WWE NXT Champion Oba Femi has been making headlines around the world recently with his impressive work on the developmental brand.
His performances have captured the attention of fans and critics alike, showcasing his talent and dedication in the ring. As the face of NXT, Oba Femi continues to elevate the brand with every match, solidifying his position as a rising star in WWE.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-oba-femi-drops-blockbuster-tease-amid-huge-wwe-rumors
Calling all photographers—amateurs and professionals alike!
Show off your best shots of local landscapes and get a chance to be featured in our newspaper.
**Submission Deadline:** January 18, 2026
**How It Works:**
– Submit your vertical, print-quality photo. Please note that horizontal photos cannot be accepted, as the photo needs to fit our cover format.
– Our newspaper staff will review all submissions and select the best shots for publication.
Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your photography skills and share the beauty of our local landscapes with the community!
https://thecatoctinbanner.com/the-catoctin-banners-first-ever-photo-contest/
Trevor Bauer, an American League Cy Young Award winner and All-Star, is undoubtedly talented on the mound. However, his outspoken attitude and off-field controversies have made him a polarizing figure in the baseball world.
On Tuesday’s episode of the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast, fellow starting pitcher Anthony Kay, who shared a clubhouse with Bauer while both played for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), offered his honest perspective on Bauer’s character.
“He was a great teammate for everyone,” Kay said (Timestamp: 21:10). “Obviously, he didn’t have the success that he wanted this year, but he was still an open book for everyone. He’s one of the smartest guys out there, as far as baseball goes. The fact that he was still willing to help out all the teammates despite the struggles that he had kind of showed me how good of a teammate he actually was.”
After two impressive seasons in NPB, Kay and the BayStars parted ways at the conclusion of the 2025 season. Soon after, Kay secured a return to Major League Baseball (MLB), signing a two-year, $12 million contract with the Chicago White Sox on December 9.
### Trevor Bauer’s Chances of Returning to MLB
Following his initial MLB stint, which ended amid off-field controversy, Bauer is currently classified as an unrestricted free agent. This status allows him to sign with any of the 30 MLB franchises. However, many analysts remain skeptical about his chances of returning to the big leagues.
Patrick Lyons, a Rockies analyst, shared his thoughts during the November 26 episode of ‘The Rockies Insider’ (Timestamp: 20:52). “Why aren’t any teams interested in Trevor Bauer? Something’s going on there, you’d have to think, right? No one is giving him a try,” Lyons said. “Personality-wise, Trevor Bauer is the exact opposite of the players the Rockies typically try to target. They like good soldiers; they like guys that don’t make too many waves.”
Lyons added, “Could be he’s a changed man. I think he probably deserves an opportunity, but I don’t know who’s going to give him that opportunity.” (Timestamp: 26:47)
At present, Bauer remains a free agent. Like Anthony Kay, he parted ways with the BayStars after the 2025 NPB season concluded. His next move remains uncertain as MLB teams weigh the pros and cons of offering him another chance in the majors.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/baseball/news-white-sox-s-12m-arm-shares-true-feelings-trevor-bauer-s-character
If 2025 was anything to go by, the year 2026 is set to be filled with even more retirements in WWE.
Recently, Wade Barrett officially confirmed that a RAW Superstar will be calling time on their in-ring career this year.
As the wrestling world anticipates this farewell, fans can expect significant changes on the roster and exciting new opportunities for emerging talent throughout 2026. Stay tuned for more updates on retirements and other WWE news.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-wade-barrett-sadly-confirms-wwe-star-officially-retiring
The GBP/USD pair held steady around 1.3465 during early Asian trading hours on Wednesday. However, comments from the Bank of England (BoE) suggest monetary policy will remain on a gradual downward path, which may continue to support the pound against the US dollar.
Financial markets are expected to see thin trading volumes as market participants prepare for the New Year holiday. At its December policy meeting, the BoE cut its main interest rate from 4.00% to 3.75%—the lowest level in nearly three years. During the post-meeting press conference, Governor Andrew Bailey indicated that further rate cuts are likely but noted that “how much further we go becomes a closer call” with each cut.
Money markets currently anticipate at least one more UK rate reduction in the first half of the year, with roughly a 50% probability of a second cut before year-end, according to Reuters.
On the other side of the Atlantic, the US Federal Reserve cut its federal funds rate by 25 basis points at its December meeting, setting a target range of 3.50%–3.75%. Minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, released on Tuesday, revealed that most participants would be comfortable holding off on further cuts if inflation continued to decline over time. At the same time, some officials argued for pausing rate reductions to support a weakening labor market after three cuts in 2023.
Following the release of the FOMC minutes, markets are now pricing in about an 85% chance that the Fed will leave interest rates unchanged in January, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/finance/pound-sterling-trades-flat-above-1-3450-amid-thin-trading-volume/
After weeks of dark and gloomy weather in Solano County, the Vanden High School boys basketball team will finally get some sunshine. The Vikings are headed to Phoenix for the Nike Tournament of Champions, which tips off Thursday and runs through Saturday across six venues.
“It’s special for these young guys. A lot of high school kids don’t know if they’re gonna play afterwards or not,” Vanden head coach Micheal Holloway said. “It gives them the opportunity to travel and get the college feel.”
The boys’ Tournament of Champions is a collaboration between the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and the organizers behind the signature girls’ Tournament of Champions. The girls’ event has been held continuously since 1998 and in the Phoenix metro area since 2000.
The boys event debuted this year and will feature 68 teams from across the nation in its second edition.
“To learn more of our student-athletes’ personality while they’re with us is one of the main reasons we travel a lot during preseason,” Holloway explained. “And then also, to keep the competition level up and always test ourselves as much as we can every year, no matter who’s on the roster.”
Vanden (6-3) will open the tournament against Hamilton (6-4) of Chandler, Arizona, on Thursday. Holloway said the Vikings’ competitive non-league schedule, which has featured Division I opponents like Sheldon and Inderkum, has prepared them for the challenges they might face in the tournament.
“Every team that we’ve played has been a different style. It’s been different personnel as far as size, speed, and all those different kinds of things,” Holloway said. “This will allow us to face some of those similar things.”
Vanden will count on its big three—Templeton Fountaine V, James Carraway, and Nate Hibbert—to make a splash in the desert. Fountaine is scoring a team-high 16.6 points per game, while Carraway isn’t far behind at 13 points per game. Hibbert is next in scoring with 11.9 points per game and has knocked down a team-high 28 three-pointers.
“I just want them to keep adding on to what they’ve already done, as far as preparing themselves, and also the team, to play at a high level,” Holloway said. “We’ve had James and Nate, who were part of the section title in 2024, so for them to understand what it takes to get there, I hope they can transfer some of that over and teach these younger guys what it takes to win at that level.”
Senior forward Matthew Wright and senior guard Caleb Rafan have also been bright spots this season. Rafan, who’s dished out at least five assists in five games, will be counted on even more with starting point guard Chriseannie Nealy sidelined for the tournament.
“We always told him (Rafan) from the beginning of the year, you could have gone and started somewhere else, but you’re like a sixth starter for us,” Holloway said. “Now, he gets to step up and take that role while Chris is out, until he battles back.
“Hopefully at some point our team can be complete in the near future, but right now, we’ve just got to keep battling because we don’t make excuses.”
https://www.thereporter.com/2025/12/30/vanden-high-boys-basketball-ready-to-face-top-competition-in-arizona/
Ye Shunguang has been officially released today as the latest S Rank Attack agent in Zenless Zone Zero version 2.5. She is a disciple of Yunkui Summit who mastered the art of the Qingming sword and was also awarded the title of Void Hunter. Just like the Void Hunter Hoshimi Miyabi, she possesses a special Physical attribute known as Honed Edge.
Ye Shunguang is a dual-form DPS who deals most of her damage on-field and is fairly easy to play, offering effective options for both premium and free-to-play (F2P) teams. Here’s a quick guide to the best team compositions for Ye Shunguang so you can get the most value from her kit in Zenless Zone Zero.
Ye Shunguang is a flexible agent who works well with almost any stun or support agents in the game. That said, some team compositions stand out by maximizing her damage output and consistency. Below are some recommended teams you can try:
This is the strongest and premium team composition for Ye Shunguang as of version 2.5. Dialyn serves as the key stun agent by building her Positive Review meter and granting free ultimates to Ye Shunguang during combat. This synergy allows Ye Shunguang to enter her secondary form during her Ultimate, known as the Enlightened Mind state.
Zhao plays the role of an off-field defense/support character. She can activate Ether Veil through EX Special Attacks or Quick Assists and grants 3 points of Qingming Sword Force to Ye Shunguang, enabling her to enter the Enlightened Mind state instantly. Zhao also provides up to 1,000 ATK buff and 40% damage bonus through Ether Veil uptime, significantly boosting the team’s damage output.
This lineup focuses on strong buffs while allowing both Dialyn and Ye Shunguang more field time. Astra Yao’s Quick Assist buffs help Dialyn stun enemies faster, while Ye Shunguang uses the extended on-field time to build Qingming Sword Force and Decibel points steadily. This is an ideal alternative for players who do not have Zhao.
For those looking to try an alternative to Dialyn-centric teams, this double support composition featuring Zhao and Astra Yao is a strong choice. Both agents provide constant Quick Assist buffs to Ye Shunguang, helping to maximize her damage output even outside stun windows.
This F2P team comp is perfect for new and free-to-play players who have just started Zenless Zone Zero and aim to clear early to mid-game content with ease. Anby and Nicole are starter agents who offer reliable support and simple rotations with Ye Shunguang.
Anby provides steady stun application, while Nicole boosts damage through debuffs and crowd control. Both are also featured as A-rank agents on the current Signal Search banners alongside Ye Shunguang and Zhao, making this composition easier to assemble for newer accounts.
Jufufu is a comfortable choice who works well paired with Zhao or Astra Yao in the same team composition. The only downside is that her overall stun and buff uptime is slower compared to Dialyn.
Trigger can consistently apply her Stun damage multiplier debuff, but her buffs have a very short duration. This requires careful timing to maximize damage with Ye Shunguang during the stun window.
Pulchra becomes a strong option if her Mindscape 6 is unlocked, providing additional damage bonuses to the entire team, not just the DPS. The downside is that her stun windows are more challenging to trigger compared to other stun agents.
As the latest Void Hunter in Zenless Zone Zero version 2.5, Ye Shunguang benefits from a wide range of team compositions. Her flexible kit allows her to synergize effectively with various agents, giving players room for experimentation and optimization.
With good accessibility to both premium and F2P teams, Ye Shunguang is poised to become a favored agent in the game’s meta for the upcoming versions. Be sure to try out the team setups outlined above to maximize her potential on the battlefield!
Also read: Zenless Zone Zero Ye Shunguang Build Guide
https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/best-teams-ye-shunguang-zenless-zone-zero
A strong cold front is approaching South Florida, bringing a noticeable drop in temperatures on Tuesday—especially later in the day after sunset. This chilly change will likely be a shock to the system since we’ve had limited cold air so far this season.
Typically, late December nights and mornings in our area cool back to the lower 60s on average. After this winter front passes, however, we’re expecting lows to plunge into the 40s and 50s for the rest of the week! The coldest conditions will arrive just in time for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Is Mother Nature giving us the cold shoulder to start 2026? It will certainly feel that way! Even with bright sunshine, afternoon highs in South Florida will struggle to climb beyond the upper 60s on Thursday (New Year’s Day).
If you’re heading out to celebrate the holiday, be sure to bundle up—it will feel brisk by South Florida standards. This cold wave will be in place from Tuesday night through Friday night.
A return to milder weather is expected over the upcoming weekend. Starting midday Saturday, you should notice more comfortable temperatures as the winds shift and warmer air moves back in.
https://wsvn.com/weather-blog/cold-clash-coming-soon/
El poder general de Quickspin y su enfoque en la accesibilidad subrayan su función dentro de la industria de los juegos en línea. Esta empresa tiene como objetivo principal llevar diversión y entretenimiento a jugadores de todas partes del mundo, incluso en los rincones más remotos del planeta.
Quickspin se ha consolidado como un proveedor de juegos que destaca por su importancia en la innovación y la calidad. Es uno de los favoritos dentro de un amplio grupo de jugadores en diferentes sitios internacionales. Ofrece bonos atractivos, como uno de hasta £200 y diez giros gratis sin necesidad de realizar un depósito inicial. Además, permite márgenes amplios para retiros, haciendo que la experiencia sea aún más emocionante para los usuarios.
### Juegos de Quickspin sin Depósito y Disponibilidad Móvil
Los juegos de Quickspin, incluyendo el popular tragamonedas “Kronos”, están disponibles sin requisito de depósito para que los jugadores puedan probarlos sin compromiso. Si disfrutas de los juegos de Quickspin en tus casinos en línea favoritos, te invitamos a probarlos y descubrir la amplia variedad que tienen para ofrecer a los aficionados de los juegos de suerte.
Quickspin cuenta con 59 de sus 64 juegos de tragamonedas disponibles para dispositivos móviles. Estos títulos funcionan sin inconvenientes y mantienen todas las características especiales presentes en la versión de escritorio, asegurando una experiencia de juego completa y emocionante en cualquier plataforma.
### Características y Actualizaciones Constantes
Algunos juegos, como “Football Commissioner 2024 Mobile”, incluyen características exclusivas y pagos vinculados a plataformas como Netflix. Niantic, por ejemplo, actualiza sus juegos con eventos estacionales y mejoras constantes para mantener el entretenimiento fresco y atractivo.
Aunque en zonas rurales algunos jugadores enfrenten dificultades para encontrar PokéStops o gimnasios, la esencia del juego—explorar, socializar y capturar Pokémon—permanece intacta. Para los entrenadores más dedicados, la emoción de encontrar Pokémon raros y participar en incursiones supera cualquier inconveniente técnico.
### Aplicación y Filosofía Quickspin
Quickspin también ofrece una aplicación para iPad que permite acceder fácilmente a sus juegos. La filosofía de la empresa se centra en la calidad, buscando brindar experiencias únicas y emocionantes en cada lanzamiento.
Este proveedor se ha ganado un lugar destacado en el mercado de los casinos online, reconocido por su innovación y compromiso con la calidad. Sus tragamonedas combinan gráficos impresionantes con funciones especiales que atraen tanto a jugadores nuevos como a experimentados.
Por ejemplo, el juego “Jack and the Beanstalk” ofrece un RTP del 96.28% y presenta una volatilidad elevada, lo que supone mayores expectativas y recompensas para quienes disfrutan de este tipo de juegos.
### Giros Gratis y Promociones
Al registrarse en un casino que ofrezca juegos de Quickspin, los jugadores pueden recibir giros gratis para probar el catálogo. Además, gracias a promociones periódicas, es posible acceder a ofertas especiales y bonos que amplían el tiempo de juego sin coste adicional.
Cada título de Quickspin es un mundo por descubrir, con gráficos detallados y características originales diseñadas para atraer y entretener a jugadores de todos los niveles. Su esencia se refleja en juegos que ofrecen historias envolventes y mecánicas atractivas, destacando títulos como “Sakura Fortune”, “The Wild Chase” y “Sticky Bandits”, cada uno brindando una experiencia emocionante y única.
### Reconocimiento y Expansión
Quickspin es un nombre muy respetado entre los entusiastas de los casinos en línea. Gracias al trabajo de sus fundadores, la empresa ha logrado competir a un alto nivel, lo que se refleja en la amplia presencia de sus juegos en numerosas plataformas de casino.
El proveedor cuenta con socios de gran prestigio, como EveryMatrix y SoftGamings. Sus tragamonedas están disponibles en casinos reconocidos como Unibet, JoyCasino y Booi, entre otros.
### Historia y Calidad de Quickspin
Fundada en Estocolmo en 2011 por tres colegas que decidieron crear las mejores tragamonedas en línea, Quickspin se distinguió rápidamente por su rápido ascenso y éxito en el mercado.
En 2013, la compañía ganó el premio Rising Star en los EGR B2B Awards y el premio al Juego del Año por su tragamonedas “Big Bad Wolf”. En 2014, obtuvo otros dos premios, incluyendo el de Software para juegos móviles y proveedor de juegos sociales.
Su trabajo se enfoca principalmente en las máquinas tragamonedas, que destacan por su alta calidad y producción. Con una mezcla equilibrada de volatilidad media y alto RTP, sus juegos se caracterizan por ofrecer diversión y premios atractivos.
### Diversidad y Transparencia
Para quienes buscan tragamonedas divertidas y de alta calidad, Quickspin ofrece numerosas opciones para disfrutar. El proveedor es ideal para aquellos que valoran la transparencia y buscan juegos entretenidos junto con un servicio al cliente excepcional.
Actualmente, los jugadores interesados en combinar tragamonedas con juegos como blackjack o póker deberán buscar en otros proveedores, ya que Quickspin se especializa principalmente en tragamonedas.
### Regulación y Confiabilidad
En países como Perú, donde la regulación del juego en línea avanza progresivamente, contar con proveedores confiables como Quickspin brinda seguridad tanto a jugadores como a desarrolladores.
Para facilitar la experiencia, se pueden aplicar filtros personalizados para encontrar casinos en línea que ofrezcan exclusivamente juegos de Quickspin, o filtrar según la disponibilidad en regiones específicas, como Argentina.
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En resumen, Quickspin se ha consolidado como un líder en el mundo de las tragamonedas en línea, ofreciendo juegos de alta calidad, con funciones innovadoras y accesibles en múltiples plataformas. Su compromiso con el entretenimiento y la satisfacción del jugador lo convierte en un proveedor destacado y confiable en la industria.
https://cryptoverze.com/los-excelentes-casinos-en-linea-quickspin-de-kronos-ranura-sin-deposito-el-reino-unido/
A North Carolina house fire reportedly killed the father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin and critically injured his mother.
The Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services announced on Facebook that multiple fire departments were dispatched to a possible house fire “with entrapment” Sunday night.
The victims were identified Monday as Dennis Hamlin and Mary Lou Hamlin, according to Charlotte station WSOC. They are the parents of the 45-year-old NASCAR champion, whose 60 career wins include three Daytona 500 checkered flags.
Dennis Hamlin, 75, reportedly died from his injuries in a North Carolina hospital. His 69-year-old wife is being treated at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Burn Center in Winston-Salem. The cause of the blaze had not been determined by Monday evening.
Hamlin recently spoke about his father’s declining health, according to the NASCAR website. He credits his dad with supporting his racing career from the start when he was growing up in Florida.
“He’s the one that got me into racing,” Hamlin said before an October race in Las Vegas.
Dennis Hamlin said in a 2006 interview that his son returned the favor when he hit the big time by buying him a home outside Charlotte and telling him his working days were over.
“He handed me the keys to a new house and said, ‘It’s furnished, take your clothes, sell the business,” he recalled.
Mary Lou Hamlin reportedly found work running her son’s fan club.
https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/12/29/house-fire-denny-hamlin-parents-killed-north-carolina/
