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WASHINGTON — President- elect Donald Trump on Thursday named Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, to be U.S. attorney general just hours after his other choice, Matt Gaetz , withdrew his name from consideration. Bondi is a longtime Trump ally and was one of his lawyers during his first impeachment trial, when he was accused — but not convicted — of abusing his power as he tried to condition U.S. military assistance to Ukraine on that country investigating then-former Vice President Joe Biden. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. She's been a chair at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former Trump administration staffers. “For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore,” Trump said in a social media post. “Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again.” Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. told Fox Business on Sunday that the transition team had backups in mind for his controversial nominees should they fail to get confirmed. The swift selection of Bondi came about six hours after Gaetz withdrew. Gaetz stepped aside amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer. That announcement capped a turbulent eight-day period in which Trump sought to capitalize on his decisive election win to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz, who had been investigated by the Justice Department before being tapped last week to lead it. The decision could heighten scrutiny on other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth , who faces sexual assault allegations that he denies. “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,” Gaetz, a Florida Republican who one day earlier met with senators in an effort to win their support, said in a statement. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1," he added. Hours later, Gaetz posted on social media that he looks “forward to continuing the fight to save our country,” adding, “Just maybe from a different post.” Trump, in a social media post, said: “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” Last week, Trump named personal lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer to senior roles in the department. Another possible attorney general contender, Matt Whitaker, was announced Wednesday as the U.S. ambassador to NATO. Bondi, too, is a longtime loyalist. She has been a vocal critic of the criminal cases against Trump as well as Jack Smith, the special counsel who charged Trump in two federal cases. In one radio appearance, she blasted Smith and other prosecutors who have charged Trump as “horrible” people she said were trying to make names for themselves by “going after Donald Trump and weaponizing our legal system.” If confirmed by the Republican-led Senate, Bondi would instantly become one of the most closely watched members of Trump’s Cabinet given the Republican’s threat to pursue retribution against perceived adversaries and concern among Democrats that he will look to bend the Justice Department to his will. A recent Supreme Court opinion not only conferred broad immunity on former presidents but also affirmed a president’s exclusive authority over the Justice Department’s investigative functions. Bondi would inherit a Justice Department expected to pivot sharply on civil rights, corporate enforcement and the prosecutions of hundreds of Trump supporters charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol — defendants whom Trump has pledged to pardon . It’s unlikely that Bondi would be confirmed in time to overlap with Smith, who brought two federal indictments against Trump that are both expected to wind down before the incoming president takes office. Special counsels are expected to produce reports on their work that historically are made public, but it remains unclear when such a document might be released. In 2013, while serving as Florida attorney general, Bondi publicly apologized for asking that the execution of a man convicted of murder be delayed because it conflicted with a campaign fundraiser. Bondi said she was wrong and sorry for requesting then-Gov. Rick Scott push back the execution of Marshall Lee Gore by three weeks. Before she ran for state attorney general in 2010, Bondi worked for the Hillsborough County state attorney. _____ Associated Press writers Zeke Miller, Michelle L. Price, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Adriana Gomez Licon contributed to this report.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — There’s plenty of concern and second-guessing to unpack from how the Bills unraveled on defense, special teams and clock management in their loss to the Los Angeles Rams to wonder whether it was premature labeling Buffalo as Super Bowl contenders only a week earlier. But first, the good news. There’s very little wrong with Buffalo’s Josh Allen-led offense after the quarterback strengthened his NFL MVP case. A week after a four-TD performance that included the statistical anomaly of him scoring two touchdowns on the same play in a 35-10 win over San Francisco, Allen became the NFL’s first player to throw and rush for three scores apiece in 44-42 loss to Los Angeles on Sunday . That Allen's latest superhuman-like effort ended in defeat is what’s troubling for the five-time defending AFC East champions (10-3) in their bid to dispel questions of finding ways to fall short in the playoffs in each of the past five years. Buffalo’s defense had few answers in stopping the Rams’ dynamic attack while allowing a season-high 457 yards. Worse still, the Bills allowed Los Angeles to go 11 of 15 on third down for a 73.3 conversion percentage — the third highest allowed by Buffalo and worst since allowing Miami's 75% conversion rate in 1986. If that’s not bad enough, the Bills lost for the first time in 39 games in which they scored at least 42 points, while becoming the NFL’s second team to lose when scoring 42 or more and not committing a turnover. Special teams didn’t help. Aside from allowing a blocked punt to be returned for a touchdown, the Bills couldn’t muster an attempt to block the Rams’ final punt from midfield with 7 seconds left because they only had nine players on the field. As coach Sean McDermott concluded after finally addressing reporters more than an hour after the game ended: “I thought we lost two of the three phases today.” He failed to mention yet another clock management misstep. Rather than have Allen spike the ball to stop the clock after a failed quarterback keeper from the Rams 1 with 62 seconds remaining, McDermott called timeout. That left Buffalo with two timeouts and essentially relying on the slim chances of recovering an onside kick after Allen scored on his next attempt. McDermott defended his decision by saying he feared too much time would elapse before the Bills aligned for another snap. And yet, it would not have matched the 45 seconds the Rams ran off on their final possession after Buffalo used its final two timeouts. Together, these are the types of miscues that have haunted the Bills in their recent playoff losses. The bright side is the loss to the Rams didn’t end the Bills’ season, though they fell two games behind Kansas City (12-1) in the race for the AFC’s top seed . And perhaps, the loss can be chalked up to a team riding a little too high off a playoff-clinching win and having to travel across the country to face a Rams team in the thick of its divisional race. If that’s so, the Bills have a chance to address their flaws — and doubters — by how they respond in what still stands as a juicy showdown at the NFC-leading Detroit Lions (12-1) on Sunday. “They’re the top dog in football right now,” Allen said, looking ahead to Detroit. “We have to have a good week, learn from this one, and put it behind us.” Scoring. The Bills topped 30 points for a team-record seventh consecutive game and ninth time this season. Buffalo entered the day ranked second in the NFL averaging 30.5 points per outing, behind Detroit (32.1). Run defense. Though the Rams averaged just 3.3 yards per carry, they stuck with it in finishing with 137 yards, helping them enjoy a 17-minute edge in time of possession. Allen. If not for him, the Bills wouldn't have been in position to nearly overcome a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit. His 424 yards (342 passing and 82 rushing) accounted for all but 21 yards of Buffalo's total offense. With so many options, perhaps the focus falls on special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley. This is the second time in 13 months special teams personnel management became an issue. Buffalo was flagged for having too many men as time expired, providing Wil Lutz a second chance to hit a decisive field goal in sealing Denver's 24-22 win last season . Starting CB Rasul Douglas was sidelined by a knee injury. ... DE Casey Toohill injured his ribs. 80-1-1 — The Bills' record when scoring 38 or more points, including a 38-38 tie with Denver in 1960. Facing Detroit represents Buffalo's final major test before closing the season with two games against New England and hosting the New York Jets. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
( MENAFN - Investor Brand Network) Bitcoin has emerged as one of the highest-performing assets in recent history. Over the last decade, its value has skyrocketed by approximately 1,000 times, significantly outpacing traditional investments like Real estate and stocks. Recently, bitcoin surged to a new record high of $107,000, fueled partly by the crypto-friendly stance of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. The Republican leader has expressed plans to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve, further boosting the crypto's... Read More>> About CryptoCurrencyWire CryptoCurrencyWire (“CCW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on blockchain and the cryptocurrency sector. It is one of 70+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers : (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries ; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets ; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact ; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers ; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions . With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, CCW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today's market, CCW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. CCW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge. To receive SMS alerts from CryptoCurrencyWire, text“CRYPTO” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only) For more information, please visit Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CryptoCurrencyWire website applicable to all content provided by CCW, wherever published or re-published: /Disclaimer CryptoCurrencyWire New York, NY 212.994.9818 Office [email protected] CryptoCurrencyWire is powered by IBN MENAFN27122024000224011066ID1109036203 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Wall Street stocks were little changed on Thursday while Asian equities rose in thin Boxing Day trade, extending their "Santa Claus Rally" with several bourses still shut for the holiday. Japan's Nikkei index closed up 1.1 percent, boosted by comments from the Bank of Japan governor and share price gains for top-selling automaker Toyota. China's plans for massive bond issuances in 2025 also bolstered investor sentiment. "Even though many in the region are still shaking off a bit of a holiday hangover, with several markets closed for Boxing Day, Asian stocks opened higher, riding a favorable wave from China's financial bond juggernaut," said Stephen Innes from SPI Asset Management. In New York, major indices veered in and out of positive territory in a sleepy post-Christmas session. The broad-based S&P 500 finished down less than 0.1 percent. Large technology companies that have led the market in much of 2024 mostly took a breather. These included Netflix, Tesla and Amazon, all of which declined. "What's interesting today is that we're seeing small stocks bounce back a little bit," said Steve Sosnick of Interactive Brokers, noting that the Russell 2000 index put on 0.9 percent. Holiday consumer data showed a 3.8-percent increase in US retail spending from November 1 to December 24, according to a Mastercard SpendingPulse review of a key period for retailers. London Stockton, an analyst at Ned Davis Research, noted that the "Santa Claus rally could still be alive, with strong seasonality into the end of the year." Stock markets have traditionally fared well in the last five trading days of the year and the first two in the new year, a trend known as the "Santa Claus rally." Among a number of possible reasons advanced by experts include the festive holiday mood and purchasing ahead of the end of the tax year. Innes said remarks from Bank of Japan governor Kazuo Ueda in which he refrained from signaling a potential interest rate hike next month also "influenced bullish regional sentiments." Japanese market heavyweight Toyota ended nearly six percent higher after reports in the Nikkei business daily said it aimed to double its return on equity -- a key measure of a company's financial performance. New York - Dow: UP 0.1 percent at 43,325.80 (close) New York - S&P 500: DOWN less than 0.1 percent at 6,037.59 (close) New York - Nasdaq: DOWN 0.1 percent at 20,020.36 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.1 percent at 39,568.06 points (close) Hang Seng: UP 1.1 percent at 20,098.29 points (Tuesday close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 3,398.08 points (close) Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0424 from $1.0414 on Tuesday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2526 from $1.2538 Dollar/yen: UP at 158.00 yen from 157.06 yen Euro/pound: UP at 83.19 pence from 83.05 pence West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.7 percent at $69.62 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.4 percent at $73.26 per barrel bur-jmb/ahaNone
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WASHINGTON — A lead organization monitoring for food crises around the world withdrew a new report this week warning of imminent famine in north Gaza under what it called Israel’s “near-total blockade,” after the United States asked for its retraction, U.S. officials told the Associated Press. The move came after the U.S. ambassador to Israel publicly criticized the report. The rare public dispute drew accusations from prominent aid and human-rights figures that the work of the U.S.-funded Famine Early Warning System Network, meant to reflect the data-driven analysis of unbiased international experts, has been tainted by politics. A declaration of famine would be a great embarrassment for Israel, which has insisted that its 15-month war in Gaza is aimed against the militant group Hamas and not against its civilian population. U.S. Ambassador Jacob Lew this week called the warning by the internationally recognized group inaccurate and “irresponsible.” Lew and the U.S. Agency for International Development, which funds the monitoring group, both said the findings failed to properly account for rapidly changing circumstances in north Gaza. Humanitarian and human rights officials expressed fear of U.S. political interference in the world’s monitoring system for famines. The U.S. Embassy in Israel and the State Department declined to comment. Officials at the warning network did not respond to questions. “We work day and night with the U.N. and our Israeli partners to meet humanitarian needs — which are great — and relying on inaccurate data is irresponsible,” Lew said Tuesday. USAID confirmed to the AP that it had asked the famine-monitoring organization to withdraw its stepped-up warning issued in a report dated Monday. The report did not appear among the top updates on the group’s website Thursday, but the link to it remained active. The dispute points in part to the difficulty of assessing the extent of starvation in largely isolated northern Gaza. Thousands in recent weeks have fled an intensified Israeli military crackdown that aid groups say has allowed delivery of only a dozen trucks of food and water since roughly October. The warning network said in its withdrawn report that unless Israel changes its policy, it expects the number of people dying of starvation and related ailments in north Gaza to reach between two and 15 per day sometime between January and March. The internationally recognized mortality threshold for famine is two or more deaths a day per 10,000 people. The warning network was created by the U.S. development agency in the 1980s and is still funded by it. But it is intended to provide independent, neutral and data-driven assessments of hunger crises, including in war zones. Its findings help guide decisions on aid by the U.S. and other governments and agencies around the world. A spokesman for Israel’s Foreign Ministry, Oren Marmorstein, welcomed the U.S. ambassador’s public challenge of the famine warning. “FEWS NET - Stop spreading these lies!” Marmorstein posted on X . In challenging the findings publicly, the U.S. ambassador “leveraged his political power to undermine the work of this expert agency,” said Scott Paul, a senior manager at Oxfam America, a humanitarian nonprofit. Paul stressed that he was not weighing in on the accuracy of the data or methodology of the report. “The whole point of creating FEWS is to have a group of experts make assessments about imminent famine that are untainted by political considerations,” said Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch and now a visiting professor in international affairs at Princeton University. “It sure looks like USAID is allowing political considerations — the Biden administration’s worry about funding Israel’s starvation strategy — to interfere.” Israel says it has been operating in recent months against Hamas militants still active in northern Gaza. It says the vast majority of the area’s residents have fled and relocated to Gaza City, where most aid destined for the north is delivered. But some critics, including a former defense minister, have accused Israel of carrying out ethnic cleansing in Gaza’s far north, near the Israeli border. North Gaza has been one of the areas hardest-hit by fighting and Israel’s restrictions on aid throughout its war with Hamas militants. Global famine monitors and United Nations and U.S. officials have warned repeatedly of the imminent risk of malnutrition and deaths from starvation reaching famine levels. International officials say Israel in the summer increased the amount of aid it was allowing into Gaza, under U.S. pressure. The U.S. and U.N. have said Gaza’s people as a whole need between 350 and 500 trucks a day of food and other vital needs. But the U.N. and aid groups say Israel recently has again blocked almost all aid to that part of Gaza. Cindy McCain, the American head of the U.N. World Food Program, called this month for political pressure to get food flowing to Palestinians there. Israel says that it places no restrictions on aid entering Gaza and that hundreds of truckloads of goods are piled up at the teorritory’s crossings, and accused international aid agencies of failing to deliver the supplies. The U.N. and other aid groups say Israeli restrictions, ongoing combat, looting and insufficient security by Israeli troops make it impossible to deliver aid effectively. Lew, the U.S. ambassador, said the famine warning was based on “outdated and inaccurate” data. He pointed to uncertainty over how many of the 65,000 to 75,000 people remaining in northern Gaza had fled in recent weeks, saying that skewed the findings. The warning network said in its report that its famine assessment holds even if as few as 10,000 people remain. USAID in its statement to AP said it had reviewed the report before it became public, and noted “discrepancies” in population estimates and some other data. The U.S. agency said it had asked the famine warning group to address those uncertainties and be clear in its final report to reflect how those uncertainties affected its predictions of famine. “This was relayed before Ambassador Lew’s statement,” USAID said in a statement. “FEWS NET did not resolve any of these concerns and published in spite of these technical comments and a request for substantive engagement before publication. As such, USAID asked to retract the report.” Roth criticized the U.S. challenge of the report, given the gravity of the crisis there. “This quibbling over the number of people desperate for food seems a politicized diversion from the fact that the Israeli government is blocking virtually all food from getting in,” he said, adding that “the Biden administration seems to be closing its eyes to that reality, but putting its head in the sand won’t feed anyone.” The U.S., Israel’s main backer, provided a record amount of military support in the first year of the war. At the same time, the Biden administration repeatedly urged Israel to allow more access to aid deliveries in Gaza overall, and warned that failing to do so could trigger U.S. restrictions on military support. The administration recently said Israel was making improvements and declined to carry out its threat of restrictions. Military support for Israel’s war in Gaza is politically charged in the U.S., with Republicans and some Democrats staunchly opposed to any effort to limit U.S. support over the suffering of Palestinian civilians trapped in the conflict. The Biden administration’s reluctance to do more to press Israel for improved treatment of civilians undercut support for Democrats in last month’s elections. Knickmeyer writes for the Associated Press. Sam Mednick and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
By LISA MASCARO and FARNOUSH AMIRI WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country’s hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump’s unusual nominees . Related Articles National Politics | Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? National Politics | Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next National Politics | ‘Polarization’ is Merriam-Webster’s 2024 word of the year National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump’s America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and drawing concern , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an ambitious agenda of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick Hegseth appeared to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect’s choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel , who has written extensively about locking up Trump’s foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees’ qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump’s team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump’s allies have described the criticisms of Hegseth in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president’s Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump’s first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies” — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump’s 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump’s first inauguration during the country’s bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it’s important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It’s one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.
Air pollution caused by AI tech could lead to 1,300 U.S. deaths annually by 2030, researchers say(CNN) — President-elect Donald Trump urged the Supreme Court to pause a controversial ban on TikTok that is set to take effect next month, telling the justices in a legal filing Friday that a delay would allow his administration to “pursue a negotiated resolution.” Trump’s request for a delay in implementing the ban puts him at odds with the Biden administration, which defended the law in its own brief Friday, warning of “grave” national security concerns about TikTok’s continued operation in the US. In one of the most significant pending cases before the Supreme Court, the justices must weigh whether the TikTok ban Congress approved in April violates the First Amendment. The court has already scheduled two hours of oral argument in the case for January 10. The court was flooded with roughly two dozen briefs Friday from groups and officials who have landed on both sides of that question. Trump is technically not a party in the case —he filed a “friend-of-the-court” brief, as did several outside groups, members of Congress and others who wanted to offer their perspective. But given that the ban is set to take effect January 19, a day before his inauguration, Trump’s position may carry significant weight with the justices. In his brief, Trump technically took no position on the underlying First Amendment questions posed by the case, but he urged the court to delay the January 19 effective date so that his administration could look for a way to resolve the issue without a ban. Trump suggested the court pause the ban’s effective date “to allow his incoming administration to pursue a negotiated resolution that could prevent a nationwide shutdown of TikTok, thus preserving the First Amendment rights of tens of millions of Americans, while also addressing the government’s national security concerns.” The incoming president has sent mixed signals in the past about his views on TikTok but most recently vowed to “save” the platform. Trump, who met with TikTok’s CEO this month, will be inaugurated January 20, a day after the ban is set to take effect unless the Supreme Court intervenes. Congress passed the ban with bipartisan support in response to years of concern that TikTok’s Chinese parent company poses a national security risk because, as the Biden administration warned in its own brief Friday, it can both collect data on users and manipulate the content those users see. The law allows the app to continue in the US if it divests from Chinese ownership. The law gives the sitting president broad power to decide whether the company has adequately split from its owners. Trump’s brief, his first to the Supreme Court since winning the election, claimed he is operating with a “powerful electoral mandate” and that he is uniquely positioned to resolve the TikTok controversy. At one point he described himself as “one of the most powerful, prolific, and influential users of social media in history.” “The First Amendment implications of the federal government’s effective shuttering of a social-media platform used by 170 million Americans are sweeping and troubling,” Trump’s brief stated. “There are valid concerns that the act may set a dangerous global precedent by exercising the extraordinary power to shut down an entire social-media platform based, in large part, on concerns about disfavored speech on that platform.” Earlier Friday, President Joe Biden’s administration and a bipartisan group of ex-government officials — including some who once worked for Trump — urged the Supreme Court to uphold the ban on TikTok , claiming that the platform’s ties to China pose a “grave” threat to American security. “TikTok collects vast swaths of data about tens of millions of Americans,” the administration told the Supreme Court on Friday. And, it said, China “could covertly manipulate the platform to advance its geopolitical interests and harm the United States — by, for example, sowing discord and disinformation during a crisis.” The written arguments submitted to the Supreme Court on Friday underscore a tension between national security and free speech at a time when 170 million Americans use TikTok for news and entertainment. Trump acknowledged in his brief Friday that his administration had also raised concerns about the platform and had signed an executive order limiting the app. When Trump was president in 2020, he signed an executive order to effectively ban TikTok, but it was halted in the courts. But, he argued Friday, the “unfortunate timing” of the law’s effective date “interferes” with his ability to “manage the United States’ foreign policy and to pursue a resolution to both protect national security and save a social-media platform that provides a popular vehicle for 170 million Americans to exercise their core First Amendment rights.” Delaying the law’s effective date, Trump said, could “obviate the need for this court to decide the historically challenging First Amendment question.” Among the former Trump officials who filed legal briefs Friday supporting the Biden administration’s position and the TikTok ban were Jeff Sessions, Trump’s first attorney general, and Ajit Pai, the Trump-appointed chairman of the Federal Communications Commission from 2017 to 2021. TikTok told the court in its own brief Friday that the federal government is attempting to shut down “one of the most significant speech platforms in America” and said that lawmakers were required by the First Amendment to consider other options, such as disclosures about the company’s ownership. “History and precedent teach that, even when national security is at stake, speech bans must be Congress’s last resort,” the company said. Groups advocating for First Amendment protections — including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University — urged the Supreme Court to look beyond the government’s national security claims and assess the ban’s impact on Americans’ freedom to view whatever online content they choose. “Restricting access to foreign media to protect against purported foreign manipulation is a practice that has long been associated with repressive regimes,” the Knight First Amendment Institute wrote. “The government has no legitimate interest in banning Americans from accessing foreign speech — even if the speech comprises foreign propaganda or reflects foreign manipulation.” The ACLU, similarly, warned of a “far reaching disruption in Americans’ ability to engage with the content and audiences of their choice online” if the Supreme Court upholds the ban. Earlier this month, a federal appeals court in Washington, DC, unanimously upheld the ban in a ruling that said the government had a national security interest in regulating the platform. The quick-turn timing of the briefing reflected the highly unusual speed with which the Supreme Court agreed to consider the case. The court plucked the appeal off its emergency docket — where TikTok was seeking a temporary pause of the ban — and agreed to delve into the substantive First Amendment questions about the law. Trump’s brief was filed by D. John Sauer, whom Trump has said he intends to nominate as solicitor general and who, if confirmed, would represent the Trump administration at the Supreme Court. “There are compelling reasons to stay the act’s deadline,” Sauer argued, “and allow President Trump to seek a negotiated resolution once in office.” The-CNN-Wire TM & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.( MENAFN - Gulf Times) Mozambique's president-elect Daniel Chapo on Friday called for“non-violence” and“unity” after widespread rioting this week sparked by his ruling party's contested election win. Chapo, who said he“regretted” the violence, promised that after his inauguration in mid-January, he would be“the president of all” in the southern African country, despite opposition claims of vote-rigging. Mozambique's top court on Monday confirmed that Frelimo, Chapo's party that has been in power for 50 years, won the October 9 vote, triggering four days of unrest that saw streets blocked, shops and businesses torched, and looting. Some 134 people were killed in the unrest, according to local NGO Plataforma Decide, taking the overall death toll since the elections to at least 261. Chapo said in his first public statement since the court decision that the worst affected cities were the capital Maputo, neighbouring Matola, the central city of Beira and Nampula in the north. “These acts only contribute to the decline of the country and the increase in the number of Mozambicans who are heading towards unemployment and poverty,” added the former provincial governor, who takes over an impoverished nation with glaring inequality in just a few weeks. Chapo thanked citizens who helped remove makeshift barricades to try to get life back to normal and praised security forces for“mitigating the harmful effects of political polarisation”. Several police officers died during the clashes, he added. He promised to turn around the country's economy and to do“everything to renew” Mozambique. International observers also pointed to electoral irregularities in the disputed presidential poll, which the Constitutional Council said Chapo won with 65.17 percent of the vote. The country's electoral commission had initially said Frelimo won nearly 71% of the vote. Before this week, Mozambique had seen a wave of demonstrations, strikes and blockades in protest at the election. Mozambique's capital, Maputo, is limping back to normal but residents are still fearful because of widespread looting and vandalism sparked by confirmation that the ruling party won contested elections. Food, fuel and medicine are running low for the city's inhabitants while the daring escape of more than 1,000 inmates from a maximum-security prison is fuelling wild rumours and prompted the creation of neighbourhood patrols.“My neighbour woke me up, telling me that men armed with machetes were walking around,” Maria Amelia, a 55-year-old cleaner who lives in Matola, near Maputo, told AFP.“When I went out, I saw my neighbours, armed with knives to defend themselves against these invaders. But I didn't see anyone. I was terrified.” Maputo bank worker Armand Tembe, 40, was also dragged out of bed before dawn.“I haven't seen any criminals outside. But it's starting to get scary. I don't know where the country is going,” he said dejectedly. “We stayed up until 4:30 in the morning and patrolled for something we only heard about and that no one saw,” said another woman who wanted to remain anonymous.“It was just hearsay, it makes it seem like a macabre plan.” Borges Nhamirre, a Pretoria-based Mozambican researcher, said that so far“there have been no verified reports of attacks of this kind”. But the fact that the police chief, speaking to the press on Wednesday evening,“announced that detainees could 'visit' houses has fuelled concern”, he added. “The prevailing sentiment in the conversations suggests that the government may have invented this crisis to control the ongoing social unrest,” he said. Venancio Mondlane, Mozambique's main opposition leader, has denounced the October 9 election results as rigged. On Monday, the country's highest court confirmed victory for the ruling Frelimo party, which has been in power for half a century. That set off riots that left more than 125 dead over several days, according to the local NGO Plataforma Decide. “We know who the real bandits are, it's Frelimo,” Mondlane said on social networks on Friday. On the streets of Maputo, makeshift barricades were slowly being dismantled, while the army was clearing some roads, according to AFP reporters on the ground. Residents were cautiously leaving their homes to look for basic necessities. “I'm looking for bread,” explained Isabel Rocha, 29, in the Laulane district of the city, after a sleepless night because of security fears.“The bakeries have been closed for four days. In fact, we lack everything. Even the small grocery stores are closed.” Lina Chauque, 47, sat despondently on the pavement with a large bundle containing lettuces and cabbages next to her. She had been waiting for two hours with several other women for a bus to arrive to sell her products at market.“We tried to ask for help from some trucks that passed but the drivers did not want to take us,” she said. A short distance away, cars queued patiently outside a petrol station where only one pump still had fuel. “I am looking for medicine for me and my mother,” explained Tomas Panguene, 65, who suffers from knee pain. “Yesterday I went out to find a pharmacy but the streets were still barricaded. I found what I needed this morning.” MENAFN27122024000067011011ID1109036198 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. 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NoneSEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's acting president faces an impeachment vote as the Constitutional Court meets for its first hearing on Friday in the case of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached and suspended from duties after a short-lived martial law. The effort to impeach Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who has been acting president since Yoon was impeached on Dec. 14, threatens to intensify the political crisis gripping Asia's fourth-largest economy and one of its most vibrant democracies. The unexpected martial law decree and swift political fallout shocked the nation and economic markets, unsettling key allies the United States and Europe which had seen Yoon as a staunch partner in global efforts to counter China, Russia, and North Korea. The plan for a vote to impeach Han was unveiled on Thursday by the main opposition Democratic Party after he declined to immediately appoint three justices to fill vacancies at the Constitutional Court, saying it would exceed his acting role. After Yoon's impeachment, the DP had said in the interest of national stability it would not pursue impeaching Han over his role in the martial law bid. But the party has since clashed with the Yoon-appointed prime minister over the justices, as well as bills calling for special prosecutors to investigate the president. On Thursday Han said it was beyond his remit as a caretaker president to appoint the justices without bipartisan agreement. A party spokesman said Han's refusal amounted to an abuse of power aimed at obstructing Yoon's trial, adding that the prime minister was himself "a key suspect in the rebellion". The leader of Yoon's People Power Party, Kwon Young-se, told reporters that if Han was impeached, that could trigger a new financial crisis, the Yonhap news agency said. Yoon cited a high number of impeachment votes and other obstructionist moves by the DP as part of his justification for trying to impose martial law. He also later said it was needed to investigate questions over election security. The vote to determine Han's fate comes as the Constitutional Court is set to hold its first hearing in a case that will decide whether Yoon is reinstated or permanently removed from office. The court has 180 days to decide whether to reinstate Yoon or remove him. In the latter scenario, a new presidential election would be held within 60 days. Yoon is not required to attend the hearing, and it is unclear if anyone from his legal team will be there. In contrast to South Korea's two previous impeached presidents, Yoon has refused to receive or acknowledge court communications so far. On Thursday a court spokesperson said the hearing would be held regardless of his team's participation, but she did not comment on whether the president would eventually be compelled to respond. LEADERSHIP CRISIS If Han is impeached, the finance minister will assume the acting presidency. The Democratic Party has majority control of parliament, but there is disagreement between the parties and some constitutional scholars over whether a simple majority or a two-thirds vote is needed to impeach the acting president. On Thursday the South Korean won weakened to its lowest since March 2009 in holiday-thinned trading amid the U.S. dollar's continued rally. Analysts said there was little to reverse the negative sentiment stemming from political uncertainty this week, while the strong dollar has not worked in favour of South Korean stocks. Yoon shocked his country and the world with a late-night announcement on Dec. 3 that he was imposing martial law to overcome political deadlock and root out "anti-state forces". The military deployed special forces to the national assembly, the election commission, and the office of a liberal YouTube commentator. It also issued orders banning activity by parliament and political parties, as well as calling for government control of the military. But within hours 190 lawmakers had defied the cordons of troops and police and voted against Yoon's order. About six hours after his initial decree, the president rescinded the order. Yoon survived a first impeachment vote on Dec. 7 after his party boycotted the motion, but divisions within his conservative camp deepened after he gave a defiant speech defending martial law, questioning the validity of elections, and claiming domestic opponents were aligned with North Korea. At least 12 of his party joined the opposition to support impeachment on Dec. 14, and he was suspended from duties. Yoon and senior members of his administration also face criminal investigations for insurrection over their decision to impose martial law. (Writing by Josh Smith; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
When Big 12 coaches voted for the conference's 2024-25 preseason poll, they may have missed the mark slightly on the league’s Pac-12 refugees. Based on the nonconference season, ASU, Colorado and Utah appear more competitive than expected ... while Arizona has underperformed. The Wildcats (6-5), who were picked to finish fifth, still have computer rankings that place them among the league’s top half but are tied with Oklahoma State for the conference’s worst record entering their conference opener Monday against TCU at McKale Center. Here’s an update on how the conference’s 16 teams stand heading into the opening of the conference season this weekend, in order of how they were picked in the Big 12's preseason poll (games listed are at homecourts unless otherwise noted): 1. Kansas (9-2) Kansas forward KJ Adams reacts after scoring against Duke during the first half of a Nov. 26, 2024, game in Las Vegas. Kenpom/NET ratings: 8/12 Best win: 75-72 over Duke on Nov. 26 at Las Vegas Worst loss: 76-63 at Creighton on Dec. 4 What’s new: The Jayhawks have performed largely as expected against a difficult nonconference schedule, with South Dakota State transfer guard Zeke Mayo fitting in with a veteran core led by Big 12 preseason Player of the Year Hunter Dickinson at center. They have beaten three Top 30 Kenpom teams – Duke, North Carolina and Michigan State – but lost at Creighton and at Missouri in early December. He said it: “We had five really crap days, and we got what we deserved, but overall, I don’t know, probably B- overall (in nonconference play)... if you took the right class where you could drop your worst two tests, then we would’ve probably had a pretty good semester. But not all professors allow that.” — Kansas coach Bill Self, on Dec. 22 2. Houston (8-3) Kenpom/NET ratings: 4/6 Best win: 69-51 over Butler on Dec. 7 Worst loss: 73-70 (OT) to San Diego State on Nov. 30 at Las Vegas What’s new: It’s been a nonconference season of near-misses for the Cougars, who lost by five to Auburn and then in overtime to Alabama and SDSU, while recent limits on big man J'Wan Roberts (foot) have impacted their ability to protect the rim. He said it: “Our team is going to continue to improve. We’re nowhere close to playing our best basketball right now.” — Houston coach Kelvin Sampson, on Dec. 21 3. Iowa State (10-1) Kenpom/NET ratings: 5/8 Best win: 81-70 over Marquette on Dec. 4 Worst loss: 83-81 to Auburn on Nov. 25 at Lahaina, Hawaii What’s new: With its highest AP ranking since 1956-57 – No. 3 – the Cyclones might be the Big 12’s frontrunner at this point. Iowa State scored 80 points or more in all nonconference games this season and has won 25 straight home games. He said it: “Not having to learn in losses is important. There’s a lot of positives to take away (from nonconference play). We’ve shown at times the team we can be. The consistency is something we have to work on at both ends.” — Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger, on Dec. 22 4. Baylor (7-3) Kenpom/NET ratings: 18/20 (entering Friday's game vs. Arlington Baptist) Best win: 99-98 (2OT) over St. John’s on Nov. 21 at Nassau, Bahamas Worst loss: 77-62 to Tennessee on Nov. 22 at Nassau, Bahamas What’s new: Dipping out and then back into the Top 25, Baylor has only had a full complement of players in two of its first 10 games. The most significant loss: Duke transfer guard Jeremy Roach has been out since Dec. 4 because of concussion protocol. He said it: “The good thing is, our returning players have been able to share their wisdom and knowledge about Big 12 play. And one thing about portal players is they've played college basketball, they know how hard it is come league play. Part of the reason they came to Baylor was to be a part of the Big 12 grind and to play the best.” — Baylor coach Scott Drew, on Dec. 26 5. Arizona (6-5) Arizona forward Henri Veesaar moves to the basket against Davidson at the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament Nov. 27, 2024. Kenpom/NET ratings: 24/26 Best win: 104-71 over Davidson on Nov. 27 at Paradise Island, Bahamas Worst loss: 83-76 (OT) to West Virginia on Nov. 29 at Paradise Island, Bahamas What’s new: The Wildcats received two encouraging games from previously slumping preseason all-American Caleb Love at the end of nonconference play. But they're shifting their rotation around to compensate for the loss of projected starting center Motiejus Krivas (foot) — and trying to figure out how to win a close game. He said it: “We always want to be team driven, so that's going to be the focus. We're going to be at our best when we have eight or nine guys contributing every night.” — Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd, on Dec. 21 6. Cincinnati (10-1) Kenpom/NET ratings: 21/18 Best win: 66-59 over Dayton on Dec. 20 Worst loss: 68-60 at Villanova on Dec. 3 What’s new: After playing a weak November schedule, the Bearcats have beaten Xavier in the Crosstown Shootout and Dayton before a largely pro-Flyer crowd at Heritage Bank Center. Standout wing Dan Skillings missed six games with a minor knee injury but has since returned. He said it: “We wanted to put ourselves in a position to go into league play and to be a quality team. I believe we've done that. Was it perfect? No, it's not perfect. We have a lot of room for improvement but when we look back at the non-conference, I am pleased.” — Cincinnati coach Wes Miller, on Dec. 22 7. Texas Tech (9-2) Kenpom/NET ratings: 13/17 Best win: 76-62 over DePaul on Dec. 4 Worst loss: 78-77 to St. Joseph’s at Brooklyn, N.Y. What’s new: A rash of injuries and a weak nonconference schedule have made it difficult to figure out who the Red Raiders really are. While versatile forward Darrion Williams has led them, their two top big men, JT Toppin (knee) and Federiko Federiko (shoulder) have been out lately. He said it: “We’ve got great talent. With us, (opponents) have to guard these guys who can shoot, pass, handle. To me, the mindset is how much more physical can be we be defensively?” — Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland, on Dec. 21 8. Kansas State (6-5) Kenpom/NET ratings: 90/122 Best win: 83-71 over George Washington on Nov. 22 at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Worst loss: 84-65 at Wichita State on Dec. 21 What’s new: Those contributing to K-State’s NIL collective aren’t getting much of a return on their investment. The Wildcats' reported $2 million player Coleman Hawkins is averaging less than 10 points a game and shooting only 37.4%, while K-State has struggled far more than expected across the board so far. He said it: “I feel like it's us versus everybody. I can't go on my phone without people wishing the worst for me and not just for me, but for our team. It devastates me. I just went on my phone and saw someone say, ‘I hope you break your leg.' That's the kind of stuff that our team has been dealing with all year. It just affects me so much because I don't wish that upon my worst enemy." — Hawkins, on Dec. 17 9. BYU (9-2) Kenpom/NET ratings: 41/43 Best win: 72-61 over N.C. State on Nov. 29 at San Diego Worst loss: 83-64 at Providence on Dec. 3 What’s new: NBA scouts are abuzz over Russian freshman Egor Demin, a unicorn-ish point forward who has missed the Cougars’ past three games with a knee injury but is expected to return soon. The Cougars’ quality depth helped them win their past three games without him. He said it: “I think I probably learned more than the players. I’m extremely critical of what we do and I always ask myself, ‘Are we on the right path?’ ... In hindsight, I wish there would have been a few more ... power teams we could have played to learn even more.” — BYU coach Kevin Young, on Dec. 20 10. TCU (7-4) Kenpom/NET ratings: 74/74 Best win: 76-72 over Xavier on Dec. 5 Worst loss: 69-52 to Santa Clara on Nov. 28 at Palm Springs What’s new: ASU transfer point guard Frankie Collins led the Horned Frogs in scoring (11.4) and assists (4.4) before breaking his foot in TCU’s loss to Vanderbilt on Dec. 8. He'll miss the rest of the season. He said it: “It’s been a process and why wouldn’t it be? We’ve got 12 new guys. We reorganized and restructured because we had some injuries.” — TCU coach Jamie Dixon, on Dec. 22 11. UCF (9-2) Kenpom/NET ratings: 75/81 Best win: 64-61 over Texas A&M on Nov. 4 Worst loss: 109-102 to LSU on Nov. 24 at White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. What’s new: The Knights have played only two Top 100 Kenpom teams and only left the state of Florida to visit West Virginia, where they lost both games they played. But they just received last season’s leading scorer, Jaylin Sellers, back after he missed 10 games with an undisclosed injury. He said it: “(Sellers has) been missing for quite some time, and in several cases guys went out of their way to make sure they found him to make a play. He came through and made the play. We’re better with him on the court.” — UCF coach Johnny Dawkins, on Dec. 21 12. Arizona State (9-2) Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley walks on the court after a game against Gonzaga, Nov. 10, 2024, in Spokane, Wash. Kenpom/NET ratings: 59/50 Best win: 68-64 over Saint Mary’s on Nov. 29 at Palm Springs Worst loss: 83-66 to Florida on Dec. 14 at Atlanta What’s new: After the Sun Devils' brutal 103-47 exhibition loss at Duke, ASU coach Bobby Hurley has meshed together a talented team featuring Ball State transfer forward Basheer Jihad and highly regarded freshmen Jayden Quaintance and Joson Sanon despite playing only four games at Desert Financial Arena. He said it: “Our guys are ready to start Big 12 play, and they’re excited to get after it. Hopefully, we shock a lot of people and make an impact in conference play.” — ASU guard Alston Mason, on Dec. 21 13. West Virginia (9-2) West Virginia's Tucker DeVries, rear, reacts at the end of the game against Gonzaga at the Battle 4 Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Kenpom/NET ratings: 48/33 Best win: 86-78 over Gonzaga on Nov. 27 at Paradise Island, Bahamas Worst loss: 86-62 at Pittsburgh on Nov. 15. What’s new: The Mountaineers have largely gone where forward Tucker DeVries takes them — including a win over Arizona in which he hit 8 of 12 3-pointers — but he’s missed the past three games with an undisclosed upper-body injury and remains out indefinitely. He said it: “Like I told the guys, the nonconference portion is over, and they did their job in terms of putting themselves in position and now they get ready for Big 12 play.” — West Virginia coach Darian DeVries, on Dec. 22 14. Oklahoma State (8-3) Kenpom/NET ratings: 104/108 Best win: 80-74 over Miami (Fla.) on Nov. 22 at Charleston, S.C. Worst loss: 86-78 to Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21 at Charleston, S.C. What’s new: In his first year of a potentially rough rebuilding job, coach Steve Lutz may have the Cowboys ready to at least compete in the Big 12. They’re deep and have the experience of playing six games away from home already. He said it: “We’ve continued to get better in spurts but our problem is we’ve still got to find a way to put 40 minutes together.” — Lutz, on Dec. 22 15. Colorado (9-2) Kenpom/NET ratings: 76/77 Best win: 73-72 over UConn on Nov. 26 at Lahaina, Hawaii Worst loss: 72-56 to Michigan State on Nov. 25 at Lahaina, Hawaii What’s new: Once the Pac-12’s most stable program, Colorado is dealing with the loss of three players to the 2024 NBA Draft and three key transfers. But NAIA transfer Elijah Malone and Washington State transfer Andrej Jakimovski have played key roles alongside veteran guard Julian Hammond. He said it: “I think we've made progress in a lot of areas on both sides of the ball. We've shown in stretches we can really defend, that we can understand a scouting report and play for each other. Offensively, we share the ball.” — Colorado coach Tad Boyle, on Dec. 21 16. Utah (8-3) Kenpom/NET ratings: 63/63 Best win: 81-63 over Radford on Dec. 14 Worst loss: 72-63 to Saint Mary’s on Dec. 7 What’s new: The Utes are 8-0 in Quad 4 games, which basically means nothing for a high-major team. But they've been competitive against better competition in three losses, and they're a decent-shooting team (58.2% from 2-point range and 37.9% from 3). He said it: “We have to be able to finish, whether it’s finish the possession or finish with the defensive rebound or finish plays at the rim, or make your free throws or finish.” — Utah coach Craig Smith, on Dec. 7 Who: Arizona vs. TCU When: 6 p.m. Where: McKale Center Watch: ESPN+ Listen: 1290-AM, 107.5-FM Contact sports reporter Bruce Pascoe at bpascoe@tucson.com . On X(Twitter): @brucepascoe Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Reporter
Rangers may be sitting eleven points behind Celtic in the race for the title but former Ibrox captain Lee McCulloch watched the 3-0 win over Ross County on Sunday convinced better times lie ahead. Philippe Clement's men have suffered from a lack of cutting edge this term, but the return of Danilo from injury, Ianis Hagi from contractual banishment and Hamza Igamane's sudden and spectacular acclimatisation to Scottish football have seen attacking vigour restored. With 13 goals in the last three games, Rangers' resurgence couldn't have come at a better time with two huge tests just around the corner. Ange Postecoglou's Spurs may be struggling but Clement wasn't wrong to call them one of the best teams in the world. It's less than a month since they dismantled Manchester City 4-0 on their own turf - while Celtic await in the Premier Sports Cup Final on Sunday. And McCulloch points to the sudden plethora of forward options as why he's filled with confidence for the tests to come. Read more: John Souttar pinpoints the back to basics approach behind Rangers rise "Rangers have definitely turned a corner," he asserted. "I think with the performance at the weekend and the way they started the game, the speed they passed the ball, the chances created, goals scored - it was very, very convincing. You can't disagree with that. It sets us up for a massive week ahead. Probably, Rangers are in the best position they've been in all season with Hagi, Danilo, and Igamane getting game time and the manager being able to rotate the squad. "Coming up are two massive games, the most important one being Spurs because it's the next one and it's a chance to go and progress. I think there are options there for a manager, I think there's confidence back in the dressing room and I think there's that connection with the stands as well. So it's positive this week. "When you look at that performance yesterday, I think there is hope. Spurs have got good individual players, they're playing in one of the best leagues in the world. But when it comes down to a one-off game, you're at home, it's a full house, you use the atmosphere and you're in good form yourself, then I would say bring it on. "It's a chance to go and probably cement qualification, isn't it. When you've got a full stadium, it doesn't matter who you're playing, when you've got a full stadium you use them as your twelfth man. There's teams all around the world that struggle to play in a full stadium out there and you've got to use that. I think the key to that is starting the game well. "I watched a bit of their game yesterday and they're 2-0 up, they were brilliant. They're playing against Chelsea, right enough! But there's a bit of a fragile side to them and that's where, as a Rangers player, you've got to take confidence for that and believe that you can use the fans out there and go and put a right show on and get a result." One of the intriguing elements of Spurs arriving to play Europa League football at Ibrox is the return of former Celtic manager Postecoglou. The Greek-Aussie is sure to get a hot reception, especially if there's a sense that he's a manager under pressure. Ange Postecoglou during his side's loss to Chelsea (Image: SNS) McCulloch said: "As a player, you kind of get involved in that, but I completely see it. A guy who managed in Scotland for the club's biggest rivals coming back here... He'll know the reception that he'll probably get. That's for other people, it's just about starting the game well and getting the fans and the terraces with you. There's no reason why they can't. "After the result and performance on Sunday, you're set up perfectly. You're going into Thursday with no fear. Regardless of who plays on Thursday, I think there's a chance there. Celtic is a bigger game. No doubt about it, but you need to go into Thursday first and park Sunday mentally. You need to go and get one step closer to getting into the next stages and the manager will just be hoping to be injury-free after that game." *Former Rangers captain Lee McCulloch was speaking at Ibrox to promote The Rangers Youth Development Company, their latest Lotto campaign and Christmas products. RYDC have a range of prints, mugs, coasters and Christmas decorations to buy now at www.rydc.co.uk and fans can also sign up to Rangers Lotto. All profit goes to the Rangers Academy and more than £11.5 million has been provided so far with RYDC’s latest donation to be revealed early in 2025.Thinking of hosting an epic New Year’s Eve party at that nice big house listed on Airbnb? It didn’t take until 2025 for the robots to learn how to kill your buzz. The company, cofounded by a Snellville native , is using artificial intelligence it calls “anti-party defenses” to block bookings that seem to be for New Year’s bashes. “While issues are rare, we want to do our part to help reduce the risk of unauthorized and disruptive parties,” Airbnb Global Head of Operations Tara Bunch said in a press release. “Airbnb is committed to supporting hosts and the communities they live in, and we hope these defenses allow guests, hosts and neighbors to celebrate the holiday with added reassurance.” The Atlanta City Council has grappled with regulating short-term rentals to thwart “party houses” that become neighborhood nuisances, without hurting property owners who depend on the income from rental sites including Airbnb and Vrbo. Suburban jurisdictions , including Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Peachtree Corners and unincorporated Cobb County , have regulated short-term rentals to varying degrees. In Cobb County, for example, short-term rental owners must notify neighbors and homeowners associations about their rental property and designate a local agent who can address complaints. Some cities limit the number of short-term rentals within neighborhoods, while others all but ban them outright. Cities including Atlanta, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs also adopted “party house ordinances” that outlaw renting homes for the explicit intent of hosting large-scale gatherings. Airbnb two years ago banned “disruptive parties” worldwide, including open-invite gatherings advertised on social media. The company uses AI year-round to screen for “party risk,” by reviewing language on Airbnb’s messaging platform and the guest’s history, among other factors. Brookwood High School graduate Joe Gebbia and his roommate, Brian Chesky, founded Airbnb in 2007 when they rented out their San Francisco living room with air mattresses to earn money for rent. It’s an entrepreneurial success story with some unintended consequences. Gebbia’s hometown of Snellville adopted an ordinance requiring business licenses for short-term rentals after the arrest of a man accused of using an Airbnb there to stash drugs.