Category Archives: general

Niger fallout under Biden leaves US troops ‘blind’ in battle with terror groups

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**FIRST ON FOX:** U.S. troops combating al Qaeda and ISIS jihadist fighters in Niger and other West African countries within the terror-ridden Sahel region are reportedly “completely blind,” following a policy proposal developed by the Biden administration, a former senior State Department official told Fox News Digital.

A U.S. military source, speaking exclusively to Fox News Digital, claimed that the Pentagon now faces “a black hole” when reacting to serious incidents such as the October 21 kidnapping of a U.S. citizen.

Until September of last year, the U.S. maintained two airbases in Niger. From these bases, American surveillance drones operated high-tech cameras capable of peering through thick forests to locate terror groups. These drones were believed to have played a critical role in locating another American resident of Niger who was kidnapped in 2020, during the first Trump administration. Seal Team Six was then deployed and successfully rescued that citizen.

According to the military source, Niger wanted Washington to keep its bases. However, in March last year, Niger complained about the “condescending attitude” of a U.S. delegation sent by the Biden administration and ordered all American base personnel to leave.

### American Missionary Kidnapped in Niger by Suspected Islamist Militants, Sources Say

Following the meeting on March 16, Niger’s government spokesperson, Amadou Adramane, appeared on national television to express grievances. He criticized the delegation from the previous administration for not following diplomatic protocol and stated, “Niger regrets the intention of the American delegation to deny the sovereign Nigerien people the right to choose their partners and types of partnerships.”

Adramane continued, “Also, the government of Niger forcefully denounces the condescending attitude accompanied by the threat of retaliation from the head of the American delegation towards the Nigerien government and people.”

Mary “Molly” Phee, then Assistant Secretary of State for the Biden administration, led the U.S. team in the meeting with Niger’s military leadership. Several sources told Fox News Digital that Phee demanded Niger cease relations with Russia and Iran or face sanctions. One source described her approach as “flame spraying” the Nigerien leaders, adding that the “rant led us to being kicked out.” The Washington Post also reported that Nigerien leaders took particular offense to her remarks.

On Saturday, Phee, now retired, told Fox News Digital, “It’s a classic case of blame the messenger if you don’t like the message.”

### Expert Warns Critical Hours Slipping Away as Kidnappers Likely to Move U.S. Missionary in Niger

Phee explained that she was following Biden administration policy, saying, “I’m a professional diplomat with more than 30 years of experience, and I was leading an interagency delegation dispatched to share a proposal developed and approved by the White House. The Nigerien junta rejected our offer and employed a misogynistic trope to deflect legitimate concerns about their conduct.”

Within months of the delegation’s meeting, all U.S. personnel and their drones were removed from Niger, leaving Washington, the military source claimed, with “no eyes in the sky.” The former Commander of U.S. Africa Command expressed that Niger “would be much safer, and we would have eyes in the sky to help find the American missionary… now we have nothing in the way of resources.”

The source told Fox News Digital that rescue efforts are now “difficult to impossible… first we have to find the guy.”

Analysts agree that, particularly in the Sahel’s harsh conditions, relying on satellites alone makes it difficult for Washington to track the missing American missionary effectively.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/biden-admins-diplomatic-failure-niger-leaves-us-without-eyes-sky-terror-fight

Cristiano Ronaldo set for record 6th World Cup as Portugal routs Armenia to qualify

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Cristiano Ronaldo is heading to another World Cup. Portugal sealed its place at next year’s tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with a resounding 9-1 rout of Armenia on Sunday.

Ronaldo missed the match in Porto due to suspension, but in his absence, Portugal ensured he would have the chance to appear at a record sixth World Cup. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will be 41 by the time the tournament kicks off next June. Ronaldo recently stated that this would be his last shot at winning the one major title that has so far eluded him.

Assuming he retains his fitness, Ronaldo is expected to be part of coach Roberto Martinez’s squad. However, he may yet face suspension for up to two matches after being sent off in Portugal’s 2-0 loss to Ireland on Thursday.

That surprising defeat meant Portugal had to beat Armenia to secure the top spot in Group F. Hat tricks from Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves ensured there would be no slip-up. Hungary had the chance to overtake Portugal at the top of the group but fell to a stunning late comeback from Ireland, losing 3-2 in Budapest.

Troy Parrott was the hero for Ireland, scoring a hat trick that included an equalizer in the 80th minute and the winner in the sixth minute of added time. Ireland’s victory meant they finished in second place and will advance to the playoffs.

### History Makers

Ronaldo and his great rival Lionel Messi will both appear at their sixth World Cup if they participate in next year’s tournament. This achievement would surpass greats like Germany’s Lothar Matthäus, who appeared in five World Cups.

Defending champion Argentina has already secured its place. Messi fulfilled his career-long ambition by leading Argentina to the title in Qatar in 2022.

Ronaldo, who has won the European Championship and two Nations League titles with Portugal, is still seeking to add a World Cup to an impressive trophy haul that includes five Champions League titles and league championships in England, Spain, and Italy.

Though nearing the end of his career and having left top-flight European soccer to play in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo continues to embellish his remarkable legacy. He led Portugal to the Nations League title earlier this year and last month became the leading scorer in World Cup qualifying games with 41 goals.

Suspension denied him the chance to add to that tally against Armenia, but there was no shortage of goals from Portugal in his absence. Fernandes’ hat trick included two penalties. Neves struck twice in the first half and completed his treble with a goal in the 81st minute.

### Ireland’s Comeback

It was an unforgettable week for Ireland, capped off with a dramatic fightback in Hungary and a spot in the playoffs. Parrott’s late winner was his fifth goal in two games and sealed second place for the Irish.

He scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Portugal and, with Ireland trailing 2-1 going into the 80th minute at the Puskás Arena, he proved his country’s hero once again. First, he lifted the ball over Hungary goalkeeper Dénes Dibusz to level the match at 2-2. Then, with the clock running down, he converted from close range deep into added time for the winner.

___

James Robson is at ___ AP soccer.
https://mymotherlode.com/sports/soccer-general-news/10193551/cristiano-ronaldo-set-for-record-6th-world-cup-as-portugal-routs-armenia-to-qualify.html

Kirk Herbstreit: ‘God bless’ Pat McAfee’s Veterans Day show, ‘one of your best’

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On Tuesday, Pat McAfee hosted his eponymous show from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina to celebrate Veterans Day. The show featured numerous gestures in praise of the military, but none more notable than an interview with the sitting president.

The commander-in-chief spoke to McAfee by phone, with much of the interview focused on celebrating veterans. However, the interview has come under fire in the days since. Critics point out that McAfee gave President Trump carte blanche to discuss lies about the 2020 election, didn’t bring up Trump’s history of denigrating the military, and then hid behind his self-proclaimed ignorance of politics when facing the predictable criticism of hosting a controversial political figure on ESPN airwaves.

The following day, McAfee claimed that anyone who disagreed with his decision to interview Trump “hate[d] the troops.”

Despite the polarizing nature of the interview, one of McAfee’s ESPN colleagues decided to publicly voice his support for the former Indianapolis Colts punter during a high-leverage portion of College GameDay on Saturday. Fellow GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit told McAfee that his Veterans Day show was one of the “best shows you’ve ever had,” as the show’s panel picked Saturday’s slate of college football games.

“Veterans Day was Tuesday,” McAfee said before making his selection for the USF-Navy game. “Give me Navy, for America. Of course, I’ll take Navy to get a big time win.” After celebrity picker Aaron Donald also picked Navy, McAfee said, “And God bless the troops,” at which point Herbstreit quickly jumped in to say, “And God bless you for that show you put on Tuesday. One of your best shows you’ve ever had.”

In Herbstreit’s defense, McAfee’s Trump interview was but a small portion of a three-hour show that featured plenty of tactful celebration for our nation’s armed forces. However, the Trump interview was by far the most notable part of the show, and the part that has received the vast majority of media coverage (and criticism) in the days following the episode.

Whether Herbstreit meant his comments to be an endorsement of the Trump interview or not, that is how they came off.
https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/kirk-herbstreit-endorses-pat-mcafee-veterans-day-show-trump-interview.html

“Lame A** Ref”: Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt Flames Off After Rookie’s First-Points Moment Gets Snatched Away in Bizarre Chaos

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During a recent game, Jarred Vanderbilt became visibly upset during a conversation with a referee. The dispute arose when the official refused to hand him the match ball.

Vanderbilt’s frustration was evident as the exchange quickly escalated, drawing attention from both teammates and spectators. The incident highlighted the intense emotions players can experience in high-stakes moments on the court.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-lame-a-ref-lakers-jarred-vanderbilt-flames-off-after-rookie-s-first-points-moment-gets-snatched-away-bizarre-chaos

Dillon Danis Banned From UFC Events After Viral Fight Video

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Dillon Danis has caused controversy before. There was the time KSI hit him with a pancake at a trash-talking press conference. There was also the incident where Logan Paul’s fiancée, Nina Agdal, took Danis to court over online trolling. But now, Dana White thinks Danis has gone too far.

The latest issue stems from a wild brawl that broke out at the UFC fight on November 15. Videos of the altercation quickly went viral on X. According to ESPN, Danis is a “former training partner” of MMA fighter Conor McGregor.

The fight erupted between Danis and UFC fighter Islam Makhachev’s team at UFC 322. ESPN reported that the incident “occurred cageside” before Makhachev’s bout against Jack Della Maddalena. Danis reportedly has a longtime rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is Makhachev’s teammate.

Dana White addressed the incident during the post-event press conference. “I was on the other side and go, (expletive), I know exactly what that is, and I knew it,” White said. He added, “You will never see Dillon Danis at a UFC fight ever again.”

When asked about the brawl, White called it “crazy” and took partial responsibility. “I blame myself for that, actually,” he said. White explained that officials informed him right before the main card that Dillon Danis was present, moving around and sitting in fighter seats instead of his assigned seat. Though Danis had a ticket, his behavior raised concerns.

“I was told, ‘Do you want us to throw him out of here?’ I said, ‘He has a ticket?’” White recalled. He then instructed organizers to keep an eye on Danis but ultimately allowed him to remain in the venue.

Despite the severity of the incident, White confirmed that the UFC will not press criminal charges. “We at the UFC are not pressing charges against anybody. This is the fight business, man,” he remarked.

With Dana White’s statement, it seems clear that Dillon Danis has effectively been banned from attending future UFC events.
https://www.complex.com/sports/a/jessica-mcbride/dillon-danis-banned-from-ufc-events-after-viral-fight-video

Phillies Star Reliever Drawing Trade Interest

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The Philadelphia Phillies could look to move on from a star reliever amid a bullpen turnover this offseason.

Philadelphia had a disappointing exit to their season, losing in the NLDS to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Phillies’ bullpen was an issue throughout the year, and the team may be planning some major changes to strengthen the group.

Phillies insider Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports that star reliever Matt Strahm could draw trade interest from other teams. “The Phillies have fielded steady interest in all three of their left-handed relievers since the offseason began, major-league sources said, and it could nudge them toward a trade,” Gelb wrote.

He added, “The free-agent market for lefty relievers is not robust; some of the best available arms are Gregory Soto, Drew Pomeranz, Danny Coulombe, and Hoby Milner.”

Strahm, in particular, could pique teams’ interest. Despite this, he has been an integral piece of the Phillies’ bullpen success. His 2.46 ERA since 2023 ranks second among 53 left-handed relievers with at least 100 innings pitched during that span (Coulombe leads the group).

Although Strahm’s strikeout rate and fastball velocity dipped in 2025, he still logged an effective 62 1/3 innings of relief work. The left-hander, who serves as a reliable setup man, posted a 2-3 record with a 2.74 ERA over 66 games last season. Strahm is set to earn $7.5 million in 2026 and will be a free agent following the season.

### What Would the Phillies Get for Strahm?

If Philadelphia decides to move on from Strahm, they would likely receive a decent return. Given that he is a pending free agent, the trade return might not be massive, but Gelb believes the Phillies could net a mid-tier prospect.

“What would be the motivation to move one of the lefties? The Phillies could acquire a mid-level prospect to help backfill a depleted farm system, then throw some darts with the payroll savings on a few middle relievers,” Gelb explained. “Maybe it’s a chance to refresh a familiar bullpen mix that has enjoyed highs and suffered lows.”

“Whatever the case, the Phillies must create better bullpen depth than they did last offseason; they entered 2025 with these righties in the bullpen: Orion Kerkering, Jordan Romano, José Ruiz, and Carlos Hernández. They’ve already boosted it by adding Jhoan Duran. But securing a deeper righty pool might require creative maneuvers like trading a lefty.”

With the left-handed reliever free agent market not being the strongest, trading one of their own could be a practical move for Philadelphia to gain valuable assets.

### Philadelphia Not Ruling Out Starting Pitching Help

While the Phillies consider trading some pitching assets, they are also open to adding starting pitching help.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski emphasized that while it’s not their highest priority, the team is mindful of their starting pitching depth.

“But, again, it’s not our highest priority. You have to be careful. You always need to look for starting pitching depth. That doesn’t necessarily mean top of the market, but where does that fit in?” Dombrowski said.

“Because you never have enough starting pitching, and really for us, after you get past [the top six starters], now you’re talking about [minor leaguer Jean] Cabrera. He would be one of those guys. But we don’t have a lot of starting pitching depth, so that’s something we need to be cognizant of.”

As the Phillies plan for the next season, moves involving both bullpen adjustments and potential additions to the starting rotation remain on the table.
https://heavy.com/sports/mlb/philadelphia-phillies/star-reliever-drawing-trade-interest/

Arthur Hayes moves $2.5M in ETH and tokens to market makers: Is he buying ZEC?

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**BitMEX Co-Founder Arthur Hayes Transfers $2.5 Million in Ethereum and Ecosystem Tokens to Institutional Market Makers**

Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, recently transferred $2.5 million worth of Ethereum (ETH) and related ecosystem tokens to institutional market makers, including Flowdesk, FalconX, and Wintermute. Blockchain analyst EmberCN tracked these significant movements and raised questions about whether Hayes is selling certain assets to bolster his position in Zcash (ZEC).

Hayes has been notably vocal about his ZEC holdings amid the recent privacy coin rally. On November 15, he posted on X (formerly Twitter), “This chart is just so strong I aped more. EC,” suggesting he increased his Zcash position following the token’s impressive 700% surge since October.

### Significant Transfers of ETH and Ecosystem Tokens

EmberCN reported multiple transfers from Hayes’ wallet to various institutional trading platforms. Specifically, Hayes moved:

– 520 ETH valued at approximately $1.66 million
– 2.624 million ENA (ENA) tokens worth around $730,000
– 132,000 ETHFI tokens valued at $120,000

Additionally, Hayes tested a transfer of 10 LDO (Lido) tokens to FalconX shortly after these initial transactions. EmberCN commented that Hayes “should continue selling LDO soon.”

### Follow-Up Sales of Various Tokens

Subsequent reports revealed Hayes sold further assets including:

– 260 ETH (about $820,000)
– 2.40 million ENA tokens valued at $657,000
– 640,000 LDO tokens worth $480,000
– 1,630 AAVE tokens valued at $290,000
– 28,670 UNI tokens worth $211,000

The total value of these sales reached roughly $2.45 million. EmberCN speculated whether Hayes is converting these assets into Zcash, stating, “Is this selling coins to add to EC? He’s been crazily pumping ZEC during this period.”

### Maelstrom CIO Calls Zcash “Superior to XRP”

Arthur Hayes has made several bullish statements about Zcash in recent weeks. He declared “ZEC > XRP,” implying that Zcash could potentially surpass Ripple in market capitalization.

As CIO of the Maelstrom Fund, Hayes predicted that Zcash could reach between $10,000 and $20,000 per coin. He targeted a ZEC/BTC pair price of 0.2 BTC, which would translate to approximately $19,200 for ZEC.

Hayes revealed that Zcash has become Maelstrom’s second-largest liquid holding after Bitcoin. He described Zcash as “Bitcoin with full privacy” and suggested that ZEC could achieve 10% to 20% of Bitcoin’s value during the current market cycle.

### Urging ZEC Holders to Move Tokens Off Centralized Exchanges

In mid-November, Hayes encouraged ZEC holders to withdraw their tokens from centralized exchanges. He posted, “If you hold EC on a CEX, withdraw it to a self-custodial wallet and shield it,” emphasizing the importance of privacy and security for Zcash investors.

—

Arthur Hayes’ recent token transfers and outspoken support for Zcash indicate a strong personal conviction in the coin’s future potential, highlighting a growing interest in privacy-focused cryptocurrencies within the institutional investor community.
https://crypto.news/arthur-hayes-moves-2-5m-is-he-buying-zec/

William Shatner and Neil deGrasse Tyson: Star power

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When “Star Trek” legend William Shatner and America’s favorite astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson share the stage, sparks can fly on an astronomical level.

In a recent conversation with Luke Burbank, they opened up about their unique bromance built on a mutual appreciation for science. Their friendship and collaboration culminated in a two-man show titled *The Universe Is Absurd!*, which was inspired by an extraordinary trip to the South Pole.

Together, they explore how a deep curiosity about the cosmos can inspire wonder and even help keep one feeling young. Their engaging dialogue highlights the joy and excitement that science can bring to life, bridging the gap between entertainment and education.
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/william-shatner-and-neil-degrasse-tyson-star-power/

Extended interview: William Shatner and Neil deGrasse Tyson

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In this web exclusive, “Star Trek” legend William Shatner teams up with Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson for a unique stage show titled *The Universe Is Absurd!*

Together, they join Luke Burbank to discuss the wonders of science in an engaging and entertaining conversation.

This collaboration brings together the worlds of pop culture and astrophysics to explore the marvels of the universe in a way that’s both insightful and enjoyable.
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/extended-interview-william-shatner-and-neil-degrasse-tyson/

“Iga Swiatek is already a legend” – Coach Wim Fissette explains exactly why World No. 2’s 2025 season should not be considered a disappointment

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Iga Swiatek witnessed a disappointing end to her 2025 season as she failed to reach the semifinals of the WTA Finals. However, Swiatek’s coach, Wim Fissette, described the season as ‘special,’ highlighting her remarkable performance at Wimbledon and calling her a ‘legend’.

Despite winning her maiden Wimbledon title and achieving the Year-End No. 2 ranking, fans were left somewhat disappointed with the Pole’s overall 2025 campaign — a reflection of the high standards Swiatek has set for herself in recent years. After a challenging first half of the season, where she slipped to No. 5 in the rankings, Swiatek mounted a strong comeback by capturing titles at Wimbledon, Cincinnati, and Seoul.

The 24-year-old entered the season-ending WTA Finals in Riyadh as the No. 2 seed and kicked off her campaign with a dominant win over Madison Keys. However, she subsequently lost her next two round-robin matches against Elena Rybakina and Amanda Anisimova, which meant she missed out on advancing to the semifinals.

Swiatek ended the season having lost 17 singles matches — eight more than her total losses in 2024. Despite this, in a recent interview with Sport.pl, coach Wim Fissette emphasized the special nature of the 2025 season.

“Whatever happens, Iga is already a legend,” Fissette said. “The 2025 season will always be special. You can win ten titles in a year, but the Wimbledon victory and the way it was achieved will be remembered for years. No one can ever take that away from her; it was Iga’s most spectacular performance.”

Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Wim Fissette revealed that the six-time Grand Slam winner aims to win multiple Majors and reclaim the No. 1 ranking.

“The priorities haven’t changed. Iga wants to be the best in the world, so that’s the goal of the whole team. We want to win a Grand Slam tournament, hopefully more than one. We also aspire for more victories in WTA 1000 tournaments. Our intention is to get as close as possible to No. 1, and we know exactly what we have to do,” he explained.

“Iga is still very young; she needs to improve gradually and incorporate new elements into her game. We’ll achieve this by balancing her schedule a bit more, giving her a few extra weeks of training,” Fissette added.

—

**Iga Swiatek Wraps Up 2025 Season with Billie Jean King Cup Playoffs**

After finishing outside the top four at the WTA Finals, Iga Swiatek returned home to represent Poland at the Billie Jean King Cup. She made headlines by defeating Elyse Tse of New Zealand in the playoff round in just 43 minutes.

The World No. 2 registered a commanding 6-0, 6-1 victory over the World No. 909, wrapping up her 2025 campaign while helping Poland secure a 3-0 win over New Zealand. Poland had already taken a 2-0 lead following wins by Katarzyna Kawa and Linda Klimovicova-Martyna Kubka.

Poland will next face Romania in their second and final playoff tie scheduled for Sunday.

Meanwhile, this was Swiatek’s first appearance at the Billie Jean King Cup this year. She currently holds an impressive 11-match winning streak at the premier international team competition in women’s tennis, last having lost a match back in 2019.

Looking ahead, Swiatek will next compete at the United Cup 2026 — a mixed team WTA 500 event in Australia slated to begin on January 2.

—

Despite some setbacks in 2025, Iga Swiatek’s journey remains one of the most exciting to follow on the WTA Tour, with plenty of ambitions and potential for the upcoming season. Fans will be eager to see how she builds on her successes and aims to return to the very top of women’s tennis.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-iga-swiatek-already-legend-coach-wim-fissette-explains-exactly-world-no-2-s-2025-season-considered-disappointment