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Head coach Vanni Sartini paid the price Monday for the Vancouver Whitecaps’ mediocre results this past season and subsequent first-round playoff exit. His firing came about two weeks after the Major League Soccer team won a play-in game before falling to top-seeded Los Angeles FC in a three-game series that went the distance. “The desperation on my side is absolutely there,” said Axel Schuster, the Whitecaps’ sporting director and chief executive officer. One of the reasons for the change, he said, is everyone in the organization, including himself, needs a reminder that playoff success next year is imperative. “We cannot not get there.” The Whitecaps haven’t reached the conference semifinals since 2017. In a one-hour availability with reporters, Schuster noted the team had the second-worst home record in the Western Conference this year and recorded just two points over its last seven regular-season games. He referenced the need for fresh energy from a new coach and added there was no firm timeline in place for a replacement to be named. “I had to make a professional decision (for) how we can get the biggest impact to make this step forward and to get to a progression,” he said. The Whitecaps’ late-season slump dropped them to eighth place in the West with a record of 13-13-8. Vancouver won a play-in game at Portland before dropping a 1-0 decision at LAFC in the deciding game of the series. Vancouver also won its third-straight Canadian championship this season, beating Toronto FC 4-2 on penalties after the final ended in a 0-0 tie. “I took my time with this decision, and it was not taken lightly,” Schuster said. Sartini, a 47-year-old from Florence, Italy, took over coaching duties on an interim basis in August 2021 after the Whitecaps dismissed Marc Dos Santos. He was officially named head coach that November. “For the last three years and three months, it has been an absolute honour to be the head coach of Vancouver Whitecaps FC,” Sartini said in a release. “I will always be grateful to Axel Schuster and ownership for entrusting me to be the technical lead of this club in such an important time. “Vancouver will always have a special place in my heart and my wife’s heart,” he added. He posted a record of 57-51-39 across all competitions. The exuberant Italian made headlines in November 2023 when he publicly criticized a referee following a playoff game and made a joke about being a suspect if the official were to be found dead. He was suspended for the first six games of the 2024 MLS campaign, fined US$20,000 and ordered to complete a league-approved behavioural assessment. The coach later apologized for the comments and his suspension was cut to four games. Sartini came to Vancouver in 2019 as Dos Santos’ assistant coach and spent two seasons with the first team before being named the club’s “director of methodology” and taking over coaching the U-23 team in 2020. Before joining the Whitecaps, he worked as a coach educator for the Italian Football Federation and the U.S. Soccer Federation, and coached several different clubs in Italy.Hyderabad: The eight-year-old boy, who was injured in the stampede during the screening of ‘Pushpa 2’ here on December 4, was taken off oxygen and ventilator support as his condition is improving, his father has said. Quoting doctors, Bhaskar, however, said the boy’s recovery will take time. Meanwhile, the hospital on Tuesday said Sritej continues to maintain stable vital parameters on his own without any oxygen or ventilatory support. “His sensorium is similar with spontaneous eye opening and spontaneous limb movements but there is still no meaningful eye contact or recognition of family members,” it said in a health update. The boy is waking on verbal stimulus but not following any oral commands. He is tolerating feeds via nasogastric tube well and is afbrile since last three days, the hospital said. Several film personalities and political leaders are making a beeline to visit the child at the hospital. Leading film producer and Film Development Corporation (FDC) chairman Dil Raju who visited the boy on Tuesday said he would ensure that the family gets support from the film industry and also the government. He said he is ready to provide a permanent job to Bhaskar in the film industry if he was interested. But, the immediate priority is the boy’s recovery. The chief minister Revanth Reddy has also appreciated the idea of providing a job to Bhaskar, Dil Raju said. Referring to reports that the state government is not addressing the concerns of the film industry in the stampede issue, he said the CM has assured of the government’s support. The 35-year-old wife of Bhaskar died during the Pushpa 2 stampede at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad on December 4, while his eight-year-old son was hospitalised. Following the incident, the city police registered a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under different sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chikkadpally police station based on the complaint lodged by the deceased woman’s family. Allu Arjun, named as accused no 11, was arrested by the city police in connection with the death of the woman on December 13. The Telangana High Court granted him a four-week interim bail on the same day and he was released from a prison here December 14 morning.
NoneLAS VEGAS — Players Era Festival organizers have done what so many other have tried — bet their fortunes in this city that a big payoff is coming. Such bet are usually bad ones, which is why so many massive casino-resorts have been built on Las Vegas Boulevard. But it doesn't mean the organizers are wrong. They're counting on the minimum of $1 million in guaranteed name, image and likeness money that will go to each of the eight teams competing in the neutral-site tournament that begins Tuesday will create a precedent for other such events. EverWonder Studios CEO Ian Orefice, who co-founded Players with former AND1 CEO Seth Berger, compared this event to last year's inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament that played its semifinals and final in Las Vegas by saying it "did really well to reinvigorate the fan base at the beginning of the year." "We're excited that we're able to really change the paradigm in college basketball on the economics," Orefice said. "But for us, it's about the long term. How do we use the momentum that is launching with the 2024 Players Era Festival and be the catalyst not to change one event, but to change college basketball for the future." Orefice and Berger didn't disclose financial details, but said the event will come close to breaking even this year and that revenue is in eight figures. Orefice said the bulk of the revenue will come from relationships with MGM, TNT Sports and Publicis Sport & Entertainment as well as sponsors that will be announced later. Both organizers said they are so bullish on the tournament's prospects that they already are planning ahead. Money made from this year's event, Orefice said, goes right back into the company. "We're really in this for the long haul," Orefice said. "So we're not looking at it on a one-year basis." Rick Giles is president of the Gazelle Group, which also operates several similar events, including the College Basketball Invitational. He was skeptical the financial numbers would work. Giles said in addition to more than $8 million going to the players, there were other expenses such as the guarantees to the teams. He said he didn't know if the tournament would make up the difference with ticket sales, broadcast rights and sponsorship money. The top bowl of the MGM Grand Garden Arena will be curtained off. "The math is highly challenging," Giles said. "Attendance and ticket revenues are not going to come anywhere close to covering that. They haven't announced any sponsors that I'm aware of. So it all sort of rests with their media deal with Turner and how much capital they want to commit to it to get these players paid." David Carter, a University of Southern California adjunct professor who also runs the Sports Business Group consultancy, said even if the Players isn't a financial success this year, the question is whether there will be enough interest to move forward. "If there is bandwidth for another tournament and if the TV or the streaming ratings are going to be there and people are going to want to attend and companies are going to want to sponsor, then, yeah, it's probably going to work," Carter said. "But it may take them time to gain that traction." Both founders said they initially were met with skepticism about putting together such an event, especially from teams they were interested in inviting. Houston was the first school to commit, first offering an oral pledge early in the year and then signing a contract in April. That created momentum for others to join, and including the No. 6 Cougars, half the field is ranked. "We have the relationships to operate a great event," Berger said. "We had to get coaches over those hurdles, and once they knew that we were real, schools got on board really quickly." The founders worked with the NCAA to make sure the tournament abided by that organization's rules, so players must appear at ancillary events in order to receive NIL money. Strict pay for play is not allowed, though there are incentives for performance. The champion, for example, will receive $1.5 million in NIL money. Now the pressure is on to pull off the event and not create the kind of headlines that can dog it for years to come. "I think everybody in the marketplace is watching what's going to happen (this) week and, more importantly, what happens afterwards," Giles said. "Do the players get paid on a timely basis? And if they do, that means that Turner or somebody has paid way more than the market dictates? And the question will be: Can that continue?" CREIGHTON: P oint guard Steven Ashworth likely won’t play in the No. 21 Bluejays’ game against San Diego State in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Ashworth sprained his right ankle late in a loss to Nebraska on Friday and coach Greg McDermott said afterward he didn’t know how long he would be out. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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Griz 'Zoo Crew' heads to Bozeman for Brawl of the WildNonevowed to deport “all” illegal , with violent criminals as only his first priority, in an interview with NBC’s which aired on Sunday. The president-elect gave his clearest outline yet for his proposed mass deportation plan in the interview, telling moderator Kristen Welker that “you have to do it. It’s a very tough thing to do” when asked directly if he would “deport everyone who is here illegally over the next four years?”. But he would also target birthright — the 14th amendment, which guarantees the right of citizenship to any person born in the United States or its territory around the world. “[W]e're going to have to get it changed,” Trump said of the 14th amendment. “We'll maybe have to go back to the people. But we have to end it.” “We’re starting with the criminals, and we got to do it. And then we’re starting with others, and we’re going to see how it goes,” he added. Of the word “others”, he clarified: “Others are other people outside of criminals.” He quickly pivoted in the interview to a more comfortable talking point: claiming that would be allowed to continue, while the US government would work to prevent criminals being among those entering the country. “We don’t want people who are in for murder,” Trump said. “They’re walking down the streets, they’re walking next to you and your family.” He claimed that “estimates” said that thousands of convicted murderers were walking US streets, having come to the country illegally. Actual data from the Department of Homeland Security indicates that the total number of US Border Patrol interactions with noncitizens convicted of homicide or manslaughter is typically . But Trump’s ambitious goal to deport all noncitizens living in the US without legal means would put a drastically larger number of targets on the backs of people living all around the country. An estimated 11 million undocumented (”illegal”) immigrants are thought to live across the United States, according to the most recent figures from 2022. An operation to deport that many people in just four years — or even eight, if a Republican president were to continue Trump’s work in 2028 — would be a staggering undertaking that would have rippling effects in communities in every state. It would also require a massive expansion of existing DHS infrastructure, which at present is not equipped to process or deport anywhere close to the number of people Trump hopes to go after. Trump himself has said that he believes the real number of undocumented noncitizens living in the US to be between 15-20 million people, which is subsequently his actual target for the mass deportation plan. Democrats, who once pushed forcefully for immigration reform that would allow immigrants living in the US illegally to pursue a pathway to full citizenship, have largely backed away from those efforts. Kamala Harris’s campaign attacked Trump for torpedoing a bill that would have allowed the president to shut down the asylum system altogether during the 2024 presidential election. The incoming president has picked hardliner Tom Homan as his “border czar” while also putting Stephen Miller, the architect of his first-term family separation border enforcement measures, in charge of advising him on national security issues at the White House.
Negotiations momentum returns to reach truce in Gaza: PMAre ocean waves the future of energy? Scientists say more development neededA charming grade two-listed home with exposed timber beams is on the market in one of the most expensive regions of Cambridgeshire for £675,000. The current owners of Tree Cottage in Stapleford have taken care to preserve its original character. Great Shelford and Stapleford form the fourth-most expensive region of Cambridgeshire, coming under Addenbrooke's and Queen Edith's; central and west Cambridgeshire; and west Chesterton. Find out the ten most expensive and cheapest neighbourhoods in the county . The period home is in the centre of the village, and comes alongside a pretty cottage garden. It comes with a stunning inglenook fireplace in the sitting room, alongside a stained glass window in the study area. The property listing describes: "The accommodation comprises an entrance hall, which leads to a study area with stained glass window to rear aspect, a secondary staircase leading to the master bedroom. The dual aspect sitting room boasts an inglenook fireplace and exposed timbers, the bay window dining room has French doors out to the garden and the primary staircase to the first floor with quarry tile flooring. "The kitchen has been re-fitted in recent times with solid oak cabinetry, granite working surfaces with a one and a half inset sink and drainer, five-ring gas hob, double oven, extractor, dishwasher and space for a fridge freezer and washing machine. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms with a family bathroom, which boasts a roll top, claw foot bath. "There are the most impressive exposed timber beams throughout the entire cottage. Outside, the side and rear garden are laid mainly to well maintained lawns with well-stocked flower and shrub borders and beds, a selection of both specimen and fruit bearing trees, mature bushes and a paved patio. "There is a large timber shed/workshop with power and light connected, and all enjoys excellent levels of privacy and seclusion." Take a look at this gorgeous property below.
Feeding with love: Area’s first free grocery market opens in Grove communityShea Busch's 11th goal of the season for the Vernon Vipers in overtime was crucial, as the marker gave the Vipers a weekend split against a pair of Okanagan rivals. Despite 13 shots in the first from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on a four-game win streak, new goaltender Jari Kykkanen would hold his own, stopping all 13 in the frame. Vipers' Busch would score his 10th goal of the season in the period, despite being down a man. Maddux Martin would finally solve Kykkanen in the second, to knot the game up at 1-1. In the third, Cole Cooksey would put the 'Backs up on the power-play, however Corban Almen's second of the season just three minutes later would tie the game up. Just 28 seconds would be needed in the overtime period, where Busch's 11th of the season would win it for the home team. Kykkanen's 25 saves on the afternoon would be enough for his first win in his first game with the club. He was acquired off waivers from the Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets. Salmon Arm's (15-4-3) Andrew Ballantyne's 27 saves on 30 shots gave him his second loss of the season. Vernon was in Penticton on Saturday, Nov. 23, to face the Vees. The Vipers would fight valiantly, but a three-goal third period from the home team led to a 6-4 Penticton victory. Four times the Snakes held the lead against their arch-rivals, and four times the Vees rallied. The opening frame, both teams would trade goals, with Vernon getting markers from Will Schumacher, Jordan Gudridge and Noah Grolnic. Penticton sandwiched the Vipers tallies with snipes from Max Heise (two) and Anselmo Rego. Rego's eighth of the season came on a penalty shot, after getting hauled down with a minute left in the frame. In the second, Charlie Kresl would give the Vipers the lead on the power-play. But just 44 seconds into the third, the Vees would knot the game up again from the stick of Ryden Evers, scoring short-handed. Landon Wright put the home team up two minutes later, before Heise's hat-trick marker into an empty net to secure the two points for Penticton (16-6-0) Ethan Bonaventura made 20 saves for his second win of the year while the Vipers' Marko Bilic stopped 32 of 37 shots for his fifth loss of the season. Vernon (7-11-4) begins a three-game road trip that takes them to the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and the Sunshine Coast Wednesday, Nov. 27. The Snakes play the Express in Coquitlam Wednesday before heading to Nanaimo to face the Clippers Friday, Nov. 29, and finishing the jaunt Saturday, Nov. 30, in Powell River against the Kings. The Vipers' next home game will be against the league best Brooks Bandits (18-2-0) Friday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m. at Kal Tire Place. The Bandits are three points ahead of the Silverbacks in the Interior Conference, and four up on the Vees.Algae transformation into bioplastic
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was a full participant in practice on Monday, opening the door for him to return from a three-game absence on Wednesday when Pittsburgh hosts the Kansas City Chiefs. Pickens hasn't played since tweaking his hamstring earlier this month. The Steelers (10-5) have struggled to generate much in their passing game with their leading receiver watching from the sideline in sweatpants. Though Monday's practice was a walkthrough, Pickens said he felt good and hopes he'll be able to face the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. The 23-year-old was going through post-practice drills on Dec. 6 when he felt his hamstring tighten up, forcing him to miss the first games of his three-year career. Pittsburgh has gone 1-2 in his absence, including back-to-back losses to Philadelphia and Baltimore in which Russell Wilson passed for just 345 yards while missing one of the NFL's top downfield threats. Wilson is encouraged by the way the sometimes mercurial Pickens — who has been flagged and fined multiple times this season for infractions ranging from facemasks to unsportsmanlike conduct — has remained engaged. “He’s been great in the midst of his little trial here over the past few weeks,” Wilson said. “And so we’re excited to have him back if that’s the case fully and let him do his thing.” Safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin) were also listed as full participants on Tuesday. Neither veteran has played since getting hurt against Cleveland on Dec. 8. While Pickens, Elliott and Ogunjobi could be available as Pittsburgh tries to hold off Baltimore for the AFC North lead, cornerback Joey Porter (knee) and WR Ben Skowronek (hip) are likely out after missing practice for a second straight day. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Why ‘The Odyssey’ from Christopher Nolan is excitingConference title games a chance at a banner, bragging rights and, for some, a season-wrecking loss