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We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
LeRoy Irvin, a former cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams and a two-time Pro Bowl selectee, has died at the age of 68. The news was confirmed by his former teammate and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Eric Dickerson.
Dickerson, who shared the field with Irvin for five seasons during his remarkable tenure with the Rams, expressed his sorrow over Irvin’s passing through an Instagram post on Thursday. He revealed that he was “devastated to hear about” the recent news.
“LeRoy was more than just a formidable corner and a fierce rival on the field; he was a genuine friend and an outstanding man who consistently radiated tremendous energy,” Dickerson shared. “Rest in peace, my brother. My thoughts and prayers are with the Irvin family and all of Rams Nation.”
Accompanying his heartfelt message, Dickerson posted a photograph of him and Irvin beaming at an event hosted by Dickerson’s foundation.
Irvin embarked on his journey with the Rams in 1980, when the team drafted him as the 70th overall pick. Throughout his 11-season career in Los Angeles, he was a starter in 104 games.
He finished his career with one season in Detroit.
Irvin compiled 35 interceptions during his time in the NFL and was named a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro on two separate occasions.
Further details surrounding his passing were not disclosed.
– Rabbis demand an apology from Mamdani, calling his actions monstrous – Orthodox Jew alleges California city penalized him for hosting prayer meetings at home – Commentator from MS NOW describes Mamdani’s primary victory as a frightening event for NYC Jews
With mounting anger, more than 700 rabbis are calling on New York City’s Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, to issue an apology after referring to AIPAC in discussions about so-called “dark money.” Critics argue that equating AIPAC with Jewish people taps into age-old antisemitic tropes, which potentially endangers the Jewish community. Mamdani defends his statement as philosophical discourse, but community leaders condemn it as a dangerous expression of prejudice.
On March 19, 2026, New York City’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the audience at Middle Collegiate Church during a press conference.(Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images)
California State Senator Scott Wiener, campaigning for Congress, expressed to CBS News’ Major Garrett that activists at San Francisco’s Trans March crossed into intimidation territory, blurring the line between mere protest and coercive tactics.
In Irvine, Rabbi Rafi Dadon is considering a significant legal challenge against the city after accruing a staggering $5,000 in penalties for organizing prayer gatherings in his home. Lawyers specializing in religious freedom criticize the zoning enforcement as an illegal attempt to suppress religious activities. The religious community is prepared to stand its ground against what they perceive as governmental overreach.
Zohran Mamdani’s anti-Israel socialist squad just staged a . Far-left darlings Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier, and Claire Valdez crushed incumbent Dems Dan Goldman and Adriano Espaillat. With deep-blue seats locked down for November, critics are panicking over a “genuinely scary night for Jews” as the squad rockets toward Capitol Hill.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed state Assembly Member Claire Valdez in the Democratic primary for New York’s 7th Congressional District.(Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images ; Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images)
: A clueless Massachusetts principal is facing severe backlash after who felt “unseen” and “unsafe” during a Holocaust history lesson. Critics are absolutely eviscerating Dr. Johnny Cole for prioritizing hurt feelings over factual education, arguing that teaching the Nazi genocide of six million Jews shouldn’t require a politically correct apology.
: Top United Nations official Vanessa Frazier is facing a after spreading a sick, fake-news blood libel against Israel on social media. Frazier eagerly reposted a vile lie claiming Israelis drop bombs disguised as toys to murder children—originally posted by a UK activist facing terror charges for backing Hamas. Critics slam it as “farcical” gullibility.
: Heather Johnston, founder and president of U.S. Israel Education Association, writes that the is not a temporary, transactional diplomatic contract, but a deep “covenantal” relationship rooted in shared moral DNA and the Hebrew Scriptures.
“The point of Holocaust education is not to protect Muslim students’ feelings, or whatever this claptrap suggests. It’s not about them.” – Fox News analyst Guy Benson, after teacher apologizes to Muslim students for teaching about the Holocaust.
– Looking for more on this topic? Find more antisemitism coverage from Fox News here.
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It was a moment that left many in shock, breaking numerous hearts while simultaneously confirming widespread suspicions.
For almost two years, fans followed the enchanting narrative of a pop icon intertwined with her athletic beau. However, for those devoted to the journey of their relationship, the revelation that it might all be an orchestrated ruse struck a chord.
On September 3, 2024, a photo emerged on Reddit, allegedly showcasing documents haphazardly left by an employee at Travis Kelce’s public relations firm, Full Scope Public Relations.
Under the title Comprehensive Media Plan for Travis Kelce’s Public Relations Following Breakup with Taylor Swift, the instant these images surfaced, they sent both admirers and detractors into a frenzy.
Kelce’s team swiftly dismissed the so-called ‘contract’ as ‘completely false and fabricated,’ announcing their intentions to seek legal counsel and promising to unravel the threads of this malicious fiction.
Within days, denials had been issued from both camps.
But the contract sent shockwaves through the pop culture ecosystem, blindsiding millions of fans who were deeply invested in this particular love story.
For those who had always been skeptical of Swift’s many high-profile romances, it seemed proof of a relationship built for public performance and Swift’s carefully curated image – mutually beneficial but based on nothing more heartfelt than a marketing strategy.
Swifties everywhere had fallen in love with the love story of the pop princess with her football-playing hunk
Titled Comprehensive Media Plan for Travis Kelce’s Public Relations Following Breakup with Taylor Swift, a contract that was posted online seemed to have exposed the couple as a cynical scam
The picture was uploaded to Reddit in 2024, purporting to be of documents carelessly left on the desk of an employee of Travis Kelce’s publicists, Full Scope Public Relations
There was even a date set to announce the split – September 28, 2024.
Three days post that fateful date, an official statement would be issued, by which time, the document reasoned, the ‘initial media frenzy’ would have settled down and ‘clarity’ would be restored.
The announcement was to be ‘gracious, respectful and stress mutual respect.’ In other words, on brand.
‘Example,’ the writing went. ‘Travis and Taylor have decided to part ways after careful consideration. They both value and respect each other’s personal lives and appreciate your respect for privacy during this time.’
The irony of a PR plea for ‘privacy’ was not lost.
Both, the statement would continue, remained ‘committed to their careers and personal growth.’ As well, it added for good measure, continuing to be friends who ‘wish each other the best.’
The breakup would be framed as a ‘natural part of life’ – and who could be unaware of Swift’s familiarity with just how natural, given her lengthy list of exes, each of whom spawned a career-defining track or album.
But a representative for Full Scope was categorical: ‘These documents are entirely false and fabricated and were not created, issued or authorized by this agency.’
They went on to note that the PR agency had contacted Reddit’s legal team ‘to initiate proceedings against the individuals or entities responsible for the unlawful and injurious forgery of documents.’
Of course, with the couple’s impending nuptials, any lingering doubts as to the veracity of the relationship have been well and truly laid to rest.
But one that is very far from settled is the question of who perpetrated the stunt in the first place.
At the time, Swifties took matters into their own hands, turning to the Internet to try and decipher who was behind it.
While many of Swift’s loyal fans had theorized early on that the document was fake due to the language and writing style used, many were incensed that someone would try to undermine this longed-for ‘happily ever after.’
Multiple online forums and social media posts by fans were devoted to trying to unearth the identity of the creator. Given the Swifties’ legendary tenacity, it is something of a miracle that the guilty party has, so far, managed to remain anonymous despite providing what was perhaps the most dramatic plot point in this love story.
Swift and Kelce have been rich fodder for Swifties’ romantic dreams since the summer of 2023, when rumors began swirling that the two might be linked.
Taylor Swift’s wedding: Read all the top stories
Representatives later declared: ‘These documents are entirely false and fabricated and were not created, issued or authorized by this agency’
Of course, with the couple’s impending nuptials any lingering doubts as to the veracity of the relationship have been well and truly laid to rest
At the time Swifties, took matters into their own hands, turning to the Internet to try and decipher who was behind it
Swift and Kelce have been rich fodder for Swifties’ romantic dreams since the summer of 2023, when rumors began swirling that the two might be linked
Kelce revealed his own thwarted bid to engineer a meeting at an Eras concert in July of that year, telling his brother Jason on their podcast, New Heights, that he had naively hoped to hand the star a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it.
Just two months later, the couple confirmed their romance when, in September, Swift watched the tight end play a game in Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium from his family’s personal suite.
After two years of dating, Kelce proposed to Swift in August 2025 with an eye-poppingly large custom Artifex Fine Jewelry diamond engagement ring.
He turned the backyard of the Kansas City house he bought with Swift in mind into an Arcadian idyll, festooned with her favorite flowers and Swift announced to the world with a joint Instagram post captioned archly: ‘Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.’
Perhaps it’s surprising that Swift, who’s long chafed at the outsize scrutiny on her personal life, should have chosen to celebrate her marriage in the ‘World’s most famous arena.’
But the location allows her and her lover to have tight control over security and optics – the venue is windowless and has an entrance that shields the couple and their undoubtedly buzzy guests from the public eye.
As for the author of that mystery contract, they remain a ghost. But one thing is certain – the only contract these two will be signing is a pre-nup.
In a tragic incident in Irving, Texas, an undocumented immigrant is facing charges for allegedly fatally striking a man on a scooter twice while driving under the influence.
The individual at the center of this case has been identified as Noe Ibarra Cedeno, age 36, as reported by Fox 4 on Tuesday.
The deadly accident occurred in the early hours of June 19, shortly before 3 a.m., on the 2800 block of Cantrell Street. During this time, 31-year-old Tony Vasquez was traversing the area on his motorized scooter.
Authorities allege that after first hitting Vasquez, Cedeno made a U-turn and ran over him again before leaving the scene.
Vasquez was rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas with multiple broken bones, internal injuries, and significant head trauma. Sadly, he later died as a result of these injuries, as reported by WFAA.
Officers tracked down the suspect’s Honda Civic near the scene and eventually located Cedeno who, according to reports, told them he drank several beers while watching a World Cup game before he got behind the wheel.
An arrest affidavit said, “He stated that upon leaving, he hit something with his vehicle, but did not know what it was, and later believed he had hit a person. The defendant turned around and drove back through the scene, not seeing anything, but running over something again.”
Cedeno is being held on a combined $350,000 bond and the charges against him include Intoxication Manslaughter with a Vehicle, Collision Involving Death, Intoxication Assault with a Vehicle Causing Serious Bodily Injury, and Collision Involving Serious Bodily Injury.
The Fox article said, “Records also show that an immigration hold has been placed on Cedeno by federal authorities for being in the United States illegally.”
The victim and his father played in a band called Banana Show together. His father, Julio, said of their family’s loss, “It’s just terrible. I mean, somebody to do that, you know, has to be crazy, has to be an animal.”
The young man’s father also told NBC 5, “My heart is broken in a thousand pieces. He [Ibarra] killed someone that had a lot of plans in his life. I just want justice. I believe in Texas law. I hope he pays for what he did because they need to put him in jail forever because we don’t want him on the street.”
On what appeared to be the victim’s Facebook page, Vasquez wrote in a post on June 18 regarding the World Cup, “I was born in America, I represent America. Let’s freaking go. I’m proud of my country and love that the Europeans and the world love our food. Texas has the best BBQ and yes ranch is crack.”
In January, – News reported, “Texas’s new immigration‑enforcement law hit the state like a shockwave this morning, wiping out any remaining sanctuary‑style defiance by ordering every county sheriff to partner with ICE formally. The mandatory 287(g) crackdown is designed to hard‑wire deportation cooperation into every jail from the Panhandle to the Rio Grande.”
The outlet later reported in March that ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Houston issued detainers for a pair of Mexican nationals arrested for intoxication manslaughter.
“This, as ICE Houston wrapped up a year of aggressive enforcement targeting criminal illegal aliens with repeated drunk‑driving convictions,” the article read.
Another Hollywood icon bids farewell to Tinseltown.
Actor Dennis Quaid has decided to make his departure from Los Angeles official, listing his Brentwood Hills residence on the market for $5.2 million. This comes amid his critiques of the area, stating it has been on the decline.
The expansive home, featuring five bedrooms and six bathrooms over a sprawling 4,000 square feet, is on the market as more celebrities consider leaving California. The reasons cited range from inadequate wildfire management to discontent with the state’s liberal policies.
Real estate details highlight the property as “pristine” and fully renovated, describing it as a warm, contemporary style two-story home situated on a peaceful cul-de-sac in the sought-after Brentwood Hills area.
The backyard of the house boasts a sleek pool, accompanied by a patio perfect for lounging, and a terrace ideal for stargazing. Throughout the interior, a consistent theme of white and timber accents adds to its refined charm.
“The Substance” actor is listing his house for $1.3 million more than he bought it for back in 2017, but he’s still taking a six-figure loss due to inflation.
The listing comes a month after Quaid showed optimism about Los Angeles mayoral loser Spencer Pratt.
“Go, Spencer Pratt,” Quaid said when asked about the LA mayor’s race. When asked why, Quaid appeared puzzled.
“Why? What are you talking about, why? Just look around, man,” he laughed.
Quaid has said LA isn’t what it once was.
“It used to be such a great town and the ’90s was nice. And then it’s been kind of going downhill and I feel like people pay these taxes for no services is what it gets down to,” he told Fox News.
“And then fire happens and it kind of exposes all those things that go on that should be taken care of,” he continued. “So people are — people are angry and half angry, and they’re half kind of feel like giving up, to tell you the truth.”
Quaid had been a resident of both Tennessee and Los Angeles, with his primary residence in the Volunteer State.
Quaid joins a long list of prime Hollywood stars who have left the area in recent years, including Mark Wahlberg, Dean Cain and Nicole Kidman.
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Tragedy has struck a New Jersey family as authorities unravel the shocking murder of a beloved mother and psychotherapist. Investigators are currently racing against time to track down the individual responsible for this senseless crime.
On June 6, the life of 35-year-old Brooke Hanlon met a horrifying end when she was found stabbed to death in her Chester residence. Despite intense efforts, officials have not yet identified any suspects behind this harrowing act.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Hanlon dedicated her career to helping others as a psychotherapist in Bernardsville, making her untimely death all the more bewildering and tragic for those who knew her.
Adding to the grief, Brooke Hanlon’s murder was confirmed as a homicide.(Facebook/Meta)
An official statement from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office disclosed that an examination by their Medical Examiner’s Office identified multiple sharp force injuries as the cause of death, unequivocally declaring it a homicide. As the investigation unfolds, the community remains on edge, hoping for swift justice.
A photo posted to social media from December of last year shows Hanlon holding a baby alongside her husband.
In the world of journalism, sources are a prized asset, and this holds especially true in the competitive domain of royal reporting. Here, obtaining insider information can be exceptionally challenging.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that some of my colleagues were delighted when they were invited to join a WhatsApp group set up by Liam Maguire, the ‘Director of Communications’ for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
As part of this exclusive circle, they would receive the most current updates directly from the couple residing in California.
Members of this group are easy to spot; they tend to share the same posts and use nearly identical wording on social media, rapidly disseminating the information from Montecito. While it may not be traditional journalism, it grants them access to updates that aren’t available to the rest of us, myself included.
I have not turned down a spot in this group due to ethical concerns—rather, I was simply never invited by Mr. Maguire. With a background as a social diarist, I’ve grown accustomed to being approached cautiously. After all, my role often involves challenging the status quo rather than conforming to it.
This week, however, I am profoundly relieved not to be a member of the Sussexes’ WhatsApp group because those who are have been made to look like prize chumps – through no fault of their own, I might add.
Last Friday, they all received a long message confirming details of Prince Harry and Meghan’s return visit to Britain next week. It wasn’t just the type of short message they sometimes receive but a long operational note detailing exactly what the couple would be doing after they landed in this country.
Prince Harry and Meghan in London back in 2020. They have not brought their children to Britain since Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022
It was said to confirm that they would be bringing their children, Prince Archie, aged seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, with them. It would be the first time that the children had been in Britain since they came for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.
The message also confirmed that the family would be staying at a royal residence – a momentous development given that King Charles decided they should no longer have access to their former Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage, in 2023.
News of the visit was duly reported on news websites within minutes and in newspapers the next day. The BBC’s Daniela Relph, for example, reported on the Corporation’s website: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have accepted an offer to stay in a royal residence with their two children when they visit the UK next month. Harry and Meghan, as well as their son Archie, seven, and daughter Lilibet, five, will be guests of the King on a royal estate for their first trip as a family to Britain in four years.’
However, reporters’ gratitude at confirmation of such a scoop turned to alarm the next day when The Sun newspaper reported that Harry’s demand for automatic, taxpayer-funded police protection had been rejected by the Home Office committee which decides such matters.
This soon led to another ping on the phones of the WhatsApp group members. This time it was a message informing them that everything they had been told the previous day and duly reported on their employers’ websites and newspapers was, in fact, wrong.
Harry was now ‘reconsidering plans to bring his wife and children to the UK… after his request for police protection was rejected’, as the BBC’s Daniela Relph put it.
Spare a thought for the BBC’s poor viewers and website users! Less than 24 hours after they had been informed, with all the authority that the Corporation could muster, that something was going to happen, they were now being told that it might not happen at all.
Readers of the ‘newspapers of record’ which also had to report the volte-face will have been equally confused.
The reporters should be forgiven. As royal correspondents, they are used to receiving briefing notes that help them cover events. The palace notes are usually factual, so the journalists might have expected Harry and Meghan’s messages to be equally trustworthy.
Fat chance.
What makes it worse is that nothing actually changed between Friday and Saturday. All the Home Office committee did was repeat what has been the case since the Sussexes quit royal duties and moved to North America to seek their fortune in 2020. And what was reiterated by the judge when Harry lost his appeal against the Home Office’s decision last year: the couple no longer qualified for automatic, taxpayer-funded security because they had moved overseas.
The only thing that changed was that Harry threw his toys out of his pram when the Home Office confirmed that its policy still applied to them.
One of the journalists who is a member of the WhatsApp group, Tom Sykes of the Daily Beast, an American website, felt the need to issue a public mea culpa for unwittingly misleading his loyal readers.
‘It is now blatantly apparent what this whole exercise was about,’ Sykes wrote. ‘The tour, the announcement that Meghan and the kids were coming, the whole carefully choreographed media rollout, the months of assurances to the Royal Household that this was happening, the accommodation requests, the detailed planning: it was all just to bounce his poor, weak, loving father into intervening in the Government’s security decision-making, something Charles, to his eternal credit, has refused to do. This is the high-water mark of Harry’s emotional blackmail.’
Strong stuff. Sykes won’t, I suspect, be the only journalist who now refuses to believe a word he’s told by Harry and Meghan when it arrives on his mobile phone.
YOSEMITE, Calif. (KFSN) — The tragic loss of 22-year-old Josue Alfaro, who passed away after falling over Nevada Fall in Yosemite National Park, has left his family in deep sorrow. They remember him as a compassionate, diligent young man filled with aspirations.
“Josue was a genuinely caring, charismatic, humorous, and loving individual with a tireless work ethic,” remarked Silvia Carolina Valdez, Alfaro’s cousin.
Authorities reported that on June 20, Alfaro fell over Nevada Fall. Search teams discovered his body at the waterfall’s base the next day.
Affectionately known as “Kike,” Alfaro arrived in the United States at 17 and began residing with family members in Los Angeles. Valdez shared with Action News that he had migrated to seek a brighter future.
“He sought asylum in this great nation after his older brother fell victim to gun violence,” she explained.
Valdez, who served as Alfaro’s legal guardian while he lived in the United States, said he was hiking with friends when he tripped and fell into the water.
“The undercurrent dragged him under. Many people attempted to save him. Freesia Gaul, who was the off-duty lifeguard, who courageously jumped in and tried to save him was unable to reach him,” Valdez said.
Family members said Alfaro worked in construction and often spent long stretches on the job. Valdez said the Yosemite trip was one of the few opportunities he had taken for himself.
“He had so much life and so many dreams ahead of him. The one time he was able to take a vacation for himself, he didn’t want to go to New York or Las Vegas. He wanted to go to Yosemite. He just loved the outdoors,” she said.
Valdez said Alfaro’s death has deeply affected his family, particularly his mother.
“I can’t imagine losing her eldest son and now her second eldest son. She brought him here, did everything she could to bring him here so he could be safe. Right now, I just care about taking him back to El Salvador to give her that peace,” she said.
Despite their grief, family members said they are finding comfort in their faith and support from their community.
“I just want people to remember him for who he was. Not the way that he died, but the way that he lived. He was loved. He mattered. He had dreams, ambitions, and goals,” she said.
The family said they hope to bring Alfaro to El Salvador soon and are waiting for the coroner’s report. A GoFundMe has been established to help with funeral costs and related expenses.
Click here if you would like to donate.
For news updates, follow Ana Torrea on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Folarin Balogun played a pivotal role, scoring a crucial goal and later receiving a red card, as the United States triumphed over Bosnia and Herzegovina with a 2-0 victory, clinching a spot in the World Cup’s Round of 16 on Thursday.
Balogun’s goal came just before the halftime whistle, sparking celebrations among the packed crowd in California. Meanwhile, an estimated 30 million Americans were caught up in the excitement of this high-stakes encounter, watching from across the country.
U.S. fans descended upon the San Francisco Bay Area stadium, bringing an air of optimism. Their enthusiastic spirit was evident, underscored by the spectacle of a traditional fighter jet flyover in the sunny California sky before the match kicked off.
From the outset, Bosnia’s strategy was clear as they initiated play with a direct long ball, while the U.S. defense positioned themselves aggressively at the midfield, intent on maintaining an attacking posture.
Nevertheless, Bosnia had their share of early opportunities. Veteran captain Edin Džeko, displaying his experience, expertly controlled a long pass from his goalkeeper and set up Ermedin Demirović, whose shot went straight into the hands of U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese.
The USA keeper made another good save moments later from a Kerim Alajbegović corner, which threatened to swing straight into his net.
But the USA pressure started to tell. Balogun had a decent penalty shout after a clumsy Amar Dedić tackle waved away. Soon after, the striker had the ball in the net, but was offside from Weston McKennie’s smart pass.
Those near misses enlivened an increasingly anxious crowd. But their nerves were soon reduced, as Balogun scored in the 45th minute.
USA captain Tim Ream had intercepted a Bosnian goal kick, swiftly playing it to Tillman. His through ball deflected into the path of Balogun, who tucked it under the goalkeeper.
Impressive holding midfielder Tyler Adams nearly created a second before the break. He found Sergiño Dest, who headed back to Balogun. His shot from the six-yard line clipped the crossbar on its way over.
Just five minutes into the second half Džeko limped off. Bosnian coach Sergej Barbarez made a triple substitution.
A younger, more mobile front line featuring Wisconsin-born, US-raised Esmir Bajraktarević immediately pressed higher and faster.
In the 64th minute, Balogun was shown a straight red after VAR review harshly judged him to have stamped on the back of Tarik Muharemović’s foot.
With the crowd stunned, Demirović spurned a chance to add insult to injury, shooting straight at Freese from a dangerous position.
USA coach Mauricio Pochettino used the hydration break to gather his squad in a tight huddle on the field, rallying his outnumbered troops to hold out for the game’s final phase.
Despite his team suddenly being on the back foot, Christian Pulisic put the ball in the net, but was comfortably offside.
And in the 82nd minute, the US won a free kick on the edge of the Bosnian box from a pull on Dest. Tillman curled it over the wall and to the right of Nikola Vasilj, whose fingertips could not keep it out.
The Americans rode out a nervy 10 minutes of stoppage time, substitute Ermin Mahmić’s shot flashing inches wide of the far post.
But they ultimately held out for a clean sheet and a historic win, keeping alive their World Cup journey on home soil, as “USA” chants and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” reverberated around the giant arena that hosted this year’s Super Bowl.
It is the co-hosts’ first World Cup knockout victory in nearly 25 years — and only their second ever — sets up a clash with Belgium in Seattle on Tuesday.
Belgium’s lucky day
Youri Tielemans scored the World Cup’s latest winner as Belgium mounted an incredible comeback from two goals down to beat Senegal 3-2 and qualify for the Round of 16 at the World Cup on Thursday.
Senegal appeared to be on cruise control in the first 70 minutes, bound for a first win in a World Cup knockout match since their 2002 debut, after taking a 2-0 lead through strikes from Habib Diarra and Ismaïla Sarr in Seattle.
But that was before Belgium forced the game to an epic 128 minutes of play in extra time. Romelu Lukaku and Tielemans scored in the final five minutes, before the Aston Villa midfielder completed a remarkable turnaround by converting a penalty in the 125th minute.
Belgium go through to a potential meeting with the USA, but it will be a bitter pill to swallow for Senegal.
A defeat would surely have signalled the end of the road for the last remnants of Belgium’s golden generation — Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and perhaps goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois — but instead they live to fight another day.
After a 5-1 win over New Zealand that clinched top spot for Belgium in Group G, coach Rudi Garcia named an unchanged side with Atalanta forward Charles De Ketelaere leading the attack and Lukaku on the bench.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw made three changes to the side that thrashed Iraq 5-0, which allowed them to squeak through as the last of the eight best third-place teams.
Pape Gueye started after scoring twice as a substitute in that match, while Pathé Ciss and Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye came into the line-up.
Senegal nearly went ahead through the in-form Sarr, who hit the post after Courtois inadvertently diverted a cross into the Crystal Palace forward’s path.
The Lions of Teranga did take the lead, however, when Sarr’s header from Sadio Mane’s cross came back off the same post, with Diarra reacting quickest to turn the rebound home.
Belgium’s best chance of the half fell to Maxim De Cuyper, whose curling effort from outside the area drew an outstanding full-stretch save from Mory Diaw.
Belgium unsurprisingly turned to their all-time leading scorer at the interval, with Lukaku having already proven his value as a substitute against Egypt and New Zealand in the group phase.
But Belgium fell further behind six minutes into the second half when Sarr chested down Moussa Niakhate’s long pass over the defence before firing an emphatic finish beyond Courtois.
Diaw was again filling in for Édouard Mendy, who returned to Saudi Arabia for tests on a knee injury he suffered in Senegal’s second game of the tournament.
De Bruyne and Doku were hauled off as Belgium appeared to be heading out, but Lukaku — limited to barely an hour’s play with Napoli this season — grabbed his team a lifeline in the 86th minute.
He swept home from a Thomas Meunier cross and, just three minutes later, Belgium were level. Diaw failed to deal with Leandro Trossard’s delivery into the box and Tielemans held off two defenders to nod into an empty net.
Belgium substitute Dodi Lukébakio clipped the crossbar late in the second period of extra time as the match appeared destined for a penalty shootout.
But there was one final twist when Tielemans went down under a challenge from Lamine Camara, prompting referee Saíd Martínez to award a penalty after a VAR review.
The penalty ruling may become controversial, but the finish couldn’t be denied: Tielemans stepped up and dispatched with aplomb to cap a stunning fightback and break Senegalese hearts.
King Kane saves the day
Harry Kane has rescued England from a seismic World Cup shock, banking two late goals to defeat the Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1 in Atlanta and secure a place in the World Cup Round of 16.
After Brian Cipenga’s early goal gave Congo DR a first-half lead, England escaped humiliation and what could have ranked among their worst-ever World Cup exits thanks to their talismanic captain.
The defeat ended Congo DR’s fairytale run on their return to the World Cup for the first time in 52 years.
The Leopards had never even won a point or scored a goal at the World Cup until a few weeks ago, but had one of the tournament favourites teetering on the brink of elimination.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel made two changes from their victory over Panama as Declan Rice returned in midfield, while Djed Spence came in at right-back with Reece James and Jarell Quansah both ruled out through injury.
The German coach’s decision not to select more specialist right-back cover in a 26-man squad will face more scrutiny after Congo DR took the lead down that flank.
Spence was caught under Chancel Mbemba’s cross as the ball fell for Cipenga. The Almeria winger’s shot was low and hard, but Jordan Pickford should still have kept it out at his near post.
The vast majority of the nearly 70,000 crowd decked out in England red and white were silenced, while Tuchel’s players were visibly rattled.
Jude Bellingham was shown a yellow card for a late lunge and was then involved in a heated exchange with his coach during the mid-half hydration break.
The stoppage in play at least allowed Tuchel the chance to restore order.
Bellingham’s powerful header from Declan Rice’s cross finally forced Congo DR keeper Lionel Mpasi into action.
Moments later, Marcus Rashford’s powerful effort was blocked on the line by London-born Aaron Wan Bissaka after Noni Madueke’s jinking run opened up the Congo DR defence.
Yet it could have been even worse for England at the break.
Yoane Wissa’s three goals in the group stage fired his country to the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time, and the Newcastle striker had a golden chance to double the Congo DR lead but hit the outside of the post from point-blank range.
At the other end, Kane was furious when he went down as he tried to round Mpasi, but the referee refused to point to the spot.
Le Harve stopper Mpasi’s inspired afternoon continued as he flew to his right to parry another bullet header from Bellingham and then denied Kane from a corner with the last action of the first half.
After a bright start to the second period, England were beginning to run out of ideas until Tuchel brought his offensive weapons off the bench.
Tuchel sent on Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze in search of an equaliser.
And it was new Barcelona signing Gordon who provided the cross as Kane finally found a way past Mpasi with a downward header with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Gordon also got the assist for the 86th-minute winner, but Kane did the hard work as he rifled a powerful drive into the roof of the net for his 84th international goal.
The Three Lions will need to improve to face co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in the Round of 16 on Monday if they want to end a 60-year wait to win a major tournament.
Already England’s all-time top goalscorer in the competition, Kane now has 13 World Cup goals and moves onto five for the tournament to remain in the star-studded battle for the Golden Boot.
You can watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is reportedly considering a plan to offer the U.S. government a 5% ownership stake in the company. This move aims to strengthen connections with the Trump administration while addressing increasing political scrutiny stemming from the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.
According to the Financial Times, Altman believes that allowing the public to hold a financial interest in one of Silicon Valley’s premier AI firms could be the optimal method for distributing the economic advantages of this groundbreaking technology.
This proposal could come with a hefty price tag. Following OpenAI’s latest private valuation of approximately $852 billion after its March fundraising round, a 5% stake could equate to an estimated $42.6 billion.
Should OpenAI achieve its ambition of reaching a $1 trillion valuation in an upcoming initial public offering (IPO), the value of a 5% government stake could rise to around $50 billion.
While the ultimate IPO valuation would be influenced by market conditions, this proposal signifies one of the largest potential federal ownership interests ever considered in the realm of private tech companies.
The OpenAI proposal would encourage other leading AI developers to give roughly 5% of their equity to a government-backed investment vehicle modeled after Alaska’s Permanent Fund, which invests the state’s oil wealth and distributes dividends to residents.
It remains unclear whether rivals including Anthropic, Google and Meta would support such a plan.
The discussions between OpenAI and the Trump administration remain preliminary and could ultimately require congressional approval, people familiar with the matter told FT.
Altman has personally discussed the concept with Trump as well as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, multiple people familiar with the conversations told the outlet.
The discussions come as Washington has grown increasingly skeptical of the AI industry amid concerns about massive data-center construction, cyber threats and the technology’s potential impact on jobs.
OpenAI and chief rival Anthropic have been facing heightened federal scrutiny over their latest AI models, while some Republicans and Trump advisers have pushed for tighter oversight of the fast-growing sector.
Altman’s proposal underscores a broader shift in the Trump administration’s industrial policy.
Instead of simply offering subsidies or tax incentives, the administration has increasingly sought minority ownership stakes in strategically important companies.
Intel confirmed in August that the federal government agreed to invest $8.9 billion in exchange for roughly 433.3 million shares — amounting to a stake of about 10%. The chipmaker said the government would remain a passive investor with no board seat or special governance rights.
The administration has also reportedly pursued similar arrangements involving rare-earth producer MP Materials and a package of quantum-computing companies as part of a broader effort to strengthen US leadership in critical technologies.
Last month, far-left Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont proposed a $7 trillion sovereign wealth fund for the government to invest in AI companies.
The Post has sought comment from OpenAI, the White House, the Treasury and the Department of Commerce.
