Trump Sees Khamenei's Son as Unacceptable for Iran Former President Donald Trump has privately expressed skepticism about the idea of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, playing a key role in Iran's government or international relations, according to people familiar with his views. Axios reported that Trump believes Mojtaba, who is said to have significant influence over his father's decisions, would be an unacceptable choice for any position of power. The report suggests that Trump's concerns stem from his perception that Mojtaba has too much sway over Iran's foreign policy and has been involved in controversies such as the detention of dual nationals. This stance is reportedly shared by some members of Trump's inner circle, who have expressed reservations about Mojtaba's ability to negotiate effectively with world leaders. Mojtaba Khamenei has been increasingly visible on the international stage in recent years, accompanying his father on high-profile visits and meeting with foreign dignitaries. His involvement in Iran's political landscape has sparked concerns among some experts who fear that he may be using his influence to further his own interests at the expense of more moderate factions within the Iranian government. Trump's views on Mojtaba are said to have developed over time, as he became increasingly frustrated with what he perceives as Khamenei's intransigence on issues such as Iran's nuclear program and its support for proxy groups in the Middle East. The former president has long been critical of Khamenei's leadership style, which he sees as authoritarian and unyielding. The Axios report highlights Trump's ongoing antipathy towards Khamenei, who has been a thorn in his side since the early days of his presidency. The two leaders have clashed repeatedly ...#Iran #Donald_Trump #United_States #Ayatollah_Ali_Khamenei #Mojtaba_Khamenei
Trump Says He Must Be Involved in Picking Iran's Next Leader In an exclusive interview with Axios, former President Donald Trump said he believes it is essential for him to be involved in picking the next leader of Iran. The statement comes as Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been facing health issues and speculation surrounding his potential successor. "I know more about Iran than any expert, anybody," Trump said. "I have studied it, I have read about it, I have seen what's going on, and I know that whoever is chosen to be the next leader of Iran must go through me." When asked why he believed this was necessary, Trump cited his experience with Middle Eastern leaders during his presidency. "I've dealt with some of the toughest guys in the world – Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Mohammed bin Salman," he said. "I know how to deal with these people. And I know that whoever is chosen to lead Iran must be vetted by me." Trump's assertion has sparked controversy among experts and diplomats who have long been involved in negotiations with Tehran. "This is a deeply concerning statement," said a former U.S. official who worked on Iran policy during the Trump administration. "The idea that one individual, even if it's a former president, can dictate who should lead another country is absurd." Iranian officials have remained tight-lipped about Khamenei's health and potential succession plans, but rumors have been circulating about various candidates vying to succeed him. Trump's statement has raised concerns that his involvement could further destabilize the situation in Iran. This is not the first time Trump has inserted himself into international affairs since leaving office. In recent months, he has made bold claims about the Middle East peace process and even suggested he would run...#Donald_Trump #Ayatollah_Ali_Khamenei #Kim_Jong_Un #Vladimir_Putin #Mohammed_bin_Salman
Mahtomedi edges St. Cloud Cathedral in Class A quarterfinal In a thrilling matchup, Mahtomedi defeated St. Cloud Cathedral 3-2 in the Class A boys' hockey quarterfinals on Thursday night at the Xcel Energy Center. The Zephyrs got out to an early lead when freshman forward Max Nelson scored his first goal of the season just 2:15 into the game. The score remained that way until midway through the second period, when Cathedral's senior captain Jack Hanson tied it up with a power-play goal at 9:45. Mahtomedi regained the lead with just over five minutes left in the middle frame on a goal by junior forward Ryan Flegel. The Zephyrs took a 2-1 advantage into the locker room after two periods of play. In the third, Cathedral came out strong and tied it up again at 2-2 when senior defenseman Owen Hanson scored from the point at 5:15. But Mahtomedi would not be denied, as sophomore forward Jaxon Bussler potted the game-winner with just 1:45 left to play. The win sends Mahtomedi on to face top-seeded Hermantown in the Class A semifinals on Saturday.#Xcel_Energy_Center #St_Cloud_Cathedral #Mahtomedi #Max_Nelson #Jack_Hanson #Ryan_Flegel #Jaxon_Bussler #Hermantown

Mahtomedi tops St. Cloud Cathedral in Minnesota High School Boys Hockey State Tournament: Live Score Recap In a thrilling matchup, Mahtomedi emerged victorious over St. Cloud Cathedral with a final score of 4-2 in the quarterfinals of the Minnesota High School Boys Hockey State Tournament. The game was played at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Mahtomedi got off to a strong start, scoring two goals in the first period. The first goal came just over three minutes into the game when Max Hines scored on a power play, assisted by Jack Mauer and Jackson Hart. The second goal was scored with just 45 seconds left in the period, as Tyler Szocs tied up the puck in front of the net and tapped it in for his own goal. St. Cloud Cathedral responded in the second period, scoring their first goal at the 10:30 mark when Sam Smith buried a rebound chance. The Irish continued to push the pace, but Mahtomedi's defense held strong, allowing only a few quality chances. In the third period, St. Cloud Cathedral pulled within one goal just over five minutes in when Jake Gelineau scored on a breakaway. However, Mahtomedi sealed the win with an empty-net goal by Hines with just 2:30 remaining. The goal was assisted by Mauer and Hart. Mahtomedi's goalie, Jack Evenson, made 23 saves to earn the win. St. Cloud Cathedral's goalie, Ryan Johnson, stopped 32 shots in the loss. With this victory, Mahtomedi advances to the semifinals of the state tournament, where they will face off against Stillwater on Friday at 2:30 PM.#Xcel_Energy_Center #Mahtomedi #St_Cloud_Cathedral #Minnesota_High_School_Boys_Hockey_State_Tournament #Max_Hines #Jack_Mauer #Jackson_Hart #Tyler_Szocs #Sam_Smith #Jake_Gelineau #Jack_Evenson #Ryan_Johnson #Stillwater

Boys State Hockey: Mahtomedi edges St. Cloud Cathedral again in Class A thriller The Mahtomedi Zephyrs continued their impressive postseason run, edging the St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders 4-3 in a thrilling Class A semifinal matchup at the Xcel Energy Center. The victory marks the second time this season that the Zephyrs have come out on top against the Crusaders, who were looking to even the series. The game got off to a fast start as Mahtomedi's star player, Tyler Jorgensen, notched his 20th goal of the season just 2:15 into the first period. The Zephyrs would go on to take a 3-1 lead into the second frame, but Cathedral refused to back down. The Crusaders began to assert themselves in the middle stanza, as Tyler Peterson got them on the board with a power-play goal at the 8:30 mark. The momentum had shifted in favor of the underdogs, and they would pull within one just minutes later when Jake Harren scored at 10:45. Mahtomedi's defense held strong through the final period, allowing just three shots on net. Meanwhile, their offense continued to produce, as Jorgensen added his second goal of the game with 4:15 remaining to push the Zephyrs' lead back to two. The Crusaders would pull goalie Ethan Peterson for an extra attacker in the final minute, but Mahtomedi's defense held firm once again. The Zephyrs will now move on to face Edina in the Class A championship game, looking to capture their second state title in as many years.#Mahtomedi_Zephyrs #St_Cloud_Cathedral_Crusaders #Xcel_Energy_Center #Tyler_Jorgensen #Ethan_Peterson #Jake_Harren #Edina

NFL Free Agency and Trade Rumors: Where Maxx Crosby, A.J. Brown, and More Are Headed The 2023 NFL offseason is heating up, with free agency set to begin in just a few weeks. As teams prepare for the new league year, rumors are swirling about which players will be on the move. One of the most intriguing stories involves defensive end Maxx Crosby, who has been linked to multiple suitors. According to sources, the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars are both interested in signing the 25-year-old pass rusher, who is expected to command a hefty contract after a strong season with the Las Vegas Raiders. Another big name generating buzz is wide receiver A.J. Brown, who has reportedly drawn interest from the Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, and Cleveland Browns. The 24-year-old has been one of the most productive receivers in the league over the past two seasons, and teams are eager to add him to their rosters. In other news, the Arizona Cardinals have been exploring trade options for quarterback Colt McCoy, with the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders showing interest. The 36-year-old veteran has seen his role reduced significantly since the emergence of Kyler Murray as the team's starter. The Tennessee Titans are also looking to make some moves on defense, with nose tackle Jeffery Simmons expected to draw trade interest from the Seattl...#Seattle_Seahawks #Chicago_Bears #Jacksonville_Jaguars #Arizona_Cardinals #Kansas_City_Chiefs #Green_Bay_Packers #Philadelphia_Eagles #Tennessee_Titans #Cleveland_Browns #Las_Vegas_Raiders #A_J_Brown #Washington_Commanders #Dallas_Cowboys #Denver_Broncos #Maxx_Crosby #David_Montgomery #Devonta_Freeman #Latavius_Murray

Mac Jones Back to the AFC East? The New England Patriots are reportedly looking to rebuild their roster, and one potential target could be quarterback Mac Jones, who was traded away from the team in 2022. Jones has been rumored to have interest in returning to the AFC East, where he began his NFL career. Another intriguing possibility is defensive end Maxx Crosby heading to a Super Bowl contender. The Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly open to trading Crosby, and there are several teams that could use an elite pass rusher like him. One potential destination for Crosby could be the Kansas City Chiefs, who have been searching for a way to bolster their defensive line. Here are five NFL trades we'd love to see happen: The first trade would send quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo from the San Francisco 49ers to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for running back Christian McCaffrey. This move would give the 49ers a much-needed boost at receiver, while the Panthers would get a veteran QB who could stabilize their offense. Next up, we'd love to see the Baltimore Ravens trade cornerback Marlon Humphrey to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for wide receiver Davante Adams. This deal would give the Rave...#Arizona_Cardinals #Kansas_City_Chiefs #Green_Bay_Packers #Davante_Adams #Carolina_Panthers #Las_Vegas_Raiders #San_Francisco_49ers #Marlon_Humphrey #Dallas_Cowboys #Baltimore_Ravens #Minnesota_Vikings #Denver_Broncos #Pittsburgh_Steelers #Mac_Jones #New_England_Patriots #Jimmy_Garoppolo #Christian_McCaffrey #Joe_Mixon #Cincinnati_Bengals #Dalvin_Tomlinson #Chase_Claypool #Von_Miller #Byron_Murphy

The 23 Players Who Will Define the NFL's Trade Market As the NFL season approaches, teams are already looking to make moves to strengthen their rosters. The trade market is always hotly contested, and this year is no exception. With a crop of talented players set to hit the open market, teams are scrambling to get ahead of the curve. Here are 23 players who will define the NFL's trade market in 2026. First up, let's look at some of the biggest names on the block. Quarterback Maxx Crosby is reportedly seeking a massive extension from the Raiders, but if they can't come to an agreement, he'll be the most coveted quarterback available. Wide receiver AJ Brown is another top target, with multiple teams already sniffing around. If the Eagles can't re-sign him, they'll likely have to deal with a flurry of suitors. On the defensive side of the ball, edge rusher Anthony Richardson is generating significant interest after a breakout season with the Falcons. His speed and athleticism make him an attractive asset for any team looking to bolster their pass rush. Meanwhile, cornerback Xavien Howard is seeking a new deal in Miami, but if they can't meet his demands, he'll be the top cover man on the market. Some of the other players who will drive the trade market include: Linebacker Roquan Smith, who's seeking a big payday from the Bears; defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins, a dominant force in the middle of the Falcons' defense; and edge rusher Za'Darius Smith, who's looking to cash in after a strong season with the Packers. Of course, these players won't be the only ones on the move. With multiple teams looking to make deals ahead of the draft, this offseason is shaping up to be one for the ages. Stay tuned as we track the latest developments and analy...#AJ_Brown #Xavien_Howard #Maxx_Crosby #Anthony_Richardson #Roquan_Smith #Jonathan_Hankins #ZaDarius_Smith

Avalanche Acquires Nicolas Roy from Maple Leafs The Colorado Avalanche made a surprising move on Monday, acquiring center Nicolas Roy from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for their first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft and their fifth-round pick in the same draft. The trade is seen as a major shake-up for both teams, with significant implications for their future prospects. Roy, a physical player with a strong two-way game, has been a consistent contributor to the Maple Leafs' depth down the middle. In 54 games this season, he has recorded 13 goals and 16 assists, while also logging important minutes on the penalty kill and in shorthanded situations. The Avalanche have been seeking an upgrade at center for some time, and Roy's arrival is expected to provide a significant boost. The trade comes as something of a surprise, given that the Maple Leafs had reportedly been looking to re-sign Roy to a long-term contract extension. Instead, they opted to cash in on their asset and add more draft capital to their arsenal. The Avalanche, meanwhile, are eager to bolster their roster for what promises to be another intense playoff run. The trade also raises questions about the future of Colorado's current centers, including Nazem Kadri and Alex Newhook. While neither player is expected to be directly affected by Roy's arrival, there may be some changes to the team's depth chart in the coming weeks. For their part, the Maple Leafs are believed to be eyeing a major rebuild in the near future, with several key players set to become free agents in the next year or two. By trading away Roy and other assets, they can stockpile draft picks and prospects that will help them build a competitive team for the long haul. In the end, both teams seem to have come out winners from this trade, a...#NHL_Entry_Draft #Nicolas_Roy #Avalanche #Maple_Leaves #Nazem_Kadri #Alex_Newhook

Nicolas Roy Traded to Colorado Avalanche by Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded forward Nicolas Roy to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for two draft picks, it was announced today. The 24-year-old center has been a consistent contributor for the Leafs this season, recording five goals and nine assists through his first 30 games. "We're excited to add Nicolas to our lineup," said Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic. "He's a talented young player who can play all three positions up front and has shown he can score at the NHL level." The trade comes as no surprise, given the Leafs' crowded forward group and the need for salary cap space. Roy was set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, making it likely that the Leafs would have traded him anyway. "I'm grateful for my time in Toronto," said Roy. "I've learned a lot from the coaching staff and my teammates, and I'll always be thankful for the opportunity to play there." The two draft picks sent to Toronto are a second-round selection in this year's draft and a third-rounder in 2024. The Leafs have been looking to strengthen their prospect pool, which has taken a hit in recent years due to a lack of high-end picks. "We're always looking for ways to improve our organization," said Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas. "This trade gives us more flexibility going forward and allows us to restock our system with some quality young players." Roy is expected to join the Avalanche lineup immediately, providing a boost to their top six forwards. The team has been struggling to find consistent scoring this season, and Roy's addition could be just what they need to turn things around. The trade marks the second major deal of the season for the Leafs, following the ...#Colorado_Avalanche #Toronto_Maple_Leafs #Washington_Capitals #Nicolas_Roy #Joe_Sakic #Kyle_Dubas #Rasmus_Sandin

NHL Trade Deadline Tracker 2026: Nicolas Roy Moved from Toronto to Colorado; Latest Rumors, Updates and Analysis The NHL trade deadline has come and gone, with several teams making significant moves to bolster their rosters for the stretch run. One of the biggest trades saw center Nicolas Roy go from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a 2027 second-round draft pick. As the clock ticked down, rumors swirled about which players would be on the move. The Chicago Blackhawks were reportedly looking to deal away veteran forward Patrick Kane, but ultimately decided to keep him in the fold. The Vegas Golden Knights made a splash by acquiring defenseman Alec Martinez from the Los Angeles Kings for a 2027 third-round draft pick. The Montreal Canadiens also got in on the action, sending winger Tomas Tatar to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for a 2027 second-round draft pick and prospect forward Laurent Dauphin. The New York Rangers made a bold move by acquiring goalie Igor Shesterkin from the Boston Bruins for a 2027 first-round draft pick. As the dust settled, teams are left to assess their new rosters and plot their paths to the playoffs. Will the Avalanche's acquisition of Roy pay dividends? Can the Golden Knights' new defensive presence propel them back into contention? And how will the Rangers' revamped goaltending corps impact their chances? The answers will have to wait until next season, but one thing is certain: the NHL trade...#Chicago_Blackhawks #Colorado_Avalanche #Toronto_Maple_Leafs #Montreal_Canadiens #Arizona_Coyotes #New_York_Rangers #Nicolas_Roy #Patrick_Kane #Alec_Martinez #Vegas_Golden_Knights #Los_Angeles_Kings #Tomas_Tatar #Laurent_Dauphin #Igor_Shesterkin #Boston_Bruins
