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Black Friday is still a few weeks away, but early Black Friday Best Buy deals are already here, with notable deals on TVs, laptops, headphones and more. I frequently cover shopping events as a tech reporter for NBC Select, and I’ve been combing through discounts to find the best early Black Friday Best Buy deals actually worth shopping. SKIP AHEAD Best early Black Friday Best Buy deals | How I found the best early Black Friday Best Buy deals | Why trust NBC Select? How I found the best early Black Friday Best Buy dealsAll of my recommendations above are based on NBC Select’s previous coverage and reporting. For this piece, I researched early Black Friday deals across Best Buy to find notable products across categories like home, audio, TVs and gaming.

Persons: Belkin, Zoe Malin’s, It’s, Smart, Mario, TikTok Organizations: Retailers, Walmart, Home, NBC, Echo, Gaming, Nintendo, Mario Kart, Travel, Giftable Tech, Facebook, Twitter

☆ CEO makes largest-ever donation to ‘undervalued’ U.S. Soccer women and girls programs
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Kimmy Yam | Kimmy Yam Is A Reporter For Nbc Asian America. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Businesswoman and philanthropist Michele Kang just made a historic donation to women’s soccer. Kang, owner of the professional soccer team Washington Spirit, has pledged $30 million to the girls and women’s programs of U.S. Soccer, the organization announced on Tuesday. It’s the largest donation ever made to the soccer body by a woman, as well as to girls and women’s soccer. “Michele Kang’s gift will transform soccer for women and girls in the United States,” said Cindy Parlow Cone, president of the U.S. Soccer. She also owns Olympique Lyonnais, a women soccer team that plays in France, and London City Lionesses, in England.

Persons: Michele Kang, Kang, ” Kang, “ Michele Kang’s, ”, Cindy Parlow Cone, “, Alex Morgan, ’ Organizations: Washington, U.S, Soccer, U.S . Soccer, U.S . National Women’s Soccer League, Olympique Lyonnais, London City Lionesses, CNBC Locations: United States, France, England, U.S

☆ Can the sporty be Godly? Why the Vatican is in the race to become a global sporting presence
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( George Ramsay | Christopher Lamb | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Rien Schuurhuis never expected to win this year’s cycling world championships, nor come close to claiming the race’s distinctive rainbow jersey. For the sole representative of the Vatican City in the 200-strong field, simply being at the race in Switzerland was enough. “There was one hill in the (2022) world championships and everyone was yelling: ‘The Pope’s cyclist! At every race, Schuurhuis’ ultimate aim has been to get people talking about the team and what it represents. Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, is a soccer fan who played as a goalkeeper and supported San Lorenzo while growing up in Argentina.

Persons: Rien Schuurhuis, Schuurhuis, they’re, –, ”, Pope Francis, Valerio Agnoli, “, Chiara Porro, Herself, Porro, ” Schuurhuis, Pope John Paul II, Castel Gandolfo, San, Diego Maradona –, Pope Francis ’, ” Giampaolo Mattei, … Organizations: CNN, Vatican City, CNN Sport, International Cycling Union, UCI, ”, League, Australia’s Embassy, Vaticana, Swiss Guards, England, Culture, Athletica, “, Brisbane Games Locations: Vatican, Switzerland, Belgium, Vaticana, India, Australia, Asia, Rome, St, Peter's, Athletica Vaticana, San Lorenzo, Argentina, Canberra

☆ Rafael Nadal says he doesn't want to retire from tennis — it's his body that 'doesn't want to play anymore'
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Erin Liam | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AdvertisementRafael Nadal announced that his 20-year career in professional tennis has come to a close. The 22-time Grand Slam champion lost 6-4, 6-4 to Team Netherlands at the Davis Cup. Rafael Nadal has confirmed his plan to officially retire from professional tennis. His two-decade career came to a close following his 6-4, 6-4 loss to Botic van de Zandschulp, from the Netherlands, at the Davis Cup on Tuesday. "I'm not tired of playing tennis, but it's my body that doesn't want to play anymore, so I have to accept the situation."

Persons: Rafael Nadal, Botic van de Zandschulp, Pelé, I'm, Nadal, Mary Carillo, Tom Brady, Mike Tyson, Chris Mott, he's, Chris Andrews Organizations: Team Netherlands, Davis, Nadal, Peabody, Buccaneers, Business Insider Locations: Netherlands

☆ Utah Hockey Club is beefing up Salt Lake City's roster as a sports hub
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Salt Lake City checked all the boxes for a new professional sports team — particularly in the National Hockey League. Salt Lake City kicked off its first season in the NHL this year after the Utah Hockey Club relocated from Phoenix. The early excitement of the fanbase, marked by sellout crowds and high merchandise sales, is solidifying Salt Lake City as a sports market. So far, every one of the 11,131 unobstructed view seats at Delta Center has been sold out, according to the Utah Hockey Club. The Utah Hockey Club generated the highest retail sales on its opening night of any hockey team this season, including the Florida Panthers, the 2023-24 Stanley Cup champions, according to the Utah Hockey Club.

Persons: Ryan Smith —, Ryan, Ashley Smith, Smith, Gary Bettman, —, Chad Hutchinson, Hutchinson Organizations: National Hockey League, Salt Lake City, NHL, Utah Hockey Club, National Basketball, Utah Jazz, Major League Soccer's, National, Soccer League's Utah Royals, Smith Entertainment Group, Arctos Partners, Delta Center, Delta, NBA, Florida Panthers, Utah Hockey Club's, Vegas Golden Knights Locations: Salt Lake City, U.S, —, Salt Lake, Phoenix, Salt, Utah

Soccer players Kristie Mewis and Samantha Kerr announced Monday that they’re expecting their first child. Mewis played for the U.S. women’s national soccer team as a midfielder more than 50 times and now plays for West Ham United FC. Kerr is a forward for the Australia women’s national soccer team and for Chelsea FC. The official Instagram account of the FIFA Women’s World Cup predicted Baby Mewis-Kerr would inherit athletic prowess, writing: “Baby baller incoming. Professional soccer team West Ham United shared the “heart-warming” news on its website.

Persons: Kristie Mewis, Samantha Kerr, they’re, “ Mewis, Kerr, Mewis, Mewes, nag, Ali Krieger, Mallory Pugh Swanson, Kelley O’Hara, Sam, “, ” Krieger, Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, Kristie, ” Organizations: Kristie, U.S, team, West Ham United FC, Australia women’s, soccer team, Chelsea FC, Women’s Soccer League, People, Women’s, FIFA, Foreign Affairs, West Ham United, Reuters Locations: London

☆ Harry Kane statue becomes latest sports sculpture to face criticism
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A shiny metal likeness of England soccer captain Harry Kane has become the latest statue of a sports star to face criticism for failing to capture the essence of its subject. “A real proud moment for me to go back to where my life in football began and unveil a statue. The juxtaposition makes the differences between the real life Kane and his bronze likeness amusingly apparent, with many questioning whether Kane could truly be impressed by the work. Harry Kane next to his statue at the unveiling on Monday. As it turns out, this is not the only modern statue unveiled recently that has seemingly failed to live up to ancient standards.

Persons: Harry Kane, ”, Kane, Zac Goodwin, Estelle Lovatt, “, wouldn’t, Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade, Cristiano Ronaldo Organizations: CNN, Bayern, “, Sky News, NBA, Miami Heat, Hall of Famer Locations: London, Waltham Forest, Bayern Munich, Madeira

☆ Being aerobically fit in middle age may reduce Alzheimer’s and dementia risk, study says
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Doing more aerobic exercise in middle age and old age may reduce the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, a new study found. Without effort, however, cardiorespiratory fitness declines as people age. “This study found a dose-dependent — meaning more was better — effect of exercise fitness on several critical types of cognitive performance,” Isaacson said. Biking, running, jogging, swimming, hiking and briskly walking can all improve cardiorespiratory fitness, experts say. The study showed that people with high cardiorespiratory fitness were more likely to take care of themselves, and therefore protect the heart-brain connection.

Persons: ”, Weili Xu, ” Xu, Richard Isaacson, “ I’ve, ” Isaacson, Dr, Valentin Fuster, Fuster, ” Fuster, “ Organizations: CNN, Aging Research, Karolinska Institute, American Heart Association, British, of Sports Medicine, Mount, Hospital, Mount Sinai, Heart Federation, Cleveland Clinic Locations: Stockholm, Florida, Mount Sinai, Mount, New York City

☆ Women prefer to play mobile games. China's Tencent sees an opportunity
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Tencent's Honor of Kings mobile game drew a record 33,000 fans to watch a final competition in Beijing on Nov. 16, 2024. Surprisingly, many in the crowd were young women, reflecting how interest in mobile games has broadened out from the stereotypical male player in the days of console and PC gaming. Honor of Kings, which claims 100 million players a day, uses a similar format with two teams of five players each. His analysis found that 95% of women prefer mobile games. A newly branded Honor of Kings global championship was held last month in Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, with Malaysian team Black Shrew Esports winning the $300,000 first prize.

Persons: Evelyn Cheng, Kings, Gao, of, Jackie Huang, Huang, Xiaofeng Zeng, Niko Partners, Zeng Organizations: Kings, CNBC, of Valor, of Kings, global, Tencent, Gaming, Riot, Malaysian Locations: Beijing, Evelyn Cheng BEIJING, China, Shanghai, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Chinese, North America, Europe, Japan, U.S, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Jakarta

☆ USMNT beats Jamaica to book place in CONCACAF Nations League semifinals
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The US men’s national soccer team (USMNT) booked its place in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals next year with a thrilling 4-2 win over Jamaica in St. Louis, Missouri, on Monday night. The victory secured a 5-2 aggregate win over the Reggae Boyz after a hard fought first leg in Jamaica finished 1-0 to the US last week. Mauricio Pochettino’s side opened up a 3-0 lead in the first half thanks to Christian Pulisic’s brace and Ricardo Pepi’s low strike from outside the box. Demarai Gray pulled a goal back for Jamaica early in the second half, before Timothy Weah extended the US lead to three again just minutes later. “We need to be desperate to arrive to March and to be all together,” he added.

Persons: Mauricio Pochettino’s, Christian, Ricardo Pepi’s, Demarai Gray, Timothy Weah, Gray, “, Pulisic, ”, Mauricio Pochettino, ” Pochettino, ” Mauricio Pochettino, John Dorton, Germain, Pochettino Organizations: CNN, US, soccer, CONCACAF Nations League, Jamaica, Reggae, ESPN, “, Getty, Former Tottenham, Paris Saint Locations: St, Louis , Missouri, Jamaica, Mexico

☆ The ‘Trump dance’ takes the sports world by storm
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —A dance popularized by President-elect Donald Trump appears to have taken the sporting world by storm, after multiple US athletes across the country brought it out to celebrate plays this weekend. At UFC 309 on Saturday, with Trump in attendance, Jon Jones commemorated retaining his heavyweight title by busting out the dance before acknowledging Trump at ringside. I thought it was a pretty fun dance. “It’s not a political dance. 10) said his 'Trump dance' was 'not a political dance' and was 'just for fun.'

Persons: Donald Trump, Nick Bosa –, –, “, ”, ” Bosa, Bosa, Jon Jones, Trump, Jones, Chris Unger, Za’Darius Smith, Brock Bowers, Calvin Ridley, Bowers, Safid Deen, “ I’ve, Deen, Charley Hull, Louis, Christian Pulisic, Pulisic, “ It’s, ” Pulisic, Jamie Squire, Colin Kaepernick, LeBron James, Scott Jennings, Jessica Tarlov, ‘, ” Tarlov Organizations: CNN, President, YMCA, The, White, San Francisco 49ers, Trump, Niners, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bosa, San Francisco Chronicle, NFL, UFC, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, USA, Raiders, Pelican, soccer, Jamaica, CONCACAF Nations League, Republican, Fox, Fox News Locations: British, Florida, St, America

Labor leaders say Democrats need to rethink their approach to working-class voters. Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth’s attorney confirmed he paid a woman after she accused him of sexual assault. He also denied that the encounter between Hegseth and an unnamed woman, which she alleges happened in 2017, was sexual assault. 🏈 The Kansas City Chiefs’ undefeated season is no more as the Buffalo Bills beat their AFC rivals 30-21 at home. Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw for 262 yards with one touchdown and one interception as Buffalo improved to 9-2.

Persons: Pete Hegseth’s, Democratic Party ’ Donald Trump, Chip Somodevilla, Kamala Harris ’, ”, Brent Booker, ” Booker, Mike Johnson, Trump, Brendan Carr, Roy Rochlin, Donald Trump, “, Parlatore, Dick Schoof, Nora Achahbar, NFL Gregory Bull, Greg Rosenstein, hird, 🐆 Organizations: Labor, Former Fox News, Union, Democratic Party, ’ International Union of, ”, Trump, Federal Communications Commission, Justice Department, FBI, Trump Pentagon, Fox News, NBC News, Washington Post, Authorities, Hegseth, Getty Images, Dutch, NFL, Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, NBC Locations: Amsterdam, Netherlands, West Palm Beach, Fla, Biden’s, ’ International Union of North America, Afghanistan, Hegseth’s, Monterey , California, Anadolu, Getty Images Amsterdam, Moroccan

“My position in society, my nationality, is not sure, never sure, no matter what generation I am,” he told NBC News over the phone. “These boys and girls are fully aware of the current political climate,” he told NBC News. “Politicians should try to unite people instead of fueling polarization,” he told NBC News. “Amsterdam should be ashamed,” he said of the violence surrounding the the soccer game. “Apparently a Cabinet meeting is a comfortable place for these people to say their racist thoughts out loud,” Taibi said.

Persons: ”, “, Taibi, can’t, Bram Beute, Schoof, Wilders, Francesca Albanese, Bert Klandermans, Steven Silvester, ” Silvester, Muhsin Köktas, Ruben Vis, ” Taibi, Freddie Clayton, Martijn van Delft Organizations: NBC News, United Nations Human Rights, “, Vrije University, stoke, NBC, Centraal Locations: Amsterdam’s, Muslim Nieuw, West, Europe, France, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Gaza, Amsterdam, Nieuw, Dutch, “ Amsterdam, London, Rijnsburg

This weekend brings a high-stakes game to Atlanta, and we'll make sure you know where to watch Tennessee vs. Georgia at home. What channel is Tennessee vs. Georgia on? Tennessee vs. Georgia airs on ABC in the US. Where to watch Tennessee vs. Georgia in the USThere are a few live streaming options for those without access to ABC through traditional cable or antenna means. Check price at ExpressVPNHow to watch Tennessee vs. Georgia with a VPNSign up for a VPN if you don't have one.

Persons: They're, we've, There's, It's, ExpressVPN Organizations: Business, FBS, Atlanta, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Georgia, Bulldogs, SEC, College Football, ABC, ESPN Plus, ESPN, MLB, NHL, NFL, UFC, Hulu, Disney Plus, ESPN ESPN, DirecTV, Subscribers, DirecTV Stream, College Locations: Georgia, Tennessee

☆ Mexico soccer manager Javier Aguirre struck by can thrown onto the pitch from stands, left with bloodied head
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-16 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Mexico’s national soccer team manager Javier Aguirre was left with a bloodied head after he was struck by a can thrown from the stand following his team’s 2-0 defeat to Honduras on Friday. Footage posted on social media showed Aguirre walking across the pitch in San Pedro Sula, Honduras while objects thrown by the crowd landed on the ground around him. One then struck Aguirre’s head and exploded with liquid while he flinched and a cut opened up on his scalp. Aguirre then tossed away the gauze and walked off the pitch, shielded by a line of security holding up riot shields, litter thrown from the stands strewn about their feet. The other thing, there’s no point in even mentioning it because well it’s football, I’m not one to complain,” he said, per ESPN.

Persons: CNN —, Javier Aguirre, Aguirre, ” “, I’ve, I’m, ”, –, “ Organizations: CNN, soccer, ESPN, North, Caribbean Association Football, Concacaf, ” Concacaf, Nations League Locations: Honduras, San Pedro Sula, Central America, Mexican, Mexico

☆ Amsterdam soccer riots: How a toxic mix of antisemitism, racism and xenophobia culminated in violence
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Lauren Kent | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Last week, Israeli soccer fans were attacked in the streets, Palestinian flags ripped off walls and antisemitic slurs yelled during riots. But the timeline of how tensions ignited in Amsterdam is different depending on which community you ask. “It’s really so, so manipulative… It only makes everything worse,” Jaïr Stranders, a local theater director and a board member of the Liberal Jewish Community of Amsterdam told CNN. But in Amsterdam, many local Jewish officials as well as the mayor have urged against using that description. “They are Dutch youth,” he noted, adding that Amsterdam is a city of many nationalities and many values that can peacefully coexist.

Persons: Amsterdam CNN —, “ It’s, it’s, It’s, Sheher Khan, ” Khan, “, Itay Garmy, ” Garmy, Amsterdam Mayor Femke, they’re, David, Benjamin Netanyahu, Geert Wilders, Halsema, Mouneb, Khan, Wilders, Jaïr, Stranders, Netanyahu, ” Stranders, ”, Israel, Said Alawi, “ I’m, Abdelaziz Chandoudi, ” Chandoudi, Mohammed Rasool Organizations: Amsterdam CNN, CNN, Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer, Maccabi, Police, Amsterdam Mayor, Getty, Freedom Party, Union, Maccabi fans, Liberal Jewish, Amsterdam, Senior, Moroccan Locations: Amsterdam, Dutch, Gaza, Netherlands, Europe, Israel, Palestine, ”, Anadolu, Amsterdam’s, Morocco, Noord, Holland

☆ TikTok's 'Winter Arc’ challenge helps you get ahead of your New Year goals. Here’s why it’s gone viral and 4 tips to get started
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The latest obsession on TikTok is the "Winter Arc" challenge, which sees young people get ahead of their New Year's Resolutions. Winter Arc TikTok is flooded with videos of young men and women wearing dark-colored oversized hoodies and athleisure, working out in the gym, or going for early-morning runs. Carly says the Winter Arc is all about being "laser-focused" on your goals, so that you're transformed by the new year. He said it takes 66 days to form a habit, so the Winter Arc helps ease the process of transitioning into your New Year goals. Here are four expert tips to create healthy, realistic Winter Arc goals:

Persons: Carly, Michael Baah, Baah, Gary Lineker, Ezra Taylor, Tasha Ghouri, they'll, Malminder Gill Organizations: CNBC Locations: British, London

☆ I've sailed on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian ships. Here's which was my favorite — and how to choose the right cruise for you.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

AdvertisementI've been on Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean's newer cruise ships. Brittany Chang/Business InsiderWhen a few rounds of foosball and ping-pong have worked up your appetite, you'll have 16 dining venues to choose from. AdvertisementNorwegian Cruise LineNorwegian Cruise Line has 18 cruise ships. Norwegian Cruise LineIt's the only cruise line on the list with a semi-inclusive "More at Sea" — formerly known as "Free at Sea" — promotion. The company operates 28 cruise ships, several of which are the biggest in the world.

Persons: Bauer, Griffin, Brittany Chang, It's, Guy, you'll, Finnbarr Webster, Norwegian Luna, Prima flaunts, Pieter De Boer, Firenze, There's Organizations: Royal, Firenze, Costa Cruises, Grill, Cruise Line, Cruise, Norwegian Aqua, Prima, Seas Locations: Royal Caribbean, roundtrip Port Canaveral , Florida, Bahamas, Brittany, Norwegian, Alaska, Europe, Asia, Jacksonville , Florida, Haven, CocoCay, Mexican, Los, Ensenada, Mexico

Thousands of police officers were deployed across Paris, seeking to avoid a repeat of last week's violence in Amsterdam involving locals and Israeli fans. Outside Stade de France, soccer fans filed into the stadium amid a heavy police presence. Theo Petit, 23, who came out to support France, said he was invited to the game by a friend. “We are a little stressed about coming here but it’s a game, a football game,” said Petit, who is studying to become a dietician. The ramped-up security presence comes after the violence surrounding the soccer match between Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax of Amsterdam put authorities across Europe on high alert.

Persons: Theo Petit, “, ”, Petit, Ian Langsdon, Denis, Laurent Nunez, David, Irene Karalis, there's, ” Karalis, I'm, instrumentalization, Franck Fife, Nunez, Emmanuel Macron, Francois Hollande, Nicolas Sarkozy, Urgence, Israel, Bezalel Smotrich, ” Smotrich, Dimitar Dilkoff, Omar, Lazare Organizations: Stade de France, Gaza, Getty Images Paris, NBC, RTL, Reuters, Ligue des, Human Rights League, NBC News, Zionist, Guard, Police, National Gendarmerie, Nations League, Urgence Palestine, Israel’s Maccabi Tel, Ajax, Israel, Getty, Paris ’ Saint Locations: PARIS, Israel, France, Paris, Europe, Lebanon, Amsterdam, Aubervilliers, AFP, Saint, “, Betar, Beirut, Gaza, Palestine, Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv, Netherlands

☆ Antisemitic violence rocked Amsterdam, Paris doesn’t want more of the same
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( Joseph Ataman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Last year’s French soccer cup final saw some 3,000 police and 1,400 staff deployed, reports CNN affiliate BFMTV. This Thursday’s UEFA Nations League match between France and Israel will take place in the Stade de France, the centerpiece of Paris’ 2024 Olympic Games. The minister set an aggressive tone in his first months in office and his response to the Amsterdam attacks was no different. Just this week, the Israeli ambassador in Paris was summoned to the French foreign ministry after two French policemen were briefly detained in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem. Yet, in the light of recent events in Amsterdam, it is keen to show its commitment to protecting French Jews: Thursday’s match offers the perfect opportunity.

Persons: Laurent Nunez, ”, Bruno Retailleau, he’s, Retailleau, Emmanuel Macron, “, Francois Hollande, Nicolas Sarkozy, Denis, Franck Fife, Germain, Marie Mesmeur, Macron, North America – Organizations: Paris CNN —, Israel, Maccabi, Tel, CNN, BFMTV, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s, Ajax, ” Maccabi, Palestinian, UEFA Nations League, Stade de France, French, Amsterdam’s Maccabi, –, Palace, Stade, UEFA Nations League football, Getty, Paris Saint, Champions League, North America Locations: Paris, France, Amsterdam, Tel Aviv, French, Netherlands, Israel, Gaza, Saint, AFP, “, Europe, North, Lebanon, East Jerusalem

☆ Neom, Saudi Arabia's high-tech desert city, is heading for a dialed-down first stage as costs soar
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( Shubhangi Goel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Amid rising costs, Saudi Arabia is scaling back Neom plans to focus on sports venues. The new city faces financial challenges, leadership changes, and scrutiny over human rights issues. AdvertisementSaudi Arabia is changing plans for mega-city Neom to cut costs and prioritize building for international sporting events. Governments and human rights groups have also scrutinized alleged human rights abuses, including of migrant workers building Neom. In July, Saudi Arabia rejected allegations that three men were sentenced to death because they criticized evictions to make way for the Neom project.

Persons: —, Neom, Francois Nel Organizations: Service, Reuters, Games, NEOM Beach, Neom Locations: Saudi Arabia, New York City, Saudi

☆ A Washington county shifted to a 4-day workweek. It could be the future of work
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-13 | by ( Meena Duerson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Instead, they agreed upon a 32-hour workweek, in which employees retain their full-time positions with benefits but can enjoy reduced hours and schedule flexibility. The couple both work for the county, and say the shortened workweek has improved their quality of life. Ingman, a park manager in the county, said the 32-hour workweek made his job easier by attracting a better applicant pool. His wife’s employer recently adopted its own 32-hour workweek — using San Juan County as a template. Not all county employees are formally eligible for the 32-hour workweek; right now it only applies to the roughly 155 positions represented by the union.

Persons: Kristen, Eric Rezabek, Eric, ” Eric, Jessica Hudson, it’s, —, Kristen Rezabek, ” Hudson, ”, “, ” Kristen, there’s, Joe Ingman, Joe Ingman “, you’re, I’ve, Ingman, he’d, Jenni Merritt, she’d, Jenni, Jenni Merritt “, ” Merritt, Merritt, we’re, ” Kristen Rezabek, Matthew Steward, Matthew Steward “, “ It’s, Matthew Steward’s, Steward, Juan, Bernie Sanders, ” Joe Ingman, they’d Organizations: CNN, San, Park, Public Works Locations: San Juan Island, Washington, San Juan County, Seattle, ”, Park, Mississippi, Juan County

☆ UN sounds alarm at Israel’s ‘severe violations’ at key buffer zone with Syria
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-13 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The United Nations has accused Israel of “severe violations” of a 50-year-old agreement with Syria, saying it has engaged in “engineering groundwork activities” that encroach on a key buffer zone in the Golan Heights. The Israeli military said the strikes were part of a larger effort to target the capabilities of a Hezbollah unit responsible for weapons smuggling. Saban said that Hezbollah is unlikely to try and trigger an Israeli military offensive from the Golan, however. In July, the IDF said it struck Syrian military infrastructure in retaliation for alleged breaches. “The IDF holds the Syrian military responsible for all activities occurring within its territory and will not allow any attempts to violate Israeli sovereignty,” the Israeli military said.

Persons: Israel, UNDOF, ”, Yasushi Kaneko, Navvar Saban, Golan, ” Saban, Majdal Shams, Saban Organizations: CNN, United Nations, UN, Observer Force, Planet Labs, European Space Agency, Israel Defense Forces, Labs, Alpha, IDF, Israel, Yomiuri Shimbun, AP, Harmoon, for Contemporary Studies, Lebanese, Syrian Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry Locations: Syria, Golan, Israel, Jubata Al Khashab, Majdal Shams, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Syria Israel, Tehran, Damascus, Majdal, Qusayr, Homs

☆ Five new arrests made in Amsterdam over violence that authorities say targeted Israeli soccer fans
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Freddie Clayton | Freddie Clayton Is A Freelance Journalist Based In London. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Five new arrests have been made over the violence surrounding a soccer game last week involving an Israeli team, Dutch police said Monday. The five men are "suspected of public acts of violence against persons Thursday night," police in the Dutch capital Amsterdam said Monday. The violence has been condemned as targeted antisemitic attacks by authorities in Israel and the Netherlands, which authorities said saw small groups on foot and scooters commit hit-and-run assaults on Israeli fans. Another video verified by NBC News showed a brawl break out outside Amsterdam Central Station after the game, in what the photographer described as an attack by Israeli fans on local residents. Israel sent extra planes to bring the soccer fans home from Amsterdam, and has told Israeli fans not to attend cultural or sports events abroad this week.

Persons: Dick Schoof, Schoof, Peter Holla, Israel, Turkey's Organizations: Maccabi Tel, Ajax, Maccabi, NBC News, IDF, Station, Police, Palestinian, ” Police, UEFA, Maccabi Tel Aviv's, Turkey's Besiktas, national, team, France Locations: Amsterdam, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel, Netherlands, Hungary, Istanbul, Paris

☆ Marco Angulo: Ecuador international soccer player dies aged 22 following car crash
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Ecuador international soccer player Marco Angulo has died at the age of 22, the Ecuadorian Football Federation said in a statement. “The Ecuadorian Football Federation expresses its deepest sympathy over the death of Marco Angulo, who with his talent and dedication defended the colours of our country at every opportunity,” the governing body wrote. “Marco was not only an outstanding player, but also a great teammate. Ecuadorian outlet El Universo reported that Angulo suffered head and lung injuries in the crash and underwent multiple surgeries. Another footballer, Independiente Juniors defender Roberto Cabezas, also died in the crash, his club announced at the time, as did a friend.

Persons: Marco Angulo, “ Marco, Angulo, Roberto Cabezas, Angulo’s, ”, “, Marco –, ” Angulo Organizations: CNN, Ecuador, Ecuadorian Football Federation, Ecuadorian, LDU Quito, MLS, FC Cincinnati, El Universo, Independiente Juniors, Quito, Ecuador national, Iraq, ” LDU Quito Locations: Ecuadorian, Australia

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