MON SIX

During a recent episode of herpodcast with NBA star Myles Turner, Stewart provided an update about the current state of negotiations with the league. Stewart revealed that the players are "in a new place."

"I'm feeling better. I'm feeling like the owners are finally really acknowledging and being receptive of what we want and the players as well,"Stewart said.

"We all kind of had to put our business hats on and get into that mindset. I'm hoping we can get this thing done quickly so then we're not late [to start the2026 season]. That's the thing. It's like I've been telling them, is ― now that we're a part of a revenue-shared model, you miss games, it's less money. Not to say that we should submit and just say yes to any proposal that we don't like, but this is a business now. This is how businesses go."

In the league's latest proposal, the WNBA conceded team-provided housing, a person with knowledge of the matter told USA TODAY Sports. In the revised agreement, one-bedroom apartments will be available for players making the minimum salary. The two developmental players on each roster would be provided with studio apartments. The players' union also voiced setting a standard for team facilities that would be codified in the new CBA, the person with knowledge of the situation said.

Still, nothing has changed in terms of revenue sharing or player salaries. The WNBA is offering more than 70% of league and team net revenue. The players' union has asked for 30% of gross revenue. The salary cap would be $5.65 million per year, rising with league revenues.

Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates with teammates after the Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 89-86, at Michelob Ultra Arena.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces battles for the ball with Alyssa Thomas #25 and Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) and A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces grab a rebound past DeWanna Bonner (14) and Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) looks to tip a loose ball away from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33).

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) shoots against Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4).

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after making a basket against the Phoenix Mercury.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Megan Gustafson (17) of the Las Vegas Aces.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury looks to shoot the ball against NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the third quarter.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts against the Phoenix Mercury during the fourth quarter.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury drives to the basket against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Kahleah Copper (2) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after her 3-point basket.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Head coach Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury looks on during the first quarter.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Maddy Westbeld of the Chicago Sky (left) and Rae Burrell of the Los Angeles Sparks look on.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts in front of Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon looks on.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Dana Evans of the Las Vegas Aces, shoots the ball between Monique Akoa Makani and Natasha Mack of the Phoenix Mercury.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury grabs a rebound against the Las Vegas Aces.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces shoots the ball against Monique Akoa Makani of the Phoenix Mercury.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals

"We're now going to be a part of a revenue-sharing model, which is historic for the WNBA and really for the future to come, and now, it's kind of understanding that," Stewart said on her podcast.

"While it istiring and taxing, you want to be a part of it to make sure that it's for the better of the players, and also the league is going to continue and grow and thrive at such an important point. So you know what? We're not done. Hopefully, eventually, I'll be able to be like, 'Oh, my God, Myles. It's finished. It's over.' It's going to be incredible, but until then, we just keep trucking along."

Stewart's NBA co-host seemed to sympathise with the work that WNBA players are doing in the ongoing negotiations. Turner admitted that many NBA players are in the dark on the work that's been completed.

"I just think that you're fighting the good fight, and I don't think the guys on the NBA side truly see what's really going on the WNBA side," Turner said.

"We only hear headlines. We don't realize that you're on Zoom calls for four hours the day that you have games. We don't realize that you're spearheading these conversations as one of the faces of the league. If the shoe was on the other foot, I think it'd be a lot tougher. I think you're handling it really well."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Breanna Stewart gives positive update on WNBA CBA negotiations

Chris Paul officially ended his 21-season career as one of the NBA's greatest point guards, announcing his retirement on Friday onInstagram.

"This is it! After 21 years I'm stepping away from basketball," Paul wrote in the social-media post. "As I write this, it's hard to really know what to feel, but for once — most people would be surprised — I don't have the answer lol! But, mostly I'm filled with so much joy and gratitude!

"While this chapter of being an 'NBA player' is done, the game of basketball will forever be engrained in the DNA of my life."

View this post on Instagram

The fourth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft out of Wake Forest, Paul ranks second on the NBA's all-time assist list — his 12,552 assists trail only John Stockton's 15,806. He is also second behind Stockton in steals. He leaves as a 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA point guard, five-time single-season assists leader, nine-time All-Defense selection and a member of the NBA's 75th anniversary team.

For his career, Paul averaged 16.8 points, 9.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds. He was also a two-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. men's national team. His next stop will be the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Paul and the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James are the only players with at least 20,000 points and 10,000 assists in their careers.

"Playing basketball for a living has been an unbelievable blessing that came with lots of responsibility," Paul also said in his Instagram post. "I embraced it all. The good and the bad. As a lifelong learner, leadership is hard and is not for the weak. Some will like you and many people won't. But the goal was always the goal, and my intentions were always sincere (Damn, I love competing!!)"

Paul had previously announced this would be his final season, a farewell tour of sorts, after he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers in the offseason. The Clippers struggled to a 5-16 start and then sent him home from a roadtrip on Dec. 3, saying they planned to part ways with him after he reportedly clashedClippers head coach Tyronn Lue and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank.

The Clippers kept Paul on the roster until trading him to the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline earlier this month. There was never an expectation Paul would play for the Raptors, and the team waived him on Friday shortly before his retirement announcement.

The final game of Paul's career was a 140-123 loss to the Miami Heat on Dec. 1 in which he had eight points and three assists in 14 minutes. He averaged a career-low 2.9 points, 3.3 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 16 games with the Clippers this season.

This was Paul's second stint with the Clippers. He also played for the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets after beginning his career with the New Orleans Hornets.

Last season with the Spurs, Paul was the oldest player in NBA history to start all 82 games. It was only the second time in his career Paul played all 82. He finished his career having played in 1,370 regular-season games and 149 playoff games.

Despite Paul's success and longevity, he never won an NBA championship. Untimely injuries sometimes limited his advancement in the playoffs, including in 2018 when he missed the last two games of the Western Conference finals as the Warriors beat his Rockets. He reached the NBA Finals for the first time in 2021 with the Suns and took a 2-0 lead over the Milwaukee Bucks only to lose the next four games.

Iowa Lakes Community College

NEED TO KNOW

• The college baseball player killed in Wednesday's bus crash in Iowa has been identified as 19-year-old Carter Johnson from South Dakota

• The bus carrying more than two dozen athletes and staff members from Iowa Lakes Community College crashed while it was en route to Arkansas

• Teammates performed CPR on Johnson but he died at the scene, police said

An Iowa college baseball team is "heartbroken" this week as it mourns a 19-year-old freshman who died afterthe team's bus crashedon the way to a series of games this weekend in Arkansas.

Iowa Lakes Community College announced Carter Johnson died in the crash Wednesday morning, according to local affiliatesKCRGandKHAK.

"Carter was a great teammate, a friend, and a valued member of our athletic community," Iowa Lakes Community College's athletic director Troy Larson said in a statement, according to KCRG. "We're heartbroken for this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with Carter's family, we cannot imagine the depth of their loss, and we are holding them close in our hearts."

Johnson was a freshman from South Dakota, according to the outlet.

The crash, which also injured the other 32 passengers aboard the team's bus, happened on Highway 4 near Twin Lakes just after 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, the Iowa State Patrol (ISP) confirmed in apress release.

Citing police, KCRG reported that the team's 74-year-old bus driver veered off the road and crashed when he overcorrected while trying to get back in the lane, rolling the bus over into a ditch along the highway. Two of the passengers were reportedly ejected from the bus and trapped under the bus when it came to a stop. A van carrying other student-athletes that was traveling behind the team's bus stopped, and the classmates attempted to perform CPR on Johnson, who died at the scene, according to the outlet.

Images from the scene showed the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team's bus overturned on its side with visible damage to the front as it lay in a ditch before eventually being towed away.

KCCI/youtube

At the time of the deadly crash, the baseball team was on their way to play North Arkansas College in Harrison, Ark., the Northark Pioneers confirmed in aFacebook post.

"Our hearts are heavy as we grieve alongside the Iowa Lakes College community," Dr. Rick Massengale, North Arkansas College president, said in a statement. "The loss of a life is a tragedy that reaches far beyond one campus."

Read the original article onPeople

It seems likeSydney Sweeneyand her boyfriend Scooter Braun's romantic relationship, which has been making headlines for quite some time now, has taken off. The news came after the businessman and record executive recently lent his private jet to the "Euphoria" star's mom, Lisa Sweeney. New photos of the former attorney and the mother of the Hollywood actor showed her boarding the music executive's jet on Wednesday, February 11, at a Los Angeles airport. Lisa Sweeney's dog accompanied her on the plane.

Sydney Sweeney and Scooter Braun's relationship takes flight — he lends jet to her mom

Scooter Braun recently lentSydney Sweeney'smom, Lisa Sweeney, his private jet, as his romantic relationship with the "The Housemaid" actor took a flight. As reported byTMZ, it appears that the businessman and the Hollywood star have taken a big step into their romance, which has created a lot of buzz among fans, after photos of the two from different spots started to swirl all around the internet.

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Per the news outlet, new photos of Sydney Sweeney's mom captured the former attorney receiving VIP treatment. It was at a Los Angeles airport on Wednesday. Fans could see the "Anyone But You" actor's mom getting out of an SUV. After that, she hopped ontoBraun'sprivate jet, along with her pet dog, a German Shepherd. She was wearing a comfy, full-sleeve sweatshirt. She paired it with a pair of chic, denim blue jeans. It appeared that the former attorney and her dog had the jet to themselves only. However, the destination of the jet was not known yet.

According to the news outlet, Sydney Sweeney has been dating Braun for about six months as of now. With this private jet gesture, the record executive hints that he might have met the Hollywood star's parents. However, neither the actor nor her mom nor the businessman has made any comments on the matter.

The postSydney Sweeney's Boyfriend Lends Jet to Her Mom as Relationship Takes Offappeared first onReality Tea.

Beyoncéhas the internet buzzing again after showcasing a daringoff-shoulder topfollowing Super Bowl night. The Grammy winner showed off the bold new look, and fans wasted no time reacting with compliments in the comments section of her post.

Beyoncé stuns in new pictures

Check out Beyoncé's off-shoulder top in the second and fourth slides of the carousel below:

Beyoncé looked effortlessly stylish in this soft, neutral outfit. She wore a fitted off-shoulder top in a warm beige tone that wrapped gently across the front, creating a flattering neckline. The long sleeves balance the look, while the snug fit highlights her figure.

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She paired it with fitted bottoms in a darker shade, a narrow dark brown belt, a green purse, and high heels. Her hair was styled in a short, smooth bob with soft volume and a side part, framing her face beautifully. Fans subsequently swarmed the above post's comments section, spamming it with heart and fire emojis.

Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya onMandatory.

The postBeyoncé Turns Up the Glam in Daring Off-Shoulder Top Post Super Bowlappeared first onReality Tea.

Indonesia Gaza Peacekeepers

Indonesia has experience in peacekeeping operations as one of the top 10 contributors to United Nations missions,including in Lebanon, and has been deeply involved in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, including funding a hospital.

But many Indonesians are skeptical of PresidentPrabowo Subianto's plans to joinWashington's proposed Board of Peaceand participate in the International Security Force with only vague details so far on how they will operate, seeing it as simply kowtowing to Trump's agenda as the two countries negotiate a trade deal.

"We need to be careful to ensure that our military personnel are not supporting the Israeli military forces," said Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, a Middle East expert with Jakarta's Center of Economic and Law Studies. "We need to be careful that our military forces are not fighting against wrong actors."

The ISF's mandate remains unclear

U.N. peacekeeping forces all have clear and strict mandates, but since the Board of Peace and ISF will operate outside the U.N., many wonder how the troops will be used, and who will pay for them. Last year's ceasefire agreement broadly says that the ISF will "provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza" and will "work with Israel and Egypt to help secure border areas."

Indonesia currently is paid by the U.N. for the troops it sends to serve as peacekeepers, but people fear it will have to pick up the tab for the troops sent to Gaza, as well asa possible $1 billion payment for a permanent placeon the Board of Peace, as outlined in a draft charter.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country and firmly supports a two-state solution in the Mideast, and officials have justified joining the Board of Peace by saying it was necessary to defendPalestinian interestsfrom within, since Israel is included on the board but there is no Palestinian representation.

"Indonesia sees the importance of the involvement of the parties to the conflict as part of the process towards peace," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said this week.

She said Indonesia would use its membership to "ensure that the entire process remains oriented towards the interests of Palestine and respects the basic rights of the Palestinian people, as well as encouraging the realization of a two-state solution."

The Jakarta Post slammed that kind of reasoning in an editorial, however, saying that an "independent Palestinian state, if it emerges at all, is likely decades away."

"Indonesia will end up paying $1 billion long before any meaningful outcome is achieved," Abdul Khalik wrote. "And if Indonesia eventually withdraws in frustration, it will have already spent vast resources; financial, diplomatic and political, for nothing."

Trump seen as overstepping the UN

The Board of Peace was initially envisioned as a small group of world leaders overseeing Trump'splan for Gaza's future. But the U.S. president has since said he sees the board as a mediator of worldwide conflicts, sidestepping the mandate of the U.N.

Prabowo, a former army general who has been keen to raise Indonesia's profile on the world stage, quickly accepted Trump's offer for a place on the Board of Peace and made an initial pledge of 20,000 Indonesian troops as peacekeepers during his speech at theUnited Nations General Assembly.

An online petition started by a group of Muslim scholars and activists questions joining a body that ostensibly promotes peace, but whose proposed chairman for life will be Trump, citing his threats to take Greenland, the seizure ofthen-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and the American veto of a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a Gaza ceasefire last year.

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"In our belief, peace will be difficult to achieve by a country or a leader of a country who repeatedly uses his veto power to prevent the occurrence of peace itself," reads the petition, which calls for Indonesia to withdraw from the Board of Peace and has gotten more than 9,000 signatures so far.

"The BoP faces serious legitimacy problems, both normatively, structurally and morally."

Indonesia's military readies troops despite lack of guidance

About 100 protesters against Indonesia's involvement gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta on Friday, holding signs with slogans like "Bored of peace?" and "Free Gaza."

Earlier this week, Indonesian Army Chief of Staff Gen. Maruli Simanjuntak said that training had begun for the peacekeepers, even though Indonesia has yet to receive any guidance on what types of personnel were needed.

He said Indonesia now envisions sending between 5,000 to 8,000 troops.

"We have started training personnel who might later serve as peacekeepers," he said. "So that means engineering, medical units - the types often deployed."

Despite the skepticism at home, the idea of Indonesians serving as peacekeepers in Gaza is seen in the region as a good one, said Hassan Jouni, a Qatar-based analyst who was formerly a Lebanese army general. Indonesia, he said, is viewed as an "honest and acceptable broker" by both sides in the conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza.

"Indonesia is a Muslim country... and its religious identity gives it a large distinction in its security participation as part of the peacekeeping forces in the Arab region," he said. "At the same time, it does not pose a strategic threat to Israel."

While Indonesia and Israel do not have formal diplomatic ties and Indonesia has been supportive of the rights of the Palestinians, it has not taken a directly confrontational stance toward Israel similar to some other Muslim-majority powers such as Turkey and Iran.

"From this point of view, the participation of Indonesian forces in southern Lebanon comes in a balanced and effective manner," he said, and it may be expected to do the same in Gaza.

Many are looking for clarity toward the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace next week in Washington, where other countries are expected to announce troop commitments of their own.

Prabowo plans to attend in person and is expected to also sign the new trade deal while there, and the Center of Economic and Law Studies' Rakhmat said he didn't think he would be swayed by public sentiment.

"I don't think the domestic opposition would significantly change the decision of Indonesia in joining the BoP," he said.

Rising reported from Bangkok. Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed to this story.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who established the panel, called the adoption "a foundational step towardglobal scientific understanding of AI."

"In a world where AI is racing ahead," he said, "this panel will provide what's been missing — rigorous, independent scientific insight that enables all member states, regardless of their technological capacity, to engage on an equal footing."

He has described it as the first fully independent global scientific body dedicated to bridging the knowledge gap in AI and assessing its real-world economic and social impacts.

The vote in the 193-member assembly was 117-2, with the United States and Paraguay voting "no" and Tunisia and Ukraine abstaining. America's allies in Europe, Asia and elsewhere voted in favor along with Russia, China and many developing countries.

U.S. Mission counselor Lauren Lovelace called the panel "a significant overreach of the U.N.'s mandate and competence" and said "AI governance is not a matter for the U.N. to dictate."

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As the world leader in AI, the United States is resolved to do all it can to accelerate AI innovation and build up its infrastructure, she said, andthe Trump administrationwill support "like-minded nations working together to encourage the development of AI in line with our shared values."

"We will not cede authority over AI to international bodies that may be influenced by authoritarian regimes seeking to impose their vision of controlled surveillance societies," Lovelace said, adding that the Trump administration is concerned about "the non-transparent way" the panel was chosen.

Guterres said the 40 members were selected from more than 2,600 candidates after an independent review by the International Telecommunications Union, the U.N. Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies and UNESCO, the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. They will serve for three-year terms.

Members are predominantly AI experts but also come from other disciplines and include Maria Ressa, a Filipino journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2021.

There are two Americans on the panel: Vipin Kumar, a University of Minnesota professor focusing on AI, data mining and high-performance computing research, and Martha Palmer, a retired University of Colorado professor and linguistics expert whose research includes capturing the meaning of words for complex sentences in AI.

There are two Chinese experts on the panel: Song Haitao, dean of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, and Wang Jian, an expert in cloud-computing technology at the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Ukraine said it abstained because it objected to Russia's Andrei Neznamov, an expert in AI regulation, ethics, and governance, being on the panel.