3 critically injured after amusement park ride snaps in Saudi Arabia: Reports

<p>-

  • 3 critically injured after amusement park ride snaps in Saudi Arabia: Reports</p>

<p>Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY August 1, 2025 at 9:51 PM</p>

<p>An amusement park in Saudi Arabia was shut down after a ride collapsed and injured at least 23 people, local media reported.</p>

<p>The "360 Big Pendulum," located in the Al Hada district of Taif, a popular mountain resort city in western Saudi Arabia, snapped and crashed violently while in operation during the evening of July 30, the Khaleej Times and state-owned Arab News reported.</p>

<p>Video footage of the accident, circulating widely on social media, shows the fully occupied ride swinging in a large arc before experiencing a structural failure in its central column, prompting it to split horizontally while in motion. As a result, the part of the ride holding the strapped passengers crashed to the ground, amid screams and calls for help.</p>

<p>Video shows ride collapse at amusement park3 people critically injured: reports</p>

<p>Taif Governor Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, in a statement, ordered the immediate closure of the resort and called for an investigation into the incident, reported the Saudi Gazette. Authorities expect the preliminary findings to be released in the coming days.</p>

<p>"Several injuries occurred; some were treated at the site, while others were transferred to hospital care," the statement read. No fatalities were reported.</p>

<p>However, Arab News, citing emergency teams, reported the victims sustained varying injuries, with three people in critical condition. While some of the injured were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, others received aid on the scene, according to Gulf News.</p>

<p>Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.</p>

<p>This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amusement park ride in Saudi Arabia snaps, crashes, reports say</p>

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For one day only, MLB is turning a NASCAR track into a record-breaking stadium

<p>-

  • For one day only, MLB is turning a NASCAR track into a record-breaking stadium</p>

<p>Andrew GreifAugust 1, 2025 at 9:07 PM</p>

<p>More fans than have ever watched a Major League Baseball game are set to show up Saturday to a field that didn't exist 32 days ago, in a state that has never previously hosted an MLB game.</p>

<p>The baseball itself will be the only thing familiar about Saturday's matchup at Tennessee's Bristol Motor Speedway between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds — and that is on purpose.</p>

<p>MLB has staged games in unconventional places for the past decade. Yet while a 2016 game at North Carolina's Fort Bragg, games in 2021 and 2022 at the same Iowa cornfield made famous by the movie "Field of Dreams" and last year's Negro Leagues tribute at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, were held in intimate settings, MLB's visit to a venue better known for motorsports was designed as a spectacle of sheer size.</p>

<p>More than 85,000 tickets have been sold for a matchup dubbed the "Speedway Classic," a number that will break the league's attendance record of 84,587 set in 1954 when the New York Yankees visited Cleveland.</p>

<p>"This one really ranks up there big just because of the enormity of what we're building," Murray Cook, the president of Brightview Sports, who consults MLB on fields and ballparks, told "TODAY."</p>

<p>That construction project began June 4, when the speedway started demolishing parts of its infield, including half of a building, in order to situate a baseball field between the half-mile track's third and fourth turns. Once that phase ended, it left a window of about 32 days to build the field and everything surrounding it.</p>

<p>More than 18,000 tons of gravel were brought in to create a level playing field, topped by a shock-absorbing pad that rests underneath the 124,000 square feet of artificial turf playing surface. The turf was infilled with sand to provide a better bounce for a batted ball. More than 300 tons of clay were required to build the basepaths and mounds. Bristol Motor Speedway's existing lighting did not meet MLB standards for broadcasts, which required the temporary installation of 415 extra lighting fixtures, as well.</p>

<p>"Batting tunnels, dugouts, backstop net, batter's eye, bullpens, foul poles; none of this is here, right?" Cook said. "So all that has to be brought in."</p>

<p>Field construction at Bristol Motor Speedway prior to the MLB Speedway Classic open house on June 24 in Bristol, Tenn. (Andrew Ferguson / MLB Photos via Getty Images)</p>

<p>Saturday's game will mark the first MLB game in Tennessee for the same reason last season's game in Birmingham was its first in Alabama, and why MLB has staged other games in recent years in Korea and Olympic Stadium in London. Planting live games in markets that otherwise would not have big-league baseball is "a huge pillar in terms of our growth strategy," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in April when visiting Nashville.</p>

<p>"It's the commissioner's office plan to grow the game around the world and to take it to places where, you know, you don't have a major league team," Cook said.</p>

<p>When MLB visited London for series in 2023 and 2024, where a field was placed atop the home pitch of West Ham of the Premier League, attendance topped out just shy of 60,000. Bristol provided a much bigger logistical challenge.</p>

<p>Bristol Motor Speedway is the country's second-largest venue in the U.S. as judged by permanent seating, said Jerry Caldwell, the Bristol Motor Speedway president, and the venue has used that capacity before to host record-smashing attendance figures. A 2016 college football game between Tennessee and Virginia Tech set the NCAA's single-game record.</p>

<p>Pre-game ceremonies for the Battle at Bristol game in 2016. (Speedway Motorsports)</p>

<p>MLB's challenge involved creating a baseball venue within a NASCAR facility that is approximately twice the size of a football field. The construction involved limitations. Though a four-sided videoboard called the "Colossus" hangs 180 feet over the speedway's infield, strung up via cables that stretch to the stadium's corners, the ballpark design sought to keep it out of play as much as possible. During the game, it will be in foul territory, and netting was installed to keep foul balls from damaging the screen.</p>

<p>"I love seeing this baseball field rise up out of the middle of the racetrack and kind of be born, almost," Caldwell said.</p>

<p>Caldwell said he hopes the memories of the game endure. But the venue's transformation will be brief. Cook expects the tear-down following the game to last about 15 days. Once removed, the entire field will be donated to Eastern Tennessee State University.</p>

<p>"We want it to be something that they'll always remember, they'll talk about, have fond memories of creating wonderful memories with their family, and I know that's what will happen," Caldwell said. "And then we'll remove all this, and six weeks later, we'll do the same thing for the playoffs in NASCAR."</p>

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With future of College Football Playoff still up for grabs, here's what to know about this year's format and beyond

<p>-

  • With future of College Football Playoff still up for grabs, here's what to know about this year's format and beyond</p>

<p>Nick BrombergAugust 1, 2025 at 10:39 PM</p>

<p>Unlike last season, there's not much new with the College Football Playoff in 2025. And you may want to prepare to get used to this format despite the persistent expansion discussions.</p>

<p>After an expansion from four teams to 12 for the 2024 season, the only change for the 2025 iteration of the College Football Playoff is with the seeding. Last year, the top four conference champions received the four first-round byes no matter where they were ranked in the committee's final set of rankings.</p>

<p>Texas and Penn State were Nos. 3 and 4 in the rankings but were the No. 5 and 6 seeds since they were at-large teams. Boise State, at No. 9, was the No. 3 seed as the third-highest ranked conference champion and Arizona State was the No. 4 seed even though the Sun Devils were ranked No. 12.</p>

<p>That won't be duplicated in 2025. While the top five conference champions still get automatic berths to the playoff, the top four seeds will be the top four teams in the rankings no matter if they're conference champs or not.</p>

<p>[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season]</p>

<p>The change likely means that a conference like the Big Ten or SEC will get multiple teams with byes. Had the format been in place in 2024, each conference would have had two teams with byes.</p>

<p>Having a bye wasn't a great thing, either. All four teams that received byes in 2024 lost their first games of the playoff. Was that attributable to the extended layoff between the regular season and the postseason for those four teams? Was it because all four top seeds were underdogs in the second round? Was it both, along with other factors?</p>

<p>It's hard to see how all four top seeds will lose in the second round this season after the seeding change. And it's also hard to see how the playoff will be expanding to 16 teams in the near future.</p>

<p>With future iterations of the College Football Playoff still up for grabs, everybody has their own ideas on what's best. (Joseph Raines/Yahoo Sports)</p>

<p>The conferences are currently at an impasse as the Big Ten is adamant in its support for a playoff format that no one else likes. The conference is advocating for a 16-team playoff that guarantees four bids each to the Big Ten and SEC, while the ACC and Big 12 each get two bids. The remaining four spots would be reserved for the top Group of Five champion and three at-large teams.</p>

<p>Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti seems enamored with the idea of a play-in tournament for the conference at the end of the season where the third-place team would play the sixth-place team and the No. 4 team would play the No. 5 team for the conference's final two playoff spots while the two teams playing in the conference title game would be automatically qualified.</p>

<p>"[A record of] 8-4 is a winning percentage," Petitti said at Big Ten media day. "If you project that winning percentage in every other sport, I'm pretty sure you make the postseason, whether it's hockey, basketball, anywhere else. That type of winning record — we've conditioned ourselves to think that if you're not a one- or two-loss team, you're not worthy of competing. There are plenty of teams in professional sports who qualify for the playoffs who can't get past the first-round game. That's OK. They still get to play. We'll figure it out on the field rather than sitting in a room."</p>

<p>You don't have to be a die-hard fan to understand that college football is still far different from professional sports, even as players are now getting paid above the table and schools are sharing their revenues with them. The chances of a three- or four-loss team winning the national title are extremely slim.</p>

<p>And none of the other conferences want to cede a playoff spot or two to a Big Ten (or SEC) team with four losses. The SEC's coaches have advocated for a 16-team playoff that simply adds four more at-large teams and it's a format favored by Notre Dame, the ACC and the Big 12. Though the Big Ten and the SEC have the playoff power, the Big Ten appears to be outflanked.</p>

<p>And unless the Big Ten backs down, the expansion stalemate is likely to continue. What would that mean? A 12-team playoff for 2026 and maybe beyond.</p>

<p>That wouldn't be the worst idea. Having just two seasons of a 12-team playoff before expanding again seems foolish. Especially if each of those two seasons were seeded differently.</p>

<p>The push to expand the playoff isn't due to competitive reasons, it's because more playoff games equals more TV revenue. Yes, it's yet another college sports decision being pursued in the name of money.</p>

<p>The disagreement in the chase for the dollar could ultimately work out for college football fans. While four more fan bases would love the opportunity to make the playoff, teams seeded 13-16 aren't going to be winning four games on the way to the national title.</p>

<p>Instead, the 12-team playoff deserves at least five years or more to establish itself. If teams seeded outside the top 10 consistently make the semifinals, maybe there will be a stronger case for expansion. But there isn't a very good case now. And that may turn out to be just fine.</p>

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With future of College Football Playoff still up for grabs, here's what to know about this year's format and beyond

<p>- With future of College Football Playoff still up for grabs, here's what to know about this year's format an...

Most Important Fantasy Storylines to Watch During 2025 NFL Training Camp

<p>-

  • Most Important Fantasy Storylines to Watch During 2025 NFL Training Camp</p>

<p>Jordan OMalleyAugust 1, 2025 at 10:36 PM</p>

<p>Training camp usually brings a lot of hype, but some updates really do matter for fantasy football. Players are changing roles, coaches are trying new game plans, and some younger guys could surprise us early in the season. These are the key storylines that could actually change a player's fantasy value before Week 1.</p>

<p>Jacksonville Emphasizing Offensive Line Consistency</p>

<p>Credit: Instagram</p>

<p>The Jaguars brought in Liam Coen to help streamline protections and improve communication at the line. Initial camp work focused more on reducing penalties and sharpening techniques than on overhauling tempo. Trevor Lawrence has looked comfortable during install periods, and the offense is executing quicker concepts.</p>

<p>Cam Ward Pushed into Starting Role in Tennessee</p>

<p>Credit: Instagram</p>

<p>With Will Levis sidelined for the season, rookie Cam Ward is getting a real shot at leading the Titans. He's taken most of the first-team reps in camp and shown steady improvement during team drills. Coaches say he's handled installs well and is getting more comfortable with timing and footwork.</p>

<p>Omarion Hampton Capitalizes on Harris' Absence</p>

<p>Credit: Instagram</p>

<p>As of now, the Chargers are giving Omarion Hampton a long look with the starters, and he's apparently ready for it. He's shown power on inside runs and hasn't missed in pass protection drills. That chance opened when Najee Harris injured his eye during a fireworks accident just before practice sessions.</p>

<p>Chicago Rebuilt Everything</p>

<p>Credit: Instagram</p>

<p>Last season, the Bears ranked near the bottom in plays per game and quarterback protection. After Ben Johnson's arrival, the team overhauled the offensive line, drafted a route technician in Rome Odunze, and added rookie tight end Colston Loveland.</p>

<p>Tyreek Hill Key to Miami's Passing Strategy</p>

<p>Credit: Facebook</p>

<p>Currently, Tyreek Hill is central to the Dolphins' aerial attack in camp. He's featured in intermediate and vertical routes, which include a well-reported 60-yard touchdown from Tua Tagovailoa in early-phase drills. Although underlying tension remains, coaches continue to run plays that center Hill in the red zone and deep game.</p>

<p>Drake Maye Finally Has an Offense Worth Testing</p>

<p>Credit: Instagram</p>

<p>New England struggled to support even one fantasy-relevant receiver last year. Drake Maye had moments, but his weapons were limited. This season, the Patriots brought in Stefon Diggs and drafted Kyle Williams, a red zone threat with a strong college profile. Kayshon Boutte has also stayed involved.</p>

<p>Browns Quarterback Depth Reflects Their Uncertainty</p>

<p>Credit: Instagram</p>

<p>Teams don't usually carry four quarterbacks unless they're unsure about all of them. Joe Flacco's veteran presence helps stabilize things, but Cleveland also wants to see what Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel can do. Kenny Pickett, reportedly the least active during team drills, may already be fading in the competition.</p>

<p>Jameson Williams Finally Playing Like a Starting Receiver</p>

<p>Credit: Instagram</p>

<p>This is the first camp where Jameson Williams comes off like a full-time receiver, not just a speed threat. Coaches have given him additional complex routes that demand timing and coverage reads, and so far, he's handled them well. Jared Goff has looked for him over the middle more often than in past drills.</p>

<p>Dylan Sampson Takes Advantage of Browns' Injuries</p>

<p>Credit: Instagram</p>

<p>Though Dylan Sampson wasn't expected to push for early carries, injuries have quickly changed the outlook in Cleveland. With Jerome Ford limited and Quinshon Judkins unavailable, Sampson has moved up the depth chart and taken on extended work in camp. He's impressed coaches with his quickness and balance in space.</p>

<p>Kyle Pitts Drawing Greater Targets Than Expected</p>

<p>Credit: Instagram</p>

<p>After three frustrating seasons, Kyle Pitts is finally practicing without limitation. He's taken various snaps from the slot and is being targeted on designed routes, not just late reads. Michael Penix Jr. has thrown his way during both scripted installs and live reps. Signs suggest he may return to a volume-based tight end role this season.</p>

<p>Michael Penix Jr. Seems Comfortable Running Pro Offense</p>

<p>Credit: Instagram</p>

<p>Quick decision-making and touch on intermediate throws have stood out in the Falcons camp. The rookie has kept drives moving in two-minute drills and found tight ends on seams and crossers with consistency. Michael Penix Jr., who got a few late-season starts in 2024, already displayed what the offense can be with him at the helm.</p>

<p>Patriots Backfield Still Undefined Amid Competition</p>

<p>Credit: Instagram</p>

<p>The backfield remains unsettled in New England as training camp progresses. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson impressed everyone in early passing reps, while Rhamondre Stevenson handled more early-down work. Antonio Gibson also drew praise as a multi-role weapon. Meanwhile, the press stresses that it's too early to read a clear pecking order—a rotating committee appears likely.</p>

<p>Ricky Pearsall's Absence Limits His Early-Season Outlook</p>

<p>Credit: Instagram</p>

<p>We haven't seen much of Ricky Pearsall in the 49ers camp, which doesn't help his chances in a crowded offense. He's been sidelined with a lower-body injury and has missed both team drills and individual work. Jauan Jennings has taken over in the slot, and that's a position Pearsall needed to compete for.</p>

<p>Seattle Still Hasn't Committed to a Primary Back</p>

<p>Credit: Instagram</p>

<p>While Kenneth Walker still brings big-play ability, his role hasn't expanded. He's alternating series with Zach Charbonnet, who continues to handle a higher volume of third-down and pass-blocking duties. That mirrors what Seattle did last season, and Pete Carroll hasn't hinted at changing it. Neither back has been separated in goal-line work either.</p>

<p>David Njoku Emerging as a Reliable Red Zone Option</p>

<p>Credit: Instagram</p>

<p>There is no denying that David Njoku has become a consistent presence in the Red Zone in Browns camp. He's caught multiple touchdowns during team drills and appears more in sync with Deshaun Watson than in previous years. With coverage drifting toward Elijah Moore and rookie Ja'Lynn Polk on the outside, Njoku has taken advantage of space underneath.</p>

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13-Year-Old Maryland Boy Dies After Being Swept into Storm Drain While Playing amid 'Rapidly Rising Floodwaters'

<p>-

  • 13-Year-Old Maryland Boy Dies After Being Swept into Storm Drain While Playing amid 'Rapidly Rising Floodwaters'</p>

<p>Michael NiedAugust 1, 2025 at 9:32 PM</p>

<p>WMAR-2 News</p>

<p>Police at the scene in Maryland</p>

<p>A boy in Maryland tragically died after being swept into a storm drain amid flash flooding in the Mount Airy area</p>

<p>Police said they were able to recover the individual but they "unfortunately, succumbed to injuries sustained during the event"</p>

<p>The tragic incident occurred on Thursday, July 31</p>

<p>A Maryland boy has died after being pulled into a storm drain as heavy storms swept the state.</p>

<p>On Thursday, July 31, the Mount Airy Police Department confirmed that around 5:20 p.m. they responded to a call alongside the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company of "an individual" who had become "trapped in a storm drain, located at 201 W. Watersville, Apartments."</p>

<p>In a statement from Chief Michael Ginevra on Facebook, he noted that the tragedy occurred amid "rapidly rising floodwaters."</p>

<p>Ginevra said that the Mount Airy police department and fire company collaborated with the Carroll County Sheriff's Office and "other emergency responders" who "worked tirelessly in an attempt to rescue the individual."</p>

<p>Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company</p>

<p>Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company firetruck</p>

<p>"Despite their heroic efforts, the operation transitioned from a rescue to a recovery," the statement read. "The individual was ultimately recovered from the storm drain but, unfortunately, succumbed to injuries sustained during the event."</p>

<p>"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time," Ginerva added. "We ask the community to keep them in their hearts and to recognize the dedication of the first responders who answered the call without hesitation."</p>

<p>The Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company told 11 News that the victim was a young boy who "was with a group of kids playing during flash flooding."</p>

<p>According to reporting by the outlet, "a bystander found the boy's body, and he was pronounced dead at the scene."</p>

<p>Maggie McBain, a neighbor who was driving by, told the outlet that she "flew out of the car, jumped into the water and started yanking on him. We just couldn't get him out."</p>

<p>https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf</p>

<p>Doug Alexander, the public information officer for the fire company, noted that "it rained really hard," saying, "The water came up very quickly."</p>

<p>Speaking to CBS' Baltimore affiliate WJZ, he said that the boy was "waist deep" in the waters when emergency responders arrived on the scene.</p>

<p>"The pipe is so small, and this is a child's body that fits in there, was pushed in there by the current," he explained. "The current was extremely strong, according to the guys who were on the scene here. I've been in this with the Mt. Airy Fire Department for 58 years, and this is, this is one of the worst situations I've seen."</p>

<p>Chadwick Colson, another neighbor, told WJZ that his house flooded amid the storm.</p>

<p>Describing the area where the storm drain was located, he said that water "really kind of comes through here, like a river" when it rains.</p>

<p>"You would think it would be some type of metal bars, metal grate, something blocking the hole," he said.</p>

<p>Colson also spoke with WBFF, saying that he saw the victim and another child playing shortly before the flooding began.</p>

<p>The victim's identity has not been revealed. Although he was initially identified as being 13 years old, Alexander told WBFF that the fire company might have been incorrect in the report, noting that an update might be made.</p>

<p>Getty</p>

<p>Stock image of police lights</p>

<p>— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.</p>

<p>WJZ reported that the tragedy occurred as flooding swept through parts of Maryland, bringing disaster in its wake with people needing to be rescued from trapped cars.</p>

<p>PEOPLE has contacted the Mount Airy Police Department and the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company for additional information.</p>

<p>on People</p>

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