UR MAG

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — For the last five months as construction cranes have swung steel beams and other fortifications into place at Beaver Stadium, Matt Campbell has undertakena massive construction projectof his own.

Campbell, who becamePenn State’s footballcoach in December, has assembled an all-new staff and rebuilt a roster with new faces from all over the country.

By the time Penn State finishes the $700 million renovation of its massive stadium for the start of the season, Campbell believes the new-look Nittany Lions will be ready to compete and it will be thanks to a patient approach.

“I am a believer that you always start back over at square one and rebuild your way through it,” Campbell said. “I think, even as a head coach, you’re always self-reflecting what went well, what didn’t go well? How do we be better, and what does this team need?”

After 12 years in which the Nittany Lions won just four of 25 games against AP Top 10 opponents, this program needed a refresh.

Former coachJames Franklin was firedmidway through the fall after the Nittany Lions quickly squandered a No. 2 preseason ranking with an 0-3 start to Big Ten play. Penn State finished 6-6 and beat Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl under interim coach Terry Smith.

Penn State took two months to find Franklin’s successor, rankling fans who just a year before watched their team come one game shy of playing for the national championship.

Now that spring practice is winding down, those who were here before feel like they’re starting anew.

“It’s a new year,” sophomore wide receiver Koby Howard said. “Forget about last year and whatever happened last year.”

Early-morning practices have replaced mid-afternoon sessions. Players have taken more time to get to know new teammates and position coaches. Former Nittany Lion greats Kerry Collins, Ki-Jana Carter and Kyle Brady from the program’s unbeaten 1994 team have visited and helped the current fresh faces of the program embrace its past.

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Howard is one of 52 returnees who experienced last year’s doldrums and ensuing, emotional four-game winning streak with Smith to cap the season. Forty transfers and a class of true freshmen, 11 of which enrolled in time to partake in spring ball, fill out the roster.

Of those transfers, 24 followed Campbell from Iowa State including quarterback Rocco Becht. Campbell also brought in the Cyclones’ former offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser and four other former assistants.

He’s also filled key positions with former Nittany Lion stars like defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn who played for Joe Paterno. Fellow Paterno and Bill O’Brien era players Dan Connor, Jordan Hill, Alan Zemaitis and Jordan Lucas are in support roles.

“A lot’s the exact same, but a lot’s changed,” Lynn said.

They spent winter workouts establishing new nutrition habits and rebooting the strength and conditioning program. The last 14 spring practices have given them their first opportunity to install baseline schemes and see what each player can do individually.

“I do think aligning everybody, making sure we’re slow and right, right now,” Campbell said. “Where do drills go? Where does the offense go? Where does the defense go? All of those things are certainly unique and new. So slow and right is really the process for us.”

Becht, who was a three-year starter for Campbell in Ames, is the personification of that. He entered spring practice on the mend from shoulder surgery, but is expected to throw the ball in 7-on-7 drills in the stadium on Saturday.

It’ll be the first step for what comes later in the summer when the team reconvenes for training camp. By then, the Nittany Lions will have a better idea for how everything will fit together.

“The emphasis is how we’re going to do what we’re going to do. Putting in some baseline things on offense and defense so we can really evaluate your football team,” Campbell said. “Honestly it’s been awesome for so may guys to get the foundation of what we’re going to do on both sides of the ball.”

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The Detroit Pistons almost were unrecognizable for the first six quarters of their first-round series against the Orlando Magic, but that all changed in the span of about eight minutes.

The top-seeded Pistons appear to have finally settled in as they head into Game 3 against the eighth-seeded Magic on Saturday in Orlando, Fla.

After losing its playoff opener 112-101, Detroit evened the best-of-seven Eastern Conference clash with an impressive 98-83 win on Wednesday.

Cade Cunningham had 27 points, 11 assists and six rebounds to lead Detroit, which was tied at the half before opening the third quarter on a 30-3 run over a span of eight minutes.

Coach J.B. Bickerstaff provided some well-timed advice at halftime to help the Pistons snap an 11-game home playoff losing streak.

"(Bickerstaff) really got on us in the locker room," Detroit forward Tobias Harris said. "(His message was) there is no more of 'my bads.' It's like they're out there hustling, getting offensive boards on us. And there's too many of them for us (to allow) as a group. We know that's not our standard. So he was on us. We were able to find that little spark."

Harris scored 16 points in the victory, while Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson had 11 apiece.

After being outplayed in nearly every category in Game 1, Detroit started to look more like the East's top team on Wednesday. The Pistons held Orlando to 32.5% shooting from the field and 25% (8 of 32) from 3-point range in the victory.

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"This is a good team we're playing against," Bickerstaff said. "If that team is healthy most of the season, they're not an eighth-seeded team. They're a very talented, very good basketball team. We've got a ton of respect for that team and they're well-coached. But if we play Pistons basketball, we feel like we can beat anybody."

The series now shifts to Orlando's Kia Center, where the Magic are 6-1 in their last seven postseason games, including play-in tournament games.

Orlando is looking to bounce back after being held to a season low in points on Wednesday. Jalen Suggs scored 19 points and Paolo Banchero added 18 for the Magic, who were outscored 54-34 in the paint.

"You have to give them credit," Banchero said. "I thought we had some good looks in the first half. They met us at the rim a few times. They brought the intensity on defense. We got good looks and nobody really had a great night shooting the ball. Not a game you'd expect to win looking at the stat sheet, but I would say it's nothing that's discouraging."

Forward Franz Wagner said the Magic can lean on their experience as the series heads into the pivotal Game 3.

"The playoffs are way different, and it definitely helps to have been there before and just kind of know how the flow of a series goes," Wagner said. "It's still early in the series. Also, (we know) that margins will decide these games. That's the beauty of the playoffs and that's why it's important to play every possession really well."

Orlando will need more production from guard Desmond Bane, who is averaging 14.5 points on 29% shooting in the first two games of the series. Bane also is shooting 20% (3 of 15) from 3-point range.

--Field Level Media

ThePhiladelphia 76ersare preparing for a crucial first-round Game 3 in their NBA playoffs matchup against theBoston Celtics, but uncertainty looms over the availability of their star center, Joel Embiid.

Embiid has been upgraded to doubtful ahead of Friday’s pivotal Game 3 at home against the Celtics. The star center underwent an emergency appendectomy two weeks ago while in Houston, and he has not played since the procedure. His status remains uncertain, as the 76ers hope for his return to bolster their chances in this tightly contested series.

The Eastern Conference first-round matchup stands tied at 1-1. After suffering a lopsided 123-91 defeat in Game 1, the 76ers responded with a strong performance in Game 2, securing a convincing 111-97 victory to even the series.

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More:NBA games today: Schedule, odds, how to watch for April 24

NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy

Is Joel Embiid playing tonight?

ThePhiladelphia 76ers' star Joel Embiid is currently considered doubtful to play in the first-round playoff Game 3 against the Boston Celtics on Friday, April 24.

How to watch Game 3: Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics on Friday

• Date: Friday, April 24

• Time: 7 p.m. (ET)

• Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena

• Location: Philadelphia, PA

• TV: Peacock and NBC Sports Network

• Streaming: Peacock and NBC Sports Network

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Is Joel Embiid playing tonight? Injury update for 76ers center

Bilal Mazhar Khawaja, 44, runs three restaurants in Islamabad. For the past few days his business has been severely hit, with food supply chains disrupted and movement of staff restricted as thePakistani capital remains in an indefinite lockdownin anticipation of the stalled US-Iran talks.

Pakistan has mediated the first round of peace talksto end the seven-week-old war between US and Iran. It appeared confident to get both sides talking again asUS president Donald Trump indefinitely ​extended the ceasefire withTehran this week, hours before it was set to expire, to allow the two countries to continue the the peace negotiations.

No date for the talks has been set, but the city remains under sweeping security restrictions, forcing locals to grapple with uncertainty.

Khawaja tellsThe Independentover the phone: “They (the administration) have blocked all main roads leading to Islamabad. Trucks full of bread and cooking oil, which have been denied entry to the city, have not been able to deliver supplies.”

Follow the latest US-Iran war updates here.

His staff have not been able to travel to the restaurants because movement of public transport has been restricted. “Earlier, they would spend, say, 50 to 60 (Pakistani) rupees to reach their work using the public transport. Now, if they hire a taxi, for example, it will cost them 300. Most of them prefer to stay home.”

Khawaja, whose businesses have been impacted severely, says if in the next few days the administration doesn’t ease out the restrictions, he would be forced to let some of his staff go. “It is impacting everyone.”

“Near the (Islamabad) airport, there are no shops open. Not even chemists. Fuel stations have no fuel.”

It was previously reported that US vice presidentJD Vance would lead the US delegation to Pakistan. The visit got delayed even though there were reports that Iran was reconsidering its initial refusal to engage in further talks.

Islamabad remains hopeful that the talks will take place soon. On Wednesday, Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, met with Iran’s ambassador, and according to one official who was briefed on the talks, the second round of negotiations could take place within the next few days.

However, Iran’s capture of two cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday has led to fresh uncertainty in Islamabad over the plans for the second round of peace negotiations to end the war in the Middle East.

Residents who have had to deal with high security, road closures, and scarce public transport for days now, say their daily lives are badly impacted by the stringent measures.

The government has asked offices to close and urged employees to work from home. Schools have been moved online. Streets which were once crowded are mostly empty.

Several areas, especially “red zone”, which houses critical government institutions, including the parliament, Supreme Court, the prime minister’s secretariat, and foreign embassies.

Al Jazeerasaid that for ordinary Islamabad residents, the impact has been “devastating”.

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An X user wrote: “Islamabad was turned into a lockdown zone for days leaving ordinary people stuck in traffic missing flights work and daily routines. Security is important but when an entire city suffers before talks even begin it raises serious questions about priorities and planning.”

Another person wrote: “Islamabad & Rawalpindi are in lockdown with public transport & electric buses suspended in anticipation of US & Iran delegations’ arrival...The public is going through hell!”

“Take the red zone out of Islamabad and move it outside, and kindly let the people of Islamabad and Pindi live a normal life,” wrote another social media user.

Daily wage earners have been among the worst affected. Muhammad Zubair, 45, a labourer, toldThe Guardian: “A lockdown means no work and no work means no food. The government does not care about the poor. We need work to feed our children.”

He has not been able to find work for the past six days. Small business owners are struggling too. Earnings have dropped sharply.

Muhammad Ahsan, 35, the owner of a small jewellery kiosk, told AFP: “The impact of the lockdown is that we are not seeing any customers here in the market... the government does not know what one day of their lockdown does to our households.”

“Our stoves do not run, we do not find food (in the markets).”

Areej Akthar, a health officer at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, toldThe Guardian: “Saturday was chaotic. I am lucky enough that my village is a three-hour drive away. But many people [who] were from distant cities and province[s] had to beg their colleagues, friends and relatives to allow them to stay until the US-Iran negotiations took place.”

With transport services suspended, commuting has become difficult or impossible.

Akhtar added: “It is like we are living in a cage.”

Students are also feeling the strain. Some exams have been moved to another city, forcing candidates to travel long distances.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has already disrupted global energy supplies. Pakistan has also been hit hard. Fuel shortages have led to long power cuts. Gas shortages have forced restaurants to close. The latest lockdown has only deepened these problems for the citizens.

However, despite the difficulties, there are locals who back the administration’s decision to put the city in an indefinite shutdown. “We are giving a small sacrifice to reduce the size of the larger sacrifice. So we will continue to sacrifice,” a local was quoted as saying by AFP.

Pakistani officials are hopeful that the diplomatic channels will reopen.

Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani ambassador to the US and UK who was also briefed on the continuing diplomatic efforts, toldThe New York Times:“The cease-fire has opened a space that Pakistan thinks is enough for the diplomatic path to resume. Neither side has rejected the talks.”

By Mike Scarcella

WASHINGTON, April 21 (Reuters) - A divided U.S. federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday that Texas can require public schools to display the biblical Ten Commandments in every ‌classroom, reversing a lower court judge who had blocked the law and marking a setback ‌for parents who accused the Republican-led state of trampling their rights under the U.S. Constitution.

The New Orleans-based U.S. Court of Appeals ​for the 5th Circuit voted 9-7 to uphold Texas Senate Bill 10, which was enacted last year and requires a poster of the Ten Commandments to be displayed in a visible spot in every public elementary and secondary school classroom in the state.

The majority’s ruling, written by Circuit Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan and ‌joined by Chief Judge Jennifer Walker ⁠Elrod and seven other judges, said the law does not violate the U.S. Constitution's prohibition on government establishment of religion or its protection of the free exercise ⁠of religion.

The Texas law “does not tell churches or synagogues or mosques what to believe or how to worship or whom to employ as priests, rabbis, or imams,” Duncan wrote. “It punishes no one who rejects the Ten Commandments, ​no ​matter the reason.”

In a statement, a lead attorney for ​the challengers of the Texas law said ‌they were disappointed by the ruling.

CHALLENGERS PLAN SUPREME COURT APPEAL

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"The court’s ruling goes against fundamental First Amendment principles and binding U.S. Supreme Court authority," Jon Youngwood said. "The First Amendment safeguards the separation of church and state, and the freedom of families to choose how, when and if to provide their children with religious instruction."

Youngwood said the plaintiffs "anticipate asking the Supreme Court to reverse this decision and uphold the religious-freedom ‌rights of children and parents."

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in ​a statement called the appeals court’s decision “a major victory for ​Texas and our moral values.” Paxton said ​the “Ten Commandments have had a profound impact on our nation, and it’s important ‌that students learn from them every single day.”

The ​challengers, including multifaith and nonreligious ​families, contended that they have a right under the U.S. Constitution to decide their children’s religious education.

In a dissent, 5th Circuit Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez said the appeals court was bound ​by a 1980 U.S. Supreme ‌Court decision that struck down a nearly identical Kentucky law.

The 5th Circuit’s ruling reversed a ​preliminary injunction that had blocked the Texas law from taking effect.

(Reporting by Mike Scarcella ​in Washington; Editing by David Bario and Matthew Lewis)