Jonas Brothers are Disney Legends.
They were honored Sunday at the company's biannual fan event, D23, where Disney previews upcoming movies, shows, experiences and products while also honoring its history. Fellow Disney kid Vanessa Hudgens was on hand to do the honors.
After taking the stage, the brothers reflected on their longtime connection to Disney. Joe Jonas revealed that his first word was "Gaston" after repeatedly watching Beauty and the Beast, while Nick Jonas recalled playing Chip in the musical on Broadway.
"To our incredible fans, thank you for letting us be a part of your childhood and growing up alongside you all these years," Nick Jonas said. "You gave three brothers from New Jersey, a life beyond anything we could have imagined. We're so grateful."
In addition to Joe, Nick and Kevin, other Disney Legends honored Sunday included Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

#legends

Hayden Panettiere said she had "a lot more life to live" during one of her final interviews in the months before her death at age 36.
In May, the Heroes and Nashville actor spoke about her optimism after years of "darkness" and mental health struggles in an emotional, filmed interview with podcaster Jay Shetty ahead of the release of her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning.
"I finally feel like I have shaken off all of this darkness and this negativity," the former child star said. "I've closed one door and another door is opened."
She added, "I can feel all the exciting possibilities. I feel like I have a lot more life to live."
In the years before her death, Panettiere was open about her experience with addiction to opioids and alcohol as well as postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya, in 2014.

#darkness

A "Monday Night Football" mainstay is going to have to change up his routine this season. Former Dallas Cowboys great Troy Aikman will be subject to the "Tom Brady rules" this season, per Front Office Sports.
The Brady rules were put into place following Brady's rise as a broadcaster with Fox. After it was noted that Brady was also a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, a possible conflict of interest, the NFL put restrictions on Brady's access to other teams.
In addition to serving as a broadcaster on "Monday Night Football," Aikman also consults for the Miami Dolphins. He reportedly played a role in the team hiring general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley this offseason.
As part of the Brady rules, Brady — and now Aikman — will not have "access to practice facilities or practices," NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told Front Office Sports.
"Both may attend production meetings virtually but will have no access to practice facilities or practices. They may conduct interviews outside team facilities with football personnel and players. They could conduct the interview at the team hotel in an area separate from other football personnel. They could broadcast games involving their own club."

#access #Monday

American actress and star of Heroes and Nashville, Hayden Panettiere has died at 36-no cause of death has been made available at this time.
Known for her TV roles as Claire Bennet on the series Heroes and Juliette Barnes on Nashville, and played Kirby Reed in the Scream franchise-Hayden Panettiere has died at the age of 36 on Sunday, August 16, 2026. ABC News was the first to report on the news, with which her family's representative provided a statement. Panettiere died in South Carolina, and the investigation into her death is still "ongoing"-according to her representative. Panettiere's father asked for privacy "as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss."
"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," her father, Alan Lee "Skip" Panettiere, said in a statement to ABC News on Sunday. "She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her-and to the millions who watched her onscreen." While many know Hayden Panettiere for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, she was also remembered in other films: A Bug's Life, Remember the ****** ans, I Love You, Beth Cooper, Raising Helen, Ice Princess, Scream 4, and Scream 6.
In the video game world, Hayden Panettiere is widely known to voice Kairi in Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts II, and Birth by Sleep. She also voiced Xion in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. This is especially tragic, as Kingdom Hearts IV news was just announced at D23 2026. One of the most surprising VA roles for Panettiere in a video game was Supermassive Games' Until Dawn, where she voiced and had her likeness used for the character Samantha "Sam" Giddings. Her performance enhance and push the interactive drama, survival-horror genre across the video games industry.
Panettiere has been quite honest about her struggles from childhood stardom, going into adulthood. She released a memoir this past May called This Is Me: A Reckoning. In the memoir, she shared "a rare and intimate glimpse into her life behind closed doors, opening up about postpartum depression, addiction and recovery, trauma, domestic abuse, and loss," according to a synopsis for her book. In recent interviews and in the memoir, she spoke on her difficulties following her role on Nashville.

#nashville #died #roles

A venue has accepted that it discriminated against a Jewish comedian when it cancelled his show at last year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Stand-up comic Philip Simon had been due to perform a solo show called "Shall I Compere Thee In A Funny Way" at the Banshee Labyrinth, on the city's Niddry Street.
However, the venue pulled his act over what it said were his views on the conflict in Gaza.
In a statement given at the time to industry magazine Chortle, the venue said Simon had expressed views on social media and elsewhere that it said "align with the rhetoric and symbology of groups ***** ociated with humanitarian violations."
Responding to the decision on social media, the performer said he had been cancelled "just for being Jewish."

#show #views #Media

College football officially begins this month.
Now that it's August, there are just weeks to go until Week Zero arrives on Aug. 29, and since the season is quickly approaching, we're rolling out our preseason top 25.
After revealing our teams in the back half of our top 25, we continue our previews of the top 12 teams in the country with the clear favorite in the Big 12.
Previously: Teams Nos. 13-25, No. 12 Oklahoma, No. 11 Alabama, No. 10 Texas A&M, No. 9 Ole Miss, No. 8 Texas Tech, No. 7 Miami, No. 6 Georgia
2025 record: 10-3

#week #zero

The late rounds in fantasy drafts are the best time to look for under-the-radar players with a lot of upside and that seems to be precisely how ESPN's Matt Bowen views Washington Commanders rookie running back Kaytron Allen. Allen was named one of five late-round fantasy targets by Bowen, who said:
"I'd take a shot on Allen late in drafts. If the rookie out of Penn State can get some early-down carries -- and win the role as the primary goal-line back in Washington -- he'll have value in all scoring formats. Allen runs behind his pads, and his physical style shows up in tight quarters. That works when you need to get the ball into the end zone. He's a name to monitor through the rest of the preseason."
The sixth-round selection by the Commanders spent four years as the running back for Penn State, accruing a total of 4,180 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns in that time span. His best season was last year with the Nittany Lions. Despite their starting quarterback going down and head-coaching turmoil, Allen still managed a career-high in rushing yards (1,303) and rushing touchdowns (15).
Despite his strong numbers coming out of college, he was not drafted until the sixth round because of his perceived lack of speed and burst. However, someone with his power can be a good goal-line back, and that is where Bowen believes Allen's fantasy value lies.
Washington has a fierce running back competition going, and UDFA Robert Henry Jr. is giving Allen a run for his money after putting up 75 rushing yards with 6.2 yards per carry and a touchdown. However, just before halftime in their preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, it was Allen who got the carry on third and goal from the one-yard line, signaling that Allen may have an edge in the competition to be the goalline back for the Commanders.

#washington #Commanders #yards

In Hollywood's ongoing reckoning with child stardom, Hayden Panettiere shared the dark sides of a career in the spotlight.
The "Nashville" and "Ice Princess" star has died at 36, her representative confirmed in a statement to USA TODAY on Sunday, Aug. 16. A cause of death has not yet been shared.
Months before her death, the actress opened up in her memoir "This Is Me: A Reckoning" about childhood fame, crossing nefarious actors in her teens and addiction as an adult. In recent interviews about the memoir, Panettiere reflected that she was "groomed" to be a "little soldier" throughout her early career, which included roles in the soap opera "One Life to Live" and the animated "A Bug's Life."
Much of Panettiere's memoir grappled with grief, especially the death of her younger brother, Jansen Panettiere, and the years she lost to addiction. She wrote about relinquishing custody of her then 2-year-old daughter Kaya after struggling with postpartum depression and addiction. And, like many of her famous peers, Panettiere grieved the "chance to have a 'normal' childhood."
When Panettiere was just 4, her mother pushed her through the busy Manhattan streets from audition to audition, bookending each call with the phrase "Don't phone it in." Praised for her tears and dramatic expressions, Panettiere reflected that she "began to ***** ociate catastrophe with adoration."

#death #memoir

Southampton's first Championship game since the Spygate scandal ended in a 2-1 loss at Watford on Sunday.
Canadian striker Cyle Larin pulled a goal back for the Saints in the second period but they could not find an equaliser.
We asked for Southampton fans to send us their views on the performance and result and here is what some of them had to say:
Steve - Ineffective sideways and backwards keep-possession play instead of positive attacking play. When are Saints going to learn?
George - Started well but then could not hold them off. Both goals should have been stopped. Jack Stephens has to look at himself for both goals. Much better second half but we still need a top striker. I wish Tonda Eckert would give Edozie a better run as he is very skilful.

#second #play

Rockets predicted to trade Kevin Durant to Cavs for $411M former MVP in 4-team blockbuster deal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Houston Rockets are trying to bounce back from an up-and-down season last year that ended with a first-round playoff exit to the Los Angeles Lakers. Houston had a roster that featured a mix of veteran experience and young talent.
Kevin Durant did his part for the Rockets in his first season with the team. However, injuries to veterans Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet proved to be significant losses.
"Interviews with team sources and those with knowledge of the team's operations reveal that the VanVleet injury, and the season-ending ankle injury to Steven Adams later on, impacted the team in ways that extended off the floor. Beyond the team's glaring lack of playmaking, their absences created a massive leadership void that Durant and the team struggled to fill," ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Tim MacMahon wrote.
This summer has been interesting, to say the least, as Houston has been trying to figure out what to do with Durant. His name has reportedly been made available in trade discussions.

#durant #team #season

When Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin traveled down to Charlotte for the ACC Kickoff event last month, he did lots of media interviews. In one of those interviews, Franklin was asked about one player on offense and one on defense who had impressed him over the offseason.
Defensively, Franklin named redshirt junior defensive lineman Aycen Stevens. Franklin has known Stevens and his family for a while. The 6-foot-5, 264-pounder is the younger brother of former Penn State quarterback Tommy Stevens. Franklin recruited Tommy Stevens out of Indianapolis and coached him for four seasons from 2015-18. During that time, Aycen was a little boy with a unique nickname.
"Well, first of all, I didn't know who Aycen was," Franklin said last week regarding Stevens. "For us, it was Tank. Did you guys know that? So like, from the time he was little, it was Tank. We recruited Tommy, and there was this little kid who had a mullet, sitting on the couch or sitting at the dinner table. It's funny, when we got here, I said to my wife, 'Do you remember Tommy Stevens' little brother? She goes,' You mean Tank?' She knew right away. So, it's cool we got history with that family."
Back in the spring, defensive coordinator Brent Pry, who recruited Aycen to Blacksburg as head coach three years ago, was effusive in his praise. Franklin shared that enthusiasm.
"He's had a great offseason. He's one of these guys that was on the roster that people felt good about, but I will say that his improvement from the time we showed up until now is significant. He is fast; he is strong. I think he had a really productive spring. I think he's had a really productive summer. I think one of the things for him, like a lot of these players, is they're watching social media, they're watching college football, the NFL, and they see what different players, different defensive ends, are doing and how they're successful. That's important, but at the end of the day, you gotta know you, and you gotta play to your strengths. And I think that's what Aycen, Tank, did this spring."

#think #time

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts after the Hammers let a two-goal slip against Burnley in the final seven minutes.
For a written selection of his quotes click here.
Nuno Espirito Santo was unhappy with West Ham's 2-2 draw at Burnley. [Getty Images]
Latest West Ham news, ******* ysis and fan views
Ask about West Ham - what do you want to know?

#santo #images #latest

In theory, the NFL's new decision to allow ****** istant coaches to also throw challenge flags has sound intent.
Head coaches have so much on their plate as game managers every week that it makes sense to let them delegate critical play reviews to their subordinates. But guess what? If a challenge by an ****** istant coach fails, it's probably not the ****** istant coach who will get ripped apart for the decision to challenge in the postgame. It will, unsurprisingly, probably still be the head coach because everything ultimately comes back to them.
On Sunday, Dan Campbell pointed out this obvious flaw before Lions practice.
When asked if he would ever allow one of his ****** istants to handle challenge duties, Campbell pointedly shut down the very idea. Why? Because, well, if the ****** istant gets the challenge wrong, then the buck would still stop with Campbell. He's not wrong!
I don't imagine that Campbell will be the only NFL head coach who thinks this way about the expanded challenge rules. With great power — meaning a red challenge flag — comes great responsibility, but an ****** istant coach still won't take the same accountability for any potential mistake. You only get so many challenges in a single game, and they often swing the final outcome; the outcome of which the head coach will be evaluated much more.

#challenge #campbell #assistant #decision

Maxx Crosby's latest joke about Kirk Cousins gets mixed reviews originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Maxx Crosby and Kirk Cousins of the Las Vegas Raiders got into a heated argument during training camp that resulted in both players being forced to miss a day of practice.
Crosby knows he's not supposed to rough up, or even touch, the quarterbacks in training camp. But, he did it anyway, and that didn't go over well with Cousins. The two had an incident, and ever since it happened, there's been buzz that these two aren't getting along.
Now, Crosby is capitalizing on this feud with a funny post on social media, but not everyone is digging it. When it comes to comedy, don't quit your day job, Crosby.
On Saturday, Crosby took to social media to make a joke about their tiff. He posted a pretend UFC 330 poster on X with himself and Cousins duking it out as the main event.

#joke #Social #Media

Federico Valverde may be Real Madrid's new captain, but the armband will not automatically secure him a place in José Mourinho's strongest starting XI.
According to MARCA, one of the biggest selection battles ahead of the new season could take place in midfield, where Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni are set to compete for the same role.
Mourinho's preferred setup is expected to include a double pivot, but the midfield picture has become increasingly complicated.
Bernardo Silva's arrival has given the Portuguese manager a player he views as essential to controlling the game, particularly after Real Madrid failed to complete the signing of Rodri.
That leaves three players competing for two positions.

#midfield #according

Our beloved Seattle Seahawks played their first preseason game of the 2026 season and lost. In doing so, they did not look particularly unbeatable, which is to be expected of a team looking to fill depth on the roster. The discourse before yesterday was centered on the hopeful and expected improvement of young Jalen Milroe and a developing skill set. The reviews are in and people are talking. Did you watch the game yesterday? If so, what did you think about Jalen Milroe's performance? Where would you like to see improvement? Who else stood out to you on the field yesterday? Anybody unexpected look fantastic to you? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for being here. Happy Monday. Go, 'Hawks!
#np Sleep Standing Up by The Weather
Seahawks-Cowboys: Jalen Milroe Needs to Learn How to Throw an Interception – Seaside Joe
A quarterback rotation and Milroe's hesitancy to be a passer give Seattle serious questions to answer by final cuts
What stood out from Seahawks' preseason opener – Seattle Sports
Tyrice Knight and Montorie Foster Jr. were among Seattle's standouts, while Jalen Milroe had a mixed performance.
Seahawks Agree To Terms With CB Devon Witherspoon On Contract Extension – Seahawks.com
The Seahawks agreed to terms with Pro-Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon to a contract extension on Saturday.

#seahawks #jalen #milroe #terms

ORCHARD PARK – Is Highmark Stadium worth the hype?
Depends on who you ask.
Fans saw the Buffalo Bills' new home for the first time on Aug. 8. Both praise and criticism for the NFL's newest stadium circulated online across the following week.
Many praised the stadium's modern design, ******* ious concourses, and locally inspired architecture. Others, however, groaned over obstructed views and limited scoreboard size.
Buffalo welcomed fans again on Aug. 15 for the Bills' preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. We asked them: From tailgating to game time, is Highmark Stadium worth the hype?

#time

R Ashwin praises Bangladesh for historic win over Australia in Darwin, reignites 'designated Test centres' debate originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ashwin praised Bangladesh for their historic nine-wicket win over Australia in Darwin.
He used the result to reignite the debate around designated Test centres.
Bangladesh secured their first-ever Test victory on Australian soil.
Former India off-spinner R. Ashwin has hailed Bangladesh's stunning victory over Australia in Darwin while using the result to press one of his long-held views on Test cricket. The retired all-rounder saw in the upset a wider lesson about how the format could be structured.

#historic #designated

With just 20 days remaining until Maryland football kicks off a pivotal 2026 season against Hampton, Testudo Times is taking an in-depth look at the situations in every position group for the Terps. Keep a lookout for more position previews that'll come out every other day; for now, it's time to talk about perhaps the least debatable starting spot on the roster.
While Maryland football's starting quarterback decision wasn't made until hours before the 2025 season opener, there is no debate this season.
After a standout freshman campaign, Malik Washington announced his plans to remain with the Terps during the offseason. His return was part of Maryland's 71% returning production — the second-highest mark nationally.
However, a wave of quarterbacks departed the program: Justyn Martin transferred to Ohio State, Khristian Martin left for Fresno State and Roman Jensen committed to Shippensburg. Even Jackson Hamilton, son of offensive ******* istant Pep Hamilton, is currently listed as a wide receiver after redshirting last year as a quarterback recruit.
Michael Locksley addressed the position group with three transfers and a three-star commit, but questions remain about the team's depth.

#terps #martin

On Saturday, Texas A&M landed its second commitment in the 2028 recruiting class as five-star quarterback Donald Tabron II chose the Aggies over LSU and Oregon, as expected based on his recent interviews and strong relationships with the coaching staff, especially coach Mike Elko and QB coach Joey Lynch.
Entering his junior season at Cass Technical in Detroit, Tabron led his squad to a 13-1 record last season, as the 6-foot-4, 190-pounder threw for 2,819 yards and 35 touchdowns. During his young career, totaling 24 appearances, he has thrown for 4,475 yards and 52 touchdowns.
Extremely productive, Tabron's accuracy, quick release, and impressive arm strength provide a blueprint for Elko and his staff, who will look to lock down the blue-chip signal-caller this time next year, but will gladly take his commitment as a sign that even if LSU and Oregon continue their pursuit, Texas A&M will remain his next home.
Just hours after committing to the Aggies, Tabron spoke to 247Sports insider Tom Loy, and, following the trend of several 2027 commits, including five-star offensive tackle Mark Matthews, Tabron stated, "Elko era, Gig 'em," when discussing his decision, noting the culture Mike Elko is building, while naming several fellow 2028 prospects that he would like to see the Aggies pursue.
On paper, Tabron looks like the future starting quarterback if he continues on the same path, and looks like a perfect fit under new offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins. Here is the entire interview with 247Sports' Tom Loy.

#like #five

Jose Mourinho wants Alessandro Bastoni at Real Madrid, but convincing the club to make another major investment in defence could prove more difficult than convincing the Inter Milan defender himself.
According to journalist Ruben Martin, Mourinho has personally spoken with Bastoni and views the Italian international as an ideal addition to his squad.
It is said that the Real Madrid manager reportedly sees the need for another centre-back as more urgent than strengthening the midfield.
That stance is largely driven by the uncertainty surrounding Eder Militao's recovery and concerns over Antonio Rudiger's current level.
This is why Mourinho wants another high-quality defender he can rely on immediately, and Bastoni's name has moved to the top of his thinking.

#bastoni #wants #convincing #jose

The Tennessee ******* ans were back on the field on Saturday after traveling back from the West Coast and the joint practice and preseason game with the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara.
On a hot Nashville afternoon, the ******* ans got some good work in and began to address some of the issues that had popped up against the 49ers. Quarterback Cam Ward warmed up after a slow start and looked poised and in control, as the offense looked better than they did on Thursday.
There is still a long way to go, and the ******* ans are still developing. Here are some sights and sounds from Saturday's action.
It was a scorcher, but the ******* ans took to the field and put in a solid afternoon's work.
"If you're waiting until now to pick up your urgency, you're already late." That was the message Saleh passed on to the media for how he views his team in training camp.

#work

With every press conference Sean McVay holds comes a question about Aaron Donald – and understandably so. The future Hall of Famer is considering a comeback after spending the last two years in retirement, flirting with the possibility of playing for the Los Angeles Rams again.
McVay has expressed optimism about Donald's potential return, struggling to contain his excitement in a few recent interviews. But McVay was more serious and realistic after Saturday's win over the Chiefs when he was asked for an update on Donald's plans.
Once again, he essentially said there's no news on that front, which isn't what Rams fans want to hear. However, McVay's comments paint a more practical picture than the overly optimistic one many have seen in recent weeks.
The ball is still on Donald's court, with McVay continuing to stay in touch.
"We have had great dialogue," McVay said. "It's going to be on his timeline, you know? And when he feels good about having clarity, whether that's a yes or whether that ends up being a no, we've had some tentative discussions behind the scenes. There's a lot of stuff, without getting too granular with it and just out of respect for, you know, the dialogue that he and I have, that I do think he's earned the right."

#Rams #know

PHILADELPHIA – What did the winners from each UFC 330 bout say after their wins on Saturday's card at Xfinity Mobile Arena? We've got you covered with backstage interviews all 12 contests at the event.
MMA Junkie was backstage throughout UFC 330, and you can hear all their individual post-fight news conferences below.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Video: UFC 330 backstage post-fight interviews with winners

#arena

MacKenzie Scott has spent the past several years making headlines for giving away billions. Now, the billionaire philanthropist is returning to the work she was doing long before her fortune became the story: writing fiction.
According to The New York Times, Scott revealed that she has written a new novel, Last Days in Two Nations (A History in Eighteen Minds), and plans to release it serially throughout August through a newly launched Substack newsletter. The 80,000-word, 317-page book will be her first novel in 13 years, following 2013's Traps.
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
Scott offered only a glimpse of what's coming, publishing four introductory pages containing the ***** le, table of contents, characters and epigraphs. On Instagram, she directed followers to "read and subscribe" and shared a schedule for the book's rollout.
The release represents an unusual return to public-facing work for Scott, who has largely avoided interviews and appearances even as she became one of the world's most closely watched philanthropists.

#scott #release #mackenzie #york

The FedExCup playoffs have officially arrived, with the postseason kicking off in Memphis, Tennessee, at the FedEx St. Jude Championship where Scottie Scheffler has a three-shot lead over the field after 36-holes.
Golf Central Pregame and Postgame will accompany live coverage to bring you the latest highlights, interviews, updates and ******* ysis from TPC Southwind.
Here are the details on where you can watch the rest of the playoff coverage this weekend (all times are ET).
Tee times and live scoring
Saturday, August 15:

#live #coverage #jude #championship

Texas state representative and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico's campaign responded after a resurfaced video of his comments on the Bible and education sparked outrage.
A clip resurfaced this week of Talarico, a Christian seminarian, speaking in a video hosted by the Center for American Progress Action Fund in 2025. In the clip, the host asked Talarico about his legislative battles with "Christian Nationalists," meaning people who consider America to be an inherently Christian nation.
The portion that went viral recently when Talarico blasted the "most insidious" legislation he fought to stop while serving in Texas government, claiming one bill required schools in the state to teach Bible stories as historical fact. He argued that this amounted to pushing "propaganda" on children and was not just bad for state schools, but for society overall.
"It was a new state curriculum that would teach Christian Bible stories as historical fact, as the only truth to our youngest students, and I mean kindergarten, first graders," he said. "These are kids who aren't able to think for themselves yet. They haven't formed their own worldviews."
Texas Dem Nominee James Talarico Invokes Faith To Defend Abortion Rights, 'The Bible Is Silent On Abortion'

#talarico #texas #james #abortion

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho spoke to BBC Radio Solent after they lost to QPR at Fratton Park after taking the lead. For a written selection of his quotes, click here.
Latest Portsmouth news, **** ysis and fan views

#park

Middlesbrough head coach Kim **** berg spoke to BBC Radio Tees after their Championship season-opening win against Lincoln City.
For a written selection of his quotes, click here.
Latest Middlesbrough news, **** ysis and fan views

#radio

Nutrien (NYSE:NTR) held its second-quarter 2026 earnings call on August 6. The headline numbers show a company leaning on its potash strength to offset a ****** pier nitrogen and phosphate picture, while still finding room to raise guidance in one segment and cut spending in another.
Nutrien posted record potash sales volumes in the first half of 2026 and raised the bottom end of its full-year potash sales guidance to a range of 14.2 million to 14.8 million tonnes. Potash generated $658 million in adjusted EBITDA during the quarter, and the company kept controllable cash costs flat year over year while targeting below $60 per tonne for the full year. Automation now covers 53% of ore tonnes mined in the first half, already past the target management set at its 2024 Investor Day. Canpotex is fully committed to third-quarter volumes, and management pointed to a favorable response to its domestic summer fill program.
Beyond the mine, Nutrien trimmed its 2026 capital expenditure guidance by $50 million to a range of $1.95 billion to $2.05 billion, and lifted first-half share repurchases 26% over the prior year, stepping up the pace to roughly $75 million a month in the third quarter. Retail adjusted EBITDA climbed 4% in the first half to $1.24 billion, driven by a 10% jump in proprietary crop nutrients gross margin and sales volumes for certain nutritional products that nearly tenfolded from a year earlier. The company has also generated about $1 billion in gross divestiture proceeds since the fourth quarter of 2024, including roughly $90 million in new agreements since June 2026, and said it received numerous nonbinding bids as it reviews strategic alternatives for its phosphate business.
Nitrogen sales volumes fell from the prior year, with no production from Trinidad or New Madrid, planned maintenance at Carseland, and deferred customer purchases late in the quarter as market volatility picked up. Only about 35% of total nitrogen segment volumes were sold ahead of the onset of the Middle East conflict, leaving more of the book exposed to a choppier pricing environment. Global urea prices dropped in the back half of the second quarter during a seasonal demand lull that geopolitical developments made worse, even as management says trade flow disruptions, production outages, and elevated energy prices firmed up fundamentals again in the third quarter.
Phosphate adjusted EBITDA declined in the quarter because of elevated sulfur costs that Nutrien described as placing unsustainable pressure on producer margins across the industry. Nitrogen segment adjusted EBITDA came in at $635 million for the quarter, and the company still has turnarounds planned at its Lima and Redwater facilities in the third quarter, adding to the operational moving parts already at play from the Carseland work completed earlier in the year.

#year