m88 logo ZURICH — Saudi Arabia was officially confirmed Wednesday by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men's soccer, giving the oil-rich kingdom its biggest prize yet for massive spending on global sports driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi bid was the only candidate and was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations. They took part remotely in an online meeting hosted in Zurich by the soccer body's president Gianni Infantino. "The vote of the congress is loud and clear," said Infantino, who had asked officials on a bank of screens to clap their hands at head level to show their support. The decision was combined with approving the only candidate to host the 2030 World Cup. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host in a six-nation project, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay each getting one of the 104 games. The South American connection will mark the centenary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930. The decisions complete a mostly opaque 15-month bid process which Infantino helped steer toward Saudi Arabia without a rival candidate, without taking questions, and which human rights groups warn will put the lives of migrant workers at risk. "We look forward to hosting an exceptional and unprecedented edition of the FIFA World Cup by harnessing our strengths and capabilities to bring joy to football fans around the world," Prince Mohammed said in a statement. FIFA and Saudi officials have said hosting the 2034 tournament can accelerate change, including more freedoms and rights for women, with Infantino on Wednesday calling the World Cup a "unique catalyst for positive social change and unity." "I fully trust our hosts to address all open points in this process, and deliver a World Cup that meets the world's expectations," the FIFA president said. An international collective of rights groups said FIFA made a "reckless decision" to approve Saudi Arabia without getting public assurances, and the Football Supporters Europe group said it was "the day football truly lost its mind." A fast-track path to victory was cleared last year by FIFA accepting the three-continent hosting plan for the 2030 World Cup. It meant only soccer federations in Asia and Oceania were eligible for the 2034 contest, and FIFA gave countries less than four weeks to declare a bid. Only Saudi Arabia did. The win will kick off a decade of scrutiny on Saudi labor laws and treatment of workers mostly from South Asia needed to help build and upgrade 15 stadiums, plus hotels and transport networks ahead of the 104-game tournament. Amnesty International said awarding the tournament to Saudi Arabia represents "a moment of great danger" for human rights. "FIFA's reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place will put many lives at risk," said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International's Head of Labor Rights and Sport." One of the stadiums is planned to be 350 meters (yards) above the ground in Neom — a futuristic city that does not yet exist — and another named for the crown prince is designed to be atop a 200-meter cliff near Riyadh. During the bid campaign, FIFA has accepted limited scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's human rights record that was widely criticized this year at the United Nations. Saudi and international rights groups and activists warned FIFA it has not learned the lessons of Qatar's much-criticized preparations to host the 2022 World Cup. "At every stage of this bidding process, FIFA has shown its commitment to human rights to be a sham," Cockburn said. The kingdom plans to spend tens of billion of dollars on projects related to the World Cup as part of the crown prince's sweeping Vision 2030 project that aims to modernize Saudi society and economy. At its core is spending on sports by the $900 billion sovereign wealth operation, the Public Investment Fund, which he oversees. "It's amazing. The infrastructure, the stadiums, the conditions for the fans and everything. After what I see, I'm more convinced that 2034 will be the best World Cup ever," Cristiano Ronaldo said in a recorded package posted on X. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been part of Saudi Arabia's lavish spending on soccer — stunning the sport when agreeing to sign for Al Nassr in 2022 for a record-breaking salary reportedly worth up to $200 million a year. Critics have accused Saudi Arabia of "sportswashing" the kingdom's reputation. The prince, known as MBS, has built close working ties to Infantino since 2017 — aligning with the organizer of sport's most-watched event rather than directly confronting the established system as it did with the disruptive LIV Golf project. The result for Saudi Arabia and FIFA has been smooth progress toward the win Wednesday with limited pushback from soccer officials, though some from women international players. The steady flow of Saudi cash into international soccer is set to increase. FIFA created a new and higher World Cup sponsor category for state oil firm Aramco, and Saudi funding is set to underwrite the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States that is a pet project for Infantino. North American soccer body CONCACAF signed a multi-year deal with PIF, Saudi stadiums host Super Cup games for Italy and Spain, and nearly 50 FIFA member federations have signed working agreements with Saudi counterparts. Lavish spending by PIF-owned Saudi clubs in the past two years buying and paying players – including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mané – put hundreds of millions of dollars into European soccer. That influence could be key in talks to agree which months to play the 2034 World Cup. The November-December slot taken by Qatar in 2022 to avoid extreme midsummer heat is complicated in 2034 by the holy month of Ramadan through mid-December and Riyadh hosting the multi-sport Asian Games. Still, January 2034 could be an option — and likely better for European clubs and leagues —after the International Olympic Committee said it saw few issues in clashing with the Salt Lake Winter Games opening Feb. 10, 2034. The IOC also has a major commercial deal with Saudi Arabia, to host the new Esports Olympics. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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It didn't take Syracuse first-year coach Fran Brown long to figure out the key matchup for Saturday afternoon's Atlantic Coast Conference game visiting Miami. "Syracuse has a really good quarterback," Brown said of Kyle McCord, "and Miami has a really good quarterback (Cam Ward)." With a win on Saturday, the No. 6 Hurricanes (10-1, 6-1 ACC) can clinch a berth in the league championship game against SMU. Miami is a 10 1/2-point favorite for Saturday's game. Syracuse (8-3, 4-3) has reached eight wins for just the fourth time since 2002, going 8-5 in 2010 and 2012 and 10-3 in 2018. However, the Orange haven't defeated a Top-10 team since knocking off Clemson in 2017. Miami leads the nation in scoring (44.7), and the Hurricanes will count on perfect passing conditions in Syracuse's dome. That could be huge for Ward, who leads the nation with 34 touchdown passes, ranking second in passing yards (3,774) and fourth in passing efficiency. Ward's top target is wide receiver Xavier Restrepo, who needs just 21 yards to reach 1,000 for the second straight season. Restrepo also ranks tied for seventh in the nation with 10 TD receptions. Ward has some other top targets, including 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end Elijah Arroyo, who is a walking mismatch because of his size and speed. He leads Miami with 18.5 yards per reception. Hurricanes wide receivers Isaiah Horton and Jacolby George have combined for 12 TD passes, and Sam Brown has added two more. Each of them has more than 500 receiving yards this season. Miami's running game features battering ram Damien Martinez (739 yards, 5.5 average, eight TDs); versatile Mark Fletcher Jr. (499 yards, 5.7 average, six TDs); and game-breaking freshman Jordan Lyle (361 yards, 8.6 average, four TDs). Defensively, Miami's big-play man is safety Mishael Powell, who ranks second in the ACC with five interceptions. "He's all about winning," Miami coach Mario Cristobal said of Powell. "He's a smart, self-starting team player." On special teams, Miami kicker Andres Borregales ranks second in the ACC with 97 points. He is 52-for-52 on extra points and 15-for-16 on field goals. Meanwhile, McCord ranks No. 1 in the nation in passing yards (3,946) and tied for seventh in TD passes (26). McCord, a transfer from Ohio State, has also set Syracuse's single-season record for passing yards. In last week's 31-24 win over Connecticut, McCord passed for a career-high 470 yards. However, McCord is just 46th in the nation in passing efficiency, due in part to his high total of interceptions (12). Syracuse also has three of the top six pass-catchers in the ACC in terms of yards: tight end Oronde Gadsden II (810) and wide receivers Jackson Meeks (801) and Trebor Pena (743). Gadsden, who is from the greater Miami area, has had three straight 100-yard games. He is the son of former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Oronde Gadsden. Syracuse's run game is led by LeQuint Allen, who has rushed for 819 yards, a 4.3 average and 12 TDs. The issue for Syracuse could be its defense, which ranks 13th in the ACC in points allowed (27.8). Miami's defense is fourth (22.3). Even so, Syracuse coach Brown said he's excited about this matchup. "I heard Miami is going to come deep," Brown said of Miami fans. "It's going to be intense in the stands. It's going to be intense on the field. I think this is a game everyone wants to see." --Field Level MediaAn Archaeological Reckoning

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Some reacted positively on Wednesday to news that the provincial government is considering allowing nurse practitioners to oversee medical care at long term care homes, in the absence of a physician. “It is a welcome idea, to be able to have nurse practitioners in their homes,” said Elaine Shantz, the CEO of Craigholme Long-Term Care Home in Ailsa Craig. “We know that when we are providing care for seniors, a nurse practitioner is able to provide that care – and it adds to the medical resources of our team, and also allows us to have someone, a medical professional onsite,” she added. Nurse practitioners were allowed to fill the role of medical director during the pandemic, and now that change would be permanent under a proposal by Long-Term Care Minister Natalia Kusendova-Bashta. Lambton Kent Middlesex PC MPP Steve Pinsonneault says the move is to help with the doctor shortage. “There is a doctor shortage. They are going to fill that gap. And honestly, they’re doing it now. We’re already setting up facilities where they’re in there. They’re taking on patients,” said Pinsonneault. Both Pinsonnealt and Shantz spoke with CTV News at the ground-breaking for redevelopment of Craigholme LTC. Construction is underway to add 13 new and 83 redeveloped long term care beds. A crowd gathered for ground-breaking announcement at Craigholme Long Term Care Home in Ailsa Craig, Dec. 11, 2024 (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London) “We will be building a beautiful, new 96 bed home. It will feature three home areas, modern administration space, and nursing stations, and a variety of program and service areas,” said Craigholme Board Chair Jennifer Gillies. North Middlesex Mayor Brian Ropp said it’s important for seniors from the community to be able to stay close to home when they move into long term care. “This is a part of the fabric of this community, this facility. And there’s many that a lot of us have known that have moved in here,” he explained. “Locally, people will be able to spend the rest of their lives in a long term care home that is in their community,” added Shantz The $38 million project was funded in part with a grant of more than $7 million from the provincial government. Construction is expected to be complete in early 2027. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Benekiva, a leading insurtech company dedicated to modernizing claims and servicing operations, is excited to announce the expansion of its leadership team with the appointment of four accomplished professionals: These strategic appointments build on Benekiva’s foundation of excellence and reflect its commitment to scaling innovation, operational efficiency, and client satisfaction while aligning with its mission to deliver exceptional value to insurance carriers and beneficiaries. Krista Eger, Vice President of Product, brings a unique blend of experience in claims processing and leadership, having led claims processing teams and driven product innovations that optimize processes and enhance user experiences. Her expertise in understanding customer needs, market trends, and emerging technologies positions her to deliver solutions that exceed client expectations and drive the future of insurance technology. Mike Shea, Vice President of Sales and Partnerships, is an accomplished enterprise sales executive with deep industry knowledge and a proven track record of exceeding sales goals. His expertise in partnering with clients to drive digital innovation, cut costs, and achieve business objectives makes him a trusted leader in advancing Benekiva’s mission. Mike’s passion for building and maintaining strong relationships will ensure Benekiva continues to deliver strategic value to its growing client base. Jim Girard, Vice President of Technology, brings extensive expertise in developing scalable, secure, and innovative technology solutions. His leadership will be instrumental in advancing Benekiva’s platform capabilities, ensuring the company remains a leader in the insurtech space and continues to meet the evolving needs of its clients. Christina Sciarrota, Vice President of Customer Delivery, has a proven track record of transforming business initiatives and enhancing client satisfaction. With experience spanning globally recognized organizations, Christina is skilled in process reengineering, streamlining operations, and delivering scalable solutions. Her leadership will ensure Benekiva's clients receive unparalleled support and efficiency in claims operations. This expansion of our leadership team underscores Benekiva’s continued growth and unwavering commitment to delivering ‘wow’ experiences for our clients,” said Brent Williams, Founder and CEO of Benekiva. “Each of these leaders brings unparalleled expertise and a passion for driving innovation, reinforcing Benekiva as a trusted partner in the insurance industry. More importantly, this milestone represents our focus on leadership enablement at all levels—an intentional move to address past gaps and ensure we are equipping our leaders with the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed. By prioritizing enablement, we are positioning Benekiva for sustained growth and continued transformation. Tony Diodato, President of Benekiva, added, “With the combined talent of our expanded leadership team, we are positioned to elevate our operations and achieve new levels of success. This team’s dedication to excellence and client-first innovation is integral to our ongoing journey of transforming claims and servicing operations.” These leadership appointments reinforce Benekiva’s mission to modernize claims operations, delivering exceptional efficiency, cost savings, and customer satisfaction through its innovative solutions. For more information about Benekiva and its leadership team, please visit www.benekiva.com . About Benekiva Benekiva is a leader in the insurtech space, committed to revolutionizing claims and servicing operations within the insurance industry. With a "Beneficiary first" mindset, Benekiva’s platform integrates diverse elements of claims operations to deliver seamless, efficient, and exceptional experiences for both carriers and beneficiaries. Media Contact: Maura Gilson O'Donnell Director of Marketing, Benekiva maura@benekiva.com www.benekiva.comNew York AG Letitia James Refuses to Drop Civil Case Against Trump, Even Post-Inauguration

The gaming world is abuzz with the latest rumors suggesting that the popular mobile battle royale game, Free Fire Max , could soon be making its way to the PlayStation 5. This potential crossover marks a significant shift as gaming developers look to blur the lines between mobile and console gaming, leveraging the power of new technologies to broaden their audience. Free Fire Max is renowned for its engaging, fast-paced gameplay, and the possibility of it debuting on a next-gen console like the PS5 has fans on the edge of their seats. Such a move would see the game benefitting from the exceptional processing power of the PS5, which could enhance visual graphics and ensure smoother gameplay. The PS5’s advanced hardware capabilities could even allow for more players in a match, larger maps, and improved multiplayer features. Cross-platform play is one of the expected highlights, ushering in a new era of connectivity by allowing players to engage in battles regardless of their device. This could cultivate a more diverse and extensive player base, encouraging collaborations and competitions on a global scale. While Free Fire Max on PS5 remains speculative, such an innovation could redefine gaming experiences, opening up new opportunities for game developers and players alike. As the industry progresses, merging mobile hits with console might just be the future of gaming, promising a richer and more integrated playing field for all. Could Free Fire Max on PS5 Redefine the Future of Gaming? An In-Depth Look at the Possible Crossover As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the rumor of the popular mobile game, Free Fire Max , potentially making its debut on the PlayStation 5 has stirred excitement and curiosity among gaming enthusiasts. This potential move presents several intriguing prospects and considerations for the gaming community. Features and Innovations Bringing Free Fire Max to the PS5 could significantly enhance the gaming experience due to the console’s advanced feature set. The console’s ray tracing capabilities could render stunning visual effects and realistic lighting, providing a more immersive environment for players. The SSD’s fast-loading times could reduce downtime, ensuring players spend more time in action rather than waiting for matches to load. Cross-Platform Play One of the most anticipated features of this potential crossover is cross-platform play. This would enable players to compete regardless of whether they are using a mobile device or a console. The increased connectivity across platforms means players can participate in bigger, more diverse matches, possibly reaching a global scale. This could pave the way for new in-game events and collaborations, enriching the overall gaming ecosystem. Pros and Cons # Pros: – Enhanced Graphics and Performance : Leveraging the PS5’s hardware could result in better visuals and smoother gameplay. – Broader Player Base : Cross-platform play could attract a new demographic, broadening the game’s appeal. – Innovative Features : New hardware allows developers to introduce unique gameplay elements not possible on mobile platforms. # Cons: – Compatibility Issues : Adapting a mobile game to function optimally on a high-performance console could present technical challenges. – User Interface Challenges : Transitioning from touch controls to a controller may require significant adjustments to the game’s interface. Market Analysis The potential shift of games like Free Fire Max from mobile to console indicates a trend where gaming experiences are being unified across platforms. This escalation could position consoles as integral hubs in gaming, fostering an inclusive environment where players aren’t restricted by device choice. This could also drive competition among developers to innovate and enhance the cross-platform experience further. Security Aspects With increased cross-platform interactions, the importance of robust cybersecurity measures becomes paramount. Ensuring secure matchmaking services and protecting player data will be critical as the lines between mobile and console gaming continue to blur. Predicted Trends The gaming industry is moving toward greater platform convergence, driven by technological advancements and consumer preferences for seamless play across devices. This trend suggests the future of gaming will likely involve more games following Free Fire Max’s potential path, promoting a universally connected gaming landscape. In conclusion, while the possibility of Free Fire Max on PS5 remains a rumor, the conversation it sparks highlights the dynamic changes within the gaming sector. This potential crossover could offer a glimpse into the future, where gaming is no longer confined to the limitations of a single device but extends across a myriad of platforms, creating a richer, more inclusive gaming environment for all players.

LPGA, USGA to require players to be assigned female at birth or transition before pubertyNASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Javon Small scored five of his 31 points in overtime and Tucker DeVries added key free throws late in regulation and finished with 16 points as West Virginia beat No. 3 Gonzaga 86-78 in the Battle 4 Atlantis on Wednesday. Small's layup with under 2 minutes left in OT gave West Virginia a 79-75 lead. After a Gonzaga miss, Sencire Harris hit two free throws to make it a six-point lead. With 27.1 seconds left, Harris made a steal and scored on a dunk for an eight-point lead, putting the game out of reach. Amani Hansberry scored a career-high 19 points and Toby Okani added 10 for West Virginia (3-2). Braden Huff scored 19 points and Khalif Battle 16 for Gonzaga (5-1). Gonzaga showed its depth, outscoring the West Virginia bench 30-2. West Virginia’s only loss was by 24 points at Pitt, but the rebuild under Darian DeVries is showing promise. Gonzaga turned it over at midcourt late in regulation when Tucker DeVries poked it away from Nolan Hickman and raced the other way before getting fouled. DeVries made two free throws with 5.9 seconds left to tie it at 71-all. Battle inbounded the ball and got it back, but lost control on a drive as time expired. The shorter Mountaineers outrebounded Gonzaga 42-36 and shot 50% in the second half, battling the Zags to a draw in the paint. Nembhard had 12 assists and just one turnover in 43 minutes, but was 1 of 10 from the field. West Virginia will play Louisville on Thursday in the winner's bracket. Gonzaga faces No. 14 Indiana on the consolation side. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballMace, activist dispute handshake that resulted in arrest

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