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This is the week of Ash Wednesday, a solemn day of fasting and reflection that signals the start of Lent, the most penitential season of the church calendar for Catholics and many other Christians.

On Ash Wednesday, many Christians go to church for a service that emphasizes the start of a season of reflection, self-denial and repentance from sin.

Worshippers receive ashes, commonly imposed in the shape of a cross on the forehead. The officiant typically says, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," a stark reminder that death is part of life and that one should focus on things of the spirit. Or the officiant says, "Repent and believe in the Gospel."

Ashes in churches, chapels — and parking lots

Ash Wednesday is considered an obligatory fast day for Roman Catholics between 18 and 59 — meaning limiting food to one full meal and two smaller-than-normal meals.

Many Protestants — particularly those in Episcopal, Lutheran and other historic churches — also mark Ash Wednesday with similar liturgies.

In recent years, many Episcopal and other churches in the United States have begun offering "Ashes to Go" in parking lots, commuter-rail stations and elsewhere. Clergy offer to impose ashes on busy workers and others who want to participate in the ritual but may lack the time to get to church.

Chaplains of various denominations offer ashes at airport chapels and other sites.

Among other Protestants, such as Baptists and other evangelical groups, traditions vary. Some observe Ash Wednesday and Lent, others don't. But they often have their own penitential and ascetic traditions. Many Pentecostals, for example, fast for a period in January to consecrate the year ahead.

Members of another of the world's largest religions are also about to embark on their season of prayer and fasting. The start of Ramadan and the start of Lent may fall on the same date — for sure within the same week — this year.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, leading up to observances of Jesus' death on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter.

Ash Wednesday is designated by counting backward 40 days from Easter, minus the Sundays.

Different churches have found various ways of calculating the traditional 40 days of Lent, but the number itself is important. It connects to the biblical symbolism of the number 40, typically used for times of testing, judgment, purification or renewal. Most directly, it alludes to the 40 days that Jesus fasted in the wilderness after his baptism, in preparation for his public ministry.

During Lent, the faithful devote themselves to prayer and other devotions, as well as charitable deeds, fasting and other forms of self-discipline. People speak of giving up something for Lent — stereotypically chocolate, but really anything that one finds difficult to do without. These days, that might mean reducing screen time.

Many churches also have extra times of devotions and other activities. Catholics often have group meditations on the Stations of the Cross, marking different events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus.

Observant Catholics also abstain from meat on Fridays — though not fish.

To that point, Lent is not all solemnity. For many Catholic parishes in the U.S.,the Friday fish fryhas become a tradition combining food, fundraising and community bonding.

A movable fast

Ash Wednesday is not a fixed date. Its timing is tied to Easter Sunday. For most Christians, Easter will fall on April 5 this year.

Easter moves annually, swinging between March 22 and April 25, following anancient formulain which Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon in spring.

Eastern Orthodox Christians calculate the beginning and end of their "Great Lent" differently. They begin their observances on a Monday — this year on Feb. 23 — which they call "Clean Monday" or "Pure Monday." While they don't use ashes, they do start a period of penance and fasting. The Great Lent continues through the Friday before Holy Week, including Sundays.

The dates for Great Lent are also determined in tandem withOrthodox calculationsof Easter (Pascha), which differ from those of Western churches. Orthodox Easter is April 12 this year — as in most years, falling later than Catholic and Protestant observances.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP'scollaborationwith The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

ROME, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Italy stands ready to help ‌train police forces in ‌Gaza and elsewhere in the ​Palestinian territories, its foreign minister said on Monday, as Rome aims to play a ‌role in ⁠stabilizing the Middle East.

"We are ready to ⁠train a new Gaza police force, and we are ​also ready ​to ​train a Palestinian ‌police force," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told a news conference in Rome.

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He confirmed that Rome was ready to ‌participate as an ​observer in U.S. ​President ​Donald Trump's Board ‌of Peace initiative, and ​Italy ​had been invited to attend a meeting of the ​group ‌this week in Washington.

(Reporting ​by Angelo Amante, editing by ​Gavin Jones)

By Andrew Osborn

MOSCOW, Feb 16 (Reuters) - The Kremlin on Monday flatly rejected accusations from five European countries that the Russian state had killed Alexei Navalny two years ago using toxin from poison dart frogs, but his ‌widow said the truth had finally been proven.

Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's most prominent domestic critic, died on February 16, ‌2024, in the "Polar Wolf" penal colony north of the Arctic Circle about 1,900 km (1,200 miles) northeast of Moscow. He was 47.

His death, which the Russian state ​said was from natural causes, occurred a month before Putin was re-elected for a fifth term in a landslide vote which Western nations said was neither free nor fair due to censorship and a crackdown on opponents.

Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands said on Saturday that analyses of samples from Navalny's body had "conclusively" confirmed the presence of epibatidine, a toxin found in poison dart frogs in ‌South America and not found naturally in Russia.

"Navalny ⁠died while held in prison, meaning Russia had the means, motive and opportunity to administer this poison to him," they said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the allegations.

"Naturally, we do not accept such accusations. ⁠We disagree with them. We consider them biased and not based on anything. And we strongly reject them," Peskov told reporters.

TEST RESULTS?

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, previously said Moscow would provide relevant comment if and when the countries making the allegations released and ​detailed ​their test results.

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Until then, the state TASS news agency cited her as ​saying, the allegations were "merely propaganda aimed at diverting ‌attention from pressing Western issues".

The British government on Saturday declined to respond to a Reuters query about how the samples from Navalny's body were obtained or where they were assessed.

The European joint statement referenced the 2018 Novichok poisoning in Salisbury, England, of former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, suggesting that Moscow has form when it comes to using deadly poisons against its enemies.

Russia denies involvement in the Salisbury incident. It also rejects British allegations that Moscow killed dissident Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006 ‌by lacing his tea with radioactive polonium-210.

A group of 15 mostly European countries - ​but also including Australia, New Zealand and Canada - issued a fresh statement ​on Monday, reiterating their demands for Russia to conduct ​a transparent investigation into Navalny's death.

The statement, published on the German foreign ministry's website, said that Russian ‌human rights defenders were continuing Navalny's legacy and called ​on Moscow to release "all political prisoners".

The ​dart frog toxin allegations were made at the Munich Security Conference ahead of the second anniversary of Navalny's death on Monday.

Yulia Navalnaya, his widow - who had alleged from the outset that her husband had been murdered by the Russian ​state - said on Monday that the findings ‌provided the necessary proof to back her stance.

"Two years. We have attained the truth, and we will also ​attain justice one day," Navalnaya wrote on X above a photograph of her late husband smiling.

(Reporting by Reuters;Additional ​reporting by Matthias Williams Writing by Andrew Osborn Editing by Gareth Jones)

The 2025 NFL season came to an end with the Seattle Seahawks' 29-13 win over the New England Patriots inSuper Bowl 60.

The football world has nowshifted to offseason mode. That will leave NFL fans grappling with their first Sundays without football and looking forward to any and all NFL events throughout the 2026 offseason.

NFL OFFSEASON SCHEDULE:Important dates, free agency, draft, more

The 2026 NFL Draftwill, of course, be the marquee event. The league's annual labor allocation serves as a beacon of hope for NFL teams looking to land top-end talents and orchestrate quick turnarounds, as the New England Patriots andWashington Commandershave done in recent seasons.

How willthe 2026 NFL Draftshake out? It's still too early to say definitively, as the 2026 NFL Combine will affect draft boards, while free agency will influence which positions teams target with their picks.

But here's USA TODAY Sports' latest projections about how the first round will go with those important events looming.

2026 Senior Bowl week: NFL draft prospects in action

2026 NFL mock draft

1.Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

We can probably write this pick in pen. Mendoza led Indiana to a national championship and won the Heisman Trophy while showing off elite accuracy, anticipation and ball-placement skills. He has all the tools needed to be a reliable pocket passer in the NFL, andworking with Klint Kubiakcould quickly unlock his potential.

2.New York Jets: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

The Jets aren't likely to take a quarterback here withDante Moore going back to school. Instead, they'll look to add a blue-chip talent to their barren roster. Reese enjoyed a breakout season for Ohio State, racking up 6.5 sacks while showing off great versatility playing on the edge and as an off-the-ball linebacker. He's a great athlete and will be a valuable Swiss Army knife for Aaron Glenn's defense.

3.Arizona Cardinals: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech

Mike LaFleur may like to add a top-tier tackle with this selection, but finding a pass-rushing partner for Josh Sweat should also be high on the first-year coach's wish list. Bailey posted an FBS-high 14.5 sacks last season while showing great burst off the edge. The All-American is as pro-ready as they come.

4.Tennessee Titans: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL)

The Titans don't have much pass-rushing talent outside of Jeffery Simmons. Bain has an unorthodox build for an edge rusher at 6-3, 275 pounds with short arms, but he was terrific during Miami's national championship run. Robert Saleh will love his pro-ready physicality and power, which should help improve Tennessee's run defense.

5.New York Giants: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

The Giants could look at a right tackle here if Jermaine Eluemunor leaves in free agency. If not, adding a receiver to pair with Malik Nabers and give Jaxson Dart two high-end receiving targets could be in order. Tate has great size at 6-3, 190 pounds and – like many Ohio State wide receivers under Brian Hartline – is a great route-runner.

6.Cleveland Browns: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL)

TheBrowns' entire starting offensive line is set to hit free agency. That will leave Todd Monken's team rebuilding the unit, and Mauigoa is a great starting point. The 6-6, 335-pound tackle is a powerfully built, plug-and-play right tackle who figures to be a road-grade run blocker.

7.Washington Commanders: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

The Commanders would probably like to land one of the top-three edge rushers here, but all are off the board. Instead, they will settle for Downs, who fills a need at safety and is arguably the best player in the draft. The Ohio State product has great football IQ and was excellent in coverage for the Buckeyes. He should quickly emerge as a difference-maker in the NFL.

8.New Orleans Saints: WR Makai Lemon, USC

Tyler Shough enjoyed a better-than-expected rookie season in New Orleans. Kellen Moore will want to surround him with more talent in 2026, and adding a receiver to pair with Chris Olave should be high on his wish list. Lemon isn't big (5-11, 196 pounds) or overly athletic, but he has great separation skills and strong hands, making him an ideal slot weapon at the pro level.

9.Kansas City Chiefs: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

It almost seems unfair to give Love to the Chiefs. He's a well-built back (6-0, 214 pounds) who has breakaway speed and the receiving skills needed to be a three-down workhorse. Love would be a major upgrade over the Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt duo, and Kansas City could lean on the rookie to carry its offense as Patrick Mahomesworks his way back from a torn ACLearly in the season.

10.Cincinnati Bengals: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

Failing to land a top-three pass rusher or Downs is probably Cincinnati's nightmare scenario. Even so, the Bengals are desperate for defensive help at all levels, and McCoy could turn their cornerback room into a strength. He's a bit of a mystery after missing the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL, but his play in 2024 could help him become the top cornerback off the board if his medicals check out.

11.Miami Dolphins: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

Miami's top two cornerbacks from last season, Rasul Douglas and Jack Jones, are set to be free agents.New Dolphins coach Jeff Hafleywill want to add talent to the cornerback room anyway, and Delane – an All-American who allowed just a 31.3 passer rating last season, perPro Football Focus– would give the team a true, No. 1 option at the position.

12.Dallas Cowboys: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

The Cowboys will likely address defense early and often in the draft as they look to rebuild the unit for the post-Micah Parsons era. Styles is well-built at 6-4, 240 pounds and has athleticism that allowed him to be a sideline-to-sideline, three-down playmaker for Ohio State. He would be a stabilizing force in the middle of Dallas' defense.

13.Los Angeles Rams(fromAtlanta): OT Spencer Fano, Utah

TheRamsare well-positioned to take the best player available with the 13th pick. Fano – an experienced tackle with great footwork and room to add to his 6-6, 308-pound frame – qualifies as such here, and also fills a potential need for the team afterRob Havenstein's retirement. Fano would battle Warren McClendon Jr. for the starting right tackle job and significantly improve the team's tackle depth.

14.Baltimore Ravens: G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Guard was one of theRavens' biggest weaknesses last season, and their interior offensive line could take an even bigger blow if center Tyler Linderbaum leaves in free agency. Ioane is the clear-cut best interior blocker in this year's draft, and Jesse Minter may have an interest in adding him after seeing how the Chargers' poor interior blocking was the team's undoing in 2025.

15.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht has typically preferred to add players who were high-end producers in college. Howell fits the bill after logging 11.5 sacks during his final collegiate season and would provide an upgrade to Tampa Bay's lackluster edge rush.

16. New York Jets (fromIndianapolis): WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State

Could the Jets target a quarterback like Ty Simpson here? Sure, it's possible. But with Aaron Glenn needing to win early to cool his hot seat, it seems more likely New York will trust a veteran while continuing to build up the rest of its roster. Tyson is an elite separator with 6-2, 200-pound size. He has great ball skills and would pair well with Garrett Wilson.

17.Detroit Lions: OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Someone is going to take a chance on Proctor in the first round. The Alabama product was a three-year starter and has great movement skills considering his 6-7, 360-pound frame.Dan Skipper retiredduring the offseason, and 32-year-old Taylor Decker may not be far behind him, so the Lions could use a high-upside successor like Proctor to pair with Penei Sewell long-term.

18.Minnesota Vikings: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson

TheVikingscould stand to add more talent to their secondary for 2026. Targeting a safety like Emmanuel McNeil-Warren here could be in play, but adding Terrell – a disruptive cornerback with NFL bloodlines – feels like a more prudent play for a Minnesota squad that could use more upside at corner.

19.Carolina Panthers: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn

The Panthers invested two Day 2 picks in edge rushers last season, but could still stand to add talent at the position. Faulk has a massive 6-6, 285-pound frame that could give him inside-outside versatility in Ejiro Evero's defense. He's also one of the draft's youngest players and won't turn 21 until September, giving him plenty of room for growth at the NFL level.

20. Dallas Cowboys (viaGreen Bay): Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson

The Cowboys would probably love to land the Styles and Faulk combination with their two top-20 picks, but they'll happily settle for Parker in this scenario. Parker didn't quite build upon his 11-sack 2024 season as many had hoped, but he still has the physical talent needed to blossom into a quality NFL starter. Dallas will be happy to add him as a potential long-term partner for Donovan Ezeiruaku.

21.Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Denzel Boston, Washington

The Steelers desperately need to add a true No. 2 receiver to pair with DK Metcalf. Boston boasts a 6-4, 209-pound frame, has great contested-catch abilities and would give Pittsburgh a big-bodied receiver combination that would give opposing defensive coordinators headaches.

22.Los Angeles Chargers: DT Peter Woods, Clemson

The Chargers figure to address the trenches with their first-round pick. They would probably prefer to add a plug-and-play guard or center, but Woods could also be on their radar. Once considered a top-10 talent, Woods figures to slip after an inconsistent season at Clemson. He still shows flashes of explosive, pass-rushing ability, so pairing him with Teair Tart would be an intriguing combination in Los Angeles.

23.Philadelphia Eagles: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

The Eagles' top-three tight ends from 2025 are all set to be free agents, including Dallas Goedert. If Sadiq lasts this long, he would be a perfect replacement. The Oregon product profiles as a big-time vertical threat and recorded 51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns while working with Dante Moore last season. It's easy to imagine him developing into a solid safety valve for Jalen Hurts and eventually improving as a blocker.

24. Cleveland Browns (fromJacksonville): WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M

At some point, the Browns need to add a down-the-field receiver to Monken's offense. Concepcion has great deep speed, averaging a career-best 15.1 yards per reception in his lone season with the Aggies, and is also an elite returner. He's on the smaller side at 5-11, 190 pounds, but it's worth noting Monken's top receiver with the Ravens was Zay Flowers (5-9, 183 pounds).

25.Chicago Bears: DT Caleb Banks, Florida

Banks could end up being a quick riser after starring at the Senior Bowl. He played just three games in 2025 due to injury, but many believed he had top-15 potential entering the season. The Bears can take a swing on the 6-6, 331-pounder to fill the team's need for an upgraded pass rush in addition to Montez Sweat.

26.Buffalo Bills: WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee

The Bills are desperate to add receiver talent around Josh Allen. This might be slightly early for Brazzell, but his combination of size (6-5, 200), burst off the line and production – he had 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns at Tennessee last season – could help him sneak into the end of the first round.

27.San Francisco 49ers: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

The 49ers need a short-term upgrade at left guard and a long-term successor for Trent Williams at left tackle. Lomu would be an ideal fit, as he could begin his career as an athletic guard while working to fill out his lean 6-6, 305-pound frame before moving to tackle.

28.Houston Texans: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia

Freeling figures to rise during the draft process, as the 6-7, 315-pound tackle has tantalizing traits that simply can't be taught. The Texans took an upside swing on a similarly huge tackle, Aireontay Ersery, last season and could envision Freeling becoming a long-term bookend for him.

29. Los Angeles Rams: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

Matthew Stafford confirmed he would return in 2026after winning the NFL MVP, but the 38-year-old is undoubtedly in the twilight of his career. The Rams would be wise to soon invest in a successor and Simpson's accuracy, ability to navigate the pocket and field-reading capabilities would make him a natural fit in Sean McVay's offense.

30.Denver Broncos: LB CJ Allen, Georgia

TheBroncosdon't have many needs, so they could be positioned to take the best player available here. Allen was a productive, do-it-all linebacker for the Bulldogs and generated 88 tackles, 8 TFL and 3.5 sacks last season while allowing just an 87.8 passer rating. It's fun to imagine him taking on a significant role in Denver's already tenacious defense.

31.New England Patriots: Edge Zion Young, Missouri

The Patriots have a few clear-cut needs, including a high-end receiver and a long-term successor for Morgan Moses at right tackle. However, their most pressing need is on the edge, where their top sack artist – K'Lavon Chaisson – is set to be a free agent. Young posted career-best marks in sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (16.5) at Missouri last season and has the motor and tenacity that will appeal to Mike Vrabel.

32.Seattle Seahawks: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

Two of Seattle's top-three cornerbacks – Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe – are set to be free agents in 2026. If either leaves, Seattle will need to replenish its depth. Cisse is athletic, physical and allowed just 18 receptions and a 78.9 passer rating last season. He and Devon Witherspoon would combine to create an imposing cornerback tandem.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 NFL mock draft: Top 10 features Makai Lemon, run on pass rushers

The best 3-point shooter in NBA history is ready to return to the 3-point contest ... in 2027. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry said Sunday that he wants to participate in the 3-point contest next season.

Curry made the announcement during an appearance on NBC. When asked whether he felt he needed to return to the competition after watching Damian Lillard win his third 3-point contest, Curry said, "One hundred percent."

He added, "I already scheduled it." And said he was looking to make sure Lillard and Curry's former teammate Klay Thompson took part in the festivities.

Curry was motivated by the fact that Lillard, who is recovering from Achillies surgery, joined an elite group with his third 3-point contest victory. Curry has won the event twice — in 2015 and 2021. It sounds like he wants to match Lillard, or at least see if he can take him down.

Thompson also has a 3-point contest win under his belt, in 2016.

Curry, the league's all-time leader in 3-pointers made, is still playing at a high level 17 seasons into his career. The 37-year-old is averaging 27.2 points this season, his highest total since the 2022-23 NBA season.

That performance was enough for Curry to be named a starter at the 2026 All-Star Game, but the Warriors' star sat out of the event due to a knee injury.

Despite sitting out, Curry seemed to have a great time during the festivities. In addition to his announcement, Curry alsohit a shot from the NBA Showtime deskand was one ofthe biggest cheerleadersduring the various All-Star games Sunday.

Though Curry continues to play at a high level, the Warriors are once again fighting for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Entering Monday, the team sits at 29-26, good for eighth place in the West.

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain is under pressure for the first time this season and tensions have started appearing.

France Champions League Soccer

Afterfailing to qualify automaticallyfor the last 16 of the Champions League, last year's winner faces a playoff against Ligue 1 rival Monaco.

PSG heads to Monaco for Tuesday's first leg on the back of a 3-1 defeat at Rennes, which allowedLens to reclaim top spotin Ligue 1.

PSG is also out of the French Cup and has lost six games overall this season.

The Rennes defeat prompted PSG'sBallon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembéléto question the attitude of his teammates.

"I think we need to show more desire," he said. "Because if we play as individuals on the pitch it won't work, we won't win the trophies we want."

Without giving names, he suggested some players are putting themselves first.

"Last season we put the club first before thinking about ourselves. I think we need to rediscover that," Dembélé added. "We're in the second half of the season and Paris Saint-Germain should come first, not individual players."

Dembélé's comments led coach Luis Enrique to issue a stern reminder about keeping a united front.

"I will never allow any player to be above the club," he said. "I am the person responsible for the team."

Luis Enrique's strong man-managementhas helped PSG become a far more unified team. He made it clear that, unlike previous seasons, there would be no pampered players.

Dembélé found that out the hard way, when Luis Enriquedropped himfor a Champions League game at Arsenal early last season on disciplinary grounds.

It worked as Dembélé went on to score 35 goals overall and help PSG win the Champions League for the first time.

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PSG's surge to the title was largely unexpected — as wasDembélé's suddenly prolific scoring— and the element of surprise has now gone.

Too many games?

Last season stretched until the Club World Cup final in mid-July and saw some PSG players appear in more than 60 games.

The team's high-octane style and incessant closing down demands a lot. Perhaps as a consequence, and with little recovery time over the summer, the club has been hit byinjuries to key playersthroughout this campaign.

Dembélé has not been able to form the same understanding in attack with Désiré Doué, with both players being injured twice.

Luis Enrique also seems uncertain on his best goalkeeper, which does not help the defense.

Chevalier vs. Safonov

Last season's Champions League success was helped by spectacular shot-stopping from goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the knockout rounds.

But Luis Enrique decided, perhaps surprisingly, to recruitLucas Chevalier from Lilledespite his lack of experience compared to Donnarumma, a European Championship winner with Italy who made 251 appearances for AC Milan before joining PSG.

Donnarumma is now with Manchester City.

Chevalierimpressed for Lillelast season and was considered by Luis Enrique to be better at passing from the back thanDonnarumma, which gives PSG options to attack from deeper and keep more control of possession.

Yet Chevalier has looked out of his depth at times and lost his place to Matvei Safonov, who was Donnarumma's backup last season.

Monaco improving

PSG reached the last 16 last season by beating French side Brest 10-0 over two legs.

It promises to be a harder test against Monaco, which beat PSG earlier this season in Ligue 1 and is improving in defense, with four clean sheets in the past six games.

Coach Sébastien Pocognoli is waiting on the fitness of attacking midfielder Maghnes Akliouche, midfielder Lamine Camara and goal-scoring wingerAnsu Fati. ___

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

MILWAUKEE — One of the most popular and luxurious passenger steamers of its day has been found in Lake Michigan's deep waters, searchers announced last week, more than 150 years after it sank stern-first about 20 miles off Racine, Wisconsin.

Lac La Belle, originally registered in Cleveland but later moved to Milwaukee for its home port, carried 53 passengers and crew when it encountered a fierce storm in mid-October 1872. Eight people died.

The ship was discovered by Paul Ehorn, an Elgin, Illinois, shipwreck hunter who has found several wrecks, most notably the SS Senator, which he located in 2005. The steel-hulled freighter sank off Port Washington, taking nine lives and 268 Nash automobiles on Halloween 1929.

The discovery was announced in a release by Brendon Baillod, president of the Wisconsin Underwater Archeological Association, on ShipwreckWorld.com.

Ehorn said Lac La Belle captured his interest because of his love of old wooden steamers. He and his partner, maritime historian and shipwreck hunter Bruce Bittner, were able to narrow down the location and then use sonar to find the ship. The two then recruited two divers to go down and film it.

"When you search, you go down into like a neighborhood," Ehorn told the Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network. "You go down one street, then you go down the next street. If I would've started over in one lane, I would've found it in 30 seconds."

Perhaps most surprising, considering Lac La Belle's violent demise, the hull remains intact and the ship upright. Ehorn, 80, doesn't dive anymore but said he's "envious" of the divers who went to see Lac La Belle.

"It's in great condition," Ehorn said.

Gale force winds, extinguished boilers sealed doom

Built in 1864 in Cleveland, Lac La Belle was powered by a twin-cylinder high-pressure condensing steam engine. It was one of the first propeller ships on the Great Lakes to have twin stacks.

Built as a passenger steamer, Lac La Belle originally ran from Cleveland to Lake Superior. But it sank in an accident in 1866, and needed to be raised and refurbished, converted to a bulk freighter before resuming service.

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On Oct. 13, 1872, Lac La Belle left Milwaukee at 9 p.m. local time, carrying 19,000bushelsof barley, 1,200 barrels of flour, 50 barrels of pork, 25 barrels of whiskey, 20 tons ofanimal feed, and sundries en route to Grand Haven, Michigan. About two hours into the trip, the ship began leaking badly from an unknown source, and it turned back to Milwaukee.

But the storm worsened with gale-force winds from the north, and eventually, water coming in extinguished the ship's boilers, leaving it at the mercy of the wind and the waves. Lifeboats were lowered, and the captain ordered the ship abandoned.

The captain ordered lifeboats lowered, and passengers and crew abandoned ship. All but one lifeboat returned to shore between Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin. One capsized.

More wrecks are being discovered. This was especially coveted.

The shipwreck-hunting community had long coveted Lac La Belle. But it was never clear exactly where it went down. Ehorn said he and Bittner were "up for joy" when they realized they found it.

"I anticipated searching for a few weeks," Ehorn said. "I got lucky and had a lot of research."

Ehorn will be presenting the discovery in person at the2026 Ghost Ships Festivalin Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on March 7. He will show an underwater video of the site and tell the story of the discovery.

Beyond that, Ehorn's plans include creating a 3D photogrammetry model that will record the condition and layout of the wreck in detail before he releases the precise location.

In recent years, more shipwrecks have been discovered in the Great Lakes than ever before. Shifting water levels uncovering well-preserved sites, combined with better technology and increased public reporting, have all contributed to the boom.

"It's like an Easter egg hunt, and you found the egg," Ehorn said. "The picking gets slimmer as the years go by."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:Searchers find missing luxury ship in Lake Michigan 153 years later