Stoke Metropolis are near finishing the signing of Japanese midfielder Tatsuki Seko from J1 League membership Kawasaki Frontale.

Japanese outlet Sponichi Annex have claimed that Seko has left Frontale’s squad within the technique of his transfer to the Potters following the announcement on X which added a fellow teammate can be leaving with him.

The 26-year-old J League star is about to bolster Steven Schumacher’s midfield this summer season, including to a packed squad.

Schumacher can be including his eighth signing this summer season following the arrival of Bosun Lawal from Celtic on Sunday with potential additions of Luke Cundle and Andrew Moran to observe.

Stoke set to finish the switch of Tatsuki Seko

Seko is a right-footed pure defensive midfielder who can even play with no consideration again. He presses effectively and has a bodily model of play, which might make him match for Schumacher’s Potters.

Kawasaki gained the Japanese Cup 2023 and the Japanese Tremendous Cup in 2024, the place Seko performed a key position of their triumphs.

He moved to Kawasaki in 2022 from Yokohama FC, the place he has since made 93 appearances for the Japanese outfit and got here up by means of the Meiji College staff.

Seko has a wealth of expertise underneath his belt already and has had attacking enter enjoying in Japan, one thing that Schumacher may be experimenting with as a defensive midfielder.

Seko is deemed a extra defensive possibility, so he might want to work onerous to supply competitors for Josh Laurent and Wouter Burger, who’re each principal stays on this Stoke facet.

The Potters’ potential want for Seko

Schumacher has nearly improved each level of his squad, however appears to be like to strengthen his midfield choices because of Ben Pearson’s damage, who’s out for the beginning of the season because of present process hamstring surgical procedure.

Schumacher mentioned it was “irritating” for his facet with Pearson discovering his ft since becoming a member of within the January 2023 switch window from Bournemouth.

Regardless of rumours linking Stoke with each Moran and Cundle, Schumacher is wanting so as to add one other midfielder to his ranks.

After an important begin to the season with two wins out of two, after the opening day victory at Coventry and final night time’s 2-0 victory towards Carlisle United, the onerous work is going on each on and off the pitch.

A younger Stoke Metropolis facet shone vivid because of objectives from 17-year-old Freddie Anderson and 18-year-old Emre Tezgel, Schumacher may very well be Seko so as to add a extra senior member.

Japan within the EFL

Seko has earned his plaudits in Japan and now seeks a brand new problem on the Bet365 Stadium.

A recurring issue now could be seeing Japanese footballers embracing the concept of shifting to the EFL.

Seko would be the latest addition of seven different gamers within the EFL who’ve taken the subsequent step of their profession in England.

Birmingham duo Ayumu Yokoyama and Koji Miyoshi, Yuki Ohashi at Blackburn Rovers, Daiki Hashioka enjoying for Luton, Yu Hirakawa at Ashton Gate with Bristol Metropolis and Koki Saito, who’s at present at Queens Park Rangers.

Stoke can be eager to finish the switch earlier than their subsequent recreation at Watford this Saturday.

It is accessible for preorder now and prices $1,799 with a $300 retailer credit score, with official gross sales beginning on September 4. Anybody who purchases it’s going to get one 12 months freed from the Google One AI Premium Plan.

New Apps, Companies, and AI Options

Pixel Screenshots permits Gemini’s AI to tug info from screenshots and offer you new methods to work together with the knowledge in a screenshot.

{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu

Pixel telephones are identified for his or her bevy of sensible options, and several other new additions are arriving with the most recent handsets, plus some new apps. There’s now a devoted Pixel Climate app, and it employs the on-device Gemini Nano massive language mannequin to summarize the climate. One other new app is Pixel Screenshots, a devoted place that shops your screenshots, and since Gemini Nano can perceive the content material of your photos, you possibly can ask for info with out having to hunt for the suitable display screen seize. There’s additionally Pixel Studio, which helps you to use generative AI to create new photos, and you may even create stickers out of your images to insert.

On the calling entrance, there’s “Name Notes.” This provides you a sticky be aware’s price of particulars out of your name. These particulars could be issues like cellphone numbers talked about throughout the name, restore quotes, or reminders to name somebody again—it’s going to log something noteworthy and put it in a be aware so that you need not hunt for pen and paper. Google says the individual on the opposite finish is notified when this characteristic is energetic because of name recording legal guidelines.

Pixel telephones are lastly debuting Satellite tv for pc SOS, a characteristic that emerged on the iPhone 14 in 2022, making them among the first Android telephones with the flexibility. In the event you’re out of vary of Wi-Fi or a cell tower, Pixel 9 units will share your location and discover your emergency contacts by way of satellite tv for pc. Nevertheless, this is not a assured get-out-of-jail-free card—it requires setup, a further cost, and can solely work within the US for now. (As with Apple, it is going to be free for the primary two years after activation.)

Google additionally has a number of new AI digital camera options like Add Me, Autoframe, Reimagine, and Zoom Improve—I’ve rounded them up on this story if you wish to be taught extra. (This one’s already lengthy sufficient!)

The Pixel Watch 3

There at the moment are two sizes of Pixel Watch: 41 and 45 millimeters.

{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu

This 12 months’s Pixel Watch 3 is the primary time you’ve gotten dimension choices—it is available in a 41- and 45-mm case dimension, with the latter providing a 40 p.c bigger display screen. Google says these are full of the identical “Actua” OLED show expertise as its Pixel telephones and are twice as vivid, making them simpler to learn on sunny days. You too can crank the brightness down as little as 1 nit, so you do not blind your eyes proper earlier than mattress.

Noah Kahan has launched his psychological well being basis the Busyhead Undertaking within the UK after its large success Stateside.

The inspiration launched within the US again in Might 2023 and has raised over $2.5million along side Kahan’s large nationwide tour.

It’s going to now arrive within the UK this week as Kahan begins his bought out UK area tour tonight (August 14) in Newcastle.

Within the US, activations from the inspiration included partnering with the Backline organisation to hyperlink crew members with psychological well being professionals, internet hosting followers for a pre-show meditation session, a Neighborhood Wall for followers to depart messages, and an Activism Village which allowed the organisation to hyperlink up with native psychological well being providers in every metropolis.

Kahan stated: “I’ve been given so many great alternatives in my profession and it truly is all for nothing if I don’t try to give again to the neighborhood that has supported me. If I may help anybody get by their struggles, it is going to be the proudest achievement of my profession.”

See the singer’s UK tour dates beneath and discover out extra concerning the Busyhead Undertaking right here.

AUGUST 2024
14 – Newcastle, Utilita Enviornment
16 – Stradbally, Electrical Picnic Competition
17 – Belfast, Very important Enviornment
20 – Birmingham, Utilita Enviornment
21 – London, The O2
22 – London, The O2

Noah Kahan has launched The Busyhead Undertaking to the UK –  a non-profit organisation devoted to elevating consciousness for psychological well being.

Launched by the Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum US artist in Might 2023, the muse supplies assets to organisations devoted to assembly the wants of marginalised communities.

Up to now, the non-profit organisation has raised $2.5million (£1.95m) to learn over 55 organisations throughout the US, Canada and Mexico – every working to develop entry to care and attain extra underserved communities of younger individuals. This included organisations like Toronto’s Jack.org, New York’s The JED Basis, Chicago’s Hope For The Day, and Burlington’s Higher Valley Haven.

Now, because the artist kicked off his long-awaited UK area tour this week, he has confirmed that he shall be introducing The Busyhead Undertaking to the UK as nicely, and seeking to increase each consciousness and donations for psychological well being charities throughout the nation.

While right here, Kahan will implement the identical intensive psychological well being safeguarding that grew to become of paramount significance to his ‘We’ll All Be Right here Ceaselessly’ US tour too. This got here by way of a collection of actions laid out for each his followers and his touring crew, which intention to advertise good psychological well-being.

For example, like seen throughout the pond, he’ll host a Busyhead “Activism Village”, which incorporates native organisations and appears to place an finish to the stigma round searching for help, he’ll additionally present a full band/crew psychological well being coaching workshop throughout rehearsals, and a pre-show Transfer and Meditate class accessible to pick out followers.

Elsewhere within the US, he partnered with Propeller to extend donations to The Busyhead Undertaking by way of every day ticket upgrades, arrange a Busyhead Group Wall for followers to depart constructive messages, and in addition partnered with Backline, to supply entry to look after band/crew. The latter included offering entry to psychological well being suppliers, wellness days all through the tour, and a Psychological Well being Fund to cowl care.

“I’ve been given so many fantastic alternatives in my profession and it truly is all for nothing if I don’t attempt to give again to the neighborhood that has supported me,” Kahan stated. “If I may also help anybody get by way of their struggles, it is going to be the proudest achievement of my profession.”

Up to now, native psychological well being organisations equivalent to PAPYRUS have been invited to interact with Noah’s followers on the UK area reveals to lift consciousness and funds. Extra particular particulars in regards to the actions outlined above being launched to the UK are set to be introduced shortly. Discover out extra about The Busyhead Undertaking right here.

His tour dates – celebrating the discharge of his chart-topping third album ‘Stick Season’ – are set to proceed tonight with a cease at Newcastle’s Utilita Enviornment, and shall be adopted up with stops in Stradbally (16), Belfast (17) and Birmingham (20).

The reveals wrap up with two back-to-back stops on the O2 Enviornment in London on August 21 and 22. Presently tickets for all UK reveals are bought out.

Earlier this 12 months, Kahan’s present on the OVO Enviornment Wembley on Valentine’s Day (February 14) was given a glowing five-star overview by NME.

“Having made folk-pop cool once more – it was as soon as, maybe pretty, derided as ‘stomp clap hey’ music – there’s no denying the torch-bearing troubadour was made to play large phases,” it learn. “August’s headline present at London’s The O2, a venue even larger than this, appears to be like prefer it’ll be a stroll within the park.”

Since then, the singer-songwriter has thrown his help behind Chappell Roan, describing her reside performances as “most electrical shit ever”, and confirmed that he shall be showing on James Bay’s new album ‘Adjustments All The Time’.

Starbucks inventory rose 24.5% and Chipotle shares fell 7.5% after the burrito-retailer’s CEO Brian Niccol agreed to take over the espresso retail chain (starting September 9), in keeping with CNBC.

What a distinction a CEO makes: The market capitalization affect of this management change totaled $27.2 billion on August 13 alone as Starbucks’ added $21.4 billion whereas Chipotle’s fell $5.8 billion, CNBC famous.

Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan was booted from the job after 16 months throughout which era the corporate’s inventory misplaced 22% of its worth after a string of weak earnings studies.

In the meantime, Niccol presided over a turnaround at Chipotle following a 2018 tainted meat scandal. His turnaround started in March 2018 — finally yielding expectations-beating development that despatched Chipotle inventory hovering 760%, in keeping with the Wall Road Journal.

Can Niccol preside over the same rise in Starbucks inventory? At Chipotle, Niccol doubled income throughout his tenure via the next components of technique:

• Retrained staff in security and wellness protocols.
• Opened about 1,000 new shops globally.
• Launched new expertise to streamline time-consuming work — akin to guacamole processing.
• Modernized digital and cell ordering and launched digital pickup lanes.

Reasonably than rigidly apply the methods that labored on the burrito chain to Starbucks, Niccol ought to establish the core downside impeding Starbucks’ enlargement and use his strategic and operational expertise to speed up the espresso chain’s income development.

If Niccol can double Starbucks’ revenues, buyers can be richly rewarded.

How Starbucks Struggled Beneath Narasimhan’s Management

Narasimhan started main Starbucks in March 2023 and presided over a major decline within the firm’s inventory value. The espresso chain’s inventory fell 22% because the S&P 500 rise greater than 36%, in keeping with FactSet.

I used to be stunned Starbucks Founder and former CEO Howard Schultz had urged hiring Narasimhan as CEO as a result of he had no expertise main a retail meals chain. As an alternative, Narasimhan has beforehand been CEO of Reckitt — which owns manufacturers akin to Lysol and Mucinex. As soon as he grew to become CEO, “he spent months studying about Starbucks’ enterprise, together with coaching as a barista,” reported CNBC.

Evidently, that was not sufficient for him to spur development at Starbucks. In April, the espresso chain minimize its monetary outlook for the second time in 2024 “as site visitors in its cafes slowed, reducing into gross sales and revenue,” the Journal reported. Furthermore, Starbucks confronted intensified competitors in China — a significant development marketplace for the corporate.

In Could, Schultz argued the corporate’s technique was flawed. He wrote the corporate wanted to “enhance its cell order and pay expertise and overhaul the way it creates new drinks to concentrate on premium gadgets that set it aside,” in keeping with a Schultz LinkedIn put up featured in a CNBC report.

Starbucks started trying to substitute Narasimhan. “Our board, a pair months in the past, began to interact in a dialog in regards to the management of the corporate, and I made an overture via somebody to Brian, and he took the decision,” Mellody Hobson, now Starbucks’ lead impartial director, advised CNBC on August 13.

How Niccol Turned Round Chipotle

Starbucks’ board is assured Niccol can flip across the enterprise shortly. “However what we noticed with Brian was somebody who’s, fairly actually, been there, carried out that — via all kinds of market environments, all kinds of cycles,” Hobson advised CNBC. “After I talked to him I bear in mind him saying, ‘I do know what to do,’ ” she added.

Niccol’s accomplishments are spectacular. When he grew to become CEO of Chipotle in 2018, he helped the chain rebound from “its foodborne sickness scandal and led its eating places via the pandemic,” CNBC reported.

Extra just lately, whereas different eating places reported a pointy decline in client spending, Chipotle bucked the development — having fun with will increase in site visitors and gross sales, CNBC wrote.

Listed below are the important thing components of Niccol’s turnaround technique for Chipotle, which drove a near-doubling of the burrito-chain’s gross sales to $10 billion in fiscal 2023, Reuters famous:

• Overcame meals security issues by retraining restaurant staff on security and wellness protocols throughout working hours.
• Added new shops — practically 1,000 new shops globally had been opened beneath Niccol’s tenure.
• Streamlined operations by reducing guacamole preparation time by 50% via automation and sped up cooking by adopting robotic dual-sided grills.
• Modernized ordering by upgrading the standard and effectivity of the burrito chain’s digital and cell ordering platforms.
• Added digital order pick-up lanes. Of the 271 new eating places the corporate opened in 2023, 238 of them had one — dubbed a Chipotlane.

Chipotle’s Issues In 2018 Differ From Starbucks’ Points In 2024

Niccol should establish and remedy a unique set of issues at Starbucks than he did at Chipotle. “Starbucks is a way more sophisticated mannequin than Chipotle, with firm and licensed shops, home and worldwide areas, and a major presence in struggling China,” BTIG analyst Peter Saleh wrote in a report featured by CNBC.

Starbucks has extra internationally licensed areas than Chipotle, which principally operates owned eating places within the U.S.. Furthermore, Starbucks areas in China, the corporate’s second-largest market, have continued to battle as a consequence of native competitors and a lagging economic system, famous the Journal.

Moreover, whereas folks nonetheless need Chipotle’s burritos, customers’ financial issues have diminished their want for espresso — which could possibly be Niccol’s greatest downside. “His problem is to attach with a brand new buyer,” Wedbush analyst Nick Setyan advised CNBC.

“Apart from the ability to alter the course of macro headwinds, we view the shareholder euphoria (as expressed within the share value this morning) as untimely,” Setyan added.

Traders ought to hope Niccol acknowledges and solves these totally different issues. There’s a lesson within the chapter of Mattress Bathtub & Past — the place the board employed a CEO from Goal who proceeded to use what labored at Goal to a really totally different firm with disastrous outcomes, in keeping with a Could 2023 Forbes put up. Mattress Bathtub & Past filed for chapter in April 2023.

If Niccol doesn’t heed such classes, he may find yourself misapplying what labored at Chipotle to Starbucks.

Can Niccol Speed up Starbucks’ Income Development?

To make sure, most analysts expressed nice optimism about Niccol’s means to show round Starbucks. Listed below are some the explanation why:

• Niccol can substitute Schultz. “Brian is probably going the one restaurant government that has the gravitas to handle the Howard Schultz Founder ‘overhang’, ” Evercore ISI analyst David Palmer advised Reuters.
• Niccol can do what he did at Chipotle for Starbucks. “Starbucks picks up a hall-of-fame restaurant CEO, and his appointment … suggests a brand new period is beneath manner,” TD Cowen analyst Andrew Charles advised Reuters. “We see similarities between Chipotle’s 2018 turnaround for a premium model, and what Starbucks wants in 2024 to enhance site visitors.”
• Niccol will repair Starbucks. “I cheered on the Starbucks information … the inventory has been a colossal disappointment, as has Laxman … Brian Niccol simply labored magic at Chipotle … he did all the fitting issues and actually drove the corporate utilizing Chipotle lanes, via the usage of digitization … Niccol will repair Starbucks,” Nancy Tengler, CEO of Laffer Tengler Investments, advised Reuters.

Traders needs to be guardedly optimistic as a result of a turnaround at Starbucks will hinge on Niccol’s means to deliver again customers with new choices and a extra compelling retailer expertise.

“Whereas among the slowdown may be attributed to a extra sluggish client reducing again, a lot can also be the results of a worsening retailer expertise and a scarcity of innovation in areas like meals,” GlobalData analyst Neil Saunders wrote in a be aware to buyers featured by the Washington Submit.

After a whirlwind journey from legislation to the Olympics, nothing was going to cease Rose Harvey – not even the small matter of a stress fracture in her leg.

Harvey’s story was already outstanding sufficient. 4 years in the past, she was made redundant from her job as a company lawyer, and determined to make use of lockdown to see how far she might get along with her working.

Her first outing over 26 miles was the Cheshire marathon in 2021, which she ran in simply over two hours and half-hour. From there, she joined with Puma as an expert athlete and was capable of prepare full-time, changing into British champion and recording a brand new private greatest of two:23:21 on the Chicago marathon final 12 months – placing her sixth on the British all-time listing.

Choice for the British group at this 12 months’s Paris Olympics adopted, and Harvey took her place alongside the world’s greatest on the weekend.

However there was to be a painful twist.

Harvey defined: ‘My unbelievable group and I put in a lot work to make the beginning line match and wholesome and we have been all optimistic that with a little bit of race day adrenaline, I’d be capable to run the race I knew I had in me.

‘A few miles in, I shortly realised that wasn’t going to occur. The following 24 miles have been a painful battle. It seems I had stress fractured my femur.’

In every other race, she would have stopped, however this being the Olympics, she was decided to complete. She crossed the road in 78^th, however with the admiration of a nation.

‘There have been so many moments after I thought I couldn’t take one other step. The downhills have been hell,’ she mentioned. ‘However regardless of that the majority of my race targets having slipped away, there was nonetheless a tiny a part of my Olympic dream that I might grasp onto – and that was ending the Olympic marathon. I couldn’t surrender.

‘I saved telling myself to smile, take in the power of the unbelievable crowds and simply put one foot in entrance of the opposite.’

The village goes head-to-head with eight others throughout the UK within the Finest Village class of Britain in Bloom, representing the North East space from Berwick to North Yorkshire and throughout to the Cumbria border.

Washington Village has had earlier success within the competitors, choosing up the Finest Village award and being named total winner in Northumbria in Bloom in 2021.

A group of 20 volunteers welcomed the judges at this time (Wednesday 14 August) with a 1960’s ‘Flower Energy’ themed celebration – a nod to each Washington’s sixtieth anniversary and the sixtieth anniversary of the Northumbria in Bloom and Britain in Bloom competitors.

The common Washington Village in Bloom group of volunteers have labored tirelessly alongside the Metropolis Council, volunteers finishing Duke of Edinburgh awards and further volunteers from Barclay’s Financial institution on the beautiful, vibrant flower beds that they hope will wow the visiting judges.

Joan Atkinson, Chair of Washington in Bloom, stated: “We’ve had additional volunteers giving their time this 12 months and Sunderland Metropolis Council are all the time able to assist us with watering the beds and ensuring the pavements and roads are litter free.  

“In fact, none of this might be attainable with out our good Washington in Bloom volunteers who refuse no activity all year long, from clearing all grassed areas of leaves, sustaining borders, and placing on fundraising occasions to assist us purchase all of the vegetation for our altering shows.

“This 12 months we’re one in all simply eight villages within the UK to be invited to compete within the RHS Britain in Bloom Competitors – it is simply superb for our village to symbolize the North East entry.  This 12 months after all we’re celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of Washington New City and Britain in Bloom are additionally celebrating their sixtieth anniversary, so our volunteers are all dressing in 60’s clothes for our personal ‘flower energy’ judging day.”

Representatives from the organisations who’ve helped put together the village additionally attended the celebration this morning to welcome the judges, and native companies who’ve supported the group are displaying footage from native schoolchildren with the theme of ‘flower energy’.

Councillor Beth Jones, Washington Central ward councillor and Sunderland Metropolis Council’s Cupboard Member for Communities, Tradition and Tourism, stated: “Washington Village seems stunning this summer season. Anybody who lives in or visits the village can have observed the beautiful flower arrangements and its all all the way down to the exhausting work of the Washington Village in Bloom volunteers and the collaborative effort of council workers, native companies, volunteers, native colleges and residents. They’ve finished a unbelievable job and I hope the judges can see how exhausting they’ve labored.

“Everybody concerned within the repairs of the village will be proud that Washington Village is one in all solely eight villages nominated, and I want all of them the perfect of luck for the judging.”

Washington Village will discover out if it has been profitable when the winners of every class of the Britain in Bloom awards are introduced at an awards ceremony on the RHS headquarters in London on Monday 21 October.

Editor’s be aware: This ran Tuesday and has been up to date with the information that Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is completed for the season after present process surgical procedure on his torn proper meniscus.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has an harm that can value him his rookie season, a deflating flip of occasions for everybody who had been enthused by his preseason debut Saturday within the crew’s 24-23 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

McCarthy underwent surgical procedure Wednesday.

The information solidifies Sam Darnold’s function because the starter, moderately than a bridge QB till McCarthy is prepared.

ESPN Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert, draft analyst Jordan Reid and nationwide reporter Jeremy Fowler check out the affect of McCarthy’s harm.

What does the harm imply for McCarthy’s improvement as a passer?

Lacking prolonged time can be a big blow to his on-field improvement. One of many largest questions on McCarthy as a prospect coming into the draft needed to do together with his inexperience as a passer. He wasn’t requested to shoulder the load at Michigan fairly often, as he had solely 25 or extra passing makes an attempt in 12 of his 28 profession begins for the Wolverines, so he wants all of the reside throws and snaps he can get.

McCarthy — who was drafted No. 10 general resulting from his accuracy and upside — will have the ability to achieve psychological reps by sitting and watching behind Darnold, however the on-field reps can be not possible to duplicate as he makes an attempt to be taught and execute O’Connell’s scheme. — Reid

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Will the Vikings add one other QB to their room?

There is not a urgent want so as to add a quarterback in Minnesota. Darnold (63 profession TD passes, 56 interceptions with a 21-35 profession document) is entrenched because the starter, and the crew is assured in Nick Mullens’ potential to supply in spot responsibility. The 29-year-old Mullens has 20 profession begins over a six-year profession with the 49ers, Browns and Vikings. And Minnesota hasn’t completely given up on Jaren Corridor, final 12 months’s fifth-round decide who began twice in 2023.

Apart from Ryan Tannehill, the choices are scarce on the free agent market. It would not shock to see the Vikings no less than consider the skin choices, however they’ve sufficient expertise to maintain with out McCarthy. — Fowler

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What does this imply for WR Justin Jefferson and the remainder of the offense?

Little or no. Darnold has been on monitor all summer season to be the Vikings’ No. 1 quarterback, no less than to open the season, as McCarthy was being introduced alongside on a methodical timetable.

Darnold and Jefferson have begun establishing a transparent rapport in coaching camp practices, with Jefferson noting Darnold’s potential to “put contact on the ball right here and there” and understanding “what velocity he must throw the ball and the way he must throw the ball.”

O’Connell has been saying all summer season that he desires to emphasise the operating sport irrespective of who’s his beginning quarterback. Even with out McCarthy, Aaron Jones stays on monitor to pair up with Ty Chandler for 20-plus touches per sport between the 2 of them. — Seifert

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What does this imply for the Vikings’ 2024 competitiveness?

The harm strikes Darnold from a place-holder for McCarthy to a longer-term starter. Nearly as good as Darnold has seemed throughout spring and summer season practices — and for all of the chemistry he has developed with Jefferson and nonetheless being solely 27 years outdated — there stays a good diploma of uncertainty about how that can all translate in regular-season video games.

Darnold has a 21-35 document as an NFL starter in admittedly unideal conditions with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, and he spent the 2023 season as a backup with the San Francisco 49ers. If Darnold has a tricky go early within the season, or if he will get injured, the Vikings will not have McCarthy to alleviate him. As an alternative, the remaining quarterbacks on their roster are Mullens and Corridor, who have been 1-4 as starters for Minnesota in 2023. — Seifert

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What does this imply for the 2025 offseason?

The Vikings are headed for a collection of actually necessary selections this offseason. McCarthy’s harm, on the very least, will make these selections tougher and will additional push out the timing of their quarterback transition.

The primary determination is apparent. Darnold is on a one-year contract. Will the Vikings be able to anoint him their 2025 starter? Or would they want Darnold — or one other veteran — to function a foil?

Secondly, each O’Connell and common supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah are within the third 12 months of four-year contracts. They have been employed in 2022 partially to handle the transition from Kirk Cousins to the subsequent beginning quarterback. If McCarthy is not in a position to set up himself in 2024, how will homeowners Zygi and Mark Wilf consider O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah? Will they provide market-level extensions or have them work in 2025 on the ultimate 12 months of their offers? — Seifert

Superstar Race Throughout the World has some fairly powerful guidelines for the celebrities competing within the actuality sequence.

The celebrities make the 12,500km difficult journey from the gateway to the Amazon, in Belem, Northern Brazil, to southern Chile. There are 5 checkpoints alongside the way in which the place the celebrities should race to be first, journeying throughout the size of South America and the end line is within the Andes, Frutillar in southern Chile.

Sound easy sufficient? Certain it’s – besides there are some fairly strict guidelines in place to make issues much more attention-grabbing, with many earlier contestants saying Race Throughout the World is the hardest present on TV. This yr’s Jeff Brazier confessed it is tougher than SAS Who Dares Wins.

So what are the foundations and are they ever damaged?

Kindness of strangers

Contestants should depend on the kindness of strangers, an enormous theme and healthful ingredient of the celeb spin-off and civilian sequence. Strangers are allowed to assist stars by giving them a free or discounted elevate, a spot to remain and even advise the place one thing is.

Behind the scenes, nonetheless, there are guidelines relating to enlisting the assistance of strangers. Stars are unable to simply accept cash from strangers collaborating, with 2024 Race Throughout the World contestants telling Yahoo: “We needed to flip down cash… That is not allowed. We won’t settle for it.”

Learn extra: Superstar Race Throughout the World

Race contestants Stephen and Viv revealed the kindness of strangers is probably the most rewarding a part of filming the present. Stephen informed Yahoo: “We commonly get requested what was one of the best bit? What was one of the best place you went to? It’s a tough one to reply however singularly the folks we met each nation had been so good. So supportive. Pleasant. Welcoming. Simply pretty.”

Viv agreed: “Generally we did not even need to ask for assist. Generally they noticed us. Generally we had been crying. They’d come over and provide assist. It’s superb, the assistance that they did provide.”

Banned transport and damaged guidelines

Stars should attain their vacation spot with out utilizing air journey as flights are banned in each the celeb and civilian sequence. As a substitute, the contestants should use different types of journey from vehicles to boats and trains in addition to in a single day buses which is all the time proves a preferred alternative of transport on the sequence as a result of it helps save funds and journey time.

Through the years there have been two exceptions to the rule. Whereas filming Race Throughout the World 2024, stars could not undergo China. The contestants had been flown from Sokcho to the Vietnamese capital Hanoi. It sparked an enormous dialog on-line on the time of airing.

A Race Throughout The World spokesperson defined to Yahoo: “On the time of planning the route, on account of time constraints and difficulties in journey within the aftermath of the worldwide pandemic, it was not doable for manufacturing to journey by means of China and so a flight was organised from Seoul to Hanoi.”

This is not the one time the place contestants have needed to catch a flight throughout filming the sequence. TV bosses organised air journey when contestants needed to get a flight over Ecuador due to civil unrest on the time of filming sequence two. It is very important word there is no such thing as a unfair benefit as a result of stars go away in the identical order they arrived on the final checkpoint which is proven on TV.

There was an enormous rule change in Race Throughout the World 2024 as a result of they had been racing in Japan. Bullet trains stay the quickest and most handy method of exploring the nation, so in fact they had been banned for that sequence.

Getting jobs

Superstar Race Throughout the World stars should make the epic journey on a funds set out by TV bosses, normally equal to the celebrities buying a flight ticket. No financial institution playing cards are allowed and are confiscated firstly of filming the sequence.

In fact, cash quickly runs out so the celebrities should ebook into do jobs alongside the way in which. It may be nearly something from duck herding to waitressing and cleansing. Contestants usually choose up one job per leg. It proves to be a good way for stars to expertise the native tradition too.

Race contestants mentioned a calculator is the must-have merchandise they wished they introduced on the journey and had been satisfied it may assist stars win the BBC present.

No Google Maps

Telephones are banned and brought from the contestants on the very starting of Superstar Race Throughout the World, in addition to the civilian sequence. Stars of the present should return to fundamentals relating to plotting their journey throughout the globe.

Overlook Google Maps, as an alternative they need to depend on the paper copy they’re given on the present. Nevertheless, Race Throughout the World stars Alfie and Owen managed to lose their map within the first episode of the 2024 civilian sequence nevertheless it have to be mentioned this did not cease them profitable the present. They had been capable of choose up one other map alongside the way in which.

Watch Superstar Race Throughout the World on BBC One at 9pm on Wednesday 14 August. See the trailer for the 2024 sequence under.

The second sequence of Celeb Race Throughout The World sprints into motion on BBC One tonight (14 August) – and this time contestants are navigating the Amazon and the Andes in South America.

4 new well-known faces will compete to make their method throughout nations with out the help of transport, smartphones and financial institution playing cards.

TV character Jeff Brazier and his son Freddy, actor Kola Bokinni and his cousin Mary, former glamour mannequin Kelly Brook and her husband Jeremy, and Radio 2 host Scott Mills and his husband Sam should depend on their wits to make it to the opposite facet of the continent.

The 12,500km race begins in Belem, northern Brazil, earlier than passing by means of 5 undisclosed checkpoints throughout the size of South America to the end line within the Andes, Frutillar in southern Chile.

Tim Harcourt, chief artistic officer of Studio Lambert mentioned: “After the phenomenally profitable run of the primary movie star sequence, and extra not too long ago the fourth sequence of the common sequence – we are able to’t wait to deliver audiences together with us to the massive South American continent and its jaw-dropping surroundings, in a race which is able to push our celebrities and their family members to their absolute limits.”

The beginning

Belem, Northern Brazil

In any other case referred to as “the gateway to the Amazon”, Belem in north Brazil is a riverfront metropolis of church buildings, vibrant azulejo tiled homes and remnants of Portuguese colonial structure from its time as the primary European colony on the river. From right here, the Amazon rainforest stretches throughout a lot of northwestern Brazil into Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname.

The tip

Frutillar, Southern Chile

On Llanquihue Lake in southern Chile’s Lake District, Frutillar is a “metropolis of music” within the Unesco Inventive Cities Community, with views of the volcano Osorno. Amongst sights, blended Chilean and German cultural traditions in The German Museum, the Teatro del Lago acoustic live performance corridor and a yacht membership for crusing on the lake.

Celeb Race Throughout the World begins on 14 August at 9pm on iPlayer and BBC One.