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DALLAS (AP) — The championship vision that led Nathan Eovaldi to sign with Texas as a free agent two years ago is the same one that brought him back to the Rangers. A World Series title in his first season was followed by a losing record this year. “I believe in the guys in the group that we have. We were able to do it in ‘23. I don’t feel a lot has changed,” Eovaldi said Friday, a day after finalizing a $75 million, three-year contract . “We had a down year last year, but I've said it before, you learn a lot from losing seasons.” Eovaldi had declined a $20 million player option to become a free agent again and reached an agreement during the winter meetings in Dallas. Texas also acquired slugging corner infielder Jake Burger in a swap with Miami. Burger had fallen asleep before getting a call late Tuesday night that he had been traded to Texas, where his family is planning to move after the October birth of a daughter with Down syndrome. “The other city that is really good other than Nashville in terms of children's hospital and resources for her Downs is in Dallas," Burger said. “Not just from the baseball spectrum, from the life aspect as well ... I feel like it was meant to be, and we couldn’t be more more excited about that.” In the Nashville area, Burger lives close to Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, whom he plans to visit with soon. His former Marlins manager, Skip Schumaker , was hired last month by the Rangers as a senior adviser for baseball operations, and Luis Urueta, Miami’s bench coach the past two seasons, recently joined Bochy’s on-field coaching staff for 2025. Burger and Rangers pitcher Dane Dunning were once roommates in the Chicago White Sox organization. Burger hit .250 with 29 home runs and 76 RBIs in 137 games for the Marlins last season, when he started 59 games at third base and 50 starts at first. He was with the White Sox in Texas when he got traded to Miami on Aug. 1, 2023, and four days later hit his first homer with the Marlins at Globe Life Field. When the Rangers made the title run in 2023, Eovaldi was 5-0 with a 2.95 ERA in six postseason starts. He was the winning pitcher in their World Series-clinching Game 5 at Arizona. He was also part of Boston’s 2018 title. Eovaldi was 12-8 this year with a 3.80 ERA in 29 starts, the last seven scoreless innings in the regular-season finale. He is 24-13 with a 3.72 ERA in 54 starts for Texas the past two seasons. The new deal for the Texas native, who who turns 35 in February, includes a $12 million signing bonus, half payable on Nov. 15, 2026, and the rest on Jan. 15, 2028, and salaries of $18 million next season, $25 million in 2026 and $20 million in 2027. He gets a full no-trade provision. After being welcomed back by Chris Young, the team's president of baseball operations, the pitcher said he never felt like he really left. The Rangers stayed in contact throughout the process after he declined his option Nov. 4. “Kind of listening to the market and everything, I’m extremely happy to be back. I’m glad we were we were able to make it all work out,” Eovaldi said. “We had a lot of teams reach out right away and we were in contact with most them across the league. Ultimately we were able to make it back here.” AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Vladimir Putin’s message for TrumpTaylor Swift has made a surprise stop at a Kansas City children’s hospital, shocking parents and patients alike as she laughed with them, posed for photos and exchanged gifts. All parent Cassie Thomas was told beforehand was that she might want to brush her hair and teeth because there was going to be a special visitor. But she was stunned when Swift, fresh off her Eras Tour and one day before her 35th birthday, walked into her son's room on Thursday at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. “No rumors. Like, we literally had absolutely no idea this was happening,” Thomas recalled. Her 13-year-old son, Beckett Thomas, is a cancer patient and a fan of Swift's Kansas City Chiefs tight-end boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Beckett uses a 3D printer to make earrings bearing his and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes' names, walking around the hospital unit selling them to nurses. Now, Swift has a pair as well. “She was amazing,” Beckett's mom said. “So down to earth.” Another patient told Swift that her favorite song was “Love Story" and they later discussed the song “Paper Rings,” in which Swift sings, “I'd marry you with paper rings.” When their conversation veered to discussion of San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy, whose team played the Chiefs in the Super Bowl earlier this year, Swift expressed surprise. “Brock Purdy, What? I mean, I don’t mind Brock Purdy.” Swift said, then continued: “He put me through a lot last February.” Asked before the Super Bowl whether he was prepared to disappoint Swift, Purdy responded: “Yes.” The game ended with Mahomes rallying the Chiefs to their second straight Super Bowl title, 25-22 over the 49ers in overtime. “I was very stressed for a second but it all ended up fine,” Swift told the girl, their recorded conversation posted online. The girl then chimed in: “I like Travis now.” Swift responded with: “Me too. That’s an absolute yes on that one." There is no word on whether Swift will be in the stands when the Chiefs play the Browns on Sunday in Kelce’s hometown of Cleveland.Cam Newton reveals how he knew Travis Hunter was the Heisman winner before the announcement

Trader Up 900% In 11 Months Is Watching These Two Hot Growth Stocks Very CloselyPolice have charged two people following a break-and-enter investigation. On Saturday, Grey Bruce OPP were called to check on an empty home on Dawson Street in South Bruce Peninsula. When police arrived, six people were removed from the building. On Sunday, just before 5 p.m., police did a property check at the same home. Two people, who were previously trespassed, were found inside. A 22-year-old of no fixed address and a 43-year-old of Georgian Bluffs are both facing charges for break-and-enter a place with intent to commit an indictable offence. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks 10 Family Calendars And Planners That'll Help You Keep Track Of Everything In The New Year Our Guide To The Best Winter Boots You Can Get In Canada 16 Cozy Home Essentials That Cost Less Than $100 Home Our Guide To The Best Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) 14 Of The Best Home Security Devices You Can Find Online Right Now (And They've Got The Reviews To Prove It) 13 Of The Best Fidget Toys For Adults Gifts The Clock Is Ticking — Shop These 25 Last-Minute Amazon Prime Gifts Now If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 70+ Crowd-Pleasing Gifts Will Still Arrive Before Christmas If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 50 Brilliant Stocking Stuffers Will Still Arrive Before Christmas Beauty 20 Products Your Dry, Dehydrated Skin Will Thank You For Ordering 14 Hydrating Face Masks That’ll Save Your Skin This December 12 Budget-Friendly Products To Add To Your Winter Skincare Routine Deals PSA: The Michael Kors Boxing Week Sale Is Happening Right Now The Silk & Snow End Of Year Sale Is Officially On — Here's What To Add To Your Cart The Best Early Boxing Day Deals On Amazon Canada For 2024 London Top Stories Anonymous $2 million donation given to St. Joseph’s Health Care Transitional shelter to open in Ingersoll in 2025 Next chapter for St. Thomas Elevated Park as it joins forces with Railworks Coalition Santa Claus cleared for travel in Canadian airspace Two charged in South Bruce Peninsula break-and-enter 91-year-old harness driver victorious at The Raceway in London, Ont. Statistics Canada reports real GDP grew 0.3 per cent in October STPS searching for two theft suspects CTVNews.ca Top Stories Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder. Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding to the list of allied countries with which he's picking fights even before taking office. Multiple OnlyFans accounts featured suspected child sex abuse, investigator reports An experienced child exploitation investigator told Reuters he reported 26 accounts on the popular adults-only website OnlyFans to authorities, saying they appeared to contain sexual content featuring underage teen girls. King Charles ends royal warrants for Ben & Jerry's owner Unilever and Cadbury chocolatiers King Charles III has ended royal warrants for Cadbury and Unilever, which owns brands including Marmite and Ben & Jerry’s, in a blow to the household names. 'Serious safety issues': Edmonton building where security guard was killed evacuated An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month is being evacuated. Santa Claus cleared for travel in Canadian airspace Santa's sleigh has been cleared for travel in Canadian airspace, the federal government announced on Monday just ahead of the busy holiday season. Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26. U.S. House Ethics report finds evidence Matt Gaetz paid thousands for sex and drugs including paying a 17-year-old for sex in 2017 The U.S. House Ethics Committee found evidence that former Rep. Matt Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women for sex or drugs on at least 20 occasions, including paying a 17-year-old girl for sex in 2017, according to a final draft of the panel's report on the Florida Republican, obtained by CNN. Young mammoth remains found nearly intact in Siberian permafrost Researchers in Siberia are conducting tests on a juvenile mammoth whose remarkably well-preserved remains were discovered in thawing permafrost after more than 50,000 years. Kitchener Parts of southern Ontario under travel advisory Anyone planning to travel today is being urged to be prepared as 5 to 15 cm of snow could hit a large portion of southern Ontario. Beloved bookstore in Uptown Waterloo forced to close for months following fire A beloved bookstore in Uptown Waterloo is bearing the brunt of some holiday misfortune. Grand River Transit’s holiday service begins Grand River Transit (GRT) will operate on a holiday service schedule starting Monday. Barrie Several collisions reported along Highway 11 as driving conditions deteriorate Highway 11 was closed briefly in Oro-Medonte on Monday afternoon as driving conditions deteriorated, causing multiple collisions. Firearms seized after 'violent threats' made against secondary school: YRP Police say officers found several firearms during a search at a teen’s home after he allegedly made violent threats against a secondary school. Single-vehicle crash in Springwater Twp. One woman was taken to the hospital following a single-vehicle crash in Springwater Township. Windsor City of Windsor reviewing other H4 properties, no longer pursuing Wellington Avenue The City of Windsor has announced it is no longer pursuing land at 700 Wellington Avenue and is looking at other properties for the new Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4). Parvovirus found in Belle River A local groomer has confirmed a positive case of parvovirus, found in Belle River. Santa Claus cleared for travel in Canadian airspace Santa's sleigh has been cleared for travel in Canadian airspace, the federal government announced on Monday just ahead of the busy holiday season. Northern Ontario Teen passed out at coffee shop with bottle of booze on the table, northern Ont. police say A 19-year-old from Blind River is facing several charges following incidents at a coffee shop and in jail. Stolen vehicle investigation ends with sleeping driver and impaired charges An apparent attempt to steal a vehicle in Thunder Bay, Ont., failed when the impaired driver fell asleep in a parking lot. Man charged with damaging downtown Sudbury eatery A man free on probation has been charged with causing significant damage to a restaurant on Elgin Street in downtown Sudbury over the weekend. Sault Ste. Marie Northern Ont. hospital to close emergency department for Christmas and Boxing Day A physician shortage is again forcing the closure of the emergency department at the Thessalon Site of the North Shore Health Network – this time for more than 48 hours over the holidays. Suspect charged with headbutting their parent, confining them to a chair in Thessalon, Ont. A member of the family in the northern Ontario community of Thessalon is charged with a vicious assault and forcibly confining their parent. One injured in the Sault after lithium-ion battery starts house fire Sault fire officials have determined a lithium-ion battery to be the cause of a house fire that broke out early this morning. Ottawa SNOWFALL WARNING | Pre-Christmas storm forecasted in Ottawa with up to 20 cm of snow tonight Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Ottawa and parts of eastern Ontario with a snowstorm in the forecast Monday afternoon and into the evening. Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cellphone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cellphone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fifth time he has faced distracted driving charges. Brockville, Ont. cafe giving hundreds of Christmas dinners to people in need Richard's Coffeehouse in Brockville, Ont. is handing out hundreds of free Christmas dinners to people in need on Monday afternoon. Toronto LIVE UPDATES | Parts of Ontario under snowfall warning Monday as holiday travellers hit the road Holiday travellers and commuters could be in for a messy drive on Monday morning as a significant round of snowfall moves into the region. Here are live updates on the situation in Toronto. Doug Ford dresses up like Santa to grant wishes in Christmas video In a video posted on social media on Monday morning, Ford is seen dressed up in a bright red Santa suit performing a personalized rendition of the famous 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas." Durham police looking for man after Whitby home hit by bullets For the second time in less than a week, police are investigating reports of gunshots fired into a home in Whitby. Montreal Judge rejects lawsuit tied to controversial 2017 Montreal Formula E car race An entrepreneur who sued the City of Montreal for not considering his bid to organize a 2017 electric car race has failed in his effort to obtain more than $3 million in compensation. Snow on the way as Montreal is put under weather advisory A weather advisory has been initiated for the Greater Montreal area, with 10 to 15 cm of snow expected to hit the ground. Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say RCMP are confirming that a fugitive, Mathieu Belanger, wanted by Quebec provincial police has died in Mexico, in what local media are calling a murder. Atlantic No need to dream, White Christmas all but assured in the Maritimes An early nor'easter followed by a low-pressure system moving into the region all but ensure a Maritime White Christmas Province names 2024 Order of Nova Scotia recipients Nova Scotia has named the five individuals who will receive the province’s highest honour for 2024. Nova Scotia RCMP investigating structure fire on South Shore Queens District RCMP is investigating a fire that destroyed a home in Pleasantville, N.S., Sunday. Winnipeg Manitoba government to make permanent cut to gas tax Manitobans can expect to see a permanent change at the gas pump as early as next week Snowmobile crash leaves 10-year-old dead: RCMP A 10-year-old boy is dead following a snowmobile crash near Rosebank, Man., on Sunday. Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing unsuccessful calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark, adding to the list of allied countries with which he's picking fights even before taking office. Calgary Serious crash closes part of Highway 1 near Bassano, Alta. RCMP responded to a serious crash on Highway 1 near Bassano, Alta., on Monday morning. The collision occurred approximately two kilometres east of Highway 56. 2 Alberta men charged with sex crimes involving children in separate investigations Two registered sex offenders are facing charges after separate investigations in northern Alberta. Crews respond to blaze at Calgary pizzeria The Calgary Fire Department put out a fire at a northeast business Monday morning. Edmonton 'Serious safety issues': Edmonton building where security guard was killed evacuated An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month is being evacuated. City of Edmonton to lift Phase 1 parking ban Monday evening The City of Edmonton will lift the Phase 1 parking ban on Monday at 5 p.m. 2 Alberta men charged with sex crimes involving children in separate investigations Two registered sex offenders are facing charges after separate investigations in northern Alberta. Regina Heavy fog descends over Regina, most of Saskatchewan Dense fog is being reported across much of the province to begin the week of Christmas, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Regina police asking for public's help in assault investigation The Regina Police Service (RPS) is asking the public for help finding a suspect connected to an assault with a weapon over the weekend. Weyburn police searching for suspects after copper wire, motorcycle theft The Weyburn Police Service (WPS) is asking for the public's help after motorcycles and copper wire were stolen over the weekend. Saskatoon 'There are lines': In year-end interview, NDP leader says Moe went too far in election campaign Saskatchewan’s two main political leaders had agreed before October's provincial election not to target the families of candidates during the campaign, says Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck. Saskatoon woman arrested following machete attack A 55-year-old woman was arrested following a stabbing with a machete early Monday morning. Heavy fog hits Saskatoon, creating slippery roadways Saskatoon is under a fog advisory on Monday, creating slippery conditions for commuters and last-minute Christmas shoppers. Vancouver Chilliwack farmer facing multiple charges after crashing tractor into police vehicle A Chilliwack man has been charged with multiple criminal counts in connection to an incident involving a tractor being driven dangerously during a protest last year. Over $20K worth of stolen search and rescue gear found in Squamish More than $20,000 worth of search and rescue equipment stolen from BC Parks has been recovered, say the Sea-To-Sky RCMP. More than 280M trees planted in 2024 in B.C., focus on fire-damaged areas British Columbia's forests ministry says more than 280 million trees were planted in the province this year. Vancouver Island More than 280M trees planted in 2024 in B.C., focus on fire-damaged areas British Columbia's forests ministry says more than 280 million trees were planted in the province this year. Several storms in store for B.C.’s south coast over Christmas A series of storms are expected to bring heavy winds and wet weather to B.C’s south coast over the festive period. Over $20K worth of stolen search and rescue gear found in Squamish More than $20,000 worth of search and rescue equipment stolen from BC Parks has been recovered, say the Sea-To-Sky RCMP. Stay ConnectedWashington bureaucrats race for exit as Trump vows to drain ‘swamp’

The Journey to Becoming A Quality Engineering Leader: Q&A with Gopinath KathiresanBangladesh's veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been suspended from bowling in all competitions organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for exceeding the maximum permitted elbow extension of 15 degrees. The 37-year-old's action was scrutinized by on-field umpires in his one-off appearance for Surrey in September - his first appearance in the County Championship since the 2010-11 season. Following umpires' suspicions, he was asked to do a test. "Shakib completed an independent assessment at Loughborough University earlier this month, which found that the elbow extension in his bowling action exceeded the 15-degree threshold as defined in the Regulations," the ECB said in a statement. "This suspension takes effect from the receipt of the independent assessment on Dec. 10, and follows the process set out in the ECB's Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with a Suspected Illegal Bowling Action." Shakib, who is considered the greatest cricketer Bangladesh has produced, could not be immediately reached for comment. To overturn the ban, the left arm spinner will need to undergo a reassessment demonstrating a narrower elbow extension. Shakib, who has been surrounded by controversy of late due to political unrest in Bangladesh, retired from Twenty20 internationals in September and decided to not return home for a farewell test against South Africa in Mirpur in October. But the former captain will likely feature in next year's Champions Trophy. Shakib was a member of parliament for the Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina, whose 15-year rule as prime minister ended in August with her fleeing to India following deadly protests. In 2019, he received a two-year ban from playing after the International Cricket Council (ICC) found he had breached its anti-corruption code.

NoneJulián Álvarez picking up the scoring pace with Atletico Madrid

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Former PM Manmohan Singh Passes Away: When ‘Maunmohan’ Took A Jab At Narendra Modi Against ‘Silent PM’

3 Beaten-Down Singapore Blue-Chip Stocks That Could See a ReboundGiants release quarterback Daniel Jones just days after benching him EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Daniel Jones era in New York is over. The Giants quarterback was granted his release by the team just days after the franchise said it was benching him in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito. New York president John Mara said Jones approached the team about releasing him and the club obliged. Mara added he was “disappointed” at the quick dissolution of a once-promising relationship between Jones and the team. Giants coach Brian Daboll benched Jones in favor of DeVito following a loss to the Panthers in Germany that dropped New York's record to 2-8. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Tensions in northeast Syria between Kurdish-led authorities and Turkish-backed groups should be resolved politically or risk "dramatic consequences" for all of Syria, the United Nations envoy for the country Geir Pedersen told Reuters on Monday. Hostilities have escalated between Syrian rebels backed by Ankara and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in the northeast since Bashar al-Assad was toppled on Dec. 8. Syrian armed groups seized the city of Manbij from the SDF on Dec. 9 and could be preparing to attack the key city of Kobani, or Ayn al-Arab, on the northern border with Turkey. "If the situation in the northeast is not handled correctly, it could be a very bad omen for the whole of Syria," Pedersen said by phone, adding that "if we fail here, it would have dramatic consequences when it comes to new displacement." The SDF - which is spearheaded by the Kurdish YPG - has proposed to withdraw its forces from the area in exchange for a complete truce. But Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking alongside Syria's de facto new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Sunday in Damascus, said the YPG should disband totally. Turkey regards the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants who have fought an insurgency against the Turkish state and are deemed terrorists by Ankara, Washington and the European Union. Pedersen said a political solution "would require serious, serious compromises" and should be part of the "transitional phase" led by Syria's new authorities in Damascus. Fidan said he had discussed the YPG presence with the new Syrian administration and believed Damascus would take steps to ensure Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday the country will remain in close dialogue with Sharaa. Kurdish groups have had autonomy across much of the northeast since Syria's war began in 2011, but now fear it could be wiped out by the country's new Islamist rule. Thousands of women rallied on Monday in a northeast city to condemn Turkey and demand their rights be respected. Pedersen said Sharaa had told him in meetings in Damascus last week that they were committed to "transitional arrangements that will be inclusive of all". But he said resolving tensions in the northeast would be a test for a new Syria after more than a half-century of Assad family rule. "The whole question of creating a new, free Syria would be off to a very, extremely ... to put it diplomatically, difficult start," he said. (Reporting by Maya Gebeily; Editing by Rod Nickel)

Fantasy Football Week 15 DFS lineups: Why Rico Dowdle is poised to be a major tournament winner vs. Panthers

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — The last man to face — and beat — Rafael Nadal in professional tennis, 80th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp , converted his 10th match point Friday to finally close out a 6-4, 6-7 (12), 6-3 victory over Daniel Altmaier and help the Netherlands reach its first Davis Cup final by sweeping Germany. Tallon Griekspoor, who is ranked 40th, sealed the 2-0 win for the Dutch in the best-of-three-match semifinal by hitting 25 aces and coming back to defeat Jan-Lennard Struff 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4. When it ended, appropriately, on an ace, Griekspoor shut his eyes, dropped to his knees and spread his arms wide. “We have been talking about this for two, three years,” Griekspoor said. “We believed in ourselves so much. We always felt like this was possible. To do it now feels unbelievable.” The other semifinal is Saturday, with No. 1-ranked Jannik Sinner and defending champion Italy taking on Australia . The championship will be decided Sunday. “We don’t have that top 5 player. We don’t that top 10 player. We don’t have that top 15 player,” Dutch captain Paul Harhuuis said. “But it’s a team effort. ... So proud of these guys.” In Friday's opener, van de Zandschulp was up a set and just a point away from leading 5-2 in the second when Altmaier began playing more aggressively and interacting more with the German fans, yelling and throwing uppercuts or raising his arms after key points. In the tiebreaker, Altmaier managed to save five match points before converting his own fourth set point to extend the contest. But van de Zandschulp — who upset four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz at the U.S. Open — quickly moved out front in the final set, even if he eventually needed five more match points in the last game before serving it out. “At some point, I didn’t know what to do any more on the match points,” van de Zandschulp said. “I had the toughest match of my life on Tuesday (against Nadal), so everything that comes next is maybe a little bit easier.” In the quarterfinals, van de Zandschulp outplayed Nadal for a 6-4, 6-4 result that marked the end of the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s career because the Netherlands went on to eliminate Spain 2-1. The 38-year-old Nadal announced last month that the Davis Cup would be his final event before retiring. Presumably because people purchased tickets ahead of time with plans to watch Nadal compete in the semifinals, there were hundreds of unoccupied blue or gray seats surrounding the indoor hard court at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martina Carpena in southern Spain on Friday. Now truly a neutral site, the place was not nearly as loud and rowdy as on Tuesday, although there were shouts of “Vamos, Rafa!” that drew laughter while van de Zandschulp played the 88th-ranked Altmaier. It took Griekspoor more than 75 minutes and nearly two full sets to figure out how to break No. 43 Struff and then did it twice in a row — to lead 6-5 in the second set, and then go up 1-0 in the third. That was plenty, because Griekspoor saved the only two break points he faced. The Netherlands hadn’t been to the semifinals since 2001. The Germans — whose best current player, two-time major finalist Alexander Zverev, is not on the team in Malaga — have won three Davis Cups, but not since 1993, when 1991 Wimbledon champion Michael Stich led them to the title. AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Jazmin Birch and Jennifer Kallon may be the future of the U of W women’s basketball program but they are already firmly entrenched in the present. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Jazmin Birch and Jennifer Kallon may be the future of the U of W women’s basketball program but they are already firmly entrenched in the present. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Jazmin Birch and Jennifer Kallon may be the future of the U of W women’s basketball program but they are already firmly entrenched in the present. The 19-year-old Winnipeggers, both sophomores, were part of the second wave of recruits assembled by head head coach Alyssa Cox. On Saturday, Birch and Kallon will be expected to play prominent roles when U of W takes on the Thompson Rivers WolfPack in quarterfinal action at the 57th running of the Wesmen Classic, Winnipeg’s holiday season tradition at the Duckworth Centre. DAVID LARKINS / WESMEN ATHLETICS Jazmin Birch (right), a high school sprint champion, is averaging 20.9 minutes of playing time, 9.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. The Classic, once the exclusive domain of men’s basketball, is now rotated annually between the school’s volleyball and basketball programs. “I did not realize how big of a deal this tournament really was,” said Kallon earlier this week. “I think it’s really cool experience, especially because of the fact it may only happen once in my entire U Sports career. I think it’ll be really cool just to play in front of family and friends and the whole basketball community. It’ll feel like the whole basketball community is out there to support us.” Kallon, a 5-9 River East grad playing forward and guard, is averaging 6.3 points per game and 4.1 rebounds in 19.3 minutes of playing time in eight Canada West regular-season outings this season. That’s up from 4.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 16.8 minutes in 2023-24. “Sometimes I don’t realize how much more fit I am compared to before, because we’re always lifting or always trying to get stronger, always trying to push ourselves and it doesn’t feel like we’re improving,” said Kallon, who has started six of eight conference games so far this season. “And then I look back to what I was doing in Grade 12, and it’s like, ‘Oh, I’m a lot more athletic than I used to be.’” Kallon has been working on becoming more of a scoring threat from three-point range. “I’ve really been focusing on if I have an open three, I’m shooting that at practice,” said Kallon, who didn’t play club basketball until Grade 11. “Because the more I do that at practice, the more I’ll see it fall and the confidence will come to shoot that in games. I’m definitely becoming a lot better of a catch-and-shoot three-point shooter.” Birch, a 5-10 1/2 forward, hasn’t started a conference game but is getting 20.9 minutes of playing time, 9.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. A year ago, she averaged 13.1 minutes, 6.4 points and 3.0 rebounds. “I put a lot of work in the off-season and I think I’ve improved a lot,” said Birch. “I’m not saying that I don’t have a lot left to learn but I came to sport very late, so there’s always room for improvement. One thing I’ve improved with is my aggression, which I struggled a lot with that last season... “I’m making it more of a habit to initiate contact instead of shying away.” Like Kallon, Birch is an superb athlete who consistently challenges an opponent’s ability to defend while creating turnovers and running on the break. DAVID LARKINS / WESMEN ATHLETICS U of W’s Jennifer Kallon (left) is averaging 6.3 points per game and 4.1 rebounds while averaging 19.3 minutes of playing time in eight Canada West regular-season games this season. At Collège Béliveau, where she was the AAA MVP in leading the Barracudas to an appearance in the 2023 provincial basketball final, Birch was also a star on the track. In Grade 11, she was the provincial high school champion in 100- and 200-metre varsity girls sprint events and followed that up a year later with a silver in the 100 and gold in the 200. While her speed and athletic ability are well-established, lately she’s been fine-tuning her shooting touch. “It’s not really something that I’m initially looking for because attacking, that’s my thing,” said Birch. “But I’ve been working on my three-point shooting a lot, especially this season. It’s one part of my game that I’d love to add.” 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. The Wesmen, 4-4 in league play and 9-4 overall, plan to make a concerted push for the Canada West playoffs with the help of their dynamic sophomores. “From when I first saw them play last year, they’ve just both grown a lot,” said fifth-year point guard Anna Kernaghan. “They both had the athleticism coming in and I think what they’ve really worked on is just understanding more the speed and the concepts of the game. “They’ve done a great job developing that and I think it has shown in their play this year. They both had some really great games in the first half.” Four U of W women’s basketball greats will be inducted into the school’s ring of honour during the tournament. Included in that celebrated group are Angie Johnson (1971-77), Deb Steele (1977-80), Beth Cochran (1982-87) and Michelle (Chambers) Foreman (1988-93). mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca Mike Sawatzky is a sports reporter at the . He has been working at the newspaper since 2003. . Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Manitoba vs. Fraser Valley, 2 p.m. Brandon vs. Regina, 4 p.m. Winnipeg vs. Thompson Rivers, 6 p.m. Mount Royal vs. Guelph, 8 p.m. 2 p.m., 4 p.m. 6 p.m., 8 p.m. 2 p.m. 4 p.m. 6 p.m. 8 p.m. Fans can purchase a tournament pass for $30. Day passes for the Dec. 28 and 29 will be sold for $10 and a day pass for Dec. 30 will be available for $15. All U of Winnipeg students and children under 12 will get in free. Mike Sawatzky is a sports reporter at the . He has been working at the newspaper since 2003. . Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Advertisement AdvertisementConnor Gaydos, a man connected to an apparent parody project to relaunch the energy company Enron and become its new CEO , was hit in the face with a pie this week as he was entering a building in New York City. The incident was caught on video and went viral on social media Thursday. The clip shows Gaydos exiting an SUV shortly before an older man slams the pie into his face as two bodyguards intervene. The bizarre incident mirrored one from more than two decades earlier, when a California woman tossed a pie into the face of Enron’s then-CEO Jeffrey Schilling . Earlier this month, a group announced the scandal-plagued Texas company was returning exactly 23 years after filing for bankruptcy amid massive fraud. “With a bold new vision, Enron will leverage cutting-edge technology, human ingenuity, and the spirit of adaptation to address the critical challenges of energy, sustainability, accessibility and affordability,” the company said in a press release that raised questions about its legitimacy. The announcement was reportedly joined by billboards in the Houston area, a full-page ad in the Houston Chronicle and a video promoting the company’s comeback. An investigation conducted by Houston station KHOU turned up a disclaimer on the company’s website that read, “The information on the website is First Amendment-protected parody , represents performance art and is for entertainment purposes only.” Many have speculated the company’s reemergence is merely a publicity stunt promoting cryptocurrency .

Julián Álvarez picking up the scoring pace with Atletico MadridSiqi Chen, the father of a four-year-old girl named Mira, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, has raised an astounding $18 million through a Solana-based memecoin named after his daughter. The MIRA token, created to raise funds for Mira’s healthcare and research into rare diseases affecting children, has been trending in the memecoin space since its launch in the early hours of this morning. The MIRA memecoin began its journey after a post by Siqi on September 27, detailing his daughter’s condition. The post went viral, garnering 8.8 million views and 7.8k retweets, sparking widespread sympathy and support. Related Stories A GoFundMe page was created shortly after, with generous donations flooding in from people around the world who wanted to help Mira. The story took an unexpected turn when an anonymous individual created a memecoin based on Mira’s name, launching it on Pump. fun (a Solana-based platform). The coin quickly gained traction in the crypto world, and Siqi, after careful consideration, decided to endorse the project. Siqi, who now holds 50% of the total MIRA supply valued at a staggering $18 million pledged that every penny would be directed toward brain tumor research and efforts to combat rare diseases in children. Initially, the tokens were worth $400,000, but they surged by an eye-popping 4102% in just a matter of hours. At the time of the report, Siqi’s MIRA holdings amounted to 299 million tokens, with the coin trading at $0.0428, a 17.4% drop over the past 24 hours. Despite the volatility typical of memecoins, Siqi confirmed that the entire sum would go toward funding rare disease research at Hakinson’s Lab at the University of Colorado. In a statement, Siqi emphasized that he was committed to using the funds responsibly and was against any “rug pull” schemes that have plagued the memecoin space. He expressed his intention to work on making Solana more sustainable for its global community and to ensure that the funds raised would make a significant impact on the research for brain tumors and other rare diseases in children. While memecoins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu have historically been criticized for lacking any real-world use case, MIRA has shown that they can be harnessed for a noble cause. Its success demonstrates that memecoins when used responsibly, could help raise awareness and funds for important issues such as rare disease research. However, memecoins also come with risks. They often experience massive price volatility, surging to incredible highs before crashing. As of the report, MIRA’s market performance remains unpredictable, yet the overwhelming support behind the project highlights a shift in the way these tokens can be used for social good.