John Matze, co-founder of the website, said in a post today that a screenshot spreading on Twitter in the past 24 hours was not recent and assured users that Parler’s back-end infrastructure is secure. He said critics were “obsessed” with his platform. The term “ParlerHacked” became a trending Twitter topic in the U.S amid speculation that direct messages or private information from Parler’s high-profile users could have been compromised. There is no evidence to suggest the rumors are accurate....

Downloads surged this week in the U.S., with the iPhone application beating downloads of both Twitter and Reddit to take the top spot in the “News” category as of Thursday, according to metrics published by the tracking website AppAnnie. Overall, the data shows Parler as 26th in the iOS App Store chart as of Thursday, ahead of Twitter but trailing Zoom, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Netflix. Parler, pitched as a non biased and free speech-focused rival to mainstream platforms, has enjoyed a fresh wave of attention this week after being promoted by a variety of right-wing commentators, politicians and supporters of president Trump....

From now on, no crushing the Falun Gong or Tibetan “opposition.” And no invasions of Taiwan. But Beijing faces other, less obvious challenges. First, it must deal with its rapidly increasing traffic problem, and follow through on its proposed plans: five new subway lines, 228km of new roads and a magnetic-levitation train to the Great Wall are all to be built by 2008. Pollution is another dark cloud over the city....

Scott, founder of the New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and CEO of the National Diversity Coalition for Trump, was discussing the finding of Inspector General Michael Bolton’s report on his show on iHeartRadio. The damming report, obtained by news organizations including The New York Times and the Associated Press, found that Capitol Police were warned about the potential for violence on January 6 and that “Congress itself is the target....

Jansen, who leads the Global Fire Ministries International in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, previously predicted Trump would be back in office at the end of April. During a “Reign” conference with Ignite Faith Church over the weekend, Jansen belittled President Joe Biden’s administration as being “theater.” “You watch what God does in this administration because President Trump still is President Trump,” Jansen said. “We’re getting ready to see a shift and the whole world is going to witness it....

Mahomes and Brady will go head-to-head in a marquee matchup when the reigning Super Bowl champions travel to Tampa to face the Bucs on Sunday. NFL PICKS: Straight up | Against the spread Mahomes is arguably the premier quarterback in the league, having led Kansas City to Super Bowl 54 glory, his exploits capped by further MVP honors in the showpiece contest. The 2018 NFL MVP has carried that form into 2020, but he does not believe he compares to six-time Super Bowl champion Brady at the moment....

“I really don’t care,” Laine casually told reporters Thursday at the NHL’s European media tour in Stockholm. “There’s no rush really. I can do it next summer or this summer. I don’t mind.” Of course, Laine can afford to take a relaxed approach to contract negotiations. Quite simply, he’s going to be paid handsomely on his next deal. The No. 2 overall selection in the 2016 draft already has scored 80 goals in his young NHL career, including 44 last season — behind only Alex Ovechkin’s 49 for the league lead....

Rob Gronkowski will miss the rest of the 2016 season after being placed on the injured reserve list, according to ESPN’s Field Yates. The Patriots confirmed the news Saturday afternoon, adding that they signed running back D.J. Foster from the practice squad to the active roster. WEEK 13 PICKS: Straight up | Against the spread Gronkowski was expected to undergo surgery on Saturday for a herniated disk in his lower back....

New England has acquired wide receiver Mohamed Sanu from Atlanta for a 2020 second-round pick, news that broke Tuesday morning and was confirmed that afternoon by the Falcons but announced only on Wednesday by the Patriots. The Patriots offered no details about the deal, announcing it in conjunction with “a number of additional roster transactions” that included cutting tight end Eric Tomlinson and safety Jordan Richards. Sanu took to Twitter after reports of the trade broke earlier Tuesday to thank the Falcons and their fans, saying he was “forever grateful for the opportunity....

We’ll keep you up to date with the latest news on these players throughout the day. For the latest on injured RBs, including Melvin Gordon, Dalvin Cook, and Chris Carson, check here. For word on banged-up WRs, such as Stefon Diggs, Allen Robinson, and Sunday night participate Randall Cobb, go here. You can also keep track with us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy for more advice and updates. Week 9 Rankings:Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | D/ST | Kicker...

Whatever you want to call it, Patriots owner Robert Kraft was photographed chatting away with hip-hop superstar Rick Ross. MORE: Stop the CB debate | ManzielMania | Irsay makes it rain There was a time and place where Ross would have had the perfect body type to replace Vince Wilfork at nose tackle. But the leader of Maybach Music has shed nearly 100 pounds over the past year. Perhaps they were discussing opening up one of Ross’ chains of Wing Stop locations inside Foxboro Stadium....

So instead of seeing the glass half-empty, he has chosen to see it poured to the top in support of quarterback Tom Brady. MORE: Obit of 72-year-old woman claims Brady is innocent | Brady’s teammates aren’t happy with his punishment Horne told ESPN.com’s Darren Rovell that his bar’s custom-brewed Free Brady Blonde IPA has been a top draft pick, selling more than 500 pints in the six days after its debut at his Eagle Brook Saloon in Norfolk, Mass....

“On two occasions in recent weeks, SportsCenter incorrectly cited a 2002 report regarding the New England Patriots at Super Bowl XXXVI,” Steve Levy said during the midnight (ET) edition of SportsCenter on Thursday. “That story was found to be false and should not have been part of our reporting. We apologize to the Patriots organization.” MORE: Brady’s NFL life, from draft to Deflategate | Famous ESPNers that left Bristol behind...

Because of Buffalo’s canceled “Monday Night Football” game in Week 17, the outcome of this AFC East game could have produced one of several playoff outcomes. Ultimately, the Bills’ 35-23 victory clinched the 2 seed for Buffalo, eliminated New England from the playoffs and set up an AFC East rubber match with Miami in the wild-card round. MORE: Updated NFL standings, playoff picture for Week 18 It wasn’t easy by any means, as New England hung tough and even took a 17-14 lead midway through the third quarter....

What wil happen when Super Bowl-winning coaches Bill Belichick and John Harbaugh match wits again? Will the Ravens’ revamped secondary thwart Tom Brady, and will the Patriots come up with the right game plan to slow down the dynamic running and passing of Lamar Jackson? Here’s everything to know about betting on Patriots vs. Ravens in Week 9, including updated odds, trends and our prediction for “Sunday Night Football.”...

It’s not a surprise they are expected to rout Houston for a second time this season, after they shut out the Texans, 27-0, without Tom Brady in Week 3. With Brady and New England coming off a bye as the AFC’s No. 1 seed, the South-winning Texans are facing stacked odds for a rematch upset. Here are Sporting News’ predictions and picks for the game. MORE PICKS, PREDICTIONS: — Seahawks vs....

Now Gasol, who left the franchise that summer as a free agent and has spent the past five years with the Bulls, Spurs, Raptors and Bucks, is eyeing a chance to end his playing career where he spent his prime. Gasol, 39, told Spanish media (via The Associated Press) that a return to the Lakers for the 2020-21 NBA season is an “attractive” option. The 7-foot Barcelona native also said he wouldn’t mind ending his career where it started, with his hometown EuroLeague team....

Ahead of the Thunder’s back-to-back set against the Lakers and Clippers on Wednesday and Thursday, the Oklahoma City forward took questions from the media regarding the constant reports and speculation about George (presumably) opting out of the last year of his contract this summer and signing with LA. While George realizes those stories won’t disappear, he says that’s “not my focus” and made it clear his main priority is winning with his current team....

Goldschmidt, runnerup in National League MVP voting last season, was hurt when he was hit by a pitch from Ernesto Frieri in the ninth inning of Friday night’s 9-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Diamondbacks have placed Goldschmidt on the 15-day DL and there was no word on how long he is expected to be sidelined. Goldschmidt leads the league in doubles and extra-base hits, is tied for first in runs scored, is second in total bases and is third in RBIs and walks....

In a radio interview, the Republican congressman for Arizona’s 4th district said he did not understand why seven of his brothers and sisters had denounced him. On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted to censure Gosar for tweeting a doctored clip from an anime that depicts him killing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. When asked by SiriusXM host Andrew Wilkow if he would have removed the video if Ocasio-Cortez had requested it, Gosar replied: “Absolutely, I’m not here for that....