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President Donald Trump, while signing executive orders in the Oval Office Thursday, went off-script to criticize Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, calling her ‘a very low IQ person’ and questioning her role in Congress.

‘Recently, Jasmine Crockett. Yes, yes, I remember what I said. Is she any relation to the late, great Davy Crockett? I don’t think so,’ Trump told assembled reporters. 

‘Let me tell you before you even ask. She’s a very low IQ person. I mean, if we ever had to pass an aptitude test, that’s the one [who] should take one. … This is a low IQ person who I can’t even believe is a congressperson,’ he said.

‘Between her and Ilhan Omar [D-Minn.]… and, you know, I met the head of Somalia. Did you know that? And I suggested that maybe he’d like to take her back. And he said, ‘I don’t want her,’’ Trump said.

The president’s comments came as he addressed reporters during a proclamation and executive order signing, where his remarks shifted from the day’s policy agenda to sharp critiques of Democrat lawmakers.

Trump grouped Crockett with Omar, reviving criticism he has often directed at members of the so-called progressive ‘Squad.’

His anecdote about suggesting to Somalia’s leader that Omar, who was born in Mogadishu, be ‘taken back’ drew laughter from some in the room.

Crockett, a freshman Democrat from Texas, has quickly gained visibility for her combative style during House hearings and for her clashes with Republicans. 

Omar, meanwhile, has long been a target of Trump’s criticism over her pro-Palestinian views and outspoken progressive agenda.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

A senior House Republican is arguing that sanctioning Russia would be key to neutralizing one of the biggest challenges facing Ukraine as it fights for its sovereignty. 

The push by Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, the former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, comes as Congress wrestles with legislation that would expand sanctions and slap tariffs on countries buying Russian energy. Supporters say the measures are overdue to undermine Russia’s war economy, while skeptics warn they could strain U.S. alliances and global markets.

‘With the right support, Ukraine could be successful, and Russia’s aggression could be defeated,’ Turner, who recently returned from a bipartisan trip to Ukraine, told a small group of reporters Thursday. 

‘In the presentations that I received, there is no question that the most significant challenge in this conflict is Russia’s ability to continue its industrial production.’

He added that military and other assistance that Russia is getting from China, Iran and North Korea is also keeping Moscow afloat.

‘We have to impact their ability for production. It is not just their ability currently for production, but is even the projections in the future,’ Turner said. ‘Right now, their economic engine is fueling their war engine.’

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin believed Kyiv would fall in a matter of days. However, that estimate has long since been shattered, and the two countries have since engaged in the bloodiest land war in Europe since World War II.

Moscow’s troops have since taken over parts of Donbas in eastern Ukraine and have held Ukraine’s Crimea territory since 2014.

President Donald Trump, who has met with leaders on both sides, gave Kyiv an enthusiastic vote of confidence earlier this week after speaking at the United Nations General Assembly.

‘After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia Military and Economic situation and, after seeing the Economic trouble it is causing Russia, I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form,’ he posted on Truth Social.

‘With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option. Why not? Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a War that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win.’

Asked at one point about the Ukrainians’ assessment of Russia’s offensive this past summer, Turner said the front lines moved very little.

‘The Russian casualties, daily, are enormous. And that is sobering. The production of weapons by Russia is the only difference that’s allowing this aggression to continue,’ he said. ‘The economics of Russia to continue to be able to sell oil and energy is floating their ability to continue this aggression against Ukraine.’

China was the largest global customer of Russia’s fossil fuels as of August 2025, followed by India and Turkey, according to the Centre For Research on Energy and Clean Air.

And while much of Europe has sharply cut its reliance on Russian energy, it does still rely on Moscow for some supplies, according to the New York Times.

The U.S. has already levied a wide array of sanctions on Russian entities, imports and individuals since the war began. 

But legislation being led by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., would go further, giving Trump wide discretion to levy more sanctions and heavy tariffs on countries that import Russian energy, among other measures.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a recent interview on CBS News’ ‘Face The Nation’ that he was supportive of sanctioning Russia, though he did not endorse the bill specifically.

‘I think appropriate sanctions on Russia are far overdue. I mean, I think there’s a big appetite for that in Congress, so we’re willing to work with the White House and our Senate colleagues in the House to get that done,’ he said.

When asked by Fox News Digital if he believed Congress could act without Trump’s green light, however, Turner said, ‘I don’t think the president has indicated that there’s a red light on moving forward with sanctions.’

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for the president’s thoughts but did not hear back by press time.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb during a workout.
The Sixers said McCain and the team were consulting with specialists on next steps.
McCain suffered a torn meniscus in December 2024 that prematurely ended his season.

The Philadelphia 76ers already are facing a rash of injuries.

After dealing with multiple ailments last season, the team announced Thursday, Sept. 25 that point guard Jared McCain — who suffered a torn meniscus in December 2024 that prematurely ended his season — suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb during a workout.

The Sixers said McCain and the team were consulting with specialists on next steps, but did not provide further updates.

McCain began the 2024-25 season extremely well, looking like he would be a candidate for Rookie of the Year before his injury. McCain averaged 15.3 points, 2.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game in 23 appearances.

Although the injury is a further hindrance in McCain’s development, the 76ers are well-equipped to weather his absence. McCain, the No. 16 selection in the 2024 NBA Draft, is part of a Philadelphia backcourt that has pretty solid depth. Tyrese Maxey is the star, but the 76ers also drafted VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft.

Jared McCain injury update

Without knowing the full extent of the injury, it’s difficult to tell the timetable for McCain’s return. If the tear is significant enough to require surgery, recovery could take as long as three months, per Cedars Sinai.

The 76ers are also dealing with a left knee injury to forward Paul George, who underwent surgery in July to repair the issue.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The Ryder Cup produces emotions no other golf event on the calendar can. The pride and passion golfers embrace representing either the United States or Europe, as well as the match-play format and team dynamic ‒ and rowdier-than-usual crowds they create ‒ lead to moments and performances that are eventually part of a golfer’s legacy alongside how many majors he won.

The 45th Ryder Cup, and the first held at Bethpage Black Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York, begins Friday, September 25 with four-ball and foursomes matches. The United States leads the all-time Ryder Cup series over Europe, 27-15, with 23-straight wins at one point. But that streak ended in 1985 (after continental Europeans were allowed to compete beginning in 1979) and Europe has mostly had the upper hand over the past quarter-century, including its convincing 2023 win in Italy.

Both the United States and Europe have produced memorable teams in the Ryder Cup’s modern era. Ahead of the 2025 Ryder Cup, it seemed prudent to rank the best ones to help put into context what could be at stake when the best golfers in the world match up for golf’s most prestigious team event.

Here’s where all the recent Ryder Cup winners stack up (and yes, as part of our patriotic duty to highlight the most-discussed American Ryder Cup comeback ever, this exercise involves ranking the best Ryder Cup teams since 2000 ‒ or so).

Ryder Cup rankings: Best teams since 2000 (or so)

12. 2010 Europe

This Europe team got a 14.5-13.5 win at Celtic Manor Resort in Wales when Graeme McDowell beat Hunter Mahan on the 17th hole. It was the first time in almost 20 years the Ryder Cup had been decided on the final singles match, and the first time weather forced a Monday finish. Sunday comebacks by Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler helped set up the late drama for a European team captained by Colin Montgomerie and featuring Rory McIlroy for the first time. Europe’s 2025 team captain, Luke Donald, and Ian Poulter both had 3-1 records and came away with crucial singles wins.

11. 2002 Europe

At the time, this 15.5-12.5 Europe win at The Belfry in England was its largest margin of victory since 1985. Montgomerie was unbeaten over the course of the event, in which Tiger Woods battled through illness and Phil Mickelson struggled for the Americans. Europe and the United States entered Sunday’s singles tied, but Europe won four of the first six matches. The turn of events was punctuated by Mickelson, then ranked No. 2 in the world, losing to Phillip Price of Wales (No. 119 in the world).

10. 2014 Europe

Europe got a 16.5-11.5 win over the United States at Gleneagles Resort in Scotland by dominating the eight foursomes matches on the first two days of competition. Europe had three golfers (McDowell, Justin Rose and Victor Dubuisson) who were unbeaten over three days of golf, in addition to strong contributions from McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia.

9. 2008 United States

The Americans had lost five of the previous six Ryder Cups, but a United States team featuring six Ryder Cup rookies beat Europe,16.5-11.5, at Valhalla. A mix of relative journeymen bested the European Ryder Cup regulars on the other side in Sunday’s singles. Anthony Kim got the momentum going with a 5 and 4 win over Garcia, while Mickelson, Mahan, Jim Furyk, Justin Leonard, J.B. Holmes, Boo Weekley and Chad Campbell were among the American standouts.

8. 2023 Europe

The most recent Ryder Cup saw Europe bounce back from its loss at Whistling Straits in 2021 with a commanding win in Italy. Europe led by five points after the opening day of competition. Then Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland got a historic 9 and 7 win over Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka in a foursomes match on Saturday. McIlroy accounted for a team-best four points and Tommy Fleetwood secured the win for Europe in singles action on Sunday. All but one of Europe’s golfers from 2023 are back on the 2025 team playing at Bethpage Black.

7. 2018 Europe

Europe secured its 17.5-10.5 win over the United States at Le Golf National in France in 2018 when Francesco Molinari became the first European golfer to produce a 5-0-0 record at the Ryder Cup. The Americans had a glimmer of hope when Justin Thomas beat McIlroy to start off Sunday’s singles matches, but Jon Rahm defeated Woods during a closing sequence in which Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Mickelson, Bubba Watson and Bryson DeChambeau all lost their singles matches to European veterans like Ian Poulter, Garcia and Henrik Stenson.

6. 2016 United States

There was a lot of emotion attached to this United States team’s Ryder Cup win at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota. Arnold Palmer had died less than a week before the event began and Davis Love III got another chance to lead the United States team as captain after a Sunday collapse at Medinah in 2012. The United States took a 4-0 lead in the Friday foursomes that opened the competition and led 9-5-6.5 heading into Sunday. There would be no European comeback this time as the best of the U.S. took down Europe’s top Ryder Cup stars. Patrick Reed beat McIlroy, Fowler beat Rose and Mickelson beat Garcia.

5. 2012 Europe

This is the team that authored Europe’s greatest comeback in the Ryder Cup, and it’s also the last team to win a Ryder Cup away from home. Europe beat the United States, 14.5-13.5, at Medinah Country Club in Illinois with a stirring rally after entering Sunday’s singles matches facing a 10-6 deficit. The drama came in the aftermath of the death of Seve Ballesteros and under the captaincy of Jose Maria Olazabal, who played for Europe when it lost a Sunday lead in 1999 at Brookline.

Europe won the final two four-ball matches on Saturday to kick-start its resurgence and then won the first five singles matches on Sunday. McIlroy famously almost missed his tee time for a Sunday singles match only to beat current U.S. team captain Keegan Bradley (McIlroy also met his future wife, who worked as a volunteer at the 2012 Ryder Cup). Molinari gave the Europeans the outright win by halving his match with Woods.

4. 1999 United States

Excuse us for extending these rankings into 1999 and call it a little American bias because this United States team had a defining Ryder Cup comeback on the final day at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. The U.S. won eight of the 12 singles matches to beat Europe, 14.5-13.5, and the ending featured a 45-foot birdie by Leonard that set off a wild celebration. Hal Sutton had a team-best 3.5 points and Woods, Mickelson, Davis Love III, David Duval, Tom Lehman and Furyk were among those to win singles matches as part of the United States rally. This is still the only year in which Woods was on a winning American Ryder Cup team.

3. 2006 Europe

Europe blew out the United States, 18.5-9.5, at The K Club in Ireland and became the first team in this current format to win all five sessions of the Ryder Cup. The U.S. only won 6 of the 28 matches over the course of the event. European stalwarts like Garcia, Westwood, Olazabal and Clarke, as well as newcomers Paul Casey and Stenson, led the way in the last of Montgomerie’s eight-straight Ryder Cup appearances.

2. 2021 United States

Perhaps there’s a little recency (and American) bias with this choice since this isn’t a road Ryder Cup win. But the United States’ performance at Whistling Straits in 2021 produced the most lopsided Ryder Cup score (19-9) since the event expanded to its current team parameters in 1979. The 2021 U.S. team, which featured six Ryder Cup rookies, won four of the five sessions. Dustin Johnson became the first American in more than 40 years to go 5-0-0 at the Ryder Cup. Scottie Scheffler had his first big Ryder Cup moment in Sunday singles match play when he beat Rahm, who was ranked No. 1 in the world golf rankings at the time.

This was also the last U.S. team before the PGA Tour and LIV Golf split. It included most of the top American stars to emerge over the past 15 years such as Spieth, Thomas, DeChambeau, Koepka and Collin Morikawa.

1. 2004 Europe

Winning a road Ryder Cup is a rare feat with a rambunctious gallery that creates noise and distraction that can’t be replicated at other golf tournaments. The United States hasn’t done it since 1993. Europe has only won on U.S. soil four times, and not since 2012. Given that, Europe gets the nod as producing the best Ryder Cup team of the past quarter-century (or so) because of its dominant win at Oakland Hills in Michigan in 2004.

Europe beat the United States by a record-setting score of 18.5-9.5, taking a five-point lead after the first day of competition and cruising through Sunday’s singles matches. Westwood and Garcia each scored 4.5 out of a possible five points over the three days of match play, setting the tone for the rest of their record-setting Ryder Cup careers with Europe. Donald and fellow European Ryder Cup captains Collin Montgomerie, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley were among the other top performers.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Clayton Kershaw made a rare regular-season relief appearance to help the Los Angeles Dodgers secure a victory.
The Dodgers won the game 5-4 in 11 innings, moving closer to clinching the NL West title.
Rookie Roki Sasaki also returned from injury, providing a boost to the Dodgers’ bullpen with a strong performance.

PHOENIX — The visiting bullpen door at Chase Field opened at 9:19 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Sept. 24. With a sellout crowd screaming, Clayton Kershaw walked out, trying to save the Los Angeles Dodgers’ season.

Yes, the three-time Cy Young winner.

The two-time World Series champion.

The 11-time All-Star.

The 3,000 strikeout pitcher.

The future first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Kershaw, perhaps the greatest pitcher in franchise history, was trying to stop the Dodgers’ misery from spiraling out of control, giving them valuable bullpen relief.

Kershaw had not pitched a regular-season game in relief since the 2019 season finale, and only once since 2008.

Yet, here he was, in an unfamiliar role, willing to do anything needed simply to help out the only organization he has known.

‘It just speaks volumes to who he is,’ Dodgers veteran third baseman Max Muncy told USA TODAY Sports. ‘That’s something he’s never shied away from, and that’s taking the ball. He’s always done whatever has been best for the team. And for a guy to have his caliber do that speaks volumes. I’ve seen it for so many years now.’

Kershaw, who wasn’t sure what to expect, felt the adrenaline rush searing through his body as he jogged towards the pitching mound. All he knew was that after the Dodgers blew a 4-1 lead in the eighth, it was vital for him to stop the bleeding in the ninth inning, and provide a confidence boost to a team that was losing its swagger.

Kershaw never flinched. He induced a groundout by Ildemaro Vargas to shortstop Mookie Betts, a groundout by Alek Thomas to first baseman Freddie Freeman, and then a fly ball by Ketel Marte to center fielder Tommy Edman.

Two innings later, the Dodgers moved to the brink of their 12th NL West title in 13 years with a 5-4, 11-inning victory, and can clinch the division title with a victory on Thursday, Sept. 25.

‘That was just so awesome seeing that, and what he did for us,’ Dodgers reliever Jack Dreyer said. ‘For somebody who obviously has been a starter his whole career, he showed that the situation does not matter. He just goes in whatever is asked of him, and just performs.

‘It’s just another reason why he’s the best ever.

‘Not only can he be the best starting pitcher ever, but he can come in the ninth, it’s a tight game, and just perform like that.’

Kershaw’s performance, along with the return of Dodgers rookie Roki Sasaki making his first career relief appearance after being sidelined since May 9, provided the Dodgers with one of their biggest emotional victories in this stretch run. It had them talking about a celebration before a flight to Seattle, with champagne and beer stashed in the visiting storage room, ready to be popped and sprayed.

‘That was obviously like a playoff game,’ Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. ‘We’re fighting. They’re fighting. … That was a huge boost. I think right now, you’re betting on people. You know for me, I just trust Clayton, and he did a great job, got his juices going, and he picked us up with a clean inning.’

Certainly, Kershaw had the Dodgers’ clubhouse buzzing, letting them know that if they’re going to be the first National League team to win back-to-back titles since 1975-76, they’ve got to be selfless.

He was not only a savior, but an inspiration.

The Dodgers’ bullpen, in awe that Kershaw even spent the game hanging out with them, rose from their seats the moment Kershaw entered the game. They never sat down, making sure they didn’t miss a single pitch.

‘We couldn’t sit down,’ Dreyer said. ‘That’s big, that’s a big moment. It was incredible. Just to see him come in without caring about the situation gave me, and the other guys, the confidence to continue doing what he did.’

The Dodgers felt this was a game they needed to win, not necessarily that their lead over the San Diego Padres was in danger, but just to regain their confidence with the postseason starting Tuesday.

Considering how the Dodgers’ bullpen has melted down with an ERA of 5.69 in September – closer Tanner Scott blowing 10 saves with a 4.81 ERA, Blake Treinen with a 5.47 ERA, and Kirby Yates, who was yielding a 5.23 ERA, before being placed on the 15-day IL – someone needed to be a hero.

Of course it was Kershaw.

‘It’s an adrenaline rush for sure,’ Kershaw said. ‘Relieving is a different animal altogether. You have to figure out how to maintain your heartbeat and get going. But it was a lot of fun, and it’s fun to have success.’

It was actually more exhilarating for Kershaw’s teammates to just witness Kershaw stepping into unfamiliar territory, and looking like he had done it his entire career.

‘It was so cool,’ said Dodgers starter Blake Snell, who gave up five hits and one run in six innings. ‘I had total confidence he was going to have a great inning. It was just awesome to see.’

Said Dodgers veteran infielder Miguel Rojas: ‘You know, he’s living in the moment. He’s not worrying about what’s going to happen next year, or how his arm is going to feel. He’s willing to do whatever to help the team. And when you see him on the mound, it just raises everyone’s level of intensity.

‘He means more to the team than words can describe.’

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, who took time this summer to personally thank Kershaw for what he meant to the game of baseball, already had the ultimate respect for Kershaw, but this just added another level.

‘I’m not surprised at all,’ Lovullo said. ‘Kersh is all about winning, and that’s always been clear to me. He’s always wanted to to win a baseball game for his team, for his organization, more than for himself.

‘I think he is, and always will be, a great Dodger. He will be remembered in a lot of different ways. This is just one more little notch in his belt to say that I did this for my team to help win a world championship.’

The Dodgers also were elated by what they saw from Sasaki, who made his first appearance since May 9, when he went on the injured list with a sore shoulder. Sasaki entered the game in the seventh inning and was electric, pitching a 1-2-3 inning. His seven fastballs were recorded at 99, 99, 98, 99, 100, 99 and 100-mph.

‘He looks like a different person,’ Roberts said. ‘I just think there’s a lot more confidence, a lot more conviction and obviously the stuff is up than where it was earlier this year. He’s learned a lot from this season.’

If Sasaki continues looking like this in the Dodgers’ final four games, he should be a lock to make their postseason roster. The Dodgers plan to use starters Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Snell and Shohei Ohtani in the best-of-three wild-card series, but will also have Kershaw on the postseason roster, available to pitch out of the bullpen.

‘I don’t think any of us really know what it looks like in October yet,’ Kershaw said. ‘We have six amazing starters. … I can do the math. So, if I want to be a part of it in any way, I’ll do whatever they want.’

This will be Kershaw’s final dance, his last month on the mound before calling it quits, and considering his storybook career, why not add a chapter to remember, closing out playoff games in October?

‘It would be something,’ Muncy said, ‘wouldn’t it?’

(This story was updated to change a video.)

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The Los Angeles Sparks announced plans to build a training and practice facility in El Segundo, California, scheduled to open in 2027.

‘We’re building a place where Sparks players can be at their best on and off the court,” Eric Holoman, Sparks managing partner and governor, said in a press release. ‘From cutting-edge training and recovery spaces to family and community areas, every corner of this facility was designed with them at the center. It reflects our commitment to our team, our fans, and the city of Los Angeles, and sets a new standard for what a professional sports organization can provide for its athletes.’ 

The Sparks plan to build a 55,000-square-foot facility with a budget of $150 million, the largest investment to date in the history of women’s sports for a single team. The facility will include:

Two WNBA regulation basketball courts 
Outdoor spa pool for recovery and pre-hab/rehab 
Dedicated nap rooms 
Flexible wellness spaces for yoga and meditation
Hydrotherapy and spa suites 
Circular locker room designed to foster team unity 
Weight room and training spaces

The Sparks said in the press release that they see the training facility as a home base for athletes and a statement of their commitment to the future of the WNBA in Los Angeles.

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What do they want at LSU? They want a national title. Was that not clear?
LSU pushed its chips in on this season with an $18 million roster.
Brian Kelly left Notre Dame for LSU knowing the job’s demands.

You couldn’t miss Brian Kelly’s tirade. The internet wouldn’t let you. The college football ecosystem loves to hate on Kelly, and a fresh opportunity arrived earlier this month, after Kelly tore into a reporter who had the nerve to ask LSU’s coach about his team’s struggling offense after a 20-10 win against Florida.

“You want us to win 70 to nothing against Florida to keep you happy?” Kelly fumed.

Get those memes ready!

Kelly’s fiery exchange with the reporter lasted 80 seconds, but never mind the full text. The crux of it boiled down to two sentences.

“I don’t know what you want from me,” Kelly seethed on Sept. 13. “What do you want?

What do they want? They want a national championship. Was that not clear?

That’s why LSU hired Kelly, at a steep cost, and awarded him a nearly fully guaranteed 10-year contract.

LSU invested $18 million into this roster. What did Kelly think the money was for?

Truth is, he knows the answer to the question he asked. Beating Billy Napier is nice, but a lot of folks do that. LSU pushed its chips in for a national championship run, not just a rivalry win.

We’ll learn more about where Kelly’s No. 4 Tigers stand after they play at No. 11 Mississippi this weekend.

If expecting a national championship in Year 4 is too much to ask, then Kelly never should have left Notre Dame for LSU. Because, Nick Saban, Les Miles and Ed Orgeron each won a natty within his first four seasons coaching LSU.

Kelly understands the expectation. I think he likes it.

I know he likes the roster the donor dollars bought. He shelled out $1 million of his own to ignite the fundraising drive that resulted in LSU signing the nation’s best transfer class. Kelly peacocked his way through the offseason, telling anyone who’d listen he’d assembled the best roster of his tenure.

The early returns: LSU’s defense looks fiercer than it’s been in years. It’s a fine vintage from the portal’s best cellars.

The offense? Developing.

Brian Kelly came to LSU for expectations such as these

If Kelly wanted a cushy schedule and more contract extensions after also-ran finishes, he could have stayed at Notre Dame until he retired. He opted to roll with the big boys in the Deep South, and he understands what comes with that, even if he lost his head for a few minutes.

I’ll cut Kelly a little slack. Equanimity is not ubiquitous in a news conference minutes after a rivalry game, and I doubt he expected the first question after an SEC victory to be about the team’s shortcomings. He later apologized to the reporter whom he berated.

So, never mind the rant. Just produce the championship.

That feat will require more from LSU’s offense than it supplied in wins against Clemson and Florida. Kelly revealed an injury hampered quarterback Garrett Nussmeier throughout the first few weeks.

And now?

“He’s feeling really comfortable,” Kelly said of his veteran quarterback.

Full steam ahead, then, but beware the pitfalls ahead.

‘We have six consecutive SEC opponents,’ Kelly said. ‘This is where the separation begins.’

Lane Kiffin showers LSU with praise before Magnolia Bowl

The past two Magnolia Bowls were instant classics. If oddsmakers’ betting line provides an accurate indication, this will be another.

The spotlight hasn’t shined as brightly on Ole Miss as it did last season. Maybe, that’s for the best. The Rebels wilted in the glow. They’re accelerating under the radar.

The Ole Miss offense rallied behind backup quarterback turned breakout star Trinidad Chambliss after an injury to starter Austin Simmons. Kiffin, the self-proclaimed ‘Portal King,’ wielded his scepter and unearthed Chambliss from faraway Ferris State in the Division II ranks. Expect Chambliss to start, but Simmons to be available against LSU.

So … quarterback controversy? Not really.

Two good options are better than no good options. What Kentucky coach Mark Stoops wouldn’t give to have Kiffin’s “controversy.”

Chambliss torched Tulane’s defense, but the challenge heightens against an LSU defense Kiffin aptly described as “loaded.”

Kiffin’s up to his usual tricks, trying to shift the pressure onto LSU by highlighting LSU’s roster payroll.

“They’ve heavily financially invested in the portal and made that decision,” Kiffin said. “That’s no secret. Coach Kelly talked about that, how much money they’ve spent. And it shows.”

Sure it does, but it’s not as if Ole Miss bought its team from the Dollar Store. Kiffin knows where to shop, too.

This Magnolia Bowl is the Transfer Bowl. Nobody mined the portal better than Kelly and Kiffin this past offseason.

Money well spent.

“These guys have one of the best rosters in America,” Kiffin said.

Kiffin told no lies. Kelly basically said as much in the preseason.

Here’s a fun little fact: Kelly’s .750 winning percentage at LSU matches Saban’s clip on the Bayou. He’s creeping up on Miles’ winning percentage, too.

What more do they want at LSU?

Only to win a national championship.

When do they want it? This season would work.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

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Now that the fantasy football season is underway, there are only two ways to improve your rosters — waiver wire and trades.

Evaluating a fantasy trade can be a daunting task. Most managers value their players more than they’re actually worth. That’s where the Week 4 fantasy football trade value charts come in. You can also check out our Week 4 fantasy rankings to help with lineup and transaction decisions this week.

The charts can be used as your very own fantasy football trade analyzer in standard, half-PPR (point per reception) and full PPR leagues. Someone sends you an offer? Simply pull out a calculator (on your phone, you don’t need an actual calculator) and plug in the values for each player. Don’t worry, six-points-per-passing-touchdown and superflex leagues are covered as well.

Important note: If you’re offered an uneven trade (i.e., a 2-for-1 or 3-for-1), include the values for the players you’d be moving to the bench or dropping within your calculation. Example: If someone in your half-PPR league offers you Chase Brown, Chris Godwin and Tre Tucker (combined value of 76) for Jonathan Taylor (67), it might look like you’re getting the better end of it. However, if you’re bumping down, say, Ollie Gordon II and Darnell Mooney (combined value of 35) in the process, it’s a net negative deal for you.

Another note: The ‘1 QB’ values are for standard scoring leagues. Quarterback value diminishes in PPR formats, so deduct roughly 3% of their values in half-PPR and another 3% for full PPR (this number drops as the season goes on and people look to consolidate). Example: Jalen Hurts’ value in standard formats is 38. In half-PPR, his value would be 37 (deducted 3%), and in full PPR, his value would be 36 (deducted 6%).

The rankings are based on how players should be valued in 12-team leagues. Players are sorted in order of their half-PPR values.

(NOTE: App users might need to switch to a browser if the charts aren’t showing up.)

Quarterback trade value chart

(Note: ‘6/TD’ is for leagues that award six points for passing touchdowns and ‘SFLEX’ stands for superflex.)

Running back trade value chart

Wide receiver trade value chart

Tight end trade value chart

Overall Week 4 fantasy football rest-of-season rankings

Note: These values are for 12-team, one-QB leagues with half-PPR scoring.

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Republicans and Democrats are continuing to trade blows ahead of a potential government shutdown next week, with both sides indicating that neither is willing to budge from its position on federal funding.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., released a memo earlier this week highlighting past years’ comments by Senate Democrats warning of the pitfalls of a government shutdown.

‘House Republicans acted responsibly last week to keep the government open with the clean short-term continuing resolution,’ Johnson’s memo said.

‘Senate Democrats, who used to warn that shutdowns would hurt seniors, veterans, and working families, are now threatening to force one unless Congress repeals the Working Families Tax Cut, restores taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal aliens, and sends half a billion dollars to leftist news outlets, among other partisan spending demands.’

The rest of the memo features a list of Democrats’ comments, beginning with then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., warning on Sept. 16, 2024, ‘If the government shuts down, it will be average Americans who suffer most.’

At the time, the Democrat-controlled Senate was negotiating with the House GOP majority under then-President Joe Biden to avert a government shutdown. That stand-off ended with Biden signing a short-term extension of the previous fiscal year’s government funding levels on Sept. 26, 2024 – days before the Sept. 30 shutdown deadline – through Dec. 20, 2024.

Johnson’s memo also referenced comments by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., from Jan. 4, 2018, during President Donald Trump’s first term, ‘The truth is that shutting down the government is a serious and dangerous action that we must do everything possible to prevent. Shutting down the government would impact tens of millions of our fellow Americans who would be unable to access government services.’

Senate Democrats, then in the minority, agreed to the GOP’s short-term funding bill in exchange for public assurances for a vote on immigration legislation.

Anna Bahr, a spokesperson for Sanders, told Fox News Digital that the Senator ‘absolutely still believes that a government shutdown is serious and dangerous, and urges the Trump administration and his Republican colleagues not to do it,’ but that he’s been clear he’d support Senate Democrats’ counter-proposal over the GOP’s bill.

‘President Trump’s party controls the House, Senate, and White House and has the responsibility of keeping the government open,’ Bahr said. 

During an earlier stand-off in late 2023, Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said, according to Johnson’s memo, ‘A government shutdown would have serious impacts. Servicemembers won’t get their paychecks. Airports could have major delays. Nutrition assistance for children could be cut off. We can’t let any of that happen. Congress needs to work together to prevent a shutdown.’

Kelley argued in a statement to Fox News Digital that Trump would ‘rather shut the government down than keep health care premiums from skyrocketing for millions of Americans.’

‘The only person who wants a government shutdown is President Donald Trump,’ he said. 

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said in November that year, ‘The priority has to be keeping the government open and I think this is a moment where reasonable people in the Senate, and that’s where most of the reasonable people are these days, have to make sure that we are not making the perfect the enemy of the good.’

And Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., who along with Schumer voted to advance the GOP’s CR earlier this year, said in Dec. 2024 that shutdowns would risk ‘national security and threatening livelihoods – which is why it is important that we voted on a bipartisan basis to avert a shutdown.’

A spokesperson for Hassan told Fox News Digital that she still believed that a government shutdown could cause real pain.

‘Which is why she is urging President Trump and Congressional Republicans to come to the table and work with Democrats to keep the government open and pass a funding bill that protects access to health care for millions of Americans,’ they said. 

The House passed a short-term extension keeping federal funding levels roughly the same, called a continuing resolution (CR), last week. The vote fell largely along party lines, with just one Democrat crossing the aisle in the measure’s favor.

The bill also included an extra $30 million for lawmaker security, which was welcomed by both sides, as well as $58 million requested by the White House for executive and judicial branch security.

An effort to consider the bill in the Senate hours later was scuttled when most Democrats, along with two Republicans, opposed a vote to begin debating the measure.

Now both parties are blaming one another for a potential shutdown – which could hit at midnight on Oct. 1 if a deal is not passed in both chambers by then.

Republicans are accusing Democrats of recklessly pushing for a shutdown and making unworkable demands in exchange for keeping the government open. They’ve also pointed out that government funding levels have remained relatively steady since fiscal year (FY) 2024, when Democrats supported then-President Joe Biden’s spending priorities.

But Democrats, infuriated by being sidelined in discussions on the bill, have also been pushing for the inclusion of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that are set to expire at the end of 2025 without congressional action.

Fox News Digital reached out to the offices of Schumer and Murphy, but did not immediately hear back. 

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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a scheme to finance his 2007 presidential campaign with Libyan funds, The Associated Press reported Thursday.

The ruling marks the first time in modern French history that a former president will serve time behind bars. 

The court in Paris said Sarkozy, 70, would not be taken into custody immediately but will begin serving his sentence on a date to be determined later.

‘If they absolutely want me to sleep in prison, I will sleep in prison. But with my head held high. I am innocent. This injustice is a scandal,’ Sarkozy said outside the courthouse with his wife, singer and model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, according to the AP. 

‘What they humiliated today is France,’ he insisted. 

The panel of judges found Sarkozy guilty of criminal association between 2005 and 2007, when he served as interior minister. 

He was also found guilty of permitting close aides to seek campaign money from Libya in exchange for diplomatic favors during the rule of late dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

He was however acquitted of three other charges, including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing.

In court, chief judge Nathalie Gavarino also said the conspiracy aimed ‘to prepare an act of corruption at the highest possible level in the event that you were elected President of the Republic,’ the AP reported. 

She also described the facts as ‘exceptionally serious’ and damaging to public trust in democratic institutions.

Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, had rejected the allegations during the three-month trial, calling them an ‘idea’ pushed by aides without his approval. 

‘I am being convicted for supposedly allowing my staff to pursue the idea — the idea of illegal financing,’ he said.

Two of Sarkozy’s longtime allies were also convicted Thursday. 

Former Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux received a two-year sentence to be served under electronic monitoring.

Claude Guéant, Sarkozy’s ex-chief of staff, was sentenced to six years in prison but spared immediate incarceration for health reasons. 

Judges said the men had secretly met with Libyan intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senoussi, brother-in-law of Moammar Gadhafi, as part of a ‘corruption pact.’

The court also noted it could not prove Libyan funds directly reached Sarkozy’s campaign but said French law allows conviction if corrupt intent is established, even without a financial transfer.

Sarkozy has since vowed to appeal.

The case traces back to 2011, when Libyan officials claimed Tripoli funneled millions of euros to Sarkozy’s campaign. 

He has also faced multiple legal battles since leaving office, including separate convictions for corruption and illegal campaign financing. 

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