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Rush Street Interactive chief legal officer sells $105,000 in stockLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and his son Bronny James made NBA history on Oct. 22 when they took the floor together against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Selected 55th overall by Los Angeles in the 2024 NBA draft, Bronny James became teammates with his father, who had been open about this being the biggest goal of his career. Bronny (20) is the oldest of three James kids, as Bryce (17) and Zhuri (10) get to watch their father and older brother play together on the Lakers. Having already been living in the spotlight that follows LeBron James everywhere, this family has perhaps more attention now than ever before. © Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images While there is no guarantee that Bryce James makes the NBA, and even less of a guarantee his father is still playing by then, the 17-year-old wing looks to be going D1 out of high school. Currently starring for Sierra Canyon, Bryce James announced on Instagram that he took an official visit to Arizona. Clarifying her son is not committed anywhere, Savannah James posted a two-word message on her Instagram story. "#NotCommitted," Savannah wrote. @mrs_savannahrj / Instagram While this was not a commitment post from Bryce James, just announcing this visit has generated a lot of buzz on social media. Via Bleacher Report: "Bryce James visits Arizona 👀 Recruitment tour in full effect 🔥" Bryce James visits Arizona 👀 Recruitment tour in full effect 🔥 (via @bryce_james23 ) pic.twitter.com/4stzd9rUEw Several other big sports pages posted about Bryce James' announcement, including SLAM, theScore, Legion Hoops and others. If Arizona can land the the 6-foot-4 star, it would be a big get. That said, Savannah James confirmed her son is not committed anywhere. Related: Lakers Make Bronny James Announcement After Absence From G League Game Related: Lakers G League Coach Reveals Opinion of Bronny James' Performance After Debut
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It has been 24 years since Rye Cove won its only region title in football. Bill Houseright led the Eagles to that crown in 2000. "It has been a quite a while," said Houseright, who coached at Rye Cove in 2000-01, directing the Eagles to the Region 1D crown with a 20-14 overtime victory over Appalachia. "Sometimes you have got to have things come together, you have to have your people come together and you get a chance to do that." An opportunity for a second regional title will come on Friday when the Gary Collier-coached Eagles hosts Cumberland District foe Eastside at the Eagles' Nest. "I think they have got a good coaching staff and they have got some good players," said Houseright, whose 2000 squad was honored during the regular-season contest with Eastside. "It was nice. It was very nice, it was a good get-together," he said. "There were a lot of people that I hadn’t seen in a long time. It was enjoyable." It has been an enjoyable season for Rye Cove (12-0), with its first 10-win regular season and first-ever 12-win campaign, which was one better than last years's 11-win season that ended with a 28-18 loss to Honaker in the Region 1D finals. The goal all season has been to get back to that point and win it this time. Houseright, who won state titles at Gate City as a player (1970), defensive coordinator (1997) and head coach (2010), thinks the Eagles have what it takes to make it happen. "I think their physicalness up front has been a key for them and being able to move the ball," he said. "They have got a couple of kids that can run and do some things. They have some stoppers behind the line on defense so there is quite a bit. They are pretty cohesive, they are doing a lot of things right." Rye Cove was doing the same when it counted most in 2000. Led by such athletes as quarterback Travis Petelle, running back Eric McPherson and lineman Matt Rhoton, the Eagles endured a three-losing skid after a 2-0 start, but finished the regular season with a 6-4 record. "As we got down toward the end of the year I just think we started to jell and come together and understand our assignments and what we were doing better," Houseright said. "We had some people, they would get after you. It is just being consistent and playing as a unit. I think that is what we were able to accomplish." One of those regular-season setbacks had been a 42-20 loss to St. Paul. A rematch followed in the opening round of the regionals, with the Eagles traveling to face the Deacons — who were coached by B.I. Salyers, who is currently the defensive coordinator at Rye Cove. The Eagles got the win, 24-6, earning a regional title contest against Southwest Virginia powerhouse Appalachia, which was led by Tom Turner, who directed the Bulldogs to five state titles from 1989-97. "Tom has always been an unbelievable coach. When it comes down to business Tom was always on task," said Houseright, who played at Virginia Tech with Turner. "He was a heck of a coach. I have known Tom ever since we were in Blacksburg together. We were just very fortunate to go over there and get a win because he always got his teams prepared well too." While the details are hazy to Houseright after all these years, the Eagles were able to go to Riggs Stadium and leave with a thrilling overtime victory. "It has been so long ago. I just can’t tell you a whole lot about it," he said. "I know we had some kids that made some plays, which you have got to do in those kind of games. I am sure that anybody that has ever been in there knows that you have to do that." While Rye Cove lost the following week in the Class 1 semifinals in a third straight road game at Bath County, 42-18, it was certainly an accomplishment that former Emory & Henry quarterback Collier can appreciate, having served as an assistant under Houseright at Gate City. "I just know what they achieved and their accomplishments and I know Coach Houseright well," Collier said. "I coached with him at Gate City and know he is a great coach. It don’t surprise me that is when it happened." Houseright sees parallels between those Eagles and the current batch of Eagles looking to bring another region crown to Clinchport. "I had a good bunch, I really did. They played extremely hard. We made a lot of mistakes early on and we got better as the season went on," Houseright said. "I am sure this bunch here, they have been playing together now for two or three years. They did pretty good too. That is just the progress of building to get where they need to go. They have got some good coaches. They are doing well, the kids are excited about what they are doing and that is important." Much like Rye Cove, Eastside is also looking for school history, a first-ever region crown on the gridiron. When these clubs met in October, the Eagles won 40-8, but it was 16-8 with seven minutes to go before the Eagles broke it open. Houseright, who has friends on both coaching staffs, expects the rematch to live up to the billing. "I am sure this bunch that Rye Cove will be playing this week will be prepared for them," he said. "You have got to go out and make plays and you can’t kill yourself. Penalties and turnovers will put you in a bind. You have got to be disciplined enough not to get into that situation." Houseright knows what it took for Rye Cove to win that elusive region title in 2000. Twenty-four years later and that hasn't changed. "I think the key to any of that is just everybody pulling for one another and having your buddy's back and then being disciplined, not turn the ball over and not to have crazy penalties and go play your tails off," he said. "That is the key and try to be solid in all phases. "I think they are motivated and when you get that going you have got a good thing going. Plus, daggone, the community is really behind them and that is a great thing."
Democrats look to governors to lead them to promised landSAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election , according to a Federal Police report unsealed Tuesday. Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. The unsealed document provides a first glimpse of several testimonies that describe the former president as one of the key leaders of the plot, and not a mere observer. “The evidence collected throughout the investigation shows unequivocally that then-President Jair Messias Bolsonaro planned, acted and was directly and effectively aware of the actions of the criminal organization aiming to launch a coup d’etat and eliminate the democratic rule of law, which did not take place due to reasons unrelated to his desire,” the document said. At another point, it says: “Bolsonaro had full awareness and active participation.” Bolsonaro, who had repeatedly alleged without evidence that the country's electronic voting system was prone to fraud, called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, according to the police report, signed by four investigators. The decree would have launched an investigation into suspicions of fraud and crimes related to the October 2022 vote, and suspended the powers of the nation's electoral court. The navy’s commander stood ready to comply, but those from the army and air force objected to any plan that prevented Lula’s inauguration, the report said. Those refusals are why the plan did not go ahead, according to witnesses who spoke to investigators. Bolsonaro never signed the decree to set the final stage of the alleged plan into action. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or awareness of any plot to keep him in power or oust his leftist rival and successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “No one is going to do a coup with a reserve general and half a dozen other officers. What is being said is absurd. For my part, there has never been any discussion of a coup,” Bolsonaro told journalists in Brazil’s capital Brasilia on Monday. “If someone came to discuss a coup with me, I’d say, that’s fine, but the day after, how does the world view us?” he added. “The word ‘coup’ has never been in my dictionary.” The top court has passed the report on to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet. He will decide whether to formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. The former president was formally accused of three crimes: violent elimination of the rule of law, staging a coup d'etat and forming a criminal organization. Rodrigo Rios, a law professor at the PUC university in the city of Curitiba, said Bolsonaro could face up to a minimum of 11 years in prison if convicted on all charges. “A woman involved in the Jan. 8 attack on the Supreme Court received a 17-year prison sentence,” Rios told The Associated Press, noting that the former president is more likely to receive 15 years or more if convicted. “Bolsonaro’s future looks dark.” Ahead of the 2022 election, Bolsonaro repeatedly alleged that the election system, which does not use paper ballots, could be tampered with. The top electoral court later ruled that he had abused his power to cast unfounded doubt on the voting system, and ruled him ineligible for office until 2030 . Still, he has maintained that he will stand as a candidate in the 2026 race. Since Bolsonaro left office, he has been targeted by several investigations, all of which he has chalked up to political persecution. Federal Police have accused him of smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without properly declaring them and directing a subordinate to falsify his and others’ COVID-19 vaccination statuses . Authorities are also investigating whether he incited the Jan. 8, 2022 riot in which his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in Brasilia, seeking to prompt intervention by the army that would oust Lula from power. Bolsonaro had left for the United States days before Lula’s inauguration on Jan. 1, 2023 and stayed there three months, keeping a low profile. The police report unsealed Tuesday alleges he was seeking to avoid possible imprisonment related to the coup plot, and also await the uprising that took place a week later. Hughes reported from Rio de Janeiro
A ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed group Hezbollah will take effect on Wednesday after both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the United States and France, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday. The accord cleared the way for an end to a conflict across the Israeli-Lebanese border that has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza war last year. Biden, who made remarks at the White House shortly after Israel's security cabinet approved the agreement in a 10-1 vote, said he had spoken to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Fighting would end at 4 a.m. local time (0200 GMT), he said. "This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities," Biden said. "What is left of Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations will not be allowed to threaten the security of Israel again.” Israel will gradually withdraw its forces over 60 days as Lebanon's army takes control of territory near its border with Israel to ensure that Hezbollah does not rebuild its infrastructure there, Biden said. "Civilians on both sides will soon be able to safely return to their communities," he said. French President Emmanuel Macron cheered the signing of the deal on social-media platform X, saying it was “the culmination of efforts undertaken for many months with the Israeli and Lebanese authorities, in close collaboration with the United States.” Lebanon's Mikati issued a statement welcoming the deal. Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib earlier said the Lebanese army would be ready to have at least 5,000 troops deployed in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops withdraw. Netanyahu said he was ready to implement a ceasefire deal and would respond forcefully to any violation by Hezbollah. Netanyahu, who faces some opposition to the deal from within his coalition government, said the ceasefire would allow Israel to focus on the threat from Iran, replenish depleted arms supplies and give the army a rest, and to isolate Hamas, the militant group that triggered war in the region when it attacked Israel from Gaza last year. "We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. Together, we will continue until victory," Netanyahu said. "In full coordination with the United States, we retain complete military freedom of action. Should Hezbollah violate the agreement or attempt to rearm, we will strike decisively." Netanyahu said Hezbollah, which is allied to Palestinian militant group Hamas, was considerably weaker than it had been at the start of the conflict. "We have set it back decades, eliminated ... its top leaders, destroyed most of its rockets and missiles, neutralized thousands of fighters, and obliterated years of terror infrastructure near our border," he said. The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, welcomed the ceasefire deal in a statement, commending the parties to the agreement. "Now is the time to deliver, through concrete actions, to consolidate today’s achievement." A senior U.S. official, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. and France would join a mechanism with the UNIFIL peacekeeping force that would work with Lebanon's army to deter potential violations of the ceasefire. U.S. combat forces would not be deployed, the official said. The Lebanon ceasefire came after a change of attitudes on both sides in late October, the official said. Biden, who leaves office in January, said his administration would continue to push for an elusive ceasefire and hostage-release deal in Gaza, where Israel is battling Hamas, as well as for a deal to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. HOSTILITIES CONTINUED ON TUESDA Y Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, hostilities raged as Israel dramatically ramped up its campaign of airstrikes in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, with health authorities reporting at least 18 killed. The Israeli military said it struck "components of Hezbollah’s financial management and systems" including a money-exchange office. Israel issued more evacuation warnings late on Tuesday, just hours before the ceasefire was due to take effect. Hezbollah also kept up rocket fire into Israel. Israel's air force intercepted three launches from Lebanese territory, the military said, in an extensive missile barrage on Tuesday night that led to warning alarms in approximately 115 settlements. Alia Ibrahim, a mother of twin girls from the southern village of Qaaqaiyat al-Snawbar, who had fled nearly three months ago to Beirut, said she hoped Israeli officials, who have expressed contradictory views on a ceasefire, would be faithful to the deal. “Our village – they destroyed half of it. In these few seconds before they announced the ceasefire, they destroyed half our village,” she said. “God willing, we can go back to our homes and our land." A poll conducted by Israel's Channel 12 TV found that 37% of Israelis were in favor of the ceasefire, compared with 32% against. Opponents to the deal in Israel include opposition leaders and heads of towns near Israel's border with Lebanon, who want a depopulated buffer zone on Lebanon's side of the frontier. Both the Lebanese government and Hezbollah have insisted that a return of displaced civilians to southern Lebanon is a key tenet of the truce. Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a right-wing member of Netanyahu's government, said on X the agreement does not ensure the return of Israelis to their homes in the country's north and that the Lebanese army did not have the ability to overcome Hezbollah. "In order to leave Lebanon, we must have our own security belt," Ben-Gvir said. (Writing by Tom Perry, Michael Georgy, Angus McDowall and Simon Lewis; additional reporting by Gabriel Stargardter in Paris, Steven Scheer, Emilie Madi, Laila Bassam, Emma Farge, John Irish, Emily Rose, Adam Makary, Humeyra Pamuk and Cecile Mantovani; Editing by Ros Russell, Angus MacSwan, William Maclean and Rod Nickel)
Cycling Don't miss out on the headlines from Cycling. Followed categories will be added to My News. Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis has pleaded guilty to driving recklessly before the death of his wife and fellow Olympian Melissa Hoskins. Mr Dennis made the shock admission at Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, almost a year on from the date of the horrific incident. Mr Dennis was behind the wheel of a dark grey Volkswagen Amarok when he hit Ms Hoskins on December 30, 2023 about 8pm outside their leafy home in Adelaide’s inner-north. Ms Hoskins, 32, suffered serious injuries in the crash and paramedics took her to Royal Adelaide Hospital for further treatment. She died at the hospital. Police arrested Mr Dennis that weekend and charged him with cause death by dangerous driving and aggravated driving without due care. Those charges were dropped on Tuesday and replaced with a single new charge of aggravated creating likelihood of harm. Mr Dennis admitted to driving a motor vehicle without lawful excuse when Ms Hoskins was on or in close proximity to that vehicle, knowing that act was likely to cause harm to another and being recklessly indifferent to whether such harm was caused. Former Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis pleaded guilty to a lesser charge after the death of his wife Melissa Hoskins. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards Melissa Dennis (nee Hoskins) pictures from Memorial Service The clean-cut Olympic medallist, dressed in a sharp suit, stood quietly in the dock before Magistrate Justin Wickens and said “guilty” as the charge was read out to him. The maximum penalty for the offence is seven years in prison. Jane Abbey KC, appearing for Mr Dennis, told the court her client was not being held responsible for Ms Hoskins’ death. “There was no intention of Mr Dennis to harm his wife and this charge does not charge him with responsibility for her death,” she said. Mr Dennis’s change of fortune has been swift and shocking. Just three years ago, he stood on a podium in Tokyo and celebrated his place in sporting history as an individual Olympic medallist. He first achieved fame at the 2012 London Olympics, nabbing a silver medal in the 4000m team pursuit on the cycling track. At Brazil in 2016, he finished in fifth place in the individual time trial, but perhaps his crowning achievement is his bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics on July 28, 2021. In memorable scenes at the Fuji International Speedway, he clinched the medal with a time of 56:08.09. Speaking at the time, Mr Dennis said he had done “everything possible” to take home the gold. “Obviously would’ve been great to get the gold but I’ve done everything possible to be in this position and I was just beaten by two better guys on the day, so can be proud of everything myself and the team have achieved,” he said. In 2017, he became engaged to Ms Hoskins, a fellow Olympian. Melissa Hoskins and Rohan Dennis. Picture: Instagram Ms Hoskins competed in the London and Rio Olympics in track cycling. She only just missed out on a medal in London, finishing fourth in the 3000m team pursuit category. In Rio, she finished fifth position in the 4000m team pursuit. In 2018, the pair married, and would settle into a home in up-market Medindie with their two children. In 2022, Mr Dennis won a gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in the UK. In 2023, he retired from cycling, thanking Ms Hoskins for her support in a heartfelt post to social media. “Thank you Melissa Dennis for supporting me throughout my entire professional career, all while raising two of the best kids I could ever ask for,” he said. Melissa’s father Peter, mother Amanda and sister Jessica released a statement on January 2 expressing their heartache at her death. “Words cannot convey our grief, sadness and the tragic circumstances of Melissa’s passing,” Mr Hoskins wrote on behalf of the family. “Myself, Amanda, Jess and families are utterly devastated and still struggling to process what has happened. “Not only have we lost a daughter and sister, her children have lost their mum, a freewheeling spirit, a giver with a big heart, patience and zest for life.” Hundreds of mourners gathered to farewell the world-class cyclist at a public service in Adelaide on February 24. Originally published as Olympic cyclist Rohan Dennis pleads guilty to new charge after wife Melissa Hoskins’ death More related stories Local Sport Star cyclist’s bid to save next gen of riders A former national road cycling champion has been instrumental in creating a new series for up and coming Aussie riders. He fears what will happen if the venture fails. Read more Cycling Olympian ‘deathly pale’ after ugly crash A double Olympic road cycling champ suffered horror injuries after a postal van worker opened their car door in front of him on a ride. Read moreThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Saturday the Playing XI for the first T20I match against Zimbabwe scheduled to be played tomorrow at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The three-match series will be played from December 1 (Sunday) to December 5 (Thursday). Led by Salman Ali Agha, the playing XI features young and strong players including Saim Ayub, Omair Bin Yousuf, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Muhammad Irfan Khan and Jahandad Khan. The bowling side features Muhammad Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Moqim. Earlier, skipper Agha said that the team’s first priority is to win the series. “We won the one-day series, now our target is to win the T20I series,” he stressed. “We have to give young players maximum opportunity in this series,” said the captain while speaking during a press conference in Bulawayo today. Agha said that there will be new faces in the T20I series, adding that the team will maintain its momentum in the shortest format of the game. “We will try to play aggressively.” The captain said that the T20I squad has good bowlers. He added that he wants the youngsters to play and enjoy the game, stressing that the young players have performed well in the domestic cricket and they should be given a chance. Talking about the opponents, Agha said Zimbabwe is a good team with match winners, but the team will try to control them. “The Zimbabwean team has proven to be tough on home ground,” he added. On Thursday, the Men in Green inflicted a 99 runs defeat on Zimbabwe in the third One Day International to win the series by 2-1. Kamran Ghulam’s maiden century, followed by a combined bowling effort, steered Pakistan to a resounding victory over Zimbabwe in the ODI series decider.
Brazilian police indict former President Bolsonaro and aides over alleged 2022 coup attemptBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona lost at home for the first time this season when the Liga leader was stunned by Las Palmas 2-1 on Saturday. Sandro Ramirez and Fábio Silva scored for the Canary Islands club on either side of Raphinha’s equalizer to give Las Palmas its first win at Barcelona in more than 50 years. Barcelona played superbly in the first three months under new coach Hansi Flick and was flying high after convincing victories over Real Madrid in the domestic competition and Bayern Munich in the Champions League. It had won all eight of its home games. But it has gone three rounds of La Liga without a win. Before Las Palmas, it fell at Real Sociedad 1-0 and drew at Celta Vigo 2-2 after squandering a two-goal lead in the final minutes. The dropped points mean Madrid, despite its own troubles , especially in the Champions League, can move ahead of Barcelona in La Liga. It trails Barcelona by four points with two games in hand. “I don’t care about scoring, I care about winning,” Raphinha said after his standout performance was unable to end Barcelona's slump. “We have to take a hard look at what we are doing wrong. We have slipped in our form and are letting games get away form us. We have our next game on Tuesday (at Mallorca), and we need to turn this around so we can win the league.” Atletico Madrid was only two points behind Barcelona in second place — and with the same number of games played — after Antoine Griezmann scored a gem of a goal in a 5-0 demolition of last-placed Valladolid. Las Palmas savored its first victory at Barcelona since the 1971-72 season and just its third victory at the Catalan club overall. The other visits by the modest side that wears all yellow uniforms to Barcelona have ended in 34 defeats and three draws. “We are thrilled because we have made history,” Sandro said. “When you start the season you think that these games are usually going to end in wins for the bigger side, but if there is one thing we believe in is our capacity to work hard all week to get results like this.” Barcelona's Lamine Yamal returned from a right ankle injury that sidelined him for three weeks. Yamal appeared as a halftime substitute and Jasper Cillessen saved his best shot. The Las Palmas goalkeeper also palmed a Raphinha free kick over his bar in the final minutes. Sandro, a former Barcelona youth player, capped a fine five-pass buildup by Las Palmas from its own box as it masterfully undid Barcelona’s high pressure in the 49th minute. Raphinha had already hit the crossbar in the first half before he equalized in the 61st. The Brazil forward took a short pass from Pedri just outside the area, skirted across the edge and drilled a shot between two defenders. But Barcelona was caught pushing forward for a second goal when Silva controlled a ball from Javi Muñoz and sent in a shot bouncing past Iñaki Peña in the 67th. The unexpected loss dampened Barcelona’s celebration of its 125th anniversary, which included the debut of its new mascot “Cat,” a large, yellow feline wearing its team kit. Barcelona lost left back Alejandro Balde early in the game when he couldn’t continue after he crashed into Sandro at full speed. Balde appeared to hurt his upper chest or neck area when he ran into Sandro’s shoulder. He was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Gerard Martín. Griezmann scored one of the goals of the season when the forward exchanged a quick one-two with Julián Alvarez and used a sleek touch of the inside of his boot to roll the ball with him as he spun before dinking it over the Valladolid goalkeeper. That was the visitor's fourth goal. Shortly after, Valladolid fans stood up and applauded when Griezmann was substituted. “That is what every players wants, to make people enjoy what we do. So I appreciate their warmth,” Griezmann said. Atletico also got goals from Alvarez, Clement Lenglet, Rodrigo de Paul, and Alexander Sorloth. Espanyol beat Celta 3-1 to end a streak of four losses in the league and relieve pressure on coach Manolo González. Alaves also drew with Leganes 1-1 at home. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerIn a Shock Offensive, Insurgents Breach Syria’s Largest City for First Time Since 2016
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This Timberwolves roster is different than the one from a year ago. That much is obvious in games, as Karl-Anthony Towns’ consistent scoring and general size is missed, as is the playmaking and ball security of guys like Kyle Anderson and Jordan McLaughlin. ADVERTISEMENT But their absences have been felt in the locker room, as well. Towns was a consistent source of positivity for the team. Anderson was one of the loudest vocal leaders. The latter can be especially difficult to replace, especially because it can be uncomfortable to speak up when things are going poorly and something needs to change. That was the position Anthony Edwards has found himself in early this season. Edwards has been praised for his leadership through his first four years on Minnesota’s roster. Mostly, that all came via positivity and example. Edwards can be coached hard, which gave the greenlight for the coaches to treat everyone else the same way. Edwards was also quick to credit his teammates around him for their contributions to the cause, and was eager and willing to spend time with and talk to anyone on the roster, players No. 1-15. He’ll also stand up for any of his teammates if the occasion ever arises. That’s why he has been so beloved in the locker room and why he was viewed as such a leader, even at his young age. ADVERTISEMENT But with Anderson’s departure, Edwards was now tasked with leading even through choppy waters. And the waves have been rather large through the first quarter of the season. Minnesota’s defense has fallen off a cliff in comparison to where it was a year ago. After never even as many as three consecutive games during the 2023-24 regular season, the Wolves endured a four-game losing skid earlier this week. At that point, words were exchanged, both publicly and privately. A halftime hash out during Minnesota’s loss Wednesday to Sacramento got the conversation rolling. Mike Conley got the dialogue started, but all indications are that Edwards was a healthy participant. Edwards noted it’s difficult to know what to say in those times. “Because you look at everybody, and everybody got a different agenda. It’s like, ‘What the (heck) am I supposed to say?’ You know what I mean?” Edwards said. “I’m trying to get better in that aspect, figure out what the hell to say to get everybody on the same agenda, because everybody right now is on different agendas. I think that’s one of the main culprits of why we’re losing, because everybody out there got their own agenda. I guess their imagination of what’s supposed to be going on, and what’s really happening.” Nickeil Alexander-Walker told reporters at Friday’s shootaround that this is the most vocal Edwards has ever been. And while the intention of everyone’s messages are pure, “sometimes it’s not always worded the right way.” ADVERTISEMENT “I think we’ve crossed that line of, ‘Man, I feel like you’re not hearing the message.’ It’s tough to be called out, because you start to feel like, ‘OK, are you saying I’m the reason?’ No one wants to be at fault,” Alexander-Walker said. “But at the end of the day, I definitely think that guys are open to hearing it better. And I think it just came from a stand point of, at a point and time in the conversation, there was a comeback. It was going back and forth now, as opposed to receiving it (and saying), ‘OK, I got you.’ That’s how it’s going to be. It’s very rare that someone is just going to be able to be called out and not have anything to say. “It’s human nature to be defensive, at the end of the day. But kind of remembering what we’re here for, and if I’m being called out, chances are I’ve got to look in the mirror and be better.” It’s a delicate dance. There has to be an environment rooted in accountability, but you also have to be sure not to lose teammates, as Jimmy Butler was criticized for doing during his short stint in Minnesota a few years ago. ADVERTISEMENT And while it’s never ideal for a team to be living through a stretch of basketball the quality of which falls significantly short of the expectation, these stretches will likely lead to growth for Edwards, if not on the court, then in the locker room. You can’t steer a ship to a title if you don’t know how to navigate turbulent tides. Day by day, loss by loss, Edwards is learning how to spin the wheel. ______________________________________________________ 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 .Thus far on the season the Minnesota Vikings have remained relatively healthy. They have been without a starter here or there , but nothing considerable for any serious duration of time. That changed in a big way on Tuesday what Ivan Pace Jr. hit injured reserve. Ivan Pace Jr. hits IR for the Minnesota Vikings Through the Minnesota Vikings first 11 games, Ivan Pace Jr. has been a steadying presence in the middle of the defense. The undrafted free agent didn’t take on the green dot this season, but he has been among the most integral parts of the defense. Now Brian Flores will need to operate without him. #Vikings LB Ivan Pace Jr has been placed on IR. His spot will be taken by rookie UDFA Gabe Murphy. pic.twitter.com/7XoatW6dAT Pace has already surpassed his sack total from last season with three , and he was tracking to contribute more than the 102 tackles he put up a year ago. Defensively he has played 63% of the snaps for Flores, and has backed off usage on special teams. Working alongside Blake Cashman , the Vikings linebacking unit has been among the strength of the defense. Ivan Pace Jr. does hilarious things on film. He’s like a bumper car fueled by Red Bull. pic.twitter.com/r7GxN3a46y It will be a next man up mentality for Minnesota. Cashman just recently returned from his turf toe injury, and now will be without his running mate. The insertion of Cashman back into the lineup has been huge. It remains to be seen how he will look without Pace Jr. beside him for a considerable stretch. The hope is that Pace Jr. can heal the hamstring injury and return after missing the minimum four games. That would put him back for the Vikings last two games of the season. Multiple moving pieces for Minnesota Vikings With Pace Jr. being moved off the active roster, the Vikings had plenty of shuffling to do. Rookie edge rusher Gabe Murphy took a 53-man spot as he returns from IR. The bigger news was Minnesota swiping linebacker Jamin Davis from the Green Bay Packers practice squad. The former first round pick will be asked to pick up some of the snaps that Pace Jr. is vacating. The #Vikings have signed LB Jamin Davis ( @Jamindavis25 ) to the 53-man roster. OLB Gabe Murphy has been activated off IR to the 53-man roster and LB Ivan Pace Jr. has been placed on IR. pic.twitter.com/nWlBfpS4er Davis has played in five games this year, but they all came with the Washington Commanders. He was a regular starter each of the past two seasons and has seven career sacks across 50 games. Davis played at Kentucky before going 19th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. That’s not the only roster news for Minnesota either. They won’t be getting tight end Nick Muse back after waiving him on Monday. The practice squad is currently full, and long snapper Jack McQuaide has to be signed to the active roster this week as well. All of this takes place while Minnesota awaits word on a decision from recently waived quarterback Daniel Jones. It’s been a busy day at the TCO Performance Center. This article first appeared on Minnesota Sports Fan and was syndicated with permission.
The condemnation came as the House of Lords debated regulations paving the way for a scheme which would require animal lovers on the British mainland to have documentation in order to visit Northern Ireland. Critics view the move as further evidence of Northern Ireland still having to follow EU rules post-Brexit and being treated differently from the rest of the UK – a major source of contention to the unionist community. The paperwork, which will be free to apply for, includes a declaration that the owner will not travel onwards to Ireland or another EU country with their pet or assistance dog. Animals will have to be microchipped and have their own individual pet travel document, which will be valid for its lifetime. Northern Ireland residents returning after a stay in Great Britain with their pet or assistance dog will not need a travel document. The scheme is being introduced under the Windsor Framework, a revised deal for Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trading arrangements aimed at tackling issues caused by the protocol. Raising her concerns in Parliament, Baroness Hoey, a Northern Irish Brexit supporter and former Labour MP, said: “These regulations are in effect about a new aspect of the Irish Sea border that has not had expression until this point because of the grace periods.” She added: “The experience of visiting Northern Ireland with your pet dog or cat, or even a ferret, will be made to feel like a visit to a foreign country. Lady Hoey went on: “This could spell the end of holiday trips for pet owners from GB to NI and then on to the Republic, when they want to explore both Northern Ireland and the Republic. “If they have a pet passport, they will have renounced their right to go to the Republic. That makes the border more of an obstruction than having border control posts on it, because at least in that eventuality, you could still cross over it.” Rejecting claims it was a result of the UK leaving the EU, she said: “The reality is that this is happening precisely because Northern Ireland has not got Brexit. “As we say repeatedly, it is still subject to EU rules and the EU could change the rules overnight.” Former DUP deputy leader Lord Dodds of Duncairn said: “Every one of the statutory instruments that come forward under the Windsor Framework must be properly debated, because these laws are being brought forward to implement what a foreign jurisdiction has decided should be the law of the United Kingdom. “In the 21st century, we should not accept colonial rule. We abolished it elsewhere. We believe it should not be tolerated for one second. People should have the democratic right to decide their laws for themselves, in their interests.” He added: “The ridiculous part about this debate is that we are having to debate European laws regulating the movement of pet animals owned by British citizens between one part of the United Kingdom and another. That is an outrage.” Lord Dodds went on: “As I said, there will be hundreds, thousands more of these regulations, in all areas, affecting the daily lives of people in Northern Ireland. They all add up to a grievous assault on Northern Ireland’s constitutional position.” But former leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick said: “I support the Windsor Framework because it is a necessary legal device to deal with the complexities that were presented to us in Ireland, north and south, on the issue of Brexit. “We need a pragmatic solution rather than choosing to have political contests and duels simply for the sake of them.” Introducing the regulations, environment minister Baroness Hayman of Ulloch said: “This scheme will simplify the requirements associated with moving pet dogs, cats and ferrets from Great Britain to Northern Ireland significantly. “It replaces single-use animal health certificates with a free-of-charge lifelong travel document and removes the need for costly pet health treatments. “Pet owners who travel frequently with their pets, or those who rely on the services of an assistance dog to travel independently, will benefit substantially from this change in approach.” However, she acknowledged the concerns raised by peers and promised to continue engagement with them.Pet passports for dogs, cats and ferrets to travel within UK ‘an outrage’Brazil’s Bolsonaro planned and participated in a 2022 coup plot, unsealed police report alleges