Power Rankings: Capitals hold No. 1 spot, plus January trends for all 32 teams

Your support helps The Independent to cover important stories, from reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, with a focus on factual reporting. Donations allow journalists to be on the ground, speaking to all sides of the story, without paywalls. Wales is hopeful that injured player Aaron Wainwright will be fit for their upcoming Six Nations match against Italy, while others like Owen Watkin face potential absences due to injuries. Full Article

Eli Lederman, a college football and recruiting journalist for ESPN.com, joined the network in 2024 after covering the University of Oklahoma. Bill Belichick's unconventional recruiting tactics at North Carolina have sparked interest, with the Tar Heels' class improving under his leadership, showcasing his NFL expertise and clear vision for the program's future success. Belichick's unique approach, focusing on preparing players for the next level, has generated excitement and commitments to North Carolina, highlighting his immediate...

The Independent relies on reader support to cover critical stories on reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech. Your donation enables journalists to report on both sides of the story without paywalls. In a recent incident, Conor McGregor was captured spitting on a man who taunted him over his loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov, sparking controversy and legal battles for the former UFC champion. Full Article

Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, declared himself as "the most complete player to have existed," citing his numerous records and statistics to support his claim. Despite facing comparisons with Lionel Messi, Ronaldo emphasized his versatility and skill set, expressing his competitiveness and determination to continue playing at 39. He also discussed his move to the Saudi Pro League, criticized misconceptions about the league's quality, and left the door open for a potential return...

The relevance of the January transfer window varies depending on club size and budget constraints, with inflated fees often hindering smaller clubs from making mid-season signings. Despite some big moves such as Marcus Rashford's loan to Aston Villa and Manchester City's significant spending, overall activity has been limited due to tightening financial restrictions. Manchester United and Arsenal failed to address key needs, with United missing out on quality signings to improve their league position and...

Your support enables The Independent to report on crucial issues such as reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, producing investigative pieces like the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC and the documentary 'The A Word'. Your donations help send journalists to cover stories from both perspectives, ensuring quality journalism remains accessible to all Americans. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has dismissed claims of the Kansas City Chiefs receiving favorable treatment, stating that officiating standards are...