NPO

Bernio Verhagen, dubbed the 'spookvoetballer' or ghost footballer, was a Dutchman who could barely play football yet managed to sign contracts with clubs across Europe by forging documents and inventing transfers. NPO Radio 1 is revisiting his story, reviving interest in one of football's strangest con artists and how he fooled so many clubs for so long.

Marcus Davenport is making his debut for the Chicago Bears, facing the Saints in a game day reunion with former coach Dennis Allen. Davenport previously played under Allen in New Orleans, and his first appearance in a Bears uniform against his old team is drawing attention from fans covering his performance and fit in Chicago's defense.

A Russian newspaper has declared that "the election's over" and it is "time for unpopular measures", a message highlighted by the BBC's Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg. The framing suggests the Kremlin may now push through painful economic or policy steps it avoided before the presidential vote, such as tax rises, spending cuts or further mobilisation-related burdens. Observers read it as a signal that Russians will be asked to pay a price now that Vladimir Putin's re-election is secured.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered urgent nationwide water drainage as Thailand braces for further heavy rainfall. The directive instructs authorities across the country to clear drainage systems and manage water levels ahead of incoming downpours, as authorities work to prevent flooding in low-lying areas and protect communities from the anticipated severe weather.

Schleswig-Holstein's Minister-President Daniel Günther has lodged a complaint with CDU leader Friedrich Merz over plans by federal economy minister Katherina Reiche concerning the EEG renewable energy levy and electricity grid package. The dispute within the union over energy policy has drawn public commentary, with some voices suggesting the CDU would poll better if it had more politicians like Günther.

Guardian journalists held a reader question-and-answer session examining the political fallout of the war with Iran ahead of the US midterm elections. The paper acknowledges the conflict is unpopular with the public, and reporters fielded questions on whether that discontent will translate into losses for Donald Trump and his party at the ballot box.

A poll circulating on social media is asking people whether it matters more to vote for good candidates or to vote against bad ones. The question touches a long-running debate in democratic politics about strategic versus positive voting, and respondents are weighing in with their views ahead of elections.

A major downpour at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia has delayed the start of a race meeting there, with organizers holding off the start as the track was drenched. Motorsport fans are following updates on when conditions will allow racing to begin at the Malaysian circuit.

The Washington Post reports that an internal Pentagon dispute during what it calls Trump's first war foreshadowed later challenges in Iran, suggesting early disagreements over military strategy and civilian-military relations shaped the administration's approach to subsequent conflict with Tehran. The piece examines how those tensions carried into current US-Iran policy.

Reports say the Bahrain Grand Prix event held in Malaysia descended into chaos after a huge downpour forced a delayed start. Organisers had to hold the field before racing could get under way, with wet conditions causing disruption around the circuit. Fans and motorsport outlets are following the scenes and questioning how the schedule was handled.

The start of the Formula 1 race at Sepang in Malaysia has been delayed after a huge downpour hit the circuit. Officials held up proceedings as conditions left the track undrivable, with the session timing now dependent on the weather clearing. Fans following the grand prix weekend are watching for updates on when the race will finally get underway.

A widely shared health item reports that vaccination against chickenpox is more effective than deliberately exposing children to the virus — the so-called 'chickenpox parties' — at preventing shingles later in life. It also notes that having shingles raises the likelihood of cardiovascular death. Some commenters framed the finding as a rebuttal to vaccine-skeptic arguments associated with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Washington Post reports that President Trump's sweeping changes are remaking Washington, with the story featured on the paper's front page. The coverage examines the scale of the administration's reshaping of federal institutions and policy, and it is being widely shared among US readers tracking the pace and impact of the president's agenda.

A new German-language questions podcast is discussing possible new NBA rules, whether the Philadelphia 76ers still need star center Joel Embiid, and potential big changes involving the Orlando Magic. It also covers the Dallas Mavericks, where the focus is on differing timelines, with Kyrie Irving now 34 and returning from a serious injury.

A sunken American World War II cargo ship packed with thousands of tons of unexploded munitions is sitting in the Thames estuary near London, and a Washington Post report warns it could pose a catastrophic risk if it deteriorates further. The wreck has long worried local residents and officials, who fear a blast could damage nearby homes.

Commentators are arguing that Republicans are uniquely vulnerable heading into November because President Donald Trump is more unpopular now than at any point previously. The claim is that this unpopularity explains why House districts Trump won by double digits could flip to Democrats, and why Democrats are leading Senate polling in traditionally red states such as Alaska. The discussion reflects growing Democratic optimism about midterm prospects.

The start of the Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix was delayed after a huge downpour hit the Sepang circuit. Heavy rain is a familiar hazard at the tropical venue, and officials held the field back until conditions allowed racing to begin safely. Fans and motorsport outlets are following updates on when the race will finally get underway and how the wet weather could shake up the running order.

Maryland has issued a fine to a developer over additional pollution in a tributary of the Gunpowder River, according to the Baltimore Sun. The penalty adds to ongoing regulatory concerns about construction-related sediment and runoff damaging waterways in the Baltimore-area watershed, an issue local environmental advocates have repeatedly pressed state officials to address.

Albuquerque International Sunport is preparing for a surge in travelers as the city's annual Balloon Fiesta approaches, one of the busiest events on New Mexico's calendar. The festival draws large crowds and balloon crews from around the world, straining airport capacity. Officials say extra planning is underway to handle the influx of visitors.

A late rainstorm disrupted preparations ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, causing chaos at the circuit. Details remain limited, with the headline noting the disruption but no confirmed information on what exactly was affected, whether qualifying, practice sessions or logistics, or how teams and organisers responded to the weather.

French childrenswear house Bonpoint is launching new sport and couture categories, expanding beyond its core children's collections. The move, reported by WWD, signals the brand's push to broaden its offer and reach new customers through performance-inspired activewear and elevated couture-level pieces alongside its established wardrobe.

The Thing, a Soviet listening device hidden in a carved wooden plaque gifted to the US ambassador in Moscow in 1945, is being recalled as a masterpiece of espionage. It contained no battery or electronics — just a resonant cavity and antenna, activated by external radio waves, making it a fully passive microphone that eavesdropped on the American embassy for years.