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Abdullah (second right) pictured after arriving at Azam Sarawak’s pre-Christmas gathering. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (Dec 12): It is imperative for state think tank Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) Sarawak to be committed to empowering communities through participatory communication, said Datuk Abdullah Saidol. As such, the Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Sarawak Public Communication Unit) said Azam Sarawak must continue to play a pivotal role in supporting the development of the state. He was speaking during Azam Sarawak’s pre-Christmas gathering, held at a hotel on Tuesday. “I am particularly proud to see initiatives like this that not only celebrate the festive spirit, but also embed elements of togetherness, aligned with our shared vision of transforming Sarawak into a developed state by 2030,” he said. “It is also worth highlighting that Azam Sarawak is becoming increasingly active, with its brand gaining greater recognition through the impactful activities it organises. “This demonstrates that Azam is not static, but is evolving to stay relevant in addressing the ever-changing needs of the community.” For instance, he added, Azam Sarawak recently represented the organisation at an exhibition in Mukah with nine Azam Young Souls (AYS). Their involvement reflects the potential of Sarawak’s youth and Azam’s ability to mobilise community capacity to higher levels, he said. On the gathering, Abdullah said it underscores the importance of unity as a core element that must continue to be nurtured. “Through programmes like this, along with community development initiatives and social collaborations, Azam Sarawak demonstrates how diversity in culture, perspectives, and experiences can be united to achieve greater vision. “Such gatherings also play a crucial role in strengthening the sense of belonging within the community. “Additionally, strong unity forms the foundation for tackling challenges, creating innovative solutions, and laying the groundwork for a brighter future,” he said. Highlighting that Azam Sarawak also aims to improve the people’s lifestyle, Abdullah commended the formation of its sports arm – Azam Fit and Fun Club – to promote health, fitness, and wellness among its staff and strategic partners. “The club’s initiatives clearly show that Azam Sarawak is far from passive; it is actively working hard to remain relevant and impactful. “With programmes like fun runs, health challenges, and other fitness activities, the club has created a platform to foster teamwork and promote healthy living. “These proactive steps align with Sarawak’s vision of becoming a healthier and more progressive state, where every individual contributes to community development optimally,” he said, adding that the organisation has immense potential to bring out positive change in society. He thus calls upon all stakeholders, from the government and private sectors as well as the community at large, to continue supporting Azam’s initiatives. “Azam has been and will continue to collaborate with several key agencies, such as Ukas (Sarawak Public Communication Unit), SMA (Sarawak Multimedia Authority), Recoda (Regional Corridor Development Authority), Tegas (Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak), and SDEC (Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation), among others. “These collaborations demonstrate that Azam Sarawak is on the right track to solidify its role as a catalyst for community and state development,” he said. Also present at the gathering were Azam Sarawak chairman Datu William Patrick Nyigor, Deputy State Secretary Datu Hii Chang Kee, and Azam Sarawak chief executive officer Ali Suhaili.North Korean nationals indicted in scheme using IT workers to funnel money for weapons programsEagles’ Jalen Hurts claims beef with A.J. Brown was made up: ‘BG knows he spoke out of place’
Macom technology director sells $233,375 in common stockAttorneys for two former Indiana University basketball players asked a judge Thursday to compel former team physician Dr. Bradford Bomba Sr., to answer questions about his conduct -- including his conversations with then-coach Bobby Knight -- as part of a Title IX lawsuit that alleges Bomba sexually abused multiple male athletes. Bomba refused to answer 45 questions during a 75-minute deposition on Dec. 4, on the advice of his attorneys citing his Fifth Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination and his right to due process, according to the filing. On Oct. 15, Haris Mujezinovic and Charlie Miller, who played for the Hoosiers in the mid-1990s, filed a class-action lawsuit against Indiana University alleging that they and their teammates "were routinely and repeatedly subjected to medically unnecessary, invasive, and abusive digital rectal examinations" by Bomba. Bomba started working with Indiana athletes in the 1960s and was the team doctor for most of Knight's tenure. He left the program in the late 1990s. The lawsuit alleges that the athletic department required athletes to see Bomba for their physicals and that the doctor routinely performed prostate exams on them. The lawsuit notes that prostate exams, recommended "at the earliest" for men 40 or older, are unnecessary for college-aged men. Bomba's reputation for the frequent exams was a topic of discussion among players in the presence of assistant coaches, athletic trainers and other athletic department staff, according to the lawsuit. It alleges that university officials -- despite knowing of the behavior -- failed to stop Bomba, allowing him to continue the abuse, and perpetuated "a policy of deliberate indifference." "When Mujezinovic's teammates saw that he was assigned to Dr. Bomba, Sr., they warned Mujezinovic to prepare for 'the finger,'" it states, noting that Bomba was referred to as "Frankenstein" for the size of his hands and fingers. Bomba's attorneys failed earlier this month in their attempt to argue the 88-year-old was incompetent to testify. A judge ruled he could answer questions under certain guidelines. Parties in a civil lawsuit can typically refuse to answer questions under the Fifth Amendment in cases where they could also be facing criminal liability. The plaintiffs' attorneys noted Bomba had a right to invoke the Fifth Amendment in some questions. "He refused to answer questions that would likely have self-incriminating answers, including the following: 'was it your routine and general practice to perform digital rectal exams during every student athlete physical at IU?'; '[d]id you get informed consent from student athletes before you performed digital rectal examinations on them?'; 'how did you conduct digital rectal exams on IU players?'" the motion states. But the plaintiffs' attorneys argued in their motion that Bomba refused to answer questions on basic "innocuous" details and ones that carried no potential of criminal prosecution. Attorneys representing the university and Bomba did not respond to emails asking why Bomba was instructed not to answer. The university's response to the lawsuit is due Tuesday. Most sex crimes in Indiana have a statute of limitations that ranges in duration depending on the circumstance, and recent amendments have added exceptions if there is new DNA evidence, a recording of the crime or admission by the alleged perpetrator. Several of the questions Bomba refused to answer pertained to his interactions with Knight, who died in November 2023 , including questions such as, "Did Coach Knight express an interest to you in the overall health of his players?" and, "Dr. Bomba, did you travel with the I.U. men's basketball team to games in Illinois?" The plaintiffs' motion also notes that Bomba refused to answer questions about basic medical care, his understanding of Title IX, and questions about student complaints, including whether any Indiana athletes complained about the prostate exams. Plaintiffs' attorney Kathleen DeLaney said she believed Bomba didn't answer the questions "because the answers wouldn't have been good for him or for Indiana University." She said it was important to understand Bomba's interactions with Knight to know how many people in a position of authority might have known "what was going on during these exams," and the more people who knew, "the harder it would be for the university to deny what it knew was going on." When asked about Bomba's refusal to answer, a spokesperson for Indiana referred ESPN to a statement the university issued in September after the allegations became public, saying it had hired an outside firm to conduct an internal investigation into the allegations. The spokesperson did not provide an update on that investigation.Nasdaq Private Market Announces 2024 Executive Leadership Team Promotions
In a match that could have a significant impact on the relegation battle and race for European football, Heidenheim will welcome Stuttgart to Voith-Arena on Sunday in their 14th Bundesliga match of their campaign. The hosts are third last in 16th place with 10 points and were beaten 4-2 by leaders Bayern Munich last time out in the league on December 7, whereas the visitors are eighth with 20 points from 13 games and narrowly defeated Union Berlin 3-2 on December 6. © Imago Heidenheim started the season in strong fashion, winning their first five games, but they now occupy the division's relegation playoff spot and have won just four times in 17 matches, losing each of their last six in all competitions. This period of defeats also includes a 3-1 loss against Istanbul Basaksehir in the Conference League on Thursday, a fixture in which they faced four big chances and conceded twice in the first 18 minutes. Manager Frank Schmidt admitted that his side were outclassed, telling reporters: "We were shown off from the first to the last second, by an opponent who punished our mistakes from the beginning." Schmidt's team have conceded 21 goals in their six most recent fixtures while scoring six times, and they have lost seven and drawn one of their past eight Bundesliga outings. Heidenheim's record at home is poor considering they are winless in their last five at Voith-Arena, scoring just once and conceding on 10 occasions while succumbing to defeat four times. © Imago Meanwhile, Stuttgart trailed Union Berlin 2-0 after 48 minutes but managed to score three times between the 51st and 59th minutes to turn the game around. Though boss Sebastian Hoeness was pleased with the victory, he still criticised his players for their poor first-half performance, saying: "It was difficult to see what we played in the first half today, Of course, Union can defend well, and yet we weren't brave enough and lost many important duels." Hoeness's team also triumphed 5-1 against Young Boys in the Champions League on Wednesday despite conceding first after six minutes, and the result means the team are now 26th in the league phase table , one point and two places from a round of 16 playoff spot. Die Roten's record of 26 goals netted and 23 conceded in the Bundesliga is the top flight's fifth-best offensive and 11th best defensive return. Stuttgart come into the clash in good form having won their last three games by a cumulative score of 11-3 and have only lost one of their past six matches in the league, winning three and drawing two. However, the club have been poor on the road this term given they have lost three, drawn three and won just two of their eight most recent away games, and are winless in their last four away fixtures in the Bundesliga. © Imago Schmidt rested goalkeeper Kevin Muller and defender Patrick Mainka against Istanbul Basaksehir, and it would be surprising if he left them out of the starting lineup on Sunday. However, the hosts will be without midfielders Luka Janes , Julian Niehues , and this could mean that Jan Schoppner and Niklas Dorsch may start in a double pivot. Forward Marvin Pieringer has been ruled out while Mikkel Kaufmann is a doubt, so expect to see an attack consisting of Paul Wanner , Leo Scienza and Mathias Honsak . As for the visitors, they will not be able to select defender Dan-Axel Zagadou , so perhaps they will field a back four of Josha Vagnoman , Anthony Rouault , Julian Chabot and Maximilian Mittelstadt . Stuttgart have several injury concerns in attack, with Deniz Undav , El Bilal Toure , Jamie Leweling and Luca Raimund set to miss Sunday's match, and their absence could lead Hoeness to start Enzo Millot , Nick Woltemade , Chris Fuhrich and Ermedin Demirovic in the forward line. In midfield, the visitors are almost certain to select Angelo Stiller , and he may be partnered by Atakan Karazor . Heidenheim possible starting lineup: Muller; Maloney, Mainka, Gimber; Traore, Schoppner, Dorsch, Fohrenbach; Wanner, Scienza; Honsak Stuttgart possible starting lineup: Nubel; Vagnoman, Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Karazor, Stiller; Millot, Woltemade, Fuhrich; Demirovic Stuttgart have been devastating in front of goal in the past weeks, and they will feel confident they can take advantage of their struggling hosts. However, Heidenheim could occasionally create good opportunities in the final third given the visitors have not been defensively resilient of late. For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here .Earlier this week, it was officially confirmed that Doctor Sleep and The Haunting of Hill House ’s Mike Flanagan is writing a Clayface movie for DC Studios. Now it turns out we can expect this feature starring one of Batman’s more unusual enemies relatively soon, as Clayface has officially been set for a September 11, 2026 release on the upcoming DC movies schedule. That piece of news is a big enough deal on its own (it was also announced that the animated movie Dynamic Duo will come out on June 30, 2028), but there are a couple other tidbits of information concerning Clayface that have asking two questions about the character’s big screen future. How Will This Clayface Mesh With The One We’ll See In Creature Commandos? While sharing the news about Clayface on X (formerly known as Twitter) and other social media platforms, DC Studios head James Gunn clarified that the movie is “a DCU story,” i.e. it will take place in the DC Universe continuity. That by itself is nice enough to know, but that also means this movie will technically be the character’s second DCU appearance. That’s because Alan Tudyk shared in November that he will voice Clayface in Creature Commandos , which kicked off the DCU last month and can be streamed with a Max subscription . Now here’s where things get interesting: while Tudyk voices a comedic version of Clayface in Harley Quinn and Kite-Man: Hell Yeah! , he’s described his Creature Commandos take on the character to Rotten Tomatoes as “a killer. He's a homicidal maniac.” That by itself is no issue, but in Deadline ’s writeup about Clayface ’s release date, he “won’t be painted as a villain.” So what’s the deal here? Does the Clayface movie take place before his Creature Commandos appearance? Is it set after and he just softens up? I’d like to know what the narrative paths for this version of Clayface looks like, especially since this will be a horror movie. Will Alan Tudyk Place Clayface In The Movie? Alan Tudyk is certainly no stranger to performing in live-action movies and TV shows, with notable examples including Firefly , Doom Patrol , 42 , Peter Pan & Wendy and Resident Alien . James Gunn has also said that actors who voice characters in animated DCU projects will also play them in live-action. Nevertheless, ever since it was reported that Daniel Craig is leading a Sgt. Rock movie , I’ve been wondering if that rule will always be followed, as Maury Sterling voiced Rock in the latest Creature Commandos episode. I’m by no means saying Tudyk couldn’t pull off performing Clayface in the movie, I’m just wondering if Gunn might make an exception to this rule, especially since Tudyk could also still appear on camera in the DC Universe as either Doctor Phosphorous or Will Magnus. Also, Clayface is a shapeshifter, so does that mean a series of actors will play him in a prominent capacity instead rather than just one? It’s worth thinking about. Is This The Only Cinematic Clayface We’re Getting? Deadline’s article also mentioned that Clayface is rumored to be part of The Batman: Part II , which comes out in late 2026 . Now remember, the sequel and all the other projects in the Batman Epic Crime Saga take place in a different reality, and the DC Universe already has its own Batman movie coming up called The Brave and the Bold. So if there’s any legitimacy to the claim about The Batman: Part II , there could be two cinematic Clayfaces on the way. It may be a while until that’s clarified, as we’re still in the dark about what’s being planned for The Batman: Part II . Of course, given that the Crime Saga takes place in a much more realistic world, that would mean Clayface would have to be handled accordingly rather be depicted as a giant clay monstrosity. A more toned-down version would be necessary, i.e. a Clayface who might have a more malleable face, but is otherwise a more traditional master of disguise, similar to the one from Batman: Caped Crusader . CINEMABLEND NEWSLETTER Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News Ideally my questions will be answered sooner rather than later, but it’s good to know Clayface’s profile will get a major boost. Keep checking back with CinemaBlend for updates on the Mike Flanagan -penned movie is coming along.
Unai Emery feels confidence returning after Aston Villa end winless runPresident-elect Donald Trump invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration next month, according to a report. The invitation came in early November after Trump’s election victory, CBS News reported Thursday. The revelation comes a month after Trump promised to impose hefty tariffs on China. Transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the Chinese leader had been invited during an appearance on Fox & Friends Thursday morning. This invitation was an example of Trump “creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not just our allies but our adversaries and our competitors too,” she said. When asked if he had accepted or declined the invitation, Leavitt said: “To be determined.” She didn’t name other world leaders who were invited or planned to attend. But, she added: “Foreign leaders are lining up to talk to Donald Trump right now.” Trump recently spoke with Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago , had a “great call” with the president of Mexico , and got the “full presidential celebration” when visiting France for the reopening Notre Dame in Paris , and met with Italy’s prime minister, she said. Last month Trump threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on imported goods from Mexico and Canada as well as an additional 10 percent tariffs on goods from China. These three countries represent the U.S.’s top trading partners. “Drugs are pouring into our Country, mostly through Mexico, at levels never seen before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social last month. “Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% Tariff, above any additional Tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America.” In response, a spokesperson for China’s embassy in the U.S. wrote on X: “China-US economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature. No one will win a trade war or a tariff war.” In the aftermath of Trump’s election victory, some experts have been warning about how tariffs could impact consumers and could lead to inflation. Over the summer, a group of Nobel prize winners wrote a letter warning about Trump’s economic plans, saying his policies could have a “ destabilizing effect .” An analysis into how Trump’s proposed tariffs could impact US consumers and businesses, conducted by the think tank Peterson Institute for International Economics, concluded: “The only certainty is that new tariffs will be costly for the United States.” The president-elect said Sunday on NBC News that he can’t promise that tariffs won’t hurt Americans’ wallets. “I can’t guarantee anything,” Trump said. “I can’t guarantee tomorrow.” He added that he doesn’t “believe” experts’ warnings about the risk of tariffs and instead insisted that they will “make us rich.”
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A landmark $600 million deal for a Papua New Guinea team to enter the National Rugby League comes with an escape clause allowing the Australian government to immediately terminate the agreement if PNG strikes a security or policing pact with China or other rival nations over the next decade. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG Prime Minister James Marape announced at a joint press conference in Sydney that a Port Moresby-based team will enter the NRL from 2028. The PNG team is likely to want Xavier Coates to be its inaugural marquee signing. Credit: Getty “Australia and PNG are the nearest of neighbours and we are the truest of friends,” Albanese said. “We are bound by a history of shared sacrifice and a common commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific. And we are united of course by a love of rugby league. That’s why I’m delighted to announce the Australian government is supporting a PNG team to join the NRL competition from 2028.” “Rugby league is PNG’s national sport and PNG deserves a national team. The new team will belong to the people of PNG and it will call Port Moresby home. It will have millions of people barracking for it from day one.” The leaders hailed the deal as a historic milestone for the PNG-Australia relationship that will bond the nations together and provide a major economic boost to the Pacific’s most populous nation as it seeks to lift much of its population out of poverty. There’s no questioning Papua New Guinea’s passion for rugby league. Credit: Getty “What this is about, isn’t just the elite level,” Albanese said. “This is about the grassroots level. It’s about economic development. It’s about the relationship between our peoples. It provides, as sport often does, an opportunity for people to succeed, not just in sport but in life. “That is why this partnership isn’t just about Papua New Guinea, it’s also about our relationship with the Pacific.” Australian taxpayers will provide $600 million over the next 10 years to help establish the team, with $120 million coming from existing Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade funding. The PNG government has committed to building compound-style accommodation for players and offering tax-free salary benefits to lure star players to its capital, Port Moresby. The Australian and PNG governments have signed a separate agreement on “shared strategic trust” that sits beside the franchise agreement between the NRL, Australia and PNG. The exact terms of the strategic trust agreement are confidential and will not be released to the public. “Today also confirms ... our bilateral security agreement, which was signed just over a year ago in Canberra,” Albanese said. “Since signing that agreement, we’ve made real progress with Australia providing tangible support to PNG’s internal security priorities ... I think that today is a day where people will look back in five years, 10 years, 20 years and see that this was a day where the relationship between our nations was cemented even further into a new level.” Loading While there is no explicit clause granting Australia veto rights over security deals between PNG and other countries, government sources said the NRL agreement was “contingent” on PNG continuing to support the principle that security and policing arrangements are handled by Pacific nations including Australia. The sources, who were not authorised to speak publicly, said the agreement allows the Australian government to withdraw financial support for PNG’s NRL team without supplying a reason until 2035. The NRL would be required to terminate the PNG team’s franchise if the Australian government removes its support under the terms of the agreement. “This is about diplomacy, this is about making Australia safer, this is about securing our status as the security partner of choice in the Pacific,” a senior government source said. The government announced a new treaty earlier this week with Nauru that allows it to block China and other countries from striking any security or telecommunications deals with the tiny Pacific nation in exchange for $140 million in financial support from Australian taxpayers. PNG’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko told this masthead last week that the agreement has “nothing to do with China” but Australian government officials have insisted there was a security element to the agreement. A separate clause prohibits the NRL from asking the Australian government for more money within or after the 10-year funding period. The logo, colours and name of the PNG team are yet to be determined. One option is for the club to be called the PNG Hunters, the name given to the team that has been playing in the Queensland Cup competition since 2014. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG counterpart James Marape discussed PNG’s NRL bid while walking the Kokoda Track in April. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer “I want to indicate to everyone here in Australia and back home, we’re not just filling the numbers for Anthony [Albanese] and James [Marape] to feel good,” Marape said. “Far from it. We want to win the competition. Just like the Dolphins did in their first year of entry [in 2023], we will field a very strong team in the first game in 2028. “As South Sydney lives on 100 years on from its birth, this one will live on way after you [Albanese] and me are gone. Our people forever bound in not only a shared love for rugby league, but a shared love for each other.” It remains unclear whether PNG will be the NRL’s 18th or 19th team, given there is a desire to add another side as early as 2027. The NRL remains in negotiations for a Perth-based franchise, which are continuing directly with the WA government after a consortium bid was rejected. Sources said negotiations over the PNG team were up in the air until the May NRL “magic round” in May, when Pacific Minister Pat Conroy and Australian Rugby League chairman Peter V’landys struck an in-principle agreement for a team to enter the competition. One of the likely signing targets for the franchise is Xavier Coates. The Melbourne, Queensland and Australian star was born in Port Moresby, has previously represented Fiji and, given he is only 23 years old, will likely be in his prime when the team enters the NRL. His younger brother, Phillip, is also a rising star who represented the PNG Junior Kumuls in their recent draw with the Australian Schoolboys team. As a sweetener to sign with PNG, players and staff will be granted tax-free status. That will allow a marquee signing on a $1.2 million deal to save up to $550,000 a year. The expansion of the NRL competition is expected to bring more money into the game and the existing clubs have argued for a share. They have been placated by the division of a $60 million license fee, which will come out of the $600 million Australian government payment. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article PNG NRL 2024 NRL 2025 Foreign relations China relations China More... Matthew Knott is the foreign affairs and national security correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Connect via Twitter or Facebook . Adrian Proszenko is the Chief Rugby League Reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. Connect via Twitter or email . Michael Chammas is a sports reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald Connect via Twitter or email . Most Viewed in Sport Loading6-Foot-3 Center Emerges As Trade Candidate For Maple Leafs After Elliotte Friedman's Latest ReportNone
A wild first season of the expanded Big 12 is down to what should be a chaotic final weekend. Through all the upsets, unexpected rises and falls, there are nine teams still in the mix to play in the conference championship game. No. 14 Arizona State and No. 17 Iowa State have the best odds, yet a multitude of scenarios could play out — 256 to be exact. There's even the possibility of an eight-team tie. It may take a mathematician to figure out which teams are in the Dec. 7 game in Arlington, Texas — even for the ones who win. Travis Hunter, Colorado. The Buffaloes' two-way star has excelled on both sides of the field, making him one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Cam Skattebo, Arizona State. The senior running back can do a little of everything, but excels at punishing would-be tacklers. He's one of the nation's leaders in yards after contact and the focal point of the Sun Devils' offense. Shadeur Sanders, Colorado. If it weren't for Hunter, Sanders might be the Heisman favorite. The son of coach Deion Sanders, Shedeur is fifth nationally with 3,488 yards passing and has been a big part of the Buffaloes' turnaround. DJ Giddens, Kansas State. The Wildcats' running back is one of the nation's most versatile players. He is ninth nationally with 1,271 rushing yards and has added 21 receptions for 258 yards. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona. The Wildcats have struggled this season, but McMillan has not. He is third nationally with 1,251 receiving yards with seven touchdowns on 78 catches. Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech. The Red Raiders' junior linebacker leads the Big 12 with 68 tackles, averaging 10.2 per game. He also has four sacks. Brendan Mott, Kansas State. He's a menace to opposing quarterbacks, leading the Big 12 with 8 1/2 sacks. The Big 12 has nine teams already bowl eligible and two more a win away. The winner of the Big 12 championship game will be in the mix for a College Football Playoff spot. Arizona State, Iowa State, No. 19 BYU, Colorado, Kansas State, Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech and West Virginia have already clinched bowl berths. Kansas and Cincinnati can get into the postseason with wins this weekend. Gus Malzahn, UCF. Despite successes in recruiting, the Knights are 10-14 in two seasons since moving to the Big 12. Maybe not enough to get shown the door this year, but another mediocre season could lead UCF to make a change. Kyle Whittingham, Utah. Whittingham was one of the Pac-12's best coaches, leading the Utes to consecutive conference titles. Utah was expected to contend for the Big 12 title its first year in the league, but enters the final weekend 1-7 in conference play, which could push Whittingham toward retirement since it's doubtful he'd be fired. Neal Brown, West Virginia. The Mountaineers' coach was in a precarious spot at the end of last season and West Virginia hasn't lived up to expectations this season. The Mountaineers are eligible to go to a bowl game for the second straight season, but Brown could be on the hot seat even after signing a contract extension before the season. Josiah Trotter, West Virginia. The redshirt freshman is the latest Trotter to have success at the linebacker position, following the footsteps of his father, former Philadelphia Eagles player Jeremiah Trotter, and brother Jeremiah Trotter Jr., a current Eagles linebacker. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State. The Michigan State transfer has been just what the Sun Devils' needed: an agile quarterback who extends plays with his legs and rarely makes bad decisions. Bryson Washington, Baylor. The Bears' running back has rushed for 812 yards — 196 against TCU — and 10 TDs. TCU has the Big 12's highest rated 2025 recruiting class with six four-star players among 26 commitments, according to the 247 Sports composite. Receiver Terry Shelton of Carrollton, Texas, is the highest-rated recruit at 71st nationally. Baylor is next with five five-star players among its 20 commitments, including running back Michael Turner, rated 13th at his position out of North Richland Hills, Texas. Texas Tech is ranked seventh in the Big 12, but has four four-star recruits.
(Reuters) – Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said the departure of sporting director Dan Ashworth was a difficult situation for the club but that nothing had changed in terms of their aims. Ashworth left the Premier League club on Sunday by mutual agreement after only five months in the job. “Of course, it is a bad situation like I said because you are talking about a human being, a professional that supports us as a team,” Amorim told reporters on Wednesday. “The most important thing is that the vision is really clear and that vision does not change only because one person leaves.” Amorim described Thursday’s Europa League clash at Viktoria Plzen as a must-win game for his team. United sit 12th in the Europa League table with nine points, comfortably in the playoff section, but need a win in the Czech Republic to stay within reach of the top tier. “It is really important for us as a club, as a team, in this moment that if you pass to the next stage without playoff, you take two games from our schedule and that is massive,” Amorim said. “We have to be so much better in set-pieces and we have to win it. It is so important that we win but not just win but to play well.” When asked about possible transfers in January, Amorim said that developing players was the priority. “We have to arrange a lot of things in our club before just buying and selling players. Let’s focus on improving our players, improving our academy and then we will see,” he said. “Like any other team when the window is open we can do something but in this moment, our focus is to win games and we have to have this feeling of winning, and we have to start tomorrow.” (Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk, editing by Ed Osmond) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Gov.-elect Josh Stein on Thursday challenged the constitutionality of a portion of a law enacted just a day earlier by the Republican-dominated General Assembly that erodes Stein's powers and those of other top Democrats elected to statewide office last month. Stein, the outgoing attorney general, and Cooper, another Democrat leaving office shortly after eight years on the job, focused their lawsuit in Wake County Superior Court on a provision that would prevent Stein from picking his own commander of the State Highway Patrol. If that portion of law is allowed to stand, the current commander appointed by Cooper more than three years ago could be poised to stay in place through June 2030 — 18 months after the expiration of the term Stein was elected to. The lawsuit said the provision would give the current commander, Col. Freddy Johnson, an exclusive five-year appointment. It also would prevent the governor from ensuring state laws are faithfully executed through his core executive and law enforcement functions, since the commander would be effectively unaccountable, the lawsuit said. “This law threatens public safety, fractures the chain of command during a crisis, and thwarts the will of voters,” Stein said in a news release. "Our people deserve better than a power-hungry legislature that puts political games ahead of public safety.” The lawsuit seeks to block the General Assembly's restriction on the appointment while the litigation is pending and to ultimately declare the provision in violation of the North Carolina Constitution. Get the latest breaking news as it happens. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . More court challenges are likely. The full law was given final approval Wednesday with a successful House override vote of Cooper's veto. It also shifts in May the appointment powers of the State Board of Elections from the governor to the state auditor — who next month will be a Republican. The powers of the governor to fill vacancies on the state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals also were weakened. And the attorney general — next to be Democrat Jeff Jackson — will be prevented from taking legal positions contrary to the General Assembly in litigation challenging a law’s validity. The Highway Patrol has been an agency under the Cabinet-level Department of Public Safety, with the leader of troopers picked to serve at the governor's pleasure. The new law makes the patrol an independent, Cabinet-level department and asks the governor to name a commander to serve a five-year term, subject to General Assembly confirmation. But language in the law states initially that the patrol commander on a certain day last month — Johnson is unnamed — would continue to serve until next July and carry out the five-year term “without additional nomination by the Governor or confirmation by the General Assembly." Only death, resignation or incapacity could change that. This configuration could result in the “legislatively-appointed commander” feeling empowered to delay or reject directions of the governor because his post is secure, the lawsuit said. Spokespeople for House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger didn't immediately respond Thursday evening to an email seeking comment on the lawsuit. Neither did Johnson, through a patrol spokesperson. All three leaders, in their official roles, are named as lawsuit defendants.
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NEW YORK — Albertsons gave up on its merger with Kroger and sued its rival grocery chain on Dec. 11, saying the Harris Teeter parent didn't do enough to secure regulatory approval for the $24.6 billion tie-up. Kroger said that it disagreed "in the strongest possible terms." It said early Wednesday that Albertsons was responsible for "repeated intentional material breaches and interference throughout the merger process." The finger-pointing came a day after two judges halted the merger in separate court cases. Kroger and Albertsons in 2022 proposed what would be the largest grocery store combination in U.S. history. The companies said the deal would help them better compete with big retailers like Walmart, Costco and Amazon. Under the merger agreement, Kroger and Albertsons — who compete in 22 states but not South Carolina — agreed to sell 579 stores in places where their locations. But the Federal Trade Commission sued to block the merger earlier this year, saying it would raise prices and lower wages by eliminating competition. It also said the divestiture plan was inadequate and that C&S was ill-equipped to take on so many stores. NEW YORK — Macy's profit and sales declined in the third quarter as the department store chain wrestled with cautious spending by customers, rising competition and sluggish demand for cold-weather goods. The company's full quarterly financial report was delayed after it discovered late last month that an employee intentionally hid as much as $154 million in company expenses between late 2021 and the third quarter of this year, according to a Dec. 11 regulatory filing. Macy's said its internal investigation of the incident is completed and it found that the employee, who acted alone, hid $151 million in company delivery expenses, but that there will be no material impact on company's finances. It also said it was strengthening its existing controls and implemented additional changes designed to prevent a recurrence. The New York retailer which owns upscale Bloomingdale's and the cosmetics chain Bluemercury raised sales expectations for the year but lowered profit projections, sending it shares plunging. Earlier this week, activist investor Barington Capital Group asked Macy's to create a real estate arm, reduce spending and explore strategic options for some of its businesses. SAN FRANCISCO — Google on Dec. 11 unleashed another wave of artificial intelligence designed to tackle more of the work and thinking done by humans as it tries to stay on the technology's cutting edge while also trying to fend off regulatory threats to its empire. The next generation is being packaged under the Gemini umbrella, which was unveiled a year ago. Google is framing its release of Gemini 2.0 as a springboard for AI agents built to interpret images shown through a smartphone, perform a variety of tedious chores, remember the conversations consumers have with people, help video game players plot strategy and even tackle the task of doing online searches. Most of the latest AI technology will initially be confined to test groups and subscribers who pay $20 per month for Gemini Advanced, but some features will be made available through its search engine and mobile apps. Google is planning wider releases next year. Besides trying to outshine OpenAI and other startups, Google is trying to stay a step ahead of Apple. It's pushing forward even as the Justice Department is trying to break up the company to prevent further abusive practices by its search engine, which a judge recently declared is an illegal monopoly. SAN FRANCISCO — Apple is pumping more artificial intelligence into the latest iPhones during the holiday shopping season. It comes in the form of a free software update that includes a feature that enables users to create customized emojis within a matter of seconds. The Dec. 11 release of the upgraded operating system extends Apple’s expansion into AI months after rivals such as Samsung and Google began implanting the revolutionary on their devices. The update builds upon another one that came out in late October. The latest round of AI tricks includes “Genmojis,” Apple’s description of emojis that iPhone users will be able to ask the technology to create and then share. WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court is allowing a class-action lawsuit that accuses artificial-intelligence titan Nvidia of misleading investors about its past dependence on selling computer chips for the mining of volatile cryptocurrency to proceed. The justices heard arguments four weeks ago in Nvidia's bid to shut down the lawsuit, then decided that they were wrong to take up the case in the first place. They dismissed the company's appeal, leaving in place an appellate ruling allowing the case to go forward. The Dec. 11 decision comes the same week that China said it is investigating the the chip company over suspected violations of anti-monopoly laws. NEW YORK — Two luxury real estate brokers and their brother have been charged with sex trafficking, according to a federal indictment unsealed in Manhattan on Dec. 11. State charges were also filed in Florida against two of the brothers and a third man stemming from three alleged sexual assaults over the past decade. Federal prosecutors allege in the New York indictment that Oren and Tal Alexander, known for brokering deals on high-end properties in New York City and Miami, and sibling Alon Alexander worked together to "repeatedly and violently drug, sexually assault, and rape dozens of victims." The government said the Miami brothers used their wealth and influence to take advantage of victims from at least 2010 to 2021. Lawyers for the siblings did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. TORONTO — Canada's central bank lowered its key interest rate by half a percentage point while highlighting the risk of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's threat of tariffs on all Canadian products. The Bank of Canada's decision marked the fifth consecutive reduction since June and brings the its key rate down to 3.25 percent. The central bank noted a number of risks to the Canadian economy, including U.S. tariffs. Trump has threatened to impose a 25 percent tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs.FBI director says he intends to resign at end of Joe Biden’s term
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Morgan Rogers’ fourth goal of the season, an Ollie Watkins penalty and Matty Cash’s finish put Villa 3-0 up after 34 minutes. Mikkel Damsgaard pulled one back for Brentford in the second half but the damage had been done as Villa ended their eight-match winless run in all competitions. Emery was relieved to end the unwanted streak but quickly turned his attention to the next fixture against Southampton on Saturday. “We broke a spell of bad results we were having,” the Villa boss said. “We started the first five or 10 minutes not in control of the game but then progressively we controlled. “Today we achieved those three points and it has given us confidence again but even like that it’s not enough. We have to keep going and think about the next match against Southampton on Saturday. “The message was try to focus on each match, try to forget the table. How we can recover confidence and feel comfortable at home. Today was a fantastic match.” Tyrone Mings returned to the starting line-up in the Premier League for the first time since August 2023. Emery admitted it has been a long road back for the 31-year-old and is pleased to have him back. He added: “Mings played in the Champions league but it’s the first time in the league for a year and three months. “I think he played fantastic – he might be tired tomorrow but will be ready for Saturday again. “It was very, very long, the injury he had. His comeback is fantastic for him and everybody, for the doctor and physio and now he’s training everyday.” Brentford fell to a sixth away defeat from seven games and have picked up only a solitary point on the road this season. They have the best home record in the league, with 19 points from seven matches, but they have the joint worst away record. Bees boss Thomas Frank is confident form will improve on the road. He said: “On numbers we can’t argue we are better at home than away, but on numbers it’s a coincidence. I think two of the seven away games have been bad. “The other games we performed well in big spells. I’m confident at the end of the season we will have some wins away from home.” Frank felt Villa should not have been given a penalty when Ethan Pinnock brought Watkins down. He added: “I want to argue the penalty. I don’t think it is (one). I think Ollie kicked back and hit Ethan, yes there is an arm on the shoulder but threshold and all that – but that’s not the reason we lost.”When Lakshmi Manchu revealed how Ram Charan, Rana Daggubati, and Rakul Preet Singh helped her move to Mumbai from Hyderabad: 'I did not tell anyone because...'
