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Year: 2024

Argentina close on World Cup as Messi helps Martinez level up with Maradona

Argentina close on World Cup as Messi helps Martinez level up with Maradona

Holders Argentina close on World Cup place as Lautaro Martinez joins Diego Maradona as country’s fifth leading scorer. A second-half strike from Lautaro Martinez gave Argentina a 1-0 home win over Peru in South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday night, with the striker’s goal moving him level with Diego Maradona as the country’s fifth all-time scorer. The 27-year-old Inter Milan forward notched his 32nd international goal 10 minutes after the break, capitalising on a fine cross from Lionel Messi to fire home a half-volley into the top-right corner. “I’m happy because my whole family came and I always want to give my best. This year was very positive and luckily we closed it with a victory,” Martinez told local TV. “It was a spectacular year in terms of performance, goals, games played. We have to keep playing and improving day by day. Everyone wants to beat us. Argentina’s national team are always the main characters. There are things to improve but we have to continue on this path.” Until Martínez scored, Argentina’s best chance was in the 21st minute, when striker Julian Alvarez hit the Peruvian goalkeeper’s right post. Messi once again had a modest performance, as he did in his team’s 2-1 defeat in Paraguay on Thursday. The World Cup holders lead the CONMEBOL standings with 25 points, five clear of Uruguay. Peru are bottom of the 10-team table with seven points after 12 games. The top six qualify automatically for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. “We are Copa America champions, we are first in the qualifiers. We have to be proud,” Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez added. Inter Miami forward, Messi, remains the country’s record goal scorer netting 112 times. Former striker Gabriel Batistuta, who enjoyed a long career with Fiorentina in Italy, is second on the list with 55 goals. Brazil’s players were given a frosty reception as they left the field following the home draw with Uruguay [Heuler Andrey/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images] Argentina’s rivals Brazil face fan backlash as stutter continues Brazil fans at home in Salvador jeered their team after the final whistle following their 1-1 draw against Uruguay. In a match with few opportunities for either side, Uruguay seemed closer to winning for most of the second half with Federico Valverde opening the scoring in the 55th minute after Brazilian defenders failed three times to clear the ball from their penalty area. The Real Madrid midfielder hit the ball to the left corner to score. Gerson equalized in the 61st minute in similar fashion at the Arena Fonte Nova. Brazil, who remain without the services of their injured forward Neymar, lag in fifth position with 18 points after several uninspiring performances. Striker Raphinha said he understood the frustration of his team’s fans but disagreed with their reaction at the end. “We played great. We did everything we could to leave here with a victory. We must have our heads high up, it will be very tough to beat us,” he said. Also on Tuesday, Ecuador won 1-0 at Colombia with a goal by Enner Valencia in the seventh minute, in which he dribbled through three players before scoring. Ecuador lost defender Piero Hincapie to a red card in the 34th minute but held on for the win. Bolivia and Paraguay drew 2-2 in a match between teams that could end up fighting for the seventh position in the region’s qualifying. Chile, one of the worst-performing teams in the region this year, showed some fighting spirit and beat Venezuela 4-2. Adblock test (Why?)

Louisiana lawmakers weighing constitutional amendment that would send more juvenile offenders to adult jails

Louisiana lawmakers weighing constitutional amendment that would send more juvenile offenders to adult jails

Lawmakers in Louisiana are proposing an amendment to the state constitution that will drastically change penalties for juvenile offenders. Senate Bill 2 was approved by a 28-9 vote in the Senate and sent to the House of Representatives, where it was reported with amendments and referred to the Legislate Bureau.  If the bill passes the state legislature, it would remove restrictions on sentencing juvenile offenders and allow them to be sent to adult jails for less violent crimes, like theft. Under current Louisiana law, juveniles can be charged as adults for a handful of violent crimes, including murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, rape and armed robbery. NORTH CAROLINA GOV. COOPER VETOES BILL THAT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED MORE JUVENILES TO BE TRIED AS ADULTS “We feel like the juvenile issue is one of utmost importance, and there’s just no reason to delay it,” said La. House Speaker Pro Tempore Mike Johnson (R-District 27). District Attorneys Phillip Terrell, Hillar Moore, Tony Clayton, Billy Joe Harrington, Brad Burget, Perry Nicosia and Christine Russell were present and some testified. The proposal would also need voter approval statewide because it will add a constitutional amendment to state law. KENTUCKY STATE SENATE PASSES BILL TRYING JUVENILES AS ADULTS FOR GUN-RELATED FELONIES  A number of people who support the bill claim it will be beneficial for public safety. “The bill will assist District Attorneys, judges, and law enforcement in combating juvenile crime. LDAA leadership and a number of district attorneys appeared in committee support,” according to a Facebook post by the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Detractors believe not only is the bill too broad, but the onus is on the people to invest time toward improving America’s youth, not incarcerating them. Lady Carlson of Together Louisiana told local outlet KALB, “If we invest in after-school programs, activities for youth … our schools are abysmal. We’re towards the bottom of almost every indicator. We’re not investing in our kids. So, how do we think they’re going to excel?”

Top 10 states where Trump outperformed in 2024

Top 10 states where Trump outperformed in 2024

President-elect Trump flipped six highly competitive states in his election victory last week. But as a Fox News analysis showed last week, his gains with voters were not limited to the battlegrounds.  This list covers the 10 states where Trump most outperformed his 2020 margins. Notably, conservative strongholds aren’t the only states that made the list. The top 10 also includes deeply Democrat areas. Trump didn’t win these states, but they swung to the right. Vote counting continues in some highly populated states on this list, including California and New York. IN ELECTION VICTORY, TRUMP’S GAINS WENT BEYOND THE BATTLEGROUNDS Note: As of this writing, approximately 3% of ballots have not yet been counted in New York. So far, New York has swung 11 points toward Trump. The president-elect posted a 6.3-point improvement on his 2020 vote share, while his Democrat opponent, Vice President Harris, slipped by five points. He gained across the state, with his largest swings in New York City and Long Island. On election night, the Fox News Decision Desk projected that Harris would win the state. With 97% of the vote counted, she is winning by 12 points. TRUMP TRAIN CHUGS PAST 2020 MARGINS, PARTICULARLY AMONG HISPANICS, URBAN NORTHEASTERNERS Note: As of this writing, approximately 1% of ballots have not yet been counted in New Jersey. So far, New Jersey has swung 10 points toward Trump. The president-elect posted a 4.7-point improvement on his 2020 vote share, while Harris slipped by 5.3 points. He gained across New Jersey, with his largest swings in the northeast corner of the state. Hudson and Passaic counties lead the pack. On election night, the Fox News Decision Desk projected that Harris would win the state. With 99% of the vote counted, she is winning by six points. Florida swung 10 points toward Trump. ‘FASCIST’: LIBERAL CRITICS MELT DOWN AFTER FLORIDA VOTERS REJECT ABORTION RIGHTS AMENDMENT The president-elect posted a 4.9-point improvement on his 2020 vote share; Harris slipped by the same amount. He gained across the state. The most notable swing was in Miami-Dade County, which flipped to the GOP for the first time since 1988. On election night, the Fox News Decision Desk projected that Trump would win the state. With the results certified, he won by 13 points. Massachusetts swung nine points toward Trump. The president-elect posted a 4.2-point improvement on his 2020 vote share and Harris slipped by 4.6 points. ABORTION SUPPORTERS AT WOMEN’S MARCH IN BOSTON TURN OUT IN DROVES TO SUPPORT HARRIS PRESIDENCY He gained across the state, with double-digit swings in Suffolk County, which includes Boston, and Bristol County. On election night, the Fox News Decision Desk projected that Harris would win the state. With 99% of the vote counted, she is winning by 25 points. Note: As of this writing, approximately 5% of ballots have not yet been counted in California. So far, California has swung nine points toward Trump. The president-elect posted a 3.8-point improvement on his 2020 vote share as Harris slipped by 4.8 points. He gained in many areas across the state, including the two most populated cities, Los Angeles and San Francisco. On election night, the Fox News Decision Desk projected that Harris would win the state. With 95% of the vote counted, she is winning by 21 points. DEMOCRAT WINS HOUSE RACE TO RETAIN SEAT IN CALIFORNIA’S 21ST DISTRICT Texas swung eight points toward Trump. The president-elect posted a 4.2-point improvement on his 2020 vote share; Harris slipped by roughly the same amount. He gained across Texas, with the largest swings concentrated in the southern parts of the state. Webb County, for example, home to Laredo, moved 25 points toward Trump. That gave Republicans their first win there in over a century. On election night, the Fox News Decision Desk projected that Trump would win the state. With 99% of the vote counted, he is winning by 14 points. Note: As of this writing, approximately 2% of ballots have not yet been counted in Mississippi. So far, Mississippi has swung eight points toward Trump. The president-elect posted a four-point improvement on his 2020 vote share; Harris slipped by roughly the same amount. EX-TRUMP OFFICIAL PREDICTS ‘ENTIRE MINDSET CHANGE’ AT SOUTHERN BORDER, HAILS ‘FANTASTIC’ PICK TO LEAD DHS He gained across the state, including in Yazoo County, a majority-Black county that last voted for the GOP in 2004. On election night, the Fox News Decision Desk projected that Trump would win the state. With 98% of the vote counted, he is winning by 24 points. Rhode Island swung seven points toward Trump. The president-elect posted a 3.3-point improvement on his 2020 vote share, while Harris slipped by four points. He gained across the state, led by Providence, the city’s highest-populated area. On election night, the Fox News Decision Desk projected that Harris would win the state. With 98% of the vote counted, she is winning by 14 points. REPUBLICANS PROJECTED TO KEEP CONTROL OF HOUSE AS TRUMP PREPARES TO IMPLEMENT AGENDA Tennessee swung 6.5 points toward Trump. The president-elect posted a 3.5-point improvement on his 2020 vote share, while Harris slipped by three points. He gained across the state, including a double-digit swing in Trousdale County, a rural area outside the Nashville metropolitan area. On election night, the Fox News Decision Desk projected that Trump would win the state. With 99% of the vote counted, he is winning by 30 points. Note: As of this writing, approximately 1% of ballots have not yet been counted in Illinois. So far, Illinois has swung six points toward Trump. The president-elect posted a 3.4-point improvement on his 2020 vote share; Harris slipped by 2.9 points. He gained across Illinois, with a notable eight-point swing in Cook County, home to Chicago. On election night, the Fox News Decision Desk projected that Harris would win the state. With 99% of the vote counted, she is winning by 11 points.

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia says with Trump’s election, ‘we’ve got a friend in the White House’

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia says with Trump’s election, ‘we’ve got a friend in the White House’

MARCO ISLAND, FL – EXCLUSIVE – After some high-profile battles with President Biden’s administration the past three years, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin says that President-elect Trump’s decisive election victory earlier this month means he now has “a friend in the White House.” Youngkin, the popular Virginia governor who’s entering his final year in office, argued in an exclusive Fox News Digital interview that “as a governor who’s been driving pro-business and strong education and safe communities and lower tax rates, we now have someone in the White House who believes in all of that.” “I look forward to us having the wind at our backs as opposed to in our face,” Youngkin said as he spoke Tuesday on the sidelines of the Republican Governors Association annual winter meeting, which is being held this year at a southwestern Florida waterfront resort. And pointing to his final year steering Virginia, Youngkin said “I can’t wait to see what we’re going to do having the wind at our back from the Trump administration.” HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING ON THE TRUMP TRANSITION There was plenty of speculation regarding Youngkin potentially serving in a top position in the second Trump administration, but the governor in a recent call with the president-elect made it clear he intends to finish out his term. But he doesn’t sound like he’s ruling out serving in the Trump administration after he finishes up in Richmond in a year. “I told the president when I called him and told him that I wanted to finish my term, that I would be available to help him at any time while I’m governor and afterwards,” Youngkin said. TRUMP FAR AHEAD OF HIS FIRST TERM PACE IN NAMING HIS CABINET Youngkin energized Republicans nationwide three years ago, as the first-time candidate who hailed from the party’s business wing edged out former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe to become the first GOP candidate in a dozen years to win a gubernatorial election in the one-time swing state that had trended towards the Democrats over the previous decade. The governor instantly became a Republican rock star and speculation stirred about a possible 2024 White House run. But Youngkin and his party suffered a setback a year ago in legislative elections that grabbed outsized national attention, as Democrats retained control of the Virginia state Senate and flipped the House of Delegates. While Youngkin wasn’t on the ballot, he had plenty riding on the results, after investing plenty of political capital on behalf of Republican legislative candidates. The results also meant Youngkin wouldn’t have a free hand during his final two years in office to push through a conservative agenda. Youngkin returned to the campaign trail this year in Virginia and a couple of key battleground states, to help campaign on behalf of Republicans up and down the ballot. And he spoke at a large rally Trump held in conservative southwest Virginia the weekend before Election Day.  While Vice President Kamala Harris carried the Commonwealth in the White House race, her margin over Trump was 4.5 points narrower than President Biden’s victory in the state four years earlier, as Trump and Republicans over performed expectations. The results appear to have given Youngkin more clout ahead of his final legislative session. Democrats who over the past year were united in opposition to the governor’s proposed tax cuts, may now be receptive to negotiating. Asked if the Democrats are now ready to play ball, Youngkin said “I’m hoping they are. I think that the recognition that Virginians want to keep more of their hard-earned money has really engaged everyone in a dialogue on how to provide tax relief.” He argued the election results “demonstrated record job growth which has created surplus after surplus after surplus is driven by pro-business standards.” And he emphasized that “we’re going to come back with a big tax package again, and we’re going to make sure we’re standing strong for education and strong for public safety.” “I’m optimistic,” he added, but acknowledged that “it will be a normal legislative process. We have a legislative – we’re a one seat minority in the House and the Senate – so we have to go to work to get things done.” All political eyes will be on Virginia in 2025, as the Commonwealth and New Jersey are the only two states to hold gubernatorial elections in the year after a presidential election. But Virginia governors, by law, are prevented from running for re-election to a second straight term. That doesn’t mean Youngkin will disappear from the campaign trail in 2025. He says it’s just the opposite. VIRGINIA’S YOUNGKIN ENDORSES HIS LT. GOVERNOR TO SUCCEED HIM “You’re going to see me a lot,” he touted. “We’ve got a very aggressive agenda for being governor in the last 14 months. But part of that agenda that I have is to make sure that we have [Lt. Gov.] Winsome Sears as our next governor. [Virginia Attorney General] Jason Miyares back as our attorney general and a super lieutenant governor who we will pick at our primaries.” Youngkin predicted that “Virginians are going to make clear that they want to keep doing more of what we’re doing that’s proving record job growth and opportunity and great outcomes in schools and safe communities.” The 2025 Virginia gubernatorial showdown is shaping up as a contest between Sears and Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer. The winner will make history as the state’s first ever female governor. And Sears, if she wins, will also make history as the nation’s first Black female elected governor. Youngkin pushed back when asked if Sears, who served in the Marine Corps and made history as the first woman in Virginia to hold statewide office, is too conservative for voters.  “Not at all,” the governor quickly responded. “And Winsome is a commonsense conservative leader. We have been partners literally from day one. We campaigned together. We were elected together. We have governed together. And