Arsenal defender Gabriel kept Viktor Gyokeres quiet — then had the audacity to steal the in-demand Sporting Lisbon striker's trademark goal celebration. After heading in Arsenal's third first-half goal in the Champions League on Tuesday, Gabriel linked the fingers of his hands and placed them over his eyes, before laughing with his teammates. It was most likely a dig at Gyokeres, the Sweden striker who has quickly become one of European soccer's hottest properties . Because that is how Gyokeres celebrates his goals. “It's fun that he likes my celebration,” Gyokeres told Viaplay after the match. “He can steal it if he cannot come up with his own.” Gyokeres has scored 24 goals for Sporting in all competitions and was coming off netting four for Sweden in a Nations League match against Azerbaijan. Earlier in the first half, Gabriel had enjoyed tackling and dispossessing Gyokeres near the Arsenal area — waving both his arms in a gesture to the crowd. Gabriel's goal made it 3-0 to Arsenal at halftime and the English team went on to win 5-1, with Gyokeres failing to score. He did hit the post with a shot late in the game, however — after Gabriel had gone off with an injury. “Today he wasn't that dangerous,” Arsenal striker Kai Havertz said of Gyokeres, “but I think it's because we defended very well.” AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerThe United States has imposed sanctions on four Pakistani entities, including the state-owned National Development Complex (NDC), citing their involvement in advancing Pakistan’s missile program. The move, which marks the first such action against a Pakistani state-owned enterprise tied to missile development, has sparked concerns over already strained US-Pakistan relations after a senior White House office stated that Pakistan’s missile program may hurt US interests and security. US Accusations Of Threats To National Security A senior White House official, Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer, stated that Pakistan’s missile program poses a potential threat to US national security. Addressing the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Finer explained that Islamabad is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that could strike targets beyond South Asia, including the United States. “Pakistan has developed increasingly sophisticated missile technology, from long-range systems to advanced testing capabilities for larger rocket motors,” Finer said. He warned that such advancements, if unchecked, could enable Pakistan to target US assets and territories. The US sanctions come in response to Pakistan’s recent missile advancements, including a training launch of the Shaheen missile with a range of 2,750 kilometres and the test of the Ababeel missile, equipped with multiple independent re-entry vehicles (MIRVs). Both developments have raised alarms in Washington, particularly given their potential to target US bases in the Middle East and beyond. ALSO READ : Arab Spring Anniversary: 14 Years On, Middle-East Still Feel The Heat Of Uprisings; Impact On Nations Explained NDC's Role In Missile Development The NDC, established in 1990 and linked to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), has played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s missile program. It has produced the Shaheen and Nasr missile series and is involved in the production of transporter erector launchers (TELs). Recent activities, including collaborations with Chinese engineers, have further elevated Pakistan’s missile capabilities, prompting the US to take action. In 2024, Pakistan demonstrated significant advancements in its missile program, including the launch of the Hangor 2-class submarines and a missile launch from a naval frigate. These developments, seen as enhancing Pakistan’s strategic capabilities, have been viewed as a direct challenge to US Indo-Pacific plans and regional stability. Pakistan's Response Pakistan dismissed the US allegations as baseless and unfortunate, asserting that its missile program is intended solely for regional stability and self-defence. The Foreign Office (FO) issued a statement criticizing the sanctions as biased and counterproductive, warning that such actions could exacerbate military asymmetries in South Asia. Mumtaz Zehra Baloch, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, reiterated that the country’s strategic capabilities are aimed at maintaining credible minimum deterrence against threats from India. “Pakistan’s strategic program is to protect its sovereignty and maintain peace in the region,” she said, highlighting that the US allegations reflect a lack of historical understanding. ALSO READ : ‘Suicidal Empathy’: Elon Musk Slams Germany For Not Extraditing Christmas Market Attacker, Calls Scholz ‘Incompetent Fool’ Implications For US-Pakistan Relations The sanctions have further strained the already complex relationship between Washington and Islamabad. Once close allies during the Cold War and in the fight against al-Qaeda, the two nations have seen their ties fray over issues like Pakistan’s support for the Taliban, its nuclear weapons program, and US alignment with India. Pakistan has expressed concerns over the growing US-India defence partnership, which includes advanced missile systems and technology transfers that Islamabad views as destabilizing. Despite the challenges, Pakistan maintains strong ties with China, which has been a key supplier for its missile program. Pakistan's Nuclear Capabilities Pakistan’s missile and nuclear programs, developed as deterrents against India, have been a cornerstone of its defence strategy. The country conducted its first nuclear test in 1998, two decades after India, and now possesses an estimated 170 nuclear warheads, according to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
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2025 is going to be an eventful offseason for the Las Vegas Raiders and that’s putting it mildly. Will Pro Bowl pass rusher Maxx Crosby get traded? Does Raider Nation want Mike Vrabel as the next coach in Sin City? The notion of trading away another elite defensive player in his physical prime would give any Raiders fan a case of nausea. Remember, this is the same organization that once shipped off Khalil Mack as we recently pointed out . This same team (now residing in Nevada) could do it again if a few factors fall into place. First off, Crosby himself would have to publicly (or privately) state that he wants out. His recent comments have drawn the ire of many within Raider Nation. He was after all, Antonio Pierce’s biggest backer, going as far as mentioning that he’d request a trade if “AP” wasn’t hired on full time. Fast forward to late December and it seems Crosby is sick of the endless toxic cycle within the Raiders. Can you really blame him though? Another factor is the long-term vision of the organization. Is Raiders brass willing to commit to No. 98 for a few years more? Do they feel he’s worth a new cornerstone contract that would likely eat up a lot of cap space? No one’s denying Crosby’s ability to impact a game but will he still be doing that, say three or four years from now, that’s something to consider. These are legitimate questions for whoever will be calling the shots, i.e. Tom Telesco, Tom Brady, whatever. Should the Buffalo Bills trade for Maxx Crosby? A final factor that could come into play this offseason is whether a “contender” would be willing to give up prime draft capital for a pass rusher that in theory could get them over the top. For example, you have the Buffalo Bills. A perennial playoff squad , the Bills have yet to go all the way but if you plug in Crosby, the sky’s the limit. Let’s be honest, the Super Bowl window for the Bills is starting to dwindle. Yes, Josh Allen is very much in his prime but the defense is aging. Theoretically, the Bills would sport a pass rushing duo of Crosby and Greg Rousseau–that would be highly formidable in the AFC East for at least a few years. But would Bills general manager Brandon Beane give up the assets necessary in such a blockbuster trade? Is Mike Vrabel your next Raiders head coach? For all intents and purposes, things aren’t looking good for Antonio Pierce. The question on everyone’s mind is whether Tom Brady and Mark Davis have seen enough to make a change. According to New York Post Sports , the connection between Mike Vrabel and the Raiders is “strong.” As most are aware, there’s an obvious Patriot connection between Vrabel and the new Raiders minority owner. If Brady believes that the Silver and Black are in need of another culture change, Vrabel makes sense. He’s compiled a 54-45 record in his coaching career and even up until his final season with the Tennessee Titans, was seen as someone who brought stability, discipline, and consistency. Say what you will about Vrabel, but he had the Titans in playoff contention almost every year he was the boss. The Raiders could sure use some of that considering that the Raiders haven’t won a playoff game since many within the fanbase were even born. This article first appeared on The Raider Ramble and was syndicated with permission.
AHMEDABAD: This year, one Indian was deported every six hours from the US, according to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report released on Dec 19. The number of Indians deported has grown by 400% between 2021 (292 out of total 59,011 deported) and 2024 (1,529 out of 2,71,484). A senior officer of an Indian central agency said, "The fluctuations in removal numbers over the years can be attributed to various factors, including changes in US immigration policies, enforcement priorities, and bilateral agreements between the US and India. The increase in 2024 may also reflect broader migration trends and enforcement actions targeting individuals without legal status in the US." During the Covid years of 2019 and 2020, under Donald Trump's first term as US president, a total of 3,928 (1,616 and 2,312, respectively) illegal Indian immigrants were sent back. Comparatively, in 2021 when Joe Biden took office as US president, the total number of Indians deported till the report's release in 2024 had reached 3,467. ICE has already drawn up a list of individuals slated for deportation, and nearly 18,000 undocumented Indians find themselves facing the prospect of being sent back home. ICE data until Nov 2024 shows that 17,940 Indians are among the 14.4 lakh individuals on the non-detained docket with final orders of removal from the US. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword .Report: Iowa CB Jermari Harris opts out of rest of season
Will Utah State or Boise State forfeit vs. San Jose State in the Mountain West semifinals?Will Riley scored a game-high 19 points off the bench as No. 25 Illinois shrugged off a slow start to earn an 87-40 nonconference victory over Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday afternoon in Champaign, Ill. Morez Johnson Jr. recorded his first double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, Kylan Boswell posted 13 points and Tomislav Ivisic contributed 11 for Illinois (4-1). Coming off a 100-87 loss to No. 8 Alabama on Wednesday, the Illini led by as much as 52 despite hitting just 10-of-40 3-point attempts. Jalen Ware paced Maryland Eastern Shore (2-6) with 10 points before fouling out. Ketron "KC" Shaw, who entered Saturday in the top 20 of Division I scorers at 22.3 points per game, went scoreless in the first half and finished with seven points on 2-of-11 shooting. The Hawks canned just 22.1 percent of their shots from the floor. Illinois broke out to a 6-0 lead in the first 2:06, then missed its next six shots. That gave the Hawks time to pull into an 8-8 tie on Evan Johnson's 17-foot pullup at the 12:21 mark. That marked Maryland Eastern Shore's last points for more than seven minutes as the Illini reeled off 17 straight points to remove any suspense. Johnson opened the spree with a basket and two free throws, Ben Humrichous swished a 3-pointer and Tre White sank a layup before Kasparas Jakucionis fed Ivisic for a 3-pointer and an alley-oop layup. Jakucionis set up Johnson for a free throw, then drove for an unchallenged layup to make it 25-8 with 5:15 left in the first. Evan Johnson snapped the visitors' dry spell with a driving layup at the 4:56 mark, but Illinois went on to establish a 35-15 halftime lead on the stretch of 11 offensive rebounds that turned into 12 second-chance points and 13 points off UMES' 10 turnovers. Maryland Eastern Shore needed nearly four minutes to get its first points in the second half as Illinois pushed its lead to 42-15. The Illini margin ballooned all the way to 70-24 on Boswell's driving layup with 8:11 to go. --Field Level Media
Nagpur: India's first bio-bitumen-based National Highway stretch was inaugurated on NH-44 in Mansar, Nagpur, Maharashtra, on Saturday by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. Authorities have implemented lignin-based bio-bitumen technology to develop the stretch, provided by Praj Industries, in collaboration with CSIR - Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and Oriental. ObjectivesIt is a significant breakthrough for India to have used lignin as a sustainable binder in flexible pavement technology. This addresses the challenge of bitumen scarcity, while also mitigating the dependency of India on imports, amounting to 50 per cent of the total supply at the moment. Revenue Generation for Bio-RefineriesThis innovation contributes to global sustainability goals by generating revenue for bio-refineries, mitigating stubble burning, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70 per cent compared to fossil-based bitumen. Leveraging India's abundant lignocellulosic biomass, this development aligns with the nation's vision for sustainable industrial growth. Also Read: 'Kept Sharp Object on Neck': Delhi Woman Alleges Sexual Assault by 89-Year-Old Self-Styled Godman Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari stressed upon promoting industrial sustainability aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He added that the initiative paves the way for large-scale domestic production and a self-reliant, sustainable future for India. The union minister told the media, "There are 400 projects in the country to make CNG from biomass...CNG is much cheaper than petrol, and the pollution caused by CNG is also less than petrol... CNG saves a lot of money...farmers will benefit a lot from this." (With Inputs from ANI) Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from City and around the world.Despite a strong performance this year, the stock market remains exposed to several potential challenges, Deutsche Bank noted in a report on Tuesday. While markets have experienced some volatility, they have rebounded quickly after the factors causing sell-offs eased. “This shows that any of these risks could trigger another downturn, especially if they persist or worsen over time,” Risks: *** S&P 500 update: Risk of FOMO seems to be winning out so far.OptiSigns to Showcase Cutting-Edge Digital Signage Solutions at the Digital Signage Experience 2024 in Las Vegas