Alan Hutton, Peter Crouch and Eniola Aluko all agreed that it was a harsh decision to disallow Aston Villa's goal against Juventus following the draw in the Champions League. Unai Emery's side thought they had returned to winning ways at the death when Morgan Rogers put the ball in the empty net after Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio dropped it under pressure from Diego Carlos . Following a VAR review, the goal was disallowed with Carlos adjudged to have disrupted the goalkeeper. The stalemate means Villa remain winless in their last seven games in all competitions. They sit ninth in the Champions League table on 10 points - five from leaders Liverpool. READ MORE: Why Morgan Rogers' Aston Villa winner vs Juventus was disallowed after long wait READ MORE: John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings vs Juventus as trio impress in 0-0 draw Speaking on TNT Sports after the game, Aluko said of the decision to rule out the goal: "I think [Diogo] Carlos has absolutely every right to go for it, I actually think it's a goalkeeper error. He's not caught it well, Carlos, I think has every right. He leans with his shoulder slightly but he's got every right to go for the ball, it's a goalkeeper mistake. It's harsh." Meanwhile, Hutton added: "He goes up here as you see, I'm stretching for the ball, you know there's going to be a challenge, you know there's going to be. He plays it well, he goes down and he's rolling about. I think it's just a normal challenge, you see it all the time." Crouch, who agreed, concluded: "The last moment of the game, it's a huge moment and I think it's so soft, let's be honest." Ollie Watkins also shared his views on the matter, claiming it was a 'soft' challenge. The Villa striker said: "I think it's soft, you know. Maybe in the Premier League that's a goal but in Europe, in the competition, goalkeepers are protected a lot so it's one of them. I thought we scored but to be fair, it had a 0-0 game written all over it so I think we would have been lucky if we took that." "Obviously I've got to be careful about what I say about the referees but like I said, the refereeing is a bit different during this competition, they don't let things go as much. We're used to that now, it's one of those things, you know, sometimes, decisions go with you and sometimes decisions go against you but it's out of our control really." Should the goal have stood? Have your say in the comments section
For 83 years, Dec. 7 has been remembered as a day of infamy. After this weekend, that day will have a new legacy — a day of freedom, as one of the in modern history disappeared. The liberation of Syria from , after for 50 years, is an unqualified good. How did it happen so quickly and so unexpectedly? And what comes next? I reached out to , who has over the , to help make sense of the extraordinary events of the past two weeks. According to Gopal, three external factors loomed large. Under Assad, Syria’s biggest regional benefactor was Iran, but since the Oct. 7 attacks, it has withstood Israeli military strikes and watched its Palestinian ally, Hamas, also weakened by Israel. Iran’s proxy, Hezbollah, had also been an important provider of military resources and fighting men for Assad — but the Islamic group has been severely diminished after weeks of Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Finally, and perhaps most decisively, with Russia bogged down in Ukraine, Assad could no longer rely on Moscow’s direct military engagement in fighting the rebels, particularly Russia’s close air support that had become crucial for Syria’s army. However, perhaps the most critical factor was internal: the slow-motion decay of the Assad regime. Massive corruption, economic stagnation and the utter dysfunction of the government hollowed out the country and tested the loyalty of the military rank and file. When the rebels finally mobilized from their area of control and captured Aleppo, the country’s second largest city, on Nov. 29, the low morale of Syria’s army, combined with the lack of Russian air support, doomed Assad’s regime. Rather than fight for the country’s leader, government forces abandoned their posts — and, in some cases, also their uniforms and equipment. Ironically, all this was happening at the same time there’d been a steady and slow move toward regional normalization. Just weeks ago, Assad attended a meeting of the Arab League in Saudi Arabia, a year after his Arab opponents had given back Syria’s seat in the organization. Now he’s in Moscow, likely forever. What comes next? Since the outbreak of civil war in 2011 — and even after Assad largely put down the rebel uprising — Syria has devolved into sectarian conflict. Even before Assad’s fall, a host of rebel factions controlled much of the state’s territory, including the Syrian National Army, which is basically a Turkish proxy; the Syrian Democratic Forces, an American proxy consisting of Kurdish and Arab elements that controls around 30% of Syria’s territory; and now Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group responsible for the final nail in the coffin of the Assad regime. How these groups interact and cooperate (or don’t) will be crucial to Syria’s future. Much has been made of the fact that HTS grew out of Al Qaeda’s Syria offshoot and that the United States has designated its leader, Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, a terrorist. But Jolani has gone out of his way to disown Al Qaeda, purge HTS of more extremist elements and publicly moderate his views. Gopal, the New Yorker's reporter, believes the ideological shift is “genuine,” and Jolani appears to be “very pragmatically minded.” Indeed, Jolani seems to be saying all the right things in the run-up to Assad’s fall and after the president’s flight to Moscow. He’s beseeched his supporters to avoid reprisals against Assad loyalists and has consistently of unity, dignity, and justice. He’s even extended an to Syria’s Christian, Kurdish and Alawite minorities. The latter is most notable because, through the Assads, it was the Alawites that ruled Syria with an iron fist for the past five decades. Gopal, who has watched HTS’s growth over the past several years, is less surprised by the group’s political and diplomatic success than its military capacity, which seemed to catch much of the world off guard as well. “They’ve thought about the politics of this in ways that are impressive,” he said. Indeed, after HTS’s takeover of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, in late November, the group immediately moved to establish security, protect civilians and provide basic services to the city’s residents. According to Middle East analyst Aaron Zelin, they controlled before the events of the last few weeks. These governing efforts and outreach to civilians contrasts with the Islamic State, which seemed more interested in ideological purity than institution building. Perhaps the most striking thing about HTS, under Jolani’s leadership, is the group’s outreach to the international community. “They are very serious about wanting rapprochement with the West and refashioning themselves as a national movement, not a transnational jihadist movement,” Gopal said. He noted that, usually, the prime audience for a rebel group is their domestic constituencies, but “HTS is different," he said, adding, “They are attuned to the international community — and see it as a very important audience.” HTS has been in direct contact with Iran’s government and agreed to to protect the country’s embassy and Shiite religious shrines. In addition, HTS has , even going so far as to leave the country’s naval bases in Syria untouched. Jolani seems to recognize that he cannot afford to alienate the various external groups who have been meddling in Syria’s affairs during its bloody civil war — even those who have caused so much needless death and destruction. Whether Jolani and HTS stay on a moderate course remains to be seen. The potential for further sectarian conflict or score-settling is high. Moreover, there is always the possibility that Jolani is talking a good game but will change his stripes once HTS achieves power. Even in an ideal world, consolidating their rule, forming a stable, representative government, and ensuring harmony among Syria’s grab bag of militias and external actors are herculean tasks. Jolani has played things well so far, but the real work begins now. The U.S. and the rest of the international community should offer its support to HTS and the new government taking root in Damascus while also holding the group’s feet to the fire when it comes to distancing from jihadists and upholding human rights. But patience is also required: Under Assad’s rule — and particularly since the 2011 civil war began — Syria has experienced untold suffering. Large swathes of the country lie in ruins, and millions of refugees have fled their homes. The economy is in tatters, and the Syrian people are impoverished and hungry. The trauma of those imprisoned and tortured by Assad’s henchmen — or have seen firsthand the destruction wrought by his soldiers — is profound. But after decades of darkness, the Syrian people are finally experiencing the first rays of freedom. The scenes on the streets of Damascus — and the elation of political prisoners freed from Assad’s hellish prisons — are wonderfully joyous. It is a moment for celebration and a reminder that the desire for freedom and recognition is unquenchable. Syria’s neighbors, along with the international community, must do everything they can to help the country stay on the right path.
C3.ai Stock Rallies After Q2 Results, 'Seventh Consecutive Quarter Of Accelerating Revenue Growth'
Oracle Q2 Earnings: Revenue Miss, EPS Miss, AI Growth, Ellison Says 'Opportunity Is Unimaginable'Strong fish stocks – reds, snook and trout We might need to search a little deeper this year for reasons to celebrate Thanksgiving. If we are reading this, there is already a lot to celebrate. If we’re healthy, we have even more to be thankful for. These have certainly been challenging times. Many of us [...]Another New Hampshire business hit with bills for AT&T account it never openedNew illegal parking law blasted by drivers facing $40 citations in weeks after city eliminated 300,000 spots
Wisconsin Republicans sue to resolve conflict of when Electoral College votes must be cast for TrumpFriday, December 27, 2024 Marriott unveils The Ritz-Carlton in Xiamen, blending luxury, sea views, and premier amenities in a prime destination for business and leisure travelers. Marriott International has unveiled plans to bring its iconic Ritz-Carlton brand to Xiamen Island, a premier destination in China’s Fujian Province. This announcement comes through a strategic agreement with Xiamen Green Development Investment Group, marking a milestone in Marriott’s expansion into southern China’s luxury hospitality market. Gavin Yu, Chief Development Officer for Greater China at Marriott International, expressed enthusiasm about the development. Situated in Xiamen’s vibrant Siming District, The Ritz-Carlton, Xiamen will anchor a cutting-edge mixed-use development that includes retail spaces and a towering 340-meter office building—the tallest structure in Fujian Province. The development will also feature Marriott Executive Apartments, offering versatile extended-stay options for discerning travelers. The location boasts breathtaking sea views from nearly half of the hotel’s rooms and proximity to key landmarks such as Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street, South Putuo Temple, Xiamen University, and Gulangyu Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport and the city’s metro system close by, the hotel ensures seamless access for global travelers. Scheduled to open with 228 sophisticated guest rooms, including 35 lavish suites, The Ritz-Carlton, Xiamen aims to set a new standard in luxury. Guests will enjoy culinary excellence through four distinctive dining venues: a refined all-day dining restaurant, a traditional Chinese eatery, an elegant Lobby Lounge, and a rooftop bar offering panoramic views of the Xiamen skyline. For events and gatherings, the hotel will feature a grand ballroom and versatile meeting spaces spanning 1,580 square meters, designed to cater to both corporate and social occasions. Leisure offerings include a 25-meter indoor swimming pool, a modern fitness center, and the signature Ritz-Carlton Spa, ensuring a tranquil escape from the bustling city. Complementing The Ritz-Carlton’s offerings, Marriott Executive Apartments Xiamen will present 144 fully furnished residences designed for long-term stays. These contemporary apartments will feature an exclusive Residents Lounge, where guests can enjoy breakfast and evening cocktails, as well as shared access to a swimming pool and fitness facilities. With a focus on blending luxury with home-like comfort, the apartments cater to business professionals and families seeking extended stays. The Ritz-Carlton, Xiamen underscores Marriott International’s commitment to growth in China’s thriving tourism and business sectors. Xiamen, renowned for its role as a bustling port city and a hub for marine technology, is a magnet for both leisure and corporate travelers. Marriott already operates five properties in Xiamen, and the addition of The Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Executive Apartments reflects the company’s dedication to meeting the region’s growing demand for exceptional hospitality. With its prime location, outstanding design, and legendary service, The Ritz-Carlton, Xiamen is poised to become a landmark of luxury in southern China.Dejounte Murray is rejoining the Pelicans vs. Toronto and drawing inspiration from his mother
S&P/TSX composite down Monday, U.S. markets also move lowerElon Musk wants to block the transfer of InfoWars’ X accounts to The OnionMinisters warned of cuts as ‘every pound’ of spending to face review
Saturday COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) Noon BTN — Md.-Eastern Shore at Maryland CW — E. Kentucky at Louisville FS1 — Coppin St. at Georgetown 2 p.m. ACCN — Alabama A&M at Georgia Tech CBS — NC Central at NC A&T CW — Bucknell at Syracuse ESPN2 — Mississippi at Memphis FS1 — Loyola (Md.) at DePaul 4 p.m. ACCN — Fairleigh Dickinson at Boston College CBS — Howard at Hampton FOX — UCLA vs. Gonzaga, Los Angeles SECN — Abilene Christian at Texas A&M 6 p.m. FOX — Utah St. at San Diego St. FS1 — Delaware at St. John’s COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S) 1:30 p.m. FOX — Creighton at St. John’s 2 p.m. BTN — Wisconsin at Indiana 4 p.m. BTN — Penn St. at Minnesota ESPN2 — Oregon St. at Gonzaga COLLEGE FOOTBALL 11 a.m. ESPN — The Wasabi Fenway Bowl: UConn vs. North Carolina, Boston Noon ABC — The Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl: Boston College vs. Nebraska, New York 2:15 p.m. ESPN — The Isleta New Mexico Bowl: Louisiana-Lafayette vs. TCU, Albuquerque, N.M. 3:30 p.m. ABC — The Pop-Tarts Bowl: Iowa St. vs. Miami, Orlando, Fla. 4:15 p.m. CW — The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl: Miami (Ohio) vs. Colorado St., Tucson, Ariz. 5:45 p.m. ESPN — The Go Bowling Military Bowl: East Carolina vs. NC State, Annapolis, Md. 7:30 p.m. ABC — The Valero Alamo Bowl: BYU vs. Colorado, San Antonio 9:15 p.m. ESPN — The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. Army, Shreveport, La. HORSE RACING 4 p.m. FS1 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races IIHF HOCKEY (MEN’S) 1 p.m. NHLN — World Junior Championship Group Stage: Kazakhstan vs. Czechia, Group B, Toronto 3:30 p.m. NHLN — World Junior Championship Group Stage: Latvia vs. U.S., Group A, Ottawa, Ontario LACROSSE (MEN’S) 6:30 p.m. ESPN2 — NLL: Rochester at Buffalo NBA 3 p.m. NBATV — Miami at Atlanta 6 p.m. NBATV — Oklahoma City at Charlotte 8:30 p.m. NBATV — Phoenix at Golden State NFL 1 p.m. NFLN — L.A. Chargers at New England 4:30 p.m. NFLN — Denver at Cincinnati 8 p.m. NFLN — Arizona at L.A. Rams NHL 7 p.m. NHLN — Washington at Toronto SOCCER (MEN’S) 9 a.m. CBSSN — Serie A: Monza at Parma TENNIS 4 a.m. TENNIS — United Cup: USA v. Canada 6 a.m. TENNIS — United Cup: Greece v. Spain 6:30 p.m. TENNIS — United Cup: Norway v. Czech Rep.; Brisbane-ATP/WTA Early Rounds 6 a.m. (Sunday) TENNIS — Brisbane-ATP/WTA Early Rounds Sunday COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) Noon BTN — Indiana St. at Ohio St. 1 p.m. PEACOCK — Penn at Penn St. 1:30 p.m. PEACOCK — Northeastern at Northwestern 2 p.m. BTN — Chicago St. at Illinois PEACOCK — Morgan St. at Minnesota 3 p.m. ESPNU — Buffalo at Temple PEACOCK — NJIT at Washington 4 p.m. BTN — Winthrop at Indiana 6 p.m. BTN — Toledo at Purdue 8 p.m. ACCN — Campbell at North Carolina BTN — W. Kentucky at Michigan COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S) Noon ACCN — Virginia at Notre Dame, Noon SECN — Alabama A&M at Vanderbilt 1 p.m. ESPN2 — South Florida at Rice 2 p.m. ACCN — Louisville at Boston College SECN — Wofford at South Carolina 4 p.m. ACCN — North Carolina at Miami SECN — Texas Rio Grande Valley at Texas 6 p.m. ACCN — Clemson at NC State 10 p.m. BTN — Michigan at Southern Cal HORSE RACING 3 p.m. FS1 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races IIHF HOCKEY (MEN’S) Noon NHLN — World Junior Championship Group Stage: Switzerland vs. Sweden, Group B, Toronto 2:30 p.m. NHLN — World Junior Championship Group Stage: U.S. vs. Finland, Group A, Ottawa, Ontario 5 p.m. NHLN — World Junior Championship Group Stage: Czechia vs. Slovakia, Group B, Toronto 7:30 p.m. NHLN — World Junior Championship Group Stage: Canada vs. Germany, Group A, Ottawa, Ontario NBA G-LEAGUE 2 p.m. NBATV — Osceola at Raptors 905 NFL 1 p.m. CBS — Regional Coverage: Carolina at Tampa Bay FOX — Regional Coverage: Dallas at Philadelphia 4:25 p.m. FOX — Green Bay at Minnesota 8:20 p.m. NBC/PEACOCK — Atlanta at Washington NHL 8:30 p.m. ESPN — Dallas at Chicago SOCCER (MEN’S) 10 a.m. USA — Premier League: Nottingham Forest at Everton 12:15 p.m. USA — Premier League: Liverpool at West Ham United 12:40 p.m. CBSSN — English League Championship: Leeds United at Derby Country TENNIS 6 a.m. TENNIS — Brisbane-ATP/WTA Early Rounds 6:30 p.m. TENNIS — United Cup: Britain v. Argentina; Brisbane-ATP/WTA Early Rounds; Hong Kong-ATP, Auckland-WTA Early Rounds 6 a.m. (Monday) TENNIS — Brisbane-ATP/WTA Early RoundsUS stock indices pushed to fresh records Tuesday, shrugging off tariff threats from President-elect Donald Trump while European equities retreated. Trump, who doesn't take office until January 20, made his threat in social media posts Monday night, announcing huge import tariffs against neighbors Canada and Mexico and also rival China if they do not stop illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Both the Dow and S&P 500 notched all-time highs, with investors regarding the incoming president's words as a bargaining chip. "In theory, higher tariffs should not be good news for stocks. But, you know, I think the market's chosen to think of (it) as a negotiating tactic," said Steve Sosnick of Interactive Brokers. "You have bullish sentiment," said LBBW's Karl Haeling. "People are tending to look at things as positively as possible." But General Motors, which imports autos from Mexico to the United States, slumped 9.0 percent, while rival Ford dropped 2.6 percent. Overseas bourses were also buffeted by the news. European stocks followed losses in Asia, despite Trump excluding Europe as an immediate target for tariffs. "These are his first direct comments on tariffs and tariff levels since becoming president-elect, and they have roiled markets," said Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB trading group, ahead of the Wall Street open. "It is early days, and there are plenty of opportunities for Trump to direct his attention to Europe down the line," Brooks added. The US dollar rallied against its Canadian equivalent, China's yuan and Mexico's peso, which hit its lowest level since August 2022. In other economic news, the Conference Board's consumer confidence index rose to 111.7 this month, up from 109.6 in October, boosted by greater optimism surrounding the labor market. "November's increase was mainly driven by more positive consumer assessments of the present situation, particularly regarding the labor market," said Dana Peterson, chief economist at The Conference Board. Pantheon Macroeconomics chief US economist Samuel Tombs added in a note that the increase in consumer confidence overall "likely was driven by euphoria among Republicans." "The index also jumped in late 2016, when Mr. Trump was elected for the first time," he said. Federal Reserve meeting minutes showed policy makers expect inflation to keep cooling, signaling a gradual approach to interest rate cuts if price increases ease further and the job market remains strong. Sign up to get our free daily email of the biggest stories! New York - Dow: UP 0.3 percent at 44,860.31 (close) New York - S&P 500: UP 0.6 percent at 6,021.63 (close) New York - Nasdaq: UP 0.6 percent at 19,174.30 (close) London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.4 percent at 8,258.61 (close) Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.9 percent at 7,194.51 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 0.6 percent at 19,295.98 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.9 percent at 38,442.00 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: FLAT at 19,159.20 (close) Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 3,259.76 (close) Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0482 from $1.0495 on Monday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2567 from $1.2568 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 153.06 yen from 154.23 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 83.41 pence from 83.51 pence Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 0.3 percent at $72.81 per barrel West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.3 percent at $68.77 per barrel bur-jmb/st
Hopes for a Santa Claus rally on Wall Street fell Friday as tech stocks slid lower, while a weaker yen lifted Japanese equities. US indices slid lower at the opening bell, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite losing two percent during morning trading. Shares in Tesla were down over three percent in late morning trading while those in AI chipmaker NVIDIA shed around two percent. Wall Street stocks have historically performed well around the year-end holidays in what is popularly known as a Santa Claus rally. A Christmas Eve jump in equities got the Santa rally off to a flying start and indices barely budged in Thursday trading. Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare also pointed to an increase in 10-year US Treasury bond yields to around 4.6 percent, which he noted is an increase of nearly 0.9 percentage points since the US Federal Reserve made its first interest rate cut in September. "The Fed doesn't hold sway over longer-dated maturities like it does over shorter-dated securities, so the bump in rates at the back end of the curve is being watched with an anxious eye as a possible harbinger of a pickup in inflation and/or the budget deficit," O'Hare said. Wall Street stocks took a knock earlier this month when the Fed indicated it would likely cut interest rates less than it had previously expected to. That was in part because of uncertainty tied to the stated intention of incoming president Donald Trump to raise tariffs, which could boost inflation that is already proving sticky. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei index closed up nearly two percent, with the yen's recent weakness proving a boon for major exporters. The yen hit 158.08 per US dollar on Thursday evening -- its lowest in almost six months -- following comments made by Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda that failed to give a clear signal on a possible interest rate increase next month. Recent data has showed Japan's inflation rose for a second month in December, while industrial production declined less than expected in November and retail sales came in higher than estimated last month. Japan's government also on Friday approved a record budget for the next fiscal year, ramping up spending on social welfare for its ageing population and on defence to tackle regional threats. In Seoul, the stock market closed down one percent after the won plunged to a nearly 16-year low of 1,487.03 against the dollar on Friday morning. South Korea is struggling to emerge from political turbulence in the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration this month, which prompted his impeachment. Acting President Han Duck-soo was also impeached Friday in a vote that prompted governing party lawmakers to protest with angry chants and raised fists. South Korea's business outlook for January fell in the Bank of Korea's composite sentiment index, the biggest month-on-month slide since April 2020, according to data based on almost 3,300 firms released Friday. In Europe, Frankfurt's DAX index rose after German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolved parliament on Friday and confirmed the expected date for the early general election, emphasising the need for "political stability" in Europe's largest economy. - Key figures around 1630 GMT - New York - Dow: DOWN 0.8 percent at 42,987.31 New York - S&P 500: DOWN 1.2 percent at 5,967.31 New York - Nasdaq Composite: DOWN 1.7 percent at 19,676.01 London - FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 8,149.78 (close) Paris - CAC 40: UP 1.0 percent at 7,355.37 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.7 percent at 19,984.32 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.8 percent at 40,281.16 points (close) Seoul - Kospi: DOWN 1.0 percent at 2,404.77 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.1 percent at 20,116.93 (close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 3,400.14 (close) Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0431 from $1.0424 on Thursday Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2589 from $1.2526 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 157.53 yen from 158.00 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.85 pence from 83.19 pence West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.2 percent at $70.42 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.1 percent at $73.62 per barrel burs-rl/rlp
