jilipark 11
Rutgers 77, Georgia Southern 60
NEW YORK — A gunman killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on Wednesday in a “brazen, targeted attack” outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, police said, setting off a massive search for the fleeing assailant hours before the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting nearby. Brian Thompson, 50, was shot around 6:45 a.m. as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a nearby hotel, police said. The shooter appeared to be “lying in wait for several minutes” before approaching Thompson from behind and opening fire, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Police had not yet established a motive. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch said, adding that the shooting “does not appear to be a random act of violence.” Surveillance video reviewed by investigators shows someone emerging from behind a parked car, pointing a gun at Thompson’s back, then firing multiple times from several feet away. The gunman continues firing, interrupted by a brief gun jam, as Thompson stumbles forward and falls to the sidewalk. He shooter then walks past Thompson and out of the frame. “From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Thompson was shot at least once in the back and once in the calf, Tisch said. The shooter, who wore a jacket, face mask and large backpack, fled through Midtown on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, police said. The assailant remained at large Wednesday afternoon, sparking a search that included police drones, helicopters and dogs. “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,” the insurer’s Minnetonka, Minnesota-based parent company, UnitedHealth Group Inc., said in a statement. “We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.” Police issued a poster showing a surveillance image of the man pointing what appeared to be a gun and another image that appeared to show the same person on a bicycle. Minutes before the shooting, he stopped at a nearby Starbucks, according to additional surveillance photos released by police on Wednesday afternoon. They offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that he told her “there were some people that had been threatening him.” She didn’t have details but suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage. Eric Werner, the police chief in the Minneapolis suburb where Thompson lived, said his department had not received any reports of threats against the executive. The killing shook a part of New York City that’s normally quiet at that hour, happening about four blocks from where tens of thousands of people were set to gather for Wednesday night’s tree lighting. Police promised extra security for the event. The hotel is also a short walk from other tourist sites, including the Museum of Modern Art and Radio City Music Hall, and is often dense with office workers and visitors on weekday mornings. Many security cameras are nearby. “We’re encouraging New Yorkers to go about their daily lives and their daily business but to be alert,” NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said. Investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings from outside the hotel and a cellphone from the alleyway through which the shooter fled. They were also searching Thompson’s hotel room, interviewing his UnitedHealthcare colleagues and reviewing his social media, Kenny said. Police said the e-bike that the shooter used to ride into Central Park came from the city’s bike-share program, CitiBike. A spokesperson for Lyft, which operates the program, said police had not yet contacted the company. Health care giant UnitedHealth Group was holding its annual meeting with investors to update Wall Street on the company’s direction and expectations for the coming year. The company ended the conference early in the wake of Thompson’s death. “I’m afraid that we — some of you may know we’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members,” a company official told attendees, according to a transcript. “And as a result, I’m afraid we’re going to have to bring to a close the event today. ... I’m sure you’ll understand.” Thompson, a father of two sons, had been with the company since 2004 and served as CEO for more than three years. UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz posted on the social platform X that the state is “sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.” “This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota,” the Democrat wrote.NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The largest artificial intelligence data center ever built by Facebook’s parent company Meta is coming to northeast Louisiana, the company said Wednesday, bringing hopes that the $10 billion facility will transform an economically neglected corner of the state. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry called it “game-changing” for his state's expanding tech sector, yet some environmental groups have raised concerns over the amount of energy it would use — and whether it could lead to higher energy bills in the future. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Nate Santos had 24 points in Dayton's 86-62 victory against Lehigh on Saturday. Santos shot 8 for 11 (6 for 6 from 3-point range) and 2 of 3 from the free-throw line for the Flyers (8-2). Malachi Smith added 17 points while shooting 5 for 8 (3 for 4 from 3-point range) and 4 of 7 from the free-throw line while they also had nine assists. Enoch Cheeks shot 5 for 7, including 4 for 6 from beyond the arc to finish with 14 points. Keith Higgins Jr. led the Mountain Hawks (3-6) in scoring, finishing with 24 points and nine rebounds. Joshua Ingram added nine points for Lehigh. Nasir Whitlock finished with nine points. Dayton took the lead with 18:32 remaining in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 41-25 at halftime, with Smith racking up 10 points. Santos scored 15 points in the second half to help lead the way as Dayton went on to secure a victory, outscoring Lehigh by eight points in the second half. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .NEW YORK, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Licensing International , the leading trade association for the $356-billion global brand licensing industry, and the Licensing International Foundation , which supports the education of future licensing leaders, today celebrated the induction of Joseph Kaminkow, Maca Rotter, and Stu Seltzer to the Licensing International Hall of Fame. Held at Gotham Hall in New York City, the 2024 Hall of Fame Induction and Rising Star Awards gala also honored the future of brand licensing, recognizing Rising Stars in the licensing business and celebrating the 2024 Licensing International Foundation scholarship recipients. Joseph Kaminkow is the Chief Innovation Officer at Aristocrat Gaming. Kaminkow’s career began when he started his own game development company, Logical Highs, before joining Williams Games. Noticing a resurgence in pinball games in the mid-1980s, Kaminkow partnered with Gary Stern to found Data East Pinball (now Stern Pinball). He was then recruited by International Game Technology to revolutionize slot machines using licensed titles. Kaminkow went on to found Spooky Cool Labs in Chicago, which was acquired by Zynga, before leaving in 2022 to devote himself full-time to Aristocrat Gaming, where he expanded his efforts to bring pop-culture icons to life on the casino floor. Kaminkow resides in Las Vegas with his wife Benita. "Reflecting back on my decades in the gaming industry, licensing has been at the center of much of the work that I’ve done,” said Kaminkow. “Even as consumer preferences and pop culture trends have evolved, licensing has moved with the changing tide. It fills me with pride to have adapted some of the most iconic properties in the world into a gaming format that brings people joy, and it is an honor to receive this recognition from Licensing International." Kaminkow was presented by Eugene Jarvis, President of Raw Thrills, and Gary Stern, Founder, Executive Chairman, and EVP of Stern Pinball. Maca Rotter is President & CEO of La Panadería Licensing. Rotter has more than 25 years of experience in marketing, branding, and licensing. Often referred to as the Queen of Licensing in Mexico, she has achieved great success in founding, developing, and expanding domestic and international markets by implementing innovative and strategic approaches. To establish a legacy and set a standard in the industry for the Hispanic community, Rotter authored the first and only Spanish-language book about consumer products structure and business models in 2014. Rotter served as the first Latin woman on Licensing International’s board of directors and founded the Licensing Association chapter in Mexico. "I know firsthand the power that brand licensing holds in connecting fans and consumers with the properties they cherish, and expanding this industry through Mexico has provided me an incredibly gratifying career,” said Rotter. “Working alongside Licensing International, I am dedicated to continue contributing to this remarkable industry while helping to shape its future growth.” Rotter was presented by Omar Faker, SVP of Non-Scripted Entertainment and Music at TelevisaUnivision. Stu Seltzer is the president of Seltzer Licensing Group, a global agency he has guided for over 25 years. The group is renowned for its expertise in brand licensing, partnership marketing, and strategic alliances. His understanding of the licensing field and adept negotiation skills were honed through pivotal roles at organizations like Yves Saint Laurent and the DC Comics division at Warner Bros. His strategic insights have driven substantial returns on marketing investments for clients, including Unilever, Scotts Miracle-Gro, and the American Red Cross. Seltzer has contributed significantly as an award-winning professor at New York University, where he has taught a course on brand licensing to undergraduates for over 20 years. "Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of collaborating with exceptional brands to build impactful licensing programs,” said Seltzer. “It’s a true honor to have made a difference in this industry and I’m energized by the future as we continue pushing boundaries and creating innovative partnerships together.” Seltzer was presented by Dan Romanelli, Founder of Warner Bros. Consumer Products. Established in 1989, the Licensing International Hall of Fame is home to the most esteemed global licensing executives of the last three decades. Inductees are selected by a committee of industry executives based on nominations received from the global licensing community at large; the Licensing International Board of Directors reviews all recommendations before making a final selection. Joseph Kaminkow, Maca Rotter, and Stu Seltzer join industry luminaries including Kathy Ireland, Martha Stewart, George Lucas, Walt Disney, and Charles Schultz. “Joseph, Maca, and Stu are pioneers in the global brand licensing industry, whose contributions have not only resulted in significant innovation but have also set the standard for leadership and integrity,” said Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. “They have brought iconic brands to life in ways that continue to resonate across generations. This induction is a fitting recognition of their profound impact, as each of them has left an indelible mark on our industry, inspiring countless others to follow in their footsteps.” In addition to honoring Kaminkow, Rotter, and Seltzer, the 2024 Hall of Fame event recognized rising talent making strides in the licensing industry. The event celebrated the eight 2024 Rising Star Award recipients as announced in October . For more than a decade, the Rising Star program has recognized young professionals from around the world who have been nominated by their peers and selected by the Rising Star committee members for their contributions to the global brand licensing industry. Ten students—Nora Atwa, Cameron Faconer, Owen Fu, Andreaz Glasgow, Maycon Gomes da Silva, Skylar Grady, Britney Huston, Remy LeMaire, Matt Stein, and Sophia Rodriguez—were also celebrated as the recipients of the Licensing International Foundation 2024 Scholarship, awarded to accomplished students exploring a career in brand licensing. Licensing International thanks the generous donors that made the event possible, including Gold Sponsor Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences, Silver Sponsor Raw Thrills, and Mattel, the Champion-Level Sponsor for the Rising Star Awards. Nominations for the 2025 Hall of Fame are now open . To learn more about the Licensing International Foundation and support its ongoing mission to educate and inspire the next generation of licensing leaders, visit LicensingInternational.org/About/Foundation . About Licensing International Licensing International is the leading trade organization for the $356+ billion global licensing industry. Licensing International’s mission is to foster the growth and expansion of licensing around the world, raise the level of professionalism for licensing practitioners, and create greater awareness of the benefits of licensing to the business community at large. Founded in 1985, Licensing International members in over 40 countries enjoy access to an array of benefits, including extensive educational programming and worldwide networking events. Visit LicensingInternational.org for more information and to utilize licensing’s definitive online resource. About Licensing International Foundation The Licensing International Foundation was established in 2020 to mark a new chapter in the global association’s charitable initiatives and to continue its decades-long support of the brand licensing community. The Foundation is focused on the education of future licensing leaders through the Licensing International Scholarship Program, which awards grants to deserving individuals who are interested in a career in brand licensing. Visit https://licensinginternational.org/about/foundation/ for more information or to make a donation. Contact Licensing International Elizabeth Foster EFoster@licensing.org A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0614c3d0-64cf-48aa-9e90-980c1c45a7d3
The transfer portal has been open for nearly a month, but Baylor’s roster has remained largely intact. Of the ten Bears that have entered the transfer portal, only one was a regular contributor on a team that finished the regular season on a six-game winning streak and is getting ready to play LSU in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 31. “I think (we’re) super committed,” quarterback Sawyer Robertson said. “You see it with the portal, but also on Saturdays. To do what we did, if you have selfishness and all that stuff, the results wouldn’t be the results that we got this year. “Hopefully we can end it the way we (want) to end it.” Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson, center, Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron, left, and Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin, right, celebrate after a Baldwin touchdown against Kansas in the first half of their Dec. 1 game. The biggest loss via the transfer portal is safety Corey Gordon, who tied for the team lead with three interceptions and finished the season sixth on the team with 34 tackles. He saw his playing time increase at the end of the year in place of the injured Carl Williams IV. Among the outgoing transfers, defensive linemen like Kaian Roberts-Day and Trey Wilson, and offensive lineman Alvin Ebosele certainly added depth to the roster and played well in their limited playing time, but they were kind of buried on the depth chart. Baylor is staying committed to each other and opting in for the New Year’s Eve showdown with the Tigers. “I don’t get why you wouldn’t want to (play in the bowl game),” Robertson said. “It’s another opportunity to play football with your brothers. It’s good to see everybody, not just on this team but across the country, that’s starting to get the memo.” If you asked anyone after the first six games of the season, the prospect of Baylor getting to a bowl game would probably have been met with a laugh. A devastating overtime loss at Colorado and a come-from-behind attempt that fell just short at home to BYU were the first two games of Big 12 play for the Bears. Then they went to Ames, Iowa, and got blown out by Iowa State. Even sitting at 2-4 at the time, everyone in the Baylor football building knew what kind of team they had. “More than anything, there wasn’t any panic or doubt,” Baylor head coach Dave Aranda said. “If there was a key, it’s that everybody knew that we were a good team. That allowed us to stay together. The confidence going into the (Texas Tech) games strong, and it was built on the confidence going into the bye.” Robertson got his shot to start four games before his homecoming to Lubbock, and he was determined to make it count. The high school gunslinger was a backup when he went to Mississippi State, a backup when he transferred to Baylor ahead of last season and lost out on his chance to start at the beginning of this year. He threw for a career-high five touchdowns against the Red Raiders to start the season-ending streak for the Bears and finished the year with the best QBR (83.9) in the Big 12 and sixth-best in the country. Robertson credits his connection with his receivers, a group that includes five players with at least three touchdown grabs and more than 375 receiving yards this year. “They’re easy guys to (connect with) because of who they are,” Robertson said. “Everybody sees the football aspect of it on Saturdays, but the human beings that they are is the reason why I feel that way about them and why I want to send them out on a high note. They’ve had my back from day one. I’m super thankful for it.” While next week’s game will not be the final game in a Baylor uniform for Robertson and a bevy of other returning players, it will be for a handful. Linebacker Matt Jones has experienced the highs of winning a Big 12 title and the lows of a three-win season in his six years in Waco. But he also feels the momentum, both from the season-ending winning streak and from the recruiting trail and transfer portal. He’s expecting big things for the Bears in Houston against LSU and in 2025. “I wish I could come back one more year,” Jones said. “Baylor will be in the Big 12 (Championship) next year. They’ll be in the Big 12 (Championship). Mark my words.” Be the first to know Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Pep Guardiola: If I can’t reverse Manchester City slide then I have to goKemi is bad enough
Ange Postecoglou relishing Tottenham’s key run of fixtures before ChristmasManchester City ended their seven-game winless streak with a convincing 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, a much-needed result after a challenging run of form. First-half goals from Bernardo Silva and Kevin de Bruyne put Pep Guardiola’s side in control, with Jeremy Doku adding a third just 12 minutes into the second half. After suffering six defeats and a frustrating 3-3 draw with Feyenoord, which saw City squander a 3-0 lead, the relief was palpable as they finally saw out a match with a comfortable margin. However, the performance was far from flawless, with the hosts guilty of several miscontrols and misplaced passes. Forest had a chance to level early on when Chris Wood failed to convert after being played through by a wayward pass from De Bruyne. Had Wood finished, the game could have taken a different turn, and City’s nerves might have been tested. But De Bruyne quickly responded at the other end, evading Doku to collect a short pass and slot home with precision. Doku then sealed the win with an excellent strike from the edge of the box, finding the corner to complete City’s largest league victory of the season so far. Guardiola’s celebration was one of pure relief, knowing that the three points would ease the pressure following a difficult period for his side.PORTSMOUTH — A judge on Wednesday effectively dismissed a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by former Portsmouth City Assessor Patrick Dorris, who sued both Mayor Shannon Glover and Councilman Bill Moody individually and in their official capacity. Dorris, whom the City Council fired in a 5-1 vote last spring, filed a $5.35 million lawsuit in Portsmouth Circuit Court in April alleging his termination was retaliatory as he refused to follow unlawful directives from Glover and Moody for assessing taxes on a private golf course. City assessors are among the handful of positions appointed by City Council that can also be terminated by a vote in a public meeting. Dorris was appointed to the position in September 2021 on a 4-3 vote. Glover and Moody didn’t support the appointment then, and both voted in support to terminate him. Upon his termination, Dorris was granted $57,224, or about six months worth of severance . Amid his termination, Dorris had shared with the council that the city did not collect real estate taxes from the Elizabeth Manor Golf and Country Club for almost two decades until Dorris’ time as assessor. The 18-hole course of roughly 140 acres was supposed to have its taxes lowered under an open-space agreement with the city. But records previously obtained by The Virginian-Pilot show that since at least 2003, the golf course had all of its taxes abated and wasn’t charged the lowered rate until 2022. Dorris’ lawsuit alleges his termination was the result of not abiding by directives from Glover and Moody to not tax the golf course. He also alleged that days before he was fired, Glover “demanded the assessment” of Rivers Casino Portsmouth using building permit values, which Dorris expressed was an unreliable method for determining value. Glover, who was present at the hearing, was represented by Brian Casey. Moody was represented by James Cales III. Both attorneys argued that neither Glover nor Moody had the authority to terminate Dorris alone as it required a full vote from the City Council. Judge Randall Smith, who’s retired, was appointed to the case after Portsmouth judges recused themselves. At Wednesday’s hearing in Portsmouth Circuit Court, Smith ultimately upheld the defense’s arguments, effectively dismissing the case. Since Dorris’ initial filing in April, his complaint was amended to include a new claim that Dorris was terminated in retaliation for reporting to the City Council that certain city employees refused to perform their employment duties of assessing and taxing city property. In the hearing, Dorris’ attorney, Verbena Askew, argued that it was a First Amendment right violation, and likened Glover and Moody to “bad actors” because they violated public policy to protect city employees who voice concerns, such as misconduct. She added that because of the reasoning behind their vote to terminate, they can be held liable for the termination. In a rebuttal to Askew’s “bad actors” argument, Smith said the case might require the court to seemingly probe the minds of the other council members who voted in support to fire Dorris. He also said it might mean going behind the City Council’s back on a vote they made. Smith said Dorris might have lost his license as a result of carrying out his alleged directive from Glover and Moody but that it didn’t necessarily equate to a criminal act. Askew asked for another opportunity to amend Dorris’ complaint to further specify the alleged criminal act and include the city as a defendant, arguing that Glover and Moody are agents of the city and that the intention was to go after “the bad actors.” She also argued that had Glover and Moody not met with Dorris, he wouldn’t have been fired. Smith said he was sympathetic to Dorris’ situation, but that it didn’t fall within the narrow set of exceptions in Virginia’s at-will employment laws. He believed amending the complaint would result in a “moot point.” After the hearing, Dorris, Casey and Cales declined to comment. Askew told The Virginian-Pilot they’d be appealing. Glover said he was glad the case was over. Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com
Galaxy holds on to claim 6th MLS Cup
SANTA CLARA — When Isaac Guerendo trots onto the field with the first team Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, he will equal the same number of starts he had in five years of college football. Hard to believe, but Guerendo started exactly one time, and it came in his final college game at Louisville. Against USC in the Holiday Bowl, Guerendo carried 23 times for 161 yards and three touchdowns and added five receptions in a 42-28 loss. In 40 other games at Wisconsin and Louisville, Guerendo played in a shared backfield –something he’s done with the 49ers this season behind Jordan Mason and Christian McCaffrey . With McCaffrey on injured reserve with a PCL strain and Mason to follow soon with a high ankle sprain, Guerendo should get his biggest workload since his last college game. “I’m excited, but really it’s whatever it takes to win,” Guerendo said Wednesday as the 49ers (5-7) began preparations to host the Bears (4-8). “Whatever the plan looks like is what we’ll bring.” Guerendo will be backed up by Patrick Taylor Jr., who was on the roster earlier this season when McCaffrey was dealing with bilateral Achilles tendinitis, then re-signed to the practice squad. Taylor was promoted Tuesday, and the 49ers also made a waiver claim on former Jets running back Israel Abanikanda. “I think he’s ready to go,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “He had some ups and downs but got better through everything. I think he’s ready for this.” Guerendo, 6-foot and 219 pounds, has 42 carries for 246 yards and two touchdowns, averaging a gaudy 5.9 yards per carry. His 15-yard run in the third quarter was the 49ers’ lone touchdown in a 35-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The 49ers traded up to get Guerendo in the fourth round, only to see him sidelined with a hamstring strain in his first training camp practice. A speedy wide receiver at Avon High School in Indiana who also ran track and played basketball, Guerendo carried 10 times for 99 yards with a long run of 76 against Seattle and 14 times for 85 yards against Dallas. At Wisconsin, Guerendo played behind Jonathan Taylor, now a star running back for the Indianapolis Colts. He split time as a graduate student at Louisville with Jawhar Jordan, who rushed for 1,128 yards while Guerendo had 810 yards on 132 carries and a 6.1-yard average. The good news is Guerendo’s body hasn’t taken on the normal amount of abuse for a running back. And Guerendo feels he’s up to the challenge after playing 12 games with old-school running backs coach Bobby Turner. “I always give credit to Coach T for preparing everybody like they’re going to be the starter, so that when moments do come, you’re ready for it,” Guerendo said. McCaffrey appeared to have finally gotten untracked against the Bills, gaining 53 yards on seven carries before getting tripped up on a 19-yard burst in the second quarter. But the tackle injured his knee, Mason injured his ankle, and Guerendo became the lead runner for a team that is sixth in the NFL in rushing. Over time, Guerendo has become accustomed to the speed of the NFL game. “I think it takes guys some time,” Shanahan said. “You start to get a feel for it, if you’ve got the right stuff, you get more reps and the more you adjust to it. How hard you’ve got to hit stuff, how quick those holes close, how you have to hit it full speed and can’t hesitate. We’ve seen that stuff get better in practice and we’ve seen it carry over into games.” McCaffrey, meanwhile, took to social media in the form of a lengthy Instagram post to explain how he was feeling after his latest injury. He wrote of his love for football, how humbling it is and his desire to return. “This wasn’t my year, and sometimes when it rains, it pours,” McCaffrey wrote. “You can feel sorry for yourself and listen to the birds, or you can hold the line. I’m grateful for the support of everyone in my corner and promise I’ll work smarter and harder to come back better from this.” For those who dream big, Shanahan said with a six-week time frame, McCaffrey could conceivably return if the 49ers reach the postseason. THE INJURY LIST Those who didn’t practice Wednesday included edge rusher Nick Bosa (hips, obliques), left tackle Trent Williams (ankle), left guard Aaron Banks (concussion), Mason (ankle) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (ankle). Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (knee), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) and safety Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) were limited. Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott has cleared concussion protocol after missing the Buffalo game. Hufanga joined Greenlaw as practicing during a 21-day window. Shanahan said it’s more likely Greenlaw would be activated before a Thursday night game against the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 12 than against Chicago. HUFANGA AND THE CLUB After recovering from an ACL tear last season, Hufanga has played in just two games this season. First, he was felled by an ankle injury, and then a wrist injury that needed surgery. When activated, he’ll play with a protective club on his right hand. “I was still dealing with the ankle. I was about to get it re-wrapped and for some reason my hand wouldn’t open,” Hufanga said. Hufanga said he’ll try to use the protective device as a benefit rather than a detriment. “I had a good friend back in the day who played with a club who had three picks in one game, so you never know,” Hufanga said. MOORE FARES WELL Left tackle Jaylon Moore acquitted himself well for the second straight game in starting in place of Williams. “It was OK, but you can always get better and that’s what I’m focusing on — the things I can get better at,” Moore said. Tight end George Kittle noted last week that Moore was at left tackle all through training camp during Williams’ holdout, so it’s not like he hasn’t been with the first team. “It definitely did help, especially being comfortable with the group,” Moore said. “The quarterback’s cadence, the guy you’re next to, all the small stuff comes into play.”
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Charlotte Hornets will be without point guard LaMelo Ball for at least two weeks because of a strained left calf. Ball felt discomfort in his calf after Wednesday night’s loss to the Miami Heat and did not play against the New York Knicks on Friday. The team said he will be reevaluated on Dec. 11, which is two weeks from the date of the original injury. Ball has been hot for the Hornets, averaging 40.3 points in his last four games. He is averaging a career-best 31.1 points and 4.7 3-pointers per game for the season, which ranks second in the NBA. He also is averaging 5.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 18 starts. Ball has had a history of injury problems, mostly to his ankles, since coming to the league as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. Story continues below video The only Hornets player to ever receive a max contract extension, Ball has played in just 202 games with 182 starts in five seasons. The team also said guard Tre Mann’s lower back soreness has been diagnosed as a disk irritation. His absence from the lineup began on Nov. 23 against Milwaukee. He will continue his rehabilitation and be reevaluated in two weeks. “They are competitors and they want to be out there on the court to compete and hoop, but they also want to be out there for their teammates,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said prior to Saturday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks. "I just walked past ’Melo as I was coming in here to do media, and he’s like, ‘I’m going to take care of everything I need to do on this return to play program and I’m going to attack it with the right mindset.’ I have all the confidence in the world in our performance staff and in those guys.” AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBABethlehem marks a second subdued Christmas during the war in Gaza BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem is marking another somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza. Manger Square lacked its usual festive lights and crowds of tourists on Tuesday. Instead, the area outside the Nativity Church was quiet. The church was built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The war, the violence in the occupied West Bank it has spurred and the lack of festivities has deeply hurt Bethlehem's economy. The town relies heavily on Christmas tourism. The economy in the West Bank was already reeling because of restrictions placed on laborers preventing them from entering Israel during the war. Middle East latest: Bethlehem marks a somber Christmas Eve amid war in Gaza TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Palestinian city of Bethlehem is preparing for another somber Christmas under the shadow of war in Gaza. Most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s bombardment and ground invasion has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children. The Health Ministry does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. Heavy travel day off to a rough start after American Airlines briefly grounds all flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue just as the Christmas travel season kicks into overdrive and winter weather is threatening more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. American flights were cleared to fly by federal regulators about one hour after a national ground stop order was issued by federal regulators Tuesday. The American groundings couldn’t come at a worse time for the millions of travelers expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers over the holidays and through January 2. Major storm pounds California's central coast, blamed for man's death and partially collapsing pier SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — A major storm has pounded California’s central coast bringing flooding and high surf that was blamed for fatally trapping a man beneath debris on a beach and later partially collapsing a pier, tossing three people into the Pacific Ocean. The storm was expected to bring hurricane-force winds and waves up to 60 feet Monday as it gained strength from California to the Pacific Northwest. Some California cities have ordered beachfront homes and hotels to evacuate early Monday afternoon. Forecasters have warned that storm swells would continue to increase throughout the day. Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931. 20 years after the Indian Ocean tsunami, a boy found in the mud embraces being known as 'Baby 81' KURUKKAL MADAM, Sri Lanka (AP) — The boy once known as “Baby 81,” who was pulled from the mud as an infant after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and reunited with his parents following an emotional court battle, is now a 20-year-old dreaming of higher education. Jayarasa Abilash’s story symbolizes that of the many families torn apart by one of the worst natural calamities in modern history, but it also offers hope. He grew up being followed by the nickname “Baby 81” and feeling embarrassed until he learned more about the events that tore him from his family and brought him back. He has lost his fear. A blast at a Turkish ammunition factory kills 11 people ISTANBUL (AP) — An explosion at an ammunition factory in northwest Turkey left 11 dead and five injured Tuesday morning. The state-run Anadolu Agency says the blast occurred in Balikesir province, in a rural area away from population centers. The provincial governor says one building collapsed and others were damaged, The governor says the explosion was due to a technical issue and there was no possibility of sabotage. An investigation has begun. France has a new government, again. Politics and crushing debt complicate next steps PARIS (AP) — France’s president and prime minister have managed to form a new government just in time for the holidays. Now comes the hard part. Crushing debt, pressure from the nationalist far right, wars in Europe and the Mideast. The hallenges abound for President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Francois Bayrou. They already had a tumultuous 2024. The most urgent order of business is passing a 2025 budget. Financial markets, ratings agencies and the European Commission are pushing France to bring down its deficit. It is threatening the stability and prosperity of all countries that share the euro currency. Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee’s long-awaited report into Rep. Matt Gaetz documents a trove of salacious allegations of misconduct, including sex with an underage girl, that tanked the Florida Republican’s nomination to lead the Justice Department. Citing text messages, travel receipts, online payments and other evidence, the committee painted a picture of a lifestyle in which Gaetz and others connected with younger women for drug-fueled parties, events or trips, with the expectation the women would be paid for their participation. Gaetz, who had filed a last-minute lawsuit to try to block the report’s release Monday, slammed the committee’s findings. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has insisted he never had sex with a minor. Legendary Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal dies at age 90 NEW DELHI (AP) — Shyam Benegal, a renowned Indian filmmaker known for pioneering a cinema movement that tackled social issues in the 1970s, has died after chronic kidney disease. He was 90. His contribution to cinema was recognized as a director, editor and screenwriter. He came into the limelight with films that challenged mainstream Bollywood by dealing with the social realities of a poor nation. He also was a mentor to top Indian actors. India's prime minister says he is “deeply saddened” by Benegal's death.
AP News Summary at 2:23 p.m. EST
Shipping industry’s $188 billion binge cuts space to make new vessels
Areona McKoy drives through the lane for a score in the second half. Brandt Young|Sampson Independent Kiyah Braxton lets a deep jumper fly for the Leopards. Brandt Young|Sampson Independent Jahmai Rich brings down the rebound and looks to pass it off to a teammate. Brandt Young|Sampson Independent Karima Freeman plays tight defense on a Devil Pup in the first half. This was a catalyst for the late-game dominance by Lakewood. Brandt Young|Sampson Independent The undefeated Lady Leopards hosted the Lady Devil Pups of Lejeune on Friday night, looking to extend their unbeaten streak. That they did as they handed the Pups a 66-44 loss and grabbed their first home win of the season. Jahmai Rich tipped it to A’miyah Smith to start the game, who got the quick pass to Areona McKoy under the basket for a score, putting the Leopards on the board first. McKoy secured a rebound from an errant shot by the Devil Pups and Euro stepped her way around a defender for the early 4-0 lead. She hit almost the exact same motion on the Leopards’ next trip down the court, and they found themselves with a 6-2 lead with just over six minutes remaining in the first. Lejeune snagged a couple more on a layup in front of the rim to close things back to 6-4. A layup and then a swift assist from Smith to Rich gave Lakewood the 10-6 advantage, but the Devil Pups continued to fight and closed it back to 10-8. With exactly four minutes remaining in the opening quarter, Rich was sent to the line on a foul on her shot, but neither of the shots fell and the score stayed the same. Lejeune tied the game at 10-all with under four minutes to go, and in response, the Leopards started a full-court press. McKoy made her presence known on a powerful put-back, which drew a foul, but gave Lakewood the 12-10 lead after her foul shot missed. The Devil Pups went to the other end and were fouled, which gave them two free throws of their own, and they sank both to tie the game. The teams traded possessions before McKoy got a big block on an open drive down the lane from Lejeune, sending the ball far out of bounds with about 2:30 to play. The defensive pressure from Lakewood was too much, and the Leopards forced a turnover, which gave Alexis Rhodes a fast break layup to once again give them the lead, this time at 14-12. As the clock moved toward the second period, so did the teams. Lakewood held an 18-14 lead going into the break, propelled by a long jumper from McKoy before the pause in action. Rich grabbed a rebound early in the second quarter and McKoy took a steal coast-to-coast and missed a layup, but the uptick in defensive pressure was being showcased by Lakewood early in the second period. McKoy finally completed the coast-to-coast move shortly after, as she swiped the ball and took it to the other end and scored. With 6:02 showing on the clock, Lakewood led, 22-14. It was Smith on the next one that went coast-to-coast, as she completed the same thing McKoy had just done to extend the Leopards’ lead to 24-14 with just about five minutes remaining in the opening half. Less than a minute later, the teams traded threes after the Devil Pups sank one and McKoy returned the favor. Lejeune sank another after McKoy missed a second attempt from beyond the arc, but the score remained at 31-20 with over three minutes to go. Kiyah Braxton to Trinity Bell was the connection this time on a pass-and-shoot that netted the Leopards three more. Lakewood held a 34-24 lead with 2:30 to go in the first half. Rhodes added two threes of her own in succession before the half ended, and Lakewood climbed out to a 40-26 lead over the visiting Devil Pups. Braxton dished a cross-court pass through the key on a breakaway to Rhodes, where she added two more. Despite a desperation layup attempt from Lejeune at the buzzer, the Leopards held onto the 42-26 lead as the teams moved to the halftime break. Scoring started off strong in the second half for both teams, as through the first 2:30, Lakewood scored four and Lejeune two, making it a 46-28 game. Smith made one of her free throws on a trip to the charity stripe with five minutes to go in the third. Later, Rhodes added a long jumper, and Lakewood had the 49-30 advantage. She doubled it up after a dish from McKoy gave her a wide open look at another long two. Lakewood held a 53-32 lead with 3:07 to go in the third as the game continued to move in their favor and any chance of a comeback by the Devil Pups faded with each ensuing possession. Scoring came to a halt for almost two minutes, but the Devil Pups sank a free throw with 1:39 left in the third quarter to make it a 53-33 game, still in Lakewood’s favor. After Lejeune grabbed a couple more via free throws, the quarter ended with Lakewood holding the commanding lead at 53-35. The stout defense from Lakewood continued even into the opening moments of the fourth quarter, as the Pups’ first possession was squandered with a a steal and a three from Rhodes at the other end. McKoy fought through contact on a layup and added to the lead, and after her teammate grabbed another steal and fed her the long pass on the next possession, she found two more points on a wide-open score under the basket to give Lakewood the 60-35 advantage with 6:44 to play. A tight defense from Karima Freeman, especially on the in-bound passes led to the McKoy show in the second half, as this was the outcome of seemingly every Lejeune possession in the latter stages of the game. Even the Devil Pups’ double teams weren’t effective in slowing her down. After Rich blocked a shot and the Leopards moved the ball down the court, McKoy grabbed a put-back layup on a rebound to extend her team out to a 64-39 lead with 4:43 to play. Just as it had in the third, scoring slowed for both teams in the fourth. Lakewood slowed their offense down to eat as much clock as possible, and Lejeune couldn’t get anything to fall in their hurried offensive approach. The only thing the Devil Pups had in their favor was the bonus, after Lakewood found themselves in foul trouble. Still, though, only three points were scored in over two minutes, and the Leopards had the 64-42 lead with 2:09 remaining. McKoy lit fans up once more on a drive through the lane starting at half court, when she put the defender on metaphorical ice skates twice and Euro stepped her way to a layup, reminiscent of an ESPN highlight to give them the 64-42 advantage with under a minuet to go. The Pups would score once more, but the Leopards had the 66-44 lead as the final buzzer sounded. “It’s always good to get the first game at home,” coach Lofton Kerr said. “I thought we played a little out of control at times, but it’s a good win. Anytime you win, it’s good. But, I want us to be a little bit more in control.” The Lady Leopards moved to 4-0 on the season with the win. They will host Heide Trask on Thursday at 6 p.m. for the Chasity Melvin Holiday Tournament. Reach Brandt Young at (910) 247-9036, at byoung@clintonnc.com, or on the Sampson Independent Facebook page.The world stands at the dawn of a “third nuclear age” in which Britain is threatened by multiple dilemmas, the head of the armed forces has warned. But alongside his stark warning of the threats facing Britain and its allies, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said there would be only a “remote chance” Russia would directly attack or invade the UK if the two countries were at war. The Chief of the Defence Staff laid out the landscape of British defence in a wide-ranging speech, after a minister warned the Army would be wiped out in as little as six months if forced to fight a war on the scale of the Ukraine conflict. The admiral cast doubt on the possibility as he gave a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) defence think tank in London. He told the audience Britain needed to be “clear-eyed in our assessment” of the threats it faces, adding: “That includes recognising that there is only a remote chance of a significant direct attack or invasion by Russia on the United Kingdom, and that’s the same for the whole of Nato.” Moscow “knows the response will be overwhelming”, he added, but warned the nuclear deterrent needed to be “kept strong and strengthened”. Sir Tony added: “We are at the dawn of a third nuclear age, which is altogether more complex. It is defined by multiple and concurrent dilemmas, proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before.” The first nuclear age was the Cold War, while the second was “governed by disarmament efforts and counter proliferation”, the armed forces chief said. He listed the “wild threats of tactical nuclear use” by Russia, China building up its weapon stocks, Iran’s failure to co-operate with a nuclear deal, and North Korea’s “erratic behaviour” among the threats faced by the West. But Sir Tony said the UK’s nuclear arsenal is “the one part of our inventory of which Russia is most aware and has more impact on (President Vladimir) Putin than anything else”. Successive British governments had invested “substantial sums of money” in renewing nuclear submarines and warheads because of this, he added. The admiral described the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers on Ukraine’s border alongside Russian forces as the year’s “most extraordinary development”. He also signalled further deployments were possible, speaking of “tens of thousands more to follow as part of a new security pact with Russia”. Defence minister Alistair Carns earlier said a rate of casualties similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would lead to the army being “expended” within six to 12 months. He said it illustrated the need to “generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis”. In comments reported by Sky News, Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines colonel, said Russia was suffering losses of around 1,500 soldiers killed or injured a day. “In a war of scale – not a limited intervention, but one similar to Ukraine – our Army for example, on the current casualty rates, would be expended – as part of a broader multinational coalition – in six months to a year,” Mr Carns said in a speech at Rusi. He added: “That doesn’t mean we need a bigger Army, but it does mean you need to generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis.” Official figures show the Army had 109,245 personnel on October 1, including 25,814 volunteer reservists. Mr Carns, the minister for veterans and people, said the UK needed to “catch up with Nato allies” to place greater emphasis on the reserves. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Defence Secretary John Healey had previously spoken about “the state of the armed forces that were inherited from the previous government”. The spokesman said: “It’s why the Budget invested billions of pounds into defence, it’s why we’re undertaking a strategic defence review to ensure that we have the capabilities and the investment needed to defend this country.”