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Mike Oquaye Jnr, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Dome-Kwabenya in the 2024 elections, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of turning a blind eye to alleged acts of violence and destruction during the election. According to him, individuals linked to the NDC have been involved in burning election-related materials, specifically pink sheets, in the Dome-Kwabenya constituency, as reported by Modern Ghana. Oquaye claims the incidents reflect the NDC’s reluctance to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral process. He suggested that these acts were deliberate attempts to undermine the credibility of the election results. “The NDC pretends not to be aware of the thugs burning pink sheets, but these actions are orchestrated to create doubt in the minds of Ghanaians,” he stated. The parliamentary candidate also highlighted the importance of election integrity, emphasizing that such incidents tarnish the democratic image of Ghana. Oquaye Jnr called on law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly and hold those responsible accountable. He further accused the NDC of adopting a strategy to disrupt the electoral process by encouraging unrest in key constituencies, including Dome-Kwabenya. “This constituency has always been a target for the NDC’s disruptive tactics, and this election was no different,” Oquaye alleged. The allegations come amid heightened tensions following the 2024 elections, which have seen disputes in several constituencies over alleged irregularities. Political parties are calling for calm as institutions work to address concerns and resolve disputes through legal and constitutional means. Oquaye reiterated the NPP’s commitment to protecting the democratic process and ensuring that the will of the people is upheld. “Our party remains focused on upholding the values of democracy, and we will not allow these actions to deter us,” he stated. The NDC is yet to respond to the allegations made by Oquaye Jnr. Meanwhile, electoral stakeholders and civil society groups have called for greater oversight in the handling of election materials and a swift investigation into any reported incidents of violence or misconduct. As Dome-Kwabenya remains a focal point for political discourse, many hope for a resolution that reinforces Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of democracy in Africa.

It’s a wet and wild showdown at Highmark Stadium this Sunday, where the Buffalo Bills will look to make a splash, both in the playoffs and, hopefully, in the highlight reel. As they face off against the New York Jets, Buffalo has a lot to play for, especially with the #2 seed and MVP aspirations on the line for Josh Allen. But the weather is playing a role too—expect slippery conditions as heavy rain pummels the field, perhaps inspiring some wet-n-wild drama on and off the field. You can only hope Hailee Steinfeld, who reportedly will be in attendance, stays dry—but who can blame her if she gets a little drenched ? The Bills come into the matchup with four players listed as QUESTIONABLE, three of whom are safeties. These include S Damar Hamlin, DB Cam Lewis, S Taylor Rapp, and WR Curtis Samuel. Could this be a sign that the Buffalo defense is about to get a little more loose than usual? With the postseason just around the corner, they’ll need all hands on deck to lock up that #2 seed and make sure Josh Allen’s MVP case doesn’t get washed away. As for the Jets, well, the only thing wetter than the field might be their season. With a 4-11 record, they’ve been sputtering toward the finish line. And who could forget the floundering documentary “Enigma” ? Not exactly the cryptic masterpiece Aaron Rodgers intended, but maybe that’s what happens when you mix football with too much ayahuasca. It’s hard to solve the mystery of this Jets season when the only thing clear is that their playoff hopes are about as likely as Rodgers turning that documentary into an actual success. For this one, the Jets have a whopping 9 players listed as QUESTIONABLE. These players include WR Davante Adams, S Tony Adams, CB Michael Carter II, CB Sauce Gardner, OL Morgan Moses, DL Hasson Reddick, and DL Quinnen Williams. With both teams dealing with some wet circumstances, we’re in for a sloppy, unpredictable game. Will the Bills lock up their playoff positioning? Or will the Jets, once again, find themselves drenched in disappointment? Stay tuned! S Taylor Rapp Taylor Rapp has been on the injury report with neck and/or shoulder injuries the past six weeks. He has missed the last two games, and it appears a collision with Rasul Douglas two weeks ago was the culprit. Rapp is listed with a ‘neck’ only the past two weeks and has been a limited participant in practice throughout. He is the most likely safety to play this week, as he was the only from the group who was out of the red non-contact jersey on Friday. Taylor Rapp was in a regular practice jersey. Damar Hamlin, Curtis Samuel, & Cam Lewis were still in red non-contract jerseys. S Damar Hamlin Hamlin was an interesting addition to the injury report two weeks ago because he was added on a Thursday, the day the Bills didn’t practice due to snow, yet he was a full participant the day prior. He has missed the last two weeks and is still only a limited participant in practice this week with ‘ribs’. Still seen in a red non-contact jersey at walkthroughs on Friday, Hamlin is not looking fit to return yet. Rib injuries take about 2-4 weeks. DB Cam Lewis Lewis has started at safety the past two weeks, in the absence of Rapp and Hamlin, but it is now dealing with a ‘shoulder’ injury. He played nearly 100% of the snaps last week but may need to nurse his injury this week, as he was limited all week and in a red non-contact throughout the entire week. He likely has a mild sprain, most common is the AC joint, and they take about 1-2 weeks to recover (1). WR Curtis Samuel Samuel has been listed with a ‘rib’ for the past two weeks. He missed last week’s game and was limited at practice all week for the second straight week. He also, was still in a red non-contact jersey on Friday and unlikely to play. Oddly, he was listed with a shoulder injury during the Lions’ game, but the team listed him with a rib thereafter. Again, ribs generally take 2-4 weeks. QB Josh Allen Allen is listed on the injury report this week with a ‘R shoulder/R elbow’. The shoulder injury was not listed last week but he took a rough fall late in the Lions’ game that required an x-ray after the game. This is likely a very minor AC joint sprain of his throwing shoulder. #Bills #JoshAllen Right Shoulder injury Appears to be AC joint, throwing shoulder. Hurt on his last run on game. Only threw one pass after this (deflected dump off) #billsmafia pic.twitter.com/T0squxeEkL As for the elbow, this was more recent from the Patriots’ game. Allen banged his elbow on an opponent’s helmet which caused him to lose feeling in his hand for 5-10 minutes. This is hilarious. Another funny bone injury for #Bills Josh Allen #billsmafia pic.twitter.com/04vlx51h8E Josh Allen said he hit his funny bone and lost feeling in his throwing hand for a little bit during the game. Took about 5-10 minutes for it to come back. "Glad it's gone now." #BillsMafia @BuffaloPlus The injury was to his funny bone area, which essentially is compression of his ulnar nerve. Allen has two documented injuries to his elbow’s UCL (Tommy John Ligament), which creates some uneasiness about the overall health of the area. Regardless, the MVP hopeful was a full participant in practice this week and will be slinging it around in the rain. CB Rasul Douglas Rasul Douglas is dealing with a ‘knee’ injury after a tough hit during the Rams’ game three weeks ago. Initially listed with a back issue during the game, Douglas returned to the field for one series before being ruled out due to a knee injury. It appears he suffered a left MCL sprain, to the same leg he suffered and MCL injury last year. This was on the same play where he injured his back, after safety Taylor Rapp collided with him. #Bills #RasulDouglas appears to have another Left MCL sprain (same as in 2023) Likely mild, 1-3 weeks #TaylorRapp friendly fire (aggravated neck same play) #billsmafia https://t.co/Ng6tQZY7v3 pic.twitter.com/KHF7nh8AqV Mild MCL sprains typically require 2-4 weeks of recovery (2). Douglas missed the past two games, but was a full participant all week in practice and will play. LB Matt Milano Everybody’s favorite Italian Stallion is getting put through the ringer the past 14 months. After overcoming major knee surgery last year and a bicep tendon repair of the elbow in training camp, Milano was able to play three games. Unfortunately, he was dealt what appears to be a minor ‘groin’ injury during the Lions’ game and was inactive last week. Minor groin strains take about 1-2 weeks and Milano was able to practice in full on Thursday and Friday. He will be active on Sunday. TE Dalton Kincaid Kincaid left the Colts’ game in Week 10 with a ‘PCL’ injury. He missed three games (four weeks due to bye week). #Bills #DaltonKincaid Hope for bursitis, fear PCL. I believe this is the injury Lmk if he came back after that missed TD with :16 left in first #billsmafia pic.twitter.com/bmlutXf0EJ He returned two weeks ago against the Lions and has been wearing a knee brace since. Kincaid played 49% of the snaps against the Lions and only 34% against the Patriots, which is lower than his season average of 65% from Week 1-8. He has been practicing in full the past few weeks, but the limited snaps are alarming yet understandable. Has been wearing last 2 games Stabilization DonJoy brace to limit stress on PCL #billsmafia https://t.co/715422uI7Z OTHER LISTED PLAYERS The following players were listed on the injury report, but were full participants the whole week and will play; OT Spencer Brown (neck) DT DeWayne Carter (wrist) P Sam Martin (back) TE Quintin Morris (shoulder/groin) DT Jordan Phillips (back) DE Dawuane Smoot (wrist) LB Dorian Williams (elbow) Citation Total Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. (n.d.). AC joint separations in the NFL . Retrieved December 14, 2024, from https://www.totalorthosportsmed.com/ac-joint-separations-in-the-nfl/ University of California, San Francisco. (n.d.). MCL tear . UCSF Health. Retrieved December 14, 2024, from https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/mcl-tear This article first appeared on Buffalo Fanatics and was syndicated with permission.Furthermore, standing on tiptoes is a great way to strengthen the muscles in your core and back. The engagement of these muscle groups helps to improve your spinal alignment and posture, reducing the likelihood of back pain and discomfort. By consistently practicing tiptoe stands, you can develop a strong and stable core that supports your body during daily activities and exercise.

GDS Holdings Shares Are Up Today: What You Need To Know(The Center Square) – Of the many costly security missteps uncovered at the rally site in Butler, Pa. where a would-be assassin nearly killed Donald Trump, one deterrent may have been relatively affordable. Rep. Pat Fallon said the U.S. Secret Service could have fashioned a rudimentary fence made of caution tape, signs, posts and stakes around the AGR building on July 13 for roughly $410. The agency’s decision to unman the outside of the building and exclude it from an overall security perimeter around the Butler Farm Show Grounds that day has drawn much criticism from lawmakers on the task force assembled to investigate both attempts on Trump’s life, the second occurring at a Mar-a-Lago golf course in September. During a heated seven-minute exchange with Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr., the Republican congressman from Texas said the agency’s $2 billion funding increase seemed far in excess of what it would have cost to have functioning drones, more coordinated radio communications, agents on a nearby water tower and security deterrents available in Butler. “What sticks in our craw is when we report to our constituents, we have to say, ‘Hey, this federal agency failed epically, and then they wanted to almost double their budget,’” Fallon said. The conversation devolved into a shouting match after Fallon then accused Rowe of showing up at a 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York City for political purposes only. Rep. Pat Fallon, of Texas, questions Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe Jr. during Congressional task force hearing on the attempted assassination of President-elect Donald Trump in Butler, Pa.

A stunning turn of events unfolded today as authorities confirmed the apprehension of the 26-year-old suspect in the fatal shooting of a high-ranking executive in the American health insurance industry. The incident, which sent shockwaves through the community, took place earlier this week and left the nation reeling from the senseless act of violence.3. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save KYIV, Ukraine — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile. escalating the nearly 33-month-old war. The conflict is “entering a decisive phase,” Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday, and “taking on very dramatic dimensions.” Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session as security was tightened following Thursday’s Russian strike on a military facility in the city of Dnipro. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks Friday during a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense, representatives of the military-industrial complex and developers of missile systems at the Kremlin in Moscow. Putin said Western air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile. Jersey Shore restaurants shift gears to survive in offseason Friday’s New Jersey high school football playoff scores Not too late! Voting closes at noon for The Press Football Player of the Week Galloway Township gymnastics center co-owner charged with sexually assaulting minor Galloway man gets 3 years in Ocean City fatal crash Offshore wind company to buy vacant 1.5-acre Atlantic City lot for $1 million Atlantic City International Airport's 1 carrier, Spirit Airlines, files for bankruptcy Which players did the Cape-Atlantic League coaches pick as the best of the best in fall sports? Prosecutor still determined to find whoever is responsible for West Atlantic City killings What does Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy mean for Atlantic City International Airport? Upper Township employees disagree on morale 2 Galloway men arrested after spraying workers with rocks in Nature Preserve Ocean City introduces new fees on rentals $23 million apartment complex promises to bring new vitality to quaint Swedesboro UPDATED NHL referee taken away on stretcher at Flyers game Ukrainian military officials said the missile that hit Dnipro reached a speed of Mach 11 and carried six nonnuclear warheads, each releasing six submunitions. Speaking Friday to military and weapons industries officials, Putin said Russia will launch production of the Oreshnik. “No one in the world has such weapons,” he said. “Sooner or later, other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development. “We have this system now,” he added. “And this is important.” Putin said that while it isn’t an intercontinental missile, it’s so powerful that the use of several of them fitted with conventional warheads in one attack could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, said the Oreshnik could reach targets across Europe and be fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads, echoing Putin’s claim that even with conventional warheads, “the massive use of the weapon would be comparable in effect to the use of nuclear weapons.” In this photo taken from a video released Friday, a Russian serviceman operates at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov kept up Russia's bellicose tone on Friday, blaming “the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries” in supplying weapons to Ukraine to strike Russia. "The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns were not taken into account have also been quite clearly outlined," he said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the European Union, echoed Moscow’s talking points, suggesting the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Ukraine likely requires direct American involvement. “These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability,” Orbán said on state radio. “There is a strong assumption ... that these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.” Orbán cautioned against underestimating Russia’s responses, emphasizing that the country’s recent modifications to its nuclear deployment doctrine should not be dismissed as a “bluff.” “It’s not a trick ... there will be consequences,” he said. Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky speaks to journalists Friday during a joint news conference with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha in Kyiv, Ukraine. Separately in Kyiv, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Thursday’s missile strike an “escalatory step and an attempt of the Russian dictator to scare the population of Ukraine and to scare the population of Europe.” At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Lipavský also expressed his full support for delivering the necessary additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians from the “heinous attacks.” He said the Czech Republic will impose no limits on the use of its weapons and equipment given to Ukraine. Three lawmakers from Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that Friday's previously scheduled session was called off due to the ongoing threat of Russian missiles targeting government buildings in central Kyiv. In addition, there also was a recommendation to limit the work of all commercial offices and nongovernmental organizations "in that perimeter, and local residents were warned of the increased threat,” said lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev, who said it's not the first time such a threat has been received. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said the Oreshnik missile was fired from the Kapustin Yar 4th Missile Test Range in Russia’s Astrakhan region and flew 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. Test launches of a similar missile were conducted in October 2023 and June 2024, the directorate said. The Pentagon confirmed the missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Thursday's attack struck the Pivdenmash plant that built ICBMs when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The military facility is located about 4 miles southwest of the center of Dnipro, a city of about 1 million that is Ukraine’s fourth-largest and a key hub for military supplies and humanitarian aid, and is home to one of the country’s largest hospitals for treating wounded soldiers from the front before their transfer to Kyiv or abroad. We're all going to die someday. Still, how it happens—and when—can point to a historical moment defined by the scientific advancements and public health programs available at the time to contain disease and prevent accidents. In the early 1900s, America's efforts to improve sanitation, hygiene, and routine vaccinations were still in their infancy. Maternal and infant mortality rates were high, as were contagious diseases that spread between people and animals. Combined with the devastation of two World Wars—and the Spanish Flu pandemic in between—the leading causes of death changed significantly after this period. So, too, did the way we diagnose and control the spread of disease. Starting with reforms as part of Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s, massive-scale, federal interventions in the U.S. eventually helped stave off disease transmission. It took comprehensive government programs and the establishment of state and local health agencies to educate the public on preventing disease transmission. Seemingly simple behavioral shifts, such as handwashing, were critical in thwarting the spread of germs, much like discoveries in medicine, such as vaccines, and increased access to deliver them across geographies. Over the course of the 20th century, life expectancy increased by 56% and is estimated to keep increasing slightly, according to an annual summary of vital statistics published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2000. Death Records examined data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to see how the leading causes of death in America have evolved over time and to pinpoint how some major mortality trends have dropped off. According to a report published in the journal Annual Review of Public Health in 2000, pneumonia was the leading cause of death in the early 1900s, accounting for nearly 1 in 4 deaths. By the time World War I ended in 1918, during which people and animals were housed together for long periods, a new virus emerged: the Spanish Flu. Originating in a bird before spreading to humans, the virus killed 10 times as many Americans as the war. Many died of secondary pneumonia after the initial infection. Pneumonia deaths eventually plummeted throughout the century, partly prevented by increased flu vaccine uptake rates in high-risk groups, particularly older people. Per the CDC, tuberculosis was a close second leading cause of death, killing 194 of every 10,000 people in 1900, mainly concentrated in dense urban areas where the infection could more easily spread. Eventually, public health interventions led to drastic declines in mortality from the disease, such as public education, reducing crowded housing, quarantining people with active disease, improving hygiene, and using antibiotics. Once the death rates lagged, so did the public health infrastructure built to control the disease, leading to a resurgence in the mid-1980s. Diarrhea was the third leading cause of death in 1900, surging every summer among children before the impacts of the pathogen died out in 1930. Adopting water filtration, better nutrition, and improved refrigeration were all associated with its decline. In the 1940s and 1950s, polio outbreaks killed or paralyzed upward of half a million people worldwide every year. Even at its peak, polio wasn't a leading cause of death, it was a much-feared one, particularly among parents of young children, some of whom kept them from crowded public places and interacting with other children. By 1955, when Jonah Salk discovered the polio vaccine, the U.S. had ended the "golden age of medicine." During this period, the causes of mortality shifted dramatically as scientists worldwide began to collaborate on infectious disease control, surgical techniques, vaccines, and other drugs. From the 1950s onward, once quick-spreading deadly contagions weren't prematurely killing American residents en masse, scientists also began to understand better how to diagnose and treat these diseases. As a result, Americans were living longer lives and instead succumbing to noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs. The risk of chronic diseases increased with age and, in some cases, was exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyles. Cancer and heart disease shot up across the century, increasing 90-fold from 1900 to 1998, according to CDC data. Following the post-Spanish Flu years, heart disease killed more Americans than any other cause, peaking in the 1960s and contributing to 1 in 3 deaths. Cigarette smoking rates peaked at the same time, a major risk factor for heart disease. Obesity rates also rose, creating another risk factor for heart disease and many types of cancers. This coincides with the introduction of ultra-processed foods into diets, which plays a more significant role in larger waistlines than the increasing predominance of sedentary work and lifestyles. In the early 1970s, deaths from heart disease began to fall as more Americans prevented and managed their risk factors, like quitting smoking or taking blood pressure medicine. However, the disease remains the biggest killer of Americans. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death and rates still indicate an upward trajectory over time. Only a few types of cancer are detected early by screening, and some treatments for aggressive cancers like glioblastoma—the most common type of brain cancer—have also stalled, unable to improve prognosis much over time. In recent years, early-onset cancers, those diagnosed before age 50 or sometimes even earlier, have seen a drastic rise among younger Americans. While highly processed foods and sedentary lifestyles may contribute to rising rates, a spike in cancer rates among otherwise healthy young individuals has baffled some medical professionals. This follows the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020. At its peak, high transmission rates made the virus the third leading cause of death in America. It's often compared to the Spanish Flu of 1918, though COVID-19 had a far larger global impact, spurring international collaborations among scientists who developed a vaccine in an unprecedented time. Public policy around issues of safety and access also influences causes of death, particularly—and tragically—among young Americans. Gun control measures in the U.S. are far less stringent than in peer nations; compared to other nations, however, the U.S. leads in gun violence. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens (around 2 in 3 are homicides, and 1 in 3 are suicides), and deaths from opioids remain a leading cause of death among younger people. Globally, the leading causes of death mirror differences in social and geographic factors. NCDs are primarily associated with socio-economic status and comprise 7 out of 10 leading causes of death, 85% of those occurring in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization. However, one of the best health measures is life expectancy at birth. People in the U.S. have been living longer lives since 2000, except for a slight dip in longevity due to COVID-19. According to the most recent CDC estimates, Americans' life expectancy is 77.5 years on average and is expected to increase slightly in the coming decades. Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Death Records and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Stay tuned for what promises to be an unforgettable day of football action as these top European clubs go head to head in the quest for success in the UEFA Champions League. The drama, excitement, and passion of the beautiful game will be on full display as the best teams in Europe compete for glory on the grandest stage of them all.As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial for all countries to exercise restraint and refrain from taking any actions that could escalate tensions or lead to conflict. By working together through diplomatic channels and engaging in meaningful dialogue, countries can address their differences and find common ground to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

Holiday spending ‘clearly on track’ to reach record-breaking heights even as credit card debt strangles shoppers

Herbert tosses 3 TD passes and Chargers secure a playoff spot with a 40-7 rout of PatriotsIn the vast realm of entertainment, there exists a magical bond between technology and storytelling. This bond intertwines innovation with imagination, creating an immersive experience that transcends reality. As we set foot on the path of adventure, a tale unfolds, blending the brilliance of Three Stars Monitor with the grandeur of "The Lion King: The Legend of Mufasa." Together, they embark on a journey to conquer the kingdom and inscribe their names in the annals of heroism.Since its launch, "Phantasmal Beast Paru" has been known for its innovative gameplay mechanics, which allowed players to use Poké Balls to capture and summon a wide variety of creatures known as Phantasmal Beasts. This unique feature added an element of excitement and challenge to the game, as players had to strategically aim and throw their Poké Balls to successfully capture the beasts.As the match approaches, fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the showdown between these two elite teams. The stakes are high, with both sides looking to secure a crucial victory that could have significant implications for their Champions League campaign.

Tencent's highly anticipated mobile game "Wilderness Origins" has achieved a major milestone with over 1.5 million pre-registrations, signaling immense interest and anticipation from mobile gamers worldwide. The game's immersive open-world gameplay and stunning visuals have captured the attention of gaming enthusiasts, leading to unprecedented pre-registration numbers that bode well for its future success.

Gerry Dulac: Steelers defense failed to close out a win — againWhere to Watch Alcorn State vs. Jackson State on TV or Streaming Live – Nov. 23

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — There's more than just school pride and bragging rights to all that bellyaching over who might be in and who might be out of college football 's first 12-team playoff. Try the more than $115 million that will be spread across the conferences at the end of the season, all depending on who gets in and which teams go the farthest. According to the College Football Playoff website , the 12 teams simply making the bracket earn their conferences $4 million each. Another $4 million goes to conferences whose teams get into the quarterfinals. Then, there's $6 million more for teams that make the semifinals and another $6 million for those who play for the title. Most of this bonanza comes courtesy of ESPN, which is forking over $1.3 billion a year to televise the new postseason. A lot of that money is already earmarked — more goes to the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference than the Big 12 or Atlantic Coast — but a lot is up for grabs in the 11 games that will play out between the opening round on Dec. 20 and the final on Jan. 20. In all, the teams that make the title game will bring $20 million to their conferences, all of which distribute that money, along with billions in TV revenue and other sources, in different ways. In fiscal 2022-23, the Big Ten, for instance, reported revenue of nearly $880 million and distributed about $60.5 million to most of its members. The massive stakes might help explain the unabashed lobbying coming from some corners of the football world, as the tension grows in advance of Sunday's final rankings, which will set the bracket. Earlier this week, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark lit into the selection committee, which doesn't have a single team higher than 15 in the rankings. That does two things: It positions the Big 12 as a one-bid league, and also threatens to makes its champion — either Arizona State or Iowa State — the fifth-best among conference titlists that get automatic bids. Only the top four of those get byes, which could cost the Big 12 a spot in the quarterfinals — or $4 million. “The committee continues to show time and time again that they are paying attention to logos versus resumes,” Yormark said this week, while slamming the idea of teams with two losses in his conference being ranked worse than teams with three in the SEC. The ACC is also staring at a one-bid season with only No. 8 SMU inside the cut line of this week's projected bracket. Miami's loss last week all but bumped the Hurricanes out of the playoffs, a snub that ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said left him “incredibly shocked and disappointed." “As we look ahead to the final rankings, we hope the committee will reconsider and put a deserving Miami in the field," Phillips said in a statement. The lobbying and bickering filters down to the campuses that feel the impact. And, of course, to social media. One of the most entertaining episodes came earlier this week when athletic directors at Iowa State and SMU went back and forth about whose team was more deserving. There are a few stray millions that the selection committee cannot really influence, including a $3 million payment to conferences that make the playoff. In a reminder that all these kids are going to school, after all, the conferences get $300,000 per football team that meets academic requirements to participate in the postseason. (That's basically everyone). 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-footballAdditionally, the decrease in oil prices could have both positive and negative consequences for the global economy. On the one hand, lower oil prices can stimulate economic growth by reducing production costs and increasing consumer spending. On the other hand, oil-exporting countries may face challenges as their revenue decreases, potentially leading to economic instability in certain regions.“Cassoulet, that best of bean feasts, is everyday fare for a peasant but ambrosia for a gastronome.” ~ Julia Child When winter heads our way, bringing chilly temperatures and close, dark nights, my thoughts turn to Cassoulet, the iconic comfort food from southwestern France. It has it all – juicy beans, duck leg confit, sausages and sometimes pork or lamb, slowly simmered in well-seasoned broth, then baked in a wide-mouthed, glazed terra-cotta dish called a cassole . Like any truly traditional dish, there are multiple versions, all claiming to be the “authentic one.” Cassoulet originated in southwestern France. Toulouse claims it — and so does Castelnaudary and Carcassonne — and the recipes vary. Toulouse adherents eschew adding cubed pork. Castelnaudary purists add a bit of lamb, while Carcassonne’s adds partridge. In most restaurants, cassoulets are served in an individual cassole , bubbling with hot juices,and with a bit of duck leg peeking through the top. But at Hostellerie Etienne , a vast indoor- outdoor restaurant on the edge of a forest near Castelnaudary, the cassoulets come to the table in family-size cassoles , big enough to serve two, four, six or even 10 people, so you can share the dish with your dining companions. I don’t know if Etienne’s even has a single-serving bowl size. I didn’t see one, when I was there as the guest of a bean trader from Castelnaudary. According to him, Etiennne’s has the best cassoulet anywhere, and they use the Lauragais lingot beans known as the Castelnaudary bean. Copious doesn’t begin to describe the cassoulet scene there, with stacks of cassoles lined up in Etienne’s kitchen, next to caldrons of simmering beans, ready to be filled and popped into the vast ovens. Here in the Bay Area, we have our own go-to restaurants for cassoulets. Some, like the Left Bank Brasseries in San Jose, Menlo Park, Oakland and Larkspur, and Reve Bistro in Lafayette, only serve it during the winter months as a special. (Reve will be serving cassoulet Dec. 10-14, for example, and Jan. 7-11; reserve it when you reserve your table.) Others, such as Bistro Jeanty in Yountville and Le Central in San Francisco, always have it on the menu. Both Reve Bistro and Bistro Jeanty use cassoles made by potter Kathy Kernes at her Crockett Pottery in Crockett, and they are every bit as beautiful and as practical as those you’ll find in southwestern France. Kernes’ makes cassoles in six sizes ($38-$210), ranging from individual to “extra large plus,” which is very large indeed. (Browse the possibilities at www.crockettpottery.com.) Reve Bistro offers take-out cassoulets if you pre-order the week the dish is on the menu. Pick it up — in a takeout container, not a cassole! — then heat it at home. Just note that chef-owner Paul Magu-Lecugy only makes a limited number of portions. “It’s time consuming,” he says, noting for him, it is a two-day process. Le Central’s cassoulet is one of the more elaborate around, with lamb, pork shoulder and boudin blanc, as well as the all-important duck leg confit and slightly garlicky Toulouse sausage. Left Bank uses chef-owner Roland Passot’s recipe (see below) and keeps it simple, limiting the meats to duck leg confit and Toulouse sausages. (Don’t panic. If you’re making this at home, some specialty markets sell duck confit.) The beans are key to cassoulet. Once cooked, they should not be mushy, but hold their shape after the long cooking. In France, tradition calls for either Tarbais beans, a plump, white bean, or lingot beans — a strain of cannellini beans — in making cassoulet. As Passot suggests in his recipe below, you can substitute cannellini beans or Great Northern beans. Rancho Gordo produces a variety called cassoulet , a West Coast-grown bean from the Tarbais strain. Cassoulet isn’t difficult to make. It just requires time and patience. You can make it a couple of days ahead, refrigerate it and then slowly reheat it. That way, there’s nothing to do on the day of but sip a glass of wine while the beans and meats slowly heat to bubbling. Add a green salad and some crusty bread, and you’ll have the perfect winter meal. Or put your coat on and head to one of our local restaurants, where the cooking is done for you. All you need is a reservation. Left Bank Brasserie Cassoulet Serves 6 to 8 INGREDIENTS Beans: 4 cups dried lingot beans (white kidney, cannellini or Great Northern, will all work) 1 small carrot, peeled and chopped 1 small onion, diced (about 3⁄4 cup) 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 pound slab bacon or extra thick-cut bacon, cut into 1-inch cubes 2 sprigs of thyme 1 bay leaf Cassoulet: 1⁄4 cup duck fat (lard will do in a pinch) 2 pounds pork butt cut in 2-inch cubes 1 cup onions, diced small 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1⁄4 cup tomato paste 1 small can diced tomatoes 11⁄2-2 cups reserved bean water 6 Toulouse sausages 1 small garlic sausage 4 confit duck legs, purchased or homemade (see note below) 1 cup panko bread crumbs 1 teaspoon garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Note: If you are making your own duck confit, start the night before by rubbing the duck legs with a “green salt” mixture — kosher salt, parsley, a couple of bay leaves and thyme ground together. The next day, rinse the duck legs well, pat dry and place in an oven-safe cooking vessel with enough duck fat to cover the legs. Roast in a 225-degree oven for 21⁄2 to 3 hrs. DIRECTIONS The night before, place the beans in a deep pot and add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Let beans soak overnight. The next day, rinse the beans well. Add the rinsed beans, carrots, onions, garlic, bacon, thyme and bay leaf to cold water and cook, over low heat, until the beans are tender. Strain the beans, saving the water, and set aside the beans. In a large braising pan, melt the duck fat over medium high heat. Once the pan is hot, brown the pork butt pieces without stirring. When beginning to brown, start stirring, making sure you scrape the bottom if it starts to caramelize. The pork doesn’t need much color, but it does need to cook in the duck fat for a while. Add lots of salt and pepper. This is not a shy dish. When the pork is nice and brown on all sides, add the 1 cup onions and garlic, and sauté until the onions are soft and cooked through. Add the tomato paste, diced tomatoes and reserved liquid from the beans. Stir, using a rubber spatula to clean the side of the pot. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees. Bring the heat under the braising pan up to high. Once at a rolling boil, turn down to low heat and add all the sausages. When they are cooked through, remove and set aside. Slice the garlic sausage in half and cut into 1-inch pieces. Return the whole and sliced sausages back to the pot along with the cooked beans. Continue to cook on low heat until the pork is cooked through. Taste for seasoning; add more salt and pepper if needed. Transfer the beans and pork to a heavy, wide mouth, earthenware, clay or cast iron baking dish that can hold 5 to 6 quarts. Bake at 250 degrees for about 11⁄2 hours, checking at least every 30 minutes. It may require a bit more time. If the dish is starting to look too dry, add a small amount of reserved bean broth or chicken stock. Add warmed duck legs to the cassoulet and make a breadcrumb topping by combining the panko, garlic, parsley, thyme and extra virgin olive oil. Return the dish to the oven and continue baking until the crumbs brown on the top. — Courtesy Roland Passot, Propriétaire, Chef Culinary Officer, Vine Hospitality

Title: Alibaba Games is Ready for a BreakthroughIn conclusion, the Fourth China-Latin America Political Parties Forum reiterates the commitment of both regions to work together towards a shared future of peace, prosperity, and development. By strengthening cooperation, promoting mutual understanding, and fostering sustainable development, China and Latin America can make significant contributions to building a community with a shared destiny.