The pace of the Premier League, with its non-stop action and high-stakes matches, is a unique challenge that sets it apart from other leagues around the world. The relentless schedule, with games coming thick and fast, leaves little room for respite or recovery, pushing managers and players to their limits both mentally and physically.DAVAO CITY — Cities and towns in Cebu have rallied to defend the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo festival against claims of being a wasteful use of public funds, highlighting its cultural significance and economic benefits. On Wednesday, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Cebu Chapter, and the component cities of Talisay, Naga, Carcar, Toledo, and Bogo, issued a manifesto of support for the festival. Register to read this story and more for free . Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience. OR See our subscription options.wolfquest 3 download 。

Dune: Prophecy ( Sky Atlantic / Now ) I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! (ITV1) | itv.com Say Nothing ( Disney+ ) The Listeners (BBC One) | iPlayer If there’s one thing the world doesn’t need right now it’s another addition to the oversaturated fantasy genre, but maybe Sky Atlantic’s new six-parter Dune: Prophecy offers something a little different? That’s not to claim that I was bouncing on the sofa with anticipation. Developed by Diane Ademu-John and Alison Schapker, the show is a prequel to Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 film (a remake of David Lynch’s 1984 original), which I found rather dull: two-and-a half-hours of sand, CGI and boyband brooding from Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides. The new series is set 10,000 years before Atreides shows up on Arrakis, and as per with such ventures, the premise is laboriously set out at the beginning, as if we’ve all failed our fantasy studies GCSE and must now suffer on a sci-fi cramming course. A prologue tells us how thinking machines have been vanquished, technology banned. From there, we meet a sisterhood of Truthsayers – women in billowing black robes who root out liars and whisper advice into powerful ears, like alt-reality spads. The sisters are trained and led by morally dubious Valya (Emily Watson), who works alongside her sister Tula (Olivia Williams), and together... Hey, hang on... At what point was permission granted for two older female actors to lead a TV fantasy franchise? It feels like a minor feminist miracle. Valya and Tula are in control of baby breeding for better leaders (think a non-evil, female-friendly Gilead), but a bearded stranger, Desmond Hart (Travis Femmel), has shown up, able to burn people alive with mind power, and the weak emperor (a dazed-seeming Mark Strong) is in his thrall. Elsewhere, there’s routine fantasy silliness: for instance (spoiler alert), it is breathlessly revealed that Hart acquired his powers by being ingested by a giant sandworm. Still, Dune: Prophecy feels a lot more thoughtful and inventive than most fantasy fare, and with women placed at the centre. Looking ahead, Valya and Tula can still be found quietly but grittily scheming and plotting, alone and together, like a sandier House of Cards . It’s worth a look. Over to the Australian jungle for the opener of the new series of I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! (ITV1), presented by Ant and Dec. This time, thankfully, with no ( Hammer House of Horror tone) “divisive political figures”. No former health secretary Matt Hancock trying to nice-bloke away breaking his own lockdown rules. No Nigel Farage, populist man of the sheeple, gloating about his giant fee, hilariously unaware he’s tanked 2023’s launch viewing figures by 2 million. Instead, it’s back to the classic IAC ragbag of celebs, including record £1.5m signing Coleen Rooney, wife of former England footballer Wayne (“It’ll be nice for Coleen to do a trial that doesn’t involve Rebekah Vardy,” quipped Dec), former Strictly Come Dancing pro Oti Mabuse and McFly’s Danny Jones. At this early stage everyone is being warm and supportive, which is wonderful and uplifting but needs to stop. There’s not nearly enough starvation-induced diva griping and sniping for my black-hearted tastes. Give them time. Disney+ drama Say Nothing , created by Joshua Zetumer, is nine episodes long and still feels as if it needs more space for the huge task it sets itself. Based on the bestselling 2018 book by Patrick Radden Keefe, it spans decades of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, from the 1970s onwards. Set mainly in Belfast, the story focuses on real-life IRA operatives the Price sisters – Dolours (portrayed over the years by Lola Petticrew, then Maxine Peake) and Marian (Hazel Doupe/Helen Behan) – and Brendan Hughes (Anthony Boyle/Tom Vaughan-Lawlor). It also features Gerry Adams (Josh Finan/Michael Colgan), who was Sinn Féin president from 1983 until 2018, though each episode ends with firm legal disclaimers stating Adams’s consistent denial of involvement with the IRA. Elsewhere, Say Nothing deals with the “disappeared”, including the appalling case of widowed mother of 10 Jean McConville (Judith Roddy), abducted and killed by the IRA for allegedly being an informant to the British army, although it was never proven that she was. In many ways this is an astonishing work, with striking performances all round, and the radicalisation of the Prices is skilfully conveyed. One harrowing episode covers their 1973 bombing of the Old Bailey in London, which injured and maimed more than 200 people, and the sisters’ subsequent imprisonment and hunger strike. Ultimately, though, Say Nothing struggles to control myriad threads: eras are linked by Peake’s older Dolours, and, later, Vaughan-Lawlor’s Hughes giving interviews to Boston College, Massachusetts’ oral history Belfast Project . There’s also a highly problematic rock’n’roll-style excitement to early IRA manoeuvres, though this is addressed as the series progresses, and, for some characters, doubt and conscience seep in. What emerges is a disordered, skewed account, but a powerful one. It’s hard to know where you are with new four-part BBC One drama The Listeners – and that’s both its biggest fault and its greatest selling point. Adapted from his own left-field novel by Canadian author and playwright Jordan Tannahill , it follows teacher Claire (a vivid performance from Rebecca Hall) as she struggles to cope with an omnipresent rumbling hum only she can hear – to the increasing alarm and exasperation of her husband and daughter (played by Prasanna Puwanarajah and Mia Tharia respectively). Directed by Janicza Bravo ( Zola ), the story has a chilly, stubbornly conceptual feel as Claire keeps gaining and losing your sympathy. Surely a teacher would know it was inappropriate to meet alone with a teenage pupil (a credibly off-kilter Ollie West) who also hears the hum? They join a group of fellow listeners, led by a risibly creepy, blissed-out couple. As Claire’s life unravels, themes jostle: conspiracy theories; alternative facts; cults; condescension to women (Claire’s hum is initially branded a menopausal symptom); quasi-religious fervour and rapture, but also rising dread. There are times when The Listeners feels akin to a sprawling, uber-woolly episode of Black Mirror . But there’s also the sense that you’re partaking against your will in a televised immersive art installation, and I like that. Here is a drama that aggravates and intrigues in equal measure. Star ratings (out of five) Dune: Prophecy ★★★★ I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! ★★★ Say Nothing ★★★★ The Listeners ★★★ Landman (Paramount Plus) The new Taylor Sheridan ( Yellowstone ) drama set in the recent past in west Texas. Demi Moore, Jon Hamm and Billy Bob Thornton star in an ambitious oil business saga about billionaires, law enforcement and drug cartels. Britain’s Nuclear Bomb Scandal: Our Story (BBC Two) A disturbing documentary about people still campaigning for justice after the devastating effects of the British government’s postwar nuclear test programme in Australia/South Pacific in the 1950s/60s. Loaded: Lads, Mags and Mayhem (BBC Two) Full-on documentary marking the genesis of Loaded magazine and the ensuing 90s lads’ mags revolution. Interviewees include Irvine Welsh, Gail Porter and founding editor James Brown.In the world of football, integrity and fairness are two of the most fundamental principles that govern the sport. As one of the most successful and renowned managers in the game, Jose Mourinho has always been a vocal advocate for upholding these values. Recently, amidst the controversy surrounding Manchester City and their alleged financial fair play violations, Mourinho has made his stance clear: while he does not wish to see the club relegated, he believes that justice must prevail and that no big team should be allowed to escape punishment.

The American Athletic Conference is the only Football Bowl Subdivision league whose championship game matchup is set: Army vs. Tulane. The final week of the regular season will determine pairings for the other eight conferences. Here's a look at the possible matchups in the Power Four and Group of Five. All championship games are Dec. 7 except in the AAC, Conference USA and Mountain West, which will be played Dec. 6. ACC at Charlotte, North Carolina SMU vs. Miami or Clemson. Miami is in if it beats Syracuse. Clemson is in if Miami loses. Big Ten at Indianapolis Oregon vs. Ohio State, Penn State or Indiana. Ohio State is in if it beats Michigan or if Penn State and Indiana lose this week. Penn State is in if it beats Maryland and Ohio State loses. Indiana is in if it beats Purdue and Ohio State and Penn State lose. Big 12 at Arlington, Texas Arizona State vs. Iowa State if both win this week. Multiple scenarios including BYU, Colorado and other teams exist otherwise. SEC at Atlanta Georgia vs. winner of Texas-Texas A&M game. American Athletic at TBD Army vs. Tulane. Conference USA at Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville State vs. Liberty, Western Kentucky or Sam Houston. Liberty is in with a win over Sam Houston. WKU is in with a win over Jacksonville State and a Liberty loss. Sam Houston is in with a win over Liberty and a Jacksonville State win. Mid-American at Detroit Miami, Bowling Green and Ohio are tied for first place and control their destinies. Miami-Bowling Green winner is in, as is Ohio if it beats Ball State. Other scenarios exist that include those teams and Buffalo. Mountain West at Boise, Idaho Boise State vs. UNLV or Colorado State. If UNLV and CSU both win or lose their final regular-season games, the tie would be broken by either College Football Playoff rankings or results-based computer metrics. Sun Belt at TBD Louisiana-Lafayette at Marshall if both win their games this week. Other scenarios exist if one or both lose. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballIn conclusion, the warning issued to Doug Cockle regarding discussions of The Witcher 4 has sparked both curiosity and concern among fans, underscoring the enduring impact of the beloved franchise and the eager anticipation for its future. Only time will tell what lies ahead for Geralt and The Witcher series, but one thing is for certain – the White Wolf's legend will continue to endure in the hearts of fans for years to come.The Latest: Police believe gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO has left New York City

Moreover, Yee emphasized the need for actors to have a deep respect and appreciation for the craft of acting itself. Acting is not just a profession but an art form that requires dedication, skill, and emotional depth. Yee urged young actors to approach their work with humility and a constant desire for growth and improvement. By truly understanding and valuing the art of acting, actors can better convey the complexities of human emotions and experiences, thus creating more authentic and impactful performances.Silicon, a component in a range of common consumer products, was identified earlier this year by Canada and last week by the US as a material critical to supply chain security for clean energy transition technologies. The US’ newly amended Critical Mineral Consistency Act modifies the Energy Act of 2020 to expand the definition of critical minerals to include critical materials designated by the Department of Energy, and now includes copper, electrical steel, silicon and silicon carbide. This summer, silicon was named by the Biden administration in an initiative to provide up to $400 million to usher in a new era of semiconductor manufacturing, and on Wednesday, the administration finalized Chips Act incentives , awarding chipmaker GlobalFoundries $1.5 billion in grants to support US factories as part of a broader semiconductor push. Silicon metal is critical in semiconductors and photovoltaic cells, and there is electric battery technology emerging with silicon as an anode component. Silicon can hold 10 times as many lithium ions by weight as graphite , but developing the battery technology to scale sustainably has met its share of challenges. As with many other metals critical to clean energy technologies, there is a projected near short term boost in demand for silicon– from 3.27 million tons in 2024 to 4.25 million tons in 2029 – a 5.4% CAGR increase. Ferroglobe (NASDAQ: GSM) produces silicon products for new technologies with operations in eight states and plans to expand its production capacity. The company’s US operations. Source: Ferroglobe Ferroglobe’s vice president of US corporate affairs, Bill Hightower, is concerned about the US’ ability to meet impending production demand increases, while having to rely on China, which controls over 70% of the world’s production. Hightower, a former Alabama senator and congressional candidate, points out the advantage to the US implementing industrial policy on silicon metal. China notoriously overproduces metals, subsequently flooding emerging markets with cheaper products. In an investigation on Silicon Metal from China , last year, the US International Trade Commission determined the “revocation of the antidumping duty order on silicon metal from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States within a reasonably foreseeable time.” “If these countries are naming critical materials like silicon metal, then we can develop policy around it,” Hightower told MINING.com in an interview. “If [China] makes 70% of the world’s [supply], all they’ve got to do is dump it in another region, and it has an ultimate effect upon America and other markets. If China sneezes, the whole world feels it when it comes to silicon metal and other products. Graphite was the big scare last year.” The former politician turned resource company executive recently authored an Op-ed on the critical role of silicon metal production in the US energy sector. “All throughout my career, I’ve been very aware of what’s going on in Washington D.C...I’ve been through the cycle...where there was tremendous offshoring,” Hightower said. “We were looking for the lowest cost producer. It was a global economy. But things are changing.” Now, there’s an emphasis on reshoring or nearshoring. And we have to get on with it because the current suppliers of the product, if they decided to cut us off, we’d be in a lot of trouble.” Ferroglobe has forged a partnership with Coreshell, a company Hightower said has “broken the code” on displacing graphite in batteries, which could substantially reduce the cost. The company acknowledges that metallurgical silicon anodes tend to swell and degrade quickly, but says its technology solves this problem. On its website, Coreshell states its technology acts both as an artificial SEI (solid electrolyte interphase) and as an encapsulant – reinforcing metallurgical silicon anodes during charge and discharge – while preventing surface degradation. “Coreshell has a number of tests underway. They’ve determined how they can now displace 100% of the graphite, [and] introduce silicon. And as a result, the battery charges 30% faster. It goes 20% longer,” Hightower said. Hightower said the process lessens the incident of fire in the battery and new technologies will reduce the cost of electric vehicle ownership. “Our theory is that the market for electric vehicles is kind of a high-priced market, and it’s been fully penetrated. The only way to expand and sell more is to drop the price. A battery is a third of the car’s cost. We have a development agreement and we’re working with auto manufacturers to define the next technology in batteries.” “With the battery technology, with photovoltaic, with chips all being reshored, demand for silicon metal is going to really ratchet up at the end of the decade. And if we don’t build that capacity now, we’re going to find ourselves even more reliant upon imports.” Hightower said Ferroglobe has permitting underway for additional capacity in the US and West Virginia Representative Carol Miller has introduced a task force to look at tax policy along the supply chains. “Certainly, the federal government has a role to play in incentivizing the building of capacity. If we’re not going to have enough capacity in silicon metal, the US can incentivize companies to start that. They can do it by managing the tariffs. They can also do it by offering tax credits and incentives, as they’ve done with the IRA or the bipartisan infrastructure law.” President- elect Trump has indicated his support for US domestic manufacturing, and Hightower believes silicon production in the US will benefit from this policy. “Silicon metals are used in such a broad range of products, any policy which encourages US-based production products in the automotive, medical, electronics, and energy sectors will be a positive for silicon production in the USA,” he said. Hightower notes President Elect Trump will take actions to reduce the cost of energy in the US by investing in lower cost traditional energy sources like oil and natural gas, reopening federal lands for oil and gas, expediting new pipeline and infrastructure projects, incentives for development of clean coal and nuclear power, and EPA action to support fossil/liquid-based fuel producers. “As silicon production requires an enormous amount of energy, any actions to reduce the cost of US domestic energy costs will benefit the industry and the consumer,” Hightower said. “President Elect Trump has indicated that he will use tariffs and trade policy to strategically achieve US domestic goals, and protect the US from countries who compete unfairly. To the degree these actions deal with un-competitive behavior such as dumping in the US, it will help the industry.”

With the festive season and winter holidays fast approaching, the number of people embarking on journeys is expected to surge significantly. The surge in travel volume poses various challenges for the railway network in terms of safety, punctuality, and service quality. To address these challenges and ensure a smooth and secure travel experience for passengers, the NRA has initiated a targeted campaign to identify and address safety risks across the railway system.China Convenes P5 Nuclear Experts Meeting in Dubai, UAE: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Responds

One of the key highlights of Yuelingxi AI Version 2.5 is its enhanced natural language processing capabilities. Through advanced deep learning algorithms and neural networks, the AI platform is now able to better understand and interpret human language with a higher level of accuracy and nuance. This breakthrough opens up a wide range of possibilities for applications in various industries, including customer service, content creation, and data analysis.

The Onion's rejected purchase of Infowars in an auction bid supported by families of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting dealt them a new setback Wednesday and clouded the future of Alex Jones' conspiracy theory platform, which is now poised to remain in his control for at least the near future. What's next for Infowars and Sandy Hook families' long-sought efforts to hold Jones accountable over calling one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history a hoax was unclear, after a federal judge in Houston late Tuesday rejected The Onion's winning bid for the site . U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston said he did not want another auction but offered no roadmap over how to proceed. One possibility includes ultimately allowing Sandy Hook families — who comprise most of Jones' creditors — to return to state courts in Connecticut and Texas to collect on the nearly $1.5 billion in defamation and emotional distress lawsuit judgments that Jones was ordered to pay them. “Our hope is that when this process ends, and it will end, and it will end sooner rather than later, is that all assets that Alex Jones has available are paid to the families, and that includes Infowars, and that as a result of that process Alex Jones is deprived of the ownership and control of the platform that he’s used to hurt so many people,” Christopher Mattei, an attorney for the Sandy Hook families, said in a phone interview Wednesday. The families, meanwhile, were preparing the mark the 12th anniversary of the Dec. 14 shooting. The sale of Infowars is part of Jones’ personal bankruptcy case , which he filed in late 2022 after he was ordered to pay the $1.5 billion. Jones was sued for repeatedly saying on his show that the 2012 massacre of 20 first graders and six educators was staged by crisis actors to spur more gun control. Lopez said there was a lack of transparency in the bidding process and too much confusion about The Onion's bid. He also said the amount of money offered in the only two bids was too low and there needed to be more effort to try to raise as much money possible from the selling of Infowars' assets. The Onion's parent company, Global Tetrahedron, submitted a $1.75 million cash offer with plans to kick Jones out and relaunch Infowars in January as a parody . The bid also included a deal with many of the Sandy Hook families for them to forgo $750,000 of their auction proceeds and give it to other creditors. Lopez called it a complex arrangement that led to different interpretations of the bid's actual value as well as last-minute changes to a proposed sale order. The other bidder was First United American Companies, which runs a website in Jones’ name that sells nutritional supplements and planned to let Jones stay on the Infowars platforms. It offered $3.5 million in cash and later, with Jones, alleged fraud and collusion in the bidding process. Lopez rejected the allegations, saying that while mistakes were made there was no wrongdoing. Christopher Murray, the trustee who oversaw the auction, said he picked The Onion and its deal with the Sandy Hook families because it would have provided more money to Jones' other creditors. The next steps remained unclear Wednesday. The judge directed Murray to come up with a new plan to move forward. Murray and representatives of The Onion did not immediately return messages seeking comment. The judge said there was a possibility there could be a trial in 2025 to settle Jones' bankruptcy. He said Murray could try to sell the equity in Infowars' parent company. He also said Murray could abandon the efforts, which could allow the Sandy Hook families to return to the state courts where they won their lawsuits against Jones and begin collection proceedings against him. The judge said he wanted to hear back from Murray and others involved in the bankruptcy within 30 days on a plan to move forward. Mattei, who represented the Sandy Hook families in the Connecticut lawsuit, said everyone is waiting to see what plan the trustee comes up with. Jones, meanwhile, continued to allege fraud and collusion on his show Wednesday and threatened legal action over what he called an attempted “rigged auction.” On the social media platform X, he called the judge's ruling a “Major Victory For Freedom Of The Press & Due Process." “I don’t want to have to go after these people, lawsuit-wise, but we have to because if you don’t then you’re aiding and abetting and they do it to other people. They made some big mistakes," he said. It's a solemn and heartbreaking week for relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The 12th anniversary is Saturday, and some of the victims' relatives were traveling to Washington, D.C., to attend the annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence on Wednesday evening. The families usually mark the anniversary out of the public eye. Many of the families said their lawsuits against Jones bought back the unbearable pain of losing their loved ones, as well as the trauma of being harassed and threatened by believers of Jones' hoax conspiracy. Relatives said they have been confronted in public by hoax believers and received death and rape threats. Robbie Parker, whose 6-year-old daughter Emilie was killed, testified at the Connecticut lawsuit trial in 2022 that the decade of abuse his family suffered made them move across the country to Washington state, and even there he was accosted in person. The families have not received any money from Jones since winning the trials. Jones has been appealing the $1.5 billion in judgments, and has since conceded that the shooting did happen. Last week, a Connecticut appeals court upheld most of the judgment in that state but reduced it by $150 million. Associated Press writer Juan A. Lozano in Houston contributed to this report.Halo Unveils "Treasure Hunter" Release Celebration Image: Master Chief Transforms into Dr. JonesThe clash between Juventus and Manchester City is not just a battle of two top teams, but also a meeting of two football philosophies. Juventus, with their disciplined defensive style and efficient counter-attacking play, will look to stifle Manchester City's free-flowing, possession-based approach. It will be a tactical chess match between Allegri and Guardiola, with both managers known for their attention to detail and ability to outsmart their opponents.

In summary, Mailer Lera's 12 mistakes have had far-reaching consequences for the organization, its employees, and its stakeholders. From the mishandling of Teng Hahe's transformation to the unjust firing of Ferguson and the ill-conceived decision to cut welfare programs, Lera's leadership failures have left a legacy of disappointment and disillusionment. As leaders, we must learn from Lera's mistakes and strive to make sound and ethical decisions that benefit our organizations and the people we serve. Only by acknowledging and rectifying our mistakes can we truly lead with integrity and purpose.Skier Lindsey Vonn looks on after a training run at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Copper Mountain, Colo., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Skier Lindsey Vonn takes a training run at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Copper Mountain, Colo., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Skier Lindsey Vonn takes a training run at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Copper Mountain, Colo., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Skier Lindsey Vonn reacts after a training run at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Copper Mountain, Colo., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Skier Lindsey Vonn takes a drink after a training run at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Copper Mountain, Colo., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Lindsey Vonn, right, pets her dog Lucy with fellow skiers after a training session at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Copper Mountain, Colo., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) Skier Lindsey Vonn looks on after a training run at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Copper Mountain, Colo., Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) By PAT GRAHAM COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — Word on the mountain has it that Lindsey Vonn is still fast through a downhill course, even at 40 years old. Maybe even challenge-for-downhill-wins fast. On a frigid Friday morning, Vonn darted through the shadows along the speed course at Copper Mountain and through the mist created by the snow makers. There was no clock at the bottom of the hill to measure just how speedy she was as she makes a comeback to skiing nearly six years removed from her last race. But she certainly looked the part of fast by dropping into a tuck position to become more aerodynamic, and even banging through a few gates on several high-speed runs. Vonn plans to enter a series of lower-tier FIS downhill and super-G races this weekend at Copper Mountain in an effort to gain the necessary results to lower her ranking so she can possibly enter World Cup races this season under a new wild-card rule. It could be the first step toward seeing her on the World Cup circuit again, maybe even on the podium. “I honestly think she will win,” retired ski racer Ted Ligety said in an interview with The Associated Press. “From what I’ve heard, she’s been kicking (butt) and been really fast in training. Some of the women on the World Cup are going to be rudely awakened to have to compete against a Lindsey Vonn again.” Vonn declined to talk after her practice session Friday. She chatted with several racers on the hill and again inside the lodge, where her dog, Lucy, became the center of attention. In a post Friday afternoon on Instagram, Vonn wrote : “Happy to be able to take another step this weekend! Technically tomorrow will be my first race but I’m using it as a training opportunity to keep on building. ... It’s been 6 years since I last raced so I still have a lot of equipment to test, finding my groove and really getting into racing form. I am having a lot of fun and want to keep on doing so!” When she left the sport, Vonn’s 82 World Cup race victories stood as the record for a woman and within reach of the all-time Alpine record of 86 held by Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark. The women’s mark held by Vonn was surpassed in January 2023 by Mikaela Shiffrin, who now has 99 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in the history of the sport. Shiffrin is currently sidelined after a crash in a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont, last weekend. The next World Cup races for the women’s circuit will be held in a week in nearby Beaver Creek, Colorado. There’s no timeframe for Vonn’s return to racing. Vonn’s last competition was in February 2019, when she finished third in a downhill during the world championships in Sweden. In a lot of ways, the three-time Olympic medalist stepped away still near the top of her game. But the broken arms and legs, concussions and torn knee ligaments took too big a toll and sent her into retirement. Last April, she had surgery for a partial knee replacement. She felt good enough to give it another go. Ligety, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, applauds her for her comeback bid. “It’s beyond my risk appetite, but it will be really fun to watch,” said Ligety, who’s covering the World Cup races in Beaver Creek this weekend for NBC. “She left at the top of her game, obviously, because of her knee injury. She probably felt like she got short-changed in her quest to take down Stenmark in wins, being only four away and her body failed her. “I can see how that would weigh on you. And then when you all of a sudden feel perfectly healthy again and you’re not that old, I can see giving it some ideas. I understand where she’s coming from and I think she has a good chance (to win races).” The aura of Vonn hovered around the bottom of the slope Friday. She had several pairs of Head skis all ready to try out. After each run — at least three — Vonn would huddle with her team, take a quick swig of water and head back up the lift. “She’s still super-fast,” fellow American teammate Keely Cashman said. “She’s been helpful talking to us about whatever we need. We’re excited to have her around.” What stands out about Vonn to Sophie Goldschmidt, the CEO of U.S. Ski and Snowboard, is the racer’s “strength of mind and attitude,” she said. “To be able to come back time and time again is very impressive. “We’re delighted that she’s rejoined the team,” Goldschmidt added. “Her achievements speak for themselves. She’s clearly one of the most decorated athletes in the U.S. and had an amazing ski racing career. So for her to feel fit and strong enough to want to give it another go, I think is quite remarkable. I’m excited to see what she might be able to achieve.” ___ AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiinghttps://static.bangkokpost.com/media/content/20241124/c1_2907911_700.jpgMiddle East latest: Israeli raid and airstrikes in West Bank kill at least 8 Palestinians

In the world of football transfer rumors, clubs are constantly on the lookout for potential replacements in case key players decide to move on. Liverpool FC, the reigning English Premier League champions, is no exception to this trend. Recent reports have indicated that the club is closely monitoring the situations of Florian and K77 as possible contingencies should star players Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah decide to depart.Top 3 best WTA comeback wins in 2024

NoneATLANTA — On Jan. 18 and 19 the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will be held at State Farm Arena in advance of the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 20. The star-studded lineup was announced Thursday at a news conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performances will include Lil Wayne and GloRilla on Saturday; and Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox on Sunday. On game day, the Allstate Championship Tailgate, taking place just outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Home Depot Backyard, will feature country acts on the Capital One Music Stage, including global superstar Kane Brown and iHeartCountry “On The Verge” artist Ashley Cooke. The concerts are just two of the festivities visiting fans can enjoy in the days leading up to the big game. The fan experience for both ticket holders and the general public has been a focus for event planners. All weekend long, an estimated 100,000 people from across the country are expected to attend fan events preceding kickoff. “It will be an opportunity for fans of all ages to come together to sample what college football is all about, and you don’t have to have a ticket to the game to be a part of it,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP in a press release. “We’ve worked closely with the Atlanta Football Host Committee to develop fan-friendly events that thousands will enjoy come January.” On Saturday, Jan. 18, Playoff Fan Central will open at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The free, family-friendly experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. That day, fans can also attend Media Day, presented by Great Clips, which will feature one-hour sessions with student-athletes and coaches from each of the College Football Playoff national championship participating teams. ESPN and social media giants X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will be taping live broadcasts from the event. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Trophy Trot, both a 5K and 10K race, will wind its way through the streets of downtown Atlanta. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Participants can register at atlantatrackclub.org . On Sunday evening, the Georgia Aquarium will host the Taste of the Championship dining event, which offers attendees the opportunity to indulge in food and drink prepared by local Atlanta chefs. This premium experience serves as an elevated exploration of local cuisine on the eve of the national championship. Tickets to the Taste of the Championship event are available on etix.com . Atlanta is the first city ever to repeat as host for the CFP national championship. The playoff was previously held in Atlanta in 2018. “We are honored to be the first city to repeat as host for the CFP national championship and look forward to welcoming college football fans from around the country in January,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee. “This event gives us another opportunity to showcase our incredible city.” The College Football Playoff is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games — the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be Jan. 9-10, 2025. The CFP national championship will be Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com . Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!In a recent announcement, Mr. Zhou Changqiang has been appointed as the Party Secretary of Qionghai City, Hainan Province. This significant appointment marks a new chapter in the leadership of Qionghai City and underscores the importance of his role in the development of the region.

The Onion's rejected purchase of Infowars in an auction bid supported by families of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting dealt them a new setback Wednesday and clouded the future of Alex Jones' conspiracy theory platform, which is now poised to remain in his control for at least the near future. What's next for Infowars and Sandy Hook families' long-sought efforts to hold Jones accountable over calling one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history a hoax was unclear, after a federal judge in Houston late Tuesday rejected The Onion's winning bid for the site . U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston said he did not want another auction but offered no roadmap over how to proceed. One possibility includes ultimately allowing Sandy Hook families — who comprise most of Jones' creditors — to return to state courts in Connecticut and Texas to collect on the nearly $1.5 billion in defamation and emotional distress lawsuit judgments that Jones was ordered to pay them. “Our hope is that when this process ends, and it will end, and it will end sooner rather than later, is that all assets that Alex Jones has available are paid to the families, and that includes Infowars, and that as a result of that process Alex Jones is deprived of the ownership and control of the platform that he’s used to hurt so many people,” Christopher Mattei, an attorney for the Sandy Hook families, said in a phone interview Wednesday. The families, meanwhile, were preparing the mark the 12th anniversary of the Dec. 14 shooting. The sale of Infowars is part of Jones’ personal bankruptcy case , which he filed in late 2022 after he was ordered to pay the $1.5 billion. Jones was sued for repeatedly saying on his show that the 2012 massacre of 20 first graders and six educators was staged by crisis actors to spur more gun control. Lopez said there was a lack of transparency in the bidding process and too much confusion about The Onion's bid. He also said the amount of money offered in the only two bids was too low and there needed to be more effort to try to raise as much money possible from the selling of Infowars' assets. The Onion's parent company, Global Tetrahedron, submitted a $1.75 million cash offer with plans to kick Jones out and relaunch Infowars in January as a parody . The bid also included a deal with many of the Sandy Hook families for them to forgo $750,000 of their auction proceeds and give it to other creditors. Lopez called it a complex arrangement that led to different interpretations of the bid's actual value as well as last-minute changes to a proposed sale order. The other bidder was First United American Companies, which runs a website in Jones’ name that sells nutritional supplements and planned to let Jones stay on the Infowars platforms. It offered $3.5 million in cash and later, with Jones, alleged fraud and collusion in the bidding process. Lopez rejected the allegations, saying that while mistakes were made there was no wrongdoing. Christopher Murray, the trustee who oversaw the auction, said he picked The Onion and its deal with the Sandy Hook families because it would have provided more money to Jones' other creditors. The next steps remained unclear Wednesday. The judge directed Murray to come up with a new plan to move forward. Murray and representatives of The Onion did not immediately return messages seeking comment. The judge said there was a possibility there could be a trial in 2025 to settle Jones' bankruptcy. He said Murray could try to sell the equity in Infowars' parent company. He also said Murray could abandon the efforts, which could allow the Sandy Hook families to return to the state courts where they won their lawsuits against Jones and begin collection proceedings against him. The judge said he wanted to hear back from Murray and others involved in the bankruptcy within 30 days on a plan to move forward. Mattei, who represented the Sandy Hook families in the Connecticut lawsuit, said everyone is waiting to see what plan the trustee comes up with. Jones, meanwhile, continued to allege fraud and collusion on his show Wednesday and threatened legal action over what he called an attempted “rigged auction.” On the social media platform X, he called the judge's ruling a “Major Victory For Freedom Of The Press & Due Process." “I don’t want to have to go after these people, lawsuit-wise, but we have to because if you don’t then you’re aiding and abetting and they do it to other people. They made some big mistakes," he said. It's a solemn and heartbreaking week for relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The 12th anniversary is Saturday, and some of the victims' relatives were traveling to Washington, D.C., to attend the annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence on Wednesday evening. The families usually mark the anniversary out of the public eye. Many of the families said their lawsuits against Jones bought back the unbearable pain of losing their loved ones, as well as the trauma of being harassed and threatened by believers of Jones' hoax conspiracy. Relatives said they have been confronted in public by hoax believers and received death and rape threats. Robbie Parker, whose 6-year-old daughter Emilie was killed, testified at the Connecticut lawsuit trial in 2022 that the decade of abuse his family suffered made them move across the country to Washington state, and even there he was accosted in person. The families have not received any money from Jones since winning the trials. Jones has been appealing the $1.5 billion in judgments, and has since conceded that the shooting did happen. Last week, a Connecticut appeals court upheld most of the judgment in that state but reduced it by $150 million. Associated Press writer Juan A. Lozano in Houston contributed to this report.– WWE has released a video looking at their top 25 moments in November. You can see the video below, described as: Relive the most explosive November highlights from Survivor Series: WarGames, Raw, SmackDown, and NXT. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, USA Network, CW Network, Sony India and more. – Another WWE video shows Bianca Belair making her ring gear for Survivor Series: WarGames which was “hand-picked” by a WWE fan: Bianca Belair hand-picked WWE fan Phil Ouimette’s WWE 2K24-designed ring gear to wear into battle at Survivor Series: WarGames. See how The EST of WWE took the gear from the video game and sewed it herself to get ready for battle!