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Free-agent small forward and veteran Jae Crowder is nearing a deal to join the Sacramento Kings. ESPN's Shams Charania shared the news via Twitter/X. Free agent forward Jae Crowder is close to a deal with the Sacramento Kings, sources tell ESPN. At 8-10 and dealing with some injuries, Kings are working to add frontcourt depth with the 13-year NBA veteran who has made two Finals appearances since 2020. pic.twitter.com/1uQP9xNZcy Crowder last played with the Milwaukee Bucks last season, where he averaged 6.2 points in 50 games and 25 starts. This story will be updated...
Automobiles for exports are parked at a storage yard in the nation's southeastern port city of Ulsan in this undated photo. Yonhap Strengthening dollar feared to deal blow to imported carmakers By Lee Min-hyung The nation’s auto market is grappling with a double blow of unexpected political upheaval and sharply declining domestic consumption, resulting in a decade-low number of new vehicle registrations. Weakening consumer sentiment has been driven by unfavorable macroeconomic conditions, including prolonged high interest rates and the lingering inflationary effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Carmakers typically anticipate increased sales through aggressive year-end marketing strategies, but these plans have also hit a snag following the fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempted martial law last week. Industry officials are increasingly worried about weakening consumer sentiment, as the escalating political uncertainty surrounding Yoon and his administration shows no signs of easing anytime soon. According to data from the Korea Automobile and Mobility Association (KAMA), new car registrations totaled 1.2 million in the first three quarters of this year, down 8.7 percent compared to the same period last year. This figure represents the lowest level since 2013. Given that carmakers will not be able to enjoy the year-end sales effect, the figure for the fourth quarter is also widely forecast to remain weak from a year earlier. “Our initial plan was to spur sales growth and clear out inventory by launching strong promotional events around the end of this year, but the political unrest has put the brakes on the move,” an official at a carmaker said. Automakers typically launch a variety of year-end promotional campaigns to reduce inventory, and customers often wait for this period to purchase vehicles at significantly lower prices. “But the political deadlock does not seem likely to be resolved in the short term, so most carmakers will have to adjust their sales strategies well into early next year,” the official said. Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions hold pickets during a demonstration in Ulsan, Dec. 5, urging President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down over allegations of insurrection. (Yonhap) Imported carmakers are being hit harder by the current political crisis, while domestic companies like Hyundai Motor and Kia can offset the decline in domestic sales through exports, as a weaker won makes Korean automobiles more affordable for customers to buy overseas . Automakers are also on track to delay their planned press events in reflection of the political chaos. Jaguar Land Rover Korea was scheduled to hold a media event to introduce its new SUV edition last week, but canceled it due to the ongoing political turmoil. The volatile won-dollar exchange rate also comes as a major risk for imported carmakers as it forces them to sell vehicles at higher prices. The dollar is strengthening at a rapid pace following Yoon’s botched martial law order on Dec. 3. The exchange rate rose to this year’s high of 1,438.3 won per dollar on Monday amid investors’ preference for safer assets at this period of market uncertainties. The appreciation of the dollar results in a hike in the prices of imported vehicles, forcing carmakers to increase their sales prices in order to maintain profitability. “If the exchange rate keeps rising and hovers at such a high level, a number of foreign carmakers doing business in Korea will have to increase their vehicle sale prices to ensure profits and stay in line with headquarters’ guidelines,” another official at an imported automaker said. This is not the desired outcome for the time being, as fewer consumers are willing to spend more on vehicles at higher prices, especially during a critical time when their confidence has significantly diminished, according to the official. Experts also said there is no clear short-term solution for imported automakers, aside from relying on promotional campaigns. “The strengthening dollar will not last for a long period of time, so they will have to focus on holding more aggressive discount campaigns,” said Lee Ho-geun, an automotive engineering professor at Daedeok University. Hyundai Motor's unionized workers leave work two hours early, as part of their partial strike, demanding the resignation of President Yoon Suk Yeol, at the carmaker's production line in the southeastern port city of Ulsan, Dec. 5. Yonhap Union risks Unionized workers at automakers are also planning to stage a walkout demanding the resignation of the president. This move is feared to disrupt production at Hyundai Motor, Kia, and General Motors (GM) Korea. According to Hyundai Motor’s union, workers went on a partial strike for two days from Dec. 5, urging Yoon to step down. Production of thousands of vehicles is estimated to be delayed due to the two-day strike. Union members from Kia and GM Korea also followed suit, calling for the voluntary resignation of Yoon. Of particular concern is that they are threatening to engage in an all-out strike unless Yoon resigns from the post. Lee emphasized the importance of understanding Korea's reliance on exports. “We need to view exports separately from the ongoing political turmoil,” Lee said. “Korea’s export reliance particularly on automobiles, batteries and semiconductors remains massive. If our exports are in peril due to the strikes or political uncertainty, our economy will face a bigger shock in the end.”By LISA MASCARO and FARNOUSH AMIRI WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country’s hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump’s unusual nominees . Related Articles National Politics | Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? National Politics | Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump attorney Alina Habba, a Lehigh University grad, to serve as counselor to the president But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump’s America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and drawing concern , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an ambitious agenda of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick Hegseth appeared to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect’s choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel , who has written extensively about locking up Trump’s foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees’ qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump’s team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump’s allies have described the criticisms of Hegseth in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president’s Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump’s first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies” — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump’s 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump’s first inauguration during the country’s bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it’s important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It’s one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.
Bayern Munich battled past 10-man Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 thanks to Kim Min-jae’s winner to improve their chances of automatic qualification and leave the visitors in trouble after a third loss in the competition. With PSG’s only win so far coming against Girona in their opener they were desperate for points but Bayern struck first with South Korea’s Kim heading home from close range after the goalkeeper Matvei Safonov fluffed a corner in the 38th minute. Things got worse for Luis Enrique’s PSG when Ousmane Dembélé was dismissed for a lunging tackle that brought a second booking in the 57th minute, leaving an already struggling side with 10 players. Safonov made amends for his earlier mistake by tipping a Jamal Musiala shot on to a post but despite some late pressure PSG could not deny Bayern. The Bavarian club climbed to 11th with nine points from five games, a point off the top eight places that bring automatic qualification for the last 16. PSG are 26th on four, outside the playoff spots with three matches remaining. An own goal by the RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba gave Inter a 1-0 home win in the Champions League as the Italian champions provisionally moved top of the standings. Inter took the lead in the 27th minute after Lukeba turned the ball into Leipzig’s own net following Federico Dimarco’s free-kick. Unbeaten Inter top the table with 13 points from five games, one point above second-placed Barcelona – who beat Brest 3-0 in a simultaneous kick-off – and Liverpool, who host Real Madrid on Wednesday. Leipzig are still in search of their first points of the league phase after five consecutive losses in the competition. Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 home win over Brest , with the Polish striker joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the only players to pass the 100-goal mark in the competition. Lewandowski put Barça ahead after being fouled by the goalkeeper Marco Bizot and converting from the spot in the 10th minute. The home side squandered several chances to extend their lead and were almost caught out by a couple of counterattacks from the French side before Dani Olmo got their second after dribbling past two defenders, with Lewandowski wrapping up the win in added time. Diego Simeone was thrilled with Atlético Madrid ’s commanding performance in a 6-0 thrashing of Sparta Prague in, featuring two goals from Julián Álvarez. The Argentinian manager said he was excited with his compatriot’s evolution after a bumpy start to the season when he was signed for big money and high expectations from Manchester City. “Anything that means winning makes me happy. If the team has the chance to keep playing like this and scoring goals, so much the better,” Simeone said. “We kept taking the game where we wanted it to go, we accumulated chances and Julián’s goal from a free-kick was a great goal. “Julián is a player with the highest level, who has played for River Plate, Manchester City and Argentina. He is going from strength to strength since joining us, and we expect the best from him.” After Álvarez and Marcos Llorente gave Atlético a three-goal lead, Antoine Griezmann and Ángel Correa came off the bench to add to the feast, with Correa scoring twice in the final minutes. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Milan earned their third successive win with a 3-2 victory at Slovan Bratislava , hanging on after the home side sought to stage a late comeback. The first half ended level with Milan’s Christian Pulisic opening the scoring in the 21st minute before a quick counterattack led to Slovan’s Tigran Barseghyan equalising three minutes later. Milan struggled to put Slovan away before the substitute Rafael Leão put them back in front in the 68th minute and Tammy Abraham capitalised on a horror back-pass from David Strelec to extend their lead three minutes later. Slovan pulled a goal back through Nino Marcelli in the 88th minute but then had Marko Tolic sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession and Milan came through the late drama to move on to nine points. Bayer Leverkusen got their Champions League campaign back on track with a 5-0 home win over Red Bull Salzburg , with Florian Wirtz scoring twice and the visitors having their goalkeeper Alexander Schlager to thank for avoiding an even bigger defeat. Leverkusen, beaten 4-0 at Liverpool in their last game, raced into an early lead with Wirtz scoring from the penalty spot in the eighth minute and Alejandro Grimaldo netting from a free-kick three minutes later. Wirtz scored again on the half hour as Leverkusen threatened to run riot, Patrik Schick added a fourth goal 16 minutes after the break and Aleix García rounded off the win. Leverkusen’s return to winning ways, after they had also drawn 1-1 with Brest, moves them on to 10 points while Salzburg remain on three points after suffering their fourth defeat in five matches.Medicare's $2,000 prescription drug cap expected to bring major relief to cancer patients