Category World News

Jaden McDaniels collected 25 points with nine rebounds, and Anthony Edwards added 22 points, eight rebounds and nine assists as the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves rolled to a 117-95 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the opener of their first-round Western Conference playoff series.

Naz Reid scored 23 points and Julius Randle had 16 as the No. 6 seed as the Timberwolves improved to 5-0 in first-round games over the past two seasons.

Minnesota shot 51. 2 percent from the floor on Saturday and went 21-of-42 from three-point range while continuing their success from the end of the regular season, when it closed with a 17-4 record.

“It was just going out and playing with confidence,” McDaniels said on the ABC broadcast. “I know all my teammates trust me. [Edwards] always tells me, ‘Shoot the ball no matter what, miss or make’, and that’s what I did tonight. ”

On an otherwise ideal night, the Timberwolves saw Edwards depart to the locker room late in the third quarter with an apparent left leg injury before he returned in the fourth quarter. Reid was also injured late in the game.

Luka Doncic scored 37 points with eight rebounds, and LeBron James added 19 points for the No. 3 seed Lakers, who shot 39. 8 percent from the floor and lacked the energy present after Doncic was acquired in a February trade from the Dallas Mavericks.

Austin Reaves had 16 points after a slow start for Los Angeles, which was outscored 25-6 on fast-break points and 43-13 in bench points.

Game 2 in the series is set for Tuesday in Los Angeles.

The Lakers owned the first quarter, taking a 28-21 lead before the Timberwolves took charge in the second quarter to take a 59-48 lead into halftime. Minnesota shot 54. 2 percent in the second quarter while scoring 38 points.

The Timberwolves punctuated their second-quarter domination when Donte DiVincenzo made a 30-foot three-pointer at the halftime buzzer.

The Timberwolves continued their push into the second half, opening on an 11-0 run to take a 70-48 lead less than 2 minutes into the third quarter.

Minnesota had an 88-64 lead when Edwards landed hard after a drive to the basket and walked back to the locker room with 2:58 minutes left in the third quarter. He checked back into the game with 10:57 minutes remaining in the game.

Reid departed with 9:26 minutes remaining after taking an inadvertent elbow to the head from the Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt, but the Timberwolves easily held on to win the contest by 22 points.

In earlier Game 1 playoff matches on Saturday, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 117-98, the New York Knicks overcame the Detroit Pistons 123-112, and the Denver Nuggets won an overtime thriller against the Los Angeles Clippers 112-110.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled plans to cut taxes and beef up defence spending, arguing Canada must project economic strength and defend its “sovereignty” from the United States amid roiled relations with its neighbour.

Carney, who became prime minister after Justin Trudeau resigned on March 14, presented his Liberal Party’s campaign plan on Saturday before parliamentary elections on April 28.

The vote will determine whether Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, secures a mandate to continue as premier or whether the rival Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, take power.

Carney has said he is the best person to stand up to US President Donald Trump, who has opened up a rift in relations with the traditional US ally, imposing heavy tariffs and even threatening to annex Canada as the 51st US state.

“President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us, and that will never happen,” Carney said on Saturday. “Canada is not America, and it never will be, but we need to do more to just recognise that. We need a plan to deal with this new reality. ”

‘Investing too little’

Carney’s plan includes investing more in infrastructure and defence while cutting income taxes. He also envisions a trade diversification fund to help exporters expand outside the tariff-heavy US market.

“We’re in an enormous crisis, so we have to be able to do two things: one, hold down on that wasteful spending, which we will do, but much more than that, we need to be bold and drive investment in the economy and take the amazing opportunities we have,” Carney said.

The plan would boost defence spending to exceed a NATO target of 2 percent of gross domestic product by 2030. It includes buying more submarines, drones and icebreakers. Canada will also invest in transatlantic security with “like-minded” European partners, Carney said.

Poilievre, too, has called for increased defence spending although he has proposed offsetting it with deep cuts to “wasteful” foreign aid.

Carney aims to balance the budget within three years by cutting expenditures in the federal public service, all while safeguarding healthcare and pensions.

The United States has carried out 13 air strikes on Hodeidah’s port and airport, the Houthi-affiliated TV channel Al Masirah says, two days after a US air strike targeted the Ras Isa port, also in Hodeidah, killing at least 80 people and wounding more than 150.

Al Masirah also reported Saturday that three people were killed and four injured due to a US attack on al-Thawra, Bani Matar, and al-Safiah districts in the capital Sanaa.

The Houthis have promised to carry out “more operations” despite the ongoing US attacks.

US President Donald Trump’s administration announced a major military offensive against the Houthis a few weeks ago. It said the air strikes are aimed at forcing the Houthis to stop threatening ships sailing on the Red Sea on a route crucial to international trade.

Since November 2023, the group has reportedly launched more than 100 attacks on vessels it says are linked to Israel in response to Israel’s war on Gaza and in solidarity with Palestinians.

On Friday, Houthi official Mohammed Nasser al-Atifi told Al Masirah that the “American enemy’s crimes” will not deter the Yemeni people from supporting Gaza, but “rather will strengthen their steadfastness and resilience”.

The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah or “supporters of God”, are an armed group that controls most parts of Yemen, including Sanaa. The group emerged in the 1990s but rose to prominence in 2014 when it seized Sanaa and forced President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to flee the country.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “is gravely concerned about the airstrikes conducted by the United States over the course of 17 and 18 April in and around Yemen’s port of Ra’s Isa, which reportedly resulted in scores of civilian casualties, including five humanitarian workers injured,” Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement on Saturday.

Guterres expressed fears of damage to the port and “possible oil leaks into the Red Sea”, Dujarric added.

The strikes on Ras Isa aimed to cut off supplies and funds for the Houthis, the US military said. It was the deadliest attack of Washington’s 15-month campaign against the Iran-aligned group.

About 70 percent of Yemen’s imports and 80 percent of its humanitarian assistance pass through the ports of Ras Isa, Hodeidah and as-Salif.

Who: Real Madrid vs Athletic Club

What: Spanish LaLiga
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
When: Sunday at 9pm (19:00 GMT)

Follow Al Jazeera Sport‘s live text and photo commentary stream.

Defending champions Real Madrid are in desperate need of all three points as they entertain Athletic Bilbao in LaLiga.

The Spanish giants’ defence of their Champions League title ended with a defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday.

And with Barcelona moving seven points clear at the top of LaLiga with their 4-3 comeback win against Celta Vigo on Saturday, Los Blancos can ill afford to drop points against a team that are proving tough to topple.

What is the latest on Ancelotti’s future?

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti has refused to speak about his future with the club after recent reports again linked him with a move to Brazil’s national team.

The veteran Italian manager was asked several times by reporters on Saturday at a pre-game news conference if he would leave the Spanish giant this summer, and each time he responded that he didn’t want to speak about it.

“At the end of the season, we will speak about this with the club,” he said more than once.

The 65-year-old is under contract with Madrid through June 2026.

What has happened to Real Madrid’s season?

Speculation regarding Ancelotti’s career plans once again spiked after Madrid’s exit from the Champions League.

Besides the Copa del Rey, Madrid is still in the fight to defend its LaLiga title and will also play in the Club World Cup this summer.

FT: #BarçaCelta 4-3

Raphinha leads the REMONTADA for @FCBarcelona! 🔥#LALIGAEASPORTS | #DesenlaceLALIGA pic. twitter. com/85zk1Fshis

What is the link between Brazil and Ancelotti?

Brazil have reportedly been after Ancelotti since last year as they seek an elite coach for the 2026 World Cup.

The South Americans fired Dorival Junior as coach last month.

What is Ancelotti’s record as a manager?

Ancelotti is the only coach to have won the Champions League five times — three times with Madrid (2014, 2022, 2024) and twice with AC Milan (2003, 2007).

He is also the only coach to have steered teams to domestic league titles in Spain, England, Italy, Germany and France.

Who is reportedly lined up to replace Ancelotti?

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso are both considered top candidates to replace Ancelotti should he leave Madrid.

Klopp, however, is “very happy” in his current post at Red Bull despite rumours linking him to a return to management with Real Madrid, his agent said on Friday.

The German became Red Bull’s global head of football in January, taking care of a stable of clubs, including RB Leipzig, the New York Red Bulls and Bragantino in Brazil.

Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen’s coach, on Friday refused to shut down speculation he could be set for a move to Real Madrid in the summer.

“It’s not a good time to discuss the future. We’re at a very important moment in the season,” Alonso said.

Leverkusen are six points behind league leaders Bayern Munich with five games remaining.

How are Athletic Club fairing in LaLiga?

Athletic hold fourth spot in the Spanish top flight with 15 wins from 31 games.

No team have lost fewer games than the Bilboa-based club, who have suffered defeat on only four occasions.

📋✅ Our squad for the match!
🆚 @Athletic_en pic. twitter. com/a59FO36sqC

Real Madrid team news

Kylian Mbappe is serving a one-game suspension after his red card against Alaves.

Eduardo Camavinga returns from the suspension that ruled him out of the defeat by Arsenal.

Ferland Mendy and Andriy Lunin have a chance of returning from knocks, but Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal are out with knee injuries.

Athletic Club team news

Inaki Williams is likely to remain a sub due to an adductor injury.

This match has probably come too soon for Yuri Berchiche to return from a muscular problem.

🗒 𝗦𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗗 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧

Ernesto Valverde has called up 2️⃣3️⃣ players for tomorrow’s clash with @realmadriden at the Santiago Bernabéu.

ℹ️ Travel details 👉 https://t. co/VXWeD3nQkX#RealMadridAthletic #AthleticClub 🦁 pic. twitter. com/PTUplPO7Aq

Opponents of President Donald Trump’s administration have taken to the streets in droves across the United States to decry what they say are threats to the nation’s democratic ideals, including deportations of immigrants and mass firings of government workers.

The protests on Saturday ranged from rallies in midtown Manhattan and in front of the White House in Washington, DC, to a demonstration at a Massachusetts commemoration marking the start of the American Revolutionary War 250 years ago.

The protests come just two weeks after similar nationwide protests against the Trump administration drew thousands of participants.

Organisers said they’re protesting against what they view as Trump’s violations of civil rights and the US Constitution, including efforts to deport hundreds of immigrants and scale back the federal government by firing thousands of government workers and in effect shutter entire agencies.

In Manhattan, protesters rallied against continued deportations of immigrants from the steps of the New York Public Library.

“No fear, no hate, no ICE in our state,” they chanted, referring to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Thomas Bassford drove from Maine to Massachusetts to witness the reenactment of the Battles of Lexington and Concord and “the shot heard ’round the world” on April 19, 1775, that heralded the start of the US war of independence from Britain.

The 80-year-old retiree said he believed Americans today are under attack from their own government and need to stand up against it. “This is a very perilous time in America for liberty,” he told The Associated Press news agency, adding: “I wanted the boys [his grandsons] to learn about the origins of this country and that sometimes we have to fight for freedom. ”

Elsewhere, protests were planned outside Tesla car dealerships against billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk and his role in downsizing the federal government while still others organised community-service events, such as food drives, teach-ins and volunteering at local shelters.

Some of the events drew on the spirit of the American Revolutionary War, calling for “no kings” and resistance to tyranny.

Boston resident George Bryant was among those who turned out in Concord. He told The Associated Press he was concerned Trump was creating a “police state” in America as he held up a sign saying, “Trump fascist regime must go now! ”

The Trump administration, among other things, has moved to shut down Social Security Administration field offices, cut funding for government health programmes and scale back protections for transgender people.

In Washington, DC, Bob Fasick said he came out to the rally outside the White House out of concern about threats to constitutionally protected due process rights as well as Social Security and other federal safety-net programmes.

LaLiga leaders Barcelona have fought back from 3-1 down to beat Celta Vigo 4-3 in a roller-coaster encounter as a stoppage-time penalty by Raphinha extends their lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table to seven points.

With the score tied at 3-3 after Celta’s Borja Iglesias netted a hat-trick, Saturday’s game in Barcelona seemed to be heading for a draw when Dani Olmo won a penalty deep into added time and Raphinha stepped up to score and seal the three points.

The result puts the pressure back on Real Madrid, who play fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Celta Vigo are seventh with 43 points.

“This is football. We wanted to win this game, but we weren’t always at our best,” Barca substitute and goal scorer Dani Olmo told DAZN. “But the team came through in the end, and the crowd pushed us on right to the finish.

“It’s three points towards our objective, but we have to keep going. ”

Barcelona took the lead when Ferran Torres picked up the ball in midfield and found space to dribble towards goal, pulling the trigger from the edge of the box to beat goalkeeper Vicente Guaita for his 10th league goal of the season.

But Celta responded immediately when Pablo Duran put in a superb cross from the wing, and as Wojciech Szczesny sprinted off his line to collect the ball, the Polish keeper missed it to give Iglesias a tap-in into an empty net.

Barca fell behind seven minutes into the second half when Frenkie de Jong made an error and completely missed a long ball, allowing Iglesias to run through and beat Szczesny to grab his second goal.

Iglesias hat-trick for Celta Vigo

As Barca pushed forward to find an equaliser, a Celta clearance found Iglesias again, and he capitalised on the home side’s high line to sprint through on goal and beat Szczesny for a third time to claim his hat-trick.

A stunned Barcelona tried to recover quickly, and they got one back in the 64th minute when Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha combined to find Olmo, who scored five minutes after coming on as a substitute.

“He [coach Hansi Flick] told me we needed to play a little more calmer. We just needed to connect with each other better,” Olmo said about what Flick told him before he went onto the pitch.

Four minutes later, Barcelona levelled it at 3-3 when Lamine Yamal crossed the ball into the 5. 5-metre (6-yard) box, where Raphinha rose above the defence to head home.

A shell-shocked Celta looked to leave with a point, but Olmo earned a penalty when he was fouled in the box and the referee had no doubts when he pointed to the spot after a VAR check.

Raphinha then stepped up and blasted the ball into the top corner in the 98th minute for his 30th goal in all competitions this season.

“It’s a bittersweet feeling because we did a lot of things right,” Celta’s Pablo Duran said. “They’ve got such a high level, especially in the final third. They’re capable of these things.