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betfred uk GENEVA: Malaria mortality has fallen back to levels seen before the COVID-19 crisis, the WHO said Wednesday, but called for faster progress against the disease that killed nearly some 597,000 people last year. In a new report, the World Health Organization estimated that there were 263 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2023 - 11 million more than a year earlier - while the death toll remained relatively stable. But in terms of the mortality rate, “we have come back to pre-pandemic numbers”, Arnaud Le Menach, of the WHO’s Global Malaria Program, told reporters. In 2020, disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp increase in malaria-related mortality, with an additional 55,000 deaths counted that year. Since then the total number of deaths from malaria, which is caused by a mosquito-borne parasite, has gradually shrunk, as has the mortality rate. The estimated 2023 mortality rate in Africa of 52.4 deaths per 100,000 population at risk meanwhile still remains more than double the target level set by a global strategy for combating malaria through 2030, WHO said, insisting “progress must be accelerated”. Vaccine promise WHO pointed to the wider rollout of malaria vaccines as a promising development, expected to save tens of thousands of young lives each year. The two jabs currently in use, RTS,S and R21/Matrix-M, hold the promise of significantly easing the burden in Africa, which accounts for up to 95 percent of all malaria deaths. Malaria vaccines were first introduced in April 2019, first in Malawi, with Kenya and Ghana following suit. Through the end of 2023, nearly two million children in those three countries received jabs of the RTS,S vaccine, WHO said. “We saw in those three pilot countries... a 13-percent drop in mortality during the four years of the pilot program,” said Mary Hamel, who heads WHO’s malaria vaccine team. The WHO now looked forward to seeing a similar drop in other countries introducing the vaccines, she told reporters, pointing out that countries that began introducing the jabs early this year were “following a similar trajectory”. So far, 17 nations across sub-Saharan Africa have included the jabs in their routine immunization programs, she said. Another eight countries had been approved to receive funding towards introducing the vaccines through the vaccine alliance GAVI, WHO said. ‘Curb the threat’ In another promising development, new-generation dual-insecticide nets nets are becoming more widely available. These nets, which are coated in a new generation pyrrole insecticide in combination with the standard pyrethroid insecticide, have been shown to offer far better protection against malaria. The WHO estimated earlier this year that such nets had averted 13 million malaria cases and nearly 25,000 deaths over three years. Despite the successes, the WHO highlighted a number of factors slowing the battle against malaria, including a lack of funds and insufficient stocks of vaccines, as well as climate change, which is allowing a greater spread of the mosquitoes that carry the parasite that causes malaria. “Stepped-up investments and action in high-burden African countries are needed to curb the threat,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement. The Global Fund, a partnership set up to battle AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, agreed. “Progress has stagnated for several years,” its executive director Peter Sands warned in a statement. “To overcome this, we must accelerate our efforts through a dual approach: investing in new technologies while simultaneously easing the strain that climate change places on healthcare systems,” he said. — AFPFACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup

NEW YORK , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global professional development market in us size is estimated to grow by USD 4.82 billion from 2024 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.36% during the forecast period. The report provides a comprehensive forecast of key segments below- Segmentation Overview Get a glance at the market contribution of rest of the segments - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! 1.1 Fastest growing segment: The K-12 segment of the professional development market in the US is experiencing steady growth due to the shift towards more engaging and collaborative teaching methods. Traditional K-12 education previously focused on rote memorization and individual learning, but modern educators prioritize student engagement and the use of multimedia content. To effectively implement these new techniques, teachers require digital skills and up-to-date knowledge of various teaching methods. Despite the availability of advanced technology and new teaching methods in K-12 education, many teachers find it challenging to keep up with complex course content, new teaching modes, and changing education regulations. Consequently, the teacher dropout rate has risen, with the National Education Association reporting a 55% dropout rate in February 2022 . To mitigate this issue, districts are reimbursing teachers for professional development costs. Teachers in STEM subjects are particularly focusing on professional development to deepen their subject knowledge and stay informed about emerging trends and technologies. They are also incorporating digitalization in their classrooms and adopting interdisciplinary techniques. For instance, Discovery Education Inc. Introduced new content on its K-12 learning platform, Discovery Education Experience, in February 2024 , including games, interactive content, and career tools, to encourage student curiosity and deeper learning. Additionally, teachers are enrolling in English Language Learning (ELL) professional development courses to help immigrant students master English as a second language. The emergence of innovative online tutoring options for K-12 learners is expected to fuel the growth of the professional development market in the US during the forecast period. Analyst Review The professional development market in the US is a dynamic landscape of continuous growth and innovation, driven by the need for individuals and organizations to stay competitive in today's rapidly changing economy. This market encompasses a wide range of products and services designed to enhance learning, education, and skills development. The internet has played a significant role in expanding access to information and training opportunities, making professional development more accessible and flexible than ever before. The impact of professional development is far-reaching, from individual career advancement to organizational growth and competitiveness. The segment is characterized by a strong focus on research and adoption of new technologies and teaching methods to maximize learning outcomes for students and professionals alike. Market Overview The Professional Development market in the US is a dynamic and evolving landscape that focuses on the growth and adoption of various courses, products, and innovations in the areas of education, training, and learning. The market is segmented into various regions and topics, including K-12, higher education, and corporate training. The market size is significant, with end-users seeking certification, career advancement, networking opportunities, and access to online resources and coaching. The market is influenced by the impact of mobile learning, competition from key players, and the addition of workshops, seminars, and webinars. The market is also shaped by research and innovations in skills development, leadership, management, and other professional areas. The US Professional Development market is a vital segment of the training industry and education market, with companies like Cast Inc., D2L Corp., Pearson Plc, McGraw Hill LLC, and others playing key roles. The market is expected to continue growing due to the increasing demand for professional skills development and the adoption of online learning platforms. To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Venodr Landscape 11 Vendor Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/professional-development-market-in-the-us-to-grow-by-usd-4-82-billion-2023-2028-driven-by-ai-powered-market-evolution-and-key-segment-insights---technavio-302328477.html SOURCE Technavio76ers' star Paul George sidelined the next 2 games with bone bruise in left knee

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Greg McGarity had reason to be concerned. The Gator Bowl president kept a watchful eye on College Football Playoff scenarios all season and understood the fallout might affect his postseason matchup in Jacksonville. What if the Southeastern Conference got five teams into the expanded CFP? What if the Atlantic Coast Conference landed three spots? It was a math problem that was impossible to truly answer, even into late November. Four first-round playoff games, which will end with four good teams going home without a bowl game, had the potential to shake up the system. The good news for McGarity and other bowl organizers: Adding quality teams to power leagues — Oregon to the Big Ten, Texas to the SEC and SMU to the ACC — managed to ease much of the handwringing. McGarity and the Gator Bowl ended up with their highest-ranked team, No. 16 Ole Miss, in nearly two decades. "It really didn't lessen our pool much at all," McGarity said. "The SEC bowl pool strengthened with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma. You knew they were going to push traditional SEC teams up or down. Texas ended up pushing just about everyone down." The long waiting game was the latest twist for non-CFP bowls that have become adept at dealing with change. Efforts to match the top teams came and went in the 1990s and first decade of this century before the CFP became the first actual tournament in major college football. It was a four-team invitational — until this year, when the 12-team expanded format meant that four quality teams would not be in the mix for bowl games after they lose next week in the first round. "There's been a lot of things that we've kind of had to roll with," said Scott Ramsey, president of the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee. "I don't think the extra games changed our selection model to much degree. We used to look at the New York's Six before this, and that was 12 teams out of the bowl mix. The 12-team playoff is pretty much the same." Ramsey ended up with No. 23 Missouri against Iowa in his Dec. 30 bowl. A lot of so-called lesser bowl games do have high-profile teams — the ReliaQuest Bowl has No. 11 Alabama vs. Michigan (a rematch of last year's CFP semifinal), Texas A&M and USC will play in the Las Vegas Bowl while No. 14 South Carolina and No. 15 Miami, two CFP bubble teams, ended up in separate bowls in Orlando. "The stress of it is just the fact that the CFP takes that opening weekend," Las Vegas Bowl executive director John Saccenti said. "It kind of condenses the calendar a little bit." Bowl season opens Saturday with the Cricket Celebration Bowl. The first round of the CFP runs Dec. 20-21. It remains to be seen whether non-CFP bowls will see an impact from the new dynamic. They will know more by 2026, with a planned bowl reset looming. It could include CFP expansion from 12 to 14 teams and significant tweaks to the bowl system. More on-campus matchups? More diversity among cities selected to host semifinal and championship games? And would there be a trickle-down effect for everyone else? Demand for non-playoff bowls remains high, according to ESPN, despite increased focus on the expanded CFP and more players choosing to skip season finales to either enter the NCAA transfer portal or begin preparations for the NFL draft. "There's a natural appetite around the holidays for football and bowl games," Kurt Dargis, ESPN's senior director of programming and acquisitions, said at Sports Business Journal's Intercollegiate Athletics Forum last week in Las Vegas. "People still want to watch bowl games, regardless of what's going on with the playoff. ... It's obviously an unknown now with the expanded playoff, but we really feel like it's going to continue." The current bowl format runs through 2025. What lies ahead is anyone's guess. Could sponsors start paying athletes to play in bowl games? Could schools include hefty name, image and likeness incentives for players participating in bowls? Would conferences be willing to dump bowl tie-ins to provide a wider range of potential matchups? Are bowls ready to lean into more edginess like Pop-Tarts has done with its edible mascot? The path forward will be determined primarily by revenue, title sponsors, TV demand and ticket sales. "The one thing I have learned is we're going to serve our partners," Saccenti said. "We're going to be a part of the system that's there, and we're going to try to remain flexible and make sure that we're adjusting to what's going on in the world of postseason college football." Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

🍷 A popular South Jersey winery is all festive for the holidays ❄ It looks like a scene out of a Hallmark movie 🎅 Come enjoy all the festivities it has to offer EGG HARBOR CITY — An historic South Jersey winery wants to get everyone in the holiday spirit with the return of its “Vintner Wonderland.” Now through January 20, 2025, Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City has been transformed into a scene out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, according to the winery. Bundle up and gather around cozy fire pits, dine inside igloos, sip hot spiced wine, indulge in hot chocolate, and enjoy sweets and treats, all while taking in the sights, songs, and flavors of the season. This year’s highlights include: Vintner Ice Rink – Glide across a sparkling outdoor rink surrounded by festive lights. This year, special charity programs at the rink will support the local community and those in need. Vintner Village – Explore a marketplace featuring artisan shops and culinary delights. Watch artisans hard at work. Purchase a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Family-Friendly Activities – Enjoy games for children of all ages, visit Santa Claus in his workshop, try your hand at arts and crafts, or get your face painted with a festive touch. Festival of Trees – The Renault family gives back this season to support Faces 4 Autism with their enchanting festival of decorated trees displayed and auctioned off through Dec. 20. Barrel Tree – Renault’s famous “barrel tree” is known as one of the most unique trees in the U.S. It will be at the center of the outdoor holiday village with twinkling lights cascading from each side. New this year include The Vintner Express Barrel Train – Hop aboard this whimsical train for a ride around the vineyard village. Grinch’s Lair Pop-Up Bar – Enjoy festive cocktails and a playful atmosphere inspired by the Grinch himself. Santa’s Workshop – Create memories with Santa in a cozy, photo-ready space filled with holiday cheer Louie’s Lounge Wine Bar – Unwind with a glass of Renault’s wines in an elegant setting designed for relaxation and celebration. Buddy’s Sweet Shoppe – Delight in holiday-themed treats and confections, plus Buddy’s ginormous hot chocolate. Signature Holiday Events Stories with Santa – Santa Claus will host “Stories with Santa” on Dec. 7, 12, 14, 19, and 21 at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Gather for a classic Christmas story with Santa, complete with freshly baked cookies from Café La Fleur. Kids will receive a special gift from Santa, chat with the “big guy” and photos after storytime. Cost is $15 per person. Vintner Wonderland at Renault Winery (Renault Winery) Breakfast with Santa – Enjoy a festive breakfast with Santa in Renault’s Champagne Ballroom on Dec. 15 and 22, at 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and noon. Cost is $30 to $60 per person. Cookies and Cocktails – This is for adults only. Treat yourself to three signature cocktails paired with festive cookies in a lively holiday setting on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. Cost is $30 per person. Family Fun Nights at the Rink – Every Friday in December, bring the whole family for an evening of fun and festive activities. Cost is $15. Noon Year’s Eve – On Dec. 31, starting at 11:30 a.m., join Renault for a New Year’s Eve countdown for kids at noon. Lace up your skates and hit the ice in the Vintner Wonderland. Hang out in the igloos, and indulge in bites from the food trucks and sweet shops. When the clock strikes noon, raise your glasses to 2025 with a toast of nonalcoholic sparkling cider. New Year’s Eve Countdown and Champagne Toast – Enjoy a champagne toast on Dec. 31 in a commemorative champagne flute to take home. Renault also offers a Renault Passport Vinter Edition - The passport comes with premium seasonal perks designed to enhance the guest experience. The passport includes priority access to the events, dedicated parking close to the venue, a two-hour ice skating session with skate rentals included, a vintner express tractor ride, a s’mores kit, 10% off at the Renault gift shop, and more. Prices are $39 per person or $139 for a family four pack. Reindeer Run – This annual holiday-themed race is part of Vintner Wonderland on Dec. 21, rain or shine, with the one-mile kids fun run at 9:45 a.m. and the 5K run at 10 a.m. The cost of the 5K run is $30, until 6 p.m. on Dec. 20. The one-mile fun run price is $20 until 6 p.m. on Dec. 20. Registration after that time, and on race day will be $35 for the 5K and $25 for the one-mile fun run. Holiday Artisan Markets – From shopping for handcrafted treasures to indulging festive treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out holiday ornaments, artisanal foods, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind items on Dec.14 and Dec. 21. For a full schedule, passport details, and a full calendar of events, visit here . Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom New Jersey's 10 best holiday cookies Here's a little history lesson before you bake your favorite cookies! Gallery Credit: Jill Croce

Donald Trump used his image as a successful New York businessman to become a celebrity, a reality television star and eventually the president. Now he will get to revel in one of the most visible symbols of success in the city when he rings the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday as he's also named Time Magazine's Person of the Year. Trump is expected to be on Wall Street to mark the ceremonial start of the day's trading, according to four people with knowledge of his plans. He will also be announced Thursday as Time's 2024 Person of the Year, according to a person familiar with the selection. The people who confirmed the stock exchange appearance and Time award were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. It will be a notable moment of twin recognitions for Trump, a born-and-bred New Yorker who at times has treated the stock market as a measure of public approval and has long-prized signifiers of his success in New York's business world and his appearances on the covers of magazines — especially Time. Trump was named the magazine's Person of the Year in 2016, when he was first elected to the White House. He had already been listed as a finalist for this year's award alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, X owner Elon Musk, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kate, the Princess of Wales. Time declined to confirm the selection ahead of Thursday morning's announcement. “Time does not comment on its annual choice for Person of the Year prior to publication,” a spokesperson for the magazine said Wednesday. The ringing of the bell is a powerful symbol of U.S. capitalism — and a good New York photo opportunity at that. Despite his decades as a New York businessman, Trump has never done it before. It was unclear whether Trump, a Republican, would meet with New York's embattled mayor, Democrat Eric Adams, who has warmed to Trump and has not ruled out changing his political party. Adams has been charged with federal corruption crimes and accused of selling influence to foreign nationals; he has denied wrongdoing. Trump himself was once a symbol of New York, but he gave up living full-time in his namesake Trump Tower in Manhattan and moved to Florida after leaving the White House. CNN first reported Wednesday Trump’s visit to the stock exchange and Politico reported that Trump was expected to be unveiled as Time's Person of the Year. The stock exchange regularly invites celebrities and business leaders to participate in the ceremonial opening and closing of trading. During Trump’s first term, his wife, Melania Trump, rang the bell to promote her “Be Best” initiative on children’s well-being. Last year, Time CEO Jess Sibley rang the opening bell to unveil the magazine's 2023 Person of the Year: Taylor Swift. After the Nov. 5 election, the S&P 500 rallied 2.5% for its best day in nearly two years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 1,508 points, or 3.6%, while the Nasdaq composite jumped 3%. All three indexes topped records they had set in recent weeks. The U.S. stock market has historically tended to rise regardless of which party wins the White House, with Democrats scoring bigger average gains since 1945. But Republican control could mean big shifts in the winning and losing industries underneath the surface, and investors are adding to bets built earlier on what the higher tariffs, lower tax rates and lighter regulation that Trump favors will mean. Trump has long courted the business community based on his own status as a wealthy real estate developer who gained additional fame as the star of the TV show “The Apprentice” in which competitors tried to impress him with their business skills. He won the election in part by tapping into Americans' deep anxieties about an economy that seemed unable to meet the needs of the middle class. The larger business community has applauded his promises to reduce corporate taxes and cut regulations. But there are also concerns about his stated plans to impose broad tariffs and possibly target companies that he sees as not aligning with his own political interests. Trump spends the bulk of his time at his Florida home but was in New York for weeks this spring during his hush money trial there. He was convicted, but his lawyers are pushing for the case to be thrown out in light of his election. While he spent hours in a Manhattan courthouse every day during his criminal trial, Trump took his presidential campaign to the streets of the heavily Democratic city, holding a rally in the Bronx and popping up at settings for working-class New Yorkers: a bodega, a construction site and a firehouse. Trump returned to the city in September to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Manhattan tower and again in the final stretch of the presidential campaign when he held a rally at Madison Square Garden that drew immediate blowback for as speakers made rude and racist insults and incendiary remarks. At the stock exchange, the ringing of the bell has been a tradition since the 1800s. The first guest to do it was a 10-year-old boy named Leonard Ross, in 1956, who won a quiz show answering questions about the stock market. Many times, companies listing on the exchange would ring the bell at 9:30 a.m. to commemorate their initial offerings as trading began. But the appearances have become an important marker of culture and politics -- something that Trump hopes to seize as he’s promised historic levels of economic growth. The anti-apartheid advocate and South African President Nelson Mandela rang the bell, as has Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone with his castmates from the film “The Expendables.” So, too, have the actors Robert Downey Jr. and Jeremy Renner for an “Avengers” movie and the Olympians Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin. In 1985, Ronald Reagan became the first sitting U.S. president to ring the bell. “With tax reform and budget control, our economy will be free to expand to its full potential, driving the bears back into permanent hibernation,” Reagan said at the time. “We’re going to turn the bull loose.” The crowd of traders on the floor chanted, “Ronnie! Ronnie! Ronnie!” The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed in 1985 and 1986, but it suffered a decline in October 1987 in an event known as “Black Monday.” Associated Press writer Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report.

CHATHAM, N.J. — That buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It’s unclear if it’s drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward. Related Articles National News | About 2.6 million Stanley cups recalled after malfunctions caused burns. Is your mug included? National News | Veteran Daniel Penny, acquitted in NYC subway chokehold, will join Trump’s suite at football game National News | The wife of a Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own death moves to end their marriage National News | Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor National News | Attorneys for man accused in Trump assassination attempt seek lengthy trial delay Cropping up on local news and social media sites around Thanksgiving, the saga of the drones reported over New Jersey has reached incredible heights. This week seems to have begun a new, higher-profile chapter: Lawmakers are demanding (but so far not getting) explanations from federal and state authorities about what’s behind them. Gov. Phil Murphy wrote to President Joe Biden asking for answers. New Jersey’s new senator, Andy Kim, spent Thursday night on a drone hunt in rural northern New Jersey, and posted about it on X. But perhaps the most fantastic development is the dizzying proliferation of conspiracies — none of which has been confirmed or suggested by federal and state officials who say they’re looking into what’s happening. It has become shorthand to refer to the flying machines as drones, but there are questions about whether what people are seeing are unmanned aircraft or something else. Some theorize the drones came from an Iranian mothership. Others think they are the Secret Service making sure President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster property is secure. Others worry about China. The deep state. And on. In the face of uncertainty, people have done what they do in 2024: Create a social media group. The Facebook page, New Jersey Mystery Drones — let’s solve it , has nearly 44,000 members, up from 39,000 late Thursday. People are posting their photo and video sightings, and the online commenters take it from there. One video shows a whitish light flying in a darkened sky, and one commenter concludes it’s otherworldly. “Straight up orbs,” the person says. Others weigh in to say it’s a plane or maybe a satellite. Another group called for hunting the drones literally, shooting them down like turkeys. (Do not shoot at anything in the sky, experts warn.) Trisha Bushey, 48, of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, lives near Round Valley Reservoir where there have been numerous sightings. She said she first posted photos online last month wondering what the objects were and became convinced they were drones when she saw how they moved and when her son showed her on a flight tracking site that no planes were around. Now she’s glued to the Mystery Drones page, she said. “I find myself — instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning my house — checking it,” she said. She doesn’t buy what the governor said, that the drones aren’t a risk to public safety. Murphy told Biden on Friday that residents need answers. The federal Homeland Security Department and FBI also said in a joint statement they have no evidence that the sightings pose “a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” “How can you say it’s not posing a threat if you don’t know what it is?” she said. “I think that’s why so many people are uneasy.” Then there’s the notion that people could misunderstand what they’re seeing. William Austin is the president of Warren County Community College, which has a drone technology degree program, and is coincidentally located in one of the sighting hotspots. Austin says he has looked at videos of purported drones and that airplanes are being misidentified as drones. He cited an optical effect called parallax, which is the apparent shift of an object when viewed from different perspectives. Austin encouraged people to download flight and drone tracker apps so they can better understand what they’re looking at. Nonetheless, people continue to come up with their own theories. “It represents the United States of America in 2024,” Austin said. “We’ve lost trust in our institutions, and we need it.” Federal officials echo Austin’s view that many of the sightings are piloted aircraft such as planes and helicopters being mistaken for drones, according to lawmakers and Murphy. That’s not really convincing for many, though, who are homing in on the sightings beyond just New Jersey and the East Coast, where others have reported seeing the objects. For Seph Divine, 34, another member of the drone hunting group who lives in Eugene, Oregon, it feels as if it’s up to citizen sleuths to solve the mystery. He said he tries to be a voice of reason, encouraging people to fact check their information, while also asking probing questions. “My main goal is I don’t want people to be caught up in the hysteria and I also want people to not just ignore it at the same time,” he said. “Whether or not it’s foreign military or some secret access program or something otherworldly, whatever it is, all I’m saying is it’s alarming that this is happening so suddenly and so consistently for hours at a time,” he added. Associated Press reporter Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed to this report. Related ArticlesCity slumped to their seventh defeat in 10 games in all competitions as they were beaten 2-0 at Juventus in their latest European outing on Wednesday. Second-half goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie at the Allianz Stadium left Guardiola’s side languishing in 22nd place in the standings. With just two games of the league phase remaining, a place in the top eight and automatic last-16 qualification looks beyond them and they face a battle just to stay in the top 24 and claim a play-off spot. City manager Guardiola said: “Of course I question myself but I’m stable in good moments and bad moments. “I try to find a way to do it. I’m incredibly honest. If we play good (I say) we played good and today I thought we played good. “Our game will save us. We can do it. We conceded few chances compared to the Nottingham Forest game that we won. We’re making the right tempo. “We missed the last pass, did not arrive in the six-yard box (at the right time) or have the composure at the right moment. “But I love my team. This is life, it happens. Sometimes you have a bad period but I’m going to insist until we’re there.” City now face a crunch trip to Paris St Germain, who are also at risk of failing to qualify, next month. Guardiola accepts the top 24 is now the only aim. He said: “It’s the target. We need one point or three points. We go to Paris to try to do it and the last game at home.” Veteran midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said after the game he felt City were suffering from a loss of confidence but Guardiola dismissed his player’s comments. “I am not agreeing with Ilkay,” he said. “Of course it is tough but, except one or two games in this period, we’ve played good.” City now face a further test of their resolve as they host rivals Manchester United in a derby on Sunday. Gundogan told TNT Sports: “It (confidence) is a big part of it. That’s a mental issue as well. “You can see that sometimes we miss the ball or lose a duel and you see that we drop immediately and lose the rhythm. They (the opponents) don’t even need to do much but it has such a big effect on us right now. “Even more you have to do the simple things as good as possible and create and fluidity, then it’s work hard again. This is how you get confidence back – do the small and simple things, (but) in crucial moments at the moment we are always doing the wrong things.” Juventus coach Thiago Motta was pleased with the hosts’ performance, which boosted their hopes of making the top eight. “It was a deserved victory,” he said. “We had to defend as a team and be ready to attack with quality. “We have shown we can compete at this level and now we have to do it consistently.”

The Kroger-Albertsons Merger Is Off. Where the Stocks Might Go From Here.

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas - An Amber Alert has been issued for 16-year-old Nancy Argueta-Vasquez, according to the Texas Center for the Missing. Officials say Argueta-Vasquez was last seen on Wednesday in the early morning hours around 1:58 a.m at her home in the 15100 block of Claypool Street. Nancy Argueta-Vasquez Harris County Sheriff's Office reports the teen is believed to have left her home with 38-year-old Denis Munoz-Munguia. Denis Munoz-Munguia She was seen getting into a 2018 brown Chevrolet Equinox with the Texas license plate number plate VMD1391. Stock image of suspect's vehicle (not the actual vehicle) Get news, weather and so much more on the new FOX LOCAL app Argueta-Vasquez was last seen wearing green jeans and a black shirt. She has black hair with brown eyes and is around five feet tall. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office at 713-755-7427.There is a spot in the MLS Cup Final up for grabs in the MLS Cup Playoff East final on Saturday, Nov. 30 when Orlando City SC hosts the New York Red Bulls at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Fla. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. EST and will be broadcast exclusively on Apple TV+ . Fans looking to watch this MLS game can do so with an Apple TV+ subscription. Apple TV+ offers a 7-day free trial for new users and is $9.99 a month afterward. The only way to watch Friday’s game will be via the Apple TV+ app, which you can watch on phones, streaming devices, smart TVs and computers. Apple TV+ joined the sports streaming world last season with a major broadcasting deal with Major League Baseball that includes a weekly Friday Night Baseball broadcast exclusively on the app’s platform. The service also has MLS Season Pass , which allows fans to watch every MLS match. Fans can find more info on how to watch MLS games on Apple TV+ here. Who : Orlando City SC vs. New York Red Bulls When : Saturday, Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. EST Where : Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Stream : Stream with an Apple TV+ subscription. Apple TV+ offers a 7-day free trial for new users and is $9.99 a month afterward. RELATED CONTENT: Vancouver Whitecaps fire coach Vanni Sartini following elimination from MLS playoffs VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Coach Vanni Sartini was fired by the Vancouver Whitecaps on Monday, 2 1/2 weeks after the team’s elimination in the MLS playoffs. Sartini became the 10th MLS coach to depart since the start of the 2024 season. He took over from Marc Dos Santos in August 2021 at first as an interim coach and then was given the job that November. Vancouver had 13 wins, 13 losses and eight draws in MLS this season, beat Portland 5-0 in the play-in round of the postseason and lost to Los Angeles FC in a three-game, first-round series that ended Nov. 8. “The desperation on my side is absolutely there,” CEO and sporting director Axel Schuster said. “I had to make a professional decision (for) how we can get the biggest impact to make this step forward and to get to a progression.” The 47-year-old Sartini, who is from Florence, Italy, had a MLS regular-season record of 44 wins, 40 losses and 32 draws and had 57 wins, 51 losses and 39 draws in all competitions. He joined Vancouver as an assistant in 2019 and became coach of its under-23 team in September 2020. He was suspended for the first six games of this season, fined $20,000 and ordered to complete a league-approved behavioral assessment after criticizing referee Tim Ford following a season-ending 1-0 playoff loss to LAFC and making a joke about being a suspect if the official were to be found dead. Vancouver has not won the MLS title since starting play in 2011. Its deepest postseason runs were to the quarterfinals 2015 and ’17. The Whitecaps won their third straight Canadian championship, beating Toronto 4-2 on penalty kicks after a 0-0 tie. “I took my time with this decision, and it was not taken lightly,” Schuster said. Other teams that changed coaches this season include Nashville’s Gary Smith (May 16), Atlanta’s Gonzalo Pineda (June 3), Dallas' Nico Estévez (June 9), San Jose’s Luchi Gonzalez (June 24), St. Louis' Bradley Carnell (July 1), Austin’s Josh Wolff (Oct. 6), Chicago’s Frank Klopas (Oct. 19), Philadelphia’s Jim Curtin (Nov. 7) and Miami’s Gerardo “Tata” Martino (Nov. 19). Replacements include Nashville’s B.J. Callaghan (July 3), Chicago’s Gregg Berhalter (Oct. 8), Austin’s Nico Estévez (Oct. 25) and San Jose’s Bruce Arena (Nov, 7). Luis Suarez signs to stay with Messi and Inter Miami for 2025 season By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Luis Suarez is going to play alongside Lionel Messi for at least one more year. Suarez and Inter Miami have agreed on a one-year contract extension for the coming season, the team announced Wednesday. The financial terms weren’t disclosed. Suarez made $1.5 million this year in his first Inter Miami season, one in which the Uruguayan striker scored 20 goals — tied with Messi for the team lead — in Major League Soccer regular season play and a team-best 25 goals across all competitions. “I’m very happy, very excited to continue for another year and to be able to enjoy being here with this fanbase, which for us is like family,” Suarez said in comments distributed by the team. “We feel very, very connected with them, and hopefully, next year, we can bring them even more joy.” Inter Miami set MLS records for points (74) and winning percentage (.765) during this MLS regular season, one in which the club went 22-4-8 and captured the Supporters Shield. The club failed to get out of the first round of the playoffs, falling to Atlanta United in the best-of-three series. The contract extension for Suarez, who turns 38 in January, keeps the Inter Miami core of stars with Barcelona ties together. Suarez plays at Inter Miami alongside Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, a group that teamed up with the powerhouse Spanish club in past years. And newly named Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano — his hiring was made official on Tuesday — also played with that foursome at Barcelona. “In 2024, Luis brought to Inter Miami all of the elements that make him one of the greatest strikers of all time,” Inter Miami football operations president Raul Sanllehi said. “He performed at an elite level for us, and we’re excited to see that continue next season. Luis was not only our leading scorer this season, but also a leader for the group. His impact cannot be understated.” Suarez has represented Uruguay in the last four World Cup competitions. He’s played for Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, among other clubs, and has earned a slew of honors — Dutch player of the year, FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball, Premier League Player of the Season and World Cup All-Star Team among them. The Associated Press contributed to this article. More Sports Content

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LAS VEGAS – Saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright missed his mark out in Round 2 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge, but since then he’s been lights out. Wright marked his third round win of the NFR with an 88-point ride on Korkow Rodeos’ Kadoka Coolaid. He was quick to credit the horse underneath him for the victory in front of 17,015 spectators Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. “I saw him the other day with Dawson Hay in Round 3,” said Wright, a two-time PRCA World Champion. “I knew he was going to have one wild jump in him, then stack up and be awesome. He did exactly that.” Wright has earned $160,506 after eight nights in Las Vegas. He holds the No. 1 spot in the PRCA | RAM World Standings and believes he’s riding as good right now as he has all year. “I’m in a really, really good spot right now,” Wright said. “The saddle is feeling good, and my mental game feels good, so I can’t complain. I’m drawing great horses, so the plan is to keep chugging away.” The heart of a champion is not one to be taken lightly. Steer wrestler Ty Erickson proved that on Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. Sitting in the middle of the pack on the daysheet, Erickson was chasing a 4.0-second run by Dalton Massey that led off the round. He didn’t shy away from the moment, clocking a 3.6-second effort to capture his first round win in Las Vegas. “Yeah, my horse (Crush) worked outstanding tonight. He has been the whole week,” said Erickson, the 2019 PRCA World Champion. “He kind of turned his head right when I nodded, I wasn’t sure if I was going to get out of the barrier or not. It all worked out and ended up getting the W.” The win added $33,687, moving him up to 10th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. He currently sits 12th in the NFR Average race with 31.0 seconds on seven head. “My week has been kind of slow, but like I said, my horse is working great,” Erickson said. “I feel like I’m bulldogging good, I mean 2 rounds at the National Finals Rodeo can change a lot man.” Erickson has his sights set on a strong finish in the final two rounds. “I am just going to keep trying to get great starts, making good runs and we’ll see what happens,” Erickson said. “That's ultimately all you can do here, just trying to do your job at the end.” Marty Yates needed a pick-me-up, and Ty Harris needed a boost in his quest for a world championship. Both of them got what they came for during Round 8 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. Harris and Yates clocked 7.3-second runs to get the round win. “Oh, it feels awesome. I haven’t had a good week at all, so to finally get a round win and get some money in my pocket, it’s awesome,” said Yates. “Anytime you’re making this walk right here it’s usually a good sign.” Yates earned $30,155 on the run, moving to 14th in the average with 52.2 seconds on six head. “I knew there were a lot of good guys going after me,” he said. “When I roped the round was still pretty soft, so I knew I just had to make a good run. I just happened to have a really good calf and it all just came together.” Harris is fourth in the world standings with $307,142 and is seventh in the average with 79.3 seconds on eight head. “Well, it feels a lot better than last night. I can promise you that,” said Harris, who had a 12.8-second time in Round 7. “That’s a long walk back up that Thomas & Mack. It’s a short arena but it feels about like Pendleton after you’ve got two ropes on the ground. And you struggle so bad so it sure is nice to be doing this walk instead and I’m excited to make two more runs.” Dean Thompson competed in 14 rounds at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge before he picked up his first round win when he split with Jacob Lees in Round 5. The 22-year-old only went three days before he picked up his second in Round 8. And this time, he didn’t have to share it. Thompson paired with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Priefert’s Dusty Roads for an 88-point ride and $33,687 payday. “It was pretty awesome having one with Jake (Lees). I’m tickled to have this one by myself,” Thompson. “That was insane, and it feels amazing.” Thompson said he watched film on Priefert’s Dusty Roads when he received the draw and knew exactly how it’d set up in the bucking chutes. “This is a horse that doesn’t buck really comfortable. This thing doesn’t buck scared either, it just bucks mad,” he said. “This horse is not excited that you’re trying to strap it, and it wants you down bad. So, it’s going to pull any trick out of its sleeve that it can.” The round win placed Thompson squarely in position to push for a PRCA World Championship. He moved to fourth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $293,672 and second in the NFR Average at 680.5 points on eight head. “Tonight, it was time to bear down,” Thompson said. “I was thinking beforehand that it’s not supposed to be easy, and sometimes it’s not even supposed to be fun. Pressure is a privilege, and it’s a beautiful thing. So tonight, the pressure was awesome.” The team roping race remains wide open after Round 8 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. Header Kaleb Driggers and heeler Junior Nogueira assured their spot in the thick of it on Thursday at the Thomas & Mack Center. The duo rattled off a 3.4-second run – a tenth of a second off the arena record – to earn the Round 8 win. “We had a really good steer and our biggest game plan tonight, with the round being a little bit softer, was to not run over ourselves,” Driggers said. “The run more or less presented itself for us. I was going to stay on the barrier and make sure I got a good start. “He was right there, and I stuck it on him. And (Junior) cleaned him up fast.” The run which paid $33,687, moved the duo to second in the PRCA | RAM World Standings and positioned them seventh in the NFR Average at 33.2 seconds on six head. “We don’t want to get a no time, but we’ve still got to push it,” Nogueira said. “We want to stay in the average, but if we win a round, it’s $33,000.” Hayes Weight entered Round 8 searching for his first qualified bull ride of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. Two Step, an unridden bull from Sutton Rodeos, presented the perfect opportunity for a breakout performance. Weight took advantage with an 88-point ride to earn the Round 8 win, his first since Round 10 of the 2023 NFR. “When you get one rode down here, it’s the best feeling in the world,” Weight said. “To be able to do that and win the round, I’m just so blessed and thankful for it.” Weight earned $37,219 for his eight seconds of work. The trip bumped him to fifth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. He said the key to outlasting Two Step was getting his rope really sticky and gathering intel from his fellow competitors. “This year, I just really wanted to get one early on and build some momentum,” Weight said. “To be able to do that breaks the ice and shows you that you’re here for a reason.” Shelley Morgan and Kassie Mowry put on a show for the sold-out crowd on Thursday night at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. The duo captured the Round 8 win with a pair of 13.45-second runs. Mowry made history by becoming the first woman to win five straight rounds at the NFR since WPRA President Jimmie Munroe accomplished the feat in 1984. “This is incredible, just unimaginable at this point,” said Mowry. “This horse (Jarvis) is just blowing me away. I have no words for this horse right now if we’re being honest.” For Shelley Morgan, it marked the first-round win of her career in five trips to the National Finals Rodeo. “I’ve been trying so far, maybe I’ve been trying a little too hard this Finals to get a round win,” said Morgan. “That’s one thing that I was really wanting to capture at the South Point. So, it means a lot to get that done and what a better person to share it with than Kassie (Mowry).” Mowry strengthened her hold on the No. 1 spot in the world standings with her eyes set on a gold buckle. But for now, that thought isn’t on her mind. “I’m not really thinking about a gold buckle right now,” Mowry said. “A lot of people just want to see a new arena record right now. I just want to keep the barrels up and keep staying consistent. That’s what’s on my mind right now.” Barrel racer Dona Kay Rule suffered multiple injuries during her Round 8 run, including a head abrasion and left ankle sprain. Her competition status for the remainder of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge is undetermined. Round 8, Dec. 12 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev. Bareback Riding: Eighth Round: 1. Dean Thompson, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo's Priefert's Dusty Roads, $33,687; 2. Rocker Steiner, 87.5, $26,624; 3. Bradlee Miller, 87, $20,104; 4. Cole Franks, 86, $14,127; 5. R.C. Landingham, 85.5, $8,693; 6. Weston Timberman, 84.5, $5,433; 7. Jess Pope, 83.5; 8. Richmond Champion, 82; 9. Keenan Hayes, 81.5; 10. Cole Reiner, 79; 11. Garrett Shadbolt, 77.5; 12. Leighton Berry, 76.5; 13. Jacob Lees, 73.5; 14. Cooper Cooke, 64.5; 15. Taylor Broussard, NS. Average leaders: 1. Cole Franks, 682 points on eight head; 2. Dean Thompson, 680.5; 3. Keenan Hayes, 679; 4. Weston Timberman, 678; 5. Bradlee Miller, 676; 6. Jess Pope, 670; 7. Cole Reiner, 667; 8. (tie) R.C. Landingham and Richmond Champion, 664 each; 10. Leighton Berry, 662.5; 11. Cooper Cooke, 646; 12. Garrett Shadbolt, 644.5; 13. Jacob Lees, 640; 14. Rocker Steiner, 606.5 points on seven head; 15. Taylor Broussard, 570.5. World Standings: 1. Rocker Steiner, $365,571; 2. Bradlee Miller, $335,905; 3. Keenan Hayes, $303,068; 4. Dean Thompson, $293,672; 5. Jess Pope, $241,363; 6. Weston Timberman, $237,451; 7. Cole Franks, $223,089; 8. Leighton Berry, $215,012; 9. R.C. Landingham, $209,040; 10. Jacob Lees, $178,518; 11. Cooper Cooke, $177,502; 12. Cole Reiner, $158,901; 13. Taylor Broussard, $158,335; 14. Richmond Champion, $153,092; 15. Garrett Shadbolt, $147,096. Steer Wrestling: Eighth Round: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.6 seconds, $33,687; 2. (tie) J.D. Struxness, Cash Robb and Scott Guenthner, 3.9, $20,285 each; 5. Dalton Massey, 4.0, $8,693; 6. Dakota Eldridge, $5,433; 7. (tie) Don Payne, Rowdy Parrott and Tyler Waguespack, 4.2 each; 10. Will Lummus, 4.3; 11. Justin Shaffer, 4.5; 12. Tucker Allen, 4.6; 13. Tyler Pearson, 5.0; 14. Stetson Jorgensen, 14.1; 15. Jesse Brown, NT. Average leaders: 1. Cash Robb, 33.9 seconds on eight head; 2. Will Lummus, 34.1; 3. Rowdy Parrott, 34.2; 4. Tucker Allen, 36.0; 5. Don Payne, 37.1; 6. Tyler Waguespack, 38.7; 7. Stetson Jorgensen, 46.7; 8. Tyler Pearson, 57.8; 9. J.D. Struxness, 28.4 seconds on seven head; 10. Dakota Eldridge, 29.4; 11. Justin Shaffer, 30.2; 12. Ty Erickson, 31.0; 13. Jesse Brown, 36.8; 14. Scott Guenthner, 37.6; 15. Dalton Massey, 38.0 seconds on six head. World Standings: 1. Dakota Eldridge, $264,434; 2. J.D. Struxness, $251,083; 3. Will Lummus, $237,622; 4. Dalton Massey, $217,956; 5. Jesse Brown, $216,172; 6. Rowdy Parrott, $202,829; 7. Cash Robb, $201,152; 8. Scott Guenthner, $198,787; 9. Stetson Jorgensen, $193,093; 10. Ty Erickson, $172,141; 11. Don Payne, $159,279; 12. Justin Shaffer, $157,365; 13. Tucker Allen, $144,368; 14. Tyler Waguespack, $133,898; 15. Tyler Pearson, $130,112. Team Roping: Eighth round: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 3.4 seconds, $33,687; 2. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 4.1, $26,624; 3. Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, 4.3, $20,104; 4. Derrick Begay/Jonathan Torres, 4.4, $14,127; 5. Clint Summers/Jake Long, 4.8, $8,693; 6. Cyle Denison/Tanner Braden, 5.2, $5,433; 7. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 9.4; 8. J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, 10.6; 9. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 19.3; 10. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, Jake Smith/Douglas, Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, Luke Brown/Travis Graves and Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, NT. Average leaders: 1. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 71.8 seconds on eight head; 2. Clint Summers/Jake Long, 36.0 seconds on seven; 3. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 39.7; 4. J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, 41.5; 5. Derrick Begay/Jonathan Torres, 51.4; 6. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 24.7 seconds on six head; 7. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 33.2; 8. Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, 36.0; 9. Luke Brown/Travis Graves, 46.0; 10. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 52.7; 11. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 25.0 seconds on five head; 12. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 14.6 seconds on four head; 13. Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, 18.0; 14. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 19.8; 15. Cyle Denison/Tanner Braden, 13.6 seconds on three head. World Standings (headers): 1. Tyler Wade, $326,163; 2. Kaleb Driggers, $280,000; 3. Dustin Egusquiza, $278,925; 4. Coleman Proctor, $263,048; 5. Clint Summers, $221,879; 6. Brenten Hall, $221,511; 7. J.C. Yeahquo, $214,808; 8. Andrew Ward, $198,198; 9. Cody Snow, $179,938; 10. Erich Rogers, $167,757; 11. Clay Smith, $154,053; 12. Jake Smith, $144,800; 13. Derrick Begay, $143,322; 14. Cyle Denison, $138,372; 15. Luke Brown, $134,482.World Standings (heelers): 1. Wesley Thorp, $326,163; 2. Junior Nogueira, $291,126; 3. Levi Lord, $278,925; 4. Logan Medlin, $249,815; 5. Jake Long, $225,316; 6. Kaden Profili, $222,684; 7. Buddy Hawkins II, $203,302; 8. Kollin VonAhn, $187,000; 9. Hunter Koch, $181,949; 10. Paul Eaves, $168,356; 11. Coleby Payne, $163,167; 12. Jonathan Torres, $155,959; 13. Tanner Braden, $154,519; 14. Douglas Rich, $144,800; 15. Travis Graves, $129,106. Saddle Bronc Riding: Eighth round: 1. Ryder Wright, 88 points on Korkow Rodeos' Kadoka Coolaid, $33,687; 2. Dawson Hay, 87, $26,624; 3. Wyatt Casper, 86.5, $20,104; 4. Damian Brennan, 86, $14,127; 5. Brody Cress, 84.5, $8,693; 6. Brody Wells, 84, $5,433; 7. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk and Ben Andersen, 83.5 each; 9. Sage Newman, 83; 10. Kade Bruno, 82.5; 11. (tie) Lefty Holman and Logan Hay, 82 each; 13. (tie) Zeke Thurston and Zac Dallas, 81.5 each; 15. Statler Wright, NS. Average leaders: 1. Wyatt Casper, 687 points on eight head; 2. Dawson Hay, 681; 3. Damian Brennan, 679; 4. Zeke Thurston, 675.5; 5. Kolby Wanchuk, 661.5; 6. Zac Dallas, 660.5; 7. Kade Bruno, 658.5; 8. Ben Andersen, 648.5; 9. Ryder Wright, 611 points on seven head; 10. Brody Cress, 597; 11. Brody Wells, 594; 12. Sage Newman, 590.5; 13. Lefty Holman, 583; 14. Statler Wright, 510 points on six head; 15. Logan Hay, 415.5 points on five head. World Standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $411,768; 2. Wyatt Casper, $352,941; 3. Damian Brennan, $346,815; 4. Brody Cress, $325,774; 5. Zeke Thurston, $320,002; 6. Kade Bruno, $255,959; 7. Statler Wright, $250,923; 8. Lefty Holman, $247,891; 9. Dawson Hay, $239,903; 10. Brody Wells, $229,206; 11. Sage Newman, $218,406; 12. Kolby Wanchuk, $171,386; 13. Zachary Dallas, $146,220; 14. Logan Hay, $144,041; 15. Ben Andersen, $137,285. Tie-down roping: Eighth round: 1. (tie) Ty Harris and Marty Yates, 7.3 seconds, $30,155 each; 3. Shane Hanchey, 8.1, $20,104; 4. (tie) Riley Mason Webb and Tuf Cooper, 8.7, $11,410 each; 6. Haven Meged, 8.8, $5,433; 7. (tie) Shad Mayfield and Quade Hiatt, 8.9 each; 9. John Douch, 9.3; 10. Kincade Henry, 9.4; 11. Dylan Hancock, 9.9; 12. Zack Jongbloed, 10.0; 13. Joel Harris, 10.9; 14. (tie) Hunter Herrin and Cole Clemons, NT. Average leaders: 1. Riley Mason Webb, 63.0 seconds on eight head; 2. Shad Mayfield, 70.1; 3. Shane Hanchey, 72.2; 4. Haven Meged, 75.1; 5. Quade Hiatt, 75.2; 6. Dylan Hancock, 79.2; 7. Ty Harris, 79.3; 8. Kincade Henry, 82.6; 9. Joel Harris, 83.0; 10. Tuf Cooper, 61.1 seconds on seven head; 11. Zack Jongbloed, 64.5; 12. John Douch, 72.1; 13. Cole Clemons, 84.9; 14. Marty Yates, 52.2 seconds on six head; 15. Hunter Herrin, 64.0 seconds on five head. World Standings: 1. Riley Mason Webb, $380,129; 2. Shad Mayfield, $356,658; 3. Haven Meged, $323,677; 4. Ty Harris, $307,142; 5. Joel Harris, $221,351; 6. Shane Hanchey, $218,647; 7. Dylan Hancock, $213,086; 8. Marty Yates, $207,434; 9. Zack Jongbloed, $203,061; 10. John Douch, $191,341; 11. Tuf Cooper, $188,518; 12. Kincade Henry, $174,322; 13. Hunter Herrin, $162,796; 14. Quade Hiatt, $146,211; 15. Cole Clemons, $122,111. Barrel Racing: Eighth round: 1. (tie) Kassie Mowry and Shelley Morgan, 13.45 seconds, $30,155 each; 3. Emily Beisel, 13.47, $20,104; 4. Leslie Smalygo, 13.51, $14,127; 5. Andrea Busby, 13.59, $8,693; 6. Lisa Lockhart, 13.61, $5,433; 7. Halyn Lide, 13.62; 8. Hailey Kinsel, 13.64; 9. Tiany Schuster, 13.68; 10. LaTricia Duke, 13.95; 11. Wenda Johnson, 14.07; 12. Ashley Castleberry, 18.77; 13. Abby Phillips, 18.79; 14. Carlee Otero, 19.09; 15. Dona Kay Rule, NT. Average leaders: 1. Andrea Busby, 108.99 seconds on eight runs; 2. LaTricia Duke, 111.01; 3. Kassie Mowry, 112.18; 4. Tiany Schuster, 114.56; 5. Ashley Castleberry, 115.32; 6. Hailey Kinsel, 118.25; 7. Emily Beisel, 119.47; 8. Carlee Otero, 119.67; 9. Halyn Lide, 120.78; 10. Lisa Lockhart, 124.77; 11. Abby Phillips, 125.34; 12. Wenda Johnson, 125.47; 13. Shelley Morgan, 134.95; 14. Leslie Smalygo, 111.75 seconds on seven runs; 15. Dona Kay Rule, 88.26 seconds on six runs. World standings: 1. Kassie Mowry, $390,435; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $367,325; 3. Carlee Otero, $238,078; 4. Leslie Smalygo, $228,184; 5. Andrea Busby, $226,072; 6. Emily Beisel, $204,212; 7. Ashley Castleberry, $203,055; 8. Tiany Schuster, $193,841; 9. Lisa Lockhart, $187,292; 10. Abby Phillips, $165,164; 11. Shelley Morgan, $156,778; 12. LaTricia Duke, $155,974; 13. Halyn Lide, $140,659; 14. Dona Kay Rule, $140,174; 15. Wenda Johnson, $127,970. Bull Riding: Eighth round: 1. Hayes Weight, 88 points on Sutton Rodeos' Two Step, $37,219; 2. Wacey Schalla, 87.0, $30,155; 3. (tie) T.J. Gray and Josh Frost, 86, $20,647 each; 5. (tie) Jace Trosclair, Clayton Sellars, Jeter Lawrence, Chase Dougherty, Cooper James, Trevor Reiste, Tristen Hutchings, Jordan Spears, Trey Kimzey, Tyler Bingham and Dustin Boquet, NS. 16. Creek Young, Inj. Average leaders: 1. Josh Frost, 580 points on seven head; 2. Cooper James, 428 points on five head; 3. Tristen Hutchings, 422; 4. Jace Trosclair, 336.5 points on four head; 5. Tyler Bingham, 250 points on three head; 6. Trey Kimzey, 240.5; 7. Jordan Spears, 174 points on two head; 8. (tie) T.J. Gray and Jeter Lawrence, 172 each, 10. Chase Dougherty, 168; 11. Clayton Sellars, 166; 12. Hayes Weight, 88 points on one head; 13. Wacey Schalla, 87; 14. Trevor Reiste, 84.5; 15. Dustin Boquet, 82.5; 16. Creek Walker Young, Inj. World Standings: 1. Josh Frost, $390,496; 2. T.J. Gray, $311,532; 3. Cooper James, $301,211; 4. Jace Trosclair, $285,993; 5. Hayes Weight, $283,242; 6. Tristen Hutchings, $268,314; 7. Jeter Lawrence, $256,341; 8. Clayton Sellars, $252,140; 9. Wacey Schalla, $234,252; 10. Trey Kimzey, $210,991; 11. Chase Dougherty, $196,204; 12. Jordan Spears, $194,331; 13. Tyler Bingham, $178,268; 14. Trevor Reiste, $177,733; 15. Creek Young, $131,609. All-around: 1. Shad Mayfield, $294,724; 2. Junior Nogueira, $293,041; 3. Coleman Proctor, $292,961; 4. Wacey Schalla, $204,577; 5. Tuf Cooper, $194,090; 6. Erich Rogers, $159,213; 7. Tyler Pearson, $128,912; 8. Paden Bray, $107,547; 9. Jake Clay, $101,966; 10. Slade Wood, $97,955. Top Gun: 1. Kassie Mowry, $228,152; 2. Bradlee Miller, $198,540; 3. (tie) Hailey Kinsel and Riley Mason Webb, $163,222 each; 5. Josh Frost, $160,777; 6. Ryder Wright, $160,506; 7. (tie) Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp, $134,425 each; 9. Wyatt Casper, 133,157; 10. Rocker Steiner, $132,252. Get local news delivered to your inbox!BY MELISSA GOLDIN Social media users are misrepresenting a report released Thursday by the Justice Department inspector general’s office, falsely claiming that it’s proof the FBI orchestrated the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Related Articles National News | Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightings National News | OpenAI whistleblower found dead in San Francisco apartment National News | Judge rejects an attempt by Trump campaign lawyer to invalidate guilty plea in Georgia election case National News | Texas’ abortion pill lawsuit against New York doctor marks new challenge to interstate telemedicine National News | US military flies American released from Syrian prison to Jordan, officials say The watchdog report examined a number of areas, including whether major intelligence failures preceded the riot and whether the FBI in some way provoked the violence. Claims spreading online focus on the report’s finding that 26 FBI informants were in Washington for election-related protests on Jan. 6, including three who had been tasked with traveling to the city to report on others who were potentially planning to attend the events. Although 17 of those informants either entered the Capitol or a restricted area around the building during the riot, none of the 26 total informants were authorized to do so by the bureau, according to the report. Nor were they authorized to otherwise break the law or encourage others to do so. Here’s a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: A December 2024 report released by the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General is proof that the Jan. 6 Capitol riot was a setup by the FBI. THE FACTS: That’s false. The report found that no undercover FBI employees were at the riot on Jan. 6 and that none of the bureau’s informants were authorized to participate. Informants, also known as confidential human sources, work with the FBI to provide information, but are not on the bureau’s payroll. Undercover agents are employed by the FBI. According to the report, 26 informants were in Washington on Jan. 6 in connection with the day’s events. FBI field offices only informed the Washington Field Office or FBI headquarters of five informants that were to be in the field on Jan. 6. Of the total 26 informants, four entered the Capitol during the riot and an additional 13 entered a restricted area around the Capitol. But none were authorized to do so by the FBI, nor were they given permission to break other laws or encourage others to do the same. The remaining nine informants did not engage in any illegal activities. None of the 17 informants who entered the Capitol or surrounding restricted area have been prosecuted, the report says. A footnote states that after reviewing a draft of the report, the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington said that it “generally has not charged those individuals whose only crime on January 6, 2021 was to enter restricted grounds surrounding the Capitol, which has resulted in the Office declining to charge hundreds of individuals; and we have treated the CHSs consistent with this approach.” The assistant special agent in charge of the Washington Field Office’s counterterrorism division told the inspector general’s office that he “denied a request from an FBI office to have an undercover employee engage in investigative activity on January 6.” He, along with then-Washington Field Office Assistant Director in Charge Steven D’Antuono, said that FBI policy prohibits undercover employees at First Amendment-protected events without investigative authority. Many social media users drew false conclusions from the report’s findings. “JANUARY 6th WAS A SETUP!” reads one X post that had received more than 11,400 likes and shares as of Friday. “New inspector general report shows that 26 FBI/DOJ confidential sources were in the crowd on January 6th, and some of them went into the Capitol and restricted areas. Is it a coincidence that Wray put in his resignation notice yesterday? TREASON!” The mention of Wray’s resignation refers to FBI Director Christopher Wray’s announcement Wednesday that he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden’s term in January. Other users highlighted the fact that there were 26 FBI informants in Washington on Jan. 6, but omitted key information about the findings of the report. These claims echo a fringe conspiracy theory advanced by some Republicans in Congress that the FBI played a role in instigating the events of Jan. 6, 2021, when rioters determined to overturn Republican Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden stormed the Capitol in a violent clash with police. The report knocks that theory down. Wray called such theories “ludicrous” at a congressional hearing last year. Asked for comment on the false claims spreading online, Stephanie Logan, a spokesperson for the inspector general’s office, pointed The Associated Press to a press release about the report. In addition to its findings about the the FBI’s involvement on Jan. 6, the report said that the FBI, in an action its now-deputy director described as a “basic step that was missed,” failed to canvass informants across all 56 of its field offices for any relevant intelligence ahead of time. That was a step, the report concluded, “that could have helped the FBI and its law enforcement partners with their preparations in advance of January 6.” However, it did credit the bureau for preparing for the possibility of violence and for trying to identify known “domestic terrorism subjects” who planned to come to Washington that day. The FBI said in a letter responding to the report that it accepts the inspection general’s recommendation “regarding potential process improvements for future events.”

CNN wants the North Carolina lieutenant governor's defamation lawsuit against it thrown outHighly anticipated: FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki recently said that the company had no plans for a sequel to the enormously successful Elden Ring. Of course, that doesn't rule out other projects related to the IP. A trailer at The Game Awards revealed that Miyazaki was teasing an upcoming multiplayer spin-off. FromSoftware unveiled Elden Ring Nightreign at the 2024 Game Awards this week. The standalone co-op spin-off of one of the most popular PC games launches in 2025, with a network test scheduled for February. This year's Game Awards hosted several surprising world premiere trailers, but Elden Ring Nightreign might be one of the most unusual. Multiplayer has always been a crucial component of FromSoftware's "Souls" games, but a co-op-focused spin-off is somewhat new for the company and the series. The game has teams of up to three players exploring Limveld, an open-world map in a universe parallel to Elden Ring's setting. Limveld shrinks each night over a three-day cycle, taking inspiration from battle royale games, with a boss appearing each night. The game has eight playable character types. Nightreign might also incorporate roguelike elements. Players can obtain relics and upgrade their characters after dying. Furthermore, the map changes with each session. Players can sign up for the February network test at Namco's website. Pricing details for the test and the finished game remain unclear, but the beta is only available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles. The final release will also come to Steam , PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The Game Award revealed various other upcoming titles, as well. CD Projekt Red showed off a gorgeous cinematic trailer for The Witcher 4, pre-rendered using an unidentified Nvidia graphics card, possibly the upcoming flagship GeForce RTX 5090. Sony finally announced an April 3, 2025, release date for the PC conversion of the critically acclaimed The Last of Us Part II. Sony's PC ports have maintained a reasonably good track record regarding performance and features, but TLOU2 continues a worrying trend of requiring a PSN account. Other significant surprises included a new Onimusha game, a sequel to Okami, the first new Virtua Fighter game in almost two decades, the next title from The Last of Us developer Naughty Dog, and much more.

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 5:39 p.m. ESTShortly after Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for attorney general on Thursday, Fox News host Harris Faulkner suggested he could be appointed to represent Florida in the U.S. Senate if Senator Marco Rubio is confirmed to serve on President-elect Donald Trump 's Cabinet. Last week, Trump nominated then-U.S. Representative Gaetz to lead the Department of Justice (DOJ), a selection evoking scrutiny from Democrats and some Republicans . Gaetz, who represented Florida's 1st Congressional District, resigned from his House seat November 13 following his nomination. At the time, Gaetz said he did not want to serve in the same position during the 119th Congress . Gaetz was the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation over allegations that he "engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use" and accusations of involvement in activities leading to the sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl. He has denied any wrongdoing. Some also questioned Gaetz's ability to lead the DOJ, citing his limited legal experience and the department's previous investigation of his actions. The agency finished its probe last year and no charges were leveled against Gaetz. Like other recent Cabinet nominees, including Rubio, who was chosen by Trump for secretary of state, Gaetz required Senate approval for attorney general confirmation. On Thursday, Gaetz wrote on X, formerly Twitter , that he met with senators Wednesday and was grateful for "their thoughtful feedback," adding that "while the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition." Trump posted on Truth Social that he appreciated "the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz." Earlier this month, Trump nominated another Florida lawmaker, U.S. Representative Michael Waltz—who represents Florida's 6th Congressional District—for national security adviser. On Fox News, Faulkner, co-host of Fox 's Outnumbered, said that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis "has to appoint—if Michael Waltz, congressman, moves on in his nominated post, if Marco Rubio, senator, moves on in his nominated post—he's got some positions to work with there in that state." Faulkner added: "Could it be Matthew Gaetz who then becomes a U.S. senator for an interim in the state of Florida?" Newsweek reached out to DeSantis' press team for comment via email on Thursday. In Florida, along with 44 other states, the governor has the power to appoint someone to a vacant Senate seat as a temporary replacement. Therefore, DeSantis, who endorsed Trump after dropping out of the presidential primaries, could technically appoint Gaetz to fill the seat. Before Gaetz's withdrawal, DeSantis said he has "already received strong interest from several possible candidates," saying that the selection will "likely" be made "by the beginning of January." DeSantis' appointee could serve until a special election is held, likely in 2026, in accordance with state law. Ahead of Gaetz's withdrawal, there were some calls for Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of the president-elect, to fill the potentially vacant Senate seat. Other names floated have included DeSantis' chief of staff, James Uthmeier, and as Florida GOP Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez. Gaetz supported Trump over DeSantis in the 2024 presidential campaign, but since the Florida governor dropped out in late January, Gaetz has posted support for the governor. In January, he wrote on X: "I actually still love DeSantis," and in June, he applauded the governor for helping make Florida "not a swing state." Gaetz served as an informal political adviser to DeSantis during his first gubernatorial election in 2018.