All Times EST NOTE: Two points are awarded for a win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss. Top four teams in each division advance to playoffs. Laval 5, Toronto 4 Rochester 3, Charlotte 0 WB/Scranton 6, Hartford 2 Belleville 4, Manitoba 3 Iowa 5, Milwaukee 2 Syracuse 4, Cleveland 3 Hershey 3, Lehigh Valley 2 Providence 6, Bridgeport 3 Springfield 2, Rockford 1 Calgary 6, Tucson 3 Grand Rapids 5, Chicago 4 Henderson 6, Texas 2 Ontario 2, San Diego 1 San Jose 1, Coachella Valley 0 Abbotsford 6, Colorado 1 Providence 5, WB/Scranton 0 Grand Rapids at Chicago, 4 p.m. Milwaukee at Iowa, 4 p.m. Lehigh Valley at Hershey, 5 p.m. Bakersfield at Ontario, 6 p.m. Coachella Valley at San Jose, 6 p.m. Colorado at Abbotsford, 7 p.m. Texas at Henderson, 8 p.m. No games scheduled Lehigh Valley vs. Toronto at Scotiabank Arena, 6 p.m. Manitoba at Calgary, 9 p.m. Hershey at Hartford, 7 p.m. Providence at Bridgeport, 7 p.m. Rochester at Laval, 7 p.m. Syracuse at Belleville, 7 p.m. Charlotte at WB/Scranton, 7:05 p.m. Rockford at Iowa, 8 p.m. Manitoba at Calgary, 9 p.m. Henderson vs. San Diego at Pechanga Arena, 10 p.m.Member of Qatar Foundation, QatarDebate Center held the Doha Forum Youth Edition 2024 Wednesday, which brought together a distinguished group of youth speakers representing 90 countries, alongside global experts, and partners, to discuss pressing global issues. The two-day Doha Forum youth edition served as a prelude to Doha Forum 2024, scheduled for December 7-8, and this year spotlighted the importance of innovative solutions under the theme, “The Innovation Imperative.” Doha Forum Youth Edition offers an exceptional opportunity for youth from around the world to engage in meaningful and impactful dialogues about humanity’s most significant challenges. In the face of global disruptions affecting security, climate, economy, and governance, innovation has become a necessity, not a luxury. The forum reflected this urgency by empowering young leaders to develop innovative ideas and collaborate to address global challenges with bold and transformative solutions. The forum began with opening remarks by Program Director at QatarDebate Center Abdulrahman al-Subaie who emphasised the importance of this unique platform, describing it as a global stage for dialogue and idea exchange. Al-Subaie added: “A decade ago, QatarDebate began with modest local steps. Few could have imagined that its influence would extend across Qatar and the world, producing a generation of aware, articulate youth who now represent their nations on international platforms, presenting solutions for a more stable future.” The Program Director at QatarDebate Center highlighted the strong partnership with Doha Forum, noting it as a fundamental element in achieving this vision. He continued, “this partnership between QatarDebate and Doha Forum is not merely organisational; it reflects a shared belief that youth are the cornerstone of building a brighter, more sustainable future.” Al-Subaie added, “we need your voices now more than ever. You possess the energy and creativity to reimagine traditional ideas. Through this forum, we provide you with the opportunity to learn from others’ experiences and to build bridges of collaboration with peers worldwide.” In turn, Executive Director of the Permanent Committee for Organising Conferences Mubarak Ajlan al-Kuwari addressed the audience saying, “today is a truly remarkable day as we open the Doha Forum-Youth Edition. This is more than an event; it marks the beginning of a new phase filled with youth-led ideas and ambitions that hold the key to the future.” Al-Kuwari added, “this forum is your platform, an open space for your ideas, dreams, and passion for creating change. We believe that you, the youth of today, are the leaders of tomorrow, and your energy and creativity will guide the world toward a better future.” The speakers captivated the young audience from around the world with inspiring keynote speeches on cultural diplomacy, technological development and its transformative role, geopolitics, matters pertaining to security, and economic development. Related Story International Media Office makes MDD key global hubPolice say searchers don’t expect to find woman in Pennsylvania sinkhole alive UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) — The search for a woman who is believed to have fallen into a sinkhole in western Pennsylvania has become a recovery effort after two treacherous days of digging through mud and rock produced no signs of life. Pennsylvania State Police spokesperson Trooper Steve Limani said during a news conference Wednesday that authorities no longer believe they will find 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard alive, but that the search for her remains continues. Limani says crews have seen "no signs of any form of life or anything.” Pollard was last seen alive Monday evening when she went out looking for her cat in the village of Marguerite, about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh. WWE is seeking a bigger stage and Netflix, pushing for more live events, is providing it WWE will perform on a stage next month that could be vastly larger than its current home on cable television when it makes its “Raw” debut on Netflix. The sports entertainment company is moving to a platform with about 283 million subscribers worldwide as it departs its current home on the USA Network, which averaged 688,000 viewers in prime-time last year, according to the Nielsen company. For Netflix, onboarding the WWE is part of strategic move to air more live events on the heels of a hugely successful fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul that was viewed by more than 60 million people. Michigan court upholds light sentence for woman who killed dad in dispute over ride DETROIT (AP) — The Michigan Court of Appeals has declined to overturn a light jail sentence for a young woman who killed her father by burning him with a dangerous powder. Prosecutors said Megan Imirowicz was upset when her father couldn’t drive her to a hair appointment before her 18th birthday party. Imirowicz was sentenced to only a year in jail in 2023. She actually spent more than a year in custody because she was locked up before trial and while awaiting her punishment in suburban Detroit. Sumo wrestlers bring 1,500 years of tradition to London as the sport has an international moment LONDON (AP) — London’s Royal Albert Hall is preparing to host a different kind of spectacle: Sumo wrestling. Wrestlers put on an exhibition of heavyweight grappling to promote a tournament scheduled for next October. It marks only the second time an elite five-day tournament will be held outside Japan. The first was held in 1991 at the same venue. Organizers are hoping to whip up the kind of excitement that was generated three decades ago, when the deeply ritualistic sport attracted sell-out crowds and a national television audience. The end of an Eras tour approaches, marking a bittersweet moment for Taylor Swift fans NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The global phenomenon that is Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is coming to an end after the popstar performed more than 150 shows across five continents over nearly two years. Since launching the tour in 2023, Swift has shattered sales and attendance records. It's even created such an economic boom that the Federal Reserve took note. But for many who attended the concerts, and the millions more who eagerly watched on their screens, the tour also became a beacon of joy. It's become a chance not only to appreciate Swift’s expansive music career, but also celebrate the yearslong journey fans have taken with her. Jury revisits key videos in NYC subway chokehold death trial NEW YORK (AP) — Jurors have asked to review police and bystander video at the heart of the New York City chokehold manslaughter case against Daniel Penny. The request came during a second day of deliberations Wednesday. The anonymous jury also asked to rehear part of a city medical examiner’s testimony. The request included testimony about her decision to issue a death certificate without getting toxicology test results for Jordan Neely. He was the agitated subway rider whom Penny held him around the neck for roughly six minutes. Penny has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. Prosecutors say he recklessly killed Neely. Penny's defense maintains he was justified in acting to protect fellow subway riders from Neely. Relatives hunt for the missing after Guinea stadium crush amid fears official death toll is too low CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — Kambaly Kouroumah was searching a local morgue for his teenage brother, Adama, who died after chaos erupted at a soccer game in southern Guinea’s Nzerekore city. Adama, 15, was among 56 people that officials said were killed in Sunday's crush, although rights groups reported a death toll nearly three times higher. Local media, rights groups and witnesses say security forces used tear gas to respond after fans began to throw stones to protest a referee's decision during the soccer game that was organized in honor of Guinea's junta leader, Col. Mamadi Doumbouya. Many of the dead were crushed as they tried to escape through the stadium gates, videos showed. Power shortages in Ecuador are melting away the future of a small town’s ice-cream industry SALCEDO, Ecuador (AP) — Ice-cream production in this quiet Ecuadorian town began in the mid-20th century in a convent for Franciscan nuns. The nuns sold their creamy popsicles in town to gather funds for the poor. But the people of Salcedo saw a business opportunity and began experimenting with new flavors and techniques, establishing a thriving popsicle industry that has made their small town famous among ice-cream lovers. But now, the South American nation is struggling with a relentless wave of power cuts that threaten the future of Salcedo’s ice-cream industry, melting away its dreams of a more prosperous future. Senegalese artisans in the spotlight as they exhibit for the first time at a prestigious art event DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — For the artistic and cultural elites of the West African nation of Senegal, the monthlong Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Arts is a celebratory moment. But it wasn’t until this year that the local artisans in the Soumbedioune crafts market, just off the Corniche and at the doorstep on the Medina working-class neighborhood, realized what the Biennale was. Craftsmanship is deeply rooted in the country’s culture, but its role has declined in recent years. As living costs rise, many Senegalese opt for cheaper, Chinese-imported products. And those that can afford it buy Western clothes and furniture to mark their social status. Eminem's mother Debbie Nelson, whose rocky relationship fueled the rapper's lyrics, dies at age 69 Debbie Nelson, the mother of rapper Eminem whose rocky relationship with her son was known widely through his song lyrics, has died. She was 69. Eminem’s longtime representative Dennis Dennehy confirmed Nelson’s death in an email on Tuesday. He did not provide a cause of death, although Nelson had battled lung cancer. Nelson’s fraught relationship with her son, whose real name is Marshall Mathers III, has been no secret since the Detroit rapper became a star. Nelson brought and settled two defamation lawsuits over Eminem’s statements about her in magazines and on radio talk shows. In her 2008 book, “My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem,” she attempted to set the record straight.
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Leader of the Conservative Party Pierre Poilievre walks with new Member of Parliament for Durham Jamil Jivani as he takes his place in the House of Commons before Question Period, Monday, April 8, in Ottawa. A Conservative member of parliament has tapped a longtime friendship to connect with Donald Trump's inner circle as Canada prepares for the president-elect’s return to the White House next month amid threats of devastating tariffs. Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press A Conservative member of Parliament met with Donald Trump’s second-in-command over the weekend as Canada prepares for the U.S. president-elect’s return to the White House next month amid threats of devastating tariffs. Jamil Jivani said he had dinner with vice-president-elect JD Vance and British Conservative Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch on Saturday in Arlington, Va., not far from Washington. “The dinner was a good opportunity to catch up with my longtime friend, the vice president-elect, and also meet the new leader of the U.K. Conservative party,” Jivani, the MP for Durham, said Sunday in a phone interview. “I think it’s pretty clear right now that for the good of Canada we need to be able to build strong relationships with our allies. I felt like the dinner we had was good for that purpose.” A source with knowledge of the gathering said they discussed the importance of building strong relationships between all three countries. The source said Jivani invited the vice president-elect to come to Bowmanville, in his Ontario riding, in the new year. Jivani expressed to Vance how “Canada is America’s best friend and ally, and a reliable trade and security partner,” the MP said in a follow-up emailed statement. “I've shared feedback from Canadian businesses and workers, including those in my constituency, about the impact tariffs would have on our economy,” Jivani said. “I have also expressed to him things that I have heard from constituents about the Canada-U.S. border and the need to work together to protect our collective security.” Jivani has been friends with the U.S. senator for Ohio since they both attended Yale University. Jivani has written about their close relationship and spoke at Vance’s wedding. Jivani shared a picture after Saturday’s dinner on social media, marking the first time he has publicly posted about meeting with his friend since the November election. The display of cross-border camaraderie comes as Trump lobs tariff threats against America’s closest neighbours and ahead of a review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. A Team Canada approach was quickly formed following Trump’s first win in 2016, when the Republican promised to tear up the North American Free Trade Agreement and impose tariffs. At that time, Trudeau reached out to former Tory prime minister Brian Mulroney to be an adviser. Former Conservative ministers Rona Ambrose and James Moore also joined the effort. The Canadian approach has appeared less unified this time around. Provincial leaders, particularly Ontario Premier Doug Ford, have called on Ottawa to do more to avoid threatened duties. Jivani confirmed that despite his close relationship with the incoming vice-president, he has not been contacted by anyone in the governing Liberals “in relation to things concerning the United States.” He also has not been contacted by anyone in the Ontario government. Trudeau met with other federal party leaders after his unprecedented surprise dinner with Trump at the Republican’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. The prime minister asked the other leaders not to negotiate against Canada in public by saying things like the border is broken, and that they impart the message that Trump’s tariffs would harm the American economy, too. But, in response, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Trudeau had lost control of crucial government files, like the budget and the border, and put Canada in a weak position. Poilievre said Sunday he could not speak to what his Conservative MP and the vice president-elect discussed because he was not at the dinner. “Every single Conservative would tell every single American that a tariff on Canada is a bad idea,” Poilievre said. “We need to put Canada first and that’s what we will do. We will fight these tariffs from a position of strength.” A general election must be held by October next year, but it could come sooner if the Liberals lose the confidence of the House. Whoever wins will be in charge of the 2026 review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. Polling has long shown the Conservatives leading against Trudeau’s governing Liberals. Poilievre initially described the threatened duties as “unjustified.” He later criticized Trudeau for being weak. Trudeau accused Poilievre of being unhelpful in his criticisms and said there’s a long-standing tradition of all political stripes pulling together when the country comes under threat.
Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game for the 49ers with a shoulder injuryThe minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Nyesom Wike, has said his administration committed a total sum of $1,045,176,470 billion, approximately N177billion for the development of infrastructure in the education sector. This, he said, was inclusive of the N3,500,000,000.00 billion counterpart funding from Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), bringing the total commitment of infrastructural development to approximately N177,,000,000,000.00 billion. The minister stated this at the sixth International Conference on Learning Cities held in Jubail Industrial City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The minister who was represented by the Minister of State FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, also noted that Abuja’s annual budget for the development of education has surpassed the UNESCO benchmark of 26 per cent. Highlighting further the total investment in different sectors of education, Wike said a total of 21 primary and junior secondary schools were renovated while a total of 30 senior secondary schools were also established. Other area of infrastructural investment according to the minister include the tertiary education sector, adding that the FCT Administration has committed the sum of N14,529,622,993 billion for the completion and launch of FCT University, Abaji. He said: “UNESCO generally recommends that member nations have a budgetary allocation benchmark of at least 26 per cent to education. “This benchmark is intended to ensure that countries can adequately address needs of their education system such as teachers, training, infrastructure development and educational technology. “It might interest my audience to know that Abuja’s annual budget for education surpasses the UNESCO benchmark.” Wike, reiterated that the city under his watch has invested heavily in the training and retraining of teachers and educational infrastructure in the six area councils of the territory. He affirmed that the administration has maintained a total commitment to the Abuja Learning City status as emphasised by UNESCO, adding that Abuja city has adopted a “whole school” approach system that promotes peace, security, and tolerance through knowledge, skills and global awareness.
New U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff marked the start of his Senate tenure on Monday , Dec. 9, by taking the oath of office with his hand on an ancient Jewish text. The book used in Schiff’s swearing-in ceremony is the Mishneh Torah , written by the renowned Jewish philosopher and scholar Moses Maimonides. A comprehensive 12th-century codification of Jewish religious law , the Mishneh Torah summarizes all aspects of Jewish law in clear and accessible Hebrew. California Senator, Congressman Adam Schiff, right, was sworn in today, Dec. 9, 2024, conducted by Vice President and former California Senator Kamala Harris. (Photo C-SPAN2) (L-R) Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), his wife Eve Schiff and Vice President Kamala Harris pose for photographs following his ceremonial swearing-in in the Old Senate Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 09, 2024 in Washington, DC. Schiff was officially sworn in earlier by Harris in the Senate Chamber. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) (L) is congratulated by Vice President Kamala Harris as his wife Eve Schiff looks on following his ceremonial swearing-in in the Old Senate Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 09, 2024 in Washington, DC. Schiff was officially sworn in earlier by Harris in the Senate Chamber. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) California Senator, Congressman Adam Schiff, right, was sworn in today, Dec. 9, 2024, conducted by Vice President and former California Senator Kamala Harris. (Photo C-SPAN2) When sworn into office, newly elected officials often use religious texts or other meaningful books that hold personal or symbolic significance to them. For instance, in 2021 President Joe Biden took his oath of office on a 19th-century Bible that has been in his family since the late 1800s, while Vice President Kamala Harris swore in on two Bibles: one that belonged to former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and another that belonged to a former neighbor close to Harris, according to CNN . Former President Donald Trump also used two Bibles at his 2017 swearing-in ceremony : the Lincoln Bible used by Abraham Lincoln at his first inauguration in 1861, and a family Bible given to Trump by his mother in 1955. The Mishneh Torah used by Schiff translates into “repetition of the Torah” or “the second Torah” in English. It was printed in Italy in 1490, according to his office. Schiff, a pro-Israel Democrat, has been open about his Jewish heritage and faith and has strongly condemned antisemitism. “Growing up in a Jewish household with strong ties to the Jewish community, I learned to revere a passage from Micah — that instructs us to do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God,” Schiff previously said, according to the Jewish Democratic Council of America’s website . “I am very proud of my Jewish heritage, our traditions and values and the work our community does to build a more just and equitable world for the next generation.” In his swearing-in statement, Schiff said he will be a “tireless advocate for Californians in every part of the state and work across the aisle to deliver on day one.” Schiff, who represented an LA-area district in Congress for nearly 24 years, will complete the remainder of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s term before being sworn in for a full six-year term on Jan. 3. Sen. Laphonza Butler, who Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed in October 2023 to complete Feinstein’s remaining term, resigned Sunday, Dec. 8 . Related ArticlesWhite House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaignAfraid of losing US-Canada trade pact Mexico alters its laws removes Chinese parts
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Nico Iamaleava passed for four touchdowns and Dylan Sampson rushed for 77 yards and set a school-record for TDs as No. 11 Tennessee rolled to a 56-0 victory over UTEP on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, Tenn. Sampson scored on a 14-yard TD run early in the second quarter for the game's first points to deliver his 22nd TD of tje season to break the Tennessee single-season mark set by Gene McEvers in 1929. Iamaleava was 15 of 20 for 173 yards for Tennessee (9-2), while Bru McCoy caught a pair of TD passes and Squirrel White and Ethan Davis each had a TD reception. Tennessee moved its all-time record to 2-0 against the Miners, also having blanked the Conference USA school 24-0 in 2018. Jermod McCoy and John Slaughter had interceptions for the Volunteers, while Dominic Bailey recovered a fumble to set up a score. Skyler Locklear was 10-of-19 passing for 50 yards with an interception for UTEP (2-9), while rushing for 37 yards on eight carries. JP Pickles also had a turn at QB for the Miners and was 10 of 15 for 72 yards. Kenny Odom had eight receptions for 70 yards. Both defenses set the tone in the first quarter. The UTEP defense allowed just one first down to the Southeastern Conference team in three ugly series in the opening quarter and only 22 yards. In the second quarter, Sampson ended a 68-yard drive by dashing up the middle for 14 yards for the record-setting score to take a 7-0 lead with 13:22 remaining before halftime. After Bailey's fumble recovery, Iamaleava flipped a screen pass that White took 9 yards to the end zone nearly six minutes later. Davis put the Volunteers up 21-0 when he grabbed a short pass for a 1-yard TD. Iamaleava then found Bru McCoy from 18 yards with eight seconds left in the second quarter for a 28-0 halftime lead. McCoy caught his second TD and Peyton Lewis rushed for a pair for a 49-0 lead in the third quarter, but the biggest roar from Volunteers fans came when it was announced Florida beat No. 9 Ole Miss 24-17, to enhance the Volunteers' College Football Playoff hopes. Cameron Seldon's 3-yard run capped the scoring as the Volunteers finished the season undefeated at home for the second time in four years. --Field Level MediaNew U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff marked the start of his Senate tenure on Monday , Dec. 9, by taking the oath of office with his hand on an ancient Jewish text. The book used in Schiff’s swearing-in ceremony is the Mishneh Torah , written by the renowned Jewish philosopher and scholar Moses Maimonides. A comprehensive 12th-century codification of Jewish religious law , the Mishneh Torah summarizes all aspects of Jewish law in clear and accessible Hebrew. California Senator, Congressman Adam Schiff, right, was sworn in today, Dec. 9, 2024, conducted by Vice President and former California Senator Kamala Harris. (Photo C-SPAN2) (L-R) Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), his wife Eve Schiff and Vice President Kamala Harris pose for photographs following his ceremonial swearing-in in the Old Senate Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 09, 2024 in Washington, DC. Schiff was officially sworn in earlier by Harris in the Senate Chamber. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) (L) is congratulated by Vice President Kamala Harris as his wife Eve Schiff looks on following his ceremonial swearing-in in the Old Senate Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 09, 2024 in Washington, DC. Schiff was officially sworn in earlier by Harris in the Senate Chamber. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) California Senator, Congressman Adam Schiff, right, was sworn in today, Dec. 9, 2024, conducted by Vice President and former California Senator Kamala Harris. (Photo C-SPAN2) When sworn into office, newly elected officials often use religious texts or other meaningful books that hold personal or symbolic significance to them. For instance, in 2021 President Joe Biden took his oath of office on a 19th-century Bible that has been in his family since the late 1800s, while Vice President Kamala Harris swore in on two Bibles: one that belonged to former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and another that belonged to a former neighbor close to Harris, according to CNN . Former President Donald Trump also used two Bibles at his 2017 swearing-in ceremony : the Lincoln Bible used by Abraham Lincoln at his first inauguration in 1861, and a family Bible given to Trump by his mother in 1955. The Mishneh Torah used by Schiff translates into “repetition of the Torah” or “the second Torah” in English. It was printed in Italy in 1490, according to his office. Schiff, a pro-Israel Democrat, has been open about his Jewish heritage and faith and has strongly condemned antisemitism. “Growing up in a Jewish household with strong ties to the Jewish community, I learned to revere a passage from Micah — that instructs us to do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God,” Schiff previously said, according to the Jewish Democratic Council of America’s website . “I am very proud of my Jewish heritage, our traditions and values and the work our community does to build a more just and equitable world for the next generation.” In his swearing-in statement, Schiff said he will be a “tireless advocate for Californians in every part of the state and work across the aisle to deliver on day one.” Schiff, who represented an LA-area district in Congress for nearly 24 years, will complete the remainder of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s term before being sworn in for a full six-year term on Jan. 3. Sen. Laphonza Butler, who Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed in October 2023 to complete Feinstein’s remaining term, resigned Sunday, Dec. 8 .Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria fallout
Streaming and betting are driving up the number of greyhound races in Wales, animal welfare campaigners have said. Greyhound Rescue Wales said streaming had played a big part in the “uplift” in races at Wales’ only track, Valley Stadium, which was licensed last year. But the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), the regulator for licensed greyhound racing, said the increase was due to the track becoming regulated, with formal safeguards and welfare measures now in place. The Welsh government is expected to publish its response to a consultation, which looked at a phased ban on greyhound racing, this autumn. Tim Doyle, the chief executive of Greyhound Rescue Wales, said the "main output of the Valley track, like most tracks in the UK, is to serve live streaming contracts”. He said the Valley Stadium, in Hengoed, Rhymney Valley, which was licensed by GBGB in August last year, held 42 races in November 2023 compared with 168 races last month. “A lot of people have this rose-tinted view of greyhound racing as a night out at the dogs [and] that the tracks are packed with people of an evening," said Mr Doyle. “That's not really where the majority of business is coming from." Mr Doyle said the industry had been steadily declining for the last 20 years, but he feared the streaming business model would keep it "clinging on" for longer. His organisation has been working with Gamban, a software that people can download to block gambling sites, to call for an end to greyhound racing in Wales. One of Gamban's founders, Matt Zarb-Cousin, described greyhound racing as "antiquated" and said races had become no more than "random betting events”. "It's an industry that unfortunately derives far too much of its revenues from people with gambling problems,” Mr Zarb-Cousin said. He criticised the gambling industry for the harm he said was caused to animals and people as part of its “pursuit of profit”. Both he and Mr Doyle raised concerns over the welfare of the animals and the regulation of the industry. "It's not regulation, it's self-regulation; it's regulated by the industry itself," Mr Doyle said. He pointed to GBGB figures which showed some 2,000 greyhounds died and more than 18,000 were injured on regulated tracks between 2018 and 2021. Mr Doyle said it was increasingly difficult to rehome greyhounds due to a "stagnation" in the number of people coming forward. This, he said, was due to the cost-of-living crisis and fears over rising vet bills. A Welsh government consultation looking at a phased ban of greyhound racing closed earlier this year. A spokesperson said it was expected to publish its response this autumn. That came after a petition signed by 35,000 people and a Senedd committee called for a "gradual" end to the sport in Wales. A petition in support of the sport also generated more than 10,000 signatures at the time. The GBGB said the increased activity at Valley Stadium was “about a previously unlicensed track – which had no formal safeguards in place around welfare – becoming regulated in Wales". It said the track welcomed a “strong, local core of racing enthusiasts who appreciate and enjoy the sport, and importantly, value the measures now in place to protect welfare”. "There is a vet on site at all times, a national network of experts offering advice and visiting trainers' residential kennels, and an extensive set of rules that ensure racing has the highest standards of welfare and integrity," a spokesperson added. They said it was because of those standards that "we are proud to uphold that British licensed greyhound racing remains a popular product of choice for broadcasters here and globally – something which... contributes £166 million to the British economy”. "Online betting on sport involving animals is something that cuts across horseracing, greyhound racing and other sports," they added. The spokesperson said that if its approach to improving the welfare of greyhound racing by regulating a previously unlicensed track was worthy of "scrutiny and criticism, then the BBC's multimillion-pound spend on horseracing is likewise in the dock”. Valley Racetrack declined to comment. A spokesperson for the Betting and Gaming Council, the standards body for the regulated UK betting and gaming industry, said: "We welcome the significant improvement in facilities and standards at the Valley. "Last year, industry sponsorship for greyhound racing totalled £30,000 while in the same year, our members voluntarily donated over £7m to the British Greyhound Racing Fund for the welfare of greyhounds."Annual ‘Shop with a Cop’ takes 31 children out Christmas shopping
MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé admitted he is going through a difficult moment as he missed another penalty kick and Real Madrid lost ground to Barcelona in the Spanish league after a 2-1 loss at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday. Mbappé had his penalty saved by Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala in the 68th minute, and later Federico Valverde gifted a late goal by losing possession on defense to allow an easy winner by Gorka Guruzeta in the 80th. “Bad result,” Mbappé posted on Instagram. “A big mistake in a match where every detail counts. I take full responsibility for it. A difficult moment but it's the best time to change this situation and show who I am.” Mbappé sent the penalty shot to his right and Agirrezabala dived that way to make the stop. “We knew that he is a good penalty taker,” Agirrezabala said. “He missed the last one and I believed that he was going to choose the same side and luckily that’s what happened.” Mbappé, who had a goal disallowed for offside in the 13th, had also missed a penalty in Madrid’s 2-0 loss at Liverpool in the Champions League last week. He didn’t take the one for the club in a Spanish league match on Sunday, but he scored in the 2-0 win over Getafe to ease some of the pressure on him and the club. But it was another lackluster outing for the France star, who continues to struggle in his first season since finally joining the Spanish powerhouse. “I won’t evaluate the performance of a player because of a missed penalty. Obviously he is sad and disappointed, but you have to move on,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said about Mbappé. “He is not at his best level, but you have to give him time to adapt. You have to give him time to be able to do better.” Ancelotti also downplayed the bad play by Valverde, saying that mistakes can happen to anyone. Valverde had control of the ball but gave it away while trying to get past a couple of Athletic players instead of passing it to a teammate, leaving Guruzeta with an easy run into the area for his goal. Álex Berenguer had put the hosts ahead in the 53td and Jude Bellingham equalized for Madrid in the 78th. The defeat left Madrid four points behind Barcelona, which on Tuesday ended a three-match winless streak in the league with a 5-1 rout at Mallorca. Madrid, which has a game in hand, had won three consecutive league games since a 4-0 loss at home in the “clasico” against Barcelona. Madrid has lost five of its last 11 matches in all competitions. Athletic moved to fourth place with the victory, its fourth consecutive across all competitions. Both matches on Tuesday and Wednesday were moved forward in the schedule because the clubs will be playing in the Spanish Super Cup in January. Copa del Rey In the Copa del Rey, first-division clubs Rayo Vallecano, Valencia and Real Betis all advanced over lower-division teams in the second round, but Villarreal lost 1-0 to fourth-division club Pontevedra and Girona fell on penalties to fourth-tier team Logrones. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Tales Azzoni, The Associated PressPowell: Fed's independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisions WASHINGTON (AP) — Chair Jerome Powell said the Federal Reserve’s ability to set interest rates free of political interference is necessary for it to make decisions to serve “all Americans” rather than a political party or political outcome. Speaking at the New York Times’ DealBook summit, Powell addressed a question about President-elect Donald Trump’s numerous public criticisms of the Fed and of Powell himself. During the election campaign, Trump had insisted that as president, he should have a “say” in the Fed’s interest rate policies. Despite Trump’s comments, the Fed chair said he was confident of widespread support in Congress for maintaining the central bank’s independence. UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the US but was unknown to the millions of people his decisions affected. The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk early Wednesday swiftly became a mystery that riveted the nation. Police say it was a targeted killing. Thompson was 50. He had run health care giant UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s insurance business since 2021. It provides health coverage for more than 49 million Americans. He had worked at the company for 20 years. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year. Thompson's $10.2 million annual compensation package made him one of the company’s highest-paid executives. Trump nominates cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins as SEC chair President-elect Donald Trump says he intends to nominate cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission. Atkins is the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner. Trump calls Atkins a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. The SEC oversees U.S. securities markets and investments. If confirmed next year by the new Republican-led Senate, Atkins would replace Gary Gensler, who's been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Atkins was widely considered the most conservative SEC member during his tenure and known to have a strong free-market bent. Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there? It is an ambitious social experiment of our moment in history. Experts say it could accomplish something that parents, schools and other governments have attempted with varying degrees of success — keeping kids off social media until they turn 16. Australia’s new law was approved by its Parliament last week. It's an attempt to swim against many tides of modern life — formidable forces like technology, marketing, globalization and, of course, the iron will of a teenager. The ban won’t go into effect for another year. But how will Australia be able to enforce it? That’s not clear, nor will it be easy. White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered the new details Wednesday about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that a number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. District of Columbia says Amazon secretly stopped fast deliveries to 2 predominantly Black ZIP codes The District of Columbia is alleging in a lawsuit that Amazon secretly stopped providing its fastest delivery service to residents of two predominantly Black neighborhoods in the city. The district says the online retailer still charged residents of two ZIP codes millions of dollars for a service that provides speedy deliveries. The complaint filed on Wednesday in District of Columbia Superior Court revolves around Amazon’s Prime membership service. The lawsuit alleges Amazon in mid-2022 imposed what it called a delivery “exclusion” on the two low-income ZIP codes. An Amazon spokesperson says the company made the change based on concerns about driver safety. The spokesperson says claims that Amazon's business practices are discriminatory are “categorically false.” Biden says 'Africa is the future' as he pledges millions more on the last day of Angola visit LOBITO, Angola (AP) — President Joe Biden has pledged another $600 million for an ambitious multi-country rail project in Africa as one of the final foreign policy moves of his administration. He told African leaders Wednesday that the resource-rich continent of more than 1.4 billion people had been “left behind for much too long. But not anymore. Africa is the future.” Biden used the third and final day of his visit to Angola to showcase the Lobito Corridor railway. The U.S. and allies are investing heavily to refurbish train lines in Zambia, Congo and Angola in a region rich in critical minerals to counter China's influence. The end of an Eras tour approaches, marking a bittersweet moment for Taylor Swift fans NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The global phenomenon that is Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is coming to an end after the popstar performed more than 150 shows across five continents over nearly two years. Since launching the tour in 2023, Swift has shattered sales and attendance records. It's even created such an economic boom that the Federal Reserve took note. But for many who attended the concerts, and the millions more who eagerly watched on their screens, the tour also became a beacon of joy. It's become a chance not only to appreciate Swift’s expansive music career, but also celebrate the yearslong journey fans have taken with her. US senators grill officials from 5 airlines over fees for seats and checked bags A U.S. Senate subcommittee is taking aim at airlines and their growing use of fees for things like early boarding and better seats. Members of the Senate Permanent on Investigations say airlines have raised billions of dollars by imposing fees that are getting hard to understand and even harder to avoid paying. The senators and the Biden administration call them “junk fees,” and they say the extra charges are making travel less affordable. Some senators expressed frustration during a hearing on Wednesday hearing when airline executives couldn't explain how they set various fees. Airlines say fees let consumers pay for things they want, like more legroom, and avoid paying for things they don't want. OpenAI's Sam Altman 'not that worried' about rival Elon Musk's influence in the Trump administration OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is locked in a legal dispute with rival Elon Musk. But he says he is not that worried about Musk’s influence in the incoming Trump administration. Altman told a New York Times conference Wednesday that he may turn out to be wrong but he believes strongly that Musk will do the right thing and won't use his political power to hurt competitors. Musk was an early OpenAI investor and board member. He sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging that it betrayed its founding aims of benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits.
For years, appearing more interested in accumulating and exercising power than in pursuing the interests of the American people, both national parties have approached politics as a fixed-rules game. At all levels of public office, Democrats and Republicans played the same game, and, upon winning, claimed their victories to be the result of superior strategies. Few considered that their successes were made possible by the failures or overreach of their opponents. But, in politics, the rules can change in ways status quo careerists miss – as they did in Election 2024. Many registered voters are Democrats or Republicans simply because their families are or were. In many cases, party identity is emotional rather than logical, and voters often align with a party based on their personal histories and feelings rather than for practical reasons. As a result, many busy people leading normal lives who don’t focus on politics are unaware that their party’s policies don’t match their political and social priorities. This year, quite a few hard-working, rather conservative registered, including minority Democrats, fell into this category. In November, many of them were repelled by their party’s miscalculations, and liberal excesses, and, for practical reasons, were drawn to and voted for Donald Trump, because he changed the rules. Trump spoke to them, while national Democrats, individually and as a group, had lost sight of the fact that good governance is the primary responsibility of public servants. Furthermore, politics is – or should be – about ideas. And ideas necessarily involve principles. Trump and Republicans focused on the economy, spending, debt, crime and immigration, among other issues on which Democrats fell short. But, another reason Democrats lost is because they refused to factually engage. They were unwilling to try – or unable – to persuade voters and win votes by defending their records, clearly contrasting the differences between the parties’ principles, and communicating and connecting the value to the lives of voters and their families. Kamala Harris’ most consistent campaign messages were redundant, clearly-rehearsed, semi-coherent sound-bites. Her canned stump speeches focused on insulting and slandering Trump. In fact, Harris advanced no real ideas to correct the problems she and President(ish) Joe Biden created. Their administration’s and Harris’ campaign failures have effectively neutered national Democrats, many (most?) of whom remain in denial. Now, crossover voters view Election 2024 results as a clear statement of things that must be done and expect the new administration to take that statement seriously. Accordingly, Republicans have something to prove. They were given an opportunity, in their leader’s words, to Make America Great Again. Fortunately, Election 2024 results will give Donald Trump/his cabinet great latitude to make necessary changes that, in past years, might have been politically difficult, even impossible. Democrats will hate and resist them, but the people have spoken, so obstruction will only set their party back further. Just for starters, in the next two-plus years: Democrats’ pursuit of high taxes and unrestrained spending will at least be arrested, and most likely reversed. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) will fade away, primarily because Americans, generally, believe in merit and dislike discrimination in employment and education. Election 2024 discredited the massive corporate, government and cultural pressure to impose and enforce DEI. Parents will be given greater control of their children’s education. Deeply unpopular, open borders will be closed, and illegal aliens deported. Obstinate sanctuary cities and states will risk losing funding. Voting rights will be denied to all but properly registered, legal American citizens. America will stop suppressing the production of carbon-based energy, and end mandates and subsidies for expensive, unreliable renewables. America’s military will ban “wokeness” and restore its lethality. Americans might tolerate another “trans visibility day” provided it doesn’t fall on Easter again, the celebrants agree to stay out of sight of our children, and let the rest of us alone the rest of the year. “America first” will become a national mantra. America will throw a helluva 250th birthday celebration in 2026! Retrospectively, due to the GOP’s focused message and highly effective voter outreach efforts, and because Democrats had blundered and overreached, Republicans more closely reflected the mood of the American electorate in November. But, that mood can change, and it will if Republicans fail to address the Democrats’ failures and misguided priorities that contributed to the GOP’s sweeping, historic victory. Contact columnist Jerry Shenk at jshenk2010@gmail.com
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