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A Donegal -owned bus company has taken to social media after a group on a pub tour vandalised one of their vehicles. Taking to Facebook on Sunday, McGettigan Travel in Letterkenny shared images of the culprits, revealing they tried to ‘set the bus on fire.’ The owners of the company have given the vandals 24hrs to come forward, asking them to apologise to their driver for the ‘threatening behaviour and abuse.’ The post urged those in the locality to share the blurred out images, hopeful the culprits will be brought to justice. ‘PLEASE SHARE,’ the post began. ‘Last night, on a pub tour, our bus was badly vandalised (window broke, etc) from a group of young boys who rented the bus.. these boys also attempted to burn our driver with lit cigarette butt’s while also throwing these lit butts at our dash trying to set the bus on fire...’ Issuing an ultimatum, they added; ‘We are giving these men until the end of the day to pay for all the damage, or we will be naming the exact culprits.. ‘We also want an apology issued to our driver, who was absolutely terrified and did not deserve this threatening behaviour and abuse..’ Many were quick to take to the comments and offer their support, with a number of people calling for the vandals to make themselves known. ‘The poor driver!!! Hope he is ok.. What is wrong with these young fellas, what happened to going out, having a good night and going home? There is no excuse for this behaviour, name, shame and press charges show that this behaviour is not acceptable!! An apology is not going to help the poor driver who will be afraid to work at night again,’ one user wrote. ‘Should be reported to Garda. Only way a lesson MIGHT be learned,’ a second shared. ‘Unbelievable behaviour, hope that your driver is okay and the young men involved regret their actions in the cold light of day,’ a third added.
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst: Here’s $1 trillion in federal spending cuts
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Caribbean technology conference Tech Beach Retreat has announced Google and Massy Group as lead sponsors for its Jamaica staging, December 4-6, in Montego Bay, St James. It marks a significant milestone in the conference’s mission to transform the Caribbean’s digital landscape, organisers said in a release. Tech Beach touted in the release that the partnership brings together two global powerhouses – Google, a world leader in technology innovation, and Massy, one of the Caribbean’s largest and most diversified investment holding companies – and noted that their collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment to fostering technological advancement in the region. “TBR supports the digital transformation, investment, and ecosystem ambitions of numerous corporates, governments, startups, and investors. We are thrilled to once again have the buy-in and confidence of technology leader Google and Massy to partner on new and innovative solutions to build their businesses and benefit the overall ecosystem. Their investment will enable us to create an even more impactful experience for our attendees and further our mission of positioning the Caribbean as a global tech hub,” said Kirk Anthony Hamilton, co-founder of Tech Beach Retreat. Google is quoted in the release as being proud to partner with Tech Beach for a third time. “We appreciate the platform’s ability to give us access to a significantly diverse audience, often engaging players we otherwise don’t get to interact with. TBR helps increase our visibility in communities that matter but are sometimes overlooked and gives our executives the room to communicate the work we are doing to impact the world. We’re excited to discuss closing the gap between the Caribbean, Latin America, and AI,” the company stated. Massy Group said: “As a Caribbean-born investment holding company, our commitment to data-driven innovation embodies our dedication to sustainable growth. This approach paves the way for a future that benefits both our customers and our shareholders.” Tech Beach said the sponsorship will enhance its ability to bring world-class speakers and thought leaders to the Caribbean, provide enhanced networking opportunities for attendees, and facilitate knowledge transfer between global tech leaders and Caribbean innovators. “Tech Beach Retreat’s success is not possible without partnerships like these. In aligning with our vision to create a holistic space for like-minded individuals in technology, innovation, and investment, we have been able to collaborate with some of the best talent on the planet on groundbreaking ideas to change the world. Having a global giant such as Google paired with a regional powerhouse like Massy is the kind of result we pursue – attracting global influence while elevating regional excellence in a mutually beneficial environment,” said Kyle Maloney, co-founder of Tech Beach Retreat. This year’s existing roster of presenters includes James McLetchie, Massy Group Chief Financial Officer; Hans Malzar, Head of Gaming, Americas, TikTok; and Raamel Mitchell, Microsoft Director of Public Affairs and Citizenship, among others. Tech Beach boasted that it continues to serve as a catalyst for technology and innovation in the Caribbean, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and tech leaders from around the world. The upcoming event will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and drive regional innovation. Horace HindsTax reform bills: NEF, ACF won’t dictate position of northern lawmakers — Jibrin
Special counsel moves to dismiss election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump
Andi Dorfman is on the mend after suffering postpartum complications following the birth of her first baby . Less than a week after welcoming her and husband Blaine Hart 's daughter Harper Bell Hart , the Bachelorette alum was hospitalized and underwent surgery to remove hematomas, or collections of blood that form outside blood vessels. "Welp, we're back! This time for Mama," Andi wrote on her Instagram Stories Dec. 27. "After getting home, I was in a ton of pain and it was getting worse by the day. Despite the internet saying recovery takes time, I still felt something was wrong and finally after trying every home remedy, called my doctors and they told me to come right in." The 37-year-old continued, "Turns out I had one large and one small hematoma that were the cause of the pain. Within a few hours, we were at the hospital and prepped for surgery. A very straightforward procedure but still pretty terrifying having a 6 day old baby (plus loads of hormones still lurking)." Andi said she felt "some guilt" worrying about herself instead of her daughter after giving birth. "But I realized," the Bachelor Nation star continued, "she's no good if I'm no good." Andi, who announced Harper's birth Dec. 22 and also previously shared she went through 28 hours of labor before welcoming her, also noted a valuable lesson she learned from her postpartum experience. "No matter how clueless you are about motherhood," she began, "you still know your body best! Listen to it! Yes, recovery is tough and everyone is different but your instincts are valid (and probably right)." The Bachelor alum later shared a video of her husband playing with their daughter, captioning it, "When Daddy is on duty." Blaine had praised his wife's strength on social media days before she revealed her postpartum complications and surgery. "Needless to say, feeling extra grateful and blessed this holiday season. Thankful for our growing family but most importantly to an incredibly loving, caring and strong wife (and now mother) in @andidorfman," he wrote on Instagram Dec. 25. "Harper and I are extremely lucky to have you as our navigational beacon. Merry Christmas and happy holidays!" Blaine and Andi married in Italy in 2023. Read on for updates on the love lives of more Bachelor Nation stars... Joan Vassos & Chock Chapple Status: Engaged After appearing on the first-ever season of The Golden Bachelor and leaving Gerry Turner 's season early, Joan Vassos handed out the roses on the debut season of The Golden Bachelorette . It was there that she met and got engaged to contestant Chock Chapple . "We are living proof that no matter what life throws at you that there is still hope, even at our age," Joan said on The Golden Bachelorette 's November 2024 finale before Chock proposed in Bora Bora . "I waited 'til this moment in this amazing location to tell you that I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to wake up next to you in the morning, and I want to kiss you when I go to bed at night." Jenn Tran & Devin Strader Status: Split During the season 21 finale of The Bachelorette , it looked like The Bachelor alum Jenn Tran was finally getting her happy ending with her final pick Devin Strader . But Jenn, 26, revealed on After the Final Rose back in September that Devin, 28, gave her the cold shoulder as soon as the cameras stopped rolling. "He was making bold proclamations of love and then suddenly the next day he was like, nothing and he denied ever being in love," Jenn told host Jesse Palmer during the Sept. 3 episode. "All the promises he had made to me, all of the love that he had wanted to give to me wasn't there anymore." Drama continued to play out when Devin shared a 13-minute video recounting his side of the story to Instagram, where in addition to taking "accountability” he shared insight into why he ended the relationship in a 15-minute phone call. While Jenn alleged he dumped her during the call in August, he claimed that Jenn demanded to know what was wrong as he tried to find a way to break the news in person. "I didn't really know what else to do," he explained, noting he had been waiting to tell her in person. "She kind of forced my hand." Since then, Jenn waltzed over to Dancing With the Stars and possibly into the heart of her partner Sasha Farber as they have continued to spark romance rumors since their Oct. 29 elimination. Victoria Fuller & Greg Grippo Status: Split In November 2022, Greg Grippo (one of Katie Thurston 's suitors on The Bachelorette a year prior) joined Victoria Fuller on the season eight finale of Bachelor in Paradise . There, the two announced that they were in a relationship. In April 2024, he revealed the two had called it quits . Status: Split Before Victoria Fuller and Greg Grippo went public with their romance on the finale of Bachelor in Paradise 's eighth season, she and her costar Johnny DePhillipo ended their engagement. Theresa Nist & Gerry Turner Status: Divorced Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist got engaged in November 2023 during the finale of the inaugural Golden Bachelor and tied the knot in a January 2024 televised ceremony. However, three months after their nuptials, the couple announced that they were breaking up. “Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations and we've looked closely at our situation, our living situation, so forth," Gerry said during a joint appearance on Good Morning America with Theresa April 2024. “We've come to the conclusion mutually that it's probably time for us to dissolve our marriage." They reached a divorce settlement in June 2024, according to court records reviewed by E! News. Joey Graziadei & Kelsey Anderson Status: Engaged After courting 32 potential brides , tennis pro Joey Graziadei found his perfect match in project manager Kelsey Anderson . "I can't wait another minute to tell you that I love you," Joey told his final rose recipient, before getting down on one knee during his season's March 2024 finale . "There is something about you. You have this infectious energy that makes me smile. It's a feeling I've never had before." Imagining his forever with the Louisiana native, he continued, "I have known for a while that I've wanted to have a beautiful life, but I truly didn't know how beautiful that life could be until I met you." Kat Izzo & John Henry Spurlock Status: Split Though underwater welder John Henry Spurlock (one of Charity Lawson 's suitors) and nurse Kat Izzo (she competed for Zach Shallcross ' heart) didn't connect until midway through season nine of Bachelor in Paradise , they were willing to dive into the deep end. "I'm going to try something a little different," he said while offering up an Ascher cut Neil Lane diamond. "I'm following my heart today. My heart's telling me that you are amazing, you are everything that I'm looking for." But days after the finale aired, the duo revealed they no longer saw forever in each other's eyes. "While our paths are taking different directions due to our career goals not aligning," they wrote in a joint Instagram post, "we are grateful for the love and support we’ve received from our family, friends, and Bachelor Nation." Eliza Isichei & Aaron Bryant Status: Split Despite her nerves about a Paradise engagement, an all-dressed-in-white Eliza Isichei (one of Clayton Echard 's exes) happily accepted Aaron Bryant 's oceanfront proposal. Touched by the software salesman's decision to reach out to her mom for her blessing, she gushed, "I knew I was not in control of what was going to come out of my mouth." The finale's coda acknowledged Charity's ex and marketing manager Eliza had hit some bumps after returning from Mexico, and days later they announced they had officially ended their engagement. "Tricky emotions watching it all unfold," he wrote on Instagram December 2023. "We’re leading our amicable split with nothing but positivity and mutual respect for one another." Aven Jones & Kylee Russell Status: Split Though postpartum nurse Kylee Russell lamented boyfriend Aven Jones ' unwillingness to get down on bended knee—a move he was purportedly prepared to make while romancing Bachelorette Rachel Recchia —she ultimately accepted Aven's Paradise proposal to "get out of here and make it work." Though that meant her planned engagement gown remained packed, "I just had to do what I felt was right," she said. "Love is all about taking risk." Two days after their December 2023 finale aired, she announced on her Instagram Stories that their relationship had "dissolved due to multiple infidelities." Aven later issued an apology to Kylee, writing, "I have made major mistakes in the relationship and hurt someone who was very close to me." Charity Lawson & Dotun Olubeko Status: Engaged "I am happy with how this season turns out!" Charity Lawson teased to E! News, a statement that way undersold her August 2023 finale. Dropping to one knee, integrative medicine specialist Dotun Olubeko proclaimed their love to be "perfect," asking the child and family therapist, "Would you do me the honor of turning this fairytale into a reality?" While their happily ever after awaits—the pair said they're considering a 2025 or 2026 wedding—the Georgia native will first take a spin through the Dancing With the Stars ballroom. "All right, baby," Dotun told Charity on The Bachelorette: After the Final Rose . "So I know you like to cut up, you like to dance and you like to get down. You know that we've talked about this—about how amazing this opportunity would be. And I am so happy to be the one to tell you that you're gonna be on Dancing With the Stars ! Baby, let's go!" Zach Shallcross & Kaity Biggar Status: Engaged Zach shall get his happy ending. Despite more than a few Fantasy Suite-related stumbles, Zach Shallcross ended season 27 in March 2023 down on one knee . "I am so in love with you," he told travel nurse Kaity Biggar . "You are my world. The love I feel for you is something I could have never imagined." In July 2023, the Texas-based duo made an even bigger step in their journey, with Kaity sharing on Instagram , "Officially roommates." They're currently planning their October 2025 vows. Status: Split Ah, Mom and Dad. Though they left BIP season seven hand-in-Neil-Lane-diamond-free-hand, Danielle Maltby , who lost her fiancé to a drug overdose years before she competed on Nick Viall 's season, and single dad Michael Allio (he shares 7-year-old son James with his late wife) seemed slated for Bachelor Nation couple goals status. But a year after Maltby relocated from Nashville to be with Allio in Ohio, he confirmed they'd split. "We both threw a lot into this relationship and it's really awful when it doesn't work out," Allio said on a September 2023 episode of Jason Tartick 's Trading Secrets podcast . "When things don't work out, when you realize that love is there, but you're not necessarily compatible, you mourn the loss, not of just that person and that friend in your life, but also the future that you had envisioned." Status: Split "I will love you until the end of time. I will love you until my last breath and I want to start forever with you," Brandon Jones proclaimed while proposing to "best friend" Serene Russell on season seven of Paradise . Alas, their journey was cut short. Five months after their engagement aired, Brandon (a runner-up on Michelle Young 's season) and Serene (who romanced Clayton Echard ) announced they had split in a joint May 2023 statement. "We have tried to work privately on our relationship which has been incredibly challenging in the public eye," they wrote on Instagram. "This has been immensely hard to accept and painful, as there is a lot of love between the two of us. We are deeply hurting and can only ask that there be no hate." Status: Split Pilot Rachel's engagement to general contractor Tino Franco stalled when he kissed another woman while their 2022 season was still airing. "I do not stand by what I did at all," he said on The Viall Files . "It was not cool. It wasn't fair to Rachel, and it haunts me daily still. It's something I'm ashamed of and certainly wish I could have done it differently like a million times over." Status: Split Well, it was certainly a journey. Susie Evans initially rejected Bachelor Clayton Echard 's overtures during the 2022 finale only to reunite with him off-camera...and then split once again six months later . But the L.A.-based videographer insists their breakup was for the right reasons . "The people around me could see that my sparkle had dulled and I was far from thriving," she wrote in a November 2022 post for her blog "Susie Was Like." She acknowledged they "had joyous moments often, but deep down I was struggling and felt misaligned with the best version of me." Susie went on to date Bachelor Nation member Justin Glaze , before the couple announced they had also broken up in August 2024. Status: Split Minnesota elementary school teacher Michelle accepted a Neil Lane sparkler from Texas-based sales exec Nayte Olukoya —and a $200,000 check from producers to put toward their future home. But, ultimately, the pair just didn't have the right foundation, announcing their breakup six months after their season's finale aired in December 2021. Though he said on The Viall Files , "There was lots of ups and downs, lots of arguments, lots of fights and just not really clicking, not really seeing eye-to-eye," Nayte acknowledged that not having that final split conversation in person was "a dick move." Michelle started dating Jack Leius in 2023, and they announced their engagement the following year. Status: Split Viewers fully got onboard with Maurissa Gunn and Riley Christian 's vision of a future filled with sweet Sunday mornings. But ultimately the BIP season seven duo only got a couple dozen weekends together. "We have decided to go our separate ways," patient coordinator Maurissa (who romanced Peter Weber ) and attorney Riley (one of Tayshia Adams ' suitors) announced in a joint January 2022 statement. "Never did we imagine this, but we've come to a point where we both need to work on ourselves." Demi Burnett & Kristian Haggerty Status: Split Bachelor Nation's first same-sex couple got engaged on season six of Bachelor in Paradise but announced their 2019 split on Halloween. "What has always been at the forefront of our relationship is love and care for one another. Our priority is doing what is best for us. With a heavy heart full of love for one another we have decided it is best for us to take a step back from our relationship," they said in a joint statement posted on Instagram. "We ultimately want what is best for us in the long run and for us right now, that means being apart and growing individually." Noah Erb & Abigail Heringer Status: Engaged Paradise lost? Not quite. Though Noah Erb and Abigail Heringer broke up in Mexico during the BIP 's seventh season, they realized they could see forever in each other's eyes. Initially settling in San Diego, the travel nurse (who competed for Tayshia's heart) and the financial manager (who received Matt James ' first impression rose) recently purchased a place in his hometown of Tulsa. "About to enter our Chip and Joanna Gaines era because your girl bought her very first house!!!" Abigail wrote on Instagram in July 2023. "Excited to start our next chapter and for all the memories we'll create here!!" Starting with a few wedding plans. Ahead of their move, Noah proposed at a beachfront San Diego home in August 2023. Status: Married Never hurts to have a little practice run. While planning their September 2023 vows, Serena Pitt (a finalist on Matt James' season) and Joe Amabile (the Chicago grocery store owner who found fame after Becca Kufrin sent him home night one in 2018) decided to just do the damn thing at City Hall near their New York City digs, roughly one year after leaving Paradise engaged. "JUST MARRIED !!" Serena, now hosting the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast with her husband, captioned the October 2022 video. "We are still having a wedding this September but who doesn't want to get married twice!" Kenny Braasch & Mari Pepin Status: Married "Mari, I am f--king so in love with you," boy band manager Kenny Braasch said as he slipped that Neil Lane diamond onto Mari Pepin 's finger on the 2021 Paradise finale. "And I literally, like, I can't see my life without you." So the Maryland beauty queen, who initially charmed Bachelor Matt, moved to Kenny's native Chicago and set about planning their forever. And before she and Kenny (eliminated by Tayshia Adams in week five) wed in a 65-guest oceanfront ceremony in Puerto Rico in November 2023, they made their love permanent, getting inked with matching tattoos during a May 2023 trip to the Bahamas. Status: Married Former Bachelorette Becca and Thomas Jacobs (one of Katie Thurston's suitors) got together on Bachelor in Paradise season seven in 2021, broke up on the show, then reconciled after production wrapped. In May 2022, they announced they were engaged, and that Becca proposed. "I hope that other people can now feel empowered and say it's okay to bend the rules," she told E! News . The real estate agent returned the favor that October. In September 2023, the two welcomed their first child , son Benson. Wrote Becca on Instagram , "No amount of words can begin to capture the amount of love and awe we have over this tiny man." Though she's awfully fond of her 6-foot-6 guy as well. Weeks after bringing home Benson, the pair wed in a spontaneous Oct. 13 ceremony. Status: Split On The Bachelorette 's season 17 finale in 2021, Katie got engaged to Blake Moynes . The pair first declared their love for one another during their overnight date, which involved a paintball excursion, a cowboy tub and a conversation under the stars. Getting down on one knee, Blake told Katie, "You deserve the world, and I'm excited to support you and be there for you every day moving forward." Three months after the proposal aired, the couple announced their split . They explained in matching statements, "We are so grateful for the moments we shared together and the entire journey that has unfolded this year, but we ultimately have concluded that we are not compatible as life partners, and it is the most caring choice for both of us to move forward independently." She is now engaged to comedian Jeff Arcuri . Rachael Kirkconnell & Matt James Status: Dating In the years since Matt and graphic designer Rachael Kirkconnell left his 2021 season together (then briefly split and eventually reunited), they've faced many a breakup rumor. But, yes , they're still sweet on each other. "I think everybody needs to take a break from social media," he exclusively told E! News at a July 18 Baskin-Robbins event. "Our lives are lived so much in front of our phones that when anybody steps out of being on their phone 24/7, people think it's the end of the world." Marriage remains the end-game for the L.A.-based pair. "I think the good thing about our relationship is we go at our own pace," the First Impressions: Off Screen Conversations With a Bachelor on Race, Family, and Forgiveness author told E! News in 2022 . "And you've seen with other couples—they force the engagement and they're not together anymore. So, I think what we got is a working recipe and we're gonna get there." Status: Split After stepping in to complete Clare Crawley 's 2020 season of The Bachelorette , Tayshia met and fell in love with Zac Clark . Though they left her season engaged, the former Bachelorette lead-turned-co-host later revealed that their relationship had some ups and downs. "It's hard to be in a new relationship and then kind of go away for a couple of weeks, you know what I mean? And this is me being real and honest," she said on The Ben and Ashley I. Almost Famous podcast in August 2021. She continued, "I think after that, it was kinda like we need to remember why we were with each other. And I think that that's absolutely normal." In November 2021, E! News confirmed the two had gone their separate ways. Status: Split Clare fell head over heels for Dale Moss during season 16 of The Bachelorette . In fact, the two were engaged by the fourth episode . The surprises didn't stop there as, weeks after Clare's replacement Tayshia nabbed an engagement of her own , Dale took to social media and revealed his love story with the hair dresser was already over. The pair sparked reconciliation rumors a month later when they were spotted together. Fast forward to July 2021, after several reunions, and Clare and Dale were fully back together —ring and all. But that September, the two called it quits again. Clare is now happily married to Ryan Dawkins and they're expecting their first daughter together . Status: Split After his brief engagement to winner Hannah Ann Sluss and then subsequent split from runner-up Madison Prewett , fans were hopeful that the third time would be the charm for Peter. Alas, his romance with The Bachelor season 24 standout Kelley Flanagan wasn't meant to be, the pilot sharing on New Year's Eve 2020 that their nine-month relationship was grounded . "While our relationship was filled with countless beautiful memories, our relationship simply didn't work out in the end," Pete posted to Instagram. "Kelley is someone I will always have a special love for." The pair attempted to take flight once more in 2022, before revealing this past May that their romance had reached its final destination . Status: Split Following the dramatic 2020 finale , the couple announced on Instagram that they'd no longer be pursuing a relationship . "Madi and I have mutually decided not to pursue our relationship any further," Peter wrote. "Believe me this was not easy for either of us to be ok with, but after a lot of honest conversations, we have agreed that this is what makes most sense for the two of us. The love and respect I have for Madi will continue to endure." Madi added in her statement, "I will always love and respect him. I am convinced our paths were meant to cross and we are both better because they did." Status: Split Peter and Hannah Ann were briefly engaged during season 24 of The Bachelor . Sadly, during part two of the finale, it was revealed that the couple was struggling a month into their exclusive relationship. Specifically, Hannah Ann was blindsided over Peter's lingering feelings for Madison. "All I've ever asked for, is for someone to give me their whole heart like I'm giving mine to them. And you took away my first engagement," she expressed before giving back her ring . "You took that away from me. 'Cause I trusted you, and that's what you have continued to ask me to do. 'Be patient with me. Have faith in me.'" Status: Married They've come a long way since their #vanlife days. Though Dean Unglert (one of Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay 's finalists) and Caelynn Miller-Keyes , who romanced Colton Underwood , split during season six of Paradise in 2019, they've been cruising together ever since. Engaged in 2022 , the former beauty queen wed her Help! We Suck at Being Newlyweds podcat cohost at a camp-themed affair in the Colorado mountains Sept. 23. "I just love him so much," Caelynn gushed to E! News ahead of the vows. "I'm just so excited to be marrying someone who's such a good person, who makes me laugh every single day even if I'm upset. I think our life together is gonna be really fun."MEXICO CITY (AP) — Over 18,000 people in Mexico have registered online to run for Supreme Court seats and federal judgeships in the country's contentious new selection process , but a random drawing in the end will determine who gets on the ballot, officials said Monday. The ruling party pushed through a constitutional reform in September to make all federal judges stand for election, replacing the system where court employees and lawyers mainly move up through the ranks. Current court employees and their supporters have staged dozens of demonstrations against the reforms, calling them part of a ruling-party campaign to weaken checks and balances and eliminate independent regulatory and oversight bodies. Now, candidates for Supreme Court seats and federal judgeships need only a law degree, a grade point average of 3.2, “five years of professional experience” and five letters of recommendation from neighbors or friends. That, and some luck in the final drawing. Officials rejected criticism that has called the process rushed or amateurish for the often highly technical posts that can hear cases including intellectual property, organized crime and Constitutional law. “The results have been spectacular,” said Arturo Zaldivar, a top advisor to President Claudia Sheinbaum. According to the plan, evaluation committees will have just over a month to review thousands of resumes and whittle the field to about 10 candidates or less for each for the 881 judgeships and nine seats on the Supreme Court. Then 1,793 names chosen at random from those selected will appear on the ballot on June 1. Critics warn that many who land on the ballot will be unknowns who perhaps have never argued a case in the courts they seek to run. “You don’t elect a doctor or a surgeon for an operation based on their popularity, you elect them based on their technical expertise, their ability, their knowledge,” said Sergio Méndez Silva, the legal coordinator for the civic group Foundation for Justice. “That also applies for a judge.” With candidates now having to run election campaigns, critics warn there's a chance drug cartels or political parties could finance them to get friendly judges onto the bench. There are also concerns that the evaluation committees deciding who makes the cut for the selection to appear on ballots may not be impartial. Most committee members were appointed by the legislative or executive branches, controlled by the ruling Morena party. Some critics argue that the current justice system, which is riddled with nepotism, corruption and a lack of accountability, needs to be changed. “We need a justice system that gives results,” said Martínez Garza, an academic and former head of the human rights commission in the northern border state of Nuevo Leon who has registered to run for a Supreme Court seat. Trials in Mexico can last for years, and the ruling party has added to the growing list of crimes for which bail is not allowed, meaning that a large percentage of the prison population is people awaiting trial.
The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Andrej Stojakovic converted 11 of 15 from the free throw line and scored 20 points as California held off a late rally to post an 83-77 win over Sacramento State in the Cal Classic tournament on Sunday. Cal came into its tournament without three starters, Jovan Blacksher Jr., DJ Campbell and BJ Omot and the Golden Bears earned back-to-back wins over Air Force and the Hornets. Stojakovic scored a career-high 21 points and freshman guard Jeremiah Wilkinson stepped up with career-best 23 points against the Falcons. Against Sacramento State, Wilkinson came off the bench to score 16 points. Sacramento State took an early 12-7 lead after Emil Skytta hit a pair of free throws five minutes into the game, but Wilkinson hit back-to-back buckets and Stojakovic drew a foul on a three-point attempt and hit all three foul shots to take a 14-12 lead and the Bears pulled away to take a 40-33 lead at intermission. Julian Vaughns knocked down a trey three minutes into the second half to pull Sacramento State even at 43 and his free throw put the Hornets in front. Ryan Petraitis and Wilkinson hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put Cal up 51-47 and the Bears never trailed the rest of the way. Petraitis finished with 13 points, five assists and three steals for Cal (5-1). Joshua Ola-Joseph and Mady Sissoko each added 10 points. RELATED COVERAGE Tonje scores 33, No. 19 Wisconsin beats Pittsburgh 81-75 for Greenbrier Tip-Off title Kennesaw State beats No. 24 Rutgers 79-77 in program’s 1st home game against ranked team Mitchell leads No. 18 Cincinnati in rout of Georgia Tech 81-58 Jacob Holt scored 25 points with eight rebounds, two assists and a steal to lead Sacramento State (1-4). Vaughns scored 18 points and EJ Neal added 16. The game was just the third meeting between schools separated by roughly 80 miles, and first since 1992. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballCochlear Implants Market to Hit USD 3 Billion by 2032, at a CAGR 9.2% | VMR
FREIBURG, Germany (AP) — Freiburg survived a late comeback to beat Wolfsburg 3-2 and move into fifth place in the Bundesliga on Friday. The sides started the day equal on points and Wolfsburg had won its last five games in the league and cup. But Lukas Kübler scored an opportunist opener three minutes before the break and added a second with his head six minutes into the second half to put Freiburg in the driving seat. Michael Gregoritsch added the third in the 62nd. Jonas Wind came off the bench to score his third goal in two games and Mattias Svanberg cut the deficit seven minutes from time as Wolfsburg desperately looked for a way into the game. Story continues below video But it was too late, and Freiburg moved above Wolfsburg to fifth place on the table and equal on points with Leipzig, which has a game in hand. The match was an important one for two teams vying for a Champions League place next year. Although Bayern Munich have a six-point advantage over second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, only eight points separate the next nine clubs. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Late kickoff return TDs by Turpin and Thomas spark the Cowboys as they end their 5-game skid LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — The ball bounced through KaVonte Turpin's legs and stopped at the 1-yard line. He picked it up, made a spin move and was off to the races. Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press Nov 24, 2024 3:39 PM Nov 24, 2024 4:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker (86) celebrates after scoring a 22-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — The ball bounced through KaVonte Turpin's legs and stopped at the 1-yard line. He picked it up, made a spin move and was off to the races. Turpin's 99-yard kickoff return touchdown was the highlight of the Dallas Cowboys' 34-26 win at Washington on Sunday that ended their losing streak at five. That came with just under three minutes left, and then Juanyeh Thomas returned an onside kick for a TD to provide a little happiness in the middle of a lost season. "Feels good to win," coach Mike McCarthy said. “It’s been a minute.” Chauncey Golston ripping the ball out of Brian Robinson Jr.'s hands for what counted as an interception of Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and Donovan Wilson forcing a fumble of John Bates earlier in the game helped put the Cowboys in position to make it a game, as did the play of Cooper Rush. Turpin's monster return after initially muffing the retrieval had everyone buzzing. "He did that for timing," McCarthy said. “That was part of the plan. He’s a special young man. Obviously a huge play for us.” Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves, the All-Pro special teams selection two seasons ago, was the first one down the field and blamed himself for not tackling Turpin when he had the chance. “I’ve made that play 100 times,” Reaves said. “I didn’t make it today, and it cost us the game.” Turpin's spin move will likely be replayed over and over — and not stopped by many. Receiver CeeDee Lamb called it “his escape move” because Turpin has been showing it off in practice. “I know I can just get them going one way and then spin back the other way,” Turpin said. "That’s just one of my moves when I’m in trouble and I've got nowhere to go: something nobody ever seen before.” In a wacky finish that McCarthy likened to a game of Yahtzee, Thomas' return was almost as unexpected. It came with 14 seconds left after Washington kicker Austin Seibert missed the extra point following Daniels' 86-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin to leave Dallas up 27-26. “I kind of waited a second and I was like: ‘Should I try? Should I try?’” Thomas said. “I said, ‘I think I’m gonna score the ball,’ so just ran and I scored.” The Cowboys' playoff odds are still incredibly long at 4-7, but with the New York Giants coming to town next for the traditional Thanksgiving Day game at Dallas, players are willing to dream after winning for the first time since Oct. 6. “Lot of games left,” said Rush, who threw two TD passes. “Pretty insane. ... I think both sides of the ball and special teams picked each other up all game. I think it was a full team effort. Finally picking each other up like we’re supposed to.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Richardson's rocky start proves costly in 2nd straight home loss as Colts fall to Lions 24-6 Nov 24, 2024 4:03 PM Special teams miscues prove costly for Bears in overtime loss to Vikings Nov 24, 2024 3:57 PM Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs leaves game because of concussion Nov 24, 2024 3:51 PMMike McDaniel stepped in to keep Dolphins from trading veteran DT Calais Campbell to Ravens
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Republican senators pushed back on Sunday against criticism from Democrats that Tulsi Gabbard , Donald Trump's pick to lead U.S. intelligence services , is “compromised” by her comments supportive of Russia and secret meetings , as a congresswoman, with Syria’s president, a close ally of the Kremlin and Iran. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat and veteran of combat missions in Iraq, said she had concerns about Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's choice to be director of national intelligence . Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Andrej Stojakovic converted 11 of 15 from the free throw line and scored 20 points as California held off a late rally to post an 83-77 win over Sacramento State in the Cal Classic tournament on Sunday. Cal came into its tournament without three starters, Jovan Blacksher Jr., DJ Campbell and BJ Omot and the Golden Bears earned back-to-back wins over Air Force and the Hornets. Stojakovic scored a career-high 21 points and freshman guard Jeremiah Wilkinson stepped up with career-best 23 points against the Falcons. Against Sacramento State, Wilkinson came off the bench to score 16 points. Sacramento State took an early 12-7 lead after Emil Skytta hit a pair of free throws five minutes into the game, but Wilkinson hit back-to-back buckets and Stojakovic drew a foul on a three-point attempt and hit all three foul shots to take a 14-12 lead and the Bears pulled away to take a 40-33 lead at intermission. Julian Vaughns knocked down a trey three minutes into the second half to pull Sacramento State even at 43 and his free throw put the Hornets in front. Ryan Petraitis and Wilkinson hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put Cal up 51-47 and the Bears never trailed the rest of the way. Petraitis finished with 13 points, five assists and three steals for Cal (5-1). Joshua Ola-Joseph and Mady Sissoko each added 10 points. Jacob Holt scored 25 points with eight rebounds, two assists and a steal to lead Sacramento State (1-4). Vaughns scored 18 points and EJ Neal added 16. The game was just the third meeting between schools separated by roughly 80 miles, and first since 1992. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Elon Musk entertains idea of buying MSNBCMONACO — Canadians Alex Tessier, Sophie de Goede and Laetitia Royer have been named to World Rugby's Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year. Canada sevens captain Olivia Apps, meanwhile, was selected to World Rugby's Women’s Sevens Dream Team. The women's 15s world all-star squad also featured six players from top-ranked England and three from No. 2 New Zealand. The other three came from the U.S., Ireland and France. Tessier was also a finalist for the World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year award won by England fullback Ellie Kildunne. France's Pauline Bourdon Sansus and England's Alex Matthews were the other finalists. Tessier won her 50th cap in 2024 and, playing at inside centre alongside fly half Claire Gallagher, led the Canada women to a historic first-ever victory over New Zealand to win the 2024 Pacific Four Series in May. The 22-19 comeback victory lifted Canada into second place in the women’s world rankings, its highest position since November 2016. Tessier's strong kicking game was also key for Canada. The 31-year-old from Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., scored 27 points in starting all six matches for Canada in 2024 to up her career total to 48 points (including five tries) in 54 appearances. Tessier plays professionally in England for the Exeter Chiefs. De Goede made the all-star team despite tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in training in June. A finalist for the Women's Player of the Year award in 2022, the Victoria back-rower plays in England for Saracens. Royer, from Loretteville, Que., is a second-row forward who plays in France for ASM Romagnat. Top-ranked South Africa dominated the men's 15s all-star squad with seven players represented. Ireland had four players with New Zealand three and Argentina one. --- World Rugby's 15s Dream Teams of the Year Women 1. Hope Rogers (U.S.); 2. Georgia Ponsonby (New Zealand); 3. Maud Muir (England); 4. Zoe Aldcroft (England); 5. Laetitia Royer (Canada) ; 6. Aoife Wafer (Ireland)' 7. Sophie de Goede (Canada) ; 8. Alex Matthews (England); 9. Pauline Bourdon Sansus (France); 10. Holly Aitchison (England); 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo (New Zealand); 12. Alex Tessier (Canada) ; 13. Sylvia Brunt (New Zealand); 14. Abby Dow (England); 15. Ellie Kildunne (England). Men 1. Ox Nche (South Africa); 2. Malcolm Marx (South Africa); 3. Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand); 4. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa); 5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland); 6. Pablo Matera (Argentina); 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa); 8. Caelan Doris (Ireland); 9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland); 10. Damian McKenzie (New Zealand); 11. James Lowe (Ireland); 12. Damian de Allende (South Africa); 13. Jesse Kriel (South Africa); 14. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa); 15. Will Jordan (New Zealand). World Rugby Sevens Dreams Team of the Year Women Olivia Apps (Canada) , Michaela Blyde (New Zealand), Kristi Kirshe (U.S.), Maddison Levi (Australia), Ilona Maher (U.S.), Jorja Miller (New Zealand), Séraphine Okemba (France). Men Selvyn Davids (South Africa), Antoine Dupont (France), Aaron Grandidier Nkanang (France), Terry Kennedy (Ireland), Nathan Lawson (Australia), Ponipate Loganimasi (Fiji), Matías Osadczuk (Argentina). This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2024. The Canadian Press