lodigame.c San Jose State's volleyball team, the subject of a national debate about participation in women's sports, was beaten by Colorado State 27-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-16 in Saturday's Mountain West tournament final, ending the Spartans' season. The Rams (20-10) received the conference's automatic bid to the 64-team NCAA Tournament. Watch NBC Bay Area News 📺 Streaming free 24/7 San Jose State's season was marked by forfeits, limited protests and the topic of gender identity becoming a political issue in an election year. The Spartans were 14-6. “I will not sugarcoat our reality for the last two months,” Spartans coach Todd Kress in a statement issued by the athletic department. "Our team prepared and was ready to play each match according to established Mountain West and NCAA rules of play. We did not take away anyone’s participation opportunities. “Sadly, others who for years have played this same team without incident chose not to play us this season. To be clear, we did not celebrate a single win by forfeiture. Instead, we braced for the fallout. Each forfeiture announcement unleashed appalling, hateful messages individuals chose to send directly to our student-athletes, our coaching staff, and many associated with our program.” The controversy didn't end during the Mountain West tournament. Boise State, which twice boycotted regular-season matches with San Jose State, pulled out of the conference tournament on Wednesday night, hours after it defeated Utah State to secure a spot against the Spartans in Friday’s semifinals. While the Broncos didn’t announce explicitly why they withdrew, a lawsuit was recently filed in Colorado by players from various schools against the conference and San Jose State officials calling for a Spartans player to be blocked from participating in the tournament. They cited unspecified reports asserting there was a transgender player on the San Jose State volleyball team, even naming her. U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver ruled Monday that the player was allowed to play, and a federal appeals court upheld the decision the following day. San Jose State, which received six forfeit victories because of boycotts from opponents during the regular season, was seeded second in the conference tournament and received a first-round bye. “This has been one of the most difficult seasons I’ve ever experienced and I know this is true as well for many of our players and the staff who have been supporting us all along,” Kress said. “Maintaining our focus on the court and ensuring the overall safety and well-being of my players amid the external noise have been my priorities.” In addition to Boise State, Mountain West members Wyoming, Utah State and Nevada as well as Southern Utah canceled matches this season against the Spartans. Nevada’s players said they “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes,” without providing further details. Colorado State chose to play San Jose State in the regular season and for the conference title, even with the uncertainty of what might await Saturday. It turned out to be a fairly routine day. There were no protesters outside of Cox Pavilion, and there also were no noticeable signs of hostility directed from the crowd of about 100 in the championship match. “We've talked about it every single week that we have to play with the extra noise and minimizing the time you spend on social media and maximizing the time we spend on our scouting report and controlling what we can control," Colorado State coach Emily Kohan said. “We can't control what the crowd's going to do, what lineups roll out there or what's going to happen. We can control the way we play on our side, and that's what we've done all year with any opponent we've played.” While some media have reported those and other details, San Jose State has not confirmed the school has a trans women’s volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity and through school officials has declined an interview request. Participation of transgender women in women’s sports became a hot political topic ahead of the recent election. ___ AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports$2.7 billion would be pumped into Michigan roads under Republican plan

WICHITA, KANSAS (AP) — Sobs of relief broke out in a federal courtroom in Kansas on Monday as dozens of people whose life savings had been embezzled by a bank CEO learned that federal law enforcement had recovered their money. "I just can’t describe the weight lifted off of us,” said Bart Camilli, 70, who with his wife Cleo had just learned they’d recover close to $450,000 — money Bart began saving at 18 when he bought his first individual retirement account. “It’s life-changing.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.16-year-old giraffe dies at Birmingham ZooAn archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look onLiverpool are the best in Europe right now — and two understudies are key

Embodying RHK Land’s signature intentional design philosophy, The Velaris Residences has been carefully conceived as a landmark residence for those with discriminating and erudite tastes. It caters to individuals for whom excellence is not an aspiration but a constant—masters of the well-appointed life whose every aspect has been shaped by their bold intentions and studious curation. From its collection of beautifully crafted light-filled residences to its extensive line-up of exquisitely designed amenities and stunning architecture, The Velaris Residences represents the pinnacle of modernity, sophistication, and luxury. While enveloping residents with the hallmarks of refinement with which they are familiar, it also provides everyday revelations that spark inspiration, excitement, and joy. LIVING SPACES THAT INSPIRE AN INTENTIONAL LIFE For its second tower, the North Tower, RHK Land takes luxury to a whole new level. While rising to 40 storeys, the North Tower houses a limited collection of units, each masterfully designed to the minutest detail to reflect a first world lifestyle, one which melds together tasteful aesthetics, easy comfort, and quiet discretion. All residences, which range from one- to four-bedroom units, are elegantly proportioned with generous floor plans. The four-bedroom, penthouse, and townhouse suites are of special note with their impressive double volume ceilings. This bold architectural detail imbues these units with an airy grandeur, transforming them into inviting spaces that lend themselves naturally to both restful retreats and graceful entertaining. One- and one-and-a-half bedroom units are equipped with spacious indoor patios, which enable residents to bring the outside in and create indoor oases that both calm and reinvigorate. Meanwhile, the rest of the units feature balconies which bring the joys of outdoor living. Both provide inimitable views of the surrounding environs, which include two notable art and design landmarks: the Victor, a 200-feet lighting installation piece by globally recognized artist JEFRË, and Bridgetowne’s scenic bridge designed by the late national artist Francisco Mañosa. A thoughtful approach to layouts that maximizes natural light further brings a feeling of brightness and openness to every unit. Smart home features utilize the latest technologies to supply the modern domestic niceties that define today’s connected home. Digital door locks with biometric fingerprint scan, PIN code, and RFID card access ensure security while light and air-conditioning systems that can be controlled remotely through smart devices deliver convenience and energy-efficiency. Smart mirrors, which are available in two-bedroom and larger units, kick-start mornings efficiently by delivering news, weather reports, and even personal calendars, among others, to help prepare for and organize the rest of the day. Meanwhile, the private lifts for two-bedroom and bigger units and the two-units-to-one-elevator ratio of the typical floors provide North Tower residents with a high level of privacy, one of the remaining true luxuries in today’s world. “Each residence was designed to resemble modern sky villas,” shares Martha Herrera-Subido, Head of Marketing, RHK Land. “We believe our homes are not merely spaces for habitation—they are reflections of the kind of life we want and choose to live. The North Tower provides residents with the perfect backdrop for the purposeful lives they lead.” A MULTI-SENSORIAL JOURNEY OF INTENTION AND INSPIRATION The Velaris Residences offers best-in-class amenities that are comparable to 5-star hotel facilities. “Each amenity was designed to become part of a multi-sensorial journey of intention and inspiration, following our vision to create an environment with the power to inspire people,” continues Herrera-Subido. Some of the exciting amenities offered by the property include an indoor and outdoor Japanese sento, a sculpture garden, a garden lounge with floating daybeds, a lifestyle gym with a dance studio and cycling studio, a badminton and pickleball court, a golf simulator studio, an Olympic-length infinity pool, a treetop playground, and camping grounds. The Velaris Residences North Tower also nods to recent shifts in how people live and work. The business lounge, which includes a meeting room, as well as the creative studio, furnish spaces geared for productivity, making them suitable for residents for whom hybrid work arrangements have become the norm. Smart lockers and a secure mailroom allow for convenient package deliveries with limited interface. The residents’ portal, a companion app to access property management services and updates, takes this a step further by offering a contactless lifestyle option. With it, residents can settle dues, send requests for maintenance, coordinate deliveries, and book amenities with just a few taps on their smartphones. The pièce de résistance of The Velaris Residences’ amenities, however, is the Velaris SkyClub. Like a social club in the clouds, it contains multiple features where residents can immerse themselves in their interests and pastimes without having to take one step outside—a private theater and game room for entertainment aficionados, a wine gallery and casual and gourmet dining areas for gourmands, and a cigar room for tobacco connoisseurs. Moreover, it offers several options for hosting private gatherings with its SkyLounge, SkyBar and SkyDeck areas. CAPTURING THE PULSE OF A NEW MEGALOPOLIS The Velaris Residences North Tower residents are set to be advantageously placed right at the beating heart of the megalopolis rising along the 44-kilometer C5 growth corridor. Given this, residents have unparalleled access to several of Metro Manila’s major business hubs, including Makati City, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), and Ortigas Center. Planned and on-going infrastructure projects such as the MRT 4, Metro Manila Mega Subway Project, and C-6 Expressway, are slated to further enhance its connectivity. Specifically, The Velaris Residences sits in a prime spot in Bridgetowne, a 31-hectare master-planned estate that stretches across Pasig City and Quezon City. Bridgetowne is a mixed-use community that is home to Opus Mall, the impressive Victor statue, grade A office buildings, a FIFA-preferred sports field, and the world’s biggest outdoor obstacle park. In the future, it will also feature hotels and schools. Bridgetowne offers The Velaris Residences residents the accoutrements of a truly cosmopolitan lifestyle that is further complemented by the attractions and establishments in nearby townships. “With its central location, The Velaris Residences not only allows owners to create the home they have always envisaged but it can also help them further build equity in the long term by being an attractive investment opportunity,” comments Rouen Abel V. Raz, RHK Land’s General Manager. “The sizeable current economic activity in and around Bridgetowne and The Velaris Residences is expected to continue to soar in the foreseeable future, positioning residents to benefit immensely from this projected growth.” To own a piece of one of the city’s most coveted addresses, visit The Velaris Residences Show Gallery located in Bridgetowne. Call the Sales Hotline at +63917 855 5033. Or visit their website at thevelarisresidences.com to learn more about the property. Being business-savvy should be fun, attainable and A+. BMPlus is BusinessMirror's digital arm with practical tips & success stories for aspiring and thriving millennial entrepreneurs.Tehran, Moscow discuss multilateral cooperation in high-ranking meeting

Irish Jewish community hits back after Taoiseach Simon Harris said he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped and rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” Macron said at the reopening ceremony. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” to Parisians, France and the world. Macron spoke in front of 1,500 guests invited to celebrate the restoration of Paris’ 12th-century cathedral which was nearly destroyed by a fire in 2019. They included world leaders like President-elect Donald Trump , U.S. first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. PARIS (AP) — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes . The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. Monumental feats of restoration Inside, 42,000 square meters of stonework — an area equal to six soccer pitches — were meticulously cleaned, revealing luminous limestone and intricate carvings. Overhead, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” were used to rebuild the spire and roof, restoring the cathedral’s iconic silhouette. The thunderous great organ, with 7,952 pipes ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide, resounded for the first time since the fire. Its newly renovated console, boasting five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, was a marvel of restoration, reawakening a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s identity. Guests gradually filing into the cathedral for the evening reopening ceremonies were awestruck by the renovated interiors, many whipping out cellphones to capture the moment. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, which raised nearly half of the €900 million ($950 million) in donations for the restoration. He last visited in 2021, when the cathedral was cloaked in scaffolding. “It was somber,” he said. “It’s night and day.” The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian pastor who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument—it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Historical details enrich the occasion Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. Macron's political woes The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to embattled Macron, whose prime minister was ousted this week , plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. The French president, who has called Notre Dame's reopening “a jolt of hope,” will address the gathering. He had hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership. Macron's presidency now faces its gravest crisis after the government's collapse this week in a historic no-confidence vote that toppled Prime Minister Michel Barnier. The vote followed months of political gridlock after snap elections in June. Calls are now growing louder from opposition forces for Macron to resign. But he vowed Thursday to remain in office until the end of his term in 2027, and said he'll name a new prime minister within days. As France struggles with economic woes and social unrest, Notre Dame's rebirth celebrations form a stark contrast. Security is tight for this global event Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail is following Trump. Public viewing areas along the Seine’s southern bank will accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can follow the celebrations on large screens. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. ___ Sylvie Corbet, Yesica Brumec, Marine Lesprit and Mark Carlson in Paris contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Thomas Adamson And John Leicester, The Associated PressAndrew Luck returns to Stanford as the GM of the football programIslamabad, Nov 22 (PTI) Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi said her husband's troubles began following a trip to Saudi Arabia, triggering a row on Friday for apparently criticising a friendly country. Khan, 72, who is incarcerated in the Adiala Jail since August last year, has, however, defended his wife and said Bibi "did not mention Saudi Arabia at all". Also Read | Hush Money Case: Judge Postpones US President-Elect Donald Trump’s Sentencing Indefinitely. Khan's statement on X comes after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa flayed Bushra Bibi over her video clip posted on X. In a video statement on Thursday, Bibi said Khan's problems began when he visited Medina and was seen coming out of his plane without shoes. Also Read | France Shocker: Man Rapes Daughter For Years, Offers Her to Strangers For Sex; Sentenced to 20 Years in Jail. She claimed then army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa received calls after the incident. “Soon after Khan's return, Bajwa started getting calls ‘Ye tum kya utha key laa aaye ho (whom have you brought)? We are ending the Sharia system in this country and you have brought promoters of Sharia',” she said referring to Khan's September 2018 visit. The video was meant to motivate supporters of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to join the protest on Sunday in Islamabad but instead kicked up controversy due to the indirect reference towards Saudi Arabia's alleged role in his ouster from power. Saudi Arabia and China have been two of Pakistan's biggest supporters helping it tide over the economic crisis. However, in the 9:27-minute video, which is also available on PTI's official X handle, Bushra Biwi did not name any country. Khan, 72, has been implicated in dozens of cases since his government was dismissed through a no-confidence motion in 2022. Khan in a statement on X clarified that Bibi “didn't mention Saudi Arabia at all” and insisted that Saudi Arabia had been a steadfast ally. He recalled that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reached out to him after he was wounded in an assassination attempt last November. Khan reiterated that his wife was not involved in politics and her message to the nation merely echoed his words in anticipation of the November 24 protest. He described the event as a day to “break free from slavery”, framing it as a pivotal moment for Pakistanis to choose between "the yoke of submission” or “the crown of freedom”. Khan also asserted that his government's downfall was orchestrated by former army chief General Qamar Bajwa and accused him of preventing investigations into the alleged conspiracy. Sharif, however, said the recent statements against Saudi Arabia were deeply antagonistic and detrimental to Pakistan. Addressing a ceremony, Sharif warned the propaganda targeting Saudi Arabia was against the national interest. “I will, unfortunately, have to mention some events here because ... a statement has come out yesterday, which I think there can be no greater enmity against Pakistan than this that you spew venom against the country that has never demanded anything in return and always opened its doors for Pakistan,” he said in an apparent reference to Bibi's remarks. The premier said no one would be allowed to play with the country's interests when it came to brotherly allies such as Saudi Arabia and urged the nation to counter it. General Bajwa swiftly refuted Bibi's statement. Talking to Express News TV, Bajwa termed Bibi's statement as a “pack of lies,” asking how a friendly country could interfere in Pakistan's internal affairs. He pointed out that the OIC Summit (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) was held in Islamabad in March 2022 and questioned if there had been any tension in the ties between both countries, would Saudi Arabia have allowed the summit to take place in Pakistan? Detailing Khan's visit to the Kingdom, Bajwa said Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman himself came to receive the former premier in Jeddah. “Shah Mehmood Qureshi and I were present at the dinner during the visit,” said Bajwa. Defence minister Asif Khawaja, addressing a press conference, condemned Bushra Biwi's statement and said that Pakistan enjoys close ties with the Kingdom. “Saudi Arabia has played a critical role in helping Pakistan in the current economic crisis,” he said. Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar remarked in response to media queries that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are “close friends and brothers. This relationship is based on mutual respect.” “We have great admiration for Saudi Arabia's journey of development and prosperity. The Pakistani nation is proud of its close relationship with Saudi Arabia, which has always stood by Pakistan through thick and thin,” he added. He said implicating Saudi Arabia for petty political point-scoring is “regrettable” and indicative of a desperate mindset, and added: “We urge all political forces to desist from compromising Pakistan's foreign policy in pursuance of their political objectives.” Also, Information Minister Atta Tarar said Saudi Arabia has always provided support to Pakistan at difficult times, adding it is condemnable to make irresponsible statements regarding friendly countries. He termed “false and unwarranted statements” for political gain a condemnable act. The information minister said the PTI had earlier levelled allegations against the US for hatching conspiracy and reminded it is against the national interest to negatively politicise Pakistan's friendly countries. Newspaper Dawn reported that the claims made by the former first lady about an alleged foreign conspiracy in the ouster of her husband's government have taken even the PTI leaders by surprise, some of whom are questioning the “controversial statement” issued just days before the protest in Islamabad. Talking to Dawn, PTI leaders said the party's top leadership was “committing mistakes” at crucial moments and taking the party's months-long momentum back “to square one.” A senior party leader said Khan might have got bail in the remaining May 9 cases, but his wife's controversial remarks might alter that scenario. A member of the PTI lawyers' wing called the claims a “bombshell.” The advocate lamented that the party had become “leaderless and directionless” and mistakes were being committed at crucial times. None of the leaders had the courage and heart to lead the party, he said, adding that Khan and the PTI are toeing one line, while the mid-tier leadership has been rudderless. In a post on X, PTI activist and singer Salman Ahmad called Bushra Bibi “corrupt and greedy” who, along with her family and friends, was a “constant source of embarrassment” for Khan. He said it was “disgusting” to say that the former prime minister was removed because he walked barefoot in Medina. Just last week, Pakistan assured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it remained hopeful of receiving oil from Saudi Arabia on deferred payments, apart from some help from China, to fill the USD 5 billion external funding gap. The PTI gave a call last week for a long march to Islamabad to press for three demands: the release of the incarcerated party founder, against the alleged “stolen mandate” during the February 8 elections and restoration of the judiciary by revoking the recent 26th amendment to the Constitution that granted legislators more power in appointing top judges. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)HUNTINGTON, W.V. (AP) — Marshall has withdrawn from the Independence Bowl after a coaching change resulted in much of its roster jumping into the transfer portal. The Thundering Herd were slated to play Army on Dec. 28 in Shreveport, Louisiana. But the Independence Bowl and Louisiana Tech announced on Saturday that the Bulldogs will take on the 19th-ranked Black Knights instead. Marshall said it pulled out “after falling below the roster minimum that was deemed medically safe.” The Herd (10-3) beat Louisiana-Lafayette 31-3 last weekend to win the Sun Belt Conference Championship for the first time. The program has won seven games in a row in the same season for the first time since 2020. “We apologize for the nature and timing of this announcement and for the turmoil it has brought to bowl season preparations for Army, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, the American Athletic Conference and ESPN,” Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill said in a statement. Coach Charles Huff left Marshall for Southern Miss last Sunday, and Tony Gibson, the defensive coordinator at North Carolina State, was announced as his replacement less than an hour later. By Thursday, at least 25 Marshall players had entered the transfer portal. Gibson held a meeting shortly after arriving on campus in Huntington to introduce himself to the team. He followed that up with phone calls, text messages and more meetings Friday and Saturday. “Any time coaches leave to take other jobs, it is emotional,” Gibson said at a news conference Thursday. “And kids that are 18-to-22 years old are going to make emotional decisions instead of just breathing for a day or two.” It's the first bowl for Louisiana Tech (5-7) since 2020. The Bulldogs have won two of their last three games, but they haven't played since a 33-0 victory over Kennesaw State on Nov. 30. “We are excited to accept the opportunity to play in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl against a fantastic and storied program as Army,” Louisiana Tech athletic director Ryan Ivey said in a release. “I believe our football program is moving toward positive structure and the opportunity to play in this bowl adds to that momentum. We are looking forward to being in Shreveport for this matchup.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Don McHenry scores 7 of his 29 points in OT to rally Western Kentucky past Murray State 81-76San Francisco Federal Building Renamed in Honor of Speaker Nancy Pelosi Amidst Mixed Reception

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce had a post-holiday night out in New York City with Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley on Friday night (Dec. 27), based on photos that circulated Saturday. Photographer @josiahwphotos (on Instagram) posted images of Swift and Kelce’s arrival to NoHo restaurant BondST, and their departure after dinner. Additional photos showed Antonoff, Swift’s close friend and longtime producer, and wife Qualley joining the couple. Swift’s dinner look (seen in pictures here ) was led by an oversized wool blazer with padded shoulders by Stella McCartney , a piece with cage paneling along the hem that’s hand-embroidered with lead-free crystals ( Crystal Cage Oversize Blazer , $5,500). The shape of the blazer nods to menswear, while its embellishment, and its styling with tights and heeled boots, gives it a glimmer of femininity. BondST is a hot spot known for its Japanese-inspired cuisine with two locations in NYC, the one in NoHo (where Swift has been seen dining with friends before) and another in Hudson Yards. The superstar wrapped her record-breaking, $2 billion-grossing Eras Tour on Dec. 8 in Vancouver. On Dec. 12, she was named the winner of 10 Billboard Music Awards , including Top Artist. With 49 total wins collected throughout her career, she’s now the most celebrated artist in the history of the BBMAs. “Thank you to the fans, because Billboard is counting your stuff. They’re counting what you listen to, the albums that you’re passionate about,” she shared in a video message that aired during the telecast. “I count these as fan-voted awards because you’re the ones who care about the albums and come see us in concert. Everything that’s happened with the Eras Tour and The Tortured Poets Department , I just have to say thank you. It means the world to me that you guys embraced the things I’ve made, and the fact that you care so much about my music ... This is the nicest early birthday present you could have given me. So, thank you very much. I love it. It’s exactly what I wanted.” Swift, who turned 35 on Dec. 13, made an appearance at the Dec. 21 Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., to support Kelce. Since wrapping her tour, she’s also been seen visiting patients at Kansas City’s Children’s Mercy Hospital; though she didn’t publicize her visit, patients and their families posted about her generosity online. Swift additionally made a substantial donation to Kansas City children’s non-profit Operation Breakthrough, according to the organization.Ministers are hiring a new EU negotiator as Sir Keir Starmer seeks to reset Britain’s relationship with Europe. The post, worth at least £150,000 a year and advertised by the Cabinet Office, would act as a “sherpa” for all of the UK’s dealings with the bloc. The role is described as “principal adviser to the Prime Minister and the minister for European Union relations (Nick Thomas-Symonds) on matters relating to relations with the EU and delivering the ‘EU reset’ and on international economic issues”. The applicant would also need to represent the Prime Minister at negotiations. The Trade and Co-operation Agreement, the basis for the UK-EU relationship after Brexit, will be subject to renewal talks in 2025. The sherpa, ultimately appointed by the Prime Minister, would likely be responsible for overseeing these talks. The civil service position is being filled through an open and competitive process and will receive a salary between £153,000 and £200,000. Sir Keir has stressed the importance of resetting ties with Europe, and in his first months as Prime Minister has visited capitals across the continent to meet national leaders. However, the Tories sought to suggest hiring a new EU negotiator showed the Prime Minister was attempting to “undermine Brexit and our status as a sovereign nation with his plan to take the country back into the EU”. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel added: “The Conservative Party will not stand by and allow the will of the British people be reversed while Labour arrogantly capitulates to the EU.” But a Labour source said: “This is truly desperate stuff from the Conservatives. There will be no return to the EU, customs union, single market or freedom of movement. “We are focused on acting in the national interest – tackling barriers to trade, improving co-operation on smashing the criminal people-smuggling gangs and working closely with our allies to stand up to Putin’s aggression. “We won’t take Britain back to the Tory days of chaos and division.” A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “As we reset our relationship with the EU, building closer trade and security links and encouraging more investment from around the world, this new role will oversee that work. “Reporting to the Minister for European Union Relations, they will lead official-level discussions with the EU as we drive economic growth.”

By Marisa Kendall CalMatters Mayor London Breed, outgoing mayor of San Francisco, made waves recently with a major policy shift: Before providing a shelter bed or any other services, city workers must first offer every homeless person they encounter a bus or train ticket to somewhere else. But while San Francisco has gotten an outsized amount of attention for putting its busing program at the forefront of its homelessness strategy, other California cities and nonprofits continue to quietly send small numbers of unhoused people all over the country. At least one new program is set to launch early next year. For an unhoused person who wants to move in with family in another city or state, or who got stuck somewhere after a job or housing prospect fell through and needs help getting home, these types of programs can be a gamechanger. But some activists worry they can be used coercively to move unhoused people out of sight instead of helping them. And once someone is bused away, it’s hard to tell what happens to them — whether they successfully reunite with family, or become homeless on another city’s sidewalks. “In general, the ability to travel back to a place where you have a home is really important and can be a lifesaving service, in fact, and can help to reunite families,” said Niki Jones, executive director of the Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness. “When done in good faith, it can be an important and powerful intervention.” Many programs do some homework before sending their clients off on a bus, but the amount of effort they put in varies. One nonprofit serving homeless young people in Los Angeles has a therapist call the client’s family in the destination city, to make sure the client is going into a safe, welcoming environment. One of San Francisco’s relocation programs requires the client only to have a vague connection to their destination city. These programs are garnering attention at a time when city leaders are facing pressure from all sides, including from Gov. Gavin Newsom , to get rid of homeless encampments, but lack the resources to give everyone a home or shelter bed. Buying someone a one-way ticket out of town is a much cheaper alternative. But the number of people who can benefit from these programs tends to be small. Data from throughout California consistently shows that most people who are homeless are from the county they’re in. And homelessness, addiction and other traumas have marred many people’s relationships, leaving them with no one to help them in another city. Shortly after beginning an aggressive crackdown on tent encampments in San Francisco, Mayor Breed ordered all city agencies to “offer and incentivize” the city’s busing program before other services. Those who decline any help may be at risk of being arrested for illegally camping in a public place. Providing free bus tickets to unhoused people is nothing new in San Francisco, which has been offering some form of this program for about two decades, said Emily Cohen, deputy director of communications and legislative affairs for the city’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. But usage declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel was restricted, and it didn’t pick back up, she said. The mayor’s directive was intended to fix that, she said. The increased emphasis on busing also comes as the demographics of San Francisco’s homeless population are shifting. This year, 41% of the people surveyed in San Francisco’s point in time count reported they were living in another city or state when they lost their housing. That’s up from 29% two years ago. “There are definitely an increasing number of people who are experiencing homelessness in San Francisco who aren’t originally from San Francisco,” Cohen said. San Francisco offers three programs to help unhoused people relocate outside of the city. Journey Home, launched in September 2023, has the lowest barrier to entry. While other programs require clients to work with a case manager on a detailed plan to find and hold onto housing when they arrive in their new city, Journey Home requires only that someone be healthy enough to travel and prove they have some connection to their destination city. That proof could be a phone call to a friend or relative in the city, a receipt showing the client once got food stamps there, or an ID with an address in that city. Clients do not need to prove they have housing in the destination city, and the whole process, from intake to sitting on a bus, can take a day or two. Since July 2022, San Francisco has relocated a total of 1,039 unhoused clients via Journey Home and other programs, according to city data . The number of clients relocated via Journey Home spiked in August of this year (the month Breed issued her order) — 25 people were moved, up from nine the month before. The city relocated another 32 people through other programs. That same month, the city placed 120 people from encampments into shelters, and another 429 people on the street declined help, according to the city. While Lukas Illa, a human rights organizer with the San Francisco-based Coalition on Homelessness, supports programs that help unhoused people who want to relocate, he’s skeptical of Journey Home. The choice to leave San Francisco should be the unhoused person’s to freely make, he said. And he says that’s not the case when police, who have the power to cite and arrest people, offer bus tickets as a first resort. “Journey Home needs to be so deliberate and to really center the agency and the autonomy of the person it is offered to, and not used as a cudgel to threaten arrest or jail time,” Illa said. Cohen said no one is being forced to leave San Francisco. “The intention is to facilitate connections with loved ones and home communities, if that is a safe and healthy option for you,” she said. “But no one is required to take that option.” San Jose has budgeted $200,000 to launch a relocation program called Homeward Bound, which is expected to start in February. That money can go toward a client’s bus or plane ticket, or to help with utility bills or other expenses for the friend or family member taking them in. The city will make sure clients have friends or family to help them in their destination city, but staff are still ironing out the specifics, said Tasha Dean, spokesperson for Mayor Matt Mahan. “Reconnecting people living on the streets with family members or loved ones who want to care for them is just common sense,” Mahan said in a statement. “It’s the least expensive, most impactful program we could launch.” Sacramento County also offers those services, but they aren’t widely used, said county spokesperson Janna Haynes. During the 2022-23 fiscal year, 17 people used the county’s Return to Residency Program to leave the county. That program has since dissolved, and now social workers in various county programs offer the service on a case-by-case basis. The city of Los Angeles doesn’t run a busing program, but multiple nonprofits within the city offer similar services. PATH helped 313 clients reunite with family in the last fiscal year, and a little more than half of those clients left LA County. A Safe Place for Youth also helps young people reunite with friends and family outside LA. Cities and nonprofits in other states also run busing programs — and sometimes send people to California. Haven for Hope, which operates a large homeless shelter and service center in San Antonio, Texas, gave about 60 people one-way bus tickets out of the city last year, said Alberto Rodriguez, vice president of operations. Before they send a client on their way, Haven for Hope calls the family or friend they are going to live with and confirms the client can stay there, Rodriguez said. “We’re never just going to send someone back to homelessness in another city or another state, in the same way we don’t want other cities or other states to send their homeless clients to San Antonio without connecting with us,” he said. Of the 151 people relocated from San Francisco since August, at least 29 went to other cities within California. At least another 12 went to Texas, six went to Florida and seven went to Georgia. Due to a data processing error, the city couldn’t provide information on where 34 people went. It’s harder to tell what happens to those people once they reach their destination. San Francisco only recently started requiring staff to check in with clients 90 days after they leave, but staff often can’t get a hold of them in their new city, Cohen said. The city didn’t provide data on the outcomes of those 90-day calls, which started in July, in time for publication. About 15% of people who left San Francisco through the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing’s relocation program between July 2022 and July 2023 ended up back in San Francisco, using the city’s homeless services, within a year. Cohen called that an 85% “success rate,” despite the fact that even though someone didn’t return to San Francisco, they might have ended up homeless in their new city. “That is fantastic,” Cohen said, “in terms of the amount of investment for the outcome we are able to achieve.”

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