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Credit Suisse to borrow $54 billion from Swiss central bank

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

GENEVA (AP) — Swiss bank Credit Suisse said Thursday it will move to shore up its finances, borrowing up to $54 billion from the central bank after its shares plunged, dragging down other major European lenders in the wake of bank failures in the United States.Credit Suisse said would exercise an option to borrow up to 50 billion francs ($53.7 billion) from the central bank.“This additional liquidity would support Credit Suisse’s core businesses and clients as Credit Suisse takes the necessary steps to create a simpler and more focused bank built around client needs,” the bank said.Fanning new fears about the health of financial institutions following the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in the U.S., at one point, Credit Suisse shares lost more than a quarter of their value on Wednesday. The share price hit a record low after the bank’s biggest shareholder — the Saudi National Bank — told news outlets that it would not put more money into the Swiss len...

Mets’ Díaz latest on list of freak celebration injuries

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

Edwin Díaz was jumping for joy with his Puerto Rico teammates.Then Díaz crumbled to the turf, and the party came to a sudden stop.Díaz, an All-Star closer for the New York Mets, injured his right knee celebrating a 5-2 victory over the Dominican Republic on Wednesday night — a jarring scene that dashed the spirits of a club riding high from a berth into the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals.The right-hander was jumping in the infield with teammates when he collapsed, and he was taken off the field in a wheelchair. Díaz’s brother, Reds pitcher Alexis Díaz, was also crying as Edwin was put in a chair and wheeled away. Mets teammate and Puerto Rico shortstop Francisco Lindor stood nearby with his hands on his head.Díaz signed a $102 million, five-year deal to stay with the Mets in November, one of several moves Mets owner Steve Cohen hopes bring a championship to Queens.Now, his season could be in jeopardy.Díaz isn’t the first player injured while celebrating. Here are some ot...

National Audubon Society will keep its name despite namesake’s history, DC chapter official calls decision ‘shortsighted’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

The National Audubon Society has decided to keep its name after more than a year of taking a hard look at the legacy of its namesake John James Audubon, the 19th century illustrator and naturalist who — according to the organization’s own assessment — has a “complicated” history.The decision by one of the nation’s leading bird conservation organization’s board of directors came after more than a year of examining the issues surrounding Audubon’s history of owning slaves. On the National Audubon Society’s website, Audubon is described as a “genius” and a “pioneer” as well as “a complex and troubling character who did despicable things even by the standards of his day.”In a letter from Elizabeth Gray, CEO of the National Audubon Society, writing of Audubon, “There can be no doubt of the impact of his life’s work and passion for birds. And yet — he was also an enslaver whose racist views and treat...

Wilson helps Capitals rally late in 5-4 SO win over Sabres

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tom Wilson tied it with 68 seconds left in regulation, Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie scored in the shootout and the Washington Capitals kept their faint playoff hopes alive by coming back to beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-4 Wednesday night.Wilson’s goal was the first tying or go-ahead goal in the final two minutes this season by the Capitals, who moved two points back of the second and final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Oshie and Kuznetsov also scored in regulation, and Alex Ovechkin cut the Capitals’ deficit to one goal midway through the third period before Wilson tied it on a 6-on-4 goal with goaltender Charlie Lindgren pulled for an extra skater.Lindgren stopped Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson in the shootout after making 23 saves in regulation and overtime.Ilya Lyubushkin, JJ Peterka, Tyson Jost and Zemgus Girgensons scored in regulation for Buffalo. Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen made 35 saves for the Sabres, who have lost seven of nine.ISLANDERS 6, DUCKS 3A...

Palmieri, Nelson lead Islanders’ 6-3 rout of Anaheim Ducks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Kyle Palmieri had a career-high four points with a goal and three assists, Brock Nelson scored two goals and linemate Pierre Engvall also scored in the New York Islanders’ 6-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night.Nelson scored the tiebreaking goal late in the second period and added another in the third to secure his second straight 30-goal season for the Islanders, who snapped a two-game skid. Engvall matched his career high with his 15th goal by scoring in his third consecutive game for the Isles, who acquired the Swedish winger from Toronto two weeks ago.The 32-year-old Palmieri scored four points for the first time in his 724-game NHL career, which began with five seasons in Anaheim. The Ducks chose Palmieri in the first round back in 2009.Hudson Fasching and Zach Parise also scored and Ilya Sorokin made 20 saves in a bounce-back performance for New York, which had been outscored 10-3 in its first back-to-back regulation losses since January. ...

Property tax increase proposed as part of Montgomery Co. budget

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is proposing a $6.8 billion budget that fully funds the public schools’ request for an increase of $296 million. That would put the operating budget for Montgomery County Public Schools at $3.2 billion.In order to do that, Montgomery County residents could have to dig deeper in their pockets. Elrich proposes an increase of .1% in the county property tax rate.Graphic of Montgomery County’s proposed budget. (Courtesy Montgomery County Office of Management and Budget) At a news conference announcing his proposed operating budget, Elrich said, “There is a correlation between not spending money on education and results. If we want the best in this county, then we have to be willing to pay what it takes to get the best.”Elrich said the recent results on the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program tests underscore the need to funnel more financial support to schools. He cited the data that showed only 31% of students te...

De’Aaron Fox hits 3 at buzzer, Kings beat Bulls 117-114

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — De’Aaron Fox hit a 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds left to give the Sacramento Kings a 117-114 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.Fox scored 32 points on 12-for-17 shooting, hitting four 3-pointers. The sixth-year guard is on a roll, scoring 2O or more points in 14 of his last 16 games and averaging over 30 in that span.And his confidence, especially when game is on the line?“I think it’s through the roof,” Fox said “I have a whole group of guys and coaching staff who believe in me. They have confidence in me taking the last shot, so the least I can do is go out there and have confidence in myself.”Fox cooly hit his 25-foot winner before the Bulls could double-team him. The buzzer-beater improved the Kings to 41-27 and moved them a step closer to their first winning record and playoff berth since 2005-06.Domantas Sabonis had his second straight triple-double and 11th of the season — finishing with 14 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists — and Sacra...

Recapping the Chicago Bulls: Loss to Sacramento Kings on last-second 3-pointer halts momentum from 2-game win streak

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

It was a familiar sight for the Chicago Bulls.When the Sacramento Kings took a six-point lead in the final minute, fans throughout the United Center began a defeated shuffle toward the doors in anticipation of the inevitable.It didn’t matter that the Bulls fought back. And it didn’t matter that DeMar DeRozan sank a 3-pointer and drew a foul with 11.6 seconds remaining, tying the score with the four-point play. The Bulls had been trading blows with the Kings throughout the fourth quarter — bruising layups through contact from Zach LaVine, 16 points from DeRozan in the quarter.But when De’Aaron Fox pulled up from 3-point range to fire off the game-winning shot with 0.7 seconds remaining, it was clear this story would end the same as so many others — a last-gasp, 117-114 loss as the Bulls slipped to 31-37 and saw their two-game winning streak end.The loss cemented well-established narratives of this NBA season. The Kings are one of the best teams in the le...

Kobe Bryant’s handprints unveiled at Hollywood’s Chinese Theatre

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

Kobe Bryant’s handprints and footprints are now permanently on display at the iconic Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.In an unveiling ceremony Wednesday, Vanessa Bryant and her daughters paid tribute to the late NBA star’s legacy. Eldest daughter Natalia, 20, gave a long speech while her younger sisters Bianka, 6, and Capri, 3, watched from the audience, People reported.“I’m honored to be here today to recognize the man that we all knew and loved — my dad, Kobe Bryant,” Natalia said. Referring to him as the “MVP of girl dads,” she said he always made time for his daughters despite his intense work ethic and commitment to basketball.“Being his daughter is one of the greatest joys of my life, and I hope to continue to embody and cherish the many lessons he has taught me,” she added.Most of those cemented into the theatre’s foreground are Hollywood luminaries like actors, directors and musical artists. In 2011, Bryant became...

From the Jalen Carter saga to the Aaron Rodgers fallout, even a slower day in March proved significant to the Chicago Bears

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:16:50 GMT

The NFL’s new league year rang it at 3 p.m. Wednesday, allowing the Chicago Bears to announce the trade of the No. 1 pick, the acquisition of receiver D.J. Moore and the free-agency signings of Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Nate Davis, DeMarcus Walker and Travis Homer. The Bears still have a lot of work ahead to continue fortifying a roster that, as of Wednesday night, had 33 vacancies and an eye-popping number of notable holes. So where will general manager Ryaa Poles turn his attention next?Poles will meet with reporters Thursday at Halas Hall to recap the flurry of activity from the past week while also keeping an eye on what’s still to come. Still, even with the Bears failing to make any additions to the roster Wednesday, it was still a day full of significant developments. Here’s a glimpse into the most notable happenings and what they mean for the Bears going forward.Jalen Carter stumbled through his pro-day workout at Georgia.Poles and coach Matt Eberflus ...