The AP Top 25 women’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hannah Hidalgo scored 24 points and No. 6 Notre Dame defeated JuJu Watkins and third-ranked Southern California 74-61 on Saturday in a marquee matchup on the West Coast. Watkins and the Trojans (4-1) fell behind early and were down 21 points in the fourth quarter. She had 24 points, six rebounds and five assists. Hidalgo came out shooting well, hitting 5 of 8 from the floor in the first quarter and had 16 points at the break. She added six rebounds and eight assists. Hidalgo’s backcourt mate, Olivia Miles, added 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Fighting Irish (5-0). Even though Hidalgo outshone her, Watkins’ imprint was all over the game. A documentary about her life aired on NBC leading into the nationally televised game. A buzz arose when Snoop Dogg walked in shortly before tipoff wearing a jacket in USC colors with Watkins’ name and number on the front and back. Her sister, Mali, sang the national anthem. Takeaways Notre Dame: The Irish struck quickly, racing to a 20-10 lead in the opening quarter. Even after cooling off a bit, they never trailed and stayed poised when the Trojans got within three in the second and third quarters. USC: The Trojans were without starting guard Kennedy Smith, whose defense on Hidalgo would have proven valuable. It was announced shortly before tipoff that she had a surgical procedure and will return at some point this season. Key moment The Trojans got within three points three times but the Irish remained poised and never gave up the lead. Key stats Notre Dame’s defense forced the Trojans into 21 turnovers, which led to 22 points for the Irish. Watkins, Kaleigh Heckel and Talia von Oelhoffen had five each. USC was just 1 of 13 from 3-point range Up next Notre Dame plays TCU on Nov. 29 in the Cayman Islands Classic. USC plays Seton Hall in the Women’s Acrisure Holiday Invitational on Nov. 27 in Palm Desert, California. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

Video: Ex-Chelsea star produces the miss of the season squanders Osimhen's perfect pass

BMO Capital downgraded Prologis ( PLD ) to Underperform from Market Perform with a price target of $104, down from $120. Prologis is a “world-class company with a moat business,” but its valuation screens expensive, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm says the company’s s embedded growth is set to moderate back to pre-COVID levels by 2026. Industrial leasing demand is down 56% year-over-year, and BMO does not see a near-term rebound with Amazon expanding modestly and shifting toward higher warehouse ownership. The Trump tariffs adds further uncertainty, the firm adds. Pick the best stocks and maximize your portfolio: Discover top-rated stocks from highly ranked analysts with Analyst Top Stocks! Easily identify outperforming stocks and invest smarter with Top Smart Score Stocks Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See Insiders’ Hot Stocks on TipRanks >> Read More on PLD: Prologis price target lowered to $132 from $137 at Truist Prologis price target lowered to $134 from $136 at Scotiabank Prologis price target raised to $132 from $131 at Barclays Prologis price target lowered to $136 from $142 at Scotiabank Prologis CEO: Things are very good, our future is brightAs early as the 1890s, psychology research has been done on crowd behaviour. Gustave Le Bon (1841) who was a French social psychologist pioneered research on group behaviour, especially crowd behaviour. People with compatible needs and interests come together (convergence theory), purposefully and united, to have their views represented. Classical theories treat crowds as pathological (contagion theory). Crowds are seen as mobs, mobs that act irrationally. The myth of the crowd may also be politically motivated. Contagious crowd violence can serve elite power. For example, governments often see crowds as defaming democracy. Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that “mob rule is replacing democratic rule”, referring to protests in England on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Closer to home, the former Rajapaksa’s administration labelled Galle Face Green (GFG) protesters as “extremists.” Mahinda Rajapaksa even compared GFG protesters to the former Tamil militants in the north and the JVP militants in the south. More recently, the former President Ranil Wickremesinghe had student protestors and women’s groups violently hosed by the military when they were protesting on the streets against corruption, nepotism, and authoritarianism. Ironically, this was an example of the Government replacing democratic rule with mob governance! More modern research has taken a social identity approach (Drury & Reicher, 2020) where people gather in shared beliefs to send messages and to influence change. The power of collective activism should not be underestimated. The Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, against the murder of George Floyd, a Black American in Minnesota by a white police officer, was a turning point. The movement spread across the globe. New laws were passed in many states of the US against choke-holds and on police discipline. Non-violent protests especially, are transformative. Today, Sri Lanka is a good example of the complex and successful powers of crowds. In disorderly protests, there is a loss of inhibitions, self-control, and values, because it is the group that is responsible and accountable, and not the individual. When the situation is also emotionally charged and intense, the risk of a riot is greater. People feel safe in a group to commit acts of aggression. This is how a small riot can grow into violence. The 18th century French Revolution started in this way. People were exhausted by tough economic times, famine, and resentment of the rulers who enjoyed great wealth and comforts. These things led farmers, peasants, and the working class to storm the Bastille on 14 July 1789. Their intention was to destroy the ruling class. King Louis the 16th was killed. This eventually led to the creation of the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen”. It was a symbol of the end of an opulent, corrupt old French guard. Protests can be highly effective and offer opportunities for change. They are not a waste of time. Political history is replete with examples of where corrupt and despotic rulers have been ousted by public protests (Suharto and Mubarak are two famous examples). In the current context of Sri Lanka, the “Aragalaya” movement can be credited to creating significant change in the country, three years later. The infamously rash chemical fertiliser ban on 22 April 2021, by the Rajapaksa regime, decimated the agriculture industry and livelihoods of people in Sri Lanka. Rice yields dropped to 2.9 metric tonnes in 2021/22 from the previous year’s 3.4 metric tonnes. Food crisis, starvation, and under-nutrition were compounded by rising costs of living; fuel and gas shortages, and power cuts from 8 to 13 hours a day. The power cuts were disastrous to the agriculture industry as well. Due to lack of kerosene, farmers were forced to buy petrol or diesel water pumps which cost more than Rs. 75,000. Pawning jewellery or whatever assets a family has and falling into the debt trap is common amongst the farming community. Then the power cuts meant that water pumps sending water to higher geographical areas could not happen. This cut off the water supply to fields, vegetable, and fruit cultivations. The mills, which turn the paddy into rice, also rely on power. Since the paddy could not be milled on time, the rice crops went bad. Farmers also did not have fuel to transport their crops to the market, leading to food and livelihood crises. Many families in the country could barely make ends to find money to eat one meal a day. In June 2021, farmers in most districts of the country began small group protests, from Kilinochchi to Hambantota, from Polonnaruwa to Puttalam. In this, we saw a north-south unity in the country (to be repeated on the 14th of November, 2024). For months they protested. The media gave them much coverage. But there was no other kind of support that reached them. This was a tragic and collective failure on the part of the suburban communities around the country, especially the power hubs of Colombo, to not support the crisis of the farming community who put food on our tables. It was life- as-usual for others. A sad indictment of a collective loss of humanity, compassion, and nationhood. In February 2022, the depleted foreign reserves and deepening financial crisis led to shortages in fuel and gas, led to rolling power cuts in most parts of the country (except inner Colombo). Food and milk powder shortages, long queues, loss of livelihoods and severe disruption to life touched suburbia like never before. In March 2022, people in and around Colombo and other key cities like Kandy, stepped out into the streets, thus founding the “Aragalaya” movement. The most significant aspect of this movement was that the farming community joined the Colombo protestors, in a strength of support. It is to this farming community that the country owes a debt of gratitude today. They laid the real groundwork for the Aragalaya movement. Unrecognised then, and perhaps even now, for their pioneering efforts, they began a movement that culminated, three years later, in an extraordinary change of political landscape in Sri Lanka. We saw anger at many things: corruption, injustice, and inequality; loss of trust in governments and those in authority (elected as well appointed); being taken advantage of and lied to; the repulsive extravagance and ill-gained wealth of political leaders and their enablers; frustration, helplessness, and hopelessness; and shared difficulties in day to day living. These shared grievances led to the protests. Shared intensity of emotions also propelled people to act. The country united in suffering. This was the tipping point. Beginning with the farmers, students, teachers, and the health sector, protests gradually spread to other sectors, culminating in a Galle Face Green Aragalaya. Crowds influenced people to act in a certain way. Those who had never joined any rally before, joined the Aragalaya. Protests are survival triggers. When people are pushed to a corner, they freeze, fight, or flee. The protests that the farmers started, grew into a larger fight response at the GFG. The education sector, business communities, legal groups, and religious leaders added their support and voice to Aragalaya. Such positive collective activism, solidarity, and confidence led to real transformation. People waited patiently until elections were (reluctantly) declared by former president Ranil Wickremesinghe. Unlike the French Revolution, Sri Lanka’s dramatic shift in politics, was completed on 14 November, by ballot, not by gunpowder. The beginning of the ‘renaissance’ then, was really begun by a consistent and small group of farmers. (The writer is a former senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Colombo.)PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s health minister has been removed from his post, government officials told The Associated Press on Thursday, following a deadly gang attack on the largest public hospital in the capital, Port-au-Prince. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s health minister has been removed from his post, government officials told The Associated Press on Thursday, following a deadly gang attack on the largest public hospital in the capital, Port-au-Prince. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s health minister has been removed from his post, government officials told The Associated Press on Thursday, following a deadly gang attack on the largest public hospital in the capital, Port-au-Prince. The two government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue, said Health Minister Duckenson Lorthe will be replaced by Justice Minister Patrick Pelissier until a new health minister is found. Two journalists and a police officer were killed Tuesday as gang members burst into the General Hospital and fired indiscriminately at reporters who were there to cover the facility’s reopening. It was one of the worst attacks on Haitian media in recent memory. Seven other journalists were injured. Jean Frans Regala, a photographer who survived, said journalists had been invited to the hospital by the health ministry but there was little security at the site. “The fact that the minister of health invited us, you feel that preparations have been made already,” Regala told the AP. “When we made contact with a police unit, the police told us they were not aware of the event.” Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The health minister did not show up at the event, for reasons that have not been explained. On Tuesday, Johnson “Izo” André, considered Haiti’s most powerful gang leader and part of the Viv Ansanm group of gangs that has taken control of much of Port-au-Prince, posted a video on social media claiming responsibility for the attack. The video said the gang coalition had not authorized the hospital’s reopening. Gang violence has worsened in Haiti since the nation’s president was killed in a 2021 coup attempt. Gangs are believed to control 85% of the capital and earlier this year staged attacks on the main airport and the country’s two largest prisons. The Caribbean country has struggled to organize an election that will restore democratic rule, and is currently governed by a transitional council made up of representatives of political parties, business groups and civil society organizations. Advertisement Advertisement

Season’s greetings to all readers! Let me begin the second part of this article on the speakers of Sri Lanka with a reference to former Speaker Asoka Ranwala. A source who is usually well-informed about matters concerning the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the National People’s Power (NPP) got in touch with me a few days ago. He said that ex-Speaker Ranwala had indeed acquired a doctoral degree from Japan. According to this JVP/NPP “partisan” source, Asoka Ranwala has indeed acquired a PhD from a Japanese institution of higher learning and is therefore entitled to the prefix “Dr”. Apparently Ranwala, a longstanding activist of the JVP, had “escaped” from Sri Lanka when the Ranasinghe Premadasa regime had cracked down hard on the JVP in the 1989-90 period. Ranwala had made his way to Japan and resided there for several years, stated this source. Ranwala had pursued further studies while being in Japan during those years and had obtained a doctoral degree, claimed this source. Due to some procedural difficulties, Ranwala had been unable to get accredited documentation to clearly establish his bona fides in this matter. The JVP hierarchy was convinced that Ranwala had a doctorate and was prepared to give him time to produce documentary proof of his PhD. But when the Opposition was preparing to present a no confidence motion in Parliament, the JVP leaders had felt it was better for Ranwala to resign from his post and then restore his tarnished image by procuring documentary proof of his qualifications. As such Asoka Ranwala is scheduled to go to Japan soon (he may have gone already) and take steps to get proof of his doctoral degree. “Asoka Ranwala will soon prove that he does indeed have a doctorate from Japan,” emphasised the source. I am inclined to treat this claim with more than a pinch of salt, but let us wait and see what happens. As stated in the first part of this article published last week, both Asoka Ranwala and yesteryear speaker Anandatissa de Alwis have one thing in common. Both were first-time entrants to Parliament who served as speakers. Anandatissa de Alwis had entered the National State Assembly as Parliament was called then for the first time in July 1977 as MP for Kotte when he was elected speaker. Being a former journalist himself, Anandatissa de Alwis was the darling of the media but it was during his period as Speaker that the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act was given new teeth. To demonstrate the power of the amended law, two senior editors of Lake House were summoned to the House over a mix up of a photo caption allegedly affecting then Foreign Minister A.C.S. Hameed. It was a trivial mix up of captions between pictures of an event concerning minister Hameed and a woman clad in a bikini. The two editors were grilled exhaustively and hauled over the coals by Government parliamentarians. An exasperated leader of the Opposition Appapillai Amirthalingam called for an end to the comic inquisition. The editors were let off with a fine. The talk among journalists then was that the captions had been deliberately mixed up to enable the staging of this parliamentary drama. Anandatissa de Alwis became a Cabinet minister in 1978. He was succeeded as Speaker by the deputy speaker Beruwela MP, Bakeer Markar in September 1978. It was during Bakeer Markar’s tenure that the no confidence motion against Opposition leader of the time, Appapillai Amirthalingam was moved by government MPs in 1981. Such a development was unheard of in parliamentary history. Government MPs don’t bring votes of no confidence against the leader of the Opposition. Not only did Bakeer allow the motion but also failed to restrain the “criminal” remarks made by MPs against an absent Amirthalingam during the one-sided debate. The lone communist party MP Sarath Muttetuwegama walked out of Parliament after criticising Bakeer Markar for letting Government backbenchers run Parliament instead of asserting order in the House as Speaker. Bakeer Markar also failed to check the vituperatively racist outpourings of Cyril Mathew in Parliament on more than one occasion. In spite of appeasing hawkish elements in Government ranks and disgracing the office of Speaker in the process, Bakeer Markar was unable to continue as Speaker for his full term. After the anti-Tamil pogrom of July 1983, sections of the Buddhist clergy exerted pressure on J.R. that a Sinhala Buddhist, E.L. Senanayake of Kandy should replace Bakeer Markar the Muslim Speaker. This was acceded to and the old trooper E.L. served as speaker from September 1983 to December 1988. Bakeer was inducted into the cabinet as a minister without portfolio. The 1989 to 1994 Parliament saw the veteran Muslim leader from Colombo, M. Haniffa Mohamed function as Speaker. M.H. Mohamed’s crisis hour came during the impeachment motion moves against president Ranasinghe Premadasa by the trio comprising Lalith Athulathmudali, Gamini Dissanayake and G.M. Premachandra. After being initially favourable to the rebels, Mohamed changed track swiftly and switched loyalties in favour of President Premadasa. A fresh breeze blew in the musty corridors of power in 1994 when the 17-year-long UNP rule was terminated in 1994 by a People’s Alliance (PA) Government led by Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. In 1994 it was the turn of Rajarata’s K.B. Ratnayake to be Speaker. The former Anuradhapura MP was an old student of Hartley College, Point Pedro and spoke Tamil well. K.B. was perhaps the first Sinhala speaker to speak all three languages fluently in the House. Most of the Muslim speakers too were trilingual. The new millennium in 2000 witnessed what was then the rare spectacle of both Government and Opposition electing a consensus candidate as Speaker. That singular honour went to Chandrika Kumaratunga’s brother and Ranil Wickremesinghe’s old school chum Anura Bandaranaike. The PA Government had won the elections with a slender majority. Though Anura was then in the UNP and therefore in the Opposition, Chandrika and Ranil agreed to make Anura the Speaker, much against the wishes of party stalwarts on both sides. A crisis arose when Kumaratunga prorogued Parliament after she lost her majority in parliament. Efforts were on to impeach the president and the then Chief Justice Sarath Silva. Sarath Silva tried to restrain the speaker from accepting the impeachment motion. Though initially hesitant, Anura Bandaranaike ruled later that Parliament was supreme. He said the Supreme Court had no jurisdiction to issue interim orders restraining the Speaker in respect of the steps he is empowered to take under Standing Order 78 (a). As stated earlier, the ruling was prompted by the issue of a restraining order on Speaker Anura Bandaranaike by then Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva because there were moves for an impeachment motion against him (Silva) in Parliament. By then, no motion was placed on the Order Paper and only signatures were being collected. The restraining order was based on two fundamental rights petitions heard by a Supreme Court bench presided by then Chief Justice Silva himself. However, the motion did not materialise since the then President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga later dissolved Parliament. Summarising his decision, Speaker Anura Bandaranaike declared that: 1. The Supreme Court had no jurisdiction to issue the interim orders restraining the Speaker of Parliament in respect of the steps he is empowered to take under Standing Order 78(a). 2. The interim orders dated 6 June 2001 are not binding on the Speaker of Parliament. 3. There are no legal obligations to comply with the said orders. Later Anura crossed over to the PA after Parliament was dissolved. December 2001 elections saw the UNP-led UNF win. Ranil Wickremesinghe became premier while Chandrika Kumaratunga remained executive president. Gampaha District MP, Joseph Michael Perera was elected Speaker. During his term of office Joseph Michael Perera made a controversial ruling where he emphasised that the President could not unilaterally prorogue Parliament. The Speaker’s (Joseph Michael Perera) ruling reiterated the position that the executive power of the people is vested in the president and Article 70 of the Constitution confers on the president the power to summon, prorogue and dissolve parliament. However, Article 70 of the Constitution, Perera ruled cannot contravene Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitution. Parliament has been elected by the people in whom the sovereign power is vested under Article 3 of the Constitution. Under Article 4, this sovereignty is divided and exercised by the executive president, parliament and the judiciary. In addition, under Article 4, parliament also exercises the judicial power of the people through the courts and tribunals established by the constitution or created and established by law. The Speaker J.M. Perera pointed out in his order that an examination of the scheme of the Constitution shows that Article 70 appears in Chapter XI titled, “The legislative procedure and power.” This makes it clear that this aspect of the president’s power is not an attributive of his executive power set out in article VII, but rather an administrative function vis-a-vis parliament. The exercise of the power to summon, dissolve and prorogue must therefore always be exercised in consultation with parliament and this function must be accepted at all times as being subordinate to the legislative power of the people conferred on parliament by Article 4 (a). Joseph Michael Perera therefore determined that were it not so, it would lead to a situation where one arm of government is able to completely suppress another equal, but separate arm. Interestingly Joseph Michael Perera’s ruling features prominently in the 2018 situation where President Sirisena arbitrarily prorogued Parliament without consulting the Speaker. Political cohabitation came to an end in 2004 and Parliament was dissolved by the then president Kumaratunga. Elections were held and the SLFP led United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) came to power. The communist party’s D.E.W. Gunasekera’s name was proposed as Speaker by the UPFA. However, the Opposition nominated UNP’s Badulla District MP, W.J.M. Lokubandara instead of the incumbent Speaker Joseph Michael Perera. Though Perera could have been fielded as a speaker candidate, a change was necessitated due to political exigencies. Joseph Michael Perera was a Catholic. Given the rising tide of anti-Christian feeling among sections of the Buddhist clergy and laity prevailing at that time, a man like Lokubandara with impeccable Sinhala Buddhist credentials was seen as more suitable. The phenomenon of nine Buddhist monk MPs of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) holding the power balance in a hung parliament saw the need for an avowed Sinhala Buddhist nationalist like Lokubandara as opposition candidate for Speaker. It was hoped that Lokubandara could win Jathika Hela Urumaya support or at least ensure their neutrality. The election results indicated that the stratagem had succeeded to a great extent. W.J.M. Lokubandara became Speaker after a bitter and closely contested election. He won with one vote (110-109) in a tussle that went down as a shameful episode in the parliamentary history of this country. In a fracas occurring while Parliament was in session, a Buddhist monk MP was manhandled by a group of MP’s. The chief culprit in this instance was the infamous Mervyn Silva. The 2010 Parliament saw Hambantota District MP Chamal Rajapaksa become Speaker. It was a time when the Rajapaksas of Ruhunu were riding high with Chamal’s younger brothers Mahinda, Basil and Gotabaya being the President, Cabinet Minister and Defence Secretary respectively. It was during Chamal Rajapaksa’s tenure as that Parliament impeached Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake. Chamal Rajapaksa completed his full term as Speaker from April 2010 to June 2015. Mahinda Rajapaksa was defeated by Maithripala Sirisena in the presidential poll of Jan 2015. Parliamentary polls in August 2015 saw the UNF forming the Government Karu Jayasuriya became speaker in August 2015 as the latest in a long line of illustrious Speakers who served the legislatures, people and country for many decades. Fate seems to have decreed that Karu Jayasuriya should don the mantle of speaker when parliamentary democracy was facing danger. In an unimaginable political twist, President Maithripala Sirisena conspired with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to oust the then Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and seize power. Sirisena arbitrarily replaced Wickremesinghe as Prime minister with Mahinda Rajapaksa. It was Wickremesinghe who had the majority of MPs on his side. The Mahinda-Maithripala duo was engaged in cobbling together a parliamentary majority by enticing MPs through incentives. Karu Jayasuriya in his capacity as Speaker provided courageous leadership to those resisting unconstitutional moves by the Maithripala-Mahinda duo to seize de facto control of Parliament followed by de-jure control. He even risked physical danger to himself in doing so. Karu refused to be cowed down by the “terror tactics” of pro-Mahinda MPs. For the first time in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary history, a group of MPs tried to attack the speaker physically. Jayasuriya was compelled to enter and exit the chamber with Police escort. Not all the waters of Diyawanna Oya are sufficient to wash off the black mark imposed on 16 November 2018. Karu Jayasuriya’s strength and courage to stand firm in this exercise in the face of violent hostility from the Maithripala-Mahinda forces was derived from his belief of being morally and legally correct. Karu Jayasuriya fought that political battle with the noble aim of safeguarding parliamentary democracy. His courageous defiance of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s MP’s in Parliament was a key element of that fight. It was the outrageously anti-democratic power grab – aided and abetted by Maithripala – of Mahinda Rajapaksa that impelled Karu to enter the fray and spearhead opposition to the illegal attempts. Karu Jayasuriya by his courageous defiance of Maithripala and Mahinda demonstrated that he was no pushover as envisaged by his political adversaries. Moreover, his brave conduct in those dark times resulted in posterity acknowledging Karu Jayasuriya as the most heroic Speaker in Sri Lanka’s Parliamentary history. Karu Jayasuriya as speaker also presided over the Constitutional Assembly tasked with the duty of formulating a new Constitution. The Constitutional assembly succeeded in bringing out a very worthwhile interim report that was approved unanimously by all party representatives. However several parties changed their stances thereafter resulting in the Constitutional exercise reaching a dead end. The 2020 elections saw Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna becoming speaker. He was the first SLPP MP to be elected as speaker. The Matara district MP who served two terms as Southern province chief minister had been first elected Hakmana MP on the UNP ticket. He was removed from office as MP by the then president J.R. Jayewardene for opposing the Indo-Lanka accord and violating party discipline. Abeywardena served as speaker when history of a peculiar variety was made in Sri Lanka. The “Aragalaya” protests resulted in the fall of the SLPP Government. The SLPP president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled from Sri Lanka and went abroad. President Rajapaksa was met in Singapore by the Sri Lankan envoy Sashikala Premawardhane. Gotabaya t signed his letter of resignation in the presence of High Commissioner Sashikala Premawardhane. She e-mailed it immediately to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene in Colombo. However, some doubts regarding the authenticity of the e-mailed resignation letter were raised in Colombo. Therefore, High Commissioner Premawardhane despatched the original letter through a High Commission staffer, who personally delivered it to the Speaker in Sri Lanka. The letter was read out to Parliament by the Parliament Secretary-General. Thereafter the Speaker Abeywardena officially announced the resignation of President Rajapaksa at a news conference on 15 July 2022. The name of speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena was bandied about as a potential president in those crisis times. In fact some powerful western diplomats tacitly backed the speaker to take over the presidency. Abeywardena refused and Ranil Wickremesinghe became the eighth executive president of Sri Lanka. Presidential and Parliamentary elections in September and November 2024 saw Anura Kumara Dissanayake being elected as President and the National People’s Power (NPP) PP winning 159 seats in Parliament. The NPP Gampaha district MP Ranwala Arachchige Asoka Sapumal Ranwala served as Sri Lanka’s Speaker from 21 November to 13 December 2024 for 22 days. On 17 December 2024, Idampitiyegedara Wanigasuriya Mudiyanselage Jagath Wickramaratne was elected as Speaker. The election was unanimous. Dr. Jagath Wickramarathe who was elected on the NPP ticket from Polonnaruwa district is a medical doctor. This then is the story of the speakers of Sri Lanka from 1931 to 2024.

The sad decline of the public hangoutToothpaste has progressed from ancient cures to modern formulas, catering to varied oral care demands. These solutions guarantee a brilliant smile and the best possible oral hygiene for all consumers by emphasising teeth whitening, fresh breath, enamel protection, and gum health. A fresh, self-assured, and healthy smile can be maintained by using the proper toothpaste. For ages, toothpaste has been a vital component of oral hygiene. In order to keep our teeth white and our breath fresh, toothpaste has changed dramatically throughout time, from traditional herbal cures to contemporary formulas. We'll go on a toothpaste adventure, examine its main components, and discover the keys to a bright, healthy smile in this entertaining tutorial. Now let's explore toothpaste and discover this minty wonder. 1. ToothbitTM Super Whitening Peppermint nHAP Toothpaste Tablets With Sleek Brush Image Source- Marvelof.com Order Now ToothbitTM Super Whitening Peppermint nHAP Toothpaste Tablets offer a convenient and effective way to maintain a healthy smile. These innovative tablets combine the power of nanohydroxyapatite (nHAP) technology with refreshing peppermint flavor. Key Features: 2. Colgate Total 12 Hour Protection Fresh Stripe Toothpaste (100ml) Image Source- Marvelof.com Order Now The Colgate Total Fresh Stripe Toothpaste is a trusted oral care solution designed to provide complete protection and freshness. With its advanced formula, it ensures up to 12 hours of lasting protection against germs while leaving your mouth feeling fresh and clean throughout the day. Key Features: 3. Oralvit Baking Soda and Peroxide Toothpaste for Whitening & Anti-Cavity (100gm, Mint Flavour) Image Source- Marvelof.com Order Now The Oralvit Baking Soda and Peroxide Toothpaste is designed for those seeking an advanced oral care solution that prioritizes whitening, anti-cavity protection, and long-lasting freshness. Its unique formula combines the cleansing power of baking soda with the whitening properties of peroxide, delivering a bright smile and deep cleanliness with every use. Key Features: 4. PROTOUCH Hi-Shine Toothpaste with Deep Clean Charcoal and Refreshing Mint Image Source- Marvelof.com Order Now PROTOUCH Hi-Shine Toothpaste offers a holistic approach to oral health, combining natural ingredients with advanced technology. This unique formulation is designed to whiten teeth, prevent cavities, and freshen breath. Key Features: Toothpaste provides a range of options for your dental care requirements, from the cutting-edge chewable tablets of ToothbitTM to the reliable protection of Colgate Total. There is a toothpaste that is ideal for your smile, regardless of your preferences for long-lasting freshness, a thorough cleaning with natural components, or a potent whitening recipe. This toothpaste exploration looked at a number of choices, emphasising their salient characteristics and advantages. Keep in mind that maintaining a healthy and radiant smile requires regular brushing with the appropriate toothpaste. Therefore, resume your dental hygiene regimen and relish the assurance that comes with having a bright smile and fresh breath. Disclaimer: The above mentioned article is a sponsored feature. This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of IDPL, and IDPL claims no responsibility whatsoever. Stay informed on all the latest news , real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world News on Zee News.

How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Stock market today: Stocks waver in thin trading after US markets reopen following a holiday pause Stocks are wavering on Wall Street as gains in tech companies and retailers help temper losses elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500, Nasdaq composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average were down by less than 0.1% in afternoon trading Thursday. Trading volume is lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened following the Christmas holiday. The Labor Department reported that U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. Treasury yields fell. U.S. markets have historically gotten a boost at year’s end despite lower trading volumes. Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen have targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said the bombardment on Thursday took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military later said it wasn’t aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose. Finland stops Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Finnish police say authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables. It was the latest incident involving disruption of key infrastructure. Police and border guards boarded the Eagle S and took control as they investigate damage to the Estlink-2 undersea power cable. The cable brings electricity from Finland to Estonia across the Baltic Sea. The cable went down on Wednesday. The incident follows damage to two data cables and the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Both have been termed sabotage. Russian ship that sank in the Mediterranean was attacked, owner says MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian operator of a cargo ship that sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria says it has been hit by a series of explosions in an act of sabotage. Oboronlogistica is a state-controlled company that operated the Ursa Major freighter. The company said the vessel was wrecked by three powerful explosions just above the water line in what it described as a “terrorist attack” that caused it to sink on Monday. The company said in a statement carried by Russia’s state RIA Novosti news agency on Thursday that the explosions left a hole in the ship’s starboard and filled the engine room with acrid smoke. That hampered the crew’s attempts to access it. Undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia hit by outage, prompting investigation FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Finland’s prime minister says authorities are investigating an interruption in a power cable under the Baltic Sea between his country and Estonia. Petteri Orpo said on X that power transmission through the Estlink-2 cable suffered an outage Wednesday. Authorities have been on edge about undersea infrastructure in the Baltic after two international data cables were severed in November and the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany were blown up in September 2022. Japan to maximize nuclear power in clean-energy push as electricity demand grows TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese government panel has largely supported a draft energy policy calling for bolstering renewables up to half of Japanese electricity needs by 2040. It also recommends maximizing the use of nuclear power to accommodate the growing demand for power in the era of AI while meeting decarbonization targets. Cabinet is expected to formally approve the plan by March following a period of public consultation. The policy says nuclear energy should account for 20% of Japan’s energy supply in 2040, with renewables expanded to 40-50% and coal-fired power reduced to 30-40%. Working Well: Returning to the office can disrupt life. Here are some tips to navigate the changes NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of workers are facing an unsettling reality heading into 2025. After years of working from the comfort of home, they're being told it’s time to return to the office full-time for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. That can bring a host of challenges, including losing time with family. Workers at Amazon, AT&T and other companies have been called back to the office five days a week. Experts have advice to share about how to navigate the changes when an employer calls you back to the office. Workers can convey what they need, seek flexibility and if all else fails, consider other options. US applications for unemployment benefits hold steady, but continuing claims rise to 3-year high WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. The US Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claim applications ticked down by 1,000 to 219,000 for the week of Dec. 21. That’s fewer than the 223,000 analysts forecast. Continuing claims, the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, climbed by 46,000 to 1.91 million for the week of Dec. 14. That’s more than analysts projected and the most since the week of Nov. 13, 2021. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered representative of U.S. layoffs.The basketball world thrives on comparisons. Fans love to pit players from different eras or even contemporaries against one another, debating endlessly about who would come out on top. Tracy McGrady and Kevin Durant are two of the most gifted scorers the NBA has ever seen, and naturally, the question of who would win in a one-on-one matchup ignites heated conversations. Who would win? T-Mac was a force of nature during his prime. He was an artist with the basketball, combining finesse, power, and a silky-smooth jump shot. A two-time scoring champion and seven-time All-Star, McGrady had stretches of dominance where he was regarded as the best wing player in the league. Then Durant arrived. Tall, lean, and equally adept at scoring from anywhere on the court, KD was hailed as a new version of McGrady, only better. The four-time scoring champion's rookie season hinted at greatness, and as he developed, fans couldn't help but compare his style to T-Mac's. Yet McGrady has never shied away from the conversation. When the topic of a one-on-one matchup between the two arose, McGrady quickly stepped in. "Have you ever seen me shoot over seven-footers? You have your opinion about who you think would win, and all I'm saying is if you're going to put me one-on-one in that box with KD, I was pretty damn good," T-Mac said . Tracy scored 13 points in just 33 seconds to lead the Houston Rockets to a miraculous victory over the San Antonio Spurs. It wasn't just the points; it was how McGrady pulled it off—a deep three-pointer, a steal, another triple, and a game-winning four-point play. That kind of clutch performance under pressure is why he believes he could hold his own against Durant in a one-on-one setting. 15 years ago today, Tracy McGrady dropped 13 points in 33 seconds 😳 Still, one of the greatest individual comebacks in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/dlLEBLUHd1 The debate is tight As with any sports debate, opinions vary widely, and among those who entered the fray for T-Mac vs. KD was JR Smith. Smith dismissed the idea of McGrady beating Durant, flatly saying in a tweet that KD would win and it wouldn't even be close. Prime T-Mac. Prime KD. Game to 11. Who wins? pic.twitter.com/HleM5SzB4p The Orlando Magic icon didn't take kindly to such a definitive dismissal. While he refrained from directly claiming he would beat the Phoenix Suns star, he made it clear the matchup warranted respect. "Nobody will ever know; I mean, you're talking about two guys that can score with the best of them that ever played this game. I think the problem lies when the kid that plays for Cleveland tweeted out, 'Is KD, not even close?' Now you're being disrespectful; I don't know what his problem is," McGrady said. Ultimately, it's about what could have been. While we'll never know the outcome of a one-on-one game between these two icons, the conversation ensures their legacies remain intertwined, sparking the imagination of fans everywhere. Related: Tracy McGrady considers Kevin Durant as the best 1-on-1 scorer: “KD doesn’t need ten dribbles to get his rhythm to rise up”The ruling BJP-NCP-Shiv Sena alliance won 230 of the 288 seats in the November 20 elections. (File) NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday said the Opposition should not lose heart over its rout but go back to the people who do not seem to be enthused by the massive victory of the BJP-led Mahayuti in the Maharashtra elections. The Opposition's priority would be to ensure that all the election promises made by the ruling alliance including increasing the financial assistance to women under the Ladki Bahin scheme from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 are implemented at the earliest, he said. Sharad Pawar said a comparison between votes polled and seats won by political parties in the Maharashtra assembly polls was surprising. "It is true that we have been defeated. We should not fret over it, but go back to the people, as no enthusiasm is visible among the people about the election results. There is a lot of resentment," the senior politician said at a press conference here. The ruling BJP-NCP-Shiv Sena alliance won 230 of the 288 seats in the November 20 elections. The Opposition's strength in the assembly is low but many young Opposition MLAs will show their mettle after a couple of sessions, Sharad Pawar said. To a question on Samajwadi Party's state chief Abu Asim Azmi announcing that his party was pulling out of the Opposition's Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance after the Shiv Sena (UBT) hailed, in a newspaper advertisement, those who demolished the Babri Masjid, Sharad Pawar sought to play down the development. The central leadership of the Akhilesh Yadav-led party was of the firm view that the Opposition's unity is necessary, he said. Opposition parties can not demand that a Leader of Opposition must be appointed as they do not have the required numbers, Sharad Pawar said. None of the Opposition parties, including Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (SP), Congress or Sena (UBT) individually have the minimum 29 MLAs -- ten per cent of the Assembly's strength -- to be eligible to get the post. Sharad Pawar, however, noted that in the 1980s, when his own party was reduced to just six MLAs following defections, he still became the Leader of the Opposition for a year followed by Mrinal Gore and Nihal Ahmed as the Opposition decided to rotate the post. To a question about the row over a wad of Rs 500 notes being found in the Rajya Sabha, Sharad Pawar, himself a member of the Upper House, said there should be a probe as to how the bundle made its way to the seat of an MP (Congress' Abhishek Manu Singhvi) who is an established and renowned lawyer. Sharad Pawar said the comparison between votes polled and seats won by political parties in Maharashtra assembly polls was surprising. "Congress polled 80 lakh votes and won 15 seats while Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena bagged 79 lakh votes and emerged victorious on 57 seats," he said. Ajit Pawar's NCP polled 58 lakh votes and won 41 seats, whereas the NCP (SP) secured 72 lakh votes and won only 10 seats, he said. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that as a senior leader, Sharad Pawar shouldn't mislead the country. "You will come out of this if you accept defeat. I expect you to give your colleagues advice on introspection," he stated on X. D Fadnavis said BJP polled 1,49,13,914 votes and bagged 9 seats in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha elections, whereas Congress polled 96,41,856 votes and bagged 13 seats. Shiv Sena (UBT) got 73,77,674 votes and won 7 seats while NCP (SP) polled 58,51,166 votes and won 8 constituencies, he said. Promoted Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress polled 87,92,237 votes and won only one seat while the undivided NCP secured 83,87,363 votes but won 4 seats, he added. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Video: Tommy DeVito Reacts to Bucs' Baker Mayfield Using Giants QB's CelebrationGet ready to singalong from your sofa: Wicked is set to be released on streaming services next week, signficantly earlier than had been expected. The hit musical starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will be available to buy in the US on Amazon Prime, Apple TV+ and other digital platforms from next Tuesday, December 31. It will become available in the UK a few days later on Friday, January 3. The film will be a premium digital release, set to cost $29.99 in the US and £19.99 in the UK. A physical release on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD is expected to follow on February 4, 2025. Directed by Jon M. Chu , Wicked tells the heartwarming story of two young witches as they navigate their way through university and learn about true friendship. Later known as the Wicked Witch of The West, Elphaba ( Cynthia Erivo ), is a green-hued extraordinary witch who faces many obstacles because of her differentness, and forms an bond with Glinda ( Ariana Grande ), who is the opposite of Elphaba in most ways – popular, loved and blonde. The film features songs from the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, and stars Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Peter Dinklage, Bowen Yang, and Marissa Bode alongside Erivo, Grande and Bailey. With a run time of just under three hours, the 2024 film is just the first part of the whole story, with the second and final instalment, Wicked: For Good , set to hit cinemas on November 21, 2025. Earlier this week, Oscar-nominated Don’t Look Up director Adam McKay said he wouldn’t be surprised to see Wicked banned in America given the country’s current political trajectory. McKay made the bold claim on X/Twitter on Monday (December 23), calling the film “one of the most radical big studio Hollywood movies ever made.” “I know Part 2 swings back to the center a bit,” he said, “but Part 1 is nakedly about radicalization in the face of careerism, fascism, propaganda.” Responding to a surprised commenter who said they hadn’t seen Wicked yet because they thought it looked more like “American fantasy, franchise-wringing and CGI fare,” McKay said: “I think you’ll be shocked. If America keeps going on the track it is I wouldn’t be surprised to see the movie banned in 3-5 years.” He went on to compare Wicked to a handful of 20th-century classics, including The Sound of Music , Citizen Kane , Bridge on the River Kwai and The Searchers , as well as newer fare such as The Hunger Games , which he labeled “incredibly left wing.”

By Nia Williams (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday condemned violence and antisemitism at anti-NATO and pro-Palestinian protests in downtown Montreal on Friday night, where NATO delegates have gathered for the alliance's annual assembly. Around 300 delegates from NATO members and partner states are meeting in Montreal from Nov. 22-25. Local media reported that protesters burned an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, lit smoke bombs and set two vehicles on fire. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd and three people were arrested for assaulting officers and obstructing police work, according to CTV News. Videos and pictures posted to social media showed masked rioters burning flares and battering storefront windows. "What we saw on the streets of Montreal last night was appalling. Acts of antisemitism, intimidation, and violence must be condemned wherever we see them," Trudeau said in a post on social media website X. Montreal police said officers carried out a dispersal operation in the downtown area and that the protest was over by 7 p.m. ET. Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza war started late last year. Israel's 13-month campaign in Gaza has killed more than 44,000 people and displaced nearly all the enclave's population at least once, according to Gaza officials. The war was launched in response to an attack by Hamas-led fighters who killed 1,200 people and captured more than 250 hostages in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has said. (Reporting by Nia Williams in British Columbia; Editing by David Gregorio)

KyKy Tandy, FAU close out Oklahoma State in CharlestonHehe culture's message of ecological harmony: living in symbiosis with nature: Global Times article 12-26-2024 08:08 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: SHENZHEN HMEDIUM INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD The Global Times is proud to present the second installment in its series exploring the global significance of "Hehe" culture. This timeless Chinese concept, deeply rooted in harmony, peace, and unity, provides profound insights into addressing contemporary global challenges. A Rich Cultural Legacy The concept of "Hehe" draws from thousands of years of Chinese philosophy and cultural tradition. The term, with the first "He" embodying harmony, peace, and balance, and the second "He" representing convergence, unity, and cooperation, serves as a guiding principle for personal and collective well-being. The Global Times series investigates how this ancient ideal has sustained China's unity over centuries and its potential relevance for the modern world. This latest feature highlights the intellectual and philosophical origins of "Hehe" culture, tracing its synthesis of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. It examines how these principles promote harmony within societies, between nations, and with the natural world. The article delves into the lives of legendary figures like Hanshan and Shide, the "Two Immortals of Harmony" from the Tang dynasty (618-907), who embodied "Hehe" values through their poetry, acts of kindness, and coexistence with nature. Relevance to Modern Challenges The feature also explores how "Hehe" culture offers timeless guidance for addressing today's challenges, including climate change, international conflicts, and ecological degradation. By emphasizing the interconnectedness of humanity and nature, the philosophy advocates for sustainable living and global cooperation. China's modern initiatives, such as its ecological civilization campaigns, are framed as reflections of this enduring wisdom. The article further draws parallels between "Hehe" culture and other global philosophies. For instance, it compares the ecological harmony of "Hehe" with Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess's concept of "deep ecology," which calls for humanity to transcend narrow anthropocentrism. Similarly, the article connects the harmony emphasized in "Hehe" with principles of Ubuntu from Southern Africa and the Indian ideals of Satya (truth) and Ahimsa (non-violence), highlighting the universal aspiration for peace and coexistence. A Framework for Unity and Collaboration In today's fractured global landscape, the message of "Hehe" culture is more pertinent than ever. The article emphasizes the importance of fostering understanding, mutual respect, and cooperation across cultures and ideologies. Drawing on examples such as recent diplomatic breakthroughs between China and India, the feature illustrates how "Hehe" values can inspire solutions to conflicts and promote a more peaceful, rules-based multilateral system. Readers are invited to access the full article on the Global Times website to delve deeper into these transformative ideas and their implications for modern governance, international relations, and environmental stewardship. The author is former under-secretary-general of the United Nations and former executive director of the UN Environment Programme. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn Read the full Article here: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202412/1325381.shtml Media Contact Company Name: Global Times Contact Person: Wang Wenwen Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=hehe-cultures-message-of-ecological-harmony-living-in-symbiosis-with-nature-global-times-article ] Phone: 13810630137 Country: China Website: https://globaltimes.cn This release was published on openPR.

The decision by special counsel Jack Smith, who had fiercely sought to hold Mr Trump criminally accountable for his efforts to subvert the 2020 election, represented the end of the federal effort against the former president following his election victory this month despite the election-related cases and multiple other unrelated criminal charges against him. The move, announced in court papers, marks the end of the Justice Department’s landmark effort to hold Mr Trump accountable for what prosecutors called a criminal conspiracy to cling to power in the run-up to his supporters’ attack on the US Capitol on January 6 2021. In court papers, prosecutors said the Justice Department’s position “is that the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated”. Mr Smith’s team emphasised that the move to abandon the prosecutions, in federal courts in Washington and Florida, was not a reflection of their view on the merits of the cases but rather a reflection of their commitment to longstanding department policy. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” the prosecutors wrote in Monday’s court filing in the election interference case. The decision was expected after Mr Smith’s team began assessing how to wind down both the 2020 election interference case and the separate classified documents case in the wake of Mr Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. The Justice Department believes Trump can no longer be tried in accordance with longstanding policy that says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted. Mr Trump has cast both cases as politically motivated and has vowed to fire Mr Smith as soon as he takes office in January. The 2020 election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing the Republican as he vied to reclaim the White House. However, it quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Mr Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The US Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Mr Smith’s team filed a lengthy brief in October laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will over voters after he lost to President Joe Biden.None

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Braxton Woodson's breakthrough in the second half of Navy's last game against East Carolina eased many concerns about the team's QB situation.As we near mid-December, it’s natural to reflect on the past year. While there were many major headlines in 2024, such as wars, lower interest rates, the election of a new president and the U.S. market hitting all-time highs, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest news. However, fixating on the short term is not constructive. Instead, it’s worth focusing on practical strategies to consider before the end of the year. Some of the following items may be applicable to you, while others may not be. The key is recognizing the opportunities that exist in this environment so you can make informed financial decisions and stay focused on what is important as you enter 2025. Investing considerations 1. Overall allocation. Does your investment mix of stocks, bonds, alternative investments and cash still make sense based on your goals? If your situation has changed, it may impact your portfolio. Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail. Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail. 2. Rebalancing. Though the S&P 500 is up meaningfully this year, that return has been driven primarily by several large technology stocks. Meaning there are areas of the market, such as REITs , international stocks and investment-grade bonds, that have meaningfully underperformed the S&P 500. Many investors’ asset allocation is probably out of whack, and it may make sense to rebalance your portfolio to ensure your allocation is brought back to its appropriate risk tolerance. 3. Investment policy statement (IPS). One way to stick to a disciplined plan is by developing an IPS. An IPS helps define an investors’ goals, risk tolerance and other considerations to ensure they are on track to achieve their objectives. Most important, it will help investors ignore the noise and the slick salespeople trying to sell them something imprudent. Speaking to your financial adviser today to set up an IPS before the New Year is a great way to start 2025 on the right financial foot. 4. Review your cash position. In today’s world, cash doesn’t need to earn nothing. Money market yields are now paying around 4%-plus. Proactively moving cash from accounts paying 1& to 2% to those paying about 4% is prudent. On the other hand, yields are much lower than they were last year. This may impact how much cash you should have on hand. Considerations for required minimum distributions (RMDs) 5. Don’t forget to take your RMDs from your retirement account. RMDs apply to folks who are 73 and older. If you are subject to RMDs and don’t take them before the end of the year, there will be a penalty. Considerations for charitable giving 6. Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs). Individuals who are 701⁄2 or older can donate all, or a portion, of their RMD directly to charity via a QCD . Regardless of the amount of your RMD for the year, you can give up to $105,000 to charities from your IRA as QCDs. 7. Deduction for cash contributions. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act , the deduction for cash contributions directly to charity, including gifts to a donor-advised fund, increased from 50% of AGI to 60%. The limit will revert to 50% after the sunset of the TCJA at the end of 2025, so donors should consider maximizing their cash gifts today. 8. Donate appreciated stocks. Many investors may have long-held or concentrated stock positions with large imbedded unrealized capital gains. These folks should consider donating these highly appreciated securities directly to charity, which helps avoid capital gains tax that would otherwise need to be paid when selling the security. It also facilitates minimizing a large position, which helps derisk a portfolio. 9. Utilize a donor-advised fund (DAF). A DAF is an account where you can deposit assets for donation to charity over time. The donor gets an immediate tax deduction when making the contribution to the DAF and still has the ability to control how the funds are invested and distributed to charity. A DAF can be extremely useful if you hold a security with no cost basis, a highly appreciated stock or a concentrated position. In all these scenarios, the tax liability can be circumvented by moving that position to a DAF. A DAF may be particularly useful when “ bunching ” your charitable contributions, which involves donating several years’ worth of charitable contributions all at once, which is done for tax planning purposes. Considerations for Roth IRA conversions 10. Roth IRA conversions . A Roth IRA conversion is the process of transferring retirement funds from a traditional IRA, SEP or 401(k) into a Roth account. There is no early withdrawal penalty on this conversion amount. Since a traditional IRA is tax-deferred, while a Roth is tax-exempt, the deferred income taxes due will need to be paid on the converted funds at the time of conversion. This is typically done to avoid a potentially more onerous tax liability later or for estate planning reasons. Considerations for beneficiary designations 11. Beneficiary updates. Retirement accounts and insurance policies have beneficiary designations that pass outside of one’s will. Therefore, even if you did estate planning, it’s important to review your various beneficiary designations to ensure that your money is passing according to your wishes. It is not unheard of for assets to pass to the wrong party, such as an ex-spouse, because beneficiary designations were not updated. Considerations for estate planning 12. Changing family dynamics. If a family member passed away this year, you may want to reach out to your estate planning attorney to review and update your planning/documents such as a will, power of attorney , health care proxy, etc. 13. Aligning your financial plan with your investments. If you update your estate plans or have a trust, make sure that your investment accounts reflect your estate plan (i.e., the trusts should be funded and accounts titled correctly). 14. Take advantage of the high federal unified estate and gift tax exemption. The federal unified estate and gift tax exemption for 2024 is at an all-time high of $13.61 million for individuals and $27.22 million for married couples. It’s going up next year (to $13.99 million for individuals and $27.98 million for married couples). However, while the incoming Trump administration may extend this high exemption amount, they are still scheduled to expire after December 31, 2025. At that point, the amounts are scheduled to revert to the pre-2017 level, which is about half of what they are today. Depending on a family’s assets, it may be a great opportunity for large lifetime gifts to capitalize on the historically high exclusion amount today to remove assets from their estate. Considerations for 529 plan contributions 15. 529 plan contributions. A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged college savings account. It may provide an opportunity for immediate tax savings if you live in one of the 30 or more states offering a full or partial deduction for your contributions to the home-state 529 plan. This is a nice option for using the annual gift tax exclusion, if you haven’t already used it. You can gift up to $18,000 a year tax-free per person in 2024 (in 2025, it’s $19,000). The annual exclusion recycles on January 1, so make sure to use your 2024 gift allowance by then so you don’t lose it. 16. “Superfunding” 529 accounts. In this strategy, you can spread a tax-free gift to a 529 account over five years for gift tax purposes. So, a married couple not making any other gifts to the beneficiary during the five-year period can contribute up to $180,000 in 2024 to a 529 plan for each child and, with the election, not run into gift tax problems. Considerations for tax loss harvesting 17. Tax-loss harvesting is the process of selling securities at a loss to offset a capital gains tax liability. In addition to offsetting any capital gains for the year, the loss can also be used to offset up to $3,000 of your ordinary income. Considerations for company retirement accounts 18. Assess contributions to employer retirement plans. Review how much money you contributed to your 401(k) or 403(b) this year. If you are financially able, it’s worthwhile to max out those accounts every year. In 2024, maximum contribution limits are $23,000 before any company match or $30,500 if you are 50 or older. 19. Plan for next year’s 401(k)/403(b) contribution limits. For 2025, the contribution limit increased to $23,500. Catch-up contributions will remain the same at $7,500 for those 50 and over. Interestingly, in 2025 the IRS will now permit an additional catch-up for employees ages 60 to 63 of $11,250, instead of just $7,500. Don’t forget to make the required tweaks within your plan to ensure you are making the maximum contribution for the upcoming year. 20. Roth IRA vs traditional IRA. It’s important to decide whether to make Roth IRA or traditional IRA contributions. As a rule of thumb, if you think you may have a high-income year, then a traditional IRA makes more sense since you’ll get an immediate tax deduction. However, if you anticipate a low-income year, then a Roth IRA makes sense. In that scenario, you’ll pay a more modest amount in taxes now and not have to pay tax on the withdrawals years later. 21. Review your 401(k)/403(b) investment lineup and current portfolio. Determine if it is sensible to make any investment changes in your plan. This is especially applicable if your firm switched 401(k) providers recently, if you rolled over an old 401(k) or if you are approaching retirement . In any of these scenarios, tweaking your investments may make sense. Considerations for other tax-advantaged accounts 22. Health savings account (HSA). Consider maxing out your HSA , which allows you to save and pay for qualified medical expenses with tax-free dollars. In order to contribute to an HSA, you have to be enrolled in an HSA-eligible health plan. You can only contribute a certain amount to your HSA each year, but all contributions roll over from year to year. In 2024, you can contribute up to $4,150 for yourself, or $8,300 if you have coverage for your family. In 2025, you will be able to contribute up to $4,300 for yourself or $8,550 if you have coverage for your family. 23. Flexible spending account (FSA). FSAs allow you to contribute pre-tax money, up to a certain amount, to an account that can be used to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses or eligible dependent care services, such as childcare. However, FSA funds typically are “use it or lose it,” meaning you generally can’t roll the full amount into the next calendar year. To avoid losing any unspent funds, make a plan to use the money before December 31. Considerations for your budget 24. Sufficient emergency fund. Make sure you have adequate funds in your checking account. Three to six months’ worth of expense money is a good rule of thumb for those who are working. For retirees, this number should be sufficient to mitigate sequence of returns risk , which may require having a year’s worth of cash readily available. 25. Reflect on your expenses and plan ahead for next year . This is especially important for retirees who must evaluate how much cash they will need in the year ahead to ensure they are able to meet their cash flow needs. Since prices on many items skyrocketed this year, it’s imperative to ensure you have adequate cash on hand to meet these expenses. Reviewing the aforementioned strategies with your loved ones and financial adviser can help ensure that your financial house is in order. It will also help lay the groundwork for a financially successful year ahead. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. ParkBridge Wealth Management is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. Investor Disclosures. Related Content Six Year-End Deadlines for Retirees in 2024 Your MAGI in Retirement: Year-End Tax Strategies to Save Money 10 Retirement Moves to Make Before 2025 Six Ways to Optimize Your Charitable Giving Before Year-End New Rules for Retirement Savings Taking Effect in 2025 This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA .

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