Texas’ abortion pill lawsuit against New York doctor marks new challenge to interstate telemedicineA New York judge on Thursday denied Fox News ' request to receive records related to a bribery case that the news network claims would help them in a defamation lawsuit that the voting technology company Smartmatic filed against them. Judge David B. Cohen said the bribery indictment against some of Smartmatic's executives didn't change his mind on two similar requests from Fox . "It's a mere accusation. It raises no presumption of guilt," Cohen said. Why Is Smartmatic Suing Fox News? Smartmatic is suing Fox News and its parent company Fox Corp. for $2.7 billion after the news network aired false claims that Smartmatic helped rig the 2020 election. The company is also suing multiple current or former on-air hosts from the network. In the wake of then-President Donald Trump 's loss to now-President Joe Biden , he and his lawyers claimed the election was stolen from him via widespread voter fraud. Despite there being no evidence to back up such claims, Fox News broadcasted them—which Smartmartic says gutted their business. Fox News did ultimately air an interview with an election technology expert who refuted allegations of election fraud against Smartmatic. Fox says it was simply reporting on newsworthy allegations made by Trump and his allies. Fox is countersuing Smartmatic as it claims the defamation lawsuit violates a New York law against baseless suits aimed at surpressing reporting or criticism of public issues. Meanwhile, Fox News already settled a $787 million lawsuit last year after another voting technology company, Dominion Voting Systems, accused the news network of damaging the company's reputation with their coverage of the 2020 election fraud claims. What Are the Facts of the Bribery Case? The August 8 indictment of Smartmatic co-founder Roger Piñate and two other executives relates to Smartmatic's efforts to get work in the Phillippines between 2015 and 2018. Piñate and the two Smartmatic executives have been accused of scheming to pay more than $1 million in bribes to a Filipino election official to deploy Smartmatic voting machines and pay promptly for them, the indictment says. The payments were made through sham loan agreements and a slush fund created by overcharging for the machines, federal prosecutors allege. Piñate, who has served as Smartmatic's president, pleaded not guilty to conspiring to violate the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and to money laundering. It's unclear whether the two company executives charged have entered pleas. The company itself isn't charged in the case, and Piñate and the two executives were placed on leave. Smartmatic sought to reassure voters that elections are "conducted with the utmost integrity and transparency." Why Does Fox Need the Case Records? Fox says that the bribery case is relevant to Smartmartic's business prospects, and therefore to the voting technology company's claims about what it lost and stands to lose because of Fox's coverage of the 2020 election fraud claims. "As of Aug 8, governments will have to take into account the risks of doing business with a company [where some executives have been] accused of serious corruption by the U.S. Department of Justice [DOJ]," Fox lawyer Brad Masters told a New York court Thursday. Masters asked the court to order Smartmatic to provide any documents that it gave the DOJ for the bribery investigation, any customer inquiries about the charges and any staff communications about the matter and its impact on the voting-technology company. Meanwhile, Smartmatic's lawyers argued that the indictment is irrelevant to their lawsuit. "There's merely an allegation, which is probative of nothing," Smartmatic attorney Caitlin Kovacs said Thursday. She suggested Fox wanted to "stand up here and play prosecutor to the jury" and "accuse Smartmatic of a crime that they didn't commit." This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.Lebawit Lily Girma | (TNS) Bloomberg News When winter rolls around, travelers predictably turn their attention to beaches. And this year, it’s the destination that comedian Tony Hinchcliffe called “a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean” that’s experiencing outsize demand from Americans planning a warm island vacation. Talk about trashing stereotypes. Related Articles Travel | Would you pay $700 a night to sleep under the stars at this Colorado resort? Travel | Thailand’s starring role in ‘The White Lotus’ is about to pay off Travel | 5 under-the-radar travel destinations the UN says you should visit Travel | Gift ideas for people planning their next trip Travel | Lights and decor, réveillon meals make Christmastime special in New Orleans Puerto Rico has recovered overseas visitors (excluding those from Canada and Mexico) faster than any U.S. state or territory — a staggering 85% increase over its 2019 overseas inbound visitor levels as of 2023, according to an October study from the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office. There are now more daily flights from the U.S. West Coast, and hotel bookings are 6% higher so far in this last quarter of 2024 year-over-year. It’s a trifecta of tourism growth: more visitors, but also longer stays and a higher spend that reached a record $9.8 billion in 2023, boosting small businesses as well as major brands. “We don’t have a slow season in Puerto Rico anymore,” says Brad Dean, chief executive officer at Discover Puerto Rico. Even if they’re not booking, people are dreaming about “La Isla.” By tracking flight searches for trips between November 2024 and February 2025, a measure of “inspirational” demand, tourism intelligence company Mabrian Technologies reports Puerto Rico is up 9% compared with the same period last year and leads Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the Bahamas in the Caribbean proper. Only Costa Rica ranked higher in the wider region. Dean attributes Puerto Rico’s ongoing tourism growth to a strategic effort to reposition the island’s brand as more than a sun-and-sea destination, starting back in 2018. That led to the Live Boricua campaign, which began in 2022 and leaned heavily on culture, history and cuisine and was, Dean says, “a pretty bold departure” in the way Puerto Rico was showcased to travelers. He adds that at least $2 billion in tourism spend is linked to this campaign. “We (also) haven’t shied away from actively embracing the LGBTQ+ community, and that has opened up Puerto Rico to audiences that may not have considered the Caribbean before,” Dean says. Hotels are preparing to meet this growing demand: A number of established boutique properties are undergoing upgrades valued between $4 million and more than $50 million, including Hotel El Convento; La Concha, which will join the Marriott Autograph Collection; Condado Vanderbilt Hotel; and the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar. That’s in addition to ultra-chic options that are coming online in 2025, including the adults-only Alma San Juan, with rooms overlooking Plaza Colón in the heart of Old San Juan, and the five-star Veranó boutique hotel in San Juan’s trendy Santurce neighborhood. The beachfront Ritz-Carlton San Juan in Isla Verde will also be reopening seven years after Hurricane Maria decimated the island. The travel industry’s success is helping boost employment on the island, to the tune of 101,000 leisure and hospitality jobs as of September 2024, a 26% increase over pre-pandemic levels, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Efforts to promote Puerto Rico’s provinces beyond the San Juan metro area — such as surfing hub Rincón on the west coast, historical Ponce on the south coast and Orocovis for nature and coffee haciendas in the central mountains —have spread the demand to small businesses previously ignored by the travel industry. Take Sheila Osorio, who leads workshops on Afro-Puerto Rican bomba music and dance at Taller Nzambi, in the town of Loíza, 15 miles east of San Juan; or Wanda Otero, founder of cheese-producing company Vaca Negra in Hatillo, an hour’s drive west of Old San Juan, where you can join a cheese-making workshop and indulge in artisanal cheese tastings. “The list of businesses involved in tourism has gone from 650 in 2018 to 6,100, many of which are artists and artisans,” Dean says. While New Yorkers and Miami residents have always been the largest visitor demographic, Dean says more mainland Americans now realize that going to Puerto Rico means passport-free travel to enjoy beaches, as well as opportunities to dine in Michelin-rated restaurants, hike the only rainforest in the U.S. and kayak in a bioluminescent bay. Visitors from Chicago and Dallas, for example, have increased by approximately 40% from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, compared with the same period in 2022-2023, and more travelers are expected from Denver now that United Airlines Holdings Inc. has kicked off its first nonstop service to San Juan, beginning on Oct. 29. Previously, beach destinations that were easy to reach on direct flights from Denver included Mexico, Belize and California, but now Puerto Rico joins that list with a 5.5-hour nonstop route that cuts more than two hours from the next-best option. Given United Airlines’ hub in San Francisco, it could mean more travelers from the Golden State in the near future, too. In December, U.S. airlines will have 3,000 more seats per day to the territory compared with the same period last year, for a total of 84,731 — surpassing even Mexico and the Dominican Republic in air capacity, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, the island’s primary gateway, is projecting a record volume of 13 million passengers by year’s end — far surpassing the 9.4 million it saw in 2019. As for Hinchcliffe’s “floating island of garbage” line, Dean says it was “a terribly insensitive attempt at humor” that transformed outrage into a marketing silver lining, with an outpouring of positive public sentiment and content on Puerto Rico all over social media. Success, as that old chestnut goes, may be the best revenge. “It was probably the most efficient influencer campaign we’ve ever had,” Dean says, “a groundswell of visitors who posted their photos and videos and said, ‘This is the Puerto Rico that I know.’” ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The Seahawks made one move involving their 53-man roster Tuesday, claiming safety AJ Finley off waivers from the Chargers. Defensive lineman Myles Adams was waived to make room. The 6-foot, 188-pound Finley, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023 out of Ole Miss, has played in 22 games the past two seasons, including 10 this year. He has seen most of his time on special teams and has 13 tackles in his career. Adams has been on and off the 53-man roster and practice squad since the 2020 season and has played in 25 games, three this year with three tackles. The Seahawks could look to re-sign him to the practice squad if he clears waivers. The Seahawks also released cornerback Faion Hicks and running back Brittain Brown off the practice squad and signed cornerback Ryan Cooper and receiver Cornell Powell to take their place. Cooper, a rookie, played at Oregon State and was most recently on the Ravens’ practice squad. Powell, from Clemson, was a fifth-round pick of the Chiefs in 2021 and has appeared in three NFL games

JackJumpers ‘ugly’ look for Christmas DayMONTREAL — Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mike Matheson was not available for Tuesday's game against the Utah Hockey Club due to a lower-body injury. The Canadiens announced his injury half an hour before puck drop. Jayden Struble took his place in the lineup as Montreal (7-11-2) faced Utah (8-10-3) for the first time. Matheson participated in the morning skate but missed practice on Monday. The 30-year-old from nearby Pointe-Claire, Que., leads all Montreal blueliners with 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) in 20 games as the lone defenceman on the team's top power-play unit. Struble has one goal and three assists in 15 games this season. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024. The Canadian Press

Michigan TE Colston Loveland is entering the NFL DraftRelive the best shots and biggest moments from Round 1 of the CME Group Tour Championship, the final event of the LPGA Tour season. The Golf Central team breaks down Lydia Ko's first round at the CME Group Tour Championship and how it compared to her previous success in the event. Golf Central analyzes what makes Nelly Korda's golf swing so "poetic" before looking back on her even-par CME Group Tour Championship Round 1, which saw her struggle on the greens. Relive the best shots and biggest moments from Round 1 of the CME Group Tour Championship, the final event of the LPGA Tour season. Jeeno Thitikul sits down with Golf Central to discuss her Aon Risk Reward Challenge win, identifying the strongest part of her game and why she strives to inspire more Thai golfers to compete overseas. The Golf Central crew breaks down the 'evolution' of women's sports, particularly through the LPGA and how the CME Group Tour Championship is pushing women's golf to a new level. Amy Rogers reports on the anticipation leading up to the LPGA CME Group Tour Championship and the record $4M paid to the winner, as well as player reactions to the 2025 schedule. Jeeno Thitikul discusses her finish atop the Aon Risk Reward Challenge standings. Nelly Korda sits down with the media to discuss her recent win at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge, reflect on her season as a whole, weigh in on the pace of play discussion and more. Amy Rogers reports that Lexi Thompson is in "good spirits" ahead of the CME Group Tour Championship, which likely will be the final event she competes in on the LPGA Tour for the foreseeable future. Ally Ewing joins Golf Today to discuss why she's retiring at the end of the season, playing in her last LPGA Tournament and playing with "freedom" during the last few months.

A federal judge in New York on Friday denied former New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez's bid for a new trial. Menendez was convicted of charges accusing him of corrupting his office but he argued the evidence failed to support those charges. The judge disagreed. "The jury's guilty verdicts were readily supported by the extensive witness testimony and extensive documentary evidence admitted at trial, and there is no manifest injustice requiring a new trial," Judge Sidney Stein decided. MORE: Sen. Bob Menendez found guilty on all counts, including acting as foreign agent, in federal corruption trial A Manhattan federal jury found the New Jersey Democrat guilty on all charges, including bribery, fraud, acting as a foreign agent and obstruction, in July following a two-month-long trial. Federal prosecutors said he accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes in the form of cash, gold bars, mortgage payments and more in exchange for the senator's political clout. He is scheduled to be sentenced next month and faces decades in prison. Menendez resigned from office in August following the conviction.Barau pays condolence visits to late Sen Inuwa’s family, othersInzaghi satisfied after unconvincing Inter snatch 1-0 win over Leipzig

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Zhang Anda hits 147 as Judd Trump and Neil Robertson fume at ‘unplayable’ tableJulián Álvarez picking up the scoring pace with Atletico Madrid PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) — When the referee whistled for the free kick just outside the area, Atletico Madrid forward Julián Álvarez quickly picked up the ball and moved in position to take the shot. Canadian Press Nov 26, 2024 3:49 PM Nov 26, 2024 4:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Atletico's Julian Alvarez, left, scores his side's second goal against Sparta's goalkeeper Peter Vindahl during the UEFA Champions League opening phase soccer match between Sparta Prague and Athletico Madrid in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Roman Vondrous//CTK via AP) PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) — When the referee whistled for the free kick just outside the area, Atletico Madrid forward Julián Álvarez quickly picked up the ball and moved in position to take the shot. “When I saw the free kick, I told Rodri (Rodrigo De Paul) that I felt confident with the shot,” Álvarez said. “And it was a great goal.” Álvarez, Atletico's main signing in the offseason , has not been lacking confidence lately. The Argentina forward curled in the free kick shot in the 15th minute for the first of his two goals in the team’s 6-0 rout of Brest in the Champions League on Tuesday — the team’s biggest ever away win in European competitions. “We'll keep rotating who takes the free kicks,” said Álvarez, who also found the net in the 59th. It was Álvarez’s seventh goal in the last 10 matches, and third in his last three games across all competitions. The 24-year-old had a slow start to his first season with Atletico, scoring twice in 10 matches. “It was a matter of time before we started connecting well with each other,” said Álvarez, who joined Atletico after two seasons at Manchester City. “We have to stay on this path to keep improving.” Ángel Correa also scored two goals for Atletico, with Marcos Llorente and Antoine Griezmann adding one each. “We know that in this format of the competition we need to keep adding the three points and scoring goals," Álvarez said. "It's important to get the points and the goals.” Atletico was sitting in 13th place in the 36-team league standings. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Soccer Australia's House of Representatives passes bill that would ban young children from social media Nov 26, 2024 3:59 PM Australia's House of Representatives passes bill that would ban young children from social media Nov 26, 2024 3:47 PM Messi's son debuts at Argentina youth tournament as grandparents watch Nov 26, 2024 3:32 PM