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FBI warns NBA players to ramp up US home security as sophisticated theft rings target starsThe Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake girls’ volleyball team competed in the NYSPHSAA Class A championship on Sunday for the fifth straight season, but came up just short of winning the title. The Spartans fell to Section 5’s Pittsford Sutherland in four sets, 25-23, 25-23, 12-25, 25-17. “I feel for them, and I’ll tell you what I tell my kids,” Burnt Hills head coach Gary Bynon said of his postgame message to his team. “I’m honored and privileged to be a part of this program. I never in my wildest dreams thought that I could be a part of something so special. To watch the way that these kids not only play volleyball, but the way they handle themselves in school, in the sport of volleyball and in the community – nothing I can say will make them feel better – but they make me proud.” The difference in Sunday’s championship came down to the team that played the cleaner match, given that there was not much room for error. “I talked to the kids beforehand, ‘I’m not going to sit here and lie to you that this is like any other game.’ You’ve got to play like it’s a state championship,” Bynon said. “We thought it was a serve-receive game, and whoever did better on either side was going to be the team that won.” Pittsford Sutherland was able to come away with a pair of 25-23 wins in the first two sets, games that could have gone either way. “It’s so heartbreaking with those two 25-23 games. Every coach, at some time in practice, says that every point counts,” Bynon said. “We were up 23-21 in Game 2, after being down 9-2. A couple points here and there, and it makes a difference.” Another struggle for the Spartans throughout the day was having to play with a deficit. “It’s so hard to dig yourself a hole, and the whole game is fighting and crawling back,” said Burnt Hills senior Sophie Chevalier. “It’s a lot of work, and you’re just thinking, ‘if we didn’t dig ourselves in the big hole, we could be up.’ But it happens, and we had to keep pushing the whole game.” Burnt Hills cruised to a 25-12 victory in the third set, to keep its season alive. However, Pittsford Sutherland was able to build a lead once again in the fourth. While the Spartans were able to get the set within a point on a couple occasions, the deficit was too much to overcome. The loss ended Burnt Hills’ hopes of securing the program’s 10th overall state title. It was the Spartans 17th trip to a state final under Bynon. Over the years, Burnt Hills and Pittsford Sutherland have become familiar with each other at the event. The Knights won state titles over the Spartans in 2010, 2013 and 2014, while Burnt Hills won a title over Pittsford Sutherland in 2012. During the pool-play round of the state tournament on Saturday, Burnt Hills came away with a three-set win over Pittsford Sutherland, 23-25, 25-20, 15-11. Entering Sunday’s championship, the Spartans knew they were in for a fight. “Yesterday was a great day for us,” Chevalier said of the pool play. “We had a lot of energy and we kept the pressure on them. Today, they switched that around and the pressure was on us. We were feeling it a bit towards the end.” Burnt Hills freshman hitter Alex Wemyss led the offense on Sunday with 13 kills. Ava Goodemote contributed 11 kills, while Sarah Robbins had 10 kills and seven blocks. Cassie Vaughan, Burnt Hills’ setter, had 37 assists, six digs and three blocks. Chevalier tallied five kills and 16 digs, while Ella Chamberlain had seven digs. Spartan sophomore libero Audri Chamberlain left her mark with 12 digs, saving some of Pittsford Sutherland’s biggest hits. “She’s got to be around 500 digs, and she didn’t start playing libero until October,” Bynon said of Audri Chamberlain. “What she’s going to do for this program over the next two years is going to be pretty amazing. I can’t say enough about what she does back there. Libero is one of the toughest positions to play, and she handles it.” Of the 16 players on the Spartans roster, four are set to graduate. Seniors Julia Morales, Chevalier, Robbins and Vaughan saw their high school volleyball careers come to an end following Sunday’s state championship. “I’m going to remember all the girls on the team, and what the coaches have done for us,” Chevalier said of what she’ll take from her time with Burnt Hills volleyball. “They do so much more than just teach us volleyball. I’m going to take with me the things that coach says every day.” Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake's Jada Leggieri cheers on her teammates during the NYSPHSAA Class A championship match against Pittsford Sutherland on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at Cool Insuring Arena. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake's Ava Goodemote goes up for a hit during the NYSPHSAA Class A championship match against Pittsford Sutherland on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at Cool Insuring Arena. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake libero Audri Chamberlain handles the ball during the NYSPHSAA Class A championship match against Pittsford Sutherland on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at Cool Insuring Arena. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake's Sarah Robbins serves during the NYSPHSAA Class A championship match against Pittsford Sutherland on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at Cool Insuring Arena. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake celebrates after a point during the NYSPHSAA Class A championship match against Pittsford Sutherland on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at Cool Insuring Arena. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake's Ava Goodemote handles the ball during the NYSPHSAA Class A championship match against Pittsford Sutherland on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at Cool Insuring Arena. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake's Sophie Chevalier (18) high-fives Alex Wemyss-Purdy (6) during the NYSPHSAA Class A championship match against Pittsford Sutherland on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at Cool Insuring Arena. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake's Sophie Chevalier (18) high-fives Alex Wemyss-Purdy (6) during the NYSPHSAA Class A championship match against Pittsford Sutherland on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at Cool Insuring Arena. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake celebrates after a point during the NYSPHSAA Class A championship match against Pittsford Sutherland on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at Cool Insuring Arena. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake's Alex Wemyss-Purdy handles the ball during the NYSPHSAA Class A championship match against Pittsford Sutherland on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at Cool Insuring Arena. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake's Sophie Chevalier serves during the NYSPHSAA Class A championship match against Pittsford Sutherland on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at Cool Insuring Arena. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake's Ava Goodemote goes up for a hit during the NYSPHSAA Class A championship match against Pittsford Sutherland on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at Cool Insuring Arena. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake fans cheer on the girls' volleyball team during the NYSPHSAA Class A championship match against Pittsford Sutherland on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at Cool Insuring Arena. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake lines up following the NYSPHSAA Class A championship match against Pittsford Sutherland on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at Cool Insuring Arena.SHAKEN Pep Guardiola admitted “fragile” Manchester City are in crisis after suffering a FIFTH successive defeat. The four-in-a-row champions’ title defence is in tatters after Guardiola’s heaviest home loss as City boss — days after signing a new two-year deal. Guardiola said: “Of course everything is not fine. In eight years we have never lived this kind of situation. In this moment we are fragile. “There are no fairytales in life and sport. Sometimes you have to live through these situations. “You have to accept it. You can’t blame each other, you have to stay together. “It would be a mistake to change. Run away? Absolutely not, we have to stand up more than ever. What will define us is when we fail , we stand up and face it.” Guardiola, who suffered a FIFTH successive defeat for the first time in his managerial career, added: “We are concerned when we don’t win. It’s normal. “There would be a problem if my players were not worried or that I wasn’t worried. “I don’t know what will happen this season, but not for one second will I not believe in the players. “There is no team in the world that can sustain success for eight, nine, ten years in a row. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS “We will analyse it, go to the next game and see what happens.” A double from birthday boy James Maddison , plus goals from Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson sealed Spurs’ Etihad rout. The defeat leaves City five points behind Prem leaders Liverpool, who play at rock-bottom Southampton today. It was the first time since Chelsea in 1956 that the top-flight champions have lost FIVE games in a row. Spurs’ stunning victory also ended City’s 35-match unbeaten home Prem run. A defeat to Liverpool at Anfield next Sunday could see them 11 POINTS adrift and, asked if that gap would be too big to overcome, Guardiola said: “Yep, because Liverpool keep winning.” Delighted Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said: “I’m proud of the lads. To come to City is a daunting prospect. It challenges every part of you. “We had to be disciplined and work hard — and play decent football — and we did that.” And he heaped praise on two-goal Maddison. Postecoglou said: “He was outstanding. Madders was great.” Maddison, 28, added: “That’s a birthday I’ll look back on quite fondly. “To come here to the champions and perform like that and get the result. You have to cherish these ones, they don’t come around often. “We were brilliant. It was everything we wanted to show of a top Spurs team. “We were clinical, we pressed at times. We weathered the storm, had determination and scored four brilliant goals.”
Could Salesforce and Adobe Help Power the Low-Cost Vanguard Tech ETF to an All-Time High?Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams, is urging Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) member countries to enhance regional cooperation in order to strengthen anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) frameworks, thereby safeguarding their financial systems. “Your active participation and expertise are critical in shaping our region’s response to financial crimes. We do understand the gravamen of this awesome task, where the UN (United Nations) Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that annual money laundering volumes range from two per cent to five per cent of global GDP (gross domestic product) or about US$2.2 trillion to US$5.5 trillion,” Mrs. Williams outlined. “This is a never-ending battle, and we must remain forever vigilant. I also cannot overemphasise the importance of the commitment to keep our systems robust and in line with international standards as the most assured way to stay off the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list and the European Union (EU) blacklist, which can be materially detrimental for our financial systems and, by extension, for our economies,” the Minister added. She was addressing the 59th CFATF Plenary and Working Group Meetings opening ceremony at the Princess Grand Hotel in Hanover on Wednesday (December 4). The plenary is being hosted by the Finance Ministry through the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ). CFATF is an organisation of 25 states of the Caribbean Basin, Central and South America, which have agreed to implement common countermeasures to address money laundering. It was established following meetings convened in Aruba in May 1990 and Jamaica in November 1992. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list identifies countries with strategic deficiencies in their AML/CFT system. Using a tailored action plan, countries on the grey list are assessed by and work with a group of experts to rectify gaps in their systems. Jamaica was recently removed from the grey list, after being placed on it in 2020. The EU blacklist, officially known as the EU List of Non-Cooperative Tax Jurisdictions, comprise countries deemed uncooperative in terms of tax transparency, fair taxation, and anti-base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) measures. Minister Williams highlighted that some 22 countries have been placed on the FATF’s grey list in recent months, with two being CFATF Member States. “I highlight this statistic for us all to be fundamentally aware of the ongoing importance to keep our systems for identifying, mitigating and managing money laundering, terrorism financing and a proliferation of financing risks, up to date and relevant,” she said. “I urge you to pay keen attention to this area, so as to remain relevant, competent authorities, staying abreast of and utilising technology in regulatory and supervisory environments,” Mrs. Williams underscored. For her part, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, noted that in recent years, Jamaica has made significant strides by integrating advanced analytics and automation into its financial intelligence processes. “The implementation of real-time monitoring systems within our financial institutions has greatly improved our ability to detect, disrupt and dismantle illicit operations. Moreover, we have strengthened the capacity of many of our key players in the fight against money laundering, such as our Financial Investigations Division and MOCA (Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency),” she said. “Even the work that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is doing... they’re using a lot of technology embedded in their systems so that we can analyse [the] data and identify transactions and activities related to very complex criminal networks. The establishment of specialised task forces to address vulnerabilities identified during our mutual evaluation report was a cornerstone of our strategy,” the Minister added. Senator Morris Dixon commended the Finance Ministry and BOJ for their part in ensuring Jamaica’s removal from the FATF grey list, adding that the island continues to enhance cross-border collaboration by strengthening partnerships with regional and international stakeholders to combat transnational crime. “Jamaica knows what it felt like to be on the grey list and, more importantly, we know the work needed to be removed from the grey list and to also continue the work of securing our countries,” she pointed out. “As we look to the future of our standards, Jamaica aspires for more. We aspire to continuously upgrade our technologies. We’re investing in emerging technologies to stay ahead of evolving criminal operations,” Senator Morris Dixon added. During the plenary, being held from December 1 to 6, representatives of participating member countries will hold discussions on topics of common interest and address deficiencies in their mutual evaluation reports.Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal
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BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Tens of thousands of Spaniards marched in downtown Barcelona on Saturday to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment in the popular tourist destination. Protesters cut off traffic on main avenues in the city center, holding up homemade signs in Spanish reading “Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living" and “The people without homes uphold their rights.” The lack of affordable housing has become one of the leading concerns for the southern European Union country, mirroring the housing crunch across many parts of the world, including the United States . Organizers said that over 100,000 had turned out, while Barcelona’s police said they estimated some 22,000 marched. Either way, the throngs of people clogging the streets recalled the massive separatist rallies at the height of the previous decade’s Catalan independence movement. Now, social concerns led by housing have displaced political crusades. That is because the average rent for Spain has doubled in last 10 years. The price per square meter has risen from 7.2 euros ($7.5) in 2014 to 13 euros this year, according to the popular online real estate website Idealista. The growth is even more acute in cities like Barcelona and Madrid. Incomes meanwhile have failed to keep up, especially for younger people in a country with chronically high unemployment. Protestor Samuel Saintot said he is “frustrated and scared” after being told by the owners of the apartment he has rented for the past 15 years in Barcelona’s city center that he must vacate the premises. He suspects that the owners want him out so they can renovate it and boost the price. “Even looking in a 20- or 30-kilometer radius outside town, I can’t even find anything within the price range I can afford,” he told The Associated Press. “And I consider myself a very fortunate person, because I earn a decent salary. And even in my case, I may be forced to leave town.” A report by the Bank of Spain indicates that nearly 40% of Spaniards who rent dedicate an average of 40% of their income to paying rents and utilities, compared to the European Union average of 27% of renters who do so. “We are talking about a housing emergency. It means people having many difficulties both in accessing and staying in their homes,” said Ignasi Martí, professor for Esade business school and head of its Dignified Housing Observatory. The rise in rents is causing significant pain in Spain, where traditionally people seek to own their homes. Rental prices have also been driven up by short-term renters including tourists. Many migrants to Spain are also disproportionately hit by the high rents because they often do not have enough savings. Spain is near the bottom end of OECD countries with under 2% of all housing available being public housing for rent. The OECD average is 7%. Spain is far behind France, with 14%, Britain with 16%, and the Netherlands with 34%. Carme Arcarazo, spokesperson for Barcelona’s Tenants Union which helped organize the protest, said that renters should consider a “rent strike” and cease paying their monthly rents in a mass protest movement. “I think we the tenants have understood that this depends on us. That we can’t keep asking and making demands to the authorities and waiting for an answer. We must take the reins of the situation,” Arcarazo told the AP. “So, if they (the owners) won’t lower the rent, then we will force them to do it." The Barcelona protest came a month after tens of thousands rallied against high rents in Madrid. The rising discontent over housing is putting pressure on Spain’s governing Socialist party, which leads a coalition on the national level and is in charge of Catalonia’s regional government and Barcelona’s city hall. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez presided over what the government termed a “housing summit” including government officials and real estate developers last month. But the Barcelona’s Tenants Union boycotted the event, saying it was like calling a summit for curing cancer and inviting tobacco companies to participate. The leading government measure has been a rent cap mechanism that the central government has offered to regional authorities based on a price index established by the housing ministry. Rent controls can be applied to areas deemed to be “highly stressed” by high rental prices. Catalonia was the first region to apply those caps, which are in place in downtown Barcelona. Many locals blame the million of tourists who visit Barcelona, and the rest of Spain, each year for the high prices. Barcelona’s town hall has pledged to completely eliminate the city’s 10,000 so called “tourist apartments,” or dwellings with permits for short-term rents, by 2028.Fox News chief religion correspondent Lauren Green updates 'Fox Report' from Paris on the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral and President-elect Donald Trump's France trip. Salma Hayek and her billionaire husband, François-Henri Pinault, were two of the more than 1,500 guests to attend Saturday's reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral more than five years after a fire tore through its iconic spire. Hayek and Pinault joined an impressive list of international figures at the ceremony in Paris, including President-elect Donald Trump, first lady Jill Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Britain's Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In 2019, Pinault's family company, the French luxury group Kering, which is home to famed fashion brands including Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga, pledged $113 million to help rebuild the 850-year-old church. NICOLE KIDMAN, SALMA HAYEK'S VIRAL RED CARPET RUN-IN IS HOLLYWOOD'S LATEST UNCOMFORTABLE CELEBRITY ENCOUNTER Salma Hayek and husband François-Henri Pinault attend the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral with world leaders. (Getty Images) "Honored and standing in awe at the reopening of Notre-Dame—a true moment in history and a symbol of resilience and hope," Hayek shared in English before translating into French in a post shared on social media. A post shared by Salma Hayek Pinault (@salmahayek) APP USERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW POST Pinault's father, François, founded the $22 billion brand, which also owns Alexander McQueen and Christie's auction house. Pinault has an estimated net worth of $7 billion. "Honored and standing in awe at the reopening of Notre-Dame—a true moment in history and a symbol of resilience and hope." SALMA HAYEK FEELS ‘PRESSURE’ TO MAKE MONEY DESPITE MARRIAGE TO BILLIONAIRE The Pinault family, along with LVMH Group and L'Oreal, pledged $565 million to restore the cathedral after fire tore through and destroyed the 19th century spire in April 2019. Hayek and Pinault have been married since 2009. (Getty Images) President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with Britain's Prince William inside Notre Dame Cathedral ahead of a ceremony to mark the reopening of the historic Paris landmark. (Ludovic Marin) CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER In addition to their donation, the Pinaults clarified they wouldn't be taking advantage of French tax credits. "Today more than ever I feel proud to be part of the Pinault family," Hayek wrote on Instagram at the time. "Not only for their personal and heart felt participation in the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris but also because their contribution wont be claiming any tax deductions from the government." A post shared by Salma Hayek Pinault (@salmahayek) APP USERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW POST She added, "My husband and father in law are two generous french citizens, who sincerely understand the importance of this spiritual, cultural and historical treasure from Paris to the world." LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Hayek was raised by a wealthy family herself in the coastal city of Coatzacoalcos in Mexico; her father was an oil executive of Lebanese descent and her mother was an opera singer. She rose to fame after starring in the 1995 film "Desperado." Hayek and Pinault have one daughter. (Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP She married Pinault in 2009 and the couple has one daughter together, Valentina. She's also stepmom to Pinault's son with Linda Evangelista, Augustin "Auggie," and his children from his first marriage, François and Mathilde. Tracy Wright is an entertainment reporter for Fox News Digital. Send story tips to Tracy.Wright@fox.com.
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TORRINGTON – There are 25 cats at the animal control facility, just seven down from the record of 32, but the city has approved new cages to make them more comfortable. The cats, which are available for adoption save a couple kittens that are spoken for, occupy four rooms. One long haired male – a loner that prefers to be away from other felines – is in a cage in the hallway. At Monday’s City Council meeting, members agreed to spend $3,300 per unit for six double-unit cages – meaning two cages on each. On Wednesday, the Board of Public Safety also approved the expense. Animal Control Officer Caitlin Nield showed a rendition of what the cages will look like, with one side for sleeping quarters, a cubby for the litter box and a space above where the cat can hang out or eat. “They can kind of go up there and rest and then their food bowls will be here,” said Nield, pointing to the nook above the litter box cubby. Nield said she had 32 cats at the facility last month, but some were adopted. There has been more space for cats since the move into the new $2.7 million animal shelter on city-owned property on Bogue Road in Harwinton in November 2023, Nield said. The old facility in the building next door only had room for six small cat cages. Most of the cats in the facility were seized but, Nield said, she worked with some owners to surrender them voluntarily. Nield took in 14 orange cats from the same home, which was the most she has seized at one time. “It was just a situation where people got overwhelmed and they needed us to take them,” she said. While the orange cats she still has clearly crave attention, they are also a bit skittish. One that Nield said could come out of the cage Thursday, was intent on being pet while locked in, rubbing its face against the bars of the cage and pressing its nose on fingers reaching in but once he was free, he ran around the room and was less interested in human contact and more in finding a place to hide. The anxious personality is what sometimes happens when there are a lot of cats in a single household who may be getting only the bare necessities, such as food, water, a litter box and some attention, but not as much as they may need. “Those situations with cats when they’re so many sometimes they’re not as social,” Nield said. “So this is what you get, the nervous cat.” The shelter has the orange cats, tabbies, long haired beauties and myriad others. A mom with a litter of kittens has the run of a room. The kittens happily rush to the door when someone approaches. The runt of the litter, a black cat with white paws and a white line down its nose, always scampers to peer up when it sees people in the hall. There are also 13 dogs at the facility, including a puppy. Three of the dogs are available for adoption and some are temporary holds. Nield said she has a staff of eight: six animal control officers and two kennel-staffers. Every cat gets time out of the cage, including when their cages are being cleaned and during rotations when they are allowed to roam around the office. Sometimes Nield takes in an animal temporarily, she said. Situations that lead to temporary holds include when an owner is sick or in the hospital and has no one to help care for their pets and when someone is unhoused and looking for a place to live and wants their pet safe. Adoption fees vary depending on the situation, she said. If an animal was spayed or neutered prior to impoundment, the adoption fee is $5. If the facility has the animals spayed or neutered, has them vaccinated for rabies and distemper and microchipped, the adoption fee for a cat is $115, $150 for dogs. If the facility does not have the animal spayed or neutered and they have not previously been sterilized, the adoption fee is $50 and comes with an Animal Population Control Program Voucher. The voucher provides the rabies and distemper vaccines at no cost and offers a discount on spaying or neutering. Anyone interested in adopting a cat or dog from the facility can call the office at 860-485-9165 or email at aco@torringtonpd.org. While people are welcome to stop by to see animals or pick up an adoption application, Nield does not recommend doing so without calling first as staff may be out on calls.SADO, Japan (AP) — Japan held a memorial ceremony on Sunday near the Sado Island Gold Mines , listed this summer as a UNESCO World Heritage site after the country moved past years of historical disputes with South Korea and reluctantly acknowledged the mines' dark history. However, it has not offered an apology. At these mines, hundreds of Koreans were forced to labor under abusive and brutal conditions during World War II, historians say. Japanese officials at Sunday’s ceremony time paid tribute for the first to “all workers” including Korean laborers who died at the mines, without acknowledging they were forced laborers — part of what critics call a persistent policy of whitewashing Japan's history of sexual and labor exploitation before and during the war. The ceremony, supposed to further mend wounds, renewed tensions between the two sides. South Korea boycotted Sunday's memorial service citing unspecified disagreements with Tokyo over the event. “As a resident, I must say (their absence) is very disappointing after all the preparations we made,” said Sado Mayor Ryugo Watanabe. “I wish we could have held the memorial with South Korean attendees.” The Associated Press explains the Sado mines, their history and the controversy. The 16th-century mines on the island of Sado, about the size of the Pacific island of Guam, off the western coast of Niigata prefecture, operated for nearly 400 years, beginning in 1601, and were once the world’s largest gold producer. They closed in 1989. During the Edo period, from 1603 to 1868, the mines supplied gold currency to the ruling Tokugawa Shogunate. Today, the site has been developed into a tourist facility and hiking site where visitors can learn about the changes in mining technology and production methods while looking at the remains of mine shafts and ore dressing facilities. Critics say the Japanese government only highlights the glory of the mines and covers up its use of Korean victims of forced labor and their ordeals. The mines were registered as a cultural heritage site in July after Japan agreed to include an exhibit on the conditions of Korean forced laborers and to hold a memorial service annually after repeated protests from the South Korean government. A few signs have since been erected, indicating former sites of South Korean laborers’ dormitories. A city-operated museum in the area also added a section about Korean laborers, but a private museum attached to the main UNESCO site doesn't mention them at all. At the UNESCO World Heritage Committee July meeting, the Japanese delegate said Tokyo had installed new exhibition material to explain the “severe conditions of (the Korean laborers’) work and to remember their hardship.” Japan also acknowledged that Koreans were made to do more dangerous tasks in the mine shaft, which caused some to die. Those who survived also developed lung diseases and other health problems. Many of them were given meager food rations and nearly no days off and were caught by police if they escaped, historians say. But the Japanese government has refused to admit they were “forced labor.” South Korea had earlier opposed the listing of the site for UNESCO World Heritage on the grounds that the Korean forced laborers used at the mines were missing from the exhibition. South Korea eventually supported the listing after consultations with Japan and Tokyo’s pledge to improve the historical background of the exhibit and to hold a memorial that also includes Koreans. Historians say Japan used hundreds of thousands of Korean laborers, including those forcibly brought from the Korean Peninsula, at Japanese mines and factories to make up for labor shortages because most working-age Japanese men had been sent to battlefronts across Asia and the Pacific. About 1,500 Koreans were forced to work at the Sado mines, according to Yasuto Takeuchi, an expert on Japan’s wartime history, citing wartime Japanese documents. The South Korean government has said it expects Japan to keep its pledge to be truthful to history and to show both sides of the Sado mines. “The controversy surrounding the Sado mines exhibit underscores a deeper problem” of Japan’s failure to face up to its wartime responsibility and its growing “denialism” of its wartime atrocities, Takeuchi said. All workers who died at the Sado mines were honored. That includes hundreds of Korean laborers who worked there during Japan’s 1910-1945 colonization of the Korean Peninsula. At Sunday’s ceremony, four Japanese representatives, including central and local government officials and the head of the organizing group, thanked all mine workers for their sacrifice and mourned for those who died. None offered any apology to Korean forced laborers for the harsh treatment at the mines. Attendants observed a moment of silence for the victims who died at the mines due to accidents and other causes. The ceremony dredged up long-standing frustrations in South Korea. About 100 people, including officials from Japan’s local and central government, as well as South Korean Foreign Ministry officials and the relatives of Korean wartime laborers, were supposed to attend. Because of South Korea's last-minute boycott, more than 20 seats remained vacant. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement Saturday it was impossible to settle the disagreements between both governments before the planned event on Sunday, without specifying what those disagreements were. There has been speculation that the South Korean boycott might have been due to the presence of parliamentary vice minister Akiko Ikuina at Sunday's ceremony. In August 2022, Ikuina reportedly visited Tokyo’s controversial Yasukuni Shrine , weeks after she was elected as a lawmaker. Japan’s neighbors view Yasukuni, which commemorates 2.5 million war dead including war criminals, as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism. Her visit could have been seen as a sign of a lack of remorse. Some South Koreans criticized the Seoul government for throwing its support behind an event without securing a clear Japanese commitment to highlight the plight of Korean laborers. There were also complaints over South Korea agreeing to pay for the travel expenses of Korean victims’ family members who were invited to attend the ceremony. Critics say Japan’s government has long been reluctant to discuss wartime atrocities. That includes what historians describe as the sexual abuse and enslavement of women across Asia, many of them Koreans who were deceived into providing sex to Japanese soldiers at frontline brothels and euphemistically called “comfort women,” and the Koreans who were mobilized and forced to work in Japan, especially in the final years of World War II. Korean compensation demands for Japanese atrocities during its brutal colonial rule have strained relations between the two Asian neighbors, most recently after a 2018 South Korean Supreme Court ruling ordered Japanese companies to pay damages over their wartime forced labor. Japan’s government has maintained that all wartime compensation issues between the two countries were resolved under the 1965 normalization treaty. Ties between Tokyo and Seoul have improved recently after Washington said their disputes over historical issues hampered crucial security cooperation as China’s threat grows in the region. South Korea’s conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol announced in March 2023 that his country would use a local corporate fund to compensate forced labor victims without demanding Japanese contributions. Japan’s then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida later expressed sympathy for their suffering during a Seoul visit. Security, business and other ties between the sides have since rapidly resumed. Japan’s whitewashing of wartime atrocities has risen since the 2010s, particularly under the past government of revisionist leader Shinzo Abe . For instance, Japan says the terms “sex slavery” and “forced labor” are inaccurate and insists on the use of highly euphemistic terms such as “comfort women” and “civilian workers” instead. Takeuchi, the historian, said listing Japan’s modern industrial historical sites as a UNESCO World Heritage is a government push to increase tourism. The government, he said, wants “to commercialize sites like the Sado mines by beautifying and justifying their history for Japan’s convenience.” Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul, South Korea contributed to this report.
CARSON, Calif. — The LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls have been Major League Soccer mainstays since the league's inaugural season in 1996, signing glamorous players and regularly competing for championships through years of success and setbacks in a league that's perpetually improving and expanding. Yet just a year ago, both of these clubs appeared to be a very long way from the stage they'll share Saturday in the MLS Cup Final. The Galaxy were one of MLS' worst teams after a season of internal turmoil and public fan dissent, while the Red Bulls were merely a steady mediocrity seeking yet another coach to chart a new direction. A year later, these MLS founders are meeting in the league's first Cup final between teams from North America's two biggest markets. "Two original clubs being able to put themselves in this situation, I think it's great," Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. "To see two clubs that have been at it as long as this league has been around be here, I think it's a special moment. Couldn't be two more different and contrasting styles as well, which could make for an interesting game, and I would imagine a high-intensity game." Everything changed in 2024 after a dismal decade for the Galaxy, who are favored to cap their transformation by winning their team's record sixth MLS championship with a roster that's dramatically different from its past few groups — albeit with one massive injury absence in the final. The transformation of the Red Bulls happened only in the postseason, when a team that hadn't won a playoff game since 2017 suddenly turned into world-beaters under rookie coach Sandro Schwarz. New York struggled through the final three months of league play with only two wins before posting road playoff victories over defending champ Columbus, archrival New York City FC and conference finalist Orlando to storm into the Cup final. "We know about the history (of our club), and we know tomorrow will define what that could mean," Schwarz said Friday. "To feel the pressure for tomorrow, it's necessary, because it's a final, and without pressure it's not possible to bring the best quality on the field." The Red Bulls have never won an MLS Cup, only reaching the championship match once before. What's more, they've somehow never won a Cup in any tournament, although they've collected three Supporters' Shields for MLS' best regular-season record. The Galaxy's trophy case is large and loaded, and those five MLS Cups are on the top shelf. But not much of that team success happened in the past decade for the club that famously brought David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard and many other international stars to Hollywood. In fact, this season has ended a grim era for the Galaxy, who haven't lost all year at their frequently renamed home stadium — which was the site of protests and boycotts just a year ago. The club's fans were tired of LA's steady underachievement and ineptitude in the front office run by team president Chris Klein, who was fired in May 2023. One year ago Thursday, the Galaxy hired Will Kuntz, a longtime Los Angeles FC executive who engineered his new club's roster transformation, most dramatically by landing new designated players Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil — two international talents that LAFC also had in its sights. "I give Will and the group up there a ton of credit," Vanney said. "It's one thing to have players you like, and it's a whole other thing to get them here and get them to connect with your group." Pec and Paintsil combined for 32 goals and 27 assists while boosting the incumbent talents of striker Dejan Joveljic and Riqui Puig, the gifted Barcelona product who runs the offense from the midfield. The Galaxy clicked in the postseason, scoring a jaw-dropping 16 goals in four matches. Puig has been the Galaxy's most important player all season, but he won't be in the MLS Cup Final after tearing a knee ligament late in last week's conference final victory over Seattle. The loss of Puig — who somehow kept playing on his injured knee, and even delivered the game-winning pass to Joveljic — makes the Galaxy even more difficult to anticipate. "He played a lot in the regular season, so it was not so easy to analyze all these games now without him," Schwarz said. "But the main focus is to analyze what we need to do, because it's not clear now how they're playing without him." The Galaxy could give some of Puig's responsibilities to Marco Reus, the longtime Dortmund standout who joined LA in August. Reus is nursing a hamstring injury, but Vanney expects him to play. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Since Pokemon Go’s inception, fan favorites have had passionate advocates, but none have gone as hard or with as much dedication as one major Caterpie fan. Now might finally be their chance to see a dream realized. The start of the year means new Seasons , fresh featured debuts, and new events for Pokemon Go fans. While many are content to catch new Gigantamax Pokemon , or prep for the upcoming Go Tour, others are taking to social media, demanding additions still missing from the mobile app. One trainer, known as the Cowboy Hat Caterpie player on social media, has seen an opportunity to fight for their own request following a social media post on the main Pokemon Go X account, and others are flocking in, adding their voices to what has become the most desired hat Pokemon request for the game. Cowboy Hat Caterpie demanded in Pokemon Go In the post shared by Niantic , the team has asked what players would like to see in Pokemon Go’s 2025 Community Day schedule. Which Pokémon would you like to see featured in 2025 #PokemonGOCommunityDay ? 👀 Players have flocked to the post to share their thoughts. As usual, the Cowboy Hat Caterpie account is one of the first comments to appear on the post. However, instead of leaving it at the usual “Cowboy Hat Caterpie please” request that has become a staple of X updates for the game, the Caterpie stan has added several more comments. pic.twitter.com/5bEMsmEW8S Other players have joined in on the call to action, advocating for a Caterpie Community Day alongside the poster. Others have commented on the request, with one stating, “Got here just to see this tweet.” Related: One of the most heartwarming responses that has been added reads, “PLEASE PLEEEEAAAAAASS MAKE A COWBOY HAT CATERPIE!!! Everyone wants this for @MikeNerdlaw I swear, he’s literally the most consistent reply post person in the history of social media!” In the past, Snorlax has appeared wearing a Cowboy Hat, indicating that more Pokemon could likely end up with the item Unfortunately, it isn’t likely the responses to the social media post will have much of an impact on what may already be lined up for the 2025 Community Day schedule. These features are often set well in advance, and at least the first few months of events are likely already set in stone. Despite this, the Cowboy Hat Caterpie community is strong, and the rally around Caterpie’s biggest advocate is wonderful to see. While the Kanto Bug-type might not ever get anything for the top of its head, it will always have a place in fans’ hearts.
Rohtak: A nearlty two-decade demand of Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) students was finally met on Friday as a life-size statue of Dr B R Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution, was unveiled on the university campus during a memorial programme to mark his “Mahaparinirvan Diwas”. The unveiling was carried out by minister of social justice & empowerment, SCs and BCs Welfare (Antyodaya), Krishan Kumar Bedi, in the presence of MDU vice-chancellor Prof Rajbir Singh and other university officials. Students welcomed the statue’s installation, calling it the realisation of a two-decade-old demand for a lasting symbol of equality and equity on campus. Bedi praised Dr Ambedkar’s transformative contributions to the nation. “Dr Ambedkar was a beacon of wisdom whose ideas enlightened millions. His role in drafting the Indian Constitution and promoting national integration remains unparalleled. The nation owes him a deep debt of gratitude,” the minister said. VC Prof Rajbir Singh, in his address, described Dr Ambedkar as the “real architect of the Indian Constitution” and a tireless advocate for the marginalised. “Dr Ambedkar's life is a source of inspiration for those striving for justice and equality. The university will further his constitutional ideals through various initiatives,” he added, encouraging students to emulate Dr Ambedkar’s commitment to societal upliftment. Students expressed satisfaction at the statue’s installation, noting that the demand for such a tribute had been raised by successive student bodies for over 20 years. We also published the following articles recently 2-decade-old demand fulfilled as Dr. Ambedkar's statue unveiled at Maharshi Dayanand University A long-awaited statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was unveiled at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas. Minister Krishan Kumar Bedi led the ceremony, attended by university officials and students. The statue fulfills a 20-year-old student demand, symbolizing equality and inclusion. Speakers lauded Ambedkar's contributions to the Indian Constitution and his advocacy for the marginalized. Ambedkar a symbol of justice, equality: BJP MLA In Lucknow, MLA Rajeshwar Singh commemorated B.R. Ambedkar's death anniversary by inaugurating a memorial and praising his contributions to social justice and the Indian Constitution. Simultaneously, Singh launched the 34th Ramrath Yatra, a free bus service transporting devotees to Ayodhya for Ram temple darshan. Ambedkars 68th Mahaparinirvan Diwas commemorated Mandya officials commemorated B.R. Ambedkar's 68th Mahaparinirvan Diwas on Friday. Deputy Commissioner Kumara led the tributes, urging citizens to embody Ambedkar's values of justice, equality, and liberty. He emphasized the significance of Ambedkar's contribution to the Indian Constitution. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders was taken to a hospital for a neck injury after landing on his head while making a catch late in the first half of Sunday's 30-27 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. As Sanders was brought down near the sideline after a 10-yard reception, he was flipped upside down and landed directly on the top of his helmet as he went out of bounds on the tackle by cornerback Trent McDuffie. After receiving attention from the team's medical staff, Sanders was strapped to a backboard and taken off the field on a cart with 40 seconds remaining in the half. He was taken to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte for observation and later released Sunday afternoon, according to the team. On the CBS broadcast following halftime, Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Sanders had movement in all his extremities, while extreme precaution was taken because of back tightness. CBS reported he was being examined for a concussion before later amending that to a neck injury. The 21-year-old rookie out of Texas had a team-leading three receptions for the Panthers at the half for 49 yards. In 11 games this season, Sanders has 29 receptions for 302 yards and a touchdown. Sanders was a fourth-round selection in the NFL draft in April. --Field Level MediaTikTok's future in the U.S. appeared uncertain on Friday after a federal appeals court rejected a legal challenge to a law that requires the social media platform to cut ties with its China-based parent company or be banned by mid-January. A panel of three judges on The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled unanimously that the law withstood constitutional scrutiny, rebuffing arguments from the two companies that the statute violated their rights and the rights of TikTok users in the U.S.
It can be said that one of the pleasant surprises this year in the NHL is Mathieu Olivier of the Columbus Blue Jackets. As reported by the site HABSolumentFan , the forward has already scored seven goals and registered 10 points in 25 games since the start of the season and has shown great skills as an enforcer, as demonstrated against players like Ryan Lomberg, Matt Rempe, and Arber Xhekaj. Moreover, Mathieu Olivier will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and some experts have already linked his name to the Montreal Canadiens, most notably, a former NHL enforcer. Mathieu Olivier to Montreal and departures for Michael Pezzetta and Arber Xhekaj? An intriguing statement by Georges Laraque On BPM Sports, host Georges Laraque mentioned that he would love to see Kent Hughes sign Olivier as a free agent next summer, and he even suggested the names of two players the team could consider trading. You can cash in Xhekaj for something good. With Mathieu Olivier, you're good!" - Georges Laraque In fact, the arrival of Mathieu Olivier to the Canadiens' lineup would almost render the presence of Arber Xhekaj or Michael Pezzetta unnecessary. Even though some might not entirely agree with this argument, it is worth mentioning that Xhekaj has good trade value on the market, and the Canadiens' general manager has been receiving calls about the sheriff's services. However, this scenario is still far from reality, and it remains uncertain how much a player of Mathieu Olivier's caliber could cost on the free-agent market. This article first appeared on Habs Fanatics and was syndicated with permission.
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake girls volleyball falls just short in state final