United Airlines is rolling out a new tiered fare structure in its premium cabins, as carriers increasingly lean on higher-end seating to drive revenue.
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United to Roll Out Tiered Premium Fare Structure
Ranking top 2026 WNBA free agents: MVPs to rotation players
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Alexa Philippou
Multiple Authors
An unprecedented time in the WNBA is upon us. Over the next few weeks, the league will finally hold free agency for 100-plus players. Yes, you read that right: 100-plus. Free agency was put on hold while the league and Women’s National Basketball Players Association negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement, which was ratified by both sides in March.
Knowing that a huge payday could be on its way in 2026, all but two of the league’s veteran players agreed to contracts that would expire following the 2025 season — which means more than 80% of the league currently is not signed to a team.
That said, two major players are already off the board: New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart announced on her podcast this week that she’ll be returning to Brooklyn, and teammate Sabrina Ionescu told reporters Wednesday at USA Basketball camp in Phoenix that she’ll also be re-signing with New York.
The official timetable for free agency has yet to be announced nor shared with teams, sources told ESPN, as the long-form version of the CBA gets completed. A late February memo shared with front offices proposed that free agency could begin April 7 with formal signings starting April 12 if a deal was completed by March 10. But the terms of the new CBA were verbally agreed to March 18, and those dates were thought to be fluid.
Another factor at play is Friday’s two-team expansion draft (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire. Each of the league’s preexisting teams can protect only five players, and Toronto and Portland can each pick only one player who is set to become an unrestricted free agent. That can include a player who is no longer core eligible, but the only benefit the expansion team would have in picking such a player would be that it can offer them a supermax salary.
With training camp still expected to begin on time April 19, this will be the most consolidated free agency period the league has ever seen — and with a $7 million salary cap in 2026, the most lucrative, as well.
ESPN ranked the top 55 free agents into tiers and broke down what factors could be at play as they make decisions this month. The players listed below are unrestricted free agents unless otherwise noted.
MVP-caliber
Napheesa Collier
Alyssa Thomas
A’ja Wilson
It is almost unheard of to see the league’s perennial MVP candidates all hit free agency at the same time. But the likelihood of these stars actually seeking new homes seems minimal. Aside from Stewart’s announcement, the Las Vegas Review Journal has reported that Wilson intends to re-sign with the Las Vegas Aces at the new $1.4 million supermax for 2026 as soon as possible. Collier and Thomas, meanwhile, seem content with the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury, respectively.
What’ll be worth monitoring are the terms of their eventual deals: Will they end up on long-term contracts, and will they join Wilson in taking the supermax? The supermax constitutes 20% of the salary cap (up from 16.5% in the prior CBA), but historically some stars have been willing to take less than that amount in an effort to sign deals that help their squads sign more talent around them.
All-WNBA level
Kahleah Copper
Allisha Gray
Chelsea Gray
Jonquel Jones
Kelsey Mitchell
Nneka Ogwumike
Kelsey Plum
Jackie Young
This group consists of players who could be prime candidates to be cored by their teams, which is the WNBA’s version of the NFL’s franchise tag. The core rules don’t change in the new CBA until 2027; the most recent rules stipulated that players who have played two seasons while under the core designation cannot be cored again, meaning, of the aforementioned players, Copper, Jones, Ogwumike and Stewart are all ineligible for the designation.
Ionescu indicated that New York’s nucleus — which also features Jones — will remain intact. All eyes will be on whether Las Vegas can also retain its big three of Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Young. Young would be a no-brainer for teams to poach from Las Vegas if she wants to follow in the example of Plum and become a team’s centerpiece.
Caitlin Clark and the Fever, meanwhile, have made it abundantly clear since the season ended that priority No. 1 is to re-sign Mitchell. When Plum was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks last offseason, both sides envisioned it being a long-term partnership, not just a one-off, so it seems likely she will be back there. Elsewhere, does Ogwumike return to the Seattle Storm after coach Noelle Quinn was let go?
It’s possible some of these players end up with the $1.4 million supermax in 2026. If not, the regular max isn’t too much lower ($1.19 million in 2026).
All-Star-caliber
Veronica Burton (RFA)
Skylar Diggins
Brittney Griner
Dearica Hamby
Rhyne Howard (RFA)
Brionna Jones
Jewell Loyd
Ezi Magbegor
Kayla McBride
Arike Ogunbowale
Satou Sabally
Brittney Sykes
Kayla Thornton
Gabby Williams
With such a condensed free agency, some industry insiders predict there will be less movement than initially expected and that players will sign one-year deals to wait to see how the new landscape sorts itself out. So which players could potentially be on the move?
Griner’s presence on the floor was diminished by the end of her first season with the Atlanta Dream — does that fit still make sense for both parties? Ogunbowale’s future will be of primary interest, too, after her productivity dipped last season and then-rookie Paige Bueckers emerged as the clear franchise cornerstone for the Dallas Wings. Loyd shined for the Aces once she started coming off the bench, helping them win their third title. Is that the role that makes most sense for her moving forward?
Magbegor is also hitting free agency at an interesting time following the arrival of Dominique Malonga in Seattle. Must the Storm choose between the two young bigs? Free agency will reveal more about the vision for the team under new coach Sonia Raman (and GM Talisa Rhea).
Seattle is in a position similar to Minnesota of contending but not yet breaking through to win a title with its current iteration. One of the major storylines of free agency will be whether the Storm maintain most of their roster from last year or lean toward heavy changes.
Of note: Players from this group who are no longer core eligible are Diggins, Jones, Griner and Loyd.
High-level starters
Ariel Atkins
Shakira Austin (RFA)
DeWanna Bonner
Jordin Canada
Tina Charles
Natasha Cloud
Tiffany Hayes
Naz Hillmon (RFA)
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (suspended, contract expired)
Marina Mabrey
Emma Meesseman
Alanna Smith
Azura Stevens
Courtney Vandersloot
Courtney Williams
There’s an assortment of players facing an interesting set of circumstances in this group. Will the Liberty run back the Cloud-Ionescu backcourt pairing, or go a different route? What does Laney-Hamilton’s future hold as she looks to return to the WNBA after missing a year because of a knee injury? Meesseman is always an unknown given her overseas commitments; does she return to the WNBA in 2026, and would New York want to give it another go with her?
Vandersloot and Atkins seem poised to be in the Chicago Sky‘s plans, with the former also a bit of a wild card as she returns from an ACL injury. Could a player such as Stevens be lured away from Los Angeles for a larger role or more money elsewhere? Veterans such as Bonner and Charles, similarly to Vandersloot, have more years behind them than ahead of them but can still make a difference for teams.
Players from this group who are no longer core eligible are: Bonner, Canada and Charles.
The situation for Mabrey is also tricky: The Connecticut Sun are clearly in a rebuild with young talent but are also relocating to Houston in 2027, with Comets and Sun front office personnel already working in tandem beginning this season. The impact of the franchise’s relocation on its free agency plans remains to be seen.
Key rotation players
Bridget Carleton
DiJonai Carrington
Alysha Clark
Sophie Cunningham
Temi Fagbenle
Tyasha Harris
Natisha Hiedeman
Natasha Howard
Lexie Hull (RFA)
Marine Johannes (reserve)
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus
Jessica Shepard
NaLyssa Smith (RFA)
Erica Wheeler
Sami Whitcomb
These players have the greatest variance in what their roles could look like depending on the makeup and vision of their teams. A player such as Carrington (who was traded from Dallas to Minnesota) is in an uncertain position as a midseason acquisition who proved her value, but there are a lot of unknowns regarding the direction the Lynx will choose. Smith thrived in Las Vegas following a midseason trade and helped the Aces to a championship, and might have found a new home there. The Fever have less uncertainty than others in that they have Clark and Aliyah Boston, both all-WNBA players, under contract, but they must decide whether they’ll look to return that pair’s surrounding cast of Howard (no longer core eligible), Hull and Cunningham.
China says peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan are advancing
BEIJING — Peace talks between Afghanistan’s Taliban government and Pakistan are advancing, China’s government said Friday, two days after those countries resumed conversations following weeks of fighting that have killed hundreds.
“The consultation process is being steadily implemented and advanced,” said China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. Xi Jinping’s government is mediating between Islamabad and Kabul, whose representatives resumed the talks on Wednesday in the western Chinese city of Urumqi.
“The three parties have also reached consensus and arrangements on a specific operational mode, including media coverage,” she added, without giving more details.
“Since the recent escalation of the Pakistan–Afghanistan conflict, China has been mediating and promoting talks in its own way, maintaining close communication with both sides through multiple channels and at various levels, and creating conditions and providing platforms for dialogue”, Mao said.
She added that both countries “attach importance to and welcome China’s mediation efforts, and are willing to sit down again for talks, which is a positive development.”
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in attacks in recent years, many claimed by the Pakistani Taliban.
Even as the talks restarted, the police reported that a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a police station in the Bannu district of northwestern Pakistan late Thursday, killing at least five people and wounding several others.
Pakistan often accuses Afghanistan of providing a safe haven to militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan, especially the Pakistani Taliban, or TTP.
The group is separate from but allied with the Afghan Taliban, which took over Afghanistan in 2021 following the chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led troops. Kabul denies that it supports the group.
The fighting between the two sides picked up in February, when Afghanistan’s Taliban government said Pakistan launched strikes in Kabul and several other areas, causing mostly civilian casualties. Pakistan has said it targeted hideouts of TTP, but also that it is in “open war” with Afghanistan.
2026 El Santuario de Chimayó and Tomé Hill pilgrimage
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Thousands of people will be making their annual pilgrimage to El Santuario de Chimayo in northern New Mexico and Tomé Hill near Los Lunas Friday morning. The walks are in honor of Good Friday, with many people walking dozens of miles to complete their journey. Each year many make the trek to the […]
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Why This Company is One of the Best for Finding Work
Most travel is extractive and passive. You show up somewhere, take photos of the same landmarks everyone else takes photos of, eat at a restaurant the guidebook recommended, and hit up some bars. You take some tours to learn about the place and, if you’re lucky, get to meet some locals on your trip. You don’t really go deep.
Even long-term travelers who talk about how they “aren’t tourists” do the same – just at a slower pace and while trying to spend less money.
And there’s nothing wrong with that. That’s just the nature of travel. While we all imagine dropping into a place, befriending locals, and having this crazy time like we’re in some movies. But that doesn’t happen. Because we’re just passing through and, for the most part, locals don’t want to become friends with tourists. In fact, most locals don’t interact with tourists. (I mean it does happen but it’s not the norm.)
If you really want a deep travel experience, you need to stay. If you want to understand a place, you need to stay. The most transformative travel experiences I’ve ever had involved contributing something and staying somewhere long enough to build real relationships. It was being embedded in a place rather than just passing through.
I think that more travelers should give back when they travel. In the old days, it was hard to find out what organizations and opportunities were legit, vetted, and actually made the lives of locals better.
Now, there’s a ton of companies that can help you not only find meaningful volunteer jobs when you travel but also paid jobs when you travel and one of the best ones is Global Work & Travel. Use code NOMADICMATT to unlock a discount on your next trip.
What Global Work & Travel Does
Global Work & Travel is the world’s largest gap year company and has been placing people on working holidays, volunteer programs, teaching positions, internships, and more for nearly 2 decades. They’ve helped over 116,000 people and they cover destinations across, the UK and Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific.
Even for experienced travelers, moving abroad can be difficult. Finding employment as a traveler, securing permanent accommodation or getting stuck in shared rooms for months on end, transport costs in a new city, interview after interview competing against locals… This is just the beginning of what long term travelers need to consider.
Fortunately, companies like Global Work & Travel provide the scaffolding or safety net that makes working abroad possible for people who don’t want to figure everything out themselves. They handle job matching, pre-departure support, visa guidance, placement, and ongoing assistance through their gWorld portal, a personal trip management app that keeps everything organized in one place. For first-timers especially, having that support structure can be the difference between actually going and endlessly deliberating. The programs they offer span a wide range:
- Working Holidays – Get paid job matches in countries like Australia, Canada, UK, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan before you even leave home. Global Work & Travel also helps you set up necessary bank accounts, tax numbers, accommodation assistance, visa support and more. Duration: 4+ months. Ages 18–35 depending on nationality.
- Volunteer Abroad – Work with exotic wildlife, immerse into incredible cultures, teaching, community work, construction and more across many countries. Open to ages 18–85, from as little as 1 week.
- Teach Abroad – Gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification and paid job match. Included is accommodation, cultural activities, visa application support, bank and tax set up assistance to ensure everything goes smoothly. Teach English in Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Mexico and more. Ages 18–80.
- Au Pair – Become a local by living with a host family in Europe, UK, Australia, New Zealand, or North America. Accommodation, and most living expenses are usually covered.
- Summer Camp – Ever seen the movie Parent Trap? Well, this is pretty much it. Work as a guide, camp counsellor or otherwise at camps in the USA, France, Canada or the UK for 3–6 months. Accommodation and meals included.
- Internships – Real-world placements in international firms. Give your career a head start with specialized international work experience.
Why I Think Working Holiday Makers Are the New “Digital Nomads”
For the past decade, “digital nomad” has been the aspirational version of long term travel. Work remotely, earn in a strong currency, live somewhere cheaper, repeat.
But that model only really works for a small subset of people. You need a remote job, a certain income level, and often a level of career stability that most younger travelers simply don’t have yet.
Working holidays flip that.
Instead of bringing a job with you, you get one when you arrive. You integrate into the local economy instead of floating above it. You meet people through work, not just coworking spaces or short-term hostels. And you build a life somewhere, not just a temporary routine.
In a lot of ways, working holiday makers are having a more grounded and accessible version of what people think digital nomad life is. You’re not just passing through, you’re actually living there. You have coworkers, a schedule, a reason to stay longer than a week, and a chance to build real lifetime connections.
It’s also far more realistic for most people. You don’t need a remote business or years of experience. You just need the willingness to go and the right setup to make it happen.
That’s why I think we’re seeing a shift. Less “how do I work remotely?” and more “how do I actually live and work abroad for a year?”
And that’s exactly where structured programs like Global Work & Travel come in. They remove the biggest barriers, finding a job, navigating visas, getting set up, so people can actually make that shift from idea to reality.
For a lot of travelers, this isn’t just an alternative to digital nomad life. It’s a more sustainable, accessible, and realistic way to actually live and work abroad.
Why I think Volunteering Matters
Volunteering abroad has a complicated reputation, and it’s worth being honest about that. There are lots of bad volunteer programs out there in the world. Programs that don’t really give back and are designed to make travelers “feel” like they did something but really are just profit driven campaigns. Global Work & Travel’s vets programs in the areas such as wildlife conservation, community development, education, and healthcare in the locations and countries it operates so you know the program you sign up for is legit.
The case for ethical, well-structured volunteering is genuinely strong. When you work alongside local Zanzibar communities on problems they’ve defined as priorities, or with wildlife and conservation in South Africa or Elephant rehabilitation in Thailand — something shifts in how you understand the world. Not only are you helping to give back to a place but you also understand the true needs of a the people and ecosystems living there, but also helping overcome the struggles they go through. It opens your mind and shifts your perspective.
Their Global Animal Welfare Fund also channels resources directly into conservation projects at their partner sites, so the impact extends beyond individual placements.
What I Love About Working Holidays
Working holidays let you truly experience a country instead of just visiting it. You immerse yourself in the culture by living like a local every day. You meet more people both locals and fellow travellers while building real friendships. Best of all, you get paid to travel, so you can stay much longer instead of rushing through in a few weeks. This lets you experience local life deeply, discover hidden spots, and understand how people really live in different places. You also build valuable skills, boost your resume with international experience, and make long-term travel more affordable since your income covers the costs. Plus, you gain a real cultural understanding that no short holiday can match. All that while stil getting paid? Not bad right?!
Working holidays turn travel into a true lifestyle, not just another 2 week vacation.
What I Like About How Global Work & Travel Operates
Global Work & Travel are the world leaders in long term travel and offer a ton of options for travelers looking to volunteer, work, or spend extended time in a destination. Some things I like about them.
- Their lifetime deposit policy is genuinely unusual: if your plans change, your deposit doesn’t disappear. It stays on your account indefinitely and can be transferred to a different program or destination
- The gWorld portal is genuinely useful. This pre-departure tool that helps you with your visa application, access exclusive deals, connect with others on your program, and even begin language learning before you arrive.
- They have transparent 24/5 worldwide human support. When something goes wrong abroad, being able to reach a human in local time is worth more than any amount of pre-trip planning.
- With over 619k followers on Instagram, it’s easy to connect with and make friends with people before you go.
- A structured start to your trip is the best way to save money, time and stress. The Global network and support are there to help and guide you from start to finish. Use code NOMADICMATT for a discount on your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior experience to work abroad with Global Work & Travel? For most trips, generally nothing more than basic work experience is required. Teaching programs include TEFL training, and volunteering can be started from no experience.
What’s the minimum age? Most programs are open from age 18. Working holiday visas typically cap at 35 depending on the destination country but volunteer and teach programs are open to ages 18–80.
How long does the whole process take? It varies by programs and destination. Most people book their trips 6-12 months in advance for proper planning, job matching and visa quotas. You can get started for as little as $1 here.
Is my money safe if things change? Global Work & Travel and their lifetime deposit policy means your initial payment doesn’t expire. They are also members of many consumer protection services to further support travelers.
Can I go as a solo traveler? Yes, and this is actually one of the most common scenarios. The gWorld Community and programs group connections mean you’ll be meeting others in the same position quickly.
Travel has always been best when it’s been more than tourism. The moments that stay with you — that you actually tell people about five years later — are never the ones where you queued to see a famous landmark. They’re the ones where you connect with people. They are the moments where you did something.
Global Work & Travel makes doing something deep accessible in a way that genuinely wasn’t available a decade ago. If you’ve been thinking about doing something like this but the logistics have felt too complicated, check them out and use code NOMADICMATT to unlock a $100 discount on your trip.
How to Travel the World on $75 a Day
My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Want to Travel for Free?
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need a Rental Car?
Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
Dan + Shay’s New Era of Music Begins with ‘Say So’ [LYRICS]
![Dan + Shay’s New Era of Music Begins with ‘Say So’ [LYRICS]](https://1newsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/attachment-editorial-5-4-768x512.png "Dan + Shay’s New Era of Music Begins with ‘Say So’ [LYRICS]")
Dan + Shay are back with new music and wow, it’s tugging at our heartstrings. Their new song “Say So” comes from a deeply personal story for both singers.
Dan + Shay Drop New Music After Brief Hiatus
“Say So” is the first country offering from Dan + Shay since 2023, when they released their Bigger Houses album.
Their last project in general was a Christmas album in 2024.
After wiping their social media channels clean earlier this week, the duo started teasing a new with clips from a music video and a note to fans about their return to the country music scene.
In the note, the two talk about their excitement for this new era of music, saying, “These songs are more personal and honest than anything we have ever done before.”
“We’ve had what we feel is the most inspired burst of creativity in our entire career and we wanted to capture every bit of it,” the note reads.
What Is Dan + Shay’s Song “Say So” About?
The reason why “Say So” hits so hard emotionally, is because it comes from real life.
“The song is a true story about a friend who we lost not long ago, and we hope it offers strength and encouragement to anyone going through a tough time,” the two write in their note to fans.
“The subject matter is heavy, it is serious, it is timely, and it is something we feel is important to talk about,” the note reads.
Dan + Shay also released a music video to bring the song to life on screen.
Are Dan + Shay Touring in 2026?
We think so! The country duo hinted at being on the road in their note to their fans on social media. They also told Taste of Country at the 2025 CMA Awards that 2026 would be a big year.
“We’ve been cooking a lot of music this year,” Dan Smyers shared at the time. “This is our first year not being on the road as much and Shay’s got a new baby at his house.”
“We’ve just been cooking a lot of music, it’s been amazing,” he continues. “We’re fired up. Next year is gonna busy and a really good year for us.”
Here are the Lyrics to Dan + Shay’s “Say So”
Verse:
I got a call from a friend who don’t call very often / Broke it to me and I couldn’t believe that we lost him / Really felt like it came out of nowhere / But it never really comes out of nowhere / It’s crazy the pain that we carry when nobody’s watchin’
Chorus:
If your light burns out and you’re in the dark / If you can’t pick up the pieces / If the world you trust, it falls apart / If your heart’s run out of reasons
I’ll be there every time you call / Pick you up every time you fall / If you’re going through hell, you’re not alone / If you need somebody, say so
Verse:
Sometimes the words you don’t know how to say are the loudest / No one can shoulder the weight if they don’t know about it / Don’t be scared, you can pull back the curtain / Love ain’t afraid of sharing a burden / If there was a room full of people who cared, it’d be crowded
Repeat Chorus
Bridge:
Hold on tight / The sun is gonna rise / So open up your eyes / Tomorrow is a brand new day
Repeat Bridge
Repeat Chorus
Country Artists Who Are Having Babies in 2026
The country music family is growing once again! 2026 will bring new additions to several artists and their families.
Keep scrolling to see which artists are welcoming bundles of joy this year.
Gallery Credit: Jess Rose
ServiceNow CEO Builds New Business Model Around AI
Bill McDermott envisions a ‘control tower’ for companies as AI moves beyond intelligence to execution.
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FA Cup quarterfinals: How to watch Arsenal, Chelsea online
FA Cup action resumes this weekend in England with just eight teams standing, a trip to London’s Wembley Stadium for the semifinals at the end of the month, and eventually a spot in the final on May 16.
The headlining act of the quarterfinals is Liverpool’s trip to Manchester City, a meeting between two of Europe’s heavyweights as they navigate seasons marred by inconsistency. Saturday’s game also marks City’s first match since lifting the EFL Cup in a 2-0 win over Arsenal last month, so there will be plenty of intrigue to see if that triumph can help them turn around their season. On the flip side, the FA Cup marks one of the final opportunities for Mohamed Salah to lift a trophy with the Reds after announcing his intention to leave the club this summer.
The field of quarterfinals is rounded out by West Ham United and Leeds United, who take a break from the Premier League’s relegation race to face each other with a trip to Wembley on the line. Heavy-hitters Arsenal and Chelsea also return to play in the most notable mismatches of the round, each of them facing lower-league opposition. The Gunners take on Southampton, currently in the chase for promotion to the Premier League, while the Blues have the most notable underdog of all – Port Vale, who have become this season’s Cniderella story despite sitting last place in League One.
Here’s what you need to know before tuning in.
FA Cup quarterfinal schedule
All times U.S./Eastern
Saturday, April 4
Manchester City vs. Liverpool, 7:45 a.m. (ESPN)
Chelsea vs. Port Vale, 12:15 p.m. (ESPN Select)
Southampton vs. Arsenal, 3 p.m. (ESPN Select)
Sunday, April 5
West Ham United vs. Leeds United, 11:30 a.m. (ESPN2)
Manchester City, Liverpool face off
The FA Cup weekend kicks off with a bang on Saturday with Manchester City’s clash against Liverpool, a matchup that has delivered several memorable moments in recent years but this time is instead a showcase of two inconsistent sides. It has been hard to guess which version of either team will show up on any given day, and if City’s 2-1 win at Anfield in February is anything to go by, another grueling encounter could be in store.
Though there was plenty of drama as all three goals came after the 73rd minute, quality goalscoring chances were few and far between up until that moment. Whether or not that changes with a trip to Wembley on the line is the big question heading into Saturday’s clash. The Reds have become increasingly reliant on set pieces, and coach Arne Slot is unable to translate their impressive recruitment of attacking talent last summer into a balanced attacking unit. City remain one of the Premier League’s top attacking sides, finding ways to cope as Erling Haaland continues a slump that sees him with just three non-penalty goals in his last 21 matches for club and country.
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Last lower-league teams standing
The later stages of cup competitions usually see Premier League teams take up the final spots, but Southampton and Port Vale are in the midst of deep runs in the FA Cup, the quarterfinals set to offer trying tests in Arsenal and Chelsea, respectively.
While the countdown is on to see if City’s EFL Cup triumph impacts their play for the better, the same is true for the Gunners. Arsenal’s trophy pursuit this season is far from over, but they may be eager to put the disappointment behind them with a dominant performance against Southampton. The Saints are no slouch – they are in the mix for a spot in the Championship’s promotion playoffs, though the challenge of outdoing the Gunners’ consistently impressive defense is easier said than done.
Chelsea’s clash against Port Vale, though, may just be the mismatch of the weekend. Vale currently sit in last place in League One, five points out of safety and reliant on the games in hand to avoid a drop down to the fourth tier. They get a reprieve from that fate, though, with a trip to Stamford Bridge in their first FA Cup quarterfinal since 1954 and chase a rare semifinal berth for a third division team. Vale will not be favored in this tie, but Chelsea have been susceptible in the back — they have just one clean sheet in their last 15 across all competitions, conceding 27 goals along the way.
West Ham, Leeds close it out
West Ham United’s attempt at a great escape from the Premier League’s relegation zone will have to wait another week, the Hammers instead hosting Leeds United in the final FA Cup tie of the weekend. For each of them, the wait for a trip to the FA Cup semifinals has been a lengthy one – West Ham have not been there since 2006, while Leeds’ last time in the final four of the competition came in 1997, each side boasting the potential of creating a special cup run that feels similar to Crystal Palace’s triumph a year ago. The wait for a trophy has also been long for Leeds, who last lifted silverware when they won the Football League title in the 1991-92 season, while West Ham may have to balance this with their priorities in the league since they run the risk of repeating Wigan Athletic’s 2012-13 season, in which they won the FA Cup but were also relegated from the Premier League.
Evangelicals backed Trump. Now pastors denounce his ICE crackdown hitting their churches.
Amid ICE arrests and detentions, attendance has dropped and churches have closed. ‘You’re deporting the future of American Christianity,’ a Latino evangelical leader said.
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ABQ BioPark Zoo is up for re-accreditation in September despite some bad inspection reports from USDA
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is seeking an explanation from the Biopark about how Alice escaped her enclosure.AZA released a statement Thursday saying, “That report will then be evaluated by the Accreditation Commission for any further action tied to accreditation requirements.”Biopark Director Brandon Gibson discussed whether this incident could affect the upcoming re-accreditation in September.”I don’t believe it will affect our accreditation or standing, but it’s something we all take very seriously,” Gibson said.Several years of Department of Agriculture reports conducted at the Biopark revealed multiple infractions, some listed as critical. In 2025, a mole rat escaped an enclosure and was caught in a glue trap, but survived. Water quality testing was delayed on five occasions inside an enclosure for a polar bear. Some drugs did not have an expiration date. Excessive ozone exposure was found in a penguin enclosure, causing some penguins to have high respiratory rates and cough. A chimpanzee enclosure had peeling and exposed rusted metal. Other inspections found perimeter fences in poor condition.”We have a dedicated team here of over 150 well-trained professional staff members. And we strive to meet all of those, you know, hundreds and hundreds of USDA permit levels and guidelines,” Gibson said.The Biopark stated that they have since corrected all of those infractions. There have been animal deaths at the Biopark over the past few years, including an orangutan in 2025, a wombat last year, a hippo euthanized due to a dental infection, and a giraffe with arthritis.”We have the latest technology and a very well-trained animal care staff. So, you know, these deaths that you listed. Tonka, the orangutan, was well into his 40s. The wombats way past their life expectancy. I think it’s a testament to the care and the health that we provide here at the Biopark,” Gibson said.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is seeking an explanation from the Biopark about how Alice escaped her enclosure.
AZA released a statement Thursday saying, “That report will then be evaluated by the Accreditation Commission for any further action tied to accreditation requirements.”
Biopark Director Brandon Gibson discussed whether this incident could affect the upcoming re-accreditation in September.
“I don’t believe it will affect our accreditation or standing, but it’s something we all take very seriously,” Gibson said.
Several years of Department of Agriculture reports conducted at the Biopark revealed multiple infractions, some listed as critical.
In 2025, a mole rat escaped an enclosure and was caught in a glue trap, but survived. Water quality testing was delayed on five occasions inside an enclosure for a polar bear. Some drugs did not have an expiration date. Excessive ozone exposure was found in a penguin enclosure, causing some penguins to have high respiratory rates and cough. A chimpanzee enclosure had peeling and exposed rusted metal. Other inspections found perimeter fences in poor condition.
“We have a dedicated team here of over 150 well-trained professional staff members. And we strive to meet all of those, you know, hundreds and hundreds of USDA permit levels and guidelines,” Gibson said.
The Biopark stated that they have since corrected all of those infractions. There have been animal deaths at the Biopark over the past few years, including an orangutan in 2025, a wombat last year, a hippo euthanized due to a dental infection, and a giraffe with arthritis.
“We have the latest technology and a very well-trained animal care staff. So, you know, these deaths that you listed. Tonka, the orangutan, was well into his 40s. The wombats way past their life expectancy. I think it’s a testament to the care and the health that we provide here at the Biopark,” Gibson said.