Day four of Patriots training camp brought cornerback Christian Gonzalez to the podium.
It was the first time the star defensive back has talked to the media since owner Robert Kraft said Saturday the Patriots will offer Gonzalez a team-record and position-record contract. Gonzalez emphasized his desire to participate in camp despite the deal not being done.
"I mean, it's ball," Gonzalez said. "I'm going to come out and play some ball and have fun. We had a tough ending of the year that sits on everybody's mind all year, and I just wanted to get on the field and do what I do."
Gonzalez's teammates have commended his participation and attitude throughout the ongoing contract negotiations, and linebacker K.J. Britt noted the value he brings to the defense.
"Anytime you got a corner that can shut down a side of the field, and then with the defensive line you got, it's a scary combo," Britt said. "Very elite, smart, athletic, understands coverages and tendencies and techniques, and just a great player."

#gonzalez #Patriots #record #year

The writing has been on the wall at Parkhead for some time. Celtic are ready to listen to offers for Johnny Kenny this summer, with Millwall positioning themselves at the front of the queue. Sky Sports, via The72, confirmed that the Scottish champions won't stand in the striker's way if a decent bid comes in. Alex Neil wants the 23-year-old Republic of Ireland international at The Den, convinced he can hit the ground running straight away in the Championship.
The signing of Colombian attacker Camilo Duran from Qarabag effectively sealed Kenny's fate. Celtic originally paid Sligo Rovers £140,000 for the forward back in January 2022. Alan Nixon reports via his Patreon that a figure around £850,000 should get the deal done now. That represents a tidy profit on a player who never quite nailed down a starting spot.
Millwall aren't alone in their chase. Bolton Wanderers want him back permanently after his impressive loan spell last term. Kenny clicked quickly under Steven Schumacher, bagging six goals in 14 matches to help push Bolton towards promotion from League One before a knee issue cut his campaign short.
Add those figures to his Celtic return, and he managed 12 goals and two ******* ists across 36 total games in 2025/26. Four of those goals came in 22 Scottish Premiership matches for Celtic. Respectable enough for a squad member. Not enough to demand a starting shirt under Martin O'Neill. Publicly, O'Neill has noted that no final decision has been made on the Irishman's long-term future. Behind the scenes, sources suggest breaking into the first team this summer looks like a mountain too steep to climb.
Taking £850,000 for a squad player isn't defeatist. It is basic business. Celtic get a clean exit, pocket a profit, and free up ******* e on the wage bill for O'Neill to reinvest where it matters. Kenny gets the chance to kickstart his career somewhere he will actually play week in, week out.

#o 'neill #Millwall

Fabio Paratici has wasted no time stamping his mark on this Fiorentina squad. He's brought in 5 new players already and more are coming. That's good news: the Viola needed to refresh a stale, ailing group. What I'm interested in, though, is the senior players the new sporting director has sold. No, I don't mean outcasts like Lucas Beltrán and Amir Richardson and Alessandro Bianco. I don't mean unfortunate salary casualty Robin Gosens. No, I mean all the academy-trained talent in the system.
Until the Viola create a B-team, it will lose a crop of academy kids every summer. Most of them never had a chance of breaking through to the first team. For the handful who might have the quality, finding an acceptable path within the club is difficult. The most common outcome is what happened to, say, Eduard Duțu last year: a promising young defender, he ended up on 7 loan deals before leaving Florence for good last year without ever making a senior appearance. Guys like Luca Ranieri—loans to Foggia, Ascoli, SPAL, and Salernitana before breaking through—are the exception. It's rare for to see one of these youngsters take that final step.
Young players matter to fans in a way they don't to the club itself. For fans, every 17-year-old who dribbles a 3rd-tier defender in preseason becomes a future star. That's not just luxurious thinking. We need that fantasy—the academy contains untold riches—because it reinforces two narratives that sustain us, especially through the lean years. First, we get to believe that we know ball and can identify buried talent because that allows us to think of ourselves as knowledgeable, superior, and in control of something over which we actually exert no control. Second, we get to think that Fiorentina is doing something better than other clubs, allowing us to enjoy vicarious success and prove to ourselves that there's a reason to support an organization that constantly falls short.
The other bit is that fans connect with kids they've watched grow up more than they do with senior players brought in on the open market. There are Borja Valero exceptions, of course, but in a vacuum, we'd all prefer an academy product more than a player of equal talent who transferred in. It demonstrates that the club's process is successful. It also provides a connection to the city: every time you see a kid like Tommaso Martinelli post a picture of himself as a child in the Curva Fiesole, it reinforces the depth of feeling the locals have for the club in a way that nothing else can.
Fiorentina has enjoyed unprecedented success at youth level in the Commisso era. Daniele Galloppa led the kids to their first scudetto in 43 years, adding that trophy to 4 Coppe Italia and 2 Supercoppe since the 2019-2020 season. There's been a rich seam of talent at the RBCVPetc, churning out senior internationals (Federico Chiesa, Jan Mlakar, Michael Kayode), promising youngsters (Daniele Ghilardi, Edoardo Pierozzi, Costantino Favasuli) and steady veterans dotting t

Is FIFA selling the World Cup? What to know about Gianni Infantino investment plan UEFA says 'crosses a line' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was a sensational financial success for FIFA, as the football governing body announced an incredible revenue total of $13 billion for its latest four-year cycle, over a 100% increase from the previous period.
It did not come without controversy. FIFA heavily commercialised its flagship event, vastly increasing ticket prices, introducing a new in-house ticket resale vehicle, and cozying up to the U.S. government throughout the event in North America, all of which sparked significant backlash.
With the 2030 World Cup cycle now under way, FIFA has undertaken the genesis of a new commercial venture, which, on the surface, is set to generate even more cash for the Switzerland-based non-profit.
The investment vehicle, first revealed in reports by Martyn Ziegler of The Times and in the Financial Times and shortly thereafter confirmed by FIFA, has many fans and entities fearful of the direction in which the game of football is heading.

#World #sporting #times

Global defense spending is entering a historic expansion phase, driven by geopolitical flashpoints from Ukraine to the Indo‑Pacific and record Pentagon budgets. NATO allies are racing to meet or exceed 2% of GDP defense commitments, while the U.S. has proposed a $1.5 trillion military budget for FY2027. Against this backdrop of rising military allocations and urgent weapons replenishment, Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT) has emerged as the sector's anchor, converting its record $230.4 billion backlog into profitable growth and securing new Pentagon contracts that reinforce its leadership in advanced defense systems.
Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT) shares surged more than 10% on July 23 after the company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings and secured additional business with the Pentagon. The stock is up more than 15% since the beginning of the year. This rally shows investor confidence in the company's ability to convert its massive backlog into profitable growth, even amid defense budget politics.
Jordan Tan / Shutterstock.com
Lockheed has won $67.7 million from the Pentagon for a new pair of contracts. One of the contracts covers US Navy submarine systems upgrades and is worth up to $44.6 million. The other covers F-35 fighter jet maintenance depots for allied nations and is worth $23.1 million.
Lockheed's latest Pentagon contract awards arrive as defense spending continues to rise. Amid persistent geopolitical tensions, countries are moving to upgrade their defense capabilities and replenish weapon inventories.

#million #martin #corp #NYSE

Crypto exchange BitMart said Sunday it will wind down its trading platform after nine years, sending its BMX token crashing and marking the second major crypto exchange to announce its closure in a week.
The exchange stopped taking new registrations, deposits, and orders from 01:30 UTC on Sunday. All spot and derivatives trading ends August 26, and the platform formally shuts on January 31, 2027.
The platform added that it "remains committed to managing this wind-down process in a responsible, orderly, and transparent manner." Withdrawals remain open, though BitMart warned that identity, device, sanctions, and source-of-funds checks could slow processing as users rush to exit.
BitMart blamed its "operating conditions, market environment, and future strategic direction," without saying which forced the decision. BMX, its exchange token, has crashed 81% over the past week to $0.057, cutting its market value to $19.6 million, according to CoinGecko data.
The platform lost $196 million to a hot-wallet breach in December 2021, one of the larger exchange hacks of that cycle, and covered customer losses.

#bitmart #Crypto #token #week

LIV Golf's team finale has reportedly been canceled.
The report by Flushing It comes a couple weeks after Cleeks captain Martin Kaymer told Today's Golfer that LIV's team championship, scheduled for Aug. 27-30 at The Cardinal at Saint John's in Plymouth, Michigan, was "highly unlikely" to take place.
Flushing It, which previously cited several contractors whose travel arrangements for the event had been canceled, said that an official announcement was expected from LIV on Wednesday.
LIV Michigan was supposed to offer a $40 million purse, down from $50 million last year, with $11.2 million going to the winning team. But PIF's funding, originally announced to run through this year, has begun to dry up earlier than anticipated, according to Front Office Sports, which quoted one LIV source as saying last month, "I don't think they'll ever get to Michigan."
The Detroit News reported last week that no infrastructure had been built at The Cardinal, another ominous sign for LIV Michigan, which would become the second LIV tournament to be scrapped this year.

#million #last

The Hetrick-Martin Institute, dedicated to serving LGBTQIA+ youth, set a new fundraising record at its annual School's Out Hamptons benefit this year, raking in more than $1 million.
Though the event has outperformed its fundraising goals every year for the last five years, the seven-figure tally was the first in the event's 26-year history.
More from WWD
What to Wear to a Gala in 2026, Including Chic Outfits for Black-Tie and White-Tie Dress Codes
Katie Holmes Honored at American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala

#fundraising

The 2026 FIFA World Cup proved to be a controversial one. The United States joined Canada and Mexico as a host nation for the event, but it was the only country that saw its President, Donald Trump, involve himself in the goings-on on the pitch.
By his own admission, Trump stepped in to help get USMNT star Folarin Balogun's suspension postponed after the electrifying goal scorer was **** sed a red card, resulting in him being deemed eligible for the U.S.'s round of 16 match against Belgium. Many people pointed toward Trump's connection to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who lobbied for Trump to receive the **** el Peace Prize and gave him the newly established FIFA Peace Prize, as a reason why Balogun's suspension was overturned.
Now, The Times' Martyn Ziegler is reporting on a **** ing "scheme" involving Infantino and people with close ties to the Trump administration.
"EXCLUSIVE: Fifa's president Gianni Infantino is planning to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors under a scheme that could potentially earn him tens of millions of pounds. Investor discussions held with figures close to the Trump administration, say sources," Ziegler reported.
"FIFA has now confirmed to The Times this Infantino plan is under discussion with Josh Kushner as proposed lead investor."

#president #peace #prize

The Pittsburgh Steelers are down two starting corners as training camp opened on Tuesday.
Jalen Ramsey and Joey Porter Jr. have both been added to the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin camp. Ramsey was added after suffering a knee injury during mini-camp.
Porter Jr. was a late add to the PUP list, getting added Tuesday morning after he "aggravated his back during the team's mobility workout this morning," per ESPN's Brooke Pryor.
Injuries at the start of training camp aren't cause for concern as teams tend to be more cautious with so much time still remaining before the start of the season. Steelers GM Omar Khan spoke on this aspect of adding Ramsey to the PUP list.
"We're just going to be smart about it. He's a pro. It's going to be a couple weeks. This isn't something where we anticipate him not being ready for the season."

#list #porter #start

The BitMart and BitMEX shutdowns have drawn bullish reactions, with ******* ysts calling the closures a healthy reset.
BitMart began winding down on Sunday, three days after BitMEX confirmed its own exit. AscendEX closed on July 1, bringing the total number of exchange closures this month to 3.
Moonrock Capital founder and managing partner Simon Dedic argued that the recent closures of several centralised crypto exchanges reflect deeper flaws in the industry's business model.
"The extraction model has a fatal flaw: it needs a steady supply of victims. When those dry up, so does the business. One of the underrated perks of a brutal bear: the market is actually healing," he noted.
Ran Neuner, CEO of Crypto Banter, made a cycle-timing argument instead. According to him,

#bitmart #business #model #moonrock

With the MLB trade deadline quickly approaching, contenders around the league are evaluating where they need to improve before making a postseason push. While some clubs are searching for another bat or bullpen help, starting pitching remains the biggest priority for many teams hoping to play deep into October.
Whether it's because of injuries, inconsistent performances, or simply the desire to add another frontline arm, these eight teams stand out as organizations that should be actively pursuing starting pitching before the deadline.
MORE: One player every MLB team will trade at the 2026 trade deadline
Jul 3, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Nick Martinez (28) meets on the mound with teammates against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
The Tampa Bay Rays have been one of baseball's best teams this season, but another quality starter would make an already dangerous club even more formidable. A deeper rotation could prove invaluable during a playoff run.

#teams #houston #tampa #pitching

SmartAsset and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below.
Deciding to retire can feel a bit unnerving. Retirees have plenty to potentially worry about – some of which they have no control over – like how the market will perform and how fast prices at the supermarket will increase.
But regardless of the economic environment, simple mistakes can prove costly for retirees.
Here are some common mistakes that you'll want to avoid as you enter your golden years. And if you need additional help planning for retirement, consider connecting with a financial advisor.
Did you know that you may need to pay income taxes on your Social Security benefits? In fact, up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable, depending on your other sources of income. The income thresholds that trigger taxes are set at specific amounts and don't adjust for inflation, which means more retirees hit those tax limits every year.

#taxes

Is FIFA selling the World Cup? What to know about Gianni Infantino investment plan UEFA says 'crosses a line' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was a sensational financial success for FIFA, as the football governing body announced an incredible revenue total of $13 billion for its latest four-year cycle, over a 100% increase from the previous period.
It did not come without controversy. FIFA heavily commercialised its flagship event, vastly increasing ticket prices, introducing a new in-house ticket resale vehicle, and cozying up to the U.S. government throughout the event in North America, all of which sparked significant backlash.
With the 2030 World Cup cycle now under way, FIFA has undertaken the genesis of a new commercial venture, which, on the surface, is set to generate even more cash for the Switzerland-based non-profit.
The investment vehicle, first revealed in reports by Martyn Ziegler of The Times and in the Financial Times and shortly thereafter confirmed by FIFA, has many fans and entities fearful of the direction in which the game of football is heading.

#investment #Event

SoundHound AI (NASDAQ: SOUN) stock has taken a severe beating so far this year, losing nearly 40% of its value as of this writing. Shares of the company that provides conversational artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to customers are now trading close to their 52-week low, but what's worth noting is that the steep drop in SoundHound's stock price doesn't seem justified.
After all, SoundHound operates in the fast-growing conversational AI market, where demand for agentic AI solutions is rising rapidly. Additionally, SoundHound's results have been solid in recent quarters, and the company is pulling the right strings to ensure that it remains a key player in the conversational AI ****** e.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
We will take a closer look at the company's prospects in this article and check if it is worth investing $1,000 in this AI stock in anticipation of a turnaround in its fortunes.
When SoundHound AI released its Q1 results in May this year, it reported a 52% year-over-year increase in revenue to $44.2 million. The company also announced the acquisition of conversational AI solutions provider LivePerson to strengthen its voice and agentic AI offerings. This seems like a smart move that should ideally bolster SoundHound's growth.

#solutions #flashing

Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
Stockpiling physical cash may feel secure, but it's not the best idea. Saving money this way is a recipe for lost, damaged, or stolen cash. Not to mention, those stacks of bills won't earn any interest.
If you want to save, protect, and grow your money, keeping physical cash isn't the best way to do it. Instead, consider a secure and insured account that also allows your balance to earn interest.
Here are seven smart places to keep cash savings.
Checking accounts are common, in part because they're so practical. They make it easy to withdraw and deposit money, pay bills, and write checks. However, what makes them ideal for daily money management makes them a less optimal choice for saving money.

#cash #write #bills #interest

So far, so good for San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling. We're reading about Stribling impressing early in training camp, making big plays downfield or creating yards after the catch by turning underneath routes into 20+ yard receptions. Stribling is performing like the player he was drafted to be.
Brock Purdy is noticing the rookie. On Monday, Purdy said, "Dude is a baller, and I mean that. It's hard to say that for a rookie, right off the jump, but just seeing him run routes, going up against defenders in OTAs and then in camp yesterday. He's a great route runner. He's smart. He's learned the playbook really quick, which is awesome.
And then, on top of that, you can see his strength, too. When he's going up against guys and creating separation, I'm like, 'Alright, this guy's a strong receiver.' And so, I'm excited to see what he does, but all of us, all the quarterbacks in the room, were like, 'Alright, this guy's going to be the guy that's going to come in and play.'"
Stribling returned the compliments to Purdy, calling him a "Very talented guy, very talented guy, great leader." Stribling continued: Just being out there with him, how he conducts the whole offense, keeps everyone in check, gives everyone their ****** ignment. So, just trying to be there for him as a great receiver, reliable for him, and just doing my part."
During his appearance on KNBR, Stribling was asked about the backlash the 49ers got for selecting him relatively early, compared to where the media had him. Stribling doesn't concern himself with the media:

#receiver #camp

Kasper Hogh, Celtic FC. Photo Celtic FC
Celtic today completed the signing of Danish International striker Kasper Hogh in a record breaking £11 million plus deal from Bodo/Glimt, leaving most of us delighted, but also a bit surprised as none of us, understandably so, had any faith in our hierarchy getting top quality deals over the line.
The striker who also played for Randers, Hobro, Aab, and Stabaek, in his homeland was a previously a player of serious interest in the eyes of Celtic, but unfortunately a deal didn't come to anything, due to a combination of our club's lackadaisical attitude towards recruitment, and Bodo Glimt's reluctance to sell due to their participation in the latter stages of the Champions League.
Hogh is a player of great ability, and it's a real sign of intent from Martin O'Neill, who has shown that he means business going into the forthcoming campaign.
The Danish centre forward is a player of proven quality as his record of 53 goals in 104 appearances for the forward thinking Norwegian side testifies.

#hogh #player #quality

So far, Manchester United have signed a back-up goalkeeper, two midfielders and a young forward this summer, but former Red Devils defender Danny Simpson says they need fresh blood in another position.
"Lisandro Martinez is injured, Matthijs de Ligt gets injured a lot and Harry Maguire is 33 now, so I think we could do with a centre-back," Simpson told BBC Radio Manchester.
United currently have a wealth of experience in the centre-back department with Martinez, De Ligt and Maguire, but injuries halted their playing time together last season.
It is not yet known if Martinez will be ruled out of the start of the domestic campaign with the injury he picked up during Argentina's World Cup final defeat by Spain.
De Ligt last featured for United in November 2025 under Ruben Amorim.

#martinez #centre #last

The club will hopefully announce Bodø/Glimt striker Kasper Høgh on a multi-million pound deal, after the Bhoys struck a record-breaking £11m transfer fee with the Norwegian side for his services.
News last night, as reported on Celtic Shorts, was that the big centre-forward has completed a successful medical in London ahead of the club confirming his signing on a four-year deal later today.
Martin O'Neill is in the marketplace for several more major targets, as the squad is in desperate need of refreshment following a close shave in Scottish football last year.
Hearts and Derek McInnes gave the 5IAR Champions a good run for their money, after Tony Bloom's initial involvement at the Tynecastle club, which could have easily been avoided, had proper investment in the playing squad been achieved last summer, as Brendan Rodgers continually pleaded for.
Now reports from Spain have confirmed that the World Cup star will return to pre-season training with the rest of his Real Oviedo teammates this midweek, as the Hoops' hierarchy has yet to strike an agreement with the Segunda Division side for the transfer to proceed. That is another frustrating update for Celtic supporters, but one that we are well used to, unfortunately.

#last #celtic #transfer

Unlike other blue bloods, Michigan doesn't often reel in high five-star prospects. For every Rashan Gary and Bryce Underwood, there are classes without a single five-star in it that are developed into powerhouse football teams. The class of 2026 is the former, as Michigan brought in two five-stars this offseason in Savion Hiter and Carter Meadows. Meadows has the makings of a star, but will need some time to get ready for Big Ten action.
Meadows hails from Gonzaga High School in Washington D.C., one of the more well-known powerhouse high school programs. In fact, he was high school teammates with fellow Wolverine Kainoa Winston, and Evan Link also attended Gonzaga. In high school, Meadows was 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds. He possesses a frame that NFL scouts tend to drool over out of an edge rusher.
Naturally, a high schooler with elite athleticism and an NFL frame coming from a national powerhouse of a school was bound to get attention nationally. Meadows received offers from just about every major program, with 247Sports listing 29 offers. Carter made four official visits — South Carolina, Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan, in that order.
In typical fashion, Carter's recruitment came down to Michigan and Ohio State. While certain sites may try to convince you the Buckeyes weren't going all in on Meadows, that would be incorrect. Meadows committed to Michigan, as Lou Esposito and company were able to close on Meadows, and Kyle Whittingham and the new staff were able to retain him.
As for his on the field skills, Meadows is about as good as they come for his age. He is an explosive edge with incredible bend and football IQ. He plays smart and is an avid run-defender. Meadows is also advanced for his age when it comes to pass-rushing moves.

#michigan #high #school #powerhouse

According to MARCA, FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick does not wish to sell defender Gerard Martin this summer amid growing interest from AC Milan and Chelsea.
The Spanish ace established himself as a permanent fixture at centre-back for Barcelona last season despite being a left-back. His adaptability, versatility, and strong performances have led to interest from top clubs across Europe.
Some reports in Italy even suggest that AC Milan are prepared to offer €35 million for the 24-year-old centre-back.
While Barcelona are waiting to see whether either club submits a formal proposal, there is little surprise internally that the former Cornella defender has become a sought-after player.
Flick, however, remains determined to keep him at the club, seeing him as a 'world-class' talent.

#back #Milan

Tennessee football is one of four finalists in the recruitment of three-star running back Asa Barnes.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound prospect will announce his commitment decision between the Vols, Arkansas, USC and Florida State at 5 p.m. EDT on the Rivals YouTube channel.
Barnes is an in-state target from Westview High School in Martin, Tennessee. 247Sports ranks him as the No. 41 running back in the class and No. 24 player in Tennessee.
Tennessee offered Barnes a scholarship during an unofficial visit on June 5, 2025. He has visited the Vols three times since then, most recently for an official visit on June 19.
Florida State was the first school to offer Barnes a scholarship on Jan. 19, 2025. Other schools to offer him a scholarship include Ohio State, Alabama, Ole Miss, Purdue, Maryland, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Louisville, Northwestern, Cincinnati and Virginia Tech.

#tennessee #june

Where will you finish in the league and why?
From what we have seen from our new manager, Alfred Johansson, and signings so far there is no reason to believe that we won't finish in the top six. Ideally we can finish fourth again or, at the bare minimum, fifth and hope whoever wins the league also wins the Scottish Cup so we could make back-to-back European campaigns.
Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?
With having only played two games with fans present it is hard to fully say who has been the best addition to the squad so far. By default, I would have to say Martin Moorman after his 25-yard wonder goal that put us ahead last Thursday [against HB Torshavn]. The new players overall seem to have gelled well with the original team, alongside the younger players we have seen come through from the academy. I would still like to see an extra striker and maybe two more defenders come through just to be on the safe side while we try reducing our injury backlog.
What do you want from your manager this season?

#alfred

Tennessee football hopes to land in-state standout Asa Barnes as a 2027 backfield sidekick to David Gabriel Georges.
Barnes is a three-star running back from Martin Westview. He is ranked the No. 36 running back and No. 551 player overall in the 2027 class. But he's coveted by the Vols to a degree beyond his recruit rating.
Barnes will announce his commitment at 5 p.m. ET on July 29.
If he picks Tennessee, Barnes will join Gabriel Georges, a five-star running back already committed to the Vols. And UT would become only the fifth team to land multiple top-40 running backs in the 2027 class.
Here's what you need to know about Barnes and his upcoming decision.

#barnes #back #land #star

Covenant Health Park will return to form as a baseball diamond, with the Knoxville Smokies back in town for their July 28-Aug. 2 series against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos after two weeks away.
The playoff-bound Smokies − still first place in the Southern League North − went 3-6 on their road trip following the MLB All-Star break.
The Smokies have been missing catcher Owen Ayers, who was promoted after Knoxville's last homestand to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs alongside the Southern League Pitcher of the Month for June, Jace Beck. Ayers is now the Cubs' No. 3 prospect, according to the MLB Pipeline's updated top prospects list.
Right-handed pitcher Luis Gomez-Martinez highlighted the Smokies' 3-3 split with the Rocket City Trash Pandas. Activated from the 60-day injured list July 17, Martinez-Gomez struck out a career-best 12 batters in the Smokies' win July 24. He didn't walk a batter in six innings and gave up just one earned run.
Get tickets to see the Knoxville Smokies play

#league #pitcher

Concerned about an AI bubble? Sign up for The Daily Upside for smart and actionable market news, built for investors.
There has long been an elephant in the Federal Open Market Committee's room as it tries to accomplish its mission of promoting maximum employment and stable prices. It's just much, much bigger now, and it's hard to ignore a $2 trillion elephant.
That's roughly how much the US government is issuing in new Treasury bills and bonds each year as the country's budget deficit swells. Its massive spending problem isn't new: The US has run a deficit for more than two decades, helped along by the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. But the economy is looking relatively healthy now, with inflation down from its decades-high record in 2022, shrinking to 3.5% in June. Weekly jobless claims just dropped to their lowest level since 1969. And yet the government is still issuing increasing amounts of debt. Economists say it's unsustainable.
Reducing the federal deficit may be Congress's job, but the central bank, led by Chair Kevin Warsh, has to contend with the economic effects of Treasury borrowing as it determines whether to hike, cut or hold interest rates steady. A committee that already is split on where interest rates should head will gather this week to decide what's next as a growing chorus of experts point to the problem the federal deficit poses.
Sign up for The Daily Upside at no cost for premium **** ysis on all your favorite stocks.

#much

Concerned about an AI bubble? Sign up for The Daily Upside for smart and actionable market news, built for investors.
Oh, the spoils of war.
The House of Representatives narrowly passed a record $1.15 trillion annual defense budget last week. It still needs Senate approval, but Washington's appetite for military spending is clear, and the US isn't alone. The EU, **** an and Middle Eastern nations have all been ramping up defense budgets, too, creating real sector opportunities for portfolios. Capturing them, however, takes more than pure defense-category investing: It requires knowing where the money actually flows.
"The defense ecosystem is actually much larger than most investors think," said Chris Grisanti, chief market strategist at MAI Capital Management. "It can include industrial companies like autos — GM has a big defense business — and of course technology and communications companies."
Sign up for The Daily Upside at no cost for premium **** ysis on all your favorite stocks.

#defense #sign #upside #House

The 2026 FIFA World Cup produced memorable individual performances alongside dramatic knockout matches. While Spain lifted the trophy after defeating Argentina in the final, the tournament also highlighted established superstars and introduced a new generation capable of shaping international football for years to come. Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Rodri, Lautaro Martínez, and Mikel Oyarzabal each left a distinct mark on the competition through goals, creativity, leadership, or tactical influence.
Even at 39 years old, Lionel Messi remained the heartbeat of Argentina's campaign. Although he did not finish the tournament as champion, he demonstrated once again why he remains one of football's defining players.
Messi contributed both goals and **** ists throughout the knockout rounds, combining composure with outstanding decision-making under pressure. Rather than constantly looking to finish attacks himself, he increasingly orchestrated Argentina's play, creating opportunities for teammates and controlling the tempo during crucial moments.
His performances against Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, and England illustrated how experience can become just as valuable as physical explosiveness. Even without lifting the trophy, Messi's tournament reinforced his remarkable World Cup legacy.
If one player elevated his global reputation more than anyone else, it was Lamine Yamal.

#tournament #lionel #even #knockout

Concerned about an AI bubble? Sign up for The Daily Upside for smart and actionable market news, built for investors.
19th-century Parisian Opera crowds were so notoriously hard to please that companies hired paid sycophants, known as claqueurs, to clap, hoot and holler. AI hyperscalers might want to revive the tradition.
Last week, Alphabet reported the biggest quarterly profit in its history, with the $112.1 billion take almost quadrupling what it made a year earlier. The company's shares fell more than 7%: Investors, racked by anxiety over the company's massive capital expenditure plans, paid more mind to the Google parent hiking its 2026 spending forecast by $15 billion. Tough crowd. This week, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon get their turns.
Sign up for The Daily Upside at no cost for premium ***** ysis on all your favorite stocks.
READ ALSO: YouTube's Peacock Partnership is a Streaming Bundle Breakthrough and China's Making Memory with its New Biggest Company

#week #billion #parisian