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Jones says he’s still Australia’s long-term saviour amid Rugby World Cup woes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:06 GMT

LYON, France (AP) — Following Australia’s worst Rugby World Cup defeat that pushed it to the verge of its earliest Rugby World Cup exit, coach Eddie Jones insisted he’s still the man to turn the Wallabies around.The Wallabies had to stop unbeaten Wales on Sunday in Lyon to keep alive their perfect record of making the quarters at every tournament. But they were thrashed 40-6.Wales’ biggest win over Australia propelled it to the quarterfinals with a game to spare in Pool C, while Australia’s fate was no longer in its hands.It could beat Portugal next weekend to even its pool record at 2-2, but could be overtaken by Fiji if the latter beats Georgia and Portugal.Jones was a forlorn figure after his Wallabies were sunk by three tries and the boot of Gareth Anscombe.Rugby Australia ruthlessly sacked Dave Rennie in January due to a 38% win record, and immediately brought aboard Jones, 20 years after he led the Wallabies to the 2003 Rugby World Cup final. RA gave Jo...

Juan Soto’s soaring homer and 4 RBIs help the Padres rout the Cardinals 12-2

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:06 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Juan Soto hit a 461-foot homer and had four RBIs for the San Diego Padres, who were pushed closer to elimination from the playoff picture even as they beat the St. Louis Cardinals 12-2 in their home finale Sunday.Right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. made a spectacular leaping catch to rob pinch-hitter Michael Siani of a home run in the sixth. Tatis did a little dance and acknowledged the crowd’s ovation. Tatis began his career as a shortstop but took over in right after he returned April 20 from an 80-game PED suspension. He missed all of last year with injuries and the suspension.Jose Azocar also homered for the Padres, who had nine extra-base hits in winning for the ninth time in 10 games. Their best stretch of the season is likely coming too late to avoid an embarrassing pratfall. The Padres came into this season with World Series aspirations after reaching the NL Championship Series last fall but have been a major disappointment. They’ve been under .500 ...

Miami commissioners vote to leave Diaz de la Portilla’s district seat open in wake of arrest on corruption charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:06 GMT

Miami City commissioners voted unanimously to leave the District 1 seat open after Alex Diaz de la Portilla was arrested on corruption charges earlier this month.Commissioners discussed the matter during a meeting held Saturday.“lt is the citizens’ right to elect their representative,” said City Commission Chairwoman Christine King.“At most, they’re going to serve for five days. It doesn’t make sense at all,” said City Commission Vice Chair Joe Carollo.Before the vote, there was public comment.“Not to appointment someone. Simple fact is, I do not trust you,” said a woman.“I come here to ask you appoint a replacement, because it’s important that we ensure the continued functioning of this body in government,” said a man.A day after Diaz de la Portilla was arrested on money laundering and bribery charges, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended him from his commission duties.Diaz de la Portilla said the charges are po...

Megan Rapinoe gets triumphant send-off as United States beats South Africa 2-0

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:06 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Megan Rapinoe got a triumphant send-off, and the United States beat South Africa 2-0 on Sunday.Trinity Rodman and Emily Sonnett scored, and the U.S. sent its captain toward retirement with one final victory as a member of the national team.The 38-year-old Rapinoe was presented a framed jersey representing her 203 games with the United States prior to the win, and she raised her arms as the crowd roared.Rodman gave the U.S. more to celebrate when she drilled the ball into the net off a cross from Alex Morgan in the 18th minute. Rapinoe was the first to hug her.Sonnett made it 2-0 with a header in the 49th minute and then jumped into Rapinoe’s arms. Rapinoe came close to scoring, but missed just high on a free kick. She exited the international stage for one final time to a standing ovation in the 54th minute, kissing and hugging her teammates and blowing a kiss to the crowd and bowing.Rapinoe announced in July that she was retiring after an illustrious career tha...

Suspect in 2022 Quincy murder of 17-year-old intercepted in Puerto Rico

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:06 GMT

The last at-large suspect involved in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Nathan Paul in Quincy in February 2022 was captured in Puerto Rico and awaits arraignment in Massachusetts, Norfolk DA Michael Morrissey said Sunday afternoon.“State Police assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney’s office and Quincy Police have been working with the US Marshals Service and the the Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section of the Massachusetts State Police to first locate, then return this defendant to Massachusetts since this indictment issued 16 months ago,” said DA Morrissey.Weymouth High School student Nathan Paul was fatally shot inside an SUV on Feb. 15, 2022.Following the shooting, four juvenile suspects were indicted on charges including stealing from the victim while two suspects were indicted on murder charges. Police reportedly previously stated the group met with Paul to buy drugs with counterfeit money around the Palmer Road area of Quincy, shooting the victim during the exchange...

Dry, cool fall forecast ahead after wet Monday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:06 GMT

The mercury will continue to drop to a cooler, more seasonal range through the week, according to the National Weather Service, as the New England region officially moves into autumn.While North Carolina deals with the impacts of a weakened Hurricane Ophelia’s landfall, Boston will be spared any major storms for at least the following few days, Rob Megnia, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told the Herald.“We’re trending towards seasonal weather to start the week, with high temps in the mid to upper 60s through Wednesday, although we may be a little on the wet side tomorrow, especially the further south of I-90 you go,” he said.Monday morning could come with a bit of rain as a result of the southern hurricane, Megnia said, when the temperatures are expected to stay around 60 degrees. Winds out of the northeast could reach 15 mph, according to NWS.“That’s about it. We don’t really have any significant rain chances in the forecast,” he said.Monday evening, according t...

Boston College suspends swimming, diving program amid hazing allegations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:06 GMT

Boston College has suspended the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams while it investigates reports of hazing, allegations strongly disputed by athletes who have hired attorneys and demanded retractions of the accusations.An initial statement from the university’s athletic department Wednesday said the situation will be handled through an investigation by the Office of the Dean of Students.Allegations of hazing for both university teams were first published last week in The Heights, Boston College’s student-run newspaper. The report cited an administration letter alleging that freshmen being told to “binge drink and consume their own vomit.”On Thursday, the college posted on its website a clarified statement that “Boston College Athletics has suspended the activities of the Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving teams following credible reports of hazing.”The report in the Heights spurred a response from Nesenoff & Miltenberg LLP attorneys Andrew Miltenbe...

Patriots TE Pharaoh Brown becomes unlikely hero in 15-10 win over Jets

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:06 GMT

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The last time Pharaoh Brown scored a touchdown longer than 50 yards he was in college.No surprise, as he capped a 58-yard rumble to the end zone Sunday, the Patriots’ third-string tight end celebrated like it.Brown’s touchdown hoisted the Pats to a critical early lead in their 15-10 win over the Jets. He finished with two catches for a team-high 71 yards, and became the Patriots’ unlikely hero in their first win. Brown’s touchdown stands as offense’s longest gain of the season and its only explosive passing play of the last two weeks.A seven-year journeyman, Brown signed in New England on Sept. 4 because of his familiarity with offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, who coached him in Houston. Against the Jets, O’Brien sprung him loose on a play-action pass that had the Jets charging toward the line of scrimmage to stop a run that never came.“It was a great freaking sell by the line with the play-action. They bit, and Ma...

Chicago Cubs sweep the Colorado Rockies to enter the final week of the regular season in playoff position

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:06 GMT

Patrick Wisdom had made his way through the Chicago Cubs dugout, slapping high-fives with his teammates to celebrate his go-ahead two-run homer, when he reached the camera well.The season hasn’t played out how Wisdom envisioned at the onset, when he logged most of the playing time at third base. He has been reduced to a platoon role, predominantly playing against left-handers both in spot starts and pinch-hitting opportunities. His two-run homer in the sixth inning off Colorado Rockies lefty Ty Blach served as the decisive blow in the Cubs’ 4-3 win Sunday for a three-game sweep.“In the moment, I wasn’t really thinking, especially in the (batter’s) box, ‘Oh, if I hit a home run we’re going to go ahead,’ but it kind of hit me as I was rounding the bases,” Wisdom said. “Just hearing Wrigley erupt and seeing the dugout when you’re rounding second explode is really cool. It’s a hard feeling to replicate and just grat...

Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis makes stop in Coronado for event

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:13:06 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Florida Gov. and Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis is visiting Coronado for a Veterans appreciation event, his campaign said.The gathering will be at 6 p.m. at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2422 on Orange Avenue, DeSantis officials said in a press release Friday.DeSantis' visit comes ahead of the second Republican presidential debate on Sept. 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. First Lady Jill Biden visits San Diego for fundraiser; Mayor Gloria welcomes Several campaigns have said they've satisfied the marks to participate in Wednesday's debate, including DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former Vice President Mike Pence. Former President Donald Trump missed the first debate and plans to meet with current and former union workers in Michigan instead of attending the second debate. The attendance of North Dako...