Ashlon Jackson scores career-best 30 points to lead No. 13 Duke past No. 9 Kansas 73-62Pooches in pullovers strut their stuff at London's canine Christmas sweater parade

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTT’SSSSSSSSSSSSSS MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! And....it’s a game week Monday again. The Canes are taking on Iowa State in the Pop Tarts Bowl on Saturday, and one Cameron Ward is suiting up for Miami. Ergo, it’s must-watch television. So let’s buckle those seat belts, clickety-clack our way up the track, and go careening around the corners of the Miami Hurricanes -related tracks of thought spread out through my brain. 1) So, yeah. The Playoff games were U-G-L-Y. Saturday was boring and uncompetitive (well, Friday too if you count IU- Notre Dame ). And what does that mean for Miami? Well, I think two things. First, it kind of validated at least the argument that Miami should have been more strongly considered. Kirk Herbstreit wanted to cry and moan after the game about how the best teams, NOT the most deserving ones, should have been in. That kind of felt like stumping for the 9-loss posse of the SEC, but I think Miami deserves to be in that conversation as well. A theme amongst the teams getting trucked was an embarrassing lack of offense for much of the blame. That’s where Miami would have succeeded. There’s little doubt this offense will put up points on pretty much anyone. And that alone gives Miami a chance to be competitive against just about anyone. And Miami didn’t get blown out once, providing competitive games each week - oh, unless they were blowing teams out, like Florida, Florida State , and USF. Yes, those games happened regardless of the bizarre chest-beating bravado that Florida fans have been exhibiting since arriving at 8-5 and winning the last-month-of-the-season national championship. 41-17. See you fools next year. 2) The other thing it means is that Miami could end up in the final top 10 with 11 wins if they can win on Saturday. Finishing in the top 10 at 11-2 would be a terrific thing for this program. That would be a nice rung to hang your hat on for a solid season. And thanks to all four road teams getting absolutely handled on Friday/Saturday in the playoff, it’s a legit possibility. Indiana tacked on two late scores to do some window dressing on a beatdown. SMU was embarrassed, as was Tennessee. Clemson sort of hung but was not really in the game after the first half. All in all, for those wanting to see Miami make the top 10, it worked out pretty darned well. 3) I admit, I have been busy over the weekend, but I did note that there’s been some portalmania over the last week. Of course, Isaiah Horton ended up following through and finding a new home in the portal, heading to Alabama. That’s a huge loss, no way around that. Hate it. Missing out on QB John Mateer, who signed with Oklahoma, is also a big kick in the pants. I have a feeling that kid is going to be really good next season for OU. But, the portal giveth, as well as taketh away. CJ Daniels seems to be a pretty good pickup and possible replacement from LSU . Mario added two secondary players in Jax State S Zechariah Poyser and Michigan State CB Charles Brantley, as well as Louisiana Tech DL David Blay. I don’t know what to make of them right now, but all are need areas, so that’s good to see. At this point, every time I see a secondary player visiting or targeted, I’m happy. Going to be that way for a while after this rough end of the season. We’ll see if the Canes can deliver a memorable finish to the season on Saturday afternoon in Orlando. Go Canes!Short Interest in Wintrust Financial Co. (NASDAQ:WTFCP) Drops By 21.9%

Wade Taylor IV helps No. 22 Texas A&M get by Texas TechBiden gives life in prison to 37 of 40 federal death row inmates before Trump can resume executions WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row. He's converting their punishments to life imprisonment just weeks before Donald Trump, an outspoken proponent of expanding capital punishment, takes office. Biden says the commutations are consistent with a pause on executions put in place by his administration in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. Biden says he couldn't let a new administration resume executions. Trump has talked about subjecting drug dealers and human smugglers to the death penalty. A spokesperson for Trump says Biden's decision is “abhorrent" and a “slap in the face” to victims and their families. House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee has accused Matt Gaetz of “regularly” paying for sex, including once with a 17-year-old girl, and purchasing and using illicit drugs as a member of Congress. The 37-page report was released Monday by the bipartisan panel after a nearly four-year investigation that helped sink his nomination for attorney general. The report includes explicit details of sex-filled parties and vacations that Gaetz took part in while representing Florida in the House. Congressional investigators concluded that he violated multiple state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing and he filed a lawsuit Monday trying to block the report’s release. Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to murder and weapons charges in UnitedHealthcare CEO's death NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of fatally shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare has pleaded not guilty to murder and terror charges in a state case that will run parallel to his federal prosecution. The Manhattan district attorney formally charged Luigi Mangione last week with multiple counts of murder, including murder as an act of terrorism. Mangione's attorney complained during a brief hearing Monday that statements coming from New York’s mayor would make it tough for him to receive a fair trial. Mangione was shackled and seated in a Manhattan court when he leaned over to a microphone to enter his not guilty plea. Man faces murder charges in the death of a woman who was lit on fire in New York City subway A man is facing murder charges in New York City for allegedly setting a woman on fire inside a subway train and then watching her die after she was engulfed in flames. Police on Monday said the man, identified as 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta, had been taken into custody as a person of interest in the case hours after the woman died. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Jeff Carter said he is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally after he had been previously removed in 2018. Transit police apprehended the man hours after the fatal fire. Middle East latest: Defense minister acknowledges Israel killed Hamas leader Israel’s defense minister has confirmed that Israel assassinated Hamas’ top leader last summer and is threatening to take similar action against the leadership of the Houthi rebel group in Yemen. The comments by Israel Katz appeared to mark the first time that Israel has acknowledged killing Ismail Haniyeh, who died in an explosion in Iran in July. Israel was widely believed to be behind the blast and leaders have previously hinted at its involvement. In a speech Monday, Katz said the Houthis would meet a similar fate as the other members of an Iranian-led alliance in the region, including Haniyeh. He also noted that Israel has killed other leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, helped topple Syria’s Bashar Assad and destroyed Iran’s anti-aircraft systems. Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland, the ice-covered semi-autonomous Danish territory. That's added to the list of allied countries he’s picking fights with, even before taking office on Jan. 20. Greenland insists it's not for sale and Trump's initial calls to purchase it in 2019 came to nothing. But his latest suggestion comes after the president-elect suggested the U.S. could retake control of the Panama Canal and that Canadians wanted their county to become the 51st U.S. state. Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. Magdeburg mourns Christmas market attack victims as fears swirl of deeper German social divisions MAGDEBURG, Germany (AP) — Mourners are laying flowers near the scene of the deadly Christmas market attack as investigators puzzle over the motive of the suspect and his previous encounters with authorities are scrutinized. At the same time there are fears that the rampage could deepen divisions in German society. A church a short walk from the scene of the attack has become a central place of mourning since the suspect drove a car into the busy market on Friday evening and killed five people. Authorities have identified the suspect as a Saudi doctor who arrived in Germany in 2006 and had received permanent residency. They say he doesn't fit the usual profile of perpetrators of extremist attacks. How faith communities can be welcoming of believers with disabilities this holiday season and beyond This holiday season, some religious congregations across the U.S. are holding events designed to be accommodating to and inclusive of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They range from a “Calm Christmas” in West Virginia to an inclusive Hanukkah in New Jersey. Many disabled people, advocates and families want more houses of worship to know that there are ways to fully incorporate and welcome people with these and other disabilities and their families — and not just during the holidays but year round. Tennessee and Auburn remain 1-2 in AP Top 25 poll featuring 10 SEC teams Tennessee and Auburn remained Nos. 1-2 atop The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll. They were the headliners among the Southeastern Conference's haul of 10 ranked teams. Iowa State, Duke and Alabama rounded out the top five. Kentucky had the week's biggest fall, sliding six spots to No. 10 after a loss to Ohio State. Mississippi State, Arkansas, Illinois and Baylor rejoined the poll after stints in the rankings earlier this season. They replaced Memphis, Dayton, Michigan and Clemson. The Big 12 and Big Ten were tied for second with five teams each in the AP Top 25.

Libra Daily Horoscope Today, Dec 30, 2024 predicts pleasant momentsGiants' 10th straight loss showed once again that they need a young QB

LONDON — Pooches in pullovers paraded past Buckingham Palace on Saturday for a gathering of dogs in Christmas sweaters to raise funds for rescue charities. People and dogs take part in the Rescue Dogs of London and Friends Christmas Jumper Parade on Saturday outside Buckingham Palace in central London. About 130 pets, and their owners, walked Saturday from St. James's Park and along the Mall, the wide boulevard that leads to the royal palace as part of the Christmas Jumper Parade. Flossie the dog barks Saturday during the Rescue Dogs of London and Friends Christmas Jumper Parade in central London. Prizes were awarded for best-dressed pets, with contenders including canine Santas, puppy elves and a French bulldog dressed in a red beret and pink jacket adorned with red bows. People and dogs take part in the Rescue Dogs of London and Friends Christmas Jumper Parade on Saturday in central London. The event was organized by Rescue Dogs of London and Friends to raise money for charities that rehome dogs from overseas. People take part in the Rescue Dogs of London and Friends Christmas Jumper Parade on Saturday in central London. Christmas sweater animal parades have become something of an annual tradition in London. People and dogs take part in the Rescue Dogs of London and Friends Christmas Jumper Parade on Saturday outside Buckingham Palace in central London. There are more to come this year, including an event for corgis — the late Queen Elizabeth II's favorite breed — on Dec. 7 and the dachshund-friendly Hyde Park Sausage Walk on Dec 15. From bags of kibble in the grocery store to modern home sizes, things are getting smaller—and evidently, Americans are starting to look for furry friends that match. Small breeds like terriers and toys have largely dethroned the retrievers that once dominated the most popular breed rankings. This is a continuation of a trend that began in 2022 when the Labrador retriever lost its 31-year-long streak as #1 to the French bulldog, according to the American Kennel Club. This shift may be partially attributable to the rising costs of pet products and veterinary care since smaller dogs are more economical for tighter budgets. Moreover, as remote work and nomadic living become increasingly more common, smaller dogs may appeal to those looking for pets that require less space and are easier to transport. In fact, only two sporting dog breeds are the most popular in any American state—and neither is a Labrador retriever. The most popular dog overall represents 4% of all dogs in the country—constituting over 2.3 million out of 58 million households with dogs. Ollie used data from U.S. News & World Report to further explore which dog breeds are the most popular in which states and what factors may drive residents' preferences. Named after the northern Mexican state from which it originates, the Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed and one of the oldest, with a lineage that dates as far back as the ninth century. Today, the breed makes up a remarkable 4% of all dogs in the United States and is the most popular overall in 21 states. It ranks within the top five most common breeds in 42 states in total. Requiring just 200 to 250 calories per day but boasting a lifespan of 14 to 16 years, the Chihuahua offers owners low-cost longevity and is known for its adaptability and amusing personality. The French bulldog is a compact companion known for being friendly yet quiet, making it suitable for a range of lifestyles and homes. The breed has roots in the English bulldog, which was bred to a smaller size to accompany its working English owners, many of whom were artisans. As such trades closed amid the Industrial Revolution, these workers and their little bulldogs moved to France, where the breed's popularity began. The French developed a more standardized appearance which was iterated upon in the U.S. to develop the iconic bat ears. The breed has recently seen a massive increase in popularity, with AKC registrations surging by 1,000% between 2012 and 2022. Now, the French bulldog is the most popular dog in Florida, California, and Hawaii and is in the top five most common dogs in nearly half the remaining states. With webbed paws and an affinity for water, golden retrievers are lucky pups to be the favored breed of the Midwest. They are the most popular dogs in states bordering the Great Lakes—Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio; the entirety of the New England region minus Rhode Island; plus North Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Virginia. The iconic golden breed was developed in 19th-century Scotland to retrieve both from land and water during hunts, hence its swimming-related adaptations. Golden retrievers are known for their affectionate nature and eagerness to please, making them well-suited for service and other working dog roles. The shih tzu, whose name means "lion" in Chinese, is king of the Empire State (New York) as well as Iowa, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. Roughly a quarter of New York state residents live in apartments, making the dog that averages 9 to 16 pounds perfect for compact households. Despite being known for its playfulness, the breed does not require much physical activity or space. The breed dates back over 1,000 years but was first brought to America surprisingly recently, following World War II. According to the American Kennel Club, every shih tzu alive today has direct lineage to just 14 shih tzus that were saved when the breed nearly went extinct during the Communist revolution. Representing the best of both worlds, the golden retriever and poodle hybrid is known for its friendly, sociable demeanor and trainability. Bred to be guide dogs in the 1960s, the hybrid is not recognized as an official breed by the AKC, so there is no breed standard. Goldendoodles can thus range from mini-sized to about 90 pounds and may have fur that is curly, straight, or somewhere in between. While not official, the family-friendly dog has left paw prints all over the country, ranking in the top five most popular dogs in 37 states. In Idaho and Utah, the goldendoodle is the most popular overall. Maxing out at just 7 pounds, the Yorkshire terrier is the most popular breed among Maryland and Washington D.C. residents. This is not necessarily surprising considering the housing stock of the nation's capital is comprised mostly of apartment units, making the pint-sized pup perfect for metropolitans. The toy breed was bred to chase rats out of mines and mills in 19th-century England, arriving in North America in the 1870s and gaining official recognition by the AKC in 1885. Now, the breed is among the top five most common dogs in 26 states. The breed is a true terrier at heart, known for its feisty yet affectionate nature.' Additional research by Eliza Siegel. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. This story originally appeared on Ollie and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. As loyal as they are intelligent, German shepherds are among the favored breeds for guide, military, police, and search and rescue roles. The breed, which first arrived in America in the early 20th century, also enjoys peak popularity in Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Athletic in nature, the breed requires lots of exercise, making them well-suited for homes with or near lots of open land. They are also well-adapted to cold temperatures and harsher climates due to their thick double coats of fur. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

An Optical Illusion Personality Test is a fascinating way to uncover hidden aspects of your personality based on what you perceive first in an image. These tests play on the brain’s tendency to interpret ambiguous visuals in unique ways, revealing subconscious preferences, fears, and desires. By examining what you see first—whether it's a specific figure, shape, or scene—these tests can provide intriguing insights into your character traits and behavioural tendencies. Engaging in such tests not only offers a fun diversion but also opens a window into the deeper workings of your mind, making them a popular tool for self-discovery and psychological exploration. Today’s optical illusion claims what you see first can reveal if you are too trusting or a cynical. All you need to do is stare at the photo. You will either see a pair of red lips or clouds in the sky. So are you ready? Get set go! If You See Clouds FirstViewers who first saw clouds in the middle of a sunset are highly sceptical of strangers. They are very helpful to their loved ones, but are always weary of getting close to people they do not know. You have very strong social skills. You can get along with anyone but you’re also rather cynical at heart. Even though you might seem friendly, you actually find it very difficult to trust others. If You See Lips FirstThose who first saw a pair of red lips are known for their kind-hearted nature. These people always help a stranger in need without question. Your loving and cheerful personality is like a breath of fresh air and you can get sentimental rather easily. Even though you know the world can be cruel, you still choose to believe in the goodness of humanity. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Mental Health, Health and around the world.KORE Announces NYSE Acceptance of Plan to Regain Listing ComplianceNone

Wade Taylor IV helps No. 22 Texas A&M get by Texas TechNone

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Article content We’ve seen the high profile arrest recently of a Burlington woman, Denise Tisor, for allegedly selling fake Taylor Swift tickets. A recent news release from the Toronto Police Service stated that Tisor allegedly sold fraudulent tickets worth $70,000 and is now facing a raft of charges. Recommended Videos If the accusations are proven true, for every Denise Tisor, or Denise Blackhawk as she allegedly went by on Facebook, there are countless other scammers using legit services to try to take advantage of fans — be it for Taylor Swift or other in-demand acts. When Melissa bought her Taylor Swift tickets in August 2023, those tickets didn’t actually exist — or if they did, they wouldn’t end up in her hands when the big day came a couple of weeks ago. Less than 45 minutes before the concert was to start, Melissa found herself on the phone with a customer service representative from StubHub, the secondary market reseller. Like many disappointed fans, Melissa wasn’t one of the lucky ones able to secure tickets when they went on sale via Ticketmaster. While Ticketmaster couldn’t provide tickets, StubHub offered the promise of a night with Taylor Swift for an inflated price. The catch was the tickets wouldn’t be delivered until the day of the show, at least that’s what the email said. Five weeks before the show, a confirmation email arrived that confirmed the tickets would be delivered as promised. “We wanted to inform you that your Taylor Swift order, will be fulfilled in time for your event!” the email read. The email went on to say that for security reasons, all tickets were being released within 72 hours of the event. On the night of the show, the best StubHub could do was to offer other tickets that were not nearly as good. StubHub said they tried but were unable to contact the seller. The only two options on the table, take the new seats that were not nearly as close to the stage or take a refund and go home disappointed. While a verbal offer for financial compensation was made on the phone that night, StubHub later reneged on that offer, saying there was no record of that offer. “StubHub is committed to providing fans with a secure and seamless ticketing experience — our FanProtect Guarantee ensures that every order is 100% backed,” StubHub said in a statement. “In the rare case of an issue, we will strive to find an equivalent or better ticket or provide a full refund. If a seller is found in violation of our policy, they can be penalized with fees up to double the cost of the ticket sold and removal from the platform.” Recommended video StubHub insists that just 0.2% of all orders in North American within their network are fraudulent. They also state that since people selling fraudulent tickets won’t be paid, there is no incentive to make the attempt. Yet clearly some people still do and for every 1 million ticket orders, 2,000 are problematic. Perhaps it’s time to enforce the existing law. The seller of fraudulent tickets could also be charged under Ontario law. For that matter, perhaps StubHub could be, too. Ontario’s Ticket Sales Act, 2017, makes it is illegal to sell speculative tickets, meaning tickets people don’t already have in their possession. “No person shall make a ticket available for sale if the ticket is not in the person’s possession or control,” the law states. Penalties for breaking this law range from fines starting at $10,000 and rising to jail time of up to two years less a day. Despite the law being on the books, it’s not really enforced and that is the real problem, say industry insiders. Ticketmaster has invested in new technology and adopted new techniques, such as the verified fan system, to try to stop or slow scalping on the secondary market. It’s had some effect, but each step they make, the unscrupulous sellers using platforms like StubHub, SeatGeek or others try to find ways around them. One thing that would be easy to do would be to apply the law stopping sellers from listing seats they don’t have. While that is harder to do once a big show is on sale, it’s easier to do when tickets are being sold on the secondary market before they are even officially on sale. Before tickets for the Oasis show in Toronto at Downsview were even on sale via Ticketmaster, they were already listed for sale on secondary market sites. The same happened this past week with Post Malone and his show that takes place next March. People who are listing seats before the concert tickets are even available should be prosecuted and so should the platforms allowing that. This simple act would end the practise of speculative ticket selling, at least for the pre-sale time. The law could also be updated to require that any reselling platform verify the ticket exists. Many of the major resale platforms already do that with sports like baseball, hockey or basketball but refuse to do so for the lucrative concert market. We will never completely be rid of scalpers, or the secondary ticket market as they now call it and I’m not sure we want to be. These services provide a valuable service for people who buy tickets to an event and then can’t go, and they also help those who didn’t get tickets but want them. That said, we have to stamp out fraud, which is clearly happening. If the industry doesn’t clean up its own mess, then government will have to.

GOP congressman urges Republicans to back Mike Johnson ahead of House speaker voteJimmy Carter, 39th US president, Nobel winner, dies at 100HIGH POINT, N.C. (AP) — D'Maurian Williams scored 18 points as High Point beat Pfeiffer 81-50 on Saturday. Williams went 8 of 13 from the field (2 for 3 from 3-point range) for the Panthers (8-1). Kezza Giffa scored 14 points, going 3 of 8 from the floor, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and 7 for 8 from the line. Kimani Hamilton shot 4 for 8, including 1 for 3 from beyond the arc to finish with 11 points. The Falcons were led by Doug Smith and Justin Gaten with nine points apiece. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .