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jwowsworld NoneKatelyn and Kiersten Van Kirk, who are teammates on the Boise State University volleyball team, recently joined a lawsuit over transgender athletes in the Mountain West Conference. The sisters were all-state players at Manhattan Christian, helping the program reach five straight Class C championship matches and winning the title four times during that span. Now at Boise State, they’re among several current and former players claiming that their Title IX rights have been violated due the participation of a transgender athlete on the San Jose State University team. Boise State opted to forfeit its two regular season conference matches against SJSU, and three other conference schools followed suit with forfeitures. “It’s been a difficult season just because of this issue and there’s just been so many different conversations that we’ve had to have. It’s taken away a lot of just the volleyball part of the season,” Katelyn said. “I think that it has been a huge problem, but I think as a school and as just me personally, that we’re just standing up for different types of girls throughout the nation playing sports and different kids that want to play sports too.” The lawsuit the Van Kirks joined, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Colorado two weeks before the start of the Mountain West Women’s Volleyball Championship, asked for the SJSU player be declared ineligible for the tournament and for SJSU’s forfeit wins to be vacated. The emergency injunction was rejected by U.S. District Judge S. Kato Crews and upheld by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Had the judge granted the injunction, Boise State would have moved up to the No. 4 seed from No. 6 in the conference tournament. SJSU finished as the No. 2 seed and had a bye into the semifinals. “I wouldn’t say I was necessarily surprised (by the judge’s decision),” Kiersten said. “But it is disappointing to see just because all of us as athletes just worked so hard all season long and the tournament is what we were working towards all year long and winning the Mountain West championship. So to see that not being changed, and then our opportunities being taken away from us because of that, was really disappointing.” Why wasn’t the lawsuit filed earlier? “I think it definitely could have been something that was done earlier but also this is something that was so new to the teams in the Mountain West that at the beginning we were trying to figure out how to maneuver and manage what was going on,” Kiersten said. “Then towards the end of the season it was, no, we want to see something different, we want to see something changed. That’s when the Mountain West lawsuit began to be filed.” Boise State defeated Utah State in four sets in the quarterfinals on Nov. 27. Just hours following the victory, the team released a statement about choosing not to play SJSU in the semifinals: “The decision to not continue to play in the 2024 Mountain West Volleyball Championship tournament was not an easy one. Our team overcame forfeitures to earn a spot in the tournament field and fought for the win over Utah State in the first round on Wednesday. They should not have to forgo this opportunity while waiting for a more thoughtful and better system that serves all athletes.” Katelyn and Kiersten said there were many people involved in the decision not to play the semifinal match. But they declined to say whether the vote was unanimous. “Unfortunately, I am unable to answer that question because of the school and where we are at right now,” said Katelyn. The are 16 players listed on the team’s roster, including senior opposite Paige Bartsch, who led Helena Capital to three consecutive Class AA championships and was named the 2019 Montana Gatorade Player of the Year. “It was kind of just the whole program that had to just communicate a lot through different ways, and we just had to have multiple conversations about it,” Katelyn said. “It was a really hard decision to make.” Added Kiersten: “We knew going into that tournament there would be a decision that would need to be made since ultimately if we won we were going to face San Jose no matter what since they were on our side of the bracket. It’s a really hard situation to be in as student-athletes who work your whole career to get to that point of being in a Mountain West championship and working towards a Mountain West championship. To have that taken away is really heartbreaking. There’s a part of you that really wants to play in that game and then there’s a part of you that wants to stand for what you believe is right and stand for future generations.” The Van Kirks said they’ll continue to fight for “fair play.” “We’ll see with the higher court and what happens there,” said Katelyn. “If that doesn’t work out, then I think we’re just going to keep going up and just keep trying to fight the fight. Try our best just to figure out just a fair way of fair play for girls and also boys.” While the SJSU player has been identified by some news outlets, the Belgrade News is not publishing her name to protect her privacy. She played the three previous years without incident, and neither the player nor SJSU has spoken publicly about her identity. Kiersten said her participation became an issue this year. “It was definitely something that was under the radar,” Kiersten said. “There was always suspicions and a little bit of talk about it being an issue, but no one really knew until this year when I believe that one of this athlete’s roommates found out. And then in preseason that’s when it really hit the news and that’s when it came a bigger topic of discussion.” Kiersten, who is a junior opposite for the Broncos, has competed against the player the past three seasons. She noted the moment that something didn’t seem right. “I remember this one play, it was the last play of my freshman year, and there was an overpass. This athlete just jumped up like insanely high and just hit it straight down,” she said. “I remember after the game, we were all like, there’s no way. I’ve never seen any female athlete do that before.” According to the NCAA Transgender Student-Athlete Participation Policy, if a transgender woman meets the parameters set by that sport’s governing body she is allowed to compete in women’s sports. For volleyball, a transgender woman is considered eligible if she can suppress her testosterone under 10 nmol/L. San Jose State told CNN and ESPN that all of its student athletes are eligible to compete on its women’s volleyball team. Boise State was the first school to forfeit a match followed by Utah State, Nevada and Wyoming. After Boise State’s first forfeiture, the Mountain West Conference updated its policy, Kiersten said, to allow the forfeited matches to count as wins for SJSU and losses for the team’s that opted not to play. “In the NCAA, it’s just counted as a no contest,” Kiersten noted. “But the Mountain West changed it so it would be counted as a forfeit loss and win. So that was a big aspect of the Mountain West lawsuit to get those wins and losses removed since it would change the standings in the tournament.” In addition to the Van Kirks, SJSU co-captain Brooke Slusser and assistant coach Melissa Batie-Smoose are among the plaintiffs. “Obviously the co-captain is also the setter on the team and so she’s in this lawsuit and she’s trying to make a stand and same with the assistant coach. I commend them for taking a stand. I feel that is a really hard position to be in especially when you are on a team that player and you see nothing being changed,” said Kiersten. “But then again, all of other athletes ended up forfeiting games to take a stand against it and she still gets an opportunity to play for a championship on that team. I do commend her, and I think it’s great that she’s trying to make a change, but at the same time she was able to play in a championship and every team forfeited and didn’t get that experience.” Colorado State defeated SJSU 27-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-16 in the tournament championship match on Saturday. Katelyn said she understands that there are people who see the situation differently and feel that a transgender athlete deserves the same opportunity that she has earned. “I think that either way there’s always going to be someone that’s upset. I just think that whatever is best for them, and I want the best for them, but I just think that playing in women’s sports is unfair competition and also a safety hazard as well,” Katelyn said. “I would say that men and women are created differently. Since birth we’re differently structured and hormones aren’t just going to change that. I think that just in sports it’s a big deal because men have that advantage over women, and women have fought so hard for their rights for so long, so I just think that we try very hard and as women we deserve those spots.” Despite the controversy, it was a successful season for Boise State. The Broncos finished with a 19-10 overall record, which includes the three forfeit losses, and were 10-8 in the Mountain West Conference. “It was still a really great season. I think we had a great season competing despite all of the controversy that happened,” said Kiersten. “It was kind of like a Covid situation in kind of a way where you have to take the games that you’re given and go all out in those games. Because there might be other games that you’re not necessarily able to play in.” Get any of our free daily email newsletters — news headlines, opinion, e-edition, obituaries and more.House approves $895 billion defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minorsIndependent evaluation recognizes Ochsner Digital Medicine for superior hypertension management

Gamers and tech enthusiasts eyeing RTX 50 series for their next computer upgrade might want to brace their wallets. While these graphics cards promise cutting-edge performance and technology, early leaks suggest a hefty price tag that could surprise even seasoned PC builders. RTX 5080 price leaks spark discussions Ahead of the CES 2025 unveiling in January, leaks from insider “Vex” have given a glimpse into the RTX 50 series pricing. Vex’s YouTube video revealed a leaked listing from an Australian retailer, pricing the variant of the RTX 5080 at 2,799 Australian dollars — equivalent to around $1,740. This figure, while unofficial, highlights the potential costliness of the new series. It’s important to note that final prices could vary due to regional taxes and retail markups. The RTX 5080 is rumoured to feature 16 GB of DDR7 VRAM, a specification consistent with previous leaks. This advanced memory type, along with expected performance improvements, likely contributes to the card’s steep price. Analysts at suggest that the RTX 5080 will deliver significant performance gains over the RTX 40 series, making it a strong contender for demanding gamers and content creators. Nvidia’s Founders Edition could offer a slightly more affordable alternative for those hesitant about premium third-party cards. According to , this base model might be priced between $1,200 and $1,500 before taxes and fees. While still expensive, this option provides a potential entry point for enthusiasts. The rollout of the RTX 50 series is expected to begin in February 2025, starting with the RTX 5080. Vex’s insights suggest that dealers are already placing orders, with the flagship RTX 5090 model likely to follow. However, the full lineup’s price-performance ratio will be key in determining its reception among gamers. Beyond the cards, the RTX 50 line is set to bring a new form of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) tech. Speculations about this AI-driven “magical” rendering tool hint at revolutionary advancements in-game graphics processing and display. While the hype grows, we must wait for Nvidia to share specific news on these cards. The RTX 50 cards aim to change the gaming industry but the steep price may stop some from buying. Fans will need to weigh the perks of top-tier play against the high cost of these new GPUs.‘Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Ephesians 5:20 As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, let us slow down and give thanks to Jesus for His sacrifice for us. Yes, we are thankful for our families, our freedom, our country, our home, our full bellies but most important, is our freedom in Christ. Galatians 5:1 ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.’ Slavery to what? The world, and all that draws us away from Christ. Every day so much is going on everywhere. We work, we cook, we chauffeur children to and from school, we attend sporting events and parties. And let’s not forget our devotion to the TV, video games, our phones, and our computers. Yes, we are free to enjoy so much that it often leaves little time to pray, read our Bibles, attend a Bible study or attend church on Sunday. Psalm 136 Most likely composed by David. 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. 4 to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. 5 who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. 6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. 7 who made the great lights—His love endures forever. 8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. 9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. 10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt His love endures forever. 11 and brought Israel out from among them His love endures forever. 12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever. Sign up to get our free daily email of the biggest stories! 13 to him who divided the Red Sea[ a ] asunder His love endures forever. 14 and brought Israel through the midst of it, His love endures forever. 15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea; His love endures forever. 16 to him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures forever. 17 to him who struck down great kings, His love endures forever. 18 and killed mighty kings—His love endures forever. 19 Sihon king of the Amorites His love endures forever. 20 and Og king of Bashan—His love endures forever. 21 and gave their land as an inheritance, His love endures forever. 22 an inheritance to his servant Israel. His love endures forever. 23 He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever. 24 and freed us from our enemies. His love endures forever. 25 He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. 26 Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. Blessings, Van

Major retailers in UK and Ireland pull products associated with Conor McGregor

Workleap Fall Launch: Empowering HR Leaders with New Features for Employee Growth and EngagementNEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams met with President-elect Donald Trump's incoming “border czar” on Thursday, with the Democratic mayor expressing an enthusiasm to work with the incoming administration to pursue violent criminals in the city while Trump promises mass deportations. The mayor's meeting with Tom Homan, who will oversee the southern and northern borders and be responsible for deportation efforts in the Trump administration, came as Adams has welcomed parts of the president-elect's hardline immigration platform. Adams told reporters at a brief news conference that he and Homan agreed on pursuing people who commit violent crimes in the city but did not disclose additional details or future plans. “We’re not going to be a safe haven for those who commit repeated violent crimes against innocent migrants, immigrants and longstanding New Yorkers," he said. “That was my conversation today with the border czar, to figure out how to go after those individuals who are repeatedly committing crimes in our city.” The meeting marked Adams' latest and most definitive step toward collaborating with the Trump administration, a development that has startled critics in one of the country's most liberal cities. In the weeks since Trump’s election win, Adams has mused about potentially scaling back the city’s so-called sanctuary policies and coordinating with the incoming Trump administration on immigration. He has also said migrants accused of crimes shouldn’t have due process rights under the Constitution, though he eventually walked back those comments. The mayor further stunned Democrats when he sidestepped questions last week on whether he would consider changing parties to become a Republican, telling journalists that he was part of the “American party.” Adams later clarified that he would remain a Democrat. For Adams, a centrist Democrat known for quarreling with the city's progressive left, the recent comments on immigration follow frustration with the Biden Administration over its immigration policies and a surge of international migrants in the city. He has maintained that his positions have not changed and argues he is trying to protect New Yorkers, pointing to the law-and-order platform he has staked out throughout his political career and during his successful campaign for mayor. At his news conference Thursday, Adams reiterated his commitment to New York’s generous social safety net. “We’re going to tell those who are here, who are law-abiding, to continue to utilize the services that are open to the city, the services that they have a right to utilize, educating their children, health care, public protection,” he said. “But we will not be the safe haven for those who commit violent acts.” While the education of all children present in the U.S. is already guaranteed by a Supreme Court ruling, New York also offers social services like healthcare and emergency shelter to low-income residents, including those in the country illegally. City and state grants also provide significant access to lawyers, which is not guaranteed in the immigration court as they are in the criminal court. Still, Adams’ recent rhetoric has been seen by some critics as an attempt to cozy up to Trump, who could potentially offer a presidential pardon in his federal corruption case. Adams has been charged with accepting luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals looking to buy his influence. He has pleaded not guilty. Homan, who was Trump’s former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, also met this week with Republicans in Illinois, where he called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, to start negotiations over how Trump's mass deportation plans, according to local media. Separately, New York City officials this week announced continued efforts to shrink a huge emergency shelter system for migrants because of a steady decline in new arrivals. Among the planned shelter closures is a massive tent complex built on a federally owned former airport in Brooklyn, which advocates have warned could be a prime target for Trump's mass deportation plan. Elsewhere, Republican governors and lawmakers in some states are already rolling out proposals that could help him carry out his pledge to deport millions of people living in the U.S. illegally. Izaguirre reported from Albany, N.Y.

Middle East latest: Israeli strikes in Gaza kill more than 50 people, including kids

FBI Director Christopher Wray announces resignationLiverpool and Real Madrid combined XI: Reds dominate central defence, Mohamed Salah and Jude Bellingham are shoo-ins, but which Champions League-winning Anfield star misses out? The two giants meet in a repeat of the 2018 and 2022 finals - both won by Real Arne Slot's side lead Premier League by eight points and Real are 2nd in La Liga SOCCER A-Z: Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube. New episodes every Wednesday By SAM LAWLEY Published: 22:56 GMT, 26 November 2024 | Updated: 22:56 GMT, 26 November 2024 e-mail View comments Two Champions League giants collide on Wednesday night as Liverpool and Real Madrid face off in a mouthwatering group stage tie. The Anfield fixture is the kind of clash-of-the-titans encounter the competition's bosses would have dreamed of when they conjured up a new league format enabling Europe's finest to meet in the early weeks of the tournament. It is a repeat of both the 2018 and 2022 finals, which saw Los Blancos clinch their 13th and 14th titles, courtesy of a mesmerising second-half performance from Gareth Bale in the former and an opportunistic Vinicius Junior winner in the latter. The two sides meet in good form, with Arne Slot 's Reds unflappably racing to an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League , while Real have put humiliating losses to AC Milan and Barcelona behind them to win two on the trot. But which stars makes a combined XI of these two giants, who have lifted an eye-watering 21 European Cups between them, ahead of the huge match? Mail Sport makes the painstaking selections so you don't have to. Liverpool and Real Madrid meet in the Champions League in a repeat of the 2022 final The Reds are flying at the moment and lead the Premier League by a whopping eight points Real Madrid are just starting to build up some form themselves after a 3-0 win over Leganes Goalkeeper - Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) A fit Alisson would be the obvious choice after a stellar career at Anfield and a start to the season which saw him concede just three times in eight matches, but the Brazilian shot-stopper is facing a couple more weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. But former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is not a bad replacement. The towering Belgian has been beaten a respectable nine times in 13 games this campaign and has a save percentage of around 70 per cent so far. Like many in the Real side, this is not his first rodeo and he edges talented number one Caoimhin Kelleher thanks to his depths of experience, which includes an outstanding display in the 2022 final. Thibaut Courtois is picked on the depth of his experience, which includes winning in 2022 Right back - Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) Our team has something of a crisis on the right-hand side of defence, with Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold injured with a pulled hamstring and Los Blancos stalwart Dani Carvajal out for the season with a torn cruciate ligament. Enter the wildcard: Federico Valverde. The centre-midfielder produced a masterclass at full-back against Leganes on Sunday, scooping up the man of the match award thanks to a solid defensively display and a goal to boot. The tidy Uruguayan completed 94 per cent of his passes on the weekend and took 86 touches, which showed his heavy involvement from the right flank. With five goals already this season, the 26-year-old will provide a real threat as he bombs up the pitch but if Alexander-Arnold makes a miraculous recovery - a possibility given his involvement in training today - then his place is at risk. Federico Valverde was the best player on the pitch in an unusual right-back role on Sunday Centre back - Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) Something of a no-brainer at the heart of defence. Virgil van Dijk has been a mainstay at Anfield for years, lifting a Champions League trophy and a Premier League. Of his many qualities, the Dutchman's ability to win almost everything in the air is perhaps his most valuable, succeeding in more than three aerial duels per game in the Premier League this season. Confident on the ball, van Dijk can cut a defence open with a pinpoint long pass and has attempted a whopping 84 passes per match in the opening months. To top it all off, the 33-year-old Liverpool skipper also has an eye for goal, scoring twice already this season and 25 times in his Reds career. Virgil van Dijk is rarely beaten in the air and is a shoo-in for our all-star defence Centre back - Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool) Joining van Dijk at the back is his partner in crime Ibrahima Konate, who was proved an assured presence this season and become one of the first names on Slot's teamsheet. The Frenchman has looked good in the Champions League, scoring a header in an emphatic 3-1 win at Milan and shipping just one goal. Konate is also effective in the air, winning 82.4 per cent of his aerial duels this campaign, putting him in the top three per cent of centre-backs. He is also putting a run together for his country, playing 90 minutes in the last four Nations League matches and even captaining Les Bleus against Italy this month. Ibrahima Konate's assured displays have answered the question of who will partner van Dijk Left back - Fran Garcia (Real Madrid) It might not please Liverpool fans but flying Scotsman Andy Robertson has not been on the finest run of form this season, failing to provide a goal or assist in 16 matches. Fran Garcia's selection largely comes as a result of his Reds counterpart's subdued displays. While also drawing a blank this campaign, the Spaniard has looked a threat making more than six progressive passes per match and, in a very Spanish way, has completed a whopping 97 per cent of his passes. Garcia has also looked defensively astute as Real have bounced back from the 4-0 El Clasico debacle last month with two consecutive clean sheets. Fran Garcia has been solid at left-back this season and rarely misplaces a pass Centre midfielder- Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) Dutchman Ryan Gravenberch has been one of the stories of the season after being largely frozen out by Jurgen Klopp following his arrival from Bayern Munich last year. The midfielder revealed that Slot called him to express his faith in him as soon as he assumed the Anfield hot seat and he has paid back his boss handsomely. A Rolls Royce of a player who also knows how to steal the ball back, Gravenberch has racked up more than 55 passes per match in the league this campaign and can spray it long or short. He also shields van Dijk and Konate excellently, winning a whopping 84 per cent of his battles in the air and will keep our side rock solid so the attacking stars can flourish. Ryan Gravenberch is one of the most improved stars this term with some dominant showings Centre midfielder - Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) World-Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister has an eye for the big occasion after playing a vital role in Argentina's victory over France in Qatar two years ago. The midfielder joined Liverpool from Brighton shortly after and has impressed in a red shirt, putting in a host of impressive displays in his 64 appearances. His one goal this season came in the Champions League and saw him tuck home a fine Mohamed Salah cross to put his side a goal up. Another dependable figure in our XI, the 25-year-old scores particularly highly in the amount of blocks he has made and dribbles he has stopped, while Mac Allister has also won 2.34 tackles per game to add steel to the midfield. Alexis Mac Allister enjoys the big occasion and adds yet more solidity to our midfield Attacking midfielder - Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) Now it's time for the attacking flair, starting with England talisman Jude Bellingham. The once-in-a-generation star is a shoo in for our squad, providing a passing range, dribbling skill and eye for a wondergoal that few in the world can. The 21-year-old's campaign has been frustratingly stunted by injury but he has showed glimpses of his old self with a goal in each of his last two matches. Bellingham made a big money switch from Dortmund to Los Blancos in 2023 for £94m and scored 23 times in a magical debut season which ended with him lifting the Champions League and La Liga. The jury is still out on what his best position is but in our team he has the freedom to make those driving runs into the box with the two Liverpool men sitting behind him, or alternatively dictate the play in the midfield with his unparalleled confidence on the ball. Arguably world football's biggest star, few look as good on the ball as Real's Jude Bellingham Right winger - Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) His future at Anfield may be uncertain, but Mohamed Salah's importance to Arne Slot's side certainly is not, with the Egyptian making an electric start to the campaign. The winger joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017 for £37million, having spent two forgettable years at Chelsea, and has been the club's talisman ever since, scoring 223 goals in 367 matches and assisting a further 99. He gave a tiny reminder of how much the Reds depend on him with a brace against Southampton on Sunday which overturned a 2-1 deficit to seal three points and extend Liverpool's lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points. In 18 appearances this season he has 12 goals, 10 assists, four shots per game, nine touches in the opposition area per game and 3.42 dribbles into the opposition area per game. Simply sensational... good thing we don't need to negotiate his contract to get him into our side. Mohamed Salah has been there and done it all before, winning the Champions League in 2019 Striker - Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) One of the world's most valuable players, Kylian Mbappe moved to Real on a free in the summer in what was the worst kept transfer secret in football. The goal machine joined Los Blancos on the back of a fantastic spell at Paris Saint-Germain which saw him score 256 times in 308 games and provide 108 assists. Mbappe has 12 goals in the World Cup at the age of just 25, four of which have come across two finals, making him an odds-on favourite to overtake Miroslav Klose's record. His form has dipped somewhat with just the nine goals in 17 matches for Carlo Ancelotti's side but we're sure he will find the net in our dream team. How could you not include Kylian Mbappe? The Real star has already broken a litany of records Left winger - Luis Diaz (Liverpool) Completing our selection of megastars is Colombian winger Luis Diaz, who also offers the option to rotate with Kylian Mbappe and lead the line, much to the chagrin of any opposition defence. He was a late absentee for Liverpool's match against Southampton but the Reds managed to scrape past the bottom-placed side without their in-form wide man. Diaz has really kicked on this season, with nine goals in 17 including three in four in the Champions League and has looked unplayable at times thanks to his trickery and speed. The 27-year-old has also racked up an impressive 1.7 shots on target per match in the competition, and incredibly has scored with 60 per cent of his attempts. Luis Diaz completes our XI after a fine start to the term which has seen him terrorise defences Mail Sport took on the unenviable task of creating a Liverpool and Real Madrid combined XI Sofascore's XI shows changes in defence and midfield as Andy Robertson breaks into the team Sofascore's side Read More Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr slams 'crazy calendar' after being ruled out of Liverpool clash The stats experts at Sofascore have also taken on the unenviable task of picking the best XI of these two European giants and what they have churned up has its similarities to our attempt. They have opted for the same dynamic front three and also plumped for Courtois in goal but have selected slightly different defences and midfields to Mail Sport's. Sofascore prefer the safe bet of Robertson at left-back, clearly hoping he will turn in some of the performances which helped Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2019. Meanwhile, their midfield takes on a different feel with the more attacking Dominik Szoboszlai chosen instead of Mac Allister after his opener against Southampton on Sunday. Real Madrid Champions League Liverpool Share or comment on this article: Liverpool and Real Madrid combined XI: Reds dominate central defence, Mohamed Salah and Jude Bellingham are shoo-ins, but which Champions League-winning Anfield star misses out? e-mail Add comment

Santa Claus is coming to town, and he’s arriving by chopper on Saturday. Saint Nick will land via helicopter at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire, 27 Navigator Road in Londonderry. Touchdown is scheduled for 11 a.m. outside the Aviation Museum. All are welcome to attend and join in welcoming the jolly old elf. Families wishing to welcome the arrival of Santa’s helicopter should be at the museum no later than 10:45 a.m. to park and then make their way to the landing observation area. After arriving, Santa will enter the museum, where he’ll visit with children one-on-one. Santa will be available until 1 p.m., when he’ll depart by fire truck courtesy of the Manchester Airport Fire Department, which will whisk him off to his next appearance. Children who speak to Santa will be rewarded with goodie bags given out by Santa’s helpers. “It’s become an annual tradition for Santa to visit us by helicopter, and we’re pleased to continue it this year,” said Jeff Rapsis, executive director of the Aviation Museum. “This close to Christmas Eve, Santa prefers to travel by chopper because the flying reindeer are resting up for the big night on Dec. 24,” Rapsis said. Santa’s visit will take place rain or shine. If the weather prevents Santa’s chopper from flying, he’ll arrive by fire truck instead. The Aviation Museum will be open free to visitors on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Following Santa’s departure, regular admission prices will be charged from 1 to 4 p.m. The Aviation Museum’s store will be open throughout the day so visitors can enjoy holiday shopping. Besides Santa’s arrival, Saturday also marks the debut of this year’s “Festival of Planes” exhibit inside the museum. The exhibit, which runs through Sunday, Jan. 19, includes more than 2,000 aviation-related toys, games and other items that celebrate the enduring childhood fascination with flight. This year’s holiday exhibit will be highlighted by a display of vintage aviation-themed board games as well as a pair of custom-made mobiles hung with model planes that will fly in formation overhead. “Many aviation careers started with a special model or toy plane under a tree or given as a birthday present,” Rapsis said. “Each year, we celebrate that connection by displaying aviation toys from our collection, some of which go back to the days of Charles Lindbergh.” The Aviation Museum is open Fridays and Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays, from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for ages 13 and up; $5 for ages 6-12, seniors 65 and over, and veterans/active military; and free for kids 5 and under. Santa’s appearance at the Aviation Museum is made possible by generous supporters including Business NH Magazine, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport; CR Helicopters of Nashua; Common Man Roadside, Signature Flight Services; and the Manchester Airport Fire Department. The Aviation Museum of N.H. is a nonprofit 501©3 tax-exempt organization dedicated to celebrating New Hampshire’s role in aviation history and inspiring tomorrow’s aerospace professionals. For more information, visit aviationmuseumofnh.org .

On Sunday, December 8th, the opening season of the San Pedro Volleyball Indoor Tournament concluded with a final round of matches that crowned male and female champions in the Junior and Senior divisions as well as COED champions. The games commenced at 4PM at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium, where a crowd of fans gathered to support their favorite teams. The first match in the Junior category featured the female teams from The Island Academy Girls and the San Pedro High School (SPHS) Jr Sharks. This competitive game showcased the strengths of both teams, with The Island Academy Girls maintaining dominance throughout. Although the SPHS Jr Sharks put up an intense fight, they could not secure the win, allowing The Island Academy Girls to celebrate their victory. The male team’s Island Boyz and Rompe Pechitos faced off in the same category. Rompe Pechitos performed strongly, making the Island Boyz work hard for their victory. After the match, the Island Boyz celebrated and praised Rompe Pechitos for their effort on the court. Following the intermission, which included a brief ceremony honoring the winners of the Junior category, the games moved on to the COED division. Team Warriors faced off against WD 20s in an intense match. Team Warriors demonstrated determination, taking every opportunity to secure the win. However, WD 20s proved to be a formidable opponent, turning the tide in the final minute of the match and ultimately claiming the victory from the Warriors. After another intermission, the teams in the Senior division began preparing for the tournament’s final matches. The first match featured the female teams, with the San Pedro High School (SPHS) taking on Team Wildsets. SPHS started strong and took the lead but could not maintain their momentum. This allowed Wildsets to seize the opportunity and ultimately win in the game sets. In the end, Wildsets defeated SPHS and claimed the championship trophy. The final match in the Senior category featured the male teams of Barbos and Vikings. Both teams consisted of experienced volleyball players, and the game was closely contested throughout. Barbos took the lead multiple times, but the Vikings ultimately emerged victorious after several sets and rounds, securing a significant win in the Senior category. Following the final game, an awards ceremony was held for the COED and Senior category winners. Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez attended the event, helped distribute medals to each player, and presented the trophies. Erick Santizo, the Sports Coordinator at SPHS and President of the San Pedro Volleyball Association , congratulated all the winners and praised every participant. He emphasized that the tournament celebrated teamwork, dedication, and community spirit. The tournament is anticipated to return in 2025, featuring another round of exciting games.The rail stocks have been chugging lower in recent months, thanks in part to temporary setbacks (think work stoppages, strikes, etc.). With high barriers to entry into the rail business and the steady, predictable dividend (and earnings) growth trajectories, Canada’s top rail stocks seem poised to get back on their feet after suffering a few stumbles of late. Indeed, the Canadian and U.S. economies need rails to transport massive amounts of goods in order to stay well-oiled. While the odd rail strike, derailment, or even environmental factors like forest fires could take a great deal away from a quarter, I’d argue that it’s the long-term game that counts when it comes to the top rails. At the end of the day, trucks cannot step in for the top rails when bulk shipments need to go from one coast to another. Either way, let’s have a closer look at Canada’s top two rail stocks to see which, if either, is a tempting buy on recent weakness for 2025 and beyond. It’s been a forgettable year for both railways, but as Canada’s economy and the TSX Index attempt to heat up in the new year, perhaps value may wish to give the following names a second look while they’re still down and out. CN Rail ( ) stock is ready to end off what’s been a relatively muted year. Indeed, some headwinds hurt the quarterly results a bit. While you can’t fault management for any setbacks, I think some big changes will be needed if the still-robust railway is to reclaim its title of North America’s most efficient railway. Though CN Rail isn’t operating poorly, given the unfortunate circumstances (think numerous disruptions), I do believe there is low-hanging fruit to go after to improve upon the rail’s efficiency metrics. Either way, I do see ample value in the name today as the stock continues trending lower. Whether the current management team can effectively unlock such value, however, remains the big question going into 2025. Year to date, the stock is down around 7%. With a padded 2.22% dividend yield that’s scheduled to grow every single year, I’d not be afraid to chase the dividend growth stock on the way down. At $155 per share, I think you’re getting a fantastic deal as the railway looks to move past work stoppages and other disruptions that took away from what could have been an up year for the stock. CP Rail (or CPKC) ( ) has been known as CPKS (Canadian Pacific Kansas City) for a while now. Whatever you still call the firm, it’s a dominant rail player that has what it takes to go full speed ahead over the longer term. Going into 2025, though, I’d temper my expectations on the rail firm despite its resilience amid industry headwinds. Though there are potential growth drivers to be had around the Mexican border, I can’t say I’m enthused to pay a 28.3 times trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple for CP shares when CNR is going for just 18.4 times trailing P/E. Sure, there’s more growth in CP, but I think you’re paying way too high a premium to get such growth. As such, I view CNR stock as the far better option in 2025. There’s also a nicer dividend (2.22% yield vs. CP’s 0.72%) to collect while you wait patiently for the rails to hit the high track again.NEW YORK , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) market size is estimated to grow by USD 13.66 billion from 2024 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 29.02% during the forecast period. For comprehensive forecast and historic data on regions,market segments, customer landscape, and companies- Click for the snapshot of this report Report Attribute Details Base Year 2023 Forecast period 2024-2028 Historic Data for 2018 - 2022 Segments Covered Product (Solutions and Services), End-user (Service providers and Enterprise customers), and Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Key Companies Covered Arista Networks Inc., Aryaka Networks Inc., Bigleaf Networks Inc., Cato Networks Ltd., Cisco Systems Inc., Citrix Systems Inc., FatPipe Networks Inc., flexiWAN Ltd. , Forcepoint LLC, Fortinet Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Juniper Networks Inc., Lumen Technologies Inc., Nokia Corp., Oracle Corp., Palo Alto Networks Inc., Riverbed Technology Inc., Versa Networks Inc., VMware Inc, Cisco Systems, Inc.; Oracle Corporation; Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company.; Nokia Corporation; VMWare, Inc.; Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.; Juniper Networks, Inc.; Fortinet, Inc.; Citrix Systems, Inc.; Ciena Corporation; Epsilon Telecommunications; Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson; BT; NEC Corporation; Tata Communications Regions Covered North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Region Outlook 1. North America - North America is estimated to contribute 37%. To the growth of the global market. The Software-defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) Market report forecasts market growth by revenue at global, regional & country levels from 2017 to 2027. The SD-WAN market in North America is experiencing significant growth due to increasing consumer and enterprise data traffic. Factors driving this trend include the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, rising investments in artificial intelligence (AI), and the implementation of autonomous technologies across businesses. Additionally, the growth of autonomous vehicles and the resulting IP traffic expansion, fueled by increasing mobile data consumption and high-bandwidth applications, are contributing to the market's growth. The US and Canada lead data center investments in North America due to their supportive environments for 5G-enabled IoT solutions, high connectivity and bandwidth, favorable tax policies, and low electricity tariffs. For more insights on North America's significant contribution along with the market share of rest of the regions and countries - Download a FREE Sample Segmentation Overview Get a glance at the market contribution of rest of the segments - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! 1.1 Fastest growing segment: Businesses can securely connect their users to applications using a software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN), which allows the combination of various transport services like MPLS, LTE, and broadband internet. Managed SD-WAN services, offered by managed service providers (MSPs) or communications service providers (CSPs), provide the necessary networking, transport, hardware, and software for delivering applications or services, such as branch connectivity with specified SLAs. Regular maintenance is crucial for SD-WAN's optimal performance, and providers often offer additional services for setup, integration, and maintenance. The services segment is expected to drive the growth of the global SD-WAN market during the forecast period. Research Analysis The Software-defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for WAN simplification and cost savings. SD-WAN enables businesses to efficiently manage and optimize their network resources, making it an ideal solution for handling the exponential growth of cloud IP traffic. With the advent of 5G, SD-WAN is set to become even more crucial for businesses dealing with large amounts of data, such as those in healthcare, energy and utilities, and transportation and logistics. SD-WAN offers improved reliability and bandwidth efficiency compared to traditional Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) networks. It is particularly beneficial for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and industries dealing with high-volume data, such as industrial IoT (IIoT), smart cities, and edge computing. Moreover, SD-Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and AI-driven network security are essential features of SD-WAN, ensuring secure connectivity for businesses dealing with sensitive data. Operating costs are also reduced through the adoption of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and hybrid cloud solutions. The future of SD-WAN lies in its ability to adapt to emerging technologies like 5G, RAN, and mobility, making it a vital component of digital transformation strategies. Market Overview The SD-WAN market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for WAN simplification and cost savings. Traditional approaches to managing network infrastructure for enterprises, such as Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), are being replaced with SD-WAN networks for their bandwidth efficiency and ability to handle exabytes (EB) and zettabytes (ZB) of cloud IP traffic. SD-WAN networks provide reliability and agility, enabling digital transformation for various industries, including SMEs, healthcare, transportation and logistics, energy and utilities, and more. The integration of 5G, Radio Access Networks (RAN), and advanced technologies like AI, big data, and edge computing, further enhances SD-WAN's capabilities. Cost savings, network security, and application performance are key benefits of SD-WAN, making it an attractive option for enterprises looking to optimize their network infrastructure and improve user experience. The market for SD-WAN is expected to grow as more businesses adopt cloud-based services, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), and hybrid cloud platforms. Despite the advantages, SD-WAN deployment can face reliability issues and cybersecurity concerns. Network links, including wireless, broadband, and Internet, must be secure to protect employees, corporate applications, servers, and resources. ZTNA and IoT are also essential considerations for SD-WAN networks. Overall, the SD-WAN market offers enterprises a cost-effective, efficient, and secure solution for managing their network infrastructure and supporting their digital transformation initiatives. Start exploring market insights by Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Venodr Landscape 11 Vendor Analysis 11.1 Cisco Systems, Inc 11.2 Oracle Corporation 11.3 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company 11.4 Nokia Corporation 11.5 VMWare, Inc 11.6 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd 11.7 Juniper Networks, Inc 11.8 Fortinet, Inc 11.9 Citrix Systems, Inc 11.10 Ciena Corporation 11.11 Epsilon Telecommunications 11.12 Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson 11.13 BT 11.14 NEC Corporation 11.15 Tata Communications 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sd-wan-market-37-growth-from-north-america-report-on-how-ai-is-driving-market-transformation---technavio-302328865.html SOURCE Technavio

Half-Life 2 celebrated its 20th anniversary last week, with Valve releasing a hefty update to the original game alongside a two-hour documentary featuring interviews and a peek at never-before-seen footage and concept art from the game’s development. As a longtime fan of the series who considers Half-Life 2 one of my most formative experiences playing games, the anniversary has me feeling some type of way: a bittersweet nostalgia for a bygone era of PC gaming and the community of aspiring artists, designers, and modders that sprang up around it. Half-Life 2 was the first game I played that inspired me to know more not just about the people who created it, but about how games are even made in the first place. With that said, I must admit my love for the game has waned somewhat in the decades since its release. For as much as I initially fell in love with the game for its sense of mystery and intrigue, there’s just no more mystery in it left for me. I’ve turned over every rock, scoured every surface, and hungrily completed every possible achievement in Half-Life 2 and its episodic follow-ups — some before Steam achievements even existed ! Which is why the user-created mod series Minerva: Metastasis remains not only my favorite take on the Half-Life universe, but one of my favorite games full stop. More than 17 years since I first played it, I’m still utterly enthralled by its sense of eerie mystery and alien menace. And with the recent anniversary update to Half-Life 2 , which includes both Half-Life 2: Episode One and Two , now is as perfect a time as any to play it. Released between 2005 and 2007 as an episodic series of mods to Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode One , Minerva: Metastasis was developed by Adam Foster, a web developer and hobbyist designer who gained notoriety among the Half-Life modding scene for “ Someplace Else ,” a short single-player campaign released in 2002 and set entirely in Xen — the hostile alien dimension that serves as the setting for Half-Life ’s finale. After collaborating on several other modding projects that fell apart due to an overabundance of ambition, Foster decided on a different approach for his next project, one that made the most of preexisting assets to create an original single-player story released in episodic installments. “The aim isn’t to replace as much game content as possible,” Foster said in an interview with CVG in 2006. “Instead, it’s to tell my own, apocryphal story set in the Half-Life 2 universe, and to actually release something for the public to play.” Minerva opens with your character, an unnamed protagonist clad in an HEV suit, unceremoniously dropped on the shore of a mysterious island bunker in the Baltic Sea fortified by the Combine, the multidimensional antagonists of Half-Life 2 . The game doesn’t waste any time explaining what’s happening; you’re pelted by Combine gunfire from the moment you set foot on the beach. Before you can even get your bearings, you hear the chirp of a dial-up modem as a timestamped message scrolls across the top-left corner of your screen, commanding you to run up the side of the beach and take cover. Circling around the opposite end of the beach, you receive another message from your mysterious, would-be benefactor. “I am your Athena, you are my bastard Perseus, and our Medusa for today is this island.” If you couldn’t already tell, the message’s sender, known alternatively as “Minerva,” is a foul-mouthed megalomaniac with a penchant for mythological metaphors. Not much else is known about them initially, aside from the obvious fact that they’re the closest thing you have to a friend on an island overrun with posthuman stormtroopers ready, willing, and eager to ventilate you on sight. With no other choice, you charge ahead at the behest of this strange ally with opaque intentions to unearth the secrets of this compound, why the Combine are here, and how the answer to both those questions might connect to the broader Half-Life universe. Minerva: Metastasis isn’t like a lot of other mods of its era, in that it, well, actually prioritizes its writing. Inspired by Bungie’s sci-fi shooter Marathon , as well as the “ Cortana Letters ” ARG created to promote Halo: Combat Evolved , the bulk of Minerva ’s story is conveyed entirely through text messages sent by the player’s unseen companion. The tone and style of Minerva ’s writing is heavily indebted to the work of the late Scottish sci-fi author Iain M. Banks, who Foster has praised for a style of writing that hides huge amounts of information in slightly ambiguous sentences that require keen-eyed readings to fully parse the true weight of their meaning. The character of Minerva, whose nature and motivations are gradually revealed over the course of the game, is where Foster’s strengths as a storyteller really shine. Initially an aloof, taciturn taskmaster who delights in constantly thrusting you into mortal peril as readily as she chides you for not heeding her precise instructions, Minerva gradually drops her guard as the plot unfolds, revealing her to be as much a victim of circumstances beyond her control as the protagonist themself. Before you ask, no: She is not an artificial intelligence, nor is she quite what you would conventionally describe as “human.” She’s... well, something else. A “secret third thing,” if you will. Minerva is a prime example of Foster’s layered approach to writing that gestures toward answers without outright stating them. For me, an essential quality of any enduring creative work is a degree of interpretative ambiguity, and the story of Minerva: Metastasis more than qualifies in that respect. Minerva ’s level design is yet another reason why it stands head and shoulders above other mods of its time— and even arguably Half-Life 2 itself. Where Half-Life 2 ’s levels were designed to be gameplay-friendly environments first and architecturally plausible locations second, if at all, Foster’s approach to designing Minerva ’s levels was almost the exact opposite: creating believable environments with correctly proportioned structures and areas first before implementing gameplay later. Instead of relying on horizontally sprawling, immense maps that stress the Source engine’s area capabilities to its max, Minerva ’s environments are small but incredibly dense, guiding the player through multiple pathways that incentivize them to circle back and explore previously unexplored routes, making the maximum use of each level’s potential before proceeding downward into the labyrinthine depths of the island’s interior. Combined with carefully choreographed enemy placements and intuitive environmental puzzles, Minerva delivers a moment-to-moment experience that’s as propulsively challenging as it is narratively engaging. As if that weren’t enough, Foster went so far as to create tons of assorted ephemera outside the game that offer more depth to his “apocryphal” take on Half-Life . The mod’s website contains additional messages written by Minerva herself, as well as other documents and emails, that not only offer more details about the character, but enmesh her significance more deeply into the events prior to Half-Life and Half-Life 2 . While not necessary to grasp the plot of the game, I nonetheless highly recommend reading through the site if you, like me, appreciate deftly written world-building through epistolary fiction. “Technology and violence are a girl’s best friends; power is eternal delight” is a line that’s lived rent-free in the back of my mind for almost two decades now. Foster had initially planned on two other chapters of the story, with the second installment, Minerva: Out of Time, set in a snow-capped coastal town with a semi-open-world design inspired by 2007’s STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl . However, those plans promptly went out the window when Foster announced he’d been hired by Valve shortly after Minerva: Metastasis ’ release, initially to work on the company’s then in-development Half-Life 2: Episode Three before moving on to work on Left 4 Dead and Portal 2 following that game’s indefinite postponement. There’s still a part of me, to this day, that would happily take either a new, Valve-sanctioned Minerva or Minvera -inspired game over Half-Life 3 at this point. Given the frankly infinitesimal likelihood of either scenario bearing out, I’m just happy to be able to replay the game after all these years and be left to imagine what other strange and perilous adventures Perseus and Minerva get up to after the credits roll. In the absence of answers, one must learn to be content enough to love the questions themselves. MINERVA: Metastasis is available to play for free on Steam. Action Gaming Polygon Picks Sci-fi What to Play

Warby Parker's co-CEO Neil Blumenthal sells stock for $1.18 millionKathleen MuscatellThe defendant was 15 years of age when he and three of his peers set upon their victim Stock image A teenager who joined in meting out a form of rough justice to someone he believed had sexually assaulted a girl appeared before Wexford Circuit Court. The defendant was 15 years of age when he and three of his peers set upon their victim on the banks of the River Slaney in Enniscorthy. The accused – too young to have his name published – pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on a date in 2022. The court heard how, around that time, rumours were swirling around Enniscorthy after a girl complained that a male had put his hand up her skirt. She invited this male to meet her for a talk near the Country Walk, where her alleged molester found himself at the mercy of four youths. Two of the four, though not the accused, were wearing balaclavas as he was knocked into the river and repeatedly hit. During the course of the attack he was held under the water and he also received an eye injury when his head knocked off a beam under a bridge. The beating stopped after fishermen who happened to be in the area intervened. Garda Cristian Dorneanu confirmed that the defendant’s three accomplices were dealt with through the juvenile diversion scheme. However, the fourth member of the team was not eligible for the scheme and he was prosecuted through the courts for assault. His mother was in court to hear Judge James McCourt describe what happened as “a row among a bunch of unruly teenagers”. An order requiring the young man to carry out 20 hours of community service was handed down. The judge felt it would not serve the interests of society to put him behind bars.

One Saturday morning, Ringo and Jax sneaked out of the house in Lake Creek near Edwards and did not return. Ringo is a 2-year-old yellow lab and Jax is a yellow lab mix rescue who his owners believe to be 9 years old. The two had gone on a few adventures alone before but always came home together. “Ringo knows how to open doors with lever handles — like the one on our front door,” said Stacey Boltz, owner of Ringo and Jax. “As long as doors remain locked, even his best efforts remain thwarted. However, with a house full of teenage boys, doors do get left unlocked from time to time.” Boltz said they discovered the dogs had taken themselves for a walk a few minutes after they escaped at about 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 9 and immediately dispatched a search crew on foot and by car to go find them and alerted friends and neighbors who lived in the area. After initial efforts proved unsuccessful, Boltz posted messages on Pets of Eagle County and Eagle County Classifieds social media accounts and her personal Facebook and Instagram accounts. “Shortly after I had posted messages on Pets of Eagle County, I was contacted by Kate Hawthorn and others within Eagle and Summit County who work to retrieve lost pets. Vail Mountain Rescue was also among the first to reach out,” Boltz said. Jax came home at dawn the next day, alone. But no signs of Ringo. Many pets go missing daily in Eagle County and many come home on their own, but when they don’t, it’s nice to know there is sophisticated technology that can help track the pets and entice them to come home. That technology and a person who is a professional tracker is what found Boltz’s missing dog. “One of the volunteers told me about Bill Dohse of Find 911 . He had previously helped her locate a missing animal and she felt confident Dohse could be a helpful resource,” Boltz said. Bill Dohse is a retired law enforcement officer from Cody, Wyoming, who started working with drones as a hobby. That hobby quickly turned into search and rescue efforts using drones and highly trained search dogs to give a sense of direction of the subject missing. Find 911 travels the country helping law enforcement and government agencies and families looking for humans who have gone missing. Dohse said the combination of the search dogs and drones together is far superior to today’s general search methods. And Dohse has some incredible technology to help him zero in on those missing. “I wrote a grant to Amazon looking for some funding to develop our own software to find things that the drone operator can’t see with the naked eye when he’s flying that drone,” Dohse said. “Amazon loved it, and they funded the development of the software and partnered me up with a software company out of Denver called Cloud303 .” Over the last two years, the entities have developed software that can find color, shape, thermal images, anomalies and things that are out of place in nature in residential areas. All these things can be found using Amazon’s AI servers to find things that aren’t visible to the naked eye. “For instance, if we were looking for someone that we knew that was wearing a blue coat and was maybe curled up under a tree, this software can find about a quarter-size match to that blue color sticking out or through the foliage of that tree,” Dohse said. “And then it gives us a GPS coordinate, and we can send search and rescue teams to investigate that. The same thing with thermal. When the drone operator can’t see a thermal signature with the naked eye, the software can, and it can do the same thing. So, it’s very, very effective and we’re very thankful to Amazon and Cloud303.” A photo of Ringo’s colorful collar was put into the software and used to track this minute detail. But beyond this impressive advanced technology, Dohse said they always start with their search dogs because they give a direction of travel. Bolts provided Dohse with scent articles from Ringo. “Our dogs are scent-specific trained. So, they’re trained to follow the most recent scent of whatever we’re looking for as far as humans or horses or other four-legged animals,” Dohse said. The search dogs and drones help set up what Dohse calls a circuit. “Basically, it’s a perimeter. We call it a circuit because dogs will quickly create a circuit where they know where food, water and shelter are,” Dohse said. “Once we have established that circuit, the next step is to put up game cameras and feeding stations and hopefully get them on camera.” As each day went by, Boltz and her family would hope and pray for a safe return of Ringo. Boltz has had many dogs in her life but felt especially close to Ringo. “Ringo had always been my ‘heart dog.’ We are as connected as a dog and person could ever be. Ringo was the runt of his litter and suffered an eye injury shortly after birth which left him mostly blind in one eye and his limited vision meant he has always been a little more dependent on humans,” Boltz said. “We truly weren’t sure how well he would do in the wild.” In addition to all the technical search knowledge Dohse has, he also knows a lot about a dog’s behavior once it goes missing and explained to Boltz how dogs really become a different animal. “They become feral quickly but their instincts kick in and they can search for food sources and will even eat deer or elk scat, berries or dig for mice. They also become nocturnal and enter a fight-or-flight state after they realized that, ‘Oops, what did I do? Where’s my family? Where’s my house?’ They totally change mentality,” Dohse said. “Just a pure example is 90% of the time calling out your pup’s name is going to scare them away versus come, even though that’s your best friend in the whole world.” Dohse said when he coaches family members on how to search for their dog, he’ll tell them to call out family members’ names, call your other dog’s name, but do not call your dog’s name because “for whatever reason, it scares them or they think they’re in trouble,” Dohse said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that in Ringo’s case we were close to him several times just by my search dog’s behavior. But Ringo wasn’t ready. It’s like they are in a fog and can’t think straight, and then there’s a trigger where they finally realize it is time to come home.” Dohse recommended that they take Jax out for a hike around the circuit one more time. The circuit was in rugged terrain and the days were getting shorter and colder, but Dohse said that Jax’s scent might trigger Ringo. The next day Ringo pawed at the back patio door and cheers erupted from those in the house waiting for him six days after he left for his adventure. “Maybe it was Jax’s scent that had Ringo think, ‘Hey, I miss my buddy. I’m ready to come home.’ Maybe it was their scent that brought him out. I wish I had that answer, I wish I could talk to the dogs, but sometimes it just takes whatever it is, a scent or a sound or something for that pup to know it’s time.” Boltz said they all learned a lot during this ordeal. The technology was fascinating and so were the details about dog behavior. Boltz said that they have changed the doorknobs so that the dogs won’t be able to get out on their own anytime soon. But she also added that she learned a lot about the people of the community. “While the valley is filled with dog lovers, the proactive nature of the community reached far beyond what I had ever imagined possible,” Boltz said. “There were many moments when I was warmly reminded how much I love living in the mountains, and how powerful a small community can really be.”

Inside Syria’s Most Fearsome Prison'Our points return against bottom-six teams has let us down a little bit'

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Two-time defending champion Barcelona clinched the last quarterfinal spot in the Women’s Champions League by beating Hammarby 3-0 in Stockholm on Thursday. Ewa Pajor fired Barcelona ahead with two first-half goals from close range and Aitana Bonmatí finished it off 10 minutes before the final whistle. Following a 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the opening group stage game, Barcelona scored 23 goals in the following four games and conceded one. Man City defeated St. Pölten 2-0 to keep a perfect record and lead Group D with 15 points. Barcelona is three points behind and will host City next Wednesday in the final group game. In Group C, Alessia Russo scored twice and Arsenal beat last-place Vålerenga 3-1 to keep pressure on group leader Bayern Munich. Arsenal produced another dominant display under interim coach Renée Slegers. Frida Maanum also scored for Arsenal and set up Russo's opener. Vålerenga, which retained its domestic league title and just claimed the Norwegian Cup to complete a double, got a consolation goal from substitute Tilde Lindwall. Bayern routed Juventus 4-0 to lead the group with 13 points, one ahead of Arsenal. The two will clash over the top spot in London next week. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerOrhan Pamuk’s Secret Paintings of Time

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Arsenal defender Gabriel kept Viktor Gyokeres quiet — then had the audacity to steal the in-demand Sporting Lisbon striker's trademark goal celebration. After heading in Arsenal's third first-half goal in the Champions League on Tuesday, Gabriel linked the fingers of his hands and placed them over his eyes, before laughing with his teammates. It was most likely a dig at Gyokeres, the Sweden striker who has quickly become . That is how Gyokeres celebrates his goals — and he has scored plenty of those this season. Gyokeres has scored 24 goals for Sporting in all competitions and was coming off in a Nations League match against Azerbaijan. Earlier in the first half, Gabriel had enjoyed tackling and dispossessing Gyokeres near the Arsenal area — waving both his arms in a gesture to the crowd. Gabriel's goal made it 3-0 to Arsenal at halftime and the English team went on to win 5-1, with Gyokeres failing to score. He did hit the post with a shot late in the game, however — after Gabriel had gone off with an injury. AP soccer:Ohio politician proposes bill to make flag planting a felony after fight in Michigan rivalry gameDURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke coach Manny Diaz says quarterback Maalik Murphy will face discipline “internally” after extending both of his middle fingers skyward in celebration after throwing a long touchdown pass early in the weekend win against Virginia Tech . Diaz said Monday that Murphy's exuberant gesture, caught on the ACC Network national broadcast, was directed at offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer in the booth after a bit of practice “banter” from a few days earlier. Diaz said the Texas transfer just let his excitement get away from him but still called it “unacceptable in our program." “There was a practice in the middle of last week when we throwing post after post after post, and we weren't completing them,” Diaz said. “And it was again and again and again and again. And at the end of that, there was a remark made in jest that, ‘If you throw a post for a touchdown in the game, then you can flick me off,’ from Coach Brewer.” Murphy's gesture came after he uncorked a deep ball from deep in Duke's own end and caught Eli Pancol perfectly in stride across midfield, with Pancol racing untouched for an 86-yard score barely 2 minutes into the game. As he began skipping downfield to celebrate, Murphy chest-bumped teammate Star Thomas and then extended both arms in the air with his middle fingers raised. Brewer said Monday he missed the gesture in real time, but then saw it on a replay moments later. “Some things you say on the field when you're coaching obviously isn't meant to be taken literally when you're trying to get after somebody in that world,” Brewer said. Murphy threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions in the 31-28 win for the Blue Devils (8-3, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference), who close the regular season at Wake Forest. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football