Utah NHL team walks to arena after bus gets stuck in Toronto traffic (Hockey)
Ogun State has emerged as the Best Overall Performing State in Digital Technology Development. This is the result of the collaborations between the State Government and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals, as well as startups, towards advancing the digital economy. Previously, the State received several awards in the sector, including the Most Digitally Compliant State in 2023 by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Best State in e-Governance Implementation Category by the National Council on Communications & Digital Economy (NCCDE), amongst others. Speaking while presenting the award at the 12th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (NCCIDE), held in Makurdi, Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Lormem Alia commended Prince Dapo Abiodun’s administration in digitalization and tech entrepreneurship, which has positioned the state as the best among other states. He noted that the award was a testament to the visionary leadership of Governor Abiodun and called for more synergy between ICT professionals and governments at all levels to enable the country to attain a maximal level of information technology. Receiving the award on behalf of the Ogun State government, Special Adviser on ICT, Dayo Abiodun, attributed the feat to the digital initiatives of Governor Abiodun towards digitalizing the state through various training programs for the citizenry, especially the youth. The Special Adviser, who was represented by a Program Analyst from the Ogun State Bureau of Information Technology (BIT), Ridwan Odufowora, stated that the award would spur the state government to show more commitment towards harnessing the prospects of emerging digital innovations for the development of the state. The Council Meeting was an annual event aimed at strategizing on advancements in communications, fostering innovations, and promoting growth in the digital economy. In attendance were all the states of the federation, as they showcased their achievements in the digital economy.The stretch of road where the incident occurred has been the scene of multiple tragedies this year alone Stock image. A driver has died following a serious road traffic crash on the N17 in Mayo this evening. The crash involving a car and a lorry occurred around 5.30pm this evening near Barnacarroll, between Knock and Claremorris. It is understood the man, a 32-year-old from Co Sligo, who was driving the car, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries have been reported. The stretch of road where the incident occurred has been the scene of multiple tragedies this year alone. The road will remain closed overnight. A technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators will take place in the morning. Local diversions are in place. Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. They are also appealing for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the area at the time of the collision to make this footage available to them. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Claremorris Garda Station 094 937 2080, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station. More to follow..
A year ago, SiriusXM launched a new streaming app filled with original and licensed content from its satellite radio service and set the price at $9.99 — far below the roughly $16 average monthly revenue it takes in per satellite subscriber. The hope was that a relatively affordable price and an improved app would help SiriusXM reach younger consumers and expand beyond its core in-car satellite radio listeners. The new app was “just the beginning,” CEO Jennifer Witz said at the time , adding that SiriusXM would “continue to iterate and develop our product offerings throughout the next year and beyond as we strive to deliver our subscribers the best listening experience on the go, in the car, and wherever they choose to tune in.” The company’s satellite radio business was built on vehicles. If you buy a new or used car, you’ll likely get a free SiriusXM trial that’s extremely effective at convincing people to subscribe once their trial is over. The new streaming app was intended to attract people who would listen outside of the car. But selling the radio experience in a smartphone app didn’t go well. As it turns out, the streaming app hasn’t produced a good return on marketing spending, Witz said on Tuesday (Dec. 10). Appearing at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference, the executive cited “slow progress” in turning free trials into long-term retention. As a result, SiriusXM has already cut back its marketing spend on the app and expects to have fewer streaming trials — and thus fewer subscribers — in the future. That was a worse assessment than what Witz delivered on SiriusXM’s Aug. 2 earnings call. At that time, when asked about conversion rates for the app, Witz said they had been “challenged” but maintained positivity, adding that there had been some “positive results” with first-time trial adopters and that the company was “confident” it could attract “a different audience” that will be “incremental” to the existing car-based business. Now, after its underwhelming experiment with the app, SiriusXM will, in Witz’s words, be “leaning into our strengths.” In other words, the company is putting its focus back on satellite radio and the in-automobile listening experience. In alignment with that strategy, the company also announced the departure of Joseph Inzerillo , the chief product and technology officer who played an instrumental role in the app’s launch. For all the strengths of the app — curated stations, celebrity musician stations, a smorgasbord of audio programming — the company gave up its competitive advantage when it tried to compete outside of satellite radio and the automobile. After all, the company is the lone satellite radio operator and, given the cost and complexity of launching satellites into orbit, has the market to itself. But when leaving the safety of satellite, it’s hard to beat Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and Amazon Music at their own game. These are streaming-native platforms built for consumers’ desire for interactivity, while SiriusXM’s app attempts to fit a one-way satellite radio experience into a two-way, interactive medium. In the end, paid radio turned out to be a tough sell to a generation that has grown up on on-demand streaming. So, SiriusXM is going to focus on what it does best, and in-car listening gives the company a huge audience to work with. It currently has 33 million subscribers and, according to MusicWatch’s Russ Crupnick , reaches 65 million total listeners. In an email to Billboard , radio consultant Andy Meadows said he believes “SiriusXM is better suited to compete for those coveted in-car listeners so [Tuesday’s announcement] makes sense from that standpoint.” Crupnick also sees in-car listening as a point of strength for SiriusXM, pointing to the uniqueness of the SiriusXM product as a distinct advantage. “The ease of use, breadth of content, and curation position them as far superior to terrestrial radio, and in a different place than music streaming or podcasts,” he says. Building on in-car satellite listening, the SiriusXM streaming app will become more of a complementary product. “There is real opportunity with 360L,” said Witz on Tuesday, referring to the company’s in-car platform that serves as a dual satellite radio/streaming product. Because 360L includes streaming, it allows SiriusXM to serve personalized — a.k.a. more lucrative — ads and provide more targeted — a.k.a. more expensive — ads for advertisers. Of the app, she said it can provide data that helps SiriusXM determine spends on programming that resonates with listeners, given that satellite receivers are a one-way technology that doesn’t provide granular insights into listening behaviors. Similar to 360L, the app can also provide targeted advertisements. For customers, bundling satellite and streaming costs as low as $25 per month. That’s about double the cost of an individual Spotify subscription, but SiriusXM subscribers can withstand the price. According to Witz, platinum satellite subscriptions, which cost upward of $29 per month, account for “about a third” of the current subscriber base. And providing the best of satellite and streaming will help SiriusXM compete with a “newer breed of streaming products” on Americans’ car dashes, says Meadows. “Anything SiriusXM, and traditional radio for that matter, can do to look, sound and function better across all devices is in their best interest long term.”
NEW YORK (AP) — Same iconic statue, very different race. With two-way star Travis Hunter of Colorado and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty leading the field, these certainly aren't your typical Heisman Trophy contenders. Sure, veteran quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel from top-ranked Oregon and Cam Ward of No. 15 Miami are finalists for college football's most prestigious award as well, but the 90th annual ceremony coming up Saturday night at Lincoln Center in New York City offers a fresh flavor this year. To start with, none of the four are from the powerhouse Southeastern Conference, which has produced four of the past five Heisman winners — two each from Alabama and LSU. Jeanty, who played his home games for a Group of Five team on that peculiar blue turf in Idaho more than 2,100 miles from Manhattan, is the first running back even invited to the Heisman party since 2017. After leading the country with 2,497 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns, he joined quarterback Kellen Moore (2010) as the only Boise State players to be named a finalist. “The running back position has been overlooked for a while now," said Jeanty, who plans to enter the 2025 NFL draft. "There's been a lot of great running backs before me that should have been here in New York, so to kind of carry on the legacy of the running back position I think is great. ... I feel as if I'm representing the whole position.” With the votes already in, all four finalists spent Friday conducting interviews and sightseeing in the Big Apple. They were given custom, commemorative watches to mark their achievement. “I'm not a watch guy, but I like it,” said Hunter, flashing a smile. The players also took photos beneath the massive billboards in Times Square and later posed with the famous Heisman Trophy, handed out since 1935 to the nation's most outstanding performer. Hunter, the heavy favorite, made sure not to touch it yet. A dominant player on both offense and defense who rarely comes off the field, the wide receiver/cornerback is a throwback to generations gone by and the first full-time, true two-way star in decades. On offense, he had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns this season to help the 20th-ranked Buffaloes (9-3) earn their first bowl bid in four years. On defense, he made four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and forced a critical fumble that secured an overtime victory against Baylor. Hunter played 688 defensive snaps and 672 more on offense — the only Power Four conference player with 30-plus snaps on both sides of the ball, according to Colorado research. Call him college football’s answer to baseball unicorn Shohei Ohtani. “I think I laid the ground for more people to come in and go two ways,” Hunter said. “It starts with your mindset. If you believe you can do it, then you'll be able to do it. And also, I do a lot of treatment. I keep up with my body. I get a lot of recovery.” Hunter is Colorado's first Heisman finalist in 30 years. The junior from Suwanee, Georgia, followed flashy coach Deion Sanders from Jackson State, an HBCU that plays in the lower level FCS, to the Rocky Mountains and has already racked up a staggering combination of accolades this week, including The Associated Press player of the year. Hunter also won the Walter Camp Award as national player of the year, along with the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player and the Biletnikoff Award for best wide receiver. “It just goes to show that I did what I had to do,” Hunter said. Next, he'd like to polish off his impressive hardware collection by becoming the second Heisman Trophy recipient in Buffaloes history, after late running back Rashaan Salaam in 1994. “I worked so hard for this moment, so securing the Heisman definitely would set my legacy in college football,” Hunter said. “Being here now is like a dream come true.” Jeanty carried No. 8 Boise State (12-1) to a Mountain West Conference championship that landed the Broncos the third seed in this year's College Football Playoff. They have a first-round bye before facing the SMU-Penn State winner in the Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal on New Year’s Eve. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound junior from Jacksonville, Florida, won the Maxwell Award as college football’s top player and the Doak Walker Award for best running back. Jeanty has five touchdown runs of at least 70 yards and has rushed for the fourth-most yards in a season in FBS history — topping the total of 115 teams this year. He needs 132 yards to break the FBS record set by Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders at Oklahoma State in 1988. In a pass-happy era, however, Jeanty is trying to become the first running back to win the Heisman Trophy since Derrick Henry for Alabama nine years ago. In fact, quarterbacks have snagged the prize all but four times this century. Gabriel, an Oklahoma transfer, led Oregon (13-0) to a Big Ten title in its first season in the league and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. The steady senior from Hawaii passed for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns with six interceptions. His 73.2% completion rate ranks second in the nation, and he's attempting to join quarterback Marcus Mariota (2014) as Ducks players to win the Heisman Trophy. “I think all the memories start to roll back in your mind,” Gabriel said. Ward threw for 4,123 yards and led the nation with a school-record 36 touchdown passes for the high-scoring Hurricanes (10-2) after transferring from Washington State. The senior from West Columbia, Texas, won the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Year award and is looking to join QBs Vinny Testaverde (1986) and Gino Torretta (1992) as Miami players to go home with the Heisman. “I just think there's a recklessness that you have to play with at the quarterback position,” Ward said. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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N.C. State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson was named head coach at Marshall on Sunday, shortly after Thundering Herd coach Charles Huff's hiring was announced at Southern Miss. Gibson, 52, will take his first head-coaching job in college and return to his home state, where he served two stints at West Virginia over the past two decades. The terms of Gibson's deal were not immediately disclosed. “We could not be happier to welcome Tony Gibson home as our 32nd head coach at Marshall University,” school President Brad Smith said in a statement. “Coach Gibson has led some of the top programs on the national level, but in the end, his heart desired to return to the mountains from which he came." Gibson's hiring was announced less than an hour after Huff was named coach at Southern Miss. Huff coached Marshall to a 31-3 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette in the Sun Belt championship game on Saturday night. Marshall (10-3) won seven straight games for its first 10-win season since 2015. Gibson coached defensive backs at West Virginia under Rich Rodriguez from 2001 to 2007. He returned in 2013 under Dana Holgorsen as safeties coach, then became defensive coordinator a year later and stayed until Holgorsen left at the end of the 2018 season. Gibson spent six seasons at N.C. State. He had other assistant coaching stints at Pitt and under Rodriguez at Michigan and Arizona. N.C. State’s defense ranked near the bottom of the ACC this season, allowing 30.5 points and 385 yards per game. The Wolfpack’s best season under Gibson was in 2022, when it tied with Louisville for the fewest points allowed at 19.2 per game and was second in yards allowed at 327. “My family and I are excited to start this journey, but we all thank you for your support and the wonderful memories,” Gibson wrote to the N.C. State community in a post Sunday on the social media platform X. Gibson, who is from Van, West Virginia, graduated in 1994 from Glenville State, where he played defensive back. “We have recruited a proven coach that aspires to be at Marshall and to sustain the success we have come to appreciate and expect,” athletic director Christian Spears said in the statement. "We can’t wait to get started with him and his staff.” One of Gibson’s first tasks will be replenishing Marshall’s roster. The Thundering Herd signed only 11 recruits in the recent early signing period. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
President-elect Donald Trump mocked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - again - by calling him "governor" after suggesting that his country become the 51st state . “It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday night. “I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so that we may continue our in-depth talks on Tariffs and Trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular for all!” Trump has been threatening to enact 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico as well as increase tariffs already in place on China. What else did Trump say about Canada and tariffs? Trump recently joked that Canada should become the 51st state, even suggesting it directly to Trudeau during their dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Fox News reported. Trudeau later told reporters that his conversation with Trump had been "excellent" but didn't comment beyond that. But on Sunday, the president-elect told NBC’s Meet the Press , "We’re subsidizing Canada to the tune of over $100 billion a year. We’re subsidizing Mexico for almost $300 billion. We shouldn’t be — why are we subsidizing these countries? If we’re going to subsidize them, let them become a state." How has Trudeau responded to threats of tariffs? Trudeau pushed back against Trump's tariff threats at a Halifax Chamber of Commerce event Monday, saying Americans “are beginning to wake up to the real reality that tariffs on everything from Canada would make life a lot more expensive,” the Associated Press reported. “It would also, however, mean real hardship for Americans as well," said the Canadian leader. "They [Americans] rely on us for steel and aluminum. They rely on us for a range of agriculture imports. All of those things would get more expensive,” he said.Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump didAMCHITKA ISLAND, Alaska — A series of moderate to strong earthquakes struck Alaska's western Aleutian Islands and offshore areas Sunday. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in the area around Adak, Amchitka and Kiska islands some 1,350 miles (2,200 kilometers) west of Anchorage. Of the three remote islands, only Adak Island, with a population of about 300 people, is inhabited. Nine quakes measuring at least magnitude 5.0 struck on or near the islands and in a cluster offshore to the south Sunday morning and afternoon, according to the Alaska Earthquake Center. Three of the quakes measured 6.0 or stronger, with the biggest a 6.3 temblor offshore. “We are monitoring these events and their aftershocks, and will update when we have more information on the nature of this seismic activity,” the earthquake center said in a post on the social media site X. Get the latest breaking news as it happens. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . The quakes did not appear related to recent seismic activity at a volcano near Anchorage that last erupted in 1992. Much of Alaska including the Aleutian Islands is on the Ring of Fire, a seismically and volcanically active zone that surrounds most of the Pacific Ocean.
It might seem like air fryers have been around forever, but this clever cooking invention didn’t actually hit the market for the first time until 2010, when Dutch multinational Phillips debuted the first-ever model in Berlin, Germany. Fast-forward more than a decade, and air fryers are in kitchens all over the world. Jump to the air fryers In 2022, the market was worth more than $897 million, and by 2030, it’s expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 11.2 percent. It’s no surprise that air fryers are popular; they can cook food quickly and efficiently, and they don’t need anywhere near as much oil as a deep fryer. But which ones are the best? Here’s what you need to know. What is an air fryer and how does it work? Air fryers work by circulating hot air around food in order to cook it. This is in contrast to a deep fryer, which cooks food by heating large amounts of oil to high temperatures. Air fryers can still help to give foods that tasty crispy layer, but the resulting dish is usually much healthier because the fat content is lower. That said, it’s important to note that air-fried food is still fried food. However, she adds that the “real driver” of healthy food is still the type of food you’re putting in the air fryer. It’s not going to make French fries good for you, for example. But Rissetto notes that nutrient-dense foods “are generally just as nutritious in the air fryer as in the oven.” What vegan foods can you cook in an air fryer? As well as convenience foods like French fries, nuggets, and vegan sausages, you can cook plenty of vegetables in the air-fryer. Cauliflower wings are a particularly good example, and air fryers will also help to crisp up ingredients like sweet potatoes, tofu, and falafel. Canva For more inspiration on the type of foods to cook in the air fryer, find our guide here . We also love this recipe for spicy air-fried buffalo tofu poppers and this recipe for crispy air-fryer wontons. The best air fryers to buy now If you’re looking to purchase an air fryer, here are 14 of our top picks (listed in no particular order). Philips 1 Philips Premium XXL Airfryer, $189 Phillips was the first to introduce an air fryer to the market, and it’s still one of the leading manufacturers of the popular appliance. If you’re looking for something premium and sophisticated, this model comes with an easy digital interface as well as fat removal technology. According to the brand, this means that the appliance “reduces and captures excess fat.” FIND IT HERE Ninja 2 Ninja Air Fryer Max XL, $129.99 Again, if you’re willing to spend a little more on your air fryer (in this case, just over $125), the Air Fryer Max XL from Ninja is worth a go. It has seven cooking programs, including air fry, air roast, and, arguably, the selling point: max crisp. Yep, this means that those cauliflower wings are going to be even crispier and more satisfying than ever, a definite plus. FIND IT HERE Instant Pot 3 Instant Pot Duo Crisp, $119.99 As you would expect from an Instant Pot appliance, this air fryer can also slow cook your food, as well as steam, broil, sauté, and much, much more. So if you’re looking for a kitchen gadget that will multi-task along with you when you’re cooking in the kitchen, this is the one for you. FIND IT HERE Cosori 4 Cosori Air Fryer Pro, $79.92 For those who are prepared to spend a little on a good air fryer, but not too much, this reliable appliance from Cosori comes in at just under $80. It’s still incredibly efficient, has nine functions, and will heat your food quickly and efficiently, thanks to its “industry-leading temperatures.” FIND IT HERE Black + Decker 5 Black + Decker Purify 2-Liter Air Fryer, $59.99 If you’ve got limited kitchen space, this 2-liter air fryer from Black + Decker will sit neatly in the corner without taking up too much room. It doesn’t have the fancy digital interface or the multiple cooking options, but it will do the job it was built for efficiently. So if you’re not looking for anything fancy and you don’t want to spend tons of money, it’s well worth giving it a shot. FIND IT HERE Dash 6 DASH Tasti-Crisp Digital Air Fryer, $53.99 This compact, lightweight digital air fryer is ideal for beginners. It’s neat, it’s fast, and it’s healthier, as it will help reduce added fat by between 70 and 80 percent, according to the brand. Like most air fryers, it’s also energy efficient, as it doesn’t require pre-heating. Plus, it looks stylish and quirky, thanks to the range of colors on offer (hello, aqua!). FIND IT HERE Cuisinart 7 Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven, $179.95 This kitchen gadget combines a 1,800-watt toaster oven with an air fryer, which can also bake, broil, grill, and warm your food, too. Plus it has plenty of space and comes complete with an oven rack, a baking pan, and an air fry basket. Choose from white, stainless steel, or black, depending on your preference. FIND IT HERE Our Place 8 Our Place Wonder Oven, $175 If you know Our Place , you’ll know that the brand’s specialty is multifunctional products, and this Wonder Oven is no exception. Not only is it an efficient countertop oven, but it’s also an air-fryer, too. It’s sleek, aesthetically pleasing, durable, versatile, and it’s high-performance, too, so essentially, it ticks all of the boxes. Find it here 9 Chefman TurboFry Touch Air Fryer, $70 Chefman’s TurboFry air fryer is popular for several reasons, including its easy-to-use touch settings, LED alarm (which handily reminds you when it’s time to shake your food), and dishwasher-safe basket and tray. Reviewers on Amazon say it’s easy to use, easy to clean, and it’s a good size for a small family. Find it here 10 Bella Air Fryer Oven, $30.79 For under $35, Bella’s air fryer offers five different settings (including bake, roast, and reheat), a removable easy-to-clean basket, and the ability to cook around two to three servings at the same time. Plus its handy compact size means it’s easy to store, too. Find it here 11 GoWise USA Digital Air Fryer, $49.61 GoWise’s air fryer boasts eight different cooking presets designed to help you cook everything from fries to pizza efficiently and evenly. Again, it has a timer that will regularly remind you to shake the basket, touch screen controls, and a wide temperature range. If you need cooking inspiration, it even comes complete with a recipe book. Find it here 12 Calphalon Performance Countertop Air Fryer, $273.25 With its sleek and elegant-looking French double doors, this large-capacity countertop air fryer looks good and it’s easy to use. Plus it’s multifunctional and comes with a whopping 11 precision cooking functions, including toast, roast, broil, pizza, and cookies. Find it here Breville 13 Breville the Smart Oven Air Fryer, $349.95 Breville’s Smart Oven design has 10 cooking functions, including a dedicated air fryer setting. Plus, with its Element IQ System, the oven uses algorithms to always set the correct cooking environment for your ingredients. “The Breville is high quality, easy to use, extremely versatile, roomy, and easy to clean,” raves one reviewer on Amazon . Find it here 14 Typhur Dome Air Fryer, $298.99 This Typhur Dome air fryer design isn’t the only thing that sets it apart from the competition. It also cooks food quietly, efficiently, and 30 percent faster than competitors, according to the brand. It’s also nonstick and self-cleaning, which means that it will remove stubborn oil and grease stains all on its own. Find it here DON'T MISS OUT : Get breaking news, recipes, and our weekly vegan deal by signing up for our FREE VegNewsletter Why a Vitamix Blender Is as Essential as Your Favorite Cookware These 11 Handy Products Are Ideal for Setting Up Your Vegan Kitchen Non-Toxic Cookware: The Best Options on the Market JUMP TO ... Latest News | Recipes | Guides | Health | Subscribe Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast. Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the plant-based lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission, but in no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 9: Herb Jones remains roster-worthy despite potential scoring regression