At the beginning of the year, we looked to our correspondents for tips of Among them was hope for change for millions of people who were to vote in elections in 50 countries. At least in the United States, that change turned out to be more of the same. Among the surprises, however, there was the end of a dynasty in Syria and the beginning of another in Indonesia. Here are some of the biggest stories of the past 12 months: If 1992 was the late Queen Elizabeth II’s , then it’s hard to know how she’d have ranked this year for ’s royal family. In January, her son and successor, Charles III, put out a rather benign statement that he would attend hospital the following week for a . The statement was made shortly after it was revealed his daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales, was expected to be in hospital for 10 to 14 days after undergoing abdominal surgery. Things would snowball from there. Weeks later, the King would announce he had been diagnosed with cancer. Catherine’s recovery was kept under wraps until the . A family photo was released, and it was a disaster. Even more questions were asked. Suddenly came an announcement: . Neither have been given the all-clear but have returned to light duties. Charles joined with Queen Camilla for a royal visit to Australia. But his relationships with son Harry and brother Andrew have continued to plague him. Our own Princess Mary, was in January after her mother-in-law, to make way for her son, Frederik. Two decades on from Mary’s fairytale wedding, she waved to the crowds in Copenhagen as the sovereign’s wife. Rumours have swirled about , and the Danish royals showed it ain’t just the Brits who have their problems. But 2024 was the year of the election. In Britain, Labor after 14 years of Conservative rule, with Keir Starmer moving into 10 Downing Street in a landslide victory. Within weeks, however, his popularity would start to tumble in a string of scandals and misjudgments. In the across the continent. ’s after beating Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s centre-left SPD to second place in the European Parliament elections with 16 per cent. His problems at home reached a peak in December when he lost a confidence vote. In , the EU results triggered an electoral earthquake. after his party was resoundingly defeated by Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally. That result left the country without a clear winner but one clear loser: Macron. He continues to struggle to grasp any real power. But it was another story in France that shocked the nation and the world. Seventy-two-year-old grandmother Gisele Pelicot bravely retold , to stop rape from being swept under the carpet. In mass protests were sparked by the government’s decision to suspend negotiations on joining the EU and push back on Russian influence. In the end, a pro-Russia former Manchester City footballer, . An election in , with the result annulled and voters to go back to the polls next year. In May, ’s Prime Minister attempt, during which he was shot five times. He recovered and is one of many populists slowly diluting Europe’s unity towards Ukraine and against . Another blow for that cause was ’s far-right Freedom Party, as they celebrated an , aligned himself closely with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his self-styled “illiberal democracy”. Kickl had also spoken of becoming Volkskanzler (people’s chancellor), which for some Austrians carries echoes of the term used to describe Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany. War continues in after almost three years. Where and when it ends, no one knows. . President Volodymyr Zelensky has laid out a plan for peace. It’s likely many will die before that happens. s Vladimir Putin is scrambling to conquer as much territory as possible before those peace talks begin. Last month, while suffering its highest casualty rates of the war. This year, continued its re-engagement strategy with Australia, and finally agreed to trade and two beef exporters, ending the $20 billion of economic sanctions slapped on Australian industries during the Morrison government. Federal Treasurer when he went to Beijing in September. His trip tapped into ongoing concerns about China’s struggling economy and the flow-on impact on Australia. But the rapprochement has not dimmed security concerns posed by China’s increasingly aggressive tactics in the Indo-Pacific, which included confrontations with Australian naval forces and repeated clashes with Filipino vessels in the South China Sea this year that heightened fears of sparking a full-blown conflict. In the face of a drumbeat of negativity from economic analysts and investors, Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared to reverse course in the second half of the year and began pursuing into his beleaguered housing sector. inaugurated drawing the ire of Beijing, which regards him as a “dangerous separatist” and responded by encircling the island. A second round of drills in October piled pressure onto Taiwan’s stretched defence systems. ’s Prime Minister as his government slid to record low approval ratings. His replacement in calling a snap election proved costly, leaving the governing Liberal Democratic Party scrambling to form a minority government. In November, on subversion charges under its Beijing-led national security crackdown, in a case that drew international condemnation for its perceived silencing of political dissent. It also reignited the . And in December, virtually imploded under President Yoon Suk Yeol who misread his electorate and fellow politicians, and only to have to . , he now awaits a court decision to confirm the parliamentary move. The year closed with the future of the Sino-American relationship, and hence global stability, facing a new era of uncertainty under the incoming second presidency of Donald Trump. Trump’s appointment of to key administration positions, and his , has set the stage for more turbulence between the two nations. After two failed attempts against Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto finally realised his decades-long dream of becoming president of . Widodo was constitutionally barred from running for a third term, so when his sniffing around for ways to run again went nowhere, the president and Prabowo teamed up for some win-win. Prabowo, the former son-in-law of late autocrat Suharto, enlisted Widodo’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, to be his vice presidential running mate. Widodo then turned his back on his own party and threw his considerable political and popular weight behind his former enemy. Never mind his dodgy human rights track record as a military strongman, in a canter. After backroom deals with self-interested politicians and parties in the months leading up to October’s inauguration, the 73-year-old now sits atop a massive coalition, troubling democracy watchers. , too, underwent . Lee Hsien Loong stepped down in May after 20 years as prime minister, handing the reins to his deputy, Lawrence Wong. Wong inherited a middle power punching way above its weight division, a stable and wealthy nation in a region of regular upheaval. He is an erudite statesman and seems eminently capable, but he has shown little interest in loosening the government’s tight grip on free expression. leadership transition, meanwhile, was a bin fire. , which many Thais and observers consider a big-time cog in the self-serving military and royalist establishment. Pita Limjaroenrat’s Move Forward Party won the most votes in the 2023 election but was blocked from forming government by an unelected senate. Amid the chaos, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of controversial and once-exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Vice President , President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, crossed into the unhinged. In October, she warned “Bong Bong” she would dig up his old man’s bones and throw them into the sea. Last month, she told the press of her if she was killed first. She really said this. The feud is unfolding amid investigations into Duterte’s alleged misuse of funds and her dad’s bloody “war on drugs”. It is not a great time for toxic politics in the Philippines, which is clashing almost weekly with China in the West Philippine Sea. In , which has its own claims to the South China Sea, To Lam inherited the job of Communist Party secretary-general after 80-year-old statesman . In his 12 years at the top (not to mention nearly three decades in the Politburo), Trong significantly reduced poverty rates, strengthened ties with the United States and implemented a fierce anti-corruption drive dubbed the “blazing furnace”. As is often the case in South-East Asia, and Communist regimes more broadly, he also preferred his dissenters in jail. Meanwhile, those who hoped leader Hun Manet’s considerable Western education might yield democratic changes . He was gifted the job by his ruthless and ageing father Hun Sen, who still pulls strings, only now as president of the Senate. If anything, the intimidation of opposition and arrests of protesters have only increased. The most high-profile arrest was journalist Mech Dara, whose reporting touched on the businesses of Ly Yong Phat, a senator, tycoon and Hun Sen adviser, . Dara was bailed several weeks after his October arrest after a coerced public apology, a typical ploy of the Huns’ regime that they think demonstrates their beneficence. , a nation with so much economic potential, continued to suffer repeated wrecking by military men. Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, still holds onto power through force despite serious losses to myriad armed opposition groups. ASEAN, a wet lettuce leaf among regional blocs, has been unable to bring the general to heel. Underscoring the complexity of this multi-front civil war, one of came at the hands of a group fighting the junta, when the Arakan Army slaughtered hundreds of innocent Rohingya Muslims near the border of Bangladesh in August. In recent weeks, however, two major armed rebel groups – Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and ally the Ta’ang National Liberation Army – signalled they were ready for peace talks. The most tragic case closer to Australia in South East Asia was the methanol poisoning of backpackers in in November, among them. , and investigations continue. The biggest election ever staged delivered a shock result in . Ahead of the national poll, concluded on June 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to romp home. But once the 642 million ballots were counted his , he needed to rely on other parties to control parliament. Modi has dominated Indian politics for the past decade, but now faces a more uncertain era of coalition government. Elsewhere on the subcontinent, 2024 was marked by political turmoil. In , Sheikh Hasina, prime minister for 20 of the past 28 years, was driven out by a vast display of people power on the streets of the capital city, Dhaka. After she made a dramatic escape to neighbouring India on August 5, her government was replaced by military-backed , an 84-year-old Nobel Laureate, economist and social entrepreneur. Yunus has the difficult task of building consensus for much-needed reforms and staging a fair election. There was political change in as well when the little-known former Marxist, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, emerged the surprise winner in a presidential election held in September. The country continues to grapple with the aftermath of a debilitating financial crisis in 2022. In the continues to roil politics and society. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), did surprisingly well in February elections and his supporters have since staged huge and sometime violent protests demanding his release. The power dynamics in the Middle East were dramatically reshaped this year, with on the ascendancy and its bitter rival, , substantially weakened. Iran’s President in May, and things only got worse from there for the hard-line rulers in Tehran. Israel and Iran traded missile fire at several points throughout the year, setting off fears of an all-out regional war. Thanks to Israel’s Iron Dome system and support from Western nations, the Iranian strikes caused minimal damage, while Iran’s missile-production capability was crippled. After the monumental intelligence failure of last year’s October 7 attacks, the Jewish state regrouped and achieved some significant strategic victories. The Israeli military assassinated the mastermind of the October 7 attacks, , in Gaza and Hezbollah leader in Beirut. After a year of tit-for-tat fighting on its border with Lebanon, Israel escalated the fight against Hezbollah. This began with the shock September against the Iranian proxy group and culminated in a ground invasion and air strikes on Lebanon. It ended on favourable terms for Israel, with Lebanese civilians paying a heavy price for a conflict many did not want to be involved in. Meanwhile, the devastating war in Gaza continues and there is still no clear vision for what will come when it is over. Almost 45,000 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the war and over 100 Israeli hostages still remain in Gaza. In November, the against Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza, reflecting widespread international horror at the war. At home, though, Netanyahu’s popularity has been creeping up. In the most surprising development of all, in a matter of days in December. Syrian rebels from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took advantage of Assad’s key allies – Russia and Iran – being distracted by fighting elsewhere and stormed into Damascus with remarkable ease. This has injected new uncertainty into the region, with Iran again the loser after losing a crucial ally in Assad. By contrast, ’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is emboldened and empowered after backing the rebel forces. This year was meant to culminate in an election rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. But after imploding on a debate stage in June, the ’ oldest president was forced to withdraw his bid for a second term, setting in motion one of the most extraordinary political comebacks in history. While Biden’s decision to upended the trajectory of the 2024 campaign and sparked fresh enthusiasm among voters, it was not enough to dent the anger millions of Americans felt over soaring cost-of-living pressures or immigration. In a victory so resounding even some Republicans were shocked, Trump not only won all seven battleground states, he also narrowly secured the popular vote and helped Republicans take control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It was a remarkable turnaround for a former president who began the year facing 91 charges and four criminal trials: one in Washington for trying to subvert the 2020 election; one in Georgia for election interference in that state; another in Florida for mishandling classified documents; and one in New York for falsifying business records to cover up a . In the end, only the New York “hush money” trial would eventuate, resulting in Trump becoming the first convicted felon to run for the White House. A US Supreme Court decision to grant presidents substantial immunity for acts conducted in office helped him thwart all the other trials. Trump’s ascendancy was also fuelled by an at a rally in Pennsylvania – an event that shocked the world, reignited the debate over political violence, and created one of the most iconic images in political history. Two months later came – this time by a lone gunman hiding in the bushes of his golfing resort in West Palm Beach, Florida. In other North America news, environmental scientist Claudia Sheinbaum was elected ’s first female president; the war in Gaza sparked student uprisings at elite universities across the US; and Taylor Swift continued her global dominance, concluding her 149-show in after becoming the most-awarded artist in VMA history. Interest in South America rose briefly in Australian minds last month owing to Prime Minister , for the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation annual summit, overshadowed by incoming US president Donald Trump’s economic agenda. Albanese then went to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for this year’s G20. Neither , except to serve as further demonstration of in the region where it has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure. Take the new $5.6 billion port President Xi Jinping – who arrived pushing for an “orderly multipolar world” – inaugurated in Chancay, north of Lima. The intended continental logistics hub creates a direct route between Asia and South America across the Pacific Ocean. Apart from allowing Beijing to look beyond Australia and Asia for imports such as iron ore, wine and soybeans, the port could also, says the US, . China’s influence in the region could also extend to ground stations for Chinese satellites. In former president along with 36 others in a failed coup to reverse the last election and overthrow the government of President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva in a US Capitol-inspired takeover of Congress in 2022. He denies the charges, which add to his long list of legal woes. Lula, 79, had emergency brain surgery to relieve bleeding but was back to work in a few days. In the election of right-wing Trump-like disruptor and cloned-dog owner President provided some relief to the US, after to the alternative BRICS – the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa group that has evolved to admit myriad other countries, and hopes to launch an alternative trade currency to the US dollar. In new elections to power, but no one believed the results, which the opposition said were stolen and the UN human rights watchdog is investigating. The crisis-torn country was also in the headlines owing to campaign-mode In December, prominent human rights lawyer Claudio Grossman quit the International Criminal Court in The Hague over what he said was its failure to prosecute members of Maduro’s government for crimes against humanity. In early December, Argentina, Brazil, , and , under the bloc , signed a blockbuster free trade deal with the European Union. If ratified, it will create one of the world’s largest free trade zones, covering a market of 780 million people. But in France, the Netherlands and other countries with big dairy and beef industries, critics say it will create unfair competition. In , the year started with a large to discuss action against changes proposed by the new coalition government of Prime Minister Chris Luxon, including the watering down of policies previously designed to elevate Maori language and recognition. Tuheitia said the Treaty of Waitangi was not open for reinterpretation. , with King Charles leading the tributes, saying “a mighty tree has fallen”. His daughter, 27-year-old , was chosen by a council of 12 male elders to succeed him, over her two older brothers, although the crown is not automatically inherited. Tensions over the government’s “race-based” changes, and the introduction of a bill to reinterpret the treaty, spilt over when thousands participated in a , where that made headlines around the world. , in May after an electoral reform approved in Paris triggered protests and the . It sent hundreds of police to help stem the riots, including soldiers to secure the port and airports, which were closed, . . His government later blamed . Continuing its efforts to keep closer to Australia than to China, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese headed to PNG and along with Prime Minister James Marape, did a two-day Kokoda hike, complete with . It was all part of Anzac commemorations and soft diplomacy, which continues with the , helped along by . And a in later December, causing many deaths, hundreds of injuries and crippling the nation’s electricity, water and communications systems. – In , after the vote that ended apartheid and brought it to power. President Cyril Ramaphosa managed to retain his job after a coalition deal with the country’s second-biggest party, the Democratic Alliance. In added to evidence that two human species lived side-by-side 1.5 million years ago, in a closing reminder that humans are capable of getting along.An Invitation, A Rejection, Now What? Trump And Xi Jinping Play MindgamesAmericans’ many contradictions on Trump’s agenda
In the ‘00s, The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan looked at the disruptive nature of early social media platform MySpace and saw the death of the record label. It didn’t exactly work out that way — not with MySpace, not with Facebook, not with TikTok. In fact, the major music companies became adept at using these platforms to break artists and perpetuate their market power; if there’s a breakout song on TikTok, labels rush into an old-fashioned bidding war. While social media certainly disrupted the music business, it didn’t uproot the traditional record label model. There have been numerous other game-changers over the years that failed — on their own, at least — to radically alter how major labels do business, including independent distribution. After TuneCore launched in 2006, major labels continued to sign artists and own their intellectual property, albeit to broader “360” deals that incorporated more than recorded music rights. Nor did the advent of streaming by itself reshape the structure of major record labels. The artists with the most streaming success are involved with major labels in one way or another, be it a traditional record contract, a joint venture or, in rare cases like Taylor Swift , a distribution deal. Corgan may have misjudged social media’s sole impact on record labels, but he wasn’t entirely wrong about its ultimate influence. When combined, social media, independent distribution and streaming form a potent combination that has changed the balance of power and induced major labels to change how they promote music around the world. This dynamic isn’t exactly new, but it was never clearer than in 2024. This year, major labels have increasingly embraced the role of being service providers to those parties who prefer to remain independent and retain ownership of their intellectual property. A few years ago, Universal Music Group (UMG) was pouring money into superstar acquisitions such as Bob Dylan ’s and Sting ’s song catalogs. More recently, the company has been focusing on its artist services model. In the last three months alone, UMG acquired indie label group [PIAS] and agreed to acquire Downtown Music Holdings for $775 million, though the proposed deal has encountered opposition from the independent music community and will need to pass regulatory scrutiny before being finalized. The company also purchased Outdustry — which has an artist- and label-services arm that focuses on China, India and other high-growth emerging markets — and bought a stake in Chord Music Partners, giving UMG distribution and publishing administration duties for the more than 60,000 songs in the investment vehicle’s catalog. In fact, 2024 played out much like UMG CEO Lucian Grainge said it would. His January memo predicted the company would continue to expand globally and offer labels outside of mature markets a “full suite of artist services” while “acquiring local labels, catalogs and artist services businesses.” To be fair, UMG was already on that path: In 2022, it acquired m-theory’s artist services company and installed its founders, JT Myers and Nat Pastor , as co-CEOs of Virgin Music Group to expand Virgin’s independent music division globally. Warner Music Group (WMG) appears to have sensed the shifting landscape, too, as there has been a noticeable shift in messaging during Robert Kyncl ’s tenure as the company’s CEO. In the Stephen Cooper era, WMG was the music community’s leading investor in Web3 startups. In contrast, Kyncl has chosen to focus on expanding WMG’s footprint globally. WMG briefly signaled its interest in acquiring Believe in March and April after the French company announced a CEO-led effort to take the company private . Notably, Believe has a global label services business and a presence in developing markets that take advantage of the “glocalization” of local markets and global streaming platforms’ ability to help music travel across borders. WMG ultimately passed on pursuing Believe, but Kyncl has followed his peers’ interest in emerging markets, purchasing stakes in Indian companies Divo and Global Music Junction. The service model isn’t an entirely original approach. Grainge wrote that UMG is “creating the blueprint for the labels of the future,” but UMG is doing what major music companies have always done: following trends and buying independent companies that established a particular market. Sony Music already bought into the service model with The Orchard and AWAL, the latter purchased in 2022 for $430 million. Independents such as Believe, OneRPM and Symphonic Distribution have become established players by combining distribution and artist services, while investors have poured money into independents such as Create Music Group — which this year raised $165 million at a $1 billion valuation — and gamma, which is backed by $1 billion. But the well-established blueprint was never more of a hot commodity than in 2024. In the music business, nothing signifies the relevance of a business model like the major labels’ desire to buy it and integrate it into their systems — especially when the largest music companies feel they have no choice. The holy trinity of social media, independent distribution and global streaming platforms has given artists an alternative to the much-derided major label record contract. Artists who want to own their intellectual property and have more creative control have never had more of the tools necessary to be independent. That includes financing options, such as advances from well-funded independents or royalty advances from a new breed of financial services companies. When there’s no need for radio promotion and shelf space at brick-and-mortar retailers, the independent model looks a lot more attractive — not only for artists but for the major labels that have become increasingly keen on buying into it. Ironically, the major labels’ acceptance of the independents’ business model means the music business is becoming less independent. Trade groups such as the Association of Independent Music and IMPALA quickly spoke out against UMG’s agreement to purchase Downtown, just as they did with Sony Music’s purchase of AWAL. U.K. regulators ultimately concluded that AWAL was a “relatively small player” and that the deal did not substantially reduce competition. Time will tell if competition watchdogs feel the same about UMG’s much larger purchase of Downtown. In any case, the independents have proved that artist and label services businesses are a good fit for the modern music business. The next step was always going to be consolidation.Naval vessel launched in B.C. is longest-ever built in Canada
Joe Burrow's home broken into during Monday Night Football in latest pro-athlete home invasion
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Stephen Olowoniyi scored 18 points as Southern Indiana beat Shawnee State 91-56 on Sunday. Olowoniyi also contributed five rebounds for the Screaming Eagles (5-5). Damoni Harrison scored 17 points and added five rebounds. Braxton Jones shot 4 for 11 (1 for 6 from 3-point range) and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points. Donovan Lovelace led the way for the Bears with 12 points and seven rebounds. AJ Belton and Cory Gardner added nine points apiece. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Neurocrine Biosciences Announces FDA Approval of CRENESSITYTM (crinecerfont), a First-in-Class Treatment for Children and Adults With Classic Congenital Adrenal HyperplasiaAshlon Jackson scores career-best 30 points to lead No. 14 Duke past No. 10 Kansas 73-62
Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss reveals cancer diagnosis, 6-hour surgery Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss says he is being treated for cancer and is recovering from major surgery. In an appearance on Instagram Live on Friday, Moss introduced himself as a cancer survivor and thanked his “prayer warriors” for their support. Moss says a cancerous mass was found in his bile duct, between his pancreas and liver. He says he had surgery to put a stent in his liver on Thanksgiving and then underwent a 6-hour procedure about a week ago to remove the cancer. He says he was hospitalized for six days and released on Friday. De'Vondre Campbell won't be part of the 49ers after his refusal to enter a game, Kyle Shanahan says SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said linebacker De’Vondre Campbell won’t be part of the 49ers moving forward after he refused to enter a game after losing his starting job. Shanahan said the team is still working through the options of how to deal with Campbell after he walked to the locker room in the middle of a 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Shanahan says the team is weighing its options, which could include a suspension or release, but that Campbell won't be part of the team for the final three weeks of the season. Trae Young, Hawks hoping to win big in Vegas at the NBA Cup semifinals LAS VEGAS (AP) — Trae Young might be the NBA’s biggest enigma. Young’s fans can point to numbers and say he’s an elite player. His detractors can point to numbers and say he’s overrated. Both arguments have validity. To some, his cocky ways are endearing. To others, they’re infuriating. This can’t be argued: He’s helping Atlanta author one of the season’s surprise stories. The Hawks are in the NBA Cup semifinals, set to play Milwaukee on Saturday before the other semifinal between Oklahoma City and Houston. The title game is Tuesday night. Analysis: Only LeBron James knows what's happening right now, and what's in his future LAS VEGAS (AP) — LeBron James was starring in Las Vegas at this time last year, the headline attraction while he and the Los Angeles Lakers were about to win the inaugural version of the event now known as the NBA Cup. That's not the case this year. “Personal reasons ... he’s taking some time” is what Lakers coach JJ Redick said this week when detailing why James was missing from practice. “Left foot soreness” is the reason why the Lakers have ruled him out of Friday’s game in Minnesota. There’s been trade speculation in recent days. It's all very different than a year ago at Cup time. Yankees get closer Devin Williams from Brewers for Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees have acquired All-Star closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-hander Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin. The Yankees also will send $2 million to the Brewers as part of the trade. A 30-year-old right-hander, Williams and his signature “Airbender” changeup are eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. He was diagnosed during spring training with two stress fractures in his back and didn’t make his season debut until July 28. Williams was 14 for 15 in save chances with a 1.25 ERA, striking out 38 and walking 11 in 21 2/3 innings. Cubs acquire All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in trade with the Astros CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have acquired All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros, paying a big price for one of baseball’s best hitters. The Cubs sent third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and Cam Smith, one of their top infield prospects, to the Astros for Tucker, who is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. Tucker was limited to 78 games this year because of a fractured right shin, but he hit .289 with 23 homers and 49 RBIs for the AL West champions. New West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez says leaving for Michigan 17 years ago was a 'mistake' MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Rich Rodriguez says he regrets leaving West Virginia 17 years ago. Rodriguez was introduced as the coach at his alma mater on Friday. Based on the welcome he got from the thousands of West Virginia fans in attendance, much seems to be forgiven. Rodriguez told the crowd that he never should have left his home state. The 61-year-old coach says he's grown both as a person and a coach throughout his long career, and that his departure at the end of the 2007 season for a head coaching job at Michigan was a mistake. Rodriguez went 60-26 at West Virginia from 2001 to 2007. Lindsey Vonn to enter World Cup ski races next weekend in Switzerland in her comeback at age 40 BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (AP) — Lindsey Vonn will return to World Cup ski racing next weekend for a pair of super-G events in St. Moritz, Switzerland, as she continues her comeback at 40 years old. Vonn teased her return in an Instagram post through her sponsor, Red Bull, on Friday morning. She said “I hear St. Moritz is pretty nice this time of year.” The U.S. Ski Team then confirmed she will race in St. Moritz. She’s won five of her 82 World Cup races on the venue at St. Moritz. Picabo Street, a two-time Olympic medalist and Vonn’s former teammate, says “it’s the coolest thing ever.” Woman who falsely accused Duke lacrosse players of rape in 2006 publicly admits she lied RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The woman who in 2006 falsely accused three Duke University lacrosse players of raping her has admitted publicly for the first time that she made up the story. The accusations made national headlines at the time, stirring tensions about race, class and the privilege of college athletes. Crystal Mangum, who is Black, said in an interview with the “Let’s Talk with Kat” podcast that she “made up a story that wasn’t true” about the white players who attended a party where she was hired to perform as a stripper “because I wanted validation from people and not from God.” The former Duke players were declared innocent in 2007 after Mangum’s story fell apart under legal scrutiny. Belichick's bid to reshape football at UNC another sign of rising pro influence on college level CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's hiring of NFL coaching great Bill Belichick marks another sign of the growing influence of the NFL on college football. The challenges of managing the transfer portal and looming revenue sharing for athletes has led teams to take on more NFL-like structures to their programs. Belichick is set to structure North Carolina's program like an NFL front office. That includes hiring former NFL executive Michael Lombardi as general manager. At Florida, coach Billy Napier is interviewing general managers while saying the program is going to “a business model” to deal with a “major math puzzle.”
: The Odisha Legislative Assembly is set to begin its winter session on Tuesday, with 30 working days scheduled until December 31. Ahead of the session, an all-party meeting chaired by Speaker Surama Padhy took place on Monday to set the agenda. Major political parties, including the ruling BJP and the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress, also held separate strategy meetings to finalise their approaches for the session. The Opposition has vowed to hold the BJP government accountable for various issues, including the tragic deaths of four individuals in Kandhamal district, reportedly due to mango kernel consumption—a consequence of alleged disruptions in the public food distribution system. Other contentious topics include the alarming rise in sexual violence against women and minors and accusations of political misuse of police forces. BJD leader Pramila Mallick criticised the BJP, stating: “Since coming to power, this government has failed to protect women and children while neglecting essential food distribution schemes. We cannot overlook the loss of four precious lives in Kandhamal, which reflects their administrative failure.” Echoing similar concerns, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Ramachandra Kadam declared that the party would emphasize the Kandhamal food crisis and the state’s deteriorating law and order situation during the session. “The BJP government, led by Mohan Charan Majhi, has disappointed the people of Odisha. From ration delays forcing individuals to eat mango kernels to the escalating threat to women’s safety, this government has failed to deliver. We will demand answers on these pressing matters,” he said. The BJP, on its part, is expected to defend its record by highlighting developmental initiatives and welfare programs, setting the stage for a fiery winter session. The assembly debates promise to be intense, with both sides preparing for robust arguments on governance, accountability, and public welfare. According to Prasanna Mohanty, an analyst, the opposition’s focus on issues like food security and safety signals a strategic shift, aiming to resonate with public concerns while questioning the BJP’s administrative credibility.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss reveals cancer diagnosis, 6-hour surgery Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss says he is being treated for cancer and is recovering from major surgery. In an appearance on Instagram Live on Friday, Moss introduced himself as a cancer survivor and thanked his “prayer warriors” for their support. Moss says a cancerous mass was found in his bile duct, between his pancreas and liver. He says he had surgery to put a stent in his liver on Thanksgiving and then underwent a 6-hour procedure about a week ago to remove the cancer. He says he was hospitalized for six days and released on Friday. De'Vondre Campbell won't be part of the 49ers after his refusal to enter a game, Kyle Shanahan says SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said linebacker De’Vondre Campbell won’t be part of the 49ers moving forward after he refused to enter a game after losing his starting job. Shanahan said the team is still working through the options of how to deal with Campbell after he walked to the locker room in the middle of a 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Shanahan says the team is weighing its options, which could include a suspension or release, but that Campbell won't be part of the team for the final three weeks of the season. Trae Young, Hawks hoping to win big in Vegas at the NBA Cup semifinals LAS VEGAS (AP) — Trae Young might be the NBA’s biggest enigma. Young’s fans can point to numbers and say he’s an elite player. His detractors can point to numbers and say he’s overrated. Both arguments have validity. To some, his cocky ways are endearing. To others, they’re infuriating. This can’t be argued: He’s helping Atlanta author one of the season’s surprise stories. The Hawks are in the NBA Cup semifinals, set to play Milwaukee on Saturday before the other semifinal between Oklahoma City and Houston. The title game is Tuesday night. Analysis: Only LeBron James knows what's happening right now, and what's in his future LAS VEGAS (AP) — LeBron James was starring in Las Vegas at this time last year, the headline attraction while he and the Los Angeles Lakers were about to win the inaugural version of the event now known as the NBA Cup. That's not the case this year. “Personal reasons ... he’s taking some time” is what Lakers coach JJ Redick said this week when detailing why James was missing from practice. “Left foot soreness” is the reason why the Lakers have ruled him out of Friday’s game in Minnesota. There’s been trade speculation in recent days. It's all very different than a year ago at Cup time. Yankees get closer Devin Williams from Brewers for Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees have acquired All-Star closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-hander Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin. The Yankees also will send $2 million to the Brewers as part of the trade. A 30-year-old right-hander, Williams and his signature “Airbender” changeup are eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. He was diagnosed during spring training with two stress fractures in his back and didn’t make his season debut until July 28. Williams was 14 for 15 in save chances with a 1.25 ERA, striking out 38 and walking 11 in 21 2/3 innings. Cubs acquire All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in trade with the Astros CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have acquired All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros, paying a big price for one of baseball’s best hitters. The Cubs sent third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and Cam Smith, one of their top infield prospects, to the Astros for Tucker, who is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. Tucker was limited to 78 games this year because of a fractured right shin, but he hit .289 with 23 homers and 49 RBIs for the AL West champions. New West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez says leaving for Michigan 17 years ago was a 'mistake' MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Rich Rodriguez says he regrets leaving West Virginia 17 years ago. Rodriguez was introduced as the coach at his alma mater on Friday. Based on the welcome he got from the thousands of West Virginia fans in attendance, much seems to be forgiven. Rodriguez told the crowd that he never should have left his home state. The 61-year-old coach says he's grown both as a person and a coach throughout his long career, and that his departure at the end of the 2007 season for a head coaching job at Michigan was a mistake. Rodriguez went 60-26 at West Virginia from 2001 to 2007. Lindsey Vonn to enter World Cup ski races next weekend in Switzerland in her comeback at age 40 BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (AP) — Lindsey Vonn will return to World Cup ski racing next weekend for a pair of super-G events in St. Moritz, Switzerland, as she continues her comeback at 40 years old. Vonn teased her return in an Instagram post through her sponsor, Red Bull, on Friday morning. She said “I hear St. Moritz is pretty nice this time of year.” The U.S. Ski Team then confirmed she will race in St. Moritz. She’s won five of her 82 World Cup races on the venue at St. Moritz. Picabo Street, a two-time Olympic medalist and Vonn’s former teammate, says “it’s the coolest thing ever.” Woman who falsely accused Duke lacrosse players of rape in 2006 publicly admits she lied RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The woman who in 2006 falsely accused three Duke University lacrosse players of raping her has admitted publicly for the first time that she made up the story. The accusations made national headlines at the time, stirring tensions about race, class and the privilege of college athletes. Crystal Mangum, who is Black, said in an interview with the “Let’s Talk with Kat” podcast that she “made up a story that wasn’t true” about the white players who attended a party where she was hired to perform as a stripper “because I wanted validation from people and not from God.” The former Duke players were declared innocent in 2007 after Mangum’s story fell apart under legal scrutiny. Belichick's bid to reshape football at UNC another sign of rising pro influence on college level CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's hiring of NFL coaching great Bill Belichick marks another sign of the growing influence of the NFL on college football. The challenges of managing the transfer portal and looming revenue sharing for athletes has led teams to take on more NFL-like structures to their programs. Belichick is set to structure North Carolina's program like an NFL front office. That includes hiring former NFL executive Michael Lombardi as general manager. At Florida, coach Billy Napier is interviewing general managers while saying the program is going to “a business model” to deal with a “major math puzzle.”
Charities in New Hampshire may see caps on donations from casinos as lawmakers propose new gaming bills