Sportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election , according to a Federal Police report unsealed Tuesday. Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. The unsealed document provides a first glimpse of several testimonies that describe the former president as one of the key leaders of the plot, and not a mere observer. “The evidence collected throughout the investigation shows unequivocally that then-President Jair Messias Bolsonaro planned, acted and was directly and effectively aware of the actions of the criminal organization aiming to launch a coup d’etat and eliminate the democratic rule of law, which did not take place due to reasons unrelated to his desire,” the document said. At another point, it says: “Bolsonaro had full awareness and active participation.” Bolsonaro, who had repeatedly alleged without evidence that the country's electronic voting system was prone to fraud, called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, according to the police report, signed by four investigators. The decree would have launched an investigation into suspicions of fraud and crimes related to the October 2022 vote, and suspended the powers of the nation's electoral court. The navy’s commander stood ready to comply, but those from the army and air force objected to any plan that prevented Lula’s inauguration, the report said. Those refusals are why the plan did not go ahead, according to witnesses who spoke to investigators. Bolsonaro never signed the decree to set the final stage of the alleged plan into action. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or awareness of any plot to keep him in power or oust his leftist rival and successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “No one is going to do a coup with a reserve general and half a dozen other officers. What is being said is absurd. For my part, there has never been any discussion of a coup,” Bolsonaro told journalists in Brazil’s capital Brasilia on Monday. “If someone came to discuss a coup with me, I’d say, that’s fine, but the day after, how does the world view us?” he added. “The word ‘coup’ has never been in my dictionary.” The top court has passed the report on to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet. He will decide whether to formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. The former president was formally accused of three crimes: violent elimination of the rule of law, staging a coup d'etat and forming a criminal organization. Rodrigo Rios, a law professor at the PUC university in the city of Curitiba, said Bolsonaro could face up to a minimum of 11 years in prison if convicted on all charges. “A woman involved in the Jan. 8 attack on the Supreme Court received a 17-year prison sentence,” Rios told The Associated Press, noting that the former president is more likely to receive 15 years or more if convicted. “Bolsonaro’s future looks dark.” Ahead of the 2022 election, Bolsonaro repeatedly alleged that the election system, which does not use paper ballots, could be tampered with. The top electoral court later ruled that he had abused his power to cast unfounded doubt on the voting system, and ruled him ineligible for office until 2030 . Still, he has maintained that he will stand as a candidate in the 2026 race. Since Bolsonaro left office, he has been targeted by several investigations, all of which he has chalked up to political persecution. Federal Police have accused him of smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without properly declaring them and directing a subordinate to falsify his and others’ COVID-19 vaccination statuses . Authorities are also investigating whether he incited the Jan. 8, 2022 riot in which his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in Brasilia, seeking to prompt intervention by the army that would oust Lula from power. Bolsonaro had left for the United States days before Lula’s inauguration on Jan. 1, 2023 and stayed there three months, keeping a low profile. The police report unsealed Tuesday alleges he was seeking to avoid possible imprisonment related to the coup plot, and also await the uprising that took place a week later. Hughes reported from Rio de JaneiroMaschmeyer's 34 saves carry Ottawa Charge past New York Sirens, 3-1

NEW YORK (AP) — Top-ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans . Lamenting the contretemps, International Chess Federation President Arkady Dvorkovich said in a statement Sunday that he'd let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, and other “elegant minor deviations” from the dress code. He said Carlsen's stand — which culminated in his quitting the tournament Friday — highlighted a need for more discussion “to ensure that our rules and their application reflect the evolving nature of chess as a global and accessible sport.” Carlsen, meanwhile, said in a video posted Sunday on social media that he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship when it begins Monday. “I think the situation was badly mishandled on their side,” the 34-year-old Norwegian grandmaster said. But he added that he loves playing blitz — a fast-paced form of chess — and wanted fans to be able to watch, and that he was encouraged by his discussions with the federation after Friday's showdown. “I think we sort of all want the same thing,” he suggested in the video on his Take Take Take chess app’s YouTube channel. “We want the players to be comfortable, sure, but also relatively presentable.” The events began when Carlsen wore jeans and a sportcoat Friday to the Rapid World Championship, which is separate from but held in conjunction with the blitz event. The chess federation said Friday that longstanding rules prohibit jeans at those tournaments, and players are lodged nearby to make sartorial switch-ups easy if needed. An official fined Carlsen $200 and asked him to change pants, but he refused and wasn't paired for a ninth-round game, the federation said at the time. The organization noted that another grandmaster, Ian Nepomniachtchi, was fined earlier in the day for wearing sports shoes, changed and continued to play. Carlsen has said that he offered to wear something else the next day, but officials were unyielding. He said “it became a bit of a matter of principle,” so he quit the rapid and blitz championships. In the video posted Sunday, he questioned whether he had indeed broken a rule and said changing clothes would have needlessly interrupted his concentration between games. He called the punishment “unbelievably harsh.” “Of course, I could have changed. Obviously, I didn’t want to,” he said, and “I stand by that.”A dose of Aaron Rodgers is exactly what the Buffalo Bills’ defense needed. The aging New York Jets quarterback looked fairly disinterested in being at Highmark Stadium on Sunday, and the Bills took full advantage in a 40-14 win that clinched the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs and improved their record to 13-3. Led by a dominant performance from edge rusher Greg Rousseau, the Bills’ defense produced a season low yards allowed. They were flirting with a shutout, or at least a season low in points allowed, until the Jets scored two late touchdowns with Tyrod Taylor at the controls against a defense with mostly backups in the game. (The Bills' season low for points allowed is 10, set in five separate games.) Members of the Bills' defense celebrate cornerback Christian Benford's interception in the third quarter of their big win Sunday over the Jets. Through the first three quarters, the Jets had seven offensive possessions. Here is how each of them ended: Turnover on downs, interception, safety, punt, interception, punt, lost fumble. The last time the Bills had a defensive safety, recovered an opposing fumble and had two or more interceptions in the same game was the 1998 season. Here is a closer look at how some of those Jets drives ended: • New York’s first drive was one of its best, reaching the Bills’ 24-yard line. On fourth-and-1, the Jets kept their offense on the field and went for it, but running back Braelon Allen was dropped for no gain by Rousseau, who darted into the backfield. • Rousseau played a big part in stopping the Jets’ second drive, too. He tipped a Rodgers pass into the air, and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips was there to make the interception. It was the second career interception for Phillips, and it led to a funny comment from former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick via X. During Week 8 of the 2016 season, Phillips – who was playing then for the Dolphins – intercepted Fitzpatrick, who was playing for the Jets. “You are not alone ARod I also threw a pick to Jordan Phillips while playing for the Jets” Fitzpatrick tweeted. The Bills have three interceptions by defensive tackles this season, with Phillips joining Austin Johnson, who has two of them. That's the most by any NFL team since the 2011 Miami Dolphins. • Rodgers was sacked for a safety by A.J. Epenesa with 2:31 remaining in the second quarter. Epenesa blew by Jets backup left tackle Max Mitchell on his way into the backfield, and Rodgers had nowhere to escape. • The Jets’ fifth drive ended when cornerback Christian Benford stepped in front of Jets receiver Allen Lazard to pick off Rodgers. At the end of the play, Rodgers shoved Benford after the Bills’ cornerback was out of bounds, tacking 15 yards for a late hit onto the play. • The next Jets turnover came when wide receiver Garrett Wilson was stripped by defensive tackle Ed Oliver. Linebacker Matt Milano was there to recover the fumble. The play was originally ruled a touchdown, but Milano was ruled to have been touched by Rodgers. That might have been the only remotely positive thing the Jets’ quarterback in an otherwise miserable showing. The Bills’ defense badly needed a get-right game after a few tough showings in recent weeks. Sunday's result should leave them feeling good as the team prepares for the regular-season finale against New England next week – and more importantly, the postseason. Here are some other observations from the Bills’ big win: 2. Amari Cooper came down with a great touchdown grab. It had been a couple quiet games in a row for Cooper, but he made his presence felt in the third quarter, coming down with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen with 5:13 remaining that extended the Bills’ lead to 19-0 and effectively put the game away. Cooper was shaken up on the play after a hard landing and was evaluated for a head injury but eventually cleared. He finished with three catches for 56 yards and in the process reached 10,000 career receiving yards. He joined two-time All-Pro Julio Jones as the only wide receivers from Alabama to reach that milestone in the NFL. Cooper moved past former Bills wide receiver Eric Moulds and became the 57th player in NFL history to have at least 10,000 career receiving yards. Cooper now has 10,033 receiving yards. Moulds finished his career with 9,995. 3. Josh Allen made history. The Bills’ franchise quarterback finished 16 of 27 for 182 yards and two passing touchdowns and also rushed five times for 17 yards and a rushing touchdown. In doing so, Allen became the first player in NFL history to have at least 40 total touchdowns in a season for five straight years. No other player has done it more than three times. 4. The defense got some reinforcements. Safety Taylor Rapp (neck) and cornerback Rasul Douglas (knee) were back in the lineup after each of them missed the previous two games because of injury. Milano was also back after missing last week’s win over New England because of a groin injury. 5. It was a flag fest. The first half alone included 12 accepted penalties, six against each team. The penalties against the Bills cost them 55 yards, while the Jets lost 42 yards. The Bills got better in the second half, getting flagged just once for a loss of 5 yards. The Jets, however, continued to take penalties, finishing the game with a ridiculous 16 for a loss of 120 yards. In the teams' first meeting Oct. 14, there were 22 accepted penalties. There were 23 penalties Sunday – 16 against the Jets, seven against the Bills. 6. James Cook neared a record. The Bills’ running back scored a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter with 1:15 remaining. It was his 15th rushing touchdown of the season, tying Allen in 2023 for the second-most in a single season. Cook has one game left to tie or possibly surpass O.J. Simpson’s record of 16 rushing touchdowns, set in the 1975 season. 7. Tyrell Shavers got into the action. Promoted from the practice squad Saturday, Shavers made his first career catch in the fourth quarter. He took it 69 yards to the house for his first career touchdown, too. Shavers is the 13th Bill to catch a touchdown this season, which ties the all-time NFL record. 8. Alec Anderson went down with an injury. The Bills’ sixth offensive lineman, who enters the game in their often-used “jumbo package,” was hurt with 14:13 left in the second quarter. (Adding insult to injury, Anderson was flagged for holding on the play.) He was down for a minute or so before being able to jog off the field. Trainers taped up Anderson’s left ankle on the sideline, and he was cleared to return. Anderson was shaken up again midway through the fourth quarter but again jogged off the field. 9. Damar Hamlin was still out. The team’s starting safety missed his third straight game because of a rib injury. Wide receiver Curtis Samuel, dealing with a rib injury of his own, missed his second straight game. 10. Kaiir Elam was inactive. The team’s 2022 first-round draft pick had started the past two games with Douglas injured, but went back to being a healthy inactive against the Jets. Joining him as healthy inactives against New York were linebacker Nicholas Morrow, rookie offensive tackle Tylan Grable, defensive tackle Austin Johnson and safety Lewis Cine are the Bills' healthy inactive players. Cine was promoted from the practice squad Saturday. Cornerback Sauce Gardner, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and wide receiver Davante Adams were active for New York despite having been listed as questionable Friday. Gardner, however, left the game in the third quarter because of a hamstring injury. The Jets' inactives included cornerbacks Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Kendall Sheffield, Qwan'tez Stiggers, safety Jaylin Simpson, kicker Anders Carlson and edge rusher Braiden McGregor. Sent weekly directly to your inbox!A TRADING standards chief has revealed a rise in the use of loan sharks is partly down to borrowers finding illegal lenders “less intimidating” than High Street banks. Up to 300,000 people in Scotland are at risk of falling victim to street moneylenders, who are adapting their tactics to prey on those hit by the cost-of-living crisis, new figures from consumer watchdogs reveal. 4 Loan sharks pretend to be your friend but want you in debt forever. 4 Some find getting easy money from loan sharks less intimidating than high street banks. 4 Fiona Richardson, Chief Officer of Trading Standards Scotland, insists victims of loan sharks are not alone. Research by the Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit - SIMLU - found that around seven per cent of the adult population has come across a loan shark either in their community or online. But Fiona Richardson, Chief Officer of Trading Standards Scotland, said: “One of the reasons we’ve found that people go to illegal lenders is often it’s less intimidating. “I know that sounds strange, but when you go to a bank and fill in forms and have your credit rating checked. “These are all totally appropriate measures because lenders need to make sure that you can afford to borrow the money and that you can afford to pay it back. READ MORE MONEY NEED FOR SPEED Scots island with just 170 residents to get Europe's fastest internet FIR GOODNESS SAKE Aldi launches 'cheapest' real Christmas trees from £13.99 at Scots stores “But an illegal lender won’t do that. They’ll just give you cash straight away and very often if you need something immediately, a short term shock buy, people find it’s much easier to get it from an illegal lender.” In one disturbing case the SIMLU was contacted by a single mother from Glasgow who borrowed £250 from a loan shark to pay for a new bed for her toddler son, with her being charged £25 in interest every fortnight. But when she missed a payment to top up her prepayment meter during a cold snap, the loanshark ordered her to pay double the next week. When she failed to attend their next meeting to pay him, he came to her door and threatened to assault her and harm her son. Most read in Money IN LINE Shoppers queue for MAC opening as store reveals amazing deal for Black Friday MUCH TO SEA Cosy cottage with own beach in idyllic Scots seaside village hits the market BRIBE BLAST 'Bribed with cheap electricity' - Fury over plans for huge wind farm SHUTTERS DOWN Family-run store in major Scots city to close in weeks after 40 years Fiona said: “We’ve been working in this area for 20 years and lending tends to be based within a community. “So there are always levels of intimidation and harassment especially on pay back days.” Inside the violent world of loan sharks The SIMLU - who are part of Trading Standards Scotland - also warn that illegal lenders are increasingly using social media platforms such as Facebook , Instagram and Snapchat , to advertise their high-interest loans and target potential victims. In some cases, loan sharks have even been found to be targeting the social media pages of local food banks to take advantage of people while they are at their most desperate. But Fiona believes another reason for the rise of loan shark use is because in 2021 Provident Financial ended it’s decades old doorstep lending business that provided high-cost loans to people with poor credit scores. She said: “There has been a contraction in the high cost credit market over the past few years. “With the likes of Provident ending that line of business, you don’t have doorstep lending that you used to. “A lot of people would have relied on that to get credit when they needed it. “But we would instead advise that credit unions are a good way to save and to borrow money.” However Fiona insists that action can be taken against loan sharks. In the case of the single mum who was threatened with her son, officers were able to help her access a local food bank, receive debt and welfare advice, find support groups, and arrange a volunteering opportunity. Fiona said: “It’s not an easy area, because people are very reluctant to talk about illegal lenders for obvious reasons. FIVE TIPS IF YOU HAVE USED A LOAN SHARK 1 - If you are feeling trapped and threatened you need to know you have not committed a crime - the loan shark has. The first thing to do is contact the Scottish Illegal Money Lending Unit. This is a confidential service. 2 - SIMLU specialist officers will investigate allegations of illegal money lending and related activity and will submit reports to the Procurator Fiscal as appropriate. 3 - A Support Officer can provide advice to victims and can arrange direct referrals to partner services including StepChange Debt Charity , Citizens Advice Scotland , Money Advice Service and Money Advice Scotland . 4 - The agencies can also arrange a benefits check and perhaps short-term assistance for emergency purchases . 5 - Budgeting advice and a referral to a food bank can also help prevent people from using a loan shark. But no matter how out of control things may feel, the SIMLU insists you are not alone and there is help available. “So we don’t have a great number of cases going through the courts because it means people need to stand up and say that they’ve borrowed money from an illegal lender. “But we would say that even if you have borrowed you should remember that you’re not the one that’s committed the crime - they have. They can’t enforce the debt legally.” Now with Christmas fast approaching, Fiona is urging those thinking of using an illegal borrower to seek preventative help instead. She explains: “Christmas just adds to the pressure of trying to balance a budget because everyone still wants to buy the right foods and presents for their family . “But by seeking help there is budgeting advice and various other means that may be open to people that can make sure you steer clear of these lenders.” She adds: “Loan sharks may seem like the easy option as they initially act like a friend, but they have no real interest in you paying off the loan. Read more on the Scottish Sun REY-LY EXCITING US pop superstar announces first Scots show in almost 10 years BALLSED UP Lorraine apologises on air for using phrase she 'didn't know' was a swear word “They’re just looking for a regular income which means you will always be in debt to them.” *For those in financial difficulty visit stopillegallending.co.uk or call the free and confidential helpline on 0800 074 0878. 4 A staggering 300,000 Scots at risk of falling victim to loan sharks.

The piece of technology sits unassumingly on top of the helmet of veteran quarterback Sam Darnold during most practices at TCO Performance Center. ADVERTISEMENT It allows the Vikings to capture footage in real time, providing a peek into the past for the man at the forefront of the future. “It’s super cool,” Darnold said. “It’s a really amazing tool to be able to use.” Though the Vikings are very much keeping the focus on this season with big goals in mind, they also have started laying the foundation for next season with the help of a GoPro camera. “This is the first time I’ve done anything like that,” Darnold said. “It doesn’t really feel like anything when it’s on my helmet.” ADVERTISEMENT That’s arguably the biggest part of its appeal. The fact that the GoPro camera weighs much less than a pound means it doesn’t interfere with anything the Vikings are trying to get done on a daily basis. It exists more or less as an accessory for Darnold at this point, taking video from his perspective whether he’s calling a play in the huddle, making a check at the line of scrimmage or scanning the field after the ball is snapped. That has been extremely useful for rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy as he continues to work his way through his recovery from a knee injury that ended his rookie campaign before it even got started. The ability to see everything through the eyes of Darnold has helped McCarthy train his brain even if he isn’t able to experience it firsthand. ADVERTISEMENT “The mental reps are of utmost importance,” McCarthy said a couple of months ago. “Just watching film from that perspective is really good.” This is the best option for the Vikings right now. Originally, after selecting McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft, the Vikings hoped he would be able to get live reps himself this season. ADVERTISEMENT Instead, after McCarthy had surgery to repair a torn meniscus, the Vikings are doing everything in their power to make sure he’s ready for next season. That’s something head coach Kevin O’Connell has stressed whenever McCarthy’s name has been brought up. “We wanted to make sure we’re maximizing every moment for him,” O’Connell said. “We thought, ‘How do we make sure we’re doing the things that we need to do to ensure that he’s in the best possible position when he is healthy?'” The use of a GoPro camera is simply another resource the Vikings have at their disposal. ADVERTISEMENT “We’ve done a lot of different stuff that maybe we don’t do with a 10-year veteran quarterback,” O’Connell said. “Just to make sure that we’re farming an ideal learning environment for him to hit the ground running when he’s healthy.” As soon as the GoPro camera captures the footage from a particular practice, McCarthy can go back and watch it, getting a feel for what life is like in the huddle, at the line of scrimmage and after the ball is snapped. Sometimes the Vikings will even put it on in their war room, where there’s a gigantic screen that takes up an entire wall. That grandiose display is something offensive coordinator Wes Phillips appreciates because it makes it feel like McCarthy is inside the helmet. ADVERTISEMENT “It’s pretty cool to watch in there,” Phillips said. “It gives him a chance to see it a little bit more from that perspective.” Some of the other creative ways the Vikings have kept McCarthy on track include allowing him to be a part of the dialogue that goes on between O’Connell and Darnold during games. He was cleared to travel with the team for the first time last month, for example, so he was in attendance at SoFi Stadium when the Vikings suffered a 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Just getting a glimpse of what it feels like in the heat of battle will go a long way for McCarthy as he continues to develop. “I’m really excited about having him with us,” O’Connell said. “Any and all areas we can find to maximize those chances, we’re going to use it.” All the while, McCarthy has also been attending meetings, asking questions to O’Connell, Phillips, quarterback coach Josh McCown, assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski and anybody else he can find in their office at TCO Performance Center. “He’s great about saving some questions he has,” Phillips said. “He’ll do that off to the side, understanding that guys are getting ready for the game.” Though the Vikings would’ve loved for McCarthy to be able to learn everything firsthand as a rookie, they are making the most of their current situation, ensuring their young quarterback of the future is completely prepared heading into next season. “Obviously he wants more than anybody to be there physically,” Phillips said. “He’s doing everything he can to be ready when his time comes.” ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .

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The Reform UK leader pushed back against reports suggesting that legal action would be the next step, saying he would make a decision in the next couple of days about his response if there is no apology for the “crazy conspiracy theory”. Mr Farage also said the party has “opened up our systems” to media outlets, including The Daily Telegraph and The Financial Times, in the interests of “full transparency to verify that our numbers are correct”. His remarks came after Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused Mr Farage of “fakery” in response to Reform claiming they had surpassed the Tories in signed-up members. Mrs Badenoch said Reform’s counter was “coded to tick up automatically”. A digital counter on the Reform website showed a membership tally before lunchtime on Boxing Day ticking past the 131,680 figure declared by the Conservative Party during its leadership election earlier this year. Mr Farage, on whether he was threatening legal action or not, told the PA news agency: “I haven’t threatened anything. I’ve just said that unless I get an apology, I will take some action. “I haven’t said whether it’s legal or anything.” He added: “All I’ve said is I want an apology. If I don’t get an apology, I will take action. “I will decide in the next couple of days what that is. So I’ve not specified what it is.” Mr Farage, on the move to make membership data available to media organisations, said: “We feel our arguments are fully validated. “She (Mrs Badenoch) has put out this crazy conspiracy theory and she needs to apologise.” On why Mrs Badenoch had reacted as she did, Mr Farage said: “I would imagine she was at home without anybody advising her and was just angry.” Mr Farage, in a statement issued on social media site X, also said: “The accusations of fraud and dishonesty made against me yesterday were disgraceful. “Today we opened up our systems to The Telegraph, Spectator, Sky News and FT in the interests of full transparency to verify that our data is correct. “I am now demanding Kemi Badenoch apologises.” A Conservative Party source claimed Mr Farage was “rattled” that his Boxing Day “publicity stunt is facing serious questions”. They added: “Like most normal people around the UK, Kemi is enjoying Christmas with her family and looking forward to taking on the challenges of renewing the Conservative Party in the New Year.” Mrs Badenoch, in a series of messages posted on X on Thursday, said: “Farage doesn’t understand the digital age. This kind of fakery gets found out pretty quickly, although not before many are fooled.” There were 131,680 Conservative members eligible to vote during the party’s leadership election to replace Rishi Sunak in the autumn. Mrs Badenoch claimed in her thread that “the Conservative Party has gained thousands of new members since the leadership election”. Elsewhere, Mr Farage described Elon Musk as a “bloody hero” and said he believes the US billionaire can help attract younger voters to Reform. Tech entrepreneur Mr Musk met Mr Farage earlier this month at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, amid rumours of a possible donation to either Mr Farage or Reform. Mr Farage told The Daily Telegraph newspaper: “The shades, the bomber jacket, the whole vibe. Elon makes us cool – Elon is a huge help to us with the young generation, and that will be the case going on and, frankly, that’s only just starting. “Reform only wins the next election if it gets the youth vote. The youth vote is the key. Of course, you need voters of all ages, but if you get a wave of youth enthusiasm you can change everything. “And I think we’re beginning to get into that zone – we were anyway, but Elon makes the whole task much, much easier. And the idea that politics can be cool, politics can be fun, politics can be real – Elon helps us with that mission enormously.”Dividend Stocks: NALCO, Gillette India, Godfrey Phillips India among others to trade ex-dividend next week; Full list

Zac Alley named WVU defensive coordinatorAn Israeli hospital says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery. Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center said his prostate was removed late Sunday. Netanyahu was placed under full anesthesia for the procedure. Doctors said he was awake and recovering Sunday night. Netanyahu’s office had said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Doctors ordered the operation after detecting an infection last week. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is having his prostate removed on Sunday, his office said, a procedure that comes as he manages multiple crises including the war in Gaza and his trial for alleged corruption . Netanyahu, who has had a series of health issues in recent years, has gone to great lengths to bolster a public image of himself as a healthy, energetic leader. During his trial this month, he boasted about working 18-hour days, accompanied by a cigar. But as Israel's longest-serving leader, such a grueling workload over a total of 17 years in power could take a toll on his well-being. Netanyahu, 75, is among older world leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden, 82 , President-elect Donald Trump, 78 , Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva , 79, and Pope Francis , 88, who have come under scrutiny for their age and health issues. Netanyahu's latest condition is common in older men, but the procedure has had some fallout. The judges overseeing his trial accepted a request from his lawyer on Sunday to call off three days of testimony scheduled this week. The lawyer, Amit Hadad, had argued that Netanyahu would be fully sedated for the procedure and hospitalized for “a number of days.” Netanyahu's office said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. A turbulent time in the region As Israel’s leader, Netanyahu is at the center of major global events that are shifting the Middle East . With the dizzying pace of the past 14 months, being incapacitated for even a few hours can be risky. Netanyahu will be in the hospital at a time when international mediators are pushing Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and as fighting between Israel and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels intensifies . Prostate issues are common and in many cases easily treatable. Still, the procedure puts a dent in Netanyahu’s image of vigor at a time when he would want to project strength more than ever, both to an Israeli audience navigating constant threats as well as to Israel’s enemies looking to expose its weaknesses. Previous health issues, including a heart condition Netanyahu insists he is in excellent health. His office releases footage of him touring war zones in full protective gear flanked by military officers, or meeting with defense officials on windswept hilltops in youthful dark shades and puffer jackets. But that image was shattered last year when Netanyahu’s doctors revealed that he had a heart condition , a problem that he had apparently long known about but concealed from the public. A week after a fainting spell, Netanyahu was fitted with a pacemaker to control his heartbeat. Only then did staff at the Sheba Medical Center reveal that Netanyahu has for years experienced a condition that can cause irregular heartbeats. The revelation came as Netanyahu was dealing with massive anti-government protests. The news about a chronic heart problem stoked further anger and distrust during extreme political polarization in Israel. Last year, Netanyahu was rushed to the hospital for what doctors said likely was dehydration . He stayed overnight, prompting his weekly Cabinet meeting to be delayed. Earlier this year, Netanyahu underwent hernia surgery , during which he was under full anesthesia and unconscious. Levin served as acting prime minister during the operation. Recovery can be quick According to Netanyahu’s office, the Israeli leader was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection on Wednesday stemming from a benign enlargement of his prostate. The infection was treated successfully with antibiotics, but Sunday's procedure will remove his prostate. Complications from prostate enlargement are common in men in their 70s and 80s, Dr. Shay Golan, head of the oncology urology service at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center, told Israeli Army Radio. Golan spoke in general terms and was not involved in Netanyahu’s care or treatment. He said an enlarged prostate can block proper emptying of the bladder, leading to a build-up of urine that can lead to an infection or other complications. After medicinal treatment, doctors can recommend a procedure to remove the prostate to prevent future blockages, Golan said. In Netanyahu’s case, because the prostate is not cancerous, Golan said doctors will likely perform an endoscopic surgery, carried out by inserting small instruments into a body cavity, rather than making surgical cuts in the abdomen to reach the prostate. The procedure lasts about an hour, Golan said, and recovery is quick. He said that aside from catheter use for one to three days after the procedure, patients can return to normal activity without significant limitations.

No. 5 Alabama has a reputation as 3-point gunners, but it's defense and rebounding that have become a focus as the Tide welcome South Dakota State to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to end the 2024 calendar year. Alabama (10-2) is frequently thought of as an offensive 3-point shooting free-for-all program, but Nate Oats' 2024-25 squad has thrived largely on the basis of inside play. The Tide are shooting 62.2 percent on their two-point attempts and grab 45 rebounds per game, each figure placing the team among the national leaders in those categories. Alabama does still shoot an average of 31 3-point shots per game, again one of the nation's highest totals. But so far, Alabama's 31.2 percent connection rate is very ordinary. But connecting inside and owning the glass has held benefits for Alabama. Meanwhile, defense has concerned Oats, particularly coming off a 97-90 win over North Dakota on Dec. 18. Oats issued warnings about players losing spots in the rotation if defensive execution didn't improve. Alabama passed the first post-North Dakota test in an 81-54 win over Kent State on Sunday. "We did make a big point of emphasis on defense, especially after that debacle up in North Dakota," said Oats after the Kent State victory. "It was a much better defensive effort, so it will be a lot better Christmas break for us." Alabama won the rebounding battle over Kent State 60-40, although Oats contended that the Tide "gave up too many second-chance points." Alabama made 72 percent of its two-point attempts even as just 9 of 35 3-point attempts connected. Alabama has battled personnel uncertainty early in the season. An Achilles injury ended the season of guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. just as transfer Chris Youngblood was preparing to return from an ankle injury. The Tide have 11 players averaging double-digit minutes and eight averaging 7.4 points per game or better, led by super senior guard Mark Sears with 17.8 ppg. Super senior forward Grant Nelson remains a key player, leading the Tide with 8.7 rebounds per game while adding 12.8 ppg. Meanwhile, South Dakota State (9-5) will pin its upset hopes largely on Aussie transfer Oscar Cluff. A 6-foot-11 senior who transferred in from Washington State, Cluff has averaged 16.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Cluff is connecting on 71.4 percent of his shot attempts. He's also shooting 79.2 percent at the foul line and has stabilized a young Jackrabbits team with four freshmen among the top seven scorers. "Oscar's just built the right way," said coach Eric Henderson. "We have probably played through the post more than any other team in the country the last five years and we just felt like we needed a big man that had some experience and boy does he ever." Cluff had a streak of five straight double-doubles, but that ended in recent losses to Nevada and Colorado. The Jackrabbits won 87-72 over Chadron State in their last game on Dec. 19. --Field Level Media