South Africa reroutes Mozambique trade, travel to Eswatini border amid violence
December 13 - The Indiana Pacers reached an agreement to acquire center Thomas Bryant from the Miami Heat, ESPN reported Friday. Bryant becomes trade-eligible this Sunday, and the Heat will ship him to Indiana for a swap of future second-round draft picks, according to the report. Bryant, 27, is in his eighth season in the NBA and his second with the Heat. Bryant got into 10 games this season and averaged 4.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game, his lowest averages since his rookie year. In 277 career games (138 starts) with the Los Angeles Lakers (2017-18; 2022-23), Washington Wizards (2018-22), Denver Nuggets (2023) and Heat (2023-24), Bryant has averaged 9.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. The Pacers were seeking a new backup center after both Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman were lost to torn Achilles tendons. Bryant played collegiately at Indiana. --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tabDemi Hayes is set to make her long-awaited return from injury while four players are in line for Australian Sevens debuts in the opening round of the 2024/2025 HSBC SVNS series in Dubai from November 30. Australian coaches Tim Walsh and Liam Barry have named their squads for the first tournament of the upcoming season with new-look teams following the Paris Olympics. Walsh continues his role in charge of the Aussie Women’s team while Barry joins Rugby Australia as Head Coach of the Men’s side following the departure of John Manenti. Hayes, who suffered an ACL injury in Cape Town last year, has been included in Walsh’s side after close to 12 months out of the game recovering from injury. Walsh has also named Kahli Henwood for an official Sevens series debut after a late call-up to the Olympic team in July, while Kiiahla Duff comes in for an injured Bienne Terita, who will miss the first tournament of the series. Australia’s Women are the reigning HSBC SVNS world champions after winning the title in Madrid in June. The wider squad consists of a strong mix of youth and experience, led by Charlotte Caslick and the Levi sisters – Maddison and Teagan – both of whom are coming off dominant years. Injured stars Madison Ashby, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Kaitlin Shave and Sidney Taylor are all on the comeback trail after suffering knee injuries in 2024. The setbacks allowed for the likes of Bridget Clark, Ruby Nicholas and Heidi Dennis to make their Sevens debut last season at the international level. Retired legends Sharni Smale and Dominique Du Toit also bid farewell to the Sevens program in August, opening the door for the likes of Henwood and Duff to come into the squad full-time as well as Amahli Hala. Australia Women’s Sevens coach Tim Walsh said: “We have had a rejuvenating pre-season balanced with elite standards and positive attitudes. “We have enjoyed the mental and technical challenges and are determined to start the World Series where we finished last season as Champions. “With a youthful in age squad, we are like fine wine and want to get better with age and strongly believe the best is yet to come. “It is very pleasing to announce debutants Kahli Henwood and Kiiahla Duff who are poised to make their first appearances on the World Series. “Both have spent years in their apprenticeship and fully deserve the right to represent this incredible team.” Meanwhile, new Men’s coach Barry has named Aden Ekanayake and Sid Harvey for their Australian Rugby Sevens debuts in Dubai with the pair joining the top squad in 2024/2025. Following their best finish at an Olympic Games in history, the Men’s Sevens squad has undergone several changes in the off-season with Barry’s appointment most significant. Barry will oversee a younger group for his first season in charge following the retirements of captain Nick Malouf and former Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper. Experienced players Henry Hutchison, Hayden Sargeant, Matt Gonzalez, Ben Dowling, James Turner and Henry Paterson have all re-signed with the Sevens program and are included for the upcoming Dubai tournament. Josh Turner and Tim Clements have departed the Aussie Sevens program with Conor Hickey, Ben Dalton, Henry Palmer and Jayden Blake earning contracts for the first time. National Performance Manager Scott Bowen said: “Since Paris we have had several changes with a number of experienced players and key staff from both Men’s and Women’s programs departing and I want to acknowledge how well the players have applied themselves during the adjustments in preparing for the start of the season. “It is a new-look Men’s squad with Liam coming on board and we’re excited to get back competing and watching the progression of the young talent coming through particularly with Aden and Sid set to make their debuts next weekend. “The Women’s team saw plenty of debutants last season and that has created strong depth for Tim to continue their great success on the world stage.” The Aussie Women kick off their Dubai tournament against China while the Men’s team face South Africa in their first pool match. Every round of the HSBC SVNS series will be shown live and exclusive, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport. Australia Women’s Sevens team for HSBC SVNS Dubai 2024/2025: Remaining 2024/2025 squad members: Madison Ashby, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Kaitlin Shave, Amahli Hala, Sidney Taylor, Bienne Terita. Australia Men’s Sevens team for HSBC SVNS Dubai 2024/2025: *denotes debutant Remaining 2024/2025 squad members: Maurice Longbottom, Hadley Tonga, Dietrich Roache, Dally Bird, Conor Hickey, Jayden Blake. HSBC SVNS DUBAI MATCH SCHEDULE POOL A – AUSTRALIA WOMEN Saturday, November 30: Australia v China (4:44pm AEDT) Saturday, November 30: Australia v Fiji (8:05pm AEDT) Sunday, December 1: Australia v Ireland (12:35am AEDT) POOL A – AUSTRALIA MEN Saturday, November 30: Australia v South Africa (5:50pm AEDT) Saturday, November 30: Australia v France (10:20pm AEDT) Sunday, December 1: Australia v Kenya (3:44am AEDT)
Title: A Heartfelt Farewell: Family Cuts Short the Deceased Man's Body to Donate OrgansUConn announced a two-year contract extension for head football coach Jim Mora on Saturday, just before the team took the field for the Fenway Bowl against North Carolina. Mora’s contract extension will run through 2028 and will pay him $10 million through the remaining four years, with the opportunity to earn more in incentives. The 63-year-old coach is set to make $1.7 million next season, $1.9 million in 2026 and $2.3 and $2.4 million in 2027 and 2028, respectively. UConn then went out and thrashed North Carolina, 27-14, in a game that wasn’t as close as the score indicated. “I am forever grateful. I’m grateful to (athletic director) David (Benedict) and (school president) Radenka (Maric) and the Board of Trustees, but this is about what the (UConn players) did today,” Mora said when asked about the extension in the postgame press conference. In a statement released by UConn ahead of the game, Mora said: “I’d like to thank David Benedict, Radenka Maric and the University of Connecticut leadership for their trust in me and their commitment to our football program. When I first got here, I talked about where we wanted this program to go and we have shown great progress but we still have plenty of work to do. The commitment and dedication from the university and the athletic department has me excited about the future for our football team.” “Three years ago, I tasked Jim Mora with the challenge of leading our football team back to success and through his experience, energy and leadership he has done just that,” UConn athletic director David Benedict said in a statement. “He has taken our program to post season bowl games twice and just guided our team to one of the best seasons in UConn football history, building a momentum to keep this program moving forward. I look forward to his leadership of our football team in the years ahead.” Mora is coming off one of the most successful seasons in UConn football history, having led the team to an 8-4 record and an appearance in the Fenway Bowl. It’s the Huskies’ second bowl appearance in three years. UConn’s eight wins is the most for the program since 2010, and the Huskies had their first winning season since that year, too. A win Saturday would give UConn nine wins for just the third time in program history, with the last two such seasons coming in 2003 and 2007. UConn quarterbacks coach Brad Robbins is heading to Tulsa as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, according to a report from CBS Sports. Robbins was part of a coaching staff that helped the offense produce its most prolific attack since the 2009 season and fifth-most in program history (32.3 points per game). Robbins worked at FCS Tennessee Tech and Division II North Greenville before joining Jim Mora’s staff in spring 2023. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Ironclad partnership
NBA hand out suspensions after fracas in Phoenix
The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office this week awarded all of the state’s 77 counties with grant funding through a new program created by the state Legislature this year to enhance law enforcement services. House Bill 2914 created the Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office Funding Assistance Grant Program during this year’s legislative session and appropriated $18 million to the fund to bolster law enforcement services. Counties were invited earlier this year to apply for grants from $150,000 to $300,000, depending on their total tangible property valuation. Grant awards were based on assessed total tangible property valuation of the county, and will be awarded to counties in three tiers in the following amounts: $150,000 for the 26 counties having the lowest gross assessed total tangible property valuation. $250,000 for 26 counties ranked higher than the counties described in tier one but lower than the counties described in tier three. $300,000 for the 25 counties having the highest gross assessed total tangible property valuation. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said the funds will positively impact all areas of the state. “These grants will help strengthen public safety for all Oklahomans,” Drummond said in a release announcing the funding. “I appreciate the work of the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association and sheriff offices to ensure that every county has extra support this year.” According to the AG’s Office, the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office received a $300,000 grant. Pittsburg County interim Sheriff Frankie McClendon previously told the News-Capital the grant money is earmarked for several things. McClendon said his department will use the grant money to replace consoles in the department’s communications department, software, and patrol vehicles. “We are in dire need of that,” McClendon said about the consoles for the dispatchers. According to the AG’s Office, Coal, Latimer, Pushmataha, and McIntosh Counties will receive $150,000 with Hughes County receiving $250,000. According to the AG’s Office, grants can be used for department operations including training, technology, equipment, capital improvements and more.
Demi Hayes is set to make her long-awaited return from injury while four players are in line for Australian Sevens debuts in the opening round of the 2024/2025 HSBC SVNS series in Dubai from November 30. Australian coaches Tim Walsh and Liam Barry have named their squads for the first tournament of the upcoming season with new-look teams following the Paris Olympics. Walsh continues his role in charge of the Aussie Women’s team while Barry joins Rugby Australia as Head Coach of the Men’s side following the departure of John Manenti. Hayes, who suffered an ACL injury in Cape Town last year, has been included in Walsh’s side after close to 12 months out of the game recovering from injury. Walsh has also named Kahli Henwood for an official Sevens series debut after a late call-up to the Olympic team in July, while Kiiahla Duff comes in for an injured Bienne Terita, who will miss the first tournament of the series. Australia’s Women are the reigning HSBC SVNS world champions after winning the title in Madrid in June. The wider squad consists of a strong mix of youth and experience, led by Charlotte Caslick and the Levi sisters – Maddison and Teagan – both of whom are coming off dominant years. Injured stars Madison Ashby, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Kaitlin Shave and Sidney Taylor are all on the comeback trail after suffering knee injuries in 2024. The setbacks allowed for the likes of Bridget Clark, Ruby Nicholas and Heidi Dennis to make their Sevens debut last season at the international level. Retired legends Sharni Smale and Dominique Du Toit also bid farewell to the Sevens program in August, opening the door for the likes of Henwood and Duff to come into the squad full-time as well as Amahli Hala. Australia Women’s Sevens coach Tim Walsh said: “We have had a rejuvenating pre-season balanced with elite standards and positive attitudes. “We have enjoyed the mental and technical challenges and are determined to start the World Series where we finished last season as Champions. “With a youthful in age squad, we are like fine wine and want to get better with age and strongly believe the best is yet to come. “It is very pleasing to announce debutants Kahli Henwood and Kiiahla Duff who are poised to make their first appearances on the World Series. “Both have spent years in their apprenticeship and fully deserve the right to represent this incredible team.” Meanwhile, new Men’s coach Barry has named Aden Ekanayake and Sid Harvey for their Australian Rugby Sevens debuts in Dubai with the pair joining the top squad in 2024/2025. Following their best finish at an Olympic Games in history, the Men’s Sevens squad has undergone several changes in the off-season with Barry’s appointment most significant. Barry will oversee a younger group for his first season in charge following the retirements of captain Nick Malouf and former Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper. Experienced players Henry Hutchison, Hayden Sargeant, Matt Gonzalez, Ben Dowling, James Turner and Henry Paterson have all re-signed with the Sevens program and are included for the upcoming Dubai tournament. Josh Turner and Tim Clements have departed the Aussie Sevens program with Conor Hickey, Ben Dalton, Henry Palmer and Jayden Blake earning contracts for the first time. National Performance Manager Scott Bowen said: “Since Paris we have had several changes with a number of experienced players and key staff from both Men’s and Women’s programs departing and I want to acknowledge how well the players have applied themselves during the adjustments in preparing for the start of the season. “It is a new-look Men’s squad with Liam coming on board and we’re excited to get back competing and watching the progression of the young talent coming through particularly with Aden and Sid set to make their debuts next weekend. “The Women’s team saw plenty of debutants last season and that has created strong depth for Tim to continue their great success on the world stage.” The Aussie Women kick off their Dubai tournament against China while the Men’s team face South Africa in their first pool match. Every round of the HSBC SVNS series will be shown live and exclusive, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport. Australia Women’s Sevens team for HSBC SVNS Dubai 2024/2025: Remaining 2024/2025 squad members: Madison Ashby, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Kaitlin Shave, Amahli Hala, Sidney Taylor, Bienne Terita. Australia Men’s Sevens team for HSBC SVNS Dubai 2024/2025: *denotes debutant Remaining 2024/2025 squad members: Maurice Longbottom, Hadley Tonga, Dietrich Roache, Dally Bird, Conor Hickey, Jayden Blake. HSBC SVNS DUBAI MATCH SCHEDULE POOL A – AUSTRALIA WOMEN Saturday, November 30: Australia v China (4:44pm AEDT) Saturday, November 30: Australia v Fiji (8:05pm AEDT) Sunday, December 1: Australia v Ireland (12:35am AEDT) POOL A – AUSTRALIA MEN Saturday, November 30: Australia v South Africa (5:50pm AEDT) Saturday, November 30: Australia v France (10:20pm AEDT) Sunday, December 1: Australia v Kenya (3:44am AEDT)A sudden and massive fire broke out at an Alibaba Cloud computing data center in the early hours of Monday morning, sending hundreds of employees and visitors running for safety. The incident, which occurred at one of the company's key data facilities in the heart of the city, caused panic and chaos as people scrambled to evacuate the building amid thick smoke and intense heat.
Expert defends anti-AI misinformation law using chatbot-written misinformation