They are the hurricanes of legend, the bowling balls that cross the entire Atlantic Ocean, menaced ships of yore and make the long, curved lines on the hurricane charts.

Cape Verde storms, named for the group of islands about 450 miles (725 kilometers) off the west coast of Africa, typically form from clusters of thunderstorms that move off the continent and into the Atlantic.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Arsenal midfielder Mariona Caldentey were voted the men's and women's player of the year in English soccer for last season at the Professional Footballers' Association awards on Tuesday.

For Salah, it marks a record third time he has won the award that is voted by his fellow professionals. The 33-year-old Egypt international scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists in the Premier League as Liverpool powered to a record-equaling 20th English top-flight championship.

Kylian Mbappé got off to a scoring start in his second season with Real Madrid, leading the team to a 1-0 victory over Osasuna in their Spanish league opener Tuesday.

Mbappé, the leading scorer in his debut with Madrid last season, converted a 51st-minute penalty kick to give the hosts the victory. A nice run by Mbappé through the right side of the area, followed by a neat cutback move, prompted the foul.

Bayern Munich reclaimed its Bundesliga throne last season. Vincent Kompany and Harry Kane are looking for another title to consolidate their rule and build their own dynasty.

Ahead of the opening game of the league season Friday between Bayern and Leipzig, the defending champion remains the team to beat and the role of closest challenger is wide open.

The Italian Football Coaches' Association is pushing for Israel to be suspended from international competition over the war in Gaza.

Ahead of Italy's crucial World Cup qualifiers against Israel in the next two months, the AIAC says "Israel must stop. Football must also take action."

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place in Vienna.

Austria's public broadcaster ORF, which will organize the world's largest live music event, announced the location Wednesday morning.

Pope Leo XIV asked people to fast on Friday to pray for peace and justice in the Middle East and Ukraine, issuing a special appeal as he returned to the Vatican from summer vacation.

At the end of his weekly general audience Wednesday, Leo recalled that Friday is a special feast day dedicated to the Virgin Mary. He urged Catholic faithful to spend the day fasting and "praying that the Lord grants peace and justice, and dries the tears of all those who are suffering as a result of the armed conflicts underway."

French President Emmanuel Macron denounced Netanyahu's remarks as "abject" and "erroneous" in response to Israel Prime Minister's accusations that his intention to recognize a Palestinian state is fueling antisemitism.

Tensions between Israel and traditional allies escalated in recent weeks following Macron's pledge last month — a move followed by Britain, Canada and Australia but strongly opposed by Israel.

The foreign minister of Germany called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas after a meeting Wednesday with his counterpart in Indonesia.

Johann Wadephul and Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said the humanitarian catastrophe resulting from the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is unbearable and a two-state solution is the sole means of ending the conflict.

A dangerous heat wave descended on much of California and the U.S. Southwest, with triple-digit temperatures expected along with a higher risk of wildfires.

Officials opened cooling centers this week in Los Angeles, where residents are warned to avoid strenuous outdoor activities. California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state firefighting resources deployed in areas where blazes could ignite.