Italy qualifies for Euro 2024 and avoids playoffs. Slovenia and Czech Republic advance too

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:21:39 GMT

Italy qualifies for Euro 2024 and avoids playoffs. Slovenia and Czech Republic advance too MILAN (AP) — Italy earned some redemption by qualifying for next year’s European Championship on Monday, while Slovenia and the Czech Republic also secured their spots.Italy needed just a point against Ukraine to claim second spot in Group C and avoid the dreaded playoffs, and it managed a 0-0 draw in Germany. However, there were some nervy moments for the Azzurri, who rode their luck.Italy failed to qualify for the past two World Cups after losing playoffs — to Sweden and North Macedonia. After the Azzurri missed out on the 2018 World Cup, they went on to win the following European Championship.Ukraine would have sneaked past Italy with a win but will now head into the playoffs. England was already assured of top spot in the group and it drew at North Macedonia 1-1 to finish the campaign unbeaten.A point would also have been enough for Slovenia and the Czech Republic to advance to Euro 2024 and they beat Kazakhstan and Moldova respectively to end their opponents’ hopes of qualifyin...

How much would DC-area homebuyers need to budget after verdict on real estate commissions?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:21:39 GMT

How much would DC-area homebuyers need to budget after verdict on real estate commissions? Real estate commissions have been at the center of a nationwide legal debate about how much agents should be paid in commissions and who is responsible for paying.A federal jury finding in late October was among those that charged the National Association of Realtors, or NAR, and major real estate brokerages, with artificially inflating real estate agent commissions. But it isn’t the only case with the potential to shift the homebuying process.At least two court cases currently being worked out, one of which is a class-action lawsuit that could net billions for members, could significantly upend long-standing industry practices, The Associated Press reported.“Today, what effectively happens is the buyer agent’s commissions are added to the sale price of the house, inflating the sale price. If sellers no longer had to pay the buyer agents, there wouldn’t be that inflation and buyers could negotiate the commission down and they would end up paying less money,” Brobeck told...

An undermanned defense is somehow keeping the Rams in the playoff race

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:21:39 GMT

An undermanned defense is somehow keeping the Rams in the playoff race LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams are only on the fringe of the NFC playoff race, and they would need a spectacular finish just to avoid their second straight losing season.The fact that the rebuilding Rams (4-6) even have a chance at such a surge is a testament to the remarkable work done by their defense, which has overperformed this season after a massive roster purge.Coordinator Raheem Morris’ unit had another outstanding outing Sunday in Los Angeles’ 17-16 comeback victory. The Rams allowed 87 yards and just four first downs in Seattle’s three-point second half, and LA kept the Seahawks out of the end zone for the final 50 minutes.Matthew Stafford’s offense finally scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, and the Rams won when Seattle missed a 55-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds. Everybody knew which unit got the job done for LA.“Unbelievable effort by our defense today,” coach Sean McVay said. “They kept us in the game. I think the grit...

FinVolution: Q3 Earnings Snapshot

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:21:39 GMT

FinVolution: Q3 Earnings Snapshot SHANGHAI (AP) — SHANGHAI (AP) — FinVolution Group (FINV) on Monday reported profit of $77.6 million in its third quarter.The Shanghai-based company said it had profit of 28 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were 30 cents per share.The online consumer finance marketplace provider posted revenue of $438.3 million in the period._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on FINV at https://www.zacks.com/ap/FINVSource

A$AP Rocky must stand trial on charges he fired gun at former friend, judge rules

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:21:39 GMT

A$AP Rocky must stand trial on charges he fired gun at former friend, judge rules LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Los Angeles judge ruled Monday that there is enough evidence for A$AP Rocky to stand trial on charges that he fired a gun at a former friend and collaborator outside a Hollywood hotel in 2021. Superior Court Judge M.L. Villar made the ruling at at a preliminary hearing, after hearing roughly a day and a half of testimony. Rocky has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.The 35-year-old hip-hop star, fashion mogul and two-time Grammy nominee is in a relationship with Rihanna, with whom he has two young sons.Villar said “the totality of the video and testimony” shows there is sufficient evidence for the defendant to go to trial. She emphasized that preliminary hearings have a much lower evidence standard than a trial.Rocky, sitting in the courtroom, showed no visible reaction.“We’re not disappointed, not surprised, we expected to go to trial, we’ve been planning for trial all along,” Rocky’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, sa...

Packers sign Patrick Taylor off Patriots practice squad, release Dallin Leavitt

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:21:39 GMT

Packers sign Patrick Taylor off Patriots practice squad, release Dallin Leavitt GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers boosted their running back depth by welcoming back a couple of familiar players, as they signed Patrick Taylor off the New England Patriots’ practice squad and added James Robinson to their practice squad.Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst announced both moves Monday. The Packers also released safety Dallin Leavitt, who had been on their active roster and dropped linebacker Christian Young from their practice squad.Taylor played 27 regular-season games for the Packers from 2021-23, including four this season. The 25-year-old Taylor had 44 carries for 151 yards and a touchdown over those three seasons.Robinson, 25, had joined the Packers’ practice squad on Oct. 17, but was released about three weeks later. Robinson had his greatest pro success as a rookie with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020, when he rushed for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns.Two of Green Bay’s three running backs got injured in the Packers’ 23-20 victory over the L...

England completes unbeaten Euro 2024 qualifying campaign by drawing at North Macedonia

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:21:39 GMT

England completes unbeaten Euro 2024 qualifying campaign by drawing at North Macedonia SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — England completed an unbeaten qualifying campaign for the European Championship by drawing at North Macedonia 1-1 on Monday, with Harry Kane forcing an equalizer via an own-goal just seconds after coming on as a substitute.Kane entered in the 58th minute and his first action was to challenge Jani Atanasov at a corner swung in by Phil Foden. The ball struck the North Macedonia midfielder and rebounded into the net.“I came on at the right time,” Kane, England’s record scorer with 62 goals, said with a smile. “It was good to get on the pitch. I always want to help the team out, whether it’s for 90 minutes or 10 minutes.”The own-goal canceled out the opener from Enis Bardhi, who tucked away a rebound after his penalty was saved by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 41st minute.The spot kick was awarded when Rico Lewis, the Manchester City defender making his England debut, was adjudged to have struck Bojan Miovski in the face with his hand as ...

Suspect killed in shooting with Denver police at Commons Park

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:21:39 GMT

Suspect killed in shooting with Denver police at Commons Park DENVER (KDVR) -- A suspect died after a shooting with Denver police officers Monday afternoon.According to the Denver Police Department, officers were responding to a weapons-related call in the area of 16th and Platte streets when the shooting happened. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox DPD said that no officers were injured.Video from SkyFOX shows that this is in Commons Park, on the downtown side of the South Platte River.This is a breaking story. FOX31 has a reporter heading to the scene. Check back for more updates.

Man indicted for alleged bomb threats at Parker businesses

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:21:39 GMT

Man indicted for alleged bomb threats at Parker businesses PARKER, Colo. (KDVR) -- A man accused of falsely reporting bombs at two stores in Parker has been indicted by a grand jury.According to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, 33-year-old Matthew Cook has been indicted on two counts.The first alleged threat was made to a grocery store in Parker on July 26. FOX31 reported a threat that day at the King Soopers located in the 17000 block of Cottonwood Drive. Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather The second alleged threat was made to a big box store in Parker on Aug. 17. FOX31 reported a threat that day at the Walmart just northwest of South Parker Road and Twenty Mile Road.The U.S. Attorney's Office said this case was jointly investigated by the Parker Police Department and the FBI.

Warm and Breezy

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 20:21:39 GMT

Warm and Breezy The week is off to a fine start (and we can be thankful the weather has greatly improved since last week). High Pressure is building into Florida and prompting an onshore flow. Those ocean winds are a bit stronger and they’ll get more gusty by Tuesday afternoon, near the beaches especially. There’s still a slight chance for a coastal shower “along the breeze”. Fortunately, any rain won’t resemble anything like the deluge we saw during the middle of last week!The next weather change involves an approaching front. The boundary will arrive on Thanksgiving Day, basically limping by with little fanfare. There’s likely to be more clouds and maybe a passing shower or two. While some cooling might be welcomed, it will be minimal. We’re forecasting an extremely small difference in degrees, just a reduction in humidity once the front crosses. Looking beyond Thanksgiving, the weather pattern appears very steady. We’ll watch for daily ...