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Bet on Real Madrid to win La Liga Reports have suggested that Bale could be sold to Manchester United this summer, with Real pursuing a deal for Monaco youngster Kylian Mbappe which could eclipse the current world transfer record. However, Jonathan Barnett, Bale’s representative, insists that there is no truth in the speculation. “It’s a ridiculous, stupid story,” he told BBC Sport. United have long been linked with Bale, having initially tried to sign the Wales international prior to his move from Southampton to Tottenham in 2007, and made a bid for him as he completed his £86 million transfer to Real in 2013....

Balotelli struck the only goal of first leg of their last-32 tie from the spot in the 85th minute but injured captain Steven Gerrard slammed the Italian for disrespect after the game, claiming that stand-in skipper Henderson was on penalty duties. MORE: Balotelli in photos | Balotelli notches first Premier League goal | His crazy hairstyles In the lead-up to the penalty, Henderson had the ball but Balotelli took it off him and, with fellow striker Daniel Sturridge seemingly also interested in taking responsibility from the spot, the oft-criticized Italy international ignored any complaints from his teammates to score....

Since the end of July, the seven-day case rate in Baltimore County has increased 376 percent. Hospitalizations due to the virus have jumped 611 percent amid the prevalence of the highly contagious Delta variant. County Executive Johnny Olszewski issued a local state of emergency on August 24, which will allow officials to request additional resources from the state and federal government. The order will also allow officials to pursue mask mandates, vaccine requirements and other public health measures....

Jimmy’s Seafood offered Machado free crab cakes and steamed crabs for life, along with free meal prep. MORE: The 20 ugliest brawls in MLB history A bench-clearing brawl ensued after Machado ran to the mound swinging. Right before Machado was hit, Ventura almost hit him with another pitch, causing the umpire to warn the Royal. This isn’t the first time Jimmy’s Seafood has offered free food to an Orioles player....

“Already there is a scarcity of beds, ICUs, while our health care providers are exhausted,” said Be-Nazir Ahmed, a public health expert and previous chief of the government’s Health Directorate. “So if the situation worsens and more patients come to hospitals, it will be near impossible to deal with the crisis.” Only around four million of the country’s 160 million people are fully vaccinated. Despite still reporting about 200 coronavirus deaths and 11,000 new cases each day during the lockdown, both believed to be undercounts, the Bangladesh government decided to move forward with the halt in restrictions for the festival, the Associated Press reported....

The co-owner of Mac’s Public House, Danny Presti, was arrested for reopening the bar and then allegedly hitting a sheriff’s deputy with his while fleeing the scene. The New York City Sheriff’s Office said deputies tried to take Presti into custody after observing customers entering the bar through an empty commercial space next door, according to NBC New York. The bar had recently been ordered closed and lost its liquor license over breaking COVID rules....

Obama, who has previously shared his music, literature and television preferences on numerous occasions, on Wednesday listed a few books he’s been reading this summer. “To start, you can’t go wrong by reading or re-reading the collected works of Toni Morrison. Beloved, Song of Solomon, The Bluest Eye, Sula, everything else—they’re transcendent, all of them,” the former president wrote on social media. “You’ll be glad you read them.” The former president’s praise of Morrison comes less than two weeks after the author died at the age of 88 on August 5, 2019 at Montefiore Medical Center in New York....

The documentary tells the story of Obama from his childhood to his time in the White House and through to his vision for the future, with contributions with co-workers and commentators like David Axelrod, Ta-Nehisi Coates and the Reverend Al Sharpton. Here’s how you can watch the documentary on streaming services. How to watch the HBO Obama documentary online The three episodes of Obama: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union are airing across three nights, from August 3 to August 5....

“I will vote by mail just because when I vote in person, I’ve got to admit, there’s a fuss,” Obama said. “I’ve been voting by mail since I was elected president … it’s safe, it’s secure as long as you follow the instructions and do it in a timely way.” Obama’s comments come at a time when Republican President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused mail-in voting of being easily manipulated by fraud, a claim which has no widespread evidence backing it up....

Worse, Barak took six weeks to get to the punch line. Yet he has at least accomplished one important goal. The seven-party alliance anchored by Barak’s Labor Party will give the prime minister an insurmountable 75-seat majority in the 120-member Knesset–and consigns the post-Netanyahu Likud Party to the opposition benches for the foreseeable future. That’s good news for the peace process: any new agreements that Barak concludes with Israel’s Arab neighbors should sail through the Knesset....

The 53-year-old stepped down after four seasons in a second spell at Athletic Club last week and was widely expected to take over from Luis Enrique this summer. Barca had promised an announcement after the Copa del Rey final and a statement on Monday confirmed Valverde as the new coach on a three-year deal. “__________________________________________________________________” it said. Luis Enrique’s three-year tenure yielded nine trophies, including the Copa as Barca beat Alaves 3-1 at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday night....

Azpilicueta, 32, has been an established first-teamer for the Blues ever since he first moved to Stamford Bridge in 2012, assuming the captain’s armband in 2018 when Gary Cahill lost his regular place in the side. However he is at odds with the club over renewing his contract, giving Barca an opportunity to add him to their squad. MORE: Updated PL table & races Azpi a top target for Barcelona Keen to add quality and experience to their backline, Barcelona have made Azpilicueta a top target for the summer transfer window....

Chelsea were held 1-1 against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, while Roma beat Qarabag 1-0 to leapfrog Antonio Conte’s men into top spot. The Blues will now likely face Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain or Besiktas as competition regulations mean that they cannot draw Roma or an English team in the next round. The goalkeeper is aware of the task at hand for his side but knows that the European giants will not fancy meeting them....

Neymar took his tally to 51 international goals in 76 games with a stunning effort in Thursday’s 4-1 thrashing of Uruguay in World Cup qualifying. Neymar wants Coutinho at Barca He got on the end of a clearance from Miranda before delicately lobbing goalkeeper Martin Silva. While Paulinho stole the show with a hat-trick, Miranda was full of praise for Barcelona star Neymar. “Nowadays, Neymar is the player who lives in the best moment,” the Inter defender said....

With the Al Sadd midfielder also revealing his intention to retire at the end of the season, a quick transition into coaching could well be on the cards. “Why not? I think it would be nice to be a coach here for the national team,” Xavi was quoted by AFP. The Spaniard realises that he will need to do a lot of work before he is ready to take the post but pointed out that he already has a good knowledge of football in the region....

The 20-year-old has agreed a five-year contract in a deal that could cost as much as €145m, shattering the previous club-record fee Barca paid Liverpool to sign Luis Suarez in 2014. Blaugrana 5/2 to beat Espanyol -3 handicap But Dembele, whose official presentation at Camp Nou took place on Monday shortly after he completed a medical, says significant sums are now to be expected in the transfer market. “I’m not under pressure,” he told a media conference....

The 19-year-old midfielder penned renewed terms for three years at Camp Nou, with Barca retaining the option to extend by a further two years if Alena becomes a regular first-team fixture. Barcelona 2/11 to beat Espanyol Alena scored on his senior debut against Hercules in the Copa del Rey last season and went on to make three substitute appearances in LaLiga. A product of La Masia, having joined Barca’s famed academy aged seven, Alena is viewed as one of the club’s brightest prospects....

It may come as something of a surprise to learn of Athletic Bilbao’s pedigree in the tournament, yet the Basques have a long and proud cup tradition which has seen them lift the trophy on 23 occasions, more than Real Madrid, and only behind Barcelona who have won it 26 times. The caveat to that fact, of course, is that Athletic has not won a cup final since 1984, and they are understandably long shots against a Barcelona side that is threatening to sweep aside all before them this season....

What’s happened since then is even more unusual–and more promising for China’s beleaguered peasantry. Liushugouzi’s outraged residents have turned to the law. “I want to go to court to fight,” Wei fumed after picking up a $300 hospital bill recovering from his injuries. “How could a communist cadre beat me like that?” The villagers tracked down two Shandong farmers who had acquired some legal expertise and filed a lawsuit demanding compensation for their injuries; an initial hearing is slated for this week....