Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen are set to travel to WWK Arena where they will take on Augsburg on Saturday in their 14th league game of the season. The hosts are sixth last in 13th place with 16 points and drew 2-2 with Eintracht Frankfurt on December 7, while Xabi Alonso 's side are third with 26 points and are now six points behind leaders Bayern Munich following their 2-1 victory against St Pauli last Saturday. Augsburg can take many positives from their match against title contenders Eintracht Frankfurt, including that they limited the Eagles to just two big chances while also creating two of their own. Boss Jess Thorup insisted that his team's performance last time out was a step in the right direction, saying: "That was an improved performance, because we weren't just strong defensively, but also had some really good attacks. I think it was a 50-50 game which could have gone either way." The Fuggerstadter have only won once in their five most recent Bundesliga matches, though their only defeat in their past six league outings was a 3-0 loss against Bayern Munich on November 22. Thorup's side's record in front of goal has been worrying, with the team only netting four times in their last five games, blanking twice. However, the hosts' form at home has been strong given the club are unbeaten in their last four, achieving victory three times in that period. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen were arguably somewhat fortunate to have taken all three points against St Pauli considering the victors' six shots and two attempts on target were half that of their opponents' tally. Alonso's side also triumphed 1-0 against Inter Milan on Tuesday night in the Champions League thanks to Nordi Mukiele 's 90th-minute winner, a result that left them fourth in the league phase table with 13 points from six matches. Die Schwarzroten's boss was thrilled by his players' display against Inter, telling reporters: "We showed good maturity. We did not expect to have 20 chances but a few good ones and to use one of them. My players had awareness and knew when to press high. The lines were really close. We had good stability and structure." Leverkusen appear to have finally escaped their inconsistencies, with the club having won each of their last six fixtures, as many as they had triumphed in in the previous 14 games. In that period, the champions scored 16 goals and conceded on just four occasions while also keeping three clean sheets. The visitors have been difficult to beat away from home considering they have emerged triumphant in two, drawn four and lost just one of their past seven matches. Augsburg unfortunately have several absentees, including forward Fredrik Jensen , as well as defenders Reece Oxford and Mads Valentin Pedersen . The hosts also have concerns about the availability of goalkeeper Finn Dahmen , striker Samuel Essende and defender Dimitrios Giannoulis . Expect Thorup to field a back three consisting of Chrislain Matsima , Jeffrey Gouweleeuw and Keven Schlotterbeck , who are likely to be stationed in front of goalkeeper Nediljko Labrovic . Defensive midfielder Kristijan Jakic could be supported in the middle of the pitch by Frank Onyeka and Elvis Rexhbecaj , while Alexis Claude-Maurice and Philipp Tietz may partner each other in attack. Leverkusen have fewer injuries to contend with, but they will still be unable to select forward Amine Adli until March 2025, as well as Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface until January. Alonso is likely to start a front three of Florian Wirtz , Patrik Schick and Nathan Tella , ahead of midfielders Granit Xhaka and Robert Andrich . Edmond Tapsoba , Jonathan Tah and Piero Hincapie are almost certain to feature in defence alongside wing-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo . Augsburg possible starting lineup: Labrovic; Matsima, Gouweleeuw, Schlotterbeck; Wolf, Onyeka, Jakic, Rexhbecaj, Koudossou; Claude-Maurice, Tietz Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup: Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Schick, Tella It is difficult to see how Augsburg can avoid defeat given the strong performances of Bayer Leverkusen in recent weeks. Considering the visitors have also been strong at both ends of the pitch, it would not be surprising if they scored several times while keeping their hosts relatively quiet in the final third. For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here .Pep Guardiola admits he is questioning himself after Man City lose to Juventus
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ehind the scenes of 's creative process, a recently surfaced video has sparked lively discussions among fans and critics alike. The clip, on December 13, shows the 14-time Grammy winner practicing sultry dance moves with burlesque icon for the music video, a track from her 2022 double-platinum album . While the collaboration seemed promising, the behind-the-scenes footage revealed a efforts to master Von Teese's signature moves. In the video, Von Teese coaches Swift on how to perform her iconic "Martini Glass" dance, including a moment where she . However, things take a comical turn when the stocking gets caught on Swift's foot, resulting in an audible tear. Looking visibly flustered, Swift exclaimed, " ," before clutching her chest and apologizing with, " ." The candid moment, while endearing to some fans, caught others off guard Fans divided over her candid moment The resurfaced clip, shared by an account named glamilyofficial on December 18, has since . Some commenters expressed , questioning her role as a role model for younger audiences. " " one person asked, while another commented, " " Others criticized Swift's demeanor during the practice session, despite her years of experience in the entertainment industry. One commenter remarked, " ." Another chimed in with, " " However, , celebrating her authenticity and humor in the face of an unfamiliar challenge. One Instagram user observed, " " Others appreciated the glimpse into the dynamic between Swift and Von Teese, noting how it showcased a more relatable side of the pop icon. The video has ultimately become a talking point about Swift's charm and relatability, even in less polished moments.The next great frontier of human advancement is in your headJason Kelce’s fate over phone smashing incident confirmed
AP Business SummaryBrief at 6:08 p.m. ESTOnce the NFL season ends, former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is expected to have his pick of potential new employers. After taking a year off from coaching and stepping into several sports media roles, Belichick should be one of, if not the hottest free agent on the coaching market. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.
WASHINGTON -- Long before the ancient Maya built temples, their predecessors were already altering the landscape of Central America’s Yucatan peninsula. Using drones and Google Earth imagery, archaeologists have discovered a 4,000-year-old network of earthen canals in what’s now Belize. The findings were published Friday in Science Advances. “The aerial imagery was crucial to identify this really distinctive pattern of zigzag linear canals” running for several miles through wetlands, said study co-author Eleanor Harrison-Buck of the University of New Hampshire. The team then conducted digs in Belize's Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. The ancient fish canals, paired with holding ponds, were used to channel and catch freshwater species such as catfish. “Barbed spearpoints” found nearby may have been tied to sticks and used to spear fish, said study co-author Marieka Brouwer Burg of the University of Vermont. The canal networks were built as early as 4,000 years ago by semi-nomadic people in the Yucatan coastal plain. According to the study, the canals were used for around 1,000 years or longer, including during the “formative” period when the Maya began to settle in permanent farming villages and a distinctive culture started to emerge. “It’s really interesting to see such large-scale modifications of the landscape so early — it shows people were already building things,” said University of Pittsburgh archaeologist Claire Ebert, who was not involved in the study. At the height of Maya civilization, people in this region built temples, roads, pyramids and other monuments. They also developed complex systems of writing, mathematics and astronomy. Scientists know far more about this era because there are many more significant archaeological sites, said Ebert. But this new study reveals a link between the earlier people on the landscape and the later emergence of Maya culture. These ancient channels for catching fish may have played a role in helping later Maya pyramids rise above the Yucatan rainforest. “This shows continuity," said University of Pennsylvania archaeologist Jeremy Sabloff, who wasn't part of the research. On a practical level, the fish-trapping canals helped the early people in the region to diversify their diets and feed a growing population, building a foundation for later cultural heights. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The Onion’s rejected purchase of Infowars in an auction bid supported by families of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting dealt them a new setback Wednesday and clouded the future of Alex Jones' conspiracy theory platform, which is now poised to remain in his control for at least the near future. What’s next for Infowars and Sandy Hook families' long-sought efforts to hold Jones accountable over calling one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history a hoax was unclear, after a federal judge in Houston late Tuesday rejected The Onion’s winning bid for the site . U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston said he did not want another auction but offered no roadmap over how to proceed. One possibility includes ultimately allowing Sandy Hook families — who comprise most of Jones' creditors — to return to state courts in Connecticut and Texas to collect on the nearly $1.5 billion in defamation and emotional distress lawsuit judgments that Jones was ordered to pay them. “Our hope is that when this process ends, and it will end, and it will end sooner rather than later, is that all assets that Alex Jones has available are paid to the families, and that includes Infowars, and that as a result of that process Alex Jones is deprived of the ownership and control of the platform that he’s used to hurt so many people,” Christopher Mattei, an attorney for the Sandy Hook families, said in a phone interview Wednesday. The families, meanwhile, were preparing the mark the 12th anniversary of the Dec. 14 shooting. The sale of Infowars is part of Jones’ personal bankruptcy case , which he filed in late 2022 after he was ordered to pay the $1.5 billion. Jones was sued for repeatedly saying on his show that the 2012 massacre of 20 first graders and six educators was staged by crisis actors to spur more gun control. Lopez said there was a lack of transparency in the bidding process and too much confusion about The Onion’s bid. He also said the amount of money offered in the only two bids was too low and there needed to be more effort to try to raise as much money possible from the selling of Infowars' assets. The Onion’s parent company, Global Tetrahedron, submitted a $1.75 million cash offer with plans to kick Jones out and relaunch Infowars in January as a parody . The bid also included a deal with many of the Sandy Hook families for them to forgo $750,000 of their auction proceeds and give it to other creditors. Lopez called it a complex arrangement that led to different interpretations of the bid’s actual value as well as last-minute changes to a proposed sale order. The other bidder was First United American Companies, which runs a website in Jones’ name that sells nutritional supplements and planned to let Jones stay on the Infowars platforms. It offered $3.5 million in cash and later, with Jones, alleged fraud and collusion in the bidding process. Lopez rejected the allegations, saying that while mistakes were made there was no wrongdoing. Christopher Murray, the trustee who oversaw the auction, said he picked The Onion and its deal with the Sandy Hook families because it would have provided more money to Jones' other creditors. The next steps remained unclear Wednesday. The judge directed Murray to come up with a new plan to move forward. Murray and representatives of The Onion did not immediately return messages seeking comment. The judge said there was a possibility there could be a trial in 2025 to settle Jones' bankruptcy. He said Murray could try to sell the equity in Infowars' parent company. He also said Murray could abandon the efforts, which could allow the Sandy Hook families to return to the state courts where they won their lawsuits against Jones and begin collection proceedings against him. The judge said he wanted to hear back from Murray and others involved in the bankruptcy within 30 days on a plan to move forward. Mattei, who represented the Sandy Hook families in the Connecticut lawsuit, said everyone is waiting to see what plan the trustee comes up with. Jones, meanwhile, continued to allege fraud and collusion on his show Wednesday and threatened legal action over what he called an attempted “rigged auction.” On the social media platform X, he called the judge’s ruling a “Major Victory For Freedom Of The Press & Due Process.” “I don’t want to have to go after these people, lawsuit-wise, but we have to because if you don’t then you’re aiding and abetting and they do it to other people. They made some big mistakes,” he said. It’s a solemn and heartbreaking week for relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The 12th anniversary is Saturday, and some of the victims' relatives were traveling to Washington, D.C., to attend the annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence on Wednesday evening. The families usually mark the anniversary out of the public eye. Many of the families said their lawsuits against Jones bought back the unbearable pain of losing their loved ones, as well as the trauma of being harassed and threatened by believers of Jones' hoax conspiracy. Relatives said they have been confronted in public by hoax believers and received death and rape threats. Robbie Parker, whose 6-year-old daughter Emilie was killed, testified at the Connecticut lawsuit trial in 2022 that the decade of abuse his family suffered made them move across the country to Washington state, and even there he was accosted in person. The families have not received any money from Jones since winning the trials. Jones has been appealing the $1.5 billion in judgments, and has since conceded that the shooting did happen. Last week, a Connecticut appeals court upheld most of the judgment in that state but reduced it by $150 million.WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people, setting up potential passage in the final days of the lame-duck Congress. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Thursday he would begin the process for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act , which would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
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