An energized SMU squad will carry a three-game winning streak against up-and-down Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for each team on Saturday in Dallas. The game is the first for the Mustangs' basketball team as a member of one of the nation's perennial powerhouse leagues, but don't expect SMU (7-2) to wilt in the spotlight. The Mustangs lambasted Alabama State 101-72 on Tuesday in their most recent outing. Their two losses came against Butler on the road by 11 points and against Mississippi State at home by five. Kario Oquendo poured in a season-high 20 points to lead seven SMU scorers in double figures in the win over Alabama State. Matt Cross added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Mustangs while Samet Yigitoglu and Chuck Harris scored 12 points apiece. Yohan Traore and B.J. Edwards each had 11 and Jerrell Colbert hit for 10. "I think it's finally getting to the point where we are starting to figure out how to play as a team," Oquendo said. "You can see it from game to game. We're getting better, and every practice, we're getting better. I believe the more games we play together, the more the things start coming together." SMU is second in scoring per game in the ACC (averaging 88.3 points) and assists per game (16.4). The Mustangs lead the ACC in rebound margin (plus-10.9), total rebound average (43.3 per game) and offensive rebounds (15.2 a game) -- all in all, an impressive start to their campaign. Boopie Miller is the SMU leader in scoring average (15.6 points per game) and assists (5.8), with Cross the top rebounder (7.5 per game). The Cavaliers (5-3) head to Dallas after an 87-69 loss at No. 13 Florida on Wednesday in the SEC/ACC Challenge. Elijah Saunders scored 19 points for Virginia while Isaac McKneely added 12 points -- all on 3-pointers. The Cavaliers, however, had no answer for the Florida defense, committing 15 turnovers that led to 20 points for the Gators. Virginia led 18-9 early but were down by four at halftime. They got to within a point after a deep basket by Saunders in the opening minute of the second half, but that was as close as the Cavaliers would come. "Overall, I was very, very pleased with the first half," Virginia interim coach Ron Sanchez said. "I think that we handled adversity well. This group is on its way of becoming who they're going to be. It's painful growth, but you grow nonetheless." McKneely leads the Cavaliers with 13.1 points per game, followed by Saunders at 10.3. Jacob Cofie is the top rebounder at 6.4 per game, while Andrew Rohde has a team-best average of three assists. The teams have met just once before, with the Cavaliers outlasting SMU 76-73 in the semifinals of the Corpus Christi Challenge on Nov. 29, 2013. --Field Level MediaIn conclusion, Gabia's aspirations to become AC Milan's captain symbolize the relentless pursuit of excellence and the burning desire to achieve greatness in Italian football. His respect for the current captain and his unwavering dedication to the team's success serve as a shining example of sportsmanship and teamwork. As the Serie A standings continue to fluctuate and challenge the team's resolve, Gabia's leadership and determination will be crucial in guiding AC Milan towards a brighter future.
The move to push for Yoon's arrest has further escalated tensions in an already volatile political environment. Protests have erupted across the country, with citizens demanding accountability and justice for the alleged crimes committed by the president. The opposition parties have seized upon the opportunity to capitalize on the growing discontent and are actively pushing for Yoon's impeachment.Fastly Stock Gets IBD Rating Upgrade
In addition to conventional fiscal and monetary measures, China has implemented targeted interventions to address specific challenges and promote structural adjustments. For instance, the government has rolled out sector-specific policies to support key industries, such as advanced manufacturing, high-tech innovation, and green energy. These targeted initiatives aim to enhance China's industrial competitiveness, promote technological upgrading, and foster sustainable development.
As we navigate through the complexities of modern life, let us all take a moment to pause and remember the shopkeeper and the elderly man whose paths crossed in a small convenience store. Let their story serve as a beacon of light in the darkness, a reminder that in a world that can sometimes seem harsh and unforgiving, kindness and compassion are the truest currencies we can offer one another.By Funto Omojola, NerdWallet Mobile wallets that allow you to pay using your phone have been around for well more than a decade, and over those years they’ve grown in popularity, becoming a key part of consumers’ credit card usage. According to a “state of credit card report” for 2025 from credit bureau Experian, 53% of Americans in a survey say they use digital wallets more frequently than traditional payment methods. To further incentivize mobile wallet usage, some credit card issuers offer bonus rewards when you elect to pay that way. But those incentives can go beyond just higher reward rates. In fact, mobile wallets in some ways are becoming an essential part of activating and holding a credit card. For example, they can offer immediate access to your credit line, and they can be easier and safer than paying with a physical card. From a rewards perspective, it can make a lot of sense to reach for your phone now instead of your physical card. The Apple Card offers its highest reward rates when you use it through the Apple Pay mobile wallet. Same goes for the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® when you use it to make purchases via the PayPal digital wallet. The Kroger grocery store giant has a co-branded credit card that earns the most when you pay using an eligible digital wallet, and some major credit cards with quarterly rotating bonus categories have a history of incentivizing digital wallet use. But again, these days it’s not just about the rewards. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and PayPal can offer immediate access to your credit line while you wait for your physical card to arrive after approval. Indeed, most major issuers including Bank of America®, Capital One and Chase now offer instant virtual credit card numbers for eligible cards that can be used upon approval by adding them to a digital wallet. Additionally, many co-branded credit cards — those offered in partnership with another brand — commonly offer instant card access and can be used immediately on in-brand purchases. Credit cards typically take seven to 10 days to arrive after approval, so instant access to your credit line can be particularly useful if you need to make an urgent or unexpected purchase. Plus, they allow you to start spending toward a card’s sign-up bonus right away. As issuers push toward mobile payments, a growing number of merchants and businesses are similarly adopting the payment method. The percentage of U.S. businesses that used digital wallets increased to 62% in 2023, compared to 47% the previous year, according to a 2023 survey commissioned by the Federal Reserve Financial Services. Wider acceptance is potentially good news for the average American, who according to Experian has about four credit cards. While that won’t necessarily weigh down your wallet, it can be hard to manage multiple cards and rewards categories at once. Mobile wallets offer a more efficient way to store and organize all of your workhorse cards, while not having to carry around ones that you don’t use often. They can also help you more easily monitor your spending and rewards, and some even track your orders’ status and arrival time. Plus, paying with a digital wallet offers added security. That’s because it uses technology called tokenization when you pay, which masks your real credit card number and instead sends an encrypted “token” that’s unique to each payment. This is unlike swiping or dipping a physical card, during which your credit card number is more directly accessible. And again, because a mobile wallet doesn’t require you to have your physical cards present, there’s less chance of one falling out of your pocket or purse. More From NerdWallet Funto Omojola writes for NerdWallet. Email: fomojola@nerdwallet.com. The article Activating Your Credit Card? Don’t Skip the Mobile Wallet Step originally appeared on NerdWallet .By Funto Omojola, NerdWallet Mobile wallets that allow you to pay using your phone have been around for well more than a decade, and over those years they’ve grown in popularity, becoming a key part of consumers’ credit card usage. According to a “state of credit card report” for 2025 from credit bureau Experian, 53% of Americans in a survey say they use digital wallets more frequently than traditional payment methods. To further incentivize mobile wallet usage, some credit card issuers offer bonus rewards when you elect to pay that way. But those incentives can go beyond just higher reward rates. In fact, mobile wallets in some ways are becoming an essential part of activating and holding a credit card. For example, they can offer immediate access to your credit line, and they can be easier and safer than paying with a physical card. From a rewards perspective, it can make a lot of sense to reach for your phone now instead of your physical card. The Apple Card offers its highest reward rates when you use it through the Apple Pay mobile wallet. Same goes for the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® when you use it to make purchases via the PayPal digital wallet. The Kroger grocery store giant has a co-branded credit card that earns the most when you pay using an eligible digital wallet, and some major credit cards with quarterly rotating bonus categories have a history of incentivizing digital wallet use. But again, these days it’s not just about the rewards. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and PayPal can offer immediate access to your credit line while you wait for your physical card to arrive after approval. Indeed, most major issuers including Bank of America®, Capital One and Chase now offer instant virtual credit card numbers for eligible cards that can be used upon approval by adding them to a digital wallet. Additionally, many co-branded credit cards — those offered in partnership with another brand — commonly offer instant card access and can be used immediately on in-brand purchases. Credit cards typically take seven to 10 days to arrive after approval, so instant access to your credit line can be particularly useful if you need to make an urgent or unexpected purchase. Plus, they allow you to start spending toward a card’s sign-up bonus right away. As issuers push toward mobile payments, a growing number of merchants and businesses are similarly adopting the payment method. The percentage of U.S. businesses that used digital wallets increased to 62% in 2023, compared to 47% the previous year, according to a 2023 survey commissioned by the Federal Reserve Financial Services. Wider acceptance is potentially good news for the average American, who according to Experian has about four credit cards. While that won’t necessarily weigh down your wallet, it can be hard to manage multiple cards and rewards categories at once. Mobile wallets offer a more efficient way to store and organize all of your workhorse cards, while not having to carry around ones that you don’t use often. They can also help you more easily monitor your spending and rewards, and some even track your orders’ status and arrival time. Plus, paying with a digital wallet offers added security. That’s because it uses technology called tokenization when you pay, which masks your real credit card number and instead sends an encrypted “token” that’s unique to each payment. This is unlike swiping or dipping a physical card, during which your credit card number is more directly accessible. And again, because a mobile wallet doesn’t require you to have your physical cards present, there’s less chance of one falling out of your pocket or purse. More From NerdWallet Funto Omojola writes for NerdWallet. Email: fomojola@nerdwallet.com. The article Activating Your Credit Card? Don’t Skip the Mobile Wallet Step originally appeared on NerdWallet .
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States should proceed cautiously as officials consider new natural gas export terminals, Energy Secretary said Tuesday, warning that “unfettered exports" of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, could raise wholesale domestic prices by more than 30% and increase planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. Granholm's statement came as the Energy Department released a , which have grown exponentially in the past decade. The analysis found that U.S. LNG shipments drive up domestic prices and frequently displace renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. Increased LNG exports also would lead to higher global greenhouse gas emissions, even with use of technology such as equipment to capture and store carbon emissions, the report said. “Today’s publication reinforces that a business-as-usual approach (to LNG exports) is neither sustainable nor advisable,'' Granholm said. The Energy Department report comes after the in January to study the effects LNG exports have on the planet. Natural gas emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas, when burned, leaked or released. LNG is especially energy intensive, since the gas must be retrieved through underground drilling, then piped to export terminals along the East and Gulf coasts. The gas is then “superchilled” into a liquid that is taken by tanker ships to import terminals in Europe and Asia, where it is then reheated into gas and distributed for business and family use. The oil and gas industry, along with Republican allies in Congress, have decried the LNG pause as unnecessary and counter-productive, and President-elect . The pause is on hold under , but few new terminals have been approved in the past year. The Energy Department said last week it will not decide on two major LNG export projects in Louisiana until the independent completes environmental reviews of each project. The American Gas Association called the Biden administration's pause a mistake that has resulted in uncertainty for the global market, investors and America’s allies around the world. “This report is a clear and inexplicable attempt to justify their grave policy error," said AGA president and CEO Karen Harbert. “America’s allies are suffering from the weaponization of natural gas and energy deprivation, and any limitations on supplying life essential energy is absolutely wrong-headed." Harbert said the industry group looks forward to working with the Trump administration “to rectify the glaring issues with this study during the public comment period,” which lasts until mid-February. Charlie Riedl, executive director of the Center for LNG, a pro-industry group, said Republican and Democratic administrations, as well as independent researchers, “have continually found that U.S. LNG exports provide economic, national security and climate benefits and serve the public interest." U.S. LNG “remains a vital tool for countries looking to displace dirtier fuels" such as coal and reduce their emissions, Riedl said, adding that U.S. LNG exports play a key role in meeting growing global demand for natural gas. since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The LNG pause, announced by President as the 2024 election year began, aligned the Democratic administration with environmentalists who fear the huge increase in LNG exports in recent years is locking in potentially catastrophic planet-warming emissions at a time when Biden has . “While MAGA Republicans willfully deny the urgency of the climate crisis, condemning the American people to a dangerous future, my administration will not be complacent,′′ Biden said in announcing the pause. His actions “heed the calls of young people and frontline communities who are using their voices to demand" climate action, Biden added. The White House declined to comment on the Energy Department study, referring questions to the agency.After days of uncertainty and anxiety, a breakthrough finally came when a Good Samaritan spotted Li Na wandering around Central Park in a disoriented state. The police were immediately called, and Li Na was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Fortunately, aside from being exhausted and dehydrated, she was unharmed.Defensively, Real Madrid will look to keep things tight at the back, with Thibaut Courtois expected to start in goal and a backline featuring the likes of Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Nacho Fernandez, and Ferland Mendy. The defense will be tasked with keeping Atalanta's attacking threats at bay and providing a solid foundation for the team to build on.
ICAO Unveils 2026-2050 Strategic Plan: ‘Safe Skies, Sustainable Future’
