70 bet fortune ox A year that began with Steven Fletcher bagging the first hat-trick of his career in English football ended with the former international once again delivering the goods to power Wrexham back into the automatic promotion places. Fletcher’s stunning 90th-minute winner meant 2024 finished on an appropriate high for Phil Parkinson’s side, as Wigan Athletic became the latest side to succumb to the EFL ’s best home record. Advertisement The Scot’s fourth goal of the season — and his third in as many appearances at the SToK Cae Ras — means Wrexham reach the halfway stage of the season on 48 points, one behind leaders Birmingham City , albeit having played two games more. Wycombe Wanderers (third) and Huddersfield Town (fourth) ended the year on a rare low after unexpectedly dropping points on Sunday against Charlton Athletic and Burton Albion respectively. But both seem well equipped to go the distance, suggesting the battle to escape League One might just be the most keenly fought of the lot in the EFL this season. As it stands with the top four all displaying impressive consistency, we could be looking at a repeat of the 2022-23 race when even a return of two points per game wasn’t enough to guarantee a place in the top two with Sheffield Wednesday finishing third on 96. “We’re pleased with the return,” says Parkinson, when asked about Wrexham stepping up to this level after 19 years away. “To have 48 points at the halfway stage is good. “We know there’s work to be done. Everyone is aware of that. Our feet are firmly on the ground, as always. But, listen, you can’t not enjoy coming to work every day and being part of this club. There’s a spring in the step of the lads, including the ones out of the team who are ready to step in.” Rounding off the year with three points and an injury time winner 👊 🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/h0TfClclrP — Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) December 29, 2024 Even allowing for how Wednesday needed the fall-back option of the play-offs to go up two years ago thanks to the remarkable consistency of champions Plymouth Argyle (101 points) and runners-up Ipswich Town (98 points), recent history suggests Wrexham are well placed to push on in the new year. Discounting the 2019-20 season that was curtailed by the Covid pandemic, an analysis of the past decade in League One shows that the average points tally for the team finishing second stands at 90.66 points. Advertisement Perhaps more pertinently, the average total required to finish ahead of the third-placed team and thus be promoted across those same 10 years is 87. As for the play-offs, the average points tally required to extend the League One season over the past decade — and, again, after discounting the Covid-shortened 2019-20 — is 74.4 points. The big outliers to that mean figure are the 83 points required by Wycombe in 2021-22 and the 69 that were enough to seal sixth place for Chesterfield in 2014-15. As for Wrexham’s push for a third consecutive promotion, there’s little doubt how important their home form has been. A return of 11 wins and 35 points from 13 outings at the SToK Cae Ras is remarkable. It’s the best record in the EFL, with Championship high-flyers Leeds United the next best-performing in front of their own fans this season after taking 31 points from 12 matches at Elland Road. In League One, Reading and Birmingham are Wrexham’s closest rivals for consistency on home soil with 27 points from a possible 33. In contrast, 10 away games have yielded just 13 points, a distinctly mid-table return. With 13 of Wrexham’s remaining 23 fixtures being on the road — including visits to four of the top seven in Wycombe, Huddersfield, Reading and Barnsley, the latter on New Year’s Day — this return needs to improve. The disparity in away fixtures perhaps partly explains why Opta’s supercomputer does not rate Wrexham’s hopes of finishing in the top two very highly. Even after racking up more than two points per game in the first half of the season, Opta — by factoring in variables including the quality of recent performances, upcoming fixtures, historical results and their own power rankings — is predicting the Welsh club will finish on 82.23 points. This would be the fourth-highest total behind Huddersfield (82.98 points), Wycombe (91.1) and Birmingham (98.25), according to the supercomputer. Delving further into Opta’s computer forecast, they rate Wrexham’s chances of lifting the League One title as just 1.44 per cent, while promotion via the automatic route is put at 12.28 per cent. To put this into context, Birmingham are given a 76.04 per cent chance of finishing top (Wycombe 20.06 per cent) and a 95.4 per cent chance of winning automatic promotion (Wycombe 74 per cent). GO DEEPER How Birmingham shattered transfer records - and left English football in shock As for the play-offs, Opta suggests Wrexham as the most likely to go up via this route at 80.1 per cent, just ahead of Huddersfield (77.24 per cent) and then Bolton Wanderers (51.1 per cent). Reading are tipped to complete the quartet of teams competing in the end-of-season promotion deciders, again according to Opta’s simulation of the remaining fixtures. Advertisement Only time will tell, of course. For now, Parkinson can be hugely satisfied with not only his side’s first half of the season but also their ability to prevail even when not at their best, as they did against Wigan thanks to Fletcher. “It’s always believing,” said the Wrexham manager when asked what has been key to such an impressive return to League One. “I was watching the Sir Alex (Ferguson) documentary yesterday and how Manchester United always went right to the wire. “We’ve got that mentality here. We go to the end and we always believe we can get a goal.” GO DEEPER Why Ollie Palmer is Wrexham's ultimate team player (Top photo: Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney during their loss to Birmingham in September; by Alex Pantling via Getty Images)

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Alabama State tops Prairie View to secure a third straight winning season under coach Eddie RobinsonAlabama State tops Prairie View to secure a third straight winning season under coach Eddie Robinson

Global leaders expressed their condolences on Sunday following South Korea’s deadliest airplane crash, which claimed 179 lives. A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 burst into flames after skidding off the runway at Muan International Airport, leaving only two survivors. As grieving relatives gathered at the airport, messages of sympathy poured in from across the world. Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his sorrow in a message to South Korea's acting president, Choi Sang-mok. "I express our deep condolences to the victims, sincere sympathy for the victims' families, and wish those injured a speedy recovery," Xi said, as quoted by China’s state broadcaster CCTV. Iran’s foreign ministry also offered condolences to South Korea and Thailand, the flight’s point of origin, which lost two nationals in the crash. "We send our sympathy to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery for the injured," said spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shared his grief in a social media post, describing the incident as a "tragic plane crash." "We are deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash that occurred at Muan International Airport in our friend, the Republic of Korea," Erdogan said. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her heartbreak over the tragedy, saying, "As your partner, Europe stands with you in this time of grief." France’s foreign ministry shared its "great emotion" at the "terrible toll," offering condolences to affected families. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called the crash "an incredible loss and pain" and referred to it as "yet another blow to the nation’s heart," citing South Korea’s recent political turmoil. Greece’s foreign ministry conveyed sorrow via social media, extending condolences "during this difficult time." Spain’s foreign ministry called the crash a "terrible accident," offering solidarity with the victims and their families. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic expressed "disbelief" at the tragedy, describing the scenes as "horrific." As the sovereign of the Vatican City, Pope Francis addressed worshippers at the Vatican, and said he joins "in prayer for the survivors and the dead." The pontiff expressed solidarity with grieving families, calling it a "dramatic plane crash." The International Air Transport Association (IATA) also issued a statement. "We are shocked and saddened by the accident involving Jeju Air flight 7C2216. Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, crew, and their loved ones," it said. The tragedy has united the global community in mourning as investigators work to uncover the cause of the disaster.Houston to host key hydrogen summit as industry faces new political The outcome of the U.S. presidential election presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities that will significantly impact the future of hydrogen initiatives. Key questions loom large under a new Trump administration: What will government funding for hydrogen look like? Will deregulation occur, and if so, what will its impact be? How will advanced planning hydrogen projects and secured offtake agreements move forward? What lies ahead for hydrogen hubs, and how will trade policies affect the hydrogen supply chain and export opportunities? Against this backdrop, the upcoming Congress is poised to convene in from . Organized by World Hydrogen Leaders, now part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, the event will unite over 1,000 key players across the entire hydrogen value chain to align on solutions to current obstacles, forge new partnerships and accelerate the building of a robust hydrogen market. Program Director at World Hydrogen Leaders, commented: “ The conference agenda covers a diverse range of topics across 50+ hours of content, including a You can view the are anticipated to join and share their insights, including: Explore the full speaker lineup, exhibition floorplan, confirmed sponsors and much more in the event brochure, which can be downloaded Don’t miss this opportunity to and stakeholders as we shape the future of hydrogen together. to benefit from the super early bird rates to save , with also available. the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Houston to host key hydrogen summit as industry faces new political Cenex, the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell technologies joins the Maritime Battery Forum Cenex was established as the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell... Cell Impact to present at hydrogen conference on how to scale up green hydrogen Today and tomorrow, Henrik Jackman will participate in the Hydrogen Conference 2024 in Stockholm. The conference brings together the... California Hydrogen Leadership Summit to Focus on State and Federal Policies to Strengthen the Hydrogen Economy SACRAMENTO, Calif. — December 5, 2024 — The California Hydrogen Leadership Summit, the state’s largest...

Men lose 17 minutes of life with every cigarette they smoke while a woman’s life is cut short by 22 minutes with each cigarette, experts have estimated. This is more than previous estimates, which suggest that each cigarette shortens a smoker’s life by 11 minutes. The new estimates, which suggest that each cigarette leads to 20 minutes loss of live on average across both genders, are based on more up-to-date figures from long-term studies tracking the health of the population. Researchers from University College London said that the harm caused by smoking is “cumulative” and the sooner a person stops smoking, and the more cigarettes they avoid smoking, the longer they live. The new analysis, commissioned by the Department for Health and Social Care, suggests that if a 10-cigarettes-a-day smoker quits on January 1, then by January 8 they could “prevent loss of a full day of life”. By February 20, their lives could be extended by a whole week. And if their quitting is successful until August 5, they will likely live for a whole month longer than if they had continued to smoke. The authors added: “Studies suggest that smokers typically lose about the same number of healthy years as they do total years of life. Make 2025 the year you quit smoking for good. There’s lots of free support available to help you. Find out more 🔽 https://t.co/J0ehnoRM1D pic.twitter.com/LQpUp6HJBm — WHH 🏥 (@WHHNHS) December 27, 2024 “Thus smoking primarily eats into the relatively healthy middle years rather than shortening the period at the end of life, which is often marked by chronic illness or disability. “So a 60-year-old smoker will typically have the health profile of a 70-year-old non-smoker.” The analysis, to be published in the Journal of Addiction, concludes: “We estimate that on average, smokers in Britain who do not quit lose approximately 20 minutes of life expectancy for each cigarette they smoke. “This is time that would likely be spent in relatively good health. “Stopping smoking at every age is beneficial but the sooner smokers get off this escalator of death the longer and healthier they can expect their lives to be.” Dr Sarah Jackson, principal research fellow from the UCL Alcohol and Tobacco Research Group, said: “It is vital that people understand just how harmful smoking is and how much quitting can improve their health and life expectancy. “The evidence suggests people lose, on average, around 20 minutes of life for each cigarette they smoke. “The sooner a person stops smoking, the longer they live. “Quitting at any age substantially improves health and the benefits start almost immediately. “It’s never too late to make a positive change for your health and there are a range of effective products and treatments that can help smokers quit for good.” There are so many reasons to quit smoking this New Year – for your health, for more money, and for your family. Make a fresh quit for 2025 – find tips and support at https://t.co/GyLk65o8kS or https://t.co/iW6WLxTL00 pic.twitter.com/KxPZ5N378y — North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust (@NTeesHpoolNHSFT) December 27, 2024 Health officials have said that smokers can find advice, support and resources with the NHS Quit Smoking app, as well as the online Personal Quit Plan. Public health minister Andrew Gwynne said: “Smoking is an expensive and deadly habit and these findings reveal the shocking reality of this addiction, highlighting how important it is to quit. “The new year offers a perfect chance for smokers to make a new resolution and take that step.” Commenting on the paper, Professor Sanjay Agrawal, special adviser on tobacco at the Royal College of Physicians, said: “Every cigarette smoked costs precious minutes of life, and the cumulative impact is devastating, not only for individuals but also for our healthcare system and economy. “This research is a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address cigarette smoking as the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the UK.”Annie Kilner has been seen with a ring on her wedding finger despite filing for divorce from footballer Kyle Walker . The 31-year-old WAG, who shares four sons - Roman, 12, Riaan, eight, Reign, six and six-month-old Rezon - with Kyle, 34, was spotted at a showbiz event at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester with a ring back on her finger. Though she appeared to try to hide it as she pulled the sleeve of her sheer burgundy dress, which showed her underwear, over her left hand. It comes just weeks after Annie filed for divorce from the Manchester City defender in October after it emerged he had father two children with social media influencer Lauryn Goodman . Though Annie knew Lauryn's son Kairo, four, was conceived while she and Kyle were on a break, it came as a surprise to discover he had also fathered Lauryn's 14-month-old daughter Kinara. Lauryn texted Annie on Boxing Day last year to reveal the brutal news that Kyle had also fathered her second child. The pair are said to have “two or three messages”, with Lauryn reportedly twisting the knife further by sending Annie a picture of Kyle playing with his son Kairo and baby daughter in a park, confirming that the kids had the same father. According to The Sun , the message read: “I don’t have two baby daddies - I have one.” Another said: "Hey it's Lauryn. I just wanted to quickly tell you that Kyle is the father of our daughter." A source told the outlet in January that the message “confirmed” what Annie already knew, and Kyle’s behaviour, including buying Lauryn a £2 million house, had “raised suspicions”. Annie allegedly didn’t know about the house Kyle purchased for his former lover for a month, and was “livid” when she discovered his betrayal. Annie announced she was taking some “time away” from Kyle following the baby news, but just a few weeks later it was revealed she was also pregnant with their fourth child. Though Annie and Kyle appeared to be working things out following the birth of their fourth son, she has since instructed lawyers to begin legal proceedings against her husband as she allegedly planned to go for half of his £27 million fortune. Annie has reportedly said she "just can't forgive him" for what he's done to her. Due to Lauryn's actions - including a very public court hearing where she was accused of using him like an 'open-ended cheque book' - Kyle is said to have no relationship with the two children he shares with her. He has previously admitted his regret at hurting childhood sweetheart Annie, who he married in 2021, due to his extramarital affairs and said: "What I've done is horrible and I take full responsibility. I made idiot choices and idiot decisions." Last month it was revealed that Annie and Kyle could move abroad to get away from all the Lauryn drama. And there's been speculation be could be a "leading target" for Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli. A source told OK! magazine the move could signal fresh starts and a potential reversal not only for their family, but also for Annie and Kyle's marriage. The source claimed: "Kyle is set to be signed by a Saudi team at the end of next season and if he goes, Annie and the boys will join him. They both feel it could be the fresh start they need to give their marriage another go as they can ignore Lauryn even more." The future of Kyle and Annie's marriage might be hanging by a thread, but one thing that remains certain is Annie's unwavering commitment to her children. The source continued: "Despite filing for divorce, Annie and Kyle are still living together and she's not sure she is going to go through with it. They are still working on their future but Annie needs to make sure her and the boys are financially secure with any eventuality and they are determined to remain on good terms for the sake of their children." Earlier this year, the Mirror revealed that Annie and Kyle were set on working on their relationship following the scandal involving Lauryn. Do you have a story to share? Email me at katie.wilson01@reachplc.com Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and ThreadsFrom GTA 5 To GTA 6: The Road To Record-Breaking Returns For Take-Two Interactive

Alabama State tops Prairie View to secure a third straight winning season under coach Eddie RobinsonPIAA Class 4A football: Southern Lehigh rolls over Juniata to reach state semifinal for first timeWhat to know about Scott Turner, Trump's pick for housing secretary

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CHECK OUT: Learn at Your Own Pace! Our Flexible Online Course allows you to fit copywriting skills development around your busy schedule. Enroll Now! Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international events Kano state - Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf-led Kano state government has pointed an accusing finger at the federal government for being responsible for the blockade of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II’s palace by armed security operatives Legit.ng recalls that armed security operatives laid siege at Emir Sanusi II’s palace on Friday, December 6. It was learnt that the development was due to Emir Muhammadu Sanusi's II plan to install his son as the district head of Bichi. PAY ATTENTION: Legit.ng Needs Your Help! Take our Survey Now and See Improvements at LEGIT.NG Tomorrow The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, said the blockade at the 16th Emir of Kano’s palace was an attempt to disrupt peace in Kano. According to Leadership, Bichi stated this while speaking on a local radio programme about Emir Sanusi’s palace’s blockade. Bichi alleged that security personnel at the scene claimed they were acting on “orders from above,” which he linked to the federal government. Read also Gunmen reportedly target Taraba governor’s mother, daughter hospitalized after shooting “We were really surprised waking up to this development, with police sealing off the entrance to the palace of Kano Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II. “What surprises us the most is that Kano is peaceful, but it’s just a few people with backing from Abuja that don’t want Kano to remain peaceful.” He explained that the blockade disrupted the royal schedule as Emir Sanusi II had planned to accompany the district head of Bichi (Wamban Kano), to his domain. He warned that the people of Kano will not continue to tolerate interference in their affairs. “The Emir has appointed the district head, and it stands. Whenever the Emir is ready to go there, we will accompany him—no going back,” Kano Emir Sanusi ignores police presence Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Emir Sanusi II, on Friday, December 6, presided over a court session at his palace . Read also Kano Emir Sanusi ignores police presence, holds court session in palace This was after policemen barricaded the palace and restricted him from attending a royal ceremony in Bichi local government area. Sanusi and his rival, Ado Bayero, are laying hold on the Kano throne, and this has fuelled political tension in the ancient city. PAY ATTENTION : Legit.ng Needs Your Opinion! That's your chance to change your favourite news media. Fill in a short questionnaire Source: Legit.ngBy DARLENE SUPERVILLE WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he is “so proud” that a women’s health research initiative he launched last year at his wife’s urging has already invested nearly $1 billion because a healthy female population improves U.S. prosperity. “That’s a fact,” he said in closing remarks at the first White House Conference on Women’s Health Research. “We haven’t gotten that through to the other team yet,” Biden said, referencing President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming administration. Trump’s three conservative nominees to the Supreme Court from his first term as president voted to overturn a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion . Democrats campaigned on reproductive rights and women’s health issues in this year’s elections. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s transition team, said the president-elect will keep his promise to improve health in the U.S. “President Trump campaigned on making America healthy again for ALL Americans including men, women, and children, and he will deliver on that promise,” Leavitt said in an email. Women make up half of the U.S. population, about 168 million people, but medical research into their unique health circumstances has largely been underfunded and understudied, officials have said. Jill Biden has said she brought the idea for the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research to the president after Maria Shriver, herself a women’s health advocate and member of the influential Kennedy political family, brought it to her. The first lady told the researchers, advocates, and business and philanthropic leaders attending the conference that she will keep pressing the issue after she leaves her role. “My work doesn’t stop in January when Joe and I leave this house,” she said. “I will keep building alliances, like the ones that brought us here today, and I will keep pushing for funding for innovative research.” The first lady said the U.S. economy loses about $1.8 billion in working time every year because of how menopause affects women. And she is interested in learning more about extreme morning sickness during pregnancy. “I heard this a couple weeks ago and I was particularly interested because my own granddaughter was going through the same thing, ’cause we’re going to be great-grandparents,” Jill Biden said. Related Articles Health | For now, ‘Dreamers’ will be shut out of the health care marketplace in 19 states Health | US health panel adds self-testing option for cervical cancer screening Health | Do weighted blankets help you sleep better? Here’s what to know Health | How measles, whooping cough, and worse could roar back on RFK Jr.’s watch Health | Work-life balance isn’t working for women. Why? Granddaughter Naomi Biden Neal and her husband, Peter Neal, are expecting their first child. Since its launch, the women’s health research initiative has attracted nearly $1 billion in federal funding, including from the Defense Department and National Institutes of Health. “In one year, everybody in this room kicked butt,” Shriver said at the conference. “Not until the Bidens did anyone ever think to make women’s health and research a priority for the federal government, so let that sink in.” President Biden closed the conference with a nod to the influence of his wife, who, after her remarks, sat in the front row beside their daughter Ashley Biden, who runs a women’s shelter in Philadelphia. ‘You stepped up kid,” Biden told the first lady. Then he told the audience, “In case you wonder, when she speaks, I listen.”

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NEW YORK (AP) — Free agent pitchers Luis Gabriel Moreno and Alejandro Crisostomo were suspended for 80 games each by Major League Baseball on Friday following positive tests for performance-enhancing substances under the minor league drug program. Moreno tested positive for Nandrolone, and Crisostomo tested positive for Boldenone and Nandrolone, the commissioner’s office said. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.Wall Street week ahead: Pending home sales, manufacturing data to guide markets

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Brandon Gilliam made field goals of 42, 29 and 30 yards and Alabama State beat Prairie View A&M 9-6 on Saturday to secure a third straight winning season under coach Eddie Robinson. The last time Alabama State had three straight winnings seasons was under coach Reggie Barlow, who had five consecutive from 2010-15. The teams combined for 22 first downs, 428 total yards and five turnovers. Daquon Kincey rushed for 94 yards for Alabama State (6-5, 5-3 SWAC). Kareem Keye completed 6 of 14 passes for 71 yards with an interception. Jaden Johnson was also intercepted for Prairie View (5-7, 3-5). He was 13 of 23 for 122 yards. Guillermo Garcia Rodriguez had two field goals, including a 50-yarder. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football