ORLANDO, Fla. — It was a season of Iowa State comebacks. And fittingly, that's how it ended for the Cyclones. Game MVP Rocco Becht scored from a yard out on fourth-and-goal with 56 seconds remaining and No. 18 Iowa State capped the best season in school history by rallying past No. 15 Miami 42-41 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday. Becht finished with 270 passing yards and three touchdowns for Iowa State (11-2), a program that entered this season — the 133rd year of Cyclone football — never having won more than nine games in a year. “If you look at this team, it’s really who they’ve been all year,” coach Matt Campbell said. The win marked the fourth time in 2024 that Iowa State got a winning score with less than two minutes remaining. For this one, the Cyclones rallied from a 10-point deficit in the second half — with Miami quarterback Cam Ward watching after a record-setting first half — to get win No. 11. Carson Hansen rushed for a pair of touchdowns for Iowa State. And as the MVP, Becht got the honor of choosing which flavor Pop-Tart was to be sacrificed in a giant toaster. “There's only one,” Becht said. “Cinnamon roll.” Ward passed for three touchdowns in his final college game, while Damien Martinez rushed for a career-high 179 yards for Miami (10-3), which dropped its sixth straight bowl game and lost three of four games to end the season — those three losses by a combined 10 points. "Disappointed that we couldn't pull out a victory," Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “These guys have always fought and always competed and this was no exception. ... It's painful. It's as painful as it gets when you don't win. But there's a lot to build on.” NEBRASKA 20, BOSTON COLLEGE 15: Dylan Raiola passed for 228 yards and a touchdown as Nebraska built an 18-point lead through three quarters and hung on for its first bowl victory since 2015. Raiola hit Emmett Johnson with a 13-yard TD pass on fourth down with 3:02 remaining in the third quarter for a 20-2 edge and the Cornhuskers (7-6) held on for the win at Yankee Stadium. Raiola completed 23 of 31 passes in front of a sizable Nebraska crowd that celebrated the team's first bowl win since topping UCLA in the 2015 Foster Farms Bowl and first winning season since 2016. Raiola completed passes to 10 receivers, including Jahmal Banks, who finished with four receptions for 79 yards. Grayson James finished 25 of 40 for 296 yards as Boston College (7-6). MILITARY BOWL EAST CAROLINA 26, NC STATE 21: Rahjai Harris broke free for an 86-yard touchdown run with 1:33 remaining, giving East Carolina a pulsating victory over NC State in the Military Bowl in a game that descended into a wild brawl in the final minute in Annapolis, Md. Harris had 220 of ECU's 326 yards rushing, and his sensational sprint near the end of the game gave the Pirates (8-5) the lead back after they'd blown a 13-point advantage in the fourth. But after an interception by Dontavius Nash ended NC State's final drive, East Carolina's attempt to run out the clock was interrupted by large-scale fight between the two in-state rivals — who play each other again to start next season. Three players for ECU and five for NC State (6-7) were ejected. ECU trailed 21-20 and took over the ball at its own 14, and after two incompletions, the Pirates decided to run the ball with Harris. He had a good hole to the left for a big gain, then cut back past the final defender on his way to the end zone. ARIZONA BOWL MIAMI (OHIO) 43, COLORADO STATE 17: Kevin Davis had a career-high 148 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just nine carries, and Jordan Brunson also ran for two TDs to help Miami (Ohio) wrapped the season at 9-5 by beating Colorado State (8-5) in Tucson, Ariz. Davis scored on a 4-yard run with 12:35 left in the third quarter, Matt Salopek forced a fumble that was recovered by Silas Walters and quarterback Brett Gabbert's first rushing touchdown of the season — a 10-yard scramble that capped a 47-yard drive — made it 22-3 about 2 minutes later. UCONN 27, NORTH CAROLINA 14: Joe Fagnano threw for 151 yards and two touchdowns to help the Huskies (9-4) beat the Tar Heels (6-7) at Fenway Park, embarrassing incoming coach Bill Belichick's new team in his old backyard. Mel Brown rushed for 96 yards for UConn and Skyler Bell caught three passes for 77 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown that gave the Huskies a 10-0 first-quarter lead. Chris Culliver returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, but that would be Carolina's only production in the first half. TCU 34, LOUISIANA 3: Josh Hoover passed for four touchdowns as the Horned Frogs (9-4) routed the Ragin' Cajuns (10-4) in Albuquerque. Hoover was 20 for 32 for 252 yards with an interception. Eric McAlister had eight catches for 87 yards and a TD for the Horned Frogs. TCU's defense also had a solid day, holding Louisiana-Lafayette to 209 yards, including 61 on the game's final possession. LATE FRIDAY LAS VEGAS BOWL USC 35, TEXAS A&M 31: Jayden Maiava threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Ford with eight seconds left to give Southern California the victory over Texas A&M (8-5) in the Las Vegas Bowl. A graduate of Liberty High School in nearby Henderson and a transfer from UNLV, Maiava helped the Trojans (7-6) overcome a 17-point deficit.ace is wild hat haus 。

Victor Wembanyama is a man of many talents on the basketball court, but he proved in a New York City park he's also trying to be talented on the chessboard too. On Saturday morning, hours after the San Antonio Spurs star had 19 points, seven rebounds and six blocks in a 96-87 win over the Brooklyn Nets , Wembanyama posted on social media asking if anyone wanted to meet him at the popular southwest corner Washington Square Park in Manhattan to play chess. Well sure enough, the 7-foot-3-inch big man showed up − even in the rain. People on social media took photos of Wembanyama playing chess with people, and it wasn't hard to spot him considering his height. A small crowd gathered to watch him play against some local competition. Spurs' Wembanyama plays chess x.com Wembanyama later posted a picture with the people that came out to play with and watch him. "Thanks for everyone who pulled up in the rain," he said. Clearly the Spurs had some free time to spend in New York City after Friday night's win. San Antonio is currently on a four-game road trip that concludes on Sunday at the Minnesota Timberwolves.

For more than a decade, the United States has sought to keep out of Syria's political debacle, seeing no viable partner. Islamist rebels' toppling of strongman Bashar al-Assad has forced a change of tune -- and a debate over just what US interests are. Donald Trump, who returns to the White House in little more than a month, on the eve of Assad's fall called Syria "a mess" and stated in his plain-speaking style that the United States should not be involved. Joe Biden's administration, after putting Syria on the backburner in a turbulent region, has offered a tacit rebuttal by stating that clear US interests are at stake -- including preventing Syria from fragmenting and avoiding a resurgence of the Islamic State extremist group. Steven Cook, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said Trump's and Biden's statements could be combined and "together they make a kind of decent policy." The United States needs to address real concerns about the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda but "as far as getting involved in arranging the politics of Syria, I think that no good can come from it," Cook said. Since the presidency of Barack Obama, the United States has walked a fine line on Syria that critics often derided as a non-policy. The United States questioned the legitimacy of Assad, demanding accountability for brutality in one of the 21st century's deadliest wars, but stopped short of prioritizing his departure due to suspicions about the main rebels. The Islamist movement Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has now led Assad's ouster, traces its roots to Syria's Al-Qaeda branch and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States. Since Obama's time, the United States instead has allied itself in Syria with a smaller fighting force of the Kurdish minority -- over strenuous objections of neighboring Turkey, which backs HTS -- with a narrow mission to counter the Islamic State group. Some 900 US troops remain in Syria. Assad fell in a lighting surprise offensive as his protector Russia is bogged down in its invasion of Ukraine and after Israel's military heavily degraded Assad's other key supporters -- Iran and Lebanese militia Hezbollah. Robert Ford, the last US ambassador to Syria, helped spearhead the terrorist designation of HTS in 2012 but said that the group since then has not attacked US or Western targets and has instead fought Al-Qaeda and Islamic State forces. Ford also pointed with hope to post-victory statements by rebel chief Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, including welcoming international monitoring of any chemical weapons that are discovered. "Can you imagine Osama bin Laden saying that?" said Ford, now a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute. "I'm not saying 'trust Jolani.' He's obviously authoritarian. He's obviously an Islamist who doesn't believe that Christians have an equal right to power as Muslims. But I sure as hell want to test him on some of these things," Ford said. He said that the United States should encourage HTS, as well as other Syrian actors, to reach out and reassure the country's diverse communities including Christians, Kurds and Alawites -- the sect of the secular-oriented Assad. Beyond that, Washington should take a back-seat and let Syrians sort out their future, he said. "We should learn from the experience in Iraq that trying to impose exiles on a population traumatized by a brutal dictatorship and war is not a recipe for success," Ford said. Outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday offered US recognition to a future government that is "credible, inclusive and non-sectarian." Trump in his first term, at the urging of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, abruptly said he would pull troops out of Syria. He backtracked after intense criticism at home and appeals from French President Emmanuel Macron, who pointed to the risk of Islamic State filling the vacuum. Trump has not indicated how he would change Syria policy this time. But he has shown no reluctance in the past to negotiate with foreign adversaries on the US blacklist, from Afghanistan's Taliban to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said there was no legal restriction on US contact with designated terrorists, although he indicated there was no direct dialogue with HTS. Natasha Hall, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Syria could face "devastating economic and humanitarian consequences" unless the United States reconsiders the terrorist designation of HTS, which impedes aid groups. "That said," she said, "if there isn't sort of an established framework for negotiations and good behavior now, before that designation is lifted, that could potentially also be a major mistake down the line for Syria's future." sct/sms Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, sports, arts & entertainment, state legislature, CFD news, and more.Utah Hockey Club (9-10-4, in the Central Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (15-6-3, in the Pacific Division) Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Utah Hockey Club (9-10-4, in the Central Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (15-6-3, in the Pacific Division) Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Utah Hockey Club (9-10-4, in the Central Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (15-6-3, in the Pacific Division) Paradise, Nevada; Saturday, 10 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Golden Knights -192, Utah Hockey Club +159; over/under is 6.5 BOTTOM LINE: The Vegas Golden Knights host the Utah Hockey Club after Ivan Barbashev scored two goals in the Golden Knights’ 4-3 win against the Winnipeg Jets. Vegas is 15-6-3 overall and 9-2-0 at home. The Golden Knights are 15-2-2 in games they score three or more goals. Utah has a 9-10-4 record overall and a 5-6-2 record in road games. The Utah Hockey Club have an 8-0-4 record when scoring at least three goals. Saturday’s game is the third meeting between these teams this season. The Golden Knights won 4-2 in the previous meeting. Barbashev led the Golden Knights with two goals. TOP PERFORMERS: Brett Howden has scored 10 goals with one assist for the Golden Knights. Barbashev has five goals and six assists over the last 10 games. Dylan Guenther has 10 goals and 10 assists for the Utah Hockey Club. Jack McBain has scored six goals over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Golden Knights: 6-3-1, averaging 2.9 goals, 4.7 assists, 3.3 penalties and 7.7 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game. Utah Hockey Club: 4-5-1, averaging 2.6 goals, 4.6 assists, 5.1 penalties and 14.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game. INJURIES: Golden Knights: None listed. Utah Hockey Club: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement

SA seal place in WTC final with tense win against PakistanSaturday, December 28, 2024 The Caribbean tourism industry stands at the cusp of a transformative era, with a confluence of factors reshaping the travel sector’s trajectory in 2024 and 2025. From infrastructure improvements to shifts in traveler preferences, the region is leveraging its diverse offerings to captivate a broader audience while addressing emerging challenges. A significant driver of growth is the expansion of airlift across Caribbean destinations. Airlines are increasing routes and frequencies, connecting the region to new and existing markets. This development enhances accessibility and positions the Caribbean as a year-round destination, making it easier for travelers from North America, Europe, and emerging markets like South America and Asia to visit. Improved connectivity also supports multi-destination tourism, allowing visitors to explore the diverse cultures, landscapes, and experiences within the region. Governments and tourism boards are working closely with airlines to sustain this momentum, ensuring that economic benefits extend to local communities. Discover everything and anything about travel , tourism , trade shows at the Travel And Tour World , including breaking travel news and weekly travel updates for travel trade , airlines , cruise , railways , technology , travel association , DMCs, and video interviews and promotional videos . Investment in infrastructure is a hallmark of the Caribbean’s 2024-2025 tourism strategy. From luxury resorts and boutique hotels to eco-lodges and community-based accommodations, developers are focusing on providing a mix of experiences for a diverse traveler base. Major destinations are also upgrading existing attractions to meet the demands of modern tourists. This includes enhanced facilities, improved accessibility, and the integration of technology to provide seamless experiences. Whether it’s exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites or indulging in water sports, these upgrades aim to elevate the region’s global competitiveness. Travelers are increasingly seeking unique, personalized experiences, and the Caribbean is answering the call with a shift towards niche and diversified tourism offerings. Nature tourism, community-based initiatives, and wellness travel are gaining traction, particularly among younger audiences. Get all the latest US travel news in English today , as well as the latest travel and tourism industry news from the UK , Europe , Asia , America, Africa , Australia , New Zealand , India and the rest of the world. Subscribe our Travel newsletter in your inbox. Key niche markets include: These niche markets cater to evolving consumer demands and create opportunities for destinations to stand out in a competitive landscape. Modern travelers prioritize authenticity and personalized experiences. They want to connect with local cultures, traditions, and communities. The Caribbean is capitalizing on this trend by offering genuine, immersive opportunities that allow visitors to engage with local craftspeople, artists, and culinary experts. Tailored experiences, such as private guided tours and customizable packages, are becoming standard. Hotels and resorts are also emphasizing localized offerings, from farm-to-table dining to cultural workshops, enhancing the appeal of their services. Environmental sustainability is a central focus for the Caribbean’s tourism strategy in 2024-2025. Governments, businesses, and communities are adopting practices that prioritize conservation, reduce environmental impact, and promote regenerative tourism. Key initiatives include: Regenerative tourism, which aims to leave destinations better than they were found, is emerging as a guiding principle. This approach enhances the long-term viability of the tourism sector while preserving the region’s natural and cultural assets. Improving regional connectivity is critical for sustaining tourism growth. Enhanced ferry services, inter-island flights, and streamlined visa policies are making it easier for travelers to explore multiple destinations. Regional collaborations, such as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), are also working to address logistical challenges and promote seamless travel within the region. Technology is playing a pivotal role in shaping the Caribbean tourism experience. From virtual reality previews of destinations to AI-driven concierge services, innovation is enhancing every stage of the traveler journey. Key advancements include: By embracing digital tools, Caribbean destinations are meeting the expectations of tech-savvy travelers while streamlining operations. The Caribbean tourism industry is poised for robust growth, but challenges remain. Climate change, economic volatility, and geopolitical factors require proactive strategies to ensure resilience. Collaboration among stakeholders—from governments and private sector players to local communities—is essential for navigating these complexities. By focusing on sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity, the Caribbean can solidify its position as a leading global destination. As the industry evolves, the region’s unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and warm hospitality will continue to captivate travelers worldwide. Discover everything and anything about travel , tourism , trade shows at the Travel And Tour World , including breaking travel news and weekly travel updates for travel trade , airlines , cruise , railways , technology , travel association , DMCs, and video interviews and promotional videos .

USC Aiken basketball swept by Lander in Peach Belt opener

Clintons urge voters agitated by today's politics to remain involved in public serviceThe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations defines hunger as an uncomfortable or painful physical sensation caused by insufficient consumption of dietary energy. The World Bank says that the hunger rate in Africa are especially acute, with one out of five people going hungry each day. For more than a decade, conflict and economic hardship have remained the key drivers of hunger in Nigeria. Ongoing violence causes disruptions in markets and farming, severely limiting people’s ability to earn income and forcing families to leave their homes. In the 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI), Nigeria ranks 110th out of the 127 countries surveyed. With a score of 28.8% in the 2024 GHI, the country’s level of hunger is severe. Global Hunger Index is a tool for comprehensively measuring and tracking hunger at global, regional, and national levels. GHI scores are based on four components: undernourishment- the share of the population with insufficient caloric intake; child stunting :-the share of children who have low height for their age, reflecting chronic under nutrition; child wasting: the share of children under age five who have low weight for their height, reflecting acute under nutrition; child mortality: the share of children who die before their fifth birthday, partly showing a fatal mix of inadequate nutrition and unhealthy environments. Based on the values of the four indicators, GHI score is calculated on a 100-point scale, reflecting the severity of hunger, where 0 is the best possible score (no hunger) and 100 is the worst. Each country’s GHI scores is classified by severity, from low to extremely alarming. Recently a joint report of the Federal government and the United Nations says Nigeria faces one of its worst hunger crises with more than 33.1 million expected to be food insecure next year, compared with 24.8 million this year. Finance Minister, Wale Edu, says 5 million households in Nigeria have so far received cash handout of 25,000 Naira each as part of the government’s program to help the most vulnerable families. But Chi Lael, the World Food Program spokesperson in Nigeria, reportedly said that ‘’economic decisions felt like a direct attack on people’s wallet, hitting hardest every time they try to buy food.’’ Nigeria’s food insecurity has been worsened by economic sanctions imposed against Russia by Western countries since its military operation in Ukraine. In fact the world food security is currently in danger due to the disruption of international supplies by the United States and its allies through the imposition of various prohibitions. The European Union, EU, import tariff is common to all EU countries but the rates of duty differ from one kind of import to another depending on what they are, and where they come from, depending on the economic sensitivity of the products. Unfair business practices such as illegal contacts and agreements, price fixing and market sharing, though prohibited under EU competition rules, remain rampant. In her mission letter recently to the incoming EU Competition Commissioner-designate, Teresa Ribera, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, begins with ‘’Europe needs a new approach to competition policy – one that is more supportive of companies to scale up their global markets...’’ Observers say In noting that competition policy should help companies scale up, Von der Leyen seems to advocate a significant departure from past practice and favor more state intervention in markets, and support for industrial policy that allows anticompetitive mergers that could threaten food security. For Africa, a new colonial threat stares in the form of European dominance of African policy on genetically modified organisms, GMO, and its imposition of GMO production standards. A coalition of academics and civil society organizations has said GMO foods pose severe risks to human health and the environment with a claim MO crops have created novel and alarming problems, including genetic contamination and uterine fibroids in women of young ages. In Nigeria uterine fibroids reportedly account for 3.2-7.8% of gynecological cases and 68.1% of hysterectomy cases. Across the country farmers have complained that GMOs reduce productivity in the second planting season, meaning farmers can not replant these seeds but must purchase new ones to plant in the next planting season. . Analysts see the EU position on GMOs as jihad against Africa’s food and environmental health, and against its Agricultural sovereignty . In like manner their proliferation of military bases on the continent today may have been based on self-serving and hypocritical motives. But this is not receiving attention in parts of Africa. Global food insecurity has been worsened by Western sanctions against Russia because Nigerians industry reportedly accounts for around 20% of the global fertilizer trade market, thereby ensuring food security for 1.5 billion people in the world. The West’s sanctions policy is resulting in food becoming scarcer and costing more in Africa and other developing nations as Brazil which depend on Russian products to produce soy bean oil. According to projections by the World Bank, the current world food shortages would certainly lead to large political crises, with the proliferation of civil wars and armed conflicts over food resources. Now there are far scarier predictions about this problem. Considering a possible situation of generalized famine in emerging countries on all continents, we can be close to some of the greatest cases of political and military instability in history. That is why that President Tinubu must activate all known social safety nets to enable Nigerians survive the current deepening food insecurity in the land now the World Bank has said that Nigerians would wait for 10 to 15 years to reap the benefits of his economic reform.

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NY Times advice column ponders how Democrats should deal with Trump-supporting family membersUL Monroe at Georgia Tech — ACCNX Southern at Texas — SECN+ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV .