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First 12-team CFP set: Oregon seeded No. 1, SMU edges Alabama for final spot

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani visited Colombia on Thursday, the third stop of his Latin American tour that began in Brazil and continued in Costa Rica. In the Colombian capital, Bogotá, HH the Amir met President Gustavo Petro to discuss ways to enhance relations between the two countries in various fields and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. HH the Amir’s visit to Colombia and the discussions during the visit will strengthen bilateral relations and push them toward broader horizons. This reflects HH the Amir’s keenness to open new markets and opportunities for the Qatari economy, in line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and its ambitious goals to build stronger and more resilient relations with nations worldwide. The two countries enjoy distinguished relations, further reinforced by both sides’ desire to develop and elevate them across all fields, particularly in political, economic, and investment domains. These relations are based on mutual interests and respect, supported by numerous agreements signed between the two countries and official reciprocal visits at various levels. His Highess the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani visited Colombia in February 2013 as part of a tour that included Peru and Ecuador. This visit marked a pivotal moment in the development of co-operative relations. During the visit, discussions were held on bilateral relations and ways to support and develop them across various fields. A number of agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed, including an air services agreement, a memorandum of understanding in the field of sports, a memorandum of understanding between the Qatar Chamber and the Colombian Confederation of Chambers of Commerce, a memorandum of understanding in the field of mining, and a memorandum of understanding in the area of investment. Additionally, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani’s visit to Colombia in July 2016 marked a new phase in bilateral relations. During this visit, an official meeting was held, chaired by HH the Amir and the then-president Juan Manuel Santos, which focused on bilateral relations in various fields and ways to enhance them in line with a shared commitment to further development, especially in the areas of investment and energy. A number of regional and international issues were also reviewed during the session. HH the Amir and Santos witnessed the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding at the Presidential Palace in Bogotá, including the establishment of a political consultation mechanism between the two countries, an agreement to waive visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special, and official passports, a memorandum of understanding on legal and judicial co-operation, and a memorandum of understanding between the Qatar Investment Authority and ProColombia to enhance investment co-operation and exchange information on investment opportunities in various sectors. As part of ongoing meetings and communications between the leaderships of the two countries, HH the Amir met President Gustavo Petro last December during COP28 in Dubai. They discussed bilateral relations and ways to develop them in various fields, as well as issues on the Summit’s agenda and both countries’ efforts to combat climate change. In October, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani received Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Gilberto Murillo during his visit to Qatar, where they reviewed co-operation between the two countries and ways to strengthen it, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. To enhance political co-ordination, the first round of political consultations between the foreign ministries of Qatar and Colombia was held in Bogotá in October of last year. The Qatari side was chaired by HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi, while the Colombian side was led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco J Coy. Also in October of last year, HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi met in Doha with Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Gilberto Murillo. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and co-operation in the energy sector between Qatar and Colombia and discussed ways to develop them further. As part of co-operation and consultations between the two countries in international forums and on global issues, representatives from the governments of Qatar, Colombia, and Finland in January 2022 emphasised the need for the swift implementation of the youth, peace, and security agenda worldwide. This was expressed in a high-level statement issued by representatives of the three governments at the conclusion of the High-Level Global Conference on Youth-Inclusive Peace Processes, which was held virtually from January 19 to 21, 2022. The High-Level Global Conference on Youth-Inclusive Peace Processes was a joint initiative by the governments of Qatar, Finland, and Colombia. The conference was co-organised by the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth and the Search for Common Ground, in partnership with the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, UN Women, the UN Development Programme, the UN Population Fund, Education Above All Foundation, and the United Network of Young Peacebuilders. In June 2018, the Permanent Mission of Qatar to the UN and the Permanent Mission of Colombia at the UN hosted an event at the UN headquarters in New York to launch the book Herstory: Celebrating Women Leaders in the UN, which was prepared by the Permanent Missions of Qatar and Colombia. HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani said that Qatar’s participation in the creation of this book is a recognition of the leadership role of women at the UN and an opportunity to highlight significant achievements through a historical narrative in photographs. Related Story Amir sends congratulations to Colombia President Amir, UAE president discuss ways to bolster ties, joint Gulf actionThe sons of an American woman executed for spying on the United States during the Cold War want President Joe Biden to clear her name before he leaves office. Ethel Rosenberg and her husband, Julius, were executed on June 19, 1953, for conspiracy to commit espionage. They were accused of giving “the secret” of the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union, meaning they supposedly passed vital technological information to help the Soviets develop their own bomb. As the author of a book on the Rosenberg case, I know that there was no “secret,” and that while Julius was a spy, Ethel was not. Yet generations of Americans have learned that the Rosenbergs – both of them – betrayed their country. If now, 75 years later, we know that an innocent woman was killed, how can the government rectify this? In 2015, Rosenberg sons Michael and Robert Meeropol – they took the last name of the couple who adopted them after their parents’ deaths – argued in The New York Times that their mother was wrongfully convicted and executed. They urged then-President Barack Obama to exonerate Ethel, which would officially declare her not guilty of the crime for which she was killed. Many were sympathetic to their plea. Executing the Rosenbergs orphaned the two boys – 6-year-old Robert and 10-year-old Michael. But theirs wasn’t just an emotional plea. The facts were on their side. Documents from the case reveal that FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover knew Ethel was not an active spy. FBI agents arrested her only as leverage to pressure Julius to name his dozen or so collaborators. An electrical engineer and devoted communist, Julius gained access to classified information while working with Emerson Radio Corp. and the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He recruited and managed a spy ring that provided whatever military information it could to the Soviet Union. The pressure on Julius didn’t work, and he never named names. He and Ethel were electrocuted after a trial riddled with problems such as perjured testimony and an incompetent defense team. The trial also featured inappropriate communications between the presiding judge and federal prosecutors. Judge Irving Kaufman had lobbied to preside over the Rosenberg case, and Justice Department officials supported his selection to further pressure Julius: Kaufman was open to imposing the death penalty. After the jury found the couple guilty, Kaufman consulted with the prosecuting attorneys to determine whether both Rosenbergs should get the same sentence. Prosecutors were reluctant to support Ethel’s execution. Judge Kaufman decided to sentence both Ethel and Julius to death anyway. The crime for which they died was not spying but conspiracy to commit espionage. Prosecutors argued that since Ethel was cognizant of her husband’s espionage activities, she was involved in the conspiracy. I used to think that, too. “In all likelihood Ethel’s role in the spy ring was at least that of an aware spectator,” I wrote in a 2015 opinion piece after the Rosenberg sons requested her exoneration, “placing her inside the fluid category of conspiracy in the eyes of the law.” I concluded that imposing the death penalty on Ethel was a “cruel and unjust act” for which the U.S. government should apologize – but not exonerate. I was wrong. I now believe that a presidential exoneration is appropriate and necessary because it will correct the view that Ethel was an active spy. It will address the serious flaws in her trial and conviction. And it will set right the historical record. Many popular books, textbooks, tweets and news sites get the case wrong. They incorrectly lump Julius and Ethel together, labeling both as spies for the Soviet Union, and claim they were convicted of espionage. Time magazine once ranked the couple among America’s “Top 10 Crime Duos.” For decades, the U.S. government has gotten the facts of its own criminal case wrong, too. The National Security Agency falsely stated in a 2018 publication that the couple were executed for treason. Even the FBI’s website incorrectly claims Julius and Ethel together ran an espionage ring that passed atomic bomb secrets to the Soviet Union. A newly declassified document clarifies the truth. In August 2024, the Rosenberg sons obtained a handwritten memo from August 1950 authored by the NSA’s chief analyst, Meredith Gardner. He wrote that, based on Soviet intelligence, Ethel knew about Julius’ espionage work but “due to illness she did not engage in the work herself.” This document confirms what other sources such as the FBI had already indicated: Ethel was not a spy and “did not engage in the work” of espionage and – most importantly – U.S. government officials knew it. They knew it when FBI agents arrested Ethel on Aug. 11, 1950. They knew it when the jury convicted her nine months later. They knew it when the judge sentenced her to death on April 5, 1951. And they knew it when prison officials executed her on Friday, June 19, 1953. Now, Michael and Robert Meeropol are using the declassified memo to urge Biden “to exonerate (Ethel) Rosenberg by issuing a formal presidential proclamation saying that she was wrongly convicted and executed.” I, too, have come to believe Ethel Rosenberg’s killing was a morally repugnant miscarriage of justice. That’s why a presidential pardon by Biden, who is now contemplating his end-of-term pardon list, would not be sufficient redress. A pardon forgives someone for a crime they committed. Ethel Rosenberg did not commit the crime for which she was convicted, so it’s the U.S. government that should beg forgiveness from Ethel’s descendants. “President Biden has the power to right this historic injustice,” said Jennifer Meeropol, Ethel’s granddaughter and director of the Rosenberg Fund for Children, on Sept. 10, 2024. Only a full exoneration, Meeropol argued, could “redress the harm done to my family and bring peace to my father and uncle in their lifetimes.” This almost surely will not happen under President-elect Donald Trump. Roy Cohn, Trump’s late personal lawyer, was an important member of the Rosenberg trial prosecutorial team. Cohn claimed in interviews throughout his life that Ethel “alone was the ringleader, who led Julius around by a leash.” He was wrong, but Trump won’t likely contradict his mentor. We historians know that our understanding of the past is always evolving. When new facts cast light on a past injustice, I think we should learn from those mistakes and correct the injustices that we can. Exonerating Ethel would be an important step toward truth. And it would correct the historical record. The sons of an American woman executed for spying on Tucked between national retailer discounts on Black Friday and online The California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) annual poll, “The People’s The holiday season is quickly approaching and for many that

Support Independent Arts Journalism As an independent publication, we rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you value our coverage and want to support more of it, consider becoming a member today . Already a member? Sign in here. Support Hyperallergic’s independent arts journalism for as little as $8 per month. Become a Member A court in Washington, DC, handed down prison sentences earlier this month to two climate activists who dumped red tempera paint powder on a case containing the original United States Constitution at the National Gallery of Art in February. The members of the climate action group Declare Emergency, 27-year-old Jackson “Kroegeor” Green and 35-year-old Donald Zepeda, were sentenced to 18 months and five years in prison, respectively, for “felony destruction of government property.” There was no physical damage to the Constitution itself, the Associated Press reported. The fine powder used in the protesters’ action caused over $50,000 in clean-up costs and required a four-day closure of the museum’s rotunda, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Prosecutors also claimed in court documents that the action wreaked “terror” among staff and visitors who were unsure whether the substance was safe. “Our cultural heritage is meant to be enjoyed by all, and it is imperative that it be protected,” a spokesperson for the National Gallery of Art wrote in a statement to Hyperallergic . Get the latest art news, reviews and opinions from Hyperallergic. Daily Weekly Opportunities On November 12, Declare Emergency issued a public statement before Green’s sentencing in support of the activist and accusing presiding Judge Amy Berman Jackson of acting “in denial of the current planetary emergency.” “Green acted on behalf of humanity in dramatizing the inattention of our leaders to our quickly worsening climate,” the statement read. According to court documents, prosecutors asked the judge to consider a four-year sentence for Zepeda, who they say planned the action , and a two-year sentence for Green. Green had previously been charged for writing “Honor Them” in paint on a memorial commemorating the first Black Civil War infantry from the North. He was ordered to stay away from DC and all public museums and monuments before the powder incident, court documents said. Zepeda’s defense attorney reportedly argued in court that it was not his client’s intention to damage the Constitution, but rather to urge the Biden administration to declare a climate emergency. A spokesperson for Declare Emergency told Hyperallergic that the court’s ruling would lead to more awareness of the climate movement. “When more ordinary people like Kroegeor lose freedoms ... the climate emergency can go into the national consciousness and we may win our human right to a livable planet,” the spokesperson said. Zepeda and Green for comment could not be reached for comment. We hope you enjoyed this article! Before you keep reading, please consider supporting Hyperallergic ’s journalism during a time when independent, critical reporting is increasingly scarce. Unlike many in the art world, we are not beholden to large corporations or billionaires. Our journalism is funded by readers like you , ensuring integrity and independence in our coverage. We strive to offer trustworthy perspectives on everything from art history to contemporary art. We spotlight artist-led social movements, uncover overlooked stories, and challenge established norms to make art more inclusive and accessible. With your support, we can continue to provide global coverage without the elitism often found in art journalism. If you can, please join us as a member today . Millions rely on Hyperallergic for free, reliable information. By becoming a member, you help keep our journalism free, independent, and accessible to all. Thank you for reading. Share Copied to clipboard Mail Bluesky Threads LinkedIn FacebookMost Australians feel they are poorer now than they were three years ago, as a poll reveals widespread dissatisfaction with the Albanese government’s priorities. A new Redbridge poll found 52 per cent of those surveyed either disagreed or strongly disagreed with the proposition that the government has the right focus. 40 per cent of voters said Peter Dutton was ready for office, slightly more than the 39 per cent who said he was not. Asked on Seven’s Sunrise if the polling meant Australia was “in the mood for change”, Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the government was focused on the cost of living, while the Coalition was blocking bills. Directing her comments to Liberal senator Jane Hume, Rishworth said: “You’ve voted against our housing bills. Blocked our cost of living measures. Fought against our energy price measures. Everything we’ve done, the Liberal Party have fought against it...” Hume repeatedly interjected Rishworth’s response, asking “Where have you been for 21⁄2 years?” “You spent a year concentrating on the Voice referendum,” she quipped. Meanwhile, on Nine’s Today , Nationals senator Matt Canavan also responded to the poll, saying Australians were poorer because “we’ve adopted a lot of stupid policies that deny Australians the use of their own energy resources that load our country with way too much red tape”. Last month, the Resolve Political Monitor found Australians hold Labor accountable for the financial pain of rising prices and the cost of housing. Thirty-six per cent believe the federal government is responsible for their rising living costs – far greater than the 13 per cent who blame global factors outside Australia’s control. President Joe Biden on Tuesday called Israel and Hezbollah’s ceasefire agreement “good news” and expressed hope the pause in more than 13 months of fighting will be the catalyst to also end the war in Gaza. Biden made his comments in a Rose Garden speech. He stressed that Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah broke the terms of the truce. US President Joe Biden administration has been trying to calm relations with Beijing. Credit: AP Biden added that the deal between Israel and Hezbollah “was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities”. The president’s comments come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, clearing the way for the truce to take effect. Netanyahu’s office said the plan was approved by a 10-1 margin. The late-night vote came shortly before President Joe Biden was expected to announce details of the deal in Washington. Earlier, Netanyahu defended the ceasefire, saying Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah and could now focus its efforts on Hamas militants in Gaza and his top security concern, Iran. Netanyahu vowed to strike Hezbollah hard if it violates the expected deal. Read more about the ceasefire deal in the full story here. Most Australians feel they are poorer now than they were three years ago, as a poll reveals widespread dissatisfaction with the Albanese government’s priorities. A new Redbridge poll found 52 per cent of those surveyed either disagreed or strongly disagreed with the proposition that the government has the right focus. 40 per cent of voters said Peter Dutton was ready for office, slightly more than the 39 per cent who said he was not. Asked on Seven’s Sunrise if the polling meant Australia was “in the mood for change”, Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the government was focused on the cost of living, while the Coalition was blocking bills. Directing her comments to Liberal senator Jane Hume, Rishworth said: “You’ve voted against our housing bills. Blocked our cost of living measures. Fought against our energy price measures. Everything we’ve done, the Liberal Party have fought against it...” Hume repeatedly interjected Rishworth’s response, asking “Where have you been for 21⁄2 years?” “You spent a year concentrating on the Voice referendum,” she quipped. Meanwhile, on Nine’s Today , Nationals senator Matt Canavan also responded to the poll, saying Australians were poorer because “we’ve adopted a lot of stupid policies that deny Australians the use of their own energy resources that load our country with way too much red tape”. Last month, the Resolve Political Monitor found Australians hold Labor accountable for the financial pain of rising prices and the cost of housing. Thirty-six per cent believe the federal government is responsible for their rising living costs – far greater than the 13 per cent who blame global factors outside Australia’s control. It’s likely to be another cloudy day in Brisbane, with a medium chance of showers throughout the day. And the temperature is forecast to reach a maximum just short of 30 degrees. The weather bureau predicts a slight breeze throughout the day also, dropping off into the evening. Here’s the seven-day outlook: Stories making the rounds further afield this morning: The grieving families of two backpackers who died after a suspected mass methanol poisoning have returned to Australia with the bodies of their daughters after living every parents’ nightmare. The Australian economy has been destabilised by incoming US president Donald Trump’s declaration of a tariff war on three of America’s biggest trading partners. Natalie Harp watches Donald Trump. Credit: Doug Mills/The New York Times Trump has always demanded loyalty from his aides but few have answered the call quite like Natalie Harp . A 33-year-old former far-right cable TV host, Harp is nearly always at Trump’s side and has written him a series of devotional letters. Now she is poised to play an influential role in his White House. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced he will recommend a proposal for a ceasefire with Hezbollah to his cabinet for approval, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting. And from January 8, Australians will need an electronic travel authorisation to enter the UK. You can apply for yours now. Good morning, thanks for joining us for Brisbane Times’ live news blog. It’s Wednesday, November 27, and we’re expecting a partly cloudy day and a top temperature of 29 degrees. In this morning’s local headlines: Did Brisbane’s buses get more crowded after 50¢ fares? What impact has working from home had on public transport? We have the latest figures from Translink . Queensland’s new LNP government will push a regular end-of-year budget update into early 2025 to give it time to “get our head around” Labor’s cost blowouts, says Treasurer David Janetzki. Queensland remains in the grip of a whooping cough outbreak , with staff at Brisbane public hospitals reporting up to 28 times the number of cases normally seen by this time of year. Thirty-four years ago, former umpire Ian Stewart was viciously assaulted . As he reflects on the damage caused by an angry player, a Queensland academic explains why decision-makers shouldn’t be surprised by “concussion crises”. And it took just a $30 investment and a tug on his heartstrings to convince former St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt that he belonged back at the Broncos , where his career began. Ben Hunt has agreed to a two-year Broncos deal worth about $550,000 annually – significantly less than what he was earning at St George Illawarra. Credit: Getty

Nagpur: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has emphasised on the role of teachers in the 21st century with science poised to get more and more disruptive and even dangerous. He was speaking on Thursday at the 70th foundation day of Somalwar Shikshan Sanstha which runs a chain of schools and colleges here imparting quality education. “Books are becoming obsolete. You turn to Google Baba for all your knowledge needs though it fails sometimes. Intelligence is becoming ‘artificial’. Yet, teachers have their roles carved out. They have a duty and service to churn good human beings who make use of education to make a better world," said Bhagwat. Sarsnghachalak was speaking on “Role of Teachers in 21st Century”. Nagpur: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addresses 70th Founders' Day of Somalwar Educational Institute. pic.twitter.com/92cyTYs9fn Quoting Mahatma Gandhi who said science without ethics is sin, Bhagwat said in this fast changing world of disruptions and lifestyle changes caused by technology, teachers have a greater role to strike a balance between the good and the bad. Narrating the story from a novel 3024, the main protagonist had to pay the price with his life for remembering a simple multiplication table of nine, in an era when everything was automated and run on machines in a gold mine. He said technology per se is not bad but needs to be used with discretion. “Even an illiterate person can be huge success in a business enterprise. But education gives a person character and ability to use his skills for betterment of self, family, society, country and the world and thus build own identity." He cited the instance of the education system in Finland where students are not failed but geared to enable students to face challenges of life successfully. “When we teach , we also learn. Every student is different. A teacher should have affinity to win respect as well as affection by inculcating confidence and moral qualities in students so that the society at large benefits,:” said the RSS chief.Shutthiphong Chandaeng/iStock via Getty Images Investment Thesis The Index tracking the Victoryshares Free Cash Flow ETF ( NASDAQ: VFLO ) reconstituted on Monday, and while I expected some changes, I wasn't prepared for nearly 40% of the fund to be replaced or rebalanced. Sadly, VFLO's momentum Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Jurors end 1st day of deliberations without a verdict in the YSL gang and racketeering trial

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TJ Bamba led Oregon with 22 points and five assists in the Ducks' 78-68 victory over San Diego State on Wednesday in pool play of the Players Era Festival at Las Vegas. The Ducks (7-0) won both games in the "Power Group" and will play in the championship Saturday against the top team from the "Impact Group." San Diego State (3-2) will await its opponent for one of the secondary games Saturday. The matchups are based on seeding dependent on performance of the first two games. Bamba made 7 of 14 shots from the field, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range. Keeshawn Barthelemy had 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and hit 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. Nate Bittle finished with 11 points and nine rebounds, Brandon Angel 12 points and six rebounds and Jackson Shelstad paired 12 points with four assists. BJ Davis led San Diego State with 18 points before fouling out. Nick Boyd finished with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Neither team led by more than four points until Oregon scored nine unanswered to take a 34-27 lead with 2:20 left in the first half. Barthelemy started the run with a jumper and finished it with a 3-pointer. Oregon outscored San Diego State 16-4 in the last 4:23 of the half to take a 41-31 lead into the break. Bamba and Barthelemy combined for 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting in the first half. Boyd led San Diego State with 13 points, making all three of his 3-point attempts and going 5-of-6 overall. A 7-2 run for Oregon increased its advantage to 48-35 with 17:36 remaining, but San Diego State cut the lead to 56-53 with 10:58 left following a 9-0 run. A Bamba 3-pointer closed an 8-2 stretch with 4:15 remaining to increase Oregon's lead to 73-63. San Diego State did not get closer than eight points the rest of the way. Davis fouled out with 31 seconds left and Oregon leading 77-68. --Field Level MediaGreene scores 18, Wagner takes down Maryland-Eastern Shore 63-61After a long fight, AG Yost approves petition summary for proposal seeking end to qualified immunity

Biden opens final White House holiday season with turkey pardons and first lady gets Christmas tree WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has kicked off his final holiday season at the White House, issuing the traditional reprieve to two turkeys who will bypass the Thanksgiving table to live out their days in Minnesota. The president welcomed 2,500 guests under sunny skies as he cracked jokes about the fates of “Peach” and “Blossom.” He also sounded wistful tones about the last weeks of his presidency. Separately, first lady Jill Biden received the delivery of the official White House Christmas tree. And the Bidens are traveling to New York later Monday for an early holiday celebration with members of the Coast Guard. Formula 1 expands grid to add General Motors' Cadillac brand and new American team for 2026 season LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 will expand the grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a federal investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti, who has since stepped aside. The 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer. Naeher is on the team’s roster for a pair of upcoming matches in Europe but those will be her last after a full 11 years playing for the United States. Naeher was on the U.S. team that won the Women’s World Cup in 2019 and the gold medal at this year's Olympics in France. She’s the only U.S. goalkeeper to earn a shutout in both a World Cup and an Olympic final. Bah, humbug! Vandal smashes Ebenezer Scrooge's tombstone used in 'A Christmas Carol' movie LONDON (AP) — If life imitates art, a vandal in the English countryside may be haunted by The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Police in the town of Shrewsbury are investigating how a tombstone at the fictional grave of Ebenezer Scrooge was destroyed. The movie prop used in the 1984 adaption of Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol” had become a tourist attraction. The film starred George C. Scott as the cold-hearted curmudgeon who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve who show him what will become of his life if he doesn’t become a better person. West Mercia Police say the stone was vandalized in the past week. Megachurch founder T.D. Jakes suffers health incident during sermon at Dallas church DALLAS (AP) — The founder of Dallas-based megachurch The Potter's House, Bishop T.D. Jakes, was hospitalized after suffering what the church called a “slight health incident.” Jakes was speaking to churchgoers after he sat down and began trembling as several people gathered around him Sunday at the church. Jakes' daughter Sarah Jakes Roberts and her husband Touré Roberts said in a statement on social media late Sunday that Jakes was improving. The 67-year-old Jakes founded the non-denominational The Potter's House in 1996 and his website says it now has more than 30,000 members with campuses in Fort Worth and Frisco, Texas; and in Denver. At the crossroads of news and opinion, 'Morning Joe' hosts grapple with aftermath of Trump meeting The reaction of those who defended “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Trump sounds almost quaint in the days of opinionated journalism. Doesn't it makes sense, they said, for hosts of a political news show to meet with such an important figure? But given how “Morning Joe” has attacked Trump, its viewers felt insulted. Many reacted quickly by staying away. It all reflects the broader trend of opinion crowding out traditional journalist in today's marketplace, and the expectations that creates among consumers. By mid-week, the show's audience was less than two-thirds what it has typically been this year. Pilot dies in plane crash in remote woods of New York, puppy found alive WINDHAM, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a pilot and at least one dog he was transporting died when a small plane crashed in the snowy woods of the Catskill Mountains, though a puppy on the flight was found alive with two broken legs. The Greene County sheriff’s office says Seuk Kim of Springfield, Virginia, was flying from Maryland to Albany, New York, when the plane crashed at about 6:10 p.m. Sunday in a remote area. Officials believe the pilot died from the impact. The surviving dog was hospitalized, while a third dog was not located. The flight was connected with a not-for-profit group that transports rescue animals. Warren Buffett gives away another $1.1B and plans for distributing his $147B fortune after his death OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by handing out more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations Monday, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining $147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it’s possible that Buffett’s children could die before giving it all away. Buffett said he has no regrets about his decision to start giving away his fortune in 2006. Pop star Ed Sheeran apologizes to Man United boss Ruben Amorim for crashing interview MANCHESTER, England (AP) — British pop star Ed Sheeran has apologized to Ruben Amorim after inadvertently interrupting the new Manchester United head coach during a live television interview. Amorim was talking on Sky Sports after United’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich on Sunday when Sheeran walked up to embrace analyst Jamie Redknapp. The interview was paused before Redknapp told the pop star to “come and say hello in a minute.” Sheeran is a lifelong Ipswich fan and holds a minority stake in the club. He was pictured celebrating after Omari Hutchinson’s equalizing goal in the game at Portman Road. A desert oasis outside of Dubai draws a new caravan: A family of rodents from Argentina AL QUDRA LAKES, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A desert oasis hidden away in the dunes in the far reaches of skyscraper-studded Dubai has drawn a surprising new set of weary world travelers: a pack of Argentinian rodents. A number of Patagonian mara, a rabbit-like mammal with long legs, big ears and a body like a hoofed animal, now roam the grounds of Al Qudra Lakes, typically home to gazelle and other desert creatures of the United Arab Emirates. How they got there remains a mystery in the UAE, a country where exotic animals have ended up in the private homes and farms of the wealthy. But the pack appears to be thriving there and likely have survived several years already in a network of warrens among the dunes.None