mcw casino exchange
HOUSTON (AP) — The Astros welcomed first baseman Christian Walker to the team Monday, in one of two moves that almost certainly marks the end of Alex Bregman’s time in Houston. Walker signed a $60 million, three-year contract that will pay him $20 million annually just more than a week after the Astros acquired infielder Isaac Paredes from Cubs in the trade that sent outfielder Kyle Tucker to Chicago . “The way I view it right now is Paredes is going to play third base and Walker is going to play first base,” general manager Dana Brown said Monday. “And Bregman’s still a free agent.” The Astros had hoped to re-sign Bregman, the team’s third baseman for the last nine seasons, but Brown said the negotiations stalled. “I thought we made a really competitive offer, showing that we wanted him back,” he said. “But we had to pursue other options. We couldn’t just sit there. We locked in Paredes early in that trade, knowing that he could play third or first and then when the opportunity to add another bat came up we just jumped on it.” The addition of a first baseman was a priority this offseason for the Astros after they released struggling first baseman José Abreu less than halfway through a $58.5 million, three-year contract. RELATED COVERAGE Phillies have no plans to start pitching prospect Andrew Painter in spring training following injury Phillies add depth to bullpen with 1-year deal for reliever Joe Ross Andrew McCutchen, confident he can be difference maker, returns to Pirates on $5M, 1-year deal “We knew we had to get better at first base,” Brown said. “We pursued (Walker) and we’re excited to have him because we know that we’re going to have a really good first baseman that can defend and also hit the ball on the seats from time to time.” Walked was attracted by the sustained success of the Astros, who won their first two World Series titles in 2017 and ’22. “I’ve been watching this team for a while now, and that edge, the energy, the expectation, you can tell that they’re going out there with a standard,” he said. “And I’m very excited to be a part of it.” Walker is looking forward playing on an infield with star second baseman Jose Altuve. He’s fascinated by the success and consistency Altuve has had over his 14-year career. “I get a chance to learn from Jose Altuve,” Walker said. “Nothing really gets better than that.” Brown was asked what he would tell fans disappointed to see the Astros lose another star after George Springer and Carlos Correa left as free agents in recent years. “I would just tell the fans that look, we are very focused on remaining competitive,” he said. “We’re very focused on winning division and going back to the World Series, and I think with these additions that we have the ability to do that. So, I feel strongly that we’re going to be picked to win the division first off. And if our pitching holds up, which I feel strongly about, as well, I think we’ll get deep into the postseason.” The Astros won the AL West for a fourth straight year this season before being swept by the Tigers in an AL Wild Card Series. Walker, who turns 34 during the opening week of the season, hit .251 with 26 homers, 84 RBIs, 55 walks and 133 strikeouts this year. That was down from 2023, when he batted .258 with 33 homers and 103 RBIs as the Diamondbacks reached the World Series. Walker played in 130 games this year, down from 157 in 2023 and 160 in 2022. He was sidelined between July 29 and Sept. 3 by a strained left oblique. He spent the last eight seasons with the Diamondbacks, where he hit 146 homers with 442 RBIs and a .251 batting average. He didn’t secure a full-time job in the big leagues until 2019. He’s provided consistent power over the past six seasons and has grown into an elite defensive first baseman, winning Gold Gloves in each of the past three seasons. Walker played college ball at South Carolina and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2012. He made his big league debut with the Orioles in 2014 but couldn’t stick in the majors and was claimed off waivers by Atlanta, Cincinnati and Arizona in a five-week span. Walker’s contract has a limited no-trade provision allowing him to block deals to six teams without his consent. He would earn $200,000 for winning an MVP, $175,000 for second, $150,000 for third, $125,000 for fourth and $100,000 for fifth. Walker also would get $100,000 for World Series MVP, $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $75,000 apiece for making the All-Star Game or winning a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger Award. Infielder Grae Kessinger was designated for assignment to open a roster spot. ___ AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlbCopy link Copied Copy link Copied Key Posts Trudeau returns from Mar-a-Lago with no assurance on tariffs Russia launches air strikes as Syrian rebels sweep into Aleppo Reuters Copy link Copied Copy link Copied Most Viewed In Politics
WEST Ham striker, Michail Antonio, in a stable condition following serious Ferrari crash in Epping according to Premier League club. The 34-year-old striker is 'conscious and communicating' following the crash on Coppice Row, Epping. West Ham United have confirmed that forward, Michail Antonio, has been involved in a road traffic accident (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire) In a statement released on Twitter/X, West Ham United said: "West Ham United can confirm that Michail Antonio is in a stable condition following a road traffic accident this afternoon in the Essex area. "Michail is conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision at a central London hospital. "At this difficult time, we kindly ask everyone to respect the privacy of Michail and his family. "The Club will make no further comment this evening, but will issue a further update in due course". We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at https://bit.ly/4eGOxig to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. Essex Police confirmed that they responded to a single vehicle collision involving a Ferrari on Coppice Row, Epping at around 1pm on Saturday. According to the force, a man was taken to hospital and emergency services are no longer at the scene. Images posted to social media appear to show a silver Ferrari car with significant damage to the front end. Born in London, Antonio has made more than 20 appearances for Jamiaca's national team and has become a key player for West Ham in recent seasons. Several Premier League clubs responded to West Ham's statement on Saturday evening, with Antonio's former club, Nottingham Forest saying: "The thoughts of everyone at Nottingham Forest are with Michail, his family and friends".12 Black Friday Deals I Can't Believe Are Still in Stock: Meta Quest 3S, Tears of the Kingdom, and More
KILLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — American skier Mikaela Shiffrin said she suffered an abrasion on her left hip and that something “stabbed” her when she crashed during her second run of a World Cup giant slalom race Saturday, doing a flip and sliding into the protective fencing. Shiffrin stayed down on the edge of the course for quite some time as the ski patrol attended to her. She was taken off the hill on a sled and waved to the cheering crowd before going to a clinic for evaluation. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
NEWARK, N.J. -- Issues continued on the rails on Monday as Amtrak riders tried to get to their holiday destinations. Some who travel out of Newark said they are facing delays up to 24 hours. Many Amtrak trains were back on track Monday after some lines stopped running on Sunday due to downed wires on Philadelphia tracks . A spokesperson said it's unclear if the cold weather was a factor, adding the agency is investigating. Amtrak officials are warning of service delays between New York's Penn Station and Philadelphia , as well as between Washington D.C. and Boston. Amtrak has been updating passengers on social media, but it is telling people to check on their schedules before heading to the train station. "I have to say, this morning went okay, but we were supposed to leave yesterday and so lots of hours in the train station and then finally giving up and rescheduling," said Rachel Nadelman of Washington D.C. "One of the trains (was) delayed," added Ella Lauren, also of D.C. Both were grateful, though, to finally make it to New Jersey. "Today is my mom's 80th birthday and that's where we're headed to a celebration," Nadelman said. Medical student Tia Fredricks of West Orange, New Jersey, said she got stuck in Philadelphia. "I was supposed to go on a train yesterday around 7 and it was delayed I think around four or five hours," Fredericks said. She said Amtrak let her reschedule, but added she has already lost a day with family. "It's so inconvenient. It's nice that we can reschedule, but as much money as we pay, if you look on the Amtrak app it's like over $100, $200 for these tickets," Fredericks said. Carlo and Alicia Nicoletta, who were taking the train from Florida, said Amtrak needs to fix what they call ongoing problems. "We lived in Tokyo for a while and let me tell you that public transportation system, not even a second late, ever," Carlo Nicoletta said. "It's really cold and, of course, I forgot my coat in Florida," Alicia Nicoletta said. Christine Sloan is an Emmy Award-winning reporter, who covers New Jersey for CBS News New York. Sloan re-joined the station in January 2023. She also worked at CBS News New York from 2004 to 2016.
The Washington Commanders announced Saturday that running back Austin Ekeler was placed on the Reserve/Injured List with a concussion he suffered during last week's loss against the Dallas Cowboys. Washington did get some good news on Friday, however, as running back Brian Robinson was a full participant at practice and didn't have an injury designation after missing the entirety of the second half on Sunday due to a sprained right ankle. That means that Robinson and Jeremy McNichols will lead the team's rushing attack on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis. For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app , homepage and social feeds—including Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok .
PRESIDENT-ELECT Donald Trump has nominated his son-in-law Jared Kushner's dad, Charles Kushner, for a key diplomatic role. The Republican said on Saturday that he wants the real estate developer to serve as ambassador to France in the latest pick. Trump made the announcement in a gushing Truth Social post, calling Charles Kushner a "tremendous business leader, philanthropist, and dealmaker." He added: "Congratulations to Charlie, his wonderful wife Seryl, their 4 children, and 14 grandchildren. "Together, we will strengthen America’s partnership with France, our oldest Ally, and one of our greatest!" Kushner - the son of a Holocaust survivor - is the founder of real estate firm Kushner Companies. read more on trump His son Jared Kushner is a former senior Trump adviser who is also married to the President-elect's eldest daughter Ivanka. Jared previously worked on Operation Warp Speed, criminal justice reform and the Abraham Accords. His dad Charles Kushner was pardoned by Trump in December 2020 after pleading guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. The dad-of-four was sentenced to nearly two years in prison for the tax fraud conviction but only served 14 months in federal prison. Most read in The US Sun Charles was one of 26 people that Trump fully pardoned during his first term. Prosecutors alleged that after Charles discovered his brother-in-law was cooperating with federal authorities in an investigation, he plotted for revenge. Kushner went as far as hiring a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law, have it filmed with a hidden camera and the recording of any activity sent to his sister, the mans wife, prosecutors said. Kushner eventually pleaded guilty to 18 counts including tax evasion and witness tampering. He was sentenced in 2005 to two years in prison. This was the most he could receive under a plea deal, but less than what Chris Christie, the US attorney for New Jersey at the time had sought. He said at the time: "No matter how rich and powerful you are or poor and unpowerful, if you have violated the federal law in the district of New Jersey or if you are corrupting our political system, this office will bring you to justice. "Today, Charles Kushner was brought to justice." Christie has blamed Jared Kushner for his firing from Trump's transition team in 2016. He also has called Charles Kushners offenses "one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes" he had ever prosecuted. When pardoning Charles, Trump said Jared's dad had "devoted" himself to "important philanthropic organizations and causes" over the years. READ MORE SUN STORIES Trump added at the time: "His record of reform and charity overshadows Mr. Kushner’s conviction and two year sentence for preparing false tax returns, witness retaliation, and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission." The President-elect didn't mention Charles' conviction or pardon in his announcement on Saturday. In the days following his dominant Election Day victory, President-elect Donald Trump has begun carving out his future administation. Here's a list of Trump's confirmed cabinet picks: Susie Wiles - White House Chief of Staff Dr. Mehmet Oz - Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Stephen Miller - Deputy Chief of Staff Bill McGinley - White House counsel Tom Homan - "Border Czar" Elise Stefanik - Ambassador to the United Nations Lee Zeldin - Environmental Protection Agency administrator Marco Rubio - Secretary of State Kristi Noem - Homeland Security Secretary Mike Huckabee - Ambassador to Israel John Ratcliffe - CIA director Pete Hegseth - Secretary of Defense Mike Waltz - National Security Advisor Steven Witkoff - Middle East envoy Elon Musk & Vivek Ramaswamy - Department of Government Efficiency Tim Scott - Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee Tulsi Gabbard - Director of National Intelligence Matt Gaetz - nominated for Attorney General but later refused the position Pam Bondi - nominated for Attorney general just hours after Gaetz's withdrawal Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , Secretary of Health and Human Services Jay Clayton - US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Doug Burgum - Department of Interior Todd Blanche - Deputy Attorney General Karoline Leavitt - White House Press Secretary Chris Wright - Energy Secretary Doug Collins - Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs William McGinley - White House Counsel Steven Cheung - White House Communications Director William Owen Scharf - Assistant to the President and White House Staff Secretary Dean John Sauer - Solicitor General of the US Commissioner Brendan Carr - Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Linda McMahon: Education Secretary Matthew Whitaker - NATO ambassador Scott Bessent - Treasury Secretary Keith Kellogg - Special envoy to Russia, Ukraine
Islanders hold — and extend — a third-period lead as Kyle Palmieri scores twice in win over BluesHOUSTON (AP) — The Astros welcomed first baseman Christian Walker to the team Monday, in one of two moves that almost certainly marks the end of Alex Bregman’s time in Houston. Walker signed a $60 million, three-year contract that will pay him $20 million annually just more than a week after the Astros acquired infielder Isaac Paredes from Cubs in the trade that sent outfielder Kyle Tucker to Chicago . “The way I view it right now is Paredes is going to play third base and Walker is going to play first base,” general manager Dana Brown said Monday. “And Bregman’s still a free agent.” The Astros had hoped to re-sign Bregman, the team’s third baseman for the last nine seasons, but Brown said the negotiations stalled. “I thought we made a really competitive offer, showing that we wanted him back,” he said. “But we had to pursue other options. We couldn’t just sit there. We locked in Paredes early in that trade, knowing that he could play third or first and then when the opportunity to add another bat came up we just jumped on it.” The addition of a first baseman was a priority this offseason for the Astros after they released struggling first baseman José Abreu less than halfway through a $58.5 million, three-year contract. “We knew we had to get better at first base,” Brown said. “We pursued (Walker) and we’re excited to have him because we know that we’re going to have a really good first baseman that can defend and also hit the ball on the seats from time to time.” Walked was attracted by the sustained success of the Astros, who won their first two World Series titles in 2017 and ‘22. “I’ve been watching this team for a while now, and that edge, the energy, the expectation, you can tell that they’re going out there with a standard,” he said. “And I’m very excited to be a part of it.” Walker is looking forward playing on an infield with star second baseman Jose Altuve. He’s fascinated by the success and consistency Altuve has had over his 14-year career. “I get a chance to learn from Jose Altuve,” Walker said. “Nothing really gets better than that.” Brown was asked what he would tell fans disappointed to see the Astros lose another star after George Springer and Carlos Correa left as free agents in recent years. “I would just tell the fans that look, we are very focused on remaining competitive,” he said. “We’re very focused on winning division and going back to the World Series, and I think with these additions that we have the ability to do that. So, I feel strongly that we’re going to be picked to win the division first off. And if our pitching holds up, which I feel strongly about, as well, I think we’ll get deep into the postseason.” The Astros won the AL West for a fourth straight year this season before being swept by the Tigers in an AL Wild Card Series. Walker, who turns 34 during the opening week of the season, hit .251 with 26 homers, 84 RBIs, 55 walks and 133 strikeouts this year. That was down from 2023, when he batted .258 with 33 homers and 103 RBIs as the Diamondbacks reached the World Series. Walker played in 130 games this year, down from 157 in 2023 and 160 in 2022. He was sidelined between July 29 and Sept. 3 by a strained left oblique. He spent the last eight seasons with the Diamondbacks, where he hit 146 homers with 442 RBIs and a .251 batting average. He didn’t secure a full-time job in the big leagues until 2019. He’s provided consistent power over the past six seasons and has grown into an elite defensive first baseman, winning Gold Gloves in each of the past three seasons. Walker played college ball at South Carolina and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2012. He made his big league debut with the Orioles in 2014 but couldn’t stick in the majors and was claimed off waivers by Atlanta, Cincinnati and Arizona in a five-week span. Walker’s contract has a limited no-trade provision allowing him to block deals to six teams without his consent. He would earn $200,000 for winning an MVP, $175,000 for second, $150,000 for third, $125,000 for fourth and $100,000 for fifth. Walker also would get $100,000 for World Series MVP, $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $75,000 apiece for making the All-Star Game or winning a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger Award. Infielder Grae Kessinger was designated for assignment to open a roster spot. ___ AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he wants real estate developer Charles Kushner , father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France. Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, calling Charles Kushner “a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker." Kushner is the founder of Kushner Companies, a real estate firm. Jared Kushner is a former senior Trump adviser who is married to Trump’s eldest daughter, Ivanka. The elder Kushner was pardoned by Trump in December 2020 after pleading guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. Prosecutors alleged that after Charles Kushner discovered his brother-in-law was cooperating with federal authorities in an investigation, he hatched a scheme for revenge and intimidation. Kushner hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law, then arranged to have the encounter in a New Jersey motel room recorded with a hidden camera and the recording sent to his own sister, the man’s wife, prosecutors said. Kushner eventually pleaded guilty to 18 counts including tax evasion and witness tampering. He was sentenced in 2005 to two years in prison — the most he could receive under a plea deal, but less than what Chris Christie, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey at the time and later governor and Republican presidential candidate, had sought. Christie has blamed Jared Kushner for his firing from Trump’s transition team in 2016, and has called Charles Kushner’s offenses “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was U.S. attorney.” Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from real estate circles and their children were married in 2009. ___ Tucker reported from Newtown, Pennsylvania.None
Flick sent off for protesting penalty in Barcelona draw and Real Madrid closes on leaderAs much as I love the fidget-aspect of bubble-wrap, there’s this overwhelming sense of guilt every time I pop an individual bubble, knowing that I’m slowly making the wrap useless. In fact, only a small percentage of bubble-wrap actually gets reused, which means the world’s left with a lot of plastic film (which can’t get recycled) just lying out there, waiting to either be popped or turned into waste. The solution, however, is a bubble-wrap WITHOUT bubbles. Made from folded paper, this origami-inspired bubble-wrap alternative offers a classier, more sustainable approach relying on gorgeously geometric pleated paper. The brilliance of this idea lies in its roots: the Miura fold. Think of it as the origami equivalent of a Swiss Army knife—sleek, efficient, and endlessly versatile. By applying this precise folding pattern to traditional cardboard, researchers have found a way to create lightweight, strong, and flexible three-dimensional structures. It’s the kind of innovation that feels both wildly creative and beautifully logical. Cardboard, the unsung hero of shipping and storage, gets a striking upgrade without altering its core material. Designers: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland & Aalto University The Miura’s design allows for enhanced durability and flexibility, all while maintaining a lightweight profile. Picture food containers, electronics packaging, or even luxury goods boxes that are sturdy enough to do their job but also light enough to reduce shipping emissions. That’s the beauty of it—better function with less environmental impact. The material itself is still familiar paperboard, meaning the shift doesn’t require a seismic change in production methods. Plus you don’t need virgin paper either, opening up doors for using recycled paper. The material relies on fibers, often recycled, making it a serious contender against plastics and foams. And while we’re on the topic of alternatives, the team behind this isn’t stopping at cardboard. They’re experimenting with folding other materials, like aluminum foil and felt, hinting at a future where this technology might influence everything from packaging to interior design. The project, aptly named FOLD and its successor FOLD2, has brought together 13 organizations to push this concept forward. The first phase laid the groundwork for refining the technology, while FOLD2 is taking things up a notch, exploring compatibility with a broader range of materials, and readying it for large-scale commercial use. Early tests show that the folding process works on materials as diverse as aluminum foil, plastic films, and felt, hinting at future applications far beyond packaging. And that’s the exciting part—it doesn’t stop at boxes or cartons. The technology’s flexibility has caught the eye of designers in other fields. Decorative interior panels? Check. Functional architectural elements? Why not? There’s even potential for food packaging that’s as sustainable as it is innovative. When something this versatile comes along, it’s not hard to imagine the ripple effects across industries, from consumer goods to luxury interiors. This kind of multidisciplinary magic doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s the result of engineers, materials scientists, and designers collaborating to solve real-world problems with solutions that are both creative and practical. The Miura fold, chosen for its efficiency, is just one example of how ancient techniques can meet modern needs. It’s geometry brought to life—not in textbooks, but in products that we’ll encounter in stores, homes, and maybe even our kitchens. Looking ahead, the next three to five years will determine how this technology scales. Industry giants like Walki Group and Stora Enso are already testing the waters, exploring how these folded materials might replace less sustainable options. But this isn’t just about the companies; it’s about all of us as consumers. With demand for greener options growing louder, innovations like origami-inspired packaging might just become the new normal. For now, the folding revolution is still taking shape, but if this is the future of packaging, we’re ready to unbox it. Literally.