As they get ready to meet the New York Knicks (15-9) on Wednesday, December 11 at Madison Square Garden, with the opening tip at 7:00 PM ET, the Atlanta Hawks (13-12) have two players currently listed on the injury report. The Knicks have listed one injured player. Watch the NBA, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up. Last time out, the Knicks won on Monday 113-108 against the Raptors. In the Knicks’ win, Karl-Anthony Towns led the way with a team-high 24 points (adding 15 rebounds and six assists). The Hawks head into this matchup on the heels of a 141-111 loss to the Nuggets on Sunday. The Hawks got a team-best 20 points from De’Andre Hunter in the loss. Sign up for NBA League Pass to get live and on-demand access to NBA games. Get tickets for any NBA game this season at StubHub. Catch NBA action all season long on Fubo. Bet on this or any NBA matchup at BetMGM. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .Sri Lanka’s sports sector, with its growing global appeal and lucrative investments, is increasingly vulnerable to the threat of money laundering (ML). From cricket’s international spotlight to emerging interest in football and basketball, Sri Lanka’s sports landscape offers vast opportunities for illicit financial activities. As international regulatory bodies tighten their scrutiny on ML risks in sports, Sri Lanka must take proactive steps to fortify its defences and safeguard the integrity of its sports industry. ML in sports is not a new phenomenon. The complex financial transactions that occur from sponsorship deals and player transfers to illegal betting operations can easily be manipulated by criminal syndicates to disguise the origins of illicit funds. As Sri Lanka continues to build its reputation as a regional sporting hub, the country must enhance its control mechanisms and ensure that financial criminals do not exploit its sporting events and institutions. 1. Strengthening Legal Frameworks and Regulations One of the first steps Sri Lanka can take is further to strengthen its anti-money laundering (AML) laws as they relate to sports. While Sri Lanka has made progress with measures such as the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the Sports Ministry’s oversight committee, there is still room for improvement in addressing sports-specific risks. The country could introduce specialized regulations tailored to the unique financial flows in sports, such as regulating sponsorship contracts, player transfers and even charitable donations linked to sports events. Additionally, Sri Lanka should consider enacting stricter penalties for individuals and organizations found to be complicit in facilitating money laundering through sports. This could serve as a deterrent for those looking to exploit the system and would send a clear message that financial crimes in the sports sector will not be tolerated. 2. Enhanced Financial Transparency in Sports A key challenge in controlling ML in sports is the lack of transparency in financial transactions. To combat this, Sri Lanka could impose more stringent transparency requirements on its sports organizations. By mandating public disclosure of all major sponsorship deals, player transfers, and financial arrangements over a certain threshold, the government can ensure that money trails are easier to trace. For example, Sri Lanka could introduce a system similar to that of European football clubs, where every major financial deal, such as player sales, sponsorships, or media rights agreements, is subject to thorough vetting by financial regulatory bodies. This would reduce the opportunity for criminals to funnel illicit money through inflated contracts and transactions. 3. Improved Monitoring of Betting and Gambling Activities Illegal betting is one of the primary ways in which money laundering occurs in sports, especially in cricket and football. As part of its effort to control money laundering, Sri Lanka should strengthen its regulation of both legal and illegal gambling activities associated with sports. The government can work to close loopholes in the betting industry by enforcing stricter controls on online and offshore betting sites, which often facilitate ML. Establishing partnerships with global organizations such as the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the International Football Federation (FIFA) would help Sri Lanka better monitor betting patterns and identify suspicious activity in real-time. By expanding the scope of its regulatory framework, Sri Lanka can ensure that betting and gambling activities remain free from criminal exploitation. 4. Collaboration with International Financial Institutions and Law Enforcement ML in sports often involves international networks, with illicit money moving across borders. To effectively tackle this problem, Sri Lanka must strengthen its cooperation with global financial institutions and law enforcement agencies. By sharing information and collaborating with international bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Interpol, Sri Lanka can improve its ability to track cross-border financial crimes linked to sports. Sri Lanka should also consider implementing joint task forces with neighbouring countries to monitor ML activities within regional sports. This cross-border cooperation would help detect illegal money flows that could otherwise go unnoticed. 5. Investing in Education and Training for Stakeholders Education is another critical area in the fight against money laundering in sports. Athletes, coaches, sports agents, club owners and officials must be aware of the risks posed by illicit financial activities and understand the legal and financial frameworks that govern sports transactions. Sri Lanka should invest in widespread educational programs that train key stakeholders to spot red flags and understand the consequences of money laundering. 6. Use of Technology and Data Analytics The use of technology and data analytics has become essential in detecting and preventing financial crime. Sri Lanka should leverage advanced technologies to monitor financial transactions in real-time, flagging any unusual activity for further investigation. By adopting sophisticated systems that can trace money trails and track suspicious financial movements, the country can improve its ability to prevent money laundering in sports before it occurs. 7. Encouraging Whistleblower Protection and Reporting Finally, creating an environment where whistleblowers feel safe to report suspicious activities is vital in the fight against ML. Sri Lanka should establish a clear, confidential reporting mechanism for anyone within the sports sector who suspects illicit financial activity. This could include a dedicated hotline or online platform where individuals can anonymously report concerns. Furthermore, providing legal protections for whistleblowers would ensure that individuals who expose illegal activities are shielded from retaliation, encouraging more people to come forward and report financial misconduct. Conclusion As Sri Lanka’s sports industry continues to grow, the country must be proactive in addressing the risks posed by ML. Through stronger legal frameworks, enhanced transparency, international cooperation and the use of advanced technologies, Sri Lanka can mitigate the risks of financial crime in sports and safeguard the integrity of its sports sector. With these measures in place, Sri Lanka can ensure that its sporting achievements are built on a foundation of trust, fairness and accountability. NB: The writer is Master of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing – Charles Sturt University Australia. Master of Fraud & Financial Crimes – Charles Sturt University Australia and Telecommunication fraud investigatorThe Stormont Assembly has voted to extend post-Brexit trading arrangements for Northern Ireland for another four years. The vote to continue with the contentious arrangements passed on a straight majority basis after a lengthy and at times ill-tempered and fractious debate at Parliament Buildings, with 48 MLAs voting in favour and 36 voting against. The debate and vote were required under the democratic consent mechanism in the UK and EU’s Windsor Framework deal and were designed to give local elected representatives a say on the trade rules that now operate in the region. The framework, and its predecessor the NI Protocol, require checks and customs paperwork on goods moving from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. Under the arrangements, which were designed to ensure no hardening of the Irish land border post-Brexit, Northern Ireland continues to follow many EU trade and customs rules. This has proved highly controversial, with unionists arguing the system threatens Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom. All unionist parties represented in the chamber – the DUP , UUP and TUV – and independent unionist Claire Sugden voted against continuing the arrangements on Tuesday evening, but they were outnumbered by members of Sinn Fein , the Alliance Party and the SDLP who all voted in favour of an extension. The three parties all argued the framework serves to protect Northern Ireland from negative economic consequences of Brexit. People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll also voted for an extension. A Stormont vote had to be held on articles five to 10 of the Windsor Framework, which underpin the EU trade laws in force in Northern Ireland, before December 17. Unlike other votes on contentious issues at Stormont, the motion did not require cross-community support to pass. If it had secured cross-community support – ie a majority of unionists and a majority of nationalists in favour – then the arrangements would have been extended for eight years. However, the vote passing on only a straight majority means the relevant articles of the framework will instead be extended for four years. Passage on a simple majority also means the Government is now obliged to instigate an independent review of how the framework is working. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn welcomed the outcome of the vote, describing it as an “important step forward” for the Windsor Framework arrangements. “This democratic safeguard has provided the elected representatives of the people of Northern Ireland with a say over the trading arrangements that will apply over the next four years,” he said. “I will now proceed as required by the law, including to commission an independent review. “The Government remains committed to implementing the Windsor Framework in good faith and protecting the UK internal market, in a way that offers stability and works for Northern Ireland, for businesses, and for traders.” Advocating for an extension during the debate, Sinn Fein MLA and Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald highlighted the fact that the arrangements allowed companies in Northern Ireland to sell freely and unfettered within the UK internal market and into the EU single market. “I think the vast majority of us do recognise that we need to maintain both our north/south and east/west trade, and that has not been easy to achieve. It has required difficult compromise and imaginative solutions,” she said. Ms Archibald acknowledged there would be more Brexit-related challenges in the future. “But the arrangements in place are better than the alternative of a land border and checks on this island that would have had a catastrophic impact on our integrated supply chains, not to mention our integrated economies and communities,” she said. However, speaking from the backbenches, DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly accused those in favour of extending the arrangements of “dismissing and demeaning” the concerns of unionists. “We cannot and ought not to sneer at each other across this chamber when we are raising constitutional and ideological and real concerns that we genuinely feel,” she said. “That has been the hallmark of the last eight years and the lessons of the last eight years must be learned. It cannot be repeated. Issues must be addressed and promises kept. “Make no mistake, the mishandling of Brexit and the subsequent protocol was an unparalleled act of constitutional self-harm by the UK government. “No government should have ever signed up to such terms, an agreement that damaged the very fabric of our constitutional settlement and shattered the integrity of the UK internal market.” Earlier, her party colleague Jonathan Buckley branded the debate an “illusion of democracy” during a marathon speech that lasted more than an hour. Alliance Party leader and Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long insisted the arrangements were required only because of the result of Brexit. She highlighted that many of the unionists who opposed the framework had championed a UK exit from the EU ahead of the 2016 referendum. “I do get a sense that this entire debate feels a bit like ‘hello actions, let me introduce you to consequences’,” she said. Ms Long said the debate marked “another important moment in our long journey towards some kind of security post-Brexit”. “In the eight years since the UK voted to depart the European Union, a lot of time and energy and resources have been spent seeking to navigate the choppy and uncharted waters into which that decision launched us all,” she said. “A lot of time, energy and resource that may have been better spent actually investing in our communities and making life better for the people we represent.” Ulster Unionist Party MLA Steve Aiken said he had sympathy with the argument that the framework undermined the United Kingdom. However, he said the “real reason” MLAs should be voting no was because the sections of the framework being debated “fundamentally undermine the competitiveness of our economy”. “They work against our customers, our farmers, our hospitality sector, our green targets, and even our livestock and domestic animals,” he said. “These articles remove this place’s role in democratic accountability.” He added: “Supporting the retention of articles five to 10 (of the framework) shows that narrow ideology supplants the needs of our people. “Maybe not now, but soon the electorate will realise the severe long-term implications of this vote and note who voted for the needs of the people rather than those of the EU and, may I even dare say, the British government.” Leader of the Opposition at Stormont, SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole said Brexit had been a “disaster” for the UK. “Northern Ireland has had some protections from Brexit,” he added. Mr O’Toole pointed to statistics that he said showed that economic output in Northern Ireland had grown at a faster rate than elsewhere in the UK over the last five years. He conceded that was not entirely thanks to the post-Brexit trade arrangements, but insisted the figures undermined unionist claims that the protocol/framework was damaging the region’s economy. “The idea that the protocol has ravaged our economy and that we’re doing terribly as a result of the protocol is clearly and obviously self-evidently untrue,” he said. “Because if it had been ravaging and damaging our economy in the way that some have claimed, then the numbers would bear it out. They don’t and they haven’t.” TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said it was “absurd” that the requirement for cross-community support – a key plank of the 1998 Good Friday/Belfast peace agreement – had been set aside on what he described as the most controversial vote in the history of Stormont. “The supposed protections of the Belfast Agreement only ever applied for as long as they suited nationalism,” he said. “Once unionism was in the minority in this place, the protections no longer apply.” A dispute over the so-called Irish Sea border led to the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022, when the DUP withdrew then-first minister Paul Givan from the coalition executive. The impasse lasted two years and ended in February when devolution returned.
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after his long diplomatic trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil The Nigerian president had visited the South American country to participate in the 19th G20 Leaders' Summit, which was held in Brazil During the meeting, President Tinubu engaged in discussion with global leaders, discussing economic development, climate change, and international cooperation PAY ATTENTION: Follow our WhatsApp channel to never miss out on the news that matters to you! President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after participating in the 19th G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The president's attendance at the summit was intended to promote Nigeria's interests and strengthen relationships with other world leaders. During his time at the summit, President Tinubu engaged in discussions with other leaders on various global issues, including economic development, climate change, and international cooperation. The summit provided a platform for President Tinubu to showcase Nigeria's potential and attract foreign investment to the country. What Tinubu's return to Nigeria means Read also “Tragedy into economic opportunity”: Tinubu speaks on investment in livestock development President Tinubu's return to Nigeria marks the end of his diplomatic trip to Brazil, where he was received with warm hospitality. The president's participation in the G20 summit demonstrates his commitment to promoting Nigeria's interests on the global stage. PAY ATTENTION : Standing out in social media world? Easy! "Mastering Storytelling for Social Media" workshop by Legit.ng. Join Us Live! The G20 summit is an annual meeting of leaders from the world's 20 largest economies, aimed at promoting global economic growth and stability. President Tinubu's attendance at the summit highlights Nigeria's growing influence in global affairs. President Tinubu's return to Nigeria is expected to be followed by a series of meetings and briefings with government officials and other stakeholders. The president is likely to share his experiences and insights from the G20 summit and discuss ways to implement the agreements and commitments made during the summit. Source: Legit.ng
Russia Executes Five Ukrainian Prisoners Of War: Kyiv
Every Black Friday, there’s a number of viral products that everyone has on their Christmas wish list, and we don’t expect this year to be any different. However, not all of these popular items are going to stay in stock, and we have some insight on the ones that won’t. Black Friday is big business, and last year shoppers spent $222.1 billion during the entire holiday shopping season, according to Queue-it. Sales on Black Friday reached $16.4 billion (online and in stores), and this was a 9% increase from the year before. While it comes as no surprise that electronics are the most sought-after products of the holiday season, Queue-it said this accounts for the majority of holiday sales, jumping to $50.8 billion in 2023. Apparel, furniture, groceries and toys are the other hot sellers of Black Friday. Together, these five categories accounted for 65% of sales during the holidays last year and is only expected to grow in 2024. While many items that sell out over Black Friday are driven by a good deal, we also know that a hot product is just that — a gift that most people want to open on Christmas Day. So, here are our picks for the top 10 hot-ticket items that could sell out over Black Friday. Samsung 98-inch QLED TV 1. Big TVs The holidays are ripe for TV deals, and we expect shoppers to buy a ton of them in 2024, especially at Walmart. Consumers are trending toward bigger TVs and the super low-price deals over Black Friday force many models to sell out. This is especially true of popular models from Samsung, Hisense, LG and more favorites. Apple Watch Series 9 2. Apple Watches Apple's smartwatches are a top pick among Apple fans. We’ve seen prices on the Apple Watch continue to trend downward, which was only spurred by the release of the new Apple Watch 10 in September. This pushed down prices on earlier models, with the best deals coming on the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch 9. For Black Friday, we think the prices will drop even lower and sell out due to high demand. Beats Solo3 3. Beats headphones Wireless headphones are one of the most popular products of 2024, and Beats are one of the top brands. We’re already seeing big markdowns on Beats Wireless Headphones, and we expect these price drops to continue into Black Friday. The Beats Solo3 is likely to be on sale for even cheaper than we’ve already seen, and we think they will sell out for Black Friday, with the possibility of other popular Beats headphones joining them. Apple AirPods (3rd gen) 4. Apple AirPods If you haven’t picked up a pair of Apple AirPods yet, this could be your year to do it. With Apple launching a fourth generation of AirPods earlier this year, the price on prevvious models are creeping lower. We think over Black Friday they’ll be at their cheapest price ever, with the AirPods (3rd Gen) likely to sell out. JBL Flip 6 5. JBL bluetooth speakers Bluetooth speakers are a must-have for many this year, and with the big sound that comes from JBL’s speakers, it’s easy to see why they might sell out for Black Friday. These popular speakers come in a variety of portable sizes and waterproof designs. We expect big deals on JBL’s top-rated Clip 5 and Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker models. Apple iPad (10th Gen) 6. Apple iPad One of Apple’s most sought-after products of the year was the iPad, and we saw the 9th Gen and 10th Gen models drop to their lowest prices ever. We think this year will bring some iPad bliss with even better discounts, but these deals will disappear just as fast as they arrive. We think that mega discounts on the iPad (9th Gen) and iPad (10th Gen) could cause sell outs, especially on Amazon. Dyson Airwrap 7. Dyson Airwrap The Dyson Airwrap just might be the top product of Black Friday, as this is one of the rare times there’s a discount on the beloved hair styling tool. At $600, the Airwrap carries a hefty price tag, so any discount presented is a welcome surprise. But as we’ve seen in the past, any Black Friday deal on the Dyson Airwrap causes a crush of interest that’s followed by a sell out. Ugg Tasman slippers 8. UGG Tasman slippers If you’ve tried to scoop up the UGG Tasman Slippers in previous years, you already know they never stay in stock for long. As the “it” slipper of the holiday season, UGG’s Tasman sells out multiple times over the holidays, even without a discount offered. We think that this year will be similar, with popular sizes and colors of the Tasman Slipper snatched up fast over Black Friday. Bissell Little Green 9. Bissell Little Green The Bissell Little Green carpet cleaner is a popular home product that just can’t seem to stay in stock. With prices falling under $90, this mighty machine can be a blessing for pet owners and parents, as its compact size makes it easy to store and use when needed. We’ve seen the Little Green Machine sell out before, and we’d be surprised if it didn’t do it again over Black Friday. Furby Galaxy Edition 10. Furby Galaxy Edition We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a top toy that we think will be hard to find and gift this year. Our pick is the Furby Galaxy Edition. This glow-in-the-dark Furby is based on the original Furby from the late ’90s with even more features, interactive modes and more fun. Making a comeback in 2023, we saw the revival of this popular toy sell out last year, and we expect the new Furby Galaxy Edition to do the same. Make your house a home For the holidays: Get inspiring home and gift ideas – sign up now!Hearts 1-4 Celtic: Substitute striker Adam Idah hits a hot streak at chilly Tynecastle as Hoops Ky-go three points clearTransgender restroom flap reeks of mean-girl stunt
Fans of influencer Dora Moono Nyambe give wild theory on her cause of death after final cryptic postLOS ANGELES (AP) — Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield scored in the second period, and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Seattle Kraken 2-1 on Saturday. David Rittich made 19 saves for the Kings, who improved to 6-2-1 at home. Kempe and Byfield scored 1:44 apart in the second period. Byfield buried a sharp-angle slap shot on a power play while dropping to a knee. It was his 98th career point in 200 games. Brandon Montour got the Kraken on the board with 1:26 left in the game. He converted a long shot with Joey Daccord off for another skater, but Los Angeles held on. Daccord finished with 19 stops for Seattle. Kraken: Jordan Eberle will miss at least three months after undergoing surgery on his pelvis. He had six goals and five assists in 17 games before he got hurt against Chicago on Nov. 14. Kings: The power play had been in a 1-for-16 rut (6.25%) over the previous six games before Byfield found the net. It was the Kings' lone opportunity with the man-advantage. After following its 1-0 loss to Buffalo on Wednesday with a fourth straight period of extreme low-event hockey, Los Angeles created a lot more activity and offense to start the second and generate its two goals. The Kings know how to close out games, improving to 9-0-1 when leading after two periods. The Kraken visit Anaheim on Monday, and the Kings play at San Jose on Monday. AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield scored in the second period, and the Los Angeles Kings beat the Seattle Kraken 2-1 on Saturday. David Rittich made 19 saves for the Kings, who improved to 6-2-1 at home. Kempe and Byfield scored 1:44 apart in the second period. Byfield buried a sharp-angle slap shot on a power play while dropping to a knee. It was his 98th career point in 200 games. Brandon Montour got the Kraken on the board with 1:26 left in the game. He converted a long shot with Joey Daccord off for another skater, but Los Angeles held on. Daccord finished with 19 stops for Seattle. Kraken: Jordan Eberle will miss at least three months after undergoing surgery on his pelvis. He had six goals and five assists in 17 games before he got hurt against Chicago on Nov. 14. Kings: The power play had been in a 1-for-16 rut (6.25%) over the previous six games before Byfield found the net. It was the Kings' lone opportunity with the man-advantage. After following its 1-0 loss to Buffalo on Wednesday with a fourth straight period of extreme low-event hockey, Los Angeles created a lot more activity and offense to start the second and generate its two goals. The Kings know how to close out games, improving to 9-0-1 when leading after two periods. The Kraken visit Anaheim on Monday, and the Kings play at San Jose on Monday. AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhlApple’s UK engineering teams have ‘doubled in size in five years’Fans of influencer Dora Moono Nyambe give wild theory on her cause of death after final cryptic post READ MORE: Beloved TikTok star Dora Moono Nyambe suddenly dies at age 32 By NOA HALFF FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 19:03 GMT, 29 December 2024 | Updated: 19:27 GMT, 29 December 2024 e-mail 1 View comments A popular influencer, who died suddenly after dedicating her life to helping vulnerable children, posted a cryptic message about being called a 'witch' by local villagers just days before her death. Dora Moono Nyambe , 32, passed away in the early hours of December 26 in Zambia after driving herself to hospital on Christmas night. On Christmas Day, just hours before she fell ill, Moono appeared healthy and active online to her 114,000 followers and supporters. Now, social media has erupted with wild theories about her sudden death, with some followers fixating on one of her final cryptic Instagram posts. She captioned one of her last videos: 'The villagers still call me a witch yeah like I'll bewitch with my phone when calling the police.' Some of her followers have claimed that the circumstances of her death are 'too suspicious to be natural.' A formal cause of death has not yet been determined. Speaking about the allegations of witchcraft, one of Nyambe's followers wrote: 'Why was she labeled a witch right before this happened? We need answers!' 'No f****** way,' another bold user commented, speculating that foul play was involved. No formal investigation into the woman's death has been announced. TikTok star and humanitarian, Dora Moono Nyambe, suddenly passed away at the age of 32 on Wednesday, December 25 'They killed her. They as in the same people that kill the good people that are changing the world for the better. Every freak accident you see about someone who was creating a cure etc was NOT just a freak accident,' the user wrote online. 'I'm not even surprised in just so upset. She has helped and saved so many children god i hope they stay healthy and safe and find comfort in this time. I’m crying like I lost a loved one this lady was a true angel.' Read More Beloved TikTok star and humanitarian suddenly dies at age 32 Another person online claimed: 'Dora Moono Nyambe was a young feminist philanthropist who rescued girls from child marriage... [and was] frequently accused of witchcraft.' Rumors surrounding her death have spiraled online - with some people speculating that she was poisoned by villagers following her yearslong work with vulnerable children. 'On Christmas day, she drove herself to the hospital and died It is suspected she was poisoned,' one user posted on X, formerly Twitter. There is no evidence that the humanitarian was killed. Now, social media has erupted with wild theories about her sudden death, with some followers fixating on one of her final cryptic Instagram posts But some of Moono's loyal supporters have slammed the baseless speculation and say people should focus on and 'respect her legacy.' The controversy has sparked concern among potential donors to her charity, Footprints of Hope, with many writing that they are apprehensive to donate until her official cause of death is determined. Before her tragic passing, Moono - whose heartwarming videos of her work in Zambia attracted more than four million followers - had transformed countless lives through her remarkable work. The media personality is known for launching her nonprofit Footprints of Hope in 2019, and for building a school in Zambia. She had chronicled her journey on social media, where she amassed around 4.2 million followers on her TikTok page and 110K followers on Instagram. However, this week on Friday, December 27, a message was shared to both accounts to announce her shock death. In a description on the page, she shared, 'We strive to educate, feed and house and protect the youth of the rural village of Mapapa' It read: 'It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sudden departure of our beloved Dora. She will be remembered as a loving mother, heroine, peace philanthropist and an extraordinary woman.' The caption of the post included, 'The program for the burial for our beloved Dora Moono Nyambe.' Nyambe's burial was originally set for Saturday, December 28 but was then moved to December 30 'due to unforeseen challenges.' In a separate post uploaded on Saturday, a message read: 'The burial of the late Dora Moono Nyambe, which was initially scheduled for an earlier date, has been moved to Monday afternoon 30 December 2024 due to some unforeseen challenges.' 'We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding during this difficult time.' 'We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has come forward to support us, whether financially or in other forms,' was also added in the caption. Nyambe's burial was originally set for Saturday, December 28 but was then moved to December 30 'due to unforeseen challenges' A cause of death has yet to be disclosed, but days before her passing, Dora revealed that she had broken her leg in a clip shared on December 15 - but is unclear if that has any relation to her death 'Your kindness and generosity have been a source of great comfort and strength for the family during this period.' A cause of death has yet to be disclosed, but just over a week before her passing, Dora revealed that she had broken her leg in a clip shared on December 15 - but is unclear if that has any relation to her death. Earlier this week on Thursday, a fellow teacher who had worked for Nyambe's nonprofit also confirmed the educator's shock passing in a video uploaded to her main TikTok page. 'I am officially announcing the loss of my beloved CEO, director, manager and founder of Footprints of Hope School, who died on Wednesday, 25th of December 2024.' Instagram TikTok Twitter Share or comment on this article: Fans of influencer Dora Moono Nyambe give wild theory on her cause of death after final cryptic post e-mail Add commentNEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Emerance Maschmeyer turned in 34 saves on 35 shots on goal and the Ottawa Charge held off the New York Sirens 3-1 on Sunday for their second win in six games. Playing their first game in 10 days, the Charge got a first-period goal from Emily Clark and Shiann Darkangelo and Kateřina Mrázová added second-period goals to build a 3-0 lead through two periods. Ottawa has scored at least three goals in all five of its meetings with New York over two seasons. Alex Carpenter earned a third-period assist to extend her scoring streak to nine straight games dating to last season. Sarah Fillier's goal moved her into a tie for the league lead with eight points in her first eight games after being drafted No. 1 by the Sirens. Ottawa's defense neutralized much of New York's speed advantage and used a strong penalty kill to take a 1-0 lead after one period after Clark tipped home a wrist shot from the point by Brianne Jenner six minutes into the game. The Charge added two goals in the first seven minutes of the second period but could not capitalize on a pair of power plays late in the period. Fillier wasted little time getting New York on the board in the third period, firing a shot past Maschmeyer 23 seconds into the period, but the keeper saved the next dozen shots, including an almost three-minute finish when the Sirens pulled goalkeeper Corinne Schroeder to gain a player advantage. New York's Jill Saulnier was activated off long-term injured reserve following an upper body injury sustained in the opening game December 1. ___ AP hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/hockey The Associated Press
Analysis: After Juan Soto's megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soon
Watch Live: Sharks retire Joe Thornton’s No. 19 on Sportsnet+NoneNST Leader: ICC warrants a victory for international law
For the second straight Major League Baseball offseason, a norm-shattering contract has been the talk of the winter , with Juan Soto agreeing with the New York Mets on a $765 million, 15-year deal that's the richest in baseball history. It comes almost exactly one year after the Los Angeles Dodgers forked out a princely sum of $700 million on a 10-year, heavily deferred deal for two-way Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani. They are believed to be the two richest contracts in pro sports history. Recommended Videos The way it's going, a contract approaching $1 billion doesn't seem out of the question. But several factors are working against it — at least in the near future. There's reason to believe the megadeals for Ohtani and Soto are unicorns in the baseball world. Both players are uniquely talented, surely, but both also had unusual circumstances propelling their value into the stratosphere. Ohtani is the greatest two-way player in baseball history, capable of improving any team on both sides of the ball. He's also the rare baseball player who has true international appeal . His every move ( like his unexpected marriage announcement ) is followed closely in his native Japan, adding another 125 million potential fans who buy merchandise, watch him play and help fill the Dodgers' coffers. Then there's Soto — a four-time All-Star and on-base machine who won a World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019. The X-factor for him is he became a free agent at the prime age of 26, which is extremely hard to do under current MLB rules. Players have to be in the big leagues for six years before testing free agency. The precocious Soto debuted at 19 with the Nats, making him part of a rare group of players who reached the highest level of professional baseball as a teenager. That accelerated his free agency timeline. It's rare for players to debut that young, and rarer still for them to develop into stars and test the open market the first chance they get. Two recent examples are Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, who both reached free agency in 2019. Machado signed a free-agent record $300 million contract with San Diego, and Harper overtook him days later with a $330 million contract to join the Phillies. Most players debut in the big leagues from ages 22 to 26, which means free agency comes in their late 20s or early 30s. A typical example is Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who is one of this generation's great players but didn't hit the market until he was 30. Judge played three seasons of college baseball for Fresno State before getting drafted by the Yankees in 2013 at age 21 — already two years older than Soto was when he made his MLB debut. It took a few years for the budding superstar to reach the majors, and he was 25 when he had his breakout season in 2018, smashing 52 homers to earn AL Rookie of the Year honors. By the time he reached free agency after the 2022 season, he had already passed age 30. It's a major factor that led to him signing a $360 million, nine-year deal with the Yankees, which seems downright reasonable these days after the Ohtani and Soto deals. Two major trends are colliding that will make it harder for guys like Soto to hit free agency in their mid 20s. First, MLB teams have been more likely in recent years to take college players early in the draft, betting on more experienced talents. Just 10 high school players were drafted among the top 30 picks in the 2024 draft . Second, teams are more eager to lock up young, premium talent on long-term deals very early in their careers, well before they hit free agency. Sometimes before they even reach the majors. Since Soto, just two players have debuted in MLB before their 20th birthday — Elvis Luciano and Junior Caminero. Luciano hasn't been back to the majors since his 2019 cup of coffee. Caminero is now 21 and has only played in 50 big league games. Among those that debuted at 20: Fernando Tatis Jr. signed a $340 million, 14-year deal with San Diego in 2021, years before reaching the open market. Milwaukee's Jackson Chourio got an $82 million, eight-year deal before even reaching the big leagues. Young stars Corbin Carroll ($111 million, eight years with Arizona), Bobby Witt Jr. ($288 million, 11 years with Kansas City) and Julio Rodriguez ($209.3 million, 12 years with Seattle) also got massive guarantees early in their 20s to forgo an early free agency. The exception and wild card: Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be a 26-year-old free agent next offseason. Guerrero hasn't been as consistent in his young career as Soto, but a standout 2025 season could position him to threaten Soto's deal. More likely is that the player to pass Soto isn't in the majors yet — and might not even be in pro baseball. When 25-year-old Alex Rodriguez signed his record $252 million, 10-year deal with Texas in 2001, it took over a decade for another player to match that total, when Albert Pujols got $240 million over 10 years from the Angels in 2012. For many players, passing up life-changing money in their early or mid 20s is too enticing, even if it means that they might not maximize their value on the free agent market later in their careers. Soto was determined to test the market. He famously turned down a $440 million, 15-year offer to stay with the Washington Nationals in 2022, betting that he could make even more as a free agent. Not many players would turn down that kind of cash. Then again, that's what makes Soto so unique. And it's also why his $765 million deal could be the industry standard for some time. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Every Black Friday, there’s a number of viral products that everyone has on their Christmas wish list, and we don’t expect this year to be any different. However, not all of these popular items are going to stay in stock, and we have some insight on the ones that won’t. Black Friday is big business, and last year shoppers spent $222.1 billion during the entire holiday shopping season, according to Queue-it. Sales on Black Friday reached $16.4 billion (online and in stores), and this was a 9% increase from the year before. While it comes as no surprise that electronics are the most sought-after products of the holiday season, Queue-it said this accounts for the majority of holiday sales, jumping to $50.8 billion in 2023. Apparel, furniture, groceries and toys are the other hot sellers of Black Friday. Together, these five categories accounted for 65% of sales during the holidays last year and is only expected to grow in 2024. People are also reading... While many items that sell out over Black Friday are driven by a good deal, we also know that a hot product is just that — a gift that most people want to open on Christmas Day. So, here are our picks for the top 10 hot-ticket items that could sell out over Black Friday. 1. Big TVs The holidays are ripe for TV deals, and we expect shoppers to buy a ton of them in 2024, especially at Walmart. Consumers are trending toward bigger TVs and the super low-price deals over Black Friday force many models to sell out. This is especially true of popular models from Samsung, Hisense, LG and more favorites. 2. Apple Watches Apple's smartwatches are a top pick among Apple fans. We’ve seen prices on the Apple Watch continue to trend downward, which was only spurred by the release of the new Apple Watch 10 in September. This pushed down prices on earlier models, with the best deals coming on the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch 9. For Black Friday, we think the prices will drop even lower and sell out due to high demand. 3. Beats headphones Wireless headphones are one of the most popular products of 2024, and Beats are one of the top brands. We’re already seeing big markdowns on Beats Wireless Headphones, and we expect these price drops to continue into Black Friday. The Beats Solo3 is likely to be on sale for even cheaper than we’ve already seen, and we think they will sell out for Black Friday, with the possibility of other popular Beats headphones joining them. 4. Apple AirPods If you haven’t picked up a pair of Apple AirPods yet, this could be your year to do it. With Apple launching a fourth generation of AirPods earlier this year, the price on prevvious models are creeping lower. We think over Black Friday they’ll be at their cheapest price ever, with the AirPods (3rd Gen) likely to sell out. 5. JBL bluetooth speakers Bluetooth speakers are a must-have for many this year, and with the big sound that comes from JBL’s speakers, it’s easy to see why they might sell out for Black Friday. These popular speakers come in a variety of portable sizes and waterproof designs. We expect big deals on JBL’s top-rated Clip 5 and Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker models. 6. Apple iPad One of Apple’s most sought-after products of the year was the iPad, and we saw the 9th Gen and 10th Gen models drop to their lowest prices ever. We think this year will bring some iPad bliss with even better discounts, but these deals will disappear just as fast as they arrive. We think that mega discounts on the iPad (9th Gen) and iPad (10th Gen) could cause sell outs, especially on Amazon. 7. Dyson Airwrap The Dyson Airwrap just might be the top product of Black Friday, as this is one of the rare times there’s a discount on the beloved hair styling tool. At $600, the Airwrap carries a hefty price tag, so any discount presented is a welcome surprise. But as we’ve seen in the past, any Black Friday deal on the Dyson Airwrap causes a crush of interest that’s followed by a sell out. 8. UGG Tasman slippers If you’ve tried to scoop up the UGG Tasman Slippers in previous years, you already know they never stay in stock for long. As the “it” slipper of the holiday season, UGG’s Tasman sells out multiple times over the holidays, even without a discount offered. We think that this year will be similar, with popular sizes and colors of the Tasman Slipper snatched up fast over Black Friday. 9. Bissell Little Green The Bissell Little Green carpet cleaner is a popular home product that just can’t seem to stay in stock. With prices falling under $90, this mighty machine can be a blessing for pet owners and parents, as its compact size makes it easy to store and use when needed. We’ve seen the Little Green Machine sell out before, and we’d be surprised if it didn’t do it again over Black Friday. 10. Furby Galaxy Edition We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a top toy that we think will be hard to find and gift this year. Our pick is the Furby Galaxy Edition. This glow-in-the-dark Furby is based on the original Furby from the late ’90s with even more features, interactive modes and more fun. Making a comeback in 2023, we saw the revival of this popular toy sell out last year, and we expect the new Furby Galaxy Edition to do the same. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!
Guwahati: National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a resounding victory, winning all six bypolls in the region — five in Assam and one in Meghalaya. The Gambegre win strengthens the NDA's partner, the NPP, which governs Meghalaya, while the Samaguri victory in Assam marks an unprecedented achievement for the BJP, as it secured a Muslim-majority assembly constituency for the first time. Both results came at the expense of the Congress party. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on X giving a special mention to Samaguri, "a constituency with a 65% minority population, held by Congress for 25 years, now won by the BJP. This historic victory reaffirms people's trust in our welfare agenda and their firm rejection of the Opposition's divisive politics." Samaguri was vacated by Congress's tallest Muslim leader, Rakibul Hussain, who had held this seat since 2001 before shifting to the Lok Sabha a few months back. His son Tanzil, who contested from the seat, tripped in his debut election. Maharashtra Jharkhand Maharashtra Alliance View i Party View Seats: 288 L + W Majority: 145 BJP+ 229 MVA 47 OTH 12 Leads + Wins : 288 / 288 BJP+ WON Jharkhand Alliance View i Party View Seats: 81 Results Majority: 41 INDIA 56 NDA 24 OTH 1 Results : 81 / 81 INDIA WON Source: PValue Of the 11 candidates in Samaguri, eight were Muslim. Barring the Congress candidate, all others failed to garner even 1,000 votes each. BJP's winning candidate Diplu Ranjan Sarmah, who secured nearly 57% of the votes polled, said his victory was ensured by people from various religious groups who voted for him because of the BJP govt's good work, but there were other factors at play as well. One factor was that Badaruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF skipped these by-polls for ‘strategic reasons' and appealed to its supporters to cast "conscience votes". In the run-up to the polls, which were marred by a series of violent incidents, AIUDF expelled three of its leaders for publicly extending their support to BJP candidates. Rakibul Hussain attributed the Samaguri defeat to a probable shift in allegiance among Congress supporters who no longer remain within the constituency following the fragmentation of the area in the delimitation exercise last year. Another possible factor could be the disintegration of the opposition after Congress pulled out of a united platform and chose to contest the five seats alone. Interestingly, the BJP candidate received almost the same number of votes that Rakibul Hussain had received four years back, and his son this time got a similar number of votes that the BJP candidate got while losing to his father. "We bow in gratitude to the people of Assam. The NDA's 5/5 victory in the current by-elections is a resounding testament to Assam's unwavering support for Adarniya @narendramodi Ji's vision of good governance and development," Sarma posted on X. "A big shoutout to our dedicated Karyakartas who took our message of development to every booth!" he added. The BJP contested in Samaguri, Behali, and Dholai constituencies, while its allies AGP and UPPL fielded candidates in Bongaigaon and Sidli seats, respectively. BJP's strength in the 126-member assembly now stands at 64, nine for AGP, and seven for UPPL. In the opposition bench, Congress numbers have shrunk to 26, while AIUDF remains the same at 15, three for BPF, and one each for CPM and Independent. For NPP in Meghalaya, party candidate and CM Conrad Sangma's wife, Mehtab Chandee Agitok Sangma, won the Gambegre constituency. Trinamool's Sadhirani M Sangma finished second, 4,594 votes behind. With this win, the NPP strength in the House increased to 32 in the 60-member Meghalaya legislative assembly. Chief minister Sangma said the people of Gambegre voted for development and "we are committed to that". "Voters are intelligent. They know what is good for them and how they should vote in every election. In this election, people have voted specifically for change in terms of the constituency and development," he said.Every Black Friday, there’s a number of viral products that everyone has on their Christmas wish list, and we don’t expect this year to be any different. However, not all of these popular items are going to stay in stock, and we have some insight on the ones that won’t. Black Friday is big business, and last year shoppers spent $222.1 billion during the entire holiday shopping season, according to Queue-it. Sales on Black Friday reached $16.4 billion (online and in stores), and this was a 9% increase from the year before. While it comes as no surprise that electronics are the most sought-after products of the holiday season, Queue-it said this accounts for the majority of holiday sales, jumping to $50.8 billion in 2023. Apparel, furniture, groceries and toys are the other hot sellers of Black Friday. Together, these five categories accounted for 65% of sales during the holidays last year and is only expected to grow in 2024. While many items that sell out over Black Friday are driven by a good deal, we also know that a hot product is just that — a gift that most people want to open on Christmas Day. So, here are our picks for the top 10 hot-ticket items that could sell out over Black Friday. Samsung 98-inch QLED TV The holidays are ripe for TV deals, and we expect shoppers to buy a ton of them in 2024, especially at Walmart. Consumers are trending toward bigger TVs and the super low-price deals over Black Friday force many models to sell out. This is especially true of popular models from Samsung, Hisense, LG and more favorites. Apple Watch Series 9 Apple's smartwatches are a top pick among Apple fans. We’ve seen prices on the Apple Watch continue to trend downward, which was only spurred by the release of the new Apple Watch 10 in September. This pushed down prices on earlier models, with the best deals coming on the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch 9. For Black Friday, we think the prices will drop even lower and sell out due to high demand. Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones are one of the most popular products of 2024, and Beats are one of the top brands. We’re already seeing big markdowns on Beats Wireless Headphones, and we expect these price drops to continue into Black Friday. The Beats Solo3 is likely to be on sale for even cheaper than we’ve already seen, and we think they will sell out for Black Friday, with the possibility of other popular Beats headphones joining them. Apple AirPods (3rd gen) If you haven’t picked up a pair of Apple AirPods yet, this could be your year to do it. With Apple launching a fourth generation of AirPods earlier this year, the price on prevvious models are creeping lower. We think over Black Friday they’ll be at their cheapest price ever, with the AirPods (3rd Gen) likely to sell out. JBL Flip 6 Bluetooth speakers are a must-have for many this year, and with the big sound that comes from JBL’s speakers, it’s easy to see why they might sell out for Black Friday. These popular speakers come in a variety of portable sizes and waterproof designs. We expect big deals on JBL’s top-rated Clip 5 and Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker models. Apple iPad (10th Gen) One of Apple’s most sought-after products of the year was the iPad, and we saw the 9th Gen and 10th Gen models drop to their lowest prices ever. We think this year will bring some iPad bliss with even better discounts, but these deals will disappear just as fast as they arrive. We think that mega discounts on the iPad (9th Gen) and iPad (10th Gen) could cause sell outs, especially on Amazon. Dyson Airwrap The Dyson Airwrap just might be the top product of Black Friday, as this is one of the rare times there’s a discount on the beloved hair styling tool. At $600, the Airwrap carries a hefty price tag, so any discount presented is a welcome surprise. But as we’ve seen in the past, any Black Friday deal on the Dyson Airwrap causes a crush of interest that’s followed by a sell out. Ugg Tasman slippers If you’ve tried to scoop up the UGG Tasman Slippers in previous years, you already know they never stay in stock for long. As the “it” slipper of the holiday season, UGG’s Tasman sells out multiple times over the holidays, even without a discount offered. We think that this year will be similar, with popular sizes and colors of the Tasman Slipper snatched up fast over Black Friday. Bissell Little Green The Bissell Little Green carpet cleaner is a popular home product that just can’t seem to stay in stock. With prices falling under $90, this mighty machine can be a blessing for pet owners and parents, as its compact size makes it easy to store and use when needed. We’ve seen the Little Green Machine sell out before, and we’d be surprised if it didn’t do it again over Black Friday. Furby Galaxy Edition We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a top toy that we think will be hard to find and gift this year. Our pick is the Furby Galaxy Edition. This glow-in-the-dark Furby is based on the original Furby from the late ’90s with even more features, interactive modes and more fun. Making a comeback in 2023, we saw the revival of this popular toy sell out last year, and we expect the new Furby Galaxy Edition to do the same. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!
