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If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. A small, ragtag group of coders with a big idea builds something special. It’s a smash hit, bigger than their wild expectations. Competitors emerge, and the team suddenly has to scramble to keep up. But with a little hard work (and a lot of biz dev), they manage to reassert and maintain their dominance. Then, years go by, the product , and you start to wonder if maybe a little competition was a good thing after all. You can tell this story up and down Silicon Valley, across several decades and some of the most iconic products in tech history — Google Search, Facebook, the iPhone — but few hit the marks quite as cleanly as . In a new four-part documentary on Prime Video, traces the history of one of the world’s most successful game franchises and tells it like a startup story. But by the end, is very much big tech and doesn’t seem to know what to do about it. The beats of the story are well established at this point; this isn’t even the first documentary about the rise of It all begins with Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, who had wanted to make a football video game since he was a kid. He pursued NFL superstar Joe Montana as a partner, and when that didn’t work out, he turned to the iconic coach and commentator John Madden. Madden signed up, showed up to work, and began to relentlessly push the team to build a game that felt more like NFL football. He nixed the possibility of playing 7-on-7 instead of 11-on-11 (which EA wanted to do for graphics processing reasons), rewrote the playbook, and harped on every tiny gameplay detail. The first game, released in 1988, was a mess, but the franchise took off a few years later. Madden, who died in 2021, comes off like an almost mythical figure. There’s a very Steve Jobs-like way people talk about him: he was a visionary, obsessed with details, willing to work hard but unwilling to put up with pointless work or stupid people, occasionally prone to being a total asshole, but always in service of the work. Current and former EA executives talk about wanting to build a game that “Coach” would like, above all else. spends a lot of time on the cultural impact of the game, but the most interesting parts are the moments in which we see how is actually made. The first episode tells the story of the team reverse engineering a Sega Genesis in order to make run on the console without paying Sega a license. We get a behind-the-scenes look at how motion-capture technology developed to make onscreen players move more like real ones and a long and fascinating dive into how the in-game announcers worked. (Spoiler alert: it’s a lot of sitting in a studio saying “third and four,” “third and five,” “third and six” for hours on end.) We learn about the battle between the EA employees trying to fix the game’s bugs and the gamers trying to exploit them to win games. There is lots of talk, and lots of arguing, about player ratings. It’s all good tech nerdery and good fan service for anyone who loves keeps raising but never quite answering a question: what makes a good game? For all its archives and access, though, keeps raising but never quite answering a question: what makes a good game? It seems to be taken for granted within EA that fidelity is the only goal. The team toiled to make the football more real, then added the players and logos to make it more like the NFL, then spent years making it feel more like a TV product. That’s what Coach wanted, it’s what Hawkins wanted, it’s what the NFL players like, but is that what fans are looking for? It doesn’t seem like it. How else can you explain why in which quarterback Mike Vick was so fast and so talented that he both literally and figuratively , is everyone’s favorite version of the game? Even EA employees say the Vick era was peak Over the years, many of the best things about are when the game diverts from reality. Several NFL players mention creating players with impossibly perfect stats, and having a blast with them. In its early years, the games appeared from a very different point of view than the one you might see watching a game on the couch; now, TV football has actually changed to look more like But then we flash back to 2024, and all anyone talks about is “physics-based tackling” and making tiny details more realistic. The doc does acknowledge, mostly via social media montages, that a lot of people are unhappy with the recent state of Once again, though, EA’s answer seems to be to make everything more faithful to real life, when, in fact, fans have been begging the team for years to have new ideas about how to play football. Superstar mode, in which you become a player and go through all the ups and downs of an NFL career, has been a hit. But the game needs more. And has for a long time. Practically overnight, went from having a slew of interesting competitors to having no competition at all So why does keep winning, then? On that, is actually quite clear. EA secured an exclusive license with the NFL in 2004 to use player and team information and has had it ever since. Practically overnight, went from having a slew of interesting competitors, many of which were building games with better graphics and more innovative gameplay, to having no competition at all. All the drama of the series ends with that deal. From there, the story basically skips from 2005 to the present because there’s nothing left to say. won. And then just kept doing The doc ends with the release of and frames it as a moment of victory — the franchise finding its footing again. Given that has a score of 70 on Metacritic and a 2.8 user score, that feels somewhat disingenuous. It was a strange year for the franchise, actually, because of the release of another EA game: after 11 years, came back with a bang in 2024. It made another rehash of seem even worse by comparison. “It is absolutely time for this franchise to receive a deep, substantial glow-up,” of “especially this year with its new neighbor completely eating its lunch.” Three and a half decades since its first installment, is still an unquestioned juggernaut. And it will be until the NFL allows another game to try and beat it. The last time there was competition, EA decided to make Mike Vick fun to play with, and it made the most fun it ever was. A lot of gamers — and more than a few pros — would be excited to see what happens next time. It’s in the Game /bet course 。

Smith noncommittal on overriding Charter as court challenge looms over trans bills

“Lev it on the Field” is back for Game 11. It’s the Star’s unique look at Arizona’s upcoming football matchup and other happenings around the Big 12 through the eyes of UA beat reporter-turned-columnist Michael Lev. Away we go ... Ten games into Brent Brennan’s tenure, we just might be there. Michael Lev is a senior writer/columnist for the Arizona Daily Star , Tucson.com and The Wildcaster . The Arizona Wildcats finally appear to have an identity. Brennan wanted to see something against Houston that he hadn’t seen often enough. He wants to see it this week against TCU, the following week against Arizona State and, he hopes, for many weeks and years to come. Arizona has to play harder than whomever it’s playing against. “You're always trying to elevate how hard you play,” Brennan said this week. “That's one of those things that can be an equalizer ... if you're playing a team that's better than you or somebody on the road. Always demanding great effort from our team is going to be an absolute staple of what we do.” Arizona defensive back Owen Goss, right, scoops up a Cougar fumble near the 1-yard line, ending a Houston scoring threat late in the fourth quarter on Nov. 15, 2024, at Arizona Stadium. All-out effort helped the Wildcats force three UH fumbles. Brennan saw the signs against the Cougars. Defenders hustled downfield to force fumbles. Superstar receiver Tetairoa McMillan sprinted downfield to ensure teammate Quali Conley reached the end zone. “You always want to have as many Arizona jerseys in the picture on the film at the end of the play as possible,” Brennan said. “We'll continue to push that and drive that,” he added. “And (if) the players will hold each other accountable to that high standard, then we will continue to get better.” That effort needs to be readily evident in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday. The Wildcats — and Brennan — cannot afford a repeat of their last road trip. They ventured to Orlando, Florida, to play UCF, but they basically didn’t show up. That can’t happen again. Even as the program was sputtering in Jedd Fisch’s first season (which he dubbed “Year Zero”), the team played with unrelenting effort — which inspired hope of the turnaround that eventually came. The Cats need to make it hard on the Horned Frogs by playing as hard as they possibly can. Anything less doesn’t bode well. Take that for data! Former UA offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes has been TCU’s head coach for three seasons. During that time, the Horned Frogs have authored three comebacks from deficits of at least 17 points. It happened twice during Dykes’ magical first season of 2022, when TCU improbably reached the national championship game. The latest such rally occurred on Oct. 26. TCU trailed Texas Tech 31-14 midway through the third quarter before storming back for a 35-34 victory. What’s remarkable about this TCU team — and emblematic of this Big 12 season — is that the Horned Frogs also squandered a lead of 17-plus points. TCU led UCF 31-13 with 5:03 left in the third quarter on Sept. 14. The Knights rallied to win 35-34, scoring the winning touchdown with 36 seconds remaining. (Rincon) Market report Going up: Spoilers You don’t want to face Lance Leipold and the Kansas Jayhawks right now. After a five-game losing streak — four decided by six or fewer points — Kansas has won three of its past four. That includes upsetting then-No. 17 Iowa State and handing then-No. 6 BYU its first defeat. Next up: Deion Sanders and No. 16 Colorado on Senior Day at Arrowhead Stadium. The Buffaloes will reach the Big 12 Championship Game if they win out. The Jayhawks are standing in their way and won’t give an inch of ground. Kansas safety Marvin Grant and linebacker Cornell Wheeler prevent BYU wide receiver Chase Roberts, left, from getting a first down on the final play of the game in the Jayhawks' upset of the Cougars on Nov. 16, 2024, in Provo, Utah. Going down: Multiple bids It was always a long shot. Now it’s all but impossible: The Big 12 won’t place more than one team in the College Football Playoff. The extremely narrow path to being a two-bid league went like this: BYU and Colorado win out; Buffs defeat Cougars in Big 12 title game; both advance to expanded CFP. BYU’s loss to Kansas killed that dream. For proof, look no further than how the CFP Selection Committee disrespected the Cougars , dropping them to 14th — one spot behind SMU, whom they defeated in Dallas. A question from my X “Wouldn’t it be more prudent to take the money they want to give Brennan for his buyout and put it into an NIL so that they can get better players to support him?” — @zona7378 via X/Twitter This question refers to the possibility of UA athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois deciding to move on from Brennan — whom she didn’t hire — after one season and raising the $11 million-plus necessary to satisfy his buyout. Regardless of whether that happens — the next two weeks will be telling — the question also leads to another one: What is the best way to allocate your money in the new era of college athletics? We know that revenue-sharing is coming . That could mitigate the impact of NIL — but it won’t eliminate it. The top players in football, men’s and women’s basketball and a handful of other sports still will be compensated above and beyond their rev-share pacts. Whether the money is coming from the institutions or private donations, does it still make sense to spend top dollar on coaches? Are you better off acquiring the best roster you can get in the transfer portal? Will facilities again become a differentiator? Interesting times ahead for Arizona and the college sports world at large. Threads Utah will don hand-painted 'Malama Lahaina' helmets for its final home game vs. Iowa State on Saturday. It’s been a rough year for Utah. But the Utes proudly will play their final home game in the most magnificent and meaningful helmets you’ve ever seen. This year’s hand-painted beauties have been dubbed “Malama Lahaina.” They pay tribute to the program’s Polynesian tradition while also honoring “the resilience and spirit of Maui in the wake of the devastating Lahaina fires of 2023,” per UNISWAG . The red helmets feature black Hawaiian tattoo art and an outline of Lahaina’s Front Street. They’re being paired with Utah’s black uniforms with red accents. The overall look is as good as it gets. What he said ... “TCU, I think, is the sixth- or seventh-best passing offense in the country. So that's kind of the biggest thing. ... Houston, I don't know if they were that great statistically. TCU is more explosive.” — UA safety Owen Goss on the differences between TCU’s offense and Houston’s What he meant ... “This is a completely different ballgame. We knew Houston was one-dimensional; if we could get the Cougars into third-and-long, they were cooked. This isn’t that. The Horned Frogs throw the ball all over the yard. They have a real quarterback. They have multiple receivers who can hurt you. We gotta rally and tackle these guys in space. If we don’t, it’s gonna be a long afternoon.” The other side Steven Johnson, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram : It’s not often you face a receiver as gifted as Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan. When the Horned Frogs face the Wildcats ... priority No. 1 for TCU will be finding a way to slow down a receiver that many think could change the outlook of one NFL franchise in the upcoming NFL Draft. Mock drafts project that McMillan will be at the top of the board with the likes of Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward. McMillan leads all Power Four receivers with 1,136 yards, and he also has seven touchdowns. Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, left, steps through a trio of Houston defenders after snaring a catch over the middle in the third quarter of their Big 12 game on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Arizona Stadium. McMillan stands at 6-foot-5 and has more than enough speed to run away from defenders. TCU coach Sonny Dykes doesn’t see many flaws in his game. “He’s what you would get if you were going to design a receiver ... he’s long, he can run, he’s got a huge catch radius,” Dykes said Tuesday. “I really think that’s the strongest characteristic that he’s got. His ability to make competitive plays on the ball, adjust to the ball. Somebody with his size doesn’t typically have that type of body control.” Pick to click (aka #fadelev) Lots of home underdogs to choose from on this week’s Big 12 slate. Houston’s getting the most points (eight), but I can’t pick the Cougars no matter how sweet their “Houston Blue” uniforms are; they were just too inept last week. So the choice here is Utah, which is a seven-point ’dog against Iowa State. Do we really think a Kyle Whittingham-coached team is going to lose every conference home game it plays? As bad as their offense has been, the Utes’ defense is still one of the best in the league. I’m calling for an outright upset in Salt Lake City. (season record: 5-4-1) One last thing We’re in for a treat Saturday. The matchup in Fort Worth features two semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award honoring the nation’s best receiver: Arizona’s McMillan and TCU’s Jack Bech. They are two of three semifinalists from the Big 12, along with Colorado’s Travis Hunter. No other conference has more than two. I have no idea who’s going to win it. San Jose State’s Nick Nash has the most prolific numbers, but will the electorate vote for someone on a middling Mountain West team? Two-way phenom Hunter is the best player in college football and the favorite for the Heisman, but is he the best receiver? No one’s more talented or has more “wow” plays than McMillan, but is anyone outside of Tucson paying attention to Arizona football these days? It’s a really tough call this year. But we don’t have to worry about that Saturday. We can just sit back and enjoy the show. Contact sports reporter/columnist Michael Lev at mlev@tucson.com . On X(Twitter): @michaeljlev Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sports Reporter/Columnist

Shocking Robbery at Bear Wawa: Suspect on the Run!Pixalate’s November 2024 US Publisher Rankings for Mobile Apps, Websites, and CTV: Spotify.com, ‘TextNow’, ‘Hulu’ Among Top-Ranked Publishers and Apps For Open Programmatic Ad Traffic Quality

The starts may not look like locks at first, but they should come through in Week 13. Conversely, I’ve included some players who might otherwise seem like safe plays to avoid as well. Start: Sam Darnold, Vikings vs Cardinals Darnold had a rough patch a few weeks ago, but he’s back in good form, putting up five combined TDs in his past two games. Even against the Bears top-notch pass defense last week, Darnold threw for a season-high 330 yards to go along with his two scores. His opponent this week, the Cardinals, have a decent secondary, but they pale in comparison to Chicago’s. Other locks: —Jalen Hurts at Ravens —Baker Mayfield at Panthers —CJ Stroud at Jaguars —Justin Herbert at Falcons Avoid: Jared Goff, Lions vs Bears Goff doesn’t force the ball through the air if he doesn’t have to and he would be remiss to do so against a top rated Bears secondary that will be looking to vindicate themselves after giving up some big plays to Sam Darnold last week. He’s also got the best 1 and 2 punch in football in his backfield. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are a force and they’ll likely have a much easier time finding holes in Chicago’s run defense than Goff will in the passing game. Start: Chuba Hubbard, Panthers vs Buccaneers Hubbard fantasy owners were anxious last week, upon hearing the news that rookie running back Jonathon Brooks would be seeing his first game action this season. Fears were assuaged when Brooks only got two carries the entire game for 7 yards. Brooks’ carries could increase as he gets more comfortable in the offense, but Hubbard should have at least one more week as the starter in Carolina. It will come against a Buccaneers run defense that is a top-10 matchup for opposing runners in Week 13. Other locks: —Bucky Irving at Panthers —Jonathan Taylor at Patriots —Josh Jacobs vs Dolphins —Tyrone Tracy Jr., at Cowboys Avoid: James Conner, Cardinals at Vikings The Week 11 bye didn’t do Conner any favors as he only ran for 8 yards on seven carries in his Week 12 return. He was able to salvage his day through the air, catching five passes for 41 yards, but it was an underwhelming game from a fantasy perspective against the Seattle run defense. He’ll face a Vikings defense that ranks as a top-two run stopper going into Week 13 — Conner only gained 25 combined yards against Detroit’s top-three run defense in Week 2. Trey Benson is also gaining steam in the Arizona offense. It’s best to fade Conner this week, if you have that luxury. Start: DJ Moore, Bears at Lions Moore is finally starting to make waves again in fantasy, after slumping from Weeks 6 to 10. He’s had his best two-game stint of the season thus far in Weeks 11 and 12 though, going for a season-high 119 combined yards and a score in the latter game. New offensive coordinator Thomas Jones has sparked the offense and Moore has been a prime beneficiary. The Bears will have fits trying to run at the Lions’ stout run defense, so they could attack them through the air. Moore is a prime contender to keep up his recent run in Week 13. Other locks: —Ladd McConkey at Falcons —Puka Nacua at Saints —Jaxon Smith-Njigba at Jets —Jakobi Meyers at Chiefs Avoid: Quentin Johnston, Chargers vs Ravens Johnston is the definition of boom or bust, either scoring double-digit fantasy points or gaining fewer than 25 yards in nearly every game he’s appeared in this season. On "Monday Night Football," he had zero catches on five targets. Johnston has a great matchup this week, but there’s no guarantee he’ll capitalize on it. Johnston is anything but a lock this week. Start: Luke Schoonmaker, Cowboys vs Giants Schoonmaker had three catches for 55 yards and a score against Washington in a thrilling game. Schoonmaker provided another dependable option to QB Cooper Rush. Jake Ferguson is still in concussion protocol and it’s a short week as Dallas is playing on Thanksgiving, so Schoonmaker is likely to start once again. With CeeDee Lamb nursing nagging injuries as well, look for Rush to lean heavily on Schoonmaker this week. Other locks: —Jonnu Smith at Packers —Trey McBride at Vikings —Taysom Hill vs Rams —Dallas Goedert at Ravens Avoid: Sam LaPorta, Lions vs Bears LaPorta just can’t find any consistency in the Detroit offense, going weeks between decent fantasy outings at times. He had just three catches for 19 yards in Week 12 after missing Week 11 with a shoulder injury and things aren’t looking up for him this week as the Lions are playing a stalwart Chicago defense on short rest. Look for the Lions to go run heavy this week, taking the onus off LaPorta and the rest of the Lions receiving group. This column was provided to The Associated Press by RosterWatch, www.rosterwatch.com .

Mr Trump pre-emptively tried to cast blame on US President Joe Biden and Democrats if a shutdown occurred, which would temporarily close parts of the government and suspend pay for employees. “If there is going to be a shutdown of government, let it begin now, under the Biden Administration, not after January 20th, under ‘TRUMP.’,” the president-elect wrote on his social media platform. “This is a Biden problem to solve, but if Republicans can help solve it, they will!” Mr Trump’s looming presence, however, has been the biggest complicating factor in frantic negotiations over a last-minute deal. The Republican and his allies, including billionaire adviser Elon Musk, torpedoed an initial bipartisan compromise between Republican and Democratic leaders earlier this week. The resulting turmoil significantly raised the risk of a shutdown before Christmas and created an escalating political crisis for House speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump ally, as he grappled with how to unify his fractious party and deliver on demands from the incoming president-elect. The initial legislation would have kept the government open to March 14th and spent billions of dollars to aid farmers and communities devastated by natural disasters. The 1,500-plus page Bill also had a host of other provisions, including restrictions on technology investment in China, a pay increase for members of Congress and cancer research for children. Mr Musk railed against the Bill on his social media platform, X, saying it was filled with excessive spending. Mr Johnson decided to not put the Bill up for a vote after Mr Trump and vice-president-elect JD Vance came out against it. Mr Trump and Mr Vance then also demanded that lawmakers also agree an extension of the debt ceiling, which limits how much money the US can borrow to meet its obligations. Mr Johnson obliged, stripping the Bill down to just over 100 pages and including a section that would raise the debt ceiling by two years. That version won Mr Trump’s endorsement and he vowed political consequences for any Republican who opposed it. The House then voted resoundingly against that Bill late on Thursday night, sending Republicans who control the chamber back to the drawing board. Democrats, angry that the bipartisan deal this week was ditched, have blamed Mr Musk for inserting himself in the process. “At the behest of the world’s richest man who no one voted for, the US Congress has been thrown into pandemonium,” said Democrat Rosa DeLauro about Mr Musk on Thursday. On Friday, Mr Trump doubled down on his push to get lawmakers to agree to suspend the debt ceiling. “Congress must get rid of, or extend out to, perhaps, 2029, the ridiculous Debt Ceiling,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Without this, we should never make a deal.” If a new Bill passes the House, it would need to go to the Democrat-controlled Senate for approval, and then to Mr Biden for his signature. – Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2024Jammu, Dec 20: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary Friday asserted that Jammu and Kashmir would get its statehood back besides the special status to safeguard citizens’ right to land and jobs. “We will get statehood; that is our right. It is right of all of us, here. You too need to speak on this account. We are raising this issue at every forum. We will also get special status to safeguard our jobs and lands,” he said. Choudhary was responding to media queries after inaugurating the IT expo Jammu at Kala Kendra here. Asked to comment on the JKPCC chief spokesperson’s statement that the present NC government did not have power as J&K has a dual power structure, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “As far as power is concerned, if you are asking me regarding my ministry or our government, are you not able to notice it (power) in our performance? Yes, there are certain things where some interference is there. Everyone knows that.” “But let me tell you, whether we have power or not, this government will live up to the expectations of the people. We have a mandate for five years and we will do during this period (five years) what others could not do in ten years. This is the commitment of the National Conference government,” he asserted. Confronted with queries about the National Conference government facing accusations of discrimination against “Dogri, Hindi and Sanskrit languages in advertising posts of Plus Two lecturers”, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “J&K is a state, converted to Union Territory presently, where people speak varied languages – Urdu, Pahari, Gojri, Sanskrit, Hindi, Dogri and Punjabi. Unfortunately, we talk only about a few languages. We need to talk about Punjabi as well. Provisions should be made for all languages so that students can study the languages they have opted for. There should be provision for Hindi and Sanskrit as well.” “But we’ll have to understand which pockets need to be identified. I have studied Sanskrit in my childhood but nowadays children don’t opt for Sanskrit. Even students don’t opt for Hindi as our children fail in Hindi subjects while they find it very easy to clear English as a subject. We (in our childhood) used to find Hindi as a very easy language,” Choudhary said. “We believe that all languages should be respected and should be taught as subjects in schools so that our children can get jobs. We have been in the government for just over two months. We have inherited a very weak (disempowered) Jammu and Kashmir, which is not a state but a UT. There are certain things which are not in our hands like the Police are not with us. So we need your (media’s) support and cooperation of youth, who comprise the future of J&K and this nation. We all, including our leaders – Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah – say that all languages should be respected and taught,” he added. In response to a question about the Congress demand for the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his statement in the Parliament on B R Ambedkar, Choudhary said, “Congress has demanded it so you better ask them.” Regarding BJP’s accusations against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the registration of an FIR against him for “manhandling some of its (BJP’s) MPs”, the Deputy Chief Minister echoed the stance of his party leader and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. “However, as far as yesterday’s incident is concerned wherein some accusations have been made against the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhiji, we believe that given his inherent nature and behaviour, he (Rahul) cannot do like this (pushing MPs). B R Ambedkar is the architect of the Constitution of India,” he said. “For all the communities and people belonging to all religions in India, the constitution comes only next to their respective religious scriptures. It (the constitution) has safeguarded our freedom and ensured the rights of all citizens. We both (media and politicians) are talking to each other this way because of the rights given by our constitution. This is why the respect for the Constitution and Dr Ambedkar should always remain intact,” Choudhary said. About queries regarding the IT Expo, he stated, “Expo was a good opportunity for Jammuites to get acquainted with the new revolutionary trends and innovation in the IT sector. People associated with the IT sector from across India are here bringing expertise and innovation in branded products and technology from across the globe.” “They will be able to witness “smart classes” here and will also be able to equip themselves to check cyber crimes. I’ve suggested sending IT experts to schools and colleges to create awareness among students against cyber crimes which have emerged as the latest threat and people lose crores due to lack of awareness. I’ve been told that school students will also visit this exhibition. I exhort all Jammuites to visit this expo and derive benefits out of it,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.

Smith noncommittal on overriding Charter as court challenge looms over trans bills EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she doesn’t believe she’ll need to invoke the Charter's notwithstanding clause to shield her government's three transgender bills from legal challenges. Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press Dec 4, 2024 3:02 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message United Conservative Party Leader Danielle Smith addresses party members at their annual meeting in Red Deer, Alta., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she doesn’t believe she’ll need to invoke the Charter's notwithstanding clause to shield her government's three transgender bills from legal challenges. The bills passed third and final reading in the legislature this week and are set to become law. Two LGBTQ+ advocate organizations — Egale Canada and Skipping Stone Foundation — say they plan to file a legal challenge. It's anticipated the challenge will be on grounds the bills violate Charter rights, including equality rights. "I don’t want to prejudge the court," Smith told reporters at an unrelated news conference Wednesday when asked if she would use the notwithstanding clause. "We will put forward a robust case — that this (legislation) is reasonable in a free, democratic society, that it's evidence based, and that we're protecting children and their right to be able to make adult decisions as adults." One bill would require children under 16 to have parental consent if they want to change their names or pronouns at school. A similar law governs school policy in Saskatchewan, where the government invoked the notwithstanding clause last year, a measure that allows governments to override certain Charter rights for up to five years. The Alberta bills go further, encompassing a range of topics from sex education to transgender surgery and sports. One bill compels parents to opt-in for their children to receive lessons in school on sexuality, sexual orientation and gender identity. Outside resources or presentations would also need to be pre-approved by the Education ministry, unless they're part of a religious school program. Physicians would be banned from offering gender-affirming treatment, such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy, for those under 16. There would be a prohibition on gender-affirming "top" surgeries for minors. Transgender athletes would no longer be allowed to compete in female amateur sports, and sports organizations would be required to report eligibility complaints to the government. Bennett Jensen, Egale’s legal director, said the bills and the months of debate that preceded them have already hurt transgender children and athletes. Jensen said when political leaders discriminate against one segment of the population, it communicates that there is something wrong with that identity. “The consequences of having your identity debated in the public sphere for months is devastating,” Jensen said in an interview. "Anxiety is way up, depression is way up, bullying is way up, and this is without anything (legal) being in effect.” Jensen also took issue with Smith’s assertion that banning puberty blockers prevents children from making irreversible life decisions. "Puberty blockers do exactly what she is claiming to be wanting to protect for young people, which is afford them time and prevent irreversible changes," he said. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association said it may seek to be an intervener in the legal challenge. “This is a dark time for freedom in Alberta,” Harini Sivalingam, director of the association’s equality program, said in a statement. “The passage of these intrusive laws will severely erode the liberty of individuals and families to make deeply personal decisions about their lives.” NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said he expects some of the United Conservative Party government's legislation will be deemed unconstitutional by the courts and wondered why Smith believes her bill is different. “(Saskatchewan Premier) Scott Moe knew it was unconstitutional and used the notwithstanding clause pre-emptively,” Nenshi told reporters. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2024. Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? 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Timothy Liljegren was traded to San Jose because he didn't impress Craig Berube and have a spot on the team, and now we have a better idea why. When Toronto decided to send Timothy Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks earlier this season, it was mainly due to his inability to find a consistent roster spot, though he didn't do too much to impress head coach Craig Berube. Often a healthy scratch and eschewed in favor of other defensemen, Liljegren was traded to San Jose for a 3rd and 6th round pick and defenseman Matt Benning , who is currently with the Toronto Marlies. So far Liljegren has seemed to relish in his new home, as he's blocking a lot of shots and hitting more, but he's still not scoring, with only one goal and no assists, but is part of a struggling Sharks team he's still finding his footing. However, there could be more than just a lack of a roster spot for Liljegren, and it might have had to do with the fact they had much better shutdown defenders at their disposal. Toronto Maple Leafs ' Revamped Defense If Liljegren was hoping for a spot, he should have talked to his former GM before he went on a spending spree. In came Chris Tanev, Oliver Eman-Larsson, and Jani Hakanpaa to shore up the defense and they've certainly made an impact. Toronto is letting in the fourth least amount of goals this season with only 2.48, and while a lot of it has to do with their goaltending, the defense deserves just as much credit. Jake McCabe has started to emerge as a true shutdown defender beside Chris Tanev, Conor Timmins is quietly becoming one of Toronto's most dependable players, and OEL has looked ten years younger. Kudos to Brad Treliving for going out to get a clear need and not only fill any holes but create a brick wall out of nowhere. Tanev is on pace to shatter the single-season blocks record and is a huge reason why Toronto keeps themselves in games. With how good Toronto got with free agents coming in, and with other acquisitions coming in and proving themselves, the writing was on the wall for Liljegren. FAQ: Timothy Liljegren's True Reason For Being Traded Q1: Who did Timothy Liljegren get traded for? A1: Timothy Liljegren was traded to the San Jose for defenseman Matt Benning as well as a third and sixth round pick. Q2: Why did Timothy Liljegren get traded to San Jose? A2: Timothy Liljegren was traded to San Jose because Toronto added other free agents to play defense at a more elite rate than Liljegren, and other defenseman have emerged as better options for the Maple Leafs In closing, Timothy Liljegren really had no spot with the Maple Leafs due to their free agent signings and focus on a revamped defense, coupled with the fact their other stars picked things up, and Liljegren failed to impress. This article first appeared on Hockey Patrol and was syndicated with permission.

STUART, Fla. , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Health In Tech, Inc., an Insurtech platform company backed by third-party AI technology, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 2,300,000 shares of its Class A common stock, at a public offering price of $4.00 per share. In addition, Health In Tech has granted the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 345,000 shares of its Class A common stock at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The shares are expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on December 23, 2024 , under the ticker symbol "HIT". The offering is expected to close on December 24, 2024 , subject to customary closing conditions. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Saturday, December 21, 2024 Imagine boarding a flight from San Francisco, settling into a plush seat, and knowing that 16 hours later, you’ll arrive in Singapore, one of Asia’s most dynamic cities. Starting in 2025, United Airlines will make that experience even more accessible by adding a third daily flight between San Francisco and Singapore. This expansion isn’t just about numbers—it’s about meeting the needs of travelers like you, who value flexibility, convenience, and comfort. This new flight is more than just an added service; it’s a lifeline for frequent flyers, business travelers, and adventurers alike. If you’ve ever scrambled to find a flight that fits your schedule, you’ll understand the relief of having more options. Business professionals can now plan their trips with greater precision, and leisure travelers will find it easier to embark on journeys to Asia, whether it’s for a dream vacation in Singapore or a multi-stop adventure through Malaysia and Thailand. The route also capitalizes on Singapore’s world-famous Changi Airport, a marvel of efficiency and comfort. With its gardens, high-tech lounges, and seamless connections to over 70 destinations, it’s more than an airport—it’s a destination in itself. United isn’t just adding flights; it’s upgrading the entire travel experience. Their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners are a step above, designed for long-haul comfort with reduced cabin altitude and advanced technology to make those 16 hours feel far less grueling. Whether you’re stretching out in Polaris business class or enjoying premium economy, every detail has been thought through to enhance your journey. On the ground, both San Francisco International Airport and Changi Airport are enhancing their lounges to provide a touch of luxury. Imagine sipping a freshly brewed espresso or enjoying a quiet nap in a private pod before your flight—it’s these little touches that make a world of difference. For those in the tech world, this route is a bridge between Silicon Valley and Singapore’s booming start-up scene. With over 150 venture capital firms fueling innovation in Singapore, the city is quickly becoming Asia’s answer to Silicon Valley. These flights will make it easier to connect, collaborate, and create across continents. For leisure travelers, Singapore is a gateway to experiences that awaken the senses. Picture strolling through the lush greenery of the UNESCO-listed Botanic Gardens, marveling at the futuristic Marina Bay Sands, or savoring a meal at a bustling hawker center for under $10. It’s more than a destination—it’s a journey filled with unforgettable experiences. If you’re a frequent flyer, this news gets even better. A roundtrip between San Francisco and Singapore could earn you up to 11,000 miles, inching you closer to elite status and those coveted upgrades. And with Singapore Airlines and United strengthening their collaboration, using your miles has never been easier. The competition between these airlines is already driving fares down. Imagine scoring a roundtrip ticket for under $600—a rare treat for transpacific travel. As airlines compete for passengers, travelers can look forward to more affordable fares and improved services that enhance the overall travel experience. At its heart, this expansion isn’t just about planes or schedules—it’s about people. It’s about making it easier for a mother to visit her family in Singapore, for a young entrepreneur to pitch their start-up idea in Silicon Valley, or for a curious traveler to experience the rich cultures of Asia. United and Singapore Airlines are investing not just in flights but in the stories of the people they carry. From the premium cabin upgrades to the expanded lounge services, every detail speaks to their commitment to making your journey memorable. The world feels a little smaller when connections are seamless and travel is enjoyable. This expansion between San Francisco and Singapore is more than a business move—it’s a step toward bringing people closer, fostering innovation, and sharing experiences across continents. So, whether you’re traveling for work, chasing an adventure, or visiting loved ones, these flights are designed with you in mind. As the skies grow busier and the world more interconnected, this route is a reminder of what travel is truly about: connections, opportunities, and the joy of discovering something new. Pack your bags—the future of transpacific travel is waiting.

There are some, like his goalscoring debut against KR Reykjavik, that he will always remember. Then there are some, of course, that he and the Celtic support would rather forget. But as he brought up his century of European appearances with a typically tidy display and a creditable draw against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night, the overriding emotion for Callum McGregor was one of pride. Even if, typically, he wasn’t really satisfied with either the performance or the result. That feeling of accomplishment though would only be heightened if the Celtic captain can keep his side on course for the play-off rounds of the Champions League , a position they would have been more than happy with at the outset of the competition, and that they would have bitten your hand off for after the 7-1 humbling in Dortmund on matchday two. As much as his eyes are fixed firmly ahead at accomplishing that team goal though, McGregor allowed himself a moment to reflect this week on his personal achievement on the European stage with Celtic. “It’s obviously a huge milestone and to play this many games for this club, especially in Europe, it is tough to do,” McGregor said. “It’s an amazing achievement with such an iconic club. I’m proud. “It’s a big ask to play for this club and you have to have the temperament to do it. You also have to have the quality to do it too. “To get a hundred games in Europe for this club is obviously special. I just want to keep doing it and try to get as many appearances as I can. “The only thing was, could we match it with a performance and a result? Maybe that was the only disappointing aspect. But we still took another point from the game and it keeps us moving in the right direction. “The game model’s still there; controlling the ball, controlling the game and it was just maybe needing a bit more quality in the final third [that was needed]. “The demand of this club is to be playing European football. But not only that, they want to try and be successful too. So, there’s a big expectation that comes with playing with this club and you have to manage it. You have to play into it, lean into it. Read more: Alistair Johnston Celtic injury boost ahead of Rangers final Brendan Rodgers in frank 'lacked quality' Celtic admission “If you don’t and you don’t enjoy it then you probably don’t get to where you have done. “It’s a big challenge, but it’s something I love doing.” Being successful in Europe is a goal that has often eluded Celtic in recent years, and as McGregor acknowledges, the gap between the haves and the have nots in a relative sense on the continent is only widening, and making things even tougher. With that in mind, it is little wonder that he would rank the achievement of getting beyond this league phase as on a par with anything he has done before in European competition. “It would be right up there,” he said. “The last few years have not been great. But it’s a big competition and there are a lot of teams spending a lot of money. This is where the club wants to be and you’ve seen over the last couple of years we’ve made strides, which is good. “To the point where you’re going to Zagreb and you’re a bit disappointed when you come off with a point. It shows the growth of the team and the squad and where the club wants to be. “It’s a big challenge but it’s something the players really do enjoy and want to keep getting better. “We’ve obviously had some good spells [in Europe]. Gordon’s team and then Lenny’s team got through to the last 16. It’s probably been a bit up and down in the time I’ve been here. We’ve had some good results, we’ve had some not good results. “But probably the gulf in finances has become just ridiculous, especially in this competition. It is a big challenge and we know where we sit in that kind of bracket of teams. “The one thing we can do is try and play the right way and try to learn and develop to become a top team again. It takes time. We’ve had some good nights, we’ve had some not so good nights. “But, we seem to have a group now that’s relatively comfortable at this level...can we push and try and maximise what we’ve got and the opportunity we’ve got?” Thinking way back to the opportunity he was handed by Ronny Deila in the summer of 2014, thrown in for his debut in that Champions League qualifier in Reykjavik, McGregor can be satisfied that he grasped that one with both hands. (Image: SNS Group - Sammy Turner) “I still remember the game and, of course, it was a memorable one,” he said. “There’s maybe a few in-between that are not so clear. “The day that I made my debut and scored, that’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.” As tends to be the case with serial winners though, it is the ones that get away that linger longest, and as McGregor looked ahead to Sunday’s League Cup final showdown against Rangers, he admitted that the memory of the one domestic trophy of the three on offer that slipped from his grasp last season still burns. “Yes, of course it does,” he said. “The ones that slip away from you are the ones that you remember. “Every tournament that we play in we want to win it, we want to do the best we can. And this is the first one up for grabs. “Our approach doesn’t really change, although maybe a little bit because we didn’t win it last year. The expectation is to win and the players know that. “We have to recover well from the game against Dinamo and when we go to the final, we have to give everything we can to make sure it’s a positive afternoon.”The New York Giants have blasted ESPN’s Elle Duncan after she mocked player Daniel Jone for his statement upon leaving the team. On Thursday, Duncan read a statement to the press as the team’s press conference opened, saying that it was his dream to have played with the Giants. “The opportunity to play for the New York Giants was truly a dream come true. I’m extremely grateful to the Mara and Tisch families for the chance to play here. The Giants are truly a first-class organization, and I have nothing but genuine respect and appreciation for the people who have built it and the people who carry on that tradition,” he said. Duncan, though, found the statement mockworthy during her “Taking the Elle” segment on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.” “We normally reserve ‘Taking the Elle’ for Fridays, but Giants quarterback Daniel Jones just did something so inexplicable that we made an exception,” Duncan said during the segment. “After being benched this week, Jones took to the podium to say goodbye to the franchise and fans but with, like, seven games left in the season.” Then she quipped, “I’m sorry, you have to write this down? Didn’t you go to Duke?” “Do you guys think he had this saved in his notes since, like, 2020? In all seriousness, DJ, I could have saved you like 90 seconds. A re-write: ‘Sorry you paid me $108 million for one playoff win. And I look forward to reviving my career as Brock Purdy’s backup.’ The end,” Duncan exclaimed. But after Duncan’s ribbing, Giants Senior Vice President of Communications Pat Hanlon took to social media to express his shock at the attack. “That an #ESPN personality would mock Daniel Jones’ statement today is mind boggling. Given what has happened at that company over past few years, tone deaf,” Hanlon wrote on X. According to Stephen A. Smith, the Giants organization also contacted ESPN to take a potshot at Duncan. In the hours after her rant, Duncan became the object of much social media mocking as fans joined the backlash against her. The attacks apparently stung Duncan enough that she tried to respond and, on Friday, struck back at those claiming she was being disrespectful to Daniel Jones. Follow Warner Todd Huston on Facebook at: facebook.com/Warner.Todd.Huston , or Truth Social @WarnerToddHuston

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