Daily News 19

Category: Around the World

International news, world events, society, travel, and stories beyond the other editorial categories.

  • Old Farmer’s Almanac Predicts September Weather Across the U.S.

    Old Farmer’s Almanac Predicts September Weather Across the U.S.

    The Old Farmer’s Almanac September weather outlook offers a region-by-region forecast for temperature and precipitation trends across the United States. The long-range forecast outlines broad patterns rather than exact day-to-day conditions, comparing expected conditions with historical averages.

    The Almanac says its forecasts combine solar science, climatology and meteorology. Its approach considers solar patterns, historical weather conditions, current solar activity, climate data and large-scale signals such as El Niño and La Niña.

    September Weather Forecast by Region

    New England and Northern Areas

    September begins with showery and cool conditions through September 7, followed by a sunny but still cool period from September 8 to 11. Rainy periods are expected before sunshine returns from September 12 to 19, while showers and cool conditions are forecast for the remainder of the month.

    The Almanac forecasts a temperature of 59 degrees, 2 degrees below average, with 5.5 inches of precipitation, around 2 inches above average.

    Atlantic Corridor

    The Atlantic Corridor is expected to see scattered thunderstorms from September 1 to 12, with warm conditions giving way to cooler weather. Scattered showers are forecast in the north from September 13 to 23, while the south remains sunny, before isolated showers and cool conditions affect the region during the final week.

    Precipitation is forecast at 3 inches, about 1 inch below average, while the temperature is expected to average 68 degrees, 1 degree below normal.

    Appalachians

    September starts sunny and warm in the Appalachians before scattered showers bring cooler conditions from September 7 to 12. From September 13 to 23, isolated showers are expected in the north while the south remains sunny, with cool temperatures turning warmer. Showers and cool weather follow from September 24 to 27, before the month ends with showers in the north, sunshine in the south and milder conditions.

    The region’s September temperature is forecast at 63 degrees, 2 degrees below average, with precipitation around 2 inches below average.

    Southeast

    The Southeast outlook calls for sunny and mild conditions to open September. Thunderstorms are expected before sunshine returns from September 8 to 18, accompanied by cooler weather. Another sunny and mild stretch follows through September 24, with the month ending sunny as cool conditions turn warmer.

    The Almanac forecasts a temperature of 74 degrees, 1 degree below average, and 2 inches of precipitation, about 3 inches below average.

    Florida

    Florida begins the month with scattered thunderstorms and conditions turning from warm to cooler through September 11. From September 12 to 20, the north is expected to be sunny while the south sees thunderstorms, with mild temperatures across the region. Sunshine is forecast to continue in the north through the end of the month, while isolated thunderstorms remain possible in the south.

    Precipitation is forecast at 7.5 inches, with the north 2 inches below average and the south 2 inches above average. The Almanac forecasts a temperature of 80 degrees, 1 degree below average.

    Lower Great Lakes

    The Lower Great Lakes region is expected to start September sunny, with cool conditions turning warmer through September 8. Rain and cooler weather are forecast from September 9 to 11, followed by periods of rain in the east and sunshine in the west through September 16. Showers are expected from September 17 through the end of the month, with cool temperatures becoming milder.

    The Almanac forecasts an average September temperature of 60 degrees, 2 degrees below normal, and 3 inches of precipitation, considered average.

    Ohio Valley

    September begins with scattered showers in the Ohio Valley, with warm weather turning cooler through September 9. Sunny conditions follow from September 10 to 20 as cool temperatures become warmer. The final 10 days are expected to bring scattered showers in the east and sunshine in the west, with cool conditions across the region.

    September’s temperature is forecast at 66 degrees, 2 degrees below average, with precipitation average in the east and 2 inches below average in the west.

    Deep South

    The Deep South begins September with sunshine followed by showers, while cool conditions turn warmer through September 8. Sunny and cool weather is expected from September 9 to 14, followed by sunny and warm conditions through September 23. Isolated showers are forecast during the final week, with cooler weather in the north and mild conditions in the south.

    The region’s temperature is forecast at 76 degrees, 1 degree below average, with precipitation around 2 inches below normal.

    Upper Midwest

    The Upper Midwest outlook starts with sunshine and a turn toward very warm conditions through September 6. A few showers and chilly weather are forecast from September 7 to 10, followed by sunshine and then showers through September 16. Rainy periods and cool conditions are expected from September 17 through the end of the month.

    The Almanac forecasts a temperature of 57 degrees, 2 degrees below average, and 3.5 inches of precipitation, a half inch above average.

    Heartland

    The Heartland is expected to begin September sunny and warm before a few showers accompany chilly conditions from September 6 to 9. Sunshine returns from September 10 to 16 as temperatures turn warmer, followed by thunderstorms through September 19. Sunny and hot weather is forecast from September 20 to 23, before isolated thunderstorms and cooler conditions close the month.

    The Almanac predicts an average September temperature of 68.5 degrees, a half-degree above normal, with 1.5 inches of precipitation, about 2 inches below average.

    Southern Plains

    The region begins September sunny and warm before a few thunderstorms and hot conditions develop from September 5 to 9. Sunny weather follows from September 10 to 19, with cool conditions turning hot. From September 20 to 25, the north is forecast to remain sunny while the south sees isolated thunderstorms, with hot weather across the region. Rainy periods, some heavy, are expected during the final five days as temperatures turn cooler.

    Precipitation is forecast at 4.5 inches, 1 inch above average, while the temperature is expected to average 78 degrees, also 1 degree above normal.

    High Plains

    September opens with sunshine and very warm conditions in the High Plains. From September 6 to 14, the north is expected to remain sunny while isolated thunderstorms develop in the south, with the region turning cooler. A few showers followed by sunshine are forecast from September 15 to 21, accompanied by warmer weather. Isolated showers and warm conditions are then expected through the end of the month.

    The Almanac forecasts a temperature of 65 degrees, 2 degrees above average, and precipitation a half inch below normal.

    Intermountain Region

    The Intermountain Region is forecast to begin September with sunshine in the north and isolated thunderstorms in the south, with warm conditions through September 8. Sunny weather follows from September 9 to 11, with hot conditions in the north and warm weather in the south. From September 12 to 21, sunshine is expected before a few showers develop, while the north remains cool and the south warm. The month ends with sunshine followed by rainy periods and a continuing north-south temperature divide.

    September precipitation is forecast at 1.5 inches, a half inch above average. Meanwhile, the temperature forecast is 64.5 degrees, 1 degree below average north and 2 degrees above average south.

    Desert Southwest

    The Desert Southwest begins September with a few thunderstorms and cool weather in the east, while the west remains sunny and warm. Sunny and warm conditions are forecast across the region from September 4 to 13. Isolated thunderstorms then give way to sunshine and very warm weather through September 22, before rainy periods and cooler conditions arrive from September 23 to 26. The final four days are expected to be sunny and cool.

    The Almanac forecasts an average temperature of 81 degrees, 1 degree above normal, with precipitation around the historical average at 1 inch.

    Pacific Northwest

    The Pacific Northwest starts September sunny and very warm, with those conditions expected to last through September 10. Showers followed by sunshine and cooler weather are forecast from September 11 to 17. Rainy periods and chilly conditions are then expected from September 18 through the end of the month.

    September’s temperature is forecast at 61 degrees, 1 degree below average, with 4.5 inches of precipitation, around 3 inches above average.

    Pacific Southwest

    The Pacific Southwest is expected to begin the month with sunny and warm conditions. From September 10 to 14, the region will see plenty of sunshine, with cool temperatures in the north and hot weather in the south. A few showers are forecast in the north from September 15 to 22, while the south remains sunny, before isolated showers and cool conditions affect the region during the final week.

    The Almanac forecasts a temperature of 72 degrees, considered average, with 0.3 inches of precipitation, about 0.2 inches above average.

    Alaska

    Alaska begins September with rain and snow showers in the north, a few showers in central areas and rainy conditions in the south, with temperatures turning cooler through September 12. Flurries are forecast in the north from September 13 to 18, while the east and west see a few showers and chilly conditions. Periods of rain and snow are expected in northern and central Alaska from September 19 through the end of the month, with a few showers in the south and cold conditions.

    The Almanac forecasts temperatures 2 degrees below average, with precipitation below normal in both the north and south.

    Hawaii

    Hawaii’s outlook begins with scattered showers and warm conditions through September 8. Heavy rain is possible in the west from September 9 to 11, followed by heavy rain in the east and sunshine in central and western areas through September 14. Isolated showers are then forecast in the east, while central and western areas remain sunny and temperatures turn hot. The Almanac flags a tropical storm threat from September 23 to 25, before showers and warm conditions close the month.

    September precipitation is forecast at 3.3 inches, with rainfall 4 inches above average in the east and west but a half inch below average in central areas. The temperature is forecast to be 81 degrees, a half degree below average.

    Source: www.newsweek.com

  • Sassuolo vs. Frosinone Predictions, Picks and Odds

    Sassuolo vs. Frosinone Predictions, Picks and Odds

    Sassuolo face Frosinone in the second round of the Coppa Italia on 2 September 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 14:00 local time at the MAPEI Stadium – Città del Tricolore in Reggio Emilia.

    Sassuolo vs Frosinone preview

    Sassuolo return to Coppa Italia action after a convincing 3-0 victory over Cesena in the previous round. Their league form has been inconsistent, alternating between wins and defeats across their last five matches, including a recent 1-2 loss to Atalanta. The Neroverdi will view this home tie as an opportunity to regain momentum in knockout football.

    Frosinone also advanced to the second round in impressive fashion, beating Juve Stabia 4-1. They most recently lost 0-1 at home to Juventus in the league, but their wider form remains competitive, with two wins from their last three matches. Frosinone also take confidence from their most recent meeting with Sassuolo, which they won 1-0.

    Sassuolo vs Frosinone best bet

    Recommended bet: Sassuolo or draw (1X) at 1.85

    Sassuolo’s home advantage and their 6-2 head-to-head record against Frosinone make the double chance market an appealing option. The hosts are priced at 1.85 and enter the match as clear favourites after their clinical 3-0 Coppa Italia win over Cesena.

    Frosinone should not be overlooked after their 4-1 cup win over Juve Stabia and their 1-0 success in the latest meeting between these teams. However, that victory came away from the MAPEI Stadium, where Sassuolo are expected to be more assertive.

    The 1X selection covers a Sassuolo win or a draw, offering protection against an upset while retaining value. Sassuolo’s alternating league results point to some vulnerability, making the draw cover particularly useful. Odds and markets are subject to change.

    Sassuolo vs Frosinone trends

    • Sassuolo have a 6-2 head-to-head advantage.
    • Frosinone won the most recent meeting 1-0.
    • Both teams scored at least four goals in their previous Coppa Italia matches.

    Form and statistics

    Sassuolo

    • Recent form: WLWLW
    • Wins: 3/5 (60%)
    • Draws: 0/5 (0%)
    • Losses: 2/5 (40%)
    • Average total goals: 3.1
    • Both teams to score: 54%
    • Goals scored: 1.7 per match
    • Goals conceded: 1.4 per match

    Frosinone

    • Recent form: WLW
    • Wins: 2/3 (67%)
    • Draws: 0/3 (0%)
    • Losses: 1/3 (33%)
    • Average total goals: 2.9
    • Both teams to score: 56%
    • Goals scored: 2 per match
    • Goals conceded: 0.9 per match

    Head-to-head statistics

    • Sassuolo wins: 50%
    • Draws: 0%
    • Frosinone wins: 50%
    • Average total goals: 2
    • Both teams to score: 50%
    • Average home goals: 0.5
    • Average away goals: 1.5
    • Over 2.5 goals: 50%
    • Under 2.5 goals: 50%

    How to watch Sassuolo vs Frosinone

    What time is Sassuolo vs Frosinone?

    Sassuolo vs Frosinone kicks off at 14:00 local time on 2 September 2026.

    Where is Sassuolo vs Frosinone being played?

    The Coppa Italia match will be played at the MAPEI Stadium – Città del Tricolore in Reggio Emilia, Sassuolo’s home ground.

    How can I watch Sassuolo vs Frosinone on TV and live stream?

    Check local Italian football broadcasters and streaming platforms for live coverage of the Coppa Italia fixture.

    Source: www.toffeeweb.com

  • “Profite de ton année”: Marc Lavoine and Ex Sarah Poniatowski’s Son Roman Leaves France for a New Chapter in His Life

    “Profite de ton année”: Marc Lavoine and Ex Sarah Poniatowski’s Son Roman Leaves France for a New Chapter in His Life

    Roman, the 19-year-old son of singer and actor Marc Lavoine and interior designer Sarah Poniatowski, has begun a new chapter abroad after earning his baccalaureate with honors in summer 2025.

    His mother shared the news on Instagram on Sunday, August 30, 2026, revealing that Roman had moved to Spain to continue his studies.

    Roman Lavoine begins his studies in Spain

    Marc Lavoine, 64, has spent four decades working across music and film. After making his debut in the 1980s, he established himself with songs including Elle a les yeux revolver and Le parking des anges. He has also recorded duets with artists such as Catherine Ringer, Claire Keim and Cristina Marocco, while building an acting career in films including Le Cœur des hommes and the television series Crossing Lines.

    In his personal life, Marc Lavoine has been in several long-term relationships. His relationship with American model Denise Pascale resulted in the birth of Simon, now 40, who has remained out of the public eye.

    In 1995, Marc Lavoine married designer Sarah Poniatowski. The couple separated in 2018 after 23 years together and have three children: Yasmine, 28, Roman, 19, and Milo, 16. The singer later married writer Line Papin, with the marriage lasting from 2020 to 2022. He is now in a relationship with former model Adriana Karembeu, who has a seven-year-old daughter, Nina.

    Sarah Poniatowski shares a message for her son

    Roman is regularly seen alongside his father, including in the stands at the French Open in Roland-Garros. He has now reached an important milestone after completing his secondary education with honors and choosing to continue his studies in Spain.

    Sarah Poniatowski publicly celebrated the move on Sunday, August 30, 2026. In an Instagram story shared with her more than 152,000 followers, she posted a photograph of Roman posing on the balcony of his brand-new apartment. The designer captioned the image warmly: “Enjoy your year baby” (Profite de ton année, bébé).

    Meanwhile, the summer is coming to an end for Marc Lavoine and Adriana Karembeu, who spent several relaxing weeks with Nina in Saint-Tropez, the Gers and Marrakech. However, a court decision concerning the child’s custody is expected within two weeks.

    Adriana Karembeu hopes to obtain custody “tout au moins partagée”, while Marc Lavoine is reportedly even more tense than his partner as the verdict approaches, according to Closer.

  • General Hospital Preview: R.I.P. Britt?

    General Hospital Preview: R.I.P. Britt?

    ABC has released a sneak-peek video for General Hospital covering the week of August 28 through September 2, and the preview looks “killer.” At least, that is how Britt may describe it. Several major storylines are reaching a dangerous turning point, including Drew’s plan to expose Jack and Anna’s disturbing intentions toward Britt.

    Drew’s Metro Court Plan Begins to Unravel

    Before addressing Britt’s dangerous situation, the preview shows Drew’s attempt to obtain the incriminating information Jack has against him going badly. Drew managed to disable the Metro Court’s cameras and security system, but the breach was never likely to go unnoticed for long.

    Carly is not the only person who realizes something is wrong. Jason also appears to notice the security failure, raising the possibility that Drew could be exposed by the twin brother he despises. Meanwhile, Jack remains unconscious after Ava gave him a drug-induced nap. Will he wake up before the secrets surrounding the Metro Court break-in come to light?

    With the soap seemingly building toward a “Who killed Brennan?” murder mystery, Jack’s recovery could become especially important. However, giving someone a drug that may not be safe for them can produce unpredictable consequences.

    Is It *Permanent* Go Time For Britt?

    The preview’s most lethal twist involves Anna, who recently returned to Port Charles behaving unusually. Given her visions of Peter whispering in her ear and urging her to end Faison’s bloodline once and for all, her state of mind is cause for concern.

    That puts Britt, the daughter of Cesar and Obrecht, in serious danger. Anna lures Britt to a secluded location, which immediately seems suspicious. When Britt asks why they had to meet so far away, the off-kilter police chief ominously replies that it is so no one can hear Britt scream.

    With Jason apparently occupied in town handling the Metro Court break-in, who will come to Britt’s rescue? Or is General Hospital preparing to shock viewers by permanently killing off the character?

    Watch the General Hospital preview video below for more clues about the week ahead.

    Video: YouTube/General Hospital

    Source: www.yahoo.com

  • Northwest Naturals Raw Dog and Cat Food Recalled Over Listeria and Salmonella Risks

    Northwest Naturals Raw Dog and Cat Food Recalled Over Listeria and Salmonella Risks

    Northwest Naturals has recalled nearly 2,000 pounds of frozen cat and dog food because product samples tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria, according to the recall notice.

    The voluntary recall affects the following products:

    • Frozen Chicken Recipe cat food: 1,272 pounds in 2-pound bags, from lot B-5, with a best-by date of Jan. 26, 2028.
    • Frozen Raw Diet for Dogs Chicken Recipe: 684 pounds in 6-pound bags, from lot B-19, with a best-by date of Jan. 25, 2028.

    Recalled pet food sold nationwide

    The affected products were distributed by Northwest Naturals of Portland, Oregon, and sold at retail stores across the United States. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall.

    Concerns began after product samples collected during a U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspection tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria.

    Pet owners should not feed the recalled food to cats or dogs. Both bacteria can infect people and animals. Possible symptoms include lethargy, diarrhea, fever, reduced appetite and vomiting.

    Customers can return the recalled products to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. Questions about the recall can be directed to Northwest Naturals at (866) 637-1872, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT.

    Northwest Naturals advises pet owners to contact a veterinarian if their animals develop symptoms. Infected animals can spread the bacteria to other animals and people.

    Experts also recommend disinfecting any surfaces that came into contact with the raw pet food to help eliminate the bacteria.

  • US Open Odds: Sabalenka and Alcaraz Favored as Tournament Begins

    US Open Odds: Sabalenka and Alcaraz Favored as Tournament Begins

    The return of Carlos Alcaraz and the absence of Jannik Sinner have significantly reshaped the 2026 US Open betting futures market.

    Alcaraz, the reigning US Open champion, is listed at +250 to defend his title as the tournament gets underway. That price is a notable increase from the +140 odds available shortly after Sinner announced his withdrawal because of an injury.

    Alcaraz leads men’s US Open betting

    Alexander Zverev, the 2026 French Open champion, is the clear second choice at +300. However, bookmakers say bettors have not backed him heavily. Instead, sportsbook customers have shown interest in longer-priced players such as Arthur Fils and Rafael Jodar, both at 12-1, along with popular Americans Ben Shelton at 13-1 and Learner Tien at 60-1.

    The leading men’s odds shortened after three seeded players suffered first-round defeats, including No. 4 seed Novak Djokovic. Djokovic lost to Argentina’s Mariano Navone on Sunday, marking his first opening-round defeat at a Grand Slam in more than 20 years. No. 19 seed Casper Ruud and No. 29 seed Cameron Norrie were also eliminated.

    Sabalenka, Gauff headline women’s odds

    On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka led the market Sunday at +330 to win the US Open. Coco Gauff was next at +450, followed by Iga Swiatek at +550.

    Bettors have shown even stronger support for American players in the women’s draw. Gauff, Jessica Pegula at 10-1, Amanda Anisimova at 16-1 and Madison Keys at 50-1 have all attracted action across the sportsbook marketplace.

    Alexandra Eala is another player to watch. The Filipino phenom was priced at more than 100-1 to win the US Open two months ago, but her odds have shortened to 28-1 after she captured her first professional title at the 2026 Washington Open.

    Men’s and women’s odds from DK Sports were updated Monday morning and may differ from the prices listed above.

    Source: www.espn.com

  • “Tyler Perry’s Doing Life” Trailer: Naomi Baker and Jay Reeves Star as a Single Mother and Reformed Ex-Convict Who Fall in Love (Exclusive)

    “Tyler Perry’s Doing Life” Trailer: Naomi Baker and Jay Reeves Star as a Single Mother and Reformed Ex-Convict Who Fall in Love (Exclusive)

    Tyler Perry’s new Netflix film, Tyler Perry’s Doing Life, follows a single mother and a reformed ex-convict as they navigate an unlikely relationship and the possibility of a second chance.

    Written and directed by Perry, 56, the film begins streaming on Netflix Oct. 2. PEOPLE exclusively revealed the trailer for the movie, which stars Naomi Baker and Jay Reeves in the lead roles.

    Tyler Perry’s Doing Life explores second chances

    “A single mother fighting to survive and a reformed ex-con with untapped talent find in each other an unlikely second chance,” a logline for the film reads.

    The story opens with a flashback to when Anika (Baker), a former prison officer, is rescued from a violent riot by Carousel (Reeves), who is incarcerated at the time. After his release, Anika and Carousel reconnect and begin developing a relationship despite opposition from Anika’s family.

    The cast also includes Tamberla Perry, Karen Obilom, Jasmine Sargent, Lucky Johnson and Danielle Moné Truitt.

    “I’ve had people in my life who reminded me of both of these characters—people who come out of prison looking for a second chance, and single mothers who are doing everything they can to provide for their children,” Perry tells PEOPLE about the inspiration for the story.

    He adds, “I was inspired by the resilience I’ve seen in both, and by the idea that sometimes the people we least expect can understand each other in ways no one else can.”

    Why Perry focused on a single mother and ex-convict

    Explaining his decision to center the film on a single mother and an ex-convict, Perry says, “These are the people that are the most not seen or heard in our society.”

    “I wanted to tell a story about two people who, on the surface, seem like complete opposites, but who discover a deep commonality in the struggles they’re facing,” he says. “I think that message of second chances and human connection feels especially meaningful right now.”

    Naomi Baker and Jay Reeves lead the Netflix film

    Perry says he wanted to continue supporting new talent when casting the two central roles and believed Baker and Reeves were ready for the challenge.

    Carousel was convicted of attempted murder, so Reeves had to make the character redeemable while showing his desire to change.

    “Jay, in particular, had to play someone who, on paper, might seem beyond redemption, but who is fighting hard to make amends, take responsibility for his past, and turn his life around,” Perry says. “He brought a real vulnerability to that journey.”

    Baker’s role required her to reveal Anika’s vulnerability beneath her strength. “Naomi brought that same strength and resilience to her character, while also allowing us to see the softer, more vulnerable side of a woman who has spent so much of her life simply trying to hold everything together.”

    Tyler Perry’s Doing Life begins streaming on Netflix Oct. 2.

    Source: www.yahoo.com

  • Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese Must Work Together at Women’s World Cup as WNBA Takes High-Stakes Break

    Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese Must Work Together at Women’s World Cup as WNBA Takes High-Stakes Break

    The United States women’s basketball team will open the 2026 Women’s Basketball World Cup against China in Berlin on Sept. 4, with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese expected to share the court after years of being portrayed as rivals.

    The tournament will temporarily interrupt the WNBA’s 2026 season, forcing American fans to support the league’s biggest stars on the international stage. The U.S. has won four consecutive World Cups and enters the competition with an active 30-game winning streak.

    What happens in Berlin could influence the atmosphere surrounding the WNBA when players return from international competition. The tournament will test whether Clark and Reese can work together while placing American women’s basketball dominance against one of the country’s most significant geopolitical rivals.

    Can Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese work together?

    Clark and Reese have been framed as adversaries for more than three years.

    Their rivalry began with the 2023 national championship game between Iowa and LSU and continued through their rematch in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. It then followed them into the WNBA, where they were viewed as the leading contenders for Rookie of the Year. Every matchup, foul and postgame comment gave fans another reason to choose sides.

    They have also offered glimpses of what they can accomplish as teammates. Reese first said, “one day, hopefully, we can be teammates,” while discussing Clark in an October 2024 Wall Street Journal article.

    The pair became teammates at the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game. Clark recorded 10 assists, while Reese finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds in Team WNBA’s victory over the U.S. Olympic team.

    In March, Clark and Reese helped the U.S. finish 5-0 at the World Cup qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico. Clark earned tournament MVP honors after averaging 11.6 points and a tournament-leading 6.4 assists. Reese averaged a team-high eight rebounds while shooting 52.2% from the field.

    “Team chemistry is everything,” Reese said during the qualifying tournament. “Some of us have played with each other on our respective teams, but we have to come together and find your role. Everybody’s not going to be able to do everything that they do on their respective team.”

    Clark and Reese will join established champions A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier and Chelsea Gray on the U.S. roster in Berlin.

    What will happen during the national anthems?

    National anthem protocols could become another point of attention during the tournament. Available rules and precedent from previous U.S. national teams indicate that the entire American team will stand on the court for “The Star-Spangled Banner” in Berlin. Whether each player places a hand over her heart or sings along is not specified by USA Basketball or FIBA rules.

    The issue has received renewed attention during the 2026 WNBA season because teams have followed different pregame routines. Several teams have historically remained in the locker room or cleared the floor while the national anthem played.

    The Atlanta Dream remained in the locker room during the anthem before an Aug. 16 game against the Indiana Fever. Reese and Rhyne Howard, both members of the World Cup roster, were therefore off the court while Clark, Aliyah Boston and the rest of the Fever stood along the sideline.

    Clark stood facing the flag with her hands behind her back, while Sophie Cunningham placed her right hand over her heart. The difference prompted online criticism of Clark, although WNBA rules do not require players to sing or place a hand over their hearts.

    Those expectations may be different when players leave their WNBA teams to join the U.S. national program. USA Basketball’s code of conduct requires participants to follow FIBA and USA Basketball rules, attend team functions as directed and “demonstrate proper respect during the playing of the national anthem.”

    The code does not define “proper respect,” but it gives USA Basketball the authority to investigate alleged violations and impose discipline.

    FIBA will oversee the ceremonies in Berlin. Its 2026 regulations state that only anthems and flags of countries or national federations recognized by FIBA may be used. The regulations leave the details of World Cup ceremonies to tournament hosting documents and do not publicly require players to sing, place a hand over the heart or adopt another specific posture.

    FIBA’s code of conduct also prohibits players and other “basketball parties” from using gestures, words or objects to convey political or ideological messages considered unfit for a sporting event. The rule does not specifically identify kneeling, remaining silent or declining to place a hand over the heart as violations, but it gives FIBA greater control over demonstrations than the WNBA has exercised during its domestic season.

    U.S. Olympic precedent

    Previous U.S. teams have approached international competition differently from the WNBA. American players who routinely remained off the court during WNBA anthems stood together during the anthem at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

    Sue Bird, who was the team’s captain at the time and is now the managing director who selected the 2026 roster, said wearing a USA uniform changed the context.

    “You are wearing USA jerseys and it does change the conversation a little bit and what you’re representing,” Bird said at the time. “With that, I don’t feel like a hypocrite in any way. Everyone knows where we stand. I don’t think it contradicts anything since we’re actually doing the work.”

    The U.S. players stood with their arms linked during that Olympic run. No anthem protests were reported during the United States’ five-game World Cup qualifying run in Puerto Rico in March, which included Clark, Reese, Howard, Paige Bueckers and Kahleah Copper.

    As of Aug. 30, no member of the World Cup roster had publicly announced plans to kneel, leave the floor or conduct another demonstration during the anthem in Berlin.

    U.S. and China meet in World Cup rematch

    The Americans will face China in a rematch of the 2022 World Cup final. The U.S. has won all 15 of its World Cup and Olympic meetings with China.

    Two of those victories came at the 2022 World Cup. The U.S. defeated China 77-63 in group play before winning the final 83-61. The result gave the Americans their fourth consecutive world championship.

    China still regarded its silver medal as a major national achievement. The championship game was played on Oct. 1, China’s National Day. Afterward, China’s General Administration of Sport praised the team for competing “with the motherland in mind.” The government agency called the silver medal “a perfect birthday gift to the country,” according to China Daily.

    National anthem customs could provide another contrast during the World Cup opener. China has had a national anthem law since 2017. The law identifies major sporting events as occasions for the anthem and directs those present to stand solemnly and behave respectfully. Deliberately insulting the anthem in public can result in detention or criminal prosecution under Chinese law.

    The law will not govern the actions of American players in Berlin, but it highlights the different ways the two countries treat public displays of patriotism at sporting events.

    In the United States, anthem protests have become part of the political debate surrounding professional sports. Players have been praised, criticized and closely scrutinized based on whether they stand, kneel, leave the court or place a hand over their hearts.

    In China, disrespecting the anthem can become a legal matter.

    The World Cup opener will take place during another sensitive period in U.S.-China relations. The countries remain divided over trade, tariffs, human rights and China’s relationship with Taiwan, even as officials work toward another meeting between their presidents.

    Those disputes will not determine what happens on the court, but they could influence how the game—and particularly the moments before tipoff—are interpreted in both countries.

    Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.

  • Rankings Watch: Parry, Li and Bartunkova Reach New Career Highs

    Rankings Watch: Parry, Li and Bartunkova Reach New Career Highs

    Just one tour-level tournament took place last week: the Abierto GNP Seguros, a WTA 500 event in Monterrey, Mexico. Unseeded Frenchwoman Diane Parry won her first WTA title, becoming the eighth first-time champion of 2026 and the fourth at WTA 500 level after Sara Bejlek in Abu Dhabi, Cristina Bucsa in Merida and Alexandra Eala in Washington.

    Parry is also the second player with a one-handed backhand to win a WTA title this season, joining Lilli Tagger, who triumphed in Prague last month.

    The Monterrey title extends Parry’s strong run of form since her victory at the Paris WTA 125 in May. She was 9-11 in 2026 before that tournament but has gone 21-8 since, including seven wins over Top 30 opponents during the past four months. Two of those victories came in Monterrey. Before this stretch, Parry had recorded only five Top 30 wins in her career.

    After returning to the Top 50 last week following a fourth-round appearance in Cincinnati, Parry climbed 19 places from No. 50 to a career-high No. 31 in the latest rankings.

    Three of Monterrey’s four semifinalists also achieved new career highs. Ann Li moved up two places from No. 30 to No. 28, while Nikola Bartunkova rose four spots from No. 38 to No. 34. Runner-up Elise Mertens returned to the Top 20 for the first time since April, climbing from No. 24 to No. 20 after reaching her third WTA 500 final and 17th tour-level final overall.

    Volynets and Valentova rise after WTA 125 final

    A WTA 125 tournament was also held on hard courts in Philadelphia last week, where Katie Volynets won the title without dropping a set. It was the American’s second career WTA 125 crown, following her 2024 victory in Makarska, and her first on hard courts. Volynets rose 13 places from No. 91 to No. 78.

    Volynets defeated Czech teenager Tereza Valentova 6-3, 7-5 in the final. It was Valentova’s second WTA 125 runner-up finish of the year, following Saint-Malo in May. The 19-year-old returned to the Top 50, climbing seven spots from No. 57 to No. 50.

    Other notable WTA rankings movements

    • Yuliia Starodubtseva, +16 to No. 58: The Charleston finalist reached her second WTA 500 quarterfinal of the year in Monterrey and is now five places behind the career-high No. 53 ranking she set in April.
    • Darja Vidmanova, +15 to No. 75: The Memphis finalist qualified for Monterrey and reached her first WTA 500 quarterfinal, moving to a new career high.
    • Barbora Palicova, +39 to No. 200: The 22-year-old Czech had an 11-20 record in 2026 through mid-July but has since gone 14-1, winning the Hechingen W75, reaching the Koksijde W75 final and claiming the Bytom W75 title last week. The former No. 171 returned to the Top 200 for the first time since last October.
    • Samira De Stefano, +30 to No. 250: The 22-year-old Italian won her first career W50 title in Kursumlijska Banja last week and climbed to a new career high.
    • Nastasja Schunk, +50 to No. 315: Germany’s 2021 Wimbledon junior finalist won her second W50 title of the season in Oldenzaal last week.
    • Valentini Grammatikopoulou, +87 to No. 470: The former No. 143 returned to competition in May after a back injury kept her sidelined for seven months. The 29-year-old Greek won the Verbier W35 title two weeks ago.
    • Denisa Zoldakova, +160 to No. 482: The 18-year-old Czech, an Australian Open girls’ doubles finalist, qualified for the Bytom W75 and reached her first final at that level last week. She made her Top 500 debut as a result.
    • Ariana Geerlings, +315 to No. 589: The 20-year-old Spaniard first broke into the Top 300 last July after qualifying for her first WTA main draw in Hamburg and reaching the Maspalomas W100 quarterfinals, where she suffered an ACL injury that ruled her out for the next 11 months. Geerlings returned in July and lost her opening match before winning 19 consecutive matches and three straight tournaments: two Kursumlijska Banja W15 events and the Krakow W35 as a qualifier. Justina Mikulskyte ended her winning streak in the Bytom W75 quarterfinals last week.

    Source: www.wtatennis.com

  • Trump’s Plan to Sell Part of Yosemite Shows What Oligarchy Looks Like | Rebecca Solnit

    Trump’s Plan to Sell Part of Yosemite Shows What Oligarchy Looks Like | Rebecca Solnit

    Do people still say a car was “sold for parts”? The United States is being sold for parts—or simply handed over to oligarchs. It is a fire sale and a bankruptcy auction: a planned dismantling of everything from the military and higher education to scientific research and public lands.

    The threat to sell part of Yosemite National Park involves a parcel roughly a quarter-mile wide along the park’s edge. But Yosemite is a crown jewel of the national park system and, arguably, the world’s first national park. Selling any part of it to benefit a corporation’s proposed development along the park’s western border would undermine the protection of national parks and sacrifice the public good for private profit. This is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing agenda.

    Why Yosemite’s public land matters

    Public lands belong to everyone. They are a gift from the past, protected by people who worked to preserve forests, mountains and canyons, and a trust for the future because the public includes everyone living in the country today and everyone yet to come.

    The Trump administration’s efforts to transfer public lands for mining, logging and fossil fuel extraction—while dismantling the Forest Service and National Park Service—prioritize short-term profit for an elite over the long-term well-being of people and the natural world.

    These lands have many forms of value. Trees and grasslands sequester carbon and help moderate the climate. Mountains serve as watersheds, while many natural areas now support rural tourism and outdoor recreation economies.

    White settlers first entered Yosemite Valley in the early 1850s during a military campaign aimed at punishing, displacing or exterminating Indigenous people who were obstructing another era of environmental destruction: the Gold Rush. Miners hunted game, cut down trees, polluted rivers and massacred the region’s original inhabitants.

    Some early visitors recognized Yosemite’s extraordinary scenic beauty, including its oak grasslands, towering canyon walls and waterfalls. By the 1860s, photographers such as Carleton Watkins and Eadweard Muybridge had produced images of Yosemite that were displayed internationally. The valley became iconic before many white Americans had ever seen it.

    In spring 1864, Abraham Lincoln signed a bill establishing that “Yosemite Valley’s premises shall be held for public use, resort, and recreation; shall be inalienable for all time.” California initially managed the land because the federal government had little presence in the West and was occupied with the Civil War.

    Yellowstone National Park, by contrast, was established eight years later as a federally managed preserve. Wyoming and Montana were not yet states, and Yellowstone is generally recognized as the first national park.

    The document signed by Ulysses S. Grant stated that the land was to be “reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, or sale under the laws of the United States, and dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.”

    National parks and Indigenous homelands

    The creation of Yosemite, Yellowstone, Death Valley, the Grand Canyon and many other national parks was rooted in a fundamental injustice: these places were Indigenous peoples’ ancestral homelands long before Columbus sailed west or Lewis and Clark traveled across North America.

    In Yosemite, some of those wrongs have been addressed over the past 30 years through changes to signage and historical interpretation, as well as the restoration of traditional use and ceremonial practices for descendants of the original inhabitants. The flawed premise of the national parks matters, but so does the fact that the system protected these places from privatization, development and destruction.

    National Park Service funding under pressure

    That protection is now being undermined across the Park Service. The Trump administration has been directing Park Service money intended for projects nationwide toward favored projects at the White House and in Washington, DC, including gilded statues and an inept $16 million painting of the reflecting pool.

    Michael Scherer reports in The Atlantic that a fast-track approval process allows Trump projects to receive Park Service funding while the national park system is starved of resources. He notes “a decrease of $854m, or 68%, in spending on projects in park regions outside the Washington area in the first eight and a half months of fiscal year 2026, compared with the full prior fiscal year. During that same period, spending around Washington increased by about $100 million.”

    The administration has also proposed further cuts to the number of Park Service employees, whose ranks had already been reduced by 24% in 2025.

    Giving away a piece of parkland is one form of harm. Removing the workers who protect endangered species and waterways, prevent fires and provide public services—from search and rescue to education and clean restrooms—is another.

    Opening the ancient sacred site of Chaco Canyon in New Mexico to fracking would represent another form of destruction under the Trump administration. The same is true of the proposed 90% reduction of protections for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante in Utah.

    As the Associated Press reported earlier this month, the radical reduction reverses “protections established by his Democratic predecessors on public lands that are sacred among many Native Americans. Trump administration officials and congressional Republicans have sought to expand drilling, mining and logging on public lands, while removing protections for imperiled species and rolling back rules for conservation.”

    Yosemite was first protected during one civil war. Another struggle is now underway over whether the federal government exists to serve the many or the profiteering of the few. A small parcel in Yosemite is therefore a major indicator of who this country belongs to—and whose rights and interests matter.

    Source: www.theguardian.com