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Drought, fires and deforestation battered Amazon rainforest in 2024Hamilton foodbank supports hundreds of families over busy Christmas period
More innocent childhood games are about to take a sinister turn as "Squid Game" . The second season, which debuts this week, will see Gi-hun, or Player 456, reentering the deadly game in which unwitting Korean citizens are forced to gamble with their lives for a big cash prize. This time, though, Gi-hun has a plan: . Netflix for the uber-popular , which inspired a late last year. And more "Squid Game" is on the way, as creator Hwang Dong-hyuk had confirmed that a is expected to be released in 2025. Here's what to know about the second season of "Squid Game" and how to watch all seven episodes. Season 2 of "Squid Game" releases Thursday, Dec. 26. Both seasons of "Squid Game," as well as its reality competition counterpart, " ," stream exclusively on Netflix. begin at $6.99 a month, which includes ads. Cost for a Netflix subscription runs as high as $22.99, which is the platform's premium ad-free tier that includes unlimited movies and shows streaming in 4K ultra high-definition. returns as Gi-hun after for the role in 2022, becoming the first Asian actor to win the lead actor in a drama series award. According to , other returning cast members for Season 2 include: as Detective Hwang Jun-ho as the Front Man as the Recruiter New cast members for Season 2 include:AREQUIPA, Peru – The Cuban Regime Strengthens Political Ties with China and Agrees to Boost Cybersecurity, Education, and Research. The matter came to light this weekend during the visit to Cuba by General Commissioner Wang Xiaohong, State Counsel and Minister of Public Security of China, who was received in Havana by Raúl Castro and Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel. A report from the official newspaper Granma highlighted Wang Xiaohong’s meeting with Díaz-Canel, where both parties expressed interest in coordinating their propaganda apparatus. They discussed the “support for confronting the policies of cultural and hegemonic colonization, as well as subversion, imposed by the empire on our nations.” In this regard, the Cuban regime emphasized “the support that has been given to systematic, stable cooperation between the public security ministries of both countries, addressing issues of mutual interest and facing common challenges, including the need to enhance cybersecurity.” Meanwhile, during the exchange with Raúl Castro, the nonagenarian leader of Cuba’s Communist Party expressed gratitude to China for its “timely collaboration” in light of “the complex situation facing the island.” According to the state-run Prensa Latina , the allies expanded their cooperation this weekend in education, training, academic research, and scientific collaboration by signing memorandums of understanding on these topics. The Higher School of State and Government Officials of Cuba (ESCEGC, by its Spanish acronym) and several universities from China’s Hunan province signed these agreements as part of the recently concluded Public Administration Management Seminar for Latin American Countries. The Cuban delegation signed memorandums with institutions such as the School of Administration, the School of the Cities, the Vocational Railway School, the Professional School of Non-Ferrous Metals Technology, and the Professional School of Environmental Technology in Changsha, all based in Hunan province. Cuba-China Relations: A Cause for Concern In late October, U.S. authorities expressed “concern” over the strengthening ties between the Cuban regime and the autocratic powers of Russia and China, following the recent BRICS summit—a bloc of nations seeking to challenge Western dominance in the global political and economic landscape. “We remain concerned about Russia’s and the People’s Republic of China’s activities with Cuba, and we continue to take steps to counter them,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson told Martí Noticias . U.S. media outlets, such as The Wall Street Journal , have reported increasingly close relations between Cuba and China. The newspaper even claimed months ago that Chinese military bases were being built on the island and that Russian spies were operating in Cuba to monitor U.S. military activities in the region. “We remain confident in our ability to fulfill all our security commitments at home and in the region,” the State Department spokesperson stated, reaffirming Washington’s position amid growing tensions and the need to safeguard U.S. interests against the potential influence of external actors like Russia and China. Nevertheless, the State Department representative emphasized that the Cuban government has the right to “choose the countries or groups with which it wishes to associate,” even if such alliances raise concerns in Washington. Sigue nuestro canal de WhatsApp . Recibe la información de CubaNet en tu celular a través de Telegram.Brutal body camera footage shows a handcuffed inmate being beaten unconscious by prison guards before he’s stripped down to his underwear — a fatal attack that’s now under investigation by New York’s top prosecutor. The sickening recordings were made public by Attorney General Letitia James Friday showing three correction officers repeatedly punching, kicking and stomping on Robert Brooks in an examination room on Dec. 9 at upstate prison Marcy Correctional Facility. Brooks, 43, who was serving time for assault, died of injuries the next day. It’s unclear what sparked the beatdown. “My deepest condolences to out to Mr. Brooks’ family,” James said at a press conference Friday. “I do not take lightly the release of this video especially in the middle of the holiday season.” But she added that she has a “duty and responsibility” to provide the public with the video. The videos, taken from four jail guards, show the officers surrounding Brooks, who was handcuffed from behind, in the exam room before three of them begin punching him in the face and stomach and even stomping him in his lower torso area. Several other officers could be seen standing by doing nothing despite Brooks having blood streaming down the right side of his swollen face. During the approximately 30-minute incident, Brooks was roughly handled, with one guard appearing to hold him in a chokehold for a moment as he was forced to sit up on the exam table. At one point, Brooks is brought to the wall where officers hold him there for a while, though the officers’ bodies obscure what is happening. Brooks was eventually brought back to the exam table where he was stripped down to his underwear appearing unconscious and limp, the video shows. None of the videos include any sound since the cameras were only in standby mode, James explained. Brooks was eventually taken to Wynn Hospital in Utica and declared dead from “asphyxia due to compression of the neck,” in the early morning of Dec. 10, Syracuse.com reported, citing the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office . James said her officer is “investigating this case thoroughly” and said her team met with Brooks’ family so they could review the footage of what happened. Brooks had been transferred from Mohawk Correctional Facility in Rome, NY to Marcy Correctional Facility roughly 12 miles away the day of the incident, James said. Brooks was serving a 12-year sentence after he was convicted of first-degree assault in 2017 for stabbing his girlfriend multiple times, the Democrat & Chronicle reported at the time . The state corrections Commissioner Daniel Martuscello III said he was “deeply repulsed and nauseated” by what he saw in the footage. “There is no excuse and no rationalization for a vulgar, inhumane act that senselessly took a life,” Martuscello said. He said the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision was conducting an internal probe and that they would be implementing changes “to ensure that nothing like this can ever happen again within our facilities.” The commissioner also said, at Gov. Kathy Hochul’s request, he began the process of firing those involved and so far had suspended 13 staffers without pay. One employee resigned, he said. “This was a killing, and people will be held accountable,” Martuscello said. “These individuals are not representative of the culture of DOCCS nor anything that DOCCS stands for.” Rev. Al Sharpton condemned the “horrifying” attack of Brooks and called for criminal charges to be mounted against them. “These officers clearly thought they were within their right to hit Brooks in the stomach with the heel of a boot, level punches at his face or torso, and throw him around like a ragdoll — all with his hands behind his back.” Sharpton said. “Their actions in this tape not only justify their firing but should merit appropriate criminal charges.” Officials in New York City increased security on Rikers Island in anticipation of the footage getting released as the Gorilla Stone Bloods came out supporting Brooks on social media, according to law enforcement sources who it raised concerns this could stir up unrest in the city jail. Brooks is not a member of the gang. A lawyer for Brooks’ family didn’t immediately return a request for comment Friday. Additional reporting by Larry Celona
PITTSBURGH — The decorations outside Acrisure Stadium suggested Christmas. The play on the field by the home team hinted at another holiday entirely. Groundhog Day. Like Bill Murray in the iconic movie — set about 90 minutes northeast of Pittsburgh in Punxsutawney — it’s not that the Steelers are reliving the same day (or in their case, season) over and over exactly. It’s that no matter what plan they come up with in a frantic effort to get to the other side, they seem to end up right back where they started. Competitive sure. But a contender? Ehhhh. Despite a series of aggressive moves — particularly on offense — that was considerably “unSteeler-like” in the offseason, Pittsburgh finds itself in familiar territory following a 29-10 loss to Kansas City on Wednesday: likely heading on the road in the first round of the playoffs, perhaps as a considerable underdog. While there is still time for Pittsburgh (10-6) to turn it around before a first-round playoff game on the second weekend in January, it’s running out quickly. So too is the patience of those weary of being stuck on the treadmill of “good but hardly great” for far too long. Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith — who is 0-3 in the postseason since being drafted in 2020 — wondered aloud afterward if there’s enough “want to” on the roster. Safety DeShon Elliott bemoaned communication issues that have cropped up, the kind of thing that is tolerable in Week 2, not so much in Week 17. Coach Mike Tomlin described a performance against the Chiefs in which his team was outclassed at seemingly every turn “junior varsity.” That may be being charitable. And while the offense certainly has its issues (see below), the reality is the NFL’s highest-paid defense has lost its way during a three-game slide that has dimmed the considerable optimism that surrounded the club after Thanksgiving. Pittsburgh is allowing an average of 402 yards during the skid and while the Chiefs seemed to have plenty of juice at the end of the same three games in 11 days stretch the Steelers endured, their opponents appeared to be gassed. Patrick Mahomes did whatever he wanted as usual and Pittsburgh failed to get a single sack or produce a turnover. There were opportunities. Linebacker Mark Robinson forced a fumble on a punt return only to see someone in red-and-white fall on the loose ball. Linebacker Patrick Queen let a tipped pass in Kansas City territory fall through his arms for an incompletion. Earlier in the season, Pittsburgh was making those plays. Though it should be noted, the competition then wasn’t on the scale of what it has faced against Philadelphia, Baltimore and the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. The road has gotten considerably harder, just as the Steelers knew it would when the schedule was released in May. Like Phil Connors in “Groundhog Day,” however, knowing what’s coming and being able to navigate it are two different things. It took Connors a while to figure things out — anywhere from a few months to 25 or more years depending on who you ask — Pittsburgh doesn’t have eternity to get it right if it wants to avoid a quick first-round playoff exit for the fourth time in five years. It has just over two weeks. And the clock is ticking. Maybe all the way back to 6 a.m. Because it sure looks like it’s Groundhog Day. Again. What’s working Not much. One of the few bright spots on a difficult day was the 36-year-old Russell Wilson’s ability to make plays with his feet. He ran for a season-high 55 yards, his best single-game total since September 2023. What needs help One of the reasons Wilson had to run is because on some plays, he had no choice while playing behind a youth-laden offensive line that looks as if it is wearing down late in the season. The Chiefs sacked Wilson five times — some of which, to be clear, were because of Wilson’s indecisiveness — even with perennial Pro Bowl defensive end Chris Jones out while nursing a calf injury. Pittsburgh wants to be a team that imposes itself physically on the opponent. That has simply not happened during the current slide. The opponents have dictated the terms, particularly along the line of scrimmage. Turning that around this deep into a season may be a difficult ask. Stock up Jaylen Warren is becoming the more dynamic option at running back. Warren has 37 touches for 212 yards during the three-game slide, while Najee Harris has 31 touches for 144 yards. Harris could become a free agent in March after the Steelers declined to pick up his fifth-year option. While Harris — who has topped 1,000 yards rushing in each of his first four seasons — certainly has a future in the NFL, it seems increasingly likely that it will be elsewhere. Stock down Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. His egalitarian approach to play-calling allows everyone to get involved. That’s not a bad thing during the dog days in the middle of the season. It keeps players at all levels of the depth chart engaged and adds wrinkles opponents need to account for. Yet in the final weeks, the ball should be finding its way to the established difference-makers more frequently. Calling a run for Cordarrelle Patterson — the league’s oldest running back — on third-and-3 near midfield as Smith did late in the first half makes little sense. Injuries Perhaps the most jarring thing about Pittsburgh’s swoon is that the Steelers are generally healthy. Sure, they missed cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (knee) against Kansas City, but the rest of the 21 starters on offense and defense were in the lineup. Key number 0. The number of opening-drive touchdowns scored by the Steelers this season. For a group that has trouble “warming up to the game” as Tomlin likes to say, consistently being put in a position to play from behind against quality teams such as the ones Pittsburgh will see in the playoffs is inadvisable. Next steps Rest up, heal up and try to find a way to restore some of its swagger ahead of a meeting with AFC North rival Cincinnati on the first weekend in January. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad
Unionized Starbucks workers protested Christmas Eve, including in Davenport, asking for higher wages. Employees at the Davenport location on the corner of 53rd Street and Elmore Avenue picketed outside the location Tuesday morning, joining in a days long picket that has been making its way across the country. Starting Dec. 20, union workers started protesting at some of the franchise's largest locations in Seattle, Los Angeles and Chicago, with additional locations joining the strike each day since. Starbucks employees picket on the sidewalk next to the 53rd Street and Elmore location on Tuesday, Dec. 24, in Davenport. Starbucks Workers United is advocating for higher, more livable wages. On social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, the Starbucks Workers United union called it "the strike before Christmas." Among the complaints is that Starbucks is not holding up its end of the bargain by securing livable wages for employees. "Baristas are making the brave decision to strike because Starbucks backtracks on the path forward," a subsequent post read. "We’re protesting Starbucks’ failure to bring viable economic proposals to the bargaining table and to resolve hundreds of outstanding unfair labor practice charges." Alexis Miller, a union barista in Davenport, said the union was able to negotiate a $15 minimum wage last year and yearly raises for employees based on how long they were with the company. However, Miller called the percentages "pathetic" and said the average raise at the Davenport store was about 30 cents. The 53rd Street and Elmore Starbucks location, which unionized just this past May, joined many locations across the country in protesting for higher wages. "Which does not even keep up with inflation at this point," she said. In a statement on X, the union said Starbucks has proposed no immediate wage increase for union baristas but guaranteed 1.5% wage increases in future years. For a worker receiving $15 an hour, that's an increase of 23 cents. The union has doubled down on its request, claiming CEO Brian Niccol’s compensation package is worth $57,000 an hour while employees are receiving raises worth mere cents. Starbucks released a statement on Dec. 20 , claiming the unions ask was not feasible, considering the high pay and benefits employees already receive. Many passersby honked their horns and waved in solidarity during a picket at the Starbucks at 53rd Street and Elmore Avenue in Davenport on Tuesday, Dec. 24. "Workers United proposals call for an immediate increase in the minimum wage of hourly partners by 64%, and by 77% over the life of a three-year contract," the statement read. "These proposals are not sustainable, especially when the investments we continually make to our total benefits package are the hallmarks of what differentiates us as an employer — and, what makes us proud to work at Starbucks." In May, the Davenport store became the second in Iowa to unionize . An Iowa City store voted unanimously last May to make the move and was also reportedly striking Tuesday. Starbucks barista Alexis Miller chats with a customer at the drive thru menu while on strike on Tuesday, Dec. 24, in Davenport. Miller said it may seem unprecedented for fast food workers to be striking, but all workers deserve a living wage and to be heard by their employer. “I just want people to know that we can fight for better," she said. "This isn’t a typical union industry, but I would love for people to start seeing the possibilities in that; that everybody deserves better working conditions and higher wages and more autonomy in their work place.” Compensation is one of the most notable differences between unionized and non-unionized workers, as unions are often able to negotiate for higher wages. And as unions’ influence has declined over time, so too has the gap in compensation between union and non-union employee wages. At the height of unionization in the late 1970s and early 1980s, union members made over 30% more per hour than their non-union counterparts. Today, union members continue to earn more than non-union workers, but the gap between the two is just 11%. The new growth in union membership is unlikely to return the U.S. to historic levels of unionization, and union representation will continue to be stronger in some industries than others. Certain sectors of the economy have significantly higher rates of union membership than others, including transportation, utilities, public administration, and education. At the highest end, some industries have union membership rates greater than 50%. The data used in this analysis is from Unionstats.com . Researchers at Smartest Dollar calculated the union membership rate for 247 industries, ranking them from highest to lowest. In the event of a tie, the industry with the greater union coverage rate was ranked higher. Here are the most unionized industries. Photo Credit: Viewfoto studio / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Zivica Kerkez / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Feoktistoff / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Ground Picture / Shutterstock Photo Credit: LightField Studios / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Ryan DeBerardinis / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Billion Photos / Shutterstock After decades of declining power and influence, organized labor in the U.S. is making a comeback. The COVID-19 pandemic has set off a number of shifts in the labor market that have given workers more power. Labor participation rates fell sharply early in the pandemic and still have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels. The Great Resignation saw millions of workers leave their jobs in search of better pay or working conditions. With the labor market still tight, employers have struggled to recruit and retain employees. In this context, workers have been organizing at rates not seen in decades. One of the most high-profile examples is the union drive at Starbucks stores across the U.S. over the last year. Around 250 Starbucks locations have voted to unionize since the first Starbucks union formed in Buffalo, NY late in 2021. Employees at other major companies have also attempted unionization, including retail and factory workers at Apple and Amazon . And the trend extends to white collar industries like tech, academia, and media, where unionization has historically been limited. According to the National Labor Relations Board , 1,522 votes on unionization have taken place so far in 2022. This is the highest number of union elections since 2015 and an increase of more than 50% over 2021. The recent uptick in unionization could begin to reverse a decades-long decline in union membership rates. The peak of union membership over the last 50 years was in 1979, when 24.1% of American workers were union members. That figure has since fallen by more than half, with only 10.3% of workers in a union as of 2021. In raw numbers, there are nearly 7 million fewer union members in the U.S. now than there were in the late 1970s. Recent trends in unionization are significant to bother workers and employers. Unionization and collective bargaining materially affect the compensation and working conditions that workers experience, for better or for worse. In turn, these factors can affect employers’ ability to staff their businesses and the overhead costs they must pay to operate. Photo Credit: Andrey Armyagov / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Sergey Nemirovsky / Shutterstock Photo Credit: mavo / Shutterstock Photo Credit: People Image Studio / Shutterstock Photo Credit: DedMityay / Shutterstock Photo Credit: ersin ergin / Shutterstock Photo Credit: LeManna / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Drazen Zigic / Shutterstock Photo Credit: Billion Photos / Shutterstock Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
US to send $1.25 billion in weapons to Ukraine, pushing to get aid out before Biden leaves office WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say the United States is expected to announce it will send another $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine. It's part of a push by the Biden administration to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20. Officials say the large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155 mm- and 105 mm artillery rounds. The officials say they expect the announcement will be made on Monday. They spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in the president-elect’s political movement into public display. The argument previews fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — that is, wealthy members of the tech world who want more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, a deputy national security adviser, said Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. Warren Upton, the oldest living survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor, dies at 105 HONOLULU (AP) — The oldest living survivor of the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the last remaining survivor of the USS Utah has died. He was 105. Warren Upton died Wednesday at a hospital in Los Gatos, California. Kathleen Farley, the California state chair of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, says he suffered a bout of pneumonia. The Utah was moored at Pearl Harbor when Japanese planes began bombing the Hawaii naval base in the early hours of Dec. 7, 1941. The attack propelled the U.S. into World War II. Israeli troops forcibly remove staff and patients from northern Gaza hospital, officials say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza's Health Ministry says Israeli troops have stormed one of the last hospitals operating in the territory's north and forced many of the staff and patients outside. Then they had to remove their clothes in winter weather. Friday's incident was the latest assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital. Staff say it has been hit multiple times in the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in the surrounding neighborhoods. Israel's military says Hamas uses the hospital as a base. It did not provide evidence, and hospital officials have denied it. Azerbaijani and U.S. officials suggest plane that crashed may have been hit by weapons fire U.S. and Azerbaijani officials have said weapons fire may have brought down an Azerbaijani airliner that crashed on Wednesday, killing 38 people. The statements from Rashad Nabiyev and White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Friday raised pressure on Russia. Officials in Moscow have said a drone attack was underway in the region that the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was destined for but have not addressed statements from aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defenses responding to a Ukrainian attack. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to Chechnya on Wednesday when it crashed, killing 38 people and leaving all 29 survivors injured. Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case ATLANTA (AP) — A judge has ruled that the Georgia state Senate can subpoena Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. It's part of a inquiry into whether Willis has engaged in misconduct during her prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump. But Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shukura Ingram is giving Willis the chance to contest whether lawmakers’ demands are overly broad before Willis responds. A Republican-led committee was formed earlier this year and sent subpoenas to Willis in August seeking to compel her to testify during its September meeting and to produce scores of documents. Willis argued that the committee didn’t have the power to subpoena her. US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people Federal officials say the United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said that federally required tallies taken across the country in January found that more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless. That increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of pandemic assistance. Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness. What Snoop wants: Arizona Bowl gives NIL opportunities to players for Colorado State, Miami (Ohio) TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — When Snoop Dogg agreed to become the sponsor of the Arizona Bowl, he had a demand: It must have a NIL component. Other bowls have provided NIL chances for single players the past few years, but the Arizona Bowl is believed to be the first to offer NIL compensation to every player on both Colorado State and Miami (Ohio). The players participated in youth clinics before Saturday's game and will be compensated for their time. Alex Ovechkin is on track to break Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is chasing the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin entered the season 42 goals short of breaking a record that long seemed unapproachable. He is set to play again Saturday at the Toronto Maple Leafs after missing more than a month with a broken left fibula. Ovechkin was on pace to get to 895 sometime in February before getting injured. At 868, he his 27 goals away from passing Gretzky.Bugti committed to consensus-driven solutionsAden Holloway established career highs of 26 points and eight 3-pointers to help No. 5 Alabama roll to a 105-82 nonconference victory over South Dakota State on Sunday at Tuscaloosa, Ala. Freshman Labaron Philon had the best game of his young career with 21 points and six assists for the Crimson Tide (11-2). Mark Sears had 20 points, including 6-for-14 3-point shooting. Grant Nelson added 17 points and eight rebounds and scored the game's first eight points. Alabama coach Nate Oats has sometimes been critical of his squad's defensive effort and the second half against the Jackrabbits will provide more fuel for that concern. Alabama did connect on a season-best 19 3-point shots but also attempted 55 long-range shots (34.5 percent). The Tide also saw South Dakota State put up 49 points in the second half to keep the score relatively competitive. Alabama claimed a fifth straight win with its third 100-plus point performance of the season. South Dakota State (9-6) was led by Washington State transfer Oscar Cluff, who had 21 points and 15 rebounds, including seven offensive boards. The Jackrabbits connected on 11-for-26 3-point shooting (42.3 percent), with guard Isaac Lindsey scoring 11 points, including 3-for-6 on 3-point tries. After Nelson's personal 8-0 run to open the game, South Dakota State pulled with 16-14 on a shot by William Whorton with 11:45 to play in the opening half. But Alabama then broke the game open, going on a 24-3 run culminating in a Holloway 3-pointer to give the Tide a 40-17 edge with 7:37 left in the opening half. South Dakota State trailed 57-33 at halftime, but played a much more competitive second half offensively by connecting on 17 of 33 shots (51.5 percent). Alabama will open 2025 with a home game against No. 12 Oklahoma on Saturday. South Dakota State will host Summit Conference opponent Denver on Thursday. --Field Level Media
The Prime Minister said his younger brother, who had learning difficulties because of complications at birth, had met “all the challenges life threw at him with courage and good humour”. He died peacefully on Boxing Day, according to the Prime Minister’s spokesman. The Prime Minister had been due to go on holiday with his family on Friday, but it is understood that he will now remain at home, and hopes to join them later. Sir Keir said in a statement: “My brother Nick was a wonderful man. “He met all the challenges life threw at him with courage and good humour. We will miss him very much. “I would like to thank all those who treated and took care of Nick. Their skill and compassion is very much appreciated.” Sir Keir spoke candidly about his brother in a recent biography written by journalist and former Labour Party adviser Tom Baldwin. While growing up in Surrey, the brothers shared a bunk bed in a room with an airing cupboard, and “just enough space for a couple of small desks where we’d do our homework”. The biography recorded how each child of the Starmer family was given a dog for their 10th birthday, and Nick and his twin sister Katy received Jack Russell terriers called Greg and Ben. The book also described how their mother, Jo, had taught Nick to read, but Sir Keir remembered how the school described his brother as “remedial”. Sir Keir, the middle child of four siblings, said: “They had no expectation of him or anything and I’m not sure he even sat exams, so he had nothing to show for coming out of education. “We were a family of six, so it didn’t feel lonely and I shared a room with him, but Nick didn’t have many friends and got called ‘thick’ or ‘stupid’ by other kids.” He added: “Even now I try to avoid using words like that to describe anyone.” Nick worked on scrap cars and scaffolding, earning enough money to rent a home near where he had grown up, according to the book. It said Sir Keir was best man at Nick’s wedding, and the now Prime Minister recalled borrowing a car so his brother was not “driving his bride from the church in his beaten-up minivan, which had all his clothes in the back”. The marriage ended and Nick lived for some time in Yorkshire. In 2022, Sir Keir stepped away from local election campaigning to make several hospital visits to see his brother, who was seriously ill at the time. The Prime Minister also spoke about Nick in his speech at this year’s Labour Party conference in Liverpool. As he described his early encounters with art and culture, and the need to remove social barriers, Sir Keir told delegates: “My brother, who had difficulties learning, he didn’t get those opportunities. “Every time I achieved something in my life, my dad used to say, ‘Your brother has achieved just as much as you, Keir’. “And he was right. I still believe that.” Mr Baldwin, writing for The Times on Friday, recalled the moment in 2023 that he learned from Sir Keir that his brother was dying of lung cancer. He wrote: “This has been a huge part of his life over the past couple of years, during which he made regular trips to Leeds where his brother was in hospital. “Even during the election campaign and since he entered Downing Street, Starmer has continued to visit without a camera crew in sight. “He got to know the staff treating his brother so well that he could recite all their names and they would let him into the hospital through a back door so that there would be no publicity.” Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch was among those in the world of politics to offer their condolences. She wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “This is such awful news. Particularly devastating at Christmas time. “My sincere condolences to Keir Starmer and all his family.” Irish premier Simon Harris wrote: “My sincere sympathy to Keir Starmer and his family on such sad news. “They are in my thoughts at this difficult time.”