The Carolina Hurricanes, second in the Metropolitan Division with a 14-5-1 record, have lost both their starting goaltender and their backup to injury. Starting goaltender Frederik Andersen underwent knee surgery and is set to miss at least two months . Last night, young backup Pyotr Kochetkov left the game against Columbus in overtime after an awkward collision with his own teammate. There's been no injury update for Kochetkov, but Head Coach Rod Brind'Amour didn’t seem optimistic when he spoke with the media postgame. Assuming Kochetkov’s injury is as serious as it looked, Carolina is in need of a goaltender. Ryan Henkel of Yahoo! Sports suggests three trade candidates the Hurricanes could look to, one of them a familiar face . Alex Nedeljkovic, currently with the Pittsburgh Penguins, would be a cheap acquisition. The Penguins are spiralling, and are eager to create a roster spot for young goaltender Joel Blomqvist. Nedeljkovic has struggled so far this season— .877 SV% and 3.42 GAA— so he could probably be had for a 4th round pick. The Hurricanes could also look out West and give the San Jose Sharks a call and inquire about Mackenzie Blackwood or Vitek Vanecek. Blackwood is a pending Unrestricted Free Agent making $2.35 million. He’s performed well behind a rebuilding Sharks team. In 14 games played this season, he has a .907 SV%, 3.07 GAA and one shutout. San Jose, like Pittsburgh, is likely interested in moving a goaltender to create room on the roster for highly touted goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov, so Blackwood’s asking price might only be a 3rd or 4th round pick. Vanecek, like Blackwood, is a pending unrestricted free agent, and makes $3.4 million. He has a .899 SV% and a 3.36 GAA. If San Jose retains salary, Carolina could probably get Vanecek for a 4th round pick. Even if Kochetkov's injury doesn’t turn out to be long-term, Andersen’s 8-12 week recovery time gives Carolina incentive to work the phones. Having too many goaltenders isn’t a bad thing. It’s certainly better than facing the possibility of having to turn to a third-string.
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A Romanian hard-right NATO critic and leftist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu are neck and neck after the first round of presidential elections, in a shock result threatening Romania's staunchly pro-Ukraine stance. Login or signup to continue reading After nearly 90 per cent of votes were counted, Calin Georgescu, 62, was at 22 per cent, while Ciolacu had 21.7 per cent. However, ballots from the sizeable Romanian diaspora, which are not included in the main tally on Sunday, show centre-right politician, Elena Lasconi, 52, first with 33.4 per cent and Georgescu second. Romania's president has a semi-executive role with control over defence spending - likely to be a difficult issue as Bucharest comes under pressure to uphold NATO spending goals during Donald Trump's second term as US president while trying to reduce a heavy deficit. Lasconi told supporters after exit polls were released giving her a small lead over Georgescu, with Ciolacu in first place, that she was optimistic about making the runoff. "But as you can see, the results are very tight, let us wait until tomorrow's results to rejoice." Campaigning focused largely on the soaring cost of living, with Romania having the EU's biggest share of people at risk of poverty. Georgescu is a former prominent member of the hard-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians party. In 2021 he has called NATO's ballistic missile defence shield in the Romanian town of Deveselu a "shame of diplomacy" and said the North Atlantic alliance will not protect any of its members should they be attacked by Russia. Lasconi, a former journalist, joined the Save Romania Union in 2018 and became party head this year. She believes in raising defence spending and helping Ukraine, and surveys suggest she would beat Ciolacu in a runoff. Romania shares a 650km border with Ukraine and since Russia attacked Kyiv in 2022, it has enabled the export of millions of tonnes of grain through its Black Sea port of Constanta and provided military aid, including the donation of a Patriot air defence battery. "It will be a tight run-off, with the Social Democrat leader more vulnerable to negative campaigning due to him being an incumbent PM," political commentator Radu Magdin said. Australian Associated Press DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. 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Fresh daily!Saturday, December 21, 2024 The South Asian Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) achieved remarkable success in 2024. Held at the India Expo Mart from February 22-24, this prominent event set a new benchmark for South Asia’s travel and tourism industry. More than 1,500 exhibitors and an impressive 35,000 attendees participated in the event, which included over 800 buyers from both India and abroad. The event underscored the thriving potential of the Indian travel sector, with participants representing a wide range of global and regional businesses. The outcome of SATTE 2024 highlighted the growing significance of India as a key player in the global travel and tourism market. Record Attendance and Exhibitor Engagement The 2024 edition of SATTE marked an unprecedented achievement, with more than 1,500 exhibitors showcasing their services and products. This was a significant milestone, as it represented an impressive expansion compared to previous editions. The event drew a large crowd of 35,000 attendees, including industry professionals, travel agents, and buyers from across the world. More than 800 international buyers participated, reflecting the growing global interest in South Asia’s travel and tourism opportunities. The presence of international exhibitors alongside their Indian counterparts facilitated important networking opportunities. These interactions fostered a collaborative environment for both established players and new entrants in the travel and tourism industry. The event proved to be an effective platform for businesses to showcase their offerings, forge new partnerships, and discuss the latest trends in the tourism sector. Growing Employment Opportunities in Indian Tourism According to estimates shared during the event, India’s travel and tourism sector is set to generate approximately 6.1 million new jobs by 2034. This growth is expected to have a transformative impact not just on India’s economy but also on the global tourism landscape. The job creation in areas such as hospitality, tourism management, transport, and technology could result in a major shift in workforce dynamics in the coming years. With such a significant number of new jobs projected, the Indian travel industry’s expansion could present substantial opportunities for both domestic and international players. The increased workforce will likely contribute to the rising demand for tourism services, shaping travel trends globally. Strategic Expansion Plans for SATTE To build on the momentum generated by SATTE 2024, the organizers have announced plans to further expand the event in 2025. SATTE will relocate to a larger venue, Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, which boasts an exhibition space of 93,000 square meters—significantly larger than the 73,000 square meters available at the India Expo Mart. The decision to move to this expansive venue signals the growing significance of SATTE and reflects the rapid growth of India’s travel sector. Regional Growth and the SATTE Connect Roadshows In addition to the main event, Informa Markets India, the organizer of SATTE, focused on regional initiatives aimed at boosting attendance and engagement with local stakeholders. A series of SATTE CONNECT events were held across key Indian cities, such as Chandigarh, Jaipur, Surat, Vadodara, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Kochi. These zonal roadshows were designed to target local associations, potential exhibitors, and professionals in the tourism and hospitality sectors. These regional efforts have helped to cultivate a deeper connection with the domestic travel market. As the local industry players expressed significant interest in participating in SATTE, it was evident that the travel and tourism sector in India has immense growth potential. The success of these roadshows is expected to further strengthen India’s position in the global tourism ecosystem. Global Effects on Travel Industry The results of SATTE 2024 are expected to have far-reaching impacts on the travel industry not just in India, but across the globe. As one of the most rapidly growing markets for travel and tourism, India is poised to become a key hub for international and domestic travelers. The country’s expanding infrastructure, combined with increasing investments in tourism, offers lucrative opportunities for global travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, and other travel-related businesses. The success of SATTE 2024 will likely prompt more foreign investments in India’s tourism infrastructure, further boosting the sector. Moreover, the growing demand for both leisure and business travel in India will continue to influence global travel trends, making India a focal point for innovation and development in the tourism industry. Positive Industry Feedback Exhibitors from various parts of the world, such as Dheeraj Ranjan Kumarr, the founder of PT Balitrip Wisata, expressed their appreciation for the quality of the event and the productive interactions that took place. Kumarr emphasized the value of the regional SATTE CONNECT exhibitions, noting that these smaller, localized events were well-organized and provided an excellent platform for forging new partnerships and exploring emerging markets. The positive feedback from exhibitors highlights the growing international recognition of SATTE as a critical event for connecting with industry leaders, establishing business ties, and capitalizing on the booming South Asian travel market. Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for SATTE The success of SATTE 2024 and its subsequent regional initiatives have set the stage for even greater things in 2025. With a larger venue in New Delhi and continued focus on building a robust network of global and regional stakeholders, SATTE’s future looks bright. The event is poised to play an integral role in shaping the future of the travel and tourism industry in South Asia, positioning India as an indispensable player in the global travel ecosystem.
Andrej Stojakovic made 11 free throws to help craft a team-high 20 points, freshman Jeremiah Wilkinson had his second consecutive big game off the bench and Cal ran its winning streak to three with an 83-77 nonconference victory over Sacramento State on Sunday afternoon in Berkeley, Calif. Wilkinson finished with 16 points and Rytis Petraitis 13 for the Golden Bears (5-1), whose only loss this season was at Vanderbilt. Jacob Holt went for a season-high 25 points for the Hornets (1-4), who dropped their fourth straight after a season-opening win over Cal State Maritime. Seeking a fourth straight home win, Cal led by as many as 12 points in the first half and 40-33 at halftime before Sacramento State rallied. The Hornets used a 14-5 burst out of the gate following the intermission to grab a 47-45 lead. Julian Vaughns had a 3-pointer and three-point play in the run. But Cal dominated pretty much the rest of the game, taking the lead for good on a Petraitis 3-pointer with 14:50 remaining. Stojakovic, a transfer from rival Stanford, went 11-for-15 at the foul line en route to his third 20-point game of the young season. Cal outscored Sacramento State 26-17 on free throws to more than account for the margin of victory. Coming off a 23-point explosion in his first extended action of the season, Wilkinson hit five of his 10 shots Sunday. The Golden Bears outshot the Hornets 47.2 percent to 43.1 percent. Joshua Ola-Joseph contributed 10 points and six rebounds, Mady Sissoko also had 10 points and Petraitis found time for a team-high five assists. Holt complemented his 25 points with a game-high eight rebounds. He made four 3-pointers, as did Vaughns en route to 18 points, helping Sacramento State outscore Cal 30-21 from beyond the arc. EJ Neal added 16 points for the Hornets, while Emil Skytta tied for game-high assist honors with five to go with seven points. --Field Level Media
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Article content Scottie Barnes is back. Recommended Videos The top Toronto Raptors player was back in the lineup for Thursday’s home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Barnes had missed 11 games with a fractured right orbital bone suffered during a scramble for a rebound with Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic but looked “really good” after his first full contact practice since the injury on Wednesday, according to Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic. Rajakovic started his pre-game media availability Thursday with a smile and a prediction: “I know the first question.” Rajakovic then simply said “yes,” but everyone knew he was referring to whether or not Barnes would play. Barnes, an all-star for the first time last season, before being shut down in March due to a hand injury, has averaged 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists in his four appearances, including a win over Philadelphia. Toronto went 2-9 without Barnes. With the Wolves game, four of his five appearances so far this season have come at home. “My eye is pretty good. It’s a little red, but that don’t mean nothing. It feels good,” Barnes had said at practice. The Raptors also planned to welcome back rookie wing Ja’Kobe Walter, who had missed the previous six games after re-aggravating the shoulder injury that cost him training camp and the first five games of the year. The team continues to be without starting point guard Immanuel Quickley and veterans Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk, amongst others.
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