Ottawa police laid charges against two people during a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Saturday. Ottawa's chapter of the Palestinian Youth Movement has been organizing weekly rallies through the downtown core to protest Israel's ongoing armed offensive in Gaza and Lebanon since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel. On Saturday, police say two people were arrested. One man was taken into custody after inferring with the group demonstrating and a woman was arrested for assaulting a police officer following "repeated non-compliance orders from officers." Demonstrators began marching from the Humans Rights Monument near Ottawa City Hall and marched down Elgin Street, Sussex Drive and Rideau Street. Video posted to social media by the Palestinian Youth Movement shows a confrontation between police and the demonstrators. "The Ottawa police brutalized and attacked community members today and arrested a protestor dragging them out of the crowd. They shoved people at the back of the protest to force us onto the sidewalk. Every weekend protest has been on the streets. The police chose violence and escalation today," the group said in an Instagram post. A post shared by PYM Ottawa (@ottawapym) Demonstrators were seen protesting in front of the Ottawa police headquarters on Elgin Street on Sunday morning. Saturday's arrests come after police arrested four pro-Palestinian demonstrators on Monday for charges that included mischief, assaulting police and obstruction of a peace officer. Police continue to investigate and say more charges may be laid. "While peaceful protest is a right, it comes with the responsibility to respect the law and ensure public safety," police said on social media. Ottawa Top Stories Ottawa police arrest 2 during pro-Palestinian demonstrations Saturday Sandy Hill apartment building evacuated for high levels of carbon monoxide Indigenous boy donating hair to cancer patients, raising money for Kemptville hospital Hawkesbury, Ont. OPP officer charged with assault Mixed reaction from Ottawa business owners, customers on GST exemption Ottawa councillor violated Code of Conduct for daycare incident last summer, integrity commissioner concludes Ottawa driver fined for hauling thousands of empty cans in trunk of car What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: Nov.22-24 CTVNews.ca Top Stories 'Very disturbing': Deepfake videos appear to target Canadian immigrants for thousands of dollars Artificially generated videos of a Toronto-based lawyer asking for money appear to be just one way some try to exploit newcomers to Canada during a time of confusion around new immigration rules. Lotto Max jackpot hits $80M for second time ever The Lotto Max jackpot has climbed to $80 million for just the second time in Canadian lottery history. Canada 'already past due' on NATO defence spending target: U.S. House intelligence committee chair Mike Turner The chair of the United States House intelligence committee says Canada needs to accelerate its defence spending targets, especially with its military in 'desperate' need of investment. Scurvy resurgence highlights issues of food insecurity in Canada's rural and remote areas A disease often thought to only affect 18th century sailors is reemerging in Canada. Anti-NATO protest in Montreal continues as politicians denounce Friday's violence Federal cabinet ministers condemned an anti-NATO protest in Montreal that turned violent on Friday, saying "hatred and antisemitism" were on display, but protesters deny the claim, saying they demonstrated against the "complicity" of NATO member countries in a war that has killed thousands of Palestinians. Nova Scotia Tories appear safe with close battle for second between Liberals and NDP With two days left before Nova Scotians elect their next government, polls suggest Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston's decision to call an early vote will pay off and the real battle will be between the Liberals and NDP for second place. Police thought this gnome looked out of place. Then they tested it for drugs During a recent narcotics investigation, Dutch police said they found a garden gnome made of approximately two kilograms of MDMA. Bluesky takes bite out of X, as global users flee social media giant: analyst A Canadian technology analyst says it appears Bluesky has legitimate growth momentum in the U.S. and elsewhere, and could be a significant threat to X. Somalia says 24 people have died after 2 boats capsized in the Indian Ocean Twenty-four people died after two boats capsized off the Madagascar coast in the Indian Ocean, Somalia's government said Sunday. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks 24 Of The Best Host And Hostess Gifts You Can Find Online Right Now The Best Advent Calendars For Women In 2024 All The Best Beauty Stocking Stuffers That Ring In Under $25 Home Our Guide to the Best Jewellery Boxes You Can Find Online Right Now 16 Home Gadgets That'll Make Your Life Easier The 5 Best Drip Coffee Makers In Canada In 2024, Tested and Reviewed Gifts 23 Gifts, Add-Ons, And Stocking Stuffers For Anyone Who Spends A Lot Of Time In Their Car The Ultimate 2024 Holiday Gift Guide For Nature Lovers And Outdoor Adventurers 27 Of The Absolute Best Stocking Stuffers For Men Beauty 20 Anti-Aging Skincare Products That Reviewers Can’t Stop Talking About 12 Budget-Friendly Makeup Brushes And Tools Worth Adding To Your Kit If You Suffer From Dry Skin, You'll Want To Add At Least One Of These Hydrating Moisturizers To Your Cart Deals These Apple Products Are Majorly On Sale On Amazon Canada Right Now, So It Might Be Time To Upgrade Your Tech Black Friday Has Begun On Amazon Canada: Here Are The Best Deals Black Friday Is Almost Here, But These Deals On Mattresses And Bedding Are Already Live Atlantic Man arrested in Saint John, N.B., for weapons offences Saint John Police Force in Saint John, N.B., arrested a 30-year-old man for weapons related offenses on Saturday. 'We need answers': Protest held at RCMP detachment for suspicious disappearance of N.B. man A crowd of over 20 people stood in the pouring rain Saturday in front of the RCMP detachment in Hampton, N.B., to bring awareness to a missing person’s case. Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign begins across Canada The 134th Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign started Saturday across Canada. Toronto Walking pneumonia is on the rise in Canada, but what about Ontario? Doctors and emergency rooms across Canada have said they are seeing an unusual rise in walking pneumonia cases, particularly in children, but what about here in Ontario? 'It's an optimistic space:' Inside Toronto's new drug withdrawal centre Joshua Orson sits on the edge of a bed in a bright, clean room, thinking about his journey from addict to health-care worker. Routes to avoid during the 120th Santa Claus Parade on Sunday The 120th Santa Claus Parade is back in Toronto on Sunday and will bring along some road closures. Montreal Two pedestrians die after being struck by a vehicle in Montérégie Two pedestrians in their 60s died on Saturday after being struck by a vehicle in Saint-Théodore-d'Acton, in Montérégie. Montreal prepares to sell long-abandoned Empress theatre The Empress Theatre, a nearly century-old landmark in Montreal's Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG) neighbourhood, may soon be revitalized. Santa Claus Parade draws crowds to downtown Montreal Thousands gathered on René-Lévesque to welcome Santa Claus at this year’s festive parade. Choir groups, marching bands, dancers and more brought the holiday joy this year. Northern Ontario Northern Ont. First Nation files claim against Ontario and Newmont mining Taykwa Tagamou Nation, a Cree First Nation located within Treaty 9, has filed a statement of claim against the Province of Ontario and Newmont, a mining company that owns properties in Timmins. Senior killed in dog attack in northern Ont. An 81-year-old was killed in a dog attack this week in Bonfield, Ont. Police believe three dogs were involved. More carrots pulled from grocery store shelves in expanded recall for E. coli: CFIA The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced an expanded recall on carrots over risks of E. coli O121 contamination, according to a notice issued Friday. Windsor Two vehicle collisions in Essex County Saturday The Essex OPP has confirmed two vehicle collisions in Essex County on County Road 42. Spitfires double Ottawa 67s 6-3 The Windsor Spitfires took home the win against the Ottawa 67s in Windsor on Saturday night. Festival brings Indian classical dance back to the stage For the first time in six years, classical Indian dance forms returned to the stage in Windsor as part of the Umang Light of Hope Festival. London Three people in hospital due to collision Assault at Santa Claus parade leads to charges The St. Thomas police have arrested someone after an incident at the Santa Claus parade on Saturday. Easton Cowan needs a point Sunday to tie 55-game OHL point streak record Easton Cowan of the London Knights needs just one point Sunday evening to tie a historic mark in the Ontario Hockey League. Kitchener Advocates push for anti-renoviction bylaws as Waterloo Region reports affordable housing progress On National Housing Day, housing advocacy group ACORN continued to push for anti-renoviction bylaws. Kitchener auto repair shop hosts fundraiser for children with disabilities, joined by hockey legend Wendel Clark An auto repair shop based in Kitchener held a special fundraiser Saturday to help children and youth with physical disabilities, with former Maple Leafs captain Wendel Clark in attendance. Laval wins Vanier Cup in Saturday game against Laurier The Laval Rouge et Or won the coveted Vanier Cup against the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, going 22-17. Barrie Driver seriously injured after crashing into tree: OPP An overnight crash in Tiny Township is under investigation, where a car allegedly crashed into a tree and both occupants were taken to hospital. First snowfall hits region Simcoe Muskoka saw its first signs of snow of the season Sunday morning, with a mix of flurries and rain leading to worsening road conditions and police reporting multiple collisions. Orillia holiday festivities continue with Santa Claus Parade The streets of Downtown Orillia were packed Saturday evening for the City’s 119th annual Santa Claus parade. Winnipeg Have you seen Bostyn? Winnipeg police search for missing teenager Winnipeg police are asking the public to help find a 15-year-old girl who went missing Saturday afternoon. Two Manitobans charged in two-day manhunt in northwestern Ontario A two-day manhunt in northwestern Ontario has ended in more than 20 charges against a Manitoba man and woman. The Thriftmas Special: The benefits of second-hand holiday shopping The holidays may be a time for family, joy and togetherness, but they can also be hard on the wallet. Calgary Snowfall warning lifted but flurries remain in Sunday forecast The snowfall warning for Calgary has been lifted after a Saturday snowstorm socked the city, but there are still flurries in the forecast for Sunday. Revival of Pospisil, power play fuels Flames to 4-3 shootout win over Wild A week ago, the Calgary Flames were winning despite Martin Pospisil's slump and the NHL club's weak power play. Snow routes declared active for Lethbridge starting at 9 a.m. Monday Snow routes were declared active in Lethbridge, the city posted on its website. Starting at 9 a.m. Monday, parking restrictions will be in effect for streets declared to be snow routes. Edmonton Electric cars a 'hot commodity' in Alberta despite misconceptions Electric vehicles are off Alberta car lots, despite what experts say are some ongoing misconceptions about the technology. McDavid paces Edmonton Oilers to 6-2 win over New York Rangers Connor McDavid had two goals and an assist for the Edmonton Oilers in a 6-2 win over the visiting New York Rangers on Saturday. Hit-and-run driver wanted after pedestrian hit in southeast Edmonton Police are looking for a hit-and-run driver after a pedestrian was hit on Thursday night. Regina Dinosaur discovery reveals more about ancient Saskatchewan Researchers from McGill University have discovered a first of its kind fossil specimen for Saskatchewan. Navy wife brings together local authors for inaugural book fair Sixteen local authors and book publishers gathered Saturday for the first ever Regina Bookwyrm’s Book Fair, organized by a Navy wife. City of Regina releases snowfall response plan ahead of next blast of wintery weather, snow routes declared Many parts of Saskatchewan will be hit with another round of wintery weather on Saturday, and Regina is no exception, with up to 25 centimetres of snow expected to accumulate by Sunday. Saskatoon Saskatoon digs out from another snowfall Saskatoon residents are digging out from another major snowfall that blanketed the city overnight. 'I'm excited to take it on': Saskatoon businesses weigh in on GST exemption Some local businesses say the federal government’s recent plan to pull back GST on several items is a positive initiative, but it should have been rolled out earlier in the holiday season. Make A Wish kids get early holiday magic in Saskatoon This holiday season, Make-A-Wish kids and their families are experiencing the magic of Christmas a little early at Saskatoon’s historic Hotel Bessborough. Vancouver Cat caught in hunting snare rescued by BC SPCA Donations are ramping up for a BC SPCA cat with a mangled paw after being caught in a hunting snare, one of a rising number of pets to fall prey to the hunting device. Widow of Chinese businessman who was executed for murder can sell her Vancouver house, court rules A murder in China and a civil lawsuit in B.C. have been preventing the sale of multiple Vancouver homes, but one of them could soon hit the market after a court ruling. Vancouver Canucks fend off Ottawa Senators late surge in 4-3 win The Vancouver Canucks kicked off a six-game road trip by holding off the Ottawa Senators 4-3. Vancouver Island BC Hydro says power almost fully restored after B.C. windstorms British Columbia's electric utility says it has restored power to almost all customers who suffered outages during the bomb cyclone earlier this week, but strong wind from a new storm has made repairs difficult in some areas. Fall legislative sitting scrapped in B.C. as Speaker Chouhan confirmed to serve again There won't be a sitting of the British Columbia legislature this fall as originally planned. Canada Post down eight million parcels amid strike as talk carry on over weekend Canada Post says it has seen a shortage of more than eight million parcels amid an ongoing strike that has effectively shut down the postal system for nine days compared with the same period in 2023. Kelowna Man in hospital following targeted shooting in Kamloops Police are appealing for information on a targeted shooting that resulted in the hospitalization of a man in Kamloops. Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year. B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail. Stay ConnectedFor almost two years now, stocks that tap into the global $15.7 trillion AI revolution have surged so quickly, the media has a nickname for them: the "Magnificent Seven." But there's a problem with the "Magnificent Seven"—the dividends that they offer investors are extremely stingy, as management prefers to devote hundreds of billions of dollars towards research and development. Apple Inc. (AAPL), for instance, pays a dividend of just 0.5%. Microsoft Inc. (MSFT)'s dividend of 0.95% is well below the S&P 500 average of 1.29%. Nvidia Inc. (NVDA) pays just 0.03% dividend yield—not a typo—and Tesla Motors (TSLA) and Alphabet (GOOG) pay nothing at all. But there's a little-known way to claim much bigger quarterly payouts from the AI revolution—thanks to three companies that collect billions of dollars in "rent" from the Magnificent Seven. AI Income Machine No. 1: Prologis Inc. (PLD) Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Prologis Inc. (PLD) is a real estate investment trust that leases over 1.2 billion square feet worldwide to some of the world's biggest names, including Amazon. The company's business of leasing office and retail space to various tech firms is so lucrative, it has a profit margin of 37.4% as of Q3/2024. For context, Apple has a profit margin of 24%. Not only that, but PLD is growing earnings at a robust clip. The company grew earnings by 34.5% last quarter, and was able to raise its dividend by 10.3% in 2024. Since 2019, PLD has nearly doubled its dividend while increasing payouts every year. It now offers a 3.2% dividend yield that is more than double the S&P 500... and larger than the yields of all the "Magnificent Seven" stocks combined. AI Income Machine No. 2: Alexandria Real Estate Inc. (ARE) Headquartered in Pasadena, California, Alexandria Real Estate Inc. (ARE) is a company that leases 47 million square feet of office and retail space to companies in San Francisco, Boston, New York City, Austin, Seattle, and Washington D.C. ARE has grown operating income by 299% since 2014—and it's no accident that its rise has been strongly correlated with the tech boom that's unfolded since. ARE's string of lucrative deals in the tech sector contributed to its monster earnings growth of 592% last quarter—and helped it increase its dividend by 29% since 2019. Alexandria Real Estate pays a yield of 4.8% as of this writing, which thrashes the average company on the S&P 500 and, like PLD, is a higher yield than that of all the Magnificent Seven companies combined. [For Even More stock Picks! Benzinga Edge Black Friday Savings Start Now!] AI Income Machine No. 3: Digital Realty Trust (DLR) As AI processors continue to demand ungodly amounts of power around the world, Digital Realty trust's modular designs to accommodate advanced cooling solutions are in strong demand. DLR is a real estate investment trust that counts tech giants like Oracle, IBM, Meta, and LinkedIn among its clients—and by leasing property to these deep-pocketed titans, it has built a cash-gushing empire around the globe. In fact, DLR now has a backlog of $859 billion, as tech giants jostle to use its global data center platform. The company has grown its dividend by 15% since 2019, and offers a 2.57% yield that is highly likely to grow in the years ahead. Get the tools you need to stay ahead—daily trade setups, exclusive stock picks, and real-time alerts. Don't miss out on Benzinga Edge at 75% off. Join today for the best deal of the year! Image via Pexels © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
On Friday, NASCAR officially closed the 2024 season with the annual awards banquet at the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina. For the third consecutive year, the star-studded black-tie event honored drivers from the Craftsman Truck, Xfinity, and Cup Series for their accomplishments during the 2024 season. Chase Elliot, Joey Logano, Rajah Karuth, Ty Majeski, and Justin Allgaier were among the top names honored at the banquet. Though several nominees were in each category, Elliot, Logano, Karuth, Majeski, and Allgaier once again proved why they’re among NASCAR’s best. About the Award Categories Award categories honored on Friday included the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award, the Bill France Award of Excellence, the NMPA Most Popular Driver Award, the NPMA Myers Brothers Award, and the Comcast Community Champion of the Year. Each of the five awards has a unique purpose. The nominees are typically a mixture of drivers, contributors, and community members. One of the most impactful awards is the Comcast Community Champion of the Year, which honors a person working within NASCAR for making the world a better place through service and sacrifice. The National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Most Popular Driver Award honors drivers from Craftsman, Xfinity, and the Cup Series. Additionally, the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award goes to the person who contributes to making a difference in the lives of children and their families. Contributions can be through giving or volunteering at children’s charities or organizations. Similarly, the Bill France Award of Excellence recognizes those who have made the most impact while working or driving for NASCAR. Lastly, the NMPA Myers Brothers Award honors groups or individuals whose contributions have impacted stock-car racing as a sport, but who walked away with these prestigious honors? NMPA Most Popular Driver Award Chase Elliot, driver of the No.9 for Hendrick Motorsports and son of veteran driver Bill Elliot, was awarded the NMPA Most Popular Driver for the seventh consecutive year. The only other driver who matches this number is the legendary Bobby Allison, who passed away on November 9 at 86. However, Elliot has a lot of work to do if he plans to match up with his father, who has received the honor 15 times. Even so, Elliot graciously accepted his award but still struggles to understand the impact of his popularity on fans and NASCAR as a sport. He doesn’t see himself as an icon or use his time behind the wheel for popularity. For Elliot, the sport is a way to escape the stresses of the natural world, and he describes it as his haven. He understands the appeal of idolizing an athlete because he’s an avid football fan, and like everyone else, he has that one athlete he idolizes. Yet, he can’t accept placing himself in the same category even though he beat out nominees Kyle Larson, Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney, and Kyle Busch. “It’s always tough for me to accept and understand the impact that we have,” Elliott said. “I just don’t look at myself that way at all.” “Some days, I have to remind myself that I look at it like this : I’m a huge sports fan. I love sports. And sports are a great escape for so many things that we deal with as human beings.” NMPA Most Popular Xfinity Driver Like Elliot, Xfinity driver Justin Allgaier was again crowned the most popular driver in Charlotte for the fifth consecutive year. Though he’s been on the track for 15 years, Allgaier celebrated the single best moment in his career history at Phoenix Raceway on November 9. With tears in his eyes and pride in his heart, the JR Motorsports driver crossed the finish line to clinch his first series title, so Friday was more or less a dual celebration. In a heartwarming acceptance speech, the popular Xfinity driver tearfully thanked his family for their support and sacrifice. Allgaier closed his speech by toasting Xfinity’s outgoing director, Wayne Auton, who plans to step down in 2025. The driver only had a few minutes to finish the speech but thanked everyone attending the banquet. He mentioned how it was an honor to compete amongst each of his Xfinity brethren. “To all of you in this room tonight: You are such an unbelievably talented group that pushes me to be better every single day,” said Allgaier. “It’s an honor to compete alongside of you week in and week out. This Xfinity Series is a special place, and that’s clear by what we get to do every single week at the race track.” NMPA Most Popular Craftsman Truck Series Driver The last of the NMPA’s most popular driver award honors went to Rajah Caruth. Caruth, driver of the No. 71 for Spire Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series, was surprised by his nomination. The young driver deserved the honor, especially after clinching his first Craftsman Championship title at Las Vegas Motorspeedway in March. The win earned him the honor of being the third African American, with Bubba Wallace and Wendell Scott, to win a national NASCAR race. It was only his second season as a Craftsman Driver, but what better way to be recognized? NMPA Myers Brothers Award Greg Biffle, who earned 19 wins, 13 poles, and 175 top-tens during his stint with NASCAR, running in the Nationwide, Craftsman, and Cup Series’, was honored with the Myers Brother Award . He was chosen for the award for his lasting impact on the sport and his selflessness in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Biffle spent time in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, aiding those devastated by the storm’s damage in late September. According to insiders, he boarded a helicopter to survey the damages and aided those stranded in the debris. Biffle’s kind act led NASCAR’s “Operation Helidrop” efforts to supply survivors with food, water, and shelter. During a solo flyover of the region affected by Helene’s wrath, he stopped to help a man trapped under debris who, desperate for help, summoned him using a lone piece of mirror. Once the helicopter landed, the former NASCAR great safely rendered the help the man and those in the surrounding area required. Logano spoke fondly of Greg Biffle during a speech, noting that this standard of excellence and selflessness makes him proud to represent NASCAR as a sport. Bill France Award of Excellence Without excellent contributors, drivers wouldn’t have the tools to help make NASCAR into the $158 million entity it is today, and there’s no better example than David Wilson. Wilson, the principal of Toyota Racing Development (TRD), who has assisted the franchise for 35 years, received the highest honor when he accepted the Bill France Award of Excellence on Friday. It was an emotional moment for Wilson, who was announced by long-time NASCAR executive and friend Jim France. Wilson has singlehandedly made the most impact on NASCAR, contributing to driver development and overseeing the beginning of TRD’s presence in the Series Championships with veteran Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin, and 63-time cup winner Kyle Busch. Despite numerous successes under his leadership, NASCAR’s drivers and team owners will see a new face in 2025. After announcing his retirement in August, Wilson plans to pass his leadership torch to TRD General Manager Tyler Gibbs. “I’m still soaking it in. I had no idea.” I’m beyond humbled and incredibly grateful,” Wilson said. Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award Unlike other Friday awards honoring drivers and franchise contributors, the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award stands out the most. Perhaps it’s because it’s the only honor awarded to a fan. An avid NASCAR fan and humanitarian, Judy Simmons was awarded for selfless volunteer work at the non-profit disaster relief organization “God’s Pit Crew.” A native of Axton, Virginia, Simmons works closely with the organization to ensure that families across the United States are aided during a significant weather event. She has worked with 1,500 disaster response team members for over six years, providing everyday essentials for families who have lost everything. Nichole Krieger, who presented Simmons with the $100,000 award, mentioned no one is more deserving of the award. She added that she’s an incredible person who has profoundly impacted families recovering from crises with her valiant volunteers at “God’s Pit Crew.” “Judy is an incredible person doing impactful work for families that have experienced hardship due to natural disasters, especially during the difficult times faced in Western North Carolina this year,” said Nichole Krieger. The NASCAR Foundation Vice President and Executive Director. Final Thoughts The NASCAR banquet in Charlotte was a night that honored service, sacrifice, and champions as it does every year. Yet, it seemed to have a different feel on Friday night and a turning point for NASCAR as a sport. There was an overwhelming sense of warmth in the room, and everyone was gracious and humbled by the support. Joey Logano and Ty Majeski presented speeches that moved audience members in recognition of their respective championship titles. In addition to the other awards received, it was a moment of celebration, and all the attendees were full of smiles. This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.
Hope springs eternal for Maryland football. The Terps received a verbal commitment from five-star defensive end Zion Elee on Saturday, giving the program its highest-rated recruit since landing wide receiver Stefon Diggs in the Class of 2012. The St. Frances star is ranked the No. 2 prospect in the 2026 class in the 247Sports Composite rankings, the No. 1 overall recruit by On3 and the No. 8 overall prospect in the ESPN Junior 300. The 6-foot-4, 228-pound Elee, who fielded more than 30 Division I offers, chose Maryland over Oregon, Alabama and Penn State. He posted his commitment . “Maryland felt like home,” Elee . “The coaches really believed in me from the beginning of my recruitment. They saw what I could do for the program. I could connect with the players because they’re from the same area I’m from. The academics are strong. It’s a great environment. I felt I could grow as a person and a player there.” Before transferring to St. Frances, Elee was a star at Joppatowne, finishing his sophomore season with 64 tackles, including 24 for loss, and 13 sacks. He with the Panthers, who went 8-3 — including a dominant 30-3 win over IMG Academy at Morgan State University in early November — and finished No. 18 in the On3 national composite rankings. “When he first got here you could see the God-given tools he has — fast, big and strong, all the measurables,” St. Frances defensive coordinator Justin Winters said earlier this year. “I don’t think he was ever pushed and around players and coaches that are his peers like now instead of him being above and beyond everybody else. So that has made him work harder and playing the tough schedule we have, it was a learning curve for him.” In August, Elee listed Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State as his finalists and then took visits across the country before making his surprising choice Saturday. He is the fourth commitment in the 2026 class for coach Mike Locksley, who just wrapped up the nation’s 25th overall class on Wednesday’s early signing day. The Terps finished the season 4-8 overall and 1-8 in the Big Ten, missing a bowl game for the first time since 2020.Ghana counts ballots after tight presidential raceMinister asks Kabul to rein in anti-Pakistan elements Amir Muqam says Pakistan hosted Afghan refugees for four decades and it was largest population of refugees in world HARIPUR: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam on Saturday asked the Afghan government to rein in those involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan. He urged Afghanistan to stop hosting the anti-Pakistan elements. “It becomes difficult for us to defend them [refugees] in the wake of the anti-Pakistan activities,” he said speaking to Afghan refugees of Haripur camp here. He said that it was the responsibility of Afghanistan to stop the elements crossing into Pakistan for terrorist activities. The federal minister said that the government functionaries took notice of the anti-state activities of Afghan refugees who burned Pakistan’s flag and disrespected its national anthem. “I would ask the Afghans to avoid indulging in anti-Pakistan activities and politics at the cost of their refugee brothers as such behaviour creates difficulties for refugees,” he said. He urged the Afghan government to stop the youth from promoting anti-Pakistan agenda on social media as they were doing disservice to their own community. The minister said that Pakistan had always respected the freedom and solidarity of Afghanistan as it believed that a strong Afghanistan was in the favour of Pakistan and its people. He said that Pakistan had been hosting Afghan refugees for four decades and it was the largest population of refugees in the world and utilized its best efforts for providing them basic facilities. He said the majority of Afghans were doing business in Pakistan. “We respect and are happy that they are doing business and enjoying their stay in Pakistan but the Afghan government must now realize to desist from creating hardships for Afghans living in Pakistan and make sincere plans for their permanent repatriation to their homeland as their actual home is in Afghanistan and they have to return to their country one day,” he said. The federal minister asked the UN organizations to stop discrimination against Pakistan and extend generous financial support for Afghan refugees. About the stay of registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan, he said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had already announced a one-year extension for them. Commissioner Afghan Refugees Shakeel Muhammad Khan also addressed the participants and said that the government was making all-out efforts for providing basic facilities to the Afghan refugees. He said that Haripur was hosting a population of 77000 refugees with 21 primary schools, six Basic Health Units and other road infrastructure for them while the tube-wells meant for water supply to camps were being solarized.
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — 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 . That is how Gyokeres celebrates his goals — and he has scored plenty of those this season. 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. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerDimopoulos shines in double OT and Northern Illinois beats Fresno State 28-20 in Idaho Potato BowlAfter missing two games with a head injury, UConn's Alex Karaban is expected to return to the lineup when the No. 25 Huskies battle the Texas Longhorns on Sunday in Austin, Texas. Karaban was injured against Dayton in the final game of the Maui Invitational. Earlier this week, UConn head coach Danny Hurley said Karaban is feeling better, and he told reporters Saturday that Karaban "should be available" to play against the Longhorns, barring any setbacks. Karaban is averaging a team-high 15.9 points per game. Freshman Liam McNeeley helped fill the scoring void by tossing in 17 points when the Huskies (6-3) beat No. 15 Baylor 76-72 Wednesday in the Big 12-Big East Battle. UConn has won both of its games since going 0-3 in Maui. "I think part of the problem has been me," Hurley said following the Baylor win. "I've coached these guys frustrated, and I've coached them frustrated for too long. This is a team that's going to be a work in progress, and a team that's going to get better and better. And we're relying on a lot of young players and new players. "For us, I have to coach this team with more grace and more building them up and more enthusiasm and more energy. I can't coach them mad because we're not currently playing as well as the last two (UConn) teams have played. And I think, like I said yesterday, there's been some people that have helped me kind of check, whether it is my ego, or just my approach with the team." Texas (7-1) has won seven games in a row since opening the season with an 80-72 loss to Ohio State. The Longhorns are coming off a 63-57 win over host NC State on Wednesday in the SEC/ACC Challenge. Freshman Tre Johnson went 4 of 6 from 3-point range and scored 18 points in the win. He is averaging a team-high 20.8 points per game and is shooting 44.6 percent on 3-pointers (25 of 56). He broke a 57-57 tie with N.C State by making a 3-pointer with 1:43 to play. "Tre Johnson is a big-time player," Texas coach Rodney Terry said. "He makes big-time plays. He works really hard on his defense as well, but he's a guy that throughout the course of the year we'll play through." Arthur Kaluma had 15 rebounds -- one shy of his career high -- against NC State. Kaluma enters Sunday's game as the team's No. 1 rebounder (8.0) and No. 2 scorer (13.6). "I think my team is growing up," Terry said. "We still have a ways to go on our journey, but proud of the way they persevered (against NC State) and found a way to win in a tough environment." Kadin Shedrick is the only other Texas player scoring in double figures at 10.1 points per game. He also leads the Longhorns with 17 blocked shots. An injury prevented Shedrick from playing when UConn beat Texas 81-71 last season. "Back-to-back national champions, what else can I say?" Shedrick said of UConn. "They're really good, and they're going to be hungry coming off their rough week (at Maui). They're going to be locked in when we play them, so we've just got to make sure we're locked in and ready for them to want to throw a punch." --Field Level Media
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House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girlNORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma appears to have borrowed from the past to cure its recent offensive ills. The Sooners , best known this century for a passing prowess that has produced four Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks, took it back to the 20th century against then-No. 7 Alabama. Oklahoma ran 50 times for 257 yards while only throwing 12 times in a 24-3 win over the Crimson Tide that took coach Brent Venables off the hot seat. The Sooners more resembled Barry Switzer’s squads that dominated the old Big 8 with the wishbone offense in the 1970s and ’80s than the more recent Air Raid teams. Venables said the change was a matter of necessity for a unit that has been besieged by injuries at receiver and offensive line. “I think this staff has done a really good job with trying to figure that out, get better every week, put together a great gameplan but also figure out, ‘OK, what does this group of guys, what does this team — what do we need to do?'” Venables said. To make it work, Oklahoma needed to trust that such a change would work in the modern Southeastern Conference. They had to implement it with an interim play-caller in Joe Jon Finley, who stepped in after the Sooners fired Seth Littrell last month. Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5 SEC) pulled it off, and LSU coach Brian Kelly has taken notice ahead of their game on Saturday. “This is now much more about controlling the football, running the football, playing with physicality," Kelly said. "They've got perimeter skill, but I think it's centered around much more of a run-centric, quarterback run and take care of the football." The Sooners started to see success on the ground against Maine. They ran 52 times for 381 yards in a 59-14 win that got the wheels turning. Jovantae Barnes ran for career highs of 203 yards and three touchdowns that day. Venables said the timing of the opportunity to play that non-conference game against Maine in early November and figure some things out was perfect. “Everybody has some degree of vulnerability and maybe some self-doubt,” he said. “And just developing some confidence and putting something on tape other than practice, like, ‘Man, look, see what you’re capable of?’ And executing against, again, a well-coached team — certainly, we played off of that in all the right ways like you would expect us to. And so there’s a real place for that.” After a bye week, the Sooners tried the same approach against Missouri. It wasn't as successful — they ran 36 times for 122 yards — but they hung tough before losing 30-23 . The Sooners went all in against Alabama. Jackson Arnold — the same guy who threw 45 times in the Alamo Bowl last year, ran 25 times for 131 yards and threw just 11 passes. The Sooners found something in running back Xavier Robinson. With Barnes out with an injury, Robinson carried 18 times for career highs of 107 yards and two touchdowns. Suddenly, a team that had been forcing the pass and getting sacked at an alarming rate was moving the line of scrimmage and controlling the tempo. Oklahoma had the ball for more than 34 minutes against the Crimson Tide, lending support to a talented defense that had been spending way too much time on the field. The new approach could be helpful on Saturday — LSU (7-4, 4-3) ranks 14th out of 16 conference teams against the run. Venables said the Sooners still need to throw the ball well to win, but he's glad to know his squad can run with force when necessary. “I think that’s the art of having a system that’s adjustable, flexible, adaptable, week in and week out, but also has an identity — toughness, physicality," he said. "You’ve got to be able to run the ball at every level of football, but you do have to throw it. You can’t just do one thing. But we need to be efficient.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football