
KANSAS CITY — NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said that the league would prioritize its organizational values, in response to a question from The Athletic regarding the potential impacts of the incoming Trump administration on women’s health and LGBTQ+ rights and possible immigration policy changes. Advertisement “Whether [Donald] Trump is the president or Kamala [Harris] was president, we’re committed to the values of the league, and we stand for inclusivity, excellence and unity,” she said Friday during a press conference at CPKC Stadium ahead of Saturday’s NWSL Championship between the Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit . “We’re going to continually live by our values and support everyone in our ecosystem, inclusive of our fans, our players, our employees, in every community where we operate.” President-elect Trump has pledged multiple times through this campaign to “keep men out of women’s sports,” which has been a recurring platform at all levels of the Republican party during this election cycle. However, Trump has not provided specifics on what steps he would take. “You just ban it,” he said during a Fox News town hall in October . “The president bans it. You just don’t let it happen.” There has been an increase in bills from Republicans that would limit the participation of transgender athletes in sports across the United States, but so far, they have largely targeted youth sports. The NWSL issued a policy on transgender and nonbinary athlete participation in 2021 , which begins with the guiding principle of “creating a safe, non-discriminatory and inclusive environment for all of its athletes while maintaining competitive equity throughout the league.” The policy does allow challenges to an athlete’s eligibility under the policy, though the league states it “will only consider requests that are reasonable and made in good faith.” According to the league’s eligibility guidelines, any athlete assigned female at birth is eligible to play in the league, while those who are designated female at birth who are transitioning to male and are undergoing testosterone hormone therapy are ineligible to compete in the NWSL, unless their hormone levels fall under certain levels. Advertisement Athletes who transition from male to female are eligible to compete if their total testosterone level is within the typical limits of women athletes over a set period. The NWSL currently only has one out transgender player, who was assigned female at birth and who identifies as nonbinary. Berman did not offer specifics when asked about whether the league has plans to handle possible issues around immigration policy changes and how, or if, international players could be affected. Over the last two World Cup cycles, women’s soccer has been subject to Trump’s attention. While he has largely focused on the now-retired U.S. women’s national team and Reign player Megan Rapinoe in 2019 and 2023, he has also been highly critical of the U.S. women’s team. Following the USWNT’s exit from the 2023 World Cup in a penalty shoot-out with Sweden, Trump posted on Truth Social that the loss was “fully emblematic of what is happening to our once great Nation under Crooked Joe Biden.” “Many of our players were openly hostile to America — No other country behaved in such a manner, or even close,” he added. On Friday, Berman did not provide much in the way of specifics of any potential additional protections the league would put in place for players or staff, especially in the context of a player having been criticized previously. “We’re committed to ensuring that our players and our staff get all of their needs met, whether that’s healthcare, other protections around mental health — any support that anyone needs in our ecosystem,” Berman said. (Photo: Tim Heitman / Getty Images)One of the common misconceptions about low-temperature burns is that they are less severe than traditional burns caused by flames or hot surfaces. However, this is not the case. Low-temperature burns can still cause significant damage to the skin and underlying tissues, leading to pain, scarring, and prolonged healing times.CHICAGO -- After 76ers center Joel Embiid finished with 31 points and 12 rebounds in Philadelphia's 108-100 win against the Bulls on Sunday, he admitted it's been a difficult process for him mentally to go through trying to get his left knee to a place where he can play. "Depressing," Embiid told ESPN, when asked what the last couple of months have been like for him, after Sunday's game. "Just trying to figure it out. There's no injury. Just between the swelling ... we've got to get it figured out. That's it. "I've been saying it for the last few months. It's been extremely depressing. It's something that hasn't been figured out, and it's been extremely annoying, because I would love to play every single game." That has, unfortunately for both Embiid and Philadelphia, not been the case this season. Embiid missed the opening nine games of the season both because of his knee and a league suspension before returning to play in four games -- including scoring 35 points in Memphis on Nov. 20 -- before again being shut down and missing the past two-and-a-half weeks of action due to both his knee swelling up on him and personal reasons. That time away from the court ended Sunday, however, when Embiid -- after being upgraded to questionable Saturday -- went through his normal pregame workout a little less than an hour before tip and was then inserted back into the starting lineup alongside fellow All-Stars Tyrese Maxey and Paul George . Before Sunday's game here, the three of them had only shared the court for six minutes -- all in that loss in Memphis, when George hyperextended his left knee for a second time in about a month and Embiid would later have his knee struggle to respond the way he hoped it would. But, against Chicago, there were glimpses of what they can do. The trio played 26 minutes together Sunday, with the 76ers outscoring the Bulls by 14 points across those minutes. As a result, Embiid still has faith that despite the rough start to the season for the 76ers, who have now rattled off wins in four of their last five games after opening the season 3-14, there's still time for them to do the things they set out to do before the season began. "It starts with health," Embiid told ESPN. It felt good to have the guys on the floor. I believe if we're healthy, and we're on the floor, we have a chance against anybody, and I like what we have. "I think the whole thing is about health ... that's what it comes down to. I wish I could have been playing from the beginning. I would love to play every single game, every single minute, but sometimes your body just says 'No,' and you can't do nothing about it. All you can do is just keep working to fix it and get better." A similar thing could be said for how this game played out. The 76ers were down 10 after the first quarter, and were lucky it wasn't twice that much. Embiid missed all six of his shots in the quarter, and the Bulls, who were led by 30 points from Zach LaVine , looked like they might run Philadelphia right off the court. "I said it on the bench a couple times," 76ers coach Nick Nurse said. "I was like, 'Whoa, we could be down ... we're playing so bad, right? Really bad. We were down five with a couple minutes ago. I was like, 'How are we down five?'" They wound up not being down for long once the second quarter started, because Embiid -- after missing his first seven shots of the game -- would then go on to make 8 of his next 10, outscoring the Bulls by himself (19-17) in the second as Philadelphia outscored Chicago 39-17 to stake the 76ers to a lead they would never relinquish. Many of those Embiid shots came off passes from Maxey, who registered his first career triple-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists -- with 10 of those assists, per ESPN Research, coming off feeds to Embiid. "It was great," Maxey said of having Embiid on the court again. "I mean, that's just who he is. I think today. It's easy, man. It's easier, man. There's a lot more space out there. I felt like today, even when he's out there and I'm not out there, it's harder to maybe trap or whatever. They can't trap ball screens, you know what I mean? Either or if they don't drive, then I can score or shoot three or if they drop too much and help too much for me, I'm pocket passing to him and he's getting a layup or a [midrange jumper] ... it makes the game easier." After beating the Bulls on Sunday to claim a fourth win in five tries following their dismal 3-14 start, the 76ers are now tied in the loss column with the Bulls and Detroit Pistons for the 10th and final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference standings -- the latest reminder of how forgiving the bottom of the East can be. Still, this team is built around Embiid, and the lingering question is how his knee will respond moving forward after playing 33 minutes Sunday. The 76ers have three games over the next 12 days due to the break in the schedule for the NBA to complete the second edition of the Emirates NBA Cup -- a period Nurse said he plans to operate like another training camp of sorts to get his team back onto the same page. Embiid himself said he's still working through the issues with his knee, and that time will tell how it responds to his latest ramp up to play. For now, though, the 76ers -- who spent a couple extra hours at the arena waiting for a plane issue to be fixed Sunday after the win -- are just happy to have their team on the court, and to finally be building some small bits of momentum. "It felt great," George said. "It felt great to finally gets some consistency with Big Fella out there and myself and [Tyrese]. It felt good to kind of put the team back together and log some minutes today."
The controversy began when a US cargo ship carrying a shipment of arms intended for an allied nation was denied permission to dock at a Spanish port. The Spanish authorities cited concerns over potential violations of international arms regulations and the need to maintain strict control over the flow of weapons in the region. The decision was met with swift condemnation from US officials, who argued that the refusal was unjustified and could potentially harm the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Pass tax reform bills into laws without delay, Afenifere, US Chapter charges NASS
For one of the best remaining Cyber Week computer deals , head to Dell right now. Currently, you can buy the a Dell XPS Desktop with GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card for $600 off. Normally $2,345, it’s down to $1,745, which is a great price for a desktop PC that is fairly well suited for gaming. All you need is to add one of the best monitor deals and you’re all set. Here’s what this desktop has to offer. Why you should buy the Dell XPS Desktop Well suited for gaming as well as working effectively from home, this Dell XPS Desktop is packed with great hardware. It has a 14th generation Intel Core i9-14900K CPU , which is the CPU that I personally considered kitting out my new gaming PC with. It also has 32GB of memory and 1TB of SSD storage. Best of all is its Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU with 12GB of dedicated VRAM. That all makes for a PC that is perfect for gaming even if it doesn’t look like a gaming PC. This is easily one of the best desktop PCs around. The only consideration I’d make for gaming is wishing there was more storage space, but that’s easily added at a later date. The Dell XPS Desktop is designed to be roomy yet stylish. It has increased airflow compared to prior Dell XPS Desktops. There is a lot of room for expandability and great cooling options. Cool air travels through the tower’s large chassis well and quietly, and there are plenty of slots for more RAM, another SSD or other components if you so choose. The Dell XPS Desktop is designed with creators in mind, so it looks good and offers plenty of power. Add on one of the best monitors or the best gaming monitors and you’re all set for plenty of fun and creation opportunities. It’s one of the best desktop computers for video editing in this price range. Usually priced at $2,345, the Dell XPS Desktop is down to $1,745 for a limited time only at Dell. It’s a great system for gaming but also for working on any complex projects or creating your own videos or images. If that sounds like you, tap the button below to buy it.Power planners have found nuclear energy does not stack up for Australia even after considering new parameters, with large-scale solar and big batteries still the lowest-cost option. Login or signup to continue reading In the draft generation cost update released on Monday, scientists and energy officials warn taxpayers will need deep pockets and a lead time of at least 15 years to develop nuclear energy generation. For the seventh straight year, renewables were the lowest-cost of any new-build electricity-generating technology. After a global energy crisis and equipment supply crunch several years ago, large-scale solar and lithium battery storage have weathered the inflationary period the best of all technologies. The cost of batteries recorded the largest annual reduction, with capital costs down by one-fifth. Rooftop solar costs are also coming down. The draft GenCost 2024-25 Report comes as the coalition pushes for an end to Australia's nuclear ban and promises to have reactors online in as soon as 10 years if elected in 2025. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, eyeing sites in seven regional centres, has pledged to release the coalition's nuclear costings "this week". But nuclear energy generation would be 1.5 to two times more expensive than large-scale solar, according to the analysis released by the national science agency CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator. A one-gigawatt nuclear plant has a price tag of roughly $9 billion, but the bill would double to $18 billion as the first of its kind. Operators would also need to establish new connection points to safely supply the national electricity grid, experts warn. Advocates have demanded greater recognition of the potential cost advantages of nuclear's long operating life compared to solar panels and wind turbines, but CSIRO chief energy economist and GenCost lead author Paul Graham said he found none. "Similar cost savings can be achieved with shorter-lived technologies including renewables, even when accounting for the need to build them twice," Mr Graham said. Nuclear's capacity factor - referring to how much of a year a reactor could operate at full tilt - remains unaltered at 53-89 per cent based on verifiable data and consideration of Australia's unique electricity generation needs. Nor would the often-touted United Arab Emirates example of a relatively quick 12-year nuclear construction time-frame be achievable here, the report found, because Australians require consultation. An increase in gas generation costs in the update included a premium for hydrogen readiness that was not included in previous data. All new gas turbine projects, including Kurri Kurri in NSW, are expected to include the capability for hydrogen blending and eventual conversion to hydrogen firing when supply becomes more readily available. The draft report is open for feedback until February 11, with a final version due in the second quarter of 2025. Australian Associated Press DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? 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The article delves into the intricacies of Arsenal's attacking struggles and offers insights into how the team can address these issues to improve their fortunes on the field.
The issue of online abuse in football has come under increased scrutiny in recent years, with players, clubs, and governing bodies calling for stronger measures to tackle the problem. Many footballers have spoken out about their own experiences with online harassment and the toll it can take on their mental health. The Football Association and social media companies have also been urged to take more proactive steps in addressing online abuse and holding perpetrators accountable.
In a recent interview, Huang Yaqiong shared her thoughts on the importance of gratitude and positivity in her life and career. She emphasized the significance of acknowledging the role that others play in her success and expressed her deep gratitude for the opportunities she has been given. Huang Yaqiong's words serve as a reminder that no matter how talented or driven we may be, we should never forget the importance of remaining humble and appreciative of the blessings in our lives.Investors are closely monitoring market developments and adjusting their portfolios to capitalize on emerging trends and opportunities. The strong performance of these stocks indicates a positive outlook for the stock market and bodes well for future gains.
Cupertino City Council: Ray Wang wins second seatCostco ( COST 0.88% ) is a store I frequent almost weekly, thanks to the good prices and the shockingly fresh produce. That said, I've never owned the stock, even though it has the type of impressive dividend record that attracts my attention. Sometimes I wish I had bought it, though, because paying full price for a great company can often lead to strong returns. But what about buying it today? Would adding Costco to your portfolio right now set you up for a lifetime of strong returns? Costco's business model is strong The first thing that investors have to get their heads around when it comes to Costco is the business. It is not your typical retailer -- it is a club store. Customers, like me, pay a yearly fee for the privilege of shopping at Costco. Those membership fees, which basically have no costs associated with them, make up around half of the retailer's operating income. That changes the retail game in a very important way. Basically, Costco looks at its business in a totally different way because it isn't earning all of its money from product sales. Thus, keeping customers happy becomes the core objective, so it can keep those membership fees rolling in. The three primary ways it does this is by having cheap prices (membership fees allow it to accept lower margins), creating an enjoyable shopping experience, and having a great selection of products. The long-term success of the business tells you that it has succeeded quite well overall. The numbers speak for themselves. Over the past decade, revenues have grown at a compound annual rate of around 8.5%, while earnings have expanded at a 13.5% clip. As noted, the dividend has been increased every year for two decades, with the past decade's annualized dividend growth a very impressive 12%. Costco is the kind of retailer you'd want to own, but... I'm leery of retail stocks because, in general, retailers tend to go in and out of favor. When people move on to a different retailer, the financial effect on a now out-of-favor retailer can be very hard (think bankruptcy). It's why I prefer to own retail-focused real estate investment trusts (REITs), which can collect rent no matter what retailer occupies a well-located property. But Costco is one of those retailers that has bucked the trend because of its strong business model. The problem is that Wall Street knows just how good the company is, and it doesn't go on sale very often. COST PE Ratio data by YCharts. That's why investors looking at Costco will probably want to keep it on the wish list and not the buy list today. Using traditional valuation metrics is all you need. The price-to-sales ratio is around 1.6x today, versus a five-year average closer to 1x. The price-to-earnings ratio is 56x right now, versus a longer-term average that is just under 41x. Its price-to-cash flow and price-to-book values are both notably above their five-year averages, too. The dividend yield, my preferred valuation tool, is a tiny 0.5%, compared to a five-year average of around 0.7%. Almost any way you cut it, Costco is an expensive stock today. To be fair, I expect Costco to look expensive relative to the broader market just about all the time. The problem is that Costco looks particularly expensive relative to its own history right now. To paraphrase famed value investor Benjamin Graham , paying too much for a good company can be a bad investment. The current call on Costco Overall, Costco is a very well-run company with an advantaged business model. There are a lot of things to like about it, and it should probably be on most investors' wish lists. But right now, given the lofty valuation, it probably shouldn't be on your buy list. Buying it at the right price could set you up for life ... overpaying just to own it could leave you with "dead money" for years to come.Unbeknownst to Mr. Li and Lily, Mrs. Li had been quietly observing the scene unfold from the doorway, a mischievous glint in her eyes. While she was concerned about her husband's inebriated state, she couldn't help but find the situation slightly amusing. She knew that Mr. Li's emotions were genuine, but the theatricality of his drunken declaration was too absurd not to elicit a small chuckle from her.
Founder of failed crypto lending platform Celsius Network pleads guilty to fraud charges
In conclusion, the midday trading session on the mainland stock market saw a high opening followed by a subsequent pullback, resulting in a modest gain of 1.58% for the Shanghai Composite Index. With total turnover exceeding 1.5 trillion RMB, the market continues to reflect a mix of optimism and caution among investors. Stay tuned for further updates and analysis as the trading day progresses.South Carolina's program win streak was abruptly put to an end by UCLA, just weeks after Dawn Staley made her feelings clear on the Gamecocks having a target on their backs. In South Carolina's 77-62 loss to UCLA at Pauley Pavilion, the Bruins seemingly frustrated the Gamecocks' offense at every turn, with the visitors struggling to get anything going. Because of the difficulty of shots, South Carolina found itself down 43-22 at halftime, showing just how much UCLA had clamped down the reigning national champions. The second half was no different, with Cori Close's squad continuing to put the pressure on Staley's undefeated team. In the end, the Bruins' game plan worked, snapping the Gamecocks' win streak at 43 straight, just days after South Carolina's 77-45 win over its rival Clemson. Hannah Hidalgo has two-word explanation for Notre Dame upsetting USC UConn shocks Geno Auriemma with GOAT moment after NCAA history-making win Te-Hina Paopao led the way for the Gamecocks with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field including a perfect 4 of 4 from 3-point land. Tessa Johnson joined Paopao as the only South Carolina players to score in double figures, pouring in 14 points off the bench. As a whole, the Gamecocks shot 36.4 percent from the field. Meanwhile, the Bruins had five players score in double figures, led by Londynn Jones' 15 points off the bench. Of note, UCLA's win over South Carolina is the first time the university has defeated a No. 1-ranked team in program history. South Carolina's loss to UCLA came days after Staley reiterated the importance of recognizing milestones, especially of this magnitude as it shows a buy-in from every member of the team. "It's pretty special," Staley said after the Gamecock's win over the Tigers, per ESPN . "It means our players make a commitment to the team, they make a commitment to us (coaches), they make a commitment to each other and when you do it that way, you have this type of historical moment that you appreciate." Staley also made it a point to put these accomplishments into context during a long basketball season. "We're in the middle of the season and we go on the road and play one of the biggest games of our season in a few days," the legendary head coach continued. "Twenty-four hour rule. We'll enjoy it, then we've got to move on." In all, South Carolina's loss proved Staley was right in stating that the Gamecocks were going to face the best of every team this season. After South Carolina escaped with a win against Michigan in Las Vegas, Staley appreciated seeing the Wolverines putting their best foot forward against them. “It’s a really young season, and we’re going to get everybody’s best all the time – we’re fortunate to do it," she said at the time . "I welcome everybody’s best because, if you’re the target, you’ve had some success. And we’re not going to shy away from, obviously, having that target on our back." She continued: "I like that we've been challenged. I like the fact that we’ve been exposed in certain areas because, when you’re teaching a team like this, and we play against our Highlighters, it’s not just because we’re playing against guys – we were exposed against young women who were determined to play, and they made an impact like as a collective unit."
For the first time since 2016, two players were awarded the Rhodes Trophy: Spalding QB Malik Washington and Annapolis RB Tyler Womack.None
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George Kittle went into the San Francisco 49ers' Week 14 game with the Chicago Bears needing 77 receiving yards to reach 7,000 for his career. He achieved that feat and then some in a dominant first half for the 49ers, who led 24-0 after the opening two quarters. Kittle caught all five of his passes for 138 yards as the 49ers moved the ball with devastating ease in the first half. The latest milestone for the 49ers' All-Pro means he is now just the third tight end in NFL history to reach 7,000 receiving yards and 500 catches in his first eight seasons. Kittle joins Antonio Gates and Travis Kelce in the select group of tight ends to achieve that feat, furnishing an already tremendous resume that will have him firmly in the conversation for the Hall of Fame whenever he calls it a career. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.