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Boxer Isis Sio -- who was left in a medically induced coma after a brutal knockout loss this weekend -- is finally awake and breathing on her own ... days after the terrifying scene played
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Nia Long is seeking court-ordered protection from a woman she claims keeps showing up at her L.A. house under the false impression they are in a romantic relationship. The actress beelined it to court Monday
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Paul Anka Selling My L.A. Mansion, My Way!!! Published March 23, 2026 2:27 PM PDT Play video content Jason Ragle Paul Anka is still trying to unload his lavish L.A.-area home ... re-listing it once
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Al Rayyan will begin life after the departure of coach Artur Jorge when they face Al Shahania in the quarter-finals of the QSL Cup Tuesday, with several clubs set to rely on youngsters and players not involved in national team duty. The competition traditionally provides opportunities for emerging talents and fringe players during international windows, and this edition is expected to follow the same pattern as teams balance development with their push for silverware. Brazilian giants Cruzeiro confirmed the appointment of Jorge as manager on Sunday, almost 18 months after the Portuguese guided Botafogo to continental success. The 54-year-old announced his departure from Al Rayyan over the weekend before securing a deal that runs until the end of 2027. His exit leaves Rayyan entering the knockout stage in transition, with the club expected to give opportunities to younger squad members. “Today marks the end of a very special chapter in my career,” Jorge said upon leaving Al-Rayyan. “It was an honour to represent Al Rayyan with seriousness and dedication. A great club, and with very good people. Throughout this period, I had the privilege of working with high level professionals and sharing the day-to-day life with a group of players who always demonstrated commitment.” Rayyan, who qualified directly for the last-eight stage after finishing top of their group with 25 points, will take on Al Shahania at Al Khor Stadium today at 6:15pm. Al Shahania booked their place in the quarter-finals after edging Al Shamal 1-0 in the play-off round. Also today, Umm Salal will meet Al Bidda at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium at 8:15pm. Umm Salal head into the tie with renewed confidence following improved performances under coach Ruben Albes, while Al Bidda will look to continue their impressive run and test themselves against top-flight opposition. Wednesday, Muaither will face Al Markhiya at 6:15pm, with both sides aiming to build momentum as they chase promotion back to the top division next season. Later the same evening, Al Arabi will take on Al Waab at Al Khor Stadium at 8:15pm, with Arabi seeking to underline their credentials while Waab aim to extend their fairytale run in the tournament. Related Story
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For decades, New Zealand has relied on inflating the housing market to engineer a recovery during downturns, but the playbook has failed this time, putting policymakers in a quandary just as the Middle East war adds a new layer of uncertainty.Even after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand aggressively slashed the benchmark interest rate from 5.5% to 2.25%, house prices still languish some 20% below their pandemic peak, dismantling the wealth effect that long anchored the economy.The war compounds the problem, with oil price inflation pushing up borrowing costs globally, potentially forcing the RBNZ into a more hawkish stance even with the economy in the worst shape since the global financial crisis. New Zealand’s borrowers are already being squeezed by higher market interest rates and anaemic demand, making any recovery in the housing market - once one of the world’s most expensive — elusive, said Nick Goodall, head of research at Cotality NZ.“It’s sort of been thrown into question now with all the global uncertainty,” Goodall said, noting he had previously expected some pick-up in the housing market this year as prices, mortgage rates and salaries found an equilibrium. “The longer the war drags on, the worse it will get.”The RBNZ already forecasts no rise in house prices this year.Economic growth cooled in the fourth quarter, data showed last week, with construction slumping and consumer spending weak, even before the massive distruptions created by the war. The unemployment rate stands at a decade-high of 5.4%.Government efforts to stoke growth have been lacklustre, even with an election looming on November 7 that is sure to be dominated by voter dissatisfaction over the economy. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has offered little aimed at reviving the labour market, which is still reeling from waves of public sector layoffs last year.Real estate projects have frozen, with the market hobbled by a glut of supply and few buyers.In Auckland, a 56-storey residential tower called Seascape -meant to be New Zealand’s tallest building - may never be completed with developer Shundi Customs placed in receivership this month.At an apartment project in Wellington named One Tasman, which was launched in 2021 and due to be completed in early 2025, the existing building on the site had been cordoned off but had yet to be demolished when Reuters visited last month. Repeated calls to developer Willis Bond’s office did not go through, while intereview requests to company executives on LinkedIn were ignored.“Launching in 2021 when the market was as hot as it could be, it’s a challenge for any developer to bring something to the market ... because the market turned very shortly after 2021,” said Tamba Carleton, director of residential research at CBRE. “Quite a few other projects were in that situation, where they just had to go back to the drawing board until market cycle timing was more supportive.”New Zealand’s housing malaise has been exacerbated by a wave of affluent New Zealanders opting to leave the country for better economic conditions elsewhere. Statistics New Zealand estimated the country lost 40,000 citizens last year alone, with more than 60% of them moving to Australia, building on two years of similar outflows. Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s recent move to Sydney has become a symbol of the problem.“Because thousands of Wellingtonians have left the area, the supply-and-demand seesaw has completely changed,” said Brian Ellis, a 59-year-old retiree, who recently sold his inner city apartment for a price well below his expectations. “It’s literally made a half-million-dollar difference to how much money I’m going to have to enjoy my retirement.”Meanwhile, former project manager David Laing said he had considered a move to Australia but ultimately decided against it because his wife has stable employment in Wellington.Since being laid off 18 months ago, Laing says he has received only a handful of interviews from hundreds of job applications. “We’ve cut anything that’s not non-discretionary out of our budget,” he said. “From a financial perspective, it definitely feels like the household is going backwards.” -Reuters
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Team Qatar delivered an outstanding performance at the opening round of the 2026 European Le Mans Series, securing a remarkable victory in the 992 AM category at the prestigious race held at Mugello Circuit. The Qatari trio of Abdulla al-Khelaifi, Ahmad al-Emadi, and Faesal Al-Yafei showcased exceptional teamwork, consistency, and racecraft throughout the demanding endurance event. The race format was uniquely divided into two parts. Part 1, held on Saturday, featured 5 hour 30 minutes of intense racing, during which Team Qatar set the tone early by taking the lead in the 992 AM category. Demonstrating strong pace and strategic precision, the team maintained their advantage heading into the overnight break. On Sunday, Part 2 resumed with the remaining 6 hours 30 minutes of racing. Despite the challenges of endurance competition, including tire management, and sustained focus, the Team Qatar drivers executed a flawless continuation of their performance. They successfully defended their position, ultimately crossing the finish line in P1, sealing a well-deserved victory. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Team Qatar, highlighting the drivers’ growing presence on the international endurance racing scene and reinforcing Qatar’s reputation in global motorsport. Related Story
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The final line-up for the 2026 World Cup will be decided over the next week, with 16 teams competing for the last four places allocated to European countries.Twelve runners-up from the qualifying groups and four teams that earned spots through their UEFA Nations League results have a second chance to punch their ticket to football's global showpiece. Here is a look at the four play-off routes that will determine the remaining qualifiers for the first 48-team World Cup: Path AFour-time World Cup winners Italy face immense pressure as they attempt to qualify for a first appearance at the tournament since 2014. After lifting the trophy in 2006, Italy's record at the World Cup has been dire. They suffered two successive group-stage exits before missing out entirely on the 2018 and 2022 editions.In order to avoid another qualifying failure Italy must overcome Northern Ireland in Bergamo on Thursday, before a potential final against Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31. "It's only normal that there's pressure - only if you had no blood in your veins would you not feel it," said Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, who played in the 2006 final which the Azzurri won on penalties against France.Northern Ireland are big underdogs against Italy but hope to end a 40-year absence from the World Cup. Wales host Bosnia in Cardiff in the other semi-final.Manager Craig Bellamy said earlier this month that he "feels a responsibility" to lead Wales to a second straight finals. Their appearance in Qatar was the country's first at the World Cup in 64 years. Path BUkraine's footballers will hope to lift the morale of a war-torn country by competing at a first World Cup in 20 years. To get there, they need to beat Sweden on neutral ground in Valencia and then Poland or Albania.Sweden picked up just two points in a dismal qualifying campaign but a team now coached by former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter will get another shot on the strength of their Nations League performances.However, Sweden will be without key man Alexander Isak as the Liverpool forward is not yet ready to return from a broken leg suffered in December.Poland can count on Robert Lewandowski who is eyeing a third World Cup, but Albania – led by former Arsenal and Barcelona defender Sylvinho – believe they have what it takes to qualify for the first time. Path CKosovo stand two wins away from a first major tournament a decade on from their admission to UEFA and FIFA. They came second in their qualifying group after two wins over Sweden and a victory in Slovenia. "It's a massive opportunity for us. The whole country is buzzing with excitement. Everyone's over the moon," Kosovo captain Vedat Muriqi said.Mallorca striker Muriqi sits second only to Kylian Mbappe in La Liga this season with 18 goals. The 31-year-old is also Kosovo's all-time record scorer. Slovakia, who last featured at the World Cup in 2010, host Kosovo in Bratislava while Turkey and Romania square off in Istanbul. Turkey have not played at the World Cup since a surprise third-place finish in 2002. Romania's most recent appearance was in 1998. Path DTroy Parrott's heroics snatched the Republic of Ireland a play-off berth, but there is much still to be done if the Irish are to return to the World Cup stage.Ireland, who haven't featured at the tournament since 2002, head to Prague to take on the Czech Republic in the semi-finals. The winner of that tie will host the final against Denmark or North Macedonia."There's a quiet confidence in the group growing together, it's great to see but we know there's a lot of hard work to come," said Ireland assistant John O'Shea.Denmark missed out on automatic qualification after a dramatic defeat in Scotland but will be expected to see off North Macedonia, whose lone tournament appearance came at Euro 2020.Kasper Schmeichel is absent for Denmark after revealing last week that he may have played his final game, with two surgeries required to repair his damaged shoulder. Related Story
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Issa Ahmed has earned a call-up to Qatar’s national team training camp during the ongoing international break, as Al Annabi step up preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026.The inclusion comes as part of a 32-man squad named by head coach Julen Lopetegui, with the team set to assemble for a crucial camp aimed at fine-tuning preparations for the global showpiece to be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico.Meanwhile, defender Homam Al-Amin will remain with his Spanish club Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa during the international window. The decision follows coordination between Lopetegui and the club, after Al-Amin recently joined the side on loan from Al Duhail SC for the remainder of the season.Qatar’s preparations had initially included high-profile friendlies against Serbia and Argentina as part of the Qatar Football Festival, but those fixtures were cancelled due to regional tensions.Al Annabi are now scheduled to face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on May 28 in what is expected to be a key test ahead of the tournament.At the World Cup, Qatar have been drawn in Group B alongside hosts Canada, Switzerland and a yet-to-be-determined European play-off winner. Related Story
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France's Kylian Mbappe arrives before training. REUTERS French superstar Kylian Mbappe says the knee injury that kept him sidelined for almost two months is "behind him" and there had never been a concern he would miss this year's World Cup.The 27-year-old Real Madrid striker admitted he had not been at his best mentally during the 54-day absence – the longest of his career. "There was a lot of frustration, anger and anxiety," the French captain said.Mbappe, who along with the French squad flew to the United States for friendlies against Brazil on Thursday and then Colombia Sunday, came on as a substitute for a few minutes in last week's Champions League last-16 match at Manchester City.He also played over 25 minutes for Real – for whom he is top scorer this campaign with 38 goals in 34 appearances – in the 3-2 derby win over Atletico on Sunday. "It is behind me," he said of the injury. "I put myself under a regime where I wanted to return gently but with a hunger to play. I hope I am going to be able to play during the international break and make a difference."The France captain – a World Cup winner in 2018 and runner-up in 2022 – said he had been annoyed by the rumour mill suggesting his injury was more serious than it actually was. He had avoided undergoing surgery after scans he had in Paris at the beginning of March revealed he would not require an intervention. "Lots of people gave their own diagnosis, I heard many false things," said Mbappe, who was appearing at an event of an insurance company he invested in in Paris on Monday.Mbappe said there had never been a doubt about the injury preventing him from playing at what will be his third World Cup finals in June. "No, that was never a topic of discussion," he said. "At worst I could have had a partial rupture (of the ligament) which would have ruled me out till April. There was never a debate about the World Cup or the climax to the season with Real Madrid."In spite of the sprain and the resulting pain the former PSG star played part of January and February, admitting he and Real "had tried to manage it as best as possible". "One has to look at the positive, today, I have no pain and we are still in the hunt for trophies, that is what is most important," he said. "We will have time afterwards to assess how it was handled. I am not going to go into the details, I will say I was not at my best in handling this period, I was not the happiest of players but I am delighted that is behind me now. All (the pain) is gone."Mbappe said he was looking forward to pitting his wits against the Brazilians, who are managed by Carlo Ancelotti, who coached the Frenchman in his first season at Real. "It might be a friendly but when you play Brazil, the greatest footballing nation with five World Cup wins, it is unbelievable to play against them," he said."It is a team who could win the World Cup, it is good to compare how we are at the moment with them. Even if we cannot take a lot of learnings out of this get together, we can nevertheless take some. One thing is for sure we are not going there for a holiday, we are going there as a step in our preparations for the World Cup." Related Story
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(FILE PICTURE) Atletico Madrid's French forward #07 Antoine Griezmann holds the ball during the UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match between Club Brugge and Atletico Madrid at the Jan Breydel Stadium
