ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico United hosted El Paso Locomotive at the UNM soccer complex for the US Open Cup on Wednesday night. The black and yellow went on to suffer the worst “home” loss in club history. The match started off with a shot on goal from Dayonn Harris in the third minute. United […]
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NM United eliminated from US Open Cup with historic loss
Luke Combs Met Blake Shelton While Sick, Thought Career Was Over
Luke Combs didn’t exactly make a great first impression the first time he met Blake Shelton — in fact, he barely made one at all.
The country star says he was so sick during the trip that he spent most of it stuck in his room, convinced he’d blown a huge opportunity before it even started.
Looking back, what felt like a complete disaster at the time turned into one of the most important moments of his career.
A Rough Start
Speaking at a recent event, Combs recalled meeting Shelton and several music industry heavyweights at a private gathering in Mississippi more than a decade ago.
Read More: Luke Combs Makes a Bold Statement About the Music Industry
At the time, he was the up-and-comer — and already felt out of place. “I’m the new guy, nobody knows who I am, and I felt like I wasn’t supposed to be there,” Combs said.
Sick at the Worst Possible Time
The trip took place at a farm owned by Ryman Hospitality Executive Chairman, Colin Reed, but instead of enjoying it, Combs was dealing with a brutal stomach bug.
“Colin has this beautiful farm in Mississippi, and there’s deer, and I’m like, ‘Man, this is like Mecca for a redneck,’” he said. “There are ducks in the pond, and here I am, chugging the Imodium on the toilet.”
He spent most of the trip in his room eating chicken soup while Shelton and the others spent time together.
“It was less than ideal,” he admitted. “I remember thinking, like, ‘Well, this is it. My career’s over. I finally got invited to a cool thing, and I’m the weird guy in the room that’s sick.”
One Last Chance
By the final night, Combs felt well enough to join the group around a campfire, where everyone — including Shelton — took turns playing songs.
Read More: Luke Combs’ ‘Whoever You Turn Out to Be’ Is a Promise to His Son
Reed admitted he didn’t expect much. “I’m thinking, he’s been sick for 48 hours. This is going to be a monumental disaster,” he said.
When it was Combs’ turn, he took a shot. “I don’t even have a record deal. I’ve never had a No. 1, but if I get a record deal, this song I’m going to play is a song I’ve written,” he told the group.
The Moment That Changed Everything
He then played “Hurricane.”
“I get chills even now describing it because everyone in that room went completely and utterly quiet,” Reed recalled. “It was like, holy crap, this is unbelievable.”
At the time, almost no one had heard the song. It would go on to become Combs’ debut single — and his first No. 1 hit.
Top 20 Luke Combs Songs That Prove ‘Em All Wrong
Check out Luke Combs’ best songs, and the songs that changed his life when so many thought he wasn’t good enough to be a country star.
The IRS Chief and a Sports Collector Are Fighting Over Muhammad Ali’s Shorts
Frank Bisignano and Eric Inselberg have been locked in a legal dispute for more than a decade. It’s no Rumble in the Jungle, but watch out for the uppercuts.
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Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal, Madrid eye young Leverkusen striker
Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane is on the radar of Arsenal and Real Madrid, while Manchester United are weighing up a move for Benfica left back Samuel Dahl. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades
TRENDING RUMORS
– Arsenal and Real Madrid are keen on Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane. Florian Plettenberg says that the Gunners were impressed by the 19-year-old during their clash in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, while Los Blancos are also keeping tabs on his situation. Leverkusen would reportedly be willing to part ways with Kofane in the summer if they receive an offer in the region of €65 million. The young striker has directly contributed to eight goals in 23 Bundesliga matches this season.
– Manchester United are weighing up a move for Benfica left back Samuel Dahl, says Record. United have been linked with Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and Bayern Munich‘s Alphonso Davies in recent weeks but Dahl, 23, represents a cheaper option and he has become a regular starter under Jose Mourinho this season. Meanwhile, United midfielder Manuel Ugarte is on the radar of Juventus. Tuttosport reports that the Bianconeri see the 24-year-old as an “intriguing” signing, but whether a deal is possible hinges on if the Premier League club would be willing to agree to an initial loan in which his €4million-per-season salary would be covered.
– Paris Saint-Germain and clubs in the Premier League are pushing to sign Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, according to AS. The 23-year-old is reported to be unsatisfied with his current role for Los Blancos, and believes that it could limit his chances of starting for France at this summer’s World Cup. That has created uncertainty around his future at the Bernabéu, with PSG keen to land Camavinga after missing out on his signature in 2021, while clubs in England‘s top flight see him as a strong fit for the high-tempo and physical style of the Premier League.
– Barcelona are aware of growing interest in right back Jules Koundé from Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea. Mundo Deportivo reports that the three Premier League clubs are all watching the 27-year-old’s situation closely, with the Reds keen to land a more defensive option after replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold with Jeremie Frimpong last summer. Kounde remains contracted at Camp Nou until the summer of 2030, but it is reported that the Blaugrana could be tempted to accept a significant offer.
– Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle are interested in AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, per TEAMtalk. The Magpies have reportedly taken up a strong position in the race to sign the 22-year-old Senegal international, having “intensified” their pursuit in recent weeks. Camara has been linked to Newcastle as a potential replacement for Manchester United-linked Sandro Tonali, while Monaco are expected to be willing to move him on for the right fee.
EXPERT TAKE
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Who could leave Tottenham if they get relegated?
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens debate which Tottenham players could potentially leave the club in the summer if they go down.
OTHER RUMORS
– Juventus and AC Milan have made recent inquiries about landing Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
– Liverpool and Manchester United are both looking at Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck. (Caught Offside)
– Manchester City have made progress during talks with attacking midfielder Phil Foden regarding a new contract. (TEAMtalk)
– Barcelona are leading the race for Manchester City attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva. (Sun)
– Atletico Madrid are planning to begin talks to sign on-loan midfielder Nico Gonzalez permanently from Juventus. The current permanent option clause in the deal is worth €32m. (AS)
– Manchester City are leading the race ahead of several Premier League teams for AC Milan goalkeeper Alessandro Longoni. (Nicolo Schira)
– Palmeiras striker Jose Manuel Lopez has been identified by Brentford as a potential future replacement for Igor Thiago. (Ekrem Konur)
– Everton are monitoring the situation of Manchester City defender John Stones. (TalkSPORT)
– AC Milan have recently held talks with the representatives of Lazio defender Mario Gila amid hopes of signing him in the summer. (Corriere dello Sport)
– Bournemouth and Brentford are among the teams interested in Mainz midfielder Kaishu Sano. (Ekrem Konur)
– Manchester City have made formal contact with manager Pep Guardiola regarding a decision on whether he will see out his current deal. (TalkSPORT)
Mexico appoints Roberto Velasco as new foreign minister at critical moment for US ties
MEXICO CITY — MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s president on Wednesday designated Roberto Velasco, the foreign ministry’s subsecretary for North America and a leading expert in bilateral relations with the U.S., as the country’s new foreign minister during a critical time for Mexico-U.S. relations.
The previous minister, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, a 74-year-old psychiatrist who has been a key member of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration, requested to step down for health reasons, the president’s office announced Wednesday on social platform X.
Velasco, a 38-year-old lawyer with a master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago, has been involved in Mexico’s foreign relations with the U.S. and Canada for six years, first as North America general director and then as subsecretary. He stepped in for De la Fuente for a few weeks after a surgery last year. His appointment must be ratified by the Senate.
He is considered one of the foremost experts on the technical intricacies of bilateral relations during the end of U.S. President Donald Trump’s first administration and in this second term. He has led numerous bilateral and trilateral negotiations on security, migration, the economy, the border and the management of shared waters.
When Trump returned to power, Velasco became De la Fuente’s right-hand man during a period of turbulent relations between the two countries, which are now at one of their most critical points. It remains to be seen whether the young official has the necessary political clout at such a difficult times.
Velasco will be in charge of leading Mexican diplomacy amid negotiations to revise the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement, and Trump’s continued pressure in the fight against the cartels at a time when the U.S. president has shown willingness to launch military operations against those he considers his enemies, including Mexico’s ally Cuba.
Previously, Velasco had served as spokesperson for Marcelo Ebrard, the current economy secretary, when Ebrard was Mexico’s foreign minister during the first part of former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration.
Outgoing minister De la Fuente, who served in the role since October 2024, was known for his discretion and negotiating skills. He accompanied Sheinbaum throughout the transition period, received envoys from then-U.S. President Joe Biden, and was responsible for preparing the entire U.S. consular network for the deportations announced by Trump.
When the Republican returned to the White House in January 2025, De la Fuente became a key figure in the negotiations with his administration, always maintaining a low profile and fully aligned with Sheinbaum in exercising caution in the face of Trump’s impulsive social media posts. In September, he hosted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mexico City.
Arturo Sarukhan, Mexico’s former ambassador to the U.S., said “the reshuffle in the foreign ministry was long overdue” but he didn’t want to comment about Velasco and wished him good luck.
___
Follow AP’s Latin America coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Man shot to death in northeast Albuquerque
Police are investigating after a man was shot to death early Thursday morning in northeast Albuquerque.Police say it happened around 12:30 a.m. in the area of Fox Memorial Park, which is located at Alvarado Drive and Marquette Avenue.APD says its ShotSpotter system recorded several shots fired at the park. A caller to 911 also reported the gunshots.When officers arrived at the park, they found a man who was shot. He died at the scene.Police detained one person for questioning.Detectives are now investigating the shooting.This is a developing story. Stay with KOAT.com for updates.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
Police are investigating after a man was shot to death early Thursday morning in northeast Albuquerque.
Police say it happened around 12:30 a.m. in the area of Fox Memorial Park, which is located at Alvarado Drive and Marquette Avenue.
APD says its ShotSpotter system recorded several shots fired at the park. A caller to 911 also reported the gunshots.
When officers arrived at the park, they found a man who was shot. He died at the scene.
Police detained one person for questioning.
Detectives are now investigating the shooting.
This is a developing story. Stay with KOAT.com for updates.
John Mulaney Had to Explain Elvis Was Dead to Superfan Son
John Mulaney found himself having a conversation with his young son that a lot of parents eventually face.
Most parents, however, don’t have to deal with it in the middle of Graceland.
The comedian recently shared a sweet (and slightly hilarious) story about explaining to his 4-year-old son why he couldn’t meet one of his favorite artists: Elvis Presley.
A Tough Question
During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Mulaney recalled visiting Graceland with his son Malcolm, whom he shares with his wife, Olivia Munn.
Read More: 10 Strange Elvis Presley Facts That Shock Even His Biggest Fans
While walking through Elvis’ famous Jungle Room, Malcolm asked a question Mulaney hadn’t quite prepared for.
“So, we’re in the jungle room … and we’re looking around, and Malcolm goes, ‘Dad, can I meet Elvis now?’” Mulaney said.
“It had never come up while listening to ‘Hound Dog.’ You don’t go, ‘You know, son, this guy’s dead, right?’” he continued.
Realizing What His Son Didn’t Know
At first, Mulaney tried to gently sidestep the moment.
“So, I go, ‘No, you can’t.’ And he goes, ‘Please, I want to.’ I go, ‘Oh, no. It’s not like a permission thing,’” he explained.
Read More: 17 Country Artists in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
That’s when it hit him — Malcolm didn’t actually understand what death meant.
“All his grandparents are alive and he’s never had a goldfish,” Mulaney said. “He doesn’t know. Like, he doesn’t know.”
Finding the Right Way to Explain It
Mulaney ultimately went with a simple explanation.
“I said, ‘Elvis is in heaven now,’” he shared, noting that Malcolm quickly followed up with a simple question: “Why?”
Trying to keep it age-appropriate — and maybe a little bit Mulaney-style — the comedian added, “Well, sometimes when people are in their early 40s, and they have a job and schedule a lot like daddy … they go to the bathroom and they go to heaven.”
A Parenting Moment He Won’t Forget
The moment was funny, but also a reminder of how unexpectedly those first big life conversations can happen.
Mulaney and Munn share two children together, including Malcolm and their daughter Méi. The couple married in 2024 after first being linked in 2021.
And while Malcolm may not have gotten to meet Elvis, he did get something just as memorable — his first big lesson about the world, straight from his dad.
Rarely Seen Pictures of Elvis With Lisa Marie Presley
Lisa Marie Presley was nine years old when her father Elvis Presley died in 1977. This gallery of rarely seen family pictures shows how fond the rock n’ roll legend was of his little girl.
On Jan. 12, 54-year-old Lisa Marie Presley died after going into cardiac arrest. Like her father, she leaves behind a young family.
Cal-Maine’s Shift Toward Premium Eggs Softens Hit From Falling Prices
The egg producer logged lower profit and sales in its fiscal third quarter, hurt by materially lower egg prices compared with historic levels seen in the prior year.
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Frustration spills over for Giants as Matt Chapman appears to curse out Casey Schmitt
The San Francisco Giants have had a challenging 2026 season thus far, and Wednesday’s game against the San Diego Padres suggested that frustration may already be creeping in. To start the season, the Giants endured a home sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees and were out-scored 13-1 across those three games. Wednesday presented an opportunity to erase those recent memories, as they had taken the first two games of the set against their National League West rivals. That turned out not to happen, as the Padres prevailed 7-1 behind a strong start from Nick Pivetta.
As for those aforementioned frustrations, they most visibly belonged to veteran third baseman Matt Chapman. With two out and two on in the bottom of the fifth, Xander Bogaerts chopped one to Chapman, who had to make a hurried and somewhat off-balance throw to Casey Schmitt at first base. It didn’t go as planned:
That’s a high throw and an error on Chapman, but it appeared to be catchable on the part of Schmitt. Chapman apparently agreed, as during the ensuing mound visit, he appeared to tell Schmitt to “catch the f—ing ball.”
No doubt, Chapman was also thinking of a similar play in the first inning when Schmitt was charged with an error:
Those plays accounted for both Padre runs, at least until they pulled away in the later innings. After the game, Chapman addressed the mound visit incident with reporters. Via NBC Sports Bay Area:
“We’re all brothers here. It’s the heat of the moment. I already talked to Casey. It’s all good.”
As for Schmitt, he also weighed in post-game, via the San Francisco Chronicle:
“We’re trying to win games. I mean, obviously I’m not mad about it or anything. That’s baseball. I mean, those are things I should have done and didn’t.”
In Schmitt’s defense, he’s far more familiar with the other infield positions, and Wednesday marked just his 18th career start at first base. However, the utility infielder was pressed into regular duty at first base because of Rafael Devers‘ balky hamstring, which has limited him to DH thus far. As well, the organization determined that young first baseman Bryce Eldridge, the Giants’ top prospect, needed further seasoning at Triple-A to start the year. If it’s any consolation to Chapman, Schmitt shouldn’t be at first base much longer.
All of this, of course, isn’t a big deal or even anything all that unusual. It just happened to be caught by the lens and lip readers, which is why we’re talking about it.
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