The Miami Hurricanes, who once appeared to be a near-lock for the College Football Playoff, are not playing for a national title. Instead, they will play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando. That bowl berth against Iowa State is a let-down for fans with dreams of a sixth national title in their minds, as well as players hoping to compete for a championship. However, Miami’s trip to Orlando and the lead-up to it are still crucial periods for the Hurricanes for multiple reasons. First, it’s a chance for the program to achieve something it has not done in more than two decades: win 11 games. Although the 11th win won’t get them closer to a championship, it is a good sign of the program’s progress over Mario Cristobal’s tenure. It would also end UM’s five-game losing streak in bowls. “We’re not satisfied,” Cristobal said. “We want to win every single game. We won 10. We were close on the other two, but close isn’t good enough. We want progress. We’re hungry and driven to get better, and so that’s what our focus is on: to improving as a football program, to getting better, to moving into the postseason with an opportunity against a great football team like this and putting our best on the field.” There are signs the Hurricanes will show up at close to full strength for the bowl game. Running back Damien Martinez announced he was going to play, and star quarterback Cam Ward said in a video call posted on social media that he intends to play, as well. “We’re trying to win our first bowl game in 20 years,” Ward said in the video, mistaking the length of UM’s long bowl losing streak. “We’re going hard.” Playing in the bowl game also provides the opportunity for the Hurricanes to get in several practices between now and the game. That means Miami can develop its young players and prepare them for next season during both the practices and the bowl game itself. “It’s extremely valuable,” Cristobal said. “You really don’t have many opportunities throughout the course of the year — time is limited more and more each season with your student-athletes. I want to state this and be very clear: it’s very important, it’s ultra-important for the University of Miami to continue to develop and grow and progress by stressing the importance of offseason opportunities ... You learn a lot about your team and learn a lot about your people and your program when you head to the postseason.” Of course, there are potential negatives. Players can get hurt; Mark Fletcher Jr. suffered a foot injury in the Pinstripe Bowl last year that cost him all of spring practice. A poor performance can also potentially set the tone for next season, like how Florida State, fresh off a playoff snub last year, suffered a devastating loss against Georgia in the Orange Bowl and went on to a dismal 2-10 season this year. “This is the ending of ’24 and the beginning of ’25,” Cristobal said. “This is the last opportunity to be on the field and carry some momentum into the offseason. So it is, in essence, it is the most important game because it’s the next game. “There’s a lot of excitement in the form of opportunity for our guys. Our guys love to play football. The chance to play one more time with this special group — this is a special group of guys now. They’ve worked hard to really change the trajectory of the University of Miami, and they want to continue to elevate the status and the culture at the University of Miami. So certainly a ton to play for.” ____ Get local news delivered to your inbox!While mega-cap tech stocks have led the to record highs, the market now hovers at valuations some consider to be extremely over-priced. That might be a pointless worry, a ProShares Advisors strategist said. "It comes down to the following surprise: there is a lot less leverage in the stock market than there was just 20 years ago," Simeon Hyman told on Friday. In a published last week, the global investment strategist acknowledged that stocks were expensive. Typically, a stock's trailing multiple would trade between 18x to 20x amid current Treasury yield levels — instead, the ratio hovers at around 25X. Other indicators further highlight that market valuations have . Despite these conditions, Hyman outlined that low market debt levels can diminish risks associated with an elevated P/E multiple. Compared to 20 years ago, the S&P 500 net debt/EBITDA has fallen from 5x to 1x. The note also found that today's equities are raking in high returns from assets, and not from debt-fueled growth. This indicates underlying profitability, Hyman said. "The significant decline in leverage of the S&P 500 and the robustness of today's profitability (due in part to the technology sector) suggests that at least some of the exuberance that drove expanding multiples may, in fact, be rational," Hyman wrote. Still, overstretched market conditions have increasingly unsettled investors this year, catching the attention of Wall Street heavy-hitters such as David Einhorn. In October, the billionaire hedge fund manager warned that traders were fueling the . That's not to say the market is in a bubble, he wrote, and analysts largely agree that investors should stay exposed to the US market. However, calls for a correction have amplified this month, especially if the top "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks . Given the heavy concentration in these mega-cap names, a 2025 earnings miss could "turn the market," Matt Powers, managing partner at Powers Advisory Group, told . Therefore, investors should emphasize diversification next year, even if tech growth remains strong. Even without a correction, traders may need to brace for weaker returns if Mag 7 momentum Generally, Wall Street institutions expect the S&P 500 to keep climbing, with an . Read the original article on
The Blues found themselves 3-0 down after 29 minutes against a side which had won one of their previous 11 matches – and it only got worse. John Mousinho’s men fully deserved their 4-0 humiliation – and here are our Pompey player ratings... 1 . Nicolas Schmid - 5 A couple of late stops including dramatically clawing one out as it threatened to trickle in. Wasn’t helped by his team-mates. Photo: Jason Brown Photo Sales 2 . Terry Devlin - 4 (Replaced by Zak Swanson on 46 mins) A tough, tough evening. Had his hands full dealing with Mendez-Laing, with two of Derby’s three goals which arrived when the right-back was on the pitch involving the winger. One to forget. Photo: Jason Brown Photo Sales 3 . Marlon Pack - 5 Unfortunate own goal for Derby's fourth and had some decent moments, but was simply part of a defence which really struggled. Photo: Jason Brown Photo Sales 4 . Tom McIntyre - 3 Recalled to the side in place of Poole and endured a dreadful evening. Little went right for the centre-half, including Adams’ goal deflecting off him to put Derby 3-0 up. Should have done far better for the fourth too. Photo: Jason Brown Photo Sales Previous 1 / 6 Next Page Related topics: Blues Portsmouth Neil Allen Pompey John Mousinho
FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setupTaoiseach Simon Harris said he also wanted to tell Nikita Hand, a hair colourist from Drimnagh, that her case had prompted an increase in women coming forward to ask for support. Ms Hand, who accused the sportsman of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, won her claim against him for damages in a civil case at the High Court in the Irish capital on Friday. The total amount of damages awarded to Ms Hand by the jury was 248,603.60 euro (£206,714.31). Mr McGregor said in a post on social media on Friday that he intends to appeal against the decision. That post has since been deleted. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Mr Harris said he told Ms Hand of the support she has from people across Ireland. “I spoke with Nikita today and I wanted to thank her for her incredible bravery and her courage,” he said. “I wanted to make sure that she knew how much solidarity and support there was across this country for her bravery. “I also wanted to make sure she knew of what the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre had said yesterday – that so many other women have now come forward in relation to their own experiences of sexual abuse as a result of Nikita’s bravery.” The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said the case has had a “profound effect” on the people the charity supports, and that over the first 10 days of the High Court case, calls to its national helpline increased by almost 20%. It said that first-time callers increased by 50% compared to the same period last year, and were largely from people who had experienced sexual violence who were distressed and anxious from the details of case and the views people had to it. Mr Harris said: “I wanted to speak with her and I wanted to wish her and her daughter, Freya, all the very best night, and I was very grateful to talk with Nikita today. “Her bravery, her courage, her voice has made a real difference in a country in which we must continue to work to get to zero tolerance when it comes to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. “I don’t want to say too much more, because conscious there could be further legal processes, but I absolutely want to commend Nikita for her bravery, for her courage, for using her voice.” Justice Minister Helen McEntee praised Ms Hand’s bravery and said she had shown “there is light at the end of the tunnel”. She said: “I just want to commend Nikita for her bravery, for her determination and the leadership that she has shown in what has been – I’ve no doubt – a very, very difficult time for her and indeed, for her family. She added: “Because of wonderful people like Nikita, I hope that it shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that there are supports available to people, and that there is justice at the end of the day.” Ms Hand said in a statement outside court on Friday that she hoped her case would remind victims of assault to keep “pushing forward for justice”. Describing the past six years as “a nightmare”, she said: “I want to show (my daughter) Freya and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served.” During the case, Ms Hand said she was “disappointed and upset” when the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided not to prosecute the case after she made a complaint to the Irish police. In a letter to her in August 2020, the DPP said there was “insufficient evidence” and there was not a reasonable prospect of conviction. Ms Hand asked the DPP to review the decision, saying she felt she was being treated differently because one of the suspects was famous. Asked about the DPP’s decision not to prosecute, Mr Harris and Ms McEntee stressed the importance of the DPP’s independence on whether to prosecute. “There are obviously structures in place where the DPP can meet a victim and can outline to them their reasons for not taking the case,” Mr Harris said. “But there’s also always an opportunity for the DPP in any situation – and I speak broadly in relation to this – to review a decision, to consider any new information that may come to light, and I don’t want to say anything that may ever cut across the ongoing work of the DPP.” Ms McEntee stressed that there should “never be any political interference” in the independence of the DPP’s decisions. “I have, since becoming minister, given priority to and enabled a new office within the DPP to open specifically focused on sexual offences, so that this issue can be given the focus and the priority that it needs,” she said.
I was the first to turn my nose up at Delta Force when it was announced. The freshly released (it's in open beta but if everyone can click your game on Steam and play it, it's released) multiplayer FPS is cavorting in the skin of the legendary 90s tactical shooter franchise of the same name. But listen up: It's actually pretty good. In its best moments it channels Battlefield 3's sense of fun and chaos. I knew it before I even got my first kill. Of course, that was nearly 15 minutes of combat before I actually had to take someone down. I'm playing a medic, and while Napoleon Bonaparte might have said an army marches on its stomach—citation needed— this army marches forward only because I will it. My team is like ants, swarming towards the objectives with only me and my medic bag between them and a trip to the respawn point. Delta Force is, really, two games right now. There will eventually be a third when the Black Hawk Down campaign launches next year but for now there's the two multiplayer offerings: Warfare is a 32 v 32 combined arms throwdown across various objective modes. Then there's Operations, which is an extraction shooter that'll have you scuffling around for loot before you try to get to an extract, a lightweight version of Escape From Tarkov that I bounced off near immediately. The element tying the two together are the operators. Delta Force is sort of a hero shooter. My beloved medic is called Stinger—real name Roy Smee. With a name like that I'd go by Stinger, too. There are eight ops right now: two each for the Assault, Support, Engineer and Recon classes. Classes determine which secondary gadgets you can choose from—support characters have the choice between an ammo bag or a medical bag, for example—but what will most define your playstyle is an operator's passive ability, "ultimate" gadget and unique throwable. In Warfare, these quirks just feels like a cool way to make you feel distinct. Stinger can revive people faster and has a tiny medic gun while recon specialist Hackclaw has a little flashbang drone and a tablet that can hack nearby enemy positions. But you also get these abilities in the extraction mode, and having a wrist mounted grenade launcher or the ability to fire off smoke dispensing drones at a moment's notice feels overpowering, especially as you can't actually loot these from your opponents. It just feels incredibly unfair to corner an opponent and have him fire a brace of grenades at you, especially as they recharge over time. This isn't the only reason Operations mode is—in my opinion— better off ignored, but personal preference could come into it more than anything else: Delta Force's Operations mode is shallow, and has you looting containers and making a break for an extraction, chewing through other players and AI soldiers. Complexity is low, so you don't have to faff around with magazines or grenades, instead just stuffing your pockets with medical supplies and bullets and get to work. Thing is, the joy of extraction shooters comes from the faff, so this was too shallow for me to get immersed in. Warfare though? At its best moments, it channels the chaotic energy of Battlefield 3. Delta Force's maps are meat grinder, pushing all 64 players towards a single pair of objectives in the Rush-like Attack and Defend mode or spreading out the fight in the Conquest-style King of the Hill. The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team. Battle fields So far, so Battlefield. But fight through the tunnels leading to the secret biolab at the heart of Shafted and it's hard not to be reminded of pushing up the stairs of Operation Métro. Trench Lines has you fighting first to capture a military base then brawling through a series of trenches, a small town and then, finally, into a huge military compound with a giant tower in the middle. Fighting for control of the tower is essential, but more importantly, it's a whole lot of fun. On the face of it, Delta Force is aesthetically similar to Battlefield 2042, DICE's latest. Battlefield 2042 has the stronger art direction, but otherwise I think Delta Force has it pipped in just how good the combat feels. Part of this is that vehicles and individual soldiers feel much less powerful than in Battlefield, so the pushes into enemy territory feel a little more furtive, with attacking waves hammering against a defensive line until you overrun the objective. Time-to-kill is low and the chance of getting a breakaway moment where you're the hero feels so rare that when you actually do pull it off and flank the entire enemy team to pick off the enemy's defensive position, it feels incredible. Even behind the wheels of the vehicles you call in, 2042-style, by tapping the 5 key and dropping it on your location, you're looking to support pushes rather than rocket around by yourself. A caveat here is that vehicles have unlocks and a loadout that upgrades after you spend time with them—I worry they'll get more powerful as players get more comfortable with them and learn which combination of perks and quirks will make them more survivable. Right now through, destroying vehicles feels achievable as long as you're not the only person toting a rocket launcher, and although main battletanks are terrifying killing machines, they're so expensive it's rare you'll see more than one in a match and they're such a magnet for any would-be vehicle hunters. The weapon customisation is probably the deepest I've seen in a video game. You can switch out the stock, grip, barrel and just about everything else on most of the weapons in the game. Something I've never seen before is the ability for you to calibrate several of these attachments, too, tweaking the position of your sight or how the stock fits into your digital shoulder, slightly affecting weapon handling as well. I haven't played with this too much yet, but it seems like a way for min-maxers to get everything they want from their weapon of choice. Delta Force has a good foundation right now, but it has a bit of an identity crisis. I don't care about these silly military men and their anonymous battlegrounds. It's hard to give a game a sense of identity after launch, and I'd have my doubts about whether a hero shooter can be a hit if no one cares about the heroes themselves. Except, Delta Force already is a hit. Recently the game hit a player peak of 118,964 players. We'll have to see how those player numbers look in a couple of weeks, but Delta Force is hot right now, and the best large-scale multiplayer shooter I've played in years.Gettman kicks go-ahead FG as Villanova ends Delaware's FCS-era with a 38-28 win in finale
Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it?
Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay woman $250K in sexual assault case, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has found that mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor sexually assaulted a woman in a hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The Dublin jury awarded the woman more than $250,000 for her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her on Dec. 9, 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified he never forced her to do anything and that the woman had fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. The jury found for the woman on Friday. At least 15 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 15 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 160,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat this week after Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, which can cause life-threatening infections. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City. Top football recruit Bryce Underwood changes commitment to Michigan instead of LSU, AP source says ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Top football recruit Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan after pledging to play at LSU. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the recruit’s plans to join the Wolverines. Underwood pinned a post on his Instagram account, showing a post in which On3.com reported that he has committed to Michigan. The 6-foot-3 quarterback played at Belleville High School about 15 miles east of Michigan's campus, and told LSU nearly a year ago he intended to enroll there. Emperor penguin released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia has been released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on sand dunes in temperate southwest Australia about 2,200 miles north of the Antarctic coast. He was released Wednesday from a boat that traveled several hours from Western Australia state's most southerly city of Albany. His caregiver Carol Biddulph wasn't sure at first if the penguin would live. She said a mirror was important to his rehabilitation because they provide a sense of company. Biddulph said: “They’re social birds and he stands next to the mirror most of the time.” Shohei Ohtani wins third MVP award, first in NL. Aaron Judge earns second AL honor in 3 seasons NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points. Nick Chubb plows through heavy snow for 2-yard TD, giving Browns 24-19 win over Steelers CLEVELAND (AP) — Nick Chubb ran for a 2-yard touchdown in heavy snow with 57 seconds left, and the Cleveland Browns stunned division rival Pittsburgh 24-19, ending the Steelers’ five-game winning streak. The Browns had blown a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter and were down 19-18 before getting the ball back with 3:22 remaining after Pittsburgh punter Corliss Waitman shanked a 16-yarder. With snow piling up and covering the yard lines on the field, Cleveland’s Jameis Winston completed a third-down pass to Jerry Jeudy to the Pittsburgh 9. Two plays later, Chubb barreled into the end zone. The AFC North-leading Steelers fell to 8-3 while the Browns are 3-8.Derek Robertson throws for school-record 536 yards and Monmouth surprises Stony Brook 55-47
Thomas Tuchel’s first England game confirmed with new boss handed Wembley World Cup double-header in MarchUS homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people Federal officials say the United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said that federally required tallies taken across the country in January found that more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless. That increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of pandemic assistance. Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness. An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in the president-elect’s political movement into public display. The argument previews fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — that is, wealthy members of the tech world who want more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, a deputy national security adviser, said Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. Israeli troops burn northern Gaza hospital after forcibly removing staff and patients, officials say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza's Health Ministry says Israeli troops have stormed one of the last hospitals operating in the territory's north on Friday and forced many of the staff and patients outside. Then they had to remove their clothes in winter weather. It was the latest assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital. Parts of it were set on fire. Staff say it has been hit multiple times in the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods. Israel's military says Hamas uses the hospital as a base. It did not provide evidence, and hospital officials have denied it. Azerbaijani and U.S. officials suggest plane that crashed may have been hit by weapons fire U.S. and Azerbaijani officials have said weapons fire may have brought down an Azerbaijani airliner that crashed on Wednesday, killing 38 people. The statements from Rashad Nabiyev and White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Friday raised pressure on Russia. Officials in Moscow have said a drone attack was underway in the region that the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was destined for but have not addressed statements from aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defenses responding to a Ukrainian attack. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to Chechnya on Wednesday when it crashed, killing 38 people and leaving all 29 survivors injured. Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case ATLANTA (AP) — A judge has ruled that the Georgia state Senate can subpoena Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. It's part of a inquiry into whether Willis has engaged in misconduct during her prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump. But Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shukura Ingram is giving Willis the chance to contest whether lawmakers’ demands are overly broad before Willis responds. A Republican-led committee was formed earlier this year and sent subpoenas to Willis in August seeking to compel her to testify during its September meeting and to produce scores of documents. Willis argued that the committee didn’t have the power to subpoena her. In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee has a nearly total abortion ban and a porous safety net for mothers and young children. GOP state leaders in Tennessee and other states that banned abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 argue that they are bolstering services for families. Recent research and an analysis by The Associated Press has found that from the time a Tennessee woman gets pregnant, she faces greater obstacles to a healthy pregnancy, a healthy child and a financially stable family life than the average American mom. Maryland sues maker of Gore-Tex over pollution from toxic 'forever chemicals' Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex. State officials say the company's leaders kept using so-called “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks. The federal complaint alleges Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates polluted the air and water around 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland with chemicals that have been linked to certain cancers, reproductive issues and high cholesterol. They’re nearly indestructible and can build up in various environments, including the human body. The company stopped using the harmful chemicals in 2014 and says it’s working with state regulators on testing and cleanup efforts. Man indicted in burning death of woman inside a New York City subway train, prosecutors say NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of burning a woman to death inside a New York City subway train has been indicted on state charges. A prosecutor announced Sebastian Zapeta’s indictment at a court hearing Friday. The development comes days after Zapeta’s arrest and subsequent police questioning in which they say he identified himself in photos and surveillance video showing the fire being lit. The indictment will be under seal until Jan. 7. He remains jailed. Federal immigration officials say the 33-year-old Zapeta is from Guatemala and entered the U.S. illegally. Authorities are continuing to work to identify the victim. Alex Ovechkin is on track to break Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is chasing the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin entered the season 42 goals short of breaking a record that long seemed unapproachable. He is set to play again Saturday at the Toronto Maple Leafs after missing more than a month with a broken left fibula. Ovechkin was on pace to get to 895 sometime in February before getting injured. At 868, he his 27 goals away from passing Gretzky.
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After Trump’s Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key roles - The Associated PressFirst and last place in the AFC North are set to rekindle a classic rivalry on 'Thursday Night Football' this week. Straight from Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH, the Steelers and Browns will be gracing primetime as one team attempts to defend their record and the other attempts to salvage it. The Browns (2-8) have lost their past two games in a row, with the most recent being a decisive 35-14 drubbing in New Orleans. Despite an impressive 395-yard, two-TD performance from QB Jameis Winston, Cleveland's defensive unit couldn't hold New Orleans at all. Stuck at the bottom of their division, the Browns desperately need a win, and a dub against Pittsburgh could be huge for morale. MORE: Stream Steelers vs. Browns live on Fubo (free trial) While very different, one thing the Steelers and Browns have in common is their wins over Baltimore. Pittsburgh was able to pull off an impressive 18-16 defeat of the Ravens on Sunday and is undeniably the frontrunner in this matchup even though they've only had four days to prepare. Quarterback Russell Wilson has been an effective replacement on the offense, and paired with George Pickens, the Steelers offense has become more difficult to contain. Pittsburgh has only secured two wins in Cleveland since 2017. Will they be able to pull off another in Week 12? The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Steelers vs. Browns on "Thursday Night Football." Follow along below. NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule Steelers vs. Browns score Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F Steelers 0 0 0 0 0 Browns 0 0 0 0 0 Steelers vs. Browns live updates, highlights Pregame 6:30 p.m. — The Steelers and Browns will be dealing with the first inclement weather game of the season. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Cuyahoga County, where Cleveland is located. Forecasters are predicting a wintry mix of wind and precipitation throughout the night. There has been no announcement of a delayed kickoff at this time. FOOTBALL WEATHER! 🤩 #TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/cUIi1CeAeE 6:10 p.m. — It’s just under two hours to kickoff in Cleveland, OH, and the 8-2 Steelers are set to take on the 2-8 Browns for some Thursday Night Football. Though Pittsburgh is favored to win, anything can happen in a divisional matchup like this oneSteelers vs. Browns start time Steelers vs. Browns start time Date: Thursday, Nov. 21 Time: 8:15 p.m. ET The Steelers and Browns are set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday night. The game will be played at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. MORE: Why Browns actually have advantage over Steelers in Week 12 matchup What channel is Steelers vs. Browns on today? Live stream: Prime Video , | DAZN (Canada) "Thursday Night Football" between the Steelers and Browns will be available to stream on Prime Video . MORE: Stream Steelers vs. Browns live on Fubo (free trial) Fans in Canada can live stream the game on DAZN . Prime Video Thursday Night Football Schedule 2024 Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET Week Date Matchup/Result 2 9/12 Bills 31, Dolphins 10 3 9/19 Jets 24, Patriots 3 4 9/26 Cowboys 20, Giants 15 5 10/3 Falcons 36, Buccaneers 30 (OT) 6 10/10 49ers 36, Seahawks 24 7 10/17 Broncos 33, Saints 10 8 10/24 Rams 30, Vikings 20 9 10/31 Jets 21, Texans 13 10 11/7 Ravens 35, Bengals 34 11 11/14 Eagles 26, Commanders 18 12 11/21 Steelers at Browns 13 11/29 (3 p.m. Friday) Raiders at Chiefs 14 12/5 Packers at Lions 15 12/12 Rams at 49ers 16 12/19 Browns at Bengals 17 12/26 Seahawks at Bears If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A pair of conservative groups on Friday challenged a Maine law that limits donations to political action committees that spend independently in candidate elections, arguing that money spent to support political expression is "a vital feature of our democracy.” Supporters of the referendum overwhelmingly approved on Election Day fully expected a legal showdown over caps on individual contributions to so-called super PACs. They hoped the referendum would trigger a case and ultimately prompt the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify the matter of donor limits after the court opened the floodgates to independent spending in its 2010 Citizens United decision. The lawsuit brought by Dinner Table Action and For Our Future, and supported by the Institute for Free Speech, contends the state law limiting individual super PAC donations to $5,000 and requiring disclosure of donor names runs afoul of that Citizens United legal precedent. “All Americans, not just those running for office, have a fundamental First Amendment right to talk about political campaigns,” lawyers wrote in the lawsuit in federal court. “Their ‘independent expenditures,’ payments that fund political expression by those who are not running for office but nonetheless have something to say about a campaign, are a vital feature of our democracy.” Cara McCormick, leader of the Maine Citizens to End Super PACs, which pressed for the referendum, said the lawsuit attempts to undermine the will of the people after an overwhelming majority — 74% of voters — approved the referendum last month. “Super PACs are killing the country and in Maine we decided to do something about it. We want to restore public trust in the political process,” she said. “We want to say that in Maine we are not resigned to the tide of big money. We are the tide.” But Alex Titcomb, executive director of Dinner Table Action, argued Friday that the government “cannot restrict independent political speech simply because some voters wish to limit the voices of their fellow citizens.” Named in the lawsuit are Maine’s attorney general and the state’s campaign spending watchdog, the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices. The ethics commission is reviewing the complaint, said Jonathan Wayne, executive director. The Maine referendum didn’t attempt to limit spending on behalf of candidates. Instead, it focused on limits on individual donations to super PACS, an area the Supreme Court has not ruled on, observers say. Harvard Law School professor Lawrence Lessig, a longtime advocate for campaign finance reform, contends the U.S. Supreme Court has not ruled on the issue of individual contributions to PACs, and long-established case law supports the notion that states can limit individual contributions to PACs despite a decision to the contrary by the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Lessig, whose Equal Citizens nonprofit backed the Maine referendum, previously said the cap on donations imposed by the referendum "is not asking the Supreme Court to change its jurisprudence, not asking them to overturn Citizens United.” David Sharp, The Associated PressAccording to the study, thermal power plants in Bengal produce 313 kilotonnes of sulphur dioxide annually KOLKATA: Coal-fired thermal power plants in Bengal annually emit 18 times more sulphur dioxide than that generated by stubble-burning in Punjab and Haryana, revealed a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. The findings underscore the need to curb the emissions, with experts advocating the installation of Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) system. According to the study, thermal power plants in Bengal produce 313 kilotonnes of sulphur dioxide annually, while 17.8 kilotonnes are generated from burning 8.9 million tonnes of paddy straw in Punjab and Haryana. Assembly Election Results 'Ek hain, toh safe hain' is new 'Maha' mantra of India, says PM Modi in victory speech 'Let us take a pledge to build Golden Jharkhand': Hemant Soren after victory 'Cannot believe Maharashtra results': Uddhav vows to keep fighting But despite the continuous pollution , none of the 14 coal-based plants in Bengal, totalling 13.745 GW of installed capacity, has so far installed an FGD, pushing India to be one of the top sulphur dioxide-emission countries globally. India accounted for over 20% of human-made SO2 emission, showed the study. In 2023, India produced 6,807 kilotonnes of SO2 while generating power, surpassing nations, like Turkey and Indonesia. SO2 transforms into sulfate particles, a major component of PM2.5 pollution that poses severe health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. CREA's research shows 96% of particulate pollution from coal plants is secondary, arising from chemical transformations of emitted gases, such as sulphur dioxide. Maharashtra Jharkhand Maharashtra Alliance View i Party View Seats: 288 L + W Majority: 145 BJP+ 229 MVA 47 OTH 12 Leads + Wins : 288 / 288 BJP+ WON Jharkhand Alliance View i Party View Seats: 81 Results Majority: 41 INDIA 56 NDA 24 OTH 1 Results : 81 / 81 INDIA WON Source: PValue Despite the ministry of environment , forests and climate change introducing emission standards in 2015, FGD adoption had been slow, said experts. Till Aug this year, only 39 units across the country installed the system, while work was underway at 238 units. Unlike farmers, who were penalised for stubble-burning, thermal power plants often got leniency and extensions for compliance, said experts. If the FGD system was installed at the units, SO2 emissions from Bengal's coal plants could drop by 64%, from 313 kilotonnes to 113 kilotonnes a year. IIT-Delhi estimates that FGD can reduce the concentration of SO2 by 55% within an 80-km radius and sulfate aerosols by 30% up to 100 km. Experts pointed out installing FGDs involved significant costs -Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore per megawatt, adding Rs 0.5-0.6 per unit to electricity generation. But, they said, public health benefits outweighed the installation expenses as better air quality could drastically cut down on hospitalisations and deaths from air pollution. With the installation of an FGD system, Farakka STPS, which emits 46 kilotonnes of sulphur dioxide annually, could see a reduction of 73% and Haldia plant 82%. Mejia TPS, Bakreswar TPS and Budge Budge TPS are also projected to achieve significant cuts. The CREA report highlights the need for policy enforcement and investment in emission-reduction technologies like, FGD system.Safari Balls are a new type of Poké Ball exclusive to the Go Wild 2024: Global event running on Saturday 23rd November and Sunday 24th November in Pokémon Go . Go Safari Balls, because of course Pokémon Go has to find a way to include 'Go' in everything, are more effective at catching Pokémon compared to the other brands of Poké Ball . (Well aside from Master Balls , but they're a completely different beast.) This makes them perfect for catching the Mighty Pokémon appearing throughout Go Wild 2024: Global. There is a catch though - rumour has it Safari Balls can expire ... Don't worry though, we're here to help you learn how to get Safari Balls in Pokémon Go , whether Safari Balls expire and what exactly Go Safari Balls are . On this page: How to get Safari Balls Do Safari Balls expire? What are GO Safari Balls? How to get Safari Balls in Pokémon Go There are two ways you can get Safari Balls for free during the Go Wild 2024: Global event in Pokémon Go. The first is by completing the Timed Research task you'll receive when you first log into the event , which will reward you with a small amount of Safari Balls. The second is to spin PokéStops , but, since this method all comes down to luck, you may not always get a Safari Ball. Though, if you're prepared to drop some cash, there are a couple of other ways you can earn Safari Balls. The first is by purchasing a Go Wild Area 2024: Global ticket for £11.99, $11.99 or the equivalent pricing in your local currency. Doing so will see you receiving a Timed Research task which rewards Safari Balls every hour. Just make sure you complete it and collect the rewards within this hour though or else both will vanish forever. If you don't fancy purchasing a full ticket to the event, but still want some extra Safari Balls then you can also buy the Go Safari Ball: Extra Access Ticket for £1.99, $2 or the equivalent price in your local currency . This will also grant you access to additional hourly Timed Research tasks, with each one rewarding you with four Safari Balls. (Though again, you must complete these tasks before that hourly time limit is up!) This ticket can be combined with your Wild Area 2024: Global ticket to grant you two Safari Ball Timed Research tasks per hour. It's also important to note that the Go Safari Ball: Extra Access Ticket can only be published here on the Pokémon Go web store , so, if you fancy it, then it's worth buying before you head out to play Pokémon Go. Neither tickets can be purchased using Poké Coin nor are nonrefundable . But, before you start throwing Safari Balls at Pokémon, there's an important fact to consider... The Max Out Season is here. The new global event, Wild Area , is nearly here and In the Wild is our lead-up event, which includes the global release of Toxel . You can now catch Dynamax Pokémon through Max Battles . First, however, you need to visit Power Spots to collect Max Particles and complete the To the Max! quest .Don't forget to try out Routes , Gift Exchange and Party Play while you're hunting down rare Pokémon , fighting in the Go Battle League or competing in PokéStop Showcases . Do Safari Balls expire in Pokémon Go? Yes, Safari Balls do expire in Pokémon Go. Any spare Safari Balls you have will expire from your inventory at 6:15pm (local time) at the end of each Go Wild Area 2024: Global event day - either Saturday 23rd November and Sunday 24th November. This means that Safari Balls do not overlap between event days. If you've been playing Pokémon Go on Saturday, you'll instead have to start collecting Safari Balls all over again Sunday morning. For this reason, it's a good idea to spend the last hour and 15 minutes of the event (5pm to 6:15pm local time on both days) using up any spare Safari Balls you might have. Best to get your money's worth after all! An ideal Safari Ball target are the Mighty Pokémon appearing throughout the Wild Area event hours or the Galarian Legendary Birds who have a chance of spawning when you're using Daily Adventure Incense . Remember - use your Safari Balls before it's too late! They will vanish at 6:15pm (local time) on both Saturday and Sunday! What are GO Safari Balls in Pokémon Go? Go Safari Balls are the Pokémon Go version of the classic Poké Ball you receive upon entering any Safari Zone in a mainline Pokémon game. Decorated with a camouflage pattern, these Poké Balls have 'GO' printed on their sides in big white letters to help you remember which game you're playing. As we mentioned above, Safari Balls are highly effective at catching Pokémon . This makes them perfect for catching any Mighty Pokémon you might encounter. The downside is, again like we said above, that they expire. Though, when you think about it, this expiration date is oddly fitting for Safari Balls.In the many of the mainline games where the zones made an appearance, you could be kicked out of the area after taking a certain number of steps. The fact that Pokémon in Safari Zones had to be caught without battling them, simply tossing Safari Balls, treats and stones (yes, stones), also matches up well with Pokémon Go's gameplay. (Well, apart from the stones but I guess a good number of people have tossed their phones because of this game.) At the time of writing, Safari Balls have only been available during the Fukuoka, Japan and Global Wild Area 2024 events. We wouldn't be surprised to see them return during other in-person Pokémon Go events. Best of luck using Safari Balls during the Wild Area 2024: Global event!GOP lawmaker calls for Mankato prof to resign after comment about UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killer
November excites Canadian savers, especially Tax-Savings Savings Account (TFSA) users. It’s the time of the year when the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announces the TFSA limit for the incoming year. The announced limit for 2025 is $7,000. While the contribution limit is the same as in 2024, it’s a game-changer nevertheless. The available contribution room for anyone eligible to open a TFSA since 2009 has bumped to $102,000. TFSA investors know that the power of compounding works best in the registered investment account because of the feature. Any interest, dividends or capital gains from eligible investment instruments, including stocks, grow tax-free. Hence, your TFSA balance grows faster if you reinvest in the dividends. Generating yearly passive income is problem-free as long as users do not over-contribute. Assuming your available contribution room is the maximum or $102,000, combining two low-volatile dividend stocks in a TFSA will produce $3,695.48 in yearly passive income. See the table below: The example applies only to a $102,000 TFSA contribution room invested equally ($51,000 each) between ( ) and ( ). The pays a 3.29% dividend, while the utility stock yields 3.95%. Both companies pay quarterly dividends. If you invest the max contribution limit of $7,000 ($3,500 each) in both dividend stocks, the annual passive income is 253.40. The earnings in either scenario are tax-free. National Bank of Canada is the smallest among the country’s Big Five banks, with a market cap of $45.5 billion. As of this writing, current investors are up 36.17% year to date. On June 11, 2024, NA announced a proposal to acquire . The Competition Bureau gave the green light for the transaction to proceed. NA now awaits approval from the Minister of Finance under the Bank Act. The Department of Finance launched a public consultation on November 13, 2024, to gather feedback from various stakeholders and organizations. NA believes the combination will create a stronger competitor and more choice for Canadians. Fortis is a logical holding in a TFSA for its lofty market position. FTS is TSX’s second Dividend King. The $30.9 billion electric and gas utility company has increased dividends for 51 consecutive years. Its low-risk profile stems from regulated utility assets (99%). The operations are in Canada, the U.S., and the Caribbean. Besides wearing a crown, Fortis announced a dividend growth guidance of 4-6% through 2029. Management expects the $26 billion five-year capital plan to raise its mid-year rate base by 6.5% (compound annual growth rate) and earnings per share (EPS) by 5.5% annually over five years. Fortis’s utility services demand is unchanging and resilient through economic uncertainties. Both factors are built-in advantages. TFSA benefits don’t stop at tax exemptions on money growth and earnings. Withdrawals are tax-free, too, and there is no lifetime limit.As the Saskatchewan Marshals Service (SMS) aims to be up and running next summer — a year ahead of its initial mid-2026 projection — the new police force is looking to recruit from in-province agencies and beyond. said it “has seen interest from all over the country, including provinces like BC, Alberta, and Manitoba and also from individuals here in Saskatchewan.” By the time the service is up and running, it anticipates there will be drawn “from both inside and from outside the province.” Opposition shadow minister for policing and public safety Nicole Sarauer said this speaks to some of the concerns raised by her party — that the money for the SMS would be better spent shoring up exigent “They are poaching from already existing police forces to fill their allotment of officers,” said Sarauer. “If we’re just shuffling a group of police officers from one type of policing body to another type of policing body in Saskatchewan, it doesn’t actually address the concerns that people have about crime in this province.” Regional locations for the SMS are still up in the air, as is the cost, but the provincial headquarters are already operational in Prince Albert. The NDP estimated that “at least $14 million has been wasted on planning for the Service to date.” Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Tim McLeod presented a different figure in an emailed statement. “Our government has been transparent with costs,” said McLeod. “To date, $5.6 million has been spent in building the Saskatchewan Marshals Service.” The SMS was first announced in 2022 as a means to “enhance law enforcement presence across the province,” stated an SMS news release issued Thursday afternoon. The government previously said the marshals service will have an annual budget of $20 million once operational. The SMS has already hired Chief Marshal Rob Cameron, Deputy Chief Marshal Rich Lowen and Civilian Deputy Chief Thomas Sierzycki, along with two superintendents and three inspectors, according to the release. “As we continue to approach our eventual deployment in Saskatchewan, it’s important to our service that we maintain these positive relationships with other enforcement agencies,” said Cameron in the press release. “We will continue to engage with municipal and First Nations communities and other partners so we can best serve the province.” As for a governing mandate, the SMS will focus on higher crime locations in Saskatchewan. The intention is to “detect, disrupt, and deter” criminal activity,” locate “high-risk and prolific offenders” as well as people with outstanding warrants, offer assistance to exigent police services, and conduct investigations pertaining to farming and agriculture.
Madera’s principal stood up to the KlanNone