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WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a strong South Texas Democrat, was indicted along with his spouse Imelda on Friday on expenses of accepting nearly $600,000 in bribes from Azerbaijan and a Mexican financial institution.

Cuellar allegedly accepted the funds from Azerbaijan’s state-run oil and fuel firm after that they had been laundered by way of faux consulting contracts to shell corporations owned by Imelda Cuellar, in line with the indictment. In alternate, the Laredo congressman allegedly pushed U.S. coverage in favor of Azerbaijan, an oil-rich former Soviet nation that borders Iran and Russia on the Caspian sea. That features including language to protection spending laws to prioritize ties to international locations within the area, together with with Azerbaijan, and dealing to kill laws prioritized by members who supported Armenian pursuits.

Cuellar additionally allegedly took cash from a retail Mexican financial institution and influenced members of the chief department to work round an anti-money laundering coverage that threatened the financial institution’s pursuits, in line with the indictment. Cuellar additionally allegedly coordinated with a subsidiary of the financial institution on laws that may have been useful to the payday lending trade — a type of lending normally concentrating on low earnings debtors with few alternate options that features extraordinarily excessive rates of interest.

The indictment mentioned Cuellar and his spouse used the cash to finance bank card funds, taxes, automobile funds, eating and procuring, together with $12,000 on a customized robe. It additionally mentioned one of many Cuellars’ grownup youngsters assisted within the creation of the sham shell corporations used to launder funds. The Cuellars have two grownup youngsters: Christy and Catie.

The costs embrace bribery, cash laundering, engaged on behalf of a international authorities and conspiracy. The indictment alleges Cuellar recruited household, buddies and his former marketing campaign supervisor to facilitate the funds. If convicted and given the utmost sentence, Cuellar might face a long time in jail.

Cuellar rapidly asserted his innocence in a press release Friday minutes after NBC Information reported federal prosecutors’ plans for an indictment. The Cuellars appeared in a federal courthouse in Houston on Friday over the costs.

Cuellar mentioned his actions have been “in line with the actions of a lot of my colleagues and within the curiosity of the American folks.”

“I need to be clear that each my spouse and I are harmless of those allegations,” Cuellar mentioned. “Earlier than I took any motion, I proactively sought authorized recommendation from the Home Ethics Committee, who gave me multiple written opinion, together with a further opinion from a nationwide regulation agency.”

A spokesperson for the Home Ethics Committee declined to touch upon Friday.

FBI brokers raided Cuellar’s Laredo residence and workplace in 2022 — simply weeks earlier than his aggressive main election. His lawyer on the time asserted he was not the goal of the investigation.

He ended up profitable within the 2022 main towards Jessica Cisneros, a Laredo-based immigration legal professional by 0.6 share factors, and crusing to victory within the basic election nearly unscathed by the police raid.

Cuellar is up for reelection once more this yr. He was unopposed within the main. Two Republican challengers will face off in a Could 28 runoff for the prospect to problem Cuellar within the basic: Jay Furman and Lazaro Garza.

Cuellar mentioned in his Friday assertion that he’ll nonetheless run for reelection in November.

Ties to Azerbaijan 

Cuellar is a member of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus and has been a fervent advocate for the nation’s pursuits in Congress.

He traveled to Turkey and Azerbaijan on a $25,000 journey along with his spouse Imelda in 2013, paid for by the Turquoise Council of People and Eurasians. Shortly after, a Cuellar staffer went on one other journey to Azerbaijan with a number of members, together with Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, that was additionally facilitated by the group.

After his 2013 journey, brokers engaged on behalf of the Azerbaijani authorities recruited Cuellar to work with them on U.S. coverage serving to their nation, in line with the indictment.

The group that hosted Cuellar’s journey is predicated in Texas and was led by Kemal Oksuz, who pleaded responsible in 2018 to partaking within the coverup of the Azerbaijani’s authorities’s position financing the 2013 congressional journey that included Jackson Lee. Oksuz admitted to mendacity in disclosures to the Home Ethics Committee on the supply of funding for the journey, which got here from the State Oil Firm of the Azerbaijan Republic.

After Oksuz’s responsible plea, funds from SOCAR to the Cuellar’s paused, in line with the indictment.

Oksuz additionally labored with Cuellar to ascertain a program for Texas A&M Worldwide College college students to review power points in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. ExxonMobil and the Azerbaijani authorities have been additionally concerned within the creation of this system.

Azerbaijan is understood for lavish spending on international lawmakers to advance its pursuits. The nation has reportedly spent billions on treating European lawmakers in a apply derisively generally known as “caviar diplomacy.” The nation spends about half one million {dollars} a yr on lobbying in Washington, in line with OpenSecrets.

Azerbaijan has had curiosity in influencing Western governments as a result of tense relations with its neighbors. The nation had been engaged in a long-running border dispute with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave made up of largely ethnic Armenians, till Azerbaijan forcibly retook management of the territory final yr. The dispute had been a major roadblock to peace within the area for the reason that fall of the Soviet Union, with European, American and Russian governments scuffling with the problems for many years.

Cuellar coordinated with Azerbaijani diplomats to get rid of laws that may finance land mine clearing in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2017, in line with the indictment, citing textual content messages between Cuellar and the diplomat. He additionally wrote to a U.S. official in 2016 accusing Armenia of being a “proxy” of Russia, urging the U.S. to push for the withdrawal of pro-Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The eventual take over of the area by Azerbaijan led to the speedy evacuation of 1000’s of ethnic Armenians over fears the Azerbaijani authorities would commit ethnic cleaning.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned final yr that the administration was “deeply involved” with Azerbaijan’s aggression within the area and that “the usage of power to resolve disputes is unacceptable and runs counter to efforts to create situations for a simply and dignified peace.”

Cuellar additionally allegedly included language to an annual protection spending invoice in 2014 directing the secretaries of state and protection to work on a “strategic framework for United States safety power help and cooperation within the European and Eurasian areas,” together with Azerbaijan. He additionally coordinated with an Azerbaijani diplomat on a gathering with the Protection Division to focus extra U.S. protection coverage on the area, in line with the indictment.

“Thanks Congressman! That is good certainly,” the diplomat mentioned in an e mail to Cuellar cited within the indictment.

Serving to the financial institution

Cuellar and his spouse are additionally accused of accepting bribes in alternate for advancing insurance policies that may assist a Mexican industrial financial institution’s enterprise pursuits. Utilizing a Mexican authorities official as an middleman, the Cuellars allegedly obtained over $200,000 in bribes from the financial institution, in line with the indictment.

Cuellar allegedly wrote to officers on the Treasury Division to arrange mechanisms to assist cross-border transactions essential to the financial institution’s enterprise. After federal regulation went into impact designed at stopping cash laundering, many U.S. monetary establishments pulled again partnerships with Mexican banks as a result of excessive danger of illicit transactions.

Like with the Azerbaijani case, the association concerned faux consulting charges paid to a shell firm operated by Imelda Cuellar, the indictment mentioned. The Cuellars allegedly negotiated the settlement with the financial institution across the identical time they have been organising their transactions with the Azerbaijanis.

At one level, the Cuellars used Henry Cuellar’s marketing campaign supervisor and former chief of employees as an middleman to disguise the funds, in line with the indictment. The indictment doesn’t establish the marketing campaign supervisor by title, however notes the particular person was a resident of Buda, Texas.

Cuellar additionally allegedly tipped off the vice chairman of the Mexican financial institution of a invoice that may pause the Client Monetary Safety Bureau from making new laws on the payday lending trade for 2 years. Cuellar then coordinated with a U.S.-based subsidiary of the Mexican financial institution on language in protection of the invoice. The subsidiary was a payday lending firm.

A robust Democrat

Cuellar and his household have been political fixtures in Laredo and Webb County for many years, courting again to 1987, when Cuellar started a 14-year stint representing the realm within the Texas Home.

He was elected to Congress in 2004, a couple of years earlier than his brother, Martin Cuellar, ousted the incumbent Webb County sheriff — a place he nonetheless holds in the present day. Cuellar’s sister, Rosie Cuellar, beforehand served as Webb County tax assessor-collector. She is looking for the Democratic nomination for an open Texas Home seat that covers a part of Laredo and Webb County, a contest that might be determined later this month in a Could 28 main runoff.

Cuellar and his spouse have been married for 32 years, he mentioned in his assertion.

“On high of being an incredible spouse and mom, she’s an completed businesswoman with two levels,” he mentioned in his Friday assertion. “The allegation that she is something however certified and exhausting working is each fallacious and offensive. The allegations have been tough on my household. However, along with your prayers, we are going to overcome.”

At the moment, Cuellar is the fourth-longest serving Democrat within the Texas delegation and is a longtime fixture within the Home Democratic Caucus. He’s recognized for sometimes crossing the aisle to vote with Republicans, particularly on border safety. He’s the one Democrat within the Home who opposes abortion rights.

He’s additionally a significant proponent of the oil and fuel trade, which is chargeable for a big a part of his district’s financial system. Azerbaijan is a significant oil and fuel producer.

Nonetheless, he’s effectively revered inside the Democratic Caucus for his prolific fundraising and reliability on main votes that rely. Democratic management underneath Speaker Nancy Pelosi supported Cuellar when Cisneros challenged him within the 2020 and 2022 primaries. Cuellar received in each primaries and the 2022 basic election, regardless of heavy funding from Republicans to flip South Texas. He beat his 2022 Republican opponent, Cassy Garcia, by over 13 factors.

After Cuellar’s 2022 win, Republicans have thought-about the district much less aggressive and are investing extra closely within the close by Rio Grande Valley-based fifteenth and thirty fourth districts.

The Republicans operating to unseat him the November have been fast to pounce on the Friday indictment.

Furman issued a video assertion, blasting Cuellar as being a part of an institution that’s “promoting us to different nations.”

“They’re buying and selling us for his or her deep pockets and their endlessly insurance policies which might be towards the values of South Texas,” Furman mentioned. “Thrilling that perhaps one among them will get their due.”

In a Fb submit on Friday, Garza mentioned: “There isn’t a place for corruption in Congress!”

The Nationwide Republican Congressional Committee additionally known as on Cuellar to resign.

“If his colleagues really imagine in placing ‘folks over politics,’ they may name on him to resign. If not – they’re hypocrites whose statements about public service aren’t definitely worth the paper they’re written on,” NRCC spokesperson Delanie Bomar mentioned in a press release.

Some Texas Democrats have already finished so for an additional longtime lawmaker who was just lately indicted. After the Justice Division charged Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, on a number of counts of corruption and bribery associated to his ties to Egypt, a handful of Texas members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus known as for his resignation.

Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries mentioned in a press release that Cuellar deserved a good trial and the “presumption of innocence all through the authorized course of.” Jeffries mentioned Cuellar would forfeit his place atop the Appropriations subcommittee on Homeland Safety. Home Democratic guidelines require a committee chair to step down if they’re indicted on a criminal offense with a attainable jail sentence of greater than two years.

Jasper Scherer contributed to this report.

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After an enormous and thrilling UFC 300, many followers have been left feeling underwhelmed by the cardboard the promotion put collectively for UFC 301. Nonetheless, the UFC’s return to Brazil is not with out some intrigue, together with Jose Aldo returning to the Octagon after a quick retirement and Alexandre Pantoja defending his flyweight championship towards Steve Erceg.

Pantoja took a cut up resolution over Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 to win the championship and has already made one profitable protection, beating Brandon Royval by resolution at UFC 296. Erceg has solely fought within the UFC thrice so far however has proven good abilities in his profession.

The undercard is missing in loads of methods, however it did get a lift with the addition of UFC Corridor of Famer Jose Aldo. The previous featherweight king will tackle Jonathan Martinez in a bantamweight bout slated for the co-main occasion. Elsewhere, Vitor Petrino will battle mild heavyweight veteran Anthony Smith, Michel Pereira will tackle Ihor Potieria in a middleweight contest and one other 185-pound tilt opens the PPV when Caio Borralho takes on Paul Craig.

After going 2-3 with our greatest bets for UFC 300, we’re sitting with a document of 8-12 on the 12 months. That is not a successful document, however there’s loads of time to show a tough 12 months round, hopefully beginning with UFC 301.

Paul Craig vs. Caio Borralho

Over 1.5 rounds (-200)

There’s not so much to love about betting on this battle until you see some cause to take a flyer on Craig as a giant underdog. Borralho is not a giant threat taker and has beforehand talked about being a “preventing nerd” who calculates the very best path to victory, which has resulted in him being referred to as boring many occasions. Craig is nice sufficient to outlive a spherical and a half, particularly if Borralho approaches the battle attempting to play a protected prime recreation.

Michel Pereira vs. Ihor Potieria

Michel Pereira to win in Spherical 1 (+100)

It is nearly laborious to imagine that Pereira has a seven-fight successful streak. When he first was on the rise, his fashion and character appeared too unstable to ever put collectively a streak of that size. Pereira is the extra dynamic expertise right here and Potieria is not against attempting to stroll by punches to get the job carried out. Sadly for Potieria, strolling by Pereira’s strikes is not an important plan. We’re relying on Pereira to tear Potieria aside with kicks earlier than ending the present along with his fists.

Anthony Smith vs. Vitor Petrino

Struggle to go the space: No (-215)

In an ideal world, the road right here can be -200 however we will make this play with confidence. Smith is clearly on the again aspect of his profession at this level and pairing him with a harmful rising prospect appears nearly merciless. Petrino can sting with leg kicks and has the sort of takedowns that simply maintain inflicting Smith issues. It appears like Petrino can choose Smith aside on the toes and if Smith will get any momentum, Petrino can have success taking the battle to the bottom and dominating.

Jonathan Martinez vs. Jose Aldo

Jose Aldo moneyline (+125)

Possibly it is that I am previous and clinging to the considered who Aldo as soon as was, however I like Aldo on this battle. Martinez is an efficient fighter however he is a superb fighter who’s going to wish to battle Aldo in ways in which play greatest into Aldo’s recreation. If this stays a Muay Thai battle within the Octagon, that units Aldo as much as get the win in his un-retirement bout. If you wish to get even higher odds, Aldo by resolution is sitting at +200.

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg

Alexandre Pantoja moneyline (-185)

Erceg is clearly a talented fighter, and this isn’t a shot at him, however he has an extremely skinny resume for a title contender. Whereas Pantoja has wins over Brandon Moreno (twice), Brandon Royval (twice), Manel Kape and plenty of different highly-ranked fighters, Erceg’s greatest win got here towards Matt Schnell, who entered the battle on a 2-3 run in his earlier battle bouts. Given Pantoja’s expertise and success at the next degree, it is smart to roll with him right here. Erceg might have the products to change into champion, however the proof is not there that he is price risking cash on but.

Who wins UFC 301: Pantoja vs. Erceg, and the way precisely does every battle finish? Go to SportsLine now to get detailed picks on UFC 301, all from the MMA professional who profited greater than $1,500 on his UFC main-card picks in 2023, and discover out. 

Kendrick Lamar kicked off Might 3, 2024 with the shock launch of “6:16 in LA,” a diss monitor that adopted his April 30 monitor “euphoria” and preceded a 3rd Drake response—14 hours later, Drake would add “Household Issues” to YouTube, which Kendrick then used as gas to unleash the sinister six-minute monitor, “meet the grahams.”

Because the title implies, Kendrick sends a private message to every member of the Graham household. He exposes scathing allegations about Drake, lots of which had been by no means beforehand reported. Probably the most notable allegation is that Drake supposedly has an 11-year-old daughter and unspecified different kids. Drake made gentle of the allegation to discredit it with an Instagram Story publish shortly after the monitor dropped.

Past addressing the Grahams, Kendrick assaults different features of Drake’s character. He claims Drizzy is hooked on prescription drugs—maybe those displayed on the music’s cowl—compares him to disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein, claims he has intercourse offenders on his OVO Sound payroll, and that he’s a sexual deviant.

This monitor’s cowl artwork was eliminated for the streaming launch, seemingly resulting from HIPAA Privateness guidelines that shield people’ medical information. The unique cowl artwork seems to be a zoomed-out model of the art work that accompanied “6:16 in LA,” displaying objects rumored to belong to Drake that had been stolen from his father’s suitcase, in keeping with a detailed supply; specifically, DJ Akademiks. Amongst these things are Ozempic and Zolpidem drugs, in addition to receipts of outrageous jewellery purchases. These things are resting on a multi-colored button-up T-shirt depicting a cartoon canine urinating on a pink hearth hydrant. This may coincide with the identify of Drake’s October 2023 album, For All The Canine, which options J. Cole on “First Individual Shooter” buying and selling disses directed at Okay-Dot. Moreover, this could possibly be a refined allusion to longtime rumors that T.I. let his pal urinate on Drake, in keeping with a verse on October 2020’s “We Did It Huge”:

So drunk in L.A., find yourself pissin’ on Drake, shit
Fuck it, that’s nonetheless my brother

That is alluded to within the first verse, when Kendrick handle Drake’s son, Adonis:

By no means let a person piss in your leg, son
Both you die proper there or pop that man within the head, son

Kate Hudson has gone from enjoying a groupie worshiping the band to changing into the lead singer herself.

The Oscar-nominated actor who rose to fame by enjoying “Band-Assist” Penny Lane in “Virtually Well-known” is exhibiting one other facet of her expertise as a singer-songwriter. Her first album is popping out in Could after she thought of making the leap into music for years.

“While you’re youthful, it’s extra about how others see you, and I feel as you become old, it’s extra about what fulfills you, and that’s this for me,” Hudson instructed Savannah Guthrie on TODAY Could 3. “All the heat I’m receiving, too, feels nice, and I’m simply so blissful that I made a decision to do it.”

Here is what to know in regards to the upcoming launch.

Why is Kate Hudson popping out with an album?

The “Glass Onion” star mentioned singing has been a part of her life since she was a toddler, however she admittedly was afraid of how going from appearing to releasing music could be acquired.

“Oh my God, it’s so scary,” she instructed Savannah. “That’s why I feel it took me so lengthy. I need individuals to find it irresistible, clearly, however I feel that a part of why I used to be so afraid to do it was as a result of I used to be involved about that.

“After Covid, I used to be like, ‘If I don’t do it, then I’m lacking an enormous a part of my inventive life expertise and what a disgrace that might be for me, personally.’ I used to be identical to, ‘I’ve to do it.’ And so right here I’m.”

Her early success in appearing additionally created a fork within the highway when it got here to pursuing music. She was solely 19 when she auditioned for her Oscar-nominated position in “Virtually Well-known,” and adopted that by starring in hit rom-coms like “Easy methods to Lose A Man in 10 Days.”

“I obtained very well-known very younger, and particularly at the moment, that (music) dream type of simply went to the facet a bit for a few years,” she mentioned.

“This concept that I used to be too afraid to share my music, it was like scratching at me to say, ‘Why do I’ve this worry? I have to put my music out on the planet.’ Whether or not individuals prefer it or not,” she continued.

What’s Kate Hudson’s album known as?

The album title is “Wonderful” and options these 12 songs:

1. “Gonna Discover Out”
2. “Fireplace”
3. “The Nineties”
4. “Dwell Eternally”
5. “Speak About Love”
6. “Love Ain’t Simple”
7. “Romeo”
8. “By no means Made a Second”
9. “Mendacity to Myself”
10. “Not Simple to Know”
11. “Wonderful”
12. “Contact the Gentle”

When does ‘Wonderful’ come out?

The album will probably be launched on Could 17.

On Could 3, Hudson celebrated receiving a vinyl copy of it by sharing an unboxing video on Instagram.

“She’s born!!!! Ah!!!!” she wrote within the caption.

Has she launched any of the album’s songs but?

Hudson, 45, launched the primary single, “Speak About Love,” in January. She co-wrote the track with Linda Perry and her fiancé, musician Danny Fujikawa. 

“He’s an extremely gifted musician, and actually I really feel privileged,” Hudson mentioned on the third hour of TODAY on Could 3.

“Working together with your companion is attention-grabbing as a result of you could have moments the place you’re like, ‘No.’ After which moments the place he actually type of would step in entrance and say, ‘I feel that is finest for the track.'”

In March, she launched a video for the track “Dwell Eternally” that includes residence video footage of her oldest son, Ryder Robinson, 20, whom she shares with ex-husband Chris Robinson, the lead singer of The Black Crowes.

Hudson additionally carried out “Dwell Eternally” on TODAY Could 3. The emotional track was written about rising up as a father or mother after having Ryder at a younger age and feeling like time flew by.

“It took me truly a very long time to have the ability to sing this track,” she instructed Savannah. “I used to be actually younger after I had him, and what it is wish to be a younger mother, after which to simply solely know your grownup life together with your youngster.

“Then they depart and you continue to really feel younger and you are like, ‘What simply occurred? How is that this even doable that he is leaving me?’ Nevertheless it’s additionally identical to a celebration of what it’s to let your youngsters fly and go.”

Hudson additionally launched the album’s opening track, “Gonna Discover Out,” in April.

Arsenal moved 4 factors clear on the prime of the Premier League with solely two of their very own video games to play by beating Bournemouth on the Emirates, although second-placed Manchester Metropolis have two video games in hand within the title race.

Bukayo Saka was angered when a excessive problem from Ryan Christie left him with a minimize on his left leg, with VAR deeming it unfit of a pink card, however the officers agreed that Arsenal ought to have a penalty simply earlier than half-time when goalkeeper Mark Travers caught Kai Havertz’s trailing leg.

Saka rolled within the spot kick however Bournemouth grew into the sport through the second half and it was solely as soon as Leandro Trossard added a second within the seventieth minute that Arsenal felt in management, albeit the guests had an Antoine Semenyo aim disallowed quickly after for a foul on goalkeeper David Raya by Dominic Solanke, under.

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes thought he had scored a surprising third but it surely was dominated out as a result of Havertz was offside, earlier than Declan Rice fired in a 3rd that did depend. The win prolonged Arsenal’s lead on the prime of the desk to 4 factors with two matches (for them) to play, although Metropolis can minimize that again to 1 once they entertain Wolves this night and so they have a further recreation in hand (away to Tottenham on Could 14) after that.

Right here Jordan Campbell analyses the win.

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How was Saka’s mentality key?

When Saka stepped as much as take Arsenal’s penalty within the ultimate minute of the primary half, the reminiscence of final season’s miss at West Ham felt outstanding contained in the Emirates Stadium.

The one thoughts it didn’t appear to pervade was Saka’s.

He merely walked up, waited on Travers to lean to his left and handed the ball in the other way as if there was not an oz of rigidity in his physique.

It confirmed the psychological power the 22-year-old possesses.

He might have shirked penalty duties after the abuse that adopted his miss within the European Championship ultimate shootout three years in the past however he has a spot-kick document of 10 from 11 since.

He might simply have swerved the strain this season after he skewed his penalty broad of the publish final April in opposition to West Ham, which might have made it 3-1 however as a substitute swung momentum the opposite approach in a match Arsenal went on to attract 2-2. It was the beginning of their late-season collapse within the title race however there was no such Sliding Doorways second on Saturday.

Saka brought on havoc down the fitting flank as he frequently obtained in behind Dango Ouattara however he needed to as soon as once more present his sturdiness after Christie’s straight leg caught him midway up the shin — the problem was cleared by VAR on a silent examine.

In changing that penalty, which was received after Havertz rounded Travers and had his trailing leg tripped, Saka went to twenty targets for the season. He’s the youngest Arsenal participant to succeed in that milestone since Martin Hayes in 1986-87.

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What number of very important targets has Trossard scored?

Bournemouth might simply have been three or 4 targets down by the break, however head coach Andoni Iraola managed to flip the sport as his aspect dominated the opening 25 minutes of the second half. With the rating solely 1-0, Arsenal couldn’t arrest the momentum change. However when one likelihood comes in opposition to the run of play, there’s one man on this squad who might be trusted to transform and that’s Trossard.

Rice did brilliantly to tee him up on the spin however Trossard curled the ball into the far nook so early Travers had no likelihood.

The Belgian has 16 targets in all competitions, which places him second within the squad behind solely Saka. Given he has began solely 21 of their 50 video games, he’s scoring at a charge of 1 aim each 132 minutes. The January 2023 signing made a much bigger influence from the bench in his first 12 months on the membership, however up to now few months he has asserted himself as a extra constant possibility than Gabriel Martinelli.

Trossard is a person for the massive moments, and he proved it as soon as once more at present.

His marketing campaign began with an equaliser deep in second-half stoppage time in opposition to champions Metropolis within the Neighborhood Defend victory in August and has gone on to incorporate September’s winner in opposition to Everton, a late leveller away to Chelsea the next month, and a aim to take Porto to further time in a Champions League last-16 tie the place Arsenal prevailed on penalties.

However he alters video games together with his targets, too: the one he scored to kill off a 3-1 February victory over Liverpool, the opener in opposition to Wolves final month and the primary at residence to Chelsea a number of days later.

The chants of ‘Leo!’ as he got here off within the 79th minute at present confirmed how extremely Arsenal followers worth his decisiveness.

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Did VAR get the massive calls proper?

VAR will not be there to re-referee a recreation, so it’s mentioned. There’s a excessive threshold of ‘clear and apparent’ earlier than the VAR official will ponder suggesting to the on-field referee that he could have gotten it improper.

That could be a sound precept, however in that case there needs to be little delay.

That was not the case with two of the three subjective calls on the Emirates, which led to vital stoppage time within the recreation and the gamers wanting confused as to what referee David Coote was signalling whereas he waited.

Christie’s excessive problem on Saka, which on a nonetheless picture (see above) appeared worse than it was in actual time, was silently checked by VAR and the sport moved on. However the foul on Havertz for the penalty ought to have been cleared inside a number of replays. As a substitute, there have been a number of minutes through which Coote chatted within the penalty space moderately than going over to the display to again up his personal determination.

He had made the fitting name initially as Havertz was clearly caught however the concept of a referee ‘promoting’ their determination to the match-going followers has lengthy been ditched.

It led to the identical scenario when Bournemouth had a second-half aim disallowed, which might have made it 2-1 and led to a jittery ultimate 20 minutes. Solanke moved into Raya’s path because the ball spun within the air however the contact was minimal and the Arsenal goalkeeper’s punch was poor. The second rebound was turned residence however Coote blew for a foul.

Iraola and his assistants laughed on the bench once they noticed the replay as they waited for a call to be communicated. There was a several-minute delay as soon as extra when it might have been cleared up if Coote had been requested to go throughout and again up his personal determination.

In sticking with a inflexible, arbitrary ‘bar’, it begs the query as to what the purpose of VAR is that if the referee will at all times be backed on subjective calls?

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What did Mikel Arteta say?

“The summer time signings have raised the bar loads. If we spend cash we’d higher do it properly and in the simplest approach. We’re actually proud of the recruitment that we had. It had a big effect within the group. It has raised not solely the extent of the group however the stage of the remainder of the gamers, as effectively. You see at present we had some huge performances from a whole lot of people.”

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What subsequent for Arsenal?

Sunday, Could 12: Manchester United (A), Premier League, 4.30pm BST, 11.30am ET

Traditionally, this Premier League fixture has often seen two title favourites going face to face in a flamable conflict. However as of late, solely the north Londoners are hoping to spice up their championship problem.

Arsenal have a poor document at Outdated Trafford within the Premier League, having solely received in 4 visits because the competitors’s inception in 1992-93 (31 matches). Nonetheless, Arteta was the supervisor who ended their 14-year look ahead to a win at Outdated Trafford in November 2020. A second-half penalty from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was sufficient to see off Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United 1-0 that day.

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What’s the title run-in?

Arsenal’s remaining fixtures: Sunday Could 12, Manchester United (A); Sunday Could 19, Everton (H).

Metropolis’s remaining fixtures: In the present day, Wolves (H); Saturday Could 11, Fulham (H); Tuesday Could 14, Spurs (A); Sunday Could 19, West Ham (H).

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Really useful studying

(High photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Photographs)

Kate Hudson may need stolen the present along with her “Cinema Italiano” quantity within the movie-musical, 9, however her debut tv efficiency on The Tonight Present Starring Jimmy Fallon was a ten out of 10.

On Might 2, the Oscar-nominated star stopped by The Tonight Present to speak about her upcoming debut album, Superb, and carry out a observe from the report.

RELATED: Kate Hudson Reveals Off Her Spectacular Voice Masking This Ariana Grande Traditional

“Final time you had been on the present, we’re speaking, I stated, ‘What are you doing?’ Since you did That is My Jam with me, and also you sang so nicely,” recalled Jimmy Fallon. “Everybody’s like, ‘Kate Hudson has the most effective voice.’ And I used to be like, ‘It’s a must to put one thing out,’ and you are like, ‘I could be engaged on one thing.’ Then it is right here!”

“Two-and-a-half years within the making,” Hudson stated as Fallon held up the album cowl. “I am unable to consider it.”

“How does it really feel to say you’ve got a debut album?” he requested.

“It is like an excessive amount of to clarify. It is simply the best feeling,” she replied. “I really like music. I’ve beloved music my complete life. It was my old flame. I have been writing music my complete life. I simply thought it was one thing I might solely have for myself, till COVID. After which I used to be like… ‘I will remorse not simply placing it out on the planet.’ So I did.”

The songs on the album span numerous genres like rock, soul, and nation, and had been written by Hudson, working along with her fiancé, Danny Fujikawa, and legendary songwriter Linda Perry.

“It was so enjoyable as a result of I might by no means had a collaborative writing expertise,” she defined to Fallon. “The very first thing on it, really might be what I will sing tonight. And I used to be like, ‘I do not know. I would like it to really feel swampy. Let’s begin with one thing swampy.’ I do not know what occurred however in two weeks we had 26 songs, Linda was like ‘I feel we have to cease.’ As a result of we had been on a roll.”

When requested about how the title Superb took place, the Virtually Well-known actress stated, “It is a music on the album, it is a massive sweeping ballad. Linda and I wrote that music collectively in like 10 minutes. It was simply a kind of songs that we each checked out one another after writing it and went, ‘Oh, that was intense.'”

RELATED: Doja Cat Put Jimmy Fallon in a “Hair Monster” Swimsuit and Taught Him Loopy Dance Strikes

Hudson is performing a reside album launch present at The Bellweather in L.A. on Might 18, and when requested a couple of tour, she teased that extra dates had been coming: “I am getting again on the bus, man!”

Kate Hudson reveals off powerhouse vocals in her TV efficiency debut

If her Tonight Present efficiency is any indication, these seeing her reside are in for a deal with. Hudson sang “Gonna Discover Out,” a sultry southern rock observe that showcased her stunning vocals and introduced the occasion with backup singers and band, full with a sax solo.

“What are you speaking about? That is the way you do it,” exclaimed Fallon as he hugged Hudson. “That is superb!”

Hudson’s debut efficiency actually was Rock perfection — one thing that will make Penny Lane proud.

LONDON (AP) — Arsenal maintained its pursuit of the Premier League title with a 3-0 win over Bournemouth that briefly lifted Mikel Arteta’s workforce 4 factors away from second-place Manchester Metropolis on Saturday.

Metropolis decreased the hole again to 1 level by beating Wolverhampton 5-1 later within the day and nonetheless has one other sport in hand.

Bukayo Saka transformed a penalty within the forty fifth minute after a visit on Kai Havertz earlier than Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice added second-half objectives at Emirates Stadium to safe Arsenal’s fourth straight victory within the league.

Arsenal, in search of its first league title since 2004, has two matches nonetheless to play — at Manchester United and residential in opposition to Everton.

Havertz received the penalty within the forty second minute after working onto a through-ball and rounding Mark Travers, just for the goalkeeper to clip the Germany worldwide’s trailing leg.

Saka made it six from six from the penalty spot this season with what was Arsenal’s sixteenth shot of the match at that time.

Bournemouth got here into the sport extra within the second half however misplaced hope when Rice teed up Trossard, who curled in a low shot from inside the world within the seventieth.

Rice ran onto Gabriel Jesus’ go and scored within the seventh minute of stoppage time to wrap up the win.

At 2-0, Ryan Christie had a purpose for Bournemouth disallowed for a push on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya by Dominic Solanke within the buildup, with a VAR examine not altering the choice of the on-field referee.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

 

After being traded to the Los Angeles Rams in November 2021, extensive receiver Odell Beckham Jr. performed within the NFL playoffs for simply the second time in his profession and he helped the Rams make Tremendous Bowl LVI after catching 9 passes for 113 yards in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers within the NFC Championship Sport. His NFL profession has taken him from a primary spherical draft decide by the New York Giants to the Cleveland Browns, Rams, Baltimore Ravens and most not too long ago, the Miami Dolphins.

Earlier than Beckham grew to become one of many largest names within the NFL, he was one of the crucial versatile school soccer gamers within the nation, whereas taking part in for LSU.

Here is every little thing you should learn about Odell Beckham Jr.’s school profession.

The vitals on Odell Beckham Jr.

Colleges: LSU
Place: Huge receiver
Top: 6-0
Weight: 193 kilos
Years lively: 2011-13

Listed here are Odell Beckham Jr.’s profession receiving stats in school. Chances are you’ll must scroll to the precise to view the entire stats.

Yr	video games	Receptions	Yards	YPC	TD
2011	14	41	475	11.6	2
2012	13	43	713	16.6	2
2013	13	59	1,152	19.5	8
Profession	40	143	2,340	16.4	12

The place did Odell Beckham Jr. go to varsity?

Beckham attended LSU, which he selected over reported scholarship affords from Mississippi State, Nebraska and Ole Miss, in accordance with 247Sports.

“That is positively the place he wished me to be,” Beckham Jr. instructed Louisiana Gannett Information of selecting LSU, to the approval of his father, a former LSU tailback. “He simply had my finest curiosity in thoughts, so you have to belief him and know that we made the precise determination. He was at all times telling me about how the sensation of taking part in in Tiger Stadium is like no different, and he is aware of I’ll like it and every little thing.”

What sort of prospect was Odell Beckham Jr. in highschool?

In response to his 247Sports recruiting profile, Beckham, who attended Isidore Newman College in New Orleans, was a four-star recruit ranked because the No. 135 prospect nationally and No. 20 extensive receiver within the 2011 recruiting class.

In highschool, he performed quarterback, working again, extensive receiver and cornerback, and as a senior, he had 50 receptions for 1,010 yards and 19 touchdowns, in accordance with 247Sports. He competed within the U.S. Military All-American Bowl.

The excerpt beneath comes from The Day by day Advertiser.

What was Odell Beckham Jr.’s report in school?

In Beckham’s 40 profession video games in school, LSU went 33-7, together with a 13-1 marketing campaign in 2011 through which the Tigers misplaced within the BCS Championship. They went 10-3 in every of the subsequent two seasons.

Data set by Odell Beckham Jr.

Listed here are a number of the notable information and statistical rankings set by Beckham in school:

• Tied an NCAA report with a 100-yard missed field-goal return for a landing
• 1st in LSU historical past in all-purpose yards in a season: 2,315 yards (2013)
• T-1st in LSU historical past in longest scoring play: 100 yards (missed field-goal return in opposition to UAB, 2013)
• 2nd in LSU historical past in kickoff return yards in a season: 845 yards (2013)
• third in LSU historical past in yards per catch in a sport (min. 5 catches): 34.0 yards (vs. Furman, 2013)
• third in LSU historical past in yards per catch in a season (min. 50 catches): 19.5 yards (2013)
• third, eighth, Ninth in LSU historical past in all-purpose yards in a sport: 331 yards (vs. UAB, 2013); 290 yards (at Mississippi State, 2013); 289 yards (at Georgia, 2013)
• third in LSU historical past in profession all-purpose yards per sport: 137.2 yards per sport
• T-4th in LSU historical past in touchdowns in a sport: 4 (vs. UAB, 2013)
• Fifth in LSU historical past in all-purpose yards per sport in a season: 178.1 yards per sport (2013)
• T-Fifth in LSU historical past in landing catches in a sport: Three (vs. UAB, 2013)
• sixth in LSU historical past in receiving yards in a season: 1,152 yards (2013)
• sixth in LSU historical past in profession all-purpose yards: 4,118 yards
• sixth in LSU historical past in profession kickoff return yards: 1,044 yards (2011-13)
• T-Seventh in LSU historical past in 100-yard receiving video games in a season: 5 (2013)
• T-Seventh in LSU historical past in longest punt return for a landing: 89 yards (vs. Ole Miss, 2012)
• eighth in LSU historical past in profession receiving yards: 2,340 yards
• eighth in LSU historical past in kickoff return yards in a sport: 136 yards (vs. TCU, 2013)
• T-Ninth in LSU historical past in profession 100-yard receiving video games: Seven
• tenth in LSU historical past in profession receptions: 143
• eleventh in LSU historical past in receiving yards in a sport: 204 yards (vs. Furman, 2013)

An excerpt from the FBS report guide.

What had been a few of Odell Beckham Jr.’s finest video games in school?

Listed here are a few of Beckham’s most notable performances in school:

LSU 38, Towson 22 | Sept. 29, 2012

Beckham’s first 100-yard receiving sport got here at an vital time within the 18th sport of his profession. As Towson led LSU 9-7 late within the second quarter, LSU quarterback discovered Beckham for a 27-yard landing, which put the Tigers forward for good. He scored once more within the fourth quarter on a 53-yard landing cross, as he completed the sport with 5 receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

LSU 37, TCU 27 | Aug. 31, 2013

In a season opener that doubled as a top-25 matchup, Beckham posted 136 yards from scrimmage and 136 yards within the return sport to complete with 272 all-purpose yards — 118 receiving yards on 5 catches, 18 dashing yards on two makes an attempt and 136 kick return yards on 4 returns.

LSU 56, UAB 17 | Sept. 7, 2013

This was Beckham’s most prolific sport in an LSU uniform. He completed with 331 all-purpose yards (third in class historical past), 4 whole touchdowns (tied for fourth in class historical past), and a 100-yard missed discipline purpose return for a landing (tied for the longest return landing in class historical past). Beckham scored twice within the first quarter and twice within the third quarter, as LSU put up 21 factors in each. He completed with 5 catches for 136 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns, plus 4 mixed kick or punt returns for a mixed 80 yards.

Georgia 44, LSU 41 | Sept. 28, 2013

Georgia received a shootout over LSU in Athens, Georgia, due to a fourth-quarter landing cross from Aaron Murray to Justin Scott-Wesley, however Beckham had a standout efficiency with 289 all-purpose yards, which ranks ninth in class historical past. He caught six passes for 118 yards, whereas taking seven kick returns for 175 yards — a mean of 25 yards per return.

LSU 59, Mississippi State 26 | Oct. 5, 2013

Per week after Beckham had 289 all-purpose yards in opposition to Georgia, he one-upped that efficiency. Actually. He had 290 all-purpose yards in opposition to Mississippi State, together with sport highs with 9 catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns, plus 5 kick returns for 111 yards. He scored on a 14-yard landing reception simply earlier than halftime, and he broke open a 31-26 sport within the fourth quarter with a 33-yard landing reception as a part of a 31-0 LSU scoring run to finish the sport.

LSU 48, Furman 16 | Oct. 26, 2013

Beckham posted a career-high 204 receiving yards on simply six catches — a 34-yard common — in opposition to Furman, whereas scoring twice, together with a 63-yarder within the fourth quarter. It was the third-best yards-per-catch common in LSU historical past, amongst gamers with at the very least 5 receptions in a sport, and it ranks eleventh in program historical past in receiving yards in a sport.

GEAUX TIGERS: Relive LSU’s 2019 Nationwide Championship run

What awards and honors did Odell Beckham Jr. win in school?

Listed here are the awards and honors Beckham received in school:

• 2013 Paul Hornung Award winner
• 2013 FWAA first-team All-American kick returner
• 2013 consensus All-American all-purpose
• 2013 first-team All-SEC all-purpose
• 2013 first-team All-SEC return specialist
• 2013 Athlons first-team All-SEC extensive receiver
• 2011 SEC All-Freshman Workforce

What did individuals say about Odell Beckham Jr.?

Then-LSU coach Les Miles, on how Beckham, as a freshman, may assist fill in for injured LSU extensive receiver Jarvis Landry (from The Instances): “I believe Odell Beckham is a man that may step by way of a few of that.”

Miles, throughout camp of Beckham’s freshman yr (from The Day by day Advertiser): “My impressions of Jarvis and Odell Beckham are they’re guys which are going to play in video games actually straight away. I believe they’re aggressive bodily. I believe they’re aggressive mentally, and so they have expertise. And I believe we’ve an excellent freshman class, however I believe that these two guys by want will step onto the sphere. And so they will not play like freshmen. They will play very competitively and large bodily, and search for large performs out of them.”

Miles, in August 2011 (from The Day by day Advertiser): “I believe Beckham actually is a really troublesome man to the touch. There’s actual elusiveness.”

Louisiana Gannett Information’ Glenn Guilbeau, in October 2011: “Beckham, who leads the Tigers with 20 catches on the season and is the primary LSU participant to have 50-plus-yard landing receptions in consecutive video games in six years, obtained his peripheral imaginative and prescient, strikes and soccer intelligence from his father. Odell Beckham performed tailback at LSU from 1990-92 after a stellar profession at Marshall Excessive in Marshall, Texas, that gained point out within the prep soccer guide, ‘Friday Evening Lights’ … Beckham Jr. obtained his 4.4 velocity within the 40-yard sprint and coaching ethic from his mom — monitor star Heather van Norman, a six-time All-American sprinter who was at LSU from 1991-93 and was a part of three NCAA titles within the 4×400-meter relays and the 4×100-meter relays earlier than teaching monitor at Tulane and Tennessee.

Beckham’s mom, Heather van Norman (from Louisiana Gannett Information): “Observe could be very linear working. You run straight forward with an occasional left across the monitor. Soccer is all over. He obtained each.”

Miles, on Beckham’s 51-yard landing reception in opposition to Kentucky: “I simply stored pondering, he went again yet another man and yet another man. Oh, and he went again yet another man. There’s one other man, and, oh, he went again yet another man. If he would’ve had a wider discipline, it could’ve been a hell of a run.”

Beckham’s father, Odell Beckham (from Louisiana Gannett Information): “Odell has that lateral motion and peripheral imaginative and prescient. He has nice consciousness and fingers. And he is obtained the intangibles that you simply simply cannot educate. He obtained that velocity and the lengthy legs from his mother.”

Louisiana Gannett Information’ Glenn Guilbeau, on Beckham’s 89-yard punt return landing in opposition to Ole Miss in 2012: “On Monday, Beckham was named the SEC’s particular group participant of the week after successful, or virtually successful, the Ole Miss sport Saturday with a spectacular 89-yard punt return for a landing that tied the sport 35-35 with 9:10 to play. No. 7 LSU (9-2, 5-2 SEC) later received it 41-35 with a last-minute landing drive. (Les) Miles referred to as the return the largest momentum changer in a sport that he has ever seen. Beckham, although, didn’t wish to be interviewed after the Ole Miss sport. The game info division obtained a quote from him on the return, however he stated he didn’t wish to be interviewed after a foul sport or after an excellent sport.”

Miles, on Beckham’s 100-yard missed discipline purpose return in opposition to UAB (from Louisiana Gannett Information): “It was type of like our group, in addition to the opponent, wished to know, ‘Which approach is he going?’ When it was falling quick, I am sitting there going, ‘Yeah, that is going to be fascinating as a result of he is a terrific return man.’ As soon as we obtained on tempo and on web page, I believe we had a number of the most interesting blocking in entrance of a return that I’ve seen. I do not know  if I can recall a discipline purpose return for a landing. It was actually one thing that I had by no means seen earlier than dwell.”

Miles, when requested if opponents may begin working towards their missed discipline purpose return protection after Beckham scored on a return from the again of the top zone (from Louisiana Gannett Information): “Yeah, completely. It isn’t essentially in nearly everybody’s sport plan, however there is a time for it. And definitely that point for us was final Saturday.”

Guilbeau, on the missed discipline purpose return landing: “Unnoticed by many, Beckham dropped again to the purpose posts within the South finish zone of Tiger Stadium late within the third quarter of LSU’s 56-17 win over UAB final week as UAB’s Ty Lengthy lined as much as try a 59-yard discipline purpose. Lengthy’s kick was quick, and Beckham’s return was lengthy. Beckham began proper, however shortly reduce left at about his 20. On the 35, the one participant with an actual shot simply missed him. Beckham tore it up the LSU sideline on the west facet of the stadium for the landing.”

Miles (from Louisiana Gannett Information): “We handed him the ball. He caught balls. He returned punts, and he returned a discipline purpose. Nifty is a good phrase for him. Explosive is a good phrase for him. How about that? I assume it is type of good to have a participant that does not match the statistics.”

Guilbeau: “Any individual obtained cute in LSU’s sports activities info division this week. The depth chart launched to the media earlier than each Monday press luncheon with Coach Miles included the place, ‘Missed Subject Objective Specialist’ above Odell Beckham Jr.’s title. Beckham returned a missed discipline purpose 100 yards for a landing two video games in the past in opposition to UAB. That had not occurred in school soccer since 1968, in accordance with NCAA statistics.”

The Related Press, earlier than LSU performed Texas A&M and quarterback Johnny Manziel: “LSU, which had a bye final week, additionally has been utilizing explosive receiver and kick returner Odell Beckham Jr. because the scout group quarterback, whose job is to imitate the opposing group’s starter in apply in opposition to the first-team protection.”

Odell Beckham Jr. quotes

Beckham (from Louisiana Gannett Information): “I like being within the open discipline and making strikes. It feels pure to me. I have been attempting to do runs like that with my dad since I used to be 3 years outdated.”

Beckham, on his freshman season (from Louisiana Gannett Information): “I’ve stunned myself. I labored onerous to have this sort of season, however I did not know if it could occur. However going in opposition to defensive backs like Morris Claiborne and Tharold Simon and Tyrann Mathieu, you give your self a possibility to get higher each day.”

Beckham, when requested about what it is prefer to be LSU’s No. 1 extensive receiver (from Louisiana Gannett Information): “While you come to an SEC faculty like LSU, you come to play in opposition to the highest competitors within the nation. If I’m the No. 1 receiver, and I do not know if I will probably be, and I get the No. 1 cornerback, that is what I got here right here to do. I am going to take it as a praise and go after it.”

Beckham, after his 100-yard missed discipline purpose return for a landing (from Louisiana Gannett Information): “At first what I wished to do was block it. That is why I went again there at first. I hoped it could begin to go simply over the crossbar so I may soar up and block it. It ended up developing quick, so I caught it and it ended up understanding higher … I simply began working. It was like all people was type of like, ‘What is going on on?’ I simply stored working. Once I obtained to the sidelines, all people was celebrating and type of questioning what occurred. I simply tried to put down. I used to be out of fuel and wanted some oxygen.”

Beckham, on the precision required below then-offensive coordinator Cam Cameron (from the AP): “You’ll be able to positively sense it. If it is a 12-yard route, it means it is a 12-yard route. It isn’t 10 1/2, not 11 3/4.”

Beckham, on taking part in Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel with the scout group in apply (from the AP): “It was enjoyable pretending to be Johnny this week and working round, simply attempting to make performs, attempting to provide my protection the perfect look potential.”