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President Joe Biden and the surviving former presidents have issued statements commemorating former President Jimmy Carter , who died Sunday at the age of 100 in his home surrounded by his family while in hospice care. Biden announced that he would order an official state funeral to be held in Washington, D.C., for Carter. He recounted Carter's various achievements as a Lieutenant of the U.S. Navy and 39th president of the United States who "gave his full life in service to God and country." Why It Matters Carter, who held office between 1977 and 1981, is survived by his sons John William, James Earl and Donnel Jeffrey; his daughter, Amy; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, died at the age of 99 last year following a months-long stay hospice care . Carter has the distinction of being the longest-lived U.S. president, followed by President George Herbert Walker Bush, who died in 2018 at the age of 94. What To Know President Biden led off his tribute to Carter with a lament that "the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian." "Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what's extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well," Biden said in his statement, issued by the White House. "He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together," Biden said. "The love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism." "We will miss them both dearly, but take solace knowing they are reunited once again and will remain forever in our hearts," Biden added. "To the entire Carter family, we send our gratitude for sharing them with America and the world. To their staff – from the earliest days to the final ones – we have no doubt that you will continue to do the good works that carry on their legacy." The president's full statement can be read here . Former President Barack Obama wrote an article on Medium in which he talked about Carter's "decency" and powerful belief in "integrity, respect and compassion." "Elected in the shadow of Watergate, Jimmy Carter promised voters that he would always tell the truth," Obama wrote. "And he did — advocating for the public good, consequences be damned." "He believed some things were more important than reelection — things like integrity, respect, and compassion. Because Jimmy Carter believed, as deeply as he believed anything, that we are all created in God's image," Obama continued. "Maranatha Baptist Church will be a little quieter on Sundays, but President Carter will never be far away — buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels," he concluded. "Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from this remarkable man." Former President George W. Bush issued a statement shortly after the news broke that Carter had passed, praising the former president's "efforts to leave behind a better world." "Laura and I send our heartfelt condolences to Jack, Chip, Jeff, Amy, and the entire Carter family," Bush wrote in his statement. "James Earl Carter, Jr., was a man of deeply held convictions," Bush said. "He was loyal to his family, his community, and his country. President Carter dignified the office. And his efforts to leave behind a better world didn't end with the presidency." "His work with Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center set an example of service that will inspire Americans for generations," Bush added. "We join our fellow citizens in giving thanks for Jimmy Carter and in prayer for his family." Former President Bill Clinton and his wife former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a joint statement in which they paid homage to the "long, good life" of a man who "lived to serve others - until the very end." "From his commitment to civil rights as a state senator and governor of Georgia; to his efforts as President to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David; to his post-presidential efforts at the Carter Center ... he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world," the Clintons said. "Our prayers are with Jack, Chip, Jeff, Amy, and their families," the couple added. President-elect Donald Trump posted a tribute to Carter on Truth Social: "I just heard of the news about the passing of President Jimmy Carter," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday shortly after news of Carter's death broke. "Those of us who have been fortunate to have served as President understand this is a very exclusive club, and only we can relate to the enormous responsibility of leading the Greatest Nation in History," Trump wrote. "The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude. "Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time," he added. "We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers." This is a developing story. More information will be added as it becomes available.FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) — Nyle Ralph-Beyer's 20 points helped Sacred Heart defeat Division III-member Manhattanville 100-60 on Sunday. Ralph-Beyer also had five rebounds for the Pioneers (5-8, 1-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference). Anquan Hill scored 18 points and added seven rebounds. Griffin Barrouk had 16 points and went 5 of 8 from the field (4 for 7 from 3-point range). Andrew Saint-Louis led the Valiants in scoring, finishing with 26 points. John Ranaghan added 10 points for Manhattanville. Don Mays Jr. also had eight points. Sacred Heart hosts Canisius in its next matchup on Sunday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .From the season’s outset, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said Minnesota would leave itself the flexibility to close games with whatever lineup the coaching staff felt was needed to secure a victory. ADVERTISEMENT Sometimes, he noted, he’d get the choice right. Surely, there would be other times when he wouldn’t. “Hopefully, I do way more than I don’t,” Finch said this week. Sunday evening, however, was a checkmark in the “not right” column, at least based off the result. The Timberwolves didn’t score in the final 4:47 of their loss to Golden State. Finch said this week that Mike Conley’s inclusion in the closing lineup would’ve added organization to the equation. But he was quick to add that, with the ill-advised shots Anthony Edwards was taking, may not have mattered. ADVERTISEMENT Finch also reiterated what he said after the game, that Nickeil Alexander-Walker was playing “so well,” so he was hesitant to take him off the floor. “Maybe the other thing I could’ve done was go small,” Finch said, “but we’ve not really done that a ton.” That was the cry of many Wolves’ followers on social media on Sunday. Minnesota has proven rather inept at late-game offense when Conley isn’t on the floor. But all recognized Alexander-Walker had also earned the opportunity to close. You certainly won’t take Edwards off the floor in those situations, and the Wolves wanted Jaden McDaniels on the floor to guard Steph Curry. That left Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert as the only options to take off the court in favor of Conley, and that would’ve left Minnesota small. And, as Finch noted, the Wolves simply haven’t gone small this season. Like, at all. None of Naz Reid, Randle or Gobert have played more than 17 minutes this season without another big man next to him. ADVERTISEMENT It’s not something the Wolves practice, either. McDaniels said he’s only repped minutes at the four in practice when one of the bigs have been unavailable. Still, Finch said it wasn’t that he was “uncomfortable” rolling out a small-ball look Sunday. “But I worry a lot about rebounding. We struggle to rebound with our bigger lineups, at times. So, I know our smaller lineups have really struggled,” Finch said. “That’s some of the reason not to go small is really rebounding issues. But I think our guys are comfortable playing in all different combinations. But I haven’t really thought about going small, necessarily.” ADVERTISEMENT Indeed, Minnesota is just 12th in the NBA this season in defensive rebounding rate, grabbing 71.3% of opposing missed shots. The glass was especially an issue Sunday, as Golden State grabbed 14 offensive rebounds that led to 19 second-chance points. But it’s worth noting many of those came by guards in situations in which size was no factor on the play. McDaniels said he’s comfortable playing any position, including the power forward slot. And Minnesota certainly has the wing depth to roll out more small ball lineups if the situation ever called for it. There could be a playoff matchup that does just that, though Finch noted it could also go the other direction where the Wolves’ advantage would be to lean bigger. Versatility rules come April and May. But the Wolves don’t seem overly urgent to trot out any small-ball looks just to see how they perform at this juncture in the campaign. ADVERTISEMENT “Usually, it’s better with Naz at the four (than me),” McDaniels said. There is, however, at least one proponent of doing a little experimenting: Conley. “I think (small ball) kind of promotes a different level of spacing and speed to the game. You’re going to have to rely on guard-guard situations, guard pick and rolls,” Conley said. “Maybe me setting the screen and roll, Just creating different advantages for ourselves, as opposed to our typical offense or typical flow of things. I would love to see it, maybe — see how it works.” ADVERTISEMENT ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .
GEORGIA (4-3) Evans 1-7 1-2 3, Diakhate 2-6 0-0 4, Avinger 2-7 1-3 5, Flournoy 3-13 0-0 8, Makolo 2-7 0-0 4, Verse 1-3 2-4 4, Summer Davis 2-5 0-0 4, Indya Davis 0-0 0-0 0, Turner 6-16 0-0 15, Totals 19-64 4-9 47 PENN ST. (7-0) Hall 2-7 0-0 4, Merkle 6-11 0-0 12, Campbell 7-11 0-0 14, Murray 8-16 1-1 24, Oden 1-6 1-2 3, Johnson 1-4 1-1 3, Elliott 3-8 1-1 7, Jekot 0-0 0-0 0, Walker 0-0 0-0 0, Totals 28-63 4-5 67 3-Point Goals_Georgia 5-18 (Avinger 0-2, Flournoy 2-6, Makolo 0-1, S.Davis 0-2, Turner 3-7), Penn St. 7-17 (Murray 7-14, Oden 0-1, Johnson 0-1, Elliott 0-1). Assists_Georgia 11 (Avinger 5), Penn St. 20 (Campbell 7). Fouled Out_Georgia Turner. Rebounds_Georgia 38 (Verse 9), Penn St. 45 (Merkle 11). Total Fouls_Georgia 17, Penn St. 13. Technical Fouls_Georgia Turner 1, Verse 1, Penn St. Johnson 1, Oden 1. A_735.
By Asad Mirza As the Biden administration prepares to relinquish power next month, it may leave without accomplishing a much-discussed diplomatic goal: the normalisation of ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, accompanied by a formal US security agreement with Saudi Arabia. The future of a formal US-Saudi security agreement remains uncertain, though the Biden administration appears to be now pursuing a pact that would not involve a broader deal with Israel making concessions towards a Palestinian state. While the Biden-administration may want to expedite the deal so that it is complete before 20 January 2025, western media reports that Riyadh is now looking for a “more modest” agreement that forgoes normalising ties with Israel. Reuters citing sources says that the Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman (MbS) has doubled down on the condition that normalisation with Israel must depend on Tel Aviv’s commitment to work towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, in line with the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still eager to secure normalisation with the Saudi powerhouse as a historic milestone and a sign of broader acceptance in the Arab world. But Netanyahu is treading cautiously as he knows that any step towards a two-state solution would break apart his ruling coalition, the sources said. As a result of the Saudi and Israeli positions, “Riyadh and Washington hope a more modest defence pact could be sealed before President Joe Biden leaves the White House in January.” according to the Saudi and western sources. Earlier this year, numerous reports said Saudi Arabia was seeking a defence pact with Washington, to secure access to better US weaponry, and a US-backed nuclear programme in exchange for it agreeing to normalisation of ties with Israel. The Guardian reported in May, however, that the kingdom began pushing for a “more modest” defence pact with the US that foregoes a normalisation deal with Israel due to Tel Aviv’s intransigence toward an independent Palestinian state. US President Joe Biden said last week that the ceasefire in Lebanon moves Washington closer to its vision for a “more integrated” West Asia, referring to the normalisation of ties by Arab states with Israel. “I applaud the courageous decision made by the leaders of Lebanon and Israel to end the violence. It reminds us that peace is possible.” the president added. The US president went on to say that Washington remains prepared to broker a peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia that will include “a credible pathway for establishing a Palestinian state.” A full-blown US-Saudi treaty would need to pass the US Senate with a two-thirds majority – and this would be a non-starter unless Riyadh recognises Israel, the sources said. The pact now under discussion would involve expanding joint military exercises and drills to address regional threats, mainly from Iran. It would foster partnerships between US and Saudi defence firms, with safeguards to prevent collaboration with China, the sources said. The agreement would promote Saudi investment in advanced technologies, especially drone defence. The US would increase its presence in Riyadh through training, logistics and cyber security support, and may deploy a Patriot missile battalion to enhance missile defence and integrated deterrence. But it would not be the kind of binding mutual defence treaty that would oblige US forces to protect the world’s biggest oil exporter in the event of a foreign attack. The picture is complicated further, however, by the impending arrival of Donald Trump in the White House. While Trump’s plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict excludes any provisions for Palestinian statehood or sovereignty, he is a close ally of the Saudi crown prince. Palestinian and some Arab officials worry that Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner – architect of the “Deal of the Century” and also a close ally of the crown prince – may ultimately persuade him to support the plan. How the prince reconciles Saudi priorities with this shifting diplomatic landscape will be pivotal, defining both his leadership and the future of the peace process, diplomats said. The current US administration has not yet given up hope for a deal on security guarantees before Biden leaves office in January, but several obstacles remain. One of which is whether there is enough time to strike a deal. US officials are mindful that the kingdom is still interested in formally cementing the guarantees it has been seeking, especially to gain access to more advanced weapons, but are uncertain whether it would prefer to get it done under Biden, or wait for Trump, the source say. The critics of any such agreement between Saudi Arabia and the US say that he US has already contributed to a moral hazard by arming the Saudi Arabia-UAE coalition in its initial 2015 Operation Decisive Storm aerial bombing campaign on Yemen, thereby becoming complicit in killing thousands of civilians. Alex Little in his opinion piece on US-based website thehill.com says that Saudi Arabia faces no threat to its sovereignty, as the Middle East lacks a true regional hegemon. Regional stability is one of Washington’s main rationales in its dealings with Riyadh. Yet Saudi Arabia has been involved in almost every conflict zone and geopolitical fault line throughout the Middle East. Additionally, weapons that were given to the Saudis have a history of ending up in adversaries’ hands, including Al Qaeda and Iran. Moreover, corruption and a lack of transparency in Saudi defence institutions is a prevailing problem. Little further opines that on top of the mismanagement of military aid, devoting equipment that Saudi Arabia would need to enhance its defence would detract from American interests in higher priority theatres, namely the Indo-Pacific. He says further that fears that China will replace the US as a security guarantor in the Middle East are unfounded. China has little to no ability to project power in the Middle East and is highly opposed to military intervention, alliances and establishing bases. Another dilemma which MbS faces is how to deal with the internal audience and the so-called Islamic world, if he agrees to normalisation of ties with Israel, as it will definitely impact his standing in the country and the region negatively. While the Saudi leadership strongly advocates Palestinian statehood, it remains uncertain, according to diplomats, how the crown prince would respond if Trump revives the deal he had floated in 2020 to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (IPA Service)
DETROIT (AP) — Starting in September of 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don’t buckle up. Related Articles National News | Former TV host Carlos Watson gets nearly 10 years in prison in case about failed startup Ozy Media National News | TikTok asks the Supreme Court for an emergency order to block a US ban unless it’s sold National News | Survivors seek a reckoning as FBI investigates child sex abuse in little-known Christian sect National News | Trump migrant deportations could threaten states’ agricultural economies National News | Federal Reserve is likely to slow its rate cuts with inflation pressures still elevated The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it finalized the rule, which also requires enhanced warnings when front seat belts aren’t fastened. The agency estimates that the new rule will save 50 lives per year and prevent 500 injuries when fully in effect, according to a statement. The new rule will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses except for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. Before the rule, seat belt warnings were required only for the driver’s seat. Under the new rule, outboard front-seat passengers also must get a warning if they don’t fasten their belts. Front-center seats will not get a warning because NHTSA found that it wouldn’t be cost effective. The agency said most vehicles already have warnings for the outboard passenger seats. The rule also lengthens the duration of audio and visual warnings for the driver’s seat. The front-seat rules are effective starting Sept. 1 of 2026. Rear passengers consistently use seat belts at a lower rate than front passengers, the agency says. In 2022, front belt use was just under 92%, while rear use dropped to about 82%. About half of automobile passengers who died in crashes two years ago weren’t wearing belts, according to NHTSA data. The seat belt rule is the second significant regulation to come from NHTSA in the past two months. In November the agency bolstered its five-star auto safety ratings to include driver assistance technologies and pedestrian protection. Safety advocates want the Department of Transportation, which includes NHTSA, to finish several more rules before the end of the Biden administration, because President-elect Donald Trump has said he’s against new government regulations. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, urged the department to approve automatic emergency braking for heavy trucks and technology to prevent impaired driving.
MUSC showcases up-right MRI( MENAFN - Bashir Mraish Consultancy) As New Year holiday festivities approach, it’s not only a time for magic and celebration but also a prime opportunity for fraudsters to exploit the festive rush for gifts and bargains. Amid the sparkle of year-end celebrations, cybersecurity experts at Kaspersky have identified several prominent scams targeting consumers across various regions and languages. Fake holiday shops Deceptive online stores mimic the look and feel of legitimate e-commerce sites, offering seasonal items such as decorations, gifts, and even trees at steep discounts. These sites often appear highly localized, adapting their language and currency based on the user’s geographic location, leveraging data extracted from browsers. Victims typically encounter these stores by following links in ads or pop-ups. These sites aim to steal funds. Often, these fraudulent stores exist only for a short period, as they get flagged by the vendors of goods. Free mobile data offer This scam plays on the allure of free services, claiming to provide free mobile data valid across all major telecom providers. In order to receive the free data, victims are required to share the promotion link with 10–15 contacts via WhatsApp, ensuring the scam spreads exponentially. After sharing, victims are prompted to enter their personal details — name, phone number, and email — into a form. The collected data is then sold on the Dark Web or used in other fraudulent activities. In some cases, victims unknowingly download malware that compromises their devices, leading to further exploitation. An example of a scam on free data for mobile Holiday payments on behalf of government agencies Fraudsters impersonate government authorities, promising fictitious payments in celebration of the holidays. This scam has been reported in several African countries, including Kenya and Nigeria. To receive payment, victims are directed to fill out a survey which requires personal details like name and phone number. Once the survey is completed the user is asked to share the link to the announcement with their connections via WhatsApp. These details are collected and added to fraudulent databases, then sold to third parties or used for phishing attacks and identity theft. This scam exploits trust in government systems and the festive spirit of giving. Christmas recipe scam This scam begins with a seemingly harmless email promoting a holiday cake recipe. Victims are encouraged to pay a small fee to access the recipe. Once payment is made, the victim’s credit card information is stolen. The fraudsters also collect other personal information essential for accessing banking services. An example of a fraudulent page for purchasing a Christmas recipe in Portuguese Noor Nabulsi, Head of PR and Strategic Partnerships at dubizzle, emphasized the importance of trust and safety online, stating: : “At dubizzle, safeguarding our users and fostering trust within our community are core priorities. To enhance safety and transparency, we’ve implemented features like the 'Verified' badge, which helps buyers and sellers identify and connect with genuine users. We strongly urge our users to leverage the “dubizzle Chat” for all interactions, as it provides a secure, monitored and controlled environment, significantly reducing the risk of fraudulent activities. Moving conversations to external platforms like messaging apps can expose users to potential scams, as these channels lack the protective measures built into dubizzle’s ecosystem. Keeping all discussions on dubizzle Chat ensures that users are shielded from malicious links, phishing attempts, and other fraudulent behavior. We also emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious links, refraining from sharing sensitive personal information, and conducting transactions using cash on delivery whenever possible. By adhering to these best practices and using dubizzle's verified tools and platforms, our users can confidently navigate the marketplace and enjoy a safe buying and selling experience dubizzle remains committed to continuously enhancing its systems and platform to provide a seamless and secure user experience. By leveraging innovative tools and integrating AI-driven solutions, we are designing features specifically tailored to guarantee user safety, save time and reduce effort. Our mission is to empower users with cutting-edge technologies that not only ensure trust and transparency but also redefine convenience in the online marketplace.” “Holiday scams are not a new phenomenon, but they have evolved to become increasingly sophisticated, leveraging regional traditions and technology to exploit unsuspecting victims. The rush of the holidays makes people more vulnerable — they’re distracted, eager to grab a deal, or trust promotions that align with festive themes. Cybercriminals are not just stealing money — they’re building massive databases of personal information that fuel future fraudulent schemes. The holiday season is a time for joy and giving, but users need to remain vigilant to ensure they’re not unknowingly giving fraudsters the tools to exploit them further,” comments Olga Svistunova, Senior Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky. To stay safe during the holiday season, Kaspersky recommends: Verify the authenticity of websites and offers before making purchases. Avoid clicking on links from unsolicited emails or messages. Refrain from providing personal information unless it is to a verified and trusted entity. Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true — they often are. Use a comprehensive solution that protects computers and smartphones – it will keep you from going to phishing sites or running malware. MENAFN29122024004771015760ID1109040149 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Giants release quarterback Daniel Jones just days after benching him EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Daniel Jones era in New York is over. The Giants quarterback was granted his release by the team just days after the franchise said it was benching him in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito. New York president John Mara said Jones approached the team about releasing him and the club obliged. Mara added he was “disappointed” at the quick dissolution of a once-promising relationship between Jones and the team. Giants coach Brian Daboll benched Jones in favor of DeVito following a loss to the Panthers in Germany that dropped New York's record to 2-8. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. Week 16 game between Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers flexed to Thursday night spot The Los Angeles Chargers have played their way into another prime time appearance. Justin Herbert and company have had their Dec. 22 game against the Denver Broncos flexed to Thursday night, Dec. 19. Friday’s announcement makes this the first time a game has been flexed to the Thursday night spot. The league amended its policy last season where Thursday night games in Weeks 13 through 17 could be flexed with at least 28 days notice prior to the game. The matchup of AFC West division rivals bumps the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals to Sunday afternoon. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Red Bull brings wrong rear wing to Las Vegas in mistake that could stall Verstappen's title chances LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen is suddenly in jeopardy of being denied a fourth consecutive Formula 1 title Saturday night. Red Bull apparently brought the wrong rear wing to Las Vegas and GPS data showed its two cars to be significantly slower on the straights than both McLaren and Mercedes, which led both practice sessions. Red Bull says it doesn’t have a replacement rear wing in Las Vegas to fix the issue and little chance of getting two flown in from England ahead of the race. Caitlin Clark to join Cincinnati bid for 16th National Women's Soccer League team WNBA star Caitlin Clark has joined Cincinnati’s bid for an expansion National Women’s Soccer League team. Major League Soccer franchise FC Cincinnati is heading the group vying to bring a women’s pro team to the city. The club issued a statement confirming Clark had joined the bid group. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman has said the league plans to announce the league’s 16th team by the end of the year. The league's 15th team will begin play in 2026 in Boston. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Aaron Judge won't be bothered if Juan Soto gets bigger contract from Yankees than his $360M deal NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge won’t be bothered if Juan Soto gets a bigger deal from the New York Yankees than the captain’s $360 million, nine-year contract. Speaking a day after he was a unanimous winner of his second MVP, Judge says “It ain’t my money” and adds "that’s never been something on my mind about who gets paid the most.” Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBIs and 129 walks in his first season with the Yankees, then became a free agent at age 26. In a 'Final Four-type weekend,' two top-6 clashes put women's college basketball focus on West Coast LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two games featuring four powerhouse teams has put the focus in women's college basketball on the West Coast this weekend. JuJu Watkins and No. 3 Southern California host Hannah Hidalgo and No. 6 Notre Dame on Saturday. Top-ranked South Carolina visits Lauren Betts and fifth-ranked UCLA on Sunday. Both games are nationally televised and the arenas are expected to be packed. WNBA scouts will be on hand to check out some of the nation's top talent. Two teams will come away with their first losses of the season. USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb calls it “a Final Four-type weekend.” A documentary featuring Watkins will air on NBC ahead of USC's game, which leads into the Army-Notre Dame football game. Noodles and wine are the secret ingredients for a strange new twist in China's doping saga Blame it on the noodles. That's what one Chinese official suggested when anti-doping leaders were looking for answers for the doping scandal that cast a shadow over this year's Olympic swim meet. Earlier this year, reports that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a banned heart medication emerged. None were sanctioned because Chinese authorities determined the swimmers were contaminated by traces of the drug spread about a hotel kitchen. In a strange twist, the leader of China's anti-doping agency suggested this case could have been similar to one in which criminals were responsible for tainting noodles that were later eaten by another Chinese athlete who also tested positive for the drug.
Trump has promised again to release the last JFK files. But experts say don’t expect big revelationsRalph-Beyer puts up 20, Sacred Heart defeats Manhattanville 100-60
Merab Dvalishvili names date for Petr Yan world title rematch after his win over Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC MacauRams' offense is struggling, but the defense has put LA on the brink of an NFC West title
I haphazardly closed up the little house this year. I hurriedly swept the floors, took out the trash, checked the windows, pulled the Dutch door shut and whispered, “Thanks for the memories.” Not long after, a fierce night wind pushed the door open. Blowing snow drifted in and nestled in the corners. Tiny hand-shaped footprints crisscrossed the front porch. With the door ajar, raccoons let themselves in and ransacked the place. They tossed plates and cups, knocked the pan on the stove to the floor and clawed at the tablecloth. So uncivilized. The little house really is just that. It measures 6 feet square and has a ceiling that will graze the head of anyone over 5-foot-2. The front porch, which usually holds a red geranium and child-size wicker chair, runs the width of the little house. We built the little house 35 years ago. It was how we spent a summer vacation not long after moving back to the Midwest. The husband drew meticulous plans, hauled in supplies and was assisted by a crew that played with the hammer, colored all over the blueprints and littered the work site with empty juice boxes and yogurt pouches. Despite all the help, the little house was eventually finished and soon hosting tea parties, secret clubs, bank robberies and foreign invasions. The years flew, the children grew, the gatherings tapered from often to occasional, and the little house was visited less and less frequently. The life and laughter that once shook the walls quietly disappeared. More than a decade passed before a second generation brought the little house back to life. Red, white and blue garlands on the Fourth of July, small bouquets of freshly picked herbs in the summer, a pumpkin on the porch at Halloween. A Vrbo listing would read like this: “Small, aging, rustic cottage. No fridge, heat or running water. Nearest bathroom 20 feet away in the big house. Kitchen fully stocked with plastic food. Decrepit dishware for four and a pink teapot missing the lid. All you need is imagination.” Now, after a busy summer and beautiful fall, the mercury in the thermometer plummeting and wind howling, the little house stands bare and alone. Just when it appears forsaken and forgotten, a small voice asks to use one of those orange electrical cords in the garage. The plan is to lug a space heater to the little house. And could they cut some evergreens? And how soon could I deliver a round of hot chocolate? Once again, the little house bustles with laughter and warmth. At least for one more season.Temu was the most downloaded free app in Apple ’s App Store in 2024, Apple said Monday (Dec. 16). The app earned that ranking across iPhone and iPad, Apple said in a Monday press release . In 2023, when Apple broke down its rankings by device, Temu was ranked first among free iPhone apps and ninth among free iPad apps, according to a Dec. 12, 2023, press release . It was reported in November that Temu was increasing its offering of toys in America and Europe while also gaining greater prominence as a seller of all sorts of products. The platform has been gaining ground in several product categories by offering consumers goods at low prices and offering sellers lower fees. Threads was the App Store’s second most downloaded free app in 2024, after being ranked third among free iPhone apps in 2023, according to Apple’s press releases. The text-based social media platform was launched in July 2023 and gained more than 175 million monthly active users in its first year, Meta founder, Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a July 3 post on the platform. TikTok was ranked third this year, up from the No. 5 spot among free iPhone apps a year earlier, the press releases said. The app is facing a ban in the United States if its owner, Chinese company ByteDance , does not sell it by Jan. 19. A bill with these requirements was signed into law by President Joe Biden in April after concerns that TikTok presented a national security threat. ChatGPT , the official app by OpenAI , appeared on the list for the first time, taking the fourth spot in the rankings, per the Apple press releases. OpenAI launched a ChatGPT app for iOS in the U.S. in May 2023, saying it would expand the app for its generative artificial intelligence model to other countries and add an app for Android. Google secured the No. 5 spot in the rankings in 2024, up from No. 7 among free iPhone apps in 2023, according to the Apple press releases. Rounding out the Top 10 most downloaded free apps in the App Store this year were Instagram , WhatsApp Messenger , CapCut — Video Editor , YouTube and Gmail . “The App Store is the safest and best place for users to discover and download apps and games, thanks to the integration of industry-leading tools, technologies, and expert human curation led by App Review and Editorial teams,” Apple’s Monday press release said.