Vance takes on a more visible transition role, working to boost Trump’s most contentious picks
By BEN FINLEY The Christmas tradition has become nearly global in scope: Children from around the world track Santa Claus as he sweeps across the earth, delivering presents and defying time. Related Articles National News | Heavy travel day off to a rough start after American Airlines briefly grounds all flights National News | Prosecutors withdraw appeal of dismissed case against Alec Baldwin in fatal movie set shooting National News | Bill Clinton is hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says National News | Why Finland is vaccinating farmers against bird flu — but California isn't National News | Bluesky finds with growth comes growing pains — and bots Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online in nine languages , from English to Japanese. On any other night, NORAD is scanning the heavens for potential threats , such as last year’s Chinese spy balloon . But on Christmas Eve, volunteers in Colorado Springs are fielding questions like, “When is Santa coming to my house?” and, “Am I on the naughty or nice list?” “There are screams and giggles and laughter,” said Bob Sommers, 63, a civilian contractor and NORAD volunteer. Sommers often says on the call that everyone must be asleep before Santa arrives, prompting parents to say, “Do you hear what he said? We got to go to bed early.” NORAD’s annual tracking of Santa has endured since the Cold War , predating ugly sweater parties and Mariah Carey classics . The tradition continues regardless of government shutdowns, such as the one in 2018 , and this year . Here’s how it began and why the phones keep ringing. It started with a child’s accidental phone call in 1955. The Colorado Springs newspaper printed a Sears advertisement that encouraged children to call Santa, listing a phone number. A boy called. But he reached the Continental Air Defense Command, now NORAD, a joint U.S. and Canadian effort to spot potential enemy attacks. Tensions were growing with the Soviet Union, along with anxieties about nuclear war. Air Force Col. Harry W. Shoup picked up an emergency-only “red phone” and was greeted by a tiny voice that began to recite a Christmas wish list. “He went on a little bit, and he takes a breath, then says, ‘Hey, you’re not Santa,’” Shoup told The Associated Press in 1999. Realizing an explanation would be lost on the youngster, Shoup summoned a deep, jolly voice and replied, “Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?” Shoup said he learned from the boy’s mother that Sears mistakenly printed the top-secret number. He hung up, but the phone soon rang again with a young girl reciting her Christmas list. Fifty calls a day followed, he said. In the pre-digital age, the agency used a 60-by-80 foot (18-by-24 meter) plexiglass map of North America to track unidentified objects. A staff member jokingly drew Santa and his sleigh over the North Pole. The tradition was born. “Note to the kiddies,” began an AP story from Colorado Springs on Dec. 23, 1955. “Santa Claus Friday was assured safe passage into the United States by the Continental Air Defense Command.” In a likely reference to the Soviets, the article noted that Santa was guarded against possible attack from “those who do not believe in Christmas.” Some grinchy journalists have nitpicked Shoup’s story, questioning whether a misprint or a misdial prompted the boy’s call. In 2014, tech news site Gizmodo cited an International News Service story from Dec. 1, 1955, about a child’s call to Shoup. Published in the Pasadena Independent, the article said the child reversed two digits in the Sears number. “When a childish voice asked COC commander Col. Harry Shoup, if there was a Santa Claus at the North Pole, he answered much more roughly than he should — considering the season: ‘There may be a guy called Santa Claus at the North Pole, but he’s not the one I worry about coming from that direction,’” Shoup said in the brief piece. In 2015, The Atlantic magazine doubted the flood of calls to the secret line, while noting that Shoup had a flair for public relations. Phone calls aside, Shoup was indeed media savvy. In 1986, he told the Scripps Howard News Service that he recognized an opportunity when a staff member drew Santa on the glass map in 1955. A lieutenant colonel promised to have it erased. But Shoup said, “You leave it right there,” and summoned public affairs. Shoup wanted to boost morale for the troops and public alike. “Why, it made the military look good — like we’re not all a bunch of snobs who don’t care about Santa Claus,” he said. Shoup died in 2009. His children told the StoryCorps podcast in 2014 that it was a misprinted Sears ad that prompted the phone calls. “And later in life he got letters from all over the world,” said Terri Van Keuren, a daughter. “People saying ‘Thank you, Colonel, for having, you know, this sense of humor.’” NORAD’s tradition is one of the few modern additions to the centuries-old Santa story that have endured, according to Gerry Bowler, a Canadian historian who spoke to the AP in 2010. Ad campaigns or movies try to “kidnap” Santa for commercial purposes, said Bowler, who wrote “Santa Claus: A Biography.” NORAD, by contrast, takes an essential element of Santa’s story and views it through a technological lens. In a recent interview with the AP, Air Force Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham explained that NORAD radars in Alaska and Canada —- known as the northern warning system — are the first to detect Santa. He leaves the North Pole and typically heads for the international dateline in the Pacific Ocean. From there he moves west, following the night. “That’s when the satellite systems we use to track and identify targets of interest every single day start to kick in,” Cunningham said. “A probably little-known fact is that Rudolph’s nose that glows red emanates a lot of heat. And so those satellites track (Santa) through that heat source.” NORAD has an app and website, www.noradsanta.org , that will track Santa on Christmas Eve from 4 a.m. to midnight, mountain standard time. People can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight, mountain time.Munni Saha released on condition
Sami Zayn Says There Were ‘Rumblings’ Of Raw On Netflix Matches Originally Being For WrestleManiainsists there’s nothing uncertain about his status for the ’ game Sunday at Buffalo. “There’s no way I’m not playing,” the quarterback said during a video call Tuesday. acknowledged he has “a little MCL” issue in a knee, but added: “I’ve had a lot worse. I lucked out. I avoided major stretchage of the MCL.” was hurt in the ’ 19-9 loss to the last Sunday but remained in the game. “I’m gonna play,” said of the game against the Bills. “It feels pretty good.” Rookie left tackle Olu Fashanu’s promising first season is over, though, as the first-round pick was placed on injured reserve with an injury to the plantar fascia in his left foot. Interim coach said earlier Tuesday that it was “just too early to tell” what ’ availability might be, but he was optimistic about the 41-year-old quarterback’s chances. “If I’m a betting man,” said, “I’m betting on to play.” said he didn’t need an MRI on the knee, the latest ailment in what has been an injury-filled season. He earlier dealt with knee, hamstring and ankle issues that hindered his play at times. One of the four-time MVP’s goals entering the season was playing in all 17 games after being limited to four snaps in his debut last year because of a torn Achilles tendon. “I definitely felt like at midseason that was going to be difficult,” said of playing in every game. “But right now, it looks like, for sure, 16. And hopefully get through this one and get to 17.” The held a walkthrough Tuesday and their next full practice is Thursday, giving some extra time to recover. has 24 touchdown passes and eight interceptions this season, and he’s one TD throw from becoming the fifth player in NFL history with 500 for his career in the regular season. While his plans for the final two games appear clear, his playing future beyond this season is uncertain. has another year left on his deal with the , but the team is looking for a new general manager and head coach. Whether the quarterback will be part of the new regime’s plans will be a major storyline this offseason. During an appearance Monday on “The Pat McAfee Show,” suggested he could be released the day after the regular season ends. He said there’s also a chance he could be retained but acknowledged he’s going to take some time to decide if he even wants to play in a 21st NFL season. “I think anything is truly possible,” said Tuesday of potentially being released. “Whether it happens or not, I’m sure that there will be decisions that, I don’t think there will be surprises where there’s like, ‘Oh, I don’t know what we want to do with certain people.’ I think there’s going to be some decisions that want to be made the day after the season or a couple days after the season, so I don’t know. I’m just not naive. “There’s not zero percent in my mind. I don’t think it’s a high percentage. I think there’s probably a conversation to be had, but I’m just not naive to that being a zero percent chance. I think it’s more than a zero percent chance and less than a certainty, so somewhere in the middle.” said he hasn’t spoken recently to owner Woody Johnson and doesn’t necessarily think the lack of any indication of whether he’s wanted back means he won’t be. “I would be surprised if there was a conversation now because there’s so many uncertainties,” he said. “There’s a GM that has to get hired, I would assume first, and then he’s going to be part of hiring the head coach, so I have to be in the plans of multiple people, starting with the ownership and then the GM and then the head coach.” added that if he’s told the want him back, it would mean they see him as an important part of trying to change the culture of a team that hasn’t made the postseason in 14 years. “That’d be special to hear that,” he said, “but if they don’t, again, no offense at all will be taken.” had a solid first NFL season after being the 11th overall draft pick in April out of Penn State. He began the year as veteran Tyron Smith’s backup before filling in at right tackle for two games when Morgan Moses was injured. , who played only left tackle in college, also stepped in at right guard for an injured Alijah Vera-Tucker against Houston. When Smith was lost for the season with a neck injury last month, took over as the starter and excelled in five starts. He was hurt midway through the fourth quarter against the and was seen on crutches in the locker room after the game. said he believed would need surgery, but the team later clarified that a procedure won’t be required. “It’s unfortunate,” said. “He’s having a great rookie season. But at the same time, these injuries sometimes give you an opportunity to step back and really start absorbing some of the information as you were kind of thrown into the fire. He’ll use it as an opportunity to grow, I know that.” The signed veteran kicker Greg Joseph to the practice squad and he’ll compete with Anders Carlson for the job this week. said Greg Zuerlein, on IR since late October with a knee injury, also could be in the mix. Carlson, the fourth kicker used by the this season, missed an extra point and a 49-yard field goal try late in the fourth quarter against the . He is 8 of 10 on field goal tries and 9 for 11 on extra points in five games with New York. “We’ll see how it goes and we’ll put the best guy out there,” said. Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC.
Jets' Rodgers insists he'll play despite knee issue, rookie Fashanu placed on IR with foot injury
ORLANDO, Fla. — UCF coach Gus Malzahn is resigning after four seasons with the school. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the move, which will see Malzahn to leave to take the offensive coordinator job at Florida State. Malzahn previously worked with FSU coach Mike Norvell during their time at Tulsa under then-coach Todd Graham from 2007-08. The Knights ended a disappointing 4-8 season in which they lost eight of their last nine games, the longest losing streak since 2015. Malzahn, 59, was in the fourth year of a contract through 2028. His buyout, it is reported, would have been $13.75 million. He finished 27-25 at UCF but lost 16 of his last 22 games and was a dismal 4-14 in two seasons in the Big 12. After back-to-back nine-win seasons in 2021-22, the Knights went 6-7 in 2023 and 4-8 in 2024. This season started with high expectations as Malzahn made sweeping changes to the program. He retooled the strength and conditioning department and hired Ted Roof and Tim Harris Jr. as defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively. He also added nearly 50 new players to the roster, leaning heavily on the transfer market. UCF started by winning its first three games against New Hampshire, Sam Houston and a thrilling comeback at TCU, but offensive struggles saw the Knights tumble through a TBD-game losing streak to finish the season. Terry Mohajir hired Malzahn on Feb. 15, 2021, six days after he was hired to replace Danny White. The move came eight weeks after Malzahn had been fired at Auburn after eight seasons of coaching the Tigers. The two briefly worked together at Arkansas State in 2012 before Malzahn left for the Auburn job. “When he [Mohajir] offered the job, I was like, ‘I’m in.’ There wasn’t thinking about or talking about ...,” Malzahn said during his introductory press conference. “This will be one of the best programs in college football in a short time. This is a job that I plan on being here and building it.” UCF opened the 2021 season with non-conference wins over Boise State and Bethune-Cookman before traveling to Louisville on Sept. 17, where quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a fractured collarbone in the final minute of a 42-35 loss. Backup Mikey Keene would finish out the season as Gabriel announced his intention to transfer. The Knights would finish the season on the plus side by accepting a bid to join the Big 12 Conference in September and then by defeating Florida 29-17 in the Gasparilla Bowl. Malzahn struck transfer portal gold in the offseason when he signed former Ole Miss quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. Plumlee, a two-sport star with the Rebels, helped guide UCF to the American Athletic Conference Championship in its final season. However, Plumlee’s injury forced the Knights to go with Keene and freshman Thomas Castellanos. The team finished with losses to Tulane in the conference championship and Duke in the Military Bowl. Plumlee would return in 2023 as UCF transitioned to the Big 12 but would go down with a knee injury in the final minute of the Knights’ 18-16 win at Boise State on Sept. 9. He would miss the next four games as backup Timmy McClain took over the team. Even on his return, Plumlee couldn’t help UCF, on a five-game losing streak to open conference play. The Knights got their first Big 12 win at Cincinnati on Nov. 4 and upset No. 15 Oklahoma State the following week, but the team still needed a win over Houston in the regular-season finale to secure a bowl bid for the eighth straight season. From the moment Malzahn stepped on campus, he prioritized recruiting, particularly in Central Florida. “We’re going to recruit like our hair’s on fire,” Malzahn said at the time. “We’re going to go after the best players in America and we’re not backing down to anybody.” From 2007 to 2020, UCF signed 10 four-star high school and junior college prospects. Eight four-star prospects were in the three recruiting classes signed under Malzahn. The 2024 recruiting class earned a composite ranking of 39 from 247Sports, the highest-ranked class in school history. The 2025 recruiting class is ranked No. 41 and has commitments from three four-star prospects. Malzahn has always leaned on the transfer market, signing 60 players over the past three seasons. Some have paid huge dividends, such as Javon Baker, Lee Hunter, Kobe Hudson, Tylan Grable, Bula Schmidt, Amari Kight, Marcellus Marshall, Trent Whittemore, Gage King, Ethan Barr, Deshawn Pace and Plumlee. Others haven’t been as successful, such as quarterback KJ Jefferson, who started the first five games of this season before being benched for poor performance. Jefferson’s struggles forced the Knights to play musical chairs at quarterback, with true freshman EJ Colson, redshirt sophomore Jacurri Brown and redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk all seeing action at one point or another this season. This season’s struggles led to several players utilizing the NCAA’s redshirt rule after four games, including starting slot receiver Xavier Townsend and kicker Colton Boomer, who have also entered the transfer portal. Defensive end Kaven Call posted a letter to Malzahn on Twitter in which he accused the UCF coaching staff of recently kicking him off the team when he requested to be redshirted. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Redmi 14C 5G will be launching in India in January 2025 and the Redmi has already teased about it. It will be available in India as well as global markets. The colour options as well as other details have been explained as well. The new device can be a rebadged version of the Redmi 14R 5G model. The device will be available on Amazon along with the brand’s e-store. The promotional poster suggests that the device will be a global debut. The primary camera on the device is 50MP main camera sensor. The Redmi 14C 5G smartphone is expected to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC. The battery on the smartphone is of 5160mAh capacity while the wired charged support is 18W. It will be a rebadged version of the Redmi 14R 5G. The display will be a 6.68-inch 120Hz HD+ LCD screen while the OS onboard is an Android 14 based HyperOS. Camera wise the Redmi 14C 5G is likely to get 50-megapixel main camera while the selfie camera might be a 5MP selfie camera. The Redmi 14R 5G offers 13-megapixel main camera while the selfie camera is a 5MP selfie camera. There is a LED flash on the rear camera module. Redmi 14C 5G will offer a SIM card slot on the left edge while the volume rocker and power button are present on the right. Colour option on the device will be black, blue, and purple.
Republicans gain temporary control of Minnesota House after Democrat decides not to appeal rulingBIG3 co-founder Ice Cube extended an invitation to Los Angeles Lakers rookie Bronny James to join his league if his NBA career doesn't "work out." "He can always come out and try to make a team," Cube said in an interview on Real 92.3 LA's The Cruz Show . "We can't give him a space, but he can get drafted and earn a space." He's made several notable BIG3 offers throughout the past year, presenting Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark with a two-year contract worth $10 million following her final college season at Iowa. Clark chose to enter the WNBA draft instead and the Fever chose her with the No. 1 overall pick. James, the No. 55 selection in the 2024 NBA draft, is currently on a four-year rookie contract worth $7.9 million that includes a team option for the 2027-28 season. The 20-year-old has played sparingly to begin his career, averaging just 0.7 points and 0.3 assists in a mere 2.7 minutes per game throughout six appearances this season. James has also played in two G League contests, recording 5.0 points and 3.0 assists in 28.5 minutes each night with the South Bay Lakers. While James is still searching for his shooting rhythm as he bounces back and forth between the NBA and the G League, it's still a bit premature for him to legitimately consider Cube's offer.Want to save money for your grandkids? Start now
None
chaofann The REIT ( VNQ ) market is vast and versatile with over 1,000 companies worldwide, investing in over 30 different countries and 20 different property sectors. Therefore, there is truly something for everyone. Some REITs like Realty Income ( O If you want full access to our Portfolio and all our current Top Picks, feel free to join us at High Yield Landlord for a 2-week free trial. We are the largest and best-rated real estate investor community on Seeking Alpha with 2,000+ members on board and a 4.9 /5 rating from 500+ reviews: You won't be charged a penny during the free trial, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Start Your 2-Week Free Trial Today! Jussi Askola is the President of Leonberg Capital, a value-oriented investment boutique that consults hedge funds, family offices, and private equity firms on REIT investing. He has authored award-winning academic papers on REIT investing, has passed all three CFA exams, and has built relationships with many top REIT executives. High Yield Landlord Learn more Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of NNN; CCI; EPRT; ADC either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Divyendu Aka Munna Bhaiya Joins The Cast Of Ram Charan's RC16, Netizens Say, 'Jalwa Hai Humara'
LOS ANGELES -- Doug Christie rapped along to the lyrics of Ice Cube's "It Was a Good Day" on Saturday morning as the song echoed through the gym at USC's Galen Center at the conclusion of his first shootaround as interim coach of the Sacramento Kings . More than 30 years after Christie was a rookie with the Los Angeles Lakers , he found himself back in L.A., preparing to face the Lakers -- his first game since taking over for Mike Brown who was fired Friday afternoon before the team's flight down the West Coast. It's been anything but a good season for the Kings thus far, No. 13 in the Western Conference with a 13-18 record -- having lost five games in a row and 12 of their last 17. However, Kings guard Malik Monk -- who credited Brown's "passion" in turning the Kings franchise around the last two seasons -- said that the coaching change resulted in an energy shift at the shootaround session. "All the vibes were high," Monk said. "Everybody is happy. Everybody is ready to play tonight." Included in the group ready to play was All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis . He missed Sacramento's last game Thursday with an illness, when the Kings failed to protect a 19-point second-half lead in a 114-113 loss to the Detroit Pistons . Sabonis did not join the team on its flight to L.A., as he was questionable to play because of the illness, but arranged his own travel Saturday morning to be a part of the first steps with Christie. Editor's Picks Kings fire Brown amid skid, name Christie interim 10h Malone: Kings showed 'no class' in firing Brown 10h NBA playoff seeding drama? Award season chaos? What league insiders predict for 2025 1d Tim Bontemps "I got here and went right onto the court," Sabonis said. "We're all focused on winning the game. But we obviously know we haven't been performing at our best. And we have to do a better job. Me as one of the leaders of the team, I got to make sure that that happens. We got to win all the games that we can." Following the Pistons game, Brown called out another one of Sacramento's leaders in De'Aaron Fox for him fouling Jaden Ivey on a 3-pointer in the waning seconds with the Kings up by 3. Ivey hit the 3 and the ensuing free throw, costing the Kings the game. Before Brown was dismissed, he led the Kings practice Friday and was seen by reporters having a conversation with Fox on the court. "We were talking about in-game stuff, what we would do towards the end of games," Fox said after shootaround. "Definitely didn't know that that little conversation -- that's really normal -- would have been the last one with him as a head coach." Brown was informed of the decision by Kings general manager Monte McNair, who called him when the 2023 NBA Coach of the Year had already left the practice facility to get ready for the flight to L.A. Sabonis, who said he was sleeping when the decision was made, called it "shocking." Monk said he found out on X, formerly known as Twitter, and was also shocked, but added: "It's the NBA. Anything can happen. So, next man up, I guess." Fox said he was "surprised" but was given a head's up of what was to come. "I found out a minute before everybody else did," he said. After Brown signed an extension in the offseason through 2026-27 -- adding more than $20 million in guaranteed money to what he was already owed -- Fox credited the continuity of the Kings organization. A reporter asked Fox on Saturday if he felt any "pressure or guilt" for the way things unraveled so quickly with Brown. "Any pressure or guilt? I mean, obviously we all know the job that we have," Fox said. "You can be traded at any point. Released. Cut. Fired. Whatever it may be. I mean, I wouldn't use the word 'guilt.' But that's the nature of the job that we have. "But I mean, obviously him signing his extension this summer, we felt like we would be together a whole lot longer but that's the decision that they made. But at the end of the day too, he's still being paid. A great part of being an NBA player, being an NBA coach is those things can happen but these contracts are guaranteed." Christie addressed the team before its flight to L.A. and again at the Galen Center. His message? "To come out and stick together, fight and just be us, be who we are and turn this thing around," Sabonis shared. And Monk had a message of his own for Kings fans who saw their team break a 17-year postseason drought in 2023, only to have their coach fired two seasons later. "Sorry, fans," Monk said. "We're going to turn it around. That's it. Short and sweet."