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In an announcement shared first with Scripps News on Thursday, the White House offered more details about its national strategy for combatting Islamophobia and anti-Arab hate. The Biden administration first previewed parts of this work in October, and Thursday’s announcement includes additional information and areas of action that have already been implemented or can be completed in the next 40 days before President Biden leaves office. In a statement, President Biden said, “This first-ever National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Anti-Arab Hate is a historic step forward to live up to our ideals. It seeks to deepen understanding of these communities and the discrimination and bias they have long faced across a number of sectors.” The president describes the strategy as “whole-of-government and whole-of-society effort” to combat discrimination, while also “protecting the freedom and safety of other religious and ethnic communities.” It contains more than 100 executive branch actions, 100 calls to action to “every sector of society,” and focuses on four priorities: increase awareness of hatred against Muslims and Arabs, and broaden recognition of these communities’ heritages; improve safety and security for Muslims and Arabs; tackle discrimination against Muslims and Arabs and appropriately accommodate their religious practices; continue to build cross-community solidarity and collective action to counter hate. A senior administration official says that beyond the federal government, the recommendations extend to state and local governments as well as the private sector and philanthropy. The senior administration official told Scripps News that the group tasked with crafting the strategy has been meeting with stakeholders in the Muslim and Arab-American communities for their input, like the Islamic Network Group and the Nation’s Mosque. They also consulted with academics and interfaith leaders. Doug Emhoff, the Second Gentleman was involved in the strategy as well. Anti-Islamic and antisemitic hate has been on the rise in the United States. In his statement, the president also noted the murder of six-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi, and his mother Hanan Shahin who was also stabbed and wounded in the attack which occurred at their home in Illinois last year. “These heinous acts shattered an American family. And they spread a wave of horror and fear across our nation,” he wrote. The White House had previewed the actions in a press release in October, where they enumerated the executive branch actions like improving safety and security alongside the Department of Homeland Security; tackling discrimination and bias leaning on agencies like the Department of Labor to remind the workforce about legal obligations to protect against religious or ethnic discrimination; and addressing issues related to travel. In May 2023, the White House released a 60-page national strategy that laid out government actions to counter anti-Jewish hate. It marked the first-ever nationwide strategy on antisemitism produced by the federal government. Notably, Biden made mention in his statement Thursday of the Trump-era Muslim ban that impacted people from Muslim-majority and African countries from entering the United States: “That ban was a stain on our national conscience and inconsistent with our long history of welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds.” One of the senior administration officials said that the strategy is not a direct response to the language of the Trump administration’s past actions, but instead a larger part of President Biden’s legacy. “This strategy is part of a four-year effort to fight hate wherever we see it, in the in the country,” the official told Scripps News, adding, “It's important for people to know where we left things, what forward momentum there has been.” President-elect Trump could make the decision not to move forward with the strategy when he comes into office, a fact that Scripps News asked the senior administration official about. “We do not predict what the future administration will do, but we are proud of having a document that outlines an approach where a government thinks Islamophobia and anti-Arab hate are priority issues," the official said.Kobe Sanders scores 27 points, Nevada never trails in 90-78 win over Oklahoma State

Markets Surge Amidst Economic Optimism and Tech RetreatBrand-new iPads at record-low prices are among the top 15 Apple Black Friday deals . Enjoy these early Black Friday discounts, which include AirPods Pro for $60 off and a MacBook Air for $300 off, as quoted in a report. Amazon's early Black Friday sales are booming, and this time around, some of the greatest Apple offers one has seen in a while. You don't have to wait to shop because these are currently live. Many of your favourite Apple staples are available for as little as $24 right now. Some Apple favourites have reached new all-time low prices, such as the 256GB 9th generation iPad, which is $149 off. The iPad Air is also at a record low at $100 off. The 2024 MacBook Air, iMac All-in-One Desktop Computer, and the latest Apple Watch Ultra are there too, at their cheapest prices. AirPods Pro cost $60 less than the standard models and $90 less for the Max. If you wanted any of the Apple tech on your list before Black Friday then it's worth to buy them now. Other Black Friday tech deals on TVs and smart home goodies are also available. 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PORTLAND, Ore. — Mobile-first customer experience company today announced the winners of the 2024 Airship Altitude Awards. Asda, bol, CIMB Singapore, Sally Beauty Holdings and The Vitamin Shoppe each won their respective award categories for exceptional value creation across acquisition, activation, value impact, unified experience and mobile mastery. Online marketplace bol was recognized for its strategies and results in driving app downloads with its “Price Alert Push as Acquisition Strategy.” bol created a price alert push campaign to acquire new app users and gain opt in for alerts when there is a discount on an item in a user’s wish list. The team encouraged customers to download the app, opt-in to notifications and add items to their wish list in the run up to major sales campaigns, like their bol 10 Days Campaign. The effort drove a significant uplift in price alert notifications, driving nearly 3X higher opt-in rates than average, an above average open rate of 27% and a conversion rate of 9%. Sally Beauty Holdings, a global distributor and retailer of professional beauty products, is honored for “Sally Beauty and CosmoProf Engagement and Opt-in Growth,” which showcased the brand’s ability to onboard new app users, drive ongoing engagement, opt-ins and registrations. Sally Beauty Holdings wanted to grow opt-ins and expand app engagement to provide more value to Sally Beauty and CosmoProf app users. The company implemented Airship’s no-code experiences and cross-channel engagement solutions, including eye-catching native, multiscreen experiences showing videos and quizzes, app store events, early access, sneak-peek programs and exclusive offers. The effort helped the brand increase the number of active users on the Sally Beauty app by 7% and CosmoProf by 16.6% year-over-year. Additionally, Sally Beauty app revenue grew from 12% to 22% of ecommerce revenue and CosmoProf revenue increased from 20% to 32% of ecommerce revenue. Leading ASEAN bank CIMB Singapore won top honors for driving revenue and creating valuable app customer experiences with its entry, “Empowering Simplicity with CIMB Clicks.” The brand’s vision was to make the CIMB Clicks mobile app in Singapore the go-to choice for simple, secure and seamless banking. The team went beyond simple app upgrades and fostered greater collaboration with their team, simplifying processes and reducing development time from months to weeks and days. CIMB Singapore established a dialogue with customers to educate them on security risks like phishing scams and promote new app features. As a result, monthly active users (MAU) grew 162% from early 2023 to early 2024 and 9 out of 10 retail customers now use digital banking with 75% regularly making monthly transactions. Asda, one of the largest supermarket chains in the UK, was recognized for achieving exceptional customer engagement from cohesive, contextually connected experiences with its “Multichannel Rewards Round-Up” campaign. To strengthen the value exchange among its loyal Asda Rewards customers, Asda wanted to increase awareness and engagement with its loyalty program and build customer anticipation for future cash rewards. The team deployed data-driven multichannel campaigns with push notifications, in-app messages and email marketing to provide relevant, timely and consistent updates of personalized rewards progress across channels. As a result, Asda saw a 100% increase in direct open rates of push notifications and a 50% uplift in customers responding to in-app messages. Additionally, Asda’s 2024 email campaign saw an 8% increase in open rates and 39% growth in click-through rate. The Vitamin Shoppe, a leading retailer of nutritional supplements in the U.S., transformed its mobile app experience to improve customer engagement and e-commerce revenue. The retailer worked diligently to improve every touchpoint along the customer journey, increasing loyalty members and identified users, boosting in-app engagement through gamification, increasing notification opt-in rates, improving conversion rates with an abandoned cart campaign and expanding app traffic with SMS. The Vitamin Shoppe is the first to be recognized in this new award category that celebrates meaningful achievements across the entire customer lifecycle. “This year’s Altitude Award winners represent teams from across the globe that are capturing greater value from mobile customer experiences,” said Brett Caine, CEO of Airship. “From several dozen award entries to an elite group of 12 finalists, all with very impressive results, these five winning brands are helping to define how to get mobile-first customer experience right in ways that matter most for their customers and their businesses.” A distinguished group of industry experts reviewed the 2024 Altitude Award entries and scored them based on overall performance, amplification, innovation and degree of difficulty. This year’s judges included: , VP of Product Management at OneFootball; , Director of Mobile App Marketing and Lifecycle at VML; , independent retention marketing consultant formerly with DAZN; and , VP of Audience Engagement and Lifecycle Marketing at Pandora. To learn more about the 2024 Altitude Award winners, read the . Airship helps brands master mobile-first customer experiences to build lasting relationships and accelerate business growth. Since 2009, Airship has enabled thousands of the world’s leading brands to be at the forefront of the customer experience revolution with industry-first support for push notifications, in-app messages and mobile wallet boarding passes — all now the norm in elevating experiences everywhere. Today, the Airship Experience Platform provides an end-to-end solution for unifying experiences across apps, websites and all channels, including email, SMS, mobile wallet and more. Its no-code Experience Editor and Journeys AI solutions enable marketers and product managers to get work done in minutes instead of months, capturing more value across the entire customer lifecycle without ongoing developer support. With the Airship Experience Platform and App Store Optimization technology and expertise, brands now have a complete set of solutions to optimize the entire customer lifecycle – from the point of discovery to loyalty – driving greater value for everyone involved. For more information, visit , read our or follow us on , and . North America: Deidre Wright Airship +1 415-223-0832 Kali Myrick Kali Myrick Communications +1 503-580-4645 EMEA: Ana Williams Airship +44 (0)20 3405 5160 Pauline Delorme Tyto PR +44 (0)20 3934 8882Automaker, dealer ordered to refundcar cost over manufacturing defect

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More than 99% of Americans live under skies polluted by light. This pervasive artificial glow obscures stars and the constellations they form. It hides our galaxy, the Milky Way, from four in every five people living in the U.S. It disrupts our circadian rhythms, which dictate our sleep and wake cycles, and has a deleterious effect on plant and animal life. The astronomer Dr. David Koerner thinks it also affects our sense of place — in the universe. “Seeing the galaxy in which you live, and understanding that it’s there, and understanding that your place in the world is not just your place among your work associates, or whatever,” he said. “It’s in this huge cosmos at large.” Koerner, a retired Northern Arizona University professor, recently lived at the Grand Canyon for six weeks as the park’s astronomer-in-residence, a position created to promote dark sky education and awareness. Grand Canyon National Park was named an International Dark Sky Park in 2019. To earn and keep the certification, it retrofitted thousands of lights to reduce glare and shine downward, and maintains a certain level of sky quality. It is among more than 145 dark sky places in the U.S. , many of them concentrated in the southwest. Some call these places home, or live under uncertified expanses of dark sky. But most only experience the full grandeur of an unpolluted night sky through a screen: a photo on social media, an episode of "Star Trek," the special effects of a science fiction film. But then they visit someplace where the sky is actually visible. During Koerner’s stint at the North Rim, he was out stargazing with tourists when one woman, visiting from the east coast, was visibly astonished as she stared up at the sky. “We can’t see any of this,” she said in wonder, “but it’s all there.” Stargazing spots: These 10 dreamy dark sky parks and places will leave you starry-eyed More: You can see a galaxy with the naked eye: Astrotourism is an adventure 'you can't experience from photos' And to Koerner, it offers a view of deep time that is just as profound and moving as that found in the Grand Canyon. “Deep time is three times longer in space than on Earth,” he said, “because the universe is three times as old.” 'A hell of a story' Deep time was first conceptualized in the 18th century by the geologist James Hutton. After observing rock formations along the Scottish coast, Hutton came to believe the Earth was much, much older than the 6,000 years that society imagined. He was particularly interested in unconformities: the meeting of rocks from different geological periods, indicating a break in time. In 1788, the scientist John Playfair accompanied Hutton to one such unconformity, at Siccar Point, on the east coast of Scotland. “The mind seemed to grow giddy,” Playfair wrote afterward, “by looking so far into the abyss of time.” It was deep time that drew Koerner to the Colorado Plateau. Growing up in Long Beach, California, his parents adhered to a creationist view of the universe. But young Koerner caught glimpses of a different story. In particular, he was taken by a scene in the Disney film "Fantasia" that portrayed the scientific origins of the Earth and evolution. These conflicting versions created a puzzling cognitive dissonance. He decided science offered the more alluring version of events, and the Colorado Plateau, with its ancient rock formations and dinosaur fossils, offered a tangible link to the past he was so fascinated with. “It was just a place where you could touch very deep parts of time,” he said. “And sometimes people find that daunting and they would shy away from it. But for some reason it just grounded me.” Koerner earned a Ph.D in astronomy after completing his undergraduate in physics and landed at Arizona State University in 2002. Now retired, his zeal for the area and for the story that captured his imagination all those years ago is undimmed. He still marvels at the Big Bang, the fact the universe began from an expanding, hot, dense state of matter that turned into galaxies and stars and planets and life. “I just think it's a hell of a story,” Koerner said. “I think it's better story than any of the ones that cultures have made. It still blows me away.” In the dark, questions of life in the universe Two hours after sunset, the rim was deserted. The crescent moon faintly illuminated the canyon’s highest peaks and spires, but most of the chasm was an inky black. All you could see were the tiny bobbing headlamps of hikers, journeying from rim to rim. Above, deep time awaited. Stars twinkled amid scattered clouds, the Milky Way visible through the gaps. Koerner beamed a laser pointer into the sky. There was the Summer Triangle: Vega, with its disk of dust; the fast-rotating Altair; and Deneb, believed to be more than 2000 light years away. Deneb is huge, Koerner said. As in, its radius is roughly similar to the radius of the Earth’s orbit around the sun. “If you put it where the sun is,” he added, “it would fill the entire sky.” Is there a future for dark skies? To the north, a bright streak flashed against the sky. “Whoa,” Koerner said. “Did you see that?” The blaze was brief, but so intense it was hard to miss. A shooting star? “Well, it might have been a piece of space junk,” he said. Humanity's steady march into space is having an effect on astronomy. Space junk, Koerner said, is “an annoyance, and it’s getting worse.” Radio pollution is also an issue, produced in particular by satellites. People increasingly talk about the democratization of space, the broad notion of opening up space travel beyond the likes of NASA astronauts. “My thoughts are it's a big mess,” Koerner said. Then he laughed. “It’s so chaotic, and such a mess that I don’t have pronounced principles to stand by, because I feel like it’s all hopeless.” It will be driven by special interests, he predicted, and hallmarked by an inability to cooperate. And while space tourism is one thing, mining and colonization of the moon and asteroids is another. “It’s going to be extractive capitalism all over again,” he said. “And how will global governments deal with it?” Back on Earth, most people can’t even see the night sky. There is hope, even for heavily light-polluted areas. National parks and preserves are natural dark sky candidates, but that doesn't mean it's impossible elsewhere. The Fountain Hills neighborhood in sprawling metropolitan Phoenix, for instance, is a certified dark sky place. The rise of astrotourism — people traveling to places specifically for their dark skies — indicates a growing awareness of what we cannot see. “What we all hope is that it will spill over into urban and suburban areas,” Koerner said. “Even though they're developed and populated, they don't need to be as light polluted as they are.” In the end, we're left with the draw of artificial light: It can illuminate — and darken — at will.

Gatekeeping is something that's brought up a lot, isn't it? It's frowned upon, obviously enough, as obnoxious, off-putting, and generally unnecessary – whether we're talking about gaming, music, movies, books, you name it. New fans aren't going to ruin Metallica for you just because they're, well, new, and they like St Anger. I'm not here to talk about that trashcan snare drum, though – no. I'm here to talk about PC gaming and how absolutely diabolically expensive it's become to even get yourself into the ecosystem. It's dumb. Real dumb. I bought my first gaming PC back in 2011. It was a pretty solid build back in the day: Core-i5 2500K, 8GB of DDR3, a nice BitFenix Shinobi chassis, the works. The crowning glory in that thing, though, was the graphics card, an Twin Frozr GTX 460, complete with 1GB of VRAM, on 's Fermi architecture at 40nm. Perfect for a bit of raiding with my guild at the time. It's a card that retailed for $250, but I paid around half that for the GPU (£130 in the UK to be precise). In January 2013, I upgraded to a GTX 660, Asus DirectCU II, with 2GB of VRAM. That card was available for £155 (retailing at $229), offering much more performance and twice as much memory (for less money in the US). Flash forward to 2024, and it’s a whole other ball game. To get even close to a similar model, you're looking at a minimum of around $320, and that's on the low-end. That's an increase of 40% over that 11-year time frame. Take mid-range and high-end cards though, crammed with even more goodies, and that price shoots up even higher. RTX 4090s debuted at, what, $1,800? Even the best Titans used to land around the $800 to $1,000 mark back in the day. That's nearly double the cost for the flagship GPU of choice. The thing is, though, the more you look into the details – into how it's all lining up – the more you realize that actually a lot of this price hiking ties into inflation quite nicely. Certainly with the more , anyway. $229 in 2013 works out at around $310 in today's money – about right for the low-end pricing I mentioned. I'd be less begrudging if economies of scale weren't a thing, and you know, continued advancement and production improvements should lead to a reduction in overall cost, like we've seen in TVs for example. Yes, of course, there's the argument that these companies need to make money, and there are R&D costs involved, but even so, graphics cards and products just haven't dropped in price like they used to gen-on-gen. And the thing is, these companies clearly have the profit margins to do it. With the current inflationary pressures out there globally, Nvidia, , and Intel all launched new product lines in the last 12 months, all of which either match or are cheaper than their similarly named predecessors. A good PR move – and a smart sales move. Buying power, build complexity, and influencers I believe there are far more complex issues at work here. As far as I can see, there are three primary reasons why buying a mid-range gaming PC today is far more painful than it used to be on the old wallet. First on the agenda, localized buying power has not kept up with inflation. Certainly not in the US. If you look at real median household income in the States from 2013 to 2023, it increased by just 18.2%, a far cry from that 35.4% cumulative inflation over the same period. Simply put, wages haven't kept up with rising costs. Why that’s the case is more an argument for those in the political sector than for me, but the stats don't lie, and its impact is clear. The second, and more pressing factor, is the radical increase in companies making ever fancier components across every facet of a modern-day gaming PC build. Although entry-level and mid-range graphics cards (that still make up the vast bulk of sales, I might add) are amazingly on target for affordability lining up with inflation, the rest of the PC ecosystem isn't. Higher-end GPUs, as well as CPUs, motherboards, RAM, and SSDs have all seen major increases in overall costs. Certainly, if you compare product lines, Asus ROG Hero motherboards used to come in at just under, or over, the $200 mark – and now one of the latest models will set you back nearly $700. And then there's everything else. Cooling, lighting, fans, custom keyboards, monitors, the works. Everything is a specialist product now, and that all adds to the overall build cost of a PC. Lastly, in part thanks to influencers, and the internet more broadly, it's no longer enough to just have a non-windowed chassis packed with the core hardware. The humble gaming PC has become an ornament, littered with RGB lights and enough accessories to make even the most avid of kleptomaniacs blush. It's a struggle to stay five minutes on social media without getting fed an Instagram Reel or Short of someone showing off an epic PC build, or gaming den, complete with a $1,200 GPU and RGB lighting that costs nearly as much. All of that comes together to push an average system build well out of reach of an average wallet. Consoles aren't faring any better either, with the likes of the PS5 Pro debuting at nearly $700. Once upon a time, building a custom gaming PC that was more potent than a console for similar(ish) money was a good reason to jump on the PC bandwagon. Now, it's a pipe dream. A memory from within the mists of time. Intel leads the way, weirdly That's why Intel's latest move with its Arc B580 graphics card has got so many people talking (in a positive way for once). Its latest generation of desktop processors (Core Ultra 200S) might not have been released quite as oven-ready as Intel had hoped, but Team Blue's new Battlemage graphics card? Oh boy, it is top-notch, at least on the value front. Our own John Loeffler took a look at the at the tail-end of 2024, and it absolutely stomps 1440p gaming, which, let's face it, is slowly becoming the de facto resolution for most modern PCs at this point (sorry , you're still too damn expensive). But the big thing, by far, isn't the fact that the B580 does very well in pretty much every game you throw at the GPU currently, beating out the likes of the Nvidia RTX 4060 and AMD RX 7600 XT. No – it’s the fact that it does this while being 20% cheaper than the cheapest of those cards, and it easily outguns the RTX 4060 Ti in terms of value proposition given the relative performance of the two GPUs. Well played, Intel. Well played. Team Blue has made a grand statement with this thing. Intel has repeatedly said it aims to target the entry-level gaming market, and if I'm honest, I'm glad. AMD used to hold that mantle nicely, beating Nvidia in the lower-end price bracket while Team Green dominated the high-end – but those plucky Team Red GPUs have since lost their affordable sheen. Intel, with its Arc GPU line, seems to be pulling back some serious street cred – well, at least for the time being. This'll hopefully lead to both AMD and Nvidia countering with their own price cuts, and that's going to be a major positive for all of us. Where will all this lead? Still, this is just one drop in the ocean. One component out of many. PCs are still too expensive. The , and more and more we're seeing this ecosystem that used to be so inclusive, just price people out. If you want to get into PC gaming, or even console gaming, it is now so difficult with modern hardware. This is just a fact. You want the best experience? Best take out a loan or remortgage the house. There's always been an "us and them" mentality when it comes to PC gaming. Always a Red versus Blue, or Green versus Red, or PC versus console conflict. The latter in particular is an age-old tale, but not one that stemmed from cost – it was built off the back of issues like ease of use, graphical fidelity, or mouse and keyboard versus controller. There wasn't artificial financial gatekeeping as there is now. The thing is, unless there's a radical shift in the world of PC components, and the way they're made, it's difficult to see how there will be any change. Prices are only going to creep up higher, wages are only going to stagnate further, and the situation can only escalate. Combine that with the threat of Trump’s trade tariffs in the US adding an extra 20% to 60% onto the cost of those imported components, and, well, you've got a recipe for disaster. The glimmer of hope, for GPUs anyway, is that challenge presented to the current duopoly by Intel's Arc Battlemage and the new B580 – and the hope that a rumored B770 model might prompt some further price cuts (although the high-end is set to remain Nvidia's domain, sadly).

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How To Watch FIDE World Championship 2024 Game 3 - Chess.comThe rising price of paying the national debt is a risk for Trump's promises on growth and inflation WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has big plans for the economy. He also has big debt problem that'll be a hurdle to delivering on those plan. Trump has bold ambitions on tax cuts, tariffs and other programs. But high interest rates and the price of repaying the federal government’s existing debt could limit what he’s able to do. The federal debt stands at roughly $36 trillion, and the spike in inflation after the pandemic has pushed up the government’s borrowing costs such that debt service next year will easily exceed spending on national security. 'Wicked' and 'Gladiator' make gravity-defying theater debuts NEW YORK (AP) — “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” have debuted in theaters with a combined $270 million in ticket sales. Their worldwide performance breathed fresh life into global box office results that have struggled lately. Together the films turned the moviegoing weekend into one of the busiest of the year. Jon M. Chu’s lavish big-budget musical “Wicked,” starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, debuted with $114 million domestically and $164.2 million globally. Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” is a sequel to his 2000 best picture-winning original and launched with $55.5 million in ticket sales. “Moana 2” is being released Wednesday, so it looks like Hollywood might be looking at historic sales over the Thanksgiving holiday. Trump's Republican Party is increasingly winning union voters. It's a shift seen in his labor pick WASHINGTON (AP) — Working-class voters helped Republicans make steady election gains this year and expanded a coalition that increasingly includes rank-and-file union members. It's a political shift spotlighting one of President-elect Donald Trump’s latest Cabinet picks: a GOP congresswoman, who has drawn labor support, to be his labor secretary. Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her bid for a second term this month, despite strong backing from union members. They're a key part of the Democratic base but are gravitating in the Trump era toward a Republican Party traditionally allied with business interests. Trump raced to pick many Cabinet posts. He took more time to settle on a treasury secretary WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump launched a blitz of picks for his Cabinet, but he took his time settling on billionaire investor Scott Bessent as his choice for treasury secretary. The Republican not only wanted someone who jibes with him, but an official who can execute his economic vision and look straight out of central casting while doing so. With his Yale University education and pedigree trading for Soros Fund Management before establishing his own funds, Bessent will be tasked with a delicate balancing act. Trump expects him to help reset the global trade order, enable trillions of dollars in tax cuts, ensure inflation stays in check, manage a ballooning national debt and still keep the financial markets confident. Trump chooses Bessent to be treasury secretary, Vought as budget chief, Chavez-DeRemer for Labor WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has chosen hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, an advocate for deficit reduction, to serve as his next treasury secretary. Bessent, 62, is founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management. He previously had worked on and off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. Trump also said he would nominate Russell Vought, 48, to lead the Office of Management and Budget, a position he held during Trump's first term. And Trump chose Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, an Oregon Republican, as his labor secretary, and Scott Turner, a former football player who worked in Trump’s first administration, as his housing secretary. Afraid of losing the US-Canada trade pact, Mexico alters its laws and removes Chinese parts MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico has been taking a bashing for allegedly serving as a conduit for Chinese parts and products into North America. Officials here are terrified that a re-elected Donald Trump or politically struggling Justin Trudeau could simply expel their country from the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement. Mexico's ruling Morena party is so afraid its has gone on a campaign to get companies to replace Chinese parts with locally made ones. And its legislators are consciously tweaking the wording of major laws to try to make them compatible with the trade pact's language. Mexico hopes the rules of the trade pact would prevent the U.S. or Canada from simply walking away. Australia withdraws a misinformation bill after critics compare it to censorship CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia’s government has withdrawn a bill that would give a media watchdog power to monitor digital platforms and require them to keep records about misinformation and disinformation on their networks. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said Sunday that the government was unable to drum up the support needed to pass the legislation. The opposition spokesman, David Coleman, said the bill “betrayed our democracy” and amounted to “censorship laws in Australia.” The bill would have granted the Australian Communications and Media Authority power over digital platforms by approving an enforceable code of conduct or standards for social media companies if self-regulation fell short. He'll be the last meatpacker in the Meatpacking District. Here's how NYC's gritty 'hood got chic NEW YORK (AP) — The last meatpackers in New York's Meatpacking District have agreed to end their leases early and make way for development on their city-owned lot. A third-generation meatpacker says he is ready to retire and he'll be proud to be there when the building closes. The closure date has not been set, but will mark the end of over a century of industrial life in the Meatpacking District. Starting in the 1970s, a new nightlife scene emerged as bars and nightclubs moved in. Today it's a hub for shopping, tourism, and recreation and only echoes of that grit remain. US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems? DALLAS (AP) — Delta and United Airlines have become the most profitable U.S. airlines by targeting premium customers while also winning a significant share of budget travelers. That is squeezing smaller low-fare carriers like Spirit Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday. Some travel industry experts think Spirit’s troubles indicate less-wealthy passengers will have fewer choices and higher prices. Other discount airlines are on better financial footing but also are lagging far behind the full-service airlines when it comes to recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Most industry experts think Frontier and other so-called ultra-low-cost carriers will fill the vacuum if Spirit shrinks, and that there's still plenty of competition to prevent prices from spiking. What to know about Scott Bessent, Trump's pick for treasury secretary WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has chosen money manager Scott Bessent, an advocate for deficit reduction and deregulation, to serve as his next treasury secretary. Bessent is a past supporter of Democrats who has become an enthusiastic supporter of Trump. He’s an advocate of cutting spending while extending the tax cuts approved by Congress in Trump’s first term. He has said tariffs imposed during a second Trump administration would be directed primarily at China.

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BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 22, 2024-- In recognition of its local collaboration, commitment to modernizing the electric system and support of clean energy goals, Eversource and its local partner BXP have been selected to receive a 2024 Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Annual Visionary Award for their partnership on the innovative Greater Cambridge Energy Program (GCEP), which includes the development of a first-of-its-kind underground electrical substation. The Visionary Awards & Gala took place on November 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122421270/en/ Eversource and BXP accept the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Annual Visionary Award. (Photo: Business Wire) Among other innovative technologies, GCEP will include the nation’s largest underground substation—a 35,000-square-foot facility 120 feet beneath a public green space at BXP’s Life Sciences Center in Kendall Square. It will also feature eight underground transmission lines spanning 8.3 miles across Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston, plus 48 distribution lines and significant upgrades to local substations or clean energy hubs to enhance power reliability, resilience, and support for a growing electric demand driven by the electrification of transportation and heating. “Our dedicated employees work every day to ensure a reliable, more sustainable energy future, and we are truly honored to receive this award from the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce,” said Bill Quinlan, Eversource President of Transmission and Offshore Wind Projects. “This recognition emphasizes the critical role of collaboration and compromise in delivering innovative solutions that meet the unique needs of the communities we serve. We’re pleased to have had the opportunity to collaborate with BXP, the City of Cambridge, the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, as well as the City of Somerville and Allston/Brighton on this important project. By investing in advanced technologies and infrastructure, we aim to meet the evolving energy needs of our customers in an environmentally responsible way, creating a cleaner, more resilient, and efficient grid for the future.” The Visionary Awards recognize innovators from the business, institutional, and non-profit communities who are truly effecting change in Cambridge and beyond. This special evening is an opportunity for the Cambridge business community to celebrate these change agents and their extraordinary impact on improving the lives of others. Additional information about the project is available on the company’s Greater Cambridge Energy Program’s web page. More information on the energy company’s year-round work to strengthen and modernize the electric system for customers can be found on the reliability page of Eversource's website . Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, is among the top energy companies in Newsweek ’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2024 and recognized as a Five-Year Champion , appearing in every edition of the list. Eversource transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas and supplies water to 1.8 million customers throughout Massachusetts, including approximately 1.47 million electric customers in 140 communities, 639,000 gas customers in 117 communities, and 11,500 water customers in five communities. Eversource harnesses the commitment of approximately 10,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. The #1 energy efficiency provider in the nation, the company is empowering a clean energy future in the Northeast, with nationally recognized energy efficiency solutions and successful programs to integrate new clean energy resources like a first-in-the-nation networked geothermal pilot project, solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery storage, into the electric system. For more information, please visit eversource.com , and follow us on X , Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . For more information on our water services, visit aquarionwater.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122421270/en/ CONTACT: Kyle Costa 774-464-8185 kyle.costa@eversource.com KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: GREEN TECHNOLOGY ENERGY ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINABILITY UTILITIES SOURCE: Eversource Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/22/2024 01:34 PM/DISC: 11/22/2024 01:34 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122421270/enThese new California laws will go into effect in 2025Software company recognizes Manhattan Municipal Court

Confident Bucs gear up for stretch run against lighter season-ending scheduleThese new California laws will go into effect in 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden kicked off his final holiday season at the White House on Monday by issuing the traditional reprieve to two turkeys who will bypass the Thanksgiving table to live out their days in southern Minnesota. Biden welcomed 2,500 guests to the South Lawn under sunny skies as he cracked jokes about the fates of “Peach” and “Blossom” and sounded wistful tones about the last weeks of his presidency after a half-century in Washington power circles. “It’s been the honor of my life. I’m forever grateful,” Biden said, taking note of his impending departure on Jan. 20, 2025. That's when power will transfer to Republican President-elect Donald Trump, the man Biden defeated four years ago and was battling again until he was pressured to bow out of the race amid concerns about his age and viability. Biden is 82. Until Inauguration Day, the president and first lady Jill Biden will continue a busy run of festivities that will double as their long goodbye. The White House schedule in December is replete with holiday parties for various constituencies, from West Wing staff to members of Congress and the White House press corps. Biden relished the brief ceremony with the pardoned turkeys, named for the official flower of the president's home state of Delaware. “The peach pie in my state is one of my favorites,” he said during remarks that were occasionally interrupted by Peach gobbling atop the table to Biden's right. “Peach is making a last-minute plea,” Biden said at one point, drawing laughter from an overflow crowd that included Cabinet members, White House staff and their families, and students from 4H programs and Future Farmers of America chapters. Biden introduced Peach as a bird who “lives by the motto, ‘Keep calm and gobble on.’” Blossom, the president said, has a different motto: “No fowl play. Just Minnesota nice.” Peach and Blossom came from the farm of John Zimmerman, near the southern Minnesota city of Northfield. Zimmerman, who has raised about 4 million turkeys, is president of the National Turkey Federation, the group that has gifted U.S. presidents Thanksgiving turkeys since the Truman administration after World War II. President Harry Truman, however, preferred to eat the birds. Official pardon ceremonies did not become an annual White House tradition until the administration of President George H.W. Bush in 1989. With their presidential reprieve, Peach and Blossom will live out their days at Farmamerica, an agriculture interpretative center near Waseca in southern Minnesota. The center's aim is to promote agriculture and educate future farmers and others about agriculture in America. Separately Monday, first lady Jill Biden received the official White House Christmas tree that will be decorated and put on display in the Blue Room. The 18.5 foot (5.64 meters) Fraser fir came from a farm in an area of western North Carolina that recently was devastated by Hurricane Helene . Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm lost thousands of trees in the storm “but this one remained standing and they named it ‘Tremendous’ for the extraordinary hope that it represents,” Jill Biden said at the event. The Bidens also traveled to New York City on Monday for an evening “Friendsgiving” event at a Coast Guard station on Staten Island. Biden began his valedictory calendar Friday night with a gala for hundreds of his friends, supporters and staff members who gathered in a pavilion erected on the South Lawn, with a view out to the Lincoln Memorial. Cabinet secretaries, Democratic donors and his longest-serving staff members came together to hear from the president and pay tribute, with no evidence that Biden was effectively forced from the Democratic ticket this summer and watched Vice President Kamala Harris suffer defeat on Nov. 5. “I’m so proud that we’ve done all of this with a deep belief in the core values of America,” said Biden, sporting a tuxedo for the black-tie event. Setting aside his criticisms of Trump as a fundamental threat to democracy, Biden added his characteristic national cheerleading: “I fully believe that America is better positioned to lead the world today than at any point in my 50 years of public service.” The first lady toasted her husband with a nod to his 2020 campaign promise to “restore the soul of the nation,” in Trump’s aftermath. With the results on Election Day, however, Biden’s four years now become sandwiched in the middle of an era dominated by Trump's presence on the national stage and in the White House. Even as the first couple avoided the context surrounding the president's coming exit, those political realities were nonetheless apparent, as younger Democrats like Maryland Gov. Wes Moore , Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Biden's Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg not only raised their glasses to the president but held forth with many attendees who could remain in the party's power circles in the 2028 election cycle and beyond. ___ Associated Press writer Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis contributed to this report.Labour promised ‘growth, growth, growth’... if they mean it, cut public sector and boost private sectorBloom Ranch & Dr. Bill Releford Partner with Los Angeles Rams for PLAY 60 Field Day Giving Tuesday Event

Representative Image Indonesia has reportedly rejected Apple's $100 million investment proposal, deeming it insufficient to meet the country's "fairness" principles. The government is seeking further negotiations before lifting a ban on iPhone 16 sales. Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita criticized Apple's investment disparity between Indonesia and Vietnam. While Apple has poured billions into Vietnam's manufacturing facilities, its investment in Indonesia, a larger market, has been significantly less. “We want Apple to return to do business here but we need a fair resolution,” Kartasasmita said, as per a report in Bloomberg. He further added, “We want Apple to send negotiation teams to meet us.” Why Indonesia has banned new iPhones Indonesia's ban on iPhone 16 sales stems from Apple's failure to comply with local content regulations, which require 40% of phone components to be sourced domestically. The government is pushing for increased local manufacturing and investment from tech giants like Apple. Apple's latest offer, a $100 million investment, is still considered inadequate by Indonesian officials. The government is demanding that Apple fulfill its 2023 investment pledge, provide a more substantial offer for 2024-2026, and ultimately establish a manufacturing plant in Indonesia. This isn't the first time Indonesia has taken a tough stance on foreign tech companies. The country has also banned Google Pixel phones due to similar investment issues and imposed restrictions on TikTok's shopping feature. While Apple may not be a dominant player in the Indonesian smartphone market, the country's large and growing tech-savvy population presents a significant opportunity for the company. Both parties are working towards a resolution that benefits both sides, but the future of Apple products in Indonesia remains uncertain.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted amid mixed trading Monday, ahead of this week’s upcoming meeting by the Federal Reserve that could set Wall Street’s direction into next year. The S&P 500 rose 0.4%, coming off its first losing week in the last four . The Nasdaq composite climbed 1.2% to a record, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was a laggard and fell 110 points, or 0.3%. Broadcom leaped 11.2% to help lead the S&P 500 for a second straight day after delivering a profit report last week that beat analysts’ expectations. The technology company is riding a wave of enthusiasm about its artificial-intelligence offerings in particular. The market’s main event, though, will arrive on Wednesday when the Federal Reserve will announce its last move on interest rates for the year. The widespread expectation is that it will cut its main rate for a third straight time, as it tries to boost the slowing job market after getting inflation nearly all the way down to its target of 2%. The question is how much more it will cut rates next year, and Fed officials will release projections for where they see the federal funds rate ending 2025, along with other economic indicators, once their meeting concludes. Fed Chair Jerome Powell will also answer questions in a press conference following the meeting. For now, the general expectation among traders is that the Fed may cut a couple more times in 2025, according to data from CME Group. But such expectations have been shrinking following reports suggesting inflation may be tougher to get all the way down to 2% from here. Besides last month’s slight acceleration in inflation, another worry is that President-elect Donald Trump’s preferences for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation down the line. Goldman Sachs economist David Mericle has dropped his earlier forecast of a cut by the Fed in January, for example. Beyond the possibility of tariffs, he said Fed officials may also want to slow their cuts because of uncertainty about exactly how low rates need to go so that they no longer press the brakes on the economy. Expectations for a series of cuts to rates by the Fed have been one of the main reasons the S&P 500 has set an all-time high 57 times so far this year and is heading for one of its best years of the millennium . The economy has held up better than many feared, continuing to grow even after the Fed hiked the federal funds rate to a two-decade high in hopes of grinding down on inflation, which topped 9% two summers ago. On Wall Street, MicroStrategy jumped as much as 7% during the day as it continues to benefit from the surging price for bitcoin , which set another all-time high. But its stock ended the day down by les than 0.1% after bitcoin’s price pulled back below $106,000 after setting a record above $107,700, according to CoinDesk. The software company has been building its hoard of the cryptocurrency, and its stock price has more than sextupled this year. It will also soon join the Nasdaq 100 index. Bitcoin’s price has catapulted from roughly $44,000 at the start of the year, riding a recent wave of enthusiasm that Trump will create a system that’s more favorable to digital currencies . Honeywell rose 3.7% after saying it’s still considering a spin-off or sale of its aerospace business, as part of a review of its overall business. It said it plans to give an update with the release of its fourth-quarter results. They helped offset a drop for Nvidia, whose chips are powering much of the world’s move into AI. Its stock fell 1.7%. Because it’s grown so massive, with a total value topping $3 trillion, it was the single heaviest weight on the S&P 500. All told, the S&P 500 rose 22.99 points to 6,074.08. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 110.58 to 43,717.48, and the Nasdaq composite rose 247.17 to 20,173.89. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.39% from 4.40% late Friday. The two-year yield, which more closely tracks expectations for the Fed, eased to 4.24% from 4.25%. In stock markets abroad, indexes fell modestly across much of Europe and Asia. They sank 0.9% in Hong Kong and 0.2% in Shanghai after China reported lackluster economic indicators for November despite attempts to strengthen the world’s second-largest economy. South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.2% as law enforcement authorities pushed to summon impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning over his short-lived martial law decree, and the Constitutional Court met to discuss whether to remove him from office or reinstate him. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.Greg Gumbel, the renowned CBS Sports anchor and commentator, has died at the age of 78. His family confirmed the news in a statement on Friday, saying: It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel. He passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer. Greg approached his illness like one would expect he would, with stoicism, grace, and positivity. He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten. Greg's memory will forever be treasured by his family, dearest friends, colleagues and all who loved him. — Marcy & Michelle Gumbel Gumbel served as a play-by-play announcer and studio host for CBS Sports , and previously spent years on air for NBC Sports. He won legions of fans with his work hosting coverage ranging from "The NFL Today" to several Super Bowls and Olympic Games. In 2022, he celebrated his 50th year of broadcasting. "The CBS Sports family is devastated by the passing of Greg Gumbel. There has never been a finer gentleman in all of television. He was beloved and respected by those of us who had the honor to call him a friend and colleague," said David Berson, the president & CEO of CBS Sports. "A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time. He was a familiar and welcoming voice for fans across many sports, including the NFL and March Madness, highlighted by the Super Bowl and Final Four," Berson said. "Greg broke barriers and set the standard for others to follow. It is an extremely sad day for all of us at CBS Sports and the entire sports community. We will miss Greg dearly, and send our deepest condolences to his wife Marcy, daughter Michelle, and his entire family." Gumbel was born in New Orleans on May 3, 1946, and grew up in Chicago. He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1967. Gumbel joined CBS Sports in 1989 after years of hosting and play-play duties for New York Knicks basketball and New York Yankees baseball for the Madison Square Garden Network, as well as three other weekly MSGN programs, which earned him a local Emmy Award. He also has worked for ESPN, WMAQ-TV Chicago, where he won two local Emmys, and WFAN Radio in New York City At CBS Sports, he hosted "The NFL Today," the network's NFL pre-game, halftime and post-game studio show, from 1990-93 and 2004-05, including Super Bowl XXVI in 1992, Super Bowl XLVII in 2013, and Super Bowl 50 in 2016. He served as primetime anchor of CBS Sports' coverage of the 1994 Olympic Winter Games and as co-anchor of the network's weekday morning broadcasts of the 1992 Olympic Winter Games. Gumbel also served as host of the network's coverage of "Speedweeks" from Daytona International Speedway in 1999, as well as host and play-by-play announcer for the College World Series. His other roles have included play-by-play announcer for regular-season and post-season Major League Baseball, host of the 1990 All-Star Game at Wrigley Field in Chicago and college football broadcasts for CBS Sports. In 1994, he went to NBC Sports for several years, serving as host of "The NFL on NBC" pre-game show and NBC's Super Bowl pre-game shows in 1996 and 1998. He hosted the pre-game show for the 1994 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and was a play-by-play announcer on NBC's "Baseball Night in America." Gumbel also served as a play-by-play announcer for "The NBA on NBC." He was the host of the 1995 World Figure Skating Championships and of NBC's daytime coverage of the 1996 Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta. Gumbel returned to CBS Sports in 1998 as host and play-by-play announcer for college basketball and "The NFL on CBS." He teamed for six seasons with analyst Phil Simms to form the CBS Television Network's lead NFL announce team. He called CBS's coverage of Super Bowls XXXV and XXXVIII, at the time making him the first network broadcaster to call play-by-play and host a Super Bowl. Gumbel hosted "The NFL Today" for two seasons in 2004 and 2005 before returning to the booth to team with Dan Dierdorf for eight seasons, through 2013. He served as host of "Inside the NFL" on SHOWTIME in 2014 alongside analysts Phil Simms, Boomer Esiason, Ed Reed and Brandon Marshall. At CBS, Gumbel also provided play-by-play for regular-season college basketball and the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship, NBA regular-season and playoff games and College World Series championship games. Gumbel was the recipient of the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports broadcasting. Outside the studio, Gumbel was a decadeslong supporter of the March of Dimes, serving two six-year terms as a member of the March of Dimes Board of Trustees and an additional 18 years as a member of the organization's National Board of Advisors. For 16 years, Gumbel was also been a member of the Sports Council for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, which provides direction and guidance for the mission of that organization. He also served as member of the Board of Regents for his alma mater, Loras College, since 2009.Apple readies more conversational Siri in bid to catch up in AI

jili okbet By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday voiced his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports, saying that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. Related Articles National Politics | Will Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026? The question is already swirling National Politics | Biden says healthy women help US prosperity as he highlights White House initiative on their health National Politics | Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America National Politics | Trump extends unprecedented invites to China’s Xi and other world leaders for his inauguration National Politics | Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump The incoming president posted on social media that he met Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoreman’s Association, and Dennis Daggett, the union’s executive vice president. “I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump posted. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers. The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to “supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products.” “To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains,” said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump. In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas. The issue pits an incoming president who won November’s election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk. Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal. There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports. Instead, Trump said that ports and shipping companies should eschew “machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced.” “For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries,” Trump posted. “It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!”

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score, and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana 38-15 on Saturday. All Ohio State (10-1, 7-1) has to do now is beat Michigan at home next Saturday and it will earn a return to the Big Ten championship game for the first time since 2020 and get a rematch with No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks beat Ohio State 32-31 in a wild one back on Oct. 12. The Hoosiers (10-1, 7-1) had their best chance to beat the Buckeyes for the first time since 1988 but were hurt by special teams mistakes and disrupted by an Ohio State defense that sacked quarterback Kurtis Rourke five times. Howard finished 22 for 26 for 201 yards. Emeka Egbuka had seven catches for 80 yards and a TD. NO. 25 ILLINOIS 38, RUTGERS 31: Luke Altmyer found Pat Bryant for a catch-and-run, 40-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left, sending Illinois to a wild road victory over Rutgers. Illinois (8-3, 5-3) was down 31-30 when it sent long kicker Ethan Moczulski out for a desperation 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds to go. Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) coach Greg Schiano then called for a timeout right before Moczulski’s attempt was wide left and about 15 yards short. After the missed field goal was waved off by the timeout, Illinois coach Bret Bielema sent his offense back on the field. Altmyer hit Bryant on an in cut on the left side at the 22, and he continued across the field and scored untouched in a game that featured three lead changes in the final 3:07. IOWA 29, MARYLAND 13: Kaleb Johnson rushed for 164 yards and a touchdown on a career-high 35 carries, and Kamari Moulton scored on a 68-yard run in the fourth quarter to help Iowa outlast Maryland in College Park. Johnson scored from 2 yards out in the second quarter for his 21st rushing touchdown of the season, and the Hawkeyes (7-4, 5-3) rebounded from their loss to UCLA in their previous game. Maryland (4-7, 1-7) needed to win its final two regular-season games to reach six wins and bowl eligibility, but the Terrapins were dominated in the first half and eventually fell behind 16-0. Drew Stevens made five field goals for Iowa, including kicks from 54 yards in the second quarter, then 50 and 49 in the third. LATE FRIDAY MICHIGAN STATE 24, PURDUE 17: Aidan Chiles threw for two scores in the first half to build a three-touchdown lead and Michigan State (5-6, 3-5) held on to beat Purdue (1-10, 0-8) at home. The Spartans are a win away from being eligible for a bowl with first-year coach Jonathan Smith and they play Rutgers at home in the final regular-season game. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Building Large-Scale Machine Learning/AI Systems with Niloy GuptaSHAREHOLDER ALERT: Pomerantz Law Firm Investigates Claims On Behalf of Investors of ASP Isotopes Inc. - ASPI

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score, and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana 38-15 on Saturday. All Ohio State (10-1, 7-1) has to do now is beat Michigan at home next Saturday and it will earn a return to the Big Ten championship game for the first time since 2020 and get a rematch with No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks beat Ohio State 32-31 in a wild one back on Oct. 12. The Hoosiers (10-1, 7-1) had their best chance to beat the Buckeyes for the first time since 1988 but were hurt by special teams mistakes and disrupted by an Ohio State defense that sacked quarterback Kurtis Rourke five times. Howard finished 22 for 26 for 201 yards. Emeka Egbuka had seven catches for 80 yards and a TD. NO. 25 ILLINOIS 38, RUTGERS 31: Luke Altmyer found Pat Bryant for a catch-and-run, 40-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left, sending Illinois to a wild road victory over Rutgers. Illinois (8-3, 5-3) was down 31-30 when it sent long kicker Ethan Moczulski out for a desperation 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds to go. Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) coach Greg Schiano then called for a timeout right before Moczulski’s attempt was wide left and about 15 yards short. After the missed field goal was waved off by the timeout, Illinois coach Bret Bielema sent his offense back on the field. Altmyer hit Bryant on an in cut on the left side at the 22, and he continued across the field and scored untouched in a game that featured three lead changes in the final 3:07. IOWA 29, MARYLAND 13: Kaleb Johnson rushed for 164 yards and a touchdown on a career-high 35 carries, and Kamari Moulton scored on a 68-yard run in the fourth quarter to help Iowa outlast Maryland in College Park. Johnson scored from 2 yards out in the second quarter for his 21st rushing touchdown of the season, and the Hawkeyes (7-4, 5-3) rebounded from their loss to UCLA in their previous game. Maryland (4-7, 1-7) needed to win its final two regular-season games to reach six wins and bowl eligibility, but the Terrapins were dominated in the first half and eventually fell behind 16-0. Drew Stevens made five field goals for Iowa, including kicks from 54 yards in the second quarter, then 50 and 49 in the third. LATE FRIDAY MICHIGAN STATE 24, PURDUE 17: Aidan Chiles threw for two scores in the first half to build a three-touchdown lead and Michigan State (5-6, 3-5) held on to beat Purdue (1-10, 0-8) at home. The Spartans are a win away from being eligible for a bowl with first-year coach Jonathan Smith and they play Rutgers at home in the final regular-season game. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!NI traffic alerts: Fermanagh road closed due to ‘carriageway subsidence’

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The public reaction to the developments in the Bu'an case has been one of shock and disbelief. Many are still coming to terms with the fact that individuals implicated in the incident could be capable of such wrongdoing. The gravity of the situation has highlighted the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served.

In a recent development that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of China, Tang Renjian, the former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, has been arrested on charges of bribery. The case has brought to light allegations of corruption and mismanagement within a critical government department, sparking concerns about the effectiveness of leadership and governance in the country's agriculture sector.The story of the 39 search and rescue dogs in Yunnan serves as a reminder of the challenges and successes that come with training these special animals. While the failure of the majority of the batch is disheartening, it also highlights the resilience and determination of both the dogs and the trainers involved in the program. The public's response in wanting to adopt the dogs shows the deep connection and appreciation for the valuable work these animals do.Adding to the excitement is the announcement of multiple new skins that are set to be released alongside the new legend. These new skins promise to present Sun Ce in a fresh and exciting way, offering fans a glimpse of the hero in different settings and scenarios. From sleek, modern designs to traditional, historical interpretations, the new skins are sure to captivate audiences and reignite interest in Sun Ce's character.

LONDON -- stepped up their pursuit of leaders by sealing a 2-0 win against at the Emirates on Wednesday, once again highlighting their peerless ability to score from set pieces. Second-half goals from and , both from corners, clinched a comfortable win for the Gunners that left United coach Ruben Amorim with his first defeat since taking charge at Old Trafford last month. With Liverpool dropping two points after being held to a dramatic 3-3 draw against Newcastle at St. James' Park, Arsenal reduced the gap between themselves and Arne Slot's team to seven points with the win against United. First defeat for Amorim, but Man United show progress Amorim warned that a "storm will come" ahead of Manchester United's visit to Arsenal. The new United coach arrived at the Emirates unbeaten in three games since arriving at the club last month, but the defeat against Arsenal ended that unblemished start. Amorim said he expected United to endure a difficult period and that might now come considering a run of games that sees his side play , Tottenham and Newcastle before the end of the month. But, while United were well-beaten in the end by the Gunners, there was enough shown by the players to suggest that Amorim's influence is beginning to have an effect. For a start, United played with purpose for much of this game and had a clear plan of what was expected of them. Amorim and his coaches have clearly drilled the players on the training ground and the back three looks convincing and in midfield, captain looks like he could be a solution in a deeper-lying role. brought energy and tactical awareness to his position further forward and 's appearance as a second-half substitute was the French teenager's first competitive game since his summer arrival from following a lengthy foot injury lay-off. The manner of United's defeat -- two goals conceded from two corners -- and the way his team ran out of steam late in the game will be a concern, however. Amorim has already cited the need to improve the squad's physical condition and that is a job that is still to be done. But there are signs of progress. Amorim is giving all his players a chance to make or break their United careers and he is seeing them win and now lose, which will help him learn more about their capabilities. By the time United return to the Emirates for an FA Cup third round tie in January, expect them to be better still and more likely to emerge with a positive result. Arsenal cut into Liverpool's lead Gunners manager Mikel Arteta last week warned Liverpool that a big lead at the top of the table is no guarantee of anything, suggesting that "suddenly when you think you have it, one day it collapses." A 3-3 draw at Newcastle does not constitute a collapse by Liverpool but it did present an opportunity for the chasing pack to chip away at their nine-point lead. and Manchester City did so in the slightly earlier kick-offs with wins against and respectively, ramping up the pressure on the Gunners to follow suit. They were just wrapping up those victories around the time Timber opened the scoring at Emirates Stadium on 54 minutes, settling palpable nerves in the stands after a first-half in which United did a good job of stifling their opponents. Arsenal held their nerve despite an opening 45 minutes in which they never really got going and Arteta will be pleased with the maturity his team showed in maintaining their composure and finding the breakthrough. From the moment they took the lead, United never seriously threatened aside from Matthijs De Ligt's 67th-minute header and, after Saliba's goal six minutes later, the Gunners were left to close a relatively comfortable win, which will fuel their self-belief that Liverpool can be caught. A winnable run of league games until the New Year awaits: away, at home, away and Ipswich at home. Maximum points would put Liverpool under further pressure. Amorim gives Man United energy from the touchline The new Manchester United head coach is a bundle of energy on the touchline, and his passion and drive is rubbing off on his new team. Erik ten Hag's successor was constantly coaching, cajoling and berating his players from the technical area, with left-back pretty much given a personal one-on-one coaching session as he attempted to deal with Arsenal's during the first-half. Amorim was organising his players, telling them to be more compact as a defensive unit and also urging them to hit Arsenal quicker on the break. His frustration, too, was evident whenever an attacking move broke down because his forwards -- usually -- cut back and failed to be more direct. There are shades of Jurgen Klopp in Amorim's actions on the touchline, although he has yet to be quite as critical of the officials as the former Liverpool manager. But compared to Ten Hag, who often stood motionless on the touchline with his hands in his pockets, Amorim is a much livelier character and his players feed off it because they know they have to step it up to impress their new boss. No Gabriel, no problem from set-pieces for Arsenal When made an embarrassing hash of a close-range near-post header in the eighth minute, it was tempting to speculate how much Arsenal would miss their biggest threat from set-pieces. They scored 32 Premier League goals from dead-ball situations last season -- a league high -- and from corners the figure is even starker. No Premier League team has scored more goals from corners since the start of last season than Arsenal's 22 and in the past three years, no defender has netted more than Gabriel's 15. As a reminder of the Brazilian's enduring threat, he scored in Arsenal's previous two matches before missing out here with a thigh injury -- against in the Champions League last week and then the opening goal in Saturday's 5-2 thrashing of West Ham. Instrumental in that corner routine at the London Stadium was Timber, whose gentle near-post nudge on enabled Gabriel to meet Bukayo Saka's delivery. This time, Timber got the telling touch himself from 's corner to score his first goal for the Gunners. They were at it again in the 73rd-minute. Saka's delivery to the far post found Partey unmarked and this time his header back across goal hit Saliba and flew in. Arteta celebrated both goals with Arsenal's set-piece coach Nicolas Jover -- it is a familiar sight these days and Arsenal's unparalleled potency from dead-ball situations decided another contest in their favour.

A top US official sought to quell growing concern Sunday over reported drone sightings in the country's northeast, reiterating there was no known security threat as authorities monitor the situation. President Joe Biden's administration has faced mounting criticism for not clearly identifying origins of the objects seen hovering over parts of New York and New Jersey. The criticism has come even from Biden's own party, with top Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer calling Sunday for action to make it easier for federal, state and local authorities to work together to detect and if need be "bring down" any drone seen to pose a threat. Video footage of mysterious airborne phenomena recently has clogged social media, with spottings also reported in Maryland and Virginia. "Some of those drone sightings are, in fact, drones. Some are manned aircraft that are commonly mistaken for drones," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Sunday on ABC's "This Week" program. "But there's no question that drones are being sighted," he said, noting there are more than one million registered across the United States. "I want to assure the American public that we are on it," he said. "If we identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will communicate with the American public accordingly. Right now, we are not aware of any." Even as Mayorkas sought to reassure the public, Boston police announced Sunday that two Massachusetts men had been arrested the previous night for allegedly conducting a "hazardous drone operation" near the city's Logan International Airport. State police were conducting a search for a third suspect, who authorities said fled the scene. Schumer, in a letter to Mayorkas Sunday, urged the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy special drone-detection technology across New York and New Jersey, since traditional radar struggles to detect such small objects. He also called for passage of legislation to explicitly authorize state and local law enforcement to work with federal agencies to detect and "bring down drones that threaten critical facilities or mass gatherings." Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, meanwhile expressed frustration at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over its communications around the issue. "The answer 'we don't know' is not a good enough answer," he told "Fox News Sunday." "When people are anxious... people will fill a vacuum with, you know, their fears and anxieties and conspiracy theories," he said, calling for the FAA to hold public briefings. White House national security spokesman John Kirby had previously said the aircraft could be lawfully operated planes or helicopters mistaken for drones. "While there is no known malicious activity occurring, the reported sightings there do, however, highlight a gap in authorities," he said Thursday, calling for Congress to pass new legislation to "extend and expand existing counter-drone authorities." New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Sunday that authorities had agreed to send a drone detection system to her state. "I am grateful for the support, but we need more. Congress must pass a law that will give us the power to deal directly with the drones," she said on X. On Friday, President-elect Donald Trump urged federal authorities to clearly identify the drones' origins. "Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!" he posted on social media. As the price of drones has fallen -- small quadcopter models with Wi-Fi camera capability can be purchased for as little as $40 -- their numbers and popularity have soared, making their presence in American skies a greater concern. acb/des/bbk/mlmWhen these 40 popular celebrities aren't busy creating blockbuster hits or winning NBA championships, you could probably catch them gaming. Check them out below. LeBron James In addition to being the best basketball player in the world, LeBron James is also a passionate gamer. The NBA star filmed a promotional spot for PlayStation in 2023, saying he's always "ready to get on the sticks." He also appeared in Netflix's Starting 5 , where he spoke about enjoying a relaxing night with a glass of wine and Madden . Patrick Mahomes Patrick Mahomes is too good of a quarterback to give up football; however, the Super Bowl champ has revealed that if he didn't play in the NFL, he'd be an Esports player. When asked what his favorite game was during a chat with CharlieIntel , he went with a classic: Call of Duty . Tyreek Hill It might be hard to believe, but Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill actually uses Madden to prepare the night before a big NFL game. "I feel like Madden has a good tell of how good players are," he said in a TikTok in 2023 . "So, I just play [the game] the night before." Noah Lyles Noah Lyles enjoys many things, including fitness, anime, and League of Legends . In fact, the Olympic champion has a massive desk with multiple monitors, custom keyboards, and wired mice for accuracy. Naomi Osaka We know Naomi Osaka is a powerhouse tennis player, but did you also know she's a big gamer? In an interview with Vanity Fair , the Olympian said gaming allows her to free her mind. "... it is a great escapism for me as I have always been into gaming and fantasy-type storytelling," she said. Stephen Nedoroscik In addition to enjoying mental games like Rubik's Cube, Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik is a huge fan of video games, specifically Rocket League . In August 2024, the athlete shared a video of himself playing the video game online. After the clip made its rounds, fans saw Steve was not just good. He's great. In the game, Nedoroscik is a Grand Champion and in the top 1.7% of players. Anthony Davis When Anthony Davis is not scoring buckets and snagging rebounds for the Los Angeles Lakers , the NBA champion enjoys playing several different video games , including Call of Duty , Halo , Grand Theft Auto , and, of course, NBA2K . But don't get it confused. When he plays the latter, he doesn't play as himself because he finds it "weird." Cam Newton Although it's been a few years since Cam Newtown has set foot on a football field, the NFL player still loves to play Madden in his free time. "I got two TVs, so I can have both a PlayStation and an Xbox going at once. When I’m finishing up one game, I can connect the other game up," he told Sports Illustrated . "People don’t really know that, but I’m really a nerd when it comes to getting good at a game. Madden brings out the nerd in me." Paul George Believe it or not, Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers has been "very good at video games" since he was a child. The Olympic gold medalist revealed more about his love for virtual gaming during an interview with the popular YouTube channel Built by Gamers . Damian Lillard The NBA isn't the only thing keeping Damian Lillard busy. When he's not putting the Milwaukee Bucks on his back or recording new music for his rap career, the 34-year-old told Sports Illustrated he's usually playing video games. Ariana Grande Some readers might be shocked to see that chart-topping singer Ariana Grande is a huge fan of video games. She has spoken about her love of virtual gaming in songs and interviews. In 2021, she said she loved Mario Kart and Sackboy . And her passion doesn't stop there. She's also teamed up with popular gaming studios to create custom packs for the online phenomenon Fortnite . Megan Fox When Megan Fox isn't busy starring in blockbuster films and award-winning television shows, the actress prefers to relax with a nice video game. In 2021, she spoke about playing Mortal Kombat with her then-boyfriend, Machine Gun Kelly, and revealed she "crushed" him. "Like, destroyed him every time we fought. We did, like, 40-something matches, and I absolutely destroyed him every time." Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Since Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson starred in a 2017 movie about a video game, it's not surprising to hear that he's a fan of them IRL. During a previous interview , the former WWE star said he loves Mortal Kombat and Madden . Tom Holland I know what you're thinking. Spider-Man's favorite video game has to be ... Spider-Man . However, that's not the case for Tom Holland. In the past, he told fans that the game he enjoys most is the action-adventure series Unchartered. (He starred in the Uncharted film adaptation.) Beyoncé We knew Beyoncé was a massive gamer thanks to the token she left her fans in an early 2024 Verizon commercial. But we can't forget that she's revealed her love for video games before. In 2019, she told Entertainment Weekly that in addition to "Wii games," the singer is a fan of Guitar Hero , Tetris , and BrickBreaker on the BlackBerry. Vin Diesel If you're a fan of Vin Diesel, you likely already know the Fast and Furious actor is a big fan of playing video games during his free time , especially Dungeons & Dragons . He joked about his love and extensive knowledge of the game during a 2022 interview. "They thought I played D&D back in the '70s when it's just the basic D&D set. They thought I continued to play D&D when it became Advanced Dungeons and Dragons ," he said. Samuel L. Jackson Samuel L. Jackson might not be a massive lover of video games; however, he did voice the role of Office Tenpenny, the main antagonist in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas . That has to count for something, right? Jack Black Another Jumanji star who enjoys gaming is Jack Black. In fact, his deep love for the hobby drove him to create a YouTube channel, JablinskiGames , where the iconic actor posts several videos, including a few of him playing popular titles like Lego Star Wars . Zac Efron This former Disney star might not be much of a gamer these days, but in 2007, that's all Zac Efron could think about. His favorite game at the time was the military science title Halo . He was actually spotted in 2007 at a midnight launch of the game's third edition. Drake When Drake isn't creating chart-topping hits, the "Find Your Love" singer is playing Fortnite in the studio with his boys and on Twitch with popular streamers like Ninja. Gordon Hayward Gordon Hayward used to be a popular NBA player, but he has also made a name for himself in the gaming world. His love for games like Fortnite , League of Legends , and Halo led to his collaboration with HyperX , a gaming brand that offers headsets, keyboards, and microphones. They teamed up to release a limited-edition bundle featuring headsets and sneakers with the basketball player's logo. Devin Booker If Devin Booker's spot in the Call of Duty commercial didn't prove gaming is one of the NBA player's favorite pastimes, I'm not sure what else could. Karl-Anthony Towns This Minnesota Timberwolves center is also another NBA player with a deep passion for Call of Duty . In his free time, Karl-Anthony Towns enjoys streaming his wins on Twitch and YouTube. Chad Johnson If you've kept up with Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson over the years, then you already know the former NFL wide receiver plays games ... at least that's what his previous girlfriends have said . However, he loves virtual video games, too. According to him, he's "the best FIFA player in the [United] States." JuJu Smith-Schuster NFL fans discovered JuJu Smith-Schuster was a big gamer when he showed off his impressive Fortnite skills during his record-breaking Twitch stream with Ninja, Drake, and Travis Scott . Xavier Woods Yes, we know Xavier Woods is an entertaining force inside the WWE ring. But we can't forget that he's an even more epic gamer. Like his peers on this list, the 38-year-old streams some of his best gaming moments on his YouTube channel, UpUpDownDown . (Is that a cheat code?) Jeremy Lin NBA star Jeremy Lin is a huge DOTA player . Years ago, he admitted he plays the game several times a week—even during the busy season. Ben Simmons Like some of his buddies on other teams, NBA star Ben Simmons loves a good game of Call of Duty . He even streams some of his sessions on Twitch when he can! Kyler Murray Kyler Murray loves Call of Duty almost as much as he loves playing in the NFL. His passion has driven him to stream some of his gaming sessions and defend himself against some of his biggest critics . Michael Phelps Can you tell Call of Duty is the go-to video game for several professional athletes? In addition to that classic title, Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps enjoys playing PGA Tour and FIFA . Next, they need to make a decent swimming game so the retired athlete can snatch a new crown. Snoop Dogg Snoop Dogg loves a fun extracurricular activity ... if you know what I mean. When he's not busy sparking up or hanging with his bestie, Martha Stewart , the beloved rapper is streaming video gamers online. His passion actually runs so deep that he once called EA Sports, Microsoft, and Bill Gates out by name in a video posted to his social media. What can I say? You can't interrupt the man's stream. Henry Cavill Henry Cavill isn't just a regular gamer. The Netflix star takes his virtual gameplay so seriously that he once built his own PC to take his online gaming to the next level. Daniel Craig Daniel Craig doesn't talk much, so his favorite video games to play in 2024 are unknown. However, this throwback photo of the Knives Out actor playing a PSP back in the day proves he takes his interactive entertainment seriously. Matthew Perry Matthew Perry from Friends loved playing video games on his Xbox 360. The late actor once shared that he played Fallout 3 so often that he experienced tendonitis, leading him "to go get injections in my hand." Mila Kunis Mila Kunis has never been shy about her love of video games. She once told Jimmy Kimmel that she loves World of Warcraft so much that she spends hours playing against others. In fact, she revealed during a YouTube interview that her agent logs onto the game to contact her. Serena Williams Serena Williams may not be a huge gamer these days; however, she has admitted in the past that she's a fan of old-school games like Punch-Out! and Duck Hunt . Jamie Lee Curtis Thanks to her son , Halloween actor Jamie Lee Curtis has become a huge fan of games like Street Fighter and League of Legends . Kim Kardashian Kim Kardashian is more than just a millionaire socialite. She's also a gamer, and in 2012, she posted on X/Twitter about her excitement for the Call of Duty: Black Ops game. "The graphics look crazy!" Imagine how they look in 2024, Kim! Jessica Alba It could be easy to think Jessica Alba is only a fan of the Nintendo Switch because they pay her to promote the console. However, the actress has spoken publicly about her love of the company and their classics, including the Wii. Rosario Dawson Not only has Rosario Dawson been open about her love for video games, but she's also advocated for female gamers worldwide. Thanks to her, users were able to play Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 with a female lead character. Jacquez Printup has been writing about all things entertainment, including reality TV, pop culture, and celebrity news, since his time as a student at Ohio University. Since graduating, he's continued binging seasons of "Vanderpump Rules" and “Big Brother” and talking about them online. His writing has been featured in publications like ScreenRant, Yahoo, RealityTea, Yardbarker, and in the popular television series "The Real Housewives of Atlanta."

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Syrian opposition fighters have reached the suburbs of the capital, Damascus, and government forces are withdrawing from the strategic city of Homs as the rebels' surprising offensive picks up speed and President Bashar Assad's whereabouts are unknown. Homs is an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces that are the Syrian leader’s base of support. In Damascus, residents described a city on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Eight key countries gathered with the U.N. special envoy on Syria on the sidelines of the Doha Summit for two hours of discussions Saturday night, and more will follow. The U.N. envoy seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Here's the Latest: Two officials with Iran-backed Iraqi militias in Syria say the militias are monitoring the situation and have not made a decision to enter in support of Iran’s ally, Syrian President Bashar Assad. One of the officials said Iranian militias had withdrawn to Iraq from their positions in Syria. “All the militias are waiting to see what Bashar Assad will do in Damascus. If he resists and does not allow Damascus to fall, it is possible that the Iraqi factions will intervene for the purpose of support,” he said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. -- Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad Multi-country discussions on Syria have ended on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein says the countries will issue a statement, and there will be follow-up talks “taking into consideration the practical and real situation on the ground.” He said the talks, which lasted over two hours Saturday evening, focused on how to stop the fighting. Eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran gathered with the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen. When asked where Syrian President Bashar Assad is, Iraq's foreign minister replied, “I don’t know.” He declined to speculate on whether Assad would be overthrown. Opposition fighters have reached the Damascus suburbs. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s Health Ministry says two Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday killed six people and wounded five others. The ministry said an airstrike on the village of Beit Leif killed five people and wounded five, while a drone strike on the village of Deir Serian killed one person. Israel’s military said it was looking into the report. Despite a ceasefire that went into effect on Nov. 27 to end the 14-month fighting between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants that had escalated into all-out war, violations of the truce have continued. The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza says the facility came under heavy Israeli bombardment again on Saturday and three medical staff were killed. Dr. Hussam Abu Safia in a statement posted by Gaza’s Health Ministry said the hospital was hit by over 100 projectiles and bombs, and electricity was cut off. He said the surgery department and neonatal unit were hit, and he pleaded for “immediate coordination for repair operations.” Kamal Adwan is one of the last remaining hospitals in northern Gaza. Israeli forces are pressing an offensive that has almost completely sealed off the area from humanitarian aid for two months. Israel’s military said it wasn’t aware of any attack Saturday. The hospital director on Friday said Israeli strikes had killed at least 29 people including four medical staff. Israeli Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi says the military is monitoring the Syrian border to make sure that “local factions do not direct actions towards us,” adding that Israel is not intervening in the events in Syria. Israel’s military has said it is reinforcing its deployment along the border with Syria. Halevi said if “confusion” arises and actions are directed toward Israel by “local factions” taking control of parts of Syria, Israel has a strong “offensive response.” The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Syria says the U.N. is relocating non-critical staff outside the country. Adam Abdelmoula in a statement Saturday called it a precautionary measure to protect U.N. teams. “Let me emphasize—this is not an evacuation and our dedication to supporting the people of Syria remains unwavering,” Abdelmoula said. The statement did not say how many U.N. staffers were leaving Syria as opposition fighters reached the suburbs of Syria’s capital, Damascus. The statement said the fighting in Syria has displaced over 370,000 people as the humanitarian situation deteriorates, “with many seeking refuge in the northeast and others trapped in frontline areas, unable to escape.” Foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran have gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit along with the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, to discuss the situation in Syria. The talks continued late Saturday and no details were immediately available. Qatar, Jordan and Iraq also were part of the discussions as opposition fighters closed in on the Syrian capital, Damascus. BAGHDAD — An Iraqi government spokesperson says about 2,000 Syrian army soldiers have crossed into Iraq seeking refuge as opposition forces advance in Syria. Bassem al-Awadi said the soldiers’ equipment and weapons were registered and taken into custody by the Iraqi army. “We dealt with them according to the principle of good neighborliness and humanity,” he said Saturday. Al-Awadi also said Iraqi officials are concerned about the security of the al-Hol camp and other facilities in northeast Syria where suspected Islamic State group members and their families are detained. The facilities are guarded by U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. Al-Awadi said there is “high security coordination” between Iraqi officials and those forces to “prevent the prisoners from escaping.” Syria's army says it is fortifying its positions in the suburbs of Damascus and in the country’s south, as opposition fighters close in on the capital. The army statement on Saturday also asserted that Syria is being subjected to a “terrorist” and propaganda campaign aiming to destabilize and spread chaos. The statement also said the military is continuing with operations in areas including the central provinces of Hama and Homs, and that it has killed and wounded hundreds of opposition fighters. At least two people were wounded in a car-ramming attack in the West Bank on Saturday, according to the Israeli army and rescue services. The army said the attack took place in the area of the Fawwar refugee camp, near the city of Hebron. It said a soldier was severely wounded, and security forces were looking for the attacker. Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service said another man in his 40s suffered light injuries from shrapnel. The West Bank has seen a surge in violence since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack out of Gaza sparked the war there. Israel has intensified its military raids in the West Bank, targeting what it says are militants planning attacks, and there has also been a rise in Palestinian attacks on Israelis. The Israeli military says it is helping United Nations forces to head off an attack on a U.N. position in Syria close to the Israeli border. The army said in a statement Saturday that an attack was carried out by “armed individuals” on a U.N. post near the Syrian town of Hader and it was “assisting U.N. forces in repelling the attack.” On Friday, Israel’s military said it would reinforce its forces in the Golan Heights and near the border with Syria, where civil war has reignited between the government and opposition fighters. Hamas has released a video showing Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker making an emotional plea for his release and describing the conditions he and other hostages face in Gaza after being seized in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel. His mother, Einav, has become a symbol of the fight to bring back the hostages and is an outspoken critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Matan Zangauker, speaking under duress, appealed to the public to protest in front of Netanyahu’s home and “not let him sleep even for a minute.” Zangauker also referred to 420 days of being held by Hamas militants. “We want to return before we go crazy. Isolation is killing us, and the darkness here is frightening,” he said, describing having little food and medicine and “undrinkable” water. President-elect Donald Trump has made his first extensive comments on dramatic advances by opposition fighters in Syria, saying the besieged President Bashar Assad didn’t deserve U.S. support to stay in power. “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump posted on the Truth Social platform on Saturday. Syrian opposition activists and regional officials have been watching closely for any indication from both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration of how the U.S. would handle the sudden advances against Syria’s Russian- and Iranian-allied leader. Trump condemned the overall U.S. handling of the 13-year civil war in Syria, but spoke favorably of the routing of Assad and Russian forces. ISTANBUL — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that there was “now a new reality in Syria” following the rapid advance of rebel forces. Speaking in Gaziantep, a city less than 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the Syrian border, Erdogan said that “increasing attacks on civilians” in Syria’s northwest Idlib province “triggered the latest events like the straw that broke the camel’s back.” It was not possible for Turkey to ignore developments in a country with which it shares a lengthy border and it would not allow any threats to its national security, he added in a televised speech. “Our wish is for our neighbor Syria to attain the peace and tranquility it has been longing for for 13 years,” he told a rally of supporters. “We want to see a Syria where different identities live side by side in peace. We hope to see such a Syria in the very near future.” Erdogan claimed President Bashar Assad had erred in rebuffing Turkey’s previous efforts to establish relations, saying Damascus “could not appreciate the value of the hand Turkey extended.” Ankara has supported anti-Assad rebel groups since the early months of the conflict and hosts 3 million refugees dislodged by the fighting. While Turkey lists HTS, the group leading the latest offensive, as a terrorist organization, the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army has worked alongside it. BEIRUT — A resident of the Syrian capital of Damascus says the city is very tense as troops and members of security agencies are deployed on main streets and intersections. The resident told The Associated Press that many shops are closed and those that are open have run out of main commodities such as sugar. He added that if food products are available, some shops are selling them for a price three times higher than usual. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said on condition of anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” — Bassem Mroue in Beirut DOHA, Qatar — Russia’s foreign minister says he has met his Turkish and Iranian counterparts in Doha and that all three countries were calling for an “immediate end to hostile activities” in Syria. Russia and Iran are the chief supporters of Syria’s government, while Turkey backs opposition fighters trying to remove President Bashar Assad from power. Speaking at the annual Doha Forum, Sergey Lavrov said Russia continues to help the Syrian army confront insurgents, military via airstrikes. Asked whether Assad’s rule is threatened by the fast-moving rebel offensive, he said, “We are not in the business of guessing what’s gong to happen.” He blamed the United States and the West for the events in Syria and said, “We are very sorry for the Syrian people who became a subject of another geopolitical experiment. “We are doing everything we can not to make terrorists prevail, even if they say they are not terrorists,” Lavrov said, referring to the de facto leader of the Syrian insurgents, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who says he has cut links with al-Qaida. His group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and United Nations. He said Russia, Iran and Turkey want the full implementation of a U.N. resolution, which endorsed a road map to peace in Syria. Resolution 2254 was adopted unanimously in December 2015. The measure called for a Syrian-led political process, starting with the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Lavrov also downplayed reports that Moscow had withdrawn ships from Russia’s base in Syrian city of Tartus, saying that the vessels had left to take part in naval exercises in the Mediterranean. DOHA, Qatar — The U.S. envoy who brokered the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah says the deal has created a new opportunity for Lebanon to reshape itself. Amos Hochstein told the Doha Forum that the weakness of Hezbollah after nearly 14 months of fighting along, along with blows to its Syrian and Iranian allies, give the Lebanese military and government a chance to reassert itself. “Now is the moment with this ceasefire to rebuild Lebanon again for a much more prosperous future and stronger state institutions,” Hochstein told The Associated Press on the sidelines of the conference. He said Lebanon needs “to do its part” by rebuilding its economy, choosing a president after years of delays and strengthening its central government to attract investors. “And the international community has a requirement and a responsibility to support Lebanon after this devastating conflict and after years of Hezbollah control,” he said. Hochstein told the conference that the turning point in ceasefire efforts was Hezbollah dropping its pledge to keep fighting as long as the war in Gaza continues. He said the change in position was the result of the heavy losses inflicted on Hezbollah, and Lebanese public opinion in favor of delinking the two conflicts. He said key tests for the ceasefire will be whether Israel carries out its promised phased withdrawal from southern Lebanon over the coming two months and whether the Lebanese army is able to move into those areas. BEIRUT — Insurgents and a war monitor say opposition fighters are taking over military posts evacuated by Syrian government forces in the country’s south, bringing them closer to the capital, Damascus. An insurgent official known as Maj. Hassan Abdul-Ghani posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition fighters are now in the town of Sanamein, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the southern outskirts of Damascus, President Bashar Assad’s seat of power. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said insurgents have entered the town of Artouz, which is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of Damascus. Opposition fighters have captured wide parts of Syria, including several provincial capitals, since they began their offensive on Nov. 27. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s government has approved a plan to deploy more troops along the border with Israel, part of the ceasefire deal that ended the Israel-Hezbollah war. In a rare Cabinet meeting outside of Beirut, held Saturday at a military base in the southern port city of Tyre, the government also approved a draft law to reconstruct buildings destroyed during the Israel-Hezbollah war that broke out in October 2023 and ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire last week. Information Minister Ziad Makary told reporters after the meeting that the committee whose job is to monitor the ceasefire that went into effect on Nov. 27 will hold its first meeting on Monday. The committee is made up of military officials from the U.S., France, Israel and Lebanon as well as the U.N. peacekeeping force deployed along the border. As part of the ceasefire deal, during the first 60 days Israeli troops will have to withdraw from Lebanon, while Hezbollah will have to pull its heavy weapons away from the border area to north of the Litani river. The Lebanese army said this week it will begin recruiting more soldiers, apparently to deploy them along the border with Israel. BEIRUT — The Syrian army withdrew from much of southern Syria on Saturday, leaving more areas of the country, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters, the military and an opposition war monitor said. The redeployment away from the provinces of Daraa and Sweida came as Syria’s military sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The rapid advances by insurgents are a stunning reversal of fortunes for Syria’s President Bashar Assad , who appears to be largely on his own, with erstwhile allies preoccupied with other conflicts. His chief international backer, Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine, and Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up his forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by Israeli regular airstrikes. JERUSALEM — Israeli security forces killed a Palestinian man after he attacked them at a border crossing in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Saturday morning, police said. The man shot firecrackers at security forces at the checkpoint and threatened them with a knife, the police statement said. The man wore a t-shirt emblazoned with a symbol of the Islamic State militant group, according to an Associated Press reporter Israeli fire has killed at least 700 Palestinians in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began last year, Palestinian health officials said. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. DOHA, Qatar — The prime minister of Qatar says he has seen new momentum in Gaza ceasefire efforts since the U.S. presidential election, with the incoming Trump administration seeking an end to the conflict before it takes office. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a key mediator in the ceasefire efforts, declined to give specifics of the negotiations but told an international conference in Doha that the gaps between the sides are not large. Qatar, which has served as a mediator throughout the 14-month war, suspended its efforts last month in frustration over the lack of progress. But Sheikh Mohammed said his government has re-engaged in recent days after determining a new willingness by both parties to reach a deal. ’We have sensed after the election that the momentum is coming back,” he told the Doha Forum on Saturday. He said has been in touch with both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration and found that while there are some differences in approach, both are committed to the same goal of ending the war. ’We have seen a lot of encouragement from the incoming administration in order to achieve a deal, even before the president comes to the office,” Sheikh Mohammed said. He declined to discuss details, saying he wanted to “protect the process,” but expressed hope for a deal “as soon as possible.” ’If you look at the gaps and the disagreements, they are not something substantial that really affects the agreement,” he said. CAIRO — At least 29 people were killed, including four medical staff, when Israeli strikes pummeled the area around one of the last remaining hospitals in northern Gaza, Palestinian officials said. The situation in and around the Kamal Adwan hospital is “catastrophic,” according to Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, the director of the hospital. The dead included five children and five women, according to the hospital casualty list, which was obtained by The Associated Press. Friday’s strikes also wounded 55 people including six children and the five women, according to the hospital. Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya is one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the Gaza’s northernmost province , where Israeli forces are pressing an offensive that has almost completely sealed off the area from humanitarian aid for two months. Israel’s military denied that its forces had struck the hospital or operated inside it. The army said that in the past few weeks, “coordinated efforts with international organizations have been underway in order to transfer patients, companions, and medical staff to other hospitals.” An Indonesian medical team which had been assisting in Kamal Adwan for the past week was forced to evacuate on foot after the area was surrounded by Israeli soldiers, according to a statement from the team. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the medical team’s expulsion. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization representative in the Palestinian territories, said an Israeli tank approached the hospital at around 4 a.m. Friday. Although no official Israeli evacuation order was issued, “people started to climb the wall to escape, and this panic attracted IDF (Israeli) fire,” he said. He spoke by video from Gaza to journalists in Geneva. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been struck multiple times over the past two months since Israel launched a fierce military operation in northern Gaza against Hamas militants. In October, Israeli forces raided the hospital, saying that militants were sheltering inside and arrested a number of people, including some staff. Hospital officials denied the claim. MANAMA, Bahrain — Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister has reiterated the kingdom’s call for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip. Prince Faisal bin Farhan described Israel as acting with “impunity and is getting away without punishment” in its war on Hamas there. The prince said that any permanent solution requires a two-state solution, with the Palestinians having east Jerusalem as their capital. After the speech, Prince Turki al-Faisal, a prominent royal in the kingdom who led Saudi intelligence for more than two decades and served as ambassador to the U.S. and Britain, took the stage. He harshly criticized Israel’s conduct in the wars. “Israel has become an apartheid, colonial and genocidal state,” Prince Turki said. “It is about time for the world to address that issue and take the necessary steps to bring those who are thus charged by the International Criminal Court to justice.” Israeli officials could not be immediately reached for comment on Prince Turki’s remarks. The Saudis spoke at the International Institute for Security Studies’ Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.We all know what happens when voice acting goes wrong. There’s a reason your brain still reads "It's-a-me, Mario!" in Charles Martinet’s legendary voice, not whatever Chris Pratt’s doing (or isn’t doing) in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Paramount's Sonic the Hedgehog family flicks are playing the same adaptation game, but avoid making the same mistakes when it comes to gimmick casting that doesn’t benefit the role. When you make an animated movie’s casting process about the human personalities behind the characters, you lose the magic necessary to transport audiences somewhere new. Don’t get me wrong: Ben Schwartz, Idris Elba, and Keanu Reeves are all Hollywood stars — but there’s a key difference. Schwartz steps into Sonic’s fur and lets the hedgehog take over, making audiences aware of his artistry without putting a distracting spotlight on the artist himself. Same goes for Reeve and Elba, who disappear behind Shadow and Knuckles. That's the problem with celebrity stunt casting in animated movies and why it should be avoided — you sacrifice quality for a (hopeful) box office cheat code. Everyone's favorite Parks and Recreation brat isn't just Ben Schwartz-ing through Sonic's dialogue. The actor strives to honor Sonic's voice in past SEGA video games while putting his spin on a more juvenile character interpretation. There's an art to Schwartz's voice acting and acknowledgment of Sonic's prior iterations. Like Mario, Sonic's voice appears in television shows and video games when speech became more than 8-bit garble or speech synthesis. Why would you want to erase all that history and relation? The difference in quality between The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise depicts the stark contrast between memorable and forgettable revamps. Universal and Illumination's mushroom-eating adaptation opts for the aforementioned celebrity stunt castinga cold and transactional method focused on maximizing profits at all costs. Sonic the Hedgehog invests in transformative voice acting, where the draw isn't who's behind pixelated recordings but the characters on screen. It's an animated film's job to immerse audiences in fantastical worlds, which the hybrid live-action Sonic movies accomplish whether in the fictional town of Green Hills, modern-day Tokyo, or a digitized mushroom planet. That’s because no matter the backdrop, Schwartz and company want you to believe Sonic, Tails, and the whole gang are real. They don’t want the credit themselves. The Super Mario Bros. Movie boasts a stacked cast, but what do they bring to their character personalities? Jack Black grumbles and croons as a serviceable Bowser (Black himself is a cartoon character, so that checks out), but even impressionist Keegan-Michael Key's Toad is oddly flat. Luigi sounds like Charlie Day but vaguely New Yorker, Donkey Kong is straight-up Seth Rogen, Princess Peach is an unaltered Anya Taylor-Joy — there's no passion behind vocal development. It's the equivalent of dialogue cosplay if purchased on Temu, like slapping a novelty mustache on Chris Pratt while he holds a plunger. Meanwhile, Ben Schwartz has a motormouth zip about his words that matches Sonic's hyperspeed lifestyle. Schwartz can be hilarious as Sonic does his best Quicksilver from X-Men impression during slow-motion action scenes, but also heartfelt and emotional when Sonic faces insurmountable odds or learns everlasting lessons. There's depth to Schwartz's vocal performance that speaks to the values of professional voice acting, which is infinitely harder than it looks. You’re reading lines off scripts in silent isolation, unable to interact with co-stars who’ll share scenes with your pixelated and dubbed role — yet Schwartz makes it look easy. Sonic never feels out of place next to James Marsten or Jim Carrey, as Schwartz’s range, through sound only, hits more dimensions than live-action actors benefitting from all their theatrical tools. What's distracting and frustrating about The Super Mario Bros. Movie is how all the film's voices have countless reference points, none of which the studio cares to duplicate or reward. When novels or comic books are adapted to film, there's a freedom to cast without direct audible comparisons. But a video game series with hours upon hours of line readings from voice actors who are still readily available for role reprisals? It's not only disrespectful to the artists who've mastered their crafts and helped galvanize a studio's brand, but distracting from a fanbase standpoint. Slaslfilm’s BJ Colangelo makes a compelling case to "stop screwing with legacy characters," and she's right. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 takes its reverence for its source material a step farther,, introducing beloved animal buddies Miles "Tails" Prower and Knuckles the Echidna. Now, Tails has one of the more unique voices in the Sonic universe — so Paramount went right to the source by hiring Tails' voice actress since 2010, Colleen O'Shaughnessey. Knuckles eventually went to Idris Elba, but not as stunt casting. Elba's take on Knuckles understands the fight-first character, echoing his Drax-like barbarian mannerisms with a gruff warrior's tone. There's even a video of Elba wearing personalized Knuckles gloves during recording sessions so he can disappear into the role, which helps us forget there's an Englishman in a box somewhere reading lines. Then there's the casting of Keanu Reeve as Shadow in Sonic The Hedgehog 3. A handful of voice actors have put their spin on Shadow as a baddie and anti-hero, which Reeves manipulates into his John Wickian hedgehog. You can hear Reeves in Shadow's bluntness and gravel, but there's a more profound parallel. Shadow's history is one of coldness and tragedy at the hands of G.U.N., which Reeves handles with empathy. Reeves himself has dealt with unthinkable hardships throughout his life, tying this sympathetic bond between actor and character. Keanu Reeves isn’t playing Shadow the Hedgehog, he is Shadow the Hedgehog, and the parallels between actor and character help develop a well-rounded alien who is himself on screen, not the man behind the words (even if he sounds just like him). Each actor's connection to their colorful counterparts is the secret sauce that's elevated Paramount's Sonic franchise above other video game adaptations. The Super Mario Bros. Movie sold itself on the backs of Chris Pratt, Jack Black, and the entire ensemble cast. Sonic the Hedgehog has enlisted equally impressive stars, but these movies aren't about Keanu Reeves or Idris Elba. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow are the stars — the characters are who we’re talking about after after the credits roll. When you watch any Sonic the Hedgehog after or before The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the debate over celebrity stunt casting falls apart. As an Italian, I laughed when Chris Pratt was announced as Mario but kept an open mind only to be proven wrong. As a Sonic fan who saw those nightmare first renderings of Sonic with teeth, I entered even more nervous — once again proven wrong. Paramount's voice cast choices have been aces thus far, endearing these movies to Sonic fans instead of pushing them away. Let's give kudos where appropriate — the fantastic voice actors selflessly bringing Sonic and his buddies to life on the big screen.Pride, bragging rights and more than $115M at stake when final college playoff rankings come out

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Marquel Sutton scored 23 points as Omaha beat Sacramento State 70-60 on Saturday night. Sutton added eight rebounds for the Mavericks (4-7). Tony Osburn scored 15 points and added five rebounds and three steals. JJ White had nine points and went 4 of 5 from the field. Jacob Holt led the way for the Hornets (2-7) with 15 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Mike Wilson added nine points and six rebounds for Sacramento State. Chudi Dioramma had seven points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Omaha's next game is Friday against Northern Iowa on the road, and Sacramento State hosts UC Davis on Saturday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Spurs travel to Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday reeling from a disappointing home loss to Ipswich before the international break. The club’s problems have multiplied during the past fortnight with midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur handed a seven-match domestic ban on Monday and Cristian Romero (toe) joining a lengthy list of absentees. However, Postecoglou remains bullish about Tottenham’s progress and acutely aware of the scrutiny set to come his way if they stay 10th. “Christmas is a joyous occasion, irrespective, and I think it should be celebrated. If we’re still 10th then people won’t be happy, I won’t be happy, but we might not be 10th,” Postecoglou pointed out before nine games in 30 days. “Certainly for us I think it’s a significant period because you look at those games and we’ve got the league where we’ve got to improve our position and a couple of important European fixtures that can set us up for the back half of the year, also a Carabao Cup quarter-final. “At the end of that period we could be in a decent position for a strong second half of the year, so for us it is an important period. “You know there’s no more international breaks, so the full focus is here. You can build some momentum through that, or if things don’t go well you could get yourself into a bit of a grind. Ready for #MCITOT 👊 Go behind the scenes of training ahead of our trip to Manchester 🎥⤵️ pic.twitter.com/4jFZTCIwSz — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 22, 2024 “Of course if we had beaten Ipswich, we’d be third and I reckon this press conference would be much different wouldn’t it? “I’m not going to let my life be dictated by one result, I’m sorry. I take a wider perspective on these things because I know how fickle it can be, but we need to address our position for sure. “And if we’re 10th at Christmas, yeah it won’t be great. There’d be a lot of scrutiny and probably a lot of scrutiny around me, which is fair enough, but that’s not where I plan for us to be.” Tottenham’s immediate efforts to move up the table will require them ending City’s two-year unbeaten home run in the Premier League. The champions have lost their last four matches in all competitions, but have some key personnel back for Saturday’s clash and will aim to toast Pep Guardiola’s new contract with a victory. Postecoglou was pleased to see Guardiola commit to a further two seasons in England, adding: “I love the fact that there’s a massive target out there that can seem insurmountable. “I look at it the other way. I go, ‘imagine if you knock him off, that’d be something’. “I’m at the stage of my life where I’d rather have the chance of knocking him off than missing that opportunity. “When greatness is around, you want to be around it. And hopefully it challenges you to be like that as well.” Saturday’s fixture will be Postecoglou’s 50th league game in charge of Spurs and he knows what is required to bring up three figures. A post shared by Premier League (@premierleague) “No European football, significant player turnover, change of playing style. Where did I think we’d be after 50 games? God knows. “It could have been a whole lot worse, but when you look at it in the current prism of we’re 10th, you’re going ‘it doesn’t look good’ and I understand that and we have to improve that. “But over the 50 games, I think there’s enough there that shows we are progressing as a team and we are developing into the team we want. “The key is the next 50 games, if they can be in totality better than the first 50? First, that means I’m here but second, I think we’ll be in a good space.”

Bill Clinton is hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says

If you are looking for ASX dividend stocks to buy, then it could be worth listening to what Bell Potter is saying about the three in this article. They have been named on the broker's Australian equities panel for December, which are the stocks it believes offer attractive risk-adjusted returns over the long term. Here's what it is saying: ( ) The first ASX dividend stock that has been named on the broker's Australian equities panel is Eagers Automotive. It is the leading player in the automotive retail market in Australia, with a market share of greater than 10%. Bell Potter believes that it is well-positioned to pay big dividends thanks to a combination of revenue growth and margin expansion. It said: APE should continue to grow revenue via a mix of inorganic and organic growth. The company is also looking to drive margin expansion by buying existing dealership properties (to reduce rent), increasing penetration in finance and insurance (F&I) (higher margin) and through productivity initiatives (technology). Together, management are expecting ~200bps of margin improvement from these initiatives, which would be extremely material (pre-COVID margins of 2.9%). Bell Potter expects a fully franked 5.8% in FY 2025. ( ) Another ASX dividend stock that could be a buy according to Bell Potter is retail giant JB Hi-Fi. The broker believes that JB Hi-Fi could be a big winner from the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. It said: JBH is well positioned to benefit from an upgrade cycle of consumer electronics, specifically mobile phones and personal computers (PC), driven by AI enhancements. We see incremental revenue growth to JBH from the AI-driven upgrade cycle, where we estimate that the AI opportunity could add up to ~12% to the company's topline mid-long-term and presents significant upside to JBH's highly efficient earnings base. Its analysts expect this to underpin a fully franked 2.9% dividend yield in FY 2025. ( ) Bell Potter also has this youth fashion retailer's shares on its Australian equities panel this month. The broker likes Universal Store due to its attractive valuation and positive growth outlook. It explains: Universal Store Holdings is a leading youth focused apparel, footwear and accessories retailer in Australia. UNI will continue to increase store numbers over the next few years, supporting earnings growth of 12% p.a. over (FY25-27). Valuation looks attractive, trading on a fwd P/E of ~14x. UNI is a quality small cap (ROE ~25%) that is executing on its rollout strategy. Bell Potter is forecasting a fully franked 3.9% dividend yield in FY 2025.Warriors' Draymond Green Has Clean MRI on Calf Injury; Out vs. Rockets, Return TBD

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Sara Harmouch , American University (THE CONVERSATION) The fall of President Bashar al-Assad has left a critical question: After a half-century of brutal dynastic rule has come to an end, who speaks for Syrians now? One group staking a major claim for that role is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham , which, under the leadership of Abu Mohammad al-Golani, spearheaded the opposition advance that toppled Assad. But what does the group stand for? And who is al-Golani? The Conversation turned to Sara Harmouch , an expert on Islamist militant groups, for answers. What is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham? Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has its roots in the early stages of the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 as a popular uprising against the autocratic government of Assad. The group originated as an offshoot of the Nusra Front, the official al-Qaida affiliate in Syria. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was initially recognized for its combat effectiveness and its commitment to global jihadist ideology, or the establishment of strict Islamic rule across the Muslim world. In a shift in 2016, the Nusra Front publicly cut ties with al-Qaida and adopted the new name Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, which means “Front for the Conquest of the Levant.” The following year, it merged with several other factions in the Syrian war to become Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or the “Organization for the Liberation of the Levant.” This rebranding aimed to move away from al-Qaida’s global jihadist agenda, which had limited the group’s appeal within Syria. It allowed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to focus on issues specific to Syrians, such as local governance, economic issues and humanitarian aid. Despite these changes, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s core ideology continues to be rooted in jihadism, with the primary objective of overthrowing the Assad government and establishing Islamic rule in Syria. Who is al-Golani? How central is he to the group’s success? Abu Mohammed al-Golani was born Ahmed al-Sharaa in 1982 in Saudi Arabia. Al-Golani spent his early years in Damascus, Syria, after his family returned from Saudi Arabia in 1989. His jihadist career began in Iraq, where he joined fighters aligned with al-Qaida after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion . In 2011, under the direction of Iraqi militant and then-al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, al-Golani was tasked with establishing the Nusra Front in Syria. The group quickly became a formidable force within the Syrian civil war. It was under al-Golani’s leadership that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham sought to portray itself as pragmatic, less focused on global jihad and more on governance issues in the region of Idlib, Syria’s largest rebel stronghold. This shift in strategy forms part of al-Golani’s effort to transform his national and global image from that of a jihadist leader to a more politically viable figure in Syrian politics. Al-Golani’s shift toward a more pragmatic approach, particularly post-2017, has been crucial in helping Hayat Tahrir al-Sham control territories and assert itself as a regional governing force. His recent moves, like adopting a more moderate persona and engaging in traditional public service, reflect al-Golani’s central role in the military and the political evolution of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham – underpinning the group’s hold on power and its efforts at gaining legitimacy both locally and internationally. How did the group rise to become a major force in Syria? To keep power over the territories it controlled, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham employed a mix of strategies that includes establishing governance systems that could provide stability and services while legitimizing their control in the eyes of local populations. Aiming to expand and take more territory, the group’s leaders concluded that it needed to win over the international community to minimize international opposition and effectively work with the broader Syrian revolutionary movement. This involved working with other actors in Syria, aiming to present a united front that could be more palatable to international observers and potential allies. To do that locally, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham brought many groups within Syria under its control. Regionally and internationally, it reshaped its image through public relations campaigns, such as engaging in social services. Since 2017, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has been the prevailing force in Idlib , which, after government forces retook control of Aleppo in December 2016, emerged as the last major bastion for various rebel groups. Over the years, the group has solidified its control in the region by functioning as a quasi-governmental entity , providing civil services and overseeing local affairs – such as controlling highways and collecting duties on commercial trucking – despite reports of human rights abuses. In recent years, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s propaganda has emphasized protecting Syrian territory and its people from the Assad government. This has helped the group enhance its position among local communities and other rebel groups. In an effort to further burnish its image, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ramped up its public relations efforts, both at home and abroad. For example, it has engaged with international media and humanitarian organizations to negotiate – and film – aid deliveries to the areas it governs. Doing so helped Hayat Tahrir al-Sham gain some local support , positioning itself as a defender of Sunni Muslim interests. Meanwhile, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham bolstered its military capabilities by establishing a military academy, reorganizing its units into a more conventional military structure and creating specialized forces adept at executing coordinated and strategic attacks. The recent advance appears to be proof that this strategy has paid off. What does the US think of the group and al-Golani? The U.S. has long listed al-Golani as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist and the Nusra Front as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. In May 2018, the U.S. State Department expanded this designation to include Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. As a result of these designations, the group and its members face legal restrictions, travel bans, asset freezes and banking restrictions. Additionally, the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program is offering up to US$10 million for information on al-Golani. However, news has been circulating that the U.S. is considering removing the $10 million bounty on the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader, while the United Kingdom is thinking of removing the group from its terror list. What happens if al-Golani emerges as a post-Assad leader? First, we should note that these are very early days, and it remains unclear what Syria will look like post-Assad. But based on my years researching Islamic history and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, I’m willing to venture a few educated guesses. Historically, Islamic empires have used distinct governance frameworks to drive their expansion and administration, which might inform Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s approach to mirroring these successful strategies. First, I think al-Golani is likely to strive for authentic religious leadership, positioning himself as a leader whose personal piety and adherence to Islamic principles align with the religious sentiments of the population at large. This could be complemented by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham emphasizing the role of Sunni Islam in Syria’s state functions and integrating religious legal practices into the nation’s laws. Just as it has established on a localized scale, effective administration might become a cornerstone of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham governance. In Idlib, for example, the group established systems for taxation and community engagement. This is essential for building trust, especially among previously marginalized groups. Additionally, by allowing some autonomy for regions within Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham could mitigate the risk of unrest, balancing strict Islamic law enforcement with Syria’s cultural and ethnic diversity. Overall, should Hayat Tahrir al-Sham under al-Golani try to steer the formation of Syria’s new government, we might expect a governance approach that aims for a blend of traditional Islamic governance and modern statecraft, striving to stabilize and unify the diverse and war-torn country. However, the group’s controversial status and history of militant activities could pose significant challenges in gaining widespread international recognition and internal support. Sections of this article were first published in an article for The Conversation on Dec. 2, 2024. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/abu-mohammed-al-golani-may-become-the-face-of-post-assad-syria-but-who-is-he-and-why-does-he-have-10m-us-bounty-on-his-head-245612 . Licenced as Creative Commons - attribution, no derivatives.kijiji edmonton 。

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After catastrophic flash floods ravaged in late October, a team of Moroccan workers has stepped in to provide critical assistance. Their task? Unclogging drainage systems, a vital service amid the aftermath of torrential rain that claimed over 200 lives. With a fleet of 36 tanker trucks, the Moroccan contingent has become an unexpected but essential presence on the streets of Alfafar, a town just south of Valencia. A Heroic effort from Morocco The 100-strong team, led by Drief Elkramar, a seasoned tanker driver, travelled 500 miles from Tangier to join the cleanup efforts. Despite language barriers, Elkramar and his crew, with their black tanker trucks proudly flying the Moroccan flag, have become a symbol of solidarity and efficiency in the wake of disaster. Elkramar’s crew works tirelessly, with no time for breaks, to clear out clogged sewage pipes that pose serious health risks in the affected neighborhoods. : The team is using high-pressure hoses to blast debris out of the pipes, while wide suction hoses are employed to extract mud and waste. Their efforts have been crucial in restoring functionality to local drainage systems. Most Read on Euro Weekly News A Global response to local tragedy This Moroccan operation is just one part of a wider international response. French and Portuguese volunteers, equipped with heavy machinery, have also joined the fray, bringing excavators, backhoes, and cargo trucks to aid in the cleanup. Local Spanish teams, including 94 trucks dedicated to sewer dredging, are working alongside them. Cross-border Support: Virginia Barcones, ‘s Director of Civil Protection, noted that the Moroccan team offered help “from the very first day after the floods,” though political red tape delayed the formal acceptance of their aid. The Challenge: Mud, Feces, and Unyielding Determination In Alfafar, the cleanup is particularly challenging. The neighborhood’s drainage system is completely overwhelmed, with pipes clogged by a mixture of mud, waste, and debris. Juan Sebastiá, the local cleanup coordinator, shared that the situation was made worse when they discovered a toilet in the sewers, illustrating the scale of the mess. : The cleanup workers have to contend not only with debris but also with the serious public health risks posed by sewage-filled streets. Fecal contamination has created hazardous conditions, requiring careful handling and disposal of the affected materials. Volunteers and Residents: A Community United While the Moroccan team’s arrival was a pleasant surprise for many, residents like Juan Madrigal and Laura Hernández are quick to praise the volunteers, who have been working around the clock. Despite the challenges, including mud mixed with fecal waste and respiratory hazards, local residents are finding hope in the persistence of the crews. Resilience Amid the Ruins: Madrigal reflects on the progress made, noting that while much of the furniture and vehicles were removed in the first few weeks, it’s the continued volunteer work that’s bringing the situation back to normal. “The first week we had cars in the streets, now we have muddy water we cannot drain,” he shared. The cleanup continues, with every passing day bringing the town closer to recovery. A Long road to recovery The scale of the disaster means that this cleanup effort is far from over. Jesús Sonera, a manager at the Desatranques Jaén sewer company, estimates that there are nearly 500 miles of blocked pipes across the affected towns. At the current rate, with each truck clearing 1,300 feet per week, it could take up to five months to restore all the systems. : Elkramar’s team, along with their international counterparts, will likely remain in the area for weeks to come, as the enormity of the task requires sustained effort.The standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! 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Ipswich Town midfielder Jens Cajuste is adamant that his side’s 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace will only be a ‘bump in the road’. The Blues battled well in the first half, and although they were perhaps fortunate to go into the half-time break at 0-0, Harry Clarke came close to giving them the lead from a corner. However, Jean-Philippe Mateta’s dinked finish just before the hour-mark proved to be decisive, with Town unable to mount a comeback to rescue a result. “It was quite frustrating,” Cajuste said after the match. “It felt like we started to come into the game in the second half, then conceded from nothing really. It’s incredibly frustrating. “It’s a tight-knit group. Everyone supports each other through thick and thin. We know there are so many games still to come. The midfielder has been praised for his consistent performances in the last few weeks (Image: Stephen Waller) “It’s just a bump in the road.” At Portman Road, Ipswich tend to put in strong performances. The 2-0 loss to Everton is the only real exception so far this season, but this game against the Eagles will now be put into the same category. Cajuste doesn’t think it’s possible compare it to the 1-1 draw against Manchester United, however, arguing that: “It’s a different game. A different team with different tactics. “They didn’t really press us as high as United did, but it’s difficult to analyse the games so shortly after the final whistle. “We definitely lacked a bit of intensity.” Asked whether the winless home run could be down to a psychological battle, the Swedish international was quick to play it down. “I think it’s the Premier League,” he explained. “Every game is so tough, every game is a battle until the last minute. Anything can happen at any moment, so I’m not so sure about that. “I think the win at home is coming soon.” Of course, this defeat will be particularly painful. Going into the clash, the two sides had exactly the same record, with goal difference alone separating them in the league table. Kieran McKenna's side are still looking for their first home win in the Premier League (Image: Stephen Waller) Cajuste stressed that the squad “have to use it as fuel and motivation to be more ready for the next game”, and is aware that there’s still plenty of time to turn things around. “There’s still so many games to go,” he stated. “It’s early, there’s time. “Of course, we wanted to win this game a little bit extra, but it didn’t go our way this time. “I think it’s a great team, a great club. Everything around it is fantastic. “Of course, on nights like this, you’re a bit frustrated, but I’m very happy with the team.”

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats reelected Chuck Schumer as party leader on Tuesday as the party moves into a deeply uncertain time, with no real consensus on a strategy as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. From left, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., gather after Senate Democratic leadership elections for the next session of Congress on Tuesday in Washington. Schumer faced no opposition in the party leadership elections, in which Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin was also reelected to the No. 2 spot and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar became the new No. 3. In a statement, Schumer, of New York, said he was honored to move the party forward “during this crucial period for our country.” “Our preference is to secure bipartisan solutions wherever possible and look for ways to collaborate with our Republican colleagues to help working families,” Schumer said. “However, our Republican colleagues should make no mistake about it, we will always stand up for our values.” While Schumer remains popular with his colleagues, it is a bleak moment for Senate Democrats, who were hopeful they could hold the majority for the third election in a row. Instead they lost four seats and will be in the minority, 53-47, as Trump takes office. People are also reading... Blue Springs family to host 2025 Cattleman's Ball At the courthouse, Nov. 30, 2024 They fell in love with Beatrice. So they opened a store in downtown. Shoplifting investigation leads to arrest for possession of controlled substance Search warrants lead to arrest of man in narcotics investigation Hospice foundation helps with extra support Nebraska football signing day preview: Potential flips and a 5-star up for grabs Board of Supervisors denies permit for Filley telecom tower At the courthouse, Nov. 23, 2024 'The Message' religious sect sprouts destructive groups across globe Dale G. Lunsford La Segoviana finds new home in Court Street Plaza Beatrice company seeks to break China's stranglehold on rare-earth minerals Shatel: Emotions are still simmering, but Nebraska delivered the bottom line for 2024 — a bowl game Black Friday starts a busy weekend of serving customers Trump dialed in Tuesday with Senate Republicans as they began laying the groundwork for control of government. The brief call was more celebratory than a prescriptive policy agenda, according to those attending the private GOP retreat, urging senators to confirm his Cabinet nominees as they launch an agenda of tax cuts, deportations and other priorities. "It was a love fest," said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. “There was a real sense of unity in the room.” Republicans want to notch an early accomplishment after Trump’s inauguration Jan. 20. Incoming Senate Republican leader John Thune of South Dakota outlined a potential roadmap during the private retreat at the Library of Congress, detailing a potential strategy that would have senators working on an initial legislative package — energy, border security and defense priorities — that could be approved in the first 30 days of the new administration. Next, he explained that the senators would turn to reviving the expiring tax cuts from Trump's first term. The new Congress convenes Jan. 3, and the Senate expects to quickly begin holding confirmation hearings for Trump’s top Cabinet nominees. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., also addressed the GOP senators — noting his slim majority in the House. He “emphasized the need for unity heading into the first 100 days agenda,” his spokesman Taylor Haulsee said. Unlike eight years ago, when opposition to Trump’s narrow election win fueled enthusiasm in their party, Democratic lawmakers and many of their voters are exhausted and looking for answers. So far, Democrats stayed relatively quiet on Trump’s nominees and plans for office. Schumer declined to comment on specifics of any nominees, instead allowing Republican reaction to dominate the conversation. On Monday, Schumer wrote a public letter to Thune, asking him to resist Trump’s pressure to allow him to appoint some of his nominees without a Senate vote and to insist on full FBI background checks for all nominees. But he has said little else about Trump’s upcoming presidency. While some have been more aggressive — Washington Sen. Patty Murray, a former chairwoman of the Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pensions Committee, said that Trump’s nomination of Robert Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department is “dangerous” and “nothing short of disaster” — several Democratic senators say they are saving their strength and figuring out a focus. “Everybody’s in kind of a wait-and-see mode right now,” said Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, part of Schumer’s leadership team. “Under the previous Trump administration, there was chaos all the time, all the time. And I do think it is important to pick your battles.” It’s still unclear which battles they will pick, and Democrats have differing opinions on how to fight them. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, who is also in Democratic leadership, says “anyone who has a grand strategy is full of crap” but thinks Democrats, for now, “need to keep things simple.” “We need to talk about people, protect people, advocate for people,” he said. “Do not talk about protecting institutions. Do not talk about advocating for institutions. It’s a not just a rhetorical shift, but an attitudinal shift. We have to remind ourselves, that we’re not fighting for programs and projects and line items and agencies or norms. We’re fighting for people.” Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said he’s spent a lot of time reflecting, and “I don’t think anyone can claim this was a policy election,” and Democrats need to look at cultural issues. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman says Democrats just need to “pace ourselves” and avoid the “massive freakout” of Trump's last term. Democrats should be preparing, says Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal. He says Schumer is picking his battles “very thoughtfully and strategically.” “We’re thinking about how we protect against using the FBI, or the prosecutorial authority of the Justice Department for retribution against critics,” Blumenthal said. “How we elevate these issues in a way that American people understand them.” Democrats know better now “the extraordinary challenges we’re going to face,” Blumenthal said. November's best images from around the world Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. compete in the ice dance rhythm dance program at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Japan, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae) A discarded plastic bag floats in the waters of Botafogo beach in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) China's President Xi Jinping, left center, and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, walk into the Alvorada palace after attending a welcoming ceremony in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova competes against Great Britain's Katie Boulter during a Billie Jean King Cup semi-final match at Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., closes a door to a private meeting with Vice President-elect JD Vance and Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) A surfer rides on an artificial wave in the river 'Eisbach' at the 'Englischer Garten' (English Garden) downtown in Munich, Germany, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) A woman carries a gift basket as she arrives at a park to attend a friend's birthday party, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Kampala, Uganda. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Tania hugs her brother-in-law Baruc after rescuing some of their belongings from their flooded house after the floods in Paiporta, Valencia, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris looks at a monitor backstage, just before taking the stage for her final campaign rally, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) President-elect Donald Trump listens during an America First Policy Institute gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) A resident returns to his burned village, Monday Nov. 25, 2024, one day after a fire broke out leaving about 2,000 families homeless at a slum area in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Isaac Young rests his cheek on the family horse Rusty's forehead during farm chores before homeschooling, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Students from anti-discrimination movements attack an Awami League supporter in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu) A young girl holds a "Black Voters for Harris-Walz" sign outside of Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris' election night watch party at Howard University, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams) A man looks from a damaged building a day after it was hit by a rocket fired from Lebanon, in Ramat Gan, central Israel, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) Visitors walk through the 'Cathedral' on the Christmas light trail as it returns for its12th year with a showcase of new installations set within the UNESCO World Heritage Site landscape of Kew Gardens in London, England, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Venezuelan migrant Alvaro Calderini carries his niece across a river near Bajo Chiquito, Panama, after walking across the Darien Gap from Colombia on their way north to the United States, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) An aerial view shows a packed parking lot at Citadel Outlets in Commerce, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, as early Black Friday shoppers arrive at the mall. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Israeli soldiers holding their weapons bathe with residents in a hot water pool coming from a drilling project which exposed a subterranean hydrothermal spring near Mount Bental in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, on the first day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) Voters stand in line outside a polling place at Madison Church, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Phoenix, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Molten lava flows on the road to the Blue Lagoon, Grindavik, after the volcanic eruption that started Wednesday, on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Marco di Marco) Firefighters and sheriff's deputies push a vintage car away from a burning home as the Mountain Fire burns in Camarillo, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Supporters of the Frente Amplio (Broad Front) celebrate the victory of candidate Yamandú Orsi in the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) People gather at the site where former Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed by Israeli airstrikes late September during a memorial ceremony in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla) Katia, 11, with her grandmother and mother sit in an armored minivan during en evacuation by the "White Angels" police unit in Kurakhove, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Anton Shtuka) People clean mud from a house affected by floods, in Algemesi, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Cattle stand on a heap of textile waste at the Old Fadama settlement of Accra, Ghana, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu) Family members accompany the coffin that contain the remains of Mexican actress Silvia Pinal, during a memorial service at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, in Mexico City, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Pinal, an actress from Mexico's Golden Age of cinema in the 1940s and 50s, died Thursday. She was 93. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario) A family arrive to cross into Lebanon through the Jousieh border crossing, between Syria and Lebanon, Nov. 28, 2024, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki) Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Consumer confidence, new home sales highlight Tuesday's economic calendar

Over the past two weeks, much of the world’s attention has been on Baku, Azerbaijan, the venue for this year’s UN climate conference, known as Cop29. Leaders, policymakers and environmentalists, among others, have been following the talks in progress – though, not without apprehension, given the impasse between various countries over the issue of climate financing. Getting nearly 200 countries, of different sizes, economies and climate vulnerabilities to agree on how much money the advanced nations should provide the lower-income ones to support their financing needs has been an onerous task for the past 15 years. Delegates representing the most disadvantaged nations in Baku even staged walkouts during the negotiating process. Further, in light of the current geopolitical climate, efforts to shore up global diplomacy proved inadequate. It is notable therefore that a deal was eventually struck on Saturday night, with the developed world pledging $300 billion annually over the next decade. Even as an agreement of this figure is notable – and may well have been considered a victory if only the climate challenge were not as enormous and global in scope – the urgent nature of the crisis remains unchanged. The developing world says that at least $1.3 trillion is needed every year, a long way off from the sum pledged in Baku. Countries, particularly those on the frontlines of the climate crisis, sorely need funds to transform their economies, build climate-resilient infrastructure and develop agriculture that is better able to withstand extreme temperatures and floods. As things stand, coping with climate disasters takes too large a chunk out of the gross domestic product of smaller nations. It is a fact that the world is equipped with the technological innovations, the know-how and the personnel to create an impact. What is required, however, is finance. But as Mariam Almheiri, head of the International Affairs Office of the Presidential Court, explained in these pages last week: “The gulf between available climate finance and actual needs is staggering.” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who earlier declared that “failure is not an option” in Azerbaijan, conceded that he had hoped for a more ambitious outcome on Saturday. But he added that the agreement “provides a base on which to build”. Indeed, in the run-up to the next climate conference, Cop30 in Brazil, it is important that countries continue to engage with each other, deepen partnerships and increase their financial commitment. Some countries have moved the needle on climate finance. At last year’s Cop28 in Dubai, for instance, the UAE pledged $100 million to a disaster fund and launched Alterra, a $30 billion climate investment fund. Much more, of course, is needed. As experts have reiterated, international public-private partnerships must bear some of the burden of a crisis that affects us all. The agreement struck in Baku may not be enough for those most vulnerable to rising temperatures to cope with the effects of climate change while simultaneously boosting the prosperity levels of their citizens. Yet the process for further negotiations has gone to the next phase. The onus is on all parties to build on that momentum.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking the state legislature to allocate $25 million so that the California Department of Justice will have the money necessary “to defend California from unconstitutional overreach.” Short of making Kamala Harris attorney general again, this is about the dumbest thing our DOJ could do. Which, according to my Newsom-to-English decoder ring, translates as follows: taxpayer money for nuisance lawsuits against the Trump administration with the sole intention of generating publicity for...Gavin Newsom. Clearly, we’re well into the next phase of his ‘I’m not running for president’ ruse. Next, an exploratory committee to consider the various reasons Newsom doesn’t plan to run for president. Then, an eye job or maybe a super-sized helping of Botox. Great. The state is going broke and Newsom wants to spend millions battling Trump. Meantime, California Attorney General and wannabe governor Rob Bonta says that $25 million may not even be enough for his office. At a Sacramento press conference Bonta called the sum “a down payment” and “a beginning not the end...We believe we will need to use all of it.” Boy, the way this guy Bonta throws other people’s money around – maybe he should be in the House of Representatives. Bonta is like one of those creepy slip-and-fall trial attorneys who specializes in shaking down the guys with the deepest pockets. I’m waiting to see a sleazy billboard alongside the 110 freeway in downtown LA. Maybe some bus stop benches with his menacing mug! This wouldn’t be the first time California Democrats have called a play from this playbook. In President Trump’s first term, then California Attorney General and current Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, spent about $42 million over four years suing the federal government. Back to the present, right after Newsom and Bonta threatened to sue the Trump administration 15 ways from Sunday, they turned around and asked the federal government for billions of dollars to pay for the 2028 Summer Olympics! Talk about going for the gold! That had to make for some awkward exchanges down at the courthouse. “Okay, if everyone suing President Trump could form a line here, and everybody asking President Trump for a hand-out could form a line here...” Side note: why would you sue somebody on one hand and then ask them for a hand-OUT with the other? If there’s one thing us Hollywood folks can’t stand, it’s being two-faced. Last month, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority board wrote President-elect Trump a letter requesting $3.2 billion to improve public transportation for the 2028 Summer Games, calling the next Olympics to be held in the United States “the largest and most spectacular sporting event held in American history.” Which I think would come as something of a surprise to the producers of the next WWE pay per view. Related Articles Opinion Columnists | California’s housing crisis has gotten worse, not better, over the last 30 years Opinion Columnists | Jon Coupal: The Gann Limit is back in the news Opinion Columnists | End the IRS’s worldwide tax grab Opinion Columnists | Mass deportations are bad for everyone’s liberties Opinion Columnists | The draconian penalties that Hunter Biden escaped affect people whose fathers can’t save them The Los Angeles Times reported that in their letter, the board cited past contributions from the federal government to American Olympic hosts as $1.3 billion for the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City and $609 million for the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, as justification for the request. Isn’t it interesting that California has plenty of money for performative lawsuits against the incoming Trump administration before anyone has even been sworn into office and done anything, but not enough money to get ready for the Olympics – which we were awarded back in 2017! What’s great about these stories is that they perfectly illustrate why government in California is in the pathetic state that it’s in: Our dearly elected leaders are primarily interested in political theatrics that generate celebrity and attention for themselves, at the same time that they have no interest in carrying out the basic duties of government that they were elected to perform. All gesture and no substance. That’s the Newsom way. Sorry, Gavin. This time you’re going to have to settle for the bronze. John Phillips can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on “The John Phillips Show” on KABC/AM 790.

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MasterChef replacement confirmed amid BBC investigation into Gregg Wallace allegationsOver the past two weeks, much of the world’s attention has been on Baku, Azerbaijan, the venue for this year’s UN climate conference, known as Cop29. Leaders, policymakers and environmentalists, among others, have been following the talks in progress – though, not without apprehension, given the impasse between various countries over the issue of climate financing. Getting nearly 200 countries, of different sizes, economies and climate vulnerabilities to agree on how much money the advanced nations should provide the lower-income ones to support their financing needs has been an onerous task for the past 15 years. Delegates representing the most disadvantaged nations in Baku even staged walkouts during the negotiating process. Further, in light of the current geopolitical climate, efforts to shore up global diplomacy proved inadequate. It is notable therefore that a deal was eventually struck on Saturday night, with the developed world pledging $300 billion annually over the next decade. Even as an agreement of this figure is notable – and may well have been considered a victory if only the climate challenge were not as enormous and global in scope – the urgent nature of the crisis remains unchanged. The developing world says that at least $1.3 trillion is needed every year, a long way off from the sum pledged in Baku. Countries, particularly those on the frontlines of the climate crisis, sorely need funds to transform their economies, build climate-resilient infrastructure and develop agriculture that is better able to withstand extreme temperatures and floods. As things stand, coping with climate disasters takes too large a chunk out of the gross domestic product of smaller nations. It is a fact that the world is equipped with the technological innovations, the know-how and the personnel to create an impact. What is required, however, is finance. But as Mariam Almheiri, head of the International Affairs Office of the Presidential Court, explained in these pages last week: “The gulf between available climate finance and actual needs is staggering.” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who earlier declared that “failure is not an option” in Azerbaijan, conceded that he had hoped for a more ambitious outcome on Saturday. But he added that the agreement “provides a base on which to build”. Indeed, in the run-up to the next climate conference, Cop30 in Brazil, it is important that countries continue to engage with each other, deepen partnerships and increase their financial commitment. Some countries have moved the needle on climate finance. At last year’s Cop28 in Dubai, for instance, the UAE pledged $100 million to a disaster fund and launched Alterra, a $30 billion climate investment fund. Much more, of course, is needed. As experts have reiterated, international public-private partnerships must bear some of the burden of a crisis that affects us all. The agreement struck in Baku may not be enough for those most vulnerable to rising temperatures to cope with the effects of climate change while simultaneously boosting the prosperity levels of their citizens. Yet the process for further negotiations has gone to the next phase. The onus is on all parties to build on that momentum.

6 Common End-of-Year Financial Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make — and How to Avoid ThemHGTV Stars Erin and Ben Napier Share Exciting 'Home Town' Update

NoneHow to watch Knicks vs. Magic NBA Cup game: Time, TV channel, FREE live streamSAM HOUSTON ST. (3-3) Huefner 1-6 2-2 5, Sakho 1-3 1-3 3, Boykin 4-13 3-4 11, Finister 4-7 1-2 10, Wilkerson 9-23 3-3 22, Hammons 0-1 0-0 0, Scroggins 4-5 0-0 8, Burns 1-3 0-0 2, Ford 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 25-64 10-14 63. APPALACHIAN ST. (4-2) Huntley 2-9 1-2 6, Beaubrun 2-3 3-4 7, Conners 4-9 9-10 19, Tate 6-14 2-4 17, Threadgill 4-11 2-2 11, Wilson 0-0 0-0 0, Muttilib 2-5 0-0 4, Dodd 0-1 0-0 0, Marcus 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 21-53 17-22 66. Halftime_Sam Houston St. 33-30. 3-Point Goals_Sam Houston St. 3-14 (Finister 1-1, Huefner 1-3, Wilkerson 1-8, Boykin 0-1, Hammons 0-1), Appalachian St. 7-24 (Tate 3-6, Conners 2-5, Threadgill 1-3, Huntley 1-5, Beaubrun 0-1, Dodd 0-1, Muttilib 0-3). Rebounds_Sam Houston St. 35 (Finister 7), Appalachian St. 33 (Beaubrun 9). Assists_Sam Houston St. 9 (Boykin 5), Appalachian St. 11 (Tate 4). Total Fouls_Sam Houston St. 20, Appalachian St. 15.Nvidia, Netflix Lead Market Cap Stock Movers on Monday

3 jili Konstas says he's ready to play Tests for Australia

LEXINGTON, Va. (AP) — Leo Colimerio had 15 points in Queens' 81-78 win against VMI on Saturday. Colimerio had seven rebounds and five assists for the Royals (4-5). Jaxon Pollard scored 13 points while finishing 6 of 8 from the floor and added eight rebounds. Yoav Berman had 12 points and shot 4 of 7 from the field, including 3 for 6 from 3-point range, and went 1 for 4 from the line. A 3-pointer by TJ Johnson got VMI within 77-76 with 8 seconds remaining, but Nasir Mann's layup gave Queens an important three-point lead with 6 seconds left. Rickey Bradley, Jr. led the way for the Keydets (5-6) with 19 points and four steals. TJ Johnson added 17 points, six rebounds and three steals for VMI. Augustinas Kiudulas also put up 15 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Bills Clinch the AFC's No. 2 Seed With a 40-14 Rout of the Undisciplined Jets

BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and that government forces had withdrawn from the central city of Homs. The government was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The loss of Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Assad. It stands at an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader’s base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. The capture of Homs is a major victory for insurgents, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama , as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said Homs falling into rebel hands would be a game-changer. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. For the first time in the country's long-running civil war, the government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.” In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Assad's status Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. No details were immediately available. The insurgents' march Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group’s image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama , the country’s fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists." The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. Diplomacy in Doha The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. ____ Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report. Bassem Mroue And Zeina Karam, The Associated PressA new study highlights the unexpected ways AI is transforming everyday tasks, making them more efficient and convenient. For example, research forecasts that 45 percent of grocery shopping activities will be handled by AI within five years. As a specific area, smart AI integration in retail and homes can reduce food waste by 30 percent through precise demand forecasting and expiration monitoring. Research from the firm ZeroBounce , reveals how AI quietly helps in everyday tasks—proving itself not just a tool for tech enthusiasts but an ally in the modern home and workspace. Digital Journal assesses the highlights: Grocery Shopping – Smart Grocery Shopping with AI With the power of AI-powered apps , consumers can get tailored grocery lists, price comparisons, and real-time stock updates. Research shows that AI could reduce grocery prices by up to 20 percent through optimized inventory and logistics. Within five years, an estimated 45 percent of grocery shopping tasks will be automated, thanks to AI’s ability to predict consumer needs with uncanny accuracy. Dish Washing – Efficient Cleaning Made Easy Modern dishwashers are making household chores smarter by assessing dish types and quantities and then automatically adjusting water temperature, pressure, and cycle duration for the best clean. Within the next five years, automation is expected to take over 33 percent of dishwashing tasks, making everyday life more convenient. The dishwasher industry is projected to reach a revenue of $14.9 billion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 7.1 percent, driven by the increasing demand for automated home appliances. Cooking – Intelligent Meal Prep AI-driven cooking systems enhance kitchen efficiency and sustainability by helping chefs optimize menu planning, forecast ingredient needs, and reduce food waste. AI can even factor in external conditions, like weather or local events, that might affect ingredient availability or customer demand. Research shows that integrating AI-based systems to track waste could cut food waste by up to 30 percent within just one year. As an example, 32 percent of cooking tasks are set to be automated in the coming years, making the kitchen much more efficient and user-friendly. Laundry – Smarter Fabric Care The integration of AI in washers and dryers ensures that detergent use and cycle settings are personalized, improving overall laundry care. Washing machine producers (Samsung, LG) state that by tailoring wash parameters to fabric specifics, AI machines ensure more efficient and gentle processes, extending garment life and reducing environmental impact. Smart machines also estimate energy and water consumption, improving efficiency. Automation is expected to handle 29 percent of laundry tasks in the next five years, making laundry care more convenient and efficient. Pet Care – Simplified Health and Feeding Advanced pet care devices, including smart feeders and activity monitors, are transforming how we care for our pets by automating feeding schedules and tracking health. Research from the American Veterinary Medical Association highlights that more veterinarians are adopting AI tools for diagnostic imaging and managing medical records. With these innovations, it is projected that 21 percent of pet care tasks will be automated in the next five years, enhancing both convenience and the quality of care for pets. Commenting on the findings, Liviu Tanase, CEO at ZeroBounce tells Digital Journal: “AI is turning everyday chores into effortless experiences—whether it’s grocery shopping tailored to your preferences or dishwashing cycles optimized without a second thought. It’s all about making life easier, freeing up time, and letting people focus on what truly matters. As technology continues to evolve, it’s simplifying routines in ways we never imagined. This transformation is not just about convenience; it’s about redefining how we live and interact with the world around.” Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.

LEXINGTON, Va. (AP) — Leo Colimerio had 15 points in Queens' 81-78 win against VMI on Saturday. Colimerio had seven rebounds and five assists for the Royals (4-5). Jaxon Pollard scored 13 points while finishing 6 of 8 from the floor and added eight rebounds. Yoav Berman had 12 points and shot 4 of 7 from the field, including 3 for 6 from 3-point range, and went 1 for 4 from the line. A 3-pointer by TJ Johnson got VMI within 77-76 with 8 seconds remaining, but Nasir Mann's layup gave Queens an important three-point lead with 6 seconds left. Rickey Bradley, Jr. led the way for the Keydets (5-6) with 19 points and four steals. TJ Johnson added 17 points, six rebounds and three steals for VMI. Augustinas Kiudulas also put up 15 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Trump should let SCOTUS back bans on puberty blockers for gender-confused kids

Syrian government forces withdraw from central city of Homs as insurgent offensive accelerates BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and that government forces had withdrawn from the central city of Homs. Bassem Mroue And Zeina Karam, The Associated Press Dec 7, 2024 1:16 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Syrian opposition fighters remove a government Syrian flag from an official building in Salamiyah, east of Hama, Syria Syria, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed) BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and that government forces had withdrawn from the central city of Homs. The government was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The loss of Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Assad. It stands at an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader’s base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. The capture of Homs is a major victory for insurgents, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama , as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said Homs falling into rebel hands would be a game-changer. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. For the first time in the country's long-running civil war, the government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.” In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Assad's status Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. No details were immediately available. The insurgents' march Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group’s image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama , the country’s fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists." The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. Diplomacy in Doha The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. ____ Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report. Bassem Mroue And Zeina Karam, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More World News An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on Dec 7, 2024 12:31 PM Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks Dec 7, 2024 9:29 AM An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 3 and injuring others Dec 7, 2024 8:47 AM Featured Flyer

WATERBURY – Sometimes even the smallest donations can carry a lot of clout when they are made from the heart with the best of intentions. Sandra Britton, a retired phone operator from Waterbury, has been a contributor to the Greater Waterbury Campership Fund “plenty of times,” she said, and last week ponied up another $25 for the cause. In the past, fond memories of her pets prompted her to assist the Campership Fund, with hopes that Larry the dog and cats Diamond and Pumpkin are gathered at the proverbial Rainbow Bridge awaiting their owner. Last week, Britton donated “in loving memory” of two friends now deceased. Recent contributions have nudged the Campership Fund donor total this year to $87,465, about 55% of the current campaign target goal $160,000 that was set back in early spring. There still are three and a half weeks to reduce the deficit before the calendar year runs out. The good news is the $144,127 tuition bill amassed by the 306 campers who attended facilities statewide this past summer has been paid in full, as the Campership Fund was able to draw upon revenue and other resources from past campership seasons to balance the books. Now in its 55th year, the Campership Fund has served thousands of underprivileged youngsters from Greater Waterbury since 1969, allowing them to attend participating camps for one, two, or even three-week sessions in country settings. Children ages 5 to 18 who are members of low-income families from Bethlehem, Cheshire, Middlebury, Prospect, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott and Woodbury are eligible to apply for camperships. The 10 communities make up the service region of the United Way of Greater Waterbury, which annually assists the Campership Fund’s all-volunteer board of directors in vetting the applications and doing the paperwork to ensure that all eligible applicants get their chance for unforgettable summer fun at a facility of their choice. Large and small businesses, civic clubs and school and church groups, social organizations and hundreds of supportive individuals and families all combine to drive the annual fundraising effort that extends from January through December as donations are accepted year round, 24/7. One easy way to donate that is becoming increasingly popular is to go online at greaterwaterburycampershipfund.org and make a secure contribution electronically. Checks also can be mailed to Greater Waterbury Campership Fund, 389 Meadow St., Waterbury, CT 06722 or dropped off at the Republican-American building. The Campership Fund is a 501(c) 3 organization, so gifts are tax-deductible. Donations recently received amounting to $1,225 were from: Hartnett Foundation, Michael Hartnett and Veronica Hartnett, Middlebury, “In loving memory of Big Bob Rosenbeck,” $1,000 Peter Schoppenhauer, Waterbury, $200 Sandra Britton, “In loving memory of Edward Ryan and Robin Mecca, friends,” $25

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