357 poker game Chad Chronister, Donald Trump’s pick to run the DEA, withdraws name from considerationFounder of failed crypto lending platform Celsius Network pleads guilty to fraud charges

BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the gates of the capital and that government forces had abandoned the central city of Homs. The government was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The loss of Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Assad. It stands at an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader’s base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria’s third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. The capture of Homs is a major victory for insurgents, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama , as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said Homs falling into rebel hands would be a game-changer. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. For the first time in the country’s long-running civil war, the government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Assad's erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.” In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. In a statement issued late Saturday, the participants affirmed their support for a political solution to the Syrian crisis “that would lead to the end of military activity and protect civilians.” They also agreed on the importance of strengthening international efforts to increase aid to the Syrian people. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group’s image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama , the country’s fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists." The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria; Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad; and Josef Federman and Victoria Eastwood in Doha, Qatar, contributed to this report.2024 Ibrahim Index of African Governance Highlights Progress Amid Growing ChallengesSeattle Seahawks receiver is DK Metcalf is just fine when he doesn't have the the ball because it means he gets to showcase his blocking skills. “I just look at it as a sign of respect that I’ve gained from other defensive coordinators and just continue to do my job with it as blocking or being a decoy,” the two-time Pro Bowler said. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest sports news delivered right to your inbox six days a week.

UBS's Lefkowitz says U.S. stock valuations are 'reasonable'

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge terminated the gun case against Hunter Biden on Tuesday after President Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for his son. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika closed the case the week before Hunter Biden was to be sentenced. He could have faced up to 25 years in prison, though as a first-time offender he likely would have gotten far less time or avoided prison entirely. Prosecutors opposed dismissing the case, arguing in court documents that a pardon shouldn't wipe away the case “as if it never occurred." Hunter Biden was convicted on three felonies after he lied on a federal form to purchase a gun in Delaware by saying he wasn’t a drug user in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged being addicted. The judge's order ends the case but does not toss out the conviction. The Justice Department special counsel is also opposed to dismissing a case filed in California after Hunter Biden failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes . U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi in Los Angeles indicted he would dismiss the case once the pardon is formally received. Still, Scarsi was critical of the president's assertion that his son was singled out for political reasons, saying two judges had rejected similar arguments from his defense attorneys. The president's Sunday decision to go back on previous pledges and issue his son a blanket federal pardon for actions over the past 11 years has sparked a political uproar in Washington, drawing criticism from many Democrats as well as Republicans and threatening to cloud Biden’s legacy as he prepares to leave office on Jan. 20. Hunter Biden was originally supposed to strike a plea deal with prosecutors last year that would have spared him prison time, but the agreement fell apart after Noreika questioned unusual aspects of it. This story was first published Dec. 3, 2024. It was updated Dec. 4, 2024, to explain that the case was terminated, which ends the case but doesn’t toss out the conviction.

Liverpool's lead cut in Premier League and Man City ends slump. Chelsea and Arsenal winWhat Happens if DeSantis Gets Tapped as Trump's DOD Secretary?

JEFF PRESTRIDGE: Vernon is the small building society with a big heart showing the way By JEFF PRESTRIDGE FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY Updated: 21:56 GMT, 7 December 2024 e-mail View comments Vernon Building Society shares a lot of good characteristics with its hometown football club, Stockport County. Crucially, both care passionately about their local communities. The football team currently occupies a play-off spot in League One. Owned by successful property businessman Mike Stott, who was born in nearby Hazel Grove, the Hatters go out of their way to be welcoming to supporters, young and old. Last month, they charged kids a fiver for attending the team's FA Cup match against Brackley Town – a match they won 3-1, securing themselves a lucrative third-round fixture against premiership club Crystal Palace in the New Year. And as Ian Ladyman, my sports colleague at the Daily Mail, said recently, it wasn't a one-off. At last month's home game against Bolton, the club laid on pre-match and half-time entertainment for children. To put this into perspective, Manchester United, just ten miles from Stockport's Edgeley Park Stadium, is now charging children £66 to watch a Premier League fixture. Utterly scandalous – Stockport's starting price for children's tickets yesterday at the home match against Exeter was just £2. Vernon displays its local community bent in other ways. Outside Stockport, it has branches where there are no other banks or building societies – Poynton, Cheshire, and Reddish, Greater Manchester. Hats off: Stockport County's ground. Steve Fletcher, right Although its Bramhall branch is the last bank or building society branch standing, there is a nearby banking hub (a community bank) run by the Post Office. In Hazel Grove and Marple, it competes with NatWest and Nationwide, respectively. Steve Fletcher, Vernon's chief executive, is retiring in 12 days. But he says his seven-year stint at the building society has been the happiest of a career in which he has worked at Birmingham Midshires (snapped up by Halifax), Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banking Group (now, Virgin Money, part of Nationwide) and Woolwich (bought by Barclays). When Fletcher joined Vernon in early 2018, the building society was struggling. 'It wasn't modern,' he told me last week. 'Not in the way it treated customers or staff. The regulator also needed to be assured that the business was sustainable.' Fletcher set about reinvigorating Vernon. The society's boardroom was overhauled and made more 'professional'. But more important was a steely determination to grow the mutual's assets through doing mortgage business. Unlike many big rivals, which now use computer programmes to underwrite loan applications (giving borrowers a thumbs up or down), Fletcher decided upon a different approach. Loans are now underwritten individually, enabling the society to lend to borrowers who would be given the cold shoulder by most other lenders. The result is a mortgage book of £500 million, compared with £290 million when Fletcher joined Vernon. All six branches have had makeovers (the one in Marple will reopen just before Christmas), and while passbooks remain an essential part of its offering ('savers love them'), all accounts can now be operated online. 'When I was at Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banking Group,' says Fletcher, 'I was responsible for axing branches, sometimes leaving a town with no bank. It was all about cutting costs and keeping shareholders happy. Here, it has been about building choice for customers. Everything we do is the right thing to do, whether it's making donations to local not-for-profit groups or charities.' Vernon doesn't make big profits (£2.2 million last year), but enough to get by. Earlier this year, it celebrated its 100th anniversary. Let's hope new boss Darren Ditchburn carries on the good work to ensure Vernon remains as integral to the communities it serves as the Hatters are to Stockport. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next JEFF PRESTRIDGE: Campaigner, 84, who brought banking back to... Bosses 'immediately reacted' to Autumn Budget with job cuts,... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP What you need to know about money every week: This is Money podcast Longstanding funds are still going strong Happy anniversary to investment funds JO Hambro Capital Management (JOHCM) UK Equity Income and Law Debenture. JOHCM UK Equity Income, a £1.7 billion fund, has just celebrated its 20th birthday, while investment trust Law Debenture will mark its 135th a week on Monday at the home of the London Stock Exchange near St Paul's Cathedral. Both funds remain relevant to investors. JOHCM UK Equity Income has outperformed the FTSE All-Share Index over the past one, three, five and ten years, and managers Clive Beagles and James Lowen are confident that 2025 could be another good year. In their latest update, they claim they can deliver dividend growth next year in excess of five per cent. They are also buoyed by the fact that a majority of its 60-odd holdings are 'buys'. With the base rate likely to fall, an annual dividend yield next year of around 5.1 per cent looks enticing. Law Debenture is also focused on UK equity income shares, albeit with a twist. While around 80 per cent of its assets are invested in listed equities (mostly UK firms) and managed by the investment house Janus Henderson, the remainder comprises ownership of the unlisted financial business Independent Professional Services (IPS). IPS has several strands to its bow, providing trustee services to company pension funds and businesses – and a company secretarial facility. It generates a lot of revenue, enhancing its ability to pay shareholders an attractive stream of income. Charity left reeling by NI tax raid A few days ago I popped along to a local charity, the Wokingham and District Association for the Elderly (Wade). Philip Mirfin, chairman of the charity's trustees, gave me a tour of Wade's premises and explained the crucial service it provides to many of the elderly people who live in the Berkshire town. 'We are a small but necessary charity,' he explained. 'We offer day care to the over-60s – where they can get fed, be pampered a little, and meet other people. 'They feel loved and less lonely. If they live with family, it provides the family with respite.' No other organisation in Wokingham offers such a vital service for the elderly. Yet, like many charities and hospices, Rachel Reeves's raid on National Insurance will hit Wade hard. Mirfin estimates that together with the higher minimum wage – but after the hike in employment allowance, which small employers can use to mitigate their NI costs – Wade's NI costs will rise by £27,000 next year. Not a huge hit on the surface, but it is when Wade is spending more on the day care it provides (£578,846 last year) than it generates in income (£513,615). Like similar charities up and down the country, Wade provides a key service at a time when social care provision in this country is creaking at the seams. Surely, Reeves's NI raid wasn't meant to include them? This is Money podcast What next for house prices and is it harder to buy a home now vs 1974? Are interest rate cuts about to stall - and what does it mean for you? Why have crypto prices soared - and should you be wary of a tax sting? What Trump means for your money - and a 10th birthday Will the Budget cost you money - and will Rachel Reeves' plan work? Public vs private sector pensions - how to avoid a race to the bottom More This is Money podcasts Share or comment on this article: JEFF PRESTRIDGE: Vernon is the small building society with a big heart showing the way e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence.

NoneDisability ministers will ‘champion’ inclusion and accessibility, says Timms

New York Emerging Technology Advisory Board Publishes First Report Outlining Vision to Elevate Leadership in AIThe long-running gang and racketeering trial that led Atlanta rapper Young Thug to plead guilty in October ended on Tuesday with the last two defendants found not guilty of racketeering, murder and gang-related charges. Deamonte Kendrick, who raps as Yak Gotti, was acquitted of all charges and Shannon Stillwell was found guilty only of gun possession. The verdicts came nearly two years after jury selection began and a year after opening statements in a trial plagued with problems. The original, sweeping indictment used song lyrics and social media posts as evidence and charged 28 people with conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Young Thug, a Grammy-winning artist whose real name is Jeffery Williams, was set free on probation after he pleaded guilty in October to gang, drug and gun charges. RELATED STORY | Rapper Young Thug pleads guilty to gang, drug and gun charges Kendrick and Stillwell were charged in a 2015 drive-by shooting outside an Atlanta barbershop that killed Donovan Thomas Jr., also known as “Big Nut,” who prosecutors said was in a rival gang. Stillwell also was charged with fatally shooting Shymel Drinks at a red light in 2022, allegedly in retaliation for the killings days earlier of two associates in a gang known as YSL, which prosecutors said was co-founded by Young Thug. Stillwell was sentenced to the 10-year maximum for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon previously convicted of a felony involving a gun, with credit for the two years he already served and the balance to be served on probation. Nine of the defendants, including the rapper Gunna, accepted plea deals before the trial began, and four more pleaded guilty during the trial, in October. Charges against 12 others remain pending. Prosecutors dropped charges against one defendant after he was convicted of murder in an unrelated case. That left Kendrick and Stillwell, both of whom were stabbed while in jail — Stillwell last year and Kendrick on Sunday. Tuesday's verdicts were a major setback for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Critics had criticized her use of the state’s anti-racketeering law, which she also used to bring charges against President-elect Donald Trump for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. “We always respect the verdict of a jury,” said Jeff DiSantis, a spokesperson for Willis. Defense attorneys said the state relied on faulty evidence — song lyrics, cherry-picked social media posts and unreliable witness testimony — to create a misleading narrative about young men who turned to music to escape economic hardship and difficult pasts. The jury's decision left Tasha Kendrick, Kendrick's mom, in tears. “I’m just thankful for a lot of things right now,” she said. “My emotions are all over the place right now." RELATED STORY | Judge removed from gang and racketeering case against rapper Young Thug Prosecutors said Williams and two others founded Young Slime Life in association with the national Bloods gang in 2012. The 33-year-old artist also has a record label called Young Stoner Life. Kendrick is featured on two of the most popular songs from the label’s compilation album Slime Language 2, “Take It to Trial” and “Slatty,” as well as Young Thug’s “Slime Sh-t," which prosecutors presented as evidence. Williams entered a risky “blind” plea — meaning he pleaded guilty without an agreement on his sentence — in October. Williams’ lawyer said he felt like they were winning, but the rapper complained that sitting in court felt like “hell” and wanted to go home to his family. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker let him out of jail on probation with tight restrictions, including a 10-year ban from metro Atlanta except for certain occasions. The trial shook Atlanta’s rap scene. Williams grew up in a violent Atlanta housing project and became a highly successful artist who added his own melodic twist to the modern Southern trap sound he helped popularize. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville was removed from the case in July after he met with prosecutors and a state witness without defense attorneys present. Kendrick’s attorney Doug Weinstein said defendants got a “fair trial” once Whitaker took over. Among other things, she reprimanded the prosecution for being disorganized and not sharing evidence. During closings, Stillwell’s defense attorney Max Schardt sought to cast doubts on the gang investigators and other state witnesses. Several alleged YSL members testified they had lied to police to stay out of prison. Schardt said officers had threatened them with long prison sentences if they didn’t say the right thing. Prosecutors said those witnesses were honest with police but lied on the stand, in front of the people they had “snitched” on. They said their statements were corroborated by other evidence such as songs and social media posts where they said defendants were “bragging about murder.” RELATED STORY | Why Young Thug's popularity is making his court case so complex Prosecutors threw together lyrics, social media posts and irrelevant evidence to “see what sticks,” Weinstein argued, but did not prove they were connected to a criminal enterprise. While defendants did commit crimes in the past, Schardt said during closings, it was to make money for themselves in communities stripped of economic opportunity — not to advance a gang. And music let some of them move on. “As a whole, we know the struggles that these communities have had,” Schardt said. “A sad, tacit acceptance that it’s either rap, prison or death.” Both defense attorneys said Kendrick and Stillwell have other pending charges but hope to get them released from jail as soon as possible. Stillwell is not “blind to the fact that he is getting a second chance at life," Schardt said. Weinstein said Kendrick, who is close friends with Young Thug, was laser-focused on his music career before the state pulled him back into the criminal justice system. “I’m so happy that he can kind of draw a line in the sand now,” Weinstein said. “All of this is behind him. He can get on with his life and not worry about this nonsense.”

Seattle Seahawks receiver is DK Metcalf is just fine when he doesn't have the the ball because it means he gets to showcase his blocking skills. “I just look at it as a sign of respect that I’ve gained from other defensive coordinators and just continue to do my job with it as blocking or being a decoy,” the two-time Pro Bowler said. While opposing defenses have keyed in on Metcalf, other aspects of Seattle's offense have surfaced during its four-game winning streak. The run has the Seahawks (8-5) sitting atop the NFC West heading into Sunday night's game against the visiting Green Bay Packers (9-4). Geno Smith's new top target is second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who needs 89 receiving yards for his first career 1,000-yard season. Smith-Njigba has 75 catches for 911 yards and five touchdowns, while Metcalf, often dealing with double coverage, has 54 catches for 812 yards and two scores. Metcalf says he feels the pride of a “proud parent or a big brother” when it comes to Smith-Njigba's success. Seattle's offense also got a boost from the ground game in a 30-18 victory over the Arizona Cardinals last weekend . Zach Charbonnet, filling in for the injured Kenneth Walker III, ran for a career-best 134 yards and two touchdowns. The Seahawks face another hot team in the Packers (9-4), who have won seven of nine. Green Bay's two losses over that stretch have come against NFC-best Detroit (12-1), including a 34-31 victory by the Lions on Dec. 5, which means the NFC North title is likely out of reach for the Packers. The Packers are well-positioned for a playoff berth, but that almost certainly won't come this weekend. They would need a win, a loss or tie by the Atlanta Falcons and a tie between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. Metcalf, who learned to block from his father, former Chicago Bears offensive lineman Terrence Metcalf, says he tries to take blocking seriously to set himself apart from other receivers. His priorities are simple when he's getting double-teamed and the ball goes elsewhere. “Trying to block my (butt) off and trying to get pancakes on defensive backs,” he said. When the Packers surged their way into the playoffs last season, quarterback Jordan Love was a major reason why. He had 18 touchdown passes and one interception during Green Bay's final eight games. During the last four games of this season, Love ranks third in the NFL with a 118.9 passer rating with six touchdowns, one interception and a league-best 10.3 yards per attempt. “I always feel like I can put the ball where I want to — and that’s part of it, too, having that confidence to be able to throw those passes,” Love said. “There’s always like I said a handful of plays that might not come off or be in the exact spot that you wanted it to or the throw might be a little bit off. So, that’s where you’ve just got to try to be at your best every play, be consistent and accurate as possible.” Green Bay’s pass defense has been picked apart the last two weeks. First, it was torched by Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins in a Packers win. Next, it allowed Jared Goff to complete his final 13 passes as the Lions rallied to victory. It won’t get any easier this week. Smith is second in the NFL in attempts, completions and passing yards and is fifth in completion percentage. “It’s been a remarkable turnaround for him in terms of just where he started,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “It’s not always where you start, but where you finish. And it tells me a lot about the person in terms of his resiliency and ability to fight through some adversity. He’s a dangerous quarterback.” The potential return of former All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) could help the Packers. Will the Packers break out their head-to-toe white uniforms? The last time Green Bay wore the winter white look was in a 24-22 win over Houston in October. The Packers asked fans to weigh in on social media . As for the Seahawks, they'll be sporting their “Action Green” uniforms. Metcalf is a fan. “I would say this about the Action Green, I love them personally in my opinion, but the big guys hate them. I don’t know why, don’t ask me," he said. “Hopefully, the Packers wear all white, so it’ll be a fun-looking game.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Seattle Seahawks receiver is DK Metcalf is just fine when he doesn't have the the ball because it means he gets to showcase his blocking skills. “I just look at it as a sign of respect that I’ve gained from other defensive coordinators and just continue to do my job with it as blocking or being a decoy,” the two-time Pro Bowler said. While opposing defenses have keyed in on Metcalf, other aspects of Seattle's offense have surfaced during its four-game winning streak. The run has the Seahawks (8-5) sitting atop the NFC West heading into Sunday night's game against the visiting Green Bay Packers (9-4). Geno Smith's new top target is second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who needs 89 receiving yards for his first career 1,000-yard season. Smith-Njigba has 75 catches for 911 yards and five touchdowns, while Metcalf, often dealing with double coverage, has 54 catches for 812 yards and two scores. Metcalf says he feels the pride of a “proud parent or a big brother” when it comes to Smith-Njigba's success. Seattle's offense also got a boost from the ground game in a 30-18 victory over the Arizona Cardinals last weekend . Zach Charbonnet, filling in for the injured Kenneth Walker III, ran for a career-best 134 yards and two touchdowns. The Seahawks face another hot team in the Packers (9-4), who have won seven of nine. Green Bay's two losses over that stretch have come against NFC-best Detroit (12-1), including a 34-31 victory by the Lions on Dec. 5, which means the NFC North title is likely out of reach for the Packers. The Packers are well-positioned for a playoff berth, but that almost certainly won't come this weekend. They would need a win, a loss or tie by the Atlanta Falcons and a tie between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. Metcalf, who learned to block from his father, former Chicago Bears offensive lineman Terrence Metcalf, says he tries to take blocking seriously to set himself apart from other receivers. His priorities are simple when he's getting double-teamed and the ball goes elsewhere. “Trying to block my (butt) off and trying to get pancakes on defensive backs,” he said. When the Packers surged their way into the playoffs last season, quarterback Jordan Love was a major reason why. He had 18 touchdown passes and one interception during Green Bay's final eight games. During the last four games of this season, Love ranks third in the NFL with a 118.9 passer rating with six touchdowns, one interception and a league-best 10.3 yards per attempt. “I always feel like I can put the ball where I want to — and that’s part of it, too, having that confidence to be able to throw those passes,” Love said. “There’s always like I said a handful of plays that might not come off or be in the exact spot that you wanted it to or the throw might be a little bit off. So, that’s where you’ve just got to try to be at your best every play, be consistent and accurate as possible.” Green Bay’s pass defense has been picked apart the last two weeks. First, it was torched by Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins in a Packers win. Next, it allowed Jared Goff to complete his final 13 passes as the Lions rallied to victory. It won’t get any easier this week. Smith is second in the NFL in attempts, completions and passing yards and is fifth in completion percentage. “It’s been a remarkable turnaround for him in terms of just where he started,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “It’s not always where you start, but where you finish. And it tells me a lot about the person in terms of his resiliency and ability to fight through some adversity. He’s a dangerous quarterback.” The potential return of former All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) could help the Packers. Will the Packers break out their head-to-toe white uniforms? The last time Green Bay wore the winter white look was in a 24-22 win over Houston in October. The Packers asked fans to weigh in on social media . As for the Seahawks, they'll be sporting their “Action Green” uniforms. Metcalf is a fan. “I would say this about the Action Green, I love them personally in my opinion, but the big guys hate them. I don’t know why, don’t ask me," he said. “Hopefully, the Packers wear all white, so it’ll be a fun-looking game.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflHas Google Turned A Corner In Quantum And AI Computing ?

NoneNone

None

Chad Chronister, Donald Trump’s pick to run the DEA, withdraws name from considerationStock Market Today: Stocks End Mixed Ahead of Powell