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.
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.
A former special education teacher in Florida has been taken into custody following accusations of engaging in sexual conduct with a 17-year-old, who is the brother of her past student.
Michelle Lynn Hancock, aged 41 and residing in Palm Bay, faces charges that include transmitting harmful information to minors, using a computer for seducing or soliciting a child, traveling to meet a minor after online communication, engaging in lewd and lascivious conduct, committing sexual battery as an authority figure, and inappropriate conduct with a student, as documented in Brevard County jail records.
Michelle Lynn Hancock, a 41-year-old former special education instructor at Heritage High School in Palm Bay, is accused of initiating a sexual relationship with a teenage boy.(Brevard County Sheriff’s Office; Google Maps)
The arrest occurred on Wednesday when officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked on the roadside. Inside, they found Hancock with a teenage boy, and both reportedly confessed to engaging in sexual activity.
A spokesperson from Brevard Public Schools informed Florida Today that Michelle Hancock is no longer employed with the district.
Hancock is accused of engaging in sexual activity with a teen boy.(Getty)
“We are deeply troubled by these allegations. The District remains committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students,” the district said.
News Media has reached out to the Palm Bay Police Department and the school district for comment.
Hancock was a special education teacher at Heritage High School, where she met the teen after having previously taught his older brother, according to an affidavit obtained by People.
The teen had withdrawn from the high school and enrolled in virtual classes, authorities said. However, he began visiting Hancock at the school and stated they had kissed in her classroom.
They maintained a relationship before briefly separating, local media reported.
However, the pair began texting each other again and re-engaged in sexual activity a month ago, authorities said. Hancock would also send the teen photos of herself that were “sexual in nature,” police said.
Hancock is being held in the Brevard County jail on a $525,000 bond.
A sudden medical emergency involving the pilot led to a dramatic mid-flight incident on an Air Canada flight carrying 61 passengers. The plane experienced unexpected jostling and swerving in the air.
Flight 7664, en route from New Jersey to Nova Scotia, was compelled to redirect to Massachusetts on Wednesday afternoon due to the unforeseen situation.
The co-pilot promptly assumed control of the aircraft, successfully landing it without further incident at Boston Logan International Airport.
“When the plane swerved, I realized something was amiss. It wasn’t just turbulence,” passenger Rodney McDonald shared with WCVB News.
“It genuinely felt like someone was forcefully altering the controls, and it kept happening repeatedly,” he added.
The flight, a De Havilland Dash 8-400 operated by regional partner PAL Airlines, took off from Newark Liberty International Airport just before 12.40pm on Wednesday.
About an hour into the flight to Halifax Stanfield International Airport, at around 1.37pm, Massachusetts State Police received a call that airport officials had been alerted to a severe medical episode suffered by the pilot mid-air.
Authorities said Logan Airport received a harrowing alert that the plane would immediately divert to Boston, with control in the hands of the first officer.
Ambulances, Massport Fire Rescue and Boston EMS officials rushed to the runway
‘Within a few moments one of the flight attendants went into the cockpit frantically, and a few moments later he was dragging one of the pilots out of the cockpit,’ McDonald, who was traveling with his wife and two sons, told the outlet.
‘You know, every thought goes through your mind, you start praying,’ he added. ‘My boys instantly started praying.’
The father-of-two said it appeared the pilot was suffering a seizure, as he and four other passengers helped restrain him while the co-pilot jumped into action at the controls.
‘It was really horrifying,’ McDonald told ABC News. ‘I was sitting in the front row, my family was further back, just the way the seat arrangement worked out.’
‘I went back to sit with them and then realized that the pilot was out of control physically, not violently, like it was clear that he was not in control of his faculties and needed to be restrained,’ he added.
‘We worked to get him under control, it was a fairly strenuous 40 minutes of keeping him down and using as many seatbelts as we could to restrain his legs, arms and chest.’
A registered nurse on board helped direct passengers and assist during the mid-air emergency – another hero McDonald pointed out alongside the flight attendants.
‘The flight attendants were stupendous,’ he said. ‘They stayed calm.’
The co-pilot successfully landed the plane at around 2pm, where swarms of ambulances, Massport Fire Rescue and Boston EMS officials swarmed the runway and ‘responded to the crew as necessary.’
Dramatic photos captured a stretcher being rushed to the aircraft before the pilot was seen being brought from the plane and quickly taken to a waiting ambulance within just minutes of touching down.
Passengers said that the captain remained incoherent until the emergency landing, when he appeared to begin coming out of the medical episode, according to WABC News.
The pilot, who remains unnamed, was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment, though the details of his condition and what unfolded in the cockpit also remain unclear.
It is important to note, however, that someone who is potentially experiencing a seizure should never be held down due to the risk of causing further injury, according to the CDC.
A passenger to WCVB News that it appeared as though the pilot was having a seizure mid-air
The surrounding area should instead be cleared of sharp or dangerous objects, and the victim should be turned gently onto their side to allow the airway to remain clear.
Once the captain was removed, the Twin-Turboprop was towed to a gate in Terminal B where passengers were able to disembark, according to WCVB.
Around 7.30pm later that night, the flight ultimately left Logan Airport and landed safely in Halifax, Canada.
‘We’re just grateful, grateful for how it all ended,’ McDonald told ABC.
In a statement, Air Canada said: ‘During the flight, the captain experienced a medical issue and was removed from the flight deck as per safety protocols. The first officer took control of the aircraft and diverted the flight to Boston, where it landed safely.’
Aviation expert Patrick Smith explained that this horror situation is the exact reason why every plane has more than one pilot, according to CBS News.
‘A lot of people have this idea that a co-pilot is kind of an apprentice or there to lend a helping hand. That’s not really how it works. Both pilots are fully qualified and can operate the airplane,’ Smith told the outlet.
‘To do so with one of the two pilots incapacitated would have increased the workload for another pilot,’ he added.
Former Massport CEO Tom Kinton echoed the same statement to WCVB, explaining that co-pilots are more than ready to step in during an unexpected emergency.
‘I’m sure the passengers were alerted to this on board. I’m sure the co-pilot had to take command of the aircraft – he’s fully capable to do that,’ he said.
‘They don’t typically have as many hours as the left seat, but that doesn’t mean they’re not qualified to fly the plane.’
Avoiding certain exercises can be beneficial in preventing undue stress on your knees.
>
Throughout your life, your knees have been your steadfast companions, working hard alongside you. Inevitably, this has led to a natural wear and tear of the cartilage and lubricants that cushion these joints. Coupled with diminishing muscle mass due to aging and any injuries sustained over the years, it is crucial to treat your knees with care. Insights from Doug Bertram, M.S., L.Ac., MTCM, Founder & CEO of the orthopedic wellness brand Structural Elements®, highlight five exercises that can significantly impact your knees post-60, along with more beneficial alternatives.
According to Bertram, while no exercise is inherently harmful, certain moves pose a greater risk of exacerbating knee pain if they surpass an individual’s current capabilities in strength, mobility, balance, or recovery. After 60, the objective should shift towards fostering resilience rather than merely withstanding stress. Effective fitness routines at this stage prioritize enhancing overall movement quality over just ramping up intensity. When your body functions more fluidly as a cohesive unit, stress on the knees tends to reduce, enabling continued activity, independence, and comfort in the long run.
Knee Extensions
Shutterstock
Using the knee extension machine can place considerable strain on the anterior parts of your knee joints, especially affecting the patellofemoral joint. Plus, it engages the quadriceps in a way that doesn’t translate well to everyday physical activities.
“For knee extension machines, a better alternative is the sit-to-stand exercise from a chair. This movement strengthens the quadriceps while integrating the hips, core, and balance systems in a way that directly improves daily function,” explains Bertram.
Here’s how to do the sit-to-stand:
Begin seated at the front of a sturdy chair with your feet placed on the floor under your knees.
Lean forward slightly.
Try to stand up without using your knees, hands, or additional support.
Use control to slowly sit back down.
5 Best Chair Exercises That Rebuild Lost Muscle Faster Than Gym Workouts After 60
High-Impact Running
Shutterstock
High-impact running on hard surfaces like pavement can present major issues when mobility, strength, and recovery capacity decline.
“For high-impact running, brisk uphill walking or incline treadmill walking provides an excellent cardiovascular challenge while significantly reducing impact forces on the joints,” Bertram tells us.
5 Bodyweight Moves That Build Strength Faster Than Dumbbells After 40
Deep Squats
Shutterstock
While deep squats serve as a stellar lower-body workout in some cases, they can potentially wreak havoc on your knees after 60.
“Deep squats are not inherently harmful, but limited ankle and hip mobility often force the knee to absorb more stress than necessary,” Bertram explains.
Try box squats instead.
“Sitting back toward a box or bench encourages proper hip loading, improves movement mechanics, and allows individuals to work safely within their current mobility,” Bertram tells us.
Here’s how to do box squats:
Begin by standing tall in front of plyometric box with your feet hip-width apart on the ground.
Activate your core and keep your chest lifted.
Bend at the knees and hips and lower slowly into a squat—as if you’re about to sit down. Make sure your weight stays in your heels.
Lightly touch the surface of the chair with your glutes.
Press through your heels to rise back up.
If You Can Pass These 3 Drills, You’re Moving Better Than Most People at Any Age
Walking Lunges
Shutterstock
6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
According to Bertram, walking lunges can place excessive shear forces on the knee when performed without proper control or strength.
“For walking lunges, step-ups offer many of the same strength benefits while providing greater control over knee alignment and loading,” he says.
Here’s how to do step-ups:
Begin by standing tall, facing a sturdy workout bench, plyometric box, or step that’s about knee level. Hold a dumbbell in each hand.
Place your left foot firmly onto the surface, keeping your core engaged and chest tall.
Press through your left heel to lift your body until your left leg is straight and you’re standing on the surface.
Use control to lower back to the start position.
Repeat on the other side.
4 Standing Moves That Keep You Strong Over 60, Say Trainers
Box Jumps
Shutterstock
Box jumps and other explosive jumping movements can be hard on aging joints, which are less capable of absorbing the high impact efficiently.
“For box jumps and aggressive plyometric exercises, controlled power and balance drills such as step-and-hold movements, lateral stepping patterns, or medicine ball exercises can improve coordination, reaction time, and power production without the high landing forces associated with jumping,” Bertram says.
The Los Angeles Lakers have finalized a two-way contract with Peter Suder, formerly a standout guard for Miami (OH).
According to an initial report by HoopsHype, part of the USA Today Network, and confirmed by Suder’s representation at Edge Sports International, this agreement follows Suder’s omission from the 2026 NBA draft picks.
The Lakers have agreed to terms on a two-way contract with former Miami (OH) guard Peter Suder. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The 6-foot-5 combo guard shot 54.6% from the field, including 59.7% on 2-pointrs and 42.1% on 3-pointers, in 2025-26. Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
During his last season with the RedHawks, Suder delivered an impressive performance, averaging 14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. His contributions were pivotal in Miami securing their first regular-season conference title in over two decades, boasting a flawless 31-0 record, including a perfect 18-0 in conference play.
Standing 6-foot-5, the versatile guard achieved a shooting accuracy of 54.6% overall, with remarkable precision of 59.7% on two-point attempts and 42.1% from beyond the arc during the 2025-26 season.
Suder’s extraordinary play earned him the 2026 MAC Player of the Year award, making him Miami’s first athlete to receive the honor since Michael Bramos in the 2008-09 season, and he also led the team back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007.
Suder was a two-time All-MAC first team honoree after transferring from Bellarmine, where he spent his first two college seasons.
The Lakers also agreed to sign former Vanderbilt forward AK Okereke to a two-way deal on Wednesday.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn California Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X California Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here! California Post App: Download here! Home delivery: Sign up here! Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!
A young boy from the United States, only 12 years old, is currently in stable condition following a shark encounter in the Bahamas on Tuesday, as confirmed by the Royal Bahamas Police Force to several news organizations.
This incident occurred while the boy was enjoying a vacation with his family in the beautiful Exuma Cays, the New York Post reported.
He was swimming near the coastline of Staniel Cay when the unexpected attack took place, as detailed by the Post.
Officials have not yet disclosed which species of shark was involved in the attack.
The Exuma district, part of the Bahamas, boasts more than 365 islands and cays, renowned for their stunning white sand beaches and clear turquoise waters, including the famous Tropic of Cancer Beach located near George Town on Little Exuma.(iStock)
The boy was rushed by boat to receive medical treatment on New Providence, The Bahamas’ most populous island and home to the capital Nassau.
View of the entrance of the port of Nassau from the Sydney Poitier Bridge in Nassau, Bahamas on April 29, 2019.(DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)
The boy is in stable condition, the Royal Bahamas Police Force reportedly told the Post.
While The Bahamas ranks ninth globally in yearly shark attacks, the Tuesday attack is the second recorded unprovoked shark attack in The Bahamas in 2026.
In March, an Australian woman was bitten while swimming near the country’s Andros Island, sustaining severe injuries to her right arm, according to the Global Shark Attack File.
A great white shark swimming.(iStock)
There were five unprovoked shark attacks in the country’s waters in 2025, according to the database.
News Media contacted the Royal Bahamas Police Force for additional information.
A$AP Rocky is currently facing criticism from fans after an eyebrow-raising comment made to female audience members during a recent concert. The remark, considered highly disrespectful by many, has even led some to call for his longtime partner, Rihanna, to end their relationship.
During his performance in Phoenix, Arizona, as part of the Don’t Be Dumb Tour, the 37-year-old rapper caused a stir by directly addressing the women in attendance.
“Thank God y’all didn’t know me when I was single, ’cause I would’ve f***** the sh** out of you,” Rocky declared to the crowd. While some concertgoers cheered, the statement quickly drew fierce online backlash after videos of the incident circulated on social media.
The comment has sparked a heated debate among fans, particularly because of Rocky’s prominent relationship with Rihanna, with whom he shares three children: RZA, Riot, and baby Rocki. Many found it inappropriate within the context of their family life.
Rihanna, the founder of Fenty, has been by Rocky’s side for several tour stops, which made the controversial remark all the more shocking to some observers.
Under videos of the incident, critics didn’t hold back, with one writing, ‘So many things could’ve been said instead, but he chooses the most stupid disrespectful thing to his audience and his partner,’ while another pleaded, ‘Rihanna if you don’t leave this man lol, he’s constantly disrespecting her.’
A$AP Rocky has found himself in hot water with fans after making a jaw-dropping remark to female concertgoers that many branded wildly disrespectful – and some even urged longtime partner Rihanna to dump him; Above, in May
The 37-year-old rapper sparked outrage while performing in Phoenix, Arizona , on his Don’t Be Dumb Tour, when he took a moment to address women in the crowd; Above, in 2022
The Daily Mail has reached out to Rihanna and Rocky’s representatives for comment.
The criticism continued to pile up in the comments section, where many fans questioned why the father-of-three would make such a remark in the first place.
Another wrote, ‘For a person with three children and supposedly in a serious relationship, this is not cool to say. Its almost cringe.’
Yet another chimed in, ‘Rihanna this your baby daddy? He is so weird for this objectification ew.’
A third fumed, ‘Disrespectful to Rihanna, disrespectful to women, someone remind me why this guy is still relevant.’
And another baffled fan added, ‘He could’ve just said they’re beautiful and kept it moving though, wtf was that for?’
Not everyone was outraged, however. Some supporters rushed to Rocky’s defense, arguing that the comment was clearly made in jest and was being blown out of proportion by critics online.
As the debate raged across social media, Rihanna appeared to be paying little attention to the controversy.
The superstar was spotted indulging in a shopping spree in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, looking relaxed and carefree as she browsed luxury stores.
‘Thank God y’all didn’t know me when I was single, ’cause I would’ve f***** the sh** out of you,’ Rocky told the audience, drawing cheers from some attendees but immediate backlash online after clips of the moment surfaced on social media; Above, on June 7 in New York
Under videos of the incident , critics didn’t hold back
With an aide trailing behind carrying an armful of shopping bags, Rihanna cut a stylish figure in a chic jumpsuit and showed no signs of being bothered by the online uproar surrounding her longtime partner.
Meanwhile, Rocky’s Don’t Be Dumb World Tour continues to pull in strong crowds, with the rapper set to take the stage in San Francisco for his next scheduled stop.
The latest controversy also comes just days after Rocky offered a rare glimpse into life behind closed doors with Rihanna and their three young children – while also opening up about the terrifying shooting incident at their Beverly Hills home earlier this year.
In a candid interview with Vibe, the rapper reflected on the emotional toll the ordeal took on his family after the incident on March 8.
‘It was f***** up … somebody attempted at [harming] me and my family,’ Rocky said of the incident.
The father the shooting left him shaken, saying it robbed the family of a sense of normalcy and security.
‘It took away a lot of peace and happiness of being able to just be free,’ he explained. ‘I don’t want to be robbed of my peace and joy.’
Elsewhere in the interview, Rocky spoke warmly about raising his children with Rihanna – sons RZA, four, and Riot, two, as well as their baby daughter Rocki, who is just eight months old.
As the debate raged across social media, Rihanna appeared to be paying little attention to the controversy
The superstar was spotted indulging in a shopping spree in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, looking relaxed and carefree as she browsed luxury stores
The rapper said that despite their immense fame and fortune, he and Rihanna are determined to ensure their children grow up grounded and appreciative of the world around them.
‘I want to make sure that I teach my boys discipline and keep them grounded, keep them humble as much as possible,’ he said.
Rocky said he tries to be ‘emotionally present’ and ‘emotionally available’ as a dad.
He also said he makes sure his kids stay close with family outside their celebrity bubble – a softer side of the rapper that comes amid the backlash over his onstage comments.
WASHINGTON – The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a landmark at the heart of the nation’s capital, has recently suffered vandalism, according to officials from the National Park Service. A sharp instrument, possibly a knife or razor, was used to cut the liner along its bottom, damaging the foam sealant integral to a $16 million renovation effort.
Frank Lands, Deputy Director of Operations for the Park Service, stated in a court document filed on Wednesday that this incident had been reported to the U.S. Park Police on June 9. This filing is connected to an ongoing lawsuit initiated by a nonprofit organization aiming to stop the Trump administration’s continuation of the project.
According to the police report, the Reflecting Pool sustained damage beyond the compromised liner. The report mentions that approximately 70 fence post tops were also thrown into the pool as part of the vandalism. The damage extended to a caulk over the foam sealant, cut with a sharp blade, and other surface material becoming delaminated.
These revelations are the first substantial details shared by the Republican administration regarding the timing and manner of the Reflecting Pool’s damage, following the completion of significant project work.
While President Donald Trump and other officials have attributed the peeling paint and a significant “350-foot gash” in the liner to unidentified vandals, no concrete evidence has been provided. Nonetheless, President Trump mentioned this week that six individuals have been arrested in connection to these incidents, although further details have yet to be disclosed.
Trump pledged to beautify the century-old Reflecting Pool before the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations, draining its water and directing the bottom to be painted a color he called “American flag blue.” But since the site was restored, its water has been plagued by an algae bloom and pieces of the new coating have appeared to be peeling off the bottom.
His administration faces a self-imposed deadline to complete the renovation before July Fourth. Trump also has said the federal government would release images to substantiate his claim.
Trump said Wednesday that “sick people” had used razors and box cutters to slice portions of the lining.
The U.S. Park Police posted surveillance footage Wednesday evening and asked for help “identifying the individual depicted here in connection with a Destruction of Government Property investigation.” The grainy, 30-second video appears to show a person kneeling down, reaching into the reflecting pool and removing something from the water. Police said it was taken Friday afternoon.
In his statement to the court, Lands said the parks agency plans to begin draining the Reflecting Pool following Independence Day celebrations to conduct repairs, including assessing and repairing any damage to the lining.
The park service completed more than two months of renovations at the Reflecting Pool in early June. The 2,000-foot-long basin was drained and a tinted. plastic-like rubber lining was installed to waterproof and protect the concrete pool surface, and the pool was refilled with water, Lands said.
The Cultural Landscape Foundation, an education and advocacy group that sued in May to halt work on the project, asked a federal judge to block further renovations.
“It is also not too late to correct course,” the group wrote in a filing Monday. It urged the administration to “engage with experts and the public, and make an informed decision about what is best based on the consultations mandated by the law, instead of once again rushing ahead with half-baked ideas.”
___
Associated Press writer Michael Kunzelman contributed to this report.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Even before the FIFA World Cup began, the Socceroos had already set out on one of the longest journeys of the tournament.
Covering an impressive distance of approximately 12,000 kilometers, a straightforward flight from Sydney to Vancouver in Canada seems lengthy enough. However, the Socceroos took a more circuitous route. Their journey started with a pre-tournament camp in Florida, continued with setting up a base camp in California, and concluded at BC Place stadium, where they secured a win against Türkiye earlier this month.
As the competition enters the critical third round of group stages, which determines the advancement to the knockout phase, debates are heating up over the extensive travel and draining conditions at this longest-ever World Cup.
Experts suggest that the impact of such travel varies among players and may not severely affect their sleep, appetite, or recovery in all cases.
However, Luke Jenkinson, a performance researcher, asserts that prolonged travel will inevitably influence footballers’ performances to some extent. Leading the performance team at San Diego Football Club, Jenkinson explained to SBS News that it “will affect both the physical preparation and recovery of the athletes.”
“Part of the conundrum is that there isn’t only the aspect of travel but there’s … [varying] locations and weather and general topography … across North America.”
The 2026 competition is the largest ever edition, bringing together 48 teams across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. But this scale could present complex logistical challenges.
In the group stage, Curaçao — the smallest nation in the World Cup — will travel over 10,000km. Over the same period, Mexico — the first team to qualify for the knockout stage — will travel just under 1,000km.
Jenkinson categorised the potential impact of travel on the Socceroos, who are based on the US West Coast, in California’s San Francisco Bay area, as “moderate”.
He has calculated the Socceroos will travel 4,815km over their three group stage games.
Australia’s opponent for their decisive third group stage match on Friday, Paraguay, has only had to travel 640 km since the tournament began, the second lowest of any squad behind co-hosts Mexico.
Teams will also cross as many as three time zones for a single match, according to Jenkinson’s research, which has been published in the Science and Medicine in Football journal.
He admits while many footballers (including members of the Australian squad) are accustomed to travelling in Europe’s top leagues, these distances are substantially shorter. They’re also typically confined to a single time zone, or only have to deal with a one-hour time difference (between the UK and Europe), unlike the World Cup.
So far, Australia has reigned supreme against Türkiye in Vancouver — just over a two-hour flight directly north of their base in California — and suffered a loss against the USA in Seattle, a near-identical flight. Their match against Paraguay on Friday is set to take place at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, which is about a 45-minute drive from the team hotel.
“Now, I think that’s very much intentionally placed … they’re not crossing time zones, so they’re travelling north and south,” Jenkinson said.
“They played in Vancouver, which is in a [temperature-controlled] indoor arena. Likewise, Seattle and San Francisco are pretty warm places to be.”
In contrast, Bosnia and Herzegovina played their opening match against Canada in Toronto and then flew across three time zones to the US West Coast for their second match against Switzerland.
Impacts of travel considered a ‘sliding scale’
Rob Duffield is a professor of sport and exercise science at the University of Technology Sydney. He said when the Socceroos qualified for the tournament in June 2025, wit provided much more time to prepare than a team like Iraq, which clinched the final spot at the World Cup in March this year.
“Australia had started doing detailed mapping and planning practice matches at times and locations to familiarise themselves with their demands,” Duffield said.
“The other thing is, obviously the teams from federations with high budgets to spend on flights, travel and practice matches in locations to familiarise themselves better, [which] is also an advantage.”
He also believes the impacts of travel on athletes can vary based on team or individual circumstances.
“At some point, based on prior familiarity, current experience or match congestion, travel becomes an issue. But whether that’s at four to five hours or 10 to 12 hours depends on a range of factors.”
Duffield said this year’s competition contains the “best” and “worst” of elements, including extreme summer temperatures and high altitude. It’s a reality some teams may be forced to encounter throughout the competition, while others may avoid it.
“I think what we might see is that if nations get through or get further than they expected they would do, then they might not have a plan in place and that then might start to become a bit more of an issue for them.”
Craig Pickering, director of performance sustainability at Australian Athletics, believes this variability “definitely” provides some teams with an “edge”.
The Azteca stadium in Mexico City sits at more than 2,200m above sea level, while Guadalajara in western Mexico is over 1,500m above sea level.
“If you live there all the time, then you don’t have to go through any of those changes. Whereas if you’re used to playing and training at sea level in Europe, then you’ve got the time change, you’ve got the climate change, and you’ve got the altitude,” Pickering said.
“You need a reasonable amount of time to actually get adaptations in place … so they [World Cup teams] would probably be communicating with players a year, maybe two years in advance.”
Calls for ‘operational calmness’
Jenkinson said sporting clubs are increasingly considering travel preparedness or a term he’s dubbed “operational calmness”. An awareness of what external factors can and cannot be controlled.
However he believes this World Cup tournament could change how multinational sporting events operate.
“We have historically seen the Olympics being held in single-host nations, but some of the financial burdens from the infrastructure that’s in place … we may start to see tournaments [moving] over larger geographical space.”
The 2030 World Cup will be staged across three continents and six countries, including Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay as part of FIFA centenary celebrations.
You can watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.
Footage from court on June 24 shows Connor Zastrow appearing before a judge (WITI).
In a troubling incident in Wisconsin, a 25-year-old man is charged with shooting his father during an altercation that turned violent over the Father’s Day weekend. Authorities have classified Connor Zastrow as a significant danger to society following the incident.
The dramatic events unfolded when Zastrow, accused of attempted first-degree intentional homicide with a domestic abuse enhancement, was allegedly confronted by his father while carrying a gun on the porch of their Delafield home. As reported by WISN, a criminal complaint details that this encounter, which took place on Father’s Day, quickly escalated when Zastrow’s father questioned the necessity of his son possessing a firearm.
The case saw further developments when Zastrow made his initial court appearance on Wednesday. Among the new revelations were threats Zastrow allegedly made towards a police officer, shedding more light on the severity of the situation.
Zastrow’s girlfriend, present in the home during the conflict, informed the police about the heated exchange. She recounted the argument centering around “gun laws,” which eventually led to physical violence when Zastrow allegedly struck his father. It was moments after this altercation that she reported hearing the gunshots that followed.
Zastrow was the one who called 911 to report that he shot at his father three times, hitting him twice in the abdomen. WISN reported that Zastrow tried to control his father’s bleeding while on the phone with dispatchers. The father was expected to survive. Police said the older man told them, “The kid is not right,” referring to his son.
Police said in the complaint that Zastrow’s father had asked his son why he felt he needed a gun. Zastrow allegedly replied, “If I had to use it for anybody, that officer that gave me the OWI, if he tries to do that or anything again, I would use it on him.”
Investigators searched the home and found more loaded weapons in Zastrow’s bedroom and car, including an AR-15-style rifle.
When police asked Zastrow why he allegedly shot his father, he reportedly said he was “just disturbed or homicidal, I guess.”
During his court appearance on Wednesday, Court Commissioner Christopher Bailey set Zastrow’s bond at $500,000, saying, “The danger he presents to the community is very significant, and his complete lack of emotion, given what is alleged here, is even more troubling in some ways.”
Bailey noted, “He seemed bothered by this person trying to take his gun away. I can only imagine what he would do to someone he didn’t have a relationship with.”
Zastrow is currently in custody at the Waukesha County Jail. His next court date is scheduled for July 1.
Gia Duddy wants to set the record straight: she and comedian Druski are not romantically involved, despite internet gossip suggesting otherwise.
Speculations about a possible romance began swirling last week. Social media was abuzz when some speculated that a woman seen in Druski’s SUV during an evening out in Los Angeles might have been Duddy. The comedian was out with star athletes Travis and Jason Kelce, adding fuel to the fire.
The rumors gained traction with the emergence of a photograph taken outside the Bird Streets Club in West Hollywood. It showed Druski parting ways with the NFL stars, and captured a striking woman with curly hair sitting comfortably in the passenger seat, leading X users to assume it was Duddy.
In response to the fervent speculation, Duddy took to TikTok on Thursday night to address her audience, quelling the false reports.
“I have a really quick little PSA for everybody,” Duddy announced to her TikTok followers. The influencer, who gained public attention while supporting her now ex-boyfriend, Will Levis, at the 2023 NFL Draft, clarified, “Believe it or not, there are more than one women in this world with really beautiful curly hair, and the woman in the photo with Druski was not me.”
“I know, she had great hair. Everyone would just obviously guess that is Gia Duddy.
“It was not me. It is not me. I was back home in Pennsylvania. I’ve never met Druski. Don’t know the bro. Seems like a funny dude, but don’t know him.”
Duddy went on to say she currently has boyfriend who is 100 percent not Druski, although she did not confirm who that man was.
“So,” Duddy said, “wasn’t me. Just clearing the air. But she did have really great hair and I get why you guys would like obviously guess it was me. But it wasn’t.”
