Rays will play 13 of first 16 games at home and 47 of 59, then have 69 of last 103 on roadPITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was a full participant in practice on Monday, opening the door for him to return from a three-game absence on Wednesday when Pittsburgh hosts the Kansas City Chiefs. Pickens hasn't played since tweaking his hamstring earlier this month. The Steelers (10-5) have struggled to generate much in their passing game with their leading receiver watching from the sideline in sweatpants. Though Monday's practice was a walkthrough, Pickens said he felt good and hopes he'll be able to face the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. The 23-year-old was going through post-practice drills on Dec. 6 when he felt his hamstring tighten up, forcing him to miss the first games of his three-year career. Pittsburgh has gone 1-2 in his absence, including back-to-back losses to Philadelphia and Baltimore in which Russell Wilson passed for just 345 yards while missing one of the NFL's top downfield threats. Wilson is encouraged by the way the sometimes mercurial Pickens — who has been flagged and fined multiple times this season for infractions ranging from facemasks to unsportsmanlike conduct — has remained engaged. “He’s been great in the midst of his little trial here over the past few weeks,” Wilson said. “And so we’re excited to have him back if that’s the case fully and let him do his thing.” Safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin) were also listed as full participants on Tuesday. Neither veteran has played since getting hurt against Cleveland on Dec. 8. While Pickens, Elliott and Ogunjobi could be available as Pittsburgh tries to hold off Baltimore for the AFC North lead, cornerback Joey Porter (knee) and WR Ben Skowronek (hip) are likely out after missing practice for a second straight day. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl The Associated Press

Sophie Rain Says OnlyFans Success Is Proof Virgins Can Make Money on PlatformForeign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is not escalating a war of words with Mexico, after the Mexican president criticized Canada’s culture and its framing of border issues. “I fundamentally believe that many conversations, when it comes to diplomacy, are always better when they remain private,” Joly said Monday during a teleconference from Brussels. The rift between the two trading partners started with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s declaration that he plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all goods from both countries unless they stop the flow of migrants and illegal drugs into the U.S. Several federal and provincial officials in Canada responded by saying the issues at the Canadian border are vastly different from the Mexican border. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for example, has voiced concerns that the level of Chinese investment in Mexico goes against the economic-security goals of Ottawa and Washington. Some premiers have called on Canada to negotiate a trade deal with Washington independent from Mexico, ahead of the 2026 review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, which replaced NAFTA during Trump’s last tenure in the White House. In a Monday press conference, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico “must be respected, especially by its trading partners.” She also noted that Canada has “a very serious problem with fentanyl consumption,” more than Mexico, and possibly as a result of some drug-decriminalization measures. “We are not going to fall for a provocation of which country is better,” she said, chalking some criticism from Canada up to political pandering. “Mexico should not be used as part of (Canadian) electoral campaigns,” she said. Yet Sheinbaum also said Canada “could only wish they had the cultural riches Mexico has,” saying her country has civilizations dating back thousands of years. Asked to respond, Joly said she is reaching out to Mexican officials after speaking with the U.S., including about the “very important trade agreement” that includes all three countries. “I know there has been many conversations in Canada about how we can work together and how we can, at the same time, protect our interests,” she said. “We have a positive relationship with Mexico, and we need to work with the country; that’s definitely my goal.” Christopher Sands, director of the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, said tensions between both countries played out in the NAFTA renegotiation, when there was limited communication between Ottawa and Mexico City. “The Canada-Mexico relationship has always been the weakest part of the triangle of North America,” he said. “There was a lot of feeling during the (CUSMA) negotiations that Mexico was willing to go it alone, and that Canada particularly toward the end was on the outside looking in, and had to fight its way back to the table.” He said Washington would rather have a trade pact with all three countries so it can limit the time and attention it needs on continental issues. “The U.S. is probably the most trilateral of all three countries,” he said, with a caveat. “I think Donald Trump looks at this going into 2026 and says, ‘Great, divide and conquer.’” Sands added that Sheinbaum and her predecessor have implemented nationalist policies that have been at odds with Washington. “The Mexican government has been moving in a direction which is antithetical to the North American project (through) nationalizing parts of the economy, by reversing energy reforms, by doing deals with the cartels. (They are) sometimes working co-operatively with the Americans in the borders, and sometimes not.” Sheinbaum indicated a week ago that she would be writing a letter to Trudeau. That has not been made public, although she did release a letter she had sent to Trump.

Comsats University hiring likely to be postponed again Despite absence of regular rector, university management allegedly advertised for posts ISLAMABAD: The recruitment process for management positions of registrar and controller exams is likely to be postponed once again due to non-regular rector of Comsats University Islamabad. Despite the absence of regular rector, the university management allegedly advertised for the posts of registrar and controller of examinations recently. Earlier, during the tenure of Acting Rector Dr. Qamar, an advertisement was made for the posts and the Ministry of Science and Technology had stop the recruitment process and said that only a regular rector can recruit for the posts. When contacted, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Science and Technology and Joint Secretary Nazir Ahmed said that the look-after rector does not have the authority to recruit any officer.During the holiday season last year, Andrea Cieminski was mourning her late brother, but this year, she and her family have received a gift beyond belief: homeownership. Just three months ago, the idea was completely out of reach, and Cieminski thought she and her children would soon become homeless as their landlord prepared to sell the property they had lived in for the past 14 years. Cieminski and her children rallied together, doing whatever they could to earn extra money to save their memory-filled home and ensure that Cieminski’s daughter, Ari, would have a home to return to after her 12th heart surgery. Arianna Cieminski and her mother, Andrea Cieminski, stand in the entryway of their home on Friday. The single mother was able to purchase their home after 14 years of renting, thanks to the patience of her landlord, community fundraising and several grants and housing programs. Saskia Hatvany And because of the generosity of the La Crosse community and several local housing assistance programs, Cieminski signed the paperwork Friday to become a first-time home buyer. “I just bought my house,” said Cieminski. “We get to stay.” Ari, who is still recovering from the November surgery, could not have wished for a better present. “I’m so happy because we have lived here for so many years,” she said. Majel Hein embraces Arianna Cieminski after Cieminski signed the paperwork to purchase her home on Friday. Hein, who is the community development assistant director at Couleecap, was instrumental in helping Cieminski. Saskia Hatvany, River Valley Media Group Becoming a first-time home buyer was not an easy task, but it was worth the struggle. “It was a lot of work, but I did it,” said Cieminski. “I tried so hard because that’s what they [the children] wanted. And (Ari) has already gone through so much, I just wanted to make it happen.” Her former landlords didn’t expect her to succeed, but hoped she would, giving her extra time to gather the necessary funds. Arianna Cieminski stands in her room on Friday in La Crosse. The 11-year-old, who recently recovered from her 12th heart surgery, helped raise money to purchase her childhood home by running a lemonade stand. Saskia Hatvany, River Valley Media Group “I’m amazed. I didn’t think she would do it,” said Mike Wozniak, former landlord. “We did it because of the kids. The kids were born there; they didn’t want to leave.” In addition to the time, he even reduced his asking price. “I dropped the price 10,000 bucks, and then everything started falling into place,” said Wozniak. “I think it’s great that they are finally doing it.” Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts By overcoming her social anxiety and reaching far outsider her comfort zone, being completely vulnerable, she was able to save her home and touch the hearts of many in the community. “People saw the story and they came here and gave us money,” said Cieminski. “I was able to pay for the appraisal, the inspection and all of that stuff.” Andrea Cieminski stands next to a stained-glass window, one of her favorite features in the home she purchased after renting for 13 years. Through CouleeCap’s Home Rehabilitation Assistance program, the home will receive a complete renovation -- one of the conditions required for Cieminski to secure a loan for the purchase. Saskia Hatvany, River Valley Media Group Through support on the GoFundMe and donations brought directly to her, Cieminski received over $5,000 from community members. In addition to the generous donations, the Tanda Foundation supplied Cieminski with a real estate agent, saving her thousands of dollars. Beyond just owning the home, Cieminski is also set to receive funding to renovate the century-old home from Couleecap. “We think there is probably going to be about $65,000 of work into that home,” said Majel Hein, Couleecap community development assistant director. “There is a lot of lead paint in that home. It was built in the late 1800s, so we have got to get all of that out of there.” Removing the lead — the No. 1 priority — is expected to take up a majority of the renovations budget. However, through a series of grants, several other issues and necessary updates will also be addressed. “As you can see, this place isn’t the best,” said Cieminski. “But now, they are going to rehab the whole place — windows, electric, plumbing — everything.” By taking out a mortgage loan and working with different programs such as the city of La Crosse’s First Time Homebuyer Downpayment Assistance Program, which provided $25,000 and Couleecap’s Homeowner Programs, which provided $8,000, plus a $10,000 grant from Coulee Bank, home ownership became possible. Help from Couleecap’s Home Rehabilitation Assistance will ensure the $65,000 in necessary renovations are made. Art by Arianna Cieminski lines the walls of her childhood home. Some of the art is a tribute to Cieminski's uncle, Timothy John (TJ) Salis, who passed away unexpectedly in December 2023. Saskia Hatvany, River Valley Media Group “People who are benefiting from down payment assistance are not people who are not working hard for their families,” said Mara Keyes, La Crosse community development manager. “Oftentimes, they are paying significantly more in rent than they would in a mortgage payment, and it just makes it so hard to save up that money to be able to make any kind of down payment. So really, it’s incredible to get to see so many people moving into their homes.” As a homeowner, Cieminski will pay about $125 less each month on her mortgage payments than what she has previously paid in rent. The payment includes property taxes. Cieminski couldn’t be more grateful to the community, community partners, and others who helped save her home. “All of these wonderful people helped make it happen,” said Cieminski. “It feels good to know that there are so many kind people – we’ve just had a lot of trauma in our family, especially as of lately.”

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Blame it on the food and drink?Stock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow record