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Metropolitan Stock Exchange raises ₹238 croreClemson added a quarterback to its 2025 recruiting class on Tuesday with Chris Denson announcing his decision to flip from Coastal Carolina. The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder from Plant City High School in Florida had been committed to the Chanticleers since April and has yet to visit Clemson's campus. Tigers coach Dabo Swinney has been putting a push on to flip Denson in recent weeks following the decommitment of Blake Hebert last month. "I just feel like my development will be through the roof," Denson told On3.com about his decision to switch. "Playing under one of the best coaches in the country and knowing that I haven't reached my potential yet, I know that they will take me to that level." A three-star recruit, Denson is ranked as the No. 50 quarterback in the nation by the 247 Composite. He is the 14th player to commit to the Tigers, who have also seen six players decommit this cycle, according to The Greenville News. "What makes Clemson special is just the level of ball that they are playing at," Denson said. "And the way they compete. I'm a huge competitor, so that's the type of place and people I want to surround myself around." --Field Level MediaBaker Mayfield’s equipment donation helps prep program to state titleClemson adds top 50 QB to '25 recruiting class
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said on Friday it filed a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase JPM.N, Bank of America BAC.N and Wells Fargo WFC.N for failing to protect consumers from alleged "widespread fraud" on payments platform Zelle. The lawsuit was initiated as the watchdog moves ahead with a bold agenda in the final weeks of Joe Biden's Democratic administration in a bid to advance consumer protections before President-elect Donald Trump overhauls the agency, Reuters reported last month. The moves defy congressional Republicans, who have called for agencies to cease rulemaking. The CFPB seeks to stop the alleged unlawful practices via Zelle, secure redress and penalties, and obtain other relief for consumers, it said in a statement. "What they built became a goldmine for criminals," making it easy for fraudsters to drain accounts, while providing insufficient protections for consumers or making them whole for losses, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra told journalists in a briefing. "These banks broke the law by running a payments system that made fraud easy, while refusing to help the victims." The CFPB said the banks violated federal law through critical failures, alleging they left the door open to scammers, allowed repeat offenders to hop between banks, ignored red flags that could have prevented fraud and abandoned consumers after fraud occurred. Capitalize on high interest rates: Best current CD rates Is it safe? Tap to pay, Zelle and Venmo may not be as secure as you think, Consumer Reports warns The proliferation of fraud and scams on Zelle has attracted attention from U.S. lawmakers, including Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren and regulators concerned about consumer protection. "The CFPB’s attacks on Zelle are legally and factually flawed, and the timing of this lawsuit appears to be driven by political factors," said Early Warning Services, the company that operates Zelle and is jointly owned by banks. Customers of the three banks named in Friday's lawsuit have lost more than $870 million over the seven years since Zelle was introduced, the CFPB said. Federal rules require banks to reimburse customers for unauthorized payments, for instance if their accounts were hacked. But in some cases, banks have resisted paying back customers who were tricked into making the payments themselves. The consumer watchdog describes how hundreds of thousands of consumers filed fraud complaints and were largely denied assistance, with some being told to contact the fraudsters directly to recover their money. CFPB officials said it would press on with the Zelle enforcement action regardless of the new presidential administration and likely leadership changes at the agency, including the probable departure of director Rohit Chopra. Billionaire Elon Musk, a close Trump adviser who is leading an effort to curb bureaucracy, has called for abolishing the agency. "This is an issue that the CFPB has been looking into for a number of years, and we make decisions on when to bring an enforcement action based on case-specific assessments of the facts and legal violations," the CFPB's enforcement director, Eric Halperin, told journalists in response to a question about leadership changes in the incoming administration. Zelle is a payments network owned by seven banks, including JPMorgan and BofA. It has over 143 million American consumers and small businesses as customers. In 2023, despite a 27% increase in transaction volume, reports of scams and fraud decreased by nearly 50%, Early Warning said in a statement, citing its own data. In November 2023, banks on the payment app began refunding victims of imposter scams to address consumer protection concerns. The percentage of combined consumers who were reimbursed for transactions that were disputed as fraud fell to 38% in 2023 across JPMorgan, Bank of America and Wells Fargo, according to a U.S. Senate committee report. That fell from 62% in 2019. "As a last ditch effort in pursuit of their political agenda, the CFPB is now overreaching its authority by making banks accountable for criminals," a JPMorgan spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters. "It’s a stunning demonstration of regulation by enforcement, skirting the required rulemaking process." JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has been an outspoken critic of several major U.S. financial regulatory initiatives, including those from the CFPB, and he has vowed to oppose measures he said would not make banks safer. "We strongly disagree with the CFPB's effort to impose huge new costs on the 2,200 banks and credit unions that offer the free Zelle service to clients," a spokesperson for BofA said. Wells Fargo declined to comment. JPMorgan and BofA both signaled in filings earlier this year that they could sue the CFPB over the agency's investigations into Zelle. Wells Fargo disclosed that regulators have been probing its handling of customer disputes on Zelle. Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa and Manya Saini, Niket Nishant in Bengaluru and Pete Schroeder and Hannah Lang in New York; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Lananh Nguyen and Aurora EllisNoneVetpreneur Tribe Facebook Group Is Empowering Veterans To Succeed In Life And Business
Mohammad Dilshad worked as a retail manager before foraying into the field of journalism out of sheer passion for the field. Armed with over a decade of experience with various news channels & print media, he covers crime, politics, education and human-interest issues in the Agra/Aligarh region as senior correspondent Read More How to make Masala Chicken Curry at home 10 beautiful animals that are pink in colour 10 easy-to-care-for beautiful freshwater fish for home aquariums 9 vegetarian dishes shine in the ‘100 Best Dishes in the World’ list 10 rare animals found only in Asia In pics: Sai Pallavi's vacation to Australia 8 books that will help develop discipline and good habits in 2025 Sanskrit names for baby boy that sound modern 18 stews and soups shine among the '100 Best Dishes in the World' 9 foods that provide over 30 grams of protein when cooked
WASHINGTON (AP) — A machinists strike. Another safety problem involving its troubled top-selling airliner. A plunging stock price. 2024 was already a dispiriting year for Boeing, the American aviation giant. But when one of the company's jets crash-landed in South Korea on Sunday, killing all but two of the 181 people on board, it brought to a close an especially unfortunate year for Boeing. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and aviation experts were quick to distinguish Sunday's incident from the company’s earlier safety problems. Alan Price, a former chief pilot at Delta Air Lines who is now a consultant, said it would be inappropriate to link the incident Sunday to two fatal crashes involving Boeing’s troubled 737 Max jetliner in 2018 and 2019. In January this year, a door plug blew off a 737 Max while it was in flight, raising more questions about the plane. The Boeing 737-800 that crash-landed in Korea, Price noted, is “a very proven airplane. "It’s different from the Max ...It’s a very safe airplane.’’ For decades, Boeing has maintained a role as one of the giants of American manufacturing. But the the past year's repeated troubles have been damaging. The company's stock price is down more than 30% in 2024. The company's reputation for safety was especially tarnished by the 737 Max crashes, which occurred off the coast of Indonesia and in Ethiopia less than five months apart in 2018 and 2019 and left a combined 346 people dead. In the five years since then, Boeing has lost more than $23 billion. And it has fallen behind its European rival, Airbus, in selling and delivering new planes. Last fall, 33,000 Boeing machinists went on strike, crippling the production of the 737 Max, the company's bestseller, the 777 airliner and 767 cargo plane. The walkout lasted seven weeks, until members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers agreed to an offer that included 38% pay raises over four years. In January, a door plug blew off a 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight. Federal regulators responded by imposing limits on Boeing aircraft production that they said would remain in place until they felt confident about manufacturing safety at the company. In July, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud for deceiving the Federal Aviation Administration regulators who approved the 737 Max. Acting on Boeing’s incomplete disclosures, the FAA approved minimal, computer-based training instead of more intensive training in flight simulators. Simulator training would have increased the cost for airlines to operate the Max and might have pushed some to buy planes from Airbus instead. (Prosecutors said they lacked evidence to argue that Boeing’s deception had played a role in the crashes.) But the plea deal was rejected this month by a federal judge in Texas, Reed O’Connor , who decided that diversity, inclusion and equity or DEI policies in the government and at Boeing could result in race being a factor in choosing an official to oversee Boeing’s compliance with the agreement. Boeing has sought to change its culture. Under intense pressure over safety issues, David Calhoun departed as CEO in August. Since January, 70,000 Boeing employees have participated in meetings to discuss ways to improve safety.Medical costs in Thailand, which have been skyrocketing since 2020, are projected to increase by another 15% next year, requiring sustainable solutions and joint efforts from individuals, the private sector and the government, say analysts. According to global consultancy Willis Towers Watson (WTW), the sharp increase in medical expenses stems from profound shifts in health needs and healthcare delivery. Many individuals who postponed routine care during the pandemic now require more complex and costly treatment. The medical community also observed higher infection rates, particularly in paediatric care, with children more susceptible to common illnesses as a consequence of reduced exposure to routine viruses during the lockdown periods. These factors caused a cascade effect, amplifying costs across all age groups and medical services, said Jeremy Lim, market leader for Thailand and Malaysia for insurance consulting and technology practices at WTW. Medical costs in Thailand are projected to increase by 14.2% in 2025, down from a 15.2% hike this year, but far outstripping the general rate of inflation of 1.2%, he said. "The continual development and advancements in medical technology and delivery infrastructure have also contributed to an increase in healthcare costs," said Mr Lim. "These challenges demand a unified response from consumers, healthcare providers and policymakers to build a more resilient and cost-effective healthcare system that ensures quality care remains accessible to all." As healthcare needs and costs grow, public healthcare systems face more challenges and private insurers face increasing pressure to adapt their services and pricing models, he said. For years, life insurers providing health insurance maintained stable premiums, even during the height of the pandemic, while general insurers have historically been more likely to increase premiums. "However, the cumulative impact of rising medical costs has made adjustments for the life industry inevitable to ensure coverage remains sustainable. One approach gaining traction is the repricing of health insurance policies, allowing insurers to accurately reflect current claims and trends, and maintain fair premiums across various age groups," said Mr Lim. Beyond repricing, insurers are encouraging consumers to play a more active role in managing healthcare expenses. By choosing cost-effective options, such as generic drugs over branded ones or home treatment for minor ailments, policyholders can help mitigate rising costs. He said health insurance plans with cost-sharing features, such as a co-pay scheme in which the consumer and insurer split the cost of the medical expense based on a specified percentage and deductibles, with the customer paying a specified amount and the insurer covering the remainder, promotes responsible healthcare spending. "Ensuring the long-term sustainability of health insurance in Thailand requires cooperation from all key players in the healthcare ecosystem," said Mr Lim. Insurers can work to negotiate hospital discounts, provide access to specialised services, and review medical bills to verify necessity and control expenses. Hospitals can help by implementing cost-effective care protocols and focusing on reducing avoidable readmissions, he said. Mr Lim said the government's role is equally essential, from setting policies that encourage cost management to standardising the definitions of what a medical necessity is and regulating pharmaceutical prices. "As healthcare costs continue to climb, repricing health insurance is not only a financial adjustment, but also a vital step towards a sustainable healthcare future," he said. If insurers, healthcare providers, policymakers and consumers work together, Thailand can create a resilient system that maintains access to quality care while managing costs responsibly, said Mr Lim.MG has been busily overhauling its model range, and the next cab off the rank is the ZS SUV. It’s arguably the brand’s most important vehicle launch this year, too, as the ZS is its best seller. Not only that, it’s Australia’s best-selling small SUV. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Unusually, MG is launching the ZS as a hybrid first. While the outgoing model was offered with hybrid power overseas, wearing the VS nameplate, this is the first time such a powertrain has been offered in the car locally. The 2025 MG ZS Hybrid+, as it’s known, is due in showrooms this month. MG says petrol-powered models will follow during the first quarter of 2025. It hasn’t detailed their powertrains, but says the ZS will offer two separate petrol engines. The current ZS EV will be replaced by an unrelated model that wears the ES5 nameplate in China, and which rides on the MG 4’s dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform. This is due during the second quarter of 2025. The new petrol and hybrid ZS use the same platform as the latest MG 3 , which was launched earlier this year. The Hybrid+ system is also borrowed from the light hatch. The new ZS wears the brand’s latest corporate face, as seen on the latest MG 3 and HS . It’s a meaner mug than that of the outgoing ZS and ZST , but otherwise the design is more evolutionary than revolutionary. There are defined side creases and hip lines like the outgoing car, but the belt line doesn’t have as sharp an uptick behind the rear doors. The tail lights don’t have the cool ‘piano key’ look of the outgoing ZST, either. The result is a design that ultimately doesn’t look much different and, where it does, appears more conservative. If you parked a new ZS against the old ZST, you could definitely tell the difference, but a layperson mightn’t be able to tell which one is newer. In a segment with some bold designs like the Hyundai Kona and Chery Omoda 5 , the ZS looks rather... generic. Where it looks better than Chinese rivals like the Omoda 5 and the GWM Haval Jolion is in its stance. Those models both have an awkward, narrow-track look, like their bodies are too big for their chassis. No problem here with the ZS. The ZS also has a particularly handsome interior, but more on that later. How much does the MG ZS cost? The MG ZS is joining a growing contingent of small hybrid SUVs, which includes the Toyota Corolla Cross and its more stylish C-HR cousin; the Hyundai Kona; and another Chinese crossover in the GWM Haval Jolion. MG is launching it with promotional pricing which will remain in effect for an unspecified period of time. It sees the ZS Hybrid+ Excite, priced at $33,990 before on-road costs, wear a sticker of $33,990 drive-away. Likewise, the top-spec Essence is priced at $36,990 before on-road costs and, for an unspecified period of time, $36,990 drive-away. In terms of pricing, its closest rival is the GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid which is currently being offered for $31,990 drive-away in Premium guise, $34,990 drive-away as a Lux, and $37,990 drive-away as an Ultra. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What is the MG ZS like on the inside? The exterior mightn’t look radically different from the old ZS and ZST, but the interior is a major step forward in terms of useability and modernity. There’s a distinctive (and large!) new gear shifter, as well as hexagonal air vents and even hexagonal cupholders. It all looks very modern. The 8.0-inch touchscreen of the old car is gone, replaced by a larger 12.3-inch unit running the brand’s latest generation of infotainment system. There are still no physical buttons for the climate control apart from an on/off button and switches for the front and rear demisters, but it’s now much easier to adjust climate settings. The home screen has a climate control widget where you can easily tap the screen to adjust the fan speed or temperature without diving into another menu. This sits next to widgets for smartphone mirroring, media and navigation. Not only this, but you can also program one of the rectangular toggles on the steering wheel to adjust climate control settings. Few cars let you adjust these settings with a steering wheel switch, and it helps make up for the lack of physical dials and buttons on the dash. The infotainment system is more responsive and attractive than the old car’s, while the physical switches underneath the touchscreen are nicely damped and allow you to easily jump to the home screen or adjust the volume. Smartphone mirroring does require a cable, and this must be plugged into a USB-A outlet; there’s a USB-C outlet next to it, but it’s only for charging. The ZS also has a USB outlet behind the rear-view mirror. Oddly, there appear to be two obvious spots on the centre console for a wireless charging pad, and yet this feature isn’t available on any Australian-market ZS. There’s a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, which contains a 7.0-inch central screen flanked by a pair of digital readouts. It’s attractive, although there are some usability issues when you’re on the go. Having the speed readout on the left of the cluster means you often can’t see it behind your hand, while the central screen’s insistence on switching to a screen depicting the car and other surrounding vehicles is frustrating. Yes, I know there’s a car ahead of me to the left – I can see it out the windscreen! While everything looks different from the old ZS and ZST, some things feel the same. The Essence’s leatherette-upholstered front seats are very soft and squishy in Chinese car fashion, just like the old ZST. Also soft is the trim used for the top and front of the dash, as well as the inserts of the door cards. This is much like the previous-generation vehicle. It’s a shame the tops of the doors are finished in hard plastic though, while the slope of the door cards means you can’t easily rest your arm. In the Excite, the dash features grey cloth inserts that are quite handsome and tie in with the seats; in the Essence, this trim is leatherette. The Essence can also be had with an optional pale interior colourway which looks quite modern, though may not be ideal if you’re using the ZS as a family vehicle. The Excite’s interior has a cheaper headliner and halogen lighting up front, while the Essence upgrades to a nicer ceiling and LED lighting. In terms of storage, there’s a small open shelf on the dashboard, a decently large glove compartment, a not-so-large centre console bin, and bottle holders in the doors. Those hexagonal cupholders may prove awkward for certain receptacles, however. Step into the back and you’ll find a spacious place to sit. At 180cm tall I could sit behind my seating position with plenty of headroom and legroom. The battery and hybrid control unit sit under the rear bench, but don’t impact back-seat space. Amenities include air vents, a single USB-A outlet and, in the Essence, map pockets. Boot space is good. There’s 443L of cargo volume – more than the Kona and Haval Jolion – expanding to 1457L with the rear seats folded. However, there’s no spare wheel under the boot floor, just a tyre repair kit. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What’s under the bonnet? At launch just one powertrain will be offered: a petrol-electric hybrid shared with the MG 3 hatchback. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How does the MG ZS drive? The MG ZS’s hybrid system is impressive. The ZS can run on pure electric power until around 30km/h, when the petrol engine kicks in. This in turn charges the battery, while at higher speeds the electric motor and petrol engine work in parallel. There are three drive modes – Eco, Normal and Sport – as well as three separate levels of energy recuperation, adjustable via the infotainment touchscreen. None of that sounds especially unique in the context of hybrid systems, and yet what does stand out with the ZS is how smoothly it shifts from electric to petrol power. Even when you overtake and the petrol engine fires up, noise suppression is good; likewise, at 110km/h the engine is sitting at 2600rpm and making barely a peep. When you do hear the petrol engine, it has an appealing, thrummy sound. While it never felt hot hatch fast, I was never left wanting for more power. You do occasionally get a bit of tyre chirp if you’re heavy on the throttle while going around a corner, though. The powertrain may be quiet, but unfortunately a bit of other noise leaks into the cabin despite MG’s claims of noise, vibration and harshness reduction. Tyre roar can be quite loud on coarse-chip surfaces and there’s a bit of wind and road noise at highway speeds. More annoyingly, both ZS examples I tested had an annoying whistling noise that I couldn’t seem to place. The Essence I drove was particularly bad, with a whistle that would appear at speeds of above 50km/h and prove remarkably persistent; the Excite I drove also had a whistling noise, but it was more sporadic. Then there’s the irritating overspeed alert that defaults to on. If you turn this off, you lose the speed sign recognition function. MG may make some sporty cars still, but it’s not like the old days under British ownership when the whole lineup was sport-focused. Despite a somewhat firm – if generally quite comfortable – ride, the ZS isn’t particularly engaging to drive, at least not in the way that, say, a Suzuki Vitara or Volkswagen T-Roc is. The centre of gravity feels high, and the ZS’ default is understeer. It won’t be your small SUV of choice for a winding road. But then MG isn’t marketing this as a sporty SUV, and for the typical ZS buyer we imagine it’ll be just fine. The steering that lacks in feel has a nice weighting that avoids being feather-light but makes the ZS easy to twirl around a carpark; the squared-off, leather-wrapped wheel in the Essence is also delightful. The steering only gets annoying when you turn on the Intelligent Cruise Assist. As we’ve experienced in the MG 4, the lane centring function makes the steering squirm and make lots of small corrections. It doesn’t feel natural. Fortunately, you can just use regular adaptive cruise control. You can also toggle the lane systems between emergency lane-keep assist, regular lane-keep assist, or a simple lane-departure warning function, while alert sensitivity can be toggled between low, medium and high. We didn’t have any other issues with the active safety technology apart from the forward collision warning being set off once on a highway on-ramp. Fortunately, the autonomous emergency braking didn’t activate. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What do you get? For now, the new-generation ZS range consists of just two variants, both with hybrid power. ZS Hybrid+ Excite highlights: ZS Hybrid+ Essence adds: Both ZS models come with 12 months’ complimentary access to iSmart connectivity. This allows you to use a smartphone app to check the vehicle’s fuel level and location, and remotely control the locks and climate settings, among other connected services. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Is the MG ZS safe? MG says the new ZS is currently going through Euro NCAP testing, although it’s unclear when this will be completed and when ANCAP will award its rating. Standard safety equipment includes: To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How much does the MG ZS cost to run? MG covers its range with a lengthy 10-year, 250,000-kilometre warranty in Australia. To see how the MG ZS lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool CarExpert’s Take on the MG ZS We don’t yet know how the petrol-powered MG ZS models will drive, but the new-generation small SUV has made a good first impression with its hybrid powertrain. We’ll need to see how good fuel economy is in the daily commute, but over our drive route we found a good mix of economy and performance and impressive refinement – at least from the engine, with a bit too much road and wind noise getting into the cabin. The ZS isn’t particularly fun to drive, but it should prove a comfortable commuter. The cabin is a nice place to sit, with slicker technology than the old car and some nice materials. Throw in a long list of standard safety equipment and a price that undercuts rivals from Hyundai and Toyota, and the ZS is a compelling new addition to Australia’s hybrid SUV menagerie. Interested in buying an MG ZS? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here MORE: Everything MG ZS Pros ConsArea Christmas holiday prep basketball tournament scores, schedules, reported boxes
Nebraska looks to stretch its season-long winning streak to five games when it hosts Southern on Monday night in Lincoln. The streak began after Michigan State crushed the Cornhuskers 89-52 in Nebraska's Big Ten opener on Dec. 7. Nebraska started the winning streak with an 85-68 home victory over Indiana to even its conference record at 1-1. Then the Cornhuskers (10-2) swept their way through the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu, beating Murray State, host Hawaii and lastly Oregon State on Christmas Day to win the tournament championship. Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg was pleased with the three double-digit victories in Hawaii, including the 78-66 win over the Beavers to earn the title. "The importance of winning three games against three quality teams, that's going to be help us down the road," Hoiberg said. Brice Williams scored 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting against Oregon State to cap a run that ended with earning tournament MVP. Williams tallied 32 points in the semifinal victory over Hawaii. He averaged 22 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals in the tournament. Williams controlled the pace in the finale. "I was aggressive and wanted to let my defense lead my offense," Williams said. "I came out pretty hot and my team took it from there." Williams leads the Cornhuskers with a 19.7 scoring average. Juwan Gary (11.9 ppg) and Connor Essegian (11.8) are also scoring in double digits. Southern (5-7) is in the midst of a tough portion of its schedule and has been outscored by an average of 20 points during a three-game losing streak. The Jaguars started the skid by falling 74-61 at then-No. 17 Ole Miss on Dec. 17, then lost 89-73 at Loyola Marymount three days later. Southern was then mauled 82-51 at Southern California on Dec. 22. The Jaguars shot just 32.7 percent from the field against the Trojans and were a measly 2 of 19 from 3-point range. Southern coach Kevin Johnson said prior to the season that this stretch will help the team when it gets into SWAC play. "I feel we put together another strong schedule, that will challenge our team and give us some strong competition," Johnson said. "... We feel that this schedule will help us compete at the highest level going into SWAC play." Michael Jacobs is averaging a team-best 10.6 points, just ahead of Jordan Johnson's 10.4. Nebraska is 4-0 all-time against the Jaguars, including an 82-59 home win on Nov. 21, 2021, in the most recent meeting. --Field Level Media
Juan Soto introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15-year deal NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto put on a New York Mets jersey and cap for the first time after his record $765 million, 15-year contract was finalized and talked about what made the difference in his decision. He said at his introductory news conference on Thursday that the Mets “showed me a lot of love." Soto was introduced at Citi Field a day after his deal was finalized. Speaking in the Piazza 31 Club, Soto was flanked by Mets owner Steve Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns and his agent, Scott Boras. Bill Belichick 'always wanted' to give college coaching a try. Now he will at North Carolina New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick said he had long been interested in coaching in the college ranks. But it had never worked out until now, as he takes over the Tar Heels program. Belichick led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during a 24-year run there that ended last year. University trustees approved terms of a five-year deal for him Thursday morning before he held his introductory news conference on campus. Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. Rape investigation that Swedish media say focused on Kylian Mbappé has been closed STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish prosecutors say they have dropped a rape investigation that was launched in connection with soccer star Kylian Mbappé’s visit to Stockholm in October. In a statement, lead investigator Marina Chirakova says there is not enough evidence to continue the investigation into the allegation at a hotel. Prosecutors never publicly named the suspect in the investigation but some Swedish media reported it was Mbappé. The Real Madrid striker visited Stockholm in October during a break in the Spanish league. At the time, Mbappé’s legal team dismissed those reports as false. Travis Hunter, the 2-way standout for Colorado, is the AP college football player of the year BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter is The Associated Press college football player of the year. Hunter received 26 of the 43 votes from a panel of AP Top 25 voters. Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty finished second with 16 votes, and Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo received one vote. A throwback player who rarely left the field, Hunter had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver. He had four interceptions and 11 passes defensed as a shutdown corner. Hunter helped the the 20th-ranked Buffaloes to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the Alamo Bowl against BYU. 2034 World Cup visitors will live in 'a bubble' and not see real life, Saudi rights activist says LONDON (AP) — A Saudi human rights activist says soccer fans visiting Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup will live in a “bubble” that doesn't reflect real life there. Lina al-Hathloul is a London-based activist whose sister was jailed in Saudi Arabia then banned from travel after campaigning to end a ban on women driving. When FIFA confirmed the kingdom as the 2034 tournament host on Wednesday its president Gianni Infantino acknowledged “the world will be watching” for positive social change. Al-Hathloul says western people “will be very safe” at the World Cup but "will see a bubble of what Saudi Arabia is.” Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter unless federal antitrust suit is dropped CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A new court filing says NASCAR rejected Front Row Motorsports’ agreement to purchase a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing unless the team and 23XI Racing dropped their federal antitrust lawsuit against the stock car series. Front Row and 23XI rejected NASCAR's new revenue sharing agreement and have gone to court. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo. Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China. Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore. He has surpassed the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22. Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year. Hojlund scores twice for Manchester United to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in Europa League Rasmus Hojlund scored twice after coming off the bench and Manchester United rallied to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the Europa League. The Denmark striker netted in the 88th minute after collecting Bruno Fernandes’ pass off a free kick to seal the victory. Ahead of the late games, United moved to fifth place with 12 points from six games. Hojlund came on in the 56th to replace Marcus Rashford and scored an equalizer six minutes later. In the Conference League a youthful Chelsea lineup made the most of a long trip to Kazakhstan by beating Astana 3-1 to stay perfect in the third-tier competition. Raiders player Charles Snowden facing misdemeanor DUI charge after Las Vegas arrest LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders football player Charles Snowden was arrested in Las Vegas on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence and released from custody. The NFL, the Raiders and Snowden’s attorneys acknowledged Thursday the 26-year-old first-year defensive end was arrested early Tuesday. He faces a scheduled court date in April. It’s not clear yet whether the arrest will affect Snowden’s status with the team. He has played every game this season, and the Raiders' next game is at home on Monday. Commissioner Roger Goodell can impose a three-game suspension without pay for a first violation of the league's alcohol abuse policy.
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