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's hopes of lifting his first silverware since moving to in were dented on Friday after they were beaten 2-1 at home by . Ronaldo, 38, opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, reacting fastest to some suspect goalkeeping and slamming home from close range. However, that lead did not last long. levelled the affair just five minutes later, chesting down a looping cross from the left byline before finishing adeptly. Quiñones then turned provider in the second half after Al Nassr failed to convert a considerable possession advantage into meaningful chances. The -born international acrobatically controlled a cross at the far post and directed it back across goal with his first touch to where former and star waited unmarked to give the visitors the lead. Ronaldo and his teammates worked hard to force an equaliser but were unable to breach Koen Casteels' net and fell to a defeat that could have serious implications for their league-title challenge. Stefano Pioli's team remain third in the but are six points behind leaders and reigning champions having played a game more. Al Qadsiah move fifth with the win, level on points with Al Nassr and .
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Pooches in pullovers strut their stuff at London's canine Christmas sweater parade
AP News Summary at 1:28 p.m. ESTUS to transform white elephant destroyers by fitting hypersonic weaponsNonePRATTVILLE, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered an Alabama city to allow an LGBTQ+ pride group to participate in the city's Christmas parade on Friday, after the mayor initially blocked the group from the annual event citing unspecified “safety concerns.” U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker Jr. ruled that the City of Prattville violated Prattville Pride's First Amendment right to free speech and 14th Amendment right to equal protection under the law when it banned the group from running a float in the annual Christmas parade one day before the event was set to take place. “The City removed Prattville Pride from the parade based on its belief that certain members of the public who oppose Prattville Pride, and what is stands for, would react in a disruptive way. But discrimination based on a message’s content 'cannot be tolerated under the First Amendment,' ” Huffaker wrote in his opinion. The ruling required the city to provide at least two police officers to escort the float throughout the parade. On Thursday, Prattville Pride requested additional security measures from law enforcement. In response, Mayor Bill Gillespie Jr released a statement banning the group from the parade altogether, citing “serious safety concerns.” Huffaker's ruling said that, leading up to the event, some community members “voiced vehement opposition” to the group's inclusion in the parade, but that “the City has presented no evidence of legitimate, true threats of physical violence.” Gillespie's office referred to a statement posted on the city's social media in response to a request for comment. “The City respects the ruling of the Court and will comply with its order. The safety of everyone involved with the parade is a priority,” city officials said in a statement on social media. Prattville Pride celebrated the ruling on social media. “The Christmas parade is a cherished holiday tradition, and we are excited to celebrate alongside our neighbors and friends in the spirit of love, joy, and unity," the group wrote. Prattville is a small city of about 40,000 people, just north of the capital of Montgomery.
EDITORIAL: In a political climate ridden with strife and conflict, the PPP’s decision on December 2 to engage in talks with all political parties, whether in government or in opposition, marks a much-needed, welcome attempt at bridging ostensibly insurmountable divides and addressing the pressing challenges facing the nation, ranging from security issues to those afflicting the digital economy and agriculture. The party’s Rabta committee, originally formed to address the PPP’s grievances with the ruling PML-N, has now also been tasked to engage with other parties to identify areas where political consensus can be achieved. This follows on the heels of PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari striking a note of conciliation last week, calling for a dialogue to restore political stability in the wake of the PTI’s recent protest, which has further escalated tensions and caused much turbulence on the political landscape. Notably, he also reaffirmed the PPP’s stance against the banning of political parties and the imposition of governor’s rule in provinces. Similarly, on the same day, the PTI’s incarcerated vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi also called for national reconciliation and consensus to achieve political stability, and urged the authorities to allow him a meeting with party founder Imran Khan so that he could share his perspective on the matter. These developments demonstrate that despite the persistent hostilities between the rulers and the opposition, there are those among the political class who possess a shared recognition of the need for negotiations and cooperation to foster national cohesion, and to tackle the complex issues confronting the country. It goes without saying that regardless of the deep differences between those in power and those that are part of the opposition, it is essential to keep the door open for dialogue. The political class must remember that progress is made and goals can be achieved when politicians remain ready to engage with all stakeholders. That is the fundamental distinction between democracies and non-democratic dispensations. Given the array of crises we face - ranging from terrorism and a fragile economy to threats to the digital ecosystem, the volatile situation in Balochistan and Kurram, the environmental disasters wrought by climate change, and the extreme polarisation dividing the polity - it is imperative that all stakeholders acknowledge the necessity of engaging with those in the opposing camp. In fact, it is incumbent upon every political party, whether in power or not, to initiate dialogue and bridge differences, with the understanding that no preconditions should be attached to any negotiating exercise. In the past, the coarsening of the political climate fuelled a culture where a zero-sum approach to politics was prioritised despite such a mindset rarely helping parties achieve their goals. In fact, it only bolstered the influence of non-democratic forces intent on undermining democratic processes. This has resulted in a stunted political culture, fostered intolerance, undermined democratic principles, weakened the economy and caused significant setbacks to the cause of constitutionalism, hindering the nation’s ability to achieve lasting political and economic stability and growth. In light of this history, the ruling PML-N has the responsibility to lead by example and prioritise the restoration of trust in the government machinery by engaging with all stakeholders, including the PTI. Resorting to belligerent rhetoric, and threatening to ban the PTI or impose governor’s rule in KP will only deepen divisions. Similarly, the PTI must also realise that its refusal to talk with political parties that are part of the ruling coalition and its tendency to elevate leaders who engage in inflammatory rhetoric while relegating more moderate voices to the background has hindered its ability to achieve its objectives. The truth is that political gridlock benefits no one, and political issues are best resolved through engagement, i.e., through dialogue and seeking common ground. Copyright Business Recorder, 2024Doughty scores 17 in Indiana State's 83-80 win against Iona
C hilly weather and early nights make the winter months ideal for cuddling up with your favorite games. Relaxing board games are great for a lazy afternoon with friends or an after-dinner activity. They often feature cooperative play or minimal competition, beautiful artwork and straightforward gameplay ideal for all ages. Here are some games that can provide a whimsical escape for you or a crowd. Patchwork is a chill two-player puzzle game where you and your opponent compete to create the best quilt. The tactile experience and cozy results are relaxing on a chilly day. If you have more than two players, try Calico instead, where you’ll create quilts for cats. In Carcassonne, players compete to build Medieval cities and fields by laying tiles. The game takes a bit of strategy and luck, and it will generate some friendly competition among children and adults alike. The charming artwork also will transport you on a road trip from the comfort of your home. For those looking for longer gameplay, Everdell will have you playing as cute forest creatures building new cities during a game that averages a little over an hour. Flamecraft is another delightfully whimsical game where players try to attract dragons to improve the reputation of their shops. Each of these games is simple to pick up and, with every playthrough offering something new, they’ll get you through the season. Everdell and Flamecraft can also be single-player games if you need a break from socialization. If having everything in its place provides calm in the chaos, you’ll love Unpacking. This puzzle game, available on Switch, PC and Xbox, has you unpacking boxes and putting items away. Playing games like Unpacking can be a meditative experience. Other puzzle games like A Little to the Left and Spiritfarer blend stories into the gameplay. Maintaining a virtual farm or building a make-believe castle from your sofa can be a great stress reliever. Stardew Valley is a quintessential farming game surrounded by charming townspeople. Palia, a massively multiplayer online game, features farming, quests and community building with other players. It’s also free. For those with a Nintendo Switch, the Animal Crossing series has you interacting with other animal players in a peaceful village. With multiplayer modes, these games are great options for playing with friends and family from afar. For a single-player escape, try the recently released Tiny Glade on PC where you’ll build castles. This cozy game’s detailed artistry and conflict-free gameplay will bring hours of relaxation. Or build a world from tiles in Dorfromantik. The game can be entirely chill or provide a bit of strategy if you want to go for a high score. A pack of cards is reliable entertainment at any gathering. From classics to innovative new card games, having a few in your collection can be worthwhile. Card games can range from simple to complex, a few minutes to a few hours and single-player to dozens of players. If you have a standard deck of playing cards, Blitz is a great option for any number of players. Also known as Thirty One, this game gives every player three cards and lets them trade out a card on each turn, trying to get a value of thirty-one. President is another simple social card game where players race to get rid of their cards in ascending order. Some people play it as a drinking game. For a two-player card game, try The Fox in the Forest. This trick-taking card game features cozy graphics, and its fast, simple gameplay is perfect for a winter date night. For two to four players, Arboretum has darling tree graphics on its cards. Players lay cards down with the goal of creating a beautiful garden. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Sophie Hediger, a member of Switzerland's snowboard cross team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, has died following an avalanche at a mountain resort, the country's skiing federation said on Tuesday. The incident occurred on Monday at the Arosa resort in Switzerland. Hediger, 26, competed at the Beijing Games in the women’s snowboard cross and the mixed team version of the same event. Hediger achieved her first two World Cup podium finishes in the 2023-24 season. Her best result was a second place in St. Moritz in January. “We are shocked and our thoughts are with Sophie’s family, to whom we offer our deepest condolences,” said Swiss-Ski CEO Walter Reusser in a statement. “(She lost her life) tragically, brutally and far too soon.” AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
Pooches in pullovers strut their stuff at London's canine Christmas sweater paradeTote Bags Market to grow by USD 9.19 Billion (2024-2028), driven by luxury bag personalization, with AI redefining the market landscape - Technavio