7/11 zapote caloocan LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. 'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Two family films are dominating the holiday box office, with “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” winning the three-day weekend over “Mufasa” by a blue hair. According to studio estimates Sunday, the Sonic movie earned $38 million, while “Mufasa” brought in $37.1 million from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The R-rated horror “Nosferatu” placed third with an unexpectedly strong $21.2 million. Thanksgiving release holdovers “Wicked” and “Moana 2” rounded out the top five. Christmas Day had several big film openings, including the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” the Nicole Kidman erotic drama “Babygirl” and the boxing drama “The Fire Inside.” Belgium will ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes in a first for the EU BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations. Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke tells The Associated Press that the inexpensive e-cigarettes have turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine. Australia outlawed the sale of “vapes” outside pharmacies earlier this year in some of the world’s toughest restrictions on electronic cigarettes. Now Belgium is leading the EU drive. Belgium's minister wants tougher tobacco measures in the 27-nation bloc. Charles Dolan, HBO and Cablevision founder, dies at 98 Charles F. Dolan, who founded some of the most prominent U.S. media companies including Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at age 98. Newsday reports that a statement issued Saturday by his family says Dolan died of natural causes. Dolan’s legacy in cable broadcasting includes founding HBO in 1972, Cablevision in 1973 and the American Movie Classics television station in 1984. He also launched News 12 in New York City, the first U.S. 24-hour cable channel for local news. Dolan also held controlling stakes in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. Snoop's game: Snoop Dogg thrills the crowd in the bowl that bears his name TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Miami of Ohio beat Colorado State in the Arizona Bowl, but Snoop Dogg was the main attraction. The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop was much a spectacle as a football game. Snoop Dogg seemed to be everywhere all at once, from a pregame tailgate to the postgame trophy presentation. Snoop Dog donned a headset on Colorado State's sideline, spent some time in the broadcast and even led both marching bands as conductor during their halftime performance. Snoop Dogg saved the best for last, rolling out in a light green, lowrider Chevy Impala with gold rims and accents, the shiny Arizona Bowl trophy in his hand as fans screamed his name. Mavs star Luka Doncic is latest pro athlete whose home was burglarized, business manager says DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete whose home has been burglarized. The star guard’s business manager tells multiple media outlets there was a break-in at Doncic’s home Friday night. Lara Beth Seager says nobody was home, and Doncic filed a police report. The Dallas Morning News reports that jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen. Doncic is the sixth known pro athlete in the U.S. whose home was burglarized since October. Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are among them. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to players over the break-ins. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately. Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen quits a tournament in a dispute over jeans NEW YORK (AP) — The International Chess Federation says top ranked player Magnus Carlsen has left the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships after refusing to change out of the jeans he wore to the competition. The federation said Friday that its regulations include a dress code that bars participants from wearing jeans at the event. The Norwegian chess grandmaster says he accepted a $200 fine but refused to change his pants out of principle before leaving the competition in New York. The federation said the dress code is designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants. Trailblazing model Dayle Haddon dies from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning NEW HOPE, Pa. (AP) — A trailblazing former “Sports Illustrated” model who pushed back against age discrimination has died in a Pennsylvania home from what authorities believe was carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities in Bucks County found 76-year-old Dayle Haddon, dead in a second-floor bedroom Friday morning after emergency dispatchers were notified about a person unconscious at the Solebury Township home. A 76-year-old man who was also in the home was hospitalized in critical condition. As a model, Haddon appeared on dozens of magazine coverage in the 1970s and 1980s. She then reentered the industry in the 1990s after landing contracts with cosmetic companies to promote their anti-aging products. 2 Oregon men die from exposure in a forest after they went out to look for Sasquatch STEVENSON, Wash. (AP) — Officials say two Oregon men have died in a Washington state forest after they failed to return from a trip to look for Sasquatch. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says the 59-year-old and 37-year-old appear to have died from exposure. The sheriff's office says it based that conclusion on the weather and their lack of preparedness. Both men were from Portland. They were found in a heavily wooded area of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest northeast of that city. Family reported them missing after they failed to return from a Christmas Eve outing. Sasquatch is a folkloric beast thought by some to roam the forests, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.

NORMAL — Yes, the University High School football team’s defense has improved significantly from a season ago, when opponents scored an average of 24.7 points. Yet U High coach Brody Walworth insists the Pioneers’ defense also has improved significantly since the early games of this season. “We’re even better than we were say week five,” Walworth said. “We struggled a little bit at the start of the season. We were playing a little bit as individuals on that side of the ball. We weren’t playing as a unit.” University High's Drew Rader (40) celebrates after a stop in the second quarter at Hancock Stadium against MacArthur earlier this season. A U High defense that surrendered 28 or more points in three of the first five games, hasn’t allowed more than 14 since while advancing to the playoff semifinals for the first time in school history. “We had some injuries and some people filling in,” said Walworth. “They weren’t quite ready to be part of that unit at a high level yet.” The No. 7-ranked Pioneers (10-2) face unranked Mount Zion (9-3) in the Class 4A semifinals at 7 p.m. Saturday at Hancock Stadium. U High has given up just 10.8 points per outing over the past seven games and has won its first three playoff games by 19 or more points. The development of the defense has been the final piece to the puzzle for the Pioneers, whose high-powered offense averages 45.5 points with standout quarterback Alek Weiland pulling the strings. Matejka “First of all, it’s being more physical and having the defensive mindset of we’re not going to bow down to the people we play,” said defensive end Cole Matejka, who will play in college at Columbia. “We’re going to stand tall and give you the best we got.” The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Matejka is a disruptive force on the edge with 56 tackles, 11.5 sacks and 26 tackles for loss. “Coach Jake Gates our defensive coordinator is in his second year. We’re making some massive strides,” Matejka said. “He’s really been putting us in a place to succeed. He’s giving teams a different defensive front every week so they don’t know what to plan for.” Rader Linebacker Drew Rader is the No. 1 tackler with 79, 19 for loss yardage. “We come in every day and we work hard. We’re really fortunate to have guys who want to do that every single day,” Rader said. “You work at something so long and so hard, you’re bound to get better at it. It builds exponentially, and it’s been awesome to see.” Walworth believes Rader’s partner at inside linebacker, Griffin Meyer, “has been playing really well. He’s stepped up his game,” while lineman Clay Nord “does a great job of anchoring the other side away from Cole.” In his first year playing football, senior Ethan Kieser has become more physical and reliable at free safety as the season progressed, according to Walworth. Junior cornerback Chenzo Cottone has six interceptions, while Rader and Lyfe Campbell each have three of U High’s 19 interceptions. Also playing key roles for the U High defense have been tackle Charlie Karun, outside linebackers Max Dameron and Martin Donahue and backs Austin Kruger and Calvin Jones. “We feel a lot more like a unit of 11 than a handful of really good individuals,” Walworth said. U High’s losses came to 4A powerhouse Rochester and 6A playoff qualifier Bloomington. The Pioneers knocked off Chatham Glenwood, which was ranked in the state 6A poll at the time. “The Rochester loss hurt, but we knew we could do toe-to-toe with them,” said Matejka. “Then when we come back here and beat Glenwood, we knew we were in a spot to make this run. If we can beat one of the best 6A teams in the state, what can we do in 4A? I think we’re showing off some of that potential.” U High defenders face another stern test in Mount Zion, which ousted No. 1 ranked Breese Central 17-3 in the quarterfinals. The Braves boast Illinois recruit Brayden Trimble at wide receiver and 6-7 junior JC Anderson, a four-star tight end with scholarship offers from a slew of top shelf college programs. Trimble has 54 receptions for 772 yards and Anderson 44 for 488, but the leading receiver is Jacob Harvey with 56 catches for 1,106 yards. “Trimble is a heckuva player. Straight-line speed is good, but lateral quickness and the way he moves with the ball and makes people miss is pretty impressive,” Walworth said. “The tight end they like in the red zone. He catches the ball well, blocks and plays D line for them. “Harvey, when you put a lot of attention on those other two kids, this kid is killing you going vertical on you.” Braves quarterback Keller Stocks has thrown for 2,772 yards and 32 touchdowns and also leads the team in ground yardage with 596. “The quarterback does a great job of distributing the ball. He moves well, gets out of the pocket and throws well,” said Walworth. “Honestly, it’s like looking in a mirror except some of their guys are getting bigger recruiting looks than some of our guys.” University High's wide receiver Cade Cunningham (2) catches a pass in the second quarter on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. U High’s offense is putting up gaudy numbers sparked by Weiland, who has passed for 3,494 yards (the most by any Pantagraph area quarterback since 2003) and 42 TDs. Like Stocks, Weiland is a running threat with 422 yards. Weiland’s favorite receivers are Cade Cunningham (62 catches, 1,143 yards, 15 TDs) and AJ Holden (51, 888, 13). Carson Stevens has covered 652 yards on the ground and is effective as a receiver out of the backfield. Rhett Lynch chips in 474 yards rushing. Mount Zion’s top tacklers are linebackers Jonny Jordan and Kaden Becker. The U High-Mount Zion winner will meet either DePaul College Prep or Coal City for the 4A state championship at 7 p.m. Nov. 29 at Hancock Stadium. DePaul was ranked No. 8 in the final 3A poll of the regular season but was bumped up to 4A. Coal City is No. 8 in 4A. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High quarterback Alek Weiland celebrates after running for a touchdown against Richland County in the 4A playoffs at Hancock Stadium in Normal. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High wide receiver Cade Cunningham signals first down after a reception during a win over Richland County in the second round of the playoffs at Hancock Stadium. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. University High vs. Richland County on Saturday at Hancock Stadium in Normal during second round of state playoffs. Follow Randy Reinhardt on Twitter: @Pg_Reinhardt Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox! Sports Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

GOP congressman urges Republicans to back Mike Johnson ahead of House speaker voteLike fans across the world, Lamar Jackson wants to between his Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans. So what's the Ravens quarterback to do? The answer is simple. He's going to watch. Jackson was asked on Monday if it was disappointing that Beyoncé is performing at a halftime show that he can't watch. It turns out that it won't be a problem for Jackson — at least in his eyes. Let it me known that Lamar Jackson WILL be watching Beyonce at halftime on Christmas Day. "Sorry Harbaugh." 😂 — Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) "Nah, cause I'm gonna go out there and watch," Jackson said. "I'm gonna go out there and watch, man. First time seeing Beyoncé perform, and it's at our game. That's dope. "I'm gonna go out there and watch. Sorry, Harbaugh. Sorry. Sorry, fellas." Ravens coach John Harbaugh has not weighed in. If Jackson does sneak out of the locker room to catch the halftime show, he wouldn't be the first player to do so. Though he might be the first to announce his plans ahead of time. And he might be the first quarterback. Bengals kicker Evan McPherson famously watched the halftime show headlined by Dr. Dre when Cincinnati played and lost to the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI. Like Jackson, McPherson wasn't trying to hide it. He was out there on the field dancing and singing along in full view of NBC's cameras. . is literally just one of us watching the show 😂 — NFL (@NFL) Bengals long snapper Clark Harris also watched the halftime show, but stayed out of view of TV cameras. Months after Cincinnati's 23-20 loss, Bengals special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons called his players' halftime shenanigans "a sore subject." He was particularly perturbed with Harris for missing out on special teams adjustments during halftime. “I just couldn’t find him,” of Harris in 2022 “I looked all around the locker room and I can’t find him. "I have to go on and make adjustments with everybody else. I had to move two players and make adjustments with the punt team. I don’t have the key cog in that. That’s what frustrated me the most.” Harris told The Athletic that his absence "didn't screw anything up." “The fact I wasn’t in there for that didn’t screw anything up, but could potentially have been a thing,” Harris said. Harris played the following season with the Bengals, then retired after a 15-season NFL career spent mostly in Cincinnati. Hall of Fame Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin also skipped out on a Super Bowl halftime locker room to watch Michael Jackson perform during Dallas' 52-17 win over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVII. The Cowboys held a 28-10 lead at halftime. That was in 1993. Irvin didn't admit to it until 2017. And he said that he wasn't alone. "Man, listen. Jimmy Johnson was trying to talk about the game plan and everything," . "And we're sitting right here, 'Come on coach.' And then half of us sneaking out the back going to watch Michael Jackson. ... "Because I wanted to go see Michael Jackson, man. That was the moment right there. ... "And the next day the critics said, 'The greatest halftime show ever.'" Both Irvin and McPherson snuck out during Super Bowls. Wednesday's Ravens-Texans game is a late-season matchup of playoff teams, and the Ravens are in a battle with the Steelers for the NFC North title. But the stakes are obviously lower. Meanwhile, the halftime show is Super Bowl-caliber. Will Jackson follow through on his halftime plans in what projects to be a competitive game? Or will Harbaugh put the kibosh on it before Jackson has the chance?

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday threatened 100% tariffs against a bloc of nine nations if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. His threat was directed at countries in the so-called BRIC alliance, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have applied to become members and several other countries have expressed interest in joining. While the U.S. dollar is by far the most-used currency in global business and has survived past challenges to its preeminence, members of the alliance and other developing nations say they are fed up with America’s dominance of the global financial system . The dollar represents roughly 58% of the world’s foreign exchange reserves, according to the IMF and major commodities like oil are still primarily bought and sold using dollars. The dollar’s dominance is threatened, however, with BRICS’ growing share of GDP and the alliance’s intent to trade in non-dollar currencies — a process known as de-dollarization. Trump, in a Truth Social post, said: “We require a commitment from these Countries that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other Currency to replace the mighty U.S. Dollar or, they will face 100% Tariffs, and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful U.S. Economy.” At a summit of BRIC nations in October, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the U.S. of “weaponizing” the dollar and described it as a “big mistake.” “It’s not us who refuse to use the dollar,” Putin said at the time. “But if they don’t let us work, what can we do? We are forced to search for alternatives.” Russia has specifically pushed for the creation of a new payment system that would offer an alternative to the global bank messaging network, SWIFT, and allow Moscow to dodge Western sanctions and trade with partners. Trump said there is “no chance” BRIC will replace the U.S. dollar in global trade and any country that tries to make that happen “should wave goodbye to America.” Research shows that the U.S. dollar’s role as the primary global reserve currency is not threatened in the near future. An Atlantic Council model that assesses the dollar’s place as the primary global reserve currency states the dollar is “secure in the near and medium term” and continues to dominate other currencies. Trump’s latest tariff threat comes after he threatened to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% tax on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to do more to halt the flow of illegal immigration and drugs into the U.S. He has since held a call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who said Thursday she is confident that a tariff war with the United States can be averted. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returned home Saturday after meeting Trump, without assurances the president-elect will back away from threatened tariffs on Canada.Webuy Global Ltd ( NASDAQ:WBUY – Get Free Report ) saw a large decrease in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,400,000 shares, a decrease of 47.2% from the November 30th total of 2,650,000 shares. Currently, 5.3% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 41,530,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Webuy Global Stock Performance NASDAQ WBUY opened at $0.18 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.16. Webuy Global has a 12 month low of $0.11 and a 12 month high of $0.82. The company’s 50 day moving average is $0.17 and its two-hundred day moving average is $0.15. Webuy Global Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Webuy Global Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Webuy Global and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .