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PARIS — A new trend is catching on among bored young male capuchins: Kidnapping baby howler monkeys, in what scientists say is the first time animals have been recorded stealing another species' infants for no apparent reason.

PhD student Zoe Goldsborough first noticed something wrong in 2022 while sifting through footage captured by motion-triggered cameras on Jicaron, an island off the coast of Panama.

"I was very shocked" to see a white-faced capuchin monkey with a baby howler monkey on its back, Goldsborough, a researcher at Germany's Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, told AFP.

The scientists nicknamed the capuchin Joker because the small scar at the side of its mouth reminded them of the "Batman" villain.

After reviewing more footage, they spotted Joker carrying four different howler monkey babies.

At first, they thought this was the "heartwarming story of a weird capuchin adopting these infants", said Goldsborough, the lead author of a new study in the journal Current Biology.

Then the scientists started finding other cases not involving Joker. They eventually observed five capuchins carrying 11 different howler infants over a 15-month period.

Then team then discovered footage of mournful howler monkey parents calling for their lost babies, showing that the infants had actually been abducted.

A deadly trend 

The researchers were puzzled because the capuchins did not eat or prey on the babies, nor did they seem to enjoy playing with them.

Goldsborough said they eventually realised these abductions were a social tradition or "fad" among the island's young male capuchins.

It is the first time one species has been documented repeatedly abducting the infants of another due to the spread of such a tradition, study co-author Brendan Barrett told AFP.

The trend came with a high price: Four howler babies were observed to have died, but the researchers believe none survived.

Exactly how the capuchins manage to kidnap the babies remains a mystery.

The abduction likely takes place in the trees, and the cameras cover only the ground at the island's Coiba National Park.

"They're very successful at it, because they seem to even be able to get a one- or two-day-old infant off its mother," Goldsborough said.

The capuchins also do not suffer injuries, despite adult howler monkeys being three times their size.

Cultural fads spreading among animals is rare but not unheard of.

Barrett has previously studied capuchins in Costa Rica that suddenly started grooming porcupines, before growing bored of the trend.

And back in the 1980s, killer whales took to donning dead salmon on their heads off the north-western US coast.

This trend returned decades later when orcas were again spotted wearing these "salmon hats" last year.

'Agents of chaos' 

The researchers started recording the capuchins in 2017 because they skilfully use stone tools to crack nuts and shellfish.

The capuchins have no predators and plenty of food on the island, leaving them a lot of free time to mess around.

"They're little exploratory agents of chaos," Barrett said.

While this extra time to experiment could result in socially learned traditions such as using tools, it could also lead to "seemingly arbitrary things" like stealing the howler infants, he said.

The study covered only abductions recorded until July 2023, but Goldsborough said there had been at least one more baby taken since, though they have not been through all the footage.

There might have been a drop in kidnappings simply because the capuchins have fewer babies to steal -- the island's howler monkeys are classified as endangered.

The researchers also want to study whether the normally docile howler monkeys will start becoming more fearful -- or aggressive -- towards the previously harmless capuchins.

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein on Sunday attended a training session of the national football team (Nashama), as the players made their final preparations for their upcoming match against Oman.

The match, scheduled for June 5 at 7:00pm at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, is a key fixture in the third and final round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The national team is participating in the decisive round of the World Cup qualifiersin Group Two, where it is ranked second with 13 points, behind leader South Korea with16, followed by Iraq in third place with 12 points, Oman with 10 points, Palestine with 6 point, and Kuwait in sixth place with 5 points, according to Petra.

The top two teams from each group will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, while third and fourth place teams will move on to the fourth qualification round.

LIVERPOOL — Everton said goodbye to Goodison Park in style with a 2-0 Premier League win over Southampton thanks to a double for Iliman Ndiaye on an emotional Sunday in Merseyside.

Home of the Toffees since 1892, Goodison will play host to Everton's women from next season as the men move to a new 52,000 capacity stadium.

Legends of Everton's past, including former England captain Wayne Rooney, watched on impressed as Ndiaye produced two fine first-half finishes to ensure there was a happy ending for the home fans.

"I'm pleased for the result. I wanted to make sure we finished right," said Everton manager David Moyes.

The business on the pitch was a sideshow with already-relegated Saints providing the perfect opposition for a glorious goodbye.

Sun-kissed streets around the ground were covered in acrid blue smoke hours before the noon kick-off as thousands of Everton fans even without tickets made the pilgrimage for a final time.

The Toffees have not won a major trophy for the past 30 years.

But Goodison was the scene of the club's bygone glory years.

Only four clubs have won more English top-flight titles than Everton's nine.

There is hope that the move to a new state-of-the-art stadium in Liverpool's docklands, allied to new ownership under the US-based Friedkin Group, can help restore good times on the field after seasons of battling relegation.

"The scenes outside the stadium were incredible. It is a club that is needing some big days, a big future. Let's hope this is the start of it," added Moyes.

"If we can take what we had today to the new stadium, it will be something."

Mired in financial troubles, Everton have had to fight for survival in recent seasons to maintain an unbroken 71-year stay among the elite.

If there is to be a brighter future next season, Ndiaye is likely to be at the heart of it.

The 25-year-old Senegalese international has proved a much-needed spark in his debut season for a side lacking a potent striker.

Southampton had frustrated Manchester City in a 0-0 draw last weekend to ensure they will not end the season as the worst side in Premier League history.

However, they were undone just six minutes in as Ndiaye curled into the bottom corner to make sure there would be no spoiling the Everton party.

Beto found the net twice more but on both occasions had strayed offside before finishing off fine team moves.

Ndiaye's quick feet did double the advantage for Moyes' men just before the break as he rounded Aaron Ramsdale and slotted in his 11th goal of the season.

The second half of Everton's 2791th game at Goodison will be quickly forgotten.

But the memories of a stadium referred to locally as the "Grand Old Lady" will live on for generations of supporters.

AMMAN — Crystal Palace pulled off a sensational upset to defeat Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final, securing the club’s first-ever major trophy in what was a night of high drama at Wembley. The match also marked an emotional farewell for Kevin De Bruyne, who played his final game in a City shirt after a legendary career with the club.

City dominated from the first whistle, with over 70 per cent possession in the first half and creating goal opportunities. Erling Haaland had the first real chance in the 6th minute, narrowly missing the target. The pressure continued as City earned several corners, but they were unable to capitalise.

Against the run of play, Palace took the lead in the 16th minute with their only clear chance of the half. Eberechi Eze struck a first-time shot that found the back of the net, sending the Palace fans into raptures.

In the 35th minute, City were awarded a penalty after a VAR review. However, Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush saw his effort saved brilliantly by Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who would go on to be named Man of the Match for his heroic performance.

The second half began with another dangerous moment from Palace, as Eze almost doubled the lead in the 49th minute following a long through ball. City continued to press, maintaining their dominance in possession, but Palace remained resolute and disciplined at the back.

Palace thought they had scored a second goal in the 59th minute, but it was ruled out for offside after another VAR intervention.

Pep Guardiola brought on Phil Foden and Claudio Echeverri in the 75th minute in a final attempt to shift the momentum. Echeverri nearly found the equaliser just five minutes after coming on, but Henderson once again stood firm.

City created two dangerous chances during the 10 minutes of stoppage time, but the breakthrough never came.

Crystal Palace held on to secure only their third-ever appearance in a major final and, most importantly, their first piece of silverware in club history.

The result also capped off a disappointing season for Manchester City, regarded by many as Pep Guardiola’s worst since taking over in 2016, as they finish without a major domestic or European trophy

AMMAN — Bologna clinched their first Coppa Italia title in over half a century with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AC Milan in the final held at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday night. Dan Ndoye netted the decisive goal in the 53rd minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse by Milan. The winger was later named Man of the Match for his standout performance.

It was a night of history and redemption for Bologna, whose last triumph in the competition dates back 51 years. With this victory, the club also secured qualification for next season’s UEFA Europa League, capping off a memorable campaign.

The match started with Bologna asserting early dominance, controlling the first half and testing Milan keeper Mike Maignan on multiple occasions. Maignan was called into action repeatedly, producing several important saves to keep his side in the game. Milan, meanwhile, relied heavily on counter-attacks but struggled to find rhythm or precision in the final third.

Ndoye’s breakthrough early in the second half shifted the momentum even further in Bologna’s favour. In response, Milan coach Sergio Conceicao introduced Santiago Gimenez and Kyle Walker in a bid to rescue the game. The substitutions injected some urgency into Milan’s attack, and the team created a few promising chances. However, Bologna successfully slowed the pace and absorbed the pressure as the clock wound down.

The final saw a total of five yellow cards in a tense and physical encounter—three of them issued to Milan players. Both sides registered five shots on target, underlining the balance in attacking intent despite Bologna's edge in execution.

Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano praised his players after the match, saying: “It was a rough game and we deserve to win after many disappointments. We put in a great performance.”

On the other hand, it could prove to be the final appearance on the Milan bench for Conceicao, whose future at the club remains uncertain. The defeat added pressure on the Portuguese tactician, as questions swirl around his tenure following a disappointing cup exit.

NEW DELHI — Virat Kohli is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished batsmen of his generation and is a hero to hundreds of millions of Indian fans.

An inspiring leader and former captain, he retired from Test cricket on Monday with 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, scoring 30 centuries and 31 fifties.

The Indian great played 123 matches since his Test debut in 2011. His highest score was 254 not out.

The 36-year-old Kohli was part of the "Fab Four" quartet of batsmen who dominated Test cricket over the past decade, alongside Steve Smith of Australia, Kane Williamson of New Zealand and Joe Root of England.

Nicknamed "King Kohli", he was India's batting backbone across three international formats and ended his Twenty20 career with a match-winning innings in the World Cup final victory in Barbados last year.

Kohli then walked away from the shortest format along with captain Rohit Sharma who, like Kohli, is expected to continue playing 50-over cricket after retiring from Tests.

Kohli's declining form in the five-day game may have been a factor in his decision to call it a day. After averaging close to 55 at his peak between 2011 and 2019, the figure dropped to 32.56 over the past 24 months.

"Virat never played for records. They happened as he progressed," Kohli's biographer Vijay Lokapally told AFP.

"His batting skills and work ethic combined to create magic.

"Longevity leads to milestones and that is what Virat has inherited from stalwarts like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Sachin Tendulkar."

Fierce competitor

Kohli's huge popularity among Indian and global cricket fans is reminiscent of that once enjoyed by his idol Tendulkar.

The number India 18 jersey worn by Kohli is by far the most popular piece of merchandise worn around grounds across the country.

He picked the number after making his ODI debut on August 18, 2008, and also to honour his father, Prem, who passed away on December 18, 2006.

With more than 26,000 international runs and a total of 80 centuries across the three formats, comparisons with Tendulkar are obvious but Lokapally disagrees.

"He dislikes this comparison. He has his identity, Sachin Tendulkar has his. Their styles differ," said Lokapally.

"Sachin has faced some ferocious bowlers. Virat has dominated too."

A fierce competitor, Kohli has never shied away from a battle on the field which further endeared him to Indian fans, who regularly invade the pitch to touch the feet of their icon and take selfies with him.

Underlining his immense popularity, Kohli has 271 million followers on Instagram.

Kohli became India's most successful Test captain with 40 wins and 17 defeats in 68 matches. The next best are Mahendra Singh Dhoni with 27 wins from 60 and Sourav Ganguly with 21 from 49.

He is also fabulously wealthy, leading India's list of highest-paid athletes with earnings of $33.9 million, mainly from brand endorsements, according to analysts Sportico's 2022 list.

From 2021 Kohli's form started to desert him and he went more than two years without scoring a hundred. He resigned the T20 captaincy in late 2021 and was soon after sacked as 50-over captain.

In 2022, Kohli gave up the Test reins and later talked about his mental struggles as the runs dried up, including how he had been "snappy" around his actress wife Anushka Sharma.

Freed from the burden of captaincy, Kohli struck his first hundred for 1,020 days at the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Having won the one-day World Cup in 2011, Kohli has one ambition still to be achieved.

He is yet to lift the Indian Premier League title despite having featured for Royals Challengers Bengaluru in every campaign since the competition's inaugural season in 2008.

MADRID — Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will take the reins of the Brazil national team on May 26, aiming to lead the team to World Cup glory next year for the first time since 2002. Previous coach Dorival Junior was sacked in March after a 4-1 thumping by rivals Argentina in qualifying.

Here, AFP Sport considers three reasons he could prove successful with the record five-time world champions:

Calm character

Ancelotti, who has written a book named "Quiet Leadership", is known for his calm and warm character, making him an ideal candidate for one of football's highest pressure jobs.

The Italian has demonstrated his ability to succeed in similar environments with some of Europe's biggest sides, including Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

With Brazil's fiercest rivals Argentina reigning world champions, the pressure on Brazil to succeed in the 2026 World Cup will be higher than ever.

Ancelotti is also set to be the first foreign manager to lead Brazil into a World Cup.

However, if anybody is cut out to thrive in -- or despite -- heavy scrutiny from fans and national media, it is the unflappable, avuncular Ancelotti.

"Ancelotti would be ideal because everyone, including opponents, respects him," said Brazil great Zico in 2023.

"He knows football and is aware that players are more important than tactics."

Ancelotti is considered a superb man-manager, which will allow him to get the best tune out of a national team rich in talent.

Strong relationship

With Neymar turning 34 ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, there is a strong chance the forward and talisman of this Brazilian generation will not feature.

He has made only nine appearances since rejoining Santos from Saudi club Al Hilal, continuing to struggle with injury problems.

Instead Vinicius Junior will likely be Brazil's key figure, a player who has developed brilliantly under Ancelotti at Real Madrid.

The Italian has helped the 24-year-old turn from a figure of fun, because of his inconsistent end product, into one of the Spanish league's biggest stars.

Rodrygo Goes has also won two Champions League titles with Ancelotti at Madrid, as has defender Eder Militao.

Teenage forward Endrick, who has already scored three goals for Brazil, has made 35 appearances for Madrid this season, netting seven times in all competitions.

Personal challenge

Ancelotti is the only coach in history to win all five of Europe's biggest leagues and will find a new challenge in international football.

The World Cup is the final puzzle piece left for Ancelotti to complete his glittering managerial career.

Ancelotti won the Champions League twice as a player with AC Milan and twice more as a coach there, along with three further wins while in charge of Real Madrid -- five triumphs puts him two ahead of any other manager.

The 65-year-old seemed to have fallen out of the elite after taking charge at Everton in 2019, but Madrid's surprise move to reappoint him in 2021 has been fruitful for both coach and club.

Now Ancelotti sets his sights on glory with Brazil, and completing his personal trophy cabinet.

LOS ANGELES, United States — The Indiana Pacers thrashed the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-109 to take a 3-1 stranglehold on their NBA playoff series on Sunday as Oklahoma City edged Denver to level their series at two games apiece.

Pascal Siakam scored 21 points to lead seven Pacers players in double figures as Indiana pushed Eastern Conference top seeds Cleveland to the brink of elimination in their best-of-seven conference semifinal.

There were no such offensive fireworks in Denver, where Oklahoma City squelched the Nuggets' second-half comeback bid to claim a gritty 92-87 victory in a game where both teams struggled to get shots to fall.

In Cleveland, the Pacers already had the game well in hand, with an 80-39 halftime lead, when the Cavs announced that star Donovan Mitchell was doubtful to return for the second half with a left ankle injury.

Mitchell, coming off back-to-back 40-point games, scored 12 points in the first half, but was clearly hurting when he tested his ankle prior to the start of the second half.

His loss would be a body blow for a Cleveland team hoping to fend off elimination when they host game five on Tuesday.

Coach Kenny Atkinson said Mitchell would have an MRI scan on Monday and he had "no idea" if Mitchell would be available for game five.

Despite the Pacers' dominance, there was no shortage of emotion.

Indiana reserve Bennedict Mathurin was ejected with 4:32 left in the first quarter for a punch to De'Andre Hunter's chest.

Hunter received a technical foul for responding with a two-handed shove that sent Mathurin sprawling, while Indiana's Myles Turner got a technical for wading into the fray.

Up 38-23 after one quarter, the Pacers piled it on in the second period, a 17-0 scoring run pushing their lead to 78-37 on the way to an 80-39 halftime lead.

Cleveland made just eight baskets in the first half while the Pacers put on an offensive display.

A Turner basket at the rim, off a no-look pass from Tyrese Haliburton, sent the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd into a frenzy.

The Pacers were also on-target from deep, making 12 of their 15 three-pointers in the first half.

"This is a group that plays better through adversity," Turner said of the Pacers' rebound from their game-three defeat.

"We got punched in the mouth last game, we had a hell of a response. The starters set the tone and the bench picked it up the rest of the game."

Turner and Obi Toppin added 20 points each for Indiana and Haliburton finished with 11. Darius Garland led Cleveland's scoring with 21 points, but the Cavaliers gave up 22 turnovers leading to 35 Pacers points.

Tired legs 

In Denver, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 points with six rebounds and six assists to lead Oklahoma City, but the Thunder connected on just 31 of 87 shots from the field -- only marginally better than the Nuggets' 25-for-80 success rate.

NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for Denver, who shook off a dismal start and grabbed a 53-52 lead midway through the third quarter on a three-pointer from Aaron Gordon.

Jamal Murray and Christian Braun scored 17 points each and Gordon added 15 as Denver extended the lead to eight points early in the fourth.

But less than 48 hours after a draining overtime triumph on Friday in game three, the Nuggets failed to capitalise.

Oklahoma City regained the lead on Cason Wallace's three-pointer with 8:35 to play and held on until the end.

"We got stops, held them to 18 points in the fourth quarter," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "They obviously came out hot after halftime, jumped on us, but defensive end is always it for us... We got it back on track and we were able to get a W."

Having avoided falling into a 3-1 hole, the Thunder host game five on Tuesday.

"I thought tired legs out there from both teams," Nuggets coach David Adelman said. "Give their team credit, in a really disgusting basketball game, those guys made plays, made enough plays to push them over the edge and win the game."

AMMAN — Barcelona took a major step towards sealing the La Liga title after edging arch-rivals Real Madrid 4–3 in a breathtaking El Clasico showdown at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday. With only three rounds remaining, the Catalan giants now sit seven points clear at the top of the table, making them strong favourites to lift the domestic crown.

The match, packed with drama and intensity, marked Barcelona’s fourth victory over Real Madrid across all competitions this season — a feat that further underlines their dominance in the 2024/25 campaign.

Real Madrid burst into the game with confidence, capitalising on Barcelona’s shaky and disorganised start. Kylian Mbappe, who has been in exceptional form since his arrival, opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 5th minute before doubling the lead with a composed one-on-one finish in the 14th minute, silencing the home fans early on.

However, Barcelona responded in style. Eric Garcia ignited the comeback with a powerful header from a corner in the 19th minute, shifting the momentum. Just over ten minutes later, 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal levelled the score with a stunning strike into the top corner in the 32nd minute, leaving Thibaut Courtois rooted.

The turnaround was completed moments later, as Raphinha capitalised on defensive blunder from Madrid to score the third goal at the 34th-minute mark. The Brazilian winger struck again before the break, this time finishing a swift move to hand Barca a 4–2 lead at the end of a rollercoaster first half.

The second half saw a more cautious approach from Barcelona, who focused on maintaining possession and managing the clock. Real Madrid, though, refused to go down without a fight. Mbappe completed his hat-trick in the 70th minute with a well-timed run and finish, assisted brilliantly by Luka Modric, bringing the visitors back into the contest.

In stoppage time, Real Madrid thought they had rescued a dramatic point when they found the net once more, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside against Mbappe. Minutes later, Fermin Lopez appeared to have restored Barcelona’s two-goal cushion, but VAR ruled it out for a handball, preserving the 4–3 final scoreline.

Mbappe’s treble sees him move top of the La Liga scoring charts with 27 goals, but it was little consolation for a Madrid side that now finds itself in a difficult position in the title race.

Speaking after the match, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick praised both the players and the spectacle itself, saying: “This game belongs to the players and the fans. It was a tough battle against a great opponent like Madrid.” Meanwhile, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti lamented his side’s defensive performance, noting: “We made too many mistakes at the back. Now, all we can do is focus on winning the rest of our matches.”

With 82 points, Barcelona are now firmly in control, while Madrid sit second on 75. Unless something extraordinary happens in the remaining three fixtures, La Liga looks destined to return to the Catalan capital.

AMMAN — The residence of the Spanish ambassador to Jordan held the watch party of El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid on matchday 35 of La Liga EA Sports.

The event was attended by prominent figures from the political, sport and business establishment.

El  Clásico watch party not only offered an exciting football experience but has also reaffirmed the commitment and friendship between Spain and Jordan. The match, full of excitement, underlined the importance of sport as a cultural bridge that strengthens international ties, and in particular the ties between Spain and Jordan

In his welcoming address, Spanish Ambassador Miguel de Lucas, highlighted the importance of sport in promoting values such as respect, teamwork  and integrity, essential elements of any successful bilateral relationship

La Liga Delegate in Jordan Blanca Valdivielso, highlighted that “Jordan is very important for La Liga in MENA region and the immense potential for collaboration”. La Liga has been present in MENA for more than eight years with several fruitful partnerships and events, which help bring La Liga closer to its fans in the region

With a large attendance and a friendly atmosphere, the El Clásico watch party not only strengthened diplomatic ties but also celebrated the unifying spirit of sports and the shared passion for football

The match itself was a dramatic showdown that ended in a thrilling 4-3 victory for FC Barcelona. It featured a rollercoaster of emotions, with multiple goals, disallowed effort  and unforgettable moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle

Across Jordan, the electrifying atmosphere of El Clásico extended far beyond the Ambassador’s residence. Cafés in Amman and beyond were packed with fans—young and old—donning their team’s colours, passionately following every pass, goal and tackle. The roar of both teams’ supporters wasn’t only heard inside the Olympic Lluís Companys Stadium; it echoed through the streets and cafés of Jordan, so intense at times you'd think fist fights were about to break out.

From downtown Amman to university campuses and neighbourhood hangouts, Jordanians came together to celebrate one of football’s greatest rivalries. The intensity, laughter and occasional banter created a collective experience that brought the spirit of El Clásico to life, proving once again that football’s magic knows no borders.