Philadelphia's Joel Embiid scored 31 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in his return after missing seven games to spark the 76ers on Sunday in a 108-100 NBA victory at Chicago. Embiid had been sidelined by a left knee injury and personal reasons since a November 20 loss to Memphis, the Sixers going 4-3 in his absence. The 30-year-old Cameroonian-born big man, who wore a left knee brace, also added four assists and two blocked shots in 33 minutes in only his fifth game of the season. "He caught fire there," 76ers coach Nick Nurse said of Embiid. "Certainly he gave us a lot of confidence." Philadelphia guard Tyrese Maxey contributed his first career NBA triple-double with 25 points and career highs of 14 assists and 11 rebounds. "It was good," Maxey said. "The offense flowed really well. Pick and roll was really good. I was able to get everybody involved, get Joel going and get myself going too." "He turned on the jets and got to the rim at some pretty opportune times," Nurse said of Maxey. Embiid was a welcome court presence for the 76ers. "He creates so much space for us on the floor, gets the attention," said Maxey. "I didn't see one pick and roll double team for the first time in a long time." Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 30 points. At New York, Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Bucks over the Brooklyn Nets 118-113. Damian Lillard added 15 points and 11 assists while reserve Bobby Portis contributed 23 points and Gary Trent Jr. scored 20 off the Milwaukee bench. Germany's Dennis Schroder led the Nets with 34 points. js/mlmThe Buffalo Bills are back from their bye week and gearing up for a six-week sprint to the end of the regular season. At 9-2, the team has surpassed any reasonable expectations set for it coming into the season. A fifth straight AFC East title is all but guaranteed, and could be wrapped up as soon as Sunday if things go right. The No. 1 seed in the conference playoffs is still in play. As the team prepares to welcome the San Francisco 49ers to Highmark Stadium on Sunday night in a nationally televised game, here is a look at three things that have gone right and three that have gone at least partially wrong thus far: Let’s start with the good: Bills quarterback Josh Allen, left, celebrates after running for the game-winning touchdown against the Chiefs at Highmark Stadium on Nov. 17. The Bills’ star quarterback has elevated his game to another level this season, even if he’s not statistically on pace to have his best season. Allen is projected to throw for 3,930 yards and 28 touchdowns, while completing 64.0% of his passes this year. His best season came in 2020, when he threw for 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns while completing 69.2% of his passes. Still, Allen’s generally considered to be having his best NFL season to date. He’s on pace to throw a career-low eight interceptions (he threw 10 in 2020), but his MVP case goes beyond just that. Right or wrong, the MVP discussion will inevitably look at a team’s record, and the Bills are 9-2 in a year many had them pegged as a 10- or 11-win team at max. Allen’s leadership and command of the offense have never been greater, thus strengthening his MVP case. Buffalo Bills roundtable: How far can they go? Our writers weigh in as this magical season resumes The Bills’ defense always stresses the importance of taking the football away, and few teams in the league have been better at it thus far. Buffalo’s 21 takeaways currently ranks fifth, just two behind league-leading Houston with 23 and one behind a three-way tie for second with 22 between Green Bay, Pittsburgh and Minnesota. Buffalo’s 13 interceptions rank fourth in the league, and its eight recovered fumbles is tied for fifth. Conversely, the Bills’ offense is taking good care of the football, with just seven giveaways. Buffalo’s five interceptions is tied for sixth fewest in the league and its two lost fumbles is second to only Detroit (one lost). That’s led to a plus-14 turnover differential that is tops in the NFL. The Bills are allowing sacks on just 3.7% of their pass plays – the best number in the NFL. That’s not totally an offensive line stat, as Allen’s elusiveness plays into it, but it definitely says a lot about how the group up front is performing. The Bills have started the same five – left tackle Dion Dawkins, left guard David Edwards, center Connor McGovern, right guard O’Cyrus Torrence and right tackle Spencer Brown – in every game, save the Week 11 win over the Chiefs, which Brown missed with a sprained ankle. On the ground, the Bills are third in expected points added per rush, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats. That number quantifies the net value a ball carrier adds on run plays by translating yards gained into points scored. Again, that’s not totally an offensive line stat, but as Bills head coach Sean McDermott points out after every game, success most frequently starts up front at the line of scrimmages. Here are three things that haven’t always been great: Want a chance at a new stadium seat? Get in line. Buffalo Bills still adding to waitlist While the Bills are in the middle of the pack in terms of yards allowed per game, ranking 14th at 119.1, they are 30th in terms of yards allowed per carry, at 4.85. Take a look at the upcoming schedule of running backs the team faces: Christian McCaffrey (49ers), Kyren Williams (Rams) and David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions). This concern goes beyond just the short term, though. The Week 4 loss to Derrick Henry, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens is tough to forget. It feels like any path to the Super Bowl is going to have to go through Baltimore and/or Kansas City, and the Chiefs should get Isiah Pacheco back soon. The Bills are going to have to get tougher against the run, or else teams will be able to control the clock, and thus the pace of the game. Buffalo is allowing 1.79 yards per carry before contact, which is eighth most in the NFL, according to the league’s Next Gen Stats. That speaks to the defensive line’s inability at times to get to the opposing running back. It’s not been all bad for the run defense, as the team has stuffed opposing rushing attempts, meaning holding them to no gain or for a loss of yardage, on 23.3% of carries, which is the second-best rate in the league. The consistency, however, has lacked, and that’s a potential problem moving forward. The 61-yard field goal that won the game against Miami was one of the best kicks in team history. Bass followed that up with another good showing against Indianapolis in Week 10, but a missed extra point against Kansas City once again led to some doubt creeping in. It felt for most of that game against the Chiefs like the missed extra point was going to loom large, but the rest of the team eventually made sure that didn’t happen. Nevertheless, it feels certain that there is going to come a time that the Bills need to rely on Bass down the stretch, and their confidence in doing so might have understandably been shaken by his miss against the Chiefs. Bass has made 86.4% of his field goals this season (19 of 22), which ranks 15th among qualified kickers (those with at least 16 attempts). Of the 40 kickers in the league who have an attempted an extra point, however, Bass ranks 36th, with a conversion rate of 89.2%. The Bills don’t currently have a kicker on their practice squad, so they’re all in on Bass coming through. He needs to reward them for their confidence. Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard, middle, celebrates his interception against the Chiefs in Week 11. The Bills have 13 interceptions this season, which is fourth most in the NFL. The Bills’ weekly injury report has needed subtitles at times this season because it’s been so long. By unofficial count, the Bills have had 15 players classified as starters or key contributors who have missed at least one game because of injury. That’s a lot of bumps and bruises. The good news, however, is that the bye week came at the right time. The team opened linebacker Matt Milano’s practice window before the bye, meaning his return should come soon. If he can get back up to speed before the playoffs, he gives the team a great 1-2 punch at linebacker with Terrel Bernard (and if not, Dorian Williams has looked just fine in Milano’s place). Ideally, the team’s run of wrist injuries is behind it. Amari Cooper and rookie Keon Coleman should be closer to 100% coming out of the bye. Rookie defensive tackle DeWayne Carter, who had put together a few nice performances before suffering a wrist injury, is eligible to return from injured reserve starting this week. Veteran defensive end Dawuane Smoot has to miss at least two more games while on injured reserve with a wrist injury of his own, while linebacker Baylon Spector is out for at least two more games because of a calf injury. All of them should be able to return in time for the playoffs, giving the Bills the chance to be as healthy as they’ve been all season at exactly the right time. Sent weekly directly to your inbox!A nationwide analysis of 2,376,300 Medicare beneficiaries with peripheral artery disease (PAD) revealed significant racial and geographic disparities in treatment, disproportionately affecting Black Americans. Conducted between 2018 and 2022, this study, presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2024 , found that disparities in amputation rates varied widely across states, underscoring geographical differences in PAD treatment inequities. “There was not any correlation between revascularization and the [Social Vulnerability Index (SVI)] index, but a modest correlation between major amputation rates and SVI. That suggests that the SVI reflects socioeconomic and demographic factors like poverty and minority status,” Birgit Vogel, MD, the director of academic affairs at the Center for Interventional Cardiovascular Research and Clinical Trials at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told HCPLive. “We think that community-level risk could impact these patterns of major amputation.” In the analysis, Black patients experienced markedly higher rates of major amputations compared to White patients in every U.S. state (3.0% vs. 0.9%; P
Active is the best word to describe Amari Cooper’s involvement in the Buffalo Bills’ offense Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Cooper led the Bills with 14 targets, more than doubling his previous high of five targets in his five games with the team since coming over in a trade with the Cleveland Browns in October. Cooper finished with six catches against the Rams for 95 yards, both of which are his best in a game for the Bills. His six catches were the most by a Bills receiver, and his 95 yards trailed only Khalil Shakir's 106 yards on five catches for most on the team against Los Angeles. Bills receiver Amari Cooper makes a terrific catch for a gain of 25 yards during Sunday's loss against the Rams. Cooper was targeted a 15th time in the game on a play that ended up getting wiped out because he drew a defensive pass interference penalty on Rams cornerback Darious Williams in the end zone, which moved the ball to the Rams' 1-yard line on the Bills’ final offensive possession, setting up quarterback Josh Allen’s sixth total touchdown of the game. Whether it was Williams or fellow outside cornerback Cobie Durant lined up on Cooper, Allen showed no hesitation in looking the way of the veteran receiver, who was playing in his third game after returning from missing two games because of a wrist injury. Even though the team did not get the result it hoped for in a 44-42 loss, there is a lot to take away from Cooper’s individual performance. No. 1, he’s getting healthier. He played 32 offensive snaps, which was 53.3% of the team total. By percentage, that’s Cooper’s most active game as a member of the Bills. No. 2, the Bills liked the matchup on the outside, with Cooper going up against either Williams or Durant. Of Cooper’s six catches, a couple came on quick outs when the Rams gave him a decent cushion and Allen took what was available. Cooper’s first catch came when he ran a stop route in front of Williams to get wide open for an 18-yard gain in the second quarter. The receiver’s best catch came midway through the third quarter when Williams actually had decent coverage. Cooper, however, saw the ball all the way and secured it for a gain of 26 yards, despite a slight bobble. On the Bills’ final drive, Cooper worked a deep crossing route to get open for a 25-yard gain. A story also can be found in the connections that weren’t made between Allen and Cooper. On the first two misses, Allen was on the move and seemed to at least give his receiver a chance, but Cooper couldn’t make the catch. There also appeared to be at least two incompletions that could be attributed to miscommunication. In the second quarter, Allen threw deep down the left sideline on third and 10, but Cooper had cut off his route a few yards beyond the first-down marker. On the next play, the Rams blocked Sam Martin’s punt and returned it for a touchdown. There was another throw late in the third quarter when Allen was looking for another quick out, but Cooper never turned his head to look for the ball. One other pass intended for Cooper was broken up by Durant with a well-timed hit, and one other targeted ball was thrown out of bounds when Allen was pressured. “He’s the type of quarterback that will fight to the very end,” Cooper said after the game of Allen, who was magnificent in defeat. “Obviously, we still had winning chances there. In Josh we trust. Never out of it until the clock hits zero.” Cooper knew that about Allen before he even came to the Bills. Now, he’s tasked with helping Allen find a way to pull out close games, which figures to be the norm as the playoffs approach. Position grades: Bills' defense sinks in third-down ranking after loss to Rams That is why Sunday can be viewed as a positive for the offense beyond just Allen being Superman. It is clear that if he is looking Cooper’s way 14 times, the receiver has earned the trust of the quarterback. That’s a must in any offense. There is reason to believe that the relationship between Cooper and Allen will only get stronger over the remaining four games of the regular season. The offense also should soon welcome back tight end Dalton Kincaid and rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman, giving Allen his full arsenal of weapons – something he hasn’t had since Cooper hurt his wrist against Seattle in Week 8 and missed the following two weeks, against Miami and Indianapolis. That is something to look forward to, even if it might be painful right now to look back at Sunday’s loss. Get local news delivered to your inbox!AP Business SummaryBrief at 3:51 p.m. ESTConsidering Social and Genetic Factors in Addition to Clinical Factors Improves Prediction of Heart Disease Risk
Philadelphia's Joel Embiid scored 31 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in his return after missing seven games to spark the 76ers on Sunday in a 108-100 NBA victory at Chicago. Embiid had been sidelined by a left knee injury and personal reasons since a November 20 loss to Memphis, the Sixers going 4-3 in his absence. The 30-year-old Cameroonian-born big man, who wore a left knee brace, also added four assists and two blocked shots in 33 minutes in only his fifth game of the season. "He caught fire there," 76ers coach Nick Nurse said of Embiid. "Certainly he gave us a lot of confidence." Philadelphia guard Tyrese Maxey contributed his first career NBA triple-double with 25 points and career highs of 14 assists and 11 rebounds. "It was good," Maxey said. "The offense flowed really well. Pick and roll was really good. I was able to get everybody involved, get Joel going and get myself going too." "He turned on the jets and got to the rim at some pretty opportune times," Nurse said of Maxey. Embiid was a welcome court presence for the 76ers. "He creates so much space for us on the floor, gets the attention," said Maxey. "I didn't see one pick and roll double team for the first time in a long time." Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 30 points. At New York, Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Bucks over the Brooklyn Nets 118-113. Damian Lillard added 15 points and 11 assists while reserve Bobby Portis contributed 23 points and Gary Trent Jr. scored 20 off the Milwaukee bench. Germany's Dennis Schroder led the Nets with 34 points. js/mlmElon Musk entertains idea of buying MSNBC
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ISTANBUL German Chancellor Olaf Scholz commended German-speaking immigrants in his speech during a party rally, saying they are a "part of Germany" and its democracy. The German Social Democratic Party (SPD) launched its campaign for the Feb. 23, 2025 early general elections through an Election Victory Conference in Berlin, where Scholz, the SPD's chancellor candidate, said Germany will need 288,000 foreign skilled workers annually until 2040, according to research. Germany is a country of immigration but the main opposition Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) do not want to accept this fact, Scholz said, adding that 25 million people living in the country have a migration background. “I want to tell them with all my heart that we belong together as neighbors and colleagues, as friends at school and in sports clubs. We are all part of Germany. We will not allow ourselves to be divided.” Stating that he was outraged that the main opposition leader Friedrich Merz said he would cancel the new citizenship law if he won the elections, Scholz noted: “I think that everyone who lives and works here permanently, who is well integrated and speaks our language should be part of our country. They should have a say in our democracy.” Scholz said he wants to protect employment in the industrial sector, invest more in infrastructure, support companies investing in the country and tackle the shortage of skilled workers to get the country out of the economic crisis, adding that he will reform the “debt brake” application that limits Germany's new borrowing to allow investment in the country. Scholz also made remarks about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin's "imperialism" is destroying the whole of Ukraine and the peace order in Europe. “If Putin succeeds in his imperialist war, our security will also be in grave danger,” said the chancellor. * Writing by Efe Ozkan.Passengers on the nation's busiest commuter rail network are facing disruption after a dispute over wages ended up in court in a bid to halt the resumption of industrial action. Login or signup to continue reading The NSW government says the state's trains are back on track after the Federal Court granted an injunction, while union officials blame any further disruption on the rail operator after being ordered to call off its work bans. Passengers were on Monday told to plan ahead as reduced services were operating and some trains were being replaced by buses. The state government and Rail, Tram and Bus Union branch had been locked in two weeks of intensive talks in an attempt to reach an agreement in an escalating stand-off over pay and conditions. "I was hopeful we would get (an agreement) over the last two weeks, but the truth is we haven't landed one," Premier Chris Minns told Sydney radio 2GB. "We'll do everything we can to ensure that commuters are not put out in the run up to Christmas." The Federal Court on Sunday issued an injunction to cancel planned industrial action, which would have caused severe disruption across the rail network. A hearing is expected within days to decide longer-term measures. Union secretary Toby Warnes said the government's legal strategy, which prevented negotiations continuing as a deadline approached, was pre-planned and had set discussions back when the two sides were nearing a resolution. "There was enough goodwill to get there but unfortunately that goodwill is well and truly burnt now," he told ABC Radio Sydney. The union had a lengthy log of claims but the main issue is "mostly wages at this point", Mr Warnes added. It is calling for annual pay rises of eight per cent for four years, while the government says anything more than 11 per cent across three years is unaffordable. Members have been told not to continue industrial action and lingering impacts of existing work bans should soon dissipate. "(Disruption) beyond lunchtime today needs to be written down to Sydney Trains' incompetence rather than our industrial action which seems to be a convenient excuse that's trotted out all the time," Mr Warnes said. Union members were told the government's legal action hinged on a technicality and industrial action could resume after another ballot. Members had intended to limit the distances they operated trains and progressively reduce the number of kilometres each day until a deal was done. A temporary truce was struck in November after commuters faced the prospect of a weekend-long rail shutdown, but the government did not shift its position on pay as it faced similar demands from unions for key frontline workers. "How can I say yes to rail workers when we've said no to nurses and we are in litigation with them in the courts?" Mr Minns said. Australian Associated Press DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. 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Elon Musk entertains idea of buying MSNBC[Source: Fiji FA / Facebook] Football fans are in for a nostalgic treat this weekend as the Suva Masters take on Ba Masters in the 3rd Taito Bula Memorial Cup at the Ba Methodist School ground. Suva Masters Vice President, Ravinesh Murti, says the annual event honors the late Taito Bula, who passed away in 2022. Murti highlights the importance of matches like this, which help retired players, aged 40 to 70, stay healthy and engaged through physical activity. Suva’s roster features former district stars, including Suva Football President Maretino Nemani, William Sikuri, Intiaz Khan, Lorima Batirerega, Manoa Masi, Ronald Lawrence, Jone Ratu, Moses and Harish Bali, and others. The Suva Masters team has been preparing rigorously over the past month, playing regular matches every afternoon. Murti thanked the Fiji Football Association for their support and acknowledged the contributions of former players who have moved overseas. The Suva Masters have a strong track record in this event, defeating Ba Masters 2-1 in 2022 and settling for a 1-1 draw last year. The match is set for 3pm on Saturday, with Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel as the chief guest.
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A deeply concerning and alarming trend has emerged, with a sharp rise in young people testing positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Last month alone, 57 young individuals admitted to the Saint Giles Psychiatric Hospital in Suva were found to be HIV-positive, highlighting the urgency of addressing this crisis. Among those affected was a 14-year-old child. The new Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Justice, Selina Kuruleca, revealed these troubling statistics during a presentation on the alarming extent of drug abuse in schools and the need for stronger education and justice interventions. The data, initially shared by Saint Giles Hospital consultant psychiatrist Myrielle Allen in a Speaker’s Debate last month, paints a grim picture of a growing public health issue. “As of September, 1.7 per cent of 3519 young Fijians have been directly involved in drug-related incidents,” Ms Kuruleca said. “That’s still 1.7 per cent too many. And what about the countless others who are unreported?” According to 2023 findings by the Substance Abuse Advisory Council under the Ministry of Education, 3627 drug-related incidents were recorded in Fijian schools-1578 in primary schools and 2049 in secondary schools. This marks a staggering 40 per cent increase in drug cases since 2018. One of the most disturbing practices reported among students is “blue-toothing,” where young people share needles, unknowingly transmitting HIV when contaminated blood is passed between users. This dangerous behaviour is directly contributing to the spread of HIV among Fiji’s youth, further exacerbating the public health crisis. Ms Kuruleca also highlighted the profound impact of the drug epidemic on families and communities. In some cases, parents have been found using their own children to peddle drugs, while others, as reported by Ilisapeci Veibuli of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre, are coercing women into prostitution to fund drug purchases. “We must be vigilant, proactive, and compassionate,” Ms Kuruleca urged. “We must ensure that every young Fijian knows they have the support to make positive choices and avoid the dangers of drug use.” With a rapid increase in HIV cases linked to drug abuse, the need for urgent action and intervention is clearer than ever. The crisis is not just a public health issue but a social and familial one that demands immediate attention to protect Fiji’s future generations. Permanent secretary for Justice, Selina Kuruleca. Photo: Beranadeta Nagatalevu Culture of Bystanders Needs to Go Adding to the urgency of the situation, Kalesi Volatabu, the founder of Drug Free World Fiji, addressed the crowd, calling for an end to the “culture of bystanders” that has allowed the drug crisis to worsen. “We cannot afford to remain passive any longer,” Ms Volatabu said passionately. “The presenters today have spoken about the stats, but why is it so important to address the issue of drugs in our country? If no one speaks up, if no one corrects the wrongs, we are heading down a very dangerous road.” Ms Volatabu stressed that citizens and communities cannot stand idly by when they see children using drugs or engaging in dangerous behaviour. “If no one is going to intervene when they see children using drugs, who will? Why won’t you call the police or the authorities? If you don’t, who will?” The call for action was clear: “We can’t be bystanders any longer, Fiji.” “Do something, say something—don’t just stand back. We have a very sad culture of bystanding, but I tell you now, NO! These drugs are in our schools, they are in our homes, they are in our villages, they are in our communities. We are not safe,” she said. Ms Volatabu also warned that the statistics presented were just the tip of the iceberg, pointing out that many drug-related incidents go unreported. “The stats we’re hearing today are reported, but Fiji is a country where a lot of things are unreported. Do not be shocked if you hear of even more unreported cases.” Feedback: Beranadeta@fijisun.com.fj
The Arizona Cardinals are 6-6 through 12 games, which makes them an average football team. That's much better than the previous two years, which both ended with just four wins. But after two straight frustrating losses, it's not providing much consolation for a franchise that feels as though it should be much better. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.The $11.50 cleaning product that cleared my stinky drains
Chintan Dagli brings the joy of reading to children, completely free of chargeWith technical prowess and considerable style, Marta danced around two sliding defenders, outwitted a goalkeeper and calmly scored as another player rushed forward in desperation to stop her. It was more Marta Magic. That goal last weekend helped propel the Orlando Pride into Saturday's National Women's Soccer League championship game against the Washington Spirit. Barbra Banda also scored in the Pride's 3-2 semifinal victory over the Kansas City Current . While Banda has had an incredible first season with the Pride, captain Marta has been the talisman that has helped lead the team in its remarkable turnaround this year. The last time the Pride were in the NWSL playoffs was in 2017 — Marta's first year with the club. But this season they nearly went undefeated, going 23 games without a loss to start the season before losing 2-0 to the Portland Thorns with just two regular-season games left. “I think because of the way that we did it, during this season, from beginning to now, it’s something very special that I’ve never had before with any other club that I’ve played for," Marta said. "Plus year by year, we see in America, strong competition. This is the best league in the world. And you never know what’s going to happen, and it’s hard to keep winning the games, being in the first place almost like the whole season. That’s why it’s really different and so special.” Marta’s goal was the latest gasp-inducing moment in a stellar career filled with them. Known by just her first name, the 38-year-old is a six-time FIFA world player of the year. "Let's see if tomorrow I can do something similar — or even better," Marta said on Friday. Her teammate Kylie Strom chimed in: “That was the greatest goal I've ever witnessed, hands down." Appropriate. Earlier this year, FIFA announced that the best goal in women's soccer each year would earn the Marta Award. In a lighthearted moment the day before the title match, Marta was asked if she thought it was possible she might give the award to herself. “You guys need to decide, because who votes for the best goal in the year? It’s you. It’s the people in the public. So it should be really interesting, like Marta’s Award goes to Marta!” she said with a laugh. Marta has played in six World Cups for Brazil and played this summer in her sixth Olympics, winning a silver medal after falling in the final to the United States . She previously said this would be her final year with the national team. But since then Brazil was named the host of the 2027 Women's World Cup. "I had a conversation with my coach, the national team coach, and I was really clear about playing in 2027. I told him it’s not my goal anymore,” she said. “But I’m always available to help the national team. And if they think I still can do something during this preparation for the World Cup, yeah, I would be happy to help them." Marta's club career started in Brazil when she was just 16. She has also played in Sweden and in the U.S. professional women's leagues that came before the NWSL. With nine regular-season goals, Marta has had one of her best seasons since she joined the Pride. “I can never pick a side, I never pick favorites — but I love to see this for Marta," U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. “Marta is someone we all like, admire and are grateful for. And that goal was just like prime Marta at her best. And so grateful for and thankful for her that she got the opportunity with another game with her team.” The Pride went 18-2-6 this season, clinching the NWSL Shield for the first trophy in club history. Orlando also set a record with 60 regular-season points to finish atop the standings. “We are sitting top of the table, but I think there still are a lot of doubters. I think there’s people out there who say, maybe this was a one-off season,” Strom said. “But we’re here to prove them all wrong. So I think we do carry a bit of that underdog mentality still with us.” The second-seeded Spirit advanced to the title match at Kansas City's CPKC Stadium last weekend on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw against defending champions Gotham FC. The Spirit's roster includes Trinity Rodman, a standout forward who formed the so-called “Triple Espresso” trio with Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith for the United States at the Olympics. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Wilmington, Del., Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Participating in a tradition that has evolved since 1792, today, employees from Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) gathered on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange as Guillermo Novo, chair and chief executive officer, Ashland, joined by company executives, rang the trading day’s opening bell . The event signifies a decade of evolution, resilience and sustainable solutions for the additives and specialty ingredients company and recognizes its 100-year anniversary. “I want to thank our employees for their dedication, our customers for their trust and our shareholders for their support over the years which continues to be the foundation of our success,” said Guillermo Novo, chair and chief executive officer, Ashland. From its origin of gavel banging to the modern workday bell ringing , the ritual marks the start and end of trading through the years and has come to celebrate economic growth and progress. One year ago, Ashland introduced seven new technology platforms aligned to the company’s pharmaceutical, personal care and specialty additives core, that extend to secondary markets with new and differentiated capabilities to unlock organic growth for Ashland and its customers worldwide. The platform solutions bring “new to the world” sustainable innovations, offering tunable choices to customers to enable the reshaping of their product portfolios, answering global megatrends, and responding to various regulatory landscapes. “As the stock market has demonstrated resilience through devastating lows and exuberant highs over time, Ashland has consistently transformed itself ahead of market trends from an oil and refining company to a matrixed chemical company, and from a broad chemicals and materials provider to the focused additives and specialty ingredients company we are today; integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) in our operating plans to responsibly solve for a better world,” said Novo. strategy update event Ashland is hosting a strategy update event for analysts and investors on December 10, 2024, in New York City. The company will provide an in-depth review of Ashland’s strategic priorities, key initiatives and financial objectives while emphasizing a proactive approach to market uncertainty in fiscal year 2025. The event includes presentations and prepared remarks from members of Ashland’s executive team, as well as breakout sessions for in-person attendees and an opportunity for both live and webcast attendees to ask questions during moderated Q&A sessions. “This was a year marked by recovery from prolonged inventory destocking in the materials sector, yet Ashland was able to deliver strategic progress, margin expansion, high-quality free cash flow, and disciplined execution across our global portfolio,” continued Novo. “Despite a complex operating environment, we demonstrated our ability to drive value through portfolio optimization, commercial excellence, and focused growth in our core markets. As we execute our strategy, we remain focused on delivering sustainable, profitable growth and long-term shareholder value. I look forward to providing more context during our upcoming event,” concluded Novo. To participate in Ashland’s strategy update event, interested participants must register for the event and have the option to attend via live webcast or in person. Presentations are expected to begin at 9:00 a.m. ET and conclude following Q&A sessions at 11:00 a.m. ET. After Q&A, in-person attendees will have the opportunity to discuss key initiatives with business line leaders and scientists in breakout sessions until 12:00 p.m ET. To register, participants should use the following link: registration page . Registration information and further event details will be posted on Ashland’s investor website at http://investor.ashland.com . A webcast of the event will be available live and can be accessed, along with supporting materials, through the Ashland website. A replay will be available within 24 hours of the live event and will be archived, along with supporting materials, on Ashland’s website for 12 months. Copies of the presentation may also be requested by sending an email to investor_relations@ashland.com About Ashland Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global additives and specialty ingredients company with a conscious and proactive mindset for environmental, social and governance (ESG). The company serves customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Approximately 3,200 passionate, tenacious solvers thrive on developing practical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com and ashland.com/ESG to learn more. TM Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries. 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Liberty Ready To Support New Australian Businesses Entering the MarketWe’re pleased to share the experiences of Stödig Ship Management, one of our customers who recently implemented Dualog Quota across their fleet. This has significantly improved the crew’s ability to stay connected with family and friends, even when they are far out at sea. Stödig Ship Management, a Norwegian company based in Bergen, has subsidiaries in Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria. They manage a wide range of vessels and provide crew management, crew services, and technical services. Stödig invested in Starlink for their vessels as soon as the maritime version became available. Some employees had already tested the land-based version onboard in 2022, and it was clear this technology would be a game changer for both business operations and crew welfare. For Stödig Ship Management, Starlink has revolutionised life at sea. “Starlink is a game changer,” says Jan Eide, Head of IT at Stödig Ship Management. “We now have reliable internet with enough bandwidth and low latency to do almost anything. This has not only made it easier to stay in touch with family and friends, but it has also improved work efficiency onboard.” Despite the many benefits, Starlink also brought some challenges, particularly concerning cost control and fair distribution of internet access. “How could we ensure that everyone onboard had a good experience without skyrocketing costs?” was a key question Stödig Ship Management needed to address. The solution to these challenges was Dualog Quota, which gives Stödig Ship Management full control over data usage. Each crew member now receives 5 GB of data per week, which totals around 20 GB per month. “Without a quota system, it wouldn’t have been possible to offer this kind of freedom to the crew. We would have had to implement other technical limitations, like throttling speeds, which would have seriously affected the user experience,” says Jan Eide, Head of IT. The crew has responded positively to the system. “Although it takes a bit of extra effort to use the app and log in, it’s worth it to have access to a reliable and fair service,” says one of the crew members. left to right: Jan Eide, Head of IT at Stödig Ship Management and Gisle Kårbø Rong – Managing Director at Stödig Ship Management. In Dualog Quota crew can access internet either through an app or they can set up a username and password to access internet from any device. “The market is fragmented, with few providers focused on our sector. When we saw that Dualog was willing to collaborate with our onboard IT provider, UniSea, the choice was easy,” says the company. Stödig Ship Management chose Dualog Quota because of Dualog’s strong reputation and ability to meet the specific needs of the maritime industry. “Another success factor was the ability to provide internet quota to external clients staying on-board our off shore vessels. The Internet is now offered as part of the hotel- and service-offering they receive. That means we can offer a good bed, first-class food – and now a Starlink quota. All with full cost control”, says Jan Eide Head of IT. “The installation was relatively straightforward, and the solution is easy to manage. It gives us the control we need without compromising the crew’s experience onboard. Simple technical installation, centralised oversight and management of ships and users have been key advantages for Stödig Ship Management.” Based on valuable feedback from Stödig, Dualog is now enhancing the digital experience onboard for all users of Dualog Quota. In the near future, crew members will be able to manage their internet quota and speed directly in the app. “We also aim to help crew optimise their data usage by reducing background activity on their devices and offering the option to stream movies and videos in lower resolution”, says Vidar Berg, product manager in Dualog. Source: Dualog
RJ Johnson, Daylen Berry lift Charleston Southern to surprising 83-79 victory over MiamiWhat days will the SSDI payment be made for December 2024? These days you will receive disability benefitsTaylor Swift, Travis Kelce's romance heats up with engagement rumour Taylor Swift and her beau Travis Kelce's romance intensifies with a new twist Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's romance are talk of the town these days as the beautiful pair capture media's attention everywhere they appear together. The lovers have been in massive spotlight throughout the 2024 with their cute and heartwarming moments in one of Taylor's Eras Tour concerts. The Anti-Hero hitmaker also attended a few games of her beau NFL star along with her friends and family which attracted massive spotlight. Swift and Kelce's heated relationship has been making headlines ever since they have started making appearance in public as the couple's passion for each other going stronger each day since back in September 2023. The lovebirds are trying to make efforts and taking out some time for each other during their busy career schedule and personal responsibilities. The buzz surrounding the couple has been growing louder, fueled by whispers of an engagement. Speculations are rapidly spreading across social media, as fans are eagerly waiting for the official announcement of the big day. However, people are wondering when these two lovers will begin their "forever after." Despite all the gossips, they both have not utter a single word about their marriage plans. Taylor Swift and Travis currently keeping their lives very personal and private, away from all the limelight and focusing on career, as they seem to be taking things kind of slow and steady. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s neighbour makes shocking claims Margot Robbie finally opens up about controversial 'Wolf of Wall Street' bold scene Luz Cuevas sparks fans frenzy with 'shocking' revelations Meghan’s Christmas gift to Prince Harry turns into chaos after Archie’s mishap