CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns , Spencer Shrader kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Carolina Panthers 30-27 on Sunday to reach double-digit wins for the 10th straight season. Noah Gray caught two TD passes as the Chiefs (10-1) bounced back from last week’s 30-21 loss at Buffalo and won at the buzzer yet again in a season of narrow escapes. DeAndre Hopkins also had a touchdown catch for the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, who scored on their first five possessions. Bryce Young finished 21 of 35 for 262 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers (3-8), who had their two-game winning streak snapped. David Moore had six receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown. Trailing 27-19, Young completed a fourth-down pass to Adam Thielen to move the chains, then went deep for the veteran receiver, who drew a pass-interference penalty on Chamarri Conner. That set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Chuba Hubbard. Young's initial 2-point conversion toss to Moore drew a flag on Trent McDuffie, and Hubbard ran for 2 on the next play to tie the game with 1:46 left. Mahomes ran for 33 yards on the ensuing drive and was sprung by a downfield block from Justin Watson to reach field goal range. Then he connected with Kareem Hunt for 10 yards to make it a chip shot for Shrader. Mahomes finished with 60 yards rushing. The Chiefs wasted no time setting the tone as Samaje Perine returned the opening kickoff 56 yards and Mahomes found Gray for a 35-yard touchdown strike on the third play of scrimmage for a 7-0 lead. Gray went nine games without a TD catch before hauling in two last week against Buffalo. His 11-yard score late in the second quarter gave him two more against the Panthers . The Panthers moved the ball well but struggled in the red zone, resulting in field goals of 30, 32, 29 and 33 yards for Eddy Pineiro, the most accurate kicker in NFL history. Running back Jonathan Brooks made his NFL debut for Carolina, but was limited to 7 yards on two carries. Eight of the Chiefs' wins have come by a one-score margin, and this was their second straight victory decided on the last play. They beat Denver two weeks ago by blocking a would-be game-winning field goal. Moving on up Kansas City's Travis Kelce had six catches for 62 yards and moved into third place in career yards receiving by a tight end. He ranks behind only Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten. However, Kelce failed to find the end zone for the ninth time in 11 games this season. Injuries Panthers: Rookie TE Ja'Tavion Sanders was taken to the hospital with a neck injury after landing awkwardly on his head after making a catch near the end of the second quarter. Up next Chiefs: Host Las Vegas on Friday. Panthers: Host Tampa Bay next Sunday. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Steve Reed, The Associated Press

Anna Moneymaker A Fed rate hike in 2025 may not be out of the question. Forward contracts for the 3-month Treasury bill—specifically the 12-month and 18-month forward rates—are trading above the current 3-month Treasury bill spot rate. This indicates that the Join Reading The Markets Reading the Markets helps readers cut through all the noise, delivering daily video and written market commentaries to prepare you for upcoming events. We use a repeated and detailed process of watching the fundamental trends, technical charts, and options trading data. The process helps isolate and determine where a stock, sector, or market may be heading over various time frames. Michael Kramer is the founder of Mott Capital, and is a long-only investor who focuses on macro themes and studies trends and options activities to identify and assess entry and exit points for investments in his long-term focused thematic growth strategy. He is a former buy-side trader, analyst, and portfolio manager with 30 years of experience tracking market technicals, fundamentals, and options. Michael Kramer leads the investing group Reading the Markets, where he helps a devoted following of members to better understand what is driving trading and where the market is likely heading, both the short and long-term. Features of the investing group include: daily written commentary and videos analyzing the driving factors behind price action; general macro trend education to help members make well-informed decisions based on market conditions, interest rates, currency movements and how they all interact; chat for questions and community dialogue; and regular Zoom videos sessions to discuss current ideas and answer questions. The level of access RTM subscribers and the expertise of the source are unprecedented given that the subscription price is a fraction of similar technical coaching and mentoring services. Learn more. Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Charts used with the permission of Bloomberg Finance L.P. This report contains independent commentary to be used for informational and educational purposes only. Michael Kramer is a member and investment adviser representative with Mott Capital Management. Mr. Kramer is not affiliated with this company and does not serve on the board of any related company that issued this stock. All opinions and analyses presented by Michael Kramer in this analysis or market report are solely Michael Kramer’s views. 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Kings test 3-game winning streak against nemesis DallasPatrick Mahomes and Chiefs win at the buzzer again, topping Panthers 30-27 on Shrader's field goal

A cloud engineer plays a crucial role in the development, management, and optimization of cloud infrastructure. As more companies adopt cloud services, the demand for cloud engineers is steadily increasing. But what exactly does a cloud engineer do, and how can one become a cloud engineer? Let’s explore further. In Information Technology , a cloud engineer is a specialist who principally deals with the management and maintenance of cloud infrastructure. There are different tasks for every role, including cloud service architecture, development, or administration. The role falls into one of three categories: 1. Cloud Architecture: Cloud architects design and implement cloud infrastructure that meets a company's technical requirements, ensuring scalability, security, and performance. 2. Cloud Development: The development of the cloud relies on the action of software developers who write code and develop applications so they understand the services in the cloud perfectly. 3. Cloud Administration: As a cloud administrator, engineers maintain and optimize cloud infrastructure to make sure everything operates smoothly. They manage cloud services, monitor performance, and handle security to ensure everything runs smoothly on cloud platforms. Cloud technology, also known as cloud computing, has revolutionized the operation of businesses. It offers easy data storage, updating of software, and accessibility across platforms. As a cloud engineer, your task is to keep this giant network of services running. Cloud computing industry is fast booming. More and more organisations continue to opt for cloud services, thereby creating a demand for experienced cloud engineers. As of April 2023, data from Glassdoor shows that the average annual salary for a cloud engineer in India is ₹6,00,000, which is equal to USD 7,200 per annum. However, it would rather be the case, considering that the need for cloud infrastructure and services continues to soar. The worldwide cloud computing market is said to grow in size beyond the estimate, and it has been envisaged that the Indian public cloud services market will be above $13 billion by 2026. This boom is likely to maintain the usual skyrocketing numbers for the cloud engineering profession; thus, many people can get high-paying job offers, and their salaries could be increased. The tasks of a cloud engineer vary depending on their specific focus, but some common duties include: Migrating Systems to the Cloud: Helping organisations transition their data and systems to cloud services , ensuring smooth and secure migrations. Configuring Cloud Infrastructure: Setting up and managing cloud infrastructure, including virtual machines, storage, and networking to meet the company’s needs. Building Cloud Applications: Developing applications and databases that operate efficiently within cloud services, optimising them for scalability and performance. Monitoring Cloud Services: Continuously monitoring cloud infrastructure to ensure optimal performance, security, and cost management. To start a career as a cloud engineer, you must develop the right skills and experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide: To excel in cloud computing, gaining knowledge in the following areas is key: 1. Cloud Platforms: Master a key large cloud platform like AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud; that way, you can use your understanding and build upon that of other services. 2. Programming: Languages Python, Java, Golang, and many more form the base for building different kinds of cloud services 3. Networking and Security: There are basic requirements regarding network architecture in Cloud, which will form part of a cloud engineer. 4. Operating Systems: Familiarity with operating systems like Windows and Linux is required to administer cloud services. The key skills needed to become a good cloud engineer cannot be learned solely from books; they are developed through practical experience. You can look for job positions that involve hands-on work with cloud infrastructure or create your own accounts on emerging cloud service platforms to experiment on your own. A cloud certification is a great way for you to validate your skills. It can boost your level of credibility as a cloud engineer. If you have just started, foundational certifications will be good enough, including Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, and so on. The cloud engineer technical interview mostly includes questions on cloud services, cloud infrastructure, and problem-solving scenarios in the real world. Practicing mock interviews and reviewing technical questions help one build confidence. Starting from the post of junior cloud engineer or some related IT job like system engineer or network administrator is very common. Once having gained enough experience, a more specialized role, like that of a cloud architect or a cloud solutions engineer, could be moved into. Lastly, higher salaries and further responsibility go with senior positions: senior cloud architect or principal cloud engineer. To be a cloud engineer, technical expertise in cloud computing, cloud infrastructure, and cloud services is required. With appropriate skills, hands-on experience, and certifications, unlock a great career in such a growing field. Increasingly adopting cloud services is an emerging trend among all organizations; hence, the requirements for skilled cloud engineers will keep on increasing, providing exciting new career prospects and competitive packages.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. (AP) — Jordan Sears scored 25 points, Jalen Reed had 21 points and 13 rebounds, and LSU defeated UCF 109-102 in triple overtime on Sunday to take third place at the Greenbrier Tip-Off. LSU trailed by 18 points early in the second half, then failed to hold a lead at the end of regulation and each of the first two overtime periods. The Tigers went up by five with a minute to go in the third overtime. UCF cut it to three, then Vyctorius Miller made a driving layup, Jordan Sears followed with a dunk and the Tigers were able to hold on when leading by seven. Cam Carter scored 20 points, Miller had 16 and Dji Bailey 14 for LSU (5-1). Darius Johnson had 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds for UCF (4-2). Keyshawn Hall had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Jordan Ivy-Curry scored 20. South Florida led by 15 points at halftime and maintained a double-digit lead for all but a few possessions in the first 11 1/2 minutes of the second half. UCF led 62-48 with 8 1/2 minutes remaining but Sears hit three 3-pointers and LSU drew to within 64-59 with 6 minutes to go. The Tigers scored the last six points of regulation to force overtime. In the first half, LSU led 15-13 about eight minutes into the game but the Tigers missed 15 of 16 shots while being outscored 25-3 over the next 10 minutes. South Florida led 40-25 at halftime after shooting 46% to 25% for LSU. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballWHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. (AP) — Jordan Sears scored 25 points, Jalen Reed had 21 points and 13 rebounds, and LSU defeated UCF 109-102 in triple overtime on Sunday to take third place at the Greenbrier Tip-Off. LSU trailed by 18 points early in the second half, then failed to hold a lead at the end of regulation and each of the first two overtime periods. The Tigers went up by five with a minute to go in the third overtime. UCF cut it to three, then Vyctorius Miller made a driving layup, Jordan Sears followed with a dunk and the Tigers were able to hold on when leading by seven. Cam Carter scored 20 points, Miller had 16 and Dji Bailey 14 for LSU (5-1). Darius Johnson had 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds for UCF (4-2). Keyshawn Hall had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Jordan Ivy-Curry scored 20. South Florida led by 15 points at halftime and maintained a double-digit lead for all but a few possessions in the first 11 1/2 minutes of the second half. UCF led 62-48 with 8 1/2 minutes remaining but Sears hit three 3-pointers and LSU drew to within 64-59 with 6 minutes to go. The Tigers scored the last six points of regulation to force overtime. In the first half, LSU led 15-13 about eight minutes into the game but the Tigers missed 15 of 16 shots while being outscored 25-3 over the next 10 minutes. South Florida led 40-25 at halftime after shooting 46% to 25% for LSU. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

State Board of Elections certifies election results showing decline in turnout

It was always one of the many problems inherent in the provincial NDP’s so-called gas tax holiday: eventually the tax has to be reinstated. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * It was always one of the many problems inherent in the provincial NDP’s so-called gas tax holiday: eventually the tax has to be reinstated. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Opinion It was always one of the many problems inherent in the provincial NDP’s so-called gas tax holiday: eventually the tax has to be reinstated. That’s what the government did this week by announcing the tax will be charged again at the pumps, effective Jan. 1. In an attempt to find a compromise, or to try to save face, Premier Wab Kinew decided to knock 1.5 cents off the tax, bringing it down to 12.5-cents-per-litre from the 14 cents it was prior to the temporary cut. Manitobans will again be paying a gas tax when they fuel their cars. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files) Manitobans likely won’t notice the 1.5-cent “savings,” but they will notice gas prices going up by 12.5 cents a litre next week. The Kinew government said it brought in the tax holiday to reduce inflation growth and to help Manitobans with “affordability.” In reality, it did very little to reduce inflation. The consumer price index was already coming down across Canada, owing to high interest rates set by the Bank of Canada and the easing of global supply chain disruptions that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whatever small inflationary benefits were gained during the gas tax holiday throughout 2024 will only be reversed come Jan. 1 when the 12.5-cent fuel price spike will put upward pressure on Manitoba’s consumer price index. Meanwhile, most of those in need of financial support when inflation was high did not benefit from the gas tax holiday, since most low-income people don’t own vehicles. The people who benefited the most were those who drive gas-guzzlers. The biggest downside to the gas tax holiday was the hit to the public treasury. It was grossly irresponsible to cut taxes when the government is posting massive deficits and struggling to find resources to fund front-line services in health care, education, justice, child welfare and other areas. The Kinew government had to borrow the estimated $340 million it lost in revenue from the gas tax cut in 2024. That liability will be added to government’s ballooning provincial debt. The province will continue to borrow to pay for the 1.5-cent-per-litre gas tax cut, which represents a loss of about $28 million a year. That will also be tacked on to the province’s net debt, which future generations will have to repay. The Kinew government revealed it is on track to post one of the province’s largest-ever deficits in 2024-25 at $1.3 billion, $513 million higher than projected in the 2024 budget. Worse, the NDP has provided no specifics on how it plans to balance the budget. It continues to claim it will eliminate the deficit during its first term in office, yet has shown no evidence of how it hopes to achieve that. Cutting taxes by any amount under those fiscal circumstances is bad governance. There continue to be long wait lists and staff shortages in health care and pressures in other front-line services that will require additional resources to solve. Where will the money come from to fund the demand for those services? To make matters worse, the NDP is also freezing Manitoba Hydro rates effective Jan. 1, robbing the Crown utility of much-needed revenues to reduce crushing debt loads and to pay for expensive upgrades. The rate freeze will also have a negative impact on the deficit, since the finances of Crown corporations are included in the province’s bottom line. Finance Minister Adrien Sala says the combined gas tax cut and Hydro rate freeze will make life more affordable for Manitobans. Perhaps. But it will also result in a deterioration of public services, a weakening of Hydro’s financial position and a larger provincial deficit and debt. The same Manitobans who will enjoy more “affordability” will be paying more in servicing charges on the provincial debt, will be waiting longer in emergency rooms to see a doctor and will spend more time on wait lists to get surgery or access diagnostic tests. It doesn’t seem like a reasonable or smart trade-off. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The province could hire a lot of doctors and nurses for $28 million a year. The gas tax holiday was a political gimmick from the moment it was announced by the NDP during the 2023 provincial election campaign. The party didn’t need to adopt such careless promises to win the election. The former Progressive Conservative government imploded long before the election and was headed to the opposition benches whether or not the NDP promised to cut taxes. What Manitobans want more than anything right now is for government to fix the province’s broken health-care system so patients can access medical services in a timely manner and have access to a family doctor. Cutting taxes and freezing Hydro rates does nothing to contribute to that priority. tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca Tom Brodbeck is a columnist with the and has over 30 years experience in print media. He joined the in 2019. Born and raised in Montreal, Tom graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and commerce. . Tom provides commentary and analysis on political and related issues at the municipal, provincial and federal level. His columns are built on research and coverage of local events. The ’s editing team reviews Tom’s columns before they are posted online or published in print – part of the ’s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Tom Brodbeck is a columnist with the and has over 30 years experience in print media. He joined the in 2019. Born and raised in Montreal, Tom graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and commerce. . Tom provides commentary and analysis on political and related issues at the municipal, provincial and federal level. His columns are built on research and coverage of local events. The ’s editing team reviews Tom’s columns before they are posted online or published in print – part of the ’s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Advertisement Advertisement

The 13 office buildings in Richmond, B.C.’s Airport Executive Park – a business park located on 35 acres of green space – date back to a time when climate change and carbon footprints weren’t part of mainstream discussions and long-term environmental control programs. But as more companies set climate and sustainability targets, many are actively working toward reducing greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions within their operations and supply chains. Fiera Real Estate Canada – the current owner of Richmond’s Airport Executive Park (AEP) – is aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, partly through the installation of electric heat pumps that will replace its gas-fired heating systems, which date back to the 1980s and early 2000s. The company’s net-zero ambitions are emblematic of the significant commitments national building owners are making that will help Canada reach its target of net-zero building emissions by 2050. And while 25 years from today may seem like a long time, experts warn Canada isn’t making progress fast enough to achieve its goal. The clock began ticking in 2021 when the federal government adopted the , aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050, with an interim target of GHG reductions hitting at least 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. Released this year, the says there are more than 564,000 commercial and institutional buildings across the country, and because the majority are expected to still be in use in 2050, most will require extensive upgrades and retrofitting to reach Canada’s net-zero goal. “It’s hard to see how we’re going to achieve the interim standards for the building sector by 2030, and if we don’t reach them, the climb to 2050 is going to be a lot harder,” says Thomas Mueller, president and chief executive officer of the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC), which supports the building industry’s transition to green structures and sets national standards for zero-carbon buildings. Updated in July, the council’s focus on maintaining high energy efficiency in new buildings and reducing carbon emissions in older structures by replacing fossil-fuel-burning equipment. It estimates that Canada needs to convert at least 3 per cent of its buildings to net-zero emissions a year and invest billions in making buildings greener. A recent from CAGBC and the Delphi Group – a Canadian climate and sustainability consultancy – identifies the most-needed upgrades in buildings to be LED lighting, triple-glazed windows, roof insulation, high-efficiency ventilation systems, as well as computer control systems that reduce heating and cooling when rooms are not in use. These upgrades require major structural changes and are why most building owners are conducting feasibility studies and putting refits into their 10-year plans, says Tonya Lagrasta, vice-president and head of ESG at commercial real estate services company Colliers Canada. However, she says: “The price tags for things like window replacements can have owners of older buildings falling off their chairs.” The Pembina Institute, a clean-energy think tank, decarbonizing Canada’s commercial and residential building sector will require more than $400-billion in upgrades. It also concludes that more incentives must be put in place. Since grants are often difficult for governments to finance and administer, tax credits to stimulate investment are more practical, says Mr. Mueller. However, a challenge is that several provinces and cities have building codes that include specifications that vary from the federal standards. “It is a real hodgepodge of standards across the country and that is contributing to confusion,” says Terry Bergen, Victoria-based managing principal of RJC Engineers, a building science consultancy. For retrofits, there is also a misconception that high efficiency comes with higher operating costs. But recently, a lot of studies have been released that demonstrate a high return on investment by making these changes, says Duncan Rowe, a Toronto-based principal with RJC Engineers. At the same time, Mr. Rowe acknowledges that it’s not economical or ecologically practical to speed up the replacement of nearly-new equipment just to meet a standard. In other words, upgrades should be aligned with the life cycle of equipment. In the case of Airport Executive Park, the heating systems were several decades old and in need of replacement. While the newly installed systems are less than a year old, the expectation is that annual energy cost savings for all the property’s buildings will be as much as 50 per cent. In the long term, achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is an interim step toward a goal of being fully net-zero energy – producing as much clean energy as consumed with on-site clean and renewable sources, such as solar, wind or geothermal, Ms. Lagrasta says. Net-zero energy is achievable because technology is advancing, says Mr. Rowe. For instance, solar technology is becoming affordable and can be efficient at powering some buildings, but it needs the right conditions. If a building owner has a large roof area, solar is a practical solution, though it won’t be sufficient for an office tower with a small roof. However, there are also developments in photovoltaic glass that can turn windows into power sources, Mr. Rowe says. Ultimately, economics – not politics – will persuade building owners to invest in green technology, Ms. Lagrasta says. A study by Colliers found tenants are willing to pay a premium of an average of 8 per cent to be in a building with a high sustainability rating. “Building owners value their assets and political winds come and go. But it will become harder to attract and retain tenants in an older building that is falling behind the curve,” Ms. Lagrasta says.IREN announces proposed convertible notes offeringAP Business SummaryBrief at 4:29 p.m. EST

Lions' Dan Campbell gives injury updates on Taylor Decker, David Montgomery, Carlton Davis and Kalif Raymond, where there status is for Thanksgiving right now

Today, December 17th, marks the 121st anniversary of the first flight. The flight was famously conducted by the Wright brothers in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The two brothers, Orville and Wilbur, are credited with the invention, building, and flying of the world's first successful airplane. It is known as the first controlled and sustained flight of an aircraft. Since then, over 121 years later, the aviation industry has changed remarkably, with the introduction of considerably more powerful and larger aircraft over the years. Let's take a look at the first flight of an airplane, as well as how the general aviation industry has changed since then. This story turns out to be way more complicated than you might expect. About the first flight In late 1903, the Wright brothers were setting up shop in the hills of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in order to attempt the world's first powered-flight. Prior to this, the two brothers had historically developed gliders and similar contraptions to test the abilities of flight. This included testing different types of wings, flight controls, and other changes to the empennage. By 1903, the Wright brothers wanted to add power to their aircraft, known as the Wright Flyer . This led the Wright brothers to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in late 1903, where they set up camp to begin testing. After experiencing initial delays, such as broken propeller shafts during engine testing, the two brothers were ready for the first flight. They flipped a coin to determine which brother would fly first, with Wilbur winning. On December 14, 1903, Wilbur Wright conducted a three-second flight attempt. However, it was ruled only a partial success, as Wilbur was unfamiliar with the engine and could not properly get it started. After a few days to repair the aircraft, Orville decided to make an attempt at flight. On December 17, 1903, Orville Wright conducted the world's first successful flight . He conducted two flights that day, both beginning at ground level, with Wilbur conducting a third and fourth flight as well. The first flight began at approximately 10:30 in the morning that day, which lasted just 12 seconds and covered a total of 120 feet. The aircraft recorded a speed of only 6.8 miles per hour and also only reached about ten feet off the ground. The next set of flights went slightly further, reaching around 175 and 200 feet each. Although the speed and range of the first flights were not remarkable, the Wright brothers proved that flight was possible, inspiring creators and inventors around the world. This flight would eventually spark the global aviation industry that we follow today. How has the aviation industry changed over the last hundred years? The first flight conducted by the flight brothers was the first step in the development of the aviation industry that we know today. Entrepreneurs, engineers, and aircraft designers found countless roles for aircraft, including prominent roles as machines in the military industry. This industry became especially prominent as, in the early 1910s, World War I began. Airplanes were just falling into public use by the end of the war, so they were initially used for reconnaissance. However, since then, the roles of aircraft in the military have expanded rapidly, including the use of planes as fighters, bombers, and countless other roles. Many designers and engineers also immediately tried to create aircraft that could be used for transportation ability found in the booming commercial industry that has become so prominent. Also in the early 1910s, the first scheduled commercial airplane flight was conducted by Tony Jannus from St. Petersburg to Tampa in Florida . Since then, commercial airliners have been increasingly prominent, with narrowbody and widebody airliners dominating the skies above us. General aviation has continued to grow. Single-engine light aircraft are still the basis for training new pilots, resembling many early aircraft produced by aviation pioneers. The aviation industry has changed remarkably over the last 121 years, and it is exciting to continue to see new technological advances in the sky.

AP News Summary at 3:03 p.m. ESTDALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks had just three Christmas Day games before the arrival of Luka Doncic. Wednesday’s holiday matinee against the Minnesota Timberwolves will mark the eighth Christmas Day game in franchise history, and fifth consecutive time the Mavericks will be featured among the rare group of teams invited to play on one of the most anticipated days of the season. Doncic exploded for an unprecedented stat line of 50 points, 15 assists, six rebounds, four steals and three blocks in a blowout win in Phoenix last season. He became the first player in 39 years to score at least 50 points on Christmas Day. This time around he’s poised to face Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves (17-17) in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference finals. Doncic has been a part of two consecutive victories on Christmas in 2022 and 2023 after the Mavericks suffered two losses on the holiday in 2020 and 2021. Dallas is 4-3 overall on Christmas Day, and Doncic is excited to participate again this year. "It’s special," Doncic said. “It’s a big thing. I know a lot of people at home watch it. It’s going to be a special game for me.” The Mavericks enter Wednesday’s game as winners of 14 of the last 17 games and they’ve found a groove with their starting lineup of Doncic, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington Jr., Dereck Lively II and Kyrie Irving. Irving will participate in his seventh Christmas game and he’s had several notable performances, including a 40-point output in 2018 and 37 points in 2020. As a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, Irving notably scored a turnaround midrange game-winner over Thompson, who was with the Golden State Warriors. The Mavericks star said it feels great to be a part of the league’s annual tradition, especially since it’ll be his first Christmas game playing alongside Doncic [Irving missed last year’s game because of an injury]. “Shoutout to the NBA,” Irving said. “They obviously want to see greatness on Christmas so we’ll give them a good show. I’ve had some pretty special Christmas performances so I’m looking forward to the game and my family being there. It’s nothing like having an early game too and getting home after, being able to break bread and just watch the rest of the competitive games. Be grateful that you’re not playing at 8:30 p.m.” The Mavericks received the rather convenient 1:30 p.m. time slot, meaning the team will have an opportunity to enjoy early Christmas morning and most of the evening with their families with a rematch against the Timberwolves sandwiched in between. Edwards will make his Christmas Day debut in the fifth year of his rising career. The 23-year-old guard is known for his explosiveness and athleticism, along with his embrace of the big stage. He scored 24 of his 37 points in the first quarter of the first meeting between the teams on Oct. 29. The Mavericks won that game thanks to a 35-point effort from Irving, and a dagger 3-pointer by Doncic. Edwards has been on a tear since. He’s averaging 25.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game for a Minnesota team that is struggling to replicate last year’s success. The Mavericks have a couple of players who will also make their Christmas Day debuts. Washington and Gafford, who were acquired in separate trades last season with the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards, will play when the regular season lights are brightest for the first time in their careers. “I’m looking forward to it,” Gafford said. “It’s my first Christmas game. It’ll be an early game so of course we won’t get a lot of sleep, but I’m just excited because of the energy that’s always around Christmas games. The commercials, the atmosphere. It’s real dope to be in this position.” History is also on the line on Wednesday. Thompson enters the game needing only three 3-pointers to surpass Reggie Miller for fifth on the NBA’s all-time career 3-pointers list. The Mavericks sharpshooter connected on three triples in Monday’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers. “We believe that he’ll get the attempts in the next game, but he has to put them in the basket,” said Mavericks coach Jason Kidd. “He’s shooting the ball extremely well so we believe he can get that done in the next game.” ©2024 The Dallas Morning News. Visit dallasnews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BridgeBio: Next Chapter Begins After Attruby ApprovalRunway set to be cleared for Airlines to use wet leased planes on new routesWorkday Appoints Liz Centoni to its Board of Directors

The world really needs a techno-realist manifesto

Fantasy football is a passion for many. Sometimes that passion pushes fantasy managers to make emotional decisions even when the data suggest otherwise. Each week during the 2024 NFL season, Liz Loza will attempt to strike a balance between what the data states and what the heart wants. This is called Facts vs. Feelings. I'm writing this week's column on Christmas Eve, feeling as though I should incorporate a Yuletide theme. The fact is, however, you're probably going to read this after December 25th. In which case, I hope that your holiday was merry and bright. Whether Santa slid down your chimney, the glow of Hanukkah is lighting up your evenings, or the bemusement of Festivus tickled your counter-culture soul, may the ritual of your choosing have brought you a comfortable sufficiency of your favorite things and people. If it didn't ... well, then notes for next year. Because we're already thinking about next year, aren't we? These final few days of 2024 are guaranteed to be stuffed with "spin it forward" takes and headlines selling us the "hottest new resolutions" for 2025. Many of us will pen mental manifestos about counting macros (because cutting carbs faded away with the flip phone and trucker hats) and prioritizing probiotics. Others will make public proclamations regarding intentional self-care while committing to grabbing those long overdue drinks with that friend who lives across town. It's all just wheel-spinning, really. Not that creating healthful change is frivolous. Or that I would ever doubt the authenticity of anyone's personal promises. Not at all. Rather, this specific space of time exists in such a liminal way that we can't help but feel disoriented. I don't want to dodder around in a fugue-like state but straddling the end of one year while not beginning the next invites a discomforting amount of confusion. Ripping off robust resolutions and organizing tool sheds offers us agency. Sitting still is tough. Distractions often provide us with deep delight. I'm not advocating for either. Though, I am planning to give "staying present" a valiant try. The concept is not novel. I've hinted at it throughout the season. Aiming to live in the now when the now is muddy, however, requires an accented amount of discipline. And who wants to talk about discipline on Dec. 27? Instead, why don't we just allow events to unfold? Maybe change things up when new data is discovered or different feelings bubble to the surface? Even if the calendar and the coordinating fantasy football season don't imply an expanse of hours or minutes with which to cull updated information. Who cares? We still have one, maybe two more weeks. And besides, if we can't control our circumstances, let's at least focus on how we react to them. So, don't let the purgatory of this period mess with your mentals. Ponder what it is you really want and then do that thing, taking full responsibility for any potential consequences. Trust your gut in late December as much as you did in early October and as much as you will in mid-January. Purge your garage with as much enthusiasm as a De'Von Achane Stan starting him at Cleveland. Or languish in cozies on the sofa with satisfaction similar to that of Bijan Robinson managers coming off of a third multi-TD effort. The stakes may be high and the time may be muted, but you remain the captain of your destiny in fantasy ... and life. Now, get out there and enjoy all of it. It's not too late to play for free There's still time to join or create a league in the No. 1 Fantasy basketball game. Your league starts fresh on the first scoring period following your draft. Create or join a fantasy basketball league on ESPN. Your championship run starts today! Sign up today! Brock Purdy , QB, San Francisco 49ers : Few players have seized an unexpected moment with as much vigor as Purdy. From being under center at the Super Bowl to being unceremoniously eliminated from the postseason 10 months later, the 49ers' QB has moved through an impressive number of obstacles. And, yet, he's battled through all of the disappointment and continued to produce. Purdy is currently fantasy's QB12 in terms of points per game, registering nearly 17 per contest. That's down just 1.5 points from his 2023 average. Certainly, not bad given the number of offensive stars that made early exits from San Fran's season. Moreover, Purdy has posted 20 or more fantasy points in four of his past seven games. There were two single-digit outliers (most notably the 'snow game' versus Buffalo) during that span and he tossed an ugly INT at Miami in Week 16, but his performances have been of starting caliber more times than not. Part of Purdy's appeal sneakily exists in his legs. The 24-year-old is QB8 in rushing fantasy points behind Jalen Hurts , Josh Allen , Jayden Daniels , Lamar Jackson , Anthony Richardson , Kyler Murray and Bo Nix . More specifically, Purdy is in the second tier of mobile QBs, averaging 3.9 fantasy points per game from rushing alone. That sets up nicely versus Detroit, as the Lions' defense has given up the third-most rushing yards per game (28.3) to opposing QBs. Speaking of the Lions' defense, it is banged up to say the least. As the injuries have mounted, so has the opposing offenses' production; all three signal-callers that have reached 22 fantasy points against the Lions this season have come over the team's most recent four games. The unit allowed seven passing scores from Weeks 1-12. That number jumped to eight over the most-recent four games. With Purdy playing for pride in what's expected to be a relatively close (+3.5) and high-scoring affair (51.5) , Mr. Irrelevant is in a position to make fantasy squads anything but. Alexander Mattison , RB, Las Vegas Raiders : The Raiders' backfield has been giving EOY energy since Josh Jacobs left town. Make no mistake; the team cast Mattison in an understudy role, but with Zamir White (quadriceps) and Sincere McCormick (ankle) both on the IR, the former Viking figures to receive top billing over the next pair of weeks. Even with Ameer Abdullah stumbling into a resurgence, Mattison found the spotlight in the passing game, converting four of seven looks in Week 16. The 26-year-old has handled lead back duties on five occasions this season, registering at least 16 touches and averaging 19.5 opportunities over the collection of games. His output in those efforts has been of the RB2 variety, as he's managed a solid 13.6 fantasy points per contest. He figures to post similar stats in a plus matchup at New Orleans. The Saints have allowed 17 rushing TDs to RBs, including a whopping three (to three different Packers running backs) this past Monday night. Mattison may not have been on early-season bingo cards but could be a perfectly-timed Band-Aid for facile managers seeking positional depth. Introducing the ESPN Smack Talk Fantasy Football Greeting Cards This 3-card pack offers the perfect blend of humor and humiliation, making sure your league's biggest underachievers get the recognition they deserve. Use code FOCUS10 for 10% off your order. Shop Now Terry McLaurin , WR, Washington Commanders : Talk about delayed gratification! The unlocking of Scary Terry has been a journey six years in the making. No matter the stumbling blocks or setbacks, McLaurin efforted towards ascent. That dedication exists not only on a macro level, but also from a micro POV. The chemistry between McLaurin and Jayden Daniels didn't happen overnight. At no point, however, did the duo stop massaging it into existence. Take, for example, their splits facing Philadelphia. McLaurin converted just one of two balls for 10 yards in Week 11. That number improved to a 5-60-1 stat line (worth 17 fantasy points) in Week 16. The evolution has been equal parts constant and consistent. Currently the virtual game's WR5 overall, McLaurin has posted 15 or more fantasy points in nine of his past 10 outings and in 11 total contests over the course of 2024. For context, those 11 games of 15-plus fantasy points ranks second-most in the NFL among non-QBs. Only Justin Jefferson has more (12), while Ja'Marr Chase and Jahmyr Gibbs are tied with the same number. The climb figures to continue in a game with major postseason implications on Sunday night. Washington will host a Falcons' squad miraculously still in the hunt for the NFC South crown and, with it, a playoff berth. With both offenses firing on all cylinders and Atlanta's defense allowing the highest completion percentage in the NFL (69.8%), McLaurin should put forth a commanding display. Additionally working in the wideout's favor is the fact that the Falcons have allowed a league-high (tied with the Texans) 20 receiving scores to wide receivers. That's got to make McLaurin investors feel pretty good about their chances of victory in Week 17. Alec Pierce , WR, Indianapolis Colts : No better way to close out the year than with a little YOLO. Pierce has brought the boom (and the bust) throughout 2024. Assuming he clears the leagues' concussion protocol (from a head injury suffered in Week 15), the explosive wideout figures to deliver more of the former, especially facing an ultra-generous Giants' secondary. Ranking first at the position in deep targets (29), Pierce is averaging an astounding 22.2 yards per reception (WR2). He's listed second among Colts' pass-catchers in routes run (353) and receiving yards registered (645) while leading the corps in air yards per target (21.41) and receiving scores hauled in (tied with Josh Downs for five). Pierce's downfield ability figures to be healthily exploited given the matchup. New York's defense has given up an absurd 62% completion rate on deep passes, which is by far the worst in the NFL, registering a full five points behind of the down-and-out Jaguars (57%). Interestingly, three of the six receivers who, like Pierce (21.5 yards, WR1), rank inside the top 20 in terms of aDOT have each logged season-high fantasy point totals when facing the G-Men: Calvin Austin III (20.4 FPTS, which included a kick return), Amari Cooper (27.6 FPTS), and Rashod Bateman (23.0 FPTS). The timing for Pierce and his managers could not be better. Editor's Picks The Playbook: Your fantasy football guide for Christmas Day games 2h Mike Clay Shadow Report: Your weekly guide to WR/CB matchups 1h Mike Clay Matchup rankings: Bucky Irving, Jayden Reed set up well 56m Tristan H. Cockcroft Chig Okonkwo , TE, Tennessee Titans : I am but a humble fantasy analyst, standing before you, and asking you to, once again, consider the underutilized talents of the Titans' second-most targeted pass-catcher. To be fair, it appears as though Mason Rudolph and I share an affinity for the tight end's receiving potential. Okonkwo -- who has drawn double-digit looks in back-to-back efforts -- has logged a healthy target share of 19% with Rudolph under center as opposed to 11% with Will Levis at the helm. Coincidentally, the Maryland product has also experienced an increase in snap share, up from 54% in Weeks 1-8 to 70% since Week 9. While Rudolph has not been perfect, he has provided the offense with an undeniable spark. So much so that the Titans are favored (-1) at Jacksonville in Week 17. Of course, much of that has to do with the state of the Jaguars' (briefly aforementioned) defense. Jacksonville has given up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing TEs, including 20.9 to Brock Bowers last Sunday. Chig may not be Brock, but his Week 16 effort (19.1) ranked second-most at the position, behind only the Raiders rookie. He has a solid shot to flirt with those numbers again this go-around, reminding managers that late is better than never. Yes, I just gave you two entire paragraphs of Mason Rudolph-adjacent analysis without a single on-the-nose reference. Happy New Year. Follow Liz on social @LizLoza_FF

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