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Lakers’ LeBron James, Warriors’ Stephen Curry adding another chapter to rivalry on Christmas Day

US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to demand control of the Panama Canal be returned to Washington, complaining of "unfair" treatment of American ships and hinting at China's growing influence. Here are five things to know about the waterway connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The 80-kilometer (50-mile) interoceanic waterway is operated by the Panama Canal Authority, an autonomous public entity. The Central American nation's constitution describes the canal as an "inalienable heritage of the Panamanian nation" that is open to vessels "of all nations." The United States is its main user, accounting for 74 percent of cargo, followed by China with 21 percent. Panama's government sets the price of tolls based on canal needs and international demand. Rates depends on a vessel's cargo capacity. "The canal has no direct or indirect control from China, nor the European Union, nor the United States or any other power," Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino said Sunday as he dismissed Trump's threat. All vessels, including warships and submarines, are given a Panama Canal pilot. Panama's independence from Colombia in 1903 is linked to the canal. Following the failure of French count Ferdinand de Lesseps to open a channel through the isthmus, the United States promoted the separation of the province of Panama and signed a treaty with the nascent country that ceded land and water in perpetuity to build it. After 10 years of construction and an investment of $380 million, the canal was inaugurated on August 15, 1914 with the transit of the steamer Ancon. Some 25,000 deaths from disease and accidents were recorded during its construction. The canal "is part of our history" and "an irreversible achievement," Mulino said. Washington's establishment of a "Canal Zone" -- an enclave with its own military bases, police and justice system -- gave rise to decades of demands by Panamanians to reunify the country and take control of the waterway. In 1977, Panamanian nationalist leader Omar Torrijos and US president Jimmy Carter signed treaties that allowed the canal to be transferred to Panama on December 31, 1999. "Any attempt to reverse this historic achievement not only dishonors our struggle, but is also an insult to the memory of those who made it possible," former president Martin Torrijos, the general's son, wrote on social media. Under the treaties, supported by more than 40 countries, the canal is deemed neutral and any ship can pass through. The only conditions are that ships must comply with safety regulations and military vessels from countries at war must not pass through at the same time. Unlike Egypt's Suez Canal, the Panama Canal operates using freshwater stored in two reservoirs. A drought led to a reduction in the number of transits in 2023, but the situation has since normalized. The canal, which has a system of locks to raise and lower vessels, transformed global shipping. Crafts can travel between the two oceans in about eight hours without having to sail all the way around Cape Horn, the southern tip of the Americas. The canal allows a ship to shave 20,300 kilometers off a journey from New York to San Francisco. Five percent of world maritime trade passes through the canal, which connects more than 1,900 ports in 170 countries. By the early 21st century, it had become too small, so it was expanded between 2009 and 2016. Today, the canal can accommodate ships up to 366 meters long and 49 meters wide (1,200 feet by 161 feet) -- equivalent to almost four football pitches. It generates six percent of Panama's national economic output and since 2000 has pumped more than $28 billion into state coffers. More than 11,200 ships transited the canal in the last fiscal year carrying 423 million tons of cargo. jjr/fj/dr/mlm

The Winnipeg Jets, who have the National Hockey League’s best record, visit the Pittsburgh Pengiuns on Friday night. The game from PPG Paints Arena will start at 7 p.m. ET and you can watch it on the NHL Network or live stream it on ESPN+ , fubo TV (add-on, FREE trial), Sling TV (add-on, discount) or DirecTV Stream (add-on, FREE trial and discount). Winnipeg has 7-2-0 record on the road and lead NHL play with 80 goals, averaging 4.2. The Jets, even with losses in two of their last three games, are 16-3-0. They have woken up alone atop the NHL standings every day for the last four weeks. They will lead the league after 20 games for the first time. A win Friday in Pittsburgh would tie the Jets for the fifth-most points after 20 games in NHL history with 34; only four teams have had more, most recently the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks (37). They’re 15-0-0 when allowing three goals or less and score on 35.7% of their power plays, the best in the league so far. They’re winning by 1.79 goals per game, another league-best. They entered Wednesday second in goals per game and fifth in goals-against average. And they have incredible balance — the Jets have 11 players with at least 10 points, the most in the NHL. The rest of the league, on average, has six players with at least 10 points. Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor lead with 24 points each (both top the team with 12 goals apiece) and Nikolaj Ehlers is next with 22. Finally, last year’s Vezina Trophy winner is even better this year. Connor Hellebuyck was the league’s best goalie a year ago after finishing 37-19-4 with a 2.39 GAA and .921 save percentage; this year, he’s 13-2-0 with a 2.20 GAA and .923 save percentage. “You’re pretty amazed, a little bit,” Jets coach Scott Arniel told The Associated Press . “At the same time, these players, they do have to recognize that it’s an amazing feat what they’ve done so far. But we’d like to just keep this going a little bit longer.” As for the Penguins (7-10-4, in the Metropolitan Division), they have lost four out of their last five games, including 3-2 at home on Tuesday night to Tampa Bay. The Penguins, who allowed a two-goal lead to slip away in the third period for the second straight game, have 12 losses in their last 16 overall. Pittsburgh has a 4-4-2 record in home games, and overall a minus-25 scoring differential, with 56 total goals scored and 81 allowed. Sidney Crosby leads in points (20) and is tied with Rickard Rakell in goals (7 apiece). Evgeni Malkin has posted 19 points. Alex Nedeljkovic is the best of the three goaltenders, with a 3.17 goals-against average. His record is 3-3-3. ©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit pennlive.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.The Prime Minister said the season was a time to remember the importance of “being there for one another”, including in “the more difficult times”. He also expressed hope for “peace, particularly in the Middle East as the birthplace of the Christmas story” amid spiralling conflict across the region. The message comes after a challenging first five months in office for the Labour Government and against the backdrop of a flatlining economy and rising inflation. Sir Keir said: “This Christmas, people will be travelling up and down the country. Heading home, visiting relatives and loved ones to celebrate together the hope and joy of this special season. “It’s a time to remind ourselves what’s really important. Family. Friendship. And fellowship between all people. “Being there for one another – in these celebrations, as well as the more difficult times.” The Prime Minister sought to strike an optimistic note following another year of political upheaval for Britain, which saw Labour win a landslide victory after a surprise election called by Rishi Sunak in the summer. After taking office in July, the new Government made a series of unpopular decisions as ministers confronted the realities of creaking public services and strained national finances. As well as dealing with the economic inheritance, Sir Keir said he needed to fix a “broken society” which manifested itself in summer riots across the country after the Southport knife attack. Sir Keir said: “This Christmas, I will be hoping for peace, particularly in the Middle East as the birthplace of the Christmas story. “I’ll be looking towards a better, brighter future for every person and celebrating the joy and wonder that Christmas brings. “So, from my family to yours, I hope you have a very merry Christmas.” The message comes after revised official figures released on Monday indicated that UK gross domestic product (GDP) showed no growth between July and September. Downing Street defended the Government’s record so far when asked about the data, telling reporters: “We had to take those tough decisions to lay the foundations of growth such that we can then deliver the higher living standards over this Parliament that people want to see.” The Prime Minister also used his message to thank those spending Christmas serving others, including in the NHS and emergency services, the armed forces, churches and charities. “I know that this is not an easy time for everyone, and my thoughts are with all those who are lonely this Christmas. “Having a tough time, missing a loved one. You are not alone,” he said. Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch said Christmas was a time to reflect on “all that’s happened in the year” and “support all of those people who need our assistance”. “I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone, not just in the Conservative Party or in my constituency, but across the country,” the Tory leader said. “For all that you have been doing in your communities, supporting each other and helping to keep all our towns, villages and places going. “I think that Christmas is a time for us to reflect on all that’s happened in the year. “Sometimes we have amazing years. “Sometimes, like when I lost my dad, we have difficult years and we’re commiserating, but we do it together. “But it’s a time for us to support all of those people who need our assistance, who need our help, who need our support.” She added: “And I’m looking forward to 2025. “I wish you all the very best for the New Year and all of the exciting things to come.” Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “This year, I’ve had the chance to spend time with some amazing young carers. “Incredible young people who will spend this Christmas doing what they do all year round; looking after loved ones who are ill or disabled. “Carers embody the Christmas spirit of love, selflessness and generosity. “So I hope we can all take some time to think of them, and keep them in our hearts. “And wish them – and everyone – a Christmas full of peace, joy and love.”

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Politicians, activists and content creators from the Highlands on why they have flown the nest to BlueSkyBOZEMAN — For the first time in Division I program history, the Montana State football team finished a regular season unbeaten. The No. 2-ranked Bobcats improved to 12-0 overall (8-0 in Big Sky Conference play) with a 34-11 win over No. 9 Montana (8-4, 5-3) in the 123rd Brawl of the Wild on Saturday afternoon at Bobcat Stadium. The victory gave MSU the outright Big Sky title and most likely secured a top-two seed in the FCS playoffs. Montana State head football coach Brent Vigen talks to reporters after the Bobcats' 34-11 win over Montana in the 123rd Brawl of the Wild on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman. It’s the first outright conference championship for the Cats since 1984. MSU is credited with a solo Big Sky title in 2011, although it initially shared it with UM before the NCAA vacated several UM wins due to extra benefits. From left, Montana linebacker Ryan Tirrell, head coach Bobby Hauck and running back Nick Ostmo talk to reporters after the Grizzlies' 34-11 loss to Montana State in the 123rd Brawl of the Wild on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman. The Cats had never been 10-0 before this season, and their only unbeaten season came in 1956 (9-0-1), when they won the NAIA championship. Top-ranked North Dakota State lost at South Dakota on Saturday, so MSU will likely be the No. 1 seed when the FCS playoff selections are announced Sunday morning. MSU opened Saturday's game with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that Tommy Mellott capped with a 5-yard touchdown run. The home team has now scored first in six straight Brawls, and the home team has won each of the last five Cat-Griz games by at least 19 points. In Tommy We Trust 🫡 | After both teams traded punts, UM got to MSU’s 25-yard line on a 21-yard run from Xavier Harris. The Grizzlies settled for a 47-yard field goal after an Eli Gillman run for no gain, a false start and an incomplete pass caused by pressure from McCade O’Reilly and Rylan Ortt. Montana State senior safety Rylan Ortt talks to reporters after the Bobcats' 34-11 win over Montana in the 123rd Brawl of the Wild on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman. On the next drive, Mellott completed a 35-yard TD pass to Rohan Jones on third and 8 to put the Cats ahead 14-3 with about 10 minutes left in the first half. ABSOLUTE DIME 🎯 x Following a sack from Zac Crews and Kenneth Eiden IV that forced a punt, MSU’s Myles Sansted put MSU up 17-3 with a 27-yard field goal at the 1-minute, 40-second mark. 🗣️ SACKED 🗣️ x UM turned it over on downs with 25 seconds on the clock. MSU set up a 49-yard field goal attempt five plays later, and Sansted drilled it as time expired to give the Cats a 20-3 halftime lead. It’s the longest field goal MSU has made since a 50-yarder from Blake Glessner against William & Mary in the 2022 FCS quarterfinals. Myles Sansted connects from 4⃣9⃣! 🎯 | Both teams opened the second half with punts (the UM punt after a sack from MSU defensive tackle Paul Brott). The Griz stuffed Mellott on 4th and 1 at the 5:14 mark, but they went three and out on the next drive after Sawyer Racanelli couldn’t hold onto a 28-yard pass from Logan Fife. Relentless Pursuit 😤 | MSU went up by 24 points on the next drive, thanks to an 88-yard run from Adam Jones. The Missoula Sentinel grad scored on a 3-yard TD run. Just a kid from Missoula Sentinel 🤷‍♂️ | Montana State redshirt freshman running back Adam Jones talks to reporters after the Bobcats' 34-11 win over Montana in the 123rd Brawl of the Wild on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman. The Cats led 27-3 going into the fourth quarter, two seasons after they held a 41-7 lead over UM in Bozeman through three quarters. The Griz scored their only TD of the game with 11:02 left. Gillman scored from 1 yard out and Fife completed a two-point pass to Racanelli after a 17-yard pass to Aaron Fontes on fourth and 8. MSU took a 34-11 lead with 4:49 left on a 2-yard TD run from Adam Jones, who finished with 197 rushing yards. FREIGHT TRAIN COMIN' THROUGH 💪 | The Cats out-gained the Griz 420 to 234 in total yards, including 326 to 117 on the ground. The Montana State University Bobcats parade the Brawl of the Wild trophy around Bobcat Stadium after winning against the University of Montana Grizzlies on Saturday, Nov. 23 in Bozeman, Montana. The MSU rodeo team leads the Bobcats onto the field during the Brawl of the Wild game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Montana Grizzlies wide receiver Keelan White (6) is tackled on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Montana Grizzlies wide receiver Aaron Fontes (14) runs onto the field during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Montana Grizzlies wide receiver Keelan White (6) is tackled during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Bobcat fans watch the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Montana Bobcats wide receiver Marqui Johnson (1) reacts to a tackle during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Montana Grizzlies safety Jace Klucewich (39) tackles Montana State Bobcats quarterback Tommy Mellott (4) during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Fans tailgate before the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Fans tailgate before the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Montana Grizzlies running back Nick Ostmo (26) is tackled during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Montana Grizzlies quarterback Logan Fife (12) looks to pass the ball during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Montana Grizzlies offensive lineman Dillon Botner (60) warms up before the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Montana Grizzlies running back Eli Gillman (10) jumps over Bobcat defense during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Montana Bobcat linebacker McCade O’Reilly (43) takes down Montana Grizzlies running back Xavier Harris (13) during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. The Bobcat cheer team dances during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. The Grizzlies are introduced to the field during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Montana Grizzlies running back Eli Gillman (10) runs the ball down the field during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. MSU President Waded Cruzado attends the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Montana Grizzlies running back Eli Gillman (10) tries to avoid Montana State defenders during the Brawl of the Wild football game last Saturday in Bozeman. The Bobcats take down Montana Grizzlies wide receiver Keelan White (6) during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Montana Bobcats running back Adam Jones (23) runs the ball down the field during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Bobcat fans react to a touchdown during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Montana Bobcats running back Adam Jones (23) scores a touchdown during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. The Bobcats enter Bobcat Stadium during the Brawl of the Wild football game on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Montana. Montana State fullback Rohan Jones catches a pass for a touchdown against Montana in the 123rd Brawl of the Wild Saturday at Bobcat Stadium. Montana State's Tommy Mellott (4), Julius Davis (32) and Burke Mastel (64) prepare for a play against Montana in The Brawl of the Wild at Bobcat Stadium on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott (4) looks to evade Montana cornerback Trevin Gradney (37) during the 123rd Brawl of the Wild Saturday at Bobcat Stadium. Montana State's Marcus Wehr (76), Tommy Mellott (4), Burke Mastel (64), Julius Davis (32) and Titan Fleischman (66) celebrate Mellott's touchdown against Montana in The Brawl of the Wild at Bobcat Stadium on Saturday. Montana State's Tommy Mellott (4) celebrates his touchdown against Montana with Ryan Lonergan in The Brawl of the Wild at Bobcat Stadium on Saturday. Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott scores a rushing touchdown against Montana in the 123rd Brawl of the Wild Saturday at Bobcat Stadium. The Montana State Bobcats took on the Montana Grizzlies in The Brawl of the Wild at Bobcat Stadium on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Victor Flores is the Montana State Bobcats beat writer for 406 MT Sports. Email him at and follow him on Twitter/X at Get local news delivered to your inbox!

ITV I'm A Celebrity viewers spot secret campmate feud at Dean McCullough as tensions brewUse your brain to build better future — EFCC charges Nigerian youthsEvery year on Christmas Eve, nine reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh through the sky so he can deliver presents to children throughout the world. Their names are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph. In the popular song and film about Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer is male, and the film implies the other reindeer are also male. But viral posts claim all of Santa’s reindeer are actually female because male reindeer lose their antlers in the winter. Some people online also claim real reindeer can have red noses like Rudolph, too. So is there more fact than fiction behind the legend of Santa’s sleigh team? Here are 3 VERIFIED facts about the real animals that inspired our favorite fictional reindeer. THE SOURCES WHAT WE FOUND 1. Are all of Santa’s reindeer female? THE ANSWER Sign up for the VERIFY Fast Facts newsletter here . There isn’t a clear-cut answer to this question. Santa’s reindeer could be female or castrated males. Unlike most other deer species, both male and female reindeer grow antlers every year, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and San Diego Zoo . Reindeer also shed their antlers every year, but the timing differs between males and females, our sources say. Male reindeer usually drop their antlers in the late fall and don’t regrow them until the following spring. Pregnant female reindeer, on the other hand, keep their antlers through winter until their calves are born in the spring, the FDA and San Diego Zoo say. Non-pregnant female reindeer lose their antlers in the winter, according to the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service . But castration can impact when male reindeer lose their antlers. Craig Roberts, an agricultural zoologist and professor of social psychology at the University of Stirling in Scotland, says castrated males “ have antler cycles similar to those of females .” All of this means Santa’s reindeer could be female or castrated males, since they usually keep their antlers during Christmastime. 2. Can real reindeer have red noses? THE ANSWER There’s truth behind the legend of Rudolph’s red nose. Some real reindeer noses can turn a reddish color due to an adaptation that helps them survive in cold climates. A 2012 study examined the noses of two reindeer and five humans. It concluded the reindeer had a 25% higher density of blood vessels in their noses compared to humans. This helps reindeer keep their noses warm, allowing them to heat up incoming cold air before they breathe it in, according to the Orlando Science Center . The extra blood vessels also mean their noses can turn a reddish color. “Exposure to extreme cold or exercise increases blood flow, and with so many extra blood vessels in their noses, they can turn a light rosy color,” the Orlando Science Center says. 3. Do reindeer make clicking sounds? THE ANSWER A popular Christmas song called “Up on the Housetop” says Santa’s reindeer go “click, click, click.” Real reindeer that aren’t out delivering presents actually make clicking sounds, too. But that clicking doesn’t come from their hooves hitting the ground. The clicking sound happens when a reindeer’s tendons snap over bones in their feet when they walk, according to an article published by Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences . Both OSU and the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens say biologists think the clicking sounds helps members of a reindeer herd stay together, especially in snowstorms where they cannot see each other. The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter , text alerts and our YouTube channel . You can also follow us on Snapchat , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok . Learn More » Follow Us Want something VERIFIED? Text: 202-410-8808POCATELLO, Idaho — Jack Layne threw threw touchdown passes, Nate Thomas had 171 yards rushing and Idaho beat Idaho State 40-17 Saturday in the regular season finale for both teams. Layne threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Emmerson Cortez-Menjivar on a trick play that opened the scoring about 6 minutes into the game and his 15-yard TD pass to Mark Hamper with 37 seconds left in the second quarter gave Idaho (9-3, 6-2 Big Sky Conference) a 10-point halftime lead. Andrew Marshall returned the opening kickoff of the second half 100 yards for a touchdown, Layne threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Dwyer that made it 30-10 with 5:17 left in the third quarter and Carlos Matheney's 9-yard TD run capped the scoring with 1:54 to play. Kobe Tracy was 27-of-44 passing for 249 yards with three interceptions for Idaho State (5-7, 3-5) and ran for a 3-yard TD in the fourth quarter that made it 30-17. Idaho, ranked No. 8 in the FCS coaches poll, awaits a likely at-large berth into the FCS playoffs. The Vandals' only losses have come at Oregon — which is No. 1 in the AP Top 25 and the College Football Playoff Ranking — in the season opener, at home against FCS No. 5 UC Davis and at FCS No. 2 Montana State.