging stint in Italy with AC Perugia.
He attributes some of his football skills to his taekwondo training.
The New York Yankees signed 24-year-old DJ Gladney, who was previously with the Chicago White Sox, to a minor-league contract. Gladney plays all three outfield positions and first base but is unlikely to make the major league team this year. He has shown power in the minor leagues, hitting double-digit home runs in recent seasons.
Key Facts
DJ Gladney, a 24-year-old player, signed with the New York Yankees.
Gladney was with the Chicago White Sox for six years.
He plays all three outfield positions and first base.
Gladney hit double-digit home runs each of the last four seasons.
His last year's performance was weak, with a .645 OPS at Double-A.
The Yankees signed him to add depth to their outfield in the minor leagues.
Gladney is unlikely to join the major league team this season.
He chose free agency in November before signing with the Yankees.
Stan Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam tennis champion, received a wildcard entry to the Australian Open as he starts his last year in professional tennis. Meanwhile, Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios, dealing with past injuries, decided not to play in the singles competition but will compete in doubles.
Key Facts
Stan Wawrinka received a wildcard for the Australian Open.
Wawrinka announced 2026 will be his final year playing professional tennis.
He is a three-time Grand Slam champion and won the Australian Open in 2014.
Wawrinka is currently ranked 156th in the world.
Nick Kyrgios, ranked 670th, chose not to compete in singles due to not feeling prepared for five-set matches.
Kyrgios will participate in the doubles competition at the Australian Open.
Kyrgios previously won the Australian Open men's doubles in 2022 with Thanasi Kokkinakis.
The Boston Red Sox plan to sign a 17-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic named Garielvin Silverio for a $1.4 million bonus. This signing comes as the Red Sox are still in talks with third baseman Alex Bregman for a potential contract, but no agreement has been reached yet.
Key Facts
The Boston Red Sox have not signed any major league free agents this offseason.
They are negotiating with third baseman Alex Bregman but have not reached a deal.
The Red Sox plan to sign Garielvin Silverio, a top international prospect, for $1.4 million.
Silverio is a 17-year-old outfielder from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The 2026 international signing period begins on Thursday.
Silverio is known for his strong hitting ability and impressive physical strength.
The Red Sox might sign up to 20 international prospects in the upcoming week.
Steve Austin's first wrestling opponent, Frogman Leblanc, has died at age 73. In 1989, Leblanc faced Austin in his debut match in World Class Championship Wrestling. Leblanc, who entered wrestling at age 35, also appeared in matches with other well-known wrestlers like Sting.
Key Facts
Frogman Leblanc died on January 3rd at age 73.
Leblanc was Steve Austin's first opponent in a 1989 match.
The match took place under World Class Championship Wrestling.
Leblanc also wrestled against Sting and The Great Muta.
He began his wrestling career at 35 years old.
Leblanc sent a video to UWF after seeing an ad, which led to his wrestling training.
He helped guide Steve Austin during their match, as Austin was then a rookie.
The Minnesota Timberwolves observed a moment of silence for Renee Good, who was recently killed by a US immigration agent, before their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Timberwolves won the game 131-122, continuing their winning streak. Additionally, the Indiana Pacers ended a 13-game losing run, and the Chicago Bulls' game was postponed due to court issues.
Key Facts
The Minnesota Timberwolves held a moment of silence for Renee Good, who was shot and killed by a US immigration agent.
This moment took place before their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Timberwolves won the game with a score of 131-122.
Julius Randle contributed significantly with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Indiana Pacers ended a long losing streak by winning against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Pacers’ coach, Rick Carlisle, celebrated his 1,000th career win.
The Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat game was postponed due to condensation on the court.
The postponement was agreed upon by the NBA, game officials, and both teams.
The Utah Jazz ended a five-game losing streak by beating the Dallas Mavericks 116-114, with Lauri Markkanen scoring 33 points. In another game, the Indiana Pacers beat the Charlotte Hornets 114-112, ending their own 13-game losing streak. The Minnesota Timberwolves also achieved a victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning 121-109.
Key Facts
Lauri Markkanen scored 33 points for the Utah Jazz.
Utah Jazz won 116-114 against the Dallas Mavericks, ending a five-game losing streak.
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 114-112, stopping a 13-game losing streak.
Pascal Siakam scored 30 points for the Pacers, including the winning shot.
The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-109.
Julius Randle scored 28 points for Minnesota, and Anthony Edwards reached 10,000 career points.
The Mavericks had 20 turnovers in their loss to the Jazz.
LaMelo Ball scored 33 points for the Hornets in his first game off the bench since the 2020-21 season.
Macclesfield football club is preparing for a major FA Cup match against Crystal Palace, but the event is marked by sadness due to the recent death of their player, Ethan McLeod, in a car accident. The team is focusing on honoring McLeod's memory as they face this significant game.
Key Facts
Macclesfield is playing against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round.
The game is one of the biggest events in Macclesfield’s recent history.
Ethan McLeod, a player for Macclesfield, died in a car accident on December 16.
McLeod was traveling alone after a match when the accident happened.
The team learned about McLeod's involvement in the accident a day later.
Macclesfield’s manager, John Rooney, informed the team about McLeod’s death personally.
A flag honoring McLeod and a book of condolence is set up at the club ground.
McLeod had scored three goals in seven appearances for Macclesfield before his death.
A new movie called "Giant" tells the story of boxer Prince Naseem Hamed and his former trainer Brendan Ingle. The film explores their relationship and how it changed over time. Hamed regrets never making peace with Ingle before he passed away.
Key Facts
"Giant" is a film about boxer Prince Naseem Hamed and his trainer Brendan Ingle.
Pierce Brosnan and Amir El-Masry star in the movie, which premiered in the UK.
Hamed became a world featherweight champion under Ingle's guidance.
Their relationship ended badly due to disagreements over Ingle's share of Hamed's earnings and a controversial book.
Hamed tried to reconnect with Ingle, but it never happened before Ingle died in 2018.
The movie shows an imagined reconciliation between Hamed and Ingle.
Actor El-Masry studied Hamed's mannerisms closely for his role in the film.
The New York Yankees have offered Cody Bellinger, a free agent outfielder, over $30 million per year to stay with the team. The main issue in negotiations is the length of the contract, as Bellinger wants a seven-year deal. Other teams, including the New York Mets and his former teams, the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers, are also interested in signing him.
Key Facts
The Yankees offered Cody Bellinger more than $30 million per year.
Bellinger wants a seven-year contract, which is causing a delay in agreement.
Other interested teams include the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Bellinger had a good season with the Yankees, performing well at Yankee Stadium.
Bellinger is known for strong defense and good presence in the team's lineup.
The Yankees have been actively trying to re-sign Bellinger.
His advanced batting stats were not outstanding, but his defense and running were strong.
The Yankees see retaining Bellinger as an important move for their team.
The Miami Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel after four seasons with a 35-33 record. The Dolphins aim to hire John Harbaugh, recently released by the Baltimore Ravens, in their effort to revamp the team. The franchise is also searching for a new general manager and is considering candidates familiar with Harbaugh.
Key Facts
Mike McDaniel was fired by the Miami Dolphins after four seasons as head coach.
McDaniel had a 35-33 record with the team.
The Dolphins are looking to hire John Harbaugh, who was recently fired by the Baltimore Ravens.
The Dolphins are interviewing general manager candidates, including Los Angeles Chargers' assistant GM Chad Alexander.
Chad Alexander has previously worked with Harbaugh at the Baltimore Ravens.
The Dolphins want a general manager that aligns well with Harbaugh's preferences.
The team believes they have strong alternative coaching options if Harbaugh does not join.
The Dolphins are undergoing leadership changes under owner Stephen M. Ross and aim to improve for future success.
Ole Miss lost to Miami in a close football game during the College Football Playoff. There was some disagreement over a referee call at the end of the game. Lane Kiffin, a former Ole Miss coach, voiced his opinion on social media about the officiating and praised his former team.
Key Facts
The game was part of the College Football Playoff and took place in Glendale, Arizona.
Miami Hurricanes defeated Ole Miss Rebels to advance to the national championship.
A last-minute play involved some controversy over a non-called penalty.
Lane Kiffin, former Ole Miss coach, criticized the referees on social media.
Kiffin expressed pride in Ole Miss's performance this season.
Speculation arose about player transfers following the game.
The transfer portal for college players closes on January 16, 2026.
During a match between Arsenal and Liverpool, Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal apologized for pushing injured Liverpool player Conor Bradley off the field. The incident happened after Bradley hurt his knee, which led to a confrontation between players. While Martinelli faced criticism for his actions, he stated he did not realize Bradley's injury was serious at the time.
Key Facts
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli pushed Liverpool's Conor Bradley during a match, trying to continue play.
Bradley injured his knee and was later taken off the field on a stretcher.
The push led to a skirmish between players, and both Martinelli and Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate received yellow cards.
Martinelli apologized on social media, saying he was unaware of Bradley's serious injury.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot suggested that general time-wasting in football may have influenced Martinelli's actions.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described Martinelli as "incredible" and without bad intentions.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Bradley's teammate, stated Bradley was in too much pain to be faking an injury.
Arsenal is currently six points ahead in the league standings.
The Miami Hurricanes defeated Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff semifinals, becoming the first double-digit seed to advance to the national title game. The Hurricanes will play for the championship at their home stadium, marking a rare accomplishment without having won their conference.
Key Facts
The Miami Hurricanes won the College Football Playoff semifinal against Ole Miss.
This victory makes them the first double-digit seed to reach the national championship game.
The game featured a tight contest with several lead changes in the fourth quarter.
Miami will compete for the national title at their home stadium.
The team has never won their current conference, the ACC, yet they are playing in the title game.
Miami previously made it to a national title game when they were part of the Big East conference.
The Hurricanes await the winner of the Peach Bowl between Indiana Hoosiers and Oregon Ducks for their opponent in the final.
During the Fiesta Bowl between Ole Miss and Miami, former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart speculated about the next head coach for the New York Giants. The Giants are looking for a new head coach, and Dart mentioned John Harbaugh and Kevin Stefanski as possible candidates.
Key Facts
The Ole Miss Rebels played against the Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl.
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss's former quarterback, talked about potential new head coaches for the New York Giants.
The New York Giants are searching for a new head coach after firing Brian Daboll.
Dart mentioned John Harbaugh, recently fired by the Baltimore Ravens, as a possible candidate.
Dart also speculated about Kevin Stefanski, recently let go by the Cleveland Browns.
The Giants had a 4-13 record, finishing last in the NFC East in the recent season.
Other NFL teams, like the Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders, are also looking for new head coaches.
Miami Hurricanes won against the Ole Miss Rebels in a College Football Playoff semifinal game with a score of 31-27. Lane Kiffin, a former Ole Miss coach, missed out on a $250,000 bonus because of the Rebels' loss. Kiffin had already moved to LSU, where he will now focus on building his new team.
Key Facts
Miami won the game with a last-minute touchdown by quarterback Carson Beck.
Lane Kiffin previously coached Ole Miss and left the team to coach at LSU.
Kiffin would have received a $250,000 bonus if Ole Miss had won the game.
Despite his departure, Kiffin still receives bonuses tied to Ole Miss' postseason performance.
Ole Miss is now led by head coach Pete Golding, who took over after Kiffin's departure.
Kiffin's influence on Ole Miss is notable, having built a strong roster over his six-year tenure.
The game was part of the College Football Playoff semifinals.
The Miami Hurricanes won the Fiesta Bowl against Ole Miss, securing a place in the National Championship Game. Fans can now purchase official College Football Playoff gear featuring the Hurricanes.
Key Facts
The Miami Hurricanes won 31-27 against Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl.
This victory allows the Hurricanes to compete in the National Championship Game.
Miami's performance included strong offense and defense, demonstrating the team's skills.
The win highlighted Miami's reputation as a top college football team.
Official merchandise such as hats and t-shirts is available for purchase.
The Fanatics website offers these items and updates the selection regularly.
Liverpool played against Arsenal, drawing in a match where they were the better team in the second half but couldn't score. The team is on a 10-game unbeaten run but is struggling to create scoring chances, which is a concern for them this season. Despite defensive strengths, they have not been able to effectively convert possession into goals.
Key Facts
Liverpool has not lost in their last 10 matches.
They played to a draw against Arsenal, who are currently leading the Premier League.
Liverpool dominated possession in the second half with 66%.
The team lacked a main goal-scoring player in the match.
They have not managed a shot on target in a Premier League game since 2010.
This season, Liverpool's average goals per game have dropped compared to previous seasons.
Their total shots and shots on target have also decreased compared to past performances.
Liverpool's current coach, Arne Slot, mentioned struggles against defensive playing styles.
Anthony Davis, a player for the Dallas Mavericks, left a game against the Utah Jazz due to a possible left-hand injury. This adds to his challenges this season, as he has missed many games due to previous injuries. There is speculation about Davis possibly being traded before the trade deadline.
Key Facts
Anthony Davis left the game against the Utah Jazz with a possible left-hand injury.
Davis played 35 minutes, scoring 21 points with 11 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block.
The Mavericks lost to the Jazz 116-114, falling to a 14-24 record for the season.
Davis previously missed most of November due to an injury.
Since his trade to the Mavericks, Davis has played in 19 games this season.
Davis is averaging 20.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game.
There are rumors about a potential trade, with the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks mentioned as possible teams.
The NBA postponed a game between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls at the United Center due to unsafe playing conditions caused by condensation on the court. The issue was linked to warm, rainy weather and a previous hockey game at the venue. It marked the first such postponement in nearly ten years.
Key Facts
The NBA postponed the Bulls vs. Heat game because the court was too slippery.
Condensation on the court was caused by warm weather and a previous hockey game.
Attempts to fix the issue lasted over 90 minutes but were unsuccessful.
The delay was around 1 hour and 46 minutes before the decision to postpone.
A new date for the game hasn't been decided yet due to scheduling conflicts.
The United Center is unavailable the following day due to another event.
Similar issues happened in the 2016-17 NBA season with games in Minnesota and Philadelphia.
