AI data centers are putting pressure on the US electrical grid in ways that did not seem possible just a few years ago, and that strain is a direct benefit to heavy equipment manufacturers, not just chipmakers. US data center power consumption is expected to increase by 22% in a single year, with total grid demand nearly tripling to 134.4 GW by 2030 as hyperscale buildouts gain speed.
Considering grid capacity cannot be increased quickly enough to meet that curve, on-site and backup power production has become a significant portion of AI infrastructure spending, with Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) alone accounting for an estimated 18% of the data center generator market. Notably, the company has come to be one of the Dow's best-performing stocks so far in 2026, with a year-to-date return of 47.81%.
The company's Q1 2026 revenue came in at $17.4 billion, up 22% year-over-year, with adjusted EPS of $5.54, above expectations. The backlog behind that expansion seems to be the real story, with Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) closing the quarter with a record $63 billion in order backlog, an increase of 79% year-over-year and $11.5 billion sequentially, owing to major project wins like Altus and Chevron, growing rental demand, and strong Mining segment order conversion.
CEO Joe Creed told ******* ysts that the company's massive engine backlog, which directly powers AI data centers, has grown by over 3.5x since Caterpillar first revealed capacity expansion plans back in January 2024.
This backlog progress led Oppenheimer to lift Caterpillar's price target to $1,105 from $980 on July 13, while keeping an Outperform rating, expecting high-margin Power & Energy deliveries to accelerate in the second half of the year. However, underlying margin trends indicate rising friction. Resource Industries segment margins fell by over 700 basis points year on year in Q1, to 10%, owing to roughly $600 million in quarterly tariff charges. With full-year tariff headwinds of $2.2 billion to $2.4 billion, Caterpillar's cost structure is under significant pressure even as top-line demand grows.

#billion #data #grid #centers

FC Schalke 04 has officially extended the contract of Gelsenkirchen native Mertcan Ayhan until 30 June, 2030.
The central defender's new contract does not include a release clause, highlighting Schalke's commitment to developing of its own talents.
Mertcan Ayhan featured in a total of 27 games during the promotion season, 17 of them for the full 90 minutes.
"Mertcan's journey clearly demonstrates what's possible at Schalke," said Youri Mulder, Director of Professional Football at FC Schalke.
"As a local lad, he embodies much of what we value and brings exactly the attitude we're looking for every single day.

#gelsenkirchen

We gave you our updated power rankings for the NBA's Eastern Conference, where LeBron James formed a superteam on the Philadelphia 76ers, where Kawhi Leonard will presumably join the Toronto Raptors, and where Giannis Antetokounmpo changed uniforms, but what kind of operation would we be if we didn't also give you power rankings for the Western Conference?
So, here they are in all their glory. Perfect and inarguable, as always.
We should note: The East is far deeper than the West for the first time in forever, though the West boasts the league's two ******* le favorites, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.
The defending champion New York Knicks and LeBron's Sixers, among other teams in the East, may have something to say about it in the end, but the depth and youth of the talent in OKC and San Antonio is impossible to ignore. Those two rosters are in a stratosphere all to themselves.
It would be surprising if any of the top six teams here failed to earn a guaranteed playoff spot. The Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves form another tier of contenders. Beyond them, it's a ******* shoot, as every team features quality players and only the Sacramento Kings are in real danger of dropping into the draft's relegation zone.

#antonio #rankings #teams

The Baltimore Ravens got some fantastic news on the first day of practice at training camp. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike was cleared to return after sustaining a career-threatening neck injury last season.
Madubuike was spotted in uniform ready to take part in practice Wednesday.
That's quite the development for both Madubuike and the team. After making the Pro Bowl in both 2023 and 2024, Madubuike sustained a serious neck injury during the team's Week 2 game against the Cleveland Browns last season.
Following that injury, there was concern over whether Madubuike would be able to play football again. That question lingered into April, when it was reported Madubuike underwent neck surgery that had doctors optimistic about his chances of getting back on the field in 2026.
Some cold water was thrown on that report just days before the Ravens opened training camp. On Saturday, the team placed Madubuike on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. While the team still believed Madubuike would return in 2026, it was possible the nose tackle would need some time before returning to the field.

#team

Left back Nathaniel Brown has said he wants to continu8e to impress and Bayern Munich like at previous club Eintracht Frankfurt and in the German national team.
"I want to show what I can do. I know what I can do and what I can't," Brown said at his presentation on Wednesday at Bayern's pre-season training camp in the Bavarian town of Rottach-Egern.
"The coach has already shown me what I do well. I've spoken with him a lot. I want to play as many games as possible, help the team, and ultimately win ***** les."
Brown will compete with Alphonso Davies for the left back position. The Canada captain has been plagued by injuries, but Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl said they are not really considering selling him.
Brown made a big impression in Frankfurt which brought him into the national team, where he was among very few German players to do well at the World Cup where the team went out in the last 32.

#team #german #national #well

VfB Stuttgart have officially confirmed the signing of Feyenoord attacker Leo Sauer. The Swabians edged out regional Baden-Württemberg rivals Hoffenheim to obtain the 20-year-old's signature. Kicker and all other reputable German footballing media sources confirm a base transfer fee of approximately €12.5m. Moreover, all sources corroborate the existence of performance bonuses tacked onto the deal.
Sauer's new contract in the BaWü capital runs through 2031. Sauer already possesses a profile in Germany, courtesy of the fact that he made Nnamdi Collins' life a nightmare during Slovakia's September 2025 upset of Germany. The young Slovak international will now receive a chance to further enhance his career in the Bundesliga.
"Leo has repeatedly demonstrated his qualities in the Dutch Eredivisie, in the Europa League, and while playing for the Slovak national team," VfB Board Member for Sport Fabian Wohlgemuth noted in a club statement. "He is a player with great potential for us—not just because of his age. We've signed him with the firm conviction that we can further strengthen and expand our [team] attacking approach within our playing culture for the coming years."
It feels great to now be part of such a prestigious club." the player himself added. "VfB has a strong reputation, a rich tradition, and a huge fan base. I can't wait to get to know all my teammates and play for my new club for the first time. My goal is to be as successful as possible with VfB in all three competitions."
GGFN | Peter Weis

#slovak

The European Union has joined the Union of European Football ***** ociations (UEFA) in criticising FIFA's controversial plan to launch a new commercial company with external investment to sell a stake in the World Cup.
"The relentless commercialisation of football has become corrosive," EU Commissioner for Sport Glenn Micallef wrote on X on Wednesday. He added that a possible alignment of FIFA's regulatory powers with the financial interests of private entities is a concern for the European Commission.
FIFA announced on Tuesday it plans to create a $20 billion (around €17.6 billion) subsidiary to run the World Cup and other events, offering stakes of up to 20% to external investors. This would give FIFA members the chance "to access up to $20 million in one-off capital," according to the statement on the plan.
The move provoked a furious response from UEFA, which accused the football governing body of putting the game's "soul" up for sale.
"The European Commission will study these proposals carefully," Micallef said in response to the announcement, flagging that under EU treaties sporting rules are subject to EU law where they may have an impact on the European economy.

#World #fifa

Reading built on Saturday's 2-0 win at Woking with another, this time even more commanding, victory on Tuesday night. Jacob Brown, Josh Stokes and Jerae Jones (x2) found the net as the Royals ran out 4-0 winners away to Newport County.
Interestingly, despite strongly suggesting that he'd play Saturday's 'second XI' for the first hour of this game (after they'd got the final 30 minutes on Saturday), Leam Richardson actually mixed things up and put out almost his strongest-possible side. Here's how the team looked at Newport:
Reading's XI for the first half: Pereira; Godwin-Malife, O'Connor, Ward, Dorsett; Wing, Rinomhota; Lisbie, Stokes, Osho; Brown
Half-time change: Ahmed for Godwin-Malife – an enforced swap due to injury (more on this later)
Reading's XI for the final 30 minutes: Stevens; Ahmed, Beacroft, Duah, Lane; Fraser, Savage; Williams, Sackey, Kyerewaa; Jones

#brown #jones #newport

According to journalist Matteo Moretto (h/t SPORT), Leon Goretzka has offered himself to Barcelona after becoming a free agent following the expiry of his contract with Bayern Munich.
The German midfielder's representatives have made contact with Barcelona's sporting department in recent hours, indicating that Goretzka would be interested in joining Hansi Flick's project following Frenkie de Jong's long-term knee injury.
The Dutchman is expected to be sidelined for around four months after sustaining the injury during the World Cup. This has prompted the manager to request the club to reinforce the midfield if possible.
This is not the first time Goretzka has been linked with Barcelona in recent months.
The 30-year-old midfielder worked under Flick at Bayern Munich between 2019 and 2021, making 64 appearances during the German coach's tenure.

#following #recent #injury #months

As we slowly approach the start of the new season, there is much anxiety among Barcelona fans surrounding the attacking department.
The departure of Robert Lewandowski coupled with the potential exit of Ferran Torres means Barcelona are in desperate need of a new centre forward.
But their pursuit of Julian Alvarez has not progressed, with Atletico Madrid still determined not to sell their star player to a direct rival.
All eyes on Alvarez's future. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona will exhaust every possible avenue to bring Alvarez to the club, though they will not go beyond the €100 million already offered.

#torres #madrid

Detroit — Seven down, one more to go.
This week marks the eighth and final playing of the PGA Tour's Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club.
So, who will join the roster of champions that includes Nate Lashley, Bryson DeChambeau, Cam Davis (twice), Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler and Aldrich Potgieter? We'll know soon enough, before the sun sets on Palmer Park on Sunday.
In the meantime, The Detroit News' so-called experts (loose term) provide their predictions:
Predicting the winner of a 147-player PGA Tour tournament is a near-impossible task, unless Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlory or prime Tiger Woods is teeing it up. Usually, I like to lean in heavily on the horses-for-courses theory, so I considered the likes of Jake Knapp (tied for fourth course-record 61 last year), Chris Kirk (lost in a playoff last year) and Taylor Moore (the only player with three top-10s here), but the course has been renovated. So I'm going with The Kid, JACKSON KOIVUN, 21, fresh off his first PGA Tour win at the 3M Open. We'll pick him to go back-to-back at 3M and Rocket, like Tony Finau in 2022. If Koivun wins, he'd be the second player to receive a sponsor's exemption into the Rocket (2024), only to win the tournament two years later (Aldrich Potgieter, 2023 exemption and 2025 ****** le).

#detroit #tony

It's a whole new world when rookies enter the NFL, no matter the level they played in college.
Coaches know part of the teaching process is to get rookies able to contribute as quickly as possible, while also understanding there can be anxious moments wondering how practice work will translate to games when everything is on the line.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said last week that "when you first get the rookies, you know the rookies don't know what's going on."
Asked to expound on that and explain what that entails, he said, "Everything. Everything you can imagine. Coming to this league, just the speed is so different. Being in a new building a lot of the guys -- well I guess nowadays they might be in different rooms and different facilities because of all the transfers and stuff -- but most of the time they've been in one place for a while and now it's a whole new environment. New people to work with and definitely new playbooks that are very, very intricate due to all the things that we see."
Breaking it down to going against the defense in practice, Hackett said, "You get almost everything and more, which is great because it helps you for the season. But for a young player to have to be able to adjust and learn the basic system and then apply it to different defenses, it takes some time.

#able

Trying to describe what happened when the St. Louis Cardinals played a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday night is like trying to explain what it looked like when you see a dumpster on fire. It wasn't pretty, but it happened so let's begin.
The Chicago Cubs made St. Louis Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy look like a batting practice pitcher. It started out promising enough (for the first out, anyway) when Pete Crow-Armstrong struck out gloriously. From there, it was downhill at blazing speed. I'll keep this as brief as possible. Suzuki singled. Two batters later, Bregman hit a ground rule double then Ian Happ hit a double which made it 2-0 Cubs before most of the Busch Stadium crowd had even taken their seat.
The top of the 2nd inning was worse. So much worse. Conforto singled. Kelly walked. Two batters later, PCA hit a sacrifice fly then Suzuki doubled, Busch singled, Bregman singled, Happ walked, then Nico ******* ner singled to right. By the time the carnage was over, it was 7-0 Cubs. Even the all-you-can-eat Busch Stadium food deal isn't enough to redeem this type of experience. Michael McGreevy didn't even finish the 2nd inning. That was Gordon Graceffo's job and, to his credit, he kept the Cubs from piling on any more runs until he was replaced by Justin Bruihl in the top of the 5th inning.
The Cardinals would manage to scrounge around for a run in the bottom of the 4th inning when they loaded the bases with an Alec Burleson walk, a Nootbaar infield single, a Masyn Winn single and a Nathan Church sacrifice fly with the bases loaded slightly reducing the humiliation making it 7-1 Cubs.
The Cubs were determined to squash whatever faint hopes the Cardinals might have managed with that menial 1-run bottom of the 4th by grabbing another run in the top of the 5th inning when Nico ******* ner walked then stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch by Justin Bruihl and then scored on an infield single from Ramirez restoring the 7-run lead making it 8-1 Chicago. The Cubs added another run in the top of the 8th to make it 9-1 and another in the top of the 9th to make it 10-1, but who really cares? Oh, the Cardinals did add a run in the bottom of the 9th inning when Masyn Winn doubled in Lars Nootbaar who had walked to make the final score 10-2, but we still don't care.

#even

WS Amati Global Innovation Fund, managed by a UK-based equity management firm from AMAti Global Investors, released its second quarter 2026 investor letter. A copy of the letter is available to download here. Financial market performance in the second quarter was dominated by geopolitical conflict and enthusiasm for AI. Significant investments across all elements of AI resulted in exceptional growth for related companies, ranging from chip producers to companies constructing data centres. The fund outperformed the MSCI ACWI benchmark due to its diversified exposure beyond headline AI firms, with semiconductor and equipment suppliers being major contributors. At the same time, software and IT services faced investor skepticism due to fears of automation despite long-term potential. The firm is confident in the innovation frontiers to capture long-term growth opportunities in automation, semiconductors, and advanced technologies. In addition, please check the Strategy's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, WS Amati Global Innovation Fund highlighted MKS Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) as a notable contributor. MKS Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) is a leading technology company that offers advanced foundational technology solutions to semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications. On July 24, 2026, MKS Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) closed at $329.18 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $22.23 billion. MKS Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) posted a one-month return of -20.87%, while its shares gained 221.68% over the past 52 weeks.
WS Amati Global Innovation Fund stated the following regarding MKS Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"The broadening of interest away from the highly concentrated AI headline companies, such as Nvidia, proved to be a helpful environment for the Fund, providing a period of material outperformance against the MSCI ACWI benchmark. Our four top contributors were all caught up in the excitement to some extent, with three being semiconductor producers and one being an equipment supplier into that industry. The latter,MKS Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI), provided the biggest single boost to the Fund's returns and is a notable beneficiary of innovation in the design of modern chips. Rather than single layers of tiny transistors, many modern chips have multiple layers like a wafer biscuit, and electrons need to travel up and down through these layers. MKS' products help to make this possible. AI's insatiable appetite for memory, particularly High Band Memory (HBM), has created a wave of greater demand for the chips which MKS helps to create."

#NASDAQ #mksi #semiconductor

On July 23, both Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) and Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE:NSC) delivered their Q2 results, giving investors better insight into which railroad stock is the better play. While both companies reported strong results, NSC's investment case is now tied to the possible acquisition. Investors must weigh UNP's standalone growth potential against NSC's risks and upside arising from the merger.
Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) delivered an operating revenue of $6.9 billion and an adjusted EPS of $3.41, marking a surprise of 3% and 5%, respectively. Meanwhile, the company reported 6% EPS growth, with operating revenue up 12% YoY. Management sees full-year reported EPS growth in the high single-digit range, raising its 2026 outlook.
The strong results were mainly driven by freight revenue, which grew 12%, due to volume growth, fuel surcharge revenue, solid core pricing, and operational efficiency. The company reports being 10 basis points better on the operating ratio, standing at 59.2%.
ankush-minda-7KKQG0eB_TI-unsplash
A key highlight of the results was the company's intermodal strength, as it delivered its fourth consecutive record quarter in volume and revenue. Thanks to truck capacity and share gains, private ******* et, rail ******* et, and parcel volumes were all up double-digits.

#revenue #corporation #delivered

Josh Hart responds to Draymond Green calling out Jalen Brunson and the Knicks originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jalen Brunson made headlines when he took a pay cut worth $100,000,000 with the New York Knicks. It ended up being successful because that was the key to the Knicks being able to sign players like Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby to bigger contracts.
Considering they were crucial to winning the championship, just like Brunson, it was worth it. Some people were not big fans of this, including Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, because he thinks the Knicks could have afforded it anyway.
It is not surprising that Green has been vocal about Brunson taking a pay cut. He has always been an advocate of players getting the most out of the teams that pay them, but Brunson was a different story. He had no issues with taking a pay cut, but it seems Green has an issue.
Most of the NBA world, including the players are used to hearing Draymond talk about the latest topics in the league. Considering he also has a part-time career as a member of the NBA media through podcasts and TV shows, it is nearly impossible not to hear from him.

#draymond #jalen #worth #like

Serie A sides Milan and Roma have an increasingly heated market axis and the latest transfer between them could involve Matias Soule.
This week, the Giallorossi stepped forward for Christopher Nkunku. It was expected the two clubs could open discussions for other players, with the Rossoneri having rejected Roma's approach for the Frenchman.
But PianetaMilan note that it is Milan who have stepped forward for a Giallorossi player in Soule.
They have spoken to his entourage about a possible deal and their interest can grow in the next few weeks. Ruben Amorim is a fan of the Argentine's profile, as he seeks players who have a reliable 1v1 ability and can play in attack.
A move though would depend on Rafael Leao's Milan exit. If he leaves for the required fee of €50 million, they could use that to sign Soule. But for now, the Portuguese staying at Milan is holding up the Rossoneri's entire transfer window and they don't want to wait until August to seal incomings.

#transfer

Suri Cruise, the daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, has legally dropped her father's last name and chosen a surname that honors her mother instead, according to a Page Six report.
Rather than adopting Holmes as her last name, Suri opted for Noelle, her mother's middle name. While it's unclear when she officially changed her last name, Page Six reported that she registered to vote in Allegheny County, Pa., under the name Suri Noelle during her freshman year at Carnegie Mellon University in October 2024. She first made headlines in June 2024, when she graduated from New York City's LaGuardia High School and was listed as Suri Noelle in the ceremony pamphlet.
The reported name change comes after years of estrangement from Cruise. Following her parents' divorce in 2012, Suri moved from Los Angeles to New York City with Holmes, who was granted full custody, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The Mission: Impossible star was ordered to pay $400,000 annually in child support, plus medical, dental, education and insurance expenses, until Suri turned 18, the outlet reported.
Before moving to Pittsburgh, Pa., Suri, who has often been described as the spitting image of her mother, was frequently spotted out and about in New York City.
"We are committed to working together as parents to accomplish what is in our daughter Suri's best interests," read a joint statement from Holmes and Cruise following their divorce in 2012. "We want to keep matters affecting our family private and express our respect for each other's commitment to each of our respective beliefs and support each other's roles as parents."

#name #cruise #noelle

There are no more perfect bedfellows on planet earth than FIFA and private equity. So while this story will send a shiver down your spine, it's not in the least bit shocking.
After an incredibly successful North American World Cup that saw record ratings and revenue, the money-hungry governing body of world soccer is on the hunt for more. This year's World Cup was a fever dream when it came to the control that FIFA had in squeezing out every possible ounce of revenue. There was controversy over insanely high ticket prices, blacking out of stadium names that weren't FIFA sponsors, and, of course, the institution of hydration breaks that were an excuse to break up the game into a four-quarter affair filled with even more commercial advertising.
But after all the drama and controversy, the tournament itself was a remarkable celebration of the best of sport thanks to the athletes and fans that came to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Spain's victory and the incredible superstar performances made it a truly generational event that will be remembered fondly as one of the best international sporting events in years.
And now FIFA is looking to cash in even more.
According to a report in the Times in the UK, FIFA is now exploring what would seem to rational minds to be an unthinkable betrayal of the beautiful game, putting the World Cup itself up for sale.

#revenue #came #itself #best

Ireland have announced a 14-member squad for the first three ODIs of their five-match series against Afghanistan, beginning on August 5, with several first-choice players unavailable due to injuries. The selectors have opted to announce the squad only for the opening three matches, with the remaining two ODIs to be finalised after ****** sing the fitness of injured players.

One of the biggest talking points is the inclusion of Jai Moondra, who made his T20I debut against India earlier this month and impressed during Ireland's historic T20I series triumph over the reigning world champions. The youngster has now received his maiden ODI call-up and is one of two capped T20I players in the squad, alongside Ben Calitz, yet to make their 50-over international debut.

Ireland have also handed a first international call-up to medium pacer Byron McDonough. The 24-year-old enjoyed an impressive domestic campaign with Leinster Lightning, helping them win the Inter-Provincial Limited Overs Cup after claiming eight wickets in five matches. Across nine List A appearances, McDonough has picked up 15 wickets at an average of 29.33.
Captain Paul Stirling returns to lead the side after missing the recent T20I series against India through injury. However, Ireland continue to deal with a lengthy injury list, with Josh Little, Matt Hollard, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill and David Delany all unavailable due to injuries or return-to-play protocols. Cricket Ireland confirmed that the squad for the final two ODIs will be announced later, with changes possible depending on the recovery of the injured players.

The Afghanistan series will mark the first ****** ignment for newly appointed head coach Gary Wilson, who recently replaced Heinrich Malan. Former England batter Jonathan Trott will also join the Irish camp as a consultant for the first two ODIs against Afghanistan, having previously served as the Afghan national team's head coach.

The five-match series will also be Ireland's first men's bilateral ODI ****** ignment since hosting the West Indies in May 2025. The opening two matches will be played in Bready, while the remaining three fixtures will take place at Stormont.
Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, George Dockrell, Gavin Hoey, Andrew McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough, Jai Moondra, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker.

#ireland #t20i #squad

For the past half-decade or so, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has taken his time each offseason to determine whether he's going to play another year. This time around, however, Rodgers will skip all that ceremony. This will be the 42-year-old's final NFL season, he definitively confirmed Tuesday.
When asked about his NFL future, Rodgers said there was "zero debate" this was it. After the 2026 NFL season, he's retiring, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor.
Rodgers said he thought last season was going to be his final one for a bit, but he changed his mind once the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy. Rodgers and McCarthy have history together, as the two won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers.
"I thought last year might be it," Rodgers said after the Pittsburgh Steelers' conditioning test, echoing the same sentiment he expressed in May that the 2026 season would be his last. "And then Mike [McCarthy] got hired, and I talked to the wife and she said, 'You can do one more year.' I said, 'Well, we'll see if it works out.' And then it kind of all came together."
D.K. Metcalf, however, wasn't necessarily buying Rodgers' willingness to hang it up after the season. Metcalf said it was possible Rodgers would change his mind if things went extremely well for him and the team in 2026.

#mccarthy #last #mike

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — First responders searched damaged homes and buildings on Tuesday for possible victims of a powerful tornado that carved a path of destruction through several northeastern Wisconsin communities.
The twister touched down in the Fox Cities region, which includes Appleton, Menasha and Neenah, at around 1 p.m. Monday and remained on the ground for more than 20 minutes as it cut a roughly 12-mile path of destruction through an area, the National Weather Service reported. It was nearly a mile (1.6 kilometers) across at its widest, and it destroyed homes and businesses, flipped cars and knocked down rows of power lines in the region, which is roughly 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Milwaukee.
The timing — it blew in when most people were awake and after warnings had been issued — could be why there have been no reported deaths, authorities said.
"I think what helped us was it was during the week," Menasha Police Chief Matt Albrecht said at a news conference Tuesday. "Everybody was at work. It was the middle of the day. Most people were not at home and at their place of employment."
Authorities said a number of people were injured and treated at hospitals, but they didn't know exactly how many or how seriously.

#authorities #homes #down #roughly

The Yankees got some of the worst news possible when MRI scans revealed that Cody Bellinger had suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in Saturday's win over the Phillies and will likely miss 4-to-6 weeks. As it happens, it is from that very same game, an inning prior to the injury, that we find our nominee for At-bat of the Week, Jasson Domínguez crushing a solo home run off José Alvarado.
We join Domínguez leading off the seventh on Saturday night in Philadelphia. The Yankees are clinging to a 2-1 lead courtesy of an Austin Wells solo bomb and Bellinger RBI single. However, the Phillies have their flame throwing lefty Alvarado in the game and the dangerous top of their order due up in the bottom half of the frame, so the Yankees would love to tack on another insurance run.
There is no mystery to how Alvarado is going to attack you, the lefty throwing the fastball 97.3 percent of the time. The one wrinkle he introduces is the type of fastball he's going to throw, using the sinker about two-thirds of the time and the cutter about one-third of the time. He goes with his primary offering to start things off here.
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Domínguez takes this 96 mph sinker for a called strike one. You might wonder how he could take a pitch right down the middle. The camera angle doesn't quite do this pitch justice, but this sinker starts about a half-foot in off the plate before its 16 inches of arm-side run carries it back into the zone. It's therefore easy to see how a hitter might give up early on a pitch initially aimed toward him.

#yankees #solo

The Chicago Bears are back at Halas Hall for the start of training camp, with the first practice set to take place on Wednesday. Before the players hit the field, though, general manager Ryan Poles met with the media on Tuesday to discuss a number of topics, including injuries, position battles, and more.
One notable topic is the possibility of extending right tackle Darnell Wright, who became eligible for a new deal this offseason. Wright has been the entrenched starter since coming into the league as the No. 10 overall pick in 2023 and is coming off his best season as a pro.
Poles acknowledged the Bears want Wright to be with the team long-term but stated it takes two sides to get a deal done and the window is limited. "There's a window to get a deal done. At some point, we have to go play football. So we will figure that out. Darnell is a guy we want here for the long term," Poles said via Bear Report's Zack Pearson. He also maintained that Wright needs to play with more consistency going into 2026. "We see the flashes and stacks of plays he puts together. He needs to be consistent day-in, day-out," he said via Shaw Media's Michal Dwojak.
Wright played in 16 games last season and allowed just three sacks, three QB hits, and 19 pressures. His main issue continues to be penalties, which he had 12 of in 2025. Still, Wright earned Second-Team All-Pro for his play on the offensive line and, at 24 years old, is just hitting his prime. The Bears did pick up Wright's fifth-year option, ensuring he remains with the Bears through the 2027 season. Hopefully the two sides come to an agreement sooner rather than later to keep him around longer than that.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears GM Ryan Poles discusses possible extension for Darnell Wright

#poles #team

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Part of a major interstate highway in Oregon was closed Monday due to a wildfire that forced a small town to evacuate, one of dozens of blazes burning across the state.
The Fox Fire forced the closure of Interstate 84 for some 70 miles (113 kilometers) between Baker City and Ontario near the Idaho state line before reopening later in the day, the Oregon Department of Transportation said. I-84 is a key thoroughfare, running from Portland in the west through the Columbia River Gorge and into eastern Oregon before crossing the Snake River eastward through Boise.
The transportation department said the wildfire remains active in the area and that intermittent closures were still possible.
Challenging wildfires have burned across the Western U.S. this summer, following months of dry weather, a record lack of snow in some areas, hot spells and erratic winds. Federal authorities announced Saturday that a fourth firefighter died of his injuries after he and several colleagues were overcome last month by a fast-moving wildfire near the Colorado-Utah border.
The Fox Fire was burning near the Oregon-Idaho state line about 12 miles (19 kilometers) northeast of the small town of Huntington, which was under a Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation order, meaning its roughly 500 residents have been told to leave immediately.

#portland #idaho

Former Germany international İlkay Gündoğan said he won't rule out making a return to 1.FC Nürnberg in the future.
"I still have a very close connection to Nürnberg because the club means a lot to me," the midfielder said, speaking to Sky Germany.
"I'm very grateful to the club and the city. I can definitely imagine returning one day, in whatever role that may be.
"Whether it's for one or two years as a player or later as a sporting director or coach, everything is possible," Gündoğan added.
Gündoğan, who currently plays for Turkish Süper Lig side Galatasaray, is contracted to the club until the summer of 2027.

#club #former #galatasaray

Emma Roberts' guest list may have said more than her vows did.
While Julia Roberts stood front and center at niece Emmas' Idaho wedding on Saturday, July 25, Emma's father, Eric Roberts was nowhere in sight. Per a report from Rob Shuter's Naughty But Nice Substack, published Tuesday, July 28, the guest list wasn't about reopening old wounds.
Eric, who spent the weekend in Los Angeles, has long maintained that he and the American Horror Story star aren't estranged, but an insider told Shuter the wedding said otherwise. "Eric is putting on a brave face because that's what fathers do," the source said. "But don't mistake grace for a lack of hurt. Being left off your daughter's wedding guest list is heartbreaking, especially when another member of your family gets the invitation."
Instagram/emmaroberts
However, according to a second insider, Julia, 58, being at the ceremony in Sun Valley stung more than Eric, 70, let on. "Emma had an impossible choice to make, and she made it," a Hollywood insider told Naughty But Nice. "She couldn't have both Julia and Eric there, so she chose her aunt over her father. Eric is putting on a brave face, but make no mistake — this one hurts."

#julia #wedding

Many people end up working until their 60s or beyond because they have no choice. But you may find that retiring at 55 is more ideal for you because it gives you a fairly lengthy career while also allowing you to exit the labor force at a time when your health might still be great.
If your goal is to retire at 55, you'll need to start working toward it at a young age. Here are three things to do early in your career if you want to be able to stop working at 55.
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 »
Developing good savings habits early on could lead to a large nest egg by your mid-50s. If you want to retire at 55, begin funding an IRA or 401(k) as soon as you have your first steady paycheck.
It's OK if you can only swing modest contributions early on in your career, especially if you're simultaneously trying to build an emergency fund and pay off student loans. The key is to start saving for retirement from as young an age as possible so your money has time to grow.

#flashing #young

All or nothing. Nothing else matters. Super Bowl or bust. Bold statements like these are as expected from pro athletes as they are cliché. It's a mindset NFL fans demand to hear from their favorite players and it's a mindset that some fans even take on themselves. Some fans might say it out loud so many times they actually believe it.
When Dak Prescott recently said the Dallas Cowboys had Super Bowl expectations, no one batted an eye. Throughout his career, Prescott has led some of the best offenses in the NFL. 2026 is shaping up to be more of the same with Prescott operating at the top of his game and his **** nal of weapons having never looked better.
Yet the Cowboys defense provides some unavoidable cause for concern. They are coming off a season where they were at or near the bottom of the NFL in almost all major categories and they enter 2026 with more than a few major questions left to answer. But coming off a 7-9-1 campaign and having missed the postseason for two consecutive years, how realistic are Super Bowl expectations in 2026?
"It's always been my mindset," Prescott said of his Super Bowl expectations. "It's the one thing I truly love about the Cowboys organization and the fanbase. It's all or nothing."
It's possible Prescott actually believes this but it's far more likely he's saying what he feels he's supposed to say. It's hard to believe anyone outside of maybe the Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks actually believes this "all or nothing" mantra this season. The investments those two teams made are significant, and based on recent play, the extreme expectations for them are realistic. The Cowboys have neither of those factors working in their favor.

#cowboys #fans

Myles Garrett is heading into his 10th NFL season, and his first with the Rams. If he has the kind of big year the Rams are hoping for, he could break the NFL record for the most sacks ever in a player's first 10 seasons.
Through nine years, Garrett has 125.5 career sacks. The record for the most sacks in a player's first 10 seasons is 145, set by Reggie White in his 10th NFL season, in 1994. So if Garrett gets 20 sacks this season, he'll break White's record.
It's worth noting that the record has an asterisk: Official NFL records for a player's sack total have only been recorded since 1982. Deacon Jones has the unofficial record, with 155 sacks in his first 10 seasons.
Garrett set the NFL record for sacks in a season last year, when he had 23. So a 20-sack season is possible for him this year.
After Jones and White, Jared Allen has the next-most sacks through 10 seasons, with 128.5. Garrett will almost certainly get the 3.5 sacks he needs to surpass Allen.

#first #seasons