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vipph 27 TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. Five players who missed the Pittsburgh Steelers' 34-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday could return this week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Time, though, isn't on their side with the Steelers facing the Chiefs in a Christmas matchup at Acrisure Stadium. The quick turnaround also is a reason coach Mike Tomlin listed two players injured in the 17-point loss — cornerback Joey Porter and wide receiver Ben Skowronek — as questionable to return when the Steelers play again Wednesday. Porter left with a knee injury — it originally was ruled an issue with his calf — and Skowronek, a special teams contributor as well, injured his hip. Both players returned briefly in the second half before exiting for good. "I just don't have a lot of new information on those guys given that we just played last night," Tomlin said Sunday at his weekly news conference. "We're still in the process of assessing those things. Anybody that did make it out of that stadium yesterday on a four-day turnaround is probably going to have a difficult time showing for this one." The game will be the third for the Steelers (10-5) in an 11-day span. The Steelers faced the Ravens — on the road — six days after a 27-13 loss at Philadelphia. They will have just one full day of practice — and a walk-through Tuesday — to prepare for the Chiefs, who have crafted a 14-1 record on the heels of winning... Joe Rutter

Tiger Woods' elite new course gets major update that golf fanatics will loveChristmas in Nigeria is not just a religious event; it is a cultural celebration that brings people together in a unique blend of traditional and modern practices. Across the country, the season is marked by activities that showcase the diversity of Nigeria’s ethnic groups, their customs, and their shared love for family gatherings. From December 1, many Nigerians begin decorating their homes, workplaces, and streets with bright lights and ornaments, creating a festive atmosphere. One of the key traditions in Nigeria is the emphasis on homecoming. Families from urban areas travel back to their villages, particularly in the Southeast, where Christmas is deeply rooted in communal life. It is a time for reunions, and many communities hold masquerade festivals and traditional dances to welcome their people. In the Southwest, the season is synonymous with “Owambe” parties, which involve plenty of music, dancing, and elaborate outfits. These celebrations provide an avenue for communities to bond and express gratitude for the year. Church services also play a significant role in Christmas celebrations. Nigerians, regardless of denomination, attend midnight services on Christmas Eve and morning services on Christmas Day. These services feature carols, nativity plays, and sermons that remind people of the significance of Christ’s birth. In some churches, children dress up as angels, shepherds, or wise men, adding a colorful touch to the event. The services often conclude with congregants exchanging gifts and food. Food is another central aspect of the Nigerian Christmas experience. Households prepare a variety of meals, including jollof rice, fried rice, pepper soup, roasted chicken, and small chops like puff-puff and chin-chin. The preparation is often a communal activity, with family members sharing duties in the kitchen. Drinks like zobo and chapman are also popular during the festivities, offering a local twist to the celebrations. Modern trends have added a new dimension to how Nigerians celebrate Christmas. Urban areas now host Christmas concerts, fireworks displays, and visits to malls where children meet Santa Claus. Social media has amplified these celebrations, with families sharing photos of their decorations, outfits, and meals online. Many also participate in online challenges, such as posting throwback Christmas photos or sharing videos of family dance routines. Despite the fun and glamour, Christmas in Nigeria is also a time for reflection and gratitude. People take stock of the year, offer thanks to God, and set intentions for the new year. Many use this period to reach out to the less privileged, donating food, clothes, and other essentials. The spirit of giving is considered just as important as the festivities, reinforcing the true meaning of Christmas. The economic situation in the country has poses challenges to some traditions. Rising inflation has made travel and food preparation more expensive, forcing many to scale down their celebrations. However, Nigerians are known for their resilience and creativity. Families now explore budget-friendly alternatives, such as hosting smaller gatherings or carpooling to reduce travel costs. Ultimately, Christmas in Nigeria is a reflection of the nation’s rich culture, resilience, and love for togetherness. Despite the challenges, the season continues to bring joy and hope, reminding everyone of the importance of family, faith, and community.Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. Declares DividendTechnology stocks led a broad rally on Wall Street Tuesday during a holiday-shortened trading session ahead of Christmas. The S&P 500 rose 1.1% for its third-straight gain. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.9%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite climbed 1.3%. While Big Tech companies, including Apple, Amazon and chip company Broadcom helped push the market higher, the gains were widespread. Advancers outnumbered decliners by more than 3-to-1 on the New York Stock Exchange. Broadcom rose 3.2%, Apple gained 1.1% and Amazon closed 1.8% higher. Super Micro Computer climbed 6%. Tesla jumped 7.4% for the biggest gains among S&P 500 stocks. American Airlines shook off an early loss and ended with a 0.6% gain after the airline briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue. Elsewhere in the market, U.S. Steel rose 1.9% a day after an influential government panel failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of the nearly $15 billion proposed sale to Nippon Steel of Japan. NeueHealth surged 74.9% after the health care company agreed to be taken private in a deal valued at roughly $1.3 billion. All told, the S&P 500 rose 65.97 points to 6,040.04. The Dow added 390.08 points to 43,297.03, and the Nasdaq rose 266.24 points to 20,031.13. Treasury yields held steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury was little changed at 4.59%. European markets closed mostly higher. Markets in Asia mostly gained ground. Tuesday’s U.S. market rally comes as the stock market enters what’s historically been a very cheerful season. The last five trading days of each year, plus the first two in the new year, have brought an average gain of 1.3% since 1950. The so-called “Santa rally” also correlates closely with positive returns in January and the upcoming year. So far this month, the U.S. stock market has lost some of its gains since President-elect Donald Trump’s win on Election Day, which raised hopes for faster economic growth and more lax regulations that would boost corporate profits. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Even so, the stock market remains on pace to deliver strong returns for 2024. The benchmark S&P 500 is up 26.6% so far this year and remains within roughly 1% of the all-time high it set earlier this month — its latest of 57 record highs this year. U.S. markets will be closed Wednesday for Christmas. Wall Street has several economic reports to look forward to this week, including a weekly update on unemployment benefits on Thursday.

— BIRTH NAME: James Earl Carter, Jr. — BORN: Oct. 1, 1924, at the Wise Clinic in Plains, Georgia, the first U.S. president born in a hospital. He would become the first president to live for an entire century . — EDUCATION: Plains High School, Plains, Georgia, 1939-1941; Georgia Southwestern College, Americus, Georgia, 1941-1942; Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 1942-1943; U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, 1943-1946 (class of 1947); Union College, Schenectady, New York, 1952-1953. — PRESIDENCY: Sworn-in as 39th president of the United States at the age of 52 years, 3 months and 20 days on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. Left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. — POST-PRESIDENCY: Launched The Carter Center in 1982. Began volunteering at Habitat for Humanity in 1984. Awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Taught for 37 years at Emory University, where he was granted tenure in 2019, at age 94. — OTHER ELECTED OFFICES: Georgia state senator, 1963-1967; Georgia governor, 1971-1975. — OTHER OCCUPATIONS: Served in U.S. Navy, achieved rank of lieutenant, 1946-53; Farmer, warehouseman, Plains, Georgia, 1953-77. — FAMILY: Wife, Rosalynn Smith Carter , married July 7, 1946 until her death Nov. 19, 2023. They had three sons, John William (Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff); a daughter, Amy Lynn; and 11 living grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Source: Jimmy Carter Library & Museum

Hyderabad: Hitech Hyderabad notched the highest growth in Grade A office space absorption among the top six markets in the country at 56%, with 12.5 million square feet (msft) of space being leased in 2024 as against 8 msft in 2023. The city accounted for 19% of the total 66.4 msft Grade A space leased in the country during the year, as per realty consulting firm Colliers. However, Bengaluru clocked the highest space absorption in 2024 with 21.7 msft being leased as compared to 15.6 msft in 2023, marking a 39% increase. "Grade A office space demand in India broke all past records in 2024, with three out of the six major cities witnessing more than 10 million square feet of annual leasing. New supply also remained above the 50 million square feet mark and kept vacancy levels rangebound. Demand in 2025 can potentially stabilise at elevated levels, and annual space uptake exceeding 60 msft is likely to be the new norm over the next few years," said Arpit Mehrotra, Managing Director, Office Services, India, Colliers. According to Colliers, Hyderabad saw double-digit annual leasing for the first time in 2024, with technology and healthcare sectors together accounting for nearly half the Grade A leasing. While technology accounted for 33% (4.1 million square feet) of the total Grade A office space leased in the city during the year, healthcare and pharma accounted for 16% (2 million square feet), and flex players took up 14% (1.8 million square feet) of the space in Hyderabad. According to Joseph Thilak, national director for occupier strategy & solutions (Hyderabad & Chennai), Knight Frank India, Hyderabad's commercial market is expected to conclude 2024 with one of the highest absorption levels since the pandemic. "GCCs have remained active, leasing large office spaces throughout the year. Healthcare & Pharma, followed by BFSI, have been the dominant end-use occupiers for GCC-oriented transacted office spaces in Hyderabad, which remains favorable for other segments such as India-facing businesses, flex space operators, and third-party IT services with large office spaces of 1 lakh sq ft and above contributing to over 60% of overall leasing volumes," Thilak said. In fact, during Q4 2024, technology and consulting drove nearly 57% of the total Grade A office demand in Hyderabad, as office demand rose 41% to 4.1 million square feet compared to 2.9 msft in Q3 of 2024. Colliers said the surge in demand saw vacancy levels of Grade A office space dip by 90 basis points (BPS) on a sequential basis in the city while all-India vacancy levels also slid by 80 BPS in 2024. Hyderabad (13.7 msft) along with Bengaluru (15.2 msft) cumulatively accounted for 54% of the new supply of 53.3 msft in the top six markets during 2024. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword . Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes , messages , and quotes .ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Alex Ovechkin has not missed many games during his two decades in the NHL with the Washington Capitals, and that remarkable durability is one reason why Wayne Gretzky's career goals record. The Capitals had lost 33 of their 59 games in the lineup during his first 19 seasons, including 23 of 36 over the past decade. In stark contrast to that, they've won six of nine since the 39-year-old captain was — a testament to a not only to help him break the record but prepare the organization for the post-Ovechkin era. “Ovi, he’s a legend, he’s special, he’s always going to probably lead the team in goals and we’re a better team with him, but we’re also a team where I think we’re not necessarily maybe relying on one or two players to win games,” said center Lars Eller, who rejoined the team from Pittsburgh a month ago. “We have four pretty strong lines, three D pairs and two good goalies. We don’t depend on one or two individuals, and I think that’s the strength of the team.” Depth fortified by the additions of centers , and Eller, wingers , Brandon Duhaime and Taylor Raddysh, defensemen Jakob Chychrun, Matt Roy and and goaltenders Charlie Lindgren and over the past few years has been the key to remaining a playoff contender. Longtime general manager Brian MacLellan, who after the most recent makeover this past summer and moved upstairs as president of hockey operations, excelled in keeping Washington's winning window open with Ovechkin in the second-to-last year of his contract. Veteran defenseman John Carlson said the infusion of talent “really lit a fire under everybody.” The Capitals led the Eastern Conference when Nov. 18, and they remain atop the East more than three weeks into his absence. Fourteen players have scored a goal during this stretch, including six wins and an overtime defeat since losing the first two without him. “We’re a deep group,” said right winger Tom Wilson, the team's leading scorer during this stretch with nine points on five goals and four assists who expects to continue playing with a shield protecting his face after breaking a small bone in the sinus cavity area on the left side. "Everybody’s kind of stepping up on any given night. It’s a real group effort, and I think guys are really playing for each other.” Carlson, who along with Ovechkin, Wilson and now Eller upon return are the only players left from Washington's 2018 Stanley Cup championship team, also sees it as a case of younger teammates taking advantage of this chance. “There’s the colossal emptiness of it, but there’s also a lot of opportunity for guys who would never otherwise be there when he’s on this team,” Carlson said. “When someone goes down, it’s obviously always kind of a rallying thing where guys need to step up, guys need to fill in and play bigger roles and play more minutes. But I think the way that our team’s built is depth, and that’s been our strength this year is kind of contributions from everybody.” when he went down, and the Capitals were the high-scoring team in the league at 4.33 goals a game. They still are, down just a tick to an average of 4.04, and their 16 goals from defensemen are a big reason for that after ranking second-last in blue line production last season. “We’re playing to our structure and doing what we want to do out there,” said Chychrun, who has eight points in nine games as part of an impressive start to his contract year. “We’ve got a D corps where everybody’s a really good player on that back end and can play in all situations and two-way guys and guys who have contributed offensively throughout their career.” Another major defense is , who acknowledged the structure and playing standard as a good place to start but pointed the credit to veteran leaders like Carlson, Strome, Wilson and Nic Dowd for shepherding the Capitals through Ovechkin-less hockey. “They don’t go around the room and go, ‘Hey, we’ve got to do more, guys,’” Carbery said. “They don’t announce it, but what they do is they think about it and go: ‘OK, we’re missing him. I’ve got to step my game up and I need to bring more.’ And that’s not just on the ice, on the power play, on 5 on 6 when we’re defending a lead. It’s not just the Xs and Os. It’s in the locker room. It’s energy in practice. It’s all the things that he brings every day when he’s in the lineup and when he’s practicing.” Ovechkin skated before practice Wednesday and got an assist from longtime running mate Nicklas Backstrom, who because of a lingering hip injury. Carlson quipped, “I think Ovi wanted someone with a little more skill passing him the rock out there.” The day is coming soon when Ovechkin returns to team drills and then game action. The Capitals are doing more than stay afloat without him, but they'll welcome him back with open arms the moment he's ready. As Eller said, “Obviously I think we’re even better when he’s in the lineup.” ___ AP NHL: Stephen Whyno, The Associated PressIsrael's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told lawmakers on Monday that "some progress" had been made in negotiations to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, more than 14 months into the war. His comments in parliament come two days after Palestinian militant groups also talked of progress towards a ceasefire and hostage release deal. In recent days, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States took place in Doha, rekindling hope of an agreement that has proven elusive. "Everything we are doing cannot be disclosed. We are taking actions to bring them back. I wish to say cautiously that there has been some progress, and we will not stop acting until we bring them all home," Netanyahu said in parliament, on the same day he took the stand again at his ongoing corruption trial. "I want to say to the families of the hostages: We are thinking of you and we will not give up on your loved ones, who are our loved ones as well." Hostage families have questioned the sincerity of government negotiation efforts, and critics have long accused Netanyahu of stalling in truce talks, prolonging the war partly to appease his far-right coalition partners. On Saturday, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said progress had been made. "The possibility of reaching an agreement (for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal) is closer than ever, provided the enemy stops imposing new conditions," the groups said after they held talks in Cairo. During the unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, 251 people were abducted, of whom 96 remain hostages in Gaza, including 34 declared dead by the military. Negotiations have faced multiple challenges since a one-week truce in November 2023, with the primary point of contention being the establishment of a lasting ceasefire. Another unresolved issue is the territory's post-war governance. Hamas's armed wing said the fate of some of the captives depends on how Israeli forces carry out their offensive. "If the occupation army advances even a few hundred metres more in some areas where they are already on the ground, it will decide the fate of some of the enemy's hostages," Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said in a statement. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal last week, Netanyahu said: "I'm not going to agree to end the war before we remove Hamas." He added Israel is "not going to leave them in power in Gaza, 30 miles from Tel Aviv. It's not going to happen." US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on October 23 that Israel had "managed to dismantle Hamas's military capacity" and eliminated its senior leadership. With those successes, he said, it was time to "get the hostages home and bring the war to an end with an understanding of what will follow." Among the Hamas leaders Israel killed was its political chief Ismail Haniyeh, Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Monday, in the first public acknowledgement that Israel was behind the late July death of Haniyeh in Tehran. Israel's military on Monday said three soldiers were killed in northern Gaza, the focus for months of an offensive Israel said aimed to prevent Hamas from regrouping there. In parliament, Netanyahu also warned the Iran-backed Huthi rebels of Yemen, who last week fired two missiles at Israel, including one that injured 16 people in the commercial hub of Tel Aviv on Saturday. "I have instructed our forces to destroy the infrastructure of Huthis because anyone who tries to harm us will be struck with full force," he said, "even if it takes time." Israeli warplanes retaliated against ports and energy infrastructure, which the military said contributed to Huthi rebel operations, after a rebel missile badly damaged an Israeli school last week. The Huthis said the Israeli strikes killed nine people. On Saturday, the United States struck targets in Yemen's rebel-held capital Sanaa, hours after the Huthis hit Tel Aviv with a missile. American and British forces have repeatedly struck rebel targets in Yemen this year in response to Huthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea area vital to global trade. Netanyahu also stated that he wanted to sign new peace accords with Arab countries, similar to the "Abraham Accords" negotiated in 2020 under Donald Trump's first United States administration. Those agreements saw Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco establish formal ties with Israel. "Moderate Arab countries view Israel as a regional power and a potential ally. I intend to seize this opportunity to the fullest," he said. "Together with our American friends, I plan to expand the Abraham Accords... and thus change even more dramatically the face of the Middle East." Netanyahu also said that Israel would not allow "terrorist entities to settle close to our communities" near the border with Syria. "It is a fight for our existence, for the state of Israel. We must defend our borders," he said. bur-jd/it/jsa

ELMONT, N.Y. — And just like that, the Blues recently have become a team that jumps to the lead. After they went seven straight games allowing the first goal of the game, the Blues had scored first in five of their last six games entering Saturday night’s game against the Islanders at UBS Arena. Since Nov. 12, no NHL team has scored first more often than the Blues, even if that hasn’t translated to wins (St. Louis is 2-2-1 in those five games). “We’re on our toes more,” Blues captain Brayden Schenn said. “I think we’re just more direct early. At the same time, when you get that feeling a little bit, you have to sustain it. When we score one early last game, 10 seconds in, that’s when you have to go in and try and get that next one right away. That’s kind of the mentality you have to have. I think our starts have been better. Just everyone in general, a little bit more ready to play.” On Thursday night against the Sharks, the Blues scored the fastest goal of the NHL season so far when Nathan Walker scored just 11 seconds into the game. Like in the previous four games in which the Blues scored first, they allowed a game-tying goal (Alexander Wennberg tied it at both 1 and 2) before winning in a shootout. “The first five minutes have been good for us, and we’ve been able to build our game from there,” Blues coach Drew Bannister said. “We want to continue to do that, play on our toes and be aggressive.” The Blues will need to continue their strong starts as they opened a stretch of seven road games of their next eight on Saturday night. They will play all three New York-area teams before Thanksgiving, then have one game at home vs. the Flyers before embarking on a four-game trip through western Canada in early December. “I think tonight’s going to be an important (one) for us to get off to a good start,” Bannister said. “It’s going to be some real good challenges for us, but build on what we did last game at home, and make sure we come here ready to play from the start. Grab some positives, and win a hockey game and go from there.” The Blues entered the trip as a slightly below-average road team, carrying a 4-5-1 record into UBS Arena. Their minus-9 goal differential on the road was among the bottom third of the league, but that’s also weighed down by a 8-1 thumping in Ottawa in late October. What does the Blues’ road game look like? “A hard, simple game,” Schenn said. “Building your game right from puck drop and taking care of pucks and doing the little details that ultimately win you hockey games. Obviously, we don’t play a flashy style of game. The harder and simpler we are, it’s suiting us better this way.” Sundqvist back in After two games as a healthy scratch, Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist re-entered the lineup on Saturday night as Zack Bolduc was a healthy scratch. Sundqvist entered Saturday with two goals in 12 games, and was instrumental on the penalty-killing unit while Robert Thomas was injured. Asked what his message was to Sundqvist, Bannister said: “I want to leave that between me and the players. I think that’s the best way it’s kept.” Sundqvist was to play on a line with Alexey Toropchenko and Nathan Walker, as Radek Faksa was promoted to skate with Dylan Holloway and Mathieu Joseph. “For us, we trust him on the PK,” Bannister said on Sundqvist. “He’s a responsible player in the d-zone, he’s good on faceoffs. Just want him to be a solid veteran out on the ice for us that does the right things.” The Blues made one other change, this one on defense as Corey Schueneman exited as Matthew Kessel was back in for St. Louis.Chicago Bears starting left tackle Braxton Jones sustained a fractured left ankle in Sunday's loss to the Detroit Lions, NFL Network reported Monday. Jones, 25, was injured midway through the second quarter of Chicago's 34-17 setback. His lower leg was placed in an air cast before he left the field on a cart. He will have more tests but the initial diagnosis is a broken fibula, per the report. He faces a recovery period of at least four months. Jones has started all 40 of the games he has played since Chicago picked him in the fifth round of the NFL draft in 2022, including 12 starts this season. Larry Borom replaced Jones and will be the likely starter when the Bears (4-11) host the Seattle Seahawks (8-7) on Thursday night. --Field Level Media

Report: Louisiana coach Michael Desormeaux gets new deal

ITXPROS Announces Partnership with Digital Arches LLC to Offer OPTISPLINT Solution

Surviving a Hearing World not for Everyone: Developing Filipino Sign Language in a Disaster-Prone CountryCORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Maria Gakdeng tied her season high with 21 points and grabbed a season-best 12 rebounds, Alyssa Ustby added 19 points and 13 boards and the No. 17 North Carolina women beat Miami 69-60 on Sunday for their third consecutive win. North Carolina (13-2, 1-1 ACC) lost its conference opener to No. 13 Georgia Tech on Dec. 15 before nonconference wins against Florida and Norfolk State. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

The 32 things we learned from Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season: The number of TD receptions by Arizona Cardinals TE Trey McBride, who scored on his 98th catch of the season. Had he not found the end zone via reception, McBride would – by far – have had the most snags in a single campaign without a receiving touchdown in the history of the league. The number of times Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield has thrown five touchdown passes in a game, though Sunday was the first time he'd done it for the Bucs. He needs one more to become the 12th player to ever post 40 in a season. Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow became the 11th on Saturday. The number of kicks blocked this season by Los Angeles Rams LB Michael Hoecht. Costing the Cardinals an extra point Saturday night was a huge assist in a game LA won 13-9. The number of consecutive seasons the Buccaneers have made the playoffs, the longest active streak in the NFC. Sunday's 48-14 rout of the Carolina Panthers keeps the Bucs alive and kicking for both the NFC South crown and the conference's final wild-card berth – and they'll get help one way or another when the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders meet Sunday night. The number of consecutive seasons in which Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen has accounted for at least 40 touchdowns, an NFL record. 6. Allen passed for two more TDs in Sunday's shellacking of the New York Jets and ran for another, pushing him past 40 combined for 2024. Will it be enough to earn him his first MVP award even though he's had more impressive statistical seasons? The jersey number of Philadelphia Eagles backup QB Kenny Pickett. Unclear why the team is letting a digit made famous by the likes of QBs Ron Jaworski and Michael Vick remain in circulation ... aside from special circumstances. Maybe. Kenny Pickett wut — Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) The number of consecutive games that Burrow has thrown for at least 250 yards and three TDs, an extension of his own NFL record after his huge performance in Saturday's win over the Denver Broncos. Maybe Burrow should be the MVP. The number of NFL players – ever – to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards after . (And it should be noted that Barkley only needed 16 games to reach the hallowed benchmark.) Standing ovation for reaching 2,000 yards 🔥💚 — NFL (@NFL) Now with a league-high 2,005 yards, Barkley needs 101 to overtake , which was set by the Hall of Famer with the Rams in 1984. And maybe Barkley should be the MVP given he piled up 167 yards on the ground Sunday despite playing with Pickett and QB3 Tanner McKee all day. The number of consecutive seasons Hall of Famer Jerry Rice posted 1,000 receiving yards, an NFL record. Bucs WR Mike Evans needs 85 yards in Week 18 to match Rice's mark. Notable this year given Evans missed three games with a bad hamstring. Unlucky No. 13? Eh, anyone becoming an interim coach is, by definition, behind the power curve. This year's trio is now a collective 5-17 after getting swept in Week 17. The Jets' Jeff Ulbrich is 2-9, the Saints' Darren Rizzi 3-4, and the Bears' Thomas Brown is 0-4. The number of sacks Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett has had in each of the past four seasons, the first player in league history with such a run ever since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. Speaking of sacks, Jets QB Aaron Rodgers has now been bagged 568 times in his career, overtaking Tom Brady (565) on Sunday for the most times any quarterback has gone down since 1982. "I got Tom in that," Rodgers said with a wry smile after New York's 40-14 loss at Buffalo. While Rodgers set that dubious mark Sunday, he didn't manage to throw a TD pass, keeping him stuck on 499 during the regular season over the course of his 20-year career. The Las Vegas Raiders' Brock Bowers set two records Sunday, – he now has 1,144, surpassing Mike Ditka's 1,076 (in 14 games in 1961) – and the overall rookie record for receptions (108). But look out for the New York Giants' Malik Nabers, who's up to 104 catches (in 14 games) and could certainly overtake 2024 first-round draftmate Bowers in Week 18. The rookie receptions record has now changed hands three times in the past four seasons, the Miami Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle (2021) and Rams' Puka Nacua (2023) briefly holding it as well. Anquan Boldin is the only other player to hit the century mark, which he did way back in 2003. Back to the Giants, it's suddenly less clear who will be throwing passes to Nabers in 2025 after New York won its first home game of 2024 ... but to No. 4. Now ? How about the New England Patriots, who picked QB Drake Maye third overall earlier this year. That should allow the Pats to incite a bidding war between the Giants, Browns and Tennessee Titans, who would all seemingly be in the market to take or at the top of the board four months from now. Also paying the price for the Giants' one-day revival were the Indianapolis Colts, who were eliminated from the playoff race due to their loss at MetLife Stadium. Who had undrafted Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle, who'd never started before this season, rushing for 1,000 yards? Who had Bucs rookie RB Bucky Irving, who started twice this season, rushing for 1,000 yards? So, if you're the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, would you rather win the AFC North and likely host the surging Los Angeles Chargers, or get a wild card and visit the AFC South "champion" Houston Texans in the opening round of the postseason? The Minnesota Vikings' Sam Darnold is the first NFL quarterback to notch 14 wins in his first season with a team after Sunday's defeat of the Green Bay Packers. The Vikes are one win shy of the franchise regular-season record of 15 wins – which occurred in a 16-game season back in 1998 ... when they also lost a heartbreaking NFC championship game to Atlanta. The Packers seemed to sleepwalk through most of their game in the Twin Cities ... but don't forget, they had nothing to play for but seeding. The Detroit Lions could be forgiven for sleepwalking through Monday night's game against the San Francisco 49ers, given it will have no impact on what's become a winner-take-all game for the NFC's No. 1 seed between the Lions and Vikings in Week 18. The best NFL-related video we've since Christmas involved Darnold. THAT’S OUR FREAKING QUARTERBACK — Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) The second-best NFL-related video we've since Christmas involved, well, focus on Bolts DB Derwin James. WHO'S GOT IT BETTER THAN US? — Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) The second-best NFL-related video we saw on Christmas? Andy Reid, y'all. "For the present, you get home field advantage." Santa Reid giving the best gift of all. 😂🎅 — NFL (@NFL) But the best NFL-related video we saw on Christmas? Leave it to Beyoncé to salvage of pro football. . Bey and Blue 💙 — NFL (@NFL) ***

Five people are on a growing list of candidates running to be the next chair of the Democratic National Committee, but one of them is getting a lot of attention: former Baltimore Mayor and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley. At a time when the party is still reeling from losing the White House and both chambers of Congress, the next DNC chair will be tasked with leading Democrats out of some deep introspection and into action. As O’Malley said Sunday, it’s not just a messaging problem that caused Democrats to lose. “It’s deeper than that,” he said Sunday morning on CNN’s “Inside Politics.” A “twice impeached, convicted felon is the person who we lost the hardest-working Americans to, and many of them that voted for him also agreed that he’s a pretty bad person. So this is not some moment for a caretaker DNC chair. Instead, we need a change-maker.” But how will O’Malley, who recently resigned as the head of the Social Security Administration to run for DNC chair, be the change-maker he says the party needs? He outlined a few steps on CNN and MSNBC: —A messaging shift to focus on winning back the working class and younger voters —Tactical changes in how Democrats deliver their messages —Boosting Democratic voter registration —Defending voting rights —Have a 57-state-and-territory strategy —Recruit candidates to run from the courthouse to city hall to the U.S. House —Reconnect with people’s concerns In an interview on MSNBC’s “Inside with Jen Psaki,” he compared the next DNC chair to a “wartime leader” and an “operational turnaround leader.” O’Malley also complained about the Democratic Party’s missteps. “One of the biggest wastes in our party is not the hundreds of millions we spent on ads that didn’t work, but it’s failing to tap into the great new leaders we have out there — many of them already serving as mayors, as governors, state treasurers, lieutenant governors,” O’Malley said. “We almost treat them like they’re not allowed to be at the big person table at Thanksgiving.” He also emphasized the need for a better communications strategy, claiming the party needs to create a center for digital communications excellence within the DNC. “Our candidates should not have to rely on their brother-in-law’s best guess as to where to place Facebook ads,” O’Malley said. “We should be able to provide the best marketing analytics, the best technology, the best techniques, so that our candidates can actually communicate that economic message.” On both CNN and MSNBC, O’Malley repeatedly highlighted the importance of Democrats reclaiming the economic message. “We have to return to the strength that is our party’s strength since the 1930s, which is that we are about the economic security of every man, woman and child in the nation,” he said on MSNBC. “And when we do those things, we can accomplish many other progressive goals, but first we have to reconnect with people’s concerns.” After painful November losses, O’Malley sees a party on the verge of some big wins if Democrats are willing to be aggressive. “The Democratic National Committee needs to figure out whether we want to mess around or whether we want to be ruthless about winning the next elections. I vote for winning elections,” he said. He listed multiple opportunities for wins: 36 governor’s races in two years, special elections, a chance to win back the House in 2026 and have House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jefferies as the next speaker. Though O’Malley is among five candidates running for DNC chair, he seems to be the one getting the most airtime, appearing for multiple television interviews in the last couple weeks. The election will be held Feb. 1 to replace outgoing DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. In addition to O’Malley, the other candidates include nonprofit executive-turned-Senate hopeful Robert Houton; author and former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson; Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party chair Ken Martin; and Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Ben Wikler. Houton, a Bethesda resident, won less than 1% of the Maryland Senate primary vote while making the fentanyl crisis central to his campaign. In a letter to DNC members, Houton said he would be “a fighter with passion and integrity to speak boldly and lead.” He told Democrats he grew up in Massachusetts and was inspired by the late U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy from his home state. “In my formative years, my parents instilled in me the meaningful impact public service holds for my life of service to others,” Houton said. “I have never deviated from this calling.” He cited his deep faith and Catholicism in helping him to bring optimism and energy to the DNC. Williamson, the only woman running for DNC chair and the most recent candidate to jump into the race, said the Democratic Party has lost its connection with millions of Americans. She described the party as “a tarnished brand” in an interview with ABC News. In an exclusive interview with Newsweek, she said, “Many people are afraid of change. I think what Democrats should be most afraid of right now is not changing.” ©2024 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Last week, I traveled to Japan with a hardcover copy of Edward de Bono’s Letters to Thinkers: Further Thoughts on Lateral Thinking. Yet, it wasn’t this intriguing book that captivated my attention during the flight back from Osaka to Manila. Instead, it was a seemingly simple PG-rated movie, ”My Penguin Friend,” amidst an array of other enticing options—from Korean dramas to Hollywood classics. Despite initial skepticism, the movie moved me deeply, even causing me to shed a few tears openly. The film opens with breathtaking scenes of nature: thousands of penguins lining the beach, their synchronized movements mesmerizing as they prepare for an extraordinary journey. Triggered by an unseen cue, these penguins dive into the ocean, embarking on their annual migration from Ilha Grande, Brazil, to Patagonia, Argentina. This awe-inspiring spectacle sets the tone for a story that transcends species and highlights themes of loyalty, gratitude, and resilience. The narrative pivots to a singular penguin who becomes ensnared in an oil spill. Immobilized and near death, the penguin is rescued by a kindhearted Brazilian fisherman, Joao Pereira de Souza. Joao painstakingly cleans the penguin’s feathers and nurses him back to health, forming an unexpected bond that transforms his life. Joao, long burdened by decades of loneliness and grief, finds solace and purpose in caring for the penguin, whom a neighborhood girl names Dindim. Initially a point of contention between Joao and his wife, Dindim’s presence soon becomes a source of joy and healing. After his recovery, Dindim is released to an offshore island, but he surprises everyone by returning to Joao the very next day. This pattern repeats, with Dindim refusing to leave Joao’s side and even accompanying him around the fishing village, much to the amusement of its residents. Eventually, Dindim rejoins his penguin colony, leaving Joao heartbroken. Yet, to Joao’s astonishment, Dindim returns the following year, walking through the yard as if he had never left. This annual reunion continues for eight years, captivating the village and, later, the world as their story goes viral on social media. The heart of the film lies in the bond between Joao and Dindim—a bond that defies logic and redefines what friendship can mean. When reporters ask Joao if Dindim is his pet, he replies, “He is not a pet, he is my friend.” The story also delves into the broader implications of their relationship, exploring themes of interconnectedness and the impact of human actions on wildlife. The penguins’ remarkable migration, spanning thousands of miles, serves as a metaphor for resilience and the delicate balance of our planet’s ecosystems. The movie doesn’t shy away from portraying the dual nature of humanity’s influence. While Joao’s actions exemplify compassion, the oil spill that nearly claims Dindim’s life underscores the environmental challenges facing both humans and animals. The film also subtly critiques the role of science, illustrating both its potential for good and its capacity to inadvertently harm when detached from ethical considerations. The visual storytelling is another highlight, with stunning cinematography capturing the beauty of land, sea, and underwater worlds. The penguin’s realistic portrayal—likely the result of expert animal training rather than AI—adds authenticity to the narrative. However, the true power of the film lies in its basis on real events. At the movie’s conclusion, viewers are treated to a photograph of the real Joao and Dindim, grounding the story in reality and amplifying its emotional impact. The story concludes poignantly: one year later, Dindim stops returning. Joao’s quiet acceptance mirrors the universal experience of loss and the enduring hope that accompanies love. In interviews, Joao expresses how much he misses Dindim, calling out to him and waiting with sardines in hand, a testament to their unbreakable bond. Their story is reminiscent of Hachiko, the loyal dog who awaited his owner’s return, but in reverse—this time, it is the human who longs for the return of his animal friend. Perhaps one day, a statue of Joao looking out to sea will commemorate this extraordinary friendship. —————- doyromero@gmail.com Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy .Clean energy investors have endured yet another torrid year as traders continue shunning the alternative energy sector. The solar sector, in particular, highlights the negative sentiment pervading renewable energy investing: According to a by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the U.S. is on track to add close to 40 gigawatts of solar energy capacity in 2024--more than double last year’s tally and more than triple what was added in 2022. The solar sector is clearly booming, yet solar stocks have badly underperformed, with the sector’s popular benchmark, (NYSEARCA:TAN), having returned -35.3% YTD vs. 24.3% by the . The upcoming Trump presidency is considered bearish for renewable energy investing. For years, Trump has never hidden his disdain for clean energy, repeatedly lambasting Biden’s historic (IRA), describing it as the “biggest tax hike in history”. Trump has pledged to rescind any “unspent” funds under the IRA after he ascends to the Oval Office. However, there are some pockets within the renewable energy universe that are looking quite promising. Here are 3 renewable energy stocks that outperformed in the current year and could do it again in 2025. (NASDAQ:WAVE) is a wave energy company that develops wave energy conversion (WEC) technology that converts ocean and sea waves into clean electricity. WAVE shares have been surging after the company from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for its wave energy project at the Port of Los Angeles in California. The company will install eight wave energy floaters on the piles of an existing concrete wharf structure on the east side of the port's Municipal Pier One. According to Eco Wave, securing the final permit marks the completion of two key milestones in its agreement with (NYSE:SHEL) which is expected to boost the company's revenues in Q4 2024. Related: European Gas Prices Soar as Putin Says a New Ukraine Transit Deal Is Unlikely Europe is the global leader in blue energy, with of global investments in ocean energy over the last decade flowing into the continent. That’s great news for Eco Wave Power because the company is well-established in the region. Indeed, the company’s first operational wave energy plant was developed in Gibraltar with EU funding. Eco Wave Power is currently developing a 20 MW wave energy project in Porto, Portugal as part of the country’s plan to generate 85% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Eco Wave Power established a subsidiary in Portugal in 2020 and kicked off the licensing process. In March 2024, the company to start construction and committed to completing the project within two years. One of the newer companies in the space, (NYSE:GEV) was incorporated in 2023 after being spun off from (NYSE:GE). This Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company deals in energy equipment manufacturing and services. GE Vernova operates under Power, Wind, and Electrification segments. The company is well-positioned to profit from sustained growth trends as a supplier of power generation assets. Two weeks ago, GE Vernova for FY 2024 revenues and free cash flow, and also raised guidance for 2025 revenues, free cash flow and adjusted EBITDA margin. The company now sees FY 2024 revenues trending towards the higher end of guidance of $34B-$35B; adjusted EBITDA margin of 5.5%-6.0%, narrowed from its previous outlook for 5%-7%; and free cash flow trending towards higher end of $1.3B-$1.7B guidance. For FY 2025, GE Vernova has forecasts revenue in the range of $36B-$$37B, up from prior guidance of mid-single digit growth implying revenues of $35B-$37B; adjusted EBITDA margin of high-single digits and free cash flow of $2B-$2.5B, up from $1.2B-$1.8B previously. " ," GE Vernova CFO Ken Parks said. (NASDAQ:TSLA) is one of the largest manufacturers of electric vehicles on the planet. TSLA stock is trading close to an all-time high with the strong bullish vibe being driven by the view that the Elon Musk-led company will benefit from a Trump Administration that will be friendly to the process of securing autonomous vehicle approvals as it looks to grow the robotaxi fleet rapidly over the next two years. However, Wall Street is more cautious about the shares, assigning TSLA a Hold rating and an average price target of only $259.66, considerably lower than the current price of $421.44. Some bears have pointed out that a similar monster rally in 2021 was followed by a drop of more than 70% over the next 18 months.

A WOMAN has divided opinion after she revealed she ditched being maid of honour at her best friend's wedding to work instead. Amy Dikinson, from Queensland, Australia, was originally looking forward to supporting her childhood bestie on her big day. But that all quickly went downhill when Amy received the invitation only to realise the wedding day clashed with a work event already in her calendar. Taking to TikTok, Amy explained that although the story might put her in a bad light, it was really her mate who caused all the drama. It turns out that the work event was no little obligation Amy could get out of, but rather a big event for her own business she'd been planning for ages and had already put a lot of time and money into. "My best friend decided to book her wedding on the same day, was this intentional? I think so," Amy explained in the viral video. In the clip, the entrepreneur went on to call her former best friend "petty and bitter". So, Amy made her feelings known loud and clear by ripping up the invitation and sending it back to her friend, along with her bridesmaid dress which she also cut into multiple pieces. Speaking to Femail , Amy said this isn't the first time her friend has been so petty, and noted that she'd always been a little bit jealous of her success. "We would go shopping and something would look amazing and she would screw her face up and say she hates it - but then something would look awful and she would say to buy it," Amy said. What made Amy even more convinced her friend had booked her wedding on the same day on purpose was the fact it was "a random Thursday in February" - not a day with any meaning to her pal. "It's a Thursday! That makes it so much worse, who is getting married on a Thursday? She definitely did that on purpose," one person commented on the video. And another wrote: "Your friend was clearing sabotaging your business!" Amy replied to one of the comments, revealing that she ended up blocker her former bestie on social media because of the drama. Meanwhile, someone else said: "You definitely need to reconsider this friendship and boundaries. She doesn't sound like your best friend. Best friend and longest friend are different." And others suggested Amy should call the venue to see if she had really booked her wedding for the same day. However, not everyone was convinced by Amy's story and thought she could be making it all up to get attention for her business. "I feel like this story is really good marketing for your event, I'm not sure if it's true but slay," one person commented. "Sorry, but this scream marketing," another said. And someone else agreed: "This seems like a really good ad for the event." Got a number of weddings coming up? Get ready with our wedding guides.FBI Director Wray says he intends to resign at the end of Biden's term in January