Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 4, 2024 / 17:15 pm

Former first girl Melania Trump has stirred criticism from the pro-life motion after sharing her pro-abortion views in her upcoming memoir and in a video message on X.

In her self-titled memoir “Melania,” set to be launched Oct. 8, one month earlier than Election Day, the previous first girl writes about her life, her household, her time within the White Home, and briefly about her assist for authorized abortion. Some excerpts from the e-book had been revealed by The Guardian on Wednesday night.

“It’s crucial to ensure that girls have autonomy in deciding their desire of getting kids, primarily based on their very own convictions, free from any intervention or stress from the federal government,” Melania Trump, the second Catholic first girl in American historical past, wrote within the autobiographical e-book.

“Why ought to anybody aside from the girl herself have the ability to find out what she does along with her personal physique?” Melania Trump added. “A girl’s elementary proper of particular person liberty, to her personal life, grants her the authority to terminate her being pregnant if she needs.”

“Proscribing a girl’s proper to decide on whether or not to terminate an undesirable being pregnant is similar as denying her management over her personal physique,” she wrote. “I’ve carried this perception with me all through my total grownup life.”

On Thursday, Melania Trump doubled down on this place in a video posted on X, which marketed the memoir.

“No doubt, there isn’t a room for compromise in relation to this important proper that each one ladies possess from delivery: particular person freedom,” she stated. “What does ‘my physique, my selection’ actually imply?”

Former president Donald Trump, who faces Vice President Kamala Harris in his bid for a second nonconsecutive time period within the White Home, responded to his spouse’s feedback with out endorsing them or disavowing them.

“We spoke about it and I stated, ‘You need to write what you imagine — I’m not going to inform you what to do,’” Donald Trump advised Fox Information reporter Invoice Melugin.

“I stated, ‘You need to stick along with your coronary heart,’” Donald Trump added. “I’ve stated that to all people: ‘You need to go along with your coronary heart.’ There are some folks which are very, very far-right on the problem, which means with out exceptions. After which there are different people who view it somewhat bit otherwise than that.”

Professional-life motion responds to Melania Trump

Many leaders within the pro-life motion have expressed frustration over Melania Trump’s abortion feedback. Some pro-life advocates are nonetheless targeted on securing a Donald Trump victory over Harris, whereas others are expressing dismay over the marketing campaign’s motion away from pro-life values.

Susan B. Anthony Professional-Life America president Marjorie Dannenfelser stated in a press release offered to CNA that the group’s prime precedence “is to defeat Kamala Harris and the Democrats’ push to nationally mandate no-limits abortion on demand funded by each taxpayer.”

Nevertheless, Dannenfelser nonetheless took problem with Melania Trump’s feedback, saying: “Ladies with unplanned pregnancies are crying out for extra assets, no more abortions.” 

“We should have compassion for them and for infants within the womb that suffer from brutal abortions,” she added. “Tens of hundreds of abortions a 12 months are carried out on kids after the purpose after they can really feel excruciating ache.”

Kristan Hawkins, the president of College students for Life Motion, advised CNA that “the underside line is that it’s not simply her physique in that second” when a girl is pregnant, including: “Two folks or perhaps extra are there.”

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“Melania Trump had an opportunity to encourage in her e-book however, as an alternative, selected to push damaged feminism that places ladies at battle with their very own our bodies,” Hawkins continued. “I gained’t be shopping for a duplicate of the e-book.”

Some pro-life activists have supplied harsher criticism of Donald Trump’s marketing campaign after Melania Trump’s feedback. 

Reside Motion President Lila Rose asserted in a put up on X that Melania Trump and Harris have “functionally the identical precise place on abortion.” In late August, Rose indicated she may not vote for Donald Trump as a result of his marketing campaign has not been pro-life sufficient.

Robert P. George, a authorized scholar at Princeton College and a senior fellow on the American Enterprise Institute, stated in a Fb put up that he shared with CNA that he believes Melania Trump’s abortion feedback had been prompted by Donald Trump’s marketing campaign.

“The marketing campaign despatched her out to sign to pro-abortion voters that the ‘proper to abortion’ could be absolutely protected in a second Trump administration,” George stated. “Her message is that Donald, having thrown pro-life People below the bus, will maintain us below the bus.”

“Her file has been considered one of saying little or nothing on political points,” he continued. “Now, all of a sudden, she is releasing movies passionately claiming that the safety of abortion, even late-term abortion, should be given the very best precedence. Issues like that don’t simply occur.”

George advised CNA that he believes Harris is “even worse on abortion” and “appallingly terrible” on the problem.

The place the candidates stand on abortion

Donald Trump appointed three of the six Supreme Court docket justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, which allowed states to limit abortion and cross pro-life legal guidelines. In his 2024 marketing campaign, the previous president has sought to average the Republican Social gathering’s strategy to abortion and has tried the troublesome job of sustaining assist from the pro-life voting bloc with out alienating independents and moderates.

Earlier this week, he stated in a put up on X he would veto any laws that might prohibit abortion “as a result of it’s as much as the states to determine, primarily based on the desire of their voters.” He asserted that Democrats assist the “radical place of late-term abortion … within the seventh, eighth, or ninth month [of pregnancy].”

Harris helps a federal regulation that might legalize abortion nationwide — no less than till the purpose of viability, which happens across the twenty third or twenty fourth week of being pregnant. She has not stated whether or not she helps restrictions on late-term abortion.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ working mate, signed a invoice that additional solidifies the state’s abortion legal guidelines, which enable abortion all through the whole thing of being pregnant, together with within the ninth month, for any motive. He signed one other invoice that scaled again authorized protections within the case of an toddler who’s born alive after a failed abortion try.

Eminem goes to be a grandfather, as his daughter Hailie Jade Scott is anticipating her first youngster.

The 51-year-old rapper revealed the large information within the music video for his tune “Short-term,” which was launched on Thursday, October 3. One scene within the visible confirmed Hailie, 28, giving her dad a Detroit Lions jersey that reads “grandpa” on the again. Eminem seemed shocked by the information as he held sonogram images as much as the digital camera.

Eminem shares Hailie with ex-wife Kimberly Anne Scott. He’s additionally the daddy to daughters Alaina, 31, and Stevie, 22.

Thursday’s “Short-term” music video additionally featured footage from Hailie’s Might marriage ceremony to Evan McClintock. Followers watched Eminem see his daughter in her marriage ceremony costume for the primary time and bought a glimpse at him strolling her down the aisle. House movies of Eminem and Hailie had been additionally interspersed all through the video.

Hailie and Evan had been collectively for eight years earlier than they tied the knot earlier this yr.

“Waking up a spouse this week,” she wrote on Instagram on the time, sharing images from the nuptials. “We couldn’t have requested for a greater, extra lovely weekend celebration. So so many pleased tears had been shed, laughs & smiles had been had, & a lot love was felt. Evan and I are feeling so grateful for the entire household & pals that traveled to assist us and be part of this new chapter of our lives as husband & spouse.”

Hailie has been candid about her relationship with dad Eminem, even revealing earlier this yr what it’s like to listen to songs that he’s written about her. On an August episode of her “Only a Little Shady” podcast, Hailie bought emotional when listening to “Someone Save Me” and “Short-term” — that are simply two of her dad’s latest releases.

The “Someone Save Me” music video had simply been launched. The collaboration with Jelly Roll options Eminem imagining an alternate life the place he didn’t quit medicine. There may be an apology to Hailie inside the lyrics.

“I watched it in entirety and I don’t assume I can do it once more. I undoubtedly cry each time I hear it in any respect,” she mentioned of the songs. “Between that and ‘Short-term’… I audibly sobbed I believe for each songs however particularly ‘Short-term.’”

 

“I’ll say, like, watching the video again and listening to the songs, I really feel like my mother and father did such an excellent job rising up the place I didn’t notice how dangerous issues had been,” Hailie mentioned. “However now as like, an grownup in hindsight, it’s so scary to consider. And I believe that’s why I get emotional a lot, like simply pondering that might have occurred. Clearly, that’s the purpose of the tune, however I’ll say like in case you’ve ever misplaced an addict or a liked one, I really feel for you and that’s how I really feel about it.”

In a video posted to her X account Thursday morning, the previous first girl defended girls’s “particular person freedoms” to do what they need with their our bodies — a place at odds with a lot of the Republican Social gathering and her personal husband, who has struggled to discover a constant message on abortion whereas wedged between anti-abortion supporters inside his base and the vast majority of Individuals who help abortion rights.

“Particular person freedom is a basic precept that I safeguard,” Melania Trump mentioned within the video. “Certainly, there isn’t any room for compromise in the case of this important proper that every one girls possess from start: particular person freedom. What does ‘my physique, my alternative’ actually imply?”

The video seems to substantiate excerpts of her self-titled memoir reported by The Guardian on Wednesday.

Melania Trump has not often publicly expressed her private political beliefs and has been largely absent from the marketing campaign path. However in her memoir, set to be launched publicly subsequent Tuesday, she argues that the choice to finish a being pregnant needs to be left to a lady and her physician, “free from any intervention of stress from the federal government,” in response to the revealed excerpts.

“Why ought to anybody apart from the lady herself have the ability to find out what she does along with her personal physique?” she wrote, in response to The Guardian. “A lady’s basic proper of particular person liberty, to her personal life, grants her the authority to terminate her being pregnant if she needs.”

Melania Trump writes that she has “carried this perception with me all through my total grownup life.”

These views distinction sharply with the GOP’s anti-abortion platform and with Donald Trump, who has repeatedly taken credit score for appointing the three Supreme Courtroom justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade and boasted about returning the abortion query to the states. Democrats have blamed the previous president for the extreme deterioration of reproductive rights as abortion bans had been applied in giant swaths of the nation following the overturning of the landmark case, which had granted a constitutional proper to abortion.

Donald Trump mentioned Thursday that he had talked to his spouse in regards to the e book and instructed her to “go together with your coronary heart.”

“We spoke about it. And I mentioned, you need to write what you imagine. I’m not going to let you know what to do. You need to write what you imagine,” he instructed Fox Information, including, “There are some folks which can be very, very far proper on the difficulty, which means with out exceptions, after which there are different those that view it a little bit bit otherwise than that.”

Vice President Kamala Harris ‘ marketing campaign famous Trump’s position in ending Roe v. Wade in an announcement reacting to Melania Trump’s protection of abortion rights.

“Sadly for the ladies throughout America, Mrs. Trump’s husband firmly disagrees along with her which explains that a couple of in three American girls reside underneath a Trump Abortion Ban that threatens their well being, their freedom, and their lives,” Harris marketing campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika mentioned in an announcement. “Donald Trump has made it abundantly clear: If he wins in November, he’ll ban abortion nationwide, punish girls, and limit girls’s entry to reproductive well being care.”

Donald Trump on Tuesday mentioned he would veto a federal abortion ban, the primary time he has explicitly mentioned so after beforehand refusing to reply questions on the topic. Abortion rights advocates are skeptical, nevertheless, saying Trump can’t be trusted to not limit reproductive rights.

Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Deliberate Parenthood Motion Fund, mentioned the memoir is one other instance of “the Trumps enjoying voters like a fiddle.”

“As president, (Trump) made it his mission to get Roe v. Wade overturned,” she mentioned in an announcement. “Melania stood by him, by no means as soon as publicly disavowing his actions till weeks earlier than an election the place our our bodies are once more on the poll and they’re shedding voters to this problem. Learn between the strains.”

Democratic strategist Brittany Crampsie known as the memoir’s launch a “clear try to enchantment to extra reasonable voters and to reasonable JD Vance’s very clearly excessive views on the difficulty.” However she was skeptical that the transfer would work in favor of Trump, saying his shifting views “have already confused voters and sowed mistrust.”

Melania Trump additionally defends abortions later in being pregnant, asserting that “most abortions performed through the later levels of being pregnant had been the results of extreme fetal abnormalities that most likely would have led to the dying or stillbirth of the kid. Even perhaps the dying of the mom.”

“These circumstances had been extraordinarily uncommon and sometimes occurred after a number of consultations between the lady and her physician,” she writes.

These views seem diametrically against her husband, who has usually parroted misinformation about abortions later in being pregnant, falsely claiming that Democrats help abortion “after start,” although infanticide is outlawed in each state.

The nationwide abortion group SBA Professional-Life America denounced the previous first girl’s views on abortion, together with her feedback on abortion later in being pregnant, however mentioned their “precedence is to defeat Kamala Harris.”

“Ladies with unplanned pregnancies are crying out for extra assets, no more abortions,” the group’s president Marjorie Dannenfelser mentioned in an announcement. “We will need to have compassion for them and for infants within the womb that suffer from brutal abortions.”

Mary Ruth Ziegler, a regulation professor on the College of California, Davis College of Legislation who focuses on reproductive rights regulation and historical past, mentioned it’s unclear if the memoir’s launch so near the election was an try to assist Donald Trump. However she did be aware that Melania Trump’s cut up from Trump on the difficulty isn’t unusual traditionally.

There’s “a reasonably deep historical past of first women being extra supportive of abortion rights than their husbands,” together with Betty Ford, a vocal abortion rights supporter and the spouse of former President Gerald Ford, Ziegler mentioned.

Donald Trump promoted his spouse’s e book at a September rally in New York, calling on supporters to “exit and get her e book.” It’s unclear if the previous president has learn the e book.

“Exit and purchase it,” he instructed the group. “It’s nice. And if she says dangerous issues about me, I’ll name you all up, and I’ll say, ‘Don’t purchase it.’”

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak attended his first NBA recreation as a youngster in Boston, going to see his beloved Los Angeles Lakers play their bitter rivals on the area then generally known as the FleetCenter.

He and his brother, Khaldoon, then a pupil at Tufts College, reached their seats and located themselves subsequent to an older couple.

“They should have been each over 80. And I checked out them, I mentioned, ‘Wow, it is superb how these guys are simply so in love with the game,'” Mubarak mentioned. “I gave just a little smile and I anticipated a smile again. And so they checked out my Laker shirt and flicked me off. And I mentioned, ‘Effectively, that is my welcome to Boston second.'”

It did not flip off Mubarak’s love for the NBA. He later attended Northeastern College in Boston, rooting towards the Celtics all the time.

He’s now formally generally known as “His Excellency” and has been the chairman of the highly effective Abu Dhabi Division of Tradition and Tourism since 2016. And he’s a driving pressure behind this week’s high-profile preseason video games in United Arab Emirates involving the Celtics and Denver Nuggets, the previous two NBA champions.

The video games symbolize a centerpiece of the league’s deepening relationship with energy brokers within the Center East. For the reason that NBA returned to regular operations after the interruption attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, the expansion within the Arabian Peninsula has largely changed China because the NBA’s front-facing worldwide focus.

A collection of things, lots of them exterior the NBA’s management, has seen the league’s decades-long push to interact the Chinese language market sluggish. The fallout from the 2019 Hong Kong tweet by then-Houston Rockets normal supervisor Daryl Morey led to NBA video games being taken off broadcast tv in China for 18 months. The NBA had greater than 10 Chinese language sponsors pause or cancel their offers. The NBA additionally closed the three academies it had in China.

Whereas excessive profile, the Morey incident was solely a small a part of a a lot bigger set of challenges between China and america, which included a pattern of China considerably turning away from its long-running embrace of Western tradition — a ballot by considered one of China’s official media shops earlier this yr discovered that 54.6% of younger folks within the nation look down upon Western nations. The NBA hasn’t been immune. The league hasn’t performed preseason video games in China, as soon as a cornerstone of its worldwide technique, since 2019. In 2022, NBA commissioner Adam Silver mentioned the monetary losses to the league stemming from the China rift had value “a whole bunch of thousands and thousands” in income.

Brooklyn Nets proprietor Joe Tsai, who’s a co-founder of Chinese language e-commerce big Alibaba, mentioned earlier this yr relations between China and the NBA had improved and he was hopeful the video games would resume quickly. However for now the preseason video games stay in Abu Dhabi and main sponsorship {dollars} preserve flowing from the UAE.

The inhabitants of the Center East market is a tiny fraction of that of China, the place the NBA maintains an enormous fanbase, however it’s outsized when it comes to its potential as a enterprise accomplice. Abu Dhabi’s inhabitants is roughly equal to the state of New Jersey, however three of the most important sovereign wealth funds on the earth are primarily based there, together with the behemoth Abu Dhabi Funding Authority, which has almost $1 trillion below administration. That has contributed to Silver embracing the area, regardless of it not at the moment being seen as a attainable producer of NBA expertise, as China had as soon as been seen.

This weekend’s Celtics-Nuggets video games are the largest but the NBA has staged at Etihad Area on Yas Island, a part of a glowing sports activities and leisure complicated that has amusement parks, a golf course that hosts a DP World Tour golf playoff occasion and a racetrack the place the Components 1 season culminates every year.

Over the previous three years, six NBA preseason video games and 4 Group USA exhibition video games have been performed in Abu Dhabi. The crowds are massive and numerous, made up largely of expats and vacationers. In July, a report crowd of greater than 12,000 followers attended a Group USA exhibition recreation towards Australia, hundreds lining up within the midsummer warmth simply to look at the Individuals heat up. The NBA has extra preseason video games in Abu Dhabi on the best way sooner or later as a part of a long-term contract signed in 2021.

Earlier this yr, the NBA signed an enormous sponsorship cope with Emirates Airline, primarily based lower than 100 miles down freeway E11 in Dubai. The NBA Cup, the in-season match, will carry the model’s identify. It is a part of a broader funding in professional basketball from the ruling household of Dubai, together with the current buy of a EuroLeague group that would finally play its house video games within the UAE.

Final yr, the Qatar Funding Authority turned the primary sovereign wealth fund to purchase into an NBA group when it bought roughly 5% of the Washington Wizards’ guardian firm.

Expertise Abu Dhabi, the Division of Tradition and Tourism’s advertising and marketing wing, already has a multiyear sponsorship deal in place with the Celtics and has been in discussions to change into the jersey patch sponsor for the New York Knicks, sources mentioned.

Because the league expands its relationship with Abu Dhabi, Human Rights Watch — an unbiased nongovernmental advocacy group — has accused the UAE of utilizing sports activities to distract from its human rights report, particularly citing the nation’s zero-tolerance coverage towards dissent and its failure to guard migrant staff in a critique of the NBA’s determination to play preseason video games in Abu Dhabi. The NBA beforehand confronted related criticism over its relationship with China, and has been referred to as out by two U.S. senators for partnering with Rwandan president Paul Kagame with its Basketball Africa League.

“I hear the feedback about sportswashing,” Silver mentioned in reference to Center East funding in American sports activities in an interview final yr on “The Dan Patrick Present.” “However, you are speaking about it, others are speaking about it. In the identical method the soccer World Cup introduced monumental consideration to Qatar, I believe folks find out about these nations, find out about what’s occurring on the earth in methods they in any other case would not. So I believe the media does its job.

“Speaking particularly concerning the NBA, we’re such a worldwide sport,” Silver continued. “I believe individuals are just a little too dismissive nowadays about the advantages that come from the commonality round sports activities. That with a sport like basketball, our Finals are distributed nearly in every single place on the earth, the game is performed, in every single place on the earth. It is a chance to carry folks collectively.”

Along with premier golf, racing and tennis occasions, Mubarak has struck a collection of offers with the UFC over the previous decade and there at the moment are two occasions held there every year. Jiujitsu is the nationwide sport of the UAE, all faculty kids are taught it by mandate, and combined martial arts preventing has change into extremely popular. Mubarak needs basketball to comply with in these footsteps. Since hanging the cope with the NBA in 2021, basketball participation within the nation is up 60%.

Not getting flicked off at Celtics video games along with his brother, Khaldoon Al Mubarak is now the founding chairman of the government-backed Metropolis Soccer Group, which owns 13 soccer groups, together with Premier League powerhouse Manchester Metropolis and MLS group New York Metropolis FC. Khaldoon is on the board of the Mubadala Funding Firm, a separate sovereign fund with greater than $300 billion in property.

Mohammed Al Mubarak makes no secret he’d prefer to finally add a controlling share in an NBA group to the Emirati’s portfolio.

“Completely. Why not? I believe we’ve got showcased after we spend money on sport, what meaning to us: a long-term strategy that’s constructing capabilities inside that metropolis,” Mubarak mentioned.

“I believe what the Metropolis Group has accomplished, not simply in Manchester itself, however all through their vary of investments, they’ve accomplished a implausible job in creating infrastructure each laborious and comfortable in making a expertise pool with their academies. So is that this [with the] NBA one thing that we’d like to look into? Completely, however I believe it is a matter of discovering the suitable alternative and the suitable framework for us to work with the NBA in that regard.”

That will even embrace curiosity in Mubarak’s rival Celtics, who’re at the moment on the market and anticipated to fetch a report worth. However the Abu Dhabi Funding Authority is not going to be shopping for a controlling share of the Celtics or every other NBA group within the close to future. The league at the moment restricts sovereign wealth funds to passive stakes in groups no larger than 20%, and there aren’t any present discussions or plans to change that rule, league officers mentioned.

“I do not need to say what might ever occur, however there is no contemplation proper now,” Silver mentioned final yr, a place that has not modified.

Within the interim, Abu Dhabi will proceed its funding in basketball whereas bringing main occasions to the nation. The NBA will proceed to be part of that and profit from the nation’s funding as extra {dollars} stream into the league from partnerships and sponsorships in addition to sending groups over every fall.

“We’ve a long-term view on this” Mubarak mentioned. “I am not pondering that there is going to be an Emirati basketball participant who’s going to play within the NBA tomorrow, however the truth of the matter is seeing the sunshine within the youth’s eyes right now … perhaps not this group, perhaps the group after them or the group after them, however finally there’s going to be a participant or two which can be going to make it to the NCAA after which perhaps take it a step additional. So as soon as that occurs, the dream turns into a actuality.”

Bruno Fernandes was despatched off for the second time in as many video games as Manchester United drew 3-3 with Porto within the Europa League on Thursday.

The Portugal worldwide was dismissed for 2 bookable offences at Estadio do Dragao — simply days after he was proven a straight pink for a harmful deal with in United’s 3-0 loss in opposition to Tottenham on Sunday. A 3-match suspension for that sending-off was later overturned on enchantment, however he was given his marching orders once more as United battled to keep away from one other defeat in opposition to Porto.

Fernandes was despatched off within the 81st minute when proven a second yellow card for a excessive boot that caught defender Nehuen Perez.

United was trailing 3-2 when he went off, having led 2-0 inside 20 minutes.

A loss would have elevated the strain on supervisor Erik ten Hag after a troubled begin to the season, however substitute Harry Maguire salvaged a draw with a headed purpose within the first minute of stoppage time.

“We began the sport superb, and we dominated and scored two good objectives, however then we misplaced management,” Ten Hag mentioned.

“The beginning was good, the center half was not good, and we completed superb.

“You see once more, the crew is prepared, robust character, however the center half, the defending, we’ve got to enhance.”

Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund had put United into an early 2-0 lead earlier than objectives from Pepe Aquino and Samu Omorodion levelled the rating at halftime.

Omorodion then put Porto forward 5 minutes into the second half.

The wait is over … the NBA is again!

After 109 days, the 2024-25 preseason suggestions off right this moment in Abu Dhabi with a star-studded matchup between the previous two NBA champions (12 ET, NBA TV).

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THE LINEUP 🏀

What’s inside right this moment’s version?

Title Groups Collide: A preseason opener brimming with star energy and championship DNA

Abu Dhabi All-Entry: How Boston & Denver spent the day earlier than Day 1

Starry Evening: The Lakers & Wolves headline two must-see primetime matchups

W Semifinals: A pair of pivotal Recreation 3s get underway tonight

The Clark Spark: Contained in the Rookie of the Yr’s historic season

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BUT FIRST … ⏰

What’s in retailer right this moment?

The 2024-25 preseason begins right this moment with a loaded three-game slate, led by the long-awaited NBA Abu Dhabi Video games 2024

Plus, the WNBA Playoffs boast two essential Recreation 3s in its best-of-five semifinals.

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1. CHAMPIONSHIP CULTURES COLLIDE IN ABU DHABI

Did somebody say appointment TV? Properly, sit again, calm down and benefit from the present as a result of the 2024-25 NBA preseason is simply hours away, with the Nuggets and Celtics set to sq. off in Abu Dhabi (12 ET, NBA TV).

Friday’s opening matchup doesn’t simply characteristic the previous two title winners, the reigning Kia NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, 2023-24 All-NBA First-Workforce member Jayson Tatum and eight whole All-Stars — it spotlights two franchises which have laid the blueprint for constant success.

Over the previous three seasons, no one within the NBA has extra regular-season wins than the Nuggets (158) and Celtics (172), who every used the identical successful method to summit the mountain high in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

• Homegrown Stars: Each groups discovered superstars within the Draft, with Boston choosing Jaylen Brown (2016) and Jayson Tatum (2017) in consecutive years, whereas Denver landed Nikola Jokic (2014) and Jamal Murray (2016)
• Proper Position Gamers: The Nuggets then constructed on their basis by drafting Michael Porter Jr. in 2018 and buying Aaron Gordon in 2021. One yr later, the C’s added key contributors in Derrick White and Al Horford
• Lacking Items: After 4 straight Playoff exits, Denver strengthened its rotation by including Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown and Christian Braun for the 2022-23 season
• One yr later, Boston, having reached 5 ECF in seven seasons, bolstered its lineup with Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porzingis
• Persistence Pays Off: In 2023, the Nuggets claimed their first-ever title. One season later, the Celtics hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the primary time since 2008

Though the 2 groups adopted the identical championship recipe, they utilized totally different offseason methods, with Boston working it again whereas including two younger shooters and Denver retooling to interchange two core vets.

• C’s To See: Along with retaining 15 gamers from its title workforce — which led the NBA in made 3s final season — Boston added Lonnie Walker IV (38.4 3P% in 2023-24) in free company and drafted Baylor Scheierman (39.0 3P% in NCAA) out of Creighton
• New Nuggets To Watch: Then again, Denver misplaced Caldwell-Pope (10.1 ppg in 2024-25) and Reggie Jackson (10.2 ppg in 2024-25) in free company this summer season earlier than signing Russell Westbrook (11.1 ppg in 2023-24) and Dario Saric (8.0 ppg in 23-24)

Regardless of the totally different offseason approaches, each Boston and Denver enter 2024-25 with the identical purpose, and every of their coaches count on to perform it.

• Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla: “We need to win a championship each single yr … That’s the usual. That’s the expectation.”
• Nuggets Coach Michael Malone: “I stay up for constructing on what we’ve accomplished the final six seasons and successful a championship.”

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2. ABU DHABI ALL-ACCESS: THE DAY BEFORE DAY 1

At some point earlier than starting their 2024-25 title quest, each the Celtics and Nuggets took time to present again to the group in Abu Dhabi.

After Nikola Jokic, Russell Westbrook and Denver galvanized the following technology of hoopers at Tuesday’s NBA Cares clinic, the Celtics handed alongside their hoops data on Wednesday.

• X’s & O’s With JT: Jayson Tatum helps a younger group of ballers work on their handles earlier than breaking down the huddle
• “It’s nice being on the opposite aspect of the world and seeing how the sport has grown,” mentioned Tatum. “They’re excited that we’re right here and we’re excited to be right here.”

Exterior the world, the Nuggets teamed up with scholar volunteers for a ‘Nurdle Hunt’ at Jumeirah Seashore, serving to to assemble and take away ‘nurdles’ — small plastic pellets used within the manufacturing of plastic that may discover their approach into the ocean.

• Can’t Cease Coach Malone: Michael Malone won’t ever flip off his aggressive aspect, even when main ‘Workforce 2’ in a pleasant competitors of Nurdle searching

Then, Denver locked in for a last follow and media session, the place veteran massive man DeAndre Jordan took on a enjoyable problem — attempting to unscramble his 17 Media Day headshots.

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3. STARRY NIGHT: MORE PRESEASON HOOPS AWAIT

The motion doesn’t cease after the preseason opener in Abu Dhabi. Friday options two extra matchups to get the preseason going because the New Zealand Breakers tackle the Jazz earlier than the T-Wolves face the Lakers.

New Zealand Breakers at Jazz (9 ET, NBA League Go): How will among the finest groups in Australia’s Nationwide Basketball League (NBL) fare towards Lauri Markkanen and the Jazz?

• The Current Historical past: 2024-25 marks the third straight preseason that includes at the very least one NBL vs. NBA sport, with the NBA main the collection 5-1
• Spherical 2: Tonight’s assembly will probably be a rematch from final preseason when Utah defeated New Zealand 114-94 behind Markkanen’s 15 factors and 7 boards
• Gamers To Watch: Three notable 2024 Draft picks are anticipated to swimsuit up for Utah: Cody Williams (No. 10 decide), the youthful brother of OKC star Jalen Williams; Isaiah Collier (No. 29), a standout guard from USC; and former Duke All-American Kyle Filipowski (No. 32)

Timberwolves at Lakers (10:30 ET, NBA TV): What can we count on when Anthony Edwards and the new-look Wolves face LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers, with Bronny James anticipated to make his preseason debut?

• Setting The Stage: The Lakers chosen Bronny with the No. 55 decide within the 2024 Draft, making the NBA’s first lively father-son duo. No father and son pairing has ever performed collectively in an NBA sport
• Measuring Stick: Now getting into his twenty second NBA season, LeBron will look to assist the Lakers bounce again from final yr’s first-round Playoff exit and can get an early check tonight towards final yr’s Western Convention Finalists
• New To The Pack: On the opposite aspect, the Wolves will probably be making their first look since buying and selling Karl-Anthony Cities to the Knicks for fellow All-Star Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, whose availability for tonight are unknown

Preseason hoops continues tomorrow in Honolulu, as Stephen Curry and the Warriors make their first outing of the 2024-25 season towards James Harden and the Clippers in a standalone Saturday sport.

• Warriors vs. Clippers (7 ET, NBA TV | Honolulu, HI)

Then, Sunday delivers a five-game slate to wrap up the weekend, headlined by the second and last sport from Abu Dhabi and the tenth version of the Canada Sequence.

• Nuggets vs. Celtics (10 a.m. ET, NBA TV | NBA Abu Dhabi Video games 2024)
• Knicks at Hornets (5 ET, NBA TV)
• Wizards vs. Raptors (7:30 ET, NBA League Go | NBA Canada Sequence)
• Bucks at Pistons (8 ET, ESPN)
• Suns at Lakers (9:30 ET, NBA League Go)

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4. W SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: A PAIR OF PIVOTAL GAME 3s

Lynx at Solar, 7:30 ET, ESPN2 (Sequence Tied 1-1): After splitting the primary two video games in Minnesota, the best-of-five semifinals has shifted to Connecticut for the following two video games.

• How Necessary Is Recreation 3? When a collection is tied 1-1, the winner of Recreation 3 has gone on to win the collection 58.8% of the time (10-7) with 11 of the 17 collection going the total 5 video games
• Lynx Gamers To Watch: Napheesa Collier is averaging a double-double (14 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.5 bpg) however her scoring effectivity is down (33.3% FG, 16.7% 3P). Former Solar Courtney Williams got here up massive in Minnesota’s Recreation 2 win; can she repeat that effort in Recreation 3?
• Solar Gamers To Watch: Alyssa Thomas (17.5 ppg, 10 rpg, 8 apg, 2.5 spg) and Marina Mabrey (17.5 ppg, 4 3pg) have shared the majority of the scoring load. DeWanna Bonner (13.5 ppg on 28.1% capturing) wants seven factors to cross Candace Parker for 2nd on the all-time Playoff scoring listing

Liberty at Aces, 9:30 ET, ESPN2 (NY Leads 2-0): Can the Liberty avenge their 2023 Finals loss by finishing a sweep of the Aces in 2024? Or will the Aces take step one towards a doubtlessly historic comeback and preserve their three-peat hopes alive?

• Playoff Historical past: The WNBA has used a best-of-five format within the Finals since 2005 and the Semifinals since 2016. In that point, 18 groups have gone up 2-0 in a collection – and all 18 have gone on to win the collection, together with 13 ending in sweeps
• Tables Turned: The final workforce to win Recreation 3 after being down 2-0 was the Liberty within the 2023 Finals towards the Aces, however Las Vegas gained the collection in 4 video games
• Solely One: Within the 2018 Semifinals towards Seattle, Phoenix grew to become the one workforce to power a winner-take-all Recreation 5 after dropping the primary two video games of the collection. Can the Aces defend their house courtroom on Friday and Sunday to affix them?
• Gamers To Watch: Breanna Stewart (24.5 ppg) and Sabrina Ionescu (22.5 ppg) have mixed for 47 ppg (or 58% of New York’s offense). A’ja Wilson (22.5 ppg, 58.8% capturing) is the one Ace capturing at the very least 44% within the collection

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5. CLARK NAMED ROY AFTER HISTORIC SEASON

Few gamers have entered the WNBA with extra hype than Caitlin Clark. She was the highest decide within the 2024 WNBA Draft by Indiana following a school profession that noticed her rating extra factors than any participant – males’s or ladies’s – in NCAA Division I basketball historical past.

Not solely did Clark stay as much as the hype, she exceeded expectations by placing collectively a historic debut WNBA season that culminated with a Kia WNBA Rookie of the Yr Award on Thursday.

• Clark appeared in all 40 video games, fueling a seven-win enchancment as Indiana posted its finest report – and made its first Playoff look – in eight seasons
• Elite Firm: Clark joined Candace Parker (the one rookie to win MVP in 2008), Elena Delle Donne (third, 2013), Diana Taurasi (third, 2004) and Tamika Catchings (third, 2002) as the one rookies to complete within the high 5 in MVP voting

The stats are solely a part of the story. Clark, together with ROY runner-up Angel Reese of the Sky, helped spark the WNBA to its most-watched common season in 24 years, highest attendance in 22 years and record-setting digital consumption and merchandise gross sales.

• Field Workplace: The Fever noticed a 319% enhance in attendance in 2024 and had been a part of three video games to attract at the very least 20,000 followers, together with a single-game report crowd of 20,711 on Sept. 19 towards the Mystics

Clark acquired 66 ROY votes from a nationwide panel of 67 sportswriters and broadcasters. Reese acquired the opposite vote after a record-breaking rookie season of her personal.

• Reese posted the highest-ever rebound common (13.1 rpg) and had the longest double-double streak (15 video games) of any participant in league historical past
• Clark and Reese led the All-Rookie Workforce that additionally included L.A.’s Rickea Jackson, Chicago’s Kamilla Cardoso and New York’s Leonie Fiebich

Clarence Woodhouse is a quiet man. However there’s one factor he is at all times made certain to say: He did not do what they claimed.

He mentioned it to the choose who presided over his trial 50 years in the past, after Woodhouse was charged within the homicide of a chef and father of two who was killed in downtown Winnipeg in 1973. He mentioned it to the jury that may later discover him responsible of fatally beating and stabbing Ting Fong Chan, 40, close to a downtown development web site, handing him a life sentence.

And he mentioned it once more in a Winnipeg courtroom on Thursday, when he pleaded not responsible to Chan’s homicide after his unique conviction was overturned and a brand new trial ordered earlier this yr.

Nonetheless, this time somebody mentioned it again.

“You have been wrongfully convicted. You have been harmless,” Manitoba Courtroom of King’s Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal advised Woodhouse, now 72,  as he acquitted the person who the court docket heard spent 12 years behind bars for a homicide he did not commit earlier than being granted parole.

“There’s nothing I can say to you that gives you again these 12 years — nothing I can say that can right one thing that should not have occurred,” Joyal mentioned, including systemic racism towards the First Nations man “contaminated” the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of Woodhouse’s case and led to the “miscarriage of justice.”

“All I can say from the place that I am now in is I am sorry.”

The replace comes greater than a yr after two of Woodhouse’s co-accused, Allan Woodhouse and Brian Anderson, have been additionally acquitted in reference to Chan’s homicide — following instances court docket heard have been additionally closely influenced by systemic racism towards the First Nations males.

Strolling out of the Winnipeg courthouse the place he was convicted for what he hopes would be the final time, Woodhouse mentioned he seems like this chapter of his life has lastly come to an finish.

“It is good to be free, eh, in any case these years,” he mentioned, including he is trying ahead to enjoyable and spending time together with his household, together with his grandchildren.

Whereas he is prepared to maneuver on, Woodhouse mentioned he and his household are nonetheless fascinated with his brother, Russell Woodhouse, the fourth man convicted in Chan’s killing. He was sentenced to 10 years behind bars and died in 2011, earlier than the advocacy group Innocence Canada filed an utility to have that conviction reviewed alongside his brother’s.

“He have to be glad from above,” their sister, Linda Anderson, mentioned exterior court docket as Woodhouse’s household celebrated. “I am simply glad that it is over … I thank the Lord for that.”

Jerome Kennedy, one of many legal professionals from Innocence Canada who labored on Woodhouse’s case, mentioned the group is hoping to be again in court docket to take care of Russell Woodhouse’s case “within the not too distant future.”

Crown prosecutor Michele Jules mentioned Chan’s household did not really feel they wanted to be in court docket for Woodhouse’s acquittal, after attending Allan Woodhouse’s and Brian Anderson’s instances final yr, however mentioned they felt “content material and settled” with the result.

‘No credible or dependable proof’: prosecutor

The case towards Clarence Woodhouse, a member of Pinaymootang First Nation, was “nearly fully” primarily based on statements he was mentioned to have made to Winnipeg cops, however proof about police practices on the time and Woodhouse’s familiarity with the English language “undermines their reliability and veracity,” mentioned Jules, who referred to as no proof in court docket Thursday.

For one factor, the usage of violence and intimidation to coerce confessions was a standard downside in police forces within the Seventies, together with in Winnipeg, Jules mentioned. A few of the detectives concerned in Woodhouse’s case have been additionally concerned in different instances the place suspects made comparable claims about their confessions having been manufactured by police, she mentioned.

Woodhouse’s insistence that he was harmless was additionally supported by proof from a forensic linguist who mentioned the extent of English utilized in his obvious confession was inconsistent with the best way he truly spoke in comparison together with his testimony at trial. Courtroom heard Woodhouse, who sat with an interpreter in court docket, speaks Saulteaux.

“It was clear throughout trial that he has issue talking and understanding English … The trial transcripts mirror his very restricted proficiency, a lot in order that the trial choose deemed it essential — with out request from counsel — for Clarence Woodhouse to be supplied the help of an interpreter,” Jules mentioned.

Woodhouse testified he signed a false confession after he was assaulted by cops, however the trial choose and the all-white jury who determined his case did not imagine him, Innocence Canada mentioned in a information launch.

“The conduct of the prosecution fell beneath anticipated requirements, even in 1974,” mentioned Jules, including “there isn’t a credible or dependable proof” to proceed with prosecution towards Woodhouse.

One other Innocence Canada lawyer, James Lockyer, mentioned later Thursday the prosecutor in Woodhouse’s case, George Dangerfield, additionally labored on a variety of high-profile Manitoba homicide instances during which males have been later acquitted or had their expenses quashed — together with these of Frank Ostrowski, Thomas Sophonow, James Driskell and Kyle Unger.

In a press release later Thursday, the Winnipeg Police Service mentioned there have been adjustments within the power within the final 50 years, together with videotaping police statements for main crimes, utilizing devoted forensic investigators within the identification course of and introducing obligatory bias-free and culturally primarily based coaching.

In its personal assertion Thursday, the Meeting of Manitoba Chiefs referred to as on the province to do a complete evaluate of all homicide convictions involving First Nations individuals in mild of Woodhouse’s exoneration.

Activity power wanted for wrongly convicted: legal professionals

The legal professionals behind Woodhouse’s exoneration say they plan to write down to Canada’s justice minister suggesting the creation of a federal job power to look at the best way to establish and tackle different wrongful convictions throughout the nation, notably amongst Indigenous individuals.

“The felony justice system has failed Indigenous individuals. It’s clear that there are different instances on the market,” Kennedy advised court docket, including the duty power ought to work with the provinces and Indigenous leaders, who may also help establish and entry the possibly wrongly convicted out and in of jails and prisons.

Whereas that will not give individuals like Woodhouse again the years he misplaced, enhancing the system that failed them might imply “they haven’t suffered for nothing,” Kennedy mentioned. 

And although Innocence Canada already does a few of that work — they’ve just a few workers legal professionals already tackling the 100 instances they’re reviewing throughout a variety of provinces — they do not have the sources to hunt out each potential wrongful conviction within the nation on their very own, he mentioned.

Lockyer additionally pointed to the proposed Miscarriage of Justice Evaluate Fee, which is presently earlier than the Senate, as a optimistic step that he hopes will probably be in existence earlier than the yr’s finish.

“When somebody is proclaiming innocence after having been in jail for a time frame, it’s a must to take heed to them,” he mentioned, including it is a delusion that everybody in jail says they’re harmless, since refusing to confess duty makes it troublesome to get parole.

“It does not imply that they’re harmless, however they must be listened to — and that is what a brand new fee would do.”

Federal Justice Minister Arif Virani mentioned in Ottawa Thursday the federal government is dedicated to serving to different wrongly convicted individuals by way of measures resembling that invoice.

“What’s essential is that as I mirror on this verdict — what it means for Clarence — I am additionally reflecting on what we have to do as parliamentarians,” Virani mentioned, including there’s an overrepresentation of Indigenous and Black individuals in Canada’s justice system.

“And we have to do proper by different individuals which are undoubtedly proper now nonetheless wrongfully convicted in prisons throughout this nation.”

Invited to legislature for apology

Later Thursday, Woodhouse and his household have been invited to the Manitoba legislature for an apology from provincial Justice Minister Matt Wiebe for the unfair trial that led to his conviction and for the hardship for each Woodhouse’s household and Chan’s, who Wiebe mentioned got “a false justice that robs them of the closure that they deserve.”

Addressing Woodhouse within the gallery immediately, Wiebe mentioned whereas he is aware of his apology cannot undo the previous, he hopes it may deliver “a measure of peace and luxury to you and your loved ones.”

“What you knew to be the reality is now acknowledged by legislation. It is acknowledged by our authorities and it is acknowledged by me as lawyer common of Manitoba,” Wiebe mentioned, as Premier Wab Kinew seemed on. “Nobody ought to ever must endure the torments that you simply have been subjected to. Collectively, I hope we will work collectively to make sure that no Manitoban ever does.”

Kinew mentioned at an unrelated information convention earlier Thursday he seemed ahead to assembly Woodhouse, who he mentioned speaks the identical language as him.

“I simply need to have the ability to simply speak to a fellow Manitoban who had not precisely [the same], however perhaps an analogous background to mine and simply evaluate notes … simply to apologize immediately, to spend the time and listen to from him — what he thinks we ought to be engaged on, and what he has to share,” Kinew mentioned.

“I can inform you that the provincial authorities has already taken steps to make sure that we provide some type of redress. We’ll by no means have the ability to give again the previous that was robbed of this particular person and the others in an analogous scenario, however given what we all know now, we will take steps to do proper.”

A historic United States port strike has been suspended and a tentative settlement was reached “on wages,” in line with the Worldwide Longshoremen’s Affiliation and the U.S. Maritime Alliance.

“Efficient instantly, all present job actions will stop and all work coated by the Grasp Contract will resume,” the ILA and USMX stated in a joint assertion Thursday night.

The tentative settlement would enhance employees’ wages by 62% over the lifetime of the 6-year contract, sources acquainted verify to ABC Information.

RELATED: Knowledgeable says do not panic purchase as dockworkers vow to remain on picket line

This represents a major enhance from the delivery business group’s supply of a 50% wage enhance earlier this week. The union had been pushing for a 77% pay hike over six years.

The tentative settlement would convey the hourly wage for a prime dockworker to $63 per hour on the finish of the brand new contract, up from $39 per hour below the expired contract.

The Maritime Alliance elevated its supply amid public strain from the Biden administration to place ahead a contract providing larger wages.

The tentative settlement doesn’t resolve variations between the union and delivery firms over the usage of automated equipment, sources stated. That will likely be a key focus of negotiations between either side from now till January 15.

“I wish to applaud the Worldwide Longshoremen’s Affiliation (ILA) and the USA Maritime Alliance for coming collectively to reopen the East Coast and Gulf ports. At present’s tentative settlement on a file wage and an extension of the collective bargaining course of represents vital progress in direction of a powerful contract,” President Joe Biden stated on the settlement.

RELATED: Dockworkers go on strike at Easern and Gulf ports | What to know

“I wish to thank the union employees, the carriers, and the port operators for performing patriotically to reopen our ports and make sure the availability of vital provides for Hurricane Helene restoration and rebuilding. Collective bargaining works, and it’s vital to constructing a stronger economic system from the center out and the underside up,” he continued.

Tens of hundreds of U.S. dockworkers had walked off the job early Tuesday morning, clogging dozens of ports alongside the East and Gulf coasts.

ILA members began to arrange picket strains at delivery ports up and down the Atlantic and Gulf coasts as of 12:01 a.m. Tuesday within the union’s first coastwide strike in practically 50 years.

The ILA, the union representing 50,000 East Coast and Gulf Coast dockworkers below the contract at problem, was searching for larger wages and a ban on the usage of some automated gear.

“ILA longshore employees should be compensated for the vital work they do retaining American commerce transferring and rising,” the ILA advised ABC Information in an announcement on Monday. “In the meantime, ILA devoted longshore employees proceed to be crippled by inflation as a consequence of USMX’s unfair wage packages.”

Following the strike, President Joe Biden known as for a good supply from the USMX a company bargaining on behalf of the dockworkers’ employers. In an announcement launched on Tuesday, Biden emphasised the sturdy earnings loved by delivery corporations in recent times, in addition to the sacrifices made by dockworkers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amid the strike, USMX stated Wednesday it remained “dedicated to bargaining in good religion to handle the ILA’s calls for and USMX’s considerations.”

A chronic work stoppage of a number of weeks or months may have rekindled inflation for some items and triggered layoffs at producers as uncooked supplies dried up, consultants stated.

The final time East Coast and Gulf Coast employees went on strike, in 1977, the work stoppage lasted seven weeks.

In 2002, a strike amongst employees at West Coast ports lasted 11 days earlier than then-President George W. Bush invoked the Taft-Hartley Act and ended the standoff.

Czech police detained a number of Ajax Amsterdam followers after a gaggle of them tried to interrupt into Slavia Prague’s Eden Park stadium with out tickets forward of their Europa League match on Thursday.

“Policemen in heavy riot gear needed to resolve the scenario utilizing coercive measures, and several other followers had been detained,” police mentioned on social media community X.

ALSO READ: UEFA Europa League Roundup: Tottenham, Lazio keep excellent begin with wins; Sociedad suffers loss

Earlier, a number of hundred followers gathered in Prague’s Previous City Sq., and police discovered knives, baseball bats and batons left on website earlier than the supporters took the underground to the stadium.

A number of hundred cops had been deployed throughout the town to maintain order earlier than and after the match.