CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 89, DENVER 60
For Inter Milan, the clash against Lazio represents a pivotal moment in their season. A positive result could serve as a catalyst for a resurgence and provide a much-needed boost to their confidence and morale. However, a defeat could deepen the crisis and raise serious doubts about their ability to challenge for major honors this season.The UEFA Champions League will witness a clash of titans as Juventus, the defending champions, go head-to-head with Manchester City, two of the toughest contenders in European football. This encounter between the Italian giants and the English powerhouse promises to be an electrifying battle on the pitch, showcasing the best of football talent in Europe.
Both Manchester City and Manchester United will be aware of the implications of this derby in terms of the title race and their aspirations for the season. With Manchester City currently leading the Premier League table and Manchester United looking to close the gap, the stakes couldn't be higher for both teams. As such, the role of the referee in maintaining control and adhering to the laws of the game will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.
In the end, this is not just a story about one player or one match, but a story about the power of sport to transcend boundaries, unite people, and create moments that will be remembered for years to come. It is a story about the spirit of competition, the pursuit of excellence, and the unwavering belief that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.
OTTAWA — Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly welcomed president-elect Donald Trump's pick for the next U.S. ambassador in Ottawa, a former longtime Michigan congressional representative who voted for NAFTA and later wavered on new free trade deals. Joly said at a news conference on Thursday at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., that she takes it as a good sign that Trump endorsed the Canada-U.S.-Mexico free-trade deal when he announced Pete Hoekstra as his next envoy to Canada. She also posted on social media Thursday that Canada looks forward to working with Hoekstra to strengthen bilateral ties and advance shared priorities "as close allies and neighbours." The minister was in Washington to talk trade and security with U.S. senators from both parties. Her meeting schedule included top Republican senators Lindsey Graham, Rick Scott and Lisa Murkowski. Following this trip, Joly is headed to the Halifax International Security Forum, where she said she will be meeting with more U.S. lawmakers, including Sen. James Risch from Idaho. Hoekstra will still have to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, but his early nomination is being taken as a good sign by several former diplomats. Former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson, who has met with Hoekstra before, said he's someone Canada can work with. "He's not from the (WWE) or Fox News. He's an ambassador in the Netherlands previously ... and he's from Michigan, so somebody who understands Canada," Robertson said. "He's well suited to the posting and I think it'll be easier to do business with somebody who has his depth of experience." Canada's ambassador in Washington, Kirsten Hillman, also congratulated Hoekstra on the nomination, posting on social media she looks forward to working with him to make the bilateral relationship "even stronger." Hoekstra was a nine-term border-state lawmaker and holds high esteem in Trump's world. His long career in politics left a wake of stunning headlines, including for a 2012 Super Bowl ad critics and even some Republicans slammed as blatantly racist. He was Trump's chosen chairman for the Michigan GOP during a power struggle between two pro-Trump camps. He spoke at Trump rallies in the swing state during the campaign and earned high praise from the president-elect. "This guy, Hoekstra — he's unbelievable," Trump said at a February rally in Waterford Township, Mich. "Everything he did in Congress, he was incredible, and then he was an unbelievable ambassador." In his first term as president, Trump tapped Hoekstra to serve as U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands, where he was at one point embroiled in a political interference scandal for hosting a fundraiser at the U.S. Embassy with members of the far-right party Forum for Democracy. In a 2019 public talk organized by a Dutch news magazine, he said it's "not an unrealistic ask" that every member of NATO meets the target of spending the equivalent of two per cent of GDP on defence by 2024 — something Trump has railed about, and something Canada will not do until at least 2032. At an event in Ottawa last month, Trump's former ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft said his administration would expect Canada to meet that target much sooner than 2032. Hoekstra was a representative for Michigan from 1993 until 2011 and chaired the powerful House Intelligence Committee. In 2019, Trump floated him as a possible pick for national intelligence director. Not long after he was first elected, he voted in favour of the NAFTA trade deal in 1993 — something he called at the time a simple choice yet also the "toughest decision I have had to face in my first 11 months in office," according to Michigan newspaper reports from the time. By 2003, he was opposed to inking free-trade deals, including two proposed with Singapore and Chile, saying that NAFTA led to manufacturers in Michigan to "shift production to Canada and Mexico." Nearly a decade later, in 2011, he singled out NAFTA as something that had "come to symbolize what Americans believe is unfair trade." In the early 2000s, he was one of a number of Michigan lawmakers from both parties raising ire over Toronto shipping its trash into his state. "Michigan is better than taking Canadian trash," he was quoted saying in 2004 in the local Michigan newspaper the Ludington Daily News. The next year he co-signed a letter advocating for a bill that would clamp down on "foreign municipal solid waste" entering his state, according to an Associated Press report from the time. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2024. Kyle Duggan, The Canadian PressIn Hong Kong vs Trump 2.0, global CEOs see new hopes, old threats
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams received some encouraging words from Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell following Minnesota's 30-27 win at Soldier Field on Sunday. The two were seen on the FOX Sports broadcast conversing at the end of the game and both Williams and O'Connell revealed what was said. pic.twitter.com/OeouMBzs2t Related: Bears recover onside kick to force overtime but lose to Vikings, 30-27 Follow us on Facebook "His message is just to keep going," Williams said about the exchange. "Hell of a player, keep going, way to fight. He said it sucks that he has to go up against him for awhile, he has to go against me for a while. But a hell of a player. Excited to see me out there fighting, leading those guys." O'Connell had high praise for the rookie quarterback, saying he "continues to get better and better." "You can see it when he starts creating off-schedule and that change of direction and athleticism, and we had him dead to rights a couple of times, and he gets out and makes huge plays," O'Connell told reporters. "It's going to be a challenge [facing him twice a year]. We're going to have to play as consistently as possible and disciplined as possible against him as he continues to grow. I look forward to the challenge of competing against him because he's going to be a really good player." Williams was impressive against one of the better defenses in the NFL on Sunday, as he finished the day completing 32-for-47 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed six times for 33 yards, escaping pressure at times and turning a negative into a positive gain. Related: Caleb Williams sets Bears all-time rookie passing yard record The former No. 1 overall pick also made history, as he set the franchise rookie season passing yards record with five games remaining this year. It was formerly held by Mitchell Trubisky in 2017. After Sunday, Williams has thrown for 2,356 yards. The rookie will get another tough test on a short week, as the Bears (4-7) take on the Detroit Lions (10-1) at Ford Field on Thanksgiving day. Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images
What's New A global monitor warned on Tuesday that famine levels are expected in the next few weeks in Gaza due to Israel's "near-total blockade" on food and humanitarian aid. However, the latest assessment from the Famine Early Warning System Network was criticized by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jacob Lew, who called the heightened famine alert "irresponsible." Why It Matters Northern Gaza has seen intense fighting and stringent aid restrictions during Israel's 14-month conflict with Hamas militants. Under pressure from President Joe Biden , Israel at one point increased the flow of aid deliveries to the region. The United Nations and aid organizations report that Israel has once again imposed severe restrictions on humanitarian aid. According to Oxfam, just nine U.N. trucks carrying food and water have managed to enter the region in the past two and a half months. Famine Early Warning System Network The Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS Net) projects that without a shift in Israeli policy, deaths from starvation and related illnesses in northern Gaza could climb to as many as 15 per day between next month and March. FEWS Net was established by the U.S. Agency for International Development in the 1980s to monitor and issue alerts about food crises worldwide. Global standards define famine as a situation where mortality rates exceed two deaths per 10,000 people daily. What To Know Israel asserts that its recent operations in northern Gaza target Hamas militants who remain active in the region. Officials claim that most residents have fled to Gaza City, where aid deliveries are concentrated. However, some critics, including a former Israeli defense minister, have accused the government of engaging in ethnic cleansing near the Israeli border in Gaza's northernmost areas. The United States delivered unprecedented levels of military aid during the first year of the war. Simultaneously, the Biden administration pushed Israel to expand aid access across Gaza, cautioning that continued restrictions could lead to limits on U.S. military assistance. However, citing recent improvements by Israel, the administration has so far opted against implementing those restrictions. U.S. military aid for Israel's war in Gaza has become a politically divisive issue. While Republicans and some Democrats have fiercely opposed efforts to tie U.S. support to concerns about the plight of Palestinian civilians, others have criticized the Biden administration for not taking stronger action to pressure Israel on humanitarian issues. This hesitation has been cited as a factor in waning support for Democrats in last month's elections. What People Are Saying Cindy McCain, the U.S. leader of the U.N. World Food Program , urged for intensified political pressure to ensure food aid reaches Palestinians in northern Gaza during a Dec. 15 interview on CBS ' Face the Nation. "We need unfettered access. We need a ceasefire and we need it now," McCain said. "We can't..,sit by and just allow these people to starve to death." U.S. Ambassador Jacob Lew disputed the famine warning in a statement, saying it is being based on "outdated and inaccurate" information. "We work day and night with the U.N. and our Israeli partners to meet humanitarian needs—which are great—and relying on inaccurate data is irresponsible," Lew wrote. What's Next Lew highlighted uncertainty about the number of the 65,000 people still in northern Gaza who may have fled in recent weeks, arguing that this undermines the findings. However, FEWS Net maintains that its famine assessment remains valid even if the population has dwindled to as few as 10,000. This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.The Bilibili streamers, known for their expertise in gaming and entertainment, are currently hosting live broadcasts of "Black Myth: Wukong," showcasing the latest gameplay features and monster encounters. Viewers are treated to thrilling gameplay footage, expert commentary, and in-depth analysis of the game's mechanics.The Los Angeles Dodgers may have won the World Series in 2024, but that does not mean they are content with their roster. They could look to bring in another impact bat in free agency. While making predictions for free agents this offseason, Bleacher Report's Erik Beaston predicted that the Dodgers will sign Willy Adames despite USA Today's Bob Nightengale revealing the Boston Red Sox are interested in him now as well. "It still feels like Adames is a better fit for the Dodgers given the world champs' need at the position, but the Red Sox appear determined to get free-agent signings done this year amid mounting frustration with their recent lack of success," wrote Beaston. The Boston Red Sox had not been linked to Adames earlier in the offseason, but a new report suggests they are looking to add him and move Rafael Devers from third base. "The Red Sox also have strong interest in All-Star free-agent shortstop Willy Adames, who is willing to move to third base," wrote Nightengale. "They have scheduled an upcoming meeting and have internally discussed moving Rafael Devers off third base." Adames is the best shortstop available, but moving him to third base is not out of the question. The Dodgers would not need Adames to change positions. They need a shortstop if they want Mookie Betts to play second base. The shortstop position was inconsistent, to say the least. Betts started the year there, but moved back to right field after a stint on the injured list. Adames started 161 games at shortstop last year during a career season. Spotrac projects him to sign a $152 million deal in free agency. He hit 32 home runs, tallied 112 RBIs and 21 stolen bases last year. More MLB: Dodgers All-Star could dump LA and join Braves in free agency
Greenwood's remarkable goal-scoring form in France has been nothing short of sensational. The 20-year-old has shown immense skill, composure, and predatory instincts in front of goal, consistently finding the back of the net with clinical precision. His ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates has been a crucial factor in his team's success this season.
The teaser trailer for "28 Years Later" offers a glimpse into the chilling atmosphere of the film, as haunting images and eerie soundscapes set the stage for a new chapter in the saga of survival. The footage hints at the continued struggle for existence in a world ravaged by the virus, as survivors navigate treacherous landscapes and face harrowing threats at every turn.
Title: Exclusive｜Xiaohongshu Establishes Application Algorithm Department, Xiaohou Appointed as Department HeadBEIRUT — Israel's military launched airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday, unleashing explosions throughout the country and killing at least 31 while Israeli leaders appeared to be closing in on a negotiated ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group. Israeli strikes hit commercial and residential buildings in Beirut as well as in the port city of Tyre. Military officials claimed they targeted areas known as Hezbollah strongholds. They issued evacuation orders for Beirut's southern suburbs, and strikes landed across the city, including meters from a Lebanese police base and the city's largest public park. The barrage came as officials indicated they were nearing agreement on a ceasefire, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Security Cabinet prepared to discuss an offer on the table. Bulldozers remove the rubble of a destroyed building Monday that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. Foreign ministers from the world’s leading industrialized nations also expressed cautious optimism Monday about possible progress on a ceasefire. People are also reading... “Knock on wood,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said as he opened the Group of Seven meeting outside Rome. “We are perhaps close to a ceasefire in Lebanon," he said. "Let's hope it's true and that there's no backing down at the last-minute.” A ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon was foremost on the agenda of the G7 meeting in Fiuggi, outside Rome, that gathered ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, in the last G7 encounter of the Biden administration. For the first time, the G7 ministers were joined by their counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as the Secretary General of the Arab League. Thick smoke, flames and debris erupt Monday from an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon. Meanwhile, massive explosions lit up Lebanon's skies with flashes of orange, sending towering plumes of smoke into the air as Israeli airstrikes pounded Beirut's southern suburbs Monday. The blasts damaged buildings and left shattered glass and debris scattered across nearby streets. Some of the strikes landed close to central Beirut and near Christian neighborhoods and other targets where Israel issued evacuation warnings, including in Tyre and Nabatiyeh province. Israeli airstrikes also hit the northeast Baalbek-Hermel region without warning. Lebanon's Health Ministry said Monday that 26 people were killed in southern Lebanon, four in the eastern Baalbek-Hermel province and one in Choueifat, a neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs that was not subjected to evacuation warnings on Monday. The deaths brought the total toll to 3,768 killed in Lebanon throughout 13 months of war between Israel and Hezbollah and nearly two months since Israel launched its ground invasion. Many of those killed since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah have been civilians, and health officials said some of the recovered bodies were so severely damaged that DNA testing would be required to confirm their identities. Israel claims to have killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Lebanon's Health Ministry says the war has displaced 1.2 million people. Destroyed buildings stand Monday in the area of a village in southern Lebanon as seen from northern Israel. Israeli ground forces invaded southern Lebanon in early October, meeting heavy resistance in a narrow strip of land along the border. The military previously exchanged attacks across the border with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group that began firing rockets into Israel the day after the war in Gaza began last year. Lebanese politicians have decried the ongoing airstrikes and said they are impeding ceasefire negotiations. The country's deputy parliament speaker accused Israel of ramping up its bombardment to pressure Lebanon to make concessions in indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hezbollah. Elias Bousaab, an ally of the militant group, said Monday that the pressure has increased because "we are close to the hour that is decisive regarding reaching a ceasefire." Israeli officials voiced similar optimism Monday about prospects for a ceasefire. Mike Herzog, the country's ambassador to Washington, earlier in the day told Israeli Army Radio that several points had yet to be finalized. Though any deal would require agreement from the government, Herzog said Israel and Hezbollah were "close to a deal." "It can happen within days," he said. Israeli officials have said the sides are close to an agreement that would include withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and a pullback of Hezbollah fighters from the Israeli border. But several sticking points remain. A member of the Israeli security forces inspects an impact site Sunday after a rocket fired from Lebanon hit an area in Rinatya, outskirts of Tel Aviv, Israel. After previous hopes for a ceasefire were dashed, U.S. officials cautioned that negotiations were not yet complete and noted that there could be last-minute hitches that either delay or destroy an agreement. "Nothing is done until everything is done," White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday. The proposal under discussion to end the fighting calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. The withdrawals would be accompanied by an influx of thousands more Lebanese army troops, who have been largely sidelined in the war, to patrol the border area along with an existing U.N. peacekeeping force. Western diplomats and Israeli officials said Israel demands the right to strike in Lebanon if it believes Hezbollah is violating the terms. The Lebanese government says such an arrangement would authorize violations of the country's sovereignty. Shoppers say they want eco-friendly products, so why aren't they buying them? Shoppers say they want eco-friendly products, so why aren't they buying them? On paper, being more sustainable and eco-friendly while shopping sounds great—so why don't more people do it? There is growing consumer consciousness about the environmental impact of where people choose to shop and the sustainability of the products they buy. According to McKinsey, over 60% of individuals surveyed in 2020 said they would be willing to pay more for a product that is packaged in an eco-friendly way. Since 2019, products marketed as being environmentally sustainable have seen a 28% growth in revenue compared to 20% for products with no such marketing, a 2023 McKinsey and NielsenIQ report found. Much of this is thanks to the preferences and attitudes of Gen Z, who, on average, care more than their older counterparts about being informed shoppers. The younger generation also has more social justice and environmental awareness altogether. Shoppers are willing to spend around 9.7% more on a product they know is sourced or manufactured sustainably, with 46% saying they would do so explicitly because they want to reduce their environmental footprint, according to a 2024 PwC report. Sustainable practices consumers look for from companies include production methods, packaging, and water conservation. But despite the growing consciousness around being more environmentally responsible, consumer actions don't always align with their values. In psychology, this is defined as the "say-do gap": the phenomenon wherein people openly express concern and intention around an issue, but fail to take tangible action to make a change. According to the Harvard Business Review in 2019, most consumers (65%) say they want to buy from brands that promote sustainability, but only 1 in 4 follow through. So why don't people actually shop sustainably, despite how much they express a preference for eco-friendly products—and how can we close the gap? The RealReal examined reports from the Harvard Business Review and other sources to explore why some shoppers want to buy sustainably but struggle to follow through. This lack of action isn't due to a lack of caring—in many cases, it's hard to know how to be a sustainable consumer and other factors are often outside of shoppers' control. But the more people shop sustainably, the easier and more accessible that market will be for everyone—making it much easier for folks to buy aligned with their values. Barriers to sustainable shopping There are many obstacles preventing shoppers from upholding eco-friendly habits as much as they may want to—but not all of these barriers are necessarily real, or accurately understood. Shopping sustainably simply isn't convenient or accessible for many. Those who live in apartment buildings are 50% less likely to recycle , according to Ipsos. Reasons for this can vary from lack of space to buildings being excluded altogether because of recycling contamination issues. Many believe that sustainable products are too expensive or of a lower quality. The former is often true, which does create a hurdle for many: The manufacturing processes and materials for sustainable products are pricey. For instance, organic cotton requires an intensive production process free of certain chemicals or pesticides; by definition, true eco-friendly products can't be mass-produced, further upping their price tag. Using recycled materials for packaging, or obtaining an eco certification, can also be expensive. However, although the narrative of eco-friendly products being more expensive is true, there is often more of an effort to use better quality materials that last longer than their noneco-friendly counterparts. This could end up saving consumers money in the long run: By paying more upfront, they can get more wear out of sustainable fashion, for instance. There is also undeniable political rhetoric surrounding eco-friendly products—however, despite many Conservative politicians decrying sustainable products, members of all generations are increasingly choosing to prioritize shopping sustainably regardless of their political affiliation, according to research from NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business . This finding shows a trend toward seeing sustainability as a nonpartisan subject everyone can benefit from, no matter where they lie on the political spectrum. Some might think eco-friendly clothing, in particular, is not fashion-forward; after all, many of the top clothing retailers in the world partake in fast fashion. However, brands are increasingly being recognized as 'cool' and 'trendy' for supporting environmentally ethical practices, particularly as younger generations prioritize sustainability, as noted before. Many increasingly popular online stores are taking advantage of this paradigm shift by offering secondhand shopping options that are not only fashionable, but also more affordable, like ThredUp or Poshmark. Additionally, many legacy large-name brands are hopping on the sustainability movement and are gaining appreciation from loyal customers. Amazon's Climate Pledge Friendly program partners with third-party certification bodies to make it easier for shoppers to identify eco-friendly products as they browse the website. H&M's newly launched H&M Rewear program debuts a resale platform that allows the resale of all clothing brands—not just their own. Similarly, Patagonia's Worn Wear program allows shoppers to trade in and buy used gear and clothing. The federal government is also working to close this gap. The Environmental Protection Agency's Safer Choice program is attempting to make sustainable shopping easier for consumers and companies alike. It includes a directory of certified products, a list of safer chemicals to look out for on labels, a "Safer Choice" label that products can earn to denote they are eco-friendly, and resources for manufacturers looking to adopt more sustainable practices. Most of all, though, the biggest way shoppers can shift toward sustainable shopping is through their behaviors and attitudes amongst their peers and communities. Studies show that humans largely care what others think of their actions; the more shoppers make environmentally conscious shopping the norm, the more others will follow suit. From an economic perspective, the more consumers shop eco-friendly, the more affordable and accessible these products will become, too: Sustainable products are currently more expensive because they are not in high demand. Once demand rises, production rates and prices can lower, making these products more accessible for all. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. This story originally appeared on The RealReal and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
