NoneNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans have the slimmest of playoff hopes and must win out to have any chance of keeping them alive. Figuring out who they are would be a first step in the right direction. The Titans (3-9) also must bounce back from last week's ugly loss at Washington that cost this franchise yet another chance to string together consecutive wins for the first time in more than two years. “We know that this is a big opportunity for us to develop as a team and to create and to continue developing our identity,” quarterback Will Levis said. “And so we’re going to make sure that we do our best throughout these next few weeks to do that.” The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10) lost Trevor Lawrence for the rest of the season after the hit he took from Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair in last week's 23-20 loss to Houston. Their already dim playoff hopes were extinguished Monday night when Denver won. That leaves the Jaguars playing for pride and potentially drafting No. 1 overall for the third time in five years. “It’s all about how you finish,” tight end Evan Engram said. “How we finish probably won’t erase the feeling we have of the season. But as the pride of this franchise, the pride of the team, it’s definitely worth going to finish strong and going to get some wins and fighting for that.” The Titans went into Washington with one of the NFL's stingiest defenses and wound up shredded, giving up a season-worst 267 yards rushing. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson said, “We can’t allow what happened last week to happen again.” Wide receiver Calvin Ridley says he's excited to see some old teammates Sunday and downplayed a question about how close Jacksonville's offer to keep him last March might've been when he chose to sign with division rival Tennessee instead. “Doesn't matter right now,” Ridley said. “I'm excited for this week. Jags come in here, play with my boys. I'm excited.” Ridley played one season with Jacksonville after the Jaguars traded for him . He had 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight TDs last season with the Jaguars. So far this season, Ridley has 43 receptions for 679 yards and three TDs. “I just know I'm going to be ready,” Ridley said. Jacksonville has lost 16 consecutive games when tied or trailing at halftime. It’s a complete flip from the 2022 season, in which the Jaguars rallied to beat Dallas, the Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee down the stretch to make the playoffs. The 20-16 victory against the Titans in the regular-season finale that year is the last time coach Doug Pederson’s team has come from behind to win after trailing or being tied at the break. Tennessee led 13-7 at the half in that one and was minutes from winning a third straight AFC South title . Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen needs 4 1/2 sacks to break the franchise record of 55 held by Tony Brackens. Hines-Allen has at least half a sack in four consecutive games against Tennessee, which has given up 43 sacks in 2024. “My family knows about it probably more than me,” Hines-Allen said. “My wife tells me all the time, ‘Hey, get that record. All you just need is four sacks.’ Like, you can just (get) four sacks. “I had a couple games last year where I had three, so I can’t say it’s out of the realm. But I never had four sacks; don’t know what it feels like to do that in one game. But hopefully speak it into existence.” Mac Jones will be starting at quarterback and is 0-2 with the Jaguars this season. He has one more interception (three) than touchdown passes (two) in five appearances. The Titans are looking to see if Levis can keep building on his strong play of the past month and start turning those into wins. Levis is 1-3 since returning from a strained throwing shoulder. He has seven TD passes with two interceptions for a 101.3 passer rating in his past four games. He also is completing 61.7% of his passes for 960 yards. “The cool thing right now for Will is that as we’ve corrected things, he’s corrected them,” Titans coach Brian Callahan said . “And that’s been really fun to watch as he’s made adjustments from game to game, sometimes even from in the game made an adjustment to a coverage or a read, and that part’s been good to see.” AP Pro Football Writer Mark Long in Jacksonville, Florida, contributed to this report. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Resorts World Las Vegas Establishes Board of Directors with Jim Murren as Chairman, Appoints Alex Dixon as Chief Executive OfficerCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes continues to build great chemistry with his tight end — just not the one you might think. Mahomes threw two touchdown passes to Noah Gray for the second straight week as the Kansas City Chiefs held off the Carolina Panthers 30-27 on Sunday. A week after losing at Buffalo, the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (10-1) maintained their position atop the AFC. Mahomes completed a 35-yard touchdown strike to Gray on the game’s opening possession and found him again for an 11-yard TD in the second quarter. Gray has four touchdown catches in the last two weeks — twice as many as nine-time Pro Bowler Travis Kelce has all season — and has become a weapon in the passing game for the Chiefs, who lost top wide receiver Rashee Rice to a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. Kelce was still a factor Sunday with a team-high six catches for 62 yards, although the four-time All-Pro looked dejected after dropping one easy pass. Kelce has 62 receptions for 507 yards this season, while Gray has 26 catches for 249 yards. But Gray's development is a good sign for the Chiefs — and he's on the same page with Mahomes. On his second TD, Gray said Mahomes “gave me the answer to the test there” before the play. “He told me what coverage it was pre-snap," said Gray, who had four receptions for 66 yards. “That’s just the blessing you have of playing with a quarterback like that. Offensive line did a great job blocking that up and the receivers did a great job running their routes to pop me open. Really just a group effort right there on that touchdown.” Gray said that's nothing new. “Pat’s preparation, his leadership is just something that I’m fortunate enough to play alongside,” Gray said. "I love it. It gets me motivated every time we go out there for a long drive. Having a leader like that, that prepares every single week in-and out, knows defenses, knows the game plans. “I’m just fortunate enough to play alongside a guy like that.” Mahomes completed 27 of 37 passes for 269 yards and three TDs, and he knew what to do on the second TD to Gray. “It's not just me, it's the quarterback coaches and the players, we go through certain checks you get to versus certain coverages,” Mahomes said. “I was able to see by the way they lined up they were getting into their cover-zero look. I alerted the guys to make sure they saw what I saw and I gave the check at the line of scrimmage.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Grid-Scale Battery Storage Global Market Predicted to Reach $22.22 Billion by 2028The holiday season is the perfect excuse to indulge – and not just in festive feasts or lavish parties. Whether you’re rewarding yourself for conquering another whirlwind year or picking out the ultimate gift for your loved one, few things match the thoughtfulness of a beautifully crafted watch. More than a practical accessory, it’s a statement of style, symbol of time well spent, and sometimes, even an heirloom in the making. Ranging from playful designs and sporty stunners to high-tech marvels and polished classics, this gift guide features 15 standout timepieces to suit every personality and budget. With prices starting below S$200, these watches perfectly combine style and sentiment. After all, there’s no better way to celebrate the season of giving than with a gift that ticks all the right boxes. WATCHES UNDER S$200 1. Anne Klein (AK-5176CHGB), S$128 Looking for the perfect gift that combines sophistication and versatility at a great price? This vintage-style bracelet watch is a great choice. Featuring a gorgeous 25mm oval stainless-steel case and Roman numeral dial, this watch effortlessly balances vintage charm with modern sophistication. Dressed in a chic gold-tone finish, it transitions seamlessly from the office to a fancy dinner and drinks after, making it the ultimate accessory for the woman who appreciates understated refinement and a touch of individuality. Available at BHG Bugis, OG People’s Park and Clout9.com.sg. 2. Timex Standard x Peanuts Christmas, S$185 Charming and nostalgic, this is the ideal gift for Peanuts fans or anyone who loves their style with a side of whimsy. The versatile 40mm Timex Standard watch is updated with a playful holiday spin. Housed within its silver-tone stainless steel case is Snoopy, everyone’s favourite beagle, front and centre on the dial. And because it’s Timex, practicality is part of the package. The quick-release blue leather strap lets you refresh your look in seconds, while the brand’s signature Indiglo night light allows you to tell the time in the dark with the push of a button. It’s water-resistant for everyday adventures (just skip the poolside dives), making it as functional as it is fun. Available at Timex . 3. Adidas Originals Project Thr e e, S$188 A cool mix of streetwear-inspired edge and everyday ease, this watch is set to elevate anyone’s wrist game. Dressed in candyfloss-pink, this model’s 42mm eco-ceramic case and bio-resin strap offer durability and comfort, while its tough mineral glass and reliable Timex quartz movement ensure it can keep up with any lifestyle. Boasting Adidas Originals’ unmistakable retro vibe, this watch is the choice for someone who dares to be different. Available at Clout9.com.sg. WATCHES UNDER S$500 1. Swatch Neon Party To The Max, S$220 Whether it’s a gift for someone with a huge personality or a trendsetter who adores colour, this timepiece makes for the perfect wrist candy for the festive season. Fun and unapologetically audacious – just like the holidays should be – this oversized 47mm scene-stealer is inspired by the iconic 90’s Swatch Chrono. Brimming with vibrant energy, it features a multi-coloured dial with a minute track, tachymeter scale and glow-in-the-dark pink and blue hands, all protected by eco-friendly bio-sourced glass. The transparent matte blue bio-sourced case, accented with a matching bezel, bright orange details and multi-coloured pushers, brings serious retro vibes with a modern twist. A matte black strap with blue highlights – also made entirely from bio-sourced materials – ties it all together. Available at Swatch . 2. Humism Kato 39mm, US$441/S$592 Inspired by the 1950s kinetic art movement, this six-year-old Singaporean watch brand transforms time into dynamic art with its moving dial designs. A play on concentric circles, the 48 petals on the dial here shift constantly, creating a hypnotic pattern that culminates in a stunning visual crescendo of a blooming flower. Housed in a surgical steel case, the watch is driven by a Seiko (SII) NH35A Automatic movement and comes with an Italian full-grain leather strap. Beyond the artistic allure of its watches, Humism is a design studio with a social heart, donating 2 per cent of its web-store sales to Mercy Relief, which supports disaster response across Asia. So if you’re looking for a watch as meaningful as it is mesmerising, this is it. Available at Humism . 3. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 (Bluetooth, 40mm), S$448 Looking for something for a fitness lover, tech enthusiast, or someone who’s ready to start 2025 with their best foot forward? Then the all-new Galaxy Watch 7 is perfect because nothing says “I care” like its perfect blend of style and innovation. Equipped with Samsung’s latest cutting-edge 3nm processor, this smartwatch delivers lightning-fast performance, from tracking over 100 workouts to checking weather updates, all while optimising battery life for all-day use. Its upgraded BioActive Sensor with 13 LEDs offers next-level precision in monitoring heart rate, body composition and even menstrual cycle tracking. For adventurers, the dual-frequency GPS offers the most accurate location tracking yet, guiding you effortlessly even in dense urban jungles. With best-in-class sleep analysis powered by AI – including snoring detection, sleep scoring and personalised tips – it helps build better nightly habits. Housed in a durable aluminium case with sapphire glass and also available in green, this watch promises to keep on giving through Christmas and beyond. Available at Samsung . WATCHES UNDER S$1,000 1. Boldr Safari Silver Fox, US$603/S$809 Here’s a cool watch for style connoisseurs. Its standout Superkuro Musou black dial absorbs light to create a strikingly deep and mysterious void that mirrors the elegance and enigma of the elusive silver fox. With no logo or indices, the dial’s stark, minimalist design lets its rich black finish take centre stage, symbolising unexplored depths and hidden adventures. Made from sandblasted stainless steel, the 40mm unisex watch is rugged yet sophisticated. With 200m water resistance, a screw-down crown, and durable quick-release FKM rubber strap, it’s ready for any journey. Custom hands with Japan Super-LumiNova and double-sided AR-coated sapphire glass ensure excellent visibility in low light and durability. Adding to its charm, an exhibition caseback reveals the reliable SII NH38A automatic movement and artwork of a silver fox – a nod to the time-only watch’s namesake. Available at Boldr . 2. Vesuviate Attivo-Duplex, US$545/S$732 This Christmas, surprise the frequent traveller in your life with a timepiece by Vesuviate – a Singaporean microbrand that blends style and functionality in its watches. As the name suggests, the Vesuviate Attivo-Duplex features a unique dual-movement design powered by two Peacock SL-7020 Gilt automatic calibres. Arranged in an easy-to-read diagonal layout, it allows the wearer to track two time zones simultaneously, making it perfect for those on the go. Offered in six colours, the watch boasts a distinctive 39mm by 46.2mm squarish case shape, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and hardened stainless steel construction for durability. Available at Vesuviate . 3. Seiko Prospex Speedtimer SSC951P1, S$963.60 This limited edition is a great gift for the sporty, capturing the dynamic energy of basketball with its unexpected vibrant copper dial featuring a sunray-brushed finish and black sub-dials. The sub-dial at six o’clock not only tracks constant seconds, but also serves as a power reserve indicator, ensuring you’re always in control. Powered by Seiko’s proprietary V192 solar-powered quartz chronograph movement, this timepiece promises eco-friendly precision for up to six months on a full charge. The 39mm stainless steel case is durable and water-resistant to 100m, while the curved sapphire crystal ensures scratch resistance for any adventure. With just 1,000 pieces produced, the watch is distributed exclusively through the Thong Sia Group for Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia and Brunei, at Seiko Boutiques and selected authorised retailers. Available at Seiko boutique . WATCHES UNDER S$2,000 1. G-Shock Master of G Mudmaster GWG-B1000EC-1A, S$1,149 This is the essential tool watch for the hardcore adventurer who thrives on pushing boundaries. A high-end evolution of the Mudman series, the solar-powered timepiece combines rugged durability with cutting-edge tech. The model boasts an array of functions like Barometer and Altimeter displays, while its Bluetooth functionality unlocks features like mission logs, alarms and a location indicator to guide its wearer through uncharted terrain with ease. Made from carbon fibre-reinforced resin and forged metal, the commanding 58.7mm by 52.1mm Mudmaster is built to withstand the harshest elements with resistance to shock, vibration and mud. Available at G-Shock . 2. Tissot Chemin des Tourelles Powermatic 80 42mm, S$1,200 Named after the street that leads to the home of Tissot in the Swiss mountains, this handsome 42mm timepiece combines classic aesthetics with modern innovation. Its silver sunray dial features faceted baton hour markers that play with light in the subtlest, most refined way. Powered by the state-of-the-art Nivachron Powermatic 80 movement, it offers a generous 80-hour power reserve. With a see-through caseback and quick-release interchangeable bracelet, this heirloom-worthy timepiece is versatile yet sophisticated. Available at Tissot . 3. Zelos Watches Nova 37mm Teal, US$899/S$1,206 This striking watch makes for a perfect choice for anyone who appreciates the exquisite art of watchmaking. The timepiece’s polished stainless steel case frames a captivating fume teal dial, brought to life with a sunburst CNC guilloche pattern that reflects light beautifully. The watch pairs effortlessly with any outfit, whether it’s a sharp suit or weekend denim. Its black Horween leather strap adds a touch of vintage charm, while its 50m water resistance ensures it’s practical as well. Available at Zelos . WATCHES UNDER S$3,000 1. Gucci G-Timeless, S$2,300 The fashion-savvy will love how this 29mm timepiece oozes sophistication with its perfect mix of elegant minimalism and contemporary Italian flair. Flaunting an easy-to-wear polished stainless steel case with a grooved bezel, this quartz model catches attention with its sunray dial in metallic pink. Adding visual interest and subtle brilliance are two diamonds set at 9 and 3 o’clock, alongside the fashion house’s iconic interlocking “G” logo and Gucci lettering. Available at Gucci . 2. Tag Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph, S$2,700 Rev up the excitement this Christmas with this high-octane timepiece inspired by the world of motorsport. Designed for thrill-seekers, who crave speed and precision, this quartz-movement chronograph blends rugged performance with bold design. Its striking blue dial with a tachymeter scale is teamed with a vibrant orange rubber strap that’s set to make a statement on or off the track. Crafted from robust steel and topped with scratch-proof sapphire crystal, this online-exclusive model is ready to handle the demands of life in the fast lane. Available at Tag Heuer . 3. Tudor 1926, S$2,850 A gift like this classic timepiece is one that never goes out of style. Paying tribute to the year the brand was founded by Rolex creator Hans Wilsdorf, this iconic unisex line is renowned for its sophisticated and resolutely timeless looks. Presented on a brown leather strap, the 39mm stainless steel watch flaunts a domed dial with a delicately embossed design, which lends a vintage charm to it. Subtle details like numeral appliques, arrow-shaped hour markers and sword-shaped hands create a captivating play of light. Powered by the reliable Calibre T601 self-winding movement and water resistant to 100m, the Tudor 1926 also comes with a five-year international guarantee. Available at Tudor .
American and European stock markets mostly rose on Wednesday after inflation data cemented expectations that the US Federal Reserve will trim interest rates next month. While the Dow fell slightly, the other two major US indices advanced, led by the tech-rich Nasdaq, which piled on almost two percent to close above 20,000 points for the first time. The consumer price index (CPI) rose to 2.7 percent last month from a year ago, up slightly from 2.6 percent in October. "With the CPI numbers broadly in line, it is likely that the Fed will not be derailed and will cut rates again next week," Jochen Stanzl, chief market analyst at CMC Markets. "The data is not a showstopper for the current bull run on Wall Street," he added. Ahead of the data, investors priced in an 86 percent chance the Fed will cut interest rates next week by a quarter percentage point. That rose to more than 98 percent after the CPI data was published. Stocks in Paris and Frankfurt rose ahead of the European Central Bank's own interest rate announcement on Thursday, with analysts expecting another cut as it seeks to boost eurozone growth. Investors are also eyeing political developments in France, where officials said President Emmanuel Macron aims to name a new prime minister "within 48 hours" as he seeks to end political deadlock following the ouster of Michel Barnier. In company news, shares in German retail giant Zalando shed more than four percent on Frankfurt's DAX index, after it acquired domestic rival About You in a deal worth around 1.1 billion euros ($1.2 billion). Shares in Zara owner Inditex slid more than six percent after a record quarterly profit for the group fell short of market estimates. Among US companies, Google parent Alphabet earned 5.5 percent as it announced the launch of Gemini 2.0, its most advanced artificial intelligence model to date. That added to gains after Google also announced Tuesday details of a breakthrough quantum chip. Shares in Shanghai rose but Hong Kong gave up an early rally to end in the red. Traders were keeping tabs on China to see if it will announce further measures to support its struggling economy as leaders were to gather Wednesday for a conference to hammer out next year's agenda. President Xi Jinping and other top leaders on Monday announced their first major shift in policy for more than a decade, saying they would "implement a more active fiscal policy and an appropriately relaxed" strategy. Those remarks sparked hopes for more interest rate cuts and the freeing up of more cash for lending. New York - Dow: DOWN 0.2 percent at 44,148.56 (close) New York - S&P 500: UP 0.8 percent at 6,084.19 (close) New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 1.8 percent at 20,034.89 (close) London - FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent at 8,301.62 (close) Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.4 percent at 7,423.40 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.3 percent at 20,399.16 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: FLAT at 39,372.23 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.8 percent at 20,155.05 (close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.3 percent at 3,432.49 (close) Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0498 from $1.0527 on Tuesday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2752 from $1.2771 Dollar/yen: UP at 152.40 yen from 151.95 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.31 from 82.42 pence Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.8 percent at $73.52 per barrel West Texas Intermediate: UP 2.4 percent at $70.29 per barrel burs-jmb/mlmTyrone Mings feared his career was over after needing three surgeries to fix a knee injury - as the Aston Villa star impressed on his Premier League return after 15 months
Uptown Butte picket: 'Get the Lead Out'
Gisele Bündchen and ex Tom Brady are celebrating Vivian Brady reaching the endzone of another year. The pregnant supermodel and former New England Patriots quarterback—who divorced in 2022 following 13 years of marriage—rang in their daughter's 12th birthday with adorable tributes on social media. For Tom's part, the NFL Hall of Famer—who also shares son Benjamin Brady , 14, with Gisele, as well as son Jack Brady , 17, with ex Bridget Moynahan —gave a special shout to his "forever baby girl" alongside a carousel of images, including one snap of the two posing together in front of the Eiffel Tower at the 2024 Olympics . "Watching you grow and chase after your dreams are the proudest moments of my life," Tom continued in his Dec. 5 Instagram post . "Your love, compassion, and joy fill up every room that you’re in, and will always make your daddy smile. You light up my life!" He added, "Here’s to a great day filled with all the laughter and love that you deserve. I love you infinity x infinity!!!" And Gisele—who is currently expecting a baby with boyfriend Joaquim Valente —paid tribute with her own series of photos showing her and Vivian basking in the sun on the beach, riding horses and enjoying a sweet embrace at sunset. Atop the trio of Dec. 5 Instagram Stories, she wrote, "Happy birthday to my ray of sunshine." "You are the best daughter a mom could ever ask for," the 44-year-old continued, "and I'm so blessed to be your mama!" Of course, her daughter isn't the only one hitting new milestones in the family. Gisele recently showed off her bumpin' baby belly while hitting the beach with Joaquim amid their babymoon in Costa Rica . And as for how Gisele and Tom feel about their kids coming into their own? As long as they maintain their family's values, Tom's happy to watch them gain more independence. "I'm trying to raise them—we all are, myself and their mom—in a very loving way toward one another," Tom told E! News last year, "to be very kind, to be empathetic and to have great perspective." For more heartwarming moments between Tom and his kids, read on... Gisele Bündchen shared this family photo on Instagram on Tom Brady 's son Jack 's 14th birthday, writing, "Happy birthday Jack! We are all so lucky to have you in our lives. Thank you for being the best big brother in the world. We love you soooo much!" While wearing his Christopher Cloos x Brady sunglasses, Tom celebrates his Super Bowl win with daughter Vivian during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers boat parade. After winning his seventh Super Bowl, the Tampa Bay quarterback celebrated with his daughter Vivian. Tom snuggled with his kids John "Jack" Moynahan (with ex Bridget Moynahan ), Vivian and Benjamin in this adorable photo snapped by Gisele on Father's Day. Brady went from quarterback to coach with his son on the beach, writing on Instagram that he's "#dadsfavoriteworkoutpartner." Gisele shared this adorable photo on Instagram of Tom giving his son a kiss on the forehead. The whole Brady-bünch posed together at the Mercedes-Benz in Atlanta ahead of the Super Bowl LIII, which the Patriots later won . Tom lurked as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in a window behind his family as they celebrate Halloween in 2018. As Tom geared up for another football season, he stopped to give his daughter a little love and clearly this one has her dad's full attention. In July 2018, the Brady bunch headed out of town for a family vacation and they couldn't look any happier on their horseback riding adventure. Tom celebrated Father's Day with a family dinner and lots of silly photos with his younger son, Ben. There's nothing sweeter than seeing the greatest quarterback of all time (he has seven Super Bowl rings) get smothered in love by his three kids. Even though it was springtime, Tom bundled up with Ben for a fun day outside...complete with a little training. Tom Brady as the Easter bunny? Who would've guessed?! The super sweet family was all smiles during one of Brady's episodes of Tom vs. Time . After playing in another Super Bowl, Tom took a little break with his family, complete with burger time and selfies. Even though the Patriots lost the 2018 Super Bowl, Tom had his support squad ready and waiting to cheer him up. Ahead of Super Bowl LII, the Patriots QB posed for pictures with his whole family including Gisele and oldest son Jack, second-born Ben, and daughter Vivian. The New England Patriots quarterback showed his second oldest son a little love on his birthday in December of 2017, writing , "Happy Birthday to the sweetest 8 year old boy a mom and dad could ever ask for! So filled with love and joy! We are so proud of you Benny! And you shine a light that brightens our lives every day! We love you." Vivian was the ultimate sous chef as her dad made her biscuits before Thanksgiving and really, what can't Brady do? The dynamic duo of Tom and Ben spent a November day swinging in a hammock together and we really wish we had some R&R like this in our near future. Leave it to Tom to teach his son more than just football. The Brady crew rolled around in the grass and enjoyed spending time together in June 2017 and it really does look like they are having a blast. Who says you're too old to make funny faces? When the Patriots headed back to Boston for their parade celebration after their 2017 Super Bowl win, Tom brought Ben along for the ride making him the coolest dad around. Winning the Super Bowl in 2017 was great, but getting to celebrate with your daughter on the field is priceless. In 2017, Vivian gave her dad a big good luck kiss before he headed out for a game. Seriously, these two are so stinking cute. Tom's fans span near and far, but his biggest fans are his three kids and their "Brady" jerseys continually make us love them even more as a unit. Decorating the Christmas tree is twice as fun when you have your precious daughter helping you out...especially when she's dressed as a fairy! The football player loves to spend his off time with his adorable kiddos at the beach and we totally approve.Schmidt feels Lions-taming project still on courseOklahoma State's 3-point accuracy sends Miami to defeatTAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay’s surest path to the NFL playoffs is a division championship. The Buccaneers will need help to repeat in the NFC South , but only if they first and foremost give themselves a chance. That means winning their remaining games at home against Carolina and New Orleans, while the Atlanta Falcons lose at least once in the final two weeks of the regular season. The Bucs (8-7) and Falcons share the best record in the division, however Atlanta holds the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series between the teams. Tampa Bay, which has won three consecutive division titles, is the only NFC team that has made the playoffs each of the past four seasons. “We’ve got to take care of business or else we’ve got no shot,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said after a 26-24 loss at Dallas cost the Bucs control of the NFC South race. “This one, we’ve got to take it on the chin,” Mayfield added. “It’s a short week. It’s Christmas week. We’ve got to focus on Carolina and figure out a way to win.” If Atlanta is able to maintain its lead, Tampa Bay could make the postseason as a wild card if the Bucs win out and the Commanders lose twice. RELATED COVERAGE Rams don’t dominate, but they’re rolling toward the playoffs with superb complementary football The Darnold-Jefferson connection is thriving for the surging Vikings Patriots coach Jerod Mayo believes narrow loss to Bills shows potential of his young team Coach Todd Bowles sounds confident that his players understand the challenge ahead and will clean up mistakes that contributed to the end of their four-game win streak. “We’ve got to win a ballgame (this week). If we don’t win a ballgame, we don’t give ourselves a chance,” Bowles said Monday. “We have to focus on us like we’ve been doing,” the coach added. “We have to correct the mistakes, and we have to go out and win Sunday, and we’ve got to win the next week, and then we’ll see what happens after that.” What’s working The offense, which ranks third in the NFL at 389.8 yards per game, isn’t a fluke. Despite losing to the Cowboys, Tampa Bay finished with 410 yards total offense. It was the team’s fifth straight game — as well as an NFL-high ninth overall — with 400-plus yards. The Bucs are seventh in rushing (143.7 yards per game) after ranking 32nd each of the past two seasons. What needs helps The defense yielded 292 yards passing against the Cowboys, 226 of it in the first half when Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb had six catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. Bowles said shoddy tackling was the biggest issue — not poor coverage. Lamb had one reception for 5 yards after halftime. Stock up Mayfield’s chemistry with rookie WR Jalen McMillan, who has 27 receptions for 336 yards and five TDs, continues to grow. McMillan had five catches for 57 yards and a touchdown — his fourth in the past three games — against Dallas. He was also the intended receiver on Mayfield’s deep throw that CB Jourdan Lewis intercepted in the end zone to help the Cowboys hold off the Bucs in the closing minutes. Stock down Turnovers were costly against Dallas. The end-zone interception stopped the Bucs from cutting into a 26-17 deficit with 6:22 remaining in the fourth quarter. Rachaad White’s fumble with 1:31 left ended any hope for a last-minute victory. On both plays, defenders ripped the ball out of the grasp of the offensive player. “We knew they were going to rake at the ball going into the ballgame,” Bowles said. “We just have to have two hands on the ball, and we have to fight for it. We have to take better care of the football. That’s priority No. 1.” Injuries Bowles said it’s too early to project the status of several starters for coming games, including S Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee), who has missed the past two games. TE Cade Otton (knee) and LB K.J. Britt (ankle) were inactive against the Cowboys, while reserve WR Sterling Shepard left during the game with a hamstring injury. Key number 80. Bucky Irving leads all NFL rookie RBs with 920 yards rushing. He needs 80 over the next two games to reach 1,000. He scored his seventh rushing touchdown against Dallas. That tied Errict Rhett and Lars Tate for the second-most rushing TDs by a rookie running back in franchise history. Doug Martin set the record of 11 in 2012. Next up Host Carolina on Sunday. ___ NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
OTTAWA — Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said foreign interference did not tip the scales in the Conservative party’s last leadership race that installed Pierre Poilievre at the helm. But he offered up Thursday that he changed some of the language he was using after getting pushback from an Indian diplomat that some of his comments could sound like he was endorsing ideas of Sikh nationalism. Brown, who was a candidate for the leadership in 2022, was summoned to a House of Commons committee Thursday to answer questions on the 2022 race after a report from a committee on national security referred to allegations of Indian interference in an unspecified Conservative leadership campaign. “I don’t believe foreign intervention affected the final outcome of the Conservative leadership race,” Brown told the House of Commons public safety and national security committee Thursday. A CBC/Radio-Canada article this week quoted several confidential sources from Brown’s campaign alleging that representatives from India’s consulate interfered to undermine his leadership bid. On Monday, Brown posted on social media about the committee’s summons to say that he had no new evidence to add, and that the public inquiry on foreign interference was the proper venue to evaluate the allegations. Brown insisted to the committee Thursday that no members of the Indian government reached out to him or his campaign workers during his leadership bid, saying the relationship was “already very strained” at that point. The CBC News story also contained allegations that his national campaign co-chair Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner was pressured to withdraw her support for Brown — something she denied. When NDP MP Alistair MacGregor quizzed him on the news report, asking why she left the campaign, Brown said she left seeking to launch her own leadership bid to replace UCP leader Jason Kenney in Alberta — not from pressure from India. “At no time when we talked about her departing the campaign did she ever say it was over pressure from the consul general,” he said. He said the article likely referred to a conference call more than a month before she left, after the consul general raised concerns with Rempel Garner about Brown using the words “Sikh nation.” “The consul general had expressed directly to (Rempel Garner) that, obviously that was something they didn’t agree with, that it could be viewed in nationalistic terms towards the Sikh community,” he said. That led him to change the language he was employing to a Punjabi term that he said meant the same thing. Liberal MP Jennifer O’Connell asked if that’s “an appropriate election activity by a foreign government,” charging it was a clear instance of foreign interference. Brown replied that Indian officials “have been more robust in their opinions than some of us would be comfortable with.” A bombshell report by the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians into foreign interference released last spring referred to “India’s alleged interference in a Conservative Party of Canada leadership race.” Brown said he was not under any kind of non-disclosure agreement with the Conservative Party that prevents him from speaking publicly about what happened during the race. He said he believes it’s important to guard against foreign meddling in democracy but that he does not want to get drawn into partisan debates on Parliament Hill. Brown was not included as a witness in the public inquiry into foreign interference, which wrapped up hearings earlier this fall with a final report due in the new year. He was disqualified from the party’s 2022 leadership race due to allegations related to financing rules in the Canada Elections Act. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024. Kyle Duggan, The Canadian PressSomething unexpected – but hardly unprecedented – happened in South Korea on December 3, 2024. With little warning, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared , citing the threat from “pro-North Korean anti-state forces.” The move, which appeared more about curtailing efforts by the main opposition – the center-left Democratic Party – to frustrate Yoon’s policy agenda through the DP’s control of the National Assembly, left . As one Seoul resident : “It feels like a coup d’état.” That interviewee wasn’t far off. As scholars of the of , we have spent countless hours since World War II. Yoon’s short-lived martial law declaration – it lasted just a few hours before being lifted – was an example of what political scientists call an “autogolpe,” or to give the phenomenon its English name, a “self-coup.” Our that self-coups are becoming more common, with more in the past decade compared with any other 10-year period since the end of World War II. What follows is a primer on why that’s happening, what self-coups involve – and why, unlike in around 80% of self-coups, Yoon’s gambit failed. The components of a self-coup All coup attempts share some characteristics. Each involves an attempt to seize executive power and entails a concrete, observable and illegal action by military or civilian personnel. In a regular coup, those responsible will attempt to take power from an incumbent or presumptive leader. Historically, most coups have been perpetrated, or at least supported, by military actors. A classic example is when the Chilean army under General Augusto Pinochet of Salvador Allende in 1973 and imposed military rule. Some coups, however, are led by leaders themselves. These self-coups are coups in reverse. Rather than the leader of the country being replaced in an unconstitutional manner, the incumbent executive takes or sponsors illegal actions against other people in the regime – for example, the courts or parliament – with the goal of staying in office longer or expanding power. This may take the form of a chief executive using troops to shut down the legislature, as Yoon tried unsuccessfully to do in South Korea. Others have had more success; Tunisian President orchestrated a self-coup in July 2021 by dismissing parliament and the judiciary to pave the way for expanding his presidential power. More than three years on, Saied remains in power. Alternatively, a leader may try to to overturn an election loss. We saw this happen with after the 2020 U.S. presidential election, and as such we include his attempt to pressure local officials – and then-Vice President Mike Pence – to overturn the election result in our list of “self-coup attempts.” The varieties of self-coup methods But not all are self-coups. For example, if a president gets the legislature to extend presidential term limits and the courts approve – as Bolivian President did in 2017 – this may be a blow to executive constraints and democracy, but we don’t consider it a coup since the procedure for changing the law is constitutional. In all, we have recorded 46 self-coups since 1945 by democratically elected leaders in the forthcoming dataset, including the latest attempt in South Korea. Our self-coup data was compiled over the past three years with the aid of some enterprising undergraduate students at Carnegie Mellon University. Reviewing the circumstance – and outcomes – of these incidents helps us identify the most common characteristics of self-coups. Yoon’s actions in South Korea were typical in some ways but not in others. Over half of self-coup attempts in democratic countries target the judiciary or the legislature, while around 40% explicitly seek to undermine democratic elections or prevent election winners from taking office. The rest target other regime elites or a nominal executive. Yoon declared martial law to grab executive power from an opposition-led legislature. Interestingly, only a quarter of self-coup attempts in democracies involve such emergency declarations. Much more common are attacks on opposition parties and leaders and election interference. Approximaely one in every five self-coup leaders suspends or annuls the constitution. Relatively few self-coup attempts in democracies involve attempts to evade term limits, though self-coups that result in so-called “ ” are becoming more common in Africa. Why are self-coups on the rise? Coups and self-coups are two of the most common ways democracies die, though their relative frequencies have changed over time. Whereas coups were the leading cause of democratic breakdown during the Cold War, self-coups have become the leading cause since the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. A third of all self-coup attempts by democratically elected leaders since 1946 have occurred in just the past decade. Though more research is needed to account for the recent rise of self-coups, we believe part of the answer lies in the – in which democracies punish coup leaders by withholding recognition, foreign aid or trade deals – and the globally. Why do self-coups fail? A president or prime minister who attempts a self-coup presumably thinks there is a good chance of success – otherwise, the leader probably wouldn’t attempt a coup in the first place. The fact that Yoon launched his self-coup bid seemingly is very unusual. While only half of traditional coup attempts succeed, more than four out of five self-coup attempts by democratically elected leaders succeed, according to our data. So what went wrong for Yoon in South Korea? Coup success a lot of people, including partisan allies and military elites. Although overt military support of the kind Yoon initially received is helpful, it is not always decisive. Most self-coup failures happen when military and party elites defect. The reasons for these defections tend to involve a mix of structural and contingent factors. When masses of people pour into the streets to oppose the coup, military members can get nervous and defect. And international condemnation of the coup can certainly help overturn self-coup attempts. Public support for democracy also helps. That’s why self-coups typically don’t happen in long-established democracies like the United States that have accumulated “ ” – the stock of civic and social assets that grows with a long history of democracy. South Korea, although a military dictatorship from 1961 to 1987, has had decades of democratic rule. And the system worked in South Korea when it was threatened. Party leaders united to vote against Yoon. That contrasts with successful self-coups in the country by and . What happens to failed self-coup leaders? Rarely have failed self-coup leaders remained in office for long. The self-coups may lead them to be ousted by coup, as occurred to Haiti’s Dumarsais Estimé in May 1950. Or they may be impeached, as occurred with . According to our data, only one failed self-coup leader managed to hang on to office for more than a year to the end of hia term. Though not forced from office after the flawed 1994 Dominican elections, was forced to agree to new elections in 1996 in which he would not be a candidate. Odds are, then, that President Yoon’s days in power are numbered. Following his attempted self-coup, six opposition parties submitted an impeachment motion against the president. That motion needs of the National Assembly to pass. All 190 present members voted to end martial law, including 18 of the 108 members of Yoon’s party. Only a few more of the conservative party’s legislators would have to vote against Yoon for impeachment proceedings to advance. Threatened by a self-coup, South Korea’s democratic institutions – at least for now.Christmas tree lots: Who are the folks who keep the season bright?What Happened to Rocky Colavito? Cleveland Guardians Legend Passes Away
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield reverses decision to put a time limit on anesthesiaWASHINGTON -- The U.S. severely lags behind China in shipbuilding capacity, lawmakers and experts have warned, as the Biden administration tries to build up the country's ability to develop and produce weapons and other defense supplies to fend off war. Speaking at a congressional hearing Thursday, Rep. John Moolenaar, the Republican chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, said the country lacks the capacity to “deter and win a fight” with China and called for action. “Bold policy changes and significant resources are now needed to restore deterrence and prevent a fight” with China, Moolenaar said. China’s navy is already the world’s largest, and its shipbuilding capacity, estimated to be 230 times larger, dwarfs that of the U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the ranking Democratic member of the committee, told Fox News last week that “for every one oceangoing vessel that we can produce, China can produce 359 in one single year." The U.S. government has come to see China as its “pacing challenge," and officials have warned that Beijing is pursuing the largest peacetime military buildup in history, raising concerns about how the U.S. would respond and ensure victory in case of a conflict in the Indo-Pacific, where tensions are high in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea . Krishnamoorthi on Thursday warned that a weak military industrial base could invite aggression and argued that strengthening it is necessary to avoid war with China. “History tells us we need a healthy defense industrial base now to deter aggression and make sure the world’s dictators think again before dragging the U.S. and the world into yet another disastrous conflict,” Krishnamoorthi said. National security adviser Jake Sullivan called it a “generational project” to fix the problem after the American shipbuilding industry had its “bottom fell out” in the early 1980s. “Part of it is we don't have the backbone of a healthy commercial shipbuilding base to rest our naval shipbuilding on top of,” Sullivan said Wednesday at the Aspen Security Forum in Washington. “And that's part of the fragility of what we're contending with and why this is going to be such a generational project to fix.” The challenge in shipbuilding has been “especially immense,” stemming from the hollowing-out of the U.S. manufacturing base where its workforce shrank and suppliers left, Sullivan said. And it is part of the broader problem of a weakened U.S. military industrial base, as manifested in the weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine, Sullivan said, when Kyiv in eight weeks “burned through a year's worth of U.S. 155-millimeter artillery production." “Decades of underinvestments and consolidation had seriously eroded our defense industrial base, and there was no way around it,” Sullivan said. The head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Samuel Paparo, warned last month that the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East were eating away at critical U.S. weapons stockpiles and could hamper the military’s ability to respond to China should a conflict arise. He said providing or selling billions of dollars worth of air defenses to both Ukraine and Israel were hampering U.S. ability to respond to threats in the Indo-Pacific. “It’s now eating into stocks, and to say otherwise would be dishonest,” he told an audience at the Brookings Institution in Washington on Nov . 19. Several researchers at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies said China’s rapid military buildup could allow the country to prevail over the U.S., especially in case of a prolonged conflict. “China’s massive shipbuilding industry would provide a strategic advantage in a war that stretches beyond a few weeks, allowing it to repair damaged vessels or construct replacements much faster than the United States,” the researchers wrote in June. On Thursday, the congressional panel heard suggestions from experts who said it would take time to rebuild the defense industrial base, but for quicker fixes, the U.S. could innovate to make low-cost and autonomous systems and tap resources of its allies. “We need to look at co-production of whether it's munitions in Australia or shipbuilding in Korea,” said William Greenwalt, a non-resident senior fellow at the Washington-based think tank American Enterprise Institute. “We need to get numbers as fast as we can," he said.Take Five: Under pressure
NoneBigBear.ai holdings sees $23.6m in stock sales by major shareholdersBiden gives life in prison to 37 of 40 federal death row inmates before Trump can resume executions WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row. He's converting their punishments to life imprisonment just weeks before Donald Trump, an outspoken proponent of expanding capital punishment, takes office. Biden says the commutations are consistent with a pause on executions put in place by his administration in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. Biden says he couldn't let a new administration resume executions. Trump has talked about subjecting drug dealers and human smugglers to the death penalty. A spokesperson for Trump said Biden's decision is “abhorrent" and a “slap in the face” to victims and their families. House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee has accused Matt Gaetz of “regularly” paying for sex, including once with a 17-year-old girl, and purchasing and using illicit drugs as a member of Congress. The 37-page report was released Monday by the bipartisan panel after a nearly four-year investigation that helped sink his nomination for attorney general. The report includes explicit details of sex-filled parties and vacations that Gaetz took part in while representing Florida in the House. Congressional investigators concluded that he violated multiple state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing and he filed a lawsuit Monday trying to block the report’s release. Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to murder and weapons charges in UnitedHealthcare CEO's death NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of fatally shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare has pleaded not guilty to murder and terror charges in a state case that will run parallel to his federal prosecution. The Manhattan district attorney formally charged Luigi Mangione last week with multiple counts of murder, including murder as an act of terrorism. Mangione's attorney complained during a brief hearing Monday that statements coming from New York’s mayor would make it tough for him to receive a fair trial. Mangione was shackled and seated in a Manhattan court when he leaned over to a microphone to enter his not guilty plea. Man faces murder charges in the death of a woman who was lit on fire in New York City subway A man is facing murder charges in New York City for allegedly setting a woman on fire inside a subway train and then watching her die after she was engulfed in flames. Police on Monday said the man, identified as 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta, had been taken into custody as a person of interest in the case hours after the woman died. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Jeff Carter said he is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally after he had been previously removed in 2018. Transit police apprehended the man hours after the fatal fire. Middle East latest: Defense minister acknowledges Israel killed Hamas leader Israel’s defense minister has confirmed that Israel assassinated Hamas’ top leader last summer and is threatening to take similar action against the leadership of the Houthi rebel group in Yemen. The comments by Israel Katz appeared to mark the first time that Israel has acknowledged killing Ismail Haniyeh, who died in an explosion in Iran in July. Israel was widely believed to be behind the blast and leaders have previously hinted at its involvement. In a speech Monday, Katz said the Houthis would meet a similar fate as the other members of an Iranian-led alliance in the region, including Haniyeh. He also noted that Israel has killed other leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, helped topple Syria’s Bashar Assad and destroyed Iran’s anti-aircraft systems. Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland, the ice-covered semi-autonomous Danish territory. That's added to the list of allied countries he’s picking fights with, even before taking office on Jan. 20. Greenland insists it's not for sale and Trump's initial calls to purchase it in 2019 came to nothing. But his latest suggestion comes after the president-elect suggested the U.S. could retake control of the Panama Canal and that Canadians wanted their county to become the 51st U.S. state. Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. Magdeburg mourns Christmas market attack victims as fears swirl of deeper German social divisions MAGDEBURG, Germany (AP) — Mourners are laying flowers near the scene of the deadly Christmas market attack as investigators puzzle over the motive of the suspect and his previous encounters with authorities are scrutinized. At the same time there are fears that the rampage could deepen divisions in German society. A church a short walk from the scene of the attack has become a central place of mourning since the suspect drove a car into the busy market on Friday evening and killed five people. Authorities have identified the suspect as a Saudi doctor who arrived in Germany in 2006 and had received permanent residency. They say he doesn't fit the usual profile of perpetrators of extremist attacks. How faith communities can be welcoming of believers with disabilities this holiday season and beyond This holiday season, some religious congregations across the U.S. are holding events designed to be accommodating to and inclusive of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They range from a “Calm Christmas” in West Virginia to an inclusive Hanukkah in New Jersey. Many disabled people, advocates and families want more houses of worship to know that there are ways to fully incorporate and welcome people with these and other disabilities and their families — and not just during the holidays but year round. Tennessee and Auburn remain 1-2 in AP Top 25 poll featuring 10 SEC teams Tennessee and Auburn remained Nos. 1-2 atop The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll. They were the headliners among the Southeastern Conference's haul of 10 ranked teams. Iowa State, Duke and Alabama rounded out the top five. Kentucky had the week's biggest fall, sliding six spots to No. 10 after a loss to Ohio State. Mississippi State, Arkansas, Illinois and Baylor rejoined the poll after stints in the rankings earlier this season. They replaced Memphis, Dayton, Michigan and Clemson. The Big 12 and Big Ten were tied for second with five teams each in the AP Top 25.
iA Financial Group announces the appointment of Caroline Drouin as Head of Investor Relations