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Swifties camp out at Lakeland Target to get limited Taylor Swift vinyls, booksLess than a month after winning the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers are spending big again to add one of baseball's best pitchers to their star-studded roster. Blake Snell and the Dodgers agreed to a $182 million, five-year contract, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the deal is subject to a successful physical. The two-time Cy Young Award winner broke the news personally by posting a photo of himself on social media in a Dodgers uniform — No. 7. Snell gets a $52 million signing bonus, payable on Jan. 20, and annual salaries of $26 million, of which $13 million each year will be deferred. Because Snell is a Washington state resident, the signing bonus will not be subject to California income tax. Snell would join two-way star Shohei Ohtani and fellow Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto atop Los Angeles' rotation, giving the Dodgers the first megadeal this offseason following Ohtani's $700 million, 10-year contract and Yamamoto's $325 million, 12-year agreement last offseason. Ohtani didn't pitch this year while recovering from right elbow surgery but is expected back on the mound in 2025. He won his third MVP award — first in the National League — following a huge season at the plate exclusively as a designated hitter. Yamamoto went 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 18 starts as a rookie, then won twice in four October outings. Down to three healthy starting pitchers during the postseason, Los Angeles overcame a string of injuries to its projected rotation in winning the franchise's second World Series title in five years. Right-handers Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler then became free agents this fall, creating more voids on the staff. But the addition of Snell would fill a large one at the top with a legitimate ace. Snell's $36.4 million average salary would rank as the fifth-highest among active deals next year behind Ohtani ($70 million), Philadelphia pitcher Zack Wheeler ($42 million), New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge ($40 million) and Texas pitcher Jacob deGrom ($37 million). Among expired contracts, it also was exceeded by pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander (both $43.33 million) under deals they agreed to with the New York Mets. ESPN first reported the details of Snell's contract. Earlier this month, Snell opted out of his deal with San Francisco to become a free agent for the second consecutive offseason after he was slowed by injuries during his lone year with the Giants. The left-hander agreed in March to a $62 million, two-year contract that included a $17 million signing bonus payable on Jan. 15, 2026, a $15 million salary for 2024 and a $30 million salary for 2025, of which $15 million would have been deferred and payable on July 1, 2027. Snell, who turns 32 next week, went 5-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 20 starts this year, throwing a no-hitter at Cincinnati on Aug. 2 for one of only 16 individual shutouts in the major leagues this season. He struck out 145 and walked 44 in 104 innings. He was sidelined between April 19 and May 22 by a strained left adductor and between June 2 and July 9 by a strained left groin. Story continues below video Snell won Cy Young Awards in 2018 with Tampa Bay and 2023 with San Diego. He is 76-58 with a 3.19 ERA in nine seasons with the Rays (2016-20), Padres (2021-23) and Giants. Because he turned down a qualifying offer from San Diego last November, the Giants were not eligible to give Snell another one and won’t receive draft-pick compensation. Los Angeles expects All-Star right-hander Tyler Glasnow and three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw back in the rotation next year. Other starting candidates if healthy include right-handers Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Bobby Miller. Ohtani is coming off right elbow surgery in September 2023 and left shoulder surgery on Nov. 5. Glasnow didn’t pitch after Aug. 11 because of right elbow tendinitis. Kershaw, who turns 37 in March, had foot and knee surgeries on Nov. 7. He declined a $10 million player option in favor of free agency, but is expected to return to Los Angeles. May is coming back from Tommy John surgery in July 2023 and from an operation this past July to repair a tear in his esophagus. Gonsolin spent 2024 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Miller, an 11-game winner as a rookie in 2023, was sidelined early this season by shoulder inflammation. He struggled to a 2-4 record with an 8.52 ERA in 13 big league starts and ended the regular season in the minors. Yamamoto was sidelined by right triceps tightness between June 15 and Sept. 10, then returned and went 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA in four postseason starts. AP Baseball Writers Janie McCauley and Mike Fitzpatrick contributed to this report. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
NEW YORK , Nov. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- After an exciting Black Friday event filled with exclusive discounts and unbeatable offers on Monport Laser's cutting-edge machines, the excitement isn't over just yet. Monport Laser is keeping the momentum alive with a highly anticipated Cyber Monday Sale . This December 2 , get ready for exclusive savings, premium deals, and unparalleled opportunities to upgrade your laser engraving game. A Season for Creativity and Innovation Cyber Monday is more than just a sale—it's Monport's way of encouraging creators to explore their potential with state-of-the-art laser technology. Known for their CO2 lasers , fiber lasers , diode lasers , and premium accessories, Monport has built a reputation for empowering creativity, precision, and efficiency across various applications. This Cyber Monday, Monport Laser is set to take its offerings to the next level with deals tailored to meet the needs of hobbyists, professionals, and small business owners. 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About Monport Laser Monport Laser is a global leader in laser engraving and cutting solutions, providing reliable and innovative tools for hobbyists, professionals, and businesses. With a focus on precision, durability, and customer support, Monport is committed to empowering creators and helping businesses grow with their state-of-the-art engraving technology. Contact Information View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/monport-cyber-monday-mega-sale-final-chance-to-save-big-on-laser-machines-this-2024-302319089.html SOURCE Monport LaserA California Democrat eked out a win in the final outstanding House election race, setting up an even narrower Republican edge in the coming Congress and signaling potential headaches for the ruling GOP. Democrat Adam Gray won the rural, heavily Latino CA-13 district by a less than 200-vote margin, ousting Republican Rep. John Duarte to flip the GOP-held swing seat in a rematch of their 2022 battle. The photo-finish victory means Republicans have won 220 House seats this election cycle, with Democrats holding 215 seats, an increase of one seat for Team Blue despite President-elect Donald Trump’s sweeping win in the White House contest. House Democrats held their own in 2024 by flipping three seats in deep blue New York and three in California, all seats the party had lost in the 2022 midterms, along with a single pickup in Oregon. Republicans countered by flipping two Democratic-held districts in working-class northeast Pennsylvania and single seats in Colorado and Alaska to hold the House and clinch a governing trifecta. The GOP margin is set to be even narrower in practice with the party expected to hold just a 217-215 margin after Trump’s inauguration. That’s because Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-New York) and Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Florida) are expected to step down if and when they are confirmed to posts in Trump’s cabinet. Ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz already resigned his Florida seat upon his nomination for attorney general, which quickly imploded. The two-seat margin means House Speaker Mike Johnson will have almost no wiggle room as he seeks to enact a wide-ranging set of Republican priorities. Bills require a majority vote, so the defection of even a single Republican lawmaker in the fractious GOP caucus would be enough to torpedo any of Johnson’s legislative moves, assuming Democrats vote in lockstep against them. The deeply split chamber could be a huge headache as Republicans hope to pass a sweeping party-line package on energy, immigration and defense in the first month of the second Trump administration. They also want to extend the 2017 Trump tax cuts among other big-ticket priorities. In the current Congress, Republicans struggled to pass even the bare minimum of legislation and regularly needed to turn to Democrats to pass spending bills required to keep the government from shutting down. Democrats also rescued Johnson when he faced a challenge by far right-wing Republicans to his speakership. It’s not known if Democrats, led by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, will be as accommodating now that Trump will be president and would presumably shoulder the political fallout. The first test could come this month as the two sides seek to reach agreement on a stopgap spending measure to keep the government open for the first few months of the new year. Republicans say they hope their party will be far more unified following Trump’s win. But the party remains deeply divided on many issues, for example between fiscal hawks who oppose expanding the budget deficit and populists whose top priority is slashing taxes at any cost. The narrow margin could give unprecedented leverage to relatively small groups of GOP lawmakers. One of those groups is the suburban New York-area Republicans who are pushing for the elimination of the so-called SALT cap, which limits the amount of state and local taxes that can be deducted on federal tax returns.
Redmi Note 14 series, iQOO 13 among smartphones launching in India soon | Tech NewsWatch emotional moment that Barry McGuigan breaks down in tears over father’s death and family trauma on Unpacked
Sports on TV for Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 30 - Dec. 1It’s Good News for Retirees – Social Security Chief Takes Major Step to Save BenefitsWASHINGTON — Austin Tice’s entire family visited Washington this week in a show of force to the outgoing Biden administration, asserting they have fresh, reliable information that he is alive and pressing top White House and State Department officials to leverage dramatic changes on the battlefield in Syria to secure a breakthrough in the case of the missing journalist. Tice’s parents, Debra and Marc Tice, have frequently visited the capital to advocate for their son, who went missing as a freelance journalist covering Syria’s civil war in 2012. But this visit was the first of its kind from the entire Tice family since he first disappeared over 12 years ago. Little progress has been made on Tice’s case over those years, spanning three presidents and a transformed Middle East. But a resurgence in Syria’s war over the past month after years of frozen frontlines has created new opportunities and perils for the American, a former U.S. Marine and Texas native. “Today is a day full of emotions. The news that we’re hearing from the Middle East – that kind of thing can unsettle a mom,” Debra Tice told reporters at a press conference at the National Press Club on Friday. “There are all kinds of ways this can go.” She told reporters that the family had a new source telling them that Austin Tice remains alive and healthy. The family is working to be able to share more information with the public, she said. “We have from a significant source that has already been vetted all over our government that Austin Tice is alive – Austin Tice is treated well,” Debra Tice said. Debra and Marc Tice both said the Biden administration is declining to make the new information public. U.S. officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the family’s statement. Syria erupted in civil war in 2011 following a brutal crackdown on democratic protesters by the Assad government. Tice traveled to the country to cover the conflict the following year for McClatchy, The Washington Post and other publications. U.S. officials believe he was detained at a Syrian government checkpoint southwest of Damascus on Aug. 14, 2012. A video emerged six weeks after his disappearance purporting to show him in captivity. With assistance from Russia and Iran, the Assad regime was able to push back an array of opposition forces that increasingly fractured throughout the war. The rise of Islamic State in the country also led to an international military offensive in northern Syria that culminated in 2017. Ever since, Assad’s hold on power has appeared stable. But a surprise offensive launched by a united front of rebel forces last month has put Assad’s army on the run for the first time in years. In a span of mere weeks, the Syrian army has retreated from Aleppo, Hama and Homs, cities where Assad spent years fighting to regain control. The offensive is being led by Tahrir al-Sham, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. It is not immediately clear how the resurgence of military action in Syria might affect negotiations over Tice. But U.S. officials are watching the developments closely to monitor for any new opportunities to engage on his case, an official told McClatchy. Tice’s family met with State Department officials on Thursday and with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Friday, a White House official confirmed in a statement. “President Biden and his team have worked around the clock, often in partnership with key allies, to negotiate for the release of Americans held hostage or unjustly detained abroad so that they can be reunited with their families, and the administration will continue to do so throughout the remainder of the term,” the official said. Speaking to the press on Friday, Austin Tice’s father, Marc, said that Sullivan told the family the administration had done everything it could think of to reach a breakthrough in his case. But his family believes the government has exerted more effort to secure the release of wrongfully detained Americans in Russia, Venezuela, Iran and Gaza than they have for their son. Similarly, at the State Department meeting, “there were complaints and finger pointing about who is preventing things from happening, and who’s responsible for doing what,” Marc Tice said. “We think this is a time of opportunity, actually, and there’s no time like now to start doing the right thing.” Last month, as Syrian regime lines were collapsing before the rebel advance, the White House said that Assad’s refusal to participate in a political process with the opposition, and his reliance on Russia and Iran, had “created the conditions now unfolding, including the collapse of Assad regime lines in northwest Syria.” “The United States, together with its partners and allies, urge de-escalation, protection of civilians and minority groups, and a serious and credible political process that can end this civil war once and for all with a political settlement,” Sean Savett, spokesperson for the National Security Council, said in a statement. “We will also continue to fully defend and protect U.S. personnel and U.S. military positions, which remain essential to ensuring that ISIS can never again resurge in Syria.” Debra Tice was skeptical of the policy, questioning why the administration would support the rebel advance on Assad forces. Biden officials have made clear they are not a part of the offensive. “I don’t really understand what’s happening in Syria,” she said. “I’m upset by the fact that terrorists are tearing up Aleppo, killing people in Aleppo. I don’t understand that. I don’t understand why our government isn’t running in saying we are not going to allow a terrorist entity to take over Syria.” “There are people feeling like it’s possible this could be Austin’s release. I certainly pray that that’s it,” she added.” Long-stalled talks In August, marking 12 years since Tice’s disappearance, President Joe Biden issued a statement that his administration had “repeatedly pressed the government of Syria to work with us so that we can, at last, bring Austin home.” “The freedom of the press is essential, and journalists like Austin play a critical role informing the public and holding those in power accountable,” Biden said. “We stand in solidarity with Austin, his family, and all Americans wrongfully detained and held hostage abroad. I will continue to do everything possible to advocate for and pursue his release and support his loved ones until he is safely returned home.” In 2022, Biden met with Tice’s parents at the White House and vowed to engage the Syrians directly over Tice. In a statement at that time, the president expressed “certainty” that Assad had held him in Syrian custody, without specifying when, where or in what condition. During the Obama administration, the CIA obtained Syrian government records indicating Tice had at one point been processed through the Syrian court system. Biden’s team had been hopeful the following year that quiet talks with Damascus could produce a breakthrough. But Hamas’ attack on Israel, and the war that followed in Gaza and Lebanon, disrupted the discussions. Officials in the first Trump administration also attempted to directly engage with the Syrians to secure Tice’s release, traveling to Damascus in an effort to do so. But Assad aides refused to acknowledge Tice’s case during that meeting, insisting the U.S. government renew its recognition of Assad as the leader of Syria – and a full withdrawal of U.S. troops in the country there to combat Islamic State – before even uttering his name, U.S. officials told McClatchy. In August, marking the anniversary, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Tice had been held in “unknown conditions” and issued a plea to Syria to open an honest dialogue on his case. “For more than a quarter of his life, Austin has been separated from his family and kept in unknown conditions,” Blinken said. “We know the Syrian government has held Austin, and we have repeatedly offered to find a way to bring him home.” “This has gone on for far too long,” Blinken added. “We call on the Syrian government to work with the United States to end Austin’s captivity.” U.S. officials told McClatchy this week that the government’s knowledge of Tice’s condition and whereabouts remain unchanged. ©2024 McClatchy Washington Bureau. Visit mcclatchydc.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Men lose 17 minutes of life with every cigarette they smoke while a woman’s life is cut short by 22 minutes with each cigarette, experts have estimated. This is more than previous estimates, which suggest that each cigarette shortens a smoker’s life by 11 minutes. The new estimates, which suggest that each cigarette leads to 20 minutes loss of live on average across both genders, are based on more up-to-date figures from long-term studies tracking the health of the population. Researchers from University College London said that the harm caused by smoking is “cumulative” and the sooner a person stops smoking, and the more cigarettes they avoid smoking, the longer they live. The new analysis, commissioned by the Department for Health and Social Care, suggests that if a 10-cigarettes-a-day smoker quits on January 1, then by January 8 they could “prevent loss of a full day of life”. By February 20, their lives could be extended by a whole week. And if their quitting is successful until August 5, they will likely live for a whole month longer than if they had continued to smoke. The authors added: “Studies suggest that smokers typically lose about the same number of healthy years as they do total years of life. Make 2025 the year you quit smoking for good. There’s lots of free support available to help you. Find out more 🔽 — WHH 🏥 (@WHHNHS) “Thus smoking primarily eats into the relatively healthy middle years rather than shortening the period at the end of life, which is often marked by chronic illness or disability. “So a 60-year-old smoker will typically have the health profile of a 70-year-old non-smoker.” The analysis, to be published in the Journal of Addiction, concludes: “We estimate that on average, smokers in Britain who do not quit lose approximately 20 minutes of life expectancy for each cigarette they smoke. “This is time that would likely be spent in relatively good health. “Stopping smoking at every age is beneficial but the sooner smokers get off this escalator of death the longer and healthier they can expect their lives to be.” Dr Sarah Jackson, principal research fellow from the UCL Alcohol and Tobacco Research Group, said: “It is vital that people understand just how harmful smoking is and how much quitting can improve their health and life expectancy. “The evidence suggests people lose, on average, around 20 minutes of life for each cigarette they smoke. “The sooner a person stops smoking, the longer they live. “Quitting at any age substantially improves health and the benefits start almost immediately. “It’s never too late to make a positive change for your health and there are a range of effective products and treatments that can help smokers quit for good.” There are so many reasons to quit smoking this New Year – for your health, for more money, and for your family. Make a fresh quit for 2025 – find tips and support at or — North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust (@NTeesHpoolNHSFT) Health officials have said that smokers can find advice, support and resources with the NHS Quit Smoking app, as well as the online Personal Quit Plan. Public health minister Andrew Gwynne said: “Smoking is an expensive and deadly habit and these findings reveal the shocking reality of this addiction, highlighting how important it is to quit. “The new year offers a perfect chance for smokers to make a new resolution and take that step.” Commenting on the paper, Professor Sanjay Agrawal, special adviser on tobacco at the Royal College of Physicians, said: “Every cigarette smoked costs precious minutes of life, and the cumulative impact is devastating, not only for individuals but also for our healthcare system and economy. “This research is a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address cigarette smoking as the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the UK.”SAN FRANCISCO — Once general manager Ohemaa Nyanin and her Golden State Valkyries staff had decided who to pick in the WNBA expansion draft, the first challenge became reaching each player with the news before she heard it anywhere else. That meant considering practice times, game schedules, time zones and potential sleep times. It all seemed worthwhile on Friday night when the roster began taking shape. The way Nyanin looks at it, they are all part of history, about to join something being built from the ground up. "I just want these players to be happy," Nyanin said. "I want them to understand the opportunity that they have to come and be historians. Once you get to put on that jersey and you get to sit in front of a packed Chase Center, your whole experience is going to change." The Valkyries selected center Iliana Rupert from Atlanta, guards Veronica Burton of Connecticut and Carla Leite of Dallas and forward Maria Conde from Chicago with their initial picks on Friday, the first players for the new Bay Area franchise that's set to begin play next season. Golden State rounded out its 11-woman roster with Indiana center Temi Fagbenle; Las Vegas guard Kate Martin; forwards Steph Talbot of Los Angeles, Cecilia Zandalasini of Minnesota, Kayla Thornton of New York and Monique Billings of Phoenix; and Washington guard Julie Vanloo. The Valkyries did not choose a player from Seattle. Thornton is riding high after helping the Liberty to a WNBA title. Martin, a second-round draft pick this year who played with Caitlin Clark at Iowa, could get more playing time and enjoy a big jump in productivity after she averaged 11.5 minutes and 2.6 points as a rookie with the Aces. Nyanin described the process of starting a new team as "complex." "I think these athletes are a really good step forward in our journey," said Nyanin, who also had conversations about trades. "I was so excited about the blank canvas, and then behind closed doors it was blank. Nobody's name just appeared or anything so there was a lot of work that myself and my team put into it. The complexities around it is what I want to continue to highlight because these are 11 humans, right? They all thought one thing and they woke up today or are still sleeping and they're a part of the Golden State Valkyries." The team plans to be active when free agency starts in February. Golden State did extensive scouting work and had discussions on each player to determine how she might fit in a new system. "It's a long process but it's also a great process for us," coach Natalie Nakase said. "We kind of did this cycle, where we collaborate, we discuss and then we go watch film, then do it again ... and that went over and over again for about two months. And finally we decided, we picked the best players that fit our culture. So we're excited and can't wait to get going." This marked the WNBA's first expansion draft in 16 years since the Atlanta Dream joined the league in 2008. Golden State was free to acquire the contract or negotiating rights to one player from each of the other 12 WNBA teams. The Valkyries can also choose one player from the league who's eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. The Valkyries will play at Chase Center, the 5-year-old home of the Golden State Warriors, and practice across the bay in the organization's Oakland training facility. Warriors star Draymond Green sported a Valkyries jersey with No. 25 on the back — for the inaugural campaign of 2025 — while sitting out injured during Thursday's win over the Houston Rockets. There is already plenty of hype in San Francisco and beyond. And there was excitement on both sides during those initial calls to the players. "We got some really good reactions," Nyanin said. "We talked about it just internally the three of us, like, 'Should we have taped that, should we have kind of screen recorded or something?' I'm very happy that we didn't. That's a moment that we will get to share just the four of us with each of the different athletes." Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
‘Living in a home that damages health the norm for far too many older people’
Wallabies player ratings: How the men in gold fared against IrelandThe Electoral Commission (EC) of the Oti region has assured Ghanaians that all preparations have been made for a free, fair, and transparent election on December 7, 2024. The EC’s regional director, Nuhu Mahama, confirmed that all election materials and equipment have been successfully distributed across the region, including the nine constituencies and the newly created Guan constituency. Speaking with Asaase News, Mahama emphasized that all necessary items, such as biometric verification devices, projectors, ballot papers, ballot boxes, stamp pads, and thumbprint pads, had been provided in sufficient quantities to ensure a smooth voting process. “All our materials and equipment have been distributed in adequate quantities, and we hope that all registered voters will turn out in large numbers to cast their ballots tomorrow,” Mahama said. The Oti region has a total of 410,607 registered voters expected to participate in the elections. Mahama called on election officers to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and accuracy, urging them to ensure that votes are counted accurately and forms are completed professionally to reflect the will of the people. He also encouraged first-time voters and the youth to actively participate in the electoral process, stressing the importance of casting their votes to shape the future of Ghana. “We urge all Ghanaians to maintain peace and coexistence before, during, and after the elections,” Mahama added. “We also appeal to the Ghana Police Service to ensure that ballot boxes and other materials are protected throughout the voting process.” Special provisions have been made to ensure that people with disabilities (PWDs) are given priority. Mahama revealed that polling stations would be accessible, and trained staff would be available to assist PWDs as they cast their ballots. In a significant development, voters in the Guan constituency will have the opportunity to elect their first-ever Member of Parliament. Previously, while residents of the region participated in presidential elections, they were unable to elect a parliamentary representative due to the absence of a constituency. This gap in representation has long been a source of frustration for residents, with many pointing to poor infrastructure, inadequate education facilities, and lack of access to clean water as major issues that have hindered development. Julius Bokor, the district officer for the Electoral Commission, noted that 19,651 registered voters in the Guan constituency are expected to vote in the upcoming election, marking a historic moment for the people of the region. In addition to preparations on the ground, security measures have been ramped up to ensure the safety of voters, election officials, and materials. Law enforcement agencies in the Oti region are on high alert to maintain order and protect the integrity of the election process. With all preparations in place, the region is hopeful that the elections will be conducted in a peaceful, transparent, and orderly manner, reflecting the democratic aspirations of the people of Oti and Ghana as a whole.
‘Living in a home that damages health the norm for far too many older people’Chance of direct attack by Russia ‘remote’, says UK armed forces chief
Smokers who quit for a week could save a day of their life, experts say
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is taking a first step back into the huge Chinese market with two preseason games set to take place in Macao next October, five years after the league was effectively blocked from China. The Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns will play the preseason games on October 10 and 12 at the Venetian Arena next year, while an NBA Flagship Store will also open in Macao. "Bringing preseason games to Macao will showcase the excitement of the NBA to fans in one of the world's emerging hubs for sports," NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO Mark Tatum said in a press release. "The Nets and the Suns feature an exciting mix of established and rising stars, and we look forward to engaging fans, aspiring players and the local community in Macao through these games and a variety of interactive events, youth development programs and social impact initiatives." NBA teams command a huge following in China, where basketball is wildly popular. The league has not staged a game in the country since 2019, when a tweet in support of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong from the Houston Rockets' then general manager Daryl Morey sparked a political firestorm. At the time, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver refused to punish or censor Morey – who is currently the Philadelphia 76ers' president of basketball operations – prompting ire from Beijing and leading the sports station of China's central broadcaster to stop showing the league's games for a year. Hong Kong was roiled by pro-democracy protests in 2019, which at times brought several hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets to push for democracy in the city. Like Macao, Hong Kong is considered a special administrative region of China, partly distinct from the mainland. Beijing repeatedly accused Western democratic forces of working to fuel the popular Hong Kong protests and lashed out at any support for the movement, which died out in 2020 when the capital imposed a sweeping national security law on the city. Silver said two years ago that the NBA had lost "hundreds of millions of dollars" in revenue following the fallout with China, with whom the league had shared a long-standing relationship. According to Reuters, 17 NBA teams played 28 games in China between 2004 and 2019. However, tensions between the league and the country now appear to have thawed, with a legends game featuring six former NBA stars set be held in Macao on Saturday. "We always love the opportunity to compete on the global stage and we are grateful to participate in the NBA China Games 2025," said Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks. "The Brooklyn Nets have an incredible fanbase around the globe and we can't wait to bring our love of the game directly to our fans while giving our players and coaches the opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture." Phoenix Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein, meanwhile, added that playing in Macao is part of the team's vision to "bring the Suns to a global audience and impact fans across the world."
(BPT) - The holidays are almost here! It means parties and events, hustle and bustle ... and figuring out what to buy for everyone on your list. Sometimes it's hard to get inspired with great ideas that your nears and dears will love at a price you can afford, right? The good news? Inspiration + savings are covered this year. One of the top gifts of Holiday 2024 is technology, and there are a lot of deals out there right now. Done and done! Here are 5 ideas for hot tech gifts for everyone on your list. Smartphones for the family T-Mobile is running a hot deal right now. Get four new smartphones at T-Mobile — this includes Samsung Galaxy S24 and other eligible devices — and four lines for just $100/month . It doesn't get better than that! These new Galaxy phones are tech-tastic, too, with features like AI, Circle to Search with Google, which can be used to help solve math problems and translate entire pages of text in a different language, and Note Assist with Galaxy AI, which lets you focus on capturing your notes and then Note Assist will summarize, format and even translate them for you. High tech spiral notebook for students We've got to admit, this is pretty cool. The Rocketbook looks (a bit) like a regular spiral, paper notebook. Here's the high tech twist: You can take notes, capture ideas, brainstorm, draw — whatever you do on paper — on the pad, and the Rocketbook digitizes your doodles and saves to the cloud device of your choice. Then you simply wipe the pad clean and it's good to go. Look for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales at your favorite online retailer. Wrist-worthy smartwatches for athletes (or those who want to be) Everyone loves smartwatches (if you're not already tracking your sleep and heart rate, where have you been?) and the Google Pixel Watch 3 (41mm & 45mm) takes it to the next level with features for athletes or anyone who may be setting fitness goals for the coming year. The watch has workout prompts like Real Time Guidance — audio and haptic cues for when to sprint, cool down or maintain pace. It gives you the ability to program your workouts and even monitors your cadence and stride. It also has Offline Maps, with driving navigation, search and maps. Here's the deal of the century: Get it for free at T-Mobile when adding a qualifying watch line. Cute wireless keyboard for people who are all thumbs Who else is annoyed by typing email or texts or social posts on a smartphone? The Logitech Multi-Device Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard solves that problem with style! It comes in sweet colors like lavender, it's wireless, it's small and portable, and it works with just about any device. Pop it into your backpack or purse and you'll never have to thumb-out a message again. Speakers perfect for hosting and giving Have a music lover in your life or need the perfect hosting gift? T-Mobile has you covered. For a limited time, you can get the JBL Clip 5 for free when you pick up a Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 . The JBL Clip 5 is an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker perfect for those on the go and the Onyx Studio 9's sleek design and booming sound will take care of all your holiday hosting needs. For more tech-tastic holiday gift inspiration, check out T-Mobile's holiday gift guide at t-mobile.com/devices/tech-gifts .Taylor Swift is performing her first of three concerts Friday, and Vancouver’s businesses are feeling the buzz. Deanna is the district manager at the Latest Scoop, a clothing store in Gastown. She says her store has seen a frenzy of fans. “In the first minutes of opening, like 50 people [came] through the door on a weekday,” she told 1130 NewsRadio. Part of the chaos is because her business is located right next to Vancouver’s iconic steam clock, which has been retuned — for the first time ever — to play the artist’s hit “Shake if Off” every 15 minutes. A lot of Deanna’s customers are from out of town. Evett and Kayla drove from Central Valley, CA, to attend the concert. “Actually, Canada was one of my places to come and explore, so I checked it off my bucket list, on top of the Eras Tours,” Kayla said. Alisa, the supervisor at Lee’s Donuts in Gastown, says she hasn’t seen it this busy since the summertime. Lee’s is catering to the crowds, with Taylor Swift-themed flavours. “So there’s three. I think there’s Fearless, Speak Now, and Lover,” Alisa said. “We’re definitely selling out of those very, very fast.” Destination Vancouver says the concert series is expected to bring with it an estimated $157 million boost to the local economy This forecast includes $97 million in direct spending on items including accommodation, food, and transport, the tourism body says. It says the Eras Tour is expected to bring more than 150,000 Swifties to BC Place over the three shows from Dec. 6 to 8, and has resulted in more than 82,000 rooms booked across the region. The tourism organization made the calculations with BC Pavilion Corporation, which operates BC Place, and says 70 per cent of direct spending will be from out-of-town fans. As well, it says the economic boost will bring more than $27 million in total tax revenue for all three levels of government. Thousand Sunny is among an abundance of businesses offering Swift-inspired promotions in Vancouver to mark her shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, closing out her blockbuster world tour. You could enjoy a Swift-themed ice cream — “Chai Sugar Cookie (Taylor’s Version)” — at Rain or Shine in Kitsilano, and a Swift-themed cocktail or meal at a number of bars and restaurants, before catching a Swift-themed drag show on Main Street. Jarrett Vaughan, an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, said such promotional events provide a “spectacular opportunity” to reach current and new customers. “As an entrepreneur, what you’re often looking for is unique opportunities to capitalize on business, and it’s not often where a whole city kind of comes together to celebrate something,” he said. “It’s not frequent that we have the Invictus Games or the Olympics or FIFA or, in this case, Taylor Swift, where there’s such a strong movement, a cultural movement, almost near adoration or worship towards Taylor Swift that the whole city can get behind.” About 160,000 people are expected to attend the three sold-out shows at BC Place, and tourism organization Destination Vancouver has said Swift’s shows will bring an estimated $157-million economic impact to the city. Vaughan said he doesn’t think most businesses are primarily focused on maximizing profits. “Rather, they’re focused on maximizing value for their customer base, and the result of that often is an increase in profitability,” he said. B.C.-based athletic clothing retailer Lululemon is another company offering deals to Swift fans. Regional manager Katelynne Katona said the company is offering gifts of a clear belt bag and a friendship bracelet for the first few hundred fans who buy an item at Lululemon’s Robson or Pacific Centre stores on Friday. The clear bag might come in handy as BC Place says any bags brought into Eras Tour shows must be transparent and no larger than 12 inches square. Bars and nightclubs are embracing the moment, hosting Swift-themed dance parties, karaoke nights, sing-alongs, or bingo. The American on Main Street is one of several Vancouver locations hosting a Taylor Swift drag show. “We just thought, what better time to do a Swiftie-themed drag brunch than when Taylor is in town,” said Pyper Geddes, the bar’s events manager. The bar, which has partnered with local drag queen Alma Be for about a year, has also hosted Swift-themed bingo and karaoke this week. Sunday’s noon show will be narrowly focused on Swift’s “Reputation” era, Alma Be’s favourite. “It just obviously makes sense geographically for us to cater to people who will be attending the event, but also to cater to (the bar’s) target market, which tends to be a little bit on the younger side (and) heavily influenced by pop culture and pop music,” said Geddes. Vaughan said Swift’s shows were a rare marketing opportunity. “I don’t think that we’ve seen something like this — aside from global sporting events or the Stanley Cup Finals in Vancouver over a decade ago — where we have such a cultural movement, almost like a cultlike experience for the fans,” he said. He said Swiftmania also had the added value of teaching young fans about the possibilities of such entrepreneurship, calling it “an amazing opportunity.”
NoneRookie quarterback Jayden Daniels rushed for 127 yards, throwing for another 227 and for three touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown pass to Zach Ertz. The Commanders staged a dramatic comeback from a 10-point deficit at half-time, sending them to the play-offs for the first time in four years. PLAYOFF BOUND!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/djmqZv3kH6 — Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 30, 2024 The win was enough to give the Los Angeles Rams the NFC West title as it ended the Seattle Seahawks hopes ahead of their meeting in the final week of the season. The Falcons need other results to go their way along with a win over the Carolina Panthers in their final game. Saquon Barkley became the ninth running back in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season as the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East title with a victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The 27-year-old achieved the feat with a 23-yard run during the fourth quarter of the Eagles’ crushing 41-7 success at Lincoln Financial Field. Barkley is 100 yards short of Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105 yards, set in 1984 for the Los Angeles Rams, ahead of next week’s regular season finale against the New York Giants. Single-season rushing record in reach. @saquon @Eagles pic.twitter.com/iSHyXeMLv1 — NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024 However, he could be rested for that game in order to protect him from injury ahead of the play-offs. The Minnesota Vikings scored their ninth consecutive win after hanging on to beat the Green Bay Packers 27-25. Sam Darnold threw touchdowns to Cam Akers, Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailer, pushing his total for the season to 35. The victory set up a final-week showdown with the Detroit Lions for both the division title and top seed in the NFC. The Miami Dolphins kept themselves in the play-off race with a 20-3 victory over the Cleveland Browns. With Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa out with a hip injury, replacement Tyler Huntly threw for 225 yards and a touchdown. he BAKED today 👨🍳 pic.twitter.com/eFX9fd1w5P — NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024 Miami will need to beat the New York Jets and hope the Denver Broncos lose to the Kansas City Chiefs to clinch the final AFC wildcard berth. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kept alive their dreams of reaching the play-offs by overcoming the Carolina Panthers 48-14. Veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield produced a dominant performance at Raymond James Stadium, registering five passing touchdowns to equal a Buccaneers franchise record. The Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC conference number two seed for the post season with a 40-14 success over the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium. Josh Allen passed for 182 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for another. Buffalo finish the 2024 regular season undefeated at home, with eight wins from as many games. The Indianapolis Colts’ hopes of reaching the play-offs were ended by a 45-33 defeat to the Giants. FINAL: Drew Lock accounts for 5 TDs in the @Giants victory! #INDvsNYG pic.twitter.com/N8HJYth09F — NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024 Malik Nabers exploded for 171 yards and two touchdowns and Ihmir Smith-Marsette broke a 100-yard kick-off return to give the Giants their highest-scoring output under head coach Brian Daboll. Quarterback Drew Lock threw four touchdown passes and accounted for a fifth on the ground to seal the win. Elsewhere, Mac Jones threw two touchdowns to help the Jacksonville Jaguars defeat the Tennessee Titans 20-13, while the Las Vegas Raiders beat the New Orleans Saints 25-10.
‘Living in a home that damages health the norm for far too many older people’
Herc Holdings' Growth Strategy To Drive Higher Share PricesMelbourne [Australia]: India will need to pull out a record-breaking chase in order to take an upper hand in the series during the final day of the fourth Test against Australia at Melbourne, according to Wisden. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for After shaving off the first innings lead to just 105 runs in reply to Australia's 474 with their score of 369/10, India restricted Australia to 228/9 at the end of day four, though they were heavily frustrated by a half-century stand between Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland for the final wicket. No team has managed to chase as many runs at MCG, with the most successful chase being by England, who completed a pursuit of 332 runs back in 1928. It is also the only time that a 300-run total was chased at the venue in Tests, with the second-highest chase being a 297-run chase by England against Australia in 1895, Wisden reported. Coming to the match, Australia won the toss and opted to bat first. Half-centuries from Konstas (60 in 65 balls, with six fours and two sixes), Usman Khawaja (57 in 121 balls, with six fours), Marnus Labuschagne (72 in 145 balls, with seven fours) and 34th Test ton from Steve Smith (140 in 197 balls, with 13 fours and three sixes) took Australia to 474/10 in their first innings. Bumrah (4/99) and Ravindra Jadeja (3/78) were the lead pacer and spinner for the team, while Akash Deep got two wickets and Washington Sundar got one scalp. 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However, Jaiswal's run-out and Virat's outside off-stump woes made India end day two on 164/5. Then it was a 127-run stand between Washington Sundar (50 in 162 balls, with one four) and Nitish (114 in 189 balls, with 11 fours and a six) helped India reach 369. Scott Boland (3/57), skipper Pat Cummins (3/89) and Nathan Lyon (3/96) were the top bowlers for Aussies. In their second innings, Australia was reduced to 91/6, but Labuschagne (70 in 139 balls, with three fours) and skipper Pat Cummins (41 in 90 balls, with four boundaries) took Australia to 228/9. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who heads the Cabinet sub-committee on Rythu Bharosa, on Sunday said that the Congress government has allocated Rs 72,659 crore for agriculture and allied sectors in the Budget and was committed to providing financial assistance to farmers despite financial constraints. He was chairing a meeting with committee members, ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao, D. Sridhar Babu, and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, at the secretariat to discuss issues concerning farmers. The members took stock of the procedures that had to be finalised for seamless implementation of the scheme for the upcoming yasangi crop. They reviewed opinions and the requests of farmers received during the sub-committee's tour of the state. Bhatti said that Rs 21,000 crore had been deposited in the bank accounts of farmers within two months under the scheme to waive farmer loans of up to Rs 2 lakh. An agriculture commission has been set up to work for the welfare of the farmers to make agriculture a profitable proposition. Bhatti said that it has been decided to bring farmer forums built by the previous government into full use. The government has taken up the Rythu Nestham programme to modernise farmer forums, he said and added that this was taken up to solve the problems of farmers by connecting farmer forums with video conferencing. He explained that the state government had released Rythu Bharosa funds to all farmers as investment assistance for the yasangi crop in its first year in power. He pointed out that Rs 7,625 crore were deposited in the accounts of farmers.