NoneParaguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay, is a landlocked country in the heart of South America, bordered by Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia. Known for its vast plains, subtropical forests, and rich cultural heritage, the nation has history blends seamlessly with natural beauty. Asunción, its capital and largest city, serves as the political, economic, and cultural hub of the country. Paraguay’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, livestock farming, and hydroelectric energy. It is a leading exporter of soybeans and beef and shares control of the world’s largest hydroelectric dam, Itaipú, with Brazil. With a small, open economy and low taxes, the nation is increasingly attracting foreign investors and expats. Standard of Living in Paraguay Paraguay offers a moderate standard of living, characterized by affordability and simplicity. While economic inequality remains a challenge, the low cost of living makes it accessible for most residents and an attractive destination for expats. Personal Taxes in Paraguay Paraguay has a straightforward and competitive personal tax system designed to encourage economic participation: Corporate Taxes in Paraguay The nation’s corporate tax system is equally business-friendly, with attractive rates for companies operating within its borders: Major Industries in Paraguay Paraguay’s economy is supported by key industries that leverage its natural resources, strategic location, and growing domestic market. The following sectors play a significant role in the country’s economic landscape: Inflation and Cost of Living in Paraguay Housing: Rental prices for apartments in Asunción range from $200 to $500 per month, with lower costs in smaller towns. Food: Fresh produce and local goods are inexpensive, and dining out at local restaurants costs between $3 and $10 per meal. Utilities and Transportation: Utilities, including electricity and water, are affordable, and public transport costs around $0.30 per trip. While the cost of living is low, wages in Paraguay are modest, with the average monthly salary around $400 to $500, reflecting the need for further economic development. Property Tax, Services, and Sales Tax in Paraguay Standard Rate: 10% on most goods and services. Reduced Rate: 5% for essential items like medicines and basic food products. Types of Business Entities in Paraguay Entrepreneurs in Paraguay can choose from several types of business entities: Licenses to Start a Business in Paraguay Starting a business in Paraguay involves obtaining specific licenses and permits: Opportunities for Expats for Business Growth in Paraguay Paraguay offers numerous opportunities for expats seeking to start or expand businesses: Citizenship for Expats in Paraguay Expats looking to establish long-term residency or citizenship in Paraguay have several pathways: How to Register a Company in Paraguay The process of registering a business in Paraguay is straightforward, designed to encourage entrepreneurship and foreign investment. Cost to Register a Business in Paraguay Registering a company in Paraguay is relatively affordable, making it an appealing choice for entrepreneurs: Limited Liability Company (LLC): Minimum capital of Gs. 10,000,000 (approximately $1,400). Joint Stock Company (JSC): Higher capital requirements, typically Gs. 50,000,000 (approximately $7,000). Relation with Other Countries of Paraguay The nation maintains strong diplomatic and economic relations, fostering trade and investment with neighboring and global nations: Any Other Taxes in Paraguay The nation’s tax system is simple and business-friendly, with additional taxes including: Social Security in Paraguay Paraguay’s social security system plays a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of its citizens. The Instituto de Previsión Social (IPS) is the government body responsible for managing social security programs, covering healthcare , pensions, and unemployment benefits. Weather, Climate, and Regional Safety Summer (November to March): Hot and humid, with temperatures often exceeding 35°C (95°F). Winter (May to August): Mild, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F). Rainfall: Rainfall is evenly distributed, although the eastern regions receive more precipitation than the western Chaco region, which is semi-arid. The government has increased efforts to improve public safety, including better law enforcement and international cooperation to combat organized crime. Expats and tourists generally find Paraguay welcoming, with a friendly and hospitable local population. Passport Power of Paraguay The Paraguayan passport provides its citizens with significant global mobility. As of 2024, it allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 140 countries, including: South America: Visa-free travel across Mercosur member states, including Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Europe: Visa-free access to the Schengen Area, allowing short stays in most European Union countries. Asia and the Middle East: Simplified entry to nations like Turkey, Malaysia, and South Korea. Paraguay’s passport is considered strong in the region, offering broad access to international destinations and opportunities for global travel. Scope of Education, Growth, and Opportunities in Paraguay Vocational training and skill development programs are gaining prominence, preparing students for industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and IT. The country’s low operational costs, abundant natural resources, and strategic location in South America make it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and expats seeking business opportunities.
Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders
NoneWhile presenting producer and long-time collaborator Jack Antonoff with the Producer of the Decade award at s eighth-annual Hitmakers event, Lana Del Rey made a rare mention of her husband Jeremy Dufrene, crediting Antonoff’s marriage to actress Margaret Qualley as “a big reason” why she married the 49-year-old Louisiana boat captain. “I’m grateful for [Antonoff] for the example he gave me in his marriage to [Margaret Qualley],” Del Rey said. “I saw the way he looked at her when he met her, and he’s a big reason why I waited so long to get married, and why I met my amazing husband.” Del Rey officially introduced Dufrene to the media in September, when she brought him as her plus-one to the glitzy New York wedding between model Karen Elson and Lee Foster. Only a few weeks later on Sept. 26, the pair got their marriage license and were married the same day. “I feel like there’s a singers’ curse around meeting an honest partner who has no skin in the game, no dog in the race,” Del Rey continued. “It’s super nerve-wracking to hold on to an innocent perception of how things could go when you’re in an industry where maybe your values and your morals don’t quite match up with what’s going on. Especially when people think you probably don’t have any morals or values.” Dufrene serves as captain for an alligator boat tour boat company just outside of New Orleans. According to Dufrene’s bio on the , “Jeremy decided life at a chemical plant working 7 days a week and shrimping on vacation days was not his calling. After a little convincing by his family, he got his captain’s license and started running tours. He quickly realized that this was a great fit and he has never thought of going back to his previous career at the plant. Jeremy’s a great airboat captain and loves interacting with wildlife & customers.” Sign up for . For the latest news, follow us on , , and .Sceptic Skip looks into the crystal ball for his Norfolk 2025 predictions
Ralph Dangelmaier Annual Scholarship for Fintech Innovators Announces Opportunity for Aspiring Financial Technology LeadersThe people that president-elect Donald Trump has selected to lead federal health agencies in his second administration include a retired congressman, a surgeon and a former talk-show host. All of them could play pivotal roles in fulfilling a new political agenda that could change how the government goes about safeguarding Americans' health — from health care and medicines to food safety and science research. And if Congress approves, at the helm of the team as Department of Health and Human Services secretary will be prominent environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine organizer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. By and large, the nominees don't have experience running large bureaucratic agencies, but they know how to talk about health on TV . Centers for Medicare and Medicaid pick Dr. Mehmet Oz hosted a talk show for 13 years and is a well-known wellness and lifestyle influencer. The pick for the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Marty Makary, and for surgeon general, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, are frequent Fox News contributors. Many on the list were critical of COVID-19 measures like masking and booster vaccinations for young people. Some of them have ties to Florida like many of Trump's other Cabinet nominees: CDC pick Dr. Dave Weldon represented the state in Congress for 14 years and is affiliated with a medical group on the state's Atlantic coast. Nesheiwat's brother-in-law is Rep. Mike Waltz , R-Fla., tapped by Trump as national security adviser. Here's a look at the nominees' potential role in carrying out what Kennedy says is the task to “reorganize” agencies, which have an overall $1.7 billion budget; employ 80,000 scientists, researchers, doctors and other officials; and affect the lives of all Americans. The Atlanta-based CDC, with a $9.2 billion core budget, is charged with protecting Americans from disease outbreaks and other public health threats. Kennedy has long attacked vaccines and criticized the CDC, repeatedly alleging corruption at the agency. He said on a 2023 podcast that there is "no vaccine that is safe and effective,” and urged people to resist the CDC's guidelines on if and when kids should get vaccinated . Decades ago, Kennedy found common ground with Weldon , the 71-year-old nominee to run the CDC who served in the Army and worked as an internal medicine doctor before he represented a central Florida congressional district from 1995 to 2009. Starting in the early 2000s, Weldon had a prominent part in a debate about whether there was a relationship between a vaccine preservative called thimerosal and autism. He was a founding member of the Congressional Autism Caucus and tried to ban thimerosal from all vaccines. Kennedy, then a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, believed there was a tie between thimerosal and autism and also charged that the government hid documents showing the danger. Since 2001, all vaccines manufactured for the U.S. market and routinely recommended for children 6 years or younger have contained no thimerosal or only trace amounts, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine. Meanwhile, study after study after study found no evidence that thimerosal caused autism. Weldon's congressional voting record suggests he may go along with Republican efforts to downsize the CDC, including to eliminate the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, which works on topics like drownings, drug overdoses and shooting deaths. Weldon also voted to ban federal funding for needle-exchange programs as an approach to reduce overdoses, and the National Rifle Association gave him an “A” rating for his pro-gun rights voting record. Kennedy is extremely critical of the FDA, which has 18,000 employees and is responsible for the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs, vaccines and other medical products — as well as overseeing cosmetics, electronic cigarettes and most foods. Makary, Trump’s pick to run the FDA, is closely aligned with Kennedy on several topics . The professor at Johns Hopkins University who is a trained surgeon and cancer specialist has decried the overprescribing of drugs, the use of pesticides on foods and the undue influence of pharmaceutical and insurance companies over doctors and government regulators. Kennedy has suggested he'll clear our “entire” FDA departments and also recently threatened to fire FDA employees for “aggressive suppression” of a host of unsubstantiated products and therapies, including stem cells, raw milk , psychedelics and discredited COVID-era treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Makary's contrarian views during the COVID-19 pandemic including the need for masking and giving young kids COVID vaccine boosters. But anything Makary and Kennedy might want to do when it comes to unwinding FDA regulations or revoking long-standing vaccine and drug approvals would be challenging. The agency has lengthy requirements for removing medicines from the market, which are based on federal laws passed by Congress. The agency provides health care coverage for more than 160 million people through Medicaid, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, and also sets Medicare payment rates for hospitals, doctors and other providers. With a $1.1 trillion budget and more than 6,000 employees, Oz has a massive agency to run if confirmed — and an agency that Kennedy hasn't talked about much when it comes to his plans. While Trump tried to scrap the Affordable Care Act in his first term, Kennedy has not taken aim at it yet. But he has been critical of Medicaid and Medicare for covering expensive weight-loss drugs — though they're not widely covered by either . Trump said during his campaign that he would protect Medicare, which provides insurance for older Americans. Oz has endorsed expanding Medicare Advantage — a privately run version of Medicare that is popular but also a source of widespread fraud — in an AARP questionnaire during his failed 2022 bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania and in a 2020 Forbes op-ed with a former Kaiser Permanente CEO. Oz also said in a Washington Examiner op-ed with three co-writers that aging healthier and living longer could help fix the U.S. budget deficit because people would work longer and add more to the gross domestic product. Neither Trump nor Kennedy have said much about Medicaid, the insurance program for low-income Americans. Trump's first administration reshaped the program by allowing states to introduce work requirements for recipients. Kennedy doesn't appear to have said much publicly about what he'd like to see from surgeon general position, which is the nation's top doctor and oversees 6,000 U.S. Public Health Service Corps members. The surgeon general has little administrative power, but can be an influential government spokesperson on what counts as a public health danger and what to do about it — suggesting things like warning labels for products and issuing advisories. The current surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, declared gun violence as a public health crisis in June. Trump's pick, Nesheiwat, is employed as a New York City medical director with CityMD, a group of urgent care facilities in the New York and New Jersey area, and has been at City MD for 12 years. She also has appeared on Fox News and other TV shows, authored a book on the “transformative power of prayer” in her medical career and endorses a brand of vitamin supplements. She encouraged COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, calling them “a gift from God” in a February 2021 Fox News op-ed, as well as anti-viral pills like Paxlovid. In a 2019 Q&A with the Women in Medicine Legacy Foundation , Nesheiwat said she is a “firm believer in preventive medicine” and “can give a dissertation on hand-washing alone.” As of Saturday, Trump had not yet named his choice to lead the National Institutes of Health, which funds medical research through grants to researchers across the nation and conducts its own research. It has a $48 billion budget. Kennedy has said he'd pause drug development and infectious disease research to shift the focus to chronic diseases. He'd like to keep NIH funding from researchers with conflicts of interest, and criticized the agency in 2017 for what he said was not doing enough research into the role of vaccines in autism — an idea that has long been debunked . Associated Press writers Amanda Seitz and Matt Perrone and AP editor Erica Hunzinger contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.Global stocks experienced a downturn and major Wall Street indexes declined following the European Central Bank's decision to cut interest rates for the fourth time this year, amidst economic challenges and political risks. The Swiss franc weakened after the Swiss National Bank announced its largest rate reduction in nearly a decade. This move coincided with the U.S. Labor Department's report of a 0.4% increase in the producer price index, which surpassed expectations. Amid these developments, oil prices fell over 1%, and markets predicted further rate cuts from the Federal Reserve and ECB. Notably, emerging market stocks and U.S. benchmark 10-year note yields rose slightly. (With inputs from agencies.)
Croatia's President Zoran Milanovic will face conservative rival Dragan Primorac in an election run-off in two weeks' time after the incumbent narrowly missed out an outright victory on Sunday, official results showed. The results came after an exit poll, released immediately after the polling stations closed, showed that Milanovic, backed by the opposition left-wing Social Democrats, had scooped more than 50 percent of the first round vote and would thus avoid the January 12 run-off. Milanovic won 49.1 percent of the first round vote and Primorac, backed by the ruling conservative HDZ party, took 19.35 percent, according to results released by the state electoral commission from nearly all of the polling stations. On Sunday evening, Milanovic pledged to his supporters who gathered in Zagreb to "fight for Croatia with a clear stance, one that takes care of its interests". Such a strong lead for Milanovic, whom surveys labelled a favourite ahead of the vote, raises serious concerns for Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's HDZ. Late on Sunday, Primorac labelled the big difference between him and Milanovic a "challenge". "In the first round there were... a lot of candidates, it was not easy to present the programme fully. Now it's a great opportunity that Milanovic and I be one on one... to see who represents what," Primorac told his supporters in Zagreb. The election came as the European Union and NATO member country of 3.8 million people struggles with biting inflation, widespread corruption and a labour shortage. Among the eight contenders, centre-right MP Marija Selak Raspudic and green-left MP Ivana Kekin followed the two main rivals, the exit poll showed. The two women each won around nine percent of the vote. The president commands the Balkan country's armed forces and has a say in foreign policy. But despite limited powers, many believe the office is key for the political balance of power in a country mainly governed by the HDZ since independence in 1991. "All the eggs should not be in one basket," Nenad Horvat, a salesman in his 40s, told AFP. He sees Milanovic, a former leftist prime minister, as the "last barrier to all levers of power falling into the hands of HDZ", echoing the view of many that was reflected in Sunday's vote results. More from this section The 58-year-old Milanovic has been one of Croatia's leading and most colourful political figures for nearly two decades. Sharp and eloquent, he won the presidency for the Social Democrats (SDP) in 2020 with pledges to advocate tolerance and liberalism. But he used the office to attack political opponents and EU officials, often with offensive and populist rhetoric. Milanovic, who condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine, has nonetheless criticised the West's military aid to Kyiv. That prompted the prime minister to label him a pro-Russian who is "destroying Croatia's credibility in NATO and the EU". Milanovic countered that he wanted to protect Croatia from being "dragged into war". Milanovic regularly pans Plenkovic and his HDZ party over systemic corruption, calling the premier a "serious threat to Croatia's democracy". Speaking on Sunday, Milanovic said that in the current global situation, all political stakeholders in the country should be "on the same side as much as possible, at least when it comes to fundamental issues such as the national security or borders". For many, the election is a continuation of the longstanding feud between two powerful politicians. "This is still about the conflict between the prime minister and president," political analyst Zarko Puhovski told AFP. "All the rest are just incidental topics." Primorac, a 59-year-old physician and scientist returning to politics after 15 years, campaigned as a "unifier" promoting family values and patriotism. ljv/bc
B.C. court cases capturing the attention of British Columbians in 2024 usually involved murders but several civil cases, one about a fake nurse and another alleging passing documents to China, also caught people’s attention. Easily the most high-profile case of the year was the tumultuous trial of the man convicted of sexually assaulting and killing a teen girl in Burnaby’s Central Park. Ibrahim Ali was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole for 25 years in June after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in the girl’s death. The girl’s partially naked body was found in the bush beside a trail in Central Park on July 18, 2017. "Mr. Ali, you have been found guilty of first-degree murder, and you have heard the profound harm and grief you have caused for raping and murdering 13-year-old (name redacted) in Central Park on July 18, 2017," B.C. Supreme Court Justice Lance Bernard said. B.C. Supreme Court Justice David Crossin ruled Dec. 11 that Jian Wei Wang, 52, was not criminally responsible for the murder of his wife Jian Ying “Angela” Du's May 2022 death due to a mental disorder. Du, 51, suffered 27 stab wounds and seven slash wounds, Crossin said. “His mental disorder rendered him incapable of knowing his action was wrong,” Crossin said. Sister Lucy Du told Glacier Media the decision was sad and disappointing, “morally unfair” and “unjust.” Wade William Cudmore was convicted in the deaths of two Kamloops brothers in a drug deal case. On Nov. 19, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Brenda Brown sentenced Cudmore to life in prison without parole eligibility for 18 years for the “savage” Naramata drug-related killings. Cudmore was convicted in October of second-degree murder by a jury in the May 10, 2021 deaths of Erick and Carlo Fryer. “Two victims were killed in a brutal, gratuitous fashion,” Brown said Nov. 19, as Cudmore attended by video from prison. “I had nothing to do with the murders,” Cudmore told the court before sentencing. “My story’s not going to change.” Brigitte Cleroux pleaded guilty to multiple charges of assault, fraud, impersonating a nurse and forgery in connection with cases at BC Women's Hospital, a dentist’s office in Surrey and a Vancouver Island clinic. Her December sentencing hearing in B.C. Supreme Court heard Cleroux had used the identity and credentials of a real nurse to get employment. She will spend a total of seven years in prison . She was brought to Vancouver for the case from an Ontario prison where she is serving a sentence for similar offences. Defence lawyer Guillaume Garih argued her offences across Canada were a spree and should be treated as such in the sentencing process. The case of a former RCMP officer charged with allegedly working with the People's Republic of China to harm Canadian interests is a matter of national security, a B.C. judge heard Sept. 13. William Robert Majcher is charged with retaining or gaining access to information and preparation for the commission of an offence. The charges are laid under the federal Security of Information Act. A Prosecution Service of Canada 2023 report said the case of R. v. William Robert Majcher is about a former RCMP inspector alleged to have been obtaining, with the help of others, information for the purpose of helping China to damage Canadian interests. A B.C. Supreme Court judge in August froze assets of Fred Sharp , a former Vancouver lawyer found liable in the United States for being the mastermind of a $1-billion stock market fraud scheme. Justice Amy Francis issued a Mareva injunction against Sharp on June 26, according to a written decision issued Aug. 12. A Mareva injunction freezes assets to prevent a defendant from hiding them when faced with forfeiture proceedings. In this case, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sought the injunction, plus a list of Sharp’s assets, after Sharp was found liable in civil proceedings on May 12, 2022, for orchestrating a network of pump-and-dump arrangements via offshore shell companies. Two men pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in New Westminster Supreme Court to the killing of former Air India bombing suspect Ripudaman Singh Malik. Malik , 75, was gunned down on July 14, 2022, near his Newton office on Surrey’s 128 Street and died at the scene. Police called it a targeted killing. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said those responsible fled in a white Honda CR-V . It was later found on fire at 122 Street and 82 Avenue. Tanner Fox and Jose Lopez were charged with first-degree murder in July 2022. With files from Graeme Wood and Cornelia Naylor
India’s mobile payments dilemmaRalph Larossa sells $128,093 in Public Service Enterprise Group stockJimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’Look at the numbers, and it’s easy to assume Iowa State did whatever it wanted in its matchup against Colorado a month ago. Certainly in one sense, the Cyclones did just that while routing the Buffaloes 99-71 in both teams’ final game of the Maui Invitational on Nov. 27. CU head coach Tad Boyle, he of the defense-first ethos, typically is the last person who will defend a shoddy defensive effort by his club. Yet in that instance, it was the Buffaloes’ inability to protect the ball that led to their defensive demise. CU will get another shot at the opportunistic Cyclones on Monday, as the Buffs host No. 3 Iowa State in the Big 12 Conference opener. “You look at giving up 99 points and what they shot against us. But to be honest, it wasn’t our half-court defense,” Boyle said. “It was the 37 points off our turnovers, and the 14 points off second chance on offensive rebounds. You put those together, and it’s 51 of their 99 are a result of us not boxing out and getting our (butts) kicked on the boards, or not taking care of the ball on offense. And Iowa State, that’s what they feed on. They feed off of turning turnovers into layups and easy baskets. “When our half-court defense got set, we weren’t that bad. I’m not saying we were great defensively. But we weren’t as bad as the score would indicate.” Not only did CU surrender a season-high point total, but a defense that hasn’t allowed any other opponent to shoot 50% surrendered opponent season-highs in field goal percentage (.603), 3-point percentage (.440), made free throws (18) and assists (18) against the Cyclones. While CU has averaged just 12.6 turnovers in the past eight games after committing a whopping 55 through the season’s first three games, one glaring exception to the recent run occurred against the Cyclones. The Buffs committed 18 turnovers against ISU, and the Cyclones took advantage of just about every one of them, finishing with 37 points off turnovers. That, by far, is the highest total of points off turnovers by a CU foe this season. The next highest mark was 20 points by Northern Colorado in the second game of the season, and that was a double-overtime game. The Buffs surrendered a relatively modest seven offensive rebounds against the Cyclones but, again, ISU took advantage of all of them, finishing with 14 second-chance points. That’s also the most by a CU foe this season. Boyle reiterated a common theme of his after practice on Sunday that he would prefer a five-second call as opposed to wild, bail-out passes, given the Cyclones’ ability to turn live-ball turnovers into optimal looks in transition. ISU leads the Big 12 in forced turnovers (16.0) and turnover margin (plus-6.5). “Obviously we’ve got to stay in front of the ball a lot better this game,” CU forward Bangot Dak said. “Their guards were able to create a lot for others last time I feel like. And just overall, all five guys were able to beat us off the bounce. We’ve got to be a way better help team. And the big key is just really taking care of the ball. They had 37 points that we basically gave to them. We just have to take care of the ball, no second-chance points, and it will be a better game.” No. 3 Iowa State Cyclones at CU Buffs men’s basketball TIPOFF : Monday, 7 p.m., CU Events Center TV/RADIO : CBS Sports Network/KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM RECORDS : Iowa State 10-1; Colorado 9-2. COACHES : Iowa State — TJ Otzelberger, 4th season (80-36, 179-99 overall). Colorado — Tad Boyle, 15th season (307-185, 363-251 overall). KEY PLAYERS : Iowa State — G Keshon Gilbert, 6-4, Sr. (16.5 ppg, 5.2 apg, 3.2 rpg, .545 FG%); G Curtis Jones, 6-4, Sr. (16.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.7 rpg, .392 3%); F Milan Momcilovic, 6-8, So. (11.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, .455 3%); F Joshua Jefferson, 6-9, Jr. (11.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg, .542 FG%); C Dishon Jackson, 6-11, R-Sr., (11.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, .656 FG%); G Tamin Lipsey, 6-1, Jr. (10.1 ppg, .494 FG%). Colorado — G Julian Hammond III, 6-2, Sr. (13.1 ppg, 3.5 apg, .429 3%); C Elijah Malone, 6-10, Gr. (12.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .662 FG%); F Andrej Jakimovski, 6-8, Gr. (11.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg); F Trevor Baskin, 6-9, Gr. (8.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, .509 FG%); G RJ Smith, 6-3, R-So. (7.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, .606 3%); F Bangot Dak, 6-11, So. (6.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg); F Assane Diop, 6-8, So. (3.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg). NOTES : This will be Iowa State’s first visit to Boulder since Feb. 11, 2011 during the Buffs’ final season of their previous stint in the Big 12. Prior to CU leaving the Big 12 for the Pac-12, the Cyclones lost their last six games at the Events Center and nine of their last 10. ... This will be the 150th meeting between the teams, with ISU leading the series 79-70. ... CU guard Javon Ruffin is expected to be available after missing the nonconference finale against Bellarmine due to a back issue. ... Hammond recorded 12 assists the past two games with only two turnovers. Hammond enjoyed a strong game offensively against ISU last month, going 6-for-11 from the field and 6-for-6 at the free throw line. ... Smith has matched a career-high with 11 points in each of the past two games. ... Iowa State has been idle since routing Morgan State 99-72 on Dec. 22. ... The Cyclones suffered their only loss of the season in their opener at the Maui Invitational last month against No. 2 Auburn. ISU then defeated Dayton and the Buffs the next two days. ... CU faces its first Big 12 road game on Saturday against former Pac-12 rival Arizona State (4 p.m. MT, ESPN+).
Stock market today: Wall Street inches higher to set more records
ERIE, Pa. (AP) — Alex Chaikin's 20 points off of the bench helped Lafayette to a 77-73 victory against Mercyhurst on Saturday. Chaikin went 7 of 8 from the field (6 for 7 from 3-point range) for the Leopards (5-5). Justin Vander Baan added 13 points while shooting 3 of 5 from the field and 7 for 9 from the line while he also had six rebounds and five blocks. Andrew Phillips had 10 points and shot 4 of 6 from the field and 1 for 3 from the line. Shemar Rathan-Mayes finished with 21 points and four assists for the Lakers (5-6). Aidan Reichert added 18 points, six rebounds and three steals for Mercyhurst. Jeff Planutis also recorded 13 points. Chaikin scored nine points in the first half and Lafayette went into the break trailing 38-31. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .First on Scripps News: Biden administration details plan to combat Islamophobia
Replacing Riqui Puig isn’t an easy job. “He’s unique in what he does,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney. The Galaxy kicked off preparation for its MLS Cup pursuit Tuesday and the big question facing Vanney and his staff is how will they replace Puig in Saturday’s final. Puig, who was selected Tuesday to the MLS Best XI, suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during Saturday’s Western Conference final win against the Seattle Sounders . “He’s the ultimate competitor,” Vanney said of Puig. “He wants to win, he wants to compete, he wants to play, he wants to impact the game and he wants responsibility out on the field. He drives the team in many ways. “When you look at the stat sheet at the end of any given day, he’s probably touched the ball 120 times, 140 times and he leads the team in touches by a wide margin. We’ll miss that on the attacking side for sure. Somebody who can change the tempo of a game, any play in any given moment, can be the one that changes the game when you have a guy like Riqui because of his capacity to pull plays off. We’re going to miss him.” The Galaxy have a little experience playing without Puig during the regular season, posting a 3-1-1 record. During the playoff run, Puig had recorded four goals and three assists in four victories. “In a season that is 34 games long plus, we had to go through three, four games without him during the course of the season and we were able to be successful to find the right formula with this group in those moments ... it was never something that we wanted, but at least we have something to look back on and say we were successful in this stretch when we didn’t have him,” Vanney said. “We have to redefine who we’re going to be and how we are going to win this game without him.” The Galaxy is also uncertain as to the availability of midfielder Marco Reus. Reus was subbed off in each of the past two games, with what Vanney said was a groin issue. “We’ll see how his health is as the week progresses,” Vanney said of Reus. “Have some optimism that he can get himself turned around and be ready for us. “Diego (Fagundez) gives us a little bit of the option that we saw (during the regular season filling in for Puig), so we want to see who’s ready, who’s going. And I also look at the Red Bulls and see them as a little bit of a unique competitor because of their pressing and they want to get man-to-man and they want to be disruptors as much as they want to be creators in many ways. How we want to manage that situation, both early and late, are things we’re working through and talking through to figure out the right personnel.” Mark Delgado replaced Reus at halftime Saturday. Fagundez is another option at starting midfielder, leaving Gaston Brugman as a potential second-half sub and Reus, if he’s available. No matter the connections, Puig will be on the Galaxy’s hearts and minds Saturday. “Our heart is with Riqui and it definitely gives us just another reason to go out there and give it our all,” Delgado said. Who: New York Red Bulls at Galaxy When: 1 p.m. Saturday Where: Dignity Health Sports Park TV: FOX (Ch. 11), Apple TV (free)Innodata EVP Ashok Mishra sells $67,560 in stockDropbox CFO Regan sells $69,678 in stock
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