The Commonwealth Games flag was formally presented to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday as Ahmedabad prepares to host the global sporting event in 2030.

After returning from Glasgow, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi presented the flag to Patel during the cabinet meeting in Gandhinagar, symbolising the commencement of preparations for the upcoming event.

Sanghavi, along with Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P. T. Usha, participated in the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Sunday, where the Commonwealth Games Flag was formally handed over to India as Ahmedabad prepares to host the global sporting event in 2030.

“Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi formally presented the Commonwealth Games Flag, with full honour and dignity, to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel during the state cabinet meeting in Gandhinagar,” according to an official release.

Para-athletes Rakesh Bhatt and Rohit Majgul, who represented Gujarat at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, were present on the occasion. Para table tennis player Sonal Patel also joined the occasion.

“The Commonwealth Games Flag will now remain in Gujarat until the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Along with advancing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Fit India’ vision, it will serve as an inspiration for athletes and symbolise the commencement of preparations for the upcoming event,” the release said. 

Speaking to the media upon his arrival at Ahmedabad Airport earlier on Wednesday, Sanghavi said Ahmedabad will set a new benchmark in hosting the Commonwealth Games.

“These Games will be organised with grandeur and with the best possible arrangements for the athletes. They will be conducted in such a way that every athlete can deliver his best performance,” the Deputy CM said.

Sanghavi, who also holds the sports portfolio, said the state government is committed to realising PM Modi’s ‘Fit India’ vision and anti-drug campaign.

“We will advance the anti-drug campaign and the Fit India Movement so that the youth of the country receive maximum opportunities in the sports sector. The Gujarat Government is working towards this goal. Under the guidance of the Government of India, we will continue to move this work forward,” he said.

Sanghavi also highlighted the rapid growth of sports infrastructure in Gujarat.

“Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, sports infrastructure is progressing across the country in every state. Especially in Ahmedabad, over the past several years, under the supervision of CM Patel, one new sports infrastructure after another has been developed at a rapid pace,” he noted.

Pakistan avoided a series defeat by beating the West Indies by eight wickets in the second Test in Port of Spain on Wednesday. The win ended Pakistan’s eight-match losing streak in away Tests and gave them their first Test victory outside home in three years.The two-match series finished 1-1 after the West Indies had won the first Test by 90 runs.It was Pakistan’s first away Test win since July 2023, when they defeated Sri Lanka under Babar Azam‘s captaincy. Since then, Pakistan went through several changes in coaches, selectors and captains, with Babar stepping down from the role twice. This time, the combination of captain Babar Azam and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed helped Pakistan return to winning ways overseas.Pakistan chased down the target of 75 runs on the fourth morning, reaching 77/2 shortly after the first session. Abdullah Shafique, who scored a century in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 24, while captain Babar Azam also finished unbeaten on 24.Earlier, Pakistan bowled out the West Indies for 117 in their second innings inside the first half-hour of play on a wearing Queen’s Park Oval pitch. Off-spinner Sajid Khan took 4/32 and left-arm spinner Ali Usman claimed 4/39 as the pair shared eight wickets.The West Indies began the day on 106/3 with a lead of 60 runs, but their lower order could not add much. Ali Usman dismissed Kemar Roach and Shamar Joseph, while Justin Greaves, the last recognised batter, added only two runs before playing Mohammad Ali’s delivery back onto his stumps while attempting a cross-batted shot.The West Indies were also without opener Brandon King in the second innings. He could not bat because of a back injury suffered on Day 3 when he ran out Babar Azam with a direct hit from short cover.Pakistan’s previous away Test win had also come under Babar Azam against Sri Lanka in 2023. During Shan Masood’s time as captain, Pakistan lost 3-0 in Australia, 2-0 in South Africa and 2-0 in Bangladesh.Masood was removed as captain after Pakistan’s poor run in Test cricket. Babar returned to the role but Pakistan lost the first Test against the West Indies in Tarouba, which became their eighth consecutive away Test defeat before bouncing back in Port of Spain.The victory also changed the standings in the World Test Championship. Pakistan moved up to eighth place with 22.22% of points after two wins and four defeats in six matches. The West Indies dropped to ninth with 20.83% of points after two wins in 12 matches.

Race favourite Demi Vollering won a three-way sprint for stage five on the Tour de France Femmes on Wednesday as Marlen Reusser held a slender 12-second overall lead on the day’s winner.

Former champion Kasia Niewiadoma sprinted first as Reusser refused to attack, but a determined Vollering overtook the fading Pole at the line, Niewiadoma however is now third at 1min 17sec despite missing out on a first stage win.

Read moreWiebes wins Tour de France Femmes opener to win first yellow jersey

“I somehow made it. I think it was a relief after the finish line,” Vollering said of the cat-and-mouse finale.

The Dutchwoman was already looking to the days ahead.

“Marlen has not won a Tour yet, and she will have to work for it. I’m sure it will be a hard battle, because she is not the rider who you can beat easily, because she is very strong,” she said of the Swiss overall leader.

Pauline Ferrand-Prevot’s title defence took another battering over eight hills through the Beaujolais region.

The slightly-built French climber dropped over two minutes on the time-trial Tuesday and another 2min 35sec on Wednesday’s stage five, seriously damaging her hopes.

“There’s no hiding from it, it’s too much to get back by the look of it,” said Ferrand-Prevot, who has one last roll of the dice in the high mountains.

“But I’m above all glad I got the time-trial behind me and my Tour starts now, I’ll give it everything,” she said.

A less punishing rolling hill roster awaits the peloton Thursday while Friday’s monster climb of Mont Ventoux should clarify who takes the 2026 title when the Tour concludes on the Promenade des Anglais in Riviera city Nice on Sunday.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Puka Nacua is taking notes.

The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver is beginning his fourth NFL season next month, making him due for quite a payday.

Nacua’s 95.3 receiving yards per game are the most all-time, and since joining the league in 2023, no one else within six yards of him.

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Puka Nacua (12) of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after a catch during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Dec. 18, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Once an afterthought as a fifth-round selection, Nacua is now in the conversation as the best wide receiver in the league, and he wants to be paid like it.

Well, after Zay Flowers inked a $140 million extension that gives him $108 million guaranteed, both figures are the fourth-highest ever at the position, Nacua has reportedly brought in Flowers’ agent to negotiate his next contract.

Like Flowers, Nacua is now represented by WIN Sports Group after previously being a part of the Athletes First team. WIN also represents stars like Dexter Lawrence, Jordan Davis, Nnamdi Madubuike, and Dion Dawkins.

Because Nacua wasn’t drafted in the first round, unlike Flowers, he is not eligible for a fifth-year option, making him set to hit free agency upon the 2026 season’s end.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, left, runs against Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

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Flowers and Nacua entered the league the same year, and given that Nacua’s numbers are better than Flowers’ across the board, the Rams star figures to have a good argument to not only beat Flowers’ deal but maybe even surpass Jaxon Smith-Njigba as the highest-paid receiver of all time ($168.6 million).

Despite Flowers playing in 50 games compared with Nacua’s 44, Flowers has more than 1,000 fewer receiving yards and 76 fewer receptions.

Flowers has undoubtedly been a stalwart for the Baltimore Ravens, as he’s coming off a season in which he caught 86 passes for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns. He’s now posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Yet had Nacua not missed six games because of injury in 2024, he may very well already have more than 4,500 yards (he had more than 90 receiving yards per game that season).

Flowers has missed only one regular-season game in three seasons (his rookie campaign), although he was unavailable for the 2024 playoffs.

Zay Flowers of the Baltimore Ravens scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 4, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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He became the fastest player in Ravens history (21 games) to reach 100 receptions and the first Raven with multiple 1,000-yard seasons in the first three years of his career. He ranked 11th in the NFL in receptions in 2025 and seventh in receiving yards. That was despite an underwhelming, injury-plagued season from Jackson — and Baltimore’s willingness to run the ball with Derrick Henry.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Manchester United have been heavily linked with a transfer for the French international who currently plays for AS Roma

Manu Kone has been tipped to shone in midfield for Arsenal – not Manchester United. United have been heavily linked with the French international in their search for midfield reinforcements.

Kone impressed with his performances on the World stage for France in the World Cup this summer. He helped his side to a fourth-place finish in the tournament, losing to England in third-place play-off.

Reports in France last month claimed that United had opened talks with Roma over a deal, but faced competition from Arsenal. Former United full-back Patrice Evra has now appeared to suggest that a move to the Emirates Stadium may be the right one for the 25-year-old, instead of a place in Michael Carrick’s squad.

“I like Manu Kone’s profile for the Premier League,” Evra told Stake. “He has energy, he carries the ball, he likes duels and he works for the team.

“All of those things matter in England. The Premier League is faster. You don’t get time to breathe.

“So the important thing is adaptation. Don’t judge him after five games.

“If he goes to Arsenal with a manager who knows how to use him, I think he can do well. He definitely has the tools. Then it is about consistency.”

It comes after claims that the United hierarchy are split over a potential move for Kone this summer. The Telegraph reports that the midfielder does not have ‘universal backing internally’ at United.

Reports in Italy suggest that the club have agreed personal terms with Kone, but are yet to agree a fee with Roma over a transfer. The Italian side are said to want a fee of around €60 million (£51m) if they are to cash in this summer.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are closing in on the signing of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. The Gunners have agreed a £75 million fee with the Magpies, a move which makes it less likely that they will target Kone before the end of the window.

United are on the lookout for a third midfield signing in the current window, having completed transfers for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans for a combined £85 million last month. As well as Kone, United have been linked with an interest in the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni, Alex Scott and Tyler Adams.

There were, however, some reports this week that United may look to concentrate resources elsewhere, with the club on the lookout for a new left-back. Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall has emerged as a priority target for the position but the Reds may be forced to look elsewhere with the Magpies seemingly unwilling to sell.

Sophomore corner Zemaiah Vaughn showed promise last offseason. As a rookie, his length showed up during training camp, creating intrigue about his potential. Apparently, he spent the summer months building his body.

Check out what Brian Flores had to say: “Zemaiah certainly improved really since he got here. He’s got a of tools, size, length, speed; he’s really worked hard in the weight room to just kind fill out. He’s a little bit bigger this year, I would say, and that’s shown up in his play. He’s a little bit more physical at the line of scrimmage, he’s able to use his length a little bit better.”

Brian Flores, Zemaiah Vaughn, & The Chance at CB

At the risk of making a ridiculous comparison, Vaughn is somewhat reminiscent of Kevin Durant. Think a rangy athlete who is noticeably long and skinny.

Vaughn, though, plays in the NFL instead of the NBA. Basketball can be a physical sport but football is on a different level, a truth that even applies within the secondary. Packing on muscle without sacrificing speed and agility is a good thing. A tricky balance, to be sure, and yet something that all players need to work toward.

Recently, Lindsey Young of the Vikings’ website spent time digging into who the young corner is.

Some of the defender’s background to clarify his switch to being a college corner: “Vaughn played his freshman season at free safety and then was moved to corner. Though he’d never lined up there before, he leaned on his experience at quarterback — understanding coverages and route concepts — and consistently put himself in position to make plays.”

— READ MORE: Vikings Rookie Keeps Upping the Ante at Training Camp —
— READ MORE: Young Vikings Trenchman Breaks Through with Starters —

Further from Young: “He admits there was a point, though, when he struggled with the change and inquired about moving back to QB or even receiver — ‘I missed having the ball in my hands’ — but Utah Special Teams Coordinator/Cornerbacks Coach Sharrieff Shah encouraged him to stick with it. Best decision of his life he acknowledged, grinning.”

Consider one more thought from the piece: “Vaughn went on to play four years at Utah, appearing in 56 games and making 31 straight starts to finish his career. As a senior, he totaled 40 tackles, one interception, 2.0 sacks, five tackles for loss and five passes defensed. Though he of course hoped to be drafted, going unselected through the 2025 NFL Draft allowed Vaughn some flexibility on which team to sign with — and he now can’t imagine being anywhere but Minnesota.”

Right now, Chuck Demmings is hogging the optimism from the masses. Such is life for a drafted rookie with as much energy and charisma as Mr. Demmings.

Behind the scenes, though, is a young lad who has been grinding. Vaughn can’t be counted out.

People can think of the NFL as being a glamorous spot to work. In some ways, that’s true; most people would be thrilled to make a modest NFL salary of roughly $1 million. Any normal person sees that total as life-changing money that represents extraordinary wealth.

Do note, though, that becoming successful in football means boasting an unusual ability to do repetitive things to improve. Constant lifts, good nutrition, film study, feedback from coaches, and a broader commitment to growth is needed. That can be especially true for somebody looking to get onto a final roster.

Zemaiah Vaughn appears to be willing to put in the hours. As a result, the DC has taken notice, singing his praises at the podium with the corner position looking as competitive as it has ever looked since Brian Flores starting calling the Twin Cities home.

The young corner stands at 6’3″ and is listed as weighing 180 pounds. Quite possibly, the added muscle means he can put a bigger number onto the scale. Quite possibly, that added muscle will mean being capable of stealing away snaps from more well-known players.

Vaughn is 24.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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The Toronto Blue Jays are in last place in the American League East. But the reigning AL pennant winners didn’t sell at the trade deadline, and they’re showing signs of a run to get back in the playoff mix. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays look to keep it going for a matinee matchup with Yordan Alvarez and the Houston Astros on Wednesday. Houston holds a slim lead over the Rangers and Mariners in its division, so every game is important for the Astros. Houston throws Hunter Brown (3-1, 3.42 ERA) against Jameson Taillon (2-6, 5.92) of Toronto. 

First pitch from Daikin Park in Houston is set for 2:10 p.m. ET. Houston is a -217 favorite on the money line (risk $217 to win $100) in the latest Blue Jays vs. Astros odds, while the over/under is 8. Before making any Blue Jays vs. Astros picks, be sure to see the Astros vs. Blue Jays predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model. 

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Teenager Erica Meg Parkinson has been named in England’s preparation squad for the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland next month.

Boss Lydia Bedford has called up the North Carolina Courage midfielder, 18, as part of a 24-player squad for a warm weather training camp in Portugal next week.

They will have a final opportunity to impress when they face their hosts in a friendly on Thursday, 13 August. Three players will get trimmed for the World Cup squad, which is due to be announced on Thursday, 20 August.

Parkinson was part of Sarina Wiegman’s senior set-up for the games against Spain and Iceland in April and has also featured for the under-23 side.

She is joined in the under-20 group by Arsenal pair Sophie Harwood and Jessie Gale, as well as Eva Hendle, who joined Rangers on loan from Chelsea this week.

This is the fourth training camp over the summer, with Bedford’s side having beaten Canada and Colombia, drawn with the USA and lost to Japan so far.

It will be England’s first appearance at an Under-20 Women’s World Cup since 2018 and they have been drawn in a group featuring Brazil, Tanzania and Canada.

They will begin their campaign against Canada on Saturday, 5 September.

“We’ve had a really positive summer with some strong performances against top-quality opposition,” Bedford said. “The players have embraced every challenge and I’m really pleased with the progress we’ve made.

“With the World Cup squad announcement just around the corner, it’s an important opportunity for the players to show what they can do.”