As fuel prices rise, some of the cheapest gas in the US can be found on Native American land throughout the country.
States like California, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, and Washington, have dozens of tribally-owned petrol stations, including some in busy travel corridors.
These territories are exempt from state fuel taxes and can sell gas for much less than competing stations nearby.
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The United States began enforcing a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic Monday, sharply escalating tensions in the Gulf just hours after high-level talks in Pakistan between Washington and Tehran collapsed without a deal.
The move, announced by President Donald Trump, came after negotiations in Islamabad ended without a breakthrough, despite what participants described as rare direct engagement between the two sides.
But Lt. Gen. (ret.) Mohammed Saeed, former chief of general staff of the Pakistan Army, said in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital that the talks came far closer to success than their outcome suggests — and argued that diplomacy is still within reach.
“Both sides are saying they were very close … even inches away from a solution,” he said based on his own knowledge and reports. Saeed retired in 2023 but remained part of the core team handling operational planning, internal security coordination, and sensitive periods of political tension.
JD VANCE RETURNS TO WASHINGTON AFTER 16 HOURS OF IRAN PEACE TALKS COLLAPSE IN PAKISTAN
“They talked to each other in a very friendly manner. There was, from both sides, an expression of accommodation and understanding from each other. So, what you can briefly say is that the engagement has sufficient potential to resume.”
The United States began enforcing a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic April 13, 2026. (Farooq NAEEM / AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking at the White House Monday, Trump defended the blockade, saying, “Right now, there’s no fighting. Right now, we have a blockade … Iran is doing absolutely no business, and we’re going to keep it that way very easily.”
He added that Iran’s military capabilities had been significantly degraded, saying its “Navy has gone, their air force is gone, their anti-aircraft is gone, their radar is gone and their leaders are gone.”
Vice President JD Vance, who led the U.S. delegation, pressed Iran to accept a strict “zero enrichment” policy and remove its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
“The simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon,” Vance said at a press conference in Islamabad.
Iranian leaders rejected those demands, insisting that any agreement must include the immediate release of billions of dollars in frozen assets.
Now, with the blockade in place, Saeed suggested the move may be designed less as a military endgame and more as leverage.
“This blockade could be … a maneuver to build further pressure on Iran to negotiate,” he said.
TRUMP WARNS CHINA OF ‘STAGGERING’ 50% TARIFF IF CAUGHT SUPPLYING MILITARY AID TO IRAN
Vice President JD Vance speaks during a news conference after meeting with representatives from Pakistan and Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 12, 2026. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
The escalation has raised concerns globally, particularly for countries dependent on Gulf energy flows, including Pakistan.
“Everyone in the world must be worried about what kind of economic negative spin-offs such a blockade would have,” Saeed said.
Saeed, who until recently sat at the center of Pakistan’s military leadership, framed the Islamabad talks as a critical reopening of dialogue after decades of hostility.
“It is the first time in 47 years … that there was engagement at the highest level,” he said, calling it “a great moment for diplomacy” and a demonstration of Pakistan’s ability to maintain credibility with both Washington and Tehran.
He pointed in particular to Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, a figure who has drawn unusual attention in Washington.
Trump has publicly praised Munir, at one point calling him his “favorite field marshal,” elevating his profile as a key intermediary in regional diplomacy.
Munir, who rose through Pakistan’s intelligence ranks before becoming army chief, previously served as director general of military intelligence and later led the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). His career has been defined by deep involvement in regional security and intelligence coordination, including longstanding engagement with Iran.
‘GATE OF TEARS’ AT RISK: IRAN THREATENS MAJOR NEW GLOBAL CHOKEPOINT IF US MOVES ON HORMUZ
Security personnel inspect vehicles entering the Foreign Ministry office in Islamabad on April 9, 2026. (Aamir QURESHI / AFP via Getty Images)
Those ties could prove critical in the current crisis, according to Saeed.
“What people do not know is that when he was director general of military intelligence … he was interacting with Iranians at multiple levels continuously,” Saeed said, describing years of direct engagement with Iran’s military, intelligence and political leadership, including former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. strike during Trump’s first term.
“He has had interaction with them for a long time … visiting Iran frequently and interacting on multiple issues,” Saeed said, adding that many current Iranian officials would already be familiar with Munir from earlier roles.
That continuity, he argued, gives Pakistan a rare advantage at a moment when formal diplomatic channels are strained.
“What one can say is that he continues to be one figure internationally who has a personal interaction … in the intelligence community in Iran in the military hierarchy and also on the side of the political leadership,” Saeed said.
“So that’s a huge advantage he has on the other side.”
TRUMP VOICES FRUSTRATION WITH NATO, SAYS IRANIAN NAVY ‘DESTROYED’ AS US PREPS FOR BLOCKADE
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were greeted by Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Gen. Asim Munir upon their arrival at Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on April 11, 2026. (Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs/AP)
For Pakistan, that personal access — combined with its simultaneous relationship with Washington — has become central to its effort to position itself as a credible intermediary, even as the region edges closer to confrontation.
At the same time, Pakistan’s role as a mediator has drawn scrutiny, particularly given its longstanding position on Israel and recent inflammatory remarks by senior officials.
When asked whether Pakistan can be seen as a neutral broker while not recognizing Israel — an actor directly involved in strikes on Iran — Saeed downplayed the issue, saying Israel was not part of the diplomatic track.
“Pakistan’s position with regard to relations with Israel has been consistent since our independence,” he said, adding that Islamabad’s mediation efforts were focused solely on Washington and Tehran.
“Neither of their representatives was on the table … Pakistan was mediating between the U.S. and Iran,” he said.
Despite the current escalation, Saeed maintained that diplomatic channels remain open.
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Iranians react after a ceasefire announcement at the Enqelab square, in Tehran, on April 8, 2026. The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire Tuesday barely an hour before U.S. President Donald Trump’s deadline to obliterate the rival country was set to expire, with Tehran to temporarily reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz. (AFP via Getty Images)
“There is a lot of space … for resuming the process,” he said, suggesting talks could restart in Islamabad or elsewhere if both sides shift course.
“On Pakistan’s side, from my personal knowledge of the field marshal, they are relentless. They would not give up. They must not have given up. They must be continuously in touch with both sides. And they would try their best to convince both sides that the blockade is not going to be in their interest, in the interest of the region and in the interest of the international community.”
Several social media users have pointed out a concerning component to the AI-generated image depicting President Donald Trump as Jesus Christ posted on Trump’s Truth Social page on Sunday night.
The image, which was shared without a written comment by the president, showed Trump donning a traditional white robe and red shawl and healing a man while surrounded by four adoring people, including a nurse and a soldier. In the background, an eagle is flying in front of the U.S. flag to the left, soldiers appear to be ascending toward a Heaven-like light in the middle, and another eagle is flying next to military jets to the right. On the same night, Trump also lashed out at Pope Leo XIV in a separate post, calling the Pope “weak” and “terrible” for foreign policy.
The AI photo shared by Trump was very similar to an image posted by Trump ally Nick Adams in February, although not an exact replica. Trump’s version has since been deleted from his Truth Social page.
“America has been sick for a long time,” Adams posted with the image in February. “President Trump is healing this nation.”
Many social media users pointed out a key difference in Trump’s post on Truth Social on Sunday night. In Trump’s image, one of the soldiers ascending to the light in the original image was replaced with a three-horned figure that many social media users say resembles a demon.
It is unclear who modified the photo that appeared on Trump’s Truth Social page. Newsweek reached out to the White House by email for comment.
“The original ‘artwork’ from @NickAdamsinUSA in February featured just US soldiers in the sky. It was Trump’s team that added a demonic figure. Weirdly, the demon was their only change,” user @kathleen_tyson_ posted.
“Turns out the original photo was posted by @NickAdamsinUSA but someone in the Trump camp decided it would be wise to alter it to add a demon and repost,” account @MaRy_JaNe1209 posted.
“DEMONOLOGY 101: Look at the image that Trump posted this morning of himself as the messiah, see the horned Baphomet demon at the top? Well, the original image someone else posted back in February had something completely different. Trump is showing you who he is, believe him,” account @nowtheendbegins posted.
“The original one didn’t have the demon above in the Middle. The one Trump posted does. I don’t think that was an accident,” user @jeffreylightfo8 posted.
Trump’s post has sparked further division among Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement supporters, including former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who posted on X that she denounced Trump’s photo depicting the president as Jesus.
“On Orthodox Easter, President Trump attacked the Pope because the Pope is rightly against Trump’s war in Iran and then he posted this picture of himself as if he is replacing Jesus. This comes after last week’s post of his evil tirade on Easter and then threatening to kill an entire civilization. I completely denounce this and I’m praying against it!!!” Greene posted.
Alex Cooper and Alix Earle’s long-rumored feud has evolved from fan speculation over severed business ties and passive-aggressive comments to a full-blown TikTok callout with Cooper, 31, urging Earle, 25, to “get specific.”
A day after both of the podcast hosts separately spent the weekend at Coachella, Cooper said in a video shared across her platforms Monday morning: “You guys know I don’t usually address this kind of stuff because it feels like a waste of time. And honestly, it’s embarrassing to participate in this.”
Cooper said, “But I am obviously seeing the videos and I’m getting tagged. I see the DMs, I see the comments. So, at this point, it just feels long overdue.”
“Alix Earle, hey girl,” she said calmly. “The passive-aggressive reposts and the ‘likes’ and the commenting on things, I gotta call you out here — you’re gonna need to get specific. Just say what you gotta say about me. There’s no NDA and no one is stopping you. Stop hiding behind other people and just say it yourself. What’s the beef?”
The Call Her Daddy host continued, “I’m really tired of waking up and seeing you using this fake drama to distract from other s*** going online for you. Not interested. I know what happened and so do you. So talk. Unless the fake narrative that you’re creating happens to be way more interesting than the truth. I have nothing to hide when it comes to you and me.”
She concluded: “Unless you actually have something to say, I’m out. This is over. Have a good Monday, everyone.”
Earle has not responded to the video at the time of writing, despite fans commenting on her recent TikTok post begging her to wade in. The Hot Mess host’s representatives did not immediately return The Independent’s requests for comment.
Cooper’s blunt video comes days after Earle reposted a TikTok video that compared Cooper to an “ambulance chaser” and accused her of exploiting her podcast guests for tell-all interviews.
The two influencers were originally friends. Earle was one of the first podcasts to launch under Cooper’s Unwell Network in September 2023, and the pair were pictured together at several brand events.
However, the podcast was dropped from the network in February 2025 due to “creative differences” amid rumors of Cooper and Earle falling out. Neither of the influencers spoke out about the rift at the time.
Earle now operates her podcast under her own company, Hot Mess Media.
Call Her Daddy was formerly owned by the conservative media company Barstool Sports until Cooper signed a $60 million distribution deal with Spotify. The show is now distributed by SiriusXM.
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New research has identified a possible link between a person’s outlook on life and their risk of developing dementia.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, examined whether having higher levels of optimism could reduce the chances of cognitive decline over time.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 9,000 adults who were cognitively healthy at the start of the study. Participants were followed for up to 14 years, with more than 3,000 developing dementia during that period.
SIMPLE BRUSHING ROUTINE COULD REDUCE DEMENTIA RISK, SAY DENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS
Those who reported higher levels of optimism on a questionnaire had about a 15% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those with less optimism, even after adjusting for factors such as age, education, depression and major health conditions, according to a study press release.
The findings were consistent across demographic groups and remained largely unchanged after accounting for health behaviors and mental health status.
New research has identified a possible link between a person’s outlook on life and their risk of developing dementia. (iStock)
The results suggest that emotional and psychological factors may play a role in brain health as people age, the researchers noted.
“Our personal emotional and social resources — like how hopeful and positive we feel about the future — may be related to keeping our brains healthy,” said lead study author Säde Stenlund, a social and behavioral sciences researcher at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in the release.
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The findings align with previous research linking optimism to other health benefits.
People with a more positive outlook were shown to have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and may be more likely to live longer.
The researchers noted that the study was observational, meaning it only shows an association and cannot prove that optimism directly reduces the risk of dementia.
Other factors not measured in the study may have influenced the results, and changes in mood might be an early sign of dementia rather than a cause of it, they added.
Researchers said staying hopeful and positive may help protect brain health with age. (iStock)
Still, the findings point to a potential area for future research.
“Since optimism may be increased through relatively simple, low-intensity programs, it is helpful to understand how it is related to health in aging,” Stenlund said.
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More studies, including clinical trials, are needed to determine whether boosting optimism could have a measurable impact on long-term dementia risk.
Fox News Digital previously reported that while dementia cases are rising, certain lifestyle habits may help reduce risk.
Experts recommend addressing conditions such as hearing loss, limiting alcohol consumption and quitting smoking, as these factors have been linked to cognitive decline. (Ourmindsmatter)
New York neurologist Dr. Joel Salinas previously told Fox News Digital that factors such as diet, exercise and social engagement play a key role in brain health.
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“It’s about putting the odds in your favor that you’ll be less likely to develop one of these conditions, or at least delay the onset of symptoms,” he said.
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Experts also recommend addressing conditions such as hearing loss, limiting alcohol consumption and quitting smoking, as these factors have been linked to cognitive decline.
Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.
Melissa Rudy of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.
HAVANA — On a recent sweltering afternoon in the Cuban capital, dozens of commuters on bicycles, scooters and electric motorcycles gathered in a tidy row at the entrance of the Havana Bay Tunnel. They were waiting for the Ciclobús, a bus specially fitted to take people — and their rides — through the underwater tunnel linking Old Havana to the eastern side of the island.
The diesel-powered bus can accommodate around 60 travelers and their vehicles, making enough trips to transport more than 2,000 people per day. It features a front seating section, but half its metallic frame is an open bay for cargo. Riders enter via a specialized ramp and stay with their vehicles for the duration of the trip, holding onto wall-mounted grab bars for balance. Bicycles, motorcycles and scooters are not allowed in the tunnel.
While the Ciclobús is not new, it has never been as popular — and essential — as Cuba navigates its most severe energy crisis in decades.
The energy blockade imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump in January has forced the country to ration gasoline to only 20 liters (5 gallons) per vehicle through a cumbersome appointment process that can take weeks, or even months, halting public transportation. These days, the streets of Havana are almost empty of cars but teeming with thousands of bicycles and small electric motorcycles that have become the only way to get around.
“My husband owns a bicycle, so I’m riding as his companion,” said Ingrid Quintana, a resident of East Havana, who works in the old part of Havana, while waiting for the tunnel bus. “It’s an option we have, because there’s no public transportation and we can’t afford to pay for a private taxi, so we ride the Ciclobús.”
The Ciclobús is the shortest public transportation route on the island, covering 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) in about 15 minutes.
After boarding near the Havana Bay Tunnel in Old Havana, passengers endure a rattling journey through the darkness of the underwater passage. They emerge in eastern Havana, a sprawling residential zone where hundreds of thousands reside. By contrast, the alternative land route must skirt the massive bay, a 16-kilometer (10-mile) trek through sparsely populated and poorly paved industrial port areas.
The fare for boarding ranges from 2 to 5 Cuban pesos (a tiny fraction of a U.S. dollar on the informal market) depending on whether you are transporting a bicycle or a motorcycle.
In comparison, a ride in a shared taxi from the eastern neighborhoods — passing through the tunnel — costs 1,000 Cuban pesos (about $2). A Cuban worker can earn a monthly salary of 7,000 Cuban pesos (about $14).
Owned by Havana’s state-run transport company, the Ciclobús emerged in the 1990s during the so-called “Special Period,” the crisis triggered by the collapse of the Soviet Union that left the island isolated, prompting then-President Fidel Castro to distribute Chinese-made bicycles among the population.
Over time, the service lost some of its appeal as residents turned to regular buses or shared taxis. But it is now seeing a resurgence as fuel shortages force more Cubans to rely on bicycles, electric tricycles, scooters and motorcycles for their daily commutes.
“Most jobs are on the other side, in the city, and that’s why we have to ride it to get across,” said 32-year-old gym teacher Bárbaro Cabral, gripping his bicycle tightly as the Ciclobús began to fill with passengers.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
In a world that often values speed, competition, and personal success, a lot of people feel like they have to get things done quickly. People are always trying to get ahead of others, whether it’s in their careers, businesses, or personal goals. But in this race for quick success, people sometimes forget how important it is to work together and think long-term. People from many different cultures have taught us that success isn’t just about getting things done quickly; it’s also about being able to keep doing them and getting help.A famous African proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” This is one of those powerful insights. This simple but important saying shows the difference between short-term success and long-term success. It makes people think about more than just short-term results and value working together and putting in effort.
The saying makes a clear difference between two ways of doing things. You might be able to move faster if you go alone because you don’t have to rely on anyone else. It’s easier to make decisions and act quickly. This method might work well for short-term goals or tasks that need to be done quickly.But if you want to be successful in the long run, the saying suggests a different way. Going together means working with others, sharing the load, and making strong support systems. This may take longer at first, but it will lead to results that last longer and are more stable.It’s easy to understand the message. Speed can help you get there faster, but working together can help you get there faster and do more over time.
In today’s work world, people know how important it is to work together. Instead of relying on individuals, organisations rely on teams to reach tough goals. People with different skills are often needed to get things done.Sometimes, working alone can help you get things done faster, but it’s not always the best way to do things. On the other hand, working together makes it easier to plan, boosts creativity, and makes execution more even. It also makes things easier for people and helps keep things the same over time.This saying is especially true in places of work where long-term growth and stability are important. Companies that only care about making money quickly may have a hard time keeping their success, while companies that build strong teams are more likely to grow steadily.Importance in personal lifeThis saying’s meaning goes beyond the workplace. It also applies to relationships and personal life. Getting help from others is often necessary to reach long-term goals, whether they are about family, health, or personal growth.For instance, having a support system makes it easier for people to stay healthy, handle their responsibilities, and deal with problems. People can stay motivated and focused with the help of friends, family, and communities.The saying also shows how important trust and working together are in relationships. When people work together and help each other, they are more likely to get through tough times and reach their common goals.
Even though technology and ways of life are changing quickly, the main point of this African proverb is still true. Life today often puts pressure on people to get things done quickly, but it also gives them problems that they can’t solve on their own.When people work together, they can share ideas, lower risks, and build stronger foundations for success. It also makes people feel like they belong and can help each other, which is good for their health at work and in their personal lives.The saying reminds us that working together and putting in effort over time is what really leads to success, even though speed may get you quick rewards.
The African saying “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together” has a clear and useful lesson. It shows that you can get things done quickly by working alone, but to be successful in the long run, you need to work with others.This simple saying reminds us that we don’t often make real progress by ourselves. It promotes cooperation, patience, and strong connections. Working together helps us get further in both work and life. It also makes the journey more balanced and lasting.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of his stepsister during a family cruise vacation, the Department of Justice announced Monday.
Anna Kepner, 18, died on the Carnival Cruise ship Horizon in November while the ship was in international waters and heading to Miami, prosecutors said.
The DOJ alleged the stepbrother “sexually assaulted and intentionally killed” Kepner. The Florida high school senior died from mechanical asphyxiation, officials said.
The Carnival Horizon cruise ship sits docked in the Caribbean Sea at the Aruba Cruise Terminal, November 11, 2025, in Oranjestad, Aruba.
Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
The boy was initially charged as a juvenile, prosecutors said. He’s now been indicted as an adult by a federal grand jury on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse.
Kepner’s family said in a statement last year that the 18-year-old “loved being around people” and “drew you in with her smile and the way she carried herself.”
She was set to graduate from high school this May and was interested in joining the military, her family said.
For a little while, it was easy to worry about how much tread was left on Harry Kane‘s tires.
After recording ridiculous minutes for both club (Tottenham Hotspur) and country (England) in the mid-2010s — over 4,000 in all competitions in 2015-16, 2017-18 and 2018-19 — his effectiveness began to wane a bit. He had averaged 1.21 combined goals and assists per 90 minutes in the Premier League in 2016-17, then 0.94 in 2017-18, but that slipped to 0.78 and 0.70 in the following seasons, and he missed time with ligament and muscle injuries. He was 26, but he had put in the miles of a 30-year-old.
This season, just a couple of months away from his 33rd birthday, Kane is averaging 1.48 goals and assists per 90 in all competitions. Now with Bayern Munich, he has scored 31 goals in 26 Bundesliga appearances and 11 in 10 Champions League matches. To watch him as he approaches his mid-30s is to watch an almost perfectly well-rounded forward. He can muscle up against central defenders and teleport into open spaces. He can go up for a header in traffic, and he can knock in a rocket from outside the box. (Yes, he can also put in a lot of penalties. He’s 15-for-17 on those this season.) And he’s still coming up with firsts, too: On Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, he scored his first goal in the Bernabeu stadium as Bayern beat Real Madrid for the first time in 10 tries.
Kane is the perfect recipient of this year’s Gündogan Awards. Since 2020-21, I’ve been celebrating the players who are most gracefully fending off the effects of age. (Why “Gündogans”? Because Ilkay Gündogan was the prime recipient in the first piece. Here are some other editions from 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24.)
Below are this year’s Gündogan recipients. All of them are at least 32 years old and have established a level of play as high as it has been in quite a while (or ever). They are embarrassing Father Time and entertaining the hell out of us.
– The case for Man United’s Fernandes as Premier League’s best
– Why missing Champions League can boost Premier League teams
– Who are the 39 best men’s U21 players in the world?
Harry Kane, ST, Bayern MunichIt had to be difficult for Kane, deciding to leave Spurs after 10 seasons and 213 Premier League goals, just 47 short of Alan Shearer’s league record. New challenge (and major trophy potential) or immortality? Kane chose the former, and it’s hard to think he has regretted it for even a second.
Similarly, it’s hard to think Bayern has ever regretted laying down a €95 million transfer fee for Kane despite the fact that he had just turned 30. Even acknowledging a trophy-less first season for Kane and Bayern, both he and his club just keep improving. Bayern are on pace for 89 points in Bundesliga play, their most since 2013-14, and Kane has scored 49 goals and five assists in 41 matches in all competitions.
It’s the well-roundedness that sticks out. Kane knows every way to draw contact, and therefore penalties, but he’s strong enough to maintain his position jostling in the box with defenders, and his technical skill on the ball is underappreciated. Almost his entire development and trajectory came together for a single, brilliant score against Atalanta in the Champions League round of 16 last month.
50 in the Champions League 😤
Harry Kane powers through defenders and finishes it with class. Unreal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/IVRKb1hLRX
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 18, 2026
That even topped the time he impersonated the Bundesliga logo.
Kane now has 134 goals in all competitions for Bayern, and while he’s still playing catch-up in the trophies department (he has two in Munich thus far), Bayern will clinch another Bundesliga title in a few more weeks, they’ll play in the DFB-Pokal semifinals in two weeks, and per Opta, they remain second favorites in the Champions League behind Arsenal. For that matter, England’s the No. 3 betting favorite in the World Cup, too. Kane’s trophy total could add up in a hurry, and while I’m sure he’s honored by his place in the Gündogan Awards list, his future individual and team success might make him awfully attractive to Ballon d’Or voters as well.
OK, fine, it’s not particularly surprising that, even at 40 years old, Luka Modric is second in Serie A in total touches (2,500), passes completed (1,865) and progressive passes (375). He’s 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric, after all, and Serie A is generally seen as a lower-tempo league. His vision and natural passing ability would probably allow him to remain dangerous at 70 if he didn’t have to run much. He’s 10th in chances created (48)? Of course he is. He’s also second in passes received (1,645)? It’s pretty wild that AC Milan is this ridiculously reliant on someone who recently entered their fifth decade on earth, but still … it’s Modric.
Here’s something that blew me away, however: Modric is also first in the league in ball recoveries, with 177. Granted, fantastic smarts and positioning mean that ball recoveries aren’t a pure hustle stat, but it still requires you to cover some ground! And Modric, in his first season after leaving Real Madrid, joined another one of the world’s most celebrated clubs, in one of the five best leagues in the world, and has completely Modric’d the hell out of everyone.
It almost makes you wonder why Real Madrid spent so much time managing his minutes in recent seasons. From 2022-23 through 2024-25, Modric never started more than 19 league matches, played more than 1,819 league minutes or averaged more than 53 minutes per appearance. It’s surely helped that Milan didn’t have European ball to worry about this season, but Modric has started 30 of Milan’s 32 matches and played in 31. He’s averaging 84.5 minutes per appearance, and he’s on pace for his first 3,000-minute league season since 2011-12.
This should not be the case! The man is older than Lionel Messi! He’s five years older than Andrea Pirlo was when Pirlo moved to MLS! He’s going to be a key member of a World Cup contender (Croatia) this summer! None of this is normal!
If I were tasked with crafting a list of the top women’s players of all time, the top 12 would look something like this. Active players are in bold. (This is all quite negotiable. Please don’t yell at me too much.)
1. Marta
2. Birgit Prinz
3. Abby Wambach
4. Mia Hamm
5. Christine Sinclair
6. Sun Wen
7. Michelle Akers
8. Megan Rapinoe
9. Carli Lloyd
10. Aitana Bonmatí
11. Heidi Mohr
12. Alexia Putellas
Granted, Marta might never retire, and at 28 with three straight Ballons d’Or in the books, Bonmatí is on a rocket ship toward the top three or so. But after losing a couple of years to injury, Putellas, Bonmatí’s Barcelona teammate and the 2021 and 2022 Ballon d’Or winner, has found top gear again in 2025 and 2026. Her case for a spot in the top 10, at worst, is growing stronger.
Despite her role as a midfielder, and despite Barcelona being particularly ridiculous this season — in 41 matches in all competitions, they’ve won 38 with two draws, one loss and a combined 164-14 scoring margin — she’s third on the team in both goals (nine) and assists (six) in Liga F play. She has nearly matched her career high in combined goals and assists in the Champions League: She had 13 (11 goals and two assists) in 10 matches in 2021-22, but she has produced six goals and six assists in eight matches this year (with either two or three matches remaining). Only Bayern’s Klara Bühl has more assists, only Arsenal‘s Alessia Russo and Bayern’s Pernille Harder have more goals, and no one has more combined goal contributions.
Both Spain and Barcelona grew increasingly dominant when Putellas was hurt, and they might both be untouchable now that she’s back to full speed.
It’s important to take on new challenges as you age, but isn’t “Bring Schalke back to the Bundesliga, and bring Bosnia and Herzegovina back to the World Cup at age 40” a bit much? Dzeko has scored six goals with three assists in eight matches since joining Schalke’s promotion push in January, and he scored the game-tying goal for his country late against Wales in March’s qualification semifinals. Bosnia and Herzegovina eventually won that match in penalties, and Dzeko attempted three shots with a lot of important holdup play in their eventual qualification final win over Italy, too.
Schalke are currently in first place in the 2. Bundesliga, five points ahead of third place (a reminder: the third-place team plays a playoff against the Bundesliga’s third-worst team) and, most importantly, six points ahead of fourth. Dzeko injured a shoulder against Italy but is expected to return reasonably soon, and if he can see out promotion, then become one of three 40-year-olds (along with Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo) at the World Cup, how on earth do you top that at age 41?
Knee injury, 68 days. Patellar tendon problems, 123 days. Knee injury, 155 days. Cartilage damage, 41 days. Ankle injury, 40 days. Danny Welbeck’s injury history page at Transfermarkt spreads to a second page and reminds us of the what-ifs that littered the early portions of his career. He topped 2,000 league minutes at age 21 at Manchester United in 2011-12 — a season in which they nearly won the Premier League — and somehow didn’t do it again until last season, when he scored double-digit league goals for the first time at age 34.
He has topped himself this season. He’s the Premier League’s leading English scorer in 2025-26, with a career-high 12 goals, and he became Brighton’s all-time top division scorer in October.
His form has been so solid that English national team coach Thomas Tuchel faced a number of questions about calling him up in the last couple of international windows. A debate about a 35-year-old who hasn’t played for the national team in eight years! What a fun story this has become.
Barring a stunning late collapse from Paris Saint-Germain, Lens’ surprising Ligue 1 title push will come up short in the coming weeks, but they’re on pace to improve by 20 points and jump from eighth to second in the league, in part because of Thauvin’s arrival.
Almost a decade removed from a brilliant three-year run with Marseille — he produced 53 goals and 28 assists in league play from 2016-17 to 2018-19 — the enigmatic 33-year-old right winger came back to France after a solid 2½ seasons with Udinese, and he has been the team’s designated Stuff Tryer all season: He’s first on the team in progressive carries (232), first in expected goals (10.6), first in expected assists from completed passes (8.0), first in 1-on-1 attempts (105), first in completed crosses (50), second in chances created (67), second in progressive passes (170), second in passes received (1,110), third in goals (nine), third in assists (five) and even first in ball recoveries in the attacking third (24).
He just does things, as evidenced by the fact that he has, by a significant margin, the highest expected point value added (xPVA) for all on-ball actions in the league.
(That’s 30-year-old Lens teammate and potential future Gündogan honoree Matthieu Udol in second place.)
Even in a league loaded with ambitious youngsters, Thauvin has figured out a way to become a difference-maker. And his play hasn’t gone unnoticed. After more than four years without a national team appearance, Thauvin joined the team again last fall, and he scored almost immediately after subbing in against Azerbaijan on Oct. 10. If that international window was his swan song, it still made for a hell of a story.
She made her national team debut for France 12 years ago, she has played at least 19 matches for seven different clubs over three different leagues, and she was already a Gündogan honoree three years ago! But life in San Diego is very much agreeing with Dali, and she has basically been a Modric for the NWSL. Since the start of the 2025 NWSL season, the 34-year-old is first in the league in touches (2,674), passes received (1,662), progressive carries (283) and ball recoveries (214) and second in chances created (68), pass completions (1,762) and progressive passes (268).
The 2026 season is young, but Dali has been every bit as effective early on. She’s the best crosser in the league, and after rising from 10th to sixth last season, the Wave are first, with 12 points in five matches. No one’s more responsible for the rise than Dali.
Casemiro, MF, Manchester UnitedDid I name him one of the 50 worst transfers in Premier League history a couple of months ago? Yep! And for that lower-priced contract, and his age at the time, I stand by the pick in principle.
Since Michael Carrick took over at United on Jan. 13, however, the Red Devils have lost just once in 10 league matches, and the 34-year-old Casemiro, another multitime Gündogans honoree, has been maybe the second-most-important player during the run (behind Bruno Fernandes, himself almost Gündogans-eligible at this point). In these 10 matches, Casemiro has won 41 ground duels, most on the team, and he has been second on the team in a wide array of statistics, including both defensive interventions (113) and goals (three). (Other seconds: shots on goal, expected assists and progressive passes.)
He announced he would be leaving the club in March, and he’s doing everything he can to assure that his final weeks in Manchester are his best — or at least the best since his first year there.
It would feel like cheating to mention Leo Messi here — he earned enough accolades in his day — so let’s instead honor one of MLS’ Gündogan-aged mainstays. Morález is in his 10th season with NYCFC, including the small sliver of the 2023 season he spent back with the club after returning briefly to Racing Club in Argentina, and after reestablishing himself as a starter in 2025, he has been ridiculously impressive early in 2026. He’s second in the league in assists (five), sixth in chances created (16) and 25th in ball recoveries (34), and he’s proving still capable of absolutely ridiculous passes like this.
What a ball from Maxi Moralez 😮💨
Agustín Ojeda puts @newyorkcityfc ahead of Miami. pic.twitter.com/RGGj56xTlK
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 22, 2026
Morález logged double-digit assists in both the 2019 (12) and 2021 (11) seasons, and he’s already nearly halfway to topping that figure. Not bad for a 5-foot-3, 126-pounder who just turned 39.
Granted, 33 is only about 28 in goalkeeper years — or even younger, if 40-year-old Bayern legend Manuel Neuer‘s performance on Tuesday against Real Madrid was any indication — but what Schwolow has done at Hearts this season is still awfully impressive. After producing a save percentage between 56% and 70% for nine of his last 10 seasons at various German clubs, and after serving as a backup over the last two seasons with Union Berlin, Schwolow has been a key member of Hearts’ surprising title push in Scotland, recording saves on 74% of shots on goal and producing clean sheets in 52% of his starts. (His career high: 43%.)
Schwolow gave up two goals in a recent disappointing draw with Livingston, and with Hearts’ lead at just one point over Rangers (whom they’ll host on May 4) and three over Celtic (whom they’ll visit on May 16), his performance down the stretch will help to determine whether this magical run finishes with a happy ending. But he has been a game-changing free transfer thus far.
If we aren’t going to a former Gündogans honoree for an accomplishment this big, then what’s the point of any of this?
King of Cards 🟨
Diego Chara is now the @MLS all-time leader in yellow cards with 124 pic.twitter.com/LhYz21t9zr
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) April 5, 2026
Honorary Gündogan No. 2: James Milner, MF, BrightonIf we don’t celebrate a 40-year-old breaking the Premier League’s all-time appearances record, what is the point of having the Gundogan awards at all?
A career that defies all expectations.
James Milner has officially made the most appearances in the HISTORY of the Premier League. 👏 pic.twitter.com/E9X1H5AIez
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 21, 2026
Honorary Gündogan No. 3: Ilkay Gündogan, MF, GalatasarayMaybe you’ve heard of him? Gündogan’s storied Manchester City run ended after last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, but he has found a solid landing spot with Galatasaray, where he has enjoyed five goal involvements in league play. Galatasaray’s goal differential when he’s on the pitch is plus-1.8 per 90 minutes. Granted, he has played only 1,046 minutes (plus 413 in the Champions League), but he has been a part of a Champions League round-of-16 run, and Gala is still holding onto a four-point lead in the Super Lig.
Drivers in the south of England are feeling the financial strain from the US-Israel war with Iran.
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