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A pawlitical scandal: Moldova’s First Dog bites Austrian president

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:14:50 GMT

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen found a dog’s bite to be worse than its bark on Thursday, when Moldovan President Maia Sandu’s rescue pooch bit the Austrian leader on the hand during his visit to Chişinău. The incident, which was filmed by the media, occurred when Sandu and Van der Bellen were strolling through the courtyard of the Presidential Palace in the Moldovan capital.Sandu brought her dog, a rescue named Codruț, to a photo-op with Van der Bellen and Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar, who was also present for the meeting, earlier in the day. At one point, Van der Bellen reached down to pet Codruț, but the dog lunged at him and snapped at his right hand. Sandu apologized and explained Codruț had become overwhelmed. “It’s many people,” she said. Van der Bellen was later photographed with a bandaged hand.Sandu adopted Codruț, a former stray, in early 2023 after the dog was hit by a car, losing a leg. “Codruț has been part of our team...

Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 34-20 win over the Bengals | COMMENTARY

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:14:50 GMT

Here’s how the Ravens (8-3) graded out at each position after a 34-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals (5-5) in Thursday night’s Week 11 game at M&T Bank Stadium.QuarterbackLamar Jackson didn’t have his favorite target because tight end Mark Andrews injured his left ankle on the first possession and did not return. Coach John Harbaugh said after the game that it looks like a “season-ending injury.” Jackson was effective on short passes and showed good mobility but held on to the ball too long at times. He missed several long passes and the Ravens went to the running game in the second half. Jackson completed 16 of 26 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns and finished with a passer rating of 121.3, which is somewhat misleading. Grade: C+Running backsHarbaugh must have ordered the Ravens to run the ball in the second half, and they got the message. The Ravens had 33 yards rushing in the first half and 124 in the second. Gus Edwards had 12 carrie...

Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman both finish in top 10 of AL MVP voting

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:14:50 GMT

Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson were the Orioles’ first two draft picks in 2019. Each reached the majors in 2022. In 2023, both finished in the top 10 of American League Most Valuable Player voting.The Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani as the unanimous AL MVP on Thursday night, with Henderson placing eighth and Rutschman ninth in the voting. Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was the National League winner, also unanimously.It’s the first time two Orioles have landed in the top 10 since 2013, when Chris Davis came in third and Manny Machado placed ninth. Henderson’s finish is Baltimore’s highest in MVP voting since Machado placed fifth in 2016. An Oriole has not been named MVP since Cal Ripken Jr. in 1991.Like Machado a decade ago, both Henderson and Rutschman were in their first full seasons in 2023. Named the AL Rookie of the Year on Monday, Henderson hit .255/.325/.489 w...

Ravens surge past Bengals, 34-20, in injury-filled prime-time battle to strengthen AFC North lead

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:14:50 GMT

In a heavyweight fight between two of the NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks, one delivered a knockout blow while the other was knocked out.Lamar Jackson completed 16 of 26 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Ravens to a 34-20 statement victory over their AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night at M&T Bank Stadium. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, meanwhile, suffered a wrist injury in the second quarter and never returned.The victory keeps the Ravens (8-3) atop the division, while the Bengals (5-5) dropped 2 1/2 games back with seven to go after Baltimore’s season sweep.It was also sweet revenge for the Ravens, with Cincinnati having ended Baltimore’s season last year during the wild-card round of the playoffs. Jackson was injured and did not play in that game.This time it was Burrow who was mostly helpless, and now the Bengals’ season could hang in the balance with a steep hill to climb even if he doesn’t miss any time.The ...

Chicago Bears guard Teven Jenkins says ‘no problem’ to switching sides again as Nate Davis gets ready to return

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:14:50 GMT

Teven Jenkins said the conversation was short.Chicago Bears coaches let the offensive lineman know he was moving from right guard back to left guard with the return of Nate Davis to the lineup. Jenkins said he responded, “All right. No problem.”Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday that Davis is expected to return Sunday against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field after a four-game absence because of a high ankle sprain. The Bears determined that Davis’ experience at right guard and Jenkins’ flexibility to play on both sides made the switch the right move.“I trust everything upstairs,” Jenkins said. “They’re trying to put the best five out there, and if it comes down to what it is right now, I trust them.”Jenkins played the last four games at right guard while Davis was out, settling into a groove alongside rookie right tackle Darnell Wright. Before that, Jenkins had one start at left guard against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 15...

Ravens TE Mark Andrews likely suffered season-ending ankle injury vs. Bengals; WR Odell Beckham Jr., QB Joe Burrow hurt

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:14:50 GMT

Ravens tight end Mark Andrews injured his left ankle on the opening drive Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals and did not return as Baltimore secured a 34-20 victory.After the game, coach John Harbaugh said it looks like a “season-ending injury.”“Our prayers will be with Mark,” Harbaugh said. “Nobody cares more about the team and being there for the guys than Mark Andrews, so it’s going to be hard for him but we’re going to be there for him all the way.”Andrews caught a short pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson in the red zone and was tackled by Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson, who rolled onto Andrews’ legs as he brought him down. The Ravens’ medical staff attended to Andrews as he lay on his back. Jackson threw his helmet to the ground in frustration as he saw Andrews in pain.After a few minutes, the tight end stood up with help and walked gingerly to the sideline. He then left the field and went into the locker ...

WR Zay Flowers sets record for most catches by a Ravens rookie

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:14:50 GMT

The breakout season continues for Ravens rookie wide receiver Zay Flowers.With a 33-yard catch-and-run in the first quarter Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals, Flowers set the franchise record for the most receptions by a rookie in a single season.With 51 and counting, Flowers passed Torrey Smith, the former Terps star and Ravens fan favorite who caught 50 passes for 841 yards in his debut season in 2011.A first-round draft pick out of Boston College, Flowers has quickly become quarterback Lamar Jackson’s favorite target, entering Thursday with a team-high 545 receiving yards. His eight catches of 20 yards or more are also tied for the most on the team with tight end Mark Andrews, who exited with a left ankle injury after being tackled short of the goal line on the Ravens’ opening touchdown drive and was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game.Flowers’ emergence is significant considering the Ravens’ poor history at wide receiver. Since taking S...

Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey, DE Broderick Washington inactive vs. Bengals

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:14:50 GMT

If the Ravens are going to complete a season sweep of the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals, they’ll have to do so without their top cornerback.Marlon Humphrey, who didn’t practice all week because of a calf injury and was doubtful coming into the “Thursday Night Football” matchup, is inactive. Brandon Stephens, Rock Ya-Sin and Arthur Maulet are the Ravens’ top cornerbacks behind the three-time Pro Bowl selection.The bigger surprise, however, is that defensive end Broderick Washington appears to be a healthy scratch.Washington, who signed a three-year, $17.5 million extension three months ago and has started five games this season, was not on this week’s injury report. However, his snap counts have decreased each of the past two games, including just 27 in a 33-31 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.Veteran Brent Urban will likely receive more playing time in place of Washington, who has 12 tackles, one sack and two tackles for this loss this ...

Column: As others look at the big picture with Justin Fields, Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy is focused on ‘getting better’

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:14:50 GMT

While there’s ample debate about what quarterback Justin Fields can prove over the final seven games of the Chicago Bears season, that chatter isn’t taking place inside the walls of Halas Hall.Yes, coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday that seven weeks “is enough time to show consistency,” but Fields and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy are existing only in the here and now — preparing for Sunday’s game at Ford Field against the first-place Detroit Lions.Just as Fields talked Wednesday about a singular focus, Getsy spoke Thursday of that same approach, giving a measured assessment of the situation as Fields returns after missing four games with a dislocated right thumb.The focus on Fields and the remaining slate is understandable, as the Bears will have to choose a path at the end of the season: roll into 2024 with Fields or move on and draft a quarterback in the first round. It seems rather unlikely general manager Ryan Poles would keep Fields and g...

Instant analysis from Ravens’ 34-20 win over Cincinnati Bengals

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:14:50 GMT

Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens’ 34-20 win over the visiting Cincinnati Bengals in Thursday night’s Week 11 game at M&T Bank Stadium.Brian Wacker: This one was over the moment Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow injured his right wrist with just under six minutes to go in the first half and never returned. Still, trailing 10-7 when Burrow went out, the Ravens did what they always do: leaned on their defense and the arm and legs of quarterback Lamar Jackson.Even without tight end and security blanket Mark Andrews, who was injured on the Ravens’ opening scoring drive, Jackson was good enough on a weird night of penalties and uneven play. It helped, too, that wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. flashed some of his old speed (before heading to the locker room in the fourth quarter), while Nelson Agholor found himself the recipient of a fortuitous deflection and raced into the end zone for a score.The Bengals, meanwhil...