
The Sparks will open the 2025 WNBA season on Friday, May 16, in San Francisco against the expansion Golden State Valkyries at the Chase Center, the league announced on Monday. After a historic 2024 season in which the WNBA had its most-watched regular season in 24 years while drawing the most spectators in two decades, the league is expanding its schedule again – this time to 44 games. WNBA teams played 40 games each of the last two seasons and 36 before then. The Sparks and new head coach Lynne Roberts will play their home opener on Sunday, May 18, against the 2024 WNBA runner-up Minnesota Lynx. The Sparks face the defending champion New York Liberty at home on Aug. 12 and in Brooklyn on July 3 and July 26. “We look forward to tipping off the WNBA’s 29th season in May of 2025 and continuing to build on the success of last season, when the WNBA delivered its most-watched draft and All-Star Game and set records for viewership, attendance, digital consumption and merchandise sales,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. “We look forward to the expansion Golden State Valkyries taking the court for the first time.” The Valkyries, who join the league as its 13th team and will be coached by former Marina High and UCLA star Natalie Nakase , have their expansion draft on Friday (3:30 p.m. PT). Golden State will pick fifth in the 2025 WNBA Draft in April. The Sparks, who finished last in the league in 2024 and have missed the postseason for four consecutive years, have the No. 2 selection in the April draft . The New York Liberty will celebrate their first title with a ring and banner ceremony on May 17 when they host the Las Vegas Aces, who they met in the 2023 WNBA Finals. The Liberty, who beat Minnesota in five games in last season’s Finals in October, will face the Lynx four times in 2025: in Minneapolis on July 30 and Aug. 16, and in New York on Aug. 10 and Aug. 19. The Indiana Fever and 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark visit Los Angeles to take on the Sparks on Aug. 5 and Aug. 29 at Crypto.com Arena. The All-Star Game will be held in Indianapolis for the first time on July 19. The games designated for the Commissioner’s Cup standings will be played from June 1-17. Each team plays the others in its conference – five games for the six Eastern Conference teams and six for the seven Western Conference teams. The top teams in each conference meet in the Cup title game on July 1, hosted by team with the best winning percentage in Cup play. The regular season ends on Sept. 11 with the expanded playoffs to take place after that. The WNBA Finals have been expanded to a best-of-seven series this year and the best-of-three opening round of the playoffs will switch to a 1-1-1 format, guaranteeing each team gets at least one home game. In the past, the team with the better seed would host the first two games. The semifinals remain best-of-five. The league will hold its draft on April 14 with Connecticut star Paige Bueckers expected to go first to the Dallas Wings. Free agency precedes that. Teams can begin negotiating with free agents on Jan. 21, and can start signing players on Feb. 1. The television and streaming broadcast schedule will be announced in 2025, likely in March. May 16 – at Golden State, 7 p.m. May 18 – vs. Minnesota, 3 p.m. May 21 – at Las Vegas, 7 p.m. May 23 – vs. Golden State, 7 p.m. May 25 – vs. Chicago, 3 p.m. May 27 – vs. Atlanta, 7 p.m. May 30 – at Las Vegas, 7 p.m. June 1 – vs. Phoenix, 3 p.m. June 6 – vs. Dallas, 6:30 p.m. June 9 – vs. Golden State, 7 p.m. June 11 – at Las Vegas, 7 p.m. June 14 – at Minnesota, 10 a.m. June 17 – vs. Seattle, 7 p.m. June 21 – at Minnesota, 5 p.m. June 24 – at Chicago, 5 p.m. June 26 – at Indiana, 4 p.m. June 29 – vs. Chicago, 3 p.m. July 3 – at New York, 4 p.m. July 5 – at Indiana, 4 p.m. July 10 – vs. Minnesota, noon July 13 – vs. Connecticut, 3 p.m. July 15 – vs. Washington, 7 p.m. July 22 – at Washington, 4:30 p.m. July 24 – at Connecticut, 4 p.m. July 26 – at New York, 4 p.m. July 29 – vs. Las Vegas, 7 p.m. Aug. 1 – at Seattle, 7 p.m. Aug. 5 – vs. Indiana, 7 p.m. Aug. 7 – vs. Connecticut, 7 p.m. Aug. 9 – at Golden State, noon Aug. 10 – vs. Seattle, 3 p.m. Aug. 12 – vs. New York, 7 p.m. Aug. 15 – at Dallas, 4:30 p.m. Aug. 17 – at Washington, Noon Aug. 20 – vs. Dallas, 7 p.m. Aug. 26 – Phoenix, 7 p.m. Aug. 29 – vs. Indiana, 7 p.m. Aug. 31 – vs. Washington, 5 p.m. Sept. 1 – at Seattle, 7 p.m. Sept. 3 – at Atlanta, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 5 – at Atlanta, 4:30 p.m. Sept. 7 – vs. Dallas, 3 p.m. Sept. 9 – at Atlanta, 7 p.m. Sept. 11 – vs. Las Vegas, 7 p.m.Biden claims Hunter charges were politically motivated. Here is what the facts show
NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (the "Company") ARI today announced the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.25 per share of common stock, which is payable on January 15, 2025 to common stockholders of record on December 31, 2024. About Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. ARI is a real estate investment trust that primarily originates, acquires, invests in and manages performing commercial first mortgage loans, subordinate financings and other commercial real estate-related debt investments. The Company is externally managed and advised by ACREFI Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an indirect subsidiary of Apollo Global Management, Inc., a high-growth, global alternative asset manager with approximately $733 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2024. Additional information can be found on the Company's website at www.apollocref.com . Please note that our URL address has changed. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of the Company's business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives. When used in this release, the words believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, plan, continue, intend, should, may or similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking: higher interest rates and inflation; market trends in the Company's industry, real estate values, the debt securities markets or the general economy; the timing and amounts of expected future fundings of unfunded commitments; the return on equity; the yield on investments; the ability to borrow to finance assets; the Company's ability to deploy the proceeds of its capital raises or acquire its target assets; and risks associated with investing in real estate assets, including changes in business conditions and the general economy. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements, and other risks, uncertainties and factors are based on the Company's beliefs, assumptions and expectations of its future performance, taking into account all information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are not predictions of future events. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. CONTACT: Hilary Ginsberg Investor Relations (212) 822-0767 © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], November 30 (ANI): Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday visited the training unit of Plasser India situated near the Gatishakti Vishwavidyalaya in Gujarat's Vadodara. The firm is known for designing and manufacturing state-of-the-art machines for track maintenance, track laying, and track renewal. Also Read | Gautam Adani Breaks Silence on US Fraud Charges, Says 'Every Attack Makes Us Stronger, Every Obstacle Becomes Stepping Stone for More Resilient Adani Group'. Highlighting the importance of this Plasser unit near Vadodara that was built in 2019, Union Minister Vaishnaw said that almost all complex track maintenance machines in the world are made here. "PM Narendra Modi started a very big movement of Make in India. The Plasser factory near Vadodara is a very important factory. It was built in 2019 and today all the most complex track maintenance machines in the world are made here. Today, this Austrian company has its biggest plant in the world in India, so exports also take place from here. This plant is also connected with Gatishakti Vishwavidyalaya..." Vaishnaw told reporters after his visit. Also Read | Tiger Attack in Telangana: Farmer Injured After Tiger Pounces on Him in Kumuram Bheem Asifabad; Minister Konda Surekha Calls for Action Plan. Earlier in June, Indian Railways' Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) Vadodara entered into collaboration with Nokia, Plasser India and Jacobs to strengthen the partnership between industry and academia. These three MoUs were signed at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi. These MoUs were signed in the presence of Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics and IT who is also the First Chancellor of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya. Jaya Varma Sinha, the Chairperson and CEO, Railway Board and senior officials of the Railway Board were also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Ashwini Vaishnaw said that he was glad that GSV has emerged as an institution at par with IITs in the country in such a short time. MoU with Plasser India will provide opportunity to collaborate in the area of Track technology, promote industry experience and training for members of each party; Explore joint research opportunities in the transport and rail sector; Provide internship and placement opportunities for the students of GSV. With tremendous growth in the transportation & logistics sector as well as telecommunication sector, along with recent focus on semiconductor manufacturing in India, these MoUs are expected to create manpower for significant employment opportunities. Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) Vadodara was established in 2022, for creating best in class manpower and talent for the entire transportation and logistics sectors. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)Analysis: After Juan Soto's megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soon
Players must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through male puberty to compete in LPGA tournaments or the eight USGA championships for females under new gender policies published Wednesday. The policies, which begin in 2025, follow more than a year of study involving medicine, science, sport physiology and gender policy law. The updated policies would rule out eligibility for Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open this year by one shot and came up short in LPGA Q-school. Davidson, who turned 32 on Tuesday, began hormone treatments when she was in her early 20s in 2015 and in 2021 underwent gender-affirming surgery, which was required under the LPGA's previous gender policy. She had won this year on a Florida mini-tour called NXXT Golf until the circuit announced in March that players had to be assigned female at birth. “Can't say I didn't see this coming,” Davidson wrote Wednesday on an Instagram story. “Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.” LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who is resigning in January, said the new gender policy "is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach." By making it to the second stage of Q-school, Davidson would have had very limited status on the Epson Tour, the pathway to the LPGA. The LPGA and USGA say their policies were geared toward being inclusive of gender identities and expression while striving for equity in competition. The LPGA said its working group of experts advised that the effects of male puberty allowed for competitive advantages in golf compared with players who had not gone through puberty. “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who announced Monday that she is resigning in January. "The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.” Mike Whan, the former LPGA commissioner and now CEO of the USGA, said it developed the updated policy independently and later discovered it was similar to those used by swimming, track and field, and other sports. United States Golf Association CEO Mike Whan said the new policy will prevent anyone from having "a competitive advantage based on their gender." “It starts with competitive fairness as the North star,” Whan said in a telephone interview. “We tried not to get into politics, or state by state or any of that stuff. We just simply said, ‘Where would somebody — at least medically today — where do we believe somebody would have a competitive advantage in the field?’ And we needed to draw a line. “We needed to be able to walk into any women's event and say with confidence that nobody here has a competitive advantage based on their gender. And this policy delivers that.” The “Competitive Fairness Gender Policy” for the USGA takes effect for the 2025 championship season that starts with the U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball on May 10-14. Qualifying began late this year, though there were no transgender players who took part. “Will that change in the years to come as medicine changes? Probably,” Whan said. “But I think today this stacks up.” The LPGA “Gender Policy for Competition Eligibility” would apply to the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour and qualifying for the tours. Players assigned male at birth must prove they have not experienced any part of puberty beyond the first stage or after age 12, whichever comes first, and then meet limitation standards for testosterone levels. The LPGA begins its 75th season on Jan. 30 with the Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox!AMESBURY, Mass. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Provident Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") (Nasdaq:PVBC), the holding company for BankProv (the "Bank"), today announced that its Board of Directors has adopted a new stock repurchase program. Under the repurchase program, the Company may repurchase up to 883,366 shares of its common stock, or approximately five percent of the current outstanding shares. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Patrick Fishburn leads at Sea Island as Joel Dahmen keeps alive hopes of keeping his job
ex-trainer warned not to stray too close to the sun ahead of his UFC 311 bout with after the American threw a bottle of water at his opponent, vowing that Dagestanis never start trouble but they will finish it. The incident came during media duties in Las Vegas ahead of the MMA fight on January 18 as when the 39-year-old, who faces challenged the Russian-born rival to "pull up" before launching the missile at him. Security then had to get involved to break away from the lightweight champion and social media exploded with discourse, leading to to get involved with his thoughts as he sent an ominous warning to the Californian about Dagestani culture. " , to me, is the same thing. You know he does his thing. He does [this] gangster-type stuff," said via YouTube. "He's had beef with team for many years. I don't know if that beef will be ever settled. I don't think anything of it. "My Dagestanis, they won't start it. But they definitely will swarm in on him, all of them. They are all that way. They're a band of brothers, You attack one, you attack them all, and they don't - they're not going to take kindly to anything like that." is known for his successful coaching of fighters from the Dagestan region, located within Russian borders, with being the 54-year-old's most high-profile names from the region. He also trains who is a Bellator lightweight champion at the age of 26, as well as who also competes in Bellator's lightweight division and holds a 24-4-1 record so he is well educated in Dagestani values and psychology. When is UFC 311? UFC 311 will take place at the Inuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on January 18, 2025 as , five years on from their first meeting. to defend the bantamweight championship, in the only other title clash of the night from a mammoth 14 fights in total.
A.J. Brown Changes IG Photo to the Joker amid Rumored Eagles, Jalen Hurts Drama
OptiSigns to Showcase Cutting-Edge Digital Signage Solutions at the Digital Signage Experience 2024 in Las Vegas