UConn F Alex Karaban (head) won't play vs. BaylorSouth Korea lifts president's martial law decree after lawmakers reject military rule
NEW DELHI: Representatives of National Democratic Alliance (NDA), at their meeting at BJP president J P Nadda's residence, are said to have resolved to present a united front against the opposition's recent criticism on the BR Ambedkar issue. This meeting, held on the birth centenary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saw an assembly of key figures including home minister Amit Shah, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu and leaders from various NDA constituents. The row erupted from what Shah described as a "doctored" version of his statement during a recent parliamentary session, which was leveraged by opposition parties to allege disrespect towards the Dalit icon. According to sources, Shah stressed the need for a coherent counter-narrative to dismantle what he termed an attempt by the opposition to create a "fake narrative". He said his statements were misrepresented and were aimed to sow discord and political unrest. A senior party functionary said, "The Ambedkar issue was integral to the discussion. It came up that Congress MPs did not react when Shah, in his speech in RS, made the remark. But later, Congress representative held a meeting where Rahul Gandhi was present and they decided to make the remark an issue to be highlighted. The way things progressed indicates Congress conspired to make Shah's comment an issue only to draw attention." Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword .Punjab textile exports drop 30% in 3 years; MP seeks stitch in time
She added that she wanted to “bless you all for your beautiful messages” Victoria and Shane Victoria Mary Clarke has revealed how she spent today “in bed all day crying” on the anniversary of her wedding anniversary to her late soulmate and husband Shane MacGowan. “I am not going to lie,” she posted on X this afternoon. “Getting through today has been F***ing hard!!! Been in bed all day crying my eyes out. I love you so much @ShaneMacGowan.” She added that she wanted to “bless you all for your beautiful messages.” We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. And on a hopeful note she ended the powerful message with the declaration that: “I can see a better time!!!!” alongside a series of red heart emojis. It is coming up to a year to the day since the Pogues front man passed away on November 30, 2023. Ahead of the anniversary of his death, artist and writer Victoria spoke about her loss on the Under the Grill podcast with Kevin Dundon and Caoimhe Young. Victoria had joined Kevin and Caoimhe in the kitchen to chat about the homecooked meals she loved growing up, her angel art and, of course, the love of her life. She told the podcast: “Shane is very much with me. It’s weird, sometimes I feel Shane experiencing things through me. “It’s almost like he’s going, ‘go to that movie, I want to see it’. Or ‘talk to that person’, or ‘say that joke, I want to say that joke’.” Victoria also told how she finds solace in her belief in angels and is set to display her angel paintings for the first time ever in an exhibition in Dublin. She said: “Shane would be delighted; he was always nagging me to display my art.” Victoria also spoke about how Barry Keoghan had been approached to play her late husband in a new movie about the Pogues legend. “We talked about a movie long before he died and that’s still in the works,” she told the podcast. “We did talk to Barry Keoghan about playing Shane, and he’s keen,” she added. “Barry would be good,” Kevin agreed, although Victoria admitted it was a “little bit soon to be thinking about that stuff” following the death of Shane last year. “I know there’s a couple of people who want to do tribute things. I’ve been working with a lot of different musicians on a tribute album that I find really, really healing,” she added. To hear the full chat, you can find the Under the Grill wherever you get your podcast, it’s also available on YouTube.Education policy received little to no attention during much of the presidential campaign. But, in the final phase, Donald Trump was asked during a “Fox & Friends” interview how he would fix schools. His reply: “No transgender, no operations ...There are some places, your boy leaves the school, comes back a girl.” That was a lie. But it was far from the first time Trump, the Republican Party and a wide-range of conservative activists leveraged fears related to schooling for partisan gain. Over the last three years, there has been a coordinated and intentional political strategy targeting public schools. Our team of university researchers spent the past months surveying and interviewing hundreds of school superintendents about the costs of dealing with culturally divisive conflict, such as battles over LGBTQ+ rights, teaching about race and racism, and efforts to ban books. Their answers are troubling. One in 10 were physically threatened. Many were barraged by false rumors and accusations. Two-thirds of the 467 school superintendents in our national survey reported experiencing moderate to high levels of culturally divisive conflict. School districts bear significant financial costs as a result. Security, communications, legal work and heightened staff turnover related to conflict all come with price tags and can involve redeployment of staff time. We found that the costs incurred by U.S. public schools’ responses to culturally divisive conflict totaled $3.2 billion during the 2023-24 school year alone. On average, a school district serving 10,000 students is spending nearly $500,000 a year if it is experiencing moderate levels of conflict, and more than $800,000 if conflict levels are high. The money public schools are spending on these clashes could be better spent elsewhere. With an additional $3.2 billion, it would be possible to expand the national School Breakfast Program budget by more than half — ensuring more quality and nutritious meals for students in need. Or, such funds could be used to hire an additional counselor or psychologist for every public high school in the country. After-school programs in the arts or STEM might be expanded. The possibilities are nearly endless. Aside from the sizable financial costs of conflict, there are the broader educational and societal costs. Our survey found chilling effects that are undermining education. Many educators are choosing to not engage students in discussion of issues deemed controversial. A superintendent from a rural district reported, “We are starting to get pushback when we ask kids to form their opinion,” adding that parents have told him, “I will teach my kid what to think.” But schools are a place where young people can learn how to engage in conversation with people who think differently, an important skill in our divisive society. A suburban superintendent commented: “The undermining of public trust and government operations is being intentionally inflicted on our population and many people do not realize the long-term effects this will have on our nation.” Elections don’t just have consequences; they have costs. Given the political success of fomenting cultural division, we should expect conflict campaigns aimed at our schools to continue, perhaps especially with the aid of Trump’s bully pulpit. He has said he would eliminate the Department of Education altogether. So what can be done? In our interviews with superintendents and in our work with educators broadly, we hear that they want to create schools that are welcoming and foster a sense of belonging for all students. They want young people to be able to engage with the full history of the country and with controversial issues in ways that center evidence, reflection, discussion and civility. To feature such programs in their schools, they will need broad public support. Educators need the public to be engaged and to have their backs. Parents and community members should talk regularly about what they appreciate about educators’ work and the importance of treating all students with dignity and respect. And if politicians, school board members, parents or others enact conflict campaigns to disrupt and undermine trust, it’s vital that the public speaks out against them. If local communities can help put the conflict entrepreneurs out of business, educators can focus on improving learning. Young people will feel safer and more supported. And schools might just save millions.Electricity bill for three months will be received at once in December; Know the reason
India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh, architect of economic reforms, dies at 92
A ceasefire deal that could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group won backing from Israeli leaders Tuesday, raising hopes and renewing difficult questions in a region gripped by conflict. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * A ceasefire deal that could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group won backing from Israeli leaders Tuesday, raising hopes and renewing difficult questions in a region gripped by conflict. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? A ceasefire deal that could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group won backing from Israeli leaders Tuesday, raising hopes and renewing difficult questions in a region gripped by conflict. Hezbollah leaders also signaled tentative backing for the U.S.-brokered deal, which offers both sides an off-ramp from hostilities that have driven more than 1.2 million Lebanese and 50,000 Israelis from their homes. An intense bombing campaign by Israel has killed more than 3,700 people, many of them civilians, Lebanese officials say. But while the deal, set to take effect early Wednesday, could significantly calm the tensions that have inflamed the region, it does little directly to resolve the much deadlier war that has raged in Gaza since the Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that killed 1,200 people. Hezbollah, which began firing scores of rockets into Israel the following day in support of Hamas, has previously said it would keep fighting until there was a stop to the fighting in Gaza. Here’s what to know about the tentative ceasefire agreement and its potential implications: The terms of the deal The agreement reportedly calls for a 60-day halt in fighting that would see Israeli troops retreat to their side of the border while requiring Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon. President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the deal is set to take effect at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday (9 p.m. EST Tuesday). Under the deal, thousands of Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers are to deploy to the region south of the Litani River. An international panel lead by the U.S. would monitor compliance by all sides. Biden said the deal “was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz insisted Tuesday that the military would strike Hezbollah if the U.N. peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, does not provide “effective enforcement” of the deal. Lingering uncertainty A Hezbollah leader said the group’s support for the deal hinged on clarity that Israel would not renew its attacks. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Qatari satellite news network Al Jazeera. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state” of Lebanon, he said. The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said Tuesday that Israel’s security concerns had been addressed in the deal also brokered by France. Where the fighting has left both sides After months of cross-border bombings, Israel can claim major victories, including the killing of Hezbollah’s top leader, Hassan Nasrallah, most of his senior commanders and the destruction of extensive militant infrastructure. A complex attack in September involving the explosion of hundreds of walkie-talkies and pagers used by Hezbollah was widely attributed to Israel, signaling a remarkable penetration of the militant group. The damage inflicted on Hezbollah has come not only in its ranks, but to the reputation it built by fighting Israel to a stalemate in the 2006 war. Still, its fighters managed to put up heavy resistance on the ground, slowing Israel’s advance while continuing to fire scores of rockets, missiles and drones across the border each day. The ceasefire offers relief to both sides, giving Israel’s overstretched army a break and allowing Hezbollah leaders to tout the group’s effectiveness in holding their ground despite Israel’s massive advantage in weaponry. But the group is likely to face a reckoning, with many Lebanese accusing it of tying their country’s fate to Gaza’s at the service of key ally Iran, inflicting great damage on a Lebanese economy that was already in grave condition. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. No answers for Gaza Until now, Hezbollah has insisted that it would only halt its attacks on Israel when it agreed to stop fighting in Gaza. Some in the region are likely to view a deal between the Lebanon-based group and Israel as a capitulation. In Gaza, where officials say the war has killed more than 44,000 Palestinians, Israel’s attacks have inflicted a heavy toll on Hamas, including the killing of the group’s top leaders. But Hamas fighters continue to hold scores of Israeli hostages, giving the militant group a bargaining chip if indirect ceasefire negotiations resume. Hamas is likely to continue to demand a lasting truce and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in any such deal. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas offered a pointed reminder Tuesday of the intractability of the war, demanding urgent international intervention. “The only way to halt the dangerous escalation we are witnessing in the region, and maintain regional and international stability, security and peace, is to resolve the question of Palestine,” he said in a speech to the U.N. read by his ambassador. Advertisement AdvertisementUsyk retains world titles The electrifying clash between British Tyson Fury and Ukrainian heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk was watched by millions as all three judges scored the fight in Usyk’s favour by four points. Hence, Usyk retained all four WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight boxing championship belts after beating his rival in Saudi Arabia. In the closely matched contest between the pair, the judges were unanimous in the points decision, with all three scoring the fight 116-112 in Usyk’s favour. I salute Usyk for finding gaps in Fury’s defences, and despite giving up advantages in height, weight and reach to his opponent, Usyk worked hard and smart during the rematch. He landed punches more frequently and with greater vigor and impact. When the fight concluded, Fury left the ring, disappointed at the defeat. Usyk is the first boxer to hold all four heavyweight titles simultaneously since Lennox Lewis did so in 1999. Having retained the championship belts, the 37-year-old Usyk proved that no matter how difficult it was, his will to win took him through. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu Fruit cakes Festive seasons have been around similar to previous years but I believe consumers have been deceived by very attractive packaging of Christmas cakes. The packages contain almost dry cakes with very little pieces of fruit. There are hardly any cherries, orange rinds etc. Several companies wholesale these Christmas delicacies in shops around the country with different prices. Cake lovers should not be lured by colourful packaging but enjoy delicious, moist fruit cakes come 2025. SARITA LAL, Lautoka Power and position There is a proverb which tells us: “Familiarity breeds contempt”. Sometimes, being too long in a position allows complacency to breed. In my view, the Prime Minister of Fiji, in our new constitution, should be limited to no more than two terms of four years, each. No more. A breath of fresh air can be vitalising. There are capable women and men around. Similarly, I am also of the opinion, EFL could do with a wholesome change in the position of CEO. Some modernisation could do well in Fiji’s benefit. Some up-and-coming MBA with required prerequisites, could revitalise the monopoly in power generation. Happy New Year Fiji. RONNIE CHANG , Martintar, Nadi Cabinet reshuffle Prime Minister is very frank in stating that he is loaded with extra work because some of the ministers’ performance are not up to par (FT25/12). Hence the need for a reshuffle. How can some ministers devote more time doing their actual duties when most of the times they are out of the country? And please don’t tell me it is important for them to attend to all the overseas meetings and conferences. We are not that gullible. Despite being assured that there will be a cut down on these junkets as promised during the election, nothing seems to have changed. On the contrary, the size of the delegation appears to have increased. I would urge the PM to also look into this and set ground rules for approving such travels in future. Let’s hope the PM will exercise his prerogative in reassigning the portfolios in a fair and transparent manner to the most capable members of his Cabinet so he is relieved from the nightmare of seeing the files in his sleep. SELWA NANDAN, Lautoka Flooding at Nadi Growing up I got used to referring to the Nausori airport as Luvuluvu, which in Fijian refers to the constant state of being flooded. I believe around the late 1960s major earthworks were undertaken along the Rewa River banks resulting in the flood-free status of the airport we now see. Nadi Town, being the major hub that tourists initially encounter and considering how important tourism is to Fiji, can something similar to Luvuluvu be undertaken for Nadi Town? We have to be thankful for the resilience of the businesses in Nadi, else it will become a deserted town. MAREKO VULI, Sydney, Australia April Fool’s Day? The papers are reporting that Donald Trump wants Greenland as the 51st state or as a protectorate at least. Usually, April Fool’s Day is April 1st, not December 25 but then again with some of the presents given over the decades, it’s not that certain. On the more serious side, Denmark is boosting the defence of Greenland and any increase in military action is always a worry. Does he also know that Greenland is mostly ice and Iceland is mostly green? A lot of 78-year-old seniors start to get confused easily. DENNIS FITZGERALD, Melbourne, Australia Government assistance We have seen a few stories about the Seafaring Entrepreneurial Assistance Programme under which many people have been given boats, trucks, farming equipment and the like. It is always good to see that assistance is provided to people who are driven to succeed. I suspect we will see more and more of this as the election draws closer. My personal view is that people who are most successful are self-driven and motivated and do not rely on or ask for assistance. So, it would be interesting to know how these people who are being given assistance fare in a year’s time. On what basis is this assistance assessed? Is the basis on which the assistance handed out legal and based on equality and fairness? Is this type of assistance given depending on your ethnic background? On another note, what is this fixation with wrapping the boats, trucks and equipment with reels and reels of tapa cloth? I saw a report recently where even a new gravel road was adorned with tapa cloth. When did this tradition kick in? Where was the cake and the salusalu or is it the case that I will not understand because I am a vulagi? In addition, what is the fixation about ministers and assistant ministers having pictures plastered in newspapers and social media handing out this assistance. Is that to show us what a good job they are doing? They can pretend in the pictures all they want because I believe they are doing a hopeless job. JAN NISSAR, Sydney, Australia PM’s Christmas message Two years in office, and PM Sitiveni Rabuka has gone through a lot. Age is fast catching up and the PM has had to endure a lot in taking the People’s Coalition Government forward. I thank him for his patience and steadfastness in steering the nation forward ahead of challenges posed by the rise in crime rate, cases of drug abuse, violence and murder, littering, drop in literacy and numeracy rates and rise in cost of living. As Fijians celebrated Christmas, the PM reminded Fijians that Christmas was not just a celebration, but it was a time for peace, forgiveness and unity. As he spoke about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, he reiterated how that humble beginning was a reminder of God’s desire to bring people closer to him. He added that Christmas allowed us to focus on healing, restoring relationships and coming together as a community. Furthermore, the PM urged Fijians to seek inspiration from the teachings of Jesus, focusing on reconciliation, unconditional love, kindness, selflessness, sacrifice, compassion, care for each other, and the ability to forgive and seek forgiveness. He concluded on a positive note, hoping that our beloved Fiji would continue to grow in the spirit of love, hope and reconciliation. I thank the PM for his service to our nation. Two years and two more to go! A lot has to be done in terms of addressing the pressing issues faced by many Fijians. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu Municipal council CEOs The Local Government Ministry has reportedly begun the process of recruiting individuals to take on the roles of chief executive officers across ten of Fiji’s municipal councils. I believe the individuals who are to be appointed had applied in accordance with the advertisement. According to the advertisement, these leadership positions are critical for ensuring the efficient delivery of municipal services, overseeing transformative projects and spearheading key reforms. It is to be noted that most of the CEO positions have been vacant for a while because of the departure and expiry of contracts of individuals who had been there. It is good to know that the positions were publicly advertised which gives everyone a fair chance and opportunity to apply. The advertisement highlighted that the ministry is seeking candidates who could drive municipal operations toward modernisation, address community needs and promote sustainable practices. The councils seeking new CEOs are: Ba, Labasa, Lami, Lautoka, Levuka, Nadi, Tavua, Rakiraki, Savusavu. As a ratepayer, I am pleased to know that this process was taking place finally. Last but not the least, we hope that only the best candidates and candidates who are appropriately experienced and qualified are selected. We have seen enough of appointments made along party lines. Please don’t do that. SURESH CHAND, Nadi Thank you WHY should I say thank you today if I’m hoping for the best tomorrow, for you and I. AREKI DAWAI, Suva Difficult two years A VERY difficult two years, says PM (FT 25/12) of governing the country under a Coalition Government. Their consolation is the hefty pay rise they were able to give themselves. I believe the last two years were so much more difficult for the ordinary people of Fiji from what I gather from the public reaction to the quality of political leadership and governance in Fiji. Is the “people-centred” Rabuka government aware of that? RAJEND NAIDU, Sydney, Australia Rainy Christmas SUBSTANTIAL rainfall is anticipated in the western region this Christmas season. Given the current nationwide flash flooding and heavy precipitation, caution is advised. I urge everyone to prioritise safety and support one another during this time. JAHEED BUKSH, Sigatoka There is tomorrow SHALL we indulge in alcohol consumption on December 31 like there is no tomorrow? While there is reason to celebrate the coming of another year, let us be reasonable and make the work of our law enforcement officers easier and more importantly, our neighbours deserve a safe environment. By the way, may 2025 bring forth opportunities and challenges which allow us and our families to grow from strength to strength. FLOYD ROBINSON, Mirconesia Damaged ships MY request to the Coalition Government to stop handing new multi-million dollar Navy vessels to the Fiji military and Navy until they can first demonstrate that they not only have the capacity but also the discipline and the maturity to be entrusted with a significant national asset. SAVERIO BALEIKANACEA , Delainavesi, Lami Holding office ARE there any current female or male politicians around the globe that have a naughty video or pictures available publicly, but are still holding onto office? AREKI DAWAI, Suva Unkept resolutions IF resolutions are meant to be broken, then you’re just making them in jest, so when you make a list of them, you’re just adding to the long pile instead. Just do what you can, honestly and diligently, promises will remain just that, unless you’ll follow them up faithfully! EDWARD BLAKELOCK, Pacific Harbour
26 Nov 2024 What is Labour’s new ‘Back to Work’ plan? Paul McNamara Senior Political Correspondent The Government has unveiled its £240 million plan to tackle economic inactivity – promising to build a country “where those who can work, will work”. The plans include substantial reforms to job centres and more capacity within the NHS to clear waiting lists – with hopes that people on sick leave will get back into the workforce. The Conservatives said Labour wasn’t willing to take the kind of tough decisions needed to reduce welfare spending. Share on Facebook Share Share on Twitter Tweet Share on WhatsApp Send Share on WhatsApp Send Share on WhatsApp Email Load more share optionsPM With A Maruti 800 Heart: Asim Arun’S Tribute To Dr Singh’S Simplicity
Aaron Judge won his second career American League MVP award on Thursday, for a season that might have been even more impressive than the 62-homer campaign that won him his first. The New York Yankees star was voted the unanimous winner by the 30-person BBWAA voting body, his first time receiving every first-place vote. In 2022, he lost two votes to Shohei Ohtani, . The voting was also unanimous for second place, with Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals sweeping the second-place votes. Judge's teammate Juan Soto, Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles and José Ramírez of the Cleveland Guardians all received third-place votes. Judge joins Mickey Mantle (1956) as the only Yankees players to win MVP unanimously. It was an extraordinary season for Judge, who posted career highs in all three slash line numbers at .322/.458/.701 while clubbing 58 home run, four short of his AL homer record and what many consider to be the clean record. He still joined Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Babe Ruth and Ken Griffey Jr. as the only players with multiple 55-homer seasons, . All of that history makes it easy to forget that Judge had a slow enough start to the season that some observers were worrying the 32-year-old was beginning to show signs of age. At the end of April, he was hitting .207/.340/.414 with a 27% strikeout rate and only six homers. Those worries went away quickly. Over the next 98 games, Judge hit an unfathomable .376/.506/.846 with a homer in more than 10% of his plate appearances. No MLB hitter is more feared than Judge when he's on. Of course, that wasn't the narrative around him once the playoffs began. Judge had a regular season to remember, and a postseason to forget. The latter didn't affect the MVP voting, as the BBWAA submits its votes before the playoffs begin. In this case, the system created some awkwardness. After entering the 2024 playoffs with a reputation for choking in the postseason, Judge further hurt himself with a .184/.344/.408 performance across 14 games. It didn't stop the Yankees from reaching the World Series, but it sure was costly in a Fall Classic where Judge was billed as a marquee star alongside Ohtani. The Dodgers superstar also underperformed, but he . Judge's struggles were his own and they were very visible, especially in Game 5. It looked like Judge had finally found his swing in the elimination game when he went yard in the first inning, but that step forward was completely wiped out in what might go down as the most embarrassing inning for a team in World Series history. With runners on first and second with no outs, Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman hit an easy fly ball straight to Judge in center field. Judge took a few step forwards, stuck his glove out and then bobbled it, loading the bases and setting the table for the Yankees to blow a five-run lead. Subsequent replay showed Judge's eyes moving to Dodgers baserunner Kiké Hernández, who had moved aggressively off first base, right before the ball arrived. Judge was clearly trying to figure out if he could pull off a double play, but he ended up making the mistake ever Little Leaguer is warned about it. He took his eye off the ball. You know what happened after that. A bounced throw from Anthony Volpe, Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rizzo assuming the other would cover first base, a pair of two-run hits for the Dodgers to tie the game and, a few innings later, Walker Buehler ending the series with a scoreless ninth. A superstar underperforming in the playoffs is not a new narrative in baseball, but that performance is going to haunt Judge for years, and the only way to banish it is probably to come through in October. Whether or not Judge can handle the pressure in October, the bigger task for the Yankees at this point is surrounding him with enough talent to at least make it a question again. Priority No. 1 will be re-signing Juan Soto, the player who hit in front of Judge the entire season. , and the Yankees don't have much of a back-up plan if Soto is lured by another team with big pockets, such as the Dodgers or New York Mets. Even if the Yankees re-sign Soto, they still need to figure out their infield after declining their option on starting first baseman Anthony Rizzo and watching second baseman Gleyber Torres hit free agency. Key relievers Clay Holmes and Tommy Kahnle are also free agents, as is left-fielder Alex Verdugo, though the Yankees have an in-house replacement for the latter with top prospect Jasson Dominguez. Judge remains under contract for the Yankees at $40 million per year through the 2031 season. The end might have been disappointing, but 2024 was still a step forward for New York with its first World Series appearance since its title in 2009. The journey still goes on, and the Yankees are going to be relying on their captain to lead them further.Big Ten could place four teams in playoff, thanks to IU's rise
MAPUTO, Mozambique — At least 6,000 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Mozambique’s capital on Christmas Day after a rebellion, the country's police chief said, as widespread post-election riots and violence continue to engulf the country. Thirty-three prisoners died and 15 others were injured during a confrontation with the security forces, the police chief Bernardino Rafael added. The prisoners fled during violent protests , that have seen police cars, stations and general public infrastructure destroyed after the country’s Constitutional Council confirmed the ruling Frelimo party as the winner of the Oct.9 elections. The escape from the Maputo Central Prison, located 14 km southwest of the capital, started around midday Wednesday after “agitation” by a “group of subversive protesters” nearby, Rafael said, adding that prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from prison warders and started freeing other detainees. “A curious fact is that in that prison we had 29 convicted terrorists, who they released. We are worried, as a country, as Mozambicans, as members of the defense and security forces,” said Rafael. “They (protestors) were making noise demanding that they be able to remove the prisoners who are there serving their sentences”, said Rafael, adding that the protests led to the collapse of a wall, allowing the prisoners to flee. He called for the voluntary surrender of the escaped prisoners and for the population to be informed about the fugitives. Videos circulating on social media show the moment inmates left the prison, while other recordings reveal captures made by military personnel and prison guards. Many prisoners tried to hide in homes, but some were unsuccessful and ended up being detained. One prisoner still with handcuffs on his right wrist says, in an amateur video, that he was in the disciplinary section of the maximum prison and was released by other inmates.Faruqi & Faruqi Reminds Five9 Investors Of The Pending Class Action Lawsuit With A Lead Plaintiff Deadline Of February 3, 2025 – FIVN