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“We’re smart enough to invent artificial intelligence, dumb enough to need it, and so stupid that we can’t figure out if we did the right thing.” — Jerry Seinfeld 🤖

I have two stories about Gio Reyna, but let me tell you the first one which is unrelated to football. I watched an interview few years ago where he talked about losing his brother to brain cancer at the age of 13. It’s a sad story but a bit of joy towards the end. He talked about how his brother taught him how to play football in their backyard. Don’t forget their father played for Man City. So when they were little, they faced each other everyday. His brother taught him everything and when his brother was diagnosed with brain cancer, it really broke him. Gio had to grow quick and was caring for his brother, cooking for him, doing his laundry, was there for him every moment until he died in 2012, two years after the diagnosis. According to him, he almost quit football because he didn’t think he would get better without his brother. This is the somewhat sweet part. They supported Man City and City hadn’t won the league for a long time. Gio talked about the Aguero moment where they were all watching the final game against QPR. It was something he was happy that his brother experienced, because his brother died two months after that historic premier league title. He said that’s one of the last moments of joy his brother had, which makes it very memorable.

Me: Let’s watch the last ep of the HBO USMNT doc to get hyped for the World Cup Me 20 minutes in watching Gio Reyna talk about his brother:

With his appearance against Paraguay, Sebastian Berhalter and his father Gregg became the 24th father-son duo to play in FIFA World Cup history, and the second for the United States, joining Claudio and Gio Reyna.

Gio Reyna knows that being selected for the USMNT by Mauricio Pochettino is "controversial." He hasn't played a minute of competitive football in two months, and has been plagued by nagging injuries. But despite his lack of club form, and his past issues, Reyna tells @HenryBushnell that he's found a new lease on life, and is determined to prove the USMNT boss right. "I'm thankful to be here. But I also want to make a difference." 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/7150906…

Scoring for the USMNT? It just runs in the Reyna family. #FIFAWorldCup

This moment between USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino and Gio Reyna at full time after the win against Paraguay 🥹❤️🇺🇸

There is one person who decides who wins this award. Mark Messier. Mess told me it was Landeskog and then everyone else. Not even a second thought who it would be besides Landy. #Nhl #espn #stanleycup

After a close on-court rivalry and friendship, @ChrissieEvert & @Martina Navratilova found themselves bonded even closer when they were both diagnosed with cancer. We discussed the importance of listening to your own body – and the blanket I sent to Chris when she was diagnosed…

Vail Resorts reported a 10% drop in ski pass sales for the upcoming season after what the company CEO said was one of "the most challenging winters in history across the western U.S." More here: tinyurl.com/yvkf7pzp

The Spurs know how to TAKE the lead, they just don't know how to HOLD the lead. And that's really the most important part of the lead: the holding

…@BrookeLRollins @USDA is not telling ranchers, farmers, and the American people the whole story. Maybe this outbreak would have happened regardless, but the slow response is a direct consequence of losing experienced experts across the federal government. When crises hit agriculture, expertise matters. Every day without the right people in place increases the risk of further spread and greater harm to our food system.

Ranchers, the GOP let this happen. They voted to let DOGE and Trump eradicate funding for screwworm monitoring programs. Now, screwworm is here and cases are rising by the day.

Hungary has lifted its longtime opposition to Ukraine opening formal talks to join the European Union. But even as Hungary lowered the roadblock, Prime Minister Peter Magyar said the country would continue to oppose a fast-track accession process. wapo.st/4fsd3I4

The National Park Service ordered the removal of three quotes at the Bunker Hill Monument in Boston after visitor complained to staff about a quote related to women’s suffrage as being “woke” feminist ideology, according to people familiar with the matter. wapo.st/49GBrC0

BREAKING: The House passed a measure to provide almost $2 billion in aid to Ukraine and impose new sanctions against Russia on Thursday, sending the measure to the Senate behind a 226-to-195 tally — despite GOP leadership in full opposition to the measure. abcnews.link/3yIopDG

NEW: A stunning new project from @lawfare's Katherine Pompilio finds that 97 Jan. 6ers who received clemency for their role in the Capitol riot then got arrested, charged, and/or convicted with subsequent crimes—a number much higher than previously reported.

Melinda French Gates will expand her giving to improve women’s health globally, pledging another $215 million to support contraceptive access and maternal care, as well as initiatives aimed at middle-aged women, including further study of menopause. abcnews.link/ae0w3sr