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By MICHELLE L. PRICE WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer’s comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar.” Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump’s world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift. His presidential transition team did not respond to questions about positions on visas for highly skilled workers or the debate between his supporters online. Instead, his team instead sent a link to a post on X by longtime adviser and immigration hard-liner Stephen Miller that was a transcript of a speech Trump gave in 2020 at Mount Rushmore in which he praised figures and moments from American history. Musk, the world’s richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump’s movement but his stance on the tech industry’s hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent,” he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Trump’s own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. Related Articles National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row 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’ His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump’s businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country” and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country,” he told the “All-In” podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump’s budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.Rodgers says he's undecided about playing next season, but Jets are his 'first option' if he returns Aaron Rodgers is still contemplating whether he wants to play football next season. And if he does return, he said during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday that he prefers it to be with the New York Jets. The star quarterback, who turns 41 next Monday, denied a recent report that he wants to keep playing next year but not with the Jets. He said he needs to see how he feels physically and where the Jets stand with a new general manager and coach. He added that the Jets will also have to want him playing for them. That will all factor into his decision. Court rejects request to sideline San Jose State volleyball player on grounds she’s transgender A federal appeals court has upheld a ruling that allows a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member to play in the Mountain West Conference tournament after complaints said she should be ineligible on grounds that she’s transgender. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that a U.S. Magistrate in Denver was correct in allowing her to play. The magistrate and the appeals court said the players and others who sued should have filed their complaint earlier, rather than waiting until less than two weeks before the tournament was to begin to seek an emergency injunction. Lewandowski joins Ronaldo and Messi in Champions League 100-goal club. Haaland nets 2 but City draws ROME (AP) — Robert Lewandowski joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the only players in Champions League history with 100 or more goals. But Erling Haaland is on a faster pace than anyone after boosting his total to 46 goals at age 24. Lewandowski’s early penalty kick started Barcelona off to a 3-0 win over previously unbeaten Brest to move into second place in the new single-league format. Ronaldo leads the all-time scoring list with 140 goals and Messi is next with 129. Haaland scored a brace as City was held 3-3 by Feyenoord. Inter Milan beat Leipzig 1-0 to move atop the standings. Bayern Munich beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0. Atalanta, Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen also won. Traffic citations against Dolphins' Tyreek Hill dismissed after officers no-show at hearing MIAMI (AP) — Traffic citations issued to Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill after a September altercation with police have been dismissed after the charging officers didn’t attend a court hearing. Hill’s tickets for careless driving and failing to wear a seat belt were dismissed after the Miami-Dade Police officers failed to show up for a Monday hearing. The tickets were issued after Hill was stopped outside Hard Rock Stadium for allegedly speeding before the Dolphins' season opener on Sept. 8. The stop escalated and an officer pulled Hill from the car, forced him to the ground and handcuffed him. North Carolina football coach Mack Brown won't return for 2025 season North Carolina coach Mack Brown won’t return for the 2025 season. The school announced the move Tuesday with a statement from athletic director Bubba Cunningham. The school said Cunningham informed the 73-year-old College Football Hall of Fame member that there would be a coaching change. Brown is set to coach the regular-season finale on Saturday against rival N.C. State, though a decision hasn’t been made about whether Brown will coach a bowl game. Brown is in his second stint with the program and won a national championship at Texas. Lionel Messi has his new coach: Javier Mascherano's hiring by Inter Miami is now complete FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano are together again, this time with Inter Miami. The former Barcelona and Argentina teammates have reunited, with Inter Miami announcing Tuesday that Mascherano’s hiring as the club’s new coach is complete. The sides struck a deal late last week for Mascherano to replace Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who stepped aside for personal reasons. Mascherano most recently was Argentina’s under-20 team coach. Mascherano says he was “drawn to the organization’s undeniable ambition." Will Utah State or Boise State forfeit vs. San Jose State in the Mountain West semifinals? LAS VEGAS (AP) — A team that previously boycotted at least one match against the San Jose State women’s volleyball team will be faced with another decision whether to play the school, this time in the Mountain West Conference semifinals with a shot at the NCAA Tournament on the line. Five schools forfeited matches in the regular season against San Jose State, which carried a No. 2 seed into the conference tournament in Las Vegas. Among those schools: No. 3 Utah State and No. 6 Boise State, who will face off Wednesday with the winner scheduled to play the Spartans in the semifinals on Friday. NBA says Hawks violated player participation policy by sitting Trae Young for Cup game The NBA fined the Atlanta Hawks $100,000 after an investigation determined that guard Trae Young could have played in an NBA Cup game against the Boston Celtics on Nov. 12. The Hawks listed Young on their injury report that night as out because of tendinitis in his right Achilles. Atlanta wound up winning the game anyway, 117-116. The issue, the NBA said, was that the Hawks were in violation of the league’s player participation policy — which focuses primarily on what the league defines as star players, a group that Young would qualify for since he was an All-Star selection last season. Texas and Texas A&M reunite Saturday in SEC after bitter breakup tore apart a football tradition COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas and Texas A&M first met Texas on the football field in 1894 in a rivalry that would cut across the state and through families for generations. It would not last. In 2011, Texas A&M announced it was leaving Texas and the Big 12 behind to join the Southeastern Conference, determined to focus only on a bright future, not dwell on a sentimental past. Bitter finger pointing and hard feelings eventually gave way to shrugs of indifference and mutters of “good riddance." Then Texas joined the SEC this season. The No. 3 Longhorns and No. 20 Aggies finally meet again Saturday night in College Station with a berth in the SEC championship game on the line. Oklahoma's throwback offensive approach against Alabama gets LSU's attention NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma appears to have borrowed from the past to cure its recent offensive ills. The Sooners, best known this century for a passing prowess that has produced four Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks, took it back to the 20th century against Alabama. They ran 50 times for 257 yards while only throwing 12 times in a 24-3 win over the Crimson Tide. Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold ran for 131 yards against Alabama. LSU coach Brian Kelly has taken notice ahead of their upcoming game. The Tigers rank 14th out of 16 SEC teams against the run.
Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat sent to restaurants nationwide. Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli, which can cause life-threatening infections. No illnesses have been reported outside of Minnesota. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City. Top football recruit Bryce Underwood changes commitment to Michigan instead of LSU, AP source says ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Top football recruit Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan after pledging to play at LSU. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the recruit’s plans to join the Wolverines. Underwood pinned a post on his Instagram account, showing a post in which On3.com reported that he has committed to Michigan. The 6-foot-3 quarterback played at Belleville High School about 15 miles east of Michigan's campus, and told LSU nearly a year ago he intended to enroll there. Emperor penguin released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia has been released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on sand dunes in temperate southwest Australia about 2,200 miles north of the Antarctic coast. He was released Wednesday from a boat that traveled several hours from Western Australia state's most southerly city of Albany. His caregiver Carol Biddulph wasn't sure at first if the penguin would live. She said a mirror was important to his rehabilitation because they provide a sense of company. Biddulph said: “They’re social birds and he stands next to the mirror most of the time.”Ruben Amorim's Manchester United press conference: FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED as Portuguese coach fronted the media for the first time as Old Trafford boss
Want a NYC stay with the buzz of the Lower East Side? This is itTT Electronics plc ( LON:TTG – Get Free Report )’s stock price passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 123.43 ($1.55) and traded as low as GBX 103 ($1.30). TT Electronics shares last traded at GBX 105.50 ($1.33), with a volume of 113,068 shares. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Berenberg Bank cut TT Electronics to a “hold” rating and reduced their price objective for the company from GBX 260 ($3.27) to GBX 100 ($1.26) in a research note on Tuesday, September 17th. View Our Latest Research Report on TTG TT Electronics Trading Down 1.4 % About TT Electronics ( Get Free Report ) TT Electronics plc provides design-led advanced electronics technologies for performance critical applications in the healthcare, aerospace and defense, and automation and electrification markets in the United Kingdom, Rest of Europe, North America, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Power and Connectivity, Global Manufacturing Solutions, and Sensors and Specialist Components. See Also Receive News & Ratings for TT Electronics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TT Electronics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
State Sen. Nate Boulton, center, speaks with other Democrats in downtown Des Moines on Oct. 16, 2024, the first day of early voting in Iowa. Former state Rep. John Forbes, left and Democratic congressional candidate Lanon Baccam, right, are also shown. (Photo by Kathie Obradovich/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa Sen. Nate Boulton, D-Des Moines, conceded his race for reelection Friday after the recount for Iowa Senate District 20 concluded and found Republican Mike Pike maintained his lead. Boulton served in the Iowa Senate since 2017 and held the position of Iowa Senate Democratic whip in the most recent General Assembly. In his concession statement, he thanked his constituents and family for their support while congratulating Pike on his victory. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent my community, and serve my state, as a member of the Iowa Senate for the past eight years and as the Minority Whip this past session,” Boulton said in a statement. “The election is over and the recount has concluded. By one of the narrowest margins in the state, I will not be returning to the Iowa Senate this January.” Pike, a plumber who has not previously held political office, did not respond to requests for comment on the race. The incumbent Democrat lost by 44 votes to his GOP challenger, according to preliminary results leading into the recount. An update on the final vote count has not yet been released. In addition to Senate District 20, covering eastern parts of Des Moines, Altoona, Pleasant Hill and southwest Ankeny, recounts were called for two other legislative races. Republican Mark Hanson requested a recount in his race to unseat Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-Waukee in Senate District 14, and GOP challenger Nathan Ramker requested a recount in his race against incumbent Rep. Monica Kurth, D-Davenport for House District 98 earlier in the week. While the recount outcomes from these two races have yet to be announced, GOP trifecta control of the Statehouse has already been confirmed. Republicans won a supermajority in the Iowa House and held onto their existing supermajority in the Iowa Senate in the 2024 general election. While Boulton’s loss will not have an impact on Democrats’ status as the minority party in the Iowa Senate, he was floated as a potential candidate to replace Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, who did not run for reelection in 2024. Senate Democrats planned to meet Friday evening to discuss their caucus leadership for the 2025 legislative session, Radio Iowa reported. Boulton said he plans to return to his law practice, where he specializes in labor law, workers compensation and personal injury. He said in his concession statement that he was pleased with the work he was able to accomplish at the the Iowa Legislature. “I’m proud of the work we’ve been able to do and the things we have accomplished over the past eight years,” Boulton said. “Fighting for Iowa’s workers — leading an all-night floor (debate) to challenge legislation that gutted workplace rights for thousands of union workers who answer the call of public service. Fighting to protect injured workers whose bodies and earnings are damaged as they contribute to Iowa’s economic success. Standing up for kids and introducing and passing through the Senate bipartisan legislation designed to help them get coverage for the medical care they need. ... While this term in the Iowa Senate is ending, I remain dedicated to working towards economic and social justice as we pursue a brighter, stronger future for our community, our state, and our nation.”The first major college football coaching job is now open, as North Carolina elected to fire veteran head coach Mack Brown before their final game of the season this weekend. Brown, a former national champion, is leaving a program in the ACC as uncertainty continues to surround college football through conference realignment. The program's next head coach will need to navigate that as much as any on-field challenge they may face at UNC. With those issues in mind, one Carolina Panthers insider says that a former member of the team's staff could be a possible candidate to replace Brown as the head coach in Chapel Hill. Panthers insider Joe Person said he "wouldn't be surprised if Steve Wilks draws interest from UNC," along with other job openings around the NFL. Wouldn't be surprised if Steve Wilks draws interest from UNC, in addition to NFL openings. Wilks helped out at Charlotte this yr in volunteer advisory role. The CLT native had strong rapport with Panthers players, including UNC great Julius Peppers and former Tar Heel Tre Boston. Person noted that Wilks has worked for the Charlotte 49ers this season in an advisory role, and that he's also worked closely with Julius Peppers and Tre Boston - two former North Carolina players. Wilks' last NFL job was as the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, who fired him after their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. He has around three decades of coaching experience at the college and pro levels, culminating in NFL head coaching opportunities with the Arizona Cardinals and the Panthers on an interim basis. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Wilks has only been a head coach in college once before, working for Division II HBCU Savannah State in 1999, where he went 5-6. Brown will finish the season for North Carolina, coaching them in their final game of the season against longtime rival NC State. "While this was not the perfect time and way in which I imagined going out, no time will ever be the perfect time," Brown said in a statement after the news of his dismissal was released. "I've spent 16 seasons at North Carolina and will always cherish the memories and relationships [my wife] Sally and I have built while serving as head coach." We'll see if Wilks is on UNC's radar for a new head coach as they continue to nagivate the uncertainty of college football in 2024 and beyond. Related: Barstool Sports Is Collaborating With Bryce Underwood On Black Friday
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The U.S. Supreme Court that ruled on the 2014 McCutcheon vs. FEC case. In 2024, eight people donated $1 million or more to a political party in Wisconsin. And some of them gave much more. Before 2015, the most a person could give in annual political donations in Wisconsin was $10,000. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Nick Ramos, executive director of Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a nonprofit that tracks campaign finance spending in the state Get the latest news, sports, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.BEMIDJI – Playing its first game in nine days, the Bemidji High School girls basketball team found itself trailing 47-33 with under 10 minutes left in regulation against Elk River. Then the Lumberjacks went on a run. Clara Bieber got a tough layup to fall to engage the home crowd at the BHS gymnasium. Bieber’s finish was part of a 15-7 stretch – capped by Margie Anderson’s free throw – that pulled the Jacks within five. It was the kind of response head coach Darin Schultz was eager to witness against one of Section 8-4A’s toughest teams. “I thought the girls did an exceptional job,” Schultz said. “We’ve been in the gym the last couple of days, that’s part of being in a winter sport. You have to make sacrifices, which means coming in and practicing the day after Christmas. I thought they played extraordinary today. Elk River is one of the top three teams in our section, and we were right there.” BHS kept chipping away at the Elks’ lead. Matjea Malterud took a charge on the defensive end before Karley LaZella finished another contested layup to pull the Jacks within three. However, Bemidji didn’t have enough to tie the game. Despite Elk River missing four of its six free-throw attempts in the final 90 seconds, it hung on by the skin of its teeth to pull out a 58-55 win over the Lumberjacks. “We need to find a way to get over the hump so we’re winning these games against top-notch teams,” Schultz said. “I truly believe we’re a top team in our section, but it comes down to the little things. We gave up too many offensive rebounds today, and that’s a big reason why this game played out the way it did.” Shots weren’t falling for either team early on. The Elks held a 7-6 lead as the first half crossed the midway point. Elk River pulled ahead 22-16 late in the first half before taking a four-point lead into the locker room. The Elks opened the second half on a 10-3 run. After BHS began to close the gap again, a pair of 3-pointers from Kaelee Hansen and a layup from Elsie Ostmoe extended the Elks’ lead to double digits at 43-30. Then the Jacks got to work. Malterud finished a pair of contested layups to push her point total to 12. She also collected a bevy of timely rebounds on both ends of the floor. “Matjea spends more time in the gym than anybody sees,” Schultz said. “She’s in here on her own doing the work, and it’s showing on the court. I’m so proud of her. The work she’s putting in is paying off for our team.” LaZella was also a force in the second half, scoring 10 of her co-game-high 14 points. “Karley is so unique, she’s so strong inside,” Schultz said. “Pretty much every night we play, we have an advantage inside, and that’s a really good thing for us. We can utilize the inside game, and typically, Karley starts the game inside, and the other team starts to dig and double her. That opens up everybody else.” The Jacks also did an impressive job of getting to the free-throw line, taking 28 attempts. Bemidji spent 15 minutes in the bonus combined between the first and second halves. “It’s been one of the biggest positives in our season so far,” Schultz said. “We’ve been getting to the line about 20 times a game. Tonight, I bet we were close to 30. That’s because our girls are being aggressive, we aren’t backing down from anybody. It’s only going to serve us well as we continue on with our season.” Elk River had a chance to ice the game at the free-throw line with 12.7 seconds left and a two-point lead. Joanna Talso split her attempts from the stripe before Elks head coach Ryan Mynahan took his final timeout. It allowed Bemidji (6-4) to draw up a play for the final shot down three. In the waning seconds, Liv Thompson had an open look to tie the game. However, her shot clanked off the rim as time expired. Despite entering Saturday’s game under. 500, Elk River’s (4-5) record is deceiving. Schultz credited the Elks for navigating a tough schedule in the first half of their season. “Their losses are against top-10 teams in Class 4A,” Schultz said. “They played a six-point game against St. Michael-Albertville, they’ve played some really good teams. So when I look at our team and how we measure up to that, I think we’re right on the brink. We were right there with Sartell and Buffalo. Those are some of the top-notch teams in our section.” ER 24 34 – 58 BHS 20 35 – 55 Bemidji – LaZella 14, Malterud 12, Bieber 12, Daman 6, Anderson 5, Thompson 4, LaDuke 2. Elk River – L. Osterman 14, Ostmoe 12, Hansen 9, A. Osterman 7, Meinke 6, Ostmoe 6, Worloma 3, Zimski 1.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Indianapolis quarterback Anthony Richardson has been ruled out for the Colts' big game at the New York Giants on Sunday. Richardson missed practice on Thursday and Friday because of back and foot injuries. He was listed as questionable before he was downgraded to out on Saturday. Indianapolis (7-8) has a slim chance of making the playoffs. The Colts need to win out and get some help. Richardson's absence likely means Joe Flacco will start against New York. Flacco, a New Jersey native who turns 40 on Jan. 16, has passed for 1,167 yards and nine touchdowns in six games this season, including four starts. He also has thrown five interceptions. The 22-year-old Richardson was selected by Indianapolis with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft. He has passed for 1,814 yards and eight touchdowns with 12 interceptions this year. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflNEW YORK (AP) — With the end of 2024 around the corner, you might be reflecting on financial goals for 2025. Whether you’re saving to move out of your parents’ house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated, said Courtney Alev, consumer advocate for Credit Karma. “Entering a new year doesn’t erase all our financial challenges from the prior year,” Alev said. “But it can really help to bring a fresh-start mentality to how you’re managing your finances.” If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they’re attainable for your lifestyle. Here are some tips from experts: Change your relationship with money Think about how you currently deal with finances — what’s good, what’s bad, and what can improve. “Let this be the year you change your relationship with money,” said Ashley Lapato, personal finance educator for YNAB, a budgeting app. If you feel like money is a chore, that there’s shame surrounding the topic of money, or like you were born being “bad at money,” it’s time to change that mentality, Lapato said. RELATED COVERAGE How to avoid financial stress during the holiday season Stock market today: Wall Street ends mixed after a bumpy week The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees To adjust your approach, Lapato recommends viewing money goals as an opportunity to imagine your desired lifestyle in the future. She recommends asking questions like, “What do my 30s look like? What do my 40s look like?” and using money as a means to get there. Liz Young Thomas, head of SoFi Investment Strategy, added that it’s key you forgive yourself for past mistakes in order to move into the new year with motivation. Know your “why” When setting your financial resolutions for 2025, it’s important to establish the “why” of each, said Matt Watson, CEO of Origin, a financial tracking app. “If you can attach the financial goal to a bigger life goal, it’s much more motivating and more likely you’ll continue on that path,” Watson said. Whether you’re saving to buy a house, pay off credit card debt or take a summer vacation, being clear about the goal can keep you motivated. Watson also recommends using a tool to help you keep track of your finances, such as an app, spreadsheet, or website. Budget, budget, budget “After three years of inflation, your pay increases are likely still playing catch up to your monthly expenses, leaving you wondering where all the money is going,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. “Make that monthly budget for 2025 and resolve to track your spending against it throughout the year.” McBride said that you may need to make adjustments during the year as certain expenses increase, which would require cutting back in other areas. “Calibrate your spending with your income, and any month you spend less than budgeted, transfer the difference into your savings account, ideally a high-yield savings account,” he said. Pay down outstanding debt “Interest rates aren’t likely to come down very fast, so you’re still going to have to put in the hard work of paying down debt, especially high-cost credit card debt, and do so with urgency,” McBride said. Start by taking stock of how much debt you have now relative to the beginning of the year. Hopefully you’ve made steady progress on paying it down, but, if you’ve gone in the other direction, McBride encourages making a game plan. That includes looking into 0% balance transfer offers. Take control of your credit card interest rate “You have more power over credit card interest rates than you think you do,” said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. “Wielding that power is one of the best moves you can make in 2025.” A 0% balance transfer credit card is “a good weapon” in the fight against high card APRs, or annual percentage rates, he said. A low-interest personal loan is an option as well. You may simply be able to pick up the phone and ask for a lower interest rate. LendingTree found that a majority of people who did that in 2024 were successful, and the average reduction was more than 6 points. Set realistic, practical goals When planning for your financial resolutions, it’s important to consider how you’re going to make your goals sustainable for your lifestyle, said Credit Karma’s Alev. “It really is a marathon, not a sprint,” Alev said. Alev recommends setting realistic, practical goals to make it easier to stick with them. For example, instead of planning to save thousands of dollars by the end of the year, start by saving $20 a paycheck. Even when your plans are achievable, there are times you’ll get derailed. Maybe it’s an unexpected medical bill or an extraordinary life event. When these situations happen, Alev recommends trying not to feel defeated and working to get back on track without feeling guilty. Don’t ‘flamingo’ or bury your head in the sand “You can’t manage what you can’t see, so set a New Year’s resolution to check your credit score monthly in 2025,” said Rikard Bandebo, chief economist at VantageScore. “Be sure to pay more than the minimum on your credit accounts, as that’s one of the best ways to boost your credit score.” Bandebo also advises student loan borrowers to make all payments on time, as servicers will begin to report late payments starting in January, and missed payments will affect borrowers’ credit scores. Automate savings, where possible Automated changes, like increasing workplace 401(k) plan contributions, setting up direct deposits from paychecks into dedicated savings accounts, and arranging for monthly transfers into an IRA and/or 529 college savings accounts all add up quickly, McBride said. Slow down Your financial goals can encompass more than just managing your money better — they can also be about keeping your money safe from scams . A golden rule to protect yourself from scams is to “slow down,” said Johan Gerber, vice president of security solutions at Mastercard. “You have to slow down and talk to other people if you’re not sure (whether or not) it’s scam,” said Gerber, who recommends building an accountability system with family to keep yourself and your loved ones secure. Scammers use urgency to make people fall for their tricks, so taking your time to make any financial decision can keep you from losing money. Focus on financial wellness Your financial goals don’t always have to be rooted in a dollar amount — they can also be about well-being. Finances are deeply connected with our mental health, and, to take care of our money, we also need to take care of ourselves. “I think that now more than any other year, your financial wellness should be a resolution,” said Alejandra Rojas, personal finance expert and founder of The Money Mindset Hub, a mentoring platform for women entrepreneurs. “Your mental health with money should be a resolution.” To focus on your financial wellness, you can set one or two goals focusing on your relationship with money. For example, you could find ways to address and resolve financial trauma, or you could set a goal to talk more openly with loved ones about money, Rojas said. —— The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.
Oliver Glasner: Crystal Palace are heading in right direction after Ipswich winCoffee consumption in the U.S. is at record levels, and ready-to-drink coffee is growing in popularity. These convenient canned (and occasionally bottled) coffee drinks, perfect for grabbing on the go, are taking up more space on grocery store shelves than ever, with new brands regularly introducing their own brews. Canned coffee can stay fresh for a while too, making it great to stock your pantry with. So, when faced with so much variety, which canned coffee brand should you reach for? There are the tried-and-true household names like Starbucks and Dunkin', but what about the smaller, lesser-known offerings? As a coffee connoisseur, hardcore caffeine fiend, and former barista, these ready-to-drink coffees have intrigued me lately. For a long time, I've thought of them as nothing more than a convenient caffeine boost to grab on the go, not something to seek out unless I was in too much of a hurry to stop and get a "real" coffee. Maybe, though, I wasn't giving them enough credit. Could a canned coffee reach the heights of a properly brewed fresh cup? And if so, which ones are the best of the best? I tasted nine brands, thirteen total individual coffees, and ranked each brand according to flavor, value, and quality, from worst to best. While I may never sleep again, at least now I know which brews to reach for, and which ones to leave on the shelf. 9. Slate I'll preface this by saying, this coffee is not for me. If you are looking for a sugar-free canned flavored latte, maybe this will have some appeal. Personally, I didn't find much to enjoy in this can except for the initial vanilla aroma. Once I tasted it, I didn't want to have another sip. That's partially because, as I've discovered over the years, I don't enjoy stevia-sweetened beverages. Stevia is a popular alternative sweetener , but to my palate, it adds an unpleasantly bitter, chalky flavor that takes over. Unfortunately, that means this coffee was my least favorite of the bunch. What it reminded me of more than anything was a protein powder shake. I don't drink those for the taste, and I wouldn't drink this for the taste either, but if you're looking for a functional beverage, perhaps it'll be something for you. It's high in protein and low in carbs, so nutrition-wise, it's not a bad choice. If you can handle stevia, give it a try; if stevia is not your thing, I'd go with something else. 8. Dunkin' I must admit, I've never understood the widespread appeal of Dunkin' coffee. Having spent some time living in the chain's birthplace, Massachusetts, where there's a Dunkin' on every corner , I have had my fair share of the stuff. It always struck me as unremarkable coffee at best, or downright awful at worst. Take my opinions here with a grain of salt, I suppose, although I do try to stay as objective and open-minded as possible whenever I am reviewing a product. The Dunkin' original iced coffee comes in a 13.7-ounce bottle. It's made with real dairy, a combination of skim milk and cream, and sweetened with cane sugar. When I opened and poured it, I took a sniff and got nothing. It may as well have been water. I wondered if I'd lost my sense of smell. On the palate, it's just pure sugar — I had a hard time discerning any recognizable coffee flavor. That said, it wasn't offensive, just kind of boring and way too sweet. After a few sips, I felt like I had a sugar high. And it's no wonder. Dunkin's iced coffee contained the most added sugar of any product on this list, clocking in at 28 grams per serving — or 57 percent of the recommended daily allowance. If you're looking for a sugar bomb, this might be for you. 7. Trader Joe's As a frequent Trader Joe's shopper, I'm always tempted by their coffee offerings, and every time I give in, I get burned. I'm not sure what it is about their coffee that doesn't do it for me, but I've tried a ton of their products and am always disappointed. I was hoping things would be different with their ready-to-drink cold brew cans. I like the size of the cans — eight ounces is just about the perfect amount of coffee, if you ask me — and the design is attractive. Unfortunately, what was inside didn't match up. Both the black and the vanilla-flavored cold brew were thin, without much richness or texture to speak of. I liked the black coffee's flavor at first but, as I kept drinking it, the bitterness on the finish began to compound so intensely that by the time I was halfway through the can, I thought I was drinking a triple IPA. I don't mind a bitter coffee, and I drink mine black fairly often, but there's something harsh about the way these coffees finish. I appreciated that the vanilla coffee wasn't overly sweet, but the flavor balance was off. These were the least expensive coffees on the list, but I'd rather spend more to get a tastier brew. 6. Peet's Full disclosure, Peet's is my local coffee spot, and has been for over a decade. I'm a big fan of their in-house coffees, and I use their coffee beans when I brew at home. I wasn't familiar with their ready-to-drink bottles, and so was quite curious to give them a shot. The vanilla creme coffee is the only one I tried, and as familiar as I am with their brand, this coffee took me by surprise. This is the second most sugar-packed coffee on this list, with Dunkin' edging it out by one gram. I was shocked by how sweet it was. Unlike the Dunkin' offering, however, it actually had some coffee flavor to it, which made it less cloying and somewhat more enjoyable to drink. That said, it's a massive bottle at 13.7 ounces, and I found myself feeling like I'd had enough after just a few sips. It's decadently rich and creamy, and you can tell it's good quality, but I would consider it a special treat to enjoy once in a while, rather than an everyday grab-and-go coffee. 5. Black Rifle This is an odd one. Black Rifle Coffee Company's espresso with cream seems pretty straightforward, and I thought it would be, but it turned out to be one of the more interesting coffees that I tried. At first, I was smacked with an odd earthy taste that reminded me of mushrooms. I couldn't get past it. I set the coffee aside for a while, and when I went back to try it again, that flavor had mellowed out and the coffee had become smooth and pleasant. I'm not sure what was going on with those first sips, but once that oddness passed, this was an enjoyable canned coffee. Clocking in at 200 milligrams of caffeine, this is not a can for the faint of heart. It's got just enough sweetness and creaminess to balance out the prominent coffee flavor without becoming a dessert drink. It's the only item on this list that bills itself as an espresso, rather than a coffee , so I'm glad they didn't water down the coffee flavor. If I'm looking for a serious buzz, I'll be reaching for this can. 4. La Colombe La Colombe's draft lattes are a delight to drink. I tried the triple, which is made with real milk, and the vanilla with oat milk. Both were creamy and very sippable, with good balance. The coffee flavor on both was fairly subtle, but as they're marketed as lattes, that didn't bother me too much. They're canned with nitrous oxide, a popular technique for coffee these days , which accounts for the creaminess. I did find that compared to other nitro coffees, the froth and richness faded pretty quickly, which was a little bit disappointing. Still, despite that one flaw, these coffees were among my favorites to drink. If you're looking for a canned latte that's milk-forward and not bitter at all, La Colombe is probably the brand for you. At 150 milligrams of caffeine per can, the triple will definitely give you a good charge, and it's so smooth, mellow, and creamy you won't even realize it. 3. Starbucks Starbucks' black nitro cold brew, which was widely launched in 2019 , is marvelous. Of all the nitro brews, it had the best and longest-lasting froth — I felt like I was back in Dublin drinking a perfectly poured Guinness. The flavor profile is deep, rich, and roasted which, along with the mouth-filling texture, makes it an incredibly satisfying coffee to drink. The balance is great, with enough of a bitter tinge on the finish to let you know you're drinking a serious coffee, but it doesn't go too far or become too overwhelming. I also tried the vanilla sweet cream cold brew from Starbucks. It was less impressive, but not bad. It smelled intensely sweet up front, like vanilla ice cream, so I was expecting a dessert-level amount of sugar. The smell, however, is somewhat misleading. There are only 13 grams of added sugars here, so it's not nearly as sickeningly sweet as some of these other vanilla concoctions. There's not a ton of coffee flavor in the vanilla cold brew, but it is there in the background. Personally, I wanted it to be more coffee-forward, but it's good for what it is. 2. Chamberlain Quite honestly, I was shocked by how much I liked Chamberlain Coffee's vanilla latte with oat milk. It was the only coffee I tried from this brand, and now I want to seek out more. The bubble on the can that said "sweeter recipe" concerned me — how sweet would it be? I'd already tasted several too-sugary coffees and was worried I couldn't take another one. To my surprise, however, the sweetness was really pleasant and not at all overpowering, and well balanced with the other flavors. It's sweetened with a combination of date syrup and cane sugar, which may have something to do with its unique sweetness profile. Unlike the vast majority of the other vanilla coffees on this list, Chamberlain's actually tastes like coffee with vanilla, and not the other way around. I didn't have to search for the coffee flavor, as it was perfectly integrated, offering a pleasing nuttiness and lightly roasted flavor. While this didn't take the top spot, it was my favorite of all the vanilla offerings. Plus, it gets points for having an adorable can. 1. Rise Here we are at number one, and I'm going to sing the praises of Rise coffee. The two varieties I sampled were the original black and the oat milk vanilla. Both come in seven-ounce cans and are nitro-infused. These are the smallest products out of everything I tried, and they're not particularly cheap. However, the quality of these coffees was so high, and the flavor so good, that even after dinging them a bit in the value category, they still ranked above all the rest. The cans may be small, but they're bursting with flavor. The original black boasts 180 milligrams of caffeine, so it packs a mighty punch. The second you open the can and hear that hiss, aromas jump out — pungent, nutty, chocolatey, dark, and roasted scents that also show up on the palate. The nitro gives the coffee a gorgeously rich, frothy texture that holds up for some time. While I loved the original black, I only liked the oat milk vanilla; the vanilla aroma was so intense it almost put me off after the absolute perfection of the black. As I drank it, though, I found it to be quite enjoyable. It's not too sweet, and the nitro-infused creaminess works beautifully with the flavors. You can actually taste the coffee, too, which wasn't always the case with the other brands' vanilla offerings. I will be adding Rise coffees into my regular rotation, and I recommend you do, too. How we chose the best canned coffee To decide which coffee brands to include in this ranking, I shopped around at my local grocery stores to see which ones were readily available from multiple different grocery retailers. To keep things simple, I narrowed down the possible selections to plain black coffee, coffee with milk or milk substitutes, and coffee flavored with vanilla. Some brands only offered one of these styles, while others had two. I tasted each coffee and assessed it based on flavor, quality, and value. For brands that offered two selections, I averaged them both out and used that assessment as representative of the brand as a whole. The two main criteria I based the rankings on — would I happily drink the entire can (or bottle), and would I purchase this coffee again? The more enthusiastically I answered these questions, the higher they ranked on the list.
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Canada's newly-appointed Finance Minister Dominic Leblanc and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly met with Howard Lutnick, Trump's commerce secretary nominee, who will also lead the country's tariff and trade agenda. Interior secretary nominee Doug Burgum was also at the meeting held at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Leblanc's spokesman Jean-Sebastien Comeau, who confirmed the participants, described the talks as "positive and productive." Trump has vowed to impose crippling 25-percent tariffs on all Canadian imports when he takes office next month. He has said they will remain in place until Canada addresses the flow of undocumented migrants and the drug fentanyl into the United States. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised retaliatory measures should Trump follow through on his pledge, raising fears of a trade war. Leblanc and Joly "outlined the measures in Canada's Border Plan and reiterated the shared commitment to strengthen border security as well as combat the harm caused by fentanyl to save Canadian and American lives," Comeau said in a statement. Canada's Border Plan -- estimated to cost CAN$1 billion ($694 million) -- was crafted as part of Ottawa's response to Trump's concerns. Lutnick and Burgum "agreed to relay information to President Trump," the statement said. Trudeau is facing his worst political crisis since sweeping into office in 2015. Leblanc was named finance minister earlier this month after the surprise resignation of Chrystia Freeland. In a scathing resignation letter, Freeland accused Trudeau of prioritizing handouts to voters instead of preparing Canada's finances for a possible trade war. More than 75 percent of Canadian exports go to the United States and nearly two million Canadian jobs depend on trade. bs/aha
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LONDON (AP) — A woman who claimed mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in a Dublin hotel penthouse was awarded nearly 250,000 Euros ($257,000) on Friday by a civil court jury in Ireland. Nikita Hand said the Dec. 9, 2018, assault after a night of partying left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced the woman to do anything against her will and said she fabricated the allegations after the two had consensual sex. His lawyer had called Hand a gold digger. The fighter, once the face of the Ultimate Fighting Championship but now past his prime, shook his head as the jury of eight women and four men returned the verdict after deliberating for about six hours in the High Court in Dublin. He was mobbed by cameras as he left court but did not comment. He later said on the social platform X that he would appeal the verdict and the “modest award.” Hand's voice cracked and her hands trembled as she read a statement outside the courthouse, saying she would never forget what happened to her but would now be able to move on with her life. She thanked her family, partner, friends, jurors, the judge and all the supporters that had reached out to her online, but particularly her daughter. “She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare to keep on pushing forward for justice,” she said. “I want to show (her) and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served.” The Associated Press generally does not name alleged victims of sexual violence unless they come forward publicly, as Hand has done. Under Irish law, she did not have the anonymity she would have been granted in a criminal proceeding and was named publicly throughout the trial. Her lawyer told jurors that McGregor was angry about a fight he had lost in Las Vegas two months earlier and took it out on his client. “He’s not a man, he’s a coward,” attorney John Gordon said in his closing speech. “A devious coward and you should treat him for what he is.” Gordon said his client never pretended to be a saint and was only looking to have fun when she sent McGregor a message through Instagram after attending a Christmas party. He said Hand knew McGregor socially and that they had grown up in the same area. She said he picked her and a friend up in a car and shared cocaine with them, which McGregor admitted in court, on the way to the Beacon Hotel. Hand said she told McGregor she didn't want to have sex with him and that she was menstruating. She said she told him “no” as he started kissing her but he eventually pinned her to a bed and she couldn't move. McGregor put her in a chokehold and later told her, “now you know how I felt in the octagon where I tapped out three times,” referring to a UFC match when he had to admit defeat, she said. Hand had to take several breaks in emotional testimony over three days. She said McGregor threatened to kill her during the encounter and she feared she would never see her young daughter again. Eventually, he let go of her. “I remember saying I was sorry, as I felt that I did something wrong and I wanted to reassure him that I wouldn’t tell anyone so he wouldn’t hurt me again,” she testified. She said she then let him do what he wanted and he had sex with her. A paramedic who examined Hand the next day testified that she had never before seen someone with that intensity of bruising. A doctor told jurors Hand had multiple injuries. Hand said the trauma of the attack had left her unable to work as a hairdresser, she fell behind on her mortgage and had to move out of her house. Police investigated the woman’s complaint but prosecutors declined to bring charges, saying there was insufficient evidence and a conviction was unlikely. McGregor, in his post on X, said he was disappointed jurors didn't see all the evidence prosecutors had reviewed. He testified that the two had athletic and vigorous sex, but that it was not rough. He said “she never said ‘no’ or stopped” and testified that everything she said was a lie. “It is a full blown lie among many lies,” he said when asked about the chokehold allegation. “How anyone could believe that me, as a prideful person, would highlight my shortcomings.” McGregor’s lawyer told jurors they had to set aside their animus toward the fighter. “You may have an active dislike of him, some of you may even loathe him – there is no point pretending that the situation might be otherwise,” attorney Remy Farrell said. “I’m not asking you to invite him to Sunday brunch.” The defense said the woman never told investigators McGregor threatened her life. They also showed surveillance video in court that they said appeared to show the woman kiss McGregor’s arm and hug him after they left the hotel room. Farrell said she looked “happy, happy, happy.” McGregor said he was “beyond petrified” when first questioned by police and read them a prepared statement. On the advice of his lawyer, he refused to answer more than 100 follow-up questions. The jury ruled against Hand in a case she brought against one of McGregor’s friends, James Lawrence, whom she accused of having sex with her in the hotel without consent.