The Vancouver Police Board says its vice-chair has resigned following statements she posted to social media that were inconsistent with its code of conduct. Screenshots of the Instagram posts made by Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba were shared on the online discussion website Reddit, where they drew criticism from users for their commentary on immigration and religion. Speaking with CBC News Friday, Sakoma-Fadugba apologized for the content of her posts, but said the screenshots were missing context from her original posts. She said she resigned from the board for personal reasons. CBC News has not independently verified the social media posts, as both they and the Instagram account they were posted on have since been removed. Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba is seen on the far right in this set of portraits of police board members from January 2023. (Ben Nelms/CBC) Of the screenshots shared to Reddit, one post discusses how "mass immigration" and "a growing aversion to assimilation" are "transforming Canada into a place where a shared identity is disappearing." Another post questions Diwali celebrations at schools, saying the "push for secular education isn't about religion — it's about erasing Christian values from the lives of our children." Vancouver Police Board member resigns after vote to reconsider school liaison officer program cancelled Vancouver Police Board member resigns, cites conflicts of interest, political interference A third post references "gender transitions" while criticizing a "woke culture that pits children against their parents." Another claims Christian values serve as Canada's moral compass and questions what would happen to the country if a different religion became more dominant. 'Genuinely sorry' Sakoma-Fadugba told CBC News the screenshots posted to Reddit were taken out of context and do not "capture the entirety of the conversation that was being had." "I'm genuinely sorry that it has caused so much harm," she said. "That was not my intent." Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba is seen in this portrait, formerly posted on the Vancouver Police Board website. (Vancouver Police Board) Sakoma-Fadugba said she immigrated to Canada from Nigeria as a young child. She said she joined the police board in 2021 amid the Black Lives Matter movement and the COVID-19 pandemic. One of her goals, she said, was to serve as a bridge between Black and South Asian communities. Pro-Palestinian protesters allege excessive force and surveillance by Vancouver police Black community advisory group cuts ties with Vancouver police She added that she has a deep respect for Hinduism, and said learning about the religion has strengthened her Christian faith. "What I was trying to express was the fact that I would really love to see a lot more unity around Canada," she said. "And I think, obviously, I sadly did not get to communicate that as well as I would have wanted to." Comments offensive: Tory MLA In a statement issued Friday, Vancouver Police Board chair Frank Chong said recent statements posted to social media by Sakoma-Fadugba "do not reflect the values of the board and are inconsistent with our code of conduct." The Vancouver Police Board governance manual has a section in which the board says one of its guiding values is to do work in a manner that recognizes and values diversity. "Internally, we create an environment that is free of discrimination, we respect diversity, create equitable systems and processes, and build an inclusive workplace culture," the manual reads. Garry Begg, B.C.'s solicitor general, said the comments attributed to Sakoma-Fadugba 'spread hate and division amongst communities.' (Mike McArthur/CBC) Garry Begg, B.C.'s solicitor general and minister of public safety, said in a statement that the comments "spread hate and division amongst communities and they will not be tolerated." Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said the views shared by Sakoma-Fadugba don't reflect his beliefs nor the policies of the City of Vancouver or police board. "As public leaders, it's our responsibility to bring people together and focus on what unites us, not what divides us," Sim said in a statement. B.C. Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko, who was a longtime RCMP officer, called the comments offensive. (Ben Nelms/CBC) Elenore Sturko, the B.C. Conservative MLA for South Surrey and a former RCMP officer, said she thought it was appropriate for the board to accept Sakoma-Fadugba's resignation, adding that her comments were offensive, particularly to the transgender community. "It comes down to trust," Sturko said. "When we have statements being made that erode the public's trust, or their comfort with their police service, it makes it that much harder on the frontline officers."49ers look to maintain 'urgency' against rival RamsOne of the premier grassroots racing genres that can lead up to the world of NASCAR is Late Model racing. Running on asphalt and dirt alike, several drivers cut their teeth in the world of late model racing before rising through the ranks to the likes of the ARCA Menards Series and the junior nationwide Craftsman Truck Series. There are several different variations of cars within the series as well, with two of them being a Super Late Model and a Pro Late Model car. While the two machines could look very similar from a distance, both cars have subtle yet contrasting differences under the skin. The biggest difference between the two comes in the form of the power both cars make, courtesy of their engines. As explained by the 2022 Snowball Derby champion Derek Thorn, the Super Late Model car’s horsepower ranges from 650-700hp whereas the Pro Late Model car has around 450hp. “Super Lates make close to 700hp, close to 650 approximately; you probably lose about 10% going to the rear tires. It can, at times, be a handful because of the power. When you transfer to a Pro Late, you’re making about 200 less horsepower, and the driving style is severely different,” said Thorn in an explainer video by Floracing. The upcoming 2024 Snowball Derby this Sunday will allow fans to witness these cars being driven in anger on track by some of their favorite drivers, some of them even hailing from the Cup Series . How does a Super Late Model differ from a Late Model Stock car? While the differences between a Super Late Model and a Pro Late Model are quite limited, a Late Model Stock car is vastly different in its construction from the ground up. While a Super or Pro Late Model is designed in a specific way to favor the left side of the car with a significant offset between the right and left sides, a Late Model Stock car is symmetrical in its construction, hence the name ‘Stock.’ A Super Late Model’s chassis offset gives it its signature ‘skewed’ appearance while being lighter at approximately 2800 lbs. than a Late Model Stock chassis, which could weigh anywhere around 3100 lbs. Engine power outputs between the two types of cars also differ, with the Late Model Stock cars making 515hp in approximation. This makes the Super Late Model cars the most powerful machines of their type, with the most power, adjustability, and adaptability favoring an oval application.
Duke's Diaz: QB Murphy faces internal discipline for raising middle fingers in Virginia Tech winThe 2025 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, slated for April 10–13, will feature 11 players from LIV Golf . However, Joaquin Niemann, who received a special invite last year and is currently ranked No.72 worldwide by the OWGR, needs to break into the top 50 to qualify . Niemann has been making a splash on the LIV Golf scene , ranking first in birdies and eagles and second-highest in greens in regulation percentage at nearly 73 percent. He secured two victories in 2024, one in Mayakoba and another in Jeddah, solidifying his elite status. Niemann earned more than $27 million for the season, bolstered by a $12 million individual championship bonus for his second-place overall finish. Deion Sanders mocked by BYU player after Shedeur's Alamo Bowl mistake Andy Reid confirms blow for Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City Chiefs Despite his success, the Official World Golf Ranking [OWGR] doesn't recognize any of his wins, creating a paradox where Niemann's undeniable excellence doesn't translate into what most golfers believe to be the game's biggest prize: winning majors, specifically the Masters. Niemann's performance in the major tournaments has been inconsistent, with a notable 22nd-place finish at last year's Masters. His second round was marred by a disastrous 78, featuring six bogeys and a double bogey meltdown on the 11th hole. Niemann's performance at the PGA Championship was also underwhelming; he finished 39th due to struggles with driving accuracy, only hitting 58.9 percent compared to champion Xander Schauffele's 73.2 percent and Brendon Todd's 76.8 percent. DON'T MISS Michael Jordan agreement, Kyle Busch win - NASCAR’s dream 2025 Petty receives 'coolest Xmas present ever' from his wife Tiger Woods' son showed true colors with six-word comment His challenges continued at The Open at Royal Troon, where he tied for 58th amid the controversy over LIV Golf being denied credentials by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). OWGR Chairman Peter Dawson commented on the situation, stating: "It is unfortunate that no way to include LIV Golf in the Ranking could be found which would be fair and equitable to the 24 currently eligible tours and their thousands of playing members." Eligibility for the Masters is available to Niemann through tournament victories in the last five years, a top 50 global ranking, or past glory as a Masters champion. He has his eyes set on the DP World Tour 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic to strengthen his position.
CLEVLEAND — Shane Bieber's comeback with Cleveland has double meaning. The former Cy Young winner re-signed with the Guardians on Wednesday, a reunion that seemed unlikely when he became a free agent. However, the 29-year-old Bieber decided to stay with the AL Central champions after making just two starts in 2024 before undergoing Tommy John surgery. Bieber agreed last week to a one-year, $14 million contract. The deal includes a $16 million player option for 2026. It seemed like a long shot that Bieber, who is 62-32 with a 3.22 ERA in 132 starts, would return to Cleveland. He had turned down long-term offers in the past from the club, and it was expected he would sign with another contender, likely one on the West Coast. But the California native has a special connection with the Guardians, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. Bieber, who won the AL Cy Young in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, threw only 12 innings last season before lingering issues with his elbow forced him to have surgery. He is expected to join Cleveland's rotation at some point in 2025. A two-time All-Star, Bieber was named MVP of the midsummer event in 2019 when it was held in Cleveland. He has the highest strikeout ratio per nine innings (10.2) and third-highest winning percentage (.660) in the franchise's 124-year history. Bieber is one of just three Cleveland pitchers to start five season openers, joining Stan Coveleski (1917-21) and Corey Kluber (2015-19). While Bieber had some elbow issues in the past, he didn't show any issues before being shut down. He struck out 11 in six scoreless innings against Oakland on March 28, and followed that up with six more shutout innings at Seattle on April 2. DALLAS — Pitchers again dominated the big league phase of the Rule 5 draft at the winter meetings, comprising 11 of the 15 unprotected players who were picked Wednesday. The 121-loss Chicago White Sox had the first pick and selected 24-year-old right-hander Shane Smith from the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Smith was an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest when he was signed by Milwaukee in July 2021. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder has gone 13-7 with a 2.69 ERA and 203 strikeouts over 157 innings in 19 starts and 54 relief appearances over three minor league seasons. There were 14 teams who made picks in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft of players left off 40-man rosters after several minor league seasons. Only Atlanta made two selections, after making none since 2017. Atlanta chose right-hander Anderson Pilar from the Miami Marlins with the 11th pick, and then took infielder Christian Cairo from the Cleveland Guardians with the 15th and final pick in the MLB portion. The 26-year-old Pilar was original signed by Colorado as a minor league free agent in 2015 and has pitched in 213 minor league games that included 17 starts. He is 28-20 with a 2.86 ERA. Teams pay $100,000 to take a player in the major league portion. The players must stay on the big league roster all of next season or clear waivers and be offered back to their original organization for $50,000. Six of the 10 players selected during the Rule 5 draft last December — five of them right-handed pitchers — remained last season with organization that selected them. Two of the four position players taken Wednesday by other teams came from the Detroit Tigers organization: catcher Liam Hicks and third baseman Gage Workman. Miami drafted second after Colorado passed making a selection, and took Hicks. Workman was taken by the Chicago Cubs with the 10th pick. Baltimore lost two right-handed pitchers on back-to-back picks, Juan Nunez to San Diego with the 12th pick before Connor Thomas went to Milwaukee. DALLAS — Tom Hamilton, who has called Cleveland games on the radio for 35 seasons, won the Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting on Wednesday. Hamilton, 70, joined the team's broadcast in 1990, when he was with Herb Score in the booth and part of the coverage of their World Series appearances in 1995 and 1997. Hamilton became the voice of the franchise when Score retired after that second World Series. Hamilton will be honored during the Hall of Fame’s induction weekend from July 25-28 in Cooperstown, New York. He was selected the hall's Frick Award 16-member committee as the 49th winner. There were 10 finalists on this year's ballot, whose main contributions came as local and national voices and whose careers began after, or extended into, the Wild Card era. The other nine were Skip Caray, Rene Cardenas, Gary Cohen, Jacques Doucet, Ernie Johnson Sr., Mike Krukow, Duane Kuiper, Dave Sims and John Sterling. DALLAS — The Texas Rangers acquired slugging corner infielder Jake Burger from the Miami Marlins on Wednesday in a trade for three minor league players. Burger hit .250 with 29 home runs and 76 RBIs in 137 games for the Marlins last season, with 150 strikeouts in 535 at-bats with 31 walks. He started 59 games at third base and made 50 starts at first. Five days of service time short of being eligible for salary arbitration this offseason, he will be eligible next winter and can become a free agent after the 2028 World Series. Miami got infielders Max Acosta and Echedry Vargas and left-handed pitcher Brayan Mendoza. The acquisition of Burger comes about a month after the Rangers hired former Marlins manager Skip Schumaker as a senior adviser for baseball operations. Luis Urueta, Miami's bench coach the past two seasons, also was added recently to manager Bruce Bochy's on-field coaching staff for 2025. BRIEFLY WHITE SOX: Mike Tauchman is switching sides in Chicago. The White Sox announced a $1.95 million, one-year contract for the outfielder. Tauchman, 34, grew up in Palatine, Illinois, about 35 miles northwest of Chicago, and played college ball for Bradley in Peoria, Illinois. He spent the previous two seasons with the Cubs. TRADE: All-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet was acquired by the Boston Red Sox from the Chicago White Sox for four prospects. Catcher Kyle Teel, infielder Chase Meidroth, right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez and outfielder Braden Montgomery are headed to Chicago.
Kaipara Mayor and self-described "Trump of the North" Craig Jepson loves nothing better than fishing over summer. Across the Northland border, in Auckland waters - in the first instance at least. Northland's Mangawhai-based mayor likes to head out across the bar from his upper Mangawhai Harbour home to catch snapper, trevally and more. His favourite fishing spot is in Auckland waters, off Te Arai on the Pakiri coast, about 500 metres south of the border between the two regions. Jepson loves it because it's the quickest best place to get to. He fishes in Auckland waters' Mokohinau Islands as well. But Jepson mixes this up with Northland-based fishing too, off Bream Head and the Hen and Chickens - all depending on wind and sea conditions. The border is no more than an arbitrary line on the map when it comes to fishing. Off Te Arai is the closest to home. "It's all about how much time I have." Mangawhai living's a buzz for Jepson and his partner Jeanette Reid. "There are dolphins up the harbour and great ice creams at the pub," he said. "Mangawhai has a great vibe, I love the ability to go fishing at the drop of a hat. "I love the lifestyle. I love the people here. We often have people over for barbecues and discuss the politics of the day." He and Reid enjoy biking along Mangawhai's ever-lengthening shared path joining the settlement's north and south, which has been built in stages since 2021. Jepson also uses it to bike from home to Mangawhai-based Kaipara District Council (KDC) meetings. But it's boating and fishing that offer more appeal. Jepson's been boating for six decades, starting as a deckhand for his father out of Tauranga when he was 17. He favours simplicity when it comes to eating his fresh caught fish. "A shake or rice flour and cooked in the pan with butter." And then eaten simply with a fried egg - and peas. Much of his catch is given away. Jepson has seen Mangawhai change since he moved there 22 years ago - and there's more to come. Mangawhai is New Zealand's fastest-growing coastal settlement. When he first arrived, vacant holiday baches predominated. Fast forward two decades and it's now 60 percent permanent residents. Most are from Auckland. They work remotely, travel to and from New Zealand's largest city for all or some of the week. There are many variations of that theme, the living style transition supercharged by Covid-19. A thousand more houses are either shaping up or on the horizon for Mangawhai. Northland's southern border with Auckland is just 5km south of Mangawhai. The new 18km Puhoi to Warkworth State Highway 1 four-laning extension that opened in June 2023 has made it easier to travel between Mangawhai and Auckland. Jepson says it's already having an impact on the settlement's population growth. "The trick is trying to manage growth so that we don't kill the goose that laid the golden egg," Jepson said. He says recent technological updates to the settlement's wastewater treatment plant will help Mangawhai as it faces a significant population explosion over summer. The award-winning wastewater treatment plant is one of the most efficient in New Zealand, Jepson said. Getting rid of Mangawhai's mangroves is next in Jepson's sights. As part of this he wants to get rid of the equivalent of about 1.5 rugby fields of mangroves he can see from his house, amidst a much wider removal. His latest mission is stirring up controversy, but Jepson's not afraid to voice his at-times divisive views. Under his helm Kaipara became the only council to can its existing Māori ward , karakia have been removed from council meetings , KDC's Māori relationship agreements with local iwi terminated , and the Kaipara-based Ruawai climate adaptation pilot dumped . He is pushing for a locally based waste to energy plant , despite community opposition and has pulled out of Local Government New Zealand. His penchant for standing up for what he believes in was highlighted when he and his partner joined the Wellington protests over the Covid-19 mandates, seven months before he became mayor. The self-described "Trump of the North" was thrilled when the now-United States president Donald Trump in November won the country's elections. "It's great because it's the end of woke." He held a celebratory gathering at home in honour of Trump's success, the day after the presidency was confirmed. Jepson admires what he says is Trump's ability to go against the grain - along with the president's approaches towards freedom of choice, less government, and freedom of speech. He admires Trump's ability not to fall into what he says is the trap of "group think - knowing the truth but believing the lies". And Jepson's wardrobe now includes a Trump election campaign cap from the United States. He describes KDC as a bellwether council in the global right-wing shift Trump's 2024 election was part of. Like Trump, Jepson doesn't mind standing out - for all the wrong reasons in some people's eyes, but for the right reasons in the eyes of others. He is fine about being labelled as a black sheep mayor, comfortable going against the mainstream. "I'm not scared to confront issues we need to discuss." His 2022 election win with a 1500 vote majority, among 8000 total votes, proved that his position was popular, he said. Jepson will be standing as mayor again in the 2025 elections. "There's too much still to do." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Tyrese Hunter scored 17 of his 26 points after halftime to lead Memphis to a 99-97 overtime win against two-time defending national champion and second-ranked UConn on Monday in the first round of the Maui Invitational . Hunter shot 7 of 10 from 3-point range for the Tigers (5-0), who were 12 of 22 from beyond at the arc as a team. PJ Haggerty had 22 points and five assists, Colby Rogers had 19 points and Dain Dainja scored 14. Tarris Reed Jr. had 22 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Huskies (4-1). Alex Karaban had 19 points and six assists, and Jaylin Stewart scored 16. Memphis led by as many as 13 with about four minutes left in regulation, but UConn chipped away and eventually tied it on Solo Ball’s 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining. Memphis: The Tigers ranked second nationally in field goal percentage going into the game and shot it at a 54.7% clip. UConn: The Huskies saw their string of 17 consecutive wins dating back to February come to an end. The teams were tied at 92 with less than a minute remaining in overtime when UConn coach Dan Hurley was assessed a technical foul for his displeasure with an over-the-back call against Liam McNeeley. PJ Carter hit four straight free throws — two for the tech and the other pair for the personal foul — to give Memphis a 96-92 lead with 40.3 seconds to play. UConn had three players foul out. Memphis attempted 40 free throws and made 29 of them. Memphis will play the winner of Colorado-Michigan State on Tuesday in the second round of the invitational. UConn will play the loser of that game in the consolation bracket. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball .
Andy Cohen’s biggest gripe with CNN star and New Year’s Eve partner-in-crime Anderson Cooper? Cooper’s annual giggle fit. Cohen explained to People why the anchor’s unceasing laughter adds extra chaos throughout their annual special. “Well, [it’s] that I have to be the straight guy,” Cohen said. “Literally, he’s in a puddle of giggles for the last 90 minutes of the broadcast, and I’m the one that’s hitting all the commercial breaks.” Cohen said he turns “into Mr. CNN for the last 90 minutes” while Cooper becomes “Mr. Bravo.” “It’s a very funny role reversal,” the Bravo star said. The longtime friends have hosted the CNN event together since 2017 after former co-host Kathy Griffin was booted in the wake of backlash for posing with a mask depicting the severed head of Donald Trump. Cohen and Cooper have found themselves in various antics since then— some alcoholic , some not —leading to Cooper’s own frustrations with the Bravo host. Cooper joked on Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live earlier this month that he constantly worries about “who [Cohen’s] gonna insult and what the clean up on aisle 3 is gonna be in the morning.” Billionaire businessman Charles Dolan, who founded HBO and Cablevision and whose family owns Madison Square Garden and a number of New York City sports teams, died on Saturday—he was 98. Dolan created Cablevision Systems Corporation in 1973, merging several small Long Island cable TV systems, according to the New York Times . At the time, the company served just 1,500 customers. But when he sold it for $17.7 billion in 2015, it supplied cable TV to over three million households in the New York metropolitan area, the Times reported. He also launched HBO in the early ’70s—it was at the time a pioneering cable TV channel that offered feature-length movies with no commercials. After his death, Dolan’s family will continue to be a powerful and influential force in the worlds of media and sports. His son Patrick is the owner of Newsday , the Long Island-based newspaper he and Charles bought in 2016. The family also owns MSG in New York City and the professional sports teams that play there, the NHL’s Rangers and the NBA’s Knicks. All three entities are led by Dolan’s son James. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Boxing Week sales are still in full swing, folks! As an avid J.Crew fan , I can honestly say that the brand’s discount-laden factory store (the brand’s online outlet) is a great way to get high-quality wardrobe staples without the big price tag. J.Crew Factory always offers discounts up to 40 percent off J.Crew, but for a limited time, you can unlock even more savings from already discounted items. Right now, J.Crew Factory is offering 70 percent off clearance items with the code SALE70 at checkout. Now’s the time to invest in evergreen staples like jeans and office-friendly blazers while they’re half off, or grab a few outwear essentials to round out your cold-weather lineup. The sale also includes tons of denim for just $50, pure cotton crewneck T-shirts for $20, and even new arrivals like NYE frocks and cashmere items. And the sale is not just for women; the gents’ and kids’ sections are equally full of additional savings. Tina Knowles sprang to her daughter Beyoncé’s defense after online trolls criticized her NFL halftime show performance on Christmas Day. Knowles clapped back at critics by reposting a message about her famous daughter on her Instagram on Friday. In the screenshot, user @iamkrisiman praised Beyoncé and wrote that “no matter how undeniably talented you are, people will always, ALWAYS, always have some negative ish to say.” Knowles cosigned the post in a lengthy caption. “It is mind-boggling to me that you would take your precious Christmas day and watch a performance of someone you hate and you don’t think has talent so that you can go talk ish about it later,” she wrote. “Obviously you are so obsessed with them, addicted to them, and secretly admire them,” she added. According to the New York Post, Knowles’ post came after some social media users called Beyoncé “overrated.” Fans and celebrities in the comments of Knowles’ response seemed to love her mama bear energy. “Period!!! Ms. T,” singer LeToya Luckett wrote. “All. Of. This!!!!!!” Oscar winner Octavia Spencer added. A post shared by Tina Knowles (@mstinaknowles) Elon Musk appeared to borrow a line from the 2008 film Tropic Thunder in an ongoing social media fight about H1B visas. Musk hit back against MAGA’s top players in a series of X posts, alleging that H1B visas are the reason why he, “and hundreds of other companies that made America strong,” are in the country. To a skeptical X user, Musk blasted: “Take a big step back and F--- YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.” Although some were shocked by Musk’s sudden escalation—with former Trump strategist Steve Bannon calling him a “toddler”—others noticed that the disparaging remark was similar to a line in Tropic Thunder . Character Les Grossman, played by Tom Cruise, says in the film: “First, take a big step back, and literally, F--- YOUR OWN FACE ... I don’t know what kind of pan-pacific bulls--t power play you’re trying to pull here, but Asia, Jack, is my territory. So whatever you’re thinking, you’d better think again.” In response to Musk’s comment, the X user tweeted, “Bro was just memeing. I wouldn’t take it too seriously.” Nothing beats the classics pic.twitter.com/MRSdXifhH5 Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. If you’re looking to revamp your at-home fitness lineup ahead of 2025 and don’t have hours to commit to exercising each day, allow us to introduce you to the CAROL Bike . The science-backed and AI-powered fitness bike is engineered to give you maximum results in the shortest time possible—and by the shortest time, we mean as little as five minutes. In fact, according to the brand, the CAROL bike is “proven to deliver double the health and fitness benefits in 90 percent less time compared to regular cardio.” Free Returns | Free Shipping Not only is it a huge time-saver, but the CAROL Bike is also designed to be personalized to the rider’s individual fitness levels, goals, and preferences, making the workouts easy to follow, time-efficient, and super effective. CAROL’s AI and Reduced Exertion HIIT (REHIT) technology optimizes the workout to your ability and fitness level, so every second matters. The personalized, optimal resistance levels are automatically adjusted as you work out—at exactly the right time—making the most efficient workouts easy to follow. “ CAROL Bike is designed to maximize training efficiency, with the shortest, most effective workouts, backed by science. And new rider-inspired features that give riders more flexibility to exercise their way,” says Ulrich Dempfle, CEO & Co-Founder at CAROL. You can try the CAROL Bike for yourself risk-free for 100 days, and the brand offers free shipping (7-10 business days) in the U.S. Charles Shyer, the writer-director best known for directing the 1991 Steve Martin comedy Father of the Bride has died at 83. According to Deadline, Shyer died Friday and no cause of death was given by his family in a statement. “His loss leaves an unfillable hole in our lives, but his legacy lives on through his children and the five decades of wonderful work he’s left behind. We honor the extraordinary life he led and know there will never be another quite like him,” his family told the outlet. In addition to directing, Shyer gained notoriety for his screenwriting and nabbed an Oscar nomination in 1981 for co-writing the Goldie Hawn-led military comedy Private Benjamin alongside Harvey Miller, and fellow writer-director Nancy Meyers. Meyers and Shyer married in 1980 before calling it quits in 1999. They share two daughters. Other notable films co-written by Shyer include Jumpin’ Jack Flash , The Parent Trap , and Baby Boom , which he also directed. His most recent credit behind the camera was co-writing and directing the 2023 Netflix Holiday film Best. Christmas. Ever. A Norwegian chess champion left mid-tournament after refusing to change his outfit for judges. Magnus Carlsen, a five-time World Chess Champion, was competing in New York’s FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships on Friday when he was asked to change. According to The Telegraph , Carlsen was first fined $200 for breaking the wardrobe rule before being told he would have to leave if he didn’t change. “I said, ‘I’ll change tomorrow if that’s OK.’ I didn’t even realize it today, but they said, ‘Well you have to change now.’ At that point it became a bit of a matter of principle for me,” Carlsen told chess outlet Take Take Take in an interview. “Honestly, I am too old at this point to care too much. If this is what they want to do,” he added. As for why he wore the jeans in the first place, Carlsen said he had little time to change before the tournament as he was coming from a meeting. The grandmaster made light of the debacle on X where he tweeted a photo of the now notorious jeans. “OOTD,” he captioned the snap. OOTD pic.twitter.com/9reOP6zuJv Gossip Girl star Chanel Maya Banks , who made headlines last month after denying her family’s claims that she had gone missing, has filed a restraining order against her mother and cousin. The 36-year-old submitted the request in Los Angeles on Thursday, alleging her mom, Lutchmin Judy Kumar, and cousin, Danielle Singh have harassed her, TMZ reported. The actor also claimed that her mother and cousin were working to destroy her credibility. In October, Banks’ family reported her missing. She denied the claims in a post days later. Banks wrote in the restraining order filing that Kumar and Singh broke into her apartment in November while she was gone and attacked her husband. She also alleged that an Apple AirTag was put on her car to track her. After the attack, she alleged that her mother and cousin accused her husband of murder and said that Banks should be in a psychiatric hold. Sources told TMZ that they’re happy she is safe and are “moving on with their lives.” R&B singer Ne-Yo announced Friday that a popular professional boxer under his management has died at age 35. In a joint statement posted by the Grammy-winner and the boxer’s family, Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Chimere Smith, announced “the passing of beloved son, brother, friend and boxing champion Paul Bamba, whose light and love touched countless lives.” Hailing from Puerto Rico, Bamba became one of the first boxing talents to sign to Ne-Yo’s management company in 2024. Bamba won all of his bouts in 2024 by knock out and recently claimed WBA’s secondary “gold” cruiserweight title after knocking out Rogelio Medina. “He was a fierce yet confident competitor with an unrelenting ambition to achieve greatness. But more than anything, he was a tremendous individual who inspired many with his exceptional drive and determination,” the statement added. Bamba was the No. 12 ranked contender by the WBA and seemed set on fighting in more high profile matches—challenging boxer Jake Paul to “holla at us” in one post. Paul shared his condolences on X, writing, “RIP Paul Bamba.” RIP Paul Bamba https://t.co/ovu7egrGHn Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. 2025 is quickly approaching, and there’s no better way to celebrate the new year than with 2024’s cocktail du jour—the espresso martini. It’s the perfect way to toast 2025 with sophistication, flavor, and an energy boost. Think you can’t make the buzzy beverage at home because you’re not a bartender? Think again. You can create this beloved cocktail effortlessly with just a cocktail shaker, fresh espresso, vodka, coffee beans, and Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur . It all starts in the land Down Under—Australia. Mr Black sources its ingredients, including 100 percent specialty-grade Arabica coffee, from local farmers and cooperatives. The liqueur is then slowly brewed with purified cold water to preserve its delicate, complex flavors. The result? A bittersweet masterpiece with bold flavor, balanced sweetness, and a lasting coffee kick. Its rich, coffee-forward taste is a crowd-pleaser, and the sleek bottle design adds a touch of elegance to any bar cart. Making an espresso martini is simple. Combine Mr Black , vodka, and freshly brewed espresso in a shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously until cold. Then, strain the mixture into a martini glass and finish with three coffee beans as a garnish. Skip the champagne toast this year and ensure you stay awake for the countdown to 2025 with a Mr Black espresso martini. Argentine-born British actress Olivia Hussey, known primarily for her role as Juliet in director Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet , and as final girl Jess Bradford in the 1974 slasher Black Christmas , died Friday. She was 73. Friend and filmmaker Marc Huestis confirmed the news to the San Francisco Chronicle . A post on Hussey’s Instagram profile informed fans: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Olivia Hussey Eisley, who went peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones. Olivia was a remarkable person whose warmth, wisdom, and pure kindness touched the lives of all who knew her.” Hussey was born in Buenos Aires to opera singer Andrés Osuna and Joy Hussey, a legal secretary from England. Hussey studied drama at London’s Italia Conti Academy, and was a professional actress by the time she was 13. She was 16 when she starred opposite Leonard Whiting in Romeo and Juliet —roles that earned each a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer. Hussey later appeared in the films Death on the Nile, Virus, and the 1990 horror miniseries It , based on the Stephen King novel. A Democratic Florida state representative announced she is defecting from her party and joining the Republicans because the Democrats are too open to “extreme progressive voices.” Hillary Cassel, who is Jewish, said in a statement on X that she was “increasingly troubled by the Democratic Party’s failure to unequivocally support Israel” in its war with Hamas. “I’m constantly troubled by the inability of the current Democratic Party to relate to everyday Floridians,” she added. “I can no longer remain in a party that doesn’t represent my values. I know I won’t always agree on every detail with every Republican, but I do know that I will always have input, collaboration, and respect.” Cassel first won office in Florida’s 101st district in 2022, beating out her Republican opponent by seven points, according to Ballotpedia. She won re-election two months ago, running unopposed. Earlier this month, another Democrat in Florida’s house, Susan Valdes, announced that she would join the Republicans because she felt “ignored” by her party, according to the Tallahassee Democrat .
Rajinikanth's Life Story Is Worthy Of A Biopic On Netflix Says Author Shobaa DeNEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Newcastle’s winning run in the English Premier League came to an abrupt end when goals from Thomas Souček and Aaron Wan-Bissaka gave West Ham a surprise 2-0 win at St. James’ Park on Monday. The Hammers rose into 14th place and the pressure on coach Julen Lopetegui was eased. The London club has been inconsistent all season and Monday’s win was just its fourth in 12 league games. West Ham was worth it in the end but the three points came courtesy of slack defending by the home side. Emerson whipped in an out-swinging corner after 10 minutes and, with Newcastle defenders rooted to the spot, Souček stole in to nod home the opener. Then eight minutes into the second half, captain Jarrod Bowen found Wan-Bissaka in the penalty box and he was left unchallenged and had time to fire an angled drive past Nick Pope. “The second goal ... if you settle on a lead it can come back to haunt you,” Bowen said. Newcastle brought on Harvey Barnes, and then Callum Wilson returned from a long-term back injury to make his first appearance of the season, but to no avail. “I said we needed a performance and we did that," Bowen said. “Newcastle always score at home so to keep them to a clean sheet and score twice ... it’s a tough place to come to. We did that perfectly.” The defeat ended a three-game winning streak for Newcastle and left the Saudi Arabia-owned club in ninth place, four points outside the top four. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke coach Manny Diaz says quarterback Maalik Murphy will face discipline “internally” after extending both of his middle fingers skyward in celebration after throwing a long touchdown pass early in the weekend win against Virginia Tech . Diaz said Monday that Murphy's exuberant gesture, caught on the ACC Network national broadcast, was directed at offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer in the booth after a bit of practice “banter” from a few days earlier. Diaz said the Texas transfer just let his excitement get away from him but still called it “unacceptable in our program." Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Duke's Diaz: QB Murphy faces internal discipline for raising middle fingers in Virginia Tech winHurricane Helene wrought devastation on the Cartner's Christmas Tree Farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina , where the Cartner family has been growing trees for more than six decades. The storm, which killed more than 100 people when it reached western North Carolina in late September, destroyed thousands of trees — but not all of them. First lady Jill Biden on Monday unveiled one of the surviving trees, a 20-foot Fraser fir, as this year's White House Christmas tree. "The Cartner family lost thousands of trees in the storm, but this one remained staining," the first lady said Monday, accompanied by grandson Beau Biden, Jr. "And they named it Treemendous for the extraordinary hope that it represents." Members of the North Carolina National Guard who worked on hurricane recovery efforts were welcomed to the White House Monday, along with their families. The Fraser fir will be displayed in the White House's Blue Room, where hundreds of holiday visitors to the White House will have a chance to see it during Mr. Biden's final holiday season in office. It was a multi-holiday event day at the White House, where only hours earlier, President Biden pardoned turkeys Peach and Blossom in an annual Thanksgiving tradition. Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C.Former president Jimmy Carter died Sunday at the age of 100. Carter won three Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word Album, in 2007, 2016, and 2019. His audiobooks, including Our Endangered Values, A Full Life, and Faith - A Journey for All, explore his life, presidency, and faith. LOS ANGELES - Former president Jimmy Carter may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of Grammy Award winners, but he actually has three awards. He's also been nominated nine times. In 2007, the 39th president won his first Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album for his audiobook "Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis." The book was listed at number one on The New York Times Non-Fiction Best Seller list at the time of its release. Then in 2016, Carter won his second Grammy for "A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety." The audiobook, narrated by Carter himself, chronicles his life and career, from his childhood in rural Georgia to his time in the White House and beyond. It also features recordings of Carter's speeches and interviews, giving listeners a unique once-in-a-lifetime personal look into his perspective on politics, religion, and social issues that shaped his presidency and later, philanthropic career. FROM THE ARCHIVES: LiveNOW's Andrew Craft discusses the life and legacy of former first lady Rosalynn Carter with The First Ladies Man Andrew Och and Barbara Perry, the Director of Presidential Studies at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center. Carter received his third Grammy in 2019, again for Best Spoken Word Album, this time for his audiobook "Faith - A Journey for All." RELATED: Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States, dies at 100 The book explores the role of faith in Carter's life and how it has influenced his work in politics and humanitarianism. Like "A Full Life," the audiobook features recordings of Carter's speeches and interviews and new material narrated by Carter. Bob Dylan and former United States President Jimmy Carter attend the 25th anniversary MusiCares 2015 Person Of The Year Gala honoring Bob Dylan at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 6, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage) In addition to his Grammy wins, Carter has also received numerous other honors and awards throughout his life, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his work with the Carter Center, which he founded in 1982 to promote democracy, human rights, and public health around the world. Habitat for Humanity has become synonymous with Jimmy Carter. The organization's CEO in Nashville, Tennessee joined LiveNOW from FOX's Josh Breslow to talk about the former president's legacy. Only two other presidents have won Grammy Awards, including Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. This story is based on information from Grammy Award records, details about Jimmy Carter's audiobooks and their content, and insights into his accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize and his work with the Carter Center. Additional context comes from historical references to Carter's life, public speeches, and his contributions to politics, humanitarianism, and literature, alongside comparisons to other presidential Grammy winners like Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.