Apr 6, 2026; Henderson, Nevada, USA; quarterback Kirk Cousins discusses signing with the Raiders and reuniting with head coach Klint Kubiak during a media session, addressing his fit with new teammates including tight end Brock Bowers after joining Las Vegas three weeks into 2026 free agency. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
In 2021, Kirk Cousins played the best ball of his career, and the man who offensively coordinated him is now the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders: Klint Kubiak. So when Cousins praised his new head coach and his lieutenants this week, it made sense.
Cousins touted Kubiak this week, and the familiar partnership could matter for the Raiders’ next step at quarterback.
Las Vegas signed Cousins last week, presumably as a patchover quarterback for Fernando Mendoza, and Cousins thinks the relationship will work because of his prior experience with Kubiak.
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Vikings Reunion Energy Followed Cousins to Vegas
Cousins and Kubak ride again in the AFC West.
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak speaks with attendees and observes activity Mar 31, 2026, at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona, during the NFL Annual League Meeting, where coaches and executives gather to discuss league matters and offseason developments ahead of the upcoming season. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Cousins on Kubiak
The former Viking spoke with Raiders reporters this week, unshy about recalling Minnesota memories.
“Thrilled to be here. It’s such an iconic logo, iconic jerseys, so to get to be a part of it is a real privilege to me. I think it starts with the coaching staff. I was really excited about being able to work with coaches I worked before. Klint Kubiak, Rick Dennison, Andrew Janocko,” Cousins said.
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“I had some of my best years playing with them, and coaching is a big deal in this league. A big reason why I’m sitting in this chair and I’m now a Raider is because of Klint Kubiak. I can talk about him all I want, but my actions really show what I think of him by being here. Great football mind and extremely hardworking. There’s a humility there that I deeply respect.”
It also helps that Kubiak won a Super Bowl two months ago as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, helping to propel another ex-Viking, Sam Darnold, to the championship.
A New Pile of Cash, Too
Cousins is set to earn a fully guaranteed $20 million in 2026. Although his contract is structured as a five-year, $172 million deal, it essentially operates as a one-year, $20 million agreement. Entering the offseason, when it seemed evident that Atlanta would drop him, some wondered if Cousins might sign a minimum deal to re-establish his market value, but this did not happen.
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Cousins continued his pattern of securing high-value contracts. After receiving $100 million in guaranteed dough from Atlanta in 2024 and 2025, he is now collecting the aforementioned $20 million from Las Vegas. The outcome aligns with Cousins’ reputation for maximizing his earnings.
The Raiders also hold a two-year, $80 million option for the following offseason, depending on Mendoza’s progress. If Mendoza develops successfully, Las Vegas can transition without major complications.
In all likelihood, Cousins will be a free agent next March, and he’ll do the same song and dance again.
Probably a Month to Post a Winning Record
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The Raiders do not live in an easy division, and Cousins will have Mendoza breathing down his neck for the QB1 job, assuming he topples Mendoza at training camp for the QB1 job. How can he keep Mendoza at bay? Well, the simplest way to think about it is a winning record. If the Raiders exit September with a 2-2 or 3-1 record, for example, the Cousins show will likely continue. Anything worse than that would pave the way for Mendoza’s insertion into the starting lineup.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) drops back and delivers a pass in the second quarter Dec 7, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, facing the Seattle Seahawks as he works through reads and releases the football during live game action. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
After all, first overall picks always see the QB1 job before too long, and frankly, it’s a little weird that Cousins is in town to serve as a patchover quarterback. Most franchises tear the band-aid off these days and let it rip. See: Caleb Williams in 2024 and Cam Ward in 2025.
Cousins has one big chance to help the Raiders stack wins before Mendoza inevitably takes over.
He also has the humility for the job. Cousins said this week, “Honestly, I don’t want to start unless I’m the best option. I told Klint that: The best player should play. Certainly, as long as that’s the case, I have no qualms about how it plays out. I do think Fernando is going to be a great addition to our team. I think he’s going to have a great future in the league.”
“I have no problem being a voice in the room to help him to the degree that I can. … Being able to watch a veteran quarterback go through his habits, routine and process, that can be a great asset for him. … It’ll be a noisy quarterback room, we’ll all be helping each other, and we’ll all be pulling in the same direction.”
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Cousins’ Numbers with Kubiak
The new Raiders signal-caller became a full-time starter in 2015 for the Washington Commanders. There are his NFL rankings per EPA+CPOE since then, with the rankings in bold during the Kubiak years:
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins walks along the sideline during the first half Aug 17, 2024, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, observing preseason action against the Ravens while teammates rotate through series during early exhibition play. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Cousins played his most consistent ball with Kubiak’s tutelage, so perhaps in 2026, he can turn the clock back to 2021 or 2022.
Oddsmakers, though, are not high on the Raiders. They expect Kubiak and Co. to win four or five games next season.
Masters Chairman Fred Ridley has once again displayed his support for the golf ball rollback in his latest press conference. On Wednesday, April 8, during his press conference ahead of the 90th Masters, Ridley made it clear that the golf rollback wasn’t an attempt to push the game into the past but was important to preserve the essence of it.
The superstars of the game are at Augusta National this week for the Masters 2026, which begins on Thursday, April 9. Ahead of the main event, Fred Ridley gave a traditional speech and held a press conference. He touched upon the hot topic of golf rollback, which is currently proposed to be implemented from 2028 onwards for pro golfers.
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While starting the presser, Fred Ridley spoke about the rollback and ball-hitting distance.
“We have been consistent in our support of the governing bodies in their effort to regulate the distance elite players are hitting the golf ball,” he said. “Recognizing that the implementation of the Overall Distance Standard test for golf balls may be delayed to 2030, I want to reemphasize that support and affirm our position as the USGA and R&A represent their collective obligation as custodians of the game.”
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“I also want to be clear that our position is grounded on much more than protecting the Augusta National golf course. We will continue to make modifications as are necessary to react to driving distances that in some cases exceed 350 yards. Unfortunately, many courses, including some iconic venues, do not have that option,” he added.
The Masters chairman said that the game had become one-dimensional as players were hitting mammoth distances and then using short irons into par 4s as well as par 5s. He added that increasing course length wasn’t a great option considering the cost and environmental impact.
“The data that has been shared with all stakeholders makes one thing clear: The impact to the recreational game will be immaterial,” he continued. “All of us in this room and millions of weekend golfers around the world will be hard-pressed to notice the effects of this change, and I do not believe our enjoyment of the game will be affected.”
Fred Ridley added that greats were not defined by hitting distance but by their all-around skills in the game, such as shaping shots, risk-taking ability and performance under pressure.
“Regulation of the golf ball is not an attempt to turn back time or stifle progress. It is an effort to preserve the essence of what makes golf the great game that it is,” he said.
“Failure’s not an option,” Masters Chairman Fred Ridley says more organisation on same page for golf rollback
During the press conference, Fred Ridley shared that the majority of organizations agreed to the USGA and R&A’s golf rollback proposal.
“My feeling on this subject is failure’s not an option,” he said. “I think we need to continue to work together to come to some agreement. Tough issues like this require compromise, and I think there has been some compromise to date.
Fred Ridely accepted that there were few commercial interests at play, but the motive was to protect the integrity of the game.
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Under the new rule, a golf ball struck at a robot-controlled speed of 125 mph must not travel beyond 317 yards to remain conforming. There have been changes in testing standards too, such as the spin rate reduced from 2520 rpm to 2200 rpm and the launch angle increased from 10 to 11 degrees.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) goes through pregame warmups at U.S. Bank Stadium, moving fluidly and preparing for action Dec 1, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the Vikings get set to face the Arizona Cardinals with fans filing in and teammates finalizing routines before kickoff. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
The NFL schedule release is about one month away, and thankfully, the Minnesota Vikings’ opponents are already known. The world is just waiting for the order.
Minnesota knows the who for 2026, and now the wait is on for dates, kickoff times, and possible international twists.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter said this week, “Circle your calendars for the week of May 11th. I would think that we’ll get a schedule release announcement sometime around May 12th, May 13th, or May 14th. Somewhere between Tuesday the 12th and Thursday the 14th.”
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He followed the declaration with a tweet: “This year’s NFL schedule release could be coming sometime between Tuesday May 12 and Thursday May 14.”
Several Matchups Already Stand Out on Minnesota’s Slate
Here’s who Minnesota will face.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) drops back to pass under pressure, scanning the field and setting his feet Oct 15, 2023, at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, as defenders close in during first-quarter action in a tightly contested early-season matchup. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
The Road
There’s no mystery here; the Vikings will play these teams on the road, no matter what:
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San Francisco 49ers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chicago Bears
New York Jets
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
Vikings fans will get their first in-person look at Drake Maye, the quarterback Minnesota reportedly considered in the 2024 draft, and Saints quarterback Tyler Shough — if they’re both healthy.
This year also marks the Vikings’ first return to San Francisco since 2021, a historically challenging road trip. Moreover, the road game against New Orleans remains a heated matchup for Vikings fans, who are still feeling the sting of the NFC Championship 17 years ago.
At Home
Like the road docket, here’s the home slate, with the caveat that these are not in order:
Chicago Bears
Buffalo Bills
Indianapolis Colts
Washington Commanders
Miami Dolphins
Atlanta Falcons
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Carolina Panthers
The Bills will be a major draw; Buffalo hasn’t played in Minnesota since 2018, when a rookie Josh Allen stunned the Vikings.
Miami is in a similar situation, also not having visited the Twin Cities since 2018. The Vikings could also see Tua Tagovailoa (as a Falcon) in action for the very first time; he was injured in 2022 when Minnesota toppled Miami at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) reacts following a penalty call, gesturing with visible frustration Nov 10, 2024, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, as teammates and officials reset during second-half action against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a competitive regular-season game. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Then there’s Indianapolis. The Colts will make their third consecutive trip to Minnesota, carrying the baggage of their historic 2022 collapse.
The NFL’s International Schedule
The NFL will also furnish these games in international cities:
London: Jaguars vs. TBD (Wembley Stadium)
London: Jaguars vs. TBD (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
Madrid: Falcons vs. TBD
London: Commanders vs. TBD (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
Melbourne: Rams vs. 49ers
Mexico City: 49ers vs. TBD
Munich: Lions vs. TBD
Rio de Janeiro: Cowboys vs. TBD
Paris: Saints vs. TBD
Mexico City, Paris, and Munich could be in play for the Vikings, while London is unlikely because they’ve played there twice in the last four years.
Oddsmakers’ Forecast for MIN
Heading into the draft — it’s two weeks away — sportsbooks expect the Vikings to win 8.5 games, which is a bit comical, as that forecast follows Minnesota virtually every offseason. Dating back to the Kirk Cousins era, Vegas looks at the Vikings’ roster and says, “Eight or nine wins sound about right.”
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This go-round, Minnesota will have Kyler Murray at quarterback, signed for $1.3 million last month after the Arizona Cardinals kicked him out. It’s not often that a quarterback who averages approximately 4,000 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns, and 600 rushing yards every 17 starts becomes available for free, but that happened in 2026, and Murray is a Viking.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray speaks with reporters after joining the team, addressing questions and sharing early impressions Mar 12, 2026, in Eagan, Minnesota, as cameras and microphones surround him during his introductory press conference following free agency signing with the franchise. Mandatory Credit: YouTube
Fox Sports‘Geoff Schwartz noted on the Vikings’ win prognosis last month, “Is Murray an excellent quarterback? Sometimes. He’s got the talent to be above average, but I know he’s better than what’s in the QB room for the Vikings currently. The Vikings have an outstanding coaching staff starting with head coach and primary play-caller, Kevin O’Connell.”
“He’s now got Murray with a good offensive line and Justin Jefferson at receiver. The Vikings’ offense should be in the upper half of the NFL and possibly a top-10 group. Last season, the Vikings’ defense finished third in DVOA. The year before that, it finished second. There’s no reason to believe 2026 will be any different.”
During the last three seasons in Arizona, Murray’s Cardinals defense ranked 30th per EPA/Play in the NFL, also known as third-worst. Murray is switching from the NFL’s third-worst defense to the third-best.
Schwartz continued, “Minnesota plays in a tough division, featuring the Lions, Packers and Bears. Those are six games that will be 50-50 based on whether the Vikes are home or away. Otherwise, their schedule is manageable. Minnesota plays the AFC East, with two easy games against the Jets and Dolphins.”
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“It gets the NFC South, then the Colts, Commanders and 49ers. I like the Vikings to go Over their win total. PICK: Vikings Over 8.5 wins.”
Minnesota has opened the season on the road in the last two years — at New York (Giants) in 2024 and Chicago in 2025.
From Jordan Spieth’s kids lining up a putt, to Brooks Koepka’s son playing in the sand and to Frankie Fleetwood trying to drive the green, here are 20 of the best shots of the day.
And to watch the big tournament on Thursday, here is everything you need to know about the first round of the Masters.
Masters Par-3 Content: 20 best photos
Scottie Scheffler, wife Meredith and their son.
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Jon Rahm’s wife, Kelley, and their daughter.
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A young Scheffler lines up a putt.
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Max Homa’s son chases after a ball on the green.
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Scottie Scheffler, wife Meredith and their son.
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A foursome looks on as Rory McIlroy putts.
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Jon Rahm, wife Kelley and child walk down the fairway.
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Viktor Hovland and girlfriend on Wednesday.
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Danny Willett’s wife, Nicole, and Dustin Johnson’s wife, Paulina Gretzky.
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Brooks Koepka, wife Jena Sims and their son play in the sand.
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The McIlroy, Lowry and Fleetwood children check out the view.
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Kid caddies track down the tee shots.
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Scottie Scheffler and his son.
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Scottie Scheffler tees off among the crowd.
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Justin Thomas and his daughter walk down the fairway.
The Sigor Bounty in Crimson Desert requires you to find and apprehend an Orc named Sigor in the Delesyia region. The notice suggests he is wanted for public urination, and bringing him in to the authorities can help you receive 15 silver. As such, you will want to look for him to make some quick bucks.
This article explains how to complete the Sigor Bounty in Crimson Desert.
How to start Sigor Bounty in Crimson Desert
Pick up Sigor’s bounty poster (Image via Pearl Abyss || YouTube/@manugames92)
Since the Sigor Bounty in Crimson Desert can only be completed in the Delesyia region, you must first unlock the region by completing Chapter 11 of the game. Afterward, you can find a bounty poster for Sigor while exploring on bounty boards, poles, walls, and more.
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How to complete the Sigor Bounty in Crimson Desert
Head to the marked location (Image via Pearl Abyss || YouTube/@manugames92)
Once you have found a bounty poster for Sigor, the next objective is to find him. The culprit is located at a camp north of the “S” of Delesyia on the main map, as marked on the map above.
You can easily reach the location by first fast traveling to the Abyss Nexus north of the “L” of Delesyia on the main map. From here, move up the cliff toward the east. Then jump down here and use your flight ability to slowly glide down toward the camp.
Chase Sigor at the camp and catch him (Image via Pearl Abyss || YouTube/@manugames92)
As soon as you arrive in the vicinity of the camp, you will spot Sigor running away from you while wearing a mustard yellow shirt. Simply chase after him to apprehend him.
Following that, tie him up and carry him on your horse to Delesyia cityand hand him over to the guards to claim your silver.
Also check out our other Crimson Desert articles:
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Are you stuck on today’s Wordle? Our Wordle Solver will help you find the answer.
You’ve waited many long months, and now the 2026 Masters has arrived at Augusta National. But did you know you can watch the entire tournament free of charge online? Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch the Masters for free this week.
How to watch Masters free online
The Masters has always featured limited TV coverage compared to other major championships. While the coverage has increased over the years, fans are still limited to four-and-a-half hours on ESPN Thursday and Friday, and five hours on CBS Saturday and Sunday.
Alternatively, in recent years Masters streaming options have exploded. This year, there are more platforms than ever offering Masters streaming coverage. They include the ESPN App, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+ and DirecTV. Paramount+ will provide early coverage on the weekend, and Prime Video will stream early coverage on Thursday and Friday for the first time.
But before you tear your hair out trying to make sense of the streaming schedule (or empty your bank account to sign up for new streaming platforms), we have some very good news. You don’t actually have to pay anything to watch all of the 2026 Masters this week.
That is thanks to the good people at Masters.com and the Masters App.
In addition to multiple featured hole streams, featured group streams and videos of every shot hit at the tournament, Masters.com and the Masters App are offering something truly rare this year. You can watch all of the TV coverage, plus the early Prime Video and Paramount+ streaming coverage for free.
You read that right. While Prime Video and ESPN are splitting the coverage for Round 1 and Round 2, you can watch both for free on Masters.com from 1-7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday and Friday. Similarly, Paramount+ and CBS are sharing coverage on Saturday and Sunday. But you can catch watch it all free of charge on Masters.com from 12-7 p.m. ET each day.
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A tradition unlike any other, indeed.
You can check out the full 2026 Masters streaming schedule below.
2026 Masters streaming coverage schedule
THURSDAY, APRIL 9 Honorary Starters: 7:30 a.m. (Masters.com, Masters App) Masters On the Range: 8:30-10-30 a.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+) Featured Groups: 9:15 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV) Featured Holes (4, 5 and 6): 8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, ESPN App) Featured Holes (Amen Corner, 11, 12 and 13): 10:45 a.m.-6 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV) Featured Holes (15 and 16): 11:45 a.m.-7 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV) Round 1 Prime Video Coverage: 1-3 p.m. (Prime Video) Round 1 ESPN Telecast: 3-7:30 p.m. (ESPN App) Full Round 1 Stream: 1-7:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App)
FRIDAY, APRIL 10 Masters On the Range: 8:30-10-30 a.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+) Featured Groups: 9:15 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV) Featured Holes (4, 5 and 6): 8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, ESPN App) Featured Holes (Amen Corner, 11, 12 and 13): 10:45 a.m.-6 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV) Featured Holes (15 and 16): 11:45 a.m.-7 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App, Paramount+, Prime Video, ESPN App, DirecTV) Round 2 Prime Video Coverage: 1-3 p.m. (Prime Video) Round 2 ESPN Telecast: 3-7:30 p.m. (ESPN App) Full Round 2 Stream: 1-7:30 p.m. (Masters.com, Masters App)
A “peace gesture” was made before the start of a Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 game between Peshawar Zalmi and Hyderabad Kingsmen on Wednesday, as team captains Babar Azam and Marnus Labuschagne, along with PSL CEO Salman Naseer, released a white dove during the toss. The act came in the aftermath of the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran concerning geopolitical tension in the Gulf region. However, the PSL’s “peace gesture” received criticism from several users on social media.
These people were saying that there should be no politics in cricket a few months ago, what are they doing now?
Meanwhile, Babar Azam found himself at the centre of a heated moment off the field after dismissing comparisons with Virat Kohli during a post-match press conference in the Pakistan Super League 2026.
The Peshawar Zalmi skipper, who guided his side to a tense last-ball victory over the Hyderabad Kingsmen, appeared visibly displeased when questioned about his ability to finish games in comparison to Kohli.
While Babar contributed a measured 43 off 37 balls in the chase of 146, he was not at the crease at the end, prompting the query.
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Responding in a seemingly frustrated manner, Babar brushed aside the suggestion and urged the journalist to move on from such debates. “Finish these things. Keep these things to yourself. End the comparison and move on. It’s your misconception that I have not finished matches,” he said.
The exchange quickly gained traction, once again highlighting the scrutiny surrounding cross-border comparisons between leading cricketers. Widely regarded as Pakistan’s premier batter, Babar has often been praised for his consistency, though his approach in T20 cricket has drawn criticism, particularly around strike rate and finishing ability.
With IANS inputs
Featured Video Of The Day
IPL 2026 News | RCB Outplay CSK For 2nd Win On Trot, Ruturaj Gaikwad & Co Suffer 3rd Loss
Gyms could provide vital to support governments and the healthcare systems to tackle obesity / shutterstock_Amorn Suriyan
Trade associations from around the world have joined forces to lobby governments and health systems on the importance of prescribing lifestyle interventions, including physical activity and nutrition, alongside GLP-1 medications.
The World Obesity Federation, UK Active, the Health and Fitness Association, AUSactive, Exercise New Zealand and Fitness Industry Council of Canada have worked together to outline a global framework for integrating prevention, treatment and long-term health outcomes.
The message of the statement is that obesity medications are not a standalone solution and reliance on medication alone may lead to poor long-term outcomes, including loss of muscle mass, diminished functional capacity and widening health inequalities.
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Richard Beddie, CEO of Exercise New Zealand, said although GLP-1 therapies can be a significant tool in addressing obesity if they’re not paired with strength training and other lifestyle changes, “the result will be increased long-term health costs for the health system and worse health outcomes for individuals.”
The organisations call for a wraparound approach that combines pharmacological treatment with sustained investment in physical activity, nutrition and supportive environments. The organisations have also committed to advancing evidence-based, integrated approaches that combine medication with physical activity and nutrition support.
“Medication is only one piece of the puzzle,” said Zach Weston, executive director of the Fitness Industry Council of Canada. “For these therapies to deliver true, sustainable health outcomes, they must be anchored by the professional guidance and supportive environments found in our fitness centres.
“Our facilities are more than just places to exercise; they are essential community hubs for maintaining the muscle mass and functional capacity that are often at risk during rapid weight loss.
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“By integrating fitness infrastructure into the global rollout of these medications, we ensure that patients aren’t just losing weight but are gaining the strength and long-term vitality necessary for a healthier life.”
Almost three billion adults worldwide are overweight or living with obesity and the figure is projected to rise to four billion by 2035.
The World Health Organization (WHO), which collaborates with The World Obesity Federation, published its policy on GLP-1s in December 2025.
European knockout rugby takes centre stage again this weekend with Leinster, Ulster and Connacht all facing huge tests in the EPCR Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup. Leinster welcome Sale Sharks in a heavyweight Champions Cup clash, while Ulster and Connacht are both in Challenge Cup action against French opposition. Below is a full look at the expected handicap lines and match predictions for all three fixtures.
Leinster v Sale Sharks prediction, handicap and preview
Competition: Investec Champions Cup Date: Saturday Time: 5:30pm
Leinster look capable of putting up another huge score this weekend. They were ruthless in the previous round and, on current form, they have the firepower to blow most teams away once they get on top physically. Sale Sharks deserve real credit for being the only away side to win in the Round of 16, but this is a much bigger challenge altogether.
The injuries to Luke Cowan-Dickie and Bevan Rodd are major setbacks. Against a Leinster side that can dominate at the set-piece, flood the breakdown and punish mistakes with ruthless efficiency, those losses could be badly exposed. Leinster’s depth, pace and power should tell over 80 minutes, especially if they build scoreboard pressure early.
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Sale will need a near-perfect display to stay in touch, but it is hard to see them living with Leinster for the full contest. The Irish province should control territory, possession and the physical battle.
Expected handicap: Leinster -20
Prediction: Leinster to win comfortably
Likely margin: 30 to 40 points would not be a surprise
Ulster v La Rochelle prediction, handicap and preview
Competition: EPCR Challenge Cup Date: Friday Time: 8:00pm
This looks one of the ties of the weekend. Ulster at home always makes life awkward for any visiting side, but La Rochelle bring serious pedigree and huge motivation into this one. With their season having lacked consistency, there is every reason to think Ronan O’Gara will send his team out with full focus. Winning this competition would go a long way towards rescuing their campaign.
Ulster will believe they have a real chance if they can bring energy, accuracy and emotion from the first whistle. Ravenhill under the lights can be a serious venue when the home side get momentum, and that makes this far trickier than a straightforward French power game.
La Rochelle probably shade it on raw quality and big-game experience, but not by much. This feels like one that could swing on discipline, maul defence and who handles the pressure better in the final quarter.
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Expected handicap: La Rochelle -5
Prediction: Too close to call with confidence
Verdict: Genuine toss-up
Montpellier v Connacht prediction, handicap and preview
Competition: EPCR Challenge Cup Date: Saturday Time: 12:30pm
Connacht come into this game in excellent form after five straight wins, but this is a serious jump in class. Montpellier have far greater power, depth and top-end quality than the teams Connacht have been beating, and that is what makes this fixture so difficult to assess positively from an Irish perspective.
Connacht have shown real resilience and confidence in recent weeks, and there is no question they are playing with belief. Even so, Montpellier at home is a different proposition entirely. Their physicality through the middle of the pitch, combined with the ability to turn pressure into quick scores, means they can put teams away in bursts.
For Connacht to stay in the contest, they will need to start well, manage territory intelligently and avoid letting the game become a loose, broken-field battle dominated by the hosts. On paper, though, Montpellier look too strong.
Expected handicap: Montpellier -16
Prediction: Montpellier to win
Likely margin: Somewhere around the handicap looks about right
European rugby weekend predictions summary
Leinster look the most straightforward call of the three Irish provinces this weekend and should have too much for Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup. Ulster against La Rochelle has all the ingredients of a classic and feels the hardest match to confidently pick. Connacht’s recent run deserves respect, but Montpellier away in the Challenge Cup looks a step too far.
Best bet on the handicap: Leinster -20
Hardest game to call: Ulster v La Rochelle
Most dangerous away trip: Connacht at Montpellier
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Expected Handicaps & Predictions – Champions Cup Weekend
Harry Maguire will remain at Man Utd for an eighth season but his time at the club has featured some painful lows as well as some memorable highs. He reflected on that in Ireland this week.
Harry Maguire can remember the day he hit rock bottom. It had been building up for a couple of years, but at Hampden Park in September 2023, it all became too much, if not for Maguire, then for his family at the very least.
He was a half-time substitute in the fixture between Scotland and England, and so low had his reputation sunk that his every touch was greeted with cheers from the Scottish fans. The same had happened when he came on for Manchester United at Arsenal a week earlier.
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This was where Maguire now was. The world’s most expensive defender, in the team of the tournament in the European Championship in 2021, but now considered such a figure of fun that his mere presence on the pitch gave encouragement to opposition supporters. It had gone from abuse to mockery.
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Maguire played pretty well in that game but still scored an own goal. Afterwards, he tried to work out why he had gone from a cult hero in 2018, loved for being one of the lads and serenaded for drinking the vodka and the Jäger, to the most derided and abused footballer in the country.
“Sometimes it did cross my mind at the time just thinking, ‘Why? I don’t know why it has done this. I don’t know where it’s come from’,” he said.
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“My form dipped a little bit, yeah, of course, everyone does that in their career. But I was in a situation where I was just a lad from Sheffield playing for such a huge club.
“I thought this is what happens – this is the fault of the club not performing well. But when you look back it probably did go a little bit too far. At the time, I can remember thinking I just don’t know how this has really happened. I don’t know how it’s changed so quickly.”
It was still before 9am when a punctual Maguire strode into the Fitzgerald Suite in Carton House, taking up a seat on a plush sofa with the grounds of an idyllic rural retreat visible from the bay windows behind him.
The 33-year-old held court for 25 minutes on the highs and lows of an Old Trafford career that is unlike any other. Maguire can sometimes be formal in interview situations, but this was a figure who looked relaxed and at ease. It was more in line with his reputation as the funniest player in the squad.
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It is the first time he has returned to Ireland with his club side since being booed at the Aviva Stadium when playing for United in a pre-season friendly in 2023.
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A year earlier, he had been jeered by United fans in Melbourne, while he was given the same treatment in Las Vegas in 2023. It was the middle of a slump that it felt like Maguire might never recover from. United stripped him of the captaincy and tried to sell him to West Ham that summer, and had a deal been reached over his wages, he would have gone.
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Then came the Scotland game in September. Maguire insists that being so laid back meant he usually shrugged off the struggles and the abuse, but for his family it wasn’t so easy. Mum Zoe took to social media after that game to label the treatment of her son as “disgraceful”.
Maguire asked his mum not to put the post out, but she told him she wasn’t listening to him on this occasion and went public. Then the tide began to turn, helped by an improvement in his own performances. Now the 33-year-old has just signed a new contract, taking him into an eighth season at Old Trafford, and he is the poster boy for the kind of character and resilience needed to make it at United.
“I think there’ll be a lot who want to maybe just close the book and just go elsewhere and restart their career,” Maguire said of that period.
“I think it’s probably broken them a little bit earlier. I think it got to a point where it got really that low, the mocking and the abuse – if you want to call it abuse – that there was only one way it could go.”
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Maguire believes there was a three or four-year period around his move from Leicester City to United when he was in the conversation to be the best centre-back in the world. That culminated with the Euros in 2021 and, like several of his international teammates, he struggled after a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy in the final, having also seen United lose the Europa League final to Villarreal in the same manner.
It was also a season that unravelled spectacularly at club level. Maguire was sent off in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final game, a 4-1 defeat at Watford, and the way his form collapsed left him feeling regret for letting the Norwegian down. The appointment of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager only made matters worse.
“I was coming off the back of two big final defeats. The Euros on penalties, Europa League on penalties. I probably just didn’t handle that as well as I should have,” he said.
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“I think there were so many lads who struggled in that period after the Euros. When you’re Manchester United captain and when you’re a central defender, you can’t get away with that. You can’t get away with struggling.
“There were lots of different things in that season. Losing Ole was a big, big loss. I felt a lot of responsibility for that as performances leading up to Ole losing his job weren’t good enough.
“The back end of the season was a mess. It really was a mess. I was the captain, and I took a lot of the brunt for it. We were all over the place, the back six months of that season.
“It wasn’t to do with Ralf, it was more to do with how us as players and as a squad handled it. I just felt like we didn’t handle it as well as we should have with an interim manager coming in, compared to how we’ve handled it this time under Michael.”
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Maguire’s slump would eventually end with him losing the captaincy, unceremoniously dumped by Erik ten Hag in favour of Bruno Fernandes. He admits to “anger and disappointment” at that decision at the time, although his form since losing the armband has improved again.
But his Old Trafford career survived and as he looks ahead to what he hopes will be a title challenge, he rightly takes pride in the fact that he has lasted so long, pointing to David Beckham and Wayne Rooney for inspiration as players who also emerged from their own dark days at United.
“When you play at the top level, unless you are one of the superstars and a world, world-class player, you have ups and downs and you have things that you have to deal with,” Maguire said. “That’s why you see so many players have two or three years at the top, then they drop off and they wander off and go into a different country and you don’t hear too much about them again. To play at the top, you’ve got to deal with the ups and downs.
“I always looked to the experience with players like David Beckham and Wayne Rooney and how they overcame it. They were unbelievable, world-class players, so if it happens to them, it can happen to anyone.
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“I just kept my head down. I have great self-belief, more importantly, that I’m a top player, and I believe that. I think that’s what helps me when things are tough.”
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