game 2024

Shares of Chinese consumer -oriented names , , and rocketed higher on Monday, up 5.5%, 10.1%, and 21.9% as of noon ET. There was an across-the-board rally in Chinese stocks today, with the smaller, more economically sensitive stocks in the country rallying the most. This came after the country's Politburo met and made a dovish statement for more forceful and imminent stimulus. China is getting increasingly serious about stimulus On Monday, China's 24-member Politburo released a statement, declaring the government will have a more forceful fiscal response to the country's economic woes, and that the central bank will use a "moderately loose" monetary policy into next year. While that couched language might not scream "huge stimulus money," China's Politburo hasn't used that official language since 2008, during the Great Financial Crisis. Not only that, but the statement also came with other language vowing to be more "active" in responding to economic downturns and boosting consumer demand while stabilizing the housing market. China's downturn has been the result of the long "zero-COVID" lockdowns, the clampdown on the country's biggest tech companies, difficulties with foreign capital to get money in and out of the country, and perhaps most importantly, a big housing downturn that has decimated consumer confidence. Chinese consumers have a lot of their wealth tied up in their homes, so this has been a huge headwind to consumer demand. While Beijing had responded to the downturn somewhat this summer, most measures to date had been in the form of cuts and indirect actions, which might not have a big effect if consumers aren't willing to borrow. Some critics have decried a lack of more forceful direct fiscal responses and getting cash into the hands of consumers, while giving them the confidence to restart spending. This has been due to the government's unwillingness to take on larger deficits. However, the language in today's statement seems to suggest Beijing is now open to taking on those larger deficits to jolt the economy out of its slumber. How these stocks would benefit Better consumer spending and household wealth would benefit all three of these stocks. Tencent has a portfolio of products that span both consumer and enterprise customers, but its biggest segments are still consumer-oriented in free-to-play video games, the giant social media platform WeChat, and its digital financial payments platform Tenpay. Baidu, meanwhile, is the largest search platform in China, and is therefore dependent on the economically sensitive advertising market, while the company is also advancing AI and self-driving car technology. And Futu is an online financial brokerage that facilitates trading for stocks, derivatives, and other assets. A healthier Chinese consumer would theoretically invest and trade more. China stocks all clear? Not so fast While today's news was certainly encouraging, investors should still take care to be cautious of Chinese stocks. While all three stocks are still well below their 2021 highs, they have all had quite a run this year, as these names surged a huge amount following this summer's initial statements promising more aggressive stimulus. However, after the summer's surge, some investors had been disappointed in the actual follow-through since then, and there's still uncertainty as to how the government will follow through on today's statements. While today's announcements do indicate an incremental promise for a more forceful government response, China's lagging property sector, aging population, and likely higher tariffs on goods destined for the U.S. under the incoming Trump administration will be difficult to tackle all at once. However, for those willing to take on the significant geopolitical and policy risks, China's big tech and consumer companies still remain cheaper than their U.S. counterparts -- though that gap has narrowed quite a bit over the past few months.LPGA, USGA to require players to be assigned female at birth or transition before puberty
California to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media sites
With technical prowess and considerable style, Marta danced around two sliding defenders, outwitted a goalkeeper and calmly scored as another player rushed forward in desperation to stop her. It was more Marta Magic. That goal last weekend helped propel the Orlando Pride into Saturday's National Women's Soccer League championship game against the Washington Spirit. Barbra Banda also scored in the Pride's 3-2 semifinal victory over the Kansas City Current . While Banda has had an incredible first season with the Pride, captain Marta has been the talisman that has helped lead the team in its remarkable turnaround this year. The last time the Pride were in the NWSL playoffs was in 2017 — Marta's first year with the club. But this season they nearly went undefeated, going 23 games without a loss to start the season before losing 2-0 to the Portland Thorns with just two regular-season games left. “I think because of the way that we did it, during this season, from beginning to now, it’s something very special that I’ve never had before with any other club that I’ve played for," Marta said. "Plus year by year, we see in America, strong competition. This is the best league in the world. And you never know what’s going to happen, and it’s hard to keep winning the games, being in the first place almost like the whole season. That’s why it’s really different and so special.” Marta’s goal was the latest gasp-inducing moment in a stellar career filled with them. Known by just her first name, the 38-year-old is a six-time FIFA world player of the year. "Let's see if tomorrow I can do something similar — or even better," Marta said on Friday. Her teammate Kylie Strom chimed in: “That was the greatest goal I've ever witnessed, hands down." Appropriate. Earlier this year, FIFA announced that the best goal in women's soccer each year would earn the Marta Award. In a lighthearted moment the day before the title match, Marta was asked if she thought it was possible she might give the award to herself. “You guys need to decide, because who votes for the best goal in the year? It’s you. It’s the people in the public. So it should be really interesting, like Marta’s Award goes to Marta!” she said with a laugh. Marta has played in six World Cups for Brazil and played this summer in her sixth Olympics, winning a silver medal after falling in the final to the United States . She previously said this would be her final year with the national team. But since then Brazil was named the host of the 2027 Women's World Cup. "I had a conversation with my coach, the national team coach, and I was really clear about playing in 2027. I told him it’s not my goal anymore,” she said. “But I’m always available to help the national team. And if they think I still can do something during this preparation for the World Cup, yeah, I would be happy to help them." Marta's club career started in Brazil when she was just 16. She has also played in Sweden and in the U.S. professional women's leagues that came before the NWSL. With nine regular-season goals, Marta has had one of her best seasons since she joined the Pride. “I can never pick a side, I never pick favorites — but I love to see this for Marta," U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. “Marta is someone we all like, admire and are grateful for. And that goal was just like prime Marta at her best. And so grateful for and thankful for her that she got the opportunity with another game with her team.” The Pride went 18-2-6 this season, clinching the NWSL Shield for the first trophy in club history. Orlando also set a record with 60 regular-season points to finish atop the standings. “We are sitting top of the table, but I think there still are a lot of doubters. I think there’s people out there who say, maybe this was a one-off season,” Strom said. “But we’re here to prove them all wrong. So I think we do carry a bit of that underdog mentality still with us.” The second-seeded Spirit advanced to the title match at Kansas City's CPKC Stadium last weekend on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw against defending champions Gotham FC. The Spirit's roster includes Trinity Rodman, a standout forward who formed the so-called “Triple Espresso” trio with Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith for the United States at the Olympics. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Anne M. Peterson, The Associated PressPlayers must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through male puberty to compete in LPGA tournaments or the eight USGA championships for females under new gender policies published Wednesday. The policies, which begin in 2025, follow more than a year of study involving medicine, science, sport physiology and gender policy law. The updated policies would rule out eligibility for Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open this year by one shot and came up short in LPGA Q-school. Davidson, who turned 32 on Tuesday, began hormone treatments when she was in her early 20s in 2015 and in 2021 underwent gender-affirming surgery, which was required under the LPGA's previous gender policy. She had won this year on a Florida mini-tour called NXXT Golf until the circuit announced in March that players had to be assigned female at birth. “Can't say I didn't see this coming,” Davidson wrote Wednesday on an Instagram story. “Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.” LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who is resigning in January, said the new gender policy "is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach." By making it to the second stage of Q-school, Davidson would have had very limited status on the Epson Tour, the pathway to the LPGA. The LPGA and USGA say their policies were geared toward being inclusive of gender identities and expression while striving for equity in competition. The LPGA said its working group of experts advised that the effects of male puberty allowed for competitive advantages in golf compared with players who had not gone through puberty. “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who announced Monday that she is resigning in January. "The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.” Mike Whan, the former LPGA commissioner and now CEO of the USGA, said it developed the updated policy independently and later discovered it was similar to those used by swimming, track and field, and other sports. United States Golf Association CEO Mike Whan said the new policy will prevent anyone from having "a competitive advantage based on their gender." “It starts with competitive fairness as the North star,” Whan said in a telephone interview. “We tried not to get into politics, or state by state or any of that stuff. We just simply said, ‘Where would somebody — at least medically today — where do we believe somebody would have a competitive advantage in the field?’ And we needed to draw a line. “We needed to be able to walk into any women's event and say with confidence that nobody here has a competitive advantage based on their gender. And this policy delivers that.” The “Competitive Fairness Gender Policy” for the USGA takes effect for the 2025 championship season that starts with the U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball on May 10-14. Qualifying began late this year, though there were no transgender players who took part. “Will that change in the years to come as medicine changes? Probably,” Whan said. “But I think today this stacks up.” The LPGA “Gender Policy for Competition Eligibility” would apply to the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour and qualifying for the tours. Players assigned male at birth must prove they have not experienced any part of puberty beyond the first stage or after age 12, whichever comes first, and then meet limitation standards for testosterone levels. The LPGA begins its 75th season on Jan. 30 with the Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Sent weekly directly to your inbox!Meta to build $10 billion AI data center in Louisiana as Elon Musk expands his Tennessee AI facility
It's been one month since the U.S. presidential election. And while Republicans and President-elect Donald Trump have been busy setting up a new White House administration, Democrats have spent the past four weeks trying to diagnose why they lost and how to move forward as a party. One person who thinks he has an answer to that is Ben Wikler, chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party. He's now running to become the new chairman of the national Democratic National Comittee because he says it's time to reassess what matters most to voters. RELATED STORY | DNC chair slams Bernie Sanders' criticism of Democratic Party "There's clearly a lot that we need to learn about what just happened, but one thing that jumps out is that a lot of voters who were taking it on the chin with high prices — frustrated by those prices — weren't hearing from either campaign and were voting for change," Wikler told Scripps News. "Well those voters, I think that we have a chance to reach out to them and say 'look, Democrats actually want to fight for an economy that works for working people and Trump wants to give multi-trillion tax cuts to billionaires at your expense. And that is a message we know can win because it's won downballot, it won in 2018, and it won in 2006 when George W. Bush tried to privatize social security." Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is currently hearing a potentially landmark case on gender affirming care for minors — which has been a big point for Democrats to campaign on. But a Scripps News/YouGov poll released early this year showed that more Americans support than oppose laws aimed at restricting transgender care for minors. RELATED STORY | Scripps News poll: Americans largely support restricting trans rights Wikler told Scripps News that if he were to be named chair of the DNC, it's a no-brainer that he'd support American's right to make their own private medical decisions without worrying about government intervention. "Republicans want to talk about trans issues and go on the attack against trans people because that is their way of trying to divide the public," he said. "People do disagree about this. Republicans want to focus on that disagreement and use attacks on trans people in order to distract folks from the big legislation that they are planning right now — which is a multi-trillion dollar tax cut for billionaires." "Democrats are always going to fight for people to have their basic personal freedom," Wikler continued. "And at the same time, we're going to fight against those who want to dismantle the federal government and the programs like social security and medicare and medicaid that people rely on for their their basic needs and health care." You can watch Scripps News' full interview with Ben Wikler in the video player above.Michail Antonio had video call with West Ham team before their win over Wolves
LOS ANGELES -- Film Independent has announced its nominations for the 40th annual edition of the Film Independent Spirit Awards. "A Real Pain" has two nominations for Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Performance for Kieran Culkin. "Nightbitch" also has two, with nods for Amy Adams as Best Lead Performance and Best Editing. The Walt Disney Company was well represented on the TV side, with "Agatha All Along," "English Teacher," "Shogun" all getting nods for Best New Scripted Series. "Shogun" has five nominations in total, "English Teacher" has four and "Agatha All Along" scored three. "Under The Bridge" has two nominations, Lily Gladstone gets the nod for Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series and Best Supporting Performance. "Erased: WW2's Heroes of Color," "Social Studies" and "Photographer" are up for Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series while "Sugarcane" is nominated for the Truer Than Fiction Awards. "Anora" and "I Saw The Glow" lead all nominations with six each on the film side. On the TV side, "Baby Reindeer also has four nominations. The 40th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be handed out Feb. 22, 2025. The full list of nominations is below. 2025 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARD NOMINATIONS BEST FEATURE(Award given to the producer) Anora Producers: Sean Baker, Alex Coco, Samantha Quan I Saw the TV Glow Producers: Ali Herting, Sam Intili, Dave McCary, Emma Stone, Sarah Winshall Nickel Boys Producers: Joslyn Barnes, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, David Levine Sing Sing Producers: Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Monique Walton The Substance Producers: Tim Bevan, Coralie Fargeat, Eric Fellner BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to director and producer) Dìdi Director/Producer: Sean Wang Producers: Valerie Bush, Carlos López Estrada, Josh Peters In the Summers Director: Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio Producers: Janek Ambros, Lynette Coll, Alexander Dinelaris, Cynthia Fernandez De La Cruz, Cristóbal Güell, Sergio Alberto Lira, Rob Quadrino, Jan Suter, Daniel Tantalean, Nando Vila, Slava Vladimirov, Stephanie Yankwitt Janet Planet Director/Producer: Annie Baker Producers: Andrew Goldman, Dan Janvey, Derrick Tseng The Piano Lesson Director: Malcolm Washington Producers: Todd Black, Denzel Washington Problemista Director/Producer: Julio Torres Producers: Ali Herting, Dave McCary, Emma Stone JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD- Given to the best feature made for under $1,000,000. (Award given to the writer, director, and producer) Big Boys Writer/Director/Producer: Corey Sherman Producer: Allison Tate Ghostlight Writer/Director: Kelly O'Sullivan Director/Producer: Alex Thompson Producers: Pierce Cravens, Ian Keiser, Chelsea Krant, Eddie Linker, Alex Wilson Girls Will Be Girls Writer/Director/Producer: Shuchi Talati Producers: Richa Chadha, Claire Chassagne Jazzy Writer/Director/Producer: Morrisa Maltz Writer/Producer: Lainey Shangreaux Writers: Andrew Hajek, Vanara Taing Producers: Miranda Bailey, Tommy Heitkamp, John Way, Natalie Whalen, Elliott Whitton The People's Joker Writer/Director: Vera Drew Writer: Bri LeRose Producer: Joey Lyons BEST DIRECTOR Ali Abbasi The Apprentice Sean Baker Anora Brady Corbet The Brutalist Alonso Ruizpalacios La Cocina Jane Schoenbrun I Saw the TV Glow BEST SCREENPLAY Scott Beck, Bryan Woods Heretic Jesse Eisenberg A Real Pain Megan Park My Old Ass Aaron Schimberg A Different Man Jane Schoenbrun I Saw the TV Glow BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY Joanna Arnow The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed Annie Baker Janet Planet India Donaldson Good One Julio Torres Problemista Sean Wang Dìdi BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE Amy Adams Nightbitch Ryan Destiny The Fire Inside Colman Domingo Sing Sing Keith Kupferer Ghostlight Mikey Madison Anora Demi Moore The Substance Hunter Schafer Cuckoo Justice Smith I Saw the TV Glow June Squibb Thelma Sebastian Stan The Apprentice BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE Yura Borisov Anora Joan Chen Dìdi Kieran Culkin A Real Pain Danielle Deadwyler The Piano Lesson Carol Kane Between the Temples Karren Karagulian Anora Kani Kusruti Girls Will Be Girls Brigette Lundy-Paine I Saw the TV Glow Clarence "Divine Eye" Maclin Sing Sing Adam Pearson A Different Man BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE Isaac Krasner Big Boys Katy O'Brian Love Lies Bleeding Mason Alexander Park National Anthem René Pérez Joglar In the Summers Maisy Stella My Old Ass BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Dinh Duy Hung Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell Jomo Fray Nickel Boys Maria von Hausswolff Janet Planet Juan Pablo Ramírez La Cocina Rina Yang The Fire Inside BEST EDITING Laura Colwell, Vanara Taing Jazzy Olivier Bugge Coutté, Olivia Neergaard-Holm The Apprentice Anne McCabe Nightbitch Hansjörg Weissbrich September 5 Arielle Zakowski Dìdi ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD- Given to one film's director, casting director, and ensemble cast His Three Daughters Director: Azazel Jacobs Casting Director: Nicole Arbusto Ensemble Cast: Jovan Adepo, Jasmine Bracey, Carrie Coon, Jose Febus, Rudy Galvan, Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen, Randy Ramos Jr., Jay O. Sanders BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director and producer) Gaucho Gaucho Directors/Producers: Michael Dweck, Gregory Kershaw Producers: Christos Konstantakopoulos, Cameron O'Reilly, Matthew Perniciaro Hummingbirds Directors: Silvia Del Carmen Castaños, Estefanía "Beba" Contreras Co-Directors/Producers: Miguel Drake-McLaughlin, Diane Ng, Ana Rodriguez-Falco, Jillian Schlesinger Producers: Leslie Benavides, Rivkah Beth Medow No Other Land Directors/Producers: Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Rachel Szor Producers: Fabien Greenberg, Brd Kjge Rnning Patrice: The Movie Director: Ted Passon Producers: Kyla Harris, Innbo Shim, Emily Spivack Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat Director: Johan Grimonprez Producers: Rémi Grellety, Daan Milius BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (Award given to the director) All We Imagine as Light France, India, Netherlands, Luxembourg Director: Payal Kapadia Black Dog China Director: Guan Hu Flow Latvia, France, Belgium Director: Gints Zilbalodis Green Border Poland, France, Czech Republic, Belgium Director: Agnieszka Holland Hard Truths United Kingdom Director: Mike Leigh PRODUCERS AWARD presented by Bulleit Frontier Whiskey - The Producers Award, now in its 28th year, honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to produce quality independent films. Alex Coco Sarah Winshall Zoë Worth SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD - The Someone to Watch Award, now in its 31st year, recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. Nicholas Colia Director of Griffin in Summer Sarah Friedland Director of Familiar Touch Pham Thien An Director of Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD- The Truer Than Fiction Award, now in its 30th year, is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition Julian Brave NoiseCat, Emily Kassie Directors of Sugarcane Carla Gutiérrez Director of Frida Rachel Elizabeth Seed Director of A Photographic Memory BEST NEW NON-SCRIPTED OR DOCUMENTARY SERIES (Award given to the Creator, Executive Producer, Co-Executive Producer) Erased: WW2's Heroes of Color Executive Producers: Idris Elba, Johanna Woolford Gibbon, Jamilla Dumbuya, Jos Cushing, Khaled Gad, Matt Robins, Chris Muckle, Sean David Johnson, Simon Raikes Co-Executive Producer: Annabel Hobley Hollywood Black Executive Producers: Shayla Harris, Dave Sirulnick, Stacey Reiss, Jon Kamen, Justin Simien, Kyle Laursen, Forest Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, Jeffrey Schwarz, Amy Goodman Kass, Michael Wright, Jill Burkhart Co-Executive Producers: David C. Brown, Laurens Grant Photographer Executive Producers: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, Pagan Harleman, Betsy Forhan Co-Executive Producers: Anna Barnes, Brent Kunkle Ren Faire Executive Producers: Ronald Bronstein, Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie, Eli Bush, Dani Bernfeld, Lance Oppenheim, David Gauvey Herbert, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, Sara Rodriguez Co-Executive Producers: Abigail Rowe, Christian Vasquez, Max Allman Social Studies Creator/Executive Producer: Lauren Greenfield Executive Producers: Wallis Annenberg, Regina K. Scully, Andrea van Beuren, Frank Evers, Caryn Capotosto BEST NEW SCRIPTED SERIES (Award given to the Creator, Executive Producer, Co-Executive Producer) Baby Reindeer Creator/Executive Producer: Richard Gadd Executive Producers: Wim De Greef, Petra Fried, Matt Jarvis, Ed Macdonald Diarra From Detroit Creator/Executive Producer: Diarra Kilpatrick Executive Producers: Kenya Barris, Miles Orion Feldsott, Darren Goldberg Co-Executive Producers: Ester Lou, Mark Ganek English Teacher Creator/Executive Producer: Brian Jordan Alvarez Executive Producers: Paul Simms, Jonathan Krisel, Dave King Co-Executive Producers: Kathryn Dean, Jake Bender, Zach Dunn Fantasmas Creator/Executive Producer: Julio Torres Executive Producers: Emma Stone, Dave McCary, Olivia Gerke, Alex Bach, Daniel Powell Co-Executive Producer: Ali Herting Shgun Creators/Executive Producers: Rachel Kondo, Justin Marks Executive Producers: Edward L. McDonnell, Michael De Luca, Michaela Clavell Co-Executive Producers: Shannon Goss, Andrew Macdonald, Allon Reich BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES Brian Jordan Alvarez English Teacher Richard Gadd Baby Reindeer Lily Gladstone Under the Bridge Kathryn Hahn Agatha All Along Cristin Milioti The Penguin Julianne Moore Mary & George Hiroyuki Sanada Shgun Anna Sawai Shgun Andrew Scott Ripley Julio Torres Fantasmas BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES Tadanobu Asano Shgun Enrico Colantoni English Teacher Betty Gilpin Three Women Chloe Guidry Under the Bridge Moeka Hoshi Shgun Stephanie Koenig English Teacher Patti LuPone Agatha All Along Nava Mau Baby Reindeer Ruth Negga Presumed Innocent Brian Tee Expats BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES Jessica Gunning Baby Reindeer Diarra Kilpatrick Diarra From Detroit Joe Locke Agatha All Along Megan Stott Penelope Hoa Xuande The Sympathizer BEST ENSEMBLE CAST IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES How to Die Alone Ensemble Cast: Melissa DuPrey, Jaylee Hamidi, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Arkie Kandola, Elle Lorraine, Michelle McLeod, Chris "CP" Powell, Conrad Ricamora, Natasha Rothwell, Jocko Sims The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of Searchlight Pictures, Disney+, NatGeo, Hulu, Disney+ and this ABC station.California to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media sitesNone
Weave Communications director Blake Modersitzki sells $2.76 million in stockNEW ORLEANS (AP) — The largest artificial intelligence data center ever built by Facebook’s parent company Meta is coming to northeast Louisiana, the company said Wednesday, bringing hopes that the $10 billion facility will transform an economically neglected corner of the state. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry called it “game-changing” for his state’s expanding tech sector, yet some environmental groups have raised concerns over the amount of energy it would use — and whether it could lead to higher energy bills in the future. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s AI startup, xAI, is expanding its existing supercomputer project in Memphis, Tennessee, the city’s chamber of commerce said Wednesday. The chamber also said that Nvidia, Dell, and Supermicro Computer will be “establishing operations in Memphis,” without offering further details. Louisiana is among a growing number of states seeking to lure big tech firms in need of energy-intensive data centers with tax credits and other incentives. The U.S. Commerce Department found that there aren’t enough data centers in the U.S. to meet the rising AI-fueled demand, which is projected to grow by 9% each year through 2030, citing industry reports. Meta anticipates its Louisiana data center will create 500 operational jobs and 5,000 temporary construction jobs, said Kevin Janda, director of data center strategy. At 4 million square feet (370,000 square meters), it will be the company’s largest AI data center to date, he added. “We want to make sure we are having a positive impact on the local level,” Janda said. Congressional leaders and local representatives from across the political spectrum heralded the Meta facility as a boon for Richland parish, a rural part of Louisiana with a population of 20,000 historically reliant on agriculture. About one in four residents are considered to live in poverty and the parish has an employment rate below 50%, according to the U.S. census data. Meta plans to invest $200 million into road and water infrastructure improvements for the parish to offset its water usage. The facility is expected to be completed in 2030. Entergy, one of the nation’s largest utilities providers, is fast-tracking plans to build three natural gas power plants in Louisiana capable of generating 2,262 megawatts for Meta’s data center over a 15 year period — nearly one-tenth of Entergy’s existing energy capacity across four states. The Louisiana Public Service Commission is weighing Entergy’s proposal as some environmental groups have opposed locking the state into more fossil fuel-based energy infrastructure. Meta said it plans to help bring 1,500 megawatts of renewable energy onto the grid in the future. Louisiana residents may ultimately end up with rate increases to pay off the cost of operating these natural gas power plants when Meta’s contract with Entergy expires, said Jessica Hendricks, state policy director for the Alliance for Affordable Energy, a Louisiana-based nonprofit advocating for energy consumers. “There’s no reason why residential customers in Louisiana need to pay for a power plant for energy that they’re not going to use,” Hendricks said. “And we want to make sure that there’s safeguards in place.” Public service commissioner Foster Campbell, who represents northeast Louisiana, said he does not believe the data center will increase rates for Louisianians and views it as vital for his region. “It’s going in one of the most needed places in Louisiana and maybe one of the most needed places in the United States of America,” Foster said. “I’m for it 100%.” Environmental groups have also warned of the pollution generated from Musk’s AI data center in Memphis. The Southern Environmental Law Center, among others, says the supercomputer could strain the power grid, prompting attention from the Environmental Protection Agency. Eighteen gas turbines currently running at xAI’s south Memphis facility are significant sources of ground-level ozone, better known as smog, the group said. Patrick Anderson, an attorney at the law center, said xAI has operated with “a stunning lack of transparency” in developing its South Memphis facility, which is located near predominantly Black neighborhoods that have long dealt with pollution and health risks from factories and other industrial sites. “Memphians deserve to know how xAI will affect them,” he said, “and should have a seat at the table when these decisions are being made.” _____ Sainz reported from Memphis, Tennessee. Associated Press writer Matt O’Brien in Providence, Rhode Island, contributed to this report. _____ Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: ↕jack_brook96UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York
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By TRÂN NGUYỄN SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California, home to some of the largest technology companies in the world, would be the first U.S. state to require mental health warning labels on social media sites if lawmakers pass a bill introduced Monday. The legislation sponsored by state Attorney General Rob Bonta is necessary to bolster safety for children online, supporters say, but industry officials vow to fight the measure and others like it under the First Amendment. Warning labels for social media gained swift bipartisan support from dozens of attorneys general, including Bonta, after U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called on Congress to establish the requirements earlier this year, saying social media is a contributing factor in the mental health crisis among young people. “These companies know the harmful impact their products can have on our children, and they refuse to take meaningful steps to make them safer,” Bonta said at a news conference Monday. “Time is up. It’s time we stepped in and demanded change.” State officials haven’t provided details on the bill, but Bonta said the warning labels could pop up once weekly. Up to 95% of youth ages 13 to 17 say they use a social media platform, and more than a third say that they use social media “almost constantly,” according to 2022 data from the Pew Research Center. Parents’ concerns prompted Australia to pass the world’s first law banning social media for children under 16 in November. “The promise of social media, although real, has turned into a situation where they’re turning our children’s attention into a commodity,” Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, who authored the California bill, said Monday. “The attention economy is using our children and their well-being to make money for these California companies.” Lawmakers instead should focus on online safety education and mental health resources, not warning label bills that are “constitutionally unsound,” said Todd O’Boyle, a vice president of the tech industry policy group Chamber of Progress. “We strongly suspect that the courts will set them aside as compelled speech,” O’Boyle told The Associated Press. Victoria Hinks’ 16-year-old daughter, Alexandra, died by suicide four months ago after being “led down dark rabbit holes” on social media that glamorized eating disorders and self-harm. Hinks said the labels would help protect children from companies that turn a blind eye to the harm caused to children’s mental health when they become addicted to social media platforms. “There’s not a bone in my body that doubts social media played a role in leading her to that final, irreversible decision,” Hinks said. “This could be your story.” Common Sense Media, a sponsor of the bill, said it plans to lobby for similar proposals in other states. California in the past decade has positioned itself as a leader in regulating and fighting the tech industry to bolster online safety for children. The state was the first in 2022 to bar online platforms from using users’ personal information in ways that could harm children. It was one of the states that sued Meta in 2023 and TikTok in October for deliberately designing addictive features that keep kids hooked on their platforms. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, also signed several bills in September to help curb the effects of social media on children, including one to prohibit social media platforms from knowingly providing addictive feeds to children without parental consent and one to limit or ban students from using smartphones on school campus. Federal lawmakers have held hearings on child online safety and legislation is in the works to force companies to take reasonable steps to prevent harm. The legislation has the support of X owner Elon Musk and the President-elect’s son, Donald Trump Jr . Still, the last federal law aimed at protecting children online was enacted in 1998, six years before Facebook’s founding.Michail Antonio had video call with West Ham team before their win over Wolves
US LAWMAKERS are moving to prohibit the Pentagon from doing business with companies that sell computer chips and services to Huawei Technologies under defence legislation that could put further pressure on suppliers to the Chinese tech champion. The bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act unveiled on Saturday (Dec 7) contains language that would effectively bar Defense Department contractors from selling semiconductors, chip-making equipment or tools for designing semiconductors to Huawei or its affiliates. The provision is likely to become law given its inclusion in the bill, which is considered “must-pass” before Congress adjourns for the year, though an unrelated provision on transgender care for minors could cost the legislation Democratic support needed to pass it. If approved, the bill risks squeezing global chip firms with ties to Shenzhen-based Huawei, which has been targeted by US sanctions as part of a broader campaign in Washington to rein in China’s tech ambitions. Companies that maintain business ties with Huawei could lose access to work for the Pentagon, which committed nearly US$460 billion on contracts in fiscal 2023, according to the Government Accountability Office. The bill emerged as the US continues to tighten limits on China’s access to advanced technologies, though the Commerce Department still allows Huawei to receive a limited flow of less-sensitive goods. Last week, Republican Representative John Moolenaar, who chairs the House’s China Select Committee, criticised the Biden administration for leaving loopholes for Huawei to continue acquiring American technology. Earlier this year, the US revoked some licenses including those belonging to Intel and Qualcomm for doing business with Huawei. Still, the Commerce Department approved licenses worth US$60 billion for selling to Huawei between November 2020 and April 2021, after the company was included on the agency’s so-called entity list in 2019, according to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul. The Commerce Department does not release information about which companies still have licenses to supply to Huawei or are applying for such approval. Restrictions on Huawei in the defence legislation would take effect 270 days after being signed by the president. The measure includes a waiver if the secretary of Defense determines a contract is needed for national security and no other providers are available. The defence bill still faces a hurdle in the House, where the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith, is urging Republicans to drop a provision prohibiting treatment for military dependent children for gender dysphoria. BLOOMBERGXRX Investors Have Opportunity to Lead Xerox Holdings Corporation Securities Fraud Lawsuit
I am not against any brilliant very young chap getting admission into our university system from either rich or poor backgrounds, if he or she deserves it. We should not forget that there is no age limit or requirements to getting wisdom or talents as Michael Jackson started his dance and music career at five while still schooling. The problem of our educational system goes beyond this. What our leaders need to be concerned more about should be how to address poor out-of-school children. If not addressed, they remain potential future terrorists, bandits and kidnappers. Imagine being afraid to move around or to continue your journey when it becomes very dark just because we have growing jobless citizens with no social security as our leaders continue to get more for themselves through constituency projects and jumbo pay. Secondly, our leaders should make our educational standard count, from primary to universities, technical and polytechnic, essentially to help create opportunities for self-employment to address the rising rate of idleness and rising youth unemployment, which are adding up to insecurity in the country. This has made more youths embrace internet scams and be recruited by unknown gunmen, terrorists, bandits and prostitutes. For God’s sake? Can our society not start helping gifted and talented people to become more productive like in other climes and to check people “japaing” (migration)? I think parents have a role to play aside from our leaders. Related News 5 ways to stay healthy as you age ‘Giving children tasks above their age hinders brain development’ School of nursing admission adverts fake — Rivers govt Accepted, you want your children to become well-read getting a degree or diploma or any certificate for that matter but try to look out for their talents as they are growing up and help to nurture them to become great just as MJ’s parents did making him become King of Pop. Parents should stop forcing their children to study what they are not prepared for. Instance, you cannot force any child to study medicine when he or she is an art or commercial student. Allow God to do His work in their lives. And after all, we have seen some that studied medicine law and others but ended up doing something else like music and other stuff they never even studied. Mind you, whatever you can survive with, remain your God’s given talents. Our youths will have no excuse to indulge in crime if we begin to encourage talented and gifted people, especially the youths and insecurity will eventually reduce. Emeka Anozie is an ex-private secretary to the former Federal Minister of Information, Otunba T. O. S. Benson. He is a writer, political analyst in mass media for good governance and human rights activist. He writes from Lagos. [email protected]
It is no secret that superheroes dominate the big screen and box office. With the likes of Marvel and DC taking over cinemas throughout the last decade, moviegoers have been spoilt for choice within the comic book genre. With all the Hollywood success, it is easy to forget that there is just as much, if not more, superhero television content. Whether through live-action or animation, the small screen is a place where superhero stories thrive. 'Batman: The Animated Series' There have been many different iterations of the caped crusader, both in film and television. However, it is universal opinion that the very best Batman TV series is Batman: The Animated Series . This staple of ‘90s animation sees Bruce Wayne fight crime as The Dark Knight in Gotham City, and features all the villains fans love to hate, from Joker to the Penguin. Batman is played by Kevin Conroy, who became the definitive voice for the character over a number of movies, shows and games. 'Smallville' Superman has been a pop culture icon for years, with his origin story having been told many, many times. But what about when Superman was a teenager on Earth? Smallville follows a young Clark Kent, learning to harness his supernatural powers. He hides his identity as he tries to lead a normal teen life while protecting everybody from evil. The show depicts Clark’s growth as a man and superhero as he comes to terms with who he is and his burden. 'The Flash' He’s the fastest man on Earth and can move at the speed of lighting. The Flash had a TV series in the ‘90s and a solo movie in 2023, but CW’s The Flash series depicts the best and most popular version of the character. After being struck by lightning, Barry Allen discovers he has obtained the power of super speed. He decides to use it to fight crime in Central City. Grant Gustin’s charismatic performance has been collectively acclaimed and is matched with exciting storytelling and memorable villains. 'The Penguin' Colin Farrell was unrecognizable as Ozz Cob, a.k.a Penguin, in 2022’s The Batman , alongside Robert Pattinson . He left such a huge impression that he earned his own spin-off series, The Pengui n , which takes place after the events of the film. Ozz works his way up the ranks as a gangster and aims to seize the underworld of Gotham City. The series takes inspiration from The Sopranos and presents a gritty and violent take on the character that is grounded in reality. 'Loki' He was once an evil tyrant, but Loki, the God of Mischief, eventually became one of the most beloved characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Known for his trickery and unpredictability, Tom Hiddleston made the character a fan favorite, so it’s no surprise he got his own series. Loki sees the titular character come across the TVA, who protects the Sacred Timeline and unleashes havoc over the multiverse. Weird, creative, and bold, Loki is arguably the best Marvel Disney+ show. 'Daredevil' The Daredevil movie released in 2003 failed to impress fans and critics, but luckily, Netflix rectified the issue and gave viewers the top-tier version of the character and world they deserved. Matt Murdoch is a lawyer in New York City and also navigates daily life being blind. By night, he fights crime as Daredevil. With its dark tone, Daredevil makes for one of Marvel’s best vigilantes. Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio are perfectly cast, with Kingpin stealing the show. 'Legion' Legion is a trippy sci-fi thriller that follows David Haller, a character from the X-Men comics. He has lived his life as a diagnosed schizophrenic and is admitted to a psychiatric facility. After encountering one of his fellow patients, he realizes that he may not be ill after all and instead possesses great power. Legion is not your typical superhero series, with its unconventional storytelling, psychological elements, and unique visuals. It’s the perfect show for those sick of the usual superhero fanfare. 'Peacemaker' Peacemaker, played by John Cena , was one of the MVPs of 2021’s The Suicıde Squad and got a titular series. The titular anti-hero is back after the events of that movie and is forced to join a new black ops squad. Like The Su ı cide Squad , Peacemaker is darkly funny and satirical. It offers a less sanitized version of the comic book genre, featuring nudity, cursing, and a very high and bloody body count. Cena proves himself to be a reliable and endearing action star. 'Wonder Woman' Before Gal Gadot took the reins of the character in the DCEU, Wonder Woman was known to all as Lynda Carter in the ‘70s. In the Wonder Woman series, a U.S. soldier crashes on an island inhabited by women. When Diana Prince rescues him and learns of the ongoing war in the human world, she decides to help save humanity. With her iconic spin transformation and outfit, Carter became a retro pop culture icon. The series is unabashedly campy and represents a bygone era for superheroes. 'Watchmen' Zack Snyder gave fans his cinematic version of Watchmen in 2009, and 10 years later, HBO reimagined it as a miniseries. In a world where masked vigilantes are treated as criminals by the government, a group decides to rebel while others of their kind try to stop them before chaos is created. This Watchmen is very different from Snyder’s vision in that it is less stylized and cartoonish, going for a more realistic feel. It explores intriguing political themes and features stellar performances from Regina King and her co-stars. 'The Boys' Superheroes are supposed to be role models and clean-cut good guys, right? Well, that’s not the case in superhero satire The Boys . In a world where superheroes are as influential as celebrities and politicians, many of them abuse their powers. A group of vigilantes, known as The Boys, set out to expose their dirty secrets and misuse of power. The show revels in its explicit nature, featuring extreme gore, sex, nudity, language, and drug use. It’s essentially an anti-hero show in itself. 'Invincible' Along with The Boys , Prime Video has another hit adult superhero show on its hands, Invincible . This animated series follows seventeen-year-old Mark Grayson, whose father is Omni-Man, the most powerful superhero on Earth. Mark begins to develop powers of his own, leading in his father’s footsteps but also learns there may be something more sinister behind his father’s legacy. The series doesn’t shy away from gore and dark material, while also being irreverent and quirky. 'Teen Titans' Batman’s famous sidekick, Robin, leads his own show in Teen Titans alongside a bunch of other teenage superheroes. While trying to save the world, they also deal with regular issues that teens face. Joining Robin are Starfire, Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy. The series does a great job of showing Robin as a leader and how he navigates his life without Batman, accompanied by exciting action and vibrant animation. While kids spin-off series Teen Titans Go! is perfectly cute, this is where it’s really at. 'Gotham' Gotham is another live-action series from the world of Batman. It starts with Detective James Gordon's origin story. While investigating Thomas and Martha Wayne’s murder, he becomes acquainted with their orphaned son and future caped crusader, Bruce. James Gordon isn’t the only character who gets the origin story treatment. The series also explores the beginnings of many other Batman characters, such as Catwoman, Penguin, Joker, and Riddler. 'Batman' Before Keaton, Bale, Clooney, Kilmer or Affleck, there was Adam West as Batman in the original ‘60s series. Along with sidekick Robin, Batman fights classic villains like Mr. Freeze and more eccentric ones like King Tut. Everything about Batman is over-the-top and campy, representing a more innocent time for superheroes. Batman himself remains serious despite the silliness around him, and onomatopoeia words like "POW!," "BANG!" and "KAPOW!" loudly fill the screen during the show’s comical fight scenes. 'Justice League' The Justice League movie didn’t go down too well with audiences, so it’s lucky that there’s an excellent Justice League animated series to make up for it. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and Martian Manhunter make up the powerful supergroup who keep a watchful eye on Earth and protect it from otherworldly threats. The show deeply and equally explores each member’s origins and journey, making them easy to invest in. 'X-Men '97' X-Men ‘97 is a long belated revival of X-Men: The Animated Series from the ‘90s, picking up from where that much-loved series ended. The X-Men are a group of mutants who band together to protect a world that vilifies and fears them. The series features all the classic characters like Professor X, Magneto, Jean Grey, Wolverine, and Cyclops. It’s an action-packed blast from the past that adds more depth to the original series but is also watchable as a stand-alone. 'WandaVision' WandaVision was the first Marvel Cinematic Universe television series to hit Disney+ and set the bar high for the number of shows to follow. In the town of Westview, Wanda Maximoff and Vision lead an idyllic suburban life, hiding the fact that Wanda has cast a hex on the town to create her own fake reality. Blending different sitcom styles with superhero drama, WandaVision is one of the most unique projects released by the MCU and is full of intrigue and mystery. 'Young Justice' Along with Teen Titans , DC released another series about young superheroes trying to find their way through life, fighting crime, and growing up. Young Justice sees a group of teen superhero proteges try to establish themselves as members of the Justice League as part of an apprentice team organized by the Justice League itself. The series features lesser-known heroes like Superboy, Miss Martian, and Kid Flash and collects new members, like Blue Beetle, along the way. 'The Powerpuff Girls' Sugar, spice, and everything nice, are the key ingredients that make up The Powerpuff Girls . This heavily loved Cartoon Network series follows Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup. They are three little girls with superpowers, created by Professor Utonium, who protect the city of Townsville from evil. There is a lot of nostalgia associated with The Powerpuff Girls , as those who grew up with the series often choose which Powerpuff Girl represents their personality best. Alyssa De Leo is a freelance writer based in Melbourne, Australia. She has studied both media and screenwriting, and has had her work screened at the Melbourne International Film Festival. She loves writing about film and television just as much as she loves creating her own projects and stories.
Marta's magic helped get the Pride to Saturday's NWSL title game against the Washington SpiritWith technical prowess and considerable style, Marta danced around two sliding defenders, outwitted a goalkeeper and calmly scored as another player rushed forward in desperation to stop her. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * With technical prowess and considerable style, Marta danced around two sliding defenders, outwitted a goalkeeper and calmly scored as another player rushed forward in desperation to stop her. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? With technical prowess and considerable style, Marta danced around two sliding defenders, outwitted a goalkeeper and calmly scored as another player rushed forward in desperation to stop her. It was more Marta Magic. That goal last weekend helped propel the Orlando Pride into Saturday’s National Women’s Soccer League championship game against the Washington Spirit. Barbra Banda also scored in the Pride’s 3-2 semifinal victory over the Kansas City Current. While Banda has had an incredible first season with the Pride, captain Marta has been the talisman that has helped lead the team in its remarkable turnaround this year. The last time the Pride were in the NWSL playoffs was in 2017 — Marta’s first year with the club. But this season they nearly went undefeated, going 23 games without a loss to start the season before losing 2-0 to the Portland Thorns with just two regular-season games left. “I think because of the way that we did it, during this season, from beginning to now, it’s something very special that I’ve never had before with any other club that I’ve played for,” Marta said. “Plus year by year, we see in America, strong competition. This is the best league in the world. And you never know what’s going to happen, and it’s hard to keep winning the games, being in the first place almost like the whole season. That’s why it’s really different and so special.” Marta’s goal was the latest gasp-inducing moment in a stellar career filled with them. Known by just her first name, the 38-year-old is a six-time FIFA world player of the year. “Let’s see if tomorrow I can do something similar — or even better,” Marta said on Friday. Her teammate Kylie Strom chimed in: “That was the greatest goal I’ve ever witnessed, hands down.” Appropriate. Earlier this year, FIFA announced that the best goal in women’s soccer each year would earn the Marta Award. In a lighthearted moment the day before the title match, Marta was asked if she thought it was possible she might give the award to herself. “You guys need to decide, because who votes for the best goal in the year? It’s you. It’s the people in the public. So it should be really interesting, like Marta’s Award goes to Marta!” she said with a laugh. Marta has played in six World Cups for Brazil and played this summer in her sixth Olympics, winning a silver medal after falling in the final to the United States. She previously said this would be her final year with the national team. But since then Brazil was named the host of the 2027 Women’s World Cup. “I had a conversation with my coach, the national team coach, and I was really clear about playing in 2027. I told him it’s not my goal anymore,” she said. “But I’m always available to help the national team. And if they think I still can do something during this preparation for the World Cup, yeah, I would be happy to help them.” Marta’s club career started in Brazil when she was just 16. She has also played in Sweden and in the U.S. professional women’s leagues that came before the NWSL. With nine regular-season goals, Marta has had one of her best seasons since she joined the Pride. “I can never pick a side, I never pick favorites — but I love to see this for Marta,” U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. “Marta is someone we all like, admire and are grateful for. And that goal was just like prime Marta at her best. And so grateful for and thankful for her that she got the opportunity with another game with her team.” The Pride went 18-2-6 this season, clinching the NWSL Shield for the first trophy in club history. Orlando also set a record with 60 regular-season points to finish atop the standings. 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. “We are sitting top of the table, but I think there still are a lot of doubters. I think there’s people out there who say, maybe this was a one-off season,” Strom said. “But we’re here to prove them all wrong. So I think we do carry a bit of that underdog mentality still with us.” The second-seeded Spirit advanced to the title match at Kansas City’s CPKC Stadium last weekend on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw against defending champions Gotham FC. The Spirit’s roster includes Trinity Rodman, a standout forward who formed the so-called “Triple Espresso” trio with Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith for the United States at the Olympics. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Advertisement Advertisement
NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.
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