The Athletics are preparing for their first season in West Sacramento. After a five-decade run in Oakland, the team left the Bay for a temporary stay in Sacramento before their permanent home opens in Las Vegas. Through all of that turmoil, Mark Kotsay has been the Athletics manager, steadying the ship through uncertain times. Kotsay […]
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Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown didn’t hold back when he endorsed bringing the NBA’s All-Star Game to Boston but threw shade toward San Francisco in the process. After Brown’s Team OGs defeated the Global Stars, 41-25, in the final round of the first-to-40 tournament, his teammate Jayson Tatum suggested a change in the new format. […]
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The NBA All-Star break is a time for teams to prepare for the final stretch of the regular season. It is weird that we refer to these next several weeks as the “second half” of the NBA season, especially since the halfway point has already passed. Anyway, the NBA power rankings are symbolic of those […]
The post NBA Power Rankings Week 17: Where every team ranks during All-Star break appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Even weeks after the news dropped, the Luka Doncic trade is still absolutely stunning, even after watching the Slovenian superstar suit up for the Los Angeles Lakers a few times. Day by day, more information trickles out about what led the Mavericks to this bombshell decision. Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison spearheaded the trade talks, […]
The post NBA rumors: Mavericks were ‘never’ going to offer Luka Doncic $345 million contract appeared first on ClutchPoints.
The rumors of a romance between Houston Texans star Stefon Diggs and Cardi B have been further fueled after they were seen together on Valentine’s Day. TMZ snagged photos of Diggs and Cadi B together in Miami, Florida, the morning after Valentine’s Day. The photos and videos were taken early Saturday morning as they arrived at […]
The post Stefon Diggs, Cardi B romance rumors heat up after Valentine’s Day outing appeared first on ClutchPoints.
LOVE Island’s Ron Hall and Chuggs Wallis have waded into Grace Jackson’s ‘screenshots’ row as the feuding cast take sides over Olivia Hawkins’ shock claims.
During last night’s episode, Liv, 29, made a surprise comeback to the South African villa, weeks after she was dumped – and while back, she dropped a massive bombshell about Grace.
The ring girl accused Grace, who is coupled up with Luca Bish, of previously saying she wanted a showmance.
And she claimed to have proof.
Now, Ron and Chuggs have spoken out on the drama on a TikTok Live, insisting that until concrete evidence is produced, the allegations are just speculation.
Ron said: “Final’s over and people have had their phones properly. Until we see the receipts, it didn’t happen.”
Chuggs defended Grace’s character, adding: “Yeah, I can’t imagine Grace saying something like that.”
Ron then weighed in, explaining how emotions run high in the Love Island villa, making any potential remarks insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
He said: “Right, do you know what it is, right, for me, the biggest thing? Even if she did, and I don’t think she did personally, even if she did, I feel like your opinion, and when you catch feelings with someone, the way I know Grace has caught feelings and the way Luca has caught feelings, I actually think it’s the best thing ever.
“But when you…because it’s so intense in there and you can catch feelings, I don’t think it even matters, me personally. I actually don’t.”
Chuggs agreed, adding, “Yeah, I agree with you. And you know, you’re really good mates with Luca as well, and like bonded with him well in the villa, and he’s a very genuine bloke, and he’d see straight through it if they were lying.”
Ron then defended Luca against accusations of clout-chasing, saying, “I’ll tell you one thing for a fact, out of everyone that’s been on All Stars, Luca is, and this is including myself, the least clout-chaser person, because he doesn’t need it. He doesn’t need it.
“We want to do it together, because we enjoy ourselves. He doesn’t need it, he doesn’t care for it.
“The geezer posts literally twice a year, so he doesn’t care, and he’s caught feelings, and I think Grace has as well, so that’s all it is.”
Chuggs wrapped up the discussion, reiterating that until the alleged texts are addressed publicly, there’s no way to know the truth.
He concluded: “Yeah, these text things, until everyone’s come out and they’ve addressed it, what can we say about it? Nothing, nothing.”
The pair then shared their winner predictions, with Ron backing Luca and Grace, while Chuggs placed his bets on Gabby and Casey.
Mitch Taylor and Ella Thomas, however, have both backed Olivia on social media.
“Messy Mitch confirming what Liv said is true on his Snapchat,” penned one person on X.
They also shared a screenshot from Mitch’s Snapchat where he wrote: “Liv low key gutted she’s said that.
“Hats off to her for speaking her mind.
“I can’t say too much, but I heard this story loads in the last two weeks.”
While another person on X said: “And the fact that Ella don’t usually speak on these things, yeah, something is going on,” alongside a video that Ella shared on social media.
“I’m not gonna lie, I believe everything Olivia says,” Ella said as she filmed the chaos going down during last night’s episode.
The dumped star was the first to cast her vote as couples Elma Pazar and Sammy Root, Harriett Blackmore and Ronnie Vint and Catherine Agbaje and Omar Nyame were up for elimination.
While Liv was back in the villa on Sunday night, she left the Islanders reeling when she said: “So I’ve seen text messages of Grace just saying to someone that she’ll do whatever it takes to win the show this time from someone back home.”
Harriett Blackmore was quick to chime in, telling Grace: “She probably made it up babe, like she did with Ronnie.”
Grace added: “Baby, that is absolutely not true. I do not care about winning this show.”
She then asked Liv who showed her the messages, but she simply replied: “I’ve seen the screenshots. I’m not saying who.”
Harriett then said to Liv: “Babe, you’ve made it up like you’ve made up that Ronnie was into you.
“F***ing go home, honestly. Is she alright?”
Samie Elishi – another former bombshell who had her sights set on Luca – then weighed in.
“We have seen the screenshots,” Samie said.
Grace then added: “On my life, I have never written that sentence in my life. It’s b******t, and someone’s forged that, that’s not true. I am gobsmacked.”
“Liv’s probably texted herself and used it as an answer,” Harriett added, “Babe, we all know you wouldn’t do that.”
Love Island All Stars is back on TV for season 2.
Here we take you through the line-up of all the Islanders who are in the villa so far.
Bombshells
Each series brings with it a string of hot single bombshells making their epic entrance into the villa.
Here’s who has joined the villa so far:
Councillors have today decided to move to impose an overnight ban on campervans using council car parks along the NC500 route.
The decision followed complaints from locals about waste dumping and anti-social behaviour.
Highland Council’s Sutherland County Committee unanimously agreed to recommend the ban at two key car parks where overnight stays are currently permitted.
At present, these car parks, located in Durness and Golspie on the NC500 route, allow campervans to stay overnight for £10 per night.
Visitors are currently restricted to a single night’s stay and are prohibited from returning within 72 hours.
While daytime parking would remain unaffected, the council’s parking enforcement team would begin policing overnight stays.
At present, parking penalty charges stand at £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.
A motion tabled by councillors Richard Gale and Jim McGillivray stated: “Given the impact of overnight parking of campervans in council car parks leading to inappropriate waste disposal and other anti-social behaviour, the Sutherland Area Committee agrees to impose a ban on all overnight campervan and motorhome parking in council car parks in the County of Sutherland, with signage being put in place to direct them to alternative parking options in the local area.
Mr Gale remarked that he had been “bombarded” with emails from angry residents.
He cited an example of 12 campervans and motorhomes parking at Shore Street car park in Golspie, including in a disabled parking bay.
Mr McGillivray noted similar issues in Dornoch, where signs warn against overnight stays, despite the proximity of a private campsite just a short distance away.
“I am unhappy with Highland Council’s use of public money introducing unfair competition with private camping and caravan sites,” he added.
The full council will now be asked to approve the ban.
However, council officers have warned of significant financial implications.
Additional enforcement costs could range from £4,100 (for overtime using existing staff) to £41,000 (if a full-time enforcement officer is required).
One-off costs for signage and marking changes are estimated at £1,000.
The report also noted potential risks of further costs associated with Road Traffic Orders but stated that no quantified assumptions had yet been made.
A detailed site-by-site assessment would be conducted if the motion progresses.
The proposal aims to restrict overnight campervan parking to designated caravan and camping sites.
While this could reduce inappropriate waste disposal and anti-social behaviour, there is concern that displaced campervans might park in laybys or engage in wild camping, potentially causing greater disruption in rural areas.
Sutherland councillor Hugh Morrison, vice-chair of the committee, criticised the council’s current approach, saying: “The community councils in certain areas of Sutherland along the NC500 are very unhappy about the way Highland Council have dumped these mobile homes in the centre of their villages through this overnight scheme, which is only an invitation to pay anyway.
“There are no amenities close to these car parks as well.”
The Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme, introduced last year, was intended to address issues related to indiscriminate overnight parking.
Costing £40 for a seven-day pass, the scheme offers access to 12 council-owned car parks for overnight stays, as well as access to High Life Highland facilities for washing.
However, it excludes waste disposal.
Despite being the first scheme of its kind in the UK, it has been poorly received.
As of August, fewer than 40 permits had been sold.
Conservative MSP Edward Mountain has called for the scheme to be scrapped, claiming it could cost £2 million.
“What we should be doing is encouraging the 27 per cent of motorhome users on the NC500 who don’t use campsites to go into local campsites and use the facilities there,” he said.
“The council going into competition with these businesses is madness, especially as six weeks into the scheme, they have sold less than 40 permits.”
Parking enforcement currently operates between 8am and 10pm, meaning the council’s overnight parking rules (10pm to 8am) are difficult to enforce.
The NC500 has long been the subject of complaints from locals.
While hailed by National Geographic, CNN, and TV shows like Top Gear as one of the world’s greatest road trips, tensions have escalated over the years.
Police have responded to motoring issues along the 516-mile route, including speeding, slow-moving motorhome convoys, and long tailbacks caused by bikers.
In 2018, police investigated incidents involving attempts to puncture vehicle tyres, with roofing tacks discovered scattered on a road near Bettyhill.
Despite these challenges, the NC500 is estimated to contribute over £22 million annually to the local economy.
The route has been described as both “a highway to hell” and “a road paved with gold,” reflecting its dual impact of boosting tourism while frustrating residents.
TRINITY College wants its students to use AI and Gen AI to write their essays for them – as long as they don’t try to pass it off as their own.
University chiefs keen to mould the workforce of the very near future have issued AI guidelines after admitting is is “impossible to ban their use”.
It means students can use the likes of Chat GPT to generate text and words in their projects with the college’s blessing once they credit the machines for it.
As a result, work counting for a sizeable portion of a person’s final grade can lean heavily on the output of machine learning.
A source said: “It’s the future, a future where people don’t have to use their brains as much.”
A college statement on AI and Gen AI reads: “Where the output of GenAI is used in a document or work output, this usage should be acknowledged and appropriately cited.
“Where GenAI content is used verbatim (e.g., in the form of unedited text or image), this should be accompanied by a full citation, with text-based content included in quotation marks.”
However it’s not a free-for-all, as anyone seen to be overdoing it might be seen in a poor light.
It tells students: “Note any long verbatim quotation (eg more than one paragraph), even with citation, may be considered inappropriate or poor practice in student assessment documents and publications.”
They could also be done for plagiarism if passing it off without due credit.
In its advice to staff it says: “GenAI will be used by students, researchers and staff. Given the ubiquity of GenAI tools within everyday devices and platforms, it is impossible to ban their use.
“From an academic integrity perspective, if a student generates content from a GenAI tool and submits it as his/her/their own work, it is considered plagiarism, which is defined as academic misconduct.
“If a sentence or quotation from GenAI content is used by a student in their academic work, it must be referenced.”
A spokesperson for Trinity College said the new appreoach is not a blanket go-ahead for students to use AI as there are new guidelines and caveats.
Trinity College’s new AI policy requires students and staff to fact check information generated by Gen AI and to seek out the primary source of the information – such as research papers or publications.
The College also highlights that any student that generates content from an AI tool and submits it as his or her work, it will be considered plagarism.
MANCHESTER UNITED are the Premier League’s worst spenders – and the club have absolutely nothing to show for it.
In fact, United’s horrendous recruitment decisions are one of the main reasons that the club—who sit 15th in the Prem—is going through their worst period since the 1973-74 relegation campaign.
To make matters worse, the Red Devils have spent FOUR TIMES more than Prem leaders Liverpool – who are running away with the title.
United’s hierarchy, both before and after Ineos came on board a year ago, have spent recklessly and without direction.
Put into numbers, United have spent, since 2019, a net amount of £810m – compared to Liverpool’s £212m.
But Arne Slot‘s team sit a staggering 31 POINTS above Ruben Amorim‘s side after the latter’s 1-0 defeat to Spurs on Sunday.
Old Trafford chiefs meanwhile can boast one Carabao Cup and one FA Cup, but a closer look will tell you those successes covered for some dire Prem campaigns – including a record low of eighth last season.
The once-feared Manchester outfit have actually spent more than £1 billion since 2019, with only £285m raised in departures.
That period has seen several different managers take the helm and includes some of the worst transfer business ever.
Antony was signed for a whopping £82m in 2022 and has been shipped out on loan to Real Betis this January – where he’s flying at the moment.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Jadon Sancho was a £72m capture from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, but will permanently join Chelsea this summer for around £25m having massively underwhelmed in M16.
United made Harry Maguire the most expensive centre-half in the world whilst Erik ten Hag spent a combined £140m to sign Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund in successive summers.
Ten Hag pushed to splash millions on former Ajax players and even handed over £60m to Chelsea for Mason Mount, whose injury record has seen him play just 32 games for United since June 2023.
Amorim’s main signing in January was the £29m dropped on left-back Patrick Dorgu – adding to the £200m spent in the summer on the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte.
And fans could perhaps better stomach this sad reality if it wasn’t for the fact that none of these players are exactly world-beaters.
Eyebrows were raised on Sunday when Amorim was forced to name eight untried teenagers on the bench in United’s latest defeat to Spurs, despite all the money spent.
The truth is, the net spend is the worst in the league because United are struggling to flog players.
Ironically, the money banked for Mason Greenwood (£26.6m) and Scott McTominay (£25m) in the summer are among the biggest United sales of all time.
Gary Neville previously declared Old Trafford a “graveyard” for players with so many of their big name signings failing to deliver while others have been moved on for huge losses.
The fact is, fans are fearing relegation this season or the next as the club break a new embarrassing record each week.
While Chelsea are the biggest Prem spenders, they are also the biggest Prem sellers, racking up £863m in player exits.
Some of these outgoings include £88m (Eden Hazard to Real Madrid), £65m (Havertz to Arsenal) and £60m (Mount to United).
So while, the Blues have spent 1.60bn, their net spend works out as £739m.
Tottenham’s record is the third ‘worst’, with a net spend of £576m as anger continues to be directed at chairman Daniel Levy.
That takes into consideration £884m spent on new signings and £308m in sales, but Spurs have gone trophy-less for 17 years.
Fans will also look back on the club-record fee received for Harry Kane and wonder how it was, once again, so poorly invested.
Ange Postecoglou‘s lack of squad depth is currently front and centre as the lack of quality beyond the starting XI is evident as they’re working towards solving a hefty injury list.
Spurs’ rivals and title challengers Arsenal are fourth on the ‘worst spent’ list, with £563m in the red.
David Raya (£27m), Riccardo Calafiori (£42m), and Mikel Merino (£31m) were the major arrivals but Emile Smith Rowe (£27m), Aaron Ramsdale (£18m) and Eddie Nketiah (£25m) all departed.
Arsenal have not been afraid to spend big, splashing out £60m on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and £72m on Nicolas Pepe before the arrivals of £65m Kai Havertz and £105m Declan Rice.
Newcastle, West Ham and Newcastle make up fifth through to seventh respectively.
Seven-time champions Manchester City being down in ninth on the list would be a surprise to some.
In total, the Etihad giants are third for outlays on around £986m.
Omar Marmoush’s arrival is fourth in their all-time list, just behind Ruben Dias and then a way off Josko Gvardiol (£77m) and record-signing Jack Grealish who cost £100m.
As with Chelsea, though, City fetch huge sales for selling off a wave of youngsters good enough for many teams but just not quite at Pep Guardiola’s required elite level.
The Julian Alvarez deal could rise to £81.5m while the money for Taylor Harwood-Bellis (£20m), Liam Delap (£15m), Sergio Gomez (£8.4m) and Tommy Doyle (£4.3m) racks up.
After Alvarez, City’s other biggest sales in the period are Raheem Sterling, Ferran Torres, Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane and Cole Palmer (all between £47.5m and £40m).
Nottingham Forest even crept above City on the spending chart because their net spend is marginally higher.
Last summer, Forest went all out with their signings in an effort to ensure that they remained in the top-flight at the first time of asking, bringing in dozens of new players.
Sales have been much harder to come by though, with their most notable departure being that of Matty Cash to Aston Villa in 2020.
But it’s paid off as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are enjoying a breakthrough season as the club sit third in the table.
Lastly, Liverpool’s brilliantly astute and clever recruitment practices speak for themselves.
Perhaps it is no surprise to see Liverpool with the best net spend of the ‘Big Six’ on a mere £282m over the past nine seasons.
In fact, the Reds have actually made a profit in the 2024-25 campaign by only buying Federico Chiesa for £10m and raising £50m in sales from Fabio Carvalho (£20m), Sepp van den Berg (£20m) and Bobby Clark (£10m).
It continued a wise – and successful – transfer strategy that has seen Liverpool sell big and then wait to find the right players at the right time for the right price.
MANCHESTER UNITED slipped to a 12th defeat in the Premier League with Rasmus Hojlund coming under fire again.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the Manchester United players against an underachieving Spurs side – who are now three places above them in 12th – in North London.
Andre Onana – 3
United can’t do anything with him between the sticks. Can’t be trusted to collect anything.
His opposite number Vicario showed him a thing or two after returning for the first time since Spurs thrashed Man City in November.
At fault for the first goal when he palmed out a relatively weak bouncing shot into Maddison’s path in the 13th minute.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
An OK performance. Clever link-up play with Zirkzee but couldn’t get hold of Spence down the left-hand side.
Pulled out an excellent cross for the Dutchman’s headed chance late-on.
Matthijs de Ligt – 6
His clearance stopped an obvious 2-0 before the half-an-hour mark.
Harry Maguire – 5
A mixed bag. Long ball over the top for Hojlund’s chance in opening 10 minutes and went on a few attacking runs himself in the first half.
Did well to stop Dejan Kulusevski from having a go at the edge of the box. But bizarrely stopped in his tracks when a cross came flying into Son later on.
Diogo Dalot – 6
A difficult afternoon for the Portugal international as Son and Djed Spence left him for dead a few times.
Hesitated when asked to shoot from five yards to make it 1-0 but helped Onana out with some clearances too.
Patrick Dorgu – 4
A Prem debut to forget. He was almost invisible from the left-hand side. And lacked quality when asked to get involved more in the second half.
Was stupidly caught offside with Bruno Fernandes offloading a stunning cross pitch pass and booked late-on.
Casemiro – 5
Looked every bit a player that hasn’t played Premier League football for two months. Unsurprisingly booked for a late one on Son.
Bizarrely dropped to the turf asking for a free-kick when nobody touched him. Was forced to play 89 minutes with eight teenagers on the bench. A difficult afternoon, indeed.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Interceptions and breaking up play is not a part of the captain’s game. An uncharacteristically poor cross left United open on the counter.
Did get back to stop Son from having a shot at Onana on the hour mark and started ticking in attack in the final 20 minutes.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4
Looked shaky and cut a frustrated figure after blazing over an absolute SITTER from 10 yards to level the scores.
A bit of a shocker and looked a completely different player to the one who got United into the fifth-round of the FA Cup last week.
Woke up a bit in the second half as Vicario kept him at bay with several superb stops. But the 20-year-old is clearly better off the bench.
Joshua Zirkzee – 6
The best of a desperately poor front three. There’s a street player in there and he’s great with his touches at times.
But curled wide from 23 yards, stuck a header wide in the 70th minute and kicked an air shot in the final five minutes.
Rasmus Hojlund – 3
Is Hojlund the worst No 9 in United’s recent history?
The young Dane, who was unlucky to have a chance saved by Vicario, was second best in every loose ball and kept losing possession.
He was even caught offside after a pass from an Onana goal-kick in the first half – how often do you see that happen?
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LONGSHOT
SOI DAO (8.00 Wolverhampton)
She has won over this course and distance off this mark and looks a big price on this all-weather comeback.
THIEF
DUFFRY TRIXS (3.05 Taunton)
He showed promise when second on his hurdles debut at Plumpton last time and has more to come.
BLUE FORCE ONE (5.30 Wolverhampton)
He showed promise on his all-weather handicap debut at Lingfield.
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