Big Ten could place four teams in playoff, thanks to IU's rise
Sydneysiders are expected to swelter through their hottest day of the summer so far on Friday, with the mercury likely to soar past 40C in some areas. The capital is forecast to reach a maximum temperature of 38C and could see possible severe thunderstorms in the afternoon, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Temperatures are likely to be even higher in the city’s west, reaching a high of 41C in Penrith. Other parts of the state are also looking at a scorcher, with a top of 42C forecast for Singleton, Maitland, and Cessnock and 40C in Newcastle and Tamworth. Residents are being advised to take precautions such as staying indoors and remaining hydrated. Residents in several parts of NSW are expected to swelter through temperatures near 40C on Friday. Source: Supplied. The blistering conditions prompted the NSW Rural Fire Service to enforce a total fire ban for the greater Sydney and Hunter regions for Friday. An extreme fire danger has been declared for those regions due to “forecast hot and windy conditions”, the Rural Fire Service said on Thursday. A fire ban will also be in place for the North Western and Northern Slopes regions of NSW. Sydney can expect a welcome reprieve from the heat by Friday evening, with temperatures to cool with an expected maximum of 26C on Saturday. Residents elsewhere in NSW and the ACT are likely to see cooler maximums, with Wollongong to peak at 35C and Canberra at 29C. Ongoing bushfires in Victoria are yet to be contained, while the risk of fires in NSW has been elevated for Friday. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele Temperatures in Victoria have dropped significantly after the blistering heat of the past several days, with Melbourne likely to hit a top of 22C. The cooler change has done little to quell the bushfires still raging in the state’s southwest, with the blaze near Grampians National Park having now torn through 74,000 hectares of land. Maximum temperatures in Brisbane are forecast to reach 33C and a cooler 22C in Adelaide. Originally published as Sydney to swelter through hottest day this summer Environment Don't miss out on the headlines from Environment. Followed categories will be added to My News. More related stories Environment ‘Size of Singapore’: Massive bushfire warning More residents have been told it is too late for them to flee as raging bushfires grow to “the size of Singapore”. Read more Breaking News ‘Extreme’: Total fire ban for Sydney A total fire ban will be enforced in Sydney and other parts of NSW on Friday with temperatures expected to top 40C during the hottest day of summer yet. Read moreHigh School Coach Will Be Super Bowl Contenders’ Backup QuarterbackTakashi Murakami on His Louis Vuitton Re-edition Collection—“20 Years Have Passed in the Blink of an Eye”
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Australia's first Noise Camera trial starts at Brighton-Le-SandsWASHINGTON — Sen. Bernie Sanders announced he’d be bringing his brand of populism to the powerful Senate Finance Committee next year, with a wide remit over tax, trade, Social Security, social safety net programs and health care policy. But no final decisions have been made, despite the Vermont independent’s assertion late Friday that he’ll be joining Finance in the new Congress. The panel will have several openings next Congress on the Democratic side of the dais, thanks to retirements, two reelection defeats and a resignation. Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, would bolster the voices of progressives of the panel, who are set to lose Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, following his defeat in November. “As a member of that committee, I will prioritize protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid from Republican attacks, and creating a fair tax system that finally forces the very wealthy to pay their fair share,” Sanders said in a statement. CQ Roll Call was first to report on his interest in the committee in July. He will also retain his position as the top Democratic caucus member on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Sanders said. But shortly after Sanders’ release went out, a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer issued a clarifying statement: “No decisions about committee rosters have been made.” Senate Democrats’ steering committee makes recommendations to the full caucus on committee assignments, which then have to be approved by a majority vote of the caucus. There’s no indication that process has occurred yet, though given seniority rules it’s starting to become clear which Democrats might land where. Sanders clearly has the seniority to take one of the soon-to-be-open seats on Finance. But his statement may have irked party leaders, coming before any decisions have been finalized. Sanders aides didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the statement from Schumer’s office. Other Democrats interested in joining the panel include Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Tina Smith of Minnesota and Raphael Warnock of Georgia. Sanders was the most senior of Democratic caucus members who have publicly shared their interest in joining the committee, and he’s definitely among the most progressive, if not the most. Sanders has introduced at least 11 bills this Congress that were referred to the Finance Committee, with many aimed at raising taxes on the wealthy and corporations. One measure would impose a windfall profits tax of up to 95% on some of the biggest companies, including Chevron Corp., Amazon.com Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Warren Buffett’s holding company Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Democrats are unlikely to have much influence over next year’s massive tax overhaul, as Republicans are pursuing budget reconciliation, side-stepping the need for Democratic votes in the Senate, but a seat on Finance remains coveted nonetheless. ©2024 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Visit cqrollcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Israel cracks down on Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza UMM AL-FAHM, Israel (AP) — In the year since the war in Gaza broke out, Israel's government has been cracking down on dissent among its Palestinian citizens. Authorities have charged Palestinians with “supporting terrorism” because of posts online or for demonstrating against the war. Activists and rights watchdogs say Palestinians have also lost jobs, been suspended from schools and faced police interrogations. Palestinians make up about 20% of Israel's population. Many feel forced to self-censor out of fear of being jailed and further marginalized in society. Others still find ways to dissent, but carefully. Israel's National Security Ministry counters that, “Freedom of speech is not the freedom to incite.” Israel says rabbi who went missing in the UAE was killed TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel says the body of of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found, citing Emirati authorities. The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Sunday said Zvi Kogan was murdered, calling it a “heinous antisemitic terror incident.” It said: “The state of Israel will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death." Kogan went missing on Thursday, and there were suspicions he had been kidnapped. His disappearance comes as Iran has been threatening to retaliate against Israel after the two countries traded fire in October. Israeli strikes in central Beirut kill at least 20 as diplomats push for a cease-fire BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) — Lebanese officials say Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 20 people and injured dozens in central Beirut, as the once-rare attacks on the heart of Lebanon’s capital continue without warning. Diplomats are scrambling to broker a cease-fire but say obstacles still remain. The current proposal calls for a two-month cease-fire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. Lebanon’s Health Ministry says Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,500 people in Lebanon in the months of fighting that have turned into all-out war. After Trump's Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key roles WASHINGTON (AP) — During the campaign, President-elect Donald Trump had hailed what would become Project 2025 as a conservative roadmap for “exactly what our movement will do." Trump pulled an about-face when Project 2025 became a political liability. He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans, even though some were written by his former aides and many allies. Now, after winning the 2024 election, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the effort he temporarily shunned. Trump has tapped Russell Vought for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as “border czar;” and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy. Trump's Republican Party is increasingly winning union voters. It's a shift seen in his labor pick WASHINGTON (AP) — Working-class voters helped Republicans make steady election gains this year and expanded a coalition that increasingly includes rank-and-file union members. It's a political shift spotlighting one of President-elect Donald Trump’s latest Cabinet picks: a GOP congresswoman, who has drawn labor support, to be his labor secretary. Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her bid for a second term this month, despite strong backing from union members. They're a key part of the Democratic base but are gravitating in the Trump era toward a Republican Party traditionally allied with business interests. Will a winter storm hit the US over Thanksgiving week? Here's what forecasts show so far WINDSOR, Calif. (AP) — The U.S. is reeling from snow and rain while preparing for another bout of bad weather ahead of Thanksgiving that could disrupt holiday travel. California is bracing for more snow and rain this weekend while still grappling with some flooding and small landslides from a previous storm. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for California's Sierra Nevada through Tuesday, with heavy snow expected at high elevations. Parts of the Northeast and Appalachia also started the weekend with heavy precipitation. Meanwhile, thousands remained without power in the Seattle area on Saturday afternoon after a “bomb cyclone” storm system roared ashore the West Coast earlier in the week, killing two people. Pakistan partially stops mobile and internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan says it is suspending mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns” as supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan gear up for a protest in the capital. The government and Interior Ministry made the announcement on X, which is banned in Pakistan. Sunday's protest is to demand Khan's release. He has been in prison for more than a year but remains popular. His supporters rely heavily on social media and messaging apps to coordinate with each other. Pakistan has already sealed off Islamabad and shut down major roads and highways connecting the city with Khan's power bases. Here's what to know about the new funding deal that countries agreed to at UN climate talks BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — In the wee hours Sunday at the United Nations climate talks, countries from around the world reached an agreement on how rich countries can cough up the funds to support poor countries in the face of climate change. But it’s a far-from-perfect arrangement, with many parties still unsatisfied but hopeful that the deal will be a step in the right direction. Japan holds Sado mines memorial despite South Korean boycott amid lingering historical tensions SADO, Japan (AP) — Japan held a memorial ceremony on Sunday near the Sado Island Gold Mines despite a last-minute boycott of the event by South Korea that highlighted tensions between the neighbors over the issue of Korean forced laborers at the site before and during World War II. South Korea’s absence at Sunday’s memorial, to which Seoul government officials and Korean victims’ families were invited, is a major setback in the rapidly improving ties between the two countries, which since last year have set aside their historical disputes to prioritize U.S.-led security cooperation. Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83 NEW YORK (AP) — Chuck Woolery, the affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster, skewering liberals and accusing the government of lying about COVID-19, has died. He was 83. Mark Young, Woolery’s podcast co-host and friend, said in an email early Sunday that Woolery died at his home in Texas with his wife, Kristen, present. Woolery, with his matinee idol looks, coiffed hair and ease with witty banter, was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. He teamed up with Young for the podcast “Blunt Force Truth” and became a full supporter Donald Trump.
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden’s public justification of his decision to pardon his son — accusing the Justice Department of political targeting — threatens to undermine the image he carefully cultivated through decades in politics as an honest broker whose principal loyalty was to protecting the sanctity of critical U.S. institutions. Biden’s 180-degree turn on pardoning his son led Republicans to accuse the president of lying to the public ahead of the election only to reverse course after the political stakes disappeared. The White House provided scant justification for the reversal, offering merely that Biden changed his mind after “wrestling” with the decision over a Thanksgiving holiday spent partly with his son. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Arteta wanted his team to prove their European credentials following some underwhelming displays away from home, and the Gunners manager got exactly what he asked for. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard got their continental campaign back on track in style following the 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan last time out. A memorable victory also ended Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season, a streak of 17 wins and one draw, the vast majority of which prompted Manchester United to prise away head coach Ruben Amorim. The Gunners had failed to win or score in their two away games in the competition so far this season, but they made a blistering start in the Portuguese capital and took the lead after only seven minutes. Declan Rice fed overlapping full-back Jurrien Timber, who curled a low cross in behind the home defence for Martinelli to finish at the far post. Arsenal doubled their lead in the 20th minute thanks to a glorious ball over the top from Thomas Partey. Saka escaped the clutches of his marker Maximiliano Araujo to beat the offside trap and poke the ball past advancing goalkeeper Franco Israel for Havertz to tap home. It was a scintillating first-half display which completely overshadowed the presence of Viktor Gyokeres in Sporting’s attack. The prolific Sweden striker, formerly of Coventry, has been turning the heads of Europe’s top clubs with his 24 goals in 17 games this season – including a hat-trick against Manchester City earlier this month. But the only time he got a sniff of a run at goal after an optimistic long ball, he was marshalled out of harm’s way by Gabriel. David Raya was forced into one save, tipping a fierce Geovany Quenda drive over the crossbar. But Arsenal added a third on the stroke of half-time, Gabriel charging in to head Rice’s corner into the back of the net. Our second-half goalscorers ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aFCIMffFaK — Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 26, 2024 To rub salt in the wound, the Brazilian defender mimicked Gyokeres’ hands-over-his-face goal celebration. That may have wound Sporting up as they came out after the interval meaning business, and they pulled one back after Raya tipped Hidemasa Morita’s shot behind, with Goncalo Inacio netting at the near post from the corner. Former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards fired over, as did Gyokeres, with Arsenal temporarily on the back foot. But when Martin Odegaard’s darting run into the area was halted by Ousmane Diomande’s foul, Saka tucked away the penalty. Substitute Trossard added the fifth with eight minutes remaining, heading in the rebound after Mikel Merino’s shot was saved, and Gyokeres’ miserable night was summed up when his late shot crashed back off the post.