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Opposition Fighters Are at Damascus' Gates. Who Are They and What Now?Missed kicks. Poor tackling. Costly penalties. Week 12 was filled with sloppy play around the NFL, leading to some upsets and surprising outcomes. Jayden Daniels nearly led Washington to an improbable comeback down 10 in the final two minutes against Dallas only to fall short because Austin Seibert's extra point sailed wide left. After a field goal and successful onside kick, Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin on an 86-yard catch-and-run touchdown to bring the Commanders within one point with 21 seconds remaining. But Seibert's point-after attempt failed and the Cowboys returned the ensuing onside kick for a touchdown to seal a 34-26 victory. Special teams were atrocious for both teams. Seibert also missed his first extra point and Washington allowed KaVontae Turpin's 99-yard kickoff return for a score earlier in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys missed a field goal, had another blocked and had a punt blocked. "What a wild special teams moment of blocked punts, kicks, kickoff returns, blocked field goals, just a number of things going to that spot," Commanders coach Dan Quinn said. Washington (7-5) was a 10 1/2-point favorite over the undermanned Cowboys (4-7) but ended up losing a third straight game. The Houston Texans were 8-point favorites against the lowly Tennessee Titans and let the game come down to Ka'imi Fairbairn missing a 28-yard field goal that would have tied it with just under two minutes left. C.J. Stroud threw two interceptions, was sacked four times and the Texans (7-5) committed 11 penalties, including an illegal shift that negated a go-ahead 33-yard TD pass to Nico Collins on the drive that ended with Fairbairn's miss in the 32-27 loss. The Titans (3-8) averaged just 17 points per game before putting 32 on the scoreboard against Houston's defense that entered No. 4 in the league. "We didn't do anything well enough to win this game," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "Out of all the positives that we did have, there were way too many negatives. Too many negative plays. Score, get a penalty, get touchdowns called back. Get penalties on special teams. Just way too many negative plays defensively, like unexplainable explosives for touchdowns. We just didn't play good across the board." The San Francisco 49ers didn't have quarterback Brock Purdy, star edge rusher Nick Bosa and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams against Green Bay. That was no excuse for their undisciplined performance. The Niners committed nine penalties and their tackling was shoddy in a 38-10 loss to the Packers. The defending NFC champions are 5-6 with a trip to Buffalo (9-2) coming up. They're still only one game behind Seattle and Arizona in the NFC West. "I'm really not concerned right now about how many guys were missing. We didn't play good enough, so that's not a factor. But, when you are missing some guys, you do have to be better. When you have those penalties and we didn't stop the run like we did and we had those three turnovers in the second half, that's how you get embarrassed." Coming off their first loss of the season, the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs needed Patrick Mahomes' heroics on the final drive to beat Carolina 30-27. Mahomes ran 33 yards to set up Spencer Schrader's 31-yard field goal as time expired. Kansas City had 10 penalties, including a pass interference that gave the Panthers (3-8) another chance to make the 2-point conversion that tied the game with 1:46 remaining. On defense, the Chiefs (10-1) suddenly shaky unit gave up 334 total yards against Bryce Young and an offense that entered last in the NFL. "We've got to do better. We're doing good in the red zone but that's only a third of the field," Chiefs safety Bryan Cook said. "We will go back and look at the film to see what we're doing week to week, and see the tendencies that we're giving up, and just move forward from there. At the end of the day, we're all vets in the room for the most part. ... got to go back to the drawing board and see what we're doing and correct it from there." The Vikings allowed the Bears to recover an onside kick with 21 seconds left and Caleb Williams followed with a 27-yard pass to D.J. Moore to set up Cairo Santos' tying 48-yard field goal. But Minnesota won in overtime, 30-27. The Chiefs and Vikings overcame their mistakes in narrow victories. The Commanders, Texans and 49ers couldn't. They have to be better down the stretch to make a playoff run. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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Conor McGregor makes new public statement and UFC comeback vow after losing civil caseThe transfer portal has been open since Dec. 9, sparking a frenzy of player movement as thousands of college football athletes seek new programs. However, one player who intended to enter has found himself in an unusual and unresolved situation. Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas announced his plans to transfer earlier this month, yet the Badgers have reportedly refused to release him into the portal. The situation remains unclear, but it has drawn significant attention as the Dec. 28 portal closing deadline approaches. Lucas took to social media on Friday to address the matter. “I still intend to transfer, but at the moment Wisconsin is refusing to release me into the transfer portal,” Lucas said. “I’ve met all NCAA requirements of the transfer portal process. I’ve yet to be put into the transfer portal by Wisconsin, which is impeding my ability to speak with schools.” This scenario is unprecedented in the transfer portal era. According to Badger Extra 's Colten Bartholomew, Lucas reportedly signed an agreement with Wisconsin, though details about the parties involved remain undisclosed. Lucas initially announced his plans to transfer on Dec. 19 and has since drawn interest from multiple programs. However, as Bartholomew reported, Wisconsin’s student-athlete handbook states the compliance office is required to enter a player's information into the portal within two business days of receiving the necessary paperwork. It remains unclear when Lucas filed his paperwork, but six business days have passed since his initial announcement. No NCAA bylaw appears to permit the Badgers to delay or block his entry if all requirements are met. Should Lucas eventually enter the portal, he would become the Badgers’ 24th outgoing transfer during this cycle and their sixth cornerback departure, according to 247Sports. Lucas played in 11 games for Wisconsin this season, recording 18 tackles, one sack, one interception, and two pass breakups. A highly touted prospect out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Lucas has been linked to the Miami Hurricanes, who are looking to bolster their defensive backfield after struggle with that position this season. As the portal closing deadline looms, the uncertainty surrounding Lucas’ situation raises questions about the process and Wisconsin’s handling of player transfers.'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson diagnosed with Alzheimer's, family confirms

Tuttle using bye week to get healthy, working toward next week’s battle against Bethany in semisAnge Postecoglou has revealed Tottenham are looking into why so many players have suffered injury setbacks this season. Ben Davies is the latest to fall into that category, with the Welsh international initially primed to return for Sunday’s visit of Wolves but no longer available. Davies suffered a setback in training this week, which means Spurs could be without a fit centre-back after Radu Dragusin was forced off in the latter stages of Thursday’s 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest with an ankle issue. Ange with a team news update ahead of Wolves on Sunday 🗣️ — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) Postecoglou is already without first-choice central defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven after both failed to make it through their comeback fixture against Chelsea on December 7. “Yeah, that’s been our major problem this year. Guys who are coming back from injury rather than us losing players as such,” Postecoglou said. “We’re looking at those things and why they’re happening. It’s certainly happened too often this year where guys have come back and they’re the ones who are missing. “I think just about all of them, apart from Vic (Guglielmo Vicario), are recurrences of an injury. “Even with Romero, it was a different injury but it’s still a guy coming back, so it’s something we’re looking at.” There could be good news on the horizon with attackers Mikey Moore and Richarlison expected to return to training next week. Richarlison suffered his own setback in November when his short-lived return after a calf issue was cut short when he injured the same area against Aston Villa. Moore, meanwhile, has been sidelined by a virus for the best part of two months but the 17-year-old could provide a much-needed spark in the new year when Newcastle visit on January 4. Postecoglou said: “Him and Richy are in the final phases. Next week they can start training. We’ve got a bit of a gap before the Newcastle game. “The plan is Mikey and Richy come back into first-team training next week.” Anticipated returns for Moore and Richarlison will fail to help Postecoglou against Wolves, with makeshift centre-back Archie Gray potentially set to partner up with fellow midfielder Yves Bissouma if Dragusin cannot recover. Pressed on the issue of fixture scheduling, with Spurs definitely missing eight players for Sunday’s fixture, Postecoglou said: “It is challenging. “All clubs are going to have to get their heads around it and authorities are going to have to get their heads around it. “One of two things need to happen: either you somehow change the fixture schedule, which doesn’t seem feasible, or you allow clubs bigger squads. Then you have other issues with that, as well. “The attrition rate you’re seeing and it’s not just us. We’re going through a particularly badly moment. Newcastle went through it last year and it affected them pretty badly. They were obviously in the Champions League as well and probably didn’t have the squad to cope with it. “It hits certain clubs at different times and is probably becoming more prevalent, and for all of us it’s a challenge as to how we navigate this process to keep our players healthy. “It’s not just a physical thing, it’s a mental thing. For us it’s been constant since August and we’re not even halfway through the year. And they’re not going to get a break now, so these things we’re constantly assessing.”

With his two-yard game-winning touchdown reception on Sunday night, Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz sent two teams to the playoffs and completely changed the outlook of the NFC playoff picture. He not only punched the Commanders' first ticket to the postseason since the 2020 season, but the win also clinched the NFC West title for the Los Angeles Rams and eliminated the Seattle Seahawks. First, here is the play where Ertz hauled in the winning pass from rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. DANIELS TO ERTZ THE @COMMANDERS ARE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS! pic.twitter.com/OzzGe0upei The clinching scenarios were easy for the Commanders. A win or a tie on Sunday night put them in the playoffs. They got it. The Rams were impacted by this because the NFC West was going to come down to a strength of victory tiebreaker between them and the Seahawks. A Commanders win or tie would have locked that tiebreaker in for the Rams. They got it. That means even if the Seahawks beat the Rams in their Week 18 contest, the Rams would still have the tiebreaker. As for the Falcons, the situation is now all of a sudden a lot more difficult. Had they won Sunday's game, they would have controlled the NFC South race and only needed a Week 18 win to clinch the division. Now, they not only need to beat the Carolina Panthers, but they also need to hope the New Orleans Saints can beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Farmers' Stir: No Response From Centre, Farmers Set To Resume 'Delhi Chalo' Foot-March On December 8 (VIDEO)

Opposition fighters are at Damascus' gates. Who are they and what now?

The Ethiopian Capital Markets Authority (ECMA) has adopted a new directive on recognition and supervision of self-regulatory organizations or SROs as part of its push to establish a regulated stock market in the country. The directive says SROs “play a valuable role in developing and enforcing standards of conducts for market participants, fostering fair competition and reducing regulatory burdens” on the ECMA. The 2021 Capital Market Proclamation empowers the Authority to institute procedures to recognize and delegate certain powers and duties to SROs. “We’re proud to announce that the Recognition and Supervision of Self-Regulatory Organizations Directive has officially been approved by the Ministry of Justice,” the Authority says. It is now registered under Directive Number 1031/2024. Regulator of the soon to be launched capital markets says “this groundbreaking directive sets the stage for entities recognized as SROs by the 2021 proclamation. It also applies to Securities Exchanges and Securities Depository and Clearing Companies in relation to their functions as SROs. “This milestone marks a crucial step in fostering a well-regulated, vibrant capital market ecosystem,” ECMA states. The directive outlines application procedures and specific regulation requirements that entities have to meet to get recognition as a Self-regulating organization. It also mandates SROs to admit only licensed capital market service providers as members, and have a “fair transparent procedure” for admitting new members. SRO will also prioritize protecting investors, promoting market integrity and reduction of systemic risks, and professionalism by developing and issuing rules and regulations that govern the behaviors and activities of its members and capital issuers. It also sets operating requirements for its members, enforces its rules on its members, conducts market surveillance and investigations, and other duties granted by the Capital Market Authority. This is the second directive that the Authority enacted in two weeks in preparation for the launching of Ethiopia’s securities exchange. Ethiopia’s Securities exchange is expected to launch its operations next month. It “will be the very first modernized securities exchange in our country’s history,” Mamo Mihretu, Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), said during the recent Capital Market Summit. The summit held earlier in mid November saw authorities announce more steps towards establishing a regulated stock market in the country. Among them was the enactment of a directive governing initial public offerings (IPOs) and trading of shares and securities. ECMA Director General Hanna Tehelku said the directive has come into force as of Thursday Nov 14, 2024. The Central Bank is also closing on setting up a dedicated Central Securities Depository – a core infrastructure element needed for the recording and trading of securities such as equities and bonds. It is scheduled to be ready for operations next month. “And now... we are on the cusp of launching in just a matter of weeks a full-fledged stock market in the form of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange,” NBE Governor Mamo said. “This marks a truly momentous occasion and a genuine turning point in Ethiopia’s financial history.” The Exchange will transform Ethiopia’s primary bond market to secondary, creating a stock market ecosystem for trading of various types of shares and securities. Ethio Telecom’s $255 million IPO is scheduled to be the first to be traded on the exchange when it officially starts operating next month.Gentler approach to IVF, specialised care: How fertility clinic is helping couples who are trying to conceiveWooley and Cottle each score 32, Kennesaw State knocks off Brewton-Parker 112-77

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Connecticut couple has been charged in Minnesota with being part of a shoplifting ring suspected of stealing around $1 million in goods across the country from the upscale athletic wear retailer Lululemon. Jadion Anthony Richards, 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, 45, both of Danbury, Connecticut, were charged this month with one felony count of organized retail theft. Both went free last week after posting bail bonds of $100,000 for him and $30,000 for her, court records show. They're due back in Ramsey County District Court in St. Paul on Dec. 16. According to the criminal complaints, a Lululemon investigator had been tracking the pair even before police first confronted them on Nov. 14 at a store in suburban Roseville. The investigator told police the couple were responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses across the country, the complaints said. They would steal items and make fraudulent returns, it said. Police found suitcases containing more than $50,000 worth of Lululemon clothing when they searched the couple's hotel room in Bloomington, the complaint said. According to the investigator, they were also suspected in thefts from Lululemon stores in Colorado, Utah, New York and Connecticut, the complaint said. Within Minnesota, they were also accused of thefts at stores in Minneapolis and the suburbs of Woodbury, Edina and Minnetonka. The investigator said the two were part of a group that would usually travel to a city and hit Lululemon stores there for two days, return to the East Coast to exchange the items without receipts for new items, take back the new items with the return receipts for credit card refunds, then head back out to commit more thefts, the complaint said. In at least some of the thefts, it said, Richards would enter the store first and buy one or two cheap items. He'd then return to the sales floor where, with help from Lawes-Richards, they would remove a security sensor from another item and put it on one of the items he had just purchased. Lawes-Richards and another woman would then conceal leggings under their clothing. They would then leave together. When the security sensors at the door went off, he would offer staff the bag with the items he had bought, while the women would keep walking out, fooling the staff into thinking it was his sensor that had set off the alarm, the complaint said. Richards' attorney declined comment. Lawes-Richards' public defender did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday. “This outcome continues to underscore our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable,” Tristen Shields, Lululemon's vice president of asset protection, said in a statement. "We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industrywide issue.” The two are being prosecuted under a state law enacted last year that seeks to crack down on organized retail theft. One of its chief authors, Sen. Ron Latz, of St. Louis Park, said 34 states already had organized retail crime laws on their books. “I am glad to see it is working as intended to bring down criminal operations," Latz said in a statement. "This type of theft harms retailers in myriad ways, including lost economic activity, job loss, and threats to worker safety when crime goes unaddressed. It also harms consumers through rising costs and compromised products being resold online.” Two Minnesota women were also charged under the new law in August. They were accused of targeting a Lululemon store in Minneapolis.La Liga: Bellingham, Mbappe strike as Real Madrid beat Girona 3-0

With Australia proposing a ban on social media access for children under 16 years of age to protect their mental health and well-being, NT KURIOCITY seeks Gen Z’s opinions on this decision This idea recognises that social media can have both good and bad effects on young people. Limiting access might reduce problems like cyberbullying, sleep issues, harmful content, addiction, and poor focus. However, enforcing such a ban would be difficult. It could also affect education, as technology plays a big role in learning, and it might make it harder for some kids to access important information. Instead of a full ban, better solutions could include adding age-appropriate features, teaching online safety, regulating platforms, and encouraging parents to guide their kids. A balanced approach can keep children safe while allowing them to use social media in a positive way.” – Rachel Merwyn, Candolim While there are valid concerns about the impact of social media on young people’s mental health, a complete ban may be too severe. Despite the good intentions behind the proposal, it could be overly restrictive. Completely depriving children of social media may prevent them from developing essential digital skills in an increasingly connected society. Also, social media offers educational and social benefits. A more balanced approach, such as age-specific platforms and parental controls, could be a better solution. In today’s world, basic business ideas and start-ups are often closely tied to social media.” – Akruti Naik, Vasco Reducing social media use at a young age can help reduce problems like cyberbullying, pressure to look a certain way, and spending too much time on screens. This step could help children grow up healthier and build better relationships with others.” – Warren Daniel Da Costa, Verna Social media often exposes young users to cyberbullying, unrealistic standards, and addictive behaviours, all of which can harm their emotional development. By restricting access, children can focus on building real-life relationships, pursuing hobbies, and developing critical thinking skills. This move encourages a balanced upbringing and reduces youngsters’ dependency on virtual validation. While implementing such a restriction may pose challenges, the long-term benefits for children’s psychological growth make this decision a positive and necessary intervention.” – Kruti Chavan, Vasco Social media has both advantages and disadvantages, but its negative influence on the current generation is increasingly evident. It often promotes an environment of comparison and judgment, which can harm mental health. This is particularly apparent among the younger generation, who adopt slang and change their behaviour to follow trends. Also, they are vulnerable to online predators and need protection. It is disheartening to see how social media has eroded children’s innocence and taken away their childhood. I believe the limit of 16 could be slightly lowered. However, I support this law as it gives young people the chance to fully experience their childhood.” – Zeba Shaikh, Merces Banning social media access for children under the age of 16 is a positive step. Today’s children are exposed to an overwhelming amount of short-form content, which often leads to reduced attention spans and distractions in their daily lives. Restricting social media usage could help them focus better, develop healthier cognitive skills, and engage more meaningfully with their surroundings. While some might argue against imposing such restrictions, I believe this measure would greatly benefit their mental well-being and overall development.” – Aashutosh Prabhu, Mapusa Australia’s plan to ban social media for children under 16 has serious downsides, even though it seems protective. For older teens, this ban could stop them from exploring opportunities in business, creativity, and education. Keeping them away from modern technology would limit their chances to learn and grow. Also, some tech-savvy kids might find ways to get around the ban, which could lead them to unsafe or unregulated websites. A better solution would be to create safer online spaces and teach kids how to use the internet responsibly.” – Tanvi Tulshidas Kankonkar, SancoaleSwanson: UCLA coaching carousel – Bieniemy out, Sunseri in? – is worth a spinWashington Commanders win in overtime to clinch play-off berth

Ralph-Beyer puts up 20, Sacred Heart defeats Manhattanville 100-60(Bloomberg) -- Canada’s largest banks all are poised to pay their employees more in variable compensation for 2024, with stock-market favorites Royal Bank of Canada, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and National Bank of Canada increasing bonus pay the most. The country’s Big Six lenders set aside 12.2% more on average in fiscal 2024 compared with the previous year, with bonus pay rising across the board despite a generally challenging environment for dealmaking and capital markets during the year. While there was decent activity in debt capital markets this year, there was a dearth of Canadian initial public offerings — a dry spell that finally ended when Groupe Dynamite Inc. went public last month — and mergers and acquisitions were muted for most of the year. Still, that didn’t lead to a wave of job cuts, said Bill Vlaad, managing partner and chief executive officer of Toronto-based recruitment firm Vlaad & Co. “We haven’t had a bloodbath in 2024,” he said. “Things haven’t been good, but there’s been really good management of personnel. Yes, there’s been some cleaning up and yes, there’s been a little restructuring, but for the most part it hasn’t been catastrophic.” Incentive pay at Canadian banks is based on performance, and the figures the firms report in their quarterly filings reflect the amount reserved, not paid out. The fiscal year ended on Oct. 31, but bonuses are typically distributed in December. The trend in Canada echoes what bankers south of the border are expecting. Investment bankers, traders and asset- and wealth-management professionals are all poised to see increases in year-end incentive pay reaching into the double digits, according to a report last month from Johnson Associates Inc. Bankers who help companies sell debt may see the biggest gains, with payouts set to rise as much as 35%, the compensation consultant said. Variable compensation is particularly important to capital-markets professionals — including investment bankers, analysts, salespeople and traders — who typically count on a large portion of their take-home pay coming from bonuses. But employees in other divisions, such as wealth management, insurance and asset management, also receive incentive pay on top of their base salaries. RBC, CIBC, National Bank Bonus pay at Royal Bank and CIBC increased by 16.2% and 19.1%, respectively, in 2024. While Royal Bank’s dominant capital-markets franchise saw profit increase by more than 10% last year, net income at CIBC’s equivalent unit was little changed. Canada’s fifth-largest bank has been on a winning streak in recent quarters, however, with its stock routinely hitting new all-time highs on strong financial performance. “We pay competitively and have a pay-for-performance philosophy that aligns compensation to our bank’s financial and non-financial performance,” CIBC spokesperson Tom Wallis said in an email, adding that non-financial metrics including environmental, social and governance progress are also a factor. Royal Bank Chief Executive Officer Dave McKay cited the bank’s strong capital-markets results on an earnings call this week and noted the lender has a “robust pipeline that continued to build as we progressed through 2024.” National Bank, which has also enjoyed a run-up in its shares for most of the year and is poised for growth if it completes its acquisition of Canadian Western Bank as planned, increased bonus pay by 13.9% during the year. Its capital-markets business saw profits increase about 19% in fiscal 2024. “Our variable compensation is in line with revenue growth and the solid performance of our teams across business lines,” spokesperson Alexandre Guay said. BMO, Scotiabank Bank of Montreal and Bank of Nova Scotia both boosted the size of their bonus pools — with increases of 5.1% and 4.2%, respectively — despite capital-markets profit declining at both companies. The slump at Bank of Montreal was largely due to higher provisions for potentially bad loans — an issue that has plagued the bank overall — while Scotiabank said in its latest quarterly report that profit at its capital-markets business slipped on higher expenses. “Our compensation framework is designed to deliver long-term shareholder performance, is a reflection of business results and is competitive with the market,” said Bank of Montreal spokesperson Jeff Roman. Scotiabank employees are its “most important asset and recognizing them through performance-based compensation is one of the many ways we reward their valued contributions,” Chief Financial Officer Raj Viswanathan said. “This year’s all-bank performance-based compensation reflects early progress against our strategy amidst continued challenging market conditions, and confidence in our execution,” he said, referring to a strategy the bank put in place about a year ago. Toronto-Dominion Bonuses were up a healthy 10.2% at Toronto-Dominion Bank, despite a rough year for the lender, which reached a $3.1 billion settlement with US authorities over money-laundering charges in October. It said Thursday it’s suspending its guidance on growth as it undertakes a sweeping business review. Still, on the capital-markets front, the bank is enjoying momentum following its takeover of US investment bank Cowen Inc. But its 45% profit increase for the division is outsize partly because last year’s figure included significant costs related to the Cowen integration. “This year’s incentive compensation reflects a combination of factors including year-over-year annual salary increases and higher business specific incentives reflecting strong performance in wholesale banking (including a full fiscal year of TD Cowen) and wealth management,” spokesperson Elizabeth Goldenshtein said in an email. --With assistance from Melissa Shin. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com ©2024 Bloomberg L.P.