unicorn fish 。

The University of Maine System board of trustees meeting in September 2023. Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald The board of trustees for the University of Maine System will not take up demands to divest financially from Israel, the board’s chair announced in a letter Friday. The decision is a response to a petition , signed by hundreds of students, faculty and alumni across the system, asking the trustees to end all investment in Israeli companies or U.S.-based companies that sell weapons to Israel, as well as end academic ties with the country. That would have applied to about $1.6 million in investments, or about .22% of the system’s holdings as of last April, according to system records. In November, more than a dozen students, faculty members and alumni spoke during the board’s public comment period, arguing in favor of divestment and pushing back on changes to a proposed free speech policy. Many spoke about the high civilian death toll and academic losses in Gaza, and reminded trustees of the system’s history with divestment: In 1982, it was among the first higher education institutions to divest from apartheid South Africa. The trustees hosted a special meeting of the executive committee on Dec. 17 to consider putting the six demands on the agenda for January. But after a 25-minute executive session, the board publicly deliberated and came to a consensus that it would not advance the issue. Board of trustees Chair Trish Riley said she had met with students about their concerns, but that the board’s responsibility is to foster open discourse. “The question here is, is it appropriate for the board of trustees, given our statutory responsibility to assure that this university is a place of open discussion and discourse, is it appropriate for us to take a position on these demands?” she asked executive committee members. In the letter Riley authored on Friday, she told students that the board would not support their demands, and to do so “would compromise the critical role of our public universities in fostering understanding, discussion, and examination of complex issues through academic inquiry and research.” “Furthermore, we believe it would not promote the inclusivity that we strive to create on our campuses and in the community,” Riley wrote. She said it is not the trustees’ place to weigh in on foreign policy matters, and said taking a position would shut down discourse and undermine the board’s educational mission. Willow Cunningham is a computer engineering graduate student at the University of Maine, and an organizer with the UMaine chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace. They said the board’s decision is not surprising, and that it has emboldened student groups. “There’s a lot of energy going forward to make it clear to the board that they can’t just not consider this issue, that it’s actually quite important to all of us,” Cunningham said. Student organizers plan to comment at future trustee meetings, organize rallies and gather a larger coalition across the university system. And Cunningham said dismissing Israeli divestment as too political, despite the 1982 South Africa divestment decision, makes the system look bad. “At the time, the board held that apartheid ‘conflicts with the moral values of the university’ and that since corporations had been identified to be part of the problem of perpetuating the system, just as they are today, it was our obligation to divest,” Cunningham said. “This idea that the board is staying in their lane, or not taking a position, fundamentally ignores the fact that we currently have over a million dollars invested in complicit corporations. We already have a position, and it’s to support genocide, to support apartheid.” On its Instagram , the UMaine Jewish Voice for Peace chapter said the fight for divestment is not over, and encouraged supporters to show up and speak at next month’s trustees meeting. “We will continue to amplify demands in solidarity with Palestinians, confront administrative complacency and strengthen student coalitions until divestment is actualized,” the post reads. Some American universities have considered divestment, although many have decided against the move. A few city governments have taken up the issue as well. The city of Portland voted to divest from companies doing business in Israel in September, and in late November the Belfast City Council approved a divestment from companies associated with the Israeli military. University of Maine System students, faculty speak against proposed changes to free speech policies Comments are not available on this story. Send questions/comments to the editors. « PreviousJimmy Carter had the longest post-presidency of anyone to hold the office, and one of the most active. Here is a look back at his life. 1924 — Jimmy Carter was born on Oct. 1 to Earl and Lillian Carter in the small town of Plains, Georgia. 1928 — Earl Carter bought a 350-acre farm 3 miles from Plains in the tiny community of Archery. The Carter family lived in a house on the farm without running water or electricity. 1941 — He graduated from Plains High School and enrolled at Georgia Southwestern College in Americus. 1942 — He transferred to Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. 1943 — Carter’s boyhood dream of being in the Navy becomes a reality as he is appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. 1946 — He received his naval commission and on July 7 married Rosalynn Smith of Plains. They moved to Norfolk, Virginia. 1946-1952 — Carter’s three sons are born, Jack in 1947, Chip in 1950 and Jeff in 1952. 1962-66 — Carter is elected to the Georgia State Senate and serves two terms. 1953 — Carter’s father died and he cut his naval career short to save the family farm. Due to a limited income, Jimmy, Rosalynn and their three sons moved into Public Housing Apartment 9A in Plains. 1966 — He ran for governor, but lost. 1967 — Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s fourth child, Amy, is born. 1971 — He ran for governor again and won the election, becoming Georgia’s 76th governor on Jan. 12. 1974 — Carter announced his candidacy for president. 1976 — Carter was elected 39th president on Nov. 2, narrowly defeating incumbent Gerald Ford. 1978 — U.S. and the Peoples’ Republic of China establish full diplomatic relations. President Carter negotiates and mediates an accord between Egypt and Israel at Camp David. 1979 — The Department of Education is formed. Iranian radicals overrun the U.S. Embassy and seize American hostages. The Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty is signed. 1980 — On March 21, Carter announces that the U.S. will boycott the Olympic Games scheduled in Moscow. A rescue attempt to get American hostages out of Iran is unsuccessful. Carter was defeated in his bid for a second term as president by Ronald Reagan in November. 1981 — President Carter continues to negotiate the release of the American hostages in Iran. Minutes before his term as president is over, the hostages are released. 1982 — Carter became a distinguished professor at Emory University in Atlanta, and founded The Carter Center. The nonpartisan and nonprofit center addresses national and international issues of public policy. 1984 — Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter volunteer one week a year for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that helps needy people in the United States and in other countries renovate and build homes, until 2020. He also taught Sunday school in the Maranatha Baptist Church of Plains from the mid-’80s until 2020. 2002 — Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 2015 — Carter announced in August he had been diagnosed with melanoma that spread to his brain. 2016 — He said in March that he no longer needed cancer treatment. 2024 — Carter dies at 100 years old. Sources: Cartercenter.org, Plains Historical Preservation Trust, The Associated Press; The Brookings Institution; U.S. Navy; WhiteHouse.gov, GallupIn the spirit of Christmas, Gift-giving at the workplace is more than just a gesture of goodwill; it’s a cultural practice deeply appreciated by employees. Companies that offer enticing gifts, benefits, and perks create an environment that promotes employee satisfaction, productivity, and creativity. In 2024, corporate gifting trends are driven by technological innovation, personalisation, and a strong focus on sustainability and well-being. Businesses are increasingly opting for eco-friendly gifts to show their commitment to environmental responsibility, choosing items like eco-friendly office supplies. However, there is also a strong appreciation for cultural and artisan gifts that support local businesses and artisans. Despite inflationary pressures, an increase in the unemployment rate and poverty, constant struggles during fuel subsidy removal, and the foreign exchange volatility in Nigeria, employees still anticipate the Christmas gift-giving tradition thereby adopting an interesting gifting style called “Secret Santa.” This is a Christmas gift-giving tradition where coworkers draw names at random to become someone’s Secret Santa. The Secret Santa is given a Wishlist of gift ideas to choose from to give to their chosen giftee. After opening their present, the giftee has to guess which member of the group was their Secret Santa. Read also: Top 5 Christmas events in Nigeria 2024 The idea can be traced back to the Scandinavian tradition called “Juklapp”, or “knocking Christmas” practiced in countries like Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. It involves knocking on someone’s door, throwing a present inside when it opens, and then running away. To make your employees more valued and loved without breaking the bank, here are 10 budget-friendly Christmas gift ideas in 2024: A laptop without a suitable bag to carry it in can be a hassle; it is a good idea to provide your employees with sturdy laptop backpacks. It enhances convenience and comfort, providing a practical solution for carrying laptops and other essentials while commuting or traveling. Customised journals as Christmas gifts can be personalised with your company’s emblem or a particular message, as well as the employee’s name. This gift option fosters creativity and organisation, offering employees a personalised space to jot down ideas, notes, and goals. Read also: From Joy to Survival: The economic reality of Christmas in Nigeria A mini keyboard vacuum cleaner is yet another compact and useful tool that can quickly remove crumbs from surfaces, eliminating any trace of late-afternoon snacking. This helps employees maintain a clean and organised workspace, reducing distractions and promoting efficiency. Tech gear is extremely handy and practical, making power banks an excellent choice for an affordable corporate Christmas gift. Those who enjoy traveling, work remotely, or are constantly on the move will find this very useful. Power banks ensure devices remain charged during critical times, enhancing productivity and convenience. An affordable and practical, corporate t-shirt can be a great investment. Gifting an ‘Employee of the Month’ t-shirt sounds like pure motivation which creates a sense of unity and belonging among employees, fostering team spirit and camaraderie. Pens are the old-school but still in high-demand corporate Christmas gift option. A pen personalised with a name or initials can be an amazing tool for daily tasks and note-taking, ensuring employees are always prepared and equipped to work efficiently. Encouraging employees to stay hydrated and eco-friendly with high-quality water bottles is one of the best corporate Christmas gifts in 2024. These water bottles not only support hydration but also reinforce a commitment to sustainability, helping employees maintain their well-being and environmental consciousness throughout the day. A customisable keychain with the initials of the employee or the company logo and messages engraved on them makes a unique corporate Christmas gift item. Customised keychains add a personal touch to everyday items, fostering a sense of belonging and pride in the company. Whether you’re enjoying your morning coffee on the go or staying hydrated throughout the day, travel mugs are an excellent choice. They serve as a constant reminder of your company’s commitment to care and environmental sustainability. By promoting the use of reusable drinkware, these mugs not only encourage eco-friendly practices but also help maintain the ideal temperature of beverages for extended periods, supporting both wellness and sustainability. A customised desk calendar with your company’s logo, inspiring words, or branding is a useful present that will keep employees organised throughout the year. These promote organisation and time management, helping employees stay on top of deadlines and appointments.

Jimmy Carter, Whose Presidency Was Marred By Iran Hostage Crisis, Dies At 100Former President Jimmy Carter is dead at 100. There are very few politicians who are admired for their values, their honesty, and their humanitarian deeds. Former President Jimmy Carter, who died at the age of 100, was among the rare exceptions; but then, he was more than a politician. He served as an epic model of what a good human being should be, especially in the later stages of his life. His post-presidency years came to be defined by humanitarian and peace advocacy efforts, and they exemplified a well-known quote that encapsulated his life’s purpose and philosophy: “I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. I’m free to choose that something. ... My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I can, whenever I can, for as long as I can.” As one admirer put it, “Great man, great president, probably under-appreciated by those who didn’t know much about him.” There is little doubt that Carter will be remembered more for his humanitarian efforts than for his presidency. Polls of historians and political scientists have generally ranked Carter as a below-average president. A 2018 poll of the American Political Science Association’s Presidents and Executive Politics section ranked Carter as the 26th best president. A 2017 C-SPAN poll of historians also ranked Carter as the 26th best president. Some critics have compared Carter to Herbert Hoover, who was similarly a “hardworking but uninspiring technocrat. Robert A. Strong, Professor of Politics at Washington and Lee University has written: “Jimmy Carter is much more highly regarded today than when he lost his bid for reelection in 1980. He has produced an exemplary post-presidency, and today there is an increased appreciation for the enormity of the task he took on in 1977. Carter took office just thirty months after a President had left the entire federal government in a shambles. He faced epic challenges—the energy crisis, Soviet aggression, Iran, and above all, a deep mistrust of leadership by his citizens. He was hard working and conscientious.” His critics weren’t so kind, they saw him as a fish out of water in Washington D.C. and frequently mocked him as the “peanut farmer.” Carter served a single, tumultuous term and was defeated by Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980, a landslide loss that ultimately paved the way for his decades of global advocacy for democracy, public health, and human rights via the Carter Center. Hailing from a family of farmers who had been in Georgia since the 1630’s, young Jimmy was energetic and enterprising. By the time he was ten, he stacked produce from the family farm onto a wagon, hauled it into town, and sold it. He saved his money, and by the age of thirteen, he bought five houses around Plains that the Great Depression had put on the market at rock-bottom prices. These homes were rented to families in the area. After a promising Navy career, he was called back to Georgia to save the family farm after his father’s death, a task that he accomplished brilliantly and which in a roundabout way led to a political career that eventually landed him in the Governor’s mansion. Carter became President by narrowly defeating Gerald Ford, a man who had landed there by accident when Nixon was forced to resign, and who has gone down in history as the first, and so far the only, person to become President without winning a general election for President or Vice President. Jimmy Carter’s greatest accomplishments during his tenure were to create the Department of Education, bolster the Social Security system, and appoint record numbers of women, blacks, and Hispanics to Government jobs. Additionally, he created a national energy policy that included conservation, price control, and new technology. Carter pursued the Camp David Accords, the Panama Canal Treaties, and the second round of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. He also confronted the stagflation that he had inherited from Ford. In foreign policy, in an effort to end the Arab–Israeli conflict, he helped arrange the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt. These efforts were eventually rewarded with the Nobel Peace Prize that he received in 2002, for undertaking peace negotiations, campaigning for human rights, and working for social welfare. Nevertheless, his tenure as president will forever be associated with the failure of the Iran hostage crisis. Into its sixth month, and all diplomatic appeals to the Iranian government having ended in failure, President Jimmy Carter ordered the military mission as a last-ditch attempt to save the hostages. During the operation, three of eight helicopters failed, crippling the crucial airborne plans. The mission was then canceled at the staging area in Iran, but during the withdrawal one of the retreating helicopters collided with one of six C-130 transport planes, killing eight service members and injuring five. The next day, a somber Jimmy Carter gave a press conference in which he took full responsibility for the tragedy. The hostages were eventually released—but it took another 270 days, and by that time he was out of the White House and Reagan got the credit. This debacle had an enormous impact on the Carter presidency and is widely acknowledged as the reason for his loss in the 1980 election. As the post-presidency years passed, Jimmy Carter grew in stature, as a humanitarian and a global diplomat—a senior statesman who was respected by the entire world. His work for Habitat for Humanity was truly inspiring and was a measure of the man’s humility, as he continued to personally wield a hammer and saw planks until well into his later life, into his 90’s. At the time that he entered hospice care on February 19, 2022, Nicholas Kristof, a New York Times columnist, tweeted: “Prize winners and truly impressive people. Few are as truly good as Jimmy Carter, who at age 98 is now entering hospice. He leaves this planet so much better than he found it. A great, great, great man.” No man or woman could wish for a more worthy epitaph. Jimmy Carter had said in recent months that he hoped to live long enough to vote for Kamala Harris. He succeeded in attaining his wish.

Global Times highlights China's 2024 foreign trade growth, structural upgrades, and commitment to global market sharing. Beijing, China, Dec. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Over the course of 2024, China's foreign trade development has maintained a good momentum, with overall quality and structure improvement and stable growth. The achievements have not come easily considering the current slowing global economic recovery, intensifying trade protectionism and intertwined geopolitical conflicts. China's foreign goods trade increased by 4.9 percent year-on-year to reach 39.79 trillion yuan ($5.45 trillion) in the first 11 months of 2024, demonstrating stable growth and ongoing structural improvements, data from the General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed. "With the concerted efforts of both stock and incremental policies in the field, China is expected to end the year with a smooth performance in foreign trade and achieve the goal of stable quality and quantity," Lü Daliang, spokesperson of the GAC, said at a press conference on December 10. Sharing market to all While maintaining a stable growth in foreign trade, China also vowed to share its vast market with the world by boosting the expansion of imports, including policy support, platform construction and transport facilitation. In the first 11 months, China's imports from all the least developed countries (LDCs) that have established diplomatic relations with China increased by 12.4 percent, nearly 10 percentage points higher than the overall growth rate of China's imports, according to GAC data. Honey from Rwanda, wild aquatic products from Uganda, peanuts and sesame from Chad, fresh pine nuts from Afghanistan ... In 2024, more and more agricultural products have been exported to China, opening its market to more and more countries through major trade events and e-commerce. The 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), held in November in Shanghai, featured 37 LDCs, with the event organizers providing more than 120 free exhibition booths specifically for businesses from these countries. "This is the second time that we have participated in the CIIE ... We have 30 companies coming to the expo this year compared with about 20 in 2023," Kassim Kone, a delegate from the Mali Export Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Mali, told the Global Times, an indication of how Mali values this event. Bangladesh also showcased a variety of products at the 7th CIIE, ranging from leather to food. Some of these products are already being exported to China, Md Ziaur Rahman, the commercial counselor of the Embassy of Bangladesh in China, told the Global Times. "Since its launch, the CIIE has been providing facilitation for LDCs. For the past seven years, more and more products from LDCs have entered the Chinese market through the CIIE, which contributed to the industrial development and improvement of people's livelihood in these countries," Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on November 7 at a regular press conference. Shanghai launched the 2024 Shanghai Silk Road E-commerce Carnival in May 2024, under which Meione (Shanghai) Network Technology Co conducted a special promotion event exclusively for African products, selling raw materials such as cocoa cubes, coffee extracts and tea extracts from African countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, Meione said in a statement shared with the Global Times. China has been facilitating market access for more imports, especially for LDCs. Starting from December 1, 2024, China gave zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to LDCs. China is the first developing country and major global economy to implement this initiative, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said. Regarding China's zero-tariff treatment policy for LDCs, of which Bangladesh is one, Rahman said that "this policy will significantly promote trade for countries like ours, and we are very grateful for it." "This demonstrates China's commitment to forge a global development partnership, under which no country or individual should be left behind," Zhu Qiucheng, CEO of Ningbo New Oriental Electric Industrial Development, an exporter of home furnishing products, told the Global Times on Friday. High-tech, high-quality China's foreign trade, while with increasing imports from more countries and keeping a stable growth in 2024, also improved its mix, with exports of high-quality and high-tech products particularly increased. Specifically, mechanical and electrical products accounted for nearly 60 percent of exports in the first 11 months, of which automatic data processing equipment and its parts, integrated circuits and automobiles exports grew by double digits, according to GAC data. Exports of the "new trio," namely, electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products, have become China's new business cards in the world. It means that in the "smile curve" of the global manufacturing industry, Chinese foreign trade enterprises are moving toward the upstream of the global value chain. The curve is called a "smile" because the two ends of the curve (R&D and after-sales service) have higher value, while the middle section (manufacturing) is relatively lower in terms of value creation. According to the latest data from China Automobile Dealers Association, China's cumulative export volume of new-energy vehicles was 1.72 million units in the first 10 months of 2024, an increase of 15 percent year-on-year. "Compared with labor-intensive goods such as textiles and clothing, the 'new trio' represents technology-intensive products, which are transformed and upgraded to high-end, intelligent and green - meaning higher added value," said Zhu. The transformation and upgrading of China's economic and trade structure have been demonstrated through China-initiated trade events, such as the CIIE, the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), and the China International Supply Chain Expo. The Canton Fair, for example, used to mainly showcase consumer goods. But in recent years, the proportion of intermediate and capital goods on display has increased to 12 percent, the Global Times learned from the organizer. In the machinery exhibition area where capital goods are concentrated, the number of booths has increased by more than 50 percent in the past five years. With increasingly advanced technologies, together with China's world-leading manufacturing level and stable supply chains, Chinese enterprises are making high-tech products more affordable for the world, Liu Jinshi, chief engineer of Ston Robotics Changzhou Co, told the Global Times. While China's position in the global trade market is gradually shifting to the middle and high-end in terms of industrial chains and value chains, the country's trade partners are also diversifying. In particular, its trade with developing and emerging markets grew at a fast pace. In the first 11 months, China's trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road cooperation saw a year-on-year increase of 6 percent, while that with ASEAN members rose by 8.6 percent. In this period, China's foreign trade with Latin America increased by 7.9 percent and that with Africa up 4.8 percent, according to GAC. Strong momentum The foreign trade of goods this year showed a good performance, both from the perspective of trading partners and the structure of traded goods, Wan Zhe, an economist and professor at the Belt and Road School of Beijing Normal University, told the Global Times. "The export growth of products with high technologies is strong, reflecting the increasing quality of China's industrial development," said Wan. China's economy has demonstrated strong resilience, great potential and vitality. The country is building a new economic development pattern of "dual circulation" with the domestic market as the mainstay and the domestic and overseas markets reinforcing each other and China is capable of resisting the impact of external shocks, Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen, said on November 22 at a press conference. The State Council recently issued a package of policy measures aimed at promoting the stable growth of foreign trade, while the MOFCOM, the GAC and other departments launched specific measures to accelerate the integrated development of domestic and foreign trade, further optimize the business environment at ports, and promote the convenience of customs clearance for enterprises, said Lü. The recent Central Economic Work Conference further stressed efforts to promote high-standard opening up while keeping foreign trade and foreign investment stable as being one of the key tasks for 2025, according to the Xinhua News Agency. "Looking ahead, favorable conditions are stronger than unfavorable factors, such as declining global demand and growing trade barriers and protectionism. There is a basis and support for China to achieve steady growth of imports and exports," said Zhu. Company: Global Times Contact Person: Wang Wenwen Email: [email protected] Website: globaltimes.cn Telephone:13810630137 City: Beijing Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of KISS PR or its partners. This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. KISS PR makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

QND Celebration Reflects Ethos Of Belonging, Pride In Qatar's History

LeBron James shuts down a fan who started taunting him while he was enjoying a beerBryce Thompson scored 17 points and achieved a milestone as Oklahoma State defeated Miami 80-74 on Friday afternoon in a Charleston Classic consolation game in Charleston, S.C. Thompson made 6-of-14 shots from the floor, surpassing 1,000 points for his career at Oklahoma State (4-1), which also got 15 points from Marchelus Avery. The Cowboys won in large part thanks to their impressive 3-point shooting (10-for-22, 45.5 percent). Oklahoma State backup guard Arturo Dean, a Miami native, posted eight points and one steal. He led the nation in steals last season while playing for Florida International. Miami (3-2) has lost two straight games in Charleston, failing to take a lead at any point. They will play on Sunday against either Nevada or VCU. The Hurricanes on Friday were led by Nijel Pack, who had a game-high 20 points. Brandon Johnson had a double-double for Miami with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Matthew Cleveland scored 11 points and Lynn Kidd and Paul Djobet added 10 points apiece for Miami. Miami, which fell behind 7-0 in Thursday's loss to Drake, got behind 9-0 on Friday as Abou Ousmane scored six of his eight points. Oklahoma State stretched its lead to 18 before settling for a 43-27 advantage at the break. Pack led all first-half scorers with 10 points, but Miami shot just 29.6 percent from the floor, including 3-of-13 on 3-pointers (23.1). Oklahoma State shot 48.4 percent, including 8-for-15 on 3-pointers (53.3 percent) before intermission. The Cowboys also had a 14-8 edge in paint points. In the second half, Miami closed its 20-point deficit to 55-42 with 12:12 left. Miami got a bit closer as two straight short jumpers by Kidd, trimming the deficit to 73-62 with 3:25 to play. The Hurricanes cut it to 77-70 on Pack's 3-pointer with 34 seconds remaining, but the Cowboys hit their free throws to close out the win. --Field Level Media

Giants release quarterback Daniel Jones just days after benching him EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Daniel Jones era in New York is over. The Giants quarterback was granted his release by the team just days after the franchise said it was benching him in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito. New York president John Mara said Jones approached the team about releasing him and the club obliged. Mara added he was “disappointed” at the quick dissolution of a once-promising relationship between Jones and the team. Giants coach Brian Daboll benched Jones in favor of DeVito following a loss to the Panthers in Germany that dropped New York's record to 2-8. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. Week 16 game between Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers flexed to Thursday night spot The Los Angeles Chargers have played their way into another prime time appearance. Justin Herbert and company have had their Dec. 22 game against the Denver Broncos flexed to Thursday night, Dec. 19. Friday’s announcement makes this the first time a game has been flexed to the Thursday night spot. The league amended its policy last season where Thursday night games in Weeks 13 through 17 could be flexed with at least 28 days notice prior to the game. The matchup of AFC West division rivals bumps the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals to Sunday afternoon. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game for the 49ers with a shoulder injury SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers with a sore throwing shoulder. Purdy injured his right shoulder in last Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Purdy underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage but the shoulder didn’t improve during the week and Purdy was ruled out for the game. Coach Kyle Shanahan said star defensive end Nick Bosa also will miss the game with injuries to his left hip and oblique. Left tackle Trent Williams is questionable with an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision. Red Bull brings wrong rear wing to Las Vegas in mistake that could stall Verstappen's title chances LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen is suddenly in jeopardy of being denied a fourth consecutive Formula 1 title Saturday night. Red Bull apparently brought the wrong rear wing to Las Vegas and GPS data showed its two cars to be significantly slower on the straights than both McLaren and Mercedes, which led both practice sessions. Red Bull says it doesn’t have a replacement rear wing in Las Vegas to fix the issue and little chance of getting two flown in from England ahead of the race. Lawyer says ex-Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller met with NCAA for hours amid gambling probe PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A lawyer for former Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller says the 22-year-old sat for a long interview with the NCAA amid an investigation into unusual gambling activity. But neither the lawyer nor federal law enforcement officials on Friday would confirm reports that a federal probe is now under way. Lawyer Jason Bologna says Miller cooperated because he hopes to play again. Miller was released last month after transferring to Virginia Tech. Temple President John Fry says the Philadelphia school has not been asked for any information from federal law enforcement officials. Caitlin Clark to join Cincinnati bid for 16th National Women's Soccer League team WNBA star Caitlin Clark has joined Cincinnati’s bid for an expansion National Women’s Soccer League team. Major League Soccer franchise FC Cincinnati is heading the group vying to bring a women’s pro team to the city. The club issued a statement confirming Clark had joined the bid group. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman has said the league plans to announce the league’s 16th team by the end of the year. The league's 15th team will begin play in 2026 in Boston. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Aaron Judge won't be bothered if Juan Soto gets bigger contract from Yankees than his $360M deal NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge won’t be bothered if Juan Soto gets a bigger deal from the New York Yankees than the captain’s $360 million, nine-year contract. Speaking a day after he was a unanimous winner of his second MVP, Judge says “It ain’t my money” and adds "that’s never been something on my mind about who gets paid the most.” Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBIs and 129 walks in his first season with the Yankees, then became a free agent at age 26.

Brock Bowers sets NFL rookie records as the Raiders roll to a 25-10 victory over the SaintsEgypt Allocates EGP 10Bn For Digital Infrastructure In Public Universities

How co-writing a book threatened the Carters’ marriageSANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — Two people were rescued when a California pier partially collapsed and fell into the ocean Monday as the state's central coast was pounded by heavy surf from a major storm expected to bring hurricane-force winds to the seas off the Pacific Northwest. Residents were warned to stay away from low-lying areas near the beaches around the Santa Cruz Wharf, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of San Francisco. “You are risking your life, and those of the people that would need to try and save you by getting in or too close to the water,” the National Weather Service's Bay Area office said on the social platform X. Lifeguards rescued two people from the water and a third person was able to swim to safety, the Santa Cruz Fire Department said on Instagram. Their conditions were unknown. Coastal roads in Santa Cruz were closed following the pier's partial collapse, city officials said. Gov. Gavin Newsom's has been briefed and the state's Office of Emergency Services is coordinating with local officials, his office said. Ocean swells along California's central coast could reach 26 feet (8 meters) as the Pacific storm gains strength through Monday, the weather service said. “A rapidly developing storm will bring hurricane force winds to the areas well offshore of the Pacific Northwest tonight,” the weather service's Ocean Prediction Center said on X. Winds off Oregon and Washington could peak near 80 mph (130 kph) and seas will build over 30 feet (9.1 meters), forecasters said. The Santa Cruz Wharf collapse Monday came about a year after the Seacliff State Beach pier just down the coast was battered beyond repair by a heavy winter storm.All of the strikes at European airports this winter – find out if you are affected