James Harden reacts to ESPN's recent report that said he was "pouting" after not being named an All-Star last season.

Lionel Messi heads the list of nominees for the men’s Ballon d’Or after leading Argentina to World Cup glory. Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka were also included on the 30-man shortlist for the prestigious prize published by organisers France Football on Wednesday. Messi, already a record seven-time winner of the annual prize for world player of the year, is again the favourite. The 36-year-old, who now plays his club football with Inter Miami, was his country’s chief inspiration as they triumphed in Qatar last winter, scoring seven goals in the tournament. Haaland, who scored a remarkable 52 goals for treble-winning Manchester City last season, is one of seven players from the successful City side to make the list. Former captain Ilkay Gundogan, who is now at Barcelona, another World Cup-winner in Julian Alvarez, Ruben Dias, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Bernardo Silva were the others. England captain Harry Kane is rewarded after scoring 40 goals for club and country before switching Tottenham for Bayern Munich. England team-mates Bellingham, who is now at Real Madrid, and Saka, of Arsenal, also enjoyed strong campaigns. Other notable Premier League inclusions are Aston Villa’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez, Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard. Five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr, was not nominated for the first time since 2003. England’s Rachel Daly, Georgia Stanway, Millie Bright and Mary Earps are on the shortlist for the women’s award following their run to the World Cup final. Goalkeeper Earps won the Golden Glove after keeping four clean sheets in the tournament while Daly was also the top scorer in the Women’s Super League last season. Aitana Bonmati of champions Spain is widely considered the favourite for the prize but team-mate Olga Carmona, scorer of the winning goal in the final, is also nominated. Bellingham is also on the shortlist for the men’s young player of the year prize. New Manchester United signing Rasmus Hojlund, of Denmark, and Barcelona trio Gavi, Pedri and Alejandro Balde are also candidates. Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale is nominated for goalkeeper of the year along with Martinez. They will face competition from Ederson of Manchester City and United’s former Inter Milan stopper Andre Onana, who is also on the list for the main award. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on October 30. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Sri Lanka dismiss England for 116 in T20 series decider in Derby Aryna Sabalenka eases into US Open semi-finals with win over Zheng Qinwen Stephen Kenny refuses to bemoan luck following Evan Ferguson injury

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A coalition of environmental groups and conservationists is suing the state of Utah for failing to protect the Great Salt Lake from the brink of "ecological collapse," according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday.

A female student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison remains in critical condition following a horrific off-campus attack. The Madison Police Department announced on Tuesday that the victim, a woman in her 20s, was found between West Wilson and Bedford streets in the early morning hours of Sunday. A witness who realised that she was severely injured alerted authorities to the scene. The victim was raped and beaten, police said, before the suspect fled the scene. Her injuries are life-threatening but she is expected to survive. Authorities have asked people who live near where the attack took place to submit footage from surveillance cameras that may have captured the assault. “If you were gone during the holiday weekend and live within 4 blocks of where this incident occurred (Wilson St and Bedford intersection) we ask that you submit all surveillance video and/or photos from this area,” the department said in a statement. “This could also be video surveillance from vehicles, such as Teslas, that were parked in the area. All video already submitted is in the process of being reviewed.” Investigators have gathered physical, digital and biological evidence over the weekend, but encouraged residents of the area to submit any footage they have available. The case is considered to be a top priority, and significant progress has been made in the investigation, police said. The department said in a statement on Tuesday that the victim did not know her attacker and the assault appeared to be random. The woman remains in critical condition but is expected to recover. “This investigation is in its preliminary stages right now. We have called in numerous Madison Police personnel on this holiday weekend to conduct a thorough and complete investigation,” said Assistant Chief Paige Valenta. Patrols in the area have increased in the aftermath of the attack. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and avoid walking alone, especially at night. Anyone with information about the assault is asked to contact the Madison Police Department’s non-emergency line at 608-255-2345, the Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014 or submit information anonymously here. Read More Judge rules Trump in 2019 defamed writer who has already won a sex abuse and libel suit against him Trump liable for defaming E Jean Carroll for a second time Luis Rubiales fallout live: Rfef boss accused of sexual assault while Jorge Vilda hits out at ‘unfair’ sacking

The Biden administration announced Wednesday it will cancel seven Trump-era oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and protect more than 13 million acres in the federal National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, stymieing a years-long attempt to drill in the protected region.

Defensive end Carl Nassib, who in 2021 became the first openly gay player to play in an NFL regular-season game, announced his retirement...

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo said Wednesday he wants to go "even further" after becoming the first player to score 850 career goals with...

Prosecutors say a White House adviser to President Donald Trump acted as if he were "above the law” when he refused to cooperate with a congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol

British authorities on Wednesday issued an all-ports alert to track down a former soldier awaiting trial on terrorism charges, after he escaped from jail by clinging to...

The U.S. Interior Department on Wednesday will announce the cancellation of oil and gas leases in a federal

Lee rapidly intensified into a strong tropical storm Wednesday morning as it tracks over record-warm ocean waters and an environment favorable for strengthening, which will fuel the storm to near Category-5 strength as it approaches the eastern Caribbean.