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Lionel Messi picked for Argentina squad for upcoming World Cup qualifying matches

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:21:48 GMT

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Lionel Messi was picked Thursday for Argentina’s next two World Cup qualifying matches despite muscular pains that have kept him off the field for two weeks.The 36-year-old Messi has missed five of Inter Miami’s last six matches. The Argentina captain also missed his national team’s 3-0 win at Bolivia on Sept. 12.Messi’s most recent appearance was at his team’s match against Toronto on Sept. 20, during which he was substituted at halftime because of muscular pains.Argentina will face Paraguay in Buenos Aires on Oct. 12 and then visit Peru five days later.Argentina and Brazil lead the South American World Cup qualifying standings with two wins from two matches.

No. 17 Miami’s rolling offense facing a Georgia Tech defense coming off coordinator shakeup

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:21:48 GMT

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami’s offense is rolling. Georgia Tech’s defense is not.In simplest terms, that’ll be the story when the 17th-ranked Hurricanes (4-0, 0-0) open Atlantic Coast Conference play on Saturday night against the Yellow Jackets (2-3, 1-1). Georgia Tech is coming off a 38-27 loss to Bowling Green last week, one that led to Kevin Sherrer being elevated to defensive coordinator.And that almost certainly means Miami will see looks from Georgia Tech that haven’t appeared on film yet this season. But the Hurricanes think they’re ready for any surprises.“We’re systematic on offense,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “Yeah, we like certain things against certain things, but should we be in a situation where we do get some kind of surprise look schematically, rules take over. We’re built on rules. If something shows up that we haven’t seen, trust your rules and go execute.”The rules are working. Miami enters the week with the ninth-best rushing offense in the nation at ...

Zelenskyy to visit Romania amid Russia’s ongoing border attacks

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:21:48 GMT

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Romania next week for the first time since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.The Ukrainian president will meet with his Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis as well as other senior officials in the country, according to Romanian media outlet Digi24.Russia has hammered Ukrainian Danube river ports for months at the frontier with Romania, with debris from Moscow’s drones found on Romanian soil after a blitz by the Kremlin’s forces. A potential visit to Romania was first announced by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal in an exclusive interview he gave to the same news outlet in August but didn’t reveal the exact dates of the visit.Romania has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, as it fends off Russia’s aggression. More than half of Ukrainian exports using the EU’s solidarity lanes — corridors set up to facilitate transit by road, rail and inland waterway — come through Romania.In the early ...

Firefighters respond to fire in East Boston

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:21:48 GMT

One resident was displaced Friday after a fire broke out in a building in East Boston, the Boston Fire Department said. The fire department in a post on X said companies responded to the scene on Trustman Terrace around 9:30 a.m.The fire department shared photos from the emergency response, showing smoke at one point coming from the building. Officials said no one was injured and said the cause of the fire remained under investigation as of Friday morning.https://twitter.com/BostonFire/status/1710300837052825644

Jersey Tom Brady wore in his final game headed to auction

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:21:48 GMT

(CNN) — The jersey Tom Brady wore in the last game of his 23-season career is heading to auction in Las Vegas next month, where it could fetch as much as $2.5 million.If snagged at that price, it would be the most valuable football jersey sold at an auction.Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers No. 12 jersey will be featured in an auction held by RM Sotheby’s and Wynn Las Vegas in association with Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 17, according to auction organizers. Its listed price range is between $1.5 million and $2.5 million.The jersey San Francisco 49ers legend Joe Montana wore in Super Bowl XIX and Super Bowl XXIII currently holds the football jersey record, selling for $1,212,000 in March, according to Goldin Auctions.Brady’s final-game attire is in excellent condition, consistent with game use, and has visible grass stains and field marks, the statement said.Brady, then 45, donned the jersey on January 16 against the Dallas Cowboys in a wildcar...

Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid commits to playing for Team USA at 2024 Paris Olympics

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:21:48 GMT

(CNN) — Philadelphia 76ers star and reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid announced that he has committed to playing for USA Basketball at next year’s Paris Olympics.Embiid, who was born in Cameroon and holds American and French citizenship, previously told reporters that it would be a “tough choice” to decide which of those three countries he would represent.“I’m really proud and excited about this decision. It was not easy. I am blessed to call Cameroon, France, and the USA home,” Embiid said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday.“After talking to my family, I knew it had to be Team USA. I want to play with my brothers in the league. I want to play for my fans because they’ve been incredible since the day I came here.“But most of all, I want to honor my son who was born in the US. I want my boy to know I played my first Olympics for him.”Embiid reportedly joins NBA superstars LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, among others, who have expressed interest in pla...

A painting valued at $15,000 turned out to be by Rembrandt. It could now sell for $18 million

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:21:48 GMT

London (CNN) — A painting valued at $15,000 just two years ago is now expected to fetch up to $18 million at auction after being identified as the work of the Dutch master Rembrandt.“The Adoration of the Kings” has been virtually unseen since the 1950s, when it first came to light.It was acquired by collector J.C.H. Heldring in Amsterdam in 1955. His widow sold it to a German family in 1985, where it remained until it was sold by Christie’s in Amsterdam two years ago.At the time of the sale, Christie’s attributed the biblical scene to the “Circle of Rembrandt,” suggesting it had been carried out by a student or an artist close to the famous painter, and estimated its value at between €10,000 and €15,000 ($10,600-$15,800).The monochromatic painting, which measures 9.6 x 7.3 inches (24.5 x 18.5 centimeters), was purchased by an anonymous buyer for €860,000 ($908,000) at the Christie’s sale.Although that was more than 50 times the painting’s estimated...

Patriots captain notes two recent signings could make impact

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:21:48 GMT

FOXBORO — The Patriots have two young defenders on their practice squad that bear monitoring.The Patriots didn’t immediately replace Daniel Ekuale on their 53-man roster after placing the veteran defensive tackle on injured reserve with a biceps injury, but they did sign defensive tackles Manny Jones and Trysten Hill to their practice squad.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots mailbag: Bill Belichick voiced concerning take on offense New England Patriots | Callahan: The Patriots won’t admit it, but Sunday is a must-win game New England Patriots | Assessing Patriots’ 2023 veteran additions after four weeks New England Patriots | Patriots-Saints injury report: Rhamondre Stevenson (thigh) limited again Thursday New England Patriots | J.C. Jackson appears in Massachusetts court one day after returning to the Patriots: He must complete reckless driving course by next week The Patriots typical...

As Orioles prepare for the playoffs, Camden Yards gets ready to feed the masses

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:21:48 GMT

Ryan Perlberg has seen Oriole Park at Camden Yards through the ups and the downs.His gourmet hot dog business, Stuggy’s, has been a staple at the ballpark for 11 years, slinging franks topped with jumbo lump crabmeat, macaroni and cheese, chili, jerk chicken and more from a stall in Section 71 on the stadium’s lower level.For some of those years — when the Orioles had a losing record and sparse attendance — business could be slow. This season has been a different story.“We’ve been there when it was a lot harder times,” Perlberg said last week, as the team clinched the division and geared up for its first postseason appearance since 2016. “To be along for the journey through all the bad years and the good years makes the good years taste sweeter.”With the Orioles scheduled to host Game 1 of the American League Division Series at 1:03 p.m. Saturday, Camden Yards’ concessions vendors have been doing some prep work of...

The Chicago Bears and Justin Fields have found some mojo on offense. Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts on the skid-breaking 40-20 win.

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:21:48 GMT

10 thoughts after the Chicago Bears had another huge offensive game, jumping out early on the Washington Commanders and then burying them late in a 40-20 victory Thursday night at FedEx Field.The Bears’ first win of the season snapped a 14-game losing streak hours after the team announced Pro Football Hall of Famer and Chicago native Dick Butkus died at age 80.1. If the Bears have established an offensive identity in the last two games, things could get interesting.They put up 451 yards Thursday and 471 on Sunday in the gut-wrenching loss to the Denver Broncos. Who in the world figured the Bears would amass 922 yards in a five-day span?Two games doesn’t prove the Bears have figured things out on that side of the ball, but there’s a lot to dive into that is very positive.First, though, let’s talk about how the victory changed the mood for a team that desperately needed it, especially after blowing a 21-point lead at home last week in the final 16 minutes.T...