
(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Wednesday, Dec. 25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) 1:30 p.m. ESPNU — Diamond Head Classic: Loyola of Chicago vs. Murray St., Seventh-Place Game, Honolulu 3:30 p.m. ESPNU — Diamond Head Classic: Charleston vs. Charlotte, Fifth-Place Game, Honolulu 6:30 p.m. ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic: Oakland vs. Hawaii, Third-Place Game, Honolulu 8:30 p.m. ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic: Oregon St. vs. Nebraska, Championship, Honolulu NBA BASKETBALL Noon ABC — San Antonio at New York ESPN — San Antonio at New York 2:30 p.m. ABC — Minnesota at Dallas ESPN — Minnesota at Dallas 5 p.m. ABC — Philadelphia at Boston ESPN — Philadelphia at Boston 8 p.m. ABC — L.A. Lakers at Golden State ESPN — L.A. Lakers at Golden State 10:30 p.m. ABC — Denver at Phoenix ESPN — Denver at Phoenix NFL FOOTBALL 1 p.m. NETFLIX — Kansas City at Pittsburgh 4:30 p.m. NETFLIX — Baltimore at Houston The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV .WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he will nominate former White House aide Brooke Rollins to be his agriculture secretary, the last of his picks to lead executive agencies and another choice from within his established circle of advisers and allies. The nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, which will be controlled by Republicans when Trump takes office Jan. 20. Rollins would succeed Tom Vilsack , President Joe Biden’s agriculture secretary who oversees the sprawling agency that controls policies, regulations and aid programs related to farming, forestry, ranching, food quality and nutrition. Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as his former domestic policy chief. She is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. People are also reading... Rest assured, Nebraska volleyball fans: The missing fan behind the servers will be back Saturday Matt Rhule reacts to no-call at end of Nebraska-USC game: "I don’t know what else to say" 'Bocephus' is back: Hank Williams Jr. to play Lincoln arena Friday Arrest made in 55-year-old cold case of Nebraska teen stabbed to death Nebraska's home game against Wisconsin gets time, TV designation As Nebraska's Democratic Party shrinks, some former party officials call for change Kidnapping in Nebraska prompted police chase that ended with 3 dead in Missouri Mountain lion spotted on trail camera east of Bennet, Sheriff's Office says Signing Day: Meet Nebraska volleyball's five-player 2025 class 'Sophisticated yet simple': How Nebraska's offense changed in Dana Holgorsen's debut Wind-aided fire destroys vacant Village Inn in Lincoln Man dies in northeast Lincoln house fire Amie Just: Ahead of milestone birthday, local sports figures give advice on turning 30 Blunt as ever, Dana Holgorsen unpacks Nebraska role, struggling run game Nebraska faces $432 million shortfall heading into next budget cycle Rollins, 52, previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Rollins’ pick completes Trump’s selection of the heads of executive branch departments, just two and a half weeks after the former president won the White House once again. Several other picks that are traditionally Cabinet-level remain, including U.S. Trade Representative and head of the small business administration. Trump didn’t offer many specifics about his agriculture policies during the campaign, but farmers could be affected if he carries out his pledge to impose widespread tariffs. During the first Trump administration, countries like China responded to Trump’s tariffs by imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports like the corn and soybeans routinely sold overseas. Trump countered by offering massive multibillion-dollar aid to farmers to help them weather the trade war. President Abraham Lincoln founded the USDA in 1862, when about half of all Americans lived on farms. The USDA oversees multiple support programs for farmers; animal and plant health; and the safety of meat, poultry and eggs that anchor the nation’s food supply. Its federal nutrition programs provide food to low-income people, pregnant women and young children. And the agency sets standards for school meals. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has vowed to strip ultraprocessed foods from school lunches and to stop allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries from using food stamps to buy soda, candy or other so-called junk foods. But it would be the USDA, not HHS, that would be responsible for enacting those changes. In addition, HHS and USDA will work together to finalize the 2025-2030 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They are due late next year, with guidance for healthy diets and standards for federal nutrition programs. ___ Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Associated Press writers Josh Funk and JoNel Aleccia contributed to this report.CAM Construction Services Chooses Glasgow for New Manufacturing Facility, Bringing Jobs and Growth to Missouri Northeast
GLASGOW, Mo., Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CAM Construction Services is proud to announce the expansion of its cabinet manufacturing division, Heritage Wood Mills, to Glasgow, Missouri. This strategic move reflects the company's commitment to delivering high-quality, locally crafted cabinetry to homeowners, general contractors, municipalities, and businesses across Missouri and surrounding states. "We're pleased to see yet another quality manufacturer like CAM Construction Services choosing to locate in Missouri," said Governor Mike Parson. "This company's decision to invest and create new jobs in Glasgow is welcome news for the community and our state's thriving manufacturing industry. Once again, our strategic central location, skilled workforce, and low costs have produced results that are strengthening our economy." Heritage Wood Mills will produce a wide range of cabinetry options at the new facility, from convenient online orders to fully customized designs tailored to every customer's unique needs. Unlike many competitors, their cabinets will be manufactured 100% in Missouri, ensuring quality, reliability, and a commitment to supporting local craftsmanship – without reliance on overseas suppliers. "We're excited to bring our operations to Glasgow, creating jobs and strengthening local manufacturing while enhancing our ability to serve customers throughout the region," said Clint Jacobs, CEO of CAM Construction Services. "Our expansion underscores our mission to combine exceptional quality with personalized service for every project, big or small." This move positions Heritage Wood Mills as a leader in the industry, offering premium cabinetry that is both accessible and proudly made in the heart of the U.S. The company is investing $925,000 and plans to create 30 new jobs in the region. "We are thrilled to welcome CAM Construction Services LLC as they establish a new manufacturing facility in our community," said Mayor Joseph Gibbs. "This is a significant milestone for our city, and we are committed to providing the support and resources needed to ensure their success. We look forward to working closely with the company as they settle in and contribute to the continued economic development of Glasgow. This investment is a shining example of how our community is evolving, and we couldn't be more excited to see what the future holds for both CAM Construction and Glasgow, Missouri." "We are ecstatic to welcome CAM Construction Services to Glasgow, Howard County, and the broader Northeast Missouri region," said Kaylee Paffrath, President & CEO of the Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation & Provider of Economic Development Services for the Howard County Economic Development Council. "This project highlights the strength of partnerships and our dedication to fostering growth and opportunity, especially for rural communities. We're excited to support CAM Construction Services as they grow and succeed in their new home." The company selected Glasgow due to its workforce, pro-business environment, and proximity to customers. Construction is underway, with plans to open early next year. "CAM Construction Services' new facility in Glasgow is the latest example of an employer helping Missourians prosper through investment and job creation," said Michelle Hataway, Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. "DED is proud to support this exciting project that was made possible by our state's economic advantages and the contributions of our incredible partners." "CAM Construction Services' decision to expand to Glasgow is a testament to the incredible manufacturing talent and resources we have here in Missouri," said Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership. "Missouri has a rich history of craftsmanship and innovation, and this investment not only builds on that legacy but also strengthens our rural communities. We're excited to see this project come to life and look forward to the positive impact it will bring to Glasgow and the surrounding region." Missouri Partnership worked with several partners to attract CAM Construction Services to Glasgow, including: the city of Glasgow, Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation, Howard County Economic Development Council, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Evergy, and Liberty Utilities. About CAM Construction Services LLC Founded in 2018, Heritage Wood Mills, a division of CAM Construction Services, specializes in crafting high-quality custom cabinetry for both residential and commercial spaces. With a commitment to superior craftsmanship and innovative design, we offer a wide range of styles, materials, and finishes to bring each client's unique vision to life. From kitchens and bathrooms to tailored storage solutions, our team blends expert artistry with state-of-the-art technology to deliver exceptional results. Proudly serving Missouri and the surrounding areas, Heritage Wood Mills is dedicated to creating spaces that embody functionality, durability, and timeless beauty. About Missouri Partnership Missouri Partnership is a public-private economic development organization focused on attracting new jobs and investment to the state and promoting Missouri's business strengths. Since 2008, Missouri Partnership has worked with partners statewide to attract companies that have created 34,000+ new jobs, $1.7 billion+ in new annual payroll, and $7.8 billion+ in new capital investment. Some recent successful projects that led to major investment in Missouri include Accenture Federal Services LLC, American Foods Group, Casey's, Chewy, Inc., Google, James Hardie, Meta, Swift Prepared Foods, URBN, USDA, and Veterans United. Media Contact: Janelle Higgins | janelle@missouripartnership.com | 314.541.4911 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cam-construction-services-chooses-glasgow-for-new-manufacturing-facility-bringing-jobs-and-growth-to-missouri-northeast-302322590.html SOURCE Missouri PartnershipInjuries pile up, 49ers uncertain QB Brock Purdy can return SundayElon Musk has long been known for his competitive spirit — and for his list of rivals. He challenged Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg to a cage fight. He called Amazon and Blue Origin boss Jeff Bezos a “copycat.” And just recently, he sued OpenAI’s Sam Altman. Until now, these were business and personal rivalries between some of the richest and most successful people in the world. But with Musk’s new influence in the incoming Trump administration and position as “first buddy,” some fear he could use the power of the government to benefit his own companies and harm his rivals. That could come in the form of starting or dropping government investigations, creating or weakening regulations, and awarding government contracts to the benefit of Musk’s companies. “The federal government has a set of tools in its toolbox, and the question is, will the use of those tools be governed by objective standards, through regulation and laws and the normal process of government intervention in the economy, or will it be subject to the material impulses of either the president or Elon Musk?” said one expert in law and technology who asked to speak anonymously to avoid Musk’s ire. “If all it takes is for (Musk) to say, ‘Hey, DOJ should investigate them,’ that will cause a lot of headaches.” Representatives for Musk did not respond to CNN’s requests for comment. Jeff Bezos Bezos and Musk often compete against each other in the “richest person in the world” rankings, but they have also been rivals when it comes to the space industry. Both Musk’s SpaceX and Bezos’ Blue Origins compete for federal government contracts, and now with Musk firmly tied to Donald Trump’s administration, some wonder whether he will use his influence to further entrench SpaceX’s already dominant position as a government contractor. And it’s not just government contracts with NASA for splashy rockets and trips to the International Space Station. Amazon’s Project Kuiper also competes with SpaceX’s Starlink in the low-orbit satellite system industry. These systems require a fair amount of regulatory and launch approvals, and Amazon is working toward launching some 3,200 satellites into low Earth orbit. Jim Cantrell, an early SpaceX executive who now runs Phantom Space Corporation, said he believes the rivalry between Musk and Bezos is “much more personal than anything anybody ought to be worried about.” Instead, Cantrell said he thinks that while Musk will advocate for changes that could benefit his own companies, it will also benefit his competitors. “A rising tide lifts all boats,” Cantrell said, adding that Musk’s advocacy for commercialization of the space industry and fighting regulations that he believes slow down the industry are “going to raise the tide for all his competitors, including himself.” Cantrell said that some of these actions would end up helping the best competitor in the field — which just happens to be Musk’s companies. “I think Blue Origin should be terrified about their own performance,” Cantrell said, not terrified of Musk’s power in the Trump administration being used against them. Blue Origin, which did not respond to a request for comment, may have another reason to be worried. Trump just named Jared Isaacman, who has close ties with Musk, as his pick for NASA administrator. For his part, Bezos said Wednesday at a New York Times DealBook event that he is not worried about Musk in Washington. “I take it at face value, what has been said, which is that he’s not going to use his political power to advantage his own companies or to disadvantage his competitors,” Bezos said. Though, he added, “I could be wrong about that, but I think it could be true.” Sam Altman Musk’s feud with Altman’s OpenAI has been long-running. Musk — who helped to co-found OpenAI in 2015 — first sued the company in February, accusing the ChatGPT maker of abandoning its original, non-profit mission by reserving some of its most advanced AI technology for private customers. Musk has advocated for “open source” artificial intelligence systems and has publicly released the code behind the chatbot Grok made by his own company, xAI. Musk’s original lawsuit sought a jury trial and for OpenAI, Altman and co-founder and President Greg Brockman to pay back any profit they received from the business. OpenAI called Musk’s claims “incoherent” and “frivolous.” And Musk dropped the suit after OpenAI published several of Musk’s emails from OpenAI’s early days. The emails appeared to show Musk acknowledging the need for the company to make large sums of money to fund the computing resources needed to power its AI ambitions, which stood in contrast to the claims in his lawsuit that OpenAI was wrongly pursuing profit. However, Musk reopened the legal battle in August, filing a new lawsuit against OpenAI and Altman with, essentially, the same claim that the start-up is undermining its non-profit mission by partnering with Microsoft and commercializing some products. OpenAI was created as a non-profit research lab with a for-profit arm, but has mulled restructuring into a more traditional, for-profit company that could lead to more returns for investors — a plan at which Musk has also taken aim. A recent filing in his lawsuit asked a court to temporarily block OpenAI’s ability to make such a transition. Regardless of how that case ultimately plays out, Musk could potentially use his connection to Trump — as well as his friendship with David Sacks, whom Trump has tapped as White House “czar” overseeing artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency policy — to disadvantage OpenAI. Sacks and Musk were both involved in starting PayPal. Musk could, for example, push for the government to work with and grant lucrative contracts to “open source” AI companies like his own over rivals such as OpenAI and Microsoft, said Gil Luria, head of technology research at investment group D.A. Davidson. Such a move could also benefit Meta, which has open-sourced its Llama model and whose CEO, Zuckerberg, has been seeking to improve his relationship with Trump and said he wants an “active role” in tech policy discussions with the president-elect. “The government can decide to advantage certain companies, certain technologies and that would be within the realm of possibility,” Luria said, although he added that he ultimately believes it’s unlikely Musk will use his political influence to harm rivals. Musk could also push Congress or the Internal Revenue Service to interfere with OpenAI’s ability to transition from a non-profit to a for-profit corporation. However, Altman said Wednesday that he’s not worried about Musk’s political activities harming his company. “I believe pretty strongly ... that Elon will do the right thing and it would be profoundly unamerican to use political power, to the degree that Elon has it, to hurt your competitors and advantage your own businesses,” Altman said. “I don’t think people would tolerate that, I don’t think he could do that. It would go so deeply against the values that I believe he holds.” In response to an X post about Altman’s comment, as well as a similar comment by Bezos, Musk said: “They are right.” Mark Zuckerberg A failed SpaceX launch once destroyed a Facebook AMOS-6 Satellite, which the company was hoping to use to beam the internet to millions of people in remote parts of the world. It’s not clear whether that’s what helped spark the long-running feud between Musk and Zuckerberg, which devolved at one point into regular insults and digs lobbed over social media. But at one point Musk and Zuckerberg were seriously discussing an actual fight. Talk of a fight died down around August. And while Zuckerberg has been making inroads with Trump — meeting him at Mar-a-Lago recently and speaking openly about wanting to play an “active role” in helping the Trump administration shape tech policy — one of his top lieutenants expressed a bit more skepticism about Musk. Speaking on a BBC podcast, Meta’s head of global affairs, Nick Clegg, said Musk is “now playing an outsized role in both the election and now the formation of the new US administration.” “He has a choice — he can be either an avid and well-heeled supporter,” Clegg said. “Or he can try and become a sort of political puppet master, going well beyond Trump, deciding who the next Republican candidate should be and the one after that, and so on, so forth.” Meta is already facing an antitrust trial, and the company could also face increased pressure from the Federal Communications Commission. Brendan Carr, Trump’s pick for FCC chair, has exchanged warm words with Musk and often engages with him on X, has been open about his desire of “smashing the censorship cartel” of social media, and has directly told Zuckerberg, as well as other big tech CEOs, that they’ve been engaging in “improper conduct.” “We can impose transparency obligations through existing FCC laws,” Carr told Fox Business last week. “If social media companies are colluding to not compete on speech regulations, that’s really no different than an agreement not to compete on pricing or another competition metric and that should be looked at.” Tesla competitors Tesla stock surged after Trump’s win and is still riding high. While Tesla is already dominant in the electric vehicle market, it could see even greater benefits with Musk’s direct line into the government. For one, government investigations into the safety of Tesla’s autonomous driving technology could just disappear, said Missy Cummings, a former senior safety adviser at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Then there’s support for Tesla competitors. Last week, Vivek Ramaswamy, Musk’s co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency advisory group, sharply criticized a $6.6 billion Department of Energy conditional loan commitment to Rivian, the electric vehicle startup. The loan would help finance a new manufacturing plant in Georgia. Back in 2010, Tesla received a similar $465 million loan from the Energy Department that proved pivotal to its survival and success. But Ramaswamy said that loan and others like it are “high on the list of items” that DOGE will look to reverse. Musk and Ramaswamy’s DOGE effort has an expiration date in 2026, but some who know Musk wonder if his relationship with Trump will sour sooner than that. But until then, Musk said the best way for him to be lobbied is on X, his social media platform. “I will do my best to respond to well-reasoned arguments here on X for serving the best interests of the American people,” Musk wrote on X last week. “However, any real or de facto offers of money, power or threats will obviously be silly and ineffective.”The Lebanese army said it was sending more forces to southern Lebanon on Wednesday as a U.S.-backed cease-fire began to take effect between Israel and Hezbollah, and as thousands of displaced Lebanese began to return to areas ruined by Israeli strikes. Bumper-to-bumper traffic jammed roads leading out of Beirut, the capital, as people sought to make their way back to southern towns and villages devastated by the war, the deadliest between Israel and Hezbollah in decades. Suitcases, mattresses and blankets were stacked on the roofs of cars moving south, even as Israel’s military warned civilians against immediately returning to some areas and declared a curfew over much of southern Lebanon until Thursday morning. Related Story: Under the agreement, which was mediated by the United States and France, Israel will withdraw its forces from Lebanon over the next 60 days; Hezbollah will move its fighters north of the Litani River, which runs roughly parallel to the Israel-Lebanon border; and the Lebanese army will send more troops to the country’s south. Lebanese Convoys Seen in South Lebanon Lebanese military convoys were seen on roads in southern Lebanon early Wednesday. The country’s armed forces said in a statement that the army was “reinforcing its deployment in the sector south of the Litani and extending the state’s authority in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon,” or UNIFIL, an international peacekeeping force. But many questions remained about the durability of the truce, which was underscored when Israel’s military shelled two villages in southern Lebanon, Khiam and Kfar Kila. Asked about the shelling, the military said in a statement that its soldiers had opened fire after identifying a vehicle in “a zone prohibited for movement” in Lebanon, forcing it to turn around. It was not immediately clear where that took place. The fighting since last October displaced more than 1 million people. It intensified in recent months as Israel killed Hezbollah’s longtime leaders, wiped out much of its weapons stockpiles and invaded southern Lebanon. Israel’s military continued its intense bombardment of areas it called Hezbollah strongholds until the last hour before the ceasefire took effect. Hezbollah has long wielded considerable power in Lebanon, both as a political party with representation in parliament and ministers in the government and as a military force that is not under the state’s control. Related Story: What Else to Know? — This article originally appeared in . By Euan Ward, Ben Hubbard and Aaron Boxerman/Diego Ibarra Sánchez c. 2024 The New York Times Company
The market was due to take place on Sunday (November 24), ahead of the town's Christmas lights switch-on. READ MORE: Latest updates: flooding danger as Storm Bert hits Herefordshire It was expected to offer more than 40 stalls and vendors selling a range of goods. A spokesperson for Ledbury Town Council said it is with sincere regret that they announce the cancellation as a result of health and safety concerns. "Despite our anticipation for improved weather conditions by tomorrow afternoon, it seems unlikely that the rain and winds will subside significantly," the spokesperson said. ALSO READ: "Therefore, we have decided to cancel the market and instead host a brief event under the Market House. This gathering will include a limited number of entertainers and will focus on the ceremonial lighting of the lights. "We are currently refining a reduced programme of entertainment and will share more information as soon as it is finalized. Please stay tuned to our social media channels for the latest updates. "We would like to extend an invitation for you to join us at the revised schedule of events, which we expect to begin at 3.30 pm tomorrow (Sunday, November 24), leading up to the lights switch-on at 5.00 pm."Sonic 3 Understands the Importance of Voice Acting, and It Shows
No secrets as Bucs visit Dave Canales, Panthers for NFC South showdown
Open RK Beach road stretch round the clock for tourists, members of A.P. Chambers request Visakhapatnam Police CommissionerATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Carson Beck threw four touchdown passes, Nate Frazier ran for 136 yards with three scores and No. 8 Georgia overwhelmed Massachusetts 59-21 on Saturday as the Bulldogs tried to protect their College Football Playoff hopes. Georgia (9-2, No. 10 CFP) needed the big offense from Beck and Frazier to rescue a defense that gave up 226 rushing yards. UMass (2-9) played its first game under interim coach Shane Montgomery, the offensive coordinator who retained his play-calling duties after replacing fired coach Don Brown on Monday. Jalen John led the Minutemen with 107 rushing yards and a touchdown. Georgia extended its streak of consecutive home wins to 30, the longest active streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Bulldogs linebacker Chris Cole returned a fumble recovery 31 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Quintavius Johnson’s sack of AJ Hairston and forced fumble set up the play. Beck avoided turnovers for the second consecutive game. He threw two touchdowns without an interception and also ran for a score in the Bulldogs’ 31-17 win over No. 6 Tennessee on Nov. 16. Beck had 12 interceptions in his previous six games. UMass opened the game with a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that included nine runs and was capped by CJ Hester’s scoring run from the 4. The Minutemen added another clock-draining, 14-play, 75-yard drive that covered seven minutes in the second quarter and ended with another 4-yard scoring run by John. UMass veered from its run-first plan to open the second half. Hairston threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Jakobie Keaney-James, who made the catch between defensive backs Dan Jackson and Daniel Harris. Georgia had only four possessions in the first half and each ended with a touchdown pass from Beck. The senior quarterback connected with Oscar Delp, Cash Jones, Dominic Lovett and Arian Smith for the scoring passes. Favored by 42 1/2 points, Georgia faced a difficult task of meeting expectations. The offensive showing by Beck and Frazier could be enough for the Bulldogs to protect their Top 25 and CFP rankings. UMass: The Minutemen ran for 166 yards in the first half against a Georgia defense that had allowed an average of 114 for a full game. ... LB Jalen Harrell was surrounded by teammates after he was placed on a cart with a leg injury midway through the third quarter. Georgia: Running backs Trevor Etienne and Branson Robinson, recovering from injuries, were held out. Dwight Phillips Jr. and Chauncey Bowens were given carries, but Frazier seized the opportunity to solidify his status as the next back on the depth chart. Frazier had scoring runs of 9 and 15 yards in the third quarter and added a 2-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth. ... Beck completed 20 of 31 passes for 297 yards. Gunner Stockton took over for Beck and led the Bulldogs’ final offensive touchdown drive.No. 2 Montana State secures undefeated regular season with win over No. 9 Montana
I read a lot of good graphic novels this year, the publication of a couple of which also happened to be major events in the comic world – how thrilling to see the return of celebrated American creator Charles Burns on such uncompromisingly fierce form, while the young Dutch illustrator Aimée de Jongh achieved something close to miraculous with her extraordinary adaptation of . But the book that meant most to me personally in 2024 was by Miriam Gold for its portrait of Sheffield, my home town, and of the Peak District nearby. I find it hard to imagine the person who wouldn’t be pleased to be given this little volume for Christmas; it’s a feast for the eyes and a boxing glove (in a good way) for the heart. (New River) Funny and plangent, Dorrance’s snowbound memoir about her elderly mother’s dementia really couldn’t be any better if it tried; its drawings and dialogue alike bring to mind the genius of Alison Bechdel or Posy Simmonds. So light on its feet, it practically skis to its conclusion – and yet it’s full of sagacity as well. (Faber) William Golding’s 1954 novel needs no introduction, but in De Jongh’s hands it’s forcefully remade for the age of climate change, her emphasis as much on its ecological message as the morality of our schoolboy savages. A page-turner of a book that my small, not-that-keen-on-reading nephew Freddie liked just as much as I did. (Jonathan Cape) Burns, best known for his 2005 masterpiece , returns with the story of a group of young people who make an alien movie together. Suffused with apprehension, this is a powerfully allegorical comic in which nothing’s ever straightforward, be it extraterrestrials or teen romance. (translated by Jenna Allen) (Fantagraphics) Petar returns from his two-year conscription in the Yugoslav army feeling like a ghost. But then he meets a dancer called Liza, and his world changes. The great Chris Ware ( ) has said he was “stunned” by this “exquisite” portrait of a generation, and it’s not hard to see why. Just beautiful. (Jonathan Cape) Gold’s first book, a scrapbook-style memoir of her Jewish grandmother, Dr Elena Zadik, is a triumph, crossing Europe and the generations with equal alacrity. Zadik was a refugee twice over, but Gold doesn’t labour the parallels with today, choosing instead to let this wonderful but irascible woman speak for herself on the page. I loved (Faber) by Luke Healy, who was a judge of this year’s , but I’m ashamed to say he’s a fairly recent discovery for me. So I’d like a couple of titles from his backlist in my stocking: , which combines the true story of two ill-fated Arctic exhibitions with a fictional tale of a university lecturer in crisis; and , in which Healy recounts his 147-day journey along the Pacific Crest Trail. Both are published by the excellent Nobrow. • To browse all of the and s best graphic novels of 2024 go to . Delivery charges may applyMore than $225 million allocated to support rural law enforcement
Aircons for lizards, wreaths for rhinos: What the zoo is getting for ChristmasIndia News | Voters Reject Turncoats in Western MaharashtraNo secrets as Bucs visit Dave Canales, Panthers for NFC South showdown
Franco Colapinto ’s commercial appeal could be the key to landing the 21-year-old a drive alongside Max Verstappen for the 2025 campaign. The Argentinian racer is battling Liam Lawson , Yuki Tsunoda and Sergio Perez for the final Red Bull seat. Earlier this summer, Colapinto was a relative unknown to casual F1 fans, but after scoring points in two of his first four races on the grid since replacing Logan Sargeant , his stock has boomed in the paddock. Williams have already secured their 2025 line-up with Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon , so Colapinto is looking elsewhere for a full-time opportunity. The Red Bull system looks like his most likely landing spot, and according to reports, Christian Horner is weighing up throwing him straight into the deep end. If he is to secure a Red Bull seat for 2025, sponsorship could play a major role. Colapinto has captured the hearts of Argentina’s passionate and vast motorsport fanbase, and with this has come significant commercial gains for Williams and unprecedented social media interaction. This is a major advantage he has over Lawson and Tsunoda. For the Latin American leg of the season, the Williams cars were adorned with striking yellow panels after a partnership was reached with e-commerce giant Mercado Libre back in August, following Colapinto’s arrival. Some reports state that Carlos Slim - formerly the richest man in the world, and current backer of Perez - is interested in discussing financial support for Colapinto. This would no doubt be appealing to Red Bull , who already benefit from Checo’s vast array of sponsors. “If there was an opportunity to talk about something with Franco, it would not be anything related to Checo,” Slim told ESPN when asked about the reports. “We always seek to support Latin American drivers, Franco is doing very well. “But without a doubt, our important project has always been to continue building the development of Mexican drivers and Checo, without a doubt, is the one who represents us all.” Verstappen wouldn’t mind teaming up with the Pilar-based racer either. “I don’t know,” the three-time world champion said when asked about a possible link-up. “It’s a bit difficult for me to answer. I’m busy with other things to improve. “He’s doing a great job at the moment in Formula One, so that’s great to see. I understand, of course, that it’s very attractive for a lot of teams to have him, so it’s up to the team also to see what they want to do.”None
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield scored in the second period, and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Seattle Kraken 2-1 on Saturday. David Rittich made 19 saves for the Kings, who improved to 6-2-1 at home. Kempe and Byfield scored 1:44 apart in the second period. Byfield buried a sharp-angle slap shot on a power play while dropping to a knee. It was his 98th career point in 200 games. Brandon Montour got the Kraken on the board with 1:26 left in the game. He converted a long shot with Joey Daccord off for another skater, but Los Angeles held on. Daccord finished with 19 stops for Seattle. Takeaways Kraken: Jordan Eberle will miss at least three months after undergoing surgery on his pelvis. He had six goals and five assists in 17 games before he got hurt against Chicago on Nov. 14. Kings: The power play had been in a 1-for-16 rut (6.25%) over the previous six games before Byfield found the net. It was the Kings’ lone opportunity with the man-advantage. Key moment After following its 1-0 loss to Buffalo on Wednesday with a fourth straight period of extreme low-event hockey, Los Angeles created a lot more activity and offense to start the second and generate its two goals. Key stat The Kings know how to close out games, improving to 9-0-1 when leading after two periods. Up next The Kraken visit Anaheim on Monday, and the Kings play at San Jose on Monday. ___ AP NHL:NoneCaitlin 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. Wemby at The Garden. LeBron vs. Steph. The NBA's Christmas Day lineup, as always, has star power LeBron James made his Christmas debut in 2003. Victor Wembanyama was born 10 days later. That’s right: James has been featured on the NBA’s big day for longer than Wembanyama has been alive. And on Wednesday the league’s oldest player and brightest young star will be big parts of the holiday showcase. It’s another Christmas quintupleheader, with Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs visiting the New York Knicks, Minnesota going to Dallas for a Western Conference finals rematch, Philadelphia heading to Boston to renew a storied rivalry, James and the Los Angeles Lakers taking on Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, and Denver playing at Phoenix. Pro Picks: Chiefs will beat the Steelers and Ravens will edge the Texans on Christmas Day Playoff berths, draft positioning and more are up for grabs in Week 17. There’s going to be plenty of football on television this holiday week with the NFL playing games on five out of six days, starting with a doubleheader on Christmas Day featuring four of the AFC’s top five teams. Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs visit Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday. Then, two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens take on C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. The Bears host the Seahawks on Thursday night and there are three games on Saturday, making Sunday’s schedule light at nine games. Falcons drafting Penix no longer a head-scratcher with rookie QB shining in place of benched Cousins It was the most surprising first-round pick in a long time when the Atlanta Falcons chose Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall selection in the NFL draft last April. That came just six weeks after the Falcons had signed free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million in guarantees. But that move is no longer a head-scratcher after Penix's solid starting debut in place of a benched and turnover-prone Cousins. Several teams have fared well with new quarterbacks this season including the Steelers, Broncos, Vikings and Commanders. Lindsey Vonn thinks her new titanium knee could start a trend in skiing. And pro sports in general ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) — Lindsey Vonn thinks her new titanium knee could be the start of a trend in ski racing. The 40-year-old American standout had replacement surgery in April and returned to the World Cup circuit after nearly six years last weekend. She says her knee feels “amazing" and that "it’s something to seriously consider for athletes that have a lot of knee problems.” Her surgery was the first of its kind in World Cup skiing. Vonn had a robot-assisted surgery in April with part of the bone in her right knee cut off and replaced by two titanium pieces. She was planning her comeback a month later. Boise State's legacy includes winning coaches and championship moments No. 8 and third-seeded Boise State is preparing for its third trip to the Fiesta Bowl. This time it's in a playoff quarterfinal against No. 5 and sixth-seeded Penn State on New Year’s Eve. Boise State's first appearance on the national stage was in a memorable victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1, 2007. But former coach Chris Petersen said the victory in that bowl three years later over TCU was even more meaningful for the program. Embiid ejected after drawing 2 technicals in game against Wembanyama and Spurs PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was ejected in the first half of Monday night’s game against San Antonio after drawing two technical fouls. Referee Jenna Schroeder ejected Embiid with 2 minutes, 59 seconds left in the second quarter. The seven-time All-Star received the first technical for arguing with Schroeder, and received another technical — and ejection — from Schroeder before any more game time elapsed. Embiid was close to Schroeder, but it wasn’t clear from replays whether he made contact with the official. An enraged Embiid charged toward the officials after the ejection and was restrained by teammate Kyle Lowry, head coach Nick Nurse and several assistants. Nikki Glaser uses Prime Video's NFL postgame show appearances to help prepare for Golden Globes INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Nikki Glaser has become a familiar face to football fans this season. Her breakthrough performance at the Tom Brady Roast on May 5 paved the way for five appearances on Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” postgame show. Glaser said before last Thursday’s game between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers that doing her “Late Hits” segment was a no-brainer following her success at the Brady roast. Leaving Thunder, Bucks off the NBA's Christmas game list has those teams feeling snubbed Oklahoma City leads the Western Conference and has a MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Milwaukee has the NBA’s leading scorer in Giannis Antetokounmpo. They were the teams that made their way to the NBA Cup final. By any measure, they’re both very good teams. And neither will play on Christmas Day this year. Bah, humbug. The NBA faces the same challenge every summer, figuring out which 10 teams will get the honor of playing on Christmas Day. But the Bucks and Thunder are right to feel snubbed. Heat lose guard Dru Smith for remainder of season with torn Achilles Miami Heat guard Dru Smith has suffered another season-ending injury, this one a torn Achilles in his left leg. It is the third time that Smith has had a season cut short since February 2022. Smith got hurt Monday night in Miami’s 110-95 win over Brooklyn. The Achilles tear was the preliminary diagnosis once he left the court for evaluation, and an MRI exam on Tuesday confirmed the severity of the injury. This injury comes 13 months after he was lost for most of the 2023-24 season with a right knee injury. Smith also saw his 2021-22 season in the G League cut short by a knee injury.
Adam Pemble, an Associated Press video journalist who covered some of the biggest global news of the past two decades, from earthquakes and conflicts to political summits and elections, has died. He was 52. Pemble died Thursday in Minneapolis surrounded by friends and family, according to his friend Mike Moe, who helped care for him in the final weeks of his fight against cancer. Known for bringing stories alive with his camera, Pemble epitomized the best of television news traditions, casting a curious and compassionate lens onto the lives of the people and communities whose stories he told. He joined the AP in 2007 in New York before moving to Prague in 2011 to help launch AP’s first cross-format operation combining photography, text stories and video. He enhanced Eastern European news coverage, creating distinctive stories highlighting the region's culture and society. “Adam was an incredibly talented and passionate journalist and an empathetic storyteller. He had this amazing ability to get anyone to talk to him on camera, which I attribute to the Midwestern charm he embodied throughout his life." said Sara Gillesby, AP’s Director of Global Video and Pemble’s former manager in New York when he joined the AP. "He was the best of us.” Pemble was born in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, in 1972 and grew up in Minneapolis. After graduating with a degree in mass communications from Minnesota State University Moorhead, he started his journalism career in 1997 at KVLY, a television station in Fargo, North Dakota, and later worked at WCCO in Minneapolis. “He had the skills of the old-school camera people to meet a deadline and turn a beautiful story,” said Arthur Phillips, a cameraman who worked with Pemble at WCCO. “But he had a calling for greater things.” Moving to New York, Pemble covered some of the biggest stories in the city, including the trial of Bernie Madoff, interviews with former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and with then-real estate developer, now U.S. president-elect, Donald Trump. He went to Haiti to cover the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, where he captured shocking images of devastation. A few weeks later he was in Vancouver, covering the Winter Olympics. With his transfer to Prague, Pemble quickly became the go-to video journalist deployed to the biggest news events in Europe, interviewing government leaders, covering violent protests, the aftermath of terror attacks and numerous national elections across the continent. “An inquiring mind, a keen eye and a healthy skepticism for those in power who tried to spin away from truth all combined to make Adam’s stories as rich in color as he was in character," said Sandy MacIntyre, former AP head of global video. "Time and again he was asked to do the impossible and without fail he delivered the exceptional.” ”But more than all of that, he was the colleague and friend you wanted by your side because if Adam was there we knew we were going to be the winning team.” As civil unrest rocked Ukraine in 2014, Pemble reported from Kyiv and later Donetsk, where he covered the first Russian-backed demonstrations before spending weeks in Crimea during Russia's annexation of the strategic peninsula. His video reports included the last remaining Ukrainian sailors loyal to Kyiv finally abandoning their ship and coming ashore. With the Russian national anthem playing from a car in the background, his final shot showed two distraught sailors heckled as they walked away. Pemble returned to Ukraine following Russia's invasion of the country in 2022. Among his many assignments was filming the exclusive March 2023 AP interview by Executive Editor Julie Pace with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a train shuttled them across Ukraine to cities near some of the fiercest fighting. “Adam showed up to every assignment with enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to his work and his colleagues. He loved what he did, and so many of us at AP are better for having worked alongside him,” Pace said. When not deployed overseas, Pemble set his camera's gaze on his new home in the Czech Republic, offering insight into the traditions and unique stories of Eastern Europe. From Christmas carp fishing at sunrise to graffiti artists in Prague, to the intimate story of a Slovak priest challenging the celibacy rules of the Catholic Church, he brought his unmistakable style. He worked with a traditional large broadcast camera in an era where many video shooters shifted to smaller, lighter cameras. He always put himself in the right place to let reality unfold like “an old school analog painter in an often fast and furious digital age,” former AP cameraman Ben Jary recalled. Pemble's interest in visual storytelling led to experimenting with new technologies, including aerial videography. In 2015, he was the first major news agency camera operator to film live drone footage when reporting on the migration crisis in the Balkans. An avid gardener who planted trees and chilis on his rooftop in Prague, he was adventurous in the kitchen and especially proud of his vegan “meatloaf,” friends said. He loved a seedy dive bar as much as a Michelin restaurant, and foods as varied as charcoal choux pastry with truffle creme and his favorite road trip junk food, Slim Jim’s jerky and Salted Nut Rolls. Pemble’s wit, wisdom, energy and positivity enriched the lives and experiences of those around him, friends and colleagues recalled. “If someone asked me to see a picture of quiet strength and courage, dignity and grace, and most of all kindness, I would show them a picture of a man for all seasons," said Dan Huff, a Washington-based AP video journalist, "I would show them a picture of Adam Pemble."SEC THIS WEEK
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It was a perfect measuring stick for a team still trying to find itself a quarter of the way through a season that isn’t going the way anyone expected. Bring in one of the best teams in the NHL, turn them loose in Rogers Place and let’s see where the inexplicably average stand. Turns out they didn’t stand at all. They got rolled over. They weren’t good enough. And they didn’t play hard enough. The Minnesota Wild schooled them on both counts Thursday. Despite the Oilers getting more gifts than a rich kid whose birthday falls on Christmas, the Wild still beat them for fun in a 5-3 victory that everyone in the place knew was more like 6-1. Minnesota had one goal taken off the board and another disallowed while Edmonton had one goal go in off a Wild skate and another beat Marc-Andre Fleury from 160 feet away. And the game still wasn’t close. There is no sugar-coating it: The gap between the Oilers and the best teams in the league is disturbingly large. Against opponents with winning records, Edmonton has just two wins in 10 tries (2-6-2), beating Calgary and Vancouver and losing to Winnipeg, Calgary, Dallas, Carolina, Jersey, Vegas, Toronto and Minnesota by a combined score of 33-12. “I don’t think we’ve played close to our potential many nights,” said defenceman Mattias Ekholm. “We know we played a lot better hockey (at their peak) last year but in order to get there it starts with the work, it starts with the defensive side of the game.” The sky isn’t falling yet. The Oilers are still hanging around a wildcard spot (10th in Western Conference winning percentage) with 61 games to go. Teams that sit 10-9-2 in mid November can still make it to the Stanley Cup Final. But teams that play like the Oilers are playing right now don’t make it past the first round. “I definitely believe in this team,” said head coach Kris Knoblauch, who has no other choice. “I think we should be better than our record, but it’s a hard game. You need good players, but you need good players working hard. Collectively, we can do more.” That’s the issue right now. In the hard areas of the ice, Edmonton isn’t hard enough. “We talk about that all the time,” said 39-year-old winger Corey Perry, who is third among Oilers forwards in goals this year with four. “The (other) goalies are seeing too many shots and we’re trying to be too cute playing the perimeter game. It just doesn’t work.” Remember at the start of the season when Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner came to Edmonton, joining Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman as wingmen for and Leon Draisaitl? And the Oilers had the best top six in the NHL? Well, it’s 21 games in and after you get past McDavid and Draisaitl four of the next five leading scorers on this team are defencemen. After McDavid and Draisaitl, the forward with the most five-on-five points is third line winger Mattias Janmark. Arvidsson, who can’t seem to stay healthy, is injured, Skinner has bounced through all four lines already and Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins are a rumour, combining for four even-strength goals (two each) in 41 man games. “Overall, we have to find ways to score goals,” said Knoblauch. “You need skill to do that but you also need some grit, simplifying your game and going hard to the net.” Knoblauch wonders if some of his forwards are getting caught up in the McDavid-Draisaitl hype and forgetting what it takes to score goals when you aren’t one of the best players in the world. “We have incredibly skilled players who can make those plays,” Knoblauch said of his two lead dogs. “And when you’re playing with those guys and you see them doing it, sometimes the other players get mistaken identity and try that extra pass and play on the perimeter rather than shooting for a rebound and getting to the net. It’s little things like that.” It’s a similar theme around Edmonton’s net, where opposing players are setting up shop with very little resistance. “In the defensive zone it’s not being able to close things out and also losing battles around the net, the most important area,” said Knoblauch. “All (Minnesota’s) goals were five or 10 feet away from the blue paint. I don’t think we did enough to get there and defensively we didn’t do a good enough job boxing out.” And, in goal, Stuart Skinner ranks 52nd in the NHL in save percentage out of 60 goalies who’ve played five or more games this year. On a team that can’t score and isn’t committed enough around its own net, this is the last straw. “He’s not playing the level he was last year,” said Knoblauch. “Last year I thought he was one of the top goaltenders and if he had a bad game it was turned around the next night.” But while Skinner hasn’t been good enough, the Oilers are also not an easy team to be a goalie on. “For a goalie to play well we have to be more predictable for him,” said Knoblauch. “What kind of shots are we giving up? Where are they coming from? Taking away the high danger shots. Tonight was not a predictable game for a goaltender to turn his game around.” So the mystery continues. Is this another slow start that’s going to be wiped from the memory banks when the real show up and start tearing through the league? Or is this it? Is this who they are now? E-mail:Donkey named Wonder gets new prosthetic leg for ChristmasAs U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher looked ahead to the next Women's World Cup in 2027, she calculated what that would look like at her age. Now 36, she already has a World Cup title and won an Olympic gold medal this year in France. She considered the mental, physical and emotional toll of a new cycle and decided it was time to step away . “Honestly, I think I’ve been somebody that has given everything I’ve had to this team. I don’t do anything halfway. It’s kind of, if you can give 100% to it, then keep going," she said. “With that in mind, I kind of just felt like this was the right time coming off of the Olympics, having the year that we had, entering into a new cycle, a new stage for this team.” Naeher is the latest veteran to announce she's stepping down from the national team as the next generation takes over under coach Emma Hayes. Among those who have wrapped up their soccer careers in the past couple of years include World Cup winners Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Kelley O'Hara and Ali Krieger. Naeher will be with the team for two more matches in the coming week. The Americans play England at Wembley Stadium on Saturday and then the Netherlands in The Hague on Tuesday. Naeher said she's excited about the next generation of goalkeepers. In addition to Naeher, Mandy Haught of the Utah Royals and Phallon Tullis-Joyce of Manchester United are on the roster for the upcoming matches. Other goalkeepers who have been on recent rosters include Casey Murphy and Jane Campbell. “I think the beauty of goalkeeping is that it’s not really a one-size-fits-all kind of position," she said. "The more that you can understand — that's going to be the challenge any young goalkeeper coming up, is really taking the time to understand what your strengths are and make them really, really elite and separate yourself.” Naeher spoke on Wednesday from London after announcing her retirement on social media Monday . Naeher made her senior debut with the national team in 2014 and was a backup to Hope Solo at the 2015 World Cup, which the United States won. She became the team’s regular starter following the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and was on the squad that repeated as World Cup winners in 2019. Naeher won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 before the U.S. earned gold this year in Paris. She made a key one-handed save in stoppage time to preserve the Americans’ 1-0 victory over Brazil in the Olympic final. For her career, Naeher has appeared 113 games with 110 starts, 88 wins and 68 shutouts. She had four shutouts over the course of the Olympic tournament in France. While she's leaving the national team, she'll play one more year for her club team, the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women's Soccer League. “I hope that I can be remembered as a good teammate, as a competitor, as somebody that was looked on as someone that could be relied upon on the field and supported those players around me,” she said. “I think it’s just been a really special team to be a part of. And I’m very proud of what we have been able to accomplish over the years.”