sports attire for pageant

Syrians poured into streets in celebration on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule . Russian state news agencies were reporting that President Bashar Assad and his family had arrived in Moscow and were given asylum. Russia said Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag. Others ransacked the presidential palace and residence. Abu Mohammed al-Golani , a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago leads the biggest rebel faction in Syria and is poised to chart the country’s future. He made his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, at the capital’s sprawling Umayyad Mosque, and called himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa. He said Assad’s fall was “a victory to the Islamic nation.” The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Israel has issued warnings to villages in southern Syria and its forces seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights. Here's the Latest: The Israeli military said on Sunday it was reinforcing a barrier along its border with Syria as part of its “enhanced preparedness” in the area following the fall of the Assad regime. Israel released images of the construction, which showed bulldozers digging what appeared to be a trench. The army said in a statement that the barrier was named “New East.” Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began building what could be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria . The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarized zone during the work. Over the weekend, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israel’s presence along the border with Syria. Russian state news agencies reported that ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family and been given asylum. The agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source. The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the reports but had contacted the Kremlin for comment. CAIRO — The Arab League on Sunday condemned Israel for taking advantage of Syrian President Bashar Assad's downfall by moving into more Syrian territory. Hours after Assad’s overthrow, Israel announced it had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights that was established by a cease-fire agreement with Syria in 1974. In a statement, the Arab League said Israel illegally sought to occupy more territories. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement regarding Syrian territory had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating Israel taking over as a “temporary defensive position.” UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations secretary-general is marking the “fall of the dictatorial regime” in Syria and says the future of the country is “is a matter for the Syrians to determine.” A statement by Antonio Guterres also called for calm and the protection of the rights of all Syrians as well as of diplomatic and consular facilities in Syria. He said there is much work ahead to ensure an “orderly political transition to renewed institutions,” and he called on the international community to ensure that “any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, in all their diversity.” KYIV, Ukraine - Ukraine’s top diplomat on Sunday responded to Assad’s ouster by describing him as a “dictator” who relied on Russia to prop up his rule - a reference to the military campaign Moscow has waged in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow Assad’s government to fight armed opposition groups and reclaim control over most of the country. "Assad has fallen. This has always been and will be the case with all dictators who bet on Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him,” foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X. In a separate update on the social network, Sybiha said Kyiv was ready to take steps towards restoring relations with Syria, severed months into Russia’s full-scale invasion of the neighboring state. Kyiv broke off diplomatic ties after Damascus in June 2022 recognized Kremlin-occupied parts of eastern Ukraine as independent territories, in a move welcomed by Moscow and decried by the West as a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. JERUSALEM — The Israeli military has issued a warning to residents of five villages and towns in southern Syria to stay inside their homes for their safety. “The fighting in your area is forcing the IDF to act,” the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman said on X. The military didn’t respond to questions. Earlier, Israel said its troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned their positions. Defense Minister Israel Katz said on X that the IDF has been instructed to “seize the buffer zone and control points to ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan Heights – Jewish and Druze – so that they are not exposed to threats from the other side.” Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied. BEIRUT - The leader of the largest insurgent group in Syria visited the Syrian capital’s sprawling Umayyad Mosque and declared that the victory against President Bashar Assad “is a victory to the Islamic nation.” Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, made his first public appearance and remarks since fighters entered Damascus. He told hundreds of people at the historic mosque that Assad had made Syria “a farm for Iran’s greed.” He added that Assad made Syria a base for the illegal amphetamine Captagon that brought cash to Assad’s circles. Al-Sharaa, the leader of the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, said Sunday that the victory was achieved because of “God and the blood of martyrs.” He said that he left Syria 20 years ago and since then his heart has longed for this movement. AMMAN, Jordan — The vast majority of the Jordanian people are welcoming the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the success of the Syrian revolution. “There is no doubt that I felt overwhelming joy at the fall of the Assad regime," said Badi Al-Rafaia, Engineer, union activist and member of the Islamic Action Front. "There is no doubt that we are happy with what happened in Syria, happy with the success of the revolution, happy with the Syrian people getting rid of an oppressor and criminal who treated the Syrian people and made the Syrian state a failed state.” Al-Rafaia said that Jordan is benefiting from what happened in Syria, and "we hope that Jordan will help the revolution succeed and not work against it.” Amman resident Muhab al-Majali said the fall of the Assad regime is “The end of every unjust and tyrannical rule, and more than that, it mortgaged the country and its people to the Iranians, who abandoned it in minutes... I believe that the future is beautiful and prosperous for the Syrians.” BERLIN — The International Committee of the Red Cross is calling for safe humanitarian access and protection of civilians in Syria after the fall of Bashir Assad’s government. “Our teams in Syria, including in Damascus, have been closely monitoring the fast-evolving security and humanitarian situation in coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent,” the ICRC’s head of delegation in Syria, Stephan Sakalian, said in a written statement Sunday. The ICRC is “responding wherever possible, with further efforts underway, as hundreds of thousands of people need care and humanitarian assistance,” he said. Sakalian called “on all parties to urgently enable safe and unhindered access for medical and humanitarian workers to reach those in need, to protect civilians, and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.” BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government said in a statement Sunday that it “supports all international and regional efforts seeking to open a dialogue” for Syria “leading to the adoption of a pluralistic constitution that preserves the human and civil rights of Syrians, and supports cultural, ethnic and religious diversity.” The statement from government spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi, said that Iraq understands “the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians, and stresses that the security of Syria, the unity of its territories, and the preservation of its independence are of utmost importance, not only for Iraq but also for its connection to the security and stability of the region.” It cautioned against “interfering in Syria’s internal affairs, or supporting one party for the benefit of another.” Iraq, which has a close relationship with Iran - once a strong ally of former Syrian President Bashar Assad - has taken in some 2,000 Syrian army soldiers who fled the country amid the advance of armed opposition groups. CAIRO — The head of Yemen’s internationally recognized government welcomed the fall of the government of President Bashar Assad of Syria. “It’s a historic moment,” Rashad al-Alimi, who chairs the ruling presidential council, wrote on X platform of Assad’s downfall. “It’s time for the Iranian regime to stop meddling in Yemen, respect its sovereignty and identity.” Al-Alimi, who is backed by Saudi Arabia, was referring to Iran’s support of Houthi rebels who are at war with Yemen’s internationally recognized government for a decade. DAMASCUS — Families wandered through the high-ceilinged halls of the presidential palace in Damascus on Sunday, along with some armed men. Some paused to take family portraits or selfies on the few remaining couches against the backdrop of mosaiced walls, while others walked out with chairs and other items under their arms. On the massive parking lot out front, cars drove in circles honking ecstatically. In central Damascus’ Umayyad Square, drivers passing by also honked jubilantly, while young men piled onto a tank abandoned in the square. But for some the celebration was bittersweet. “I am very happy, but this happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of the prison and know where is he is,” said Damascus resident Bassam Masr. “I have been searching for him for two hours - he has been detained for 13 years.” TEL AVIV, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria. He spoke from an overlook near the border between Syria and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, after Syrian rebels tore through the country and dramatically ended Assad’s rule on Sunday morning. Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover as a “temporary defensive position.” Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied Syrian territory. Satellite images analyzed by the Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began construction of what could possibly be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria . The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarized zone during the work. The United Nations maintains a peacekeeping force in the demilitarized zone called the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, or UNDOF, with around 1,100 peacekeepers from Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Nepal, and Uruguay. After the 1973 Mideast war, the U.N. Secretary Council voted to create UNDOF to patrol a roughly 400 square kilometer (155 square mile) demilitarized zone and maintain the peace there. DAMASCUS, Syria — An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported airstrikes in the area of the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the capital Sunday. The airport has previously been targeted in Israeli airstrikes, but it was not immediately clear who launched Sunday's strike. The Israeli military refused to comment on the airport strike. Israel often does not publicly claim responsibility for attacks in Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported that Israeli warplanes also targeted warehouses belonging to the Syrian army’s Fourth Division and another former military site outside of Damascus Sunday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israel’s presence along the border between Israel and Syria. Agricultural areas along the border were declared closed military zones and some schools shifted to online classes in anticipation of unrest.Discover the Hidden Beauty of Our Busy World in U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón's New Picture Book "And, Too, the Fox" illustrated by Gaby D'Alessandro

There’ll be no complimentary champagne, red carpets or luxury suites as the Ducks welcome visitors from Las Vegas on Wednesday, when they’ll joust with the Golden Knights in search of their first victory in the season series. Vegas captured two prior meetings by 3-1 and 3-2 counts in 2024-25, after their title defense last season was weighed down by losses in three of four matchups with the fledgling Ducks. Frank Vatrano had four goals and six points in those games to pace the Ducks. After pounding the bottom of the ketchup bottle – he has 16 more shots on goal than any other Duck – the sauce is starting to flow for Vatrano, with four goals in his past four games following just one goal against a goalie in his other 18 outings. Last year, when he catapulted over his previous career high of 24 goals to find the twine 37 times, Vatrano wedged a goal between droughts of nine and seven contests before finishing the campaign with seven goals in four games. “Frankie was going to score eventually. He’s a scorer, and those guys go through dry spells,” Ducks coach Greg Cronin said. “It doesn’t matter how many games you don’t score in.” All four of Vatrano’s goals featured assists by Troy Terry, who has seven helpers over that same four-game span. Terry has created a more commanding presence and assumed an even stronger leadership role this season, one in which the 27-year-old said the Ducks’ young group sometimes made him feel old. Yet Vatrano said he saw “the same player.” “As you get older, you know where you’re going to score your goals from and where you’re going to get your opportunities,” Vatrano, 30, said. “You kind of outsmart guys, knowing where you need to be, knowing where you need to break down the defense and hold onto the puck to make plays. I think it’s just him maturing, playing a lot more games and becoming a veteran in this league.” Yet Terry underwent something of a stylistic transformation offensively last season, which paid dividends as it progressed. He has continued to refine his game, balancing his ability to carry the puck confidently with trust that he’ll be able to recover dumps, chips and other conservative plays that can enable him to continue attacking. Cronin, who described the line of Vatrano, Terry and Ryan Strome as a trio that played like “a fourth line with skill,” credited the relationship Terry has with assistant coach Tim Army for some of his advances. “He’s getting a steady diet and a healthy diet of when to move (the puck) forward and when not to move it forward, to recognize when there’s an opportunity to use your creativity at the offensive blue line and when not to,” Cronin said. The scoring spree of Vatrano and Terry has been timely since Leo Carlsson sustained an upper-body injury four games ago against Seattle. He should be considered doubtful against Vegas. Defenseman Cam Fowler, who had five points against Vegas last season, is again a possibility to skate but hasn’t played since Nov. 5. Related Articles Vegas will be without a pair of rearguards, Zach Whitecloud and former Duck Ben Hutton, as well as Mark Stone, the Golden Knights’ captain and top scorer on a per-game basis. They’re led in overall points by Jack Eichel and in defensive scoring by former Duck Shea Theodore. Like the Ottawa Senators were in the Ducks’ 4-3 shootout win on Sunday, Vegas will be in the back half of games on consecutive nights after hosting the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. When: 7 p.m. Where: Honda Center How to watch: Victory+, KCOP (Ch. 13)The annual general meeting and game of ACBL Western New York Unit 116 will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Buffalo Bridge Center. • • • Congratulations to Saleh Fetouh, who won the most master points among Buffalo area players in the Niagara Open Sectional Tournament Nov. 15 to 17 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. He earned 19.42 points and was fifth overall. Also doing well were Chongmin Zhang with 8.72 points and Davis Heussler and David Colligan, both with 6.55. • • • The Bridge Center offers a regular schedule of in-person and online games five days a week, with special games on the weekends. Fee for face-to-face games is $8 for members and $11 for non-members. For more info, visit the Buffalo Bridge Center website or call 716-424-0014. Lessons for beginners are being held at the Buffalo Bridge Center from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays. For more information, call Ruth Nawotniak at 716-949-7574 or email ruth2250@outlook.com . Don’t want to clean up the house for kitchen bridge? The Bridge Center also hosts a social game in its lessons room on Tuesday mornings during the regular 10:30 a.m. game. Players can go at their own speed and style. Fee is $5 to cover expenses. In-person games: Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. For players with fewer than 1,600 points. Simultaneous game for players with fewer than 99 points if there are enough tables. Free lesson at 10. Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. Open to all players. Simultaneous game for players with fewer than 99 points if there are enough tables. Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Upgraded to now include players with up to 2,000 points. Simultaneous game for players with fewer than 99 points if there are enough tables. Free lesson at 10. Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Open to all players by pre-registration only. Call 716-424-0014. Virtual games on Bridge Base Online: Mondays, 7 p.m. For players with fewer than 750 points. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Delaware Wednesday game for players with fewer than 2,000 points. For info on this game, call Ed Harman at 716-480-1666 or email eharmon@roadrunner.com . • • • More access to virtual games on Bridge Base Online is being offered by the Airport Bridge Club, which currently is not holding face-to-face games. It has affiliated with a new group of clubs, the SE Club of Clubs Online Bridge Collective, where most games are $5. For more info, click this link . The Airport Club also continues to be part of the Alliance Bridge Club, which offers more than a dozen games every day. Anyone who has played at the Airport Club is automatically a member. For more info, visit alliancebridgeclub.com or call Airport Club manager Bill Finkelstein at 716-603-6943. • • • The East Aurora Bridge Club begins play at 10 a.m. Wednesdays in the Aurora Senior Citizens Center, 101 King St., East Aurora. Attendance is generally three or four tables. For more info, email director Dave Larcom at dmocral@verizon.net . • • • The Bridge Centre of Niagara in St. Catharines, Ont., offers a mix of online games and in-person games at its club in Tremont Square opposite the Pen Centre shopping plaza off Glendale Avenue. Face-to-face games open to all players are offered at 1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. There is also a face-to-face game for 499ers (players with fewer than 500 points) at 1 p.m. Monday and Friday, a beginner game with a mini-lesson at 6 p.m. Monday, mentoring at 1 p.m. Tuesdays (register by 9 p.m. Sunday), a 299er game at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday (pre-registration requested); and a 999er game at 1 p.m. Thursday. The club currently hosts two virtual games on Bridge Base Online. There’s one for players with fewer than 750 points at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, and an open game at 7 p.m. Thursdays. For more info, click here . • • • Face-to-face play in non-sanctioned clubs is offered at the Tonawanda Senior Center on Wednesday afternoons and at the Amherst Senior Center on Monday and Friday afternoons. • • • Tournament calendar 2024 District 5 STAC (Sectional Tournament at the Clubs) – Participating ACBL-sanctioned clubs. Monday, Dec. 9, to Sunday, Dec. 15. Toronto Non-Life Master Regional – Sheraton Centre, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Friday, Jan. 3, to Sunday, Jan. 5. For more info, click this link . Toronto New Year's Sectional – Sheraton Centre, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Friday, Jan. 3, to Sunday, Jan. 5. For more info, click this link . 2025 Cleveland Rock & Roll Regional – Embassy Suites Hotel, 5800 Rockside Road, Independence, Ohio. Wednesday, Jan. 8, to Sunday, Jan. 12. For more info, click this link . Niagara Sectional – Holiday Inn & Suites, 327 Ontario St., St. Catharines, Ont. Friday, Feb. 7, to Sunday, Feb. 9. Buffalo Spring Sectional – Buffalo Bridge Center, 60 Dingens St., Buffalo. Friday, March 28, to Sunday, March 30. Toronto Easter Regional – Sheraton Centre, 123 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ont. Tuesday, April 15, to Sunday, April 20. For more info, click this link . • • • Bridge club websites: Click names for links. Bridge Center of Buffalo . Western New York Unit 116 . The Airport Bridge Club, which continues to be on hiatus, does not have a website. For info, call 716-603-6943. • • • Duplicate scores from ACBL Live for Clubs Week of Nov. 11 to Nov. 17 ACBL Affiliated Clubs Buffalo Bridge Center Monday evening – 0-750 game online. Carol Licata and Larry Himelein, 70.37%; Jeannine and Michel Dupuis, 61.11%; Michael and Jim Hassett, 53.70%; Fran Schmidt and Richard McGowan, 53.70%. Buffalo Bridge Center Tuesday morning – 0-1,600 game. North-south, Paula Rosen and Maryann Szafran, 57.85%; Joanne Nover and Larry Himelein, 57.84%; Betty Metz and John Brennan, 53.99%; Joyce Greenspan and Audrey Ray, 53.07%; Pat Wolcott and Joe Miranda, 50.96%; east-west, Agi Maisel and Pat Haynes, 61.19%; Ruth Nawotniak and Paul Zittel, 59.82%; Dennis Daley and Brian Fleming, 53.23%; Carol Licata and Ilene Rothman, 46.98%. Buffalo Bridge Center Wednesday morning – Open game. Donna Steffan and Jay Levy, 64.58%; (3-way tie) Kamil Bishara and Fred Yellen, Judy Graf and Jim Gullo, Davis Heussler and Howard Foster, 53.13%. Buffalo Bridge Center Thursday morning – 0-2,000 game. Larry Himelein and David Schott, 81.48%; Betty Metz and Dennis Daly, 57.94%; Marilyn Wortzman and Jim Easton, 56.48%; Jim McClure and Richard McGowan, 50.92%. Buffalo Bridge Center Friday morning – Open game. (Tie) John Ziemer and Vic Bergsten, Judy Graf and Mike Ryan, 56%; Jay Costello and Bud Seidenberg, 55%; Martha Welte and Larry Abate, 52%. Bridge Club of East Aurora Wednesday morning – Open game. Sandi England and Walt Olszewski, 61.46%; Jan and Carl Hasselback, 60.42%; Linda Zittel and Joanne LaFay, 53.13%; Joan and Bob Ciszak, 50%. Delaware Wednesday evening – 0-2,000 game online. Deborah Zimmerman and Tom Karnowski, 67.13%; Sue Manning and Sam Khayatt, 63.89%; Jim Lanzo and Bill Rich, 58.33%; Marilyn Wortzman and Jim Easton, 56.25%; Mary Ball and Joyce Frayer, 50.23%; Sherry Siegel and Gary Keenan, 50%. Other clubs Amherst Senior Center Friday afternoon – North-south, (Tie) Edna and Ron Fill, Walt Olszewski and Ed Drozen, 58%; east-west, Mary and Jim Atwood, 58%; Fritz Schweiger and Carol Neuhaus, 55%. Tonawanda Senior Center Wednesday afternoon – Susan and Harvey Lichtblau, 75%; Rose Bochiechio and Edna Fill, 59%. • • • Unit 116 Master Point Leaders for Virtual Club Play Jan. 1, 2024, to Oct. 31, 2024 0-5 Points – Michael Rupp, 4.94; Maxine Seller, 0.59. 5-20 Points – Fran Holmes, 6.91; Devon Marlette, 2.67; Marie Aaron, 0.90; David Taylor, 0.67; Jeannine Dupuis, 0.16. 20-50 Points – Brian Fleming, 15.26; Michel Dupuis, 10.76; Ilene Rothman, 9.69; Maxine Johnson, 4.83; Kathleen Voigt, 3.80; Maureen Saab, 3.50; Donna Starnes, 2.22; Phyllis Stasiowski, 1.43; Karen Dearing, 1.33; Peggy Stock, 0.42. 50-100 Points – Maria Schory, 34.71; Howard Epstein, 19.17; Gary Keenan, 14.09; John Houghtaling, 13.42; Mike Metzger, 12.90; Cynthia Tashjian, 10.30; Candace Graser, 8.99; Mary Ellen Cotter, 6.28; Susan Burns, 5.30; Amy Habib, 4.62. 100-200 Points – Carol Licata, 21.14; Jim Hassett, 17.94; Fran Schmidt, 11.70; Judith McDermid, 10.16; Jim Greno, 9.04; Joan Ciszak, 7.59; Betsy Greno, 7.09; Susan Levy, 2.57; Janet Desmon, 1.99; Bill Noltee, 1.97; Betty DeFeo, 1.66. 200-300 Points – Maria Amlani, 45.97; Laura Houghtaling, 13.42; John Scott, 1.78; Patty Porter, 1.68. 300-500 Points – Kusum Phadke, 26.10; Pat Haynes, 17.72; Bob Ciszak, 15.44; Margaret Zhou, 6.09; David Schott, 5.19; Jim McClure, 4.89; Joanne Nover, 4 even; Ruth Nawotniak, 3.43. 500-1,000 Points – Martha Townson, 81.73; Terry Hamovitch, 55.61; Bram Hamovitch, 54.29; Ed Harman, 22.21; Sushil Amlani, 22.16; Larry Himelein, 17.56; Bill Rich, 16.90; Richard McGowan, 16.66; Joyce Frayer, 15.90; Diana Smith, 15.64. 1,000-1,500 Points – Jim Lanzo, 155.02; Vic Bergsten, 52.17; (tie) Jim Easton, Marilyn Wortzman, 10.43; Mary Ball, 8.16; Bob Kaprove, 0.83; Ed Rupp, 0.68; Bert Feasley, 0.67; Kamil Bishara, 0.60. 1,500-2,500 Points – John Bava, 41.04; Walt Olszewski, 14.11; Pinky Regan, 10.02; Rajat Basu, 6.64; Sandi England, 2.99; Paula Kotowski, 2.11; Joyce Greenspan, 1.58; Nancy Kessler, 1.54. 2,500-3,500 Points – Art Morth, 15.65; Linda Burroughsford, 9.69; Elaine Kurasiewicz, 1.53; Dale Anderson, 0.98; Mike Silverman, 0.60; Bill Rushmore, 0.28. 3,500-5,000 Points – Judy Padgug, 20.96; Martha Welte, 10.29; Davis Heussler, 10.14; Ken Meier, 4.75; Barbara Libby, 2.38; Chongmin Zhang, 1.88. More than 5,000 Points – Saleh Fetouh, 98.76; Jay Levy, 38.66; Dian Petrov, 5.75. • • • The Duplicate Bridge column is compiled weekly by Buffalo News Staff Reporter Dale Anderson. The print version stopped appearing Saturdays in The News in March 2020 when the pandemic forced local bridge clubs to halt face-to-face play. These days you can find it in two places online. Google “Duplicate Bridge” plus the current Saturday date and that should bring up a link to it on buffalonews.com , the Buffalo News website. Another place to find it is on Dale Anderson’s bridge blog at http://newsdupli.blogspot.com/ Deadline for submission of scores and notices is Tuesday night. Email danderson@buffnews.com or dahotwings@aol.com . Office phone is 716-849-4420. • • • A Gold Life Master , Dale Anderson has a career total of more than 2,970 master points. He occasionally writes about his quest for the next measure of achievement, Sapphire Life Master (3,500 points), and other bridge adventures here . Email danderson@buffnews.com . Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.When Is Liam Neeson’s Non-Stop Leaving Netflix & Where to Watch Next? By Fans of were surprised to learn that the classic thriller is leaving Netflix, prompting many to ask where to find it next. The film follows a U.S. air marshal who receives threats against his passengers unless $150 million is transferred to an offshore account. As the departure date nears, fans are eager for updates on when Non-Stop will leave Netflix and where to watch it afterward. Here are the latest updates on the movie: When will Liam Neeson’s Non-Stop leave Netflix? It’s official: Liam Neeson’s Non-Stop is leaving Netflix on January 1, 2025. Non-Stop is an essential watch for all Liam Neeson enthusiasts. However, don’t delay your viewing, as this iconic thriller will depart from Netflix on January 1, 2025. Sadly, the new year won’t bring this film back, as Netflix has opted to take it down. So, gather your friends and family for an adrenaline-pumping experience before Non-Stop leaves the platform. Where can you watch Non-Stop after it leaves Netflix? Currently, no streaming platform has taken over the rights to the 2014 movie Non-Stop. No streaming service has been announced to acquire the rights for this film after its removal from Netflix. It is speculated that these rights may be obtained by other platforms, as several options exist. Given that Universal Pictures distributed the film, it may eventually become available on Peacock. However, neither Peacock nor any media reports have confirmed this possibility. As of now, this remains a hopeful prediction rather than a confirmed outcome. Non-Stop (2014) is a gripping mystery-action thriller directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. The intense film, co-produced by renowned Joel Silver, features standout performances from Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore in the lead roles. The film performed remarkably at the box office, earning over $222 million globally on a $50 million budget. Filming started at York Studios in Maspeth, Queens, New York City. It later moved to JFK Airport and Long Island MacArthur Airport. The cast includes Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Scoot McNairy, Michelle Dockery, Nate Parker, Jason Butler Harner, and Anson Mount. Ayesha, an SEO Content Writer/Editor for Coming Soon. With a degree in Social work, she has been creating content as a Digital marketer for the last 3 years. Recently, Ayesha has taken up skincare as a hobby on Instagram, where she shares budget-friendly skincare routines along with quick and simple tips and tricks. To get in touch with her, make sure to follow her on Instagram. Share article

Vance takes on a more visible transition role, working to boost Trump’s most contentious picksBRISBANE, Australia , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AZBalls SRL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xite Holdings Ltd Brisbane Australia, proudly announces the acquisition of the highly acclaimed Tobique Gaming License. This milestone enables AZBalls SRL to introduce its global online lottery casino brands, AZPlay and Lottos1, to a worldwide audience, setting a new benchmark in digital lottery gaming. Under this license, the groundbreaking Alphabet lottery, AZBillions, is now the world's first global lottery products to support international charitable causes. Players from over 190 jurisdictions can engage in exciting lottery experiences while supporting impactful local charities worldwide. The Tobique Gaming License solidifies AZBalls SRL's commitment to providing a responsible, transparent, and innovative gaming experience. With this license, AZBalls SRL joins an elite group of gaming operators recognized for their compliance with international regulatory standards. "Securing the Tobique Gaming License is a testament to our dedication to excellence and responsible gaming. This license will allow us to deliver an unparalleled experience while contributing to global good," said Craig Austin , CEO/Founder of AZBillions, alphabet lottery. AZPlay and Lottos1 will feature premier lottery and casino experiences, attracting players with state-of-the-art prize structures, and unparalleled gameplay. With the launch of the Alphabet lottery AZBillions, players will enjoy unique opportunities to win massive jackpots and support charitable initiatives globally. Each lottery game offered incorporates a philanthropic component, providing contributions to select international charities through player participation. The Tobique Gaming License provides AZBalls SRL with legal access to 190 jurisdictions, cementing AZPlay and Lottos1 as truly global brands in the online gaming industry. This unprecedented reach will allow AZBalls SRL to offer an accessible, secure, and socially responsible gaming experience to millions. AZBalls SRL is committed to building a positive impact through its gaming offerings, aligning with its vision to drive global social good. AZBalls SRL, is a leader in online gaming innovation, a diversified entertainment and technology company. With a mission to create entertaining, ethical, and socially responsible gaming experiences, AZBalls SRL seeks to set new standards in global lottery and gaming. This acquisition marks a new era in global lottery gaming, empowering players to support worthy causes with every ticket purchased. AZBalls SRL is excited to welcome players around the world to www.azballs.com and www.lottos1.com and to bring positive change through the power of gaming. Media Contact: Craig Austin 0423072253 [email protected] SOURCE AZBalls SRL

GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman (AP) — Noah Farrakhan scored 24 points and sealed the victory with a jump shot with 46 seconds left as Hampton defeated Duquesne 64-59 on Monday. Farrakhan also had five rebounds for the Pirates (3-4). Daniel Johnson shot 4 for 6, including 1 for 3 from beyond the arc to add nine points. Jake DiMichele led the Dukes (0-6) in scoring, finishing with 13 points. Jakub Necas added nine points for Duquesne. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Terps’ defense fades down the stretch in a narrow loss to No. 8 Purdue

Exelon Corp. stock outperforms competitors despite losses on the dayAUSTIN, Texas – Any Texas or Texas A&M player has heard the lore of the rivalry between the two schools, a grudge match that dates to 1894. But for more than a decade — two generations of college football players — that's all it has been: Ghostly memories of great games and great plays made by heroes of the distant past. Recommended Videos That changes this week when one of college football's great rivalries is reborn. Third-ranked Texas (10-1, 6-1) and No. 20 Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2) meet Saturday night for the first time since 2011, with a berth in the Southeastern Conference championship game on the line . “Guys that have been in my position and bleed burnt orange, they have not gotten to play this game,” said Texas fourth-year junior safety Michael Taaffe, who grew up in Austin. “Remember them when you step on Kyle Field.” For Aggies fans, who have carried the misery of Texas' 27-25 win in 2011, getting the Longhorns back in front of a frenzied crowd in College Station is a chance for some serious payback. “I was born and raised an Aggie, so I’ve been dreaming about playing in this game my whole life,” Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III said. Zuhn played high school football in Colorado, but his parents and grandparents attended A&M. At SEC media days back in August, Zuhn said his family would turn Texas gear upside down in stores. He keeps a picture of a longhorn in his room, hanging upside down, of course. “It should be the most amazing atmosphere that I’ve ever experienced,” Zuhn said. "I can’t wait for that, and I feel bad for Texas having to play in that." Texas players said they are ready. “That place is going to be rocking,” Texas senior cornerback Jahdae Barron said. “It's good to go on the road and play in hostile environments.” The Longhorns have overcome big and loud road crowds before. They won at Alabama in 2023. They won at Michigan and Arkansas, another old rival, this year. The Longhorns have won 10 in a row on an opponent’s home field. “When the hate is on us, we love it. We enjoy it,” Taaffe said. But some former Texas players say the current group has faced nothing like what awaits them in College Station. Playing at Texas A&M is more than just noise and a lot of “Horns down” hand signals. The “Aggie War Hymn” fight song calls for Aggies to “Saw varsity’s horns off." Beating Texas is their passion, said former Longhorns All-American offensive lineman Dan Neil, who won at Texas A&M in in 1995. He calls that win one of the best of his career. “I was done showering and getting ready to leave, and their fans were still standing outside the locker room screaming and throwing things,” he said. “The (Texas) players have no idea what they are walking into. They have no clue. No one on that team has walked into that stadium in burnt orange.” The rivalry broke up when Texas A&M left the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012. The Aggies have twice finished tied for second but have otherwise found little success there. Texas is in its first year in the SEC and has smashed its way to the top. Texas is the only SEC team with one loss this late in the season, which would make beating Texas that much sweeter for A&M. “The hype is definitely saying it's a rivalry. History says it's a rivalry, but for us, it's the football game we have this week,” Texas senior center Jake Majors said. “It's important for us to not let the environment, the game, get the best of us. ... I get to go out there and play not only for me and my team, but for the guys who came before me, so that's a true honor to have.” Even though the game hasn't been played since 2011, there has always been an element of the rivalry simmering under the surface, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said. Elko is in his first year as the Aggies' coach, but he was the Texas A&M defensive coordinator under Jimbo Fisher from 2018-2021. “Even though it hasn’t been played, it just doesn’t feel like it’s ever really left the fabric. I really don’t think it’s as removed from the psyche as maybe it feels,” Elko said. “I think our kids are very much aware of what this is all about.” ___ Rieken reported from College Station, Texas. ___ 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-football

Wake up the ghosts! Texas, Texas A&M rivalry that dates to 1894 is rebornCitius Oncology, Inc. Reports Fiscal Full Year 2024 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

Corporate virtue-signalling on Australia Day born out of ignoranceA recent advisory from the United States Surgeon General has made it clear — parents and caregivers are burned out. In a 2023 poll of more than 3,100 American parents, nearly 50 per cent reported experiencing debilitating levels of stress most days. Other recent surveys from Canada and the U.S. also found between 20 to 30 per cent of parents are experiencing moderate to severe levels of anxiety that could warrant a clinical diagnosis. When the tasks of the holidays are piled onto this baseline stress, it’s easy to see how the “season of joy” may feel more like the “season of overwhelm.” How can both our society as a whole and parents as individuals dial back the pressure? Structural changes are essential. But scientific insights about child development can also help parents prioritize what matters most and shift how they respond to things that may otherwise trigger anxiety. What’s causing parent stress? Much of what is making parents stressed these days is structural in nature: things are more expensive, it’s hard to find affordable child care, parents are more isolated, work is taking up more of parents’ time and children’s engagement with ever-evolving technology brings a range of serious health and safety concerns . These factors disproportionately affect parents who experience poverty, racism, violence or trauma. Addressing them will require substantial political and cultural shifts . But there are smaller factors to tackle as well. Parents today have more access to information than ever before. It’s not just a pediatrician or family member they can turn to for advice, but endless blogs, forums and social media platforms. While online sources can build community and confidence, they can also contribute to information overload as panic headlines and contradictory advice often compound parents’ feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed. These platforms also tend to showcase idyllic situations that lead parents to create unhelpful comparisons and unrealistic expectations, contributing to feelings of shame and guilt . To counteract these feelings, it’s helpful to remember a few things: children’s development is influenced by many things parents can’t control, there are many benefits to imperfect parenting and independent play and parent wellness matters more than most else. 1. It’s more than just parenting It’s common for people who haven’t experienced discrimination or unexpected challenges to attribute children’s behaviours and outcomes to parents’ choices and efforts. This is an example of “attribution bias,” a bias towards a particular kind of explanation . Developmental science helps dispel this bias by highlighting that children’s development is influenced by many factors other than parenting and beyond parents’ control. First among these is genetics. For example, twin studies have found that genetic factors explain 57-76 per cent of child/adolescent mental illness, 60-84 per cent of picky eating and 60-85 per cent of school achievement. Another is exposure to adverse or positive experiences , such as witnessing violence or being supported by friends and non-parental adults. These types of experiences have substantial effects on children’s physical and mental health. But they are inequitably distributed, based on factors such as income and race . There are big differences in children’s temperaments and how they respond to their environments . The same parenting strategy applied to two different children can lead to two very different outcomes, as you may have observed in siblings. This is why the next time you catch yourself feeling shame or judgment about a child’s behaviour, it’s important to remember parenting choices might not be to blame. 2. Parental imperfections are opportunities Psychologists and pediatricians often recommend certain parenting strategies to support children’s development. But rarely do these providers suggest parents must follow their advice 100 per cent of the time to achieve the desired effects. It’s what happens most of the time that matters. Even when parenting “imperfections” happen, like breaking routines or uncharacteristically snapping at children, they can be seen as opportunities. When “rupture” is followed up by “repair” in the form of acknowledgement, apologies, explanations and/or moments for restoring connection, it can benefit the parent-child attachment relationship and help children build their emotion-regulation skills. By using repair after the overwhelming moments that often happen during the holidays, parents can transform these moments from sources of shame to reasons for pride. 3. Benefits of independent play Over the past few decades, parents’ worries about children’s physical safety have grown , while children’s unsupervised play time has declined . Many parents are spending more time with their children , hovering or helicoptering over them rather than promoting independent play. No doubt, playing with the support of a responsive adult has many benefits for children’s learning and development . But when it comes to parent involvement in play, sometimes less is more. Research shows that unstructured play — play that isn’t organized by adults and doesn’t have defined goals — is a “ fundamental necessity ” for children’s well-being. Outdoor risky play has enormous benefits for children’s physical and mental health that outweigh many of the perceived safety risks. There are also many unique benefits of playing with peers for both academic and social skill development. With this in mind, if you are a parent who is regularly your child’s main playmate, it may be time to seek more opportunities to take a step back. The holidays can be a great time to start. 4. Parent well-being is paramount News and social media feeds are full of panic headlines that can make it seem that certain foods, toys or parenting habits are what make or break children’s life outcomes. It’s easy for parents consuming this media to feel anxious or even want to change their purchases or behaviours in response to every new study. But most headlines overstate the findings of weak studies or small effects. And if following the headlines comes at the cost of parental well-being, it could be doing more harm than good. This is because one of the most consistent and strongest predictors of children’s well-being is having safe, stable and nurturing relationships with caregivers — as both the Canadian and American Pediatric Societies have stated. Children need present and responsive caregivers more than they need any specific foods, presents or new parenting fads. This is why it may be worth considering what you can do to support yourself or other parents’ well-being this year. This could mean providing practical or social support to the parents around you or just making them feel heard and understood . With high parental stress , it’s more important than ever for everyone to replace judgment with empathy and advice with real support. And for parents, let’s try to distinguish what we can and can’t control, practise self-forgiveness in tough times, allow ourselves moments to do less and focus in on what matters most. It might help us experience more moments of joy in this holiday season and through all the seasons of parenthood. Nina Sokolovic has worked in several roles at non-profit and government organizations that support the well-being of children and parents, including her current as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Ontario Public Service. She previously received funding for her research from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 02.12.2024

Gap lifts guidance, touts optimism ahead of crucial holiday shopping seasonNone

AP News Summary at 6:07 p.m. EST

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Any Texas or Texas A&M player has heard the lore of the rivalry between the two schools, a grudge match that dates to 1894. But for more than a decade — two generations of college football players — that's all it has been: Ghostly memories of great games and great plays made by heroes of the distant past. That changes this week when one of college football's great rivalries is reborn. Third-ranked Texas (10-1, 6-1) and No. 20 Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2) meet Saturday night for the first time since 2011, with a berth in the Southeastern Conference championship game on the line . “Guys that have been in my position and bleed burnt orange, they have not gotten to play this game,” said Texas fourth-year junior safety Michael Taaffe, who grew up in Austin. “Remember them when you step on Kyle Field.” For Aggies fans, who have carried the misery of Texas' 27-25 win in 2011, getting the Longhorns back in front of a frenzied crowd in College Station is a chance for some serious payback. “I was born and raised an Aggie, so I’ve been dreaming about playing in this game my whole life,” Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III said. Zuhn played high school football in Colorado, but his parents and grandparents attended A&M. At SEC media days back in August, Zuhn said his family would turn Texas gear upside down in stores. He keeps a picture of a longhorn in his room, hanging upside down, of course. “It should be the most amazing atmosphere that I’ve ever experienced,” Zuhn said. "I can’t wait for that, and I feel bad for Texas having to play in that." Texas players said they are ready. “That place is going to be rocking,” Texas senior cornerback Jahdae Barron said. “It's good to go on the road and play in hostile environments.” The Longhorns have overcome big and loud road crowds before. They won at Alabama in 2023. They won at Michigan and Arkansas, another old rival, this year. The Longhorns have won 10 in a row on an opponent’s home field. “When the hate is on us, we love it. We enjoy it,” Taaffe said. But some former Texas players say the current group has faced nothing like what awaits them in College Station. Playing at Texas A&M is more than just noise and a lot of “Horns down” hand signals. The “Aggie War Hymn” fight song calls for Aggies to “Saw varsity’s horns off." Beating Texas is their passion, said former Longhorns All-American offensive lineman Dan Neil, who won at Texas A&M in in 1995. He calls that win one of the best of his career. “I was done showering and getting ready to leave, and their fans were still standing outside the locker room screaming and throwing things,” he said. “The (Texas) players have no idea what they are walking into. They have no clue. No one on that team has walked into that stadium in burnt orange.” The rivalry broke up when Texas A&M left the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012. The Aggies have twice finished tied for second but have otherwise found little success there. Texas is in its first year in the SEC and has smashed its way to the top. Texas is the only SEC team with one loss this late in the season, which would make beating Texas that much sweeter for A&M. “The hype is definitely saying it's a rivalry. History says it's a rivalry, but for us, it's the football game we have this week,” Texas senior center Jake Majors said. “It's important for us to not let the environment, the game, get the best of us. ... I get to go out there and play not only for me and my team, but for the guys who came before me, so that's a true honor to have.” Even though the game hasn't been played since 2011, there has always been an element of the rivalry simmering under the surface, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said. Elko is in his first year as the Aggies' coach, but he was the Texas A&M defensive coordinator under Jimbo Fisher from 2018-2021. “Even though it hasn’t been played, it just doesn’t feel like it’s ever really left the fabric. I really don’t think it’s as removed from the psyche as maybe it feels,” Elko said. “I think our kids are very much aware of what this is all about.” Rieken reported from College Station, Texas. 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-football

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The drubbing Democrats took in Pennsylvania in this year’s election prompted predictable vows to rebound, but it also sowed doubts about whether Pennsylvania might be leaving the ranks of up-for-grabs swing states for a right-leaning existence more like Ohio’s. The introspection over voters’ rejection of Democrats comes amid growing speculation about Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro as a contender for the party’s 2028 presidential nomination. Widely expected to seek reelection in the 2026 mid-terms, Shapiro was considered a rising star in the party even before he garnered heavy national attention for making Vice President Kamala Harris’ shortlist of candidates for running mates. Some Pennsylvania Democrats say 2024’s losses are, at least in part, attributable to voters motivated specifically by President-elect Donald Trump. Many of those voters won’t show up if Trump isn’t on the ballot, the theory goes, leaving Pennsylvania’s status as the ultimate swing state intact. “I don’t think it’s an indicator for Pennsylvania,” said Jamie Perrapato, executive director of Turn PA Blue, which helps organize and train campaign volunteers. “I’ll believe it when these people come out and vote in any elections but for the presidency.” Pennsylvania’s status as the nation’s premier battleground state in 2024 was unmistakable: Political campaigns dropped more money on campaign ads there than in any other state, according to data from ad-tracking firm AdImpact. Plenty of that money was spent by Democrats, but their defeat was across the board. Democrats in Pennsylvania lost their 19 presidential electoral votes, a U.S. Senate seat, three other statewide races, two congressional seats and what was once a reassuring advantage in voter registration. Some of those losses were particularly notable: Democrats hadn’t lost Pennsylvania’s electoral votes and a Senate incumbent in the same year since 1880. The defeat of three-term Sen. Bob Casey is especially a gut-punch for Democrats: The son of a former governor has served in statewide office since 1997. An echo of what happened everywhere The same debate that Democrats are having nationally over Harris’ decisive loss is playing out in Pennsylvania, with no agreement on what caused them to be so wrong. Some blamed President Joe Biden, a Pennsylvania native, for backtracking on his promise not to run for reelection. Some blamed the party’s left wing and some blamed Harris, saying she tried to woo Republican voters instead of focusing on pocketbook issues that were motivating working-class voters. In Pennsylvania, finger-pointing erupted in the Democratic stronghold of Philadelphia — where Trump significantly narrowed his 2020 deficit — between the city’s Democratic Party chair and a Harris campaign adviser. The nation’s sixth-most populous city is historically a driver of Democratic victories statewide, but Harris’ margin there was the smallest of any Democratic presidential nominee since John Kerry’s in 2004, and turnout there was well below the statewide average. Rural Democrats suggested the party left votes on the table in their regions, too. Some said Harris hurt herself by not responding forcefully enough in the nation’s No. 2 natural gas state against Trump’s assertions that she would ban fracking. Ed Rendell, the former two-term governor of Pennsylvania and ex-Democratic National Committee chair, said Trump had the right message this year and that Harris didn’t have enough time on the campaign trail to counter it. Still, Rendell said Pennsylvania remains very much a swing state. “I wouldn’t go crazy over these election results,” Rendell said. “It’s still tight enough to say that in 2022 the Democrats swept everything and you would have thought that things looked pretty good for us, and this time we almost lost everything.” That year, Shapiro won the governor’s office by nearly 15%, John Fetterman was the only candidate in the nation to flip a U.S. Senate seat despite suffering a stroke in the midst of his campaign, and Democrats captured control of the state House of Representatives for the first time in a dozen years. Bethany Hallam, an Allegheny County council member who is part of a wave of progressive Democrats to win office around Pittsburgh in recent years, said the party can fix things before Pennsylvania becomes Ohio. But she cautioned against interpreting 2024 as a one-time blip, saying it would be a mistake to think Trump voters will never be heard from again. “They’re going to be more empowered to keep voting more,” Hallam said. “They came out, finally exercised their votes and the person they picked won. ... I don’t think this was a one-off thing.” The ever-changing political landscape Shapiro, assuming he seeks another term in 2026, would likely benefit from a mid-term backlash that has haunted the party in power — in this case, Republicans and Trump — in nearly every election since World War II. The political landscape never stays the same, and voters two years from now will react to a new set of factors: the state of the economy, the ups and downs of Trump’s presidency, events no one sees coming. Rendell predicted Trump’s public approval ratings will be badly damaged — below 40% — even before he takes office. Democrats, meanwhile, fully expect Republicans to come after Shapiro in an effort to damage any loftier ambitions he may have. They say they’ll be ready. “He’s on the MAGA radar,” said Michelle McFall, the Westmoreland County Democratic Party chair. “He’s a wildly popular governor in what is still the most important battleground state ... and we’re going to make sure we’re in fighting shape to hold that seat.” In 2025, partisan control of the state Supreme Court will be up for grabs when three Democratic justices elected a decade ago must run to retain their seats in up-or-down elections without an opponent. Republicans have it marked on their calendars. Democrats will go into those battles with their narrowest voter registration edge in at least a half century. What was an advantage of 1.2 million voters in 2008, the year Barack Obama won the presidency, is now a gap of fewer than 300,000. University of Pennsylvania researchers found that, since the 2020 presidential election, Republican gains weren’t because Republicans registered more new voters. Rather, the GOP’s gains were from more Democrats switching their registration to Republican, a third party or independent, as well as more inactive Democratic voters being removed from registration rolls, the researchers reported. Democrats have won more statewide elections in the past 25 years, but the parties are tied in that category in the five elections from 2020 through 2024. Daniel Hopkins, a political science professor at the University of Pennsylvania, said it is hard to predict that Pennsylvania is trending in a particular direction, since politics are evolving and parties that lose tend to adapt. Even when Democrats had larger registration advantages, Hopkins said, Republicans competed on a statewide playing field. Hopkins said Democrats should be worried that they lost young voters and Hispanic voters to Trump, although the swing toward the GOP was relatively muted in Pennsylvania. Trump’s 1.8 percentage-point victory was hardly a landslide, he noted, and it signals that Pennsylvania will be competitive moving forward. “I don’t think that the registration numbers are destiny,” Hopkins said. “That’s partly because even with Democrats losing their registration advantage, whichever party can win the unaffiliated voters by a healthy margin will carry the state.” Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Vance takes on a more visible transition role, working to boost Trump’s most contentious picks

GAMBLING problems often reach far beyond the individual, affecting loved ones in ways that can feel overwhelming. Picture someone juggling bills while managing the emotional weight of a partner’s gambling. These scenarios are not rare, as a study published in Addictive Behaviours in December illustrates, emphasising how coping styles and social support can make a profound difference for “affected others” (AOs). This study explores the stress-strain-coping-support model, a framework designed to explain the complex relationship between stress, coping behaviours and the availability of support systems. Imagine a family member trying to confront the issue head-on, only to find the strain mounting with each argument. According to the authors, strategies like these, called maladaptive coping styles, often amplify harm and distress. Conversely, withdrawal coping — where one focuses on personal activities — and strong social connections can provide a buffer against these challenges. Based on data from 1,131 participants in Australia, the study highlights how different coping mechanisms influence outcomes. Consider these takeaways: Maladaptive coping increases harm: Behaviours such as monitoring or making excuses for the gambler were strongly linked to increased harm. Social support reduces harm: A solid network of friends or family often helped AOs experience lower levels of distress. Closeness intensifies impact: Being emotionally or financially tied to the gambler increases psychological strain. Withdrawal coping chows mixed results: While usually beneficial, this method also comes with challenges, such as feelings of guilt. The weight of maladaptive coping often stems from feelings of helplessness. Imagine someone trying to control a loved one’s gambling habits — it’s a bit like holding back a river with your hands. The authors explain that these behaviours, while driven by frustration or fear, tend to escalate conflicts rather than resolve them. Alternatively, stepping back emotionally — as withdrawal coping suggests — might avoid immediate fights but could leave a lingering sense of isolation. The study paints a picture of AOs navigating a minefield, where each choice carries potential risks and rewards. Picture a friend stepping in with a reassuring word or a relative offering to babysit so someone can catch a break. Social support, as highlighted in the study, serves as a lifeline. It’s not just about practical help; it’s about knowing someone is there. Yet, the stigma surrounding gambling often isolates AOs, leaving them hesitant to share their struggles. The authors suggest that breaking this silence can pave the way for healing. The findings suggest a roadmap for reducing harm. Support programmes, like the Five-Step Method, equip AOs with tools to manage their emotions and rebuild connections. Imagine a workshop where participants learn to replace frustration with calm conversations or identify trusted allies in their social circles. Public education campaigns could also shift societal attitudes, making it easier for AOs to seek help without judgment. The study acknowledges gaps that future research could address. For instance, cultural norms may shape how coping strategies are viewed — what works in one community might fall flat in another. Long-term studies could also show how these coping mechanisms evolve. Think of it as trying to map a forest trail; the more perspectives included, the more precise the path. This research offers hope to those navigating the fallout of gambling problems. Even the most strained relationships can find a way forward with the right tools and a supportive environment. — DMTrump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office

Investors will have to buy a record amount of euro zone government bonds for a third straight year in 2025 and without the ECB in the market, potentially adding pressure on borrowing costs when political and economic uncertainty is high. Bankers and analysts said they were confident markets can soak up the more than 660 billion euros ($694.52 billion) of net bond supply, with expectations for further European Central Bank rate cuts boosting government bonds’ appeal. However, they also say that high levels of bond sales could push up long-term borrowing costs relative to yields on short-term debt, which are anchored by central bank rate expectations, resulting in a steeper yield curve. This means euro zone countries, grappling with weak growth and political uncertainty in Germany and France, may not see big declines in borrowing costs even as the ECB lowers rates. “I think overall it will be absorbed,” said Michael Krautzberger, global chief investment officer for fixed income at Allianz Global Investors. “But it’s one of the reasons why the euro curves could be quite a bit steeper as a combination of rate cuts at the short end and quite a bit of supply at the long end.” Analysts stressed that countries’ borrowing plans remain uncertain, with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump putting pressure on Europe to increase defence spending and with France’s 2025 budget in peril. Euro zone governments are set to sell around 1.26 trillion euros of bonds gross next year, banks estimate, down very slightly from 2024 as countries try to reduce deficits after spending big amid the shocks of COVID-19 and the Ukraine war. Crucially missing from the market in 2025 will be the ECB, which since 2014 has hoovered up trillions of euros of bonds to support the bloc through successive crises. The ECB has already stopped reinvesting the proceeds from maturing bonds in its Asset Purchase Programme and from January will do the same for its more flexible Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme in a process known as quantitative tightening (QT). Investors will have to absorb somewhere between 270 and 420 billion euros of bonds that the ECB might otherwise have bought next year, according to estimates from UBS, Bank of America and BNP Paribas. Different assumptions about the ECB’s bond holdings produce different estimates. Once redemptions, coupons, and QT are factored in, the effective bond supply to markets will be around 660 to 670 billion euros, according to the banks. Higher yields have enticed investors back to government bonds after central banks hiked rates to tame inflation. Debt office officials are optimistic appetite will remain strong. “An important feature of this year and a half has been quite a significant return of foreign investors,” Italy’s debt chief Davide Iacovoni told a conference in Brussels last week. “We’re in a situation where there’s an expectation of lower interest rates and of course, Italy still pays quite an elevated spread,” he said, referring to the higher yields available on Italian debt than on German peers. UBS macro rates strategist Emmanouil Karimalis said Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on the EU, which would dent the euro zone economy and potentially speed up ECB rate cuts, could boost safe-haven bonds. However, Karimalis said investors may demand a higher return or “term premium” to lock in money for the long term – given the deluge of bond sales and heightened uncertainty. Bond sales might have to rise if European governments increase military spending and if Germany, which holds a snap election in February, loosens long-standing debt rules. UBS estimated Germany is currently set to reduce its gross bond issuance to 268 billion euros, down 7 billion euros from 2024. France is likely to increase its borrowing slightly, even if Prime Minister Michel Barnier can pass his belt-tightening budget, UBS said. That means France would have the highest net supply in the euro zone – with redemptions, coupons and QT factored in – at around 202 billion euros in 2025, up 15 billion euros from this year, according to UBS. Underlining the uncertainty around forecasts, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen on Wednesday threatened to seek to topple Barnier over the 2025 budget. French bond yields have risen sharply since the calling of snap elections in June that resulted in a hung parliament FR10YT=RR. Ivan Morozov, sovereign credit analyst at T. Rowe Price, said political uncertainty had put off Japanese investors, traditionally an important French buyer. “We need to get a bit more clarity on the French political situation before they come back to the market,” he said. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Harry Robertson; editing by Dhara Ranasinghe and Susan Fenton)A new forecast from the Bank of Montreal (BMO) is signalling that the economic situation the deputy prime minister called a “vibecession” could come to an end next year. In a brief note to clients from BMO economist Shelly Kaushik published late Monday, the bank suggested that a decline in population growth to a “more manageable pace” and signs the economy is rebounding through monetary policy easing mean the “vibecession” should dissipate in 2025. BMO’s note comes only a week after Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland suggested the federal government’s proposed break on GST and HST, which is making its way through the Senate, would address the “vibecession.” “There is a disconnect between the really positive economic news, the fact that the Canadian economy does appear set for a soft landing — that’s good news — but Canadians aren’t feeling it and that is shaping their economic behaviour in ways that are not great for the Canadian economy,” Freeland told reporters last week. Economists have also called it a “me-cession,” referencing the fact that although picture economic trends like inflation are returning to the central bank target zone, households are struggling with groceries, rent and mortgages that saw prices ramp up rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and wages that have yet to catch up. In the note, Kaushik says while the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is still growing, that growth lags the population surge. Last week, data from Statistics Canada showed the economy grew by one per cent in the third quarter. But it was a slowdown from the 2.2 per cent annualized growth seen in the previous quarter and undershot the Bank of Canada’s call for 1.5 per cent growth. Kaushik adds that real GDP per capita is a way to measure the standard of living, and its “deterioration” is a reason why it may “feel like a recession” for some Canadians. The boost to the economy rebounding though could in part come from policies to encourage spending by Canadians, such as the proposed “tax holiday” on GST and HST. If passed, consumers will see the GST — and in some provinces the HST — removed from various items, including certain groceries, children’s clothing, toys, restaurant meals and video game consoles starting Dec. 14 until Feb. 14, as the holiday season is in full swing. Freeland said it’s about ensuring Canadians feel confidence to spend again and act on it. Last week, TD Bank put out its own report that suggested the proposed $250 rebate cheques from the federal government, the fate of which remains uncertain amid political gridlock, would also provide stimulus to the economy and spur more Canadians to spend. That report noted it also could lead to a slowdown in interest rate cuts as the Bank of Canada won’t have to provide extra stimulus itself. Though not mentioned in her note, BMO last week estimated the stimulus from the “tax holiday” and cheques amounts to 0.3 per cent of GDP, but senior economist Robert Kavcic cautioned in a report that while “hefty,” it would “do little to change economic behaviour.” –with files from Global News’ Craig Lord and The Canadian Press