Senator Lidia Thorpe has doubled down on her actions after being suspended from the Senate for ripping up a motion by Pauline Hanson on the chamber floor and giving senators the middle finger. It came after a furious row erupted in the Senate after the One Nation leader questioned independent senator Fatima Payman's eligibility to sit in parliament . Payman — who was born in Afghanistan — accused Hanson of racism, while Thorpe called her "disgusting" while leaving the chamber, putting up her middle finger as she left. "What Senator Hanson did to Senator Payman was an act of disgusting racism, questioning Senator Payman's legitimacy to be in this place. That is an act of racism," Thorpe told ABC News on Thursday morning. 'Line in the sand': Senator Lidia Thorpe suspended from parliament "I am not one to stand or sit silent and allow this to happen. I would do it again," Thorpe said. "It's been a horrible week, and when you're subjected to racism ... I stand up against it. I ripped up a piece of paper." Thorpe was suspended from the Senate for the remainder of the sitting week. She questioned parliament's response to racism and criticised being labelled the "naughty little Blak girl". "They are quick to punish the Blak woman here all the time for calling it out, but I am responding to racism, and that's what they need to focus on," she said. "It seems like there's one rule for white people who get away with racism, and there's one rule for us when we call that out: we're the ones that are the naughty little Blak girl." 'Insidious and profoundly damaging': Australia's systemic racism revealed Speaking to the motion, Government Senate leader Penny Wong said there had been "multiple instances of Senator Thorpe making inappropriate and sometimes abusive comments towards other senators". "All Australians have a right to feel safe at work ... this behaviour would not be tolerated in any workplace, and we will not tolerate it in our workplace," she said. The motion passed 45 votes to 11, with the Greens Party voting against — in solidarity with their former colleague. But Thorpe criticised Wong's comments, urging the government to do more to respond to racism in parliament. "They need to not allow Senator Hanson and others to spew hate speech in our workplace. Pauline Hanson has walked in there with a burqa. She constantly is across the floor spewing racism and disgusting violence towards us and anybody else who is not white," she said. "That is not acceptable behaviour either. Why won't Wong and [Simon] Birmingham call that out?" Thorpe said the incident was proof an open inquiry into racism in parliament was necessary. "It is very convenient for them to uphold this colonial violence that continues to be perpetrated against Black and Brown people in this country. If we can't stamp it out here, then we can't stamp it out for the rest of the nation." She said she would "continue to disrupt until it is taken seriously". The Senate voted on Monday to refer an inquiry into racism to an internal committee. 25/11/2024 01:38 Play The suspension will prevent Thorpe from moving a private member's bill on genocide on Thursday, which seeks to remove the attorney-general's power to block prosecution of genocide or war crimes. Thorpe questioned the timing of the suspension. "It is very convenient that I am suspended today when that bill was to be voted on," she said. On Thursday morning, Thorpe entered the press gallery viewing area of the Senate, yelling a "free Palestine" chant. She then exited the chamber. Protests in support of the bill are expected to occur on the lawns of parliament on Thursday, with Thorpe saying she too will be present. "They may not be able to pass the legislation that needs to be passed today because they suspended me from participating, and they suspended me for standing up to a racist."UPI Provided Credit Access To Poor, Fuelled Equitable Growth: StudyNone
The debut of the Apple Studio Display in early 2022 came with much fanfare, as it was the first dedicated monitor from the brand in nearly three years and boasted staggering visual specs for a relatively reasonable price . Currently, a standard glass model of the Apple Studio Display retails for $1,599, while you can get a nano-texture glass model for $1,899. While that's not cheap, it is a high-quality 5K Retina display — a 27-inch screen with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 218 pixels per inch (PPI). Its impressive specs also include 600 nits of brightness, DCI-P3, True Tone, and support for a billion (you read that right — a billion, not a million) colors. Of course, there are a number of reasons the Apple Studio Display isn't the right monitor for you — whether you have an Apple computer or a PC. (Especially if you have a PC, as using the Apple Studio Display with Windows can be difficult .) For one thing, the Apple Studio Display isn't as beloved as some other products from the brand and was met with mixed reviews when it first became available. Another good reason is that, for many of us, $1,600 is just too much to spend for a monitor. Fortunately, there are cheaper options that are comparable to the Apple Studio Display, though each has its own pros and cons. To help you decide which may be right for you, here are six top-rated Apple Studio Display alternatives that won't break the bank, based on professional reviews by reputable publications who've tested them. You can find more information on how these alternatives were evaluated at the end of this list. When it comes to smartphones, Samsung and its Galaxy line is one of the biggest rivals to Apple and the iPhone (though several models have used displays manufactured by Samsung), so it shouldn't be a huge surprise that the brand also makes a solid alternative to the Apple Studio Display. The Samsung 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K IPS Smart Monitor was Samsung's first 5K monitor and offers visuals that rival Apple's. Both displays are 27" and offer 5K at 218 PPI, as well as 600 nits of brightness. It's also capable of 99% DCI-P3 for vibrant color saturation, though you can customize color temperature, luminance, gamma settings, and other preferences. True color representation is calibrated in the factory, with no extra steps needed during setup. Samsung built the monitor with a matte display that reduces reflections, and Intelligent Eye Care software that can optimize brightness and reduce blue light and screen flickering for even better visuals. It's also compatible with Apple AirPlay and has three USB-C slots, a DisplayPort connection, and a Thunderbolt 4 port rated for 40 Gbps transfer speeds and 90W charging. The ViewFinity S9 received a positive review from 9to5Mac , though the publication noted its dual stereo speakers pale in comparison to the Apple Studio Display's six speakers, which are capable of spatial audio. However, while the output is subpar, Samsung's monitor has a much better 4K webcam when compared to Apple's 1080p camera, which may be more important to you. Originally the same price as the Apple Studio Display, you can now find the Samsung 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K IPS Smart Monitor for considerably less — Amazon sells the display for $679.99. While not as big of a name as Apple or Samsung, Alogic has made a solid alternative to the Apple Studio Display with its Alogic Clarity Pro Touch 27-inch UHD 4K Monitor . It's less expensive and will still make a great display for your Mac Mini M2 Pro or other device. The Alogic Clarity Pro is the same physical size as Apple's 5K monitor, though its max resolution is 4K. However, it makes up for fewer pixels by offering touchscreen functionality, which can be an incredibly useful feature that Apple seems intent on not incorporating into its desktops, laptops, or external displays. Built-in touch settings also make it even easier to adjust your brightness, control apps, and more. Alogic's monitor also comes with 8 ports that include USB-A, USB-B, and USB-C, as well as an HDMI port, DisplayPort, and audio output. It also has an 8-megapixel webcam that's built into the top of the display and is cleverly designed to be retractable, so you can pop it upwards when you need it, forgoing the need for having to cover up the camera when you don't. After spending some hands-on time with the monitor, Forbes recommends the product and says it "performs well and has excellent color reproduction" and that it's "probably the most affordable 4K display with a touch function that you can buy." The review does note that the speakers are inferior to Apple's for what it's worth. You can purchase the Alogic Clarity Pro Touch 27-inch UHD 4K Monitor from Best Buy for $1,199 and find it even cheaper on Amazon . In SlashGear's list of the best major PC monitor brands , LG sits at the very top, and its LG 27-inch 5K UHD UltraFine IPS Monitor makes for an ultra-fine alternative to the Apple Studio Display. After testing the product, The Verge calls the LG 5K UltraFine a "great option" for MacBook Pros and "perhaps one of the single best monitors" the reviewer has ever seen. However, this review — and the monitor — predate the Apple Studio Display, so the only fair comparison is to look at the specs. Fortunately, LG's alternative still holds up, as it's the same size display and offers the same resolution, as well as 99% DCI-P3. The brightness level of the 5K UltraFine maxes out at 500 nits, which is 100 less than the Apple Studio Display. Its webcam is 1080p, which doesn't offer the same quality of some other monitors but matches Apple's. The device is also compatible with macOS and includes three USB-C ports and a Thunderbolt 3 PD port capable of 94W charging, the latter also being roughly equivalent to what the Apple Studio Display comes with. Despite being several years older, LG's 5K UltraFine is still only slightly cheaper than the Apple Studio Display — so if money isn't a factor, and you own an Apple iMac or other computer, there's really no reason not to opt for the latter. However, even saving a little bit of money can be helpful for many buyers, so the slightly cheaper alternative might still be your first choice. The LG 27-inch 5K UHD UltraFine IPS Monitor is available from Amazon for $1,350. Some people prefer Mini-LED displays to OLED, since they can technically provide more brightness per pixel than OLED technology, which typically offers better contrast. The Apple Studio Display doesn't use Mini-LEDs, although some of the brand's products — such as the Apple MacBook Pro M4 — do. So, if you're looking for a Mini-LED display that's the same size as the Apple Studio Display and costs a little less, the Asus ProArt Mini-LED Display is a solid option. (It's also available in a more expensive 32-inch model if you want an even bigger screen than the Apple Studio Display.) In fact, Digital Trends included the device on its list of the monitors you should buy instead of the Apple Studio Display. One reason it made that list is, because of its Mini-LED technology, its maximum brightness far outshines that of the Apple Studio Display: 1,000 nits of brightness to Apple's 600. That makes it incredibly useful for all sorts of applications, from gaming to graphic design. Other features include 576 zones of local dimming, 97% DCI-P3, support for Dolby Vision, HDR-10, and HLG. The monitor uses Asus Off-Axis Contrast Optimization technology to drastically reduce halo effects and provide a 7x contrast-ratio boost for dark parts of the image when viewing the screen at an angle. There are two notable downsides to the Asus ProArt when compared to the Apple Studio Display, however. For one thing, it's a 4K monitor — not a 5K. For another, it doesn't come with a webcam, so you'll have to purchase one separately if you don't already have one lying around. The Asus ProArt Mini-LED Display has product code PA27UCX-K and retails for $1,369, making it slightly cheaper than the Apple Studio Display. The BenQ 27-inch PD2725U made the list of best currently available Mac monitors and displays published by MacWorld , and it's not hard to see why. It's the same size as the Apple Studio Display and has a sleek design with a stand you can raise or lower. It offers 100% sRGB, HDR-10, and DisplayHDR 400, and BenQ's AQCOLOR technology has earned Calman and Pantone certification for professional-grade accuracy. The monitor has a wealth of ports available, including Thunderbolt 3, three USB-C, two HDMI, one DisplayPort, and even a 4-port USB hub. One very useful feature Apple users will appreciate is the display's M-Book mode, which can provide active color syncing with Mac and MacBook Pro devices with a single click. Even the factory settings match Apple's colors by default, and you can even set your Mac keyboard's brightness buttons as a hotkey adjuster for the external monitor. The BenQ PD2725U falls short in many categories when compared to the Apple Studio Display, though. It's a 4K monitor — not 5K — and it's a third less bright than the Apple Studio Display, topping off at 400 nits. It supports 95% DCI-P3, which is also less than Apple's monitor and it lacks a webcam. However, even if you have to buy a webcam separately, you'll likely still save money by opting for BenQ's display over Apple's, and while the picture won't be quite as hi-def, the 4K display will still be plenty sharp. Amazon sells the BenQ 27-inch PD2725U for $699.99. Many Apple Studio Display competitors will roughly match its shape and size (27 inches), which is pretty standard for many graphic designers, editors, and other desktop power users. The Philips Brilliance 499P9H isn't one such alternative, however, as it instead sports a 49-inch, 32:9 ultrawide curved screen. Some people love the benefits you can get out of a monitor that is essentially two side-by-side screens in one convenient package, as such a layout can allow you to view more windows at the same time, have easier access to icons, shortcuts, and other UI elements, and can take your multitasking to the next level. It can also be a great way to immerse yourself when gaming. After testing many different options, TechRadar included the Philips 499P9H on its list of the best Apple Studio Display alternatives and named it the best 5K ultrawide alternative to Apple's monitor, period. It has a color accuracy that covers 91% of Adobe RGB and 103% of NTSC color gamut. Its 450 nits of brightness isn't as much as the Apple Studio Display's 600, but is still fairly impressive considering there is a lot more screen in front of your face. The device comes with DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB-C ports, as well as a USB hub, though it lacks Thunderbolt connectivity. Unlike some other options, the Philips 499P9H comes with a webcam, which has a convenient pop-up feature. Of course, ultrawide isn't for everyone, and the monitor might not even fit your workspace. But, many people swear by the display option, and if you're looking for an Apple Studio Display alternative that's both cheaper and comes in ultrawide, you won't have to look further than the Philips 499P9H. The Philips Brilliance 499P9H is available for $999.99 from Best Buy. While we referenced the specifications offered by the manufacturers while compiling this list of Apple Studio Display alternatives, we put more emphasis on professional reviews conducted by reputable publications that have tested the devices, as this is a more reliable way to find out if a product actually works as advertised. These reputable publications included Forbes, as well as several known for their expert tech journalism, such as Digital Trends, MacWorld, TechRadar, The Verge, and 9to5Mac. One factor that was of course considered when putting together this list was price — all of these alternatives have retail prices that are indeed less than either model of the Apple Studio Display. However, other factors were also taken into consideration when weighing the pros and cons of each monitor versus the Apple Studio Display, such as display resolution, brightness level, connectivity, and useful features such as integrated webcams or touchscreen functionality. Rather than focusing on just one or two factors — such as the visuals — the entire device as a whole was taken into account, as different users prioritize different features when it comes to using an external monitor. That way, if you're looking for top-rated Apple Studio Display alternative that won't break the bank, there's a good chance at least one of these options is a good fit for you.Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has turned his attention to the gaming industry, sharply criticising the increasing prevalence of "woke" agendas in modern video games. Musk, who is no stranger to controversy, recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his disdain for the trend, highlighting how games infused with progressive themes have failed to resonate with players. In a series of posts, Musk openly attacked the inclusion of pronouns in fantasy games, labelling it " utterly unacceptable ". His comments were prompted by a post from former video game executive Mark Kern, who highlighted the use of pronouns in the upcoming role-playing game Avowed . Kern described the move as symptomatic of a " woke mind virus ," urging gamers to reject such trends. Musk amplified Kern's sentiments, stating that the presence of pronouns in such games detracts from their artistic integrity. Per a video shared by Elon Docs , Musk also criticised interruptions in gaming experiences caused by what he called "DEI woke bullsh*t," referring to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Musk argued that such elements disrupt the immersive nature of video games, stating, "You do not want to do things that damage art. It breaks you out of the story." Musk's criticism comes amidst a broader cultural backlash against political messaging in video games. This sentiment has been mirrored by failures in the gaming industry, where several "woke" titles have flopped spectacularly. Among the most notable examples is Concord , an online multiplayer game developed by Sony. According to Ryan Watterson , an AI expert and filmmaker, the game's failure was due to its overtly ideological themes that alienated its target audience. Watterson observed that Concord struggled to attract players not because of gameplay issues but because its marketing and narrative clashed with gamers' values. "No one wanted to be caught dead playing or supporting it," he remarked. Similarly, other titles such as Dustborn and Suicide Squad have been criticised for prioritising political messaging over player satisfaction. The failures of games like Concord and Dustborn are emblematic of a broader miscalculation within the industry. Per reports from Mario Nawfal , host of the Largest Show on X, Concord failed to maintain even 100 concurrent players, while Dustborn peaked at a dismal 83 players. In stark contrast, Black Myth: Wukong , a non-political game, sold 10 million copies within three days of release, showcasing the significant gap between player expectations and the industry's current direction. Nawfal summarised the issue succinctly: "Gamers want content, not ideology." He argued that games steeped in political narratives often fail because they neglect the core audience—predominantly young, multicultural men—who are drawn to gameplay and storytelling rather than divisive messaging. Watterson echoed this sentiment, stating that developers are wasting massive budgets on games that cater to ideological agendas rather than consumer demand. He likened these efforts to " taking Marvel-sized money to fund Pureflix-level projects ," warning that continued failures would shrink budgets and leave room for competitors who understand market realities. The backlash against "woke" gaming may mark a turning point for the industry. Players are increasingly demanding that developers return to the fundamentals of engaging gameplay and creative storytelling. According to FandomWire , Musk's criticism has resonated with fans who are eager for games to focus on entertainment rather than activism. As failures like Concord and Dustborn continue to pile up, the gaming industry faces a critical choice: adapt to player preferences or risk further financial and reputational damage. For now, Musk's statements have amplified the call for developers to abandon divisive themes and prioritise the art of gaming itself.AP Trending SummaryBrief at 3:42 p.m. EST
Israel’s Breakthrough Wave Energy Power Plant: Eco Wave Transforms Renewable Energy at Jaffa PortMADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin public worker and teachers unions scored a major legal victory Monday with a ruling that restores collective bargaining rights they lost under a 2011 state law that sparked weeks of protests and made the state the center of the national battle over union rights. That law, known as Act 10, effectively ended the ability of most public employees to bargain for wage increases and other issues, and forced them to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits. Under the ruling by Dane County Circuit Judge Jacob Frost, all public sector workers who lost their collective bargaining power would have it restored to what was in place prior to 2011. They would be treated the same as the police, firefighter and other public safety unions that were exempted under the law. Republicans vowed to immediately appeal the ruling, which ultimately is likely to go before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. That only amplifies the importance of the April election that will determine whether the court remains controlled 4-3 by liberal justices. Former Gov. Scott Walker, who proposed the law that catapulted him onto the national political stage, decried the ruling in a post on the social media platform X as “brazen political activism.” He said it makes the state Supreme Court election “that much more important.” Supporters of the law have said it provided local governments more control over workers and the powers they needed to cut costs. Repealing the law, which allowed schools and local governments to raise money through higher employee contributions for benefits, would bankrupt those entities, backers of Act 10 have argued. Democratic opponents argue that the law has hurt schools and other government agencies by taking away the ability of employees to collectively bargain for their pay and working conditions. The law was proposed by Walker and enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature in spite of massive protests that went on for weeks and drew as many as 100,000 people to the Capitol. The law has withstood numerous legal challenges over the years, but this was the first brought since the Wisconsin Supreme Court flipped to liberal control in 2023. The seven unions and three union leaders that brought the lawsuit argued that the law should be struck down because it creates unconstitutional exemptions for firefighters and other public safety workers. Attorneys for the Legislature and state agencies countered that the exemptions are legal, have already been upheld by other courts, and that the case should be dismissed. But Frost sided with the unions in July, saying the law violates equal protection guarantees in the Wisconsin Constitution by dividing public employees into “general” and “public safety” employees. He ruled that general employee unions, like those representing teachers, can not be treated differently from public safety unions that were exempt from the law. His ruling Monday delineated the dozens of specific provisions in the law that must be struck. Wisconsin Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he looked forward to appealing the ruling. “This lawsuit came more than a decade after Act 10 became law and after many courts rejected the same meritless legal challenges,” Vos said in a statement. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state's largest business lobbying organization, also decried the ruling. WMC President Kurt Bauer called Act 10 “a critical tool for policymakers and elected officials to balance budgets and find taxpayer savings." The Legislature said in court filings that arguments made in the current case were rejected in 2014 by the state Supreme Court. The only change since that ruling is the makeup of Wisconsin Supreme Court, attorneys for the Legislature argued. The Act 10 law effectively ended collective bargaining for most public unions by allowing them to bargain solely over base wage increases no greater than inflation. It also disallowed the automatic withdrawal of union dues, required annual recertification votes for unions, and forced public workers to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits. The law was the signature legislative achievement of Walker, who was targeted for a recall election he won. Walker used his fights with unions to mount an unsuccessful presidential run in 2016. Frost, the judge who issued Monday's ruling, appeared to have signed the petition to recall Walker from office. None of the attorneys sought his removal from the case and he did not step down. Frost was appointed to the bench by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who signed the Walker recall petition. The law has also led to a dramatic decrease in union membership across the state. The nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum said in a 2022 analysis that since 2000, Wisconsin had the largest decline in the proportion of its workforce that is unionized. In 2015, the GOP-controlled Wisconsin Legislature approved a right-to-work law that limited the power of private-sector unions. Public sector unions that brought the lawsuit are the Abbotsford Education Association; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Locals 47 and 1215; the Beaver Dam Education Association; SEIU Wisconsin; the Teaching Assistants’ Association Local 3220 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 695. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Report: Chargers expect WR Ladd McConkey, LB Khalil Mack to play vs. Ravens
The Red Sox have emerged as a favorite — maybe THE favorite — to land Yankees free agent Juan Soto, two people with knowledge of the contract negotiations told NJ Advance Media. The Yankees are still hopeful of re-signing Soto, but they’re now more worried about their AL East rival Red Sox than the crosstown rival Mets, who have the richest owner in Steve Cohen. The people requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. One person said that David Ortiz, a Hall of Fame slugger and Red Sox legend, has been trying to convince Soto to sign with Boston by talking up the city, the organization, manager Alex Cora and the farm system, which includes three of the top 10 prospects in the majors in MLB Pipeline’s rankings. The person with knowledge also told NJ Advance Media that the Red Sox have told Soto that they intend to sign two additional big-money free agents, another hitter and a pitcher. The Red Sox also are among the favorites for a winter trade with the Cardinals for superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado, who is on the block. It’s believed the Red Sox, Mets and Blue Jays are all in on Soto, with the Yankees and Dodgers also in contention. The 26-year-old outfielder finished third in the 2024 American League MVP vote after hitting .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBI and a .989 OPS in 157 games last season, his first with the Yankees. NJ Advance Media reported on Nov. 25 that Soto had received first offers from all five teams. Improved offers were made last week, a person with knowledge said. One person with knowledge of the discussions believes the Red Sox, Mets and Blue Jays all have made offers upwards of $600 million while the Yankees are in the $550 million range. A former Soto teammate recently told NJ Advance Media that he’s seeking a contract higher than the record $700 million deal that pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani obtained from the Dodgers last winter. Ohtani’s deal was for 10 years with $680 million deferred. Soto prefers a deal with no deferred money, one of the people told NJ Advance Media. Soto’s first offer from the Mets was for $660 million, according to retired All-Star second baseman Carlos Baerga. If that’s accurate, the Yankees probably have no shot at Soto because one of the people told NJ Advance Media that the Yankees expect the final offer to be under $600 million and the Yankees are prepared to move on if the price goes above $600 million. Soto is expected to field final offers by the weekend and make a decision during next week’s Winter Meetings, which run from Monday to Thursday in Dallas. If the Yankees lose Soto — and all signs are pointing to that occurring unless he leaves money on the table, which would be a big surprise — they’ll quickly pivot to a Plan B and spend elsewhere. The Yankees need to add one or two outfielders, a second or third baseman, a first baseman and relievers because they have a lot of other free agents who may not be re-signed: First baseman Anthony Rizzo, second baseman Gleyber Torres, left fielder Alex Verdugo and relievers Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahne and Tim Hill. The Yankees will look for a third baseman if they move Jazz Chisholm from third to second. Free agents that could entice the Yankees include first basemen Pete Alonso and Christian Walker, shortstop Willy Adames or infielder Gio Urshela to play third base, outfielders Anthony Santander, Teoscar Hernandez, Tyler O’Neill, Jurickson Profar and relievers Tanner Scott, Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez.Football season may be over for Rogers County schools, but the gridiron excitement is far from done. Claremore and Catoosa have been selected as host sites for several high-stakes semifinal games, bringing some of Oklahoma’s best teams to the area. The semifinal games offer local fans a chance to witness top-tier Oklahoma football and provide a boost to the Rogers County communities hosting these pivotal matchups. Claremore will host both Class 6A-I semifinal matchups on Friday, Nov. 29 at Lantow Field. At 1 p.m., perennial powerhouse Jenks (8-3) will face undefeated Owasso (11-0) in a clash of eastside titans. Later that evening, at 7 p.m., Bixby (9-2) will take on Edmond Memorial (9-2), with both teams aiming for a spot in the state championship. The Rams defeated the Trojans 42-24 on Sept. 6, but Jenks has been peaking as of late, outscoring its past five opponents 203-21. Meanwhile, Owasso hasn't looked as dominant, winning its past four games by an average of 16 points, including close games against Edmond Santa Fe (31-27) and Norman North (64-54), which went a combined 5-17 this season. In the other semifinal, the Spartans are looking to advance to the championship game for an 11th-straight year while the Bulldogs are aiming for a title-game berth for the first time in school history. This will be the first meeting between the teams. According to Claremore athletic director Brian Young, he has already confirmed many volunteers for the Black Friday matchups and reserved two helicopters to drop off the game balls. “It’s pretty big, and we’re going to be ready,” Young said. “I’m assuming some of the larger schools didn’t want to host, so (the OSSAA) called me and asked if I’d be willing to host, and I said yes. Monetarily, we don’t make much off that at all, but think about the 16,000-plus human beings it’s going to bring into Claremore, spending their money at our businesses and buying gas. And it showcases our school — that’s the only reason I’m doing it. “We’re going to try to make it fun and eventful so when people leave Claremore, they’re like, ‘Wow, Claremore can put on a football game.’” Catoosa will also welcome its share of semifinal action at Frank McNabb Stadium, starting with the Class 6A-II semifinal on Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. when unbeaten reigning champion Muskogee (11-0) squares off against Stillwater (9-2) in what promises to be a thrilling rematch of last year's state championship game. The Roughers and Pioneers met twice in 2023, with Stillwater winning the regular-season matchup 30-20 before dropping the championship tilt 28-26 less than a month later. The football festivities in Catoosa continue into December, with a Class A-II semifinal slated for Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. Regent Prep (11-1) will face Woodland (12-0) in a marquee small-school showdown. Catoosa athletic director Courtne St. Clair could not be reached for comment before deadline.
Fishburn leads at Sea Island as Dahmen keeps hope alive to keep job
President-elect Donald Trump recently selected venture capitalist David Sacks as the White House artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency czar, a newly formed administration position. Sacks will also head the president’s Council of Advisors for Science and Technology, according to Trump’s Dec. 5 Truth Social announcement. The prominent Silicon Valley investor will take the lead on the incoming administration’s AI and crypto policymaking. This, Trump said, will include establishing a legal framework for the crypto sector, safeguarding digital free speech, and mitigating “Big Tech bias and censorship.” Many of his tech colleagues are delighted with Trump’s pick. He is married to Jacqueline Tortorice, and they have two daughters and one son. The family currently lives in San Francisco. He was integral in devising various teams relating to sales and marketing, business development, fraud operations, and product management and design. Two years later, Sacks created the first enterprise social network, an online tool for internal corporate communication and collaboration. After growing in popularity, it received more than $100 million in venture capital funding. By 2012, Microsoft bought Yammer for $1.2 billion to help build its cloud and social business models. In recent years, he co-founded Craft Ventures, which quickly grew into a firm with $2 billion in assets under management. The firm has been successful by including prominent companies in its funds, such as Bird, Reddit, and SpaceX. At a personal level, Sacks has provided angel investments—seed money for startups in exchange for ownership equity in the business—for some of today’s largest brands, including Airbnb, Facebook, Palantir Technologies, Rumble, SpaceX, Uber, and Wish. The movie was a successful venture for Sacks, premiering at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival and being bought by Twentieth Century Fox. The film received two Golden Globe nominations, including Best Motion Picture. To date, the podcast has produced 224 episodes, covering a wide array of topics, including politics, business, economics, and social issues. Over the last four years, it has featured a diverse list of guests, including billionaire Mark Cuban, Trump, OpenAI chief Sam Altman, Tucker Carlson, and Elon Musk. He became more active in recent years, sponsoring fundraisers for the likes of JD Vance and Blake Masters for their respective GOP senate campaigns. Sacks also spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention.Report: Chargers expect WR Ladd McConkey, LB Khalil Mack to play vs. RavensMany of us have felt it, and now it's official: "brain rot" is the Oxford dictionaries' word of the year. or signup to continue reading Oxford University Press said Monday that the evocative phrase "gained new prominence in 2024," with its frequency of use increasing 230 per cent from the year before. Oxford defines brain rot as "the supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging." The word of the year is intended to be "a word or expression that reflects a defining theme from the past 12 months". "Brain rot" was chosen by a combination of public vote and language analysis by Oxford lexicographers. It beat five other finalists: demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy and lore. While it may seem a modern phenomenon, the first recorded use of "brain rot" was by Henry David Thoreau in his 1854 ode to the natural world, Walden. Oxford Languages President Casper Grathwohl said that in its modern sense, "'brain rot' speaks to one of the perceived dangers of virtual life, and how we are using our free time." "It feels like a rightful next chapter in the cultural conversation about humanity and technology. It's not surprising that so many voters embraced the term, endorsing it as our choice this year," he said. The 2023 Oxford word of the year was "rizz," a riff on charisma, used to describe someone's ability to attract or seduce another person. Collins Dictionary's 2024 word of the year is "brat" –- the album title that became a summer-living ideal. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementAmerican Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO) Given New $22.00 Price Target at Barclays
TORONTO, Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Timbercreek Alternatives LP, a subsidiary of Timbercreek Capital, and Aspen Properties today announced the closing of the previously announced acquisition of the 1 Palliser Square Office Building in Calgary, Alberta for the purpose of converting approximately 418,000 square feet of office into 418 residential units and amenities. 1 Palliser Square is a 27-storey, vacant B-class office building centrally located next to the Calgary Tower, with direct access to residential amenities, entertainment and transit. The project is part of the City of Calgary's Downtown Development Incentive Program designed to transform vacant office space into new rental housing stock. 1 Palliser Office-to-Residential Project Highlights: 418 rental residential units High conversion efficiency Optimized suite layouts 20,000+ SF amenity integration Connected to the +15 "Skywalk" Network Upscale unit quality Urban revitalization Affordable housing The acquisition was completed though a joint venture called 1 Palliser Square LP (the "LP"). As part of the acquisition, the LP completed a private placement offering of units for total proceeds of approximately $21.6 million. Raymond James Ltd. and Canaccord Genuity Corp. acted as co-lead agents and joint bookrunners on behalf of a syndicate of agents, which included, Richardson Wealth Limited, Wellington-Altus Financial Inc. and iA Private Wealth Inc. About Timbercreek Founded in 2000, Timbercreek is one of Canada's leading alternative asset class investment managers, focused on debt and equity investments in high-quality, value-add commercial real estate in Canada, the United States and Europe. Through active and direct investment, Timbercreek employs a thematic approach to deliver compelling risk-adjusted returns for their investors and partners, leveraging the diversified expertise and relationships of their highly experienced team to invest capital across a wide range of asset classes. Timbercreek's team of 50+ investment professionals have extensive domain expertise in these markets and combine an entrepreneurial growth focus with institutional risk management. Since 2000, the Timbercreek team has deployed more than $18 billion in equity and debt investments focused on value-add real estate, on behalf of their broad range of capital partners. Timbercreek has offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, New York, Dallas and Dublin. About Aspen Aspen Properties is a fully integrated and privately held boutique real estate company with over 25 years of experience in owning and managing real estate in downtown Calgary and Edmonton. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Aspen is committed to creating and delivering inspiring amenity-rich real estate with innovative technology and processes that help people thrive and contribute to the development and sustainability of the communities they serve. Together with their investment partners, Aspen Properties owns and manages approximately 4.25 million square feet of office space and nearly 3,800 parking spaces in downtown Calgary and Edmonton. Aspen's portfolio is comprised of 15 buildings—eleven in Calgary, three in Edmonton and a development site in Calgary. For more information: Timbercreek Alternatives Fraser McEwen President fmcewenf@timbercreek.com www.timbercreek.com Aspen Properties Scott Hutcheson Executive Chair of the Board rsh@aspenproperties.ca www.aspenproperties.ca © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
IRVING, Texas, Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exela Technologies, Inc. ("Exela” or the "Company”) (NASDAQ: XELA, XELAP), a global business process automation leader, will host a conference call with the financial community to discuss the Company's financial results for the third quarter 2024 at 4:30 p.m. ET on November 29, 2024. Hosting the call and reviewing the results will be Matt Brown, Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company. The conference call will be broadcast live on Exela's Investor Relations website at https://investors.exelatech.com/ . Third Quarter 2024 Results Webcast and Call Access Information: Shortly after the conclusion of the call, a replay will be available through December 6, 2024 at 877-344-7529 or +1-412-317-0088 (international). The replay passcode is 8557685. To automatically receive Exela financial news by e-mail, please visit the Exela Investor Relations website, http://investors.exelatech.com/ , and subscribe to E-mail Alerts. For more Exela news, commentary, and industry perspectives, visit: Website: https://investors.exelatech.com/ X: @ExelaTech LinkedIn: exela-technologies Facebook: @exelatechnologies Instagram: @exelatechnologies The information posted on the Company's website and/or via its social media accounts may be deemed material to investors. Accordingly, investors, media and others interested in the Company should monitor the Company's website and its social media accounts in addition to the Company's press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. About Exela Exela Technologies is a business process outsourcing and automation leader, leveraging a global footprint and proprietary technology to help turn the complex into the simple through user friendly software platforms and solutions that enable our customers' digital transformation. We have decades of expertise earned from serving more than 4,000 customers worldwide, including many of the world's largest enterprises and over 60% of the Fortune® 100, in many mission-critical environments across multiple industries, including banking, healthcare, insurance and manufacturing. Our technology-enabled solutions allow global organizations to address critical challenges resulting from the massive amounts of data obtained and created through their daily operations. Our solutions address the life cycle of transaction processing and enterprise information management, from enabling payment gateways and data exchanges across multiple systems, to matching inputs against contracts and handling exceptions, to ultimately depositing payments and distributing communications. Through cloud-enabled platforms, built on a configurable stack of automation modules, and approximately 12,600 employees operating in 20 countries, Exela rapidly deploys integrated technology and operations as an end-to-end digital journey partner. Investor and/or Media Contacts: [email protected]Bitcoin has been artificially pumped to almost $100,000 per BTC! Amazing what 9 billion pseudodollars deployed on Binance just since the US election can do, hey? So I’m getting press questions and I guess it’s time to make this post yet again. Time to go all-in on bitcoin! Retail bitcoin trading — ordinary people paying actual dollars for bitcoins — hasn’t recovered. I am confident in stating that this pump is the pump it looks like. The thing you need to look at is not the price number, but the retail trading volumes against actual dollars. You can see these in Coinbase’s 10-Q filings. The price is up, but the dollar volumes remain down. If you deploy sufficient fake dollars, you can make the price do all sorts of things. It’s even easier when retail trading is so thin. The main hazard for the pumpers is that people want to cash out eventually and volume is so thin that doing so crashes the price. But I should buy in, right? Right? Can the pumpers get another bubble started? Well, I have otherwise-sensible people asking me if maybe this is a good time to get some BTC in. So I fear the forces of grift could indeed crank this stupidity engine hard enough. When you’ve just heard about a fresh price peak, that’s absolutely the time to go all-in! That’s how you buy high and sell low in this business. Should you go for a nice swim in the shark pool built by the sharks on the assumption that you will definitely be a better shark than they are? If you must do something so foolish as buying crypto, get ETF shares — that’s the least-unsafe method. And you’re vastly more likely to be able to cash out successfully, sell when it’s dropping or short it effectively. At least I’ll sell some more books. (Currently writing some book-like text on the AI bubble, with minimal crypto. I also have some book-like text on smart city scams, which has rather more bitcoin in it.) A message for our sponsors AWS, not quite on the blockchain Amazon Web Services is sunsetting its Quantum Ledger Database as of July 31, 2025. QLDB was announced in 2018 and launched in 2019 on early blockchain hype. It wasn’t quite a blockchain, but it did keep a cryptographically authenticated log of changes to your data. [ Amazon , 2019 ] QLDB did have some actual customers who really needed a database with a full audit log of data changes — but evidently not enough of them. It’s almost unheard of for AWS to shut down a service. Usually they keep every service running forever, but just raise the price to get users to move to something else. QLDB reportedly had performance problems — which suggests they used an actual blockchain somewhere in it and the performance issues weren’t fixable. AWS’ suggested upgrade path is Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL — which also does audit logs. So as usual, the answer to which database is: just use Postgres. [ AWS ; AWS ; Reddit ] Australian securities, absolutely not on the blockchain Use a blockchain, they said. Fabulous efficiency, they said. Will revolutionize stock trading in Australia , they said. After the ASX spent seven years and AUD$250 million on their failed effort to replace their old CHESS trading system with a blockchain, their regulator, ASIC, is not letting them go “lol whoops never mind” and is suing them. [ ASIC ; Concise statement , PDF; Originating process , PDF; case timeline , PDF ] ASIC is particularly annoyed at ASX claiming in early 2022 that the blockchain project was “on-track for go-live” in April 2023 and was “progressing well” when it absolutely wasn’t. The ASX CHESS system is critical infrastructure for the Australian economy and is precisely the sort of thing regulators get tetchy about. Elmer Funke-Kupper, the ASX CEO at the time, commissioned the project in 2016, though he left shortly after — but Dominic Stevens was CEO for years of this dumb thing and should absolutely suffer career damage at minimum. Wow, you’re the guy who did that . Totally wired We’ve been busy with Pivot To AI — still making a post each and every day! — though crypto stories keep falling out of the AI coverage because it’s quite a lot of literally the same grifters. We have a draft in progress on one right now, and it’s as dumb as you would expect. If you want to follow the minutiae of crypto news, we heartily recommend signing up for Molly White’s newsletter. [ Citation Needed ] Nicholas Weaver: OFAC the Ransomware Gangs. Nicholas suggests it’s time for OFAC to designate every ransomware gang by default. Nicholas’ previous essay on what the US government should do to crypto mixers was implemented pretty much as he said on Tornado Cash , so let’s see which regulators are listening this time. [ Lawfare ] I was quoted in July on how Labour’s big win in the UK election affected crypto. I said that nobody on any side of the UK government cared any more. I’m pretty sure this is still true in November. [ CryptoNews ]This 7% Dividend Stock Pays Cash Every Month - The Motley Fool Canada
Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise prices, won't rule out revenge prosecutionsReport: Chargers expect WR Ladd McConkey, LB Khalil Mack to play vs. Ravens
Shopify: Wait For The Buy Zone
(The Center Square) – Christians helped push President-elect Donald Trump across the finish line on Election Day, a survey found. Trump received the majority of the Christian vote, while Vice President Kamala Harris received the majority of the non-Christian vote. This is according to a report from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, which surveyed 2,000 voting-age adults nationally. The election was a historic comeback for Republicans on many fronts, with Trump being the first Republican to win the popular vote vote in over two decades. Among self-identified Christians, Trump also received 56% of their votes, compared to the 60% Harris received from non-Christians. Yet, because the majority of voters still identify as Christians, Trump had a larger share of the vote. “Although Harris won a larger share of the non-Christian vote than Trump’s share of the Christian votes, Christians outnumbered non-Christian voters by more than a 5 to 2 margin – delivering the decisive Nov. 5 victory to President Trump,” the report said. “Not only did most of Trump’s votes come from Christians, but they gave him a 17 million vote cushion over Harris, which proved to be an insurmountable lead.” Christians represented 72% of the voters who turned out. The report also found that Catholics had record-high turnout, despite overall voter and Christian voter turnout being well below what it was in 2020. While voter turnout was lower than 2020 in most of the Christian subgroups polled, 70% of Catholics reported voting compared to 2020’s 67%. Voters with a “biblical worldview” also voted at a higher percentage, up to 67% in 2024 from 2020’s 64%. Just days before the election, Trump predicted that Harris would struggle with the Catholic vote on Election Day. “Kamala Harris has finally lost the Catholic vote,” he said on social media on Oct. 25. “Her and the Democrats persecution of the Catholic Church is unprecedented! Her poll numbers have dropped like a rock, both with Catholics, and otherwise.” While many politicos expressed concerns that Trump’s moderate pro-life stance would disenfranchise Christian and anti-abortion voters, it seems to have much less of an impact than expected. In fact, Trump pointed to Harris’ abortion stance as pushing Catholics toward voting for him. “Kamala is demanding late-term abortion, in months seven, eight, and nine, and even execution after birth, and people aren’t buying it – and they never will,” the former president said . The report found that 20% of Christians selected abortion as the most-consequential issue this election, with inflation (38%) and immigration (34%) receiving even higher percentages. Yet, potentially even more impactful on the election than the increase in the Catholic vote was the significant drop in non-Christian turnout, even higher than those reported in Christian subgroups. The report found that adults “associated with a faith other than Christianity” and “adults who have no religious faith” had a massive drop in turnout from 2020, dropping 12% and 9% respectively. With both of these groups historically supporting Democratic candidates, this cratering in support likely had a significant impact on Harris’ chances of winning. George Barna, who serves as the director of research at the Cultural Research Center and led the survey, said Trump’s boost with Christians was just too much for Harris. “Americans forget that two-thirds of adults in this nation consider themselves to be Christians,” Barna said . “Donald Trump, for all of his perceived and ridiculed faults, did a better job than did Kamala Harris of representing hallowed Christian characteristics such as the importance and support of family, the rule of law, limited government authority, financial responsibility, and the like.”Russia Tells U.S. to Help Rebuild Afghanistan Under Taliban Rule
Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise prices, won't rule out revenge prosecutionsTORONTO, Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Timbercreek Alternatives LP, a subsidiary of Timbercreek Capital, and Aspen Properties today announced the closing of the previously announced acquisition of the 1 Palliser Square Office Building in Calgary, Alberta for the purpose of converting approximately 418,000 square feet of office into 418 residential units and amenities. 1 Palliser Square is a 27-storey, vacant B-class office building centrally located next to the Calgary Tower, with direct access to residential amenities, entertainment and transit. The project is part of the City of Calgary’s Downtown Development Incentive Program designed to transform vacant office space into new rental housing stock. 1 Palliser Office-to-Residential Project Highlights: 418 rental residential units High conversion efficiency Optimized suite layouts 20,000+ SF amenity integration Connected to the +15 “Skywalk” Network Upscale unit quality Urban revitalization Affordable housing The acquisition was completed though a joint venture called 1 Palliser Square LP (the “LP”). As part of the acquisition, the LP completed a private placement offering of units for total proceeds of approximately $21.6 million. Raymond James Ltd. and Canaccord Genuity Corp. acted as co-lead agents and joint bookrunners on behalf of a syndicate of agents, which included, Richardson Wealth Limited, Wellington-Altus Financial Inc. and iA Private Wealth Inc. About Timbercreek Founded in 2000, Timbercreek is one of Canada’s leading alternative asset class investment managers, focused on debt and equity investments in high-quality, value-add commercial real estate in Canada, the United States and Europe. Through active and direct investment, Timbercreek employs a thematic approach to deliver compelling risk-adjusted returns for their investors and partners, leveraging the diversified expertise and relationships of their highly experienced team to invest capital across a wide range of asset classes. Timbercreek’s team of 50+ investment professionals have extensive domain expertise in these markets and combine an entrepreneurial growth focus with institutional risk management. Since 2000, the Timbercreek team has deployed more than $18 billion in equity and debt investments focused on value-add real estate, on behalf of their broad range of capital partners. Timbercreek has offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, New York, Dallas and Dublin. About Aspen Aspen Properties is a fully integrated and privately held boutique real estate company with over 25 years of experience in owning and managing real estate in downtown Calgary and Edmonton. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Aspen is committed to creating and delivering inspiring amenity-rich real estate with innovative technology and processes that help people thrive and contribute to the development and sustainability of the communities they serve. Together with their investment partners, Aspen Properties owns and manages approximately 4.25 million square feet of office space and nearly 3,800 parking spaces in downtown Calgary and Edmonton. Aspen’s portfolio is comprised of 15 buildings—eleven in Calgary, three in Edmonton and a development site in Calgary. For more information: Timbercreek Alternatives Fraser McEwen President fmcewenf@timbercreek.com www.timbercreek.com Aspen Properties Scott Hutcheson Executive Chair of the Board rsh@aspenproperties.ca www.aspenproperties.ca
Share this Story : NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Calgary defenceman MacKenzie Weegar will have number retired by Nepean Raiders Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links Sports Hockey NHL NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Calgary defenceman MacKenzie Weegar will have number retired by Nepean Raiders The CCHL club will hoist his No. 52 to the rafters of the Nepean Sportsplex before they face the Cornwall Colts on Sunday. Author of the article: Bruce Garrioch Published Nov 22, 2024 • Last updated 16 minutes ago • 4 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account. MacKenzie Weegar of the Calgary Flames shoots the puck against the Boston Bruins during a game on Nov. 7. Weegar played for the Nepean Raiders in 2011-12. Photo by Rich Gagnon / GETTY IMAGES Article content This homecoming will be special for MacKenzie Weegar. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, or tap here to see other videos from our team . NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Calgary defenceman MacKenzie Weegar will have number retired by Nepean Raiders Back to video The Calgary Flames defenceman only gets back to Ottawa once during each National Hockey League season. Still, before he suits up against the Ottawa Senators on Monday night, he’ll be back in one of his old haunts. The 30-year-old Weegar, in his eighth full NHL season, will be on hand Sunday afternoon before the Central Canada Hockey League’s Nepean Raiders face the Cornwall Colts to see his jersey No. 52 pulled to the rafters of the Yzerman Arena at the Nepean Sportsplex. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account Email Address Continue or View more offers If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, unlimited online access is included in your subscription. Activate your Online Access Now Article content Weegar suited up for one season with the Raiders before he left to join the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Halifax Mooseheads, but he made his impact felt with 13 goals, 37 assists and 50 points in 53 games in 2011-12. “It’s one of those moments when you lay in bed and think about it that you can’t believe it,” Weegar told the Ottawa Citizen from his Calgary home on Friday. “It’s quite the honour, but it’s going to be special just having all my family and friends there. “It will be weird to be back in the Sportsplex because you relive those moments, and there will be quite a few people there.” The season Weegar spent as a 16-year-old with the Raiders was special. That club won the CCHL title and advanced to the Fred Page Cup. He was approached by the Mooseheads midway through the season to join them, but and though Nepean coach Peter Goulet urged Weegar to make the jump, he opted to stay. “It was a year that made a huge impact,” Weegar said. “It felt like the NHL to me because I was a late bloomer. I was asked to play for Mooseheads and said no because I was too committed to the Raiders. I wanted to stay with this team, and Peter was pushing me to go. Sports Get the latest sport headlines and breaking news. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sports will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Article content Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “We were having a bit of a battle because I chose to stay and we won the championship because I felt the loyalty to him as a coach and my teammates. I felt like after that year I could turn this into a living and I could see being a hockey player after that.” He did leave after the season and had a chance to play with Nathan MacKinnon in Halifax. His mother, Louise and uncle/agent Matt Ebbs both encouraged Weegar to take the next step. “It was tough leaving home the first time. I cried like a baby leaving. I remember being on the front porch, crying, when I was going away,” he said. Selected No. 206 overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2013 NHL draft, Weegar has had to work for everything. He split the 2014-15 campaign between the ECHL and American Hockey League. He also spent two more full years in Springfield before making the Florida Panthers’ roster in 2016-17. Weegar signed an eight-year, $50-million U.S. deal with Calgary in October 2022 after he was dealt to the Flames as part of the trade that sent forward Matthew Tkachuk to Florida. The journey hasn’t been easy for Weegar. “I was carving my path in minor hockey. I was playing for the ‘A’ team when there was a ‘AAA’ team. I was always a step or league behind,” Weegar said. “You stay motivated and dedicated and you have great support behind you with my friends and family. Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “That’s why this is so special. You can’t just carve your path alone. You have to have people around you. Sunday isn’t just about me, it’s about everybody that’s helped me get to this point of getting a jersey retired. I have a lot of people who carved that path with me and I owe that to them as well.” The Raiders will also give Randy Watt, a coach, general manager and longtime Nepean executive a Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to the organization. Watt, battling ALS — known more commonly as Lou Gehrig’s disease) — led the Raiders with Goulet during the 2011-12 campaign. “What truly sets Randy apart is his deep connection to the Nepean community,” current Raiders owner Robert Kinghan said. “Whether engaging with fans or helping those in need, Randy’s presence reminds us that hockey is about people, not just the game.” Weegar’s best friend is Watt’s son, Brandon, and he is happy to be able to share this moment with that family. “It’s pretty emotional with Randy being honoured at the same time, just because of what he’s done for me and with Brandon and I being best buddies,” Weegar said. “I’ve been thinking about Randy and the impact that he had on me. Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “He always had a book with inspirational quotes and a couple have stuck with me. I watched the golden goal in 2010 on his couch with him and his wife, Debbie. They made you well-respected people with good manners.” Though Weegar wore No. 4 when he played with Nepean, the No. 52 he now wears will be pulled to the rafters. He has that number because it was worn by his cousin Craig Rivet, who suited up for more than 900 NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks and Columbus Blue Jackets. “Fifty-two is who I am. Everyone knows Weegar with No. 52 behind it, and, if that’s going to go up where people can I see, I want people to see the legacy that No. 52 has with my cousin and myself,” Weegar said. bgarrioch@postmedia.com Recommended from Editorial ALL TOO FAMILIAR: Ottawa Senators need to turn the page and climb standings - fast TAKEAWAYS: Senators lose fourth in a row as third-period rally falls short against Vegas Article content Share this article in your social network Share this Story : NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Calgary defenceman MacKenzie Weegar will have number retired by Nepean Raiders Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Comments You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments. Create an Account Sign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Trending Return-to-office rules broken by almost a third of Treasury Board staff: document Public Service Pat King found guilty of mischief for role in convoy protest News Special forces tracked former soldier’s social media, shared private info without consent Defence Watch No plans to buy first person drones for Canadian Armed Forces Defence Watch Ex-sex worker testifies about awkward encounter with Nikolas Ibey before he killed housemate News Read Next Latest National Stories Featured Local SavingsSocial media users, brace yourselves. Your timeline is about to be flooded with high school coaches looking to fill out their 2025 schedules. Such tends to happen whenever the TSSAA releases its region football schedules, especially whenever realignments are involved. William Blount’s move down to 5A left a void in Region 1-6A, a void which evidently won’t be filled. With a five-team Big East Conference, that leaves each school with six non-region games to be filled. Thankfully, the rivalry between Science Hill and Dobyns-Bennett didn’t get moved. It’ll still be in Week 11 for the next two years anyway, this time on Thursday, Oct. 30. Other than that game, Dobyns-Bennett must build the rest of its schedule around three straight region games against Morristown East, West Ridge and Jefferson County from Sept. 19 to Oct. 3. The Indians requested an open date following the Jeff County game, leaving two more weeks to fill before playing Science Hill first straight non-conference tilts to open the year. Science Hill is scheduled to play Morristown East and Jefferson County back-to-back weeks also — Weeks 6 and 7. That means the Hilltoppers won’t play a region game until Sept. 26 — also the date West Ridge opens Big East play against D-B. The Wolves close the 2025 and 2026 regular seasons with three straight region games. Not to mention, only one team in the Big East will miss the Class 6A playoffs. Of course, few teams have it as tough as Happy Valley and the Warriors’ Region 1-2A rivals — South Greene, West Greene and Cumberland Gap. All four teams are already in the playoffs under the current format. And while Happy Valley can presumably fill its non-region slate with Carter County rivals Hampton, Unaka and Cloudland, that still leaves four non-conference openings. BACK IN ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE What better lead-in to that tradition rich rivalry between D-B and Science Hill than the Musket Bowl? That’s right, in 2025, the annual meeting between Daniel Boone and David Crockett returns to its rightful October place. It’ll stay at Crockett this fall, except this time, the teams will meet Friday, Oct. 24 (Week 10). Granted, the Hawkins County Super Bowl might have something to say about that, as Cherokee and Volunteer meet in Church Hill that same night. On that note, while Regions 1-5A and 1-3A remained unchanged with five region contests and five more out-of-conference, Region 1-4A is in a completely different situation. Each team there needs only three non-region games after Seymour joined the conference. Same in Region 1-1A for that matter. Cloudland opens the year with three non-conference games in as many weeks, finishing the year with seven straight region contests. This became possible after Sunbright relocated from Region 2, and Hampton moved down from Class 2A, of course. THANKSGIVING BASKETBALL CONTINUES With Greeneville falling 28-14 at Anderson County in the Class 4A quarterfinal round, the Tri-Cities area has only one football team remaining — Rye Cove. The War Eagles entertain Eastside in the Region 1D championship round Friday night at the Eagles’ Nest. Thanksgiving week also means tournament time. In addition to the Hardee’s Classic, currently taking place at David Crockett, two other local tournaments also allow teams to get some games in this week. Monday marked opening night for the Food City Thanksgiving Classic at Sullivan East, this year consisting of just boys teams. On the girls side, Happy Valley is hosting the Valley Forge Auction Thanksgiving Classic, which begins with four games on Wednesday afternoon and concludes Saturday. On the web, these tournament schedules can found on the left (desktop) or below (mobile). In print, they can be found on page B2.Viral Thanksgiving strangers Jamal Hinton, Wanda Dench set to continue beloved tradition for 9th year: ‘He’s changed my life’
Ford government launches multimillion-dollar U.S. ad blitz as Trump threatens tariffsTHE HAGUE (AP) — The world’s top war-crimes court issued arrest warrants Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas’ military chief, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with the 13-month war in Gaza. The warrants said there was reason to believe Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and have intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza — charges Israeli officials deny. The action by the International Criminal Court came as the death toll from Israel’s campaign in Gaza passed 44,000 people, according to local health authorities, who say more than half of those killed were women and children. Their count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Experts say hunger has become widespread across Gaza and may have reached famine levels in the north of the territory, which is under siege by Israeli troops. Israel says it has been working hard to improve entry of aid, though the trickle of supplies into Gaza remains near the lowest levels of the war. Netanyahu condemned the warrant against him, saying Israel “rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions” by the court. In a statement released by his office, he said: “There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza.” Gallant, in a statement, said the decision "sets a dangerous precedent against the right to self-defense and moral warfare and encourages murderous terrorism.” The warrant marked the first time that a sitting leader of a major Western ally has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a global court of justice. The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects, putting them at risk of arrest when they travel abroad and potentially further isolating them . Israel and its top ally, the United States, are not members of the court. But others of Israel's allies, including some of its close European friends, are put in an awkward position. Several, including France, welcomed the court's decision and signaled they might arrest Netanyahu if he visited. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden's administration was “deeply concerned by the prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision.” The warrants represent "the most dramatic step yet in the court’s involvement in the conflict between Israel and Hamas," said Anthony Dworkin, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Israeli leaders, politicians and officials across the spectrum denounced the warrants and the ICC. The new defense minister, Israel Katz, who replaced Gallant earlier this month, said Thursday’s decision is “a moral disgrace, entirely tainted by antisemitism, and drags the international judicial system to an unprecedented low.” Human rights groups applauded the move. The warrants against both sides “break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law,” the associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, Balkees Jarrah, said in a statement. The decision came six months after ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan requested the warrants. The court issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas’ armed wing, over the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that triggered Israel’s offensive in Gaza. It said it found reasonable grounds to believe Deif was involved in murder, rape, torture and the taking of hostages amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity. In the Hamas-led attack, militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and taking some 250 others hostage. Around 100 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, around a third of them believed to be dead. Khan withdrew requests for warrants for two other senior Hamas figures, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh , who have both since been killed. Israel says it also killed Deif in an airstrike, but Hamas has never confirmed his death. The warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were issued by a three-judge panel in a unanimous decision. The panel said there were reasonable grounds to believe that both men bear responsibility for the war crime of starvation and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. The judges said the lack of food, water, electricity, fuel and specific medical supplies created conditions “calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population in Gaza,” including the deaths of children due to malnutrition and dehydration. They also found that by preventing hospital supplies and medicine from getting into Gaza, doctors were forced to operate, including performing amputations, without anesthesia or with unsafe means of sedation that led to “great suffering.” Israeli diplomatic officials said the government is lobbying the international community to speak out against the warrants and is considering an appeal to the court. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal decision on how the government will proceed. Despite the warrants, none of the suspects is likely to face judges in The Hague anytime soon. Member countries are required to detain suspects facing a warrant if they set foot on their soil, but the court has no way to enforce that. For example, Russian President Vladimir Putin, wanted on an ICC warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, recently visited Mongolia, a member state in the court but also a Russian ally. He was not arrested. Still, the threat of arrest now complicates any travel abroad by Netanyahu and Gallant. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the warrants are binding on all 27 members countries of the European Union. France signaled it could arrest Netanyahu if he came to its territory. Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine called it a “complex legal issue” but said France supports the court’s actions. “Combating impunity is our priority,” he said. “Our response will align with these principles.” Hamas in a statement welcomed the warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant but made no mention of the one against Deif. Israel’s opposition leaders fiercely criticized the ICC’s move. Benny Gantz, a retired general and political rival to Netanyahu, said it showed “moral blindness” and was a “shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten.” Israel’s campaign has caused heavy destruction across Gaza and driven almost the entire population of 2.3 million people from their homes, leaving most dependent on aid to survive. Two days after Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, Gallant announced a total seal on Gaza, vowing not to let in food, fuel or other supplies. Under U.S. pressure, Israel began allowing a trickle of humanitarian aid to enter a few weeks later. Israel now says it puts no limit on the supplies permitted into Gaza, and it blames the U.N. distribution system. But Israel's official figures show the amount of aid it has let in has plunged since the beginning of October. The U.N has blamed Israeli military restrictions, along with widespread lawlessness that has led to theft of aid shipments. The case at the ICC is separate from another legal battle Israel is waging at the top U.N. court, the International Court of Justice, in which South Africa accuses Israel of genocide , an allegation Israeli leaders staunchly deny. Lawyers for Israel argued in court that the war in Gaza was a legitimate defense of its people and that it was Hamas militants who were guilty of genocide. Associated Press journalists Raf Casert in Brussels, Mike Corder in The Hague and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
A judge on Monday rejected a request to block a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member from playing in a conference tournament on grounds that she is transgender. Monday’s ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver will allow the player, who has played all season, to continue competing in the Mountain West Conference women’s championship scheduled for later this week in Las Vegas. The ruling comes after a lawsuit was filed by nine current players who are suing the Mountain West Conference to challenge the league’s policies for allowing transgender players to participate. The players argued that letting her compete was a safety risk and unfair. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans women’s volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity. School officials also have declined an interview request with the player. Judge Crews referred to the athlete as an “alleged transgender” player in his ruling and noted that no defendant disputed that San Jose State rosters a transgender woman volleyball player. He said the players who filed the complaint could have sought relief much earlier, noting that the individual universities had acknowledged that not playing their games against San Jose State this season would result in a forfeit in league standings. He also said injunctions are meant to preserve the status quo. The conference policy regarding forfeiting for refusing to play against a team with a transgender player had been in effect since 2022 and the San Jose State player has been on the roster since 2022 – making that the status quo. The player competed at the college level three previous seasons, including two for San Jose State, drawing little attention. This season’s awareness of her identity led to an uproar among some players, pundits, parents and politicians in a political campaign year. The tournament starts Wednesday and continues Friday and Saturday. San Jose State is seeded second. The judge's order maintains the seedings and pairings for the tournament. Several teams refused to play against San Jose State during the season, earning losses in the official standings. Boise State and Wyoming each had two forfeits while Utah State and Nevada both had one. Southern Utah, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, was first to cancel against San Jose State this year. Nevada’s players stated they “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes,” without providing further details. Crews served as a magistrate judge in Colorado’s U.S. District Court for more than five years before President Joe Biden appointed him to serve as a federal judge in January of this year. ____ Gruver reported from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Hanson from Helena, Montana. Mead Gruver And Amy Beth Hanson (), The Associated PressSAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election , according to a Federal Police report unsealed Tuesday. Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. “The evidence collected throughout the investigation shows unequivocally that then-President Jair Messias Bolsonaro planned, acted and was directly and effectively aware of the actions of the criminal organization aiming to launch a coup d’etat and eliminate the democratic rule of law, which did not take place due to reasons unrelated to his desire,” the document said. At another point, it says: “Bolsonaro had full awareness and active participation.” Bolsonaro, who had repeatedly alleged without evidence that the country's electronic voting system was prone to fraud, called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, according to the police report, signed by four investigators. The decree would have launched an investigation into suspicions of fraud and crimes related to the October 2022 vote, and suspended the powers of the nation's electoral court. The navy’s commander stood ready to comply, but those from the army and air force objected to any plan that prevented Lula’s inauguration, the report said. Those refusals are why the plan did not go ahead, according to witnesses who spoke to investigators. Bolsonaro never signed the decree to set the final stage of the alleged plan into action. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or awareness of any plot to keep him in power or oust his leftist rival and successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “No one is going to do a coup with a reserve general and half a dozen other officers. What is being said is absurd. For my part, there has never been any discussion of a coup,” Bolsonaro told journalists in Brazil’s capital Brasilia on Monday. “If someone came to discuss a coup with me, I’d say, that’s fine, but the day after, how does the world view us?” he added. “The word ‘coup’ has never been in my dictionary.” The top court has passed the report on to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet. He will decide whether to formally charge Bolsonaro and put him on trial, or toss the investigation. Ahead of the 2022 election, Bolsonaro repeatedly alleged that the election system, which does not use paper ballots, could be tampered with. The top electoral court later ruled that he had abused his power to cast unfounded doubt on the voting system, and ruled him ineligible for office until 2030 . Still, he has maintained that he will stand as a candidate in the 2026 race. Since Bolsonaro left office, he has been targeted by several investigations, all of which he has chalked up to political persecution. Federal Police have accused him of smuggling diamond jewelry into Brazil without properly declaring them and directing a subordinate to falsify his and others’ COVID-19 vaccination statuses . Authorities are also investigating whether he incited the Jan. 8, 2022 riot in which his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in Brasilia, seeking to prompt intervention by the army that would oust Lula from power. Bolsonaro had left for the United States days before Lula’s inauguration on Jan. 1, 2023 and stayed there three months, keeping a low profile. The police report unsealed Tuesday alleges he was seeking to avoid possible imprisonment related to the coup plot, and also await the uprising that took place a week later. ___ Hughes reported from Rio de Janeiro Mauricio Savarese And Eléonore Hughes, The Associated Press
Friendly reminder |
The authenticity of this information has not been verified by this website and is for your reference only. Please do not reprint without permission. If authorized by this website, it should be used within the scope of authorization and marked with "Source: this website". |
Special attention |
Some articles on this website are reprinted from other media. The purpose of reprinting is to convey more industry information, which does not mean that this website agrees with their views and is responsible for their authenticity. Those who make comments on this website forum are responsible for their own content. This website has the right to reprint or quote on the website. The comments on the forum do not represent the views of this website. If you need to use the information provided by this website, please contact the original author. The copyright belongs to the original author. If you need to contact this website regarding copyright, please do so within 15 days. |