By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump promised on Tuesday to “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions. Related Articles National Politics | Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole, arguing that it was senseless and insulted the families of their victims. Biden said converting their punishments to life imprisonment was consistent with the moratorium imposed on federal executions in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. “Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country,” he wrote on his social media site. “When you hear the acts of each, you won’t believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can’t believe this is happening!” Presidents historically have no involvement in dictating or recommending the punishments that federal prosecutors seek for defendants in criminal cases, though Trump has long sought more direct control over the Justice Department’s operations. The president-elect wrote that he would direct the department to pursue the death penalty “as soon as I am inaugurated,” but was vague on what specific actions he may take and said they would be in cases of “violent rapists, murderers, and monsters.” He highlighted the cases of two men who were on federal death row for slaying a woman and a girl, had admitted to killing more and had their sentences commuted by Biden. On the campaign trail, Trump often called for expanding the federal death penalty — including for those who kill police officers, those convicted of drug and human trafficking, and migrants who kill U.S. citizens. “Trump has been fairly consistent in wanting to sort of say that he thinks the death penalty is an important tool and he wants to use it,” said Douglas Berman, an expert on sentencing at Ohio State University’s law school. “But whether practically any of that can happen, either under existing law or other laws, is a heavy lift.” Berman said Trump’s statement at this point seems to be just a response to Biden’s commutation. “I’m inclined to think it’s still in sort of more the rhetoric phase. Just, ‘don’t worry. The new sheriff is coming. I like the death penalty,’” he said. Most Americans have historically supported the death penalty for people convicted of murder, according to decades of annual polling by Gallup, but support has declined over the past few decades. About half of Americans were in favor in an October poll, while roughly 7 in 10 Americans backed capital punishment for murderers in 2007. Before Biden’s commutation, there were 40 federal death row inmates compared with more than 2,000 who have been sentenced to death by states. “The reality is all of these crimes are typically handled by the states,” Berman said. A question is whether the Trump administration would try to take over some state murder cases, such as those related to drug trafficking or smuggling. He could also attempt to take cases from states that have abolished the death penalty. Berman said Trump’s statement, along with some recent actions by states, may present an effort to get the Supreme Court to reconsider a precedent that considers the death penalty disproportionate punishment for rape. “That would literally take decades to unfold. It’s not something that is going to happen overnight,” Berman said. Before one of Trump’s rallies on Aug. 20, his prepared remarks released to the media said he would announce he would ask for the death penalty for child rapists and child traffickers. But Trump never delivered the line. One of the men Trump highlighted on Tuesday was ex-Marine Jorge Avila Torrez, who was sentenced to death for killing a sailor in Virginia and later pleaded guilty to the fatal stabbing of an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old girl in a suburban Chicago park several years before. The other man, Thomas Steven Sanders, was sentenced to death for the kidnapping and slaying of a 12-year-old girl in Louisiana, days after shooting the girl’s mother in a wildlife park in Arizona. Court records show he admitted to both killings. Some families of victims expressed anger with Biden’s decision, but the president had faced pressure from advocacy groups urging him to make it more difficult for Trump to increase the use of capital punishment for federal inmates. The ACLU and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops were some of the groups that applauded the decision. Biden left three federal inmates to face execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Michelle L. Price and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.
Middle East latest: Israel agrees to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon starting at 4 amAuto industry's shift toward EVs is expected to go on despite Trump threat to kill tax credits
DENVER — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's "America's Got Talent" meets "American Idol," with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it's never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at "Dream Team" status given the men's side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023. The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. "We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport," said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. "We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world." Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores. "Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That's something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok, the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado's two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. "If a receiver is running around, I'm thinking, 'OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,'" Daniels explained. "They're like, 'No, you can't.' I'm just like, 'So I'm supposed to let this guy just run?!' I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn." The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. "I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. "I'm not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, 'I played NFL football for five years. I'm popular. I have a huge name.' I'm still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise." Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It's his way of working on avoiding a "defender" trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. "You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the 'Redeem Team' led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, 'That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. "Everybody thinks, 'Yeah, the U.S. just wins,'" Daniels said. "But we work hard all the time. We don't just walk in. We don't just get off the bus thinking, 'We're going to beat people.'" Get local news delivered to your inbox!
First BanCorp.: Downgrading To Hold; Earnings Outlook Remains Positive
If humanity ever makes it to constructing the , they will likely need —but the construction material may also require blood and other bodily fluids from astronauts themselves. The explorers tasked with establishing a permanent Martian base will also . Space will be at a premium aboard the rocket that takes them to Earth’s neighbor, and the mission’s cost and fuel requirements increase in tandem with the amount of cargo. Because of this, the earliest crews will need to rely on the resources around them—which is mostly a lot of rocks and dirt. A millenia-old strategy, however, may help them make the most of other readily available additives. is known for its excellent resiliency, strength, and even self-healing properties. But masons often used other key ingredients in the brickmaking: . Knowing this, a research team from Iran’s Kharazmi University recently mixed and tested multiple potential building materials using found on Mars, as well as other easily obtainable components. “Ancient Romans utilized organic additives, including animal blood, primarily to improve the durability and workability of their mortar,” they wrote in a subsequent study published in the journal, . “Although it is a bit strange, blood can be utilized to create strong concrete or bricks for onsite construction on Mars.” Depending on the region of the planet, Martian soil contains the right chemical composition for multiple types of concrete. After compiling geological data collected by past Mars landers and orbiters, the team identified 11 potential concrete options for future astronauts. These included geopolymer and magnesium silica mixtures. They then created simulated building material samples using a 3D printer, stress tested them, and recorded the results. According to the team, a sulfur-based concrete will likely be the most reliable initial material for buildings on Mars. But researchers also suggest that another, more outlandish contender could be AstroCrete, a modern form of Roman concrete that contains additional, human-sourced ingredients. “The production process is simple. Aggregates (Martian regolith) bind together through contact with human serum albumin (HAS), a protein found in blood plasma,” they write. The team theorizes that a single astronaut could produce enough HAS to make the amount of AstroCrete necessary to construct a single-occupancy dwelling in about 72 weeks. To increase the AstroCrete’s compressive strength and plasticity while also lowering its brittleness, the study authors offer another possible additive—urea extracted from sweat, tears, and urine. An additional major benefit of AstroCrete is that it requires no water to mix, which is especially useful given the planet’s almost entirely arid conditions. Researchers stressed that mission engineers and astronauts will need to consider much more than just sulfur-based concrete or AstroCrete when planning a base on Mars. Numerous other challenges, such as the planet’s exposure to ultraviolet radiation, deadly climate, low gravity, and lack of water may all prevent humans from permanently living there. Success, the authors explain, therefore “hinges upon the development of low-cost and practical solutions,” including “onsite construction utilizing in-situ resources emerges as the most promising approach.” Resources that may include the blood, sweat, and tears of the first Martian visitors.
NEW YORK , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global debt collection software market size is estimated to grow by USD 2.31 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.92% during the forecast period. Rise in non-performing loans (npls) is driving market growth, with a trend towards integration of advanced technologies in debt collection software. However, high cost of debt collection software poses a challenge. Key market players include AgreeYa Solutions Inc., Analog Legalhub Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd., CDS Software, Chetu Inc., Comtech Systems Inc., Comtronic Systems LLC, DAKCS Software Systems Inc., Debt Pay Inc., DebtCol Software Pty. Ltd., Debtrak, Experian Plc, ezyCollect Pty. Ltd., Fair Isaac Corp., Fidelity National Information Services Inc., Gaviti Akyl Ltd., Indigo Cloud Ltd., MarketXpander Services Pvt. Ltd., Nestack Technologies Pvt. Ltd., PDCflow, PrimeSoft Solutions Inc., Quantrax Corp. Inc., Radixweb, receeve GmbH, Sila Inc., Totality Software Inc., A4dable Software, Ameyo Pvt Ltd., DBA PaySimple Inc., Simplicity Collection Software, Constellation Software Inc.; CGI Group Inc.; TransUnion; Nucleus Software Exports Ltd.; Pegasystems Inc.; Temenos Group AG; PAIR Finance; Credgenics AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Deployment (On-premises and Cloud-based), Industry Application (Small and medium enterprises and Large enterprises), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa), Component, enterprise size, end-user Region Covered North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled AgreeYa Solutions Inc., Analog Legalhub Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd., CDS Software, Chetu Inc., Comtech Systems Inc., Comtronic Systems LLC, DAKCS Software Systems Inc., Debt Pay Inc., DebtCol Software Pty. Ltd., Debtrak, Experian Plc, ezyCollect Pty. Ltd., Fair Isaac Corp., Fidelity National Information Services Inc., Gaviti Akyl Ltd., Indigo Cloud Ltd., MarketXpander Services Pvt. Ltd., Nestack Technologies Pvt. Ltd., PDCflow, PrimeSoft Solutions Inc., Quantrax Corp. Inc., Radixweb, receeve GmbH, Sila Inc., Totality Software Inc., A4dable Software, Ameyo Pvt Ltd., DBA PaySimple Inc., Simplicity Collection Software, Constellation Software Inc.; CGI Group Inc.; TransUnion; Nucleus Software Exports Ltd.; Pegasystems Inc.; Temenos Group AG; PAIR Finance; Credgenics Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The Debt Collection Software market is witnessing significant trends, including automation, multichannel communication, and affordability for organizations of all sizes. Large enterprises segment seeks economies of scale through deployment of advanced debt collection solutions. Services and solutions segments dominate, offering debt collection services and modern applications for effective loan recovery. Implementation of debt collection software involves business-specific needs, training, and implementation work. Legacy systems are being replaced with modern applications for productivity and effective debt recovery. Borrower data, overdue invoice reminders, phone calls, and online payment collection are essential components of the debt collection ecosystem. Banks and financial organizations prioritize debt collection journeys and money collection process, addressing complexities through automation, notifications, alerts, and compliance with consumer protection laws and debt collection regulations. Costs, bankruptcy status, and litigious consumers pose challenges. InterProse Corporation's InterProse ACE offers debt collection software for government organizations, with components including text messaging, voice mail drops, dialers, and compliance with debt collection regulations. Deployment options include on-premises and cloud-based, catering to enterprise size. The debt collection software market is undergoing a transformation through the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data analytics. These technologies are streamlining debt collection processes by enhancing decision-making capabilities, automating repetitive tasks, and improving overall efficiency. AI specifically, is revolutionizing the financial industry by enabling automated decision-making processes, predictive analytics, and personalized customer interactions. For instance, AI algorithms analyze historical debtor data to forecast payment behaviors and suggest tailored collection strategies, resulting in more effective interventions. This technological integration is a game-changer for the debt collection industry. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! • The Debt Collection Software market faces challenges in automating debt collection processes for organizations, particularly in the large enterprises segment. Affordability and economies of scale are key considerations, as debt collection software solutions must effectively meet business-specific needs without straining budgets. Automation of loan recovery processes, online payment collection, and multichannel communication are essential for productivity and effective debt recovery. Services and solutions segments offer debt collection services and deployment of software for organizations. Debt collection journeys include overdue invoice reminders, phone calls, text messaging, voice mail drops, and dialers. Borrower data, debt collection regulations, bankruptcy status, and litigious consumers add complexities to the debt collection ecosystem. InterProse Corporation's InterProse ACE software addresses these challenges with automatic monitoring, notifications, and alerts. Deployment options include on-premises and cloud-based solutions, catering to various enterprise sizes. Training and implementation work are crucial for successful deployment and integration with core business systems, such as legacy systems and modern applications. Consumer protection laws and debt collection regulations must be adhered to, ensuring compliance and effective debt collection. Costs, productivity, and effective debt recovery are the primary objectives for financial and banking organizations. The debt collection software market continues to evolve, providing innovative solutions to streamline the money collection process. • The debt collection software market is facing a significant challenge due to the high cost of the software. This issue poses a barrier for smaller debt collection agencies and businesses with limited financial resources, potentially reducing competition and increasing prices for consumers. The average cost of the software ranges from USD480 to USD1200 yearly per user, with enterprise solutions costing more based on specific requirements. This high expense can hinder market growth and limit access to effective debt collection solutions for many organizations. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report This debt collection software market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 On-premises- On-premises debt collection software solutions hold a substantial position in the global debt collection software market, addressing the demands of businesses that value internal infrastructure management, data security, and customizability. These software solutions are installed and operated within an organization's premises, granting users a significant degree of autonomy over their debt collection operations. Large enterprises, particularly those in regulated industries like finance and healthcare, prefer on-premises debt collection software to safeguard sensitive debtor information and adhere to stringent data privacy regulations. Companies such as DAKCS Software Systems Inc. (DAKCS) provide tailored on-premises debt collection solutions, catering to the unique security and regulatory needs of large enterprises. This level of customization is particularly appealing to complex debt collection operations within large enterprises. On-premises debt collection software enables organizations to maintain full control over their data and operations, which is essential for large enterprises adhering to strict IT policies and security protocols. Providers like CDS Software offer extensive on-premises debt collection software, empowering large enterprises to manage their debt collection processes while ensuring data security and integrity. The need for direct control over data and operations, combined with the ability to customize software to align with specific business processes, is expected to fuel the growth of the on-premises segment in the global debt collection software market. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) The Debt Collection Software market is witnessing significant growth due to the automation of debt collection processes, providing large enterprises with economies of scale and affordability. This market caters to both services and solutions segments, offering debt collection services and software solutions to organizations. The deployment of debt collection software streamlines the loan recovery process, enabling effective communication through multichannel methods. Borrower data management is crucial, and these systems provide features like overdue invoice reminders, phone calls, and online payment collection. Banking and financial organizations benefit greatly from these solutions, increasing productivity and improving the effectiveness of debt recovery. However, implementing debt collection software comes with complexities, including business-specific needs, training, and implementation work. Legacy systems and modern applications must be considered during strategy development. The debt collection ecosystem requires a well-thought-out plan for successful implementation. The Debt Collection Software market is witnessing significant growth due to the automation of debt collection processes, which helps organizations streamline their loan recovery process and improve productivity. The large enterprises segment is a major contributor to the market's growth, as they can leverage economies of scale and affordability. The market offers both solutions and services segments, with debt collection services being a popular choice for organizations seeking expert assistance in managing their debt collection journeys. The deployment of debt collection software involves careful strategy and implementation, taking into account business-specific needs and the complexities of the debt collection ecosystem. Modern applications replace legacy systems, offering online payment collection, overdue invoice reminders, and multichannel communication options like phone calls, text messaging, voice mail drops, and dialers. Implementation work includes training and adherence to debt collection regulations, consumer protection laws, bankruptcy status, and litigious consumers. The market caters to banking organizations, financial institutions, government organizations, and other entities, providing effective debt recovery and cost savings through automatic monitoring, notifications, and alerts. 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/debt-collection-software-market-to-grow-by-usd-2-31-billion-2024-2028-driven-by-rising-npls-and-ai-powered-market-evolution---technavio-302327886.html SOURCE Technavio
2024 in Review: Highlights from NASA in Silicon Valley
NoneRiverNorthPhotography With around two weeks left until the tax-loss selling opportunity ends, Walgreens Boots Alliance ( NASDAQ: WBA ) unexpectedly soared by 18% to nearly $11.00 on December 10, 2024. The WSJ reported that Walgreens and Sycamore Partners held discussions about a Please [+] Follow me for coverage on deeply discounted stocks. To get more beyond these articles, get do-it-yourself tips and tricks in three ways: Subscribe to the Free DIY Tier to get a preview of the subscription. Read dozens of articles. This is completely separate from the alerts you get when following me. The Basic tier is the entry-level level. The Full Service is for readers who want access to five stock models, live online chat, and timely, actionable, stock alerts. Chris Lau is an individual investor and economist with 30 years of experience covering life science, technology, and dividend-growth income stocks. He has degrees in Microbiology and Economics. Chris runs the investing group DIY Value Investing where he shares his top stock picks of undervalued stocks with catalysts for upside, dividend-income recommendations with quant and payment calendar tracking, high upside plays, and research requests to help you become a better do-it-yourself investor. Learn more. Top Pick this year : this stock has become the best ever top pick . Highlighted is the one-day change, the editor's pick, and daily gain. The returns from the public articles are: 2023 Average Return: 8.4% 2022 Average Return: 6.9% 2021 Average Return 29.90% 2020 Average Return: 49.9% Flagship Products: 1. Top DIY Picks: Undervalued stocks have upcoming catalysts that markets do not expect. 2. Dividend-income Champs that have a long history of dividend growth. Includes printable calendar and quantitative scores. 3. DIY Risky Picks for a speculative allocation positive momentum for up to a moonshot, triple return. Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Joe Welch on Technology Stack for Army’s Next-Gen C2 CapabilityStaff report GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — Catawba women’s basketball team rode Saniya Wilson’s career game to an 88-77 South Atlantic Conference win at Tusculum on Wednesday. Wilson scored 26 points, making 12 of 13 free throws. Tusculum (4-6, 2-4) led by seven late in the third quarter, but freshman Bailee Goodlett made three 3-pointers as Catawba (7-3, 5-2) came back and grabbed the lead. Catawba held Tusculum scoreless for a four-minute stretch in the fourth quarter to pull out the victory. Janiya Foskey had a huge game with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Goodlett and Nala Baker scored 13. NiKiah Chesterfield scored 26 for the Pioneers. Catawba 23 15 26 24 — 88 Tusculum 19 21 25 11 — 77 CATAWBA scoring — Wilson 26, Foskey 20, Goodlett 13, Baker 13, Ingram 7. Gueterman 6, Gidney 3.
Manchester City defender Nathan Ake said his side must “show character” if they are to end their winless streak after Feyenoord scored three times in the final 15 minutes to claim a 3-3 draw in the Champions League at the Etihad Stadium. City are now six games without a victory but appeared to be cruising towards three points before being stunned by the Eredivisie side, who hit them with goals from Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Gimenez and David Hancko to fight back from 3-0 down. Two goals from Erling Haaland, one of them a penalty, and one from Ilkay Gundogan had the 2023 European champions three up after 53 minutes as they sought the win that would help to get their ailing season back on track. After the team collapsed in the closing stages, Ake called on his team-mates to show their mettle if their campaign is not to wither away. Speaking to Amazon Prime, he was asked whether he believed the the team’s problem is a mental one. “Maybe it is,” he said. “It is difficult to say. Obviously we have not been in this situation many times but this is where we have to show our character. “When everything seems to go against us and everyone is writing us off, we have to stay strong mentally, believe in ourselves and stick together. “Every season there is a period when they write us off. We have to make sure we stay strong as a team and staff and make sure we get out of it.” The draw leaves City with work to do if they are to secure one of the eight automatic spots in the last 16 of this season’s Champions League. They are currently 15th in the table, two points outside of the top eight, and will need positive results in their next two games against Juventus and Paris St Germain to keep their hopes alive. They then face Club Brugge in their final league match on January 29. The result at least ended a run of five straight defeats in all competitions ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown with leaders Liverpool at Anfield. “When you are three goals up it feels like a defeat when you give up three goals at home,” said Ake. “It is tough now, a tough night, but the only thing we can do is look forward to the next one. Liverpool is a big game and it is another challenge to overcome. “(We were) 3-0 up and we played quite well and were under control, but then it all changed. “You just have to stay strong mentally. At 3-1 they then push on but I think we need to go for it a bit earlier so we could keep the pressure on them, but we stayed playing at the back and maybe invited more pressure on us. “Then when you concede the second one there is even more pressure and then we have to stay stronger mentally.”The 2024 calendar year has been one to remember in world soccer. There was heavy Spanish flair all year long with Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, Real Madrid winning the Champions League, Rodri taking home the Ballon d'Or and Los Blancos not showing up for the ceremony. Stateside, a new era began for the U.S. women's national team that saw early success in Paris by securing Olympic goal while the men hired Mauricio Pochettino to lead the program after Gregg Berhalter saw his final days as the coach end shortly after the Copa America debacle. As we look back on what was '24, here are the top 24 most unforgettable moments. January Jurgen Klopp announces he's leaving Liverpool The impact of Jurgen Klopp's announcement in January was all the more stunning given the shroud it had been kept under. Even those who thought an ending might be coming sooner than later had not an inkling when Klopp told the Liverpool fanbase that he was "running out of energy" and would be checking out at the end of the season. His final months did not quite end with the fanfare he might have hoped, just an EFL Cup when a remarkable quadruple had seemed at least possible, but to the last, Liverpool were an image of their manager: fearless, free-wheeling and fun. - James Benge Manchester City unbeaten streak No team could scale the heights Manchester City reached in the early months of 2024, an undefeated run through the start of the year enough to negate Arsenal's own Pep Guardiola-esque streak. It actually started in December of 2023, but over the last 17 games of the season City didn't lose, and only dropped eight total points. Then again, no team would want to match City's woes since November. Even Southampton have more points to their name than the joint-worst performing side in England's top four leagues, at the time of writing. All this coupled with the civil war between the Premier League and its champions, the potential denouement of which is sure to be one of the moments of 2025. – James Benge Jim Ratcliffe buys 25% of Manchester United INEOS finally got their feet under the table at Old Trafford but it has hardly been an impressive start for Jim Ratcliffe who has overseen a number of costly missteps so far since getting hold of Manchester United finally. Not only was Erik ten Hag kept on at significant cost and backed in the summer transfer window, the Dutch tactician was sacked months later and replaced by Ruben Amorim who has made a mixed start to life with the Red Devils like many of their new signings. Arguably the most chaotic moment of 2024 on the red half of Manchester, though, came with the parting of ways with sporting director Dan Ashworth less than six months into the job. The English transfer guru was on gardening leave ahead of starting work for United for longer than he was actually in position! – Jonathan Johnson March USMNT win Nations League While it may not seem like it, 2024 wasn't all bad for the USMNT as they defeated Mexico 2-0 to capture their third consecutive Concacaf Nations League title, dos a Cero-ing Mexico with goals from Gio Reyna and Tyler Adams, it seemed like all was well with the national team, but that ended up being the last significant contribution from either player for the team during the year. It shows how quickly things can change on the international level, but the USMNT were still able to set themselves up to chase a fourth consecutive title. - Chuck Booth May Leverkusen loses first game of the season in Europa League final It was one of the most memorable campaigns in the history of the game for Bayer Leverkusen and Spanish manager Xabi Alonso, who won the German Bundesliga for the first time and also the German DFB Pokal. Leverkusen remained undefeated for the whole season and set the record of a 51-game unbeaten run, but then lost to Atalanta the UEFA Europa League final in Dublin on May 22. Ademola Lookman's hat-trick was the reason why Leverkusen lost their first game after almost a complete year, while Atalanta managed to win their first major European trophy in the club's history. - Francesco Porzio June Real Madrid win the Champions League A routine win turned into a night of high drama. The beneficiaries of a Manchester City implosion. A fringe player turning the tide at the most high-pressure moments. The emergence of a star who now has a compelling case to be the best player in the world. The 2023-24 Champions League knockout stages: pure Real Madrid. - James Benge Mbappe signs with Real Madrid Although it was years in the making, Kylian Mbappe's switch from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid finally happened in 2024. It is also safe to say that although the France international arrived to major fanfare at Santiago Bernabeu, things have not exactly gone according to plan for Mbappe and Los Blancos so far. Les Bleus' captain has struggled for form with club and country to the point that he has not been involved much with the French since moving to Madrid and his Real numbers have largely been padded through penalties until recently. Few will be hoping for better in 2025 than Mbappe who appeared to be on the verge of greatness coming into this year. – Jonathan Johnson July USMNT puts in embarrassing Copa America display Coming into Copa America, it was expected to be a time that would test the USMNT and my, what a test it was. After starting off well, the USMNT crumbled following a red card to Tim Weah in their second match and ended up crashing out during the group stage. When facing Uruguay in the final match, Berhalter even let his players know the score of the other match, Panama versus Bolivia, while the focus should've been on winning. This accelerated a discussion of if Berhalter should remain as coach of the team and eventually leading to his dismissal and the beginning of a new era for the USMNT. - Chuck Booth Copa America mayhem The Copa America was supposed to be an opportune occasion to showcase the USMNT's evolution on the field, the USA's preparedness to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and Messi mania's American reinvention, but the tournament instead descended into chaos as soon as it began. Complaints about pitches, delayed kickoffs and ticket prices soon gave way for a shocking conclusion, first with Uruguay's players fighting fans and earning multigame bans and then crowd trouble that saw ticketless fans break into Miami Gardens' Hard Rock Stadium and delay the kickoff of the final. Though the good news is that there's little chance of an encore in 2026 because FIFA organizes tournaments differently than CONMEBOL. South America's championship did not cover itself in glory and had the eyes of the world paying attention for all the wrong reasons. - Pardeep Cattry Spain win Euros and Lamine Yamal's star is born Few if any had Spain as favorites to win it all when Euro 2024 kicked off. It wasn't just that they had underwhelmed at almost every major tournament since their golden era had ended; they had been handed a tricky group and their reward for topping it would be a path to the final that took them past Germany and France to a meeting with England. And yet in every game they were the better side, their explosive young wingers, led by Lamine Yamal who didn't turn 17 until shortly before the tournament ended, offering cut and thrust ahead of a midfield that could dominate just like those of the Xavi and Andres Iniesta days. This might just be the start of something. - James Benge Canada drone scandal The Olympics' biggest scandal came courtesy of Canada Soccer, who were found to be engaging in a years-long drone spying operation that threw the women's national team's quest to defend their gold medal into turmoil. Then-head coach Bev Priestman was suspended for a year by FIFA, as were two ex-assistants, and the team was docked six points in the group stage for spying. While it seems like anyone who was responsible for spying is no longer working at the federation, the issue will linger for some time – reports suggest ex-men's and women's team head coach John Herdman was the mastermind behind the whole operation, with others reportedly continuing the practice during the women's team's run to Olympic gold in Tokyo and during the men's team fourth-place finish at the 2024 Copa America. - Pardeep Cattry August USWNT win Olympic Gold under Emma Hayes The USWNT entered 2024 in an unfamiliar position – the underdogs. Their round of 16 exit at the 2023 Women's World Cup raised questions that other national teams had not only caught up to them, but surpassed them, forcing a quick rebuild in order for the USWNT to prove their worth at the 2024 Olympics. Interim head coach Twila Kilgore introduced fresh faces at a rapid pace, while new leader Emma Hayes opted for youth over experience after just four games to prepare for Paris. Winning gold was improbable under such circumstances, but a new-look USWNT did just that and reasserted themselves as the gold standard in women's soccer, even in an increasingly competitive landscape. - Pardeep Cattry NWSL ratify new CBA, abolish draft In a promising turn of events, the NWSL Players Association and the league ratified a new collective bargaining agreement ahead of schedule. Originally set to expire in 2026, the latest CBA will now run through 2030 and offer historic sweeping changes for the league. Along with a revenue sharing component and continued benefits for parents and mental health, the 2.0 version of the CBA also eliminated all future drafts and made free agency the standard for all players moving forward to fall in line with global soccer protocols. The NWSLPA and NWSL are the first in American professional sports to eliminate a draft that was common practice since its inception. - Sandra Herrera September Alex Morgan and other USWNT legends retire This year marked a changing of the guard for the USWNT, who wished a happy retirement to several accomplished players. World Cup winners Alex Morgan, Becky Sauerbrunn, Sam Mewis and Kelley O'Hara all hung up their boots in 2024, leaving behind an impressive legacy that includes not only lifting trophies but also winning equal pay and ensuring better working conditions in the NWSL. To say they are a game-changing group of athletes would be an understatement, but they follow in the footsteps of other women's soccer players who left the game much, much better than they found it. - Pardeep Cattry USMNT (finally) announce Mauricio Pochettino After crashing out of the Copa America during the group stage, the time had come to move on from Gregg Berhalter as the manager of the United States men's national team. But no one could've expected that what came next was the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino, one of the most successful managers in the world. With an eye toward development, Pochettino has come in and immediately raised the standard of the USMNT which could see them spring some surprises during the 2026 World Cup on home soil. There's a long way to go, but Pochettino restored a much-needed feeling of hope in the national team. Looking to 2025, it's about how he and the players can build on that to create a winning team. - Chuck Booth Cole Palmer scores four in a half Chelsea have had their fair share of lowlights in recent years but things have started to finally look bright under Enzo Maresca of late with the Blues back at the right end of the Premier League table. Cole Palmer has been one of the few successes since his arrival at Stamford Bridge -- even when everything around him was not quite working out -- and he spectacularly made history earlier this season by becoming the first-ever player in the EPL to score four times before half time in a game when the Londoners beat Brighton and Hove Albion 4-2 back in September. The England international needed 20 minutes to tally that quadruple with one goal roughly every five minutes on average. – Jonathan Johnson Cavan Sullivan makes history Freddy Adu's record for being the youngest player to ever appear in an MLS game felt like something that wouldn't be broken. While some of the reason behind that is due to labor laws stopping young players from playing in certain states, there has also been a large influx of talent into MLS so that players under 16 find it harder to break through at the senior level. But Manchester City-bound Cavan Sullivan has been able to showcase being a generational talent to debut for the Philadelphia Union at 14 years and 293 days old against Toronto FC. While that was just the start for Sullivan, he'll be someone to watch on the Union roster as in 2025 he'll likely be part of the senior roster regularly. – Chuck Booth Champions League debuts new format We have witnessed the launch of the new-look UEFA Champions League in 2024 and although there are still two games to come in early 2025, it is safe to say that the league phase has already shown promise. It will take time for people to fully adjust to the shift from the group stage, but with nobody assured of a top-eight finish yet and only three teams officially eliminated with two rounds to go, it has succeeded in making the preliminary part of the UCL more absorbing than ever. With the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City flirting with the unthinkable and defending champions Real Madrid even finding it tough going, the league phase has upped the stakes in a way that many have been craving for years. – Jonathan Johnson October Ballon d'Or drama The crowning of the best men's footballer of the past season has tended to be a relatively anodyne affair over recent years, particularly those where the winner was, rightly and inevitably, Lionel Messi. Not this year. The drama! When news leaked on the morning of the ceremony that Rodri was going to pip front-runner Vinicius Junior to the post, Real Madrid threw the sort of wobbly that even your two-year-old might think was a bit much. Not one representative from the Spanish and European champions was in the crowd to see the best player on the planet be honored as such. A bit naff but gloriously petty, and isn't that what we want from awards ceremonies? - James Benge November Christian Pulisic notches assist in Milan win at the Bernabeu It was a dream year for USMNT star Christian Pulisic, who was by far the best AC Milan player. The 2023-24 season ended up with him scoring 15 goals, becoming the second U.S. international with 10 league goals in a season in the top four European leagues after Clint Dempsey did it twice, first in the 2011-12 season (17 goals) and second in the 2010-11 season (12 goals). The 2024-25 season start has been even better so far as the American international scored eight goals in all competitions including the assist provided at the Santiago Bernabeu during the 3-1 AC Milan win against Real Madrid, marking one of the best moments of Pulisic's career. – Francesco Porzio Inter Miami and Messi set a record, then crash and burn With Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, Inter Miami were expected to win everything in their path. That didn't happen despite the starpower. They did win the Supporters' Shield and set a new MLS single-season points record with their tally of 74. Triumphing in the Leagues Cup, it felt like no one could stop Miami and that they were the favorites to win the entire league but that wouldn't be the case. In the playoffs, it all came crashing down as the Herons were bounced in the first round by an Atlanta United side that had to get past the wild-card round to even get there. At that moment, drastic change happened and now Tata Martino is out as manager, replaced by Javier Mascherano, and there will be more shifts to the roster on the way. With the Herons being awarded the host nation spot for the Club World Cup, all eyes again will be on them in 2025 and they'll have to live up to high expectations. -- Chuck Booth Chawinga breaks NWSL scoring record Temwa Chawinga changed the league forever when she matched and broke the all-time single-season scoring record in NWSL. The Kansas City Current striker scored 20 goals and was nearly unstoppable all year long. She constantly forced defenders into unlucky scenarios with her world-class timing on runs, and her finishing made tricky shots look easy. The 2024 Golden Boot winner will force every team in 2025 to factor in her presence after a long year of dominance. – Sandra Herrera Marta wins a title with Orlando Already an icon throughout the game, Marta's magic delivered in multiple ways with Orlando Pride in 2024. She scored 11 goals,second highest of her NWSL career, and led the team in chances created (52). Despite having a dominant winning record in the previous American women's league (WPS), Marta's time in NWSL was filled with mostly losing seasons, an ACL injury, and no team trophies. After nearly a decade in the NWSL, Orlando Pride's historic run during the 2024 regular season changed that. The Brazilian legend can look ahead with a league-record 23-game unbeaten streak, NWSL Shield winner, and NWSL Champion. - Sandra Herrera December Vermont and UNC win dramatic college titles With the elimination of the NWSL Draft and devaluation of the MLS SuperDraft, college soccer has changed but the College Cups reminded us of how exciting the college game can be. UNC returned to the top of the women's game by winning their 22nd NCAA women's title behind an Olivia Thomas free kick. UNC's first title since 2012, they had to wait a while to add to their NCAA leading title count but did so in a big way. On the Men's side, the Vermont Catamounts delivered the drama to win their first national title over Marshall. With the game in golden goal overtime, Maximilian Kissel was able to beat the Marshall goalkeeper finding himself alone in the box for the winner. They're moments that show no matter where you look, it's an exiting time for soccer in America. – Chuck Booth
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