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Russian athletes set to compete under own flag at Paralympics after a decade-long absence

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Russian athletes will compete under their own flag at the Paralympics for the first time in more than a decade, and the country’s national anthem will be played for any gold medalists.

Tuesday’s announcement stands as another indicator that Russia and its national identity will be fully restored in Olympic circles well ahead of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

In a statement, the International Paralympic committee said Russia’s National Paralympic Committee had been awarded six slots for the upcoming Milan Cortina Paralympic Games.

It will mark the first time a Russian flag has been flown at the Paralympics since the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia. The country’s athletes were initially banned because of a state-sponsored doping program, and the sanctions against Russia have continued since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Russia Sochi Olympics Anniversary Photo Gallery

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Russia Sochi Olympics Anniversary Photo Gallery (Sputnik)

Should a Paralympic athlete win gold, it will be the first time the Russian anthem has been played on the stage of a major global sporting event since the invasion.

Russia’s close ally, Belarus, has also been banned since 2022 but will have four slots at Milan Cortina.

“The IPC can confirm that NPC Russia has been awarded a total of six slots: two in Para alpine skiing (one male, one female), two in Para cross-country skiing (one male, one female), and two in Para snowboard (both male),” the statement said.

“NPC Belarus has been awarded four slots in total, all in cross-country skiing (one male and three female).”

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In September, the IPC voted to lift partial suspensions of Russia and Belarus.

However, IPC President Andrew Parsons told AP in November that there would be no athletes from those countries at the Milan Cortina Games because the sports’ governing bodies had maintained their bans.

The following month, an appeal from Russia saw the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturn a blanket ban imposed by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation — paving the way for Russians to compete as neutral athletes at the 2026 Olympics, and with their own flag and anthem at the Paralympics.

The Russian Olympic Committee has been suspended since 2023 by the International Olympic Committee for breaking the Olympic charter by using an administrative land grab to incorporate regional sports bodies in occupied eastern Ukraine.

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That decision is under an IOC legal review after the Russian Olympic body amended its statutes and could be overturned within months.

Following a system used in Paris in 2024, Russian athletes are competing at the current Olympics as individual neutral athletes — using the French acronym AIN — and without their flag, anthem or team colors.

2026 Olympics Russia

2026 Olympics Russia (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Russian media reported that Aleksey Bugaev, a three-time Paralympic champion in Alpine skiing, is one of the athletes who has been given a slot along with cross-country skiers Ivan Golubkov and Anastasiia Bagiian, who have both won medals at world championships.

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All three returned to competition last month, and both Bugaev and Bagiian have since won World Cup titles.

The Milan Cortina Paralympics is set to take place from March 6-15.

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France vs England LIVE: Latest score and updates as title-chasing Les Bleus in titanic battle in Six Nations finale

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France 38-39 England

62 mins: Sam Underhill earns his 50th cap, joining Marcus Smith in reaching the milestone.

Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:43

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France 38-39 England

60 mins: From inside their own half, Smith finds his club teammate Freeman with plenty of space on the left wing, sending a precise pass.

England advance into the French 22 but are stopped for holding on.

A scuffle breaks out afterward, prompting the referee to issue warnings to both captains.

Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:42

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France 38-39 England

59 mins: England fumble the kick-off, but just moments later France give away a penalty for coming in at the side of the ruck.

Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:36

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TRY! France 38-39 (Smith) England

57 mins: Marcus Smith has barely been on the field, yet he’s already surged in to score a try and followed it up by slotting the conversion to put his team ahead!

Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:36

France 38-32 France

55 mins: The momentum keeps swinging in this game and it’s now tilting toward England. They earn a penalty on halfway for an off-the-ball tackle.

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Coles’ night appears to be done with Pollock coming on as his replacement.

Marcus Smith is on for his 50th cap in place of Daly.

Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:32

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France 38-32 England

53 mins: England are back to full strength with Genge returning from his time in the sin-bin.

They’ve also made a couple of substitutions, bringing on Cowan-Dickie and van Poortvliet.

Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:30

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TRY! France 38-32 (Chessum)

51 mins: Ollie Chessum produces a stunning solo try reading a pass inside his own half, intercepting and racing away to the line.

Smith misses the conversion adding to his tally of six missed kicks from the tee.

Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:28

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TRY! France (Attissogbe) 38-27 England

48 mins: England are feeling the pressure as France start to find their rhythm.

The home side win a penalty near the posts and take it quickly.

Dupont spots Attissogbe with plenty of space on the right wing and delivers a perfect pass, allowing the winger an easy finish.

The conversion is added and England suddenly have a huge challenge ahead.

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Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:27

France 31-27 England

47 mins: France make a couple of front-row substitutions, bringing Mauvaka and Bamba onto the field.

Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:24

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France 31-27 England

45 mins: England haven’t helped themselves with moments of poor discipline, but they’ve also been on the wrong end of some harsh calls.

France are inside the England 22 and putting the visitors under pressure, but Itoje steps up with a crucial penalty at the breakdown to relieve the pressure.

Ciara Fearn14 March 2026 21:23

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Steve Tandy ‘overwhelmed’ as Wales end long wait for Six Nations victory

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Steve Tandy called Wales’ first Six Nations victory for over three years “massively emotional” as their 15-game losing streak in the competition came to an end.

Wales overcame Italy 31-17 in Cardiff for a first Six Nations win since March 11, 2023 – 1,099 days ago.

Aaron Wainwright’s first-half double, plus tries from Dewi Lake and Dan Edwards, saw Wales surge into a scarcely believable 31-0 lead after 47 minutes.

Italy fought back with three tries to produce some late anxiety for Wales fans, but it was not enough to spoil the Principality Stadium party.

“It was a massively emotional day, a win in the Six Nations has been a long time coming,” Tandy said after claiming his second success from nine matches as Wales head coach.

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“I am overwhelmed with pride by what this group delivered. I’ve always said it’s never been a question of desire, physicality or work ethic in this group.

“I just think it’s getting them to understand how far they can go with the work ethic and physically they’ve got.

“I’m not going to lie, it did feel like a long last 10 minutes and that did seem to drag out a little bit.”

Wales were blown away by England and France in their opening two games.

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But there were definite green shoots during narrow defeats to Scotland and Ireland, and Tandy had called on his players to finish the campaign with a flourish.

He said: “England was a massive lesson for us, we didn’t impose anything of what we wanted to do and panicked with our discipline.

“Since then I believe the boys have grown every week, have got a bit of confidence, and had a bit of cohesion as a team.

“It’s a good day to enjoy – it’s been a while – but we have to keep growing.”

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Wales captain Lake said: “We hope that we have restored some faith in the jersey and into what this group can do.

“That performance sums up how we have grown in the last two to three weeks.

“The scoreline was similar to half-time against Scotland and to come out and score first, to never give up on the moment, to stay switched on and stay in every play shows how we have learnt.”

Italy were within touching distance of creating a first for themselves after upsetting Scotland and England earlier in the tournament.

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They had never won three games in the same Six Nations campaign, but history was to elude them.

Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada said: “We saw a big improvement from Wales against Ireland and we knew they had the opportunity to put everything out there to get victory.

“It was a big game from Wales and they never gave up.

“The win was maybe bigger for them. Their heart and physicality was bigger than us in the first half.

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“We did better in the second half, but that first half defined the game.”

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Australia says another 3 members of Iran's female soccer team decide to leave the country

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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia says another 3 members of Iran's female soccer team decide to leave the country.

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CBS Sports Says Packers Got the Best of Vikings

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A Packers Helmet in 2024 worn by Josh Jacobs
A close-up of a 1923 throwback helmet worn by Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs before the game against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 2, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. © Sarah Kloepping/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings cut defensive tackle Javon Hargrave this week after a mediocre season in 2025, prompting the Green Bay Packers to sign him. And that’s a problem for Minnesota, says CBS Sports, which called the Packers a “winner” in free agency for the Hargrave signing.

Green Bay’s Hargrave signing drew praise, while Minnesota’s defensive line plan invited fresh questions.

Most Vikings fans didn’t give a damn when the team dropped Hargrave, so news of the Packers reaping the benefits felt a little strange.

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Javon Hargrave’s Exit Is Being Framed as a Win for Green Bay

Hargave’s fifth career chapter is underway in Wisconsin.

49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave reacts after the Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. javon hargrave packers
San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (98) reacts following the team’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, Feb. 11, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. Hargrave walked off the field as the Chiefs celebrated their championship, ending a tightly contested title game between two of the NFL’s best teams. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

CBS Sports: Packers a Free Agency Winner for Adding Hargrave

CBS Sports‘ Jordan Dajani named winners and losers out of the gate for NFL free agency, and because of Hargrave, Green Bay got a nod as a winner.

Dajani explained, “All things considered, the Green Bay Packers have not had a great free agency. But Brian Gutekunst made fans happy Wednesday by agreeing to terms with former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave on a reported two-year, $23 million deal.”

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“At 33-years-old, Hargrave is no longer a double-digit sack Pro Bowler, but he can still make an impact in the middle of the defensive line — which is exactly what Green Bay needed. In addition to filling a need, this move reunites Hargrave with new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.”

Vikings fans learned of Hargrave’s release earlier in the week and largely didn’t care. It was expected.

Dajani concluded, “The two worked together during their time with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 and 2022. Over that 33-game stretch, Hargrave recorded 123 tackles and 18.5 sacks. That includes an 11-sack season in 2022, when the Eagles made it to Super Bowl LVII.”

The 2025 Performance

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Hargrave’s Pro Football Focus grades indicate he’s slightly above average as an interior defender. In 2025, he earned a 70.0 pass-rushing grade and a 57.3 run-defense mark, resulting in an overall grade of 68.0 —ranking him 35th among interior linemen. While his pass rush shows promise, his run defense lacks consistency.

His statistics support this assessment. In 16 games and 537 defensive snaps (53%), Hargrave recorded 52 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 6 quarterback hits, 4 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and 31 pressures, placing him 34th among defensive tackles in pressure generation.

Green Bay is acquiring a dependable veteran with pass-rushing capabilities. Despite two Pro Bowl appearances earlier in his career, recent film and statistics suggest Hargrave is now a mid-tier defensive tackle.

Vikings Evidently Preferring Youth

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Minnesota’s defensive tackle group appears strong even without Hargrave. Jalen Redmond emerged as one of the defense’s top performers last season and appears poised to be a long-term starter.

Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave reacts during a game against the Washington Commanders at U.S. Bank Stadium. javon hargrave packers
Minnesota Vikings nose tackle Javon Hargrave reacts during second-half action against the Washington Commanders, Dec. 7, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hargrave battled along the interior defensive line throughout the afternoon, showing emotion after a key sequence as Minnesota fought to control the trenches late in the contest. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

Levi Drake Rodriguez is developing into a solid run defender and could compete for starting snaps next season. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins saw a smidgen playing time as a rookie, and undrafted defensive tackle Elijah Williams impressed during training camp and the preseason.

Similar to Green Bay, Minnesota may still look to draft a rookie DT in April. Early in the event, these names will turn heads for DT-needy clubs:

  • Peter Woods (Clemson)
  • Caleb Banks (Florida)
  • Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)
  • Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)
  • Christen Miller (Georgia)

The Gannon Connection in GB

So, why did Hargrave choose Green Bay of all places? Well, he may have felt some revenge-oriented feelings, sticking it to the Vikings after they cut him. That happens. But the more likely explanation is that of Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.

Hargrave spent the three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, overlapping with Gannon in two of them and reaching the Pro Bowl in 2021. The Arizona Cardinals fired Gannon earlier this offseason — the springboard event that led Kyler Murray to Minnesota — and Green Bay waltzed in with a defensive coordinator offer.

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Seeking to replace Kenny Clark, who joined the Dallas Cowboys during the Micah Parsons trade, Gannon and the Packers’ brass settled on Hargrave.

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon reacts on the sideline during a game against the Green Bay Packers. javon hargrave packers
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon reacts from the sideline during a game against the Green Bay Packers, Oct. 19, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Gannon monitored the action closely as Arizona battled Green Bay in an NFC matchup during the middle stretch of the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

PackersWire‘s Mark Oldacres on the Hargrave addition: “Despite being well into the back nine of his career, Hargrave still has plenty of juice as a pass rusher, as shown by the numbers from 2025. Disrupting the quarterback has been his calling card throughout his career.”

“The 31 pressures Hargrave racked up on the interior last year were more than any Packers defensive tackle, and he had as many sacks per PFF (four) as Devonte Wyatt.”

Most Vikings fans decided Hargrave wasn’t overly productive after his performance in 2025, but CBS Sports disagrees, and Hargrave will see the Vikings twice per season, with a chance to prove the naysayers wrong.


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How to complete Shai of Sheparden in Monster Hunter Stories 3 (Thea Side Story 2)

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In Thea Side Story 2 Shai of Sheparden in Monster Hunter Stories 3, you are tasked to race against another Gale Force Porkers and bring them home by defeating them. This time around, Thea had found someone from the village to help her, but they themselves got lost. You and Thea leave to find them and then catch the zooming Poogie.

If you are looking for guides on completing the partner quests in Monster Hunter Stories 3, check these guides:


Shai of Sheparden Thea Side Story walkthrough in Monster Hunter Stories 3

You can start Shai of Sheparden Thea Side Story 2 in Monster Hunter Stories 3 by interacting with Thea after completing the first main story mission at Sheparden.

Find Shai

Where is Shai (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)Where is Shai (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)
Where is Shai (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)

Go down the log bridge and take the bridge on the left. Follow it to the end and continue to find Shai’s mother. Now, you will have to go find Shai. Fast travel to Cataracts Camp and make your way towards the exclamation point. Once the cutscene ends, go straight ahead till you reach the exclamation point.

Also Read: Does Simon die in Monster Hunter Stories 3?

Race the Poogie

Race the Poogie (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)Race the Poogie (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)
Race the Poogie (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)

The racing mechanic remains the same – hit the red mushrooms to boost your speed and avoid the purple mushrooms, which slow you down. While the track is relatively straightforward, avoid running on top of the bridge and instead choose left or right to get an extra red mushroom.

Once you defeat the Poogie, Thea will reappear and a cutscene will start. This will conclude the Shai of Sheparden Thea Side Story Side Story in Monster Hunter Stories 3.


All rewards from Shai of Sheparden Thea Side Story Side Story in Monster Hunter Stories 3

Shai of Sheparden rewards (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)Shai of Sheparden rewards (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)
Shai of Sheparden rewards (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Capcom)

The rewards from Shai of Sheparden Side Story 2 in MHS3 are:

  • Thea New Weapon: Hunting Horn – “Thea is now able to use Hunting Horns”
  • Thea Kagachi Developed – “Thea’s Kagachi learned “Stealthy.” Increases Crit Rate when not targeted by any Battle Lines.”

Check out other Monster Hunter Stories 3 guides: