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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards was fined $75,000 by the NBA for public criticism of officiating and using inappropriate and profane language, the league announced on Monday. Edwards made the remarks that drew the punishment following Minnesota's 113-103 home loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. The 23-year-old playmaker, who helped the United States capture gold at the Paris Olympics, has averaged 25.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists a game for the T-Wolves this season. Edwards used profanity in describing what he considered a poor performance from the referees, calling it "terrible" and saying he and teammate Julius Randle are penalized "for being stronger than our opponent every night. "We don't get no calls. That's how I feel about the officials every game we play." Edwards was whistled for four fouls against the Warriors and shot four free throws himself. At 14-13, the Timberwolves are 10th in the Western Conference, ahead of Phoenix on tie-breakers. js/mwWhen Inter Miami were dumped out of Major League Soccer's playoffs in the first round, their former Spain international full-back Jordi Alba questioned the fairness of the post-season format. Miami had topped the Eastern Conference and the overall regular season standings with a record points tally a performance which earned them the 'Supporters' Shield'. But there would be no title battle against the best in the West for Lionel Messi and Company after they contrived to lose two matches in their best-of-three series against an Atlanta United team which finished ninth in the East and 20th in the overall standings. "I think this format is a bit unfair. It has been done for many years but I think it should be the champion of one conference against the champion of the other, to make it as fair as possible," Alba said. Alba's comments prompted much debate among MLS fans and plenty of accusations of sour grapes but they did serve to highlight that this year's playoffs, if not MLS's playoffs in general, would certainly not be a battle of the best versus best. Defending champions Columbus Crew, who finished second in the Supporters' Shield race, were also eliminated in the first round, adding to the sense that the knockout phase of the season is very much a competition of its own. So on Saturday, after the international break disrupted the flow of the post-season, the Conference semi-finals, will see a "Hudson River Derby" between two New York teams who couldn't finish in the top 10 in the regular season. New York City, Manchester City's sister club, have home-field advantage after finishing in 13th spot while the New York Red Bulls travel from New Jersey, having ended up in 16th place. The 'home field' isn't actually NYCFC's usual home of Yankee Stadium, which is being used for a college football game, but Citi Field, home of New York's other baseball club, the Mets. Later on Saturday, in the Western Conference, 2022 MLS Cup winners and last year's beaten finalists, Los Angeles FC, are at home to the Seattle Sounders. That fixture feels much more like the kind of playoff game that was expected -- LAFC finished top of the West while Seattle were fourth. LAFC faces the Sounders for the fourth time in an elimination match over the last 13 months, having defeated Seattle in the 2023 Western Conference semifinals, the 2024 Leagues Cup quarterfinal and the 2024 US Open Cup semifinal. Each of those matches was hosted by Seattle. LAFC, with former France stars in goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and striker Olivier Giroud, enter the encounter unbeaten in their last 10 meetings with the Sounders, with their last loss to Seattle coming in a 2-0 defeat in 2021. On Sunday, surprise package Atlanta, with their 40-year-old goalkeeper Brad Guzan having impressed so many with his heroics against Miami, will return to Florida to take on Orlando City, who finished fourth in the East. Atlanta won at Orlando on the last day of the regular campaign, a victory that allowed them to sneak into the wildcard round but which also completed a home and away double for the Georgia side. "Obviously, in Major League Soccer, anything can happen," said Orlando coach Oscar Pareja. "Our responsibility is to play one game at a time. This one, we're going to be ready for sure," he added. The weekend rounds off with Los Angeles Galaxy hosting Minnesota United who, under former Manchester United assistant coach Eric Ramsay, came through a best-of-three series against higher-ranked Real Salt Lake. The Galaxy start as favourites but, as this season has shown in abundance, that counts for little. "We know they are a top team at this level with top individual players who are very difficult to beat at home but...I feel that if we are a good version of what we have been over the last 10-12 games... I certainly won't be painting it as a one sided game," said Ramsay. sev/js
WASHINGTON (AP) — Carmelo Pacheco's 18 points helped Mount St. Mary's defeat Howard 79-75 on Saturday. Pacheco shot 6 for 8 from beyond the arc for the Mountaineers (5-2). Dallas Hobbs shot 5 of 16 from the field, including 1 for 8 from 3-point range, and went 6 for 7 from the line to add 17 points. Terrell Ard Jr. had 16 points and shot 4 of 6 from the field and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line. Anwar Gill finished with 18 points for the Bison (3-5). Blake Harper added 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals for Howard. Joshua Strong also had 12 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .3 Americans released from Chinese custody in prisoner swapDEAR ABBY: Six years ago, my family lost my mother, who was the rock of our family. Two weeks after that, my family started falling apart. My older brother, younger sister and I no longer speak. My brother and I got in a physical confrontation and haven’t spoken since. A year later, I suffered a massive heart attack. I was at death’s door. My doctors said it was a miracle I survived. I’m blessed to be here, but since then, not one family member has reached out. The story of my survival was all over social media and even on a few TV newscasts. My heart function is low, and I had a defibrillator implanted. I have been missing my family more and more, but I’m also afraid my heart will get broken. We have made mistakes, and I know I’m also at fault. I feel awful about what happened, but I’m hurt that no one reached out to my wife or daughter asking if I was OK or if they needed anything. I recently had some contact with my brother’s son, and we have been texting, but I have yet to hear from my brother. My family is growing with grandkids, and I would love to reconnect our families before it’s too late. Is it too late? – Estranged in Pennsylvania DEAR ESTRANGED: Maybe, maybe not. If you haven’t already, write or call your brother and make a formal apology for what happened between you. While you are at it, do the same with the rest of your family members. Tell them you are sorry, that none of you is getting any younger and you would like to be part of the family again. I can’t predict the outcome, but this would be a good start. I wish you luck. With the passage of time, people sometimes gain a better perspective. DEAR ABBY: My sister “Mary Ann” is a hoarder. She refuses all offers of assistance (physically and emotionally) to clear her home of the overwhelming amount of stuff that negatively impacts her life. Our extended family is thrilled that she has finally started to make an effort to sort through some of her “treasures.” Unfortunately, we have now become recipients of birthday and Christmas gifts, some of which are opened, used, dusty and have animal fur on them. We do not want or need these “gifts.” I sense that unloading these items on us gives Mary Ann a feeling of comfort and keeps her from making difficult decisions that will lead to truly changing her thinking related to letting go of her junk. How do we politely (and firmly) express to Mary Ann that we have no desire to receive her hoard, bit by bit, without reversing the progress she has made in attempting to address her disorder? – Unhappy Recipient in Missouri DEAR RECIPIENT: You are not going to “fix” Mary Ann. Be glad she is taking baby steps to help herself. I do not think it would be helpful to “politely express” that you have no desire to receive her hoard, bit by bit. Instead, accept the items and then quietly donate them or give them to someone who might use them. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
KSE-100 suffers record single-day drop on political turmoil KARACHI: The KSE-100 Index faced its steepest single-day decline in history on Tuesday, plunging 3,506 points (3.57 per cent) to close at 94,574.16 as political uncertainty triggered panic selling at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). While the market looked all set to hit the 100,000 mark with a record intraday high of 99,819.59 points, it soon lost its steam. Analysts attributed the fall to heightened political tension in Islamabad and selling pressure during the futures contracts rollover period. Given an unclear political horizon, brokers have also issued cautious warnings to investors in the coming days. The Pakistan Stock Exchange’s (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 Index plunged by a record 3,505.62 points or 3.57 per cent to 94,574.16 points against 98,079.78 points recorded in the last session. The highest index of the day remained at 99,819.59 points while the lowest level was recorded at 94,180.6 points. Muhammad Awais Ashraf, director research of AKD Securities, said that investors are cautious amid the current political climate, but conventional banks provided some support to the index, aided by the removal of the minimum deposit rate for public-sector entities, financial institutions and public limited companies. During this quarter, the E&P and fertiliser sectors, which have been key drivers of the KSE-100 Index due to improvements in energy-sector challenges, experienced significant losses in Tuesday’s trading. Meezan Bank also emerged as the worst performer on the index, impacted by the new profit-sharing formula regulation introduced by the SBP, he said. The KSE-30 index decreased by 1,113.91 points or 3.65 per cent to 29,444.82 points against 30,558.73 points. Traded shares increased by 470 million shares to 1,116.324 million shares from 640.258 million shares. The trading value rose to Rs43.291 billion from Rs25.623 billion. Market capital narrowed to Rs12.052 trillion against Rs12.533 trillion. Of the 456 companies active in the session, 53 closed in green, 355 in red and 48 remained unchanged. Ahsan Mehanti, an analyst at Arif Habib Corp, said, “Panic selling was witnessed at the PSX amid political turmoil following prolonged PTI protests in the capital.” He said political uncertainty, foreign outflows, and selling pressure during the PSX futures contracts rollover period acted as key catalysts for the record bearish activity. The highest increase was recorded in Sapphire Textile Mills Limited, which rose by Rs40.88 to Rs1,177.99 per share, followed by Mehmood Textile Mills Limited, which increased by Rs35.02 to Rs535.4 per share. A significant decline was noted in Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited, which fell by Rs141.07 to Rs7,813.48 per share; Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited followed it, which closed lower by Rs112.79 to Rs19,019.35 per share. Analyst Maaz Mulla at Topline Securities said the KSE-100 Index witnessed its largest-ever single-day decline, dropping 3,506 points (3.57 per cent) to close at 94,574. “This steep fall was driven by political uncertainty stemming from a party’s march towards the capital, shaking investor confidence,” he said. Intraday, the index swung between a low of 3,899 points and a high of 1,739 points. The State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) removal of the minimum deposit rate (MDR) on conventional banks for companies, alongside its directive for Islamic banks to pay at least 75 per cent of the weighted average gross yield on PKR savings individual deposits, further unsettled the market. Islamic banks -- MEBL, FABL, and BIPL -- hit their lower price locks (10 per cent), while negative contributions from MEBL, FFC, OGDC, PPL, and HUBC dragged the index down by 1,385 points. On the positive side, HBL, HMB, BAHL, and BAFL added 282 points, softening the blow. Analyst Mubashir Anis Naviwala at JS Global said political uncertainty triggered a market correction of 3,900 points during intraday drading. “After peaking at an intraday high of 99,819 points, widespread panic selling ensued across all sectors, except for conventional banks, which outperformed due to the SBP’s relaxation of the minimum profit rate,” he said. “Moving forward, we advise adopting a cautious stance in the market,” he suggested. K-Electric Ltd remained the volume leader with 101.636 million shares which closed lower by 54 paisas to Rs4.65 per share. BO Punjab followed it with 92.023 million shares, which closed higher by 4 paisas to Rs6.85 per share. Other significant turnover stocks included Hascol Petrol, Fauji Foods Ltd, Sui South Gas, Treet Battery Ltd, Pace (Pak) Ltd, WorldCall Telecom, Cnergyico PK and Waves Home App. In the futures market, 310 companies recorded trading, 35 of which increased, 274 decreased, and one remained unchanged.HEICO ( NYSE: HEI ) declared $0.11/share semi-annual dividend , in line with previous. Forward yield 0.08% Payable Jan. 17; for shareholders of record Jan. 3; ex-div Jan. 3. See HEI Dividend Scorecard, Yield Chart, & Dividend Growth. More on HEICO Micron Technology, Nike Lead Companies That Report As Earnings Season Continues To Slow HEICO: An Aerospace M&A Expert With Growth Potential But Appears Expensive For 2025 HEICO: High Flier, Flies Even Higher HEICO Q4 2024 Earnings Preview These 19 stocks are poised for tax reform turbocharge - JefferiesNavigating EU Foreign Subsidy Investigations
Delta CEO praises Trump as a ‘breath of fresh air’Belarus president winds up 3-day Pakistan visit
After opposition protest in Parliament, waqf JPC seeks time till budget session
Meo, Battle net 13 to help Coastal Carolina down South Carolina Upstate 73-51
The Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team has gotten off to a fast start this season in more ways than one. The No. 16 Bearcats have raced to a 5-0 record while outscoring their opponents by more than 31 points per game, with just one team (Northern Kentucky) coming within 16 points. Cincinnati is averaging a robust 87 points per game with one of the more efficient offenses in college basketball. Cincinnati will look to continue that hot streak when it plays host to Alabama State in nonconference action Wednesday evening. Cincinnati has punished opposing defenses in a variety of ways this season. Despite being the No. 14 offense in the nation in Ken Pomeroy's efficiency ratings, the Bearcats aren't among the nation's leaders in pace. Still, they take advantage of those opportunities when they are there. "Us playing fast is something we want to do," Cincinnati forward Dillon Mitchell said. "When I was being recruited here, that was something Coach (Wes) Miller wanted to do. "There could be games where we're not making shots or something is off, but one thing is we're gonna push the ball, play hard and play fast. That's something he preaches. We'll be in shape and get rebounds." Mitchell is fresh off a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in Cincinnati's 81-58 road win at Georgia Tech Saturday. He is one of four Bearcats to average double figures in scoring this season. That balance was on display once again against the Yellow Jackets, with Connor Hickman and Jizzle James also scoring 14 points each and Simas Lukosius contributing 12 points. In that game, Cincinnati sank 51.6 percent of its shots while regularly getting out into transition with 16 fastbreak points, while winning the rebounding battle 36-29. "Any time you get a road win over a quality, Power 4 team, you're gonna feel good about it," Miller said. "I was pleased with our effort." Lukosius is scoring 16.6 points per game, while James is at 14.0 points, followed by Mitchell at 12.4, while he also grabs a team-best 8.6 rebounds. Alabama State (3-3) has a tough task ahead, especially when considering its 97-78 loss at Akron Sunday, which ended a three-game winning streak. The Hornets allowed the Zips to shoot 46.4 percent from the field and were 53-32 in the rebounding battle. Alabama State gave up a season high in points, after playing the likes of LSU and UNLV earlier this season. Akron standout Nate Johnson lit up Alabama State for 25 points, as the game got away from the Hornets in the second half to keep them winless in true road games. Alabama leading scorers CJ Hines and TJ Madlock still got theirs against Akron, scoring 19 and 17 points, respectively. They were joined in double figures by reserve Tyler Mack (18 points), but recent history says they'll need more help to keep up with the Bearcats. Hines leads the Hornets with 15.7 points per game, while Madlock contributes 14.5 points. In previous Akron Basketball Classic wins last week against Omaha and Lamar, Alabama State featured at least four double-digit scorers in each game. --Field Level Media
LOS ANGELES , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sports and recreational injuries send more than 3.5 million Americans to the hospital emergency room each year according to the National Safety Council. The problem is much greater in collegiate sports, where NCAA injury incident reports reached 1.3 million in 2022. Beyond soft tissue damage, these injuries include life-altering Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears and Traumatic Brain Injuries. To reduce the occurrence and impact of sports-related injuries, CLR Neurosthenics today launched CLR Advantage TM , a groundbreaking solution that employs interactive software and a wearable, wireless sensor network to collect real-time neurophysiological data while athletes perform pre-programmed physical exercises, cognitive tests, reaction games and position drills. This data is then used to instantly generate reports that reveal hidden deficiencies, indicate player readiness, and guide training routines for injury prevention, performance optimization and rehabilitation. Designed by a team of leading sports neurophysiologists and biometric engineers, patent-pending CLR Advantage TM utilizes FDA-approved qEEG brain wave sensors and physiological monitors to capture a continuous stream of high-resolution data, including cortical power, heart rate, heart rate variability, respiration rate, trapezoidal tension, galvanic skin response and peripheral temperature. The solution then employs NASA technology to process biometric signals and report on neurophysiological capabilities, including brain connectivity, power, activation and symmetry during various physical tasks and mental exercises. CLR Advantage TM finally correlates event-marked physiologic data to reinforce neurologic observations. For example, data may indicate certain risk in an athlete that exhibits an elevated heart rate, neurologic asymmetry and qEEG inhibition during a single-leg balance exercise. CLR Advantage TM recently completed a two-year clinical trial with 177 NCAA Division I athletes at the University of Cincinnati . Performed in partnership with Select Medical at the University's Sports Medicine Department, the study compared the neurophysiological performance of healthy athletes with those suffering from ACL injuries. Results from the study, which continues to assess injured athletes through various stages of rehabilitation, were published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy . To supplement ongoing research, CLR Advantage TM is currently employed by the NFL Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) to study ACL injury propensity through assessments that include a variety of dynamic force exercises. "For the first time, we now have a better understanding of exactly how the brain is impacted by an acute injury," said Robert Mangine, Senior Athletic Director of Sports Medicine at the University of Cincinnati and Residency Director for NovaCare Rehabilitation. "CLR Advantage TM allows us to look at brain activity as athletes progress through the rehabilitation, then use that data and musculoskeletal measures to determine a safe return to play." The Microsoft Azure cloud-powered CLR Advantage TM platform provides an end-to-end, HIPAA-compliant solution for operators to organize teams, create athlete profiles, schedule appointments, conduct assessments, monitor live biometric data, and generate comprehensive analytic reports. Offered on a subscription basis, the solution is available for demonstration at CLR Neurosthenics' Los Angeles Assessment Center. https://clradvantage.com/ For additional information contact: Mark O'Bryan (424) 256-7264 mark.obryan@clradvantage.com 1 https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/144/5/e20192759/38190/Soccer-Injuries-in-Children-and-Adolescents 2 https://perma.cc/9EG6-6TBJ ; Robert L. Parisien et. al., Implementation of an Injury Prevention Program in NCAA Division I Athletics Reduces Injury-Related Health Care Costs. 9 Orthopedic J. of Sports Med. (2023). https://ijspt.org/task-driven-neurophysiological-qeeg-baseline-performance-capabilities-in-healthy-uninjured-division-i-college-athletes/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clr-neurosthenics-launches-neurophysiological-assessment-platform-to-help-prevent-sports-injuries-optimize-performance-and-improve-rehabilitation-302334112.html SOURCE CLR Neurosthenics
Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. Has $64.28 Million Stock Position in Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:ARW)
No injuries in Overbrook fire inside 22-storey apartment buildingThe United Kingdom is looking to fend off Tesla CEO Elon Musk after he showed his political mettle in the United States and Germany. Musk wielded a decisive hand in the U.S. 2024 election, throwing his fortune behind President-elect Donald Trump . He has since begun commenting more on international politics, voicing his support for the Alternative fur Deutschland in Germany and Reform U.K. in the U.K. The Labour government, fearful that Musk could have a decisive effect, is eyeing ways to neuter his influence. The U.K. government has floated the idea of taking further measures to prevent foreign figures from making outsize political donations, the Wall Street Journal reported . “We have no immediate plans to do, but we do have a manifesto commitment to look more broadly at our elections regime in the country, from things like votes at 16, which we are committed to, but also to make sure that our electoral system has got that integrity and is robust from many of the new issues that face undermining our democracy and our elections,” Commons leader Lucy Powell told Sky News. “But just to be clear, foreign donations to U.K.-based political parties is prohibited under current law, so that’s something that already exists,” she added. Powell later said the Labour government was looking to combat "many of the issues that are undermining our democracy at the moment — like mis- and disinformation, foreign state actions and so on." The alarm was raised by a meeting between Reform U.K. Party head Nigel Farage and Musk at Mar-a-Lago last week, during which they discussed political strategy. In a joint statement, Farage and the party's treasurer Nick Candy said they had “learnt a great deal about the Trump ground game” and would have “ongoing discussions” with Musk in other sectors. “We only have one more chance left to save the West, and we can do great things together. Our thanks also to President Trump for allowing us to use Mar-a-Lago for this historic meeting. The special relationship is alive and well,” it added, referring to the close relationship between the U.S. and U.K. Musk has gone after the left-wing Labour government with increasing ferocity in recent weeks, comparing it with the Soviet Union and Prime Minister Keir Starmer with Stalin, as well as deriding the U.K. as a "totalitarian police state." CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Musk, a South African native, has largely been absent from his home country's politics, turning his attention internationally. Last week, he gave the AfD a major boost by declaring it the only viable path forward for Germany, incurring the wrath of the German government. His support garnered the controversial party renewed international attention, as well as right-wing sympathies.
US authorities on Tuesday charged the man suspected of gunning down a health insurance CEO in New York earlier this month with murder, including a charge of second-degree murder "as an act of terrorism." Mangione, 26, is accused of shooting UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson on a Manhattan street on December 4, triggering a nationwide manhunt that ended last week when he was spotted at a Pennsylvania McDonald's. The former data engineer remains jailed in that state as he fights efforts to extradite him to New York to face charges there over the killing, which brought into focus widespread public anger against the US health care system. Mangione "is charged with one count of murder in the first degree and two counts of murder in the second degree, including one count of murder in the second degree as an act of terrorism," said Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg. Bragg said the terrorism charge was included because the shooting met the prerequisites for such a determination under New York law. "In its most basic terms, this was a killing that was intended to evoke terror and we've seen that reaction," he said. "This was not an ordinary killing." The maximum penalty for the murder charges Mangione faces is life in prison without parole, Bragg said. The suspect was also charged with several crimes related to his possession of a weapon, which authorities said was a 3D-printed "ghost gun." "We allege he... took out a nine-millimeter 3D-printed ghost gun equipped with a 3D-printed suppressor and shot (Thompson) once in the back and once in the leg," said Bragg. "These weapons are increasingly proliferating throughout New York City and the entire country. Evolving technology will only make this problem worse," he said. "Last year, over 80 ghost guns and ghost gun parts were recovered in Manhattan alone." In the wake of Thompson's killing, many social media users have lionized Mangione, with some even calling for further killings of other CEOs. Jessica Tisch, the New York City police commissioner, criticized members of the public who had praised the murder. "In the nearly two weeks since Mr Thompson's killing, we have seen a shocking and appalling celebration of cold-blooded murder," said Tisch. Mangione is due in Pennsylvania court on Thursday for a hearing on his extradition to New York. Police say a "life-changing, life-altering" back injury may have motivated Mangione, although they added that there was "no indication" that he was ever a client of UnitedHealthcare. When he was arrested, Mangione had a three-page handwritten text criticizing the US health care system. Police have said that Mangione's fingerprints matched those found near the crime scene, and that shell casings match the gun found on him when he was arrested. Bragg said that the suspect traveled to New York on November 24 with the intention of murdering Thompson. On December 4, he is alleged to have waited "for nearly an hour" outside the hotel where Thompson was shot early that morning. "This was a frightening, well planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation," said district attorney Bragg. bur-aha/md
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — There’s no defending Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — There’s no defending Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — There’s no defending Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke. His four-year tenure has been filled with draft mistakes and free-agency blunders, and he’s among the many reasons the Jaguars (3-12) have lost 17 of their last 21 games heading into their home finale against Tennessee (3-12). Selecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence first overall in 2021 was a no-brainer, and taking receiver Brian Thomas Jr. at No. 23 in April appears to be his best decision. Just about everything in between has devolved into a head-scratching move, a list that includes drafting Travon Walker over fellow pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson in 2022 as well as questionable early picks like left tackle Walker Little (second round, 2021) and linebacker Devin Lloyd (first round, 2022). Baalke’s low point was his latest free-agent class, which included defensive lineman Arik Armstead, cornerback Ronald Darby, receiver Gabe Davis, returner Devin Duvernay, center Mitch Morse and safety Darnell Savage. The Jaguars committed more than $130 million, including more than $75 million guaranteed, to sign those six in March. They’ve given owner Shad Khan little, if any, return on his investment. Armstead, 31, has two sacks in 15 games and was flagged for being offside on consecutive plays in a 19-14 loss at Las Vegas on Sunday. Darby, one of the NFL’s worst-rated cornerbacks in coverage this season, was inactive against the Raiders after getting benched the previous week. Davis caught 20 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games before tearing the meniscus in his left knee in November and landing on injured reserve. Duvernay, who has been thrust into an expanded role following season-ending injuries to Davis and Christian Kirk, has 10 catches for 75 yards and four carries for 3 yards. He has been slightly more effective on special teams, averaging 8.9 yards on punt returns and 24.1 yards on kickoff returns. Morse has been the best of the group, although he was flagged twice against the Raiders — penalties that essentially ended drives. Still, the the 32-year-old center has done little to improve the team’s short-yardage woes. Savage played just 12 snaps Sunday before leaving with a concussion. His replacement, Andrew Wingard, broke up nearly as many passes (three) in three quarters as Savage did (four) in his last 11 games. Together, the six newcomers comprise one of the least-productive free-agent classes in franchise history and are one of the many reasons why Baalke’s future in Jacksonville remains murky at best. What’s working Getting the ball to Brian Thomas Jr. is the best thing the Jaguars have done over the last four weeks. The rookie from LSU has 31 catches for 399 yards and four touchdowns in those four games. He has been targeted 49 times, including a would-be touchdown he dropped on a deep pass against the Raiders. What needs help Jacksonville’s pass-rushing duo of Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker has been mostly quiet the last three games. Hines-Allen has six tackles, including a sack, and one QB pressure over that span while Walker has eight tackles, no sacks and two QB pressures. It’s not the performances the Jags need from their most talented position. Stock up Rookie defensive tackle Maason Smith, a second-round pick out of LSU, had his best game as a pro in Las Vegas. The 48th overall selection, who was inactive for six games partly because of an ankle injury, notched three tackles — including two for a loss. He also batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage. Stock down Running back Tank Bigsby fumbled for the second time in as many games. He also dropped a pass last week in a loss to the New York Jets. It’s been a frustrating span for the second-year pro and third-round pick. “I couldn’t even sleep last night,” Bigsby said Monday. “That’s a learning mistake, and it can’t happen no more. I’ve just got to move on from it and play confident and be who I am.” Injuries Little won’t play this week — and might be sidelined the final two games — because of a high ankle sprain. S Darnell Savage (concussion) and LB Ventrell Miller (ankle) are considered day to day. RT Anton Harrison (shoulder) and CB Tyson Campbell (shoulder) should be good to go for the Titans. Key number Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 8 — Number of times the Jaguars have lost at least 12 games in a season. It’s happened seven times since Khan bought the team in 2012. Next steps The entire organization awaits Khan’s decisions regarding the futures of Baalke and coach Doug Pederson. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Advertisement Advertisement
HOUSTON — Houston Texans receiver Tank Dell will miss the remainder of the season after dislocating a knee and tearing an ACL in a loss to Kansas City on Saturday. Coach DeMeco Ryans revealed the details of his injury Monday before announcing that Dell would have season-ending surgery for a second straight year. He fractured his fibula in Week 13 against the Broncos as a rookie last season and had surgery on it the following day. “He dislocated the knee, he tore the ACL, other things there he’ll have to get repaired," Ryans said. “So he’ll be out for the year.” Ryans didn't have a date for Dell's surgery for this injury, but said it would be soon. Dell was injured on a 30-yard touchdown catch in Houston’s 27-19 loss Saturday. He was coming across the back of the end zone and made the spectacular catch on a pass from C.J. Stroud before colliding with Houston teammate Jared Wayne on the way to the ground. Dell immediately grabbed at his knee and Wayne signaled for team trainers, who spent several minutes working on the wide receiver while teammates waited anxiously. Dell was eventually placed on a stretcher and driven in a covered medical cart off the field, and then he was taken to the hospital. He stayed in the hospital overnight before flying back to Houston on Sunday. Stroud, who is so close to Dell that he considers him a brother, cried the entire time the receiver was down on the field and for a while after he was taken away. “It was just not easy for me to sit there and be emotional,” Stroud said Monday. “But it’s something that we all go through in life and it’s easy to be a fake tough guy. It’s easy to go through life acting like everything doesn’t affect you, but deep down we all know we’re going through something.” Some criticized Stroud for crying. But he believes a display of emotion such as that was important to remind people of the human aspect of this game and the toll it can take on players. “It’s good for young men and women out there, kids who are brought up — and I was taught this too as a kid, not from my parents but just from the world, don’t let anybody see you emotional,” he said. “Don’t let anybody see you down and yeah there’s some truth to that in in certain aspects, but there’s also life and I think it was good for people to see me in that light and knowing that there is still a human factor to me and I’m a normal person.” Aaron Rodgers is still contemplating his playing future. The star quarterback knows if he returns to the field, it might be out of hands whether it's with the New York Jets. The 41-year-old Rodgers said last week that he'll take some time after this season, his 20th in the NFL, to determine what he wants to do next. On Monday, he suggested a decision on whether he'll return with the Jets could be made for him the day after the team's regular-season finale. “I think there’s a world where they just say, ‘Hey, thank you, we’re going to go in another direction’ on Jan. 6,” Rodgers said during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “That’s a possibility,” he added. "I think there’s also a possibility we’re going to wait and see who the new staff is.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!Bird flu has seen a resurgence in the U.S. this year, with California leading the pack. Since the Department of Agriculture detected the virus in dairy herds in March , more than 50 people have tested positive for it , with 34 reported cases in California alone. Last month, a Californian became the first child in the U.S. confirmed to have the virus. In the nearly three decades since H5N1 was first isolated in commercial geese in Guangdong, China, likely spread from migratory wild birds, it has infected more than 890 people — and killed more than 460 — in 24 countries . Since 2022, millions of egg-laying chickens have been exposed to, infected with and culled or killed by H5N1 in the U.S. What stands out this year is how widespread the infection has been among dairy cows, which are spreading it to farmworkers — the group that accounts for most of the human cases so far. The virus has been kept somewhat at bay. Although it has mutated to infect humans and about 50 other types of mammals , like an ill-fitting key it still faces challenges to entering human bodies. People have contracted it primarily from direct contact with infected animals , for example by getting milk on their hands at a farm and then touching their eyes , so the case numbers remain modest and disease symptoms in the U.S. generally mild. But as we have seen with other influenza strains , the virus continues to evolve. There have been reports of humans being infected without a clear animal contact . A research paper this month reported that H5N1 is now just one mutation away from attaching more easily to human cells, possibly enabling sustained human-to-human transmission — which could mean more people getting infected and becoming seriously ill, disrupting school, work and our everyday lives. There is no guarantee that a major human outbreak or pandemic will happen soon. Finding a single mutation in a lab that can facilitate more human infections does not guarantee that this threat will play out in the real world. But the more transmissions that occur, as is happening now among poultry and dairy cows in the U.S., the higher the likelihood that some of these mutations will appear by chance and take off. A teenager in Canada’s British Columbia with a mutated form of H5N1 became critically ill; such mutations could lead to more streamlined entry into human airways, making people sicker. It is also significant that H5N1 has now infected at least one U.S. pig . Pigs, which contain receptors for both avian and human influenzas, can get simultaneously infected with both, exchange genes and create a novel strain that can more easily infect humans. This is what likely happened with the 1918 flu pandemic and again with swine flu in 2009 . In addition, there have been four influenza pandemics since the early 20th century, following the 1918 pandemic that killed an estimated 50 million people. All of them had origins in avian influenza. So it increasingly looks like the question is not whether H5N1 will cause a widespread outbreak in humans, but when. The consequences could be severe: As was the case during the early days of COVID, our immune system is not experienced with fighting this novel pathogen, and it increases the chance of more serious disease such as pneumonia and cardiac and brain complications for all ages. Although human cases in the U.S. have been relatively mild, about half of the people who have contracted H5N1 globally have died. At this crossroads, the U.S. can choose either of two scenarios. The first is that we do everything right. We could continue to improve the timely surveillance of animals and raw milk — batches of which have been recalled for potential bird flu risk — to better identify infected herds and understand the true magnitude and dynamics of infection. This step will allow us to prepare for an emergency outbreak and know whether any of our interventions, such as employee vaccination programs or biosecurity measures to isolate animals, are working. The Department of Agriculture recently announced that it will test raw milk samples in six states, some of which have identified infected dairy herds and some of which have not. This could provide a glimpse of how extensive the outbreak really is. More states should be included in monitoring, and we still need to test farmworkers and their close contacts more systematically. Hospitals and clinics should move to centralize and share H5N1 data. Our federal government can prioritize and incentivize scientific discovery of rapid diagnostics, new vaccines and therapeutics. The current supply of H5N1 vaccines is small , but the government can expand its production and consider offering them to farmworkers who request them. We then need to develop a playbook for implementing and disseminating these technologies to the most at-risk populations locally and globally. If we’ve learned anything from COVID, elected officials, federal agencies, public health and healthcare workers have to deliver clear and consistent messaging with empathy. If we take those steps, a major bird flu outbreak does not have to become another pandemic. The other option is to go the direction the incoming federal government seems poised to support: Shrink public health dollars and expertise at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal entities , cut investments in infectious disease research , stymie the use of evidence-based vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic tests , and support drinking raw milk . The choice is ours, and only one route promises more suffering for our families and loved ones. Peter Chin-Hong is a professor of medicine and an infectious disease specialist at UC San Francisco. @PCH_SF( MENAFN - GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) A retired army First Sergeant finds new purpose as a successful Dickey's Barbecue Pit franchisee. Tucson, AZ, Dec. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After dedicating 25 years to military service and retiring as a First Sergeant in 2015, Darryl Weaver transitioned seamlessly into entrepreneurship. Just days after his retirement, Weaver and his wife, Laura, opened a Dickey's Barbecue Pit franchise in Tucson, Arizona . Since then, the couple has built a thriving business, combining Darryl's military leadership experience with their shared passion for delivering authentic barbecue and exceptional service. “I wanted to be my own boss and create something meaningful after my military career,” said Weaver.“Dickey's provided the structure, support, and proven systems to set me up for success. It was the ideal opportunity to channel the leadership skills I gained in the Army into a new venture.” Weaver chose Dickey's Barbecue Pit for its established franchise model and the opportunity to fill a gap in his local market.“When we opened, there wasn't any barbecue on this side of Tucson, and today, we're still the only barbecue option in the area,” he said.“It was the right concept at the right time.” Over nearly a decade, Weaver has embraced the evolving landscape of the restaurant industry, including the surge in online ordering and third-party delivery services, which now account for nearly half of his sales. His ability to adapt stems from his military background, where adaptability and strong leadership were critical. “Darryl's story is a testament to how military service builds exceptional leaders,” said Roland Dickey, Jr. , CEO of Dickey's Capital Group.“His leadership, commitment, and ability to inspire his team are evident in his success, and we're honored to have him as part of the Dickey's family.” Weaver's approach to leadership extends beyond operations to mentorship. A former high school employee who left for other opportunities has since returned to the business and is now training to become general manager. “Leadership is about building people up,” said Weaver.“You have to trust your team and guide them, but also verify to ensure everything runs smoothly. That's the approach that has worked for us.” Laura Weaver plays an active role in the day-to-day management of their franchise, working alongside Darryl on catering deliveries, inventory management, and staff support. Their partnership has been instrumental in their success. “Darryl and Laura exemplify the best of Dickey's franchisees-dedicated, community-driven, and passionate about what they do,” said Laura Rea Dickey , CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.“Their commitment to their guests and their team sets a standard that inspires others in our system.” Nearly 10 years after opening their first Dickey's location, the Weavers remain focused on providing exceptional guest experiences and empowering their team.“I'm incredibly proud of what we've built,” said Weaver.“It's about more than running a business-it's about making a positive impact in our community and creating opportunities for others.” About Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Founded in 1941 by The Dickey Family, Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. is the world's largest barbecue concept and continues as a third-generation family-run business. For over 80 years, Dickey's Barbecue Pit has served millions with its signature Legit. Texas. Barbecue.TM Slow-smoked over hickory wood-burning pits, Dickey's barbecued meats are paired with a variety of southern sides. Committed to authentic barbecue, Dickey's never takes shortcuts-because real barbecue can't be rushed. With over 866 restaurants across eight concepts in the U.S. and several countries, Dickey's Barbecue Franchise and Dickey's Restaurant Brands continues to grow under the leadership of Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickey's Capital Group, and Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Pit, Inc. Dickey's has been recognized on Newsweek's 2022 "America's Favorite Restaurant Chains" list, Nation's Restaurant News 2024 top fast-casual brands for value, and USA Today's 2021 Readers' Choice Awards. The brand has also ranked in the Top 20 of Fast Casual's“Top 100 Movers and Shakers” for four of the past five years. Additional accolades include Entrepreneur's Top 500 Franchise and Hospitality Technology's Industry Heroes list. The brand has been featured by Fox News, Forbes, Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal, and People Magazine . For more information, visit . For information about becoming a franchise partner, visit . Attachment MENAFN23122024004107003653ID1109025500 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.