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South Africa stands alone at Rugby World Cup summit as new eras beckon everywhere

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:53:40 GMT

Give the Springboks a few days to revel in their record-breaking Rugby World Cup success. Give losing finalist New Zealand a little time to grieve.But before long, those two giants and rugby as a whole will emerge from World Cup fever and face the prospect of entirely new eras. They’ll all do it with a hint of trepidation.South Africa’s most successful coaching combination ever — some call it a rugby love affair — finally parted in the Paris night on Saturday with back-to-back titles for them and an unprecedented fourth Rugby World Cup win for their country. How on earth do the Springboks ever replace the Rassie Erasmus-Jacques Nienaber partnership?New Zealand also bids farewell to coach Ian Foster and a group of retiring all-time All Blacks greats in Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Aaron Smith without the consolation of them leaving with winner’s medals around their necks. With those three players, the All Blacks see nearly 400 test caps of experience head off...

Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey intercepts Pats’ Mac Jones in first game back from knee injury

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:53:40 GMT

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Jalen Ramsey returned from a knee surgery after just three months of rehab, made his Miami Dolphins debut Sunday and intercepted Patriots quarterback Mac Jones in the second quarter.Ramsey, who missed the first seven games of the season after undergoing surgery in July to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, was activated from injured reserve Saturday and wasted no time to make an impact.Down 14-7, the Patriots moved the ball to the Miami 23 when Ramsey intercepted Jones on a pass intended for receiver Kendrick Bourne and returned it 49 yards to the New England 40. Ramsey had not been targeted before the play.The Dolphins turned the interception into a 30-yard field goal by Jason Sanders that put them ahead 17-7 at halftime.Ramsey also made a hard open-field tackle on running back Ezekiel Elliott that jarred the ball loose before it rolled out of bounds earlier in the quarter.Miami acquired Ramsey in an offseason trade with the Los Angeles Rams, but he...

AP Top 25: Oklahoma slips to No. 10; Kansas, K-State enter poll; No. 1 UGA and top 5 hold steady

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:53:40 GMT

Oklahoma dropped four spots to No. 10, the top five teams held their places and Kansas and Kansas State both entered The Associated Press college football poll on Sunday.Georgia is No. 1 for the 20th straight week, receiving 48 of 63 first-place votes, distancing itself from No. 2 Michigan after the Bulldogs walloped Florida on Saturday.This is the 50th consecutive week that either Georgia or Alabama has been No. 1.The Wolverines, who were off Saturday after a week of being in the news for an NCAA investigation, received nine first-place votes. No. 3 Ohio State and No. 4 Florida State each received three first-place votes.Washington remained at No. 5, one spot ahead of Pac-12 rival Oregon. The Ducks moved up two spots to No. 6 after a dominant win at Utah, which dropped five spots to No. 18.Texas stayed put at No. 7 while Alabama moved up to No. 8 and Penn State to ninth.The Sooners lost for the first time this season and to Kansas for the first time since 1997, then tumbled in the ...

Boutier goes 9 playoff holes in Malaysia to get 4th LPGA title of the year

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:53:40 GMT

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Celine Boutier closed with an 8-under 64 and then had to go nine extra holes to outlast Atthaya Thitikul and win the Maybank Championship on Sunday for her fourth LPGA Tour title of the year.Thitikul birdied the 18th hole for a 68 to force a playoff at 21-under 267.In the marathon playoff, both players made nearly identical shots on several holes and saw potential winning putts lip out as they stayed tied through eight tense holes, which included sitting out a 90-minute storm delay at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.At the ninth playoff hole on the par-3 15th, the Thai player narrowly missed her birdie putt, opening the door for Boutier, who showed no nerves in holing her 6-foot putt. The nine-hole playoff tied the LPGA record for the second longest.Boutier’s four titles include her first major at the Evian Championship.Rose Zhang, who had a one-stroke lead going into the final round, shot a 71 and finished two shots back in a tie for third wit...

College Football Corner: ‘Moving month’ brings misery for Maryland, hope for the Hokies, Cavs, Dukes

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:53:40 GMT

Virginia Tech's Grant Wells (6) hands off to Bhayshul Tuten (33) in the second half against Old Dominion of an NCAA college football Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)(AP/Robert Simmons) Virginia Tech's Grant Wells (6) hands off to Bhayshul Tuten (33) in the second half against Old Dominion of an NCAA college football Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Robert Simmons)(AP/Robert Simmons) Dave Preston is an AP Top 25 voter. Read his latest rankings here.I’ve long labeled October as college football’s “moving month,” a time when the contenders expose the pretenders while title chances and bowl dreams go from “in theory” to ̶...

Police searching for 18-year-old in connection with deadly Worcester State University shooting

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:53:40 GMT

Authorities are now searching for an 18-year-old in connection with a deadly shooting at Worcester State University early Saturday morning, the Worcester County District Attorney’s office announced. The shooting happened around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. In an update early Sunday afternoon, the DA’s office said Kevin Rodriguez is now wanted on charges including unlawful possession of a firearm and armed assault with intent to murder. The DA’s office said Rodriguez should be considered armed and dangerous and asked anyone who sees him to call 911. Worcester State University Police first responded to the shooting scene after receiving a 911 call. Once on scene, the DA’s office said, authorities found two men with gunshot wounds. Both men were taken to area hospitals where one of them, aged 19, died of his injuries. The second victim, described as a 21-year-old man, appeared to have non-life-threatening injuries as of Sunday afternoon, according to the DA’s office. Wh...

Ticker: Best Buy recalls pressure cookers; Biden launches office conversion push

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:53:40 GMT

Best Buy is recalling nearly 1 million pressure cookers and separate inner pots due to a defect that can cause hot foods to spew out, posing burn hazards.The recalled pressure cookers, sold under the brand Insignia, have incorrect volume markings on their inner pots that can cause consumers to overfill them. As a result, hot food and liquids can be ejected from the device when it’s vented or opened, according to a notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.The 930,000 Insignia Multi-Function Pressure Cookers and inner pots — which were sold separately as replacements — under recall were sold at Best Buy stores nationwide, as well as online on Best Buy’s website and Amazon from October 2017 through June of this year.Biden gets behind office conversionsThe Biden administration is launching a multi-agency effort to encourage states and cities to convert more empty office buildings into housing units, with billions of federal dollars available to help spur such ...

Patriots quickly rule out Kendrick Bourne with knee injury vs. Dolphins

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:53:40 GMT

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Patriots lost a second starting wide receiver in their Week 8 matchup with the Dolphins.Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne suffered a knee injury on the first play of the fourth quarter. He spent time in the Patriots’ blue pop-up medical tent before departing for the locker room. He was quickly ruled out after leaving the sideline.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots lose defensive captain to hamstring injury vs. Dolphins New England Patriots | Patriots recent high draft pick among healthy scratches in Week 8 inactives vs. Dolphins New England Patriots | Patriots add depth with two offensive tackles already inactive New England Patriots | Patriots rule out potential trade deadline candidate vs. Dolphins New England Patriots | NFL Notes: The secret behind the Patriots’ No. 1 defense against No. 1 WRs Bourne has been the Patriots’ top receiver this se...

UAW ups strike against holdout GM

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:53:40 GMT

DETROIT  — The United Auto Workers union has widened its strike against General Motors, the lone holdout among the three Detroit automakers, after reaching a tentative contract agreement with Jeep maker Stellantis.The escalated walkout began Saturday evening at a Spring Hill, Tennessee plant, GM’s largest in North America, just hours after the Stellantic deal was reached. Its nearly 4,000 workers join about 18,000 already striking at GM factories in Texas, Michigan and Missouri and Tennessee.The UAW did not immediately explain what prompted the new action after 44 days of targeted strikes. The added pressure on GM is substantial as Spring Hill makes engines for other plants in addition to big-ticket vehicles including the electric Cadillac Lyriq, GMC Acadia and Cadillac crossover SUVs.“The Spring Hill walkout affects so much of GM’s production that the company is likely to settle quickly or close down most production,” said Erik Gordon, a University of Michig...

Patriots lose starting wide receiver to head injury in Week 8 vs. Dolphins

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:53:40 GMT

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker was quickly ruled out of their Week 8 matchup against the Dolphins with a head injury Sunday.Parker actually took two shots to the head from Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott on the play — once on initial contact and again when Elliott landed on Parker. Parker dropped quarterback Mac Jones’ pass upon contact.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots lose defensive captain to hamstring injury vs. Dolphins New England Patriots | Patriots recent high draft pick among healthy scratches in Week 8 inactives vs. Dolphins New England Patriots | Patriots add depth with two offensive tackles already inactive New England Patriots | Patriots rule out potential trade deadline candidate vs. Dolphins New England Patriots | NFL Notes: The secret behind the Patriots’ No. 1 defense against No. 1 WRs No clue how you don’t rule violent co...