New for Christmas 2018: Google's Santa Tracker Now Offers the Gift of Games

For anyone wanting to keep tabs on where Santa Claus travels on Christmas Eve, well, there’s an app for that.

Google’s Santa Tracker, which was first launched in 2004, keeps tabs on Santa’s location the night before Christmas. But before the tracker starts mapping Santa’s location on Dec. 24, this year, Santa’s Village features a number of Christmas games, including several that let you test your coding skills. You can also compete in a wrap battle to see who can package and tie up the most gifts with the most skill. There’s even a translation area, where you can learn how to say phrases like “season’s greetings” and “happy new year” in more than 20 languages, including, yes, Elvish.

If playing cool math, coding, and drawing games in Santa’s Village isn’t enough to satisfy your holiday break boredom, it’s also worth noting Google has plenty of other interactive Google Doodle games to play while you’re waiting to see where the sleigh lands next.

Not just because of the games—though they certainly differentiate the two—Google’s Santa Tracker is different than the Santa Tracker run by NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command. NORAD has been tracking Santa’s annual gift deliveries for over 60 years on its own website and is an all-volunteer run program that, much like Santa, carries on no matter the political climate or inclement winter weather.

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Indonesia tsunami that killed at least 222 hit without warning

At least 222 people were killed as waves smashed into houses, hotels and other beachside buildings Saturday night along Indonesia's Sunda Strait, in a disaster that followed an eruption and possible landslide on Anak Krakatau, one of the world's most infamous volcanic islands.

More than 800 others were injured and dozens were reported missing after the tsunami hit coastal areas along western Java and southern Sumatra islands at 9:27 p.m. local time on Saturday amid a Christmas holiday weekend, the Disaster Management Agency said. The death toll could increase once authorities hear from all stricken areas.

TIMELINEA look at recent quakes and tsunamis that have hit Indonesia
It was the second deadly tsunami to hit Indonesia this year, but the one that killed more than 2,500 people on the island of Sulawesi on Sept. 28 was accompanied by a powerful earthquake that gave residents a brief warning before the waves struck.

On Saturday night, the ground did not shake beforehand to alert people to the oncoming wave that ripped buildings from their foundations in seconds and swept terrified concertgoers on a popular resort beach into the sea.

Azki Kurniawan, 16, said his first warning about the tsunami was when people burst into the lobby of the Patra Comfort Hotel shouting, "Sea water rising!"

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Bucs vs. Cowboys live blog: Tampa Bay fumbles away game, 27-20

Two Jameis Winston fumbles, one returned for a touchdown and another deep in Buccaneers territory, leads to a third consecutive loss, dropping the Bucs to 5-10.

Bucs safety Jordan Whitehead (31) stops Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) from reaching the end zone after catching a pass in the second half. [AP Photo/Ron Jenkins]
By Frank Pastor Yesterday

Turnovers, penalties costly in Bucs' loss to Cowboys
Bucs running back Jacquizz Rodgers (32) is stopped on a run by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) and defensive tackle Antwaun Woods (99) in the first half. [AP Photo/Ron Jenkins] Bucs running back Jacquizz Rodgers (32) is stopped on a run by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) and defensive tackle Antwaun Woods (99) in the first half. [AP Photo/Ron Jenkins]
ARLINGTON, Texas — Two days before Christmas, the Bucs came to AT&T Stadium Sunday and gifted the Cowboys two touchdowns.

Dallas scored 14 points on a pair of Jameis Winston fumbles and the Bucs lost their final road game of the season 27-20 at Jerry's World. The Bucs have lost seven of their last nine games heading into a season finale that could foreshadow a massive overhaul in the front office and coaching staff at One Buc Place.

The Bucs' formula to winning has been simple. And on most Sundays, when they haven't committed turnovers, Tampa Bay has put itself in good position for victory.

This wasn’t one of those days.

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SNF: Chiefs vs. Seahawks

The Chiefs and Seahawks go head-to-head on Sunday Night Football on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018.
Chris Conley #17 of the Kansas City Chiefs fumbles the ball as Justin Coleman #28 of the Seattle Seahawks makes the tackle in the final seconds of the second quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on December 23, 2018 in Seattle, Washington.
Damien Williams #26 of the Kansas City Chiefs fumbles the ball in front of Dion Jordan #95 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on December 23, 2018 in Seattle, Washington.

Tyler Lockett #16 of the Seattle Seahawks makes a pass interference on Charvarius Ward #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on December 23, 2018 in Seattle, Washington.
Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball out of the pocket during the second quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at CenturyLink Field on December 23, 2018 in Seattle, Washington.

Tremon Smith #39 of the Kansas City Chiefs is tackled during the third quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 23, 2018 in Seattle, Washington.

J.D. McKissic #21 and Neiko Thorpe #23 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrate a big hit in the kick off return during the third quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at CenturyLink Field on December 23, 2018 in Seattle, Washington.

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Canadiens Game Day: Nicolas Deslauriers in lineup vs. Golden Knights

Replaces Charles Hudon on fourth line, while Brett Kulak takes David Schlemko's spot on defence for afternoon game in Las Vegas.

Montreal Canadiens Nicolas Deslauriers gets high-fives from teammates on the bench after scoring goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during second period of National Hockey League game in Montreal on March 15, 2018. JOHN MAHONEY / MONTREAL GAZETTE

LAS VEGAS — Claude Julien is making a couple of lineup changes for Saturday afternoon’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights at the T-Mobile Arena (4 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690 Radio).

Nicolas Deslauriers, who has been a healthy scratch for the last five games, gets back in the lineup on the fourth line with Michael Chaput and Kenny Agostino, while Charles Hudon will be a healthy scratch after playing in the last two games. Defenceman Brett Kulak will also get back in the lineup after being a healthy scratch for two games, taking David Schlemko’s spot. Hudon had been a healthy scratch for nine straight games before getting back in the lineup for the last two and going pointless. For the season, Hudon has 3-1-4 totals and a team-worst minus-8.

Deslauriers has 1-1-2 totals in 24 games this season and is minus-2. Deslauriers ranks second on the Canadiens with 70 hits, trailing only defenceman Jeff Petry, who has 98 but has played 12 more games than Deslauriers.

“We’re going to get a bigger presence on our fourth line against a pretty big hockey club here,” Julien said when he met with the media a couple of hours before the game. “Schlemko’s out. He’s not 100 per cent, so Kulak’s going to go in.”

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Manchester United Romps in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Debut as Coach

Manchester United Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after his team won at Cardiff, 5-1, on Saturday.
Manchester United Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after his team won at Cardiff, 5-1, on Saturday.CreditCreditRebecca Naden/Reuters

Jesse Lingard scored twice as Manchester United celebrated its first match under the new coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a 5-1 victory at Cardiff in the Premier League on Saturday.

“Football is easy if you’ve got good players,” Solskjaer said. “They are a great bunch of players, and their quality is unbelievable.

“I arrived on Wednesday night and only had Thursday and Friday with the players. Wayne Rooney texted me and gave me some advice, so it must be down to him. He told me to make them play football, enjoy themselves and be Manchester United.”

Marcus Rashford needed only three minutes to give United the lead as he blasted home a free kick. Solskjaer, who spent nine months in charge of Cardiff when the Welsh club was relegated in 2014, was up off his seat again after 29 minutes when Ander Herrera’s deflected shot went in.

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Army Notches Program-Record 11th Win in Bowl Beatdown of HoustonHOW ALABAMA'S

Army set a school record with its 11th win of the season after defeating Houston, 70–14, on Saturday in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Black Knights also won their third straight bowl game, winning 31 games over the last three seasons. Head coach Jeff Monken is now 34–28 in his five years with the program. 

Army torched Houston's defense throughout the afternoon, entering the locker room at halftime up 42–7. The Black Knights tallied 507 yards on 58 carries, finding the end zone eight times through the ground.
 Highlights of an exciting first half... if you're an Army fan. #GoArmy

 WHAT A RUN!!! #ArmedForcesBowl #ArmyFootball #Top10 @espn @FindingExcuses
Army also tied a pair of NCAA records with its dominant performance over Houston. The Black Knights' 56-point win tied the NCAA record for most points in a bowl game as well as largest margin of victory in a bowl game. 

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Mavericks vs. Warriors odds, pick: Predictions on gambling spread, over/under and money line for Dallas, Golden State

Luka Doncic and the Mavericks come into Oracle Arena to face the Warriors having lost four straight games. Dallas is scoring plenty, but the defense has been getting lit up their last three appearances -- giving up 120, 125 and 126 points to the Kings, Nuggets and Clippers. Golden State, meanwhile, has been going through some of its own struggles, relatively speaking, having lost two of its last four -- a beating at the hands of the Raptors, who were playing without Kawhi Leonard, and a 108-103 loss to the Utah in their last outing.

Below is the viewing information, plus a prediction for the spread, over/under and money line for Mavericks at Warriors. 

Should Stephen Curry or Luka Doncic be in your daily fantasy lineup? DFS millionaire Mike McClure has optimized lineups to win big every day. Check out his latest picks here.

Mavericks at Warriors ATS odds, pick
Analysis:  The Mavericks are 17-13 against the spread on the year, and 10-7 as an underdog -- though just 4-6 as a road underdog. Still, back at home, coming off a loss, the Warriors will be looking to put this one on ice as they prepare for their Christmas Day showdown with LeBron and the Lakers.

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नुवाकोटमा फ़ेरि दर्दनाक दुर्घटना, देखे पनि नदेखेको जस्तो नगर्नुहोस् ( हार्दिक श्रद्धाञ्जली #Rip )

धादिङ जिल्ला गल्छी गाउँ पालिका १ निवासी हरि प्रशाद खतिवडा को बेलकोटगढी नगरपालिका नुवाकोट स्थित कोल्पुटार मा ट्रीपरको ठक्कर बाट मृत्यु भएको छ। मृतक प्रति हार्दिक समवेदना, ट्रीपर चालकलाई कडा कारबाही होस्धादिङ जिल्ला गल्छी गाउँ पालिका १ निवासी हरि प्रशाद खतिवडा को बेलकोटगढी नगरपालिका नुवाकोट स्थित कोल्पुटार मा ट्रीपरको ठक्कर बाट मृत्यु भएको छ। मृतक प्रति हार्दिक समवेदना, ट्रीपर चालकलाई कडा कारबाही होस्धादिङ जिल्ला गल्छी गाउँ पालिका १ निवासी हरि प्रशाद खतिवडा को बेलकोटगढी नगरपालिका नुवाकोट स्थित कोल्पुटार मा ट्रीपरको ठक्कर बाट मृत्यु भएको छ। मृतक प्रति हार्दिक समवेदना, ट्रीपर चालकलाई कडा कारबाही होस्धादिङ जिल्ला गल्छी गाउँ पालिका १ निवासी हरि प्रशाद खतिवडा को बेलकोटगढी नगरपालिका नुवाकोट स्थित कोल्पुटार मा ट्रीपरको ठक्कर बाट मृत्यु भएको छ। मृतक प्रति हार्दिक समवेदना, ट्रीपर चालकलाई कडा कारबाही होस्

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