Head coach Craig Berube didn't mince words or criticism for his captain Auston Matthews after securing a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday. Craig Berube is not shy about telling it as it is, whether you're a fourth-line player or a superstar. If you make mistakes, 'Chief' will let them know about it. That demeanor hasn't changed as he bluntly pointed out that while his captain has returned to the lineup, he's not 100% ready just yet. So far this season, Matthews has 15 points in 14 games, including three since returning from a near month-long stint on the IR. It was a great sign to see Matthews back on the scoreboard although Berube is correct with his captain having a bit of trouble adjusting due to the schedule as Toronto's December outlook is brutal. For the month, they play 15 games including three back-to-back slates. It's tough for Matthews to get equal parts rest and practice with Toronto needing to play so much. Their biggest stretch without games is the three game stretch for Christmas (24th-26th) otherwise it's a game every other night or two. Toronto will be hard-pressed to try and get Matthews up to speed as quickly as possible as they have a few tough teams spread out in that schedule such as New Jersey, Dallas, and Winnipeg. Those three teams have a current combined record of 51-24-2 and will give Toronto arguably their toughest test of the season so far, and Matthews' ability to play to the best of his ability is a key factor for Toronto maintaining their current success. Toronto currently sits atop the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of the Florida Panthers as both teams are neck in neck for the crown of Atlantic champion. The two teams don't face each other until March, a crucial time of the season as far as playoffs are concerned, and it'll be interesting how the race ends up by then. The game against the Blackhawks could have started very differently for Toronto on Monday as they luckily avoided a disaster with Auston Matthews erroneously named as a starter even though it was supposed to be Fraser Minten. Matthews, ever the leader took initiative and didn't let Toronto get handed an early penalty: The Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews will continue to build up their Atlantic Division lead when they take on the Nashville Predators on Wednesday as they try to pounce on a struggling team near the basement of the NHL. This article first appeared on Hockey Patrol and was syndicated with permission.
COLLEGE BOWLBitcoin IV Author says Bitcoin is only commodity in human history whose supply is capped Inviting Bitcoin to Pakistan amounts to inviting cutting-edge, world-changing technology to Pakistan. Inviting Bitcoin to Pakistan amounts to inviting innovation to Pakistan. Embracing this groundbreaking technology will unlock a world of opportunities, driving economic growth, fostering financial inclusion, and positioning Pakistan as a forward-thinking player in the global digital economy. By leveraging Bitcoin, Pakistan can attract tech-savvy investments, create jobs, and modernise its financial infrastructure for a more inclusive future. Bitcoin is an extremely scarce asset. Bitcoin is the only commodity in human history -- along with certain other cryptocurrencies -- whose supply is capped. Bitcoin is digital gold. Bitcoin is borderless. Bitcoin is decentralised. Bitcoin is global. Bitcoin is peer-to-peer. Bitcoin is open-source. Bitcoin is pseudonymous. Bitcoin is immutable. Bitcoin is transparent. Bitcoin is a medium of exchange. Bitcoin is a unit of account. Bitcoin is resistant to censorship. Bitcoin is resistant to inflation. Bitcoin is programmable money. Bitcoin is community-driven. Bitcoin is an innovation catalyst. Bitcoin is a challenge to traditional finance. Bitcoin is about social change. Sovereign entities that hold Bitcoin include the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Bhutan, El Salvador, Venezuela, Finland, Georgia, Bulgaria, and Germany. The Bitcoin Act of 2024 (S 4912), a bill that proposes holding Bitcoins as a ‘Strategic National Reserve’, is pending in the United States Congress. RESBit, a similar bill to allocate up to five per cent of Brazil’s international reserves to Bitcoin, is pending at the Brazilian Congress. El Salvador has adopted Bitcoin as legal tender. Thailand, Philippines, Paraguay, Panama, South Korea, India, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Australia, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Morocco, Tunisia, UAE, Qatar, France and Switzerland are all taking steps towards integrating cryptocurrencies into their financial systems. The State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB) has invested $156 million in Bitcoin. The Florida State Board of Administration (SBA) is also exploring a similar investment. Additionally, the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS), the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA), and several cities and counties in Texas, Wyoming, and New York are considering making similar moves into cryptocurrency investments. MicroStrategy, Marathon Digital Holdings, Tesla, Coinbase Global, Block, Inc., Galaxy Digital, the Tezos Foundation, iShares Bitcoin Trust, Grayscale, Fidelity, and several other major corporations collectively own Bitcoin holdings valued at nearly a trillion dollars. For Pakistan, Bitcoin offers the potential to serve as a hedge against inflation, providing a store of value not tied to traditional fiat currencies. For Pakistan, Bitcoin can bring much-needed diversification, reducing reliance on traditional assets. By embracing this digital currency, Pakistan can foster technological advancement, opening doors to blockchain innovation and the digital economy. For Pakistan, Bitcoin can drive financial inclusion by providing unbanked populations access to secure and efficient financial systems. It promises to stimulate economic growth by creating new industries, job opportunities, and investments. Finally, Bitcoin could play a role in addressing Pakistan's debt challenges by serving as a high-value reserve asset, potentially improving the country’s fiscal stability and global financial standing. To be certain, Bitcoin is now mainstream, having evolved from a niche experiment into a globally recognised asset class and technology. Pakistan cannot afford to be left behind in embracing this transformative financial innovation, as doing so risks missing out on significant economic and technological opportunities. The writer is a columnist based in Islamabad. He tweets/posts @saleemfarrukh and can be reached at: farrukh15@hotmail.com
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In the ever-expanding universe of competitive gaming, the Overwatch (OW) community has continuously set the bar high when it comes to innovative and strategic gameplay tactics. Recently, the gaming world was abuzz with the revelation that the highly anticipated "Marvel Showdown" tournament had incorporated a classic OW tactic known as the 303 strategy into its gameplay.
Leaving a car running in a closed garage or running a generator inside a home or enclosed space can quickly lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Even with garage doors open, the toxic gas can seep into living areas. Always operate gas-powered equipment outdoors and ensure proper ventilation to avoid exposure to carbon monoxide.
In light of the recent incident involving the mother and daughter carrying knives on board, 12306 has reiterated the importance of abiding by the rules and guidelines set forth for train travels. While the allowance for small knives may offer convenience to passengers, it is imperative that individuals comply with the regulations to maintain a safe and secure environment for all passengers.PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped and rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” Macron said at the reopening ceremony. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” to Parisians, France and the world. Macron spoke in front of 1,500 guests invited to celebrate the restoration of Paris’ 12th-century cathedral which was nearly destroyed by a fire in 2019. They included world leaders like President-elect Donald Trump , U.S. first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. PARIS (AP) — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes . The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. Monumental feats of restoration Inside, 42,000 square meters of stonework — an area equal to six soccer pitches — were meticulously cleaned, revealing luminous limestone and intricate carvings. Overhead, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” were used to rebuild the spire and roof, restoring the cathedral’s iconic silhouette. The thunderous great organ, with 7,952 pipes ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide, resounded for the first time since the fire. Its newly renovated console, boasting five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, was a marvel of restoration, reawakening a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s identity. Guests gradually filing into the cathedral for the evening reopening ceremonies were awestruck by the renovated interiors, many whipping out cellphones to capture the moment. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, which raised nearly half of the €900 million ($950 million) in donations for the restoration. He last visited in 2021, when the cathedral was cloaked in scaffolding. “It was somber,” he said. “It’s night and day.” The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian pastor who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument—it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Historical details enrich the occasion Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. Macron's political woes The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to embattled Macron, whose prime minister was ousted this week , plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. The French president, who has called Notre Dame's reopening “a jolt of hope,” will address the gathering. He had hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership. Macron's presidency now faces its gravest crisis after the government's collapse this week in a historic no-confidence vote that toppled Prime Minister Michel Barnier. The vote followed months of political gridlock after snap elections in June. Calls are now growing louder from opposition forces for Macron to resign. But he vowed Thursday to remain in office until the end of his term in 2027, and said he'll name a new prime minister within days. As France struggles with economic woes and social unrest, Notre Dame's rebirth celebrations form a stark contrast. Security is tight for this global event Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail is following Trump. Public viewing areas along the Seine’s southern bank will accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can follow the celebrations on large screens. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. ___ Sylvie Corbet, Yesica Brumec, Marine Lesprit and Mark Carlson in Paris contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Thomas Adamson And John Leicester, The Associated Press