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Why Reddit (RDDT) Stock Is Down TodayAs hundreds of millions of Americans get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving with a huge feast, park managers are warning budding chefs not to brine their turkey in Great Salt Lake. The admonition came after workers in the Utah park found someone's bird that had floated off, apparently while they were trying to tenderize it ahead of Thursday's festivities. "Just your annual reminder not to use Great Salt Lake to brine your turkey," Great Salt Lake state park wrote on its social media feed this week. "Not only is the salinity too high for a proper brine, the waves can be very strong and there's a good chance you could lose the entire turkey as this person did." The post was accompanied by a photo of a bird's carcass -- still bafflingly wrapped in its store-bought packaging -- and covered with bits of grass and muck. Great Salt Lake is one of the largest landlocked bodies of salt water in the world. Human activity is putting an enormous stress on the lake, which is a vital tourist draw for the region. In 2022, water levels in Great Salt Lake plummeted to their lowest on record due to a combination of overconsumption by the farming and mining sectors, and a two-decade drought. The water became so salty that brine shrimp, a major source of income for the local economy, began to die. hg/amz/st
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The New Zealand Government has launched a science-based, standardized methodology for measuring farm-level greenhouse gas emissions, delivering on its Q4 commitment to restore certainty and credibility in the agriculture sector. The initiative was announced today by Agriculture Minister Todd McClay. A Simplified and Trustworthy System “Our farmers are among the most carbon-efficient food producers globally, but they need reliable tools to measure and manage emissions effectively,” said Mr. McClay. The new methodology aims to reduce complexity for farmers by replacing the more than 10 existing calculators with a consistent approach. It leverages farm-specific inputs, including: Stock counts and supplementary feed usage . Dairy production , fertilizer application , and farm region data . This methodology is designed to be accessible, low-cost , and auditable , utilizing readily available farm data while ensuring alignment across all calculators. Updates will be made regularly to integrate advancements in science and technology. Addressing Sector Demands The initiative was developed collaboratively with industry stakeholders to meet the sector's demand for transparent and reliable tools. “This is a direct response to what our farmers have been asking for,” Mr. McClay added. Farmers previously faced administrative burdens and inconsistencies due to the varying methods used by existing calculators. By unifying these tools under a single science-based framework, the Government seeks to simplify compliance while maintaining the credibility of New Zealand's agricultural sustainability. Investment in Emission-Reducing Technologies To complement this effort, the Government has allocated $400 million over four years to develop and deploy emission-reducing technologies. This funding will support innovations like methane-reducing feed additives, advanced livestock genetics, and improvements in soil management techniques. Ensuring Competitiveness and Sustainability The Government emphasized its commitment to striking a balance between environmental obligations and economic sustainability. “We are committed to working with farmers to meet emissions goals without shutting down farms or sending jobs and production overseas,” Mr. McClay said. This methodology aligns with New Zealand's ambition to remain a global leader in sustainable, high-quality food production. Farmers will now have the tools and resources necessary to measure, manage, and reduce their environmental footprint while preserving the country's reputation for carbon-efficient agriculture. Looking Ahead The rollout of the standardized methodology is expected to improve data transparency and foster collaboration across the agriculture sector. By providing a reliable foundation for emissions management, the initiative supports farmers in making informed decisions that contribute to New Zealand's environmental and economic goals. Further details about training programs and integration with existing farm management systems will be shared in the coming months.Global economic activity maintains momentum, with 2024 growth projected at 2.7%. In the U.S., we expect a 2.7% increase, driven by strong consumer spending, although a rising savings rate could impact this. Europe faces volatile inflation and geopolitical tensions, keeping Euro-area growth at 0.7%, despite a Q3 retail sales rebound. Germany narrowly avoided recession due to weak industrial output. In China, growth is projected at 4.8%, with challenges in real estate and high savings affecting domestic demand. However, recent policies and expanding manufacturing are supporting growth, with exports remaining a key driver. (Source: Maersk Strategic Insights) The Network of the Future covers the ocean freight network on East-West trades, including Asia-to-North America routes, going live on February 1, 2025. Over the past 4-5 years, significant investments in hub terminals support this transition to a hub-and-spoke model, boosting resilience and operational capacity. We aim to improve global shipping reliability by achieving an ambition of 90% schedule reliability once fully phased in, ensuring extensive port coverage, and optimizing speed through collaboration with terminal partners. The Network of the Future is officially now open for bookings. Click here for details and scheduling information. On the West Coast, we are still seeing constraints to our network for Canada-bound cargo in December, while performance into the Pacific Southwest is stable as we see additional capacity in the market being available. On the East Coast, we have not seen much variation in demand from November to December, and the overall network is still projected to be full in the coming weeks. Operational constraints have been identified for some sailings in the second half of December; however, vessels have been induced to cover the missing sailings. Elsewhere, the Chinese New Year period has significantly impacted global shipping due to the sheer volume of factory closures and a sharp decline in production. In 2025, Lunar New Year officially begins on January 29, however many businesses start their preparations early and reduce production up to three weeks in advance. Normal production levels are expected to return by the second or third week of February. Typically, businesses face a race to get cargo out of China before operations wind down and celebrations begin. Our teams are on hand to assist with your planning should you need to ship out of China urgently. For more information on the impact of Chinese New Year 2025, please click here. We want to keep you informed about the ongoing negotiations between the International Longshoreman Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. (USMX), which may impact your operations. On October 3, a tentative wage agreement was reached, but discussions on technology-related issues stalled negotiations when both parties met in November. The situation remains dynamic as we await further developments, with the possibility of a strike on January 15 increasing without a settled contract. Our teams have identified potentially impacted vessels and are preparing contingency plans. If a strike occurs, we expect vessel operations to halt by midnight on January 14. The team is working on contingency plans to ensure operations are completed on time and that vessels are not docked during the work stoppage. In the event of a work stoppage, US East Coast and Gulf terminals may halt operations, and gate and rail services could be suspended. You will receive more details as the January 15 date approaches. Similarly, terminals and nearby depots will not be open to accept empty returns. Please hold your empties until the terminals and depots reopen. Should disruptions occur, we stand ready to assist our customers explore options to keep their supply chains moving best as possible via alternate routes, modalities, or distribution schedules. Customers are asked to stay in close contact with their Maersk representatives now as communicating supply chain requirements will be key to developing tailored contingencies if needed. We will provide updates as the situation unfolds. The inland market in North America is experiencing steady growth, driven by increased demand for efficient transportation and logistics services. According to the American Trucking Association, freight volumes have risen by about 3.4% in the past year, indicating a robust recovery from earlier disruptions. As you plan your logistics, it’s essential to consider that capacity constraints remain challenging, leading to increased transportation costs. You may need to adjust strategies to account for these ongoing pressures. Looking ahead to 2025, the inland market is expected to continue its growth trajectory, supported by infrastructure investments and technological advancements in logistics. The U.S. Department of Transportation projects a 2% annual increase in freight volume, driven by economic growth and consumer demand. As you develop your long-term plans, consider how these trends might impact your supply chain strategies and explore opportunities to leverage new technologies for efficiency gains. In October 2024, global air cargo demand continued its strong growth, rising 9.8% year-on-year, according to IATA. This marks the 15th consecutive month of demand increase, with capacity also up by 5.9%. Air cargo yields, including surcharges, rose 10.6% compared to 2023 and 49% compared to 2019 levels. Industrial production increased by 1.6% in September, while global goods trade rose 2.4%, marking six months of consecutive growth. This growth partly stems from businesses stockpiling inventories in anticipation of potential disruptions, such as a US port strike on the East Coast and Gulf. Global manufacturing also rebounded in October, with the PMI indicating growth, though new export orders showed continued uncertainty. Inflation trends varied, with US inflation rising to 2.58% in October, ending a six-month decline. EU inflation also increased to 2.33%, while China’s consumer inflation fell to 0.29%, raising concerns about economic slowdown. These economic indicators highlight the dynamic and uncertain environment facing the air cargo industry. At Maersk, we are committed to our customers and provide them with air freight solutions amid ongoing ocean disruptions. We have a seamless service offering running via our Tanjung Pelepas (TPP) to our Singapore and Kuala Lumpur hubs as an intermediate transit and cost option between Air and Ocean. Customers can take advantage of our unique TPP service, with our first leg on Ocean being short haul via TPP. This ultimately provides a significant reduction of transit time from 23-60 days to approximately 12-16 days for our customers moving into different markets from Asia. Maritime shipping is a hard-to-abate sector, meaning that any solution to decarbonize the industry is either cost-prohibitive or challenging for complex reasons. Regulations are required to accelerate the supply of decarbonization solutions and decrease the cost differential between conventional and lower-carbon fuels. In 2025, the European Union (EU) will increase its regulatory efforts to target emissions and emissions intensities from maritime shipping by nearly doubling the Emissions Surcharge for all cargo holders. The EU ETS is being implemented in stages. In 2024, only 40% of applicable emissions were covered, but that number will increase to 70% in 2025 and then to 100% in 2026 and onward. We are also expecting an increase in the cost of the allowances, which shippers must purchase to pay the emissions bill to the EU in 2025. Both factors will increase the overall cost of shipping to and from Europe. FuelEU Maritime is the world’s second regulation to target ocean shipping emissions and the first to target the emissions intensities from the burned fuels. The EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime impact cargo with origins and destinations in EU-designated ports, and both are meant to be layered together. While the EU ETS is more of a penalty targeting emissions, FuelEU Maritime differs in that it sets several requirements for the fuels combusted in the EU with a timeline to reduce emission intensities by 2050, exponentially. The lower emissions of intense fuels are more costly, thus increasing the cost of shipping to the EU yet again. While The EU is leading the way in reducing emissions and pollution through effective regulations, we anticipate that other regions and governing bodies will also implement carbon taxes or Emissions Trading Systems (ETSs) for maritime shipping. We are actively monitoring conversations taking place in other regions of the world. Any new need of compliance may result in costs, which will be managed through the surcharge code: Maersk—Emissions Surcharge (EMS). EMS is a penalty for emissions – cargo holders gain nothing from paying this. To exempt your European cargo from EMS, you can always choose to ship your cargo with Maersk ECO Delivery Ocean B100, which eliminates emissions on the water, thus the need for a penalty. Source: Maersk
Advertisement When I took a 16-hour Amtrak from Portland to Sacramento, I packed two bags of items for the trip. I was thankful I packed plenty of snacks, water, and essential oils to make me feel more at home. I wish I had brought something to help with motion sickness, as well as a small padlock. When I booked a sleeper car for my 16-hour Amtrak ride, I could choose a roomette , bedroom, bedroom suite, or accessible bedroom. I went with the roomette, which was the smallest sleeping accommodation, so I assumed I wouldn't have much space for luggage. Related Video With that in mind, I packed one rolling carry-on-sized bag and a smaller piece of luggage that could fit under a seat on a plane. Here's what I brought on my 16-hour Amtrak journey.Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more! Do you ever feel like your teeth look and feel dingy? We get it. Over the years, our teeth can lose their glimmer and shine, which is why it’s imperative to invest in whitening strips that can take the guesswork out of your dental hygiene routine. Erin Andrews , known for being an American sports commentator and TV personality, has a beautiful white smile that glows across television screens across the country. We found her favorite teeth whitening strips that will help you channel Andrews’ bright smile — and you can get them for under $30 at Amazon! These on-sale whitestrips are an effortless way to keep your smile glowing and looking bright! They feature hydrogen peroxide and have the look of a professional effect that won’t cost you $400! Further, they’re enamel safe and have Advanced Seal Technology’s no slip grip design that allows you to talk and drink water without worrying! To use these strips, you peel them off their backing. Then, apply the strips directly to your teeth. Finally, smile and repeat! It’s really that simple. While reviewing and raving over these whitening strips , one reviewer noted , “I use these 3-4 times a week on my old tea-drinking teeth. I get compliments about how white my teeth are all the time. To me, they just look nicer than before.” Another reviewer said , “I don’t know why I didn’t try these sooner. I was just skeptical that a system this inexpensive would work well. It works very, very well. The results are as good as the $500 teeth whitening kits I’ve purchased through my dentist in the past. You shouldn’t debate, just jump into whiter teeth. I wish I had done it sooner.” See it: Get the Crest 3D Whitestrips for $28 (originally $46) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at time of publication but may be subject to change. Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News Not what you’re looking for? Check out more from Crest here , and don’t forget to scope out Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
Good afternoon, Chicago. Six years ago, Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis sat in House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office to break the news that he would not be seeking re-election to the City Council. Prosecutors allege the pivotal conversation, which was played for the jury in Madigan’s corruption trial today, is proof of a corrupt quid-pro-quo scheme where Solis introduced the powerful Democratic speaker to developers in his ward in exchange for Madigan’s help securing him a six-figure state board appointment. Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices. Subscribe to more newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Daily horoscope | Asking Eric A homeless encampment in Humboldt Park on Nov. 26, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune) Ald. Jessie Fuentes, 26th, said that the Humboldt Park encampment would be formally cleared on Dec. 6. Read more here. More top news stories: Judge who made controversial electronic monitoring decision not hearing domestic violence cases because of threats Former IIT student convicted of spying in Chicago released as part of Chinese prisoner swap: sources Ali Ahamad and his sons Aamir, 3, left, and Ali Jr., 5, clean up a lot next to their home, a two-flat greystone that Ahamad has owned since 2019, in North Lawndale on Nov. 19, 2024. He plans to skip the current application for the city’s Missing Middle Infill Housing Initiative because of lack of notice and its requirements. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) The West Side’s North Lawndale community is on the verge of receiving city investment. The program — called the Missing Middle Infill Housing Initiative — will begin as a pilot in North Lawndale and is part of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development’s $75 million initiative to build “missing middle housing” in neighborhoods on the South and West sides. Read more here. More top business stories: ICC administrative judges recommend Peoples Gas resume paused pipeline replacement program Beloved restaurant owner dies after being struck by vehicle in Oswego The Bulls’ Patrick Williams watches from the bench as the Timberwolves take the lead during the fourth quarter at the United Center on Nov. 7, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune) Between Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević, the Chicago Bulls are awash with potential trade chips this season to add to their draft stock. But the front office may be turning its attention toward dealing younger players. Read more here. More top sports stories: 4 takeaways from the Chicago Bulls’ 2nd straight NBA Cup win, including a big night from the bench Whose line is it anyway? For the Chicago Blackhawks, playing musical chairs with the forwards isn’t improv — it’s a plan. Filmmaker Marielle Heller at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago on Oct. 21, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune) Heller’s fourth feature stars Amy Adams as an artist who parks her career on a side street somewhere to devote a long road of days, nights and an ever-shrinking worldview to raise a son, mostly happily, always exhaustedly. Read more here. More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories: ‘Get Millie Black’ review: In Jamaica, a police detective is haunted by threats old and new Column: A new Netflix documentary brings us Elvis as he was meant to be President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak at a meeting of the House GOP conference, followed by Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Several of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks and appointees have been targeted by bomb threats and “swatting attacks,” Trump’s transition said. Read more here. More top stories from around the world: What to know about the deal that’s stopped fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah Walmart’s DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump’s election victoryPolice say suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing wasn't a client of the insurer
VANCOUVER — Taylor Swift touched down on five continents during her Eras Tour, and now fans from around the world are awaiting its final curtain at BC Place in downtown Vancouver. Fans are anticipating what the singer has in store for the 149th and final performance of a tour that has explored Swift's vast song catalogue, past and present. Grossing an estimated US$2 billion in revenue with the Eras Tour, Swift has bucked the downward trend of a music industry disrupted by the downfall of physical album sales and the rise of pennies-per-song streaming services. The tour that began in the spring of 2023 saw Swift make countless outfit changes while fans enthusiastically handed out their trademark friendship bracelets. Hours before Swift was set to take to the stage, fans like Meme Bautista and Jean Batac were milling about near BC Place, planning to visit Swift-themed signs erected around Vancouver before the superstar's third sold-out night at the stadium. Bautista says her fandom has only grown since she last saw Swift in the Philippines a decade ago, and she has mixed emotions about the tour coming to an end. "A lot of people are expecting something like a surprise announcement or something special," Bautista said Sunday. "A lot of people have described it as like a kindness convention. It's more than just a tour, it's like a community coming together celebrating ... having fun. "And it's very sad to see that coming to an end." While Bautista has been a diehard Swiftie for years, Batac is a new convert. Batac said she's looking forward to seeing her friend's reaction because Swift is Bautista's "dream artist." "I'm looking forward to her emotion," Batac said. Batac and Bautista are two out thousands who descended on downtown Vancouver over the last three days, including celebrities like rapper Flavor Flav. The Public Enemy hype-man said on social media he's on his way from Los Angeles to "Taycouver" on a "flight full of Swifties" ahead of Sunday's last show. B.C. singer Michael Buble was handing out friendship bracelets on night one, also attended by Swift's parents, while Canuck Jake DeBrusk was at Saturday's show according to a social media post and photo by his girlfriend. Swift has reciprocated fans' feelings, telling the audience on Friday night that she chose Canada and Vancouver to close out the tour because the fans not only know the lyrics, they "scream them." Swifties have been planning something special to end the tour, with Swift forums abuzz with suggestions to surprise her by singing "Happy Birthday" at tonight's show, ahead of Swift's 35th birthday on Dec. 13. Fan projects like this have been a big part of the Eras Tour, with chants and patterned clapping breaking out during various songs. On Saturday, after the ballad "Champagne Problems," Swift was met with a ritualistic standing ovation that lasted more than four minutes, along with chants of "thank you." "I don't even know how to thank you for everything that you've given to me to get me to this place that I get to even stand here and have this experience," Swift told the crowd. University of Kansas sociology professor and "Swiftologist" Brian Donovan says such moments of joyous social solidarity are known as "collective effervescence." "What is interesting about the Eras Tour is that it also brought about unique cultural things like the trading of friendship bracelets," he said, noting such practices were fan-driven and were not organized by Swift or her team. Swift performed six shows in Toronto last month. Canada was announced as a late addition to the tour last year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously pleaded with the star on social media to visit Canada, telling her "don’t make it another 'Cruel Summer,'" a nod to one of her hits. Trudeau and family members were among Swifties at the Toronto shows, as were former U.S. president Bill Clinton and his wife former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Swiftie Jenny Fox got tickets to Saturday's show after seeing her daughter Avery's reaction to the Eras Tour movie. "I texted my husband in the theatre and said that if this is how it is in a movie theatre, I can't even imagine what it would be like to see and experience this in real life in a massive stadium, and to see the joy on Avery's face," she said. Fox is the primary caretaker for her own mother, who has late-stage Alzheimer's. "As soon as we put certain music on, mom comes back," she said. "So music is very near and dear to us. We play a lot of music, and a lot of Taylor Swift with her, so there is that love and memory and special tie to it." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2024. Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian Press
To lure Juan Soto, Mets created a video of his statue outside Citi Field next to Tom Seaver's NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets wanted Juan Soto to know his future with them could be set in stone. When the free agent outfielder traveled to owner Steve Cohen’s house in Beverly Hills, California, for a presentation last month, the team unveiled a video that included an image of a future Soto statue outside Citi Field, next to the one erected of franchise great Tom Seaver. Soto put on a New York Mets jersey and cap for the first time Thursday after his record $765 million, 15-year contract was finalized and talked about what made the difference in his decision. Bill Belichick 'always wanted' to give college coaching a try. Now he will at North Carolina New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick said he had long been interested in coaching in the college ranks. But it had never worked out until now, as he takes over the Tar Heels program. Belichick led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during a 24-year run there that ended last year. Belichick's five-year deal pays him $10 million in base and supplemental salary per year. It is guaranteed only for the first three years, including for buyout purposes. There is also up to $3.5 million in annual bonuses. Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. LeBron James ruled out of Lakers' game at Minnesota on Friday with foot soreness LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James has been ruled out of the Los Angeles Lakers’ game at Minnesota on Friday night due to soreness in his left foot. James will miss his second straight game when the Lakers return from a four-day break to face the Timberwolves. The top scorer in NBA history was away from the team this week with an excused absence attributed to “personal reasons,” coach JJ Redick said Wednesday. It’s unclear whether James will even make the quick round trip to Minnesota before the Lakers’ next game at home against Memphis on Sunday. Rape investigation that Swedish media say focused on Kylian Mbappé has been closed STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish prosecutors say they have dropped a rape investigation that was launched in connection with soccer star Kylian Mbappé’s visit to Stockholm in October. In a statement, lead investigator Marina Chirakova says there is not enough evidence to continue the investigation into the allegation at a hotel. Prosecutors never publicly named the suspect in the investigation but some Swedish media reported it was Mbappé. The Real Madrid striker visited Stockholm in October during a break in the Spanish league. At the time, Mbappé’s legal team dismissed those reports as false. Travis Hunter, the 2-way standout for Colorado, is the AP college football player of the year BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter is The Associated Press college football player of the year. Hunter received 26 of the 43 votes from a panel of AP Top 25 voters. Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty finished second with 16 votes, and Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo received one vote. A throwback player who rarely left the field, Hunter had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver. He had four interceptions and 11 passes defensed as a shutdown corner. Hunter helped the the 20th-ranked Buffaloes to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the Alamo Bowl against BYU. 2034 World Cup visitors will live in 'a bubble' and not see real life, Saudi rights activist says LONDON (AP) — A Saudi human rights activist says soccer fans visiting Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup will live in a “bubble” that doesn't reflect real life there. Lina al-Hathloul is a London-based activist whose sister was jailed in Saudi Arabia then banned from travel after campaigning to end a ban on women driving. When FIFA confirmed the kingdom as the 2034 tournament host on Wednesday its president Gianni Infantino acknowledged “the world will be watching” for positive social change. Al-Hathloul says western people “will be very safe” at the World Cup but "will see a bubble of what Saudi Arabia is.” Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter unless federal antitrust suit is dropped CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A new court filing says NASCAR rejected Front Row Motorsports’ agreement to purchase a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing unless the team and 23XI Racing dropped their federal antitrust lawsuit against the stock car series. Front Row and 23XI rejected NASCAR's new revenue sharing agreement and have gone to court. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo. Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China. Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore. He has surpassed the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22. Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year. Hojlund scores twice for Man United to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in Europa League, Tottenham held 1-1 Rasmus Hojlund scored twice after coming off the bench and Manchester United rallied to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the Europa League. The Denmark striker netted in the 88th minute after collecting Bruno Fernandes’ pass off a free kick to seal the victory. Hojlund came on in the 56th and scored an equalizer six minutes later. Totenham was held 1-1 at Rangers and Lazio tops the standings after a 3-1 win at Ajax. In the Conference League a youthful Chelsea lineup made the most of a long trip to Kazakhstan by beating Astana 3-1 to stay perfect in the third-tier competition.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — Honor Huff had 24 points in Chattanooga's 85-63 victory against Alabama A&M on Sunday. Huff shot 6 for 12 (6 for 11 from 3-point range) and 6 of 6 from the free-throw line for the Mocs (7-4). Trey Bonham added 21 points while going 6 of 9 from the floor, including 3 for 6 from 3-point range, and 6 for 6 from the line while he also had three steals. Makai Richards shot 4 of 6 from the field to finish with eight points. The Bulldogs (4-6) were led by Anthony Bryant, who posted 19 points and four steals. Alabama A&M also got 11 points from Darius Ford. Chad Moodie had nine points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar . For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Data Skrive.Martinez parades goalkeeper awards and justifies them with wonder save for Villa in Champions League
OTTAWA - After initially fighting the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Meta has complied with an order from the regulator to publicly disclose information about its news-blocking measures. The CRTC asked Meta what measures it’s taking to comply with the Online News Act, and if news is being made available on its platforms — which would require the company to compensate media outlets for displaying their content. Meta blocked news from Facebook and Instagram in response to that legislation. But users have found workarounds to continue to share news on Meta’s platforms, and the Liberal government maintains the company could still fall under the legislation. After Meta refused to follow CRTC directions to either publicly release its Oct. 17 response, or explain in detail why it should remain confidential, the regulator gave Meta until Wednesday to make the document public. In that brief Oct. 17 letter, Meta says it blocks content from domains, pages, or accounts it has identified as news outlets, but the letter does not address workarounds such as users sharing screenshots of news articles and copying the text of articles in their posts. “The measures we undertake to identify potential news outlets include reviewing potential publishers based on Facebook and Instagram account activity, and industry information available through public, licensed and government sources,” the company said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024.South Korean Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok released a join statement with economy-related ministers on Sunday. The meeting was held in the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief declaration of martial law Tuesday. "The government will mobilize all resources available in accordance with contingency plans and take bold and swift measures, if necessary" "We have experienced some confusing incidents in the past, but their impact on the economy was limited," Choi said. "The government will put forth all-out efforts to maintain our sovereign rating under any circumstances." Government and Bank of Korea are taking measures to respond to market volatilities government vowed to inject "unlimited liquidity" for the time being Bank of Korea (BOK) has begun repo operations for financial institutions *** USD/KRW update - KRW to a 2-year low during the political turmoil:An Israeli airstrike flattened a multistory building in central Gaza, killing at least 25 people and wounding dozens more, according to Palestinian medical officials, after strikes Thursday across the Gaza Strip killed at least 28 others. The latest deadly strike hit the urban Nuseirat refugee camp just hours after U.S. President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters in Jerusalem that the recent ceasefire in Lebanon has helped clear the way for a potential deal to end the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the deadly strike in Nuseirat. Israel says it is trying to eliminate Hamas, which led the attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war in Gaza . The Israeli military says Hamas militants hide among Gaza’s civilian population. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine in some of the hardest-hit parts of the territory. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 250 others were taken hostage. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Here's the latest: UNITED NATIONS – Two U.N. aid convoys were violently attacked in Gaza, making it virtually impossible for humanitarian agencies to operate without putting staff and civilians at risk, the U.N. food agency says. On Wednesday, a 70-truck convoy from Kerem Shalom was waiting for personnel to safeguard the food and other aid destined for central Gaza when there were reported attacks by Israeli forces in the nearby humanitarian zone, the U.N. World Food Program said Thursday. More than 50 people are now estimated to have died in the attacks, including civilians and local security personnel who had been expected to ensure the convoy’s safety, WFP said. The Rome-based agency said the convoy was forced to proceed from Kerem Shalom to central Gaza without any security arrangements, using the Philadelphi corridor, an Israeli-controlled route that had been recently approved and successfully utilized twice. On the way, WFP said, conflict and insecurity led to a loss of communications with the convoy for more than 12 hours. ”Eventually, the trucks were found but all food and aid supplies were looted,” the U.N. agency said. In a second incident, Israeli soldiers approached a WFP convoy moving out of the Kissufim crossing into central Gaza, fired warning shots, conducted extensive security checks, and temporarily detained drivers and staff, the agency said. “As the trucks were delayed, four out of the five trucks were lost to violent armed looting,” WFP said. UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations chief has a message for Israel: Stop the attacks on Syria. Secretary-General António Guterres is particularly concerned about several hundred Israeli airstrikes on several Syrian locations and stresses “the urgent need to de-escalate violence on all fronts throughout the country," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Thursday. The Israeli military said Tuesday it carried out more than 350 strikes in Syria over the previous 48 hours, hitting “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in the country to stop them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also acknowledged pushing into a buffer zone inside Syria following last week’s overthrow of President Bashar Assad. The buffer zone was established after Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1973 war. Dujarric said Guterres condemns all actions violating the 1974 ceasefire agreement between the two countries that remains in force. And the U.N. chief calls on the parties to uphold the agreement and end “all unauthorized presence in the area of separation” and refrain from any action undermining the ceasefire and stability in the Golan Heights, the spokesman said. DAMASCUS, Syria — Mohammad Salim Alkhateb, an official with the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces — an internationally backed group of the opposition in exile — said his group wants to see a transitional government formed via a United Nations-backed process in the wake of Bashar Assad ouster. It is not yet clear if Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel group now in control of Syria, will pursue such a process. The insurgents have said an interim government headed by Mohammad al-Bashir, who is also the head of the “salvation government” of HTS in its former stronghold in northern Syria, will oversee the country until March but have not made clear how the transition to a new, fully empowered government would take place. “The transitional governing body should be formed in Geneva to have international legitimacy,” said Alkhateb, who is now in Damascus. “The transitional governing body, whatever its form, whether it is the ‘salvation government’ or any other, what matters is that it has international recognition.” Alkhateb said that the unexpectedly rapid fall of Damascus and departure of Assad after opposition forces launched their offensive had created confusion and a governance vacuum. A day before the insurgents pushed into Damascus, diplomats from countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Iran and Russia met in Qatar to discuss the situation in Syria. Alkhateb said that they had discussed a scenario in which the rebels would halt their advance, keeping the territory they had captured so far in the north — including Syria’s largest city, Aleppo — and the opposition and Assad’s government would go to Geneva for talks on a political settlement to the conflict. However, he noted, “there were no Syrians in that meeting.” Assad fled to Russia before the rebel forces arrived in Damascus but has not officially announced his resignation, which is “why we are living in a vacuum rather than a political transition,” Alkhateb said. He added that creating a professional army should be a priority of the transitional government. “We do not want a civilian who was trained during the revolution to carry military weapons to become the military,” he said. Israel bombed hundreds of military sites in Syria this week in a wave of airstrikes that destroyed “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the wave of airstrikes in neighboring Syria was necessary to keep the weapons from being used against Israel following the Syrian government’s stunning collapse . WASHINGTON — White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says Austin Tice, an American journalist missing in Syria for 12 years, “is a top priority for this president.” During a briefing with reporters on Thursday, Jean-Pierre said of Tice, “There is no indication that he is not alive. There’s also no indication about his location or condition.” “What our goal is, is to bring him home. And so, we hope certainly that he is alive and, as we have stated many times before, we are talking through this with the Turks and we want to do everything we can to bring him home,” she said. BEIRUT — Amnesty International said Thursday that four Israeli airstrikes between September and October that killed at least 49 civilians in Lebanon “must be investigated as war crimes.” The rights organization said in a new report that the four strikes targeted homes in the Bekaa Valley, northern and eastern Lebanon, and municipal offices in the south. “These four attacks are emblematic of Israel’s shocking disregard for civilian lives in Lebanon and their willingness to flout international law,” said Amnesty International’s Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns. The rights group said this report was part of its ongoing investigation into violations of the laws of war in Lebanon. Amnesty International investigated four Israeli airstrikes, including one on Sept. 29 in al-Ain that killed all nine members of the same family. On Oct. 21, a strike in Baalbek city in eastern Lebanon killed six members of the same family. Another on Oct. 14 in the village of Aitou in northern Lebanon killed 23 displaced people, including a 5-month-old baby. A fragment from the attack site in Aitou was identified by an Amnesty weapons expert as likely part of a Mk-80 series aerial bomb, weighing at least 500 pounds. These munitions are primarily supplied to Israel by the United States, Amnesty said. The fourth strike Amnesty investigated was the strike that hit the municipal headquarters in Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon, on Oct. 16, killing 11 civilians including the mayor. “The air strike took place without warning, just as the municipality’s crisis unit was meeting to coordinate deliveries of aid, including food, water and medicine, to residents and internally displaced people who had fled bombardment in other parts of southern Lebanon,” Amnesty said. The rights group said it interviewed survivors and witnesses, examined evidence, and found no military targets near the sites of the four strikes. The Israeli military gave no warnings and did not respond to Amnesty’s inquiries, the group said. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — An Israeli airstrike hit the central Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing at least 25 Palestinians and wounding dozens more, Palestinian medics said, just hours after President Joe Biden’s national security adviser raised hopes about a ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza. Photos from the scene of the blast that circulated on social media showed a completely collapsed building with people walking through its mangled and charred remains, smoke rising from piles of belongings strewn over the rubble. Officials at two hospitals in the Gaza Strip, al-Awda Hospital in the north and al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza, reported they received a combined total of 25 bodies from an Israeli strike on a multistory residential building in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp. Palestinian medics also reported that over 40 people, most of them children, were receiving treatment at the two hospitals. The al-Aqsa Hospital said that the Israeli attack also damaged several nearby houses in Nuseirat. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the deadly strike. Israel is trying to eliminate Hamas, which led the attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that sparked the war in Gaza . The Israeli military says Hamas militants hide among Gaza’s civilian population. Israel’s war against Hamas has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The fighting has plunged Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis, with experts warning of famine. Israel says it allows enough aid to enter and blames U.N. agencies for not distributing it. The U.N. says Israeli restrictions, and the breakdown of law and order after Israel repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, make it extremely difficult to operate in the territory. UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. food agency is trying to deal with massive needs in Syria not only from escalating war-related food insecurity and an upsurge in displaced people fleeing Lebanon but also the dramatically new environment following the ouster of Bashar Assad, a senior U.N. official says. “It’s a triple crisis and the needs are going to be massive,” said Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the World Food Program, in an interview with The Associated Press late Wednesday. The WFP estimated that 3 million people in Syria were “acutely food insecure” and very hungry. However, that estimate was made before the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon pushed many Syrian refugees back to their home country, plus the instability caused by the overthrow of Assad. Due to funding cuts, the WFP had been targeting only 2 million of those people, he said. Because WFP has been working in Syria during the 13-year civil war, he said, it has pre-positioned food in the country. It has 500 staff in seven offices nationwide and has operated across conflict lines, across borders, and with all different parties, he said. Skau said Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel group now in control of Syria, has promised to provide security for WFP warehouses. Humanitarian aid supplies had been looted at U.N. warehouses in the disorder after Assad fell. “We’re not really up and running in Damascus because of the continued kind of uncertainty there,” he said. WFP initially thought of relocating non-essential staff but the situation in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, has been “quite calm and orderly," he said. In the short term, Skau said, “what we’re seeing is that markets are disrupted, the value of the currency dropped dramatically, food prices are going up, transport lines don’t work,” and it’s unclear who will stamp required papers for imports and exports. This means that a bigger humanitarian response is needed initially, he said, but in the next phase, the U,N. will be looking at contributing to Syria’s recovery, and ultimately the country will need reconstruction. Skau said he expects a new funding appeal for Syria and urged donors to be generous. JERUSALEM — President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters in Jerusalem on Thursday that Israel’s ceasefire in Lebanon has helped clear the way for another deal to end the war in Gaza. He plans to travel next to Qatar and Egypt — key mediators in the ceasefire talks — as the Biden administration makes a final push on negotiations before Donald Trump is inaugurated. Sullivan said “Hamas’ posture at the negotiating table did adapt” after Israel decimated the leadership of its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon and reached a ceasefire there. “We believe it puts us in a position to close this negotiation,” he said. Sullivan dismissed speculation that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was waiting for Trump to take office to finalize a deal. He the U.S. believes there are three American hostages still alive in Gaza, but it’s hard to know for sure. He also said “the balance of power in the Middle East has changed significantly” since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, especially with the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, a key ally of Hezbollah and Iran. “We are now faced with a dramatically reshaped Middle East in which Israel is stronger, Iran is weaker, its proxies decimated, and a ceasefire that is new and will be lasting in Lebanon that ensures Israel’s security over the long term,” he said. KHIAM, Lebanon — An Israeli strike killed at least one person Thursday in the Lebanese border town of Khiam, the Health Ministry said, less than a day after Israeli troops handed the hilltop village back to the Lebanese army in coordination with U.N. peacekeepers, Khiam is the first Lebanese town Israel has pull out of since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah militants began two weeks ago, and marks an important test of the fragile truce . Lebanon's Health Ministry and state news agency did not provide details on who was killed, and did not report airstrikes elsewhere on Thursday. The Israeli military said the airstrike in Khiam targeted Hezbollah fighters. Lebanese troops deployed in the northern section of the town on Thursday morning and were coordinating with U.N. peacekeepers to finalize Israel’s withdrawal before fully entering into other neighborhoods. An Associated Press reporter who visited Khiam on Thursday observed widespread destruction, with most houses reduced to rubble. Entire neighborhoods were flattened, with collapsed walls and debris scattered across the streets. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, sharply criticized Israel for striking the town less than 24 hours after the Lebanese army returned, saying it was “a violation of the pledges made by the parties that sponsored the ceasefire agreement, who must act to curb Israeli aggression.” The truce was brokered by the U.S. and France. Israel has previously said the ceasefire deal allows it to use military force against perceived violations. Near-daily attacks by Israel during the ceasefire, mostly in southern Lebanon, have killed at least 29 people and wounded 27 others. Khiam, which sits on a ridge less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the border with Israel, saw some of the most intense fighting during the war. The Lebanese army was clearing debris and reopening roads in the northern section of the town. Civilian access to other areas remained challenging as the army clears roads and works alongside the U.N. peacekeepers to ensure the area is free of unexploded ordnance. AQABA, Jordan -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is urging the many players in Syria to avoid taking any steps that could lead to further violence. Blinken spoke to reporters in Jordan on Thursday shortly after meeting King Abdullah II as he opened a trip in the region to discuss Syria's future after former President Bashar Assad's ouster. Blinken will next visit Turkey, a NATO ally and a main backer of Syrian rebel groups. Blinken called this “a time of both real promise but also peril for Syria and for its neighbors.” He said he was focused on coordinating efforts in the region “to support the Syrian people as they transition away from Assad’s brutal dictatorship” and establish a government that isn’t dominated by one religion or ethnic group or outside power. Blinken was asked about Israel’s incursion into a buffer zone that had been demilitarized for the past half century. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the move is temporary and defensive, but also indicated Israel will remain in the area for a long time. Blinken declined to say whether the U.S. supports the move, but said the U.S. would be speaking to Israel and other partners in the region. “I think, across the board, when it comes to any actors who have real interests in Syria, it’s also really important at this time that, we all try to make sure that we’re not sparking any additional conflicts,” he said. ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, arrived in Damascus on Thursday, according to Turkish media reports. Kalin was seen arriving at the Umayyad Mosque to pray, surrounded by a large crowd, according to video shown on Turkish television. The visit is highly symbolic. Turkish officials, who supported the opposition against Syria’s government, had predicted at the start of the civil war in 2011 that President Bashar Assad’s government would fall, allowing them to pray at the Umayyad Mosque. AQABA, Jordan — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is renewing calls for Syria’s new leadership to respect women and minority rights, prevent extremists from gaining new footholds in the country and keeping suspected chemical weapons stocks secure as he makes his first visit to the Mideast since the weekend ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad . Making his 12th trip to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war erupted lasted year but amid fresh concerns about security following the upheaval in Syria, Blinken emphasized Thursday to Jordan’s King Abdullah II U.S. “support for an inclusive transition that can lead to an accountable and representative Syrian government chosen by the Syrian people,” the State Department said. Blinken also repeated the importance the outgoing Biden administration puts on respect for human rights and international law, the protection of civilians and stopping terrorist groups from reconstituting. Blinken met with the monarch and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Aqaba before traveling to Turkey for talks with Turkish officials on the situation in Syria and the urgency of securing a long-elusive deal to release hostages and end the fighting in Gaza that has devastated the Palestinian territory since October 2023. Abdullah told Blinken that “the first step to reach comprehensive regional calm is to end the Israeli war on Gaza." ROME — Leaders of the Group of 7 industrialized nations offered their full support for an inclusive political transition in Syria and invited all parties to preserve the country’s territorial integrity. In a message released by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s office, the leaders said they were ready to support a transition that “leads to a credible government, inclusive and not sectarian, that guarantees respect for the state of law, universal human rights, including rights for women, (and) the protection of all Syrians, including religious and ethnic minorities.” The leaders also underlined the importance that ousted President Bashar Assad’s government is held responsible for crimes, citing “decades of atrocities.” They said they would also cooperate with groups working to prohibit chemical weapons “to secure, declare and destroy” remaining chemical arms in Syria. Italy currently holds the rotating presidency of the G-7, which also includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the United States. JERUSALEM — The Israeli military says it struck Hamas militants in two locations in the southern Gaza Strip who planned to hijack aid convoys. Palestinian Health officials had earlier said that the two strikes killed 15 men who were part of local committees established to secure aid deliveries. The committees have been organized in cooperation with the Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza. It was not possible to independently confirm either account of the strikes, which occurred overnight into Thursday. Israel has long accused Hamas of hijacking humanitarian aid deliveries, while U.N. officials have said there is no systemic diversion of aid . U.N. agencies and aid groups say deliveries are held up by Israeli restrictions on the entry of aid and movement within Gaza, as well as the breakdown of law and order more than 14 months into the war between Israel and Hamas. Israel has repeatedly targeted the Hamas-run police force, which maintained internal security before the war. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, the main aid provider in Gaza, said a U.N. convoy of 70 trucks carrying humanitarian aid in southern Gaza “was involved in a serious incident,” resulting in just one of the trucks reaching its destination. It did not provide further details on the incident but said the same route had been used successfully two days earlier. Israel’s offensive, launched after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, has caused vast destruction and displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, leaving the territory heavily reliant on international food aid. DAMASCUS, Syria — An American who turned up in Syria on Thursday says he was detained after crossing into the country by foot on a Christian pilgrimage seven months ago. Travis Timmerman appears to have been among thousands of people released from the country’s notorious prisons after rebels reached Damascus over the weekend, overthrowing President Bashar Assad and ending his family’s 54-year rule. As video emerged online of Timmerman on Thursday, he was initially mistaken by some for Austin Tice, an American journalist who went missing in Syria 12 years ago. In the video, Timmerman could be seen lying on a mattress under a blanket in what appeared to be a private house. A group of men in the video said he was being treated well and would be safely returned home. The Biden administration is working to bring Timmerman home, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Aqaba, Jordan, without offering details, citing privacy. Timmerman later gave an interview with the Al-Arabiya TV network, saying he had illegally crossed into Syria on foot from the eastern Lebanese town of Zahle seven months ago, before being detained. He said he was treated well in detention but could hear other men being tortured.
To lure Juan Soto, Mets created a video of his statue outside Citi Field next to Tom Seaver's NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets wanted Juan Soto to know his future with them could be set in stone. When the free agent outfielder traveled to owner Steve Cohen’s house in Beverly Hills, California, for a presentation last month, the team unveiled a video that included an image of a future Soto statue outside Citi Field, next to the one erected of franchise great Tom Seaver. Soto put on a New York Mets jersey and cap for the first time Thursday after his record $765 million, 15-year contract was finalized and talked about what made the difference in his decision. Bill Belichick 'always wanted' to give college coaching a try. Now he will at North Carolina New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick said he had long been interested in coaching in the college ranks. But it had never worked out until now, as he takes over the Tar Heels program. Belichick led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during a 24-year run there that ended last year. Belichick's five-year deal pays him $10 million in base and supplemental salary per year. It is guaranteed only for the first three years, including for buyout purposes. There is also up to $3.5 million in annual bonuses. Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. LeBron James ruled out of Lakers' game at Minnesota on Friday with foot soreness LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James has been ruled out of the Los Angeles Lakers’ game at Minnesota on Friday night due to soreness in his left foot. James will miss his second straight game when the Lakers return from a four-day break to face the Timberwolves. The top scorer in NBA history was away from the team this week with an excused absence attributed to “personal reasons,” coach JJ Redick said Wednesday. It’s unclear whether James will even make the quick round trip to Minnesota before the Lakers’ next game at home against Memphis on Sunday. Rape investigation that Swedish media say focused on Kylian Mbappé has been closed STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish prosecutors say they have dropped a rape investigation that was launched in connection with soccer star Kylian Mbappé’s visit to Stockholm in October. In a statement, lead investigator Marina Chirakova says there is not enough evidence to continue the investigation into the allegation at a hotel. Prosecutors never publicly named the suspect in the investigation but some Swedish media reported it was Mbappé. The Real Madrid striker visited Stockholm in October during a break in the Spanish league. At the time, Mbappé’s legal team dismissed those reports as false. Travis Hunter, the 2-way standout for Colorado, is the AP college football player of the year BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter is The Associated Press college football player of the year. Hunter received 26 of the 43 votes from a panel of AP Top 25 voters. Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty finished second with 16 votes, and Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo received one vote. A throwback player who rarely left the field, Hunter had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver. He had four interceptions and 11 passes defensed as a shutdown corner. Hunter helped the the 20th-ranked Buffaloes to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the Alamo Bowl against BYU. 2034 World Cup visitors will live in 'a bubble' and not see real life, Saudi rights activist says LONDON (AP) — A Saudi human rights activist says soccer fans visiting Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup will live in a “bubble” that doesn't reflect real life there. Lina al-Hathloul is a London-based activist whose sister was jailed in Saudi Arabia then banned from travel after campaigning to end a ban on women driving. When FIFA confirmed the kingdom as the 2034 tournament host on Wednesday its president Gianni Infantino acknowledged “the world will be watching” for positive social change. Al-Hathloul says western people “will be very safe” at the World Cup but "will see a bubble of what Saudi Arabia is.” Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter unless federal antitrust suit is dropped CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A new court filing says NASCAR rejected Front Row Motorsports’ agreement to purchase a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing unless the team and 23XI Racing dropped their federal antitrust lawsuit against the stock car series. Front Row and 23XI rejected NASCAR's new revenue sharing agreement and have gone to court. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo. Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China. Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore. He has surpassed the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22. Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year. Hojlund scores twice for Man United to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in Europa League, Tottenham held 1-1 Rasmus Hojlund scored twice after coming off the bench and Manchester United rallied to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the Europa League. The Denmark striker netted in the 88th minute after collecting Bruno Fernandes’ pass off a free kick to seal the victory. Hojlund came on in the 56th and scored an equalizer six minutes later. Totenham was held 1-1 at Rangers and Lazio tops the standings after a 3-1 win at Ajax. In the Conference League a youthful Chelsea lineup made the most of a long trip to Kazakhstan by beating Astana 3-1 to stay perfect in the third-tier competition.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Louisville has approved a five-year contract extension through June 2030 for athletic director Josh Heird, whose 2 1/2-year tenure has included the hirings of two men’s basketball coaches and football coach Jeff Brohm. The university’s Board of Trustees on Thursday authorized President Kim Schatzel to execute the deal, three days after the University of Louisville Athletic Association board approved the agreement. Heird was named interim AD in December 2021 before being elevated to the full-time job the following June. Schatzel said in a release that the extension signals the school’s faith in Heird and added, “He is the right person and right leader” to take the athletic program forward to a bright future. Several significant personnel moves marked Heird’s initial tenure. He fired basketball coach Chris Mack in January 2022 and subsequently hired former Cardinals player Kenny Payne two months later. Heird fired Payne last March after two historically bad seasons and replaced him with Pat Kelsey on March 28. Heird also hired ex-Louisville quarterback and assistant Brohm in December 2022. The Cardinals won 10 games to reach the ACC championship game for the first time last season and are headed for a second consecutive postseason under the Louisville native with a berth in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31 in El Paso, Texas. Heird has also extended contracts for women’s basketball coach Jeff Walz, volleyball coach Dani Busboom-Kelly and baseball coach Dan McDonnell. The AD’s other achievements include a $41 million naming rights deal for the Cardinal Stadium football field along with a $4 million club renovation. He also secured a $1 million donation to enhance Louisville’s Jim Patterson Stadium baseball field. Heird also serves on the NCAA women’s basketball selection committee. ___ AP sports: andEagle Point Credit Management sells $144,563 in Acres commercial stock
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