Unseeded Marketa Vondrousova beat fourth seed Jessica Pegula in a topsy-turvy match to reach the...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Sean Murphy hit a two-run homer and the red-hot Atlanta Braves began a series between teams with the best records in the major leagues with a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.

The New York City Police Department will deploy a fleet of hi-tech drones during the Labor Day weekend to monitor complaints about large gatherings associated with West Indian American Day celebrations, a tactic that has been denounced by civil liberties advocates.

Russia has intensified its offensive in northeastern Ukraine to break through its heavily fortified defence and recapture the Kupiansk-Lyman area. The Russian Army is preparing for “serious offensive actions” and sending more staff in Kupiansk-Lyman, commander of the Ukrainian ground forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said. The fighting had "significantly escalated", he said, adding, "The main goal is to break through our troops’ defences and recapture our territory". But Ukraine’s eastern forces said president Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces were putting up a tough fight from well-entrenched troops, forcing Russian soldiers to retreat. “Our fortifications there are quite reliable. We have a powerful, dug-in position,” Ilia Yevlash, spokesperson for Ukraine’s forces in the east, told Ukrainian television. “So the enemy got it right in the teeth and retreated in order to regroup.” Russia captured the northeastern towns near Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv when the invasion began but Ukrainian forces recaptured the areas last year, evicting invading forces from some parts of the country’s Donbas industrial heartland. Its recapturing marked a significant step in the Ukrainian offensive to defend its territories. The Russian defence ministry acknowledged that it launched an “intense military activity” in the area and repelled 10 Ukrainian attacks in the Kupiansk area and two more in adjacent Lyman. In June, Ukraine initiated a counteroffensive with the primary objective of reclaiming territory in the eastern region, notably in the vicinity of Bakhmut, which had fallen under Russian control in May. Their strategy also involved advancing southward toward the Sea of Azov. The Ukrainian military primarily achieved gradual progress, disregarding criticism from certain Western observers who contended that the offensive was proceeding too slowly. Over the past week, the focus on the eastern front has shifted from Bakhmut to Avdiivka, a town located further southwest renowned for its substantial coking plant. The leading local authority in Avdiivka said there was a temporary calm in the city but they anticipated a forthcoming assault. “Shelling has diminished, there was less today,” Vitaliy Barabash, head of Avdiivka’s military administration, told national television, while noting that two people were killed in a nearby village. “We expect there will be new waves of heavy attacks in the days to come.” Read More Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin suffers serious losses in largest offensive in months Sushi standoff spreads as Russia joins China in banning Japanese seafood Russian governor reported to police for speaking out over Putin’s ‘unnecessary’ war against Ukraine The Body in the Woods | An Independent TV Original Documentary The harrowing discovery at centre of The Independent’s new documentary

Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered son Joseph with Mildred Baena, who separated from her husband after the revelation

Steve Pikiell is entering his eighth basketball season at Rutgers and this one could be very different

American Airlines says it will appeal a court ruling that would break up a partnership with JetBlue

DALLAS (AP) — Jason Robertson scored twice and Joe Pavelski had a goal and two assists, helping the Dallas Stars beat the struggling Tampa Bay Lightning 8-1 on Saturday.

An unusual method for cooking hotdogs has gone viral on TikTok after food influencer Carolina Gelen shared a tutorial video for “spiral hotdogs”. Gelen, who shares recipes with more than 560k followers on TikTok, posted her latest tutorial last week and has garnered more than 1.8m views in under three days. Her method of cutting hot dogs into a spiral before cooking them gives the sausages more surface area for caramelisation and toppings, she said. The home cook demonstrates inserting a skewer lengthwise into a hotdog and using a knife to cut around it at a 45-degree angle. This creates a spiral hot dog that lengthens but does not break apart. Gelen then cooks them in a cast iron pan over a fire and explained that the new shape makes the meat “open up in the pan”. “They caramelise beautifully and they can hold so many more toppings due to their shape,” she told viewers. “All those flavours and sauces will fall between those nooks and crannies and stay in between the buns.” Gelen recommends making her roasted red pepper salsa and pickle mayonnaise for toppings, but people who try her method can use whatever hot dog toppings they enjoy. She finished the video by assembling her hot dog, which was loaded up with her salsa, mayonnaise and mustard. @carolinagelen spiral hot dogs #hotdog #cooking #grilling #food ♬ Sunday - HNNY Viewers have been enjoying trying Gelen’s method of cooking hot dogs, with one person writing: “You just changed my life.” Another said: “This is genius. I only like grilled hot dogs and this will definitely maximise caramelisation.” A third added: “My hot dog life will never be the same thank you.” The video was also shared on Twitter and has gained a similar reception, with many users declaring they will try it out. “One of those tips that immediately strike you as game-changing and legit,” one person wrote. “Maillard reaction = flavour. And those new nooks and crannies can hold on to toppings better. “I’ll be 100 per cent doing with my hot dogs and bratwursts from now on.” Another said: “I did the spiral hot dogs thing tonight and I can confirm it’s got me a Michelin star.” Some people pointed out that this method is common in some cuisines, such as Filipino food, and confirmed it is a delicious way to prepare hot dogs. The viral tip comes as the UK is experiencing the highest temperatures of 2023 so far, with the mercury hitting 30C in most of the country on Saturday (10 June). Many will undoubtedly be having barbecues as the temperatures soar again today (Sunday 11 June) and can try Gelen’s method of cooking hot dogs. However, the Met Office has issued yellow warnings for thunderstorms across parts of England and Wales and some areas could be hit by torrential rain this weekend. Read More More thunderstorms and 30C temperatures forecast after hottest day of the year 7 things fitness experts want you to know about exercise during a heatwave Weather – latest: Health warning escalated as ‘extreme’ heatwave set to make UK hotter than Spain Schoolboy almost dies from swallowing magnets for TikTok challenge Woman shares honest review of New York City apartment TikTok mom slammed after making 5-year-old son run in 104 degree heat

Daniel James insists Wales have not given up hope of automatic Euro 2024 qualification despite the blow of Turkey beating Croatia on Thursday. Turkey’s shock 1-0 win in Osijek has left Wales with a mammoth task to claim a top-two place in Group D. Wales realistically need to win their final three group games – starting against Croatia in Cardiff on Sunday – to secure automatic qualification for next summer’s Euro finals and avoid going into the play-offs in March. “The players have spoken a little bit about it (the Turkey result) but not too much,” James told the PA news agency. “You always hope results go your way, but you can’t concentrate on hoping other teams lose. “We’ve gone into every game believing that we can win and it (qualification) is still in our hands. “Croatia lost the other night but they’re a great team that’s been to the semis and finals of World Cups. You can’t underestimate them at all. “We had a start in this group that wasn’t up to our standards, but we trust ourselves to go into this game with heads held high.” Although James points out that he is “no big verbal leader” almost as quickly as he bursts down the pitch, the 25-year-old winger now has senior status within Rob Page’s squad. James won his 46th cap in the 4-0 friendly victory against Gibraltar on Wednesday after coming on as an early substitute for the injured Wes Burns. He made two goals and hit the post with a ferocious shot from outside the box to build on his fine early-season form at Leeds. James, speaking at the Wales training camp to celebrate the wave of free McDonald’s Fun Football sessions in the country this autumn, said: “I still feel that age of 19 or 20 when I first came into the set-up. “But I do feel like one of the senior boys now. The way we sit in the dining room I’m at a more senior table. “You see boys in there now about 20 and it feels a bit crazy. It’s the same at club level where we’ve got a lot of youngsters. “I wouldn’t say I was a massive talker in the dressing room. I let the other boys do that and concentrate on my own game. “But you’ve got to try and set that example on the pitch by working hard and showing what you can do. I always give 100 per cent to help take the team forward.” James has certainly done that on his return to Leeds following a frustrating loan spell at Fulham last season. I wouldn't say I was a massive talker in the dressing room. I let the other boys do that and concentrate on my own game. Daniel James The former Manchester United player made only five Premier League starts in West London and has had to rebuild confidence in the Sky Bet Championship following Leeds’ relegation from the top flight. James said: “Fulham was a good learning curve for me and I don’t regret it at all. “I didn’t play as much as I wanted to but, because it happened so late in the window on deadline day, it takes a while to settle and find somewhere to live. “You’ve got children as well and the first two or three months were very hard. The World Cup was coming up and it’s always hard to settle in pretty quick.” On his return to Leeds, where he has been joined by Wales teammates Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon, James said: “It’s great to be back. As soon as I got back in the summer I just wanted to play and show that I was there to stay and work hard. “We had a little bit of a tricky start, but we’ve had a good run of games and we’ve just got to keep pushing. “It’s always harder when you haven’t played many minutes, not just physically but mentally as well. “You need to get into the rhythm of games and I’ve got that at Leeds now. I’m feeling fit and ready and, when that happens, everything comes naturally.” :: Daniel James was speaking at a special fun football session at the Wales training camp to celebrate the wave of free McDonald’s Fun Football sessions in Wales this autumn. McDonald’s Fun Football is the UK’s largest grassroots participation programme for 5-11 year-olds. Find your nearest free session at www.mcdonalds.co.uk/football Read More I feel sorry for the manager – Chiedozie Ogbene sympathises with Stephen Kenny Gareth Southgate questions why England fans booed Jordan Henderson Stephen Kenny admits Republic of Ireland ‘needed to win’ against Greece Ben Davies: Wales go into Croatia clash believing anything’s possible Matty Jones says late Wales Under-21s draw in Czech Republic ‘feels like a win’ Stephen Kenny under pressure as Ireland’s qualification hopes come to end

By Kylie Madry MEXICO CITY Grupo Televisa reported a more than 95% slide in quarterly net profit on

Russian President Vladimir Putin's "vertical of power" -- the way in which the entire structure of Russian political power rests on one man -- has undergone profound stress testing in the wake of the Wagner mercenary group's aborted march on Moscow in June.