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Arizona State makes College Football Playoff with 45-19 win over Iowa State in Big 12 title gameNone
BURLINGTON — Iowa’s state gambling regulators will hear arguments on a petition filed seeking to scuttle efforts to build a new casino in Cedar Rapids, but will not pause its review and decision on granting a Linn County casino license. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission met Thursday morning in Burlington at Catfish Bend Casino. The commissioners unanimously directed racing and gaming staff to set a briefing schedule and hear arguments on a petition filed by Riverside Casino & Golf Resort and the Washington County Riverboat Foundation, the nonprofit affiliate and gaming license holder for the casino, seeking a declaratory order stating the state gaming commission lacks authority to issue a new license for a Cedar Rapids casino. The petition challenges the validity of the 2021 public referendum that authorized gambling in Linn County, which could prevent Linn County receiving a casino license. The petition was filed Nov. 8, and the commission had 30 days to respond under Iowa Code, with options including answering, declining or setting a schedule for further information. Commissioners ultimately agreed to set a schedule for hearing legal arguments from both sides before making a decision. Additionally, the commissioners rejected a request by Riverside Casino to pause the process on a Linn County casino license while the commission considers the petition. Commissioners cited insufficient grounds and procedural requirements, and stated it’s their intent to hear legal arguments from both sides before its Feb. 6 meeting, when the commission expects to vote on the Linn County license. “We ultimately have to decide whether the various criteria to issue a license had been done,” Commissioner Alan Ostergren said. “And so we can't avoid this question, which is going to have to be decided in one format or another, one time frame or another, and I have the preference of setting a briefing schedule so that we ensure that we give the Linn County folks the full opportunity, if they choose to participate in the process, to present the best legal arguments that they have,” he said. “And then to allow our petitioner to provide a reply document. There may be other parties who want to submit legal arguments to us.” In 2013 and 2021, Linn County residents passed referendums authorizing gaming in the county. The 2021 vote permanently authorizes gaming in the county. Des Moines attorney Mark Weinhardt, on behalf of Riverside Casino and its nonprofit affiliate, contends the 2021 ballot measure contained language that failed to comply with Iowa Code. Weinhardt, in his petition to the state gaming commission, argues the 2021 public measure approved by Linn County voters didn’t authorize the commencement of gambling, but instead simply extended gaming provisions from a 2013 referendum. The ballot measure stated: “If approved by a majority of voters, operation of gambling games with no wager or loss limits may continue.” The state, though, has never licensed gambling games in Linn County. “Accordingly, there were no games that the voters could authorize to ‘continue,' ” the petition states. “A proposition requiring approval or defeat of the continuation of gambling games is not a proposition that authorizes the origination of gambling games in the county,” according to the petition. It also argues the public referendum did not seek approval of all gambling games, but rather a subset of them — games “with no wager or loss limits.” Weinhardt, in his filing, argues that does not comply with statutory language that requires voters to approve “gambling games” without any voter-imposed limits. “And because there has not been compliance with Iowa Code 99F.7, the IRGC is prohibited from issuing any license for gambling games in Linn County,” according to the petition. Asked why Riverside Casino and its nonprofit affiliate are challenging the validity of the 2021 referendum now, as opposed to when it was approved three years go, he said, “The licensing decision is the appropriate time to talk about whether the license is appropriate and valid.” Anne Parmley is president of the Linn County Gaming Association, the charitable arm of the Cedar Rapids Development Group, the proposed developers of the Cedar Crossing Casino. Parmley and other backers of the proposed Cedar Rapids casino say the petition is a delay tactic to prevent Linn County from benefiting from a gaming operation, which would support the city and county through taxes and betterment funds, and provide $6.3 million annually to nonprofits. Parmley, speaking to The Gazette, said she was pleased with the commission’s decision. “We understand their need and desire to reflect on the information in front of them,” Parmley said. “ ... I am confident, personally, that Linn County voters knew exactly what they were voting for and voted to support a second time around gaming in Linn County — and have come out in droves yesterday to explain why it is so important to Linn County to have this opportunity.” Delaying the commission’s vote, she said, would have given those opposed to the casino more time to push through legislation to reimpose a ban on new casino licenses in the state. Some lawmakers have said they intend to file a casino moratorium bill that would block new gaming licenses when the Iowa Legislature convenes Jan. 13. Iowa lawmakers in 2022 passed a two-year moratorium blocking new gaming licenses but failed to extend the pause this year before the legislative session adjourned in April. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is scheduled to vote on whether to approve the Cedar Crossing Casino in early February, giving lawmakers little time — roughly 18 days — to pass and have Gov. Kim Reynolds sign the moratorium before the racing and gaming commissioner plan to vote on a Cedar Rapids casino license. This rendering shows the Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center proposed for the former Cooper’s Mill site in northwest Cedar Rapids. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is considering whether to issue a gaming license so the casino can be built. (Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, Linn County Gaming Association) Gaming commissioners heard from more than 100 speakers on Wednesday voice their support and opposition to a Linn County casino license during a public hearing in Cedar Rapids. Most spoke in favor of the casino. Opponents warned a new facility would cannibalize revenues from other Iowa casinos and dilute, not increase, the state’s gambling market. Casino operators and business, government and nonprofit leaders from Davenport, Dubuque, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Riverside and the Meskwaki Nation said Iowa’s gaming market is saturated. Wes Ehrecke, president of the Iowa Gaming Association — which represents Iowa’s 19 licensed casinos — said all the Iowa casinos support a moratorium on new casino licenses in the state. Supporters, including local nonprofits, businesses and union members, argued that the proposed casino would boost the local economy, create jobs, support community projects and enhance the quality of life by attracting more tourists and providing more entertainment options. Iowans for Common Sense, which promotes itself as a grassroots coalition, has launched a campaign asking Iowans to oppose the casino, inviting residents to sign a petition supporting a statewide moratorium on new casinos. Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell questioned the grassroots nature of the effort and suspects Iowa casino operators are behind it. “This is a well-funded campaign that is, really, not surprisingly backed very well by rich casino operators playing out their case against what they call cannibalization,” O’Donnell told state gaming commissioners Wednesday during a site visit to the proposed Cedar Rapids casino location. “The rest of us call it competition.” O’Donnell on Wednesday asked the commissioners for a “fair shot” at opening a casino, arguing Linn County residents “want this,” as evidenced by their passage of gambling referendums in 2013 and 2021. In between Dave & Buster's screen-lit aisles and makeshift arenas, it's not unusual to see groups of friends competing with each other. At each of the arcade chain's more than 222 franchises throughout the country, there's just about every kind of friendly physical and virtual game—Hot Shots basketball, Skee-Ball, air hockey, billiards, virtual car racing, and shooting—to master. And that is just the beginning. ATS.io mapped how gambling is entering arcades across the United States and the implications for these two industries. In a partnership with technology company Lucra, Dave & Buster's announced in April 2024 that it plans to allow customers to bet on its arcade games through a social wagering channel on its app. The gamification software will accommodate peer-to-peer digital cash bets on "skill-based" games, otherwise defined as "recreational activities for which the outcome is largely or entirely dependent on the knowledge, ability, strength, speed, endurance, intelligence of the participants and is subject to the control of those participants," Lucra chief operating officer Michael Madding told the New York Times . In the process, loyalty members will be able to digitally wager on each other's recreational abilities, earn various rewards, and unlock exclusive perks, effectively merging sports betting and arcade fandom together. "This new partnership gives our loyalty members real-time, unrivaled gaming experiences, and reinforces our commitment to continuing to elevate our customer experience through innovative, cutting-edge technology," Simon Murray, senior vice president of entertainment and attractions at Dave & Buster's, said in the company's initial press release. The decision to enter the betting fray is the latest example of an arcade or casino investing in gamification to capitalize on the exponential growth of gambling. As of May 2024, close to 40 states have legalized sports betting, which achieved record revenues ($10.9 billion) in 2023, according to the American Gaming Association, thanks to maturation across existing and newer markets, such as Massachusetts and Ohio. In the same year, more traditional and regulated casino slots and table games at brick-and-mortar establishments grossed a record $49.4 billion in revenue. That doesn't even mention the soaring estimations for the fantasy sports market, which projects to reach $56.36 billion in 2030 , according to a report by Grand View Research. "A lot of these new skill games are riding the wave of the sports betting and fantasy sports boom," Daniel Wallach, a gaming law and sports betting attorney, told ATS.io. "If fantasy sports is a legal game of skill, and it falls outside the gambling prohibitions under state law, then that could potentially apply to myriad other skill games. That's what Dave & Buster's is banking on." Still, there are potential consequences and uphill battles. Over the last couple of years, numerous "adult arcades" attempting to circumvent state laws with gambling games have been raided by authorities—namely in Florida, where slot machines are illegal unless they're at casinos or pari-mutuels. Depending on the state and how Dave & Buster's plans to operate its social wagering, the chain may also face legal hurdles. But according to Wallach, as long as an arcade isn't acting as "the house" and setting odds, "in most jurisdictions, the peer-to-peer product is, legally, the path of least resistance." In a post-pandemic world, finding new ways to attract and retain customers has become paramount for big entertainment venues. Until about a decade ago, publications were still delivering eulogies for the arcade, which struggled to compete with home video game consoles. In a 2013 story for The Verge , author Laura June argued: "The economics aren't there anymore, the community support never was, and, of course, gaming companies make a killing in the home—almost none are even producing cabinets anymore." To reinvent themselves, many arcades have introduced more hospitality elements and virtual/augmented reality opportunities, hoping newer social technology might lure customers back. Along with casinos installing slots that incorporate video game elements like storytelling and competition, they've also taken hints from sports betting companies like DraftKings and FanDuel, gamifying their mobile experiences by presenting various "challenges" or "missions" or "bonuses" that can incentivize players to stay active on an app and increase their chances to win prizes. Some arcades, like Galloping Ghost Arcade, based in Brookfield, Illinois, have pivoted the other direction, leaning into nostalgia to fuel their niche customer base. According to owner Doc Mack, the venue—which hosts about 80,000 customers a year—doesn't supply any food or beverage service, has close to 900 different games, and charges a $25 flat rate so customers don't pinch their quarters. "We have tried to really go with an old-school approach to it. Our games kind of speak for themselves," Mack told ATS.io. "You don't have to pitch anything else to make these games iconic or make people want to play them." Unlike Dave & Buster's, he says, which phases old games out, Galloping Ghost prides itself on classic arcade options that don't cater to online opportunities. Considering the scope and intention of his business, gamification only makes sense for a certain size operation looking to draw in more casual customers. "I think it's great to try to innovate and bring new things to it," Mack said. "If you operate that big at this point, maybe you just try to do anything you can to figure out a new revenue opportunity." Considering Dave & Buster's is one of many arcade entertainment franchises that cater to families, underage gambling has become a concern. Legislators such as Illinois state Rep. Daniel Didech have spoken out about the lack of safeguards preventing kids and teenagers from betting themselves. Lucra says its betting services are only intended for adults 18 and up, and that the average contest size is around $5 or $10. But without being regulated—a reason the American Gaming Association declined to comment for this story—the chain opens itself up to more scrutiny. "State regulation can provide an important consumer protection element that would otherwise be missing from unregulated albeit legal activity," Wallach said. "Maybe the answer is to regulate rather than prohibit." Whether or not it finds initial success, Wallach believes this venture into arcade peer-to-peer betting is likely to gain imitators. Consider venues such as Topgolf and PingPod (a fully automated table tennis space), which have already gamified some of their experiences and contain inherent head-to-head competitions. Meanwhile, on Lucra's list of clients is a pickleball ratings system and a tennis app that allows players to compete against each other for real money. According to Lucra, its app has created 1 million unique contests and collected more than $20 million of handle. It seems like just the beginning. "There's much more skill gaming out there at commercial venues than you may even realize," Wallach said. "There's no reason why this concept can't be imported to those types of recreational activities." Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. This story originally appeared on ATS.io and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Mega Millions ticket prices to increase to $5 in April, with improved odds and bigger jackpots promised. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
A timeline of the life and political career of President Jimmy CarterCincinnati (4-8) at Dallas (5-7) Monday, 8:15 p.m. EST, ESPN BetMGM NFL Odds: Bengals by 5 1/2. Against the spread: Bengals 6-6; Cowboys 4-8. Series record: Cowboys lead 10-4. Last meeting: Cowboys beat Bengals 20-17 on Sept. 18, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. Last week: Bengals lost to Steelers 44-38; Cowboys beat Giants 27-20. Bengals offense: overall (9), rush (27), pass (1), scoring (T5). Bengals defense: overall (27), rush (22), pass (27), scoring (31). Cowboys offense: overall (20), rush (31), pass (7), scoring (21). Cowboys defense: overall (26), rush (31), pass (13), scoring (T29). Turnover differential: Bengals minus-1; Cowboys minus-7. Joe Burrow is one of five QBs in NFL history with at least 30 touchdown passes and no more than five interceptions through 12 games. Aaron Rodgers has done it three times, with one each for Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees and Tom Brady. The worst record among the six previous instances was 9-3, while Burrow sits at a hard-to-imagine 4-8. Two of those teams started 12-0: Green Bay with Rodgers in 2011 and Tom Brady with New England in 2007. Burrow leads the NFL in passing yards (3,337), completions (302) and touchdowns (30) entering Week 14. LB DeMarvion Overshown had a coming-out moment with his spectacular 23-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Giants. The second-year player, who missed his rookie season with a knee injury, tipped a pass from Drew Lock, ran down the deflection and scored untouched to put Dallas ahead for good. There's talk of him forming quite a tandem with two-time All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons. It's a little early for that, but the “Monday Night Football” audience will be looking for an encore. WR Ja'Marr Chase vs. the Dallas secondary. The question is whether 2021 All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs will be among the defenders battling his former Southeastern Conference rival (Chase played for LSU; Diggs for Alabama). Diggs has missed two games with groin and knee issues. There was some trash talk involved in Dallas' 20-17 win two years ago when the Bengals were defending AFC champs. Chase finished with 54 yards as Cincinnati was held to 254 yards and one touchdown. If Diggs can't go, 2023 All-Pro DaRon Bland figures to see plenty of Chase. Bland is set for his third game after missing the first 10 following surgery for a stress fracture in his foot. Chase leads the league in receiving yards (1,142) and touchdowns (13) entering Week 14. Bengals K Evan McPherson (groin) and LB Logan Wilson (knee) were placed on injured reserve this week. Cade York, the LSU kicker when Burrow and Chase led the Tigers to the 2019 national championship, was signed to replace McPherson. ... Cowboys RG Zack Martin has opted for ankle surgery that will end an injury-filled season for the seven-time All-Pro. Martin missed the past two games. ... It appears Dallas will have to wait at least one more week before DE DeMarcus Lawrence returns from a foot injury. His practice window hasn't opened, and he stayed in the rehab group to start the week. Lawrence hasn't played since Week 4. ... Rookie LT Tyler Guyton has been battling a shoulder injury and added an ankle sprain last week. He's likely to sit this week in favor of veteran Chuma Edoga, who made his season debut against the Giants after injuring a toe in training camp. The Cowboys have beaten the Bengals five times in a row and are 7-1 at home against them. The loss was at old Texas Stadium in 1988. The most recent victory for Cincinnati was 26-3 in 2004. The Bengals are on their second three-game losing streak of the season and still looking for their first victory over a team with a winning record. The Cowboys have won two in a row coming off a five-game losing streak and just ended a six-game skid at home. ... Seven of Cincinnati's losses have been one-score games, including the past three. ... The Bengals have the second-best touchdown rate inside the 20-yard line at 71.1%. The Cowboys have the second worst at 43.8%. ... It's the second Monday night game of the season for both teams. Cincinnati lost to Washington in Week 3. Dallas lost to Houston in Week 11. ... Burrow is one of six QBs with at least three consecutive games of 300-plus yards passing and at least three TDs. Steve Young set the record with five for San Francisco in 1998. Burrow has lost all three games on his streak, while the other five QBs were a combined 15-6 during their streaks. ... WR Tee Higgins is one of three NFL receivers with at least five touchdowns in each of the past five seasons. Mike Evans and Justin Jefferson are the others. ... LT Orlando Brown Jr. returned against Pittsburgh following the first stint of his seven-year career on the inactive list with a leg injury sustained Oct. 27. ... The Bengals benched starting LG Cordell Volson against the Steelers in favor of Cody Ford. Coach Zac Taylor said Ford played well enough to keep the starting job. ... Edge rusher Trey Hendrickson entered the week still leading the NFL with 11 1/2 sacks but has just half a sack during the current three-game losing streak that followed his career-high four sacks against Las Vegas. But Hendrickson does have 4 1/2 sacks in his past four road games and 9 1/2 in eight Monday night games. ... Cowboys QB Cooper Rush's second career start, and first as a five-game fill-in for the injured Dak Prescott in 2022, was a Dallas victory over the Bengals. Rush passed for 235 yards and a touchdown in the first of four consecutive games without an interception, all victories. Rush is 2-2 this season as the replacement for Prescott, who is out for the season following surgery on a torn hamstring. ... RB Rico Dowdle is coming off his first career 100-yard game, with 112 yards rushing and a touchdown against the Giants. ... CeeDee Lamb needs 120 yards receiving to become the first Dallas wideout to reach 1,000 yards in four of his first five seasons. ... Dallas has 16 sacks in the four games since two-time All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons returned from a high ankle sprain. The Cowboys are tied with Denver for the most sacks in that span. Parsons has 5 1/2 of them. Bengals RB Chase Brown has at least 90 scrimmage yards in the past four games, including a team-best 100 last week against the Steelers. Dallas has the second-worst run defense in the NFL. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflAnge Postecoglou lays into Timo Werner for 'UNACCEPTABLE' display - after hauling off the Tottenham star at half-time of Europa League draw with Rangers Dejan Kulusevski rescued a point for Tottenham away at Rangers on Thursday The Swede replaced Timo Werner at the break, who had another night to forget LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Mason Mount? Marcus Rashford? Joshua Zirkzee? Who should Manchester United sell to raise funds? By MATT BARLOW Published: 22:58 GMT, 12 December 2024 | Updated: 01:16 GMT, 13 December 2024 e-mail 36 View comments Ange Postecoglou savaged Timo Werner for his performance after hauling the Germany international off at half-time against Rangers . Werner was replaced Dejan Kulusevski who rescued a point for Tottenham with a late equaliser at Ibrox. 'He wasn't playing anywhere near the level he should,' said Postecoglou when asked if the change was tactical. 'When you've got 18-year-olds out there, it's not acceptable to me. I said that to Timo. 'He's a senior international, he's a German international. In the moment we're in right now, it's not like we've got many options. 'I need everyone to at least be going out there trying to give the best of themselves. His performance in the first half wasn't acceptable.' Tottenham are locked in an injury crisis and patched-up at the back, missing three central defenders, their number one goalkeeper and two strikers. Ange Postecoglou laid into Timo Werner after his performance against Rangers on Thursday The German international was hooked by his manager at half-time against the Scottish giants 'It's not really of great concern,' said Postecoglou, when how Werner had taken the criticism. 'We need everybody including him to be contributing. Because we don't have the depth to leave people out if they're performing poorly. 'We need them to play their part. Especially the senior guys. When I'm asking younger guys to do massive jobs. I expect a level of performance from some of the senior guys. And today wasn't that.' Overall, the Spurs boss was satisfied with a point. 'We were nowhere near our best,' said Postecoglou. 'Whether or not it's a fair result is for others to judge. 'But in the period of games we're grinding through, with a depleted squad, asking players to get up week in week out, it's a good outcome. 'In the context of where we are in Europe, with next games in the New Year, which gives us a chance to be in a better place, I think it's a pretty good point. We'll look back on this as an important point.' Ange Postecoglou Rangers Tottenham Hotspur Share or comment on this article: Ange Postecoglou lays into Timo Werner for 'UNACCEPTABLE' display - after hauling off the Tottenham star at half-time of Europa League draw with Rangers e-mail Add comment
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DDPAI Partners with Battery World to Bring Smarter Dashcam Solutions to Australian DriversA victory over the Raiders puts the Broncos that much closer to an unexpected playoff berth, playing with a rookie quarterback and just a year after they went 8-9. The Broncos are 6-5 and coming off a 38-6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons , and would be in the playoff field if the season ended entering Week 12. Not bad for a team given a win total of 5 1/2 games at BetMGM Sportsbook. “Everyone understands the significance of where we are at this point in the season,” Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton said. The situation is quite different for the Raiders. They are 2-8, on a six-game losing streak and decimated by injuries. Las Vegas could enter this game without its top two running backs and a reshuffled line on offense, and defensively, the Raiders could have two linemen, three cornerbacks and a safety out of action. “Just been having some bad breaks, but nobody feels sorry for us,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. "Nobody feels sorry for me. You’ve got to roll out there with 11 players, and that’s what we’re going to do come Sunday.” The Raiders are badly in a need of a franchise quarterback and are in a logjam for the top pick in next year's NFL draft. Denver showed with this year's draft how valuable landing such a QB can be to an organization. Bo Nix was selected 12th — one spot ahead of the Raiders — and he is pushing for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was this week's top AFC player and rookie after completing 28 of 33 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns in the rout of the Falcons. “I think as we’ve gone on, Coach (Sean Payton) and I have found a good rhythm of what we both like, what we can kind of put out there on the field and what we can execute," Nix said. "Then the guys have kind of adapted to it, found our roles within the offense and executed at a high level. It’s just all about slowing the game down and processing things in a manner that you can handle.” Raiders tight end Brock Bowers also could have a say in who wins the season's top offensive rookie award. He is second in the NFL with 70 catches and his 706 yards receiving is 10th among all receivers. His numbers from a historical perspective are even more impressive. Bowers, the 13th pick in this year's draft , is fourth all time among all tight ends in catches through the first 11 weeks and he and Jeremy Shockey in 2002 are the only rookies at that position to have more than one game with at least 10 receptions. “This week's a brand new week,” Bowers said. “I've always got something to prove.” Payton still isn't entirely comfortable splitting carries between running backs Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime. Asked how he determines the right balance in his rotation, Payton said, “That's the $6 million question. It’s difficult. We know kind of what we have with those three players. I think it’s always hard to feed three. "I'm used to — and it’s easy — to feed two. So we kind of do that a little bit. I thought Javonte had some really good runs (last week). Certainly the game ends and we’re like, ‘Gosh, we have to get Jaleel more touches.’ So it’s a tough, but a good problem to have.” With injuries to running backs Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quadriceps), 10-year veteran Ameer Abdullah could get the start for the Raiders this weekend. He has just 17 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown this season and started just one game his previous six seasons. “I see myself as a starter,” Abdullah said. “I think every guy in the room does. I consider myself the best back on this team just like every back does. This is my opportunity to go out there and put my best foot forward.” Patrick Surtain II had a pair of interceptions, including one he returned for 100 yards and a touchdown, in the team's first meeting this season and that fueled the Broncos' 34-18 win in Denver . Both of the passes were intended for Bowers, who caught a 57-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Surtain isn't expecting the Raiders to avoid him Sunday, however. “You don't want to go into a game thinking they're not gonna throw it your way,” Surtain said, “because it's the pros at the end of the day, everybody's ready, everybody's capable.” AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton in Englewood, Colorado, contributed to this report. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped and rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” Macron said at the reopening ceremony. Thomas Adamson And John Leicester, The Associated Press Dec 7, 2024 10:56 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE - People stand outside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, on Nov. 29 2024. (Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool Photo via AP, File) PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped and rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” Macron said at the reopening ceremony. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” to Parisians, France and the world. Macron spoke in front of 1,500 guests invited to celebrate the restoration of Paris’ 12th-century cathedral which was nearly destroyed by a fire in 2019. They included world leaders like President-elect Donald Trump , U.S. first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. PARIS (AP) — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes . The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. Monumental feats of restoration Inside, 42,000 square meters of stonework — an area equal to six soccer pitches — were meticulously cleaned, revealing luminous limestone and intricate carvings. Overhead, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” were used to rebuild the spire and roof, restoring the cathedral’s iconic silhouette. The thunderous great organ, with 7,952 pipes ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide, resounded for the first time since the fire. Its newly renovated console, boasting five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, was a marvel of restoration, reawakening a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s identity. Guests gradually filing into the cathedral for the evening reopening ceremonies were awestruck by the renovated interiors, many whipping out cellphones to capture the moment. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, which raised nearly half of the €900 million ($950 million) in donations for the restoration. He last visited in 2021, when the cathedral was cloaked in scaffolding. “It was somber,” he said. “It’s night and day.” The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian pastor who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument—it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Historical details enrich the occasion Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. Macron's political woes The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to embattled Macron, whose prime minister was ousted this week , plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. The French president, who has called Notre Dame's reopening “a jolt of hope,” will address the gathering. He had hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership. Macron's presidency now faces its gravest crisis after the government's collapse this week in a historic no-confidence vote that toppled Prime Minister Michel Barnier. The vote followed months of political gridlock after snap elections in June. Calls are now growing louder from opposition forces for Macron to resign. But he vowed Thursday to remain in office until the end of his term in 2027, and said he'll name a new prime minister within days. As France struggles with economic woes and social unrest, Notre Dame's rebirth celebrations form a stark contrast. Security is tight for this global event Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail is following Trump. Public viewing areas along the Seine’s southern bank will accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can follow the celebrations on large screens. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. ___ Sylvie Corbet, Yesica Brumec, Marine Lesprit and Mark Carlson in Paris contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Thomas Adamson And John Leicester, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More The Mix How 'Mufasa' rose with Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy's voices along with new Lin-Manuel Miranda music Dec 7, 2024 10:49 AM Beaten by Australia, Canadian women miss out on semifinals at Cape Town Sevens Dec 7, 2024 10:23 AM Nobel Literature Prize winner Han Kang talks about how writing connects her to readers Dec 7, 2024 9:46 AM Featured FlyerGASO_FG Stewart 22, 8:17. GASO_Sanders 30 pass from French (Stewart kick), 6:55. CCAR_FG Hensley 39, 2:46. GASO_FG Stewart 27, 1:29. CCAR_FG Hensley 24, 12:43. GASO_FG Stewart 36, 14:56. GASO_White 2 run (Stewart kick), 5:56. GASO_FG Stewart 39, 3:18. RUSHING_Georgia Southern, White 13-46, Mbadinga 10-32, French 6-12, Arnold 7-12, J.Dallas 1-6, (Team) 1-(minus 1), Cobb 1-(minus 7). Coastal Carolina, Bennett 16-138, Vasko 4-22, Washington 2-6, Kim 2-(minus 3). PASSING_Georgia Southern, French 25-38-0-294. Coastal Carolina, Vasko 10-25-2-102, Kim 1-7-1-25. RECEIVING_Georgia Southern, D.Burgess 8-98, Bunkley-Shelton 3-43, J.Dallas 3-25, Fromm 3-19, Sanders 2-51, Cobb 2-30, Arnold 2-13, Mbadinga 1-13, White 1-2. Coastal Carolina, McKie 5-78, Graves 2-3, Berrong 1-26, Tucker 1-9, Meiga 1-6, Bennett 1-5. MISSED FIELD GOALS_Georgia Southern, Stewart 58.
LOS ANGELES — The programs came calling, last winter, and Kyron Hudson deflected them all to his father. Between USC wide receiver Hudson and Oregon defensive tackle Keyon Ware-Hudson, father Chance reflected, he had about 12 teams reach out about the possibility of his sons entering the transfer portal. A few, Chance told the Southern California News Group back in the fall, were interested in package deals. And father Chance listened, because the money was hard to turn down. But Hudson, even through three years of inconsistent snaps and infrequent opportunity, didn’t want to leave USC. “His answer? From him?” Chance said in the fall, asked if Hudson thought about transferring. “Absolutely not. There was zero.” A breakout season and a reel of highlight catches later, though, and receiver Hudson has officially entered the portal following his redshirt junior season at USC, announcing his departure in a lengthy statement on X (formerly Twitter) . “I step forward,” Hudson wrote, “with gratitude for my time at USC and anticipation for what lies ahead.” In a room full of talented sophomores jockeying for snaps, the former Mater Dei High standout emerged as the most consistent veteran presence at receiver for USC in 2024, hauling in a career-best 38 catches for 462 yards in 12 games. His handful of one-handed grabs became a signature, a career-best 83-yard game against LSU and a couple of improbable catches helping USC earn an impressive Week 1 win . Even as game-to-game opportunities in Coach Lincoln Riley’s passing attack wavered, Hudson was a constant on the outside, racking up the most snaps of any Trojans receiver in 2024. Amid a late-season flu that swept through USC’s locker room down the stretch, Hudson had to receive an IV for fluids during the week of the Nebraska game, according to a source familiar with the situation. That Saturday, he still caught three passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. “I mean, he’s one of those guys – you just kind of, you can’t have enough of ’em in your program, that they just stay the course, they just keep getting better,” Riley said, earlier in the season, of Hudson. “There’s not, maybe always these massive jumps. But they’re always there. He always practices, he never misses anything, he never misses a rep.” That consistency, in turn, will be missed dearly in USC’s receivers room in 2024, with veteran leaders Hudson and Kyle Ford (out of eligibility) now moving on.None
Boots have a hair growth serum that's gaining accolades from customers as a 'miracle in a bottle' . The product in question is The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density , priced at £20.80 for 60ml, but shoppers can currently snag it at a discounted price of £16.64 online using a special voucher code . This formula , featuring peptide technologies, plant-based extracts and caffeine, has earned a stellar 4.4-star rating from more than 880 reviews. A delighted customer shared: "Miracle in a bottle. I bought this out of desperation as due to being peri-menopausal and on GLP-1 medication the thinning and fallout were getting very noticeable. I honestly wasn't expecting much due to this product's low price (relative to similar products of course) and thought it would be an introduction into more expensive serums." "I'm very pleased to say that my presumption was incorrect and this product has blown me away . I've been using it every night for the past 9 weeks. My main problem areas were my temples, front hairline and parting. I wasn't sure there was actually much difference until my husband (the least observant man ever) noticed and asked what was going on." One reviewer shared a before-and-after comparison, saying: "I found a picture I took the day before I started and compared it to myself today and the difference is very noticeable. I've not had to use my hair filler powder puff recently which is a relief. If you're unsure about this product, don't be. It's very easy to use and doesn't leave an unpleasant coating or fragrance behind. One bottle goes a long way.", reports Birmingham Live . Another reviewer agreed, stating: "Amazing results. I bought myself and I can see the results. I highly recommend to each and every person of my family and friends." A third reviewer added: "Amazing thickness and volume. I have been using this for a few years now and just love how it has helped with my thinning hair. It has seen some regrowth but the volume it leaves my hair is phenomenal." However, one reviewer was disappointed with the results, saying: "I had high hopes for this going by reviews but unfortunately it made my hair shed even more than before! Waste of money." According to Boots , the serum is a "Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density is a concentrated leave-in formula designed to support the scalp and give you thicker, denser, fuller-looking hair. The formula is lightweight and offers a combination of peptide technologies alongside a series of plant-based extracts. This formula contains REDENSYLTM, ProcapilTM, CAPIXYLTM, BAICAPILTM, AnaGainTM, and High-Solubility Caffeine." Superdrug also offers Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Growth Hair Oil for £10.99 for 59ml, available as part of a three for two deal.Moscow will use all means at its disposal to defend its national interests, and hopes Washington has understood this after the test launch of the Oreshnik hypersonic missile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has told US journalist Tucker Carlson. Carlson, who interviewed President Vladimir Putin earlier this year, returned to Russia to speak with Lavrov after unsuccessful attempts to sit down with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky. “We don’t want to aggravate the situation, but since ATACMS and other long-range weapons are being used against mainland Russia as it were, we are sending signals,” Lavrov said. “We hope that the last one, a couple of weeks ago, the signal with the new weapon system called Oreshnik, was taken seriously.” Russia launched the hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile at a Ukrainian military-industrial facility in Dnepropetrovsk. Videos making rounds on social media showed bolts of light from the sky impacting deep underground, followed by secondary explosions. The site has been off-limits to the press ever since. Half an hour before the launch of the Oreshnik, Russia sent a message to the US using the nuclear deconfliction line, so “that they don't mistake it for anything bigger and real dangerous,” according to Lavrov. Carlson noted that Oreshnik “sounds very dangerous” on its own. “The message is that you, I mean the US and the allies of the US, who also provide these long-range weapons to the Kiev regime, they must understand that we would be ready to use any means not to allow them to succeed in what they call strategic defeat of Russia ,” Lavrov told Carlson. Moscow is “ready to do anything to defend our legitimate interests,” he added. Referring to the recent comments of an American admiral about the theoretical acceptability of using atomic weapons, Lavrov said that this kind of rhetoric was “really worrying” and appears to assume that Russia does not have ‘red lines’ or is not willing to enforce them. “This is a very serious mistake,” the Russian diplomat said. Asked whether the US and Russia are at war, Lavrov said that it’s an undeclared, “hybrid war” at the moment and Moscow is letting Washington know that it should not escalate. Since an actual war with the US “would take a nuclear character,” the veteran diplomat explained, “we would certainly like to avoid any misunderstanding. And since some people in Washington and some people in London, in Brussels, seem to be not very capable [of understanding], we will send additional messages if they don’t draw necessary conclusions.”
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After an exhausting two weeks of negotiations in Azerbaijan's Caspian Sea capital of Baku, COP29 president Mukhtar Babayev declared open the final summit plenary after midnight, two days after the conference was officially scheduled to end. A final text was released following several sleepless nights for negotiators, with tensions boiling over as small islands states and the world's poorest countries walked out of one meeting. "This package is an affront to us. We are the countries that have the most at stake," said Tina Stege, climate envoy of the Marshall Islands, an atoll nation threatened by rising seas. Top German negotiator Jennifer Morgan told AFP that countries would be presented a "take it or leave it" deal. Before the closing session, delegates huddled in small groups on the floor of the main conference room inside Baku's sports stadium to pore over copies of the latest draft deal line by line. "I know that none of us want to leave Baku without a good outcome," Babayev said. A number of countries have accused Azerbaijan, an authoritarian oil and gas exporter, of lacking the experience and will to meet the moment, as the planet again sets temperature records and faces rising deadly disasters. Small island nations and impoverished African states on Saturday angrily stormed out of a meeting with Azerbaijan, saying their concerns had been ignored. "I think it caught a lot of people by surprise," said Brazil's climate envoy, Ana Toni. "It all happened very quickly." The walkout triggered an emergency meeting between those nations and top negotiators from the European Union, United States and Britain with the COP29 presidency in which new proposals were made. Wealthy countries and small island nations have also been concerned by efforts led by Saudi Arabia to water down calls from last year's summit to phase out fossil fuels. The final text proposes that rich nations raise to at least $300 billion a year by 2035 their commitment to poorer countries to fight climate change. It is up from $100 billion now provided by wealthy nations under a commitment set to expire -- and from $250 billion proposed in a draft Friday. That offer was slammed as offensively low by developing countries, which have demanded at least $500 billion to build resilience against climate change and cut emissions. Sierra Leone's climate minister Jiwoh Abdulai, whose country is among the world's poorest, called the draft "effectively a suicide pact for the rest of the world". Developing power Brazil pleaded for at least some progress and said it would seek to build on it when it leads COP30 next year in the Amazon gateway of Belem. "After the difficult experience that we're having here in Baku, we need to reach some outcome that is minimally acceptable in line with the emergency we're facing," Brazil's environment minister Marina Silva told delegates. As staff at the cavernous and windowless stadium began packing up, diplomats rushed between meetings, some armed with food and water in anticipation of another late night. Panama's outspoken negotiator, Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, warned not to repeat the failure of COP15 in Copenhagen in 2009. "I'm sad, I'm tired, I'm disheartened, I'm hungry, I'm sleep-deprived, but there is a tiny ray of optimism within me because this cannot become a new Copenhagen," he told reporters. Climate activists shouted "shame" as US climate envoy John Podesta walked the halls. "Hopefully this is the storm before the calm," he said. Wealthy nations say it is politically unrealistic to expect more in direct government funding. Donald Trump, a sceptic of both climate change and foreign assistance, returns to the White House in January and a number of other Western countries have seen right-wing backlashes against the green agenda. The draft deal posits a larger overall target of $1.3 trillion per year to cope with rising temperatures and disasters, but most would come from private sources. South African Environment Minister Dion George, however, said: "I think being ambitious at this point is not going to be very useful." The United States and EU have wanted newly wealthy emerging economies like China -- the world's largest emitter -- to chip in. The final draft encouraged developing countries to make contributions on a voluntary basis, reflecting no change for China which already pays climate finance on its own terms. The EU and other countries have also tussled with Saudi Arabia over including strong language on moving away from fossil fuels, which negotiators say the oil-producing country has resisted. "We will not allow the most vulnerable, especially the small island states, to be ripped off by the new, few rich fossil fuel emitters," said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. bur-np-sct-lth/jm