Sportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78
By HILLEL ITALIE NEW YORK (AP) — Even through a year of nonstop news about elections, climate change, protests and the price of eggs, there was still time to read books. Related Articles The Five Minute Read Hundreds of bookstore staffers receive holiday bonuses from author James Patterson Nikki Giovanni, poet and literary celebrity, has died at 81 Percival Everett, 2024 National Book Award winner, rereads one book often Gift books for 2024: What to give, and what to receive, for all kinds of readers U.S. sales held steady according to Circana, which tracks around 85% of the print market, with many choosing the relief of romance, fantasy and romantasy. Some picked up Taylor Swift’s tie-in book to her blockbuster tour, while others sought out literary fiction, celebrity memoirs, political exposes and a close and painful look at a generation hooked on smartphones. Here are 10 notable books published in 2024, in no particular order. Asking about the year’s hottest reads would basically yield a list of the biggest hits in romantasy, the blend of fantasy and romance that has proved so irresistible fans were snapping up expensive “special editions” with decorative covers and sprayed edges. Of the 25 top sellers of 2024, as compiled by Circana, six were by romantasy favorite Sarah J. Maas, including “House of Flame and Shadow,” the third of her “Crescent City” series. Millions read her latest installment about Bryce Quinlan and Hunter Athalar and traced the ever-growing ties of “Maasverse,” the overlapping worlds of “Crescent City” and her other series, “Throne of Glass” and “A Court of Thorns and Roses.” If romantasy is for escape, other books demand we confront. In the bestselling “The Anxious Generation,” social psychologist Jonathan Haidt looks into studies finding that the mental health of young people began to deteriorate in the 2010s, after decades of progress. According to Haidt, the main culprit is right before us: digital screens that have drawn kids away from “play-based” to “phone-based” childhoods. Although some critics challenged his findings, “The Anxious Generation” became a talking point and a catchphrase. Admirers ranged from Oprah Winfrey to Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee, who in a letter to state legislators advocated such “commonsense recommendations” from the book as banning phones in schools and keeping kids off social media until age 16. Bob Woodward books have been an election tradition for decades. “War,” the latest of his highly sourced Washington insider accounts, made news with its allegations that Donald Trump had been in frequent contact with Russian leader Vladimir Putin even while out of office and, while president, had sent Putin sophisticated COVID-19 test machines. Among Woodward’s other scoops: Putin seriously considered using nuclear weapons against Ukraine, and President Joe Biden blamed former President Barack Obama, under whom he served as vice president, for some of the problems with Russia. “Barack never took Putin seriously,” Woodward quoted Biden as saying. Former (and future) first lady Melania Trump, who gives few interviews and rarely discusses her private life, unexpectedly announced she was publishing a memoir: “Melania.” The publisher was unlikely for a former first lady — not one of the major New York houses, but Skyhorse, where authors include such controversial public figures as Woody Allen and Trump cabinet nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And its success was at least a minor surprise. Melania Trump did little publicity for the book, and offered few revelations beyond posting a video expressing support for abortion rights — a break from one of the cornerstones of GOP policy. But “Melania” still sold hundreds of thousands of copies, many in the days following her husband’s election. Taylor Swift was more than a music story in 2024. Like “Melania,” the news about Taylor Swift’s self-published tie-in to her global tour isn’t so much the book itself, but that it exists. And how well it sold. As she did with the “Eras” concert film, Swift bypassed the established industry and worked directly with a distributor: Target offered “The Eras Tour Book” exclusively. According to Circana, the “Eras” book sold more than 800,000 copies just in its opening week, an astonishing number for a publication unavailable through Amazon.com and other traditional retailers. No new book in 2024 had a better debut. Midnight book parties are supposed to be for “Harry Potter” and other fantasy series, but this fall, more than 100 stores stayed open late to welcome one of the year’s literary events: Sally Rooney’s “Intermezzo.” The Irish author’s fourth novel centers on two brothers, their grief over the death of their father, their very different career paths and their very unsettled love lives. “Intermezzo” was also a book about chess: “You have to read a lot of opening theory — that’s the beginning of a game, the first moves,” one of the brothers explains. “And you’re learning all this for what? Just to get an okay position in the middle game and try to play some decent chess. Which most of the time I can’t do anyway.” Lisa Marie Presley had been working on a memoir at the time of her death , in 2023, and daughter Riley Keough had agreed to help her complete it. “From Here to the Great Unknown” is Lisa Marie’s account of her father, Elvis Presley, and the sagas of of her adult life, notably her marriage to Michael Jackson and the death of son Benjamin Keough. To the end, she was haunted by the loss of Elvis, just 42 when he collapsed and died at his Graceland home while young Lisa Marie was asleep. “She would listen to his music alone, if she was drunk, and cry,” Keough, during an interview with Winfrey, said of her mother. Meanwhile, Cher released the first of two planned memoirs titled “Cher” — no further introduction required. Covering her life from birth to the end of the 1970s, she focuses on her ill-fated marriage to Sonny Bono, remembering him as a gifted entertainer and businessman who helped her believe in herself while turning out to be unfaithful, erratic, controlling and so greedy that he kept all the couple’s earnings for himself. Unsure of whether to leave or stay, she consulted a very famous divorcee, Lucille Ball, who reportedly encouraged her: “F— him, you’re the one with the talent.” A trend in recent years is to take famous novels from the past, and remove words or passages that might offend modern readers; an edition of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” cuts the racist language from Mark Twain’s original text. In the most celebrated literary work of 2024, Percival Everett found a different way to take on Twain’s classic — write it from the perspective of the enslaved Jim. “James,” winner of the National Book Award, is a recasting in many ways. Everett suggests to us that the real Jim was nothing like the deferential figure known to millions of readers, but a savvy and learned man who concealed his intelligence from the whites around him, and even from Twain himself. Salman Rushdie’s first National Book Award nomination was for a memoir he wished he had no reason to write. In “Knife,” he recounts in full detail the horrifying attempt on his life in 2022, when an attendee rushed the stage during a literary event in western New York and stabbed him repeatedly, leaving with him a blinded eye and lasting nerve damage, but with a spirit surprisingly intact. “If you had told me that this was going to happen and how would I deal with it, I would not have been very optimistic about my chances,” he told The Associated Press last spring. “I’m still myself, you know, and I don’t feel other than myself. But there’s a little iron in the soul, I think.”
Texans need win over Dolphins and loss by Colts Sunday to clinch 2nd straight AFC South titleTuscany Suites & Casino invites locals and visitors to celebrate the holidays, New Year’s Eve, through entertainment, dining, and beverage experiences. Tuscany Suites & Casino loves this time of year and wants to share the season with everyone. New Years Eve festivities will be celebrated at both the Copa Room at 10pm with a live performance by Until the Eclipse (party favors included) and in the Piazza Lounge with Michael Grimm, 9pm – 1am. Both are open to the public and have no cover charges. Both dining spots located inside Tuscany Suites & Casino will offer New Years Eve specials: Bistecca, a traditional Italian Steakhouse, features Crab Bisque, Scallops, Kobe Beef Rossini, and Chocolate Amaretto Semifreddo. Reservations are suggested by calling 702.947.5910 or online using Open Table. Marilyn’s Café will also offer a New Year’s Eve dinner, starting at noon, includes house salad, 12-ounce New York Steak and five shrimp on skewers.. The Piazza Lounge has been transformed into the Peppermint Lounge for the holidays with themed cocktails and live music starting at noon through Dec. 31. We have heard that Santa’s favorite drink is the Peppermint Bark Martini! Sing along to the live holiday music beginning at 7:30 p.m. nightly Tuscany Suites & Casino continues to offer a full live entertainment schedule in the Copa Room and Piazza Lounge for guests ready to be entertained. In its 24th smash hit year, The Rat Pack is Back as Frank, Sammy, and Dean perform the classic hits showcasing the hippest place on earth. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. nightly and is dark on Sundays in the Copa Room. Entertainment is free, seven nights a week. Kenny Davidsen’s Celebrity Piano Bar, accompanied by surprise Las Vegas celebrity guests, brings the audience to its feet starting at 9 p.m. on Fridays. Rita Lim memorizes with her vocals starting at 7 p.m. on Sundays. Powerhouse vocals mixed with popular jazz standards and soul with Ashley Fuller fill the room at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Rotating artists entertain on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. “We love the holidays, the joy of Christmas, and the promise of New Year’s Eve,” says Grayson McNees, General Manager of Tuscany Suites & Casino. “We welcome everyone to make Tuscany Suites & Casino part of their memories during this special time of the year.” Tuscany Suites & Casino, located at 255 E. Flamingo Ave., is two blocks east of the famed Las Vegas Strip. To learn more about Tuscany Suites & Casino, call (702) 893-8933 or visit www.tuscanylv.com , and follow on Facebook @tuscanylv, Instagram @tuscanycasino, and Twitter @TuscanyCasino. ABOUT TUSCANY SUITES & CASINO: Award-winning Tuscany Suites & Casino offers an oasis featuring 716 Northern Italy-inspired suites, multiple dining options, a spectacular pool area, live entertainment, a spa and fitness center, spacious meeting and banquet space, as well as the most current selection of slots, video poker, and electronic table gaming options. Tuscany Suites & Casino, located at 255 E. Flamingo Ave., is two blocks east of the famed Las Vegas Strip. To learn more about Tuscany Suites & Casino, call (702) 893-8933 or visit www.tuscanylv.com , and follow on Facebook @tuscanylv, Instagram @tuscanycasino, and Twitter @TuscanyCasino. ### Related
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TORONTO – Darko Rajakovic cut straight to the chase in his pre-game news conference: yes, Scottie Barnes is back. Barnes was inserted into the Toronto Raptors starting lineup ahead of Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Scotiabank Arena. He had been out since Nov. 4 with a fractured right orbital bone. “I don’t want Scottie Barnes to be anything outside of Scottie Barnes,” said Rajakovic in his pre-game news conference. “I just need him to be best version of himself and when he’s that, he’s really raising the people around him to another level. “He’s making everybody around him better.” Barnes was injured in the fourth quarter of Toronto’s 121-119 overtime loss to the Nuggets on Nov. 4 when he caught an errant elbow from Denver centre Nikola Jokic. Barnes was expected to be out at least three weeks with the injury but came back slightly ahead of schedule. The 23-year-old all-star forward was averaging 19.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and six assists per game before he was hurt. Rajakovic said Barnes would play limited minutes and that he’d have to wear protective goggles. Rajakovic was coy when asked who would be moved to Toronto’s bench to make space for Barnes. “Scottie will start. Who knows who won’t,” laughed Rajakovic. Rookie combo guard Ja’kobe Walter was also made available for the Raptors. He had missed Toronto’s last six games with a sprained right shoulder. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2024.
Mary Murphy(The Center Square) – House Oversight Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., has opened an investigation into the Federal Emergency Management Agency over reports that it discriminated against supporters of Donald Trump. Comer said whistleblower reports suggest anti-Trump discrimination is rampant and has been going on for years. “[O]n the condition of anonymity, a FEMA official stated that the practice avoiding ‘white or conservative-dominated’ areas is an ‘open secret at the agency that has been going on for years,’” Comer said in a letter to FEMA. The investigation comes after FEMA fired one of its hurricane response supervisors after news went viral that she told her workers to avoid “Trump houses.” However, that employee has publicly said she was only following orders and acting according to the culture at FEMA. Comer and more than two dozen Republican lawmakers sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell demanding documentation, from internal policies to spending figures to incident reports. Lawmakers have pointed toward more anonymous sources backing up the fired employee’s claims. “Additionally, another whistleblower contacted the Committee during the hearing," the letter said. "This individual informed the Committee that a FEMA contractor warned a disabled veteran’s family in Georgia to remove Trump campaign materials from their home because FEMA supervisors viewed Trump supporters as domestic terrorists. At a hearing this week, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., pointed to 35 of his constituents who shared similar stories with him. Lawmakers grilled Criswell over the discrimination reports at the hearing as well as FEMA’s recent focus on Diversity Equity and Inclusion efforts, something FEMA named as its number one goal in its latest strategic report. Lawmakers also raised concerns about the agency spending hundreds of millions of dollars on helping migrants. Defenders of FEMA have said the migrant funds do not take directly from disaster relief, while critics insist it shows missplaced priorities for the emergency relief agency. “In the fiscal year of 2023, FEMA spent nearly a billion dollars, $789 million, to shelter illegals in the United States,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, R-Ga., said at the hearing, as The Center Square previously reported . “This past year it was $641 million, and this money is largely distributed through NGOs...and this was to house illegal aliens," she added. "Not Americans, who by the way all that money, that comes from Americans bank accounts when they write their checks to pay their taxes." At the hearing this week, Criswell also said she will request the Inspector General investigate the question of political discrimination at FEMA. She also said she does not think this fired employee is indicative of a broader problem in the agency but is looking into it. Criswell said FEMA workers went back to the homes that were skipped over by the fired employee and promised to ensure it doesn't happen again. “The Committee is in the process of investigating these claims,” the Oversight letter said. “If they are true, they would corroborate concerns that political discrimination extends beyond [the fired FEMA employee]. Furthermore, they suggest an apparent culture, whether sanctioned or not, within FEMA to politically discriminate against disaster survivors, specifically those who support President-elect Donald Trump.”Wisconsin preventing Xavier Lucas from transferring raises eyebrows as portal deadline looms | Sporting News
The office market in Mumbai and other major Indian cities has reached a new peak in 2024, with leasing activity hitting 66.4 million square feet, marking a 14% year-on-year growth, according to Colliers. Bengaluru led the way with a record 21.7 million square feet leased, a 40% increase from the previous year. Hyderabad and Mumbai followed, with 12.5 and 10.0 million square feet respectively, both seeing double-digit growth. Delhi-NCR also showed strong demand, nearing the 10 million square feet mark. The final quarter of 2024 was particularly strong, with 19.7 million square feet leased, a 14% increase from Q3. Hyderabad and Bengaluru drove this growth, accounting for 54% of Q4's leasing activity. Bengaluru saw the highest quarterly leasing at 6.6 million square feet, while Mumbai and Hyderabad experienced the highest quarter-on-quarter growth at 71% and 41% respectively. Arpit Mehrotra, Managing Director of Office Services at Colliers India, noted, "Grade A office space demand in India has broken all past records in 2024. With three of the six major cities seeing over 10 million square feet of annual leasing, we anticipate annual uptake exceeding 60 million square feet to become the norm." Flex spaces saw a record 4.7 million square feet leased in Q4, making up 24% of Grade A space uptake. For the year, flex space absorption reached 12.5 million square feet, up 45% YoY. The technology sector continued to lead overall demand, while engineering, manufacturing, and BFSI sectors also showed strong. New office space completions totaled 53.3 million square feet in 2024, a 6% increase from 2023. Despite the new supply, vacancy levels dropped by 80 basis points due to high demand, while rental rates rose by 5%. Vimal Nadar, Senior Director and Head of Research at Colliers India, predicts continued growth in flex spaces and anticipates their expansion into Tier-II and Tier-III cities in 2025. The preference for managed office spaces is expected to drive further investment and development in this sector.In 2024, the world experienced an explosive year in tech growth, driven by innovative developments in both artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency . While everyday consumers continue to grapple with understanding AI’s impact, businesses have embraced it, achieving significant market gains. Nvidia emerged as a key player, seeing its market cap rise by a staggering $2.2 trillion, thanks to advancements in AI technology. AppLovin , another notable winner, saw its valuation skyrocket from $13 billion to over $110 billion. Originally known for mobile gaming, AppLovin pivoted successfully toward online advertising , leveraging AI to boost profits through its advanced AXON ad search engine. This transition led to remarkable revenue growth and propelled the company’s position beyond big names like Starbucks and Intel. Meanwhile, the crypto sector thrived, primarily fueled by Donald Trump’s election victory. Significant investments from the crypto industry contributed to his campaign, culminating in a major boost for cryptocurrency-related stocks. MicroStrategy was a standout performer, continuing its aggressive bitcoin acquisition strategy that began in 2020. This strategy transformed the company from a standard software vendor into one of the largest bitcoin holders globally, with its stock soaring 467% this year alone. Palantir Technologies also witnessed substantial growth, with its focus on data analytics and AI for defense agencies propelling a 380% rise in its stock price. The company’s increased revenue projections ahead of the election and robust quarterly results highlighted the persistent demand for their services, particularly with hints of increased military spending favoring their offerings. As AI and cryptocurrency continue to reshape technology markets, businesses that embrace these advancements are poised for continued success. 2024’s Tech Revolution: AI and Cryptocurrency Redefine Industry Norms In the dynamic landscape of 2024, groundbreaking strides in artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency have propelled the tech sector into uncharted territories. As these technologies continue to evolve, both industries offer profound opportunities, but also present unique challenges to organizations and consumers globally. Nvidia and AppLovin: Leaders in AI Innovation Nvidia has distinguished itself as a pivotal force in artificial intelligence, with its market capitalization skyrocketing by an impressive $2.2 trillion this year. The company’s advancements in AI hardware and software have positioned it at the forefront of technological development, offering cutting-edge solutions for machine learning applications across various sectors. AppLovin’s transformation marks a textbook operational pivot. Initially recognized for its contributions to mobile gaming, AppLovin strategically shifted its focus to dominate the online advertising arena. By harnessing the power of AI through its AXON ad search engine, the company achieved a monumental valuation increase—from $13 billion to over $110 billion. This adaptation underscores the potent role AI can play in driving profitability and competitiveness in digital marketing. Cryptocurrency Surge: A Political Influence The cryptocurrency sector has experienced a significant upswing, notably bolstered by Donald Trump’s election victory. Crypto entities played a substantial role in funding his campaign, which in turn amplified confidence and investment in cryptocurrency stocks. MicroStrategy has captured market attention with its steadfast commitment to bitcoin acquisition. Since pivoting in 2020 to a strategy centered around cryptocurrency accumulation, MicroStrategy has emerged as one of the largest bitcoin holders worldwide. In 2024, its stock has surged 467%, underscoring the financial benefits of its bitcoin-centric approach. Palantir Technologies: Data Analytics for Defense Palantir Technologies has made significant headway in leveraging data analytics and AI, particularly within defense sectors. The company’s stock has appreciated by 380% due to its strategic alignment with government clients and its focus on intelligence solutions. This growth mirrors increased military spending and a rising demand for sophisticated data analytics capabilities. Trends and Insights: The Future of AI and Cryptocurrency AI Market Trends : The AI space is witnessing unprecedented growth, with applications extending to industries including healthcare, finance, and transportation. As AI becomes increasingly integral to business operations, companies that invest in research and development stand to enhance efficiency and unlock new revenue streams. Cryptocurrency Pros and Cons : The buzz around cryptocurrency persists, with extensive debates on its viability as a robust digital asset. While it proffers decentralization and high-value appreciation, issues around regulation and market volatility remain prominent. Predictions: Continued Tech Evolution Looking ahead, the intersection of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency is likely to further alter the technological landscape in 2025. Companies that can agilely adapt to these innovations, coupled with effective risk management strategies, will likely experience market success. The continued convergence of AI and crypto technologies promises novel use cases and economic opportunities. For more on these tech innovations, visit the Nvidia website and explore AppLovin for insights into their advertising prowess.
Denmark is poised to cement its place as a leader in medical cannabis regulation. On November 19, Minister of the Interior and Health Sophie Løhde proposed making the country's medical cannabis trial scheme permanent, a bold move following years of steady growth in patient participation. The trial scheme, introduced in 2018, aimed to provide patients with conditions such as multiple sclerosis and cancer access to medical cannabis treatments. Extended in 2021, the program is set to expire at the end of 2025. However, its success has been undeniable. Over the last three years, more than 20,000 prescriptions have been redeemed, and approximately 1,800 patients are currently benefiting from cannabis-based medicines. Minister Løhde highlighted the program’s impact: "We see that many patients who receive medical cannabis prescriptions appear to benefit from the treatment. This includes cancer patients suffering from severe nausea after chemotherapy and people with multiple sclerosis experiencing intense pain." The government's proposal reflects its commitment to ensuring continued legal access to medical cannabis for patients. Minister Løhde emphasized the need for collaboration, stating, "We first need to hear the perspectives of the parties involved in the agreement." On November 19, Løhde invited representatives from political groups behind the original agreement—SF, Liberal Alliance, Red-Green Alliance, Danish People’s Party, and the Alternative—to discuss the scheme's future. Denmark's cannabis industry also welcomed the news. Thomas Skovlund Schnegelsberg , CEO of Danish MMJ producer Stenocare, expressed optimism about the proposal. "It is excellent news for patients and Stenocare that the government is now taking steps toward permanent legalization. We are confident that the future of medical cannabis treatment is in good hands," adding that "the permanent legalization will establish a clear framework for the future, offering clarity beyond December 2025 and justifying investments in new products that deliver value to both doctors and patients." As negotiations unfold, Denmark appears ready to solidify its role as a pioneer in regulated medical cannabis, offering hope and legal options to patients across the country. Cover image made with AI © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Ross County’s Noah Chilvers targets lots more goals – and away wins – after ending miserable run at Dundee
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — 2024 was a brutal year for the Amazon rainforest, with rampant wildfires and extreme drought ravaging large parts of a biome that’s a critical counterweight to climate change. A warming climate fed drought that in turn fed the worst year for fires since 2005. And those fires contributed to deforestation, with authorities suspecting some fires were set to more easily clear land to run cattle. The Amazon is twice the size of India and sprawls across eight countries and one territory, storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide that would otherwise warm the planet. It has about 20% of the world’s fresh water and astounding biodiversity, including 16,000 known tree species. But governments have historically viewed it as an area to be exploited, with little regard for sustainability or the rights of its Indigenous peoples, and experts say exploitation by individuals and organized crime is rising at alarming rates. “The fires and drought experienced in 2024 across the Amazon rainforest could be ominous indicators that we are reaching the long-feared ecological tipping point,” said Andrew Miller, advocacy director at Amazon Watch, an organization that works to protect the rainforest. “Humanity’s window of opportunity to reverse this trend is shrinking, but still open.” There were some bright spots. The level of Amazonian forest loss fell in both Brazil and Colombia. And nations gathered for the annual United Nations conference on biodiversity agreed to give Indigenous peoples more say in nature conservation decisions. “If the Amazon rainforest is to avoid the tipping point, Indigenous people will have been a determinant factor," Miller said. Forest loss in Brazil’s Amazon — home to the largest swath of this rainforest — dropped 30.6% compared to the previous year, the lowest level of destruction in nine years. The improvement under leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva contrasted with deforestation that hit a 15-year high under Lula's predecessor, far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro, who prioritized agribusiness expansion over forest protection and weakened environmental agencies. In July, Colombia reported historic lows in deforestation in 2023, driven by a drop in environmental destruction. The country's environment minister Susana Muhamad warned that 2024's figures may not be as promising as a significant rise in deforestation had already been recorded by July due to dry weather caused by El Nino, a weather phenomenon that warms the central Pacific. Illegal economies continue to drive deforestation in the Andean nation. “It’s impossible to overlook the threat posed by organized crime and the economies they control to Amazon conservation,” said Bram Ebus, a consultant for Crisis Group in Latin America. “Illegal gold mining is expanding rapidly, driven by soaring global prices, and the revenues of illicit economies often surpass state budgets allocated to combat them.” In Brazil, large swaths of the rainforest were draped in smoke in August from fires raging across the Amazon, Cerrado savannah, Pantanal wetland and the state of Sao Paulo. Fires are traditionally used for deforestation and for managing pastures, and those man-made blazes were largely responsible for igniting the wildfires. For a second year, the Amazon River fell to desperate lows , leading some countries to declare a state of emergency and distribute food and water to struggling residents. The situation was most critical in Brazil, where one of the Amazon River's main tributaries dropped to its lowest level ever recorded. Cesar Ipenza, an environmental lawyer who lives in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, said he believes people are becoming increasingly aware of the Amazon's fundamental role “for the survival of society as a whole." But, like Miller, he worries about a “point of no return of Amazon destruction.” It was the worst year for Amazon fires since 2005, according to nonprofit Rainforest Foundation US. Between January and October, an area larger than the state of Iowa — 37.42 million acres, or about 15.1 million hectares of Brazil’s Amazon — burned. Bolivia had a record number of fires in the first ten months of the year. “Forest fires have become a constant, especially in the summer months and require particular attention from the authorities who don't how to deal with or respond to them,” Ipenza said. Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Guyana also saw a surge in fires this year. The United Nations conference on biodiversity — this year known as COP16 — was hosted by Colombia. The meetings put the Amazon in the spotlight and a historic agreement was made to give Indigenous groups more of a voice on nature conservation decisions , a development that builds on a growing movement to recognize Indigenous people's role in protecting land and combating climate change. Both Ebus and Miller saw promise in the appointment of Martin von Hildebrand as the new secretary general for the Amazon Treaty Cooperation Organization, announced during COP16. “As an expert on Amazon communities, he will need to align governments for joint conservation efforts. If the political will is there, international backers will step forward to finance new strategies to protect the world’s largest tropical rainforest,” Ebus said. Ebus said Amazon countries need to cooperate more, whether in law enforcement, deploying joint emergency teams to combat forest fires, or providing health care in remote Amazon borderlands. But they need help from the wider world, he said. “The well-being of the Amazon is a shared global responsibility, as consumer demand worldwide fuels the trade in commodities that finance violence and environmental destruction,” he said. Next year marks a critical moment for the Amazon, as Belém do Pará in northern Brazil hosts the first United Nations COP in the region that will focus on climate. “Leaders from Amazon countries have a chance to showcase strategies and demand tangible support," Ebus said. The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org .
running back has an abundance of NFL fans rooting for him to break Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record. Just don't count Dickerson among them. "I don't think he'll break it. But if he breaks it, he breaks it," the former said in an interview with the published Thursday. "Do I want him to break it? Absolutely not. I don't pull no punches on that. "But I'm not whining about it. He had 17 games to do it? Hey, football is football. That's the way I look at it. If he's fortunate to get over 2,000 yards and get the record, it's a great record to have." Barkley is up to 1,838 rushing yards through 15 games this season. He needs 268 yards in the ' final two games of the season – against the and – to break Dickerson's single-season mark of 2,105, which he set in 1984. The Philadelphia running back's stellar season already ranks 19th all-time in single-season rushing yards, one spot ahead of Dickerson's league-leading tally of 1,821 in 1986. Barkley is currently on pace for 2,083 rushing yards, which would fall behind both Dickerson's 1984 record total and the next-highest mark: Adrian Peterson's 2,097-yard season in 2012. But Barkley could help his case with a strong outing in . The Eagles have already , which could mean a heavier workload for the star tailback. As fortune would have it, if Barkley stays within reach after the first divisional matchup, he could have a chance to break Dickerson's record against the , his former team. "How ironic would it be for him to break the record on them, the team that let him go," Dickerson said in the aforementioned interview. "A true slap in the face."Colby Rogers shines as Memphis rolls past Ole Miss