Giants clinch first playoff berth since 2016 in blowout win vs Colts

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The wait is over for New York Giants fans, as their team is heading to the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season after a dominant 38-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts. 

In front of a sold-out MetLife Stadium crowd, the Giants knew destiny was in their own hands and clearly understood the assignment, scoring over 30 points for the first time since Week 5 of the 2020 season. 

A lot of that has to do with the play of Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. Not only did he throw for two touchdowns, but he also scored two rushing touchdowns in the second half to lead the Giants in one of his best career games. 

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Because they were up 38-10 in the fourth quarter, head coach Brian Daboll pulled Jones and other starters out of the game, and the crowd erupted with a chant for Jones. He finished with 177 yards and two passing touchdowns on 19 of 24, while leading New York in rushing with 91 yards and two scores on 11 carries. 

The Giants were methodical as always on offense, which included an 11-play, 71-yard drive that ate 6:48 minutes of clock for their first touchdown of the game. Jones scrambled out to his right and found Richie James for six yards to cap off the drive and take the lead, 7-3. 

GIANTS’ KAYVON THIBODEAUX CELEBRATES SACK AS COLTS’ NICK FOLES WRITHES IN PAIN

From there, it was all New York. After a short drive by the Colts, the Giants went right back on the attack, and Isaiah Hodgins secured the six-yard touchdown pass from Jones to go up 14-3. 

Colts quarterback Nick Foles, getting his second start in two weeks, didn’t finish the game under center after a Kayvon Thibodeaux sack led to a rib injury. He was in immediate pain after Thibodeaux took him down, and he was eventually carted off the field. 

Foles finished the game 8 of 13 for 81 yards with no touchdowns and one interception by Landon Collins, who took it 52 yards to the house for a pick-six in the second quarter to make it 21-3. 

Sam Ehlinger would replace Foles and find Michael Pittman Jr. for a touchdown in the third quarter. But that’s all he could produce on the scoreboard, tallying 60 yards on 9 of 14 passing. 

Looking more into the stat sheet, Saquon Barkley had a pedestrian game compared to his Pro Bowl-level production, totaling 58 yards on 12 carries. James led the Giants receiving with 76 yards and his touchdown catches on seven receptions. Hodgins and tight end Daniel Bellinger both had 42 yards receiving as well. 

While their playoff ticket is punched, the Giants still have a Week 18 bout against the Philadelphia Eagles on the road next week to complete the regular season. It will be interesting to see how Daboll plays his guys, as well as the Eagles, with both teams wanting to be as healthy as possible heading into the postseason. 

As for the Colts, who move to 4-11-1 on the season, they will have one last game against the Houston Texans at home next Sunday.

 

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Florida New Year’s Day shooting leaves 2 dead and 4 injured: Police

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Ocala, Florida, police are investigating a New Year’s Day shooting that left two people dead, and four others injured.

Police said the shooting occurred at about 4:30 a.m. on SW 5th Street, and at the time there was a large crowd of nearly 100 people gathered in the area.

As a result of the shooting, Davonta Harris, 30, and Abdul Hakeem Van Croskey, 24, were killed.

MARYLAND MAN ARRESTED IN FLORIDA, CHARGED WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Four others were shot, then taken to what police said was “an undisclosed location,” where they were listed in stable condition.

In a statement on Sunday, Ocala Police Department officials said they did not believe there was an immediate threat to the community.

“This tragic event has left many devastated and mourning,” the statement read. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this terrible act.

‘IMPATIENT THIEF’ IN FLORIDA FUMBLES CLOTHING HEIST, KICKS STORE DOOR AND PUSHES EMPLOYEE

Police encourage anyone with information about the incident to call 352-369-7000 or call Crime Stoppers of Marion County by dialing **TIPS. Anyone who submits a tip to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest could be eligible for a cash reward, the statement said.

“Together, we can hold those responsible for this crime accountable for their actions and work towards a safer community,” the department said.

Police have not arrested any suspects in connection with the shooting and the investigation is still active.

 

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NASA chief warns China could claim territory on the moon if it wins new 'space race'

NASA’s top administrator says the U.S. is in a new space race with China and warned that a Chinese win could result in the country claiming to “own” vast swaths of the moon.

NASA administrator Bill Nelson, a former astronaut and Florida senator, warned that it is entirely possible that China would cordon off the most resource-rich areas of the lunar surface if they establish a presence there first, Politico reported Sunday.

“It is a fact: we’re in a space race,” he told the outlet. “And it is true that we better watch out that they don’t get to a place on the moon under the guise of scientific research. And it is not beyond the realm of possibility that they say, ‘Keep out, we’re here, this is our territory.’”

Nelson went on to point to China’s aggression in the South China Sea, where the Chinese government has routinely made claims of sovereignty over areas belonging to other countries.

NASA SPACE CAPSULE ROUNDS THE MOON

NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft stands on launch pad 39B as final preparations are made for the Artemis I mission at the Kennedy Space Center on November 15, 2022.

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft stands on launch pad 39B as final preparations are made for the Artemis I mission at the Kennedy Space Center on November 15, 2022.
(Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

China’s burgeoning space program succeeded in establishing a new space station earlier this year. Meanwhile, NASA has been working on its Artemis series of missions to the moon.

FOLLOWING ‘UNEXPECTED LOSS’ NASA SAYS ORION SPACECRAFT COMMUNICATIONS RESTORED

Artemis I launched in November for a 26-day mission taking pictures of the lunar surface, and the Artemis II and III missions are progress toward more established activity on the moon.

NASA has also focused on Mars, however, sending multiple robotic rovers to the planet to gather data on the planet’s soil, atmosphere and potential landing zones for a manned mission.

On the sixth day of the Artemis I mission, Orion’s optical navigation camera captured black-and-white images of craters on the Moon below.

On the sixth day of the Artemis I mission, Orion’s optical navigation camera captured black-and-white images of craters on the Moon below.
(NASA Johnson)

In this photo provided by NASA the Orion spacecraft for the Artemis I mission splashes down in the Pacific Ocean after a 25.5 day mission to the Moon, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022.

In this photo provided by NASA the Orion spacecraft for the Artemis I mission splashes down in the Pacific Ocean after a 25.5 day mission to the Moon, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022.
(NASA via AP)

Artemis I returned to earth and splashed into the Pacific Ocean in December.

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Chinese investment in spaceflight and other rocket technology comes amid an ongoing arms race with the U.S. and Russia as all three countries are currently developing hypersonic weapons.

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Philadelphia New Year’s Day violence leaves at least 9 people shot, including teen: Police

Within hours of Philadelphia ringing in the New Year, the city experienced a spate of gun violence that left at least nine people shot – including one teen, according to police. 

A domestic dispute in the city’s Frankford neighborhood escalated to the city’s first reported shooting of 2023 within an hour of the clock striking midnight. Authorities told the outlet a woman twice shot a 30-year-old man allegedly attacking her. The man suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was transported to a hospital where he was placed in stable condition. Police later arrested him. 

Gunshots in Philadelphia on New Year's Day have left at least nine people injured. 

Gunshots in Philadelphia on New Year’s Day have left at least nine people injured. 
(WTXF-TV)

As the hours dragged into the early morning, more shots were fired. At least five victims – including an 87-year-old woman – were struck by gunfire. 

Police say at least one minor, a 15-year-old male teen, was among at least nine victims injured in gun violence overnight. 

Police say at least one minor, a 15-year-old male teen, was among at least nine victims injured in gun violence overnight. 
(WTXF-TV)

At about 1:45 a.m., police responded to Mercy Hospital for a 19-year-old man who had been shot in the neck in the 5600 block of Walnut Street. He was transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center where he was placed in stable condition. 

NYPD SEARCHING FOR SUSPECTS WANTED FOR STRING OF ARMED ROBBERIES ACROSS NYC

Just after 2:30 a.m., police responded to a double shooting in the 1900 block of North 3rd Street. Two victims, a 15-year-old and an 18-year-old suffered gunshot wounds. Both were transported to an area hospital where they were placed in stable condition. 

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Among the eight shootings overnight, only one arrest has been made. Each shooting remains under investigation. 

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‘Avatar’ Sequel Again Dominates Box Office

USA – Voice of America 

Avatar: The Way of Water” is the box office king for a third straight week and shows no sign of slowing down.

James Cameron’s long-awaited sequel to the first “Avatar” film brought in an estimated $63 million over the holiday weekend, roughly the same as the previous week, and now has made more than $400 million domestically and more than $1.3 billion globally. “The Way of Water” is already the 15th highest global release ever, just behind the first “Black Panther.”

Numbers released Sunday by Comscore showed “Avatar” far ahead of the runner-up, Universal’s “Shrek” spinoff “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” which made an estimated $16 million, and Disney’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” which brought in around $4.8 million.

The Sony biopic “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody” made $4.2 million in its second week of release. “Babylon,” the epic of early Hollywood starring Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, continued to fare badly despite its five Golden Globe nominations. The Paramount release earned just $2.7 million in its second week, a 24% drop, and averaged just $815 per location. By comparison, the new “Avatar,” a 20th Century Studios film, averaged more than $15,000.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. “Avatar: The Way of Water,” $63 million.

2. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” $16 million.

3. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” $4.8 million.

4. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” $4.2 million.

5. “Babylon,” $2.7 million.

6. “Violent Night,” $2.1 million.

7. “The Whale,” $1.3 million.

8. “The Fabelmans,” $1.1 million.

9. “The Menu,” $1.1 million.

10. “Strange World,” $538,000.

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New Year, new drama: Grief-stricken woman wonders if she can ‘sneak out’ of a friend’s father-daughter dance

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A grieving Reddit user has been reassured by others on the social media site that skipping out during a friend’s “father-daughter” wedding dance would not be inappropriate after she — the Reddit user — shared her worries and conflicted feelings about the sentimental moment.

A user by the name of “Wakalakatime” asked others if she would seem like a jerk “for leaving my friend’s wedding party during the father-daughter dance?” 

She shared her query on Reddit’s “Am I the A*****e” (AITA) subreddit on Dec. 30, 2022.

WEDDING MISHAP: BRIDE STOPS ENTIRE CEREMONY WHEN SHE FORGETS PART OF HER WEDDING DRESS

The user said she had recently lost her own father — and that the two “were incredibly close and the grief has been all-consuming” for her. 

She added, “I don’t enjoy social events anymore because the grief follows me like a dark cloud, but I’ve agreed to go to my friend’s wedding, which is abroad.” 

“Wakalakatime” and her friend are both 28-year-old women, she said.

In addition to the emotional challenges for her of attending the friend’s wedding, “Wakalakatime” said she has a “breastfed infant” at home whom she’ll be leaving behind with her mom while she travels.

While “Wakalakatime” said she knows she will need to “be a supportive and happy presence” for her friend on the woman’s wedding day, she does not think she’ll be able to handle the father-daughter dance portion of the event. 

AMERICAN BRIDE GOES VIRAL FOR FAMILY’S ‘SURREAL’ REACTION TO HER INDIAN WEDDING ATTIRE

“My husband has suggested we quietly pop outside for some air during this, and I like the idea,” she said.

However, one of her colleagues — a 38-year-old woman whom “Wakalakatime” said is “wedding obsessed” — disagreed with her plan. 

The colleague “implied that I would be [the jerk] for ‘making it about myself,'” she wrote on Reddit. 

“It’s only one song, and we should be able to sneak out without anyone noticing, but now I’m questioning the whole thing,” the woman also shared.

Fox News Digital reached out to “Wakalakatime” for comment.

On the AITA subreddit, Redditors can reply to posts saying that the poster is “NTA” (“Not the A*****e), “YTA” (“You’re the A*****e”), “NAH” (“No A*****e Here”) or “ESH” (“Everyone Sucks Here”). 

Users also can “upvote” responses they think are helpful and “downvote” ones that are not.

Every other Redditor who replied to the post said that “Wakalakatime” would not be acting poorly if she makes a discrete exit during the father-daughter dance at her friend’s wedding. 

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The top upvoted comment, written by Reddit user “MbMinx,” said that “there’s nothing rude about” stepping out of the reception for a moment, “especially if you just go quietly.” 

“I lost my father nearly 10 years ago, and I would still struggle watching a father-daughter dance,” this person wrote. 

“Grief is like that,” she said.

“You aren’t making the moment ‘about you.’ You are planning to let them have their moment. We can’t turn our feelings off just because others might find them inconvenient,” the same individual wrote. 

WEDDING DRAMA: MAN USES FLASHCARDS TO TELL BROTHER HIS TODDLER ISN’T WELCOME, FAMILY CHAOS ENSUES

The person also wrote, “Anyone who sees wedding etiquette as more important than literal life and death is just plain wrong.”

Yet another person wrote to her, “Really, the bride and groom not only likely won’t mind but won’t even notice. When I got married, I was so busy that I didn’t notice what individual people were doing.”

Other people, though, were critical of the “wedding-obsessed” coworker.

“Your colleague is a massive AH. Just putting that out there. Anyone who sees wedding etiquette as more important than literal life and death is just plain wrong,” wrote a Reddit user who goes by the name “mynamecouldbesam.” 

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“She’s a bully. I’m so sorry. I lost my dad when I was 15 and our weddings were hard for both my sister and I. She clearly doesn’t understand the grief,” wrote Reddit user “Lucia_of_Carlentini.”

“Stepping outside is actually the kind thing to do. If you stayed [inside] and started crying, that might actually cause a scene. You’re spot on and doing the right thing,” this user added.

 

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Blinken Discusses US-China Relationship in Call With China’s Qin

USA – Voice of America 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with incoming Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang over the phone Sunday, Blinken said on Twitter, after China last week appointed its ambassador to the United States to be its new foreign minister.

Blinken said he discussed the U.S.-China relationship and maintaining open lines of communication in his phone call with Qin.

China on Friday appointed Qin, its ambassador to the United States and a trusted aide of President Xi Jinping, to be its new foreign minister, as Beijing and Washington seek to stabilize rocky relations.

Qin, 56, replaces Wang Yi, who had been foreign minister for the past decade. Wang, 69, was promoted to the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party in October and is expected to play a bigger role in Chinese foreign policy.

Though Qin sounded optimistic about U.S.-China relations during his relatively brief, 17-month stint as ambassador in Washington – his predecessor had held the post for eight years – his tenure nonetheless coincided with deteriorating ties between the two superpowers.

Wang’s stint as foreign minister saw a sharp rise in tensions between Beijing and Washington on a wide range of issues ranging from trade to Taiwan.

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Dolly Parton sings, Sofia Vergara sizzles in NYE celebrations: How celebrities rang in 2023

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All across the globe, music icons including Dolly Parton and Cher as well as A-list celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Reese Witherspoon celebrated New Year’s Eve with family, friends and a bevy of Hollywood stars.

Some couples shared their first NYE holiday together, while others met up with friends to ring in 2023.

Here’s a look at some of the best celebrations.

CELEBRITY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS: BLAKE SHELTON, GWEN STEFANI AND MORE STARS ON 2023 GOALS

For the second year in a row, Miley Cyrus brought the house down in Miami with a NYE special on NBC, but this year she was joined by godmother Dolly Parton as her co-host. Flocks of celebrities and performers showed up to the event, where Cyrus and Parton sang “Wrecking Ball” and “Jolene,” among other songs.

“Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party” featured special performances by Paris Hilton, who surprisingly joined Cyrus and musician Sia on stage for a rendition of her song “Stars Are Blind.”

Hilton, 41, posted a series of photos with other performers, including Latto and Fletcher writing in part, “Still on a high after last night! It felt so good to be back on stage and it was so inspiring to be surrounded by so many talented artists who I look up to and feel lucky to call my friends.”

Cher celebrated her New Year with her new man, boyfriend Alexander Edwards, in a series of photos posted to Twitter, showcasing the massive diamond ring she was recently given by the music executive. 

In a series of tweets, the “Believe” singer wrote, “Happy New Year Daddy,” in reference to Edwards, who she has been linked to publicly since November. She also wrote, “This should Send you Haters to The Part in Wizzard of OZ…WHEN DOROTHY THREW WATER ON THE wicked Witch & Melted her,” alongside a picture of her beaming at her beau.

“Big Little Lies” actress Reese Witherspoon posted a photo “welcoming 2023” with her youngest child, Tennessee while on the beach, looking out at the horizon.

Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello have had a whirlwind week, celebrating the holidays together as well as Manganiello’s birthday on Dec. 28. The “Modern Family” actress posted a series of photos alongside her husband of seven years and friends while in a tropical location.

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Jennifer Lopez took to Instagram to share a couple of cute videos of herself while sipping on a cocktail, also highlighting the 2023 glasses she had on her face. She stunned in a black and red gown while she danced along to Ella Fitzgerald’s “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve.”

Reality stars Kylie and Kendall Jenner, 25 and 27 respectively, both donned all black outfits to their New Year’s Eve festivities. The sisters were photographed alongside many of their friends at the same venue, including Hailey Bieber and Anastasia Karanikolaou. 

 

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Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux celebrates sack as Colts’ Nick Foles writhes in pain

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New York Giants rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux has made a major impact for his team over the last few weeks and the solid play continued against the Indianapolis Colts.

The young pass rusher had four tackles, a sack and two tackles for a loss against Colts quarterback Nick Foles in the first half of their game. New York took a 24-3 lead into halftime.

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But it was a sack on Foles toward the end of the Colts’ final drive of the first half that raised eyebrows. Thibodeaux got to Foles for his fourth sack of the season and celebrated by doing snow angels on the dry turf at MetLife Stadium. Next to Thibodeaux’s snow angels was Foles, who was down in pain.

Foles appeared to be writhing in pain as the pass rusher celebrated next to him. It wasn’t clear whether Thibodeaux knew that Foles was injured on the play but the optics didn’t look great and the NFL world watching the game voiced their opinion about the move on social media.

DANIEL JONES, SAQUON BARKLEY RETURN ON GIANTS’ TO-DO LIST IN OFFSEASON: REPORT

Sam Ehlinger came into the game for Foles in the second half.

The Giants came into the game needing a win to get into the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season.

Thibodeaux has been a big reason why the Giants have turned things around. New York made him the No. 5 overall pick of the 2022 draft and he’s been a key player since making his debut in Week 3.

He had 44 tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown coming into the game against the Colts.

 

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Commanders’ Carson Wentz faces boos as he throws two interceptions in first half

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Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz faced boos from the fans at FedExField on Sunday in his return to the field against the Cleveland Browns.

Wentz first started to hear the boos rain down on him in the first quarter when he threw an interception to Browns cornerback Denzel Ward. He heard them again in the second quarter when his third drive of the game led to a Grant Delpit interception. Two interceptions in the first half was not a good start.

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Washington was able to get some points on the board before the end of the first half.

Wentz led the team on a 21-play, 96-yard drive to get the Commanders on top 7-3. The drive ended with a Wentz quarterback sneak at the goal line for the score.

DANIEL JONES, SAQUON BARKLEY RETURN ON GIANTS’ TO-DO LIST IN OFFSEASON: REPORT

The veteran quarterback was 6-of-10 with 62 passing yards and two picks in the first half. He was sacked once. Logan Thomas led the way with three catches for 32 yards.

Wentz was put back into the starting lineup after coming into the game against the San Francisco 49ers last week. He had been out since Week 6 due to a fractured ring finger and lost his job to Taylor Heinicke for a bit.

But the Commanders’ inability to keep their winning ways up led Ron Rivera to go back to Wentz.

 

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