Pfizer (PFE) yields nearly 7% as COVID drugs crater, while Merck (MRK) compounds at 66% one-year gains with a leaner 3% payout.
Pfizer runs 20 pivotal trials in 2026 targeting obesity and oncology, with a Vyndamax patent extension to 2031 protecting dividend coverage.
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Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and Merck (NYSE:MRK) refreshed the dividend debate with their latest quarterly reports.
Pfizer defends one of Big Pharma's fattest yields while its COVID franchise fades. Merck absorbs multi-billion dollar deal charges to reload a pipeline behind Keytruda. Two payouts, two very different risk profiles for income investors.

#NYSE #yields #Dividend

The Princess of Wales' beautiful brunette hair has become just as synonymous with her royal image as her immaculate wardrobe. The 'Kate effect' has influenced women's haircuts for decades, and shows no sign of slowing down.
Whether Princess Kate is debuting a fresh set of face-framing curtain bangs or unveiling a glossy, chocolate brown refresh, fans flock to copy her iconic looks.
As a senior member of the royal family and future Queen Consort, the Princess has done little by way of 'hair transformations' over the years, staying loyal to her signature chocolate brown 'do and only altering it slightly in the 15 years she's been married to Prince William.
The Princess of Wales debuted her new voluminous bangs in September 2023 (Getty)
However, rare photographs unearthed from Kate's childhood show that the royal once sported bright blonde hair...

#wales #chocolate #brown #whether

Football is almost here. In less than 30 days, we'll once again spend every Saturday riding an emotional roller coaster, letting our moods rise and fall based on the performance of our favorite group of 18 to 22-year-old athletes (or, thanks to today's college football landscape, maybe a little older than that).
I'm sure most of you have spent the offseason tracking every recruiting commitment, transfer portal addition, and position battle from spring practice until now. But on the off chance you've managed to enjoy your summer without obsessively refreshing social media, let me tell you something, brother — I've got you covered.
Football and professional wrestling both thrive on larger-than-life personalities. It only feels right to blend the two. So before the Illini march into another season, before Memorial Stadium is rocking, and before every third-and-long has us asking ourselves, "Can you smell what Bret Bielema is cooking?", let's have a little fun.
Some of these comparisons are based on playing style. Some are built on personality. Others are all about aura. Either way, when the lights come on, the crowd is loud, and it's time to play the game, every one of these Illini has a wrestling counterpart. Now, let's hit the entrance music and make our way down the card.
Not the flashiest guy in the room. Technically sound, dependable, and if Illinois wins 9-10 games it'll be because he did everything right.

#right

The North Carolina high school boys soccer season is less than one week from getting underway.
The Wilmington area is once again stacked with talent as several teams are coming off deep postseason runs.
Now you have a chance to voice your opinion and vote for your favorite Wilmington-area high school boys soccer player in the 2026 Preseason Boys Soccer Player of the Year Poll.
Voting in this poll is decided entirely by fans. Vote as many times as you like now through Aug. 13, at 11:59 p.m.
After voting, see full results of the live poll or refresh the page to submit another response.

#wilmington #voting #school

Our **** ysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here.
Management attributed Q2 performance to the successful execution of a 10% promotional price increase in North America, which fully offset price/mix headwinds in Latin America.
The company is undergoing its largest portfolio refresh in a decade, transitioning over 30% of the North American MDA portfolio to new products to drive premium mix and market share.
Operational progress was supported by a 100 basis point tailwind in net costs as the company moved past the heavy inventory reduction actions taken in the first quarter.
Strategic footprint changes in Iowa, Brazil, and Mexico are being implemented to accelerate vertical integration and automation, though the vast majority of benefits are expected in 2027.

#management #latin

Our ****** ysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here.
Performance was driven by a 45% increase in printer sales, signaling a return of customer capital spending and the successful refresh of the product portfolio.
The company is shifting focus toward four key high-growth markets: medtech, dental, aerospace and defense, and data center infrastructure, which are adopting additive manufacturing for production.
Healthcare remains the largest segment, bolstered by strong demand for orthopedic implants and the successful launch of the NextDent 300 denture system.
Industrial segment revenue was modestly lower year-over-year as growth in aerospace, defense, and data center infrastructure was offset by the replacement of older systems and competition in consumer-facing markets.

#successful #Growth #data

Saquon Barkley saw a clip of Barry Sanders on NFL Films when he was a kid that left a lasting impression.
It wasn't Sanders juking half the defense on one of his dynamic touchdown runs. Instead, the Hall of Fame running back who inspired a generation of running backs with his sensational, elusive, shifty style was walking up and down the sideline handing out refreshments to his teammates.
"They were talking about how great of a player he was but they had a clip of him holding Gatorade cups and he's walking down," Barkley said on the AP's "On Football" podcast. "He is going to his teammates and just the way that he carried himself. So I would say I have to give my flowers to him there."
Barkley joined Sanders as one of nine players to rush for 2,000 yards in a season in 2024 when he was the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year and helped the Philadelphia Eagles win the Super Bowl.
Barkley demonstrated he's a team-first player by sitting out the final regular-season game when he needed 101 yards to break Eric **** erson's record. Earlier in the season, he told coach Nick Sirianni to let other backs get some carries after he had already rushed for 176 yards against his former Giants teammates and needed 14 more in the fourth quarter to set a new career-high.

#barkley #player

It's been another game-changing summer in women's football, with giants like Barcelona needing a complete refresh at Michele Kang's sides making big moves. But one team has turned its attention to youth: Manchester United. Whether it's a cost-cutting measure or a savvy long-term strategy, could it work?
The recent departure of Marc Skinner is a big development for the Red Devils. On the one hand, Skinner was rightly frustrated by his team's reluctance to push further after achieving an FA Cup victory and Champions League football during his five years.
On the other hand, Skinner had never completely won over the United faithful and a refresh of ideas could be exactly what is needed with the impending appointment of Eva Olid (pictured).
The Spanish coach worked wonders during her time at Hearts, which culminated in a league ******* le victory last season before she left the club.
Olid was said to be frustrated by Hearts' failure to push on from there, something she may well experience yet again in Manchester. However, according to reports United are set to focus on their youth system and she will have plenty to work with.

#refresh

Jennifer Lopez reportedly wants the world to know she is still in demand after her split from Ben Affleck. According to a source, JLo is looking to prove that she is a "hot Hollywood" catch on the dating scene. The "On The Floor" hitmaker and Affleck, who rekindled their romance in 2021 and married in 2022, made headlines when reports of their separation surfaced in 2024. Their divorce was finalized in January 2025.
Jennifer Lopez made her Wimbledon debut on July 12. According to RadarOnline sources, the pop icon showed up hoping to connect with an A-list partner as a way to refresh her brand. Lopez caused a stir talking to Tom Hiddleston at the men's final. As per an insider, she asked to sit beside the "Loki" star.
"Everything she does is focused on getting attention," said the source. "She's single, so of course she wants to meet someone, but she doesn't want to date just anyone. She's on a mission to link up with a man that can actually help raise her profile and status."
Lopez's marriage to Ben Affleck ended in the summer of 2024, only two years after they said, "I do." In spring 2025, she started dating rumors with Office Romance co-star Brett Goldstein. However, sources claim that she didn't consider the 46-year-old actor a high-profile enough match to give her brand a lift.
"She knows what will get the most eyes on her so that was a big part of it, but she's also looking to expand her social circle so she can get more dates and Tom is very well connected," explained the insider.

#affleck #dating

Despite a standing order to defend his WBC cruiserweight ***** le against David Benavidez, Noel Mikaelian will meet Jai Opetaia in the co-feature of Zuffa Boxing's Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"This is a huge card, and I look forward to showing the world once again why I'm the best cruiserweight on the planet," Opetaia said. "Credit to Noel for stepping up to the plate while others — yes, David Benavidez, I'm talking about you — continue to run and hide."
"This is a massive fight for Jai, and it's refreshing to see a top-tier cruiserweight step forward when so many continue to avoid the challenge," said Mick Francis, Opetaia's longtime manager. "He's proud to defend the Zuffa Boxing and Ring ***** les on the biggest stage."
"When I step into the ring on September 12 against Jai Opetaia in Las Vegas, I intend to defend my world championship. This is the fight I've wanted since becoming a two-time world champion, and I'm ready to deliver," Mikaelian said. "I haven't fought since December 2025 because of circumstances outside of my control. I refused to stay inactive. Champions are meant to defend their ***** les, and that's exactly what I'm prepared to do."
It's certainly a better matchup than the Glanton fight that kicked off this whole debacle in the first place. but I personally would not put any stake in this happening. Mikaelian (28-3, 12 KO) is under contract with Don King, who remains as vexatiously litigant as ever and has a long history of quashing any attempt by his fighters to compete outside of his purview. Dan Rafael reports that King, who'd reached a deal with Benavidez promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, will follow his usual M.O. and "likely" file suit.

#opetaia

Christina Applegate is back home after reportedly being discharged from the hospital, almost four months after her admission.
According to TMZ, the actress, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in June 2021, is back home and doing well. Applegate had been hospitalized in Los Angeles back in March, though it was unclear whether it had to do with her autoimmune condition.
At the time of her hospitalization, Applegate's representative told Page Six, "She's had a long history of complicated medical conditions that she has been refreshingly open about."
The Dead to Me star took to her Instagram page in April to share a brief update with her fans, though she did not discuss the specifics of her hospitalization.
"Thank you for the outpouring of love and well wishes," Applegate wrote. "Health issues are a constant for me, but I'm a strong chick and I'm getting stronger and better every day. I'm taking a moment to focus on my health, but I'll be back with more to say soon enough."

#Health

Exhale, folks. The trade deadline has come and gone, and the rapid refreshing of Twitter, Bluesky, or wherever you get your news from can cease. The roster you look at now is more or less what you'll see for the rest of the season, save for a well-timed DFAs for cost-cutting purposes, à la Nathaniel Lowe in 2025.
It was an eventful day for Craig Breslow, who successfully executed four trades before the clock struck 6 pm EST:
INF Curtis Mead for Connelly Early
C Adley Rustchman and C Jake Rogers for Anthony Eyanson, Kyson Witherspoon, Carlos Narvaez, Enndy Azocar, and a player to be named later
LHP Erik Miller and prospect Carlos Gutierrez for Marcelo Mayer

#carlos #exhale #bluesky

This page will update live with the latest relevant news, no need to refresh the page!
Check the latest done deals and official transfers completed in Serie A, as the summer window goes into its final month of activity.
The summer session started officially on June 29 and will close on September 1 at 19.00 UK time (20.00 CEST).
That is the deadline for signing new players in Italy, but they can still be sold to other leagues that have their windows open at that time.
Free transfers also are not bound by the deadline for moves to be completed.

#page #latest #check #serie

Liverpool's transfer window has reached a telling point. The names are glamorous, the prices severe, and the needs increasingly clear. According to The Athletic, the club have now "began preparing a formal approach for Bradley Barcola, the Paris Saint-Germain winger who is their top transfer target". That sentence alone captures both ambition and urgency.
There is no disguising the scale of the task facing Andoni Iraola in his first season as Liverpool head coach. He inherits a squad with obvious quality, but also one in flux, one hit by injuries, one still adapting after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign and one requiring shrewd, decisive surgery before the window closes. Liverpool are acting in the wide areas first, and that makes complete sense.
Barcola is the headline pursuit, and with good reason. The report states that "the wheels are in motion, and Liverpool want to do the deal at around £100million. PSG have indicated they value him at around £145m." That gap is substantial, but the very fact Liverpool are willing to enter the conversation tells its own story. This is a chase for an elite attacker, a player viewed as capable of refreshing the front line and restoring menace to the flanks.
It is a summer that demands clarity. Liverpool have already lost Mohamed Salah, and Hugo Ekitike's long-term injury has further thinned the attack. In that context, the Barcola pursuit feels far more than opportunistic. It looks essential.
The Athletic's ***** sment is straightforward and persuasive: "Bringing in the Frenchman would certainly be a statement signing, and significantly boost an attacking line that is depleted following the exit of Mohamed Salah and the long-term loss of Hugo Ekitike to injury." Liverpool's thinking hardly needs translating. They need speed, invention, penetration and goals from wide positions, and Barcola appears to fit that brief.

#transfer

The trade deadline is one of the most hectic days of the entire regular season for all ball clubs, whether you are a fan of a team that is already looking ahead to the next season for how they can improve or a team that is in the middle of a playoff race and hoping to see October baseball, it's a day where all of us are constantly checking MLBTradeRumors or refreshing our twitter feeds for the next Jeff Passan bomb to grace our timeline.
Coming off a series victory over the Cleveland Guardians where the Dbacks would end up going 10-6 from the start of the 2nd half to the last day before the deadline, there was hope among fans and players on the team that GM Mike Hazen would go ahead and be an aggressive buyer and fill the positional needs this team has shown to be lacking throughout 2026. What we got was…far from the outcome we had been hoping for to say the least.
With today being the last day for teams to make trades before the deadline at 6 PM EST, the notifications from the top baseball reporters were going off all day. We saw nearly every NL playoff hopeful make some kind of move to strengthen their rosters, especially the teams like the Padres, Phillies, Cubs and even Pirates who are all still jockeying for one of the 3 Wild Card spots. There were some rumors about the Diamondbacks being involved in discussions for players like Casey Mize of the Tigers, or Alec Burleson from the Cardinals, but that's where it always seemed to end at just a "discussion" and nothing being finalized.

I sat there watching the time tick away thinking "Alright, (Mike) Hazen will get something done before time is up,let him cook" and kept repeating that to myself, but once the final 10 to 15 minutes approached I got nervous that we might not see anything come to fruition, but right as I had that thought, the news finally came through and the Snakes made a move.
Brandon, Gabe and I planned to have a deadline special episode where we would discuss all the moves that were made for the Diamondbacks and who was dealt for the reinforcements that we were sure were on their way, but like a lot of other online we were quite disappointed to see that the only trade Mike Hazen would be was trading Daniel Eagan (#5 prospect), Sandro Santana (#26 Prospect) and a Player-To-Be-Named-Later (PTBNL) in exchange for Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbar. Noot did miss a good chunk of time to start the season due to injury so his .234/.333/.354 line with 3 HR and 16 RBI might not seem like the most exciting numbers to Dback's fans, but some of his underlying metrics give fans some more hope that he could be a solid addition for a team that is still well in the wild card race.
While the addition of Nootbar does at least improve the roster by bringing in a guy who has a solid walk rate and low chase % (also would mean we have a player who can slot in for Kepler should we hold onto that playoff spot), the Diamondbacks biggest needs going into the deadline was more Starting Pitching an

The Indiana Fever (19-10) visit the Minnesota Lynx (24-6) in a matchup of two of the WNBA's hottest teams. Indiana has won five straight games and Minnesota nine.
During Indiana's streak, Kelsey Mitchell (28.0 points, 47.6% 3-pointers) Caitlin Clark (24.2, 40.9%) have been rolling, with Clark getting her first triple-double of the season in a win over Portland. Aliyah Boston has added 15.5 points per game during the Fever's run.
The Lynx have a well-rounded starting lineup: Olivia Miles (19.4 points, 5.8 ******* ists, 4.7 rebounds), Napheesa Collier (18.3 points, 7.0 rebounds), Kayla McBride (18.0 points 49.5% 3-pointers), Natasha Howard (15.6 points, 7.9 rebounds) and Courtney Williams (14.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.2 ******* ists).
We will have score updates and highlights throughout, so remember to refresh.
Find Fever tickets on StubHub

#points #fever #lynx #clark

The Indiana Fever (19-10) visit the Minnesota Lynx (24-6) in a matchup of two of the WNBA's hottest teams. Indiana has won five straight games and Minnesota nine.
During Indiana's streak, Kelsey Mitchell (28.0 points, 47.6% 3-pointers) Caitlin Clark (24.2, 40.9%) have been rolling, with Clark getting her first triple-double of the season in a win over Portland. Aliyah Boston has added 15.5 points per game during the Fever's run.
The Lynx have a well-rounded starting lineup: Olivia Miles (19.4 points, 5.8 ***** ists, 4.7 rebounds), Napheesa Collier (18.3 points, 7.0 rebounds), Kayla McBride (18.0 points 49.5% 3-pointers), Natasha Howard (15.6 points, 7.9 rebounds) and Courtney Williams (14.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.2 ***** ists).
We will have score updates and highlights throughout, so remember to refresh.
Find Fever tickets on StubHub

#lynx #assists

Arsenal preseason schedule, results 2026: Dates, times, more to know about Gunners plans originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Coming off a historic Premier League ******* le last season, ******* nal will now look towards the future as they gear up for the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
The Gunners are hoping to return refreshed and reinvigorated, but they saw a strong collection of players serve their country faithfully this summer during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, meaning they have lots of moving parts throughout the squad as they convene for preseason training.
Last season was grueling, as ******* nal won the Premier League ******* le alongside advancing to the Champions League final, and the number of minutes clearly took a toll on the players. They suffered injuries that bled into the World Cup, and some of those players did not get a chance to heal fully.
The Sporting News takes a look at ******* nal's preseason slate, when their World Cup participants could return to the fold, and when the Gunners will begin the season in earnest as another lengthy campaign is right around the corner.

#arsenal #sporting #preseason #premier

Anfernee Simons understands his new sixth-man role with the refreshed 76ers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
For the 2026-27 season, the Philadelphia 76ers will be one of the exciting teams because of LeBron James' arrival. However, they are much more than that because they also have more additions, including All-NBA player Jaylen Brown and explosive scorer Anfernee Simons.
Considering he is not an established star, Simons is not the most popular player for the 76ers. However, people might be surprised because he can be one of the most impactful players due to his skill set as an offensive player, especially as a dynamic scorer.
Dating back to his days with the Portland Trail Blazers, Simons has always been an explosive scorer. He thrives without the ball in his hands, as he loves getting open with smart off-ball movement. His three-point shooting is elite, especially when he serves as a spot-up shooter.
Playing off elite players like James, Brown, and Embiid can open up all kinds of opportunities for him to shine. He already has experience playing with Brown and other top-level players like Damian Lillard, so this won't be a problem for Simons to adjust to this kind of role.

#players #james #playing

LATROBE – Day Three of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp was unlike any Steelers practice I've covered in terms of its layout. It was an incredibly light day for the Steelers that featured players in caps and bucket hats rather than helmets as the team ran a walkthrough for the entire two hour practice.
The plays were ran at 50-60 percent speed, and it was a very energetic, laid back environment. So, with that as a prerequisite, there frankly wasn't much to take away from Day Three, but Joey Bray and I will both share the few takeaways we had from Friday morning's practice.
Germie Bernard took the field with the First-Team during practice, working largely from the slot while DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman were on the outside. Roman Wilson took some reps on the outside with the second team. This was by design, as head coach Mike McCarthy said ahead of practice that he would be looking to give Wilson some outside reps as to not pigeon hole him at one spot. – Jarrett Bailey
Throughout practice, Aaron Rodgers was under center a lot. This is something that Rodgers had stressed in his pre-training camp presser on Tuesday. He wants to be under center more this season and it looks like McCarthy is going to grant his wish and give him those opportunities this season. – Joey Bray
Mike McCarthy spent the majority of practice with the third and fourth teams coaching up Will Howard and Drew Allar. Howard is the guy McCarthy has arguably talked up the most this offseason, while Allar is the hand picked developmental quarterback. It's refreshing to see a head coach so involved with the development of his young quarterbacks. If anything, it shows that McCarthy is looking toward the future and wants to get every opportunity he can at these young guys. It would be much better for the Steelers long term if one of the guys on the roster ends up being their future franchise guy, and McCarthy knows that. Howard has much more to prove over the next few weeks of camp and preseason compared to Allar, but getting that increased one-on-one time with their new head coach is crucial. – Joey Bray

#steelers

At the end of a tumultuous tenure, most rational Ohio State fans can agree that The Team Up North finally did something right when it hired Kyle Whittingham. The new head football coach is as classy as they come, and in the twilight of his career, he'll stabilize a program that has been riddled with controversy for the past several years. Buckeye Nation may dislike the guy because of the colors he'll wear on Saturday afternoons, but it would be a stretch to hate the man.
The new head coach at Michigan comes from a different era. One where you let your play on the field do the talking. An era where you played as hard as you could, and at the end of the game, you shake your opponent's hand after a hard-fought competition. No flag planting. No shoulder checks in the tunnel. No standing at midfield hoping for a brawl. Just respect for the game. And that's exactly what Whittingham brings to this next edition of the rivalry.
When asked about the hatred that has boiled over in recent years, Whittingham didn't hold back. It was a response that some fans on the fringe will scoff at, but a refreshing response for those of us who love the game and love this rivalry.
"I've learned how intense that rivalry is and how important the game is," Whittingham said at Big Ten media days. "Hate is a strong word, but I want to win that game as badly as anybody in Ann Arbor."
What an outstanding answer. This is what athletics was meant to be. Leave it all on the field and let the chips fall where they may.

#head #coach #years

Harris Oakmark recently released its second-quarter 2026 investor letter for the "Oakmark U.S. Concentrated Strategy". A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The strategy returned 9.21% (net) in the second quarter, lagging the Russell 1000 Value Index's 13.87%. U.S. equities finished higher during the quarter, with nine of eleven GICS sectors posting gains, led by technology and industrials, while energy and utilities detracted. The market showed concentrated leadership, with investors favoring companies that benefit from AI spending. However, the firm continues to focus on value discipline, avoiding AI-driven market fads, prioritizing companies trading below intrinsic value. In addition, please check the Strategy's top five holdings to know its best picks in 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Oakmark U.S. Concentrated Strategy highlighted Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:KDP) as a notable performance contributor. Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:KDP) owns and distributes beverages and single serve brewing systems. On July 28, 2026, Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:KDP) closed at $31.08 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $42.29 billion. Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:KDP) posted a one-month return of -6.86%, while its shares lost 8.10% over the past 52 weeks.
Oakmark U.S. Concentrated Strategy stated the following regarding Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:KDP) in its Q2 2026 investor update:
"Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:KDP) was a contributor during the quarter. The U.S.-headquartered beverage company's stock rose after better-than-expected first-quarter results, a reaffirmed outlook, and a Barclays rating upgrade. Sales were strong, led by the cold beverage portfolio and the U.S. Refreshment Beverages segment, while U.S. Coffee remained pressured but met expectations. Management continues to make pro gress on its JDE Peet's integration. We met with management to discuss the departure of Rafa Oliveira, head of its coffee unit, who is leaving for the CEO role at Heineken; the company has begun searching for his replacement. We continue to believe strong execution and integra tion will help close the valuation gap relative to peers."
Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:KDP) is not on our list of 40 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds Heading Into 2026. According to our database, 43 hedge fund portfolios held Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:KDP) at the end of the first quarter, up from 41 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:KDP) as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:KDP) and that has 10,000% upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.

#pepper #strategy

Former San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees will officially be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH, as a member of the class of 2026 on August 8. Sean Payton, former Saint and Brees' longtime head coach in the Crescent City, was recently announced as the presenter for No. 9 at the enshrinement ceremony.
Although Brees and Payton had their own backgrounds in the NFL before joining forces in New Orleans in 2006, the QB-HC combo cemented their professional legacies within the Superdome at the heart of the Big Easy, delivering a rebirth to Saints football and aiding in the rebuild of a then-broken city.
Following a 3-13 season and a 2005 campaign that saw zero home games played inside of New Orleans following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the city and team required a refresh and found just what Louisiana needed in a first-year head coach and a young gunslinger coming off of a brutal shoulder injury. These guys would grow, progress, and build what would become one of the most prolific offenses in modern league history.
The partnership between Brees and Payton quickly sparked a fire for the black and gold while providing a sense of hope for those still suffering from the tragic natural disaster just a year removed. In the pairing's inaugural season in New Orleans, the Saints finished with an 11-5 overall record and made a run to the NFC Conference Championship game. Although the team would ultimately fall short of reaching the ultimate goal of playing in and winning the city's first Super Bowl, this season was simply a foreshadowing of greater things to come.
New Orleans would go on to miss the postseason in both 2007 and 2008 before a magical year in which pigs learned to fly.

#city

Zoe Saldana stopped by CBS Mornings in New York today to promote the upcoming third season of Lioness, which premieres on 2 August.
Raymond Hall/GC Images
I'm hoping Zoe is starting this press tour as she means to go on, because this made a refreshing change.
We all know how much the actress loves a black Saint Laurent lace dress. At this point, she and Zoë Kravitz must be neck and neck for the number of times they've worn one, so I always breathe a sigh of relief when she heads in a different direction.
On this occasion, she wore a look from the Willy Chavarria Spring 2027 collection, which debuted during Men's Fashion Week last month.

#saldana #mornings #august #images

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

Liverpool's summer has reached the point where the shape of the squad starts to come into view, and the message from The Athletic is clear enough. The headline issue is at the top end of the pitch. Bradley Barcola is the one they want, the one they rate highest, and the one who would signal ambition at the beginning of Andoni Iraola's reign.
That matters, because this is not a normal reset. Liverpool are trying to recover direction after a turbulent campaign, move on from the post-Arne Slot fallout, and hand a new head coach the tools to build something that looks fast, aggressive and dangerous. There is no point dressing it up. They need quality, they need depth, and they need clarity.
According to the report, "Bradley Barcola remains Liverpool's top target as they look to recruit an elite replacement for Mohamed Salah." That line lands heavily because it frames the whole market for Liverpool. Replacing Salah is not a standard bit of squad maintenance. You do not replace years of goals, ******* ists, fear factor and reliability with a hopeful punt. You need a player with real pedigree, and Barcola clearly fits the bill in Liverpool's thinking.
There is a seriousness to this pursuit. The report states, "Signing the 23-year-old France international would represent a major statement of intent at the start of new head coach Andoni Iraola's reign, but agreeing a deal with Paris Saint-Germain won't be straightforward." That feels like the truth of it. Liverpool can identify the right player, they can make him a priority, but getting him away from Paris Saint-Germain is another matter entirely.
The wider market context in the same report explains why. PSG have set an eye-watering valuation and Liverpool are far from alone in coveting elite attacking talent this summer. Even so, if Liverpool are serious about refreshing the frontline properly, there is no use blinking at the hard part. You either pay for top-class potential and production or you settle for less and hope. Liverpool have done enough hoping over the years to know how risky that can be.

#barcola #bradley #saint

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

Newcastle United have been linked with plenty of centre-backs over the past few windows, but Giorgio Scalvini feels like one of the more coherent names on the list. According to Tutto Atalanta, Atalanta are now prepared to listen if a club comes forward with €45 million for the Italy international.
That matters, because for a long time the message from Bergamo was simple, Scalvini was not going anywhere. Now there is movement. Clubs do not shift their position for the fun of it. They do it when they need flexibility, and Atalanta appear ready to create room for a squad refresh after other plans failed to materialise.
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From Newcastle's perspective, the appeal is obvious. Scalvini is 22, has already played more than 100 senior games, and has international experience with Italy. That is a serious body of work for a defender of his age. He is not a raw project and he is not being signed purely on upside. He already looks like a player built for a high-level team.
He also fits the practical brief. Eddie Howe needs another central defender, particularly one capable of complementing Sven Botman over the long term. Scalvini's ability on the ball, his comfort stepping into midfield, and his aerial strength all line up with what Newcastle need. This is not about buying a name, it is about buying function.

#scalvini #international #long

Liverpool's search for attacking reinforcements continues to dominate the transfer conversation, yet not every reported target has generated universal excitement. During the latest Media Matters podcast for Anfield Index, host Dave Davis was joined by Daily Mail journalist Lewis Steele, with much of the discussion centred on Liverpool's pursuit of attacking options and whether Chelsea winger Pedro Neto represents the right fit.
While Bradley Barcola remains Liverpool's priority, the conversation also examined reports linking the Reds with Chelsea's Portugal international. Steele's verdict was measured and refreshingly direct.
Dave Davis referenced reports from Steele's Daily Mail colleague Kieran Gill, noting that Liverpool and Manchester City had both been credited with interest in Chelsea forward Pedro Neto. Davis pointed out that Chelsea "wouldn't allow the winger to leave cheap", especially in a market where the values attached to players such as Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomande have continued to rise.
Steele confirmed the rumours have been circulating for some time.
"He is one of these names that keeps coming round and round."

#davis #daily #mail #barcola

A cold Diet ***** e—sometimes paired with a shot of espresso—has become one of social media's favorite afternoon rituals. Gen Z even gave it a nickname: the "fridge cigarette." That's why it was so strange when Coca-Cola introduced a new font that eerily resembled an iconic one straight out of the cigarette world.
"Coke and Marlboro had a baby—and it's a font!," one X user wrote after seeing the company's updated typography. Others echoed the comparison, saying Coca-Cola's refreshed typography looked strikingly similar to Marlboros, in a case of reality imitating memes. Still others wondered whether the company had unintentionally leaned into the internet's "fridge cigarette" joke.
"Is Coca Cola rebranding like that because we all started calling 'em fridge cigarettes???," another fan questioned.
Coca-Cola said the refresh was designed to create "one iconic look" across more than 200 markets by updating its packaging and typography.
"This refresh is about being clearer and more consistent in how we show up, wherever people experience our brand," Arnab Roy, president of Coca-Cola Global Category, said in a statement on Monday. "By building on the things people already know and love, we're creating a stronger foundation for growth while staying unmistakably Coca-Cola."

#cola #fridge