Waters Co. (NYSE:WAT) Shares Purchased by Public Sector Pension Investment Board
(The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Arizona, blasted U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ur Jaddou for her agency approving illegal border crossers as sponsors for illegal border crossers. At a U.S. House Judiciary subcommittee hearing , Biggs also pointed out that the sponsors were found to be committing Social Security and other fraud under her watch. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the latest need-to-know information delivered to your inbox as it happens. Our flagship newsletter. Get our front page stories each morning as well as the latest updates each afternoon during the week + more in-depth weekend editions on Saturdays & Sundays.Illegal border crossers sponsoring illegal border crossers? Biden admin takes heat
The Latest: Former President Jimmy Carter is Dead at age 100Taking up the cause for Alabama and the SEC feels like going to bat for Apple or Amazon. It’s fighting for a tax break for Elon Musk or Warren Buffet. It’s rushing to the defense of the biggest bully on the block the one time somebody gets in a shot that knocks him to his knees. Yet here I am, making the case for the Crimson Tide as the team the College Football Playoff selection snubbed from the first 12-team field . Advertisement I do like having an ally in the greatest coach of all time. ESPN’s Nick Saban, dressed in a crimson jacket on the selection show, tried to avoid sounding like a shill for the program he spent 17 years running, but his stance came through loud and clear. “All wins are not the same as other wins,” Saban said during ESPN’s excruciatingly long lead-in to revealing the bracket Sunday. “In other words, what we’ve always done publicly in college is look at record. We don’t look at strength of schedule. We don’t look at all those types of things.” This is a left-brain (analytical thinking), right-brain (emotional processing) deal. If the committee truly had looked at “those types of things,” if this was more of a data-driven process, Alabama would be in the Playoff instead of SMU. GO DEEPER College Football Playoff 12-team debut season verdict: The football is good, my friends Strength of schedule metrics vary, but most come to a similar conclusion about Alabama and SMU . The Crimson Tide’s schedule was more rigorous. ESPN’s FPI has Alabama playing the 18th toughest schedule and SMU the 57th toughest. Most power rankings, which are forward-looking analytics, have Alabama ahead of SMU. The Athletic ’s own modeler, Austin Mock , would have Alabama as a six-point favorite on a neutral field against SMU. Years of recruiting rankings will tell you Alabama has one of the most talented rosters in the country and that the SEC is where the most good football players can be found. The SEC got three teams ( Georgia , Texas , Tennessee ) in the bracket, one fewer than the Big Ten and one more than the ACC. “As someone with access to college tape and staff of 11 former NFL scouts that logged hundreds of hours evaluating this CFB season, it’s easy to see why SEC coaches are upset with the final playoff bracket,” Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy posted on X. “Based strictly off future NFL talent, Alabama, South Carolina , & Ole Miss (and you can even throw in Florida, Texas A&M, and LSU for that matter) are all easily in Top-12.” Advertisement I get it. Alabama always seems to get the nod from the selection committee. When in doubt, go with the team that made the CFP eight times in 10 years when it was a four-team format — and won it three times. Even last year, the committee bypassed unbeaten Florida State because it lost star quarterback Jordan Travis to a season-ending injury in favor of one-loss Alabama. Do we really need to give the benefit of the doubt to the worst Alabama team in almost two decades, one that lost games to Oklahoma and Vanderbilt , both of which would not have been bowl-eligible if they hadn’t beaten the Tide? Most Alabama fans don’t even think their team had a good year. Left brain or right brain? How much did rallying around SMU have to do with the Mustangs’ story — a four-decade climb back from the NCAA death penalty — more than their resume? It sure would have felt awful to keep them out of the Playoff after they lost the ACC Championship Game on what will go down as one of the greatest, clutchest kicks in the history of college football by Clemson ’s Nolan Hauser . “When the announcement happened, honestly, I got emotional, just because I’m so happy for our kids,” SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said on ESPN. “They’ve worked so hard. They’ve won 22 games in the last two years. They laid it all on the line last night. We lost heartbreaking at the end to a great opponent.” The Mustangs put the committee in a difficult position and exposed a glaring flaw in the system, adding to the reasons why the CFP needs to do away with its weekly in-season rankings during the season’s final month. So much talk heading into conference championship weekend was about how much a team should be penalized for losing a title game. The committee’s answer was resounding: not much. Texas, Penn State and SMU all lost their conference title games. All were very competitive. None dropped more than two spots from last week’s rankings. Advertisement The rankings show is just that: a show. Content that helps get people talking about the Playoff in November. There is value to that. It is understandable that the conference commissioners who run the CFP would want to control the process instead of letting fans use the AP Top 25 to speculate about what the Playoff race looks like down the stretch. “I do believe it’s good for us to release our ranking, because our ranking is out there and competes with two others, the AP and the coaches,” committee chairman Warde Manuel said. “So I think it’s important, since they release a weekly ranking, that at the appropriate time in the season ... that we release how we’re thinking so people are not surprised in analyzing and trying to figure out how the committee is thinking about things.” The chairman has a talking point that the committee starts each week with a blank sheet of paper when it begins ranking teams. But Manuel also said last week that teams not playing on championship weekend were done being evaluated. They could move around based on the movement of other teams that were playing for league titles, but the order of teams such as Alabama, Miami , South Carolina, etc., was set. Saban pointed out the problem with SMU and Alabama was SMU entering the weekend ahead in the first place, and maybe he’s right. SMU should have been playing its way into the field instead of playing its way out in the ACC Championship Game, he said. “Playing in (the SEC), and I played in this conference for over 20 years, and when you have to go play Tennessee, then you have to go play LSU, then that team that you play next, now you might be more vulnerable to,” Saban said. Saban, Greg Sankey, the SEC and Alabama don’t make for the most sympathetic victims, nor should they be viewed that way. Defending them all feels like demanding that the spoiled kid who seems to have all the toys also gets a pony — or in this case, the Ponies’ spot in the Playoff. But it’s hard not to admit that when you crunch the numbers, they have a point. (Photo: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images)In commemoration of Human Rights Day, the US government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAid), and The Asia Foundation launched on December 12 a P16.8-million ($300,000) initiative that will strengthen the capacity of human rights organizations in the Philippines to thwart cybersecurity threats, including doxing, phishing, and organized digital attacks. As part of USAid and The Asia Foundation's ongoing Initiative for Advancing Community Transformation (I-ACT) project, the "Cybersecurity for Human Rights in the Philippines" (C4HR-PH) initiative will provide tools and training to more than 150 local organizations across the country over ten months. Register to read this story and more for free . Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience. 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Iowa QB Cade McNamara slams 'ridiculous' rumorsUnited States women’s head coach Emma Hayes admitted she initially grappled with how best to behave during ‘God Save The King’ ahead of her side’s goalless draw with England in their Wembley friendly. The billing of London-born former Chelsea boss Hayes against England’s Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman – arguably the best two bosses in the women’s game – had generated more buzz in the build-up than the players on the pitch, despite it being a rare encounter between the two top-ranked sides in the world. Hayes enjoyed her return to familiar shores but felt the US lacked the “killer piece” after they looked the likelier side to make the breakthrough. Elite meeting of the minds 🌟 — U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) Asked what was going through her mind during the national anthem, Hayes said: “I was definitely mouthing (it), and Naomi (Girma) and Lynn (Williams) could see that I was struggling with where to be and all that. “I got to the end of the anthems and I thought, ‘that’s so ridiculous. I’m proud to be English and I’m proud of our national anthem, and I’m also really proud to coach America’. “Two things are possible all at once. I don’t want to fuel a nationalist debate around it. The realities are both countries are really dear to me for lots of reasons, and I’m really proud to represent both of them.” The Lionesses did not register a shot on target in the first half but grew into the game in the second. US captain Lindsey Horan had the ball in the net after the break but the flag was up, while Hayes’ side had a penalty award for a handball reversed after a VAR check determined substitute Yazmeen Ryan’s shot hit Alex Greenwood’s chest. Hayes, who left Chelsea after 12 trophy-packed years this summer, said: “I’ve been privileged to coach a lot of top-level games, including here, so there’s a familiarity to being here for me. “It’s not new to me, and because of that there was a whole sense of I’m coming back to a place I know. I have a really healthy perspective, and I want to have a really healthy perspective on my profession. “I give everything I possibly can for a team that I really, really enjoy coaching, and I thrive, not just under pressure, but I like these opportunities, I like being in these situations. They bring out the best in me. “You’ve got two top teams now, Sarina is an amazing coach, I thought it was a good tactical match-up, and I just enjoy coaching a high-level football match, to be honest with you. I don’t think too much about it.” Hayes had travelled to London without her entire Olympic gold medal-winning ‘Triple Espresso’ forward line of Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith, all nursing niggling injuries. Before the match, the 48-year-old was spotted chatting with Wiegman and her US men’s counterpart, fellow ex-Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, who was also in attendance. England were also missing a number of key attackers for the friendly including Lauren Hemp, Lauren James and Ella Toone, all ruled out with injury. "This shows where we are at and we need to keep improving. It is November now. This is good but we want to be better again. We have to be better again." 👊 Reaction from the boss ⬇️ — Lionesses (@Lionesses) Wiegman brushed aside suggestions from some pundits that her side were content to settle for a draw. She said: “I think we were really defending as a team, very strong. We got momentum in the second half, we did better, and of course both teams went for the win. “So many things happened in this game, also in front of the goal, so I don’t think it was boring. “We wanted to go for the win, but it was such a high-intensity game, you have to deal with a very good opponent, so you can’t just say, ‘Now we’re going to go and score that goal’. “We tried, of course, to do that. We didn’t slow down to keep it 0-0. I think that was just how the game went.”Somehow, the end of the year has returned, so we thought that now was the perfect time to take a look at the best movies of 2024. It’s been quite a year for cinema; there have been some awesome action movies , dynamic dramas, and sensational sequels. Horror and animation have both dominated the box office , while superhero movies (or one at least) have managed to cling on just about. But what were the best movies of the year? Well to work this out, we used popcorn to bribe each member of the TV and movies team into nominating ten movies from 2024 (based on US releases). After that, the senior team got to work refining the list, and after several intense hours of debate (which mostly involved yelling at each other), they emerged with a list of what they consider to be the most fantastic flicks of the year. Now, not all of our favorites are going to get their flowers (sorry , Trap fans) but if you didn’t get a ticket for these films when they were in theaters, you messed up. Note: We’re well aware that it’s November, and there are lots of movies still to be released – Mufasa, Sonic 3, and Kraven immediately spring to mind – so keep this list bookmarked, as we’ll be updating it throughout what’s left of 2024. 25. Dune: Part Two Director: Denis Villeneuve Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Stellan Skarsgård, Rebecca Ferguson, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Javier Bardem What it’s about: Following the Harkonnen attack on Arrakis, Paul must learn the ways of the Fremen in the hopes of uniting the tribes if he ever wants to take back his birthright. Related: Why we like it: If we were ranking the movies of 2024 by ambition, then Dune: Part Two would top the list. Everything about Villeneuve’s second trip to Arrakis is bigger and bolder than the first – from cinematographer Greig Fraser’s sweeping visuals to the grandiose action scenes and Hans Zimmer’s bombastic booming score. Yet arguably, what makes this film truly great is how Villeneuve confidently takes author Frank Herbert’s text and the labyrinthian lore of Dune and makes it into something everyone and anyone can understand. My favorite part, though? Austin Butler’s creepy Stellan Skarsgård impression. Read our Dune 2 review here. Words by Tom Percival 24. Haikyuu!! The Dumpster Battle Director: Susumu Mitsunaka Cast: Ayumu Murase, Kaito Ishikawa, Yuki Kaji (Japanese) / Bryson Baugus, Scott Gibbs, Clint Bickham (English) What it’s about: The Wildcats and the Crows finally face off in a match that epitomizes youthful competition and the beauty of our high school years. Why we like it: If there’s one game Haikyuu!! fans were waiting for, it’s this one, and the big screen gives everyone a chance to shine. The thrilling plays and dramatic strategizing are heightened through memories of how each player got here – a reminder that everyone has a story to tell on the court and off. Words by Anthony McGlynn Read our Haikyuu!! The Dumpster Battle review here. 23. Rebel Ridge Director: Jeremy Saulnier Cast: Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, James Cromwell What it’s about: Terry Richmond, an ex-Marine, cycles to Shelby Springs to bail his cousin out of jail. When he’s rammed off the road by two cops, they detain his money and refuse to give it back, as ordered by their corrupt chief. He’s left with one option: “I gotta haunt these motherf**kers myself.” Why we like it: Rebel Ridge is one of the best movies Netflix has ever released: a smart, teeth-gnawingly tense, and cathartic actioner that feels like the 21st century’s first proper answer to First Blood, with an intelligent, no-less badass lead and Johnson at his smarmiest and best. Did I put too much sauce on that? “Nah.” Words by Cameron Frew 22. The Apprentice Director: Ali Abbasi Cast: Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova What it’s about: The Apprentice is an origin story about Donald Trump’s ascension up New York’s property ladder, as well as his entry into high society, all with the help of notorious lawyer Roy Cohn. Why we like it: The Apprentice announces itself as a “classic American horror story” but the movie also manages to be a disturbing cautionary tale about the dark side of the American Dream. Sebastian Stan imbues Donald Trump with just enough charm and charisma to explain his success. However, the film also posits that Roy Cohn ultimately made the man we know today, drawing a line from his words, advice, and life lessons directly to the White House. Read our The Apprentice review here. Words by Chris Tilly 21. Kinds of Kindness Director: Yorgos Lanthimos Cast: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Margaret Qualley, Willem Dafoe, Hunter Schafer What it’s about: A trilogy of stories woven into one overarching thread, a man tries to take his own life, a cop’s wife returns home a different person, and a woman looks for someone supernatural. Why we like it: If you’re a fan of Lanthimos’ earlier work like Dogtooth and The Lobster, you’re going to love Kinds of Kindness. Much more grounded in reality than The Favourite and Poor Things, this triptych of tales still isn’t for the faint of heart. I actually can’t pick a favorite of the three... Stone and Plemons have clearly studied at the Tilda Swinton school of chameleonic acting. Read our Kinds of Kindness review here. Words by Jasmine Valentine 20. Maria Director: Pablo Larraín Cast: Angelina Jolie, Haluk Bilginer, Alba Rohrwacher, Kodi Smit-McPhee What it’s about: Following the final days of opera singer Maria Callas before her death, a fictional camera crew recounts her life through a tour of 1970s Paris. Why we like it: I saw this a month before writing this piece, and I still feel like I’m crying. Jolie looks to be Mikey Madison’s stiffest competition in the race for Best Actress, thanks to her emotionally eviscerating portrayal of Maria Callas. The third in his 20th-century women trilogy, Larraín is an expert at choosing a moment in time and painfully unpicking it, and the results are arguably his best of the bunch. Words by Jasmine Valentine 19. Gladiator 2 Director: Ridley Scott Cast: Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal What it’s about: The son of Maximus returns to the arena a decade or so after his father’s death, ready to avenge his fallen wife and take down the Roman army, all while trying to survive under the watchful eye of gladiator showman Macrinus. Why we like it: Gladiator 2 was one of my personal most anticipated movies of the year, and it didn’t disappoint. It brought Ridley back onto the good side of many waning fans and brought in some of Hollywood’s hottest current talent to make the historical drama dramatic again. No, it’s not perfect, but with the bloody violence and scheming characters, there’s an element of opera to Gladiator 2 that can’t be ignored. And that’s all without mentioning Denzel Washington, who elevates the movie to dastardly heights. Come for Paul Mescal in a tunic; stay for flesh-hungry monkeys. Read our Gladiator 2 review here. Words by Jessica Cullen 18. Blink Twice Director: Zoë Kravitz Cast: Naomi Ackie, Channing Tatum, Alia Shawkat, Christian Slater What it’s about: Tech billionaire Slater King invites cocktail waitress Frida to join a group of friends on his private island. But what starts out as a dream vacation soon turns into a nightmare when Frida notices strange occurrences, descending into a sinister struggle for survival. Why we like it: Kravitz strikes the perfect balance of social commentary and entertainment in her directorial debut. Ultimately, Blink Twice is about abuses of power and the female experience, but it’s never preachy, instead weaving these themes into a truly suspenseful, entertaining, and trippy ride. All of this culminates in an ending you won’t see coming but will find cathartic. If nothing else, it’s the most accurate portrayal of the phenomenon all smokers will know too well: keeping track of your lighter. Read our Blink Twice review here. Words by Daisy Phillipson 17. Hit Man Director: Richard Linklater Cast: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta, Sanjay Rao What it’s about: Based on the true story of Gary Johnson, Hit Man follows a shy college professor who goes undercover with the New Orleans police as a fake hitman. Along the way, though, he falls in love with a prospective client, and things get very complicated very quickly. Why we like it: Despite its relatively novel premise, Hit Man feels like a triumphant throwback to the character studies of the 90s. It’s a film that embraces the weird and wonderful without needing to resort to over-the-top action or silly spectacle. Instead, it relies on the natural charm of its leading man, Glen Powell – who’s clearly having a lot of fun stretching his acting muscles (instead of just his abs) – to tell a brilliantly dark story that’s got a surprising amount of depth for a Netflix comedy. Read our Hit Man review here. Words by Tom Percival 16. Conclave Director: Edward Berger Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, Carlos Diehz What it’s about: When the Pope dies, Cardinal Lawrence organizes a papal conclave to elect a new pontiff. As days pass and votes mount, candidates rise and fall under the weight of their scandals and hunger for power – but they must choose a new Holy Father, whatever it takes. Why we like it: These wannabe popes are devious contradictions; as James 1:26 says, those who do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves and their religion. But that’s part of Conclave’s unique, brilliant alchemy: its drama is divine, as tasty as a whisper, and rich as any parable. Certainty may be a sin, but this is undoubtedly a banger. Words by Cameron Frew 15. Strange Darling Director: JT Mollner Cast: Kyle Gallner, Willa Fitzgerald, Barbara Hershey What it’s about: Following a twisted one-night stand, a sick serial killer hunts his prey in a terrifying game of cat-and-mouse. Why we like it: Strange Darling does for serial murder movies what Pulp Fiction did for the crime genre, messing with chronology and hopping back and forth in time to add twists, turns, and depth to what’s ultimately a quite simple story. Writer-director JT Mollner’s ingenious approach to the material is matched by a pair of star-making turns from his leads, with Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald delivering two of 2024’s very best performances. Read our Strange Darling review here. Words by Chris Tilly 14. I Saw the TV Glow Director: Jane Schoenbrun Cast: Justice Smith, Brigette Lundy-Paine What it’s about: In 1996, Owen is entranced by The Pink Oqaque, a hazy, late-night YA series. He befriends Maddy, a troubled teen and fellow fan, but as years pass by the line between reality and fiction starts to blur as much as their sense of self. Why we like it: One of the decade’s rare, true masterpieces; a movie that reckons with the flesh-and-heart-festering fears of a generation in horrifying, singular fashion. It’s also beautiful; a haunting balm for those who’ve sought refuge in a story, a fable for those who’ve lost touch with (or over-depended on) the comfort of that obsession. As the credits rolled, I couldn’t speak, nor could I move – as the tears dried into my face, I simply saw the TV’s glow fade to black. Words by Cameron Frew 13. The First Omen Director: Arkasha Stevenson Cast: Nell Tiger Free, Tawfeek Barhom, Sônia Braga What it’s about: An American nun travels to an orphanage in Rome where it’s increasingly clear the Devil is at work. Why we like it: The Omen might be usurped for the best installment of its own franchise. The mystery underpinning Stevenson’s prequel is engaging, becoming ever more so as the clues arrive. Visceral, erogenous imagery pops out like intrusive thoughts, dragging us into the seedy underbelly. Something wicked isn’t coming; it’s here. Read our The First Omen review here. Words by Anthony McGlynn 12. Furiosa Director: George Miller Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke What it’s about: Years before the events of Mad Max: Fury Road, a young Furiosa attempts to avenge her mother’s murder at the hands of the sadistic Dementus. Why we like it: Most people went into Furiosa hoping for two things. One: a killer villain performance from Chris Hemsworth and an action-packed ride through the wasteland. Furiosa delivered both in spades. Hemsworth is a scenery-chewing antagonist for the ages, screaming and kicking and smiling his way into our memories. Furiosa’s adrenaline-fuelled race through the desert is nothing short of spectacular, following perfectly from Mad Max’s blood soaked and sandy chaos. Read our Furiosa review here. Words by Jessica Cullen 11. Twisters Director: Lee Isaac Chung Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Brandon Perea, Maura Tierney, Sasha Lane What it’s about: Retired storm chaser Kate Carter is called back into action by her old friend, who’s working on groundbreaking technology that will allow meteorologists to predict dangerous tornadoes. However, when Kate meets charismatic social media star Tyler Owens, she realizes she might not be working for the good guys. Why we like it: Twisters or Twister$, as it’s come to be known in at least one group chat I’m in, blew audiences away when it roared into theaters this summer. While many expected a cheap cash-in (myself included. Sorry, I’m a cynic at heart), the naysayers were silenced by Isaac Chung’s category-5 movie, which balanced gale force spectacle with memorable characters and a tender romance. When you combine that with Edgar-Jones and Powell’s incredible chemistry, you’ve got the perfect conditions for the storm movie of the century. If we had one complaint, it’s that Spielberg denied us that kiss! I guess it proves everyone makes mistakes. Read our Twisters review here. Words by Tom Percival 10. The Wild Robot Director: Chris Sanders Cast: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Catherine O’Hara, Matt Berry What it’s about: ROZZUM Unit 7134 (“Roz” for short), a domestic service robot, crash-lands on an island inhabited exclusively by animals. She struggles to find a purpose until she accidentally crushes a goose nest, leaving a single egg. Together with a lone fox, she raises the young gosling until it’s time for the migration. Why we like it: The Wild Robot made me cry not once, not twice, but thrice – it may even be DreamWorks’ best film since Shrek 2. It has the studio’s magic sauce: a jaw-dropping voice ensemble (you won’t recognize them until the credits, and then you’ll shout, ‘That was them ?’), dazzling visuals, and an irresistibly emotional story that speaks two universal, all-ages languages: love and kindness. “Sometimes to survive, we must become more than we are programmed to be.” Words by Cameron Frew 9. Woman of the Hour Director: Anna Kendrick Cast: Anna Kendrick, Daniel Zovatto, Tony Hale What it’s about: Based on the real-life TV appearance of Rodney Alcala (aka the Dating Game Killer), the film follows Cheryl Bradshaw, a young woman who finds herself on a dating show and comes face to face with an undiscovered serial killer. Why we like it: As is the case with most years, true crime was a go-to throughout 2024, with a countless supply of documentaries and horror movies surrounding killers. But Woman of the Hour was one of the most earnest and careful explorations of a real-life case yet, and Anna Kendrick’s impressive directorial debut proved she really has something to say. The case of Rodney Alcala is a lengthy and truly awful example of human nature, but Kendrick perfectly examined his character through one main event: his real-life appearance on a dating show. It’s an intense journey from start to finish but truly succeeded in giving us the scariest scene of 2024 . Read our Woman of the Hour review here. Words by Jessica Cullen 8. Deadpool & Wolverine Director: Shawn Levy Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Matthew Macfadyen. What it’s about: When Deadpool learns that the TVA plans on pruning his dying timeline, the Merc’ With A Mouth goes on the hunt for the only person in the multiverse who can help him save the day: Wolverine. Why we like it: The MCU’s been in a rough spot for a while now, and Kevin Feige turned to Marvel Jesus, aka Deadpool, to save the day. Did Deadpool deliver? Did he ever! Wild, irreverent, and profane, the Merc’ With A Mouth’s first foray into the wider Marvel Universe was a resounding success and every bit as filthy and violent as its predecessors. Even better, the film performed a miracle and gave us what we’d been waiting for for over two decades: Hugh Jackman’s derriere in yellow spandex. He might not convert non-believers to the church of Marvel, but Deadpool has risen, and he’s here to save the MCU from its sins. Read our Deadpool & Wolverine review here. Words by Tom Percival 7. Anora Director: Sean Baker Cast: Mikey Madison, Mark Eidelstein, Yuriy Borisov What it’s about: A sex worker from Brooklyn meets and marries the son of a Russian oligarch, but trouble brews when his family finds out and makes it their mission to get the union annulled. Why we like it: Through his movies about sex workers and figures on the sidelines of society, it feels like writer-director Sean Baker has been working towards Anora throughout his career. The result is his most complete work to date; a beguiling character study bursting out of a wild account of young love, and a film that’s funny, tense, sad, then ultimately profound via one of 2024’s most thought-provoking endings. Words by Chris Tilly 6. Love Lies Bleeding Director: Rose Glass Cast: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brien, Ed Harris, Dave Franco, Jena Malone What it’s about: Gym manager Lou falls head over heels for bodybuilder Jackie when she mysteriously arrives in town. However, Lou’s criminal family grabs hold, leading to more violence than love. Why we like it: Be still my lesbian heart. Remember how Wachowski’s Bound managed to infuse life-threatening crime with a happy sapphic ending? Glass manages more of the same here, only upping the visual ante. It’s full of humor, gym sweats, and psychedelic hallucinations – and she doesn’t hold back on the gore either. Personally, it’s a K Stew performance I’ll never forget. Read our Love Lies Bleeding review here. Words by Jasmine Valentine 5. Wicked Director : Jon M. Chu Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum What it’s about: A prequel (of sorts) to the Wizard of Oz, Wicked tells the story of Elphaba and reveals the real reason she became the Wicked Witch of the West. Why we like it: Adapting what’s widely considered the greatest stage musical of all time was always going to be a tall order, but Jon M. Chu proved he had the heart, brains, and courage to get the job done. Technically, it’s wonderful: the music is gorgeous, the choreography intricate, and the production design immaculate (although it doesn’t always look it). Yet what really makes Wicked sing (pun intended) is Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s magical double act. The pair just have such enchanting chemistry that it’s hard not to fall under their spell and that captivating charm bleeds into the rest of the film. If you’ve been putting off seeing it, don’t because I promise you you’ll be blown away like Dorothy’s house. Read our Wicked review here Words by Tom Percival 4. The Substance Director: Coralie Fargeat Cast: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid What it’s about: Elisabeth Sparkle is 50 years old – in showbiz, she’s past her sell-by date. However, there may be a solution: the substance, a mysterious drug that births a younger, better version of herself who immediately finds all of the fame she lost. She (well, they) just has to remember one thing: “You are one.” Why we like it: Fargeat never respects the balance, and that’s the pumped-up, pulpy beauty of The Substance; diabolically funny, disgusting, and deeply tragic, with a career-best performance from Moore, a star-certifying turn from Qualley, and Quaid at his most exquisitely despicable. Here, self-loathing and narcissism are two sides of the same coin; it’s not about the (body-)horror of aging, but rather the fragility of one’s worth, in our eyes and theirs. Read our Substance review here. Words by Cameron Frew 3. Longlegs Director: Osgood Perkins Cast: Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Alicia Witt What it’s about: FBI agent Lee Harker uses her uncanny instincts to investigate an ongoing series of strange killings by the serial killer known as Longlegs. But as she digs deeper, she finds herself more connected to the case and killer than she could have ever imagined. Why we like it: Accusations of being “overhyped” and “not scary enough” are too harsh for a movie like Longlegs. Simply put, it’s terrifying, atmospheric, and original, and that should be enough to earn its place on any best-of-the-year list. Maika Monroe is magnetic as a put-upon FBI agent, and although Cage’s appearance as Longlegs might have been overused, he completely transformed. The craft behind the movie only served to make it more tense, more disturbing, and it truly worked. It raised a lot of questions it didn’t necessarily answer, but that just makes Longlegs one of the most enigmatic and unforgettable horror movies of the year, and earned Oz Perkins a place on everyone’s radar (if he wasn’t there already). Read our Longlegs review here. Words by Jessica Cullen 2. Challengers Director: Luca Guadagnino Cast: Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, Mike Faist What it’s about: A tennis star whose career was cut short by injury tries to end her husband’s losing streak by seeking help from her ex, who just happens to be his former best friend. Why we like it: Challengers is one of the best sports movies ever made, thanks to some pulsating tennis that puts the audience slap-bang in the middle of the matches. That athletic action is underpinned by high drama, with games on the court fuelled by a love triangle off it, between rising stars Zendaya, John O’Conner, and Mike Faist. All three of whom the camera adores. The result is the sexiest film of the year, and one of director Luca Guadagnino’s very best. Read our Challengers review here. Words by Chris Tilly 1. Terrifier 3 Director: Damien Leone Cast: David Howard Thornton, Lauren LaVera, Elliott Fullam, Samantha Scaffidi What it’s about: After surviving Art the Clown’s Halloween massacre, Sienna and her brother Jonathan attempt to recover, only to be thrust back into a nightmare when Art makes his return. To make matters worse, it’s Christmas... and Art’s got his accomplice, Vicky. Why we like it: Even if you’re not a horror fan (sorry for your loss), there’s no denying the artistry that goes into creating eye-wincingly gruesome, extravagant kills in the Terrifier movies. With a bigger budget to play with, Leone’s threequel takes things up a notch, resulting in some of the grisliest scenes ever to hit the big screen. But what elevates Terrifier 3 beyond the guts and gore (and glass shards) is the heart of this chaotic circus. Art is a villain of the ages, at once a demonic killer and loveable clown; a nightmare with a wink. Thornton’s performance reaches fever pitch in this installment, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with zero dialogue. It’s for all these reasons and more that Terrifier 3 is not only the best horror of 2024 but the best movie overall (and arguably even the best Christian flick if you squint hard enough). Read our Terrifier 3 review here. Words by Daisy PhillipsonGeorge Russell will start Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix from pole position after Max Verstappen was given a one-place grid penalty for impeding the Brit during qualifying. As they prepared for their final flying laps at the end of qualifying, Red Bull's Verstappen caught Russell by surprise as he slowed in the third sector, leaving the Mercedes driver needing to take late evasive action that forced him onto the kerb and gravel. Russell had been on provisional pole before the final runs, and said after the session that the incident was "maybe" the reason he was unable to improve on his first effort. Verstappen was called to the stewards for the alleged offence of "driving unnecessarily slowly", with Russell also invited to give his version of events, before a decision was eventually communicated more than three hours after the end of the session. The penalty for such an offence would usually be a three-place grid penalty, but the stewards said the fact that Russell had clear visibility of Verstappen, and that neither driver was on a push lap, resulted in a less severe punishment. Trending Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Verstappen also received one penalty point on his FIA super licence, which takes him halfway to the 12-point threshold over a year-long period that if breached results in a one-race ban. While the ruling boosts Russell's chances of claiming back-to-back victories following his win in Las Vegas last week, it is unlikely to cause major uproar given Verstappen has already sealed a fourth successive drivers' title. Also See: Get Sky Sports F1 or stream with NOW When to watch Qatar GP on Sky How McLaren can win constructors' in Qatar F1 grid set to expand to 11 teams The stewards' ruling in full The Stewards heard from the driver of Car 1 (Max Verstappen), the driver of Car 63 (George Russell), team representatives and reviewed positioning/marshalling system data, video, timing, telemetry, team radio and in-car video evidence. Car 1 was on a different preparation strategy to that of Car 63. Car 1 was well outside of the delta and the driver of Car 1 explained he had let Cars 4 and 14 past. The driver of Car 63 claimed that he had adhered to the delta and did not expect Car 1 to be on the racing line. He stated that if a car was going slow in a high speed corner, it should not be on the racing line. The Stewards regard this case as a complicated one in that clearly Car 1 did not comply with the Race Director's Event Notes and clearly was driving, in our determination, unnecessarily slowly considering the circumstances. It was obvious the driver of Car 1 was attempting to cool his tyres. He also could see Car 63 approaching as he looked in his mirror multiple times whilst on the small straight between Turns 11 and 12. Unusually, this incident occurred when neither car was on a push lap. Had Car 63 been on a push lap, the penalty would have most likely been the usual 3 grid position penalty, however in mitigation of penalty, it was obvious that the driver of Car 63 had clear visibility of Car 1 and that neither car was on a push lap. Sign up and save 10% off your first purchase! What did the drivers say? Both drivers reflected on the interview during post-session interviews with Sky Sports F1 before they met with the stewards. George Russell on Sky Sports F1: Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "When you're preparing for your lap and you end up going through the gravel two corners before the lap starts, it's not exactly the ideal preparation. "There was no reason why I shouldn't have improved, and I went three tenths slower. "We've got this delta on the steering wheel we have to follow, and that was implemented to stop cars going too slow on the out-lap, to avoid high-to-low speed incidents. "He was clearly going too slow. I was following the rule and almost had the crash. "To be honest, I'll be surprised if anything happens but it was just a bit of a shame to finish that way because I felt in a really great groove." Max Verstappen on Sky Sports F1: Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "I'm not there to annoy people, because if I follow my delta I'm going to screw over two other cars, and I think I'm at the stage of the championship that it's not necessary to be arguing with other drivers. "So I'm like, whatever, I just follow the guys ahead of me, try to sort myself out. "At the same time, I think George had different plans. He wanted to get his tyres up to temp a little bit more. So he then wanted to of course go around me. "That's what we just have with these delta times, that one tries to stick to it, the other one backs out because he sees the two cars in front that he doesn't want to annoy as well, because otherwise they will struggle to get their tyres ready for the lap. "So it's just a bit of an unlucky situation, I would call it." Sky Sports F1's live Qatar GP schedule Sunday December 1 10.55am: F1 Academy Race Two 12.15pm: F2 Feature Race 2.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Qatar GP build-up 4pm: THE QATAR GRAND PRIX 6pm: Chequered Flag: Qatar GP reaction 7pm: Ted's Notebook Formula 1's season-ending triple-header continues this weekend with the Qatar Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports F1. Get Sky Sports F1 or stream with NOW
Antalyaspor will be looking to extend their three-match unbeaten run when they welcome Kayserispor to the New Antalya Stadium for a Turkish Super Lig clash on Sunday. Meanwhile, the visitors ended a two-match losing streak last time out, and will be hoping to win two matches in a row for the first time this season. © Imago Antalyaspor are enjoying a good run at the moment, with three wins and one draw in their last four matches across all competitions, including two wins and one draw in their last three Süper Lig matches. However, the draw came in the Scorpions' most recent league match, ending a three-match winning streak across all competitions with a 1-1 draw away at Konyaspor. Alex de Souza 's men earned the draw with a stoppage-time penalty converted by Sam Larsson , having trailed since conceding in the 16th minute of the game, leaving them 12th in the standings with 18 points after 14 matches, four points above the relegation zone. The Scorpions are unbeaten in their last three matches against Kayserispor with one win and two draws, a run they will be confident of extending given their recent home form, and the opposition's poor campaign so far. The hosts have won their last three home matches across all competitions, including against Bodrum and Sivasspor in the Süper Lig, while they have also picked up 12 wins and lost just two of 22 home matches against Sunday's opposition. © Imago Kayserispor ended a two-match winless streak with a 2-0 victory over Alanyaspor at Kadir Has Stadium last time out, thanks to second-half goals from Aylton Boa Morte and Carlos Mane . The Anatolian Star climbed out of the relegation zone following the win, having now amassed 15 points after 14 matches, leaving them one point above the drop zone. Since taking over the managerial role on October 3, Sinan Kaloglu has guided Kayserispor to three wins, two defeats, and three draws in the eight Super Lig matches he has managed, with two of those wins coming on the road. The Kayseri-based side have picked up more away points than at home, and this will be their inspiration on Sunday when they head to a ground where they have picked up just two wins in 22 attempts. © Imago Antalyaspor are hoping Emrecan Uzunhan recovers in time for this fixture, after being sidelined with a muscle injury for a while. Centre-back Bahadir Ozturk is confirmed to miss the clash, as the defender is nursing an ankle injury with no return date set. Kayserispor will be without Kartal Yilmaz and Gokhan Sazdagi who are both set to miss this clash due to accumulated yellow cards. The Anatolian Star could also remain without centre-back Majid Hosseini who is still recovering from a knee injury. Antalyaspor possible starting lineup: Piric; Yesilyurt, Sari, Kelven, Vural; Petrusenko; van de Streek, Kaluzinski, Larsson, Dikmen; Gaich Kayserispor possible starting lineup: Piri; Attamhah, Kolovetsios, Carole, Kocaman; Kaldirim, Karimi; Mane, Boa Morte, Cardoso; Nazon Antalyaspor's resilience was on display last time, extending their good run, and this is one of the reasons we are predicting that the hosts will edge this clash, coupled with the fact that they are on a good run at home, while they have also dominated past home fixtures against Kayserispor. For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here .NYT Turns Off Comments on UnitedHeath CEO Op-Ed After Getting Flooded with Negative RepliesCalgary charities looking for support on Giving Tuesday and into December
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On Friday, November 22, a woman who accused MMA fighter Conor McGregor of raping her in a Dublin hotel room in December 2018 won a civil claim at Ireland’s high court for damages against him. McGregor was ordered to pay €248,000 ($257,000, £206,000) to his accuser Nikita Hand. He denied the accusations and has said he will appeal. At the time of writing, the Court of Appeal tells The Athletic that there has been no appeal, which must be lodged within 28 days of the order. Advertisement During the two-week trial, the jury heard that after that December day, Hand left her job as a hairdresser and has not been able to work since due to her mental health — claims supported by medical evidence presented to the court by her doctor and psychiatrist. The jury also heard that she developed post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) after the alleged attack, and that her relationship with her former partner ended months after the incident. She said she had to move out of her home in Drimnagh, Dublin, and her mortgage is now in arrears. Hand said she’d had to stop seeing a counsellor because she could no longer afford to pay for the sessions, having spent more than €4,000 on doctor, pharmacy and psychiatrist bills. Among the most emotive parts of the proceedings was when Hand’s senior counsel John Gordon told the jury his client would always be “a marked woman” after standing up to McGregor, one of the world’s most famous and popular athletes, with more than 47million followers on Instagram. In contrast, McGregor’s life had remained relatively untouched by the events of 2018 — certainly prior to the trial at Ireland’s high court. It remains to be seen if, or how, the ruling may affect McGregor’s fight career in the UFC, which has seen diminished results since his 2016 peak (one win, three defeats), but where he remains one of the company’s most marketable figures. The prior history of the organization suggests it is unlikely that recent developments would stand in the way of an eventual return to combat for McGregor — and a mightily profitable one. The 36-year-old has not fought inside the octagon since 2021, when he lost to Dustin Poirier — a fight for which he earned an estimated $33million (£26m) — but has spent the past few years launching his own whiskey and stout brands, becoming part-owner of bare-knuckle boxing promotion BKFC, starting his own record company, and making his acting debut in a remake of Road House alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. The sum McGregor must pay Hand pales in comparison to his fight purses, endorsement deals and business enterprises. When McGregor sold a majority stake in his whiskey brand in 2021, $600million was split between him and his co-founders. Now there’s a verdict, will there be any deeper consequences? And if so, will they linger? On November 25, game developer 10 Interactive, who added McGregor to Hitman: World of Assassination in the form of a character called The Disruptor earlier in 2024, made an announcement about “its collaboration with the athlete”. “We take this matter very seriously and cannot ignore its implications,” it said. “Consequently, we will begin removing all content featuring Mr. McGregor from our storefronts starting today.” In light of the recent court ruling regarding Conor McGregor, IO Interactive has made the decision to cease its collaboration with the athlete, effective immediately. We take this matter very seriously and cannot ignore its implications. Consequently, we will begin removing all... — HITMAN (@Hitman) November 25, 2024 In a statement to The Athletic , 10 Interactive said: “New players will no longer be able to buy the DLC (downloadable content) featuring Conor McGregor. Meaning that they are still able to buy and play HITMAN World of Assassination, but not the content featuring Conor McGregor specifically. And so far there are not any plans to re-release the mission.” Advertisement The National Wax Museum Plus in Dublin no longer showcases a figure of McGregor — removing it initially due to the trial taking place. The likeness had been on display since August 2017. In a statement, the museum said: “As a family-friendly attraction, we regularly review our exhibits to ensure they align with our values and the expectations of our visitors. We will continue to monitor the situation and make decisions about future displays accordingly.” On November 26, it was reported by Irish online publisher The Currency that the Irish retail giant Musgrave will be delisting drinks associated with McGregor from its retail network. The group controls the SuperValu supermarket chain, Centra convenience stores and Donnybrook Fair brands and is one of the biggest retail groups in Ireland with more than 1,250 shops nationwide. Other retailers soon followed, including Spar owner BWG Food, the operator of Costcutter, and Tesco, which confirmed in a statement: “We are removing Proper No. 12 from sale in Tesco stores and online. Tesco does not stock Forged Irish Stout.” There was also an announcement from Proximo Spirits, who bought Proper No. 12 Whiskey from McGregor in 2021, that it will no longer use McGregor’s name or image in association with the drink. Irish airport operator DAA said the whiskey was removed from sale in Dublin and Cork airports while Belfast bar Filthy McNasty’s, which helped to launch McGregor’s Forged stout in December 2023, said it is suspending sales of the drink and is awaiting the removal of a mural on the side of the building depicting the fighter. Pub chain JD Wetherspoon has also pulled products associated with the fighter. But McGregor is more than his drinks brands. His website lists plant-based recovery brand TIDL Sports and clothing brand August McGregor under the banner of “McGregor brands.” At the time of writing, there was no indication that either partnership was reconsidering its involvement with the MMA fighter. The Athletic contacted TIDL and August McGregor but received no reply before publication. GO DEEPER Conor McGregor verdict should make football think twice about associating with him Despite his time away from MMA, McGregor retains a loyal following among the sport’s fans. Since the verdict, he has drawn support, consolation and even admiration from his global audience. In a since-deleted post on X, McGregor said he “made mistakes” in his interactions with Hand, but maintained “everything that happened that night was consensual.” He finished by thanking his family, friends and “supporters all over the world” and stated he was getting back to the gym: “The fight game awaits!” Though most observers accept he is far removed from being the fighter who simultaneously held the UFC’s featherweight and lightweight titles and knocked out former champ Jose Aldo in 13 seconds in December 2015, a McGregor return could be big box office for the UFC, and its president, Dana White. White is a staunch ally of United States president-elect Donald Trump and gave a speech at the Republican National Convention in July. Referring to Trump, he said: “I’m in the tough guy business and this man is the toughest, most resilient human being I have ever met in my entire life.” In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996, awarding her $5million (£3.9m) in damages. Trump has since been reelected, and celebrated his victory with an appearance at UFC 309 where he received warm applause at Madison Square Garden and a tribute dance from main event winner Jon Jones. Advertisement Speaking at the UFC 309 post-fight press conference the weekend before McGregor’s civil case concluded, White indicated that the former champion would be back towards the end of 2025, though “if it’s earlier, that is good for all of us”. McGregor’s UFC 229 submission defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov, two months before the Hand incident, remains the most-watched pay-per-view in the company’s history, with 2.4million buys. The Athletic contacted the UFC for comment on the trial verdict and McGregor’s future in UFC but, at the time of writing, has received no response. There are multiple examples of disgraced athletes from fight sports returning to action. In boxing, Mike Tyson was convicted of rape in 1992 and sentenced to six years in prison along with four years’ probation. He was released after serving fewer than three years and came back in 1995, facing Peter McNeeley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The bout made $96million worldwide, including a then-record $63m in pay-per-view buys with the fight being purchased by 1.52m American homes. More recently, Tyson fought YouTube star Jake Paul. In the years since Tyson’s rule ended, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been convicted of domestic violence and battery on multiple occasions, while current WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis was arrested in December 2022 on charges of battery/domestic violence. He denied those claims and the woman later recanted her accusation. In Mayweather’s case, his popularity and earning power increased in the years that followed his 2012 release from prison, where he served two months after pleading guilty to domestic violence against Josie Harris, the mother of three of his children. MMA is not boxing, but has its own unsavoury connections. The rap sheet of heavyweight champion Jones, who defended his title at UFC 309, is long, featuring convictions for drunk-driving, a hit-and-run, three failed drug tests and two incidents of battery. He initially pleaded not guilty to the first battery charge in 2019, but later pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct and received a 90-day deferred sentence. Advertisement In 2021, he was arrested after an incident involving his partner Jessie Moses but that domestic battery charge was later dropped. Asked about Jones’ arrest in 2021, White simply said: “This guy’s got a lot of demons, man, a lot of demons.” When former Dallas Cowboys player Greg Hardy’s NFL career came to an end in 2016, he quickly transitioned into MMA fighting. In 2014, Hardy was found guilty of assaulting a woman at trial, but his conviction was later expunged on appeal when the alleged victim stopped cooperating. After joining the UFC, in 2019 Hardy was twice booked to fight on the same card as female survivors of domestic abuse. The impact of McGregor’s court decision was felt keenly in Ireland. Several hundred people marched in Dublin in support of Hand in the days that followed. Their march ended at the office of the Irish director of public prosecutions (DPP) to express concern about why McGregor did not face a criminal prosecution. In 2020, the DPP told Hand they would not prosecute as there was “no reasonable prospect of conviction” based on the burden of proof required for a criminal case being “beyond reasonable doubt.” In a civil case, the burden is lower, based on the balance of probabilities. During the weekend that followed Hand winning her civil rape case against McGregor, calls to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre almost doubled, surging by 150 per cent in the six hours immediately after the verdict was delivered, according to its chief executive, Rachel Morrogh. “Many callers to the helpline referenced the judge’s comments during the trial around consent”, Morrogh told The Athletic . “They were saying to us that their understanding — which is right — is that consent can be withdrawn at any point and it’s not up to the woman to avoid being raped or experiencing sexual violence. So there was a lot of discussion around shame and blame in Ireland but there was a very good understanding from men and women of where the responsibility lies, which is obviously always with the perpetrator.” Advertisement Asked about the lack of response from the sports world, and in particular from the UFC, Morrogh said the absence of voices is regrettable: “It’s not good enough for the sports world to sit on its hands. It should feel the weight of responsibility of having young people — particularly young men — idolise these celebrities and understand how this generation can significantly influence their thoughts and behaviours.” Morrogh calls for a “zero tolerance” approach to sexual violence in all sports and that swift action be taken by sporting bodies when athletes fall short of that expectation. Compared to the Irish reaction, McGregor’s legal issues have not made such a significant imprint in the United States, where the UFC enjoys its strongest support. Doug Eldridge, the Washington D.C.-based founder of Achilles PR, told The Athletic that the civil verdict against McGregor garnered “little to no” mainstream media attention in the U.S, in stark contrast to the widespread coverage given to his involvement in the New York ‘bus attack’ aimed at Nurmagomedov in 2018. “To be fair,” Eldridge points out, “at the time, McGregor was the biggest star in the UFC, but he has faded from focus over the last half-decade.” Given his star status and the fact that his trial was a civil case, thus leaving him with no criminal conviction, the possibility of the verdict having a heavy bearing on McGregor’s future in MMA seems slim. “If he does plan to return to the UFC, Dana White has a track record of being loyal to his fighters,” says Eldridge. “On its face, McGregor’s verdict in the civil case ... would not be a disqualifying factor in terms of a potential return to the UFC. That might not be the case, had this been a criminal conviction.” When it comes to the impact on ‘brand McGregor’ in the U.S. as a whole, Eldridge says that the distinction between a criminal and civil verdict could play a significant role (though this does not denigrate the allegations made by Hand, or the jury verdict against McGregor): “Although the legal delineation is an important one, the impact of this distinction is not relegated merely to a court of law; it also extends to the proverbial court of public opinion... While the jury has already ruled, the broader ‘court of public opinion’ is still split when it comes to McGregor.” Advertisement McGregor has said he will appeal the decision, but whichever way that goes, there appears to be a considerable chance that the impact will be felt far more keenly by Hand than the man nicknamed “Notorious.” For McGregor, the man, the fighter, the brand, the cost of losing in court may leave little more than a scratch. (Top photo: McGregor in July 2024; by Jorge Guerrero/AFP via Getty Images)How to protect your communications through encryption
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — PGA Tour rookie Patrick Fishburn played bogey-free for an 8-under 64 for his first lead after any round. Joel Dahmen was 10 shots behind and had a bigger cause for celebration Friday in the RSM Classic. Dahmen made a 5-foot par putt on his final hole for a 2-under 68 in tough conditions brought on by the wind and cold, allowing him to make the cut on the number and get two more days to secure his PGA Tour card for next year. He is No. 124 in the FedEx Cup. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a weekAROUND 18 graduates from Davao Region schools ranked in the top 10 of the September 2024 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT) for both elementary and secondary levels, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced on Friday, December 13, 2024. In the secondary level, 12 Dabawenyos made it to the top 10. Nes Ainee Lim Luczon from the University of Mindanao-Davao City (UM) placed fourth with 93.80 percent, followed by Sachiko Escalada Varela of UM in fifth place with 93.60 percent. Leah Jane Pelone Balote of Davao Oriental State University-Main, Juby Ann Dullano Bocboc of UM-Davao, Ivan Claude Olmillo Hawil of the University of Southeastern Philippines-Davao City (USeP), Dyrel Kyl Ebero Monday of UM-Davao, and Emmalyn Billingan Rosagaran of Monkayo College of Arts, Sciences, and Technology tied for seventh place with 93.20 percent. Winston John Lumakang Espina of Cor Jesu College placed eighth with 93.00 percent, while Gerold Frank Zambas Caballero of Holy Cross of Bansalan Junior College, Gerardo Dagatan Maraat Jr. of UM-Davao, and Jabes Villabrille Pontongan of USeP tied for ninth with 92.80 percent. Hazel Jane Torrevillas Butay of Davao del Sur State College (SPAMAST-Mati) placed tenth with 92.60 percent. At the elementary level, six Davao Region graduates made it to the top 10. Kyle Stephany Delgado Pasay of USeP and Nikka Grace Uy Verano of Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) placed second with 93.80 percent. Cristine Alagar Otero of Saint Mary's College-Tagum placed seventh with 92.80 percent. Kenna Meryl Manginlaud Panungcat of USeP and Lory Jane Bardon Loag of St. John Paul II College of Davao tied for eighth with 92.60 percent. Marjorie Giangan Taran of Davao del Sur State College (SPAMAST-Mati) placed ninth with 92.40%. The PRC announced that the September 2024 LET was conducted on September 29 at 40 testing centers across the Philippines and in Thailand. A total of 20,025 elementary teacher candidates and 48,875 secondary teacher candidates passed the exam, with first-time passers making up the majority in both categories. RGP
The billing of London-born former Chelsea boss Hayes against England’s Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman – arguably the best two bosses in the women’s game – had generated more buzz in the build-up than the players on the pitch, despite it being a rare encounter between the two top-ranked sides in the world. Hayes enjoyed her return to familiar shores but felt the US lacked the “killer piece” after they looked the likelier side to make the breakthrough. Asked what was going through her mind during the national anthem, Hayes said: “I was definitely mouthing (it), and Naomi (Girma) and Lynn (Williams) could see that I was struggling with where to be and all that. “I got to the end of the anthems and I thought, ‘that’s so ridiculous. I’m proud to be English and I’m proud of our national anthem, and I’m also really proud to coach America’. “Two things are possible all at once. I don’t want to fuel a nationalist debate around it. The realities are both countries are really dear to me for lots of reasons, and I’m really proud to represent both of them.” The Lionesses did not register a shot on target in the first half but grew into the game in the second. US captain Lindsey Horan had the ball in the net after the break but the flag was up, while Hayes’ side had a penalty award for a handball reversed after a VAR check determined substitute Yazmeen Ryan’s shot hit Alex Greenwood’s chest. Hayes, who left Chelsea after 12 trophy-packed years this summer, said: “I’ve been privileged to coach a lot of top-level games, including here, so there’s a familiarity to being here for me. “It’s not new to me, and because of that there was a whole sense of I’m coming back to a place I know. I have a really healthy perspective, and I want to have a really healthy perspective on my profession. “I give everything I possibly can for a team that I really, really enjoy coaching, and I thrive, not just under pressure, but I like these opportunities, I like being in these situations. They bring out the best in me. “You’ve got two top teams now, Sarina is an amazing coach, I thought it was a good tactical match-up, and I just enjoy coaching a high-level football match, to be honest with you. I don’t think too much about it.” Hayes had travelled to London without her entire Olympic gold medal-winning ‘Triple Espresso’ forward line of Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith, all nursing niggling injuries. Before the match, the 48-year-old was spotted chatting with Wiegman and her US men’s counterpart, fellow ex-Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, who was also in attendance. England were also missing a number of key attackers for the friendly including Lauren Hemp, Lauren James and Ella Toone, all ruled out with injury. Wiegman brushed aside suggestions from some pundits that her side were content to settle for a draw. She said: “I think we were really defending as a team, very strong. We got momentum in the second half, we did better, and of course both teams went for the win. “So many things happened in this game, also in front of the goal, so I don’t think it was boring. “We wanted to go for the win, but it was such a high-intensity game, you have to deal with a very good opponent, so you can’t just say, ‘Now we’re going to go and score that goal’. “We tried, of course, to do that. We didn’t slow down to keep it 0-0. I think that was just how the game went.”
Saturday Night Live has lined up its last trio of hosts for 2024. After a season full of nostalgic bits, political bites, and even some emotional moments, Season 50’s first stretch will conclude with three back-to-back-to-back episodes in December. Here’s what to know about how to tune in for the last three episodes of the year.0 Yes! Saturday Night Live is new this weekend, on Saturday (December 7), with Gladiator II star Paul Mescal hosting and Shaboozey as musical guest. This marks Shaboozey’s first stint on SNL . After this week’s episode, two more consecutive shows have been announced. On December 14, Chris Rock will host for the fourth time, with Gracie Abrams as the musical guest of the week, making her SNL debut in support of her new album The Secret of Us . Then, on December 21, for the holiday episode, Martin Short will host for the third time, and Hozier will take the stage as musical guest, his second stint on the show in support of his new album Unreal Unearth . Saturday Night Live airs on Saturday evenings at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Episodes are also available to stream Peacock , which boasts a sprawling library of all 49 seasons. 'Saturday Night Live' 50th Anniversary Special: What to Know SNL kicked off its 50th season early in October. Here’s a list of the episodes so far. Season 50, Episode 1 (September 28, 2024): Jean Smart and Jelly Roll Season 50, Episode 2 (October 5, 2024): Nate Bargatze and Coldplay Season 50, Episode 3 (October 12, 2024): Ariana Grande and Stevie Nicks Season 50, Episode 4 (October 19, 2024): Michael Keaton and Billie Eilish Season 50, Episode 5 (November 2, 2024): John Mulaney and Chappell Roan Season 50, Episode 6 (November 9, 2024): Bill Burr and Mk.gee Season 50, Episode 7 (November 16, 2024): Charlie XCX The show will celebrate its 50th anniversary with an NBC special airing Sunday, February 16. Find out everything to know about that right here . More Headlines: Is ‘SNL’ New This Weekend? Here’s Everything to Know ‘The Price is Right’ Fans Want Change to Game After Contestant’s ‘Depressing’ Disaster 2025 Golden Globes: Ted Danson to Receive Carol Burnett Award — When & How to Watch ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Fans Demand Change After ‘Crazy’ Bonus Puzzle Pattern ‘Survivor’: Jeff Probst Breaks Down Every Detail of That New Weighted Timer
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