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Percentages: FG .429, FT .738. 3-Point Goals: 2-15, .133 (Taylor 2-8, Phelps 0-2, Wilcher 0-2, Carter 0-3). Team Rebounds: 5. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 6 (Washington 4, Garcia, Obaseki). Turnovers: 12 (Phelps 4, Coleman 3, Taylor 3, Carter, Washington). Steals: 5 (Hefner 2, Carter, Garcia, Wilcher). Technical Fouls: Washington, 12:23 first. Percentages: FG .412, FT .882. 3-Point Goals: 6-26, .231 (Harper 2-6, Bailey 2-8, Williams 1-2, Hayes 1-5, Acuff 0-1, Davis 0-1, Derkack 0-1, Grant 0-2). Team Rebounds: 10. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 1 (Harper). Turnovers: 16 (Bailey 4, Williams 4, Derkack 2, Martini 2, Acuff, Hayes, Ogbole, Sommerville). Steals: 7 (Bailey 2, Derkack, Grant, Hayes, Martini, Williams). Technical Fouls: Williams, 12:23 first. .Who really was Maui, the demigod portrayed in Moana? And did Disney get him right?

Mikaela Shiffrin suffers abrasion on hip during crash on final run of World Cup giant slalom

( MENAFN - Gulf Times) Elon Musk defended his support for Germany's far-right AfD party in an opinion piece in the Welt am Sonntag newspaper on Saturday, prompting a senior editor to resign. The world's richest man doubled down on his comments from December 20 that“only the AfD can save Germany”, writing that the anti-immigration AfD was the“last ray of hope for the country” at the“brink of cultural and economic collapse”. Despite various branches of the AfD being labelled“extremist” by Germany's domestic security agency, Musk said the AfD's classification as far-right was“clearly false” as party leader Alice Weidel“has a partner from Sri Lanka”. With Musk set to play a key role in US President-elect Donald Trump's administration, the billionaire's interventions have triggered accusations of meddling in Germany's democracy. The country is set to head to the polls on February 23, with the AfD polling at around 19* of the vote. Musk's guest opinion piece in the Welt am Sonntag provoked outraged reactions and the resignation of the conservative title's opinion editor. “Today a piece by Elon Musk appeared in the Welt am Sonntag. Yesterday I handed in my resignation after it went to print,” Eva Marie Kogel wrote on the X social media platform Musk owns. Meanwhile the Greens' campaign director Andreas Audretsch wrote:“We must not allow the Elon Musks of this world, the Chinese state or Russian troll factories to undermine our democracies in Europe.” The Association of German Journalists (DJV) protested against the“election advertising” allowed by the newspaper's editorial staff. “The German media must not allow itself to be manipulated into acting as a mouthpiece for autocrats and their friends,” said DJV leader Mika Beuster. Even the *Welt's new editor-in-chief Jan Philipp Burgard was compelled to disagree with Musk in the opinion piece, writing:“Even a genius can be wrong”. Arguing that the AfD“is a danger to our values and our economy”, Burgard pointed out that Bjoern Hoecke, the AfD's leader in Thuringia state,“has been convicted several times for using a banned Nazi slogan”. *Die Welt belongs to Axel Springer, Germany's most influential press group. Its lineup includes the Bild tabloid, the country's most-read newspaper. MENAFN28122024000067011011ID1109038237 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

NoneBALTIMORE — The bright lights of drone-like objects lighting up the night sky have been spotted in Maryland, prompting lawmakers, federal agencies and even a former governor to search for answers. “I am aware of reports of numerous apparent drone sightings over the Delmarva Peninsula and in Salisbury, Maryland, in my district,” Maryland Republican Congressman Andy Harris told The Baltimore Sun on Saturday. “We need transparency now from the White House to find out if these drones are a threat to our national security, and if they are, we need to take proper corrective action immediately.” This increased activity first made national headlines in New Jersey , and now widespread questions have been raised about the origin of the drones, which also have been spotted in Pennsylvania and New York. Federal officials have not ruled out that some of the objects could be airplanes or helicopters. However, the drones do not appear to be a threat to national security — for the time being. “We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus,” the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI said in a joint statement. “The FBI, DHS and our federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings.” Precautions are being taken. On Saturday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced a temporary flight restriction in place for the annual Army-Navy game at Northwest Stadium in Landover. The area was considered a “No Drone Zone” for a 2-nautical-mile radius around the stadium and up to 2,000 feet above ground level. Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan expressed his concerns about the drone activity on social media after claiming he spotted an object in the sky around 9:45 p.m. Thursday near his Davidsonville home. He sees this phenomenon as a growing problem in Maryland and throughout the U.S. “Like many who have observed these drones, I do not know if this increasing activity over our skies is a threat to public safety or national security,” Hogan wrote on X. “But the public is growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the complete lack of transparency and the dismissive attitude of the federal government. The government has the ability to track these from their point of origin but has mounted a negligent response. People are rightfully clamoring for answers, but aren’t getting any.” Other drone sightings have been reported in the Woodberry neighborhood of Baltimore and Prince Frederick in Calvert County. The drone activity is also a concern among industry experts. Eric Brown, founder and CEO of Imperio Consulting, spent 24 years in the Special Forces as a Green Beret and has seen firsthand the evolution of drone technology. If drones are appearing in areas where they shouldn’t, especially near critical infrastructure, it’s a signal that someone is gathering information or testing boundaries. This would naturally be a concern for any government agency tasked with ensuring public safety and national security, according to Brown. “The potential risks depend on how the drones are used. In combat, drones were essential for gathering intelligence and ensuring mission success, but that same technology could be used for surveillance of sensitive locations,” Brown told The Baltimore Sun. “Drones can also deliver payloads, as we utilized them to carry ordnance in certain missions. While such use requires precision and authorization in military contexts, the potential for misuse in civilian settings — accidentally or intentionally — is significant.” Yashin Manraj, CEO of Pvotal Technologies, said the surge in national interest and curiosity has attracted many copycats who are now flying their FAA-compliant drones to “troll” the media. The most effective way would be to identify the drone handlers and penalize them in a public setting to inform and quell the fears related to this activity, he said. “We hope that lawmakers take a nuanced approach and balance the hysteria with a concerted effort to empower the U.S. technological hegemony to extend to drones rather than letting other countries get ahead while we curtail our growth and progress for political reasons,” Manraj said. Melissa Swisher, the chief revenue officer at SkySafe, said rising drone activity is a serious concern for both local and federal governments due to the increasing risks posed to public safety and critical infrastructure. Unauthorized drones can disrupt operations at airports, power plants, water treatment facilities and even military bases. These incidents not only endanger lives but can also lead to significant economic and operational disruptions. Governments are under pressure to address these threats while managing the growing adoption of drones in legitimate industries, she said. “The dangers of drones are wide-ranging. Unauthorized drones can be used for espionage, and weaponized to damage power grids, disrupt airspace, endanger aircraft, jeopardize public events, smuggle contraband into secure facilities, and deliver harmful payloads,” Swisher told The Baltimore Sun. “They also pose a surveillance risk, potentially violating individual privacy and compromising sensitive operations or infrastructure.” Hogan has demanded answers. The mystery of these objects has created unease among residents. “We are being told that neither the White House, the military, the FBI, nor Homeland Security have any idea what they are, where they came from, or who has launched or is controlling them — and that they pose no threat,” Hogan wrote on X. “That response is entirely unacceptable. I join with the growing bipartisan chorus of leaders demanding that the federal government immediately address this issue. The American people deserve answers and action now.” ©2024 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — If the Giants' franchise-record 10th straight loss proved anything, it's that New York could use a young franchise quarterback. Rookie Michael Penix Jr. showed what a young QB can do on Sunday against the Giants, who need to learn from it. The No. 8 overall pick in the draft, Penix played a nearly flawless game in his first career start to help the Falcons thrash the woeful Giants 34-7 in their best performance in weeks. The Giants gambled in 2019 that Daniel Jones would be their franchise QB and it really never panned out. The one exception was the 2022 season, when the No. 6 overall pick had a career year and led New York to a 9-7-1 record and a playoff berth in the first season after Joe Schoen was hired as general manager and Brian Daboll was named coach. The Giants even won a playoff game. With the release of Jones last month, the Giants (2-13) are now a team without a quarterback who can perform at the level required of an NFL starter. Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock have split the last four starts but neither has provided much of a spark for the league's worst offense. Lock handed the Falcons the game with two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns. To turn things around next season, the Giants must find a quarterback. “I’d say it’s very important,” Daboll said Monday. New York is going to have a high pick in the draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in late April. It could even be the No. 1 overall selection. Choosing the right quarterback is going to be hard. There isn't a can't-miss choice in 2025 draft and forcing one early would be a mistake. Unless the Giants are convinced that Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe or someone else is the next franchise player, they have have so many needs that it would be better to wheel and deal and fill as many holes as possible. Even if the Giants take a quarterback in the second round, there's bound to be someone available who has a chance to be better than what they have now. The calendar. The season ends in less than two weeks. The franchise is in disarray, and a shakeup appears likely. Daboll's future as the coach is not bright, considering the current skid and two straight losing seasons. Schoen has to share the blame and so do co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, who hired the GM and coach. LB Darius Muasau. The sixth-round draft pick out of UCLA has started the last three games since Bobby Okereke (back) was hurt and eventually put on injured reserve last week. Muasau had 11 tackles Sunday along with a quarterback hit and a tackle for a loss. He made the defensive calls after LB Micah McFadden left with a neck injury. Lock. In his starts, Lock has had three interceptions returned for touchdowns. He also lost a fumble on a strip-sack at Atlanta. Lock sustained a shoulder injury during the game and had an MRI on Monday. Besides Lock and McFadden, S Jason Pinnock (eye) also left the game. C John Michael Schmitz and RB Tyrone Tracy were evaluated for ankle injuries on Monday. 1 — Thanks to the Raiders' victory over the Jaguars, the Giants will have the No. 1 overall pick in the draft with two more losses. For the ninth and final time, the Giants will try to find a way to win at MetLife Stadium. New York is 0-8 heading into Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. Its only other winless season at home was in 1974 when New York played at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut, while Giants Stadium was being built. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflMOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday apologized to his Azerbaijani counterpart for what he called a "tragic incident" following the crash of an Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan that killed 38 people, but stopped short of acknowledging that Moscow was responsible. Putin's apology came as allegations mounted that Russian air defenses shot down the plane while attempting to deflect a Ukrainian drone strike near Grozny, the regional capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya. Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via videoconference Saturday at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. An official Kremlin statement issued Saturday said that air defense systems were firing near Grozny airport as the airliner "repeatedly" attempted to land there on Wednesday. It did not explicitly say one of these hit the plane. The statement said Putin apologized to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev "for the fact that the tragic incident occurred in Russian airspace." The readout said Russia has launched a criminal probe into the incident, and Azerbaijani state prosecutors have arrived in Grozny to participate. The Kremlin also said that "relevant services" from Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are jointly investigating the crash site near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, to Grozny when it turned toward Kazakhstan, hundreds of miles across the Caspian Sea from its intended destination, and crashed while attempting to land. There were 29 survivors. According to a readout of the call provided by Aliyev's press office, the Azerbaijani president told Putin that the plane was subject to "external physical and technical interference," though he also stopped short of blaming Russian air defenses. Part of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane lies on the ground Thursday near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan. Aliyev noted the plane had holes in its fuselage and the occupants sustained injuries "due to foreign particles penetrating the cabin mid-flight." He said that a team of international experts began a probe of the incident at Azerbaijan's initiative, but provided no details. Earlier this week, the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's office confirmed that investigators from Azerbaijan are working in Grozny. On Friday, a U.S. official and an Azerbaijani minister made separate statements blaming the crash on an external weapon, echoing those made by aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defense systems responding to a Ukrainian attack. U.S. President Joe Biden, responding Saturday to a reporter asking whether he thought Putin should take responsibility for the crash, said: "Apparently he did but I haven't spoken to him." Biden made the comment after leaving church in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Passengers and crew members who survived the crash told Azerbaijani media they heard loud noises on the aircraft as it circled over Grozny. Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia, said Friday that as the plane was preparing to land in Grozny in deep fog, Ukrainian drones were targeting the city, prompting authorities to close the area to air traffic. Yadrov said after the captain made two unsuccessful attempts to land, he was offered other airports but decided to fly to Aktau. People attend a funeral Saturday for Mahammadali Eganov, who died in the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crash near the Kazakhstan's airport of Aktau at the age of 13, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Earlier this past week, Rosaviatsia cited unspecified early evidence as showing that a bird strike led to an emergency on board. In the days following the crash, Azerbaijan Airlines blamed "physical and technical interference" and announced the suspension of flights to several Russian airports. It didn't say where the interference came from or provide any further details. If proven that the plane crashed after being hit by Russian fire, it would be the second deadly civil aviation accident linked to fighting in Ukraine. Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was downed with a Russian surface-to-air missile, killing all 298 people aboard, as it flew over the area in eastern Ukraine controlled by Moscow-backed separatists in 2014. Russia denied responsibility but a Dutch court in 2022 convicted two Russians and a pro-Russia Ukrainian man for their role in downing the plane with an air defense system brought into Ukraine from a Russian military base. The grave of Mahammadali Eganov, 13, who died in the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crash near the Kazakhstan's Aktau airport, is seen Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan. Following Wednesday's suspension of flights from Baku to Grozny and nearby Makhachkala, Azerbaijan Airlines announced Friday that it would also halt service to eight more Russian cities. Several other airlines made similar announcements since the crash. Kazakhstan's Qazaq Air on Friday said it would stop flying from Astana to the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains for a month. Turkmenistan Airlines, the Central Asian country's flagship carrier, on Saturday halted flights to Moscow for at least a month, citing safety concerns. Earlier this past week, Israel's El Al carrier suspended service from Tel Aviv to the Russian capital, citing "developments in Russia's airspace." Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

BREAKING: Tinubu opens up on fighting corruption in Nigeria

Gavin and Stacey fans hail ‘perfect ending’ as cast reunite one last timeQatar tribune Satyendra Pathak Doha LuLu Hypermarket has officially launched the ‘Qatari Products: Our First Choice’ initiative at its D-Ring Road store, a week-long festival dedicated to promoting local products in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality. The event, running from December 12 to December 18, celebrates Qatar’s rich cultural heritage while showcasing locally produced food and non-food items. Since its debut in 2010, the festival has grown into a key event across all LuLu outlets, underscoring the retailer’s commitment to supporting small Qatari businesses and entrepreneurs. The initiative highlights a wide range of locally sourced goods, from fresh produce, dairy, and meats to health and beauty products, linens, and more. The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Saud Al Marri from the Food Security Department at the Ministry of Municipality, Ahmed Al Yafei from the Agricultural Affairs Department, Fardan Al Fardan, General Manager of Safwa Farm, and Mohammed Ismail Al Mohammed, General Manager of Mahaseel Company. Also present was Dr Mohamed Althaf, Global Director of LuLu Group, alongside senior officials from LuLu management and distinguished representatives from both public and private sectors. Speaking at the event, Althaf highlighted Qatar’s advancements in agriculture and food security. He said, “Qatar has made remarkable strides in strengthening its agricultural capabilities and enhancing food security. This initiative not only celebrates the nation’s agricultural progress but also showcases high-quality, pesticide-free products that reflect Qatar’s growing self-sufficiency.” Over the past eight years, Qatar’s agricultural sector has made significant strides, now meeting 80 percent of the nation’s food requirements. This achievement is attributed to the adoption of modern farming technologies and sustainable agricultural practices, which have boosted both the quantity and quality of local produce. Althaf further emphasised the festival’s role in promoting local farming traditions, stating, “This festival is a celebration of Qatar’s agricultural heritage, connecting consumers with the nation’s rich farming traditions and ensuring the preservation of knowledge passed down through generations.” The festival features over 300 locally produced items from 35 Qatari farms, including renowned brands like Baladna, Safwa Farm, Agrico Qatar, Dandy, and Al Maha, among others. These products demonstrate the country’s increasing self-sufficiency in food production, particularly in short-life perishables, which can now be supplied within a two-to-three-day window, ensuring continuous availability of fresh produce. LuLu Hypermarket has played a pivotal role in supporting Qatar’s agricultural sector, helping to market local produce and contribute to the nation’s food security and sustainability goals. The retailer’s long-standing partnerships with Qatari farmers have created a sustainable supply chain that benefits both consumers and local entrepreneurs. This year’s festival also invites visitors to explore Qatar’s culture, traditions, and culinary heritage. It is an opportunity for shoppers to support local businesses while experiencing the nation’s agricultural progress firsthand. Copy 15/12/2024 10

Peter Andre’s wife Emily shares rare glimpse of baby daughter Belle as she reveals new ‘milestone’

As U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher looked ahead to the next Women's World Cup in 2027, she calculated what that would look like at her age. Now 36, she already has a World Cup title and won an Olympic gold medal this year in France. She considered the mental, physical and emotional toll of a new cycle and decided it was time to step away . “Honestly, I think I’ve been somebody that has given everything I’ve had to this team. I don’t do anything halfway. It’s kind of, if you can give 100% to it, then keep going," she said. “With that in mind, I kind of just felt like this was the right time coming off of the Olympics, having the year that we had, entering into a new cycle, a new stage for this team.” Naeher is the latest veteran to announce she's stepping down from the national team as the next generation takes over under coach Emma Hayes. Among those who have wrapped up their soccer careers in the past couple of years include World Cup winners Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Kelley O'Hara and Ali Krieger. Naeher will be with the team for two more matches in the coming week. The Americans play England at Wembley Stadium on Saturday and then the Netherlands in The Hague on Tuesday. Naeher said she's excited about the next generation of goalkeepers. In addition to Naeher, Mandy Haught of the Utah Royals and Phallon Tullis-Joyce of Manchester United are on the roster for the upcoming matches. Other goalkeepers who have been on recent rosters include Casey Murphy and Jane Campbell. “I think the beauty of goalkeeping is that it’s not really a one-size-fits-all kind of position," she said. "The more that you can understand — that's going to be the challenge any young goalkeeper coming up, is really taking the time to understand what your strengths are and make them really, really elite and separate yourself.” Naeher spoke on Wednesday from London after announcing her retirement on social media Monday . Naeher made her senior debut with the national team in 2014 and was a backup to Hope Solo at the 2015 World Cup, which the United States won. She became the team’s regular starter following the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and was on the squad that repeated as World Cup winners in 2019. Naeher won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 before the U.S. earned gold this year in Paris. She made a key one-handed save in stoppage time to preserve the Americans’ 1-0 victory over Brazil in the Olympic final. For her career, Naeher has appeared 113 games with 110 starts, 88 wins and 68 shutouts. She had four shutouts over the course of the Olympic tournament in France. While she's leaving the national team, she'll play one more year for her club team, the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women's Soccer League. “I hope that I can be remembered as a good teammate, as a competitor, as somebody that was looked on as someone that could be relied upon on the field and supported those players around me,” she said. “I think it’s just been a really special team to be a part of. And I’m very proud of what we have been able to accomplish over the years.” AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Sam Hicks, defense lead Abilene Christian over Northern Arizona 24-0 to extend 1st trip to playoffs