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NEW YORK — After another special teams disaster in the Pinstripe Bowl, Nebraska faces what coach Matt Rhule called a “complete and total overhaul” with the unit in the offseason. Rhule did not say whether that overhaul would include replacing special teams coordinator Ed Foley, a longtime Rhule aide who just finished his second year in the role. NU won the game 20-15 and successfully pulled of a fake punt pass from Brian Buschini to Isaac Gifford that converted a fourth down into a first down. It was, in essence, Nebraska’s one special teams bright spot of the day. Buschini had a fourth quarter punt blocked and returned to the NU 2, which quickly became a Boston College touchdown. After Nebraska’s second touchdown of the game, Buschini couldn’t handle a wayward snap that turned into a blocked extra point and, after a BC return, two points for the Eagles. Without those two plays, Boston College only scored six total points. Nebraska special teams contributed to the 13-10 loss at Iowa and nearly led to a loss to Rutgers earlier this year. “It wasn’t very good,” Rhule said in the bowels of Yankee Stadium. “You can’t get a blocked punt. I didn’t necessarily see how it happened...we’ve had snapping issues all year long, and I think we’ve tried to address that for next year.” NU signed New Hampshire transfer long snapper Kevin Gallic in December to replace the Husker duo of Camden Witucki and Aidan Flege. Snapping issues contributed to Nebraska trying — and failing to execute — a fake field goal run play from Boston College’s 8. Buschini, as the holder, came nowhere near the end zone. “Obviously should’ve just dropped back and thrown it again,” Rhule said. “But we had the numbers there and the (Boston College) kid just made a good play.” For Nebraska to be “where we want to be next year” — that is, competing for the College Football Playoff, Rhule said, the team has to be a “little better in some areas” on defense and “really improve” on offense, which Rhule believes is happening under new offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. “Special teams, we need a complete and total overhaul of that,” Rhule said. “We have to be better at that. I put those things on my shoulders to get it done. It has not been good this year.” According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, Nebraska ranks 105th out of 134 teams in special teams efficiencies headed into the Pinstripe Bowl. Boston College ranked 110th. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Trump 2.0 has a Cabinet and executive branch of different ideas and eclectic personalities
Manchester United New manager Ruben Amorim has warned the Red Devils fans that the team would suffer for long period. Amorim took charge of his first game as United Boss in their 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town at the weekend. Despite taking an early lead through Marcus Rashford, United were pegged back by the newly promoted club. “I know it is frustrating for the fans but we are changing so much in this moment with a lot of games,” Amorim said “We are going to suffer for a long period and we will try to win games. This will take time. “These guys had two days in trainings...”Asian Stocks to Rise as Bonds Rally on Bessent: Markets Wrap
Tampa Bay (7-6) at Los Angeles Chargers (8-5) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, FOX BetMGM NFL odds: Chargers by 3. Against the spread: Buccaneers 8-5; Chargers 9-4. Series record: Chargers lead 8-4. Last meeting: Chargers beat Buccaneers 38-31 in Tampa, Fla., on Oct. 4, 2020. Last week: Buccaneers beat Las Vegas 28-13; Chargers lost to Kansas City 19-17. Buccaneers offense: overall (3), rush (8), pass (6), scoring (5). Buccaneers defense: overall (28), rush (11), pass (30), scoring (22). Chargers offense: overall (24), rush (19), pass (25), scoring (13). Chargers defense: overall (11), rush (T-14), pass (8), scoring (1). Turnover differential: Buccaneers minus-2; Chargers plus-11. QB Baker Mayfield is trying to lead Tampa Bay to a fourth consecutive NFC South title. He’s already matched a career-best for touchdown passes with 28, but also hasn’t done as good a job of taking care of the football as a year ago. He threw for 295 yards and three TDs in last week’s 15-point win over Las Vegas. He also turned the ball over three times in the first half to help the Raiders stay close until the fourth quarter. WR Quentin Johnston bounced back from a couple of tough performances to make five catches for 48 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs. But inconsistency has been the defining trait of the slow start to Johnston’s NFL career, so being able to follow it up will be telling. The Chargers needed the 2023 first-round pick to step up with rookie Ladd McConkey sidelined because of knee and shoulder injuries last week. With McConkey's status to play Sunday uncertain, Johnston could be called on again. Chargers RB Kimani Vidal vs. Buccaneers LB Lavonte David. Vidal, a rookie from Troy, seems to have increased his standing in the Chargers’ backfield that definitely missed J.K. Dobbins (knee). Vidal had eight carries for 34 yards while playing 53% of the offensive snaps in Kansas City, more than starter Gus Edwards. The Chargers are going to stick to the run under coach Jim Harbaugh, which means the newcomer Vidal will have to outfox a 13-season veteran in David. At 34, David remains a force, making seven tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and recovering a fumble against the Raiders. He is eight tackles away from his 11th season of triple-digit stops. Bucs S Antoine Winfield Jr. left last week’s game with a knee sprain and is expected to be sidelined a couple of weeks. S Mike Edwards (hamstring), OLB Markees Watts (knee), LB K.J. Britt (ankle) and WR Kameron Johnson (ankle) will also miss Sunday's game. Leading rusher Bucky Irving has a back injury and is listed as questionable. ... Chargers QB Justin Herbert is dealing with a sprained left ankle, but was a full participant in practice Friday. TE Will Dissly (shoulder) and WR Jalen Reagor (finger) are out. While the Chargers won eight of the first nine meetings between the franchises, Tampa Bay took the past three. ... This will be the Buccaneers’ third trip to Los Angeles and second to SoFi Stadium, where they lost 34-24 to the Rams in September 2021. The Bucs are 7-1 in December/January regular-season games going back to last season. They’re 19-5 in those games going back to 2020, the first of Tom Brady’s three years with Tampa Bay. ... WR Mike Evans needs 17 receptions and 426 yards over the next four games to finish with his 11th consecutive season with at least 60 catches and 1,000 yards receiving. ... Evans had seven receptions for 122 yards and a TD the previous time Tampa Bay faced the Chargers (Oct. 4, 2020). ... The Bucs have rushed for 100-plus yards in 10 of 13 games. That’s after doing it just nine times over 34 games the past two regular seasons. ... With leading rusher Bucky Irving sitting out most of last week’s game against Las Vegas with a back injury, starter Rachaad White took up the slack with 90 yards rushing on 17 attempts — both season highs. He also scored two TDs, one receiving. ... White’s rushing TD was the 14th for Tampa Bay. That’s more than the Bucs scored on the ground in 2022 (five) and 2023 (eight) combined. ... The Chargers have turned the ball over a league-low six times. The franchise record for fewest giveaways in a season is 15, which they did in 2006 and 2017. ... Herbert hasn’t thrown an interception in 11 straight games. That is tied with Brady for the longest streak in NFL history. Brady closed out the 2010 regular season for New England without being picked off after Week 5. ... S Derwin James Jr. has three tackles for loss and two sacks in his past three games. ... PK Cameron Dicker has made 65 of 66 field goals under 50 yards in his career, with his 98.5% success rate the best in league history. Dicker has made all 30 attempts inside of 50 yards at home. ... The Chargers defense allowed 17 of 31 third down conversions (54.8%) in two games against the Chiefs. They have held their other 11 opponents to 45 of 146 (30.8%). The Buccaneers find ways to play shootouts, with eight of their games seeing the winner score 30 or more points. The Chargers find ways to play grinding affairs, with only two of their games seeing the winner score 28 or more points. Whoever dictates the style of play will determine how much fantasy value comes out of this game. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLWASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. Trump emerges indisputably victorious, having successfully delayed the investigations through legal maneuvers and then winning reelection despite indictments that described his actions as a threat to the country's constitutional foundations. “I persevered, against all odds, and WON," Trump exulted in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He also said that “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.” The judge in the election case granted prosecutors' dismissal request. A decision in the documents case was still pending on Monday evening. The outcome makes it clear that, when it comes to a president and criminal accusations, nothing supersedes the voters' own verdict. In court filings, Smith's team emphasized that the move to end their prosecutions was not a reflection of the merit of the cases but a recognition of the legal shield that surrounds any commander in chief. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” prosecutors said in one of their filings. They wrote that Trump’s return to the White House “sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: on the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law.” In this situation, “the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated,” they concluded. Smith’s team said it was leaving intact charges against two co-defendants in the classified documents case — Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira — because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” Steven Cheung, Trump's incoming White House communications director, said Americans “want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” Trump has long described the investigations as politically motivated, and he has vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. Now he will start his second term free from criminal scrutiny by the government that he will lead. The election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing Trump as he tried to reclaim the White House. He was indicted for plotting to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, an effort that climaxed with his supporters' violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But the case quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence it planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. In dismissing the case, Chutkan acknowledged prosecutors' request to do so “without prejudice,” raising the possibility that they could try to bring charges against Trump when his term is over. She wrote that is “consistent with the Government’s understanding that the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office.” But such a move may be barred by the statute of limitations, and Trump may also try to pardon himself while in office. The separate case involving classified documents had been widely seen as legally clear cut, especially because the conduct in question occurred after Trump left the White House and lost the powers of the presidency. The indictment included dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing federal efforts to get them back. He has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. The case quickly became snarled by delays, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon slow to issue rulings — which favored Trump’s strategy of pushing off deadlines in all his criminal cases — while also entertaining defense motions and arguments that experts said other judges would have dispensed with without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues before dismissing the case outright two months later. Smith’s team appealed the decision, but now has given up that effort. Trump faced two other state prosecutions while running for president. One of them, a New York case involving hush money payments, resulted in a conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. It was the first time a former president had been found guilty of a crime. The sentencing in that case is on hold as Trump's lawyers try to have the conviction dismissed before he takes office, arguing that letting the verdict stand will interfere with his presidential transition and duties. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office is fighting the dismissal but has indicated that it would be open to delaying sentencing until Trump leaves office. Bragg, a Democrat, has said the solution needs to balance the obligations of the presidency with “the sanctity of the jury verdict." Trump was also indicted in Georgia along with 18 others accused of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election there. Any trial appears unlikely there while Trump holds office. The prosecution already was on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Four defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty. Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Michael Sisak and Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this story.
Giants 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. Conor McGregor must pay woman $250K in sexual assault case, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has found that mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor sexually assaulted a woman in a hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The Dublin jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand more than $250,000 in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her on Dec. 9, 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor posted on X that he will appeal the verdict. Week 16 game between Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers flexed to Thursday night spot The Los Angeles Chargers have played their way into another prime time appearance. Justin Herbert and company have had their Dec. 22 game against the Denver Broncos flexed to Thursday night, Dec. 19. Friday’s announcement makes this the first time a game has been flexed to the Thursday night spot. The league amended its policy last season where Thursday night games in Weeks 13 through 17 could be flexed with at least 28 days notice prior to the game. The matchup of AFC West division rivals bumps the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals to Sunday afternoon. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Red Bull brings wrong rear wing to Las Vegas in mistake that could stall Verstappen's title chances LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen is suddenly in jeopardy of being denied a fourth consecutive Formula 1 title Saturday night. Red Bull apparently brought the wrong rear wing to Las Vegas and GPS data showed its two cars to be significantly slower on the straights than both McLaren and Mercedes, which led both practice sessions. Red Bull says it doesn’t have a replacement rear wing in Las Vegas to fix the issue and little chance of getting two flown in from England ahead of the race. Caitlin Clark to join Cincinnati bid for 16th National Women's Soccer League team WNBA star Caitlin Clark has joined Cincinnati’s bid for an expansion National Women’s Soccer League team. Major League Soccer franchise FC Cincinnati is heading the group vying to bring a women’s pro team to the city. The club issued a statement confirming Clark had joined the bid group. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman has said the league plans to announce the league’s 16th team by the end of the year. The league's 15th team will begin play in 2026 in Boston. In a 'Final Four-type weekend,' two top-6 clashes put women's college basketball focus on West Coast LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two games featuring four powerhouse teams has put the focus in women's college basketball on the West Coast this weekend. JuJu Watkins and No. 3 Southern California host Hannah Hidalgo and No. 6 Notre Dame on Saturday. Top-ranked South Carolina visits Lauren Betts and fifth-ranked UCLA on Sunday. Both games are nationally televised and the arenas are expected to be packed. WNBA scouts will be on hand to check out some of the nation's top talent. Two teams will come away with their first losses of the season. USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb calls it “a Final Four-type weekend.” A documentary featuring Watkins will air on NBC ahead of USC's game, which leads into the Army-Notre Dame football game. Noodles and wine are the secret ingredients for a strange new twist in China's doping saga Blame it on the noodles. That's what one Chinese official suggested when anti-doping leaders were looking for answers for the doping scandal that cast a shadow over this year's Olympic swim meet. Earlier this year, reports that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a banned heart medication emerged. None were sanctioned because Chinese authorities determined the swimmers were contaminated by traces of the drug spread about a hotel kitchen. In a strange twist, the leader of China's anti-doping agency suggested this case could have been similar to one in which criminals were responsible for tainting noodles that were later eaten by another Chinese athlete who also tested positive for the drug. Athletes see climate change as threatening their sports and their health. Some are speaking up BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — Pragnya Mohan has been a professional triathlete for nearly a decade, but summers in her native India are now so hot that she can’t train there anymore. And she worries about a day when heat around the world kills her sport entirely. She was among athletes who spoke at the United Nations climate summit in Azerbaijan about the threat global warming poses to them, to fans and to sport itself. They described how extreme weather is making training and competing difficult or impossible. With billions of fans worldwide, some athletes and leagues are trying to get more people to care, and act, on climate change. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. It’s not immediately known what role she’ll have with the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. In Cleveland, Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa.
When you're looking for a deal online, it can be hard to figure out what retailers are reliable and trustworthy. Although a handful of names are well-known and generally well-respected, new retailers are popping up all the time. Many of those retailers have deals that are hard to pass up. At the same time, shady business practices abound, and it's hard to know who to trust. You might wonder whether Temu is safe to order from , whether Shein is using your app data for more than shopping recommendations, or whether Alibaba is actually a real, reliable retailer, or just a big scam. While things can go wrong when you order from any website — even the industry giants — there might be a reason so many people are suspicious of Alibaba. Plus, some details don't necessarily add up, like Alibaba's "excellent" rating on Trustpilot amid complaints (many of them on Trustpilot, in fact) about fake products, bad sellers, and late or nonexistent refunds. Like Temu, which has a shady side , Alibaba also has some controversies that suggest that not everything is as it seems. Here's everything to know about the shady side of Alibaba, and why you might not want to order from the retailer. [Featured image by Mfn via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 4.0 ] Sure, Alibaba is a real shopping platform, and yes, things can go wrong sometimes. However, behind the scenes, Alibaba was also accused of monopolistic practices, and it apparently didn't have a viable defense for the charges. Investors in the U.S. filed a lawsuit against Alibaba that alleged the e-commerce company violated some laws relating to unfair competition and monopolies. Part of the lawsuit centered on reportedly misleading statements from Alibaba, which according to the investors was tied to market losses. Eventually, Alibaba agreed to pay $433.5 million following the class-action lawsuit, which the plaintiffs' lawyers stated was "exceptional." It turned out the investors were said to have lost around $10 billion, but they accepted the settlement from Alibaba for far less than that amount. Based on the way Reuters described the case, it sounds as though the investors settled rather than pursue a drawn-out court case, but they also forfeited billions of dollars. What's interesting about this case is that it involved shareholders and not the public. Although monopolizing the industry might help the shareholders make more money, their objection was apparently about a combination of finances and the reputation of Alibaba. Is it safe to purchase from Alibaba? Technically, yes, but the retailer itself has cautionary words for shoppers . In an interesting approach to search engine optimization, Alibaba writes about its own brand in the third person, asking whether it's safe to buy things through the e-commerce company. In answering its own question, Alibaba notes that there are problematic sellers on every platform but that on the whole Alibaba is safe. Alibaba's blog post suggests that consumers check out the history of any seller they plan to buy from. It also states that product quality can vary, so shoppers should be wary of matching product descriptions to images and specifications and request samples before ordering. Further, Alibaba suggests that payment security is not a concern because secure payment methods (like Alibaba's payment platform Alipay) give consumers protection services and avenues for pursuing refunds and disputes. Alibaba also implores shoppers to report counterfeit and other potentially copyrighted products. Of course, consumers may also be wary of sharing their data with the Alibaba app. After all, many apps steal more data than users are aware of, and cybersecurity is an important part of the online shopping experience, no matter where you buy from. Alibaba's prices are generally very low, which is part of the reason it's so successful. At the same time, Alibaba isn't a single vendor. Rather, it's a marketplace, almost like Amazon, where almost any business can begin selling products. That's where one of the problems with Alibaba lies because there doesn't seem to be much (or any) oversight of sellers on the platform. Consumers generally report receiving low-quality products, as evidenced by countless Trustpilot reviews, but the products they complain about run the gamut from toilets to UTVs to smart rings. Plenty of people write reviews in all-caps saying that Alibaba is a scam, and the general theme seems to be that despite an apparent money-back guarantee, Alibaba may refuse to give customers their money back. There might be inherent risk in purchasing from Alibaba the same way there's risk in purchasing from sites like Temu simply because there are too many sellers for the hosting website to sort through. At the same time, it doesn't seem as if Alibaba is focused on weeding out problematic sellers, especially because it asks customers to do that work for them by way of reporting faulty goods or poor policies. In addition to Trustpilot reviews alleging that many products on Alibaba are low quality, there's also the issue of knockoffs and counterfeit goods. Many shoppers have reported receiving counterfeit goods, specifically misrepresented name-brand products. Alibaba was also sued for allowing allegedly fake Squishmallows. Kelly Toys Holdings, which manufactures Squishmallows, sued Alibaba in 2023 over the issue. The lawsuit alleged that around 90 e-commerce companies had listings that advertised inauthentic Squishmallows but that Alibaba did not take action to stop the sales. Alibaba requested to have the case dismissed, but a court determined that it could proceed. It appears the case is still in progress as of 2024, and the court itself stated that the claims were "plausible." The lawsuit was also not the first relating to the sale of Squishmallows, but it's unclear how those were resolved; Kelly Toys Holdings noted that prior requests to remove the products were not honored. While there are some ways you can determine whether you're on a scam website , it's hard to tell which sellers might be scammers. For now, however, it's safe to assume that any Squishmallows for sale on Alibaba are fakes. Along with innumerable complaints about poor-quality products, consumers have also made various claims about Alibaba's refund process. Consumer complaints to the Better Business Bureau had the recurring theme of customers not receiving refunds for faulty or returned products (or failed deliveries). Trustpilot was similar, with many one-star reviews claiming that the consumer had ordered products that never showed up, went to the wrong place, or arrived damaged. In many of these scenarios, the customers claimed they didn't get their money back at all, despite Alibaba's claims of consumer production via its payment processing protocol. Various commenters on Trustpilot also brought up the fact that when they made purchases on the retail giant's website, they paid certain fees. Then, when they returned the item because it was not in good condition or didn't meet their expectations, they didn't get all of their money back. In direct contrast with Alibaba's money-back policy, Trustpilot and BBB consumer comments show a worrying trend where people don't get their money back, even when an item arrives broken. Alibaba's policy even states that you can request a refund even if it doesn't meet the "agreed terms," though it's unclear whether that means the seller's terms or Alibaba's overall terms. Either way, consumer experiences don't tend to reflect that money-back promise. As mentioned, TrustPilot reviews sum up a range of issues with Alibaba, and there are plenty of horror stories about shopping on the platform. Despite Alibaba's (the parent company's) 4.3-star average on Trustpilot, around 11% of the reviews are one-star, while under 1% are two-star, and about 2% are three-star. Alibaba.com also has poor reviews on Trustpilot, rated "bad." The most recent reviews complain of products not arriving (despite assurances from sellers that they were being tracked and in transit), thousands of dollars of product arriving faulty but an incomplete refund being generated, and Alibaba refusing refunds despite clear photo and video evidence of damaged-on-arrival products. Mercari has similar red flags and a similar business model, with countless sellers sharing the same platform. Unfortunately for Alibaba, its sellers contribute to the brand's overall reputation, and things are not looking good. Things are similar on BBB, where Alibaba Group has a 1.15-star rating, with around 40 monthly complaints closed. Customers complained to BBB about generic responses to refund requests from Alibaba, suggesting that the company uses a script or perhaps an AI chatbot to address consumer complaints. Although Alibaba has a history of addressing complaints on the BBB website, many remain open and, apparently, unanswered. Trade Assurance is a consumer protection with Alibaba, and the e-commerce company claims that consumer purchases enjoy protection from payment to delivery. However, the policy doesn't apply to shoppers in every country, nor does it apply to every seller. The trade assurance program apparently doesn't apply to retailers that don't have a "Trade Assurance" badge, although the details don't seem very transparent. There's also the fact that the trade assurance does not seem to apply to all purchases, as the information page on Alibaba's website seems to be targeted toward businesses rather than individuals shopping for cheap clothes and goods online. The trade assurance also claims to offer after-sales protections, yet the reviews on Trustpilot and the BBB do, in part, contradict that statement. On the other hand, the 79% of Trustpilot reviews that gave the company five stars seemed thrilled with their purchases, although the dozen or so that I skimmed through did not mention a specific product in their glowing review of the site and its sellers. Alibaba's website also flagged my multiple visits to its policy pages, requiring me to solve a CAPTCHA-type puzzle before I could keep reading. While that on its own isn't necessarily problematic, it doesn't make the retailer seem any more friendly to prospective or existing shoppers. Beyond customer reviews, online forums like Reddit, and the couple of court cases in which Alibaba is involved, it's hard to find anywhere that it has addressed criticism of its online shopping platform. In fact, Harvard Business Review published a piece by Ming Zeng (former manager and current chairperson) that called Alibaba an "innovative digital giant," praised its business practices, and neglected to mention any of the negative customer feedback that can be found online in a quick Google search. This juxtaposition is one of the things that makes Alibaba seem shady. From addressing consumer skepticism over its legitimacy to having one of its figureheads promote it in HBR (did someone from the corporation have to sign off on that article?), Alibaba seems to want to make a good impression. On the other hand, not addressing complaints on review sites and, apparently, not following its own policies go against that goal. Plus, the HBR piece focuses solely on the company's "innovative" processes and how it handles all its inventory and customer processes on a massive scale. What it doesn't address is the customer experience or any feedback the company has received. Like other "fast" online companies such as Temu, Shein, and more, it seems that Alibaba might be more focused on its bottom line (and perhaps defending itself in court) than it is about ensuring that consumers have a positive experience. In the U.S., it's remarkably common for brands to grow to global fame with their founders as the recognizable face of the company. From Amazon and Facebook to Apple and Microsoft, we know who the bigwigs are and what they do. While the public might not love their local billionaires, they do appreciate their business offerings, and these people are generally accepted if not beloved, public figures. In contrast, Alibaba's co-founder does not have a good relationship with the public or the company's country of origin. Jack Ma, who founded Alibaba, criticized regulators and the Chinese financial system. That led to him losing money — the loss was said to be more than half of his wealth — disappearing from public view, and according to some perspectives, putting Alibaba in jeopardy. If Ma lost $4.1 billion in a single year, as CNN reported he did, how much did Alibaba lose or stand to lose? With the founder of the company being under fire from his government, it doesn't seem like that's a great public relations move for Alibaba, and it makes the company seem even shadier. It's not inherently suspicious for a company to own more than one type of business. Given the claims of monopolistic activities on the part of Alibaba, it may be worth taking a closer look at the conglomerate. Alibaba owns various companies — from cloud computing to healthcare to media entities — thus it's easier to understand why the parent company was sued for supporting a monopoly. It would make sense if Alibaba used its own proprietary technology and products to run its various businesses, interlinking them and, potentially, creating even more wealth. Yet, it's hard to know whether to trust articles in the South China Morning Post about the company, given that Alibaba Group also owns it, and the same applies when it comes to utilizing other subsidiaries of Alibaba's parent company. Of course, if the real question is whether it's safe to order from Alibaba, despite its potentially shady dealings, the answer is it depends — so shop at your own risk.
NoneFormer Arizona Coyotes player, Paul Bissonnette, assaulted at Scottsdale restaurant
Hajj and Umrah are not merely rituals but profound spiritual journeys designed to bring Muslims closer to Allah. These acts of worship are intended to purify the soul, strengthen faith, and instill humility. However, in recent years, the essence of these pilgrimages has been overshadowed by the growing preference for luxury and comfort in holy Makkah/Medina cities. Many pilgrims opt for premium packages, five-star accommodations, and lavish services, often prioritizing material comfort over the spiritual essence of these sacred acts. This trend reflects a shift in focus from the simplicity and austerity that are central to Islamic teachings toward a more commercialized and materialistic approach to worship. Traditionally, Hajj and Umrah were opportunities to disconnect from worldly desires, embrace humility, and reflect on one’s relationship with the Creator. Pilgrims would endure hardships as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his family. Today, the emphasis on luxury detracts from the spiritual essence of these acts of worship. The rise of premium packages and luxury services in Hajj and Umrah has turned these sacred journeys into lucrative industries. Tour operators compete to offer extravagant packages, including stays in five-star hotels near the Haram, private transportation, gourmet dining, and personalized services. While these amenities provide convenience, they often create a divide between wealthy pilgrims and those who undertake the journey with limited resources. This commercialization has transformed Hajj and Umrah into experiences that cater more to comfort and status than spiritual enrichment. One of the most significant consequences of this shift is the loss of spiritual focus. Pilgrims staying in opulent hotels may find themselves engrossed in comfort, socializing, or sightseeing, leaving little room for introspection and prayer. The simplicity and humility that define the pilgrimage are overshadowed by indulgence and a desire to showcase affluence. This focus on luxury undermines the core purpose of Hajj and Umrah: to seek Allah’s forgiveness, strengthen faith, and develop a sense of equality and unity among Muslims. Islam emphasizes modesty and discourages extravagance. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself performed Hajj and Umrah in a state of simplicity, teaching Muslims the value of humility and detachment from worldly possessions. Opting for luxury during pilgrimage contradicts these principles and raises ethical concerns. It creates an environment where social status becomes apparent, detracting from the sense of unity and equality that Hajj and Umrah aim to foster. To address this issue, it is crucial to encourage pilgrims to prioritize the spiritual objectives of Hajj and Umrah over material comfort. Educational programs and awareness campaigns can emphasize the importance of simplicity, humility, and introspection. Religious scholars and Haj/Umrah guides can play a vital role in promoting the true essence of these sacred journeys, guiding pilgrims to focus on worship and self-purification. In conclusion, the increasing preference for luxury and comfort in Hajj and Umrah reflects a broader trend of materialism and spiritual neglect in modern society. By reconnecting with the core values of these sacred acts, Muslims can ensure that their pilgrimages to Makkah/Medina remain profound spiritual experiences rather than mere indulgent trips.
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