Stock market today: Wall Street inches higher to set more records{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "dateCreated": "2024-12-18T21:44:45+02:00", "datePublished": "2024-12-18T21:44:45+02:00", "dateModified": "2024-12-18T21:44:42+02:00", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22696/sports/basketball/ferwaba-boss-mugwiza-talks-obstacles-triumphs-as-he-eyes-fourth-term-in-office", "headline": "FERWABA boss Mugwiza talks obstacles, triumphs as he eyes fourth term in office", "description": "Basketball executive Desire Mugwiza’s tenure as president of Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) has witnessed ups and downs. After 11 years in...", "keywords": "", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22696/sports/basketball/ferwaba-boss-mugwiza-talks-obstacles-triumphs-as-he-eyes-fourth-term-in-office" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/18/66715.jpg", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/18/66715.jpg" }, "articleBody": "Basketball executive Desire Mugwiza’s tenure as president of Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) has witnessed ups and downs. After 11 years in office, Mugwiza feels that he has unfinished business with Rwandan basketball, which is why he is running for yet a new four-year term, but this time unopposed, ahead of the December 21 polls. The basketball executive sat with Times Sport’s Damas Sikubwabo for an exclusive interview and discussed the sport’s development in the country, persisting challenges and what he would bring on table once elected FERWABA president again. Excerpts: In brief, what major milestones do you celebrate from the past four years in office? This term has seen a transformative period for basketball, demonstrating remarkable progress in both competitive performance and the organisational capacity to host world-class tournaments. On the competitive front, national teams registered notable rises in global rankings. The senior women’s squad climbed 12 places to 62nd worldwide (10th in Africa), becoming the biggest global movers in that period, while the U18 girls advanced 22 places to reach 45th globally (10th in Africa). At the same time, the senior men’s team rose to 90th globally and 15th in Africa, recognized as the second-biggest climbers. Beyond the traditional 5-on-5 format, there were significant accomplishments in Afro-CAN and 3x3 basketball. At the 2023 FIBA Afro-CAN, the national men’s team strong performance reinforced their reputation as an emerging force in African competitions with a bronze medal. Ranking improvements extended to the FIBA 3x3 Africa Cup 2024, where the Men’s team stands second in Africa with 108 points—just behind Madagascar’s 122 points—while the Women’s team holds a commendable fifth position with 46 points. The federation also demonstrated its capability as a world-class tournament host. After successfully organizing the FIBA AfroBasket Men 2021 and FIBA AfroBasket Women 2023, the federation witnessed a new milestone in hosting the FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifiers, the first world level FIBA hosted in Africa for the first time. Off the court, development initiatives ensured a pipeline of emerging talent and coaching excellence. Training camps and mentorship sessions with NBA Africa, Giants of Africa and other partners ensured that young athletes learned technical skills alongside values like teamwork and leadership. Moreover, for the first time in history, a Rwandan official, Pascale Mugwaneza, was elected to the FIBA Central Board, representing Africa and serving as the first woman appointed as a FIBA Africa Executive Member. This historic development not only underscores Rwanda’s growing role in international sports governance and diplomacy, but also paves the way for more inclusive, forward-looking decision-making in basketball’s continental and global spheres. Locally we continue to witness the growing love for the sport. Fan engagement grew accordingly, with a 49 percent increase in game attendance. In 2020, you said that your office would, among other targets, work to improve basketball infrastructure. Are you satisfied with the progress made? Working closely with NBA Africa, we upgraded the court at Lycée de Kigali, now offering a venue suitable for competitive matches. Meanwhile, our collaboration with Giants of Africa led to the construction of several courts including in Huye, Rusizi and Rubavu regions that previously lacked sufficient infrastructure. Additionally, a new court in Kimironko was built with the support of the Imbuto Foundation, and this facility now hosts youth camps regularly especially during school holidays providing young players with year-round opportunities to develop their skills. We are committed to sustaining this momentum. Together with NBA Africa, we plan to construct 10 new courts by 2025, ensuring that every district in Rwanda has standard basketball facilities. FERWABA has recently introduced the Instant Replay System (IRS) in league games. What is the rationale, and the likely impact? The introduction of the IRS was inspired by the zeal to align domestic competitions with international best practices, reassuring players and coaches that results are determined by performance rather than human error. It is also our commitment to ensure fairness, accuracy, and credibility in officiating. By providing referees with the means to carefully review pivotal decisions, the system has minimized disputes and improved the integrity of match outcomes. More training clinics for U13 children are organised in holidays as part of efforts to grow basketball from grassroots. How would you describe the progress? Together with our partners, we have organized camps that attracted over 500 participants. These camps focus on the foundational skills of basketball such as shooting, dribbling, and passing, as well as teamwork and leadership. We have partnered with organisations like NBA Africa and Giants of Africa to offer mentorship and leadership workshops for our young athletes. While the camps have been successful in urban areas, we plan to expand to rural regions in the next term. In short, by running annual Jr. NBA programs, conducting local and international camps, engaging the diaspora, and leveraging global partnerships, the federation has established a robust, recurring system to cultivate young talent. This sustained approach ensures that each new generation of players receives the guidance, resources, and exposure they need to grow, succeed, and ultimately strengthen the future of Rwandan basketball. What happened to the ambitious plan of setting up a basketball academy? Establishing a basketball academy involves securing the right infrastructure, partnerships, and educational components, and this process has taken longer than we initially anticipated. Logistical challenges, ranging from funding shortages and developing the curriculum development, have slowed our progress. However, we have not been idle. We’ve formed strategic alliances with the Ministry of Sports. We are now in the final stages of planning and expect to launch the academy as soon as the budget allows. The Rwanda Cup is one of the new things introduced in 2024. Why is it important? We introduced the Rwanda Cup to broaden competitive opportunities and introduce new energy into our basketball ecosystem. The idea was born from our desire to see more teams—especially those that are not in the topflight category compete on the same stage as the powerhouses. By doing so, we create a platform that encourages under the radar talent to emerge and thrive. Over time, we envision the Rwanda Cup becoming an annual highlight on the national sports calendar, a celebration of basketball that scouts, coaches, and communities eagerly anticipate. On the digital front, how is FERWABA leveraging technology to introduce new solutions? We implemented an online player registration system, the ‘FERWABA MAP platform’, making administrative tasks more efficient and transparent. Additionally, the adoption of a digital scoresheet used for the first time in Africa by Rwanda streamlined the record keeping process, providing accurate, real-time game data. How far have you gone in building the domestic coaching capacity? Multiple coaching clinics and workshops were organized in partnership with key basketball stakeholders, such as FIBA, NBA Africa and Athletes in Action. These sessions provided local coaches with hands on training led by experienced mentors from the NBA and NBA Academy, as well as international experts. By exposing coaches to advanced techniques, tactical philosophies, and player development methodologies, FERWABA ensured that they gained new insights and best practices. This professional growth at the coaching level has positively influenced the quality of training offered to players, ultimately elevating the overall standard of Rwandan basketball. What challenges have you faced down the road? One of the major challenges faced this term was the logistical and financial support delays in establishing a dedicated basketball academy. While strides were made in player identification, coaching development, and infrastructure expansion, the academy envisioned as a central hub for nurturing young talent and providing athletic and academic support did not materialize within the initially anticipated timeframe. These delays were largely due to complexities in securing the right location, facilities, and partnerships that align with the academy’s long term goals. Another ongoing challenge has been ensuring equal access to quality basketball facilities in every district. Although significant progress was made by constructing new courts, the goal of more court constructions with standard FIBA specifications remains a work in progress. Addressing these shortcomings will require continued collaboration, strategic planning, and resource allocation. Rwandans are still more appealed with football than other sports. Are you considering any measures to grow the basketball fan base? To broaden basketball’s appeal in a nation where football traditionally dominates, we have focused on creating a more engaging and enjoyable fan experience. Hosting major events like the FIBA AfroBasket and the Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifiers exposed local fans to elite level basketball and contributed to a 49 percent increase in game attendance. Beyond the court, we are also investing in efforts to enhance the game atmosphere with entertainment elements featuring youth artists and music performances, making match days more vibrant and appealing to a wider audience. Looking ahead, we plan to bring important matches to other districts, extending the live basketball experience beyond Kigali and offering communities throughout Rwanda a chance to engage with the sport directly. Given you are declared the winner of the upcoming elections, what is hot on your table? Key among these priorities is the establishment of a fully professional league, providing a structured, career oriented platform for athletes, coaches, and support staff. Infrastructure development will continue to be a cornerstone of our efforts. Maintaining the goal of constructing 10 new courts annually, we will also prioritize quality and innovation. Currently, we are in discussions with NBA Africa to cover the Kimironko court, transforming it into an indoor facility that can host activities all year round. This upgrade will protect training sessions, events, and competitions from weather related disruptions, thereby fostering consistent player development and fan engagement. Parting shot? Rwanda has been selected for the FIBA Plus program, joining a select group of African countries chosen to enhance their federations’ capacities across all operational areas. By leveraging the support and guidance provided through this initiative, we aim to strengthen our organizational structures, improve technical competencies, and maximize resources. We are optimistic that this approach of professionalising the league, the office, and infrastructure, while benefiting from FIBA Plus support will ensure that all stakeholders, from players and coaches to fans and partners, reap the rewards of a more robust, forward thinking basketball ecosystem.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Damas Sikubwabo" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }
A Quebec judge is hearing arguments this week in a class-action lawsuit application against Montreal billionaire Robert Miller over allegations he paid minors for sex. The proposed lawsuit includes anyone under the age of 18 who was paid for sex by Miller or who was a victim of sexual exploitation by him or by any other group determined by the court. Lawyer Jeff Orenstein told a hearing today that 51 women have come forward to his firm, but he says the actual number of victims could be as high as 100 because many of the women allegedly said they had recruited others to have sex with the billionaire. Miller, 81, was the subject of a report last February by Radio-Canada and the CBC that said he allegedly gave cash and gifts to minors in exchange for sex between 1994 and 2006. In the aftermath of the report, Miller stepped down as CEO of Future Electronics and sold the company. He was arrested in May on 21 criminal charges involving 10 alleged victims, many of them minors. Miller has denied the allegations in the criminal case and in the class-action lawsuit application, which is before the Quebec Superior Court for authorization.
Gophers football gains commitment from Georgia Tech quarterback Zach Pyron
By Funto Omojola, NerdWallet Mobile wallets that allow you to pay using your phone have been around for well more than a decade, and over those years they’ve grown in popularity, becoming a key part of consumers’ credit card usage. According to a “state of credit card report” for 2025 from credit bureau Experian, 53% of Americans in a survey say they use digital wallets more frequently than traditional payment methods. To further incentivize mobile wallet usage, some credit card issuers offer bonus rewards when you elect to pay that way. But those incentives can go beyond just higher reward rates. In fact, mobile wallets in some ways are becoming an essential part of activating and holding a credit card. For example, they can offer immediate access to your credit line, and they can be easier and safer than paying with a physical card. From a rewards perspective, it can make a lot of sense to reach for your phone now instead of your physical card. The Apple Card offers its highest reward rates when you use it through the Apple Pay mobile wallet. Same goes for the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® when you use it to make purchases via the PayPal digital wallet. The Kroger grocery store giant has a co-branded credit card that earns the most when you pay using an eligible digital wallet, and some major credit cards with quarterly rotating bonus categories have a history of incentivizing digital wallet use. But again, these days it’s not just about the rewards. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and PayPal can offer immediate access to your credit line while you wait for your physical card to arrive after approval. Indeed, most major issuers including Bank of America®, Capital One and Chase now offer instant virtual credit card numbers for eligible cards that can be used upon approval by adding them to a digital wallet. Additionally, many co-branded credit cards — those offered in partnership with another brand — commonly offer instant card access and can be used immediately on in-brand purchases. Credit cards typically take seven to 10 days to arrive after approval, so instant access to your credit line can be particularly useful if you need to make an urgent or unexpected purchase. Plus, they allow you to start spending toward a card’s sign-up bonus right away. As issuers push toward mobile payments, a growing number of merchants and businesses are similarly adopting the payment method. The percentage of U.S. businesses that used digital wallets increased to 62% in 2023, compared to 47% the previous year, according to a 2023 survey commissioned by the Federal Reserve Financial Services. Related Articles Business | Event promoters, hotels and lodging sites soon will have to disclose extra fees up front Business | Should you donate your points and miles to charity? Business | 4 ways to hit your family savings goals in 2025 Business | The year in money: inflation eased, optimism ticked upward Business | 5 ways to tell if you’re on track for retirement — and 5 things to do if you need to catch up, according to experts Wider acceptance is potentially good news for the average American, who according to Experian has about four credit cards. While that won’t necessarily weigh down your wallet, it can be hard to manage multiple cards and rewards categories at once. Mobile wallets offer a more efficient way to store and organize all of your workhorse cards, while not having to carry around ones that you don’t use often. They can also help you more easily monitor your spending and rewards, and some even track your orders’ status and arrival time. Plus, paying with a digital wallet offers added security. That’s because it uses technology called tokenization when you pay, which masks your real credit card number and instead sends an encrypted “token” that’s unique to each payment. This is unlike swiping or dipping a physical card, during which your credit card number is more directly accessible. And again, because a mobile wallet doesn’t require you to have your physical cards present, there’s less chance of one falling out of your pocket or purse. More From NerdWallet Funto Omojola writes for NerdWallet. Email: fomojola@nerdwallet.com. The article Activating Your Credit Card? Don’t Skip the Mobile Wallet Step originally appeared on NerdWallet .
NoneDr. Suganthan Kayilasanathan Launches New Personal Website to Inspire Future Generations of Healthcare Professionals
Best Bets for NCAA Basketball Picks Against the Spread for Thursday, November 28
A telemedicine provider has helped patients in Wales avoid more than 58,000 unnecessary hospital visits. Consultant Connect’s technology connects NHS clinicians, such as GPs and paramedics, with hospital consultants for expert advice and guidance, aiming to ensure patients receive the right care immediately and are only referred to hospital when absolutely necessary. Before Consultant Connect was rolled out in Wales, healthcare professionals would have to call the hospital switchboard to ask to speak to either a consultant or a department. Now, they use the system to directly ‘hunt down’ a specialist consultant from a pre-defined rota for expert telephone advice. Consultant Connect found that half of all calls and messages led to the avoidance of 58,000 unnecessary hospital visits between December 2023 and November 2024. More than 28,000 of these patients avoided unnecessary A&E attendances. Jonathan Patrick, CEO of Consultant Connect, said: “By making it easier for GPs and paramedics to get expert advice, NHS Wales enables half of all patients to get the care they need immediately, rather than having to wait for a hospital appointment. "Those who do need to go to hospital are sent to the right place, first time, and with the right degree of urgency. This means that patients get better care, hospital clinicians only see patients they need to see and waiting lists are minimised." "We predict that with the support of NHS executives and the local health boards to develop a clear strategy to continue adoption over the next 12 months, it could result in 65,000 patients avoiding an unnecessary hospital visit with savings continuing to increase. Brett Denning, assistant director of planned care, NHS Executive said: "We are immensely proud of how our doctors, nurses, paramedics and other clinicians, across NHS Wales have embraced the technology."
By Funto Omojola, NerdWallet Mobile wallets that allow you to pay using your phone have been around for well more than a decade, and over those years they’ve grown in popularity, becoming a key part of consumers’ credit card usage. According to a “state of credit card report” for 2025 from credit bureau Experian, 53% of Americans in a survey say they use digital wallets more frequently than traditional payment methods. To further incentivize mobile wallet usage, some credit card issuers offer bonus rewards when you elect to pay that way. But those incentives can go beyond just higher reward rates. In fact, mobile wallets in some ways are becoming an essential part of activating and holding a credit card. For example, they can offer immediate access to your credit line, and they can be easier and safer than paying with a physical card. From a rewards perspective, it can make a lot of sense to reach for your phone now instead of your physical card. The Apple Card offers its highest reward rates when you use it through the Apple Pay mobile wallet. Same goes for the PayPal Cashback Mastercard® when you use it to make purchases via the PayPal digital wallet. The Kroger grocery store giant has a co-branded credit card that earns the most when you pay using an eligible digital wallet, and some major credit cards with quarterly rotating bonus categories have a history of incentivizing digital wallet use. But again, these days it’s not just about the rewards. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and PayPal can offer immediate access to your credit line while you wait for your physical card to arrive after approval. Indeed, most major issuers including Bank of America®, Capital One and Chase now offer instant virtual credit card numbers for eligible cards that can be used upon approval by adding them to a digital wallet. Additionally, many co-branded credit cards — those offered in partnership with another brand — commonly offer instant card access and can be used immediately on in-brand purchases. Credit cards typically take seven to 10 days to arrive after approval, so instant access to your credit line can be particularly useful if you need to make an urgent or unexpected purchase. Plus, they allow you to start spending toward a card’s sign-up bonus right away. As issuers push toward mobile payments, a growing number of merchants and businesses are similarly adopting the payment method. The percentage of U.S. businesses that used digital wallets increased to 62% in 2023, compared to 47% the previous year, according to a 2023 survey commissioned by the Federal Reserve Financial Services. Wider acceptance is potentially good news for the average American, who according to Experian has about four credit cards. While that won’t necessarily weigh down your wallet, it can be hard to manage multiple cards and rewards categories at once. Mobile wallets offer a more efficient way to store and organize all of your workhorse cards, while not having to carry around ones that you don’t use often. They can also help you more easily monitor your spending and rewards, and some even track your orders’ status and arrival time. Plus, paying with a digital wallet offers added security. That’s because it uses technology called tokenization when you pay, which masks your real credit card number and instead sends an encrypted “token” that’s unique to each payment. This is unlike swiping or dipping a physical card, during which your credit card number is more directly accessible. And again, because a mobile wallet doesn’t require you to have your physical cards present, there’s less chance of one falling out of your pocket or purse. More From NerdWallet Funto Omojola writes for NerdWallet. Email: fomojola@nerdwallet.com. The article Activating Your Credit Card? Don’t Skip the Mobile Wallet Step originally appeared on NerdWallet .OTTAWA — NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he won't play Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's games by voting to bring down the government on an upcoming non-confidence motion. The Conservatives plan to introduce a motion that quotes Singh's own criticism of the Liberals, and asks the House of Commons to declare that it agrees with Singh and has no confidence in the government. The motion is expected to be introduced on Thursday and the debate and vote are set for Monday. Singh said he is not going to trigger an election when he believes Poilievre would cut programs the NDP fought for. "I'm not going to be playing Pierre Poilievre's games. I have no interest in that. We're frankly not going to allow him to cut the things that people need. I want to actually have dental care expanded, I want people to actually start to benefit from the pharmacare legislation we passed," Singh said. With the NDP's expected support, the Liberals should survive this next confidence vote brought forward by the Conservatives. The Tories have vowed to bring forward non-confidence motions every chance they get. The party will have two more opposition motions after this one, which are expected to continue to call for non-confidence. The NDP are scheduled to have their opposition day on Friday. Earlier on Tuesday, Singh did acknowledge that the Conservatives have a sizeable lead on the NDP in public opinion polls, while giving a campaign-style speech to visiting party staffers from across the country. Most pollsters in Canada have recorded a roughly 20 point lead for the Conservatives over both the Liberals and NDP for the last few months. The non-confidence vote was scheduled after Speaker Greg Fergus intervened to pause a filibuster on a privilege debate about a green technology fund. The Conservatives have said they would only end that debate if the NDP agree to topple the government or if the Liberals turn over unredacted documents at the centre of the parliamentary gridlock. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2024. David Baxter, The Canadian PressBy LISA MASCARO and FARNOUSH AMIRI WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country’s hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump’s unusual nominees . Related Articles National Politics | Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? National Politics | Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump attorney Alina Habba, a Lehigh University grad, to serve as counselor to the president But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump’s America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and drawing concern , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an ambitious agenda of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick Hegseth appeared to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect’s choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel , who has written extensively about locking up Trump’s foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees’ qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump’s team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump’s allies have described the criticisms of Hegseth in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president’s Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump’s first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies” — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump’s 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump’s first inauguration during the country’s bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it’s important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It’s one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.MLB Winter Meetings Notebook: Juan Soto, Roki Sasaki drive Day 1 chatter
US corn, soyoil exports blow past previous forecasts -Braun
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — There's plenty of concern and second-guessing to unpack from how the Bills unraveled on defense, special teams and clock management in their loss to the Los Angeles Rams to wonder whether it was premature labeling Buffalo as Super Bowl contenders only a week earlier. But first, the good news. There's very little wrong with Buffalo's Josh Allen-led offense after the quarterback strengthened his NFL MVP case. A week after a four-TD performance that included the statistical anomaly of him scoring two touchdowns on the same play in a 35-10 win over San Francisco, Allen became the NFL's first player to throw and rush for three scores apiece in 44-42 loss to Los Angeles on Sunday. That Allen's latest superhuman-like effort ended in defeat is what's troubling for the five-time defending AFC East champions (10-3) in their bid to dispel questions of finding ways to fall short in the playoffs in each of the past five years. Buffalo's defense had few answers in stopping the Rams' dynamic attack while allowing a season-high 457 yards. Worse still, the Bills allowed Los Angeles to go 11 of 15 on third down for a 73.3 conversion percentage — the third highest allowed by Buffalo and worst since allowing Miami's 75% conversion rate in 1986. If that's not bad enough, the Bills lost for the first time in 39 games in which they scored at least 42 points, while becoming the NFL's second team to lose when scoring 42 or more and not committing a turnover. Special teams didn't help. Aside from allowing a blocked punt to be returned for a touchdown, the Bills couldn't muster an attempt to block the Rams' final punt from midfield with 7 seconds left because they only had nine players on the field. As coach Sean McDermott concluded after finally addressing reporters more than an hour after the game ended: "I thought we lost two of the three phases today." He failed to mention yet another clock management misstep. Rather than have Allen spike the ball to stop the clock after a failed quarterback keeper from the Rams 1 with 62 seconds remaining, McDermott called timeout. That left Buffalo with two timeouts and essentially relying on the slim chances of recovering an onside kick after Allen scored on his next attempt. McDermott defended his decision by saying he feared too much time would elapse before the Bills aligned for another snap. And yet, it would not have matched the 45 seconds the Rams ran off on their final possession after Buffalo used its final two timeouts. Together, these are the types of miscues that have haunted the Bills in their recent playoff losses. The bright side is the loss to the Rams didn't end the Bills' season, though they fell two games behind Kansas City (12-1) in the race for the AFC's top seed. And perhaps, the loss can be chalked up to a team riding a little too high off a playoff-clinching win and having to travel across the country to face a Rams team in the thick of its divisional race. If that's so, the Bills have a chance to address their flaws — and doubters — by how they respond in what still stands as a juicy showdown at the NFC-leading Detroit Lions (12-1) on Sunday. "They're the top dog in football right now," Allen said, looking ahead to Detroit. "We have to have a good week, learn from this one, and put it behind us." What's working Scoring. The Bills topped 30 points for a team-record seventh consecutive game and ninth time this season. Buffalo entered the day ranked second in the NFL averaging 30.5 points per outing, behind Detroit (32.1). What needs help Run defense. Though the Rams averaged just 3.3 yards per carry, they stuck with it in finishing with 137 yards, helping them enjoy a 17-minute edge in time of possession. Stock up Allen. If not for him, the Bills wouldn't have been in position to nearly overcome a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit. His 424 yards (342 passing and 82 rushing) accounted for all but 21 yards of Buffalo's total offense. Stock down With so many options, perhaps the focus falls on special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley. This is the second time in 13 months special teams personnel management became an issue. Buffalo was flagged for having too many men as time expired, providing Wil Lutz a second chance to hit a decisive field goal in sealing Denver's 24-22 win last season. Injuries Starting CB Rasul Douglas was sidelined by a knee injury. ... DE Casey Toohill injured his ribs. Key number 80-1-1 — The Bills' record when scoring 38 or more points, including a 38-38 tie with Denver in 1960. Next steps Facing Detroit represents Buffalo's final major test before closing the season with two games against New England and hosting the New York Jets.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Marcus Tomashek scored 30 points and Division II Michigan Tech handed Green Bay its eighth straight loss, 72-70 on Wednesday. Anthony Roy, the nation’s second-best scorer at 25.7 points per game, did not play for Green Bay. He was on the sideline with a walking boot on his left foot. Tomashek also contributed eight rebounds for the Huskies, who played the game as an exhibition. Dawson Nordgaard finished 5 of 9 from the floor to add 10 points. Ty Fernholz shot 3 for 7 from beyond the arc to finish with nine points. Jeremiah Johnson recorded 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Phoenix (2-11). Marcus Hall added 17 points and Ryan Wade had 11 points and five assists. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Looking back and appreciating newspapers on ThanksgivingElection results on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean have set the background for the final stretch of campaigning for Irish parties ahead of polling day on Friday. Donald Trump’s presidential election victory in the US has brought heightened concern that his administration’s proposals around corporation tax and tariffs would significantly impact Ireland’s economic model. Mr Harris, leader of Fine Gael, has argued Ireland and other EU countries need to prepare for the possibility of trade shocks as he criticised the scale of Sinn Fein’s spending pledges as well as their saving plans. He said: “I think that is irresponsible, I think it is dangerous and I think it is reckless.” He accused Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald of not being able to say what her party was prepared to do in the event of an economic crash, adding that Fine Gael would borrow and stop putting money towards a rainy-day fund. Asked if the party was engaging in “project fear” to dissuade voters against Sinn Fein, Mr Harris said: “I call it ‘project truth’. It’s telling people what’s being discussed right across European capitals.” Ms McDonald told an RTE interview on Wednesday morning that a Sinn Fein government would also be prepared to start borrowing in the event of an economic downturn. Both Mr Harris and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, who were partners in the last coalition government in Ireland, have made clear they will not countenance Sinn Fein as a potential partner in the next administration in Dublin. One day after the only three-way debate featuring the leaders of the main parties, Mr Martin accused Sinn Fein of being “dishonest” about how they will fund their manifesto plans. Speaking in Dublin on Wednesday, he said he is anxious to get clarity on the issue. “I think Sinn Fein have been very dishonest, frankly, in terms of the funds, because if you go through their figures, and this is a matter of fact, not opinion, they’re predicting a surplus of a billion in 2026, a billion in 2027. “Even in 2025, they’re talking about a mini budget, which would mean reducing the surplus that we’re anticipating in 2025. “There’s a legislative obligation now on any new government to put 0.8% of GDP to one side, and into the funds. There’s no way you can do that with a surplus of a billion in 2026 or 2027, and we would argue they would not have enough funds next year either to put into the funds.” He added: “It means they have no room to manoeuvre if things go wrong, if there’s headwinds come externally, or there are shocks internationally, Sinn Fein is not allowing any headroom at all in terms of room to respond or to move it.” Ms McDonald accused the other two parties of conspiring to keep Sinn Fein out of government and prevent change in Ireland. She said the two men were now “indistinguishable” from each other as she claimed they were suffering “acute amnesia” in regard to their records in government. On a visit to Naas fire station in Co Kildare, she said: “To listen to them, you’d imagine they had just arrived on the scene and that they were going to come up with all of these solutions. “They have had ample chances, ample opportunity, to make things better, and they have failed, and in between the two of them I make the case that now we ask for our chance, with our plans, with our team, to demonstrate how change can happen, how your community, your family, yourself, can be supported when the government is actually on your side.” Mr Martin’s and Mr Harris’ coalition partner Roderic O’Gorman, the leader of the Greens, issued a warning to the public over a future government without his party. On Wednesday, he said it is looking likely that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will be returned to government – but cautioned they may not want the Greens to continue “fighting hard” on policies. He told reporters: “My sense is certainly the mood music from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael is that they’d like an easier life in the next government – and my concern is they use these small populist parties and right-wing independents.” Mr O’Gorman argued that the Greens could continue to provide stability to government at a time when economic shocks may be around the corner. As the Green leader suggested that relying on independents would be unstable, Mr Martin has also argued that “too much fragmentation would lead to incoherence in government”. Reflecting on Tuesday night’s debate, the Fianna Fail leader said the race remained “too close to call” while Mr Harris said it is “all to play for”. The leaders of Ireland’s three main political parties clashed on housing, healthcare and financial management in the last televised debate before Friday’s General Election. The tetchy debate, which was marked by several interruptions, saw the parties set out their stalls in a broadcast that commentators said did little to move the dial before polling day. The latest opinion poll on Wednesday put the parties in a tight grouping, with Fianna Fail slightly ahead of Sinn Fein and Fine Gael in joint second. After the 2020 general election delivered an inconclusive result, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, two parties forged from opposing sides of Ireland’s Civil War of the 1920s, agreed to set aside almost a century of animosity and share power – with the Greens as a junior partner. From 2016 to 2020, Fianna Fail had supported Fine Gael in power through a confidence-and-supply arrangement from the Opposition benches in the Dail parliament. Sinn Fein won the popular vote in 2020 but a failure to run enough candidates meant it did not secure sufficient seats in the Dail to give it a realistic chance of forming a government.Joe Burrow Breaks Silence on Home Burglary During Cowboys Game
President-elect Donald Trump’s soon-to-be national security adviser Mike Waltz has been weighing several proposals in recent days for ending the war between Russia and Ukraine , including one from Gen. Keith Kellogg who Trump announced Wednesday as his pick to be to be special envoy to the countries, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN While the specifics of a strategy are still being worked on, Trump officials will likely push for a ceasefire early on to freeze the conflict temporarily while both sides negotiate, the people said. Trump administration officials are also expected to push for European allies and NATO to take on more of the cost-sharing burden for supporting Ukraine. “We need to bring this to a responsible end,” Waltz told Fox over the weekend. “We need to restore deterrence, restore peace, and get ahead of this escalation ladder, rather than responding to it.” Prior to winning the election, Trump repeatedly claimed that the Russia-Ukraine war would not have started if he had been president. He also vowed to end the war, sometimes even claiming he would stop the years-long conflict before taking office. In July, he said he could settle the conflict in one day. In his September presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris , Trump refused to say he was committed to Ukraine defeating Russia. Later that month, he suggested that Ukraine should have “given up a little bit” to Moscow, saying at a campaign event that “any deal, even the worst deal, would have been better than what we have right now.” The plans Waltz is reviewing include a proposal from Kellogg, who served as an adviser on national security issues in the first Trump administration. “I am very pleased to nominate General Keith Kellogg to serve as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Keith has led a distinguished Military and Business career, including serving in highly sensitive National Security roles in my first Administration. He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Trump posted. The Kellogg plan calls for continued US military aid to Ukraine to be conditioned on Kyiv participating in peace talks with Russia and “a formal US policy to seek a cease-fire and negotiated settlement of the Ukraine conflict.” Ukraine’s desire to join NATO, meanwhile, would be “put off” for an extended period to draw Russia to the table. Waltz has also reviewed a separate proposal that has been endorsed by Trump’s former ambassador to Germany Ric Grenell. Grenell has previously expressed support for the creation of “autonomous regions” inside Ukraine, though he has not explained in detail what that would look like. “Autonomous regions can mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but you got to work through those details,” he told Bloomberg in July. Another idea being floated is to allow Russia to keep the territory it holds now in exchange for Ukraine getting NATO membership, though few people in Trump’s orbit appear eager to invite Ukraine into NATO anytime soon, the people said. That’s a view at least partly shared by the Biden administration, which has said that Ukraine will join NATO but only when the war is over. Ukraine was among a range of issues Waltz discussed with Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan during a meeting last week. CNN has asked the Trump transition team for comment. ‘Too early to say’ what ultimate strategy will look like Still, sources caution that it is “too early” to say what the Trump team’s strategy for ending the war in Ukraine will ultimately look like. Trump, himself, is always altering his positions and messaging tactics – particularly on foreign policy issues – meaning the planning process as it relates to Ukraine will likely be fluid, one source familiar with internal transition discussions noted. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier this month that “from our side, we must do everything so that this war ends next year, ends through diplomatic means.” But he has also lambasted the idea of implementing a ceasefire without security guarantees first from the West. “Ceasefire? We tried that in 2014, we tried to reach it and then we lost Crimea and then we had the full-scale war in 2022,” Zelensky said at a conference in Budapest earlier this month. Zelensky, who met with Trump in New York in September, told reporters in Budapest that “I believe that President Trump really wants a quick decision” to end the war. “He [Trump] wants this war to be finished. We all want to end this war, but a fair ending. ... If it is very fast, it’s going to be a loss for Ukraine.” Trump allies tapped to serve in top national security roles have already signaled publicly that the President-elect is considering a range of options to bring both Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table – including some that appear to contradict his previously stated views on the conflict. Sebastian Gorka, who Trump recently named to serve as one of Waltz’s top deputies, recently called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “thug” and said the incoming administration could ramp up US military aid to Ukraine, beyond the current level of support, in an effort to bring about a swift end to the war. “I will give one tip away that the president has mentioned, he will say to that murderous former KGB colonel, that thug who runs the Russian federation, you will negotiate now or the aid we have given to Ukraine thus far will look like peanuts. That’s how he will force those gentlemen to come to an arrangement that stops the bloodshed,” Gorka said during a recent interview on Times Radio. At the same time, top Trump officials anticipate the president-elect will want to take a similarly hard line toward Ukraine and could threaten to withhold aid if they do not come to the negotiating table, according to a source familiar with ongoing discussions about ending the war. In recent weeks, the Biden administration allowed Ukraine to use US-made long-range missiles to strike targets deep within Russia. For months, Zelensky publicly lobbied the US to green light the use of the ATACMS missiles, but the US only relented in mid-November. The decision came a short time after the administration lifted a de facto ban on US contractors working in Ukraine in order to more quickly repair advanced systems like F-16 fighter jets and Patriot missile defense systems.
