sports examples College football bowl projections: The committee has spoken, and Alabama, not Miami, makes PlayoffSan Carlos bishop calls for clemency for Mary Jane Veloso

Enzo Maresca has lifted the lid on Leicester’s promotion celebrations and revealed Jamie Vardy and co still know how to party. Maresca led the Foxes to the Sky Bet Championship title last season before joining Chelsea over the summer. Leicester famously toasted their improbable Premier League success in 2016 with an impromptu bash at Vardy’s house. But the venue for last April’s party was not at the striker’s abode, but at Maresca’s house when the players turned up unannounced at 2am. Maresca recalled: “The best present I had from last season was when we got promoted and they arrived at my home. All the team. “This showed the connection between the players; they could go for a party at a different place but they all arrived at my home. It was a fantastic connection and I will always be thankful for them. “I was at home celebrating with my staff and my family and about two o’clock in the morning all the squad was there. We celebrated all together. “When I was a player and I won things I never thought to go to the manager’s home. That shows the connection.” Similarly to when they clinched the Premier League crown, Leicester were not actually playing when they found out they were promoted after Leeds lost at QPR. “To be honest I was at home watching the game and when it finished all the staff came over – and later the players,” added the Italian. “They didn’t knock on the door, they were in the garden and knocked on the window. What time did they leave? I don’t remember.” Vardy might not be having a party at the end of this season but he is still banging in the goals at 37 and Maresca rates the striker even more highly than England’s two top goalscorers – Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney. “People don’t realise how good he is,” added Maresca. “I know England have been quite lucky because of Kane and Rooney, this type of striker, they are fantastic. “But Jamie is, if you ask me, the best one.” Maresca returns to the King Power Stadium for the first time with Chelsea on Saturday, but he will be without captain Reece James due to a hamstring problem.Ontario Provincial Police have charged a driver who was allegedly driving the wrong way on Highway 401 on Sunday. Police say the driver in a silver SUV was travelling eastbound in the westbound lanes of the highway in Loyalist Township before exiting at County Road 6, near Kingston. The motorist, a 70-year-old woman from Etobicoke, was charged with dangerous operation and stunt driving, police said in an email No collisions were reported. Lennox and Addington OPP are seeking any witnesses of the incident or anyone who may have dashcam video. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-888-310-1122, reference number E241694379. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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These LEGO Kits Are On Sale For Boxing Day 2024 The Waterpik Advanced Water Flosser Will Make Cleaning Your Teeth So Much Easier — And It's 41% Off For Boxing Day Ottawa Top Stories 4.1 magnitude earthquake in western Quebec felt in Ottawa and Montreal BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Bell Capital Cup debuts sledge hockey division for children with disabilities Eastern Ontario farm wants your Christmas trees to feed its animals: ’They do like the fresh needles’ OPP seeking witnesses of wrong way driver on Hwy. 401 FOG ADVISORY | Environment Canada warns of 'near-zero' visibility as fog blankets Ottawa Eastern Ontario police arrest Scarborough resident found with nearly $50K of cocaine Two taken to hospital following basement fire in Centretown West CTVNews.ca Top Stories BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut farmer who vowed to restore morality and truth to politics after an era of White House scandal and who redefined post-presidential service, died Sunday at the age of 100. Trudeau, Biden, Trump, other world leaders remember former U.S. president Jimmy Carter Former U.S. president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter died Sunday at the age of 100. Upon news of his death, political figures and heads of state from around the world gave praise to Carter, celebrating his faith and time both in office and afterwards. 'Pretty limited' options for Liberal MPs calling for leadership change As calls mount within the federal Liberal Party for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as leader, one political analyst says there’s little his detractors can do to force his hand. Possible explosion at Metro Vancouver strip mall under investigation Police and firefighters were called to the scene of a potential explosion at a Metro Vancouver strip mall Sunday morning. Eastern Ontario police arrest Scarborough resident found with nearly $50K of cocaine Police in eastern Ontario charged a Toronto resident who was allegedly in possession of hundreds of grams of cocaine earlier this month. 2 teenagers arrested, 1 suspect at-large after attack involving bear spray, machete A pair of teenaged boys have been charged with aggravated assault after police said they attacked a man with bear spray and a machete Friday evening. Plane crashes and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames Sunday in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. All but two of the 181 people on board were killed in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters, officials said. Online child exploitation spiked during lockdowns. Police worry it's here to stay Online predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, said an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia. 4.1 magnitude earthquake in western Quebec felt in Ottawa and Montreal The earth moved in the Maniwaki area this Sunday morning. No damage was reported after a 4.1 magnitude earthquake rattled the Maniwaki area in western Quebec, according to Earthquakes Canada. Atlantic TSB investigating airplane landing incident at Halifax airport The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says they are investigating an aircraft incident at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport that caused temporary delays to all flight operations Saturday night. BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut farmer who vowed to restore morality and truth to politics after an era of White House scandal and who redefined post-presidential service, died Sunday at the age of 100. N.B. entrepreneur honours memory of mother with 'thank you' note legacy N.B. entrepreneur Emily Somers honours her mother with 'thank you' notes. Toronto Pedestrian taken to hospital after hit-and-run in Mississauga A pedestrian has been taken to the hospital following a hit-and-run in Mississauga Sunday. Suspect charged after woman found dead at Niagara Falls home A suspect has been charged after a woman was found dead inside her Niagara Falls home. BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut farmer who vowed to restore morality and truth to politics after an era of White House scandal and who redefined post-presidential service, died Sunday at the age of 100. Montreal BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut farmer who vowed to restore morality and truth to politics after an era of White House scandal and who redefined post-presidential service, died Sunday at the age of 100. McGill research team pioneering stem cell therapy for heart disease treatment In the heart of the McGill University Health Centre’s research institute, Dr. Renzo Cecere and his team are revolutionizing the future of cardiac care. Earthquake near Maniwaki felt in Gatineau, Ottawa, and Montreal A 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Maniwaki, Que., on Sunday morning, according to Earthquake Canada. Northern Ontario Mississauga tow truck driver charged for impersonating a cop in northern Ont. A southern Ontario resident has been charged for allegedly impersonating a peace officer during a towing incident in northwestern Ontario. BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut farmer who vowed to restore morality and truth to politics after an era of White House scandal and who redefined post-presidential service, died Sunday at the age of 100. 'Pretty limited' options for Liberal MPs calling for leadership change As calls mount within the federal Liberal Party for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as leader, one political analyst says there’s little his detractors can do to force his hand. Windsor Crews battle two apartment fires in under two hours Windsor Fire and Rescue responded to two calls at Ouellette Avenue apartment buildings Sunday morning. 'Pretty limited' options for Liberal MPs calling for leadership change As calls mount within the federal Liberal Party for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as leader, one political analyst says there’s little his detractors can do to force his hand. Woman with outstanding warrant arrested in Chatham One person has been arrested after Chatham-Kent police officers conducted a traffic stop Saturday in Chatham. London Fatal crash in Middlesex County Middlesex County OPP attended the scene of a fatal motor vehicle collision in Strathroy-Caradoc early Sunday morning. New Year’s Eve in London’s Victoria Park You can ring in 2025 this Tuesday night at London’s free New Year’s Eve in the Park celebration. Can you help solve this cold case in Sarnia? Sarnia police are seeking the public’s help in finding any new leads for a cold case from over 20 years ago. Kitchener Are fluctuating temperatures here to stay this winter? Waterloo Region residents traded snow boots for raincoats this weekend as temperatures soared above seasonal norms. Portion of Highway 6 closed following collision in Ennotville, Ont. A portion of Highway 6 is closed Sunday evening following a collision in Ennotville, Ont., just north of Guelph. Police, coroner investigating two deaths at Brantford, Ont. encampment An investigation is underway into the deaths of two people at an encampment in Brantford, Ont. Barrie Deluxe taxi goes up in flames in Barrie parking lot Some locals were quick to pull out their cellphones and capture a minivan as it went up in hot flames in a Barrie parking lot. Region under rainfall warning, fog advisory Many areas across Simcoe Muskoka, upper York Region and Grey County are under rainfall warnings and fog advisories as of Sunday morning. $47K in drugs seized, man arrested in alleged domestic assault Police in Owen Sound made one arrest and seized a ‘large’ quantity of multiple drugs after responding to an alleged domestic assault on Saturday. Winnipeg Stolen vehicle chase ends in arrest, drug seizure A Winnipeg man has been charged with several offences after a police chase involving a stolen vehicle and hundreds of dollars worth of drugs. Fifth night of Hanukkah celebrated ahead of Manitoba Moose hockey game As Jewish people around the world mark the fifth night of Hanukkah, members of Winnipeg’s Jewish community brought the celebration to Canada Life Centre. Winnipeg hotel fire forces residents to evacuate A fire at a Winnipeg hotel forced residents to leave the building Sunday morning. 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Edmonton Edmonton to start up cold weather response plan Monday morning The City of Edmonton is activating its extreme weather response plan with the weather forecast calling for cold temperatures over the next eight days. 2 vehicles fall through ice at Sylvan Lake, promoting police warning RCMP issued a warning Saturday after two vehicles fell through the ice on Sylvan Lake. What is known about a fiery passenger jet crash landing that claimed 179 lives in South Korea? Firefighters and rescue team members work near the wreckage of a passenger plane at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) Regina Regina police charge 2 youths in city's 6th homicide of 2024 Two Regina teens are facing murder charges in connection to the death of a Regina man on Boxing Day. Hockey talent showcased in Regina for Male U15, Top 160 tournament The last weekend of 2024 saw Saskatchewan's best hockey players under 15 years of age showing off their skills at the Co-operators Centre in Regina. Regina man showcases local bead supply business Jeramy Hannah recently began selling beading supplies, after he realized the beaders in his life were struggling with a lack of local vendors, prompting him to create a business called Bead Bro. Saskatoon U18 provincials curling tournament underway in PA Teams from across Saskatchewan are in Prince Albert for the U18 curling provincials. Police made two arrests following a shooting in Saskatoon A swift response from Saskatoon police led to the arrest of a man and woman following a reported shooting Friday afternoon. Saskatoon fire crews battle house fire Saskatoon firefighters responded to a house fire on the 100 block of Klassen Crescent Friday afternoon. Vancouver 2 shot during fight outside Surrey pub Two people were injured in a shooting outside of a Surrey pub in the early hours of Sunday morning, according to authorities. Possible explosion at Metro Vancouver strip mall under investigation Police and firefighters were called to the scene of a potential explosion at a Metro Vancouver strip mall Sunday morning. Vancouver’s Bloedel Conservatory reopening after months-long closure Vancouver’s Bloedel Conservatory is set to reopen after a lengthy closure for upgrades, according to the park board. Vancouver Island Victoria police seek witnesses, additional victims after hit-and-run spree A woman is facing seven charges after allegedly committing multiple hit-and-run crashes in a stolen vehicle while impaired, according to police in B.C.'s capital. Online child exploitation spiked during lockdowns. Police worry it's here to stay Online predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, said an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia. Vancouver man defrauded Chinese developers of US$500K, court rules A Vancouver man has been ordered to pay more than US$500,000 after a B.C. Supreme Court judge found he had defrauded the would-be developers of a real estate project in China of that amount. Kelowna B.C. team building 100 beaver 'starter homes' in the name of wetland preservation More than 70 manmade beaver dams have been installed in Interior waterways since the B.C. Wildlife Federation project launched last year with the goal of building 100 dams by the end of 2025. B.C. man charged with drug trafficking and weapons offences after CBSA investigation A resident of B.C.'s Interior has been charged with weapon and drug trafficking offences after an investigation launched by border agents at Vancouver International Airport earlier this year. B.C woman awarded nearly $750K in court case against contractor A B.C. woman has been awarded nearly $750,000 in damages in a dispute with a contractor who strung her along for a year and a half and failed to complete a renovation, according to a recent court decision. Stay ConnectedOWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Fresh off one of its best showings of the season, the Baltimore defense now has another problem to worry about. Roquan Smith missed practice again Friday because of a hamstring injury. Although the Ravens didn't officially rule him or anyone else out — they don't play until Monday night — the All-Pro linebacker's status seems dicey. “Definitely it will be a challenge if Roquan can’t go,” defensive coordinator Zach Orr said. “We’re holding out hope and everything like that. I think it’ll just be by committee. Not one person is going to replace Roquan. Roquan’s an every-down linebacker.” Although the Ravens lost 18-16 last weekend, Baltimore didn't allow a touchdown. That was an encouraging sign for a team that ranks 26th in the league in total defense. Baltimore is on the road Monday against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Ravens appear to have dodged one potential nightmare. Star safety Kyle Hamilton injured an ankle against Cincinnati on Nov. 7, but he was able to play almost every defensive snap the following week against Pittsburgh. But Smith was injured in that game and didn't practice Thursday or Friday. Linebacker Malik Harrison had a season high in tackles last weekend and figures to have a significant role if Smith can't go. “We tell these guys, ‘You’re one play away to going in there — you never know, so you got to stay ready.’ Malik — he was ready,” Orr said. “I thought he went in there and did a good job, especially after the first series, he settled down. That’s what we expect from him.” It's hard to tell whether last week can be a significant turning point for Baltimore's defense. The Ravens allowed only 10 points in a dominant win over Buffalo in Week 4, then yielded 38 against Cincinnati the following game. After allowing 10 against Denver, the Ravens were picked apart by the Bengals again a few days later. So they still haven't shown they can play a good game defensively and then build on it. “I think it’s easier said than done. It’s something that we kind of got caught up saying against Buffalo and then coming up the next week and not doing," Hamilton said. "We’re aware of it now and know that we played a good game, but I think we can get a lot better, and I think that’s kind of the mindset everybody on defense has right now.” Hamilton's ability to make a difference all over the field is part of what makes him valuable, but positioning him deep is one way the Ravens can try to guard against big passing plays. Pittsburgh's Russell Wilson threw for only 205 yards against Baltimore. That's after Joe Burrow passed for 428 and four touchdowns in the Ravens' previous game. “I’ve always seen myself as a safety. A versatile one, but at the end of the day, I think I play safety,” Hamilton said. “If I’m asked to go play safety, I feel like that’s not an issue for me to play safety if I’m a safety.” NOTES: In addition to Smith, WR Rashod Bateman (knee), DT Travis Jones (ankle), S Sanoussi Kane (ankle) C Tyler Linderbaum (back) and CB Arthur Maulet (calf) missed practice Friday. WR Nelson Agholor (illness) returned to full participation after missing Thursday's practice. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Four members of Congress unveiled a bipartisan bill Friday that would spark changes at the U.S. Center for SafeSport, placing a time limit on resolving cases that can sometimes take years and improving communication between the center and abuse survivors. The Safer Sports for Athletes Act looks to address some of the bigger concerns that have opened the center to criticism since it was established in 2017 to handle sex-abuse cases in Olympic sports and their grassroots cousins. The bill would quadruple an existing grant to the center to $10 million a year. But that wouldn't solve all the problems. As before, that grant can only be used for training and education , not investigations and enforcement, which are the focus of complaints about the center. The center operates on a budget of around $21 million a year, most of which comes from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and its sports affiliates, known as national governing bodies, or NGBs. CEO Ju'Riese Colon said the center currently receives about 155 reports a week, which comes to more than 8,000 a year. “We’re hoping the combination of appropriations for other activities will free up money for investigations, as well as the streamlining,” said Rep. Deborah Ross, D-North Carolina. The other bill sponsors were Reps. Dave Joyce, R-Ohio; Don Bacon, R-Nebraska; and Kathy Castor, D-Florida. The center's critics are skeptical about giving more resources to an agency they feel is missing the mark. Colon said even if the center receives the additional money in the form of the grant, tamping down problems addressed in the legislation won't be as simple as shifting funds around. “We have a lot of questions,” she said. “Because some it, we just don't know how it works, practically.” The law would mandate that investigations be concluded within 180 days after a report is made, with possibilities to extend them. Some of the most egregious complaints about the center have come from people who say it has taken years for their cases to be resolved. “Too many other survivors have also been left waiting for years for SafeSport to investigate or have their cases closed without action,” said soccer player Mana Shim, who helped lawmakers draft the bill. Shim's own case, involving sexual harassment and coercion by her coach, took more than two years for the center to resolve and led to investigations and reforms across American soccer. Other reforms include a requirement for the center to provide victim advocates at no cost for those needing them — a move already underway as part of a menu of changes the center announced earlier this year — and to assign case managers who can give timely updates to victims and the accused. “I have questions around, if the center were to hire and staff the advocates, there might be some conflict of interest with us doing this internally," Colon said. The lawmakers positioned the bill as one that will help the Denver-based center, while making clear they are not satisfied with the results so far. “We're going to make sure the center has the resources it needs to effectively respond to thousands of reports it handles annually,” Castor said. “It has unfortunately fallen short." Ross conceded this bill will probably get pushed to the next Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, “but we needed to set the stage as soon as possible.” ___ AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

I’m a fashion stylist and I can NEVER shop at TK Maxx after spotting a major problem – you won’t un-see it eitherScottie Scheffler goes on a run of birdies in the Bahamas and leads by 2

ORLANDO, Fla. — Next time Iowa State plays football, it will be in Dublin, Ireland. Saturday’s 42-41 Pop-Tarts Bowl win against Miami signaled the end of Iowa State’s first 11-win season. And at the rate modern college football moves with the transfer portal and NIL, the smart teams have already been thinking about the 2025 season. Here are the three biggest questions facing Iowa State ahead of that Aug. 3, 2025 game against Kansas State in Ireland. Iowa State woke up Sunday with a massive hole in its production. Senior receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins combined for 2,377 receiving yards this season. The other 17 players who caught a pass this season combined for 1,203. We know how the Cyclones will try to replace the duo. On Dec. 14, ISU landed a commitment from sophomore Eastern Carolina receiver Chase Sowell and three days later one from former UCF receiver Xavier Townsend. A funny coincidence is Sowell stands 6-foot-4, the same height as Higgins, while Townsend is listed at 5-foot-11, identical to Noel. Next season, Iowa State should also look to the tight end position to fill some lost production. Ben Brahmer’s sophomore season essentially ended in November after he suffered a leg injury against UCF. He caught 10 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore tight end Gabe Burkle saw a leap in his production after Brahmer got hurt. Burkle finished the season with five catches against Arizona State in the Big 12 Championship and four against Miami, including a leaping touchdown catch in the first quarter. Burkle and Brahmer finished as the third and fourth leading receivers behind Noel and Higgins. Although the winter transfer portal window for underclassmen closed Saturday, there could still be Cyclones who enter. Every player on a team in the postseason has an additional five days after the season ends to enter the portal. No Iowa State opt-outs were reported leading up to the Pop-Tarts Bowl, but NFL Draft prospects Higgins and defensive back Darien Porter both chose not to play. Don’t be surprised if there are some Cyclones who enter the portal between now and the Thursday deadline. That’s not particularly an indictment on ISU’s program or culture, just the reality of modern college football. Derek Hoodjer is ISU’s assistant AD for player personnel. He is in charge of building ISU’s roster and navigating the portal. After the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Hoodjer celebrated with players on the field and made sure Noel got to lift the bowl trophy after his postgame press conference. Hoodjer is going to be the busiest person in Ames for the next couple weeks. Iowa State rode its defense until wheels fell off. The tires might still be discarded in a corner of AT&T Stadium after Arizona State ran all over the Cyclones in a 45-19 win. Miami quarterback Cam Ward threw for three touchdowns in the first half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl before sitting out the second half to preserve his NFL Draft stock. Credit to the ISU defense, it forced a punt and interception on Miami’s final two possessions to lead to a win. Rampant injuries made every defensive effort this season a patchwork attempt. Through the first 10 games, ISU averaged 6.4 key defensive players sidelined . The Cyclones injury luck can’t be worse next season, right? That’s probably true, but graduation is still going to cost ISU several key pieces. Safety Beau Freyler is the “nucleus” of Iowa State’s team and played his last game Saturday. Darien Porter is a veteran in ISU’s secondary and top special teams contributor who opted out of the Miami game with NFL Draft hopes. Redshirt senior J.R. Singleton led the team with four sacks and finished his career Saturday. Ben Hutchens is an Iowa State University beat writer for the Lee Enterprises network. Foll ow him on X or send him an email at Ben.Hutchens@lee.net . Get local news delivered to your inbox!THE success of football in any nation depends on how well the game is being run, both professionally and at the grassroots level. This is why the role of Zifa president is so crucial. Being Zifa president is a demanding task that requires a set of qualities and skills. Whoever occupies this role is responsible for overseeing football development in the country, maintaining the game’s integrity, and promoting Zimbabwe’s football internationally. Therefore, the ideal Zifa boss must possess an unimpeachable moral compass that allows him to make the right decisions in the face of complex challenges. The candidate must have a deep understanding of the game’s nuances. This requires a deep knowledge and appreciation of football administration. The president must understand the technical aspects of the game and the complex web of relationships that governs it. We want a visionary Zifa leader who can see beyond the current challenges and has a clear, detailed vision of how to take our football to the next level. This vision should encompass all facets of the game, including grassroots development, schools, finances, sponsorship and infrastructure development, among others. The Zifa boss must be a person of action who brings the vision to life by developing a comprehensive action plan that outlines the steps and resources needed to achieve the set objectives. It is critical that all aspiring candidates for the Zifa presidency spell out their plans with regard to these qualities. Candidates must demonstrate that they have practical programmes of action that address the challenges facing our football. The one elected must not only have a clear vision for the future of the game but must also be able to execute the plan. Our football is facing a host of challenges. The grassroots development of the game, especially at the school level, is practically non-existent. There are few opportunities for children to participate in organised football, which makes it difficult to identify talent early. This situation contributes to the lack of quality in our Premier Soccer League and extends to our national teams. In addition to the lack of grassroots development, our football is also affected by poor infrastructure. Most stadia are in a state of disrepair and do not meet even the minimum international standards. Financial resources are also inadequate, making it difficult to run professional football clubs. Furthermore, our football lacks strong corporate sponsorship, which hurts junior development. The successful candidate must, therefore, find ways of improving the overall funding situation to ensure the game’s long-term viability in the country. To make significant strides in our football, it’s essential that candidates publicly spell out their programmes of action and offer a detailed plan of how they intend to execute this plan to improve football’s standards in the country. The development of early childhood games programmes at the grassroots level is crucial in discovering and nurturing talent. The successful candidate must raise the bar of professionalism and accountability in their management of the game, allowing it to nurture a sustainable pathway to success at all levels. We strongly advise candidates seeking to become the next Zifa president to spell out detailed programmes of action, backed by practical strategies and outlined in clear actionable policies to improve our football. Only by embracing quality, professionalism, and excellence in football management, will we position our football and our nation on the path to meaningful worldwide football success. Stephen Mpofu THAT is the virtuous message to Zimbabweans from the — a call which clearly underscores the Government’s devolution programme which should see the greening of our country to counteract the vanishing of trees now rapidly taking place as though we citizens are competing to turn our beloved motherland into a desert where life [...] Jacqueline Ntaka IN academics, the integrity and quality of references are paramount. University students often face the challenge of finding reliable sources and managing their citations effectively. Fortunately, several AI applications can assist in writing scholarly assignments, ensuring that references are accurate and credible. One such tool is Scite.ai, an innovative application that helps students [...] They colonised Africa from the late 1800s and governed with iron fists for a century while looting its resources. 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Nine people arrested after alleged stabbing in MelbourneHOUSTON – Rockets forward Amen Thompson threw Heat guard Tyler Herro to the floor to trigger an altercation that resulted in six ejections in the closing minute of Miami's 104-100 victory over Houston on Sunday. Thompson and Herro became entangled with Miami about to inbound the ball leading 99-94 with 35 seconds left. Thompson grabbed Herro by the jersey and tossed him, with referee Marc Davis describing it as Thompson “body slams Herro .” Recommended Videos “I didn’t see it live, but I re-watched it,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “They were in each other’s face, bumping chests a little bit, and one guy’s stronger than the other.” Herro, Thompson, and Udoka were ejected, as were Heat guard Terry Rozier, Rockets guard Jalen Green, and Rockets assistant coach Ben Sullivan. Davis said Green and Rozier escalated the altercation, while Sullivan was assessed a technical foul and ejected for unsportsmanlike comments as the referee was trying to redirect the Rockets' Alperen Sengun. The altercation occurred after Miami had come from 12 points down in the second half to regain the lead with the help of Houston missing 11 straight shots in the fourth quarter. Herro keyed the comeback, leading all scorers with 27 points and adding nine assists and six rebounds. He believed that's what frustrated Thompson. “Guess that’s what’s happens when someone’s scoring, throwing dimes, doing the whole thing,” Herro said. “I’d get mad, too.” Herro said he had never spoken to Thompson, who did not talk to reporters after Sunday’s game, so there was no previous bad blood between the two. “Just two competitors going at it, playing basketball,” Herro said. “It was a regular game that we were playing throughout.” Houston's Fred VanVleet had been ejected just before the fight, with Davis saying VanVleet made contact with him after being called for a 5-second violation. The win for Miami came 24 hours after losing 120-110 in Atlanta. The Heat were missing second-leading scorer Jimmy Butler for a fifth straight game, so Herro was proud of his team played against one of NBA’s best teams this season. “They’re top two, three in the West,” Herro said. “Very good defense. Got a bunch of young, athletic guys that can really play, so that’s a good win for us. That’s a stepping stone. We go 2-1 on the road. Put ourselves in a position to win yesterday, and I like how it’s going. We just got to continue to keep getting better.”

Ballot recount confirms Woog’s win in House District 19

“The cruise ship season is projecting 179 cruise ship calls in 2025,” Minister of Transport Wayne Furbert said in the House of Assembly today [Dec 6]. The Minister said, “In 2025, Mr. Speaker, we are projecting 518,510 passengers @95% occupancy, accounting for weather cancellations, similar to 2024. Also, in 2025, there is a reduction in winter calls. There is one [1] call in January, one call [1] in February and eight [8] calls in March. “You might notice a reduction of eleven [11] calls overall from the 2024 season and there is a reason. Progress is the prime reason, and I know the Minister of Public Works will join with me in our exhilaration that the Kings Wharf pier is finally going to get its much-needed extension by 200 feet and become equal in size and stature to that of the Heritage Wharf pier in Dockyard. “The Kings Wharf pier will be under construction from the 2nd of October 2025 to March 31st 2026. In addition, this winter 2025 some pre-construction work will start.” Mr. Speaker, growth requires pause, and progress sometimes means rebuilding. While 2025 may see slightly fewer ships sailing to our shores, it’s all part of preparing for a spectacular 2026—a future larger, stronger, and more vibrant than ever. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my Honourable colleagues a preview of the cruise season for 2025 and provide a snapshot of the projections for the remainder of the year. Mr. Speaker, you will be aware that the Ministry of Transport released a joint press release with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited last week and just recently the 2025 Cruise Ship Schedule. I would like to share a little more detail at this time. Mr. Speaker, the cruise ship season is projecting 179 cruise ship calls in 2025, a few more than the 2024 season will end with year at approximately one hundred and seventy-two 172 calls, after eighteen [18] cancelled calls, thus far. In 2024, these cancelled calls are attributed to both weather events and preplanned itinerary changes. Thirteen [13] weather, and five [5] itinerary changes. There are still five [5] more cruise ship calls before the end of this season before the final numbers will be tallied. In 2025, Mr. Speaker, we are projecting 518,510 passengers @95% occupancy, accounting for weather cancellations, similar to 2024. Also, in 2025, there is a reduction in winter calls. There is one [1] call in January, one call [1] in February and eight [8] calls in March. Mr. Speaker, you might notice a reduction of eleven [11] calls overall from the 2024 season and there is a reason. Progress- Progress is the prime reason, and I know the Minister of Public Works will join with me in our exhilaration that the Kings Wharf pier is finally going to get its much-needed extension by 200 feet and become equal in size and stature to that of the Heritage Wharf pier in Dockyard. The extension is between the terminal building and the current dolphins. 100 feet each side of the terminal building. This news may not mean much to many, but to those who know, it is a significant milestone. This project will significantly help Bermuda attract certain ships, and the Bermuda Land Management Corporation [formerly WEDCO] will be postured to better service ships at Kings Wharf. Most importantly, this enhancement will help the Department of Marine & Ports and Ships Agent manage the cruise ship schedule more efficiently as both piers will be equal in size and the upgrades will allow guests during the disembarkation and embarkation process to have a better passenger experience because more hatches will be deployed, allowing more gangways to be used. Mr. Speaker, this construction project would not be possible without the Ministry of Transports collaborative efforts with the Bermuda Land Management Corporation, the Ministry of Public works and the sincere support, and partnership of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited, a dedicated partner to Bermuda for decades. Mr. Speaker, the Kings Wharf pier will be under construction from the 2nd of October 2025 to March 31st 2026. In addition, this winter 2025 some pre-construction work will start. Mr. Speaker, the good news does not finish here. Norwegian Cruise Lines has committed to deploying some of its newest ships to Bermuda and a third ship starting regularly from 2026, thereby calling 7- days a week in peak season. Mr. Speaker, in 2026 passenger projections will increase again. Deployment bookings today for 2026 include 199 cruise ship calls, estimating 575,000 passengers. It is in 2026 that our [2] new Marine and Ports 550 passenger ferries will also be in service. Mr. Speaker, these numbers remain fluid, but we are preparing for a future larger, stronger, and more vibrant than ever. Mr. Speaker, the 2025 Cruise Ship Schedule is on-line at Mr. Speaker, thank you. : , ,