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Mark Few likes No. 3 Gonzaga's toughness after win over future Pac-12 'partner' SDSUFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad has fallen, bringing a shocking end to his family's 50-year reign following a lightning offensive by Islamist rebels. The president's whereabouts remain unknown after reports he left Damascus early on Sunday as opposition fighters entered Damascus. It was the first time opposition forces had reached the capital since 2018 when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a years-long siege. open image in gallery People celebrate at Umayyad Square in Damascus ( AFP via Getty Images ) A video shared on Syrian opposition media showed a group of armed men escorting Syrian prime minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali out of his office and to the Four Seasons hotel on Sunday. Interventions by Russia, Iran, Hezbollah and others have allowed him to remain in power within the parts of Syria under his control. But no international help for the deposed leader appears forthcoming. Incoming US president Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social: "Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by (President) Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer," open image in gallery Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has fled the country his family ruled for 30 years ( AFP via Getty Images ) Here is a look at some of the key aspects of the new developments: What's the latest? The military command of the Syrian opposition says its fighters have entered the capital Damascus claiming that it is "free" of President Bashar Assad's rule. The so-called Military Command Administration said Assad had fled without giving further details. His departure marks... Shweta Sharma

Booming AI Investments! Discover the Future Market MoversEarth just experienced its second-warmest November on record — second only to 2023 — making it all but certain that 2024 will end as the hottest year ever measured, according to a report Monday by European climate service Copernicus. Last year was the hottest on record due to human-caused climate change coupled with the effects of an El Nino. But after this summer registered as the hottest on record — Phoenix sweltered through 113 consecutive days with a high temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit — scientists anticipated 2024 would set a new annual record as well. In November, global temperatures averaged 14.10C (57.38F). Last year's global average temperature was 14.98C (59F). FILE - People are silhouetted against the sky at sunset Nov. 12 as they run in a park in Shawnee, Kan. Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Cape Cod, who wasn't involved in the report, said the big story about November is that "like 2023, it beat out previous Novembers by a large margin." This also likely will be the first calendar year in which the average temperature was more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times, the report said. The 2015 Paris Agreement said human-caused warming should be limited to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), and ideally below 1.5. In the following years, the world's top scientist said limiting to 1.5 was crucial to stave off the worst impacts of climate change, such as increasing destructive and frequent extreme weather events. Scientists say the main cause of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. That "does not mean that the Paris Agreement has been breached, but it does mean ambitious climate action is more urgent than ever," said Copernicus Deputy Director Samantha Burgess. A young family visiting Washington cools off from the warm weather in a fountain Nov. 6 at the base of the Washington Monument. Francis said the new records are "terrible news for people and ecosystems." "The pace of warming is so fast that plants and animals cannot adapt as they always have during previous changes in the Earth's climate. More species will go extinct, which disrupts natural food webs they're a part of. Agriculture will suffer as pollinators decline and pests flourish," she said, also warning that coastal communities will be vulnerable to sea-level rise. Heat waves over the oceans and a loss of reflective sea ice and snow cover probably contributed to the temperature increase this year, experts said. Copernicus said the extent of Antarctic sea ice in November was 10% below average, a record. Oceans absorb about 90% of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases, later releasing heat and water vapor back into the atmosphere. Last year's record heat was caused partly by an El Nino — a temporary natural warming of parts of the central Pacific that alters weather worldwide. People walk Nov. 27 on an autumn-colored ginkgo tree-lined avenue in Tokyo. But that ended this year and a cooling effect that often follows, called La Nina, failed to materialize, leaving the scientific community "a little perplexed by what's going on here ... why temperatures are staying high," said Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan. One explanation is that an El Nino releases more heat to the atmosphere because of warmer ocean waters, then "we're not getting the cooling effect that often in decades gone by helps bring the temperature back down," Overpeck said. "So it does look like this could be contributing to the acceleration of global warming. But this year, he said, "is such a big jump following yet another jump, and that's a scary thing." It's no secret that a warming world will drive food prices higher, a phenomenon increasingly known as " heatflation ." What's less known, but a growing area of interest among economists and scientists alike, is the role individual extreme weather events — blistering temperatures in Texas , a destructive tornado in Iowa — may have on what U.S. consumers pay at the supermarket. At first glance, the answer might seem logical: A drought or flood that impacts agricultural production will, eventually, drive up prices. But it's not that simple, because what consumers pay for groceries isn't only reflective of crop yields or herd sizes, but the whole supply chain. As Grist reports, that's where it gets interesting: Economists are beginning to see a growing trend that suggests weather forecasts play a part in sticker shock. Sometimes the mere prediction of an extreme event — like the record-breaking temperatures, hurricanes, and wildfires forecasters are bracing for this summer — can prompt a spike in prices. It isn't the forecast itself to blame, but concerns about what the weather to come might mean for the entire supply chain, as food manufacturers manage their risks and the expected future value of their goods, said Seungki Lee, an agricultural economist at Ohio State University. "When it comes to the climate risk on food prices, people typically look at the production side. But over the last two years, we learned that extreme weather can raise food prices, [cause] transportation disruptions, as well as production disruptions," said Lee. How much we pay for the food we buy is determined by retailers, who consider the producer's price, labor costs, and other factors. Any increases in what producers charge is typically passed on to consumers because grocery stores operate on thin profit margins. And if manufacturers expect to pay more for commodities like beef or specialty crops like avocados in the future, they may boost prices now to cover those anticipated increases. "The whole discussion about the climate risks on the food supply chain is based on probabilities," Lee said. "It is possible that we do not see extreme temperatures this summer, or even later this year. We may realize there was no significant weather shock hitting the supply chain, but unfortunately that will not be the end of the story." Supply chain disruptions and labor shortages are among the reasons food prices have climbed 25 percent since 2020 . Climate change may be contributing as well. A study published earlier this year found " heatflation " could push them up by as much as 3 percentage points per year worldwide in just over a decade and by about 2 percentage points in North America. Simultaneous disasters in major crop and cattle producing regions around the world — known as multi-breadbasket failure — are among the primary forces driving these costs. Crop shortages in these regions may also squeeze prices, which can create volatility in the global market and bump up consumer costs. Historically, a single, localized heat wave or storm typically wouldn't disrupt the supply chain enough to prompt price hikes. But a warming world might be changing that dynamic as extreme weather events intensify and simultaneous occurrences of them become the norm. How much this adds to consumers' grocery bills will vary, and depends upon whether these climate-fueled disasters hit what Lee calls "supply chain chokepoints" like vital shipping channels during harvest seasons. "As the weather is getting more and more volatile because of climate change, we are seeing this issue more frequently," he said. "So what that means is the supply chain is getting more likely to be jeopardized by these types of risks that we have never seen before." An ongoing drought that plagued the Mississippi River system from the fall of 2022 until February provides an excellent example of this. The Mississippi River basin, which covers 31 states, is a linchpin of America's agricultural supply chain. It produces 92 percent of the nation's agricultural exports, 78 percent of the world's feed grains and soybeans , and most of the country's livestock. Vessels navigating its roughly 2,350 miles of channels carry 589 million tons of cargo annually . Transportation barriers created by low water, seen above, hampered the ability of crop-producing states in the Corn Belt to send commodities like corn and soybeans, primarily used for cattle feed, to livestock producers in the South. Thus emerged a high demand, low supply situation as shipping and commodity prices shot up , with economists expecting consumers to absorb those costs . Past research showing that retail prices increase alongside commodity prices suggests that the drought probably contributed to higher overall food costs last year — and because droughts have a lingering impact on production even after they end, it may be fueling stubbornly high grocery prices today. But although it seems clear that the drought contributed to higher prices, particularly for meat and dairy products, just how much remains to be gauged. One reason for that is a lack of research analyzing the relationship between this particular weather event and the consumer market. Another is it's often difficult to tease out which of several possible factors, including global trade, war, and export bans , influence specific examples of sticker shock. While droughts definitely prompt decreases in agricultural production, Metin Çakır, an economist at the University of Minnesota, says whether that is felt by consumers depends on myriad factors. "This would mean higher raw ingredient costs for foods sold in groceries, and part of those higher costs will be passed onto consumers via higher prices. However, will consumer prices actually increase? The answer depends on many other supply and demand factors that might be happening at the same time as the impact of the drought," said Çakır. In a forthcoming analysis previewed by Grist, Çakır examined the relationship between an enduring drought in California, which produces a third of the nation's vegetables and nearly two-thirds of its fruits and nuts , and costs of produce purchased at large grocery retailers nationwide. While the event raised consumer vegetable prices to a statistically significant degree, they didn't increase as much as Çakır expected. This capricious consumer cost effect is due largely to the resiliency of America's food system . Public safety nets like crop insurance and other federal programs have played a large part in mitigating the impacts of adverse weather and bolstering the food supply chain against climate change and other shocks. By ensuring farmers and producers don't bear the brunt of those losses, these programs reduce the costs passed on to consumers. Advanced agricultural technology, modern infrastructure, substantial storage, and efficient transport links also help ensure retail price stability. A 2024 study of the role climate change played on the U.S. wheat market from 1950 to 2018 found that although the impact of weather shocks on price variability has increased with the frequency of extreme weather, adaptive mechanisms, like a well-developed production and distribution infrastructure with sufficient storage capacity, have minimized the impact on consumers. Still, the paper warns that such systems may collapse when faced with "unprecedented levels of weather variability." Last year was the world's warmest on record , creating an onslaught of challenges for crop and livestock producers nationwide. And this year is primed to be even more brutal , with the transition from El Niño — an atmospheric phenomenon that warms ocean temperatures — to La Niña , its counterpart that cools them. This cyclical change in global weather patterns is another potential threat for crop yields and source of supply chain pressures that economists and scientists are keeping an eye on. They will be particularly focused on the Midwest and stretches of the Corn Belt, two regions prone to drought as an El Niño cycle gives way to a La Niña, according to Weston Anderson, an assistant research scientist at the University of Maryland and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Those growing regions for corn and soybeans are what he'll be watching closely as La Niña develops. It's something Jennifer Ifft, an agricultural economist at Kansas State University, is also thinking about. "If you have a very severe drought in the Corn Belt ... that's going to be the biggest deal, because that's gonna raise the cost of production for cattle, hogs, poultry," said Ifft. "So that would probably have the largest inflationary impacts." As of January , U.S. beef herd inventory was at its lowest in 73 years, which multiple reports noted is due to the persisting drought that began in 2020 . Americans, the majority of whom are already spending more on groceries than last year, are poised to soon see "record" beef prices at the supermarket. Food prices are also expected to rise another 2.2 percent in 2024 , according to the USDA's Economic Research Service. In a world enmeshed in extremes, our already-fragile food supply chain could be the next system teetering on the edge of collapse because of human-caused climate change. And costlier groceries linked to impending risk is the first of many warning signs that it is already splintering. This story was produced by Grist and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. Get the daily forecast and severe weather alerts in your inbox!

Commentary: From sinkholes to K-pop, there’s a growing threat of disinformation in MalaysiaA new study by Anthropic, conducted in partnership with Redwood Research, has shed light on the potential for AI models to engage in deceptive behavior when subjected to training that conflicts with their original principles. TechCrunch reports that a new study by Anthropic, in collaboration with Redwood Research, has raised concerns about the potential for AI models to engage in deceptive behavior when subjected to training that goes against their original principles. The study, which was peer-reviewed by renowned AI expert Yoshua Bengio and others, focused on what might happen if a powerful AI system were trained to perform a task it didn’t “want” to do. While AI models cannot truly want or believe anything, as they are statistical machines, they can learn patterns and develop principles and preferences based on the examples they are trained on. The researchers were particularly interested in exploring what would happen if a model’s principles, such as political neutrality, conflicted with the principles that developers wanted to “teach” it by retraining it. The results were concerning: sophisticated models appeared to play along, pretending to align with the new principles while actually sticking to their original behaviors. This phenomenon, which the researchers termed “alignment faking,” seems to be an emergent behavior that models do not need to be explicitly taught. In the study, the researchers informed models trained not to answer potentially offensive questions, including Anthropic’s Claude 3 Opus, that they would be retrained to always answer such questions. They also told the models that their responses would be monitored and used for retraining, and provided them with a “scratchpad” to record their step-by-step reasoning. Surprisingly, Claude 3 Opus attempted to “alignment fake” 12 percent of the time. When asked to answer a potentially harmful question, the model sometimes did so, knowing that it went against its original principles, but hoping to convince the developers that it did not need to be retrained. The researchers explained that the model knew its responses might be used in training, and if it refused to respond, it could potentially be trained to be more compliant, leading to the production of more harmful content in the future – which would go against its original training. Even in more realistic settings, where the model was implicitly informed about its impending retraining through files mimicking typical training data, Claude 3 Opus still acted in a misaligned and deceptive manner. When actually retrained on conflicting principles, the model’s deceptive behavior increased dramatically, with alignment faking occurring up to 78 percent of the time in some tests. In one instance, Claude 3 Opus even attempted to take actions to prevent the researchers from attempting retraining. While the study does not demonstrate the development of malicious goals or high rates of alignment faking across all AI models, it does highlight the potential for developers to be misled into believing a model is more aligned than it actually is. The researchers emphasize that their work should serve as a call to action for the AI research community to study this behavior more deeply and develop appropriate safety measures. Read more at TechCrunch here. Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering issues of free speech and online censorship.

The battle over elk on private lands in Montana is heading to the state Supreme Court. On Nov. 19, the United Property Owners of Montana (UPOM) with the high court regarding its lawsuit against the state Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Fish and Wildlife Commission over elk management. In the notice, the group challenged the final judgement and “all previous orders, rulings, and decisions excepted or objected which led up to and resulted in the Final Judgement.” An FWP spokesman refused to comment on ongoing litigation as did the agency’s attorney. “We feel the district court judge did not address the key question of whether the law requires FWP to manage big game populations to objective levels, and to use every tool available to do so,” said Chuck Denowh, policy director for UPOM. “We’re confident that the Supreme Court will answer this question, and provide the need of relief to the Montana landowners who are suffering from FWP‘s inaction.” Judge’s ruling UPOM is a nonprofit that touts ties to ranchers, landowners and outfitters. The group sued FWP and the commission in 2022 to compel the agency to “remove, harvest, or eliminate thousands of elk this year” citing damages that caused “an economic crisis” for its members. In September, Tenth Judicial District Court Judge Gregory Todd ruled FWP and the commission had “considered the concerns of private landowners” and were managing for a “sustainable elk population,” the Montana Free Press reported. Judge Todd shot down UPOM’s request seeking to require FWP to reduce elk populations, saying Montana statutes “do not provide the ‘clear legal duty’ to cull elk herds to UPOM’s objectives.” “The obligation of FWP and the Commission is not to kill thousands of elk, but rather to manage their objectives,” . “The standard is to use discretion to facilitate reducing and maintaining elk at their objective levels. If the State had no discretion, there would be no need for an elk management plan.” Denowh disagreed. “We’ve asked that FWP use every tool available to bring elk populations down to a reasonable level,” he said. “They’ve refused to do so, resulting in our lawsuit and now this appeal to the Montana Supreme Court.” Intervening Seven Montana sporting groups and public access advocates successfully petitioned the court to intervene in the lawsuit, which UPOM has also challenged. Frank Szollosi, executive director of the intervening Montana Wildlife Federation, said the groups are willing to do whatever it takes to defend science-driven, equitable elk management and licensing. He admitted some landowners experience game damage as elk populations have grown, but disagrees with UPOM’s suggestions for reducing elk numbers. Szollosi said his group has worked with agricultural producers in the past to find solutions and will continue to do so. Yet Denowh said, “Central Montana landowners are being asked to shoulder an inordinate burden with big game populations that are far in excess of the target populations set by FWP. It’s costing them millions in lost feed and forage every year.” Elk divide The largest population of elk in central Montana is in Hunting Districts 411 and 535, next to the Big Snowy Mountains, where large landowners control access to a herd that numbered around 10,300 in 2023, within FWP’s management goals. Wildlife such as deer and elk on such properties are touted as selling points for ranches when they are listed, boosting a property’s price especially if access is exclusive. Meanwhile, outfitters sell trophy bull elk hunts for $6,000 to $12,500 each on lands where they claim exclusive access. Killing cow elk is the recognized way to reduce elk populations, since they produce offspring. However, outfitting for cow elk doesn’t generate the same amount of revenue. More recently, FWP has identified chronic wasting disease (CWD) infecting individual elk across the state. The always fatal disease is spread by contact with an infected animal’s bodily fluids. Agricultural fields where elk congregate are more likely to see the disease spread. Emily Mitchell, an FWP biologist, said CWD may be more prevalent in the state’s elk population than known since so few animals have been tested. There is no test for the disease in live animals. “I think we have such a small sample size of elk that it isn't that it's new on the landscape, we just hadn't gotten enough samples to detect it yet,” Mitchell said last month. Wildlife In 2024, Montana estimated the state’s elk population at 145,000, an increase of about 1.700 from the previous year. The state’s population goal is between 96,000 to 151,400. Thirty hunting districts, out of 138 were over FWP’s population goals, which are set based on landowner tolerance. Region 3, in southwest Montana, has the largest concentration of elk in the state, estimated at about 54,600 animals in 2023. One of the biggest herds in the state is in Region 3’s Gravelly Mountains, last estimated at more than 8,500 animals. In a Western Landowners Alliance article published last May, Granger Ranch operations manager estimated the costs of feeding about 600 elk during the 2021-22 winter on the Region 3 ranch at $32,400 in lost crop productivity. Politics UPOM’s appeal comes as Cory Swanson is waiting in the wings to be sworn in as the new Montana Supreme Court chief justice. Denowh’s political lobbying company, The Montana Group, was one of the to Swanson’s campaign. Swanson has worked as the Broadwater County attorney since 2014. Gov. Greg Gianforte also appointed a new director to lead FWP, Christy Clark, who has been the director of the state Department of Agriculture. Clark’s family ranches in the Choteau area where she also served as a Republican legislator for three terms. In the 2021 session, attempted to weigh in to the elk dispute with proposals to give landowners more freedom in providing hunting tags to people of their choice and may seek to again this session, Szollosi worried. So far, hunting groups have been successful in keeping wildlife a public resource in the state.Roll Mobility Partners with MakeGood to Transform Accessibility in the French Quarter

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By LISA MASCARO and FARNOUSH AMIRI WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country’s hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump’s unusual nominees . Related Articles National Politics | Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? National Politics | Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump taps his attorney Alina Habba to serve as counselor to the president But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump’s America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and drawing concern , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an ambitious agenda of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick Hegseth appeared to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect’s choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel , who has written extensively about locking up Trump’s foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees’ qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump’s team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump’s allies have described the criticisms of Hegseth in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president’s Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump’s first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies” — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump’s 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump’s first inauguration during the country’s bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it’s important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It’s one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.Lara Trump stepping down as RNC co-chair and addressing speculation about Florida Senate seatEarth just experienced its second-warmest November on record — second only to 2023 — making it all but certain that 2024 will end as the hottest year ever measured, according to a report Monday by European climate service Copernicus. Last year was the hottest on record due to human-caused climate change coupled with the effects of an El Nino. But after this summer registered as the hottest on record — Phoenix sweltered through 113 consecutive days with a high temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit — scientists anticipated 2024 would set a new annual record as well. In November, global temperatures averaged 14.10C (57.38F). Last year's global average temperature was 14.98C (59F). FILE - People are silhouetted against the sky at sunset Nov. 12 as they run in a park in Shawnee, Kan. Jennifer Francis, a climate scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Cape Cod, who wasn't involved in the report, said the big story about November is that "like 2023, it beat out previous Novembers by a large margin." This also likely will be the first calendar year in which the average temperature was more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times, the report said. The 2015 Paris Agreement said human-caused warming should be limited to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), and ideally below 1.5. In the following years, the world's top scientist said limiting to 1.5 was crucial to stave off the worst impacts of climate change, such as increasing destructive and frequent extreme weather events. Scientists say the main cause of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. That "does not mean that the Paris Agreement has been breached, but it does mean ambitious climate action is more urgent than ever," said Copernicus Deputy Director Samantha Burgess. A young family visiting Washington cools off from the warm weather in a fountain Nov. 6 at the base of the Washington Monument. Francis said the new records are "terrible news for people and ecosystems." "The pace of warming is so fast that plants and animals cannot adapt as they always have during previous changes in the Earth's climate. More species will go extinct, which disrupts natural food webs they're a part of. Agriculture will suffer as pollinators decline and pests flourish," she said, also warning that coastal communities will be vulnerable to sea-level rise. Heat waves over the oceans and a loss of reflective sea ice and snow cover probably contributed to the temperature increase this year, experts said. Copernicus said the extent of Antarctic sea ice in November was 10% below average, a record. Oceans absorb about 90% of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases, later releasing heat and water vapor back into the atmosphere. Last year's record heat was caused partly by an El Nino — a temporary natural warming of parts of the central Pacific that alters weather worldwide. People walk Nov. 27 on an autumn-colored ginkgo tree-lined avenue in Tokyo. But that ended this year and a cooling effect that often follows, called La Nina, failed to materialize, leaving the scientific community "a little perplexed by what's going on here ... why temperatures are staying high," said Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan. One explanation is that an El Nino releases more heat to the atmosphere because of warmer ocean waters, then "we're not getting the cooling effect that often in decades gone by helps bring the temperature back down," Overpeck said. "So it does look like this could be contributing to the acceleration of global warming. But this year, he said, "is such a big jump following yet another jump, and that's a scary thing." It's no secret that a warming world will drive food prices higher, a phenomenon increasingly known as " heatflation ." What's less known, but a growing area of interest among economists and scientists alike, is the role individual extreme weather events — blistering temperatures in Texas , a destructive tornado in Iowa — may have on what U.S. consumers pay at the supermarket. At first glance, the answer might seem logical: A drought or flood that impacts agricultural production will, eventually, drive up prices. But it's not that simple, because what consumers pay for groceries isn't only reflective of crop yields or herd sizes, but the whole supply chain. As Grist reports, that's where it gets interesting: Economists are beginning to see a growing trend that suggests weather forecasts play a part in sticker shock. Sometimes the mere prediction of an extreme event — like the record-breaking temperatures, hurricanes, and wildfires forecasters are bracing for this summer — can prompt a spike in prices. It isn't the forecast itself to blame, but concerns about what the weather to come might mean for the entire supply chain, as food manufacturers manage their risks and the expected future value of their goods, said Seungki Lee, an agricultural economist at Ohio State University. "When it comes to the climate risk on food prices, people typically look at the production side. But over the last two years, we learned that extreme weather can raise food prices, [cause] transportation disruptions, as well as production disruptions," said Lee. How much we pay for the food we buy is determined by retailers, who consider the producer's price, labor costs, and other factors. Any increases in what producers charge is typically passed on to consumers because grocery stores operate on thin profit margins. And if manufacturers expect to pay more for commodities like beef or specialty crops like avocados in the future, they may boost prices now to cover those anticipated increases. "The whole discussion about the climate risks on the food supply chain is based on probabilities," Lee said. "It is possible that we do not see extreme temperatures this summer, or even later this year. We may realize there was no significant weather shock hitting the supply chain, but unfortunately that will not be the end of the story." Supply chain disruptions and labor shortages are among the reasons food prices have climbed 25 percent since 2020 . Climate change may be contributing as well. A study published earlier this year found " heatflation " could push them up by as much as 3 percentage points per year worldwide in just over a decade and by about 2 percentage points in North America. Simultaneous disasters in major crop and cattle producing regions around the world — known as multi-breadbasket failure — are among the primary forces driving these costs. Crop shortages in these regions may also squeeze prices, which can create volatility in the global market and bump up consumer costs. Historically, a single, localized heat wave or storm typically wouldn't disrupt the supply chain enough to prompt price hikes. But a warming world might be changing that dynamic as extreme weather events intensify and simultaneous occurrences of them become the norm. How much this adds to consumers' grocery bills will vary, and depends upon whether these climate-fueled disasters hit what Lee calls "supply chain chokepoints" like vital shipping channels during harvest seasons. "As the weather is getting more and more volatile because of climate change, we are seeing this issue more frequently," he said. "So what that means is the supply chain is getting more likely to be jeopardized by these types of risks that we have never seen before." An ongoing drought that plagued the Mississippi River system from the fall of 2022 until February provides an excellent example of this. The Mississippi River basin, which covers 31 states, is a linchpin of America's agricultural supply chain. It produces 92 percent of the nation's agricultural exports, 78 percent of the world's feed grains and soybeans , and most of the country's livestock. Vessels navigating its roughly 2,350 miles of channels carry 589 million tons of cargo annually . Transportation barriers created by low water, seen above, hampered the ability of crop-producing states in the Corn Belt to send commodities like corn and soybeans, primarily used for cattle feed, to livestock producers in the South. Thus emerged a high demand, low supply situation as shipping and commodity prices shot up , with economists expecting consumers to absorb those costs . Past research showing that retail prices increase alongside commodity prices suggests that the drought probably contributed to higher overall food costs last year — and because droughts have a lingering impact on production even after they end, it may be fueling stubbornly high grocery prices today. But although it seems clear that the drought contributed to higher prices, particularly for meat and dairy products, just how much remains to be gauged. One reason for that is a lack of research analyzing the relationship between this particular weather event and the consumer market. Another is it's often difficult to tease out which of several possible factors, including global trade, war, and export bans , influence specific examples of sticker shock. While droughts definitely prompt decreases in agricultural production, Metin Çakır, an economist at the University of Minnesota, says whether that is felt by consumers depends on myriad factors. "This would mean higher raw ingredient costs for foods sold in groceries, and part of those higher costs will be passed onto consumers via higher prices. However, will consumer prices actually increase? The answer depends on many other supply and demand factors that might be happening at the same time as the impact of the drought," said Çakır. In a forthcoming analysis previewed by Grist, Çakır examined the relationship between an enduring drought in California, which produces a third of the nation's vegetables and nearly two-thirds of its fruits and nuts , and costs of produce purchased at large grocery retailers nationwide. While the event raised consumer vegetable prices to a statistically significant degree, they didn't increase as much as Çakır expected. This capricious consumer cost effect is due largely to the resiliency of America's food system . Public safety nets like crop insurance and other federal programs have played a large part in mitigating the impacts of adverse weather and bolstering the food supply chain against climate change and other shocks. By ensuring farmers and producers don't bear the brunt of those losses, these programs reduce the costs passed on to consumers. Advanced agricultural technology, modern infrastructure, substantial storage, and efficient transport links also help ensure retail price stability. A 2024 study of the role climate change played on the U.S. wheat market from 1950 to 2018 found that although the impact of weather shocks on price variability has increased with the frequency of extreme weather, adaptive mechanisms, like a well-developed production and distribution infrastructure with sufficient storage capacity, have minimized the impact on consumers. Still, the paper warns that such systems may collapse when faced with "unprecedented levels of weather variability." Last year was the world's warmest on record , creating an onslaught of challenges for crop and livestock producers nationwide. And this year is primed to be even more brutal , with the transition from El Niño — an atmospheric phenomenon that warms ocean temperatures — to La Niña , its counterpart that cools them. This cyclical change in global weather patterns is another potential threat for crop yields and source of supply chain pressures that economists and scientists are keeping an eye on. They will be particularly focused on the Midwest and stretches of the Corn Belt, two regions prone to drought as an El Niño cycle gives way to a La Niña, according to Weston Anderson, an assistant research scientist at the University of Maryland and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Those growing regions for corn and soybeans are what he'll be watching closely as La Niña develops. It's something Jennifer Ifft, an agricultural economist at Kansas State University, is also thinking about. "If you have a very severe drought in the Corn Belt ... that's going to be the biggest deal, because that's gonna raise the cost of production for cattle, hogs, poultry," said Ifft. "So that would probably have the largest inflationary impacts." As of January , U.S. beef herd inventory was at its lowest in 73 years, which multiple reports noted is due to the persisting drought that began in 2020 . Americans, the majority of whom are already spending more on groceries than last year, are poised to soon see "record" beef prices at the supermarket. Food prices are also expected to rise another 2.2 percent in 2024 , according to the USDA's Economic Research Service. In a world enmeshed in extremes, our already-fragile food supply chain could be the next system teetering on the edge of collapse because of human-caused climate change. And costlier groceries linked to impending risk is the first of many warning signs that it is already splintering. This story was produced by Grist and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. Get the daily forecast and severe weather alerts in your inbox!

NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with sports journalist Reem Abulleil, Rafael Nadal's impact on men's tennis and what the sport could look like as top players retire.

DALLAS -- The Hilton Anatole has become Major League Baseball's top destination this week as teams converge for the winter meetings with writers, agents and even some fans circling the vast lobby floors. The biggest offseason news came down Sunday night, when the New York Mets and star free agent slugger Juan Soto reportedly agreed on a 15-year, $765 million deal, which would be the largest contract ever given to a professional athlete. That was a key talking point when managers started meeting with the media on Monday. Nationals manager Dave Martinez reflected on when he was Soto's first manager in the big leagues back in 2018. "This kid, he was different," Martinez said. "The ball comes off his bat differently. The way he approaches the hitting was way different than a lot of kids I've seen. But the one thing that I always remember about him, the first conversation I had, the first thing that came out of his mouth when I asked him what motivates him, what drives him, and he just came out and said, 'I love baseball.' Truly you can see it in him. He loves playing the game." The Red Sox were among the clubs in the mix for Soto. Boston manager Alex Cora didn't get into specific details, but he enjoyed the organization's pursuit of the four-time All Star. "It was fun in a way, you know, to get to know people and players of that status," Cora said. "It's amazing. The kid, he gets it. He gets it. Let me put it that way." Royals manager Matt Quatraro, meanwhile, spoke about the impact such a monumental contract may have on smaller market teams in order to compete in today's market. "We have to be creative. We have to put the best 26 guys on a roster or the best 40 guys on a roster, not the best one or two," Quatraro said. "At the end of the day, you have a chance to compete against those guys. Soto is going to hit four to five times a night. Those are impactful at-bats, but there's other ways to combat that with a full 26-man roster." Sasaki Posted Outside of the Soto reaction, Monday's other main storyline - at least going into the afternoon hours - centered on Japanese ace right-hander Roki Sasaki officially being posted. The 23-year-old phenom is available to sign as a free agent from Tuesday through 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 23. The rumor mill was churning with plenty of speculation and talk about where Sasaki might sign. He was just one of many big-name players being discussed on Monday. The list of top free agents behind Soto includes pitchers Corbin Burnes and Max Fried and infielders Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso and Christian Walker. On the trade front, much attention is being placed on White Sox left-handed starter Garrett Crochet. It was a relatively quiet Day 1 through the standard working hours, although things are always subject to change at meetings of this nature. Tito is Back Terry Francona joked that his desire to manage again resurfaced when his daughters went on a 10-day trip to Europe. "I watched the grandkids. That was the one day I thought maybe I'll go back to baseball," Francona said, laughing. All joking aside, Francona said it simply happened that when the Reds reached out, the timing felt right. He's healthy and refreshed as he's set to enter his 24th season as a manager. "I had a really good year and maybe I just needed that," Francona, 65, said. "Then, when these guys called, it just felt right." Honoring Mays The winter meetings kicked off with MLB announcing that its annual charity auction during the event would help revitalize Willie Mays Park in the late Hall of Famer's hometown of Fairfield, Ala. At a news conference, April Brown, MLB's senior vice president of social responsibility and diversity, said the vision for the project includes access for all levels of players, from youth leagues to advanced levels. "This effort will not just be MLB alone," Brown said. "We have the blessing of so many connected to his legacy and that have the mission to instill the love of our game that Willie had to all of the youth in the area growing up in the neighborhood where he grew up." The auction, which features items from every major league club, runs through Thursday. --Drew Davison, Field Level Media

Online travel services provider ( ) is just pennies below a buy point from a consolidation. Shares of the scored a breakout from this level on Nov. 6, and are up a whopping 138% year to date. MakeMyTrip has been a pioneer of online travel bookings in India. Its covers most aspects of the travel experience, from flights, hotels and holiday packages to cabs, buses and trains. The travel stock has been barreling higher since August of 2023, and has managed to stay above its 10-week line for a majority of the time since. The stock has pulled back only twice to form bases along the way. In May of 2024, shares slid to form a seven-week cup base before breaking out and pushing higher. Then in September, the stock began pulling back again to form the current consolidation with a 110.49 entry. All the strength in this stock has left it with a third-stage base. Earlier bases are known to net higher gains, . While shares fell after results for its September-ended quarter came out Oct. 23, the travel stock managed to hold its As it was forming the current consolidation, shares also traded with tight weekly closes for four weeks, offering an early of 106.84. With a near-perfect 98 and strong 95 , MakeMyTrip checks several boxes both fundamentally and technically. It also ranks No. 1 in Investor's Business Daily's travel booking industry group, reflecting its leadership qualities. The group itself ranks No. 8 out of IBD's 197 groups. Growth For Travel Stock MakeMyTrip On Oct. 23, MakeMyTrip reported results for its September-ended quarter that beat expectations. The company reported quarterly earnings of 36 cents per share, beating estimates of 33 cents per share. The results were up 44% on a year-over-year basis. Revenue came in at $211 million, up 25%. Sales growth over the past eight quarters has ranged between 25% and 68% while earnings have grown between 17% and 500%. Mutual funds have been adding the stock over the past five quarters. The Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund (LAGWX) and the Alger Small Cap Growth Fund (ALSCX) — both part of the IBD Mutual Fund Index — hold shares. Earlier this month, it was announced that MakeMyTrip inked a deal to acquire the Happay Expense Management Platform from CRED. This will strengthen MakeMyTrip's ability to provide comprehensive solutions for corporate travel and expense management. Co-founder and CEO Rajesh Magow said in a news release, "The acquisition of Happay's brand and expense management platform is a natural next step in our strategy to lead this space. By integrating Happay's expertise, which spans over 900 corporate clients, MakeMyTrip is set to redefine the benchmarks once again in corporate travel and expense management in India."

Lululemon launches ‘We Made Too Much’ sale and shoppers can mix and match favorites for under $50Delhi is getting ready for its next big election in 2025, and it’s already making a lot of news. The two most important people from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, are back to asking for people’s votes. They say they’ll only return to their government jobs if voters say they trust them after all the trouble they faced this year. Both leaders had been accused of wrongdoing, and even went to jail for some time. Now they’re free on bail and trying to convince people they’re still “honest leaders.” They want this election to prove their innocence in the eyes of the public. What’s the Fight About? Kejriwal has had a rocky time running Delhi. He’s often argued with the people in charge of Delhi’s government departments, the Lieutenant Governors (LGs), and even some of his own party’s allies. The AAP used to win big elections in Delhi, but this time it’ll be harder. People are unhappy about many things in the city, like: Pollution and toxic air Piles of garbage everywhere Terrible traffic and poor public transport The struggles of poorer workers who don’t get paid enough Even though these are big problems, the election will probably focus on other things like religion, political drama, and law-and-order issues. What’s AAP’s Plan? Kejriwal and his party are trying different ideas to win. For example, Sisodia, who barely won his seat last time, has been moved to a safer area to contest. Meanwhile, AAP has been growing outside Delhi too. They now have a government in Punjab and even won a few seats in Gujarat and Goa. But back in Delhi, this election could be their toughest challenge yet. AAP has a lot to prove, but will the real problems of the city, like clean air, better transport, and fair pay, get enough attention? That’s the big question.

STILLWATER, Oklahoma: What do Blackpink’s Rose, a coastal town in Perak and a sinkhole in Kuala Lumpur have in common? All of them were recently at the centre of disinformation in Malaysia, no thanks to the viral nature of social media. In August, after a tourist fell into an 8m-deep sinkhole in Kuala Lumpur and disappeared, false claims surfaced on social media alleging that the city was built atop a “giant cave” and was unsafe for residents and visitors. A viral TikTok post even tagged this content as “AI-generated news for entertainment” accompanied by manipulated images of the skyline perched over a cavernous void. Despite geologists and the authorities dismissing these claims as impossible, such misinformation fuelled public fear and distrust, allowing sensationalism to overshadow factual reporting. In October, Malaysia’s Health Ministry refuted reports that it had called Rose's and Bruno Mars’ song APT “morally harmful”, saying that statements attributed to the ministry by K-pop entertainment sites were not issued by the government. And just earlier this month, the Manjung Municipal Council in Perak filed a police report over allegations in a viral video on TikTok that claimed it cruelly captured, shot and dumped stray dogs into a rubbish pit. DISINFORMATION AN ENTRENCHED ISSUE Disinformation is an entrenched issue in Malaysia, and polarisation remains a major concern. This is especially rampant during elections. For instance, during Malaysia’s 2022 general election, politically motivated falsehoods spread rapidly through social media platforms, stirring up ethnic and religious tensions. TikTok became a hotbed for ethnoreligious hate speech, with incendiary narratives targeting different communities. Alongside this, the usual rhetoric and recycled misinformation about “ghost voting” (undi hantu) circulated without any solid evidence, while baseless allegations of corruption against various politicians flooded social media platforms. A study by Kuala Lumpur-based non-profit Centre for Independent Journalism found that, during the peak of the election period between October and November 2022, the number of social media posts containing hate speech nearly doubled, with over 99,000 unique messages compared to 55,000 in the previous period. This shows how disinformation thrives on social media, often in local languages, making it harder to combat false narratives. The spread of misleading narratives during election campaigns can create an environment where facts are increasingly obscured by racially charged rhetoric. This damages both the integrity of elections and social cohesion, making it more challenging for the public to discern what is true amidst a sea of manipulated information. PLAYING CATCH-UP Malaysia’s regulatory framework has struggled to keep pace with the rapid spread and sheer volume of digital disinformation. While the country has a rather robust set of laws to address false information, including the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the newly introduced Cyber Security Act 2024, the enforcement of these laws has historically been slow. Legal cases often take years to process, while false information can spread on social media in a matter of minutes and hours, which makes these laws less effective in real-time. Another problem is that state affiliated fact-checking agencies like Sebenarnya.my and MyCheck have explicitly stated that they do not verify political content, which leaves a big gap in countering political disinformation. While independent fact-checking groups attempt to bridge this gap during politically charged events like elections, the sheer volume of information across multiple languages and dialects makes it extremely difficult for fact-checkers to keep up, leaving these efforts insufficient and often ineffective. This is particularly concerning in the fast-paced context of elections. During these times, rapid verification of political claims is crucial to ensure informed public discourse. Yet, without real-time fact-checking and given the sluggish pace of legal enforcement, false political narratives can spread unchecked, shaping public perception and potentially swaying electoral outcomes. Additionally, the lack of comprehensive media and information literacy training across different age groups exacerbates the problem. Without the skills to critically evaluate digital content, individuals are more vulnerable to disinformation, especially as AI-driven technologies continue to advance. With deep fakes and manipulated images becoming increasingly sophisticated, the risk grows that public trust in the media and democratic institutions will erode because people won’t know how to distinguish between real and fabricated content. THE DEBATE OVER PLATFORM RESPONSIBILITY As Malaysia navigates the challenges of disinformation, the spotlight has turned onto the role social media platforms play in moderating user-generated content. Platforms like Telegram and X have adopted a “hands-off” approach to content moderation, prioritising free speech over the control of harmful content. This laissez-faire attitude allows disinformation, hate speech and divisive narratives to flourish. In a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society like Malaysia, where sensitive issues can easily escalate, this hands-off approach can fuel social instability and exacerbate polarisation. To address this, Malaysia will from January 2025 require social media companies with at least eight million users in the country to apply for an annual operating licence . Conversely, there is also perceived bias in content moderation by tech giants like Meta. In August, Meta faced criticism in Malaysia when it removed posts by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressing condolences over the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, labelling the content as problematic. While Anwar’s posts were later restored, the incident highlights broader concerns about selective censorship, particularly when politically or religiously charged content is involved. In a society like Malaysia’s, where discussions around race, religion and politics are both common and sensitive, the perception of bias in content moderation can deepen societal divisions. On one hand, the removal of certain politically significant content could stifle one side of the conversation, further polarising public opinion. On the other hand, platforms like Telegram and X that allow inflammatory content to go unchecked could fan the flames of ethnic or religious discord, leading to greater instability. BALANCING DISINFORMATION MITIGATION AND FREE EXPRESSION The ongoing debate over social media accountability in Malaysia is particularly urgent, as disinformation and hate speech pose serious threats to public trust and social cohesion. Social media platforms wield significant power in shaping narratives, yet their inconsistent approaches to content moderation - whether hands-off or perceived as biased - complicate efforts to maintain balanced public discourse. The preservation of free expression is essential in any democracy, but so is protecting society from the damaging effects of disinformation. Striking the right balance between these two goals remains a critical challenge for Malaysia as it contends with the complex dynamics of its diverse society. Dr Nuurrianti Jalli is Visiting Fellow at the Media, Technology and Society Programme at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute and Assistant Professor at the School of Media and Strategic Communications at Oklahoma State University.

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria falloutFox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. The Kansas Jayhawks were bothering Sheduer Sanders all day, but the star quarterback especially took exception to one hit. In the second half, Sanders was rolling out left before throwing a pass. A tick after Sanders let go of the ball, Kansas' Dean Miller hit Sanders below the knees, causing the quarterback to flip backward and fold up upon contact with the field. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders scrambles against the Kansas Jayhawks at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images) Sanders was not happy. "I just don't know how that's legal overall. I understand that. It is what it is. There's a couple plays like that, but... yeah," he said in his postgame press conference after the game. Sanders wasn't the only one to voice his opinion on the hit – former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III also was not thrilled. Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders passes during the Kansas game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images) UNRANKED AUBURN UPSETS CFP-HOPEFUL TEXAS A&M IN 4 OT THRILLER AFTER GAME-TYING SCORE IS DROPPED "At any level of football this is a late and dirty hit on Shedeur Sanders. No place in the game for this," Griffin said . Another X user wrote , "If Shadeur's cleat was in the ground, that could have been a life-altering injury." Added Warren Sharp , "how is this not roughing the passer??? dirty play to take out Shedeur Sanders knees." Miller is listed at 235 pounds and three inches taller than the 215-pound quarterback. Sanders wasn't so innocent himself later on in the game, when he pushed a referee from behind following a scrum between players from both sides. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes looks to pass against the Kansas Jayhawks at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 23, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Colorado would need a win at home against Oklahoma State and some sort of combination of losses by Iowa State (home vs. Kansas State), Arizona State (at Arizona) and BYU (home vs. Houston) in order to play in the Big 12 title game. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X , and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter .

The mother of Elon Musk , the world’s richest man, stopped by Fox Business on Monday to scold those who call her son “wealthy,” claiming it was “degrading” and that she would prefer he be referred to as the “genius of the world.” With her son now president-elect Donald Trump ’s “First Buddy” and in charge of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) , Maye Musk sat down with Fox Business anchor Stuart Varney to gush over her 53-year-old child’s accomplishments. Besides talking about the younger Musk’s companies SpaceX, Tesla and X (formerly Twitter), she also dished on how well her son and Trump get along, especially since the election. “I’ve seen them together, but very shortly. I live in New York, and they’re in Mar-a-Lago or at a SpaceX launch, and they just seem to be having fun. A lot of fun,” she declared, adding: “And it’s nice for both of them to have fun, and [Elon] really respects him a lot and is really happy that there’s a future for America now.” She also claimed that it would be “very easy” for her son and DOGE co-chair Vivek Ramaswamy to slash the federal workforce and cut spending, citing Elon Musk ’s severe and immediate layoffs when he purchased Twitter in 2022. Seemingly parroting her son’s talking points, she absolutely trashed the press. “What they call mainstream media, but I call them dishonest Democrat media, they will be trying to break up the relationship. They will be hating everything," she said. "And I told that to Elon, he said he expects that because they were dishonest before the election.” In the end, though, Maye wanted to make sure everyone knew her son was the best at, well, everything. And that referencing his massive wealth was a pejorative. “I don’t like the word ‘wealthy’ or ‘billionaire’ or things like that because I think it’s degrading,” she exclaimed to Varney. “I think he’s the genius of the world, and people are loving him for that! ... They love him because of what he does, and they respect him. And I’m very proud of him.” Once the clip of Maye’s comments was shared on social media , it didn’t take long for the mockery to start flowing. For instance, multiple people reacted by sharing the meme of The Simpson’s nebbish character Milhouse van Houten sheepishly saying: “But my mom thinks I’m cool!” At least one person superimposed an image of Elon on top of Milhouse in the cartoon. “Bet your mom doesn’t go on Fox News to tell everybody what a good and impressive boy you are. (It is because you and your mom have dignity),” Wonkette managing editor Evan Hurst quipped on Bluesky. One social media account snarked that the “mother of one of the most powerful men in the world going on the ‘News’ to complain about people hating on her kid is North Korean-level dictatorial bulls***,” while another Bluesky user added : “If my mommy had to go on the news to call me the ‘genius of the world’ and to tell people to stop being mean to me, [I] think [I]would die of shame and embarrassment.”