Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. —Inquirer photo/Niño Jesus Orbeta MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Saturday issued a stinging rebuke of Vice President Sara Duterte’s latest threats against President Marcos, calling out her “erratic and troubling behavior” and appealing to people in her inner circle to help rein in her outbursts. “I urge those who are close to her—those who truly care about her as a person and as a leader—to advise her to refrain from making these indecorous and possibly criminal statements in public. These do not benefit the Vice President, her office or our country,” Escudero said in a statement. “If she is struggling, I sincerely hope she seeks and is provided with the help she may need so she can regain calm and composure, and properly discharge her duties as Vice President,” the Senate leader added. READ: Solons react to Sara ‘kill order’ video: VP needs psycho evaluation The country’s third highest government official said she found Duterte’s rants against Marcos in the wee hours of Saturday “deeply concerning as they are inappropriate for an official occupying the second highest office of the land.” As a ranking government official, Duterte has the responsibility to be a good example to every Filipino, particularly the youth, and thus consider the public interest in her actions, he added. Like all other civil servants, Escudero said the Vice President should always consider the interest of the public in all her actions. “The Vice President and her allies must also consider how her actions have contributed to rising tensions. I call on all parties involved to de-escalate the situation to prevent further harm to the safety, health and well-being of everyone involved,” Escudero said. Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said Sen. Imee Marcos could play a vital role in resolving the conflict between her brother and the Vice President. Being a close friend of Duterte, “she may negotiate between the two camps. Maybe she could initiate a move to lessen the political tension,” Estrada said in an interview on dwIZ. “I’m just praying that they will reconcile because the people will be affected,” Estrada said. According to Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a close ally of the Duterte family, Senator Marcos actually spoke on the phone with Zuleika Lopez, the Vice President’s chief of staff whose detention at the House of Representatives mainly triggered the latest flare-up of tensions. “In fairness to Senator Imee, she is also concerned about the situation. In fact, we called her because (Lopez) was looking for her,” Dela Rosa said. “They were able to speak to each other. (Lopez) became calm after she spoke with Senator Imee,” he said. Dela Rosa said he did not find anything wrong with the Vice President’s latest statements against the President and his House allies. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . “If you were in her situation, will you tolerate (what they are doing to her)? Her conduct may be unbecoming, but she’s just a human who feels pain and anger,” the senator said.Alex Jones on Thursday called Matt Gaetz “quite the stud” after a new allegation of sexual assault emerged against the former congressman. Gaetz, who had been picked by Donald Trump as his nominee for attorney general, withdrew his name from contention after he was contacted for comment on the CNN report about the alleged crime. In it, the same woman who said she had sex with Gaetz when she was 17 revealed that she had an additional underage encounter with Gaetz, involving another, adult woman. Jones, a far-right pundit and conspiracy theorist, took the news of the new criminal accusation as a chance to praise Gaetz for his sexual prowess. “I treat women super nice,” Jones explained to viewers of his show Infowars. “So does Trump. Women love me. And so, I mean, I know what’s happening to Gaetz.” Jones suggested that the allegations against Gaetz were being blown out of proportion, claiming that the victims, who were “super gorgeous,” surely thought Gaetz was “so nice.” “People are like, damn, Matt Gaetz is quite the stud,” Jones said, adding: “That’s it, we’re really bad people, we like women.” Donald Trump is considering creating a new White House position dedicated to overseeing cryptocurrency policy. According to Bloomberg , the president elect’s team is already vetting potential candidates. The post would be the White House ’s first crypto-specific job. Trump himself has several crypto businesses, having recently released his fourth collection of non-fungible tokens and helped launch the crypto venture World Liberty Financial. Throughout his campaign, the president-elect promised to cut back crypto regulations, establish a presidential crypto advisory council and fire current Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler, who has hammered the digital asset industry. In recent days, however, several crypto allies have visited Mar-a-Lago to discuss the White House crypto position. Ex-Coinbase and Binance executive Brian Brooks, also a potential candidate for SEC chair, met with Trump on Tuesday, sources familiar with the meeting told Bloomberg. Coinbase Chief Executive Officer Brian Armstrong reportedly also spoke with the president-elect this week. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Made In Cookware is known for quality kitchen tools that look as good as they perform. Its sleek, chef-approved kitchen essentials are for people who know that the plates matter as much as the food. That makes its full sets a great option for anyone looking for a little uniformity in their cabinets. To sweeten the deal, Made In is not only offering up to 30 percent off, but shoppers can also score freebies like Dutch ovens, frying pans, and wine glasses with select purchases. We’ve pulled a few of their best deals just in time for your turkey prep. The 10-piece Stainless Set includes everything a cook needs to get started in the kitchen. Each item was made in Italy and is compatible with gas, electric, and induction cooktops. These also come with a free Non-Stick Frying Pan for a limited time. Free Shipping The 7-Piece Copper Set offers elegance with peak performance. The copper was crafted in France and is safe up to 800° F. Right now, score a free Dutch Oven with your purchase. Free Shipping The Complete Tabletop Set is simple and timeless. Designed in the UK, these dishes are classically English and have a one-year no-chip guarantee. If you refresh your cabinets with these today, you’ll also receive a free Glass Wine Set. Free Shipping X , “the everything app ”, has it all, according to billionaire owner Elon Musk ’s preferred tagline. On offer today is a catty exchange between Musk, the world’s richest man, and the world’s second richest man, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos . Musk, a rabid supporter of President-elect Donald Trump who denies he goes around offering acquaintances his semen, tweeted on his social network that he’d heard “Bezos was telling everyone [Trump] would lose for sure, so they should sell all their Tesla and SpaceX stock 🤭.” Musk is the CEO of both companies, while Bezos owns rival space firm Blue Origin. Bezos shot down the claim: “Nope. 100% not true.” The buff-bodied online retail magnate certainly didn’t exhibit any preference for Trump’s opponent , Vice President Kamala Harris , during this year’s presidential campaign. In fact, he kiboshed an editorial page endorsement of Harris at the Washington Post , which he’s owned since 2013, provoking ire from hundreds of thousands of subscribers who canceled their subscriptions en masse. so funny the second richest man is bothering to respond to this pic.twitter.com/Bi4gADndvQ Florence Pugh opened up about the shock diagnosis that led her to freeze her eggs at 27. The actress revealed on the SHE MD podcast Tuesday that she was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, which affect fertility. “I had a bit of a worry last summer and I just wanted to go and get things checked out and then we ended up finding out information that I probably wouldn’t have known until I started having kids in another five years,” Pugh said. Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, the host of the podcast, diagnosed Pugh, who said she made the appointment after “a few weird dreams.” “It was just so bizarre because my family are baby-making machines,” she said. “My mom had babies into her forties, my gran... she had so many kids as well. I just never assumed that I was going to be in any way different and that there was going to be an issue with it, or that I had to think about it before I needed to think about it.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. As any true audiophile already knows, Amazon Music Unlimited has long been a reliable destination for an elevated listening experience. With millions of high-quality songs and an unparalleled collection of top ad-free podcasts, the platform’s catalog is curated to capture both your attention and your imagination. Now, Amazon is raising the bar with an exciting update: Audible is officially joining Amazon Music Unlimited, cementing the brand’s status as an all-in-one audio hub . Audible’s industry-leading catalog of audiobooks features an expansive selection of can’t-miss bestsellers, hot-off-the-press exclusives, and timeless classics to immerse yourself in. As an Amazon Music Unlimited subscriber, you’ll be free to select one book each month (of any length) and listen to it directly in the Amazon Music app . Whether you’re a fiction buff ready to dive into a thrilling new adventure or a non-fiction enthusiast looking to expand your horizons, Audible’s expansive collection is sure to have the right title that matches your tastes. Plus, when you’re ready to take a break from the book, you can seamlessly swap back to your favorite tunes and podcast episodes —all without having to leave the app. It’s all the audio that you’ll ever need, all in one place! Best of all, this game-changing update is arriving just in time for the holiday season: start a new subscription , and enjoy your first three months of Amazon Music Unlimited, completely for free. Audio art, conversation, and storytelling—all in one place. What’s not to love? Sign up today and get lost in the sound . A species of deep sea fish rarely seen at the ocean’s surface has been spotted numerous times on California beaches, and according to Japanese folklore it could be a bad omen. Three oarfish, which can grow over 30 feet long and are also known as “Doomsday Fish,” have been found dead on Southern California beaches over the past few months. Before that, researchers had only documented 19 beached oarfish in the state since 1901, reported The Sun . The most recent oarfish find was collected from Encinitas beach on Nov. 6, while the others were found on Huntington Beach in September and La Jolla in August. While researchers don’t know what’s behind the uptick, Ben Frable, a manager at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, told The Sun that it all could be due to a greater number of oarfish in the waters near California. Or it could be a shift in weather patterns. In Japanese folklore, oarfish are called the “messenger from the sea god’s palace” and their appearance is thought to be a precursor to earthquakes. Before Japan’s catastrophic 2011 quake, and following tsunami, dozens of oarfish were spotted on beaches. However, some scientific studies have cast doubt on the folklore. Kamala Harris retreated to Hawaii with husband Doug Emhoff for a week-long vacation on Tuesday, further shielding herself from the public eye after her loss to Donald Trump in the presidential election. The Federal Aviation Administration enforced a temporary flight restriction over Kona and Waimea on Hawaii’s big island from Tuesday to noon the next Monday, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. Harris’ vacation comes as Democrats try to push through more of Joe Biden’s judicial nominees before they lose control of the Senate in January. As the president of the Senate, Harris is often the tie-breaking vote for the Democrats’ slim majority. A Harris aide told NBC News that Harris delayed her trip in case she was needed to vote on any nominees, but the team is now anticipating she’ll be needed in December. “She will definitely be available for any tie votes,” another senior aide said. Chris Cuomo is once again opening up about his firing from CNN. “You only live going forward, and CNN is part of my past,” the anchor told People . Cuomo was axed from the network in December 2021, after advising his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, on how to navigate sexual harassment allegations . (The elder Cuomo has continually denied any wrongdoing.) Chris was “livid” over his termination, and eventually sued CNN for $125 in damages. He resurfaced at News Nation , and while he told People that “living in the past is very poisonous because you can’t change it,” he did spend the bulk of the interview talking about the past and defending his decision to help his brother. (For whom, incidentally, he also voted as a write-in candidate for president.) “I never kept any secrets about what I was doing,” he said. “I’ll always help my family.” A New York lawmaker eager to cash in on a feud between Whoopi Goldberg and a Staten Island bakery showed up Wednesday at the Capitol with a box of the pastry shop’s signature sweet. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) set out boxes of Charlotte Russe cakes from Holtermann’s Bakery near the steps of the House of Representatives and demanded that The View host apologize for telling viewers the bakery had refused to serve her because of her politics. “This is a small business, and somebody going on national TV like that could break a business,” she told the New York Post . In fact, business has been booming ever since Goldberg accused an unnamed bakery last week of refusing to fill her birthday order. Her team managed to procure the desired dessert—a mini sponge cake with strawberries and whipped cream—by calling back and not saying her name. “Perhaps they did not like my politics,” Goldberg said at the time. Fans quickly recognized Holtermann’s packaging, and the bakery disputed Goldberg’s version of events. They’ve arrived! All the way from #StatenIsland New York, Whoopi Goldberg’s FAVORITE Charlotte Russe cakes from our 146-year-old staple Holtermann’s Bakery. Everyone’s been asking me about them so we’ll be handing them out to members and staff on the House Steps at 4:30! pic.twitter.com/5eZhaRJEa1 Are you an amateur photographer, a curious learner, or a budding entrepreneur? Adobe Creative Cloud can take your photos, skills, or business to the next level. This premium suite encompasses over 20 Adobe apps. Normally, a one-year subscription is $59.99 a month. For Black Friday, Adobe is lowering the cost of a year’s subscription to just $29.99 a month. Adobe Express and Lightroom are great for quickly editing photos–color adjustments, precise cropping, and removing unwanted background elements with generative AI. Use Photoshop and Illustrator to create gorgeous images and rich graphics for use online or in print. In addition to the apps, members also get access to over one million stock images, tens of thousands of fonts, and in-app tutorials to take their skills from novice to expert. Hurry, because this deal will expire on Friday (11/29). Jump in and let your imagination run wild today! If you buy something from this post, we may earn a small commission. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are calling for an end to remote work for federal employees, labeling it a pandemic-era “privilege” that taxpayers shouldn’t have to fund anymore. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Wednesday, the two nominees to head Donald Trump ’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), said requiring federal employees to return to the office full-time would lead to a wave of voluntary resignations, helping to shrink the government workforce. “If federal employees don’t want to show up, American taxpayers shouldn’t pay them,” they wrote. The proposal could impact more than a million workers, although only about 10 percent of federal employees are working fully remote, according to the Office of Management and Budget. The proposed remote working ban is among the first actual policies laid out for DOGE—named after Musk’s favorite meme-based cryptocurrency. In their op-ed, the pair said they wanted to target the thousands of rules and regulations issued by “unelected bureaucrats” every year as part of their mission to help Trump “cut the federal government down to size.” As the Journal reported , however, there could be a hitch to the remote working ban: DOGE may not have the legal power to order federal employees back to the office. After months on the market, the Los Angeles estate belonging to Sean “Diddy” Combs has finally attracted an interested buyer—but they’re offering half the asking price, the New York Post reports. Diddy listed the 17,000-square-foot home—which has 10 bedrooms, a 35-seat theater, and a sinister history—for $61.5 million in September, after purchasing it for $39 million in 2014. Real estate executive Bo Belmont is now offering $30 million ”to remove the stigma and focus on the charming elegance of this remarkable property,” he said in a press release . The Beverly Hills estate is one of the homes the feds raided in September, when they confiscated all that lube ; it’s also believed to be one of the sites where Diddy held his alleged “freak-offs.” An unnamed People source predicted earlier this month that finding a buyer who could “see beyond the headlines” would “definitely” be “an uphill battle.” Belmont, for what it’s worth, seems focused on the “beautiful, bucolic setting” and the “picturesque trees, foliage, and walkways‚” so at least that’s something.
5 best Black Friday gaming deals on Amazon including the PS5 and Lenovo Legion Go
NoneTrump calls Biden pardon a ‘Miscarriage of Justice’GeeMee achieved major partnerships at Mobidictum Conference 2024-Boosting Growth with Ad Tech solutions 11-27-2024 07:52 PM CET | Associations & Organizations Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Queqi Culture Media GeeMee took part in the Mobidictum Conference 2024 in Istanbul, showcasing its innovative solutions and the latest advancements in mobile advertising. The company shared its expertise in monetization strategies and provided valuable industry insights, offering publishers and developers practical guidance for achieving sustainable growth at this major gaming industry conference. Building a Strong Presence: Existing Partnerships and New Opportunities GeeMee is empowering app developers across more than 20 countries, forging strong partnerships with exceptional publishers spanning entertainment, tools, video, etc, like Zee in Entertainment and other publishers. Building on this success, GeeMee is actively extending its proven expertise and innovative solutions to the gaming industry. Participation in the Mobidictum Conference 2024 further solidified GeeMee's role as a transformative force in mobile advertising, providing an opportunity to connect with pioneers in the global gaming sector and showcase the advanced potential of its technology in delivering immersive and impactful ad experiences. GeeMee also established strong relationships with new potential partners, including Yamy Studio, Leke Games, Udo Games, Joinco Games, and Unico Studio. These conversations underscored mutual respect and collaboration, with both sides showing alignment with the vision for the future of mobile advertising and opportunities to work together. The Mobidictum Conference in Istanbul served as a vital platform for industry interaction, allowing GeeMee to connect with publishers, developers, and leaders to share insights on evolving trends in mobile advertising. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/3d378c8dd0c8e09c757d319c6834e229.jpg The Industry Landscape: Challenges and New Developments The mobile game industry is navigating a pivotal moment, as developers around the world tackle both challenges and emerging opportunities. In-app advertising has become a cornerstone of monetization, particularly in casual games, where it creates new avenues for engaging both paying and non-paying players. As mobile advertising evolves, developers are placing greater emphasis on improving user engagement. Advancements in AI and machine learning are transforming ad delivery, enabling personalized and meaningful experiences for users. Within this dynamic environment, GeeMee's participation as a gold sponsor at the Mobidictum Conference 2024 highlighted its innovative contributions to the industry. Max Martinez, GeeMee's Head of Strategic Partnerships, shared how its AI-driven technology enhances in-app ad engagement, creating ad experiences that resonate deeply with individual users. GeeMee's solutions are designed to bridge the needs of advertisers, publishers, developers, and users, ensuring that in-app advertising integrates seamlessly into the app experience without compromising quality. By harnessing AI-driven technology, GeeMee enables resource-constrained developers to access advanced tools that empower them to compete effectively in a market often dominated by larger players. These innovations ensure that developers can deliver personalized, impactful ad experiences while maintaining a strong focus on user satisfaction. The Significance and Future Outlook GeeMee's presence at the Mobidictum Conference marked a milestone in its journey within the global gaming industry. As the company broadens its global partnerships and introduces its solutions to new markets, its commitment to advancing mobile in-app advertising remains steadfast. Looking ahead, GeeMee is focused on continuously refining its offerings to align with the evolving needs of developers and users, driving innovation in mobile advertising while enhancing the overall quality of app engagements. Media Contact Company Name: GeeMee Contact Person: Renie Whitney Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=geemee-achieved-major-partnerships-at-mobidictum-conference-2024boosting-growth-with-ad-tech-solutions ] Country: United States Website: http://www.geemee.ai This release was published on openPR.Upon Further Review: Tee Higgins, Bengals’ skill talent give Broncos preview of offseason to-do list
One by one, tycoons who built their wealth on China’s economic rise have been giving up their trophy homes in Hong Kong. Two apartments in a Frank Gehry glass-and-steel tower that twists out of the mountainside. Three European-style mansions with turrets and swimming pools. Four white villas sitting in a row. Creditors seized the homes of Evergrande chairman Hui Ka Yan, which were collectively worth more than $US190 million, after the company collapsed. One of them sold this year for $US58 million, less than half of the $US130 million that a company tied to Evergrande and Hui had paid for it in 2009. Credit: Bloomberg All but two of the properties have already sold for tens of millions of dollars each. And while it might be hard to believe, each one was a steal — snatched up for discounts of one-third to more than half of the previous values. Hong Kong’s housing market has long had an are-you-kidding-me feel to it. For nearly 20 years, property prices have climbed higher and higher, turning it into one of the most unaffordable cities in the world, where the poor rented subdivided apartments so small they were colloquially known as “coffin homes.” Now, many of the same people who contributed to the housing market’s inequities, from the builders to the wealthy speculators, have found themselves being forced to sell their prized homes fast. Their riches had swelled with an unfathomable rise in China’s real estate market, and its collapse and aftermath have left many short on cash. Most notable among them is Hui Ka Yan of the onetime property giant China Evergrande. Creditors seized his European-style homes, which were collectively worth more than $US190 million ($291 million), after the company collapsed . One of them sold this year for $US58 million, less than half of the $US130 million that a company tied to Evergrande and Hui had paid for it in 2009, according to the global real estate firm Knight Frank. A Hong Kong court ordered China Evergrande to liquidate this year, setting off a search by its foreign investors who were owed money for anything that could be sold off. Chinese authorities took Hui away last year and accused him and Evergrande of fraud. “Everyone is asking for money,” said Joseph Tang, the chair of real estate firm JLL in Hong Kong. Businesses are under pressure as the economy continues to slow, the broader property market is under strain and the cost of borrowing has climbed steeply. “The only thing that is sellable is residential property because, if you lower the price enough, there will be buyers,” Tang said. China’s rich are losing so much money that 432 men and women were stripped of their status as billionaires over the past three years, according to the Hurun China Rich List, published by a wealth research firm based in Shanghai. In Gehry’s Opus Hong Kong building, which has 12 luxury apartments, two of the recent sellers were once among China’s richest men: property developers Chen Hongtian and Chen Changwei. Credit: NYT Famous for its skyline of glass towers that once symbolised the city’s economic prowess, Hong Kong’s landscape is now a visual reminder of its problems. The city is still trying to reclaim its title as a hub for international finance and recover from the collateral damage caused by years of strict pandemic policies that made travel to the city at times impossible. In addition, political changes in Hong Kong have raised the legal stakes for Western companies. It was not just the owners of fancy homes who were caught out when the tide receded. Landlords of signature Hong Kong office buildings that housed the world’s best-known financial, legal and corporate institutions are scrambling to bring in new tenants to replace companies that have left. Busy shopping areas once crammed with small stores are still suffering from fewer tourists, and some storefronts remain boarded up. Nearly 17 per cent of commercial property is empty, according to CBRE, the real estate firm. The changes are rippling through the financial system, too. Banks that were once reliable lenders to Hong Kong’s property sector have suffered a surge in defaults from commercial real estate this year. The property sector is “working through its worst downturn since the Asian financial crisis” of 1997, and the sharpest pain is being felt by financial institutions, analysts at the ratings agency S&P Global wrote in a report. In response, lenders are charging more to landlords and developers whom they lend to. Famous for its skyline of glass towers that once symbolised the city’s economic prowess, Hong Kong’s landscape is now a visual reminder of its problems. Higher interest rates and a strong currency have made it even more difficult to bounce back. The Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar, and for four years, the Federal Reserve kept interest rates high to fight American inflation. As the Fed cut rates this year, Hong Kong’s monetary authority followed, lowering the interest rate in September to 5.25 per cent. But that is still the highest point since 2007. The fate of Hong Kong’s currency may depend on the US central bank, but its economy is closely linked to the rest of China, where growth has slowed and prices have fallen. Hong Kong real estate is feeling China’s pain. “Overall, the economy of China has always had a close relationship with Hong Kong, and the property market has always been highly correlated,” said Hannah Jeong, an executive director at CBRE. “When China’s economy goes down, Hong Kong’s economy follows,” she said. The high-end luxury property sales have been dominated by what are known as “distressed sellers,” including some who are heavily exposed to the Chinese economy, according to Jeong. In many of these cases, their homes have been seized by a bank or creditors that are owed money. Four villas on Plantation Road recently sold for $US141 million, a little less than half the previous sale price in 2017. Credit: NYT Most of these properties were bought during a different era, when Hong Kong was flush with money from a booming China. In Gehry’s Opus Hong Kong building, which has 12 luxury apartments, two of the recent sellers were once among China’s richest men: property developers Chen Hongtian and Chen Changwei. (They are not related.) Local news reports said Chen Hongtian’s apartment was one of a number of properties seized by lenders, including a 9000-square-foot home that he had purchased soon after the Opus property in 2015. His Opus apartment was “a little bit too tiny,” he told the local South China Morning Post in 2016. He also told the newspaper that luxury homes for sale in Hong Kong were “extremely rare.” No longer. A short drive away from Opus, along a winding road, is Black’s Link, where a cluster of three mansions once tied to Hui of Evergrande is. They are on sale for more than $US190 million — one has been sold so far. The prices on the other two have come down since they were first listed last year. Nearby on Plantation Road, four mansions recently went for $US141 million, nearly half of what the sellers paid for it. Property experts expect more deals to come. Nearly two dozen properties, each worth $US50 million or more, have come on the market in Hong Kong this year. This article originally appeared in The New York Times . The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning .Niall O Ceallachain hails 'special' triumph as Na Fianna cap landmark night for Dublin clubsEASTON, Pa. (AP) — Nehemiah Benson's 28 points helped Binghamton defeat LIU 75-70 in overtime on Saturday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * EASTON, Pa. (AP) — Nehemiah Benson's 28 points helped Binghamton defeat LIU 75-70 in overtime on Saturday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? EASTON, Pa. (AP) — Nehemiah Benson’s 28 points helped Binghamton defeat LIU 75-70 in overtime on Saturday. Benson had seven rebounds for the Bearcats (3-6). Tymu Chenery shot 7 for 12, including 3 for 5 from beyond the arc to add 18 points. Wes Peterson had 10 points and shot 3 of 4 from the field and 4 for 6 from the line. Gavin Walsh’s layup with 2 seconds remaining in regulation tied it for Binghamton. Jamal Fuller led the way for the Sharks (3-6) with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Terell Strickland added 17 points and eight assists for LIU. Malachi Davis also had 12 points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement
Several NFL teams attended the Miami Hurricanes' 42-14 blowout win over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to scout projected top-5 pick Cam Ward, per Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz . Among them were the New York Giants, who are in desperate need of a quarterback after releasing Daniel Jones and placed a "key focus" on Ward. In the Hurricanes' victory, Ward completed 27-of-38 passes for 280 yards and three total touchdowns, while throwing one interception. Ward is a top contender for the Heisman Trophy this season, leading the Hurricanes to a 10-1 record while throwing for 3,494 yards, 32 touchdowns and posting an 89.4 quarterback rating. The senior's standout performance on Saturday comes after six-year Giants veteran Daniel Jones and the team "mutually agreed" to part ways, according to a statement made on New York's social media. Jones was benched by head coach Brian Daboll earlier in the week, dropping to fourth string on the team's quarterback depth chart after a disappointing season. The former Giant recorded 2,070 passing yards this season, throwing eight touchdowns and seven interceptions while posting a quarterback rating of 46.5. The Giants will continue to evaluate their future at the quarterback position as they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
KEYCORP DECLARES QUARTERLY CASH DIVIDEND ON COMMON SHARES AND PREFERRED STOCKS
Forteza kicks six field goals to lift Laval to 22-17 win over Laurier in Vanier CupA melee broke out at midfield of Ohio Stadium after Michigan upset No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday. After the Wolverines' fourth straight win in the series, players converged at the block "O" to plant its flag. The Ohio State players were in the south end zone singing their alma mater in front of the student section. When the Buckeyes saw the Wolverines' flag, they rushed toward the 50-yard line. Social media posts showed Michigan offensive lineman Raheem Anderson carrying the flag on a long pole to midfield, where the Wolverines were met by dozens of Ohio State players and fights broke out. Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer was seen ripping the flag off the pole and taking the flag as he scuffled with several people trying to recover the flag. A statement from the Ohio State Police Department read: "Following the game, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an on-field altercation. During the scuffle, multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray. OSUPD is the lead agency for games and will continue to investigate." Michigan running back Kalel Mullings on FOX said: "For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game. It's bad for the sport, bad for college football. At the end of the day, some people got to learn how to lose, man. "You can't be fighting and stuff just because you lost the game. We had 60 minutes and four quarters to do all that fighting. Now people want to talk and fight. That's wrong. It's bad for the game. Classless, in my opinion. People got to be better." Once order was restored, officers cordoned the 50-yard line, using bicycles as barriers. Ohio State coach Ryan Day in his postgame press conference said he wasn't sure what happened. "I don't know all the details of it. But I know that these guys are looking to put a flag on our field and our guys weren't going to let that happen," he said. "I'll find out exactly what happened, but this is our field and certainly we're embarrassed at the fact we lost the game, but there's some prideful guys on our team that weren't just going to let that happen." The Big Ten has not yet released a statement on the incident. --Field Level MediaMy dear 2024, By Dakuku Peterside Letter writing may be a lost art in this digital age, yet there are moments when the weight of reflection demands the intimacy of a letter. So, dear 2024, consider this a heartfelt note from a Nigerian seeking to encapsulate the whirlwind of emotions, events, and transformations that have unfolded over the past twelve months. As I pen down these words, I do so with the awareness that you are not an ordinary year. Your arrival brought hope, but as the days rolled, that hope was replaced with hardship, struggle, perseverance and lessons. In this letter, as tricky as it may be, I will attempt to recount the key events that shaped you – the milestones that defined not only my life but the collective experience of a nation grappling with economic hardship, political uncertainty, and social upheaval. Nigeria stands at a crossroads, and you will be remembered as a year that tested our spirit and resolve. This is not just a recollection of facts but a narrative of survival in a land where, at times, the future seemed uncertain. You were, indeed harsh, but we, the Nigerian people, have shown remarkable resilience and perseverance. Despite the economic hardships you brought, with inflation, unemployment, and rising living costs affecting all, we have stood strong. Your visitation of economic hardships worsened by 34-40% inflation rate and supply chain disruptions, an embarrassing unemployment rate of 40%, and rising living costs affected both the high and the low. Almost all households felt your pinch. Nigeria’s food inflation rate rose to close to 40% by mid-year, pushing millions into poverty. National Bureau of Statistics reports indicated that over 71 million Nigerians faced food insecurity by the third quarter. The exchange rate rose by over 60%. Yet, amid these challenges, the Nigerian people showed remarkable resilience and perseverance. To put it into context, essential commodities such as rice, maize, and garri doubled in price within months. The petrol price fluctuated between ₦700 to ₦1200 per litre, severely impacting transportation and logistics. Even sachet water, popularly called ‘pure water’, became a luxury for many, reflecting the depth of economic strain. You made our economic thinkers and planners look clueless. Thank God we, the people, showed understanding with them. You brought needless political contentions –the Rivers crisis, contentious elections in Edo and Ondo states, the Kano Emir drama, the Old-New-Old national anthem, and “Endbadgovernance”demonstrations. An attempt to reform our tax system highlighted our stubborn ethnic fault lines. You were not short of drama, both relevant and irrelevant. The reinstatement of the old national anthem left citizens divided, as critics viewed it as distracting from pressing governance issues. However, amid these contentions, the Nigerian people stood united, showing remarkable solidarity. Despite the divisive nature of some of these events, we have remained a united front. Poverty and hunger became our companions, resulting in three deadly stampedes during palliative distributions in Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), leaving no fewer than 60 people dead. Unemployment among the youth reached over 45%, with many university graduates resorting to menial jobs or leaving the country in search of greener pastures, contributing to the ongoing ‘Japa’ wave. At the global scene, you delivered historic elections and global unrest. People in more than 60 countries—representing almost 50 per cent of the world’s population—went to the polls during the year. Voters in Mexico and the United Kingdom picked new leaders, while a former U.S. president was invited by voters back to the White House. In Nigeria, voter turnout in local elections dipped to a record low of 28%, reflecting growing disillusionment with governance. This disinterest was amplified by widespread insecurity, with over 1,500 reported cases of abduction and banditry disrupting daily life. Villages in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Borno faced relentless attacks, forcing thousands into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. “Lakurawa” gained a strong foothold in parts of North-West states. Some strange things happened that we did not foresee. Greece extended adoption rights to same-sex couples, and Thailand legalised same-sex marriage, becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to do so. You gave LGBTQ+ rights activists something to celebrate. This felt strange in this part of the world, where same-sex relations remain criminalised, and social acceptance lags far behind. In Nigeria, lawmakers intensified efforts to uphold conservative values, with proposed bills aimed at further restricting LGBTQ+ rights. The disparity in cultural values highlighted the widening gap between regions of the world, reflecting the complex layers of societal evolution. You saw the world in turmoil, and the Russian vs Ukraine war continued unabated. This war brought about lots of military posturing, leading some to fear nuclear conflict between Russia and NATO. The conflict between Israel, Hamas, and Iran ramped up to greater heights. The Middle East is in commotion, with the war extending to Lebanon and Israel vowing not to stop until it wipes Hamas and Hezbollah out. Iran has shown its willingness to confront Israel, framing itself as the watchdog of the Middle East against Israel’s aggression. You also witnessed the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, raising fears of extremist groups seizing power. Reports from the UN suggested that over 300,000 Syrian refugees fled to neighbouring countries by year-end, adding to the growing refugee crisis. But amid it all, you allowed some of my compatriots to think and look at things differently, to learn that hard work does not kill and bad governance is for a season. Despite the odds, small businesses grew by 7% in sectors like agriculture and technology, offering a glimmer of hope. Despite the increase in tariffs and persistent collapse of the national grid, there has been a marginal improvement in power output in homes and factories. The healthcare sector witnessed significant transformation in the past few months of 2024 because of incisive, superlative reforms and programmes. So far, 53,000 health workers have been re-trained—an impressive number—to deliver integrated, high-quality services. The Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Initiative, which offers free caesarean sections to all eligible Nigerian women meeting the criteria, and the Nigeria Climate Change and Health Vulnerability and Adaptation (V&A) Assessment Report were launched. These initiatives represent a step forward in our healthcare system, offering hope for the future. Your successor, 2025, is shaping up to be quite the mixed bag — it’s like the year is expecting a baby, but no one knows if it’ll be a bundle of joy or a handful of trouble. Nigeria is trying really hard to stop putting all its eggs in the oil basket. There’s a lot of noise about agriculture, tech, and manufacturing stepping up. With this African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) getting more action, we might see Nigeria flexing as West Africa’s trade big brother. But let’s be honest — oil and gas aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. The Dangote Refinery finally kicking into gear might help us cut down on those expensive imported petroleum products. If it plays out right, that could mean fewer trade deficits and more jobs, which we desperately need. But you know how it is with oil — prices are like Lagos traffic, unpredictable and everywhere. Plus, the world’s moving towards greener energy, so we’ve got to figure out how to keep the money flowing long-term. Now, on the money front, I won’t sugarcoat it. Inflation and the exchange rate will probably keep dancing around, and not in a fun way. The Central Bank will try to keep things under control, but they’ll need serious foreign investment and more non-oil exports to make it work. The tech space is looking exciting, though. With all these young, sharp minds and everyone glued to their phones, Lagos and Abuja are becoming mini–Silicon Valley — fintech, e-commerce, aggrotech, you name it. Politically, Nigerians are still out here demanding real change. Anti-corruption will stay a hot topic — we’re all tired of the same old stories. There’s also this growing pressure for electoral reforms and better public services. Civil society is getting louder, and I’m here for it. But security? Whew. That’s going to be a big one. Between insurgency in the Northeast, banditry up North, and secessionist noise in the Southeast, the government has its hands full. It will take more than military action — they must dig into why these issues keep popping up. On top of that, some states are pushing harder for more control over their resources and policies. The whole decentralisation and restructuring debate might heat up. Meanwhile, you can bet politicians are already gearing up for 2027. Alliances will shift — it’s like watching chess, but with higher stakes. Look, Nigeria has its share of problems—inequality, environmental issues, governance struggles. But the potential? It’s huge. We’ve got the people and the energy, and if we can channel it right, the sky’s the limit. Here’s hoping 2025 is more of a blessing than a headache. As I look ahead to 2025, I do so with cautious optimism. While the road ahead remains uncertain, I am reminded that even in the darkest of times, resilience shines through. So, to everything we have passed through, thank you, 2024, for setting us free. 2025, if you’re reading, please be more liberal to us as a nation and as a people. May our leaders listen more and apply more wisdom. May 2025 usher in real hope, stability, and progress for Nigeria and the world. Wishing Nigerians a happy, peaceful, and prosperous new year. DAP .
LOS ANGELES –– The Kings defeated one of the NHL’s hottest teams and turned in a perfect afternoon on special teams as they beat the Seattle Kraken 2-1 on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. The Kings scored the game’s only power-play goal, reversing a troubling recent trend in the process, and were 3 for 3 on the penalty kill. They entered the match as losers of three of their last four games while Seattle had prevailed in five of its past six clashes. Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield, who was playing in his 200th career game, each found the net for the Kings. Anže Kopitar assisted on both goals. David Rittich stopped all 19 shots. Brandon Montour scored late for Seattle on an active night for the former Ducks defenseman. Joey Daccord made 19 saves. Two of the NHL’s 10 best teams defensively produced a predictably low-event first period – while the Kraken and Kings once combined for 17 goals in a game, they had only nine combined shots in the opening 20 minutes – but the Kings flipped the script with goals at the 4:19 and 6:03 marks of the middle frame. First, it was the vision of Alex Turcotte synergizing the finishing ability of Kempe, who scored his 10th goal of the season and his 11th point in his past 11 games. Turcotte received the puck behind the net, curled toward the right-wing boards and sold a play along the wall as he sucked in four Kraken defenders. His no-look pass hit Kempe in the slot, with Adam Larsson unable to close his gap and Daccord having little chance at Kempe’s searing short-side wrister. Then, two weights were lifted at once when the power play scored its first goal since Brandt Clarke’s Nov. 9 empty-netter and Byfield tallied for the first time since he scored in consecutive games Nov. 5 and Nov. 7. He scored his third goal of the year and the first for the newly configured top power-play unit with a kneeling one-timer from the right faceoff circle. The primary assist was Kevin Fiala’s first point in seven games and the secondary one, as it did on Kempe’s goal, went to Kopitar. The captain’s pair of helpers brought him to 14 points in his past 11 games, remaining a beacon of consistency even in lean offensive stretches for the team. The Kings had the opportunity to slam the door at the end of the period when a bizarre sequence during a Seattle power play left Byfield and Warren Foegele with a two-on-none shorthanded rush. After four passes across Daccord’s crease, Foegele’s eventual shot was negated by the handle of Daccord’s stick. Foegele would have another brush with glory in the third period, right after Montour had two of his own. His slap shot was saved by Rittich but his follow-up bid beat the big Czech, only to dent the right post just below the crossbar. Montour broke through 23 seconds after the Kings survived a six-on-four sequence, when his slap shot roared past Rittich with 1:34 to play, but Seattle drew no nearer.‘One of my heroes.’ Politicians across GA, US offer condolences after Jimmy Carter’s death