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Rylee Harris from Clarkston, Michigan has announced her commitment to continue her academic and athletic careers at Hillsdale College in fall 2025.
“I am so incredibly blessed to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Hillsdale College. I give all my thanks to God, my family, friends, and my coaches and teammates at OLY. So excited for these next 4 years! Go chargers!”
Harris swims for OLY Swimming out of Rochester, Michigan and just finished her senior year at Clarkston High School. She swam for Clarkston as a freshman and sophomore, making the Division I (big schools) State Championship meet in both seasons.
She only swam in three meets this past SCY season, concluding her season at the MCSA Senior Cup Championship. She swam to a season best 54.13 100 free, 1:55.89 200 free, and 59.81 100 back.
Harris’s Lifetime Best SCY Times Are:
100 free: 53.13
200 free: 1:54.05
100 back: 59.32
200 back: 2:09.15
The Hillsdale women finished 2nd out of 10 teams at the 2025 Great Midwest-Mountain East Conference Championship. Elise Mason led the team as she won conference titles in the 500 free, 1000 free, and 1650 free.
Based on her best times, Harris has the potential to make an immediate impact upon her arrival. Her best time in the 200 free would have been 5th at the conference level while her 200 back would have been 6th. Her 100 free and 100 back would have made the ‘B’ finals. In addition to her individual impact, Harris would have been 3rd on the roster this past season in the 100 free while her 200 free would have been 4th, giving her relay potential as well.
Harris will arrive this fall as a member of the class of 2029 along with Sasha Alles, Aine Maloney, and Avery May.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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As renewable energy becomes firmly established, the focus shifts to optimizing its potential. From employing perovskites to enhance photovoltaic panel efficiency to developing larger wind turbines, numerous strategies are emerging to generate clean energy more effectively. One such strategy focuses not on the technology itself but on the location of the installations. While we’ve previously discussed solar panels installed on reservoirs or offshore wind farms, today we’ll explore a newer concept: nearshore renewable energy.
What this article covers:
What is nearshore renewable energy?
Nearshore renewable energy is a type of offshore renewable energy involving the installation of wind turbines or solar panels in shallow waters, typically less than 15 kilometers from the coast, with solar setups often situated mere meters offshore. This strategic positioning takes advantage of nearshore conditions while mitigating some challenges associated with deeper water installations.
In the case of nearshore wind energy, the kinetic energy of coastal winds is harnessed to generate electricity. Turbines are anchored to the seabed in relatively shallow waters, enabling them to capture stronger, more consistent winds than those available on land. Additionally, their proximity to the shore simplifies maintenance and reduces the complexity of transmitting electricity to the grid.
As for nearshore solar energy, it involves floating solar panels installed in shallow waters. After proving successful in marsh environments, these panels are now being evaluated for use in coastal areas, as detailed later in this article.
Differences between nearshore and offshore renewable energy
Although both involve placing turbines or solar panels over water, nearshore and offshore renewable energy differ significantly, particularly in their distance from the coast and the associated technical and economic challenges.
Distance from the coast: Nearshore installations are typically within 15 kilometers of the coast, while offshore facilities are situated much farther out. This closer proximity simplifies logistics and reduces transportation costs. Currently, solar panels are only being tested in nearshore setups.
Water depth: Nearshore systems are located in shallow waters, making foundation construction simpler and less costly. Offshore installations, by contrast, require advanced engineering solutions to anchor turbines in deeper waters.
Wind conditions: Offshore locations often experience stronger, more consistent winds than nearshore areas. However, nearshore installations still benefit from better wind conditions than land-based systems, offering a practical balance between wind availability and logistical feasibility.
Advantages of nearshore renewable energy
Nearshore renewable energy offers several compelling benefits, making it an appealing option in the push for sustainable energy solutions:
Cost reduction: Being closer to shore reduces the length and complexity of submarine cables, lowering installation and maintenance costs. Additionally, construction in shallow waters is less technically demanding.
Simplified logistics: Proximity to land makes it easier to transport materials and personnel, speeding up construction and simplifying maintenance operations. This translates into shorter timelines and reduced operational risks.
Improved grid integration: The closer location to the coast allows for easier connections to existing power grids, eliminating the need for significant investments in additional infrastructure.
Controlled environmental impact: Nearshore projects can be designed to minimize harm to marine life and habitats. Their proximity to land also enables more effective monitoring and management of environmental impacts.
A floating solar project in the Maldives
While most current nearshore projects focus on wind energy, there are notable photovoltaic initiatives in similar environments, such as the 2 MWp floating solar power system at the Soneva Secret resort in the Maldives. This project aims to reduce reliance on diesel generators by harnessing solar energy through three 74-meter-diameter floating rings, all without occupying valuable island space.
The installation is engineered to withstand waves over two meters high, ensuring reliable operation in the Maldives’ marine environment. This initiative not only reduces the resort’s carbon footprint but also demonstrates the viability and advantages of integrating renewable energy solutions in nearshore settings.
Conclusion
Nearshore renewable energy strikes a balance between technical feasibility and economic viability, positioning it as a promising alternative in the transition to cleaner energy sources. By leveraging favorable coastal wind conditions while avoiding the complexities of deepwater installations, these projects deliver sustainable energy in an efficient and effective manner.
Innovative projects, like the floating solar system in the Maldives, underscore the potential of nearshore renewable energy and highlight how advancements in this field can cut emissions and foster environmental sustainability.
The forward, set to link up with Inter Milan in LA, is stranded in Iran after his home country’s airspace was shut down.
Inter Milan’s Iranian forward Mehdi Taremi could miss the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States after being unable to leave his home country to join his team amid Iran’s airspace closure due to its ongoing exchange of aerial fire with Israel.
Taremi, who was named in Inter’s squad for the 32-team tournament, was expected to link up with his team in Los Angeles as they gear up for the tournament, but media reports in Italy and the US said on Saturday that the striker is likely to miss the first match on Tuesday and perhaps the entire competition.
“The Iranian striker will not join the Nerazzurri, neither for the first match nor for the others,” Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Saturday.
“Inter have been in close contact with the Iranian authorities in Italy over the last 24 hours to comfort the player and try [to find] a solution that is currently impossible. The player is in Tehran in a safe place and sheltered from the bombings,” the report added.
The Italian side open their campaign against the Mexican side, Monterrey FC, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Los Angeles, on Tuesday, but Taremi is unlikely to be part of the squad.
The 32-year-old captains Iran and was among the goal scorers as they beat North Korea in their AFC World Cup qualifying match at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran on June 10. A day later, he won the inaugural Iranian Toopa Award (Golden Ball).
While it is unclear when the forward was scheduled to fly out of Tehran, his departure for the US was put on hold when Israel began its attacks on Iran on Friday morning, leading to the indefinite closure of its airspace.
Iran responded to the attacks later on the same day, and both countries have been involved in an exchange of fire ever since.
Taremi, who joined Inter Milan on a three-year contract in July 2024, has scored three goals in 43 appearances for the Nerazzurri.
Milan and their opening-game opponents Monterrey are placed in Group E for the Club World Cup alongside Argentinian club River Plate and Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds.
Mehdi Taremi played and scored in Iran’s AFC World Cup 2026 qualifying game against North Korea at Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran on June 10 [Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters]
The Japanese electronics giant, which ownsSony Music Group, on Thursday (June 12) said it has struck deals with Guitar Center Professional and Advanced Systems Group to distribute the 360VME system.
The technology uses specialized headphones to recreate the acoustic environment of professional studios, allowing anyone to produce studio-quality mixes in any location.
It addresses some challenges that are common in music production, such as the need to book expensive studios to achieve professional-level mixes.
Masaaki Oshima, Head of Personal Entertainment Business Unit, Sony Corporation, said: “Sony audio is committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation in audio technology, and our partnerships with Guitar Center Pro and ASG mark an exciting milestone in making 360 Virtual Mixing Environment (360VME) more accessible than ever.”
“With these collaborations, we are thrilled to set a new standard for the way immersive content is mixed and experienced, and look forward to seeing how creators bring this transformative technology to life.”
“With these collaborations, we are thrilled to set a new standard for the way immersive content is mixed and experienced, and look forward to seeing how creators bring this transformative technology to life.”
Masaaki Oshima, Sony Corporation
The 360VME technology allows producers to capture the sound characteristics of reference studios and reproduce them through headphones.
Sony explained that the system works by taking “a one-time studio measurement” of a reference studio, then using personalized Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF) data and binaural processing to recreate the environment through headphones like Sony’s MDR-MV1.
Guitar Center Professional has started offering public access to the technology at its Hollywood flagship store and Nashville Custom House experience center.
The retailer is also dispatching personnel to conduct on-site measurements at client facilities, allowing musicians to replicate their preferred studio environments.
Advanced Systems Group, which focuses on post-production and studio technology, plans to integrate 360VME into its client workflows. The company recently acquiredAudio Intervisual Design, expanding its capabilities in film and TV audio work.
Sony first tested 360VME by sound talent at Sony Pictures Post Production Services during the pandemic. It played a role in mixing Columbia Pictures‘ Venom: The Last Dance and the upcoming Until Dawn horror film.
Applications of the technology extend beyond traditional recording. Big.Ass.Kids., a collaborative music platform, is using 360VME systems at multiple Shangri-La Studios locations in Los Angeles for its Pigeons & Planes See You Next Year compilation project.
The project brings together emerging artists, producers, and songwriters to create original music, with Sony providing 360VME hardware to participating studios.
Additionally, educational institutions have also started incorporating the technology into their programs. New York University, home to the Sony Audio Institute, along with Drexel University and the University of Toronto, are using 360VME to address space limitations in their audio engineering programs.
Jeff Wolpert, Adjunct Professor, University of Toronto & multi-award winning engineer, mixer, producer and editor, said: “It immediately became apparent upon being introduced to the Sony’s 360 Virtual Mixing Environment, that a system that could recreate our immersive studio with such accuracy would serve to virtually expand our facility with no additional construction required.”
“It immediately became apparent upon being introduced to the Sony’s 360 Virtual Mixing Environment, that a system that could recreate our immersive studio with such accuracy would serve to virtually expand our facility with no additional construction required.”
Jeff Wolpert, University of Toronto
“We now measure profiles for the incoming students to the Music Technology and Digital Media graduate program each year, so that every student has an accurate monitoring environment wherever they are.”
The technology represents Sony’s latest attempt to remain relevant in the music production landscape. Sony launched its 360 Reality Audio experience in 2019 to compete with Apple‘s Spatial Audio and DolbyAtmos
Over a month ago, Sony partnered with social music platform BandLab Technologies to integrate its 360 Reality Audio technology directly into BandLab‘s platform, allowing its 100 million users to both experience and create music in spatial audio using just smartphones and standard headphones.
Fathi Mohamed Abdi (L) and Saadia Ahmed Omar (R) have overseen more than 30 multimillion-dollar projects
Construction is booming in Somalia’s capital city and as Mogadishu literally rises from the ashes of its violent past it is also giving unexpected opportunities to women like Fathi Mohamed Abdi and Saadia Ahmed Omar.
The two young female engineers have been overseeing the construction of a 10-floor apartment complex in Taleh in the city’s Hodan District.
Wearing hard hats they navigate their way through construction material, issuing instructions to a team of workers – all of whom are men.
“When I started, people doubted me,” 24-year-old Ms Abdi, the chief operating officer of Arkan Engineering Services, a Somali-owned construction company, tells the BBC.
“They would ask, ‘How can we trust a house built by a woman? How can I trust my money and property with a young female engineer?'”
She and her colleague Ms Omar have been practising engineers for the last five years.
“Mogadishu needs us,” says Ms Omar, who is also 24. “When I was young, this city was in chaos. Now, we are part of its reconstruction.”
Somalia, a former Italian colony, has experienced a prolonged period of civil war after the government of President Siad Barre collapsed in January 1991.
Even now, scars of decades of war are still visible – like in the central district of Shangani where there are bombed-out buildings. But the ruins are becoming hidden or replaced by tall office complexes and apartments, and a skyline dotted with cranes and scaffolding.
Both young women were born during the civil war and grew up witnessing their country fragmenting. While many Somalis chose to leave, they stayed, driven by a passion to rebuild, despite the fact that an insurgency was being waged by al-Shabab, a group linked to al-Qaeda.
“I think part of the reason women are getting more chances in this field is because there’s so much work to do, and not enough professionals to do it. That creates space for us,” Ms Omar says.
Mohamud Abdisamad / BBC
Over the last five years, more than 6,000 buildings have been constructed in Mogadishu
Ibrahim Abdi Heyle, chairman of the Somali Engineers Association, agrees the high demand for skilled professionals is leading to change – even if slowly in Somalia’s traditionally male-dominated society.
“With numerous ongoing infrastructure, energy, and technology projects, the workload has significantly increased. As a result, the association actively encourages greater participation from women, emphasising that they are not only welcomed but also vital in filling critical gaps in the workforce,” the 34-year-old says.
“The association believes that empowering women in engineering not only helps meet the growing demand but also brings diverse perspectives and innovative solutions to the industry.”
According to the office of the mayor of Mogadishu, over the last five years, more than 6,000 buildings have been constructed, marking a significant change in the city’s landscape.
“Security in Mogadishu has improved, leading to an increase in high-rise and commercial buildings,” says Salah Hassan Omar, the mayor’s spokesperson.
Nonetheless it has not been an easy path for Ms Abdi and Ms Omar as only 5% of engineers are women – and they often find opportunities for mentorship are scarce.
“When I applied for internships, most companies rejected me,” Ms Omar recalls. “They didn’t think a woman could handle the physical demands of engineering. I searched for three months before someone finally gave me a chance.”
Today, the two are among the most recognised female engineers in Mogadishu, having overseen more than 30 multimillion-dollar projects.
“The city is now home to taller buildings and modern infrastructure, a stark contrast to the Mogadishu of the past,” Ms Abdi says proudly.
AFP / Getting Images
There are fears that the classical look of old Mogadishu will be completely lost
But not everyone is pleased with the transformation. Veteran architect Siidow Cabdulle Boolaay laments the loss of the city’s historical character.
“The buildings that once graced Somalia before the war were not only beautiful but also attracted attention due to their Italian-style architecture, which was rare in Africa at that time,” he tells the BBC. “The urban planning of Mogadishu was highly structured.”
Mr Boolaay also has safety concerns: “The sand used in Mogadishu’s buildings is salty, which undermines its effectiveness.”
Sand from Somalia’s long coastline is often used to make cement – a practice that is generally discouraged and, in many circumstances, restricted by international building standards because the high salt content can cause the corrosion of steel.
“These tall buildings are not designed to withstand fire or heavy rain, and safety for the tenants is not considered during development. Many of these buildings lack fire extinguishers and proper electrical installations,” he adds – visibly disappointed.
He is wary of the pace at which buildings are being constructed, which he says is compromising quality control.
For years, there were no regulations, leading to concerns about their structural integrity.
Mr Omar, from the mayor’s office, admits this was the case until three years ago – and says nothing can be done about those buildings.
But he insists there is now “quality control and nobody will build a building without it”.
“We are [also] preparing new laws that will clearly define where high-rise buildings can be constructed and where only residential houses should be built.”
Yet there are worries that while regulations are in place – there are often no follow-up checks because of the speed of the building boom.
Mohamud Abdisamad / BBC
It is rare to see women taking charge of a construction site in Somalia
Ms Abdi and Ms Omar, who graduated from Plasma University Mogadishu’s faculty of civil engineering, say under their firm all their projects have been approved by the local authorities.
The rapid growth of construction projects has been attributed to diaspora investments as well as improved security – although Islamist militants who control large swathes of southern Somalia still target the city.
According to the World Bank, remittances made up 16.7% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022 – something that has given opportunities to architects and engineers.
But the rapid urbanisation has also exposed Mogadishu to infrastructure challenges – it lacks a proper sewage system and unregulated borehole drilling risks depleting groundwater reserves.
Christophe Hodder, a UN climate security and environmental adviser, warns that the unchecked construction boom could lead to long-term environmental consequences.
“We need a co-ordinated approach to water management, or we risk a crisis in the future. Each new building is digging its own borehole… in a small space, there could be 10 or 20 boreholes,” he told the BBC.
The government, in partnership with international organisations, is working on a new sewage system, but its implementation may require demolishing existing buildings – a controversial move that could displace residents and businesses.
Mr Hodder adds that there is a high population density in Mogadishu – people driven into the city by drought and conflict.
An increase in the urban population, especially in slum areas, might further increase poverty and social disparities, he says.
Despite these challenges, Mogadishu’s future looks promising. The city is striving to implement urban development regulations, improve infrastructure and ensure sustainable growth.
Even the bombings by the Islamist armed group al-Shabab – whose fighters tend to target plush hotels often occupied by politicians – does not dent the enthusiasm of the Somali Engineers Association.
Mohamud Abdisamad / BBC
The engineers hope Mogadishu will become a modern city and a model for post-conflict reconstruction
Mr Heyle admits it can be upsetting for architects and engineers whose buildings are destroyed but notes that Somalis have become resilient – especially those studying engineering.
“A lot of explosions happened; our dreams did not stop on that. Today we are reviving the engineering profession, which collapsed 30 years ago. That means there is hope.”
And the ambition is that in five years, Mogadishu will not only be a modern city but also a model post-conflict reconstruction.
“I believe Mogadishu is a different city compared to the 1990s; the city has changed to a new style, and Mogadishu’s development is in line with the new world,” says Ms Omar.
“When I walk through the streets and see buildings I helped construct, I feel proud. We are not just building structures; we are building hope.”
Ms Abdi agrees, adding: “We are proving that women can not only design buildings but also lead projects and shape the city.”
Israel and Iran traded missile strikes on Sunday, as the conflict between the countries raged for a third day.
Israeli police and paramedics said at least eight people were killed and more than 140 injured in the strikes overnight, including four people who were killed when an Iranian missile landed near a residential building in the north of the country.
Another four people were killed when another missile hit a building in Bat Yam, a suburb of Tel Aviv, authorities said.
The Israel Defense Forces said it had targeted critical installations in Tehran, including Iran’s defence ministry. Iranian officials said residential buildings had also been hit.
Israeli attacks also hit a major oil terminal in Tehran’s Shahran neighbourhood late on Saturday. Witnesses described a huge explosion at the site, but Iran’s petroleum ministry said the fire was under control.
The two countries’ leaders also exchanged threatening rhetoric overnight. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of attacks that Iran “cannot even imagine”, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it would pursue a “more forceful and expansive” response if Israeli attacks continued.
As her first day of school under Taliban rule approached, Sajida Hussaini was hopeful. Her father, a teacher for 17 years, and her mother had instilled in her and her siblings the value of education, and now she was one year away from graduating high school.
Even though the Taliban had taken over the country last summer, marking an end to many of the rights she and other Afghan girls had enjoyed all their lives, the regime had announced that it would reopen schools on March 23 and permit girls to attend.
But when Sajida and her classmates arrived at the school’s front gate, administrators informed them that girls beyond sixth grade were no longer allowed to enter the classrooms. Many of the girls broke into tears. “I will never forget that moment in my life,” Sajida said. “It was a dark day.”
Sajida was among a million or so girls in Afghanistan who were preparing to return to their classrooms after an eight-month hiatus. With the Taliban out of power in the early decades of the 21st century, girls and women across the country had gained new freedoms that were suddenly thrust back into question when the fundamentalist group swept through Kabul in August. In early statements to the international community, the Taliban signaled that it would loosen some of its policies restricting women’s rights, including the education ban. But that has not been the case, and when the day to reopen schools came, it dawned on Sajida and others that the Taliban intended to maintain its longstanding restrictions, washing away any optimism that the regime would show more ideological flexibility in pursuit of international credibility. In addition to maintaining its ban on girls’ schooling, the Taliban has ordered women to cover themselves from head to toe while in public and barred them from working outside the house, traveling abroad without a male guardian, and participating in protests.
For a generation of girls raised to aspire for the professional class, the Taliban’s restrictions have shattered, or at least deferred, dreams they’d held since their earliest memories.
Born into a middle-class Shiite family, Sajida had always assumed she’d complete a college education and one day earn enough money to take care of her parents when they got old.
“My parents raised me with hope and fear,” she said. Hope that she would get to enjoy rights denied to previous generations of girls who grew up under the Taliban’s previous rule; fear that the country might one day come back under the power of people “who do not believe that girls constitute half of the human society.”
She began attending school at the age of 7 and soon fell in love with reading, devouring every novel she could get her hands on.
“I was planning to study Persian literature to be a good writer and reflect on the wounds and the plight of my society,” Sajida said.
Even in the years after the Taliban were driven out of power, Sajida witnessed dozens of attacks by militant groups on schools and academic centers around Kabul.
In May 2021, ISIS bombed a Shiite girls school, killing at least 90 girls and wounding 200 others.
Despite the risk of facing violence, she continued to attend school, finishing 11th grade last year before the Taliban seized Kabul and left her hopes of completing high school and going to college up in the air.
The sudden shift in fate has devastated parents across the country who invested years and savings toward securing their daughters’ opportunities for professional success.
In the southeastern Ghazni province 150 kilometers west of Kabul, Ibrahim Shah said that he had done years of manual labor to earn enough money to send his children to school. His daughter Belqis, who is 25, graduated from college a year ago, just months before the Taliban took control. She had aspired to work as a civil servant for her country and stand as a role model to the generation of girls raised to dream big. Now she doesn’t know what she will do. The Taliban’s return “was a dark day for the Afghan women and girls,” she said.
In response to the Taliban’s policies, the UN Security Council convened a special meeting and called “on the Taliban to respect the right to education and adhere to their commitments to reopen schools for all female students without further delay.” The European Union and the US also issued condemnations.
Taliban “authorities have repeatedly made public assurances that all girls can go to school,” Liz Throssell, a spokesperson at the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva, told BuzzFeed News. “We urge them to honor this commitment and immediately reverse the ban to allow girls of all ages across the country to return to their classrooms safely.”
In response to the ban, the World Bank announced in March that it would reconsider the $600 million in funding for four projects in Afghanistan aiming “to support urgent needs in the education, health, and agriculture sectors, as well as community livelihoods.”
Amid international pressure, the Taliban announced that it was establishing an eight-member commission to deliberate its policy on girls schools. Sajida and four other girls who spoke to BuzzFeed News expressed skepticism that the regime would allow them to return to their classrooms.
Who: Paris Saint-Germain vs Atletico Madrid What: FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Where:Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, United States When: Sunday, June 15, 12:00pm PDT kickoff (19:00 GMT)
How to follow our coverage: We’ll have all the build-up from 6pm (16:00 GMT) on Al Jazeera Sport.
Freshly crowned kings of Europe, Paris Saint-Germain, are treating FIFA’s lucrative new-look FIFA Club World Club not as a nuisance at the end of an exhausting season but as a serious objective.
“I think it is an incredible competition,” PSG coach Luis Enrique said of the Club World Cup in the immediate aftermath of his team’s UEFA Champions League triumph in Munich.
“Our aim is to be competitive and try to win a fifth trophy of the season.”
The Qatar-backed French giants could be forgiven for wanting some time to bask in the glory of their 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in Munich, which allowed them to finally win the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Paris St Germain’s Achraf Hakimi arrives in Los Angeles ahead of the Club World Cup [Daniel Cole/Reuters]
There had been numerous agonising failures in Europe’s elite club competition, as well as billions of euros spent on transfer fees for stars like Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, prior to captain Marquinhos raising the trophy aloft.
“We have made history for the club, for the city and for the whole country,” defender Lucas Hernandez told the sports daily L’Equipe, after the PSG squad paraded their trophy down the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, attended a reception with President Emmanuel Macron and celebrated with almost 50,000 fans at their Parc des Princes stadium.
PSG players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Champions League final against Inter Milan [Michael Probst/AP]
Will PSG play their star names at the Club World Cup?
PSG have played 58 matches since last August, and also swept all the available domestic trophies in France this season, as has become the norm in recent years.
But there is simply no time to stop and reflect.
Many of their players, including Champions League final hero Desire Doue, spent last week on international duty before returning to their club and departing for Los Angeles, where they will begin their FIFA Club World Cup adventure this weekend.
“The tournament itself is a really attractive prospect,” Luis Enrique told FIFA.com.
“We have to strike the balance between managing the physical and mental fatigue we’re experiencing now at the end of a long season and harnessing the motivation that comes with being involved in the competition.”
Paris Saint-Germain CEO Victoriano Melero and Adrien Frier, the French consul-general in Los Angeles, pose for a picture in Beverly Hills [Rory Carroll/Reuters]
PSG’s opening game is against another European heavyweight as they take on Antoine Griezmann’s Atletico Madrid at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, just outside Los Angeles, on Sunday.
They will then also face South American champions Botafogo, of Brazil, before moving north to take on Seattle Sounders in their remaining Group B matches.
Expected to qualify for the knockout phase without too many issues, PSG could end up playing a total of seven matches if they make it all the way to the final in New York on July 13 – just a month before their scheduled first game of next season in the UEFA Supercup against Tottenham Hotspur.
Have PSG made any new signings since their Champions League win?
The strain of such a long campaign is telling, with Ousmane Dembele – their top scorer this season with 33 goals – struggling with an injury picked up playing for France last week.
They did not manage to add any new players to their squad during the brief transfer window that opened at the start of this month ahead of the tournament. Reported interest in Bournemouth’s Ukrainian defender, Illia Zabarnyi, did not turn into anything concrete.
But the rewards for success in the Club World Cup are enticing and should be enough to keep Luis Enrique’s squad focused on their objective, with up to a stunning $125 million in prize money on offer for the best-performing European team if they manage to go all the way.
Paris Saint-Germain players arrive in Los Angeles on a Qatar Airways aeroplane with the PSG and Champions League logos ahead of the Club World Cup [Daniel Cole/Reuters]
Paris Saint-Germain (France) full squad:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matvey Safonov, Arnau Tenas Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Lucas Peraldo, Presnel Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes, Lucas Hernandez, William Pacho, Noham Kamara Midfielders: Gabriel Moscardo, Fabian Ruiz, Joao Neves, Senny Mayulu, Warren Zaire-Emery, Vitinha Forwards: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Goncalo Ramos, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Lee Kang-In, Bradley Barcola, Ibrahim Mbaye
Atletico Madrid (Spain) full squad:
Goalkeepers: Joan Musso, Jan Oblak, Antonio Gomis, Salvi Esquivel Defenders: Jose Maria Gimenez, Cesar Azpilicueta, Clement Lenglet, Nahuel Molina, Axel Witsel, Javi Galan, Reinildo, Robin Le Normand, Ilias Kostis Midfielders: Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo De Paul, Koke, Pablo Barrios, Thomas Lemar, Samu Lino, Marcos Llorente, Rodrigo Riquelme, Javi Serrano, Taufik Seidu, Rayane Belaid Forwards: Antoine Griezmann, Alexander Sorloth, Angel Correa, Carlos Martin, Julian Alvarez, Guiliano Simeone
The grand military parade that President Donald Trump had been wanting for eight years kicked off Saturday with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute, playing out against the counterpoint of protesters around the country who decried the U.S. leader as a dictator and would-be king.
The Republican president, on his 79th birthday, sat on a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of American military might, which began early as light rain fell and dark clouds loomed. It’s a procession Trump tried to make happen in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but the plans never came together until this year, when it was added to an event recognizing the Army’s 250th anniversary.
Hours before the parade was set to start, demonstrators turned out in streets and parks around the nation to decry the Republican president as a dictator or would-be king.
They criticized Trump for using the military to respond to those protesting his deportation efforts and for sending tanks, thousands of marching troops and military aircraft out for a show in the U.S. capital.
In Washington, anti-war protesters unfurled signs that said “Homes not drones” not far from a display of armored vehicles, helicopters and military-grade equipment on the National Mall set up to commemorate the Army’s birthday. Vendors outside the festival sold gear marking the military milestone. Others hawked Trump-themed merchandise.
A military parade commemorating the Army’s 250th anniversary, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, Saturday.
Stephanie Scarbrough—AP Photo
Doug Haynes, a Navy veteran who voted for Trump, attended the daylong festival to celebrate the Army’s 250th birthday, but said that the parade scheduled for later “was a little over the top.”
Pointing at a nearby tank, Haynes said that having them roll down the street is a “very bold statement to the world, perhaps.”
The military procession was set to step off from the Lincoln Memorial later Saturday, under the threat of stormy weather and to the accompaniment of protests elsewhere in the city.
Trump brushed off the possibility of both disruptions, with a social media post Saturday morning that said the “great military parade” would be on “rain or shine.” The protests, he said earlier, “will be met with very big force.” Hours ahead of the parade, crowds of protesters with anti-Trump signs marched toward the White House, escorted by police vehicles and officers on bicycles. Some held a giant banner that read: “TRUMP MUST GO NOW.”
The parade was added just a few weeks ago to the planned celebration of the Army’s birthday and has drawn criticism for its price tag of up to $45 million and the possibility that the lumbering tanks could tear up city streets. The Army has taken a variety of steps to protect the streets, including laying metal plates along the route.
About 6 in 10 Americans said Saturday’s parade was “not a good use” of government money. The vast majority of people, 78%, said they neither approve nor disapprove of the parade overall, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
The National Anthem is performed as President Donald Trump attends a military parade commemorating the Army’s 250th anniversary on Saturday.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson—AP Photo
The daylong display of America’s Army comes as Trump has shown his willingness to use the nation’s military might in ways other U.S. presidents have typically avoided. In the last week, he has activated the California National Guard without the governor’s permission and dispatched the U.S. Marines to provide security during Los Angeles protests related to immigration raids, prompting a state lawsuit to stop the deployments.
He similarly sought to project military strength during his first presidential term, saying in 2020 that he wanted forces to “dominate” the streets following racial justice protests that turned violent and warning governors that he was prepared to send in active-duty fighters if they did not call out the National Guard in their states.
Earlier this week, Trump raised eyebrows during a speech at Fort Bragg when members of the 82nd Airborne Division, who were directed to stand behind Trump, booed and cheered during his incendiary remarks, including condemnation of his predecessor, Joe Biden. There also was a pop-up “Make America Great Again” merchandise stand nearby selling souvenirs to troops in uniform.
The Defense Department has a doctrine that prohibits troops from participating in political activity while in uniform. Members of Congress and military leaders have expressed concerns about the political displays during the speech at Fort Bragg.
Saturday’s pageantry was designed to fulfill Trump’s expressed desire for a big parade that he tried to get done in his first term after seeing one in Paris on Bastille Day in 2017. Trump said after watching the two-hour procession along the famed Champs-Élysées that he wanted an even grander one in Washington.
The parade will wind down Constitution Avenue, lined with security fencing and barriers. Army helicopters and aircraft will fly above, and the march will be capped off by a parachute jump, a concert featuring “God Bless the U.S.A.” singer Lee Greenwood and fireworks.
Soldiers walking along Constitution Ave., on the National Mall ahead of a parade commemorating the Army’s 250th anniversary on Saturday.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais—AP Photo
It remained unclear whether any protests would disrupt the parade, though several hundred demonstrators assembled in the hours before. Officials have said they had no indication of any security threat.
“No Kings” rallies — organizers picked the name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration — unfolding in hundreds of cities — were meant to counter what organizers say are Trump’s plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and Flag Day.
Ahead of a rally and march toward the White House on Saturday afternoon, about 200 protesters assembled in northwest Washington’s Logan Circle and handed out signs and danced to upbeat music from a local street band, including “This Land Is Your Land.”
The mood was celebratory as the group chanted “Trump must go now” before erupting in cheers.
A larger-than-life puppet of Trump was wheeled through the crowd, a caricature of the president wearing a crown and sitting on a golden toilet.
Other protesters waved pride flags and hoisted signs, some with pointed messages such as “I prefer crushed ICE,” referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Other messages were: “The invasion was HERE Jan. 6th, NOT in L.A.” and “Flip me off if you’re a FASCIST.”
With rain expected, there was a chance the parade could be interrupted by thunderstorms.
The Army expects as many as 200,000 people could attend the festival and parade.
The parade is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT, but parts of it — including the horse-drawn caissons and other units — start at the Pentagon, head over a bridge and meet up with some of the heavier tanks and equipment. Officials did not want the more-than-60-ton M1A1 Abrams tanks and Stryker vehicles crossing the bridge.
Timed down to the minute, the march will be divided into sections by history — with equipment and troops in full dress from each period.
It will include a total of 6,169 soldiers and 128 Army tanks, armored personnel carriers and artillery, while 62 aircraft fly overhead.
At the end of the parade, Trump will swear in 250 new or reenlisting troops, and the Army’s Golden Knights parachute team will jump onto the Mall. That will be followed by a concert and fireworks.
