Arsenal scored five goals in a Champions League away game for just the third time as they obliterated a sorry Sporting Lisbon 5-1 at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. Kai Havertz , Bukayo Saka , Leandro Trossard , Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli all contributed to the demolition of the Portuguese powerhouses, who momentarily threatened an incredible fightback through Goncalo Inacio but were otherwise torn to shreds by Mikel Arteta 's merciless men. Pitting their wits against a Sporting side that had won nine games on the spin, prevailed in every home match this season and had not failed to score at Estadio Jose Alvalade since October 2022, Arsenal would have likely anticipated a highly strenuous battle from the first whistle. However, it was anything but in the opening 45 minutes, where Arsenal exuded unbridled confidence and were carving through their hosts at will, while Joao Pereira 's men were a shadow of the side that obliterated Manchester City earlier this month. Martinelli's tap-in, Havertz's one-yard effort and the customary Gabriel header from a corner propelled the Gunners into an unforeseen three-goal lead before half time, although whatever choice words Pereira had for his meek men at the break went down a treat. After Arsenal ended the first 45 with a goal from a corner, Sporting immediately reduced the arrears via an Inacio header two minutes into the second period, where the Green and Whites suddenly flipped a switch and started to dominate. However, an indefensible challenge from an already-booked Ousmane Diomande on Martin Odegaard in the penalty area allowed Saka to restore the Gunners' three-goal advantage, before Trossard capped off a five-star display in which Arsenal could have easily left with six or seven goals under their belts. Arsenal's dismantling of Sporting also takes the Gunners above the Portuguese side into seventh place in the 36-team UCL table , although Pereira's men are clinging onto the eighth and final automatic qualification spot by virtue of scoring one more goal than Brest. Gabriel Martinelli fires Arsenal ahead early on in Lisbon 🤩 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/gzExcCfu1I Arsenal have their first Champions League away goal of the season, and a richly deserved one too! Jurrien Timber just about manages to keep himself onside on the right flank to pick up Declan Rice 's pass, and the Dutchman delivers a sumptuous low cross into the six-yard box. Neither Kai Havertz nor Sporting goalkeeper Franco Israel can get there, but Martinelli gets goal-side of an unawares Geovany Quenda to tap home the opener. What a start for Arsenal 👏 Bukayo Saka puts it on a plate for Kai Havertz to extend the Gunners' lead ⭐ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Xpm3Vp8vRp Arsenal have been well and truly resurrected, and a meek Sporting have no answer to the Gunners' newfound ruthlessness. Thomas Partey 's delicate lobbed pass finds the run of Saka, who glides past Maximiliano Araujo with ease and beats an onrushing Israel to tee up Havertz for a tap-in. Gabriel makes it 3-0 to Arsenal just before the break with a towering header! 💥 He also hit Gyökeres' celebration 👀 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/rk9r8ysvtg Death, taxes, and Gabriel scoring from corners. Arsenal had been threatening a third ever since Havertz's finish, and they increase their advantage with the final act of the first half, as Gabriel leaves Araujo for dead and powers in a devastating header at the back post from Rice's inswinging delivery. The start of a scintillating fightback? Sporting explode out of the blocks at the start of the second period and beat Arsenal at their own game, as Inacio evades Riccardo Calafiori and turns a low corner home with a smart side-footed volley. Bukayo Saka keeps his composure from the spot to regain the Gunners' three-goal lead 🎯 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/FmgE7PxLR4 All of Sporting's hard work in the second half likely undone by one moment of madness from Diomande, who brings down Odegaard in the penalty area with a nonsensical challenge from behind. Saka steps up to the penalty spot and is unable to fool Israel, who dives the right way, but the Englishman's spot kick is right into the side of the net and out of the Sporting goalkeeper's reach. Diomande was booked in the first few minutes and surely would have been sent off had that challenge been made anywhere else on the pitch, but Szymon Marciniak keeps his red card in his pocket. A penny for Ruben Amorim 's thoughts right now, as Arsenal make it five through their resident super sub. Mikel Merino is afforded far too much time and space to let fly from the edge of the box, and even though Israel keeps out his venomous strike, the rebound bounces up for Trossard to nod in. © Imago Odegaard pulled the strings as only he can, Saka registered a goal and assist for the second game running, but William Saliba was near-flawless against one of the most lethal strikers in Europe. The Frenchman barely allowed Viktor Gyokeres a sniff all evening, making four tackles, two interceptions and winning both of his aerial battles to completely nullify the Swedish sensation. Possession: Sporting 52%-48% Arsenal Shots: Sporting 18-13 Arsenal Shots on target: Sporting 8-9 Arsenal Corners: Sporting 8-3 Arsenal Fouls: Sporting 6-8 Arsenal Arsenal have scored away from home in the Champions League for the first time in 415 minutes of action away from the Emirates stadium. Gabriel Martinelli finally ends the streak. 🙌 #UCL Arsenal have scored 5+ goals in a Champions League away game for the third time in the #UCL era: ◎ vs. Inter (2003) ◎ vs. Fenerbahce (2008) ◉ vs. Sporting (2024) Putting Sporting to the Sword. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/1FlngdtntF Arsenal return to the Emirates for matchday six of the Champions League, when they host Monaco on December 11, while Sporting's next European engagement comes away to Belgian outfit Club Brugge on December 10. Before European action takes centre stage again, the Gunners head to West Ham United on Saturday evening for a Premier League London derby, the same day that Pereira's team host Santa Clara in the Primeira Liga.
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NoneRegency at Tracy Lakes Tracy, CA FY 2024 's Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights (Compared to FY 2023 ' s Fourth Quarter): "Since the start of our fiscal 2025 six weeks ago we have seen strong demand, which is encouraging as we approach the beginning of the spring selling season in mid-January. We are well positioned with communities in over 60 markets across 24 states featuring the widest offering of luxury homes and serving the most affluent customers in our industry. Last year, we increased community count by 10% and are targeting a similar increase in fiscal 2025. We also owned or controlled approximately 74,700 lots at year end, providing sufficient land for further growth in fiscal 2026 and beyond. "In fiscal 2024, we generated a return on beginning equity of 23.1%, driven by our record earnings and strong cash flows that allowed us to return approximately $720 million of capital to shareholders. Our healthy balance sheet, low leverage, and ample liquidity, including significant projected cash flows from operations in fiscal 2025, should allow us to continue investing in our business while returning cash to shareholders well into the future.” Toll Brothers will be broadcasting live via the Investor Relations section of its website, investors.TollBrothers.com, a conference call hosted by chairman and chief executive officer Douglas C. Yearley, Jr. at 8:30 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, December 10, 2024, to discuss these results and its outlook for the first quarter and FY 2025. To access the call, enter the Toll Brothers website, click on the Investor Relations page, and select "Events & Presentations.” Participants are encouraged to log on at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the presentation to register and download any necessary software. The call can be heard live with an online replay which will follow. ABOUT TOLL BROTHERS Toll Brothers, Inc., a Fortune 500 Company, is the nation's leading builder of luxury homes. The Company was founded 57 years ago in 1967 and became a public company in 1986. Its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TOL.” The Company serves first-time, move-up, empty-nester, active-adult, and second-home buyers, as well as urban and suburban renters. Toll Brothers builds in over 60 markets in 24 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington, as well as in the District of Columbia. The Company operates its own architectural, engineering, mortgage, title, land development, insurance, smart home technology, and landscape subsidiaries. The Company also develops master-planned and golf course communities as well as operates its own lumber distribution, house component assembly, and manufacturing operations. In 2024, Toll Brothers marked 10 years in a row being named to the Fortune World's Most Admired CompaniesTM list and the Company's Chairman and CEO Douglas C. Yearley, Jr. was named one of 25 Top CEOs by Barron's magazine. Toll Brothers has also been named Builder of the Year by Builder magazine and is the first two-time recipient of Builder of the Year from Professional Builder magazine. For more information visit TollBrothers.com. Toll Brothers discloses information about its business and financial performance and other matters, and provides links to its securities filings, notices of investor events, and earnings and other news releases, on the Investor Relations section of its website (investors.TollBrothers.com). From Fortune, ©2024 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Information presented herein for the fourth quarter ended October 31, 2024 is subject to finalization of the Company's regulatory filings, related financial and accounting reporting procedures and external auditor procedures. This release contains or may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. One can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate to matters of a strictly historical or factual nature and generally discuss or relate to future events. These statements contain words such as "anticipate,” "estimate,” "expect,” "project,” "intend,” "plan,” "believe,” "may,” "can,” "could,” "might,” "should,” "likely,” "will,” and other words or phrases of similar meaning. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, information and statements regarding: expectations regarding inflation and interest rates; the markets in which we operate or may operate; our strategic priorities; our land acquisition, land development and capital allocation priorities; market conditions; demand for our homes; our build-to-order and spec home strategy; anticipated operating results and guidance; home deliveries; financial resources and condition; changes in revenues; changes in profitability; changes in margins; changes in accounting treatment; cost of revenues, including expected labor and material costs; selling, general, and administrative expenses; interest expense; inventory write-downs; home warranty and construction defect claims; unrecognized tax benefits; anticipated tax refunds; sales paces and prices; effects of home buyer cancellations; growth and expansion; joint ventures in which we are involved; anticipated results from our investments in unconsolidated entities; our ability to acquire or dispose of land and pursue real estate opportunities; our ability to gain approvals and open new communities; our ability to market, construct and sell homes and properties; our ability to deliver homes from backlog; our ability to secure materials and subcontractors; our ability to produce the liquidity and capital necessary to conduct normal business operations or to expand and take advantage of opportunities; and the outcome of legal proceedings, investigations, and claims. Any or all of the forward-looking statements included in this release are not guarantees of future performance and may turn out to be inaccurate. This can occur as a result of incorrect assumptions or as a consequence of known or unknown risks and uncertainties. The major risks and uncertainties - and assumptions that are made - that affect our business and may cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. For a further discussion of factors that we believe could cause actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results, see the information under the captions "Risk Factors” and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and in subsequent reports filed with the SEC. This discussion is provided as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and all of our forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referenced in this section. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Amounts in thousands) 2024 2023
76ers Paul George Exit Grizzlies Game After Suffering Left Knee HyperextensionNEW DELHI, India (AP) — A 13-year-old cricketer from India’s northern state of Bihar could become the sport's latest Twenty20 batting sensation. The Rajasthan Royals think so highly of Vaibhav Suryavanshi that they paid $130,000 in the Indian Premier League's mega auction for his services, making him the youngest ever to be selected. Suryavanshi came to the limelight last month when he scored a century against Australia's under-19 team off just 58 balls before he got out for 104. At the age of 13 years and 187 days, Suryavanshi broke the record of Bangladesh’s present test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who at the age of 14 years and 241 days held the previous record of scoring a century at youth level. The Delhi Capitals also showed interest when the bid for Suryavanshi started at his base price of $35,500. “He’s been to our high performance center in Nagpur, he had trials there and really impressed our coaching set-up there,” Rajasthan CEO Jake Lush McCrum said after the auction ended Monday. “He’s an incredible talent and of course you've got to have the confidence so he can step up to the IPL level.” McCrum described Suryavanshi as a “hell of a talent” and hoped lots of work will go into the coming months before the IPL begins on March 14 with former Indian captain Rahul Dravid among the coaching panel of the franchise. Suryavanshi idolizes legendary West Indian batter Brian Lara and often gets tips from former India batter Wasim Jaffer, with whom he met during an under-19 tournament in Bangladesh last year. Suryavanshi's father, Sanjiv, is his coach and has worked with him since his son showed interest in the game at an early age. “He is not just my son now, but entire Bihar’s son," the elder Suryavanshi told Press Trust of India. "My son has worked hard.” The IPL does not have a formal minimum age requirement, but in 2020 the International Cricket Council set the minimum age of 15 for players to compete internationally. However, the game’s governing body also said at that time that cricket boards can request permission to allow players under 15 to represent their country. Prayas Ray Barman held the previous record of youngest player to win an IPL contract. He was 16 in 2019 when the Royal Challengers Bengaluru spent about $200,000 for him. But the wrist spinner faded away after playing just one match. Pakistani batter Hasan Raza holds the record of youngest cricketer to make his test debut — the five-day cricket format — at the age of 14 years and 227 days in 1996. ___ AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket The Associated Press
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Trump's threat to impose tariffs could raise prices for consumers, colliding with promise for reliefDETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, booze and other goods. The president-elect floated the tariff idea, including additional 10% taxes on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to halt the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. But his posts Monday on Truth Social threatening the tariffs on his first day in office could just be a negotiating ploy to get the countries to change behavior. High food prices were a major issue in voters picking Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, but tariffs almost certainly would push those costs up even further. For instance, the Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said Tuesday that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when other countries retaliate. “Tariffs distort the marketplace and will raise prices along the supply chain, resulting in the consumer paying more at the checkout line,” said Alan Siger, association president. Mexico and Canada are two of the biggest exporters of fresh fruit and vegetables to the U.S. In 2022, Mexico supplied 51% of fresh fruit and 69% of fresh vegetables imported by value into the U.S., while Canada supplied 2% of fresh fruit and 20% of fresh vegetables. Before the election, about 7 in 10 voters said they were very concerned about the cost of food, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. “We’ll get them down,” Trump told shoppers during a September visit to a Pennsylvania grocery store. The U.S. is the largest importer of goods in the world, with Mexico, China and Canada its top three suppliers, according to the most recent U.S. Census data. People looking to buy a new vehicle likely would see big price increases as well, at a time when costs have gone up so much they are out of reach for many. The average price of a new vehicle now runs around $48,000. About 15% of the 15.6 million new vehicles sold in the U.S. last year came from Mexico, while 8% crossed the border from Canada, according to Global Data. Much of the tariffs would get passed along to consumers, unless automakers can somehow quickly find productivity improvements to offset them, said C.J. Finn, U.S. automotive sector leader for PwC. That means even more consumers “would potentially get priced out,” Finn said. Hardest hit would be Volkswagen, Stellantis, General Motors and Ford, Bernstein analyst Daniel Roeska wrote Tuesday in a note to investors. “A 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada would severely cripple the U.S. auto industry,” he said. The tariffs would hurt U.S. industrial production so much that “we expect this is unlikely to happen in practice,” Roeska said. The tariff threat hit auto stocks on Tuesday, particularly shares of GM, which imports about 30% of the vehicles it sells in the U.S. from Canada and Mexico, and Stellantis, which imports about 40% from the two countries. For both, about 55% of their lucrative pickup trucks come from Mexico and Canada. GM stock lost almost 9% of its value, while Stellantis dropped nearly 6%. It's not clear how long the tariffs would last if implemented, but they could force auto executives to move production to the U.S., which could create more jobs in the long run. However, Morningstar analyst David Whiston said automakers probably won't make any immediate moves because they can't quickly change where they build vehicles. Millions of dollars worth of auto parts flow across the borders with Mexico and Canada, and that could raise prices for already costly automobile repairs, Finn said. The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. said tariffs on tequila or Canadian whisky won’t boost American jobs because they are distinctive products that can only be made in their country of origin. In 2023, the U.S. imported $4.6 billion worth of tequila and $108 million worth of mezcal from Mexico and $537 million worth of spirits from Canada, it said. “Tariffs on spirits products from our neighbors to the north and south are going to hurt U.S. consumers and lead to job losses across the U.S. hospitality industry,” it added. Electronics retailer Best Buy said on its third-quarter earnings conference call that it runs on thin profit margins, so while vendors and the company will shoulder some increases, Best Buy will have to pass tariffs to customers. “These are goods that people need, and higher prices are not helpful,” CEO Corie Barry said. Walmart also warned this week that tariffs could force it to raise prices. Tariffs could trigger supply chain disruptions as people buy goods before they are imposed and companies seek alternate sources of parts, said Rob Handfield, a professor of supply chain management at North Carolina State University. Some businesses might not be able to pass on the costs. “It could actually shut down a lot of industries in the United States. It could actually put a lot of U.S. businesses out of business,” he said. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who talked with Trump after his call for tariffs, said they had a good conversation about working together. "This is a relationship that we know takes a certain amount of working on and that’s what we’ll do,” Trudeau said. Trump's threats come as arrests for illegally crossing the border from Mexico have been falling . But arrests for illegally crossing the border from Canada have been rising over the past two years. Much of America’s fentanyl is smuggled from Mexico, and seizures have increased. Trump has sound legal justification to impose tariffs, even though they conflict with a 2020 trade deal brokered in large part by Trump with Canada and Mexico, said William Reinsch, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a former Clinton administration trade official. The treaty, known as the USMCA, is up for review in 2026. In China’s case, he could simply declare Beijing hasn't met obligations under an agreement he negotiated in his first term. For Canada and Mexico, he could say the influx of migrants and drugs are a national security threat, and turn to a section of trade law he used in his first term to slap tariffs on steel and aluminum. The law he would most likely use for Canada and Mexico has a legal process that often takes up to nine months, giving Trump time to seek a deal. If talks failed and the duties were imposed, all three countries would likely retaliate with tariffs on U.S. exports, said Reinsch, who believes Trump's tariffs threat is a negotiating ploy. U.S. companies would lobby intensively against tariffs, and would seek to have products exempted. Some of the biggest exporters from Mexico are U.S. firms that make parts there, Reinsch said. Longer term, Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said the threat of tariffs could make the U.S. an “unstable partner” in international trade. “It is an incentive to move activity outside the United States to avoid all this uncertainty,” she said. Trump transition team officials did not immediately respond to questions about what he would need to see to prevent the tariffs from being implemented and how they would impact prices in the U.S. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum suggested Tuesday that Mexico could retaliate with tariffs of its own. Sheinbaum said she was willing to talk about the issues, but said drugs were a U.S. problem.Urgent travel warning for Jewish visitors to Australia after synagogue was firebombed in Melbourne
Sixty-eight-year-old Valerie Anderson still recalls the rush of humid Florida air that greeted her in 1992, a stark contrast to the biting winter of her hometown in Calgary. “I said, ‘Oh, this is beautiful because Calgary is so dry,’” she said. That first family vacation with her husband and two young kids ignited a love for the Sunshine State. Thirty years and three grandkids later, the Andersons proudly wear the “snowbird” badge, escaping Canada’s harsh winters to a rental property off the Florida coast. But they’re unsure how much longer they can afford to live out their dream. Like many snowbirds, they’ve been feeling a chill on their wallet as the Canadian dollar dropped about 4 per cent against the greenback in recent months, pushing up prices for everything from food to rent. “It’s definitely getting to be very expensive – food has gone up everywhere,” Ms. Anderson said. Compared with last year, she said it costs her and her husband about $25 more per person a meal. A recent glance at the menu of their favourite restaurant showed a single dish of sea bass priced at the equivalent of $80 Canadian. “We both just said, ‘I don’t think so!’” Norman Seawright, who also decamps to Florida in the winter, owns a condo there and said he’s paying “easily 20 to 25 per cent more” for everything. But while many snowbirds agree the weak loonie is weighing on them, most are reluctant to change their travel plans. Experts say those weathering the economic headwinds are offsetting losses with U.S. investments and getting strategic about taxes, exchange rates and insurance fees. “The dollar just sucks right now – clients are asking a lot of questions,” said Carson Hamill, a cross-border associate portfolio manager at Raymond James Canada. “People come to us that are renting permanently in the U.S., they’re going, ‘Oh, is it worth keeping this place?’” It might not be. Anyone who was renting a dozen years ago when the loonie was at par is now paying 40 per cent more, taking inflation and currency fluctuations into account. The unfavourable numbers can work in reverse for snowbirds who purchased property back then. If they haven’t rented out their property before, now might be the time to start – they’d be raking in that 40 per cent more in Canadian dollars, Mr. Hamill said. But homeowners have other worries. Their expenses are further weighed down by maintenance and insurance costs – the latter has surged by about 30 per cent between 2021 and 2023 in places like Florida, according to . Bankrate found that as of September 2024, the average insurance policy in Florida for US$300,000 in coverage was US$5,531 – 142 per cent higher than the national average. Kris Rossignoli, a cross-border tax and financial planner at Cardinal Point Capital Management ULC in New York, said his firm has seen many snowbirds selling larger properties and purchasing smaller homes as one way to cut costs. Evan Rachkovsky, director of research and communications at the Canadian Snowbird Association, said snowbirds who want to offset insurance costs often pick a destination in Central Florida – Lakeland and Winter Haven are two popular choices – farther from the coast and less susceptible to extreme weather. Whether or not they own property, snowbirds will see additional costs tied to the exchange rates offset through well-performing U.S. investments in savings and retirement accounts. John Woodfield, a senior wealth adviser and portfolio manager at SWAN Wealth Management, Raymond James, in Kelowna, B.C., said snowbirds should, and often do, hold American investments in their portfolios in U.S. currency to generate income stream in U.S. dollars, as a hedge against currency drops. “The dividends and your growth would all be in USD – as the Canadian dollar falls, the value of those stocks actually go up.” He said the recent currency moves have added roughly 6 per cent to Canadian client returns this year. Investors, however, need to keep in mind that dividends paid by U.S. companies into non-registered accounts held by non-residents of the U.S. face a withholding tax, though Mr. Woodfield said the benefits generally outweigh this. Another thing snowbirds often overlook is that if they own real estate in the U.S. and they die, their property will be subject to U.S. estate taxes, which are costlier with the current exchange rates. “As the lawyers down there say, ‘It’s great to own U.S. property, but it’s not great to die owning U.S. property,” said Mr. Woodfield, adding that Canadians can dodge this by setting up and purchasing property through a corporation in Canada. Beyond leveraging the U.S. dollar and reducing taxes, snowbirds should think about mitigating day-to-day costs by optimizing their travel credit cards or exploring prepaid cards. The majority of credit cards used for purchases outside the country will charge a adding up to about 2.5 per cent of the purchase cost in Canadian – that’s $125 in fees on $5,000. Marty Firestone, a travel insurance specialist, warns credit card-based insurance wields heavy restrictions for older travellers and won’t have as comprehensive coverage as they need. He said medical costs in the U.S. have increased about 25 per cent year-over-year with premiums climbing in tandem. He recommends no snowbird leave the country with less than $2,000,000 in coverage, and cut costs with a multi-trip annual policy. “They can travel up to a prescribed amount of days, come back home, for even a minute, and go back down again and they don’t pay for the amount they go back down again for,” he said, adding that this can save thousands. Still, some travellers might want to avoid the U.S. altogether. Lindsay Kipp, a travel expert at Flight Centre Canada, said Nicaragua and Panama are becoming popular alternative destinations for snowbirds at a fraction of the usual costs. Though Ms. Anderson has been reluctantly eyeing deals in Mexico and Portugal, she said she’d sooner cut discretionary spending and dining out than change travel plans any time soon.The renowned anti-apartheid writer and activist Breyten Breytenbach, jailed for his beliefs in South Africa in the 1970s, has died aged 85, his family said. He passed away in his sleep, with his wife Yolande by his side in Paris. The dissident poet, novelist and painter was "an immense artist, militant against apartheid, he fought for a better world until the end," a statement from his family read. Breytenbach's sharp intellect earned him widespread admiration, prompting the British satirical television puppet show Spitting Image to describe him as "the only nice South African” in a song during apartheid's darkest days. Jack Lang, French former education minister, shared a heartfelt tribute on X. "A rebel with a tender heart, he was part of all the struggles for human rights," he wrote. Born in the Western Cape on 16 September 1939, to a family of five, Breytenbach lived much of his life abroad, but always remained true to his South African roots. He attended the University of Cape Town and joined a group of Afrikaans poets and writers called the Sestigers, who wanted to highlight the beauty of the language while critiquing the racist apartheid regime. Afrikaans evolved among white settlers and comes from the Dutch word for African. With Afrikaners in power during apartheid, the language became ever more associated with the oppressive regime. In an interview with The New York Times, he said: "I'd never reject Afrikaans as a language, but I reject it as part of the Afrikaner political identity. I no longer consider myself an Afrikaner." In 1960 he left South Africa for a self-imposed exile, mostly in Europe, but he continued to be a vocal critic of the apartheid regime. He worked in London for a while before settling in France, where he met his Vietnamese wife Yolande Ngo Thi Hoang Lien. Breytenbach tried to return to South Africa with his wife in the 1960s, but she was denied a visa because she was a "non-white". Interracial marriages were against the law. In 1975, at the height of his literary fame, he made a clandestine return to South Africa, where he was arrested for attempting to aid resistance groups in the country. He was sentenced to seven years in prison for terrorism, but continued to write poetry while he was jailed. The then French President, François Mitterrand, helped secure his release in 1982 and he became a French citizen. The years of imprisonment resulted in one of his most impactful works, his novel The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist - a harrowing account of his seven-year prison sentence, two of which he spent in solitary confinement. After apartheid ended, he became a vocal critic of the liberation government of Nelson Mandela. He felt the African National Congress (ANC) had turned into a “corrupt organisation”. The poet didn't only use his pen to fight those injustices in South Africa, but also around the world. In 2002, he wrote an open letter in The Guardian to the then Prime Minister of Israel, Ariel Sharon. "Why should we look the other way when it is Israel committing crimes? A viable state cannot be built on the expulsion of another people who have as much claim to that territory as you have," he wrote about the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Breytenbach published over 50 books during his lifetime, and some have been translated into multiple languages. He is also known for his surreal paintings, which often depict humans and animals in captivity. He was later made a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, France's top cultural award. Breytenbach is survived by his wife, Yolande, and daughter Daphnée and two grandsons. Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica , on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
In today’s digital age, Miami Dolphins fans have unprecedented opportunities to connect with fellow enthusiasts worldwide. Video chats have emerged as a powerful tool, enabling fans to share their passion, discuss game strategies, and build a global community. This article explores how video chats enhance the Dolphins fan experience, the platforms facilitating these interactions, and best practices for meaningful engagement. The Rise of Virtual Fan Communities The internet has transformed how sports fans interact. Traditional fan gatherings at stadiums or local bars have expanded into virtual spaces, allowing fans from different continents to connect in real-time. For Miami Dolphins supporters, this means engaging with a diverse fan base, sharing insights, and celebrating victories together, regardless of geographical boundaries. Platforms Connecting Dolphins Fans Several platforms have become popular among Dolphins fans for video interactions: Originally designed for gamers, Discord has evolved into a hub for various communities. The /r/MiamiDolphins Discord server offers voice and text chat options, enabling fans to discuss games, share news, and participate in live watch parties. Channels like “Dolphins Today by Chat Sports” provide live streams, game analyses, and fan interactions. These sessions often feature live chats, allowing fans to engage directly with hosts and other viewers. Communities such as “FinFans: The Miami Dolphins” on Facebook offer a platform for fans to share content, discuss team news, and organize virtual meetups. While primarily text-based, these groups occasionally host live video sessions. Engaging in Meaningful Conversations Participating in video chats offers more than just game discussions. Fans can share personal stories, debate team strategies, and even meet people in random chat rooms dedicated to Dolphins trivia or history. These interactions enrich the fan experience, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Best Practices for Virtual Interactions To make the most of video chats: Respect Diverse Opinions: Fans come from various backgrounds with different perspectives. Engaging respectfully ensures healthy and constructive discussions. Stay Informed: Being updated on team news and statistics enhances the quality of conversations and allows for more in-depth analyses. Participate Actively: Regular involvement in discussions and events strengthens connections with fellow fans and keeps the community vibrant. Overcoming Challenges in Virtual Engagements While video chats offer numerous benefits, they come with challenges: Time Zone Differences: Coordinating live sessions can be tricky for fans spread across different time zones. Scheduling events at varying times or recording sessions for later viewing can help mitigate this issue. Technical Issues: Internet connectivity problems or unfamiliarity with platforms can hinder participation. Providing technical support and clear guidelines can assist fans in navigating these challenges. The Role of Official Channels The Miami Dolphins organization recognizes the importance of fan engagement. Their official YouTube channel offers exclusive content, behind-the-scenes footage, and live interactions, providing fans with direct access to team updates and events. Building a Global Dolphins Community Video chats have transformed the Miami Dolphins fan base into a global community. Fans from different cultures and backgrounds can share their love for the team, learn from each other, and celebrate together. This interconnectedness strengthens the fan experience, making it more inclusive and dynamic. Embracing the Digital Fan Experience As technology continues to evolve, the ways fans connect will expand. Embracing video chats and other digital tools allows Miami Dolphins supporters to stay connected, informed, and engaged, no matter where they are in the world. In conclusion, video chats have revolutionized how Miami Dolphins fans interact, breaking down geographical barriers and fostering a vibrant, global community. By leveraging various platforms and embracing respectful, informed discussions, fans can enhance their experience and strengthen their connection to the team and each other.Roquan Smith, Travis Jones, Nelson Agholor, Arthur Maulet and Sanoussi Kane were all listed on the Ravens' injury report Thursday.