Kansas holds off Auburn for No. 1 in AP Top 25 as SEC grabs 3 of top 4 spots; UConn slides to No. 25 Kansas continues to hold the No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll. Auburn is pushing the Jayhawks in the latest poll after winning the Maui Invitational and checked in at No. 2. Two-time reigning national champion UConn nearly fell out entirely after an 0-3 week at Maui, falling from No. 2 to 25th. The Southeastern Conference had three of the top four teams with No. 3 Tennessee and No. 4 Kentucky behind the Tigers. The poll featured six new teams, headlined by No. 13 Oregon, No. 16 Memphis and No. 18 Pittsburgh. TCU, Duke climb into top 10, Notre Dame drops in women's AP Top 25; UCLA and UConn remain 1-2 TCU has its best ranking ever in The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll after a convincing win over Notre Dame. The Horned Frogs jumped eight spots to No. 9, the first time the school has ever been in the top 10. The Fighting Irish, who were third last week, fell seven spots to 10th after losses to TCU and Utah. UCLA remained No. 1, followed by UConn, South Carolina, Texas and LSU. USC, Maryland and Duke are next. How to sum up 2024? The Oxford University Press word of the year is 'brain rot' LONDON (AP) — Oxford University Press has named “brain rot” its word of the year. It's defined as “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state,” especially from consuming too much low-grade online content. Oxford University Press said Monday that the phrase “gained new prominence in 2024,” with its frequency of use increasing 230% from the year before. It was chosen by a combination of public vote and language analysis by Oxford lexicographers. The five other word-of-the-year finalists were demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy and lore. Oxford Languages President Casper Grathwohl said the choice of phrase “feels like a rightful next chapter in the cultural conversation about humanity and technology.” Scientists gather to decode puzzle of the world's rarest whale in 'extraordinary' New Zealand study WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Scientists and culture experts in New Zealand have begun the first-ever dissection of a spade-toothed whale, the world's rarest whale species. The creature, which washed up dead on a beach on New Zealand's South Island in July, is only the seventh specimen ever found. None has ever been seen alive at sea. Almost nothing is known about it but scientists, working with Māori cultural experts, hope to answer some of the many lingering questions this week, including where they live, what they eat, how they produce sound and how this specimen died. Hong Kong launches panda sculpture tour as the city hopes the bear craze boosts tourism HONG KONG (AP) — Thousands of giant panda sculptures will greet residents and tourists starting on Saturday in Hong Kong, where enthusiasm for the bears has grown since two cubs were born in a local theme park. The 2,500 exhibits will be publicly displayed at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, one of Hong Kong’s popular shopping districts, this weekend before setting their footprint at three other locations this month. The displays reflect Hong Kong’s use of pandas to boost its economy as the Chinese financial hub works to regain its position as one of Asia’s top tourism destinations. Violent hit on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence 'has no business being in our league,' coach says JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was carted off the field after taking a violent elbow to the facemask from Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. It prompted two sideline-clearing scuffles. Lawrence clenched both fists after the hit, movements consistent with what’s referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury. Lawrence was on the ground for several minutes as teammates came to his defense and mobbed Al-Shaair. Lawrence eventually was helped to his feet and loaded into the front seat of a cart to be taken off the field. He was not transported to a hospital. He was quickly ruled out with a concussion, though. Al-Shaair and Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones were ejected after the first altercation. Big Ten fines Michigan and Ohio State $100,000 each for postgame melee ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) — The Big Ten Conference has announced it fined Michigan and Ohio State $100,000 each for violating the conference’s sportsmanship policy for the on-field melee at the end of the Wolverines’ win in Columbus .A fight broke out at midfield Saturday after the Wolverines’ 13-10 victory when Michigan players attempted to plant their flag on the OSU logo and were confronted by the Buckeyes. Police used pepper spray to break up the players, who threw punches and shoves. One officer suffered a head injury when he was “knocked down and trampled while trying to separate players fighting." The officer was taken to a hospital and has since been released. Marshall Brickman, who co-wrote 'Annie Hall' with Woody Allen, dies at 85 NEW YORK (AP) — The Oscar-winning screenwriter Marshall Brickman, whose wide-ranging career spanned some of Woody Allen’s best films, the Broadway musical “Jersey Boys” and a number of Johnny Carson’s most beloved sketches, has died. He was 85. Brickman died Friday in Manhattan, his daughter Sophie Brickman told The New York Times. No cause of death was cited. Brickman was best known for his extensive collaboration with Allen, beginning with the 1973 film “Sleeper.” Together, they co-wrote “Annie Hall," “Manhattan” and “Manhattan Murder Mystery." The loosely structured script for “Annie Hall,” in particular, has been hailed as one of the wittiest comedies. It won Brickman and Allen an Oscar for best original screenplay. 'Moana 2' sails to a record $221 million opening as Hollywood celebrates a moviegoing feast NEW YORK (AP) — “Moana 2” brought in a tidal wave of moviegoers over the Thanksgiving Day weekend with $221 million in ticket sales. Studio estimates Sunday show that, combined with “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” made for an unprecedented weekend in cinemas. “Moana 2" blew predictions out of the water, setting a record for Thanksgiving moviegoing. At the same time, the sensation of “Wicked” showed no signs of slowing down with $117.5 million over the five-day weekend. “Gladiator II” collected $44 million. For an industry that’s been battered in recent years by the pandemic, work stoppages and streaming, it was a triumphant weekend that showed the still-potent power of Hollywood’s blockbuster machine. College football players scuffle after flags come out following rivalry wins It was flag day in college football. Michigan, North Carolina State and Florida celebrated road wins by displaying flags on the logos in the middle of their rivals’ stadiums. Arizona State put its own twist on the day with a trident. The results were predictable. Michigan scuffled with Ohio State after a group of Wolverines attempted to plant their flag in the middle of Ohio Stadium. There was a similar scene in North Carolina after at least one N.C. State player tried to plant a Wolfpack flag on UNC’s home field. And another skirmish in Florida after Gators edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. planted a flag on Florida State’s logo.
MADISON, 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.
11. SMU Mustangs 11-2 (8-0 Atlantic Coast Conference regular season) What's next: at No. 6 Penn State, State College, Pa., Dec. 21, Noon ET Head coach: Rhett Lashlee (three seasons, 29-11 overall) About Lashlee: The 41-year-old is enjoying success in his first college head coaching gig and has guided the Mustangs to back-to-back 11-win seasons. He was offensive coordinator at SMU from 2018-19 before heading to Miami for two years and returning to take the head job. He was named Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year this season. Resume SMU notched ranked wins over then-No. 22 Louisville and then-No. 18 Pitt but really served notice while racking up 66 points in a win over TCU. The Mustangs lost two games by a total of six points: 34-31 to Clemson in the ACC title game and 18-15 to BYU. Postseason history This is SMU's first trip to the playoffs during the CFP era. The Mustangs have lost their past four bowl games, including two under Lashlee. The program had a memorable run in the early 1980s behind stars like Eric Dickerson and Craig James but numerous NCAA violations sank the Mustangs and they eventually served a two-year death penalty. The road to Atlanta SMU hits the road for the first-round matchup at No. 6 Penn State. The winner advances to play No. 3 Boise State (12-1) in the quarterfinals in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31. Names to Know QB Kevin Jennings He threw for 304 yards and three TDs in the ACC title game, his fourth game over 300 yards passing this season. Jennings had a strong regular season with 2,746 yards and 19 TDs in the air and four scores on the ground. He can hurt teams with his feet, proven by a 113-yard outing against Louisville. "What is new now is the amount of criticism I receive from everyone. I get a lot of comments and messages from people on social media always criticizing everything after each game," Jennings said. RB Brashard Smith Stellar runner averaging 5.9 yards per carry to go with 1,270 yards and 14 TDs on the ground. LB Kobe Wilson Stands out against both the run and the pass, leading the team in tackles (110) and adding three sacks and two interceptions. S Isaiah Nwokobia He has enjoyed an outstanding season with 91 regular-season tackles and three interceptions while patrolling the back end. He has nine career interceptions. DT Jared Harrison-Hunte A force with 6.0 sacks, one interception and 38 tackles. He's in his first season with SMU after four at Miami. He has 15 career sacks. --Field Level MediaDeclining issues outnumbered advancers by a 1.09-to-1 ratio on the NYSE. NEW YORK - The Nasdaq and S&P 500 rose on Dec 2 along with tech-related shares after the market posted a strong November ahead of this week’s economic data including the key monthly jobs report on Nov 29. The Dow was down slightly on the day. Both the Dow and S&P 500 recorded their best months in a year on Friday. Technology, communication services and consumer discretionary shares were the only positive sectors on Dec 2. Tesla shares rose 3.2 per cent, with Stifel raising its price target on the stock. “We’re seeing a market that’s in a seasonably strong period just creep higher,” said Rick Meckler, partner at Cherry Lane Investments, a family investment office in New Vernon, New Jersey. “It’s a tough time for people to bail out, but by the same token, I don’t see an explosive finish to the year. There’s just too much uncertainty to where we’re headed. ... No one is quite sure what the plan is economically with the new administration.” Former U.S. President Donald Trump recaptured the White House in last month’s election and his Republican Party swept both houses of Congress, boosting stocks in November. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 77.79 points, or 0.17 per cent, to 44,832.86, the S&P 500 advanced 15.34 points, or 0.25 per cent, to 6,047.61 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 174.03 points, or 0.91 per cent, at 19,392.20. Trump’s potential plans for tax cuts and deregulation are seen as likely to lift the market while tariffs would be negative. Data from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) showed U.S. manufacturing activity improved in November, while the final reading of the S&P manufacturing survey was revised upwards to 49.7, compared to a previous reading of 48.8. Super Micro Computer jumped 28 per cent after the artificial intelligence server maker began its search for a new finance chief based on recommendations made by a special committee formed to review the company’s accounting practices. Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 1.09-to-1 ratio on the NYSE. There were 343 new highs and 60 new lows on the NYSE. On the Nasdaq, 2,268 stocks rose and 2,032 fell as advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.12-to-1 ratio. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now
“Unlike other organs lungs are not taken care of by most people,” said Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, while releasing a book, Nuraiyiral Arinthathum Ariyathathum , written by M. Palaniappan, pulmonologist, here on Saturday. Though lungs were among the most important organs in human body, their importance was not fully understood by the people, he said. The book written by a pulmonologist would give a wide glimpse of what should be followed to keep lungs healthy for long, Mr. Thennarasu said. The details given under various heads like COPD, asthma, common cold, tuberculosis and cancer would help readers identify the diseases through symptoms. Further, medication suggested in the book for simple medical conditions would be helpful for them, he said. The contents of the book, which appeared as a weekly column in a Tamil daily, would have reached a large number of people and the complied version now gave enough visibility to the contents, Mr. Thennarasu said. Tamil nationalist leader Pazha Nedumaran wondered how the author could bring such a complex topic into a simple book. “At a time when the world is witnessing various forms of air pollution, lungs are at the risk of getting damaged very easily,” he said. When statistics said about 30 lakh people died every year across the globe due to pollution, the recent COP 29 event, which should have brought a solution to the ongoing issue, ended up putting the discussion on the backfoot again, Mr. Nedumaran said. When developing countries feared for a dangerous future if the same amount of pollution continued, the developed countries, eager for more developments, had put a blockade on the discussion, he added. Tamil scholar Solomon Pappaiah, in his speech, pointed out the lack of professional medical books in Tamil. While there was a lot of Tamil home remedial books for medical conditions, due to lack of equivalent Tamil glossaries, a standard book was always unavailable, he said, adding that this book would fill that gap. “The book’s title itself suggests that there is lot more to be known. People nowadays pretend and believe they know everything about anything, and this book rightly targets such people who rely on social media and internet to learn the half-baked facts,” he added. Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore and Velammal Educational Trust founder and chairman M.V. Muthuramalingam were among those present at the event. Published - December 08, 2024 12:06 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit
CT officials hail state finances as pension fund hits $60 billion
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Nigerian striker David Okereke scored for Gaziantep in their 3-1 loss to Fenerbahce at the Ulker Stadium Sukru Saracoglu on Monday, Soccernet.ng reports . Fresh off a goal in Gaziantep’s 3-0 win over Basaksehir in their last game, Okereke led the line again for his side in their big Super Lig game at Fenerbahce. Super Eagles right-back Osayi-Samuel was on the starting lineup for Fenerbahce, as coach Jose Mourinho gave him a third consecutive start. The game got off to an exciting start, as Oguz Aydin scored after just three minutes of play. However, the game balanced up eventually, as Gaziantep were pushing for the equalizer. They got it just before the break, as Okereke showed his killer instinct in the box. The Nigerian striker controlled a cross into the box and fired a shot on goal which was saved. But he got to the rebound and poked to ball into the net to make it 1-1 just before the break. https://twitter.com/FootyinTurkiye/status/1863640492426010939 The second half was one way traffic, as Fenerbahce dominated the proceedings and created the better chances. However, they failed to scored until the 78th minute, and this was after Jose Mourinho had introduced four substitutes. Rodrigo Becao scored the second for Fenerbahce in the 78th minute before Edin Dzeko put the final nail in Gaziantep’s coffin with a brilliant strike in the 83rd minute. After 90 minutes, Fenerbahce ran out victorious with a 3-1 win. Meanwhile, Okereke now has three goals in eight Super Lig games.
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WTF?! Romania's constitutional court has thrown out the results of the first round of the presidential election amid evidence of possible Russian meddling through cyberattacks. There was also evidence of an insidious social media influence campaign. It's been a wild ride for democracy in Romania lately. A declassified report from the country's Intelligence Service reveals that this year's presidential elections were targeted by over 85,000 cyberattacks originating from 33 nations on November 19. The agency said the hackers accessed Romania's central election infrastructure to alter information and deny system access. The bad actors used various vectors, including SQL injection and cross-site scripting on voter registration websites. The hackers also leaked account credentials for these sites on a shady Russian hacker forum less than a week before the first round of voting. The Intelligence Service believes the attacks were state-sponsored due to the massive scale and resources involved. Unfortunately, it doesn't end there. A separate declassified Romanian intel report states that officials uncovered evidence of a coordinated Russian influence campaign on TikTok. The effort favored Romanian presidential long-shot Calin Georgescu. The report says over 100 Romanian TikTok influencers with a combined 8 million followers were paid to post pro-Georgescu content using specified hashtags. The campaign got seriously amplified around November 13, with Georgescu's videos cracking the top 10 trending by November 26. Some of the suspected TikTok accounts used for the campaign were years old but had been largely inactive until mid-November, when they suddenly kicked into high gear promoting Georgescu. The Intelligence Service connected the dots back to Russia, noting textual overlaps between the Georgescu messaging and a similar Russian-backed campaign in Moldova. Bleeping Computer notes that investigators believe Russia views Romania as a strategic adversary because of its NATO ties. However, they didn't explicitly name the country as the perpetrator of the attacks. With all this weighing on the election's legitimacy, Romania's top constitutional court decided to scrap the results entirely and call for a re-run. It's a pragmatic move but could shake public confidence in the electoral process. Image credit: Sasha PleshcoO n Tuesday a letter will land on the desk of every cabinet minister from Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the Treasury, announcing the start of the public spending review, which will decide precisely how the government spends taxpayers’ money for the next two years. It will demand three things: first, that ministers spend money on things the public actually cares about to demonstrate they are on the side of voters. Second, that they tackle waste. Every department will be told they need to find 5 per cent savings from waste and inefficiencies. Third, that they reform public services to make them more productive and get better value for money for the taxpayer. “We cannot keep paying more for poor performance,” Jones writes. This is the next step in Sir Keir Starmer’s plan to focus on the priorities of his government after he unveiled his six “milestones” last week, giving concrete targets that he aims to hit before the next election. But the exercise is about more than just improving the way government functions — it is ground zero in a battle to convince already sceptical voters that Labour is any more capable of improving their lives than the Tories were.
(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Sunday, Dec. 8 AUTO RACING 7:55 a.m. ESPN2 — Formula 1: The Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates ESPNU — Formula 1: The Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (F1 Kids) COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) Noon BTN — Maryland at Purdue FS1 — Oklahoma St. at Seton Hall SECN — Richmond at Auburn 12:30 p.m. ESPNU — Vanderbilt vs. TCU, Fort Worth, Texas 1 p.m. ESPN2 — Kansas at Missouri 3 p.m. ESPN2 — Texas A&M vs. Texas Tech, Fort Worth, Texas 4 p.m. ESPNU — Arkansas St. at Memphis 5 p.m. ESPN — UConn at Texas 6 p.m. ACCN — Duke at Louisville BTN — UCLA at Oregon COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S) Noon ACCN — Notre Dame at Syracuse 2 p.m. ACCN — SMU at Florida St. BTN — Minnesota at Nebraska SECN — Tennessee St. at Mississippi 4 p.m. ACCN — Virginia Tech at Duke BTN — Illinois at Ohio St. SECN — Kansas St. at Texas A&M 7 p.m. ESPN2 — South Carolina at TCU COLLEGE FOOTBALL Noon ESPN — College Football Playoff Selection Show COLLEGE WATER POLO (MEN’S) 6 p.m. ESPNU — NCAA Tournament: TBD, Stanford, Calif. FIGURE SKATING 4:30 p.m. NBC — ISU: The Final 2024, Grenoble, France GOLF 4 a.m. GOLF — DP World Tour: The Nedbank Golf Challenge, Final Round, Gary Player Country Club, Sun City, South Africa 11:30 a.m. GOLF — PGA Tour: The Hero World Challenge, Final Round, Albany Golf Club, Nassau, Bahamas 1:30 p.m. NBC — PGA Tour: The Hero World Challenge, Final Round, Albany Golf Club, Nassau, Bahamas HORSE RACING Noon FS2 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races NBA G-LEAGUE BASKETBALL 2 p.m. NBATV — Westchester at Raptors 905 NFL FOOTBALL 1 p.m. CBS — Regional Coverage: Jacksonville at Tennessee, N.Y. Jets at Miami, Cleveland at Pittsburgh, Las Vegas at Tampa Bay FOX — Regional Coverage: Atlanta at Minnesota, New Orleans at N.Y. Giants, Carolina at Philadelphia 4:05 p.m. CBS — Seattle at Arizona 4:25 p.m. FOX — Regional Coverage: Buffalo at L.A. Rams, Chicago at San Francisco 8:20 p.m. NBC — L.A. Chargers at Kansas City PEACOCK — L.A. Chargers at Kansas City NHL HOCKEY 1 p.m. NHLN — Seattle at N.Y. Rangers 7 p.m. NHLN — Colorado at New Jersey SOCCER (MEN’S) 9 a.m. USA — Premier League: Brighton & Hove Albion at Leicester City 11:30 a.m. USA — Premier League: Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Noon CBSSN — Serie A: Como at Venezia SWIMMING Noon NBC — U.S. Open: Championships, Greensboro, N.C. (Taped) TENNIS 9:30 a.m. TENNIS — Ultimate Tennis Showdown The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV .
US announces Ukraine weapons package worth $725 million
Liverpool's Premier League lead was cut to seven points by Arsenal and Chelsea after the Reds conceded a 90th-minute equaliser in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Newcastle on Wednesday. Chelsea thrashed 10-man Southampton 5-1 to go second on goal difference ahead of Arsenal, who beat Manchester United 2-0. Manchester City snapped their seven-game winless run by beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 to go fourth. Mohamed Salah's second-half double was not enough to extend Liverpool's seven-game winning run in all competitions as they failed to win for just the third time in 21 games under Arne Slot. Twice the league leaders were forced to come from behind at St James' Park as Alexander Isak blasted Newcastle into a 1-0 half-time lead. Curtis Jones levelled before Anthony Gordon restored Newcastle's lead. Salah twice converted Trent Alexander-Arnold assists to turn the game around, taking his tally for the season to 15 goals. However, there was a late sting in the tale as a rare error from Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher allowed Fabian Schar to squeeze in a late equalizer for the Magpies. "He has done remarkably well for us and even today he was good. Unfortunately, he misjudged the situation," Liverpool boss Slot said of Kelleher's blunder. Arsenal took full advantage by inflicting Ruben Amorim's first defeat as Manchester United boss. Once again the Gunners were able to rely on their prowess from set-pieces to get the job done. Jurrien Timber broke the deadlock, heading in Declan Rice's corner nine minutes into the second half. William Saliba did not know much about the second, as he diverted in Thomas Partey's header from Bukayo Saka's corner, but the Frenchman did not care as Arsenal had the breathing space they craved. A fourth consecutive win in all competitions confirmed Arsenal's return to form and applied a little pressure on Liverpool. "A special day. It's a joy to play in this stadium with that energy, it's something incredible," Arteta said. "We scored two set-pieces, but we could've scored from open play many more." Amorim added: "The set-pieces killed the game. They can put a lot of players near the goalkeeper and it's almost impossible to fight for the ball. We already know we have to be better." Chelsea put bottom-of-the-table Southampton to the sword at St Mary's even before the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Jack Stephens pulled Marc Cucurella's hair. Axel Disasi's early opener for the Blues was cancelled out by Joe Aribo. But Christopher Nkunku pounced on sloppy Southampton passing from the back to make it 2-1 before Noni Madueke added a third. Stephens then saw red in a bizarre incident as he jostled with Cucurella from a Saints corner. Cole Palmer made sure he got in on the act with Chelsea's fourth before Jadon Sancho's first goal since his loan move from Manchester United rounded off the scoring. City bounced back from their barren run thanks to Kevin De Bruyne's return to the starting line-up for the first time in nearly three months. The Belgian teed up Bernardo Silva for the opening goal before firing in the second himself. Jeremy Doku sealed a much-needed three points for Pep Guardiola's men, who are now nine off the top. "Definitely we needed that after many games without winning," Guardiola said. "Kevin De Bruyne was excellent. When he's fit he's so important for us. It's just one game but it was important to break this run." Aston Villa ended their eight-game run without a win with a dominant first-half display to beat Brentford 3-1. Morgan Rogers' wonder strike, Ollie Watkins' penalty and Matty Cash's effort made it 3-0 inside 34 minutes before Brentford's Mikkel Damsgaard got one back. Everton thrashed Wolves 4-0 thanks to two Craig Dawson own goals in a huge clash at the bottom of the table. Ashley Young and Orel Mangala put the Toffees 2-0 up at half-time, before Dawson's goals twice rubbed salt in Wolves' wounds after the break. Victory lifts Everton five points clear of the relegation zone, while Wolves sink to 19th.
Some Atlantic City casino workers call on union boss to resign for opposing a smoking banDespite what my recent lip blushing obsession may lead you to believe, my lips have always been my favorite physical feature. I’ve gone through phases of feeling self-conscious about other parts of myself, but I love my lips. They’re thick, pillowy, and the perfect canvas for color. They’ve even been featured modeling lip art at my previous magazine gig. Ironically, they’re also one of very few things I’ve chosen to have “enhanced.” While I have access to all kinds of treatments , I felt uncomfortable doing something drastic to alter my weight or my nose before attempting to deal with my insecurities about them first. I’m glad I made that decision because neither of those things bother me anymore. My lips are another story—I love them, so why not try something to play them up even more? Lip blushing FAQs What is lip blushing? What are the benefits? Is lip blushing safe? Does lip blushing make your lips look bigger? How long does lip blushing take? How much does lip blushing cost? Does lip blushing hurt? How to prep for a lip blushing appointment What happens at a lip blushing appointment What is the lip blushing healing process? Lip blushing aftercare How long does lip brushing last? Lip blushing before and after photos Enter lip blushing, a semipermanent tattooing method designed to enhance the natural color and shape of your mouth for one to two years. Using a method called pixelating, the aesthetician deposits small, undetectable dots of pigment to line and shade. The result is a color that looks as if it could be your own—but with a boost (and a more pronounced shape). Now performed by aestheticians rather than traditional tattoo artists (as it was in decades past), it uses organic pigments and modern, digital tools that feature several needle configurations instead of one harsh setting. I was fortunate enough to get my lips blushed by the pioneer of the treatment himself: Christopher Drummond , PFrank MD Skin Salon ’s in-house aesthetician and cosmetic tattoo master. If you’re as curious about the process as I was, make sure to do your research first. Below, see everything you need to know before booking your own appointment. First things first: What actually is lip blushing? "Lip blushing is a semi-permanent cosmetic procedure that enhances the natural color, shape, and appearance of the lips. It uses a specialized machine, a technician implants pigment into the lips similar to tattooing," Azza Halim , MD, a board-certified physician and anesthesiologist specializing in aesthetic medicine and anti-aging, tells Glamour . However, it's not the exact same thing as a tattoo: “Lip blushing uses a soft shading technique to create a natural gradient, while lip tattoos insert pigment deeper into the skin for a more defined look,” Dr. Halim explains. "This creates a soft tint that fades gradually whereas tattooing maybe more patchy when fading.” “Lip blushing is amazing for evening out lip tone and creating more defined borders, and is especially great for correcting uneven coloring in melanated skin,” says Tam Patel , founder and owner of San Diego's permanent makeup and cosmetic tattoo service Pretty Little Ink . “The treatment helps restore youthful color as we age, creates the appearance of fuller lips through uniform color, conceals sun damage, redefines lip shape, and keeps you looking fresh 24/7 without daily makeup.” That's why many pros consider is a great alternative to lip filler. “A good candidate for lip blushing is a patient who wishes to create the visual impression of larger lips without resorting to the injection of dermal fillers,” says Peter Lee, MD, FACS, founder, CEO, and head surgeon at Wave Plastic Surgery . “Lip blushing can also help patients camouflage uneven pigmentation of the lips, scars that cross the vermilion border, or smoker’s lines to varying degrees.” So long as you're seeing a reputable practitioner, lip blushing is generally considered safe. However, as with every medical procedure, it can come with risks, so Dr. Halim advises anyone with keloid-prone skin, active herpes simplex virus (cold sores), allergies to pigments, or sensitive skin consult with professional to determine if they are a good candidate beforehand. “Allergic reactions are rare, but we recommend a patch test if you're prone to skin allergies,” adds Patel. “The biggest risk is uneven results from an inexperienced artist, so always research your provider carefully. Color may change over time, and different skin tones need specific expertise.” As with anything aesthetic, there's also a chance you might not like your results. “Common sources of dissatisfaction after the procedure include a dislike of the final color of the lips, uneven pigmentation, asymmetry of the lips, or dissatisfaction with the final shape of the lips,” says Dr. Lee. “Patients should also keep in mind that that lip blushing treatment is ‘semi-permanent,’ and therefore difficult to modify or remove once it has been performed.” It can, and many people choose to use it both as an alternative to and supplement to lip injections or a lip flip . “While lip blushing doesn't add physical volume, it can create the appearance and feeling of fuller lips by defining the borders and evening out the color,” says Patel. “It's perfect for those who aren't ready for lip filler or want it as a complement to their existing filler.” “The entire procedure, including the initial application of topical anesthetic, usually takes about 90 minutes,” says Dr. Lee. That includes 15 to 20 minutes for numbing, 15 to 30 for consultation and mapping, and 60 to 90 for the actual procedure, adds Patel: "We take our time to ensure perfect results." The cost of lip blushing depends on your location and where you get it done. That said, lip blushing costs about $307 on average, according to data from RealSelf , with prices typically ranging from $200 to $500 on the lower end. However, like other minimally invasive cosmetic treatments, you get what you pay for when it comes to lip blushing. Drummond is the best in the business, and he charges $1,500 per treatment. Be wary of anyone offering a deal that seems too good to be true. A semipermanent treatment is not the time to take risks. For me, the pain was surprisingly minimal. Prepping for my session was easy; I was simply told to avoid ibuprofen, fish oil, and vitamin E the day before to reduce the possibility of bruising and bleeding. Upon sitting in Drummond’s chair, I was told he’d be applying topical anesthesia to my mouth. Because the skin on your lips is extra porous, the anesthesia is much more effective than it would be on, say, your brows during a microblading session . As someone with about 15 (very painful) tattoos, I admit that I didn’t believe him at first. But aside from a slight pinching feeling at the beginning, the sensation was similar to someone using a finger to apply slight pressure. That was it. Such is the case for most people, too. “With proper numbing and technique, it's really not painful at all,” says Patel. “Most of my clients describe it as mild discomfort – kind of like a scratching sensation. We offer breaks whenever needed, and our high-quality numbing creams keep you comfortable throughout the process.” However, this is assuming that the numbing was done properly in the first place. “As a former dental hygienist, I’m used to doing this and have had multiple clients a month fall asleep in my chair,” Patel explains. “But, buyer beware, make sure your artist has the proper training (and preferably a healthcare background).” “To prepare for lip blushing, patients should try to hydrate themselves in the days prior to their appointment by increasing their fluid intake,” says Dr. Lee. “They should also increase the application of moisturizer to their lips and the surrounding skin.” So be sure to stock up on lip balm ! “Make sure you don't have active cold sores or recent lip filler injections,” adds Patel. “Skip alcohol, caffeine, and blood thinners for 24 hours before, and come with clean, moisturized lips.”If you do have a history of cold sores, be sure obtain a prescription for an antiviral medication, such as Valtrex, from your primary care physician. "Commence taking it three days prior to the procedure," Dr. Lee says. In terms of skin care, be sure to avoid using retinoids , alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), or exfoliating agents before your procedure, adds Dr. Halim. “One should also be free of illness or infection prior to procedure.” This is also a good time to try different lip shades. “The color we use is really up to the individual,” says Drummond. “We discuss what they want beforehand, and I create a custom color for them.” Before your appointment, try on your favorite lipstick colors in different neutral shades of rose, coral, and brown tones to see what meshes best with your skin tone. Then bring those with you (it doesn’t hurt to have some reference photos either). That way, on appointment day you’ll be able to give your aesthetician an accurate idea of what you want. Once they mix a color up, you can always add or take away certain tones before tattooing begins. Wondering what happens once you get to your lip blushing appointment? Here's what you can expect. “The process starts with a consultation and color selection, fully customized to the client’s desires, followed by numbing,” says Patel. “We then map out your lip shape for symmetry and use a digital machine to carefully layer pigment into your lips, making multiple passes for even, natural-looking coverage.” This is done using a tattoo machine with a small needle, adds Dr. Halim. “It deposits pigment into the lips using a shading technique in order to layer color gradually for a natural effect.”At the end of the procedure, moisturizer is applied to the lips. “Finally, we do a touch up appointment at the six to eight week mark to ensure the color goals of the client,” says Patel. While there’s no downtime for this treatment (you can shower and wash your face the same day, as long as you slather on a coat of Aquaphor), it takes about four to five days to heal completely. Despite Drummond’s warnings that my lips would dramatically darken post-treatment, I still freaked out a little when I woke up to an unexpected raisin color the next morning instead of the rosy pink shade we had discussed. “During the healing process, the excess color flakes off,” explains Drummond, which explains the temporary change. By the time the second morning rolled around, all that remained of the dark color was restricted to the outer edges of my mouth. By morning three, I saw only the soft pink we had agreed upon. If you’ve ever gone on Accutane , then you have an idea of the level of dryness you’ll experience post lip blushing. I used up two full tubes of Aquaphor after my treatment. The good news is that four days later, my lips were once again moisturized and no longer crying out for extra coats of balm. Otherwise, right after your lip blushing appointment, keep your lips dry and clean (drink liquids through a straw). “Use the after-care products we provide," says Patel. "Avoid picking, scratching, sun exposure, and other lip products for 24-48 hours. Skip spicy foods and hot drinks initially, and stay hydrated. Following these instructions carefully ensures the best results.” Also remember that after the procedure, your lips will be sore and swollen, says Dr. Lee. “In the first few days after, scabs will form on the lips and the surrounding skin. Patients are instructed to apply a skin-repairing lip balm to their lips four times daily for the first month after their procedure," he says. "Most patients will observe that the color of their lips will fade by about fifty percent over the first four weeks after their treatment.” “The results of lip blushing typically last two to three years, depending on individual skin type, lifestyle, and aftercare,” says Dr. Halim. However, some clients need a touch up after one to two years, adds Patel. “The duration varies based on your skin type, sun exposure, skincare routine, lifestyle, and melanin levels.” If you end up needing a touch-up, don’t panic! After my first session, I found that a small area on the upper left side of my top lip had turned more of a dusty rose than our planned petal pink. A few months after my first session, I went in for a touch-up. This time Drummond seamlessly blended the area away. How dramatic are the results? If you’re looking for a permanent retro red shade or supersharp lines, this is not the treatment for you. While Drummond can alter tone or shape a bit, it won’t be by more than a couple of shades. The result is meant to be subtle—think along the lines of lash extensions or microfeathering . Personally, I’m still loving the results with just a bit of balm patted over the top. And on days when I do want to play with color, there are always plenty of lip color options to apply , no needles required. Kate Foster is a writer in Brooklyn. Follow her on Instagram @katebfoster . This article has been updated with additional reporting by Danielle Sinay.
West Ham added the 34-year-old player was in a stable condition. “Michail is conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision at a central London hospital," the Premier League club said in a statement. “At this difficult time, we kindly ask everyone to respect the privacy of Michail and his family. “The club will make no further comment this evening, but will issue a further update in due course.” Unverified images of a heavily damaged Ferrari in the Essex area were shared on social media on Saturday. It was not known if it was the car involved in the accident. Antonio signed for West Ham in 2015 and has made more than 300 appearances. West Ham doesn't have a league game until Monday. James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerBefore his annual flight around the world on Christmas night, Santa will knock the rust off his sleigh this year with a trip around 15 Vacaville city parks across three nights next week — his fourth annual trip around the city. Santa will visit five parks each night on December 16, 18 and 20, parading on a float made by the Vacaville Police Activities League from 6 p.m. until 8:15 p.m. each evening. On Monday, he will visit Corderos Park, Ridgeview Park, Browns Valley Park, Trower Park and Orchard Park. On Wednesday He will visit Alamo Creek Park, Pheasant Country Park, Cannon Station Park, Magnolia Park and Meadowlands Park. On Friday, Santa will visit Fairmont/Beelard Park, Nashe Mesto Park, Arbor Oaks Park, Hawkins Park and Stonegate Park. Floats from the Police Department, City Coach, Recology and the Fire Department will accompany floats carrying Santa and The Grinch, according to an online survey about the event. QR codes on the floats will lead those gathered to the survey, and the float that wins the most votes will be awarded a prize. The city has built an online Santa tracker which will follow him from location to location this year and show his routes through the city, the city’s web page on the event explained. Elves will accompany Santa to each location and will hand out candy canes to those gathered. Cancellations due to rain will be announced through the website and through the Vacaville Parks and Recreation Facebook and Instagram Pages by 3 p.m. on the day of each parade, and will not be rescheduled if they occur.Luigi Mangione has been arrested in an investigation into UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's killing. Mangione, an Ivy League graduate, left an online trail before his arrest at McDonald's. He founded an app, talked about Artificial Intelligence on X, and read The Unabomber Manifesto. Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, left a vast online trail before police in Pennsylvania picked him Monday as a "person of interest" in the Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson . He was arrested on local gun charges, but New York Police Department officials say he's expected to be extradited to New York, where he'll face additional charges. Here's what to know about Mangione: Mangione attended elite schools Mangione graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020. He achieved a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in computer science and a minor in mathematics. He also received a Master of Science in Engineering the same year with a major in computer and information science, a university spokesperson told Business Insider. Before that, he attended Gilman School, an elite all-boys preparatory school based in Baltimore. His yearbook entry, obtained by BI, says he was involved in robotics and Model UN. He wrote on his LinkedIn account that he was the valedictorian of his high school class. A spokeswoman for Gilman didn't immediately return a voicemail from BI. He favorably reviewed The Unabomber Manifesto On Goodreads, Mangione reviewed Ted Kaczynski's "Industrial Society and Its Future" book, also known as The Unabomber Manifesto, in early 2024. He gave it four out of five stars. "He was a violent individual — rightfully imprisoned — who maimed innocent people," Mangione wrote. "While these actions tend to be characterized as those of a crazy luddite, however, they are more accurately seen as those of an extreme political revolutionary." Mangione's review of the manifesto also quoted another online comment about the book, which appears to have originated on Reddit, praising the use of violence "when all other forms of communication fail." "'Violence never solved anything' is a statement uttered by cowards and predators,'" Mangione quoted. Online breadcrumbs suggest he dealt with back pain At the top of Mangione's profile on X — formerly Twitter — was a triptych of three images: a photo of himself, smiling, shirtless on a mountain ridge; a Pokemon; and an x-ray with four pins or screws visible in the lower back. Related stories Some of the books reviewed on Mangione's Goodreads account related to health and healing back pain, including "Back Mechanic: The Secrets to a Healthy Spine Your Doctor Isn't Telling You" and "Crooked: Outwitting the Back Pain Industry and Getting on the Road to Recovery." The Pokemon featured in his X cover image, next to an apparent spinal X-ray, is Breloom. In the Pokemon games, it has special healing abilities. He founded an app and worked in tech While still in high school, in 2015, Mangione founded a company called AppRoar Studios. AppRoar released an iPhone game called Pivot Plane that is no longer available, but a reviewer in 2015 called it "a fun little arcade game brought to you by 3 high school juniors." He lived in a coliving space in Hawaii as recently as 2023. He posed for photos indicating he participated in Greek life at the University of Pennsylvania. The fraternity chapter represented in his photos couldn't be reached for comment. He cofounded a video game design club at the University of Pennsylvania, according to a blog post on the University of Pennsylvania's website that was removed Monday. Stephen Lane, a professor of video game design at the Ivy League university, who did not advise the club, told BI that "the fact he took the initiative and started something from nothing, that means at least in the context of Penn, that's a pretty good thing." However, the shooting of Thompson, Lane added, was "obviously not a good thing." According to his LinkedIn page, Mangione worked as a data engineer at the vehicle shopping company TrueCar starting in 2020. A TrueCar spokesperson told BI that Mangione has not worked for the company since 2023. He was previously cited for trespassing Mangione had at least one encounter with the legal system before his Monday arrest. Hawaiian court records indicate that he was cited in 2023 for entering a forbidden area of a state park. Mangione appears to have paid a $100 fine to resolve the matter. Mangione was interested in AI On his X account, Mangione posted and amplified posts about technological advances like artificial intelligence. He also posted about fitness and healthy living. He frequently reposted posts by the writer Tim Urban and commentator Jonathan Haidt about the promise and perils of technology. He also appeared to be a fan of Michael Pollan, known for his writing about food and ethics, and lab-grown meat. On Goodreads, he praised Urban's book "What's Our Problem?: A Self-Help Book for Societies," describing it as "one of the most important philosophical texts of the early 21st century." Urban posted to X on Monday: "Very much not the point of the book."
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