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Bulgaria expels a Russian and 2 Belarusian clerics accused of spying for Moscow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:05 GMT

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgaria is expelling one Russian and two Belarusian nationals for carrying out activities against Bulgaria’s national security and interests, authorities said on Thursday.The country’s agency for national security said in a press release that the three had worked to “purposefully influence the social and political processes in Bulgaria in favor of Russian geopolitical interests.” It added that the three have been stripped of the right of residence and barred from entering Bulgaria for a period of five years. The statement did not elaborate and provided only initials of the three.The Russian Embassy in Sofia reacted angrily in a Facebook post to the expulsions, calling the move a “rude, blatant action by Bulgarian authorities.” It sad the three expelled were members of the clergy — the prior of the Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia, Archimandrite Vassian, and two ministers of the Church of St. Nicholas of Myra.“We are indignant at the fact and format of t...

No. 1 Georgia heavy favorites against UAB despite several injuries on offense

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:05 GMT

UAB (1-2) at No. 1 Georgia (3-0), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)Line: Georgia by 41 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Georgia leads 3-0.WHAT’S AT STAKE?After rallying from an 11-point halftime deficit to beat South Carolina 24-14 in their Southeastern Conference opener last week, the Bulldogs are big favorites against the Blazers from the American Athletic Conference. Georgia will be looking to gain momentum before beginning a stretch of seven straight SEC games next week at Auburn. Georgia has allowed only 24 points in three games but its offense, led by quarterback Carson Beck, needs a strong showing after a slow start last week. The Blazers, one of the nation’s top passing teams under first-year coach Trent Dilfer, will need a major upset in their first game against a No. 1 team.KEY MATCHUPUAB nickel back Keondre Swoopes vs. Georgia’s WRs. Swoopes, a senior, had a pick 6 for the Blazers’ only touchdown in their 56-7 loss at Georgia in 2021. Swo...

Pac-2 clash on the Palouse as No. 14 Oregon State travels to No. 21 Washington State

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:05 GMT

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — No. 14 Oregon State (3-0, 0-0 Pac-12) at No. 21 Washington State (3-0, 0-0), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (Fox)Line: Oregon State by 2 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Washington State leads 56-48-3.WHAT’S AT STAKE?In a strange bit of synergy, the only two schools that will still be part of whatever the Pac-12 looks like in 2024 will meet to open the conference slate as No. 14 Oregon State travels to No. 21 Washington State. It’s a matchup thick with story lines going on off the field and an on-field clash that could have implications to the Pac-12 championship chase. The Cougars will close out a stretch of three straight games at home that included an upset of Wisconsin. The Beavers were sluggish last week but still dispatched of San Diego State, setting up an important two weeks facing the Cougars followed by a Friday night home game with No. 11 Utah.KEY MATCHUPThe best defense in the Pac-12 through three weeks faces the team that has one of the bes...

Baylor and No. 3 Texas clash in start of Longhorns’ last tour through the Big 12

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:05 GMT

No. 3 Texas (3-0) at Baylor (1-2), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)Line: Texas by 14 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Series record: Texas 80-28-4.WHAT’S AT STAKE?Texas is 3-0 for the first time since 2012 and enjoying its highest ranking since 2009. But now the Longhorns start their final season in the Big 12 at Baylor and they know it won’t be friendly. Saturday marks the 113th and likely last meeting between the rivals who are 100 miles apart. Baylor coach Dave Aranda has said fans have told him if the Bears win just one game this season, make it this one.KEY MATCHUPTexas defensive back Jerrin Thompson vs. Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson. Thompson has been the Longhorns’ game killer in the fourth quarter the last two weeks. His interception return against Alabama set up a late touchdown, and his TD return against Wyoming last week capped a 31-10 win. Robertson, a transfer from Mississippi State, is making his third start in place of injured starter Blake Sh...

New coaches square off as Wisconsin chases 17th straight victory over Purdue

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:05 GMT

Wisconsin (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten) at Purdue (1-2, 0-0), Friday, 7 p.m. ET (FS1)Line: Wisconsin by 5 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Wisconsin leads 52-29-8.WHAT’S AT STAKE?This game will be the first head-to-head matchup between new Big Ten coaches. Luke Fickell wants to put his stamp on a Badgers program that’s reached 21 straight bowl games, owns four West Division crowns and has more conference wins (54) than any team aside from Ohio State since 2014. Ryan Walters leads the defending West champs but needs to turn around an 0-2 home record to get the Boilermakers back on track.KEY MATCHUPWisconsin’s ground game vs. Purdue’s run defense. Fickell has brought his version of the “Air Raid” to Madison, but, so far, it doesn’t seem much has changed. RBs Chez Mellusi and Braelon Allen have a combined 523 yards and eight TDs through three games. Add QB Tanner Mordecai’s two TD runs and the Badgers have a league best 10 TDs on the ground. The Bo...

No longer in top 10, Alabama hosts Ole Miss in an SEC West showdown between two ranked foes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:05 GMT

Lane Kiffin was offensive coordinator the last time Alabama lost in September.The Crimson Tide fell to Mississippi in the third game of 2015 and didn’t lose again en route to a national championship. Now, Kiffin is on the other side taking the 15th-ranked Rebels to Tuscaloosa to face No. 13 Alabama, which is looking to produce a glimmer of hope that another national title run is still a reasonable goal.“In my three years there, we lost only one time at home and that was to Ole Miss,” said Kiffin, who was the Tide’s OC from 2014-16. “Sometimes that can kind of humble the team, can reset things. You see that often. People have a loss early, people start discounting them and all of the sudden they start playing better and they fix the issues.”It’s what happened in 2015 after a 43-37 loss to the Rebels. This time, Alabama is outside the AP top 10 for the first time since that loss resulted in a two-week absence.Then, the Tide also had a lingering quarterback question, but Jake Cok...

Armstrong, Wolfpack head to Scott Stadium for Friday night battle with winless Virginia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:05 GMT

North Carolina State (2-1, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) at Virginia (0-3, 0-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)Line: N.C. State by 9 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: N.C. State leads 36-22-1.WHAT’S AT STAKE?The Wolfpack got their new offense untracked last week in a 45-7 victory against VMI as they gained 498 yards while also scoring on an interception return and a kickoff return. Virginia started fast against Maryland, scoring the first 14 points behind freshman QB Anthony Colandrea, then went cold as the Terrapins scored the game’s last 42 points.KEY MATCHUPN.C. State QB Brennan Armstrong against his former program. Armstrong put up big numbers in five seasons at Virginia, setting 15 program records, including passing attempts (1,131), passing yards (9,034), passing TDs (58) and total offense (10,301). He transferred to North Carolina State after struggling last year in Tony Elliott’s new system, and now he’s reunited with Robert Anae — the coord...

Grains mostly lower, Livestock mixed.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:05 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Grain futures were mostly lower Thursday in early trading on the Chicago Board of Trade. Wheat for Sep. was off 1.50 cents at $5.85 a bushel; Sep. corn was up 1.75 cents at $4.79 a bushel; Dec. oats fell 4.50 cents at $4.27 a bushel; while Nov. soybeans lost 9.25 cents at $13.0175 a bushel.Beef was mixed and pork was lower on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.Oct. live cattle was up .07 cent at $1.8557 a pound; Sep. feeder cattle was off .42 cent at $2.5320 a pound; Oct. lean hogs fell .43 cent at $.8392 a pound.Source

Mount Democrat purchased from private landowner

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:05 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado's famed 14ers are on the "path to permanent protection" with the recent purchase of Mount Democrat by a nonprofit.The Conservation Fund purchased Mount Democrat from a private landowner, according to a press release. This means you no longer need a liability waiver to hike to the summit, which is one of the changes proposed by the previous owner. A study shows that fewer are hiking Colorado fourteeners Access to many privately owned 14ers was closed after a bill protecting landowners against liability failed in March. Since then, a few 14ers reopened under certain conditions, including Mount Lincoln and Mount Democrat. Previous landowner John Reiber allowed access with a liability waiver. With The Conservation Fund purchasing some of the land from Reiber, the liability waiver is no longer needed to summit Mount Democrat. While private lands like Mount Lincoln still need a liability waiver, many other 14ers are still closed, including the summit of Mount Br...

Poor second halves after fast starts have doomed Broncos' offense during 0-2 start

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:26:05 GMT

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Russell Wilson figures there's a simple solution to the Denver Broncos' Jekyll & Hyde offense that has contributed to an 0-2 start under new coach Sean Payton.“I think we just have to play cleaner in the third quarter,” Wilson said Wednesday.The Broncos' first- and second-half splits through two weeks are both perplexing and perilous for a team trying to snap a seven-year playoff drought. CU Buffs fans are giving the Broncos a run for their money In home losses to the Raiders and Commanders, the Broncos have scored a whopping 4.38 points per possession before halftime but just 1.67 points per drive afterward.Even more night and day are Wilson's numbers: In the first half, he's completed 23 of 27 passes (85%) for 177 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and two sacks. In the second half, he has completed 18 of 32 passes (56%) for 308 yards with one touchdown ( a 50-yard Hail Mary on Sunday ), one interception and seven sac...