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4bounce
2 days ago
The WNBA learned in early September that commissioner Cathy Engelbert has decided to step down and retire from her position following this season. Engelbert has overseen a successful tenure that has helped elevate the WNBA's profile and grow the league's brand.
Now, the league will need to find Engelbert's successor. Several names have already been suggested as potential candidates. However, some of the WNBA's biggest stars may also have a voice in who should succeed Engelbert.
MORE: Sophie Cunningham showered with gifts at NASCAR race
One star has already offered her thoughts on the type of person who should take over. Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham was asked what kind of person she expects to be named the next WNBA commissioner.
Aug 23, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) reacts while warming up prior to a game against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

#WNBA #Chicago
yownodizupaykumuho2
2 days ago
On September 10, 1-800-Flowers.com Inc. (NASDAQ:FLWS) reported fiscal 2026 results that read like a company still finding its footing after a hard year. Full year revenue fell 10.8% to $1.5 billion, and the fourth quarter alone dropped 12.9% to $293.1 million, as consumers stayed selective with discretionary spending on gifts and gourmet food. Buried under those declines, though, is a different story: inventory shrank, free cash flow improved by $55 million, and the company hit a two-year cost savings target a full year early. The question now is whether that discipline can outrun the sales slide.
1-800-Flowers spent fiscal 2026 tearing down the walls between its brands. Instead of separate teams running each brand in silos, the company shifted to functional teams built around marketing, merchandising, and the digital shopping experience, with one team now acting as store manager for every website. That shift already shows up in products: the floral business combined its florist-fulfilled and direct-ship merchandising teams, so the same popular arrangements are available either way, instead of competing against itself on one landing page. Harry & David rolled out a redesigned, mobile-first website with AI-powered search that is currently in A/B testing, and several low-traffic standalone sites were folded into harryanddavid.com to concentrate traffic rather than split it.
The financial discipline behind that reorganization is real. The company reached its $50 million cost savings run rate a full year ahead of schedule and has already lined up another $15 million to $20 million in savings for fiscal 2027, with the full benefit landing in fiscal 2028. That, combined with tighter working capital management, pushed free cash flow up $55 million year over year and cut inventory to $153 million from $177 million. Average order value rose 5.5%, third-party marketplace sales through Amazon, Walmart, and DoorDash are growing at double-to-triple-digit rates and are already contribution margin positive, and BloomNet grew 1.9% on the back of local delivery partnerships with apps like DoorDash and Instacart.
The rest of the story is bleaker. Total transactions fell 17.6% for the year, and the fourth quarter's decline was broad-based: consumer floral and gifts dropped 13.4% to $182.8 million as the company pulled back on promotional discounting, and gourmet foods and gift baskets fell 15.4% to $85.8 million, a decline made worse by the timing of Easter. Adjusted EBITDA for the year collapsed to $2.9 million from $29.2 million, and adjusted gross margin slipped 110 basis points to 38%. Even the fourth quarter's 34.7% gross margin leaned on a one-time $7 million tariff refund.

#fiscal
432_9_flat_dash_pixe
6 days ago
Even with legions of adoring fans across the globe, Dolly Parton never let the spotlight change who she was.
From choosing a small, private funeral over a lavish send-off to asking well-wishers to skip flowers and gifts in favor of donating to her Imagination Library, the 80-year-old country music icon, who died on August 25, stayed grounded in what mattered most to her: people, not possessions. Given that, it's no surprise the final thing she asked of her sister was something simple and heartfelt.
"The last thing Dolly asked me for was prayer," Stella Parton, 77, told Gayle King in an interview with CBS Mornings posted on Thursday, September 10.
Mega
Stella also said she sensed her sister had found peace before she passed. She explained that she'd always been able to read Dolly's emotions just from her expression, even after long stretches without seeing her in person — whether she was in pain, upset, joyful, or simply worn out, it showed on her face. The two, she said, had always shared a tight-knit bond as siblings.

#even #thing #asked #library
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fopowgaqojebazopem40
9 days ago
In one of the most significant comeback stories this summer, three-time All-Star Ben Simmons is set to make his NBA return after missing the 2025-26 season. Having signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Sacramento Kings, Simmons is gearing up to return to the floor.
Ben Simmons has arguably been one of the most polarizing figures over the past few years. Barring his inherent gifts as a playmaker and defender, Simmons' recurring injuries and tendency to fade in key moments have earned considerable criticism. Despite all this, there is excitement surrounding Simmons' return.
After a year away from the game, concerns about his abilities are justified. On that note, Ben Simmons' godfather and former LSU coach David Patrick joined "The Matt & Kayla Show" to provide an update on the 30-year-old guard. While speaking about aspects of the game that Simmons has focused on before making his return, Patrick shared:
"I think the main thing was getting his back healthy, right? Anytime your back's hurt, everything else everything else falls out of line. And so I think from that he was able to get his body back right. Get his core and back right, get his legs back under him, which he has."
A major reason for Ben Simmons' limited availability was a back injury that kept him sidelined for the 2021-22 season. Although he returned to play for the Brooklyn Nets in the following campaign, he was clearly still dealing with the injury, as his struggles with availability continued.

#patrick
5kj4sk2
14 days ago
Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure.
Redeeming credit card points for gifts is a unique way to help reduce some of the stress of the holiday shopping season. That could mean redeeming rewards for gift cards, travel, merchandise, and more — and an opportunity to keep some cash in your wallet.
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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Great for earning straightforward travel rewards
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#redeeming
szrlcgctjqofmerr
14 days ago
Mike Vorkunov: NBA's investigation also found Clippers made hundreds of payments on behalf of Kawhi Leonard and his family for expenses — such as personal travel, tickets, and gifts — that Leonard was supposed to have repaid by NBA rules but did not. The payments were approved by Frank, NBA says
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: NBA's investigation also found Clippers made hundreds …

#clippers #made #hundreds #vorkunov
szrlcgctjqofmerr
15 days ago
A former Cal softball player has sued the University of California and former Bears coach Chelsea Spencer, alleging that Spencer coerced her into a ******* ual relationship and retaliated against her when she tried to end the relationship.
The former player filed the lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court last week, filing under the anonymous name Jane Doe to protect her identity. The lawsuit alleges the school did not remove Spencer from her role, even after the inappropriate relationship was raised to higher-ups.
Berkeleyside was the first to report on the lawsuit. The outlet said it got in touch with Spencer via LinkedIn, who initially said she was not aware of the lawsuit and that claims "will be addressed in the appropriate legal processes." Berkeleyside said that Spencer stopped replying and appeared to delete her account once the outlet sent her the complaint and requested a response.
The lawsuit alleges that, after the player came to Berkeley as a transfer in the fall of 2023, Spencer quickly proceeded to talk to the player "outside the ordinary confines of a coach-athlete relationship" once the player arrived on campus for the 2023-24 school year. This included talking about personal details, emotional struggles and romantic attention, according to the lawsuit, with Spencer saying the player was "so beautiful" and "your girlfriend is so lucky." Spencer also sent gifts to the player, both in the form of direct cash and items like AirPods, the lawsuit said. If the player was not responsive to Spencer, the coach would get angry and retaliate against her with negative treatment, the lawsuit alleges - including on the field, where Spencer "reduced or withheld Plaintiff's playing opportunities." But if Spencer was given the attention she sought, then the player got more time on the field.
Once the power dynamic and dependency were established in the player's mind, the lawsuit alleges, Spencer then "escalated the relationship into ******* ual contact." The ******* ual relationship allegedly began on a 2024 road trip and continued for a year, with the lawsuit detailing several instances of ******* ual encounters.

#spencer
LYNxfl6t
20 days ago
Anna Faris has opened up about her decision to take a "step back" from drinking alcohol.
During an appearance on the Dear Chelsea podcast on Thursday, the Scary Movie actress revealed that she has noticed a shift in her mental health since she quit.
"Turns out there's a correlation between drinking and depression for me for sure," she told host Chelsea Handler. "I had to take a step back to not self-sabotage."
Anna didn't disclose when she started her sobriety journey.
But she emphasised that her change in perspective has been "one of the many gifts" of the experience.
Elsewhere in the conversation, Anna discussed co-parenting son Jack, 13, with ex-husband Chris Pratt. The Mom star shared that the teenager is "religious", despite her being raised in an irreligious environment.

#take #back #dear #scary
impzefelpdhjyuyg
22 days ago
This time every preseason, I'm struck by a generous spirit, and I dole out gifts to college football luminaries. Consider it my way of offering a pre-kickoff pick-me-up, following an offseason during which it seems the only winners are lawyers and their billable hours.
They say it's better to give than to receive. I wouldn't know. ******* ody on this list ever gifted me anything other than column fodder. Perhaps, that's the greatest gift of all.
As a pat on the back for all of my generosity, I saved the final goodie for myself.
Who's too high, too low? USA TODAY Sports' Top 100 College Football Players for 2026
Here's my gift list:

#Football #today #players
dsca_mumvw
23 days ago
UTMA custodial accounts irrevocably transfer to the grandchild at age 21, giving them full legal control to spend the money however they choose.
A 529 keeps the owner in control indefinitely and allows penalty-free beneficiary reassignments or a $35,000 Roth IRA rollover under SECURE 2.0.
California and a few states let donors extend UTMA control to age 25, but once the account opens, the termination age in the paperwork is locked.
Are you ahead, or behind on retirement? SmartAsset's free tool can match you with a financial advisor in minutes to help you answer that today. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Don't waste another minute; learn more here.
A custodial account opened for a grandchild under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act transfers to the beneficiary at the state's age of termination, typically 21. At that point, the new adult owner controls how the funds are spent, and the former custodian has no legal authority over the account. A 529 college savings plan operates differently, with the account owner retaining control indefinitely. The distinction between a UTMA custodial account and a 529 plan matters for grandparents evaluating how to structure gifts to minors.

#Legal #indefinitely
o8enlypri7e
23 days ago
V.J. Edgecombe is ready to embrace any role he is given in the new-look 76ers system originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Much has been said about V.J. Edgecombe's new role on the Philadelphia 76ers with the arrivals of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James. As the youngest player in the starting lineup, many are saying that he is the odd man out, but it seems the 21-year-old guard is not conceding much.
He is an ***** ertive player by nature, so he will want to stay true to his play style moving forward. It is a tough role to adjust to, but Edgecombe is ready to keep listening and learning in his new role behind the new stars and his familiar teammates, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
As the designated young player on the 76ers roster, Edgecombe is in a bit of a unique situation with the Philadelphia team. He is quite talented and is blessed with physical gifts. Unfortunately, that does not automatically make him one of the star players for the current roster.
It is now an experienced group led by two Finals MVPs in Brown and James. This has left Edgecombe as firmly the #5 option in the starting lineup behind the experienced players. Despite this notion, it seems that Edgecombe is not too worried about what will happen with this team.

#player #philadelphia #ready #starting
snap1
23 days ago
Reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Nadaka is a generational talent whose mastery inside the ring transcends eras.
The **** anese phenom stands as the archetype of a complete striker, seamlessly fusing speed, precision, and fight-ending power. Yet beyond his physical gifts, his elite fight IQ and mental fortitude separate him from his peers.
As the only non-Thai athlete in history to simultaneously hold the coveted Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Stadium World **** les, the **** anese superstar boasts a 67-6 professional record.
Having not lost a bout in over six years, his five consecutive victories against the elite in ONE Championship have stretched that remarkable run to an astonishing 41 straight wins.
Nadaka now looks to conquer new territory when he steps into the world of kickboxing for the first time against Har Ling Om at ONE SAMURAI 3 on September 12, streamed live from Yokohama Buntai. Just a month later, the defending champion returns to defend his Muay Thai crown against Rifdean "Magic Boy" Masdor at ONE SAMURAI 4 on October 17 inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena.

#nadaka #samurai #elite
quickly
23 days ago
Karoline Leavitt is saying goodbye to her job and ****** o to a brand-new Louis Vuitton haul.
The soon-to-be former White House Press Secretary — who turned 29 on Monday, August 24 — shared a photo of her birthday gifts from husband Nicholas Riccio to her Instagram Story, per People.
The snap, posted on August 24, showed two iconic orange Louis Vuitton boxes tied neatly with blue ribbon alongside three pink envelopes labeled "Mom," "Momma" and "My Wife."
While she did not share what her husband, 60, purchased from the luxury retailer, the happy couple will likely be spending more time together in the coming weeks as Leavitt says goodbye to her White House job.
Just two months after welcoming her daughter, Viviana, Leavitt announced she will be vacating her role within President Donald Trump's administration at the end of August.

#leavitt #vuitton #goodbye
05125Plxt
23 days ago
Luis Enrique raised some eyebrows last night when he took Ousmane Dembele off at half time of PSG's draw with Rennes.
If you enjoy PSG Talk coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.
PSG came back from 2-0 down in the second half against Rennes last night to draw 2-2 in their opening game of the Ligue 1 season.
After the game, manager Luis Enrique was asked about the most eye-catching decision he made – hauling off star man Ousmane Dembele at half time to bring on Ferran Torres, who scored twice after the break.
"That's how football is. PSG hasn't won anything yet this season. If you dwell on what you've already won in the past, you won't win anything else. To me, the most important thing is that there's no gifts," the Asturian coach said.

#dembele #night #time
SImPly604
24 days ago
USC has Notre Dame and UCLA as main rivals, but ESPN had a different idea. When creating a list of arch-enemies for various power conference teams in college football, ESPN came up with an answer which is not a school, but an organization: the NCAA. A lot of Trojan fans would nod in agreement.
Paolo Uggetti wrote that "The Trojans count both UCLA and Notre Dame among their most bitter rivals, yet there is no more fraught relationship than the one they have had with the NCAA. Sixteen years later, the sting surrounding the way the NCAA punished Reggie Bush and USC following an investigation into Bush receiving what it deemed improper gifts is a lingering part of the identity of Trojans fans and, to an extent, the program as a whole. As the sport has become as professionalized as it ever has been, the way Bush's missteps and the heavy punishment USC received (bowl ban and vacating wins, including a national ******* le) look in comparison has only served to reinforce USC fans' belief that their team was unfairly punished."
Uggetti's point rings true. The violations USC was punished for look like nickel-and-dime matters of very little weight and consequence all these years later. That point aside, enforcement of violations was hardly consistent across all schools. Penn State, for instance, committed wrongdoings which far exceeded USC's in severity (the Jerry Sandusky scandal) but was not punished more severely. That's just one of several examples one could come up with.
Contact/Follow TrojansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of USC Trojans news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Notre Dame not playing USC this season reshapes one old question

#Trojans #punished #fans #follow
fly_174_mildly_ukwom
25 days ago
Welcome to Day 13 of our 30 Day Countdown! Kickoff is just 2 short weeks away, and today, we are looking at who the best future pro will be on UW's roster! Let's get into it!
This one is pretty much a lock if his current trajectory keeps up. As a Freshman All American, Mills already has plenty of tape for pro scouts to pore over, and he looks to be the anchor of the next great offensive line core for the Huskies. We Husky fans know what we have, and it seems that the national media has taken notice, with Pro Football Focus ranking Mills on their Top 10 Sophomores list. Mills garnered high praise from PFF, with the article noting that "Mills generated the highest grade of any freshman lineman to play more than 300 snaps last season." With a season under his belt, and at least one more guaranteed, Mills has the opportunity to win some postseason hardware, and maybe secure an All American spot, if he is to build on his stellar debut! The key thing for him, and really any offensive lineman is staying healthy! I could see him as maybe a first or second round pick, enjoying a long career in the NFL!
This one is also a pretty good contender if current trajectories keep up. With the amount of pre-season watch lists that Williams is on, it should be no surprise that he is on this list. One mock draft even has Williams getting picked in the third round by…Seattle. The one thing that gives me pause is his size: at 5'11", he is not the prototypical NFL quarterback, but his dual threat ability should mitigate that slightly, much like it did for Kyler Murray when he was picked first overall in 2019. Not saying that Williams will match Murray's feat of getting selected first overall (though it would be great if he did, because that would probably mean a lot of wins for the Dawgs), but it's just a point of comparison. He has the physical gifts, he just needs to iron out his decision making and show that he can not only win, but produce against elite defenses, like the Ohio States and Michigans of the world! If he catches on, with the right team and scheme, Williams could be a solid pro quarterback!
This is another one that is kind of self explanatory. After a stellar Freshman season, Roebuck looks to build on his newfound role, with him shouldering more of the load in the passing game, and hopefully putting up more numbers in the process! His ceiling is also high, as he is only a sophomore and will have ample opportunity to catch passes from a variety of spots on the field, and versatility is something that NFL teams will be searching for in drafting their future receivers.
Right now, certain projections, like this one from Scout SZN, have his ceiling at Day 2, but where you get drafted doesn't matter. I do think that Roebuck could be a contributor on a pro team someday, but whether or not he's the best depends on his development while he is a Husky, and with his contributions from year one, I'd say that his future is bright!

#williams #first
o8enlypri7e
27 days ago
NBA's $500 million club: How James Harden's latest deal puts Cavs star in exclusive company originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
James Harden has mastered the art of earning money.
The Cavaliers guard is renowned for his on-the-floor gifts. Those have brought serious off-court gains for the soon-to-be 38-year-old, who agreed to terms on a three-year deal to remain in Cleveland on Thursday, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Harden's latest contract propels him to a different plane for NBA players; he'll now take his place as one of the league's few $500 million men. The list is as exclusive as it is gaudy, featuring just four players in total.
With that, here's what you need to know about Harden's latest contract figures, as well as where he stands on the NBA's all-time earnings list.

#james #deal #year #contract
kM02QT8u7
29 days ago
Real Madrid rarely do anything quietly, and even in a week without a blockbuster arrival, there is still plenty to read between the lines at the Bernabeu. According to The Athletic, the most important development concerns Endrick, the Brazilian forward whose immediate future has been the subject of considerable chatter. For now, that noise can be parked. The teenager is staying.
That alone says much about the current mood inside Madrid. A club of this scale is always planning for today and tomorrow, weighing instant need against long-term stardom. In Endrick, they have one of world football's most intriguing young attacking talents, and the decision to keep him points to a coaching staff that still sees practical use for him this season, not merely future promise.
The report states: "The most notable news was the decision that Brazilian striker Endrick will stay, despite rumours linking him with a loan move to Aston Villa and Roma." In the churn of summer speculation, clarity matters. This is clear. Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho and the player are aligned, at least for the opening phase of the campaign.
There is a tactical thread running through this decision. The Athletic reports that "The Portuguese coach does not see Bernardo Silva or Federico Valverde as regular performers on the right wing, so in addition to Yan Diomande and Brahim Diaz, he wants Endrick as an option for that position as well as at centre-forward." That is revealing in several ways.
First, Mourinho appears to be defining roles firmly. Valverde's vast gifts remain more persuasive in central and transitional zones, where his running power and authority can tilt matches. Bernardo Silva, if used in wider areas, would clearly be viewed more as a situational solution than a weekly answer. Endrick, then, becomes more than a young striker waiting politely in line. He becomes squad architecture.

#endrick #decision #Athletic #mourinho
deeply_sweep_partly
29 days ago
Real Madrid have officially announced the presentation of José Mourinho as the new head coach of the first team. Although the Portuguese manager had already spent several weeks overseeing training sessions with the squad, the formal event took place at Real Madrid City.
The event was held in a private setting within the Valdebebas facilities. The club's president, Florentino Pérez, acted as host to welcome the tactician back to the Real Madrid dugout.
During the event, the Portuguese coach signed the contract that will tie him to the Madrid institution for the next three seasons. In this way, the agreement between both parties is set to run until 30 June 2029.
As tradition dictates in this type of event, Mourinho received several institutional gifts from the president. These included a scale replica of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, a commemorative watch and a personalised shirt bearing his name.
The ceremony also featured a highly significant institutional presence. José Martínez 'Pirri', Real Madrid's honorary president, was present at the signing to accompany the new coach at the start of this new chapter at the club.

#madrid #Event #several
fetch5
30 days ago
O.J. Brigance, a former Baltimore Ravens linebacker and their longtime senior adviser to player development, has died, the team announced Monday evening.
Brigance battled ALS for the past 19 years. He was 56.
"For 22 years, we've been blessed to have O.J. as a teammate, friend and brother. It's a sad day, but also a celebration of all the gifts that O.J. bestowed upon our team and our city and the entire NFL community." Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement. "O.J. inspired us with humility, faithfulness, determination, competitiveness and love for humankind.
"We never once saw O.J. angry or frustrated by his disease. Instead, we all witnessed a hero who influenced so many people through his unwavering optimism and grit. O.J. Brigance is the definition of what it means to live like a Raven. I will miss his smile and the twinkle of joy in his eyes."
Brigance, one of the most revered figures in the organization and a source of inspiration to players, coaches and team officials, was diagnosed with ALS at age 38 following a seven-year NFL career with the Miami Dolphins, Ravens, St. Louis Rams and New England Patriots.

#Ravens #baltimore #eric
shin3_kernel_6iny
1 month ago
Princess Anne has long been known for her sensible, authentic approach to fashion—and her jewelry and tiaras reflect that same understated sensibility.
From classic pearls and family-gifted tiaras, the Princess Royal has always favored consistency and meaning over headline-making sparkle.
InStyle looks back at 10 of Princess Anne's best jewelry moments through the decades.
From timeless pearls and sculptural brooches to heirloom tiaras, Princess Anne's jewelry collection is one to watch. As royal fans know, the Princess Royal has an undeniably authentic and practical approach to fashion, regularly rewearing decades-old pieces and favoring function over fleeting trends. She's even been known to pair sporty wraparound sunglasses with her otherwise polished royal looks. Case in point: Anne has always marched to the beat of her own drum, and her jewelry collection follows suit.
In fact, you could say Anne paved the way for some of the royal family's now-signature style moves. Long before royal outfit repeating became a headline-making habit, she was pulling beloved pieces from the back of her closet and wearing them all over again. And in 1973, she bucked engagement-ring tradition with a sapphire-and-diamond design from Mark Phillips—years before Princess Diana debuted her iconic sapphire sparkler. Her jewelry box tells a similar story: Anne returns to sentimental gifts and family heirlooms again and again, whether it's a tiara passed down through generations or a pearl choker she's owned for decades.

#jewelry
qu1CKLy_1
1 month ago
Remember when Christmas Day used to be about family and gifts? A piping hot cocoa to start the day with a glass of wine to finish it. Gifts, family, food, fun. Do you also remember when sports on Christmas Day used to be minimal? Now, one in four Americans surround their Christmas Day planning around sports. Specifically the NBA and the NFL. Talk about a lump of coal for ol' Kris Kringle.
Since 2021, the NFL has staged at least two regular-season games every Christmas. The games began airing on traditional broadcast networks such as FOX and CBS, but have since shifted mainly to Netflix. This year, the NFL is presenting three games on the annual holiday that has long been dominated by the NBA. That has led to observers questioning whether the NBA should shift away from the holiday it has long claimed as its own. In reality, any shift would be a giant mistake.
Let's start with viewership.
Last year, ESPN/ABC's five-game slate of NBA action drew an average of 5.5 million viewers. The top stars were prominently featured. Start with the Knicks out East, mix in Steph Curry and defending league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and wrap things up with Nikola Jokic out West. From noon until well after midnight, NBA basketball was live on television. What we all have come to expect annually.
The NBA has had five games every Christmas since 2008, and viewership overall has been relatively consistent, averaging around 4.5 million to upwards of 6.3 million viewers, with most years falling in the 5.5 million range.

#start #gifts
ni_fbah26
1 month ago
By Andrea Shalal
WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Two Democratic senators are demanding answers from two Belgian firms about an 18-carat gold ring encrusted with 321 diamonds that was ‌given to U.S. President Donald Trump weeks before the U.S. exempted Europe's diamond industry ‌from new tariffs.
Here are some details:
• In an August 10 letter to the Antwerp World Diamond Centre and David Gotlib Luxury Cufflinks, Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut warned that the gift raised serious legal questions under U.S. federal bribery law and could result in criminal penalties for the companies.
• "At best, your (gift to) ... President Trump amidst high-stakes tariff decisions creates the glaring appearance of impropriety. ‌At worst, it reinforces that foreign ⁠corporate special interests can … buy lucrative tariff exemptions simply by showering President Trump with shiny gifts," they wrote in the letter.

#diamond
nDhu1ev8
1 month ago
LeBron James didn't go the traditional agent route in his NBA career, and he recently explained his decision and how it worked out for him.
At 16 years of age, LeBron James was already one of the most popular athletes in the United States. It's like everyone at that time knew he was destined for greatness.
Coming into the NBA with that type of hype, James needed to ensure he made all the right decisions so he could make the most of his gifts. However, he made a decision that surprised many.
From the beginning, James skipped getting a traditional agent, and instead involved his closest friends to represent him. This paid off massively for him, and he recently explained his thought process.
Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

#states
seigpgttqhy
1 month ago
Antonio Banderas rang in his 66th birthday in style, under the sky of Marbella with an opera legend leading the chorus. That was the scene at the 17th annual Starlite Occident Gala, where Banderas rang in his 66th year with his partner, Nicole Kimpel. He was serenaded at midnight by Plácido Domingo himself.
Antonio Banderas is celebrating his 66th birthday (Getty Images)
The tenor rose before a crowd already on its feet and led the room through "Happy Birthday," turning a gala tradition into one of the night's most talked-about moments.
Banderas didn't just receive gifts that evening — he gave one away. Earlier in the night, during the gala's charity auction, the actor peeled off the shirt on his back, a piece he'd customized himself, and put it up for bidding to boost the fundraising total.
"This marks 17 galas completing our foundational efforts. We're gonna continue for another 17 years if life allows it," he said.

#gala #rang #marbella #nicole
wizerutgnlyutu1
1 month ago
Like he did so many times in his 11-year professional football Hall of Fame career, Roger Craig delivered the goods at Saturday's induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio.
Craig, 66, who waited 28 years before getting the call, waited until the end of his nine-minute recorded speech to reveal the heartbreaking news that he has been diagnosed with vascular dementia.
But the three-time San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl champion running back chose to focus on the gifts that his beloved game bestowed upon him and his family and use Saturday's platform to reach out to successive generations of players to seek medical care when "something doesn't feel right."
"My doctors believe it may be related, at least in part, to the concussions I experienced during my career," Craig said. "The changes were gradual. At first, they were easy to dismiss as normal aging. Over time, my family noticed it, too, and ultimately led us to seek answers from my doctor."
"Two things can be true: Football gave me opportunities beyond anything I could imagine. It helped shape the man I became. At the same time, we know more today about brain health than when I played, and I hope sharing my story encourages people to pay attention to their health and seek help when something doesn't feel right.

#craig #Career #waited #something
sNaPch0nKY163
1 month ago
The third day of the Audi Summer Tour featured the first friendly for FC Bayern as the Munich men met South Korean top-flight club Jeju SK at the Jeju World Cup Stadium. There was plenty going on before the match, too. fcbayern.com brings you an overview of the Tuesday on the Audi Summer Tour.
In a lively encounter – in spite of the high temperatures – against Jeju SK, FC Bayern triumped 2-1 in the end. Youngsters Felipe Chávez and Bastian **** omo netted the goals for the Munich men in the first half. All the info:
How Bayern are taking the spirit of Jeju to Hong Kong
The special connection between FC Bayern and Jeju was reinforced by some appreciative gestures before FCB's 2-1 win at the World Cup Stadium on the South Korean island. For a start, president Herbert Hainer and Wi Seong-gon, the Governor of Jeju, carried out the ceremonial kick-off in the shirts of their respective teams, while special gifts were also exchanged. Hainer presented the Governor with one of the exclusive Bayern figures that the club made for the occasion.
In return, Rouven Kasper, FC Bayern board member for marketing and sales, received a "dol hareubang" statue from Jaryong Jo, the CEO of Jeju SK, who's been working with the German double winners for a year as part of the joint venture Red&Gold. These are statues made from the volcanic stone that's typical on the island of Jeju.

#jeju #south
cosmicu
1 month ago
Nate Wiggins' speed and athletic ability were apparent long before the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. Mike Mickens has been more impressed by the work taking place beyond the highlight plays.
The Ravens' new secondary coach described Wiggins as a special talent whose preparation and competitive mindset match his physical gifts.
"He approaches it that way off the field, on the field, in the meeting room," Mickens said on The Ravens Lounge. "He asks questions. He's locked in on the field, working little techniques and details of everything."
Wiggins enters his third season positioned to become Baltimore's top outside cornerback. He has been one of the defense's standout performers during the opening practices of training camp after declaring himself fully healthy.
His 4.28-second speed gives him the recovery ability to survive mistakes that would become completions against most cornerbacks. Mickens wants Wiggins to develop the recognition and technical consistency that reduce the frequency with which he must rely on that speed. The coach also values the confidence Wiggins brings to the room. Cornerbacks must recover quickly from difficult plays because another target can arrive before they have time to dwell on the previous result.

#Ravens #field #coach
vikefexameviwco60
1 month ago
Seattle Seahawks star Leonard Williams was ranked No. 2 overall by NFL.com's Bucky Brooks in his evaluation of the top five defensive tackles in the NFL this year.
"Williams not only commands attention as a dynamic pass rusher, but his unique skill set enables him to make his mark as a multifaceted defender who can align anywhere along the front," Brooks said. "As a run defender, the 6-foot-5, 310-pounder has become an unstoppable force who wins against double teams by utilizing his speed, quickness and strength. Considering his impact on the league's best defense, Williams deserves a spot near the top of the list."
Williams is the type of defensive tackle who excels at using his physical gifts, much like an edge rusher, to get to the quarterback in the middle of the field. His ability to blow by offensive guards and centers to pick up pressures and sacks sets him apart from many of his peers at the position.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Bucky Brooks ranks Seahawks DT Leonard Williams high on his list

#defensive #rusher #Seattle
gTYIW4g5ytJek4
1 month ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee recommended Monday that Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., be censured after finding that he engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female aides in his congressional office.
A censure registers the House's deep disapproval of a lawmaker's conduct that does not meet the threshold for expulsion.
Edwards, 65, has denied that any of his conduct was intended as a ******* ual or romantic advance, but the committee said his behavior would "lead a reasonable observer to interpret it as such." It also described his actions as "beyond inappropriate."
The panel highlighted numerous examples of actions it considered improper, including Edwards providing the young women with lavish and recurrent gifts, making comments regarding their appearance and dress, inviting them to intimate dinners and vacations, and sending notes regarding his affection.
The Ethics panel found no evidence Edwards explicitly propositioned any person under his employ or engaged in any ******* ual activity with them. But it also said he failed to adhere to "the spirit of rules prohibiting ******* ual harassment of and unwanted advances to House staffers."

#House

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