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Kentucky women's basketball upsets LSU on last second 3-pointer

20:06
Kentucky women's basketball upsets LSU on last second 3-pointer

Guard Tonie Morgan hit the winning 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds remaining to lift the No. 12-ranked Kentucky women's basketball team over No. 5 LSU, 80-78, at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rogue, Louisiana, on Thursday.

It was the first loss for the Tigers (14-1, 0-1 SEC), who set an NCAA record earlier this season by scoring 100-plus points in eight consecutive games.

Morgan led the Wildcats (14-1, 1-0 SEC) with 24 points, including three 3-pointers. She added 12 assists for her third double-double of the season. Teonni Key added 17 points and 16 rebounds for a double-double of her own. Clara Strack had 15 points and nine rebounds.

FOR THE WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😼| 80-78 |🐅📺https://t.co/xvzCxDPL5x📊https://t.co/VNmgfDxiNv📻https://t.co/gXjkVj9NCo@SECx#KentuckyWBBpic.twitter.com/89wJ03ydhJ

— Kentucky Women's Basketball (@KentuckyWBB)January 2, 2026

Kentucky had 17 offensive rebounds and 18 second-chance points, compared to four for LSU.

The Tigers led 75-69 with 5:03 to go in the game. They failed to score a field goal the rest of the way. Mikaylah Williams scored 26 points to lead four players in double figures for LSU.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Kentucky women's basketball upsets LSU on last second 3-pointer

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Dylan Guenther has 1st career hat trick to send Mammoth to 7-2 victory over Isles

20:06
Dylan Guenther has 1st career hat trick to send Mammoth to 7-2 victory over Isles

NEW YORK (AP) — Dylan Guenther had his first career hat trick and added an assist and the Utah Mammoth topped the New York Islanders 7-2 on Thursday.

Nick Schmaltz scored twice and added an assist, Clayton Keller and Mikhail Sergachev each had a goal and two assists, while Lawson Crouse and Barrett Hayton each had two assists. Karel Vejmelka returned from a two-game absence and finished with 20 saves as the Mammoth snapped a two-game skid.

Cal Ritchie and Matthew Schaefer scored for New York, and Max Shabanov had two assists. David Rittich made nine saves on 14 shots, but was replaced by Marcus Hogberg 5:41 into the third period.

Guenther scored his second goal of the game when he buried a backhand feed from Crouse to give Utah a 2-1 lead midway through the second period. He also opened the scoring just 36 seconds into the middle period.

The Islanders briefly tied it 1-1 early in the second period when Ritchie fired a wrist shot over the glove of Vejmelka.

Schmaltz beat Rittich with less than four minutes remaining in the second period to extend Utah's lead to two goals.

Mammoth forward Alex Kerfoot took a four-minute high-sticking penalty late in the second, but the Islanders didn't capitalize on the ensuing power play.

Sergachev and Keller scored in the first six minutes of the third period to stretch Utah's lead to 5-1 and prompt the Islanders to change goaltenders.

Guenther completed the hat trick and scored his 20th goal of the season by sliding the puck between the legs of Hogberg with less than seven minutes remaining.

Schaefer scored a power-play goal midway through the third period for his 10th of the season.

Mammoth: visit the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

Islanders: host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

AP NHL:https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

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Lamar Jackson injury update: Ravens QB says he is playing vs. Steelers

20:06
Lamar Jackson injury update: Ravens QB says he is playing vs. Steelers

Will Lamar Jackson play on Sunday vs. thePittsburgh Steelers? According to Lamar Jackson, yes.

TheBaltimore Ravenspasser was injured inWeek 16, suffering a back contusion that sidelined him for Baltimore'sWeek 17matchup vs. the theGreen Bay Packers. Luckily, the Ravens downed Green Bay to keep their playoff hopes intact.

While there was some question surrounding Jackson's availability for the winner-take-allWeek 18matchup vs. the Steelers, the passer said on New Year's Day that he will definitely suit up.

"100%, I'm gonna be out there,"Jackson saidwhen asked if he's playing vs. their AFC North rivals on Sunday. ... "Looking forward to playing Sunday. And not just me, I feel like all of us, all phases."

Jackson was kneed in the back by a New England Patriots defender in Week 16, forcing him out for half of the matchup and the subsequent week vs. Green Bay. After practicing earlier in the week, Jackson said he will start on Sunday.

That's good news for the Ravens, who must win to get their ticket punched to the NFL playoffs. Should the Ravens win, they'll take the division and eliminate the Steelers in the process.

Here's the latest on Jackson and his injury:

Week 6: Washington Commanders wide receiver Chris Moore (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the Week 6: Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Falcons played the game while sporting throwback uniforms that harken back to the team's inaugural season of 1966. Week 6: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen operates at the line of scrimmage before a play against the Atlanta Falcons during a Week 6: Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young looks for a receiver against the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers wore this uniform combination for the first time in the 30-27 win. <p style=Week 5: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel makes a catch against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. The Bills wore their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 5: Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray makes a throw during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals wore their all-black uniforms, but were defeated 22-21. <p style=Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits the snap against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Both teams wore throwback uniforms in the Buccaneers' 38-35 win. The Buccaneers and Seahawks entered the NFL together as expansion teams in 1976.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 5: Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) is congratulated by teammate AJ Barner (88) after catching a touchdown pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Lumen Field. The Seahawks wore throwback uniforms harkening back to the team's original look from 1976-2001. Week 5: Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) runs against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter at SoFi Stadium. The Chargers wore monochrome powder blue uniform pants and jerseys for the first time. Week 5: New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) is tackled by the Dallas Cowboys' Trevon Diggs (7) and Juanyeh Thomas (2) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. The Cowboys wore their Week 5: New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields stands in the pocket against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets wore their all-black uniforms in the 37-22 loss. <p style=Week 4: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hands the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Week 4: Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane rushes the ball against the New York Jets during a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Week 4: The Arizona Cardinals defense tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) during the first quarter of a "Thursday Night Football" game at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals became the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 3: Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar (88) makes a catch during his team's <p style=Week 3: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The Saints wore their all-white uniform and helmet combo for the first time in the 44-13 loss.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Week 3: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers wore throwback jerseys - an homage to the team's 1950s look, as well as its 1994 Super Bowl-winning season - in the 16-15 win against the Cardinals.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 3: New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium. New England brought out its iconic Week 3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) runs with the ball as New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner attempts to make the tackle during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers wore their famous Week 3: Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns debuted their Week 3: Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis (2) celebrates after making an interception in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium. The Jaguars wore their Week 3: Carolina Panthers tight end JaTavion Saunders runs with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers wore their special black helmets in the 30-0 win. <p style=Week 2: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sporting "The Vikings Classic" throwback uniform inspired by the team's look during the 1960s and '70s, Minnesota was defeated, 22-6.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Week 2: The Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons (1) reacts during a Week 1: New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara scores a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals at Caesars Superdome. The Saints wore their reimagined

Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season

Lamar Jackson injury update

The Ravens passer says he is "100%" starting in a do-or-die Week 18 matchup vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jackson told reporters on New Year's Day that he will also wear some protective padding around the injury to further protect himself from injury as he recovers.

Jackson was injured inWeek 16 vs. the New England Patriots, taking a hit to his lower back to put him out the rest of the matchup.

Ravens QB depth chart

Here's how the QB room stacks up with Jackson's return this week:

  1. Lamar Jackson

  2. Tyler Huntley

  3. Cooper Rush

In Jackson's absence, Huntley started and helpeddown the Packers in Week 17to keep their playoff hopes alive. Jackson is set to start once again in Week 18.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Lamar Jackson injury update: Is Ravens QB playing in Week 18?

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Maduro open to US talks on drug trafficking, but silent on CIA strike

19:34
Maduro open to US talks on drug trafficking, but silent on CIA strike

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela is open to negotiating an agreement with the United States tocombat drug trafficking, the South American country's President Nicolás Maduro said in a pretaped interview aired Thursday on state television, but he declined to comment on a CIA-led strike last week at a Venezuelan docking area that the Trump administration believed was used by cartels.

Maduro, in an interview with Spanish journalist Ignacio Ramonet, reiterated that the U.S. wants to force a government change in Venezuela and gain access to its vast oil reserves through the monthslong pressure campaign that began witha massive military deployment to the Caribbean Seain August.

"What are they seeking? It is clear that they seek to impose themselves through threats, intimidation and force," Maduro said, later adding thatit is time for both nations to "start talking seriously, with data in hand."

"The U.S. government knows, because we've told many of their spokespeople, that if they want to seriously discuss an agreement to combat drug trafficking, we're ready," he said. "If they want oil, Venezuela is ready for U.S. investment, like with Chevron, whenever they want it, wherever they want it and however they want it."

Chevron Corp. is the only major oil company exporting Venezuelan crude to the U.S. Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves.

The interview was taped onNew Year's Eve, the same day the U.S. military announced strikes against five alleged drug-smuggling boats. The latest attacks bring the total number of known boat strikes to 35 and the number of people killed to at least 115, according to numbers announced by the Trump administration. Venezuelans are among the victims.

President Donald Trump hasjustified the attacksas a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and asserted that the U.S. is engaged in an"armed conflict" with drug cartels. The strikes began off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and later expanded to the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Meanwhile, the CIA was behinda drone strike last weekat a docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels, according to two people familiar with details of the operation who requested anonymity to discuss the classified matter. It was the first known direct operation on Venezuelan soil since the boat strikes began, a significant escalation in the administration'spressure campaignon Maduro, who has been charged with narco-terrorism in the U.S.

Asked about the operation on Venezuelan soil, Maduro said he could "talk about it in a few days."

Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani contributed to this report from Washington.

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Asia's factories end 2025 on firmer footing as orders pick up

19:34
Asia's factories end 2025 on firmer footing as orders pick up

SINGAPORE, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Asia's factory powerhouses closed 2025 on a firmer footing, with activity swinging back to growth in several key economies as export orders ​picked up, helped by new product launches.

Purchasing managers' indexes (PMIs) released by S&P Global on ‌Friday showed factory activity in the major tech exporting economies of South Korea and Taiwan snapping months of declines ‌in December, while most Southeast Asian nations maintained brisk growth.

They followed PMIs released for China on Tuesday, which also showed an unexpected turnaround in factory activity in the world's second-largest economy, helped by a pre-holiday surge in orders.

While it is too early to say whether Asia's largest exporters are ⁠adjusting to U.S. tariffs, a ‌pickup in global demand had given some manufacturers cause for optimism heading into the new year.

"Taiwan's manufacturing sector ended 2025 on a high, with firms ‍signalling fresh increases in production and overall new business amid reports of firmer demand conditions," said Annabel Fiddes, Economics Associate Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

"There were signs that companies anticipate the recovery to ​continue into 2026, with manufacturers building their inventories and expressing stronger optimism around future output."

Taiwan's ‌PMI rose to 50.9 in December from 48.8 in November, breaking above the 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction for the first time in 10 months.

Similarly, South Korea's PMI rose to 50.1 from 49.4, the first expansionary reading since September.

Both economies are among the world's largest manufacturers of semiconductors, which have benefited enormously from a booming market forartificial intelligence.

South Korea's ⁠PMI survey showed the steepest rise in new orders ​since November 2024.

"According to manufacturers, new product launches and ​improved external demand drove the improvement in sales, while confidence in the outlook also improved markedly in December to reach its highest level since May 2022," ‍said Usamah Bhatti, economist ⁠at S&P Global Market Intelligence. "In turn, firms were encouraged to raise both employment levels and purchasing activity."

Elsewhere in Asia, factories mostly sustained activity growth although Indonesia and Vietnam reported ⁠slight moderations in expansion.

Separately, Singapore on Friday reported a pickup in economic growth for 2025 to 4.8% from ‌4.4% in 2024.

S&P Global will release the Japanese PMI on Monday.

(Reporting by bureaus; ‌Writing by Sam Holmes; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)

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China taxes condoms, contraceptive drugs in bid to spur birth rate

19:34
China taxes condoms, contraceptive drugs in bid to spur birth rate

HONG KONG, Jan 2 (Reuters) - China removed a three-decade-old tax exemption on contraceptive drugs and ​devices from January 1 in new steps ‌to spur a flagging birth rate.

Condoms and contraceptive pills now ‌incur value-added tax of 13%, the standard rate for most consumer goods.

The move comes as Beijing struggles to boost birth rates in the world's second-largest economy. ⁠China's population fell ‌for a third consecutive year in 2024 and experts have cautioned the downturn will ‍continue.

China exempted childcare subsidies from personal income tax and rolled out an annual childcare subsidy last year, following ​a series of "fertility-friendly" measures in 2024, such as ‌urging colleges and universities to provide "love education" to portray marriage, love, fertility and family in a positive light.

Top leaders again pledged last month at the annual Central Economic Work Conference to promote "positive marriage and ⁠childbearing attitudes" to stabilise birth rates.

China's ​birth rates have been falling ​for decades as a result of the one-child policy China implemented from 1980 to ‍2015, and ⁠rapid urbanisation.

The high cost of childcare and education as well as job uncertainty and a slowing ⁠economy have also discouraged many young Chinese from getting ‌married and starting a family.

(Reporting by Clare Jim; ‌Editing by Kate Mayberry)

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Alabama QB Ty Simpson says a cracked rib sidelined him in 2nd half of blowout Rose Bowl loss

18:06
Alabama QB Ty Simpson says a cracked rib sidelined him in 2nd half of blowout Rose Bowl loss

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson says a cracked rib sidelined him in the second half of the Crimson Tide's38-3 loss to top-seeded Indianain the Rose Bowl on Thursday.

Simpson got hurt when an Indiana player's helmet hit him in the torso and caused a fumble after he made a courageous scramble through the Hoosiers' defense for a first down late in the first half. He had an X-ray at halftime that revealed the injury, Simpson said after the College Football Playoff quarterfinal ended.

"Felt like I had a good thing going on that drive when I got hit," Simpson said. "It kind of changed the momentum for sure. Just ready to get back to work. I've got to get healthy and get ready to go."

Simpson still went back on the field for one more series after halftime, but he voluntarily gave way to backup Austin Mack after he couldn't play through the injury.

"I made an executive decision and thought (about) what gave us the best chance to win," Simpson said. "I thought Austin being 100% could help us win."

Simpson acknowledged that he might have tried to do too much on that fateful scramble after he came up one yard short of a first down on a run earlier in the game.

"I knew I slid (and) I thought I got the first down," Simpson said of the first run. "I was a half a yard short. Came back to the sideline, was (ticked) off. The competitor in me wanted to make sure I got the first down. Got more than the first down, and then should have been smart and just got down."

Neither quarterback had sustained success in a one-sided loss.

Simpson went 12 of 16 for 67 yards, while Mack went 11 of 16 for 103 yards while getting sacked three times. Mack led the Tide's only scoring drive, going 65 yards on nine plays in his first series, which culminated in a short field goal.

The Tide didn't score again in their biggest blowout loss since September 1998.

"(Simpson) really wanted to try to go out there (after halftime)," Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. "I know he feels like he let down the team, and there's no way that that's the case. He went out there, tried to battle. That's who he is."

AP college football:https://apnews.com/college-football

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