NoneJAMAICA, N.Y. , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) today announced that Turkish Airlines will begin operations at the new terminal when it opens in 2026. Turkish Airlines will also unveil a brand new, state-of-the-art lounge for its premium customers, launching the next phase of the award-winning airline's growth at its top U.S. gateway. The New Terminal One, set to be the largest international terminal in the United States , will offer best-in-class amenities and innovative technology for a transformational and efficient travel experience. The New Terminal One is a key component of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's $19 billion transformation of JFK Airport into a world-class gateway, which will include two new terminals, the modernization and expansion of two existing terminals, a new ground transportation center, and an entirely new, simplified roadway network. Turkish Airlines, which currently flies 19 times weekly from JFK Airport to its hub at Istanbul , providing seamless connections to its extensive global network, will continue to offer top-tier service from the new terminal. As part of its expansion in the JFK market, Turkish Airlines will open an 11,000-square-foot lounge in the New Terminal One – twice the size of the airline's lounge at the existing Terminal 1. The new lounge will feature premium amenities, expansive views of JFK Airport's airfield and provide direct boarding access to aircraft, offering unmatched convenience for Turkish Airlines' business class customers and top-tier frequent flyers. Recognized for its exceptional in-flight service, Turkish Airlines recently received the World Class Award from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) for the fourth consecutive year, placing it among just 10 airlines in the world to have received this prestigious recognition. Turkish Airlines was also chosen as the Best Airline in Europe nine times by Skytrax. Over the years Turkish Airlines also received accolades from Skytrax and other prestigious organizations numerous times for its Business and Economy Class offerings and Lounges. Turkish Airlines offers service to 351 destinations, including 25 in the Americas. Turkish is a member of the Star Alliance and will join other alliance members at the New Terminal One: LOT Polish Airlines, EVA Air and Air China. "We are thrilled to welcome Turkish Airlines to the New Terminal One at JFK, where their commitment to world-class customer service aligns perfectly with our mission to provide an unparalleled customer experience," said The New Terminal One Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Aument . "We look forward to working closely with our colleagues at Turkish Airlines to elevate the travel experience for customers from 2026 and beyond." Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Prof. Ahmet Bolat stated: "We are excited to bring Turkish Airlines' world-class service to the New Terminal One at JFK, further enhancing our passengers' travel experience with a state-of-the-art-lounge. This move underlines our commitment to continue our growth in the U.S market." In addition to Turkish Airlines, the New Terminal One has partnered with several other global carriers, including Air France, KLM, Etihad, LOT Polish Airlines, Korean Air, EVA Air, Air Serbia, SAS, Neos and Philippine Airlines. Air China is also partnering with the terminal on elevating the travel experience for Chinese customers visiting New York . The New Terminal One is focused on improving the customer experience by collaborating with potential airline partners. This includes working with airline teams across all customer journey touchpoints. Set to be JFK Airport's largest terminal when complete, the New Terminal One will offer a world-class customer experience and additional widebody aircraft gate capacity – providing international airlines a unique opportunity to grow their service at JFK, the top global gateway to the U.S. About The New Terminal One The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport is a bold and exciting project to develop a world-class international terminal that will serve as an anchor terminal in the Port Authority's $19 billion transformation of JFK into a global gateway to the New York metropolitan area and the United States . The New Terminal One will set a new standard for design and service, aspiring to obtain a Top 5 Skytrax ranking and be considered one of the finest airport terminals in the world. The New Terminal One is being built on sites now occupied by Terminal 1 and the former Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, where it will anchor JFK's south side. Construction is taking place in phases. The first phase, including the new arrivals and departures halls and first set of 14 new gates, is expected to open in 2026. At completion, anticipated in 2030, the New Terminal One will be 2.6 million square feet, making it the largest terminal at JFK and nearly the same size as LaGuardia Airport's two new terminals combined. The New Terminal One will be a 23-gate, state-of-the-art, international-only terminal. Sustainably designed and future-focused, the terminal will feature expansive, naturally lit public spaces, cutting-edge technology, and an array of amenities, all designed to enhance the customer experience and compete with some of the highest-rated airport terminals in the world. The New Terminal One consortium of labor, operating, and financial partners is led by Ferrovial, JLC Infrastructure, Ullico, and Carlyle. The New Terminal One is being built by union labor and is committed to local inclusion and labor participation, focusing on diversity and capacity-building opportunities, including ambitious participation goals of 30% for minority and women-owned enterprises, 10% for local business enterprises and 3% for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. To learn more about the New Terminal One at JFK International Airport, visit https://www.anewjfk.com/projects/the-new-terminal-one/ About Turkish Airlines Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 491 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 351 worldwide destinations in 130 countries (298 international destinations and 53 domestic destinations within Turkiye). More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on its official website www.turkishairlines.com or its social media accounts on Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/turkish-airlines-to-begin-operations-at-the-new-terminal-one-at-jfk-and-unveil-world-class-lounge-302331710.html SOURCE The New Terminal One at JFK
The need for higher education that is relevant to students’ lives, accessible to everyone, and interconnected on a global scale has been emphasised by experts at a Qatar Foundation (QF)-led discussion during the Doha Forum 2024. Moderated by Francisco Marmolejo, president of Higher Education and Education Advisor, QF, the session brought together educators from east and west to explore the opportunities, challenges, and risks surrounding globalised learning and international education, in a world that has become increasingly polarised. The discussion delved into issues such as the impact of rising nationalism, “anti-intellectualism”, and cost on higher education worldwide, and how it can both benefit and come under threat from Artificial Intelligence. Among the perspectives shared was that of the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF), from which students, faculty, and staff evacuated to Qatar have continued their learning journey at QF’s Education City, through a strategic partnership between Qatar Fund for Development, QF, and the university. “The arrival of the Afghan students into our ecosystem of education has been very refreshing in many ways,” said Marmolejo. “I’m sure it has helped to change the lives of many of our students just by getting a sense of the challenges and the struggles that these students who have become part of our community have brought with them. Ambassador Said T Jawad, chairman of AUAF, stressed the importance of international partnerships in higher education, saying: “There are problems that cannot be solved through one model and in one place – there is every reason to be collaborating, both in terms of our needs as institutions and in terms of solving human problems.” Dr Fanta Aw, director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, told the panel that higher education should not “let a good crisis go to waste”, and that organisations and institutions in the non-education sphere can work in collaboration with the higher education sector to harness opportunities.” Universities have a responsibility to serve their societies as well as their learners, according to Dr Lynn Pasquerella, president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, who warned: “Unless we provide access for all students, we are not fulfilling our obligations to our students and to our societies, and we are violating that social compact. Dr Ahmad Dallal, president of the American University of Cairo, cited several reasons for his view that “international education has a big problem” – violence leading to student and faculty deaths; increasing nationalism “and the ideological projects being imposed on institutions of higher education”; the cost of education and its “return on investment”; and technology.” The panellists also spoke about the uniqueness of the international education model at QF’s Education City – where branch campuses of international universities stand alongside QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University – and how it stands as an example of collaborative learning through enabling students from more than 120 countries to have multiple educational experiences. Related Story Noble International School’s new campus opens Friday EAA spotlights funding for educationConversations about the proposed agriculture barn at Tahlequah High School moved forward Thursday, Dec. 5, when parents, students and community members filled the ag classroom to see renderings of the proposed design and to offer feedback. “We started talking about this last spring,” TPS Superintendent Tanya Jones said. “It was born of a dream, and a need.” Tanya Jones said the project has not gone as smoothly as she anticipated, due to the lengthy design process required. She said it was also going to be more expensive than expected. According to Tanya Jones, Oklahoma’s Title 61 mandates that projects over a certain cost require architects and engineers to design. The proposed design for the new ag barn will be a 40-foot by 40-foot building adjoining an existing storage shed behind the ag building, near where the garden and greenhouse sit. The barn would be mostly open, with a wash bay in one corner of the building. According to Carl Wallace, ag instructor at THS, the wash bay will be where students can groom their animals. The open space will be used for livestock pens and possibly a practice arena. However, due to space constraints, the open area may be entirely used to house animals, Wallace said. “It’s basically an open space that he will be able to customize to what he needs,” TPS Director of Operations Brad Jones said. According to Wallace, building a loft above the wash bay for additional storage is being considered. Wallace said with the current design, there is not enough room for students to house cattle on campus, but they could have smaller livestock like goats, sheep, hogs, rabbits and chickens. Brad Jones said that once this barn is built, a lean-to could be added easily and inexpensively to offer room for additional animals. Wallace said he is planning to use collapsible, modular pens that can be rearranged based on need. He estimated there will be room for 15 pens that are 5 feet by 10 feet in size. Outdoor fencing is not currently in the building plans, but will be considered so students can safely work with their animals outdoors, in the grass, according to Wallace. The plans offer room to drive between the ag building and the ag barn for easy loading and unloading, Wallace said. “I’d rather it be done right, and done in a way for this to expand and grow in the future,” Tanya Jones said. “In a perfect world, by next year, we will be able to use this barn.” Brad Jones estimated that the barn will be complete by the end of the summer. “The whole idea is to create a space we can build off,” Brad Jones said. “The way I look at it, this is only going to get bigger.” Tanya Jones said the integration of a middle school program will be a longer-term goal. She said that at first, they may only be able to expose the middle school students to what the high school ag program does. Brad Jones said the full room of attendees was encouraging to see. The funds raised for the project total over $102,000 currently, according to Tanya Jones, an additional $100,000 has been earmarked from the building fund. But donations will still be accepted, she said. “We have a very supportive community,” the superintendent said. “We live in a fantastic place.” Tanya Jones encouraged participants to take home copies of the renderings, and reach out to her or Wallace for feedback, which they can pass along to the architects at TriArch, who are working on the project. Once the current plan has been updated, she anticipates the district will solicit additional feedback by emailing or calling the attendees of the Dec. 5 meeting, and through social media sites like Facebook.
President Joe Biden commuted the federal prison sentence Thursday of Mofid Abdel Kader Meshal (or Mufid Abdulqader), the half-brother of billionaire Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, who had served 16 of his 20 years. Biden issued 39 pardons and commuted some 1,500 sentences, some of them involving controversial figures. Abdulqader was convicted in 2008 as one of five defendants in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism funding trial, in which a Muslim charity in the U.S. was found to have funneled donations to Hamas after it was designated a terror group. 398211 04: FBI agents guard the entrance to the Holy Land Foundation December 5, 2001 in Richardson, Texas. The Holy Land Foundation disputes claims made by the U.S. government that it used charitable donations to fund Hamas and their goal is to destroy Israel. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which worked with the Biden-Harris administration to water down the White House antisemitism “strategy,” was named as an un-indicted co-conspirator in the trial. It was not immediately clear why Abdulqader had been released. Some observers expressed outrage that the Biden-Harris administration had released a Hamas-linked prisoner while Hamas is still holding Americans hostage in Gaza. The Times of Israel, however, reported that Israeli sources speculated that the release took place as part of hostage negotiations with Hamas, which are said to have improved in recent days, since President-elect Donald Trump said there would be “ALL HELL TO PAY” if all 100 of the remaining hostages were not freed by January 20, and since the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria left Hamas with few remaining sources of military support in the Muslim world. Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT). He is the author of the recent e-book, Neither Free nor Fair: The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election . His recent book, RED NOVEMBER , tells the story of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary from a conservative perspective. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak .
Milestone at Hydrogen Dialogue – KEYOU hands over first 18t truck to pioneer customer EP Trans The integration work for the first pioneer vehicles was carried out by KEYOU’s long-term partner Paul Nutzfahrzeuge in Vilshofen near Passau. The commercial vehicle experts were already responsible for the construction of the two KEYOU prototype vehicles – the 12-meter city bus and the 18-ton truck, which served as blueprint for the now completed pioneer vehicles. The 18-ton trucks, based on a Daimler Actros chassis and equipped with a converted 7.8-liter Deutz engine with KEYOU-inside system and a fully automatic transmission from Allison Transmission, were recently handed over to the Munich-based hydrogen experts. After some tests and final optimizations, the vehicle will soon receive its road approval. The first vehicle was officially handed over to pioneering customer EP Trans at this year’s Hydrogen Dialogue in Nuremberg. The delivery was originally scheduled for the end of 2023, but has been postponed several times due to delivery problems of a key component supplier. Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, Hubert Aiwanger, was on site to officially witness the handover and congratulate everyone involved on this important milestone. The KEYOU H2 truck is an important step in the decarbonization of EP Trans’ truck fleet and the supply chain of its end customers. The planned route is still being finalized, but the logistics company is expected to operate the truck in Bavaria for an international steel company, benefiting from the many advantages of the technology. Managing Director of EP Trans, says : also Managing Director of EP Trans, says : “The fact that KEYOU’s offer also allows us to save on the CO2 toll and that the all-inclusive package means we don’t have to worry about issues such as insurance or vehicle service and maintenance is an added bonus. The delays were of course a pity for us as well, but we are all the more pleased that we will soon be able to start,” The advantages of the hydrogen engine over other propulsion technologies become even more apparent over long distances and therefore in the heavy-duty segment. In order to fully exploit this potential, KEYOU has initiated a strategic realignment with its appearance at this year’s IAA and, following the successful market launch of its pioneering 18-ton fleet, will focus entirely on the development and introduction of its 40-ton offering. The first Actros-based 40-ton trucks with KEYOU-inside hydrogen engines are expected to roll off the production line in 2026. The model KEYOU is currently working on is based on a Daimler Actros with a 12.8-liter engine and will have an output of 346 kW. As with the 18-ton truck, hydrogen tanks with a pressure of 350 bar will be installed. It is expected that the planned tank volume will allow for a range of approximately 650 kilometers. The company announced the official sales start at the end of November with a limited sales offer. the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Milestone at Hydrogen Dialogue – KEYOU hands over first 18t truck to pioneer customer EP Trans, California approves $1,4 billion plan to build thousands more vehicle chargers, boost ZEV infrastructure – electric charging and hydrogen refueling stations SACRAMENTO – Thousands more electric vehicle (EV)... Next Hydrogen Solutions Inc Announces Closing of Private Placement of Unsecured Convertible Debentures MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Next Hydrogen Solutions Inc. (TSXV: NXH, OTC: NXHSF)... Everfuel and Karlstads Energi gets funding notification for potential project in Sweden Herning, Denmark, 13 December 2024 – Everfuel A/S’ is pleased to announce that its subsidiary Everfuel Production Karlstad AB...
The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Bowen Hardman had 20 points in Akron’s 101-48 victory NCAA-Division III-member SUNY-Brockport on Saturday. Hardman went 8 of 14 from the field (4 for 10 from 3-point range) for the Zips (6-2). James Okonkwo scored 12 points and added 16 rebounds. Nate Johnson shot 5 for 8, including 2 for 4 from beyond the arc to finish with 12 points, while adding six rebounds. The Golden Eagles were led in scoring by Tony Arnold, who finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. Jacob Oka added six points for SUNY-Brockport. Christian Amica also had five points. Akron took the lead with 18:22 left in the first half and never looked back. The score was 56-24 at halftime, with Hardman racking up 12 points. Akron outscored SUNY-Brockport by 21 points over the final half, while Evan Wilson led the way with a team-high eight second-half points. Akron visits Milwaukee in its next matchup on December 15. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration next month — extending a diplomatic olive branch even as Trump threatens to levy massive tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump's incoming press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed on Thursday that Trump invited Xi, but said it was “to be determined” if the leader of the United States' most significant economic and military competitor would attend. “This is an example of President Trump creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not just our allies, but our adversaries and our competitors too,” Leavitt said in an appearance on Fox News' program ”Fox & Friends." “We saw this in his first term. He got a lot of criticism for it, but it led to peace around this world. He is willing to talk to anyone and he will always put America’s interest first.” CBS News first reported the invitation to Xi. Asked at a Chinese Foreign Ministry briefing on Thursday about Trump's invitation, spokesperson Mao Ning responded: “I have nothing to share at present.” Leavitt said that other foreign leaders have also been invited, but did not provide any details. The move by Trump to invite a leader of an adversarial nation to the American moment that is Inauguration Day is unorthodox. But it also squares with his belief that foreign policy—much like a business negotiation—should be carried out with carrots and sticks to get the United States' opponents to operate closer to his administration's preferred terms. Jim Bendat, a historian and author of “Democracy’s Big Day: The Inauguration of Our President,” said he was not aware of a previous U.S. inauguration attended by a foreign head of state. “It's not necessarily a bad thing to invite foreign leaders to attend,” Bendat said. “But it sure would make more sense to invite an ally before an adversary.” Edward Frantz, a presidential historian at the University of Indianapolis, said the invitation helps Trump burnish his “dealmaker and savvy businessman” brand. “I could see why he might like the optics," Frantz said. “But from the standpoint of American values, it seems shockingly cavalier." White House officials said it was up to Trump to decide whom he invites to the inauguration. “I would just say, without doubt it's the single most consequential bilateral relationship that the United States has in the world,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said. “It is a relationship both fraught with peril and responsibility.” Trump on Thursday during an appearance at the New York Stock Exchange , where he was ringing the opening bell to open the market, said he’s been “thinking about inviting certain people to the inauguration” without referring to any specific individuals. “And some people said, ‘Wow, that’s a little risky, isn’t it?’” Trump said. “And I said, ‘Maybe it is. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens.’ But we like to take little chances.” Meanwhile, a top aide to Hungarian President Viktor Orban, one of Trump's most vocal supporters on the world stage, said Thursday that Orban isn't slated to attend the inauguration. “There is no such plan, at least for the time being," said Gergely Gulyás, Orban's chief of staff. The nationalist Hungarian leader is embraced by Trump but has faced isolation in Europe as he's sought to undermine the European Union's support for Ukraine, and routinely blocked, delayed or watered down the bloc’s efforts to provide weapons and funding and to sanction Moscow for its invasion. Orban recently met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Every country's chief of mission to the United States will also be invited, according to a Trump Inaugural Committee official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The invitation comes as Trump has vowed to enact massive tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China to get those countries to do more to reduce illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He has said that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada and that China could be hit with even higher tariffs. China produces precursor chemicals used in the production of fentanyl, but Beijing has stepped up efforts over the last year to crack down on the export of the chemicals. “We’ve been talking and discussing with President Xi, some things, and others, other world leaders, and I think we’re going to do very well all around,” Trump said in a CNBC interview Thursday. Xi during a meeting with President Joe Biden last month in Peru urged the United States not to start a trade war. “Make the wise choice,” Xi cautioned. “Keep exploring the right way for two major countries to get along well with each other.” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also pushed back on Trump's threats, warning such a tariffs move would be perilous for the U.S. economy as well. Trudeau earlier this week said that Americans “are beginning to wake up to the real reality that tariffs on everything from Canada would make life a lot more expensive” and said he will retaliate if Trump goes ahead with them. Trump responded by calling Canada a state and Trudeau the governor. In addition to the tariff dispute, U.S.-China relations are strained over other issues, including what U.S. officials see as Beijing indirectly supporting Russia's war on Ukraine. The Biden administration says China has supported Russia with a surge in sales of dual use components that help keep its military industrial base afloat. U.S. officials also have expressed frustration with Beijing for not doing more to rein in North Korea's support for the Russian war. China accounts for the vast majority of North Korea’s trade. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has dispatched thousands of troops to Russia to help repel Ukrainian forces from the Kursk border region. The North Koreans also have provided Russia with artillery and other munitions, according to U.S. and South Korean intelligence officials. Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration takes place a day after the U.S. deadline for ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of social media giant TikTok, to sell the social media app or face a ban in the United States. — Associated Press writer Balint Domotor in Budapest, Hungary, contributed reporting.
Thousands of protesters marched in the Georgian capital Tbilisi Saturday for the 10th day of rallies sparked by a disputed election and the government's decision to shelve EU accession talks. Demanding fresh elections and a return to European integration, the demonstrators headed towards parliament, undeterred by a police crackdown on pro-EU protesters and attacks on the opposition. The Caucasus nation has been engulfed in turmoil since the governing Georgian Dream party declared victory in a disputed October 26 election. The government last week said it would suspend talks to join the European Union, sparking a fresh wave of demonstrations. Its critics accuse it of creeping authoritarianism and of steering the country back towards Russia. Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky -- whose country has been fighting a Russian invasion for almost three years -- said Saturday he fully backed Georgia's anti-government protesters. Zelensky urged Tbilisi to stop "surrendering" to Moscow in a meeting with the country's pro-EU president Salome Zurabishvili in Paris. He has warned of Russian influence in Georgia for months. Zurabishvili -- at loggerheads with the ruling party -- has denounced widespread fraud in October's parliamentary polls, and branded the freshly elected legislature and government "illegitimate". Blowing horns and whistles, pro-European protesters on Saturday marched from Tbilisi State University towards parliament, blocking one of the city's main traffic arteries, an AFP reporter saw. As on previous nights, some demonstrators banged on the metal barriers blocking the parliament's entrance. Others pointed laser beams at the building and the police blocking the adjacent streets. "They are trying to arrest us, punish us, but we won't back down, we are not afraid," said 19-year-old protester Giorgi Romanadze. "This is our last chance to be free, to be happy. We want Europe, and Europe only." Some demonstrators held signs reading "We demand free and fair elections" and "Free all unjustly arrested," as calls for stronger international backing grew louder among the protesters. "We are fighting for our freedom... and we want the international community to help us," said 32-year-old Teona Chakvetadze. "We need the international community to sanction our oligarchs and this illegitimate government.... We can't win this fight on our own." Independent television station Pirveli reported that dozens of masked men had severely beaten its journalists. Police officers stood by without intervening during the incident near the protest venue. The opposition alliance, For Change, released CCTV footage showing the masked men raiding its office and badly beating opposition figure Koba Khabazi. The Georgian Dream government's security forces had faced persistent accusations of deploying plainclothes security agents to target and attack political opponents. The crackdown has triggered outrage at home and mounting international condemnation. Officers have made hundreds of arrests, including 48 at a protest on Friday. The country's rights ombudsman has accused the police of "torture" against those detained, with scores reporting mistreatment or showing visible injuries. With both sides ruling out a compromise, there appeared to be no clear route out of the crisis. The United States, France and Germany are among the Western countries to have denounced the crackdown on protests, but the government has refused to back down. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has praised his security forces after several opposition party offices were raided and their leaders arrested. "We have won an important battle against liberal fascism in our country," he told journalists, using language reminiscent of Kremlin rhetoric against its political opponents. Demonstrators have rejected Kobakhidze's characterisation of the protest movement. Thousands have also staged daily protests in other parts of Georgia, including the cities of Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Zugdidi, and Telavi, local media reported. Critics of Georgian Dream are enraged by what they call its betrayal of the country's bid for EU membership, enshrined in the constitution and supported by around 80 percent of the population. Georgian Dream, in power for more than a decade, has advanced controversial legislation in recent years, targeting civil society and independent media and curbing LGBTQ rights. Brussels has warned that such policies are incompatible with EU membership, while domestic detractors accuse the government of copying Russia's playbook. ub-im/sbkYPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) — On a damp Wednesday night with temperatures dipping into the 30s, fans in sparsely filled stands bundled up to watch Buffalo beat Eastern Michigan 37-30 on gray turf. The lopsided game was not particularly notable, but it was played on one of the nights the Mid-American Conference has made its own: A weeknight. “A lot of the general public thinks we play all of our games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, not just some of them in November,” MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said in a telephone interview this week. “What it has done is help take what was a pretty darned good regional conference and has given it a national brand and made it a national conference.” When the conference has played football games on ESPN or ESPN2 over the last two seasons, the linear television audience has been 10 times larger than when conference schools meet on Saturdays and get lost in the shuffle when viewers have many more choices. The most-watched MAC game over the last two years was earlier this month on a Wednesday night when Northern Illinois won at Western Michigan and there were 441,600 viewers, a total that doesn’t include streaming that isn’t captured by Nielsen company. During the same span, the linear TV audience has been no larger than 46,100 to watch two MAC teams play on Saturdays. “Having the whole nation watching on Tuesday and Wednesday night is a huge deal for the MAC,” Eastern Michigan tight end Jere Getzinger said. “Everybody wants to watch football so if you put it on TV on a Tuesday or Wednesday, people are going to watch.” ESPN has carried midweek MAC football games since the start of the century. ESPN and the conference signed a 13-year extension a decade ago that extends their relationship through at least the 2026-27 season. The conference has made the most of the opportunities, using MACtion as a tag on social media for more than a decade and it has become a catchy marketing term for the Group of Five football programs that usually operate under the radar in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and New York. Attendance does tend to go down with weeknight games, keeping some students out of stadiums because they have class or homework and leading to adults staying away home because they have to work the next morning. “The tradeoff is the national exposure,” Buffalo coach Pete Lembo said. “You know November nights midweek the average fan is going to park on the couch, have a bowl of chips and salsa out in front, and watch the game from there." When the Bulls beat Ball State 51-48 in an overtime thriller on a Tuesday night earlier this month, the announced attendance was 12,708 and that appeared to be generous. There were many empty seats after halftime. “You watch the games on TV, the stadiums all look like this,” Buffalo fan Jeff Wojcicki said. “They are not packed, but it’s the only game on, and you know where to find it.” Sleep and practice schedules take a hit as well, creating another wave of challenges for students to attend class and coaches to prepare without the usual rhythm of preparing all week to play on Saturday. “Last week when we played at Ohio in Athens, we had a 4-four bus ride home and got home at about 3:30 a.m.,” Eastern Michigan center Broderick Roman said. “We still had to go to class and that was tough, but it's part of what you commit to as an athlete.” That happens a lot in November when the MAC shifts its unique schedule. During the first two weeks of the month, the conference had 10 games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays exclusively. This week, there were five games on Tuesday and Wednesday while only one was left in the traditional Saturday slot with Ball State hosting Bowling Green. Next week, Toledo plays at Akron and Kent State visits Buffalo on Tuesday night before the MAC schedule wraps up with games next Friday and Saturday to determine which teams will meet in the conference title game on Dec. 7 in Detroit. In all, MAC teams will end up playing about 75% of their games on a Saturday and the rest on November weeknights. When the Eagles wrapped up practice earlier this week, two days before they played the Bulls, tight end Jere Getzinger provided some insight into the effects of the scheduling quirk. “It's Monday, but for us it's like a Thursday,” he said. Bowling Green coach Scot Loeffler said he frankly has a hard time remembering what day it is when the schedule shift hits in November. “The entire week gets turned upside down,” Loeffler said. “It’s wild, but it’s great for the league because there’s two days a week this time of year that people around the country will watch MAC games.” AP freelance writer Jonah Bronstein contributed to this report. 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
And the two-way Colorado star says Coach Prime is indeed staying put with the Buffaloes. “I got a lot of insight. He ain’t going nowhere. He’s going to be right where he's at right now,” Hunter said Friday in Manhattan, where he's a heavy favorite to win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night. In his second season at the school, Sanders coached No. 20 Colorado to a 9-3 record this year and its first bowl bid since 2020. Hunter, Sanders and the Buffaloes will face No. 17 BYU (10-2) in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28. Sanders' success and popularity in Boulder has led to speculation the flashy and outspoken former NFL star might seek or accept a coaching job elsewhere this offseason. Sanders, however, has dismissed such talk himself. Hunter followed Sanders from Jackson State, an HBCU that plays in the lower level FCS, to the Rocky Mountains and has already racked up a staggering string of individual accolades this week, including The Associated Press player of the year. The junior wide receiver and cornerback plans to enter the 2025 NFL draft and is expected to be a top-five pick — perhaps even No. 1 overall. But he backed up assertions from Sanders and his son, star Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, that both will play in the Alamo Bowl rather than skip the game to prepare for the draft and prevent any possible injury. “It's definitely important because, you know, I started this thing with Coach Prime and Shedeur and most of the coaches on the coaching staff, so I want to finish it off right,” Hunter said. "I didn't give them a full season my first year (because of injury), so I'm going to go ahead and end this thing off right. It's going to be our last game together, so I'm going to go out there and dominate and show the loyalty that I have for him. “Definitely looking forward to it. I'm just excited to go out there and play football one more time before the offseason.” 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
With a little extra time off and more guests in your home, you may be looking for fresh entertainment to enjoy. Obviously, there’s no shortage of streaming services to choose from, but navigating overstuffed home pages can be overwhelming. Endlessly scrolling through movies and TV series is headache inducing. To save you from some of that stress, our highlight movies and TV shows you may have missed. Disney+ is a particularly interesting platform because it offers access to animated classics, the “Star Wars” universe, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fascinating National Geographic documentaries and even ESPN sports programming. There’s literally something for everyone. To that end, we’re helping you plan your next great binge with the hidden gems of Disney+. 2 / 17 ‘Dashing Through the Snow’ ‘Dashing Through the Snow’ “Dashing Through the Snow” is an adorable Christmas movie starring Lil Rel Howrey as Santa. It’s funny, heartwarming and full of good holiday vibes. 3 / 17 ‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ ‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ Brandy and Whitney Houston’s classic version of the fairy tale never goes out of style. It’s still as emotional now as it was then. 4 / 17 ‘How to Die Alone’ ‘How to Die Alone’ Natasha Rothwell is absolutely brilliant in this comedy about a woman trying to upgrade her life, even though she can’t seem to get out of her own way. 5 / 17 ‘I, Robot’ ‘I, Robot’ If you need a terrifying glimpse of our technological future, look nor further than this Will Smith action drama. 6 / 17 ‘The Acolyte’ ‘The Acolyte’ The “Star Wars” universe takes fans back to the High Republic in this drama. Amanda Stenberg is captivating as twins caught in a battle between the Jedi and the Sith. 7 / 17 ‘Luther’ ‘Luther’ Idris Elba is at the height of his leading man powers in this British thriller following detective John Luther as he chases the worst criminals in London. Fair warning: This is not an easy watch, as the cases are horrible. Do not try to binge “Luther.” 8 / 17 ‘In the Arena: Serena Williams’ ‘In the Arena: Serena Williams’ Serena Williams recalls the fascinating details of her groundbreaking career in this docuseries. If you want to know how to become a legend, here’s the answer. 9 / 17 ‘Reasonable Doubt’ ‘Reasonable Doubt’ “Reasonable Doubt” is one of Hulu’s most bingeworthy new series. Seriously, once you watch one episode of Jax’s chaotic life, you’ll be hooked. 10 / 17 ‘Erased: WW2’s Heroes of Color’ ‘Erased: WW2’s Heroes of Color’ This fascinating documentary finally gives the Black heroes of WWII their long overdue, well deserved thanks. 11 / 17 ‘Space Race’ ‘Space Race’ Black astronauts and scientists finally get the respect they earned for helping us get to space. 12 / 17 ‘The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat’ ‘The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat’ Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Sanaa Lathan and Uzo Aduba star as three best friends who stick together through turbulent times and personal battles. 13 / 17 ‘The Wonder Years’ (2021) ‘The Wonder Years’ (2021) The higly-acclaimed reboot was canceled way too soon. ABC never gave this series a real chance to shine, but the good news is you and your family can revist the ‘60s with the Williams family. It’s both hilarious and captivating, which is a balance a lot of shows can’t find. 14 / 17 ‘Doctor Who’ ‘Doctor Who’ You may think this classic British sci-fi series isn’t for you, but Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor has added a new element to the character and opened up new storytelling avenues. 15 / 17 ‘Black Panther’ ‘Black Panther’ Yes, we know “Black Panther” isn’t exactly hidden, but we’re always ready for a trip to Wakanda. 16 / 17 ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ As heartbreaking as this sequel is, it also features a huge dose a female empowerment, which is something we’ll always celebrate. 17 / 17