Government OKs ESPN's blockbuster deal for NFL Network from league

Government regulators approved ESPN's acquisition of NFL Network, linear rights to the NFL RedZone Channel and other league media assets in exchange for a 10% equity stake in ESPN, the NFL and ESPN announced late Saturday night.

The blockbuster deal was formally announced last August pending reviews by the Justice Department and other non-US antitrust authorities, which are now complete.

"With the closing, we will begin integrating NFL employees into ESPN in the months ahead," ESPN and the NFL said in a joint statement. "As we look to the future, NFL fans can look forward to expanded NFL programming, greater access to NFL Network, innovative Fantasy experiences and unparalleled coverage of America's most popular sport."

The deal will bring major NFL media properties under the Disney-owned network and expand ESPN's football offerings across both traditional and streaming platforms.

The National Football League gave up 100% ownership of the NFL Network for 10% of ESPN, which is valued in billions of dollars.

Under the agreement, NFL Network and RedZone will be integrated into ESPN's upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service while remaining available via cable and satellite. The RedZone brand could translate to a similar offering in other sports to which ESPN has broadcast rights.

NFL Fantasy will merge with ESPN Fantasy, creating the official season-long fantasy platform of the league.

As part of a second agreement between the sides, ESPN will also gain rights to license three additional NFL games per season for 28 total. Seven of those games will be broadcast on NFL Network -- these three new ones and four that will shift from ESPN to NFL Network. The NFL doubleheaders on Monday nights will cease, while NFL Network again will have four international games for a total of seven games each season.

The merger does not impact coverage of Super Bowl LX next week, with viewers unlikely to see changes until April at the earliest, when NFL Media employees become part of ESPN.

The NFL will retain ownership of key properties including NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com and the NFL Podcast Network, and will continue producing and distributing the digital version of RedZone independently

--Field Level Media

Government OKs ESPN's blockbuster deal for NFL Network from league

Government regulators approved ESPN's acquisition of NFL Network, linear rights to the NFL RedZone Channel and oth...
Wasdale Head Inn in Wasdale Valley Tim Graham/Getty

Tim Graham/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

  • The Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team carried out a 7-hour rescue to save two hikers on a late-night winter hike

  • A hotel at the bottom of the peak offered the hikers a room at a reduced rate to spend the rest of the night, but never received payment

  • After going public with their story, the rescue team reimbursed the hotel with the help of more than 200 donations

A pair of hikers were rescued from a tall English mountain — and then skipped on the bill for the hotel that offered them a place to stay, according to a rescue team.

In apost on Facebook, the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team (WMRT) detailed the "7-hour avoidable rescue" of two young male hikers who got lost amid "treacherous" winter weather in December on Scafell Pike — England's tallest peak at 3,209 feet, perBackpacker.

When the hikers were back at the valley bottom, they were "wet and hungry" and in need of a place to spend the rest of the night, the rescue group claimed.

The bar manager at the Wasdale Head Inn offered to stay up, provide the pair with some snacks and let them stay in one of the unoccupied apartments at a 35% discount," according to WMRT's post.

The rescue team said the two men agreed to the manager's offer, but insisted they'd left their money in their tent on the mountain.

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"Disappointingly, in the morning they offered no thanks for the efforts of the hotel, asked for further reductions to the cost, pushed hard for a breakfast and asked if they could arrange transport to get them out of the valley," WMRT wrote.

The hotel stood firm on its original offer and asked the men to transfer the money when possible. However, in the weeks since, the money never came in — and the phone number the hikers left didn't work.

In addition to skipping out on their hotel bill, the hikers also took with them the gear the rescue team lent them to safely return down the mountain, including two head torches, according to the organization, who said their own attempts to contact the men were also unsuccessful.

"We avoid judging those we rescue but struggle to understand when the rescued take advantage of hospitality provided by our supporters in the valley," they wrote.

Although the hotel agreed to absorb the cost of the loss, saying WMRT didn't have to pay, the rescue team still hoped to reimburse them, which is why they went public with their story.

Much to their surprise, their Facebook post received more than £3,600 (about $4,400),

"It's a remarkable amount of money- we only really needed about £130," WMRT's Richard Warren told BBC Radio Cumbria. "We are bowled over by the generosity of support."

The team has since closed the fund and promised any additional money will go towards their operational costs.

The rescue team stated they hope that the two hikers will see the post and rectify their errors. "They might also reflect on the kindness they were offered that night by the staff at the Wasdale Head Inn and our own volunteer team following their eventful visit to Cumbria," the rescue group wrote.

In a comment on the post, the Wasdale Head Inn thanked the rescue team and highlighted the dedication their staff showed the two hikers.

"Luckily, this is the first time in living memory (45 years or more) that those rescued have behaved like this," the hotel commented, "however, the messages of support and donations for the team from so many people more than make up for this one selfish episode."

Read the original article onPeople

'Wet and Hungry' Hikers Saved from Mountain, Then They Left Rescue Team to Pay Their Hotel Bill

Tim Graham/Getty NEED TO KNOW The Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team carried out a 7-hour rescue to save two hikers on a late-night winter hike...
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses for a photo with the trophy with his mother, Virginia Garfia Escandon, and father, Carlos Sr., following victory against Jannik Sinner of Italy on May 18, 2025, in Rome. Dan Istitene/Getty

Dan Istitene/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

  • Carlos Alcaraz was raised by his parents, mom Virginia Garfia Escandon and dad Carlos Alcaraz González, in Spain

  • The tennis star has said his family has "sport in our blood," as his dad was also a professional athlete

  • He gave his parents a shout-out during his French Open victory speech in June 2024

Carlos Alcarazhas become a star in the professional tennis world — and his parents are proud to watch him live out his dreams.

The Spanish tennis player was raised by his parents, mom Virginia Garfia Escandon and dad Carlos Alcaraz González, in his hometown of El Palmar, Spain. While he's made headlines in recent years securing multiple championships, the Alcaraz clan has been a tennis family for generations: His grandfather helped convert a hunting club in their hometown of El Palmar, Spain, into a tennis and swimming club, and his father has been the tennis director there for decades after his own brief professional career.

"In my family, I think we have the sport in our blood," Alcaraz toldThe New York Timesin September 2021 about his family's history with tennis. "We all played from the time we were young."

As Alcaraz has experienced his meteoric rise in the tennis world, he credits his success to those around him — including his family.

"My family, my friends are nice [people]," he toldTennis Channel Internationalin July 2023. "For me, it's really, really important. As I said, doing great in tennis because of the people that I have around."

Here's everything to know about Carlos Alcaraz's parents.

His father was also a professional tennis player

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses with the winner's trophy alongside father, Carlos Sr., after victory during the Men's Singles Final match on Day Seven of the cinch Championships in 2023 Luke Walker/Getty

Luke Walker/Getty

Alcaraz toldVoguein February 2023 that he was born "with tennis in my blood" — and that is thanks to his father, Alcaraz González.

According toThe New York Times, Alcaraz González was a nationally-ranked tennis player in Spain as a teenager. He broke into the global standings in 1990 when he was ranked 963rd in the world, per theAssociation of Tennis Professionals.

But while Alcaraz's career is just getting started, his father stopped playing professionally when he couldn't afford to continue.

His father was the tennis director at their local club — which was built by Alcaraz's grandfather

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain with his father Carlos Srr, his mother Virginia Garfia and brother Alvaro Alcaraz at the Mutua Madrid Open in 2023. Clive Brunskill/Getty

Clive Brunskill/Getty

About four decades ago, Alcaraz's grandfather (who is also named Carlos) built tennis courts and a swimming pool in the village of El Palmar in Spain, according toTheNew York Times. The duo decided to put red clay courts in the development (though hardcourts would have been cheaper), and the club became known for having the best clay courts in the region.

Alcaraz González became the tennis director at the club after giving up his professional career,Voguereported. Alcaraz picked up his first racket at the age of 4 and trained at the club as a child.

"I loved tennis since the beginning," Alcaraz toldSports Illustratedin September 2022. "I mean my father brought me my first racket and the first time that I played tennis I fell in love."

One of Alcaraz's early coaches, Kiko Navarro, spotted his talent from a young age at the club in El Palmar.

"He began to play with his dad, and one day [his father] asked me to watch him. This kid, at four, five years old, was spectacular," Navarro toldThe Guardianin May 2023. "I knew from very young that he was incredible."

His mother previously worked at IKEA

Carlos Alcaraz's father Carlos Alcaraz González and mother Virginia Garfia are seen in the player's box on day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 Clive Brunskill/Getty

Clive Brunskill/Getty

According toVogue, Alcaraz's mother, Virginia, worked as a shop assistant at IKEA.

She's also made appearances at some of Alcaraz's biggest competitions. She was seencelebrating in the standswhen he won the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2023, alongside Alcaraz's father and younger brother.

After winning the 2023 Madrid Open, Alcaraz wrote a sweet message for his mother on the camera: "Por ti, Mama" (or "For you, Mom"). He explained his message in an on-court interview following the winning match — which fell on the same weekend as Mother's Day in Spain.

"I couldn't buy a gift for her, so I hope she enjoyed the words," Alcaraz said. "I'm gonna give her a really big hug after ... She's always supporting me at home. For me it's really nice to see her here and enjoying her support."

He gave his parents a shout-out at the French Open

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses with his brother Alvaro Alcaraz Garfia and his parents Virginia Garfia Escandon and Carlos Alcaraz Gonzalez after beating Alexander Zverev of Germany in the men's final on Day 15 of the 2024 French Open on June 9, 2024. Jean Catuffe/Getty

Jean Catuffe/Getty

Alcaraz defeatedAlexander Zverevat the French Open in June 2024. During his victory speech, he paid tribute to his parents who were sitting in the audience.

"For me, it's amazing to have you here supporting me," Alcaraz said. "Since I was a little kid, as I said many times, I was running from school to put the TV on to watch this tournament on the TV, now I am lifting the trophy in front of all of you."

Alcaraz's family appeared in his Netflix docuseries

Carlos Alcaraz with his family. Carlos Alcaraz/Instagram

Carlos Alcaraz/Instagram

Carlos Alcaraz: My Way, a three-episode docuseries forNetflix, premiered in April 2025. The show gave fans an intimate look at the tennis star's modest lifestyle, revealing that he still lives at home with his parents in Spain and sleeps in a twin-size bed next to a display of his many trophies.

Cameras captured several sweet moments between Alcaraz and his family, including meals cooked by his mother.

"There's no food like my mother's anywhere in the world. That's for sure," he said as Virginia laughed.

Read the original article onPeople

Carlos Alcaraz's Parents: All About the Tennis Champion's Mom Virginia and Dad Carlos Sr.

Dan Istitene/Getty NEED TO KNOW Carlos Alcaraz was raised by his parents, mom Virginia Garfia Escandon and dad Carlos Alcaraz González, i...
OPEC+ set to keep planned oil output pause for March as prices jump, sources say

By Olesya Astakhova and Ahmad Ghaddar

Reuters

MOSCOW/LONDON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - OPEC+ is likely to keep its planned pause on oil output increases for March when it ​meets later on Sunday, three OPEC+ delegates told Reuters, even after crude prices ‌hit six-month highs on concern the U.S. could launch a military strike on OPEC member Iran.

The meeting of eight ‌OPEC+ members comes as Brent crude closed near $70 a barrel on Friday, close to a six-month high of $71.89 reached on Thursday, despite speculation that a supply glut in 2026 would push prices down.

The eight producers - Saudi Arabia, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Iraq, ⁠Algeria and Oman - raised production ‌quotas by about 2.9 million barrels per day from April through December 2025, roughly 3% of global demand.

They then froze further planned increases ‍for January through March 2026 because of seasonally weaker consumption.

Sunday's meeting is due to start at 1330 GMT, two sources said. It is not expected to take any decisions for output policy beyond March, ​sources said on Friday.

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OPEC+ includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, plus Russia ‌and other allies. The full OPEC+ pumps about half of the world's oil.

A separate OPEC+ panel called the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee is also scheduled to meet on Sunday, delegates said. The JMMC does not have decision-making authority on production policy.

U.S. President Donald Trump is weighing options against Iran that include targeted strikes on security forces and leaders ⁠to inspire protesters, multiple sources said on Thursday.

Washington has ​imposed extensive sanctions on Tehran to choke off ​its oil revenue, a crucial source of state funding.

Both the U.S. and Iran have since signalled willingness to engage in dialogue, but Tehran on ‍Friday said its defence ⁠capabilities should not be included in any talks.

Oil prices have also been supported by supply losses in Kazakhstan, where the oil sector has suffered a series of ⁠disruptions in recent months. Kazakhstan said on Wednesday it was restarting the huge Tengiz oilfield in stages.

(Reporting ‌by Olesya Astakhova in Moscow, Alex Lawler and Ahmad Ghaddar in London. Writing ‌by Alex Lawler, Editing by Alexander Smith)

OPEC+ set to keep planned oil output pause for March as prices jump, sources say

By Olesya Astakhova and Ahmad Ghaddar MOSCOW/LONDON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - OPEC+ is likely to keep its planned pau...
Preparations underway for full reopening of Gaza's Rafah crossing, officials say

By Maayan Lubell and Nidal al-Mughrabi

JERUSALEM/CAIRO Feb 1 (Reuters) - Preparations to reopen Gaza's main border crossing in Rafah were underway on Sunday though it was uncertain any Palestinians would pass through it before the day's end, Israeli ​and Palestinian officials said.

Before the war, the Rafah border crossing with Egypt was the only direct exit point for most ‌Palestinians in Gaza to reach the outside world as well as a key entry point for aid into the territory. It has been largely shut since May ‌2024.

COGAT, the Israeli military unit that oversees humanitarian coordination, said the crossing will reopen in both directions for Gaza residents on foot only and its operation will be coordinated with Egypt and the European Union.

"As part of the pilot for the initial operation of the crossing, all involved parties are carrying out a series of preliminary preparations aimed at increasing readiness for full operation of the crossing," COGAT said on Sunday.

"The ⁠actual passage of residents in both directions ‌will begin upon completion of these preparations," it added.

A European source close to the EU mission confirmed the details and a Palestinian official said the crossing was expected to open for passengers on Monday. The ‍Egyptian foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

STRICT SECURITY CHECKS

Israel has said the crossing would open under stringent security checks only for Palestinians who wish to leave the war-ravaged enclave and for those who fled the fighting in the first months of the war to return.

Many ​of those expected to leave are sick and wounded Gazans in need of medical care abroad. The Palestinian health ministry has ‌said that there are 20,000 patients waiting to leave Gaza.

An Israeli defence official said that the crossing can hold between 150-200 people altogether in both directions. There will be more people leaving than returning because patients leave together with escorts, the official added.

Lists of Gazans set to pass through the crossing have been submitted by Egypt and approved by Israel, the official said.

Reopening the border crossing was a key requirement of the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to end the Israel-Hamas war.

But the ceasefire, which came into ⁠effect in October after two years of fighting, has been repeatedly shaken by ​rounds of violence.

Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed more than 500 Palestinians since ​the ceasefire, local health officials say, and Palestinian militants have killed four Israeli troops, according to Israeli authorities.

On Saturday, Israel launched some of its most intense airstrikes since the ceasefire, killing at least 30 people, in ‍what it said was a response ⁠to a Hamas violation of the truce on Friday when militants emerged from a tunnel in Rafah.

The next phases of Trump's plan for Gaza foresee governance being handed to Palestinian technocrats, Hamas laying down its weapons and Israeli troops withdrawing ⁠from the territory while an international force keeps the peace and Gaza is rebuilt.

Hamas has so far rejected disarmament and Israel has repeatedly indicated that if the ‌Islamist militant group is not disarmed peacefully, it will use force to make it do so.

(Additional reporting by Alexander ‌Dziadosz in Cairo; Writing by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Christina Fincher)

Preparations underway for full reopening of Gaza's Rafah crossing, officials say

By Maayan Lubell and Nidal al-Mughrabi JERUSALEM/CAIRO Feb 1 (Reuters) - Preparations to reopen Gaza's main ...

 

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