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Mississauga Potens Digital Agency Unveils Cutting-Edge Marketing Solutions for 2024 11-23-2024 12:04 AM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire With the fierce competition everywhere, choosing the right marketing partner can make or break your business. Potens Digital [ https://potensdigital.com/ ] has established itself as the leading digital marketing agency in Mississauga in 2024, offering a blend of innovation, expertise, and results-oriented solutions that cater to businesses of all sizes. If you want to elevate your online presence and drive measurable growth, Potens Digital is the agency to trust. Why Potens Digital Stands Out in Mississauga Comprehensive Digital Marketing Services Potens Digital offers premium and comprehensive services to cover every aspect of online marketing. Their holistic approach ensures businesses receive tailored solutions to achieve their unique goals. Potens Digital offers a wide range of services to help businesses thrive in the digital world: Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Potens Digital leverages advanced SEO techniques to ensure your website ranks higher on search engines, driving organic traffic and increasing visibility. Pay-Per-Click Advertising (PPC): Their targeted advertising campaigns maximize return on investment by reaching the right audience at the right time. Web Design and Development: The premium agency designs visually appealing, user-friendly websites that prioritize functionality and engagement. Social Media Management: Their team expertly handles social platforms, creating strategies that promote meaningful interactions and strengthen brand presence. Content Creation: From compelling blogs to engaging video content, Potens Digital excels in creating materials that resonate with audiences and drive conversions. Video Production and Podcast Services: Potens Digital provides professional video production and podcast services, allowing businesses to connect with their audiences through impactful visuals and audio storytelling. Software Development: Their team specializes in building iOS and Android applications, custom web solutions, and AI-powered chatbots, equipping businesses with innovative tools to enhance customer experiences. Proven Success Stories Potens Digital has an impeccable track record of helping businesses achieve remarkable online growth. Their strategies are grounded in data, ensuring every decision is backed by analytics and research. Clients consistently report increased website traffic, improved lead generation, and higher conversion rates due to Potens Digital's efforts. Innovative and Tailored Strategies What sets Potens Digital apart is its commitment to innovation. They understand that no two businesses are identical and tailor their strategies accordingly. Staying ahead of industry trends, Potens Digital make sure their clients benefit from cutting-edge solutions that keep them ahead of the competition. Expertise Across All Digital Channels Potens Digital's team comprises specialists in every aspect of digital marketing. Whether it's SEO, social media, email marketing, or web development, their integrated approach ensures that all channels work together seamlessly to create a cohesive brand experience. The Core Values of Potens Digital Client-Centric Approach At the heart of Potens Digital's success is its dedication to its clients. At every stage of a project, Potens Digital prioritizes transparency, open communication, and collaboration. Dedicated account managers provide personalized support, ensuring that clients' goals and expectations are not just met but exceeded. Commitment to Excellence Potens Digital prides itself on delivering high-quality work. Their attention to detail and commitment to achieving results have earned them a reputation as Mississauga's go-to digital marketing agency. Adaptability in a Changing Market The digital marketing world evolves rapidly, and Potens Digital remains at the forefront of these changes. They ensure their clients remain competitive in their respective industries by continually updating their strategies and adopting the latest tools and technologies. Why Businesses in Mississauga Choose Potens Digital Local Expertise with a Global Perspective While Potens Digital operates in Mississauga, their reach extends far beyond the local market. Their understanding of regional nuances and a global outlook allow them to create strategies that resonate with diverse audiences. Award-Winning Team Potens Digital boasts a team of skilled professionals who have received industry accolades for their innovative work. These awards reflect their dedication to excellence and their ability to deliver outstanding results. Results-Driven Approach Potens Digital takes every action that always leads toward achieving measurable results. Whether increasing website traffic, boosting social media engagement, or improving conversion rates, they focus on strategies that deliver tangible outcomes. Affordable and Flexible Solutions Potens Digital understands that every business has different budgets and needs. Their flexible packages ensure businesses of all sizes can benefit from their expertise without compromising quality. Success Stories: Real Results for Real Businesses Potens Digital's portfolio is filled with success stories highlighting their ability to deliver transformative results. For instance, a local retail business in Mississauga saw a 300% increase in online sales within six months of partnering with Potens Digital, thanks to SEO improvements and targeted advertising. Another example includes a tech startup that gained significant traction through a social media campaign managed by Potens Digital. The campaign boosted brand awareness and generated leads that converted into long-term customers. How Potens Digital Supports Businesses Beyond Marketing Educational Resources Potens Digital goes beyond providing services; they empowers its clients through education. Offering workshops, webinars, and guides ensures businesses understand the implemented strategies and how to sustain long-term success. Community Engagement As a proud member of the Mississauga community, Potens Digital actively participates in local events and initiatives. This involvement helps them stay connected to their clients and the broader business ecosystem. The Future of Digital Marketing with Potens Digital As businesses increasingly shift toward digital platforms, the demand for innovative marketing strategies will continue to grow. Potens Digital is well-positioned to lead the way, constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of the digital landscape. With a focus on personalized solutions, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to results, Potens Digital is set to remain the best digital marketing agency in Mississauga for years to come. Conclusion Potens Digital is not just a digital marketing agency; it's a partner in your business's success. Their comprehensive services, innovative strategies, and client-first approach make them the top choice for businesses in Mississauga looking to dominate the digital space. If you're ready to take your digital presence to the next level, partnering with Potens Digital is your smartest move. Whether you're a small business looking to establish an online footprint or a large corporation aiming to strengthen your digital dominance, Potens Digital has the expertise and passion to help you achieve your goals. Media Contact Company Name: Potens Digital Contact Person: Ahmed Khanani (CEO) Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=mississauga-potens-digital-agency-unveils-cuttingedge-marketing-solutions-for-2024 ] Address:55 Village Centre Plc City: Ontario L4Z 1V9 Country: Canada Website: https://potensdigital.com/ This release was published on openPR.AES Announces 2% Increase in Quarterly DividendChina’s economy has demonstrated robust resilience over the past five years despite headwinds, with the latest national economic census pointing to significant strides in key areas including economic scale, structural optimization, and innovation-driven and digitally fueled development. Looking forward, officials and experts said China’s economy is on track for steady and sustainable growth in the long run, given its ultra-large domestic market, the advancement of industrial transformation and upgrading, a thriving digital economy and comprehensive deepening of reforms. The fifth national economic census showed on Thursday that China’s GDP for 2023 was revised up to 129.4 trillion yuan ($17.7 trillion), an increase of 3.4 trillion yuan compared with the earlier, preliminary calculation. Revising GDP data is a common practice worldwide, as GDP figures are not fixed after the initial calculation. Instead, they are continuously updated based on more complete and reliable data, as preliminary figures typically prioritize timeliness and rely on the availability of basic data, which may result in sacrificing some degree of completeness and detail. “China’s GDP reached nearly 130 trillion yuan in 2023, maintaining its position as the world’s second-largest economy,” said Kang Yi, head of the National Bureau of Statistics. “Over the past five years, China’s contribution to global economic growth has averaged around 30 percent, making it the largest driver of growth for the world economy.” Kang told a news conference held in Beijing on Thursday that compared with the results of the fourth national economic census, China’s economic development has shown significant positive changes in aspects such as overall scale, structural optimization, innovation-driven growth and green transformation, demonstrating strong resilience and tremendous potential. Data from the fifth national economic census showed that a total of 33.27 million legal entities were engaged in the secondary and tertiary industries as of the end of 2023, up 52.7 percent compared with the figures at the end of 2018. The role of technology in driving industrial upgrading has become more evident, with a noticeable acceleration in the application of new technologies and processes. The number of patent applications filed by industrial enterprises above the designated size reached 614,000 in 2023, up 65.1 percent compared with 2018. Enterprises above the designated size are those with annual revenue of at least 20 million yuan. Meanwhile, the research and development expenditure of industrial enterprises above the designated size hit 2.1 trillion yuan, an increase of 61.9 percent from 2018. Notably, industries related to strategic emerging sectors saw robust growth, with 96,000 large industrial enterprises in these fields by the end of 2023, representing nearly one-fifth of the country’s major industrial companies. While dismissing some pessimistic views on the Chinese economy propagated by some Western media and scholars, experts said China still has the conditions and capabilities to strengthen economic momentum and foster steady and high-quality growth in the long term. Joe Ngai, chairman of management consultancy McKinsey China, reaffirmed his belief that “the next China is still China”, saying that there is no substitute for the Chinese market, whether as a market for products or in terms of demand. In fact, China’s economic structure has continued to improve in recent years. The added value of China’s tertiary industry, a term for the services sector of the economy, accounted for 56.3 percent of the country’s GDP in 2023, an increase of over 2 percentage points compared with 2018, NBS data showed. Meanwhile, the number of legal entities in the manufacturing sector reached more than 4 million by the end of 2023, a 23.8 percent increase from 2018, with total assets in the sector growing 41.7 percent to 151 trillion yuan. Zhang Ming, deputy director of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of Finance and Banking, said that looking ahead, China’s annual GDP growth rate is likely to reach 4.7 percent to 5 percent in 2025 if the government takes expansionary moves in macroeconomic adjustments. Source: China Daily
Caste survey touches one crore families so far in TelanganaThe diamonds of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills were shining bright under the Miami sun for Bravo Fan Fest, where the taglines for Season 14 were revealed. Kyle Richards : “These hills have eyes, and they’re all staring at me.” Sutton Stracke : “I honor my fine southern manners by putting you in your place.” Garcelle Beauvais : “I’ve been in the game too long to play by someone else’s rules.” Erika Jayne : “In Beverly Hills, money buys a lot, but my independence? Priceless.” Bozoma Saint John : “Introducing the greatest product I’ve ever marketed... myself.” Dorit Kemsley : “I might look like a doll, but don’t wind me up.” Watch the RHOBH Season 14 taglines in the video below. RELATED : ‘RHOM’s Alexia Nepola Tears Up Over Son Frankie & How Split From Husband Has Affected Him; Reveals Where She Stands With Dr. Nicole Martin The new season of RHOBH starts with a feud between long-time friends Kyle Richards and Dorit Kemsley. In a recent interview with Deadline , Richards spoke about distancing herself from Kemsley as cameras picked up again. “Well, I always look at what people accuse you of, because it seems to be something that they would do to people. So that’s sort of how I looked at it,” Richards told Deadline. “I think that my text that she read at the reunion was very transparent. It was actually the complete opposite of a manipulation. I could not have been more transparent in what I said to her about not wanting to ruin a friendship over a reality show. And I think that was what was manipulative, was her reading that on camera, a private text...” Richards continued, “I mean, with any of the cast members all these years, no one’s ever done that to me, and I’ve never done that to them. So that was obviously very upsetting. And we came into the season in a bad place because of that. That was one of the things, so you’ll see us work through all that as much as we could through the season. But then we would kind of take one step forward, two steps back.”
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Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer couldn't hide his disbelief over the wild ending of the Ohio State Buckeyes-Michigan Wolverines rivalry game on Saturday. After the unranked Wolverines pulled off a stunning 13-10 upset of the No. 3 Buckeyes, chaos ensued as players got into a huge fight. The brawl started when Michigan players attempted to plant their flag at midfield, which Ohio State players tried to stop, leading to the altercation. Police had to get involved to put a stop to the massive fight, with several players and bystanders finding themselves soaked in pepper spray. During the intense brawl, Meyer couldn't help but express his disappointment with how things turned out. The ex-college football coach, who is now serving as an analyst for FOX Sports, said that it was a "shame" things had to turn to violence. "I've been involved in the game for 50 years and I can't remember seeing something like that... there's no room for that." "I've been involved in the game for 50 years and I can't remember seeing something like that," Meyer said while the broadcast showed the brawl. "That's a shame. I saw James Franklin pull his players off one time when they were getting ready to fight and I did that one time -- There's no room for that." "I've been involved in The Game for 50 years and I can't remember seeing something like that... there's no room for that." @CoachUrbanMeyer reacts to the postgame altercation between Michigan and Ohio State ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/8XqqRmBbNZ Sure enough, Urban Meyer's message didn't go unnoticed, with many agreeing with his take and several others giving their two cents on the matter. "The postgame altercation between Michigan and Ohio State players was unacceptable. It's a reflection of the Ohio State culture, how it's built, and how they control their players' behavior. Change needs to be made at the top," a commenter said. Another one shared, "It was ugly." "I agree with this. Bush league stuff. The HC needs to address this internally and with the press," a third follower added. Others, however, were critical of Ohio State and pointed out that they could have handled things better. "No room for what? Celebrations on the field? Raising a flag after victory? Guess you've never watched the Olympics... Or OSU v Michigan 2022....." a critic shared. A social media user shared, "I don’t get why everyone gets so mad when teams fight. It’s football, it’s passion. Everyone love to see the teams fight, especially when it’s started because someone got their feelings hurt because they lost." Another commenter defended Michigan, noting, "The media is pushing the narrative that the Michigan player was going to plant the flag but all he did was walk with a flag he never made a move to plant it. Even if he was going to you know what would have stopped that, win the game OSU." © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images For what it's worth, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day appeared to defend his players' actions in his postgame presser, saying that they wouldn't simply let a rival team disrespect them by planting a flag on their field. It remains to be seen what kind of punishment awaits both teams for the brawl, but as Urban Meyer suggested, such actions shouldn't be tolerated. Related: Laura Rutledge’s Husband Reacts to Her Post On College Football SaturdayPhoto: Contributed The L.V. Rogers Grizzlies Senior Boys Volleyball Team made a trip to the BC High School Championships for the first time in decades. The team includes, back row, L-R, coach Renato Concepcion, Johann Concepcion, Nathaniel Alban, Felix Eichenhofer, Conor Jackson, Sol Weinstein and assistant coach Jeremy McComb. Front, Reese Thompson, Lanz Gonzales, Kade Stanley and Binyam Stewart. L.V. Rogers Grizzlies teams recently completed an unforgettable fall season on the BC High School Sports scene. From the trails to the courts, fields and pool, Grizzlies athletes achieved great success. Here's a recap of the standout moments from an incredible fall season: Volleyball Senior boys The senior boys' volleyball team had a memorable season, capped off with a thrilling victory at home to win the zone championship against Fernie. The team was led by the outstanding efforts of Johann Concepcion and Lanz Gonzales, whose leadership and dynamic play inspired the Grizzlies to the Kootenay championship. Their success continued at provincials in Vernon, where they battled fiercely to secure a 14th-place finish among the best teams in the province. This was the first time an LVR sr. boys’ volleyball team has made the provincials in more than 20 years. Senior girls The senior girls' volleyball team also enjoyed a fantastic season, growing stronger with each tournament. Their trips to Thompson Rivers University, Fernie and Oliver were pivotal in their development, culminating with a 11th-place finish at provincials. The team went 4-3 at the provincial tournament. Junior girls The junior girls volleyball team showcased exceptional talent and determination this season. They earned an impressive second place finish at the South Okanagan Invitational, claimed victory at their home Grizzlies Invitational, and capped off the season with a third place finish in the West Kootenay zone. Their strong performances throughout the year highlight the team’s growth and potential for even greater achievements in the future. Cross country The cross-country team had incredible individual and team performances. Dawson Abraham consistently led the way, earning a fourth-place finish at the provincials for the junior boys' division. The girls' cross country team achieved a sixth-place finish at provincials, showcasing their dedication and teamwork. Their efforts reflect the growing strength of the program and set a high bar for future seasons to come. Ruby Nay, Jacqueline Willard, Aleah Smith and Avran Fisher led the squad. Soccer Senior boys The senior boys soccer team had a memorable season, concluding with an impressive seventh-place finish at provincials — the second best finish ever for an LVR sr. boys’ soccer team at the provincial level. The team displayed excellent teamwork and resilience, and their performance was highlighted by Lazlo Lorenzo’s selection to the provincial all-star team, a testament to his outstanding skill and leadership on the pitch. Rugby Rugby Sevens Both the boys and girls Rugby Sevens squads had a terrific fall season, competing fiercely in playdays held at Lakeside Park in Nelson, Cranbrook and Castlegar. With their best-ever number of athletes participating, the teams showed promise and determination, setting the stage for a successful 15’s season in the spring. The growth of the rugby program highlights the dedication of the players and coaches, and the Grizzlies are poised for continued success. Swimming The swim team made waves this fall with a terrific season in the pool. Four standout athletes, Kallie Badry, Keira Badry, Sasha Eaton and Charlotte Anderson qualified for provincials, representing the Grizzlies at the highest level with pride and determination. Their accomplishments reflect their dedication to the sport and the strength of the swim program. Specials thanks Thank you to all of our volunteer coaches and teacher-sponsors for their time, energy and commitment. A huge thanks to Jeremy McComb, Renato Concepcion, Sara Smith, Michele Hillaby, Scott Cormie, Alex Ulazonek, Niallan Collier, Leanne Douglas, Renee Kelly, Dylan Bennett, Mitch Popadynetz and Andre Perez. Looking ahead The winter season brings a flurry of basketball games back to the Den at L.V. Rogers. The jr. boys Grizzlies Invitational is set for Dec. 13-14 with 12 teams competing; The senior boys and girls fifth annual Kootenay Classic tournament is held Jan. 10-11 at the Den; and Over the Christmas break, the annual Alumni Tournament is scheduled for Boxing Day at the Den. Basketball fans are welcome to come out to support the squads.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday due to a technical issu e just as the Christmas travel season kicks into overdrive and winter weather is threatening more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. American flights were cleared to fly by federal regulators about one hour after a national ground stop order was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. There were 1,447 delays for flights entering or leaving the U.S. early in the day, with 28 cancellations. Snow was falling early in New York and Dallas-Fort Worth International, which is American Airlines' main hub, was getting hit with rain. Dallas-Fort Worth had the most delays, followed by Charlotte, North Carolina, Washington, New York, Chicago and Miami Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. And any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have “interline agreements” that let them put stranded customers on another carrier’s flights. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. That’s because finding a last-minute flight on another airline yourself tends to be very expensive. Just before 7 a.m. Eastern time, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered all American Airlines flights grounded in the U.S. at the airline’s request. American had reported a technical issue affecting its entire system with millions traveling for the holiday. American said in an email that the problem Tuesday morning was caused by a vendor technology issue that “impacted systems needed to release flights.” The groundings couldn’t come at a worse time for the millions of travelers expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers over the holidays and through January 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Friday and Sunday, and on Dec. 26, Dec. 27 and Dec. 29. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. “Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday,” AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation’s highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. Boston, New York City, Seattle and Washington, D.C., are the metropolitan areas primed for the greatest delays, according to the company. —— AP Reporters David Koenig, Mae Anderson and Mike Pesoli contributed to this report.Published 5:08 pm Friday, December 27, 2024 By Daily Herald When we first made the decision to reduce our publication dates to twice a week, one of the questions we often heard was how it might affect the timing of our coverage in regards to when stories might hit the public. As a daily through the years, readers were used to reading about events in the next issue of the Herald the following day, however, the most obvious repercussion of not printing daily was that publishing a story the next day wasn’t a viable option. Print wise, people would have to wait a couple days before they could read about it in the paper, unless they had online access to the Herald’s website. This is a burgeoning era for newspapers as many are having to shift their focus to more of a digital footprint. Obviously, we want to get news to you as soon as possible, and the web provides an almost real-time option to get stories to the public fast. It also gives us the option to provide a narrative flow, depending on the importance of the story, that starts with a brief two or three sentence alert or breaking news, that can be followed up on and updated as time moves forward. This holds through with follow-up stories if required. Still, while online publishing allows for a certain fluidity in terms of timely news coverage, we can’t forget about the print edition and the many readers we still have faithfully turning our pages. So what contributes to the timing of publishing a story? Broadly speaking, the story itself often is the determining factor. Breaking news finds publication online as soon as we can get it there. These can include subjects such as weather-related events, emergencies, political news, milestone moments and major announcements just to name a few. Take the flooding that occurred this past June. Due to the direct impact on the area, we were reporting on this event as soon as we could and updating when there was something new. This was not an event that could wait until a printed edition. At the same time, those stories that normally can wait until a printed edition to come out tend to lie more on the feature side of things. A larger story that we’ve worked on throughout the week — and that normally holds down our main story slot on the front — is an example of a story that can wait. While there is plenty of news throughout the week that makes it online first, these types of stories give readers something fresh to look forward to. Another key determining factor of when a story goes online vs. in print is the timeliness. This really applies to upcoming events and sports stories. A basketball, football or volleyball game story will get posted immediately online afterwards because it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to hold onto a game story for three, four days, especially as there are games in between when it happens and when it runs. Likewise, the digital format works well for upcoming events. The general rule of thumb is try to print a story about a week out from the event so as to keep it fresh in people’s minds, but sometimes that doesn’t work out in the paper, so being able to get it online is a remedy to that. Also, it gets the story a little extra boost because it’s effectively pushing through in two different areas and oftentimes reaching two different segments of the population. Having to go down to two days a week would have been very different 20 years ago, but because we have the digital option we have currently — whether that’s our website, Facebook or Twitter — it allows us to control and adapt to situations dependent on when we publicize the story.
While there was high drama in Alexandra Palace on the first day back after the Christmas break, where Damon Heta threw a nine-dart finish, Humphries enjoyed a serene evening. He beat Nick Kenny 4-0 to set up a mouth-watering fourth-round meeting with two-time champion Peter Wright. THE WORLD NUMBER ONE KICKS ON! Luke Humphries comfortably books his spot in the Last 16 with a 4-0 whitewash victory over Nick Kenny, averaging 98.59! 📺 https://t.co/pIQvhqYxEj #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/XAADalXD4Q — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2024 Kenny was unable to produce the form that saw him beat Raymond van Barneveld in the previous round and Humphries did not need to be anywhere near his best. “It was one of those games I didn’t want to take for granted,” he said. “I expected a tough game and I wasn’t firing, I felt there is so much more to give, I felt there was more to come out of me. “I didn’t want to give anyone an inch because they can take a mile. “I’m not going to give up this world title without a fight, I wasn’t at my best but when someone pushes me I know I can come up with the goods.” Earlier in the day Heta set the tournament alight on its resumption with a stunning nine-dart finish before bowing out. The Australian, seeded ninth, achieved darting perfection in the second set of his match with Luke Woodhouse to earn a cool £60,000 payday. However, his joy was short-lived as Woodhouse won a thrilling battle 4-3, having trailed 3-1. HEROIC HETA HITS THE NINE! 🔥 UNBELIEVABLE SCENES! 🤯 Damon Heta lands the second nine-darter of the tournament to raise the roof at Alexandra Palace! #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/DW6rhvFqez — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2024 Heta was millimetres away from throwing a nine-darter in the previous round when he missed the double 12, but he made no mistake this time in the first match after the Christmas break. Heta’s feat was the second time a nine-darter has been thrown in the 2025 tournament and the 16th of all time at the World Championship, following Christian Kist’s effort before Christmas. As well as landing the Australian a hefty payday, it also saw a lucky fan in Ally Pally win a £60,000, with £60,000 also being donated to Prostate Cancer UK. There were several other titanic battles, none better than Gerwyn Price’s sudden-death leg victory over Joe Cullen. Price looked like he was going to have an easy night when he coasted into a 3-0 lead, but Cullen hit back to send it to a decider, which went all the way. Cullen landed a ‘Big Fish’ 170 checkout to send the tie to a sudden-death leg on his throw but Price hit some big numbers to steal victory. “That was tough, I just wanted to get over the winning line,” he said during his on-stage interview. PRICE WINS A THRILLER! That might just be the game of the tournament so far! 💥 Gerwyn Price manages to break the Rockstars throw in the final leg of the game, and beats Joe Cullen 4-3 and books his place in the Last 16! 📺 https://t.co/pIQvhqYxEj #WCDarts pic.twitter.com/VnjnJxP0T0 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 27, 2024 “He kept coming back, the crowd were way behind him. “I thought I was going to lose, but I kept in there right to the end and got the win. “He played some good darts at the right times. I put myself in that position, I got myself out of it and I’m still in.” Seventh seed Jonny Clayton also battled to victory after squandering a 3-0 lead against Daryl Gurney. Gurney then had six darts to send the decider to a tiebreaker but lost his nerve and Clayton stole a 4-3 win. Stephen Bunting and Peter Wright, who was suffering from a chest infection, enjoyed much more safe passages with routine wins over Madars Razma and Jermaine Wattimena respectively.Vicky Pattison rallies behind Pete Wicks with emotional plea before Strictly final
US to send $1.25 billion in weapons to Ukraine, pushing to get aid out before Biden leaves office WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is expected to announce that it will send $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20. The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155 mm- and 105 mm artillery rounds, officials said. The officials, who said they expect the announcement to be made on Monday, spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. The new aid comes as Russia has launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine’s power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine. Earlier this month, senior defense officials acknowledged that that the Defense Department may not be able to send all of the remaining $5.6 billion in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks passed by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump's supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump's movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump's Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer, a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans, a top White House official said Friday. Biden administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger told reporters Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. The update from Neuberger is the latest development in a massive hacking operation that has alarmed national security officials, exposed cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the private sector and laid bare China's hacking sophistication. The hackers compromised the networks of telecommunications companies to obtain customer call records and gain access to the private communications of what officials have said is a a limited number of individuals. Though the FBI has not publicly identified any of the victims, officials believe senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures are among those whose whose communications were accessed. Warren Upton, the oldest living survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor, dies at 105 HONOLULU (AP) — Warren Upton, the oldest living survivor of the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the last remaining survivor of the USS Utah, has died. He was 105. Upton died Wednesday at a hospital in Los Gatos, California, after suffering a bout of pneumonia, said Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors. The Utah, a battleship, was moored at Pearl Harbor when Japanese planes began bombing the Hawaii naval base in the early hours of Dec. 7, 1941, in an attack that propelled the U.S. into World War II. Upton told The Associated Press in 2020 that he had been getting ready to shave when he felt the first torpedo hit the Utah. He recalled that no one on board knew what made the ship shake. Then, the second torpedo hit and the ship began to list and capsize. The then-22-year-old swam ashore to Ford Island, where he jumped in a trench to avoid Japanese planes strafing the area. He stayed for about 30 minutes until a truck came and took him to safety. Israeli troops forcibly remove staff and patients from northern Gaza hospital, officials say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli troops stormed one of the last hospitals operating in northern Gaza on Friday, forcing many staff and patients outside to strip in winter weather, the territory’s health ministry said. The army denied claims it had entered or set fire to the complex and accused Hamas of using the facility for cover. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been hit multiple times over the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods, according to staff. The ministry said a strike on the hospital a day earlier killed five medical staff. Israel's military said it was conducting operations against Hamas infrastructure and militants in the area and had ordered people out of the hospital, but said it had not entered the complex as of Friday night. It repeated claims that Hamas militants operate inside Kamal Adwan but provided no evidence. Hospital officials have denied that. The Health Ministry said troops forced medical personnel and patients to assemble in the yard and remove their clothes. Some were led to an unknown location, while some patients were sent to the nearby Indonesian Hospital, which was knocked out of operation after an Israel raid this week. Israeli troops during raids frequently carry out mass detentions, stripping men to their underwear for questioning in what the military says is a security measure as they search for Hamas fighters. Azerbaijani and U.S. officials suggest plane that crashed may have been hit by weapons fire Russian air defense systems may have brought down an Azerbaijani airliner this week, a U.S. official said Friday after an Azerbaijani minister also suggested the plane was hit by a weapon, citing expert analysis and survivor accounts. Friday's assessments by Rashan Nabiyev and White House national security spokesman John Kirby echoed those made by outside aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defense systems responding to a Ukrainian attack. These statements raised pressure on Russia, where officials said a drone attack was underway in the region where the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was heading for a landing. They did not address statements blaming air defenses. Kirby told reporters on Friday that the U.S. "have seen some early indications that would certainly point to the possibility that this jet was brought down by Russian air defense systems,” but refused to elaborate, citing an ongoing investigation. Pressed on whether the U.S. has intelligence that helped lead to that conclusion, or was simply relying on informed speculation from experts based on visual assessments of the crash, Kirby characterized the short answer as “yes” but said he’d “leave it at that,” without providing further details. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to Grozny, the regional capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya, on Wednesday when it turned toward Kazakhstan and crashed while making an attempt to land. The crash killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured. Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case ATLANTA (AP) — A judge has ruled that the Georgia state Senate can subpoena Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis as part of a inquiry into whether she has engaged in misconduct during her prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump but is giving Willis the chance to contest whether lawmakers' demands are overly broad. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shukura Ingram filed the order Monday, telling Willis she has until Jan. 13 to submit arguments over whether the subpoenas seek legally shielded or confidential information. Ingram wrote that the would issue a final order later saying what Willis had to respond to. Willis, though, wants the ruling overturned. “We believe the ruling is wrong and will appeal,” former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes, who is representing Willis in the case, wrote in an email to The Associated Press. A state appeals court earlier this month removed Willis from the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump and others, citing an “appearance of impropriety” that might not typically warrant such a removal. The Georgia Court of Appeals panel said in a 2-1 ruling that because of the romantic relationship Willis had with special prosecutor Nathan Wade “this is the rare case in which disqualification is mandated and no other remedy will suffice to restore public confidence in the integrity of these proceedings.” US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people The United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness this year, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country, federal officials said Friday. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said federally required tallies taken across the country in January found that more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless — a number that misses some people and does not include those staying with friends or family because they do not have a place of their own. That increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of pandemic assistance. The 2023 increase also was driven by people experiencing homelessness for the first time. The numbers overall represent 23 of every 10,000 people in the U.S., with Black people being overrepresented among the homeless population. “No American should face homelessness, and the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring every family has access to the affordable, safe, and quality housing they deserve,” HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman said in a statement, adding that the focus should remain on “evidence-based efforts to prevent and end homelessness.” Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness — one of the areas that was most affected by the arrival of migrants in big cities. Family homelessness more than doubled in 13 communities impacted by migrants including Denver, Chicago and New York City, according to HUD, while it rose less than 8% in the remaining 373 communities. Nearly 150,000 children experienced homelessness on a single night in 2024, reflecting a 33% jump from last year. What Snoop wants: Arizona Bowl gives NIL opportunities to players for Colorado State, Miami (Ohio) TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Snoop Dogg has nearly as many ties to football as he does to rap music. The entertainer coached youth football for years and created the Snoop League, an after-school program for inner city Los Angeles youths. Snoop has been a guest analyst on football broadcasts and his son, Cordell Broadus, played Division I football. When Snoop took his latest step, becoming the sponsor of a bowl game, he had a demand: Find a way for all players in the game to receive name, image and likeness (NIL) money. “This was Snoop's idea,” said Kym Adair, executive director of the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice. “He was having conversations with people he knows in the college football world and I got a call that said he wants us to be the first bowl to make this commitment and that's what we did.” The beneficiaries are Colorado State and Miami (Ohio), who will conclude their seasons Saturday at Arizona Stadium in the Arizona Bowl. The bowl is classified as a 501(c)(3), so all revenue goes to charity. And, being one of the few bowls not tied to ESPN, it opens the door for unique sponsorship opportunities. Alex Ovechkin is on track to break Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is closing in on the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin has 868 goals after scoring 15 in the first 18 games this season. He needs 27 to set a new record. Ovechkin entered the season 42 short of breaking a record by “The Great One” that long seemed unapproachable. The 39-year-old Russian is in his 20th NHL season and was on pace to get to 895 in February before breaking his left leg in a shin-on-shin collision in November. Ovechkin could resume his pursuit as soon as Saturday night at Toronto in the Capitals' first game out of the Christmas break. Ovechkin scored twice in a 6-2 win over the Utah Hockey Club on Nov. 18, getting goals 867 and 868 in his first game in Salt Lake City before leaving in the third period. Ovechkin seems on track to play Saturday at the Maple Leafs. He has scored 44 goals against them during his career, tied for the fifth-most among all opponents. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Sportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78