Welcome back, “Krusher.” There was some doubt as to what exactly Sergey Kovalev was going to bring to the ring tonight. Sometimes controversial losses can mess with a guy’s head. Not Kovalev’s, apparently. Kovalev cruised to an easy TKO win on Saturday night over Shabranskyy. He looked like Kovalev of old in the short bout: brutal, punishing, thudding punches connecting with Shabranskyy over and over again until referee Harvey Dock stepped in to end the fight and saved It’s scary for the rest of the division to see Kovalev return to prominence with an emphatic win on Saturday night....

Despite the rise in infections, Russian officials resisted the idea of putting the country on lockdown and said regional authorities would work to curtail the spread. The virus began surging late in September, and the 929 documented deaths on Wednesday was the first time virus-related fatalities surpassed 900 in Russia throughout the entire pandemic, AP reported. For Russia, which already has the highest total of pandemic deaths in Europe, it also marked the fourth time this month that daily virus deaths broke the previous record....

Though Peskov didn’t deny or confirm that they are Putin’s daughters, he referred to Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova, whose names have been mentioned in the U.S. sanctions package released Wednesday, as “family members.” “Of course we consider these sanctions in themselves to be the extension of an absolutely rabid position on the imposition of restrictions,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to Reuters. “In any case, the ongoing line on imposing restrictions against family members speaks for itself....

Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced the move in a news release Wednesday, saying that it had summoned a senior U.S. diplomat Wednesday and handed the official a list of those subject to the expulsion. Russia’s deportation of U.S. diplomats is the latest development in a tit-for-tat string of retaliatory expulsions between the two countries. The U.S. expelled the Russian U.N. diplomats late last month, weeks after Russia expelled Bart Gorman, who had been the second-in-command at the U....

Diana died in a tragic car accident in Paris in August 1997, but her legacy has lived on thanks to the impact she had as a member of the British monarchy during the ’80s and ’90s. As she’s become such a notable figure in British history, she’s been portrayed a number of times in television and film. Here’s a rundown of 10 actresses who’ve played Princess Diana on screen....

One year later, Leiter and Rocker will be reunited. Rocker was selected third overall by Texas in the 2022 draft. Rocker, whose post-draft physicals last year caused the Mets to not offer him a bonus, was approached with trepidation in this year’s draft. He underwent shoulder surgery last fall and mum was the word on his recovery. He signed with the Tri-City ValleyCats in the independent Frontier League last spring and impressed the Rangers enough to take him at No....

The 2004 Sprint Cup champion got his season underway Friday at Phoenix International Raceway, running a qualifying speed of 139.665 mph. MORE: Qualifying results | That Moment When: Phoenix | PHOTOS: Phoenix memories Busch’s return was well-received inside the Stewart-Haas Racing garage, where he was met with hugs and cheers. “‘Glad you’re back’ is what I hear a lot of (in the garage), and I’m thankful to be back and to have this competitive car that I can put in the top 10 on the first day out,” Busch told reporters after qualifying, via ESPN....

The curfews are just one part of a multi-pronged effort among government agencies working together with civilians to prevent Russians from overtaking the city. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned his country’s Western allies that they’ll need much more help to keep Russia from overtaking the capital. In response to Tuesday’s attacks by Russian forces, the Ukrainian military command announced an approximate 35-hour curfew in Kyiv. During the curfew, citizens are supposed to stay in their homes or shelters unless they have a special permit for working in vital services, Andriy Kulykov, a Kyiv-based Ukrainian radio journalist told NPR....

Kyle Kuzma will make his return for Los Angeles on Friday vs. the Mavericks, according to The Athletic. Kuzma has missed the first four games of the season with a stress reaction in his left ankle. He averaged 18.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in 2018-19, LeBron James’ first year with Los Angeles. The 24-year-old will be a valuable asset for the Lakers this year as he will allow the team to spread the ball out a bit and give James another option on offense....

Cup drivers Kyle Larson, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and JJ Yeley will compete in the event at the River Spirit Expo Center in Tulsa. Qualifying races to set up the lineups for Saturday’s championship day will run Tuesday-Friday for the more than 300 drivers in the event. MORE: Kurt Busch hearing updates | JR Motorsports going truck racing | Top Sprint Cup prospects | Popular winners Larson, Stenhouse and Yeley also will compete in a 16-driver invitation-only all-star event Tuesday night....

Arizona, fresh off a playoff appearance in 2021, sits at the bottom of the NFC West, and the misery was compounded this week when Murray was listed as a non-participant in practice Wednesday because of a hamstring issue. ESPN’s Field Yates clarified that Arizona only held a walkthrough Wednesday. Murray still was unable to participate. MORE: Rams QB Matthew Stafford in concussion protocol ahead of Week 10 game vs. Cardinals...

Following the Cavaliers’ shootaround on Monday, Irving was asked what kind of parental role LeBron James has played on the Cavaliers this season. Weird question? Sort of. But, hey, the Eastern Conference finals are still two days away and stories need to be written in the meantime. MORE: Classic LeBron photos | LeBron vs. MJ debate just got weird | Awkward Irving interview Even so, Irving was at a loss for words....

The Cavaliers star released a video of his acceptance speech for “Best Supporting Actor” and it’s amazing. Irving was in a Foot Locker ad with Ice T and completely stole the show. Evidently he was so convincing, that he presented himself with an award. Hey, if you don’t pat yourself on the back, no one will. MORE: Kyrie 1 flytrap shoe | Durant, Westbrook moving on after Jackson trade...

A new Courier Newsroom/Data for Progress poll released this week found that nearly half of likely Arizona voters, 48 percent, disapproved of her performance as senator, including 57 percent of voters in her own party. The poll, which was conducted between July 22 and 29, found that only 42 percent of voters, and only 34 percent of Democrats, approved of the job Sinema is doing in Congress. Ironically, her highest approval rating is among Republican voters—a demographic that sees more voters approving of the senator, 47 percent, than disapproving, 41 percent....

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has suspended “permit conditions limiting the number of cremations or amount of human remains cremated for qualifying human crematoria that are located in Los Angeles County,” through January 27, according to an executive order released Sunday. “The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed that the growing backlog of cremation cases within the county constitutes a threat to public health....

With about three laps remaining in his 150-mile qualifying race Thursday, Labonte didn’t think he would get another start in NASCAR’s biggest event as he was running 17th with little hope of catching the 16th-place car and earning one of the 15 transfer spots. But Casey Mears appeared to run out of gas and had to hit pit road, putting the 57-year-old Labonte in the final transfer spot. A wreck on the final lap gave the two-time Cup champion even more breathing room as he finished 12th....

Arsenal 11/1 to win the title Lacazette scored with his second touch in the Premier League – with his first touch having come from the kick-off – yet it was fellow France international Giroud who will make the headlines after sealing the three points for an Arsenal side who showed glimpses of impressive attacking quality throughout. Sanchez may have to accept the decision of Arsene Wenger to keep him until his contract expires next summer but the 90 minutes he witnessed on Friday night would have surely provided another reason as to why he wants to join Manchester City before the transfer window closes....

However, the tournament is about more than silverware for Jose Mourinho’s men: it is means to an end, as victory would secure qualification for next season’s Champions League, a competition they would otherwise likely miss out on through the Premier League. Saviour & Centurion: Ronaldo rises again Anderlecht stand most immediately in the path of the Red Devils, but Lyon are widely seen to be their biggest challengers for the trophy....

The Bayern captain claimed his side lacked the aggression that characterized the team during its four consecutive Bundesliga title victories. The visitors led in the first half at Commerzbank-Arena through Arjen Robben, before being pegged back prior to the break by Szabolcs Huszti, who was later sent off. Joshua Kimmich looked to have given the reigning champion all three points, only for Bayern to concede a late equalizer from Marco Fabian....