Detroit Tigers catcher Eduardo Valencia hit a home run in his first major league plate appearance to secure a 4-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday, dedicating the emotional moment to his earthquake-struck home country of Venezuela.
The 26-year-old became only the 10th player in franchise history to homer during their first big-league at-bat.
He launched a 425-foot strike to centre field against relief pitcher Hogan Harris after entering the game as a seventh-inning pinch-hitter.
Emotional tribute to earthquake victims
The debutant pointed to the sky as he rounded the bases before dedicating the milestone to his family and the Venezuelan people.
His native country is currently recovering from a devastating double earthquake in late June that resulted in over 900 casualties and thousands of injuries.
“This is for all Venezuela people. They gave me everything,” Valencia told the Tigers’ broadcast.
“I was waiting a lot for this, for my family, for Venezuela and I’m so excited.”
Long journey to the major leagues
The South American originally signed with Detroit in 2018 as an 18-year-old prospect.
He accumulated 439 minor league appearances across eight seasons before finally receiving his sudden call-up from Triple-A Toledo.
His major league promotion was triggered earlier on Thursday after regular All-Star catcher Dillon Dingler sustained a bruised right hand.
The Venezuelan native is the first Detroit player to achieve a debut home run since outfielder Akil Baddoo accomplished the feat in April 2021.
Composure at the plate
Despite the overwhelming occasion, the newcomer maintained his focus when stepping into the batter’s box to replace Kerry Carpenter.
“I was just thinking, like, I was trying to hit with contact. Get a good pitch, just be the most calm that I can do it,” the rookie explained.
Following his historic swing, celebratory teammates drenched the designated hitter with a bucket of water as the remaining Detroit crowd roared their approval.
He remained in the game and was later hit by a pitch from Mark Leiter Jr during his second trip to the plate.
Kylian Mbappe has joined Lionel Messi on eight goals at the 2026 World Cup after scoring in France’s 2-0 knockout victory over Morocco.
The French captain mirrored the recent exploits of his Argentine rival by missing a first-half penalty before finding the net in the second half.
This captivating back-and-forth between the two superstars has rapidly become the defining narrative of the tournament.
Trading blows on the biggest stage
Modern elite football is increasingly dominated by rigid tactical systems and collective pressing rather than individual magic.
However, the former Paris St-Germain team-mates are defying this trend by single-handedly elevating their respective nations.
Their scoring duel began in the group stages when the Real Madrid forward struck twice against Senegal, prompting an immediate hat-trick response from the South American icon against Jordan.
This relentless pursuit has continued throughout the tournament, with neither player allowing the other to pull away in the race for the Golden Boot.
Passing the international mantle
The current dynamic echoes their legendary meeting in the 2022 final in Qatar.
While the European striker famously scored a hat-trick in that match, it was the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner who ultimately lifted the trophy.
With the 39-year-old veteran confirming this will be his final appearance at a global finals, a symbolic passing of the torch is underway.
The 27-year-old World Cup winner is determined to seize that international mantle by leading Les Bleus to another title.
A rivalry for the history books
Football history is rich with memorable individual clashes, from Bobby Charlton facing Franz Beckenbauer in 1966 to the duel between Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane in 1998.
Yet rarely has the sport witnessed two iconic figures matching each other goal for goal so deep into a major international tournament.
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Roy Keane praised the talismanic forward following the recent Morocco victory.
“He is in charge of every situation on the pitch right now.”
Roy Keane
Eight men have been indicted on terrorism and murder conspiracy charges for their alleged roles in a thwarted drone and sniper attack on the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House in June.
A federal grand jury in Ohio returned the indictment on Thursday, charging the group with two separate conspiracies.
The charges include providing material support to terrorists and conspiring to commit murder on federal government territory.
Law enforcement intercepted the plot on 10 June, just four days before the highly anticipated mixed martial arts showcase was due to take place in Washington.
Detailed plot to destabilise the government
Preparations allegedly began in May, with the conspirators amassing firearms, explosives, body armour and drones.
According to a federal affidavit, one defendant told investigators they intended to fly explosive-laden drones into the venue.
The would-be attackers then reportedly planned to shoot panicked spectators as they attempted to flee the presidential residence.
Justice Department officials stated last month that the individuals harboured fringe conspiracy theories and intended to destabilise the US government.
High-profile political figures targeted
Federal prosecutors allege the group specifically intended to assassinate several high-profile attendees at the historic fight card.
US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were named as primary targets of the planned violence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk were also allegedly marked as high-value targets by the conspirators.
It remains unclear from current court records exactly how close the group came to executing their deadly plan.
Nationwide arrests conclude with eighth suspect
Seven individuals from states including Ohio, Missouri, Washington, Nebraska and California were previously charged in connection with the conspiracy.
Tycen C. Proper and four associates were apprehended across multiple states during the weekend of the landmark UFC event.
The eighth suspect, 21-year-old Chandler D. Scaggs from West Virginia, was taken into custody and charged this week.
Court documents indicate the West Virginia resident was allegedly assigned to operate as a sniper during the coordinated assault.
Conspiring to provide material support to terrorists carries a maximum sentence of 15 years, while the murder conspiracy charges could result in life imprisonment.
France captain Kylian Mbappe has confirmed he suffered only a minor ankle injury after being substituted late in his country’s World Cup quarter-final victory over Morocco in Boston.
The forward sparked fitness fears when he went down off the ball with just 12 minutes remaining at the Boston Stadium.
Following a brief discussion with the national team’s medical staff, he was replaced by Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Anxiety among supporters deepened when the 27-year-old was spotted on the substitutes’ bench with his right ankle heavily wrapped in ice.
Fears allayed during post-match celebrations
However, the former Parisian quickly eased concerns over his availability for the upcoming semi-final clash.
He was seen moving freely and leading the jubilant post-match celebrations in front of the travelling supporters at full-time.
The prolific attacker later addressed the media in the tunnel to officially clarify his physical condition.
“I have a minor ankle injury, but I’m completely fine.”
He explained that the decision to leave the pitch was a tactical precaution rather than a forced medical withdrawal.
“Mateta was in a better position to play the remaining minutes of the match and was fitter at that moment. That’s all that happened.”
Semi-final preparations underway
Manager Didier Deschamps will be relieved by the positive update as his squad prepares for the final four of the tournament.
Deschamps had opted for consistency against Morocco, making just one change to his starting lineup by introducing Desire Doue for Bradley Barcola.
The two-time world champions must now wait to discover their next opponents.
They will face either Spain or Belgium, who are scheduled to meet in their quarter-final tie in Los Angeles on Friday.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed the extraordinary lengths the club went to in a failed attempt to sign Kylian Mbappe on a private jet before his move to Paris St-Germain.
The German tactician explained how the Anfield hierarchy flew out to the south of France to meet the highly sought-after forward during his time at Monaco.
In an effort to keep the ambitious negotiations hidden from the public, the club chartered a luxurious aircraft to host the player’s representatives.
Lavish airborne negotiations
Speaking in his role as a television pundit, the 57-year-old lifted the lid on the extravagant tactics used to court the French World Cup winner.
Klopp detailed how the Merseyside outfit flew from Blackpool to Nice to bring the young star’s entire family aboard a multi-room private jet.
“We really went all out. Then we flew around in a circle, talked with the family, ate good food,” Klopp explained.
When asked by a colleague why the aircraft remained in a holding pattern, the manager offered a simple logistical explanation.
“We couldn’t be seen. We flew in a circle. It was fantastic. And then he went to Paris!”
A missed transfer opportunity
Despite the spectacular presentation in the skies, the lightning-fast striker ultimately opted to remain in France.
Mbappe transferred to the Parisian giants in 2017, where he established himself as one of Europe’s most prolific goalscorers before his recent switch to Real Madrid.
While reflecting on past transfer pursuits, the former Borussia Dortmund boss also addressed mounting speculation regarding his own managerial future.
German national team talks
Following his recent appointment as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull, Klopp is now heavily linked with the German national team.
The vacancy has unexpectedly emerged after Julian Nagelsmann reportedly stepped down from his position with the national side.
“The DFB are looking for a successor. And they’re talking to me,” Klopp confirmed.
The Champions League-winning coach acknowledged that while he respects his current corporate contract, he remains highly interested in discussions with the German Football Association.
NBA franchises are using voice memos sent through agent Rich Paul to pitch their teams to four-time champion LeBron James as his free agency decision enters its second week.
The innovative recruitment strategy has allowed team executives to indirectly sell their vision to the 41-year-old veteran.
Klutch Sports chief executive Paul has facilitated the process, acting as the primary conduit for the recorded messages.
Public and private pitches
Philadelphia 76ers ownership took a more public approach to their recruitment strategy on Wednesday.
Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment president Bob Myers appeared on the Game Over podcast alongside Paul to openly espouse the merits of a move to Pennsylvania.
Behind the scenes, several other owners, presidents and general managers have opted to record private audio memos.
It remains unclear whether the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat have participated in this practice, given the player’s intimate familiarity with both of his former franchises.
No timetable for a final decision
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer is currently evaluating the pertinent information from every suitor without a strict deadline.
One source close to the negotiations indicated there is currently “no timetable” for a final announcement.
The 20-time All-Star has spent recent weeks holidaying with family and playing golf, showing no desire to rush his choice.
Paul has already informed interested front offices that financial terms will not be the determining factor in this pivotal career move.
This clarification has permitted teams to proceed with filling out their rosters without the need to freeze salary cap space while they await a definitive answer.
Five-time Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown has withdrawn from this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after being diagnosed with glandular fever.
The 24-year-old Australian, who holds the 100m and 200m backstroke titles across Olympic, world, and Commonwealth levels, will also miss August’s Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.
Despite feeling “gutted to medically withdraw” from both major events, the backstroke specialist acknowledged that prioritising her long-term health was the necessary decision.
Fears of chronic fatigue prompt difficult decision
“What I thought a few months ago was the flu has turned out to be my body fighting glandular fever,” McKeown explained.
The prolific gold-medallist revealed she had been sick heading into her national trials and expressed concern that pushing through the severe illness could result in chronic fatigue.
Her absence will be deeply felt at the upcoming Glasgow Games, where the highly anticipated six-day swimming programme is scheduled to commence on 24 July.
Australian coach praises ‘once-in-a-generation’ talent
Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor fully supported the difficult call made by his star athlete to step away from the pool.
“We all know how fierce and competitive she is – and she showed that by performing the way she did at trials,” Taylor said.
He further commended her immense natural ability and competitive spirit, describing the reigning champion as a true racer and a “once-in-a-generation athlete.”
Former Arsenal and Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has been questioned and released without charge by French authorities as part of an investigation into organised money laundering.
The former France international was detained for ten hours on Thursday by the Financial Investigation and Research Brigade in Paris.
He was subsequently released on Thursday evening, with reports indicating no legal proceedings will be brought against him at this stage.
The wider police investigation is examining suspected drug importation, criminal conspiracy and the laundering of proceeds from drug trafficking.
Nightclub investment scrutinised
Detectives questioned the retired playmaker regarding his shareholder status in a nightclub situated in the south-eastern suburbs of Paris.
Investigators are examining alleged financial ties between the venue and Hakim Berrebouh, a convicted drug trafficker currently serving time in prison.
It is alleged that the ex-footballer invested several hundred thousand euros into the business in 2016 during his playing days at Etihad Stadium.
Authorities suspect the jailed trafficker’s wife made multiple visits to the venue to withdraw substantial amounts of cash.
Childhood connections and past controversies
During his police interview, the television pundit maintained his innocence and insisted he believed he had sold all his shares in the enterprise to Berrebouh.
The two men share a connection dating back to their childhood in Marseille, where the former Premier League star reportedly forged a close bond with the kingpin’s older brother.
This recent police scrutiny is not the first time the two-time Premier League winner has faced disciplinary or legal issues.
In 2018, he received an 18-month suspension from football for breaching World Anti-Doping Agency regulations by receiving an intravenous hydration drip.
Following a transient end to his playing career, he officially announced his retirement in September 2021 and transitioned into sports broadcasting.