List of All Articles with Tag 'sp'

The Spurs are in a beginning stage of a rebuild, loading up on young players. With the benefit of hindsight, how did they do in last year's draft?The Spurs go into this off-season with a lot of hope. Obviously, they won the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes. They also have a ton of first-round ...

SpaceX will attempt to launch its Mars-bound Starship rocket within the next eight weeks, Elon Musk has announced. It will be the second time SpaceX has attempted an orbital launch of its Starship system, which is the biggest and most powerful rocket ever developed. The first attempt at an orbital Starship launch took place in April, ending in a dramatic explosion just minutes after lift-off. Responding to a request on Twitter for an update on Starship, Mr Musk said the next test would be in “6 to 8 weeks”. The SpaceX boss has previously said that he hopes to build an entire fleet of Starship rockets in order to transport people and cargo across the Solar System. The private space company has already signed a mult-billion dollar deal with Nasa to use Starship for its Artemis programme, which aims to return humans to the Moon within the next few years. The launch site for the next orbital flight test will be from SpaceX’s Starship facility in Texas. If successful, the rocket will then complete a 90 minute journey around the Earth before touching down off the coast of Hawaii. No crew will be aboard the stainless steel Starship, which stands 120 metres tall and is capable of 16.7 million pounds of thrust – twice the power of the Saturn V rocket that took humans to the Moon. The size of the rocket, which has two main stages, means it is powerful enough to lift up to 250 tons into orbit, or carry 100 people on a trip to Mars. Read More Elon Musk eyes ‘highly habitable’ planet that’s ‘practically next door’

The door is open for Real Madrid to try signing Kylian Mbappé because the France superstar decided not to extend his Paris Saint-Germain contract into 2025

Dmitry Bivol has labelled the World Boxing Council’s ban on Russian boxers ‘unfair’, as he looks ahead to his next fight. The Kyrgyzstani-born Russian holds the WBA light-heavyweight title and has been linked with a bout against Artur Beterbiev, who holds the WBC, WBO and IBF belts. Russian-born Beterbiev represented his country of birth until last year, when he opted to represent Canada – where he has lived for 16 years – amid sporting sanctions relating to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Among those sanctions was a decision by the World Boxing Council (WBC) not to recognise Russian and Belarusian fighters, including champions. That decision also precludes Bivol, 32, from fighting Beterbiev, 38, in a unification bout at light-heavyweight, despite strong demand from fans. “Of course it’s not fair,” Bivol told Seconds Out on Monday (12 June). “How could [someone] say, ‘I am the champion of the world,’ if somebody from some country couldn’t fight for your belt? But this guy could be better than you. “It’s not fair. And this guy is just training, spending his time in the gym, and he’s not allowed to fight. He’s the same [as] you, he’s just living in a different apartment in a different place, but he’s working the same [as] you. “He’s training, he’s fighting, his mentality is similar, but why is he not allowed to fight? It’s not fair.” Bivol last fought in November, comprehensively outpointing Gilberto Ramirez to retain the WBA light-heavyweight title, which he also retained in his previous fight, against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in May 2022. Meanwhile, Beterbiev most recently fought in January, stopping Anthony Yarde in the eighth round. He is next due to box in August, defending his titles against another Briton, Callum Smith. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Teofimo Lopez and his father share emotional exchange during Josh Taylor fight Josh Taylor says move up to welterweight is ‘imminent’ after first career defeat Jake Paul agrees to 10 rounds in Nate Diaz fight

The BBC were forced to step in during coverage of Manchester City's treble parade, when Kalvin Phillips launched into an X-rated chant about team mate, John Stones. 'Johnny, Johnny Stones, he gets the Blues excited...he f****** hates United', Phillips chanted down the microphone while clutching a beer. Stones seemed to be lapping up the attention as the crowd chanted back. Meanwhile, Grealish, who has been partying hard over the last few days, along with Haaland, took the tram to the celebration in true Mancunian style. Click here to sign up for our newsletters

Kylian Mbappe says he is “very happy” at Paris St Germain and plans to remain with the club until his contract expires at the end of next season. The 24-year-old has suddenly become one of the hottest properties on the summer transfer market after it emerged on Monday that he had presented PSG with a formal letter stating he would not activate an extension to his deal. That means he would be out of contract and able to depart for nothing in 12 months’ time, leaving the French club looking to either negotiate a new contract or accept the highest offer possible this summer. Real Madrid, who were desperate to sign the player last year and who have recently lost Karim Benzema to Saudi club Al Ittihad, are sure to be interested again, but Mbappe took to Twitter on Tuesday to describe reports he wants to join the Spanish side this summer as “lies”. And he added: “I have already said that I will continue next season at PSG, where I am very happy.” The former Monaco forward extended his PSG deal just over a year ago to end Real’s pursuit at that point, but a statement from his management to the AFP news agency on Tuesday says the club were informed on July 15 last year that the player would not activate an option to extend the deal to 2025. “Kylian Mbappe and his entourage confirm that this matter has not been discussed since over the course of the year, except a fortnight ago to announce the sending of the letter,” the statement read. “No potential contract extension has been mentioned.” The statement said Mbappe and his management “regret that the letter was circulated in the media and that these exchanges were made public with the sole aim of damaging their image and the discussions with the club”. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Liverpool have sent Calvin Ramsay on loan to EFL Championship club Preston North End next season. The Scotland right-back made only two appearances in an injury-hit first year at Anfield after his 2022 move from Aberdeen and is yet to make his Premier League debut. Now Jurgen Klopp has decided to let him get first-team football with Preston next season rather than using the 19-year-old as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deputy. Ramsay, who is still undergoing rehabilitation after surgery, will stay with Liverpool for the start of pre-season before going to Deepdale in mid-July. His only start for Liverpool came against League One Derby in the Carabao Cup last November, but Ramsay remains part of Klopp’s long-term plans. The manager name-checked another young right-back in Conor Bradley just before the end of the 22/23 campaign, noting that he would be involved in pre-season with the Reds after a year impressing on loan at Bolton. Bradley has won 12 senior caps for Northern Ireland, while Ramsay made his senior Scotland international bow in November last year. Read More Who is Gabri Veiga? Starlet with links to Liverpool and Chelsea Ben Foster stays at Wrexham for one more year – Friday’s sporting social Liverpool begin midfield overhaul by completing Alexis Mac Allister signing

There will be a new banner over Miami’s home floor next season

This offseason, there seems to be a long list of NFL stars who have been cut. However, these aren't the final surprise cuts before the 2023 NFL season starts.Last week, the Minnesota Vikings finally did what we all suspected. They cut Dalvin Cook. It was hardly a surprise since the Vikings ...

Who doesn’t love a little transfer speculation, Kylian Mbappe, arguably the world’s most valuable footballer, finds himself yet again amidst transfer rumours worldwide. PSG miraculously managed to keep the star after it looked all but guaranteed that the speedy Frenchman would be taking his talents to Madrid. Mbappe was granted more than money in Paris as he was awarded a seat at the so-called table; given the power to help decide on manager, sporting director, and squad decisions. The Parisians believed this three-year deal would be more than enough to keep the World Cup winner happy in Paris. A letter Mbappe recently sent to the club stating his intention not to sign a contract extension after the conclusion of the 2023-2024 season shattered any dreams that PSG ownership or fans had of the starboy prolonging his stay in Paris. What was originally believed to be a three-year contract extension signed last summer has turned out to be a two-year deal with the option lying with Mbappe to extend after that 2023-2024 season. With Mbappe’s intentions now clear, PSG must enter scramble mode as they risk losing their prime asset, one which they bought for €180 million, for free after the conclusion of next season. The situation presents the Parisians with two clear options for dealing with Mbappe: sell him this summer to the plethora of suitors, or convince him just as they did last summer of the advantage of staying in his home city. Here we look at the likely options for Mbappe this summer: Real Madrid Real Madrid appears to be the obvious choice for a player who has long been tied to the historic club. After trying endlessly last summer to secure the rights to the star Frenchman, Madrid came out with nothing but false hope. For months it felt as though Mbappe lighting up the Bernabeu week after week would be a guarantee but Mbappe saw the Parc Des Princes as having too much to offer at that time to leave. One summer later the Madridistas believe they have found solace as they become yet again the frontrunner to sign Mbappe. Coming off a slightly disappointing season by Madrid standards that included a Copa Del Rey trophy, a second place La Liga finish, and a semi-final defeat to eventual champions Manchester City, Real Madrid are also set to lose legendary No 9 Karim Benzema. This represents a perfect transition period for Madrid as they look to bring in the hyper-talented Mbappe to replace the lost goals from Benzema’s departure. Saudi Arabia A mere few years ago the idea that a player of Mbappe’s caliber in the prime of his career would go to a league such as the Saudi’s would seem rooted in fantasy. Yet, as we have all learned money talks and the Saudi League sure has a lot. The PIF, or Public Investment Fund, is Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund that has been largely investing in sport over the past few years. This has seen them creating LIV Golf, purchasing 80 percent of Newcastle United in the premier league, and now, purchasing four of their home nation’s 16 Saudi Pro League teams. With the wealth that these teams now possess and the high-profile names that have gone to Saudi Arabia in the past year, there seems to be at least a chance that Mbappe could venture to the Middle East. Al Hillal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahil represent the four clubs that the PIF has taken over. Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr, while Lionel Messi was recently connected to Al-Hillal, which reportedly offered a three-year 1.6 billion euro deal to the Argentinian. Madrid’s Benzema and Mbappe’s Les Bleus teammate N’golo Kante have signed with Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahil has just ventured up through promotion to the Pro League. If Mbappe were to venture to the Persian Gulf, Al-Hillal seems like an obvious choice with the empty spot and money left behind when Messi chose Miami over the Saudis. While the money for both PSG and Mbappe would be abundant it still seems a little far-fetched that a player of Mbappe’s level, who still is in the beginning of his prime, would sojourn to one of these clubs. Recent history has taught us not to underestimate the lure of Saudi money; yet again there always remains a chance that the Saudi’s offer a deal neither PSG nor Mbappe could refuse. PSG While Mbappe has made his intentions clear that he does not want to renew his contract into 2025, PSG still have the opportunity to convince their star to stay on yet again. Mbappe has enjoyed much success in Paris domestically, finishing as the league’s top goal scorer in five straight seasons as well as securing five of six Ligue 1 trophies with the club. Yet, with PSG entering each Ligue 1 season as massive favorites, this domestic success does not seem to be enough to keep Mbappe happy. Success in the illustrious Champions League which defines Europe’s best seems to be the next step for Mbappe who has seen his club flame out in back-to-back Round of 16’s. How can PSG convince Mbappe of their future in this tournament with a jettisoned Messi and an aging Neymar must be the No 1 question in Paris. While it seems to be quite clear Mbappe has no intention of staying on, this same sentiment was echoed repeatedly just a year ago. One thing we can trust is that Mbappe will do what he sees as best for his future whether that is financially or on the pitch. Manchester United or the Premier League? Should a takeover of Manchester United be completed in the near future, the new owners, Sir Jim Ratcliffe or Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim, would surely be interested in a statement signing. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has denied any involvement in the takeover process at Old Trafford, yet an existing relationship could help any potential deal. Chelsea would surely be interested with Todd Boehly eager to make an impact in the market once more, yet the figures involved in such a deal might prove beyond the Blues with so many other areas of the squad to address. Read More Kylian Mbappe alerts Premier League clubs with surprise announcement about his future How Jude Bellingham can become the anti-Haaland for Real Madrid Liverpool’s must-add midfielder and Haaland 2.0 to Man Utd: Transfer targets for every Premier League club Kylian Mbappe alerts Premier League clubs with surprise announcement about his future Lionel Messi confirms he will sign for US side in shock move Messi agrees ‘in principle’ on next move after PSG exit

There is another international trophy to win in Europe this weekend and players from Manchester City and Inter Milan will be available at the four-team Nations League Finals in the Netherlands

Liverpool full-back Calvin Ramsay is set to join Preston on loan for next season. The 19-year-old managed just 93 minutes of football – across two matches in the Carabao Cup and Champions League in November – due to a back problem and then a knee injury which prematurely ended his maiden campaign. Ramsay underwent surgery in February and is in need of regular first-team football which is why, the PA news agency understands, he has been allowed to go out on loan to the Championship side. The Scotland international arrived at Anfield last summer from Aberdeen for an initial £4million.