By MATTHEW BROWN and JACK DURA BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Donald Trump assigned Doug Burgum a singular mission in nominating the governor of oil-rich North Dakota to lead an agency that oversees a half-billion acres of federal land and vast areas offshore: “Drill baby drill.” That dictate from the president-elect’s announcement of Burgum for Secretary of Interior sets the stage for a reignition of the court battles over public lands and waters that helped define Trump’s first term, with environmentalists worried about climate change already pledging their opposition. Burgum is an ultra-wealthy software industry entrepreneur who grew up on his family’s farm. He represents a tame choice compared to other Trump Cabinet picks. Public lands experts said his experience as a popular two-term governor who aligns himself with conservationist Teddy Roosevelt suggests a willingness to collaborate, as opposed to dismantling from within the agency he is tasked with leading. That could help smooth his confirmation and clear the way for the incoming administration to move quickly to open more public lands to development and commercial use. “Burgum strikes me as a credible nominee who could do a credible job as Interior secretary,” said John Leshy, who served as Interior’s solicitor under former President Bill Clinton. “He’s not a right-wing radical on public lands,” added Leshy, professor emeritus at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. The Interior Department manages about one-fifth of the country’s land with a mandate that spans from wildlife conservation and recreation to natural resource extraction and fulfilling treaty obligations with Native American tribes. Most of those lands are in the West, where frictions with private landowners and state officials are commonplace and have sometimes mushroomed into violent confrontations with right-wing groups that reject federal jurisdiction. Burgum if confirmed would be faced with a pending U.S. Supreme Court action from Utah that seeks to assert state power over Interior Department lands. North Dakota’s attorney general has supported the lawsuit, but Burgum’s office declined to say if he backs Utah’s claims. U.S. Justice Department attorneys on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to reject Utah’s lawsuit. They said Utah in 1894 agreed to give up its right to the lands at issue when it became a state. Trump’s narrow focus on fossil fuels is a replay from his 2016 campaign — although minus coal mining, a collapsing industry that he failed to revive in his first term. Trump repeatedly hailed oil as “liquid gold” on the campaign trail this year and largely omitted any mention of coal. About 26% of U.S. oil comes from federal lands and offshore waters overseen by Interior. Production continues to hit record levels under President Joe Biden despite claims by Trump that the Democrat hindered drilling. But industry representatives and their Republican allies say volumes could be further boosted. They want Burgum and the Interior Department to ramp up oil and gas sales from federal lands, in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Alaska. The oil industry also hopes Trump’s government efficiency initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk can dramatically reduce environmental reviews. Biden’s administration reduced the frequency and size of lease sales, and it restored environmental rules that were weakened under Trump . The Democrat as a candidate in 2020 promised further restrictions on drilling to help combat global warming, but he struck a deal for the 2022 climate bill that requires offshore oil and gas sales to be held before renewable energy leases can be sold. “Oil and gas brings billions of dollars of revenue in, but you don’t get that if you don’t have leasing,” said Erik Milito with the National Ocean Industries Association, which represents offshore industries including oil and wind. Trump has vowed to kill offshore wind energy projects. But Milito said he was hopeful that with Burgum in place it would be “green lights ahead for everything, not just oil and gas.” It is unclear if Burgum would revive some of the most controversial steps taken at the agency during Trump’s first term, including relocating senior officials out of Washington, D.C., dismantling parts of the Endangered Species Act and shrinking the size of two national monuments in Utah designated by former President Barack Obama. Officials under Biden spent much of the past four years reversing Trump’s moves. They restored the Utah monuments and rescinded numerous Trump regulations. Onshore oil and gas lease sales plummeted — from more than a million acres sold annually under Trump and other previous administrations, to just 91,712 acres (37,115 hectares) sold last year — while many wind and solar projects advanced. Developing energy leases takes years, and oil companies control millions of acres that remain untapped. Biden’s administration also elevated the importance of conservation in public lands decisions, adopting a rule putting it more on par with oil and gas development. They proposed withdrawing parcels of land in six states from potential future mining to protect a struggling bird species, the greater sage grouse. North Dakota is among Republican states that challenged the Biden administration’s public lands rule. The states said in a June lawsuit that officials acting to prevent climate change have turned laws meant to facilitate development into policies that obstruct drilling, livestock grazing and other uses. Oil production boomed over the past two decades in North Dakota thanks in large part to better drilling techniques. Burgum has been an industry champion and last year signed a repeal of the state’s oil tax trigger — a price-based tax hike industry leaders supported removing. Burgum’s office declined an interview request. In a statement after his nomination, Burgum echoed Trump’s call for U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. The 68-year-old governor also said the Interior post offered an opportunity to improve government relations with developers, tribes, landowners and outdoor enthusiasts “with a focus on maximizing the responsible use of our natural resources with environmental stewardship for the benefit of the American people.” Related Articles National Politics | Attorneys want the US Supreme Court to say Mississippi’s felony voting ban is cruel and unusual National Politics | Trump convinced Republicans to overlook his misconduct. But can he do the same for his nominees? National Politics | Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad National Politics | Trump’s team is delaying transition agreements. What does it mean for security checks and governing? National Politics | Judge delays Trump hush money sentencing in order to decide where case should go now Under current Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the agency put greater emphasis on working collaboratively with tribes, including their own energy projects . Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe in New Mexico, also advanced an initiative to solve criminal cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous peoples and helped lead a nationwide reckoning over abuses at federal Indian boarding schools that culminated in a formal public apology from Biden. Burgum has worked with tribes in his state, including on oil development. Badlands Conservation Alliance director Shannon Straight in Bismarck, North Dakota, said Burgum has also been a big supporter of tourism in North Dakota and outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. Yet Straight said that hasn’t translated into additional protections for land in the state. “Theodore Roosevelt had a conservation ethic, and we talk and hold that up as a beautiful standard to live by,” he said. “We haven’t seen it as much on the ground. ... We need to recognize the landscape is only going to be as good as some additional protections.” Burgum has been a cheerleader of the planned Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota. Brown reported from Billings, Montana.23-year-old Adam Rissetto says he has been trying to get a picture of the Triangulum Galaxy - a spiral galaxy 2.73 million light-years from Earth "for a long time" and has finally completed his mission. Adam, who last year graduated from Teesside University with a degree in photography, usually heads to a secluded spot named Summerhouse on the outskirts of Darlington for maximum darkness. Adam Rissetto, 23. (Image: ADAM RISSETTO) After waiting for hours for the sky to clear on November 11, he was finally able to get his chance to see the Triangulum Galaxy, which was discovered in 1654, at 10pm. He said: "I did have a passion for photography before I went to university - and started by doing both Astrophotography as well as wildlife. "I don't get pictures like this very often as we usually have terrible weather! I was still happy with this and went on to post it as a work in progress." Adam's picture of the Triangulum Galaxy. (Image: ADAM RISSETTO) Adam went on to explain how getting pictures like this really works - as it's not as simple as just pointing the camera up and getting the perfect shot. Using a hoard of equipment including an equatorial mount to track the subject, pictures are taken over a matter of hours and are then collated together to make the final product. This time, the Triangulum Galaxy shot was taken after just an hour of tracking as the cloud meant he was unable to get a clear view for long. Another picture taken by Adam - this time of the North America Nebula. (Image: ADAM RISSETTO) However, despite Adam saying it is "not his best" - he received a load of praise and good feedback when he posted it on social media not long after. He added: "It's awesome to get such nice comments, I never expect any praise as I just enjoy sharing my work. "I never see anyone else doing what I do - so it's quite nice to be one of the only ones."
LAS VEGAS , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The growing demand for pelvic floor stimulation devices is driven by the rising incidence of urinary incontinence, neurodegenerative diseases, and other conditions. Additionally, the increasing prevalence of risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, which are key contributors to urinary incontinence, is expected to further fuel this demand. Moreover, factors such as the aging population, frequent product launches and approvals, increased demand for home healthcare, and ongoing product innovations are anticipated to support the overall expansion of the pelvic floor stimulation devices market during the forecast period from 2024 to 2030. DelveInsight's Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Insights report provides the current and forecast market analysis, individual leading pelvic floor stimulation devices companies' market shares, challenges, pelvic floor stimulation devices market drivers, barriers, trends, and key market pelvic floor stimulation devices companies in the market. Key Takeaways from the Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Report As per DelveInsight estimates, North America is anticipated to dominate the global pelvic floor stimulation devices market during the forecast period. In the product type segment of the pelvic floor stimulation devices market, the mobile pelvic floor stimulation device category had a significant revenue share in the year 2023. This can be ascribed to the advantages offered by the category. Notable pelvic floor stimulation devices companies such as Medtronic, The Prometheus Group, INNOVO, Shenzhen XFT Medical Limited, Verity Medical Ltd., Tic Medizintechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Laborie, PZmed, TensCare Ltd., Renovia Inc., Novuqare, GymnaUniphy, InControl Medical, Athena Feminine Technologies, Inc., Creo Medical, and several others, are currently operating in the pelvic floor stimulation devices market. In February 2022 , Medtronic announced FDA approval for the InterStim X TM system, which delivers sacral neuromodulation (SNM) therapy. These devices are used to treat overactive bladder (OAB), chronic fecal incontinence (FI), and non-obstructive urinary retention. To read more about the latest highlights related to the pelvic floor stimulation devices market, get a snapshot of the key highlights entailed in the Global Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Report Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Overview Pelvic floor stimulation devices are medical tools designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles through electrical stimulation. These devices are commonly used to treat conditions like urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual dysfunction, which can occur due to weakened pelvic floor muscles. The devices work by sending mild electrical impulses to the muscles, causing them to contract and gradually become stronger over time. This therapy is non-invasive and can be performed in a clinical setting or at home, offering a convenient and effective solution for people looking to regain control over their pelvic health. In addition to improving muscle strength, pelvic floor stimulation devices can also enhance neuromuscular coordination, helping users gain better awareness and control of their pelvic floor muscles. This is particularly beneficial for women after childbirth or during menopause when the pelvic floor tends to weaken. For men, these devices can help with conditions such as post-prostatectomy incontinence. The devices are generally safe and well-tolerated, although it is important to consult a healthcare provider before starting treatment to ensure it is appropriate for individual needs. Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Insights In 2023, North America held the largest share of the global pelvic floor stimulation devices market. This is primarily due to factors such as the increasing prevalence of urinary incontinence, particularly among the elderly, and neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, various initiatives by governments and nonprofit organizations are driving market growth in the region. The demand for advanced technology and a growing number of regulatory approvals are further contributing to this growth. Moreover, the rise in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's is fueling demand for pelvic floor stimulation devices. Ongoing product development activities in North America are expected to further boost market expansion. To know more about why North America is leading the market growth in the pelvic floor stimulation devices market, get a snapshot of the Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Outlook Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Dynamics The global pelvic floor stimulation devices market has experienced notable growth due to rising awareness about pelvic floor disorders, such as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and fecal incontinence. These conditions affect millions of individuals, particularly women post-childbirth and older adults. The increasing focus on women's health , coupled with advancements in non-invasive treatments, has driven demand for pelvic floor stimulation devices, which offer a more effective and less invasive treatment compared to surgeries. The devices work by delivering electrical stimulation to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, offering relief and improving the quality of life for many patients. A key market driver is the growing aging population , particularly in regions like North America , Europe , and parts of Asia . With aging comes a higher prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction due to muscle weakening and other health conditions. Additionally, the increasing incidence of obesity and sedentary lifestyles has exacerbated the problem, further boosting the demand for solutions like pelvic floor stimulators. Technological advancements , such as wireless and portable devices, have also enhanced user convenience, driving adoption in home healthcare settings. However, the market is not without challenges. One significant barrier is the lack of awareness and societal stigma surrounding pelvic floor disorders, which may prevent individuals from seeking treatment. Moreover, the high costs associated with certain devices and limited insurance coverage for non-invasive treatments can restrict access to these devices for some patients, particularly in developing regions. Addressing these issues will be critical for sustained market growth. Despite these hurdles, there is significant growth potential for the pelvic floor stimulation devices market. Ongoing research and development efforts are focused on improving device efficacy and user experience, and the rise of telehealth and digital health platforms could expand access to these devices. Additionally, increasing collaborations between manufacturers and healthcare providers, along with government initiatives aimed at improving women's health, are likely to further propel market growth in the coming years. Get a sneak peek at the pelvic floor stimulation devices market dynamics @ Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Dynamics Analysis Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Assessment Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Segmentation Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Segmentation By Product Type: Fixed and Mobile Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Segmentation By Application: Urinary Incontinence, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Sexual Dysfunction, and Others Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Segmentation By End User: Hospitals & Clinics, Homecare Settings, and Others Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Segmentation By Geography : North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and Rest of World Porter's Five Forces Analysis, Product Profiles, Case Studies, KOL's Views, Analyst's View Which MedTech key players in the pelvic floor stimulation devices market are set to emerge as the trendsetter explore @ Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Companies Table of Contents Interested in knowing the pelvic floor stimulation devices market by 2030? Click to get a snapshot of the Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Trends Related Reports Pelvic Floor Disorders Treatment Devices Market Pelvic Floor Disorders Treatment Devices Market Insight, Competitive Landscape, and Market Forecast – 2030 report delivers an in-depth understanding of market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key pelvic floor disorders treatment devices companies, including Ethicon US, LLC, Boston Scientific Corporation, Coloplast Ltd., Medtronic, CooperSurgical Inc., Cook, MEDGYN PRODUCTS, INC., Personal Medical Corp., Dr. Arabin GmbH & Co. KG, Integra LifeSciences Corporation, Panpac Medical Corp, medesign I.C. GmbH, Zynex Inc., TensCare Ltd., Verity Medical Ltd., InControl Medical, The Prometheus Group, Laborie, Inc., ActivLife Technologies, Athena Feminine Technologies, Atlantic Therapeutics, Renovia Inc., among others. Stress Urinary Incontinence Devices Market Stress Urinary Incontinence Devices Market Insights, Competitive Landscape, and Market Forecast – 2030 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key stress urinary incontinence devices companies, including Boston Scientific Corporation, AscentX Medical Inc., Coloplast Corporation, Becton, Dickinson and Company, ConvaTec Group PLC, Ethicon US, LLC (Johnson & Johnson), Cook Medical Inc., Teleflex Incorporated, Caldera Medical Inc., Prosurg, Inc., Laborie, InControl Medical, Cousin Surgery, Hollister Incorporated, ZSI Surgical Implants, Atlantic Therapeutics, Flexicare (Group) Limited, A.M.I. GmbH, Axonics, Inc., Betatech Medical , among others. Urinary Incontinence Devices Market Urinary Incontinence Devices Market Insights, Competitive Landscape, and Market Forecast – 2030 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key urinary incontinence devices companies, including NeoTract, Inc, Cook Medical Inc, C.R. Bard Inc, Coloplast Corporation, Boston Scientific Corporation, Ethicon US, LLC, Medtronic PLC, A.M.I. Ltd, Teleflex Incorporated, Hollister Incorporated, ConvaTec Group PLC, Caldera Medical Inc, Prosurg, Inc, Laborie, Inc, Becton, Dickinson and Company, ZSI Surgical Implants, Atlantic Therapeutics, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Flexicare Group Limited, InControl Medical , among others. Fecal Incontinence Market Fecal Incontinence Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key fecal incontinence companies, including Palette Life Sciences, Cook MyoSite, 9 Meters Biopharma , among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant, and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Contact Us Shruti Thakur [email protected] +14699457679 https://www.delveinsight.com/medical-devices Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/3528414/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP
King Machine Launches Ultra Clean Beverage Filling Technology for Enhanced Hygiene and EfficiencyScorpio – (23rd October to 21st November) Daily Horoscope Prediction says, Spare time for people you love Be romantic while you spend time with the lover. Avoid harsh decisions at the job and instead focus on productivity. You must handle wealth diligently today. Explore the different aspects of love today. Handle professional challenges to give the best output. Both health and wealth are also at your side today. Scorpio Love Horoscope Today Be cool while you are with the date and put in effort to impress the person. Some love affairs demand a more realistic approach. Value the relationship and provide personal space to the partner. Those who are single may be lucky today to fall in love. Married females may conceive today. Stay away from old lovers today as this may cause hiccups in the love life. Communication should be handled very carefully with your partner. Scorpio Career Horoscope Today Be ready to take up challenges at the workplace. You may be a victim of office politics and it is crucial to be diplomatic to eschew controversies. Those who are into aviation, automobile, construction, publishing, hospitality, and biochemistry will have a fully packed day where even arguments and criticisms will affect productivity. Junior employees will need to work extra hours today. Traders will have license issues and few officers may see this as an opportunity to make unethical demands. Scorpio Money Horoscope Today There will be wealth today and you may go ahead with the plan to buy electronic appliances or even renovate the house. Fortunate natives will have a legal issue that requires finance. Seniors will divide the wealth among children while you are good to buy a car today. As businessmen would have enough funds, especially from clients abroad, you will be safe when it comes to business. You may also help a friend or sibling who is in financial need. Scorpio Health Horoscope Today Do not let mental stress affect your health. There can also be vision-related problems and some children will start wearing glasses. If you have sleeping-related issues, opt for natural methods rather than medicines. Spend time at parks as the closeness to nature can keep you relaxed. Senior Scorpios must also ensure that all medicines are taken on time. Scorpio Sign Attributes Strength Mystic, Practical, Intelligent, Independent, Dedicated, Charming, Sensible Weakness: Suspicious, Complicated, Possessive, Arrogant, Extreme Symbol: Scorpion Element: Water Body Part: Sexual Organs Sign Ruler: Pluto, Mars Lucky Day: Tuesday Lucky Color: Purple, Black Lucky Number: 4 Lucky Stone: Red Coral Scorpio Sign Compatibility Chart Natural affinity: Cancer, Virgo, Capricorn, Pisces Good compatibility: Taurus, Scorpio Fair compatibility: Aries, Gemini, Libra, Sagittarius Less compatibility: Leo, Aquarius
Diversity statements will no longer be used in University of Michigan faculty hiring, promotion and tenure, a move applauded by critics who have called the practice "litmus tests" that limit diversity of thought while diversity advocates said the process was "preordained" and dishonest. Provost Laurie McCauley announced the decision Thursday based on a recommendation from a UM faculty working group to end diversity statements. But the recommendation is "deceptive," coming after the regents rejected a previous recommendation to keep the diversity statements, a faculty leader said. Diversity statements are documents written by faculty job candidates that let applicants explain to a search committee the distinct experiences they would bring to the university along with their commitment to diversity. The statements help search committees identify applicants "who have professional skills, experience and/or willingness to engage in activities that would enhance campus diversity and equity efforts," according to a University of California at San Diego statement referenced by UM's Center for Research on Learning & Teaching. McCauley's announcement came hours before the Board of Regents is scheduled to meet and a protest is planned beforehand at UM President Santa Ono's house. Many in the UM community are concerned the regents may dismantle a multimillion dollar diversity, equity and inclusion effort built after the school was at the center of a decade-long national debate around affirmative action in higher education, and DEI programs have been under attack across the nation.. "Diversity, equity and inclusion are three of our core values at the university," McCauley said in the University Record, an internal UM publication for faculty and staff, in announcing the end of diversity statements. "Our collective efforts in this area have produced important strides in opening opportunities for all people. As we pursue this challenging and complex work, we will continuously refine our approach.” But there is more that happened in this process, UM Faculty Senate Chair Rebekah Modrak wrote on the University Record page under the announcement. After the regents called for diversity statements to be banned last summer, McCauley formed a faculty committee to review diversity statements in the spirit of shared governance that came up with a different recommendation, Modrak wrote. "My understanding is that the committee’s first report recommended that the use of diversity statements should be up to each unit, a recommendation that honors our decentralization, independence, and academic freedom," Modrak wrote. "The Regents rejected that report and central leadership didn’t support their own faculty committee. Sending a committee back to work to give a second report with preordained results is neither honest nor respectful of faculty expertise. The University Record’s erasure of the Regents’ autocratic hand in this process is also deceptive." Regents will not vote on the provost's action, but may discuss it during the meeting, said Regent Sarah Hubbard, one of two Republicans on the eight-member UM board. "I applaud the provost for ending the practice of requiring diversity statements," said Hubbard. "This policy change removes a barrier to diversity of thought on campus by eliminating the ideological litmus test." No action is expected during Thursday's meeting around other DEI issues, added Hubbard, who previously said the regents have been looking for a long time at the university's DEI efforts and want to realign funds closer to student scholarships. Any budget decisions wouldn't happen until next year when budgetary decisions get made, she said. Even so, hundreds of students, faculty and staff demonstrated on campus earlier this week to show support for the university's DEI programs, and others are planning to attend the protest organized by UM's Black Student Union before the regents meeting and show up to the official meeting. UM's decision to discontinue diversity statements came after the statements were also eliminated in May at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in June at Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences. In June, UM's provost charged the eight-member faculty working group to examine diversity statements, though the university did not have an institutional policy on the statements but units did have the discretion to ask for them. The working group recommended the end of the statements after reviewing other policies and surveying more than 2,000 faculty members. “Critics of diversity statements perceive them as expressions of personal identity traits, support of specific ideology or opinions on socially-relevant issues, and serve as a ‘litmus test’ of whether a faculty member’s views are politically acceptable,” the working group wrote in its report. “Thus, as currently enacted, diversity statements have the potential to limit viewpoints and reduce diversity of thought among faculty members.” The working group said it acknowledged the concerns. "But, well-written diversity statements do not necessarily require expression of one’s identity, and they need not express one's beliefs or stances on socially-charged issues," the working group wrote. "Instead, well-written diversity statements contain reflections of how identity has shaped a faculty member’s approach with their students, how they work with their colleagues, and how they interact with society. These are desirable features of current and future U-M faculty members, and this information should be considered when potential faculty are hired and current faculty are promoted." The work group also offered two other recommendations, including that the university "can and must" incorporate of content about DEI into teaching, research and service statements. "Through this incorporation, the problematic features of diversity statements can be eliminated, while the useful and necessary information that exists in diversity statements can be saved and placed where it more naturally belongs," the group wrote in its report. However, UM did not adopt those recommendations. UM's decision to discontinue diversity statements followed other steps the university has taken in recent months that supporters said will create an environment that expands diverse views on campus. They include the regents' controversial adoption last month of a policy on institutional neutrality that prohibits some officials from taking public stances on political and social issues not related to the internal governance of the university. Last month the Faculty Senate passed a resolution censuring the Board of Regents and accusing the regents of "increasingly exhibiting authoritarian tendencies, and silencing free speech. ©2024 The Detroit News. Visit detroitnews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.NEW YORK (AP) — There's a Christmas Day basketball game at Walt Disney World, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Wemby. An animated game, anyway. The real game takes place at Madison Square Garden, where Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs face the New York Knicks in a game televised on ABC and ESPN and streamed on Disney+ and ESPN+. The special alt-cast, the first animated presentation of an NBA game, will be shown on ESPN2 and also stream on Disney+ and ESPN+. Madison Square Garden is a staple of the NBA's Christmas schedule. Now it merges with a bigger home of the holidays, because the “Dunk the Halls” game will be staged at Disney, on a court set up right smack in the middle of where countless families have posed for vacation photos. Why that location? Because it was Mickey Mouse’s Christmas wish . “Basketball courts often have the ability to make a normal environment look special, but in Disney it can only turn out incredible,” Wembanyama said in an ESPN video promoting his Christmas debut. The story — this is Disney, after all — begins with Mickey penning a letter to Santa Claus, asking if he and his pals can host a basketball game. They'll not only get to watch one with NBA players, but some of them will even get to play. Goofy and Donald Duck will sub in for a couple Knicks players, while Mickey and Minnie Mouse will come on to play for the Spurs. “It looks to me like Goofy and Jalen Brunson have a really good pick-and-roll at the elite level,” said Phil Orlins, an ESPN vice president of production. Walt Disney World hosted real NBA games in 2020, when the league set up there to complete its season that had been suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those games were played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The setting for the Christmas game will be Main Street USA, at the entrance of the Magic Kingdom. Viewers will recognize Cinderella’s castle behind one baseline and the train station at the other end, and perhaps some shops they have visited in between. Previous alternate animated broadcasts included an NFL game taking place in Andy's room from “Toy Story ;” the “NHL Big City Greens Classic” during a game between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers; and earlier this month, another NFL matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys also taking place at Springfield’s Atoms Stadium as part of “ The Simpsons Funday Football. ” Unlike basketball, the players are helmeted in those sports. So, this telecast required an extra level of detail and cooperation with players and teams to create accurate appearances of their faces and hairstyles. "So, this is a level of detail that we’ve never gone, that we’ve never done on any other broadcast," said David Sparrgrove, the senior director of creative animation for ESPN. Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 phenom from France who was last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, looks huge even among most NBA players. The creators of the alternate telecast had to design how he'd look not only among his teammates and rivals, but among mice, ducks and chipmunks. “Like, Victor Wembanyama, seeing him in person is insane. It’s like seeing an alien descend on a basketball court, and I think we kind of captured that in his animated character,” said Drew Carter, who will again handle play-by-play duties, as he had in the previous animated telecasts, and will get an assist from sideline reporter Daisy Duck. Wembanyama's presence is one reason the Spurs-Knicks matchup, the leadoff to the NBA's five-game Christmas slate, was the obvious choice to do the animated telecast. The noon EST start means it will begin in the early evening in France and should draw well there. Also, it comes after ABC televises the “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade” for the previous two hours, providing more time to hype the broadcast. Recognizing that some viewers who then switch over to the animated game may be Disney experts but NBA novices, there will be 10 educational explainers to help with basketball lingo and rules. Beyond Sports' visualization technology and Sony’s Hawk-Eye tracking allow the animated players to make the same movements and plays made moments earlier by the real ones at MSG. Carter and analyst Monica McNutt will be animated in the style of the telecast, donning VR headsets to experience the game from Main Street, USA. Other animated faces recognizable to some viewers include NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who will judge a halftime dunk contest among Mickey and his friends, and Santa himself, who will operate ESPN’s “SkyCam” during the game. The players are curious how the production — and themselves — will look. “It’s going to be so crazy to see the game animated,” Spurs veteran Chris Paul said. “I think what’s dope about it is it will give kids another opportunity to watch a game and to see us, basically, as characters.” ___ AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nbaSince the rapid collapse of the Assad government and the takeover of Damascus by US-designated terror group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on December 8, Syrians by the hundreds or even thousands have been filmed in city streets celebrating, expressing hope for a new era. But for every scene of hundreds gathered in a city square in front of Al Jazeera or CNN cameras, the reality is that there are many tens of thousands more families holed up in their homes, deeply fearful of venturing outside , with the more fortunate ones having stocked up on supplies just prior to Abu Mohammad al-Jolani's army of mujahideen fighters entering the capital. With the basically overnight and shock collapse of a state system earlier this month which had been in place for over a half-century, Syrians whether in Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Latakia, or Damascus have no clue which armed factions might be patrolling the neighborhoods just around the corner from their apartments . A big looming dark fear is the possibility of "reprisal" killings meted out by the jihadists against any community, especially along religious lines, merely perceived as 'loyalist' or at least which never came out openly against the Assad government. We and others have been documenting that this is already taking place . Political alignment aside, all communities of the capital have historically been "Syria first"—that is, the common populace tends to frame identity foremost along nationalistic lines. The ideology of the conquerors, in their own words and patches/symbols on their tactical vests, are without doubt Takfirism, Salafism, and Wahhabism . This has been exhaustively documented over many, many years of the tragic proxy war in Syria - yet now suddenly Western leaders and media lackeys have 'forgotten' it all. Non-Sunni Muslims are especially being targeted, for nothing else other than religion and identity Mainstream media cameras in Damascus have been carefully trying to hide or at least downplay this reality. They present the euphoria of those few on the streets praising the 'revolution' and downfall of Assad while ignoring the many more who are bracing for a sectarian bloodbath at the hands of the jihadists. American correspondents have even been caught 'coaching' bearded militants waring ISIS patches on how to improve their image in front of an international audience... Watch: Syrian 'Moderate Rebel' Removes ISIS Patch At Prompting Of American Journalist . HTS goons open fire on demonstrators protesting extrajudicial revenge killings and the destruction of Alawite shrines just days after Jolani received friendly delegations of US and UK diplomats and journos pic.twitter.com/nVWA49wNgK This fear of being targeted for ethno-religious genocide is perhaps greatest among Christians, Alawites, and Druze. Dread or anxiety at what tomorrow will bring is also a reality among some business-oriented Sunnis of Aleppo and Damascus. Major urban centers in Syria had always had a definite secular and pluralist public vibe—with liquor stores and nightclubs a common sight in central areas—and women in the Islamic veil a little bit more of a rarity. Some liquor stores especially in Aleppo and the north have already been smashed and destroyed . Now, for the first time in Syria's modern history, women who dare to venture out in the city center of Damascus are being asked their sectarian affiliation: Are you Sunni, Shia, Christian, Druze? Or else they are being told to put on the Islamic veil, by bearded militants from outside cities or villages, or worse who are from other countries . Latakia, as well as parts of the countryside, are already witnessing armed jihadist gangs conducting summary executions. Syria: “When we build the Islamic caliphate, Christians will pay Jizya under Islamic Sharia.” - Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, HTS Islamist leader and new ruler of Syria Forcing Christians to become second-class citizens and be extorted through a protection tax is not moderate. pic.twitter.com/BGvnvM8w3C Gruesome videos (too horrific to link to) are filling up social media platforms like X and Telegram, in some instances with unidentified victims being dragged to death behind vehicles . Others show HTS-linked factions or else foreign jihadist groups cleansing entire villages of 'Nusayris' —a derogatory term for Alawites, which is ethno-religious background of the Assad family. Jolani's officials have recently tried to urge for militants to not film their atrocities or upload them to the internet . * * * Rania Khalek is an independent journalist who has long reported from the region. Her contacts across Syria are telling her that the jihadists are killing civilians in various places far away from CNN or Al-Jazeera cameras. Below is a report she posted to X [emphasis ZH]... Some concerning developments in Syria that were being largely ignored or dismissed until horrific videos of sectarian violence and executions began emerging in recent days... In some mixed Syrian towns and villages as well as minority neighborhoods around Homs, Hama and on the coast, security was breaking down and people felt scared to speak about it, according to multiple contacts. The Hama-Homs highway had decapitated bodies strewn about , according to one contact. He wanted to take pictures of the bodies on the highway but he didn’t dare out of fear. At one roadblock they forced him to open his phone and they went through it. He said they spoke Arabic but it was a hybrid fusha accent he could barely understand. A contact reported being stopped by HTS at a barricade. He then had to wait for his business partner who is Sunni to come and vouch for him. Not a good sign. Flyers have been disbursed in multiple areas informing women how they should dress and act . Minorities in mixed villages have been subjected to robberies, killings, kidnappings , etc. Some have responded by organizing armed men to protect their neighborhoods from raids. This is not everyone’s experience of course. But these sorts of incidents were increasing. And they reached a fever pitch after the video of the destruction of an Alawite shrine surfaced. While the random violence and score settling speaks to the chaos that comes with a regime change like this, the sectarian violence is much more concerning. There are militias HTS either has no control over because they’re spread too thin or they don’t care to stop them. Some expressed that they suspect HTS is secretly calling the shots and then playing dumb . Whatever the case, there is deep distrust of HTS in many minority communities due to their past violence combined with recent events. "I don't trust them at all, the fact that they are so insistent on collecting guns from people is so worrying, they even want licensed guns, and this is actually scary. They are always trying to appear as nice people talking about peace, but yet every day someone gets killed and they do nothing about it ," said one contact in Latakia. The sectarian violence is reminiscent of post 2011 days when the regime would be kicked out of an area and extremist militias would quickly take over and then chaos and sectarian violence would ensue. The pro-HTS side is framing any pushback or measure of self defense in vulnerable communities as Iranian-provoked or Assadist, which isn’t helpful and exacerbates the sectarianism. As the gun battles heat up, it’s hard to ignore the signs of potential civil unrest to come with violent zones of state collapse. I hope stability wins the day but it doesn’t look good .
An Post issue urgent Christmas update as Holyhead closure continues to cause havoc
By MIKE CATALINI CHATHAM, N.J. (AP) — That buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It’s unclear if it’s drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward. Cropping up on local news and social media sites around Thanksgiving, the saga of the drones reported over New Jersey has reached incredible heights. This week seems to have begun a new, higher-profile chapter: Lawmakers are demanding (but so far not getting) explanations from federal and state authorities about what’s behind them. Gov. Phil Murphy wrote to President Joe Biden asking for answers. New Jersey’s new senator, Andy Kim, spent Thursday night on a drone hunt in rural northern New Jersey, and posted about it on X. But perhaps the most fantastic development is the dizzying proliferation of conspiracies — none of which has been confirmed or suggested by federal and state officials who say they’re looking into what’s happening. It has become shorthand to refer to the flying machines as drones, but there are questions about whether what people are seeing are unmanned aircraft or something else. Some theorize the drones came from an Iranian mothership. Others think they are the Secret Service making sure President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster property is secure. Others worry about China. The deep state. And on. In the face of uncertainty, people have done what they do in 2024: Create a social media group. The Facebook page, New Jersey Mystery Drones — let’s solve it , has nearly 44,000 members, up from 39,000 late Thursday. People are posting their photo and video sightings, and the online commenters take it from there. One video shows a whitish light flying in a darkened sky, and one commenter concludes it’s otherworldly. “Straight up orbs,” the person says. Others weigh in to say it’s a plane or maybe a satellite. Another group called for hunting the drones literally, shooting them down like turkeys. (Do not shoot at anything in the sky, experts warn.) Trisha Bushey, 48, of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, lives near Round Valley Reservoir where there have been numerous sightings. She said she first posted photos online last month wondering what the objects were and became convinced they were drones when she saw how they moved and when her son showed her on a flight tracking site that no planes were around. Now she’s glued to the Mystery Drones page, she said. “I find myself — instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning my house — checking it,” she said. She doesn’t buy what the governor said, that the drones aren’t a risk to public safety. Murphy told Biden on Friday that residents need answers. The federal Homeland Security Department and FBI also said in a joint statement they have no evidence that the sightings pose “a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” “How can you say it’s not posing a threat if you don’t know what it is?” she said. “I think that’s why so many people are uneasy.” Then there’s the notion that people could misunderstand what they’re seeing. William Austin is the president of Warren County Community College, which has a drone technology degree program, and is coincidentally located in one of the sighting hotspots. Austin says he has looked at videos of purported drones and that airplanes are being misidentified as drones. He cited an optical effect called parallax, which is the apparent shift of an object when viewed from different perspectives. Austin encouraged people to download flight and drone tracker apps so they can better understand what they’re looking at. Nonetheless, people continue to come up with their own theories. “It represents the United States of America in 2024,” Austin said. “We’ve lost trust in our institutions, and we need it.” Federal officials echo Austin’s view that many of the sightings are piloted aircraft such as planes and helicopters being mistaken for drones, according to lawmakers and Murphy. That’s not really convincing for many, though, who are homing in on the sightings beyond just New Jersey and the East Coast, where others have reported seeing the objects. For Seph Divine, 34, another member of the drone hunting group who lives in Eugene, Oregon, it feels as if it’s up to citizen sleuths to solve the mystery. He said he tries to be a voice of reason, encouraging people to fact check their information, while also asking probing questions. “My main goal is I don’t want people to be caught up in the hysteria and I also want people to not just ignore it at the same time,” he said. “Whether or not it’s foreign military or some secret access program or something otherworldly, whatever it is, all I’m saying is it’s alarming that this is happening so suddenly and so consistently for hours at a time,” he added. Associated Press reporter Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed to this report.From Pride employee resource groups to a recurring wave of rainbow logos each June, LGBTQ+-friendly workplaces can feel more like the rule than the exception in 2024. Yet, while corporate leaders pat themselves on the back, many queer employees across Canada are still quietly navigating challenging workplace dynamics tied to their sexual orientations and gender identities. For these employees, true equity and inclusivity goes beyond gender-neutral bathrooms and company-sponsored Pride events. It means addressing deeper, often overlooked issues that remain largely invisible to those outside the LGBTQ+ community. It’s an issue that Nate Shalev, an inclusivity speaker and adviser based in Brooklyn, N.Y., feels strongly about. They posted about some of those barriers in a LinkedIn post, where they are ranked as one of the U.S. and Canada’s Top LGBTQIA+ Voices. “When I was told I would have to travel for work, my immediate reaction would be panic,” they wrote. “I was concerned about booking travel with my legal name and risking my team calling me by a name I no longer use, getting through TSA as a trans person with my dignity intact ... [and] navigating queer and transphobia at hotels or in taxis, or anywhere, in front of my co-workers.” Through their consultancy, Revel Impact, Shalev draws on past experiences with “really bad bosses” to help build more inclusive workplaces, educating companies on the barriers their LGBTQ+ team members may be facing – on top of simply getting their jobs done. Barriers like: “Is the conference you asked me to go to safe? What about that client meeting? The whole team is going for a happy hour, but this bar isn’t LGBTQ-friendly. Should I leave? Would that make me look like I wasn’t a part of the team?” Shalev says these sorts of concerns are routinely dismissed or there’s no clear channel through which to handle them since they don’t rise to a legal level of discrimination, despite having negative affects. While most organizations in North America have anti-discrimination policies in place, Ottawa-based talent and brand specialist Lindsay Moorcroft says that doesn’t necessarily mean those policies are sufficient. “Unless you’re building your programs and policies with the [affected] people in the room, there’s always the possibility for something to be forgotten,” Moorcroft says, reflecting on a previous job at a small startup where she was the only out queer employee. “Pronouns weren’t being asked in meetings. They weren’t shared in e-mail signatures. There was no option to even talk about that. So then it’s like, do I want to be the person who brings it up?” she says. For Kaitlin Geiger-Bardswich, a communications and advocacy director in Ottawa, the risk of speaking up paid off. Although she works for a national non-profit she calls “progressive” and “feminist,” bereavement leave didn’t include pregnancy loss until she advocated for it after experiencing a miscarriage herself. “Even if it’s not a miscarriage, when a fertility treatment doesn’t work, when an embryo transfer doesn’t work, there is that grief,” she says. Fertility issues aren’t specific to the LGBTQ+ community, but “gay couples, by definition, typically need to access fertility treatment of some kind,” as Geiger-Bardswich says. “So it’s more likely that if you have gay employees who are interested in parenting, they’re going to have to navigate this.” According to Fertility Matters Canada , more than half of Canadian employers don’t provide fertility benefits, including drugs and treatment costs. And only seven provinces provide public funding to cover partial costs of fertility treatment. In Geiger-Bardswich’s case, she and her wife relied on limited OHIP coverage when trying to conceive, while paying thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for medication and donor sperm. She says she was grateful to have flexibility in her work hours, which made it easier to attend doctor’s appointments throughout the in-vitro fertilization process without fear of repercussions. Flexible work arrangements, including remote work, can also benefit transgender employees who are transitioning or who are repeatedly misgendered at the office, says Shalev. Geiger-Bardswich notes that as anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric increases around the world, it adds another layer of concern for queer Canadians. She points to Italy’s push to remove non-biological parents from birth certificates as an example. “I hope that’s not going to happen in Canada,” she says. “But with how things are happening around the world, there is nervousness around the legal benefits and legal situations for parents like us.” So, what can workplaces do to achieve real, meaningful inclusivity? Shalev says it’s about taking a pro-active, rather than reactive, approach. This could look like ensuring there’s space for preferred names on all applications, forms and other communications. Before international trips, a systematic pretravel questionnaire might allow queer employees to request extra security, a travel companion, a NEXUS membership or a car service to make the experience safer and smoother, Shalev says. “It doesn’t have to feel complicated. Actively create spaces for these conversations to happen. Ask folks what they need,” says Shalev, noting that this has been more difficult in recent years with LGBTQ+ issues growing increasingly politicized. “Because queer issues have been politicized so much, there’s this sense that it’s a taboo topic. That’s a big shift I’ve seen, versus it just being inclusion work and wanting to support colleagues. Trans folks aren’t politics. We’re people.” One organization that appears to be embracing a pro-active approach is Moorcroft’s current employer, ecobee, a home automation company headquartered in Toronto. The company’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offerings include an LGBTQ+ allyship group, a private social channel for LGBTQ+ employees and a policy-focused working group. Most importantly, Moorcroft says, a variety of voices are in these rooms alongside her, including those of senior leadership. “DEI means nothing if the top of the company is not supporting it, and it’s not in their [budget],” she says. Every organization has different needs and resources, which is why Shalev says, “It’s not one-size-fits-all.” Pride at Work Canada and Great Place to Work provide toolkits for organizations looking to improve inclusion, with strategies ranging from collecting data on employee demographics to administering queer mentorship programs. While certain measures may seem niche, “LGBTQ+ inclusion benefits us all,” Shalev says. “When I do workshops, of course I know there are other queer folks in the room. But then there are the parents of trans kids, or somebody with a partner who’s trans. Our workplaces are microcosms of our larger society, and if we create better workplaces, we can also create better communities and [and better] worlds.” Interested in more perspectives about women in the workplace? Find all stories on The Globe Women’s Collective hub here , and subscribe to the new Women and Work newsletter here . Have feedback? E-mail us at [email protected] .By Dánica Coto / The Associated Press SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—When Kenyan police arrived in Haiti as part of a U.N.-backed mission earlier this year to tackle gang violence, hopes were high. Coordinated gang attacks on prisons, police stations and the main international airport had crippled the country’s capital and forced the prime minister to resign, plunging Haiti into an unprecedented crisis. But the crisis has only deepened since the international policing contingent arrived. The main international airport closed for the second time this year after gangs opened fire on commercial flights in mid-November, striking a flight attendant. Gunmen also are attacking once-peaceful communities to try and seize control of the entire capital, taking advantage of political infighting that led to the abrupt dismissal of the prime minister earlier this month. Now, a new prime minister is tasked with turning around a nation that sees no escape from its troubles as Haitians wonder: How did the country reach this point? ‘No functioning authority’ Bloody coups, brutal dictatorships and gangs created by Haiti’s political and economic elite have long defined the country’s history, but experts say the current crisis is the worst they’ve seen. “I’m very bleak about the future,” said Robert Fatton, a Haitian politics expert at the University of Virginia. “The whole situation is really collapsing.” The government is anemic, the U.N.-backed mission that supports Haiti’s understaffed police department lacks funding and personnel, and gangs now control 85% of the capital. Then, on Wednesday, another blow. Doctors Without Borders announced it was suspending critical care in Port-au-Prince as it accused police of targeting its staff and patients, including threats of rape and death. It’s the first time the aid group has stopped working with new patients since it began operating in Haiti more than 30 years ago. “Every day that we cannot resume activities is a tragedy, as we are one of the few providers of a wide range of medical services that have remained open during this extremely difficult year,” said Christophe Garnier, mission director in Haiti. Lionel Lazarre, deputy spokesman for Haiti’s National Police, did not return messages for comment. Neither did officials with Kenya’s mission when asked about the surge in gang violence. In a recent statement, the Kenyan-led mission said it was “cognizant of the road ahead that is fraught with challenges.” But it noted that ongoing joint patrols and operations have secured certain communities and forced gangs to change the way they operate. André François Giroux, Canada’s ambassador to Haiti, told The Associated Press on Saturday that his country and others have been trying to bolster the Kenyan-led mission. “They’ve done miracles, I think, considering all the challenges that we’ve been facing,” he said. “What we have to keep in mind is that it’s still very much in deployment mode,” Giroux said. “There are not even 400 on the ground right now.” A spokesman for Haiti’s new prime minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, did not return messages for comment. In a statement Thursday, his administration said authorities were strengthening security along the capital’s main roads and had formed a special security council. “The prime minister renews his commitment to find lasting solutions to current problems,” it said. The statement was issued just days after gangs launched a pre-dawn attack Tuesday around an upper-class community in Haiti’s capital, forcing residents armed with machetes and guns to fight side-by-side with police to repel gunmen. At least 28 gang members were killed, but not before some reached an area near an upscale hotel long considered safe. “It tells you that there is no functioning authority in Haiti,” Fatton said Dwindling aid and growing isolation A main concern in the ongoing crisis is the temporary closure of the main international airport in Port-au-Prince. It means critical aid is not reaching those who need it the most in a country where nearly 6,000 people are starving and nearly half of the more than 11 million inhabitants are experiencing crisis levels of hunger or worse. Gang violence also has left more than 700,000 people homeless in recent years. “We are deeply concerned about the isolation of Port-au-Prince from the rest of Haiti and the world,” said Laurent Uwumuremyi, Mercy Corps’ country director for Haiti. The aid group helps people including more than 15,000 living in makeshift shelters, but persistent gang violence has prevented workers from reaching a growing number of them in the capital and beyond. Basic goods also are dwindling as the suspension of flights has delayed imports of critical supplies. “Before, there were some neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince that we considered safe that the gangs had never reached, but now they are threatening to take over the control of the entire capital,” Uwumuremyi said. At least 150 people were reported killed in the capital and 20,000 forced to flee their homes in the second week of November alone. Overall, more than 4,500 people were reported killed in Haiti so far this year, the U.N. said. Jimmy Chérizier, a former elite police officer who became a gang leader known as Barbecue, warned that a gang coalition known as Viv Ansanm will keep attacking as they demand the resignation of a transitional presidential council tasked with leading the country along with the new prime minister. The council also is supposed to organize general elections for the first time in nearly a decade so voters can choose a president, a position left empty since President Jovenel Moïse was killed at his private residence in July 2021. ‘What else are you left with?’ The US and other countries pushed for a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti at a U.N. Security Council meeting this week. Only about 400 officers from Kenya have arrived, along with a handful of police and soldiers from other countries — way short of the 2,500 personnel slated for the mission. “This is not just another wave of insecurity; it is a dramatic escalation that shows no signs of abating,” Miroslav Jenča, U.N. assistant secretary general for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, said Wednesday at the meeting. But Russia and China oppose a U.N. peacekeeping mission, leaving many to wonder what other options are left for Haiti. Giroux, the Canadian ambassador, said his country supports a peacekeeping operation “when the time is right.” “Everybody is looking at a peacekeeping mission as a silver bullet,” he said, adding that even if that were to happen, it wouldn’t be able to deploy for another six to 12 months. “We need to be realistic.” Giroux said he is hopeful that some 600 Kenyans will arrive in Haiti in upcoming weeks, but added that “none of this matters if the political elite doesn’t get its act together.” The nine-member transitional presidential council has been marred by accusations of corruption and infighting and was criticized for firing the previous prime minister. “I’m at a loss for any short-term solution for Haiti, let alone any long-term solutions,” Fatton said. “The gangs have seen that they shouldn’t be afraid of the Kenyan mission.” He said one option may be for the government to negotiate with the gangs. “At the moment, it is perceived as utterly unacceptable,” he said. “But if the situation deteriorates even more, what else are you left with?” Image credits: AP/Odelyn Joseph
Chi_R.Johnson 1 run (Santos kick), :53. Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 4:17. Key Plays: Ca.Williams 40 pass to Allen; Ca.Williams 30 pass to Swift; Ca.Williams 10 pass to D.Moore; R.Johnson 1 run on 3rd-and-1. Chicago 7, Minnesota 0. Min_Addison 2 pass from Darnold (Romo kick), 14:54. Drive: 4 plays, 67 yards, 00:59. Key Plays: Chandler kick return to Minnesota 33; Akers 15 run; Darnold 45 pass to Addison. Minnesota 7, Chicago 7. Min_Nailor 5 pass from Darnold (Romo kick), 6:29. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 2:57. Key Play: Darnold 1 run on 3rd-and-1. Minnesota 14, Chicago 7. Chi_FG Santos 49, :00. Drive: 10 plays, 49 yards, 3:09. Key Plays: Ca.Williams 6 pass to D.Moore on 3rd-and-3; Ca.Williams 12 pass to Odunze; Ca.Williams 14 pass to Kmet; Ca.Williams 6 pass to Kmet on 3rd-and-12. Minnesota 14, Chicago 10. Min_FG Romo 40, 12:40. Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 2:20. Key Plays: Chandler kick return to Minnesota 23; Darnold 69 pass to Addison. Minnesota 17, Chicago 10. Min_A.Jones 2 run (Romo kick), 1:22. Drive: 5 plays, 15 yards, 2:47. Key Play: Darnold 7 pass to Addison on 3rd-and-5. Minnesota 24, Chicago 10. Chi_D.Moore 10 pass from Ca.Williams (pass failed), 7:22. Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 4:45. Key Plays: Ca.Williams 10 run; Ca.Williams 20 pass to Kmet; Ca.Williams 7 run on 4th-and-4. Minnesota 24, Chicago 16. Min_FG Romo 26, 1:56. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 5:26. Key Plays: Mullens 14 pass to A.Jones on 3rd-and-13; A.Jones 11 run; Darnold 34 pass to Hockenson on 3rd-and-12. Minnesota 27, Chicago 16. Chi_Allen 1 pass from Ca.Williams (D.Moore pass from Ca.Williams), :22. Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 1:34. Key Plays: D.Carter kick return to Minnesota 40; Ca.Williams 14 pass to Odunze on 4th-and-3; Ca.Williams 10 pass to R.Johnson on 3rd-and-2. Minnesota 27, Chicago 24. Chi_FG Santos 48, :00. Drive: 4 plays, 27 yards, 00:22. Key Plays: Santos onside-kick (success), recovered by T.Moore; Ca.Williams 27 pass to D.Moore. Minnesota 27, Chicago 27. Min_FG Romo 29, 2:10. Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 5:29. Key Plays: Darnold 13 pass to Addison on 3rd-and-10; Darnold 20 pass to Jefferson; Darnold 12 pass to Hockenson; Darnold 29 pass to Hockenson. Minnesota 30, Chicago 27. A_57,659. RUSHING_Minnesota, A.Jones 22-106, Akers 3-19, Darnold 2-(minus 1). Chicago, Ca.Williams 6-33, Swift 13-30, D.Moore 1-13, R.Johnson 2-2. PASSING_Minnesota, Darnold 22-34-0-330, Mullens 1-1-0-14. Chicago, Ca.Williams 32-47-0-340, D.Moore 0-1-0-0. RECEIVING_Minnesota, Addison 8-162, Hockenson 7-114, A.Jones 3-23, Jefferson 2-27, Mundt 1-7, Akers 1-6, Nailor 1-5. Chicago, Allen 9-86, D.Moore 7-106, Kmet 7-64, Odunze 5-39, Swift 3-35, R.Johnson 1-10. PUNT RETURNS_Minnesota, Powell 5-43. Chicago, Carter 2-5. KICKOFF RETURNS_Minnesota, Chandler 2-50. Chicago, Carter 1-55. TACKLES-ASSISTS-SACKS_Minnesota, Smith 9-2-0, B.Murphy 5-3-0, Greenard 5-1-2, Van Ginkel 3-4-1, Metellus 3-4-0, Bullard 3-2-0, Bynum 3-2-0, Griffin 3-1-0, Cashman 2-4-0, Gilmore 2-3-0, Grugier-Hill 2-1-0, Tillery 1-1-0, Redmond 1-0-0, Phillips 0-1-0. Chicago, Byard 11-2-0, Edmunds 4-5-0, Owens 4-4-0, Edwards 3-6-0, Dexter 3-2-0, Smith 3-1-0, Walker 2-3-1, Gordon 2-2-0, Sweat 2-1-1, Stevenson 2-0-0, Cowart 1-1-0, Sanborn 1-1-0, Martin 1-0-1, Ch.Williams 1-0-0. INTERCEPTIONS_Minnesota, None. Chicago, None. MISSED FIELD GOALS_Chicago, Santos 48. OFFICIALS_Referee Clay Martin, Ump James Carter, HL Jerod Phillips, LJ Brian Perry, FJ Dave Hawkshaw, SJ Alonzo Ramsey, BJ Greg Wilson, Replay Brian Matoren.
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