Takashi Murakami has the kind of childlike energy that only comes with age and wisdom. One part mad genius, another part curious kid, the prolific artist is one of the biggest names in his field. And – with his hotly anticipated collaboration with Louis Vuitton hitting stores in January – one of the biggest names in fashion. In hindsight, the artist’s first collaboration with the leather goods brand for spring/summer 2003 was a pivotal moment. It heralded high fashion’s diffusion into all parts of pop culture, and the blurring of lines between creativity and commerce that still defines the industry today. The smiling flowers and cartoon creatures that were splashed across the brand’s monogram bags came at a time when such collaborations were at the cutting edge – and before kawaii had entered the mainstream fashion lexicon. “I didn’t really know anything about fashion at that time,” he tells Vogue , speaking via video call from his huge, warehouse-like studio in Saitama, just north of Tokyo, where members of his staff mill about in the background. “For the first four years or so I was visiting Louis Vuitton’s headquarters quite frequently, so I remember it being a learning experience for me about how a brand is built,” he says, stroking his silver goatee. “Those 20 years have passed in the blink of an eye.” In the time since, the 62-year-old has settled into the easy swagger of a man who’s made his mark on the world. “I’m getting older, so I don’t get embarrassed about anything anymore or have any goals left that I want to achieve in the future,” he says. Back when he was tapped by Marc Jacobs to collaborate with Louis Vuitton, he was a well-known artist, but nowhere near the prolific icon he is today. “I used to feel ashamed when I turned up to a Louis Vuitton runway show in my shabby clothes, but nowadays I don’t care about that at all!” he laughs. His new collaboration is a re-edition of his first: the familiar flowers, Panda and his “Creatures from Planet 66” (cute characters with what looks like leaves for hair) are splashed across white and black rainbow-monogrammed bags, accessories, and even a skateboard. The Pochette, Speedy, cardholders, and more reappear, with some featuring hardware updates and ribbon-shaped bag charms. Naturally, there’s also a pet bag – what’s more Y2K than a portable chihuahua? The hype surrounding the collection has been frenetic – but Murakami says it wasn’t initially intended to be as big as it was. The secret ingredient? A certain actor and Louis Vuitton ambassador, who will be the face of the upcoming campaign for the collaboration. “It was supposed to be a capsule collection, pretty small, but when Zendaya appeared, I was like, wow!” says Murakami. “Her power is completely different, the energy she has is on another level.” Along with the re-up is a remastered version of Murakami’s film Superflat Monogram , featuring a protagonist schoolgirl who gets swallowed by the Panda and embarks on an Alice in Wonderland -style adventure through the artist’s variegated world of madness. “I wanted to create a story about kids entering the world of LV, and this is revisiting that,” he explains. Still, Murakami’s take on kawaii has a latent darkness that comes through in the spiky fangs, psychedelic colours and wild, disembodied cartoon eyes that populate his work. His famous rainbow flowers represent the hope that emerged in Japan following the aftermath of the atomic bombings. For the artist, the weirder, wackier elements are what he says appeals to kids precisely because they’re not patronising. “If I don’t incorporate some shadows somehow, kids will feel like they’re being made fun of. The world is a mess, full of desires. It’s illogical. Kids understand that.” Murakami himself is, at least in some ways, as unimpeachably positive as his flowers. At a time when many artists are worried about being replaced by AI, Murakami takes an optimistic view. “Photographers thought they’d disappear when smartphones took over, but of course they didn’t,” he says. “It’s inevitable that things change. At first, many designers, composers and other creatives might vanish, but they’ll come back – everyone gets bored.” Murakami is riding the wave. “If old people like me don’t use new technology, we’ll just forget everything, so now is the time to study AI,” he adds, laughing as he shares that he’s recently been using it to compose music. “Hurrah for AI!” Therein lies the eccentric curiosity that keeps Takashi Murakami’s work as relevant today as it was two decades ago. “Back in the early 2000s, I told Louis Vuitton that I wanted to bring their world to children in order to expand the market,” he says in summary of the collaboration. “Now, those children are grown up.” And what about Murakami himself? A mischievous grin crinkles his face. “I’ve never become an adult!”
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The St. Petersburg City Council reversed course Thursday on whether to spend more than $23 million to repair the hurricane-shredded roof of the Tampa Bay Rays' ballpark , initially voting narrowly for approval and hours later changing course. The reversal on fixing Tropicana Field came after the council voted to delay consideration of revenue bonds for a proposed new $1.3 billion Rays ballpark. Just two days before, the Pinellas County Commission postponed a vote on its share of the new stadium bonds, leaving that project in limbo. “This is a sad place. I'm really disappointed,” council chair Deborah Figg-Sanders said. “We won’t get there if we keep finding ways we can’t.” The Rays say the lack of progress puts the new stadium plan and the future of Tropicana Field in jeopardy. “I can't say I'm confident about anything,” Rays co-president Brian Auld told the council members. The Trop's translucent fiberglass roof was ripped to pieces on Oct. 9 when Hurricane Milton swept ashore just south of Tampa Bay. There was also significant water damage inside the ballpark, with a city estimate of the total repair costs pegged at $55.7 million. The extensive repairs cannot be finished before the 2026 season, city documents show. The Rays made a deal with the Yankees to play next season at 11,000-seat Steinbrenner Field, New York's spring training home across the bay in Tampa. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said MLB wants to give the Rays and Tampa-area politicians time to figure out a path forward given the disruption caused by the hurricane. Assuming Tropicana Field is repaired, the Rays are obligated to play there for three more seasons. “We’re committed to the fans in Tampa Bay,” Manfred said at an owners meeting. “Given all that’s happened in that market, we’re focused on our franchise in Tampa Bay right now.” The initial vote Thursday was to get moving on the roof portion of the repair. Once that's done, crews could begin working on laying down a new baseball field, fixing damaged seating and office areas and a variety of electronic systems — which would require another vote to approve money for the remaining restoration. The subsequent vote reversing funding for the roof repair essentially means the city and Rays must work on an alternative in the coming weeks so that Tropicana Field can possibly be ready for the 2026 season. The city is legally obligated to fix the roof. “I’d like to pare it down and see exactly what we’re obligated to do,” council member John Muhammad said. The city previously voted to spend $6.5 million to prevent further damage to the unroofed Trop. Several council members said before the vote on the $23.7 million to fix the roof that the city is contractually obligated to do so. “I don’t see a way out of it. We have a contract that’s in place,” council member Gina Driscoll said. “We’re obligated to do it. We are going to fix the roof.” The council had voted 4-3 to approve the roof repair. Members who opposed it said there wasn't enough clarity on numerous issues, including how much would be covered by the ballpark's insurance and what amount might be provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They also noted that city residents who are struggling to repair their homes and businesses damaged by hurricanes Helene and Milton are dismayed when they see so many taxpayer dollars going to baseball. “Why are we looking to expend so much money right away when there is so much uncertainty?” council member Richie Floyd said. The new Rays ballpark — now likely to open in 2029, if at all — is part of a larger urban renovation project known as the Historic Gas Plant District, which refers to a predominantly Black neighborhood that was forced out to make way for construction of Tropicana Field and an interstate highway spur. The broader $6.5 billion project would transform an 86-acre (34-hectare) tract in the city’s downtown, with plans in the coming years for a Black history museum, affordable housing, a hotel, green space, entertainment venues, and office and retail space. There’s the promise of thousands of jobs as well. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, a prime mover behind the overall project, said it's not time to give up. “We believe there is a path forward to success,” the mayor said. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
No. 7 Tennessee dispatches UT Martin to remain undefeatedAlphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Shares Purchased by Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc.Israel cracks down on Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza UMM AL-FAHM, Israel (AP) — In the year since the war in Gaza broke out, Israel's government has been cracking down on dissent among its Palestinian citizens. Authorities have charged Palestinians with “supporting terrorism” because of posts online or for demonstrating against the war. Activists and rights watchdogs say Palestinians have also lost jobs, been suspended from schools and faced police interrogations. Palestinians make up about 20% of Israel's population. Many feel forced to self-censor out of fear of being jailed and further marginalized in society. Others still find ways to dissent, but carefully. Israel's National Security Ministry counters that, “Freedom of speech is not the freedom to incite.” Israel says rabbi who went missing in the UAE was killed TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel says the body of of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found, citing Emirati authorities. The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Sunday said Zvi Kogan was murdered, calling it a “heinous antisemitic terror incident.” It said: “The state of Israel will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death." Kogan went missing on Thursday, and there were suspicions he had been kidnapped. His disappearance comes as Iran has been threatening to retaliate against Israel after the two countries traded fire in October. Israeli strike on Lebanese army center kills soldier, wounds 18 others BEIRUT (AP) — An Israeli strike on a Lebanese army center has killed one soldier and wounded 18 others, the Lebanese military said. Sunday's was the latest in a series of Israeli strikes that have killed over 40 Lebanese troops, even as the military has largely kept to the sidelines in the war between Israel and Hezbollah militants. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which has acknowledged mistakenly hitting Lebanese troops while saying they are not a target of its campaign against the militants. After Trump's Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key roles WASHINGTON (AP) — During the campaign, President-elect Donald Trump had hailed what would become Project 2025 as a conservative roadmap for “exactly what our movement will do." Trump pulled an about-face when Project 2025 became a political liability. He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans, even though some were written by his former aides and many allies. Now, after winning the 2024 election, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the effort he temporarily shunned. Trump has tapped Russell Vought for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as “border czar;” and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy. Trump's Republican Party is increasingly winning union voters. It's a shift seen in his labor pick WASHINGTON (AP) — Working-class voters helped Republicans make steady election gains this year and expanded a coalition that increasingly includes rank-and-file union members. It's a political shift spotlighting one of President-elect Donald Trump’s latest Cabinet picks: a GOP congresswoman, who has drawn labor support, to be his labor secretary. Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her bid for a second term this month, despite strong backing from union members. They're a key part of the Democratic base but are gravitating in the Trump era toward a Republican Party traditionally allied with business interests. Forecasts warn of possible winter storms across US during Thanksgiving week WINDSOR, Calif. (AP) — Forecasters in the U.S. have warned of another round of winter weather that could complicate travel leading up to Thanksgiving. California is bracing for more snow and rain this weekend while still grappling with some flooding and small landslides from a previous storm. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for California's Sierra Nevada through Tuesday, with heavy snow expected at high elevations. Thousands remained without power in the Seattle area on Saturday after a “bomb cyclone” storm system hit the West Coast earlier in the week, killing two people. Parts of the Northeast and Appalachia also began the weekend with heavy precipitation. Pakistan partially stops mobile and internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns” as supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan gear up for a protest in the capital. The government and Interior Ministry made the announcement on X, which is banned in Pakistan. Sunday's protest is to demand Khan's release. He has been in prison for more than a year but remains popular. His supporters rely heavily on social media and messaging apps to coordinate with each other. Pakistan has already sealed off Islamabad and shut down major roads and highways connecting the city with Khan's power bases. Here's what to know about the new funding deal that countries agreed to at UN climate talks BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — In the wee hours Sunday at the United Nations climate talks, countries from around the world reached an agreement on how rich countries can cough up the funds to support poor countries in the face of climate change. But it’s a far-from-perfect arrangement, with many parties still unsatisfied but hopeful that the deal will be a step in the right direction. Japan holds Sado mines memorial despite South Korean boycott amid lingering historical tensions SADO, Japan (AP) — Japan has held a memorial ceremony near the Sado Island Gold Mines despite a last-minute boycott of the event by South Korea that highlighted tensions between the neighbors over the issue of Korean forced laborers at the site before and during World War II. South Korea’s absence at Sunday’s memorial, to which Seoul government officials and Korean victims’ families were invited, is a major setback in the rapidly improving ties between the two countries, which since last year have set aside their historical disputes to prioritize U.S.-led security cooperation. Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83 NEW YORK (AP) — Chuck Woolery, the affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster, skewering liberals and accusing the government of lying about COVID-19, has died. He was 83. Mark Young, Woolery’s podcast co-host and friend, said in an email early Sunday that Woolery died at his home in Texas with his wife, Kristen, present. Woolery, with his matinee idol looks, coiffed hair and ease with witty banter, was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. He teamed up with Young for the podcast “Blunt Force Truth” and became a full supporter Donald Trump.
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Londynn Jones scored 15 points, making all five of her 3-pointers, and fifth-ranked UCLA stunned No. 1 South Carolina 77-62 on Sunday, ending the Gamecocks’ overall 43-game winning streak and their run of 33 consecutive road victories. The Gamecocks (5-1) lost for the first time since April 2023, when Caitlin Clark and Iowa beat them in the NCAA Tournament national semifinals. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a weekThe Allan government was urged to fast-track major electricity transmission line projects or risk years of substantial increases to household bills if the state’s coal-fired power stations closed before the projects were completed. A Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action report warned that current trends of delays to the high-voltage projects along with early closures of coal power exposed Victorians to significant bill shock. A protest against the KerangLink transmission project was mowed into a field last year. Credit: Glenden Watts It made the case for accelerating Marinus Link, a new connection to Tasmania due for completion in 2030, and KerangLink, which provides a new connection between Victoria and NSW that is due to be finished in 2032. KerangLink will mean power stored by the Snowy 2.0 hydropower project can be siphoned to Victoria and power generated by Victoria’s new wind farms can be sent north, improving the reliability of the grid. The 2022 report, obtained by the state opposition under freedom-of-information laws and provided to The Age, found if the projects were completed even one year later, the increase to household energy bills would be $48 annually, or $717 over 15 years between 2026 and 2040. A four-year delay would add $321 annually to power bills or $4816 over 15 years, according to the Endgame Economics modelling. Since the report was written, Marinus Link is now expected to be delivered by 2032 — two years later than modelled. KerangLink is still forecast to be finalised by the end of this decade but has been beset by community and political opposition. The extra costs for consumers would largely be driven by the cost of having to import more energy from interstate. The department said this showed “the importance of accelerating against KerangLink to protect against unexpected project delays and provide the best chance of delivery before all coal is closed in Victoria”. Although at least one generator in Victoria has indicated it will stay open until 2035, the Australian Energy Market Operator expects coal to exit the grid sooner and has warned that premature closures pose a serious danger. The Victorian department’s report noted many transmission projects in Australia were running behind schedule, with delays of at least a year since they were included in AEMO’s 2018 reports. Accelerating KerangLink, also known as Victoria to NSW Interconnector West, could provide a buffer for any project delays or the earlier exit of coal, it said. Because Victoria is home to the nation’s largest and oldest brown coal stations, the bill impacts of this “shock scenario” were more than double compared with those in other states in the National Electricity Market — NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia – and in the ACT. The report noted that bringing the project forward would also reduce the time available for early community engagement and warned that those consequences should be minimised. State opposition energy spokesman David Davis said the Allan government should have better planned for the risks, including allowing time for consultation. “Instead, Labor has botched energy policy in Victoria and now, in a rush, is seeking to cover its own tracks by shortcuts on consultation and bulldozing landowners,” Davis said. “By dithering and through their incompetence, Labor have got themselves in a corner and Victorian families are being asked to pay the price.” The Coalition has not formally said it would scrap the KerangLink project, but it has previously tried to block planning laws that paved the way for it. Last year Nationals leader Peter Walsh called for it to be abandoned as his party argued it was unnecessary and expensive. The Nationals recently urged landholders to hold out when negotiating deals for compensation. Stephanie Bashir, chief executive of energy advisory firm Nexa Advisory, said the high-voltage transmission line projects started off on the wrong foot with communities through a false assumption they would accept them. “That was a very wrong assumption, and it’s been basically paddling ever since to try and get communities and the broader public on board with the transition,” she said. Bashir said planning and approvals now needed to be urgently expedited so the transmission lines could be shovel-ready within 12 months to ensure renewables could be built and connected before coal power plant closures. “The key thing to manage the impact on consumer bills is to get the transition done on time,” Bashir said. “Unplanned outages and sudden closures of coal mean high prices.” She said it was not viable to keep extending the life of ageing coal-powered stations and that delays would mean importing expensive gas as a back-up. Victoria is expected to contribute $1.6 billion towards KerangLink, which would add $9 a year to household bills. Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said Victoria’s coal-fired power stations were increasingly unreliable. “That’s why we’re building renewable energy projects for our future and the transmission needed to deliver cheaper, more reliable power to all Victorians. “The Liberal-Nationals energy policy is the same anti-renewables plan they implemented when they were last in government.” Through VicGrid, the government is creating funds for landowners and communities that host new renewable energy infrastructure such as KerangLink. The Australian Energy Market Operator received more than 500 submissions while consulting on KerangLink options for six weeks. Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter .
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Dominic Zvada kicked a 21-yard field goal with 45 seconds left and Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday, likely ending the Buckeyes ’ hopes of returning to the Big Ten title game. Kalel Mullings broke away for a 27-yard run, setting up the Wolverines (7-5, 5-4) at Ohio State's 17-yard line with two minutes remaining in the game. The drive stalled at the 3, and Zvada came on for the chip shot. Ohio State (10-2, 7-2, No. 2 CFP) got the ball back but couldn't move it, with Will Howard throwing incomplete on fourth down to seal the Wolverines' fourth straight win over their bitter rival. “You come to Michigan to play this game,” Zvada said. “So, it's the biggest one of the year. It's the one that everyone looks forward to, and to be able to come in here and take the win, it's amazing.” This Ohio State loss in the “The Game” might have been the toughest of the past four because Michigan was unranked and wrapping up a disappointing season. The Wolverines were also playing without a couple of top players: tight end Colston Loveland and cornerback Will Johnson. The Buckeyes were favored by 21 points, the widest point spread for this rivalry since 1978, according to ESPN Stats and Info. Records — and point spreads, for that matter — rarely mean much when these two teams meet. “Our defense played outstanding," Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said. "We held a high-powered offense to 10 points, 77 rushing yards.” The Buckeyes were off all afternoon. Howard was 19 for 33 for 175 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions and Jayden Fielding missed two field-goal attempts. The run game was hardly there. “It's hard, man,” an emotional Howard said. “I really don’t have much right now. I do know we're a two-loss team. We're going to get into the playoffs and make a run. But, I mean, this one hurts.” Mullings was Michigan's primary weapon. He rushed for 116 yards and the Wolverines only touchdown of the game in the first half as neither team could get much going offensively on the frigid afternoon. “They made plays, we made plays, so as the game wore on you could definitely, slowly feel them starting to lose confidence, lose that energy and lose that faith,” Mullings said. Howard was clunky all day. In the first half he threw an interception from deep in his own territory that led to Michigan's touchdown. He went out for a play in the second quarter to be checked for a head injury. After the game, he said he was fine. “We're very disappointed, and never thought this would happen right here,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “We expected to win this game and go play in the Big Ten championship game.” After the game, Michigan players attempted to plant their flag at midfield and were confronted by Ohio State players. A skirmish ensued as both teams pushed and shoved before being separated. Michigan: Did just enough and caught Ohio State on an off day. Ohio State: It's inexplicable how badly the Buckeyes played in their biggest game of the season. They would need No. 4 Penn State and No. 10 Indiana to lose later Saturday in order to make it into the Big Ten title game next week. There has been talk all season about how many of the Ohio State team leaders, including receiver Emeka Egbuka, running back TreVeyon Henderson and defensive end Jack Sawyer, chose to return for another year instead of entering the NFL draft because they wanted to beat Michigan at least once. Those players were inconsolable after the game. One of them, linebacker Cody Simon, was asked how he felt. “I just can't speak that right now,” Simon said. “I feel like we let the whole Buckeye nation down.” Michigan will wait for a minor bowl game. Ohio State, assuming either Penn State or Indiana wins on Saturday, will see how the final College Football Playoff rankings shakeout on Dec. 8. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25HALIFAX — A day after Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston led the Progressive Conservatives to a massive majority win, the Liberals were licking their wounds and wondering why their party was almost wiped off the political map. On Wednesday morning, once all the ballots were counted, the incumbent Tories had secured 43 of the 55 seats in the legislature, an increase of nine. The NDP won nine seats, an increase of three, and the Liberals fell to only two seats, a dozen less than when the campaign started. One Independent candidate held her seat — a first for the province. Liberal Leader Zach Churchill, a 40-year-old former cabinet minister, lost his seat after a long, see-saw battle with his Tory rival in the riding of Yarmouth — Churchill's hometown on Nova Scotia's southwestern shore. The Liberals had to give up their role as official opposition and the party barely held on to official party status. "At the end of the day, this falls on my shoulders," Churchill said afterwards. "This loss belongs to me and me alone." But it would be wrong to blame Churchill for his party's collapse at the polls, says Tom Urbaniak, a political science professor at Cape Breton University in Sydney, N.S. "Zach Churchill was dealing with a damaged Liberal brand — damaged in large part by the current standing of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau," Urbaniak said in an interview Wednesday, adding that Houston took advantage of that weakness. "(Churchill) was portrayed as Justin Trudeau's junior protege. And that stuck with some Nova Scotians." Throughout the campaign, Houston and his Tory colleagues tried to link Trudeau — whose Liberals are trailing the federal Tories by about 20 points in the polls — with Churchill, a well-spoken career politician who was elected to lead the provincial party in July 2022. "We know Zach Churchill defends his federal cousins at every turn,” provincial Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Kent Smith said in a statement early in the campaign. “Once again, when Zach Churchill had the choice to stand up for Nova Scotians or stand with Justin Trudeau, he chose Trudeau.” Churchill was also hobbled by a relatively low provincial profile, Urbaniak said. Despite the fact that he had held the riding of Yarmouth for the past 14 years and served in the cabinet of former Liberal premier Stephen McNeil, Churchill failed to leave much of an impression on the electorate, he said. Part of the problem was that McNeil, who served as premier from 2013 to 2021, rarely let his ministers spend much time in the limelight. "Stephen McNeil, at times, ran a one-person government," the professor said. "The premier made the big decisions .... That came back to hurt Zach Churchill." As well, Houston's decision to call an early election also stung the Liberals and the NDP, both of which were still nominating candidates when the campaign started. On another front, the Liberals in southwestern Nova Scotia were hurt by the fact that residents in several fishing communities had long complained about what they said was the federal Liberal government's failure to stop the illegal fishing of lobsters and baby eels. "The perceived federal mismanagement was a factor in some ridings," Urbaniak said, pointing to the Acadian riding of Clare, which had been held by the Liberals for the past 31 years. Liberal candidate Ronnie LeBlanc, a local fisherman, lost the riding to rookie Tory candidate Ryan Robicheau on Tuesday night by more than 1,000 votes. During the campaign, Churchill promised to establish an inquiry into illegal fishing, but voters on the South Shore were unimpressed. The Tories won all nine ridings in the region. It was Churchill's first election as leader. On Tuesday night, he declined to say if he would stay in the role. Neither Churchill nor Houston were available for an interview Wednesday. As for the NDP, party leader Claudia Chender said she was looking forward to taking on the large Tory majority. "I think what we take away from being the official Opposition is that people are looking for a strong voice and they are looking for a different voice,” said Chender, a 48-year-old lawyer. It was also her first election as leader. She said her priorities include pushing for more protection for renters, and reducing the number of people still seeking a doctor. The three additional seats won by the NDP are all in the Halifax area, part of the party’s traditional power base. Chender said the election results showed her party has room to grow, particularly along the South Shore and in Cape Breton. “In many ridings across this province there were tight two- or three-way races and we are building,” she said. “I think that work has started and will continue.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2024. Michael MacDonald, The Canadian Press
No. 5 UCLA stuns top-ranked South Carolina in 15-point blowout to snap Gamecocks' 43-game win streak - Yahoo Sports
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions spent three months scoring at a historic rate. Now with the weather changing outside, they’re winning with old school football, too. Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for two scores , David Montgomery added a third TD run and Detroit's increasingly stingy defense kept the Indianapolis Colts out of the end zone on Sunday, leading the Lions to their ninth straight win, 24-6. “This is, whatever it is, 10 quarters without allowing a touchdown and the three last games in the second half we're not allowing it,” coach Dan Campbell said. “We talk about it all the time — limiting points, play physical style, shut down the run — we were able to do that.” They've been doing it all season in their greatest run in decades, but have been more effective lately and it has shown. The Lions improved to 10-1 for the first time since 1934, their inaugural season in the Motor City. They own the league's longest active winning streak and are 6-0 on the road this season. While the Lions have scored points by the dozens all season, Campbell's preference for physical football means they're equally capable of grinding out wins with the combination of a ball-control offense and an ascending defense that propelled them to this win. Gibbs finished with 21 carries for 90 yards on a day Goff went 26 of 36 with 269 yards and no touchdowns. And for the third straight week, all against AFC South foes, the Lions had a second-half shutout. “If you can win on the road, you're normally a pretty damn good team,” Campbell said. “And we can win on the road.” The Colts (5-7) found out the hard way by losing their second straight home game and for the fourth time in their past five games. Anthony Richardson had another up-and-down game , going 11 of 28 with 172 yards while rushing 10 times for 61 yards. But it was Indy's inability to finish drives with touchdowns that again cost the team. That flaw was evident right from the start when Richardson took the Colts inside the Lions 5-yard line on the game's first series and settled for a short field goal when they couldn't punch it in. “We've got to take advantage of our opportunities,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said. “This league comes down to inches, it comes down to yards and you've got to take advantage of those opportunities. We've had issues down in the red zone and you have to look at the tape and clean it up.” Detroit made Indy pay dearly for its offensive miscues. Gibbs' 1-yard TD run on the Lions' second series made it 7-3 early in the second quarter and after Indy settled for another short field goal, Montgomery spun his way across the goal line for a 6-yard TD and a 14-6 lead. Detroit's defense made sure that was all the scoring punch it needed. “Those players, we've been around each other long enough, they've been around each other to know exactly what we're looking for,” Campbell said. “We have an identity about us. We know the critical factors as they pertain to winning, and those guys take that stuff serious.” Gibbs' 5-yard TD run late in the third quarter gave Detroit a 21-6 lead and they closed it out with a 56-yard field goal midway through the fourth. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught six passes for 62 yards for Detroit while Michael Pittman Jr. had six catches for 96 yards for Indy despite leaving briefly in the first half with an injured shoulder. Gibbs' first score extended Detroit's league record to 25 consecutive games with a TD run, including the playoffs. He's also the third Lions player with 1,000 scrimmage yards and 10 TDs in each of his first two pro seasons with Detroit, joining Billy Sims and Barry Sanders. Gibbs and Montgomery have each scored at least one TD in the same game nine times. Lions: Things got ugly during a third-quarter flurry. Receiver-punt returner Kalif Raymond (foot), left tackle Taylor Decker (right leg) and Montgomery (shoulder) all left in quick succession. Raymond and Montgomery did not return. Decker did. CB Carlton Davis II left early in the fourth with what appeared to be a left knee injury. Colts: Indy deactivated left tackle Bernhard Raimann (knee), forcing the Colts to again use three rookie linemen. Receivers Ashton Dulin (ankle) and Josh Downs (shoulder) both left in the second half. Downs returned, Dulin did not. Lions: Host Chicago in its traditional Thanksgiving Day game. Colts: Visit New England next Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
NZ’s bold investment in geothermal will pay off