
The Arizona Cardinals were rested, relatively healthy and had been playing some of their best football in years. That's why Sunday's sobering 16-6 road loss to the Seattle Seahawks was so surprising. “Frustrating day offensively, especially the way we’ve been playing to come out here and lay an egg and get physically dominated in a sense,” quarterback Kyler Murray said. The Cardinals (6-5) had their four-game winning streak snapped. Murray completed 24 of 37 passes for 285 yards, but made a brutal mistake, throwing an interception that was returned 69 yards by Seattle's Coby Bryant. The running game never got going, gaining just 49 yards. James Conner, the team's leading rusher, had just 8 yards on seven attempts. “There were a lot of things where it felt like the flow of things just wasn’t in our favor,” receiver Michael Wilson said. "Some games go like that. And then we didn’t execute enough to make up for the game sort of not going our way.” Arizona's still in decent playoff position, tied with the Seahawks on top of the NFC West with six games to play. But after all the good news and winning over the past month, Sunday's loss was humbling. “We’re going to learn a lot from this game,” Gannon said. What’s working Arizona's defense continued its remarkable midseason turnaround, giving the team every opportunity to win Sunday. The front seven doesn't have any stars, but continues to cobble together a respectable pass rush. The Cardinals finished with five sacks, all by different players. Second-year cornerback Garrett Williams intercepted a pass by Geno Smith on the first play of the fourth quarter, briefly giving the Cardinals some momentum as they tried to fight back. Williams — a third-round pick out of Syracuse in 2023 — is growing into a steady starting corner that the Cardinals have missed for years. “I thought that they hung in there and battled, forced a bunch of punts, kept points off the board,” Gannon said. “I thought the interception by Garrett was fantastic, kept us in the game there, kept points off the board. We made some mistakes. We made some mistakes, starting with me.” What needs help The Cardinals aren't going to win many games with a rushing performance like Sunday's. Conner, held to a season low in yards rushing, did have 41 yards receiving. Rookie Trey Benson had four carries for 18 yards, while Emari Demercado broke a 14-yard gain. Getting Conner going is key. Arizona has a 5-1 record this season when he has at least 100 total yards from scrimmage. Gannon said falling into an early hole affected some of the things the Cardinals could do, particularly in the second half. “I thought there was plays there, but again, where you get down in that game, you’re not really playing normal ball there for a good chunk of the game,” Gannon said. “So we’ve got to do a better job earlier in the game to make sure we’re not playing left-handed.” Stock up Fourth-year edge rusher Zaven Collins isn't necessarily the star fans hoped for when he was selected with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2021 draft, but he has quietly had a productive season leading the team's no-name front seven. Collins picked up his fourth sack of the season Sunday and put consistent pressure on Smith. Stock down Murray's still having a great season, but the quarterback's MVP credentials took a hit with Sunday's mediocre performance. He played pretty well at times, but the interception that turned into a pick-6 was a backbreaker. The sixth-year quarterback had largely avoided those types of plays this season, which is a big reason they're in the playoff hunt. “Can't give them seven points, especially when our defense is playing the way that they’re playing,” Murray said. “I feel like if I don’t do that, we’re in the game four quarters because that’s the way it was trending.” Injuries The Cardinals came out of Sunday's game fairly healthy. Gannon said starting safety Jalen Thompson (ankle) should be back at practice Wednesday. He missed the last two games. Key numbers 12 and 133 — Tight end Trey McBride continued his breakout season with a career-high 12 catches for 133 yards. Next steps The Cardinals have another difficult road game against the Vikings (9-2) on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflA man shot and killed two teenagers breaking into his home in a new episode of “Dateline: The Smoking Gun” airing on Thursday, November 21. The new episode will air at 8 p.m. ET on Oxygen. Those without cable can watch the show for free through FuboTV or DirecTV Stream , each offering a free trial to new users. Sling is another option for streaming the show, and promotional offers are available. Andrea Canning hosts the new Dateline series that looks into investigations that are packed with twists, false leads, wrong suspects and dead ends until police finally uncover the smoking gun and arrive at justice. Stories investigated this season include a disappearance involving a young film director, two prosecutors killed in a small Texas town and a serial killer who must be stopped before the next victim is murdered. In episode 8, “a man shot and killed two teenagers breaking into his home. He said he acted in self-defense and the investigation uncovered an astonishing piece of evidence that told a different story.” Those without cable can watch the show for free through FuboTV or DirecTV Stream , each offering a free trial to new users. Sling is another option for streaming the show, and promotional offers are available. What is FuboTV ? FuboTV is an over-the-top internet live TV streaming service that offers more than 100 channels, like sports, news, entertainment and local channels. It offers DVR storage space, and is designed for people who want to cut the cord, but don’t want to miss out on their favorite live TV and sports. What is DirecTV Stream? The streaming platform offers a plethora of content including streaming the best of live and On Demand, starting with more than 75 live TV channels. What is Sling ? Sling TV is the first app-based TV service letting you stream live television and on-demand content over the internet. With Sling TV, you get to choose the television option that’s right for you, including Channel Add-ons, Premiums Add-ons, DVR Plus and more. More Shopping and Deals
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Announces $100 Million At-The-Market Equity Offering ProgramThe second annual Las Vegas Grand Prix brought over 300,000 F1 fans to Sin City this weekend, but not everyone paid for a ticket. Some crafty spectators found a free and creative way to watch the race by riding an escalator — over and over and over again. captured the hilarious scene outside the Fashion Show Mall as folks took turns riding a set of escalators throughout the race, sneaking glimpses of the action as F1 cars roared past. The escalator’s elevated position overlooks one of the 50-lap spectacle’s most exciting turns, providing a better view than many paid seats at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Fans could be seen lining up politely, snapping photos and recording videos as they looped up and down the moving staircase. Security was stationed at the top and bottom of the escalators, but as long as fans kept moving, they weren’t technically breaking any rules. And so, hundreds took advantage of the unconventional setup. Mercedes driver George Russell took first place in the third-last race of the F1 season, with Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz rounding out the podium. But with the average Grand Prix ticket costing $1,617, the escalator riders were arguably the night’s biggest winners. Here’s hoping organizers don’t block off the moving attraction next year.Tempe's Innovative Food Hall "Tempe Eats" Closes Doors, To Be Transformed Into Event Venue
NATO chief discusses ‘global security’ with Trump
Florida Trolls Ole Miss Celebration After Upset Win On SaturdayThe Board of Governors of the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) convened for its fourth meeting of 2024 on Sunday at the CBO Headquarters. During the meeting, the board approved the Regulations for the Banking Deposits Protection Law, as well as the Regulatory Framework for Open Banking. In a statement to the Oman News Agency, the CBO highlighted that it continues to take all necessary steps and measures to ensure that regulatory and supervisory frameworks support innovation in a safe and sustainable manner, enhancing the efficiency of the financial system. As part of its financial technology (fintech) roadmap, the CBO stated that open banking will play a significant role in advancing the development of innovative financial products. Open banking allows for the use of application programming interfaces (APIs) to facilitate secure data sharing between banks, fintech companies, and other licensed institutions. This will empower consumers with greater control over their financial data and provide them with access to tailored services that meet their diverse banking needs. During the meeting, the CBO board also approved the 2025 annual budgets for the Central Bank of Oman, the Oman Credit and Financial Information Centre (Mala’a), and the Banking Deposits Protection Scheme. Furthermore, the board reviewed a number of reports, including the financial soundness indicators for banks, a report on the CBO’s financial position, and the performance of the reserves and foreign investments held by the CBO. The board also discussed the quarterly report on the prospects and challenges for stability in the Omani economy, along with the outlook for average economic growth. Additionally, the board reviewed the executive summary of achievements made under the project to enhance the efficiency of the CBO’s monetary policy, a report on cash liquidity in the banking sector, and the 2024 annual report of Mala’a. Finally, the board reviewed various topics on the agenda and made the necessary decisions.Special counsel Jack Smith left the door open for President-elect Donald Trump 's federal criminal cases to be revived while dropping them ahead of Trump's return to the White House. On Monday, Smith filed a motion to drop four felony counts against Trump for attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his alleged role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He also dropped an appeal to Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon 's dismissal of the president-elect's classified documents case. Smith wrote that he "stands fully behind" the election subversion charges against Trump despite moving to dismiss the case "without prejudice," a legal term that means charges could at least theoretically be filed again after Trump's term ends in 2029. The documents case was previously dismissed without prejudice. "The Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated," wrote Smith. "And although the Constitution requires dismissal in this context, consistent with the temporary nature of the immunity afforded a sitting President, it does not require dismissal with prejudice." Newsweek reached out to Trump's office via email on Monday for comment. Legal analyst Barbara McQuade, a former federal prosecutor , noted on Monday in a post on X, formerly Twitter , that the case could return once Trump's second and final term expires in 2029. However, "there may be no appetite" at that point. Harry Litman, also a legal analyst and a former federal prosecutor, wrote on X that Smith's move is a "really interesting gambit" because the incoming Trump-controlled Department of Justice (DOJ) may not be able to dismiss the case with prejudice since after it was already dismissed. In the documents case, Smith dropped his appeal of the case against the president-elect on Monday but left the appeal intact for charges against his co-defendants, Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos de Oliveira. However, charges against the co-defendants likely will not be pursued when Trump returns to office, as his nominee for U.S. attorney general, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, will control the DOJ. Smith is also expected to resign as special counsel before Trump takes office. Trump did not mention the possibility of the cases being revived while celebrating Smith's moves on Monday in a pair of posts to Truth Social. The president-elect asserted that he had triumphed over Democrats' "political hijacking" of the DOJ . "These cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought," Trump wrote. "Over $100 Million Dollars of Taxpayer Dollars has been wasted in the Democrat Party's fight against their Political Opponent, ME." "It was a political hijacking, and a low point in the History of our Country that such a thing could have happened, and yet, I persevered, against all odds, and WON," he added. "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Efforts to recalibrate the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) into a more selective and cohesive ‘Wassenaar minus one’ coalition—potentially excluding Russia—reflect the growing need for the United States, its allies, and technology firms to find common ground on export control measures. In 2024, individual Wassenaar member states began implementing their own controls on critical technologies outside the WA. This is the early step toward a new regime. However, translating this idea into an actual regime requires strategic alignment. Q1: Why focus on Wassenaar minus one? A1: On September 6, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) introduced a new framework for plurilateral export controls. Central to this framework is a license exception that allows exports to countries that have equivalent export controls on certain emerging technologies. Assistant Secretary Thea D. Rozman Kendler explained that the reason for a new rule is to “develop and coordinate [U.S.] controls alongside like-minded partners.” Eleven like-minded countries—nine in Europe, plus Japan and Australia—have already implemented or announced similar export controls for certain emerging technologies, like quantum computing or semiconductors. These countries are eligible for licenses covering 24 controlled technologies, although not every country is eligible for each technology. This is BIS’s first step toward building and recognizing ad hoc agreements with like-minded nations on advanced technologies, potentially laying the foundation for a new approach to multilateral controls. The need for a new multilateral approach emerged due to the ineffectiveness of the WA. While it remains the only multilateral regime for controlling dual-use technologies (both in civilian and military targets) and continues to set de facto international standards in arms and technology exports, it faces limitations. Its slow decision-making process (requiring unanimity from all 42 members), the lack of strategic measures (with only one plenary meeting per year), and the expulsion mechanism to remove Russia have resulted in protracted delays. Adding a new technology to the Wassenaar control list, for instance, can take up to three years. Many members have addressed these weaknesses by adopting similar export control measures on advanced technologies. The United Kingdom aims to “address weaknesses in the multilateral system,” Japan seeks to “supplement the Wassenaar Arrangement,” and Norway stresses that effective control is “dependent on as many countries as possible to introduce the same controls to avoid circumvention.”A $204 million grant will help rebuild the sinking Delta-Mendota Canal, improving its water delivery efficiency and capacity. The money from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority will fund the canal fix after decades of over-pumping the aquifer caused the ground to sink. A part of the Central Valley Project, the 117-mile canal brings water south to irrigate land in much of western Fresno County. “This investment will accelerate our mutual efforts to restore the capacity of the Delta-Mendota Canal, ensuring reliable water delivery to communities that produce our nation’s food and technological innovation and the wildlife and wildlife enthusiasts that rely on the Pacific Flyway,” said Federico Barajas, executive director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority. Related Story: Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act Grant The grant is from President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, which set aside $8.3 billion for water infrastructure projects nationally. In November, Reclamation and the water authority to not only fortify the B.F. Sisk Dam but raise it, increasing its capacity.
– North Korean leader Kim Jong Un chaired a meeting that called for the ‘toughest’ strategy against the US, state media KCNA said on Sunday. Kim was heading a key year-end party meeting to outline the country’s 2025 strategy, according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). In the meeting, party and government officials resolved to ‘aggressively’ launch North Korea’s ‘toughest anti-US counteraction’, to safeguard its security and national interests, while also pledging to strengthen relations with ‘friendly’ nations, according to the report. Kim emphasised advancing defence science and technology to bolster North Korea’s deterrence capabilities at the December 23-27 meeting. The KCNA report condemned the United States, South Korea, and Japan’s alliance, labelling it a ‘nuclear military bloc’ and describing South Korea as an ‘anti-communist outpost of the US’. The report also called the US ‘the most reactionary state that regards anti-communism as its invariable state policy’. “This reality clearly shows to which direction we should advance and what we should do and how,” KCNA said. The meeting comes at a time when military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow have strengthened under a military pact that was signed in June and recently came into force. According to Seoul, North Korean soldiers have entered combat in Ukraine as part of the military deal, with more than a thousand soldiers killed or wounded since then. Ukraine’s allies have called North Korea’s involvement in the war a ‘dangerous expansion’. DW
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has named a Russian national Pavel Prozorov as the principal accused in the operations of OctaFx. This forex trading platform allegedly defrauded Indian investors with Rs 800 crore. The Mumbai ED filed a prosecution complaint against OctaFx, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Act. This followed an investigation based on an FIR registered on December 8, 2021, by Shivaji Nagar police station, Pune, against multiple individuals involved with the firm. The investigation revealed that OctaFX, owned by the 42-year-old Russian, was at the centre of a fraudulent scheme that involved collecting funds from Indian investors under the pretence of Forex trading, to Rs 800 crore, from its operations in India within nine months. According to the ED, the forex trading platform manipulated trade activities, inducing huge losses for Indian investors. The ED also alleges that OctaFX diverted the defrauded funds into accounts and e-wallets owned by dubious entities. The ED claims that OctaFX’s platforms frequently changed their login URLs and web addresses, to “obscure fraudulent activities from investors.” The ED found that OctaFx utilized fin-tech employees to create mule accounts linked to shell companies and fake e-commerce websites, to obtain payment gateway access to route the investor money abroad, by faking imports and freight services. The company smashed its way into the Indian market through aggressive marketing, including, sponsoring an Indian Premier League (IPL) team, and engaging in paid endorsements with various influencers and celebrity personalities. The Enforcement Directorate has so far conducted multiple searches in multiple locations and has attached and seized assets worth Rs 165 crore approximately, including 19 immovable properties in Spain, owned by Pavel Prozorov. According to the UK government’s company directory, Pavel Prozorov lives in Spain, and his company registered in the UK, by the name OCTA Markets UK LTD has a dissolved-company status.
Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100Formula 1 expands grid to add General Motors' Cadillac brand and new American team for 2026 season
IIT Hyderabad to Host Half Marathon on December 1The Minnesota Wild are on the ice playing against the Calgary Flames, as I write this unfortunate update on their superstar Kirill Kaprizov. On Thursday, Kaprizov fell victim to an open-ice hit, from Edmonton Oilers forward Drake Caggiula, which resulted in some ugly knee-to-knee contact. It was 23-year-old Matt Boldy who came to the defense of his 27-year-old teammate, who laid face-down on the ice, after the hit. Kaprizov left the ice for a short time, but returned not long after. Kirill Kaprizov headed down the tunnel in pain after this collision with Drake Caggiula pic.twitter.com/CFCh3BD6pw Kirill Kaprizov played most of his normal workload, through the last 1.5 periods vs Edmonton . He finished with 22:51 TOI, in 24 total shifts. After scoring a goal in the 1st period, and taking the league lead in points scored, the Wild’s superstar didn’t get on the scoresheet the rest of the evening. Kirill Kaprizov could miss more time than just Minnesota Wild vs Calgary Still, there wasn’t a lot of concern over Kaprizov’s status for Saturday’s game against the Calgary Flames . That was until just minutes before puck drop, when Kirill was ruled OUT with a “lower-body injury”. This is the first game he’s missed on the season. According to Michael Russo (The Athletic) , however, it may not be the last. Kaprizov’s injury will be further evaluated by the Minnesota Wild’s orthopedist on Sunday. Fellow Russian, Marat Khusnutdinov ’s lower-body injury has his future status set as, “Day-to-Day”. #mnwild 's Kirill Kaprizov, tied for the league lead in scoring, will be evaluated for his injury in Minnesota tomorrow, a source says. Marat Khusnutdinov is day-to-day. The Minnesota Wild will be without leading scorer Kirill Kaprizov on Saturday afternoon against the Calgary Flames and potentially longer after taking a knee-on-knee hit from the Edmonton Oilers’ Drake Caggiula. On the season , Kirill Kaprizov has 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists). That’s tied with Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon for the NHL lead. Per NHL rules ( h/t to Russo ), Kirill’s franchise-record of 11-straight road games recording a point, has come to an end. Hopefully, if the best player in franchise history has to miss more time, he’s not out long. This article first appeared on Minnesota Sports Fan and was syndicated with permission.Terry Bradshaw's feelings 'hurt' by Michael Strahan just seconds into FOX NFL Sunday
Forthright and fearless, the Nobel Prize winner took pot-shots at former prime minister Tony Blair and ex-US president George W Bush among others. His death came after repeated bouts of illness in which images of the increasingly frail former president failed to erase memories of his fierce spirit. Democrat James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr swept to power in 1977 with his Trust Me campaign helping to beat Republican president Gerald Ford. Serving as 39th US president from 1977 to 1981, he sought to make government “competent and compassionate” but was ousted by the unstoppable Hollywood appeal of a certain Ronald Reagan. A skilled sportsman, Mr Carter left his home of Plains, Georgia, to join the US Navy, returning later to run his family’s peanut business. A stint in the Georgia senate lit the touchpaper on his political career and he rose to the top of the Democratic movement. But he will also be remembered for a bizarre encounter with a deeply disgruntled opponent. The president was enjoying a relaxing fishing trip near his home town in 1979 when his craft was attacked by a furious swamp rabbit which reportedly swam up to the boat hissing wildly. The press had a field day, with one paper bearing the headline President Attacked By Rabbit. Away from encounters with belligerent bunnies, Mr Carter’s willingness to address politically uncomfortable topics did not diminish with age. He recently said that he would be willing to travel to North Korea for peace talks on behalf of US President Donald Trump. He also famously mounted a ferocious and personal attack on Tony Blair over the Iraq war, weeks before the prime minister left office in June 2007. Mr Carter, who had already denounced George W Bush’s presidency as “the worst in history”, used an interview on BBC radio to condemn Mr Blair for his tight relations with Mr Bush, particularly concerning the Iraq War. Asked how he would characterise Mr Blair’s relationship with Mr Bush, Mr Carter replied: “Abominable. Loyal, blind, apparently subservient. “I think that the almost undeviating support by Great Britain for the ill-advised policies of President Bush in Iraq have been a major tragedy for the world.” Mr Carter was also voluble over the Rhodesia crisis, which was about to end during his presidency. His support for Robert Mugabe at the time generated widespread criticism. He was said to have ignored the warnings of many prominent Zimbabweans, black and white, about what sort of leader Mugabe would be. This was seen by Mr Carter’s critics as “deserving a prominent place among the outrages of the Carter years”. Mr Carter has since said he and his administration had spent more effort and worry on Rhodesia than on the Middle East. He admitted he had supported two revolutionaries in Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, and with hindsight said later that Mugabe had been “a good leader gone bad”, having at first been “a very enlightened president”. One US commentator wrote: “History will not look kindly on those in the West who insisted on bringing the avowed Marxist Mugabe into the government. “In particular, the Jimmy Carter foreign policy... bears some responsibility for the fate of a small African country with scant connection to American national interests.” In recent years Mr Carter developed a reputation as an international peace negotiator. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his commitment to finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts, his work with human rights and democracy initiatives, and his promotion of economic and social programmes. Mr Carter was dispatched to North Korea in August 2008 to secure the release of US citizen Aijalon Mahli Gomes, who had been sentenced to eight years of hard labour after being found guilty of illegally entering North Korea. He successfully secured the release of Mr Gomes. In 2010 he returned to the White House to greet President Barack Obama and discuss international affairs amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula. Proving politics runs in the family, in 2013 his grandson Jason, a state senator, announced his bid to become governor in Georgia, where his famous grandfather governed before becoming president. He eventually lost to incumbent Republican Nathan Deal. Fears that Mr Carter’s health was deteriorating were sparked in 2015 when he cut short an election observation visit in Guyana because he was “not feeling well”. It would have been Mr Carter’s 39th trip to personally observe an international election. Three months later, on August 12, he revealed he had cancer which had been diagnosed after he underwent surgery to remove a small mass in his liver. Mr Obama was among the well-wishers hoping for Mr Carter’s full recovery after it was confirmed the cancer had spread widely. Melanoma had been found in his brain and liver, and Mr Carter underwent immunotherapy and radiation therapy, before announcing in March the following year that he no longer needed any treatment. In 2017, Mr Carter was taken to hospital as a precaution, after he became dehydrated at a home-building project in Canada. He was admitted to hospital on multiple occasions in 2019 having had a series of falls, suffering a brain bleed and a broken pelvis, as well as a stint to be treated for a urinary tract infection. Mr Carter spent much of the coronavirus pandemic largely at his home in Georgia, and did not attend Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration in 2021, but extended his “best wishes”. Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Mr Carter during his term as US president, died in November 2023. She had been living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Mr Carter said in a statement following her death. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”LPGA and USGA to require players to be assigned female at birth or transition before male puberty The LPGA and the USGA have updated gender policies that will require players to be assigned female at birth or to have transitioned to female before going through male puberty. The policies begin in 2025 and follow more than a year of study. The groups concluded that going through male puberty allows for competitive advantages in golf. The USGA has seven championships for females next year. The new policies rule out eligibility for Hailey Davidson. She missed U.S. Women's Open qualifying by one shot this year and tried LPGA Q-school. Davidson 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. Miami's playoff hopes nosedive as Alabama rises in the latest College Football Playoff rankings Miami’s playoff hopes took a nosedive while Alabama’s got a boost in the last rankings before the College Football Playoff bracket is set next weekend. The Hurricanes moved down six spots to No. 12 after suffering their second loss of the season. They are one spot behind the Crimson Tide, who won won last week and moved up two spots to No. 11. Alabama is projected as the last team in and the fourth from the Southeastern Conference. Oregon stayed at No. 1 for the fifth straight week and will head into Saturday’s Big Ten title game as the only undefeated team in big-time college football. SEC and Big Ten powers lead the way on signing day as prospects finalize their college selections Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Oregon and Ohio State are bringing in the nation's top recruiting class as high school prospects across the country finalize their college plans. The identity of the No. 1 class according to composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports may not be determined until Friday because of the uncertainty surrounding a couple of top-10 prospects. But most top recruits already committed to a school well before the signing period arrived Wednesday. Juan Soto starting to eliminate teams from negotiations, agent Scott Boras says LOS ANGELES (AP) — Juan Soto is starting to drop teams from negotiations ahead of baseball's winter meetings next week. Likely to approach or set a record contract, the free agent slugger has met with the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. Soto's agent, Scott Boras, says the outfielder has “begun the process of eliminating teams” but he doesn't think a decision is “imminent” in the near future. A four-time All-Star, Soto finished third in AL MVP voting after hitting .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBIs and 129 walks this year to help the Yankees reach the World Series. He has a .285 career batting average with 201 homers, 592 RBIs and 769 walks. Falcons QB Cousins is looking to avoid interceptions, have bounce-back game in Minnesota homecoming FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Kirk Cousins is set for his return on Sunday to Minnesota, his NFL home from 2018 through 2023. The homecoming comes as he is hearing speculation about his job security in Atlanta. Cousins has thrown six interceptions with no touchdowns in the Falcons’ three-game losing streak. That includes four picks in last week’s 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, his most in a decade. A vote of confidence from coach Raheem Morris can’t silence suggestions that it’s time to give rookie first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. a chance to jump-start the Falcons’ struggling offense. Lindsey Vonn to make her comeback to downhill racing at age 40 this weekend Lindsey Vonn is going to enter an official ski race for the first time in nearly six years this weekend at age 40. Vonn announced last month that she was coming out of retirement and she will race lower-level FIS downhills and super-Gs on Saturday and Sunday in Copper Mountain, Colorado. Vonn needs some decent results to improve her long-dormant ranking so she can enter World Cup races this season under a new wild card rule. U.S. Ski Team head coach Paul Kristofic says that “obviously her history speaks for itself and she’s definitely the most decorated speed skier out there." He adds that "it will be really, really fun and interesting to see what she can do.” Liverpool's lead cut in Premier League and Man City ends slump. Chelsea and Arsenal win MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League was cut to seven points after a 3-3 draw with Newcastle. Chelsea moved up to second by thrashing last-place Southampton 5-1, while Arsenal is third after a 2-0 win over Manchester United. Fourth-place Manchester City ended its seven-game winless run with a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Liverpool’s result will give hope to its title rivals after Fabian Schar’s 90th-minute equalizer at St James’ Park. Arsenal inflicted a first loss on new Man United head coach Ruben Amorim. High school recruiting isn't the only way to build a winner in the era of the transfer portal Texas A&M signed the nation’s top-ranked class three years ago believing it had built a potential national title contender. Plenty of players from that heralded 2022 class could indeed be participating in the first 12-team College Football Playoff this month. They just won’t be doing it for the Aggies. Texas A&M represents perhaps the clearest example of how recruiting and roster construction have changed in the era of loosened transfer restrictions. Coaches must assemble high school classes without always knowing which of their own players are transferring and what players from other schools could be available through the portal. Pro Picks: Falcons will upset the Vikings in Kirk Cousins' return to Minnesota Six division matchups and Kirk Cousins' return to Minnesota highlight a lighter Week 14 schedule. Six teams aren’t playing as the NFL wraps up its final week of byes before going to a full slate over the last four weeks. Two games feature the top two teams in the division. The Seattle Seahawks (7-5) visit the Arizona Cardinals (6-6) on Sunday in a battle for a tight race in the NFC West. The Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) host the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) on “Sunday Night Football” with plenty of breathing room between the two teams in the AFC West. College football picks: 'Let's play two' a theme for handful of conference championship games No football coach would tell you he’s excited about the prospect of having to beat the same team twice in the same season. That will be the task for four teams in Football Bowl Subdivision conference championship games. The FCS-level Southwestern Athletic Conference game also is a rematch. Western Kentucky, Boise State, Miami and Georgia will be going for sweeps. Sportradar reports there have been 78 same-season rematches in the FBS since 2000. There have been 43 sweeps and 35 splits.
COLUMBIA — No. 19 South Carolina is the hottest team in the Southeastern Conference and on one of the most impressive streaks in the country. Can the Gamecocks stay locked in when it comes to Wofford, a six-touchdown underdog? South Carolina running back Raheim Sanders (5) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. "I would for mediocre people, I would say it's human nature" to let the focus wander, South Carolina linebacker Debo Williams said. "But we're not talking mediocre." Lately, the Gamecocks (7-3) have been extraordinary. They have won four straight in SEC play for the first time since Steve Spurrier was coach in 2012 and beaten three straight AP Top 25 opponents — Texas A&M, Vanderbilt and Missouri — for the first time ever. "This is not recent years. This is not a recent team," Williams said. "We are putting it together and we've got to get better every single day." That includes, defensive lineman Alex Huntley said, putting in the same work for an FCS foe to prepare as they did for any of those noteworthy SEC victories. Wofford (5-6) has had its moments, although it has lost 17 straight against the Gamecocks and only once in the past 13 meetings have the Terriers come within single digits of their FBS opponent. "It's not about the team, it's about us," Huntley said. "So just attack everything the same exact way, don't change the routine." Terriers coach Shawn Watson understands the enormous task his team is facing Saturday in South Carolina. Watson recalled watching Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer at a new conference saying he did not want media to rank his team. "Because he knew what he had," Watson said. "They have great chemistry and are probably one of the hottest team, I think the hottest team in college football right now." Wofford is an FCS program in Spartanburg, South Carolina, that has built a strong football history the past four decades. The Terriers have been to 10 NCAA playoffs, the last trip coming in 2019. Watson, in his third season, and the team's five wins this year equal his total of the previous two. One of the school's football highlights came in 2007 when the Terriers handed Appalachian State its first loss after the Mountaineers had stunned top-five Michigan weeks earlier. South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers has settled into the starting job with his stellar play the second half of the season. He's passed for 1,010 yards and 10 touchdowns against just one interception in the Gamecocks four straight SEC victories. Last week, Sellers had five TD throws including an inside pass to Raheim Sanders he took 15 yards for the winning score against Missouri with 15 seconds left. It's sure to be an emotional time for Beamer as he and the Gamecock crowd say goodbye to the team's seniors who will be playing a final game at Williams-Brice Stadium. Beamer started tearing up, he acknowledged, when he filmed a video for the occasion earlier this week, in part because several of the players leaving chose to stay when Beamer took over four seasons ago. Gamecocks senior punter Kai Kroeger leads the SEC and is second nationally with a 47.7-yard average this season. When his football time is done, Kroeger said he wanted to work for the Secret Service or another federal law enforcement agency. Kroeger explained he'd had family friends follow that path and he became interested. Beamer got a text a few weeks back from Hootie and the Blowfish front-man Darius Rucker about donating to help the university's band fund their planned trip to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City. "It took me five seconds to respond" with a yes, Beamer said as he, Rucker and women's basketball coach Dawn Staley each donated $25,000 for band expenses. Get local news delivered to your inbox!