
The Siachen glacier and Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO), known as some of the world's highest and most challenging battlefields, have now achieved optical-fibre connectivity, the Army announced on Monday. This development ensures seamless communication in the harsh and extreme conditions of the region. Situated at altitudes ranging from 18,000 to 20,000 feet in Ladakh's Karakoram range, Siachen experiences some of the most severe challenges for stationed soldiers, including frostbite and high winds. It is internationally recognized as the highest militarised zone globally. In a remarkable feat, the Fire and Fury Corps' signallers successfully laid optical-fibre cables across the unforgiving landscape of icy peaks and treacherous terrains, a first-ever achievement against all odds, to connect these remote military locations, the Army revealed in a social media post. (With inputs from agencies.)Ronaldo double bolsters Al Nassr's ACL placeBaylor’s Norchad Omier was named the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Player of the Week Monday. Omier turned in a couple of powerful performances in the Bears’ action at the Baha Mar Championship in the Bahamas. He averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds per game as the Bears split games with St. John’s and Tennessee. Baylor Basketball (M): Highlights vs. St. John's | November 21, 2024 // via BaylorAthletics on YouTube Omier made the Baha Mar all-tournament team. The senior forward is the NCAA’s active leader in double-doubles, increasing that mark to 72 in the Bahamas. Omier transferred to Baylor from Miami over the offseason. Omier and the 17th-ranked Bears (4-2) will return to the court against New Orleans at 1 p.m. Wednesday from the Foster Pavilion. Be the first to know
Cooper Rush passed for two touchdowns, Dallas returned two kicks for scores and the visiting Cowboys held off the Washington Commanders in a wild fourth quarter for a 34-26 win. Dallas led 10-9 after three quarters. With Washington trailing 27-26, Jayden Daniels hit Terry McLaurin for an 86-yard touchdown pass with 21 seconds left, but Austin Seibert missed his second extra point of the game. Juanyeh Thomas of the Cowboys then returned the onside kick 43 yards for a touchdown. Rush completed 24 of 32 passes for 247 yards for Dallas (4-7), which snapped a five-game losing streak. Rico Dowdle ran 19 times for 86 yards and CeeDee Lamb had 10 catches for 67 yards. Jayden Daniels was 25-of-38 passing for 274 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for reeling Washington (7-5), which has lost three straight. He ran for 74 yards and one score. McLaurin had five catches for 102 yards. Trailing 20-9 late in the fourth quarter, Daniels drove Washington 69 yards in nine plays and hit Zach Ertz for a 4-yard touchdown. Daniels ran for two points and Washington trailed 20-17 with 3:02 remaining. KaVontae Turpin muffed the ensuing kickoff, picked it up at the one, and raced 99 yards for a touchdown to make it 27-17. Austin Seibert's 51-yard field goal pulled the Commanders within 27-20 with 1:40 left, With the score tied 3-3, Washington took the second half kick and went 60 yards in 10 plays. On third-and-three from the Dallas 17, Daniels faked a handoff, ran left and scored his first rushing touchdown since Week 4. Seibert missed the point after and Washington led 9-3. Dallas answered with an 80-yard drive. A 23-yard pass interference penalty gave the Cowboys a first-and-goal at the 4. Two plays later Rush found Jalen Tolbert in the end zone and the extra point made it 10-9. Brandon Aubrey's 48-yard field goal made it 13-9 with 8:11 remaining in the game. On the next play, Daniels hit John Bates for 14 yards, but Donovan Wilson forced a fumble and Dallas recovered at the Washington 44. Five plays later, Rush found Luke Schoonmaker down the middle for a 22-yard touchdown and Dallas led 20-9 with 5:16 left. The first quarter was all about field goals. Aubrey's field goal attempt was blocked on the opening drive and Michael Davis returned it to the Dallas 40. Washington later settled for Seibert's 41-yard field goal. On the next Dallas drive, Aubrey hit the right upright from 42 yards out, and then Seibert missed from 51 yards. With 14 seconds left in the half, Rush found Jalen Brooks for a 41-yard gain to the Washington 28. On the next play Aubrey connected from 46 yards to tie it. --Field Level Media
In anticipation of Trump’s presidency, some local leaders in Maryland are vowing to push back against his mass deportation plans. “This election cycle did not go as I had hoped,” Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor said last week. “I want to make clear to our immigrant community that we will use any and all avenues to ensure you know you are safe in Frederick.” At a press conference dedicated to laying out Frederick’s response to Trump’s administration, O’Connor said he would bar any cooperation with federal immigration agents and proposed the creation of a “Legal Advocacy Fund,” which would use tax dollars to pay undocumented immigrant’s attorney fees. “Ensuring they have the legal support they need to stand strong and remain in this community they have chosen to call home,” said O’Connor. Earlier that same week, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman voiced similar concerns. “We will do everything we can to make sure that people have legal representation, people have services and if people are deported we will be providing services to families when their breadwinner leaves,” said Pittman. Weighing in on how the pushback could unfold, Betsy Smith with the National Police Association said leaders are “not going to be able to ignore federal immigration law.” Smith warned that a lack of cooperation won’t stop ICE agents from removing undocumented immigrants. “The federal government will prevail because it is against the law to harbor people who are in this country illegally,” she said, adding that resistance will put Maryland’s public safety and federal funding at risk. “The federal funding will ultimately dry up and they’re going to be stuck supporting these massive amounts of illegal aliens, including the thousands that are criminals, and it’s going to create an untenable situation for the leadership and for the communities,” said Smith.
Cooper Rush passed for two touchdowns, Dallas returned two kicks for scores and the visiting Cowboys held off the Washington Commanders in a wild fourth quarter for a 34-26 win. Dallas led 10-9 after three quarters. With Washington trailing 27-26, Jayden Daniels hit Terry McLaurin for an 86-yard touchdown pass with 21 seconds left, but Austin Seibert missed his second extra point of the game. Juanyeh Thomas of the Cowboys then returned the onside kick 43 yards for a touchdown. Rush completed 24 of 32 passes for 247 yards for Dallas (4-7), which snapped a five-game losing streak. Rico Dowdle ran 19 times for 86 yards and CeeDee Lamb had 10 catches for 67 yards. Jayden Daniels was 25-of-38 passing for 274 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for reeling Washington (7-5), which has lost three straight. He ran for 74 yards and one score. McLaurin had five catches for 102 yards. Trailing 20-9 late in the fourth quarter, Daniels drove Washington 69 yards in nine plays and hit Zach Ertz for a 4-yard touchdown. Daniels ran for two points and Washington trailed 20-17 with 3:02 remaining. KaVontae Turpin muffed the ensuing kickoff, picked it up at the one, and raced 99 yards for a touchdown to make it 27-17. Austin Seibert's 51-yard field goal pulled the Commanders within 27-20 with 1:40 left, With the score tied 3-3, Washington took the second half kick and went 60 yards in 10 plays. On third-and-three from the Dallas 17, Daniels faked a handoff, ran left and scored his first rushing touchdown since Week 4. Seibert missed the point after and Washington led 9-3. Dallas answered with an 80-yard drive. A 23-yard pass interference penalty gave the Cowboys a first-and-goal at the 4. Two plays later Rush found Jalen Tolbert in the end zone and the extra point made it 10-9. Brandon Aubrey's 48-yard field goal made it 13-9 with 8:11 remaining in the game. On the next play, Daniels hit John Bates for 14 yards, but Donovan Wilson forced a fumble and Dallas recovered at the Washington 44. Five plays later, Rush found Luke Schoonmaker down the middle for a 22-yard touchdown and Dallas led 20-9 with 5:16 left. The first quarter was all about field goals. Aubrey's field goal attempt was blocked on the opening drive and Michael Davis returned it to the Dallas 40. Washington later settled for Seibert's 41-yard field goal. On the next Dallas drive, Aubrey hit the right upright from 42 yards out, and then Seibert missed from 51 yards. With 14 seconds left in the half, Rush found Jalen Brooks for a 41-yard gain to the Washington 28. On the next play Aubrey connected from 46 yards to tie it. --Field Level MediaAfter rough start under coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks' defense has become a strength
None
Lucknow, Nov 21 (PTI) Opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh blamed the BJP for the violence in Sambhal, alleging the survey team was sent to the mosque by the party to nurture its “politics of hatred”. The BJP, in turn, alleged that the INDIA alliance had been trying to create unrest since the Lok Sabha polls. It said that those who do not agree with judicial orders should take legal recourse. “Nobody has any right to break the law. If a court has passed an order, it will be implemented. The judicial process is available for those who want the order amended,” party spokesperson Nalin Kohli said. Another BJP spokesperson Ajay Alok blamed what he called the “ghamandia alliance” (an alliance full of arrogance), a term BJP leaders have often used for the INDIA bloc, for the violence. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav lashed out at the BJP, saying its government and the administration orchestrated the violence “to divert attention from electoral malpractice”. “A survey team was deliberately sent in the morning to disrupt discussions about the election. The intention was to create chaos so that no debate on election issues could happen,” he said at a press conference in Lucknow. UP Congress chief Ajay Rai said the incidents of violence were increasing day by day in the state under the Yogi Adityanath government. “When the Chief Minister of the state himself gives statements like ‘batenge toh katenge,’ then how can there be an atmosphere of peace in the state? This is a completely planned incident,” Rai in a statement said. The UP unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) called the Sambhal violence a planned conspiracy. Its secretary Heeralal Yadav questioned the hurry behind the survey of the mosque in contention. He accused the BJP of fomenting unrest in the state “in the name of temple and mosque” and appealed to the public to maintain peace. The CPI (Marxist-Leninist) also attacked the BJP, blaming it for the Sunday violence in which three people were killed. Sudhakar Yadav, the party’s state secretary, said BJP, emboldened by its recent wins, was fuelling polarisation of communities and wanted to throw the state into the fire of communalism. Tearing the fabric of peace, and polarising communities was all in a good day’s work for the “saffron brigade,” he alleged. Three people were killed and scores of others, including around 20 security personnel, were injured as protesters opposing a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque here clashed with police on Sunday. Protesters torched vehicles and pelted stones at the police, who used tear gas and batons to disperse the mob. “Shots were fired by the miscreants ... the PRO of the superintendent of police suffered a gunshot to the leg, the police circle officer was hit by pellets and 15 to 20 security personnel were injured in the violence,” Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said. He said that a constable also suffered a serious head injury, while the deputy collector fractured his leg. Internet services have been suspended in Sambhal tehsil for 24 hours and the district administration declared a holiday on November 25 for all students up to Class 12. Images, purported to be from the spot shared on social media, showed mobs pelting stones at cops from atop buildings and in front of the Shahi Jama Masjid. Later, police were purportedly seen cornering and hitting people as they tried to disperse a large crowd in a narrow alleyway. A lane was shown in a video strewn with a scores of slippers, bricks, and stones. In another purported clip, some policemen in riot gear were seen firing gunshots in a street, while flames leapt and smoke billowed into the air in the background. Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar urged stone-pelters not to indulge in violence. “Do not spoil your future for these politicians,” he is heard saying through his megaphone in one of the videos. Tension had been brewing in Sambhal since Tuesday when the Jama Masjid was surveyed on the orders of a local court following a petition that claimed that a Harihar temple stood at the site. PTI NAV VN VN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
THE HAGUE (AP) — The world’s top war-crimes court issued arrest warrants Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas’ military chief, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with the 13-month war in Gaza. The warrants said there was reason to believe Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and have intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza — charges Israeli officials deny. The action by the International Criminal Court came as the death toll from Israel’s campaign in Gaza passed 44,000 people, according to local health authorities, who say more than half of those killed were women and children. Their count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Experts say hunger has become widespread across Gaza and may have reached famine levels in the north of the territory, which is under siege by Israeli troops. Israel says it has been working hard to improve entry of aid, though the trickle of supplies into Gaza remains near the lowest levels of the war. Netanyahu condemned the warrant against him, saying Israel “rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions” by the court. In a statement released by his office, he said: “There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza.” Gallant, in a statement, said the decision "sets a dangerous precedent against the right to self-defense and moral warfare and encourages murderous terrorism.” The warrant marked the first time that a sitting leader of a major Western ally has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a global court of justice. TH(backslash)he decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects, putting them at risk of arrest when they travel abroad and potentially further isolating them . Israel and its top ally, the United States, are not members of the court. But others of Israel's allies, including some of its close European friends, are put in an awkward position. Several, including France, welcomed the court's decision and signaled they might arrest Netanyahu if he visited. The move “represents the most dramatic step yet in the court’s involvement in the conflict between Israel and Hamas," said Anthony Dworkin, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Israeli leaders, politicians and officials across the spectrum denounced the warrants and the ICC. The new defense minister, Israel Katz, who replaced Gallant earlier this month, said Thursday’s decision is “a moral disgrace, entirely tainted by antisemitism, and drags the international judicial system to an unprecedented low.” Human rights groups applauded the move. The warrants against both sides “break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law,” the associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, Balkees Jarrah, said in a statement. The decision came six months after ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested the warrants. The court issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas’ armed wing, over the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that triggered Israel’s offensive in Gaza. It said it found reasonable grounds to believe Deif was involved in murder, rape, torture and the taking of hostages amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity. In the Hamas-led attack, militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and taking some 250 others hostage. Around 100 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, around a third of them believed to be dead. Khan withdrew requests for warrants for two other senior Hamas figures, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh , who have both since been killed. Israel says it also killed Deif in an airstrike, but Hamas has never confirmed his death. The warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were issued by a three-judge panel in a unanimous decision. The panel said there were reasonable grounds to believe that both men bear responsibility for the war crime of starvation and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. The judges said the lack of food, water, electricity, fuel and specific medical supplies created conditions “calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza,” including the deaths of children due to malnutrition and dehydration. They also found that by preventing hospital supplies and medicine from getting into Gaza, doctors were forced to operate, including performing amputations, without anesthesia or with unsafe means of sedation that led to “great suffering.” Israeli diplomatic officials said the government is lobbying the international community to speak out against the warrants and is considering an appeal to the court. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal decision on how the government will proceed. Despite the warrants, none of the suspects is likely to face judges in The Hague anytime soon. Member countries are required to detain suspects facing a warrant if they set foot on their soil, but the court has no way to enforce that. For example, Russian President Vladimir Putin, wanted on an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, recently visited Mongolia, a member state in the court but also a Russian ally. He was not arrested. Still, the threat of arrest now complicates any travel abroad by Netanyahu and Gallant. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the warrants are binding on all 27 members countries of the European Union. France signaled it could arrest Netanyahu if he came to its territory. Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine called it a “complex legal issue” but said France supports the court’s actions. “Combating impunity is our priority,” he said. “Our response will align with these principles.” Hamas in a statement welcomed the warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant but made no mention of the one against Deif. Israel’s opposition leaders fiercely criticized the ICC’s move. Benny Gantz, a retired general and political rival to Netanyahu, said it showed “moral blindness” and was a “shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten.” Israel’s campaign has caused heavy destruction across Gaza and driven almost the entire population of 2.3 million people from their homes, leaving most dependent on aid to survive. Two days after Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, Gallant announced a total seal on Gaza, vowing not to let in food, fuel or other supplies. Under U.S. pressure, Israel began allowing a trickle of humanitarian aid to enter a few weeks later. Israel now says it puts no limit on the supplies permitted into Gaza, and it blames the U.N. distribution system. But Israel's official figures show the amount of aid it has let in has plunged since the beginning of October. The U.N has blamed Israeli military restrictions, along with widespread lawlessness that has led to theft of aid shipments. The case at the ICC is separate from another legal battle Israel is waging at the top U.N. court, the International Court of Justice, in which South Africa accuses Israel of genocide , an allegation Israeli leaders staunchly deny. Lawyers for Israel argued in court that the war in Gaza was a legitimate defense of its people and that it was Hamas militants who were guilty of genocide. Associated Press journalists Raf Casert in Brussels, Mike Corder in The Hague and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.Today’s Love horoscope brings a mix of passion, deep connection, and the opportunity for growth across all zodiac signs. Whether you're in a relationship or single, the energy of the day encourages heartfelt conversations, meaningful gestures, and the chance to strengthen bonds. Some signs may experience intense emotions, while others find joy in simple, tender moments. Aries Passion runs high, but communication is crucial. Misunderstandings can arise if you rush into conclusions. Take time to express your feelings and listen to your partner. Singles may find a romantic connection through a shared interest or unexpected social setting. Taurus Patience is key this week as your partner may seem distant. Instead of pushing, offer quiet support. Singles might feel unsure about a potential connection, but trust your instincts. Love blooms when you focus on building a strong emotional foundation. Gemini Flirtation and fun are in the air. Whether single or attached, your charm is magnetic. Couples should embrace spontaneity to reignite sparks. Singles, a casual meeting could evolve into something meaningful. Stay open to surprises and let conversations flow naturally. Cancer Deep emotions surface, urging meaningful connections. Couples may have heart-to-heart conversations that strengthen bonds. Singles, a nostalgic memory might draw you to someone familiar. Let your nurturing side shine, but avoid overthinking small issues in budding relationships. Leo You crave attention and romance, but balance is vital. Couples should avoid taking their partner’s efforts for granted. Singles might attract someone who loves your confidence but craves authenticity. Embrace vulnerability to deepen emotional connections and let love flourish. Virgo Practicality blends with romance this week. Couples may discuss future plans that solidify their bond. Singles, you may meet someone through work or shared routines. Be mindful of overanalyzing new connections—sometimes, love thrives in the simplest of moments. Libra Your natural charm draws people closer, but indecision could hinder progress in love. Couples should prioritize fairness and compromise in arguments. Singles might attract multiple suitors, but clarity in your own desires is essential for building a genuine connection. Scorpio Intense emotions define your week. Couples may face power struggles, but honesty leads to healing. Singles might feel drawn to a mysterious person. Dive deep but tread carefully, ensuring your emotional needs align before committing fully. Sagittarius Freedom and connection coexist beautifully. Couples may plan an adventurous outing that revives their bond. Singles, someone with a lively spirit could captivate you. Trust your instincts, but don’t shy away from showing your softer side. Capricorn Commitment takes center stage this week. Couples may work through practical challenges together, strengthening their trust. Singles, a long-term prospect might emerge, but only if you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone. Let love grow at its own pace. Aquarius Unconventional approaches to love could bring joy. Couples might experiment with new activities that reignite excitement. Singles may attract someone through intellectual or unique interests. Keep communication open to avoid misunderstandings and let relationships evolve naturally. Pisces Romantic dreams feel closer to reality. Couples may share tender moments that deepen their bond. Singles, trust your intuition—it could guide you toward a soulful connection. Be cautious of overidealizing new relationships and focus on genuine compatibility. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Astrology and around the world.Gilbert makes clutch layup, steal as No. 7 LSU beats Washington 68-67 in the Bahamas
Fair Isaac's executive vice president sells $8.1 million in stock
Lea Miller-Tooley hopped off a call to welcome the Baylor women’s basketball team to the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, where 80-degree temperatures made it easy for the Bears to settle in on Paradise Island a week before Thanksgiving. About 5,000 miles west of the Caribbean nation, similar climes awaited Maui Invitational men's teams in Hawaii. They’ve often been greeted with leis, the traditional Hawaiian welcome of friendship. College basketball teams and fans look forward to this time of the year. The holiday week tournaments feature buzzworthy matchups and all-day TV coverage, sure, but there is a familiarity about them as they help ward off the November chill. For four decades, these sandy-beach getaways filled with basketball have become a beloved mainstay of the sport itself. “When you see (ESPN’s) ‘Feast Week’ of college basketball on TV, when you see the Battle 4 Atlantis on TV, you know college basketball is back,” said Miller-Tooley, the founder and organizer of the Battle 4 Atlantis men's and women's tournaments. “Because it’s a saturated time of the year with the NFL, college football and the NBA. But when you see these gorgeous events in these beautiful places, you realize, ‘Wow, hoops are back, let’s get excited.’” The Great Alaska Shootout was the trend-setting multiple-team event (MTE) nearly five decades ago. The brainchild of late Alaska-Anchorage coach Bob Rachal sought to raise his program’s profile by bringing in national-power programs, which could take advantage of NCAA rules allowing them to exceed the maximum allotment of regular-season games if they played the three-game tournament outside the contiguous 48 states. The first edition, named the Sea Wolf Classic, saw N.C. State beat Louisville 72-66 for the title on Nov. 26, 1978. The Maui Invitational followed in November 1984, borne from the buzz of NAIA program Chaminade’s shocking upset of top-ranked Virginia and 7-foot-4 star Ralph Sampson in Hawaii two years earlier. Events kept coming, with warm-weather locales getting in on the action. The Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Cancun Challenge in Mexico. The Cayman Islands Classic. The Jamaica Classic. The Myrtle Beach Invitational joining the Charleston Classic in South Carolina. Numerous tournaments in Florida. Some events have faded away like the Puerto Rico Tipoff and the Great Alaska Shootout, the latter in 2017 amid event competition and schools opting for warm-weather locales. Notre Dame takes on Chaminade during the first half of a 2017 game in Lahaina, Hawaii. Miller-Tooley’s push to build an MTE for Atlantis began as a December 2010 doubleheader with Georgia Tech beating Richmond and Virginia Tech beating Mississippi State in a prove-it moment for a tournament’s viability. It also required changing NCAA legislation to permit MTEs in the Bahamas. Approval came in March 2011; the first eight-team Atlantis men’s tournament followed in November. That tournament quickly earned marquee status with big-name fields, with Atlantis champions Villanova (2017) and Virginia (2018) later winning that season’s NCAA title. Games run in a ballroom-turned-arena at the resort, where players also check out massive swimming pools, water slides and inner-tube rapids surrounded by palm trees and the Atlantic Ocean. “It’s just the value of getting your passport stamped, that will never get old,” Miller-Tooley said. “Watching some of these kids, this may be their first and last time – and staff and families – that they ever travel outside the United States. ... You can see through these kids’ eyes that it’s really an unbelievable experience.” ACC Network analyst Luke Hancock knows that firsthand. His Louisville team finished second at Atlantis in 2012 and won that year’s later-vacated NCAA title, with Hancock as the Final Four's most outstanding player. “I remember (then-coach Rick Pitino) saying something to the effect of: ‘Some of you guys might never get this opportunity again. We’re staying in this unbelievable place, you’re doing it with people you love,’” Hancock said. “It was a business trip for us there at Thanksgiving, but he definitely had a tone of ‘We’ve got to enjoy this as well.’” Maui offers similar vibes, though 2024 could be a little different as Lahaina recovers from deadly 2023 wildfires that forced the event's relocation last year. North Carolina assistant coach Sean May played for the Tar Heels’ Maui winner in 2004 and was part of UNC’s staff for the 2016 champion, with both teams later winning the NCAA title. May said “you just feel the peacefulness” of the area — even while focusing on games — and savors memories of the team taking a boat out on the Pacific Ocean after title runs under now-retired Hall of Famer Roy Williams. “Teams like us, Dukes, UConns – you want to go to places that are very well-run,” May said. “Maui, Lea Miller with her group at the Battle 4 Atlantis, that’s what drives teams to come back because you know you’re going to get standard A-quality of not only the preparation but the tournament with the way it’s run. Everything is top-notch. And I think that brings guys back year after year.” That’s why Colorado coach Tad Boyle is so excited for the Buffaloes’ first Maui appearance since 2009. “We’ve been trying to get in the tournament since I got here,” said Boyle, now in his 15th season. And of course, that warm-weather setting sure doesn’t hurt. “If you talk about the Marquettes of the world, St. John’s, Providence – they don’t want that cold weather,” said NBA and college TV analyst Terrence Oglesby, who played for Clemson in the 2007 San Juan Invitational in Puerto Rico. “They’re going to have to deal with that all January and February. You might as well get a taste of what the sun feels like.” Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo argues a call during the first half of a Nov. 16 game against Bowling Green in East Lansing, Michigan. Mi zzo is making his fourth trip to Maui. The men’s Baha Mar Championship in Nassau, Bahamas, got things rolling last week with No. 11 Tennessee routing No. 13 Baylor for the title. The week ahead could boast matchups befitting the Final Four, with teams having two weeks of action since any opening-night hiccups. “It’s a special kickoff to the college basketball season,” Oglesby said. “It’s just without the rust.” On the women’s side, Atlantis began its fourth eight-team women’s tournament Saturday with No. 16 North Carolina and No. 18 Baylor, while the nearby Baha Mar resort follows with two four-team women’s brackets that include No. 2 UConn, No. 7 LSU, No. 17 Mississippi and No. 20 N.C. State. Then come the men’s headliners. The Maui Invitational turns 40 as it opens Monday back in Lahaina. It features second-ranked and two-time reigning national champion UConn, No. 4 Auburn, No. 5 Iowa State and No. 10 North Carolina. The Battle 4 Atlantis opens its 13th men’s tournament Wednesday, topped by No. 3 Gonzaga, No. 16 Indiana and No. 17 Arizona. Michigan State Hall of Famer Tom Izzo is making his fourth trip to Maui, where he debuted as Jud Heathcote’s successor at the 1995 tournament. Izzo's Spartans have twice competed at Atlantis, last in 2021. “They’re important because they give you something in November or December that is exciting,” Izzo said. Any drawbacks? “It’s a 10-hour flight,” he said of Hawaii. Mike Tyson, left, slaps Jake Paul during a weigh-in ahead of their heavyweight bout, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) A fan takes a picture of the moon prior to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 between Uruguay and Colombia in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich) Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark reacts after missing a shot on the 18th hole in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Taylor Fritz of the United States reacts during the final match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Italy's Jannik Sinner at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) fails to pull in a pass against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson) Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, top right, scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) India's Tilak Varma jumps in the air as he celebrates after scoring a century during the third T20 International cricket match between South Africa and India, at Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski warms up before facing the Seattle Kraken in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Kansas State players run onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) A fan rapped in an Uruguay flag arrives to the stands for a qualifying soccer match against Colombia for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) People practice folding a giant United States flag before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Marquinhos attempts to stop the sprinklers that were turned on during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Venezuela at Monumental stadium in Maturin, Venezuela, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) Georgia's Georges Mikautadze celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Nations League, group B1 soccer match between Georgia and Ukraine at the AdjaraBet Arena in Batumi, Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Tamuna Kulumbegashvili) Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque, right, attempts to score while Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman (38) and Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (32) keep the puck out of the net during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario misses the third goal during the Nations League soccer match between Italy and France, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (88) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) President-elect Donald Trump attends UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Fans argue in stands during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Israel at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Thursday Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova hits a return against Danielle Collins, of the United States, during a tennis match at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Malaga, southern Spain. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) St. John's guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) falls after driving to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against New Mexico, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith) England's Anthony Gordon celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Katie Taylor, left, lands a right to Amanda Serrano during their undisputed super lightweight title bout, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner, right, tackles Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington, left, on a punt return during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) UConn's Paige Bueckers (5) battles North Carolina's Laila Hull, right, for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Greensboro, N.C., Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown) Get local news delivered to your inbox!Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83
Using supercomputer simulations, a team of NASA scientists recently modeled the destruction of an asteroid around Mars to investigate the possible origins of Mars’ two, mysterious moons — Phobos and Deimos. Since their discovery in 1877 and subsequent investigations by telescopes and Martian spacecraft, scientists have pondered how the two moons came to be, and how they gained their unique, rugged shapes. Led by Jacob Kegerreis, the team’s new study revealed that a rogue asteroid may have passed too close to Mars. During its flyby, Mars’ strong gravitational pull would have disrupted, or ripped apart, the asteroid, leading to hundreds of thousands of small rocky fragments orbiting Mars. While more than half of the fragments created from the disruption event are believed to have been ejected away from Mars, those trapped within the planet’s orbit would have continued to collide, creating more debris. After these collisions stopped and the fragments settled into a ring around Mars, the material within the rings likely began clumping together, creating the Phobos and Deimos we know today. This theory was tested by Kegerreis et al.’s supercomputer models, which explored hundreds of different flyby simulations, each varying the asteroid’s size, spin, speed, and distance from Mars during the disruption event. The team employed two different computing codes for their simulations: a high-performance, open-source computing code called SWIFT (used to model the disruption event), and another computing code for modeling the orbits of the debris produced from the disruption event. Each computing code utilized Durham University’s advanced computing systems in the UK. Kegerreis et al. report in their study that in many of their simulations, enough raw material is produced around Mars from the disruption event and subsequent collisions to aid in forming moons similar to Phobos and Deimos. “It’s exciting to explore a new option for the making of Phobos and Deimos – the only moons in our solar system that orbit a rocky planet besides Earth’s. Furthermore, this new model makes different predictions about the moons’ properties that can be tested against the standard ideas for this key event in Mars’ history,” said Kegerreis, a postdoctoral research scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California. Interestingly, Kegerreis et al.’s models and findings don’t explicitly follow the two most popular theories about the origins of Phobos and Deimos. The first theory suggests that the moons were once asteroids that passed close enough to Mars to be wholly captured within Mars’ gravitational well and orbit. The second suggests that a giant impact on the Martian surface would have ejected enough material from the planet’s surface to create a disk and, finally, the moons. The latter theory closely aligns with scientists’ current theories behind the formation of Earth’s moon. However, while the second theory accounts for the orbital trajectories of Phobos and Deimos more closely than the first theory, it fails to account for Deimos’ large orbital radius around Mars. If a giant impact did occur at the Martian surface, any material ejected from the surface would have settled into a disk that hugged Mars quite closely — much closer to Mars than where Deimos currently orbits. Deimos’ large orbital radius means it had to have formed at that distance. Image showing the orbits of Phobos and Deimos (red) and Martian spacecraft. (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech) Fortunately, Kegerreis et al.’s new models account for Deimos’ orbital distance, with the raw materials needed for the formation of the moons reaching out to Deimos’ orbit. “Our idea allows for a more efficient distribution of moon-making material to the outer regions of the disk. That means a much smaller ‘parent’ asteroid could still deliver enough material to send the moons’ building blocks to the right place,” said co-author Jack Lissauer of NASA Ames. While Kegerreis et al. primarily focus on Phobos, Deimos, and Mars in their simulations, Kegerreis explains that their simulations and models also allow for the exploration of the formation of a variety of moons around the solar system and encounters between objects like planets, asteroids, comets, and more. These violent events were extremely common in the very early days of our solar system, so Kegerreis et al.’s simulations could allow scientists to better model the early solar system, its environment, and its outcomes. For Kegerreis et al. specifically, now that they’ve validated a formation theory with their model, the team will move to better modeling the formation of the disk that Phobos and Deimos formed out of. “Next, we hope to build on this proof-of-concept project to simulate and study in greater detail the full timeline of formation. This will allow us to examine the structure of the disk itself and make more detailed predictions for what the MMX mission could find,” said co-author Vincent Eke, an associate professor at the Institute for Computational Cosmology at Durham University. The Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) mission is a Martian sample return mission led by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) that will travel to both Phobos and Deimos. While at the moons, MMX will extensively study the moons and their characteristics to learn more about their composition and origin. While at Phobos, the MMX spacecraft will collect samples of the moon’s surface to return to Earth, where it will be sent to a lab for in-depth study. The internal composition of the moons (i.e. what they’re made of) could be the major clue that helps scientists determine whether or not the moons were once asteroids or the results of an impact/disruption event. MMX is currently set for launch in 2026 and features a variety of instruments and technology demonstrations, including NASA’s Mars-moon Exploration with Gamma Rays and Neutrons (MEGANE) instrument and a pneumatic sampler technology demonstration. (Lead image: Mars, Phobos, and Deimos. Credit: NASA)Surprising figure will help Jets in search for new coach and GMPercentages: FG 54.717, FT .818. 3-Point Goals: 8-19, .421 (Harris 3-5, Brown 2-3, Tanke 2-3, Jackson 1-3, Crooks 0-1, Hare 0-3, Ryan 0-1) Blocked Shots: 5 (Crooks 2, Hare 2, Brown 1) Turnovers: 18 (Ryan 6, Brown 3, Crooks 3, Williams 2, Harris 2, Jackson 1, Joens 1) Steals: 6 (Ryan 2, Brown 1, Hare 1, Williams 1, Harris 1) Technical Fouls: None Percentages: FG 31.481, FT .950. 3-Point Goals: 6-16, .375 (Gregory 2-4, Scott 2-3, Arike 1-3, Boldyreva 1-4, Blakely 0-1, Monson 0-1) Blocked Shots: 3 (Boldyreva 2, Harrison 1) Turnovers: 13 (Scott 4, Arike 3, Boldyreva 3, Gregory 3) Steals: 10 (Gregory 3, Scott 2, Arike 1, Boldyreva 1, Blakely 1, Davis 1, Harrison 1) Technical Fouls: None A_1,913 Officials_N/A