Messi: I value happiness over reaching 2026 WC

The Independent relies on donations to support their investigative journalism on topics like reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, providing unbiased reporting to Americans of all political leanings. In a one-day international match, England's below-par batting performance led to a loss against India, despite contributions from Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, and Jacob Bethell, with Shubman Gill's 87 guiding India to victory. India's spin bowlers, Ravindra Jadeja and Harshit Rana, troubled England's batters, while Varun...

The 2025 college softball season is set to begin with intriguing storylines, including the impact of transfers like NiJaree Canady at Texas Tech and adjustments to conference realignment. Experts Jenny Dalton-Hill, Amanda Scarborough, Michele Smith, and Madison Shipman discuss the challenges facing Oklahoma in their quest for a fifth-straight title, the emergence of standout freshmen and transfers like Addisen Fisher at UCLA and Ruby Meylan at Oklahoma State, and sleeper teams like Auburn with pitcher...

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order preventing transgender women from competing in female sports categories, with the Department of Education enforcing investigations on non-compliant high schools. Republicans see it as restoring fairness, while LGBT advocates call it discriminatory. The order covers high schools, universities, and grassroots sports, and aims to prevent transgender athletes from competing at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Full Article

Your support helps The Independent to report on important issues like reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, with a commitment to delivering factual news. Donations enable journalists to cover stories from all angles. The upcoming UFC 312 event will feature a rematch between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland for the middleweight title, alongside a strawweight title fight between Zhang Weili and Tatiana Suarez. The event will take place in Australia and can be...

Gabriele Marcotti, a senior soccer writer for ESPN.com, discusses the trends observed during the recent winter transfer window, noting that most top clubs avoided major spending due to financial constraints and market uncertainties. Manchester City was a notable exception, spending significantly to secure five players, while other lower-ranked clubs engaged in panic buying. Loan deals have also become common, with clubs utilizing them to manage budgets and offload high-earning players, showcasing a shift in the...

The planned super-fight between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Terence Crawford has collapsed, according to The Ring, despite being one of the biggest in boxing on a 2025 wishlist. Crawford's unbeaten record and Canelo's titles were at stake in the fight, which would have seen Crawford move up two divisions. Both fighters have impressive records and titles in multiple weight classes, with Canelo most recently defeating Edgar Berlanga and Crawford becoming undisputed welterweight champion in their...