Kysre Gondrezick enters her pickleball era and recently teamed up with Smirnoff for a weekend | Sporting NewsBOILING SPRINGS, N.C (AP) — Leo Colimerio scored 27 points and Queens University held off Gardner-Webb 85-83 on Saturday. Colimerio shot 8 for 12 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and 8 of 9 from the free-throw line for the Royals (6-5). He made two foul shots with 9 seconds left to give the Royals a four-point lead. Malcolm Wilson scored 11 points, finishing 5 of 6 from the floor. Nasir Mann shot 3 for 6, including 2 for 4 from beyond the arc to finish with nine points. Darryl Simmons II finished with 23 points and two steals for the Runnin' Bulldogs (4-7). Jamaine Mann added 18 points and seven rebounds. Pharell Boyogueno had nine points and four assists. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
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Libra - (23rd September to 22nd October) Weekly Horoscope Prediction says, you should never give up Be a patient listener and this can have positive results in the love affair. Handle every professional challenge. Financial status is good for investments. Settle the issues in the love affair and be a good lover. At the office, accomplish all tasks but beware of office politics. Despite you receiving good wealth, you must control the expenditure. The health is also in good shape. Libra Love Horoscope This Week You may get into trouble in the love life with your casual attitude. Be on time for a date and your lover will value your commitment. Express the feelings to the crush and some Libras will be successful in getting the support of parents for marriage. Do not let any disagreement turn into a spat that may lead to a disastrous situation. Married Libra females may conceive this week. Those who are in long-distance relationships need to spend more time to strengthen the bonding. Libra Career Horoscope This Week Office politics is not your cup of tea. Overcome the challenges and ensure you do not compromise on the quality. Some professional relationships will suffer a setback, especially in business profiles that may impact office life. Be cool even in a crisis and also ensure you maintain harmony within the team. Those who aspire to get admission to a foreign university will have a reason to smile. Businessmen will also see opportunities to expand the trade to new areas. Libra Money Horoscope This Week Consider safe money decisions and ensure you have prosperity as the partner. Pick the second part of the week to resolve the monetary issue with the friend. Traders handling leather, furniture, pharmaceuticals, and electronic products will see good returns. You may also choose to invest in the stock market or the realty business. Entrepreneurs will get all pending dues and they may also consider further business expansions this week. Libra Health Horoscope This Week Do not compromise on the diet. The plate should be filled with pulses and nuts. No major health issue will trouble you. However, minor issues such as coughing, sneezing, throat infection, and viral fever may be there. Pregnant Sagittarius females must be careful while boarding a train or while riding a two-wheeler. Libra Sign Attributes Strength: Idealist, Socially presentable, Aesthetic, Charming, Artsy, Generous Weakness: Uncertain, Lazy, Non-interventionist Symbol: Scales Element: Air Body Part: Kidneys & Bladder Sign Ruler: Venus Lucky Day: Friday Lucky Color: Brown Lucky Number: 3 Lucky Stone: Diamond Libra Sign Compatibility Chart Natural affinity: Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius Good compatibility: Aries, Libra Fair compatibility: Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces Less compatibility: Cancer, Capricorn By: Dr. J. N. Pandey Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert Website: www.astrologerjnpandey.com E-mail: djnpandey@gmail.com Phone: 91-9811107060 (WhatsApp Only)
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — When the MLS playoffs began late last month, everyone who follows Inter Miami assumed coach Tata Martino would be preparing his team for the conference semifinals this week. Instead, the runner up for MLS Coach of the Year was in the Chase Stadium interview room on Friday morning announcing his resignation two weeks after the team’s shocking first-round playoff exit. Martino said he wanted to diffuse rumors and stress that he is leaving strictly for personal reasons, that he must return to his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, and that his decision was made before the first playoff game in late-October. He said not even his coaching staff knew of his decision at the time as he did not want it to be a distraction. He informed Lionel Messi, managing owner Jorge Mas, and President of Football Operations Raul Sanllehi last Saturday and told the rest of the players on Wednesday, after they returned from the FIFA break. Martino has no plans to coach another club in the immediate future, saying he cannot take on another job in early 2025 because he needs to focus on personal matters in Rosario. Mas said his conversation with Martino ended at 11 a.m. last Saturday, the search for a new coach began “at 11:01” and that the club had selected a new coach by Wednesday, are finalizing contract details and “will be announcing a new coach for Inter Miami in the upcoming days.” Javier Mascherano, an Argentine national team legend and former teammate of Messi’s, is the leading candidate to replace Martino, according to a few league sources. Media reports from Argentina say it is a done deal. Mas would not confirm or deny the Mascherano rumors but said that the new coach will have a winning history at the highest level as a player or coach, have familiarity with Messi and the other team stars, and will be well-suited to lead Miami’s elite players as well as its young players. “We have a very unique situation at Inter Miami where we have the best player in the world on our team, accompanied by generational talents like Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, accompanied by academy kids like Benja Cremaschi, Noah Allen, Ian Fray, David Ruiz, who have played significant minutes, and also young budding stars like Facundo Farias, Toto Aviles, Diego Gomez, Fede Redondo, so it will take a manager to play the attacking style we want to play with that combination of players,” Mas said. Mascherano, the 40-year-old ex-Barcelona defensive midfielder, has been coaching Argentina’s U-20 team the past three years and coached Argentina in the 2024 Paris Olympics. He has a storied playing career but has never coached a club team and has no experience in MLS, which is quite different from other leagues around the world in everything from schedule to salary structure. Asked how involved Messi was in the coaching search, Mas said: “I spoke to Leo, and he gave his input. Familiarity with Leo and the other stars is an advantage in every aspect. I want Leo to feel comfortable with the new coach, but Raul and I spearheaded the search. “This is not our first coaching search. I have been involved in interviewing some of the world’s best coaches since 2019. We have more experience now. We know exactly what we want. That’s why we were able to accomplish this search in five days. ... This is not the first time I spoke to this individual. We came close [to hiring him] in 2020, and he has been following our team and the league closely.” Mas added that while MLS experience would be a plus, it is not a necessary criteria for the incoming coach, and then repeated that the main attributes they were looking for were a coach who could manage a locker room of stars and youngsters. “We want to thank Tata Martino and appreciate everything he has given this club for the past year and a half,” Mas said. “His fingerprints and success will always be part of our history.” Mas pointed out that the team, under Martino, lifted the Leagues Cup trophy in the summer of 2023, made the final of the U.S. Open Cup, won the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and broke the league’s points record. Martino, 62, led Inter Miami to a league-record 74 points, which also earned the team the Supporters’ Shield for best regular season record. The team scored a league-high 79 goals. Miami, with a star-studded roster including Argentine icon Messi and three of his former Barcelona teammates, fell short of expectations with a first-round exit from the MLS Playoffs after losing the best 2-of-3 series to Atlanta United. Martino had a year remaining on his contract. He joined Inter Miami in July 2023 upon Messi’s arrival and was a natural choice to get the job as he led Atlanta United to the 2018 MLS Cup title in that club’s second season, had coached in two World Cups with Paraguay and Mexico, reached three Copa America finals and, vitally important, coached Messi at FC Barcelona and with the Argentine national team. Martino replaced Phil Neville and took over a team that was in last place in the Eastern Conference with a 5-13-0 record just past the midway point of the season. With the addition of Messi, Busquets and Alba, Martino led the team to the 2023 Leagues Cup title later that summer. Upon announcing his decision on Friday, Martino took time to thank team ownership and management and lamented that he couldn’t continue being part of the club’s growth next season. “It has been a very satisfactory year and a half, I am grateful for the opportunity, and although we ended the season on a sour note, and fell short of what we wanted to accomplish, we had a lot of success and I would have liked very much to have continued being part of this club,” Martino said. “I am happy we transformed this club from one that struggled to make the playoffs to the one that won the Leagues Cup, won Supporters’ Shield, and had the best record in history.” Martino was asked how his players reacted to the news. “It’s clear when you leave a job so abruptly, especially when there aren’t any apparent reasons, it hard to expect people to understand,” Martino said. “There are many coaches out there who would love this job. People would say, `This guy is crazy, working in this team, living in this place, working in this league and he’s leaving where everyone wants to be.’ I have had moments like this in my career. Things happen, and you have to leave. I appreciate that the players respected my decision and the club will go on.” Asked what the team was missing during the playoff series with Atlanta, he replied that Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan was decisive in all three games, that Inter Miami played well and was in position to win all three games, and there were some intangibles and moments that went against Miami. “I know someone from the outside hears that and thinks I am not being self-critical, which is not true. I am. People will debate if we should have played four in back or five, but if I had to do it again, I would line up the same way. In hindsight, it is easy to debate, and everyone has a right to their opinion.” Mas also addressed the futures of Suarez, whose contract expires in December, and Alba, who has an option for next season, and dismissed rumors that sporting director Chris Henderson was headed to another club. “I think Luis Suarez has been an amazing addition to our team and our league,” Mas said. “What he did this year was spectacular. Jordi Alba, my personal opinion is he had the best season of any left back on MLS history and I don’t think it’s close. We’re going to continue to have the best team we can. There are no budget limitations, we will continue to bring top players from all over the world ... and use every single roster mechanism we can.” ©2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Iran unveils homegrown high power radio frequency generator
Losses for big technology stocks pulled major indexes lower on Wall Street. The S&P 500 fell 0.4% Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.3% from its record high a day earlier, and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.6%. Losses for Nvidia, Microsoft and Broadcom were the biggest weights on the market. Dell sank 12.2% after reporting revenue that fell shy of forecasts, and HP dropped 11.4% after giving a weaker-than-expected outlook. Treasury yields fell in the bond market. U.S. financial markets will be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving, and will reopen for a half day on Friday. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Stocks wavered in afternoon trading on Wednesday, as losses for several Big Tech companies offset gains elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 fell 0.4% in afternoon trading, even though more stocks were rising than falling in the index. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 135 points, or 0.3%, as of 3:05 p.m. Eastern time. Both indexes set records on Tuesday. The Nasdaq composite fell 0.5%. Losses for tech heavyweights helped pull the broader market lower. Semiconductor giant Nvidia slipped 1.6%. Its huge value gives it outsized influence on market indexes. Microsoft fell 0.9% Several personal computer makers added to Big Tech's heavy weight on the market following their latest earnings reports. HP sank 11.8% after giving investors a weaker-than-expected earnings forecast for its current quarter. Dell slumped 11.9% after its latest quarterly revenue fell short of Wall Street forecasts. Gains for financial and health care companies helped counter Big Tech's downward pull. Visa rose 0.9% and Thermo Fisher Scientific added 2.3%. The U.S. economy expanded at a healthy 2.8% annual pace from July through September, according to the Commerce Department, leaving its original estimate of third-quarter growth unchanged. The growth was driven by strong consumer spending and a surge in exports. The update follows a report on Tuesday from the Conference Board that said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. Consumers have been driving economic growth, but the latest round of earnings reports from retailers shows a mixed and more cautious picture. Department store operator Nordstrom fell 8.5% after warning investors about a trend toward weakening sales that started in late October. Clothing retailer Urban Outfitters jumped 19.1% after beating analysts’ third-quarter financial forecasts. Weeks earlier, retail giant Target gave investors a discouraging forecast for the holiday season, while Walmart provided a more encouraging forecast. Consumers, though resilient, are still facing pressure from inflation. The latest update from the U.S. government shows that inflation accelerated last month. The personal consumption expenditures index, or PCE, rose to 2.3% in October from 2.1% in September. Overall, the rate of inflation has been falling broadly since it peaked more than two years ago. The PCE, which is the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation, was just below 7.3% in June of 2022. Another measure of inflation, the consumer price index, peaked at 9.1% at the same time. The latest inflation data, though, is a sign that the rate of inflation seems to be stalling as it falls to within range of the Fed's target of 2%. The central bank started raising its benchmark interest rate from near-zero in early 2022 to a two-decade high by the middle of 2023 and held it there in order to tame inflation. The Fed started cutting its benchmark interest rate in September, followed by a second cut in November. Wall Street expects a similar quarter-point cut at the central bank's upcoming meeting in December. “Today’s data shouldn’t change views of the likely path for disinflation, however bumpy," said David Alcaly, lead macroeconomic strategist at Lazard Asset Management. "But a lot of observers, probably including some at the Fed, are looking for reasons to get more hawkish on the outlook given the potential for inflationary policy change like new tariffs.” President-elect Donald Trump has said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China when he takes office in January. That could shock the economy by raising prices on a wide range of goods and accelerating the rate of inflation. Such a shift could prompt the Fed to rethink future cuts to interest rates. Treasury yields slipped in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.25% from 4.30% late Tuesday. The yield on the two-year Treasury, which more closely follows expected actions by the Fed, fell to 4.22% from 4.25% late Tuesday. U.S. markets will be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving, and will reopen for a half day on Friday. Damian J. Troise And Alex Veiga, The Associated PressJude Bellingham: I was England’s scapegoat after Euro 2024 final defeatTrump won about 2.5M more votes this year than he did in 2020. This is where he did it
Bengaluru: A 39-year-old software engineer fell prey to a trading fraud and lost Rs 1.2 crore between Sept and Nov this year. The mistake he made was responding to a WhatsApp message from fraudsters. They offered free online training about the stock market in return for voting for their firm in an ‘amateur stock market competition'. Later, they added him to a Telegram group where they convinced him to invest money in trading stocks, assuring him of high returns. After he paid over Rs 1.2 crore, the fraudsters blocked his account and went incommunicado. Rajesh (name changed), a resident of TC Palya, in his complaint to East CEN Crime police, stated that he received messages on WhatsApp from the numbers +91 7085735092 and +972542963985 in Sept. The messages were about online training and knowledge sharing in the stock market. He was offered free training in exchange for a favour: He needed to vote for them, which would help in ‘The First Indian Amateur Stock Master Competition', which they claimed would end in Aug 2025. Eager to gain some knowledge about stock market investment, he agreed to be part of their online training. He started voting every day after training. A few days later, he was redirected to Telegram user IDs, @surendrakumarDubey_JK and @Rachel003wilson, where a group was created for them with 60 participants. A fraudster introduced himself as Surendra Kumara Dubey and claimed to be a trading leader who could provide training on how to trade, when to trade, and which broker to use. The fraudster misused the name of an online brokerage platform to cheat the victim. Following the advice of the fraudsters, Rajesh opened a D-mat account using a link provided by them. He started with an initial investment of Rs 10,000, which doubled within a week. In the groups, most members (some of them being imposters working for the fraudsters) were sending messages about their investments and sharing screenshots with details about their profits. The fraudsters would clear the doubts raised by group members. As Rajesh started increasing his investment, the profit increased to Rs 1.4 crore. One day, he tried to withdraw Rs 85,036 to check its credibility, and he received the money successfully. After a few days, he attempted to withdraw Rs 20 lakh, but he couldn't, and the following day, his account was blocked. The fraudsters deleted the group on Dec 8 and went incommunicado. A case has been registered under the Information Technology Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 318 (cheating). Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .The expanded Big Ten is poised to be a major player in this season's College Football Playoff. The 18-team conference had three of the top-four teams in the AP poll this week — No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Penn State. A one-loss Indiana team is ranked 10th but is still very much a contender to make the playoff, given how many Southeastern Conference teams have three defeats or more. Indiana's rise has been perhaps the Big Ten's biggest story this season. Much of the spotlight was on newcomers Oregon, Southern California, UCLA and Washington, but aside from the top-ranked Ducks, that foursome has struggled to impress. Meanwhile, the Hoosiers won their first 10 games under new coach Curt Cignetti before losing at Ohio State last weekend. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 back in October, and if the Buckeyes beat rival Michigan this weekend, they'll earn a rematch with the Ducks for the Big Ten title. And it's entirely possible another matchup between those two teams awaits in the CFP. Dillon Gabriel has quarterbacked Oregon to an unbeaten record, throwing for 3,066 yards and 22 touchdowns in 11 games. But don't overlook Iowa's Kaleb Johnson and his 21 rushing TDs, and quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been a big part of Indiana's improvement. Penn State's Abdul Carter has eight sacks and two forced fumbles and could be one of the top edge rushers drafted this year. Oregon (11-0, 8-0), Ohio State (10-1, 7-1), Penn State (10-1, 7-1), Indiana (10-1, 7-1), Illinois (8-3, 5-3), Iowa (7-4, 5-3), Michigan (6-5, 4-4), Minnesota (6-5, 4-4), Washington (6-5, 4-4), Southern California (6-5, 4-5), Nebraska (6-5, 3-5) and Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) have already reached the six-win mark for bowl eligibility. Michigan State (5-6, 3-5) and Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5) can join them. There may not be many firings in general at the top level of college football. The prospect of sharing revenue with athletes in the future might lead schools to be more judicious about shedding one coach and hiring a new one. Who should be most worried in the Big Ten? Well, Lincoln Riley is struggling to stay above .500 in his third season at USC. Purdue is 1-10, but coach Ryan Walters is only in his second season. Maryland's Mike Locksley has been there six years and his Terrapins are 4-7, but this was his first real step backward after guiding the team to three straight bowl wins. Cignetti has shown it is possible for a coaching change to push a previously moribund program to some impressive heights in a short amount of time — but the improvement has been more incremental at Michigan State following Jonathan Smith's arrival. Sherrone Moore wasn't a completely unknown commodity at Michigan after he won some massive games in place of a suspended Jim Harbaugh last year. But in his first season completely at the helm, the Wolverines have declined significantly following their national title a season ago. The Big Ten is home to one of the most dynamic freshmen in the country in Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith. He has 52 catches for 899 yards and nine touchdowns. Highly touted quarterback Dylan Raiola has teamed up with fellow freshman Jacory Barney (49 catches) to lead Nebraska to bowl eligibility. Ohio State is on track to land the Big Ten's top class, according to 247 Sports, but the big news recently was quarterback Bryce Underwood flipping from LSU to Michigan. If the Wolverines do in fact keep Underwood in his home state, that would be a big development for Moore. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!The Growth Games initiative offers more than just financial support. It provides a comprehensive framework that gives developers, innovators, and creators the mentorship, resources, and community backing needed to advance their projects into viable market products. The program allocates funding in three main areas: development, acceleration, and launch. With a yearly budget of $750,000, the development phase aims to attract new builders and teams from outside the MultiversX ecosystem. Through a Request for Proposal (RFP) model, the initiative seeks to fund projects focused on infrastructure enhancement, essential tools creation, and impactful applications to address existing gaps within the MultiversX network. In the acceleration phase, $250,000 is set aside to assist existing teams within the ecosystem in expanding their operations, enhancing community engagement, and accelerating on-chain adoption and activity. Lastly, the launch phase, in collaboration with xLaunchpad, will provide funding for five transformative projects, with each eligible to receive up to $100,000. Selected teams will also receive mentorship, strategic guidance, marketing resources, and community support to ensure their success in the competitive market. To maintain transparency and accountability, Growth Games relies on milestone-based funding and regular progress reviews. By focusing on AI-integrated advancements, the program aims to drive internet-scale adoption and facilitate impactful solutions that seamlessly integrate blockchain technology with artificial intelligence.
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Within 48 hours of killing 8-year-old Madyson "Maddy" Middleton nine years ago, Adrian Gonzalez was arrested and confessed to murdering his Tannery Arts Center Lofts neighbor.
“Are you guys chefs or something?” It’s a question Oliver Poilevey, Marcos Ascencio and Alex Martinez get asked a lot when they tailgate at Bears home games. They hear it while setting up their butane burners and putting the blue-and-white tablecloths on their folding tables. They hear it when doing prep work. And they definitely hear it once the various dishes — seafood paella, truffle-topped soft scrambled eggs and brioche French toast with foie gras, for example — are ready and shared with those fortunate to be nearby. No surprise then that the answer is a resounding yes. Poilevey is chef/partner at Le Bouchon, Obelix, Mariscos San Pedro and Taqueria Chingon; Ascencio is chef/partner at Mariscos and Chingon; and Martinez is chef/partner at Mariscos. ( Taqueria Chingon ‘s last day in Wicker Park is Nov. 26, but the search for a new location is underway.) Season ticket holders for the last three years, the trio regularly bring their A-game to their tailgating at the 31st Street parking lot near Soldier Field — even if the Bears don’t bring theirs. Of the three, Poilevey is the biggest Bears fan and gets the most heartbroken over the team’s losses, while Ascencio and Martinez have learned to roll with the inevitable punches. Whether they’re doing a crawfish boil, steakhouse-style fare, or whatever the three conjure up, the menu planning often begins at the previous tailgate. “We’re constantly like, ‘Hey, what should we do next week?’” says Ascencio of the informal planning, which is sometimes influenced by the team the Bears are playing, or more often by what they have on hand at the restaurants. Poilevey admits having top-notch ingredients at their fingertips is a major advantage. For a recent tailgate, the plan was to do dishes that represented all their restaurants. At the end of one Saturday night’s service, the chefs gathered last-minute ingredients for the next day’s tailgate. A large plastic bin was stocked with steaks, duck breasts, caviar, cheese, butter and chorizo. Containers of various sauces, their names and dates clearly marked on blue masking tape, went into the bin too. “You don’t want to save too much of that stuff for the day of, especially if it’s a noon game,” Poilevey says. “You’re waking up at 7 a.m. after working the night before and you will forget something.” Alex Martinez says hello to an octopus while prepping in the kitchen at Mariscos San Pedro in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on Nov. 9, 2024, ahead of a Chicago Bears tailgating adventure the following day. Martinez and fellow chefs Oliver Poilevey and Marcos Asencio, who are Bears season ticket holders, tailgate at many of the team’s home games. Crispy octopus glazed with tare was on the menu at the game. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Chef Marcos Asencio works with chorizo to be used in a paella while prepping in the kitchen at Mariscos San Pedro in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, ahead of a Chicago Bears tailgating adventure the following day. Asencio and fellow chefs Oliver Poilevey (cq) and Alex Martinez (cq), who are Bears season ticket holders, tailgate at many of the team’s home games. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Chef Marcos Asencio cuts up chorizo to be used in a paella while prepping in the kitchen, Nov. 9, 2024, ahead of a Chicago Bears tailgating adventure. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Chef Marcos Asencio organizes items to be used in a paella, Nov. 9, 2024, ahead of a Chicago Bears tailgating adventure the next day. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Chef Marcos Asencio scans a cooler while prepping in the kitchen at Mariscos San Pedro ahead of his Chicago Bears tailgating adventure the next day. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Alex Martinez breaks eggs for a French scramble dish while prepping in the kitchen at Mariscos San Pedro on Nov. 9, 2024, ahead of a Chicago Bears tailgating adventure. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Alex Martinez uses an immersion blender to mix eggs and cream for a French scramble eggs dish while prepping in the kitchen at Mariscos San Pedro in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on Nov. 9, 2024, ahead of a Chicago Bears tailgating adventure the following day. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Alex Martinez says hello to an octopus while prepping in the kitchen at Mariscos San Pedro in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on Nov. 9, 2024, ahead of a Chicago Bears tailgating adventure the following day. Martinez and fellow chefs Oliver Poilevey and Marcos Asencio, who are Bears season ticket holders, tailgate at many of the team’s home games. Crispy octopus glazed with tare was on the menu at the game. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) Aiding in the preparation process is a ready-to-go kit that includes the basics — dubbed “the Bear essentials” — such as towels, knives, seasonings, wipes, cutting boards and utensils. Post-game, the kit goes back to one of the restaurants where items are cleaned and replaced as needed. An avid camper, Ascencio takes charge of the kit. Ideally, everything goes back in the box, except for that time when the salt didn’t (don’t ask). On game day, Ascencio typically arrives first as his SUV is packed with the equipment, kit and coolers. The unpacking of it resembles those circus clown cars with item after item endlessly coming out. Setup, on the other hand, looks like a race car pit change with each chef quickly organizing their respective stations. Conversation isn’t needed as they know exactly what to do. Ascencio lights the charcoal for the small Japanese grill and sets up the paella propane cooker, while Poilevey readies the snacks, such as freshly shucked oysters, pate en croute and raw tuna topped with salsa negra. “We like to have something to eat as we work,” says Poilevey, who’s also in charge of caviar bumps. “This man never leaves the house without caviar,” quips his girlfriend, Sonia Balzak. Freshly baked croissants and doughnuts grabbed from Obelix that morning are unboxed. Meanwhile, Martinez is warming up duck consommé, which will be paired with maitake mushrooms that Poilevey has thinly sliced and placed into cups for easy serving. Chicken stock for paella is warmed up on a second butane burner. Once it’s done, Martinez will get started on the soft scrambled eggs prepared in a bain-marie. Their handiwork hasn’t gone unnoticed. “You guys are fun to watch,” says Clarence Boot of Naperville, who, along with two friends, has been eyeing the chefs from their neighboring spot. “You guys are doing it right,” adds Dick Patton, also from Naperville. After the duck consommé is served — a paper cup is MacGyvered as a ladle as they forgot to bring one — Martinez gets to work on the torre de mariscos, think a multi-layered cake but with tuna, octopus, shrimp and scallops. The fish tower rests on a bed of red and green salsas and is topped with sliced avocado. Poilevey steps away from his station to help man the grill and lightly sears Wagyu steak, octopus and duck breasts. Those are topped simply with salt and sliced, making for tasty finger food. “Typically, we’re not trying to put together really complex dishes with a bunch of ingredients,” Poilevey says. “It’s more about really great product, cooked well and seasoned right.” Little by little friends and co-workers arrive, as do the Champagne splits, bottles of wine and beer. The tequila comes out later. “They all know we tailgate for home games and are invited,” Martinez says. Ascencio is now in full paella mode, methodically adding each ingredient to the large pan. There’s chorizo, mussels, shrimp, calamari and squid in addition to the rice. Chicken stock is added in waves. At 10:30 a.m., the finished product is topped with peas and drizzled with a spicy crema before being handed out to anyone who asks, including some who have gotten to know the trio from previous tailgates and search them out. “If you’re making something nice, bring enough to share,” Ascensio says. “Spreading love is what food and hospitality is about.” “Oh, paella, holy s−−−,” shouts a guy walking by. “That’s a work of art.” At the parking spot next door, Robert McClendon of Crown Point, Indiana, has been watching closely, sampling dishes here and there. Initially, he wasn’t so sure about the paella, but after trying it, he comes back for a heaping plate to bring home to his wife. “I’m glad we got parked next to them,” he says. Sharing their culinary knowledge is a big part of the chefs’ tailgating experience. “It’s not only about cooking and enjoying that but also educating too,” Martinez says. “We like to show people what we do and introduce them to new stuff.” An added bonus: Some of those folks end up visiting the restaurants. By 11 a.m. attention turns to cleanup. There is, after all, a Bears game to go to in case you forgot. Like other aspects of their tailgating, that has a system too. Early on, Ascencio sourced out where still-warm coals and garbage can be discarded, a process that’s been ongoing. Another tip? “I always tell people when they tailgate to clean as you go,” he says. Similar to setup, the breakdown is equally disciplined, although now those co-workers and friends help. Soon the only evidence of their tailgating is a small piece of octopus on the ground. Then they start their 30-minute trek to Soldier Field. So why would these chefs want to spend their day off once again cooking for others? “We don’t turn this off. It’s in our blood,” Poilevey says. “We’re chefs for a living because we love to cook and host and that carries over to all other aspects of our lives.” Lisa Shames is a freelance writer.Ruben Amorim faced the press for the first time as Manchester United manager on Friday as he looked to make a good first impression ahead of the weekend’s trip to Ipswich. There was one quote from the press conference that stood out. “Call me naive, but I truly believe that I’m the right guy in the right moment,” he said about the United job. “I could be wrong, but the earth will still turn, the sun will rise again, it doesn’t matter. I truly believe that I’m the right guy for this job. “ It’s the self-confidence needed to be United manager, and to be successful at the club. The comments have shades of someone else not short on self belief in Jose Mourinho . READ MORE: Ruud van Nistelrooy next job path could open as potential Man United reunion date set READ MORE: Travel snow warning issued to Man United supporters as Storm Bert hits UK Back in 2004, in his first press conference as Chelsea manager, the Portuguese coach famously said: "Please don't call me arrogant, but I'm European champion and I think I'm a special one.” After saying that, he went on to win three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and three League cups with the Blues over two spells. During his time at Manchester United, the club lifted the Europa League and the League Cup. Owing to their nationality, there has already been comparisons between Amorim and Mourinho. The self belief on show at the new United boss’ first press conference will only heighten that. Amorim has however brushed off the comparisons. “I’m different from Mourinho, I’m a different person but I remember that time,” he said. “You look at Mourinho and you felt he can win everywhere. It’s not the same thing, he was European champion, I’m not European champion! “But I’m a different guy in a different moment, football nowadays is different and I think I am the right person in this moment. “I am a young guy, I understand the players, so I try to use that to help my players like Mourinho did in that era at Chelsea. If you remember the young guys like [Frank] Lampard, these kinds of players, nowadays it’s so much different and I think I am the right guy in this moment.” He did however reveal the message he received from Mourinho after taking the United job. “He sent me a message, it’s a big club with lovely people, and he’s correct, it still is,” he said. “We’re building a new club. I’m a different guy. “I hope to teach something different to my players. It’s the best club in England. We want to win, that’s all.” Despite him backing away from the comparisons with Mourinho, it’s easy to see why they have, and will continue to be made. United will be hoping that Amorim is just as successful with them as Mourinho was when he came to the Premier League, if he is, then he will prove his claim that he is the ‘right’ one for the job. Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
This morning, the national Wah-ila-toos Indigenous Council published a first-of-its kind report. “Kinship and Prosperity: Proven Solutions for a Clean Energy Landscape,” outlines guidelines for incorporating Indigenous voices into Canada’s climate strategy, policy, and legislation. “As Canada continues to grapple with the impact of climate change, the effect it has on Indigenous communities is felt across the country,” stated the report. The council noted that despite the federal government adopting a climate change policy and committing to carbon reduction, Canada still has a long way to go. The country is currently near the bottom of the Climate Change Performance Index, ranked 62nd out of 67 countries. The Index is a collaboration of several international climate organization and an independent monitoring tool assessing nations’ progress toward climate change targets. In 2022, the Government of Canada invested $300 million in the Wah-ila-toos clean energy initiatives for Indigenous and remote communities, allocating $238 million for projects and $62 million for internal administration between 2022 and 2027. Later that year, the Indigenous Council was formed to advise federal departments on the Wah-ila-toos mandate and participate in its governing board. The Wah-ila-toos council is assisting in transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy, focusing on the unique challenges various communities face. The commission emphasizes that Indigenous knowledge, grounded in thousands of years of experience, is crucial for developing sustainable energy systems that foster energy security, uphold human rights, and support self-determination. Since its inception in 2022, the initiative has funded several projects across British Columbia and the country, allocating over $97 million. This investment is estimated to have reduced diesel reliance by 18 million litres annually. The funded projects primarily focus on renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and biomass, as well as, some innovative technologies such as hydrogen energy. The Wah-ila-toos council consists of six First Nations, Inuit, and Métis leaders with expertise in clean energy, working in partnership with federal departments such as Natural Resources Canada and Indigenous Services Canada. The team consists of Grant Sullivan, Alex Cook, Jordyn Burnouf, Kim Scott, Zux̌ valaqs (Leona Humchitt), and Sean Brennan Nang Hl K’aayaas, with independent consultant Karley Scott also assisting. Brennan, a Haida and Eagle Clan member, has dedicated his career to advancing Haida sovereignty for future generations. He says they have been working on this report for over a year. “Indigenous communities have demonstrated leadership in clean energy in the past, since time immemorial,” he said. “Continued progress requires sufficient and equity-driven long-term funding for Indigenous communities and proponents so Indigenous people can really deliver the proven clean energy solutions that are helping to lift these communities out of poverty, to help enable the path to prosperity. A lot of this is really depending on funding and the funding delivery should really be accessible and streamlined.” He says Indigenous self-determination is crucial for sustainable solutions, and Indigenous-led decisions will lead to economic reconciliation. “We need to make it easier for these Indigenous proponents to get these projects up and off the ground right. Indigenous decision-making needs to be there at the centre of it all... This document is basically a roadmap to government to really help them achieve that empowerment of Indigenous communities to give them those solutions,” he said. “Energy costs in rural and remote communities are skyrocketing.” he continued. “Indigenous-led alternative energy projects will help bring people out of poverty and provide local jobs for them.” He says Indigenous communities have been left out of British Columbia’s clean energy grid for far too long. Out of 44 communities in B.C. that are not connected to the grid, 40 are Indigenous. As a result, these communities rely heavily on diesel fuel, which negatively affects their environment in several ways, including air quality issues and the risk of spills. “One, with the climate changing at a rapid pace, and two, we’re contributing to it in a way that we never really had a consent or say in doing that,” Brennan said. “We didn’t really ask for diesel generators in our communities, or have any say about whether or not we could have attached to the grid in the first place. So we’re sort of just left stuck finding solutions, and this [initiative] is us going out, being proactive about those solutions and creating that opportunity for ourselves, while at the same time creating some sort of economic prosperity.” The 2021 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) affirms Indigenous rights and mandates Canada to engage with Indigenous Peoples based on respect for human rights and self-determination. In 2023, Canada’s UNDA Action Plan committed to stable long-term funding for Indigenous participation in decision-making and policy co-development, empowering self-determination on climate issues. “Ensuring a just transition is vital, which broadly means ensuring no one is left behind or disadvantaged as we move toward low-carbon, environmentally sustainable economies and societies,” the report states. “This transition to renewable energy must be guided by principles of decolonization, the restoration of right relationships with the Earth, and equitable outcomes for workers and communities that have historically faced marginalization.” Brennan added carbon reduction is a natural way of life for Indigenous people. “We’re dependent on an outside fuel source that’s not sustainable or renewable,” he said noting his aim is to move this situation toward energy sovereignty and prosperity. He says like many rural or remote locations, his home place of Haida Gwaii burns 11 million litres of diesel per year. “We’re not really proud of having these large carbon footprints when compared to the rest of the province and the rest of Canada,” he said. One of the currently funded projects is a two-megawatt solar farm, which estimates predict will bring diesel consumption down to 660,000 litres per year. The Kinship and Prosperity Report’s key recommendations include: Improved Access to Funding: Streamlining processes to eliminate barriers and make funding more accessible for Indigenous-led projects. Consistent Project Eligibility: Developing clear criteria prioritizing community benefits and Indigenous-led initiatives. Inclusive Opportunities: Aligning efforts with Canada’s sustainable development goals and enhancing community readiness for clean energy transitions. Indigenous Leadership: Empowering Indigenous communities to take the lead in energy decisions with respect for self-determination. Sustainable Funding: Establishing long-term funding and support for Indigenous climate action, including multi-year grants and economic reconciliation. “As we look forward, it is evident that the path to a sustainable future lies in recognizing and amplifying the voices of Indigenous Peoples, in simplifying the process and removing unnecessary complexities, and in learning from our experiences,” states the report.
Insurgents' stunning march across Syria gained speed on Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and with the government forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Mr. Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. For the first time in the country's long-running civil war, the government now has control of only four of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Homs, Latakia and Tartus. The U.N.'s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an "orderly political transition." Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Mr. Assad's chief international backer, said he feels "sorry for the Syrian people." In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. "The situation is very strange. We are not used to that," the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. "People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not." It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Syria's state media denied social media rumors that Mr. Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine. Lebanon's Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Mr. Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Mr. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Mr. Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. No details were immediately available. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the "final stage" of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a "salvation government" to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, al-Golani has sought to remake the group's image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. Syria's military, meanwhile, sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria's third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria's largest, and the central city of Hama, the country's fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces and are sending reinforcements to Homs, where a battle loomed. If the insurgents capture Homs, they would cut the link between Damascus, Mr. Assad's seat of power, and the coastal region where the president enjoys wide support. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by "terrorists." The army said it was setting up a "strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area," apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Mr. Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country's underlying problems. "Assad didn't seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people," he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria's "territorial integrity." He said the war could "damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency" to start a political process. This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writer Zeina Karam reported from London. Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report.