First downs and second guesses: Volleyball season in Nebraska isn’t over. In fact, it’s just beginning. On Monday the Omaha Supernovas announced their draft class, including Creighton All-America Kendra Wait and Nebraska’s Lindsay Krause. They join former Husker Ally Batenhorst, Briana Holman and Kayla Caffey on the roster of the defending Pro Volleyball Federation champions. A couple hours later, the Love Volleyball League announced the signing of its “LOVB 6,” a rookie class that includes Lexi Rodriguez (Omaha) Jess Mruzik (Houston), Sarah Franklin (Madison), Sophie Fischer (Salt Lake), One Ofoegbu (Atlanta), and Madisen Skinner (Austin). Rodriguez joins a LOVB Omaha roster that already is loaded with local star power in Jordan Larson, Justine-Wong-Orantes, Madi Kubik, Lauren Stivrins and Jaali Winters. Is this town big enough for two pro volleyball teams? We’ll find out in a few weeks. The Supernovas open their season on Jan. 10 at the CHI Health Center. Two weeks later, on Jan 24., Omaha LOVB (team name?) opens its inaugural season at Liberty Credit Union First Arena (Ralston), where it will play four matches and two more at Baxter Arena. The level of play in both leagues will be incredible. But are there enough fans to go around? The “Novas” averaged 9,656 fans last year in 12 matches at the CHI Health Center. They led the rest of the teams by a lot. Now add local heroes Wait, Krause and Batenhorst and attendance should improve. But what if fans also want to go see Larson, Rodriguez, Stivrins and Winters, along with familiar opponents like Franklin and Mruzik? How will it all play out? Apparently, LOVB’s pockets run deep. For old San Diego Chargers fans like myself and John Cook, an easy comparison is the National Football League and American Football League wars in the 1960’s. Which resulted in the creation of the Super Bowl and then a merger. This winter should be a blast. But I can already see a couple of questions that might need asking come April. Shouldn’t these two pro volleyball leagues have a championship series at the end? Wouldn’t a merger be the best possible thing for the sport of volleyball? See you next month, ladies. I can still sense a Nebraska volleyball hangover with Husker fans. That’s the impact that team had on folks. Those ladies reached in and grabbed them by the heart. It was an incredible ride and they celebrated all the joys. But that pain at the end is going to leave a mark. The four College Football Playoff quarter final match-ups look terrific. Like, get-me-to-a-TV on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 terrific. So, is eight the right number? Don't give up on 12 yet. I still like 12. I’m a brand name sports guy. I like watching the big boys battle for championships. But I also want the non-brands, the little guys, in there. Underdogs bring a lot to the postseason. They bring the "what if" factor. What if the long shot gets on a roll? That's why we watch. You wouldn't just want a playoff with all SEC and Big Ten teams would you? That's not a national championship. The first-round blowouts weren’t good. But it happens, and it happened in the four-team playoff era. But one day there will be upsets, too. Football can't be basketball. But upsets are the magic in the NCAA tournament. When the field was announced, I thought Indiana and SMU belonged. A loss on an opponent's home field can't change that. Alabama’s problem was its loss to Oklahoma. And who would have imagined that OU would drag mighty Bama out of the playoff? I’m real tired of the SEC whining. It just hurts more. Hey, you guys wanted OU and Texas. You got ‘em. There has been arguing and debates over college football's national champion forever. Expansion to 12 was never going to change that. Until the college game goes to 32 teams and puts them into divisions, ala the NFL, with equal scheduling, there's going to be arguing. I would only change one thing with the first weekend: no first-round byes. The campus atmospheres were fabulous. Give me more of ‘em. One of the great things about the transfer portal is when an athlete settles in and makes the community better. Creighton senior Steven Ashworth is doing that. Ashworth is headlining a local charitable initiative called “Light The World.” The unique project features vending machines, or “Giving Machines,” which are located in Westroads Mall near Von Maur. The machines offer items (10 Blankets for $50 for a homeless shelter) that people can swipe a credit card and donate the item of their choice. The machines will be at Westroads until Dec. 31. Ashworth and a group of Creighton athletes from men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball will be at Westroads on Dec. 28 between 5-8 p.m., to visit and sign autographs. Bill Belichick is used to coaching the best of the best. The majority of college football players are not NFL players. They work hard, and they can make mistakes. Belichick will recruit well at North Carolina, but he’s not going to have an NFL roster. There are going to be mistakes. How will he deal with that? I bet this caught Belichick’s attention: Tulane redshirt quarterback Darian Mensah hit the portal and wound up at Duke. According to CBS Sports, Mensah received an NIL deal at Duke reportedly worth $8 million over two years. When did North Carolina and Duke start spending like Ohio State and Alabama for football? The New Year is upon us. I’m taking nominations for top sports stories in 2024. Send them my way this week. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Kaduna poor get accounts for credit ‘alerts’ from government1 / 10 1. Vedanta | The company revised its demerger plan, opting to retain its base metals business within the parent entity following lender feedback. The decision, approved by the Board on December 20, reflects evolving business priorities. he stock closed at ₹477.50, down ₹14.70 (2.99%) on Friday on the BSE. 2 / 10 2. NHPC Ltd | NHPC signed a ₹5,500-crore MoU with Bihar to develop 1,000 MW solar and green hydrogen projects. State support in land acquisition will be key for timely execution, the company said on Friday. Shares closed at ₹81.38, losing ₹3.08 (3.65%) on Friday on the BSE. 3 / 10 3. Reliance Industries Ltd | The company said on Saturday that its wholly owned arm, Reliance Digital Health, will acquire a 45% stake in US-based Health Alliance Group for $10 million, strengthening its healthcare innovation focus globally. Shares ended at ₹1,206.00, declining ₹24.60 (2.00%) on the BSE. 4 / 10 4. UltraTech Cement | CCI approved UltraTech’s ₹3,954-crore acquisition of a 32.72% stake in India Cements. The company also launched a ₹3,142.35-crore open offer for an additional 26% stake. The stock settled at ₹11,433.70, down ₹241.15 (2.07%) on the BSE. 5 / 10 5. Hindustan Construction Company | HCC divested its stake in Steiner AG to m3 Immobilier, enabling a Swiss IPO for its subsidiary. Additionally, HCC raised ₹600 crore through a Qualified Institutional Placement. The stock finished at ₹43.51, down ₹0.58 (1.32%) on the BSE. 6 / 10 6. AGI Greenpac Ltd | The company plans to raise up to ₹1,500 crore through equity and equity-linked securities in multiple tranches were approved. Funds aim to support growth and expansion efforts. Shares ended at ₹1,244.35, falling ₹38.45 (3.00%) on the BSE. 7 / 10 7. Piramal Enterprises | The company approved a public issuance of secured NCDs worth up to ₹2,000 crore. The move reflects efforts to strengthen the company’s balance sheet and pursue growth initiatives. The stock closed at ₹1,094.70, down ₹27.10 (2.42%) on Friday on the BSE. 8 / 10 8. Insurance and Auto Stocks | Insurance stocks could react to deferred GST cuts on premiums, while auto stocks face GST hikes on used cars to 18%. Fortified rice kernel stocks may gain as GST was cut to 5%. Tobacco stocks remain volatile as a 'sin tax' decision was postponed. 9 / 10 9. TeamLease Services Ltd | Signed definitive agreements to acquire TSR Darashaw HR Services and invest in Crystal HR, enhancing its portfolio. The deals await regulatory approvals for completion. Shares settled at ₹2,921.20, declining ₹51.25 (1.72%) on the BSE. 10 / 10 10. Aurobindo Pharma Ltd | CuraTeQ Biologics, a subsidiary, received UK MHRA approval for Bevqolva, a biosimilar for bevacizumab. It treats cancers such as metastatic colorectal and advanced renal cell carcinoma. The stock ended at ₹1,240.70, losing ₹14.70 (1.17%) on the BSE.

Two of Victoria's biggest regional health services have seen their WorkCover premiums double in 2023-24, in a year when hospitals to stay afloat. or signup to continue reading Bendigo Health suffered a 122 per cent surge in its premium, while Grampians Health saw an 83 per cent spike. South West Healthcare also saw its premium rise 95 per cent. But several other large services had much smaller increases, with Goulburn Valley Health's premiums rising 23 per cent, Northeast Health Wangaratta 30 per cent, and Albury Wodonga Health 26 per cent. The increase across the state hospital system was 51 per cent, or $84 million, for the year. ACM asked Bendigo Health, Grampians Health and South West Healthcare to explain the spike at their services and what was being done to address it, but they all declined to comment. ACM understands burnout and occupational violence claims may be playing a role, with several services recording a spike in incidents. The state government struck a deal in March 2024 to freeze remuneration under the WorkCover scheme and make certain mental health claims much more difficult. The government said this would make the "fundamentally broken" scheme "sustainable", but any benefits wouldn't be reflected in the 2023-24 figures. Bendigo Health recorded the biggest percentage increase of any large or medium health service in the state. Its premium jumped from $3.5 million in 2022-23 to $7.8 million in 2023-24, a rise of 121.7 per cent. Grampians Health's surge was smaller in percentage terms, at 82.7, but the dollar figure was much larger, jumping from $7.3 million to $13.4 million in 2023-24. For health services that both recorded operating deficits in the tens of millions, as well as requiring bailouts of $46 million and $75 million respectively, the added insurance pressure hurt their bottom line. South West Healthcare also recorded a 95.4 per cent jump, with its premium rising from $1.46 million to $2.85 million in 2023-24. ACM asked all three services whether it had raised the significant premium increases with the state government during recent negotiations over hospital budgets, but all three declined to respond. Some smaller services like Portland District Health also saw their premiums double. It is unclear why these services all recorded roughly 100 per cent jumps, while Goulburn Valley, Northeast, and Albury Wodonga Health all saw rises of 25 to 30 per cent. Opposition WorkCover spokeswoman Cindy McLeish said the blowout in premiums had because of extra pressure it put on hospital budgets. "Hospitals have been under enormous pressure having to find the additional money on top of increased costs, the threat of amalgamations, budget cuts, and now have had another blow to their finances, all of which will have a worsening impact on patient care," Ms McLeish said. South West Coast Liberal MP Roma Britnell blamed government mismanagement of the scheme for the premium rises. "The Allan Labor Government's mismanagement of WorkCover means Victorian health services pay higher premiums and less towards the essential services they should be providing," Ms Britnell said. "[It] is robbing Peter to pay Paul, to attempt to prop up their complete and utter financial mismanagement." Northern Victoria MP Wendy Lovell said Bendigo Health could ill afford the extra cost. "Bendigo Health is already struggling to cover their escalating costs, and had a $16m deficit in 2023-24," Ms Lovell said. "Labor cannot manage money and Victorians patients are paying the price." But the government said the surging costs were partly due to an increase in WorkCover premium rates. The rates changed to 1.8 per cent of remuneration in the 2023-24 financial year. The previous rate of 1.272 per cent had been maintained since 2015 and had not increased since 2001. The 1.8 per cent figure is now frozen, and combined with the other changes from March that make many mental health claims ineligible, the government said pressure on the scheme should fall. "Only Labor invests in our health system," a government spokesperson said. "The only political party that cuts and closes hospitals is the Liberal Party." Some health services are concerned a surge in occupational violence incidents may be pushing premiums up. Bendigo Health saw its reported occupational violence incidents jump by 100, from 389 in 2022-23 to 489 in 2023-24. But its incidents per full-time equivalent staff (FTE) was still relatively low at 14.5, compared to some other services. South West Healthcare's figure was 22 incidents per FTE, while Grampians Health was 24 per FTE. The small Heywood Rural Health recorded a figure of 57 incidents per FTE. It also saw its WorkCover premium jump 135 per cent, from $77,000 to $181,000, a huge jump for a small service. 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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay’s surest path to the NFL playoffs is a division championship. The Buccaneers will need help to repeat in the NFC South , but only if they first and foremost give themselves a chance. That means winning their remaining games at home against Carolina and New Orleans, while the Atlanta Falcons lose at least once in the final two weeks of the regular season. The Bucs (8-7) and Falcons share the best record in the division, however Atlanta holds the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series between the teams. Tampa Bay, which has won three consecutive division titles, is the only NFC team that has made the playoffs each of the past four seasons. “We’ve got to take care of business or else we’ve got no shot,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said after a 26-24 loss at Dallas cost the Bucs control of the NFC South race. “This one, we’ve got to take it on the chin,” Mayfield added. “It’s a short week. It’s Christmas week. We’ve got to focus on Carolina and figure out a way to win.” If Atlanta is able to maintain its lead, Tampa Bay could make the postseason as a wild card if the Bucs win out and the Commanders lose twice. RELATED COVERAGE Rams don’t dominate, but they’re rolling toward the playoffs with superb complementary football The Darnold-Jefferson connection is thriving for the surging Vikings Patriots coach Jerod Mayo believes narrow loss to Bills shows potential of his young team Coach Todd Bowles sounds confident that his players understand the challenge ahead and will clean up mistakes that contributed to the end of their four-game win streak. “We’ve got to win a ballgame (this week). If we don’t win a ballgame, we don’t give ourselves a chance,” Bowles said Monday. “We have to focus on us like we’ve been doing,” the coach added. “We have to correct the mistakes, and we have to go out and win Sunday, and we’ve got to win the next week, and then we’ll see what happens after that.” What’s working The offense, which ranks third in the NFL at 389.8 yards per game, isn’t a fluke. Despite losing to the Cowboys, Tampa Bay finished with 410 yards total offense. It was the team’s fifth straight game — as well as an NFL-high ninth overall — with 400-plus yards. The Bucs are seventh in rushing (143.7 yards per game) after ranking 32nd each of the past two seasons. What needs helps The defense yielded 292 yards passing against the Cowboys, 226 of it in the first half when Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb had six catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. Bowles said shoddy tackling was the biggest issue — not poor coverage. Lamb had one reception for 5 yards after halftime. Stock up Mayfield’s chemistry with rookie WR Jalen McMillan, who has 27 receptions for 336 yards and five TDs, continues to grow. McMillan had five catches for 57 yards and a touchdown — his fourth in the past three games — against Dallas. He was also the intended receiver on Mayfield’s deep throw that CB Jourdan Lewis intercepted in the end zone to help the Cowboys hold off the Bucs in the closing minutes. Stock down Turnovers were costly against Dallas. The end-zone interception stopped the Bucs from cutting into a 26-17 deficit with 6:22 remaining in the fourth quarter. Rachaad White’s fumble with 1:31 left ended any hope for a last-minute victory. On both plays, defenders ripped the ball out of the grasp of the offensive player. “We knew they were going to rake at the ball going into the ballgame,” Bowles said. “We just have to have two hands on the ball, and we have to fight for it. We have to take better care of the football. That’s priority No. 1.” Injuries Bowles said it’s too early to project the status of several starters for coming games, including S Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee), who has missed the past two games. TE Cade Otton (knee) and LB K.J. Britt (ankle) were inactive against the Cowboys, while reserve WR Sterling Shepard left during the game with a hamstring injury. Key number 80. Bucky Irving leads all NFL rookie RBs with 920 yards rushing. He needs 80 over the next two games to reach 1,000. He scored his seventh rushing touchdown against Dallas. That tied Errict Rhett and Lars Tate for the second-most rushing TDs by a rookie running back in franchise history. Doug Martin set the record of 11 in 2012. Next up Host Carolina on Sunday. ___ NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflFormer President Bill Clinton, 78, discharged from hospital after battling flu

Anthony Albanese has dodged questions about when his government learned Melbourne man Oscar Jenkins was captured by Russian forces in Ukraine, citing “security issues”. Footage of Mr Jenkins getting interrogated by Russian forces began circulating on pro-Kremlin social media channels on Sunday. But it is unclear when the video was shot and Australia’s embassy in Moscow has been scrambling to get details on his whereabouts. The Prime Minister on Tuesday said again that his government was “making representations”. “We have called in the Russian ambassador to Canberra to make appropriate representations,” he told reporters in Darwin. “Our Australian embassy in Moscow is also making representations to secure a positive outcome. “It is an opportunity for us to say that the warnings ... about travelling to areas of conflict are ones that should be heeded by Australians. “This is not a safe or secure thing to do, and there is a risk involved, but we will continue to, as we always do, make representations on behalf of Australians.” Suggestions the Albanese government knew of Mr Jenkins’ capture weeks or even months ago were reported by some media outlets on Tuesday. Asked when his government started talking to Moscow about Mr Jenkins, Mr Albanese repeated remarks he made on Monday to “always look after Australians”. He was asked point blank when Australians officials learned Mr Jenkins was captured. “When notification occurs, we take action on behalf of Australian citizens,” Mr Albanese said. Pressed further, he said “there are security issues involved”. “But we make this point that it is a dangerous thing to do, to enter into a war zone in a time of conflict two,” he said. A Ukrainian security source confirmed to NewsWire Mr Jenkins was serving in the International Legion of Defence of Ukraine. The source did not say where exactly the Australian was last deployed or when he was taken prisoner. The video of Mr Jenkins suggested he was captured near Kramatorsk, a Ukrainian stronghold near the front lines in the eastern Donetsk Oblast. It is a key strategic city for Ukraine and a major target for Russian forces. A fellow foreign fighter who served with Mr Jenkins described him to the ABC as “very patriotic” and a “hell of a damn good soldier”. ‘Not our friends’: Ukraine warning to Aussies Earlier, Nationals leader David Littleproud warned Australians that “Russians are not our friends” in a call on citizens to think twice before heading to Ukraine. The senior opposition MP said the Australian government was in a tough spot. “This is a difficult situation with the government, that they’ve been put in, and this isn’t something that Australians need to think. that this is a great adventure running to the Ukraine,” he told Sky News. “That’s a war zone, and bad things are going to happen. The Russians are not our friends, and they won’t treat you as a friend, and the Australian government just can’t waltz in and get you out.” The video of Mr Jenkins emerged just days after Australia pledged fresh aid to Ukraine and announced the reopening of the embassy in Kyiv. Canberra has given Kyiv north of $1.5bn worth of support, including munitions and battle tanks. The bipartisan backing for Ukraine has landed Australia a spot on Russia’s register of “unfriendly countries” – the Kremlin’s geopolitical naughty list. Mr Littleproud said there was “not a lot to negotiate with”. Pro-Russia propagandist Simeon Boikov, known by his moniker Aussie Cossack, has offered himself up for a prisoner swap. Boikov has been hiding at the Russian consulate in Sydney since he was convicted of assaulting a 76-year-old man at a pro-Ukraine rally in Sydney more than two years ago. Since entering the consulate he has been pumping out Kremlin disinformation from a makeshift studio, including politically-charged falsehoods around the high-profile stabbings in Sydney earlier this year and the 2023 Voice referendum. Mr Littleproud downplayed the plausibility of Boikov getting the swap, pointing out that he “isn’t a prisoner”. “He’s there in his own volition because he’s running away from charges from our law,” the senior Coalition MP said. “Now, I think the government needs to be given the space to work through this and to work through this constructively. “And if there are options available, then obviously, with the appropriate briefings, I think the Coalition stands ready to support them in whatever endeavours they can do. “But just appreciate this is a difficult situation the Australian government’s been put in, and that Australia should understand there is no magic wand for any government to be able to negotiate with Russia. So stay away.” How and when Mr Jenkins got to Ukraine remains unclear. The video of his interrogation showed him responding to questions in broken Ukrainian and Russian. His inability to speak fluently appeared to frustrate his Russian interrogator, who hit him several times and repeatedly swore at him. At one point, the Russian asks him: “Do you want to live?” Mr Jenkins replies: “I want to help Ukraine”. Acting foreign affairs minister and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said on Monday the government was providing consular support to Mr Jenkins’ family, and that Australian officials were “making representations to the Russian government”. We urge the Russian Government to fully adhere to its obligations under international humanitarian law, including with respect to prisoners of war. “Our immediate priority is understanding where Mr Jenkins is and confirming his wellbeing. “I reiterate the Government’s clear advice to all Australians – do not travel to Ukraine.” Russia’s war in Ukraine has killed and wounded hundreds of thousands on both sides and displaced more than 10 million people. Some 11,500 Ukrainians have found safe haven in Australia. Originally published as Littleproud warns Australians against ‘adventure running’ to Ukraine after Melbourne man captured

Marcel Ciolacu, Romania's Prime Minister, appears to lead the first round of the presidential elections, according to exit polls showing him at 25% of the votes. The upcoming second round on December 8 is crucially important as it may impact Romania's stance on supporting Ukraine. Center-right Elena Lasconi garnered 18%, with hard-right candidates Calin Georgescu and George Simion closely trailing. Diaspora votes, significant in number, remain unaccounted for. Notably, Simion, opposing military assistance to Ukraine, holds popularity among overseas voters. As of 2100 GMT, 64% of votes were counted, leaving the final outcome pending. Romania's president influences defense budget decisions—a pressing issue amid NATO spending pressures and fiscal deficits under Trump's U.S. presidency. Election discourse focused primarily on Romania's poverty increase and living costs. (With inputs from agencies.)

5 great places to cram your last-minute holiday shopping in Ann Arbor, YpsilantiWhat's New President-elect Donald Trump is once again suggesting that the U.S. buy Greenland, an autonomous territory that has been part of Denmark for more than 600 years. And once again, experts are explaining why it's not possible for Trump to carry out what he sees as an "absolute necessity" for America. "Here we go again," Malte Humpert, a senior fellow at the Arctic Institute and its founder, told Newsweek on Monday. "This idea remains as ludicrous as it was in 2019." Why This Matters Greenland has access to the Arctic, where an international competition has arisen in recent years as nations race to claim northern territory in hopes of accessing natural resources abundant in the region, like gold, silver, copper and uranium. The U.S. has tried to acquire Greenland four times in the past, with the most recent attempt in 2019, when Trump first considered the idea. In recent weeks, Trump has also suggested that Canada become the 51st U.S. state and has referred to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as "governor" of the "Great State of Canada." Which Country Owns Greenland? Greenland, which is home to 56,000 residents, has been part of Denmark since the 18th century but was granted home rule in 1979 and has been a self-governed nation since 2009. Still, Denmark contributes two-thirds of Greenland's budget, and its association with the world's largest island that's not a continent has allowed Greenland to receive funding from the European Union . Although the island is self-ruled, it is home to a large U.S. military base. Besides Trump, Democrats have proposed buying Greenland. President Harry Truman offered to purchase it from Denmark in 1946 for $100 million in gold. What To Know While announcing Sunday that he had selected PayPal co-founder Ken Howery to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Denmark, Trump wrote on Truth Social, "For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity." Marc Jacobsen, who researches and advises on Arctic security politics and diplomacy, told Newsweek , "While Trump's rhetoric and choice of words is 'one of a kind,' his interest in Greenland echoes the U.S.'s historic interest focusing on geostrategic location and mineral wealth. He went on: "The worsened relations to China, Russia and others intensify Greenland's geostrategic importance at the moment, while Greenland's vast deposits of rare earth elements are extra interesting due to their potential use in modern technologies." Jacobsen, who is also an associate professor at the Royal Danish Defense College, said it's worth noting Greenland's reactions to Trump's purchase idea. While it was seen as "neocolonial provocation" in 2019, this time it has been viewed as "an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties between Greenland and the U.S.," Jacobsen said. "Following the 2019 idea—and the amplified American attention toward the Arctic—Greenland experienced enhanced agency in international politics," he said. "This is important for Greenland in its strive toward independence. Today, several Greenlandic politicians state that of course Greenland is not for sale, but they are very interested in strengthening ties with the U.S., especially in ways that can improve the Greenlandic economy." What Has Trump Said About Greenland? In 2019, Trump told reporters, "We're very good allies with Denmark. We protect Denmark like we protect large portions of the world. So the concept came up and I said, 'Certainly I'd be.' Strategically, it's interesting and we'd be interested, but we'll talk to them a little bit. It's not No. 1 on the burner, I can tell you that. "Essentially, it's a large real estate deal. A lot of things can be done," he said about a Greenland purchase. After his comments were widely criticized by Danish officials, Trump announced he was canceling his scheduled meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who called Trump's suggestion "an absurd discussion." What People Are Saying Humpert told Newsweek : "Rather than focusing on grandiose and unrealistic plans to buy sovereign territories, the incoming Trump administration should direct its focus to help the U.S. strengthen its Arctic presence by finally sufficiently funding the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker program and removing hurdles to acquire foreign-built icebreakers." Howery wrote on X (formerly Twitter) : "I know first-hand the power of diplomacy to advance American interests and strengthen alliances, and I am grateful for the opportunity to return to Europe to promote the President's agenda. I look forward to working with the dedicated teams at U.S. Embassy Copenhagen and U.S. Consulate Nuuk in Greenland to deepen the bonds between our countries." Republicans Against Trump posted on X : "Donald Trump suggested taking ownership of Greenland as he announced Ken Howery as his pick for U.S. ambassador to Denmark. Trump isn't even in office yet, and we're already becoming the laughingstock of the world." What's Next Greenland's prime minister, Múte Bourup Egede, responded to Trump's remarks on Monday, saying in a statement, "Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and we will never be for sale. We must not lose our long fight for freedom." What Has Trump Said About the Panama Canal? In separate remarks made earlier in the weekend, Trump demanded that Panamanian authorities lower fees for U.S. ships or risk having the U.S. regain control of the Panama Canal. The Central American country was given ownership of the canal in 1999 following a treaty signed in 1979. "If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question," Trump wrote in a series of lengthy Truth Social posts on Saturday. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino hit back at Trump's comments, saying, "Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent zones is part of Panama, and it will continue to be."

( MENAFN - Gulf Times) The Social and Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM) has signed a financing agreement with the Cultural Village Foundation, Katara, to fund the 16th edition of the Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2025). Under this agreement, DAAM will provide financial support for the new season of the Marmi 2025 Festival in its 16th edition, which will take place from the beginning of January until February 1, 2025. This agreement highlights the key role of DAAM and the QSE companies in promoting cultural activities, in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030. The collaboration between DAAM and Katara is to preserve Qatari cultural heritage, raise awareness among younger generations about its significance and reinforce the Marmi Festival's status as one of the region's premier cultural events. Organized by the Qatari Falconry Association, the festival gained global recognition when UNESCO included falconry on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in November 2010. This initiative underscores the richness of falconry traditions and the commitment to preserving the legacy of past generations. The Marmi Festival includes several competitions, such as "Al-Talaa," which involves falcons hunting houbara bustards, and "Al-Da'oo," a speed race for falcons featuring multiple rounds. Additionally, there is the "Haddad Al-Tahadi," a challenge between falcons and homing pigeons, as well as the Young Falconer Championship, the Saluki Racing Championship and a shooting competition. The festival culminates on the final day with the "Mazayen" Championship, where the rarest and most beautiful falcons are crowned and winners in all categories receive significant cash prizes. It is worth noting that DAAM, since its establishment in 2010, has laid the foundation for many vital projects and initiatives in the cultural, sports and social fields. The contributions of the joint-stock and QSE companies are considered among the Funds most important financial resources, making them an essential partner in achieving community development. MENAFN22122024000067011011ID1109021520 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.