top646 com login Bill Clinton hospitalized with fever, aide says he 'remains in good spirits'Rock Island rolls again, remains unbeaten at 3-0

The entire five-senior member class that helped Wicksburg’s softball team to a state title this past spring is now college bound to play softball at the next level. The final three seniors – pitcher Natalie Cole, shortstop Tylaya Lingo and first baseman/outfielder Ella Grace Kelley – made it official Thursday during a signing ceremony at the Wicksburg High School gym. All three are headed to Gulf Coast Community in Panama City, Fla. Earlier this week, Dahlia Ganz signed with Chipola College in Marianna and Sarah Turvin with Wallace College in Dothan. “They made a huge difference (for us),” Wicksburg head coach Josh Cox said of his seniors. “It is a great class coming through and all are great kids too.” Wicksburg softball players (left to right) Ella Grace Kelley, Tylaya Lingo and Natalie Cole smile during a signing ceremony on Thursday at the Wicksburg High gym. The three have all signed to play softball at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla. While good friends and teammates both at Wicksburg and with the Alabama Fury travel ball team, Cole, Lingo and Kelley didn’t plan to go to the same college for their academic and athletic careers. “It just happened,” Cole said. “It was just God’s plan for each of us.” Lingo said the three going to the same school helps alleviate anxiety in going to a new program. “Going down there with both of them doesn’t feel so scary because you will have two teammates that you played with before,” Lingo said. “Going down with both of them is amazing.” Kelley added, “We are so super excited to go down there and play together.” The three played key roles in Wicksburg’s state title in the spring. Cole was the winning pitcher during the 10-0 state championship game win over Thorsby, firing a three-hit shutout with eight strikeouts and one walk over six innings. Kelley had two hits and Lingo reached base twice – on a bunt and a hit by pitch – and scored two runs during the title game. The three had strong seasons overall. Kelley and Lingo sparked the offense as the No. 1 and No. 2 hitters in the lineup, while Cole was one of Wicksburg’s dominating pitchers. All three received postseason accolades. Cole was named the Class 2A Player of the Year in the state by the Alabama Sports Writers Association and along with Lingo was named first all-state team. Lingo was a Dothan Eagle Super 12 selection and both Cole and Kelley were honorable mention Super 12. The three, who helped Wicksburg to a 42-12-1 record in winning the state title, go to a Gulf State program that has a history of winning. Last year’s team, led by head coach Scott Thomas and assistant coach Brittany Crowson, went 40-15. Kelley ready to focus on softball A three-sport athlete and a cheerleader at Wicksburg, Kelley is ready to focus on one sport in college. Kelley “While it is super hard to hang up my volleyball shoes and basketball shoes, I am super excited to go there and be able to focus on softball,” Kelley said. “I think it will help me get better.” Located a few miles from the beaches of Panama City, Gulf Coast was always a point of interest for Kelley, but said the decision to attend was sealed during a campus recruiting visit. “Growing up, I loved the beach – it is my favorite place to be,” Kelley said. “It had always been at the top of my list of where I wanted to go, but the moment I went down and met Coach Thomas and Coach B and (saw) the program they have built down there, I knew it was meant to be for me.” As Wicksburg’s lead-off hitter, Kelley batted .414 last year over 55 games and had a .494 on-base percentage plus four homers, 53 runs scored and 36 runs batted in. She also drew 22 walks and struck out only three times in 160 plate appearances. “I go into the box with a mindset of helping my team out whether that is moving a runner or getting a bunt down,” Kelley said. “Anything I can do to help them is my goal. I don’t up there for myself, I go up for my team. The strongest thing about me is I am able to put the bat on the ball more times than not. I don’t strike out a bunch.” Consistency and leadership have been two traits of Kelley, said Cox. “Ella Grace has been a consistent player,” Cox said. “She is a senior who has been at Wicksburg all of her life. She is a leader by example. She will always try to do things the right way when we are between the lines.” Kelley said she was thankful for the Wicksburg community. “This is my home,” Kelley said. “I have always said it was going to be super hard walking away from here. This place is everything to me. The people here are better than anyone you will ever meet – the families, the community. It makes me super happy to give back to them. Everything they did for me was noticed and I am thankful for it.” Family feeling key to Lingo Lingo said a family atmosphere at Gulf Coast helped sway her decision to play for the Commodores’ program. Lingo “The campus is beautiful,” Lingo said. “The coaches are really great coaches – coach Thomas and coach B – in how they act like family made me fall in love with them.” Lingo admitted signing to play college softball was a special feeling. “It feels surreal,” Lingo said. “It doesn’t feel real right now. It is probably one of the most exciting things that could happen to me.” In addition to softball, Lingo also plays volleyball and basketball and is a cheerleader at Wicksburg. She transferred to the school from Houston Academy prior to her junior year. “It wasn’t hard fitting in because they were so loving and caring,” Lingo said of her teammates. “They always are working to get better with each other. If we are competing, it is more like family competing together.” Lingo is a dual threat at the plate as the team’s No. 2 hitter. “My bunting and my speed are my top things,” Lingo said. “Usually, I see how everybody is playing (defensively), and I will lay down a bunt or do whatever the team needs to get a runner over. I will try anything to get on the bag and use my speed.” Over 47 games last year, Lingo hit .547 (58 hits in 106 at-bats) and had a .602 on-base percentage with four homers, 48 runs scored and 33 runs batted in. She also stole 21-of-21 bases and was hit by 11 pitches. “She is really good at small ball and she can also hit the deep ball, so she can take that big cut or lay down that bunt,” Cox said. “She played shortstop and that was a spot we needed. She came in at the right time to fill that void. She is a great all-around athlete.” Cole delivers as pitcher Following a state runner-up season in 2023, Wicksburg’s Cox was concerned about pitching with two main starters back – Ellie Cox and Ganz. Cole, a transfer from Providence Christian, eased his concerns. Cole “When you are trying to eat up innings and get there (to the state tournament), you have to have that extra (third) arm and Natalie filled that spot,” Cox said. “She came in and was a great pitcher for us. Her and Ellie (Cox) are great friends and it just really clicked.” In 25 pitching appearances, Cole amassed a 17-3 record, 1.10 earned run average, 0.67 WHIP (9 walks/68 hits in 114 2/3 innings) plus 200 strikeouts to only nine walks. Cole hit .279 and an on-base percentage of .409 on offense, but pitching, though, is her forte. “That is what I love the most,” Cole said. “I have worked hard with pitching all my life. “My best pitches are definitely my curveball and probably my rise ball.” Like her teammates, Gulf Coast’s proximity to the beach as well as the Commodores coaches were reasons for her choosing the program. “Well, it is at the beach,” Cole responded when asked about her decision. “When coach Thomas and coach B talked to me, I really felt that was the place that I needed to be. After a lot of prayer, I knew that was where I was supposed to be.” Though a transfer, Cole said she immediately felt at home at Wicksburg. “Everybody welcomed me like family,” Cole said. “It felt like I known all of them. Everybody was so sweet to me. I just love it.” Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox!

Relations between Bangladesh and India, which nosedived following the ouster of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August, appear set to deteriorate further. A sharpening of Muslim-Hindu conflict in Chittagong, the second most important part of Bangladesh after capital Dhaka, has exacerbated tension with India further. The Hindu-Muslim conflict, which is at the root of the tension now, is embedded in the domestic politics of both Bangladesh and India. That has its own dynamics, exacerbating tension and making it doubly difficult to solve. Slain Assistant Public Prosecutor Sayful Islam Alif The port city and trading centre of Chittagong has been a hotbed of ethnic, linguistic and religious conflict for decades. Earlier, the fight was between Bengali Muslims and the indigenous Buddhist Chakma tribe in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). Now it is a fight between the Bengali Muslim majority (87 percent) and the Bengali Hindus (11 percent) in Chittagong. While Muslims are seen by Hindus as being backed by the Bangladeshi State, the Hindus are perceived by the Muslims to be backed by Bangladesh’s neighbour and regional power, India, where an aggressive Hindu nationalism is ruling the roost. During the violent mass movement of July-August this year which ousted Sheikh Hasina, agitators attacked numerous Hindu properties as Hindus were seen as Hasina’s support base. These attacks instilled mortal fear among the Hindus whose population had already dwindled from about 30 percent in 1947 to about eight percent due to continuous State-backed Islamic intolerance over the years. However, the communal situation in Bangladesh as a whole calmed down in November and this year’s Durga festival of the Hindus went off without any incident. Trouble in Chittagong But trouble was brewing in Chittagong, which has traditionally been a bastion of Islamic radicalism and also Hindu assertion, according to a Bangladeshi social and political commentator Afsan Chowdhury. The headquarters of the Hefazat-e-Islam (Protection of Islam) with its large network of Madrasahs, are in Chittagong. The Hefazat stands for Sharia in Bangladesh. Because of its control of the Madrasahs, it has been wooed by Hasina’s Awami League and Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Hefazat, for example, made Hasina cut off Hindu authors from Bangladeshi school text books. Islamists of Chittagong have been looking at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) as a proselytising organisation with a strong base in India and Western countries. In the popular imagination, ISKCON is seen as an arm of India. The Hefazat and the Jamaat-e-Islami have even called for a ban on it. On their part, militant Hindus had recently organised massive demonstrations and threatened to march to Dhaka if the Interim Government failed to protect the community from Islamists and anti-Hasina forces. The recent trouble sparked off when the Hindu organisation Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote held a demonstration in which its flag was seen flying above the Bangladeshi national flag. For this, monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari of the Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote was arrested amidst a skirmish between his followers and the police. In the clash, Assistant Public Prosecutor Sayful Islam Alif was killed. Sayful is said to be a Jammat-i-Islami man who had sought a ban on ISKCON. However, ISKCON made it clear at a press conference that monk Chinmoy had been expelled from ISKCON earlier for misbehaving with a child. Therefore, the organisation would not shoulder any responsibility over his statements. ISKCON Bangladesh’s General Secretary Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, in a written statement, said that Leelaraj Gour Das, head of Prabartak Sri Krishna Mandir, Gaurang Das, and Chinmoy Krishna Das, head of Sri Sri Pundarik Dham in Chattogram, were expelled from ISKCON Bangladesh for breaching discipline of the organisation in July. That’s why any actions of these persons do not represent ISKCON Bangladesh, the statement added. However, the allegations stuck to ISKCON and created waves in India. Demand for arrest Sayful Islam Alif’s funeral was attended by leaders of the students’ movement which ousted Sheikh Hasina in August. Hasnat Abdullah, the convener of the Students Against Discrimination (SAD), demanded the arrest of ISKCON persons allegedly involved in the killing of the lawyer within the next 24 hours. Hasnat Abdulla also demanded a ban on ISKCON, saying, “There will be co-existence of all religions in our country, and we will work to protect the rights of all. But if an extremist organisation is run in the name of religion, they will not be given space here. My brother Sayful has been murdered brutally. ISKCON must be banned as a terrorist organisation.” But on Thursday, Bangladesh’s High Court refused to ban ISKCON. Hasnat Abdullah alleged that ISKCON was in favour of the fallen Hasina regime. “We did not forget how ISKCON created anarchy in Bangladesh, in favour of dictator Awami League as per the prescription of India. The people of Bangladesh will resist whatever conspiracies are hatched from India. We want to say categorically that the Awami League will never be rehabilitated in Bangladesh,” he said. As per media reports, Chinmoy is a radical leader too. He told a mass rally in Chittagong’s Laldighi ground, “If anyone wants to evict us (the Hindus) from this country and live in peace, it will become Afghanistan or Syria. There will be no democratic force. Bangladesh will become a sanctuary of communalism.” The arrest of Chinmoy had reverberations in New Delhi. The Indian External Affairs Ministry (MEA) expressed “deep concern”. In a statement, it said, “This incident follows multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh”. The MEA called upon the interim Government of Bangladesh to “ensure safety and security of Hindus and all minorities.” New Delhi is annoyed by regular declarations from the leaders of the Interim Government, including Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, that Hasina would be brought back from refuge in India, to face trial. However, till date, Dhaka has not formally asked for her extradition, perhaps not to put New Delhi in a fix. Responding to New Delhi’s remarks, Dhaka said Delhi’s statement was “contrary to facts.” A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh said that India had said “on a matter concerning the internal affairs of Bangladesh”, and added, “such unfounded statements not only misrepresent facts but also stand contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighbouring countries”. The Bangladesh Government also described the killing of advocate Sayful Alif as “brutal”. With the Indian media being spiteful about the peoples’ movement against Hasina, linking it to Islamic extremism and Pakistan’s machinations, and the Bangladeshi media harping on alleged Indian conspiracies to dominate Bangladesh, relations between the two countries have little or no chance of improving in the foreseeable future. Geographical location However, right-thinking Bangladeshi intellectuals rue the turn of events and see the disadvantages of an India-Bangladesh conflict to both countries. They are aware of the geographical location of Bangladesh which is surrounded on three sides by India and on one side by the Bay of Bengal. They also know that Bangladesh is heavily dependent on trade with India. It depends on India for river waters too. India too needs Bangladesh’s cooperation to prevent Islamic militants and the North Eastern tribal militants from securing hideouts in Bangladesh to plan attacks on India. Friendship with Bangladesh is also needed to minimise the threat from China which is expanding its footprint in South Asia. Since the issues are deep and formal relations are cold, informal contacts (track-two diplomacy) could help heal the deep wounds inflicted by the cataclysmic events of this year and set the stage for a formal rapprochement. But since domestic political interests influence foreign relations, communal politics in Bangladesh and India will continue to vitiate bilateral relations.

Even New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers thinks it's amusing that owner Woody Johnson's teenage sons could have a say in his future with the franchise. "I've never been released before," Rodgers said Monday on "The Pat McAfee Show." "Being released would be a first. Being released by a teenager would also be a first. ... I find the comedy in all of it. If that happens, it would be a great story." Is that a Brick Johnson decision #PMSLive https://t.co/NAYixvQYwR pic.twitter.com/HpUumfgI8f Rodgers was probably referring to a recent report by The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Michael Silver and Zack Rosenblatt. The report revealed Johnson's sons, Jack and Brick, likely influence roster decisions. For example, the 77-year-old owner reportedly nixed a trade for then-Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy because his rating in the "Madden NFL" video game was too low. That has looked like a foolish choice. Jeudy has career highs in receptions (72) and receiving yards (1,072) through 15 games with the Cleveland Browns. Whether Johnson's sons support the decision or not, the Jets will likely move on from Rodgers this offseason. Through 15 starts, the 41-year-old is 4-11 and has completed a below-average 62.8% of his passes for 3,511 yards and 24 touchdowns. He has also tossed eight interceptions. Per Spotrac, the Jets would incur $49M in dead cap in 2025 and 2026 if they release Rodgers with a post-June 1 designation. While it would be expensive, Rodgers' comments suggest it's possible. They also signal that his relationship with the franchise could be souring. Until then, the Jets will try to win their last two games. On Sunday, they face the Buffalo Bills (12-3) in a road game at 1:00 p.m. ET. Ending the season on a positive note will be challenging, especially as questions about who is running the team linger.Annual Gulf Studies Forum kicks off

Vijay’s Maiden Event as Political Party Leader

A quick recap of Tuesday's Class C-1 state championship game at Memorial Stadium. Final: Wahoo 47, Central City 7 Turning point: Landon Fye picked up a Central City lateral behind the line of scrimmage and rumbled 33 yards in the second quarter for the first points of the game. Fye's touchdown also snapped a five-quarter scoring drought for the Warriors in the state championship game dating back to the 2023 title game. It was over when ...: The Warriors' defense took over in the second half. Logan Kelley recorded Wahoo's sixth interception of the game and Noah Bordovsky found Josh Fox for a 31-yard touchdown to give the Warriors a 41-7 lead over the Bison in the third quarter. Game ball: The Wahoo defense. Kelley finished with two interceptions Tuesday as the Warriors forced eight turnovers, including seven interceptions. People are also reading... Talking hardware: It's Wahoo's second state championship trophy, joining the 2019 state title. The Warriors finished second in 2023. .​ Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox! Lincoln Stars/Lincoln Saltdogs reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Predators play the Devils following Josi’s 2-goal gameKorea-Middle East forum a vital bridge of dialogue, says minister

Tineco Recognized as Global Leader in Emerging Floor Washer CategoryNone

Wirex Adds 2 Stablecoins to Platform to Streamline Digital Currency SpendingLions injury updates: David Montgomery, Carlton Davis, Taylor Decker, Kalif Raymond | Sporting News

Las Palmas stun Barca on 125th anniversary, Atletico rout ValladolidPresident Bola Tinubu has said that he will not be probing Nigeria’s service chiefs, saying that he has confidence in their ability to secure the country. He said he was proud of what the services chiefs are doing. The Nigerian leader stated this on Monday night while speaking during his first presidential media chat in Lagos State. Tinubu, when asked if he will be probing security chiefs on the prevalent insecurity in Nigeria, said he believes in what they are doing and will not “disrespect the institution” with the threat of a probe. “I’m not probing any service chief. You cannot disrespect the institution because of threat of probe, and you cannot fight this war without investment in technology, in weaponry. Related News UPDATED: Tax reforms here to stay, says Tinubu Tinubu deserves support from Ijaw groups, says Ogbuku Stop politicising stampede tragedies, APC tells PDP “They are living and operating in a very serious condition. We have huge country, a very huge one, and lots of forests, unoccupied spaces. Give them credit for what they are doing, I am proud of what they are doing today. No need to probe,” he said. Tinubu stated that the current state of Nigeria’s security is better compared to past administrations, adding that Nigerians can now travel safely. He added, “Today, I have confidence in my security architecture of this country. Today, you can still travel on the roads. Before now, it was impossible. It takes one incident to mess up an organised environment, it takes one. You cannot say the military is not prepared when the near Brigade Battalion was attacked. “You can’t laugh at your nation because of that. The enemies within and without are watching what you are doing. You have to be prepared 100 percent, 24 hours of the time to make sure people are safe. “Today, that is not the story any longer. People can leave Kaduna and still go towards Kafanchan by road. Well, the road may not be that smooth, but gradually, we will be there.”

NoneEast Carolina wins 71-64 over Stetson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Arkansas defensive end Landon Jackson was carted off the field and taken to a hospital with a neck injury late in the first half of Saturday's game at No. 24 Missouri. Jackson appeared to injure his neck while trying to tackle Missouri running back Jamal Roberts. Medical personnel tended to Jackson for approximately 10 minutes before he was placed on a backboard and driven to a waiting ambulance. Jackson gave a thumbs-up sign as he was carted off the snow-covered field. Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek said Jackson had movement in his arms and legs but was experiencing pain in his neck. He said Jackson was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Jackson leads the Razorbacks with 9 1/2 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks, and is considered a potential first-round pick in next year's NFL draft. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballFORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — MiLaysia Fulwiley’s 14 points led seven players in double figures as fourth-ranked South Carolina overwhelmed Purdue 99-51 in the Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off on Saturday. Ashlyn Watkins and Tessa Johnson added 13 points, Chloe Kitts and Bree Hall had 12, Joyce Edwards 11 and Maddy McDaniel 10 for the Gamecocks (7-1). Purdue’s Destini Lombard led all scorers with 24 points. At one point, Purdue (4-3) and South Carolina (7-1) were tied 10-10. But coming out of a timeout, the Gamecocks went on a 13-2 run. South Carolina kept extending the lead. The Gamecocks led 53-18 at halftime and 78-31 after three quarters. No. 10 MARYLAND 66, GEORGE MASON 56 ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Kaylene Smikle scored 16 points and made a couple key baskets down the stretch to help No. 10 Maryland hold off George Mason in a matchup of unbeatens at the Navy Classic. The Terrapins (7-0) led by just two when Smikle stole the ball and made a layup while being fouled. The free throw pushed the lead to 58-53. Then a putback by Smikle put Maryland up by seven. The Terps won despite shooting 13 of 26 on free throws. George Mason (6-1) trailed by 10 at halftime before outscoring Maryland 18-7 in the third quarter. The Patriots’ final lead was 49-48 in the fourth after a jumper by Kennedy Harris. Harris led George Mason with 26 points. Maryland is off to its best start since winning its first 12 games in 2018-19. No. 15 IOWA ST. 75, MIDDLE TENNESSEE 59 FORT MEYERS, Fla. (AP) — Audi Crooks scored 21 points and No. 15 Iowa State rebounded from a 40-point loss to South Carolina with a win over Middle Tennessee in the Fort Meyers Women’s Tip-Off. The Cyclones closed the first half on a 10-2 run to lead 41-33. Mackenzie Hare had a steal she turned into a three-point play and Addy Brown had a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Brown finished with 12 points and eight rebounds for the Cyclones (6-2), who shot 55% from the field with eight 3-pointers. Ta’Mia Scott scored 24 points, 17 in the second half, for the Blue Racers (6-2). Anastasiia Boldyreva and Jalynn Gregory both added 14. The Blue Racers shot 28% in the first half and finished at 31.5%. No. 18 MISSISSIPPI 89, ALABAMA ST. 24 OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Sira Thienou scored 16 points with six rebounds, five assists and four steals and No. 18 Mississippi coasted to an win over Alabama State. Starr Jacobs and Christeen Iwuala both added 12 points and Kennedy Todd-Williams had 11 for the Rebels (5-2), who had a breather after losing to No. 2 UConn by 13 in the Bahamas. Kaitlyn Bryant had seven points to lead the Hornets (2-5), who shot 19% with 33 turnovers and were outrebounded 43-25. Alabama State was 1 of 8 with 11 turnovers in the first quarter, falling behind 24-4. The Hornets were 2 of 11 with seven giveaways in the second quarter when they were outscored 33-6 to trail 57-10 at the half. No. 24 LOUISVILLE 79, COLORADO 71 BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Nyla Harris had 14 points and Jayda Curry scored 10 of her 14 points in the fourth quarter to help No. 24 Louisville get past Colorado. The Cardinals led 56-55 after three quarters before pulling away in the fourth by scoring 16 unanswered points, capped by a fast-break layup by Curry, before Colorado made its first field goal of the frame with 2:48 left. Colorado scored the next six points to get within single digits at 72-63, but freshman Tajianna Roberts banked in a jumper in the lane at the other end. Izela Arenas sealed it on two free throws with 24.9 seconds left for a nine-point lead. Roberts finished with 13 and Arenas had 11 for Louisville (5-2).

Canada's Trudeau returns home after Trump meeting without assurances that tariffs are off the tableMozambique's highest court confirmed Monday the ruling party's victory in a disputed October vote after allegations of rigging triggered weeks of deadly street clashes. Fears are high in the country and abroad that more violence could break out in the southern African nation after the opposition threatened to call an uprising following the decision. The United States called for calm after the Constitutional Court said the ruling Frelimo party presidential candidate Daniel Chapo secured 65 percent of the vote, revising down provisional results from the electoral commission which said he got nearly 71 percent. Chapo's main challenger, exiled opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, received an upward revision to 24.2 percent of the vote. The final results extend Frelimo's half-century grip on power and lines up Chapo to take over from President Filipe Nyusi whose second term ends on January 15. Mondlane has said that the election was rigged in favour of Frelimo and that a separate count shows he won enough votes to take office, which he intends to do. Several international observer missions have also said there were irregularities. In Washington, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said there was "a lack of transparency" about the results and urged all parties to "refrain from violence and engage in meaningful collaboration to restore peace and foster unity". In his first speech after being declared winner, Chapo struck a conciliatory tone, promising to reach out to Mondlane, who has been in a self-imposed exile. "For our development we will continue to talk to everyone," said Chapo, a former provincial governor with no experience in national government. Mondlane has been in exile since the assassination of his lawyer on October 19, a killing he blames on security forces, and it was unclear if he intended to return. In address on social media after the court announced the result, the 50-year-old said that he would continue his fight for the "electoral truth". "The Mozambican people demand that we remain firm, that we don't stop our struggle and that we remain united and strong," said Mondlane, who appeals to disenchanted younger voters in a country of 33 million people marked by poverty despite its abundant resources. Before the announcement, he vowed to bring the country to a "new popular uprising at a level never seen before", should the council endorse Frelimo as winner. Maputo was tense ahead of the announcement, with main roads deserted and the metal curtains of stores lowered. Protesters set fire to tyres early in the evening but dispersed after a heavy rainfall. Mozambique has been rocked by unrest since the election commission said that the October 9 vote was won by Chapo. At least 130 people have been killed in two months of violence, most of them opposition demonstrators shot by security forces, according to local NGOs. Cities, mines, borders and ports have been affected by protest action and operations at the main border with South Africa halted, causing its neighbour major losses in exports. The US government on Thursday raised its warning level against travel to Mozambique before the council's announcement. Pope Francis called Sunday for dialogue and goodwill to "prevail over mistrust and discord" in Mozambique. The protests have been the "most dangerous" ever seen in Mozambique, said analyst Borges Nhamirre, continuing despite deaths and arrests, and intensifying with police stations and Frelimo offices torched. "I'm convinced that if Monday the Constitutional Council declares the election as free and fair, which I am 100 percent convinced it will, then the blood is going to flow," Maputo-based political and security risk analyst Johann Smith told AFP. "The whole game changes on Monday," said Smith. "It will be a lot more intense and bloody." Mondlane had awakened resentment against Frelimo, he said, similar to discontent that this year led to the party that governed Botswana since independence being voted out and threatening to do the same in Namibia. "It's almost like the Southern African Spring," Smith said, in a reference to the Arab anti-government protests in North Africa in the early 2010s. bur-ho/br/phzMen’s basketball notes: Taking stock of CU Buffs at holiday hiatus