Musk heads to US Congress to discuss slashing government costsIt is no secret that superheroes dominate the big screen and box office. With the likes of Marvel and DC taking over cinemas throughout the last decade, moviegoers have been spoilt for choice within the comic book genre. With all the Hollywood success, it is easy to forget that there is just as much, if not more, superhero television content. Whether through live-action or animation, the small screen is a place where superhero stories thrive. 'Batman: The Animated Series' There have been many different iterations of the caped crusader, both in film and television. However, it is universal opinion that the very best Batman TV series is Batman: The Animated Series . This staple of ‘90s animation sees Bruce Wayne fight crime as The Dark Knight in Gotham City, and features all the villains fans love to hate, from Joker to the Penguin. Batman is played by Kevin Conroy, who became the definitive voice for the character over a number of movies, shows and games. 'Smallville' Superman has been a pop culture icon for years, with his origin story having been told many, many times. But what about when Superman was a teenager on Earth? Smallville follows a young Clark Kent, learning to harness his supernatural powers. He hides his identity as he tries to lead a normal teen life while protecting everybody from evil. The show depicts Clark’s growth as a man and superhero as he comes to terms with who he is and his burden. 'The Flash' He’s the fastest man on Earth and can move at the speed of lighting. The Flash had a TV series in the ‘90s and a solo movie in 2023, but CW’s The Flash series depicts the best and most popular version of the character. After being struck by lightning, Barry Allen discovers he has obtained the power of super speed. He decides to use it to fight crime in Central City. Grant Gustin’s charismatic performance has been collectively acclaimed and is matched with exciting storytelling and memorable villains. 'The Penguin' Colin Farrell was unrecognizable as Ozz Cob, a.k.a Penguin, in 2022’s The Batman , alongside Robert Pattinson . He left such a huge impression that he earned his own spin-off series, The Pengui n , which takes place after the events of the film. Ozz works his way up the ranks as a gangster and aims to seize the underworld of Gotham City. The series takes inspiration from The Sopranos and presents a gritty and violent take on the character that is grounded in reality. 'Loki' He was once an evil tyrant, but Loki, the God of Mischief, eventually became one of the most beloved characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Known for his trickery and unpredictability, Tom Hiddleston made the character a fan favorite, so it’s no surprise he got his own series. Loki sees the titular character come across the TVA, who protects the Sacred Timeline and unleashes havoc over the multiverse. Weird, creative, and bold, Loki is arguably the best Marvel Disney+ show. 'Daredevil' The Daredevil movie released in 2003 failed to impress fans and critics, but luckily, Netflix rectified the issue and gave viewers the top-tier version of the character and world they deserved. Matt Murdoch is a lawyer in New York City and also navigates daily life being blind. By night, he fights crime as Daredevil. With its dark tone, Daredevil makes for one of Marvel’s best vigilantes. Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio are perfectly cast, with Kingpin stealing the show. 'Legion' Legion is a trippy sci-fi thriller that follows David Haller, a character from the X-Men comics. He has lived his life as a diagnosed schizophrenic and is admitted to a psychiatric facility. After encountering one of his fellow patients, he realizes that he may not be ill after all and instead possesses great power. Legion is not your typical superhero series, with its unconventional storytelling, psychological elements, and unique visuals. It’s the perfect show for those sick of the usual superhero fanfare. 'Peacemaker' Peacemaker, played by John Cena , was one of the MVPs of 2021’s The Suicıde Squad and got a titular series. The titular anti-hero is back after the events of that movie and is forced to join a new black ops squad. Like The Su ı cide Squad , Peacemaker is darkly funny and satirical. It offers a less sanitized version of the comic book genre, featuring nudity, cursing, and a very high and bloody body count. Cena proves himself to be a reliable and endearing action star. 'Wonder Woman' Before Gal Gadot took the reins of the character in the DCEU, Wonder Woman was known to all as Lynda Carter in the ‘70s. In the Wonder Woman series, a U.S. soldier crashes on an island inhabited by women. When Diana Prince rescues him and learns of the ongoing war in the human world, she decides to help save humanity. With her iconic spin transformation and outfit, Carter became a retro pop culture icon. The series is unabashedly campy and represents a bygone era for superheroes. 'Watchmen' Zack Snyder gave fans his cinematic version of Watchmen in 2009, and 10 years later, HBO reimagined it as a miniseries. In a world where masked vigilantes are treated as criminals by the government, a group decides to rebel while others of their kind try to stop them before chaos is created. This Watchmen is very different from Snyder’s vision in that it is less stylized and cartoonish, going for a more realistic feel. It explores intriguing political themes and features stellar performances from Regina King and her co-stars. 'The Boys' Superheroes are supposed to be role models and clean-cut good guys, right? Well, that’s not the case in superhero satire The Boys . In a world where superheroes are as influential as celebrities and politicians, many of them abuse their powers. A group of vigilantes, known as The Boys, set out to expose their dirty secrets and misuse of power. The show revels in its explicit nature, featuring extreme gore, sex, nudity, language, and drug use. It’s essentially an anti-hero show in itself. 'Invincible' Along with The Boys , Prime Video has another hit adult superhero show on its hands, Invincible . This animated series follows seventeen-year-old Mark Grayson, whose father is Omni-Man, the most powerful superhero on Earth. Mark begins to develop powers of his own, leading in his father’s footsteps but also learns there may be something more sinister behind his father’s legacy. The series doesn’t shy away from gore and dark material, while also being irreverent and quirky. 'Teen Titans' Batman’s famous sidekick, Robin, leads his own show in Teen Titans alongside a bunch of other teenage superheroes. While trying to save the world, they also deal with regular issues that teens face. Joining Robin are Starfire, Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy. The series does a great job of showing Robin as a leader and how he navigates his life without Batman, accompanied by exciting action and vibrant animation. While kids spin-off series Teen Titans Go! is perfectly cute, this is where it’s really at. 'Gotham' Gotham is another live-action series from the world of Batman. It starts with Detective James Gordon's origin story. While investigating Thomas and Martha Wayne’s murder, he becomes acquainted with their orphaned son and future caped crusader, Bruce. James Gordon isn’t the only character who gets the origin story treatment. The series also explores the beginnings of many other Batman characters, such as Catwoman, Penguin, Joker, and Riddler. 'Batman' Before Keaton, Bale, Clooney, Kilmer or Affleck, there was Adam West as Batman in the original ‘60s series. Along with sidekick Robin, Batman fights classic villains like Mr. Freeze and more eccentric ones like King Tut. Everything about Batman is over-the-top and campy, representing a more innocent time for superheroes. Batman himself remains serious despite the silliness around him, and onomatopoeia words like "POW!," "BANG!" and "KAPOW!" loudly fill the screen during the show’s comical fight scenes. 'Justice League' The Justice League movie didn’t go down too well with audiences, so it’s lucky that there’s an excellent Justice League animated series to make up for it. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Martian Manhunter make up the powerful supergroup who keep a watchful eye on Earth and protect it from otherworldly threats. The show deeply and equally explores each member’s origins and journey, making them easy to invest in. 'X-Men '97' X-Men ‘97 is a long belated revival of X-Men: The Animated Series from the ‘90s, picking up from where that much-loved series ended. The X-Men are a group of mutants who band together to protect a world that vilifies and fears them. The series features all the classic characters like Professor X, Magneto, Jean Grey, Wolverine, and Cyclops. It’s an action-packed blast from the past that adds more depth to the original series but is also watchable as a stand-alone. 'WandaVision' WandaVision was the first Marvel Cinematic Universe television series to hit Disney+ and set the bar high for the number of shows to follow. In the town of Westview, Wanda Maximoff and Vision lead an idyllic suburban life, hiding the fact that Wanda has cast a hex on the town to create her own fake reality. Blending different sitcom styles with superhero drama, WandaVision is one of the most unique projects released by the MCU and is full of intrigue and mystery. 'Young Justice' Along with Teen Titans , DC released another series about young superheroes trying to find their way through life, fighting crime, and growing up. Young Justice sees a group of teen superhero proteges try to establish themselves as members of the Justice League as part of an apprentice team organized by the Justice League itself. The series features lesser-known heroes like Superboy, Miss Martian, and Kid Flash and collects new members, like Blue Beetle, along the way. 'The Powerpuff Girls' Sugar, spice, and everything nice, are the key ingredients that make up The Powerpuff Girls . This heavily loved Cartoon Network series follows Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup. They are three little girls with superpowers, created by Professor Utonium, who protect the city of Townsville from evil. There is a lot of nostalgia associated with The Powerpuff Girls , as those who grew up with the series often choose which Powerpuff Girl represents their personality best. Alyssa De Leo is a freelance writer based in Melbourne, Australia. She has studied both media and screenwriting, and has had her work screened at the Melbourne International Film Festival. She loves writing about film and television just as much as she loves creating her own projects and stories.SEASONED political observer Joe Kemmy says it's likely that Elisa O'Donovan will take the fourth and final seat in Limerick City. The Social Democrats councillor received a huge transfer of 339 votes from People Before Profit-Solidarity candidate Ruairi Fahy in the last count. She has moved 363 votes clear of her nearest rival, Dee Ryan - and 391 clear of Cllr Conor Sheehan, Labour. LIVE BLOG: General Election results from Limerick Now, Mr Kemmy, who is director of elections on the Labour campaign, has said he believes the gap is now too wide for his candidate to bridge. "The deficit is too big to make up. We don't give up, because there are a big bloc of votes to be dished out yet. But the Social Democrats seem to have the wind at their back. She is transferring well, and I think we will find it difficult to overhaul Elisa O'Donovan at this stage," he said. Mr Kemmy - who correctly predicted the mayoral election outcome three days before the declaration - added: "When a party gets a bounce as Labour get it, sometimes Sinn Fein get it, the Social Democrats got it this time, the brand delivers a certain percentage of the vote." "She is the beneficiary of that swing. Fair play to her. I think she will win, but she hasn't won yet. We'll finish fifth at worst in a four-seater constituency, which is never a nice place to finish. Conor is a young man, if he doesn't make it this time, I'm sure he will be back next time. He's a good worker and he will graft away." "But I do expect Elisa O'Donovan to be the next TD in Limerick," he concluded.

Democrats are trying to figure out how they lost massive numbers of working class voters in historically blue areas across the country — but the evidence shows that the party simply left them behind. USA Today interviewed multiple former Democrats in the liberal enclave of Massachusetts who cast their votes for President-elect Donald Trump in the recent election, and their main reason was the economy. Mark Callahan, a 67-year-old from Lynn, a suburb of Boston, voted Democrat in nearly every presidential election prior to this year. Now, he said he hopes that Trump will “make a change.” “Everything was too expensive. What we had wasn’t working,” Callahan told the outlet. “The working-class people. They just forgot about us,” Jim Gigliello, a 48-year-old from Revere, said. “It just didn’t seem like any of the politicians had anything that would benefit us,” Curran Bennett, 28, said. Gigliello pointed to the fatigue that voters got with the focus on social justice issues instead of “larger issues like the economy.” Massachusetts, which is so blue that it was the only U.S. state to vote for 1972 Democrat candidate George McGovern over then-President Richard Nixon (R), experienced “one of the most profound rightward shifts of any state” this year, according to USA Today . Despite Vice President Kamala Harris winning the state, diverse communities of working class people became new Trump voters in droves. Garrett Dash Nelson, head curator at the Leventhal Map & Education Center at Boston Public Library and a historical geographer who analyzes political ideologies, used the election results and census data to study the state’s shift. “No matter what method he used to define class, the results were similar,” USA Today reported. His analysis found that communities where more people work in the service industry, have lower median incomes, and have less higher education “generally saw a larger uptick in votes for Trump than more wealthy, white-collar areas.” “Massachusetts saw a pattern that happened all across the country,” Dash Nelson said. “The reality is that the pattern of Republican gains being concentrated primarily in working class, oftentimes diverse working-class municipalities, holds up.” Lawrence, a town that is 80 percent Latino and has a median household income of $53,977 — about half of the state’s overall average of around $100,000 — saw a staggering 46-percent rise in votes for Trump. Springfield, where over a quarter of residents work blue-collar jobs, experienced a 16-percent rise in Trump votes. Lynn, where just 15 percent of residents have a college degree compared to nearly half of Massachusetts residents overall, saw an 11-percent jump for Trump. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), whose district encompasses Lynn, recently came under fire from his own party and is facing calls to resign after telling the New York Times that Democrats have made a mistake by championing transgender athletes in women’s sports. “The feeling is that Republicans are focused more on the urgent challenges people face,” Moulton told USA Today . Arguing that the attempts to cancel him over his opinion that males should not compete against females proves his point, he said, “A lot of Democrats have taken on an incredibly condescending tone and treated everybody who disagrees with them ... as not only wrong, but as bad people.” “We’ve got to do a lot less preaching and a lot more listening,” Moulton added. “There is a simmering distrust among many Americans of the Democratic Party. Even if they like our policies better, they just don’t trust us to take America’s challenges seriously enough.”None

Penn St. 85, Fordham 66

(The Center Square) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom said if President-elect Donald Trump ends the $7,500 electric vehicle rebate program, he’ll get Californians to pay for new credits. However, the credits would not include Tesla, which is the most popular EV company and the only EV manufacturer in the state. This comes weeks after Newsom and his administration passed new refinery and carbon credit regulations that will add up to $1.15 per gallon of gasoline and require Californians with gasoline-powered cars to earn up to another $1,000 per year in pretax income to afford. “We will intervene if the Trump Administration eliminates the federal tax credit, doubling down on our commitment to clean air and green jobs in California,” said Newsom in a statement. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whose rocket launches were recently blocked by a California regulatory board that cited his personal politics, shared his disapproval on his social media platform, X, after Newsom staff told Bloomberg that Tesla models would not qualify for California rebates. “Even though Tesla is the only company who manufactures their EVs in California,” said Musk. “This is insane.” Musk recently moved SpaceX and X out of California, citing a new law signed by Newsom banning parental notification for gender change requests from K-12 students. The credits would be paid for through California’s cap-and-trade program, which requires carbon emitters to purchase credits from the state — costs which are generally passed on to consumers in the form of more expensive gasoline, energy, and even concrete. Emitters buy a few billion dollars worth of credits from California each year, with the state’s $135 billion high speed rail project getting the lion’s share of the revenue. The California Resources Board — all but two of whose voting members are appointed by the governor — recently approved $105 billion in EV charging credits and $8 billion in hydrogen charging credits to be largely paid for by drivers of gas cars and diesel trucks. An investigation by The Center Square found the change was pushed by EV makers and the builders of EV charging systems. Buyers of EV chargers, who pay for the energy and own the charger, sign installation contracts that permanently give away their rights to government or other EV charging credits generated from fueling a vehicle with electrons instead of gasoline. These chargers are often bundled with the purchase of an EV, or covered entirely by utility or government rebates, meaning they are permanent, zero-or-low-cost revenue streams for the company collecting the credits.

... The number of enrollees in the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme “Ilera Eko” has grown to a total of 1,152,455. According to the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr Emmanuella Zamba, the total number of enrollees, which stood at 923,000 in 2023 has increased by 229, 455 in the last twelve months. The Permanent Secretary made this known while delivering the lead speech during a media briefing to commemorate the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day 2024. the theme, “Health: It’s on the (house) Government.” Recall that the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had earlier this year signed an Executive Order which was to domesticate the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act. The Order was also to strengthen the Lagos State Health Scheme Law of 2015, which makes enrolment in ILERA EKO mandatory for all residents by ensuring that more people can access quality healthcare services. Speaking further, Zamba said: “This year’s theme underscores the vital role of government leadership in ensuring that healthcare is accessible, affordable, and equitable for all. It also provides the opportunity for us to showcase the Government’s immense contributions to healthcare using the ILERA EKO Way. “Universal Health Coverage is not just a global ideal; it is a fundamental human right that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. “Lagos State has made tremendous strides toward Universal Health Coverage, and our journey has been driven by the ILERA EKO scheme, which embodies the government’s commitment to health equity. Since the enactment of the Lagos State Health Scheme Law in 2015, LASHMA has worked tirelessly to ensure that residents are protected from catastrophic health expenditures and can access quality care when they need it.” The Permanent Secretary added, “Investing in health is not just about improving lives—it is about strengthening the backbone of our societies and economies. A healthy population means a more productive workforce, stronger communities, and greater national resilience. “Universal Health Coverage is the key to achieving these outcomes, and it requires unwavering political will, strategic funding, and inclusive policies that prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable. “Today, we will take you through our journey to UHC using the ILERA EKO Way. We will share how the scheme has grown over the years, with over one million enrollees and an expanded benefits package. We will also highlight our strategies to enlighten the public and drive enrollment. Public awareness is critical to the success of ILERA EKO, and we have implemented innovative initiatives to simplify the enrolment process and ensure that every Lagosian is aware of the scheme’s benefits. “We will provide insights into these strategies, including our growth initiatives designed to enhance the scheme’s reach and impact.” Zamba explained that in order to boost ILERA EKO scheme, the agency had partnered with a healthcare provider network, saying.the network was the backbone of the scheme which provides channels to make enquiries and complaints. “Additionally, we will look into how we are addressing the needs of vulnerable populations through the Eko Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA). You will see how we are bridging the gap through our innovative approach, ensuring that no Lagosian is left behind in our journey to UHC. “We will also highlight measures we are taking to ensure that all residents fulfill their obligation to enroll in ILERA EKO, which is critical to achieving our shared goal of Universal Health Coverage,” she stated. In her contribution, Head Monitoring & Evaluation of LASHMA, Tayo Adetoro said that since the inception of Ilera Eko, a total of 1,152, 455 Lagosians have enrolled in the programme. She added that the agency has been partnering with other agencies to ensure that the scope of expansion is enhanced.Timothy Liljegren was traded to San Jose because he didn't impress Craig Berube and have a spot on the team, and now we have a better idea why. When Toronto decided to send Timothy Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks earlier this season, it was mainly due to his inability to find a consistent roster spot, though he didn't do too much to impress head coach Craig Berube. Often a healthy scratch and eschewed in favor of other defensemen, Liljegren was traded to San Jose for a 3rd and 6th round pick and defenseman Matt Benning , who is currently with the Toronto Marlies. So far Liljegren has seemed to relish in his new home, as he's blocking a lot of shots and hitting more, but he's still not scoring, with only one goal and no assists, but is part of a struggling Sharks team he's still finding his footing. However, there could be more than just a lack of a roster spot for Liljegren, and it might have had to do with the fact they had much better shutdown defenders at their disposal. Toronto Maple Leafs ' Revamped Defense If Liljegren was hoping for a spot, he should have talked to his former GM before he went on a spending spree. In came Chris Tanev, Oliver Eman-Larsson, and Jani Hakanpaa to shore up the defense and they've certainly made an impact. Toronto is letting in the fourth least amount of goals this season with only 2.48, and while a lot of it has to do with their goaltending, the defense deserves just as much credit. Jake McCabe has started to emerge as a true shutdown defender beside Chris Tanev, Conor Timmins is quietly becoming one of Toronto's most dependable players, and OEL has looked ten years younger. Kudos to Brad Treliving for going out to get a clear need and not only fill any holes but create a brick wall out of nowhere. Tanev is on pace to shatter the single-season blocks record and is a huge reason why Toronto keeps themselves in games. With how good Toronto got with free agents coming in, and with other acquisitions coming in and proving themselves, the writing was on the wall for Liljegren. FAQ: Timothy Liljegren's True Reason For Being Traded Q1: Who did Timothy Liljegren get traded for? A1: Timothy Liljegren was traded to the San Jose for defenseman Matt Benning as well as a third and sixth round pick. Q2: Why did Timothy Liljegren get traded to San Jose? A2: Timothy Liljegren was traded to San Jose because Toronto added other free agents to play defense at a more elite rate than Liljegren, and other defenseman have emerged as better options for the Maple Leafs In closing, Timothy Liljegren really had no spot with the Maple Leafs due to their free agent signings and focus on a revamped defense, coupled with the fact their other stars picked things up, and Liljegren failed to impress. This article first appeared on Hockey Patrol and was syndicated with permission.

Stephen A. Smith calls on Joe Biden to pardon Donald Trump, after pardon for son Hunter

Copy link Copied Copy link Copied Subscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Already a subscriber? Login It’s one of the biggest social events of the Murdoch calendar in Australia, and this year was arguably the biggest of all. For the first time in six years, 93-year-old billionaire Rupert Murdoch was in town and would be there for the annual Christmas bash at his eldest son Lachlan Murdoch and wife Sarah ’s Bellevue Hill mansion, Le Manoir, on Thursday night. Copy link Copied Copy link Copied Subscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Already a subscriber? Login Introducing your Newsfeed Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. Latest In Media & marketing Fetching latest articles Most Viewed In Companies

The Prime Minister will this week kick off what he has called the “next phase” of Government, as he announces the markers for his “missions” that Number 10 say will allow the public to hold Sir Keir and his team to account on their promises and will be reached by the end of the Parliament. The milestones will run alongside public sector reform, Downing Street said. This will include a focus on reforming Whitehall, spearheaded by the as-yet-unannounced new chief civil servant the Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet ministers, so it is geared towards the delivery of Labour’s missions, according to Number 10. The same focus will also influence decisions for next year’s spending review, it has been suggested. Writing in The Sun on Sunday, the Prime Minister compared “focusing the machinery of government” to “turning an oil tanker” and said that “acceptance of managed decline” has “seeped into parts of Whitehall”. “The British people aren’t fools. They know a ruthless focus on priorities is essential,” he wrote. The Sunday Times reported that one of the milestones would focus on early education, with the aim to raise the number of children who are ready for school, educationally and socially. Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said that “it’s estimated that more than a million school days worth of teacher time each year is spent dealing with” children who are not prepared for school. Labour’s missions, as laid out in their July election manifesto, focus on economic growth, energy security and cleaner energy, the NHS, childcare and education systems, as well as crime and criminal justice. Ahead of revealing the details, Sir Keir said in a statement: “This plan for change is the most ambitious yet honest programme for government in a generation. “Mission-led government does not mean picking milestones because they are easy or will happen anyway – it means relentlessly driving real improvements in the lives of working people. “We are already fixing the foundations and have kicked-started our first steps for change, stabilising the economy, setting up a new Border Security Command, and investing £22 billion in an NHS that is fit for the future. “Our plan for change is the next phase of delivering this Government’s mission. “Some may oppose what we are doing and no doubt there will be obstacles along the way, but this Government was elected on mandate of change and our plan reflects the priorities of working people. “Given the unprecedented challenges we have inherited we will not achieve this by simply doing more of the same, which is why investment comes alongside a programme of innovation and reform.” The so-called “missions” outlined in Labour’s election manifesto focused on five key policy areas: kickstart economic growth; make Britain a clean energy superpower; take back our streets; break down barriers to opportunity; and build an NHS fit for the future. 🚨 New polling with @ObserverUK Keir Starmer has seen an 8 point drop in his net approval rating after a significant uptick in the number disapproving of his performance. 22% approve of his performance vs. 54% who disapprove. This gives Starmer a net rating of -32%. pic.twitter.com/J33nMnwflP — Opinium (@OpiniumResearch) November 30, 2024 The announcement comes after a first five months in office that has seen anger over Budget proposals and reports of tension in Number 10. Polling for The Observer newspaper by Opinium indicates that more than half of the public disapprove of the Prime Minister’s performance. According to the survey of approximately 2,000 adults, 54% of people disapprove of his performance, compared with 22% who approve, leaving him with a net rating of -32%.Jarrod Bowen believes that West Ham should be “pushing for European football every year”, but his manager Julen Lopetegui insists the focus must instead be on becoming a “good team”. West Ham earned a crucial win on Monday night when they beat Newcastle 2-0 at St James’ Park to ease the pressure on Lopetegui. The Hammers scored either side of the break through Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka to earn their fourth Premier League win of the season, but they remain 14th in the table. “I think we should be pushing for European football every year,” said captain Bowen, who scored the winning goal in the final of the Europa Conference League as West Ham won the competition under Lopetegui's predecessor David Moyes in the 2022/23 season. “We had three years at it, and in a season where we finished I think 14th, we came away with a trophy. Those are the standards of this club. “We have a really good side, a really good manager. We haven’t been to those levels, but it’s not for the want of trying. When we step on that pitch, it’s down to us players. Tonight, everyone involved, it was a really big moment. “That was more the level it takes to play for this club. And then quality shows; we have top-quality players. It’s important now that we rest up.” Bowen added: “I’ve said before, we need to be consistently winning games on the bounce. This has started tonight. “[Next opponents] Arsenal are a top, top side pushing for Premier League titles, but we’re at home, we can use that to our advantage, and put in again another top performance and go to win the game.” When told what Bowen had said about European football aims, Lopetegui replied: “I think that West Ham should be a team - a good team. That is the more important thing. “Tomorrow we are working hard, looking forward to the next challenge. Looking at the long-[term] future doesn’t help anyone. Our big challenge is trying to be able to be a good team.” Lopetegui is suspended from the touchline for Saturday’s home match against Arsenal after picking up his third yellow card of the season against Newcastle.

Iceland is witnessing a possible political shift as the centre-left Social Democrats appear poised to secure the most votes in a snap election. This potential change indicates that the nation's political landscape may soon be disrupted. The North Atlantic island, home to 384,000 residents, has experienced relative stability since 2017, thriving through tourism, fisheries, and cost-effective geothermal and hydroelectric aluminium production. However, rising inflation and near-record borrowing costs have triggered an economic slowdown, pushing these concerns to the voters' forefront. A series of volcanic eruptions have adversely impacted tourism, displacing thousands and necessitating costly infrastructure repairs. Despite a snowstorm potentially delaying vote tallies, the ruling coalition led by the Independence Party may face displacement, with the pro-EU Social Democrats and the Liberal Reform Party possibly securing a significant portion of votes. (With inputs from agencies.)The Lilywhites completely dominated possession on Thursday night, seeing 66% of the ball. However, they could only translate that into 12 shots and 0.58 xG, compared to 21 shots and a massive 3.31 xG from Bournemouth. had plenty of time to overturn their hosts’ lead as well, with the Cherries breaking the deadlock in the 17th minute through Dean Huijsen. But a couple of openings aside, Spurs never truly looked like finding a way back into the match and were perhaps lucky not to return to London with a heavier beating. According to club legend Les Ferdinand, Spurs lacked the urgency and competitiveness required to beat a team like Bournemouth. “Every time Bournemouth went forward, they looked like scoring. Tottenham didn’t,” the former striker said on Amazon Prime (via ). “There was no urgency, no physicality, didn’t win any 50-50 tackles. We didn’t know what Spurs would turn up and it wasn’t this one the fans wanted.” Tuesday’s defeat means Spurs have won just one of their last six matches across all competitions, while they slip to 10th in the Premier League table, six points adrift of the Champions League places. It doesn’t get any easier for Spurs, either, with high-flying London rivals Chelsea their next opponents before they travel to Rangers in the Europa League. Ange Postecoglou now finds himself under immense pressure, especially with videos emerging after the match of a toxic reaction from supporters and an altercation with the Australian coach. Postecoglou will be hoping he at least gets the next few games to prove he has what it takes to turn things around. However, it’s clear that Spurs fans are losing patience and will demand an immediate turnaround in fortunes.

Varsity Maine football poll – Nov. 25, 2024Keir Starmer to set out ‘plan for change’ with ‘milestones’ for key missionsRays will play 19 of their first 22 games at home as MLB switches series to avoid summer rain

ATLANTA — A month after the November election, a series of major developments has shaken up Georgia’s political landscape as Donald Trump prepares his return to the White House. The president-elect’s announcement Wednesday that he will nominate former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler to his Cabinet was his second appointment that will have broad implications for Georgia’s 2026 races. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Exclusive -- NYC Councilwoman Vickie Paladino on Daniel Penny Trial: 'How Many Good Samaritans Is This Going to Turn Away'Wicked director defends the movie's BIGGEST flaw amid fan outrage Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By TERRY ZELLER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 22:58 GMT, 25 November 2024 | Updated: 23:01 GMT, 25 November 2024 e-mail View comments The new Wicked movie has dazzled critics and dominated the box office , but its director still felt the need to defend one of the film’s most debated aspects: the color grading. Some moviegoers have taken issue with the film’s more muted tones, especially when compared to the vibrant Technicolor magic of the original 1939 The Wizard of Oz. Jon M. Chu, who helmed the big-screen adaptation of the Broadway smash starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande , addressed these critiques head-on after the film was called ‘a little desaturated’ during an interview with The Globe and Mail . 'I mean, there’s color all over it,' Chu said. 'What we wanted to do was immerse people into Oz, to make it a real place. Because if it was a fake place, if it was a dream in someone’s mind, then the real relationships and stakes that these two girls are going through wouldn’t feel real.' Chu went on to explain that his goal was to present Oz in a fresh way, one that audiences hadn’t seen before. 'It’s been a matte painting. It’s been a video game digital world,' he noted. 'But for us, I want to feel the dirt. I want to feel the wear and tear of it. And that means it’s not plastic.' Jon M. Chu, who helmed the big-screen adaptation of the Broadway smash starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande , addressed critiques head-on after the film was called ‘a little desaturated’ during an interview with The Globe and Mail 'I mean, there’s color all over it,' Chu said. 'What we wanted to do was immerse people into Oz, to make it a real place. Because if it was a fake place, if it was a dream in someone’s mind, then the real relationships and stakes that these two girls are going through wouldn’t feel real' The film’s color grading, Chu explained, mirrors the deep connection between the characters and the land they inhabit. The vast landscapes, natural light, and creatures of Oz are central to the story, particularly how Elphaba’s presence gradually shapes the world, with the color contrast intensifying as her influence grows. Read More Fans baffled by Ariana Grande's unrecognizable appearance in 2022 throwback snap from Wicked However, Chu’s explanations didn’t exactly win over all fans, with some taking issue with his emphasis on realism. 'Counterpoint: movies are dreams and can look as bold and crazy as dreams do. Why not? Who is demanding this realism?' one fan retorted. Another added, 'The real world isn’t desaturated.' And one user didn’t mince words, bluntly stating, 'The film is lit like an insurance commercial.' The color scheme has been a hot topic on social media ever since the first-look images were released in April. And when asked about criticism that those early images were too dark, Chu had an explanation. However, Chu’s explanations didn’t exactly win over all fans, with some taking issue with his emphasis on realism The color scheme has been a hot topic on social media ever since the first-look images were released in April 'I chose those images specifically,' he admitted at the time in an interview with Variety . 'It was so early, and we had just started shooting. I wanted images that were evocative and provocative to show it’s not some bright, poppy story.' 'We didn’t even have the effects done. The background was blue. I had to have VFX put in the sky. I was coloring it on my iPhone,' he added, clearly unbothered by the early criticism. The defense comes as Chu also offered one piece of advice for those going to see the film - as some viewers have been complaining about sound issues. He encouraged fans to take their audio experience into their own hands in a social media post on November 23 ahead of the film's opening weekend. Posting on X he penned: 'Tell your movie theater to turn it up to a 7... 'I've gone to a couple screenings and they are more like a 6.4. If you want it the way it was intended 7 is the way.' His comment refers to sound levels for the Dolby audio systems used in some cinemas. The news comes after it was reported that British filmmaker Stephen Daldry was originally set to direct the spectacle and had big plans to cast Lady Gaga as Elphaba and Shawn Mendes as Fiyero Dolby then responded to Chu's post, writing underneath: 'We've got you covered.' The news comes after it was reported that British filmmaker Stephen Daldry was originally set to direct the spectacle and had big plans to cast Lady Gaga as Elphaba and Shawn Mendes as Fiyero, according to a source who spoke to Page Six on Tuesday. The Born This Way singer even met with the production team multiple times to discuss her take on the character. 'They had meetings, the two of them, about the character and who she would be. [Gaga] was essentially cast in his version, and then it fell through,' the insider revealed. But Daldry’s vision never came to be—he left the project in 2020 due to scheduling conflicts. Enter Chu, who took over as director and reimagined the cast, ultimately bringing Erivo on as Elphaba, Grande as Glinda the Good Witch, and Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero. Share or comment on this article: Wicked director defends the movie's BIGGEST flaw amid fan outrage e-mail Add comment