USA finally looked like the WBC favorite when it needed to most

MIAMI — Chants of “U-S-A, U-S-A,” could be heard on the concourses and hallways of loanDepot Park late Sunday night after Team USA finally matched its billing and beat the powerhouse Dominican Republic team to advance to the finals of the World Baseball Classic. Happily, Team USA is rewriting a script that needed an overhaul. USA showed no indication it had such a winning performance in it while badly underperforming in three straight games and barely getting past pool play and preliminaries that originally seemed like a setup for success. However, our band of All-Stars and all-timers magically transformed into…

Exclusive | Pro Picks: Celeb stylists select the best 2026 Oscar looks

The Oscars red carpet is the world’s longest runway, where Hollywood’s biggest movie stars parade one-of-a-kind gowns and dazzling high jewelry. This year, the talent descended on the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles wearing custom finery, from Chase Infiniti’s river-of-ruffles silk Louis Vuitton dress, which took 750 hours to make,…

Bedbug nightmare spreading across multiple states: What you need to know — especially if you’re heading to spring break

Spring break travelers heading to popular destinations in the United States may want to be extra cautious about what they bring home. Pest control reports indicate that bedbug infestations linked to travel appear to be increasing in several Southern states. A recent report from Terminix in Atlanta ranked Georgia sixth nationwide for bedbug service…

WhistlePig founder offers 0M college campus for free with one big catch

The founder of a Vermont-based whiskey brand wants to give away a college campus that he bought during the pandemic — on the condition the new owner shares his vision for “the revival of our country and our civilization.” Raj Peter Bhakta is offering to gift the campus of 185-year-old now-defunct Green…

Donovan Dent, back to being himself, powers surging UCLA basketball

For several months, it looked like Mick Cronin was going to fulfill his preseason pledge. He really was going to ruin Donovan Dent’s senior year. The UCLA basketball coach had said those curious words as a warning, a salvo of sorts. The point was to let the star transfer point…

Diagnostic dilemma: A man’s bladder looked like a Christmas tree

The patient: A 30-year-old man in NigeriaThe symptoms: The man went to the urology unit of a hospital after urine had been leaking out of small holes in his perineum — the skin between the penis and anus — for about two weeks. This condition is known as “watering can”…

Ian Jackson showing major ‘growth’ at point guard for St. John’s

The Ian Jackson point guard experiment is making methodical progress. The Bronx native made his fourth consecutive start at the one on Tuesday night and continued his solid play of late. His defense was instrumental in St. John’s closing out the first half on a 22-4 run, and he sank…

Ex-NBA guard Sebastian Telfair released from prison days before Christmas

A one-time New York basketball prodigy will be home for the holidays. Former NBA guard Sebastian Telfair is out of prison after serving several months at the Federal Correctional Institution at Fort Dix in New Jersey, according to TMZ. The 40-year-old was released from Bureau of Prisons custody earlier this…

Marshall Warren finally has Islanders homecoming

The raw nerves and excitement that accompanied Marshall Warren’s NHL debut back in October are no longer a factor, but until Tuesday, there was still another box for the Long Island native to check: his first game at home. By sheer coincidence, the defenseman’s first three games with the Islanders…

Barnes & Noble to open 60 new stores in 2026

Barnes & Noble is gearing up to start the new year strong. The company, which, in addition to books, sells music, toys and games, and features cafés within many of its locations, said it plans to open 60 new stores in 2026, both in new markets and ones previously served. “Barnes…

Tyler Kolek delivers Knicks silver lining with career night in road loss

MINNEAPOLIS — Tyler Kolek took his opportunity and ran with it.  He was a silver lining to the Knicks’ 115-104 loss to the Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Target Center.  With Jalen Brunson out for load management, Kolek got his first-career start. And had a career night as a result. …

Hunter Biden blames ‘distasteful’ Obama team for his  foreign influence peddling — including  ‘viper’s den’ of Ukraine

WASHINGTON — Former first son Hunter Biden is blaming the “really distasteful” “hypocrites” who worked for then-President Barack Obama for setting in motion his most controversial foreign business dealings during his father Joe Biden’s eight-year vice presidency. Hunter, now 55, blamed Obama’s staff for forcing him to start back at…

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