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Meme no more: Texas is back and playing for a national championship with Huskies on deck in CFP semi

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:15:20 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas is back, and not just as a punchline. Fourteen years after last playing for a national championship, Texas (12-1) is in the College Football Playoff as Big 12 champion and one win away from another title shot. Since the end of that 2009 season when the future looked so bright, there had been five losing seasons and, until this year, zero conference titles.For nearly a decade, the “Texas is back” catchphrase has been an ongoing source of angst for the Longhorns. It is an easy way for rivals to mock the ‘Horns, including with social media memes poking fun at a program that did so little with so much.Only these Longhorns are no joke. An explosive offense led by quarterback Quinn Ewers and a defense led by All-American defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, have Texas as one of the last four teams standing. Texas (12-1) plays Washington (13-0) on Monday night in the Sugar Bowl in a CFP semifinal. The winner goes on to the Jan. 8 title game against either...

Real-life ‘Ratatouille’ restaurant reopens, overlooking Paris 2024 Olympics and reborn Notre Dame

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:15:20 GMT

PARIS (AP) — The Tour d’Argent already boasts a 320,000-bottle wine cellar, a world-famous duck recipe and a storied 441-year history. Now, the legendary Paris restaurant is about to serve up its “plat de résistance”: a front-row view of two of the biggest events of 2024 — the renaissance of Notre Dame Cathedral and the 2024 Summer Olympics.A city landmark unto itself — and an inspiration for the restaurant in the movie “Ratatouille’’ — the Tour d’Argent recently reopened after its own renovation, which preserved revered traditions while adapting to the 21st century.‘’It’s very reassuring for many customers to see that such establishments are still present in our history, and in French gastronomic history,’’ owner and CEO André Terrail told the Associated Press.The restaurant claims to be the oldest in Paris, its 1582 opening date embossed on the doors. It says King Henri IV ate heron pâté here; ‘’Sun King’’ Louis XIV hosted a meal here involving an entire cow; and presi...

Mourinho, Lukaku and Dybala set for different receptions when Roma visits Juventus in Serie A

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:15:20 GMT

MILAN (AP) — Three people will get a special welcome when Roma visits Juventus in Serie A on Saturday.Roma coach José Mourinho and forward Romelu Lukaku will likely face a hostile reception in Turin while there will be a much warmer welcome for former Juventus striker Paulo Dybala — if the Argentina international is fit enough to make the trip.Mourinho led Juve’s bitter rival Inter Milan to the treble of the Serie A title, Italian Cup and Champions League trophy in 2010 and the often controversial coach has reacted on previous occasions to being baited by the Bianconeri fans by holding up three fingers in reference to that haul.Lukaku, meanwhile, was subjected to racist chants by a section of Juventus fans when he was playing for Inter during the Italian Cup semifinals in April and he was shown a second yellow card and sent off for his reaction toward the home support after scoring a stoppage-time penalty — prompting a scuffle between the two teams.Nevertheless, Lukaku — surprisingl...

DU professor weighs in on plastic bag, Styrofoam ban

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:15:20 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- At the beginning of the year, a new law aimed at reducing environmental waste goes into effect. Colorado is banning plastic bags and Styrofoam containers starting Jan. 1, 2024. Plastic bag banA 10-cent plastic bag fee went into effect at the beginning of last year. This is essentially the next phase of that same law, that bans bags altogether.Grocery stores and other shops can use up their supply of plastic bags until they run out, then they must abide by this new rule.Overall, the goal is to discourage people from taking the bag and reusing a bag instead. What Colorado’s Styrofoam food container ban means for you The ban prohibits retail locations and restaurants from giving out plastic bags and moving to recyclable paper instead. A 10-cent fee would still apply to those paper bags.Dr. Jack Buffington, a professor and the program director of Supply Chain Management at Denver University weighs in.“From an environmental standpoint, the impact [of paper] is smaller...

Retired Florida performer, Delilah Wallenda, returns to the wire for a daring stunt at 71

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:15:20 GMT

SARASOTA, Fla. (WSVN) — At 71 years old, Delilah Wallenda, renowned for her daring wire performances, is making a thrilling comeback. Delilah, who officially retired after a wire walk with her son Nik Wallenda in October 2019, is set to showcase her passion once again for two special performances in “Brave New Wonderland.”“When I’m up on the wire, it’s thrilling, it’s exciting. I want to please the crowd. It’s my passion. It’s something I’ve done my whole life,” expressed Delilah.Despite undergoing back and hand surgery, along with a hip replacement, Delilah continued to practice, fueled by her unwavering passion. Nik, recognizing his mother’s longing to perform, devised a unique birthday and Christmas gift.“I thought it might be real cool to offer her an opportunity to perform, not knowing what the outcome would be,” said Nik. Without hesitation, Delilah accepted the offer.On her 71st birthday, Delilah wi...

Gypsy Rose Blanchard out of prison years after persuading boyfriend to kill her abusive mother

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:15:20 GMT

Gypsy Rose Blanchard, the Missouri woman who persuaded an online boyfriend to kill her mother after she had forced her to pretend for years that she was suffering from leukemia, muscular dystrophy and other serious illnesses, was released Thursday from prison on parole.Blanchard was released early in the day from the Chillicothe Correctional Center, said Karen Pojmann, a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Corrections. Blanchard was granted parole after serving 85% of her original sentence, Pojmann said.Blanchard’s case sparked national tabloid interest after reports emerged that her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, who was slain in 2015, had essentially kept her daughter prisoner, forcing her to use a wheelchair and feeding tube.It turned out that Gypsy Blanchard, now 32, was perfectly healthy, not developmentally delayed as her friends had always believed. Her mother had Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder in which parents or caregivers seek ...

Satellite images show Russian navy ship burning after Ukrainian strike in Crimea

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:15:20 GMT

(CNN) — Satellite images have revealed severe damage caused to the Russian tank landing ship Novocherkassk following Ukrainian strikes on a port in Crimea on Tuesday.In images taken by Maxar, the ship can be seen burnt out and detached from the port, seemingly partially submerged, with smoke billowing from the vessel.Ukraine claimed to have destroyed the ship in its attack on the port of Feodosia in Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. Moscow claimed the ship had been “damaged.”The image, when compared with a previous image showing the ship before the strike, suggests a successful Ukrainian operation targeting the port.The number of those who may have been killed in the strike may become more clear over time as the peninsula is currently under Russian control, a Ukrainian Navy spokesperson said Wednesday.“This territory, unfortunately, is occupied now, and it’s not an easy thing to do the relevant intelligence. And I think that ove...

5 financial new year’s resolutions for 2024

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:15:20 GMT

By Chanelle Bessette | NerdWalletThe new year is upon us, and it’s a great time to plan for your financial future. Here are five financial resolutions to consider for 2024.1. Get a high-interest savings accountInterest rates are still high on savings accounts right now, especially high-yield online savings accounts. Some accounts are offering more than 5% annual percentage yield, which is 10 times more than the national average on savings accounts. Take advantage of this “free” money by opening a new account with a high rate or upgrading your current one. Just make sure you avoid fees as much as possible, and choose a bank or credit union that is easy for you to access, either through remote customer service or in person.2. Focus on student loan repaymentFor many, student loan payments resumed in 2023. If you’re feeling anxious or uncertain about how much you owe, it’s best to face the numbers head-on and see if there’s any way you can reduce your payments. For example, if you earn ...

Scattered showers expected in San Diego County this weekend, maybe thunderstorms

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:15:20 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Scattered showers are expected across San Diego County this weekend, as well as a chance of isolated thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service. From Thursday to Friday, NWS anticipates dry weather with morning low clouds and fog for both the coastal areas and valleys. High temperatures at lower elevations Friday should be slightly above average to 5 to 10 degrees. Drivers’ warning: CHP to implement Maximum Enforcement Period for new year From there, a low pressure system from the west is expected to bring cooling and a chance of showers late Friday night and into Saturday, the forecast shows. Those rain showers will move from northwest to southeast through the day Saturday before tapering off after sunset, weather officials explained.High temperatures for inland areas over the weekend are anticipated to be around 10 degrees cooler than those of Thursday and Friday, said NWS.For most areas ...

Last at-large suspect in stabbing of off-duty officer at Scarborough Best Buy arrested

Published Thu, 26 Dec 2024 18:15:20 GMT

All four suspects in the stabbing of an off-duty police officer at a Scarborough Best Buy store earlier this month are now in custody facing charges after the last remaining suspect was arrested on Wednesday.Toronto police arrested Preston Calladine, 48, of Toronto, and charged him with nearly a dozen charges including robbery with a weapon, aggravated assault on a peace officer and assault with a weapon.Calladine was the last of the four suspects to be nabbed.The first arrest came in dramatic fashion last Wednesday when police say they spotted one of the suspects driving a stolen U-Haul truck in the Danforth and Warden Avenues area.Officers tried to make an arrest, but the suspect allegedly abducted a citizen at gunpoint and took off in the U-Haul, sparking a long pursuit that resulted in numerous crashes through parts of the GTA. The abduction victim managed to jump out of the vehicle at one point and was unharmed.Police vehicles finally cornered the suspect, making a daring dayli...