Palestine's national football team will play against Saudi Arabia in the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup. Palestine has already achieved significant success by reaching the knockout stages of another major tournament for the first time.
Key Facts
Palestine finished first in their group during the opening round of the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup.
Palestine will face Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on Thursday.
Earlier this year, Palestine reached the knockout stages of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time.
Palestine defeated Qatar, who were the hosts and favorites, leading to Qatar's elimination in the group stage.
Saudi Arabia surprised many by defeating Argentina, the eventual champions, during the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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Ace Alston, a top defensive back from Ohio, announced he will play college football for Notre Dame. Alston's decision went viral when he chose Notre Dame over other schools like LSU and Ohio State by using a creative announcement involving a bowl of Lucky Charms cereal.
Key Facts
Ace Alston is a highly regarded defensive back from Cincinnati, Ohio.
He was recruited by several schools, including Auburn, Arkansas, LSU, Ohio State, and USC.
Alston is a 5-foot-11 cornerback known for his speed and intensity.
He chose Notre Dame over staying in Ohio to play for local colleges.
His announcement involved snubbing hats of other schools and using a bowl of cereal before revealing his choice.
Alston is noted as a multi-sport athlete with promising potential for Notre Dame's team.
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The Indianapolis Colts have signed retired quarterback Philip Rivers to their practice squad amid injury issues with their current quarterbacks. Rivers, who last played in the 2020 season, might play again as the Colts struggle with injuries to their main quarterbacks. Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, who knows Rivers well, commented on his potential return to play.
Key Facts
The Colts are aiming for an AFC wild-card spot but lost starter Daniel Jones to an Achilles injury.
Philip Rivers, a retired quarterback, joined the Colts' practice squad after being pulled out of retirement.
Rivers last played in the 2020 NFL season.
Rivers has been seen practicing with the team, raising speculation about his return to active games.
Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell noted Rivers’ continued readiness and experience.
Other Colts quarterbacks are either injured or inexperienced, prompting the move to consider Rivers.
There is a general interest in whether Rivers will be able to play at the same level as before retirement.
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Nine athletes from Russia and Belarus can now compete in the qualifying events for the 2026 Winter Olympics as neutral athletes. A sports court lifted the initial ban by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, allowing them to participate under specific conditions that don't involve representing their countries.
Key Facts
Nine Russian and Belarusian athletes will compete as neutral athletes in Winter Olympics qualifying events.
The athletes were initially banned by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation.
A sports court lifted the ban last week, allowing their participation.
The athletes will compete under the status of Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) and not under their national flags.
The Russian Ski Association and Belarusian Ski Union successfully appealed the initial ban.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport partially supported the appeals and allowed the athletes to compete.
More athletes may receive permission as further eligibility reviews are conducted.
Since 2022, many sports have banned Russian and Belarusian athletes following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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There is tension between Notre Dame and the ACC due to the way the conference promoted Miami over Notre Dame in college football. Notre Dame's athletic director doesn't think an apology is enough to fix the relationship. The ACC's email campaign accidentally included Notre Dame in messages intended for other schools.
Key Facts
Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, mentioned that an apology from the ACC may not be enough to repair their relationship.
The College Football Playoff selection committee ranked Miami above Notre Dame, causing some controversy.
An ACC email campaign accidentally included Notre Dame in communications intended to promote other schools, which upset Notre Dame officials.
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips stated that they support all 17 football-playing member schools, but Notre Dame is unique because it is not a full football member.
The ACC showed respect for Notre Dame, emphasizing the complexity of its role within the conference.
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The NFL announced a change to its draft process starting in 2026, reducing the time for team selections in the first round from 10 minutes to 8 minutes. This adjustment is meant to shorten the event's duration.
Key Facts
The NFL draft will have a new rule in 2026 about how long teams have to pick players in the first round.
Teams will now have 8 minutes instead of 10 minutes to make their first-round choice.
This change was informed to all 32 NFL teams.
The goal is to shorten the length of the draft, which usually finishes late at night on the East Coast.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned the possibility of this change earlier in Green Bay.
The draft has become a major event, attracting viewers and fans from around the world.
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Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the 2025 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. Mendoza is also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, as his team prepares for the College Football Playoff. He finished the season with notable performance statistics, and he's considered a top pick for the upcoming NFL draft.
Key Facts
Fernando Mendoza is the quarterback for the Indiana Hoosiers football team.
Mendoza won the 2025 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.
He is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
Indiana went undefeated in the regular season and won the conference championship.
Mendoza ended the season with 3,220 total yards and 40 touchdowns (39 passing, 1 rushing).
He is the first Hispanic winner of the Walter Camp Award since 1970.
Mendoza is predicted to be one of the top three picks in the NFL draft.
The Hoosiers are the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff and have a bye for the first round.
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Newsweek offers a special promotion for new users who sign up with the Betr promo code, giving them up to $210 in bonuses for NBA Cup games and NFL picks. Users can participate in daily fantasy plays for NBA games like Suns vs. Thunder, and Spurs vs. Lakers, and also for the NFL game between the Falcons and Buccaneers. The promotion involves making picks for sports players and includes a deposit match offer.
Key Facts
You can get $210 in bonuses by signing up with the Betr promo code on Newsweek for NBA Cup games.
The bonus includes an immediate $10 bonus and up to $200 more from a 50% deposit match.
The NBA Cup games tonight feature the Suns vs. Thunder and Spurs vs. Lakers.
Players to watch include Devin Booker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic.
There's also an opportunity to make picks for the NFL game between the Falcons and Buccaneers.
New users must create an account, enter the promo code, and provide basic personal information.
A dynamic or perfect play option allows for different levels of risk and reward in picks.
Newsweek earns an affiliate commission if users sign up through their links.
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The New York Yankees are considering a trade with the Texas Rangers for their star shortstop, Corey Seager. Seager has been with the Rangers since 2022 and has six years left on his $325 million contract. The Yankees need help at the shortstop position after struggles from their player Anthony Volpe.
Key Facts
The Yankees are interested in acquiring Corey Seager from the Rangers.
Corey Seager, 31, joined the Rangers in 2022 after playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Seager has performed well with the Rangers, showcasing a batting average of .278 and hitting 117 home runs over his time.
The Rangers are considering trading some expensive players, like Seager, as they have already traded Marcus Semien.
Seager’s contract has six years left, worth $325 million, which the Yankees can afford.
Yankees’ shortstop Anthony Volpe struggled last season with a .212 batting average.
The Yankees' manager, Aaron Boone, mentioned possibly giving shortstop duties to another player, Jose Caballero.
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Mohamed Salah, a forward for Liverpool, is being targeted by clubs in the Saudi Pro League, according to the league's chief executive Omar Mugharbel. Salah has had a public disagreement with Liverpool's manager, Arne Slot, leading to speculation about his future at the club. Reports suggest that Saudi clubs are interested in signing Salah, emphasizing existing interest marked by a previous bid.
Key Facts
Mohamed Salah is a target for Saudi Pro League clubs, confirmed by the league's chief executive.
Salah, 33, was left out of a recent Liverpool game due to disagreements with manager Arne Slot.
Salah has expressed frustration about being blamed for Liverpool's performance issues.
Despite tensions, Liverpool's manager denies a complete breakdown with Salah and leaves room for his return.
Salah signed a two-year contract extension with Liverpool in April.
A bid of £150 million from Al-Ittihad for Salah was rejected by Liverpool in 2023.
Steven Gerrard, former Liverpool captain, commented on Salah's emotional reaction, drawing parallels to past player-manager disagreements at Liverpool.
Salah has been a central figure in Liverpool's recent successes, including two Premier League titles.
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Michigan Wolverines have decided to fire head coach Sherrone Moore. This decision comes after an investigation found Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
Key Facts
Michigan Wolverines have fired head coach Sherrone Moore.
Moore led the team to a 9-3 record in 2023.
The decision was made because Moore violated a policy of the football program.
An investigation found credible evidence of Moore's inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
The firing is effective immediately, and Moore was terminated with cause.
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The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver, Puka Nacua, was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 14 after an impressive performance against the Arizona Cardinals, with seven catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns. This is the second time Nacua has received this honor this season. Through 12 games, Nacua ranks high in the NFL for receptions, receiving yards, and targets.
Key Facts
Puka Nacua plays for the Los Angeles Rams and is a wide receiver.
He was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Week 14.
During the game against the Arizona Cardinals, Nacua had seven catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
This is Nacua's second time receiving the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award this season.
Nacua also won the award in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts.
So far this season, Nacua is tied for the NFL lead in receptions with 93.
He ranks second in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,186 through 12 games.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford praised the team's disciplined play after their win over the Cardinals.
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The Orlando Magic advanced to the NBA Cup semifinals after defeating the Miami Heat. Desmond Bane, a player for the Magic, led the scoring and commented on his recent $35,000 fine following an incident in a previous game. The Magic will play the New York Knicks in the upcoming semifinals.
Key Facts
The Orlando Magic beat the Miami Heat 117-108 to reach the NBA Cup semifinals.
Desmond Bane scored 37 points, making him the top scorer in the game.
Bane received a $35,000 fine after an incident with Knicks forward OG Anunoby during a previous game.
The incident involved Bane throwing a ball at Anunoby, leading to a technical foul.
Players in the NBA Cup receive prize money based on their progress in the tournament.
The Magic will face the New York Knicks in the semifinal match.
Bane averages 19.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game over 25 games this season.
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The Toronto Blue Jays picked Hedbert Perez, a former top prospect of the Milwaukee Brewers, in the Rule 5 draft. Perez, an outfielder, will now play for the Blue Jays' Triple-A team in Buffalo.
Key Facts
The Blue Jays selected Hedbert Perez in the Rule 5 draft.
Perez is an outfielder and was a former top prospect for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Perez is 22 years old and played five minor league seasons for the Brewers.
He hit 14 home runs in 88 games last season.
Perez has a career batting line of .224/.300/.397 in the minor leagues.
The Brewers had better outfield prospects, which limited Perez’s opportunities.
Perez's signing bonus with the Brewers in 2019 was $700,000.
He was the Brewers' No. 20 prospect in 2023 according to MLB Pipeline.
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The Boston Red Sox were interested in signing New York Mets player Pete Alonso but missed out when he reportedly joined the Baltimore Orioles. The Red Sox are now considering going after Bo Bichette from the Toronto Blue Jays, who may become a free agent soon. Bichette is expected to sign a significant $189 million contract this offseason.
Key Facts
The Red Sox wanted to sign Pete Alonso, but he joined the Orioles.
The team is now looking at Bo Bichette from the Blue Jays.
Bichette could sign a deal worth $189 million.
Bichette had an impressive season despite an injury.
The Red Sox need strong players because other teams in their division are improving.
The Blue Jays might sign Kyle Tucker, which could make Bichette available.
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Kansas City Chiefs player Xavier Worthy spoke about the challenges players face with media interactions after a postgame interview incident. Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had an awkward exchange with ESPN reporter Laura Rutledge when he initially avoided her questions to celebrate with his team. The incident sparked discussions about the required media access for NFL players.
Key Facts
Kansas City Chiefs player Xavier Worthy shared his views on player-media interactions, explaining the difficulty players face when interviewed after games.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had an awkward postgame interview moment after a game with ESPN reporter Laura Rutledge.
Herbert initially avoided Rutledge's questions, saying he wanted to celebrate with his team.
The interaction was captured live on TV and led to online discussions about its nature.
Rutledge later commented on social media, referring to the incident as "a rough day at the office."
NFL players are required to be available to the media postgame according to league policy.
The incident has led to renewed discussions about media access and player privacy.
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The Buffalo Bills announced that quarterback Josh Allen was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this season. Allen helped lead the team to a recent victory over the Cincinnati Bengals and is preparing for a rematch against the New England Patriots. The Bills are currently in a strong position in their division.
Key Facts
The Buffalo Bills won a recent game against the Cincinnati Bengals with a score of 39-34.
The team's record is now 9 wins and 4 losses.
Josh Allen, the Bills' quarterback, completed 22 out of 28 passes for 251 yards and scored three touchdowns in the game.
Allen also rushed for 78 yards and an additional touchdown.
The Bills announced on social media that Allen was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
This is the third time this season and the 18th time in his career that Allen has received this honor.
The Bills are set to play a rematch against the New England Patriots, who have an 11-2 record.
The previous game between the Bills and the Patriots ended with the Patriots winning 23-20.
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The Indianapolis Colts brought quarterback Philip Rivers out of retirement as an emergency measure due to injuries to their current quarterbacks. However, Riley Leonard's recovery may prevent Rivers from starting in upcoming games. Leonard's improved health means he could be the starting quarterback soon.
Key Facts
The Indianapolis Colts signed Philip Rivers to the practice squad due to other quarterbacks being injured.
Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles and Anthony Richardson is on injured reserve.
Riley Leonard showed progress in practice, which might make him the starting quarterback.
Philip Rivers is 44 years old and last played five years ago.
Rivers' return affects his Hall of Fame eligibility, delaying it by five more years.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen said they need to see Rivers' progress before deciding if he will start.
There is uncertainty about Rivers starting due to his need to learn the playbook.
Leonard's recovery suggests he may start over Rivers, at least for now.
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The Yankees lost their 22-year-old pitcher, Sean Hermann, to the Seattle Mariners during the Rule 5 minor league draft. Hermann had been with the Yankees since 2021 and is now joining a team known for developing pitchers.
Key Facts
Sean Hermann joined the Seattle Mariners from the Yankees in the Rule 5 Draft.
Hermann is a right-handed pitcher and was 22 years old when drafted.
He started with the Yankees organization in 2021 as an 18-year-old.
Hermann was not on the Yankees' Triple-A roster, making him eligible to be picked in the draft.
He pitched in three seasons with the Yankees, reaching High-A level by 2023.
Hermann spent 2024 on the injured list and mostly played in Single-A.
His best season was in 2022, with a 2.52 ERA in 10 starts.
The Yankees selected him in the 14th round of the 2021 MLB Draft from Durant High School.
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A'ja Wilson won the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year award in 2025 after securing her fourth WNBA MVP and leading the Las Vegas Aces to their third championship in four years. She became the fifth basketball player to receive this award, following an impressive season where she led the league in points and blocks per game. Wilson's efforts in the playoffs helped the Aces win the WNBA Finals.
Key Facts
A'ja Wilson won her fourth WNBA MVP award in 2025.
She led her team, the Las Vegas Aces, to a third championship in four seasons.
Wilson was named the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year for the first time.
Only four other basketball players have won this award since 1931.
Wilson received 17 votes from a group of 47 sports journalists.
She was the first in WNBA or NBA history to win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP, and lead the league in scoring in the same season.
The Las Vegas Aces finished strong with a 16-game winning streak before winning the championship.
Wilson had a standout season leading the league with 23.4 points and 2.3 blocks per game.
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