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FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host despite human rights concerns ZURICH (AP) — Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer. The Saudi bid was the only candidate and was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations. They took part remotely in an online meeting hosted in Zurich on Wednesday by the soccer body’s president Gianni Infantino. The decision was combined with approving the only candidate to host the 2030 World Cup. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host in a six-nation project, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay each getting one of the 104 games. The South American connection will mark the centenary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930. Rape allegation against Jay-Z won’t impact NFL's relationship with music mogul, Goodell says IRVING, Texas (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says a rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z won’t impact the NFL's relationship with the music mogul. Jay-Z's company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFL’s entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show. A woman who previously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 amended the lawsuit Sunday to include an allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z says the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. All-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet acquired by Red Sox from White Sox for prospects DALLAS (AP) — All-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet has been acquired by the Boston Red Sox from the Chicago White Sox for four prospects. Catcher Kyle Teel, infielder Chase Meidroth, right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez and outfielder Braden Montgomery are headed to Chicago. The 25-year-old Crochet was 6-12 with a 3.58 ERA in 32 starts for a White Sox team that went 41-121. It's the most losses for any club since 1900. He was picked for the AL All-Star team in his first season as a starter. Selected 11th overall by Chicago in the 2020 amateur draft, Crochet made his big league debut that September. He had Tommy John surgery in April 2022. NFL will consider replay assist for facemask penalties and other plays IRVING, Texas (AP) — The NFL will consider expanding replay assist to include facemask penalties and other plays. Officials have missed several obvious facemask penalties this season, including two in a three-week span during Thursday night games. League executive Troy Vincent also cited hits on a defenseless player, tripping, the fair catch, an illegal bat, an illegal double-team block, illegal formations on kickoffs and taunting as other areas that warrant consideration for replay assist. Current rules only allow replay assist to help officials pick up a flag incorrectly thrown on the field, or in assisting proper enforcement of a foul called on the field. The NFL’s Competition Committee will review potential recommendations for owners to vote on for expanding replay assist. Ohio politician proposes make flag planting a felony after fight in Michigan rivalry game An Ohio politician has seen enough flag planting. Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. A fight ensued and police had to use pepper spray to disperse the players. Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield famously planted a flag in the middle of the field at Ohio State after the Sooners beat the Buckeyes in 2017. Jimmy Butler says he's not worrying about his future with Heat amid trade speculation Jimmy Butler knows there are tons of questions about his future with the Miami Heat. He might get traded, he might leave as a free agent next summer, he might exercise a $52.4 million option to return to the Heat or he might get a new contract. He isn't sure what will happen. The Heat forward spoke out about trade speculation Wednesday, telling reporters after practice that he doesn’t mind his name being in the rumor mill. US Biathlon officials ignored sexual harassment and abuse of female racers for decades, athletes say Sexual abuse and harassment by coaches and others who held positions of power over women on the U.S. Biathlon team were ignored or excused over decades by officials more concerned with winning medals than holding offenders accountable. That's according to Olympians and other biathletes interviewed by The Associated Press. While the men climbed the sport's ranks, these women say they were forced to end their careers early. The women and others describe a culture of misogyny and say they faced retaliation for speaking up. Three of the men denied allegations they were either part of the abuse or ignored allegations of abuse. A fourth did not respond to AP requests for comment. Man City crisis deepens with loss to Juventus in Champions League as Barcelona and Arsenal win Manchester City plunged deeper into trouble in the Champions League by losing 2-0 at Juventus in the latest setback in a scarcely believable run of poor results for the ailing English champions. City dropped to 22nd place in the 36-team standings and only the top 24 advances. Reaching the knockout stage looked a certainty before the season for a team that was European champion in 2022 and has won the last four Premier League titles. It's not anymore as City manager Pep Guardiola battles injuries and an apparent loss of belief among his players. Arsenal beat Monaco 3-0 and Barcelona won 3-2 at Borussia Dortmund. Tulane QB Mensah transfers to Duke; Mississippi State’s Van Buren, Cal’s Mendoza enter portal Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has already found a new program in Duke, while Mississippi State’s Michael Van Buren Jr. and Cal’s Fernando Mendoza are exploring changes of their own in the transfer portal. Mensah is a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining. He told ESPN on Wednesday he has transferred to Duke. He attended the Blue Devils men’s basketball game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils will face Mississippi in the Gator Bowl, but without 2024 starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and backup Grayson Loftis, who also entered the portal. Lindsey Vonn savors chance to test out World Cup course as a forerunner in comeback bid at age 40 BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (AP) — Lindsey Vonn is trying to take her comeback step-by-step even if there’s plenty of reason to look down the road. For now, the 40-year-old American ski racer was concentrating on testing out the course as a forerunner. Soon, it will be her first World Cup race. Possibly later, the 2026 Winter Games at one of her favorite venues in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Vonn was one of three forerunners to test out the Birds of Prey course before the racers in the field went through a training run. Federica Brignone of Italy had the fastest time on a Birds of Prey course that’s new to quite a few racers.m�m>�͏���6�}���<}j�G~m��m��0�M�k0�Y�\" �2�AJA3t��%,+.�>'Vu�zU;�;��^5��8��X9�х�IǓ>W='O^\_I���i<1&�yh��~��F���M� *�M�
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Article content The Toronto Raptors added to their Canadian content on Wednesday when they signed guard AJ Lawson to a two-way contract, the NBA team announced. The six-foot-six, 185-pound guard from Toronto averaged 24.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 35.1 minutes in 11 games (all starts) this season with the Long Island Nets, the G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets. Lawson has career averages of 3.4 points, 1.2 rebounds and 7.4 minutes in 57 career NBA games with the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves over the last two seasons. During this span, he also averaged 21.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 34.1 minutes in seven games with the Texas Legends in the 2023-24 G League season and 20.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 31.9 minutes in 22 games with the Legends, Iowa Wolves and the College Park Skyhawks in the 2022-23 campaign. Lawson played three collegiate seasons (2018-21) at South Carolina where he posted averages of 14.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 30.2 minutes in 81 career games. The signing comes with the Raptors dealing with injuries to all-star Scottie Barnes and point guard Immanuel Quickley. The Raptors return to action Thursday against the Heat in Miami.Dallas (7-8) at Philadelphia (12-3) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox BetMGM NFL Odds: Eagles by 7 1/2 Against the spread: Dallas 6-9; Philadelphia 9-6 Series record: Cowboys lead 74-58. Last meeting: Jalen Hurts threw two touchdowns and ran for two more in the Eagles’ 34-6 rout of the Cowboys at Dallas on Nov. 10. Last week: Cowboys defeated the Buccaneers 26-24; Eagles lost 36-33 at Washington. Cowboys offense: overall (16), rush (28), pass (10), scoring (20) Cowboys defense: overall (27), rush (27), pass (21), scoring (30) Eagles offense: overall (6), rush (1), pass (31), scoring (8) Eagles defense: overall (1), rush (9), pass (2), scoring (5) Turnover differential: Cowboys minus-3; Eagles plus-6 RB Saquon Barkley is 162 yards shy of becoming the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season and needs 268 yards to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards, set in 1984. In his past five games, QB Cooper Rush has passed for nine touchdowns and one interception, looking more comfortable of late after taking over for Dak Prescott in November. Rush is 9-2 as a starter against teams that are not the Eagles. Dallas’s rushing defense vs. Barkley. Can anyone stop him? The Cowboys will be the latest to try to corral Barkley, who has 1,838 rushing yards and 2,114 scrimmage yards, both of which lead the NFL. Dallas ranks 28th in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing an average of 135.9 yards a game. Philadelphia, behind Barkley’s stellar play, tops the league at 187.9 yards a game on the ground. Cowboys: WR CeeDee Lamb will miss the final two games after getting shut down over the sprained right shoulder he's been dealing with the second half of the season. ... LB Eric Kendricks (calf) warmed up but wasn’t able to play against Tampa Bay last week. Eagles: Hurts was ruled out. He remained in the concussion protocol after leaving the game following a 13-yard scramble with 9:52 left in the first quarter last week. Kenny Pickett is starting in his place. ... DE Josh Sweat (ankle) and Jordan Davis also left the game at Washington early. ... QB Ian Book was signed to the practice squad Thursday. The Cowboys made the playoffs in each of the previous three seasons, but were eliminated prior to their game against Tampa Bay last week when the Commanders came back from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat Philadelphia. ... Dallas is 5-2 on the road. ... The Eagles can clinch the NFC East and one of the conference's top two seeds with a victory. ... On Jan. 11, 1981, the Eagles defeated the Cowboys 20-7 at their former home, Veterans Stadium. Wilbert Montgomery rushed for a 42-yard touchdown to give Philadelphia an early lead that propelled the Eagles to their first Super Bowl appearance. LB Micah Parsons needs half a sack to reach double digits in sacks for the fourth straight season to begin his career and would become just the fifth player to accomplish the feat in NFL history. ... K Brandon Aubrey made a 53-yard and two 58-yard field goals against the Buccaneers, upping his league-leading total to 14 made of 50-plus yards. ... Pickett went 14 of 24 for 143 yards and a TD in relief of Hurts last week. Pickett, a 2022 first-round pick, is no stranger to starting, going 14-10 as Pittsburgh’s QB earlier in his career. ... Defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected against Washington for committing two unsportsmanlike penalties. ... The Eagles already set a team record for rushing yards in a season with 2,818, and they are within four rushing touchdowns of tying the club’s best single-season mark of 32, set in 2022. ... Barkley needs just 33 yards from scrimmage to break McCoy’s mark of 2,146 scrimmage yards, set in 2013. ... WR A.J. Brown leads the NFL with 16.3 yards a catch and ranks ninth in the league with 1,043 receiving yards, joining Mike Quick (1983–85) as the only Philadelphia players to have three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Philadelphia’s defense is tied for ninth in the NFL with a plus-6 turnover margin. With Hurts sidelined, Philadelphia giving up an uncharacteristic 36 points last week and the chance to clinch the division, the Eagles defense likely will be extra motivated to have a good performance against a Dallas offense that ranks 21st in the league in points. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Israeli attorney general orders probe into report that alleged Netanyahu’s wife harassed opponentsMark Gastineau, exastro de los Jets de Nueva York, confrontó a Brett Favre el año pasado en una exposición de reliquias deportivas y acusó al mariscal de campo miembro del Salón de la Fama de dejarse caer deliberadamente en una captura que rompió un récord. La discusión acalorada se muestra en el documental de ESPN 30 por 30 “The New York Sack Exchange”, que se estrena el viernes. Este documental retrata a los integrantes del temible cuarteto de la línea defensiva de los Jets en la década de 1980, que incluía a Gastineau, al miembro del Salón de la Fama Joe Klecko, a Marty Lyons y al fallecido Abdul Salaam. Gastineau estableció un récord de la NFL con 22 capturas en 1984, pero el miembro del Salón de la Fama Michael Strahan rompió la marca en 2002, cuando capturó a Favre durante un duelo entre los Giants y los Packers. Fue una jugada controvertida en la que muchos han acusado a Favre de sufrir la captura a propósito para que Strahan pudiera establecer el récord de una sola temporada con 22 1/2. El documental muestra a Gastineau, quien se aproxima a Favre durante un evento en Chicago. Los dos se dan la mano, y Favre comenta que posiblemente se han conocido anteriormente. RELATED COVERAGE Juan Soto recibe suite de lujo y hasta 4 entradas premium en contrato de 765 millones con los Mets Jónsdóttir anota 4 y Wolfsburgo asegura cuartos al aplastar 6-1 a Roma en Liga de Campeonas Tyson Fury promete menos payasadas y más golpes a Usyk en la revancha por el título de los pesados Luego Gastineau le dice al exmariscal de campo: “Sí, claro, cuando te caíste por él. Voy a recuperar mi captura. Voy a recuperar mi captura, amigo”. Favre intenta tomar la situación a la ligera, al decir en broma: Gastineau “probablemente me lastimaría”. El otrora rey de las capturas responde: “Bueno, no me importa. Me lastimaste. ¡Me lastimaste! ¿Me oyes? Realmente me lastimaste. Realmente me lastimaste, Brett”. La situación se calmó rápidamente cuando Favre fue escoltado para salir del área. En una entrevista mostrada en el documental, Gastineau reitera lo que le dijo a Favre en persona. “Cualquiera te dirá que Brett Favre se dejó caer”, dijo. Después de que el clip se volvió viral en las redes sociales el martes, Favre publicó un hilo en X para aclarar la situación sobre el video que mostraba “un pequeño altercado” entre él y Gastineau. “Salí de una carrera pensando que estaría completamente solo, vi a Strahan allí y me agaché”, dijo Favre. “El partido había terminado. No había necesidad de hacer algo espectacular. Probablemente no fue la mejor captura o derribo para pérdida de yardas que haya logrado Michael”. Favre se cayó, Strahan consiguió la captura y estableció el récord de la NFL, que en 2021 fue igualado por T.J. Watt de Pittsburgh. “En un partido o situación diferente, habría hecho un mayor esfuerzo para evitar la captura”, dijo Favre sobre el encuentro final de la temporada regular, ganado 34-25 por Green Bay. “Pero en ningún momento pensé en lastimar a Gastineau. Quizás cruzó por mi mente ayudar a Strahan. No lo pensé bien. Eso no era mi fuerte en ese momento”. Gastineau, quien fue uno de los primeros reyes de las capturas de la liga y una de las personalidades más reconocidas, no está en el Salón de la Fama. “Ahora veo cómo ser el Rey de las Capturas elevaría su valor en las exhibiciones de tarjetas, fortalecería sus argumentos para el Salón de la Fama, aumentaría su demanda como orador público”, escribió Favre. “No tenía forma de saber eso entonces. Ahora me doy cuenta de las posibles implicaciones financieras porque el fútbol americano va mucho más orientado a los negocios que cuando Mark y yo jugábamos. “No hubo malicia de mi parte”. Favre agregó que entiende la frustración de Gastineau pero dijo: “No soy su enemigo”. Lamenta que el incidente fuera filmado y revelado al público. “Fue un momento privado de frustración entre dos viejos guerreros del fútbol”, dijo Favre, quien agregó que tiene “un gran respeto” por Gastineau y espera que algún día se una a él en el Salón de la Fama del Fútbol Americano. “Mark definitivamente dejó una marca indeleble en este deporte”, escribió Favre. “Espero que esta controversia llame la atención sobre cuán grande fue Mark Gastineau. Pertenece en Canton. Feliz Navidad a todos”. ___ Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.Wahab remembers Benazir as champion of human rights Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab seen in his office.— APP/File Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Friday expressed homage to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto on the occasion of her death anniversary. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); In a statement, he said the late Benazir was a champion of human rights and an unparalleled political figure. "Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was the voice of the oppressed," Wahab said, highlighting her commitment to advocating for religious harmony and carrying forward the political legacy of her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The Karachi mayor praised her unwavering resistance to dictatorship, stating that Benazir always stood against authoritarianism and defeated it. He acknowledged her sacrifice in the fight against terrorism. "She waged a war against terrorism and embraced martyrdom in the process," he said. Wahab opined that Benazir’s political journey consistently strengthened democracy in the country and her assassination was an attempt to harm Pakistan. The two tenures of Benazir as prime minister were exemplary periods of public service and economic progress, Wahab said. He also credited President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto for advancing Benazir’s mission of public welfare and safeguarding rights. Under Benazir’s vision, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and local government institutions remained dedicated to serving the people, he said.