download casino games A rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z, whose company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFL’s entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show, will not affect the league’s relationship with the music mogul. “We’re aware of the civil allegations and Jay-Z’s really strong response to that,” NFL (National Football League) commissioner Roger Goodell said on Wednesday after the conclusion of the league’s winter meetings. “We know the litigation is happening now. From our standpoint, our relationship is not changing with them, including our preparations for the next Super Bowl.” A woman who previously sued musician Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 when she was 13 years old, amended the lawsuit on Sunday to include a new allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, said the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. The 24-time Grammy Award winner called the allegations “idiotic” and “heinous in nature” in a statement released by Roc Nation. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. Kendrick Lamar will perform the Super Bowl halftime show at The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9. Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins will serve as co-executive producers of the halftime show. Beyonce, who is married to Jay-Z, will perform at halftime of the Baltimore Ravens-Houston Texans game at Christmas. “I think they’re getting incredibly comfortable not just with the Super Bowl but other events they’ve advised us on and helped us with,” Mr Goodell said. “They’ve been a big help in the social justice area to us on many occasions. They’ve been great partners.”Kings fire coach Mike Brown less than halfway through his 3rd season, AP source says The Sacramento Kings have fired coach Mike Brown less than halfway through his third season with the team mired in a five-game losing streak, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the firing hadn’t been announced by the team. ESPN first reported the firing. Brown won NBA Coach of the Year in his first season in 2022-23, when he helped Sacramento end the longest playoff drought in NBA history at 16 seasons. But Sacramento lost in the play-in tournament last year and was off to a 13-18 start this season. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

CHICAGO (AP) — Sam Darnold threw for 90 of his 330 yards in overtime to set up Parker Romo’s game-ending 29-yard field goal, and the Minnesota Vikings outlasted the Chicago Bears 30-27 on Sunday after giving up 11 points in the final 22 seconds of regulation. Darnold threw two touchdown passes, Jordan Addison caught eight passes for a career-high 162 yards and a touchdown, and T.J. Hockenson had 114 yards receiving for the Vikings (9-2), who remained one game behind Detroit in the rugged NFC North. Caleb Williams threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns for the Bears (4-7), who lost their fifth straight and fell to 5-18 in one-possession games under coach Matt Eberflus, who is 14-31 in 2 1/2 seasons. Minnesota appeared to have the game in hand, leading 27-16 with 1:56 left after Romo kicked a 26-yard field goal. But the Bears weren’t finished. Deandre Carter made up for that led to a touchdown in the third quarter with a 55-yard kickoff return to the 40. Williams took it from there, capping an eight-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Keenan Allen. A 2-point conversion pass to DJ Moore made it 27-24 with 22 seconds remaining. The Bears recovered the onside kick and Williams hit Moore over the middle for a 27-yard gain to the 30 before spiking the ball. Cairo Santos made a 48-yard field goal as time expired. Chicago won the coin toss, but Williams was sacked for a 12-yard loss on second down, leading to a three-and-out. The Vikings took over at the 21, and Darnold led a 10-play drive, overcoming a sack and two penalties. Darnold connected with Hockenson for a 29-yard completion that put the ball on the 9. He took a knee and then Romo nailed the winner. Darnold surpassed his previous season high of 19 touchdown passes with a 2-yarder to Addison on the first play of the second quarter, and he made it 14-7 with a 5-yard score to Jalen Nailor late in the first half. He completed 22 of 34 passes. Aaron Jones ran for 106 yards and a score for the VIkings. Williams was 32 of 47 with a 103.1 passer rating in his second straight solid performance since Thomas Brown replaced the fired Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator. Moore caught seven passes for 106 yards and a touchdown, and Allen added 86 yards receiving and the late TD. Injuries Vikings: LB Ivan Pace Jr. (hamstring) and LT Cam Robinson (foot) left in the first quarter. ... Darnold missed two plays after he was hit by Gervon Dexter Sr. on a pass play with about 6 1/2 minutes. Up next Vikings: Host Arizona next Sunday. Bears: Visit Detroit on Thanksgiving. ___ AP NFL:Super Micro Computer 's stock soared more than 30% on Nov. 19 after it appointed a new independent auditor and submitted a compliance plan to Nasdaq to avoid a potential delisting. Those announcements addressed its two pressing issues: the departure of its auditor Ernst & Young in October, and a delayed filing for its 10-K report, which could cause its stock to be delisted. But even after that rally, Supermicro's stock remains 76% below its all-time high from this March. The server maker's shares are still being weighed down by concerns about its sliding gross margins, competition from bigger server makers like Dell Technologies and Hewlett Packard Enterprise , and troubling allegations of inflated revenues from a prolific short seller. Its delayed annual report and loss of Ernst & Young seemed to support that bearish thesis, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly getting ready to probe Supermicro's business. Supermicro's stock looks dirt cheap at 8 times forward earnings , but it will likely trade at that discount until it fully resolves its accounting and regulatory issues. So instead of betting on Supermicro's long-shot turnaround, investors would probably be better off sticking with these two millionaire-maker blue chip AI stocks instead: Microsoft ( MSFT 1.00% ) and Broadcom ( AVGO 0.18% ) . The AI software leader: Microsoft Microsoft generated a total return of more than 900% over the past decade. That rally, which was mainly driven by the explosive growth of its cloud business, would have turned a $100,000 investment into more than $1 million. Microsoft turned into a growth stock again after Satya Nadella, who became its CEO in 2014, drove the company to transform its desktop-based software into cloud-based services and mobile apps. It also turned Azure into the world's second-largest cloud infrastructure platform and expanded its hardware and gaming businesses. Over the past five years, Microsoft ramped up its investments in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, and integrated the start-up's generative AI tools into its own search and cloud services. Thanks to that foresight, it tethered more businesses and consumers to its cloud ecosystem, and it gained a first-mover's advantage against Alphabet 's Google and other tech giants in the nascent generative AI market. In fiscal 2024 (which ended this June), Microsoft's AI-driven transformation boosted its total cloud revenues by 23% to $135 billion -- which represented 55% of its top line. From fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2027, analysts expect its revenue and earnings per share (EPS) to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14% and 15%, respectively. Its stock still looks reasonably valued at 28 times next year's earnings, and it will likely remain a top play on the AI market for years to come. The AI chipmaking play: Broadcom Broadcom, which was known as Avago before it took over the original Broadcom in 2016, has generated a total return of 2,300% over the past 10 years. That rally would have turned a $50,000 investment into $1.2 million. Broadcom's semiconductor business sells a broad range of chips for the mobile, wireless, networking, data storage, and industrial markets. But over the past few years, it built a massive infrastructure software business by acquiring CA Technologies, Symantec's enterprise security division, and the cloud software giant VMware. Broadcom's chipmaking and software businesses are both growing. But over the past two years, its sales of networking and optical chips for the AI-oriented data center market skyrocketed as more companies upgraded their infrastructure. For fiscal 2024 (which ended in October), it expects its sales of AI-oriented chips to roughly triple to $12 billion, or nearly a quarter of its projected sales for the full year. That rapid growth should offset its slower sales of non-AI chips and infrastructure software, which are both more sensitive to macro headwinds. From fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2026, analysts expect Broadcom's revenue to grow at a CAGR of 15% as its EPS increases at a CAGR of 124%. That earnings growth should be driven by brisk sales of AI chips and the expansion of its higher-margin software business. Its stock might seem a bit pricey at 42 times forward earnings, but its track record of smart acquisitions, high exposure to the AI market, and robust growth could justify that higher valuation.Li Auto Inc. ( NASDAQ:LI – Get Free Report )’s stock price gapped down before the market opened on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $22.60, but opened at $22.03. Li Auto shares last traded at $22.07, with a volume of 1,016,180 shares changing hands. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have weighed in on LI shares. Bank of America increased their price objective on Li Auto from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, August 29th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Li Auto from $25.50 to $29.60 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, September 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Li Auto from $21.00 to $19.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 29th. Macquarie reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $33.00 price objective (up previously from $25.00) on shares of Li Auto in a research report on Friday, October 4th. Finally, Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Li Auto from $22.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, November 4th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $33.94. Read Our Latest Report on Li Auto Li Auto Stock Performance Li Auto ( NASDAQ:LI – Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 28th. The company reported $0.14 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $4.36 billion during the quarter. Li Auto had a return on equity of 13.03% and a net margin of 7.20%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Li Auto Inc. will post 1.04 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Li Auto Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in Li Auto by 20.5% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 726,684 shares of the company’s stock valued at $12,993,000 after purchasing an additional 123,838 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in Li Auto by 2,556.7% in the 3rd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 3,630,537 shares of the company’s stock worth $93,503,000 after purchasing an additional 3,493,881 shares in the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. boosted its stake in Li Auto by 27.7% in the 3rd quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 432,988 shares of the company’s stock worth $11,106,000 after purchasing an additional 93,904 shares during the period. Ariose Capital Management Ltd bought a new position in shares of Li Auto during the third quarter worth $18,099,000. Finally, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale boosted its holdings in shares of Li Auto by 510.0% during the 1st quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 76,450 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,370,000 after purchasing an additional 63,917 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 9.88% of the company’s stock. About Li Auto ( Get Free Report ) Li Auto Inc operates in the energy vehicle market in the People's Republic of China. It designs, develops, manufactures, and sells premium smart electric vehicles. The company's product line comprises MPVs and sport utility vehicles. It offers sales and after sales management, and technology development and corporate management services, as well as purchases manufacturing equipment. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Li Auto Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Li Auto and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

JANUARY Glynis Johns, 100. A Tony Award-winning stage and screen star who played the mother opposite Julie Andrews in the classic movie “Mary Poppins” and introduced the world to the bittersweet standard-to-be “Send in the Clowns” by Stephen Sondheim. Jan. 4. David Soul, 80. The actor-singer was a 1970s heartthrob who co-starred as the blond half of the crime-fighting duo “Starsky & Hutch” and topped the music charts with the ballad “Don’t Give Up on Us.” Jan. 4. Joyce Randolph, 99. A veteran stage and television actor whose role as the savvy Trixie Norton on “The Honeymooners” provided the perfect foil to her dimwitted TV husband. Jan. 13. Jack Burke Jr., 100 . He was the oldest living Masters champion and staged the greatest comeback ever at Augusta National for one of his two majors. Jan. 19. People are also reading... Dexter Scott King, 62. He dedicated much of his life to shepherding the civil rights legacy of his parents, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Jan. 22. Charles Osgood, 91. He anchored “CBS Sunday Morning” for more than two decades, was host of the long-running radio program “The Osgood File” and was referred to as CBS News’ poet-in-residence. Jan. 23. Chita Rivera, 91. The dynamic dancer, singer and actress who garnered 10 Tony nominations, winning twice, in a long Broadway career that forged a path for Latina artists and shrugged off a near-fatal car accident. Jan. 30. FEBRUARY Carl Weathers, 76. A former NFL linebacker who became a Hollywood action movie and comedy star, playing nemesis-turned-ally Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” movies, starring with Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Predator” and teaching golf in “Happy Gilmore.” Feb. 1. Toby Keith, 62. A hit country crafter of pro-American anthems who both riled up critics and was loved by millions of fans. Feb. 5. Stomach cancer. Alexei Navalny, 47. The fiercest foe of Russian President Vladimir Putin who crusaded against official corruption and staged massive anti-Kremlin protests. Feb. 16. Jacob Rothschild, 87. The financier and philanthropist was part of the renowned Rothschild banking dynasty. Feb. 26. Richard Lewis, 76. An acclaimed comedian known for exploring his neuroses in frantic, stream-of-consciousness diatribes while dressed in all-black, leading to his nickname “The Prince of Pain.” Feb. 27. MARCH Iris Apfel, 102. A textile expert, interior designer and fashion celebrity known for her eccentric style. March 1. David E. Harris, 89. He flew bombers for the U.S. military and broke barriers in 1964 when he became the first Black pilot hired at a major U.S. airline. March 8. Eric Carmen, 74. The singer-songwriter fronted the power-pop 1970s band the Raspberries and later had soaring pop hits like “All by Myself” and “Hungry Eyes” from the hit “Dirty Dancing” soundtrack. March 11. Joe Lieberman, 82. The former U.S. senator of Connecticut nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in the disputed 2000 election and almost became Republican John McCain’s running mate eight years later. March 27. Complications from a fall. Louis Gossett Jr., 87. The first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries “Roots.” March 28. APRIL Lou Conter, 102. The last living survivor of the USS Arizona battleship that exploded and sank during the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. April 1. John Sinclair, 82. A poet, music producer and counterculture figure whose lengthy prison sentence after a series of small-time pot busts inspired a John Lennon song and a star-studded 1971 concert to free him. April 2. O.J. Simpson, 76. The decorated football superstar and Hollywood actor who was acquitted of charges he killed his former wife and her friend but later found liable in a separate civil trial. April 10. Robert MacNeil, 93. He created the even-handed, no-frills PBS newscast “The MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour” in the 1970s and co-anchored the show with his late partner, Jim Lehrer, for two decades. April 12. Faith Ringgold, 93. An award-winning author and artist who broke down barriers for Black female artists and became famous for her richly colored and detailed quilts combining painting, textiles and storytelling. April 12. Carl Erskine, 97. He pitched two no-hitters as a mainstay on the Brooklyn Dodgers and was a 20-game winner in 1953 when he struck out a then-record 14 in the World Series. April 16. Roman Gabriel, 83. The first Filipino-American quarterback in the NFL and the league MVP in 1969. April 20. MAY Dick Rutan, 85. He, along with copilot Jeana Yeager, completed one of the greatest milestones in aviation history: the first round-the-world flight with no stops or refueling. May 3. Pete McCloskey, 96. A pro-environment, anti-war California Republican who co-wrote the Endangered Species Act and co-founded Earth Day. May 8. Roger Corman, 98. The “King of the Bs” helped turn out such low-budget classics as “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Attack of the Crab Monsters” and gave many of Hollywood’s most famous actors and directors early breaks. May 9. Alice Munro, 92. The Nobel laureate was a Canadian literary giant who became one of the world’s most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history’s most honored short story writers. May 13. Dabney Coleman, 92. The mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in “9 to 5” and the nasty TV director in “Tootsie.” May 16. Morgan Spurlock, 53. The documentary filmmaker and Oscar nominee whose most famous works skewered America’s food industry. May 23. Complications of cancer. Bill Walton, 71. He starred for John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins before becoming a Hall of Fame center for his NBA career and one of the biggest stars in basketball broadcasting. May 27. JUNE Janis Paige, 101. A popular actor in Hollywood and in Broadway musicals and comedies who danced with Fred Astaire, toured with Bob Hope and continued to perform into her 90s. June 2. L ynn Conway, 86. A pioneer in the design of microchips that are at the heart of consumer electronics who overcame discrimination as a transgender person. June 9. Jerry West, 86. Selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame three times in a storied career as a player and executive, his silhouette is considered to be the basis of the NBA logo. June 12. Willie Mays, 93. The electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players. June 18. Donald Sutherland, 88. The Canadian actor whose wry, arresting screen presence spanned more than half a century of films from “M.A.S.H.” to “The Hunger Games.” June 20. Martin Mull, 80. His droll, esoteric comedy and acting made him a hip sensation in the 1970s and later a beloved guest star on sitcoms including “Roseanne” and “Arrested Development.” June 27. JULY Shelley Duvall, 75. The intrepid, Texas-born movie star whose wide-eyed, winsome presence was a mainstay in the films of Robert Altman and who co-starred in Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining.” July 11. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, 96. The diminutive sex therapist became a pop icon, media star and best-selling author through her frank talk about once-taboo bedroom topics. July 12. Shannen Doherty, 53. The “Beverly Hills, 90210” star whose life and career were roiled by illness and tabloid stories. July 13. Richard Simmons, 76. He was television’s hyperactive court jester of physical fitness who built a mini-empire in his trademark tank tops and short shorts by urging the overweight to exercise and eat better. July 13. Bob Newhart, 94. The deadpan accountant-turned-comedian became one of the most popular TV stars of his time after striking gold with a classic comedy album. July 18. Lou Dobbs, 78. The conservative political pundit and veteran cable TV host was a founding anchor for CNN and later was a nightly presence on Fox Business Network for more than a decade. July 18. Francine Pascal, 92. A onetime soap opera writer whose “Sweet Valley High” novels and the ongoing adventures of twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield and other teens captivated millions of young readers. July 28. AUGUST Susan Wojcicki, 56. A pioneering tech executive who helped shape Google and YouTube. Aug. 9. Wallace “Wally” Amos, 88. The creator of the Famous Amos cookie empire went on to become a children’s literacy advocate. Aug. 13. Gena Rowlands, 94. She was hailed as a guiding light in independent cinema as a star in groundbreaking movies by her director husband, John Cassavetes. She later charmed audiences in her son’s tear-jerker “The Notebook.” Aug. 14. Phil Donahue, 88. His pioneering daytime talk show launched an indelible television genre. Aug. 18. Ruth Johnson Colvin, 107. She founded Literacy Volunteers of America, was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and received the nation’s highest civilian award: the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Aug. 18. John Amos, 84. He starred as the family patriarch on the hit 1970s sitcom “Good Times” and earned an Emmy nomination for his role in the seminal 1977 miniseries “Roots.” Aug. 21. SEPTEMBER James Darren, 88. A teen idol who helped ignite the 1960s surfing craze as a charismatic beach boy paired off with Sandra Dee in the hit film “Gidget.” Sept. 2. James Earl Jones, 93. He overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen, eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, “The Lion King” and Darth Vader. Sept. 9. Frankie Beverly, 77. With his band Maze, he inspired generations of fans with his smooth, soulful voice and lasting anthems including “Before I Let Go.” Sept. 10. Tito Jackson, 70. One of the brothers who made up the beloved pop group the Jackson 5. Sept. 15. Maggie Smith, 89. The masterful, scene-stealing actor who won an Oscar for the 1969 film “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and gained new fans in the 21st century as the dowager Countess of Grantham in “Downton Abbey” and Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films. Sept. 27. Kris Kristofferson, 88. A Rhodes scholar with a deft writing style and rough charisma who became a country music superstar and an A-list Hollywood actor. Sept. 28. Pete Rose, 83. Baseball’s career hits leader and fallen idol who undermined his historic achievements and Hall of Fame dreams by gambling on the game he loved and once embodied. Sept. 30. Dikembe Mutombo, 58. A basketball Hall of Famer who was one of the best defensive players in NBA history and a longtime global ambassador for the game. Sept. 30. Brain cancer. OCTOBER Cissy Houston, 91. A two-time Grammy-winning soul and gospel artist who sang with Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley and other stars and knew triumph and heartbreak as the mother of singer Whitney Houston. Oct. 7. Ethel Kennedy, 96. The wife of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy raised their 11 children after he was assassinated and remained dedicated to social causes and the family’s legacy for decades thereafter. Oct. 10. Lilly Ledbetter, 86. A former Alabama factory manager whose lawsuit against her employer made her an icon of the equal pay movement and led to landmark wage discrimination legislation. Oct. 12. Liam Payne, 31. A former One Direction singer whose chart-topping British boy band generated a global following of swooning fans. Oct. 16. Died after falling from a hotel balcony. Mitzi Gaynor, 93. The effervescent dancer and actor starred as Nellie Forbush in the 1958 film “South Pacific” and appeared in other musicals with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly. Oct. 17. Phil Lesh, 84. A classically trained violinist and jazz trumpeter who found his true calling by reinventing the role of rock bass guitar as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. Oct. 25. Teri Garr, 79. The quirky comedy actor rose from background dancer in Elvis Presley movies to co-star in such favorites as “Young Frankenstein” and “Tootsie.” Oct. 29. Multiple sclerosis. NOVEMBER Quincy Jones, 91. The music titan whose vast legacy ranged from producing Michael Jackson’s historic “Thriller” album to writing prize-winning film and television scores and collaborating with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and hundreds of other recording artists. Nov. 3. Elwood Edwards, 74. He voiced America Online’s ever-present “You’ve got mail” greeting. Nov. 5. Tony Todd, 69. An actor known for his haunting portrayal of a killer in the horror film “Candyman” and for roles in many other films and television shows. Nov. 6. Bobby Allison, 86. He was founder of racing’s “Alabama Gang” and a NASCAR Hall of Famer. Nov. 9. Bela Karolyi, 82. The charismatic, if polarizing, gymnastics coach turned young women into champions and the United States into an international power in the sport. Nov. 15. Arthur Frommer, 95. His “Europe on 5 Dollars a Day” guidebooks revolutionized leisure travel by convincing average Americans to take budget vacations abroad. Nov. 18. Chuck Woolery, 83. The affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster. Nov. 23. DECEMBER George Joseph Kresge Jr., 89. He was known to generations of TV watchers as the mesmerizing entertainer and mentalist The Amazing Kreskin. Dec. 10. Fred Lorenzen, 89. A NASCAR Hall of Famer and the 1965 Daytona 500 champion. Dec. 18. Rickey Henderson, 65. The baseball Hall of Famer was the brash speedster who shattered stolen base records and redefined baseball’s leadoff position. Dec. 20. Richard Parsons, 76. One of corporate America’s most prominent Black executives who held top posts at Time Warner and Citigroup. Dec. 26. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Alyssa Ustby and Lexi Donarski scored 14 points apiece, and Ustby added 14 rebounds to lead No. 16 North Carolina to a 53-36 victory over Villanova in a semifinal game at the Women's Battle 4 Atlantis on Sunday. The Tar Heels (5-1) play Indiana in the championship game on Monday. The Hoosiers upset No. 18 Baylor 73-65 in Sunday's first semifinal. Ustby made 6 of 8 shots from the floor with a 3-pointer for North Carolina on the way to her first double-double of the season. Donarski hit 6 of 10 shots with a pair of 3-pointers. Maddie Webber led the Wildcats (4-2) with 12 points on 4-for-7 shooting from beyond the arc. Lara Edmanson pitched in with 11 points and seven rebounds. The Tar Heels held Villonova's leading scorer Jasmine Bascoe to two points after she came in averaging 16.6 per game. Bascoe missed all seven of her shots — three from distance — and made 2 of 4 at the free-throw line. Ustby had seven points and Donarski scored five to guide the Tar Heels to a 17-7 lead after one quarter. Donarski scored five more in the third quarter to help North Carolina turn a 30-18 lead at halftime into a 44-23 advantage heading to the final period. North Carolina shot 40% from the floor, made 5 of 17 from beyond the arc (29.4%) and 4 of 6 at the foul line. Villanova shot 23.5% overall but made 5 of 18 from distance (27.8%) and 7 of 10 free throws. The Tar Heels scored 15 points off of 21 Villanova turnovers. They turned it over 14 times but it led to only three points for the Wildcats. North Carolina outscored Villanova 30-14 in the paint and never trailed. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketballVladimir_Timofeev/iStock via Getty Images Last month, I made some money shorting shares of beleaguered data storage solutions provider Quantum Corporation or “Quantum” ( NASDAQ: QMCO ) following the company's disappointing Q2/FY2025 report : In the press release , management blamed lower-than-expected revenues and profitability Massively Outperform in Any Market Value Investor's Edge provides the world's best energy, shipping, and offshore market research. Even during turbulent market conditions, our long-only models have outperformed the S&P 500 by more than 30% YTD. We also offer income-focused coverage geared towards investors who prefer lower-risk firms with steady dividend payouts. Our 8-year track record proves the ability of our analyst team to outperform across all market conditions. Join VIE now to access our latest top picks and model portfolios. I am mostly a trader engaging in both long and short bets intraday and occasionally over the short- to medium term. My historical focus has been mostly on tech stocks but over the past couple of years I have also started broad coverage of the offshore drilling and supply industry as well as the shipping industry in general (tankers, containers, drybulk). In addition, I am having a close eye on the still nascent fuel cell industry. I am located in Germany and have worked quite some time as an auditor for PricewaterhouseCoopers before becoming a daytrader almost 20 years ago. During this time, I managed to successfully maneuver the burst of the dotcom bubble and the aftermath of the world trade center attacks as well as the subprime crisis. Despite not being a native speaker, I always try to deliver high quality research to followers and the entire Seeking Alpha community. Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- The Board of Directors of NewMarket Corporation (NYSE: NEU) (the “Company”) approved a new share repurchase program authorizing management to repurchase up to $500 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock through December 31, 2027, as market conditions warrant and covenants under the Company’s existing debt agreements permit. The new repurchase program will replace the Company’s existing $500 million repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors in October 2021, which will expire on December 31, 2024. Under the new program, the Company may conduct share repurchases in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, through block trades or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The new program does not require the Company to acquire any specific number of shares and may be terminated or suspended at any time. NewMarket Corporation is a holding company operating through its subsidiaries Afton Chemical Corporation (Afton), Ethyl Corporation (Ethyl), and American Pacific Corporation (AMPAC). The Afton and Ethyl companies develop, manufacture, blend, and deliver chemical additives that enhance the performance of petroleum products. AMPAC is a manufacturer of specialty materials primarily used in solid rocket motors for the aerospace and defense industries. The NewMarket family of companies has a long-term commitment to its people, to safety, to providing innovative solutions for its customers, and to making the world a better place. Some of the information contained in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although NewMarket’s management believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, but are not limited to, the availability of raw materials and distribution systems; disruptions at production facilities, including single-sourced facilities; hazards common to chemical businesses; the ability to respond effectively to technological changes in our industries; failure to protect our intellectual property rights; sudden, sharp, or prolonged raw material price increases; competition from other manufacturers; current and future governmental regulations; the loss of significant customers; termination or changes to contracts with contractors and subcontractors of the U.S. government or directly with the U.S. government; failure to attract and retain a highly-qualified workforce; an information technology system failure or security breach; the occurrence or threat of extraordinary events, including natural disasters, terrorist attacks, wars and health-related epidemics; risks related to operating outside of the United States; political, economic, and regulatory factors concerning our products; the impact of substantial indebtedness on our operational and financial flexibility; the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; resolution of environmental liabilities or legal proceedings; limitation of our insurance coverage; our inability to realize expected benefits from investment in our infrastructure or from acquisitions, or our inability to successfully integrate acquisitions into our business; the underperformance of our pension assets resulting in additional cash contributions to our pension plans; and other factors detailed from time to time in the reports that NewMarket files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024, which are available to shareholders at www.newmarket.com . You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made by NewMarket in the foregoing discussion speaks only as of the date on which such forward-looking statement is made. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect the Company. We have no duty to, and do not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements in this discussion after the date hereof, except as may be required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you should keep in mind that the events described in any forward-looking statement made in this discussion, or elsewhere, might not occur. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210821417/en/ CONTACT: FOR INVESTOR INFORMATION CONTACT: William J. Skrobacz Investor Relations Phone: 804.788.5555 Fax: 804.788.5688 Email: investorrelations@newmarket.com KEYWORD: VIRGINIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CHEMICALS/PLASTICS ENERGY MANUFACTURING OIL/GAS SOURCE: NewMarket Corporation Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 05:01 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 05:02 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241210821417/enApple Lines Up Lukewarm iOS 18.2.1 Update, With iOS 18.3 on DeckDALLAS , Dec. 12, 2024 /CNW/ -- The board of directors today declared a quarterly dividend of $0.2775 per share on the company's common shares, payable February 3, 2025 . Key Takeaways : The board of directors of AT&T (NYSE:T) today declared a quarterly dividend of $0.2775 per share on the company's common shares. The board of directors also declared quarterly dividends on the company's 5.000% Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A and the company's 4.750% Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C. The Series A dividend is $312.50 per preferred share, or $0.3125 per depositary share. The Series C dividend is $296.875 per preferred share, or $0.296875 per depositary share. Dividends on the common stock and Series A and Series C preferred stock are payable on February 3, 2025 , to stockholders of record of the respective shares at the close of business on January 10, 2025 . To automatically receive AT&T financial news by email, please subscribe to email alerts . About AT&T We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com . Investors can learn more at investors.att.com . © 2024 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T and the Globe logo are registered trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/att-declares-dividends-on-common-and-preferred-shares-302330821.html SOURCE AT&T

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lowered its position in Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF ( NYSEARCA:VOT – Free Report ) by 2.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 22,059 shares of the company’s stock after selling 520 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ holdings in Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF were worth $5,371,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Planning Capital Management Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Spectrum Wealth Counsel LLC purchased a new stake in Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF in the second quarter valued at $32,000. Eastern Bank acquired a new stake in Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF during the 3rd quarter worth about $37,000. GAMMA Investing LLC purchased a new position in shares of Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $43,000. Finally, Angeles Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF by 212.5% in the 3rd quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 225 shares of the company’s stock valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 153 shares during the period. Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF Stock Up 1.3 % Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF stock opened at $268.67 on Friday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $249.53 and its 200 day moving average price is $237.54. The firm has a market cap of $15.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.99 and a beta of 1.15. Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF has a 52 week low of $201.72 and a 52 week high of $269.07. Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF Profile Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded share class of Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund, which employs a passive management or indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the MSCI US Mid Cap Growth Index (the Index). The Index is a diversified index of growth stocks of medium-size United States companies. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VOT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF ( NYSEARCA:VOT – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Rape allegation against Jay-Z will not affect NFL relationship, says chiefThrivent Financial for Lutherans raised its position in Glaukos Co. ( NYSE:GKOS – Free Report ) by 3.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 43,152 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,339 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans owned about 0.08% of Glaukos worth $5,622,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Point72 Asset Management L.P. bought a new stake in Glaukos in the second quarter valued at about $67,460,000. Primecap Management Co. CA grew its stake in shares of Glaukos by 43.9% in the 2nd quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 1,220,815 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $144,483,000 after purchasing an additional 372,180 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its position in shares of Glaukos by 148.3% during the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 412,376 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock worth $48,805,000 after buying an additional 246,322 shares during the period. Iron Triangle Partners LP boosted its stake in Glaukos by 75.6% in the 1st quarter. Iron Triangle Partners LP now owns 429,525 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $40,500,000 after buying an additional 184,919 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Driehaus Capital Management LLC grew its position in Glaukos by 24.0% in the second quarter. Driehaus Capital Management LLC now owns 803,650 shares of the medical instruments supplier’s stock valued at $95,112,000 after acquiring an additional 155,653 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 99.04% of the company’s stock. Insider Transactions at Glaukos In related news, Director Gilbert H. Kliman sold 3,000 shares of Glaukos stock in a transaction on Monday, September 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.67, for a total transaction of $392,010.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 32,336 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,225,345.12. The trade was a 8.49 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . Also, COO Joseph E. Gilliam sold 2,275 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.97, for a total value of $316,156.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 102,169 shares in the company, valued at $14,198,425.93. The trade was a 2.18 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 6.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Glaukos Stock Up 2.3 % Glaukos ( NYSE:GKOS – Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The medical instruments supplier reported ($0.28) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.48) by $0.20. The business had revenue of $96.70 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $91.50 million. Glaukos had a negative return on equity of 18.99% and a negative net margin of 42.43%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 23.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted ($0.50) earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Glaukos Co. will post -1.96 earnings per share for the current year. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth GKOS has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on Glaukos from $130.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 3rd. Piper Sandler set a $140.00 price target on shares of Glaukos in a report on Thursday, October 17th. StockNews.com raised shares of Glaukos from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, October 21st. Needham & Company LLC lifted their target price on shares of Glaukos from $131.00 to $137.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price target on Glaukos from $145.00 to $152.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 14th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $134.55. Get Our Latest Analysis on Glaukos Glaukos Company Profile ( Free Report ) Glaukos Corporation, an ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical technology company, focuses on the development of novel therapies for the treatment of glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases. It offers iStent and iStent inject W micro-bypass stents that enhance aqueous humor outflow inserted in cataract surgery to treat mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Glaukos Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Glaukos and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

The Tar Heels (5-1) play Indiana in the championship game on Monday. The Hoosiers upset No. 18 Baylor 73-65 in Sunday's first semifinal. Ustby made 6 of 8 shots from the floor with a 3-pointer for North Carolina on the way to her first double-double of the season. Donarski hit 6 of 10 shots with a pair of 3-pointers. Maddie Webber led the Wildcats (4-2) with 12 points on 4-for-7 shooting from beyond the arc. Lara Edmanson pitched in with 11 points and seven rebounds. The Tar Heels held Villonova's leading scorer Jasmine Bascoe to two points after she came in averaging 16.6 per game. Bascoe missed all seven of her shots — three from distance — and made 2 of 4 at the free-throw line. Ustby had seven points and Donarski scored five to guide the Tar Heels to a 17-7 lead after one quarter. Donarski scored five more in the third quarter to help North Carolina turn a 30-18 lead at halftime into a 44-23 advantage heading to the final period. North Carolina shot 40% from the floor, made 5 of 17 from beyond the arc (29.4%) and 4 of 6 at the foul line. Villanova shot 23.5% overall but made 5 of 18 from distance (27.8%) and 7 of 10 free throws. The Tar Heels scored 15 points off of 21 Villanova turnovers. They turned it over 14 times but it led to only three points for the Wildcats. North Carolina outscored Villanova 30-14 in the paint and never trailed. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes officeWith $1000 in This Dogecoin (DOGE) and Ripple (XRP) Alternative, You Could Hit $1M By 2026The Kansas City Chiefs bounced back from their first defeat of the season with a dramatic 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers. The reigning Super Bowl champions saw their run of 15 straight wins ended by the Buffalo Bills last week, but got back to winning ways thanks to star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. After a late Chuba Hubbard touchdown and two-point conversion had made it 27-27, the Chiefs got the ball back with less than two minutes on the clock and a 33-yard run from Mahomes helped set up Spencer Shrader for a game-winning field goal. Mahomes finished the game with 269 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to Noah Gray in the first half. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs scored two touchdowns as the Detroit Lions beat the Indianapolis Colts 24-6 to improve their record to 10-1, matching that of the Chiefs. David Montgomery also ran for a score before having to leave the game with a shoulder injury. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended a four-game losing streak with a 30-7 win over the New York Giants, who “mutually agreed” to terminate the contract of quarterback Daniel Jones earlier this week. Jones’ replacement Tommy DeVito was sacked four times while opposite number Baker Mayfield ran for a touchdown and completed 24 of 30 pass attempts for 294 yards. Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker also ran for touchdowns in a one-sided contest. The Dallas Cowboys ended their five-game losing streak with a remarkable 34-26 win over the Washington Commanders, with 30 points scored in the final three minutes. KaVontae Turpin’s 99-yard kick-off return for a touchdown looked to have sealed victory for the Cowboys, only for the Commanders to respond with a field goal before getting the ball back with 33 seconds remaining. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin sprinted 86 yards through the Dallas defence for a touchdown, only for Austin Seibert to miss the extra point. The Commanders tried an onside kick and Juanyeh Thomas returned it 43 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw four touchdown passes as the Miami Dolphins cruised to a 34-15 win over the New England Patriots, while the Tennessee Titans pulled off a surprise 32-27 victory at the Houston Texans. The Minnesota Vikings improved to 9-2 thanks to a 30-27 overtime win against the Chicago Bears, Parker Romo kicking the decisive field goal from 29 yards.

Sir Keir Starmer has been warned by a trade union not to impose “blunt headcount targets” for the size of the Civil Service but Government sources insisted there would be no set limit, although the number “cannot keep growing”. Departments have been ordered to find 5% “efficiency savings” as part of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spending review, potentially putting jobs at risk. The size of the Civil Service has increased from a low of around 384,000 in mid-2016, and the Tories went into the general election promising to reduce numbers by 70,000 to fund extra defence spending. Any reduction under Labour would be more modest, with the Guardian reporting more than 10,000 jobs could be lost. A Government spokesman said: “Under our plan for change, we are making sure every part of government is delivering on working people’s priorities — delivering growth, putting more money in people’s pockets, getting the NHS back on its feet, rebuilding Britain and securing our borders in a decade of national renewal. “We are committed to making the Civil Service more efficient and effective, with bold measures to improve skills and harness new technologies.” Mike Clancy, general secretary of the Prospect trade union said: “We need a clear plan for the future of the civil service that goes beyond the blunt headcount targets that have failed in the past. “This plan needs to be developed in partnership with civil servants and their unions, and we look forward to deeper engagement with the government in the coming months.” A Government source said: “The number of civil servants cannot keep growing. “But we will not set an arbitrary cap. “The last government tried that and ended up spending loads on more expensive consultants.” The Government is already risking a confrontation with unions over proposals to limit pay rises for more than a million public servants to 2.8%, a figure only just over the projected 2.6% rate of inflation next year. Unions representing teachers, doctors and nurses have condemned the proposals. In the face of the union backlash, Downing Street said the public sector must improve productivity to justify real-terms pay increases. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It’s vital that pay awards are fair for both taxpayers and workers.” Asked whether higher pay settlements to staff would mean departmental cuts elsewhere, the spokesman said: “Real-terms pay increases must be matched by productivity gains and departments will only be able to fund pay awards above inflation over the medium-term if they become more productive and workforces become more productive.” TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “It’s hard to see how you address the crisis in our services without meaningful pay rises. “And it’s hard to see how services cut to the bone by 14 years of Tory government will find significant cash savings. “The Government must now engage unions and the millions of public sector workers we represent in a serious conversation about public service reform and delivery.”BALTIMORE (AP) — Azmar Abdullah's 21 points off of the bench led Boston University to a 69-62 victory against Howard on Sunday. Abdullah went 7 of 9 from the field (5 for 7 from 3-point range) for the Terriers (3-4). Kyrone Alexander added 10 points while going 2 of 9 from the floor, including 2 for 5 from 3-point range, and 4 for 4 from the line while they also had seven rebounds. Ben Palacios went 3 of 5 from the field (3 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with nine points. Marcus Dockery finished with 17 points and two steals for the Bison (3-3). Blake Harper added 14 points, seven rebounds and three steals for Howard. Anwar Gill had 10 points and two steals. An 11-0 run in the first half gave Boston University a five-point lead. The teams entered the break with Boston University ahead 26-21, while Michael McNair led their club in scoring with eight points. Abdullah's 18-point second half helped Boston University close out the seven-point victory. NEXT UP Boston University takes on Sacred Heart at home on Sunday, and Howard visits UMBC on Monday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Sinter Plant Market to Grow by USD 1.3 Billion from 2023-2028, Report on AI's Impact on Market Trends - TechnavioLea Miller-Tooley hopped off a call to welcome the Baylor women’s basketball team to the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, where 80-degree temperatures made it easy for the Bears to settle in on Paradise Island a week before Thanksgiving. About 5,000 miles west of the Caribbean nation, similar climes awaited Maui Invitational men's teams in Hawaii. They’ve often been greeted with leis, the traditional Hawaiian welcome of friendship. College basketball teams and fans look forward to this time of the year. The holiday week tournaments feature buzzworthy matchups and all-day TV coverage, sure, but there is a familiarity about them as they help ward off the November chill. For four decades, these sandy-beach getaways filled with basketball have become a beloved mainstay of the sport itself. “When you see (ESPN’s) ‘Feast Week’ of college basketball on TV, when you see the Battle 4 Atlantis on TV, you know college basketball is back,” said Miller-Tooley, the founder and organizer of the Battle 4 Atlantis men's and women's tournaments. “Because it’s a saturated time of the year with the NFL, college football and the NBA. But when you see these gorgeous events in these beautiful places, you realize, ‘Wow, hoops are back, let’s get excited.’” MTE Madness The Great Alaska Shootout was the trend-setting multiple-team event (MTE) nearly five decades ago. The brainchild of late Alaska-Anchorage coach Bob Rachal sought to raise his program’s profile by bringing in national-power programs, which could take advantage of NCAA rules allowing them to exceed the maximum allotment of regular-season games if they played the three-game tournament outside the contiguous 48 states. The first edition, named the Sea Wolf Classic, saw N.C. State beat Louisville 72-66 for the title on Nov. 26, 1978. The Maui Invitational followed in November 1984, borne from the buzz of NAIA program Chaminade’s shocking upset of top-ranked Virginia and 7-foot-4 star Ralph Sampson in Hawaii two years earlier. Events kept coming, with warm-weather locales getting in on the action. The Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Cancun Challenge in Mexico. The Cayman Islands Classic. The Jamaica Classic. The Myrtle Beach Invitational joining the Charleston Classic in South Carolina. Numerous tournaments in Florida. Some events have faded away like the Puerto Rico Tipoff and the Great Alaska Shootout, the latter in 2017 amid event competition and schools opting for warm-weather locales. Atlantis rising Miller-Tooley’s push to build an MTE for Atlantis began as a December 2010 doubleheader with Georgia Tech beating Richmond and Virginia Tech beating Mississippi State in a prove-it moment for a tournament’s viability. It also required changing NCAA legislation to permit MTEs in the Bahamas. Approval came in March 2011; the first eight-team Atlantis men’s tournament followed in November. That tournament quickly earned marquee status with big-name fields, with Atlantis champions Villanova (2017) and Virginia (2018) later winning that season’s NCAA title. Games run in a ballroom-turned-arena at the resort, where players also check out massive swimming pools, water slides and inner-tube rapids surrounded by palm trees and the Atlantic Ocean. “It’s just the value of getting your passport stamped, that will never get old,” Miller-Tooley said. “Watching some of these kids, this may be their first and last time – and staff and families – that they ever travel outside the United States. ... You can see through these kids’ eyes that it’s really an unbelievable experience.” ACC Network analyst Luke Hancock knows that firsthand. His Louisville team finished second at Atlantis in 2012 and won that year’s later-vacated NCAA title, with Hancock as the Final Four's most outstanding player. “I remember (then-coach Rick Pitino) saying something to the effect of: ‘Some of you guys might never get this opportunity again. We’re staying in this unbelievable place, you’re doing it with people you love,’” Hancock said. “It was a business trip for us there at Thanksgiving, but he definitely had a tone of ‘We’ve got to enjoy this as well.’” Popular demand Maui offers similar vibes, though 2024 could be a little different as Lahaina recovers from deadly 2023 wildfires that forced the event's relocation last year. North Carolina assistant coach Sean May played for the Tar Heels’ Maui winner in 2004 and was part of UNC’s staff for the 2016 champion, with both teams later winning the NCAA title. May said “you just feel the peacefulness” of the area — even while focusing on games — and savors memories of the team taking a boat out on the Pacific Ocean after title runs under now-retired Hall of Famer Roy Williams. “Teams like us, Dukes, UConns – you want to go to places that are very well-run,” May said. “Maui, Lea Miller with her group at the Battle 4 Atlantis, that’s what drives teams to come back because you know you’re going to get standard A-quality of not only the preparation but the tournament with the way it’s run. Everything is top-notch. And I think that brings guys back year after year.” That’s why Colorado coach Tad Boyle is so excited for the Buffaloes’ first Maui appearance since 2009. “We’ve been trying to get in the tournament since I got here,” said Boyle, now in his 15th season. And of course, that warm-weather setting sure doesn’t hurt. “If you talk about the Marquettes of the world, St. John’s, Providence – they don’t want that cold weather,” said NBA and college TV analyst Terrence Oglesby, who played for Clemson in the 2007 San Juan Invitational in Puerto Rico. “They’re going to have to deal with that all January and February. You might as well get a taste of what the sun feels like.” Packed schedule The men’s Baha Mar Championship in Nassau, Bahamas, got things rolling last week with No. 11 Tennessee routing No. 13 Baylor for the title. The week ahead could boast matchups befitting the Final Four, with teams having two weeks of action since any opening-night hiccups. “It’s a special kickoff to the college basketball season,” Oglesby said. “It’s just without the rust.” On the women’s side, Atlantis began its fourth eight-team women’s tournament Saturday with No. 16 North Carolina and No. 18 Baylor, while the nearby Baha Mar resort follows with two four-team women’s brackets that include No. 2 UConn, No. 7 LSU, No. 17 Mississippi and No. 20 N.C. State. Then come the men’s headliners. The Maui Invitational turns 40 as it opens Monday back in Lahaina. It features second-ranked and two-time reigning national champion UConn, No. 4 Auburn, No. 5 Iowa State and No. 10 North Carolina. The Battle 4 Atlantis opens its 13th men’s tournament Wednesday, topped by No. 3 Gonzaga, No. 16 Indiana and No. 17 Arizona. Michigan State Hall of Famer Tom Izzo is making his fourth trip to Maui, where he debuted as Jud Heathcote’s successor at the 1995 tournament. Izzo's Spartans have twice competed at Atlantis, last in 2021. “They’re important because they give you something in November or December that is exciting,” Izzo said. Any drawbacks? “It’s a 10-hour flight,” he said of Hawaii.

Michael Strahan, the Giants legend and NFL analyst, didn't hold back when discussing his former team's woes, especially after the release of QB Daniel Jones. Amidst the organizational turmoil, Strahan found a silver lining for Giants fans by pointing out the struggles of their city rivals, the Jets, with Aaron Rodgers as quarterback. During his FOX NFL on Sunday monologue, he criticized the Giants' decision to part ways with Jones, who had been benched temporarily, despite him signing a hefty four-year $160 million contract with $92 million guaranteed just two years prior. NFL legend signs deal with Michael Strahan despite not playing since 2012 Terry Bradshaw told to 'think about retirement' after FOX NFL Sunday apology Strahan called for the Giants to look at young quarterback prospects and remained hopeful about the team's future through the NFL Draft. However, he couldn't help but take a jab at the Jets, who are sitting at a 3-8 record with Rodgers this season. "There's one thing you can feel good about as a Giants fan," Strahan declared on air, "The Jets suck too this year. They both missed on quarterbacks." His comment was a clear swipe at Rodgers, whose performance has dipped below his usual standards across various statistics this year. Rodgers is posting a 63.4 competition percentage — the lowest since his 2019 season. With a QB rating of 88.9 this season, it stands as his career's lowest in any of his 20 NFL seasons where he has played more than three games. DON'T MISS: Shannon Sharpe launches scathing attack on Aaron Rodgers after Jets loss Terry Bradshaw and Michael Strahan in stitches at FOX NFL Sunday dig at Netflix NFL owners question Tom Brady's Patrick Mahomes interview after Las Vegas deal The Super Bowl XLII champion believes the New York Giants' draft strategy, holding a projected top-five pick, could be their ticket to success. Early mock drafts suggest they might target talents like Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, Miami's Cam Ward, or Alabama's Jalen Milroe. Commenting on the Giant's decisions, he remarked: "When you kept Jones, you missed out on [Michael] Penix Jr, [JJ] McCarthy, Bo Nix. You need a QB to win, no matter how many great players you have. In this upcoming draft, this is a big draft for the Giants with guys coming up in the draft. We got a shot." Declaring the choice to release Barkley and stick with Jones a significant oversight, Strahan called the Eagles' running back an MVP candidate. Regardless of the widely seen Hard Knocks critique, Strahan acknowledged that GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll have had positive effects. "Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll have gotten a lot of flack, but they've done some good things in New York ," praised Strahan. "Was this a big mistake that went on with Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley? Absolutely. But some of the things they did get right were [drafting] Thibodeaux, [Wan'Dale] Robinson, [Tyrone] Tracy, and [Malik] Nabers."It looks like the great MAGA love story of Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle has come to an end, with the oldest son of President-elect Donald Trump seen holding hands with his reputed new girlfriend, Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson, during a dinner date in her hometown Monday. Photos of Trump Jr. and Anderson, walking hand-in-hand while leaving a swanky Palm Beach restaurant, offer “incontrovertible proof” that the soon-to-be first son has moved on from Guilfoyle , his long-time fiancée and partner in pro-Donald Trump campaigning, the Daily Mail reported . Trump Jr., 46, has replaced Guilfoyle, 55, with Anderson, known as a 37-year-old “it girl” with a natural style of glamour, the Daily Mail has concluded. The New York Post also confirmed Tuesday that Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle had split — shortly before the incoming president announced that he had appointed the former Fox News host to serve as ambassador to Greece in his new White House term. “For many years, Kimberly has been a close friend and ally,” Trump posted on Truth Social Tuesday afternoon, the Post and other outlets reported. “Her extensive experience and leadership in law, media, and politics along with her sharp intellect make her supremely qualified to represent the United States, and safeguard its interests abroad.” Guilfoyle, also the ex-wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, said Tuesday that she was “honored to accept” Trump’s nomination, which requires Senate approval. Trump Jr. added on X : “I am so proud of Kimberly. She loves America and she always has wanted to serve the country as an Ambassador.” Any suggestion that Trump was sending Guilfoyle abroad to make way for his son’s new romance with Anderson was met with scorn by the president-elect’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, the New York Times reported . Cheung said such speculation was “sexist.” Whatever led to Guilfoyle’s appointment, the “loved-up” Trump Jr. and Anderson spent nearly two hours at the Palm Beach restaurant Buccan Monday night, the Daily Mail reported. The restaurant is some three miles from Anderson’s West Palm Beach townhouse, where the two “have been spending days and nights,” the Daily Mail added. But if Trump Jr. has been staying at Anderson’s place, that means that Guilfoyle could be holing up in the mansion about 20 miles north that she and Trump Jr. purchased together after they moved to Florida in 2021. Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle announced their “secret” engagement in early 2022, with the former San Francisco first lady sharing an Instagram photo showing her sporting a massive, sparkling diamond on the fourth finger of her left hand. She declared in a caption, “I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together.” Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle began dating in 2018, shortly after Trump Jr.’s first wife, Vanessa, filed for divorce to end their 12-year marriage. Trump Jr. and Vanessa share five children. As a couple, Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle, a former San Francisco prosecutor, became known as “the prom king and queen of MAGA” politics as they campaigned together around the country on his father’s behalf. At donor events, they also were known for alluding to their playful sex life , while Guilfoyle often liked to introduce herself to the crowd — or appear at Trump’s Jan. 6, 2021 rally preceding the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol — doing a sexy dance . Now comes the idea that Trump Jr. has ended his once red-hot romance with Guilfoyle. Then again, speculation has been brewing for months that they were no longer a couple. The Daily Mail first reported in September that his “dalliance” with Anderson had become an “open secret” in elite Republican circles in and around ritzy Palm Beach. The Daily Mail reported that Guilfoyle was said to be coming to terms that her fiancé had been “fooling around” with another woman. “Kimberly either didn’t know about Bettina — or didn’t want to know,” an insider told The Daily Mail in September. “Did she hear whispers that Don Jr. was fooling around with someone else? Probably.” At the time, the Daily Mail also revealed that Trump Jr. and Anderson had been seen “canoodling” and “kissing” during an “intimate brunch” in August. Breakup speculation grew on on election night, when Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump family observers noted a physical distance between Guilfoyle and Trump Jr., as they joined the rest of the family and other top supporters on stage in Florida to celebrate Trump’s return to the White House. Trump Jr. could even be seen in video, trying to avoid standing next to Guilfoyle several times before finally settling on turning his back on her, the Daily Beast reported. But Trump Jr. wasn’t the only person who may have been trying to avoid Guilfoyle that night, according to another Daily Beast report. She seemed to be getting “major side-eye” from Trump Jr.’s oldest daughter, Kai Trump. Though just 17, Kai has emerged as an enthusiastic MAGA influencer and leading voice in the young, up-and-coming generation of America’s new ruling dynasty. She’s also created a major presence on social media by sharing slickly produced photos and videos about the fun she has hanging out with her beloved, president-elect “grandpa.” In those posts, Kai has given off major signals as to who’s in and who’s out in the family’s inner circle, according to the Daily Beast. From Kai’s perspective, Guilfoyle looked to be on the outs with the “side-eye” she appeared to give her. If GuIlfoyle hasn’t “won her would-be stepdaughter over, it could be an uphill battle for her future as Mrs. Don Jr.,” the Daily Beast said. Two days later, Kai Trump posted a curious family photo on X — that didn’t include Guilfoyle. The photo was taken at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Palm Beach resort on election night, and the teenager captioned it “the whole squad.” The photo showed the future 47th president surrounded by all five of his adult children and three of their partners, along with Kai and her four siblings. But Guilfoyle was notably absent from the “squad” photo. More or less in her place was Vanessa Trump, who stood with her ex-husband and their five children. Speaking of Vanessa Trump, Anderson bears some resemblance to her, with both women sporting slender model looks and long, light-colored hair. Anderson often posts photos of herself modeling designer outfits in glamorous settings. She cheekily refers to herself on Instagram as “Your typical stay at home mom ... only I don’t do household chores... or have a husband... or have kids.” Anderson and Vanessa Trump also appeared to be pretty friendly when the socialite attended an “intimate” gathering of Trump supporters in Jupiter, Florida over the summer, the Daily Mail said in another report. Photos and videos shared on social media showed Anderson sitting close to both Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump. Kai Trump also was seen in the background, sharing a hug with her father and chatting with her mother and with Anderson. Again, Guilfoyle didn’t appear in any of these images. The Daily Mail reported Tuesday that Guilfoyle has not been photographed with Trump Jr. since Nov. 12. Meanwhile, Trump Jr. and Anderson looked very much like an established couple while leaving the restaurant in Palm Beach Monday night, according to the Daily Mail. They left the restaurant with another couple, and Trump Jr. could be heard laughing before he and Anderson said goodbye to the others and headed across the street to his pickup truck, while still holding hands. The first report about Trump Jr.’s alleged romance with Anderson came about four months after he proclaimed his love for Guilfoyle as the couple marked six years together. “Happy 6 year anniversary @kimberlyguilfoyle thanks for always being there no matter what the haters are throwing our way. I love you,” Trump Jr. gushed in an Instagram post. To mark the occasion, Guilfoyle also wrote on Instagram : “You are my best friend and my soulmate. Here’s to us and out incredibly blessed life we share together. Looking forward to creating new memories and enjoying more adventures together.”