President Biden signs $1.7 trillion government spending bill

President Joe Biden on Thursday signed a $1.7 trillion government spending bill, averting a government shutdown. The bill includes more aid to Ukraine and funding for his domestic priorities. The White House said Thursday that the bill ‘caps off a year of historic bipartisan progress for the American people:’  The bill will advance cutting-edge research …

Miami Marlins and infielder Jean Segura agree to 2-year, $17M deal

The Miami Marlins and veteran infielder Jean Segura have agreed to a two-year, $17 million contract. Segura spent the last four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, where the two-time All-Star hit 10 home runs and collected 33 RBIs in 98 games last season. The Dominican Republic native has a .285 career batting average over 11 seasons, where …

Brazilian soccer legend Pelé dies at age 82

Brazilian soccer icon Pelé has died after battling cancer, his family announced Thursday on social media. He was 82. Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, the man widely known as Pelé died at the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Pelé’s cancer was discovered when he underwent colon tumor removal surgery in 2021. He was admitted …

Brazilian soccer legend Pelé dies at age 82

Brazilian soccer icon Pelé has died after battling cancer, his family announced Thursday on social media. He was 82. Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, the man widely known as Pelé died at the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Pelé’s cancer was discovered when he underwent colon tumor removal surgery in 2021. He was admitted …

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ breaks Paramount+ record to become most watched movie premiere

Top Gun: Maverick was already this year’s No. 1 theatrical release with a global box office of $1.48 billion, and now after debuting over the Christmas holiday it has officially become the most-watched movie premiere ever on the Paramount+ streaming service. According to an official announcement by Paramount, the blockbuster sequel now stands as the …

Fashion designer and punk icon Vivienne Westwood dies at 81

Dame Vivienne Westwood, the fashion designer and activist who was considered an icon of Britain’s punk movement in the 1970s, has died at age 81.  A message posted to Westwood’s Twitter read: “Vivienne Westwood died today, peacefully and surrounded by her family, in Clapham, South London. The world needs people like Vivienne to make a change for the better.” …

U.S. to require negative Covid test for travelers arriving from China

The Biden administration announced on Wednesday that travelers from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau will need to submit a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test before entering the United States, starting on Jan. 5. The new policy comes amid a surge in Covid cases in China and fears that a new, concerning variant could emerge. China is …

Ringleader of plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sentenced to 19 1/2 years in prison

47-year-old Barry Croft Jr., who was convicted of playing a key role in the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, was sentenced to 19 1/2 years in prison Wednesday. Croft and co-defendant Adam Fox, 39, were convicted in August of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and to use a weapon of mass destruction to attack Whitmer, …

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker to miss at least four weeks

The Phoenix Suns confirmed on Wednesday that All-Star guard Devin Booker will miss at least four weeks with a left groin strain. The Suns said that Booker will be reevaluated after the four weeks. The 26-year-old Booker has missed six of the past nine games because of hamstring and groin ailments. He returned for the team’s …

Las Vegas Raiders to start Jarrett Stidham in place of QB Derek Carr against 49ers

The Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels announced Wednesday that they are benching Derek Carr, the team’s starting quarterback since 2014, for Jarrett Stidham, who was acquired in an offseason trade from the New England Patriots. Stidham will start against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, with undrafted rookie free agent Chase Garbers …