Sparks bolster backcourt, selecting Sarah Ashlee Barker at No. 9 in WNBA draft

Chinese grandmaster Ju Wenjun has secured her fifth title at the 2025 Fide Women’s World Championship in Chongqing, defeating rival Tan Zhongyi 6½–2½. Ju, who has held the title since 2018, demonstrated her dominance by winning four consecutive games, marking her most decisive victory to date. The match underscored their nearly decade-long rivalry, with Ju successfully defending her crown against the very opponent who once eliminated her from the championship. Full Article

Softball Highlights: April 16Columbia Falls defeated Whitefish 13-1 in a Northwest A softball game, led by Addy Bowler's four RBIs and Hailey Greene's two no-hit innings. Ronan overcame Libby 18-8, with Autumn Lozeau contributing a two-run single during an eight-run fourth inning. Thompson Falls-Noxon triumphed over Eureka 14-1, and Troy dominated Priest River, Idaho, 26-0, highlighted by Leslie Gravier’s four RBIs and a no-hit performance from Halle Wallace, both games ending early due to the...

Unai Emery emphasized that Aston Villa should channel their painful Champions League quarter-final exit against Paris Saint-Germain into a renewed effort to qualify for the tournament again. Despite a commendable 3-2 victory, Villa could not overcome a 5-1 aggregate deficit, and Emery expressed pride in his team's performance, urging them to aim for a top-five Premier League finish for a Champions League return. Additionally, UEFA may investigate Villa following an incident where a supporter threw...

Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Audioboom, Mixcloud, Acast and Stitcher, and join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and email.In today's podcast, Aston Villa staged a remarkable comeback against Paris Saint-Germain, scoring three goals to almost equal the aggregate score after being 2-0 down, with standout performances from Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, and Ezri Konsa. Borussia Dortmund also fought back, defeating Barcelona 3-1 at home, highlighting that even top teams like Barça are vulnerable...

In 1954, Edward J Erdelatz, then head football coach of the U.S. Navy, famously remarked that a tie is "like kissing your sister," reflecting American sports' win-at-all-costs mentality. This mentality contrasts sharply with Test cricket, where draws are inherent to the game's structure, constituting nearly one-third of matches played in its 150-year history. As England's captain Ben Stokes adopts a no-draw philosophy, aiming for thrilling victories, the rarity of exciting draws highlights the complex nature...

In March, the NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Championships showcased historic moments, including Carter Starocci becoming the first five-time D-I national champion and Wyatt Hendrickson defeating Olympic champion Gable Steveson, while Donald Trump made a notable appearance alongside prominent figures like Elon Musk. Despite mixed feelings among fans, many wrestlers embraced Trump, highlighting a paradox between his lack of athletic background and the sport's core values of accountability. This event underscored wrestling's struggle for visibility...