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Javon Leake is staying put. A CFL source said Friday the veteran running back-returner has agreed to terms on a two-year extension with the Edmonton Elks. Leake was slated to become a free agent in February. The source added the deal — which was negotiated by Kenny Kim of Summit Athletes — was worth more than $270,000 in hard money. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity as the Elks hadn't formally announced the move. The six-foot, 205-pound Leake ran for a career-high 661 yards on 102 carries (6.5-yard average) with six TDs in 15 games this past season, his first with Edmonton. Leake also had two 100-yard rushing contests in 2024 while adding 34 catches for 301 yards and a touchdown. Leake also had 23 punt returns for 214 yards and 25 kickoff returns for 539 yards. Leake joined the Elks as a free agent after spending two seasons with the Toronto Argonauts, winning a Grey Cup with the club in 2022. Leake was used predominantly as a returner with Toronto and was the CFL's top special-teams player in 2023 after registering 81 punt returns for 1,216 yards and four TDs. He had 38 kickoff returns for 793 yards. Leake had 15 carries for 52 yards over his two seasons with the Argos. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024. The Canadian Press
NYT ‘Connections’ Hints And Answers For Saturday, December 14
DK Metcalf happy to block as Seahawks ride hot streak into clash with Packers
Strictly Come Dancing sashayed back onto our screens this evening on BBC One, with the five remaining pairs dazzling audiences in a spectacular effort to secure their spots for next week's live showdown. The couples still vying for the glitterball trophy include Chris McCausland dancing with Dianne Buswell, JB Gill partnered by stand-in Lauren Oakleywho stepped in for an injured Amy DowdenPete Wicks and Jowitza Przystal twirling together, Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec showing off their moves, and Sarah Hadland coupled with Vito Coppola. JB and Lauren hit the dance floor as the second act of the night, and it didn't take long before viewers flocked to social media, all echoing a similar sentiment as they heaped praise upon the professional dancer's standout performance. Lauren entered the limelight earlier in the series after Amy was forced to bow out due to a foot injury, leaving her unable to compete. Admirably, JB has been commended for his swift acclimatisation to this sudden change, all while keeping Amy close to his heart, reports the Mirror . Their evening's fiery Paso Doble performance electrified the studio, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience. On X, formerly known as Twitter, viewers were vocal with their endorsements for Lauren, convinced that her stellar performance throughout the season merits her a permanent role in future contests. One fan pleaded: "That was a fabulous routine from JB and Lauren. Please please please don't bench Lauren next year. She's brought JB on by leaps and bounds this year." Another chimed in firmly: "Note to #Strictly Do not bl***y bench Lauren, next year!" (sic). Another fan expressed: "I hope Lauren gets a partner next year. She's brilliant!" A concerned viewer cautioned: "I don't want to see Lauren without a partner at the start of a series ever again!!" (sic) And sternly told show bosses: "Strictly if you bench Lauren next year..." Last week's episode left audiences reeling as Pete once again dodged the dance-off despite trailing with the judges' scores, leading to Montell Douglas 's departure. Bookies now suggest that Pete's luck may run out this week, with Ladbrokes placing him as the likely next exit at odds of 1/2. Trailing behind him is JB at 5/2, while Sarah and Tasha seem safer with odds of 12/1 each, and Chris is tipped as the frontrunner for the Glitterball trophy at 2/9. Ladbrokes' Alex Apati remarked: "Chris has headed the betting pretty much from day one this series; it'll take something pretty spectacular to stop him at this point." He added: "Pete's already defied the odds by making it this far, but the latest odds suggest Sunday night will be the end of the road for him." On It Takes Two earlier in the week, Pete addressed the backlash he's received during his stint on Strictly, labelling it "abuse" and stating firmly: "I'm not here to please everyone." Strictly Come Dancing : The Results airs tomorrow night at 7.20pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.Mangione charged in Pa.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The right frame can freeze a moment in time, creating meaning for the masses from a fist pump over a bloodied ear , a bridge crumbled by a ship , towns shredded by nature , and a victory sealed with an on-field kiss . In 2024, photographers across the U.S. captured glimpses of humanity, ranging from a deeply divisive presidential election , to hurricanes and fires that ravaged communities, to campus protests over the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The gallery from The Associated Press illustrates a new chapter of political history — the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump , the moment President Joe Biden announced he would no longer run again , the campaign sprint by Vice President Kamala Harris in Biden’s place, and the raw emotion from voters during a grueling contest ultimately won by Trump . Hurricanes whipped through the country with devastating imagery, leaving a path of wreckage and death from Florida to Appalachia . After Hurricane Helene , Lake Lure in North Carolina was shown in a jarring photo covered in shards of debris thick enough to hide the surface of the water. Hurricane Milton ripped apart the roof of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, home to Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays. The scale of destruction experienced in some corners of the country in 2024 was hard to capture and might have been harder to fathom. That was the case when a container ship slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse and crumple around the vessel, killing construction workers on the bridge. As flames torched the landscape in California , another image captured firefighters and sheriff’s deputies pushing a vintage car away from a burning home. Elsewhere in California , one photo is aglow with bright orange flames, broken up only by the subtle features of an animal running through them. But hope also persevered in the face of devastation. In Helene’s aftermath , an image from Crystal River, Florida, shows Dustin Holmes holding hands with his girlfriend, Hailey Morgan, as they sloshed through floodwaters with her 4- and 7-year-old children to return to their flooded home. And in Manasota Key, Florida, a family was lit up by the glow of flashlights as they walked to check on their home damaged by Milton. Other photos from 2024 also grabbed the darkness and shadows to emphasize light: among them, a rocket liftoff and a total solar eclipse . And, yes, eclipse glasses were back in style for a shared moment of skygazing. But many other photos delivered a blast of color, from the spectrum of the northern lights across a Maine sky to a crew of workers wading into the deep-red of a Massachusetts cranberry bog . And, once again, Taylor Swift captured the country’s attention, even as a part of the crowd. She rushed down from the stands to kiss her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, after the Chiefs won the AFC Championship , en route to another Super Bowl win.BBC Strictly fans call out 'ridiculous' Shirley Ballas as Pete Wicks 'bias' leaves them fumingUnited States president-elect Donald Trump says his meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago Friday was productive. Trump says in a post on Truth Social they discussed the drug crisis, particularly fentanyl, as well as illegal immigration and trade. More coming.
A look back at 2024 in photos
‘Teachers impact in changing lives of students’ Islamabad : Innovation and quality in higher education in the age of information invasion and artificial intelligence bears a different meaning, Engr Prof Dr Ahmed Shuja Syed, says a press release. Prof Shuja Syed is pride of Pakistan and identity of the nation in the field of advanced electronics and photovoltaic engineering. International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) is privileged to have him as its president. Dr Ahmed Shuja is also founding Executive Director, Centre for Advanced Electronics & Photovoltaic Engineering & Adviser to the Rector & President (Engineering Programs). He said the leaders of higher education must create intellectual space for the teachers to abreast with the requirements of changing times, when the role of classroom teaching is progressively shrinking. He said teacher will not be at the centre stage of the class in few years and there must be a collaboration of technology, information and teaching throughout the process to ensure the desirable outcomes. Teachers, however, can always be inspirational and impactful in changing lives and minds of the students and that is where a lot of quality rubrics are needed to be introduced while framing the advanced quality metrics for academic programs, lifelong learning and graduate attributes. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the two-day conference titled “Quality and Innovation in Higher Education” (CQIHE), Prof. Dr. Shuja, President, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), has said that quality and innovation in higher and lower education needs collective and collaborative efforts at all levels. On the occasion, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Shuja highlighted that this conference reflects IIUI’s unwavering commitment to educational excellence and innovation. The conference is being hosted by the Faculty of Education in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission Pakistan, Iqbal International Institute for Research & Dialogue (IRD), Office of Research, Innovation & Commercialization (ORIC), and Admas University, at Allama Iqbal Auditorium Faisal Masjid Campus from 04-05 December, 2024. Researchers are presenting papers in multiple sessions during the conference. More than 300 participants, including distinguished academics, policymakers.Casey concedes U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania
Black Friday is the biggest shopping event of the year in the U.S. and an excellent opportunity to bag yourself a TV deal. Plenty of high-quality TVs are on sale this weekend, so you’re sure to nab a bargain if you act fast. Amazon makes an event out of Black Friday and often has excellent deals throughout Cyber Monday. Last updated on Nov. 30, 2024, at 2 a.m. ET. In this article: LG 65-Inch Class OLED evo C4 Series Smart TV , SAMSUNG 75-Inch Class QLED 4K LS03D The Frame Series Quantum HDR Smart TV , and TCL 55-Inch Class QLED 4K Smart NXTFRAME TV . Best Black Friday TV deals 2024 LG 55-Inch Class QNED80T Series LED Smart TV 38% OFF Thanks to its NanoCell technology, this TV offers exceptionally rich color, with a sharp and clear 4K display. It’s easy to control with your voice, with built-in Alexa and compatibility with Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay and Apple HomeKit. You can choose from six sizes between 43 and 86 inches. LG 65-Inch Class OLED evo C4 Series Smart TV 48% OFF You’re bound to get a decent discount on this high-end TV. The OLED screen contains millions of pixels that are independently lit, for incredibly rich and lifelike color. It has some great features, such as a gallery mode for displaying art when you’re not watching TV, a powerful a9 AI Processor that can do AI Super Upscaling and built-in voice control support. Sony 55-inch BRAVIA 8 Smart Google TV OLED 22% OFF The impressive OLED display lights pixels individually to give you true blacks and more lifelike color reproduction. The gaming mode is especially beneficial for anyone with a next-gen console, like the PS5 or Xbox Series X. SAMSUNG 85-Inch Class 4K Crystal UHD DU8000 Series HDR Smart TV 27% OFF With dynamic crystal color, an ultrapowerful processor and 4K upscaling, this is a TV you’ll be pleased to own — especially if you get a decent Black Friday deal. It works with multiple voice assistants, or you can use a standard remote to control your TV the old-fashioned way. Its Airslim sleek profile will even help it blend in with the rest of your decor. SAMSUNG 75-Inch Class QLED 4K LS03D The Frame Series Quantum HDR Smart TV 40% OFF Perfect for anyone who thinks their TV ruins the decor in their living room, The Frame from Samsung can display a static picture so that it looks like a frame art print when not in use. It also has a certified glare-free matte display to make the artwork look printed on the screen. When the TV is being used, it has great picture quality thanks to a 4K resolution, Pantone Validated ArtfulColor (exclusive to The Frame series TVs) and quantum dot technology. TCL 55-Inch Class QLED 4K Smart NXTFRAME TV with Google TV (55A300W, 2024 Model) 53% OFF This TV has some great high-end features, including an ultraslim design (at only 1.1 inches deep), HDR ULTRA with Dolvy Vision IQ for rich color and QLED PRO Quantum Dot technology for enhanced contrast and accurate colors. The Game Accelerator 240 and Auto Game Mode provide low-latency gameplay, meaning gamers never need to miss a thing during fast-paced games. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Share this:
State Sen. Kevin Van Winkle, R-Highlands Ranch, plans to move up his resignation from the state Senate from Jan. 9 to Dec. 16, a source told Colorado Politics Friday. That will allow Gov. Jared Polis to appoint him to the District 3 Douglas County Board of County Commissioners seat recently vacated by eight-year commissioner Lora Thomas. Lora Thomas resigned on Dec. 6, citing harassment and abuse from the other sitting commissioners George Teal and Abe Laydon. Thomas was term-limited but had another five weeks to go before her term expired on Jan. 14. Van Winkle won the Nov. 5 election to succeed Thomas. He submitted a letter to the Secretary of the Senate on Nov. 22, announcing he would step down effective Jan. 9. But Thomas' resignation means he will rescind that original letter and submit a new one that will go into effect on Monday. Polis will issue an executive order, naming Van Winkle to the Douglas Count seat, after that. Polis, a Democrat, has the authority to appoint a successor because the Douglas County GOP Chair, Steve Peck, decided not to hold a vacancy election to choose a successor. Under state law, a vacancy committee would have to meet with 10 days of the vacancy. If that does not happen, the governor has the authority to appoint a successor within 30 days. He's done that once already. In November 2022, he appointed Republican Don Wilson to the House District 19 seat when an El Paso vacancy committee could not come up with a quorum to pick a successor to Rep. Tim Geitner, who resigned. Peck's decision drew anger from Colorado GOP Chair Dave Williams. He blasted Peck in a Dec. 11 letter, stating Peck was allowing the governor to appoint Thomas' replacement, although acknowledging that Van Winkle, a Williams ally, would be Polis' pick. But "it's beyond the pale to witness the Douglas County Republican Chairman abdicate his authority and responsibility to our political rivals," Williams wrote. Williams was joined in the criticism of Peck by Douglas County Second Vice-Chair Edward Hairfield, who called the refusal to hold a vacancy election an abdication of party power. The back-and-forth between Williams and other Republicans included what Williams called a death threat that he reported to the state police. A vacancy committee will meet in January to pick a replacement for Van Winkle in the state Senate. Among the names being mentioned for the seat include current Rep. Brandi Bradley, R-Roxborough Park, former state Rep. Kim Ransom of Lone Tree, former University of Colorado Regent John Carson and Priscilla Rahn, who ran for and lost the primary to Van Winkle for the commission seat in June. Two other vacancy committees will meet in January to replace Democratic Sens. Janet Buckner of Aurora and Chris Hansen of Denver. Both handily won re-election to their senate seats in November but announced within weeks of the election they would step down. Seven candidates have already announced for Hansen's seat, including Rep. Steven Woodrow and Rep.-elect Sean Camacho. Rep. Iman Jodeh of Aurora has announced she will vie for Buckner's seat. Jodeh was elected co-majority whip in House elections in November, and that's already led to several people angling for the co-majority whip position. Among the names mentioned: Reps. Sheila Lieder of Lakewood, Regina English of Colorado Springs and If the vacancy elections choose current lawmakers, that will set off a domino effect for more vacancies and more vacancy elections. Currently, 20 of the incoming 2025 legislative class have gained their seats at some point through the vacancy process. The resignations are prompting calls for reform of the vacancy process.
Clintons urge voters agitated by today's politics to remain involved in public serviceInfosys Backs Oncology-Focussed Healthtech Startup 4baseCare
Snubbed Scotland star uses 'kick up backside' to push on as dark horses for European gloryAston Villa’s impressive Champions League debut continued as they strengthened their chances of automatic qualification to the last 16 after a 3-2 win at RB Leipzig. Ross Barkley’s 85th-minute winner gave them victory after they had twice squandered the lead in Germany. John McGinn and Jhon Duran goals at the start of each half were cancelled out by Lois Openda and Christoph Baumgartner. But Barkley had the final say less than two minutes after coming off the bench as his deflected effort earned the points which sent his side third in the new Champions League league phase. The top eight automatically qualify for the next stage and with games against Monaco and Celtic to come, Unai Emery’s men are a good bet to avoid the need for a play-off round in their first foray in this competition. Leipzig are out, having lost all six of their games. Villa enjoyed a dream start and were ahead with less than three minutes on the clock. Matty Cash, playing in a more advanced position on the right, crossed for Ollie Watkins, who nodded down into the path of McGinn and the skipper made no mistake from close range. That gave the visitors confidence and they had enough chances in the first 15 minutes to have the game wrapped up. Lucas Digne’s cross from the left was begging to be converted but Watkins could not make contact from close range and then Morgan Rogers shot straight at Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. Then Youri Tielemans found himself with time and space on the edge of the area from Watkins’ tee-up but the Belgium international disappointingly dragged wide. All that good work was undone in the 27th minute, though, as Emiliano Martinez was left red-faced. The Argentinian was too casual waiting to collect Nicolas Seiwald’s long ball and Openda nipped in to get the ball first and tap into an empty net. pic.twitter.com/LGoAMrLkQy — Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 10, 2024 Duran was introduced at the break and needed just a couple of minutes to fire a warning when he drilled wide after a loose ball fell to him 14 yards out. But the Colombian got his goal in the 52nd minute, though it was another moment for the goalkeeper to forget. Duran was invited to drive forward and unleashed a 25-yard shot, which was hardly an Exocet, but still was too much for Gulacsi, who barely even jumped. It was his 10th goal of the season and sixth from the bench as he continues his super-sub role. 😍 pic.twitter.com/ZHeVFiYUW9 — Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 10, 2024 The striker was not complaining and he thought he had doubled his tally shortly after when he converted Cash’s centre but the provider was ruled offside by VAR. Five minutes later, Villa found themselves pegged back again with a finish of real quality. Openda was sent clear by another long ball and his cross was perfect for Baumgartner to cushion a far-post volley back across goal and into the corner. Digne brought a save out of Gulacsi and then Openda shot straight at Martinez as both sides pushed for a winner. It was Villa who got it as Barkley saw his deflected effort wrong-foot Gulacsi and hit the back of the net.