Map shows 'hotspot' crime area as police make plea to parentsNone
NATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russia's attack with new hypersonic missileCelebrity-inspired Thanksgiving recipes, plus last-minute holiday meal ideasThe double and triple coverage he continually faces, after all, is a sign of immense respect for his game-breaking ability. The strategy also simply makes sense. “I would do the same," Jefferson said. "It’s either let everybody else go off or let Justin go off. I’m going to let everybody else go off. That would be my game plan.” When the Vikings visit Chicago on Sunday, they're expecting the usual heavy dose of split-safety coverage designed to put a lid on the passing attack and force them to operate primarily underneath. “We see that every week: Teams just have different tendencies on film, and then when we go out on the field they play us totally different,” Jefferson said, later adding: “I don’t really feel like anyone else is getting played how I’m getting played.” Jefferson nonetheless is second in the NFL in receiving yards (912) behind Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase, his former college teammate at LSU. Last week, Jefferson set yet another all-time record by passing Torry Holt for the most receiving yards over the first five seasons of a career. Holt logged 80 regular-season games and accumulated 6,784 yards for St. Louis. Jefferson has 6,811 yards — in just 70 games. “I want to go up against those single coverages. I want to go have my opportunities to catch a deep pass downfield, just one-on-one coverage, like a lot of these other receivers get," Jefferson said. "It’s definitely difficult going up against an extra person or an extra two people, but it is what it is and the concepts that we’re drawing up and the ways that we’re trying to get me open, it definitely helps.” With fellow tight end Josh Oliver ruled out of the game on Sunday because of a sprained ankle, T.J. Hockenson is certain to have his heaviest workload since returning from knee surgery four weeks ago. He's also certain that Jefferson will continue to see persistent double-teams. “It puts it on us to make some plays and do some things to get them out of that,” Hockenson said. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell has been forced to dig deeper into the vault of play designs and game plans to help keep quarterback Sam Darnold and the offense on track. O'Connell said after Minnesota's 12-7 win at Jacksonville, when Darnold threw three interceptions to precipitate a safer strategy down the stretch, that he superseded his play-calling role with the wisdom of a head coach to help win that game. "Not just the egomaniac of wanting to score points and constantly show everybody how smart we are. There was a mode that I think you have to go into sometimes to ensure a victory,” O'Connell said on his weekly show on KFAN radio. Taking what the defense gives is usually the shrewdest strategy. “You’ve got to really implement some new things and some things that maybe you didn’t come across during your early coaching years whether as a coordinator or position coach or even when you’re responsible for a small area of the game plan as a younger coach," O'Connell said. "You really have to kind of look outside the lens of always what you see on tape.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Romanians started voting on Sunday in the first round of a presidential election that may give hard-right politician George Simion a chance of winning, with voters focused on high living costs and the country’s support for Ukraine. Opinion surveys show leftist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, 56, leader of Romania’s largest party, the Social Democrats, will make it into the run-off vote on Dec 8, with Simion, 38, of the Alliance for Uniting Romanians the likely runner-up. About 3.7 million Romanians, or 20.7% of registered voters in the European Union and NATO state, had cast their ballots across the country by 1045 GMT, data showed. Voting ends at 1900 GMT with exit polls to follow immediately. Voting by Romanians abroad, who can influence the result and where the hard right leader is popular, began on Friday. Analysts expect Ciolacu to win the second round against Simion, appealing to moderates and touting his experience running Romania during a war next door. But the prospect of a Ciolacu-Simion run-off vote could mobilise centre-right voters in favour of Elena Lasconi, leader of opposition Save Romania Union, ranked third in opinion surveys, analysts said. Simion has cast the election as a choice between an entrenched political class beholden to foreign interests in Brussels and himself, an outsider who will defend Romania’s economy and sovereignty. He opposes military aid to Ukraine and supports a peace plan as envisioned by US President-elect Donald Trump, whom he admires, and would support a government that emulates that of Italy’s Giorgia Meloni. “We want peace, the war must end so we stop being afraid,” 76-year-old Valentin Ion said after voting in Bucharest. “Politicians must be more understanding and give money to the needy.” Romania has the EU’s largest share of people at risk of poverty. Ciolacu’s coalition government of his Social Democrats (PSD) and centre-right Liberals has raised the minimum wage and increased pensions twice this year, but high budget spending has swollen deficits and kept inflation high. “I am taking my parents and my children to go vote for PSD, it is the best party, Marcel Ciolacu gave us so much,” said Vasile Popa, 46. Since Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, Romania has enabled the export of millions of tons of grain through its Black Sea port of Constanta and provided military aid, including the donation of a Patriot air defence battery. “The outcome is still very difficult to predict due to the high concentration of candidates and the splitting of the centre-right vote,” said Sergiu Miscoiu, a political science professor at Babes-Bolyai University. Most candidates, he said, have campaigned on conservative messages such as protecting family values. “Mainstream party candidates have a very catch-all message, on the one hand the nation, the army, religion and so on. On the other hand, we see a commitment to Europe, although it is seen more as a revenue source than an inspiration for values.” Outgoing two-term president Klaus Iohannis, 65, had cemented Romania’s strong pro-Western stance but was accused of not doing enough to fight corruption. Romania’s president, limited to two five-year terms, has a semi-executive role which includes heading the armed forces.
BERLIN (AP) — Harry Kane scored a hat trick including two penalties for Bayern Munich to beat Augsburg 3-0 in the Bundesliga on Friday. The win stretched Bayern’s lead to eight points ahead of the rest of the 11th round, and Kane took his goals tally to a league-leading 14. The England forward is the fastest player to reach 50 goals in the Bundesliga in what was his 43rd game. However, coach Vincent Kompany should be concerned by his team’s ongoing difficulty of scoring in matches it dominates. Bayern previously defeated St. Pauli and Benfica only 1-0. Kompany’s team had to wait until stoppage time before Kane sealed the result with his second penalty. Two minutes later, Kane scored with a header after controlling Leon Goretzka's cross with his first touch for a flattering scoreline. “We had to be patient,” Kane said. “And at halftime that’s what we said, to keep doing what we’re doing. We had a few chances in the first half and we just had to be a bit more clinical and obviously, thankfully, we got the penalty to kind of open the game up.” Mads Pedersen was penalized for handball following a VAR review and Kane duly broke the deadlock in the 63rd. Bayern continued as before with 80% possession, but had to wait for Keven Schlotterbeck to be penalized through VAR for a foul on Kane. Kane sealed the result in the third minute of stoppage time and there was still time for him to grab another. It’s Bayern’s seventh consecutive win without conceding a goal since it conceded four at Barcelona (4-1) on Oct. 23 in the Champions League. “You can see now that we have a solid defense and that's the basis, also in games like today's,” Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich said. “When it's a game of patience, then it's important for us to know that sometimes one goal will have to do. Like today we added two more before the finish, but in the end you only need to score one more than the opponent.” Bayern next hosts Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, then Borussia Dortmund away in the Bundesliga next weekend, before defending champion Bayer Leverkusen visits in the third round of the German Cup. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerHegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the Senate
Ramaco Resources, Inc. Announces Initial 2025 Guidance; First Quarter 2025 Class A Dividend; Fourth Quarter 2024 Dividend DetailsNASA's stuck astronauts hit 6 months in space. Just 2 more to goA helmet with a quick-release mechanism. Updated testing standards will allow motorcycle helmets with such a mechanism to be approved in Singapore. SINGAPORE – When content creator Winston Chuang rides his motorcycle across the border each week, he dreads having to fumble with the chin strap of his helmet when he removes it to clear immigration – first on the Singapore side, and once more before entering Malaysia. Motorcyclists like Mr Chuang, 42, have reason to cheer after recently revised national standards for motorcycle helmets look set to pave the way for quick-release chin strap mechanisms to be approved for use here. Announced on Oct 19 at the National Bikers Weekend, a mass motorcycle event at the Changi Exhibition Centre, the change means such helmets can be approved for use here if they pass tests done in Singapore. Helmets have to be tested before they are approved for use on the roads here. At present, the tests include determining the strength of chin straps and that of helmets against penetration, and how well a helmet’s visor allows light to pass through. The revised standards were published by trade agency Enterprise Singapore’s standards division in November. The respective regulators will make the final assessment of what goes into their regulations. Enterprise Singapore and the Traffic Police did not disclose how or when the revised standards will be rolled out when asked by The Straits Times. Quick-release mechanisms latch like the seat-belt buckle in cars, eliminating the inconvenience of threading a helmet’s chin strap through two D-shaped metal rings. Mr Rex Tan, co-convener of a working group tasked with reviewing the standards for motorcycle helmets, said such mechanisms are quick and convenient, even when a motorcyclist is wearing riding gloves. The updated specifications bring them in alignment with the latest regulations set by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in 2021. This means that helmets that comply with UNECE regulations – including those with quick-release chin straps – will pass the tests in Singapore. The standards, which are unique to Singapore, were last revised in 2014. Importers here said that because the 2014 requirements differed from recognised standards adopted in places such as Europe or the US, it was not a given that a helmet complying with these overseas standards will pass the tests in Singapore. They also said that because Singapore is not a large market for helmets, manufacturers do not typically engineer helmets specific to the country’s requirements. Quick-release mechanisms latch like the seat-belt buckle in cars, eliminating the inconvenience of threading a helmet’s chin strap through two D-shaped metal rings. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Owing to how the Singapore tests were designed under earlier standards, helmets with quick-release mechanisms tend to fail the tests. As such, importers said they did not try to bring in such helmets. That is why the large majority of approved helmets here are D-ring ones. Mr Aldrich Jai Kishen, a youth social worker who rides a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, welcomed the updated standards. The 30-year-old is looking forward to a greater variety of good-quality helmets being made available. Mr Chuang, the content creator, believes that the convenience of quick-release mechanisms will also encourage riders – especially those who travel short distances – to wear their helmets securely before setting off. “Think about the food delivery rider, whose rides can be so short, shuttling from one location to the next, and taking their helmets on and off so frequently,” he said. “Instead of just wearing their helmet loosely, even not bothering to hook up the D-rings, they can just snap the quick release. It will be so easy.” The industry-led Singapore Standards Council, with the support of Enterprise Singapore, started the working group in March 2023 to look into updating the specifications for motorcycle helmets. It comprises representatives from the public and private sectors, and the Traffic Police. In response to ST’s queries on the reasons for the review, a spokesperson for Enterprise Singapore said all Singapore standards are reviewed periodically to “keep pace with changes and developments in the industry”. “These reviews are conducted in conjunction with relevant stakeholders from the public and private sectors,” the spokesperson added. The Traffic Police told ST that the review was to maintain the currency of the motorcycle helmet standard, and ensure motorcyclists continue to be accorded the best protection against accidents. In addition, the latest review removes the need for a penetration test, where a spike is dropped onto the upper part of a helmet to see if it can be punctured. This is also not part of UNECE regulations. The working group said helmets that pass the current penetration test tend to be heavier, and there has been no record over the past two decades of traffic accidents that resulted in penetrative head trauma. The working group’s Mr Tan, who helms the Singapore Motor Cycle Trade Association, said the organisation is also working with the authorities to seek alternative certification procedures that do not involve destroying samples in every batch of helmets due for approval. This batch-testing requirement adds to the cost of making helmets available to consumers, he said. Importers said the batch tests now cost them around $2,200 for each batch of helmets they bring in, which can comprise up to 100 pieces. When approval is granted, it applies only to helmets of the same brand and model within the same shipment. Mr Tan said the lower cost of making helmets available if this requirement is changed can then be passed on to customers in the form of lower retail prices. This will, in turn, encourage consumers to buy their helmets from official sources in Singapore, rather than turn to online shops, which could be parallel importers that sell non-approved versions at lower prices. At present, parallel-imported helmets are not tested locally for approval. Mr Tan said it is common for bikers to go to a physical shop to try out a helmet before going online to buy versions of the helmet that have not been approved. “There is no guarantee that the helmets from these shops are genuine. This puts the safety of the users at risk,” he added. The Traffic Police said 156 motorcyclists were caught wearing non-approved helmets between January and October. The offence carries a maximum fine of $1,000 or a jail term of up to three months, or both. Repeat offenders can be fined up to $2,000 or jailed for up to six months, or both. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now
Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced the Fence Line Fairness Act Wednesday, legislation which would create a formal mediation process for land boundary disputes between landowners and the United States Forest Service. About 2.6 million acres in South Dakota are federally owned, 76% of which are managed by the USFS. Congress has authorized land agencies to offer leases to local producers to use the land in a way that supports economic activity while also preserving natural resources, such as grazing or mining. Many producers who obtain these leases also have private land that borders USFS land, which is typically where boundary disputes arise, according to a press release from Rounds' office. The Fence Line Fairness Act would create a committee made up of appointed producers, tasked with mediating disputes and providing recommendations to both the agency and involved producers. The committee would be made up of producers from the state, two of which are appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and three of which are appointed by the state’s Department of Agriculture or Natural Resources. “Landowners deserve a proper notice and review process involving land disputes with the federal government,” Rounds said. “My legislation would create a committee made up of local farmers and ranchers appointed by both the federal and state Departments of Agriculture. This gives local landowners a fighting chance at settling a dispute before it escalates.” This legislation is supported by South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, R-CALF USA, Public Lands Council and United States Cattlemen’s Association. "The U.S. Cattlemen's Association commends the work of Senator Rounds for working to protect ranchers from the lengthy timelines that come with mediation of federal disputes,” said Justin Tupper, President of the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association. “The Fence Line Fairness Act would help producers resolve disputes in a more fair, timely, and local manner. This is the beginning of a larger conversation about the rights of landowners on or adjacent to public lands. We support this bill and hope for its inclusion in the next Farm Bill."None
Good neighbors collaborate for the 23rd year to make a difference for others on Thanksgiving Day in EdgewaterEldorado Gold Releases Updated Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Statement; 2024 Gold ...
Reports: Bill Belichick interviews for North Carolina jobThe draft State Budget for 2025 aims to ensure financial, economic and social stability while advancing Oman’s long-term development goals under the 10th Five-Year Plan and Oman Vision 2040. This was emphasised during a session of Majlis A’Shura on Sunday, which hosted H E Sultan Salim al Habsi, Minister of Finance, to discuss his ministry’s budget statement. H E Habsi outlined the fact that the 2025 budget is designed to enhance non-oil revenue growth, improve public spending efficiency and reduce public debt to support economic sustainability. “Our objective is to maintain stability while ensuring continued investment in essential services such as education, health and housing. We also aim to stimulate economic growth by fostering businesses and projects that contribute to economic diversification,” he stated. The minister noted that financial measures implemented since 2020, combined with higher oil prices, have significantly improved Oman’s economic and financial indicators. He pointed to a reduction in public debt and the restoration of investment worthiness as key outcomes of these efforts. The session also reviewed the budget’s underlying assumptions, which include oil price projections and global economic trends. It addressed estimates of public revenues, spending, debt management, deficit financing, inflation rates and investment priorities. H E Habsi highlighted the government’s commitment to aligning public finances with long-term plans to ensure sustainable development and social welfare. H E Khalid Hilal al Maawali, Chairman of the shura, remarked that the session reflected the council’s commitment to understanding critical budget elements, such as revenue and expenditure estimates, savings versus investments, and oil production and pricing strategies. The meeting also examined three draft laws referred by the government – the Real Estate Regulation Law, the Communications and Information Technology Regulation Law, and the Anti-Human Trafficking Law. Additionally, the shura endorsed the Economic and Financial Committee’s report on the draft State Budget 2025.
Tight Presidential Race in Romania: Exit Polls Show Close ContestDevendra Fadnavis: Maharashtra’s Modern-Day Strategist Seizes Glory Again
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to be defense secretary, is joined by his wife Jennifer Rauchet as he speaks with reporters after meeting with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, speaks with reporters after meeting with Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to be defense secretary, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to be defense secretary, arrives for a meeting with Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to be defense secretary, is joined by his wife Jennifer Rauchet as he speaks with reporters after meeting with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) By MARY CLARE JALONICK and MATT BROWN WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, said he had a “wonderful conversation” with Maine Sen. Susan Collins on Wednesday as he pushed to win enough votes for confirmation. He said he will not back down after allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell. It’ll be a first for him. National Politics | FBI Director Christopher Wray says he intends to resign at the end of Biden’s term next month National Politics | The Trump and Biden teams insist they’re working hand in glove on foreign crises National Politics | ‘You don’t know what’s next.’ International students scramble ahead of Trump inauguration National Politics | Trump is threatening to raise tariffs again. Here’s how China plans to fight back Collins said after the hourlong meeting that she questioned Hegseth about the allegations amid reports of drinking and the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies. She said she had a “good, substantive” discussion with Hegseth and “covered a wide range of topics,” including sexual assault in the military, Ukraine and NATO. But she said she would wait until a hearing, and notably a background check, to make a decision. “I asked virtually every question under the sun,” Collins told reporters as she left her office after the meeting. “I pressed him both on his position on military issues as well as the allegations against him, so I don’t think there was anything that we did not cover.” The meeting with Collins was closely watched as she is seen as more likely than most of her Republican Senate colleagues to vote against some of Trump’s Cabinet picks. She and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a fellow moderate Republican, did not shy from opposing Trump in his first term when they wanted to do so and sometimes supported President Joe Biden’s nominees for the judicial and executive branches. And Hegseth, an infantry combat veteran and former “Fox & Friends” weekend host, is working to gain as many votes as he can as some senators have expressed concerns about his personal history and lack of management experience. “I’m certainly not going to assume anything about where the senator stands,” Hegseth said as he left Collins’ office. “This is a process that we respect and appreciate. And we hope, in time, overall, when we get through that committee and to the floor that we can earn her support.” Hegseth met with Murkowski on Tuesday. He has also been meeting repeatedly with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a military veteran who has said she is a survivor of sexual assault and has spent time in the Senate working on improving how attacks are reported and prosecuted within the ranks. On Monday, Ernst said after a meeting with him that he had committed to selecting a senior official to prioritize those goals. Republicans will have a 53-49 majority next year, meaning Trump cannot lose more than three votes on any of his nominees. It is so far unclear whether Hegseth will have enough support, but Trump has stepped up his pressure on senators in the last week. “Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!” Trump posted on his social media platform last week. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Colonial Williamsburg’s Grand Illumination has echoes across the US Colonial Williamsburg's Grand Illumination has echoes across the US Kingsmill residents address James City County officials with concerns about future development Kingsmill residents address James City County officials with concerns about future development Former NFL player opens Newport News youth empowerment center Former NFL player opens Newport News youth empowerment center Cause of underground fire at Williamsburg Premium Outlets still unknown — and may stay that way, fire chief says Cause of underground fire at Williamsburg Premium Outlets still unknown — and may stay that way, fire chief says Well-known Virginia Tech professor Nikki Giovanni remembered as talented poet and literary celebrity Well-known Virginia Tech professor Nikki Giovanni remembered as talented poet and literary celebrity DA suggests judge could permanently halt Trump’s hush money case while upholding his conviction DA suggests judge could permanently halt Trump’s hush money case while upholding his conviction The Dome, Virginia Beach’s upcoming venue, is booking shows. Here’s what’s coming. The Dome, Virginia Beach’s upcoming venue, is booking shows. Here’s what’s coming. New York prosecutors charge suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing with murder, court records show New York prosecutors charge suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing with murder, court records show Bill Belichick set to be hired as North Carolina head football coach, report says Bill Belichick set to be hired as North Carolina head football coach, report says House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minors House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minors Trending Nationally Justice Dept. reports ‘unlawful and unconstitutional’ conduct at Worcester PD Traffic stops by Denver police plunge nearly 50% after new policy prohibits low-level enforcement ALDI has come up with a better way on shopping carts Michelin announces 2024 awards and Chicago has a new one-star restaurant Kimberly Guilfoyle who? Donald Trump Jr. ‘flaunts’ new romance with Palm Beach socialite: report
Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the SenateEAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Justin Jefferson might be weary of all the safeties shadowing his every route, determined not to let the Minnesota Vikings go deep, but he's hardly angry. The double and triple coverage he continually faces, after all, is a sign of immense respect for his game-breaking ability. The strategy also simply makes sense. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.
