49ers' receiving group takes another hit with Jordan Watkins' injury

49ers' receiving group takes another hit with Jordan Watkins' injury

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers banged-up receiving group sustained another loss with promising rookie Jordan Watkins sidelined for about a month with a high ankle sprain. Watkins had a 50-yard catch in his exhibition debut on Saturday night against Denver when he played 39 snaps in his first game action since being drafted in the fourth round in April. He didn't feel anything after the game but reported soreness in his ankle on Sunday when the injury was diagnosed. "We weren't that worried about it until we got an MRI and it showed a high ankle," coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday. "So, who knows the date on those, but those usually take about a month to me." Watkins had taken advantage of his chances in camp with starters Jauan Jennings (calf) and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) missing time with injuries. Aiyuk is rehabbing after tearing the ACL and MCL ligaments in his left knee last season. There is no definitive timeline for Aiyuk's return but Shanahan is hopeful to get him back in the middle of the season. Shanahan also said he hoped to get safety Malik Mustapha and rookie quarterback Kurtis Rourke back in the same time period as they are also recovering from ACL injuries. "They're all different stages," Shanahan said. "With where they're at, I always see them around Week 6, which means that could be Week 10, means it could be Week 5, but that's the area where I start thinking about it, which is a long way away. I know it's not Week 1 or anything like that, so it's something I'm not really thinking about too much." Jennings has been out with a calf injury that sidelined him in the offseason and during training camp last summer. Jennings is also seeking a new contract but Shanahan said the absence is injury related. "It is something that we don't think will be too serious, but it's bothering him now," he said. "Depending on how much he misses, I mean, I always want guys out there. It helps him, it helps the team. But, Jauan was all right last year too missing some time." The injuries and a potential suspension for Demarcus Robinson after he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor DUI charge in early July leave the Niners with few healthy options at receiver outside of second-year player Ricky Pearsall. Shanahan said the team is always looking into potential additions but that for now the focus is on the players in camp. "It's been an obvious situation to me for a while, so it's stuff we're working on," he said. "It's stuff we're trying to really put pressure on these younger guys. That's why it was really unfortunate for Watkins to get that setback because we really believed he could have helped us early. But he needed to practice to be able to help us. So, it's a minor setback for him." San Francisco did get some positive news on the injury front at receiver after second-year player Jacob Cowing hit the speeds he needed in a workout on Sunday to return from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since the first day of camp. Cowing is expected back at practice on Tuesday. Roster moves The Niners signed DL Trevis Gipson and RB Jeff Wilson Jr. to one-year deals to get more healthy bodies in camp. Running back Ameer Abdullah was placed on injured reserve after injuring his ribs on Saturday night and No. 4 quarterback Tanner Mordecai was waived. Offensive lineman Andre Dillard was activated off the physically unable to perform list and will be in the mix at backup tackle for San Francisco. Rookie nickelback Upton Stout was held out of practice as he still had soreness in his calf. Cornerback Renardo Green will be out at least another week with a hamstring injury. ___ AP NFL:https://apnews.com/NFL

byMario Satorik

in

August 11, 2025

49ers' receiving group takes another hit with Jordan Watkins' injury

49ers' receiving group takes another hit with Jordan Watkins' injury SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers banged-up re...

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Schwarber hits his 42nd homer in a 4-run 8th inning as the Phillies rally past the Reds 4-1

Schwarber hits his 42nd homer in a 4-run 8th inning as the Phillies rally past the Reds 4-1

CINCINNATI (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit his 42nd homer of the season, a two-run shot that highlighted a four-run eighth inning, as the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies rallied to beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-1 Monday night, extending their winning streak to four games. Schwarber's 42nd homer moved him past Shohei Ohtani and into the NL lead. The Dodgers faced the Angels later Monday night. Seattle's Cal Raleigh leads the AL and MLB with 45 homers. Schwarber has 97 RBIs this season. Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott (8-3) allowed only three hits through seven innings. But, with two outs in the eighth, he allowed RBI doubles by Weston Wilson and Trea Turner. Schwarber followed with a two-run shot off Tony Santillan to complete the rally. Abbott bounced back after a rough outing on Wednesday when he allowed four earned runs and a pair of homers in a 6-1 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Against the Phillies, he retired the first 12 batters he faced before J.T. Realmuto doubled leading off the fifth. The Reds went ahead 1-0 when TJ Friedl doubled and scored on Gavin Lux's single in the first. It was the only run allowed by Phillies starter Taijuan Walker in his six innings. Orion Kerkering retired the Reds in order in the ninth for his third save in seven chances. Jordan Romano (2-4) earned the victory for Philadelphia, which moved six games ahead of the idle New York Mets in the division. Key moment With one out in the seventh, Reds right fielder Noelvi Marte prevented the tying run from scoring when he threw out Bryce Harper attempting to score from third on Nick Castellano's fly ball. Key stat Schwarber, who was born in nearby Middletown, Ohio, has 13 career home runs at Great American Ball Park, the most of any road ballpark. Up next Phillies LHP Ranger Suárez (8-5, 2.94 ERA) will face Reds RHP Brady Singer (9-9, 5.43 ERA) on Tuesday. ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

byMario Satorik

in

August 11, 2025

Schwarber hits his 42nd homer in a 4-run 8th inning as the Phillies rally past the Reds 4-1

Schwarber hits his 42nd homer in a 4-run 8th inning as the Phillies rally past the Reds 4-1 CINCINNATI (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit his 42nd ho...

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Cambodian migrant workers face an uncertain future as Thai border conflict drives them home

Cambodian migrant workers face an uncertain future as Thai border conflict drives them home

KAMRIENG, Cambodia (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of Cambodian migrant workers have been heading home from Thailand as the two countries work to keep a ceasefire in armed clashes along their border. Tensions between the countrieshave escalateddue to disputes over pockets of land along their 800 kilometer (500 mile) border. Afive-day clashin July left at least 43 people dead and displaced more than 260,000 in both Southeast Asian nations. Afragile ceasefirebrokered by Malaysia, with backing from the U.S. and China, appears to be holding while officials try to resolve issuesunderlyingthe conflict. The retreat has left many of the workers streaming back to Cambodia wondering how to get by after they left jobs that enabled them to send money back to their families. Kri Phart, a 56-year-old poultry worker, said he began packing after reading a post by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Facebook urging migrants to return to Cambodia. "I have no idea if the fighting will really stop and with fewer and fewer Cambodians in Thailand, I got nervous," said Kri Phart, seated on a stoop with two big bags of belongings and a big electric fan. "I didn't want to be the last Cambodian migrant in Thailand." "I got scared because of the border conflict," said Kri Phart, one of thousands of Cambodians streaming shoulder-to-shoulder through the Daung International Border Gate last week, hauling rainbow colored bags, appliances and even guitars in the 40 Celsius (104 F) heat. "Many of the Cambodians I knew working in Thailand ran away. Everyday more and more of us fled," he said. The reasons driving Cambodians to flee Thailand are varied. Human rights activists reported that some migrant workers had been attacked by gangs of young Thais. Others were alarmed by unsubstantiated rumors that the Cambodian government would seize their land and revoke their citizenships if they didn't return home by mid-August. Cambodia's Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training estimates 1.2 million Cambodians were working in Thailand when the border disputes began to escalate in June. Estimates vary, but Sun Mesa, a ministry spokesman said at least 780,000 — about 65% — have returned to Cambodia. He said the workers could find jobs with equal pay and benefits back home. Many of those who were driven by poverty or climate change to leave for work in Thailand expressed doubts. "Now that I am back, there is going to be no income for a while and this will really put my family in a bad situation," said Thouk Houy, 26, who left a job at a leather factory south of Bangkok that enabled her to send $70 to $100 a month back to her parents. "I'm the last of my siblings who is still single, meaning it's my responsibility to support my parents. I don't know how I can do that now that I am back home," she said. Minor spats between Cambodian and Thai workers at the factory and her mother's nightly pleas for her to go home were factors behind her decision to leave, she said. Handing over her belongings to be strapped into the back of a precariously packed van, Thouk Houy said the clincher was a claim by influential former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, father of the current prime minister, Hun Manet, that Thailand was preparing to invade. "Now that I'm home, what will I do to make a living?" she said. Migrant workers fill vital roles in Thailand's farming, construction and manufacturing industries. They also send home close to $3 billion in remittances each year, according to labor ministry data. The loss of that income can be devastating for families relying on it to manage big debts, said Nathan Green, an assistant professor of geography at the National University of Singapore. "These kinds of conflicts demonstrate how precarious migrant livelihoods are in Cambodia," Green said. An overseas advocacy group, the Khmer Movement for Democracy, has urged the government to defer loan payments and provide incentives for companies to hire returning migrants. "Without economic safeguards, families of returning migrants will not be able to repay their debts and financial institutions will be at their throats," said Mu Sochua, the group's president. "We are talking about the poorest of the poor, who will be deprived of incomes." Meng Yeam, who was trying to wave down a taxi while keeping an eye on his belongings, said he managed to send his family back home 20,000 baht (roughly $600) while working as a manager at a rubber factory in eastern Thailand's Chonburi Province. More than 90% of the Cambodians working in the factory have left, said the 32-year-old. Meng Yeam said he expected his family to be okay, though it won't be able to save as much as it did while he was working in Thailand. And he was glum about the prospects for things to return to normal. "Cambodia and Thailand need each other to do well, but for now, it seems like we just cannot get along," Meng Yeam said. "I hope we can work in Thailand again one day, but who knows, maybe I will be retired by the time we stop fighting." ___ Sopheng Cheang reported from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

byMario Satorik

in

August 11, 2025

Cambodian migrant workers face an uncertain future as Thai border conflict drives them home

Cambodian migrant workers face an uncertain future as Thai border conflict drives them home KAMRIENG, Cambodia (AP) — Hundreds of thousands ...

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Trump's tax law will mostly benefit the rich, while leaving poorer Americans with less, CBO says

Trump's tax law will mostly benefit the rich, while leaving poorer Americans with less, CBO says

WASHINGTON (AP) — PresidentDonald Trump'stax and spending lawwill result in less income for the poorest Americans while sending money to the richest, the nonpartisanCongressional Budget Officereported Monday. The CBO estimates that the 10% of poorest Americans will lose roughly $1,200 a year as they experience restrictions on government programs like Medicaid and food assistance, while the richest 10% of Americans will see their income increase by $13,600 from tax cuts. Overall, American households will see more income from the tax cuts in the legislation, including middle income households, but the largest benefit will go to the top 10% of earners. The CBO's report comes as lawmakers are away fromWashington, many taking their messages about the bill to voters. Republicans muscled the legislation — deemed "the big, beautiful bill" byDonald Trump— through Congress in July. Democrats all vehemently opposed the legislation, warning that its tax cuts and spending priorities would come at the expense of vital government aid programs and aballooning national debt. "This really is a big, beautiful bill for billionaires, but for the poor and the working class in this country, you are actually poorer," said Rep. Brendan Boyle, the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, in an MSNBC interview on Monday. Changes toeligibility for government food assistanceunder the law will impact millions of Americans, the CBO found. Roughly 2.4 million people won't be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program under new work requirements for many recipients. Low-income Americans could also see their income reduced through further restrictions on food aid and other types of assistance included in the law. Already,more than 10 million Americansare expected to lose health insurance by 2034 due to changes to Medicaid under the law. Following release of the report, Rep. Jason Smith, the Republican chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, said he took issue with CBO's methodology, repeating criticism he has made in the past. "CBO has a troubled track record of getting its estimates incorrect and, like Democrats, is biased in favor of more federal spending and higher taxes," Smith said on social media. "Don't buy it." Republicans have been eager to sell the upsides of the legislation — arguing that the tax cuts will spur economic growth — while they are on a monthlong summer break from Washington. But those who have held townhalls in their home districts have often been greeted by an earful from voters and activists. "Tax the rich," thecrowd in Lincoln, Neb. chanted last weekas Republican Rep. Michael Flood attempted to defend the bill. Still, Trump has been undeterred. "President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill is putting America First like never before, delivering huge savings for hardworking families, boosting our economy, and securing our borders," said White House deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson in a statement last week.

byMario Satorik

in

August 11, 2025

Trump's tax law will mostly benefit the rich, while leaving poorer Americans with less, CBO says

Trump's tax law will mostly benefit the rich, while leaving poorer Americans with less, CBO says WASHINGTON (AP) — PresidentDonald Trump...

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Steelers' Cam Heyward is open to sitting out regular-season games in search of a raise

Steelers' Cam Heyward is open to sitting out regular-season games in search of a raise

LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — Cam Heyward wants a raise. And the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle is open to sitting out regular-season games to get one. Heyward told reporters Monday that he approached the club about a reworked deal in February after being selected to the All-Pro team for the fourth time in his 14-year career. There has been no movement on that front nearly three weeks into training camp. "Honestly looking to be valued," Heyward said. "I know what I bring to this team and what I'm capable of on and off the field, so it's hard for me after the year I've had to really justify playing at the number I'm playing at." Now 36, Heyward is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and had been "holding in" during camp, participating in some individual workouts but skipping some fully-padded 11-on-11 snaps. He stood on the sideline in street clothes on Monday as the Steelers began the final workouts of their annual three-week visit to Saint Vincent College. Heyward said the team asked him to take a pay cut last summer. They ironed out a reworked deal instead that runs through 2026. He responded by bouncing back from an injury-marred 2023 to finish with eight sacks, 71 tackles and 11 passes defensed as the Steelers went 10-7 and reached the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. "When I look at the market and I look at what I've done, it's hard to really wrap my head around playing a number where I'm not even half of what the rest of the market is," Heyward said. "I can't say I'm not disappointed with where we're at. I think it's pretty simple of how it could be handled. ... I just wish I could just be out there not having to worry about this." Neither Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin nor defensive coordinator Teryl Austin are bothered by Heyward's position or his lack of participation at this time of year. "Cam's been doing this a long time," Tomlin said. "I don't work Cam a lot in these scenarios (during camp)." The Steelers do have a little bit of wiggle room under the salary cap, but have also doled out hefty contracts to star outside linebacker TJ Watt, wide receiver DK Metcalf and recently acquired defensive back Jalen Ramsey. Heyward, the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year, has long stated he wants to be a "one helmet guy," meaning he would prefer to spend his entire career in Pittsburgh. While that's hardly in danger at this point, his aggressive stance has thrown a wrinkle into a relatively quiet camp. ___ AP NFL:https://apnews.com/NFL

byMario Satorik

in

August 11, 2025

Steelers' Cam Heyward is open to sitting out regular-season games in search of a raise

Steelers' Cam Heyward is open to sitting out regular-season games in search of a raise LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — Cam Heyward wants a raise. An...

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Yankees ace Gerrit Cole makes 20 throws off flat ground as he recovers from Tommy John surgery

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole makes 20 throws off flat ground as he recovers from Tommy John surgery

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees ace Gerrit Cole took another step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow by making 20 throws off flat ground on Monday. "It felt really good today," Cole said before New York opened a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium. "I was fairly accurate and I had a good time." Cole began his throwing program five months after getting an internal brace inserted into his elbow in an operation by Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The normal rehabilitation time is about 14 months and Cole had been building up to getting off flat ground for the past few weeks. Cole said his initial progressing will last for a few months before he can off a mound, and then he will get shut down and expects a normal offseason. "It's a big one, first day throwing," Cole said. "I've been building up to it for a few weeks. So It's nice to get outside and get it accomplished and have it go well." A 34-year-old right-hander with a 153-80 career record and 3.18 ERA over 317 starts, Cole's arm initially was in a cast following the surgery and then a brace. The brace was removed in mid-April and Cole had been undergoing about 90 minutes to two hours of rehab. Cole has thrown 1,954 innings over 12 major league seasons, plus an additional 133 1/3 innings in 22 postseason starts. His procedure was reconstruction of the ligament with an internal brace, which is designed to promote stability. Cole is signed to a$324 million, nine-year contract through 2028, and is in the dugout for home games. He also joined a YES Network broadcast for a few innings during a game against the Los Angeles Angels on June 17. "Excited for him," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "He's done a good job with the rehab and this is one of those cool markers along the way that is significant to hit. So excited for him." Cole's 2024 season debut was delayed until June 19because ofnerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. He went 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 17 starts for New York and was 1-0 with a 2.17 ERA in five postseason starts. Cole went for tests after allowing a pair of home runs in his second spring training start this year, against Minnesota on March 6. ___ AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

byMario Satorik

in

August 11, 2025

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole makes 20 throws off flat ground as he recovers from Tommy John surgery

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole makes 20 throws off flat ground as he recovers from Tommy John surgery NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees ace Gerrit Cole took ...

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South Korea's Lee, Trump to hold summit on August 25 on security alliance, economy

South Korea's Lee, Trump to hold summit on August 25 on security alliance, economy

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump will hold their first summit meeting on August 25 in Washington to discuss strengthening the two nations' alliance and economic security partnership, Lee's office said on Tuesday. Lee, who was elected president in a snap election in June, has made it a top priority to help his export-dependent country navigate the dramatic changes in the global trading environment triggered by Trump's tariff policies. Developing their security alliance to "a future-oriented comprehensive security alliance" and economic security partnership will feature highly in the meeting, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung told a briefing. Based on the tariff deal reached last month, the two leaders will seek to push forward a partnership in the manufacturing sector, including in semiconductors, batteries and shipbuilding, Kang said. Trump announced on July 30 the countries had reached a trade deal that would subject South Korean goods to 15% import duties, lowering the tariff he had initially set against one of America's top trading partners. Trump has said South Korea will announce investment plans at the upcoming summit and that Seoul had committed to making $350 billion of investments to be "selected" by him. (Reporting by Jack Kim, Joyce Lee and Hyunjoo Jin; Editing by Tom Hogue, Ed Davies)

byMario Satorik

in

August 11, 2025

South Korea's Lee, Trump to hold summit on August 25 on security alliance, economy

South Korea's Lee, Trump to hold summit on August 25 on security alliance, economy SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korean President Lee Jae Myung...

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