West Wilson has delivered his summertime swansong.
One day after it was reported that the sports journalist would be exiting Summer House after three seasons, West made his final appearance on the…
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Norway marked its return to the World Cup in winning fashion with a 4-1 victory over Iraq on Tuesday night at Boston Stadium. The Norwegians have frequently been mentioned as a possible dark horse in this tournament after its perfect run through UEFA qualifying. While this game was far from perfect for them — and Iraq deserves some credit for that for their effort in the first 75 minutes — ultimately, Norway was clearly the deserved winners. With the win, Norway joins France atop the Group I table at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup: 1. World Cup Haaland Was Worth The Wait Erling Haaland was one of the most eagerly anticipated players at this tournament. The Manchester City forward has accomplished everything possible at the club level. But the international side of the game is a completely different story. This is Norway’s first World Cup since 1998. The Scandinavian country has also not appeared for the European Championships since 2000. Two weeks after Euro 2000, Haaland was born and, just under 26 years later, he would bring the team back. Haaland has been exceptional for Norway, and he now has 57 goals in 51 games, but this is his first game in a major international tournament. His debut was exceptional as he scored twice in the first half help Norway pull ahead for good. The first goal was Haaland at his best when he made a run into the box that was almost impossible to stop. When a team is moving forward from a wide position, Haaland is special at making runs into the box where he can get behind just about any defense. Haaland’s second goal was all effort, as he closed down and forced a mistake. On the final goal deep into stoppage time, Haaland was pushing for the hat trick and his header eventually resulted in an own goal. With this game, Haaland showed the world that he is ready to be a force in the international game just as he is with Manchester City. The World Cup is better with him in it. 2. Norway’s Supporting Cast Was Mixed Norway’s game plan was well known coming into this game. The central midfielders try to find the wingers or fullbacks moving forward with speed into wide areas. Then the key play is to find Haaland as he makes a run up the middle towards goal. It was an extremely successful approach as Norway has historically been good in World Cup qualifying, winning all eight of its games with Haaland scoring 16 goals. Norway was particularly effective in the first half, attacking up the left side with left winger Antonio Nusa and left back David Møller Wolfe frequently finding space. Then in the 76th minute, Norway gave itself breathing room when Genoa defender Leo Østigard headed home a corner kick delivered by Martin Ødegaard, who is the captain of both Norway and Arsenal. Despite the corner kick delivery on the third goal, Ødegaard, along with Sander Berge, did not have a particularly effective first half in central midfield. This was close for the first 75 minutes as Iraq controlled the middle of the field for long stretches in the first half. After a 4-1 win, there is typically little to criticize. But for an ambitious Norwegian team, it will need to be better as elite teams await. Norway can depend on Haaland to always be good, but everything they do begins in central midfield. 3. Iraq Played Well, But Made A Huge Mistake But in this game, Iraq was prepared and made the focal point of trying to contain Ødegaard. Stopping Haaland is often impossible, so the approach is typically to try to cut off service into him or try to close passing lanes that often prevent the ball from getting out wide. For the first 75 minutes, Iraq put on a better performance than expected because of its strong play in the midfield. This was far from the case of an underdog sitting deep and bunkering to keep the score close. Iraq came to play against Norway. Amir Al-Ammari, who plays for Cracovia in Poland, had an especially strong performance as he helped in possession and in creating multiple chances. It was his assist to Ayman Hussein who pulled Iraq even in the 39th minute. But Iraq is surely asking itself the painful question of what could have been? With the score 1-1, defender Zaid Tahseen had the ball by himself wide right. Instead of playing the ball forward, he made an inexcusable error of playing the ball back to his keeper Jalal Hassan while under the pressure of an onrushing Haaland. Tasheen’s pass was too light and Hassan made an error to try to clear in the direction of Haaland. Instead, the ball went back into his own goal. Norway went on to score again on a set piece with Iraq pushing forward and the final goal came with Iraq worn down and defeated, but ultimately the error was extremely costly and things could have been different had it been avoided. 4. Norway And Iraq’s Path Forward Group I is widely considered the most difficult group at this World Cup with one of the best teams in the world in France, arguably the top team in Africa in Senegal, a Norwegian team that has many good players, and Iraq. With its two toughest games coming later, Norway needed to leave this game with three points. Four points is often considered the “magic number” to secure advancement. Three might be enough but four is likely enough to finish as one of the eight best third place teams. Norway next faces a Senegal team that should be desperate after a tough and hard-fought loss to France. It should be an excellent game. Iraq was very unlucky to be placed in a tough group where it is a heavy underdog in all three games. While it played well at times, it wasn’t close to being enough.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
Georgia Rep. Mike Collins is the GOP’s nominee to take on incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in one of this year’s most closely watched Senate races.
Collins, boosted by a last-minute endorsement from President Donald Trump, defeated former football coach Derek Dooley to win the runoff Tuesday. The primary had turned into a messy proxy war between popular Gov. Brian Kemp, who championed Dooley’s bid, and Trump, who called Collins a “WARRIOR and WINNER!” on Truth Social.
Republicans will now pivot to a general election battle against Ossoff, who they fear will be hard to beat in November. The Democratic incumbent has spent months stockpiling cash and commanding national attention while Collins and Dooley have been locked in a costly and bitter primary fight.
Collins’ victory over Dooley is another notch in Trump’s endorsement record. Although the president did not weigh in until after the early voting period had ended, just days before the runoff, his backing was widely expected to help propel Collins to a first-place finish.
It was a relief for Collins, whose campaign was rocked by an internal controversy recently after his top aide, Brandon Phillips — who is also at the center of a House Ethics investigation — posted a vulgar insult directed at the wife of a Dooley-aligned operative on social media.
Collins quickly rebuked the post and moved to further align himself with Trump’s political operation, bringing on several top Trump campaign veterans, including pollster Tony Fabrizio, data strategist Tim Saler and Chip Englander as a general consultant.
Politics
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A record that once seemed untouchable now belongs to Kylian Mbappé. The French captain scored twice in a 3-1 win over Senegal to become France’s all-time leading scorer, sending Les Bleus into their next World Cup match full of confidence and momentum. Even FOX Sports analyst and France legend Thierry Henry couldn’t hold back his admiration for Mbappé on the broadcast after the win over Senegal. But while Henry views Mbappé as France’s most valuable player, he believes Michael Olise is the team’s most important player. “Kylian answered the call and I was very confident,” Henry said. “I said I will back him to answer the call and he did. He will always be our MVP. Michael Olise is starting to be our MIP, the most important player. Olise pulled the strings in France’s FIFA World Cup-opening win over Senegal. He finished the match with 76 touches, four chances created and an assist on one of Mbappé’s goals across 90 minutes. “I like the way he plays and I think the game changed in the second half when he went in the 10 position,” Henry said. “I know it created that goal on the right [to Kylian Mbappé]. But when he played in the middle, what he did was he stop Senegal playing.” Henry not only praised Olise’s versatility but also highlighted his vision and awareness on the pitch as the qualities that made the biggest difference. “He was always stopping the midfielder from getting the ball. … He sees everything. … He has an impact on games that I cannot explain to you,” Henry said. “If you make one mistake of not being aware of what he’s going to do, he will punish you with a pass. The impact he had in the second half made the team tick.” France has no shortage of star power, but Olise’s ability to control the tempo and connect every phase of play gives the team a different dimension. If his performance against Senegal is any indication, he could emerge as one of the tournament’s most influential players. “In that connection that we need from midfield defense to him…that’s the guy we’ve been missing for a long time in France,” Henry said. “That little number 10, I think that is his position.”Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
U.S. World Cup Team Training Base (IRVINE, Calif.) – One storyline has dominated the buildup to the U.S. men’s national team’s second World Cup match against Australia on Friday. Specifically, one word. When both nations were drawn into Group D last December, former MLS player and current CBS analyst Mike Grella labeled the looming matchup a “layup” for the United States. His comment went viral and sparked a stir in the Australian camp. So much so that Australian reporters have asked American players – who appear mostly unaware of the remark – about it this week. “No, it’s not a layup,” said Tyler Adams, rolling his eyes. “If anything, it’s going to be one of the most difficult games that we play.” Adams is right for several reasons. For one, the U.S. currently leads Group D on goal differential after a commanding 4-1 win over Paraguay, narrowly ahead of Australia following its 2-1 victory over Türkiye on Saturday. A win Friday in Seattle would strengthen its grip on the top spot. Secondly, the two sides met last October in a feisty friendly that set the tone for what will be another physical matchup. That game featured 26 fouls and two yellow cards, with star Christian Pulisic forced off in the first half after a heavy challenge. At halftime of that match, manager Mauricio Pochettino delivered an emotional message caught on a “Behind the Crest” video, urging his players to respond and “match their intensity” as he paced the locker room. After falling behind 1-0 early in the first half, the U.S. came back to win 2-1 behind a brace from Haji Wright. “The game was fun,” a smiling Tim Weah told reporters on Tuesday. “That experience was fun. It was aggressive. I think from that game, we’ve changed a lot. I think we’ve gotten a bit more aggressive as well. It’s going to be a wonderful clash, a wonderful game.” Weah stopped short of calling that match a turning point for the team, but players do view it as an important moment in the squad’s development. Since taking over in September 2024, Pochettino has worked hard to infuse his South American influence in the group, emphasizing passion, grit and the willingness to battle for one another. “We’re American, we don’t take s***,” Sebastian Berhalter said, offering insight into what Pochettino has told the team. “Even though he’s Argentinian, he has that mindset of like, ‘Look, this is what we do and this is who we are and this is what America is about.’ “Even from an outside perspective, he showed us Americans what we’re about, and he really drills that into us and is someone who has helped us this last cycle.” Australia will present a stern test for the U.S. The Socceroos are a disciplined and relentless team that will sit deep, absorb pressure, and make it challenging for the Americans to break them down. “I love the way they defend, honestly,” Berhalter said of watching Australia’s opening match vs. Türkiye. “They were a group, they were a unit, and they gave everything they had and it worked. It’s gonna be a great game and they’re gonna fight. You like teams that have that brotherhood, you like teams who, when you go against them, you can see they’re hungry and want to fight because it makes you raise your level that much more.” The U.S. wants a rowdy environment like it experienced at Los Angeles Stadium last week. Seattle is known for its electric soccer crowds, and that home support could prove crucial in this kind of hard-fought contest. The team is also hoping Pulisic, who contributed to the USA’s first two goals vs. Paraguay, will be fit to play. The superstar forward has been dealing with a left calf issue that kept him off the field in the second half last Friday. As of Tuesday, his training has been “modified” and he was not participating with the full team. His status is “day-to-day,” according to a U.S. Soccer spokesperson. The Americans are preparing accordingly and certainly not overlooking the Aussies in any way. Despite what some pundits say. “All the talk is just nonsense to me,” Weah said. “They’re a young team that has a lot of fight, a lot of grit, and a lot of hunger just like us. We respect them in the same way that we respect any other opponent. “We’re focused on the bigger picture and what we have to do as a team to make sure that we’re prepared for the competition and the game. I think it’s going to be an amazing game.”Latest Sports News from FOX Sports
The Alaska Division of Elections announced Dan Sullivan of Petersburg is ineligible as a candidate for U.S. Senate and will be removed from the ballot. Officials said his filing was “for the purpose of confusing or misleading voters,” in a final decision issued on Monday.
Dan Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg, filed to run as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in May, which drew immediate criticism and complaints from the Republican incumbent with the same name, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, and Republican groups. The Petersburg Sullivan has defended his campaign as genuine.
The division’s ruling follows an investigation announced by Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom and a preliminary decision last week, citing two complaints by Republican groups, including the Alaska Republican Party, claiming Sullivan was ineligible. The complaints accused the Petersburg Sullivan of misrepresenting himself and intending to mislead voters to the benefit of the Democratic candidate, Mary Peltola.
In a letter on Monday, Carol Beecher, the elections division director, agreed with the complaints.
“On review of the complaints and other information in the Division’s possession, I conclude that your declaration of candidacy was not properly filed with the Division,” she wrote. “Because it was not filed in order to declare an actual good-faith candidacy for the office of United States Senator, but was instead filed with a purpose to confuse or mislead and to thereby compromise the ballot’s fairness or neutrality.”
A spokesperson for the Division of Elections declined to comment on the ruling, explain the other information cited in the letter, or say if similar scrutiny would be applied to the other 14 candidates running for U.S. Senate. “Consistent with our standard practice, we do not discuss ongoing reviews, investigations, or related proceedings,” said Stephen Kirch, public relations manager with the division, by email on Monday.
In the letter, Beecher cited the candidate’s filing under the name “Dan Sullivan” while his voter registration was under the name “Dan J. Sullivan, Jr.” as evidence of an attempt to mislead voters, calling it a “new nickname.”
She said Sullivan had mistakenly requested his name appear on the ballot as “Dan S. Sullivan,” the same name as the incumbent. “Indeed, you yourself appeared to be confused when you initially emailed the Division asking to be listed on the ballot as “Dan S. Sullivan.” “S” is Senator Sullivan’s middle initial, not yours,” she said.
She suggested he was seeking to confuse voters. Beecher raised the same issue with Sullivan registering as a Republican.
In an interview with the Alaska Beacon last week, Sullivan from Petersburg said he was previously affiliated with the Alaska Independence Party. After it disbanded last year, he decided to register and file his candidacy as a Republican, saying he identified as an “old school” centrist Republican like his father and grandfather.
Beecher acknowledged Sullivan had the right to change party affiliation under Alaska law, but rejected the filing as suspicious.
“Of course, under Alaska law, you are free to change your party affiliation. This said, that you chose to change your affiliation to the same political party — one you’d never affiliated with before — as the incumbent Senator immediately before filing a declaration of candidacy in which you asked to access the ballot under the same name – in a shortened form you’d never used before — as the incumbent Senator strongly suggests an intent to confuse yourself with the incumbent Senator rather than to distinguish yourself from him,” she wrote.
Beecher also said the Petersburg Sullivan’s campaign website and logo are similar to the incumbent’s, and said that appears to be “deliberate.” She cited a complaint by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which works to elect Republicans, who accused the Petersburg Sullivan of working with a political consultant, Amber Lee, to misrepresent his campaign. Beecher did not name the consultant but said she was a “known longtime supporter of Democratic candidates.”
“This consultant’s work on your behalf is, in isolation, innocuous,” Beecher wrote. “Alongside the other facts I have catalogued in this letter, however, it suggests a determined effort and a deliberate attempt to use the similarity of your name to confuse Alaska voters in the upcoming primary election.”
Beecher said she had concluded that Sullivan had not filed in good faith and would be decertified from the election.
“I conclude that the preponderance of the evidence is that you chose this new nickname and party affiliation because that name and party affiliation happen to be the name and party affiliation of another candidate in the race,” she wrote.
The Petersburg Sullivan can appeal within 30 days or challenge the decision in Alaska Superior Court, according to the letter.
He did not respond to calls on Monday about whether he plans to appeal and challenge the ruling.
In a social media post on Sunday that celebrated his 70th birthday ahead of the ruling, the Petersburg Sullivan questioned the premise of the state’s investigation and threats to disqualify him from the ballot.
“Should every American be allowed to run for any political office if they are qualified? Should a candidate’s chances of winning an election disqualify them from trying? Should a person’s given name be a qualifier to be on a ballot? To me it’s not complicated,” he wrote. “I met the qualification and I entered this race because I am unhappy with the 12 year record of the current Senator and I feel we need a change. It’s that simple.”
Members with the re-election campaign for Republican incumbent Sen. Sullivan praised the decision on Monday, thanking Dahlstrom, who oversees Alaska’s elections.
“We thank Lieutenant Governor Dahlstrom for upholding that right and for ensuring Alaskans can choose their next senator without a sham candidate whose primary purpose was to confuse Alaskan voters, treat Alaskans with contempt, and rig the election for Peltola” said Billy Mackey, Senator Sullivan’s campaign manager, in an emailed statement.
Alaska Sen. Forrest Dunbar, D-Anchorage, said in a social media post Monday he had requested a legal review of the division’s decision, saying the reasoning “appears extremely weak.” In another post, Dunbar pointed to U.S. House Rep. Nick Begich III filing for office in 2024 under the same name as his grandfather who also served in the U.S. House, “Nick Begich.”
“I urge folks to set aside their partisan biases and think about the precedent this sets if it is allowed to stand, the authoritarian power we would be handing incumbent administrations to decide who is or is not permitted to run against them or their allies,” Dunbar wrote.
“This started out as sort of a funny curiosity (no offense to Dan J. Sullivan, whom I have never met or spoken to, and probably has good ideas for federal policy). But now the Department of Elections and Lieutenant Governor have made it much more serious — a question about whether or not fully qualified American citizens can appear on a ballot and exercise their First Amendment rights.”
The post Alaska Division of Elections disqualifies challenger to U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan with same name appeared first on Chilkat Valley News.
Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott’s son Liam is thinking pink.
The 19-year-old son of the former couple—who are also parents to kids Stella, 17, Hattie, 14, Finn, 13 and Beau, 9—recently attended…
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