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#ssbet77 President Bola Tinubu's minister of foreign affairs for state, Bianca Ojukwu, has expressed confidence that the government would soon release Nnamdi Kanu Ojukwu maintained that President Tinubu understood the importance of releasing Kanu in identifying the real freedom fighters and those causing violence in the southeast The minister made the comment at the 13th memorial anniversary of her late husband, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu CHECK OUT: Education is Your Right! Don’t Let Social Norms Hold You Back. Learn Online with LEGIT. Enroll Now! Bianca Ojukwu, Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs (State), has expressed her optimism that President Bola Tinubu will release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). According to Ojukwu, the release of Kanu has become imperative to identify those who are true freedom fighters and those who have been causing mayhem in the Southeast. Ojukwu made these remarks during the 13th memorial anniversary of her late husband, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. She emphasized that the reign of terror in the Southeast must stop and that the people must collectively reclaim their land. Ojukwu lamented that many people have fled their homes, and those in the diaspora are afraid to return for fear of being kidnapped by their own people for ransom. Read also Seyi Tinubu or Obasa: Who will be next Lagos governor? Why Tinubu will release Nnamdi Kanu - Ojukwu Vanguard reported that the Minister also noted that President Tinubu understands the importance of Kanu's release to the Southeast. She stated that his release would help to identify those criminals who are hiding under IPOB to cause violence in the Southeast while masquerading as freedom fighters. Ojukwu's comments have sparked a debate on social media, with some people expressing support for her views, while others have criticized her for being too optimistic about Kanu's release. Some have also questioned whether President Tinubu has the political will to release Kanu, given the sensitive nature of the issue. Despite the controversy surrounding Kanu's detention, Ojukwu remains hopeful that he will be released soon. She has urged the people of the Southeast to continue propagating the ideals for which her late husband stood and to work towards reclaiming their land from those who have been causing violence and instability in the region. Read also Presidency fumes as Bishop Kukah mentions Tinubu, 1 other Nigerian in power by accident PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! Source: Legit.ng

The Governors elected on the platform of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are currently meeting in Jos, Plateau State to discuss relevant issues of governance affecting the party and the nation in general. New Telegraph gathered that the PDP Governors, under the umbrella of the PDP Governors’ Forum will, During the meeting will review the just concluded elections in Edo and Ondo states where the party lost in the two governorship elections during the meeting. Governor of Bauchi state, Bala Mohammed who is also the Chairman of the forum in his opening remarks reiterated the party’s dedication to providing good governance to the people through the elected governors under the party. The Governor emphasized the PDP’s unity and its position as an unbreakable political party offering Nigerians hope and good governance. “We are here on the Plateau, and Governor Mutfwang has shown us that Plateau is indeed a melting pot where everyone is welcome. “The PDP remains an indivisible party. Despite minor hiccups, we are united with all organs and leaders of the party. “We will continue to work together to provide Nigerians with opportunities for better governance,” Mohammed affirmed. However, the Oyo State Governor and Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Seyi Makinde, also reassured PDP supporters of the governors determination to reform the party and restore its leadership role in Nigeria. Present at the meeting are the Governors from Zamfara, Oyo, Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, and Plateau. Delta and Enugu States Governors were represented while other states not represented at the meeting include Osun, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa states.

Bad Bunny announces a new album, 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos' Happy holidays from Bad Bunny , who announced Thursday he will release a new album Jan. 5. Maria Sherman, The Associated Press Dec 26, 2024 11:43 AM Dec 26, 2024 11:50 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE - Bad Bunny performs at the Latin Billboard Awards in Coral Gables, Fla., on Oct. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, File) Happy holidays from Bad Bunny , who announced Thursday he will release a new album Jan. 5. “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” which translates to “I should have taken more photos,” is his sixth studio album and follows in his tradition of releasing new music on unexpected dates. His debut album, 2018’s “X 100PRE," arrived around Christmas and 2020's “El Último Tour del Mundo” near Thanksgiving. The January release date is just before “Día de Reyes,” or Three Kings Day, and is a Sunday — unlike the industry's standard Friday release date. The Puerto Rican musician announced the news on Instagram in a short video featuring filmmaker Jacobo Morales. He also released a new single, “PIToRRO DE COCO.” A day before, Bad Bunny teased a 17-track list on social media, with each song titled “BOMBA,” perhaps in reference to the Puerto Rican musical style and dance. “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” follows 2023's “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana” (“Nobody Knows What Will Happen Tomorrow”), which was met with mixed reviews. On that album, Bad Bunny's reggaeton offerings were limited, returning instead to the Latin trap of “X 100PRE” in songs like “MONACO” and “GRACIAS POR NADA.” The announcement caps a busy year for El Conejo Malo. Bad Bunny made headlines after he threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris shortly after a comedian at Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally made crude jokes about Latinos and called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.” He also canvassed North America on his “Most Wanted Tour,” which made The Associated Press' list of the best concerts of the year. Maria Sherman, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More Entertainment News 'Baby Driver' actor Hudson Meek, 16, dies in a fall from a moving vehicle Dec 26, 2024 7:51 AM Hwang Dong-hyuk on killing off his 'Squid Game' characters and wanting to work with Jake Gyllenhaal Dec 26, 2024 6:58 AM Americans are exhausted by political news. TV ratings and a new AP-NORC poll show they're tuning out Dec 26, 2024 6:01 AM Featured FlyerExperimental Docs From Poland, Cuba Win in Amsterdam

I know you miss those campaign commercials on TV. They always said such nice things about their opponents. I know you miss getting those political flyers in the mail every day. They, too, always said such nice things about their opponents. Okay, I don’t miss it. And I don’t miss the all the predictions of doom and gloom over the outcome of the presidential election. You know, what if Donald Trump wins? Can our country stand four more years of his presidency? But what if Kamala Harris wins? Will we be a complete socialist country by the end of her term? Well, President Trump won, so we’ll find out if our country will survive four more years with him being in the White House. I don’t it will be the total disaster that many in the opposition are predicting. But I also don’t think, despite what many would like to believe, that all of the many problems our country is facing will be solved by Donald Trump relocating back to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Donald Trump won, so now that “what if” is now going to be a reality. There is one thing true about all things that are “what if.” Simply, they haven’t happened yet, and they might not happen at all. But we don’t know, and that often scares us. “What if’s” are fueled by fear, and fear loves to fill in the gaps when we don’t know. So, the “what if” might not happen. But it could. What do we do then? Maybe our response should be like that of three young Hebrew men many years ago. You probably heard their story back in Sunday School as a child. The three young men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, would not bow and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. They would only worship their God. The king was furious and demanded that they be thrown into the fiery furnace. But the three Hebrew men’s response to the king showed their faith in a real “what if” situation. They responded, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18) And they were thrown into the blazing furnace. But they didn’t get cremated. They didn’t get burned at all. Even their clothes didn’t smell like smoke. God had delivered them, and even the king recognized it, and gave honor to God. Back to their response to the king. The young Hebrews believed God would deliver them. But what if God chose not to do so? Their response was that they would still honor God no matter what. Their “what if” had become an “even if.” What if some of the fears now being promoted in some of the media actually come to pass over the next months and years? The truth is that there will be some difficult days ahead, no matter who is the president. How will you and I respond? But more importantly, how will we respond to the “what ifs” that we may face in our personal lives? What if we face sickness and bad health? What if our finances take a hit? What if a family crisis happens? Will we respond in fear, or will we respond in faith? Like the three young men in Babylon, our response can honor God. Even in the midst of uncertain times, our “what if” fears can become “even if” faith. Mac McPhail, raised in Sampson County, lives in Clinton. McPhail’s book, “Wandering Thoughts from a Wondering Mind,” a collection of his favorite columns, is available for purchase online on Amazon, or by contacting McPhail at rvlfm@intrstar.net.Feds Charge Five Men in ‘Scattered Spider’ Roundup

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.Elizabeth Olsen Details Financial Problems of Todd Solondz’s Love Child By has offered an update on , the planned Todd Solondz drama that she and Charles Melton were set to star in. What did Elizabeth Olsen say about Love Child? In a recent interview with Vulture, Olsen was asked about the status of the movie, and admitted that it was “having a hard time getting made.” As to why, Olsen pointed to the lack of a “really responsible” budget, and hinted that the project didn’t have the financing it needed to continue as of now. “There’s so many things I could say about that in private,” said Olsen. “It really comes down to having really responsible budgets. But not every movie can be made with favors for crews, right? You can’t ask crews to be paid a really shitty wage. So I don’t know. I find it all to be really frustrating right now, specifically for film.” “The story follows Misty who is stuck in a loveless marriage to a brutish husband,” reads the initial synopsis of Love Child. “Junior, her precocious 11-year-old is her only consolation. When Easy, a handsome vagabond stranger, appears, Junior hatches a plan to get rid of his father so that his mother can marry him instead. But things end up backfiring, so Junior comes up with yet another plan, this one even more devious, and with more disastrous—and unexpected—consequences.” Rachel Weisz and Colin Farrell were originally attached to star in the movie prior to Olsen and Melton’s casting. At the time of the movie’s announcement, Love Child was said to be produced by Cindy Bru, Christine Vachon, David Hinojosa, and Ford Corbett, while Michael Jefferson, Adam Beasley, Atilla Yucer, Joshua Harris, and Steven Farneth serve as executive producers. Soldonz is known for directing movies such as 1989’s Fear, Anxiety & Depression, 1995’s Welcome to the Dollhouse, 1998’s Happiness, 2001’s Storytelling, 2004’s Palindromes, 2009’s Life During Wartime, 2011’s Dark Horse, and, most recently, 2016’s Weiner-Dog. (Source: ) Anthony Nash has been writing about games and the gaming industry for nearly a decade. When he’s not writing about games, he’s usually playing them. You can find him on Twitter talking about games or sports at @_anthonynash. Share article

NEW YORK — It’s almost that time of year: Spotify is gearing up to release its annual Wrapped, personalized recaps of users' listening habits and year in audio. Spotify has been giving its listeners breakdowns of their data since 2016. And each year, it’s become a bigger production — and internet sensation. Spotify said its 2023 Wrapped was the “biggest ever created,” in terms of audience reach and the kind of data it provided. So, what will 2024 have in store? Here’s a look at what to know ahead of this year’s Spotify Wrapped. What exactly is Spotify Wrapped? It’s the streaming service's annual overview of individual listening trends, as well as trends around the world. Users learn their top artists, songs, genres, albums and podcasts, all wrapped into one interactive presentation. The campaign has become a social media sensation, as people share and compare their Wrapped data with their friends and followers online. Past iterations have provided users with all kinds of breakdowns and facts, including whether they’re among an artist’s top listeners, as well as a personalized playlist of their top 100 songs of that year to save, share and listen to whenever they’re feeling nostalgic. Spotify also creates a series of playlists that reflect national and global listening trends, featuring the top streamed artists and songs. In 2023, Taylor Swift was Spotify's most streamed artist , unseating Bad Bunny who had held the title for three years in a row. Each year has something new in store. In 2019, Wrapped included a summary of users’ streaming trends for the entire decade. Last year, Spotify matched listeners to a Sound Town based on their artist affinities and how it lined up with those in other parts of the world. When is the expected release date? So far, the streaming platform has kept the highly anticipated release date of Wrapped under ... er, wraps. In past years, it’s been released after Thanksgiving, between Nov. 30 and Dec. 6. Each year, rumors tend to swell on social media around when Spotify stops collecting data in order to prepare their Wrapped results, and this year was no exception. Spotify quickly squashed those presumptions , assuring on social media that “Spotify Wrapped doesn’t stop counting on October 31st.” A representative for Spotify did not respond to a request for comment on when the company stops tracking data for Wrapped. Where can I find my Spotify Wrapped? When Wrapped is released, each user's Spotify account will prompt them to view their interactive data roundup. It can be accessed through the Spotify smartphone app, or by logging on to the Spotify website . Wrapped is available to users with and without Premium subscriptions. What else can I learn with my Spotify data? There are a handful of third-party sites that you can connect your Spotify account to that will analyze your Wrapped data. How Bad is Your Spotify is an AI bot that judges your music taste. Receiptify gives you your top songs on a sharable graphic that looks like, yes, a receipt. Instafest gives you your own personal music festival-style lineup based on your top artists. How NPRCore Are You assesses how similar your music taste is to NPR Music's. What if I don’t have Spotify? Other major streaming platforms such as Apple Music and YouTube Music have developed their own versions of Wrapped in recent years. Apple Music’s Replay not only gives its subscribers a year-end digest of their listening habits but monthly summaries as well — a feature that helps differentiate itself from the one-time Spotify recap. That's released at the end of the calendar year. YouTube Music, meanwhile, has a similar end-of-the-year release for its listeners, as well as periodic seasonal releases throughout the year. It released its annual Recap for users earlier this month.Bronx nonprofits say the city is months late in reimbursing them for millions of dollars in contracted services, straining their financial outlook and ability to provide critical social services. While this issue is not new, leaders of organizations say this year has been worse than ever. BronxWorks — which provides youth programming, meals, homeless shelters and more — is currently owed $9 million in unreimbursed services and recently had to use a line of credit to cover payroll, chief financial officer Gordon Miller told the Bronx Times. Bronx Defenders, a provider of legal assistance and holisti c support for Bronxites in the criminal justice system, is waiting on $1 million, according to Executive Director Juval Scott. The Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS), however, told the Bronx Times that the city is dedicated to helping nonprofits “navigate the invoicing challenges” and assisting them in getting paid. Despite the city’s pledge, organizations say that late payments, which have been a persistent problem, are now even worse. The city contracts with social service providers for billions each year, but slow payments are leaving many scrambling, forcing some to cover expenses through borrowing — and footing the bill for high interest costs. Small nonprofits are especially affected — even waiting on $10,000 can have a drastic impact on their bottom line, said June Jimenez, interim executive director of the Bronx Community Foundation, which supports the borough’s nonprofit sector. Lack of consequences Past attempts to improve the city contract process resulted in temporary gains. Shortly after Mayor Eric Adams was elected, he and Comptroller Brad Lander announced a Task Force on Nonprofit Contracting, culminating in a February 2022 report with recommendations for improving the “onerous and slow” process. That spring, the mayor touted his “Clear the Backlog” initiative, which freed up over $4 billion in contractual dollars owed to nonprofits. But any past progress is now “stalled” — and the city is again unacceptably late in payments to many nonprofits doing critical work, said Council Members Althea Stevens and Justin Brannan in a recent op-ed . Stevens, who represents the southwest Bronx, and Brannan, who represents Brooklyn neighborhoods including Bay Ridge and Coney Island, said the current contract process creates no incentive for prompt repayment, as it has no set timeframes or deadlines — a fact that has apparently not changed since the same concern was raised in the 2022 task force report. “[T]he city is behaving like a disengaged, deadbeat parent,” wrote Stevens and Brannan, who are working together on legislation requiring the city to pay interest on late payments. Stevens told the Bronx Times that “Clear the Backlog” was proof that the administration knows how to resolve the issue but has not consistently made it a priority — leaving nonprofits “essentially floating the city.” “If the city doesn’t have consequences, they don’t have incentive to pay these people,” she said. In a statement to the Bronx Times, MOCS affirmed the administration’s commitment to keeping critical service organizations going, noting that the nonprofits also have many employees. “The Adams administration has made it clear that supporting the workers that provide vital services to New Yorkers, particularly our most vulnerable residents is a top priority.” The office pointed to measures aimed at protecting vulnerable New Yorkers — while acknowledging challenges in the contract process. “MOCS continues to collaborate with the City’s contracting agencies to ensure that procurement professionals and our nonprofits receive the necessary information, resources, and personalized support to successfully navigate the invoicing challenges.” But Stevens said local nonprofits are not receiving enough help. The task force should be reconvened, she said, because many social service organizations are worried about even making payroll in December — putting thousands of New Yorkers at risk for a terrible holiday season without the services they rely on. Stevens predicted that until change comes to the contract process, more nonprofits may suffer the same fate as Sheltering Arms, which shuttered and filed for bankruptcy in 2023 after years of budget cuts and delayed city payments. “It’s not their fault. This is not okay,” she said. ‘It’s unsustainable’ Many New York City nonprofits are increasingly dissatisfied when contracting with the city. In a recent survey by the Human Services Council of New York, a coalition of nonprofit organizations, half of its 70 respondents called the contract process “the worst it has ever been.” Raye Barbieri, CEO of the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, agreed. “This year seems to be particularly horrible for everybody across the board.” The center was founded in 1974 and has a food justice arm, a rape crisis center, early childhood programming and more. The Human Services Council survey found that 90% of respondents were waiting on payments totaling $365 million — and nearly one-third were delayed by more than six months. Additionally, the survey found that 48% of respondents had to use loans or lines of credit to cover the late funds, saddling them with a total of $6 million in interest that cannot be reimbursed. A major contributor to the delays lies with PASSPort, the city’s system for contract management, which was upgraded this year to include invoicing and payment capabilities, said Miller at BronxWorks. Problems with implementing the new functionality appear to have made the existing backlog problem even worse, he said. The public version of PASSPort can be found here . The city defended the technology, saying in a statement that “MOCS is diligently working around the clock to evaluate the PASSPort system and implement upgrades that enhance in-system payment processes. This is to guarantee that payments to our valued nonprofit contracting partners are not interrupted.” But Miller said payments have indeed been severely interrupted — and that BronxWorks is paying the price. While he said he has seen recent signs that the backlog is slowly clearing and the city granted two partial advances on their contract, those funds dried up, leaving BronxWorks no choice but to use a line of credit to make payroll. For now, the organization is getting by, he said. “We’re still continuing our excellent service and working with our clients.” But even if every problem with PASSPort was fixed tomorrow, “You gotta play catch up.” Barbieri said her organization has not yet needed to use its available line of credit, thanks only to scrimping and saving, and she could not give a dollar amount for which the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center is owed. But she said there is much anxiety around the delays, especially for their largest contracts with the Department of Education. Barbieri said nonprofits are treated unfairly compared to other entities that contract with the city. Despite — or perhaps because of — the essential nature of their work, they have little choice but to keep going while waiting on their funds. “There’s no other category of vendor in New York City that would ever be expected to or asked to provide services, programming or supplies before a contract is registered and in place,” she said. There’s no construction company that’s going to say, ‘Sure, we’ll start working without a contract.’” ‘It’s unsustainable’ Scott at Bronx Defenders also expressed frustration at not being able to begin any steps of the reimbursement process. The organization has been unable to submit invoices in PASSPort for the past six months due to technical problems, she said. The late payments are bringing down staff morale, adding another layer of stress to their already challenging workload — which in turn trickles down to clients, said Scott. Within Bronx Defenders, the sectors waiting on the most money are legal services for immigrant families and residents facing eviction, areas that already struggle to meet demand, said Scott. The late payments “seriously jeopardize” the organization’s ability to continue services, she said. As with BronxWorks, the city also gave the Bronx Defenders a partial advance on their contract, which got them through for a time. But now, with the advance running out, Scott said she desperately wants to avoid taking out a loan. “It’s unsustainable,” she said. “It’s not a good way to manage.” Scott said while the late payments seem mainly due to technical and administrative problems, they have a real “punitive effect” on nonprofit organizations. If the Bronx Defenders takes away funds for other services to cover loan interest, “The people that benefit from this are the banks.” Barbieri said while nonprofits are resilient, the sector needs to be treated with greater priority. Until reform comes, her organization will continue its work — such as providing holiday food packages for over 500 residents last week — even if running on fumes. “We’re gonna deliver services because that’s our mission,” she said. “A construction company can say ‘full work stoppage.’ We can’t do that.” Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimesDENVER (AP) — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's “America’s Got Talent” meets “American Idol,” with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it’s never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at “Dream Team” status given the men’s side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023 . The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. “We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport,” said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. “We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world.” Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores . “Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That’s something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok , the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado’s two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. “If a receiver is running around, I’m thinking, ‘OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,’” Daniels explained. “They’re like, ‘No, you can’t.’ I’m just like, ‘So I’m supposed to let this guy just run?!’ I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn.” The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. “I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. “I’m not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, ‘I played NFL football for five years. I’m popular. I have a huge name.’ I’m still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise.” Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It’s his way of working on avoiding a “defender” trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. “You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the ‘Redeem Team’ led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, ‘That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. “Everybody thinks, ‘Yeah, the U.S. just wins,’” Daniels said. “But we work hard all the time. We don’t just walk in. We don’t just get off the bus thinking, ‘We’re going to beat people.’” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL Pat Graham, The Associated PressARIES (March 21-April 19) This is a lovely day! In particular, it will make you feel good to get better organized. Those of you who are working today will appreciate the help of co-workers. In fact, a work-related flirtation or romance might begin today. Travel or get away somewhere if you can. Tonight: Good vibes. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) It’s a playful, fun-loving Saturday! Definitely make time today for some fun events. Meet a friend for a social outing. Travel. Enjoy sports events and playful activities with kids. Anything to do with the theater, the entertainment world or the hospitality industry will delight you. Enjoy your day! Tonight: Party! GEMINI (May 21-June 20) This is the perfect day to kick back and relax at home. Hang out in your robe, have a second cup of coffee and indulge yourself. This is a pleasant, lazy day. It’s also a romantic day filled with affectionate, passionate promise. Discussions with partners and spouses might be lively. Tonight: Entertain. CANCER (June 21-July 22) Make plans to hang out with someone today or to do something interesting with a spouse, partner or close friend. It’s a very pleasant day, and you feel sociable. You want to get out and see what’s happening. You are still primed to work hard, so you might combine work and pleasure. Tonight: Conversations! LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) You have high energy this weekend from Mars; plus, the Sun and Mercury are urging you to enjoy yourself! Take a vacation. It’s a great time for social outings, the theater, the entertainment world, sports events and fun activities with kids. Tonight: Check your assets. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today the Moon is in your sign dancing beautifully with fair Venus, which heightens your appreciation of beauty. It also makes today an excellent time for romance or any social gathering, because you will enjoy the company of others. Plan a party! Tonight: You’re strong. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) You are the most social sign in the zodiac, and today is a wonderful day to entertain at home. However, because the Moon is “hiding” in your chart, you might want it to be an intimate, small gathering — perhaps even one friend visiting. It’s definitely a romantic day as well. Tonight: Privacy. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Get out and be active with friends and groups today, especially people exploring athletic, outdoor activity. This will make you feel pumped. You’re eager to socialize. Friendly vibes and flirtations might push a platonic friendship into something romantic. Tonight: Schmooze. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today you are high-viz, which means not only do people notice you more than usual, some people even know personal details about your private life. Do be aware of this in case you have to do some damage control. Money or moneymaking ideas might come your way today. Tonight: You shine! CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You’re up for some adventure or a change of scenery today, which is why this is the perfect day to do something different. Get out of town if you can. If not, explore your own city. Go someplace you’ve never been before. Talk to new people; educate yourself about other cultures. Learn something new! Tonight: Be ready. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Privacy, secret liaisons and hidden love affairs are issues that concern many Aquarians today. Nevertheless, this is also a great day to schmooze, especially younger people. Do be patient with spouses, partners and close friends while Mars is opposite your sign. Tonight: Check your finances. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) This is an excellent day to enjoy good times with friends. You will also enjoy the arts, good food and drink, and beautiful surroundings, which is why some of you might want to improve your home and make it look more attractive. Tonight: Listen.

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