Saints aim to re-establish playoff credentials vs. struggling Bears

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 23:02:46 GMT

Saints aim to re-establish playoff credentials vs. struggling Bears NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Derek Carr and the New Orleans Saints have a chance to turn a corner in their up-and-down season and reassert themselves as a leading contender in the NFC South. The next test for New Orleans (4-4) comes Sunday in the Superdome against the struggling Chicago Bears (2-6), who’ll again play without injured starting quarterback Justin Fields and who also fired an offensive assistant coach this week.The roster and staff upheaval in Chicago could bode well for the Saints, but that’s not the way Carr sees it. His focus is on a Bears defense which ranks third in the NFL against the run and might be better against the pass after acquiring defensive end Montez Sweat from Washington before this week’s NFL trade deadline.“If you don’t bring it in this league, you’re going to get beat,” Carr said. “So, our mindset is to treat every game the same, no matter what someone’s record is or what they’re dealing with.”The Bears ra...

House approves nearly $14.5 billion in military aid for Israel. Biden vows to veto the GOP approach

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 23:02:46 GMT

House approves nearly $14.5 billion in military aid for Israel. Biden vows to veto the GOP approach WASHINGTON (AP) — The House approved a nearly $14.5 billion military aid package Thursday for Israel, a muscular U.S. response to the war with Hamas but also a partisan approach by new Speaker Mike Johnson that poses a direct challenge to Democrats and President Joe Biden.In a departure from norms, Johnson’s package required that the emergency aid be offset with cuts in government spending elsewhere. That tack established the new House GOP’s conservative leadership, but it also turned what would typically be a bipartisan vote into one dividing Democrats and Republicans. Biden has said he would veto the bill, which was approved 226-196, with 12 Democrats joining most Republicans on a largely party-line vote. Johnson, R-La., said the Republican package would provide Israel with the assistance needed to defend itself, free hostages held by Hamas and eradicate the militant Palestinian group, accomplishing “all of this while we also work to ensure responsible spending a...

Cirugías sin anestesia y pacientes hacinados: los hospitales de Gaza están desbordados en medio de ataques israelíes y escasez de combustible

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 23:02:46 GMT

Cirugías sin anestesia y pacientes hacinados: los hospitales de Gaza están desbordados en medio de ataques israelíes y escasez de combustible Nota del editor: esta historia contiene descripciones explícitas de la situación dentro de los hospitales en Gaza.(CNN) — En el hospital Al-Shifa, el centro médico más grande de Gaza, una mujer aturdida y somnolienta permanece sentada en el suelo mientras su pierna sangra. Un hombre más joven yace tendido sobre baldosas manchadas de sangre, con el cuello y las piernas vendados.Este martes, el resto de la sala de urgencias estaba abarrotada de hombres, mujeres y niños de distintas edades, algunos llorando, otros temblando y unos más dormidos en camas improvisadas en el suelo.“La situación en los hospitales es miserable… (te) hace llorar”, dijo este jueves a CNN Rajaa Musleh, una mujer de 50 años refugiada en Al-Shifa.“No hay equipos, la gente está hacinada”, dijo Musleh, que también es representante en Gaza de la organización benéfica de asistencia sanitaria MedGlobal.La crisis humanitaria en Gaza se vuelve cada día más graveMusleh perdió su casa e...

Potential Free Agents

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 23:02:46 GMT

Potential Free Agents NEW YORK (AP) — The 130 players who became free agents Thursday (r-re-signed):AMERICAN LEAGUEBALTIMORE (5) — Jack Flaherty, rhp; Adam Frazier, 2b; Shintaro Fujinami, rhp; Kyle Gibson, rhp; Aaron Hicks, of.BOSTON (3) — Adam Duvall, of; Adalberto Mondesi, ss; James Paxton, lhp.CLEVELAND (3) — Kole Calhoun, of; Lucas Giolito, rhp; Reynaldo López, rhp.CHICAGO (4) — Elvis Andrus, 2b; Yasmani Grandal, c; Bryan Shaw, rhp; José Ureña, rhp.DETROIT (2) — Matt Boyd, lhp; José Cisnero, rhp.HOUSTON (4) — Michael Brantley, of; Martín Maldonado, c; Phil Maton, rhp; Ryne Stanek, rhp.KANSAS CITY (3) — Matt Duffy, 3b; Zack Greinke, rhp; Brad Keller, rhp.LOS ANGELES (5) — C.J. Cron, 1b; Randal Grichuk, of;Mike Moustakas, 3b-1b; Shohei Ohtani, dh-rhp; Gio Urshela, 3b.MINNESOTA (8) — Joey Gallo, of; Sonny Gray, rhp; Dallas Keuchel, lhp; Kenta Maeda, rhp; Tyler Mahle, rhp; Emilio Pagan, rhp; Donovan Solano, 1b; Michael A. Taylor, of.NEW YORK (7) — Isiah Kiner-Falefa, ss-of; Zack McAllister, rhp; Keynan M...

Colin Rea stays with Milwaukee Brewers, agrees to $4.5 million 1-year contract

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 23:02:46 GMT

Colin Rea stays with Milwaukee Brewers, agrees to $4.5 million 1-year contract MILWAUKEE (AP) — Right-hander Colin Rea stayed with the Milwaukee Brewers rather than explore the free-agent market, agreeing Thursday to a $4.5 million, one-year contract that could be worth up to $10 million over two seasons.Rea gets a $3.5 million salary next season, and the deal includes a $5.5 million team option for 2025 with a $1 million buyout. He can earn $500,000 annually in performance bonuses based on innings: $75,000 each for 80 and 100, $100,000 for 120 and $250,000 for 140.If the 2025 option is declined, Rea’s contract specifies he can become a free agent.The 33-year-old became a free agent Monday and could have started negotiations with any team next Monday.After making just one major league appearance in 2021 and spending last season with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan’s Central League, Rea agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year deal with the Brewers and went 6-6 with a 4.55 ERA in 26 games. He earned $500,000 in performance bonuses based on innings.Rea...

Pirates trade reliever Bolton to Mariners, lose 1B Rivas, INF Marcano and INF Capra to waivers

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 23:02:46 GMT

Pirates trade reliever Bolton to Mariners, lose 1B Rivas, INF Marcano and INF Capra to waivers PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates traded right-handed reliever Cody Bolton to Seattle on Thursday in exchange for cash.Bolton went 0-1 with a 6.33 ERA in 16 appearances for the Pirates during his rookie season in 2023, striking out 22 batters in 21 1/3 innings.Pittsburgh also lost first baseman Alfonso Rivas and infielders Tucupita Marcano and Vinny Capra to waivers.Rivas, acquired in a trade with San Diego on Aug. 1, hit .229 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in 40 games with Pittsburgh.Marcano, who can play shortstop, second base and in the corner outfield, was claimed by Cleveland. Marcano appeared in 75 games for the Pirates in 2023 before tearing the ACL in his right knee in July. The 24-year-old hit .233 with three home runs and 16 RBIs last season.Capra played in nine games for Pittsburgh after being acquired in a trade with Toronto in April.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLBSource

Connecticut city’s ‘mishandled ballots’ fuel election skeptics. Experts call problem local, limited

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 23:02:46 GMT

Connecticut city’s ‘mishandled ballots’ fuel election skeptics. Experts call problem local, limited A judge’s order for a new primary in Connecticut’s largest city because of what he called mishandling of absentee ballots is fueling skepticism about the security of U.S. elections, as well as conspiracy theories involving the 2020 presidential election.But election experts contend what happened in Bridgeport — people captured on surveillance video dropping stacks of ballots into outdoor collection boxes — is unique to Bridgeport, a working class city of more than 144,000 that has a long history of voting irregularities. At the very least, they said, it is pretty rare and shouldn’t be seen as evidence of widespread problems.“In Connecticut, this is a problem here and here alone,” longtime election law attorney Bill Bloss, who is representing the Democratic candidate who successfully challenged the outcome of the city’s mayoral primary, said Thursday when asked about the case fueling misinformation about former President Donald Trump’s 2020 defeat.An Ass...

Meg Ryan steps behind the camera and stars in new rom-com ‘What Happens Later’ opposite David Duchovny

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 23:02:46 GMT

Meg Ryan steps behind the camera and stars in new rom-com ‘What Happens Later’ opposite David Duchovny Meg Ryan is back where she belongs: starring in a romantic comedy.Meg shares the screen with David Duchovny in “What Happens Later.” Deco sat down with the pair, who play ex-lovers given the chance by Mother Nature to revisit their relationship.David Duchovny (as Bill): “How’ve you been?”Meg Ryan (as Willa): “Oh, for the last 20 years?”David Duchovny (as Bill): “Twenty-five, maybe.”You never know who you’ll bump into in an airport. In “What Happens Later,” former couple Meg Ryan and David Duchovny run into each other and are stranded when a massive storm grounds their flights.Airport employee on intercom: “Attention, Boston and Austin passengers. Those flights have been delayed until further notice.”Meg Ryan (as Willa): “Just those two flights?”David Duchovny (as Bill): “Just us.”Airport employee on intercom: “Yes.”Meg Ryan (as Willa): “That’s…...

2 people taken to hospital after car crashes into building in Marlboro

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 23:02:46 GMT

2 people taken to hospital after car crashes into building in Marlboro Two people were taken to area hospitals Thursday after a car crashed into a business in Marlboro, officials said. The crash happened on Simarano Drive Thursday afternoon. Speaking with reporters Thursday night, city fire officials said authorities were first called about an erratic driver in Marlboro around 4:30 p.m. Moments later, officials said, a call came in reporting a car had crashed into a building. Marlborough Fire Department Battalion Chief Eric Christensen said the car ended up traveling down an I-495 off-ramp and through an intersection before slamming into the lobby of IPG Photonics. “They were traveling highway speeds down the ramp and there were no brake marks,” Christensen said. First responders arriving on scene found two men inside the car. Christensen said both were unconscious and required “extensive extrication” as they were pinned under the car’s dashboard. Officials said the driver was taken to a hospital by ambulance. The passenge...

Column: The Superdome has been a house of horrors for Chicago Bears QBs. Can Tyson Bagent reverse the trend Sunday?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 23:02:46 GMT

Column: The Superdome has been a house of horrors for Chicago Bears QBs. Can Tyson Bagent reverse the trend Sunday? The first start for a backup quarterback can be the best one a lot of the time.That’s a theory one veteran personnel man holds.“Nobody has any tape on you,” he said. “They don’t know who you are. They don’t know how you throw the ball. They don’t know what your game is. They don’t know how you’re being used.“A lot of backups can win their first game, and I have seen it over time. Some of them didn’t have any arm strength but they do things a little different.”Tyson Bagent won his first start for the Bears in Week 7, a 30-12 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders at Soldier Field. It’s worth wondering if that result played a factor in owner Mark Davis’ decision to fire general manager Dave Ziegler and coach Josh McDaniels on Tuesday.The second act wasn’t quite as smooth for Bagent in a 30-13 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. He completed 25 of 37 passes for 232 yards and two ...