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M abuhay from Canada! The vibrant streets of Manila tell a story of economic dynamism that showcases the immense opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region, a key priority in Canada’s international trade engagement. As I conclude a highly successful Team Canada Trade Mission to the Philippines, one thing is crystal clear: there has never been a better time for our two nations to deepen our economic partnership. The numbers speak volumes about our existing relationship. The Philippines is our second-largest export market in Southeast Asia, with our two-way trade valued at 3.4 billion Canadian dollars, reflecting a robust commercial relationship that spans decades. At the heart of our partnership lies an extraordinary human connection that creates natural bridges between our nations. Our nearly one million strong Filipino-Canadian community serves as powerful ambassadors, facilitating business relationships and deepening cultural understanding between our countries. Meanwhile, more than 25,000 Canadians have made the Philippines their home. These bonds will soon be enhanced by Air Canada’s announcement of direct flights to the Philippines, facilitating business ties and people-to-people exchanges. The timing of our enhanced engagement couldn’t be more opportune. President Marcos’ recent signing of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) legislation signals the Philippines’ commitment to creating a more welcoming environment for international investment and partnership. Canada stands ready to respond with expertise in crucial sectors including clean technology, agriculture, infrastructure, digital innovation, and more! This trade mission has already delivered tangible results. Export Development Canada’s decision to establish an office here demonstrates our long-term commitment. Canadian technology leader OpenText is expanding its innovation center and building on its existing 1,500-person workforce, while Ostrom Climate has chosen Manila as its Asean regional hub. The partnership between Canadian AI firm Lydia AI and Philippine venture capital firm Kickstart Ventures showcases how our technology sectors can collaborate, while the agreement between Canada’s FreeBalance and the Philippine Department of Budget and Management enhances financial management systems. A particularly significant development was the signing of an administrative agreement to fulfill obligations under our 1983 Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. As a tier-one nuclear nation with expertise across the full supply chain, Canada is uniquely positioned to support the Philippines’ energy goals. The momentum in our bilateral relationship has led to an exciting new phase: we are beginning exploratory discussions toward a Canada-Philippines Free Trade Agreement. This potential agreement would create unprecedented opportunities for businesses on both sides of the Pacific, reducing barriers and fostering deeper trade and investment partnerships. Canada’s commitment to the region is backed by substantial investment, with our Indo-Pacific Strategy supported by 2.3 billion Canadian dollars over five years. Our decision to establish the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in Manila underscores our view of the Philippines as a crucial hub for regional engagement. The foundation of our partnership extends beyond economics to shared values—commitment to the rule of law and inclusive economic growth. As we look to the future, from sustainable energy solutions to digital transformation, complementary strengths create natural synergies. The path forward is clear: through continued engagement and strategic investment, we can build a more prosperous future for both our nations. Canada stands ready as the partner of choice for the Philippines in its journey of economic transformation. —————- Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy .MONTREAL — Mikyla Grant-Mentis scored twice and the Montreal Victorie wrapped up their Professional Women's Hockey League pre-season with a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Charge. Gabrielle David, Maureen Murphy, Alexandra Labelle and Kati Tabin, into an empty net, also scored for Montreal. Elaine Chuli and Marlène Boissonnault combined to make 23 saves on 26 shots for the Victoire, who finished 1-1 in pre-season action. Danielle Serdachny, Rebecca Leslie and Tereza Vanisova scored for Ottawa (1-1) while Gwyneth Philips made 28 saves. The two teams meet Nov. 30 in Montreal on the opening night of the PWHL's second regular season. --- SIRENS 5 SCEPTRES 2 At Toronto, Sarah Fillier scored three goals as the New York Sirens downed the Toronto Sceptres. Noora Tulus and Kayla Vespa also scored for New York (1-1) while Kayle Osborne and Abigail Levy combined for 29 saves on 31 shots. Blayre Turnbull and Victoria Bach scored for Toronto (0-2) while Kristen Campbell made 26 saves. Toronto opens its season Nov. 30 against visiting Boston while New York kicks off Dec. 1 at Minnesota. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov, 22, 2024. The Canadian Press

Suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggles, shouts while entering courthouse

The suspect in the high-profile killing of a health insurance CEO that has gripped the United States graduated from an Ivy League university, reportedly hails from a wealthy family, and wrote social media posts brimming with cerebral musings. Luigi Mangione, 26, was thrust into the spotlight Monday after police revealed he is their person of interest in the brutal murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a father of two, last week in broad daylight in Manhattan in a case that laid bare deep frustration and anger with America's privatized medical system. News of his capture in Pennsylvania -- following a tip from a McDonald's worker --triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. While some lauded him as a hero and lamented his arrest, others analyzed his intellectual takes in search of ideological clues. A photo on one of his social media accounts includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. No explicit political affiliation has emerged. Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." character Luigi, sometimes depicted in AI-altered images wielding a gun or holding a Big Mac. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. "I want to donate to your defense fund," added another. According to Mangione's LinkedIn profile, he is employed as a data engineer at TrueCar, a California-based online auto marketplace. A company spokesperson told AFP Mangione "has not been an employee of our company since 2023." Although he had been living in Hawaii ahead of the killing, he originally hails from Towson, Maryland, near Baltimore. He comes from a prominent and wealthy Italian-American family, according to the Baltimore Banner. The family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, its website says. A standout student, Mangione graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. In an interview with his local paper at the time, he praised his teachers for fostering a passion for learning beyond grades and encouraging intellectual curiosity. A former student who knew Mangione at the Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," this person said, asking that their name not be used. "Seemed to just be smiling, and kind of seemed like he was a smart kid. Ended up being valedictorian, which confirmed that," the former student said. Mangione went on to attend the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage, archived on the Wayback Machine. On Instagram, where his following has skyrocketed from hundreds to tens of thousands, Mangione shared snapshots of his travels in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. He also posted shirtless photos flaunting a six-pack and appeared in celebratory posts with fellow members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. However, it is on X (formerly Twitter) that users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo -- an X-ray of a spine with bolts -- remains cryptic, with no public explanation. Finding a coherent political ideology has also proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on the online site goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out a string of bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione called Kaczynski "rightfully imprisoned," while also saying "'violence never solved anything' is a statement uttered by cowards and predators." According to CNN, handwritten documents recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline. In April, he wrote, "Horror vacui (nature abhors a vacuum)." The following month, he posted an essay he wrote in high school titled "How Christianity Prospered by Appealing to the Lower Classes of Ancient Rome." In another post from April, he speculated that Japan's low birthrate stems from societal disconnection, adding that "fleshlights" and other vaginal-replica sex toys should be banned. ia/nro/dw

Experts and specialists in artificial intelligence (AI) have called for thinking about how to turn this technology into a tool that benefits all of humanity, with a focus on bridging digital divide, combating cybercrime, and establishing regulatory frameworks to ensure its responsible use. This was discussed during a session held Sunday as part of the Doha Forum 2024, titled "The Geopolitics of Artificial Intelligence." The session explored the geopolitical implications of this emerging technology, its growing influence on global power dynamics, its transformative potential to improve quality of life, and the challenges posed by its rapid expansion. Featuring President of World Economic Forum Borge Brende, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organisation Deemah al-Yahya, and Co-Head of the Goldman Sachs Global Institute and President of Global Affairs Jared Cohen, the session focused on finding a balance between the opportunities AI presents and the challenges it imposes, particularly amid the rising geopolitical rivalry between major powers such as the US and China. The session emphasised that countries that effectively invest in AI will see a boost in their global influence, while those that fall behind in this area may face negative impacts on their economic and social stability. In this context, the President of World Economic Forum explained that countries with the financial resources and energy capacity to develop AI will be better positioned to lead in this field. He pointed out that developing countries face significant challenges due to a lack of basic infrastructure, such as electricity and internet access, which limits their ability to participate in the global technological revolution. He also noted that these challenges mean that countries lacking these resources could fall further behind, stating there is a fear that the gap between developed and developing nations will continue to widen unless we can turn AI into a tool for balance rather than a source of division. He further stressed the urgent need for international cooperation to reduce this disparity and ensure that everyone can benefit from AI's potential. Deemah al-Yahya highlighted the significant gap in access to modern technology between countries. She explained that the digital divide, particularly in regions like Africa, poses a major obstacle to utilizing AI, stating that in Africa, only 20% of the population has access to the internet, explaining that without electricity or infrastructure, AI cannot become a tool for progress, and that this gap threatens to exclude millions of young people with exceptional technical abilities. She added that AI has vast potential to improve lives if used correctly, offering examples of how it can enhance healthcare in rural areas and improve education by providing virtual lessons from global experts. However, she stressed that tapping into this potential requires global cooperation to close the digital divide and ensure equitable technological development. Co-Head of the Goldman Sachs Global Institute and President of Global Affairs Jared Cohen addressed the risks posed by cybercrime, noting that losses from these crimes could reach $10tn annually by 2025. He emphasised that major powers like the US and China must agree on strong measures to combat these crimes. He added that all must recognize that cybercrime is a threat to everyone, and that cooperation in this area is not a luxury but a necessity. If major powers can agree on measures to curb cybercrime, it would be a crucial step toward safer and more effective use of AI. In discussing the competition between major powers, the speakers compared the AI race to the post-World War II nuclear arms race, pointing out that the international community had, to some extent, managed to establish treaties to limit nuclear proliferation. They suggested that this could serve as a model for regulating AI. However, Brende pointed out that reaching treaties to regulate AI might be more complex due to the rapid pace of technological advancements. He warned that unlike nuclear weapons, AI holds tremendous positive potential, but without clear regulatory frameworks, the world risk turning that potential into tools for conflict rather than progress. The session concluded by emphasizing that investing in the Middle East presents a unique opportunity for nations seeking to leverage AI, given the regions abundance of affordable energy and infrastructure capable of executing large-scale projects quickly. The potential for using advanced technologies in areas like water desalination and data center cooling was also highlighted. It was noted that data is now the "new oil" in the age of AI. In closing, the session stressed the importance of balancing competition and cooperation in AI use, emphasizing that the race to dominate this technology should not come at the expense of developing countries or global stability, and that the future depends on the ability of all nations to work together to develop AI responsibly. 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The commodities sector traded softer during the first week of December—a month that traditionally sees activity slow to a halt ahead of the holiday season and year-end. During this period, traders and investors typically focus on defending hard-earned gains while minimising losses, potentially leaving markets directionless as they prepare for 2025—a year expected to bring both significant risks and opportunities. The Bloomberg Commodity Total Return Index, which tracks a basket of 24 major futures markets spanning energy, metals, and agricultural commodities, slipped by 0.7% during the week, reducing its year-to-date return to 3.6%. Gains across the industrial metal, grains and soft sectors being offset by a near 4% setback in energy, courtesy of a near 10% slump in natural gas and distillate (diesel) weakness. On an individual level the top performing commodities were cocoa, wheat, copper and silver, while the weakness as mentioned was being led by natural gas, diesel, platinum and gold. Weekly performance table The main event of the week in commodities was the OPEC+ meeting, and following two postponements, the group delayed further to mitigate the risk of price weakness amid the release of currently unwanted barrels. This decision was underpinned by concerns about robust production from non-OPEC+ producers next year, potentially leading to a major crude surplus and, from OPEC’s perspective, undesirable price weakness. In the short term, the combination of US tariff threats, elevated OPEC spare capacity and rising production elsewhere—not least in the US, where output has reached a record 13.5 million barrels per day—has reduced the likelihood of an upside price movement. Nonetheless, some upside risks remain. These include the Trump administration potentially adding fresh sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, as well as geopolitical risks stemming from the Russia–Ukraine war and the Middle East conflict. A proposal by Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent to increase US production by 3 million barrels of oil equivalent through 2028 will likely centre on increased natural gas and natural gas liquids production. With WTI trading below USD 70, however, incentives for further production increases remain constrained. Brent and WTI crude oil futures have traded sideways over the past two years as OPEC successfully managed to reduce volatility while supporting prices during a period of softening demand in China. Brent support, as indicated in the chart, is found near USD 70 per barrel, followed by USD 65 per barrel, while the downtrend from 2022 currently provides resistance near USD 80 per barrel. Brent Crude – Source: Saxo The industrial metals sector was heading for its third consecutive weekly gain as it continued to claw back losses resulting from proposed US tariffs on imports, particularly from China—a move that could disrupt global trade and reduce demand for industrial metals. Copper, which dropped over 5% last month due to additional pressure from concerns about a potential slowdown in the energy transition, witnessed its best week since September. It moved solidly higher and away from recently challenged key support levels. Prices were supported by a continued decline in exchange-monitored warehouse stocks to a May low, particularly in China, and by investor optimism about measures to bolster China’s flagging economy being approved at a key meeting in Beijing next week. Despite the mentioned challenges next year, the global shift toward electrification continues, particularly in China, where the EV and hybrid boom increasingly signals a sooner-than-expected slowdown in demand for traditional fuels. In the US, the surge in power demand from data centres and AI technologies is reshaping the energy landscape. After two decades of flat electricity demand, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects consistent annual increases through 2050, driven largely by these energy-intensive industries. This growth is expected to boost not only natural gas demand but also the need for industrial metals like copper, which is critical for conducting increased electrical loads. High Grade Copper – Source: Saxo High-grade copper, in an uptrend since the 2020 low, approached support last month near USD 4.00 per pound before rebounding on renewed demand from China and the energy transition. For now, and until China provides further support, the price is likely to remain capped below USD 4.35 per pound. Silver’s 55% exposure to industrial uses saw the grey metal enjoy the tailwind from firmer industrial metal prices, leading to an outperformance against rangebound gold—its precious metal peer—which suffered a small weekly loss but remains well supported into 2025. Expectations for persistent global uncertainties are driving demand for gold as a safe-haven asset, supported by lower interest rates and continued central bank demand. While we believe gold will resume its ascent next year toward a fresh record high of around USD 3,000 an ounce, silver appears poised for even better performance due to a sizeable market deficit in 2025, driven by continued demand growth in electronics, particularly photovoltaics. Spot Silver – Source: Saxo Following a relative deep October to November correction, silver buyers returned after support was re-established at USD 29.65, the 0.618 correction of the September to November rally and now a twice rejected level. For now resistance at USD 31.65 has yet to be challenged and broken in order to achieve an even greater comeback. Other commodities performing well included cocoa, which returned to trade USD 10,000 per tonne, having started the year around USD 4,000 per tonne amid the prospect of a multiyear structural supply-demand deficit due to much weaker production in Ivory Coast and Ghana—two producers responsible for more than half the world’s production. Analysts expect the 2024/25 season to yield another deficit at a time when global stocks are already depleted. Meanwhile, Arabica coffee futures resumed their run higher following a sharp correction after prices recently reached but failed to break above the 1977 high at USD 3.3750. Coffee prices remain supported by a tightening supply outlook in Brazil, the world’s top producer of Arabica, and Vietnam, the main producer of the Robusta bean. A recent decline in wheat futures in Chicago and Paris, driven by the prospect of ample supplies, was arrested as the dollar softened and poor winter wheat crop conditions in Russia, combined with excessive rains in Australia—two major suppliers of the grain—lifted hopes for US and European export demand. The agricultural sector has experienced a very mixed year, with strong gains in cocoa, coffee, and orange juice due to the concentration of production in regions negatively impacted by adverse weather, partly offset by losses across key crops amid ample supply following another bumper production year globally. Source: Saxo Bank

BOSTON (AP) — JB Frankel hit three of four free throws in the final six seconds to allow Northeastern to hold off Colgate 78-75 on Sunday. Nicolas Louis-Jacques hit three free throws for the Raiders with :07 left to get within two, 75-73, but Frankel hit the second of two to make it a three-point game and, after Jalen Cox hit a pair at the line to pull Colgate within one, 76-75, Frankel hit both free throws to seal the win. Rashad King had 23 points and added eight rebounds for the Huskies (7-3). Harold Woods scored 13 points and added six rebounds. Masai Troutman shot 2 of 7 from the field and 7 of 9 from the free-throw line to finish with 12 points. Brady Cummins led the way for the Raiders (2-8) with 15 points. Colgate also got 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals from Jalen Cox. Louis-Jacques finished with 14 points. King scored 10 points in the first half and Northeastern went into the break trailing 32-28. Northeastern pulled off the victory after a 15-2 second-half run erased a three-point deficit and gave them the lead at 62-52 with 5:58 remaining in the half. King scored 13 second-half points. Northeastern takes on Old Dominion on the road on Sunday, and Colgate visits Kentucky on Wednesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .A fugitive gains fame in New Orleans eluding dart guns and nets

Josh Hubbard scored 25 points and Claudell Harris Jr. scored 21 on 6-of-9 shooting as Mississippi State escaped with a 91-84 win against Prairie View A&M on Sunday in Starkville, Miss. Prairie View A&M took a 65-64 lead with 10:38 remaining, but Hubbard and Harris Jr. each scored seven points to power the ensuing 14-1 run that put Mississippi State up for good. Hubbard punctuated the rally with a 3-pointer that made it 78-66 with 5:51 to play. The Bulldogs (8-1) stretched their lead to as many as 13 points in the closing minutes to notch their second straight win. Shawn Jones Jr. added 11 points for Mississippi State, while Michael Nwoko added 10 points and 10 rebounds. RJ Melendez also netted 10 points. The Panthers (1-8) were led by the trio of Nick Anderson (21 points) Tanahj Pettway (20) and Marcel Bryant (19). Pettway drilled 4 of 5 3-pointers and Bryant grabbed seven rebounds. Prairie View A&M got off to a hot start, opening up a 27-12 lead with 10:42 left in the first half. It was a surprising haymaker from the visitors, who entered the game winless in Division I play and faced a Bulldogs team that was ranked last week. Mississippi State eventually found its stride offensively, turning things around with a 32-17 run to tie the game at 44 entering halftime. The Bulldogs shot 50 percent from the field overall in the first half, but only made six of their 17 attempts from 3-point range (35.3 percent). Their defense remained an issue throughout the half, with the Panthers hitting 16 of their 27 shots (59.3 percent) and canning 5 of 8 3-pointers. Neither team led by more than five early in the second half until Mississippi State pulled away. The Bulldogs finished the game shooting 55.6 percent from the floor (30-of-54) and drilled 11 of 26 attempts (42.3 percent) from long range. They outrebounded Prairie View A&M 35-22 and outscored them 31-20 in bench points. The Panthers held a 34-32 advantage in points in the paint and shot 56.4 percent overall for the game, including 52.6 percent (10-of-19) on threes. --Field Level Media

The new, 12-team College Football Playoff brings with it a promise to be bigger, more exciting, more lucrative. Perfect or 100% fair? Well, nobody ever believed that. The first expanded playoff bracket unveiled Sunday left a presumably deserving Alabama team on the sideline in favor of an SMU squad with a better record after playing a schedule that was not as difficult. It ranked undefeated Oregon first but set up a possible rematch against Ohio State, the team that came closest to beating the Ducks this year. It treated underdog Boise State like a favorite and banged-up Georgia like a world beater at No. 2. It gave Ohio State home-field advantage against Tennessee for reasons it would take a supercomputer to figure out. It gave the sport the multiweek tournament it has longed for, but also ensured there will be plenty to grouse about between now and when the trophy is handed out on Jan. 20 after what will easily be the longest college football season in history. All of it, thankfully, will be sorted out on the field starting with first-round games on campuses Dec. 20 and 21, then over three succeeding rounds that will wind their way through traditional bowl sites. Maybe Oregon coach Dan Lanning, whose undefeated Ducks are the favorite to win it all, put it best when he offered: "Winning a national championship is not supposed to be easy.” Neither, it turns out, is figuring out who should play for it. SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings passes the ball in the first half of the ACC championship game against Clemson on Saturday in Charlotte, N.C. The Big Ten will lead the way with four teams in the tournament, followed by the SEC with three and the ACC with two. The lasting memory from the inaugural bracket will involve the decision that handed the ACC that second bid. Alabama of the SEC didn't play Saturday. SMU of the ACC did. The Mustangs fell behind by three touchdowns to Clemson before coming back to tie. But they ultimately lost 34-31 on a 56-yard field goal as time expired. “We were on pins and needles,” SMU coach Rhett Lashley said. “Until we saw the name ‘SMU’ up there, we were hanging on the edge. We're really, really happy and thankful to the committee for rewarding our guys for their total body of work." The Mustangs only had two losses, compared to three for the Crimson Tide. Even though SMU's schedule wasn't nearly as tough, the committee was impressed by the way the Mustangs came back against Clemson. “We just felt, in this particular case, SMU had the nod above Alabama,” said Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, the chairman of the selection committee. “But it’s no disrespect to Alabama’s strength of schedule. We looked at the entire body of work for both teams.” Oregon offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu celebrates after winning the Big Ten championship game against Penn State on Saturday in Indianapolis. Georgia, the SEC champion, was seeded second; Boise State, the Mountain West champion, earned the third seed; and Big 12 titlist Arizona State got the fourth seed and the fourth and final first-round bye. All will play in quarterfinals at bowl games on Dec. 31-Jan. 1. Clemson stole a bid and the 12th seed with its crazy win over SMU, the result that ultimately cost Alabama a spot in the field. The Tigers moved to No. 16 in the rankings, but got in as the fifth-best conference winner. Automatic byes and bids made the bracket strange The conference commissioners' idea to give conference champions preferable treatment in this first iteration of the 12-team playoff could be up for reconsideration after this season. The committee actually ranked Boise State, the Mountain West Champion, at No. 9 and Big 12 champion Arizona State at No. 12, but both get to skip the first round. Another CFP guideline: There’s no reseeding of teams after each round, which means no break for Oregon. The top-seeded Ducks will face the winner of Tennessee-Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 earlier this year in one of the season’s best games. Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. hits Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton during the second half of the SEC championship game on Saturday in Atlanta. No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas, Dec. 21: Clemson is riding high after the SMU upset, while Texas is 0-2 against Georgia and 11-0 vs. everyone else this season. The winner faces ... Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. Huh? No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State, Dec. 21: The biggest knock against the Mustangs was that they didn't play any big boys with that 60th-ranked strength of schedule. Well, now they get to. The winner faces ... Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Yes, SMU vs. Boise was the quarterfinal we all expected. No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame, Dec. 20: Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti thought his team deserved a home game. Well, not quite but close. The winner gets ... Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The Bulldogs got the No. 2 seed despite a throwing-arm injury to QB Carson Beck. But what else was the committee supposed to do? No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State, Dec. 21: The Buckeyes (losses to Oregon, Michigan) got home field over the Volunteers (losses to Arkansas, Georgia) in a matchup of programs with two of the biggest stadiums in football. The winner faces ... Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Feels like that matchup should come in the semifinals or later. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Get local news delivered to your inbox!

The war in Ukraine must end and the shooting stop immediately, according to President-elect Donald Trump. Trump, in late night social media postings that came following the apparent demise of the President Bashar al-Assad Russian-backed regime in Syria, said that now is the time an end to the war in Ukraine. “There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse,” Trump wrote. The former president noted the war — which will enter its third year this February — has caused at least 400,000 Ukrainian casualties, and that “close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever.” Al-Assad’s apparent decision to abandon his post and flee the country for Moscow proves that Russia has its hands full in Ukraine, according to Trump. “Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine,” he said. Trump’s assertion regarding Ukrainian casualties was later backed up by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who for the first time since the war began acknowledged the vast number of killed and wounded Ukrainian fighters. “Since the start of the full-scale war, Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers killed in action on the battlefield. There have been 370,000 cases of medical assistance for the wounded,” the former comedian shared , noting that of those casualties, “approximately half of the soldiers wounded in action are later returning to the battlefield, and that our data also includes light or repeat injuries.” “Since September this year, Russia has been losing troops on the battlefield at a ratio of 5-to-1, or even 6-to-1, compared to us. They want to seize more land before global pressure on them becomes unbearable,” he said. The fighting in Ukraine began in 2014, when Putin illegally invaded and annexed Crimea. It continued in a pair of separatist regions in the eight years that followed, but exploded into full-scale conflict in February of 2022. On Saturday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the U.S. would provide another military aid package to Ukraine, a further nearly $1 billion worth of equipment that comes about a week after a similarly sized aid package was announced.

NoneGoogle Vets Raise $56 Million to Give AI Its ‘Android-Like Moment’

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