RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Democratic Party sued on Friday to block the potential removal of tens of thousands of ballots tallied in an extremely close state Supreme Court race, saying state election officials would be violating federal law if they sided with protests initiated by the trailing Republican candidate. The lawsuit filed in Raleigh federal court comes as attorneys for Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin also went to state courts on Friday to attempt to force the State Board of Elections to act more quickly on accusations contained in the protests. The board tentatively planned to hold a public hearing on the protests next Wednesday, according to a board email provided with Griffin's motion. Griffin wants a final decision from the board earlier. Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs leads Griffin by 734 votes following a machine recount of over 5.5 million ballots cast in their Nov. 5 election. A partial hand recount began this week and is nearly complete. But Griffin, joined by three other GOP state legislative candidates, contend that well over 60,000 ballots shouldn't have counted, casting doubt on election results. Among their complaints: voter registration records of some voters casting ballots lack driver’s license or partial Social Security numbers, and overseas voters never living in North Carolina have run afoul of state residency requirements. The Democratic Party's lawsuit said that some of the protests represent “systematic challenges to voter eligibility” that counter a federal law's prohibition of what's essentially removing people from voter registration lists retroactively after an election. The lawsuit wants a judge to declare federal law and the Constitution prevents the votes from being discarded and to order the election board — a majority of its members Democrats — to comply. “No North Carolinian deserves to have their vote thrown out in a callous power grab,” state party Chair Anderson Clayton said in a written statement. According to state law, a board considering an election protest could correct a ballot tally, direct another recount or order a new election. Griffin's attorneys filed requests Friday for judges to demand that the board issue final rulings by late Tuesday afternoon. They were filed in Wake County Superior Court and at the Court of Appeals — the same court where Griffin serves. Usually three members on the 15-judge court — second only to the Supreme Court in state's jurisprudence — hear such motions. “Public trust in our electoral processes depends on both fair and efficient procedures to determine the outcome of our elections. By failing to give a timely decision, the State Board continues to undermine the public interest,” Griffin attorney Troy Shelton wrote. Attorneys for Riggs separately on Friday also responded to Griffin's actual protests before the board, saying they should all be denied. Griffin led Riggs — one of two Democrats on the seven-member court — by about 10,000 votes on election night, but that lead dwindled and flipped to Riggs as tens of thousands of qualifying provisional and absentee ballots were added to the totals through the canvass. Riggs has declared victory. The three Republican legislative candidates joining Griffin's protests all trailed Democratic rivals after the machine recounts. One is GOP Rep. Frank Sossamon, who trails Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn by about 230 votes. Should Cohn win, Republicans would fall one seat short of retaining its current veto-proof majority in both chambers. That would give more leverage to Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Stein in 2025. The Associated Press has not called the Supreme Court race and two of the three legislative races highlighted in the protests. Gary D. Robertson, The Associated PressJapan’s famous sake joins UNESCO’s cultural heritage list, a boost to brewers and enthusiasts
The loan move of Naby Keita to Ferencvaros represents a significant development in the player's career and promises to be an intriguing storyline to follow in the upcoming season. With the option to make the move permanent, both the player and the club have much at stake, making this transfer a deal worth keeping an eye on.
Graduating from the police academy was a dream come true for Zhang Guimei. She had worked hard, studied diligently, and persevered through challenges to finally achieve her goal of becoming a police officer. And as she returned to her alma mater to pay a visit to her favorite teacher, Ms. Zhang, a heartwarming scene unfolded that touched the hearts of everyone present.An ode to all things handmade at India International Trade Fair 2024The reasons behind Bitcoin's sharp decline are still being debated among experts and analysts. Some point to a combination of factors, including regulatory concerns, market manipulation, and profit-taking by large institutional investors. Others attribute the crash to a broader trend of volatility in the cryptocurrency market, which has become increasingly susceptible to sudden swings in price due to its speculative nature.
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The collaboration between Chen Yanxi and He Rundong is also a major highlight of the film, as the two actors bring their unique talents and chemistry to the screen. Their on-screen dynamic and ability to play off each other are sure to enhance the tension and suspense of the film, keeping audiences engaged and enthralled throughout the story.DOJ insiders feared Gaetz was 'a time bomb that would have gone off': NYT reporter
It’s the time of year when we start looking ahead, and in the gaming world, that means speculating wildly about what Nintendo has up its sleeve. While the rumor mill is churning with whispers of a “Switch 2”, we’ve got something different for you. Forget the hardware, let’s dive deep into the software! Through some clandestine maneuvers and a bit of luck (don’t ask!), we’ve managed to sneak a peek at Nintendo’s internal calendar for 2024. And trust me, it’s packed with enough gaming goodness to make you forget all about new consoles... for now. This isn’t about vague predictions or recycled rumors. We’re talking concrete release windows, surprising collaborations, and a few projects that’ll make you raise an eyebrow. Think of it as your exclusive backstage pass to Nintendo’s 2024 game plan. From resurrected classics to brand-new IPs, there’s something for everyone. So, buckle up and prepare to be surprised, because Nintendo’s 2024 is shaping up to be anything but ordinary! A Familiar Face Returns: Metroid Prime 4 Emerges from the Shadows Remember Metroid Prime 4? Announced what feels like eons ago (2017 to be exact), it’s been shrouded in mystery. Development restarts, radio silence... it almost felt like a myth. But fear not, fellow bounty hunters! Our intel confirms that Metroid Prime 4 is finally launching in Q4 2024. Yes, you read that right. Sources suggest that the game has undergone a massive transformation, leveraging a new engine and incorporating innovative gameplay mechanics. Imagine grappling across vast alien landscapes, seamlessly transitioning between first-person shooting and exploration, all while unraveling a captivating story. While details are scarce, expect a reveal with gameplay footage sometime in early summer 2024. Get ready to return to the world of Samus Aran in what promises to be a truly next-gen Metroid experience. A New Legend is Born: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Expansion Pass Unleashed The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom captivated players worldwide with its expansive world and innovative gameplay. But the adventure doesn’t end there. Nintendo is going all-in with a two-part expansion pass, set to drop in Q2 and Q4 2024. The first part, codenamed “Echoes of the Past,” will delve deeper into Hyrule’s history, introducing new dungeons, challenges, and story content that expands upon the lore. Think “Majora’s Mask” meets “Tears of the Kingdom,” with a darker tone and a focus on time-bending mechanics. The second part, “The Skyward Sword,” is even more intriguing. It will reportedly take Link to a series of floating islands high above Hyrule, offering a unique gameplay experience with an emphasis on aerial combat and exploration . New enemies, weapons, and a storyline that ties into Skyward Sword are all on the table. Prepare to soar through the skies and uncover hidden secrets in this epic expansion. Surprise! A New IP Takes Flight Nintendo isn’t just relying on its established franchises. Our sources reveal a brand-new IP slated for release in Q3 2024. Codenamed “Project Phoenix,” this action-adventure game is being developed by a newly formed internal team comprised of veterans from various Nintendo franchises. Details are scarce, but we’ve heard whispers of a vibrant, stylized world, a unique combat system that blends magic and technology, and a strong emphasis on cooperative gameplay. Imagine a mix of Splatoon’s visual flair, Breath of the Wild’s open-world exploration, and a dash of Pikmin’s strategic depth. This could be Nintendo’s next big thing, and we can’t wait to see more. Retro Revival: Game Boy Classics Make a Comeback Get ready for a wave of nostalgia, because Nintendo is bringing back some beloved Game Boy classics! The Game Boy and Game Boy Color libraries are coming to Nintendo Switch Online in early 2024. Expect iconic titles like Super Mario Land, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX, Metroid II: Return of Samus, and Pokémon Red and Blue to be available at launch, with more added regularly. This is a fantastic opportunity for veteran gamers to relive their childhood and for newcomers to experience some of the greatest handheld games ever made. Partners in Crime: Unexpected Collaborations on the Horizon Nintendo is known for its tight grip on its IPs, but 2024 seems to be the year of unexpected collaborations. First up, we have a Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope DLC featuring Donkey Kong as a playable character, arriving in Q1 2024. This adds a whole new dimension to the tactical gameplay, with Donkey Kong’s unique abilities and personality shaking things up. But that’s not all. Rumors suggest a crossover between Splatoon and Pokémon is in the works for a late 2024 release. Imagine battling it out in ink-splattered arenas using Pokémon with unique ink-based attacks. This could be a truly wild and exciting mashup that nobody saw coming. A Year of Surprises Beyond these major releases, Nintendo’s 2024 calendar is filled with smaller surprises. Expect new entries in the Kirby and Yoshi franchises, a remake of a classic Fire Emblem game, and a new sports title that will get you moving. Nintendo is also experimenting with new ways to engage players, including interactive experiences and augmented reality applications. The Future of Nintendo While we didn’t find any concrete evidence of a “Switch 2” on the calendar, it’s clear that Nintendo is constantly innovating and exploring new ideas. 2024 is shaping up to be a year of exciting new games, unexpected collaborations, and a celebration of Nintendo’s rich history. So, there you have it – a glimpse into the future of Nintendo. While plans can change, this insider information gives us a tantalizing taste of what’s to come. Get ready for a year of surprises, adventures, and unforgettable gaming experiences.WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Jerry Nadler announced Wednesday that he will be stepping down as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee next year, avoiding an intra-party fight over a prominent position as the party prepares to confront a second Trump presidency. Nadler's decision to relinquish control of the powerful committee came a day after fellow Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin announced his bid for the job and quickly amassed support from colleagues. “I am also proud that, under my leadership, some of our caucus’s most talented rising stars have been given a platform to demonstrate their leadership and their abilities,” Nadler wrote in the letter to Democrats that was obtained by The Associated Press. “That includes Jamie Raskin, who in just a few terms in Congress has already proven himself to be an exceptional leader and spokesperson for our party’s values.” The 77-year-old chose to step aside as the Democratic party undergoes an internal reckoning over their losses in the election, which swept Republicans into a trifecta of power in Washington. Many Democrats are eager for generational change and a new approach as President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. The decision by Nadler, who is serving his 17th term in Congress, reflects that generational shift. Before he made his decision Wednesday morning, Nadler spent time speaking with staff about what his next step should be. He also made a call to Raskin, which was described as cordial by a person familiar with the conversation who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. “Jerry Nadler is an extraordinary lawyer, patriot and public servant,” Raskin posted on X. “His dogged defense of civil rights and civil liberties is a great inspiration to our people.” He added, “I am honored and humbled to have his support in the battles ahead.” Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries also reached out to Nadler, according to the same person, and offered him an emeritus status on the Judiciary committee, an honorary title that recognizes a member's seniority and service to the chamber. Nadler said he plans to stay on the committee as a senior member and will likely take up a ranking member role on one of the various subcommittees. But despite the cordial back-and-forth, the timeline of events that led to Raskin's surprise bid and Nadler's swift decision to step down damaged a close friendship between the two men. Nadler's staff had expected that there would likely be a challenger for the ranking member spot. And a week before Thanksgiving, they heard that Raskin, a former constitutional law professor, was making the rounds, talking to Democratic colleagues about a potential run. Nadler, who ran the vote counting operation to successfully land Raskin the top spot on the House Oversight Committee, confronted the Maryland lawmaker, who denied he was making a play for the job, according to the same person. Raskin told him that he would soon put out a letter announcing that he would run for the Oversight post again. Raskin's office did not respond to a request for comment. That letter never came and when Nadler inquired again about it days later, Raskin softened his stance, according to the person, saying that he was hearing from a lot of people that he should run. On Saturday, reports came out of Raskin pursuing the post before he made it official with a letter to colleagues on Monday. He wrote that the Judiciary Committee under his leadership would become “the headquarters of Congressional opposition to authoritarianism” as well as other efforts by Trump and his allies to thwart the Constitution. It was a stunning turn of events given that over the years Democrats have rarely broken from the seniority system for committee assignments, no matter how long someone has held a position, making the outcome of the race uncertain. But being the face of the resistance against Trump is not new territory for Raskin who spent the last two years on the House Oversight committee as the most vocal defender of President Joe Biden and his family as they faced a sprawling Republican investigation — encouraged by Trump — into their various business affairs. He also helped draft articles of impeachment against the incoming president for his encouragement of the violent mob on Jan. 6, 2021, and led the impeachment prosecution in the Senate. “As our country faces the return of Donald Trump, and the renewed threats to our democracy and our way of life that he represents, I am very confident that Jamie would ably lead the Judiciary Committee as we confront this growing danger,” Nadler wrote at the end of his letter. ___ Farnoush Amiri, The Associated Press
As the game progressed, the intensity of the match reached a boiling point, with tempers flaring on both sides. Tackles flew in with ferocity, challenges became more heated, and the rivalry between the two teams intensified with each passing minute. The fans were treated to a display of raw emotion and passion as the players left everything on the field in pursuit of victory.
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks climbed Thursday after market superstar Nvidia and another round of companies said they’re making even fatter profits than expected. The S&P 500 pulled 0.5% higher after flipping between gains and losses several times during the day. Banks, smaller companies and other areas of the stock market that tend to do best when the economy is strong helped lead the way, while bitcoin briefly broke above $99,000. Crude oil, meanwhile, continued to rise. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 461 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite edged up by less than 0.1%. Nvidia rose just 0.5% after beating analysts’ estimates for profit and revenue yet again, but it was still the strongest force pulling the S&P 500 upward. It also gave a forecast for revenue in the current quarter that topped most analysts’ expectations due to voracious demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. Its stock initially sank in afterhours trading Wednesday following the release of the results. Some investors said the market might have been looking for Nvidia’s revenue forecast to surpass expectations by even more. But its stock recovered in premarket trading Thursday, and Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said it was another “flawless” profit report provided by Nvidia and CEO Jensen Huang, whom Ives calls “the Godfather of AI.” The stock meandered through Thursday as well, dragging the S&P 500 and other indexes back and forth. How Nvidia’s stock performs has more impact than any other because it’s grown into Wall Street’s most valuable company at roughly $3.6 trillion. The frenzy around AI is sweeping up other stocks, and Snowflake jumped 32.7% after reporting stronger results for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The company, whose platform helps customers get a better view of all their silos of data and use AI, also reported stronger revenue growth than expected. BJ’S Wholesale Club rose 8.3% after likewise delivering a bigger profit than expected. That may help calm worries about how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain, given high prices across the economy and still-high interest rates. A day earlier, Target tumbled after reporting sluggish sales in the latest quarter and giving a dour forecast for the holiday shopping season. It followed Walmart , which gave a much more encouraging outlook. Nearly 90% of the stocks in the S&P 500 ended up rising Thursday, and the gains were even bigger among smaller companies. The Russell 2000 index of smaller stocks jumped a market-leading 1.7%. Google’s parent company, Alphabet, helped keep indexes in check. It fell 4.7% after U.S. regulators asked a judge to break up the tech giant by forcing it to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser. In a 23-page document filed late Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice called for sweeping punishments that would include restrictions preventing Android from favoring its own search engine. Regulators stopped short of demanding Google sell Android but left the door open to it if the company’s oversight committee continues to see evidence of misconduct. All told, the S&P 500 rose 31.60 points to 5,948.71. The Dow jumped 461.88 to 43,870.35, and the Nasdaq composite added 6.28 to 18,972.42. In the crypto market, bitcoin eclipsed $99,000 for the first time before pulling back toward $98,000, according to CoinDesk. It’s more than doubled so far this year, and its climb has accelerated since Election Day. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to make the country “the crypto capital of the planet” and create a “strategic reserve” of bitcoin. Bitcoin got a further boost after Gary Gensler, the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, said Thursday he would step down in January . Gensler has pushed for more protections for crypto investors. Bitcoin and related investment have a notorious history of big price swings in both directions. MicroStrategy, a company that’s been raising cash expressly to buy bitcoin, saw an early Thursday gain of 14.6% for its stock quickly disappear. It finished the day with a loss of 16.2%. In the oil market, a barrel of benchmark U.S. crude rose 2% to bring its gain for the week to 4.8%. Brent crude, the international standard, climbed 1.8%. Oil has been rising amid escalations in the Russia-Ukraine war. In stock markets abroad, shares of India’s Adani Enterprises plunged 22.6% Thursday after the U.S. charged founder Gautam Adani in a federal indictment with securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. The businessman and one of the world’s richest people is accused of concealing that his company’s huge solar energy project on the subcontinent was being facilitated by an alleged bribery scheme. Stock indexes elsewhere in Asia and Europe were mixed. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.43% from 4.41% late Wednesday following some mixed reports on the U.S. economy. One said fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week in the latest signal that the job market remains solid. Another report, though, said manufacturing in the mid-Atlantic region unexpectedly shrank. Sales of previously occupied homes, meanwhile, strengthened last month by more than expected. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Yuri Kageyama contributed.
One player commented, "The 'Marvel Showdown' event has been a blast! It's been so much fun teaming up with other players to take on the challenges and earn rewards. I hope to see more of these team-building events in the future, as they add a new and exciting dynamic to the game."One of the most profound scientific discoveries of the 20th century revealed that mass is simply an extremely concentrated form of energy. Scientists even determined that the energy in any given quantity of mass is the weight of that mass times the speed of light squared. Now, the speed of light is a profoundly large number and, when you multiply that number by itself, you get an even more insanely large number. Unfortunately, even though we know we have all this energy locked up in every quantity of mass, actually making it happen (harvesting that energy) is a bit more problematic. During the 20th century, scientists figured out two ways to convert mass to energy and these are referred to as fission and fusion. In fission, a large fissionable atom is hit with a neutron that breaks it up into a bunch of smaller atoms. For fusion, extreme high heat convinces two smaller atoms to fuse together to form a larger atom. In both cases the newly formed atoms have less mass than the original atoms and that difference is the quantity of mass that has been converted to energy. With this in mind, it is extremely unfortunate that the first public awareness of this “mass is energy” phenomenon came when a fission bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945. After that, we witnessed an arms race, lots of testing and all our political leaders choosing to use public fear of it all to control us (fear is a politician’s favorite too to make us do their bidding) rather than pushing to advance the technology and use it to make everyone’s life better. Though fusion has proven impossible to manage and control, fission technology has been safely generating electricity since 1954. But the nagging question that should have been asked over and over was always, maybe there is a better way to do this. It has recently occurred to me that there might be a shortcut to solving the problem. Over the centuries there have been uncounted reports of alien spaceships and even many alien abductions. So common are alien abductions that they have been given a name “close encounters of the third kind.” Hopefully, most will agree that alien spaceships are not powered by wood stoves. In fact, the only way to support space travel is some technology that converts mass directly into energy. My shortcut is to explain the whole “mass is energy” concept in layman’s terms to everyone on the planet and let it be known that anyone abducted by aliens must plead with their captors to please, pretty please, share the technology they use for converting mass directly into energy. Robert Crocker Chehalis
As the clock ticks closer to kickoff, anticipation and excitement will reach fever pitch among fans of both teams and football enthusiasts around the world. The clash between Real Madrid and the Serie A leaders promises to be a spectacle of elite football, with high drama, intense action, and moments of brilliance that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.Moving forward, it is crucial for governments and organizations to learn from the mistakes of the past and prioritize the welfare of the vulnerable populations they aim to serve. Leaders entrusted with the task of poverty alleviation must demonstrate integrity, empathy, and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of those in need. Collaboration with experts, stakeholders, and communities is vital to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and interventions are tailored to the specific needs of the target population.SAN DIEGO, Dec. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robbins LLP reminds investors that a class action was filed on behalf of persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired ASP Isotopes Inc. (NASDAQ: ASPI) securities between October 30, 2024 and November 26, 2024. ASP Isotopes is a development stage advanced materials company focused on the production, enrichment, and sale of isotopes. For more information, submit a form , email attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr., or give us a call at (800) 350-6003. The Allegations: Robbins LLP is Investigating Allegations that ASP Isotopes Inc. (ASPI) Misled Investors Regarding its Uranium Enrichment Technology and Facility According to the complaint, during the class period, defendants failed to disclose that the Company: (1) overstated the potential effectiveness of its enrichment technology; (2) overstated the development potential of its high assay low-enriched uranium facility; and (3) overstated the Company’s nuclear fuels operating segment results. Plaintiff alleges that on November 26, 2024, market research firm Fuzzy Panda Research published a report that alleged the Company is “using old, disregarded laser enrichment technology to masquerade as a new, cutting-edge Uranium enrichment.” The report revealed a series of experts interviewed stated the Company’s reported cost estimates and timeline for building its HALEU uranium facilities was misleading to the point of being “delusional.” The report further alleged the Company had significantly overstated the significance of its agreement with TerraPower, which was only a “non-binding” memorandum of understanding entered into to “put pressure on [TerraPower’s] real suppliers.” The report quoted a former TerraPower executives as stating that ASP Isotopes was “missing the manufacturing; They are missing the processes as well; They still have to develop the HALEU...the most important part.” On this news, the Company’s stock price fell $1.80 or 23.53%, to close at $5.85 per share on November 26, 2024, and continued to fall on the subsequent trading date, falling $0.83 or 14.19%, to close at $5.02 per share on November 27, 2024. What Now: You may be eligible to participate in the class action against ASP Isotopes Inc. Shareholders who want to serve as lead plaintiff for the class must submit their application to the court by February 3, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. For more information, click here . All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses. About Robbins LLP: Some law firms issuing releases about this matter do not actually litigate securities class actions; Robbins LLP does. A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LLP have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002. Since our inception, we have obtained over $1 billion for shareholders. To be notified if a class action against ASP Isotopes Inc. settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today. Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/af960bd5-1ae2-4ed3-afe3-591b09ab920b
Pro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. For all previous Pro Picks, head here . Playoff berths, draft positioning and more are up for grabs in Week 17. There’s going to be plenty of football on television this holiday week with the NFL playing games on five out of six days, starting with a doubleheader on Christmas Day featuring four of the AFC’s top five teams. Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs visit Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday. Then, two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens take on C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. The Bears host the Seahawks on Thursday night and there are three games on Saturday, making Sunday’s schedule light at nine games. The Lions-49ers wrap up the weekend on Monday night. Pro Picks goes for another winning week. Line: Chargers minus 4 The Chargers would clinch a wild-card spot with a victory over the Patriots, who battled hard against the Bills. Los Angeles is 9-2 against the spread as favorites. Justin Herbert is 9-0 ATS in the Eastern time zone in his career. The Patriots have lost eight straight home games in December. BEST BET: CHARGERS: 23-16 Line: Bengals minus 3 Joe Burrow and the Bengals have to win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. They’re favorites for the 12th time this season despite a losing record. The Broncos would clinch a wild-card berth with a win. They’re 11-4 ATS. UPSET SPECIAL: BRONCOS: 23-22 Line: Chiefs minus 3 The Chiefs can set a franchise record for wins in the regular season and wrap up the No. 1 seed along with home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs as they continue their quest for a third straight Super Bowl title. Kansas City got another playmaker when wide receiver Marquise Brown made his season debut. Mahomes is 3-0 with 14 touchdowns and no interceptions in his career vs. Pittsburgh. The scuffling Steelers are trying to snap a two-game losing streak after missing an opportunity to clinch the AFC North. Wide receiver George Pickens should return from a hamstring injury and he’ll open up the passing game for Wilson and the offense. CHIEFS: 24-20 Line: Ravens minus 5 1/2 The Ravens have won five in a row over the Texans, including 34-10 in a divisional playoff game last season. Baltimore can move into first place in the AFC North with a win and loss by Pittsburgh. But Jackson and Derrick Henry face a tough challenge against Houston’s defense. Stroud and the Texans are reeling after losing receiver Tank Dell to a devastating knee injury. RAVENS: 23-19 Line: Seahawks minus 3 1/2 The Seahawks have to win to maintain slim playoff hopes. The Bears have lost nine straight. Geno Smith and Jaxon Smith-Njigba should have a big day against Chicago’s pass defense. SEAHAWKS: 26-20 Line: Rams minus 6 A four-game winning streak has the Rams on the verge of securing the NFC West. Los Angeles aims to avenge a lopsided loss to Arizona in Week 2. The Cardinals were eliminated from the playoffs and are reduced to playing spoiler. With Kyren Williams leading the rushing attack, the Rams don’t have to rely on Matthew Stafford’s passing as much. RAMS: 26-16 Line: Bills minus 10 The Bills will know going in if they have a shot at the AFC’s No. 1 seed. If the Chiefs beat the Steelers and lock it up, Buffalo’s main priority will be keeping Josh Allen and everyone healthy. Still, they can rest in Week 18. After a subpar effort against the Patriots, the Bills can’t take Aaron Rodgers and the Jets lightly. BILLS: 27-16 Line: Raiders minus 1 The Raiders already hurt their draft positioning by beating the Jaguars last week. Another win could further knock them down and negatively impact their quest for a franchise quarterback. But coach Antonio Pierce wants to win and the players don’t care about draft slots. The Saints can’t get to the end of the season fast enough. RAIDERS: 20-16 Line: Buccaneers minus 8 The Panthers have embraced the spoiler role and coach Dave Canales will try to derail his former team’s playoff hopes. Bryce Young keeps improving and Chuba Hubbard is having a career year. The Buccaneers would’ve lost to Carolina last month if Hubbard didn’t fumble in overtime. Baker Mayfield and a turnover-prone offense have to overcome a depleted defense that couldn’t stop Cooper Rush and the Cowboys. BUCCANEERS: 26-20 Line: Jaguars minus 1 The winner of this one really loses because it’ll be costly in the race for draft positioning. TITANS: 19-17 Line: Colts minus 8 The Giants have come too far to lose the No. 1 pick in the draft. The Colts are clinging to slim playoff hopes. Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson combined for 308 yards and four TDs against the Titans. They could have similar results against New York. COLTS: 27-16 Line: Eagles minus 9 1/2 The Cowboys are left to play for a winning record after being eliminated from the playoff race. The Eagles still need a win to secure the NFC East, but are almost locked into the No. 2 seed. If Jalen Hurts can’t play because of a concussion, Dallas has a shot against Kenny Pickett. Saquon Barkley is 268 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. He could have a big day facing the fifth-worst run defense in the NFL. EAGLES: 24-17 Line: Vikings minus 1 The Vikings are two wins away from the NFC’s No. 1 seed with Sam Darnold. Let that sink in. But those won’t be easy victories. Minnesota has to beat Green Bay and then Detroit on the road to win the NFC North and get home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Vikings defeated the Packers 31-29 in Green Bay in September. They’re getting the Packers on short rest off a Monday night rout. The Vikings have been overlooked and underrated. This is a statement game. VIKINGS: 27-22 Line: Dolphins minus 6 1/2 Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins still have slim playoff changes and get an opportunity to win a game in cold weather. A loss helps the Browns hold onto a top-five pick in the draft. DOLPHINS: 25-16 Line: Commanders minus 4 The Falcons regained control of their NFC South hopes when the Buccaneers lost. Now, they have a tough test against the Commanders with Michael Penix Jr. making his second start facing off against Jayden Daniels in another matchup between rookie QBs. Daniels beat Caleb Williams and the Bears earlier this season on a Hail Mary. Washington clinches a playoff berth with a win or a loss by Tampa Bay. COMMANDERS: 24-23 Line: Lions minus 4 The Lions aim to avenge their loss in the NFC championship game, though this matchup lost its luster because the 49ers are eliminated from the playoff race. Detroit clinches the NFC’s No. 1 seed with a win if the Packers beat the Vikings. If Minnesota beats Green Bay, the Lions have to beat the Vikings in Week 18 to win the division and secure the top seed so the result against San Francisco won’t matter. In that case, Dan Campbell could choose to rest some of his starters in preparation for a winner-take-all regular-season finale. LIONS: 26-23 Last week: 12-4. Against spread: 8-7-1 Overall: Straight up: 168-72. Against spread: 131-105-4. Prime-time: Straight up: 39-14. Against spread: 29-23-1. Best Bet: Straight up: 9-7. Against spread: 8-8. Upset Special: Straight up: 9-7. Against spread: 9-7. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
NoneThe pressure is now on Barcelona to get the necessary paperwork in order and ensure that Ortega is registered in time to prevent him from becoming a free agent. The club's hierarchy must act swiftly and decisively to avoid losing a player of such potential and value.