Israeli UFC fighter talks antisemitism at self-defense seminar as Hamas hostages mark 500 days
Israeli UFC fighter Natan Levy marked the 500th day of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza by teaching a self-defense course. "For years now, but especially since October 7th, antisemitism has been on the rise and lifting its nose again. Especially today at 500 days, it’s important to strengthen the community," Levy told Fox News Digital ahead of a seminar in New York. Levy expressed his hope to see all the hostages return from Gaza, and he told Fox News Digital about getting the chance to train former Hamas hostage Andre Kozlov. The UFC fighter said it was "an honor to meet him and train him."
Matthew Tkachuk injury update: USA star hits bench in 4 Nations Face-Off final vs. Canada
The USA had to play without key forward Matthew Tkachuk for the end of its overtime loss to Canada. The Florida Panthers star winger sat on the U.S. bench toward the end of the second period Thursday night in the 4 Nations Face-Off final, skating one brief shift before returning to the bench. He was on the bench at the start of the third and never returned to action. He was originally hurt at the end of the first USA-Canada game on Saturday, staying on the bench near the end of the third period.
4 Nations Face-Off: USA fans retaliate, boo 'O Canada' ahead of hockey final
The 4 Nations Face-Off final on Thursday marked the highly-anticipated rematch between the United States and Canada and emotions are running high between both nations. Tensions boiled over quickly during their first matchup on Saturday, with three fights breaking out in the first nine seconds of play. The gloves were off even earlier than that after Canadian fans loudly booed the entirety of the U.S. national anthem ahead of the American's 3-1 win at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The tournament shifted from Canadian soil to the U.S. ahead of the final on Thursday and American fans enacted their revenge. Despite the announcer at Boston's TD Garden asking all fans to refrain from booing each country's respective anthem — "We kindly ask that you respect the national anthem and the players that represent each country" — audible boos were heard as Chantal Kreviazuk began her rendition of "O Canada."
Former Spanish soccer boss Luis Rubiales found guilty of kissing player Jenni Hermoso without consent
Former Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) chief Luis Rubiales has been found guilty of sexually assaulting Women’s World Cup winner Jennifer Hermoso by kissing her on the lips during the on-field medal ceremony following Spain’s victory in 2023. The Spanish High Court set a fine of $11,270 (€10,800) – to be paid as $21 daily instalments across 18-months – but acquitted former soccer boss Rubiales of coercion. Prosecutors had been seeking a two-and-a-half year prison sentence for the 47-year-old, but the ruling sees him avoid any jail time. The judge opted not to sentence Rubiales to prison time as he believed the assault – which he called a “sporadic act” despite also deeming it “always reprehensible” – to be of lesser intensity according to Spanish law as there was no intimidation or violence.
Venus Williams, 44, handed wild card to play at Indian Wells
Tennis legend Venus Williams has received a wild card entry for next month’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, in what would be the 44-year-old’s first event in almost a year. Williams has not played since losing in the first round of the Miami Open in March 2024 and hasn’t won a match on tour since August 2023. Next month, though, will be her 10th appearance at Indian Wells – with her first coming back in 1994.
Emma Raducanu says she ‘will be okay’ after a man was ejected from her Dubai Tennis Championships match
According to the WTA, the governing body of women’s tennis, a man approached Raducanu in a public area on Monday and displayed “fixated behavior.” The same man was then identified again in the stands during the British player’s match against Karolína Muchová on Tuesday before being removed and banned from all WTA events “pending a threat assessment,” the WTA said. Raducanu appeared shaken at the start of the match against Muchová. She went to speak to the umpire while trailing 2-0 in the first set and was then comforted by her Czech opponent after hiding behind the umpire’s chair.
O say can you see America catching up to Canadian ice hockey supremacy?
Whether it’s on the ice or in the trophy cabinet, American hockey players have been rapidly melting Canada’s longtime dominance in the sport. When Team USA and Canada meet on the TD Garden rink in Boston on Thursday night in the championship game of the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off (8 p.m. ET on ESPN), it’ll be one more instance of the neighbors appearing to be near-equals in the sport invented north of the border.
ESPN and MLB to end their decades-long relationship after 2025 season
ESPN and Major League Baseball are parting ways and will end their decades-long partnership after the 2025 season, the league announced on Thursday, a little less than a month before the start of the season. The network first aired MLB games in 1990, but the league said in a statement that it is dismayed at how ESPN has pared back its baseball coverage. “Given that MLB provides strong viewership, valuable demographics, and the exclusive right to cover unique events like the Home Run Derby, ESPN’s demand to reduce rights fees is simply unacceptable. As a result, we have mutually agreed to terminate our agreement,” the league said in a statement.
A life-threatening blood clot sidelined NBA All-Star Victor Wembanyama. Here’s what to know
A dangerous blood clot has taken San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama out of play for the rest of the 2024-2025 basketball season, the NBA announced Thursday. Wembanyama, a 21-year-old French professional named Rookie of the Year last season, has deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder — a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein deep in the body.
Victor Wembanyama expected to miss rest of NBA season with shoulder injury
San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama is expected to miss the rest of the NBA season with a shoulder injury, the team announced Thursday. The 21-year-old has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, a form of a blood clot, in his right shoulder, according to the Spurs. “The condition was discovered when Wembanyama returned to San Antonio following the All-Star Game in San Francisco. Wembanyama is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season,” San Antonio said in its statement. The reigning Rookie of the Year was having another impressive season and was named an All-Star for the first time in his career.