calico lucky cat meaning Many consumers stay with their banks for years unless persuaded by other bank incentivesCLEVELAND (AP) — The NFL has closed an investigation into sexual assault allegations against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is ending the season on injured reserve for the second year in a row. The league has been reviewing the case for months , trying to determine whether Watson should be punished. “The matter is closed,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy said Friday in an email to The Associated Press. “There was insufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy.” Watson, who served an 11-game suspension in 2022, was accused of assault in Texas by a woman in September. She was seeking more than $1 million in damages before the sides reached a confidential settlement. Watson strongly denied the allegations through his attorney, Rusty Hardin. The 29-year-old Watson suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture in October. He's been rehabbing the injury in hopes of returning next season. The Browns still owe Watson $46 million in each of the next two seasons after they traded three first-round picks to Houston and signed him to a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract that has backfired. Watson has only played in 19 games over three seasons due to the suspension and injuries. He was acquired by the Browns, who were comfortable with his character despite Watson being accused of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions while he played for the Texans. While he's in the clear with the league, Watson's future with Cleveland isn't so certain. His massive contract — and its salary-cap ramifications — has put the Browns in a bind in terms of trying to improve their roster. Cleveland has had a disappointing season after making the playoffs a year ago and could move on from Watson, but the cost would be exorbitant if the team just releases him. The Browns signed Jameis Winston for one season to be Watson's backup. Winston has gone 2-3 as a starter since taking over and he's put some life into Cleveland's offense, which didn't score 20 points or gain 300 yards with Watson before his injury. His 2023 season was ended by a broken bone in his shoulder, requiring surgery. Winston has indicated he would come back, and he could be a viable option as a starter even if the Browns draft a young QB. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLWASHINGTON D.C., DC — Jimmy Carter, the longest-lived American president died Sunday – more than a year after entering hospice care – at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023, spent most of their lives. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are among the many Americans mourning the loss Sunday. “Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian,” they said in a statement . “He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe. He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together.” Their statement continued to recognize the work Carter did for the country and encouraged "young people" in the country to study Carter and his life if they're in "search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning." Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights and unselfish love,” said Chip Carter, the former president’s son, in a statement . “My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.” President Carter is survived by his children — Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Rosalynn, and one grandchild, according to the Carter Center . “We will miss them both dearly, but take solace knowing they are reunited once again and will remain forever in our hearts,” said Jill and Joe Biden. “To the entire Carter family, we send our gratitude for sharing them with America and the world.” President-elect Donald Trump took to his social media website Truth Social to offer the family his condolences and remember Carter. "The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude," he said. "Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time. We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers." In a statement issued Sunday, former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama said Carter’s beloved Maranatha Baptist Church “will be a little quieter on Sunday's” but added that the late former president “will never be far away — buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels.” Noting the “hundreds of tourists from around the world crammed into the pews” to see the former president teach Sunday school, as he did “for most of his adult life,” the Obamas listed Carter’s accomplishments as president. But they made special note of the Sunday school lessons, saying they were catalysts for people making a pilgrimage to the church. “Many people in that church on Sunday morning were there, at least in part, because of something more fundamental: President Carter’s decency.” Former Vice President Al Gore praised Jimmy Carter for living “a life full of purpose, commitment and kindness” and for being a “lifelong role model for the entire environmental movement.” Carter, who left the White House in 1981 after a landslide defeat to Ronald Reagan. concentrated on conflict resolution, defending democracy and fighting disease in the developing world. Gore, who lost the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush, remains a leading advocate for action to fight climate change. Both won Nobel Peace Prizes. Gore said it is a testament to his "unyielding determination to help build a more just and peaceful world” that Carter is often “remembered equally for the work he did as President as he is for his leadership over the 42 years after he left office.” During Gore’s time in the White House, President Bill Clinton had an uneasy relationship with Carter. Former President Bill Clinton and his wife former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, remember Carter as a man who lived to serve others. “Hillary and I mourn the passing of President Jimmy Carter and give thanks for his long, good life. Guided by his faith, President Carter lived to serve others — until the very end," they said in a statement . The statement recalled Carter's many achievements and priorities, including efforts “to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David." After he left office, the Clinton statement said, Carter continued efforts in "supporting honest elections, advancing peace, combating disease, and promoting democracy; to his and Rosalynn’s devotion and hard work at Habitat for Humanity — he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world,” the statement said. Biden issued an official state funeral to be held in Washington D.C. for James Earl Carter, Jr., 39th President of the United States, 76th Governor of Georgia, Lieutenant of the United States Navy, graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and favorite son of Plains, Georgia, who gave his full life in service to God and country.

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The Latest: Police believe gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO has left New York CityStanford and California meet for the first time as Atlantic Coast Conference rivals when each tries to prove its impressive non-league record is no fluke on Saturday afternoon in Berkeley, Calif. Stanford (7-2) took last year's season series 2-1, but the clubs were so evenly matched -- the Cardinal won 14 games, the Golden Bears 13 -- it took overtime at the final Pacific-12 Conference tournament to determine the rivalry winner. The teams enter their first meeting this season with the same number of losses, but Cal (6-2) has had the edge in strength of schedule. The Golden Bears were invited to play in the SEC/ACC Challenge, in which they squandered a second-half lead en route to a 98-93 loss at Missouri. Cal's only other loss also came on the road at a Southeastern Conference site, an 85-69 setback at Vanderbilt on Nov. 13. Meanwhile, Stanford has played seven of its nine games at home and hasn't left the state of California. The Cardinal were beaten by Grand Canyon at a neutral site on Nov. 26 before getting shocked at home by Cal Poly last Saturday. This Saturday's matchup is the first since Andrej Stojakovic, Stanford's prize recruit last year, transferred to Cal after just one season. The son of former NBA standout Peja Stojakovic leads the Golden Bears in scoring at 18.8 points per game. Andrej Stojakovic has averaged 31.9 minutes per game for Cal after getting just 22.3 per game as a freshman at Stanford a season ago. He said anticipating that type of greater opportunity prompted his move across the San Francisco Bay. "I thought that when I played a large amount of minutes (last season), I performed to what I was expected to do from the staff and the program," he noted. "But just going into Cal and having a more consistent role and having the confidence instilled from the staff has been huge so far." Stanford returned just one of its top seven scorers from last season, but that was center Maxime Raynaud. The preseason All-ACC selection is averaging 22.3 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, with double-doubles in eight of nine outings. He had two double-doubles and a pair of 20-point games against Cal last season. Duke transfer Jaylen Blakes offered a unique perspective on his first Stanford-Cal experience. "Every ACC game is going to be a challenge," he claimed. "(Cal is) a rivalry game, but we are just trying to get a win." --Field Level Media

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In a world beginning to more openly embrace the power of mental health awareness , coping strategies and tools for resilience and fight against the invisible disease of the mind, arguably no community needs it more than the Palestinian refugees packed into support sites in Lebanon. Azima, translating into ‘grit’ in Arabic, is a newly formed project teamed by expert, volunteer psychologists such as Nina Lyytinen, who form the action group the ‘Psychologists for Social Responsibility’ or the ‘PSV’. These peace psychologists strive for connecting communities to their wellbeing and ensuring the betterment of mental resilience and determination during testing times. Project to get underway at the start of January Lyytinen and her colleagues will travel regularly to Lebanon starting January 1st, offering specific training courses to local family centre workers and community hub managers, so that refugees can be able to benefit from better access to organised strategies and methods for managing stress during crises. This project has cost the finland ministry of foreign affairs over half a million euros, with great promise already shown by the volunteers. Most Read on Euro Weekly News Richard Gere on living in Spain: A love story with no complaints Honda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi to merge Mega Millions winner bags $1.22 billion Joining Lyytinen are eleven other dedicated members of the team, who will carry out intensive work across the refugee camps scattered throughout Lebanon, over the course of four years. She feels 2025 will be a catalytic year in the process: “Palestinians have faced decades of challenges, but the need for psychological expertise is more critical now than ever. It is an honour to bring Finnish know-how to those who need it most”. The internal struggle as external drama continues to erupt As the endless volatility and unpredictable chaos ensues across Palestine, Israel and parts of the Middle East , troubled members of precious communities are in conflict with their own minds. Stress, uncertainty and panic flood the subconscious of many innocent people, men, women and children as they aim to make do with their new living environment in Lebanon, a world away from their normal lives. This trauma cuts deep, and it is imperative refugees are justly equipped with rightful tools to be able to work through the pain. We must strive to make a difference where we can Anu Castaneda, a psychology scholar and renowned expert in the social science realm in Finland, stressed that an urgency of action is key: “The situation for Palestinians is so dire that the world cannot just look away. Everyone can contribute to making a difference”. In this world of interconnectivity, we must ensure we are consuming the right information, but also spreading positive messages, helping communities such as the refugees of Lebanon get the support they need.

It’s lights, camera, action again in Duncan, where moviegoers no longer have to leave the city to see a film on the big screen with the reopening of the only local theatre . The former Caprice Theatre, which was around for decades, is back with the new name Duncan Cinemas. Located at 404 Duncan St., it features two auditoriums. Under new management, the theatre reopened earlier this month on Dec. 20 — nearly a year after the Caprice closed on Dec. 30, 2023, to the dismay of locals. “It does honestly make me kind of sad because it’s the only local theatre around here. Otherwise, you’ve got to go to Nanaimo or Victoria,” said Cal Elliott, a former Caprice customer, in a previous interview with CHEK News last year. The facility first opened in the early 1980s, according to Cinema Treasures, with seating for around 660 people in the two auditoriums combined. It was back in January of this year when DJRD Entertainment Limited, the owners of the Caprice, shared plans to “re-introduce the (theatre) ... to the Cowichan Valley community.” Previous tenant Moby Amarsi, who operated the theatre for about 10 years, suggested inflation and rent hikes were to blame for the closure, but DJRD said the latter was untrue. The company said rent was unchanged since 2019. Amarsi told CHEK News fading to black was a difficult decision. It came as movie theatres continue to “(battle) against the rise of online streaming services,” with more people opting to stay home, according to Ivy Business School . Theatres also lost revenue amid the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘Couldn’t be happier’ Now, the popcorn is popping at Duncan Cinemas, with Golin Cinemas Inc. taking over. This company also manages Capital 6 and The Roxy in Victoria. People took to social media to share their excitement, saying the Cowichan facility was recently refurbished with new seating and upgraded projection and sound . “The new Duncan Cinemas is stunning! The current owners renovated the theatre spaces with fresh carpet, reclining faux leather seats, and a sparkly clean black tile floor. It’s our family tradition to see a show over the holidays, and we couldn’t be happier,” wrote Stephanie Brown in a recent social media post. “The staff, the seats, the shiny floor, the treats, the joy of having a special, cool, independent theatre in our town. Thank you Duncan Cinemas – we love you!” added Jordan Kawchuk in another Facebook post, which got more than 1,000 ‘likes.’ Currently screening at Duncan Cinemas are Mufasa: The Lion King and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 — two family films dominating the holiday box office in Canada and the U.S. Find showtimes here . READ ALSO:Amen Thompson and Tyler Herro sparked a fight that led to six ejections in the final seconds of the Miami Heat's 104-100 win over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night. With about 30 seconds left at the Toyota Center, Herro and Thompson were jostling for position ahead of an inbounds pass when things suddenly erupted. Thompson then suddenly got into Herro's face and grabbed him by the collar before he ripped him down to the floor. Instantly, Thompson and Herro were swarmed by both teams onto the pile as chaos ensued. It took several assistant coaches, staff members and even arena security to diffuse the situation. Herro was seen clapping at Thompson as they were both being held back. AMEN THOMPSON AND TYLER HERRO GET IN LATE-GAME SCUFFLE 😱 (via FanDuel Sports Network) — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) That naturally led to a slew of ejections, including Thompson, Jalen Green, Houston head coach Ime Udoka and assistant Ben Sullivan. Terry Rozier and Herro were both ejected for the Heat. It's unclear what sparked the incident specifically. Fred VanVleet was ejected on the previous play in an unrelated incident. "I guess that’s what happens when someone is scoring, throwing dimes, doing the whole thing,” Herro said, . “I’d get mad, too.” Despite the chaotic final sequence, the Heat held on down the stretch to grab a four-point win. Herro had a team high 27 points and nine assists for Miami, which improved to 16-14 with the victory. Nikola Jović added 18 points off the bench, and Haywood Highsmith finished with 15 points and eight rebounds. Dillon Brooks led the Rockets with 22 points in the loss. Alperen Şengün finished with 18 points and 18 rebounds, and Green had 19 points before he was ejected. Thompson had just five points off the bench. The loss was the second straight for Houston, which dropped to 21-11 on the year. Thompson has averaged 12.2 points and 7.2 rebounds largely off the bench this season, his second in the league. The Rockets selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in 2023. While everybody involved with Sunday night's fracas is sure to get hit with a penalty from the league in the coming days as a result, whether that's a fine or a multi-game suspension, Thompson's is sure to be the worst.