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No. 21 Tar Heels meet the Gamecocks in an ACC-SEC matchup to open the season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:57 GMT

No. 21 North Carolina vs. South Carolina in Charlotte, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)Line: UNC by 2 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: UNC leads 35-20-4.WHAT’S AT STAKE?The Tar Heels open the season with a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback in Drake Maye and expectations to contend in the Atlantic Coast Conference race. They’ll face the Gamecocks near the border between the Carolinas, taking on a Southeastern Conference opponent looking to increase their win total for the third time in as many seasons under Shane Beamer.KEY MATCHUPMaye versus the Gamecocks’ defense. Maye threw for 38 touchdowns and was the nation’s only 5,000-yard player in total offense last season in his first full year as the starter. He’ll face a South Carolina defense that is retooling after losing seven starters from a unit that ranked in the bottom third nationally in total defense (404.7 yards) and scoring defense (28.8).PLAYERS TO WATCHSouth Carolina: RB Dakereo...

Canada issues US travel advisory warning LGBTQ+ community about laws thay may affect them

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:57 GMT

TORONTO (AP) — Canada this week updated its travel advisory to the U.S., warning members of the LGBTQ+ community that some American states have enacted laws that may affect them.The country’s Global Affairs department did not specify which states, but is advising travelers to check the local laws for their destination before traveling.“Since the beginning of 2023, certain states in the U.S. have passed laws banning drag shows and restricting the transgender community from access to gender-affirming care and from participation in sporting events,” Global Affairs spokesman Jérémie Bérubé said Thursday in an emailed statement.“Outside Canada, laws and customs related to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics can be very different from those in Canada,” the statement added. “As a result, Canadians could face certain barriers and risks when they travel outside Canada.”The Human Rights Campaign — the largest U.S.-based organization devot...

Messi’s next match is the most expensive Major League Soccer game ever

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:57 GMT

New York (CNN) — There’s no sign of “Messi mania” abating anytime soon.Ticket prices for this Sunday’s match between Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC are the most expensive for a Major League Soccer game ever, according to TickPick, an online marketplace.Average prices are around $690 — a 527% increase over the average ticket price of an MLS game, which used to cost $110 before soccer superstar Leo Messi joined the league.Currently, just days from the game, the cheapest ticket to see Messi take on last year’s MLS Cup winners will cost $785. Without Messi, prices fall sharply, with the cheapest ticket for the following LAFC game being 80% less expensive at $151 for seat, according to TickPick.However, this could be the ceiling for ticket prices. TickPick co-CEO Brett Goldberg told CNN that the market is “likely to stabilize prices at their current level, although there’s potential for an upward shift in price due to the heightened demand.”Plus, LAFC is one the most popular MLS tea...

It’s Miami vs. Miami when the Hurricanes play host to the RedHawks in Friday opener

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:57 GMT

Miami (Ohio) at Miami, Friday at 7 p.m. ET (ACC Network)Line: Miami by 17 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Miami leads 3-0.WHAT’S AT STAKE?There should be some sort of Miami trophy or something, but all that’s at stake is just a 1-0 record. It’s imperative that the Hurricanes get off to a good start, both to help move past last season’s 5-7 debacle and tune up for a Week 2 showdown with Texas A&M.Miami (Ohio) is facing a Power 5 opponent to open a season for the 14th time in the last 22 seasons. The RedHawks have lost each of their last 12 such games; the last win over a Power 5 in Week 1 was at North Carolina in the 2002 campaign.KEY MATCHUPMiami QB Tyler Van Dyke against an experienced defense. The RedHawks bring back nine starters from a defense that was very good for much of last season despite the team’s 6-7 record. Van Dyke struggled with shoulder issues in 2022 and banged up a thumb in training camp this year, but has said h...

Dolphins RB Jeff Wilson Jr. will start season on injured reserve

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:57 GMT

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. will start the season on injured reserve because of midsection and finger injuries.The Dolphins placed Wilson, cornerback Jalen Ramsey and offensive lineman Robert Jones on the injured reserve list Thursday morning, sidelining them for at least four games.Miami coach Mike McDaniel said there is a possibility that Wilson can play this season.“It was a midsection injury compounded by some finger issues, and really, we just made the assessment that he couldn’t protect himself and be himself the way we know him to be,” McDaniel said, “so time is the best healer. Knowing Jeff, his true passion in life is to play this game, so he’ll do everything he can. I definitely wouldn’t be surprised if he would make a return this season, but we’ll let his body tell us.”Wilson’s injury leaves Miami with veteran Raheem Mostert, rookie De’Von Achane, Salvon Ahmed, Chris Brooks, who made the ...

Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party calls for Hubert Aiwanger’s resignation following Nazi scandal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:57 GMT

BERLIN — Leading members of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party called on Bavarian Deputy Premier Hubert Aiwanger to resign following a widening anti-Semitic scandal. His boss, Bavarian Premier Markus Söder, also faced mounting pressure to fire Aiwanger if he doesn’t step down voluntarily.Aiwanger admitted over the weekend he was involved in distributing an antisemitic leaflet during his high school years in the late 1980s, even though he denies being the author. On Wednesday, a former classmate of Aiwanger claimed that the Bavarian politician made Hitler salutes while in school, along with anti-Semitic jokes and impersonating Hitler.This has developed into a political storm ahead of the Bavarian state election on October 8, in which Söder — who hails from the center-right Christian Social Union — hopes to get reelected thanks to the political support of Aiwanger’s right-wing Free Voters party, currently governing in a coalition with the Söder and poll...

Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs sentenced to 17 years in January 6 case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:57 GMT

(CNN) — A leader of the Proud Boys who led the far-right organization’s infamous march to the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison – among the longest sentences handed down yet for a convicted rioter.Joe Biggs was convicted by a Washington, DC jury of several charges including seditious conspiracy for attempting to forcibly prevent the peaceful transfer of power from then-President Donald Trump to Joe Biden after the 2020 election.“Our Constitution and laws give you so many important rights that Americans have fought and died for and that you yourself put on a uniform to defend,” District Judge Timothy Kelly said in handing down the sentence. “People around the world would give anything for these rights.”But January 6, 2021, Kelly said, “broke our tradition of the peaceful transferring of power” in the United States.“The nature of the constitutional moment we were in that day is something that is so sensitive that it deserves a significan...

Overdose Awareness Captured In Field Of Flags

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:57 GMT

Surrounded by roughly 20,000 purple flags representing Bay Staters lost to the opioid epidemic in the last decade, Kar-Kate Parenteau wore a beaming photo of her husband Marc, who died of an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2017.In the photo hanging from her lanyard, Marc’s arms are spread wide against the backdrop of the ocean on Martha’s Vineyard.Parenteau, who was joined by family members on Boston Common Thursday wearing the same image, said Marc’s smile makes her happy.But just by looking at his face, one would never know that Marc, whom Parenteau described as outgoing and a big sports fan, was struggling with substance use and addiction issues. He died at age 30.“He was definitely more than his addiction,” Parenteau said, as she invoked the epicenter of Boston’s opioid crisis around Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard. “When people think of someone that is struggling with substance use, they have a certain image, and a lot of...

Healey Recommends More Pardons, Nominates Parole Board Member

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:57 GMT

Gov. Maura Healey on Thursday nominated a clinical social worker to fill an opening on the Parole Board, and recommended a new set of pardons including one for a man convicted of armed robbery just seven years ago.Sarah Beth Coughlin works as director of community engagement and partnerships at Mass General Brigham and was also described by Healey’s office as a community organizer. She also spent eight years as director of the Charlestown Coalition, which focuses on social determinants of health, and works with the Committee for Public Counsel Services on evaluations, coordination of re-entry plans, and helping defendants secure treatment placement, according to her resume.If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, Coughlin would fill one of the three vacant seats on the panel that makes parole decisions and vets pardon applications.Healey endorsed four pardons, recommending forgiveness for Kenny Jean, convicted of armed robbery in 2016; Evan Willey, convicted of operating ...

Column: Jerry Reinsdorf’s ‘search’ for a new GM sends a message to Chicago White Sox fans — the status quo is OK

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:26:57 GMT

Jerry Reinsdorf’s search for a new leader of the Chicago White Sox baseball department ended nine days after the dismissal of executive vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn.That is, if you consider opening the staff directory and picking Chris Getz as the new GM a real search.By promoting Getz to senior vice president and GM, the Sox chairman showed who is boss and sent a message to fans: The status quo is acceptable.“Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and experience within our organization to this role,” Reinsdorf said in a statement. “Most importantly, he knows our players, both at the major-league level and in our system, knows our staff and is familiar with all aspects of our baseball operations department.”Reinsdorf added he was “greatly” impressed by Getz and has become “energized by his vision, approach and sense of what this organization needs to become competitive again.”“With his existing know...