Philadelphia (8-2) at Los Angeles Rams (5-5) Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EST, NBC/Peacock BetMGM NFL odds: Eagles by 3. Against the spread: Eagles 6-4; Rams 4-6. Series record: Eagles lead 23-20-1. Last meeting: Eagles beat Rams 23-14 in Inglewood, Calif. on Oct. 8, 2023. Last week: Eagles beat Washington 26-18; Rams beat New England 28-22. Eagles offense: overall (5), rush (1), pass (22), scoring (7). Eagles defense: overall (1), rush (7), pass (2), scoring (6). Rams offense: overall (17), rush (26), pass (T-7), scoring (21). Rams defense: overall (23), rush (18), pass (22), scoring (22). Turnover differential: Eagles plus-2; Rams plus-4. Eagles player to watch RB Saquon Barkley. Barkley combined for 198 scrimmage yards and two scores, rushing 26 times for 146 yards (5.6 average) while adding two receptions for 52 yards against Washington. With 1,137 rushing yards through 10 games, Barkley only trails Baltimore’s Derrick Henry for the NFL lead. He had his sixth 100-plus yard rushing game this season, which is the most in the NFL. Rams player to watch S Kam Kinchens. The rookie third-round pick from Miami had eight tackles, one tackle for loss, an interception and a forced fumble against the Patriots as he continues to come on strong. Kinchens has three picks in the past three games. Key matchup Eagles QB Jalen Hurts vs. Rams’ defensive line. Hurts shredded Los Angeles for 303 yards passing and 72 yards rushing last season despite the presence of superstar DT Aaron Donald. After Donald retired, the Rams turned to a committee approach to get after the passer, and it has worked with rookie OLB Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske fitting in well next to second-year OLB Byron Young and DT Kobie Turner. But they can only unleash their excellent pass rush skills by limiting Philadelphia on early downs. Hurts has been at his dual-threat best over the past five games, accounting for 15 total touchdowns (six passing, nine rushing) against two turnovers. Key injuries Eagles defensive end Bryce Huff had surgery on his left wrist on Thursday, a move that could allow him to return toward the end of the season. ... WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and DT Milton Williams (foot) each missed practice this week. ... Rams RT Rob Havenstein (ankle) looks to be trending toward a return this week. Havenstein sat out the previous two games because of the ailment. Series notes The Eagles have won all three games in Los Angeles since the Rams moved back in 2016. ... Overall, Philadelphia has won seven of the past eight. The only setback came in Week 2 of the 2020 pandemic season. Stats and stuff Barkley has passed 100-plus scrimmage yards in eight of 10 games. That is tied with LeSean McCoy (2011) and Brian Westbrook (2007) for the most by an Eagle through 10 games. His 198 yards were his second most as an Eagle (199 in Week 9). ... The Eagles have allowed two passing touchdowns during their winning streak. Only one opponent has topped 200 passing yards against them in this stretch, with Cincinnati throwing for 222 in Week 8. ... Hurts leads all NFL quarterbacks with 11 touchdown runs and is second only to Henry's 13 scores for the Ravens. ... WR A.J. Brown leads the league in receptions of 30 yards or longer. He is averaging 18.7 yards per catch, the best mark of any player with at least 30 grabs. ... Even before he hurt his wrist, Huff struggled in his first season in Philadelphia with just 2 1/2 sacks and four quarterback hits. His snap count has dipped since he was injured ahead of a game earlier this month against Jacksonville. Huff had 17 1/2 sacks in four seasons with the Jets before he signed a three-year, $51 million free-agent deal with the Eagles. ... Philadelphia has run for at least 150 yards and two touchdowns in five straight games, something it hadn't accomplished since 1949. ... Rams WR Puka Nacua caught his first touchdown of the season in New England. He has at least seven receptions and 98 yards in three of his past four games, with only a second-quarter ejection in Seattle having limited Nacua since he returned from a knee injury. ... WR Cooper Kupp has 614 receptions through his first 98 games, which is fourth most in NFL history through 100 games. Julio Jones (619) is third. ... RB Kyren Williams averaged a season-high 5.7 yards per carry, finishing with 86 yards on 15 attempts versus the Patriots. ... Verse has 11 tackles for loss and 4 1/2 sacks through his first 10 games. Verse is pressuring the quarterback on 20.2% of pass rush snaps, which ranks second in the league overall. ... The Rams were 2 of 8 (25%) on third down against New England, their third straight game converting 25% or worse. ... QB Matthew Stafford has not been sacked in each of Los Angeles’ past three wins. Fantasy tip Don’t be discouraged using Stafford, Kupp and Nacua against Philadelphia's pass defense. All three put up solid fantasy numbers in last season’s meeting, even as the Eagles sat on the ball for nearly 38 minutes. Stafford had 222 yards and two scores, finding Kupp eight times for 118 yards and Nacua seven times for 71 yards and a touchdown, so they'll find ways to produce. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Shaboozey, Ayo Edebiri, Aaron Pierre Lead Black Breakout Stars of 2024Daltonganj: In an interesting electoral outcome, Muslim votes, though not directly cast for the saffron party, inadvertently helped BJP candidate Kushwaha Shashibhushan Mehta retain his Panki assembly constituency seat for the second consecutive term. While Muslims didn't vote for the BJP, their support for Mumtaz Ahmad Khan of the Azad Samaj Party, who secured over 22,000 votes, proved crucial in Mehta's victory margin of about 9,000 votes. IPL 2025 mega auction IPL Auction 2025: Who got whom IPL 2025 Auction: Updated Full Team Squads Mehta's main challenger was independent candidate Devender Kumar Singh (Bittu Singh), who had been expelled from Congress. Initially, Bittu Singh led by 11,000 votes, with political observers predicting his victory. However, his fortunes reversed dramatically. Khan's candidature emerged as the decisive factor in Bittu Singh's defeat, effectively helping BJP's Mehta secure another term. According to political analysts, without Khan's presence and the subsequent split in Muslim votes, the outcome might have favoured Bittu Singh. Congress candidate, Laal Suraj, known until recently as a Hindutva advocate, failed to gain Muslim support. While Bittu Singh enjoyed popularity among Muslim voters, Khan's presence split their votes, ultimately benefiting Mehta, who is perceived as a neo-Hindutva leader. "I won the election. It's people's grace," Mehta said.For much of the NBA season, the Miami Heat have found themselves at the center of the NBA trade rumor mill. At the end of last year, Heat president Pat Riley made it clear they would not extend Jimmy Butler, allowing him to enter unrestricted free agency this summer if he opts out of the $52.4 million last year on his contract. If Butler hits the open market, the Heat could try to re-sign him, although they will likely have to compete with 29 other teams. Given that risk, Butler has been included in mock trades, reports and rumors all season long, with the Heat expected to trade him for something rather than let him walk for nothing. However, Riley recently poured cold water on any Butler rumors. “We usually don't comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches,” Riley announced on social media via the Heat’s X account. “Therefore, we will make it clear - We are not trading Jimmy Butler." Why would the Heat want to part ways with their best player? Historically, Riley refuses to tank and always fields a competitive team. The Heat are 14-13 and are very much alive in the postseason picture, and they have won five of their last eight games, suggesting an upward surge. Even if the marriage between Butler and the Heat is on the rocks, expect Riley to stay true to his word and make one last push with “Jimmy Buckets” playing on his team. More NBA: Christmas matchup between Spurs and Knicks personal for All-NBA superstar
Parent Trespassed from School After Wearing Wristband to Girls' Game Against Trans Athlete Now Deemed a 'Threat'EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Drew Lock is likely going to start at quarterback for the New York Giants against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday when they try to end a franchise-record 10-game losing streak. Lock started against Atlanta last weekend and his status became an issue after the 34-7 loss when coach Brian Daboll said the 28-year-old was having an issue with his right shoulder. An MRI was done Monday and Daboll announced Tuesday that Lock would be his starter if he stayed healthy. “It came back good so rocking and rolling,” Lock said, noting he was hurt on a third down pass to Daniel Bellinger in the first quarter when Falcons linebacker Matthew Judon pulled his arm on the play. He finished the game. There were questions whether Daboll would switch back to Tommy DeVito after Lock threw two pick-6s and lost a fumble on a strip-sack against the Falcons. Lock has had three interceptions returned for scores in three starts this season, including two on tipped passes. Daboll said it was important to give Lock a couple of starts in which he was able to get all the reps in practice. “Knowing what we did the week before, take the things we need to get better at into this week and actually be able to go out there and do it is something I’m looking forward to,” Lock said. “Similar cadences with the guys, being in the huddle together. I think it can only be a positive for such a roller coaster out of that spot.” The one thing that might change this week is the Giants center. John Michael Schmitz has an ankle injury and he did not practice Tuesday. He left the locker room with a boot on his right foot. New York has moved veteran guard Greg Van Roten to center when Schmitz was hurt and Lock also worked with guard Austin Schlottmann as his center while playing in Denver. “I’m pretty familiar with all the guys that are rotating in there,” Lock said. The Giants have the NFL's worst scoring offense, averaging 14.3 points. They benched Daniel Jones coming out of their bye week and days later released him after he requested it. DeVito has started two games and Lock three since Jones was released. New York has scored 59 points in those games, with 20 coming against Dallas in a seven-point loss on Thanksgiving. Running back Tyrone Tracy (ankle), wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee-foot), cornerback Greg Stroman (shoulder-shin), defensive tackle Cory Durden (shoulder), inside linebacker Micah McFadden (neck) and cornerback Dru Phillips (shoulder) also did not practice on Tuesday, which is usually a day off. The team will have off on Christmas Day and return to practice on Thursday. The Giants opened practice on Tuesday with the song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” blaring on the loudspeakers in their indoor practice facility. Jones, who is on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, sent the Giants offensive linemen Christmas gifts. “DJ comes in, saves me and Tommy once again, and then takes care of the guys,” Lock said. “I expected nothing less from the guy. That’s just who he is, and cares about these guys still.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Tom Canavan, The Associated Press
Social media users are misrepresenting a Vermont Supreme Court ruling, claiming that it gives schools permission to vaccinate children even if their parents do not consent. The ruling addressed a lawsuit filed by Dario and Shujen Politella against Windham Southeast School District and state officials over the mistaken vaccination of their child against COVID-19 in 2021, when he was 6 years old. A lower court had dismissed the original complaint, as well as an amended version. to the U.S. Supreme Court was filed on Nov. 19. But the ruling by Vermont’s high court is not as far-reaching as some online have claimed. In reality, it concluded that anyone the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, or PREP, Act is immune to state lawsuits. Here’s a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: The Vermont Supreme Court ruled that schools can vaccinate children against their parents’ wishes. THE FACTS: The claim stems from by the Vermont Supreme Court, which found that anyone the PREP Act is immune to state lawsuits, including the officials named in the Politella’s suit. The ruling does not authorize schools to vaccinate children at their discretion. According to the lawsuit, the Politella’s son — referred to as L.P. — was given one dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic held at Academy School in Brattleboro even though his father, Dario, told the school’s assistant principal a few days before that his son was not to receive a vaccination. In what officials described as a mistake, L.P. was removed from class and had a “handwritten label” put on his shirt with the name and date of birth of another student, L.K., who had already been vaccinated that day. L.P. was then vaccinated. Ultimately, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that officials involved in the case could not be sued. “We conclude that the PREP Act immunizes every defendant in this case and this fact alone is enough to dismiss the case,” the Vermont Supreme Court’s ruling reads. “We conclude that when the federal PREP Act immunizes a defendant, the PREP Act bars all state-law claims against that defendant as a matter of law.” , enacted by Congress in 2005, authorizes the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to issue a declaration in the event of a public health emergency providing immunity from liability for activities related to medical countermeasures, such as the administration of a vaccine, except in cases of “willful misconduct” that result in “death or serious physical injury.” A declaration against COVID-19 on March 17, 2020. It is on Dec. 31. Federals suits claiming willful misconduct are filed in Washington. Social media users described the Vermont Supreme Court’s ruling as having consequences beyond what it actually says. “The Vermont Supreme Court has ruled that schools can force-vaccinate children for Covid against the wishes of their parents,” reads one X post that had been liked and shared approximately 16,600 times as of Tuesday. “The high court ruled on a case involving a 6-year-old boy who was forced to take a Covid mRNA injection by his school. However, his family had explicitly stated that they didn’t want their child to receive the ‘vaccines.’” Other users alleged that the ruling gives schools permission to give students any vaccine without parental consent, not just ones for COVID-19. Rod Smolla, president of the Vermont Law and Graduate School and an expert on constitutional law, told The Associated Press that the ruling “merely holds that the federal statute at issue, the PREP Act, preempts state lawsuits in cases in which officials mistakenly administer a vaccination without consent.” “Nothing in the Vermont Supreme Court opinion states that school officials can vaccinate a child against the instructions of the parent,” he wrote in an email. Asked whether the claims spreading online have any merit, Ronald Ferrara, an attorney representing the Politellas, told the AP that although the ruling doesn’t say schools can vaccinate students regardless of parental consent, officials could interpret it to mean that they could get away with doing so under the PREP Act, at least when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines. He explained that the seeks to clarify whether the Vermont Supreme Court interpreted the PREP Act beyond what Congress intended. “The Politella’s fundamental liberty interest to decide whether their son should receive elective medical treatment was denied by agents of the State and School,” he wrote in an email to the AP. “The Vermont Court misconstrues the scope of PREP Act immunity (which is conditioned upon informed consent for medical treatments unapproved by FDA), to cover this denial of rights and its underlying battery.” Ferrara added that he was not aware of the claims spreading online, but that he “can understand how lay people may conflate the court’s mistaken grant of immunity for misconduct as tantamount to blessing such misconduct.” — Find AP Fact Checks here: .
The Australian share market may be trading within sight of a record high, but that doesn't mean there aren't any cheap ASX shares out there. For example, the two shares listed below could be undervalued and offer major upside according to analysts. Here's why they think they are cheap: ( ) Goldman Sachs thinks that this embattled fund manager's shares have been oversold in recent months. Especially after its funds under management (FUM) were only modestly impacted by its investments in the Adani Group. It explains: We retain our Buy rating on GQG: We lower our PT to $2.80 from A$3.00 to reflect the relatively muted impact on flows to date despite an outsized share price reaction resulting in a year P/E of As part of the bitter lessons learned from the Philippine offshore gaming operators fiasco, the government needs to legislate a law that screens and scrutinizes new industries or business platforms considered “alien” or “first of its kind” in the country. Due diligence must be done to study its pros and cons rather than just embrace it or become ecstatic based on the rosy picture of the positive economic impact, job creation and opportunities, inclusivity, tendency to spawn allied businesses or ecosystem, etc. If an existing law or policy is already in place, perhaps, an amendment should be made to address potential problems and issues by installing safeguards and preventative measures. This is akin to some industry practices (e.g., manufacturing) where if any change or “something new” is introduced in an existing process (i.e., personnel, material, method, and environment), a thorough evaluation is needed before the change is approved. Depending on the nature of the “new industry” being introduced, appropriate agencies should be chosen to do the task that covers the following, among others. Do the standard review process of business or industry plan based on existing procedure. Assess support and compliance based on country’s resources, environment, infrastructure, existing laws and regulations. Benchmark with other countries with similar industry and learn from them, especially problems and issues experienced. Establish protocols and flow to prevent or mitigate potential problems and issues with assigned agencies to handle. Assign a lead agency or “industry czar” to spearhead and coordinate the whole task. Submit summary report on findings and recommendations subject to review and approval by the President. JEROME L. ESCOBEDO, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy .
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration that honors African heritage, culture, and values. It's a time for family gatherings, storytelling, music, and giving. While the holiday doesn't focus on commercial gift-giving in the traditional sense, exchanging gifts plays a significant role in expressing love, appreciation, and cultural pride. If you're wondering what gifts to give on Kwanzaa, here's a guide to help you select meaningful presents that align with the holiday's principles. The Seven Symbols of Kwanzaa Before diving into gift ideas, it's helpful to understand the seven core principles of Kwanzaa, known as the Nguzo Saba. These principles focus on unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Gifts chosen for Kwanzaa often reflect these values, promoting personal and collective growth within the community. Thoughtful Kwanzaa Gifts That Reflect the Principles When it comes to Kwanzaa gifts, it's important to choose items that are not only thoughtful but also carry cultural significance. Here are some gift ideas that tie into the celebration's core values: Reading is a powerful way to honor the principles of Kwanzaa. Books that explore African history, culture, and stories are wonderful gifts that can enrich knowledge and inspire the next generation. Consider books by authors like Maya Angelou, Chinua Achebe, or James Baldwin, or books that share stories about African traditions, art, or social justice. Kwanzaa celebrates African heritage and creativity, so art and handmade gifts make perfect presents. Look for items that reflect African traditions, such as hand-carved sculptures, paintings, or woven baskets. Not only do these items beautify the home, but they also embody the principle of creativity and support artisans in the African diaspora. Clothing that represents African culture, such as dashikis, headwraps, or jewelry, makes a meaningful and stylish gift. These items celebrate cultural pride and help keep traditions alive while embracing modern fashion. Consider giving a beautifully crafted Kente cloth scarf, or earrings featuring African designs to show thoughtfulness and love. Music is central to Kwanzaa celebrations, as it brings families and communities together. Gifting an album by an African or African-American musician, or even an instrument like a drum, maracas, or kalimba, promotes unity and joy. Music has always played a central role in African cultures, so this gift will encourage both artistic expression and togetherness. A symbolic and practical gift for Kwanzaa is a kinara, the seven-branched candle holder used during the holiday's celebrations. The kinara holds seven candles, each representing one of the seven principles. Gifting a beautifully crafted kinara or high-quality candles can help the recipient celebrate Kwanzaa in style and create an environment that fosters reflection and unity. Homemade and Personalized Gifts If you prefer a more personal touch, consider making something special by hand. Homemade gifts such as baked goods, quilts, or a personalized family scrapbook can carry even more sentimental value. Personalizing your gift to reflect the recipient's personality and interests makes it unique and meaningful. Kwanzaa Gifts for Kids Kwanzaa is a family-oriented holiday, and kids play a central role in the celebrations. When shopping for children, consider gifts that promote learning, creativity, and cultural appreciation. African-themed puzzles, books, or toys that focus on history or traditions can spark curiosity and encourage young ones to embrace their cultural roots. Kwanzaa and the Spirit of Giving Kwanzaa is not just about receiving gifts; it's about the joy of giving and reflecting on the values that unite us. When choosing gifts for Kwanzaa, it's important to remember the spirit of love, unity, and collective well-being. Thoughtful gifts that honor African culture and the Nguzo Saba principles will not only delight recipients but will also reinforce the deeper meanings of this special holiday. In the end, the most valuable gifts you can give on Kwanzaa are those that come from the heart-gifts that build community, foster growth, and celebrate heritage. Whether you choose to buy or create, the gesture of giving is what truly captures the essence of this meaningful celebration.Myanmar will host the AFC Women’s Futsal Qualifiers 2025 Group D matches at the MFF Futsal Indoor Stadium located within the Thuwunna Youth Training Centre in Yangon. Group D comprises teams from Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, Macau, and Myanmar. The matches are scheduled to take place from 15 to 19 January. This tournament will mark a historic milestone as the first international futsal competition to be held at the MFF Futsal Indoor Stadium. Each tournament day will feature two matches, with Myanmar’s matches set as the second game of the day. The schedule begins on 15 January with Chinese Taipei facing Macau, followed by Myanmar competing against Vietnam. On 17 January, Vietnam will play against Macau, while Myanmar will take on Chinese Taipei. The final day, 19 January, will see Vietnam versus Chinese Taipei and Myanmar competing against Macau. The qualifiers are organized into four groups with the top two teams from each group, as well as the best third-placed team across all groups, progressing to the next stage. In total, nine teams will advance. To prepare for the competition, the Myanmar national women’s futsal team commenced training on 16 December with a squad of 19 preliminary players. The team is under the guidance of head coach Boonlert Charoenwong, a Thai national, who is leading their efforts to secure success in this tournament. — Ko Nyi Lay/KZLU.S. stocks tiptoed to more records amid a mixed Tuesday of trading, tacking a touch more onto what’s already been a stellar year so far. The S&P 500 edged up by 2 points, or less than 0.1%, to set an all-time high for the 55th time this year. It’s climbed in 10 of the last 11 days and is on track for one of its best years since the turn of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 76 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.4% to its own record set a day earlier. AT&T rose 4.6% after it boosted its profit forecast for the year. It also announced a $10 billion plan to send cash to its investors by buying back its own stock, while saying it expects to authorize another $10 billion of repurchases in 2027. On the losing end of Wall Street was U.S. Steel, which fell 8%. President-elect reiterated on social media that he would not let Japan’s Nippon Steel take over the iconic Pennsylvania steelmaker. announced plans last December to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden also the acquisition. Tesla sank 1.6% after a judge in Delaware reaffirmed a previous ruling that the electric car maker must The judge denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. All told, the S&P 500 rose 2.73 points to 6,049.88. The Dow fell 76.47 to 44,705.53, and the Nasdaq composite gained 76.96 to 19,480.91. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. at the end of October than a month earlier. Continued strength there would raise optimism that the economy could remain out of a recession that many investors had earlier worried was inevitable. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.23% from 4.20% from late Monday. Yields have seesawed since Election Day amid worries that Trump’s preferences for and could spur along with economic growth. But traders are still confident the will at its next meeting in two weeks. They’re betting on a nearly three-in-four chance of that, according to data from CME Group. Lower rates can give the economy more juice, but they can also give inflation more fuel. The key report this week that could guide the Fed’s next move will arrive on Friday. It’s the , which will show how many workers U.S. employers hired and fired during November. It could be difficult to parse given how much storms and strikes distorted figures in October. Based on trading in the options market, Friday’s jobs report appears to be the biggest potential market mover until the Fed announces its next decision on interest rates Dec. 18, according to strategists at Barclays Capital. In financial markets abroad, the value of South Korea’s currency fell 1.1% against the U.S. dollar following a frenetic night where and then later said he’d lift it after lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Stocks of Korean companies that trade in the United States also fell, including a 1.6% drop for SK Telecom. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9% to help lead global markets. Some analysts think Japanese stocks could end up benefiting from Trump’s threats , including for goods . Trade relations between the U.S. and China took another step backward after China said it is banning exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications. The counterpunch came swiftly after the U.S. Commerce Department expanded the list of Chinese technology companies to include many that make equipment used to make computer chips, chipmaking tools and software. The newly included in the so-called “entity list” are nearly all based in China. In China, stock indexes rose 1% in Hong Kong and 0.4% in Shanghai amid unconfirmed reports that Chinese leaders would meet next week to discuss planning for the coming year. Investors are hoping it may bring fresh stimulus to help spur growth in the world’s second-largest economy. In France, the CAC 40 rose 0.3% amid continued worries about , where the government is battling over the budget. ___ AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed. U.S. stocks tiptoed to more records amid a mixed Tuesday The Madera County Economic Development Commission (MCEDC) announced the appointment Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer held a ceremony on Wednesday to Clovis-based Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group has purchased the former
Just a handful of fights into his UFC career, Tom Aspinall has cemented himself as the heavyweight GOAT, according to renowned MMA coach Firas Zahabi. Firas Zahabi, longtime coach of UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre, believes Tom Aspinall has surpassed Stipe Miocic as the greatest UFC heavyweight of all time. Aspinall is expected to face Jon Jones in a heavyweight title unification bout next year. The UK superstar sat cage-side as Jones put on one of the most dominant performances of his career, finishing Miocic in Round 3 at UFC 309 . Aspinall, who weighed in as the UFC 309 backup, is the favorite to face Jones if the UFC can lure the lineal heavyweight champion back to the Octagon for another fight. After weeks of teasing retirement, Jones pivoted on that stance in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, although he didn’t call out Aspinall by name. Aspinall captured the interim heavyweight title by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 last year. Jones was originally set to face Miocic in the headliner before withdrawing due to injury. UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping and others have touted Aspinall as potentially the next big thing at heavyweight. While Aspinall’s accolades have already put him in high esteem, Zahabi took things a step further, crowning him as the all-time heavyweight king. READ MORE: ‘This is wrong!’... Bellator champs, including Patricio Pitbull, scorch PFL over inactivity Firas Zahabi declares Tom Aspinall as the current heavyweight GOAT In a recent breakdown on the Tristar Gym YouTube channel, coach Zahabi made a bold claim about Aspinall, even before facing Jones in the Octagon. “I think he could be the man who beats Jon Jones and finishes him,” Zahabi said of Aspinall. “I don’t think anybody can last more than two rounds with Aspinall. Nobody in the world. Now, pound-for-pound? That would be a different story. But the fact that he’s the biggest, strongest guy in the world at heavyweight, I don’t think anybody can beat him. “A lot of people say Stipe Miocic is the greatest heavyweight of all time, no he’s not!” Zahabi continued. “He was the greatest heavyweight of all time, then Francis Ngannou dethroned him, and Ngannou proved to be the greatest heavyweight of all time. Now in my mind, unofficially, of course, it’s Tom Aspinall, the greatest heavyweight of all time...very possible [Jones] gets his lights put out.” Jones’ lone defeat came by disqualification against Matt Hamill (illegal elbows) in 2009. The fight could potentially get switched to a no-contest after a recent change to MMA’s unified rules . The closest Jones has come to getting finished in his career was against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165. All of Aspinall’s eight UFC wins have concluded inside two rounds, including early victories over Andrei Arlovski and Alexander Volkov. READ MORE: ‘UFC career fact check’... Jake Paul takes shot at Darren Till with Tyron Woodley fight footage Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones fight negotiations are a hot topic heading into 2025 Aspinall remains confident the UFC will seal the deal and make the elusive Jones fight happen in 2025. But, Jones has continuously belittled Aspinall in recent weeks , hinting at a super fight with Alex Pereira as his desired return booking. Aspinall’s lone UFC defeat came against Blaydes by injury stoppage in 2022. Since then, he’s avenged the loss to Blaydes and finished Marcin Tybura and Pavlovich. Jones vs. Aspinall is at the top of many UFC fans’ fight wish lists as 2025 draws near. A win over Aspinall would add to Jones’ all-time GOAT case, while Aspinall has the opportunity to make history in dethroning Jones. At 31 years old, Aspinall has already done enough to make himself the heavyweight GOAT, per Zahabi. Time will tell if Aspinall is universally deserving of Zahabi’s eye-opening praise. READ MORE: Umar Nurmagomedov goes on social media tirade in response to Merab Dvalishvili’s pitch to Petr Yan following UFC MacauThe Philadelphia Eagles might have just given a key hint as to Jalen Hurts' status for Sunday's matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Ian Book was signed to the team's practice squad on Thursday, the team announced. Practice Squad: We have signed QB Ian Book and RB Lew Nichols and we have released DB Tariq Castro-Fields. pic.twitter.com/FQNtz8s7JA If Hurts is forced to miss Week 17's matchup due to a concussion, Kenny Pickett would be next in line to start. However, the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback sustained a rib injury after replacing Hurts in the Eagles' loss to the Commanders last week. NBC Sports Philadelphia's John Clark posted a video on X showing Pickett at practice, and it appeared he was wearing additional padding. Kenny Pickett seems to be ok moving around with his ribs issue. Looks like he is wearing extra padding. pic.twitter.com/lH3QilRoGf As for Hurts, he was not out there with the team. So, behind Pickett, it would be Tanner McKee and Book up next. Book has been in the league since 2021, being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round. After only one year, he was released and the Eagles picked him up off waivers. Following a full year in Philadelphia, he was waived once again. In 2023, Book spent five days with the New England Patriots practice squad, and was with the Kansas City Chiefs all throughout training camp this past year before being waived in final roster cuts. He has appeared in only one game, which was with the Saints in 2021. There he went 12-of-20 with 135 passing yards and two interceptions along with eight sacks. On the rushing side, he had three carries for six yards. It's another stint for Book with a team he has experience with. So, let's see who is in the pocket for the Eagles on Sunday. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.
Walmart Completes Purchase of TV Tech Company Vizio