FBI Director Wray says he intends to resign before Trump takes office in January
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LAGOS – As the discussion on flight delays and cancellations among Nigerian airlines continues, experts in the country’s aviation industry have added their voices to the causes of the menace, saying airlines are not only the causes of flight delays and cancellations. The industry experts also advocated collaboration among regulators, operators and customers’ representatives without interference of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development in resolving the issue. Mr. Amos Akpan, industry analyst, mentioned the various aviation agencies, government organisations, fuel suppliers, telecommunications, Very Important Persons (VIP) movements, ground handling companies, including passengers as some the contributory factors to flight delays and cancellations in the industry. He also mentioned weather issues and deficient infrastructure provided by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and other government agencies as some of the causes of flight delays and cancellation in Nigeria. He added: “Unless we accept the impact of each of the above mentioned in the efficient delivery of service to their consumers, we will remain in the complaint and blame zones without growing. “My point is, if you know what each contributor is doing wrong, bring it to their notice, and ensure appropriate solution is applied to fix it. For instance, the Immigration is fixing the menace of manual processes with the corruption it harbours. Our honourable minister of aviation is fixing the bottlenecks against dry lease of aircraft by Nigeria airlines. “Let each agency, each service provider, including the airlines take responsibility for their role in these flight delays. Those that pretend they don’t know how their activities contribute to flight delays should be told.” Akpan insisted that the airlines could not magically produce excellent services in an environment where other inputs were inefficiently served, calling on all organisations to up their games to operate to the industry standards. He emphasised that the best planning for flight operations was to input every activity in an operations specification submitted to and approved by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). He added that availability of data would also go a long way to reducing flight delays and cancellations among the airlines, but regretted that most companies avoid giving out credible and accurate data to avoid paying appropriate taxes to the government. He added: “Reason is because no airline or business in the sector will survive by paying the current rates and number of taxes imposed by the various levels of government. Yet no sane management would intentionally break the law. “One of the burdens of too many taxes is that the taxed finds escape routes with the assistance of tax experts, especially when the infrastructure are far below expectations.” Engr. Chris Amokwu, another aviation expert, declared that flight delays are not entirely the fault of the airlines. He mentioned inadequate airport and air space infrastructure, ground handling, availability of Jet A1 and weather as some of the issues, which impede negatively on the operations of airlines. Amokwu also expressed that for flight delays and cancellations to be properly addressed, there was the need for the categorisation of causes of flight delays and cancellations in order to be fair to the airlines. He added: “This not excusing the airlines for their lapses. Blaming and pointing fingers at each other will not solve any problem, but rather collaboration between regulators, operators and customers’ representatives without interference of the ministry will go a long way towards resolving this problem.” The NCAA had last weekend in its statistics of flight delays and cancellations said that out of the 10,804 flights operated in September and October 2024 by Nigerian airlines, no fewer than 5,415 of the flights, representing 48 percent of total flights were either delayed or canceled. The regulatory agency also threatened to impose sanctions on the airlines in compliance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) 2022 (Consumer Protection) Regulations 2023.None
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Georgia quarterback Carson Beck on Saturday announced his plans to enter the NFL draft, five days after having season-ending elbow surgery . Beck, a fifth-year senior, made his NFL plans official on social media. Recommended Videos Beck suffered a right elbow injury in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime win over Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 7 in Atlanta. Beck had surgery on Monday to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Beck is expected to begin throwing next spring. He could have returned for a sixth season but instead will enter the NFL draft. Beck posted on Instagram: “The past five years at the University of Georgia have been nothing short of a dream come true and I will forever cherish the memories that have been made.” Gunner Stockton, who took over for Beck in the second half against Texas, will start for Georgia on Wednesday in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Beck has started every game of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He was 24-3 as a starter. Beck passed for 3,941 yards with 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2023 but had more difficulties with turnovers this season as he passed for 28 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He completed 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards before his injury in the SEC championship game. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballJet crash disaster in South Korea marks another setback for Boeing
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I Only Believe In Myself: Jaiswal's Epic Reply To Starc's Superstition Remark After Bail Switch Banter - WatchVictor Wembanyama pulled up to Washington Square Park to play chess despite it being a very rainy Saturday in New York City. The French superstar started playing when he was around seven years old, and his love for it is still there even now that he is an NBA star. The San Antonio Spurs center was in town for his team's game against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. After the 97-86 victory, Wembanyama celebrated by asking people on social media for suggestions on the best spots to play chess, which has historically been a popular activity in NYC parks. "I don't know. I was just feeling like it," he told Bleacher Report . "That's enough of a reason." Thanks for everyone who pulled up in the rain 😂🔥 pic.twitter.com/qblm9xzOfL He said he lost two games against professionals, but Wembanyama proudly shared that he beat his brother and that victory alone felt like a thousand wins to him. "It was a lot of fun, I learned a lot," he said. A video shared by the official NBA X account showed how rainy it was at the park with puddles everywhere, including the chess table. Wembanyama even had a towel to dry the chess pieces. POV: You’re playing chess with @wemby on a Saturday morning in Washington Square Park ♟️🗽 pic.twitter.com/gnxdvPE69l Despite the less-than-ideal weather conditions, Wembanyama seemed to have enjoyed himself. He shared a photo with more than 20 people standing behind him and thanked everyone who showed up to play. He didn't have much time for more games because the Spurs are heading to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves on Sunday evening. However, Wembanyama shared an idea for other NBA players who enjoy playing chess. "We need an NBA players only Chess tournament, proceeds go to the charity of choice of the winner," he said on X.
FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host despite human rights concerns ZURICH (AP) — Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer. The Saudi bid was the only candidate and was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations. They took part remotely in an online meeting hosted in Zurich on Wednesday by the soccer body’s president Gianni Infantino. The decision was combined with approving the only candidate to host the 2030 World Cup. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host in a six-nation project, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay each getting one of the 104 games. The South American connection will mark the centenary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930. Rape allegation against Jay-Z won’t impact NFL's relationship with music mogul, Goodell says IRVING, Texas (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says a rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z won’t impact the NFL's relationship with the music mogul. Jay-Z's company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFL’s entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show. A woman who previously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 amended the lawsuit Sunday to include an allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z says the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. All-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet acquired by Red Sox from White Sox for prospects DALLAS (AP) — All-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet has been acquired by the Boston Red Sox from the Chicago White Sox for four prospects. Catcher Kyle Teel, infielder Chase Meidroth, right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez and outfielder Braden Montgomery are headed to Chicago. The 25-year-old Crochet was 6-12 with a 3.58 ERA in 32 starts for a White Sox team that went 41-121. It's the most losses for any club since 1900. He was picked for the AL All-Star team in his first season as a starter. Selected 11th overall by Chicago in the 2020 amateur draft, Crochet made his big league debut that September. He had Tommy John surgery in April 2022. NFL will consider replay assist for facemask penalties and other plays IRVING, Texas (AP) — The NFL will consider expanding replay assist to include facemask penalties and other plays. Officials have missed several obvious facemask penalties this season, including two in a three-week span during Thursday night games. League executive Troy Vincent also cited hits on a defenseless player, tripping, the fair catch, an illegal bat, an illegal double-team block, illegal formations on kickoffs and taunting as other areas that warrant consideration for replay assist. Current rules only allow replay assist to help officials pick up a flag incorrectly thrown on the field, or in assisting proper enforcement of a foul called on the field. The NFL’s Competition Committee will review potential recommendations for owners to vote on for expanding replay assist. Ohio politician proposes make flag planting a felony after fight in Michigan rivalry game An Ohio politician has seen enough flag planting. Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. A fight ensued and police had to use pepper spray to disperse the players. Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield famously planted a flag in the middle of the field at Ohio State after the Sooners beat the Buckeyes in 2017. Jimmy Butler says he's not worrying about his future with Heat amid trade speculation Jimmy Butler knows there are tons of questions about his future with the Miami Heat. He might get traded, he might leave as a free agent next summer, he might exercise a $52.4 million option to return to the Heat or he might get a new contract. He isn't sure what will happen. The Heat forward spoke out about trade speculation Wednesday, telling reporters after practice that he doesn’t mind his name being in the rumor mill. US Biathlon officials ignored sexual harassment and abuse of female racers for decades, athletes say Sexual abuse and harassment by coaches and others who held positions of power over women on the U.S. Biathlon team were ignored or excused over decades by officials more concerned with winning medals than holding offenders accountable. That's according to Olympians and other biathletes interviewed by The Associated Press. While the men climbed the sport's ranks, these women say they were forced to end their careers early. The women and others describe a culture of misogyny and say they faced retaliation for speaking up. Three of the men denied allegations they were either part of the abuse or ignored allegations of abuse. A fourth did not respond to AP requests for comment. Man City crisis deepens with loss to Juventus in Champions League as Barcelona and Arsenal win Manchester City plunged deeper into trouble in the Champions League by losing 2-0 at Juventus in the latest setback in a scarcely believable run of poor results for the ailing English champions. City dropped to 22nd place in the 36-team standings and only the top 24 advances. Reaching the knockout stage looked a certainty before the season for a team that was European champion in 2022 and has won the last four Premier League titles. It's not anymore as City manager Pep Guardiola battles injuries and an apparent loss of belief among his players. Arsenal beat Monaco 3-0 and Barcelona won 3-2 at Borussia Dortmund. Tulane QB Mensah transfers to Duke; Mississippi State’s Van Buren, Cal’s Mendoza enter portal Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has already found a new program in Duke, while Mississippi State’s Michael Van Buren Jr. and Cal’s Fernando Mendoza are exploring changes of their own in the transfer portal. Mensah is a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining. He told ESPN on Wednesday he has transferred to Duke. He attended the Blue Devils men’s basketball game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils will face Mississippi in the Gator Bowl, but without 2024 starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and backup Grayson Loftis, who also entered the portal. Lindsey Vonn savors chance to test out World Cup course as a forerunner in comeback bid at age 40 BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (AP) — Lindsey Vonn is trying to take her comeback step-by-step even if there’s plenty of reason to look down the road. For now, the 40-year-old American ski racer was concentrating on testing out the course as a forerunner. Soon, it will be her first World Cup race. Possibly later, the 2026 Winter Games at one of her favorite venues in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Vonn was one of three forerunners to test out the Birds of Prey course before the racers in the field went through a training run. Federica Brignone of Italy had the fastest time on a Birds of Prey course that’s new to quite a few racers. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.AP Business SummaryBrief at 6:26 p.m. EST
LOS ANGELES — Teoscar Hernández wanted to stay with the Dodgers. The Dodgers wanted to keep Teoscar Hernández. As the sides grinded through a weeks-long negotiation for the free-agent outfielder this offseason, those truths never wavered. And on Friday, those desires finally came to fruition, with Hernández agreeing to re-sign with the Dodgers on a three-year, $66 million deal, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly, that will bring back one of the most popular, productive and important players from last season’s World Series team. The deal, which also includes a $15 million option for a fourth season, serves as the latest move in the Dodgers’ offseason, as they try to defend their championship in 2025. Retaining Hernández was one of the biggest tasks the Dodgers faced this offseason. The 32-year-old slugger batted .272 last season with 33 home runs and 99 RBIs, earning his second All-Star selection after signing a one-year, $23.5 million deal the previous offseason. He delivered some of the most important hits of the Dodgers’ triumphant trek through the postseason, including a key home run in Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres and the score-tying double in the Dodgers’ comeback win over the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series. Although the Dodgers never engaged Hernández’s camp in contract talks during the season, the Dominican star repeatedly voiced his desire to stay in Los Angeles after the season. During the Dodgers’ championship rally, he got choked up with emotion while addressing the crowd. The question was whether Hernández and the Dodgers could come together on a more lucrative, long-term deal — the kind that failed to materialize for Hernández last winter, prompting him to sign his one-year deal with the Dodgers last year and rebuild his stock with a resurgent 2024. “The Dodgers are the priority obviously,” Hernández said after the championship parade last month. “I’m going to do everything in my power to come back.” Conversations between the Dodgers and Hernández’s camp began early in the offseason, but talks didn’t intensify until the days leading up to the winter meetings, according to people with knowledge of the situation but not authorized to speak publicly. More wrenches were thrown into the process when Juan Soto’s record signing with the New York Mets created new potential suitors in Hernández’s free agency, as the next-best free-agent outfielder on the open market. The Dodgers also signed an outfielder of their own, replenishing their thin depth at the position with a one-year, $17 million contract for veteran Michael Conforto. That led to something of a waiting game at the winter meetings. The sides were relatively close, people with knowledge of the situation said. But talks did encounter some sticking points — among them the inclusion of deferral money, with Hernández reportedly agreeing to defer $23 million while also receiving a $23 million signing bonus. “I know that he has talked about wanting to [stay in Los Angeles], I know that we have talked about wanting him to, so again, that’s helpful — but it’s not everything,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said during winter meetings, in rather foreboding remarks that hinted at strains in the process. “He and his family get to go through the interest and figure out what makes the most sense for them,” Friedman added. “So, while we’re hopeful, at the same time, if he ends up signing somewhere else, we have no choice but to wish him well.” Instead, in the end, the two camps found a way to hammer out a happy reunion. Now, Hernández’s time in Los Angeles will last more than one triumphant year. And as the Dodgers map out a route to repeat as champions in 2025, the three-time Silver Slugger figures prominently in their plans. With Mookie Betts expected to return to shortstop next season, Hernández appears to be a candidate to be the everyday right fielder — his strongest defensive position after splitting time in the opposite corner of the outfield last season. Hernández likely will reprise his role as a run-producer behind the star trio of Shohei Ohtani, Betts and Freddie Freeman as well. Last year, Hernández’s .943 on-base-plus-slugging percentage with runners in scoring position ranked second on the team, while his 99 RBIs were seventh-most in the NL. Hernández also became an integral part of a clubhouse culture the Dodgers repeatedly cited as a factor for their success in October.‘People can be pushed only so far’: Warren reacts to killing of health care CEO