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LOS ANGELES — Londynn Jones scored 15 points, making all five of her 3-pointers, and fifth-ranked UCLA stunned No. 1 South Carolina 77-62 on Sunday, ending the Gamecocks' overall 43-game winning streak and their run of 33 consecutive road victories. The Gamecocks (5-1) lost for the first time since April 2023, when Caitlin Clark and Iowa beat them in the NCAA Tournament national semifinals. Te-Hina Paopao scored 18 points and Tessa Johnson scored 14 for the Gamecocks, whose road winning streak was third-longest in Division I history. It was the first time UCLA took down a No. 1 team in school history, having been 0-20 in such games. The program's previous best wins were over a couple of No. 2s — Oregon in 2019 and Stanford in 2008. Elina Aarnisalo added 13 points as one of five Bruins in double figures. UCLA (5-0) dominated from start to finish, with the Bruins' suffocating defense preventing the Gamecocks from making any sustained scoring runs. The Gamecocks trailed by double-digits at halftime for the first time since Dec. 21, 2021, against Stanford, according to ESPN. Chloe Kitts, who averages a team-leading 14 points, finished the game with 2 points on 1 of 7 shooting. The Bruins led 43-22 at halftime. Eight different players scored and contributed to 11-0 and 7-0 runs in the first and second quarters as they shot 52% from the field. The first quarter set the tone for a game in which the Gamecocks never led. They missed their first nine shots and were 4 of 18 from the floor in the quarter. UCLA ran off 11 straight points to take a 20-10 lead into the second quarter. The Bruins dominated the boards, 41-34, and held the Gamecocks well under their scoring average of 80.2 points. South Carolina travels to Florida to meet Iowa State in the Fort Myers Tipoff on Thanksgiving. UCLA travels to the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Hawaii to play UT Martin on Friday. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Highly touted high school QB commits to Colorado, possible indicator Sanders is staying in Boulder
Aston Villa denied last-gasp winner in Juventus stalemateAPM Terminals Barcelona celebrates electrification milestoneVALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) — Tyler Schmidt came off the bench to score 19 points to lead Valparaiso to an 81-53 victory over Eastern Illinois on Sunday. Schmidt added three steals for the Beacons (3-2). Justus McNair scored 16 points while going 5 of 8 (4 for 6 from 3-point range). Darius DeAveiro had nine points and shot 3 for 11, including 3 for 9 from beyond the arc. Nakyel Shelton led the Panthers (1-5) in scoring, finishing with 20 points. Kooper Jacobi added 13 points and nine rebounds for Eastern Illinois. Zion Fruster had six points. Valparaiso took the lead with 5:07 remaining in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 35-29 at halftime, with Schmidt racking up 14 points. Valparaiso extended its lead to 66-38 during the second half, fueled by an 18-2 scoring run. McNair scored a team-high 11 points in the second half as their team closed out the win. NEXT UP Both teams play Northern Illinois next, Valparaiso at home on Wednesday and Eastern Illinois at home on Friday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .After weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. This photo provided by Trisha Bushey shows the evening sky and points of light Dec. 5 near Lebanon Township, N.J. The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy special technology that identifies and tracks drones back to their landing spots, according to briefings from his office. Schumer’s calls come amid growing public concern that the federal government hasn’t offered clear explanations as to who is operating the drones, and has not stopped them. National security officials have said the drones don’t appear to be a sign of foreign interference. “There’s a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, on Fox News Sunday. “The answer ‘We don’t know’ is not a good enough answer.” President-elect Donald Trump posted on social media last week: “Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so. Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down.” Certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security have the power to “incapacitate” drones, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. “But we need those authorities expanded,” he said, without saying exactly how. The drones don’t appear to be linked to foreign governments, Mayorkas said. “We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the Northeast. And we are vigilant in investigating this matter,” Mayorkas said. Last year, federal aviation rules began requiring certain drones to broadcast their identities. It’s not clear whether that information has been used to determine who is operating the drones swarming locations in New York and New Jersey. Mayorkas’ office didn’t immediately respond to questions about whether they’ve been able to identify drones using this capability. Schumer is calling for recently declassified radar technology to be used to help determine whether an object is a drone or a bird, identify its electronic registration, and follow it back to its landing place. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday said federal officials were sending a drone detection system to the state. “This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Hochul said in a statement. The governor did not immediately provide additional details, including where the system will be deployed. Dozens of mysterious nighttime flights started last month over New Jersey, raising concerns among residents and officials. Part of the worry stems from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility and over Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. FILE - Former Rep. Doug Collins speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Oct. 15, 2024, in Atlanta. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China, saying in a social media post that the former CEO “brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China.” Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for governor. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Guilfoyle is a former California prosecutor and television news personality who led the fundraising for Trump's 2020 campaign and became engaged to Don Jr. in 2020. Trump called her “a close friend and ally” and praised her “sharp intellect make her supremely qualified.” Guilfoyle was on stage with the family on election night. “I am so proud of Kimberly. She loves America and she always has wanted to serve the country as an Ambassador. She will be an amazing leader for America First,” Don Jr. posted. The ambassador positions must be approved by the U.S. Senate. Guilfoyle said in a social media post that she was “honored to accept President Trump’s nomination to serve as the next Ambassador to Greece and I look forward to earning the support of the U.S. Senate.” Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Rodney Scott led during Trump's first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country's borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump's policies. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump's hard-line immigration agenda. He appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He's also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Trump says he’s picking Kari Lake as director of Voice of America, installing a staunch loyalist who ran unsuccessfully for Arizona governor and a Senate seat to head the congressionally funded broadcaster that provides independent news reporting around the world. Lake endeared herself to Trump through her dogmatic commitment to the falsehood that both she and Trump were the victims of election fraud. She has never acknowledged losing the gubernatorial race and called herself the “lawful governor” in her 2023 book, “Unafraid: Just Getting Started.” Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Ron Johnson, Ambassador to Mexico Johnson — not the Republican senator — served as ambassador to El Salvador during Trump's first administration. His nomination comes as the president-elect has been threatening tariffs on Mexican imports and the mass deportation of migrants who have arrived to the U.S.-Mexico border. Johnson is also a former U.S. Army veteran and was in the Central Intelligence Agency. Tom Barrack, Ambassador to Turkey Barrack, a wealthy financier, met Trump in the 1980s while helping negotiate Trump’s purchase of the renowned Plaza Hotel. He was charged with using his personal access to the former president to secretly promote the interests of the United Arab Emirates, but was acquitted of all counts at a federal trial in 2022. Trump called him a “well-respected and experienced voice of reason.” Andrew Ferguson, Federal Trade Commission Ferguson, who is already one of the FTC's five commissioners, will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Jacob Helberg, undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment Dan Bishop, deputy director for budget at the Office of Budget and Management Leandro Rizzuto, Ambassador to the Washington-based Organization of American States Dan Newlin, Ambassador to Colombia Peter Lamelas, Ambassador to Argentina Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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Discounts for special groupsONTARIO, Calif. , Dec. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A Holiday Story to Brighten the Road Ahead It's the festive season—a time for family, togetherness, and the joy of giving. But imagine this: it's Christmas Eve, and you're driving with loved ones to see sparkling lights or deliver gifts, only to have the dreaded check engine light flicker on. Such an unexpected disruption can easily cast a shadow on the holiday cheer. This very scenario echoes the experience that inspired Mr. Jin, the founder of VDIAGTOOL , to create tools that ensure no journey, whether a holiday trip or a routine errand, is derailed by car troubles. Where It All Began The spark for VDIAGTOOL ignited in 2015. Mr. Jin was preparing for a delightful spring outing with his family when car troubles unexpectedly put their plans on hold. Hours of waiting for a mechanic dampened the day, leaving him thinking there had to be a better way. When a friend later recounted a similar experience, it clicked: Why can't drivers handle car diagnostics on their own? Fueled by this vision, Mr. Jin began a journey to turn frustration into innovation. He assembled a team of mechanics worldwide who has over 20 years of hands-on experience average. Step by step, they achieved milestones, bringing the vision of empowering drivers to life. Building a Vision VDIAGTOOL set out with a clear mission: simplify car diagnostics, testing, and maintenance for everyone. Catering to DIY enthusiasts and professional technicians alike, the brand combines affordability with intuitive design. Whether it's an amateur checking their car's health or a seasoned mechanic fine-tuning a vehicle, VDIAGTOOL tools are designed to make the process efficient and hassle-free. From Concept to Creation True to Mr. Jin's philosophy, "We are customers first, then merchants," VDIAGTOOL's journey began with a deep understanding of user needs. The first product—a code reader—was crafted to balance simplicity and functionality. Over time, the team expanded its offerings, overcoming challenges through open collaboration and persistence. Each product, from automotive diagnostic tools to battery testers and circuit testers—all engineered for quality, reliability, and innovation. A Glimpse at Our Milestones Throughout its history, VDIAGTOOL has built a diverse product lineup, including: Introducing the VD70S As we celebrate our progress, we're thrilled to unveil the VD70S —Building on the success of the VD70 and VD70 Lite.The VD70S is the artwork of the dedication and expertise of our 200+ technicians and mechanics. Their passion and hard work have driven every innovation, enabling the release of this cutting-edge scanner tablet. This relentless pursuit of excellence continues to push boundaries, bringing easy, accessible car repair to families worldwide. With its advanced connectivity and upgraded features, the VD70S represents the pinnacle of our efforts to combine innovation with reliability. Spreading Joy Worldwide Unti l to day, VDIAGTOOL has grown to a team of over 200 engineers worldwide, with numerous patents and intellectual property under its belt and available in over 50 countries. Our mission is simple: to create user-friendly, affordable tools that make car repairs easy and accessible , j ust like the guiding star of the holiday season, our tools provide drivers everywhere with peace of mind, and ensuring every journey is as smooth as possible. Your Trusted Holiday Companion This Christmas Holidays season and beyond, VDIAGTOOL is here to keep your travels safe and joyful. Whether it's a Christmas road trip or a daily commute, let us light the way, ensuring you and your loved ones arrive safely and happily wherever the road leads. Happy Holidays from VDIAGTOOL—Your Trusted Partner in Every Journey! For more information, please visit https://www.vdiagtool.com/ For Purchase, please visit https://vdiagtools.com/ ABOUT VDIAGTOOL Established in 2018 by a team of industry experts with over 20 years of experience in automotive repair and maintenance, VDIAGTOOL is dedicated to the research, development, manufacturing, and sales of automotive diagnostic and maintenance tools, as well as testing equipment. Make automotive diagnostics, maintenance and testing easier, affordable and more efficient. Media Contact: Full company name: VDIAGTOOL Company website: www.vdiagtool.com Name: Jerry Chen Email id: Support@vdiagtool.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vdiagtool-makes-car-diagnostics-great-again-302331963.html SOURCE VDIAGTOOL Technology Co, LtdNo. 5 UCLA stuns No. South Carolina, ends 43-game streakUBS cuts price target on Bayer on weak outlook
GERMANTOWN, Tenn. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc., or MAA (NYSE: MAA), today announced a full quarterly dividend of $1.0625 per outstanding share of its 8.50% Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. The dividend is payable on December 31, 2024 , to shareholders of record on December 13, 2024 . About MAA MAA is a self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT) and member of the S&P 500. MAA owns or has ownership interest in apartment communities primarily throughout the Southeast, Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. focused on delivering strong, full-cycle investment performance. For further details, please refer to the "For Investors" page at www.maac.com or contact Investor Relations at investor.relations@maac.com . Forward-Looking Statements Certain matters in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended with respect to our expectations for future periods. Such statements include statements made about the payment of preferred dividends. The ability to meet the payment of preferred dividends in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements could differ materially from the projection due to a number of factors, including a downturn in general economic conditions or the capital markets, changes in interest rates and other items that are difficult to control such as increases in real estate taxes in many of our markets, as well as the other general risks inherent in the apartment and real estate businesses. Reference is hereby made to the filings of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, reports on Form 8-K, and its annual report on Form 10-K, particularly including the risk factors contained in the latter filing. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maa-announces-regular-quarterly-preferred-dividend-302319993.html SOURCE MAAShiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday blamed former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud for the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi’s poor showing in the assembly election. If Chandrachud had delivered a timely verdict on the disqualification cases of MLAs, the situation would not have unfolded the way it did, he said. The former CJI had removed the fear of the law from politicians who defected from parties, Raut said. The Sena (UBT) leader’s statement came after his party faced a severe drubbing in the assembly election, winning only 20 out of 95 seats it contested as part of the MVA. The performance of the party’s alliance partners was no better, with the Congress winning only 16 out of 101 seats and NCP (SP) getting only 10 out of 86 seats it contested. Raut alleged, “He [Chandrachud] has removed the fear of the law from defectors. His name will be written in black letters in history.” Following the split in the undivided Shiv Sena in 2022, the party’s faction headed by Uddhav Thackeray filed petitions in the Supreme Court on the disqualification of MLAs who defected along with Eknath Shinde. The apex court put the onus on the assembly speaker to decide on the disqualification petitions, which he did earlier this year, declaring the Sena bloc led by Shinde as the “real political party”. Raut alleged that the results of the election were pre-decided. If the then CJI had decided on the disqualification petitions on time, the outcome would have been different, he said. “The result was already decided, and the voting was just a formality. If DY Chandrachud had given a timely ruling on the disqualification of MLAs, this situation would never have happened. If you weren’t going to deliver the judgment, then why did you sit in that chair?" Raut questioned. “DY Chandrachud may be a good professor or a speaker, but as chief justice, he did not make constitutional decisions. History will not forgive him for this. Had Chandrachud delivered the right judgment, the political landscape in Maharashtra would have been very different. The situation we see today would not have occurred,” he said. “We are sad but not disappointed. We will not leave the fight incomplete. Division of votes was also a factor, and the RSS played an important role in the election. The poisonous campaign impacted us negatively,” Raut said. Turning his attention to the formation of the new government, Raut suggested that the chief minister of Mahayuti would be decided by the Gujarat “lobby” rather than the people of Maharashtra. He warned that if the swearing-in ceremony were held outside Maharashtra, particularly in Gujarat, it would be a disrespect to the state’s culture. “If the oath-taking ceremony happens in Gujarat instead of Maharashtra, their people will be happy. But if it takes place at Shivtirtha, it would be an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Similarly, if it happens at Wankhede Stadium, it will insult the martyrs of Maharashtra," Raut argued.
The Yankees made a splash in free agency by signing left-handed ace Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract on Tuesday. Fried, 30, brings an elite pedigree to a rotation already anchored by Gerrit Cole , further solidifying New York’s pitching depth. With this deal, the Yankees now have three left-handed starters, opening the door to potential trades involving Nestor Cortes or Marcus Stroman to balance the roster. Fried’s Dominance Solidifies the Rotation Fried enters the Yankees’ rotation as one of the most consistent and dominant left-handed pitchers in baseball. In 2024, Fried posted a 3.25 ERA over 174.1 innings with 8.57 strikeouts per nine innings. He excelled at limiting damage, with a 72.5% left-on-base rate and an elite 58.8% ground ball rate, ranking in the 96th percentile in ground ball effectiveness. Opponents managed just a .360 slugging percentage against his four-seam fastball, while his curveball remained one of the most effective pitches in the game. Fried’s upside and command make him a reliable option for deep postseason runs, something the Yankees have been missing in recent years. With Cole and Fried headlining the rotation, New York now boasts one of the strongest 1-2 combinations in the league. Nestor Cortes Could Be Trade Bait The acquisition of Fried creates a surplus of left-handed starters, making Nestor Cortes a logical trade candidate. Cortes, coming off a solid 2024 season with a 3.77 ERA over 174.1 innings, offers one more year of team control before hitting free agency. His quirky delivery and ability to navigate lineups effectively make him an attractive option for teams seeking mid-rotation stability. Trading Cortes would allow the Yankees to address other areas of need, such as the bullpen or outfield piece while freeing up rotation space for Fried to slide seamlessly into the No. 2 slot behind Cole. Stroman Likely a Salary Dump Candidate Marcus Stroman, on the other hand, is a different story. The right-hander is owed $18.5 million for the 2025 season, and while he provides durability, his performance has been inconsistent. Stroman finished the 2024 season with a 4.31 ERA over 154.2 innings, struggling to maintain the level of effectiveness he displayed earlier in his career. Moving Stroman would primarily be a financial decision, creating additional payroll flexibility for the Yankees. Teams in need of back-end rotation help might view Stroman as a reclamation project, especially if the Yankees are willing to attach a prospect or eat part of his salary. Rotation Outlook Post-Fried Signing With Fried in the fold, the Yankees now have a rotation featuring Cole, Fried, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil , Cortes, Stroman, and Clarke Schmidt. This formidable group gives them the luxury of exploring trade opportunities to address other needs while maintaining a competitive edge on the mound. This article first appeared on Empire Sports Media and was syndicated with permission.President Joe Biden delivered remarks Tuesday focused on his administration’s economic legacy , drawing a sharp contrast between his four years in office and President-elect Donald Trump’s past and future terms. Biden, speaking at the Brookings Institution, reflected on the economy he inherited from Trump and his administration’s work to help the country recover from COVID-19, arguing his approach to the economy benefited more people than Trump’s trickle-down theory. Biden was critical of the Trump administration for having “no plan, real plan, to get us through one of the toughest periods in our nation's history,” but he said he did learn one thing from Trump. “You know, within the first two months of office, I signed the American Rescue Plan, the most significant economic recovery package in our history. I also learned something from Donald Trump -- he signed checks for people, 7,400 bucks, because we passed the plan and I didn't. Stupid,” Biden said with a laugh, though he got the total amount of the stimulus checks wrong. MORE: Video Biden says he hopes Trump ‘rethinks’ tariff plan When asked at the White House press briefing about the comment, Jared Bernstein, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, said the president was “joking.” With the country at an “inflection point” after the 2024 elections, the president looked ahead to Trump’s next term, saying, “I pray to God the president-elect throws away Project 2025.” He also bluntly called Trump’s tariff threat “a major mistake.” “All accounts the incoming administration is determined to return the country to another round of trickle-down economics and another tax cut for the very wealthy that will not be paid for or, if paid for, is going to have a real cost, once again causing massive deficits or significant cuts in basic programs, health care, education, veterans' benefits,” Biden said. “On top of that, he seems determined to impose steep universal tariffs on all imported goods brought to this country on the mistaken belief that foreign countries will bear the cost of those tariffs rather than the American consumer," Biden added. "Who do you think pays for this? I believe this approach is a major mistake. I believe we have proven that approach is a mistake over the past four years. But we all know in time -- we all know in time what will happen." Speaking of his own administration’s actions, Biden touted its work in bringing manufacturing back to the United States, boosting production of semiconductor chips, lowering health care costs and making major investments in infrastructure. Biden also praised his team’s work to get inflation under control and raise wages, though he did acknowledge that “too many working- and middle-class families struggle with high prices for housing and groceries and daily needs of life,” and he pointed to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine for driving up inflation. Biden asked for his record to be compared to Trump’s at the end of his successor’s term. “President Reagan said, and I quote, ‘Facts are stubborn things. Facts are stubborn things.’ They are. Here are the facts, a set marker of benchmarks, if you will, and we should measure the success or failure of our next four years: During my presidency, we created 60 million new jobs in America. Will the next president create jobs or, like Herbert Hoover, be the only president to lose jobs in his administration?” asked Biden, who in the past year has referred to his political rival as “Donald ‘Herbert Hoover’ Trump.” MORE: As Biden considers preemptive pardons, experts he has constitutional right “During my presidency, we see the lowest average unemployment rate of ... any administration in 50 years,” Biden added. “Will the unemployment be higher or lower in the next four years?" Closing his remarks, Biden touted the economy he was leaving behind -- even after an election that seemed to show many voters disagreed with his take. “I believe the only way for a president to lead America now is to lead all of America. And I believe the economy I'm leaving at the moment -- and others can do better than I did, I'm not saying I was perfect -- but ends up, at this moment, the best economy, strongest economy in the world and for all Americans doing better,” Biden said, adding that while he’s leaving the presidency, he’s “not going anywhere.”
Police say Luigi Mangione was found with a 3D printed ghost gun, an illegal firearm that one gun violence prevention advocate called 'scary on so many levels.'
US agencies should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer sayshas not seen action in since the 2023 season. The left-handed pitcher was accused of assaulting a woman after a match in Los Angeles. This situation led to the not signing him back to the team for this year. While Julio Cesar Urias Acosta was suspended in MLB, the pitcher could return to a baseball diamond in Mexican baseball. This is because he could be considered by a team in the Could Julio Urias return to play baseball in Mexico? Julio Urias' career as a professional baseball player is on hold as a result of the suspension he was given after being accused of allegedly physically assaulting a woman. The Los Angeles Dodgers placed the pitcher on administrative leave in 2023 and he did not return to Major League Baseball (MLB) for the 2024 season. However, the suspensions in baseball in the United States would not apply in Mexico, so Urias Acosta would have the possibility of returning to the mound in a Mexican professional baseball team. Reports mention that , the left-handed pitcher's lawyer, stated that his client "could work outside the United States without any problems if he has behaved well this year and if he applies for permission from a judge in that city". Which team would Julio Urias play for in Mexico? The team that has emerged as a possible candidate to sign Julio Urias is the . This is because they recently acquired the services of , who was Urias' teammate with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tomateros is Urias' hometown team and Gonzalez's arrival via a trade with the Charros de Jalisco could bring the former Dodgers closer to them. At the moment, no official information has emerged to suggest that the Guinda team is contacting Julio to be part of its pitching staff. Why was Julio Urias, formerly of the Dodgers, suspended by MLB? was charged with assault for the second time in his career in 2023. The then pitcher faced an investigation for physically assaulting a woman. Videos posted on social media showed the baseball player hitting a woman outside the Los Angeles football stadium, a situation that reportedly led MLB to no longer consider him.
VSee Health and 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals Interviews Aired on the RedChip Small Stocks, Big Money(TM) Show on Bloomberg TVThe Red Sox have emerged as a favorite — maybe THE favorite — to land Yankees free agent Juan Soto, two people with knowledge of the contract negotiations told NJ Advance Media. The Yankees are still hopeful of re-signing Soto, but they’re now more worried about their AL East rival Red Sox than the crosstown rival Mets, who have the richest owner in Steve Cohen. The people requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. One person said that David Ortiz, a Hall of Fame slugger and Red Sox legend, has been trying to convince Soto to sign with Boston by talking up the city, the organization, manager Alex Cora and the farm system, which includes three of the top 10 prospects in the majors in MLB Pipeline’s rankings. The person with knowledge also told NJ Advance Media that the Red Sox have told Soto that they intend to sign two additional big-money free agents, another hitter and a pitcher. The Red Sox also are among the favorites for a winter trade with the Cardinals for superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado, who is on the block. It’s believed the Red Sox, Mets and Blue Jays are all in on Soto, with the Yankees and Dodgers also in contention. The 26-year-old outfielder finished third in the 2024 American League MVP vote after hitting .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBI and a .989 OPS in 157 games last season, his first with the Yankees. NJ Advance Media reported on Nov. 25 that Soto had received first offers from all five teams. Improved offers were made last week, a person with knowledge said. One person with knowledge of the discussions believes the Red Sox, Mets and Blue Jays all have made offers upwards of $600 million while the Yankees are in the $550 million range. A former Soto teammate recently told NJ Advance Media that he’s seeking a contract higher than the record $700 million deal that pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani obtained from the Dodgers last winter. Ohtani’s deal was for 10 years with $680 million deferred. Soto prefers a deal with no deferred money, one of the people told NJ Advance Media. Soto’s first offer from the Mets was for $660 million, according to retired All-Star second baseman Carlos Baerga. If that’s accurate, the Yankees probably have no shot at Soto because one of the people told NJ Advance Media that the Yankees expect the final offer to be under $600 million and the Yankees are prepared to move on if the price goes above $600 million. Soto is expected to field final offers by the weekend and make a decision during next week’s Winter Meetings, which run from Monday to Thursday in Dallas. If the Yankees lose Soto — and all signs are pointing to that occurring unless he leaves money on the table, which would be a big surprise — they’ll quickly pivot to a Plan B and spend elsewhere. The Yankees need to add one or two outfielders, a second or third baseman, a first baseman and relievers because they have a lot of other free agents who may not be re-signed: First baseman Anthony Rizzo, second baseman Gleyber Torres, left fielder Alex Verdugo and relievers Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahne and Tim Hill. The Yankees will look for a third baseman if they move Jazz Chisholm from third to second. Free agents that could entice the Yankees include first basemen Pete Alonso and Christian Walker, shortstop Willy Adames or infielder Gio Urshela to play third base, outfielders Anthony Santander, Teoscar Hernandez, Tyler O’Neill, Jurickson Profar and relievers Tanner Scott, Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez.