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US will increase staffing at embassies and consulates to handle visas for World Cup fans
WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department will increase staffing at certain U.S. embassies and consulates to accommodate an expected major jump in visa applications from soccer fans wanting to attend World Cup matches in the United States next year. The department will send hundreds of additional consular officers to “designated countries” to handle the demand for visa interviews. The number of staffers and the countries where they will go have yet to be determined because the 48-team field for the 2026 World Cup hasn’t been finalized. Fans from the mainly European and Asian countries in the Visa Waiver Program won’t likely require an interview.
Caitlin Clark says Collier made ‘valid’ points and Commissioner Engelbert hasn’t contacted her
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark says WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert hasn’t reached out to her in the aftermath of Napheesa Collier’s statement about an alleged private conversation in which the league’s leader made comments about Clark. The Indiana Fever guard spoke publicly Thursday for the first time since the league’s All-Star Game in July. Clark said Minnesota Lynx star Collier made valid points in her lengthy statement that criticized league officials, particularly Engelbert, for what Collier portrayed as a lack of accountability and care for WNBA players.
Champion runner Caster Semenya ending legal fight against sex eligibility rules, lawyer tells AP
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Two-time Olympic champion runner Caster Semenya is ending her seven-year legal challenge against sex eligibility rules in track and field. Her lawyers told The Associated Press on Thursday that they would not continue the case despite winning a ruling at the European Court of Human Rights in July that appeared to have reignited Semenya’s appeal. The South African first launched her case against the rules that barred her from competing at international events because of her high natural testosterone levels in 2018. She took her case to sports’ highest court, the Swiss supreme court and Europe’s top rights court. The contentious rules have remained in place and were recently made stricter.
Josh Hart ejected from Knicks’ preseason game after slipping to court and throwing ball
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Knicks forward Josh Hart was ejected from the opening game of the preseason after slipping to the court and then throwing the ball when a Philadelphia player tried to take it from him while he was on his back. Hart had grabbed a defensive rebound early in the second quarter and was dribbling the ball upcourt when he fell in front of the 76ers bench. Philadelphia’s Kennedy Chandler tried to steal the ball, and Hart turned away to protect it and threw it toward the other end of the court. Hart got up and limped off the court with what appeared to be a lower back injury.
Roma misses penalty 3 times and loses 1-0 to Lille in Europa League
Roma missed three straight attempts from the penalty spot late in the game as Lille upset the Italian club 1-0 in the Europa League. In a bizarre sequence, Roma was given three tries to equalize from the spot. The first two efforts from Artem Dovbyk were both saved by goalkeeper Berke Özer, only for the referee to order the penalty to be retaken each time because of encroachment. Roma then switched penalty takers to Matías Soulé, but Özer saved that one as well, diving to his right to punch the ball away in the 85th minute.
Gauff and Anisimova set up all-American semifinal at China Open
BEIJING (AP) — Defending champion Coco Gauff has reached the semifinals of the China Open for the third straight year after beating hard-hitting Eva Lys in two sets. The second-seeded American was troubled on her serve and conceded seven break-point chances in Beijing. But Lys could convert only three of them and dropped her own serve five times against the French Open champion. Gauff’s semifinal opponent will be fellow American and third seed Amanda Anisimova, the Wimbledon and U.S. Open runner-up. Anisimova rallied to beat sixth-seeded Jasmine Paolini 6-4 in the third in a match lasting nearly three hours.
Still no Lamar Jackson, but Nate Wiggins and Ronnie Stanley return to practice for the Ravens
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley and cornerback Nate Wiggins were back at practice for the Baltimore Ravens, but star quarterback Lamar Jackson and safety Kyle Hamilton were absent during the portion open to reporters. Hamilton did not seem injured during last weekend’s loss at Kansas City, but he showed up on Wednesday’s injury report as limited in that day’s practice because of a groin issue. He was not on the field early in Thursday’s session. Neither were linebacker Roquan Smith and cornerback Marlon Humphrey. The returns of Stanley and Wiggins were encouraging, however, for a depleted Baltimore team that needs all the healthy players it can find this weekend against Houston.
FIFA’s Infantino urges soccer to promote peace and takes no action against Israel
GENEVA (AP) — FIFA has faced growing global calls to suspend Israeli teams from soccer but its president Gianni Infantino says it must promote peace and unity. Infantino also notes after a meeting of FIFA’s ruling council that it could not solve political issues. It’s been a febrile period for soccer politics before 2026 World Cup qualifying games for Israel resume next week. European soccer leaders recently made their strongest push against Israeli teams during the two-year conflict in Gaza. UEFA did not ask its executive committee to vote on suspending Israel.
Ranking baseball’s managerial openings, from the Braves to the Rockies
With Brian Snitker stepping down in Atlanta, there are now eight major league teams with a managerial opening. Five of those spots became vacant since the end of the season, and three teams have had interim managers in place for a while. With the dust seemingly settling, it’s time to take a look at which of these jobs are the most attractive. It’s a subjective exercise of course, and it depends on what a prospective manager values. Some teams can offer a talented current roster, while others might have a better long-term outlook.
Dodgers advance to NL Division Series with terrific offense, starting pitching and shaky bullpen
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have started the postseason strong in defense of their World Series title. Their starting pitching and offense are performing well. However, the bullpen has been shaky. On Wednesday night, the Dodgers beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-4, sweeping their NL Wild Card Series. They advance to their 20th NL Division Series appearance and will face the Phillies starting Saturday in Philadelphia. Shohei Ohtani will make his postseason pitching debut in Game 1. The Dodgers’ Japanese players, including Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki, are expected to play key roles as the postseason progresses.
