Letters to the editor | Dec. 22, 2024ULM_Godfrey 26 pass from Armenta (Larson kick), 12:27. ARST_Z.Wallace 2 run (Van Andel kick), 6:50. ARST_Rucker 32 pass from Raynor (Van Andel kick), 7:52. ULM_Hardy 72 run (Larson kick), 11:59. ARST_Summers 12 pass from Raynor (Van Andel kick), :40. ULM_Hardy 1 run (Larson kick), 9:15. ARST_C.Jackson 44 pass from Raynor (Van Andel kick), 7:58. RUSHING_Louisiana-Monroe, Hardy 30-204, Armenta 8-52. Arkansas St., Z.Wallace 18-130, Spencer 6-31, Raynor 12-22, Cross 2-5, (Team) 1-(minus 1). PASSING_Louisiana-Monroe, Armenta 11-22-1-137. Arkansas St., Raynor 18-26-0-170. RECEIVING_Louisiana-Monroe, Godfrey 5-58, D.Wells 2-21, Hardy 2-4, T.Griffin 1-37, Cole 1-17. Arkansas St., C.Jackson 6-69, Rucker 3-49, Stevenson 3-20, A.Jones 2-15, Summers 1-12, Cross 1-5, Spencer 1-1, Z.Wallace 1-(minus 1). MISSED FIELD GOALS_None.With 3:56 left in last Sunday’s game against the 49ers, the late-afternoon sun falling on Levi’s Stadium seemed a fitting metaphor for the Seahawks’ season. Seattle had just turned the ball over on downs when Zach Charbonnet’s fourth-and-one plunge at the 49ers' 37-yard line went nowhere. That followed a Geno Smith sneak on a third-and-one that was also ruled — much to the disagreement of many on the Seahawks sideline — to have gone nowhere. A couple 49ers first downs and the game would be over. Seattle’s season might have gone with it. Instead, a third-down stop and as efficient of a game-winning drive led by Smith as you’ll ever see, and the light returned. That sequence of events pulled Seattle from being two games back of two other teams in the NFC West — and essentially three back of the 49ers — to tied with the Rams and 49ers at 5-5 and just a game behind 6-4 Arizona. “We were trying to turn our season around," Smith said afterward. Now the task: to take proper advantage of that statistically unlikely turn of events. A script writer could hardly have crafted the story better to now have Arizona coming to Seattle for a 1:25 p.m. game on Sunday at Lumen Field that could move the Seahawks back into first place in the NFC West. As the Seahawks and Cardinals are kicking off, the 49ers will do the same at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. But the 49ers will do so without quarterback Brock Purdy and star pass rusher Nick Bosa, each ruled out due to injury. The losses of those two players propelled the betting line to flip from San Francisco favored by 2.5 when it opened to the Packers favored by as much as six on Saturday afternoon — the first time the 49ers have been an underdog since the 2022 season. Then in the night game, the Rams host an Eagles team that has won six in a row and is listed as a three-point favorite. So, to make it simple, a win by Seattle and losses by the 49ers and Rams and the Seahawks will be in first place in the NFC West by the end of the day, holding the tiebreaker for the moment on Arizona. What a swing that final 3 minutes and 56 seconds may have made in Seattle’s season, and in creating an NFC West race that appears as wide open this late in the season as it’s been in years. Coach Mike Macdonald this week didn’t shy away from stating how pivotal each week going forward figures to be with each team in the division now having had their bye and seven games remaining. “Put it this way, look, we've earned the opportunity to be fighting for the lead in the division going into the homestretch," Macdonald said. “So, that's the way we're treating it. It's very much like a playoff mindset for us at this point. (We) can't afford to drop games. You want to have the right to play for these really important games in December and January. You've got to be able to execute and put yourself in that situation. It's basically a December football game." Smith spoke similarly. “Anybody can go get this division the last seven games of the season," he said. “So, really it's going feel like playoff games, every single one. The division games are going to feel like you won two games because they're going to matter that much." Sunday’s game may loom even more critical for Seattle and Arizona since the two teams play again in Glendale on Dec. 8. Given that the Cardinals already also have wins over the Rams and 49ers, a win Sunday and possibly moving two games in front of everyone else in the division would put the Cardinals in a pretty firm driver’s seat. But a Seattle win, and the Seahawks may go to Arizona in two weeks with a chance to take control of the division, especially if Seattle can beat a downtrodden Jets team in New York on Dec. 1. Macdonald and Smith speaking candidly of the stakes at hand Sunday, though, stood in contrast to the Cardinals’ approach this week. “I’m not really looking at it that way," Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray said this week when asked how it feels to play a late-November game with so much on the line. “I’m just taking it one game at a time. I know that the guys are as well, so I think that's the message that we're preaching. No game's bigger than the other. The one that we've got right now is the biggest one. We have to win it." On paper, though, the game projects as the most important for Arizona since earning its last playoff spot following the 2021 season. Arizona has won four in a row to move into first — matching its win total for all of last season when the Cardinals went 4-13 in the first season for coach Jonathan Gannon and with Murray held to eight games while recovering from an ACL injury suffered on Dec. 12, 2022. The Cardinals winning only eight games in the 2022 and 2023 seasons combined, the coaching inexperience of Gannon and some uncertainty about whether Murray could reclaim his pre-injury form had most preseason prognosticators picking Arizona last in the NFC West. But the return of Murray full-time, another good season from veteran running back James Conner and the addition of first-round pick receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has led to an improved offense. And the Arizona defense finally seems to be taking on the personality of Gannon, who got the job after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Eagles team that got to the Super Bowl following the 2022 season, particularly in keeping teams out of the end zone; the Cardinals are ninth in the NFL in red-zone defense, allowing TDs on just 17 of 35 drives inside the 20. But the Seahawks finally beating the 49ers for the first time since 2021 a week ago, and doing so after a chaotic week that included the surprising retirement of center Connor Williams, has them feeling like anything is possible. Step one, though, is winning Sunday and snapping a four-game home losing streak. “These games are going to be so electric," Smith said. “I can't wait to be in the stadium on Sunday. It's going to be so fun. We're looking forward to the fans being there and just going crazy." Seahawks activate Jenkins, elevate two others The Seahawks made an expected move Saturday, activating safety Rayshawn Jenkins off injured reserve, filling an opening Seattle had on its 53-man roster. Macdonald said Friday that Jenkins — who had been sidelined with a hand injury — is expected to play against the Cardinals. Seattle also elevated tight end Tyler Mabry and linebacker Patrick O’Connell off the practice squad for Sunday’s game. Mabry adds depth at the tight end spot with Brady Russell (foot) ruled out and Noah Fant (going) questionable. O’Connell, a second-year player from Montana, played 10 snaps on special teams last week against the 49ers and will likely fill a similar role against the Cardinals. This is the third elevation for O’Connell, the most that is allowed.

No. 24 Arizona is coming off consecutive defeats for the first time in the Tommy Lloyd era when it faces undefeated Davidson on Wednesday to begin the Battle 4 Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Arizona (2-2) lost at Wisconsin 103-88 on Nov. 15 and followed that with a home loss against Duke 69-55 on Friday. The Wildcats have dropped 15 spots in the Associated Press Top 25 poll in two weeks. Arizona's record is .500 this early in a season for the first time since it was 3-3 to start the 2017-18 schedule. "I've got work to do, so let's get to work," said Lloyd, in his fourth year as Arizona's head coach. "Let's see where we're at in a month, and if we're still struggling, you know what I'll do? I still got work to do, but I'm gonna get to it." Arizona shot 39.6 percent from the field against Duke, and just 26.1 percent (6 of 23) from 3-point range. The Wildcats were outrebounded by 43-30 and their 15 turnovers led to 19 points. Jaden Bradley led Arizona with 18 points and KJ Lewis added 12. Preseason All-American Caleb Love had eight points on 3-of-13 shooting from the field, including 1-of-9 from 3-point range. Arizona made only one field goal in the last 5:39 as Duke pulled away after its lead was trimmed to six points. "We didn't play great," Lloyd said. "Now we need to take a step back and figure out why. Are there some schematic problems? Are there some problems with how our personnel is kind of put together? "We got to figure out what our certainties are, and the things we have to have, and then over the course of the next couple of days, if there's adjustments we need to make, we need to figure out what those are." Davidson is 4-0 after a 15-17 record last season, in which it lost its last six games to put an end to postseason hopes. A 93-66 win over visiting VMI on Friday followed a 91-85 win at Bowling Green and 76-70 victory over visiting East Tennessee State. The two wins by 10 points or fewer are important because Davidson was 6-12 in such games last season. It was 4-11 in games decided by five points or fewer. "The goal (is) to get better," Davidson head coach Matt McKillop said after the season opener. "We talk about fighting to win every possession. I think we had to figure out what that really felt like with the lights on." Davidson made 13 shots from 3-point range in the win over VMI. Reed Bailey had 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Bobby Durkin added 19 points, including 17 of them and a career-best five 3-pointers in the first half. Bailey leads Davidson in scoring (19 points per game) and rebounding (7.8). Durkin is shooting 57.9 percent (22 of 38) from the field and 54.2 percent (13 of 24) from 3-point range. By contrast, Arizona's Love is shooting 32 percent (16 of 50) from the field and 21.4 percent (6 of 28) from beyond the arc. Bradley leads Arizona with 15.5 points per game. He is shooting 50 percent (24 of 48) from the field and is 35.7 percent (5 of 14) from 3-point range. --Field Level MediaFive days after Bruins firing, Montgomery named NHL Blues coacheSafety chief reacts to Musk’s White House gigIn summary, Taobao Global's record-breaking performance in 2021 reflects the platform's commitment to innovation, customer experience, and strategic partnerships. With a focus on enriching its product offerings, expanding its global reach, and leveraging advanced technologies, Taobao Global has solidified its position as a leader in the global e-commerce market. As the platform continues to grow and evolve, it is poised to drive further success and shape the future of cross-border online shopping.

Zhou Qi, a talented Chinese basketball player who has had stints in the NBA and the Chinese Basketball Association, has faced various challenges and setbacks in his career. Injuries, inconsistent performances, and adapting to different playing styles have all contributed to Zhou Qi's journey of growth and development in the sport.

KBI seeks $114.4 million for new headquarters and exit from ‘horrible’ neighborhood in TopekaSony's stock price soared to new heights as investors showed confidence in the company's gaming division. With popular game consoles like the PlayStation 5 and a wide array of engaging titles, Sony Interactive Entertainment has firmly established itself as a powerhouse in the gaming industry. The recent release of highly anticipated games such as "Spider-Man: Miles Morales" and "Demon's Souls" has not only captivated gamers worldwide but also boosted Sony's financial performance.

In conclusion, the news of Patrick Beverley's mild quadriceps tear is a tough blow for the Los Angeles Clippers, but the team remains focused and determined to overcome this challenge. With Beverley expected to miss six weeks, the Clippers will need to lean on their depth and resilience to continue their strong performance in the competitive Western Conference. As the team adjusts to playing without one of their key starters, they will look to maintain their competitive edge and stay on course for a successful postseason run. The road ahead may be challenging, but the Clippers are ready to face it head-on and show their strength as a cohesive unit.

The booming real estate market in Guizhou is not only benefiting homeowners and property developers but also driving economic growth and urban development in the region. The construction industry is experiencing a surge in activity, creating jobs and stimulating investment in infrastructure and related sectors.

Erik Pratt scores 20 as Milwaukee defeats North Central College 92-57Erik Pratt scores 20 as Milwaukee defeats North Central College 92-57

Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President, speaks during a plenary session at the COP29 UN Climate Summit on November 23, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. According to the UN, rich nations pledged to contribute at least $300 billion annually to the global fight against climate change as UN climate talks came to a contentious end early on the day in Baku. Photo: VCG Countries at the COP29 summit in Baku adopted a $300 billion a year global finance target on Sunday to help poorer nations cope with impacts of climate change, a deal its intended recipients criticized as "woefully insufficient," Reuters reported. Chinese experts questioned the fulfillment of the deal as there is a lack of mandatory accountability mechanism for rich nations. The agreements included decisions on the New Collective Quantified Goal for climate financing and issues relating to the global carbon market mechanism under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The agreements set the post-2025 climate finance targets, including an annual funding of at least $300 billion from developed countries and a broader climate financing goal of at least 1.3 trillion dollars per year by 2035 to support the climate actions of developing countries, according to Xinhua News Agency. "Developed and developing countries entered the negotiations far apart. At one point on Saturday, the talks appeared to be on the brink of collapse, before numerous closed-door meetings brought a deal closer.... Under a compromise, rich nations eventually agreed to commit $50 billion more than called for in a draft agreement on Friday," said a Bloomberg report. The chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, Cedric Schuster, said: "Our islands are sinking. How can you expect us to go back to the women, men, and children of our countries with a poor deal?" Sierra Leone's climate minister Jiwoh Abdulai said it showed a "lack of goodwill" from rich countries to stand by the world's poorest as they confront rising seas and harsher droughts. Nigeria's envoy Nkiruka Maduekwe put it more bluntly: "This is an insult," an AFP report said. "This has been the most horrendous climate negotiations in years due to the bad faith of developed countries. This was meant to be the finance COP, but the Global North turned up with a plan to betray the Global South," Tasneem Essop, executive director of a non-governmental organization called Climate Action Network, wrote in a statement titled "Betrayal in Baku: developed countries fail people and planet." There is a lack of a mandatory accountability mechanism for climate finance commitments, allowing wealthy countries to selectively fulfill their promises without facing serious consequences. This systemic flaw undermines the credibility of the commitments, Sun Shao, a senior researcher at Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday. In a speech at the COP29 closing plenary session, Zhao Yingmin, head of the Chinese delegation and vice minister of ecology and environment, emphasized that addressing the global climate crisis requires adhering to the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities," upholding multilateralism, and working together for mutual benefit. China, as a developing country, in the face of uncertainties in the international landscape, remains committed to supporting the Paris Agreement and multilateralism, showcasing a responsible image as a major power to the world on addressing climate change, Sun said. As the world's second largest economy, China's economic clout, total carbon emissions and green technology capabilities have all increased significantly, and developed countries are looking to China to shoulder more responsibilities. But the problem lies in the fact that developed countries have ignored the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" and failed to take full account of the fact that China is still a developing country with a much lower per capita carbon emission and historical cumulative emissions than developed countries, Sun said. China needs to fight back against unreasonable funding demands and avoid taking on excessive responsibilities that are not appropriate for its stage of development, Sun noted. Some developed countries can't on one hand talk extensively about addressing climate change, while at the same time unjustly suppress the green industries of other countries, thereby hindering the pace of global sustainable development, China's special envoy for climate change Liu Zhenmin was quoted by CCTV as saying on Saturday. Certain developed countries' attitude toward China's climate response is clearly hypocritical, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times. Their stance actually conceals an intention to undermine China's image on the global climate stage while pressuring it to increase its contributions, Li said, "When some individual developed countries speak of righteousness and morality regarding climate issues, it is, in fact, all about political manipulation behind." Some wealthy countries are not being proactive enough in addressing climate change, and there are even instances of procrastination and shirking responsibility. Developed countries bear a greater historical responsibility for emissions and should therefore take on more financial and technological obligations, which is written within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, according to Sun. However, Sun said developed nations often view climate funding as aid rather than an obligation, lacking a supportive political consensus domestically. "The lack of long-term commitment and consistency in actions from wealthy countries has amplified the sense of 'betrayal' from the developing countries," Sun noted.In conclusion, Tencent Video's decision to adjust VIP device access rights for new subscribers while retaining existing member benefits reflects the platform's commitment to customer satisfaction and innovation. By listening to user feedback and introducing enhancements to improve the user experience, Tencent Video remains a leading player in the online streaming industry.

As the power transition unfolds, it is important for the international community to support and facilitate the process, while respecting the sovereignty and independence of Syria. The involvement of external actors should be guided by principles of non-interference and respect for the self-determination of the Syrian people. By providing assistance and encouragement to all parties involved, the international community can help create an enabling environment for a successful power transition and a sustainable peace in Syria.NoneAs they stood side by side at the concert, it was evident that Kimi is not only the spitting image of his father in looks but also in demeanor. Their shared passion for music was palpable as they sang along to the songs, their voices blending harmoniously in a touching display of familial unity. It was a rare and heartwarming sight to see a father and son enjoying each other's company, bonding over a shared love for music and performance.None

Polls close in Uruguay’s election, with ruling coalition and opposition headed for photo finish

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$700B Industry Shake-Up: Rhuna x Plume Transforming Events for 2M+ Attendees & 200M+ Blockchain Transactions!CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — Rafael Pinzon had 22 points in Bryant's 97-85 win over Tennessee State on Tuesday night. Pinzon shot 6 of 15 from the field, including 4 for 5 from 3-point range, and went 6 for 6 from the line for the Bulldogs (4-3). Connor Withers scored 17 points while going 6 of 14 from the floor, including 4 for 9 from 3-point range, and 1 for 4 from the line. Keyshawn Mitchell finished 7 of 10 from the field to finish with 16 points, while adding 13 rebounds. Brandon Weston led the way for the Tigers (3-5) with 24 points and six steals. Antoine Lorick III added 16 points, seven rebounds and two steals for Tennessee State. Carlous Williams had 16 points and two steals. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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It is crucial for the international community to closely monitor the situation in Syria and take concrete steps to promote peace and stability in the region. The targeted airstrikes by Israel serve as a reminder of the urgent need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to resolving the conflict and addressing the underlying grievances of all parties involved.Bryant defeats Tennessee State 97-85