HMRC pensions warning over ‘large tax bill’ if you don't have correct codeAgilon Health director Wulf John William buys $98,145 in stockThe California Highway Patrol will continue surge operations for another month to combat crime in Oakland and other Bay Area locations, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday morning while urging a change to a controversial police policy. Newsom joined the CHP and Oakland leaders at a press conference at the CHP office in Oakland Friday to announce a continuation of the CHP support for law enforcement in the East Bay and also in Vallejo. Oakland's police pursuit policy came under fire during the press conference, with Newsom and other speakers railing against a policy that limits the ability of officers to chase crime suspects. The Oakland Police Department only allows for pursuits involving "violent forcible crimes" and crimes involving firearms. It means that police can't chase people suspected of committing felonies such as reckless driving, sideshow activity, driving under the influence, or retail theft. Newsom said the future of CHP support for law enforcement in Oakland will depend on changes to Oakland police policies. "We specifically are going to need to see changes in the pursuit policy here in Oakland," Newsom said. "This has been called out over the course of many months. The [CHP] Deputy Commissioner just highlighted a remarkable story that has been shared on multiple occasions to me and others of suspects that have been pursued that were shocked that they were actually pulled over because in the past, presumably, they had not been." Newsom continued, "You could be drunk, you could run a red light, you can come close to side-swiping a school bus right during the morning hours right in front of a police officer and the pursuit policy in Oakland says we cannot pursue that suspect, we cannot engage that suspect. Reckless driving, someone who literally puts people's lives at risk, that occurs right in front of an officer in a vehicle, that officer cannot under this extreme pursuit policy here in Oakland pursue that suspect." In July, Newsom sent a letter to then-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, the City Council, and the Police Commission urging them to reconsider the policy. City Councilmember Kevin Jenkins told reporters at the press conference that with four new councilmembers beginning their terms in January, there is now overwhelming support to change the policy, which Newsom called an outlier not only in California but in the U.S. as well. Interim Mayor Nikki Fortunato Bas, who took over after Thao's recall, said in a prepared statement that she applauds Newsom's effort to extend the partnership with the Police Department and the CHP and welcomes the advice from the governor's team. "Over the past year, Oakland has dramatically reduced crime in all categories with an overall reduction of 34%. CHP's sustained presence in Oakland allows OPD to focus resources on responding to calls for service and addressing violent crime through our intelligence-based Ceasefire strategy," said Fortunato Bas. "We greatly appreciate the CHP's targeted enforcement of traffic violations, auto-theft, sideshows, and seizure of illegal guns and look forward to continuing this important partnership in 2025." Oakland Police Officers Association President Huy Nguyen welcomed the extension of the CHP deployments "to address surging crime in Oakland." "We look forward to Oakland elected and appointed leaders seeing what outsiders--such as the governor and visitors—see we need to fight crime and criminals," said Nguyen in a prepared statement. The CHP began its surge support in Oakland in February and in July, Newsom quadrupled the number of shifts CHP officers worked in the region , while also calling out former District Attorney Pamela Price who has also been recalled. The state has also installed 290 Flock security cameras in the city of Oakland and 190 cameras on East Bay freeways which have helped law enforcement in dozens of investigations, the Governor's Office said. Newsom also said he has directed the CHP to expand its efforts working with the Vallejo Police Department, where current staffing shortages are affecting public safety . In August, VPD said out of 137 sworn officer positions in Vallejo, only 73 were filled, and the department is also without a permanent police chief. In 2024, the CHP reports its surge operations in the Bay Area have allowed it to recover $13 million in stolen goods and arrest more than 1,400 suspects. The operations throughout the state targeted organized criminal behavior, gun violence, fentanyl distribution, and sideshows and street racing in Oakland, San Francisco, Bakersfield, and San Bernardino. Newsom pointed to new laws taking effect in 2025 that enhance penalties for retail theft, vehicle theft and sideshows that indicate the state is doubling down on its public safety and crime prevention strategies. The CHP's Organized Retail Crime Task Force, established in 2019 and expanded by Newsom in 2021, has recovered more than $51.3 million in stolen property since its inception, the Governor's Office saidNot for distribution to U.S. newswire services or dissemination in the United States TORONTO, Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NexGold Mining Corp. (" NexGold ”) ( TSXV: NEXG; OTCQX: NXGCF ) and Signal Gold Inc. ( " Signal Gold ”) (TSX: SGNL; OTCQB: SGNLF) are pleased to announce that, further to the companies' joint news releases dated October 10, 2024, October 23, 2024 and November 6, 2024, Signal Gold has exercised its upsize option and on December 10, 2024 closed an additional tranche (" Tranche 2 ”) of its previously announced oversubscribed concurrent financing of subscription receipts (" Hard Dollar Financing ”). Tranche 2 consisted of an issuance of an aggregate of 3,044,228 subscription receipts (" Subscription Receipts ”) at a price of $0.08705 per Subscription Receipt, for gross proceeds of $265,000.05. Together with the first tranche of the Hard Dollar Financing, the full Hard Dollar Financing consisted of an aggregate of 123,120,068 Subscription Receipts for aggregate gross proceeds of $10,717,601.92. The Hard Dollar Financing is being carried out in connection with the proposed plan of arrangement, pursuant to which NexGold will acquire all the shares of Signal Gold to create a near-term gold developer, advancing the Goliath Gold Complex Project (" Goliath Project ”) in Northern Ontario and the Goldboro Project (" Goldboro Project ”) in the historic Goldboro Gold District in Nova Scotia (the " Transaction ”). In addition, Signal Gold and NexGold are pleased to announce that today, the necessary conditions were satisfied and the Subscription Receipts automatically converted into units of Signal Gold (" NFT Units ”). Each NFT Unit is comprised of one common share of Signal Gold (a " NFT Share ”) and one-half of one common share purchase warrant of Signal Gold (each whole warrant, a " NFT Unit Warrant ”). Each NFT Unit Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one NFT Share at a price of $0.11818 for a period of 24 months following the date of issuance. The NFT Shares and NFT Unit Warrants will be adjusted in accordance with the Transaction, as applicable, for securities of NexGold. The net proceeds of the Hard Dollar Financing are expected to be used by the combined company to fund the retirement of certain debt, the exploration and advancement of the Goliath and Goldboro Projects and for working capital and general corporate purposes. In connection with the Hard Dollar Financing, Signal Gold paid finder's compensation to certain eligible finders comprised of cash payments and the issuance of an aggregate of 2,227,395 non-transferable finder's warrants (" Finder's Warrants ”) in respect of subscribers introduced to Signal Gold by such finders. The Finder's Warrants are exercisable to acquire one NFT Share at a price of $0.11818 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. The securities offered in the Hard Dollar Financing have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " U.S. Securities Act ”), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Debt Restructuring Further to the Companies' news release dated October 10, 2024, NexGold has agreed to the final terms with Nebari to complete a restructuring of NexGold and Signal Gold's respective debt facilities, which will significantly reduce the debt profile of the combined entity going forward, with the definitive documentation to be released from escrow immediately following the effectiveness of the Transaction. Pursuant to the transactions with Nebari, Signal Gold's outstanding credit facility of approximately US$20.8 million with Nebari and NexGold's US$6.2 million facility with Extract Capital will be repaid. A new US$12.0 million facility with Nebari will be implemented that will have a 30-month term with an interest rate of 11.4%, payable monthly in arrears and secured against both the Goliath and Goldboro Projects. Existing warrants associated with the Nebari facility with Signal Gold will be cancelled, and 3,160,602 new warrants will be issued to Nebari with an exercise price of $1.00 per NEXG Share with a term of 30 months. In addition, the transactions contemplate the granting of a 0.6% NSR on the Goldboro Project to Nebari for US$6.0 million, which includes a 100% buy-back right for the first 30 months at the Company's option. If the royalty is not repurchased during the 30-month period, then the royalty rate shall increase to 2.0%. The repurchase amount of the royalty shall be US$7.2 million (if exercised within the first 12 months), US$8.4 million (if exercised within the second 12 months), or US$9.6 million (if exercised within the last 6 months), plus certain additional adjustments for taxes up to a maximum amount of US$600,000. Subject to the mutual agreement of NexGold and Nebari and the prior acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange, the repurchase may be satisfied by the issuance of common shares of NexGold (the additional adjustment for taxes may also be satisfied by the issuance of common shares of NexGold at NexGold's election, provided it obtains the prior acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange). The proposed new loan and royalty, together with a proposed US$4.0 million equity placement with Nebari (the " Equity Placement ”) and certain proceeds from the Hard Dollar Financing, will be used to retire the existing debt. The Equity Placement will be comprised of the issuance of an aggregate of 8,000,000 common shares of the Company at an issue price of C$0.70 per share. Please refer to the October 10, 2024, October 23, 2024, and November 6, 2024 news releases for additional details regarding the Transaction and proposed debt restructuring to be carried out in connection with the Transaction. About NexGold Mining Corp. NexGold Mining Corp. is a gold-focused company with assets in Canada and Alaska. NexGold's Goliath Project (which includes the Goliath, Goldlund and Miller deposits) is located in Northwestern Ontario. The deposits benefit substantially from excellent access to the Trans-Canada Highway, related power and rail infrastructure and close proximity to several communities including Dryden, Ontario. For information on the Goliath Project, refer to the technical report, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, entitled 'Goliath Gold Complex - NI 43-101 Technical Report and Prefeasibility Study' and dated March 27, 2023, with an effective date of February 22, 2023, led by independent consultants Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. The technical report is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca , on the OTCQX at www.otcmarkets.com and on NexGold's website at www.nexgold.com . NexGold also owns several other projects throughout Canada, including the Weebigee-Sandy Lake Gold Project JV, and grassroots gold exploration property Gold Rock. In addition, NexGold holds a 100% interest in the high-grade Niblack copper-gold-zinc-silver VMS project, located adjacent to tidewater in southeast Alaska. NexGold is committed to inclusive, informed and meaningful dialogue with regional communities and Indigenous Nations throughout the life of all our Projects and on all aspects, including creating sustainable economic opportunities, providing safe workplaces, enhancing of social value, and promoting community well- being. Further details about NexGold are available on NexGold's website at www.nexgold.com . About Signal Gold Inc. Signal Gold is advancing the Goldboro Project in Nova Scotia, a significant growth project subject to a positive Feasibility Study which demonstrates an approximately 11-year open pit life of mine with average gold production of 100,000 ounces per annum and an average diluted grade of 2.26 grams per tonne gold. For further details, refer to the technical report entitled 'NI 43-101 Technical Report and Feasibility Study for the Goldboro Gold Project, Eastern Goldfields District, Nova Scotia' dated January 11, 2022, with an effective date of December 16, 2021. The technical report is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca , on the OTCQX at www.otcmarkets.com and on Signal Gold's website at www.signalgold.com . On August 3, 2022, the Goldboro Project received its environmental assessment approval from the Nova Scotia Minister of Environment and Climate Change, a significant regulatory milestone, and Signal Gold has now submitted all key permits including the Industrial Approval, Fisheries Act Authorization and Schedule 2 Amendment, and the Mining and Crown Land Leases. The Goldboro Project has significant potential for further Mineral Resource expansion, particularly towards the west along strike and at depth, and Signal Gold has consolidated 28,525 hectares (~285 km 2 ) of prospective exploration land in the Goldboro Gold District. For more information on Signal Gold, please visit Signal Gold's website at www.signalgold.com . Technical Disclosure and Qualified Persons Adam Larsen, B.Sc., P. Geo., Director of Exploration of NexGold, is a "qualified person” within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (" NI 43-101 ”) and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release regarding the Goliath Project on behalf of NexGold. Kevin Bullock, P. Eng., President, CEO and Director of Signal Gold, is a "qualified person” within the meaning of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release regarding the Goldboro Project on behalf of Signal Gold. Contact: President (250) 574-7350 Toll-free: +1-855-664-4654 [email protected] Chief Financial Officer (647) 697-2625 President & CEO (647) 388-1842 [email protected] Chief Financial Officer (647) 478-8104 [email protected] Certain information set forth in this news release contains "forward‐looking statements" and "forward‐looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and applicable United States securities laws (referred to herein as forward‐looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitutes forward‐looking statements which includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: completion of the proposed Transaction, including receipt of all necessary court, shareholder and regulatory approvals, and the timing thereof; and the combined company's intended use of the net proceeds from the Hard Dollar Financing. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "could", "would", "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "intend", "potential", "estimate", "budget", "scheduled", "plans", "planned", "forecasts", "goals" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of factors and assumptions made by management and considered reasonable at the time such information is provided. Assumptions and factors include: the successful completion of the Transaction (including receipt of all regulatory approvals, shareholder and third-party consents) and the debt restructuring documents being released from escrow; the ability of the combined company to complete its planned exploration programs; the absence of adverse conditions at mineral properties; and the price of gold remaining at levels that render mineral properties economic. Forward‐looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward‐looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks related to the Transaction, including, but not limited to, the ability to obtain necessary approvals in respect of the Transaction and to consummate the Transaction and the debt restructuring; general business, economic and competitive uncertainties; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; and management's ability to anticipate and manage the foregoing factors and risks. Although the companies have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are advised to study and consider risk factors disclosed in NexGold's and Signal Gold's annual information forms for the year ended December 31, 2023, available on www.sedarplus.ca. There can be no assurance that forward‐looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The companies undertake no obligation to update forward‐looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained herein are presented for the purposes of assisting investors in understanding the companies' plans, objectives and goals, including with respect to the Transaction, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward‐looking statements. This news release also contains or references certain market, industry and peer group data, which is based upon information from independent industry publications, market research, analyst reports, surveys, continuous disclosure filings and other publicly available sources. Although NexGold and Signal Gold believe these sources to be generally reliable, such information is subject to interpretation and cannot be verified with complete certainty due to limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other inherent limitations and uncertainties. NexGold and Signal Gold have not independently verified any of the data from third party sources referred to in this news release and accordingly, the accuracy and completeness of such data is not guaranteed. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.emas rich 9 。

Common ingredient in ‘healthy’ diet food could be increasing risk of strokeAs President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term, his approach to technology policy is becoming clearer, with significant implications for major tech companies and apps used daily by millions. Trump has long promised to crack down on big tech companies, filling his staff with individuals who share this vision. However, in recent weeks, Trump has been building relationships with industry leaders he has criticized for years. His inaugural fund has received million-dollar donations from Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, Jeff Bezos’ Amazon and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Elon Musk of X has even referred to himself as Trump’s “first buddy.” “I want to get ideas from them. Look, we want them to do well,” Trump said, indicating a willingness to engage with tech giants. Tech companies, particularly social media platforms, are aware of the potential challenges ahead. Trump has accused them of censoring conservative speech, and concerns over privacy and child safety are bipartisan issues in Congress. Scrutiny of the tech industry is expected to intensify. Brendan Carr, Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Communications Commission, has expressed a desire to change how the FCC operates. “For too long, you know, Republicans just sat by and said if a large corporation wants to do something, who are we to stand in the way? And Democrats said, well, they’re ideologically aligned with us, we’ll let them get away with it. I think that era is over,” Carr said. Carr has advocated for making it easier to sue social media companies over content moderation, a move platforms argue could force them to either moderate nothing or everything, drastically altering the internet landscape. TikTok also faces uncertainty, with its future in the U.S. potentially hinging on a Supreme Court decision unless President Joe Biden delays its sale deadline from its Chinese parent company. Trump has hinted at a possible reprieve, saying, “You know I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok because I won youth by 34 points and there are those that say that TikTok has something to do with that.” Google and Apple are also under scrutiny, with Gail Slater nominated to lead the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. Slater is expected to continue ongoing cases against these companies, which the DOJ claims engage in anti-competitive practices. When nominating Slater, Trump said, “Big Tech has run wild for years, stifling competition in our most innovative sector and, as we all know, using its market power to crack down on the rights of so many Americans, as well as those of Little Tech!” As Trump’s administration takes shape, the tech industry is left to wonder whether he will follow through on his plans to crack down on big tech or if collaboration with top executives will prevail.

“The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few metres from where we were — and the runway were damaged,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on the social media platform X. He added that he and UN colleagues were safe. “We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave,” he said. UN spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay later said the injured person was with the UN Humanitarian Air Service. Israel’s army later told The Associated Press it was not aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. The Israeli strikes followed several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel. The Israeli military in a statement said it attacked infrastructure used by the Iran-backed Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports in Hodeida, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib, along with power stations, asserting they were used to smuggle in Iranian weapons and for the entry of senior Iranian officials. Israel’s military added it had “capabilities to strike very far from Israel’s territory — precisely, powerfully, and repetitively”. The strikes, carried out over 1,000 miles from Jerusalem, came a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad’s regime and others learned” as his military has battled those more powerful proxies of Iran. The Houthi-controlled satellite channel al-Masirah reported multiple deaths and showed broken windows, collapsed ceilings and a bloodstained floor and vehicle. Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the strikes. The US military has also targeted the Houthis in recent days. The UN has said the targeted ports are important entry points for humanitarian aid for Yemen, the poorest Arab nation that plunged into a civil war in 2014. Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, while other missiles and drones have been shot down. Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor in what it says is an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The UN Security Council has an emergency meeting on Monday in response to an Israeli request that it condemn the Houthi attacks and Iran for supplying them with weapons.Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. And this wasn't on a whim: He knows how to play and even brought his own chess set. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. People began showing up almost immediately. Washington Square Park is a known spot for chess in New York — Bobby Fischer among others have famously played there, and it's been used for multiple movie scenes featuring the game. Wembanyama was there for an hour in the rain, from about 10-11 a.m. He played four games, winning two and losing two — he told Bleacher Report afterward that both of the losses were to professional chess players — before departing to catch the Spurs' flight. Wembanyama had been trying to get somewhere to play chess for the bulk of the team's time in New York — the Spurs played the Knicks on Christmas and won at Brooklyn on Friday night. The schedule never aligned, until Saturday morning. And even with bad weather, he bundled up to make it happen. He posed for photos with a couple of dozen people who showed up, braving a morning of cold rain to play chess with one of the NBA's biggest stars. “We need an NBA players only Chess tournament, proceeds go to the charity of choice of the winner,” he wrote on social media after his chess trip was over. Wembanyama is averaging 25.2 points and 10.1 rebounds this season, his second in the NBA after winning rookie of the year last season. The Spurs play at Minnesota on Sunday. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

NBA teams enjoy showing appreciation to their fan bases, particularly when it’s holiday time. Few teams in sports support their communities more fervently than the Miami Heat , who hosted their 33rd annual Thanksgiving Celebration on Thursday. The team collaborated with organizations to distribute 600 Thanksgiving baskets and also give 450 hot meals to underserved families throughout Miami-Dade County. Advertisement It’s hard for NBA teams to maximize five consecutive off days, but the Heat (6-7) found some solace in giving back and honing its relationship with the fans. Miami hasn’t played since Monday and won’t suit up again until Sunday. “There actually have been a lot of tears — tears of joy, tears of gratitude,” Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said Thursday. “This is our 33rd year doing this. ... It’s turned into more than it was 33 years ago. Now, it’s a festive party. “This is our backyard here, and to share on a day like this really is amazing.” Among other Heat luminaries in attendance: three-time All-Star Bam Adebayo , team president Pat Riley and Heat stalwarts Alonzo Mourning and Bob McAdoo. The spirit of giving in this holiday season👏 We hosted our 33rd annual Thanksgiving celebration at Miami Rescue Mission to provide meals for hundreds of underprivileged families in the community. pic.twitter.com/wsTIrR5oHV — Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 21, 2024 Earlier in the week, Adebayo hosted his “Bam, Books and Brotherhood Thanksgiving Twist” event in Liberty City, where dozens of families received Thanksgiving meals, side dishes, photo opportunities and autographs. He said he enjoys such events every year and will never get tired of doing them. Bam Adebayo, A’ja Wilson and Udonis Haslem arriving for the Bam, Books and Brotherhood Thanksgiving Twist here in Liberty City pic.twitter.com/oUsAfSnsbe — Clay Ferraro (@ClayWPLG) November 20, 2024 “You gotta really mean it when you say it,” Adebayo said. “We see a lot of people that give to the community, but they don’t be there. The biggest thing I learned about U.D. (Udonis Haslem): He was always on the frontline when he does community work. I feel like that’s the biggest representation you can have — you being there.” At this time of the year — between the dishes, high-spirited crowds and charitable moments — what was the best moment of the entire afternoon? Advertisement Riley, who earlier this week learned the Los Angeles Lakers will honor him with a statue , reflected on how important it is for Heat culture to be an extension of the NBA community, no matter the fan base or location. “I think it’s important for any organization, any business,” Riley said. “You create an environment in which everybody can flourish, and that becomes a shared vision within the organization. That doesn’t mean that a lot of people sometimes don’t agree with it, but everybody gets on board, and that’s what the important thing is. “The NBA is a giving league. I think every franchise — from the front office right on down to the players association — has this kind of spirit in their communities. ... A lot of people are going to have a great holiday because of this.” The Heat still play basketball, right? On Sunday, the Heat will host the Dallas Mavericks (8-7) in their first game since Monday’s double-digit win over the Philadelphia 76ers . The Heat have played only five home games thus far, the fewest in the NBA. They’re aiming to reach .500 again but have won three of of their last five. The biggest key to Miami’s turnaround? Since Nov. 10, the Heat are fifth in defensive rating after ranking 20th. They will seek to either maintain or improve that footing against Dallas, which will be without Luka Dončić , who is expected to miss at least the next week with a wrist injury. Dallas enters this matchup with three consecutive wins after losing a season-worst four straight. The Mavericks rank seventh in overall net rating despite being a game over .500. Last season, the Heat lost both regular-season meetings, including a 19-point loss the last time the Mavericks visited South Florida. Dončić and teammate Kyrie Irving combined for 54 points in that matchup, and the latter should be comfortable picking up the slack Sunday. Irving is second on his team in points per game (24.3) and is enjoying the most efficient season of his career (career-high 54.5 percent shooting, 53.8 percent from 3). Such potency undoubtedly will test Miami’s improved defense. Advertisement That could be an opportunity for either Jimmy Butler or Tyler Herro to carry Miami’s offense and avoid the game getting out of hand. Butler recently returned from a four-game absence with 30 points and 10 rebounds. In the two losses to Dallas last season, he averaged only 13 points. Herro is maintaining a career-high 24.2 points-per-game average, but he is shooting only 40.8 percent in his last three games. After Monday’s win, Butler jokingly called himself and Herro “1A and 1B” in terms of Miami’s scoring hierarchy. If both players catch fire on Sunday, it can help Miami reach .500 again, and the team (and its fans) could have a bit more to be grateful for as the holiday season unfolds. (Top photo: Issac Baldizon / Getty Images)FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys are shutting down CeeDee Lamb with two games remaining after their 2023 All-Pro receiver spent the second half of the season dealing with a sprained right shoulder. The team said Thursday that additional exams revealed enough damage to keep Lamb off the field Sunday at Philadelphia and in the final game at home against Washington. The team said surgery was not expected to be required. Dallas was eliminated from playoff contention a few hours before last weekend's 26-24 victory over Tampa Bay . The decision on Lamb means the Cowboys will finish the regular season with at least five former Pro Bowlers on injured reserve. Among the others are quarterback Dak Prescott, who was limited to eight games before a season-ending hamstring tear, and right guard Zack Martin. The seven-time All-Pro made it through 10 games before deciding on season-ending ankle surgery. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence didn't playing after Week 4 because of a foot injury, and cornerback Trevon Diggs battled a variety of injuries while playing 11 games before a knee injury ended his season. Lamb initially injured his right shoulder when it hit the turf hard twice in a 27-21 loss at Atlanta on Nov. 3. He kept playing and had at least 100 yards in each of his last two games — both victories — before getting shut down. The 25-year-old Lamb sat out the entire offseason and preseason in a contract dispute after getting career highs in catches (an NFL-best 135), yards receiving (club-record 1,749) and touchdowns (12) in 2023. The holdout finally ended with a $136 million, four-year extension in late August, but neither the Cowboys nor their star receiver could get that production going again this season. Dallas (7-8) is missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020, Lamb's rookie year. Lamb finishes the season with 101 catches for 1,194 yards and six TDs. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

NJ congressman throws kids under bus after his Springsteen-loaded Spotify list debunkedWASHINGTON—The White House on Dec. 12 sought to allay concerns over recent mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey, stating that they do not pose a threat to U.S. national security. “We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security, or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said during a press briefing. So far, no reported visual sighting has been corroborated, Kirby added. “To the contrary, upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully,” he said. Dozens of mysterious drones were first reported on Nov. 13 in Morris and Hunterdon counties, raising concern among residents and officials. Sightings have spread to more than a dozen areas, including Monmouth, Ocean, and Camden counties. Kirby said that the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are still investigating the sightings to determine their origin. The United States Coast Guard, which is also assisting with the investigation, has found no evidence of foreign involvement from coastal vessels. “And importantly, there are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted airspace,” Kirby said. Witnesses have reported that the drones were large, about the size of an SUV, and often traveled in groups. Part of the worry stemmed from the fact that the flying objects were initially spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, as well as near President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy told reporters on Dec. 9 that their technology appeared to be “very sophisticated.” “The minute you get eyes on them, they go dark,” he said. Following the White House press briefing, the FBI and DHS issued a statement saying that they continue to “investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings.” “Historically, we have experienced cases of mistaken identity, where reported drones are, in fact, manned aircraft or facilities,” the statement reads. Lawmakers and local officials have been expressing concerns and demanding more answers. Booker said he recognized “the need to maintain operational security of ongoing investigations” but urged the officials to release any available information in order to avoid spreading “rumors, fear, and misinformation.” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said on Dec. 12 that he expected to receive a classified briefing soon about the drone sightings, calling them “a quandary.” While law enforcement and other agencies have found no indication of malicious activity or intent at this stage, Kirby said the reported sightings expose a gap in threat prevention. He urged Congress to pass legislation that would “extend and expand existing counter drone authorities” so that the government can mitigate potential threats to airports or other critical infrastructure.