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The Secretive Storm: Kim Jong Un’s Mysterious Plot Against Trump’s America Revealed
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas won the Big 12 title in 2023 on its way out the door to the Southeastern Conference. It was still swinging open when Arizona State waltzed in and won the league title in its debut season. And now the old Big 12 champs meet the new Big 12 champs on the path toward a potential national title. The fifth-seeded Longhorns and fourth-seeded Sun Devils play News Years Day in the Peach Bowl in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff . Both had their doubters they could get here. Texas (12-2) still had to prove is was “ready” for the SEC. Arizona State (11-2) was picked to finish last in the Big 12. But the Sun Devils quickly started winning and having fun in some new road environments in college towns smaller than some of their stops in the more cosmopolitan old Pac-12. All-American running back Cam Skattebo led the barnstorming tour. “We were not used to getting tortillas thrown at us at Texas Tech. You're not used to some of these environments," Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham said Monday. “When you're in the Pac-12, you're playing in Seattle, you're playing in L.A., you're playing in Salt Lake City. We got to face a lot more small college town football with really, really great environments. ... It was definitely fun to join a new league," Dillingham said. And Dillingham laid down some Texas roots. The Sun Devils are recruiting Texas players out of high school, and the current roster has six transfers who started their college careers in burnt orange in Austin. “The guys we’ve gotten from Texas and coach (Steve Sarkisian's) program have been unbelievable,” Dillingham said. “We know what we’re getting when we’re getting a guy from that program, and that’s a guy who has worked really hard, competed and been pushed. Those are the things that we like to bring in.” Safety Xavion Alford was named All-Big 12 . Defensive end Prince Dorbah is another Sun Devils starter. Defensive lineman Zac Swanson, who has two sacks this season, is another former Longhorn who said he relished a chance to beat his former team. Recruited by Texas out of Phoenix, Swanson was a reserve in 2022 and 2023 behind future NFL draft picks T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy. “That's a team who kicked me out and said I'd never I was never going to be good enough to play there,” Swanson said last week. “That's something that has been on my agenda for a while.” Dillingham joked he'd like to get more Texas transfers this week. Sarkisian simply noted that he wished he'd signed Skattebo, a Californian who transferred from Sacramento State after the 2022 season. “I was unaware, so kudos to them. They found him, he's a heckuva player,” said Sarkisian, who also is a California native. Sarkisian said he was impressed by the Sun Devil's first-year success in the Big 12. “We were in that Big 12, what, for 27 years? We won four. This is their first year in and they won a Big 12 Championship. It’s a really hard thing to do,” Sarkisian said. “They’re playing with a ton of confidence right now. The last two months, I think they’re playing as good a football as anybody in the country.” Despite wining that last Big 12 title and a playoff appearance in 2023, Texas still faced skeptics that the Longhorns would take their lumps in the SEC this year. Texas was more than ready for the league and the Longhorns made it to the SEC championship game. Their only two losses have been to Georgia, the No. 2 seed in the playoff. Sarkisian still remembers his 5-7 Texas debut in 2021. The program wasn't ready for the SEC and the playoff back then, but it certainly is now. Texas is the only one of last year's four playoff teams to make the expanded 12-team field this year. “There’s a lot to be proud of, but mostly I’m proud of our veterans, our leaders, our seniors, because those guys went from 5-7 in year one, they went through 8-5 in year two, and they didn’t jump ship. They hung in there with us. They believed in what they were doing,” Sarkisian said. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Warning: This article contains disturbing details of alleged animal abuse. People on social media are calling for a boycott of Butterball brand turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving after People for Ethical Treatment of Animals resurfaced an old video, causing confusion and disturbance. The video, posted to PETA’s Instagram account last week, highlighted disturbing allegations from an investigation at a Butterball plant that reportedly took place nearly 20 years ago. According to PETA’s website, the 2006 “undercover investigation” that allegedly took place at a Butterball slaughterhouse in Ozark, Arkansas, found workers physically and sexually abusing live turkeys. However, Butterball said these allegations took place before the company became privatized and certified by American Humane. The resurfaced video zeroes in on the alleged sexual abuse of the live turkeys. The caption on the video states, “Do you know what happened to your Butterball turkey before they were killed?” However, PETA did not specify that the content was from 18 years ago. Still, a majority of the comments encourage people to boycott Butterball ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Videos of other people on social media discussing PETA’s post have sparked confusion that there is a recall associated with it, but there are currently no active recalls for Butterball turkeys. Scripps News reached out to Butterball and its spokesperson provided the following statement: "We are aware of a video from nearly 20 years ago, which is being re-shared across social media. This video is not current and was taken prior to Butterball becoming a private company and prior to our engagement and certification through American Humane. Animal care and well-being is central to who we are as a company, and we are committed to the ethical and responsible care of our flocks. Eleven years ago, Butterball was the first, and remains the only, turkey company to be American Humane certified. That means we have yearly audits conducted by a third party to ensure compliance with our 200+ science-based standards of best practice for care of turkeys, well exceeding industry best practices. We are proud of this designation that no other turkey company can claim and have a zero-tolerance policy for animal mistreatment."
( MENAFN - UkrinForm) In Belarus, before the so-called“presidential elections,” repressions by the Regime of Alexander Lukashenko will intensify, including against foreign citizens. This opinion was expressed to Ukrinform by Volodymyr Holovko, head of the Center for Political Analysis, PhD in History, leading researcher at the Institute of History of Ukraine of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, commenting on the recent recommendation of the US State Department for American citizens to“immediately leave” Belarus. In particular, the State Department warns of the risks of detentions and civil unrest in the republic. “The statement of the US State Department is primarily related to the upcoming so-called presidential elections in Belarus . It should be noted that this statement coincided with Lukashenko's registration as a“presidential candidate” on December 23,” the expert noted. According to him, despite the fact that the repressive machine has largely cleared the socio-political field in the republic, Lukashenko's regime is showing anxiety about the possibility of getting the right result and is clearly afraid of facing popular discontent again. Accordingly, in recent months, the atmosphere of intimidation has been growing in Belarus, with punitive authorities searching for social groups that could potentially become sources of resistance. “For example, in November, there were repressive measures against the relatives of those Belarusians who had previously participated in opposition activities. And in December, there was a wave of arrests within the framework of the case of“yard chats,” that is, against citizens who tried to coordinate efforts at the grassroots, everyday level,” said Holovko. Commenting on the peculiarities of the election process in Belarus, the expert noted that a notable indicator of the Lukashenko regime's anxiety is the fact that even technical candidates targeting certain segments of the electorate are refusing to participate in the elections.“For example, in December, a candidate from the 'officers' and a candidate from the 'youth' did so: in both cases, they gave a similar explanation - they allegedly heard the 'voice of the people' that they needed to consolidate around Lukashenko,” Holovko added. At the same time, he said, Lukashenko's regime tried to flirt with the West by gradually releasing political prisoners.“But this did not convince the United States, at least. In early December, the second strategic dialogue between Belarus and the United States took place, during which American diplomats and Belarusian opposition leaders discussed the prospects for cooperation. At the same time, Washington called on Lukashenko to hold truly free elections, to which Minsk accused the United States of interfering in its internal affairs,” the expert noted. He also emphasized that the arrest of a Japanese travel blogger in early December for photographing a railway bridge (by the way, this is the second Japanese citizen detained in Belarus this fall) was a telling signal of the Lukashenko regime's“pre-election” hysteria. “After that, the Japanese Foreign Ministry assigned Belarus the third of four levels of danger, and even the highest level, the fourth, to the territories bordering Ukraine. In this light, the statement of the US State Department is absolutely motivated, and other Western countries should give similar recommendations to their citizens. Because, obviously, as the date of the“voting” approaches - January 26 - unmotivated repressions, including against foreign citizens, by the Lukashenko regime will only intensify,” Holovko summarized. As reported, on December 18, the U.S. State Department recommended that American citizens in Belarus“immediately leave” the country . In addition, all Americans who were going to visit Belarus in the near future were advised by the State Department to cancel their trip“due to the arbitrary implementation of local laws by the Belarusian authorities and the risk of detention, their assistance to Russia's war against Ukraine, as well as the increased instability and unpredictability of the situation in the region.” On December 23, the Central Election Commission of Belarus registered Alexander Lukashenko as a“presidential candidate” in the upcoming“elections”. The election campaign in Belarus will last from January 1 to January 25, 2025. The“elections” themselves are scheduled for January 26. The previous“elections” on August 9, 2020, were marked by the largest protests in the history of independent Belarus. Lukashenka was declared the“winner”. However, many observers believe that Sviatlana Tikhanovskaya won the first round. Mass protests against the falsification of the election results took place in the country. The authorities brutally suppressed these protests, and the opposition was subjected to repression, which continues to this day. Photo: belta MENAFN23122024000193011044ID1109025357 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.NFL roundup: Bengals top Broncos in OT, stay in playoff hunt
A ceasefire deal that could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group won backing from Israeli leaders Tuesday, raising hopes and renewing difficult questions in a region gripped by conflict. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * A ceasefire deal that could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group won backing from Israeli leaders Tuesday, raising hopes and renewing difficult questions in a region gripped by conflict. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? A ceasefire deal that could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group won backing from Israeli leaders Tuesday, raising hopes and renewing difficult questions in a region gripped by conflict. Hezbollah leaders also signaled tentative backing for the U.S.-brokered deal, which offers both sides an off-ramp from hostilities that have driven more than 1.2 million Lebanese and 50,000 Israelis from their homes. An intense bombing campaign by Israel has killed more than 3,700 people, many of them civilians, Lebanese officials say. But while the deal, set to take effect early Wednesday, could significantly calm the tensions that have inflamed the region, it does little directly to resolve the much deadlier war that has raged in Gaza since the Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that killed 1,200 people. Hezbollah, which began firing scores of rockets into Israel the following day in support of Hamas, has previously said it would keep fighting until there was a stop to the fighting in Gaza. Here’s what to know about the tentative ceasefire agreement and its potential implications: The terms of the deal The agreement reportedly calls for a 60-day halt in fighting that would see Israeli troops retreat to their side of the border while requiring Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon. President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the deal is set to take effect at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday (9 p.m. EST Tuesday). Under the deal, thousands of Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers are to deploy to the region south of the Litani River. An international panel lead by the U.S. would monitor compliance by all sides. Biden said the deal “was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz insisted Tuesday that the military would strike Hezbollah if the U.N. peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, does not provide “effective enforcement” of the deal. Lingering uncertainty A Hezbollah leader said the group’s support for the deal hinged on clarity that Israel would not renew its attacks. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Qatari satellite news network Al Jazeera. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state” of Lebanon, he said. The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said Tuesday that Israel’s security concerns had been addressed in the deal also brokered by France. Where the fighting has left both sides After months of cross-border bombings, Israel can claim major victories, including the killing of Hezbollah’s top leader, Hassan Nasrallah, most of his senior commanders and the destruction of extensive militant infrastructure. A complex attack in September involving the explosion of hundreds of walkie-talkies and pagers used by Hezbollah was widely attributed to Israel, signaling a remarkable penetration of the militant group. The damage inflicted on Hezbollah has come not only in its ranks, but to the reputation it built by fighting Israel to a stalemate in the 2006 war. Still, its fighters managed to put up heavy resistance on the ground, slowing Israel’s advance while continuing to fire scores of rockets, missiles and drones across the border each day. The ceasefire offers relief to both sides, giving Israel’s overstretched army a break and allowing Hezbollah leaders to tout the group’s effectiveness in holding their ground despite Israel’s massive advantage in weaponry. But the group is likely to face a reckoning, with many Lebanese accusing it of tying their country’s fate to Gaza’s at the service of key ally Iran, inflicting great damage on a Lebanese economy that was already in grave condition. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. No answers for Gaza Until now, Hezbollah has insisted that it would only halt its attacks on Israel when it agreed to stop fighting in Gaza. Some in the region are likely to view a deal between the Lebanon-based group and Israel as a capitulation. In Gaza, where officials say the war has killed more than 44,000 Palestinians, Israel’s attacks have inflicted a heavy toll on Hamas, including the killing of the group’s top leaders. But Hamas fighters continue to hold scores of Israeli hostages, giving the militant group a bargaining chip if indirect ceasefire negotiations resume. Hamas is likely to continue to demand a lasting truce and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in any such deal. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas offered a pointed reminder Tuesday of the intractability of the war, demanding urgent international intervention. “The only way to halt the dangerous escalation we are witnessing in the region, and maintain regional and international stability, security and peace, is to resolve the question of Palestine,” he said in a speech to the U.N. read by his ambassador. Advertisement AdvertisementAhmed bin Mohammed tours Big 5 Global
High school highlights for Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024The Wests Tigers join venture could be headed for a split amid reports the Balmain faction of the club are exploring a merger with NRL expansion bid team South Island Kea. Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer > WWOS’ The Mole reported the Kiwi South Island Kea franchise have opened secret talks with Balmain in a bid to strengthen their chances of becoming the NRL’s 19th team. It comes after revelations of a divide between the Wests and Balmain factions of the Wests Tigers’ joint venture, which could lead to the two parties splitting. Kea bosses reportedly contacted their Balmain counterparts last week to discuss a possible partnership. The Christchurch based Kea bid, are hoping to become the 19th NRL team and believe joining forces with Balmain, a foundation club from 1908 will boost their chances. That would mean Western Suburbs Magpies would return as a stand alone club in the NRL, pending rugby league HQ’s approval, which is a move several influential board members at Concord have been pushing for. MORE NRL NEWS PRESSURE GAUGE: Latrell’s $1m payback bid; big heat on four coaches HONOUR ROLL: Extraordinary honour roll of Australian Schoolboys representatives 25 FOR ‘25 BOLD PREDICTIONS: Broncos surge snares Dally M; wooden spoon shock Recent reports of leaked texts and emails show the animosity between the Wests and Balmain factions of the club and the massive divide could make their future as a joint venture untenable. Still, many senior Balmain officials want to remain in the merger with Wests, but that is seeming more unlikely by the day. Should the Wests Tigers fall apart, the Balmain club will consider joining up with the Kea as it appears their only way of staying in the NRL. The Kea-Balmain joint venture proposal would see the clubs divide their games between their home stadium in Christchurch and Balmain’s spiritual home ground of Leichhardt Oval. NRL officials rejected the Kea bid several months ago, opting to add Papua New Guinea as the 18th team, with the Western Bears also bidding to become the 19th team. The South Island Kea are following the Bears model of joining forces with a foundation club in North Sydney, to link with Balmain. A merger with Balmain could improve the South Island Kea’s chances of joining the NRL, given the history associated with the foundation club and their fan base and brand value. The Wests Tigers have been a joint venture since 1999 and won their maiden premiership in 2005, with current coach Benji Marshall in the team.Chicago Bulls star point guard and former lottery pick Lonzo Ball is targeting a return to the court on Wednesday. The Bulls will play the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, and Ball is expected to be on the court. ESPN's Shams Charania shared the news Tuesday via social media. Bulls guard Lonzo Ball, out since Oct. 28 with a wrist sprain, is targeting his return to action on Wednesday against the Magic in Orlando, sources tell me and @ramonashelburne . pic.twitter.com/z39ZHQYhgm Ball has been out of the lineup since Oct. 28 due to a wrist sprain. Ball suffered the injury, then incurred a minor setback along the way. This update means that Ball will be unavailable for the Bulls' matchup on Tuesday, the first leg of a back-to-back against the Washington Wizards. He was ruled doubtful prior to this news. If he does get the green light from the team, the Bulls will likely restrict his minutes. The 27-year-old went through an extensive workout on Saturday in front of Bulls coaches and another session on Tuesday morning. Prior to these sessions, it was reported that Ball had trouble catching passes without pain. That seems to be behind Ball, as he appears healthy and ready to go. The former UCLA Bruin has struggled with injuries throughout his career, especially since arriving in Chicago in the 2021-22 season. In his time as a Bull, Ball has only played 38 games, with 35 starts in Chicago. In only two seasons played with Chicago, Ball has averaged 12.3 points per game, 5.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.7 steals while shooting 42 percent from the field and 42 percent from three. This season, Ball has only played in three games and has averaged 4.7 points per game, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 35 percent from the field and 33 percent from the three. Ball was barely getting his feet under him before the wrist injury hampered his play thus far. The former Bruin was the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. His time as a pro looked promising, starting off with the Los Angeles Lakers. In his two seasons in L.A., he established himself as an exciting young player, playing for his hometown team and earning a spot in the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. The Bulls have had a lackluster start to the season. As of Tuesday, they have a 7-11 record, which is good for the 10th seed in the lowly Eastern Conference. The return of Ball should help the Bulls greatly in assists, rebounding, fastbreak, and defensive department. When he does return for Chicago, Ball is set to play in his fourth game of the season. More news: Clippers Star Kawhi Leonard Declared Ineligible for Any NBA Awards For more Bulls and NBA news, make sure to head over to Newsweek Sports .
Qatar tribune Hanane Djoua Doha Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Qatar HE Arman Issagaliyev has outlined his country’s ambitious vision for economic growth, innovation, and global diplomacy, emphasising Kazakhstan’s alignment with global trends and its strategic partnership with Qatar. Addressing a press conference, Ambassador Issagaliyev referred to the visionary annual address by Kazakhstan’s president titled “Just Kazakhstan: Law and Order, Economic Growth, Social Optimism,” which advocates for stronger ties between universities and industries to synchronise innovation with national priorities. “This will spur sector-specific innovations and unlock the potential of applied science,” the envoy noted, adding that Kazakhstan admires Qatar’s achievements under its National Vision 2030, particularly in innovation and sustainable growth. He highlighted Qatar’s potential to become a global innovation hub, crediting its advancements in IT, telecommunications, and artificial intelligence, adding that Kazakhstan, with its own burgeoning unicorn IT companies, sees significant opportunities for collaboration in these sectors. Ambassador Issagaliyev also underscored the importance of the Doha Forum, praising its role as a platform for addressing global challenges. “The theme of this year’s edition, ‘The Innovation Imperative’, is well-timed as the world seeks new approaches to complex global issues,” he said, expressing optimism about Qatar’s diplomatic prominence. The envoy introduced Kazakhstan’s “Born Bold” international campaign, which showcases the country’s commitment to economic diversification and leadership in emerging industries like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and finance. Kazakhstan’s political reforms, among the most transformative in its history, have redefined its governance model. He added that recent constitutional changes and electoral reforms have enhanced democracy, expanded political participation, and upheld human rights. “We aim to build a modern, inclusive society where no one is left behind,” he stated, emphasising the government’s collaboration with civil society and international organisations. On the diplomatic front, Issagaliyev said Kazakhstan is leveraging its strategic position to facilitate global dialogue and peacebuilding, adding that from its contributions to the Iran nuclear deal to hosting peace talks on the Syrian conflict, the country has proven itself a reliable partner for international stability. As Central Asia’s largest economy, Kazakhstan is targeting ambitious economic growth, aiming to double its GDP by 2029 through innovation and diversification, he said. Ambassador Issagaliyev noted that Kazakhstan remains a top destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), with $23.4 billion in FDI recorded in 2023 and a projection to attract $150 billion by 2029. “The Astana International Financial Center (AIFC) plays a key role, offering an English common law-based system that has attracted over 3,000 companies from 82 countries. In 2023, trading volume on its exchange surged by 236 percent, reflecting growing investor confidence,” he added. The envoy pointed out that Kazakhstan is also a critical player in the global energy transition. As the world’s leading uranium exporter and a rising star in renewable energy, the country is poised to become a green powerhouse. Positioned at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, Kazakhstan is a vital transit hub. Its strategic investments in transport infrastructure, including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), have boosted trade and logistics. The ambassador highlighted plans to increase transit traffic volume to 35 million tonnes by 2029, with European partners pledging significant investments in connectivity. “Kazakhstan is also taking bold steps in climate action, joining the Just Energy Transition Partnership and positioning itself as a leader in renewable energy. A regional climate summit is planned for 2026, further cementing its commitment to sustainability,” he added. Ambassador Issagaliyev emphasised Kazakhstan’s rich cultural diversity and commitment to unity. He highlighted the country’s unique civic identity, which embraces ethnic diversity while fostering a shared national vision. “We are different, but we are equal. Unity in diversity is the foundation of our civil society,” he remarked. He stressed that Kazakhstan’s strategic partnership with Qatar, underpinned by shared goals in innovation, sustainability, and diplomacy, continues to grow, expressing confidence that the forthcoming high-level meetings and agreements during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Qatar will further strengthen bilateral ties, marking a new chapter in Kazakhstan-Qatar relations. Copy 03/12/2024 10FORMER RTE star Grainne Gallanagh showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a festive dress she wore for a night out. The Irish model turned miner jetted back to Ireland recently to spend a couple of months at home with her family in Donegal . Grainne has since retruned to Australia, where she's been living for a year and a half. She emigrated with her boyfriend Ryan Coleman in April 2023 to Perth. Yesterday, Grainne took to her Instagram to show off how they celebrate Christmas Down Under. The 30-year-old looked sensational as she struck a sultry pose in front of a giant decorated Christmas tree. For her festive celebrations, Grainne opted to wear a stunning red gown. The fabulous frock featured a plunged halter neckline and was from popular online shop BabyBoo. The BabyBoo Melania Maxi dress retails on their site for €143.95. To tie the look together, Grainne paired the vibrant sparkly dress with a pair of red closed-toe heels. The former Dancing With The Stars contestant captioned her stylish post: "Christmas, but it’s Australia, so it’s 42 degrees outside." Friends and fans flocked to the presenter's comment section to gush over her sensational outfit. RTE presenter Anna Daly wrote: "wow." Lottie Ryan said: "A vision." Another fan said: "Gorgeous as always." Upon returning back to Australia, Grainne took to her Instagram to share snippets of her hotel stay . Grainne stripped down to a pink floral bikini for a dip in the rooftop pool. She looked incredible as she showed off her figure with her hair in a high bun. Grainne got comfy into her robe and sat on her bed with a glass of bubbly. The Irish star looked out the room's floor-to-ceiling windows to the jaw-dropping city views. The happy couple then enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the hotel this morning.
