NoneJamiya Neal's monster game leads Creighton past UNLVA groom returning from Dubai accompanied by 150 wedding guests was left aghast upon arriving in Punjab’s Moga when he found that his bride was nowhere to be found and the wedding venue didn’t exist. According to the police, 24-year-old Deepak Kumar, who had recently returned to Jalandhar after working in Dubai, had been planning to marry Manpreet Kaur. The two had been communicating on Instagram for three years, though they had never met in person. Deepak stated that he had traveled with his family from Mandiali village in Jalandhar to Moga based on details provided by the bride about the venue. “When we reached Moga, the bride’s family informed us that someone would escort us to the wedding venue. But even after waiting until 5 PM, no one came,” Deepak explained. The family tried to locate the venue, Rose Garden Palace, by asking locals, only to learn that no such place existed in Moga. Deepak, who works as a laborer in Dubai, revealed that he had only seen Kaur’s photos on Instagram. Their wedding was arranged through phone conversations between their families, and he claimed to have transferred Rs 50,000 to Kaur earlier. — PTI_News (@PTI_News) Prem Chand, Deepak’s father, shared that they had already made extensive preparations for the wedding, including hiring taxis, a caterer, and a videographer. Chand added that Kaur, who is from Moga, had previously mentioned she worked in Ferozepur. Assistant Sub-Inspector Harjinder Singh of the Moga police confirmed that a complaint had been filed by Deepak Kumar. The groom’s family reported being unable to reach Kaur after her phone was switched off. Social Media Reactions Netizens React The incident quickly caught the attention of netizens, who responded with humor and criticism. One user quipped, “Finally, Prem Chand became Manik Chand,” while another commented, “Blinded by social media. Don’t they know photos can be misused or belong to someone else? How foolish!” Another remarked, “Sastagram ka pyar,” mocking the groom’s reliance on Instagram for love. One user added a philosophical note, saying, “Ill-gotten wealth and properties often bring misfortune. Such losses are natural.”
Israeli attorney general orders probe into report that alleged Netanyahu's wife harassed opponentsAn independent watchdog investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol found no evidence that federal agents were involved in inciting the violence, repudiating baseless claims that the FBI played a major role in the attack. According to a report released Thursday by Department of Justice Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz, no undercover FBI employees were involved in the riots or instigated any protesters to storm the Capitol. "We found no evidence in the materials we reviewed or the testimony we received showing or suggesting that the FBI had undercover employees in the various protest crowds, or at the Capitol, on January 6," the report explains. RELATED STORY | January 6 defendant tells Scripps News he may not accept a potential pardon from Trump Meanwhile, the report found that there were 26 FBI informants in Washington, D.C. on the day of the attack but none were given authorization to participate. "Our review determined that none of these FBI CHSs was authorized by the FBI to enter the Capitol or a restricted area or to otherwise break the law on January 6, nor was any CHS directed by the FBI to encourage others to commit illegal acts on January 6," the report states. The investigation found that many of those 26 informants provided the FBI with information prior to the riot that was "no more specific than" what the bureau had already been provided by other sources. RELATED STORY | Rioters who stormed Capitol after Trump's 2020 defeat toast to his White House return However, the investigation found there was a "basic step that was missed" by the FBI in the lead-up to Jan. 6, that could've potentially aided in preventing the protest from getting out of hand. "The FBI could have taken an additional step to canvass its field offices in advance of January 6 to identify any intelligence, including CHS [confidential human sources] reporting, that might have assisted with the FBI and law enforcement partners’ preparations for January 6," the report reads. Horowitz's report concludes by recommending that the FBI reassess the policies and procedures the bureau has in place to prepare for events that have the potential to cause security issues. The FBI agreed with the inspector general's recommendation.
PARIS — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. People stand outside Notre-Dame Cathedral on Nov. 29 in Paris. Sarah Meyssonnier, Pool via AP With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The vaulted ceiling of the Notre-Dame cathedral is seen Nov. 29 in Paris. Sarah Meyssonnier, Associated Press The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, US first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. As the cathedral’s largest bell, the 13-ton Emmanuel — which was not named after the French leader — tolled into the Paris night, signaling the start of the ceremony, the crowd inside Notre Dame fell into an expectant hush. Emmanuel, a legacy of King Louis XIV, had rung through centuries of French history, and its peal now resonated as a call to witness another epochal moment. Outside the cathedral’s monumental doors, Ulrich raised his fire-scarred crosier. “Brothers and sisters, let us enter now into Notre Dame,” he declared. “It is she who accompanies us on our path to peace.” With the congregation of over 2,500 people watching in silence, Ulrich struck the floodlit doors, the base of his crosier reverberating against the wood. Inside, the choir answered with soaring hymns, their voices filling the nave. Illuminations on the cathedral facade heightened the drama. On the final strike, the heavy doors swung open, revealing the glowing interior of restored blond Lutetian limestone. Adding to the ceremony’s visual splendor, Ulrich and the clergy wore vibrant liturgical garments designed by French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Known for his signature pop-art aesthetic, Castelbajac created 2,000 colorful pieces for 700 celebrants, blending modern elements with medieval touches. Flooded with light and song, the cathedral came alive in a moment of breathtaking spectacle. What had been a silent, soot-blackened ruin five years ago now blazed with renewed vitality, marking the culmination of a nearly $1 billion global effort to resurrect it. Speaking inside the cathedral, Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped, and rebuilt Notre Dame, his voice reverberating through the nave. People gather near France's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, hours before formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, on Saturday in Paris. Bernat Armangue, Associated Press “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” he said, before voices flooded the space with song, harmonies not heard in over five years. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” cascading through the luminous interior to Parisians, France, and the world beyond, he said. The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to the embattled French leader, whose prime minister was ousted this week, plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Macron has called Notre Dame’s reopening “a jolt of hope.” Observers say he hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership — a rare moment of grace in a presidency now facing a grave crisis. Inside Notre Dame, 42,000 square meters of stonework—equivalent to six soccer pitches—gleamed anew, revealing intricate carvings and luminous limestone. Above, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” restored the cathedral’s iconic spire and roof. The great organ, dormant for over five years, roared back to life like a slumbering giant. With its 7,952 pipes—ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide—and a renovated console featuring five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, it responded to Archbishop Laurent Ulrich’s command: “Wake up, organ, sacred instrument.” The first low rumble grew into a triumphant symphony as four organists pulled out the stops, weaving improvised responses to the archbishop’s invocations. Eight times, Ulrich addressed the organ; eight times, its voice filled the nave with breathtaking sound. Guests marveled at the spectacle, many capturing the moment on their phones. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, who last saw the cathedral cloaked in scaffolding in 2021. “It was somber then. Now, it’s night and day.” The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian priest who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Olivier Ribadeau Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument — it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail followed Trump. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. People stand outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, Friday Nov. 29 2024 before French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8. (Sarah Meyssonnier, Pool via AP) Sarah Meyssonnier The tabernacle of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The vaulted ceiling of the Notre-Dame cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Paris. (Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool via AP) Sarah Meyssonnier Windows in the heart of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral are seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin People stroll in Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors the monument, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson French President Emmanuel Macron, center, and his wife Brigitte Macron visit the restored interiors of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson French President Emmanuel Macron, third right, and his wife Brigitte Macron visit the restored interiors of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson People gather as French President Emmanuel Macron visits the renovated Notre Dame Cathedral Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) Michel Euler French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he visits the restored interiors of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson The nave, the western Rose window and the organ of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral are seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin A man takes a picture of Notre Dame Cathedral as French President Emmanuel Macron visits the renovated cathedral, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) Michel Euler The nave of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin People stroll in Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors the monument, Friday, Nov.29, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson The South Rose stainglass window of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The South Rose stainglass window of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The nave of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin Part of the nave and the organ of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral are seen while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the cathedral, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The altar designed by French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet is seen in the heart of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The altar designed by French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet is seen in the heart of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral while French President Emmanuel Macron visits the restored interiors of the monument, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The facade of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris, is seen Friday Nov. 29, 2024, ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors. (Stephane de Sakutin, Pool via AP) Stephane de Sakutin The facade of Notre-Dame Cathedral is seen in Paris, Friday Nov., 29 2024 ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson Part of the facade of Notre-Dame Cathedral is seen in Paris, Friday Nov., 29 2024 ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP) Christophe Petit Tesson People stand inside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, Friday Nov. 29 2024 before French President Emmanuel Macron's final visit to the construction site to see the restored interiors before the iconic monument's reopening for worship on Dec. 8. (Sarah Meyssonnier, Pool via AP) Sarah Meyssonnier
Welcome to the Week 17 picks and let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas, but that's only to the people who are reading this on or before Dec. 25. If you're reading this after Christmas, then happy early new year. And if you're reading this five years down the road because you found it on the internet after you Googled "Who was the fourth-handsomest NFL writer at CBS Sports in the 2020s," then I hope you found what you're looking for. Anyway, we're about to begin one of the wildest weeks in NFL history and that starts with the fact that we have two Wednesday games this week. There have only been two Wednesday games in the NFL over the past 74 years and we're going to double that total on Christmas. As if that's not unusual enough, both games are going to be on Netflix, which will mark the first time ever that Netflix is showing NFL games . I was going to offer to share my Netflix password with all of you guys, but I've been told that Netflix frowns upon that. Although I can't share my password, I can share my picks, so lets get to them. NFL Week 17 picks Kansas City (14-1) at Pittsburgh (10-5) Wednesday, 1 p.m. ET (Netflix) I'm not sure what's on Mike Tomlin's Christmas list, but I have to think he'll be asking Santa for a defensive game plan that can stop Patrick Mahomes , because that's one thing Tomlin hasn't been able to figure out how to do in his career. Tomlin has been one of the best coaches in the NFL over the past 17 years.... except when he faces Mahomes. In three career games against Mahomes, including the playoffs, the Steelers have gone 0-3 and the Chiefs have AVERAGED 40 points per game. Let's take a look at how Mahomes has done against the Steelers defense: September 2018: Mahomes throws for 326 yards and six touchdowns in a 42-37 win. December 2021: Mahomes throws for 258 yards and three touchdowns in a 36-10 win. January 2022: Mahomes throws for 404 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-21 win. Mahomes is averaging 329.3 passing yards and 4.7 touchdown passes per game against the Steelers. Over an entire 17-game season, that would average out to 5,598 yards and 79.9 touchdown passes. Sure, these teams haven't played since January 2022, but there's no reason to think that anything is going to change in this game. These big games aren't just happening because Mahomes is a great quarterback, it's also happening because Andy Reid knows how to exploit every weakness the Steelers have on defense. Reid knows what Tomlin is going to do before Tomlin know what Tomlin is going to do. I feel like the only way the Steelers have a chance is if Mahomes is extremely hobbled by his injured ankle in this game, which is certainly possible. His ankle got a big test on Saturday, and it passed that test, but this is an even bigger test, because he now has to turn around and play another game just four days after facing the Texans . The Chiefs have plenty of incentive to win and that mostly comes from the fact that they can clinch the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC with a win. If they get the top seed, then Mahomes wouldn't have to play again until Jan. 18 at the earliest, which would give his ankle almost a full month to heal. The Steelers are going to need a Christmas miracle to pull this one off and unless this game is being moved to 34th street, I don't see that happening (There it is, there's the cheesy Christmas joke we all knew was coming). The Chiefs haven't scored more than 30 points in a single game all season, but with Mahomes going up against the Steelers defense, this feels like the spot where it might actually happen. The pick: Chiefs 31-24 over Steelers Baltimore (10-5) at Houston (9-6) Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. ET (Netflix) The best thing about the NFL's Christmas doubleheader being on Netflix is that you can kill some time between games by watching a Christmas movie, and as we all know, Netflix definitely has the BEST Christmas movies. I mean, I'm trying to decide right now if I'm going to watch Hot Frosty, Single all the Way or Santa's St. Bernards Save Christmas after the Chiefs-Steelers game ends. Single all the Way is a modern classic. Holiday games tend to draw big audiences, which means this might be the most viewed game of the NFL season, although I'm not sure if that's because his is a holiday game or because the the halftime show is going to feature Beyonce . BEYONCÉ Halftime of Ravens vs. Texans Kickoff at 4:30PM ET Christmas Day on Netflix #NFLonNetflix pic.twitter.com/p3t7L5XPQt The fact that Beyonce is serving as the halftime show is almost fitting because the last time she served as headliner of an NFL halftime show came in Super Bowl XLVII. That game involved the Ravens and it was played in New Orleans. Now, here she is 12 years later doing the halftime show again in a game that involves the Ravens in a year where the Super Bowl is being played in New Orleans. That's too many coincidences for me to overlook. I'm just going to go ahead and bet all my money now on the Ravens to get to the Super Bowl. The one thing about Beyonce's last halftime show is that the LIGHTS WENT OUT. The Texans are likely going to be hoping that that lights go out in this game because I feel like that's the only way they're going to be able to win. The Texans have struggled this year when a game turns into a shootout and there's a good chance that's going to happen against the Ravens. Baltimore is averaging 30.1 points per game, which isn't good news for a Texans team that's 1-6 this season when their opponent scores 22 points or more. The Texans just got hit with a devastating injury ( Tank Dell ), they don't really have anything to play for since they've already clinched the AFC South, so this feels like a spot where they might go a little conservative with their game plan. On the other hand, this game means everything to the Ravens, who would take a huge step toward winning the AFC North if they can win in Houston. The pick: Ravens 30-20 over Texans Denver (9-6) at Cincinnati (7-8) Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (NFL Network) I know this game isn't being played on Christmas, but maybe it should be, because no one does Christmas like Joe Burrow . Every year, we see quarterbacks around the NFL buy a gift or two for their offensive linemen, but no one needs to do that anymore because no one is ever going to top Burrow's gift. Joe Burrow's gift to his offensive linemen? Authentic Katana swords ⚔️ (h/t @pauldehnerjr ) pic.twitter.com/7luHZgyjOj If anyone ever buys me a Japanese katana sword for Christmas, we will instantly become best friends. I would take it everywhere until I inevitably got arrested with it and then I'd probably just keep it in my office and tell everyone about the time I got arrested with it. Speaking of the Japanese katana sword, the Bengals offensive linemen will have a lot of time to learn how to use one if Cincinnati doesn't win this game. Going into Week 17, things are pretty simple for the Bengals: If they lose to the Broncos , they're eliminated from the playoffs. According to our friends at SportsLine, the Bengals have just a 6.8% chance of making the playoffs. Now, I'm not good at math, but I have to say, those odds make it feel like they don't have a good chance of getting into the postseason. However, that DOESN'T MEAN IT CAN'T HAPPEN. The odds also said that a movie about a swashbuckling cat would never work, but Puss in Boots is one of the greatest cat movies ever made. Also, the odds said Trent Dilfer would never win more Super Bowl rings than Jim Kelly and Dan Marino combined, but that happened. And let's not forget, the odds also said that there's no way that kickers would have more total NFL MVP awards than wide receivers, but that fact is actually true, so let's not pretend like the Bengals getting into the postseason is impossible. As a matter of fact, not only is it possible, it actually seems somewhat plausible. Here's what their path looks like: Bengals win out (Broncos, at Steelers) Broncos lose out (at Bengals, Chiefs) Dolphins lose at least one game (at Browns , at Jets ) Colts lose at least one game(at Giants , Jaguars ) OK, so that's a lot of things that need to happen, so maybe this isn't as plausible as I thought. As for this game, Burrow is one one of the hottest streaks in NFL history right now. Bengals QB Joe Burrow is first player in NFL history with 250-plus passing yards, three-plus passing TDs in seven consecutive games https://t.co/0b8JrDUuvJ pic.twitter.com/VmtunOp9Ne He has thrown for at least 250 yards and three touchdowns in seven straight games, and now, he gets to face a Broncos defense that gave up 497 yards to Jameis Winston in Week 13 and 284 yards to Justin Herbert in Week 16. I think what I'm trying to say is that I'm not sure the Broncos are going to be able to stop Burrow, who's playing the quarterback position better than almost anyone in football right now. The pick: Bengals 27-24 over Broncos Green Bay (11-4) at Minnesota (13-2) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox) We are 17 weeks into the NFL season and I still have no idea how good the Packers are, which seems like a crazy thing to say about an 11-4 team. Now, before you start sending me hate mail, Packers fan, let me finish my point. I know the Packers are good, and I think they might even win a playoff game, but I'm not sure if they're good enough to beat the best teams in the NFC and that's mostly because they haven't done it yet. The Packers have played four games this year against teams that currently have 10 wins or more and they've gone 0-4 in those games. On the other hand, they're 10-0 against teams that have nine wins or less. Every time the Packers face one of the top teams in the NFC, they completely melt down and find a way to lose the game. I'll give them a pass for their Week 1 loss to the Eagles , because that game was in Brazil and as everyone knows, you can't be blamed for anything you do wrong in Brazil. They lost to the Vikings in Week 4 in a game where they were down 28-0 before halftime. In Week 9, they lost to the Lions in a game where they were trailing 24-6 before the third quarter was even over. In Week 14, they lost to the Lions again in a game where they fell behind 10-0 in the first half. I'm starting to notice a pattern here and that pattern is that they always seem to trip over their own feet to the start the game when they're playing a good team. If the Packers can avoid a slow start, then they can absolutely win this game, especially because Jordan Love will be going up against a Vikings defense that's surrendering 248.7 yards per game through the air, which is the fourth-most in the NFL. I feel like these two teams are pretty even, but with the Packers coming off a short week after playing on Monday in Week 16 AND being forced to the road for this game, I think I have to roll with Minnesota. The pick: Vikings 30-27 over Packers Atlanta (8-7) at Washington (10-5) Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC) The is the Kirk Cousins revenge game except I don't think we can actually call it that since Kirk Cousins won't be playing. Instead of getting Cousins against his former team, we're getting an unexpected rookie showdown between Michael Penix Jr . and Jayden Daniels . And let me just say that of all the unexpected things in life, "unexpected rookie showdown" definitely ranks in the top-three behind only "unexpected free beer" and "unexpected free money." This is a huge game for both teams: If the Commanders win, they'll clinch a playoff berth, but if they lose, there's a very real chance that they could be left out of the postseason. If you're wondering how that might happen, it's simple: Buccaneers and Falcons go 2-0 to end the season while the Commanders go 0-2. That would leave all three teams at 10-7 and Washington would be the odd team out. The problem with trying to predict this game is that I have no idea what Penix is going to look like. I've seen him play exactly one NFL game and I learned absolutely nothing because he was playing against the Giants. Penix didn't wow me, but he also didn't raise any red flags with his play. He made smart throws, he made safe passes and he only threw one interception, which wasn't his fault. Juggled and picked off by the Giants at the goal line! 📺: #NYGvsATL on FOX 📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/PdRfXIGHCa Of course, I just spent all this time talking about Penix and it might not matter how he plays, because if the Falcons are going to win, it's likely going to be because of Bijan Robinson . The Commanders are surrendering 137.4 yards per game on the ground this year, which is the third-worst number in the NFL. If Robinson goes off against Washington's defense, we could have an upset in the making. However, there won't be an upset because Jayden Daniels won't let it happen. Daniels has been absolutely clutch this year and we saw that against the Eagles in Week 16 when he threw five touchdown passes, including a game-winning TD pass that came with just six seconds left. I'm not sure we'll see five touchdown passes again this week, but I do think the Commanders will win and part of that is because I don't think anyone wants to win this game more than Dan Quinn. We're not getting the Kirk Cousins revenge game, but we are getting the Dan Quinn revenge game. Quinn got fired by the Falcons in 2020 and I'm guessing that he'd love to beat them by any score except for 28-3. The pick: Commanders 30-23 over Falcons NFL Week 17 picks: All the rest Seahawks 20-17 over Bears Chargers 23-16 over Patriots Rams 27-20 over Cardinals Colts 24-13 over Giants Bills 27-17 over Jets Buccaneers 23-20 over Panthers Titans 21-17 over Jaguars Dolphins 24-10 over Browns Lions 34-20 over 49ers NFL Week 17 picks where I have no idea who the starting QB will be for at least one team Derek Carr revenge game Quick take: If Derek Carr (hand) can't play, the NFL should postpone this game until he can because everyone in America wants to see what would be the ultimate revenge game. If Carr does play, and he loses, he'd become the first QB in history to lose to all 32 teams. That's a juicy sub-plot. The pick (If Derek Carr plays): Saints 19-16 over Raiders The pick (If Derek Carr doesn't play): Raiders 20-17 over Saints Jalen Hurts dealing with concussion game Quick take: The Cowboys have certainly enjoyed playing the role of spoiler over the past few weeks with wins over both the Buccaneers and Commanders. If Hurts (Concussion) can't go, I don't l like Kenny Pickett 's chances against the Cowboys defense. The pick (If Jalen Hurts plays): Eagles 27-23 over Cowboys The pick (If Jalen Hurts doesn't play): Cowboys 23-20 over Eagles Last week Best pick: Last week, I predicted that the Rams would beat the Jets in a low-scoring slugfest and guess what happened? The Rams beat the Jets, 19-9, in a low-scoring slugfest. Now, did I know that the Jets were going to become just the second team over the past 74 years to be held under 10 points in a game where they punted ZERO TIMES? Of course I did. This is the Jets we're talking about and if any team can set some sort of bizarre record for offensive futility, it's definitely them. Since 1950 there have only been two teams that have punted ZERO times in a game without scoring at least 10 points. 1991: Colts 2024: The Jets on Sunday against the Rams https://t.co/m4gvsCNQnO The Jets have mastered the art of the bizarre loss. Heading into Week 8, NFL teams were a collective 750-0 in games where they scored at least 20 points with zero turnovers while holding their opponent 250 yards of offense and somehow, the Jets ended that streak in a 25-22 loss to the Patriots. If any other team had scored just nine points in a game where they punted zero times, I would have been shocked, but not with the Jets. Worst pick: Leave it to the Raiders to win a game that even their fans wanted them to lose. Heading into Week 16, I thought for sure the Raiders would go into full tank mode so they could land the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, so I picked them to lose the Jags. I turned out to be wrong, but the joke is on the Raiders, because now, they're going to be stuck with a pick outside the top five and they're not going to land the quarterback they want and they're going to be bad forever. Sorry, I don't mean that Raiders fans. I'm just bitter about my missed pick. Finally, if you're still reading, you might be wondering which teams I've done well picking this year and here's the answer: My best picks record by team (Straight up): Chiefs (13-2), Raiders (12-3), Broncos (12-3), Titans (12-3) Longest winning streak: Chiefs (13 straight correct picks) My worst picks record by team (Straight up): Bengals (7-8), Ravens (7-8), Steelers (7-8), Cardinals (7-8) Longest losing streak: Panthers (Two straight incorrect picks) Every other team is somewhere in the middle. Picks record Straight up in Week 16: 11-5 SU overall: 155-85 Against the spread in Week 16: 8-7-1 ATS overall: 122-113-5 You can find John Breech on Facebook or Twitter and if he's not doing one of those things, he's probably Googling to see who the fourth-handsomest NFL writer at CBS Sports actually is.Gun found on suspect in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO matches shell casings at scene, police say ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — New York City’s police commissioner says the gun found on the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO matches shell casings found at the crime scene. Commissioner Jessica Tisch also said Wednesday that lab results matched suspect Luigi Mangione’s prints to a water bottle and a snack bar wrapper found near the scene of the killing. Police had said earlier that they believed the gunman bought the items at a nearby coffee shop while awaiting his target. Mangione is jailed in Pennsylvania on weapon and forgery charges, but he also has been charged in New York with murder in Brian Thompson's death. His lawyer has noted that Mangione is presumed innocent. Authorities are scrutinizing evidence and the suspect’s experiences with the health care industry. Arguments over whether Luigi Mangione is a 'hero' offer a glimpse into an unusual American moment Memes and online posts in support of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, who's charged with killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO, have mushroomed online. Some cast Mangione as a hero. That's too far, says Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a rising Democrat who was almost the Democratic vice presidential nominee this year. CEO Brian Thompson's death touched off off these ripples. They offer a glimpse into how so many different aspects of 21st-century life can be surreally connected, from public violence to politics, from health care to humor, or attempts at it. FBI Director Wray says he intends to resign before Trump takes office in January WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray says he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden’s term in January. The announcement Wednesday comes a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the position. His impending resignation will bring him three years short of the completion of a 10-year term during which he tried to keep the FBI out of politics even as the bureau found itself entangled in a string of explosive investigations. Trump applauded the news Wednesday, saying it will end the weaponization of what he called the “Department of Injustice.” Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell as he's named Time's Person of the Year NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is expected to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange for the first time and be named Time magazine's Person of the Year. Thursday's events will be a notable moment of twin recognitions for Trump, a born-and-bred New Yorker who has long seen praise from the business world and media as a sign of success. Four people with knowledge of his plans told The Associated Press that Trump was expected to be on Wall Street on Thursday to mark the ceremonial start of the day's trading, while a person familiar with the selection confirmed that Trump had been selected as Time's Person of the Year. The Trump and Biden teams insist they're working hand in glove on foreign crises WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump doesn’t think much of Joe Biden’s foreign policy record. He frequently casts the outgoing Democratic president as a feckless leader who shredded American credibility around the world during his four-year term. But the Trump and Biden national security teams have come to an understanding that they have no choice but to work together as conflicts in Gaza, Syria and Ukraine have left a significant swath of the world on a knife’s edge. It’s fuzzy how much common ground Biden and Trump’s teams have found as they navigate crises that threaten to cause more global upheaval as Trump prepares to settle back into the White House. Syrians flock to morgues looking for loved ones who perished in Assad's prisons DAMASCUS (AP) — Many bodies have been found in Syrian detention centers and prisons since President Bashar al-Assad's government fell. Now Syrians around the world are circulating images of the corpses in hopes that they will see slain loved ones whose fate had been a mystery. At the morgue visited by The Associated Press on Wednesday in Damascus, families flocked to a wall where some of the pictures were pinned in a haunting gallery of the dead. Relatives desperately scanned the images for a recognizable face. Some of the prisoners died just weeks ago. Others perished months earlier. US warns Russia may be ready to use new lethal missile against Ukraine again in 'coming days' WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says Russia could launch its lethal new intermediate-range ballistic missile against Ukraine again soon. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh cited a U.S. intelligence assessment in telling reporters on Wednesday that an attack could come “in the coming days.” She says the U.S. does not consider the Oreshnik missile a game changer on the battlefield. But that Russia is using the weapon to intimidate Ukraine as both sides wrestle for an advantage that will give them leverage in any negotiations to end the war. The Russian Defense Ministry also is warning it may retaliate against Kyiv for an attack on a military base in the Rostov region in southern Russia on Wednesday. Israeli strikes on Gaza kill at least 33 including children, Palestinian medics say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian medical officials say Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip have killed at least 33 people. One of the strikes hit a home where displaced people were sheltering in the isolated north, killing 19. A separate strike outside nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital killed a woman and her two children, and another strike in central Gaza killed at least seven people. Israel's military says it tries to avoid harming civilians and accuses militants of hiding among them, putting their lives in danger. Local health officials say Israel’s retaliatory offensive after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023 has killed over 44,000 Palestinians in Gaza. Hannah Kobayashi, missing Hawaii woman whose disappearance prompted a massive search, is found safe LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hannah Kobayashi has been found safe. That’s according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Kobayashi vanished last month in Los Angeles. The missing Hawaii woman's disappearance prompted a massive search and a missing persons investigation. It was not immediately clear where she was found, but police previously said she had voluntarily crossed the border into Mexico. The LAPD said Wednesday the department will wrap up its investigation. Kobayashi's family reported her missing to law enforcement on Nov. 11 after relatives received “strange and cryptic, just alarming” text messages. Kobayashi’s mother and sister said they are “grateful” she has been found safe. Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. But when exactly? ZURICH (AP) — Saudi Arabia scored a major win in its campaign to attract major sports events to the kingdom when it was formally appointed as the 2034 World Cup host on Wednesday. Still, many questions remain about the tournament. Key issues include during which part of the year to stage the tournament, where to play the games, whether alcohol will be allowed at all and how to protect workers rights in the massive construction projects required to host the World Cup.
Led by a dynamic one-two punch, the Vernon (VSS) Panthers girls basketball team booked their spot in the annual Tsumura Basketball Invitational (TBI) quarterfinals. The TBI, hosted in Langley, features 64 of the best teams across B.C., split into two 16-team brackets. VSS was drawn against the Brittania Bruins from Vancouver in the opener in the Select 16 bracket. After a back-and-forth battle, the Panthers eked out a 67-58 victory. Leading the way for the Panthers was the Grade 11 duo of Adie Janke and Chloe Collins, who combined for 43 of the team's 67 points. Janke's 23 points came off of three triples and numerous clutch buckets in the late fourth quarter as the Panthers clawed their way back down 56-53 with four minutes to go. Through six games so far this year, the Panthers are without a loss. They will look to continue that streak on Thursday, when they play the South Delta Sun Devils in the quarterfinals after the Sun Devils won, 84-58, over the Centennial Centaurs from Coquitlam. Two other Okanagan teams are playing in the tournament, the Okanagan Mission (OKM) Huskies and the Kelowna Secondary School Owls, competing in the Super 16 bracket. The Huskies were humbled, 60-48, by Surrey's Holy Cross Crusaders, while the Owls won a close one, 57-56, against St. Michaels University School from Victoria. KSS plays the Brookswood Bobcats out of Langley next, at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday.Manmohan Singh symbolised humility, to be remembered for his public service: Assam leaders
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MISSOULA — After battling tooth-and-nail for almost four quarters with arguably the best mid-major program in the country, the Montana women's basketball team went cold when it mattered most Saturday in squandering a rare opportunity. Reigning Summit League Player of the Year Brooklyn Meyer piled up 32 points in leading South Dakota State to a 78-70 win at Robin Selvig Court. The Jackrabbits, ranked No. 1 in the mid-major poll, improved to 7-2. All things considered, it was hard for Montana coach Brian Holsinger to be anything but proud of his team afterwards. Yes he would have loved to have seen the Lady Griz pull the upset, but there were extenuating circumstances following Montana's Wednesday loss at North Dakota State. "We didn't practice before this game. We had travel issues," he told 406 MT Sports. "We got back (Friday), no practice before this game. We were stuck in Denver for 36 hours. "Our effort in a situation where we didn't get to prepare at all — we had a ton of adversity trying to get home and for us to come out and play as hard and as tough as we did, I was really proud. They're a really good team and at some point you gotta tip your hat to a really good team with juniors and seniors who made plays down the stretch." Trailing 68-67 with just under 2 minutes left, Montana had a chance to take the lead on a Mack Konig drive to the bucket. Her layup attempt banked hard off glass and Meyer made Montana pay on the other end with two free throws to give the Jackrabbits a three-point lead. Konig tried to answer with a 3-pointer but it fell off the rim and South Dakota State came up with the loose ball. The Jackrabbits then seized control with a 3-pointer by junior Haleigh Timmer. From there it was a free-throw contest. South Dakota State hit six of seven foul shots in the final 30 seconds. Montana hit three of four but ultimately paid the price for missing all three of its shots from the floor in the last two minutes. Of Meyer's 32 points, 19 came in the second half. The 6-foot-2 junior forward from smalltown Iowa went 12 for 15 from the field and 8 for 9 from the free-throw line. "We picked our poison a little bit with the post and she's good," Holsinger said. "I mean, she's the (Summit) player of the year last year and the (Summit) defensive player of the year and she's the reason why they almost go to the Sweet 16 (in 2023). "Could we have done a better job? Probably. We have to learn how to get a few stops here and there. But we had multiple shots to swing the momentum and couldn't quite make it." Montana fell to 4-5 (2-5 against NCAA Division I competition). The Lady Griz have dropped three of their last four and the win came at home against NAIA Evergreen State. Still, the team is playing like a serious contender for the Big Sky Conference title. The Lady Griz beat the Big Ten's Washington Huskies earlier this season and Saturday's performance was just as inspiring, all things considered. Montana shot a respectable 44.1 percent from the floor (26 for 59 overall, 11 for 25 from 3-point range). Four players scored in double figures, including Helena native Dani Bartsch with 19 points, Adria Lincoln with 12, Avery Waddington 11 and Izzy Zingaro 10. Of all those numbers, Zingaro's 10 points stands out as another important positive since she was being defended by Meyer. Zingaro scored a career-high 25 points in Wednesday's loss at NDSU and delivered another impact performance in her first start Saturday. "She's getting healthy," Holsinger said, alluding to Zingaro's ankle injury. "She's a really good player. She's just been hurt. "She's going to be tough inside and she was tough for them to stop inside at times when we could get it to her. We have to continue to get her in better shape and she'll be a major force for us hopefully." South Dakota State's inside game was key to the outcome. The Jackrabbits finished with a 35-23 edge in rebounds and a 36-28 edge in points in the paint. Montana will take a long break now before playing in the West Palm Beach Classic in Florida on Dec. 19-20. The Lady Griz will face Michigan State and Tulsa in that event. Bill Speltz is Missoulian sports editor. Contact him at or on Twitter @billspeltz Get local news delivered to your inbox!
CoreCivic, Geo Group Rally By Double Digits Since Election Day: Why Trump Boosts Private Prison StocksATLANTA (AP) — Georgia quarterback Carson Beck will not return after he was hit on his throwing hand on the final play of an ugly first half Saturday in the Southeastern Conference championship game against Texas. Beck was hit by outside linebacker Trey Moore, forcing a fumble recovered by Anthony Hill Jr., who then lost the ball on an errant attempt to extend the play with a lateral as time expired. Beck was one of the last players to return to the field following halftime. He was holding his helmet but did not warm up remained on the sideline as backup Gunner Stockton led the offense to its first touchdown on the Bulldogs' first drive of the second half. Georgia coach Kirby Smart told ESPN Beck would not return to the game and said he had no details on the hand injury. Beck had the right arm wrapped in ice on the Georgia bench. No. 2 Texas outgained No. 5 Georgia 260-54 but led only 6-3 at halftime. The Bulldogs netted minus-2 yards rushing and Beck completed 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Walker hurt his ankle in last week's loss to Minnesota and left that game after sitting out the previous two because of a calf problem. He also missed two weeks in September with an oblique issue. Walker has run for 573 yards and seven touchdowns on 153 carries. A second-round draft pick by Seattle in 2022, he has 2,528 yards rushing and 24 TDs in his career. Walker could, in theory, return if the Seahawks win two playoff games, though their postseason hopes were slim entering the game against Chicago. Seattle (8-7) trailed the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams (9-6) by one game with two to play. The Seahawks' best path to the postseason was to win the final two regular-season games and have Los Angeles lose to Arizona on Saturday. Seattle visits the Rams to close the regular season. With Walker out, Seattle signed rookie running back George Holani off the practice squad. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Pembina Pipeline Corporation Announces 2025 Guidance and Provides Business Update
Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent MideastMAPUTO, Mozambique. (AP) — At least 6,000 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Mozambique’s capital on Christmas Day after a rebellion, the country's police chief said, as widespread post-election riots and violence are roiling the country. Police chief Bernardino Rafael said 33 prisoners died and 15 others were injured during a confrontation with the security forces. The prisoners fled during violent protests that have seen police cars, stations and infrastructure destroyed after the country’s Constitutional Council confirmed the ruling Frelimo party as the winner of the Oct. 9 elections. The escape from the Maputo Central Prison, located 14 kilometers (9 miles) southwest of the capital, started around midday on Wednesday after “agitation” by a “group of subversive protesters” nearby, Rafael said. Some of the prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from the guards and started freeing other detainees. “A curious fact is that in that prison we had 29 convicted terrorists, who they released. We are worried, as a country, as Mozambicans, as members of the defense and security forces,” said Rafael. “They (protesters) were making noise, demanding that they be able to remove the prisoners who are there serving their sentences”, said Rafael, adding that the protests led to the collapse of a wall, allowing the prisoners to flee. He called on the escaped prisoners to surrender to authorities and for the population to be informed about the fugitives. Videos circulating on social media show the moment inmates left the prison, while other recordings reveal captures made by military personnel and prison guards. Many prisoners tried to hide in homes, but some were unsuccessful and ended up being detained again. In one video, a prisoner still with handcuffs on his right wrist says he was held n the disciplinary section of the prison and was released by other inmates.