Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala told Parliament there is a sinister campaign aiming to create division and conflict between the North and the South of the country, highlighting the manipulative intent behind the false narratives. Making a special statement in Parliament on Wednesday (December 4), the Minister said an organised politically bankrupt group had orchestrated the campaign, confirming that investigations had identified their involvement. He said that several arrests have already been made in connection with the dissemination of false information which also includes a political activist from Boralesgamuwa who had contested the last general election under the Cylinder symbol. The Minister said that the photographs from the past LTTE Mahaviru commemorations that were held even in other countries in 2017 and 2022 had been circulated on social media, to create the impression that similar events were taking place in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka in 2024 under the current administration. Minister Wijepala said of the 244 Mahaviru commemoration events held in the Northern Province from November 21 to 27, LTTE-related symbols were displayed at 10 of them. The Police had taken action in response to these incidents. The Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court had reported about two such incidents while the Point Pedro Magistrate’s Court had reported four similar incidents. In addition, the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court had reported one such incident. A person from Chunnakam had also been arrested for attempting to promote the LTTE. Fake post on Mahaviru commemoration Social activist Kelum Jayasumana who was arrested for sharing a post related to the Mahaviru commemoration on social media was granted bail after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (December 4). During the trial, the officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) told court that the suspect had downloaded and reposted a picture which was initially posted by a French woman on Facebook that contained proscribed symbols of the LTTE organisation. They said that this had disrupted public order and ethnic harmony, and that no such event had been held in the North. Since the investigation has not been completed, the officers of the CID requested that the suspect be further remanded. Subsequently, Colombo Magistrate Thilina Gamage questioned the CID officers whether statements confirming that public order had been violated due to this act had been recorded and submitted to the court. In response, the CID officers said that no such statements had been recorded. Questioning how the suspect could be further remanded without evidence confirming that a public disturbance had occurred, the Magistrate said the suspects cannot be remanded further without proper evidence. Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered the suspect to be released on two surety bails and ordered the case to be taken up again on April 3, 2025. Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara told Parliament on Wednesday (December 4), that a new political culture has emerged in the country and that is peace building and social cohesion. The country will never move forward unless there is an effort by the Government with peace building and social cohesion. Our international friends have worked with us so long providing us resources, sharing their knowledge and expertise. But how much have we achieved when it comes to social cohesion and peace building? We have not progressed that much. If that is the case then this society must reject all forms of racism outright. But still we feel there are certain elements in the society who are continuing it because old habits die hard. Most of the Governments in power had only paid lip service to the concept of peace building and social cohesion. It was merely a show either to appease Geneva or to get a donation or just to plead some international donor. But this Government doesn’t consider peace building and social cohesion as a mere show. It is our main project and we will push Government policies forward to that end. The Minister said, “We understand we are culturally different and we have different ethnic identities and cultural identities. We respect them all and the Government will make policies to encourage and preserve each other’s cultural identities. No matter how many laws you bring in and whatever the policies speak about to build peace, social cohesion and friendship, the bridge of friendship must be built first. It should start in our minds. Still, we geographically speak about the North and the South. That mindset has to be settled first and that is a serious problem. We are here to represent Sri Lankans of all ethnic origins, races and casts. No matter whatever the divisions, we have to create a unified Sri Lanka. Social inclusion, gender equality and inclusive principles, respecting cultural diversity is essential. Otherwise, this country will not go forward. I am happy to say that my Ministry of National Integration takes this job seriously and encourages all those stakeholders in the Government as well as non-Government to be hopeful and work with us on peace building and social cohesion because this Government is very serious about it.” Right to commemorate the dead Minister Nanayakkara said some of these old habits die hard. As Minister Ananda Wijepala had told Parliament false information was circulated in the media about the Mahaviru commemorations held in the North. We admit the fact that in a civilised society the relatives of those who died have the right to commemorate them or invoke blessing on them. However, that did not happen when it came to the North. When we were in the Opposition we were subjected to state suppression and their stringent laws, violating our human rights. Therefore, as a party, we will not introduce any law to restrict the freedom of expression of the people or violate their rights to engage in politics. We govern with the mandate of the public will. The law is not so essential to a Government which has a clear public mandate and we always appear on behalf of the people. There is an accepted law in the country. As a policy we admit that the PTA should be abolished. However, even in developed countries, they have legislation to face global terrorism. We should formulate a counter terrorism act to suit international best practices and definitions. Definition given to the word ‘terrorism’ in all those recently introduced bills had restricted the freedom of expression of the people which has been enshrined in the Constitution. Until we formulate new laws, if any form of racism or religious extremism emerges, we will have to deal with such incidents in keeping with the prevailing laws. He said, “I admit the fact that freedom of expression is essential and this Government will take positive action to ensure that. However, the freedom of expression and committing a crime are two closely related facts. People can post anything on Facebook and that is their freedom of expression. However, Minister Ananda Wijepala had clearly explained what had really happened. One person who had got involved in that incident was a DNF candidate. He had circulated fake social media posts on Mahaviru commemorations that were not held in the North. What is their ulterior motive? Is it just an attempt to exercise their right legally? Otherwise, is this an attempt to create a division and conflict between the North and the South, paving the way to emerge yet another ethnic conflict in the country? I would like to appeal before writing songs and poems on the freedom of expression, please look into this aspect as well. We are new to govern but we are not new to politics. It is normal for the Opposition to test our strengths and limits from time to time and that is something we expect. They can clash with us ideologically and differ from us politically. We would respond to them democratically and politically. But any citizen in this country who thinks that race and religion could be used again for political gain, I tell you to think again and again.” No racism or religious extremism The Minister said, “This Government will not stand for racism or religious extremism in any form or the other. It will be defeated with whatever the laws we have enforced. If we are in the Government or the Opposition, we all are against racism and religious extremism. We all can join hands from that particular point but we will not be able to do so in some other matters. However, as the new Parliament, we all should join hands for this particular aspect by setting a new example. Although we have different political ideologies, all MPs who represent this Parliament are against racism and religious extremism. If we can take this message to the bottom level, there will be true social cohesion and peace building. So, I am inviting all Parliamentarians to help the Government with that initiative. Yes, we can fight politics another day on another topic. But let’s unite for this because the country has suffered enough and more. Enough tears had been shed in the North and the South and enough blood had run through this land. It has to come to an end and that can only happen by respecting one another’s cultural identities and diversities.” Minister Nanayakkara said the laws belong to the people and that laws are there to protect the people and their interest. Laws are essential for those who are marginalised, weak and poor. Our laws must focus not only on the making of them or even the implementation to make sure that their rights are protected. Three Bills, Proceeds of Crime Bill, Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency Bill and amendments to the Audit Act will be presented to Parliament in the first quarter of next year. The whole idea of this is to recover stolen assets, trace the proceeds of crimes with one law and to effectively deter money laundering, drug trafficking and all related vices. The Audit Act and Insolvency Bill are there to improve the creditor’s confidence and to protect the debtor’s right to bring some uniformity and update. So, this Government is serious about what is said about it. Let’s build this country together. Let’s fight politics and that’s another matter. But I invite you all, let’s uphold the rule of law. There are so many law delays causing massive issues. Some of the delays are due to lack of resources and some human and technical errors. There are over one million court cases in the entire court system. At present, the ease of doing business in the country is very low-ranking and the rule of law far less. SJB Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara told the Sunday Observer that his personal opinion is that nobody can prevent the right of a person to light a lamp in memory of a deceased person. Since 2009, we have been maintaining this stance. However, it was not allowed those days. These Mahaviru commemorations have been held since 2011. The issue is these commemorations are held during the Mahaviru week. It was LTTE Leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran who declared the Mahaviru week. Should these commemorations be held during the Mahaviru week? A circular has been issued in 2011 specifying guidelines as to how these commemorations should be held. A large number of Mahaviru commemorations were held by violating the guidelines in that particular circular. Except for two persons, those who violated the circular had not yet been arrested. However, a person in the South who shared information of those incidents took place in the North was arrested under the PTA. But those who violated the law have not been arrested. Outdated law It is completely wrong to arrest people under the PTA. The PTA is an outdated law in the country. I would like to say that anybody should not be arrested or detained under the PTA and it should be implemented equally to North and the South. However, the PTA is used to arrest people in the South and the ordinary law is used to deal with the incidents that take place in the North. This is the issue I raised in Parliament. As the JVP holds Il Maha Viru Samaruma to commemorate their fallen comrades, the people in the North also have the right to talk about the deaths of their people and conduct Mahaviru commemorations. We should also keep in mind that thousands of war heroes and police personnel sacrificed their lives to safeguard the motherland. In addition, a large number of people had died and some became disabled due to LTTE bomb attacks. Therefore, they also might feel hurt when such incidents occur. I told Parliament that the Government should seriously consider this issue. There are some extremist groups in all parts of the country including North, East and the South. However, there is a law in the country to prevent any form of extremist acts and I would like to say that the law should be implemented equal to everybody. The new political transformation in the North is a very positive development. The people in the North and the East who were trapped by Tamil and Muslim parties had voted for a national political party in the South. It is a very significant development and it was unable to do so over the past many years. I think it is the responsibility of all of us to safeguard the trust and mandate given by the people in the North and the East.(BPT) - Tech gifts are consistently some of the most popular presents to give and receive during the holidays. In fact, according to the annual Consumer Technology Holiday Purchase Patterns report , a record 233 million U.S. adults (89%) will buy tech products during the 2024 holiday season. But with so many devices out there, it can be hard to decide on the perfect option for the loved one on your list. A tablet like the new Fire HD 8 from Amazon offers the versatility of an all-in-one device, with access to streaming, gaming, video chatting, reading or writing all at your fingertips. Fire HD 8 also features a vibrant 8-inch HD display and lightweight, portable design, for high-quality entertainment on the go. Plus, Fire HD 8 comes with three new AI features that can help you get the most out of your tablet experience. Check them out below and learn how they can help you with daily tasks this holiday season and beyond. 1. Meet your personal writing assistant Do you struggle with writing a heartfelt message or finessing a tricky email? Fear not! Writing Assist is here to help. Writing Assist works as part of your Fire tablet's device keyboard and compatible apps, including email, Word documents and social media. In just a few taps, you can transform your writing from good to great. Try Writing Assist's pre-set styles to turn a simple email into a professionally written note. Or, you can ask Writing Assist for grammar suggestions to make your writing more concise, or elaborate on your ideas. You can even "emojify" your writing to add more fun and personality. 2. Learn more in less time Say goodbye to scrolling through pages of information. The new Webpage Summaries feature allows you to learn pertinent information as quickly as possible. Available on the Silk browser on Fire tablets, Webpage Summaries provides quick insights on web articles. In a matter of seconds, this feature will distill the key points in an article or on a webpage into a clear, concise summary of what you need to know. 3. Get creative with your device wallpaper With Wallpaper Creator, you can easily add a touch of creative flair and customization to your tablet's home screen. You can choose from one of the curated prompts to get started on creating a unique background. Or, if you're ready to let your imagination run wild, type a description of what you'd like to see. For example, you can ask for an image of a tiger swimming underwater or a watercolor-style image of a desert landscape in space. Wallpaper Creator will then turn your vision into a reality, delivering a high-resolution image that you can use as your tablet's wallpaper. Celebrate an AI-powered holiday season Writing Assist, Webpage Summaries, and Wallpaper Creator are now available on Amazon's new Fire HD 8 and other compatible Fire tablet devices, including the latest Fire HD 10 and Fire Max 11 tablets. To learn more, or to order a new Fire tablet this gift-giving season, visit Amazon.com .San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters after Saturday's practice as the team prepares for its Week 17 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Here's everything he said. Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff. Opening comments: "Alright, injuries for the game: [OL] Spencer Burford will be out, [LB Dre] Greenlaw will be out, [OL] Aaron Banks, out, [DL] Robert Beal [Jr.], out, [S] Ji'Ayir Brown, questionable, [OL] Colton McKivitz, questionable, [LB] Tatum Bethune, questionable, [CB] Charvarius Ward, questionable. Go ahead." Is Charvarius Ward personal? "Yes." Any good news? "Yeah. Stuff I can't totally share. I haven't talked to him about it, so we'll keep it personal. But, nothing bad happened." Do you expect Banks and Greenlaw to be on IR before the game starts? "Banks will." What's the biggest challenge the Lions pose to your team? "Just how good they are in all phases. Their offense, everyone is well aware of how good they've been these last couple years. Anytime you have an O-Line as good as them, the running back as good as them, you can control the ball which takes a lot of pressure off the quarterback and on pass protections. And then when you have a quarterback as good as him with how accurate he is, with that O-Line and those receivers, they're pretty lethal there. And then the defense, I know they've battled through a lot of injuries, but their secondary is as good as there is. They've been able to stay healthy there. They've lost one big one, but they have some depth there. And what they can create with their pressures and things like that because of their man coverage makes them very tough to be consistent with. They put a lot of pressure on you where they know how to stop the run with their scheme. And then you're never going to get really many freebies. You've got to beat man coverage, you've got to beat pressures, which is going to always be hit or miss. But when you do that with an offense that's so automatic it puts pressure on both sides of the ball to not let them lap you. So, you've got to be consistent, got to get turnovers." Is there anything you can point to for the dearth of takeaways over the last several games? "Yeah. Usually when you're flying around you're eventually going to get some more takeaways than we have. I think one thing that's been bad is we've dropped some that have been given to us, so we've missed a couple opportunities. In games when you don't stop the run very well and you don't make guys throw the ball a lot, 80-percent of the turnovers in the league come on pass plays. So, you need to stop the run and get guys to throw the ball a lot more and then you'll get more opportunities at that. And so, I think when we have had our opportunities, we've missed them. And anytime teams can stay balanced versus us you're going to get less of those opportunities." RB Isaac Guerendo is not on the injury report. How did he kind of get through the week? "Yeah, it was good to have him back. We had a full-speed practice yesterday and he looked good. So, no holdbacks, he's good to go." What's your biggest challenge with putting together this offensive line with all the new pieces in there? "Just that. Having three guys up who were on other team's practice squads last week. The continuity's obviously not there and just them not being in the building with verbiage and things like that, it's a big challenge. They've done a good job of working, getting in here the day before Christmas, working on Christmas, trying to catch up and do that stuff. And they've had a solid week of practice. Still got more time until the game and those guys will be working as much mentally to get ready, but anytime you're new and you haven't been out there much, it's always a challenge." Is this your biggest turnover on offensive line that you've dealt with in your coaching career? "Probably. Biggest one I can remember." Does that fall on OL Jake Brendel or QB Brock Purdy to kind of help these guys line up, I guess, in the midst of the game rather? "The good thing is, if O-Linemen mess up lining up, then we have issues. Because they don't move, at least until the snap starts. But no, that's, helping communicate is a big deal, but sometimes you communicate and that language doesn't always come right away. You try to keep it simple for them, try to categorize stuff in groups, and the guys next to them just, they try to communicate as much as possible and you try to help him out." OL Charlie Heck having worked with Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, does that help you a bit? "Yeah. He has the most familiarity with some terminology. So anytime there's some crossover, different O-Line coaches, you go to different places, you change your words and stuff, but a lot, when it comes from the same foundation you have some familiarity and so it's not completely starting a new language. That always helps." What's your assessment of Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as an offensive coordinator? "I don't know him, but I've really respected what he's done here the last few years. I know people who've worked with him. I know [run game coordinator/offensive line coach] Chris [Foerster], [tight ends coach Brian] Fleury, those guys worked with him down in Miami, talked about him as a dude, which he seems like an awesome guy. But I really love how he's ran the ball and the stuff he's done off of it and really taken advantage of his personnel really well." When you were watching replays of the NFC Championship Game this week, were there feel-good vibes or were there mixed feelings that you wish you had those players available this week? "No. It was, when you watch a game like that, it was feel-good vibes to a degree. You watch the first half and you get frustrated, but you know how it's going to end so you don't get too frustrated. There were good things to coach off of. You can see some mistakes, big mistakes there in the first half and it's cool to show guys overcome them and how you do it. So, there were a lot of really good drives in that game. There were some big plays in the game, but just kind of the toughness that we played with in the second half, really showing guys truly what it takes to win when it's not just a guy making a, there were some really unbelievable plays like [WR Brandon Aiyuk] B.A. on the tip down the field and stuff like that. But besides that, some big scrambles by Brock, but it was some real hard-nosed football that got us back in that game and doing it the old-fashioned way. And it was cool to watch that. We watched a lot of it yesterday, just talking about run game and things like that." We've seen B.A. around here a little bit. How is he doing? Everything on progress? "Yeah, he's plugging along with that. The rehab guys I don't see too much of. They come in early in the morning and they're usually out of here before we get off the practice field. But he went to L.A. for surgery, did the rehab there for a while, but he's been back here like the last month or so going through his process, working hard. It's a long process, but he's on track." You've talked a lot about the year TE George Kittle has had, but in a year like this when you have so many young guys playing, how important is it to have someone who is kind of consistently maintaining the standard to show those guys what it looks like even if the season isn't where you want it? "Oh, I think it's always important. You don't just say a standard. It takes a while to be that standard. And that's from work we've put in here over the years and having the right guys who've done that and guys who have battled throughout this year they get to see every day. Especially when you go through a long season like this, seeing guys like Kittle [LB], Fred [Warner], [DL Nick] Bosa getting back and [WR] Deebo [Samuel Sr.] like those guys, working through all this, still practicing hard and doing everything they can. That's extremely important. All you are, is your life experiences and this is a lot of people's first year and you need to see things done the right way no matter how your season's going." Has Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff improved since his days with the Rams or is he the same quarterback in a good situation? "I think it's hard for any quarterback to be successful if they're not in a good situation. But I think Goff was unbelievable with the Rams. Their Super Bowl year, I thought he was a borderline MVP player. I know not every year was like that for him just statistically and stuff. I think the following years weren't quite as good, but when his team's real good around him, he is as good as any quarterback in this league. So, he was a real hard guy to beat in L.A. and the way he's been playing with Detroit, I almost want to say better, but that's how good he was earlier too. So, it was a hell of a rebound for him and I'm happy to see him doing it." Former 49ers RB Ricky Watters didn't make the cut to 15 in the Hall of Fame. You were around the team in '94. What do you remember about him, specifically about what impressed you about him? "How good he was out of the backfield in the pass game. I was only in middle school, so I can't act like I really knew strategically what was going on. But he was a really cool player. I loved talking to him and hanging out with him up in Rockland at training camp. I think when I got here, he hadn't played yet, so I didn't know who he was, just only knew guys who had played and stuff as a sixth grader. But I remember always asking, who the hell is this guy? He is cool, he seems really good on the practice field. And then he became the starter that year and had a hell of a year and ended up having a hell of a career." I realize the season's not done, but your overall assessment of defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen? Obviously there have been challenges with the personnel and what he has to work with. But with his first year, how do you think he's fared? "No different than how I've answered that the last few weeks. I think Nick has done a good job as a coach. No one's happy with our results by any means. I think he's been thrown in a number of situations that I think will make him better going forward. I've watched him adjust to a bunch of different situations, kind of be in a couple situations on a couple games when there wasn't much of an answer, and he still had to try to find one. So, I think this year was good for him. I know he is going to be a good coach and better for it going forward." The Lions have had 19 guys on Injured Reserve, similar to the injury level here. How have they been able to kind of stay up to the standards of winning games? "Just me going off these five days of watching them, I know all the injuries, you see it on the reports and especially losing their pass rushers and their D-Linemen. But I think the biggest thing is it's hit them the most in certain areas on defense. But when you play as much man coverage as they do and blitz as much, that's going to be predicated on your secondary. I think they improved that a ton this year with their draft picks, with some free agents they brought in, even their draft picks from two years ago, their safety getting healthy, also. So, the areas that they excel in they've been able to maintain the top of their talent there and it does give them some weaknesses in other places, but that combined with their offensive horsepower and things like that, it's made it hard for a lot of teams to expose it. They've done a hell of a job with it, so huge credit to them for it." This article first appeared on 49ers Webzone and was syndicated with permission.play 777 games 。

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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Shaquil Barrett is rejoining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs signed the two-time Super Bowl champion on Saturday, while also announcing safety Jordan Whitehead was activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Carolina Panthers. Barrett spent five seasons with Tampa Bay from 2019 to 2023. He led the NFL with a franchise-record 19 1-2 sacks in his first year with the Bucs, then helped the team win its second Super Bowl title the following season. In all, Barrett started 70 games with Tampa Bay, amassing 45 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions. He was released last winter in a salary cap move, signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins in free agency, then abruptly announced his retirement on social media before the start of training camp in July. Barrett, who also won a Super Bowl during a four-season stint with the Denver Broncos, decided to unretire last month. He signed with the Bucs after clearing waivers earlier in the week. Whitehead has missed the past four games with a pectoral injury. His return comes of the heels of the Bucs placing safety Christian Izien on IR with a pectoral injury. On Saturday, the Bucs also activated rookie wide receiver Kameron Johnson from IR and elevated punter Jack Browning to the active roster from the practice squad. NFL:

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has taken a significant step toward advancing digital financial services and fostering a cashless society by granting approvals to several banks in Egypt to activate instantaneous remittance receipt and real-time crediting of funds to customers’ bank accounts via the Instant Payment Network (IPN). This development introduces a seamless and continuous solution for transferring funds from abroad to Egypt, addressing customers’ needs promptly and efficiently at any time. The pilot phase of this innovative service was launched in June 2024 through licensed bank correspondents and foreign exchange companies abroad. The initiative represents a major milestone in the evolution of the IPN, further encouraging customers to integrate digital financial solutions into their daily transactions. Launched in March 2022, the National Instant Payment Network is a cornerstone of the CBE’s payment systems infrastructure projects. The IPN provides an efficient alternative to cash payments, offering instant, 24/7 money transfer services for bank customers. This service underscores the CBE’s commitment to enhancing Egypt’s financial ecosystem through advanced technological solutions. Since its inception, the IPN has witnessed significant growth, with over 11.5 million users registered on the InstaPay app. Transaction volumes are projected to exceed EGP 2.7trn by the end of 2024, reflecting the increasing adoption of digital payment solutions across the country. This initiative aligns with the CBE’s broader efforts to modernize Egypt’s financial infrastructure, promote digital transformation, and create a robust, cashless economy.Year in review: Influential people who died in 2024

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NHS patients at risk as hospital urgent repair costs triple in decadeMultigrain bread is touted as a healthier option than a standard white loaf. After all, bread with several types of grain is more natural, right? Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. While some brands carry healthy options, other multigrain breads contain questionable ingredients. For the purpose of discussion, we define this term as ingredients that simply shouldn't belong in bread. Think of harmful preservatives and chemicals or overly processed foods with little to no nutrients. Sadly, questionable ingredients aren't always obvious. It's not like bread companies are openly advertising the use of these food products. Instead, they'll redirect your focus to that "multigrain" label, leading you to believe the bread is nothing but healthy. If you're trying to make better food choices, it'll require a little detective work. Luckily, we're here to help. We've scoured food labels for suspicious ingredients and reviewed scientific studies to see how these items impact our health. So before you stock up on store-bought bread, read on to learn about multigrain breads made with questionable ingredients. Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Multigrain Pepperidge Farm is known for its sweet treats like Mint Milano cookies and Coconut Cake, which we consider ! Mind you, we expect desserts to contain sugar, but bread, not so much. Unfortunately, sugar is the third ingredient listed on Pepperidge Farm Multigrain bread, with each slice containing 5 grams of sugar, 4 of which are added. The Canada Sugar Institute admits that aside from calories, sugar alone has no nutritional value. Yet, people are consuming it left and right and the effects are increasingly problematic. reviewed thousands of studies to determine the effects of sugar, and the results aren't ideal. Sugar was linked to metabolic, cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, and dental issues, and was also associated with increased body weight and fat accumulation. When trying to eat healthy, nutritionists often recommend eating as close to nature as possible. However, aside from sugar, Pepperidge Farm Multigrain bread contains preservatives like calcium propionate and sorbic acid. It's also made with enriched wheat flour as opposed to whole wheat. These ingredients have gone through extra processing, making them less likely to get a nutritionist's stamp of approval. Food Club Old Fashioned Enriched 12 Grain Bread The idea of old-fashioned multigrain bread sounds healthy and the package advertises that it's free of artificial colors or flavors. The brand also delivers on its name, with 12 different grains including wheat, barley, corn, millet, and oats. Many of — but in a pure rather than processed form. Meanwhile, the term "enriched" is misleading. You might think the bread has simply been enhanced with extra vitamins and minerals, making it even healthier than it was originally. Unfortunately, things aren't so straightforward. Enriched whole wheat flour has gone through a process where the bran and germ are separated. Although this helps the flour last longer, it also strips it of many nutrients. Manufacturing companies then add nutrients back in, enabling them to slap that "enriched" label on their bread. Sadly, the fiber isn't always replaced, so enriched products tend to contain less fiber overall. This means instead of providing slow and steady energy, your blood sugar will spike faster. This product also contains several different sweetening agents, including honey and light brown sugar. Combined with a number of hard-to-pronounce preservatives and dough conditioners, we'd be wary of this bread. It may provide health benefits from the dozen grains, but we're not sure it's worth all the questionable additions. The Rustik Oven Hearty Grains & Seeds Rustik Oven Hearty Grains & Seeds has several of the common offenders already mentioned on this list, like enriched flour. It also contains sea salt, which isn't inherently bad, or even questionable. However, it does contribute to overall sodium content, which in this case is a shocking 280 mg per serving, the second-highest amount on our list. Making matters worse, a serving is merely one slice of bread. If you were to consume a sandwich, you'd be eating 560 mg of sodium, nearly a quarter of your recommended daily intake, from bread alone. Sodium is an essential mineral that helps our nerves function properly. But too much of a good thing can be harmful, especially in this case. The reports that excessive sodium is linked to increased blood pressure. Even when blood pressure is normal, too much sodium can negatively impact the cardiovascular system, kidneys, and brain. Ultimately, sodium tolerance depends on the individual, and to understand yours better, we recommend consulting with a health care professional. But if you've already been told to watch your sodium intake, you may want to reconsider this multigrain brand. Nature's Own Thick Sliced Multigrain Nature's Own Thick Sliced Multigrain Bread slices are thick-cut and dusted with flour to create that fresh-from-the-bakery feeling. It's touted as being low-fat and free of high fructose corn syrup. But despite the thick slices and health claims, this bread still has less than 1 gram of fiber per 110-calorie-a-slice serving. This is likely because it's made with highly processed, enriched flour. As mentioned, enriched flour is stripped of nutrients, so we aren't surprised to see less fiber. But close to zero fiber for a grain-based bread is pretty shocking. Fiber intake is essential to keep our digestive system regular. It can also stabilize glucose levels and help us maintain a healthy weight. The USDA recommends adults consume between 25 to 38 grams of fiber a day. A low-fiber diet is associated with many uncomfortable digestive issues like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. It's also linked to more serious conditions like heart disease and cancer. To increase your fiber intake, opt for other multigrain bread brands or leafy green veggies. And although , beans are also a great source of both fiber and nutrients. Country Hearth Multigrain Bread When you look at the Country Hearth Multigrain Bread label, you'll notice it has 3 grams of added sugar per serving. That extra sweetness comes from multiple sources we didn't expect to find in bread, including light brown sugar, molasses, honey, and raisin juice concentrate. Although this bread might taste yummy, you might begin to crave that sweetness. A study found that sugar activates reward centers, much like addictive drugs would, which can lead to overeating and obesity. Unfortunately, it's not the only ingredient that caught our eye. Several unusual-sounding additives, preservatives, and dough conditioners were on the list, like monocalcium phosphate, calcium propionate, and monoglycerides. Monoglycerides are a misleading ingredient that can contain trans fats, which are known to contribute to cardiovascular problems. But since monoglycerides are technically considered an emulsifier, they don't fall under the FDA's trans fat ban. When avoiding trans fats, be wary of this ingredient. Oroweat Multigrain Sandwich Thins The "thin" in this product's name gives off the illusion that you're eating something light and healthy. One Oroweat Multigrain Sandwich Roll contains 150 calories, which is slightly less than most sandwiches with two slices of bread. However, this bread is definitely not light on ingredients. The long list includes leavening agents, preservatives, and gums. One of these questionable ingredients, xanthan gum, is widely used as a thickening or stabilizing agent in processed products. But despite its widespread use, it's known to cause digestive issues. A study found that it increased the frequency of bowel movements and gas and altered the gut microbiome. Chances are, this isn't the only product on your pantry shelf with xanthan gum. You're likely consuming far more than you realize. So, if you have an uneasy stomach after consuming processed foods, consider avoiding this questionable ingredient. Another concern about this ingredient list is the sheer amount of salt. Salt contributes to the total sodium content of a product, which in this case, is fairly high. One serving of sandwich thins has 290 mg of sodium, 13% of the daily recommended amount. Bread isn't always considered a high-sodium food, so this number could come as a shock. If you're watching your sodium levels, you may want to steer clear of this multigrain option. Pepperidge Farm Light Style 7 Grain Bread Pepperidge Farm Light Style 7 Grain Bread is advertised as a lighter alternative to regular bread. Naturally, we'd assume it's healthier than the brand's standard multigrain variety. It only contains 45 calories per slice, but it also has many of the same questionable ingredients like sugar and preservatives. But apparently, sugar wasn't enough to sweeten this product. What truly sets this light bread apart is sucralose, an artificial sweetener. Using sucralose helps bring down the bread's calorie content. But is the trade-off worth it? We think not, especially considering the potential side effects of artificial sweeteners. The conducted a thorough review of artificial sweetener studies and determined that artificial sweeteners can lead to gut dysbiosis. This is a fancy way of saying the balance of healthy to bad bacteria is off. As the scientific review explains, this can lead to inflammation and multiple diseases. Country Hearth Dakota Style 12-Grain Dinner Rolls Who doesn't love dinner rolls? There are , several of which are soft, fluffy, and sweet. We'd imagine Country Hearth Dakota Style 12-Grain Dinner Rolls fit this description since they're made with high fructose corn syrup — and that's not the only sweetener present. The ingredients list also includes light brown sugar and raisin juice concentrate. However, high fructose corn syrup is notoriously bad for your health and is believed to contribute to obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes. Luckily, we don't often see high fructose corn syrup in multigrain bread. This processed sugar isn't even present in the majority of the other options listed here. Multigrain breads tend to have an earthier, nuttier flavor rather than be sweet. So if you're craving multigrain bread but avoiding this harmful ingredient, it shouldn't be difficult. Avoid Country Hearth's dinner rolls, opting for a healthier store-bought variety. And if you have the energy, try baking homemade bread with nutritious ingredients like . Thomas' Light Multigrain English Muffins One serving of Thomas' Light Multigrain English Muffins has 100 calories, while the brand's regular multigrain muffins have 150. It might be lighter in calories, but it still has a long list of ingredients, several of which sound straight out of a science textbook. Calcium propionate, polydextrose, and soy lecithin come to mind. It's hard to imagine picking up these items and eating them in their purest forms. Even the vague-sounding term "natural flavors" makes us suspicious. As such, we dove into the details of a few of these chemicals to understand how they affect the body. A study published in found that propionate preservatives immediately impacted hormones, increasing blood sugar. Most people associate a rise in blood sugar with actual sugar, but it turns out that these processed chemicals can have a similar effect. So even though one muffin has less than 1 gram of sugar, it doesn't mean your blood glucose is in the clear. Meanwhile, the reviewed polydextrose as an additive, reporting that it has a laxative effect, and recommended it not be marketed within the EU. Like many products on this list, these English muffins also contain soy and soy lecithin. Soy is controversial in health circles, and although it has some benefits, it might not be great for everyone. Some people experience stomach upset after consuming soy, and it can cause thyroid issues for people with iodine deficiency. Thomas' Multigrain English Muffins Thomas' English muffins have long been a breakfast staple and they also make an . Unfortunately, Thomas' full-calorie multigrain muffins aren't any better than their light counterparts. We actually feel this product is even more concerning since it contains additional ingredients. These include questionable components like dextrose and sorbic acid. When you hear words ending in "ose," it means sugar is involved, and dextrose is no exception. This sugar is derived from corn or wheat and is similar to blood sugar. As such, it has a high glycemic index (GI) and increases blood sugar quickly. This is great if you're in need of instant energy or have low blood sugar. But most of the time, high GI foods wreak havoc on our blood sugar regulation, and over time, frequent spikes can lead to type two diabetes. Sorbic acid is widely used and you'll notice it in many of the bread products listed. But despite its popularity as a food preservative, its effects aren't entirely clear. One study published in the found that sorbic acid had a negative impact on fat metabolism, contributing to a fatty liver. A fatty liver is also a precursor to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and stroke. Sara Lee Artesano Smooth Multigrain Bread Sara Lee is a big name in the dessert world. The boxes with their iconic red ribbon call out to us from the frozen food aisle. The brand offers cheesecakes, pies, and cream pies galore, all of which we expect to have a hefty amount of sugar and some questionable ingredients. However, Sara Lee's Artesano Smooth Multigrain Bread gives the allure of a healthier item. But just as you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, food packaging can be deceiving — and when we flipped over this loaf, we discovered a less-than-ideal nutritional label. It seems this brand can't escape the sweet stuff, and its multigrain bread is no exception. The third ingredient listed is sugar, and further down you'll notice molasses as well. The item has a total of 3 grams of sugar per slice, which adds up if you're eating a sandwich or two a day. The product also contains enriched wheat flour and soybean oil, which seems to have snuck into many processed foods. reports that increased consumption of soybean oil is linked to obesity, diabetes, anxiety, and depression. However, university researchers went a step further by conducting their own tests. After feeding mice a diet high in soybean oil, they noticed a decrease in good bacteria and an increase in bad bacteria in their guts. We need more human studies to know exactly how it impacts us, but for now, we'd avoid overconsuming this vegetable oil. Sara Lee Delightful 45 Healthy Multi-Grain This Sara Lee bread might have "healthy" in its name, but it's not fooling us. It only has 45 calories and less than a gram of sugar per slice, but it packs some questionable ingredients. One of these, DATEM, is unfamiliar to most. At first glance, you may assume it's related to the date fruit. However, DATEM definitely doesn't grow on trees. The acronym stands for diacetyl tartaric acid ester of mono- and diglycerides, a chemical used to stabilize gluten during the baking process. The FDA recognizes DATEM as a safe emulsifier, but research shows otherwise. A study showed that DATEM led to decreased gut bacteria. The microbiome (aka the balance of gut bacteria) is a hot topic these days, since studies are showing just how important it is to your overall health. After all, the gut is responsible for producing many hormones along with housing up to 80% of your immune cells (per ). It makes sense that altering the microbiome would also impact these systems. Brownberry Multigrain Sandwich Thins Rolls Like many food products, Brownberry's packaging focuses on its healthy attributes. The brand's Multigrain Sandwich Thins Rolls has no artificial colors or flavors, however, it does contain "natural flavors," a confusing term in the food world. The ingredient seems intentionally vague because while it sounds healthy, we have no idea what it actually consists of. According to the , "natural" flavors must be derived from plant or animal sources — but there aren't many qualifications beyond that, and the quality of this source can be controversial. The FDA's vague specifications don't rule out crops sprayed with harmful pesticides or genetically modified organisms. Natural flavors can also undergo heavy processing, and the end result may be far removed from nature, contributing little to no nutritional value. Natural flavors aren't the only item that caught our attention. Brownberry's Multigrain Sandwich Thins advertise premium ingredients — and it does contain sea salt and olive oil. But sadly, this product also runs the gamut with a long list of questionable ingredients, including gums, DATEM, monoglycerides, additives, preservatives, and enriched flour. RecommendedRachel Christian | (TNS) Bankrate.com Just because retirement planning involves some guesswork doesn’t mean it has to be a total mystery. Related Articles Business | The year in money: inflation eased, optimism ticked upward Business | Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds Business | How to protect your communications through encryption Business | About 2.6 million Stanley cups recalled after malfunctions caused burns. Is your mug included? Business | Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases Whether you’ve been saving since your first job or you’re getting a late start, you can leverage expert-recommended strategies to gauge your progress on the road to retirement. And if you’re not quite on track, don’t sweat it — the experts we spoke to offered actionable tips to help you close the gap. You might have a general idea of how much money you need to save for retirement . A few quick calculations can give you an estimate, but to truly appreciate where you stand, you’ll need to dive into the numbers. Here’s how to get started. A good rule of thumb to estimate your retirement savings goal is the Rule of 25 . Simply multiply your desired annual retirement income by 25. The result is roughly how much you’ll need to save before hitting retirement. For example, if you plan to spend $50,000 a year, you’ll need about $1.25 million to make it a reality. The Rule of 25 is based on the idea that withdrawing 4% annually from your retirement savings should last you about 30 years. While it’s not an exact science by any means — health care costs and lifestyle changes can skew the numbers, for example — the Rule of 25 can be a good starting point to figure out how much you need to save. Fidelity Investments, a behemoth in the retirement planning space, offers savings guidelines to help you determine if you’re on track . —By age 30: Save 1x your annual salary —By age 40: Save 3x your annual salary —By age 50: Save 6x your annual salary —By age 60: Save 8x your annual salary —By age 67: Save 10x your annual salary For example, if you earn $60,000 annually, you should aim for $600,000 in savings by age 67. But like the Rule of 25, Fidelity’s guidelines offer a 10,000-foot look at retirement goals, and they’re not customized to your situation. Maybe you earned a low salary in your 20s, but you’re working hard in your 30s to make up for it. Use these estimates as a benchmark — but don’t get discouraged if you’re lagging behind. Now it’s time to zoom in a little. To get a clearer snapshot of your progress, use an online retirement calculator. These tools factor in your age, current savings, income and lifestyle goals to estimate whether you’re on track. You’ll get a more refined estimate without crunching the numbers yourself. Bankrate’s retirement calculator even lets you input different rates of return on your investments and accounts for estimated annual salary increases. Having a general savings goal is nice, but to avoid falling short in retirement, you’ll need more than a ballpark figure. Experts recommend creating a retirement budget to get an up-close-and-personal look at how much you’ll really need once you leave the workforce. First, estimate how much you’ll spend per month in retirement. While some costs will increase, like health care, others will likely decrease, like dining out and commuting. “Estimating expenses can be challenging for some people, so as a starting point, I often use your net take-home pay,” says Jeff DeLarme, a certified financial planner and president of DeLarme Wealth Management. For example, if you receive a direct deposit of $2,500 every two weeks from work, use $5,000 as your estimated monthly spending in retirement. “Assuming this was enough to pay the bills while working, we can use $5,000 a month as a starting budget to plan for,” says DeLarme. Next, map out your sources of income in retirement. Social Security is the largest income stream for most retirees, but don’t neglect other inflows, such as: —Workplace retirement accounts, like 401(k)s —Personal retirement accounts, like a traditional or Roth IRA —Pensions —Annuities —Selling your home or business —Rental income —Inheritance “If there’s a gap between your expected expenses and income, you’ll have a good idea of how much you need to save,” says Mike Hunsberger, a certified financial planner and owner of Next Mission Financial Planning. From there, you can adjust your savings and investment strategy accordingly. For something as important (and complex) as retirement planning, it pays to speak with a professional. Financial advisers can analyze your savings, investments and retirement goals to create a personalized plan. Advisers use special planning software that account for more variables than an online calculator, giving you a much more precise, granular look at your financial life in retirement. Many financial advisers can also help you optimize your tax strategy, which can potentially save you thousands of dollars over time. Make sure the adviser you hire is a fiduciary , meaning they’re legally obligated to prioritize your interests over their own. A fiduciary won’t push investments to earn a commission or recommend products that aren’t aligned with your needs. A certified financial planner is one of the most well-recognized designations for fiduciaries. You can use Bankrate’s adviser matching tool to find a certified financial planner in your area in minutes. Maybe you did the math and realized you’re not quite where you need to be. Don’t panic if you’re behind schedule. Here are five strategies experts recommend to help you catch up on your retirement savings . Cutting expenses now frees up more cash to invest in your retirement accounts. Evaluate your budget and identify areas where you can cut costs, like dining out, streaming subscriptions or shopping. Don’t rule out bigger lifestyle changes either, especially if retirement is rapidly approaching. Housing is the biggest monthly expense for most people. Getting creative here can help amplify the amount you can sock away, says Joseph Boughan, a certified financial planner and managing member at Parkmount Financial Partners. It can also reduce your expenses in retirement, so you may not need to save as much as before. “Downsizing can be a great way to cut expenses,” says Boughan. “This can even free up cash if you don’t end up needing all that money for a new home.” Moving somewhere with lower property taxes or income taxes can also help bring your retirement plan back in line. And if you’re a renter, making tough short-term decisions, like taking on a roommate or moving to a lower cost-of-living area, can free up hundreds of dollars a month for your retirement. “Everyone’s plan is unique, so exploring all the options is important,” Boughan says. Joe Conroy, a certified financial planner and owner of Harford Retirement Planners, recommends taking a “retirement test drive” as you near your target date. “Start to live on what income you think you can afford in retirement and stash all the extra income into savings and investments,” says Conroy. “If you can make it through each month, you’re ready for retirement. If you run short, then adjust your plan accordingly.” Working a little longer can be a game-changer for your retirement nest egg. Not only does it give you more time to save, it also gives your investments room to grow. “Working longer or even just part time for a few years early in retirement is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of money you need to save,” says Hunsberger. Postponing retirement can also boost your Social Security benefits . “You can claim as early as 62, but your benefits will be reduced significantly,” says Hunsberger. Meanwhile, each year you delay claiming Social Security benefits beyond your full retirement age , your monthly check will increase by 8%, though this benefit maxes out at age 70. So waiting can really pay off. It may seem obvious, but if you’re behind on retirement savings, you’ll need to boost your contributions as much as possible. Here are a few ways to make saving for retirement easier: —Increase your contribution rate: Allocate a larger portion of your paycheck to a workplace retirement plan. Even bumping up your contributions by 1% or 2% can make a huge difference down the road. —Take advantage of your employer match: Don’t leave free money on the table. Many employers will chip in between 3 and 5% depending on your plan, so make sure you’re contributing enough to take advantage of the benefit. —Use “unexpected” money to catch up: If you get a raise or bonus at work, funnel part of it directly into your 401(k). And if you get a refund at tax time, siphon some of it off to beef up your IRA. If you’ve been investing in low-risk, low-return investments, you may not be keeping up with inflation, let alone growing your nest egg. Reallocating part of your portfolio to stocks or low-cost growth exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is one way to get your money working harder. Higher-risk investments like stocks carry more volatility but also offer higher potential returns. Work with a financial adviser or use a robo-adviser to strike the right balance between growth and your personal risk tolerance. Contribution limits for 401(k) plans and IRAs are higher for people over 50. For 2025, employees aged 50 and up who participate in most 401(k) plans or the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan can save up to $31,000 annually, including a $7,500 catch-up contribution . But thanks to SECURE 2.0 , a sweeping retirement law, a new higher catch-up contribution limit of $11,250 applies for employees ages 60 to 63. So, if you’re in this age group, you can squirrel away a whopping $34,750 a year during the final stretch of your career. Of course, you’ll need a big salary (think six figures) in order to take full advantage of such massive contribution limits. But if you can afford it, these catch-up allowances can put your plan back on track, especially if you struggled to save much early in your career. There’s no GPS to gauge your progress on the road to retirement. If you’ve veered off course or aren’t sure where to start, begin by getting a quick estimate of how much you’ll need before mapping out a retirement budget. And if you’re behind, don’t panic — adjusting your spending, boosting your contributions and speaking with a financial adviser can help you catch up. ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

ATLANTA — On Jan. 18 and 19 the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will be held at State Farm Arena in advance of the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 20. The star-studded lineup was announced Thursday at a news conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performances will include Lil Wayne and GloRilla on Saturday; and Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox on Sunday. On game day, the Allstate Championship Tailgate, taking place just outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Home Depot Backyard, will feature country acts on the Capital One Music Stage, including global superstar Kane Brown and iHeartCountry “On The Verge” artist Ashley Cooke. The concerts are just two of the festivities visiting fans can enjoy in the days leading up to the big game. The fan experience for both ticket holders and the general public has been a focus for event planners. All weekend long, an estimated 100,000 people from across the country are expected to attend fan events preceding kickoff. “It will be an opportunity for fans of all ages to come together to sample what college football is all about, and you don’t have to have a ticket to the game to be a part of it,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP in a press release. “We’ve worked closely with the Atlanta Football Host Committee to develop fan-friendly events that thousands will enjoy come January.” On Saturday, Jan. 18, Playoff Fan Central will open at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The free, family-friendly experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. That day, fans can also attend Media Day, presented by Great Clips, which will feature one-hour sessions with student-athletes and coaches from each of the College Football Playoff national championship participating teams. ESPN and social media giants X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will be taping live broadcasts from the event. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Trophy Trot, both a 5K and 10K race, will wind its way through the streets of downtown Atlanta. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Participants can register at atlantatrackclub.org . On Sunday evening, the Georgia Aquarium will host the Taste of the Championship dining event, which offers attendees the opportunity to indulge in food and drink prepared by local Atlanta chefs. This premium experience serves as an elevated exploration of local cuisine on the eve of the national championship. Tickets to the Taste of the Championship event are available on etix.com . Atlanta is the first city ever to repeat as host for the CFP national championship. The playoff was previously held in Atlanta in 2018. “We are honored to be the first city to repeat as host for the CFP national championship and look forward to welcoming college football fans from around the country in January,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee. “This event gives us another opportunity to showcase our incredible city.” The College Football Playoff is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games — the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be Jan. 9-10, 2025. The CFP national championship will be Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Montana men's basketball team fell in the final game of the Big Sky-Summit Challenge on Saturday afternoon, dropping a close road contest against St. Thomas, 88-81. Junior guard Malik Moore scored a career-high 30 points for Montana (6-4) in the effort. The Pepperdine transfer made his first three attempts from three-point range and ended the day shooting 11-of-13 from the field. Moore is the first Grizzly to make at least six three-pointers in a game since Aanen Moody had eight against Eastern Washington on Feb. 29 last season. It's the second 30-point game by a Grizzly player this season, joining sophomore guard Money Williams' effort at Tennessee. Williams also had a solid all-around day with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists. Redshirt freshman forward Jensen Bradtke also reached double figures off the bench, scoring 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting. The Griz made a season-high 12 three-pointers while shooting 50 percent from the arc. The offense was spread around for Montana, as it also finished with a season-high 22 assists. St. Thomas (7-4) outscored Montana 40-34 in the paint, also making 21 free throws to just seven for Montana. Both teams started the game red-hot, making the first eight combined three-pointers of the contest. Moore opened the game with 11 points in the first five minutes, scoring in double figures for the third-straight game. The Griz reached a 34-29 lead, but a cold spell on offense allowed the hosts to retake the advantage. St. Thomas used a 6-0 run during a nearly five-minute drought for Montana to retake a 35-34 lead. Montana went into the break down 40-39 after leading for nearly 17 minutes of the opening period. The Griz had the advantage in fast-break points (9-0) and paint points (18-16), but committed nine fouls compared to just two for St. Thomas. The Tommies went 9-for-10 at the charity stripe, and Montana did not have a single attempt from the free throw line in the first 20 minutes. St. Thomas extended its lead out to 53-46 to open the second half. Bradtke scored four straight to cut into the deficit, though, and Moore was able to get to the rim to complete a 6-0 Grizzly run that brought the score to 53-52 Tommies. Every time the Griz inched closer, St. Thomas found an answer to push the lead back out. The Griz got back within five several times down the stretch, but St. Thomas held on for a seven-point win. The Griz return to Robin Selvig Court Tuesday for the final home game of December, taking on Montana Tech at 7 p.m. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Is Nvidia a Good Buy? Think Twice Before You Decide

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