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UPCOMING

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SOC--WORLD CUP

FORMATS: Video, Photo, Text, LiveVideo

1. WITH: SOC--WORLD CUP-BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA-CANADA

2. DESCRIPTION: Co-host nation Canada opens its World Cup schedule “hosting” Bosnia and Herzegovina in a Group B matchup at Toronto on Friday. Canada has yet to win in two previous World Cup appearances, while Bosnia and Herzegovina went 1-2 in group play in making its tournament debut in 2014. By John Wawrow. 500 words, photos. Game starts at 3 p.m. EDT.

3. UPCOMING: By 06/12/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: SOC--WCUP-US-PARAGUAY

5. DESCRIPTION: INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The U.S. plays Paraguay in its opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Christian Pulisic and the Americans hope to take early control of their group in their quest for the team’s best World Cup result. By Greg Beacham.

6. UPCOMING: By 06/12/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT

7. WITH: ENT--WCUP-BOSNIA-VIRAL SONG

8. DESCRIPTION: The opening lyrics couldn’t be much plainer: “I am from Bosnia; take me to America.” But by rewriting their classic “USA,” the Bosnian band Dubioza Kolektiv has transformed a song about disillusionment with the American Dream into a viral anthem powering Bosnia and Herzegovina’s own World Cup dreams.

9. UPCOMING: By 06/12/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT

10. WITH: SOC--WCUP-KNICKS VS SOCCER

11. DESCRIPTION: In most nations hosting the World Cup, soccer is a fixation. But with the New York Knicks holding a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven NBA Finals against San Antonio and one win from their first title since 1973, attention is surely going to be split this weekend.

12. UPCOMING: By 06/12/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT

13. WITH: SOC--WCUP-MOROCCO-BRAZIL

14. DESCRIPTION: Brazil heads into Friday’s game against African champion Morocco unbeaten in 20 World Cup openers since a 1934 defeat to Spain. By Ronald Blum, 600 words, photos, 6 p.m.

15. UPCOMING: By 06/12/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

16. WITH: SOC--WCUP-SOCCEROOS-CELEBRATING DIVERSITY

17. DESCRIPTION: Ahead of Australia’s World Cup opening match, the Socceroos made a video that celebrated the immigrants on the squad. The message of the video was simple: Soccer is for everyone. But is comes at a time when anti-immigrant sentiment is on the rise. By Anne M. Peterson. Upcoming: 400 words and photos.

18. UPCOMING: By 06/12/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

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BKN-NBA FINALS COVERAGE

FORMATS: Photo, Text

19. WITH: BKN-NBA FINALA COVERAGE

20. DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the NBA playoffs

21. UPCOMING: By 06/12/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT

22. WITH: BKN--NBA FINALS-WEMBANYAMA

23. DESCRIPTION: SAN ANTONIO -- The tallest player in the NBA Finals is about to face the tallest order of his basketball life. Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs need three consecutive wins, or else it’ll be the New York Knicks celebrating as NBA champions. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. Text, photos.

24. UPCOMING: By 06/12/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT

25. WITH: BKN--NBA FINALS

26. DESCRIPTION: SAN ANTONIO -- Every game has been close in these NBA Finals, the first time in the last 15 years where the winning margin in each of the first four games was 10 points or less. The New York Knicks, though, keep finding ways at the end to hold off the San Antonio Spurs. And that trait has the Knicks one win from the NBA title, which they could win on Saturday night. By Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds. Text, photos.

27. UPCOMING: By 06/12/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT

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GLF--CANADIAN OPEN

DESCRIPTION: CALEDON, Ontario -- Brooks Koepka is part of a six-way tie for the lead going into the second round of the RBC Canadian Open. Upcoming: 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/12/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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HKN--NHL PLAYOFFS COVERAGE

FORMATS: Photo, Text

28. WITH: HKN--STANLEY CUP-HURRICANES

29. DESCRIPTION: The Carolina Hurricanes got the needed uptick in production from top-line forwards Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho to move within a victory of claiming the Stanley Cup. By Bob Sutton. Text, photos by 6 a.m.

30. UPCOMING: By 06/12/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT

31. WITH: HKN--STANLEY CUP-GOLDEN KNIGHTS

32. DESCRIPTION: John Tortorella has never worried about how his Vegas Golden Knights handle tough situations in pushing to the Stanley Cup Final. That won’t change now, with the Golden Knights facing their first elimination game and dealing with an injury to center William Karlsson. By Aaron Beard. Text, photos.

33. SENT: By 06/12/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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US--WHITE HOUSE-UFC LAWSUIT

Judge rules Trump can stage UFC fights on White House’s South Lawn this weekend

SUMMARY: A federal judge has refused to stop the White House from staging a UFC show this weekend in an elaborate ring already built on the South Lawn to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary — on President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled Friday that organizers can use the White House lawn as the venue for Sunday’s planned UFC mixed martial arts event. The nonprofit Public Integrity Project sued to challenge Trump’s UFC Freedom 250 event. The White House calls the lawsuit baseless, saying it’s no different from many other events hosted at public forums in the capital.

WORDS: 524 - MOVED: 06/12/2026 1:35 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1c54b29dcb0c120c4276490a84c34de7&mediaType=text

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HKN--STANLEY CUP-GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Tortorella’s confidence unshaken as Golden Knights face elimination game in Stanley Cup Final

SUMMARY: Vegas Golden Knights coach John Tortorella is unshaken in his confidence as his team faces its first elimination game of the playoffs in the Stanley Cup Final. The Golden Knights lost 4-2 to the Carolina Hurricanes in Thursday’s Game 5. That pushed Carolina within a victory of claiming the Cup. The series shifts to Las Vegas for Sunday’s Game 6. Tortorella said Friday that his team has “been through it all” and will “be ready to play.” Vegas is looking to improve its penalty kill in this series. The Golden Knights also face a key injury to center William Karlsson.

WORDS: 711 - MOVED: 06/12/2026 12:17 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e55bbebe3c1d9bc97c89cf60d0115c96&mediaType=text

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TEN--WIMBLEDON-MBOKO

Serena Williams’ doubles partner Victoria Mboko to miss Wimbledon with knee injury

SUMMARY: Rising star Victoria Mboko says she will miss Wimbledon because of a knee injury sustained during a match this week at Queen’s Club. The ninth-ranked singles player was in the spotlight at Queen’s Club as the doubles partner of Serena Williams who returned to professional tennis after nearly four years out of the sport. The 19-year-old Mboko slipped and appeared to strain her knee during a match against Karolina Pliskova at the HSBC Championships. She retired from the match and later pulled out of the doubles event. Mboko says the fall “caused an injury to the MCL on my left knee” and will mean no Wimbledon this year.

WORDS: 259 - MOVED: 06/12/2026 11:55 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:18d38fd39567cc8577b7627515d2caef&mediaType=text

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ENT--WCUP-BOSNIA-VIRAL SONG

A Bosnian song about disillusionment with the American Dream becomes a World Cup banger

SUMMARY: The opening lyrics couldn’t be plainer: “I am from Bosnia; take me to America.” But by rewriting their classic “USA,” the Bosnian band Dubioza Kolektiv has transformed a song about disillusionment with the American Dream into a viral anthem powering Bosnia-Herzegovina’s own World Cup dreams. Bosnia-Herzegovina is making only its second appearance at a World Cup. The goal once seemed improbable, but the song has become a rallying cry that’s unified a divided country as the team qualified. Bosnia’s first match is Friday, against Canada.

WORDS: 997 - MOVED: 06/12/2026 9:52 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7eb3b56dbcbc93b2f5252b399fdc5bf3&mediaType=text

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GLF--US OPEN

US OPEN ’26: Scottie Scheffler trying to make history and Shinnecock tries to avoid recent history

SUMMARY: This U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills is all about history. There’s Scottie Scheffler trying to take his place in history with the career Grand Slam if he were to win. And there’s the recent history at Shinnecock Hills and it’s not pretty. The USGA thinks it finally has it right after the greens were borderline unplayable in 2004 and 2018. The chief setup person for the USGA says the idea is to let Shinnecock Hills play as it was designed. That means slightly wider fairways. But there’s no getting around the wind or some of the toughest greens around.

WORDS: 1219 - MOVED: 06/12/2026 9:19 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:79bcddcedd555bc482fcd04e0e715176&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-CANADA

Canada is ready to become a soccer nation as it hosts World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina

SUMMARY: The World Cup is drawing attention to soccer’s growing popularity in Canada. Soccer has surpassed hockey and all other sports in youth participation, according to a recent report by Jumpstart, a Canadian charity. Canada coach Jesse Marsch said Thursday he has “felt a real momentum behind this team and behind this moment.” He says Canada has become more multicultural and that has helped fuel excitement for global soccer. Canada opens the tournament on Friday against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Star defender Alphonso Davies won’t play because of a hamstring injury.

WORDS: 604 - MOVED: 06/12/2026 7:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3ea5182394f6b4159e6a6c0db6f99ba5&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-PALESTINIAN SOCCER VISA

Head of Palestinian soccer says he wasn’t granted US visa to attend World Cup

SUMMARY: The United States has not given a visa to the head of the Palestinian Football Association even though FIFA typically invites the heads of each national federation to attend the World Cup. Jibril Rajoub attended Thursday’s opening match in Mexico City. But he said he is among invitees who have been denied visas or have yet to receive them from the United States. The United States has refused entry to delegates from a raft of countries, including a referee from Somalia and a photographer traveling with the Iraq’s team. It had no immediate comment on Rajoub’s visa.

WORDS: 448 - MOVED: 06/12/2026 6:32 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ebaa8a2cfc4a6bb0ef3fd94865a4d2ce&mediaType=text

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BBO--SACRAMENTO-EXPANSION

Sacramento hopes to make its pitch for expansion after the Athletics leave for Las Vegas

SUMMARY: The Sacramento region strives to be more than just a way station for the Athletics before they complete their move from Oakland to Las Vegas. Local officials have put together what they describe as the “Sacramento Pitch” in hopes of being an expansion city if Major League Baseball makes the decision to add more teams following the resolution of collective bargaining. Leaders have put together a package that includes a commitment of $1 billion in public funding and nearly $800 million more in private investment to the effort. But they are still seeking a lead investor for the project.

WORDS: 920 - MOVED: 06/12/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b8ad70418fa1cba9c138ab2270bccee8&mediaType=text

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HKN--STANLEY CUP-HURRICANES

Hurricanes’ top-line performers come through as Carolina moves within a win of claiming Stanley Cup

SUMMARY: The Carolina Hurricanes got the needed uptick in production from top-line forwards Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho to move within a victory of claiming the Stanley Cup. Svechnikov scored twice on power plays and Aho had just his second goal since April in Thursday night’s 4-2 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5. Carolina can win its second Cup title in Game 6 on Sunday night in Las Vegas. It marked Svechnikov’s first multi-goal game of the postseason. Aho scored only his second goal of the postseason since April.

WORDS: 645 - MOVED: 06/12/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8d93cbdb1b18f11febe38ee16d5a9880&mediaType=text

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BBO--NANONEEDLE SCOPE

Tarik Skubal, the Cleveland Browns and other athletes credit a tiny new scope for faster recoveries

SUMMARY: Several top pro athletes and their surgeons say a modern version of an old tool is shaving weeks off the recovery time after certain injuries. And some top doctors think this is only the beginning. Cy Young Award winners Tarik Skubal and Blake Snell let doctors use the instrument on their prized elbows. Connor Hellebuyck, the 2025 Hart Trophy winner as NHL MVP, trusted it to address issues in his knee. Several NFL players have turned to it, too. It’s called the NanoNeedle scope 2.0, a miniaturized, flexible version of the traditional arthroscope. It’s very early — there is little research into the instrument — but it is accumulating an impressive list of proponents.

WORDS: 1161 - MOVED: 06/12/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:00b34d0d90e7d09d9389f99bfa47e5e3&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-KNICKS VS SOCCER

Knicks fever is colliding with World Cup buzz, and New York soccer bars are trying to juggle both

SUMMARY: In most nations hosting the World Cup, soccer is a fixation. But with the New York Knicks holding a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven NBA Finals against San Antonio and one win from their first title since 1973, attention is surely going to be split this weekend. The Knicks can clinch with a victory in Game 5 on Saturday night. Tipoff will come shortly after Brazil and Morocco wrap a World Cup match in New Jersey, and it will directly overlap with a showdown between Scotland and Haiti.

WORDS: 808 - MOVED: 06/12/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:be9da9a81ca88bb8ad027b34e89ca3e2&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-WHAT TO KNOW

World Cup what to know: Mexico starts with big win while the US and Canada prepare for openers

SUMMARY: Mexico opened the World Cup with a dominant 2-0 win over South Africa in front of a boisterous home crowd at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The United States and Canada both get their opportunity for a fast start in front of their respective home countries on Friday. Julián Quiñones scored the first goal of the World Cup in the ninth minute, booting a cross through the legs of South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. In Thursday’s nightcap, South Korea rallied for a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, Mexico.

WORDS: 970 - MOVED: 06/12/2026 5:47 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:94a3ba298b30a7d6314b00b20cd455ae&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

—Knicks-Spurs (Game 5)

—World Cup

—MMA--UFC-Freedom 250 Preview AND Trump UFC Fans

—BBO--Athletics-Las Vegas

—BBO--Tigers-Guardians (Skubal returns)