Latest news with #intrigue
Axios
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Axios
Consumer spending drops in May as tariffs fuel anxiety
American shoppers slowed spending in May, as retail sales fell 0.9% last month, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday. Why it matters: The worse-than-expected figures come after consumers splurged on autos and other goods in recent months to beat tariff-related price increases. It will be difficult for economists to parse whether this is a troubling sign for the economy — or if consumers simply pulled back after stronger spending earlier this year. By the numbers: A drop in spending on autos and parts pulled down the May retail sales figure. Retail sales at motor vehicle shops fell by 3.5%, while spending at home appliance stores fell by 2.7%. Spending at gasoline stations fell by 2%, likely a result of lower pump prices. The data is not adjusted for inflation. April data was also revised lower; retail sales fell by 0.1% in the month, versus the 0.1% gain the government first estimated. The intrigue: Consumers upped spending across other categories in May, including miscellaneous retailers, hobby shops and e-commerce stores and clothing retailers.
Axios
6 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Major corporate sponsors drop support for Denver Pride
Major corporations are walking back their support for Denver Pride as part of a national retreat from events promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. Why it matters: This is a major pivot for once-proud corporate America and puts at risk critical services for LGBTQ+ individuals in Denver. State of play: Denver Pride is the largest annual fundraiser for The Center on Colfax, a nonprofit that offers free mental health support and programs for transgender and gender-diverse individuals in the community. In April, the center reported a $230,000 decrease in sponsorship for its two-day Pride event that features a festival, 5K and parade. New sponsors are helping fill the gap, but spokesperson Ashley Schoenbauer tells us fundraising still lags previous years. The intrigue: The center declined to name the sponsors it lost, but its website shows top-level donors decreased from 16 to 11 this year. Nissan, Target, Verizon and Walmart are among the names that no longer appear on the sponsor website for Denver Pride, an Axios Denver review found. Other big names decreased their level of giving, such as Starbucks, JPMorganChase and Cupcake wines. Between the lines: The reasoning varies, Schoenbauer tells us, including shifting budget priorities and economic concerns. But the rollback of DEI initiatives is a key factor. One top-level sponsor standing firm is Molson Coors. The beverage company received blowback in 2023 for its sponsorship at a time when other big brands were pulling back from supporting the LGBTQ community. The big picture: 39% of corporations are limiting external Pride Month engagements this year, according to Gravity Research data.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How will Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT line up versus Turkiye?
The United States men's national team begins a summer of intrigue and opportunity on Saturday when dangerous Turkiye hit Connecticut for a terrific test. This was going to be the first summer where a higher-powered USMNT competed in the Gold Cup after using a second-choice, MLS-heavy team for the past few iterations of that tournament, and that's still part-true. Advertisement MORE — USMNT roster | USMNT schedule, results But Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, and Antonee Robinson are out of the team due to either Club World Cup commitments or rest, so Mauricio Pochettino has what let's call a 1.5-choice team that will see mainstays on the pitch with some new faces. Also out? Ricardo Pepi, Josh Sargent, Joe Scally, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and now the injured Folarin Balogun. The situation made more fascinating by the tests provided by Turkiye and Switzerland, who will also face Club World Cup absences but are two of the best nations on a USMNT schedule outside of a Copa America or World Cup. The Swiss are ranked 20 by FIFA and 24 by ELO, while Turkiye are 27 and 18 under the same metrics. Advertisement Pochettino's full-strength men will still be tested by Japan and South Korea amongst others prior to the 2026 World Cup on home soil next summer, so Pochettino will have plenty of chances to measure his best. That makes these matches against Turkiye and the Swiss even more fun for fans of experimentation — Pochettino has little to lose over the next month (at least until the Gold Cup knockouts). Which absent USMNT stars could lose ground this summer? Christian Pulisic and Antonee Robinson are safe as the Yanks' two best players, and there's almost nothing that could happen over the next month-and-a-half that could cost the AC Milan and Fulham stars their place as a nailed-on World Cup starter under Pochettino. Frankly the remaining quartet named above — Musah, McKennie, Weah, and Reyna — are also largely safe at least in terms of their spots at the core of a squad, but only Weah truly feels like a surefire, no-doubt starter. McKennie would seem safe, but what if the midfield looks better with someone more traditional filling a role? Musah is also a versatile player with no clear home. Advertisement Reyna is also in an awful spot, as he's put little on film this season. He's almost always in the Borussia Dortmund team but almost never on the field. He needs a move for both his club and country careers. How will USMNT line up vs Turkiye? And what's Pochettino's summer Best XI? Matt Turner is almost certainly in goal now that Zack Steffen has suffered a knee injury and is out through the Gold Cup. The center back duo will be two of Tim Ream, Chris Richards, and Mark McKenzie, with Sergino Dest almost certainly getting run at fullback following a long injury absence. But will he be left- or right-sided? Max Arfsten is an attack-minded left-sided player while Alex Freeman and Nathan Harriel would be right back fits. Richards and Ream have also played out wide. Advertisement There's competition in the middle of the pitch, where Tyler Adams and Johnny Cardoso are front-runners to play quite a bit. There are plenty of familiar faces in the group — Luca de la Torre, Brenden Aaronson, Malik Tillman — and a who's who of "who's next" including Jack McGlynn, Diego Luna, Paxten Aaronson, Quinn Sullivan, and MLS star Sebastian Berhalter, son of the previous USMNT head coach. Up top the chance is massive with Folarin Balogun pulling out through injury and Josh Sargent also outside the squad. This is center forward central, and recent camps hero Patrick Agyemang will be challenged by Coventry City's Haji Wright, Vancouver's Brian White, and Koln 20-year-old Damion Downs. That last group is the trickiest to project, as Pochettino is familiar with Agyemang and the Charlotte youngster is in great league form. White is burying goals in MLS, Downs did the same in and Wright in England's Championship. Wright also has a history of big goals with the USMNT, so we'll nudge him forward here even though he hasn't been a regular Pochettino selection. Let's assume that Pochettino is ready to test iron vs iron and challenge Turkiye with his best, most-experienced team. This would seem the look: Matt Turner Sergino Dest — Chris Richards — Tim Ream — Max Arfsten Tyler Adams — Johnny Cardoso Brenden Aaronson — Malik Tillman — Diego Luna Haji Wright
NBC Sports
05-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
How will Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT line up versus Turkiye?
The United States men's national team begins a summer of intrigue and opportunity on Saturday when dangerous Turkiye hit Connecticut for a terrific test. This was going to be the first summer where a higher-powered USMNT competed in the Gold Cup after using a second-choice, MLS-heavy team for the past few iterations of that tournament, and that's still part-true. MORE — USMNT roster | USMNT schedule, results But Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, and Antonee Robinson are out of the team due to either Club World Cup commitments or rest, so Mauricio Pochettino has what let's call a 1.5-choice team that will see mainstays on the pitch with some new faces. Also out? Ricardo Pepi, Josh Sargent, Joe Scally, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and now the injured Folarin Balogun. The situation made more fascinating by the tests provided by Turkiye and Switzerland, who will also face Club World Cup absences but are two of the best nations on a USMNT schedule outside of a Copa America or World Cup. The Swiss are ranked 20 by FIFA and 24 by ELO, while Turkiye are 27 and 18 under the same metrics. Pochettino's full-strength men will still be tested by Japan and South Korea amongst others prior to the 2026 World Cup on home soil next summer, so Pochettino will have plenty of chances to measure his best. That makes these matches against Turkiye and the Swiss even more fun for fans of experimentation — Pochettino has little to lose over the next month (at least until the Gold Cup knockouts). Which absent USMNT stars could lose ground this summer? Christian Pulisic and Antonee Robinson are safe as the Yanks' two best players, and there's almost nothing that could happen over the next month-and-a-half that could cost the AC Milan and Fulham stars their place as a nailed-on World Cup starter under Pochettino. Frankly the remaining quartet named above — Musah, McKennie, Weah, and Reyna — are also largely safe at least in terms of their spots at the core of a squad, but only Weah truly feels like a surefire, no-doubt starter. McKennie would seem safe, but what if the midfield looks better with someone more traditional filling a role? Musah is also a versatile player with no clear home. Reyna is also in an awful spot, as he's put little on film this season. He's almost always in the Borussia Dortmund team but almost never on the field. He needs a move for both his club and country careers. How will USMNT line up vs Turkiye? And what's Pochettino's summer Best XI? Matt Turner is almost certainly in goal now that Zack Steffen has suffered a knee injury and is out through the Gold Cup. The center back duo will be two of Tim Ream, Chris Richards, and Mark McKenzie, with Sergino Dest almost certainly getting run at fullback following a long injury absence. But will he be left- or right-sided? Max Arfsten is an attack-minded left-sided player while Alex Freeman and Nathan Harriel would be right back fits. Richards and Ream have also played out wide. There's competition in the middle of the pitch, where Tyler Adams and Johnny Cardoso are front-runners to play quite a bit. There are plenty of familiar faces in the group — Luca de la Torre, Brenden Aaronson, Malik Tillman — and a who's who of 'who's next' including Jack McGlynn, Diego Luna, Paxten Aaronson, Quinn Sullivan, and MLS star Sebastian Berhalter, son of the previous USMNT head coach. Up top the chance is massive with Folarin Balogun pulling out through injury and Josh Sargent also outside the squad. This is center forward central, and recent camps hero Patrick Agyemang will be challenged by Coventry City's Haji Wright, Vancouver's Brian White, and Koln 20-year-old Damion Downs. That last group is the trickiest to project, as Pochettino is familiar with Agyemang and the Charlotte youngster is in great league form. White is burying goals in MLS, Downs did the same in and Wright in England's Championship. Wright also has a history of big goals with the USMNT, so we'll nudge him forward here even though he hasn't been a regular Pochettino selection. Let's assume that Pochettino is ready to test iron vs iron and challenge Turkiye with his best, most-experienced team. This would seem the look: Matt Turner Sergino Dest — Chris Richards — Tim Ream — Max Arfsten Tyler Adams — Johnny Cardoso Brenden Aaronson — Malik Tillman — Diego Luna Haji Wright
USA Today
30-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michael Chandler still wants Conor McGregor fight, but won't 'lose sleep at night' over it
Michael Chandler still wants Conor McGregor fight, but won't 'lose sleep at night' over it Show Caption Hide Caption Michael Chandler breaks silence on Paddy Pimblett, Conor McGregor Michael Chandler talks to MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn in his first interview since his loss to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314. Michael Chandler isn't giving up on the idea of a fight against Conor McGregor, but he isn't losing any sleep over it either. After coaching opposite one another on "The Ultimate Fighter," Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) and McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) were supposed to put a cap on the season by meeting in the octagon. Although the fight was trending towards becoming a reality as contracts were drawn up for last June, the fight never materialized. "I get asked about it in every single interview, and rightfully so," Chandler told MMA Junkie. "The Conor-Chandler thing just stays alive, right? Just a couple of weeks ago, all of a sudden, he said, 'Iron' Michael Chandler, unfinished business.' It's not just the fact that we had the contract that we were supposed to fight in June, we did 'The Ultimate Fighter,' we have to finish 'The Ultimate Fighter.' It's just like staying alive." Chandler decided to move on after sitting on the sidelines for two years while waiting for McGregor to make it to the octagon. After a submission loss to Dustin Poirier in November 2022, Chandler returned to action at UFC 309 in November 2024, where he dropped a unanimous decision in a rematch against Charles Oliveira. Chandler's most recent outing was at UFC 314, where Paddy Pimblett stopped him in the third round. It's been a rough stretch for Chandler. While the interest in a McGregor matchup isn't nearly as high as it once was, talk of the potential fight continues. McGregor hasn't been active since a gruesome injury in a trilogy bout against Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. The intrigue remains due to the personalities and their ability to create excitement in the cage. While Chandler himself still wants the fight to happen, he learned his lesson about waiting around before for the former two-division UFC champ. If it happens, it happens. "It's one of those deals where I'm not losing sleep at night, trying to get the Conor fight, wanting to get the Conor fight," Chandler said. "If me and Conor are supposed to fight, and he's supposed to come back, it's gonna happen and I don't need to force it. With that being said, if I'm a betting man, I'm not sure if he comes back. Do I want to fight him? Do I want to finish 'The Ultimate Fighter 31'? Absolutely. So, we'll see. "All I know is, I'm going to enjoy my family over the summertime, work on some big time business that I've been working on for the last couple weeks since the fight, and see how this whole thing unfolds. ... If that Conor fight is out there and that needs to happen in January, that makes a lot of sense, so we'll see."
