Former President Jimmy Carter, left, and his wife Rosalynn celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary with a private reception for more than 300 invited guests at Plains High School in Plains, Georgia, on July 10, 2021. As a nation mourns its 39th president, we asked biographers, political scientists, journalists and others: What’s the first image that comes to mind when you reflect on the remarkable life of Jimmy Carter? SHEILA SIMON, Illinois’ 46th lieutenant governor (2011-15), daughter of late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon “I think of Jimmy Carter as the champion of former presidents. I admire much of what he did as president, but I admire even more how he has used his time after the presidency. Even if you measured just by the books he wrote, he would be pretty amazing. But combine that with building houses and monitoring elections — no former president compares. “That gets me to more personal and family connections with former President Carter. My parents got to be a part of a Carter Center team that observed elections in Liberia. My folks were amazed at how long people were willing to stand in line in order to vote. My folks also were impressed by former President Carter, who led the trip, and brought both attention and a sense of fairness to the election just by being there. “Finally I think of the time when Mr. Carter was president, my dad was in Congress and I was in high school. Our family got to go to a party on the White House lawn with all of the members and their families. There was lots of food, and they had set up a volleyball net on the White House lawn. I thought it was cool. “A Washington Post reporter asked me how I liked the party and I told him it was like parties my folks hosted, only bigger. My parents got a good laugh out of that. “All credit to President Carter and the people around him, who created a White House event that was not intimidating but made a girl from southern Illinois feel at home.” JULIAN ZELIZER, author, ‘Jimmy Carter’ “The first image is Jimmy Carter stepping out of the car during the inauguration parade and walking down the street with his wife. “It embodied the message of his campaign and his understanding of how shaken Americans had become with the institution of the presidency.” Jimmy Carter consoles a young patient having a Guinea worm removed from her body in Savelugu, Ghana, in February 2007. The Carter Center led the international campaign to eradicate Guinea worm disease. JONATHAN ALTER, author, ‘His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life’ “Many people associate President Carter first and foremost with Habitat for Humanity. I don't. "In the five years I spent working on ‘His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life,’ I learned that Habitat was not the centerpiece of his post-presidency. He was chair of the board for a time and he and Rosalynn Carter devoted a week each year to building a house somewhere in the world, which helped put Habitat on the map and grow in the decades that followed. "But his main activity was the Carter Center, the organization he founded to advance peace, global health and democracy. I also rejected the easy shorthand — weak president; saintly ex-president. The truth was more complicated: His far-sighted presidency was greatly underrated, for reasons I explain in my biography, and his post-presidency — while hugely inspiring and full of accomplishments — a tad overrated, in part because ex-presidents have a lot less power than presidents to change lives. “Having said that, the memory of him that I will cherish most comes not from one of my many interviews but from working side by side with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter on a Habitat build in Memphis in 2016. “When we walked onto the work site in the morning, a Habitat official asked President Carter if he would like to be the foreman. He declined but immediately took charge, as if he was the captain of a submarine. He left the Navy before he had the chance for that. “At one point, he came over to me and showed me how to hammer better. At 92, he could still drive a nine-inch nail into a piece of lumber in just a few quick strokes. Then he moved to the band saw, which he operated like a pro. I could see how he built so much beautiful furniture.” Rest now President Jimmy Carter. ...sorry we let you down one final time. 😞 pic.twitter.com/bH8FaSSSaY DAN BALZ, former Daily Illini editor; Washington Post’s chief correspondent “Three images: A presidential candidate carrying his own luggage as he trooped through the primary states, a president wearing a sweater imploring Americans to conserve energy and a former president with a hammer in his hand building houses for Habitat.” Former president Jimmy Carter, 94, opens his Bible to begin the lesson as he returns to Maranatha Baptist Church to teach Sunday School less than a month after falling and breaking his hip on Sunday, June 9, 2019, in Plains, Ga. AMBER ROESSNER, author, ‘Jimmy Carter and the Birth of the Marathon Media Campaign’ “I had the opportunity to interview former President Jimmy Carter in October 2014 in his office at the Carter Center in Atlanta. When I walked through his office door, he was hunched over with his back turned away from me, and as he turned toward me, his piercing blue eyes, the ones journalists commented on during his campaign and presidency, instantly appraised me. "Carter tried to calm my nerves by sharing that he had thoroughly enjoyed my first book, 'Inventing Baseball Heroes,' and had often traveled through my hometown of Winder, Georgia. "In the end, I believe that my time with former President Carter offered insights into his character — he was a kind man, generous with his time, deeply committed to personal connections and relationships, and in this particular case, eager to set the record straight about his relationship with the press. “In my book, I offer insight into a scene that, I think, offers insight into Carter at the pinnacle of his political success as he ‘traveled an unexpected route, much as he had in the primaries, walking amongst the people, through rows of standing delegates, before he mounted the national stage.’ “As he waited for the jubilation to cease, he took a swig of water, smiled his famous 1,000-watt smile and greeted his national audience as he had greeted countless individuals along the trail: ‘My name is Jimmy Carter, and I’m running for president.’ “Later that night, when he accepted the Democratic nomination in New York’s Madison Square Garden in July of 1976, the party redeemer invoked the multitudes: ‘I have spoken many times of love, but love must be aggressively translated into simple justice.’ “And for the remainder of his life, he attempted to do just that — first as president and then in his post-presidency, fighting disease, hunger, poverty, conflict and oppression from the Carter Center and in his spare time building houses for the poor, even in the final years of his life.” Former President Jimmy Carter, right, and first lady Rosalynn Carter wave to a beauty queen during the Peanut Festival on Sept. 26, 2015, in Plains, Ga. WOLF BLITZER, CNN anchor “When I think of President Carter, a lot goes through my mind since I covered his administration and all its ups and downs. What really stands out to me is the truly historic 1978 Camp David Peace Accords. He invited Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin to the presidential retreat in Maryland. “At the time, Egypt and Israel were at war. Carter had the vision to bring these leaders together and, over the course of 13 very tough and intense days, he persuaded them to make peace. “After covering the negotiations at Camp David, I drove to the White House to watch Sadat and Begin — welcomed by Carter — sign the peace agreement that officially ended the state of war between the two countries. They agreed to establish full diplomatic relations, including an Egyptian embassy in Israel and an Israeli embassy in Egypt. “For Israel, this was an enormous breakthrough since Egypt was always the largest potential military threat facing the country. And it was also so important for Egypt since Israel withdrew from all of Sinai, including the Israeli settlements that had been established there. “What’s also so impressive is that the 1978 peace agreement remains in effect all these years later. President Carter deserves an enormous amount of credit for having the guts to make this happen. I believe it was the high point of his presidency.” Former president Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter on the sidelines as the Atlanta Falcons play host to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept 30, 2018. BRIAN GAINES, UI’s Honorable W. Russell Arrington Professor in State Politics “Jimmy Carter calls to my mind not one, but two distinct images: an overwhelmed and miserable president, reporting bad news, and a relaxed ex-president quietly helping others. “I was an Air Force brat, attending school on base at NATO’s military headquarters in Belgium in 1979 and 1980. A school assignment was to keep a daily diary of the Iranian hostage crisis, and Carter’s announcement of the horribly botched rescue attempt in the spring of 1980 stands out as my memory of his four years struggling with one of the world’s hardest jobs. “But after he left office, for more than 40 years, he defined for himself the job of ex-president, and I also easily picture an older Carter looking happy on a Habitat for Humanity worksite, not merely plugging for donations, but wearing a hard hat and getting his hands dirty.” RANDALL BALMER, author, ‘Redeemer: The Life of Jimmy Carter’ “In the course of writing ‘Redeemer,’ I concluded that the only person Jimmy Carter fully trusted was his wife, Rosalynn, and this was especially true following the deaths of advisers such as Hamilton Jordan and Jody Powell. “In the course of one of our conversations, I brought up his decision to run for the Georgia state senate in 1962. On the morning of his 38th birthday, Carter woke up and put on his dress clothes, then informed Rosalynn that he was headed down to the county courthouse to file papers for his run for public office. “As he recounted the scene, he shook his head and smiled sheepishly, as though disbelieving his own story. ‘I can’t believe that I didn’t consult Rosalynn beforehand,’ he said. ‘I’d never do that today.’ “Rosalynn, of course, became his most trusted adviser. “Following our conversation that morning, he wanted to give me a copy of his devotional book, ‘Through the Year with Jimmy Carter.’ I followed his Secret Service entourage to the Carter home. Jimmy Carter disappeared inside the house while I chatted with Rosalynn. “After awhile, he reappeared, clutching a copy of the book. ‘I couldn’t find a new copy,’ Carter said as he handed me the book, so he had cadged Rosalynn’s copy from the nightstand. ‘I figured I could get you another book,’ he said with a tentative smile as he glanced in her direction. ‘You’re on page 70.’ “Rosalynn’s bookmark was still in my copy of ‘Through the Year with Jimmy Carter’ — on page 70, the meditation entitled ‘Patience in Love.’” Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 https://t.co/LhyY4m6AVX pic.twitter.com/eHTPRaPLrP ROBERT LIEBERMAN, Johns Hopkins political scientist considers Carter ‘the greatest ex-president in American history’ “For me, the most vivid images of Carter’s life are the pictures of him with Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat through the process of negotiating and signing the Camp David Accords, culminating in the famous three-way handshake photo at the signing of the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt in 1979. “Although Carter’s presidency was on the whole a bit rocky and not altogether successful, the Camp David agreements were a historic accomplishment that is now almost forgotten and a real credit to Carter’s vision and diplomatic skill. “Personally, I was in middle school at the time, and seeing that peace was possible between Israel and its neighbors was a formative experience for me.” BROOKS FLIPPEN, author, ‘Jimmy Carter: The Politics of Family, and the Rise of the Religious Right’ “In a day and age when professing religion is often nothing more than a tool for politicians, Jimmy Carter’s ‘born again’ faith was genuine. “It defined his life, giving hope to many evangelicals who abhorred the libertine 1960s and voted for him in 1976. Once in office, however, it quickly became apparent that on issues such as feminism, abortion and gay rights, Carter maintained the denomination’s traditional emphasis on the separation of church and state and its focus on individual conversion. “Sensing the need for a more doctrinaire and politically active religion opposed to such freedoms, many evangelicals turned on Carter and welcomed the Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980. Reagan’s landslide victory that year was due in part to religious voters disaffected by Carter’s stance. “It was the beginning of a new Religious Right aligned with the Republican Party. Jimmy Carter was in this way pivotal in the formation of a political culture that remains to this day.”HOUSTON (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 27 points before being one of six people ejected after a fight in the final minute of the Miami Heat’s 104-100 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night. Herro was thrown to the ground by the Rockets’ Amen Thompson with 35 seconds left and the Heat leading 99-94. Players and coaches from both benches then came onto the court. Both players were thrown out along with Rockets guard Jalen Green, coach Ime Udoka and assistant coach Ben Sullivan. Terry Rozier was also ejected for Miami. Houston led 92-85 after Fred VanVleet’s layup with 8:10 to play, but the Rockets missed their next 11 shots, allowing Miami to tie the game when Herro found Haywood Highsmith for a 3-pointer with 4:47 to play. Herro’s jumper with 1:56 to play put the Heat on top for good. MAGIC 102, NETS 101 ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Cole Anthony drove for a layup with 0.2 seconds left to complete Orlando's 17-point fourth-quarter comeback in a win over Brooklyn. Cam Thomas missed a jumper from the corner at the final horn. Anthony scored 10, and Tristan da Silva scored 13 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter for Orlando, which was down 71-51 midway through the third quarter. Goga Bitadze added 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. The Magic’s comeback was their second in eight days after Orlando rallied from 25 points down to beat Miami 121-114 on Dec. 21. Thomas came off the bench with 25 points to lead the Nets in his first game since Nov. 25. Jalen Wilson added 16 points including two free throws with 6.2 seconds left. Thomas, Brooklyn’s leading scorer with 24.7 points per game, played 25 minutes after missing 13 games with a strained left hamstring. PACERS 123, CELTICS 114 BOSTON (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton scored 31 points and Indiana rebounded from a 37-point loss to Boston two nights earlier by winning the rematch. Andrew Nembhard, who returned after missing Friday’s game with tendinitis in his left knee, added 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Pacers. Pascal Siakam chipped in with 17 points and Bennedict Mathurin had 14. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 31 points and six assists. Jayson Tatum had 22 points, nine boards and six assists. Payton Pritchard added 21 points and Derrick White scored 17. The Celtics lost their sixth game at home already this season. Last season, they went 37-4 at TD Garden during the regular season and 9-2 in the playoffs en route to the NBA championship. HAWKS 136, RAPTORS 107 TORONTO (AP) — Trae Young had 34 points and 10 assists, De’Andre Hunter scored 22 points and Atlanta routed Toronto for their fourth straight win. Clint Capela had 11 points and 13 rebounds as the Hawks opened a six-game trip by handing the reeling Raptors their 10th consecutive loss. Scottie Barnes scored 19 points and RJ Barrett had 17, but the Raptors fell behind by more than 30 points and allowed more than 130 for the second straight game. Toronto gave up a franchise-worst 155 points in Thursday’s loss at Memphis. Young shot 7 for 13 from 3-point range, singlehandedly making as many shots from distance than the entire Raptors team, who combined to go 7 for 24. Toronto’s Bruce Brown made his season debut after sitting out the first 31 games recovering from right knee surgery. Brown soared for a one-handed dunk for his first points shortly after entering the game in the first quarter. He finished with 12 points in 19 minutes. THUNDER 130, GRIZZLIES 106 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points and Oklahoma City won their 11th straight game, beating short-handed Memphis in a matchup of Western Conference leaders that turned lopsided before halftime. Rookie Ajay Mitchell scored 17 points, Aaron Wiggins contributed 16 and Jalen Williams added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder (26-5), who opened a five-game lead over second-place Memphis. Gilgeous-Alexander made 14 of 19 shots to go along with seven assists, six rebounds and a team-high four blocks. He sat most of the fourth quarter. Oklahoma City blocked nine shots, including three by center Isaiah Hartenstein. The Thunder led 76-50 at halftime behind 23 points from Gilgeous-Alexander and 12 each from Mitchell and Kenrich Williams, who combined to go 5 for 7 on 3-point shots. Oklahoma City outscored the Grizzlies 42-19 in the second quarter to take control. Desmond Bane had 22 points and nine rebounds for Memphis (22-11), which played without star Ja Morant (shoulder) and Zach Edey, the team’s No. 9 overall draft pick, who was in concussion protocol. Jay Huff added 17 points but Jaren Jackson Jr., the team’s leading scorer at 21.9 points per game, managed 13 points on 3-of-17 shooting. TIMBERWOLVES 112, SPURS 110 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Donte DiVincenzo scored 26 points as Minnesota defeated San Antonio. Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Timberwolves, won won their third straight. Julius Randle had 16 points, while Jaden McDaniels added 12 points and 10 boards for Minnesota. Anthony Edwards, who earlier in the day was fined $100,000 for continued use of profanity in postgame media comments, was held to 14 points, 11 below his season average. After DiVincenzo made one of two free throws with 12.1 seconds left, the Spurs had one more possession down 112-110. San Antonio found a wide-open Jeremy Sochan for 3, but he came up short. Wembanyama led San Antonio with 34 points and eight rebounds. Harrison Barnes had 24 points, Devin Vassell had 22 and Chris Paul dished out 14 assists.fortune of ox in 2024 。

Trump's Republican Party is increasingly winning union voters. It's a shift seen in his labor pickHedge fund manager Scott Bessent is a credible, safe choice for US Treasury secretary -- and one that is likely positive for markets -- observers said Saturday following President-elect Donald Trump's highly anticipated nomination. His selection came after competition for the top economic job spilled into the open last weekend, with the world's richest man Elon Musk throwing his support instead behind Trump's transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick. Lutnick has since been named commerce secretary to lead Trump's tariff and trade agenda, and Bessent's nomination days later appears to be uncontroversial for now. "Scott Bessent is a credible, mainstream pick for Treasury Secretary," said Jason Furman, a professor at Harvard University and former top White House economic adviser. "I could see previous administrations as having chosen him," Furman, a former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, told AFP. But a key difference is that Bessent, 62, has had to adopt and defend views on topics like tariffs, in a way "he never would have in pursuit of the job for a previous Republican administration." Tariffs are a key part of Trump's economic agenda, with the Republican president-elect vowing sweeping duties on allies and adversaries alike. In an opinion piece published earlier this month on Fox News, Bessent defended the potential use of tariffs as a means to raise revenue for the government, protect strategic US industries and negotiate with trading partners. He would be one of the first openly gay Cabinet officials if confirmed by the Senate, and the first at the helm of the Treasury Department. Jens Nordvig, chief executive of data and analytics firm Exante Data who has worked with Bessent, drew a contrast between his demeanor and that of other Trump supporters. While some Trump allies have a tendency towards "general sweeping statements," Bessent is an "analytical thinker, and he communicates accordingly," Nordvig told AFP. He counts Bessent among his early clients. "I would expect his messaging to be very focused, to get his key points across, without any unnecessary flamboyance or gusto," Nordvig added of the Wall Street veteran. Calling Bessent a "safe choice," Brookings senior fellow in economic studies David Wessel told AFP: "He will be an adult in the room for the Trump administration." Besides Bessent, others seen as top contenders for Treasury chief in recent days included former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh, Apollo Global Management chief executive Marc Rowan, and Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty. It remains to be seen if Bessent will be a big influence "moderating some of the administration's more aggressive trade policy" or simply be a spokesman, Wessel said. He does not have much experience in dealing with Congress either, and this would be important next year as the Trump administration works to raise the debt ceiling and effort a tax bill to deliver on his economic promises. Bessent would also have to grapple with the country's debt burden, with debt borrowed at much lower interest rates previously and Trump's plans estimated to add trillions over time. In an open letter published Saturday, Nordvig called for "thoughtful leadership" at the Treasury, saying a realistic approach to tax cuts and bond issuance was needed. He also sounded a hopeful note, saying Bessent would work to reduce extreme risks for markets. Krishna Guha, vice chairman of Evercore ISI, believes Bessent's nomination "will be well received by financial markets," given his deep understanding of markets and macro conditions. Guha also warned of the risk of bond yields spiking and "pushing up mortgage rates and tanking the housing market, while also causing stocks to sell off." In his past administration, Trump has viewed the stock market as a gauge of his success. bys/mdNone

Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’

India News | Rs 1200 Cr Bank Fraud Case: Court Issues NBW Against Three Accused in Money Laundering CaseA man accused of stealing military weaponry will face court over the alleged theft of a missile launcher and firearm parts. or signup to continue reading Police searched the home of the 55-year-old from South Plympton, a suburb southwest of CBD, on December 28 after receiving a tip that stolen weapons were stashed in his house. A decommissioned missile launcher and an empty dual carrier for missiles were allegedly found at the Jervois Street home. A "large amount of firearms" including rifle barrels, magazines, firing pins and trigger assemblies were also seized, investigators said. A number of and a military backpack were found with the weapons, police said. The seized items were allegedly stolen from another house in South Plympton. The 55-year-old man has been charged with serious criminal trespass and theft along with a number of other offences. He was refused bail to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on December 30. Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement

Hail Flutie: BC celebrates 40th anniversary of Miracle in MiamiFormer president Jimmy Carter died Sunday at the age of 100. A common misconception is that Ronald Reagan freed the American hostages in Iran, but Carter's administration negotiated their release, which occurred after Reagan's inauguration. Contrary to the belief that Carter was an unabashed liberal, he was a moderate politician with policies that often defied easy labels. Exaggeration, misinformation and myth have always infected politics – even before social media took it to the extreme. Misconceptions take especially strong hold where U.S. presidents are concerned: sometimes to their advantage, sometimes not. Some claims relate to policy, others to their biographies and personal traits. That George Washington story about the cherry tree? Apocryphal. And his teeth weren’t actually made of wood. (At least some of his "false teeth" were taken from the mouths of enslaved persons.) There’s no evidence that William Howard Taft ever got stuck in a bathtub. (He was the heaviest president on record, though, at more than 300 pounds.) RELATED: Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States, dies at 100 James Monroe wasn’t the principal force behind the Monroe Doctrine. (That would be his secretary of state and future president John Quincy Adams.) And Richard Nixon wasn’t actually impeached. (He resigned before the full House could vote on the matter.) As the world mourns the death of former President Jimmy Carter , misconceptions about his life are coming into focus as well. Most are rooted in some truth but need more context: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in the Middle East in 1979 (Credit: The Carter Center) MISCONCEPTION: Ronald Reagan freed the American hostages in Iran. MORE ACCURATE: Carter and his administration negotiated their release, but Tehran wouldn’t free them until after Reagan’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 1981. THE DETAILS: Iranian revolutionaries stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on Nov. 4, 1979. They would hold 52 U.S. citizens for 444 days. From the outset, Carter resolved not to start a shooting war in response. He authorized a rescue mission in the spring of 1980, but mechanical problems forced the helicopter operation to abort and one crashed, killing eight servicemen. RELATED: Jimmy Carter dies at 100: Georgia leaders react to death of former president Carter, a Democrat, continued diplomatic efforts but suffered politically amid intense news coverage of the crisis. He lost in a Nov. 4 landslide to the Republican Reagan. A final round of negotiations began in Algeria after. The U.S. delegation was led by Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher. Iran and the U.S. finalized terms for the hostages’ release on Carter’s final full day in office, Jan. 19, 1981, and Carter remained in the Oval Office the next morning, Inauguration Day, seeing through details. They were released shortly after Reagan was sworn in. Reagan then sent Carter to West Germany to greet the freed Americans. MISCONCEPTION: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter founded Habitat for Humanity. MORE ACCURATE: The Carters were Habitat’s most famous endorsers and volunteers. But the organization was established by wealthy businessman Millard Fuller and his wife, Linda, as an outgrowth of a Georgia commune where they spent time in the 1960s. THE DETAILS: Habitat grew out of the housing ministry of Koinonia Farm, a multiracial commune in Carter’s home county that was ostracized in the days of Jim Crow segregation. In 1965, Fuller came to the farm for what he’d later describe as spiritual renewal. Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, observe the 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections (The Carter Center) Carter biographer Jonathan Alter details that Martin Luther King Jr. befriended Koinonia’s white founder, Clarence Jordan, during the civil rights movement. But the non-profit organization was accused in Georgia courts of being a communist front, and King’s inner circle considered it radical. Jordan was beaten on the streets of Americus, a short distance from Plains. Against this backdrop, Alter writes, Jimmy Carter kept his distance. Jordan’s nephew, Hamilton Jordan, would become Carter’s White House chief of staff. Alter records the younger Jordan, who died in 2008, saying his uncle viewed Carter as "just a politician." Koinonia’s local housing programs were formalized as the "Fund for Humanity" in the late 1960s. Carter was running for governor then. The Fullers established Habitat for Humanity in 1976, the year Carter won the presidency. The Carters’ first volunteer Habitat build was in New York City in 1984. That became the annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, which would eventually build, renovate or repair 4,400 homes in 14 countries. The Carters worked alongside more than 104,000 volunteers, by The Carter Center’s count. MISCONEPTION: Jimmy Carter was an unabashed liberal. MORE ACCURATE: Carter was a moderate politician, campaigned deliberately and, once in office, pursued policies that don’t fit easily under one label. THE DETAILS: Carter sought the presidency in 1976 as an outsider in a party largely controlled in Washington by New Deal liberals and Kennedy loyalists. Carter was a "Southern Democrat" who never gelled with Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, who challenged him in a damaging 1980 primary. Carter had described himself in Georgia as both "conservative" and "progressive," depending on the issue, the audience and the campaign. Sometimes he even used those words together. Jimmy Carter attends the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony in 2002 (The Carter Center) He was a good-government policy wonk who spent considerable political capital reorganizing government in Atlanta and then Washington. He pushed windfall taxes on big oil (unsuccessfully) but frustrated fellow Democrats on spending priorities and added little to the national debt compared to all his successors (less than $300 billion in four years). The deregulatory era often associated with Reagan actually began with Carter loosening regulations on airlines, trains and trucking. Carter advocated for a national health program but his top health care bill failed because it didn’t go far enough for party liberals, including Kennedy. Carter grew more openly progressive as a former president, voting for Bernie Sanders in the 2016 presidential primaries. But he also warned his party ahead of 2020 not to move too far left if they hoped to defeat then-President Donald Trump. MISCONCEPTION: Jimmy Carter was married to "RAHZ-lyn," and he was there when she was born. MORE ACCURATE: It’s "ROSE-lyn," and he met her as a newborn – but not immediately. THE DETAILS: Eleanor Rosalynn (again, "ROSE-lyn") Smith was born in Plains on Aug. 18, 1927. The nurse who delivered her was Lillian Carter, the future president’s mother. But Jimmy Carter, who was born Oct. 1, 1924, was back on the family farm in nearby Archery, outside Plains. "Miss Lillian" brought her her son back to the Smiths’ house a few days later to see baby Rosalynn, who died in November 2023. As for the pronunciation, remember the flower. The former president’s affectionate name for her might help, too. He often called her "Rosie."

Letter | Funding: Don’t reduce people to ‘data points’U.S. Minority Business Development Agency Celebrates Capital Readiness Program Successes with ...

Asia stocks mostly fell in thin holiday trade on Monday after tech losses killed off the traditional year-end lift on Wall Street at the end of last week. The “Santa Claus rally” got off to a good start but US stocks then fell across the board on Friday, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq both dropping more than one percent. Tech stocks led the way, with Elon Musk’s electric car giant Tesla closing around five percent lower and AI chipmaker Nvidia shedding around two percent. Weighing on investor sentiment were worries about the pace of US interest rate cuts and possible higher import tariffs under incoming US president Donald Trump. “As US stock markets concluded with a downturn on Friday, Asia-Pacific markets are bracing for a slippery penultimate trading day of 2024,” said Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management. “With US (bond) yields climbing and liquidity essentially non-existent, there’s always the potential for outsized moves. This comes during a critical phase of year-end rebalancing, intensified by hefty equity positions across portfolios,” Innes said in a note. In Tokyo, the Nikkei was down 0.75 percent at 40,020.00 points on the last day of trading until January 6. The yen was little changed after hitting 158.08 against the dollar on Thursday, the lowest in almost six months. That came after Bank of Japan governor Kazuo Ueda failed to give a clear signal on a possible interest rate increase next month. In Seoul, Jeju Air shares tumbled more than eight percent after one of its planes crashed in South Korea on Sunday, killing all but two of the 181 people on board. South Korea’s transport ministry said on Monday it was “reviewing plans to conduct a special inspection on (Boeing) B737-800 aircraft” after the crash. South Korea was also hit with further political turmoil, with authorities issuing an arrest warrant for suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon briefly imposed martial law this month and was then impeachment by parliament. Lawmakers also impeached his acting successor Han Duck-soo last week. Chinese stocks also opened lower on Monday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 0.09 percent at 3,397.12. China’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for manufacturing was due on Tuesday. The reading was expected to stay at 50.3, above the 50 line dividing expansion and contraction, according to Bloomberg. – Key figures around 0300 GMT – Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.75 percent at 40,020.00 points Hong Kong – Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.40 percent at 20,001.00 Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 3,397.12 Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0423 from $1.0429 on Friday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2577 from $1.2579 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 157.82 yen from 157.89 yen Euro/pound: UP at 82.88 pence from 82.87 pence West Texas Intermediate: UP at $70.63 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: UP at $74.23 per barrel With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.None

Rare golden eagle found dead after a wind turbine tore off its wing, vet experts say - in first recorded incident of its kindIndia News | Rs 1200 Cr Bank Fraud Case: Court Issues NBW Against Three Accused in Money Laundering Case

NEW YORK CITY, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Thursday, November 21, 2024, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) celebrated the achievements of the historic Capital Readiness Program (CRP) at the NASDAQ Tower in Times Square. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development Eric Morrissette joined Capital Readiness Program awardees as they uplift underserved entrepreneurs across the nation. “One of the greatest obstacles facing underserved entrepreneurs is access to capital, which is why the CRP is so essential. With this landmark program, MBDA is working to address the root problem of that issue by supporting businesses and communities that have been historically overlooked or left behind,” said Deputy Under Secretary Eric Morrissette. “The CRP has and will continue to open doors for entrepreneurs looking to start and scale their businesses.” Since its inception in 2023, CRP awardees, incubators, and accelerators have already served 6,326 entrepreneurs and helped raise $263 million in capital, form 2,636 new businesses, develop 1,726 business pitches, and host 2,486 networking events for diverse business owners and entrepreneurs across America. Awardees in attendance included The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Ventures, the Community Development Venture Capital Alliance, the National Minority Supplier Development Council, the National Urban League, the National Asian/Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce, and the Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center. “The Capital Readiness Program has empowered the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to unlock critical capital opportunities, driving growth for businesses and reshaping regional economies,” said USHCC Educational Fund Senior Vice President Evelyn Barahona, one of the awardees present at NASDAQ. “Through the program, we've catalyzed expansion and new ventures for small business owners, strengthening not only the Hispanic community but the nation's economy. Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the USHCC is excited to collaborate with the MBDA and partners to further elevate the possibilities for businesses across the country.” These centers have unique expertise to assist, and train underserved entrepreneurs seeking resources, tools, and technical assistance to start or scale their businesses in high-growth industries such as healthcare, climate resilient technology, asset management, infrastructure, and more. For more information on active Minority Business Development Agency initiatives, visit www.mbda.gov . About the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) The U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency is the only Federal agency dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of U.S. minority business enterprises (MBEs). For more than 50 years, MBDA’s programs and services have better equipped MBEs to create jobs, build scale and capacity, increase revenues, and expand regionally, nationally, and internationally. ### Attachment Gabriel Cushing Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) gcushing@mbda.govAndy Murray has made the shock decision to coach his long-time rival Novak Djokovic during the Australian Open. Murray – who retired after the summer Olympics at the age of 37 after finally admitting defeat in his battle against his body – will join the Serbian’s team in the off-season and coach him through the opening grand slam of 2025. Advertisement It will see the Scot surprisingly join forces with the man who was his biggest nemesis during his long career, especially in Australia where he lost to Djokovic in four finals. Murray, who beat Djokovic to win the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013, says he wants to help the 24-time grand slam champion achieve his goals. He never liked retirement anyway. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Ga4UlV2kQW Advertisement — Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) November 23, 2024 “I’m going to be joining Novak’s team in the off-season, helping him to prepare for the Australian Open, he said. Advertisement “I’m really excited for it and looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change, helping him to achieve his goals.” Djokovic, a week younger than his new coach, added: “I am excited to have one of my greatest rivals on the same side of the net, as my coach. “Looking forward to start of the season and competing in Australia alongside Andy with whom I have shared many exceptional moments on the Australian soil.” In posting a teaser about the appointment on social media, Djokovic said: “He never liked retirement anyway.” Advertisement He then added: “We played each other since we were boys, 25 years of pushing each other to our limits. We had some of the most epic battles in in our sport. They called us gamechangers, risk takers, history makers. “I thought our story may be over. Turns out it has one final chapter. It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner. Welcome aboard coach, Andy Murray.” Advertisement Djokovic beat Murray in the 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016 Australian Open finals while also losing in the French Open final in 2016. It was his pursuit of toppling Djokovic at the top of the rankings in 2016 which was a precursor to his 2017 hip injury which derailed Murray’s career. Djokovic, who split with coach Goran Ivanisevic earlier this year, hopes that adding Murray to his team will help him get back to the top of the game as he went through a calendar year without winning a grand slam for the first time since 2017. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have developed a stranglehold at the top of the men’s game and Djokovic, who has seen Murray, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal all retire in recent years, is still hoping to move clear of the record 24 grand slams he shares with Margaret Court.

Cemtrex Announces 1-For-35 Reverse Stock Split

In Pictures: Jimmy Carter continued campaigning long after leaving powerAustralia news LIVE: Bills on the brink in final sitting week of the year; Social media giants slam ‘rushed’ ban consultation - Sydney Morning HeraldMysterious googly eyes go viral after appearing on public art in OregonTrump-Musk now making amends? After spat between Musk and MAGA supporters, Trump backs Tesla CEO's support for H-1B visa program

Agriculture & Natural Solutions Acquisition Corporation Receives FIRB Approval In Connection with Previously Announced Business CombinationMorrissey throws 67-yard TD pass to Calwise Jr. to lift Eastern Kentucky over North Alabama 21-15Campus DEVCON Summit empowers 700+ young minds in CALABARZON to shape the future of techWordle Hints, Clues And Answer Today #1290 December 30: Trying to solve today’s Wordle? Check out the simple hints and clues and solve it quickly. Wordle hints, clues and answer today #1290 December 30, 2024: Every day, a new puzzle is introduced! If you were one of the initial users, you should be aware that Wordle has had a number of changes and challenges in recent years. However, the player just needs to guess five or six letters in the really basic Wordle game. You may be able to predict the sentences right away by using the coloured tiles. Yellow indicates that the letter is in the wrong position but correct, green indicates that the letter is in the appropriate place, and grey indicates that the letter is not in the word. Using one of the previously described principles and attempting to predict the future development of the problem is adequate. Remember that there may be up to six options for the word of the day. However, there are some situations when a lengthy decision-making process is beneficial. By following these guidelines and suggestions, you can select the word of the day rather than the standard response. Wordle Hints Today, December 30, 2024 Wordle #1290’s word of the day was chosen because it has the ability to halt your run. However, we may occasionally mislead others even when we talk appropriately. Additionally, it makes use of the letter repetition feature. Don’t worry, though; you may adhere to these rules: – The word has two vowels. – It starts with the letter ‘S’. – There are no repeated letters. – The third letter is ‘A’. – Here’s a clue: To look at something or someone fixedly with wide-open eyes, often for a prolonged time. Are you still having trouble identifying the issue? The final piece of advice may have a significant effect. Don’t pull out just yet if you’re close and only need one or two letters. The solution is given below. Wordle answer for puzzle #1290, December 30, 2024 You can now scroll away if you would want to give it one last attempt. But as you wait for your guess to be confirmed, here’s the word you’re looking for: Today’s Wordle answer is “STARE.” Did you figure it out by yourself? You probably understood this one easily. Stay tuned and return tomorrow for more details on how to finish the Wordle challenge. Click for more latest Gaming news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9. Pragya is an accomplished journalist known for in-depth reporting and a keen eye for detail. Delivers insightful and well-researched content that informs and engages readers.

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Tenants rights’ advocates call for better access to justice for rentersMan United will be very glad they didn't sign £38m flop, left out for four games in a rowAzincourt Energy (CVE:AAZ) Trading 50% Higher – What’s Next?

Hiker found safe in Princeton backcountryALDI Ireland is bringing back school uniforms for the new year - and prices start at €1.65. With a chunk of the school year already over, some key pieces may be worse for wear. But don't worry, Aldi has everything you need to restock before school starts again. Aldi Ireland said: "Make stocking up on the school uniform essentials a breeze." The school uniform essentials are set to hit the stores from January 2. They are expected to be available for a week only across the country. The first item in the major range is the Boy's Polo Shirt 2 Pack for €1.65. The shirts are made from 100 per cent cotton, which features CmiA cotton, Okeo Text and Bionic finish, ensuring the quality lasts for a long time. It comes in two gorgeous colours: Blue and White. The shirts are available in sizes 4/5 to 11/12 years. Next up is the Boys Cargo Shorts for €1.65. The shorts feature an adjustable waist, permanent crease, and reinforced knees. The shorts are made from recycled polyester. They come in two colours: Grey and Black and are available in ages 3/5 to 11/12 years. They are also selling Pleated Skirt for €1.65. Aldi Ireland said: "Make sure their school uniform is sorted in time for the new school year with this Lily & Dan Black Pleated Skirt! "Made with Teflon Eco Elite® for extra durability, this crease-resistant skirt with permanent pleats is practical as well stylish." Available in Grey for ages 3/4 to 11/12 years. The range has Ankle Socks 5 Pack for €2.99 in black and grey. The socks are made from BCI cotton and features an antibacterial finish and Oeko Tex. They are available for 4/5.5 to 6/8. Lastly, they are selling Sustainable trainers for €8.99. The runners are made from recycled polyester and feature a memory foam, ensuring they are comfortable all day. They are available to purchase in pink or blue in sizes 4 to 10. The German discount supermarket chain came to Ireland in 1999. Aldi’s first few shops opened in November 1999, with locations in Sandyford, Dublin, and Ballincollig, Cork. By the mid-2000s, Aldi bosses had opened numerous stores, focusing on providing high-quality products at low prices. As the recession hit 2008-2012, Aldi's popularity grew as consumers became more price-conscious. The supermarket giant continued it’s expansion in Ireland between 2013-2018, while refurbishing existing stores. By 2018, Aldi had over 130 shops throughout the country. The chain began to focus on expanding its range of Irish-made products and supporting local producers. In 2023, Aldi had over 140 stores in Ireland. The store invested in sustainability initiatives, such as reducing plastic packaging and increasing the availability of organic and eco-friendly products. Aldi chiefs said: “At Aldi we are committed to supporting Irish suppliers. Developed in partnership with Bord Bia, Grow with Aldi is designed to help the very best Irish suppliers develop their brand. “To date, we’ve invested €10 million in our Grow with Aldi development programme in a bid to find the very best Irish suppliers. “As a result, for a limited time only there are over 47 new products, from 27 Irish suppliers available in store.” Aldi have introduced technological advancements with self-checkout systems and contactless payment options.

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There is no evidence that Wayfair was ever involved in child traffickingTOWSON, Md. (AP) — Marcus Banks scored 22 points as UMBC beat Towson 84-71 on Saturday. Banks shot 8 for 18, including 5 for 11 from beyond the arc for the Retrievers (6-5). Josh Odunowo scored 17 points and added five rebounds and three steals. Anthony Valentine had 17 points and shot 7 of 9 from the field, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 5 from the line. Dylan Williamson finished with 21 points for the Tigers (4-6). Tyler Tejada added 18 points and nine rebounds. Mekhi Lowery also had 12 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. UMBC took the lead with 19:03 left in the first half and never looked back. The score was 38-24 at halftime, with Valentine racking up 11 points. UMBC extended its lead to 59-38 during the second half, fueled by a 7-0 scoring run. Banks scored a team-high 13 points in the second half. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Strictly fans took to social media to air their grievances during the semi-final, feeling incensed by Shirley Ballas who they perceived as lavishing unjust praise and high scores on Pete Wicks. Despite never facing a dance-off, ex-TOWIE personality Pete Wicks has reached the semi-finals, leaving some to question his place, especially when more accomplished dancers have been sent home. The discontent bubbled over almost as soon as the show began, with viewers quick to express their doubts about his standing next to fellow semi-finalists Chris McCausland, Tasha Ghouri, JB Gill, and Sarah Hadland. Tensions heightened after Pete's initial performance, during which head judge Shirley Ballas even bestowed upon him the title 'Mr Strictly'. Shirley conveyed to Pete her unique judging perspective, focusing on his journey within the contest rather than a direct comparison with others. She commented, "You are Mr Strictly Come Dancing. You are what this show is about. Everybody at home, all the parents, will be sitting there and thinking, 'if Pete can do it, I can do it' and you will inspire people to go to the dance studio." "You had no experience whatsoever coming in. I thought you did a very good job on your footwork and your neckline.... week one you were like this and today you were shining. You didn't make any mistakes, you did a grand job. You should walk with your head high - you are absolutely Mr Strictly Come Dancing.", reports the Mirror . She went on to award him the highest mark of all the judges - nine out of 10 - giving him a total of 32 out of 40. But viewers were not entirely convinced by Shirley's generous critique and took to Twitter to voice their displeasure. One user commented: "SHIRLEY CALLING PETE MR STRICTLY COME DANCING LIKE MONTELL DIDNT ALSO START FROM NOTHING BUT NEVER GOT THAT PRAISE. The bias is RIDICULOUS." Another added: "Sh*rley can retire after calling pete mr strictly come dancing after criticising tasha for coming out of lifts, it's completely unfair to treat contestants so differently. Pete is not the first or last person to start at nothing NOT EVEN IN THIS SERIES." Yet another tweet read: "shirley calling pete "mr strictly come dancing" when he shouldn't even be in the semi finals in the first place..." Alongside: "Shirley acting like Pete is God's gift to dancing and giving him a bloody 9." One more disgruntled fan wrote: "Shirley giving that a 9? ? I've defended her all series but scoring that the same as JB and Sarah? Please.." The controversy follows the shock of last weekend's dance-off which saw Olympian Montell Douglas and Tasha Ghouri end up in the bottom two, resulting in Montell being sent home following the judges' decision.No. 2 Auburn arrives for prove-it game at No. 9 Duke

Mission Services Hamilton: Emma’s Place/Willow’s Place was the fortunate recipient of close to $11,000 at the November meeting of 100 Women Who Care Burlington (100WWCB). The local chapter of 100 Women Who Care met at the Burlington Golf and Country Club on Monday evening to choose one of three charities that made presentations. The fortunate non-profit, Mission Services of Hamilton is a multi-service organization. Willow’s Place is a safe day space for women experiencing homelessness offering hot meals, showers, laundry, housing support and social connections. Emma’s Place is a 15-bed shelter. Upon discharge from area hospitals, homeless women often go to Willow’s Place, which serves five women monthly. Neither Burlington nor Halton have homeless shelters specifically for women, and the same applies to a daytime space. The funds from the donation will be used for a health day for women with various providers on site. Each woman would have a ‘passport’ to access foot care, haircuts, Naloxone kit training, covid/flu vaccinations, diabetes information, food, water, snacks, receive a backpack, winter coat and boots. Jaclyn Smith, assistant director of outreach programs for women and children, told the group that the goal of the non-profit is to restore hope and empower people to find their way forward. Thanks to Maria Rozakis Adcock and an anonymous donor, the other two presenting charities went home with $750 each: Halton Food For Thought and United Way for Halton and Hamilton. Shelter Movers, September’s charity of choice gave an update on what the funds - $12,300 in total – will help accomplish. They currently help with moving services for all survivors of abuse, and women make up more than 90 per cent of their clients. The donated funds would be used to ramp up recruitment efforts in Halton, secure storage in the area, moving up to five individuals or families each month in Halton Region. 100WWCB meets for about one hour, four times a year, when three registered charities that serve Burlington or Halton are nominated. In total the group has donated close to $300,000 to 48 charities. Currently there are 120 members. In 2025, the group meets: Monday, Jan. 13, Monday, April 14, Tuesday, Sept. 23 and Wednesday, Nov. 19. To join 100 Women Who Care’s Burlington chapter, visit them online here .

Big Australian names David Warner and Steve Smith may have gone unsold on the second day of the Indian Premier League auction, but there were no such concerns for 13-year-old left-handed batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The youngster, who made his debut in India’s domestic Ranji Trophy at 12, was sold for $200,000 to Rajasthan Royals after a bidding war with the Delhi Capitals at the auction in Saudi Arabia. Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Suryavanshi hit a 58-ball hundred in the youth Test against Australia under-19s in October, but made one and three in his other innings in the two-match series. He is the youngest player to be selected at the auction. The previous youngest was Prayas Ray Barman, signed five years ago by Royal Challengers Bangalore. It was groundhog day for Warner as he again went unsold at the auction, likely ending a lucrative, run-laden connection with the blockbuster Twenty20 competition. The explosive opener has scored 6565 runs at a strike rate of 140 and has an average above 40 in the IPL, but as on the first day, none of the 10 franchises were prepared to invest in the 38-year-old left-hander. Smith also went unsold having set his stall out at the same base price of two crore ($365,000). Despite pairing with Ricky Ponting as Washington Freedom’s captain and coach to win Major League Cricket in the US, Ponting wasn’t keen on taking another punt on Smith. Instead he packed his new Punjab Kings team with other Aussies, signing Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie and Xavier Bartlett to join Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, who were acquired on day one. Nor was there any interest in English bowling veteran James Anderson. Seeking to make an IPL debut at the age of 42, he did not even come up in the bidding. The biggest-earning Australian on day two was Tim David, the big-hitting all-rounder joining Royal Challengers Bengaluru for $550,000. Close behind was Spencer Johnson. He was a Ponting target but Kings were outbid by Kolkata Knight Riders who offered $510,000. However, Ponting did then land Hardie for $225,000 and, after missing out on Nathan Ellis (who went to Super Kings for $365,000), signed Bartlett, the top wicket-taker in BBL last summer, for $145,000. Ponting had begun by signing the only one of the three Aussie keepers on the market to be sold. Alex Carey may be Australia’s Test wicketkeeper but Inglis has the gloves in the white-ball game and it showed as he went for $475,000. Carey and another gloveman, Josh Philippe, would later go unsold. There were also no bids for Jason Behrendorff, Matt Short and Lance Morris while other Australians who had put themselves forward did not even make the bidding stage. There is hope, though, for them and for the likes of Warner and Smith as between now and March players will inevitably be injured or, for personal reasons, pull out, creating late vacancies. The biggest signing of the day was Bhuvneshwar Kumar who joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru for $2 million. AAP News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter .Opposition fighters are closing in on Syria’s capital in a swiftly developing crisis that has taken much of the world by surprise. Syria's army has abandoned key cities in the west and south with little resistance. Nervous residents in Damascus describe security forces on the streets. The state news agency has been forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad has left the country. Who are these opposition fighters? If they enter Damascus after taking two of Syria’s largest cities, what then? Here’s a look at the stunning reversal of fortune for Assad and his government in just the past 10 days, and what might lie ahead as Syria’s 13-year civil war reignites. The aim? Overthrow the government This is the first time that opposition forces have reached the outskirts of the Syrian capital since 2018, when the country’s troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The approaching fighters are led by the most powerful insurgent group in Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, along with an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Both have been entrenched in the northwest. They launched the shock offensive on Nov. 27 with gunmen capturing Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, and the central city of Hama, the fourth largest. The HTS has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. But the group said in recent years it cut ties with al-Qaida, and experts say HTS has sought to remake itself in recent years by focusing on promoting civilian government in their territory as well as military action. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told CNN in an exclusive interview Thursday from Syria that the aim of the offensive is to overthrow Assad’s government. Possible rifts ahead The HTS and Syrian National Army have been allies at times and rivals at times, and their aims might diverge. The Turkish-backed militias also have an interest in creating a buffer zone near the Turkish border to keep away Kurdish militants at odds with Ankara. Turkey has been a main backer of the fighters seeking to overthrow Assad but more recently has urged reconciliation, and Turkish officials have strongly rejected claims of any involvement in the current offensive. Whether the HTS and the Syrian National Army will work together if they succeed in overthrowing Assad or turn on each other again is a major question. Others take advantage While the flash offensive against Syria’s government began in the north, armed opposition groups have also mobilized elsewhere. The southern areas of Sweida and Daraa have both been taken locally. Sweida is the heartland of Syria’s Druze religious minority and had been the site of regular anti-government protests even after Assad seemingly consolidated his control over the area. Daraa is a Sunni Muslim area that was widely seen as the cradle of the uprising against Assad’s rule that erupted in 2011. Daraa was recaptured by Syrian government troops in 2018, but rebels remained in some areas. In recent years, Daraa was in a state of uneasy quiet under a Russian-mediated ceasefire deal. And much of Syria's east is controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group backed by the United States that in the past has clashed with most other armed groups in the country. Syria’s government now controls just four of 14 provincial capitals. What’s next? Much depends on Assad’s next moves and his forces' will to fight. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces have started carrying out the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Syrian troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces and are sending reinforcements to Homs. If that city is captured, the link would be cut between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support. “Homs to the coastal cities will be a very huge red line politically and socially. Politically, if this line is crossed, then we are talking about the end of the entire Syria, the one that we knew in the past,” said a Damascus resident, Anas Joudeh. Assad appears to be largely on his own as allies Russia and Iran are distracted by other conflicts and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah has been weakened by its war with Israel, now under a fragile ceasefire. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, is calling for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition,” saying the situation is changing by the minute. He met with foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. President-elect Donald Trump in his first extensive comments on the developments in Syria said the besieged Assad didn’t deserve U.S. support to stay in power. “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump posted on social media.

Stanley just launched two new colors for its tumblers, but you won’t find them at on its website. Instead, you can only find them at one other major retailer. Dick’s Sporting Goods is exclusively selling two new colors as part of Stanley’s New Frequency Collection. Stanley fans can now buy their tumblers in Periwinkle Shimmer and Rose Petal Shimmer , both for $45. Don’t sit on this buy. New color drops mean the tumblers will go very fast. The new colors are cool tones of rose and periwinkle which “bring a fresh energy inspired by the motion and flow of your days,” Dick’s Sporting Goods’ website says. The tumbler uses its popular vacuum-wall insulation to keep beverages ice-cold for a long time. The FlowState lid features a rotating cover with three different positions: A straw opening that stops splashes, a drink opening and a full-cover top for when you want to keep the drink secure. The tumbler includes a comfort-grip handle that makes it easier to easy. It has a narrow base that fits into most standard car cup holders. More shopping Tory Burch Ella tote $150 in Semi Annual Sale: Extra 25% off select bags Dec. 26, 2024, 2:21p.m. Walmart last-minute gifts: Xbox on sale, available for Christmas Eve pickup Dec. 24, 2024, 1:36p.m. Get UGG Tasman slipper deals as part of Nordstrom Half-Yearly sale Dec. 24, 2024, 11:28a.m. Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale includes waterproof duffel bag under $120 Dec. 21, 2024, 6:00a.m. Nordstrom Rack’s Clear the Rack now live for members: Get 25% off clearance Dec. 20, 2024, 2:54p.m. Kaylee Remington is the shopping and entertainment commerce reporter and metro reporter for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Read her work online. Generative AI was used to help produce an initial draft of this story, based on information from Dick’s Sporting Goods, which was reviewed and edited by cleveland.com staff.

Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok as soon as next month, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Executive of Tyler Perry Studios dies when plane he was piloting crashes in Florida ATLANTA (AP) — The president of Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios has died when the small plane he was piloting crashed on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The studio confirmed on Saturday that Steve Mensch, its 62-year-old president and general manager, had died Friday. The crash happened in Homosassa, about 60 miles north of Tampa. Photos from the scene show the plane having come to rest upside down on a road. Mensch helped advocate for Georgia’s film tax credit of more than $1 billion a year. Perry hired Mensch to run his namesake studio in 2016. Mensch died as Perry released his war drama, “The Six Triple Eight." The film was shot at the Atlanta studio. US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a meager gain of 36,000 jobs in October. The government also revised up its estimate of job growth in September and October by a combined 56,000. Friday’s report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% in October to a still-low 4.2%. The November data provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom, when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic recession. Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs report NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going, but not so strong that it raises immediate worries about inflation. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, just enough top the all-time high set on Wednesday, as it closed a third straight winning week in what looks to be one of its best years since the 2000 dot-com bust. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8% to set its own record. Treasury yields eased after the jobs report showed stronger hiring than expected but also an uptick in the unemployment rate. Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass NEW YORK (AP) — In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million to surround CEO Mark Zuckerberg with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. And experts say the task of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them is getting more difficult. One of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to decide what represents a real threat. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus The U.S. government has ordered testing of the nation’s milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows. The Agriculture Department on Friday said raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting Dec. 16. Testing will begin in six states — California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The move is aimed at eliminating the virus, which has infected more than 700 dairy herds in 15 states. Words on ammo in CEO shooting echo common phrase on insurer tactics: Delay, deny, defend A message left at the scene of an insurance executive’s fatal shooting echoes a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims. The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were written on the ammunition used to kill UnitedHealthcare's CEO. That's according to two officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday. The words are similar to the phrase “delay, deny, defend.” That's how attorneys describe insurers denying services and payment, and the title of a 2010 book critical of the industry. Police haven’t officially commented on the words. But Thompson’s shooting and the messages on the ammunition have sparked outrage on social media and elsewhere, reflecting frustration Americans have over the cost and complexity of getting care. Michigan Democrats move to protect reproductive health data before GOP takes control of House LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Democrats in Michigan are pressing to pass reproductive health care legislation before the party loses its majority with the new legislative session next year. A bill to protect digital reproductive health data including data logged on menstrual cycle tracking apps is a Democratic priority as lawmakers meet this month. Democratic women and supporters of the legislation say they are acting with new urgency before President-elect Donald Trump takes office because they don't believe his campaign promise to leave abortion to the states. The rush is also a reaction to Republicans taking control of the state House in January. Democrats kept control of the state Senate in the November election. Japan's Nippon Steel sets sights on a growing overseas market in its bid to acquire US Steel KASHIMA, Japan (AP) — The signs at Nippon Steel read: “The world through steel,” underlining why Japan’s top steelmaker is pursuing its $15 billion bid to acquire U.S. Steel. Japan's domestic market isn't growing, so Nippon Steel has its eyes on India, Southeast Asia and the United States, where populations are still growing. Nippon Steel gave reporters a tour of one of its plants in Japan on Friday. The bid for U.S. Steet is opposed by President-elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and American steelworkers. If the deal goes through, U.S. Steel will keep its name and its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but become subsidiary of Nippon Steel.

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's passing at the age of 92 triggered an outpouring of condolence messages. Narendra Modi, India's current prime minister, called Singh one of India's "most distinguished leaders." Singh played a crucial role in opening up India's economy to the world as finance minister in the 1990s and helped strengthen diplomatic ties with the U.S. Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's passing on Tuesday at the age of 92 triggered an outpouring of condolence messages and tributes from political leaders from both sides of the aisle and industry titans. > 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Singh one of India's "most distinguished leaders" in a post on X. Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party defeated Singh's Congress alliance in the 2014 elections and has been in power since. Singh was a "respected economist," Modi added, who left "a strong imprint" on India's economic policy. Before he became prime minister in 2004, Singh served as the governor of the Reserve Bank of India in 1982 and as minister of finance in 1991. As finance minister, he led a series of reforms that deregulated India's economy and opened the country to foreign investment. Facing an acute balance of payments crisis, then-Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao and Singh liberalized the economy that paved the way for its rapid expansion in the following decades. Money Report China's industrial profits extend decline to a fourth straight month, dropping 7.3% in November Asia markets trade mixed as investors assess Tokyo CPI, China's industrial profit data "History will forever honour his pivotal role in the transformative 1991 reforms that reshaped India and opened its doors to the world," wrote Gautam Adani, India's second-richest person and chairperson of Indian conglomerate Adani Group. Singh returned to politics in 2004 when a Congress-led coalition swept the elections, and party leader Sonia Gandhi appointed him prime minister. Under his tenure between 2004 and 2014, India's gross domestic product initially expanded rapidly, allowing Singh to deploy the new wealth to programs such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act , which guaranteed jobs for the poor. The later years of Singh's stint as prime minister were, however, marred by sclerotic growth, a stalling of reforms and allegations of corruption against certain members of the government. Singh played a pivotal role in strengthening India's ties with Washington, visiting the U.S. multiple times as prime minister. In 2006, when U.S. President George W. Bush visited India, Singh managed to broker a deal that gave India access to U.S. nuclear technology. "Dr. Singh was one of the greatest champions of the U.S.-India strategic partnership, and his work laid the foundation for much of what our countries have accomplished together in the past two decades," wrote the U.S. Department of State on Singh's passing. Apart from the U.S., Singh also strengthened India's ties with Russia. He was a regular attendee of the India-Russia Annual Summit, which began in 2000, and aims to deepen cooperation between the two countries and among BRIC nations. Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said on X that "Dr Manmohan Singh's contribution to our bilateral ties was immeasurable." Also on CNBC Asia’s year in review: Who had it good — and who had it bad — in 2024 Nissan could face cost-cutting 'carnage' in Honda merger, Carlos Ghosn says Here’s what a blockbuster Nissan-Honda merger could mean for the auto industry

MUNICH (AP) — Harry Kane is the quickest player to score 50 goals in the Bundesliga after scoring a hat trick on his 43rd appearance on Friday. Kane’s three goals – including two penalties – gave Bayern a 3-0 win over Augsburg , stretching the Bavarian powerhouse’s lead to eight points ahead of the rest of the 11th round.

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins scored a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in his most recent home game and tossed the ball to a child in the stands pleading for it. On Thursday, Collins told reporters the NFL did not approve and assessed him a fine of about $5,000. "It's for the kids," Collins said. "I seen he was screaming and was thinking, ‘Here you go, big dog. Here's the ball.'" Collins said he was not penalized last season on the handful of occasions he threw a ball into the stands, so he wasn't expecting a fine. But making a child's day was "definitely worth it." The 25-year-old said he plans to appeal the fine, but if it isn't overturned, he'll pay up. "The only thing that matters was making that kid happy," he said. "He ain't never going to forget that moment. So that's all that matters to me." Collins followed up a 92-yard, one-touchdown performance that day against Tennessee with eight receptions for 119 yards last week at Jacksonville. The fourth-year wideout is Houston's leading receiver despite missing five games due to a hamstring injury. He has caught 49 passes for 832 yards and four touchdowns in just eight appearances. --Field Level Media

Antitrust enforcers with the Federal Trade Commission have opened a wide-ranging investigation into Microsoft's business practices, starting a big legal project that an incoming Trump administration must take up or abandon. The FTC is investigating Microsoft's cloud computing business and related product lines such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, according to a person who was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Recommended Videos It's the latest action of more than three years of aggressive antitrust enforcement shepherded by FTC Chair Lina Khan, who was elevated to lead the agency by President Joe Biden after he came into office pledging tougher scrutiny of monopolistic behavior by Big Tech companies. Khan's FTC already lost one antitrust fight with Microsoft last year when a federal judge declined to block its $69 billion takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard. This case would go deeper into the core of Microsoft's business in a way the company hasn't experienced in the U.S. since its antitrust showdown with the Justice Department in the 1990s. Microsoft declined to comment. Bloomberg News first reported about the investigation last week. The case will only move forward if President-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the FTC decides to continue the investigation and take it to court. Some analysts are expecting a lighter approach to the tech industry under Trump, though incoming Vice President JD Vance has praised Khan's work. A number of other tech-related antitrust matters are also in play, including the Department of Justice's investigation into chipmaker Nvidia and its push to break up Google — possibly spinning off the Chrome web browser — after a federal judge ruled Google maintained an illegal monopoly for the last decade.Syndax Pharmaceuticals' SWOT analysis: stock outlook brightens on FDA approvalsU.S. Sustainable Data Center Market Industry Outlook & Forecast 2024-2029 - Hyperscale Operators are Increasingly Securing Renewable Energy - ResearchAndMarkets.com

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In a bustling city street filled with rush-hour traffic, a moment of panic and chaos unfolded as a small car narrowly avoided a collision with a large cargo truck. The small car driver, still trembling from the close call, could not contain his frustration as he pointed an accusing finger at the truck driver and shouted, "Why didn't you brake? Are you blind?"In the current season of the English Premier League, the race for creating opportunities on the field has been intense and exciting. With several talented players showcasing their skills and creativity, the competition for the top spot in the chances created chart has been fierce. As the season progresses, it has become evident that certain players have been consistently influential in setting up goal-scoring opportunities for their teammates.

Chargers are expected to be without top RB Dobbins and could lean on QB Herbert against Falcons

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Rams offense is humming with good health, and it gave a stellar performance to upset BuffaloGuan Zhiou's impressive career trajectory is a reflection of his commitment to excellence and his passion for making a positive impact on society. Born and raised in Shandong Province, Guan Zhiou embarked on his political journey at a young age, driven by a deep sense of responsibility towards his fellow citizens and the environment.

Overall, Tencent Video’s decision to downgrade the VIP service to concurrent viewing on one device reflects a strategic shift towards enhancing the quality and reliability of its streaming platform. By focusing on individual memberships and reducing account sharing, the company aims to create a more secure and seamless viewing experience for all users. While the change may require some adaptation for long-time VIP members, the preservation of existing benefits demonstrates Tencent Video’s commitment to delivering exceptional content and services to its loyal subscribers.

HALIFAX — A day after Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston led the Progressive Conservatives to a massive majority win, the Liberals were licking their wounds and wondering why their party was almost wiped off the political map. On Wednesday morning, once all the ballots were counted, the incumbent Tories had secured 43 of the 55 seats in the legislature, an increase of nine. The NDP won nine seats, an increase of three, and the Liberals fell to only two seats, a dozen less than when the campaign started. One Independent candidate held her seat — a first for the province. Liberal Leader Zach Churchill, a 40-year-old former cabinet minister, lost his seat after a long, see-saw battle with his Tory rival in the riding of Yarmouth — Churchill's hometown on Nova Scotia's southwestern shore. The Liberals had to give up their role as official opposition and the party barely held on to official party status. "At the end of the day, this falls on my shoulders," Churchill said afterwards. "This loss belongs to me and me alone." But it would be wrong to blame Churchill for his party's collapse at the polls, says Tom Urbaniak, a political science professor at Cape Breton University in Sydney, N.S. "Zach Churchill was dealing with a damaged Liberal brand — damaged in large part by the current standing of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau," Urbaniak said in an interview Wednesday, adding that Houston took advantage of that weakness. "(Churchill) was portrayed as Justin Trudeau's junior protege. And that stuck with some Nova Scotians." Throughout the campaign, Houston and his Tory colleagues tried to link Trudeau — whose Liberals are trailing the federal Tories by about 20 points in the polls — with Churchill, a well-spoken career politician who was elected to lead the provincial party in July 2022. "We know Zach Churchill defends his federal cousins at every turn,” provincial Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Kent Smith said in a statement early in the campaign. “Once again, when Zach Churchill had the choice to stand up for Nova Scotians or stand with Justin Trudeau, he chose Trudeau.” Churchill was also hobbled by a relatively low provincial profile, Urbaniak said. Despite the fact that he had held the riding of Yarmouth for the past 14 years and served in the cabinet of former Liberal premier Stephen McNeil, Churchill failed to leave much of an impression on the electorate, he said. Part of the problem was that McNeil, who served as premier from 2013 to 2021, rarely let his ministers spend much time in the limelight. "Stephen McNeil, at times, ran a one-person government," the professor said. "The premier made the big decisions .... That came back to hurt Zach Churchill." As well, Houston's decision to call an early election also stung the Liberals and the NDP, both of which were still nominating candidates when the campaign started. On another front, the Liberals in southwestern Nova Scotia were hurt by the fact that residents in several fishing communities had long complained about what they said was the federal Liberal government's failure to stop the illegal fishing of lobsters and baby eels. "The perceived federal mismanagement was a factor in some ridings," Urbaniak said, pointing to the Acadian riding of Clare, which had been held by the Liberals for the past 31 years. Liberal candidate Ronnie LeBlanc, a local fisherman, lost the riding to rookie Tory candidate Ryan Robicheau on Tuesday night by more than 1,000 votes. During the campaign, Churchill promised to establish an inquiry into illegal fishing, but voters on the South Shore were unimpressed. The Tories won all nine ridings in the region. It was Churchill's first election as leader. On Tuesday night, he declined to say if he would stay in the role. Neither Churchill nor Houston were available for an interview Wednesday. As for the NDP, party leader Claudia Chender said she was looking forward to taking on the large Tory majority. "I think what we take away from being the official Opposition is that people are looking for a strong voice and they are looking for a different voice,” said Chender, a 48-year-old lawyer. It was also her first election as leader. She said her priorities include pushing for more protection for renters, and reducing the number of people still seeking a doctor. The three additional seats won by the NDP are all in the Halifax area, part of the party’s traditional power base. Chender said the election results showed her party has room to grow, particularly along the South Shore and in Cape Breton. “In many ridings across this province there were tight two- or three-way races and we are building,” she said. “I think that work has started and will continue.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2024. Michael MacDonald, The Canadian Press

The ongoing anti-corruption efforts by the CCDI have been a central pillar of President Xi Jinping's administration since he took office in 2012. The crackdown on corruption within the Chinese Communist Party and government has been relentless, with high-profile officials and "tigers" being targeted for investigation and punishment.

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Constituents are divided over Representative Susan Valdes' surprise political party switch from the Democratic party to the Republican.

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TORONTO - Live streams of Taylor Swift’s sold-out Eras Tour concerts in Toronto give devoted fans a window into the spectacle of outfits, surprise songs and elaborate stages from one of the biggest cultural events in recent memory. As the massive tour inches toward its final three shows in Vancouver early next month, feeding Swifties’ insatiable appetite has become a nightly tradition for a handful of live stream hosts based all over the world. They act as ringleaders for tens of thousands of viewers witnessing Swift’s constantly evolving show through unofficial channels. “I never saw it being as big as it is,” said Tess Bohne, one of the personalities credited as a pioneer of the Swift live streams. “There is a big idea of community (and) being present without being there.” Broadcasting unauthorized concert live streams on social platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook isn’t an entirely new phenomenon, but it’s one that’s been amplified with Swift’s tour. As their popularity grows, the streams are sparking conversations about copyright law and the delicate balance between protecting intellectual property and allowing listeners to embrace their fandom. “We’ve gone beyond art being a one-way conversation from the artist to the audience,” said Jay Kerr-Wilson, an IP lawyer and co-leader of Fasken’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications Group in Ottawa. “Copyright owners, generally speaking, are being more flexible and they’re not necessarily (thinking) black-and-white.” Representatives for the singer did not respond to requests for comment. For fans, the lines are already blurred. Bohne got wrapped up in the Swift live-streaming phenomenon nearly two years ago after she attended the second night of the Eras Tour, in Glendale, Ariz., and found herself consumed by the experience for days afterward. “(Often) you go to a concert and you’re like, ‘That was great, let’s move on with my life,’” the 33-year-old explained in a video call from Salt Lake City. “But there was something different. It was like, ‘No, that wasn’t enough. I’m not done.’” Eager to relive the high she felt, Bohne chased down the TikTok profiles of fellow Swifties streaming other stops on the tour. With little technical experience, she began rebroadcasting their videos, with credit, on her own TikTok profile. She would place an iPad playing their feed in front of her phone’s camera, and then swap it out with her other iPad when she found a user with a better angle of the concert. The crude setup initially drew a few thousand viewers, she said, and with more effort put into the productionher audience has grown to 100,000 to 200,000 during peak moments. Since her initial broadcast, Bohne estimates she’s streamed more than 110 of Swift’s concerts in a split-screen format, streaming the concert in one corner and munching on snacks in the other while discussing all things Swift with a chat room of strangers. Some fans donate cash, and her social media status has helped attract influencer partnerships. But the stay-at-home mom of three children said this is primarily a labour of love. Bohne is credited by many of her contemporaries as the one who inspired them to take a shot at hosting their own Eras Tour with live commentary. “A lot of people say it’s like religion for them,” explained Lucas Chalub, a Twitch streamer and longtime Swiftie. Chalub first experimented with hosting streams in August 2023. Rumours swirled that the singer might announce the release date for one of her re-recorded albums on stage in Los Angeles, so many Swifties sought out live feeds, which included his impromptu setup that night. “A lot of people joined,” remembered the 27-year-old sports journalist from Argentina. “That’s the first night that I said, ‘Why not do this every night?’” Chalub said he usually draws on streams from 10 to 15 concertgoers who are often aware their recordings might get picked up by the streaming hosts. Many bring power banks to recharge their devices and sometimes a backup phone. “We are not the heroes that people think we are,” Chalub added of his fellow streamers, crediting fans on the ground who do their work pro bono. “The real heroes are the people in the venue spending — or wasting — their time trying to live stream for us instead of enjoying the show.” The legality around live streaming Swift’s concerts is murky. In the simplest terms, the rebroadcasting of copyrighted music without a licence isn’t allowed, and platforms such as YouTube and TikTok have sometimes shut down live feeds mid-stream at the behest of record labels. It happened to Ammir Shar, a 25-year-old streamer from Blackpool, U.K., who saw his YouTube feed for the fourth Toronto concert yanked down while the show was in progress. Hosts say they worry about racking up too many takedown notices, which can risk permanently shutting down their channels. Usually after a live stream ends, they delete the footage from platforms like YouTube. However, they say attempts to silence them won’t amount to much. When one streamer falls, sometimes two others turn up. Copyright owners are still grappling with that perspective, especially when unsanctioned live streams can impact other financial stakes, said Kerr-Wilson. In Swift’s case, she sold the streaming rights to her “The Eras Tour” film to Disney Plus for US$75 million. Arguably, the lawyer suggested, a company might take issue with similar options on the market, such as a live stream. But even that seems to be an evolving conversation. “People have realized that social media and user-generated content isn’t the enemy, and, in fact, can be a powerful way to engage with fans and to be part of the conversation,” he said. “I think the trend is going to continue.” While Swift hasn’t publicly said much about the streams, several streamers believe she is aware of them. They also argue the vast majority of people tuning into their feeds already have an investment in Swift’s success. Last November, a group of technologically savvy Swifties launched Swift Alert, a phone app that sends out alerts for the highlights of each Eras Tour show. Inside the app, the creators also launched a game called Mastermind — named after a Swift song, of course — where fans can win prizes by guessing which of Swift’s rotating selection of outfits she’ll wear for each “era” of her performance. Using Swift Alert in tandem with the live streams, many fans tune in for the standout moments of the three-hour concert. “A lot of people compare it to fantasy football,” Shah said. “This kind of stuff brings us closer together.” With the Eras Tour set to end in Vancouver on Dec. 8, many live streamers say they’re uncertain how the future looks. Recently, Bohne experimented with a live stream from pop singer Meghan Trainor’s concert to see if there’s similar interest. While it was enjoyable, she said the experience wasn’t quite the same. Others have started streaming Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet Tour. They say her shows are closest to Swift’s because Carpenter is a natural at witty banter, performs nightly surprise songs and changes up her outfits. “I’ve considered doing a few other (musicians, but they) are more like normal concerts — the artist on the stage with a microphone in one outfit, just singing their songs,” said Shah. “It’s not something that people at home will be like, ‘What outfit is she going to wear?’” Some wonder how live streaming will look without the intrigue of Swift’s tour. Added Bohne: “No concert is like The Eras Tour.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 23, 2024.

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How major US stock indexes fared Thursday, 12/12/2024It's almost Thanksgiving week here in the US, and that means gift-shopping season is in full swing. As the hardware launches slow down while companies wait for you to buy their wares, so, too, can our reviews team take a tiny breather. That respite will unfortunately be brief, as we begin to prepare for CES 2025 in earnest while getting some year-end retrospectives ready. Many of our team members will be taking meetings all through December ahead of the consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, which is officially starting on January 7 this year, and the news will be coming as early as January 5. In the meantime, our team's holiday gift guide and Black Friday shopping content have been dominating our site, thanks to the relentless hard work of everyone that works at Engadget. There are many people behind-the-scenes involved in the process, as we try to find the best deals this season to better serve our audience. I myself have gone to CamelCamelCamel to make sure a standing-mirror-shelf was indeed 30 percent off, and not just marked as such while being listed at the same price as during non-sale periods. You've got to be so careful with your money and not falling for deceptive deals, and our commerce team is truly adept at sussing out the good stuff versus the bad. Between all the work for our holiday gift guides, planning for CES and taking some well-deserved time off, our team of reviewers has still managed to deliver some great reads, just in time for the holidays. Apple M4 iMac review by Steve Dent Apple 90 100 Expert Score Apple iMac M4 Apple’s 2024 iMac comes with the powerful M4 chip and starts with 16GB of RAM, making it a better value than past models. Pros Powerful M4 processors 16GB of RAM comes standard Much improved webcam Nano-textured display option Cons Upgrades still too expensive Needs more screen size options No vertical height adjustment $1,199 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $1,299 at Adorama $1,208 at Abt Electronics Steve's one of our expert photographers and videographers, and his review of the new iMac as a content creator is super insightful. I've always admired Steve's depth of knowledge, and his background brought a different perspective to our review that I found relevant and helpful. One of the biggest takeaways from Steve's review is that Apple is finally offering more RAM in the entry-level model, and that's somehow the most intriguing upgrade here. Though the webcam now has a sharper 12-megapixel sensor, and the display can be configured with a nano-coating, having twice the RAM in the base configuration is the most significant improvement. Steve clearly lays out why. Fellow Aiden review by Billy Steele Fellow/Engadget 91 100 Expert Score Fellow Aiden The Aiden is an automatic drip coffee machine that actually delivers on its promise of hands-off pour-over quality brewing. It offers tons of customization options and controls, plus guided brewing for novice users. Pros Excellent pour-over performance Lots of customization Reconfigurable for single-cup use Carafe pours easily Cons One-button interface slows you down Some app features are still in development $365 at Fellow Explore More Buying Options $365 at Amazon Whenever Billy files a draft that's for something outside the audio category, I know I have to be prepared. His mouthwatering descriptions of the meats he smokes or pizzas he makes with the cooking appliances he reviews often evoke FOODMO (food-induced FOMO) and, weirdly, so did this review of the Fellow Aiden . It's an automatic coffee maker that promises to replicate the quality of brews you'd get using a pour-over cone. I am a casual coffee lover, in that I know my preference for darker roasts and can kind of tell the difference when a cuppa has been prepared well. But aside from convenience, I couldn't tell you exactly why I prefer my pour-over cone to a French press or drip machine. Billy's review clearly explains why the Aiden is the best of the coffee makers that claim to bring pour-over quality in an automatic system. While simultaneously making me somehow crave an expertly crafted cup of morning joe. Be warned, if descriptions of beans can make your mouth water, definitely make sure you have a mug of your favorite beverage nearby before reading this. Loop Switch 2 review by Billy Steele Loop/Engadget 88 100 Expert Score Loop Switch 2 The Switch 2 delivers on Loop's promise to safely filter loud noise without overly muffling the sound for social gatherings, concerts, commuting and more. Pros Easy to adjust while wearing Very comfortable Cons Priciest model from Loop Noise levels on vary by 3dB $60 at Loop We don't typically review earplugs, but Billy had done fairly deep testing of the Loop Switch 2 , and had enough experience to also compare it to some competing products. That's why we felt confident about assigning these noise-filtering earbuds a score. You might notice that the scorecard is smaller than usual — this is something you'll see more of moving forward. It represents reviews that involved first-hand, in-depth testing, but for products that for a variety of reasons may not rise to the level of our full reviews. Rest assured that a scored review on Engadget will always involve thorough first hand testing and thoughtful criticism and evaluation. Billy's piece on the Switch 2 had me intrigued, especially as I recently went to a concert and was concerned about the loud music and potential damage to my hearing. I never knew earplugs had gotten so advanced, and learned a lot from Billy's description of how you can change between levels of noise-filtering without having to take these buds out of your ears. Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet review by Jeff Dunn Amazon 68 100 Expert Score Amazon Fire HD 8 The Fire HD 8 remains a decent value for a casual media consumption tablet, particularly when it’s on sale, but its iffy display and ad-heavy software make it less appealing at full price. Pros Cheap, and frequently discounted Lightweight and comfortable to hold Improved performance over prior generation Good battery life Has a microSD slot and headphone jack Cons Fire OS is ad-heavy and Amazon-centric to the point of hostility Limited app selection Display needs a refresh Poor cameras Still only powerful enough for light gaming and media consumption $55 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $101 at Staples $55 at Kohl's Many Amazon tablets fall under the category of products that we would like to review but don't typically have the time or bandwidth to get to. That's why I was excited when Jeff was able to find time to test the Fire HD 8 , especially since he is familiar with the Amazon product ecosystem. There are plenty of Android tablets out there, and the Fire series are among the most affordable, making them a popular choice. That's why it's important for us to test them, to get a better sense for what people are using and also to inform our other coverage and reviews. Though Jeff didn't like Fire OS, he did find the HD 8 to be just good enough to be a decent value. As long as you can put up with an ad-heavy interface and a limited app selection, you'll probably find this to be a competent device for, say, your child to use on the go. Sonos Arc Ultra review by Billy Steele Sonos/Engadget 87 100 Expert Score Sonos Arc Ultra Sonos’ latest premium soundbar relies on new technology to improve audio quality and the upgrade delivers more than just a bass boost. Pros Improved bass performance Crisp, clear and immersive sound Expanded Speech Enhancement Compatible with Ace headphones Cons Still just a single HDMI port Expansion remains pricey Large footprint $999 at Sonos Sonos' Arc Ultra manages to deliver better bass and sound than the original, and thanks to Billy's explainer on the company's latest Sound Motion technology , I have a better understanding of how it's different. According to Billy, the acoustic improvement is significant, and the company's improved app makes for a greater overall experience that could be worth the extra $100. Considering the Sonos Arc is now on sale for $699 and the Ultra costs $999, though, the greater difference in cost may be harder to justify. Sony's PlayStation Portal gets a cloud-streaming upgrade by Devindra Hardawar Sony announced this week that it was bringing cloud-streaming to the PlayStation Portal, a handheld gaming console that was previously only capable of playing games that were on the PlayStation in your home. Since this drawback was one of the major complaints Devindra had when he reviewed the Portal last year, he dusted off his Portal and got to testing the new cloud-streaming feature and was generally impressed by the performance and latency. It's nice to see companies deliver features after a product launches, and even nicer when they work well. But since Devindra still has some unaddressed griped with the Portal, like some clunkiness and lag in connecting to a PlayStation, the cloud-streaming addition doesn't yet warrant an update to our original review and score. If Sony further updates the Portal and genuinely improves the experience, we will revisit our evaluation. For now, though, Devindra just says he has "started to hate this thing a bit less." On the horizon: Upcoming reviews We're still awaiting a review unit of the new Kindle Scribe that Amazon announced in October, and continue to work through our backlog of gadgets that includes a Roku, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. We're also taking some time to revisit some older products so we can review them with some time after launch, which should give us a better view of how the things we test hold up over time. Stay tuned for all that, and feel free to send us your feedback and suggestions on what you'd like to see us review. In the meantime, happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate it, and we'll see you soon!Nikola Jokic Has Managed What No Other Active Player Has, And He's Done it in 30 Days

Parker-Hannifin (NYSE:PH) Stock Price Expected to Rise, KeyCorp Analyst SaysAre you tired of battling with a hair dryer that takes forever to dry your hair and leaves it looking damaged and frizzy? If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of waiting for your hair to dry while trying to avoid heat damage, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with traditional hair dryers that simply don’t deliver the results they desire. Fortunately, this Black Friday, Dyson is offering a solution that can transform your hair care routine: it offers massive discounts on two of their most innovative products—the Dyson Airwrap and the Dyson Supersonic. The Dyson Airwrap is priced at $499, down from $599 , which is a 17% discount, while the Dyson Supersonic is available for $329, reduced from $429 , offering a 23% savings. Given that Dyson rarely discounts its premium products, this is a rare opportunity to invest in high-quality tools designed to elevate your hair care experience. See Dyson Airwrap at Amazon See Dyson Supersonic at Amazon As you consider these (incredible) options this Black Friday, remember that Amazon offers a best price guarantee: if the price drops further during the promotional period, they will refund you the difference. Plus, with an extended return policy until January 31, 2025—far beyond the usual 30 days—you can shop with confidence this holiday season. What Difference? The Dyson Airwrap uses the revolutionary “Coanda” effect to style and dry hair simultaneously without exposing it to extreme heat. This technology allows the device to attract and wrap hair around its barrels using only air and enables you to create beautiful curls, waves and smooth blowouts without the risk of damage. With 8 attachments—including four curling barrels and various brushes for smoothing and volumizing—the Airwrap caters to a wide range of hair types and styles for salon-quality results right at home. In contrast, the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer is engineered for rapid drying: its powerful digital motor spins up to 6 times faster than traditional dryers and delivers supersonic airspeed that drastically reduces drying time. The Supersonic comes with 5 attachments—a smoothing nozzle, a wide-tooth comb, a flyaway attachment, a diffuser for curly hair, and a gentle air attachment for fine or sensitive hair. With intelligent heat control technology that measures airflow temperature over 40 times per second, it prevents extreme heat damage while enhancing shine. While both devices excel in their respective functions, they cater to different needs: the Dyson Airwrap is perfect for those who want to style their hair while drying it simultaneously . Meanwhile, if your primary goal is quick drying before styling with other tools, the Supersonic is the better choice. See Dyson Airwrap at Amazon See Dyson Supersonic at Amazon

NoneMINNEAPOLIS — Just over a week ago, the Lakers’ mission was clear. But what has transpired over the last week has been a reversal of what was desired. The Lakers’ offense was humming coming off a frustrating 119-118 home loss to the Orlando Magic on Nov. 21 that ended their six-game winning streak. Their 118.3 offensive rating (points scored per 100 possessions) ranked No. 4 through the first 15 games, delivering on the belief that the Lakers could be an elite offensive team. They scored at least 110 points in seven of eight games through the loss to the Magic and 12 of the first 15 games, helping them to a 10-5 record. The next step was clear: improve on the defensive end of the court, with the Lakers’ defensive rating of 117.4 in the first 15 games ranking 26th. The Lakers accomplished their goal: their defense has improved, with a defensive rating of 114.9 in their past six games (19th), including 109.8 (12th) in their last four. But it’s come at a cost – their once elite offense has fallen off significantly over the last week-plus, most evident in their 109-80 road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night . “It’s very frustrating,” All-Star big man Anthony Davis said. “We were really good offensively and our defense was a problem and we kind of start just focusing on defense and now our offense is kind of shifted. So we got to get back to how we were [at] the beginning of the year, playing on both sides of the ball very well. “The good thing about it is, offensively it doesn’t take that much to get back going. Defense is a little bit tougher. So with the guys that we have in this locker room, I think we will be fine to figure it out.” The Lakers’ offensive rating has plummeted to 102.4 in their past six games for the league’s third-worst mark (28th) in that stretch. The absence of Austin Reaves, the team’s third-leading scorer who has missed the last two games because of a bruised left pelvis and is listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game in Miami, has impacted the offense. But the Lakers’ offensive regression started before Reaves’ injury. The ball and player movement has taken a notable dip compared to earlier in the season. The Lakers are passing fewer times per game during this offensive lull. Old habits have replaced the ones Coach JJ Redick tried to replace with an offensive system that values player and ball movement. “I feel like the offense was fun,” Redick said. “I really believe we’ve gotten better defensively. We’ve spent a lot of time as a staff defensively. And this is the nature of the NBA season. You don’t have a ton of time. The things you emphasize, hopefully you get better at. And sometimes when you don’t emphasize something, or you don’t work on something because you don’t necessarily have time, or you think you’re good at it and you think you have buy-in at it, you just get slippage. We gotta clean that up.” To LeBron James, the Lakers improving their offense will come down to investing similar energy as they did to improve their defense. “Just watching the film and seeing ways we can do better,” James said. “We did that a lot when we wanted to get our defense corrected and we corrected it. You spend a little bit more time on offense things too.” LAKERS AT HEAT When: Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. Where: Kaseya Center, Miami TV/radio: NBA TV, Spectrum SportsNet/710 AM

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House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minorsFalslev scores 27 as Utah State beats South Florida 88-67 for best start in school history 10-0Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) do not have a behavioural disorder, nor are they lazy, or lacking in manners and boundaries. Their brains mature in a different way, with different patterns of neurological activity and a number of neurochemical differences. For this reason, ADHD is considered to be a neurodevelopmental disorder . These neurological imbalances manifest as attention difficulties, disorganisation, or hyperactivity and impulsivity. While these are most noticeable in childhood, where prevalence is estimated at 5%, ADHD can persist into adulthood, where prevalence is 2.5% of the population. ADHD can therefore have social, academic and occupational impacts throughout a person's life. Although there are risk factors (such as mothers smoking during pregnancy or low birth weight), these have not been shown to directly cause ADHD. Genetic factors play a more significant role, as 74% of cases are hereditary. Diagnosing beyond behaviour Currently, ADHD diagnoses are mostly made through cognitive and behavioural observations. These tests determine whether a child is having difficulties in relation to what is expected for their age. However, this can be complemented – or perhaps even replaced in the future – by computational neuroscience. Thanks to research in this discipline, tools are emerging that no longer rely on behavioural observation, but instead study patterns of brain activity. By using mathematical algorithms, they provide information on whether an individual's brain activity is similar to that of other people with ADHD. Differences in the brain Our daily functions – such as thinking, feeling, walking, and so on – are enabled by neurons connecting via our synapses, and these connections generate electrical activity. We know that certain brain waves are associated with particular cognitive states. In ADHD, divergent patterns have been found in the P3B and N200 waves , which are related to attention, inhibition and self-control. In ADHD, the P3B wave is usually weaker or delayed, reflecting difficulties in attention and information processing. The N200 wave is involved in detecting errors, controlling impulses, and focusing our attention. In people with ADHD, abnormal functioning of the N200 wave may be related to problems with self-control and attention. Neuroimaging in smaller brain areas Neuroimaging technology provides further evidence of neurodevelopmental differences. Techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) have found certain areas of smaller size or volume to be relevant in ADHD cases. These include: Lower cortex volume has also been found in regions such as the frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital cortex . As mentioned above, various studies have also found a lower volume in frontal areas, especially in orbitofrontal areas . These areas are especially important for self-control and inhibition. Chemical and metabolic factors Other techniques, such as positron emission tomography, have detected lower glucose consumption (compared to people without ADHD) in four main areas: the cingulate gyrus (related to emotional regulation); in certain basal ganglia (particularly the caudate nucleus); in the right hippocampus (related to memory); and in the right thalamus (related to sensory processing). Decreased metabolism in the parietal and temporal regions is also related to maintaining attention. In addition, people with ADHD show reduced blood flow to white matter in the frontal areas , which are essential for executive functions such as attention, self-control and decision-making. This could explain the difficulties in concentration and impulse control experienced by ADHD sufferers. Reduced blood supply is also found other areas: the corpus callosum, where it prevents information from passing easily between the two hemispheres; the basal nuclei and the striatum, which are important in regulating of dopamine; and in the occipital, parietal and temporal regions, which may affect visual perception, spatial attention and verbal memory. Lastly, at the chemical level, some studies report a decrease in dopamine in dopaminergic pathways in ADHD. Dopamine, as mentioned above, is fundamental in the brain's reward system, meaning it affects motivation, attention and learning. Ending stigma: ADHD and professional success Neuroscience has provided enough evidence for us to stop seeing children with ADHD as lazy or rude. As demonstrated by the above examples, it is a neurodevelopmental condition. This is fundamental to detecting false positives (cases that are considered ADHD but are not), as it can help in reviewing environmental conditions and providing other possible explanations, as well as helping people with ADHD in an appropriate way. It is essential to provide tools that help sufferers to deal with difficulties and, above all, to make the most of their strengths. All of this should always be done in coordination with schools, families and, if necessary, therapists. It is true that school can be hard for many children with ADHD, but with the right support, many can go on to become successful adults. Celebrities like Will Smith, Jim Carrey and Justin Timberlake, as well as entrepreneurs like Ingvar Kamprad (Ikea) or Richard Branson (Virgin), are examples of this. The real challenge is therefore not ADHD itself, but how society understands and supports it. Teresa Rossignoli Palomeque , Co-founder and CEO of STap2Go, researcher and lecturer, Nebrija University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

Bank of America Announces Full Redemption of Its Series MM Preferred Stock and Related Depositary SharesBoxing Day shopper footfall was down 7.9% from last year across all UK retail destinations up until 5pm, MRI Software’s OnLocation Footfall Index found. However, this year’s data had been compared with an unusual spike in footfall as 2023 was the first “proper Christmas” period without Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, an analyst at the retail technology company said. It found £4.6 billion will be spent overall on the festive sales. Before the pandemic the number of Boxing Day shoppers on the streets had been declining year on year. The last uplift recorded by MRI was in 2015. Jenni Matthews, marketing and insights director at MRI Software, told the PA news agency: “We’ve got to bear in mind that (last year) was our first proper Christmas without any (Covid-19) restrictions or limitations. “Figures have come out that things have stabilised, we’re almost back to what we saw pre-pandemic.” There were year-on-year declines in footfall anywhere between 5% and 12% before Covid-19 restrictions, she said. MRI found 12% fewer people were out shopping on Boxing Day in 2019 than in 2018, and there were 3% fewer in 2018 than in 2017, Ms Matthews added. She said: “It’s the shift to online shopping, it’s the convenience, you’ve got the family days that take place on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.” People are also increasingly stocking-up before Christmas, Ms Matthews said, and MRI found an 18% increase in footfall at all UK retail destinations on Christmas Eve this year compared with 2023. Ms Matthews said: “We see the shops are full of people all the way up to Christmas Eve, so they’ve probably got a couple of good days of food, goodies, everything that they need, and they don’t really need to go out again until later on in that week. “We did see that big boost on Christmas Eve. It looks like shoppers may have concentrated much of their spending in that pre-Christmas rush.” Many online sales kicked off between December 23 and the night of Christmas Day and “a lot of people would have grabbed those bargains from the comfort of their own home”, she said. She added: “I feel like it’s becoming more and more common that people are grabbing the bargains pre-Christmas.” Footfall is expected to rise on December 27 as people emerge from family visits and shops re-open, including Next, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis that all shut for Boxing Day. It will also be payday for some as it is the last Friday of the month. A study by Barclays Consumer Spend had forecast that shoppers would spend £236 each on average in the Boxing Day sales this year, but that the majority of purchases would be made online. Nearly half of respondents said the cost-of-living crisis will affect their post-Christmas shopping but the forecast average spend is still £50 more per person than it was before the pandemic, with some of that figure because of inflation, Barclays said. Amid the financial pressures, many people are planning to buy practical, perishable and essential items such as food and kitchenware. A total of 65% of shoppers are expecting to spend the majority of their sales budget online. Last year, Barclays found 63.9% of Boxing Day retail purchases were made online. However, a quarter of respondents aim to spend mostly in store – an 11% rise compared with last year. Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: “Despite the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it is encouraging to hear that consumers will be actively participating in the post-Christmas sales. “This year, we’re likely to see a shift towards practicality and sustainability, with more shoppers looking to bag bargains on kitchen appliances and second-hand goods.” Consumers choose in-store shopping largely because they enjoy the social aspect and touching items before they buy, Barclays said, adding that high streets and shopping centres are the most popular destinations.

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Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will impose more regulatory curbs on unsecured lending if banks and finance companies do not mend their ways, it said in the Trends and Progress of Banking report published Thursday. The banking regulator also directed boards of lending entities to fix unsecured exposure levels prudently to prevent systemic risks. ET Year-end Special Reads Corporate Kalesh: Top family disputes of India Inc in 2024 The world of business lost these eminent people in 2024 Fast, faster, fastest: How 2024 put more speed into your shopping The report also highlighted that banks’ profitability rose for the sixth consecutive year and gross bad loans were at a 13-year low in FY24. Still, the RBI expressed concerns over interconnectedness between lending entities and private credit firms, high attrition among private banks, liberal underwriting standards for top-up loans, and rising cyber frauds. At the same time, it advised banks to fix the KYC gaps and closely monitor gold loans and hinted that it would issue directive to prohibit banks from charging pre-payment penalties on floating rate loans taken by small entrepreneurs. Although banks and finance companies have the discretion to set limits on unsecured exposures, “some entities have fixed very high ceilings, which need to be continuously monitored”, the RBI report said. The regulator's worries stem from the fact that even after it raised risk weightage on unsecured loans in November 2023, unsecured loans still constitute one-fourth of commercial banks' books at the end of March 2024. 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View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program The RBI added it expects "boards of regulated entities (RE) to show prudence and avoid exuberance in the interest of their own financial health as also systemic financial stability". Justifying its stance, RBI said that even though credit growth has dipped, "delinquency levels and leverage warrant enhanced vigil". On top-up loans, the RBI pointed out that lenders often sanction extra facilities to borrowers with minimal processes and due diligence, generously underwrite loans, follow inadequate fund end-use monitoring, and deviate from loan-to-value (LTV) ratios and risk weights. "The RBI will assess the need, if any, for additional regulatory interventions to mitigate the identified risks in cases of other top-up loans," said the regulator. The central bank also warned about malpractices in the digital lending scape wherein "unscrupulous players in digital lending space, who falsely claim association with RE. Enhanced monitoring and transparency are required." To mitigate this risk, the RBI is in the process of setting up a repository of Digital Lending Apps. On the interlinkage between banks, NBFCs and private credit, the RBI said: "Strong interrelationship between them could give rise to systemic concerns along with the possibility of regulatory arbitrage to circumvent regulations." The regulator said close monitoring "is warranted as their reach expands beyond mid-sized corporate borrowers". The RBI said in its last October policy that it would restrict banks from charging prepayment penalties on floating rate loans of small businessmen to "safeguard customers' interest". At present, banks are not permitted to charge prepayment penalty to individual borrowers for purposes other than business. The RBI expressed concerns over high attrition in banks and finance companies, stating that “high attrition poses significant operational risks, including disruption in customer services and loss of institutional knowledge”. KYC GAPS It also directed banks to fix certain gaps in know-your-customer, or KYC processes. "Accounts getting frozen and lack of proactive customer assistance have caused operational inefficiencies and customer grievances," the regulator said. The RBI advised banks to closely monitor gold loan portfolios as it continues to observe irregularities in lending processes. Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is December 31, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )TEHRAN – Iran has announced promising results from flight tests of an unmanned version of its domestically produced Qaher (Conqueror) stealth fighter jet, marking a significant advancement in the country's aviation and defense capabilities. At the 12th Iran International Aerospace Exhibition (Iran Airshow 2024) held on Kish Island, General Afshin Khajefard, managing director of the Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO), announced that the fighter jet has successfully completed its first flight tests. This unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) project, developed by Iranian experts, represents a modification of the Qaher-313, a single-seat stealth fighter jet unveiled in February 2013, capable of short takeoff and landing. General Khajefard also highlighted other IAIO initiatives, including the development of a new fleet of domestically produced jet trainers to ensure self-sufficiency in pilot training. This, he stated, is a key priority for the Defense Ministry in equipping the Armed Forces. Furthermore, the General announced a project to produce a new combat helicopter for the Iranian naval forces, designed by Iranian experts and slated for public unveiling in the near future. The Ministry of Defense has announced that Iran has the scientific expertise and potential to become a leading producer of commercial and passenger aircraft. Speaking at the 12th International Iran Airshow and Aerospace Exhibition, Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, highlighted the event as a showcase of Iran's national and scientific capabilities, alongside those of participating countries. “This exhibition reflects part of Iran’s advancements in science and technology, as well as contributions from international participants,” Talaei-Nik stated. He noted that the event brings together industrial organizations, research centers, and knowledge-based companies, alongside contributions from the Ministry of Defense and its affiliates. According to Talaei-Nik, the participation of nations like China, Russia, Pakistan, and Malaysia underscores the growing synergy in the exchange of scientific and technological expertise within the aviation sector. “The aviation industry spans a diverse range of subsystems, including avionics, navigation, and electronics. This exhibition highlights scientific, technical, and production achievements in these fields,” he explained. He emphasized the strategic importance of the aviation industry to Iran. “The presence of the Minister of Defense and other senior officials at the airshow demonstrates its significance. The country’s Seventh Development Plan has identified aviation as a key priority for industrial growth and technological advancement,” he said. “Iran possesses the capability and potential to join the ranks of countries producing commercial and passenger aircraft. Much of the aviation industry is dual-purpose, with applications in both military and civilian sectors. Enhancing cooperation between private firms, the defense industry, and international partners is a top priority,” Talaei-Nik stated. On the development of passenger aircraft, Talaei-Nik explained that efforts are underway through the Aerospace Industries Organization but require increased government support and national collaboration. “The Ministry of Defense has prepared detailed proposals for advancing this sector at the national level,” he concluded.

Homeland Security shares new details of mysterious drone flights over New Jersey A New Jersey lawmaker from part of the state where several mysterious drones have been spotted in recent week says the devices appear to avoid detection by traditional methods. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia was among state officials who met Wednesday with representatives from the Department of Homeland Security. She says lawmakers were told the drones have dodged detection by helicopters and radio. Fantasia says DHS described the devices as up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights off. The Morris County Republican made the comments in a post on X shortly after she and several other state and local lawmakers met with state police and Homeland Security officials. Juan Soto gets free luxury suite and up to 4 premium tickets for home games in $765M Mets deal DALLAS (AP) — Juan Soto gets free use of a luxury suite and up to four premium tickets behind home plate for regular-season and postseason New York Mets home games as part of his record $765 million, 15-year contract. The Mets agreed to provide personal team security for the All-Star outfielder and his family at the team’s expense for all spring training and regular-season home and road games, according to details of the agreement obtained by The Associated Press. New York agreed to assist Soto’s family for in-season travel arrangements, guaranteed he gets uniform No. 22 and included eight types of award bonuses. Rape allegation against Jay-Z won’t impact NFL's relationship with music mogul, Goodell says IRVING, Texas (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says a rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z won’t impact the NFL's relationship with the music mogul. Jay-Z's company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFL’s entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show. A woman who previously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 amended the lawsuit Sunday to include an allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z says the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. Ohio politician proposes make flag planting a felony after fight in Michigan rivalry game An Ohio politician has seen enough flag planting. Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. A fight ensued and police had to use pepper spray to disperse the players. Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield famously planted a flag in the middle of the field at Ohio State after the Sooners beat the Buckeyes in 2017. Gastineau confronts Favre in documentary for his 'dive' on Strahan's record-breaking sack Former New York Jets star Mark Gastineau confronted Brett Favre last year at a memorabilia show and angrily accused the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback of deliberately going down on a record-breaking sack. The tense exchange is shown in the new ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “The New York Sack Exchange." It chronicles the Jets’ fearsome foursome defensive line of the 1980s that included Gastineau. Gastineau set an NFL record with 22 sacks in 1984, but Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan broke the mark when he sacked Favre in 2002 in a game between the Giants and Packers. Many have accused Favre of purposely taking the sack so Strahan could set the single-season record with 22 1/2. What happens next with Alex Jones' Infowars? No certainty yet after sale to The Onion is rejected Lawyers in the Alex Jones bankruptcy case are now in discussions on what could happen next after a federal judge in Texas rejected the auction sale of Jones’ Infowars to The Onion satirical news outlet. The next steps remained unclear Wednesday as the judge ordered the trustee who oversaw the auction to come up with a new plan. Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston rejected the bid late Tuesday, saying there was too much confusion about The Onion’s bid. The bankruptcy case was in the wake of the nearly $1.5 billion that courts have ordered Jones to pay for calling the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut a hoax. Sandy Hook families had backed The Onion’s bid. NFL and Nike extend their partnership with a 10-year deal, will focus on growing the sport globally IRVING, Texas (AP) — The NFL’s desire to become a global powerhouse is no secret. Nike is committed to helping the league continue expanding its worldwide reach. The league and the apparel giant announced Wednesday a 10-year partnership extension. The NFL and Nike will focus on working together to grow the game’s global reach, increase participation, develop new talent, and expand the football fan base. Nike, the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel, has been the NFL’s exclusive provider of uniforms and sideline, practice and base layer apparel for all 32 NFL teams for 12 years. George Kresge Jr., who wowed talk show audiences as the The Amazing Kreskin, dies at age 89 NEW YORK (AP) — George Joseph Kresge Jr., otherwise known to TV watchers as the mesmerizing entertainer and mentalist The Amazing Kreskin, has died at age 89. Kreskin’s friend and former road manager, Ryan Galway, says he died Tuesday at his home in Caldwell, New Jersey. Kreskin launched his television career in the 1960s and remained popular for decades, appearing with everyone from Merv Griffin to Johnny Carson to Jimmy Fallon. Fans would welcome, if not entirely figure out, his favorite mind tricks — whether correctly guessing a playing card chosen at random, or, most famously, divining where his paycheck had been planted among the audience. He also hosted a show in the 1970s, gave live performances and wrote numerous books. Albertsons sues Kroger for failing to win approval of their proposed supermarket merger Kroger and Albertsons’ plan for the largest U.S. supermarket merger in history has crumbled. The two companies have accused each other of not doing enough to push their proposed alliance through, and Albertsons pulled out of the $24.6 billion deal on Wednesday. The bitter breakup came the day after a federal judge in Oregon and a state judge in Washington issued injunctions to block the merger, saying that combining the two grocery chains could reduce competition and harm consumers. Albertsons is now suing Kroger, seeking a $600 million termination fee, as well as billions of dollars in legal fees and lost shareholder value. Kroger says the legal claims are “baseless.” Keynote Selena Gomez spotlights prioritizing mental health during Academy Women's Luncheon LOS ANGELES (AP) — While surveying a room packed with Hollywood’s most influential figures, “Emilia Pérez” star Selena Gomez took center stage at the Academy Women’s Luncheon to spotlight a critical issue: Prioritizing mental health and supporting underserved communities often left behind in the conversation. The singer-actor has been public about her mental health struggles, revealing she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Gomez was the keynote speaker Tuesday at the event held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures with attendees including Ariana Grande, Olivia Wilde, Amy Adams, Pamela Anderson, Rita Wilson, Ava DuVernay and Awkwafina.ASTANA, Kazakhstan (AFP) — Azerbaijani and US officials believe a Russian surface-to-air missile caused the deadly crash of an Azerbaijani passenger jet, media reports and a US official said Thursday, as the Kremlin cautioned against “hypotheses” over the disaster. The Azerbaijan Airlines jet crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau, an oil and gas hub, on Wednesday after going off course for undetermined reasons. Thirty-eight of the 67 people on board died. The Embraer 190 aircraft was supposed to fly northwest from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to the city of Grozny in Chechnya, southern Russia, but instead diverted far off course across the Caspian Sea. An investigation is underway, with pro-government Azerbaijani website Caliber citing unnamed officials as saying they believed a Russian missile fired from a Pantsir-S air defence system downed the plane. The claim was also reported by The New York Times, broadcaster Euronews and the Turkish news agency Anadolu. Some aviation and military experts said the plane might have been accidentally shot by Russian air defence systems because it was flying in an area where Ukrainian drone activity had been reported. A former expert at France’s BEA air accident investigation agency said there appeared to be “a lot of shrapnel” damage on the wreckage. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said the damage was “reminiscent” of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which was downed with a surface-to-air missile by Russia-backed rebels over eastern Ukraine in 2014. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: “It would be wrong to make any hypotheses before the investigation’s conclusions.” – Shrapnel strikes reported – Euronews cited Azerbaijani government sources as saying that “shrapnel hit the passengers and cabin crew as it exploded next to the aircraft mid-flight”. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said early indications suggested a Russian anti-aircraft system struck the plane. Kazakhstan news agency Kazinform cited a regional prosecutor as saying that two black-box flight recorders had been recovered. Azerbaijan Airlines initially said the plane flew through a flock of birds, before withdrawing the statement. Kazakh officials said 38 people had been killed and there were 29 survivors, including three children. Jalil Aliyev, the father of flight attendant Hokume Aliyeva, told AFP that this was supposed to have been her last flight before starting a job as a lawyer for the airline. “Why did her young life have to end so tragically?” the man said in a trembling voice before hanging up the phone. Eleven of the injured are in intensive care, the Kazakh health ministry said. – Day of mourning – Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared Thursday a day of mourning and cancelled a planned visit to Russia for an informal summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a grouping of former Soviet nations. “I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the crash... and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” Aliyev said in a social media post Wednesday. The Flight Radar website showed the plane deviating from its normal route, crossing the Caspian Sea and then circling over the area where it eventually crashed near Aktau, on the eastern shore of the sea. Kazakhstan said the plane was carrying 37 Azerbaijani passengers, six Kazakhs, three Kyrgyz and 16 Russians. – Bloodied survivors – A Kazakh woman told the local branch of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) she was near where the plane crashed and rushed to the site to help survivors. “They were covered in blood. They were crying. They were calling for help,” said the woman, who gave her name as Elmira. She said they saved some teenagers. “I’ll never forget their look, full of pain and despair,” said Elmira. “A girl pleaded: ‘Save my mother, my mother is back there’.” Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Aliyev and “expressed his condolences in connection with the crash”, Peskov told a news conference.

Digital Storytelling with Namo Author: A Comprehensive eBook Creation Tool1. A lil' flat cat heating pad you can cook up in the microwave for some much needed relief from cramps or just the chill in the air. Promising review : "This was so much better than I anticipated. The quality is really nice and there is a removable cover that you can remove and was h. It is soft and comfortable and comes in the cutest little box. So cute and functional. Heat is a humid heat but not too intense right out of the microwave." — brittany Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available three sizes and four other styles). 2. A weighted eye mask that's basically like a weighted blanket for your human eyes, designed to decrease stress and encourage ~deep sleep~. They also feature a 3D contour, so they're hollowed out in the middle and won't rest right on top of your eyes. Promising review : "Love these . These are soft and very comfortable, and they seriously black out every bit of ligh t. I love them. I would highly recommend. I’ll probably never sleep without them again." — AJ Get a pack of two from Amazon for $16.99 (available in seven sets). 3. A moon lamp candle warmer so you can get all the celestial vibes *and* the coziness of a soothing candle wafting through your space (without worrying about an open flame!). Promising review: "I received this as a gift for my birthday and it looks absolutely beautiful. The heat level, timer, everything about it is amazing!!!!" — Kristen Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (also available as a regular candle warmer). 4. A set of delightfully ~~tingly~~ self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint perfect for anyone whose recent step count is "too many." Nothing like a lil' self-care on those aching feet to lift your spirits! Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action. I'm a long-ish distance runner, and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and, after a few minutes, feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that, my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days! Promising review: "Very soothing. My husband and l used these on our European vacation, and they definitely felt good on our feet!" — KS2018 Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $11.97 . 5. A brand new satin-lined Carhartt beanie , a hairstyle-friendly version of the iconic originial Carhartt knit beanie so beloved that it's amassed over 88,800 5-star ratings on Amazon. This version is designed for all hair types to help prevent hair breakage, frizzing, and general "hat head" issues that come with wearing a beanie. Promising review: "Fits great and looks good. Made of good quality materials and keeps you warm on those 20 degree days." — Edward Kephart Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in six colors). 6. "You Need To Calm Down: A Coloring Book," which is the new ideal way for Swifities to de-stress. This features 45 pages of illustrations and quotes designed to loosely follow the Eras tour in order, so you can color your way back to the magic whenever you please. Psst — you can pick up a cult-fave colored pencil set on Amazon for $11.99! Promising review : "I never thought I would enjoy adult coloring as much as I do with this book. It provides many opportunities to be creative, mix colors, be whimsical, and enjoy the lyrics." — Sherry Get it from Amazon for $9.99 . 7. A container of Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cinnadust so absurdly delicious that all food will just become a mere canvas for putting Cinnadust on. Reviewers use this on everything from coffee to toast to yogurt to fries to popcorn to sweet potatoes to ice cream to — you know what, I'll let you decide on your cinnajourney for yourself. Check out a TikTok of the Cinnadust in action. Promising review: "I would order again, 10 out of 10. Try it on yogurt, ice cream, toast, carrots, and amazingly I saw a TikTok challenge with it on hard boiled eggs. It is stupendous!!!" — ThatGuy Get it from Amazon for $3.49 . 8. A "Cup Cozy Pillow" to keep everything steady on your bed or couch when you are one silly little beverage away from accidentally turning your life into a LaCroix swamp. This will not only keep all your accessories upright and on hand, but it also has expandable cup holes to fit mugs, water bottles, and snacks, with an insulating foam that keeps drinks hot or cold for longer periods. Cup Cozy Pillow is a small business that specializes in family-friendly snack and drink organizers. Check out a TikTok of the Cup Cozy Deluxe Pillow in action. Promising review: "This thing is great! I’m home on maternity leave with my new baby and spend most of my time on the couch under a sleeping baby. This product makes it easy for me to keep my drinks, remote, etc close by even with dogs running around . It’s a little more expensive than I would have liked but it works and I love it so money well spent!" — Amber Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in three styles and eight patterns). 9. A ridiculously high quality oversized cropped puffer jacket reviewers are not only obsessed with, but compare to the Aritzia version for a fraction of the price. This insulated, cozy, trendy puffer is perfect for anyone whose winter motto is "Go go go!!! ... As cutely as possible, of course." It even features an adjustable drawstring at the bottom for a personalized fit! Promising review: "I had no idea I would love this as much as I do. First of all, the cut is superb. Cropped yet oversized. It’s super warm and cozy. I literally grab this five out of six times. Today I ordered it in red! You need this. You want this. You shall have it!" — Cassidy Barbeau Get it from Amazon for $62.99 (clip the $10 off coupon on the product page for this price; available in women's sizes XS–L and 16 colors). 10. A pair of chic wireless headband sleep headphones so you can keep your ears comfortable listening to music, white noise, or calming affirmations as you drift off. Promising review : "I purchased this product to be able to listen to affirmations as I fall asleep. It has been great for that, and has also been very beneficial on long airplane flights when my ears hurt from the AirPods being in for so long. Also a great option when you are sleeping in a room with someone who snores! My kids keep stealing this from me so I purchased two more to get them for Christmas!" — Dawn Cooperider Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (clip the 20% off coupon on the product page for this price; available in 27 colors). 11. A "holy grail" Coop Home Goods pillow designed for side, back, *and* stomach sleepers to get the best shut-eye of their lives. This medium-firm pillow has an entirely adjustable memory foam fill, so you can mold it to the exact firmness, size, and shape you need. In other words: this is the One Pillow that will serve you well for a long, long time. Coop Sleep Goods is a small business specializing in pillows, pillowcases, and sleep products. Promising review: "I hardly ever write reviews but I have to for this. I saw this pillow on TikTok and it got me curious so I immediately came to Amazon. OMG, it’s such a game changer. I’m a side sleeper and this pillow is heaven . It’s some of the most comfortable sleep I have had in ages. I love it so much I bought a second one and have my eye on the body pillow. Obsessed! You need this in your bedroom." — MT Get it from Amazon for $60+ (available in two sizes and three shapes). 12. And a set of satin pillowcases that not only have a cooling effect, but are soft on your skin and create less friction for your hair so it won't get as tangled while you sleep. Promising review: "My hair has never been better! I got this because of TikTok and it has done wonders for my hair. My hair isn’t frizzy or dull looking when I get up in the morning." — Aaron Key Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 37 colors and five sizes). 13. An ultimate "girl dinner" plate — okay, technically a cheeseboard, but HEAR ME OUT. This labeled board is the *gremlin's kiss* perfect size for a human who wants to curl up with a Netflix rom-com alone and eat sharp cheddar cheese, Ritz crackers, and stuffed olives on a Friday night. Bonus: it's blank on the other side if you want to flip it over and use it for entertaining! Promising review : "Perfect. The charcuterie board looks exactly like the picture. I am very happy with it." — Joetta Adgate Get it from Amazon for $17.99. 14. A set of 2-in-1 magnetic rechargeable hand warmers that are a genuine must-have for cold weather climates — you can keep these in your pockets to keep your hands the kind of roasty toasty warm that radiates through your whole body, and makes it a heck of a lot easier to endure the elements. Bonus: both hand warmers double as device chargers, so they'll come in handy in warm weather, too! Promising review: "These are amazing! I use them when I volunteer at the outdoor food bank and they keep my hands nice and toasty. I keep them in my coat pocket and they warm me right up! They are easy to charge and easy to use!" — Karen Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (clip the 40% off coupon on the product page for this price; available in eight colors). 15. An oversize, lightweight knit button-up cardigan with a vibe reviewers compare to the beloved Jenni Kayne "Cocoon" cardigan. This is just *begging* to be layered with all your coziest looks, and it this price point, it might be an investment to grab a few colors to have on hand 👀 . Promising review: "The sweater is extremely comfortable and high quality, and the color selections were awesome. I chose the cognac color which is kind of a taupe-ish brownish color. Bought it to match some khaki boots, and the match was terrific. The pockets are nice. The sweater is roomy. The sleeves are a good length. The thickness is perfect for warmth without being overly bulky. I really like this sweater and will order more colors." — Alana Mohacsi Get it from Amazon for $35.99+ (available in women's sizes XS–XL and 29 styles). 16. A weighted Bearaby napper that answers the question of, "What would it look like if a blanket had magic sleep-inducing powers?" This breathable chunky knit blanket is designed with a comforting weight to help soothe anxiety and promote calm, making it easier not just to fall asleep, but *stay* asleep. Read more about how to choose a weight and what these blankets help with and how from Cleveland Clinic . I've been using this weighted blanket for about three years now and what I find really remarkable about it is that I *never* feel overheated in it . It's also just so, SO soft, and looks absolutely beautiful at the foot of my bed where I leave it every night. It definitely helps me activate "sleep mode" at night — I find the weight very comforting and not at all stifling, because it spreads so evenly. Promising review: "I’m in love with my this blanket! It is absolutely gorgeous and has made a remarkable difference in my sleeping habits. If you are even thinking about a weighted blanket, this is a MUST! Just do it! You will only wish you’d done it sooner!" — Sandy Get it from Bearaby for $179+ (originally $199; available in four weights and six colors). 17. And a mini weighted blanket perfect for people who want a quick dose of calm and relaxation, but don't want to overheat or commit to the whole heavy shebang of a full-size weighted blanket. This one's the perfect size to easily drape over yourself on the couch. Read more about how to choose a weight and what these blankets help with and how from Cleveland Clinic . Promising review: "I love weighted blankets, but I always get way too hot with them. This is perfect because I can cover up the half of my body that I want the weighted feeling on while the rest do my body gets to stay cool. It is perfect for me." — Patricia Newt Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in three weights and five colors). 18. A portable mug warmer with three different temperature settings so you can take your sweet, sweeeeet time enjoying your morning cuppa without worrying about having to reheat it in the microwave or chugging lukewarm coffee. Bonus: it also operates as a candle warmer! Promising review: "LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Love the look. Love the temperature settings, although I don't believe I will use the lower ones since the 170 seems to be just right for me. Very simple to operate. Perfect Christmas gift or stocking stuffer for my daughter-in-law." — rkd Get it from Amazon for $20.79 (clip the 20% off coupon on the product page for this price). 19. A dual-zone comforter to quite possibly save y'all's relationship, particularly if you can never agree on where the thermostat should be. One side of this comforter runs cool, and the other one runs hot, so you can sleep under whichever side you prefer without waking up when one of you hogs or throws off the covers in the middle of the night. Promising review: "This comforter is what we’ve always needed . My husband and I are always tangled in blankets because I need more but yet they always end up on his side. This comforter provides an all-in-one solution that keeps me warm and him cool and our bedroom looking calm and zen. " — Hannah Get it from Amazon for $134.99+ (available in four colors and two sizes). 20. And a set of review-beloved moisture-wicking double-brushed microfiber sheets with a softness so luxurious that you'll be like, "Cotton whomst?? " Reviewers especially love that the "cooling" effect of these is no joke, particularly for people in hot climates or people experiencing night sweats and hot flashes. P romising review : “LOVE THESE!! I was searching for a sheet set that would help me sleep more comfortably at night and found these. I have terrible hot flashes with night sweats and get up in the morning, just miserable. Of course, these do not eliminate my hot flashes as no sheets will, but they definitely make my nights much more comfortable by eliminating wet bedding, and I definitely appreciate that! Aside from their moisture-wicking abilities, they are very soft, easy to look at, and launder extremely well. I would highly recommend these for anyone shopping for sheet sets and especially for anyone experiencing night sweats!! ” — Shannon Warfel Get it from Amazon for $34.95+ (available in sizes Twin—California King, with deep pockets, and in 37 styles). 21. A pair of ~dreamlux~ leggings made with an oh-so-buttery soft material reviewers compare to Lululemon's Align ... but WAY cheaper. If you're looking for a reliably squatproof, comfy, compressive legging, look no further than these. I bought these on Prime Day, which is the only day I will buy leggings because I hate wearing leggings with a burning passion. My "I'm not like other girls" bit is that for some reason I am always comfier in jeans than leggings. BUT NOT THESE!!! They slide on. The fabric is so lightweight and breathable that it feels like a whisper. The band is so deceptively comfortable that sometimes I'm like, "Am I still wearing them??" I use them to run outdoors because that is the only circumstance I'll wear a legging, and I'm happy to report after several washes, they are durable and compressive enough to withstand workouts. They would be excellent for lounging if I weren't wired in this odd anti-legging way. I have already bought two more pairs and made my friends buy them, too. Promising review: "Super comfy. I usually don’t write reviews, I tried this first before buying Lulu, and these are the most comfortable leggings for every day and even for workouts. Highly recommended!" — Criselle Johnson Get them from Amazon for $26 (clip the $3 off coupon on the product page for this price; available in women's sizes XXS–XXL, two inseams, and 21 styles). 22. A lightweight, expandable bamboo bathtub caddy to turn your boring bathroom into a veritable spa. Pinot? Poured. Candle? Lit. Netflix? Queued. Now, all you have to do is calmly explain to their loved ones that you live in a tub now. Bambusi is a small business that specializes in quality made home products. Promising review: "Surprisingly sturdy and well made. Assembly and construction is excellent, and the accessories are quite clever. On balance, the tray is impressive and well worth its cost . A thoughtful gift, especially for anyone who likes to relax in the tub, but not without their accessories and a glass of wine." — Barry Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in four colors). 23. And a bath overflow drain cover so you can finally get the luxurious, full-to-the-brim bath soak you deserve without listening to that disappointing wurgity-gurgle as the tub sucks down all that lovely hot water back down the drain. SlipX Solutions is a small business that specializes in safety-oriented shower and bath accessories. Promising review: "I have a high-stress job, and I've started taking baths as a way to unwind. However, it never seemed like I could keep enough water in the tub to really enjoy it. This little thing makes a HUGE difference!! I get at least an extra 3 inches of water and it is great. " — Hyacinthe Snyder Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in nine colors). 24. A gaming/reading/laptop pillow to prop your hands up while you're playing video games, typing, or reading on your Kindle or iPad from bed. This supports your arms for a more ~ergonomically-friendly~ experience, and even features a lil' side pocket for things like remote controls, glasses, and — of course — emergency snacky snacks. Promising review: "I work from home a few days a week, and every once in a while, my work extends into the evening hours. I have a home office, but sitting at my desk all day is sometimes very tiring. I purchased this big memory foam desk pillow so that I can relax on my couch and still put my laptop up and have a comfortable working area. This pillow is big but very comfortable. It has armrests that wrap around your sides, and they also have little pockets for random things like your cell phone or the remote. It’s so nice to just lean back into my comfortable couch and have this big soft desk in front of me." — Jenn Butterfield Get it from Amazon for $53.09 (clip the 10% off coupon on the product page for this price; available in three styles). 25. And a stable, fully adjustable tablet floor stand reviewers LOVE for holding Kindles, iPads, and even phones upright, making it super easy to read, stream content, or even FaceTime with friends and family hands-free. This little gizmo is about to become your Emotional Support Reading Buddy. Promising review : "It works great! It is worth a lot more to me than I paid. It leans forward in many ways and you can turn your device to the direction you are sitting. It has a small footprint next to my chair and next to my couch. I read my Kindle Scribe, use my IPad Pro, and occasionally I will put my phone in it . It is just right and the build is solid. I thought it would be lighter and easy to tip over, but the base keeps it standing up wherever I want to use it. Excellent job!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in two styles). 26. A pillow-top mattress pad so you can pretend you're sleeping on Mount Olympus. (What up, Zeus??) Not only is this down alternative fill fluffy and soft as heck, but it's wick-away and ventilated to help keep you cool while you snooze. Promising review : "Whoaaa this thing is amazing. I have a very expensive, firm mattress that I bought when I was younger. I got this, put this over the foam mat, and it’s like a new mattress. I slept like a rock last night. Haven’t slept that well in a long time. I also like that it’s attached to the mattress pad, so it’s not sliding all over. It slept very cool, I’m assuming that’s because is cotton. Highly recommend if you’re looking to fix a mattress and not have to spend money on a new one ." — Julie Get it from Amazon for $59.92+ (clip the 20% off coupon on the product page for this price; available in sizes Twin–California king). 27. A lightweight but insulating puffer vest that not only does its darn job, but does it CUTELY and for a delightfully affordable price compared to its name brand competitors. The fluctuating autumn weather will be no match for you and your layering game with this piece in your arsenal. Promising review : "I own a lot of vests, and this one is my absolute favorite. 😍 The fit is so comfortable, not bulky, but also not thin. Keeps me warm, and the pockets are deep, my favorite! I need every single color. True to size, but I sized up for a slightly oversized look." — Kiersten Rowland Get it from Amazon for $28.69 (clip the 30% off coupon on the product page for this price; available in women's sizes S–XL and 11 colors). 28. A TikTok and Kindle remote control ring so you can scroll through videos or turn pages without wrangling with your phone or tablet. This is the ideal accessory for anyone who likes to be cozy in bed or anyone who likes to use exercise equipment with a screen distracting them! This lets you scroll up and down, swipe right and left, pause and start, and adjust volume. Promising review: "Chiiiiiile let me tell you I got this hooked up to my iPad annnnnd my iPhone and life is so much better. This little ring is AWESOME. It works my Pandora, iHeart Radio, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, I mean everything I use, IT REALLY WORKS ! You can even like the posts on all the sites. I be under my covers just scrolling, y’all this thing even adjusts the volume. The booklet tells you everything. This is a must-have. I am extremely happy with this purchase, and I’ve been using it every day, even at work ." — Deb! Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in six colors). 29. A pair of fur-lined Crocs as a ridiculously cozy update to the ~~naked~~ version , so you don't have to give up your comfiest shoe when the temperatures drop. Your very insulated toes will thank you! Promising review: "I work from home and was looking for the perfect comfortable shoe. These crocs were perfect because they are lined for extra coziness but also if I need to go out to the store or get the mail they are durable for outside. Love them!" — Brooklyn Whitesides Get them from Amazon for $41.50+ (available in women's sizes 4–17 and in 33 colors). 30. And a pair of aesthetic fuzzy slippers to keep you cozy throughout all your "hibernation months," because if there is one trend that's never going out of style, it's keeping your toes as cute and comfy as possible. Promising review: "Love them. My cousin had them so I had to have them. Super cozy and super cute." — lauren Get it from Amazon for $17.98 (available in women's sizes 5.5–10 and six styles). 31. A TikTok-famous 3-in-1 convertible "reading chair" that reviewers love putting in their home office and living room spaces because it truly fulfills *so* many essential cozy needs at once. Not only does this include USB ports for your phone or Kindle, a cup holder, and a side pocket for books, but it can be pulled out easily into a sleeper chair or a full flat sleeper in an instant. Bonus? There's ~secret storage~ at the bottom for extra sheets and pillows. Check out a TikTok of the reading chair in action. Promising review: "Amazing reading chair/lounger . If you're one of those people who needs to change positions often while reading, this chair is the bomb. I leave a charging cord in the arm for my phone and headphones, slide out the foot, and grab whatever book I chucked under there. I can lay down, recline, sit straight, etc. with ease. The foot stool part, being collapsible and held up with thin bars, did kind of sink a little after awhile but nothing that makes the chair feel broken or look lopsided. It's a solid little guy and I plan on picking another one up eventually for another room I like to read in. " — Calvin Andrews Get it from Amazon for $239.99+ (available in four colors). 32. A forever classic Hanes crewneck sweatshirt for a chic, easy, inexpensive layering option that will keep you cozy. Reviewers especially love it for unexpected style combos (and recommend getting it oversized to pair with leggings for *maximum* coziness). Promising review : "I, a 16-year-old girl, got a medium to have an oversized fit. For the people who came here from TikTok: IT'S AWESOME. The material is so soft, and it’s a great price to put together that mini pleated skirt and collar outfit. I ordered the navy blue to see how it would fit first, and I’ll 100% be ordering other colors." — abby Get it from Amazon for $11.16+ (available in men's sizes S–5XL and 28 colors). 33. A gorgeous tufted duvet cover that somehow accomplishes the near impossible feat of being deliciously comfortable *and* sophisticated at the same time. Good luck getting out of this snuggly loveliness in the morning, is all I've got to say. Promising review: "I just received my order of my duvet. I am so in love at how soft and fresh the opposite side feels. It’s so beautiful and comfortable . I definitely recommend if anyone is looking for a good duvet. It’s pretty thick on the material as well. I love how it has the ties in the middle, not just the corners. It makes it easy to attach your comforter to it that goes on the inside. Yes, it’s a little pricy, but well worth the investment. I will definitely be purchasing more products from this brand!" — Elizabeth Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in 12 colors and five sizes). 34. A heated eye massager with so many bells and whistles, it's worth the investment and *then* some — not only does it come with five different massage modes and a 15-minute timer, but it has Bluetooth music so you can vibe with your eyes *and* your ears. Reviewers swear by this to help combat eye strain, headaches, puffy under-eye circles, and dry eyes, and insomnia. Promising review : "I saw this product on one of Amazon’s must-have TikTok videos, and I knew I had to get it. It was so worth it — even though the price may seem higher compared to other sellers, this is for sure a good investment piece. The quality is top-notch, the strap that goes around your head is comfortable, and most importantly, the duration of each mode is long enough that it doesn’t interrupt your rest. I work a 12-hour night shift as a nurse, and this technology has helped me get through the night easily.👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $55.99 (available in three colors). 35. A soft plush iPhone 15 case you can get in a ton of cool aesthetics — just imagine how cozy this will feel the next time you're having an Anxious Day For No Reason (Thanks, Brain!!) and want something snuggly in your immediate vicinity. You can grab these for iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 13 , too! Promising review : "I love this case! The texture is so unusual, the design is great, and it’s easy to clean! I just wash it with soap in the sink and let it air dry. Super affordable and good quality." — K A Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 23 styles). 36. A PopLite personal popcorn maker with a built-in serving bowl that will give you eight cups of movie theater-quality popcorn in two mere mortal minutes. Reviewers especially love that the popcorn doesn't burn, and the machine doesn't leave unpopped kernels like the usual microwave brands. Check out a TikTok of the popcorn maker in action. Promising review: " This little popcorn popper is perfect ! No fuss, no mess, no chasing popcorn kernels!! Fabulous! Easy to use — the popcorn maker part fits into the bowl part for easy storage. This is one perfect unit!" — Chrystal Get it from Amazon for $34.99 . 37. A Vesta Loop travel pillow that's basically like a personalized pool noodle for your neck — this firm pillow twists (and stays PUT) to support you as evenly as possible, whether you're upright on a flight, conking out on the road, or need extra support when the hotel pillows aren't up to snuff. Promising review : "I’ve had the S-shaped flight pillow for a week now and have tried it in various situations. I've loved it! The S shape of this travel pillow distinguishes it from all other flight pillows. It can be easily adjusted to fit my needs so I can rest my head comfortably. Because of its S shape, the pillow is compact and can be easily folded to a smaller size and fits into my backpack. The material is very soft and of great quality. I’m excited to use it on my long-distance flight!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $59.40 (also available in three other styles). 38. A gorgeously designed Hatch Restore 2 — this sunrise alarm and sound machine works overtime as a touch-controlled smart light, bedtime reading light, and even a wind-down light that helps you get into a healthier sleep routine at night, which is especially important to maintain when it's dark out for so long. Other bedside lamps could truly never. Hatch Restore lets you personalize a "bedtime routine" for each night to train your brain to recognize sleep cues and get a better night's rest. Options include changing the light settings to more amber tones to help produce melatonin for sleep, soothing noise options, and sleep meditations and sleep stories you can get in the Hatch app. Promising review: "The Hatch Restore 2 is truly a game changer for those looking to improve their night’s sleep and wake-up routine. It’s been the best bedside companion and has improved my overall health and well-being. The combination of sounds, lights, buttons, and aesthetics really all come to play to make this feel like a truly premium device. There are touch adjustments to adjust the volume and brightness of the clock, which work really well. My favorite feature is the physical buttons which you can press to start or stop the routines; it feels very intentional when I get ready for bed and really gets me in the right mindset to begin my bedtime routine ." — Natasha Advani Get it from Amazon for $169.99 (available in three styles). 39. A set of breathable bamboo socks for an understated, sophisticated vibe that still keeps your feet as comfy as can be. 'Tis the season to give your sock drawer the chic makeover it deserves. Promising review : "Absolute game-changer in the sock department! These socks are incredibly soft, thanks to their bamboo fabric, which feels luxurious against the skin. The mini crew length is perfect for wearing with sneakers or low-cut shoes, providing just the right amount of coverage without being too bulky. I love how breathable and moisture-wicking they are, keeping my feet cool and dry throughout the day. Plus, the reinforced heel and toe add durability, ensuring these socks hold up wash after wash." — Len Get a set of three from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in sets of two and five). 40. An adorable mushroom cup/tea infuser complete with a coaster so you can sip your morning tea like the certified woodland fairy creature you are. Check out a TikTok of the mushroom cup in action. Promising review : "It's so cute. It gives me so much serotonin drinking from it and having it on my desk. I'm always craving any sort of liquid so I do drink it pretty fast, but I just keep a refill close. The cup makes it worth the trip to refill." — Po1sonPod Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (clip the 10% off coupon on the product page for this price; available in five colors). 41. A waffle weave "shacket" with similar energy to the American Eagle version. This cozy number is lightweight and easy to pack, and will be a chic little lifesaver when a chilly breeze sneaks up on you during all that in-between ??? weather. Promising reviews : "Perfect closet staple! Looks great buttoned or unbuttoned and layered. Comfortable and cute! Long enough for leggings! Oversized fit." — stephanie canter "Love this! Exactly like the American eagle one." — Anuhea Get it from Amazon for $29.88+ (available in women's sizes S–XXL and 16 colors). 42. A memory foam cushion designed to relieve pressure on your back, butt, and tailbone so you don't have to suffer through long work days and commutes. Now you'll just have to convince yourself to actually get *off* of this cushion to get on with your day. Comfilife is a small business that specializes in comfort-based personal care products. Promising review: "Life-changing on a long trip! My partner wanted us to drive from Colorado to California. I wanted to fly because I had a fall, and half of my body was in pain. He talked me into it, so I purchased this pillow for the car ride. What a game-changer! It helped so much with the pain, and I would recommend it for anyone in the car !" — Nadia Get it from Amazon for $37.45+ (available in three colors). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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Israeli police set to probe Netanyahu’s wife over ‘harassment of witnesses’In a week when he lamented a bias against United States men’s national team players in Europe, Weston McKennie did what he does best. In adversity, the midfielder stood up to be counted and proved that you write him and his USMNT team-mates off at your peril. Left on the bench, alongside compatriot Tim Weah , for their Italian club Juventus as they hosted Manchester City , the pair combined as second-half substitutes to help secure a statement win against Pep Guardiola’s side. Advertisement Only six minutes after their introduction to the contest, McKennie started a move by finding Weah and then burst into the box, before the latter sent a perfect cross to the back post for the Texan to volley spectacularly past Ederson. U.S. version: Scored in Torino, made in America! 🇮🇹🤝🇺🇸 Juve’s #USMNT duo combine for a goal to remember as Tim Weah sets up Weston McKennie 🪄 pic.twitter.com/ZaZsL3u7jY — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 11, 2024 UK version: Juventus double their lead over Man City 😳 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/okSptReD23 — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 11, 2024 It made the score 2-0 against the reigning Premier League champions and created a slice of men’s Champions League history in the process. It was the first time an American has assisted another American for a goal in Europe’s premier club competition. “There was a lovely, lazy confidence about the way Timothy Weah tossed it into the path of his fellow countryman,” said commentator Clive Tyldesley on Paramount +. “I was falling over,” McKennie said post-match. “Nah, I’m just playing. We’ve seen it before, I did it also against Barcelona .” There was a timely resonance to the moment, especially for McKennie, who spoke of his frustration at the perceived prejudice against American players in excerpts from a new Paramount + documentary about Christian Pulisic . “There is definitely a bias,” said McKennie, who has had to prove himself to two different managers in the last two summers after appearing to be surplus to requirements in Turin. “I go through it most of the time when I’m at Juventus. Every year somehow I’m on the out and ready to be discarded, and every summer I’m like a new player coming in looking to make a name for myself.” McKennie has only started three Champions League games out of a possible six for Juventus, and on Wednesday found himself initially benched with Weah, having recently recovered from muscle issues that had limited his involvement. Advertisement After the final whistle Juventus’ X account published a photograph of the pair with the caption ‘American connection’ and a stars and stripes emoji. The win moved Thiago Motta’s side up to 14th in the Champions League table and boosted their chances of automatic qualification for the last 16 of the tournament, with two fixtures of the initial league phase to go. American connection 🇺🇸🔗 #JuveManCity #UCL pic.twitter.com/kH18CKbUia — JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) December 11, 2024 It was a Champions League night which began inauspiciously for the Americans in Europe — with Christian Pulisic injured for Milan , striker Folarin Balogun sidelined for Monaco and McKennie and Weah on the bench. The previous evening, in-form striker Ricardo Pepi started on the bench as PSV lost to Brest, while Malik Tillman had a tough night in the same game. Gio Reyna bucked that trend though, given his first start of the season in any competition for Borussia Dortmund in their home meeting with Barcelona . Reyna started in midfield against the Catalan giants, a major upturn on his recent minimal game time from the bench in the Bundesliga , where his campaign to date has been ruined by groin problems. But the 22-year-old attacking midfielder played 73 minutes of a pulsating 3-2 defeat at Signal Iduna Park, in a sign he is ready to take on a more meaningful role in Nuri Sahin’s team going forward. Against Barcelona, no other Dortmund player made more passes into the final third than Reyna’s six, according to Fotmob. He was back in the starting XI on the second anniversary of the start of a spectacular feud with former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter that left a sour note on their relationship after the 2022 World Cup. GO DEEPER Gio Reyna apologized to U.S. teammates over his lack of effort, sources say At the San Siro, Milan’s USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah was another who started for his team, as the Rossoneri ran out 2-1 winners against Red Star Belgrade. But the headline grabber came in Turin, where there was a distinctly American touch to Manchester City’s latest struggle, and where the goal of the night might have done a little to ease that supposed stigma. (Top photo: Valerio Pennicino / Getty Images)

Pete Carroll wants to mentor Caleb Williams, coach Bears and teach at USC? He's a young 73.Israeli attorney general orders probe into report that alleged Netanyahu's wife harassed opponents

You Can Still Enjoy $100 Off a New Dyson Airwrap Before Black Friday EndsORLANDO, Fla. — Jaylin Noel wanted to go out lifting a trophy. In the Camping World Stadium media room after Iowa State’s 42-41 win in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, ISU's senior receiver stepped down from the podium and walked straight to the trophy. 5 takeaways from Iowa State vs Miami: Carson Hansen positions himself to be lead back in 2025 Noel bear-hugged his arms around the gleaming metal. He said it was heavy (that probably had something to do with the functioning toaster inside ). When an ISU staffer protested his attempt to leave with the trophy, Noel ignored it and left carrying the trophy after his final college game. Iowa State defensive lineman J.R. Singleton (58) and wide receiver Jaylin Noel hold up the championship trophy after winning the Pop Tarts Bowl on Saturday against Miami in Orlando. John Raoux, Associated Press That fact his college career is over hadn’t registered with him in the moment. “It has not hit me yet,” Noel said. “I love this team so much. I love coach (Matt Campbell) for everything he's done for me. This team means the world to me, and there's no better way to go out than a champion.” Noel finished a remarkable four-year career with the Cyclones. Saturday, he caught his 245th career pass at ISU, moving into second in program history past Alan Lazard (2014-17). He is fourth all-time in school history with 4,226 all-purpose yards. On ISU’s game-winning drive, Noel caught three passes for 51 yards and rushed once for four yards. Doing a little bit of everything is a fitting way for Noel to finish his career. Noel will find a place with an NFL team next year and could have opted out of the bowl game, but said he had to play because that’s what leaders do. Beau Freyler's Iowa State teammates made sure he celebrated last game from the Pop-Tarts Bowl stage “It's meant the world to me,” Noel said. “For me, to be able to be a leader on this team ... I had to play for them. Those guys come in every day and look up to me, and if I wasn't going to play, then that's just not what leaders do, I feel like. To be able to play in this game and be able to go out there one last time with this team, it means everything to me.” Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel (13) runs after a reception before he is tackled by Miami defensive back Zaquan Patterson (20) during the the Pop Tarts Bowl Saturday in Orlando. JOHN RAOUX, ASSOCIATED PRESS Campbell pointed out Noel could have opted out, but instead chose to play and finished his career with eight catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. That’s the kind of leadership Noel has provided ISU since his freshman year. “When you have a great locker room and your players demand it every day, it's pretty easy for everybody else to fall in line,” Campbell said. “We are really fortunate, because in our locker r oom, our players demand greatness every day." 3 burning questions facing Iowa State football as offseason beginsfortune ox 777 。

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Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday granted ad-interim relief to HDFC Life Insurance Company Ltd., issuing a John Doe (unknown parties) order against an unidentified individual who threatened to leak confidential customer data. John Doe orders, often used in intellectual property cases, are issued against anonymous entities when the exact identity of the infringer is unknown. Justice Riyaz Chagla passed the order after concluding that HDFC Life had established a strong prima facie case for relief. “Having considered the facts and the IT Rules, I find that the Plaintiff has made a strong prima facie case for ad-interim relief,” the Court observed. HDFC Life, a leading insurance company with 6.6 crore customers and Rs 63,076 crore in premium collections for FY 2023-24, received emails from an anonymous sender claiming to possess sensitive customer data. The sender threatened to leak and sell the data unless negotiations were initiated. The emails contained details such as policy numbers, names, addresses, mobile numbers, and receipt numbers. Suspecting a ransomware attack, HDFC Life revealed that the sender escalated their demands on November 20, seeking 1,800 Ethereum (Rs 54.50 crore) and directing the company to contact them via Telegram and WhatsApp. The Court emphasised the potential harm of the data breach, including identity theft, financial fraud, and privacy violations. “Disclosure of the sensitive and confidential customer data can be highly damaging to both the Plaintiff and its customers. The Plaintiff has pointed out that publication, sale, or misuse of the data can result in identity theft, financial fraud, privacy violations, and unauthorized transactions. The data can be misused for a variety of purposes, including impersonating the Plaintiff, which would also involve infringement of the Plaintiff’s registered trademark and passing off,” the Court stated. It noted that the damage could not be compensated monetarily, especially since the perpetrator’s identity was unknown. The Court directed Meta Platforms, WhatsApp, and Telegram to remove accounts, content, and phone numbers linked to the threats and to submit compliance reports within 24 hours. It also ordered the Union of India and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to ensure swift action by internet service providers to block related accounts. Additionally, the platforms were directed to disclose any information identifying the sender. The HC has kept the matter for hearing on December 17.Injuries pile up, 49ers uncertain QB Brock Purdy can return SundayNone

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UIC 91, AURORA 76It looked like a recipe for disaster. So, when his country's swimmers were being accused of doping earlier this year, one Chinese official cooked up something fast. He blamed it on contaminated noodles. In fact, he argued, it could have been a culinary conspiracy concocted by criminals, whose actions led to the cooking wine used to prepare the noodles being laced with a banned heart drug that found its way into an athlete's system. This theory was spelled out to international anti-doping officials during a meeting and, after weeks of wrangling, finally made it into the thousands of pages of data handed over to the lawyer who investigated the case involving 23 Chinese swimmers who had tested positive for that same drug. The attorney, appointed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, refused to consider that scenario as he sifted through the evidence. In spelling out his reasoning, lawyer Eric Cottier paid heed to the half-baked nature of the theory. “The Investigator considers this scenario, which he has described in the conditional tense, to be possible, no less, no more,” Cottier wrote. Even without the contaminated-noodles theory, Cottier found problems with the way WADA and the Chinese handled the case but ultimately determined WADA had acted reasonably in not appealing China's conclusion that its athletes had been inadvertently contaminated. Critics of the way the China case was handled can't help but wonder if a wider exploration of the noodle theory, details of which were discovered by The Associated Press via notes and emails from after the meeting where it was delivered, might have lent a different flavor to Cottier's conclusions. “There are more story twists to the ways the Chinese explain the TMZ case than a James Bond movie,” said Rob Koehler, the director general of the advocacy group Global Athlete. "And all of it is complete fiction.” In April, reporting from the New York Times and the German broadcaster ARD revealed that the 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for the banned heart medication trimetazidine, also known as TMZ. China's anti-doping agency determined the athletes had been contaminated, and so, did not sanction them. WADA accepted that explanation , did not press the case further, and China was never made to deliver a public notice about the “no-fault findings,” as is often seen in similar cases. The stock explanation for the contamination was that traces of TMZ were found in the kitchen of a hotel where the swimmers were staying. In his 58-page report , Cottier relayed some suspicions about the feasibility of that chain of events — noting that WADA's chief scientist “saw no other solution than to accept it, even if he continued to have doubts about the reality of contamination as described by the Chinese authorities.” But without evidence to support pursuing the case, and with the chance of winning an appeal at almost nil, Cottier determined WADA's “decision not to appeal appears indisputably reasonable.” A mystery remained: How did those traces of TMZ get into the kitchen? Shortly after the doping positives were revealed, the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organizations held a meeting on April 30 where it heard from the leader of China's agency, Li Zhiquan. Li's presentation was mostly filled with the same talking points that have been delivered throughout the saga — that the positive tests resulted from contamination from the kitchen. But he expanded on one way the kitchen might have become contaminated, harkening to another case in China involving a low-level TMZ positive. A pharmaceutical factory, he explained, had used industrial alcohol in the distillation process for producing TMZ. The industrial alcohol laced with the drug “then entered the market through illegal channels,” he said. The alcohol "was re-used by the perpetrators to process and produce cooking wine, which is an important seasoning used locally to make beef noodles,” Li said. “The contaminated beef noodles were consumed by that athlete, resulting in an extremely low concentration of TMZ in the positive sample. "The wrongdoers involved have been brought to justice.” This new information raised eyebrows among the anti-doping leaders listening to Li's report. So much so that over the next month, several emails ensued to make sure the details about the noodles and wine made their way to WADA lawyers, who could then pass it onto Cottier. Eventually, Li did pass on the information to WADA general counsel Ross Wenzel and, just to be sure, one of the anti-doping leaders forwarded it, as well, according to the emails seen by the AP. All this came with Li's request that the noodles story be kept confidential. Turns out, it made it into Cottier's report, though he took the information with a grain of salt. “Indeed, giving it more attention would have required it to be documented, then scientifically verified and validated,” he wrote. Neither Wenzel nor officials at the Chinese anti-doping agency returned messages from AP asking about the noodles conspiracy and the other athlete who Li suggested had been contaminated by them. Meanwhile, 11 of the swimmers who originally tested positive competed at the Paris Games earlier this year in a meet held under the cloud of the Chinese doping case. Though WADA considers the case closed, Koehler and others point to situations like this as one of many reasons that an investigation by someone other than Cottier, who was hired by WADA, is still needed. “It gives the appearance that people are just making things up as they go along on this, and hoping the story just goes away," Koehler said. “Which clearly it has not.” AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-gamesMatt Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney generalOn online baby message boards and other social media forums, pregnant women say they are being asked by their providers to pay out-of-pocket fees earlier than expected.

The best video essays of 2024BJP nominee Sharma files RS bypoll papersPrincipal U.S. Small-Cap Multi-Factor ETF (NASDAQ:PSC) Sees Strong Trading Volume After Dividend Announcement

Chandigarh: Former National Commission for Women chief and BJP nominee Rekha Sharma filed her nomination for the Rajya Sabha bypoll from Haryana here on Tuesday. She submitted her nomination papers to returning officer Ashok Kumar Meena. Chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, BJP state president Mohan Lal Badoli, ministers Krishan Lal Panwar, Rao Narbir Singh, Mahipal Dhanda, Vipul Goel, Shyam Singh Rana, Krishan Kumar Bedi and Shruti Choudhry, Arti Singh Rao, Rajesh Nagar, and Gaurav Gautam, and BJP leaders were present on the occasion. The chief minister said Sharma is a senior party leader who has been working at the grassroots level to strengthen the party for a long time. Saini elaborated upon Sharma’s political journey and thanked the party high command and senior leaders for picking her as the party candidate. He expressed confidence that Sharma would effectively represent Haryana in the Rajya Sabha, benefitting the state significantly. The CM said that the double-engine govt in Haryana and the Centre is running numerous schemes for women, including self-help groups, “Drone Didi,” “Lakhpati Didi,” and programmes for women entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the Prime Minister's “Nari Shakti Vandan Bill,” which provides 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, will empower women and allow them to play a crucial role in the country’s development. Meanwhile, Sharma while interacting with mediapersons expressed gratitude towards party high command and Saini. She reiterated that having worked in Haryana for decades and then serving at national platform, she would effectively take up the issue of development in the upper house and would always be available. A resident of Panchkula, Sharma is seen as a close confidant of PM Narendra Modi and is among the few like Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar who have worked with Modi during his stint as in-charge for Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh in 1990s. We also published the following articles recently BJP nominates former NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma for Rajya Sabha from Haryana Rekha Sharma, former NCW Chairperson, has been nominated by the BJP for Haryana's Rajya Sabha seat. The election is scheduled for December 20, and Sharma is expected to win due to BJP's majority. The seat was vacated by Krishan Lal Panwar, who resigned to contest the assembly elections. Sharma's Rajya Sabha term will last approximately four years. Modi government to purchase all farm produce at MSP, assures agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Rajya Sabha Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reassured Parliament that the Modi government is fully committed to procuring all farm produce at minimum support prices (MSP). He emphasized the government's policy of calculating MSP with a 50% profit margin over production costs, contrasting it with previous administrations. Five Rajya Sabha MPs in contention for UP BJP chiefs post The BJP is searching for a new Uttar Pradesh state president to lead the party into the 2027 assembly elections. Five Rajya Sabha MPs have emerged as potential candidates: B.L. Verma, Babu Ram Nishad, Amar Pal Maurya, Dinesh Sharma, and Laxmikant Bajpai. The party is considering caste representation and experience, with some speculation that an OBC leader may be favored. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Matt Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney generalNone

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Turnout at referendum on Bucharest budget, urban planning decisions meets validation thresholdA celebrated author argues that it's not at all impractical to study subjects like writing, languages, music and history Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.

NoneAbercrombie & Fitch Co. Expands into India; Inks Strategic Franchise Partnership with Myntra JabongHALIFAX — Commercial elver fishers in the Maritimes are dismissing new quotas for the 2025 season, saying they would significantly cut their share of the lucrative baby eel fishery. In a letter obtained by The Canadian Press, the federal Fisheries Department said Thursday it wants to hand 50 per cent of the total allowable catch — 4,980 kilograms — to First Nations fishers. However, in a potentially contentious move, the department is proposing that another 28 per cent of the allowable catch — 2,812 kilograms — should go to a new pilot project. The department's plan calls for distributing that 28 per cent among people who are already involved in the fishery, including those who are working for commercial elver fishing enterprises. That means the nine existing commercial licence holders will be left with just under 22 per cent of the total catch, which has been held at 9,960 kilograms since 2005. “The minister of Fisheries and Oceans supports broadening the distribution of benefits of the elver fishery,” wrote Jennifer Ford, director of the federal elver review team for the Maritimes. In the letter, Ford explains that the goal is to increase the participation of First Nations, while also providing licences to people already involved in the industry or are willing to temporarily relinquish eel licences. “When the total allowable catch for a fishery remains stable ... quota redistribution is the only way to bring new entrants into the fishery without putting additional pressures on the stock," the letter says. Meanwhile, commercial licensees stand to lose between 60 per cent and 90 per cent of the quota they fished before 2022. On Friday, commercial licence holder Stanley King said the proposed allocations will cause more chaos in a fishery that was shut down last year because of violence and unauthorized fishing. King said the pilot project makes no sense because it redistributes quota among employees working for companies such as his own. “The government is saying anyone who’s worked for you is now going to have a piece of your business,” said King. “Some of our (nine commercial) licence holders have been cut so much that they will barely have more of the company than their former employees. It’s a slap in the face and it’s completely anti-business.” Under the proposed pilot allocation, the federal department is offering licences to 120 fishers currently employed by commercial licence holders, representing 27 per cent of the overall quota. A further 1.5 per cent would be allocated to licences offered to 30 fishers who currently catch adult eels. King said if the department’s proposal moves forward, it would decimate his company, Atlantic Elver Fishery Limited, without providing any compensation. “Our business is about 20 people and what we’ll be left with will be the owners and managers, who will basically have to fish for themselves,” he said. “We won’t be able to afford to hire anyone.” Michel Samson, a Halifax-based lawyer who represents Wine Harbour Fisheries Ltd., a family-run business on Nova Scotia’s eastern shore, said his clients would go from a pre-2022 quota of 1,200 kilograms to 137 kilograms under the proposed change. “We are at a loss to understand why (the department) has decided to take what has been a successful fishery and somehow completely dismantle it to bring in new entrants,” Samson said. “In our case, it’s even more perverse in that it’s the licence holder’s wife and children who have been offered quota.” Samson said licence holders have accepted the need to increase the participation of First Nations as part of Ottawa's reconciliation efforts. But he says they’ve been left scratching their heads otherwise. “This whole pilot project ... we just can’t understand what the logic is behind this,” Samson said. The federal Fisheries Department was not immediately available for comment on Friday, but in its letter to fishery participants, it said written feedback on the quota redistribution would be accepted until Dec. 16. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2024. Keith Doucette, The Canadian Press

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The Chicago Cubs missed the postseason and need to make big additions if they hope to win the National League Central in 2025. They could trade multiple starters to acquire a star slugger. According to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times , the Seattle Mariners have had "preliminary talks" with the Cubs about Nico Hoerner. FanSided's Rich Eberwein proposed this trade with the Mariners that packages Hoerner with another starter to add slugging backstop Cal Raleigh: Cubs receive: catcher Cal Raleigh Mariners receive: second baseman Nico Hoerner, catcher Miguel Amaya, third baseman Cam Smith and catcher/first baseman Moises Ballesteros Amaya started 103 games for the Cubs last season. He hit eight home runs with a .232 batting average. Raleigh would be a significant upgrade at the plate. While his average is lower, he hit 34 home runs and had 100 RBIs. Both marks would have led the Cubs. Raleigh could bring the power the Cubs have been searching for. He was also a Platinum Glover behind the plate in 2024. Meanwhile, moving on from Hoerner could hurt the Cubs defensively. He was a Gold Glover in 2023. He hit .273 last season and was playing in year two of a three-year, $35 million deal he signed with the Cubs. Raleigh will not be a free agent until 2028, making him a valuable trade chip. The Cubs would also be parting with their No. 4 and No. 7 prospects according to MLB Pipeline . Spotrac projects Raleigh to sign an eight-year, $193 million deal when he hits free agency. More MLB: Cubs trade proposal cuts ties with $35 million Gold Glover for breakout starterOn the eve of heritage week celebrationsThe presidential candidate of the conservative coalition that has governed Uruguay for the past five years conceded defeat on Sunday after a close runoff election even as the vote count continued. Álvaro Delgado, the center-right government’s candidate, told his supporters at his campaign headquarters that “with sadness, but without guilt, we can congratulate the winner,” referring to left-wing challenger Yamandú Orsi. Electoral officials said that Orsi had secured 784,523 votes with over half of all ballots counted, compared to Delgado’s 771,434. The Broad Front released a statement on X saying that “Joy will return” and announcing Orsi as president. Delgado’s concession, with more than 57% of official votes counted, ushers in Orsi of the center-left Broad Front as Uruguay’s new leader. It spells an end to the short stint of the right-leaning government in Uruguay that, in 2020, with the election of President Luis Lacalle Pou, had broken 15 years of rule by the Broad Front. The Broad Front drew international acclaim over those years for overseeing the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and the sale of marijuana. The Broad Front released a statement on X saying that “Joy will return” and announcing Orsi as president. “I called Yamandú Orsi to congratulate him as President-elect of our country,” Lacalle Pou wrote on social media platform X, adding that he would “put myself at his service and begin the transition as soon as I deem it appropriate.” THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguayans on Sunday voted in the second round of the country's presidential election, with the conservative governing party and a left-leaning coalition locked in a close runoff following level-headed campaigns widely seen as emblematic of the country's strong democracy. As polls closed Sunday evening, turnout stood at 89.4 per cent — around the same as during the first round last month in which the two moderate coalitions both failed to win an outright majority. Voting in Uruguay is compulsory. The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App Depending on how tight the vote turns out to be, electoral officials may not call the race for days — as happened in the contentious 2019 runoff that brought center-right President Luis Lacalle Pou to office and ended 15 years of rule by Uruguay’s left-leaning Broad Front by a razor-thin margin. Álvaro Delgado, the incumbent party’s candidate who won nearly 27 per cent in the first round of voting on Oct. 27, has campaigned under the slogan “re-elect a good government." Other conservative parties that make up the government coalition — in particular, the Colorado Party that came in third place last month — notched 20 per cent of the vote collectively, enough to give Delgado an edge over his challenger. Yamandú Orsi from the Broad Front, who took 44 per cent of the vote in the general election, is promising to forge a “new left” in Uruguay that draws on the memory of stability and economic growth under his Broad Front coalition, which presided over pioneering social reforms that won widespread international acclaim from 2005-2020, including the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and sale of marijuana. With inflation easing and the economy expected to expand by some 3.2 per cent this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, surveys show that Uruguayans remain largely satisfied with the administration of Lacalle Pou, who constitutionally cannot run for a second consecutive term. But persistent complaints about sluggish growth, stagnant wages and an upsurge in violent crime could just as easily add the small South American nation to a long list of places this year where frustrated voters have punished incumbents in elections around the world. With most polls showing a virtual tie between Delgado and Orsi, analysts say the vote may hinge on a small group of undecided voters — roughly 10 per cent of registered voters in the nation of 3.4 million people. “Neither candidate convinced me and I feel that there are many in my same situation,” said Vanesa Gelezoglo, 31, in the capital, Montevideo, adding she would make up her mind at “the last minute.” Yamandu Orsi, presidential candidate from the Broad Front, votes in the presidential run-off election in Canelones, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) Analysts say the candidates’ lackluster campaigns and broad consensus on key issues have generated extraordinary indecision and apathy in an election dominated by discussions about social spending and concerns over income inequality but largely free of the anti-establishment rage that has vaulted populist outsiders to power in neighboring Argentina and the United States. “The question of whether Frente Amplio (the Broad Front) raises taxes is not an existential question, unlike what we saw in the U.S. with Trump and Kamala framing each other as threats to democracy," said Nicolás Saldías, a Latin America and Caribbean senior analyst for the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit. “That doesn't exist in Uruguay.” Both candidates are also appealing to voter angst over the current government's struggle to stem the rise in violent crime that has shaken a nation long regarded as one of the region’s safest, with Delgado promising tough-on-crime policies and Orsi advocating a more community-oriented approach. 5 Things to Know newsletter: Get the biggest headlines in your inbox each morning Delgado, 55, a rural veterinarian with a long career in the National Party, served most recently as Secretary of the Presidency for Lacalle Pou and promises to pursue his predecessor’s pro-business policies. He would continue pushing for a trade deal with China that has raised hackles in Mercosur, an alliance of South American countries promoting regional commerce. "We have to give the government coalition a chance to consolidate its proposals,” said Ramiro Pérez, a street vendor voting for Delgado on Sunday. Alvaro Delgado, candidate for the ruling National Party, waves to supporters after voting in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Orbach) Orsi, 57, a former history teacher and two-time mayor from a working-class background, is widely seen as the political heir to former President José “Pepe” Mujica, an ex-Marxist guerilla who became a global icon for helping transform Uruguay into one of the region's most socially liberal and environmentally sustainable nations. “He's my candidate, not only for my sake but also for my children's,” Yeny Varone, a nurse at a polling station, said of Orsi. “In the future they'll have better working conditions, health and salaries.” Mujica, now 89 and recovering from esophageal cancer, turned up at his local polling station before balloting even began, praising Orsi's humility and Uruguay’s famous stability. “This is no small feat,” he said of Uruguay's “citizenry that respects formal institutions.” Orsi planned no dramatic changes, and, despite his call for a revitalized left-wing, his platform continues the Broad Front's traditional mix of market-friendly policies and welfare programs. He proposes tax incentives to lure investment and social security reforms that would lower the retirement age but fall short of a radical overhaul sought by Uruguay's unions. Yeni Varone, a nurse, casts her vote in the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) The contentious plebiscite on whether to boost pension payouts failed to pass in October, with Uruguayans rejecting generous pensions in favor of fiscal constraint. Both candidates pledged full cooperation with each other if elected. “I want (Orsi) to know that my idea is to form a government of national unity,” Delgado told reporters after casting his vote in the capital's upscale Pocitos neighborhood. He said that if he won, he and Orsi would chat on Monday over some yerba mate, the traditional herbal drink beloved by Uruguayans. Follow the CTV News channel on WhatsApp Orsi described Sunday's democratic exercise as “an incredible experience" as he voted in Canelones, the sprawling town of beaches and cattle ranches just north of Montevideo where he served as mayor for a decade. “The essence of politics is agreements,” he said. “You never end up completely satisfied.” Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre in Villa Tunari, Bolivia, contributed to this report.

When Tommy DeVito was elevated to QB1 for the Giants last year, he sparked a three-game win streak and brought levity to a desolate team. In late November 2024, DeVito is once again New York’s starter, but the misery continues. BUY GIANTS TICKETS: STUBHUB , VIVID SEATS , TICKETMASTER Last week, the Giants benched Daniel Jones and announced that DeVito would be their Week 12 starter over Drew Lock — the $5 million guy that they signed to be their backup this season. DeVito, the undrafted free agent who got six starts last year, went 21-of-31 for 189 yards and no touchdowns in the 30-7 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday. Tampa Bay linebacker Lavonte David said he was “definitely surprised” to learn that the Giants were going with DeVito over Lock. “Drew Lock is a veteran quarterback in this league, but at the same time you’ve got to give Tommy DeVito his respect,” David said. “He came in last year, he lit a spark for the team and stuff like that. So, I guess they’re expecting the same thing and he’s a guy who knows the system and stuff like that. So, you know, they’ll figure it out.” Lock was also puzzled by the decision. Why was he the Giants’ backup this whole season if DeVito was ultimately going to be the one promoted? “That’s a question I might still have for myself,” Lock said to reporters last week. “It was expressed to me that I was going to be the two. It’s an interesting situation.” David said that the defense did change their approach for Sunday after learning that DeVito would be the starter. “They do different things with Tommy DeVito,” he said. “He’s an athletic quarterback, an athletic guy. He could hurt you both ways, throwing the passes, so we had to have a heads up for both.” Lock did enter the game for just one snap after DeVito left for the sideline with an injury in the fourth quarter. But DeVito returned after Lock completed a three-yard pass to finish out the dismal game. After Sunday’s loss, Brian Daboll said that DeVito will be the starter for Thursday’s Thanksgiving game against the Cowboys. The Giants will head to Dallas with a 2-9 record, looking forward to selecting their quarterback of the future high in next year’s draft. MORE GIANTS COVERAGE Brian Burns on Giants’ pathetic showing vs. Buccaneers: ‘That’s a--’ NFL Draft 2025: Here’s where Giants are in projected order after loss to Buccaneers Malik Nabers rips ‘soft as (bleep)’ Giants after 0-target first half: ‘I can’t do nothing’ Tommy DeVito embarrassed in loss to Buccaneers — which is probably a good thing for QB-needy Giants Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Bridget Hyland may be reached at bhyland@njadvancemedia.com .

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Training of teachers begins at USTB LAKKI MARWAT: The month-long training on modern teaching methodologies got underway at the University of Science and Technology Bannu on Friday. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Safdar Rehman Ghazi inaugurated the month-long training aimed at enhancing the professional capabilities of faculty and teaching staff. On the occasion, Dr Safdar Rehman Ghazi expressed his gratitude to HEC and its team, emphasizing that this training would equip the university’s teaching staff with advanced skills, besides enabling students from Bannu and surrounding region to meet international educational standards. Prof Dr Ishtiaq Hassan from the International Islamic University Islamabad will conduct the sessions for the first two days. Other notable attendees included Prof Dr Sultan Mahmood from Bannu University, HEC Islamabad Assistant Director Ghulam Murtaza Goraya, program focal person Dr Fahad Nawaz and senior members of the teaching faculty. The training programme will feature educational experts from prestigious universities across the country, who will train Bannu University’s faculty to align with modern academic demands.Meanwhile, Additional Assistant Commissioner, Lakki Marawat, Muhammad Abid visited bazaars and markets on Friday following the directives of Deputy Commissioner Zeeshan Abdullah. He checked the availability of the official price list and its implementation by traders. The additional AC imposed heavy fines on violators and warned that the shopkeepers involved in illegal acts of artificial price hike, profiteering and hoarding would also face imprisonment.

LOBITO, Angola — President Joe Biden pledged another $600 million Wednesday for an ambitious multi-country rail project in Africa as one of the final foreign policy moves of his administration, and told African leaders the resource-rich continent of more than 1.4 billion people had been “left behind for much too long.” “But not anymore,” Biden added. “Africa is the future.” Biden used the third and final day of a visit to Angola — his long-awaited first trip to sub-Saharan Africa as president — to travel to the coastal city of Lobito and tour an Atlantic port terminal that’s part of the Lobito Corridor railway redevelopment. Biden described it as the largest U.S. investment in a train project outside America. The U.S. and allies are investing heavily in the project that will refurbish nearly 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) of train lines connecting to the mineral-rich areas of Congo and Zambia in central Africa. The corridor, which likely will take years to complete, gives the U.S. better access to cobalt, copper and other critical minerals in Congo and Zambia that are used in batteries for electric vehicles, electronic devices and clean energy technologies that Biden said would power the future. China is dominant in mining in Congo and Zambia. The U.S. investment has strategic implications for U.S.-China economic competition, which went up a notch this week as they traded blows over access to key materials and technologies. The African leaders who met with Biden on Wednesday said the railway corridor offered their countries a much faster route for minerals and goods — and a convenient outlet to Western markets. “This is a project that is full of hope for our countries and our region,” said Congo President Félix Tshisekedi, whose country has more than 70% of the word’s cobalt. “This is not just a logistical project. It is a driving force for economic and social transformation for millions of our people.” The leaders said the corridor should spur private-sector investment and improve a myriad of related areas like roads, communication networks, agriculture and clean energy technologies. For the African countries, it could create a wave of new jobs for a burgeoning young population. “It’s a huge, huge opportunity,” said Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. “It’s good for Africa.” Cargo that once took 45 days to get to the U.S. — usually involving trucks via South Africa — would now take around 45 hours, Biden said. He predicted the project could transform the region from a food importer to exporter. It’s “something that if done right will outlast all of us and keep delivering for our people for generations to come,” he said. The announcement of an additional $600 million took the U.S.’s investment in the Lobito Corridor to $4 billion. The corridor has drawn financing from others including the European Union, the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations, a Western-led private consortium and African banks. Biden said the total investment was $6 billion. Some calling for more U.S. involvement in Africa hope it will mark a new era of U.S.-Africa engagement. Much of that depends on the administration of Donald Trump , who takes office Jan. 20. The White House says Republicans in Congress have supported past efforts to promote African business interests through targeted investments and that such initiatives have appealed to Trump in the past. Trump also supports measures to counter China, and some see the Lobito Corridor as a direct counter to the Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure strategy that China has used to promote its economic and political influence in Africa and elsewhere. A senior U.S. administration official called the Lobito Corridor the heart of competing with China not as a political adversary but from a business standpoint by sparking investment and helping countries over the long term. The U.S. is looking to replicate the Lobito Corridor project in other parts of the world, said the official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity to offer details that hadn’t yet been made public. Biden had promised to visit sub-Saharan Africa last year but the trip was delayed. He was greeted Monday by thousands of Angolans on the streets of the capital, Luanda. Angola has long and strong ties to China, and the Biden administration’s ability to win it over as a partner for such a major project has been viewed as a rare success for the U.S. in Africa. Biden, who has about six weeks left in office, said he would like to come back to see the railway’s progress. “I want to come back and ride the whole thing,” he told the African leaders, before departing. Imray reported from Cape Town, South Africa.

Enzo Maresca explains reason behind Romeo Lavia's substitution against Spurs as the Blues midfielder shares wound snap after being elbowed by Dejan Kulusevski The Chelsea midfielder was subbed off at half-time against Tottenham on Sunday Romeo Lavia shared an update on his condition after being elbowed in the game LISTEN NOW to It's All Kicking Off! : Why can't Chelsea win the league? They made seven changes and still scored five. Do you think Liverpool could do that? By RYAN WALKER Published: 21:13 GMT, 8 December 2024 | Updated: 21:13 GMT, 8 December 2024 e-mail View comments Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed the concerning reason behind his decision to substitute Romeo Lavia during Sunday's 4-3 win over derby rivals Tottenham as the midfielder posted an update about his condition on social media. Maresca celebrated a magical comeback victory over Spurs that saw Cole Palmer score twice in the London derby win that moves the Blues to within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool . However, Chelsea's visiting celebrations were somewhat soured by Lavia's forced removal from the match when the midfielder was hooked by Maresca at half-time. The 20-year-old is quickly becoming a concrete starter in a team that is maintaining their surprise title challenge and was a constant danger during a frantic first-half against Spurs before being swapped at the interval. One physical encounter during the opening 45 minutes saw Lavia elbowed in the back of the head by Spurs goalscorer Dejan Kulusevski in a moment of madness that could have resulted in a red card. Kulusevski caught Lavia just behind his left ear and was somewhat fortunate to escape being sent off after a VAR review dismissed red card calls because the challenge 'lacked excessive force'. Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia was left in agony after being struck in Chelsea's win over Tottenham Blues boss Enzo Maresca (left) hooked Lavia (right) at half-time during Chelsea's 4-3 win The former Southampton prodigy was left in serious discomfort following the clash and required medical attention on the turf before eventually continuing for the remainder of the half. Lavia later showed the deep wound sustained as a result of his altercation with Kulusevski after the game in a social media post, but Maresca explained he withdrew the midfielder due to another reason. Chelsea and other Premier League clubs have entered the busiest time of the season with games coming every few days and Maresca warned after beating Spurs about not risking the fitness of his players. 'Second half we adjust something, we deserved to win,' the Chelsea boss told Sky Sports after the match. Lavia shared an update after Chelsea's win of the head wound sustained through clashing with Kulusevski Kulusevski (left) caught Lavia (right) with a trailing elbow and avoided being sent off 'We had a problem with Lavia. Gusto was inside. We just a little bit the two attacking midfielders. The change was good. 'He [Lavia] felt a hamstring problem. Now he's okay. We don't want to take any risks,' added the 44-year-old head coach. Lavia could be given a rest by Maresca during Thursday's UEFA Conference League clash against Astana before returning as the Blues host Brentford in the Premier League next weekend. Meanwhile, Tottenham suffered their own injury complaints against Chelsea with defender Cristian Romero hobbling off after just 15 minutes on his return following a 35 day absence . Cole Palmer London Enzo Maresca Share or comment on this article: Enzo Maresca explains reason behind Romeo Lavia's substitution against Spurs as the Blues midfielder shares wound snap after being elbowed by Dejan Kulusevski e-mail Add commentChina to help Pakistan in blue economy: PM

Rescuers reassess safety in search for woman they think fell into a Pennsylvania sinkhole

Authorities of Corona Schools have explained that why their pupils’ performance has been so close, over the years, is because of the equity of teaching and learning in all their schools. Adedoyin Adesina, CEO of Corona Schools, who made this observation, noted that it is not a case of one school doing so well while another is struggling. Adesina spoke at the 70th Anniversary edition of their annual Interschool Quiz Competition at their Victoria Island branch which brought together all four primary schools from across Lagos, including Corona School Gbagada, Corona School Ikoyi, Corona School Lekki and Corona School Victoria Island. She disclosed that the school has been able to adapt and upskill because they had initially started the annual competition in pen and paper. But as technology became more relevant in the local and global education space, they expanded their scope such that currently, the quiz is technology-based. According to the chief executive, the pupils use various modern-day applications and software to answer questions and this has greatly improved their speed, accuracy, analytical skills and mental prowess and it also exposes them to modern technologies. “We also introduced music and dance. The pupils are given a piece of music to creatively interpret and perform. We do this knowing that education is not limited to only mathematics and English,” he said. “We have also seen the impact of this, over the years, in how they learn in the classroom, the confidence level in the children with regards to their ability to speak, interpret and their ability to make presentations.” The quiz competition was conducted in two categories. The Academics Category featured a series of engaging rounds of questions that tested the pupils’ knowledge in areas such as mathematics, science, English language, and mixed baskets. The Creativity and Innovation Category featured musical performance and mine-craft. After an exciting contest, Corona School Victoria Island emerged the overall champion, with Corona School Ikoyi coming in second place. Sponsored by the President of the Corona School Board of Trustees, Myma Belo-Osagie, the 70th anniversary edition of the Corona Schools’ Interschool Quiz Competition was a display of resilience, determination and grit among the children, most of who are aged 10 years and below. The 2024/2025 Interschool Quiz Competition marked another milestone and displayed the Trust Council’s commitment to providing world-class education to children and developing the total child. On the 70th anniversary celebration of the Trust Council, Adesina gave a summary of some upcoming activities. “In January 2025, we will begin the celebration with the staff awards and recognitions. For this auspicious occasion, former staff who had given many years of service to the organisation will be invited and recognised. There will be an Educator’s Round Table conference in March, and there are plans also for an alumni gala night. So, there is quite a number of activities lined up,” she said. Renowned for churning out notable figures in society, Corona Schools was founded in 1955 and continues to operate as a major leader in Nigeria’s education industry.Daily Post Nigeria EPL table: Liverpool open eight-point gap after 3-2 win at Southampton Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Sport EPL table: Liverpool open eight-point gap after 3-2 win at Southampton Published on November 24, 2024 By Ifreke Inyang Liverpool had to come from behind to claim a 3-2 win at Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday. The Reds knew that victory at St Marys would take them eight points clear of Manchester City, who were humiliated 4-0 by Tottenham Hotspur yesterday. And they took the lead in the first half through Dominik Szobozslai. However, the Saints fought back to take the lead, thanks to Armstrong’s penalty and a breakaway goal from Mateus Fernandes. But Mohamed Salah scored twice to ensure Liverpool took maximum points. Arne Slot’s men will now face City at Anfield next weekend, in what could be a decisive fixture in the title race. Related Topics: EPL Table liverpool southampton Don't Miss EPL: Brilliant player, he’s good – Owen Hargreaves lavishes praise on Arsenal star You may like EPL: We’ll get walked over by Liverpool – Kyle Walker issues warning to Man City EPL: Man City won’t win title if we lose to Liverpool – Guardiola EPL: I don’t know what will happen against Liverpool next week – Guardiola EPL: He should be dissapointed – Given advises Liverpool star to leave club after Slot’s comment UNL: France can win without Mbappe – Liverpool’s Konate insists EPL: ‘He’s a wasted talent’ – Liverpool legend warns Premier League clubs against signing Pogba Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd

TEHRAN – In an interview published on Sunday, Ali Larijani, an advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, announced Iran is preparing to respond to Israel following the regime’s October assault on Iranian territory. The interview conducted by the Tasnim News Agency followed Larijani's trip to Lebanon and Syria, where he met with top officials from both countries to convey the Leader's message regarding the regional situation. During the discussion, Larijani emphasized the importance of responding adequately to the actions of the Zionist regime. He acknowledged that while some may argue that certain provocations from Israel may not warrant a significant response, it is crucial for Iran to maintain a posture of deterrence. "This is an important issue, and the relevant officials are closely monitoring the situation to ensure that the response given to Israel possesses the characteristics necessary for effective deterrence," Larijani stated. He further elaborated that military officials have deliberated various strategies in response to Israel's actions. Israeli warplanes fired missiles at military installations inside Iran from Iraqi airspace on October 26, taking the lives of 4 Army personnel and one civilian. Ayatollah Khamenei has said Iran will deliver a “tooth-breaking” response to the aggression. Iran has directly attacked Israeli positions in the occupied territories twice this year, once in April and once in early October.Roy Keane and Jamie Redknapp posed for a picture with Ed Sheeran in the Sky Sports studio at Portman Road Stadium ahead of Manchester United's clash against Ipswich Town. The musician, who's a minority stakeholder and a front-of-shirt sponsor of the East Anglian outfit , is often in attendance to watch the Tractor Boys. Just before the international break, Sheeran watched Sammie Szmodics score an overhead kick in Ipswich's 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur . After the game, the 29-year-old midfielder shared a picture the pop star on Instagram, which he captioned: "Overhead kick, Win & a smudge with big ed. GET IN THERE." Back on home soil, Sheeran has been spotted at Portman Road Stadium and, shortly before kick-off, he posed for a picture with the Sky Sports Super Sunday team . Ironically, last year, Keane described the musician as 'overrated' while speaking on The Overlap with Gary Neville , Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott, and Ian Wright. READ MORE: I kept Kylian Mbappe quiet for Man United but left on free transfer READ MORE: Ruben Amorim confirms stance on Man United transfer strategy During the show, the Irishman was asked what the last concert he had been to. Leading the conversation, Jill Scott said that she went to see Sheeran play at the Etihad Stadium . Keane jumped in and called the West Yorkshire-born artist overrated. The Manchester United legend later opened up on his music taste, detailing a recent trip to New York to see Billy Joel, the US Open tennis and American Football. Keane said: "Billy Joel in New York two weeks ago. I live a great life. I went to see the New York Jets, Billy Joel, and a bit of the tennis [it was] lovely." Then, when he was asked if he wore a cap as a disguise, he added: "Not in New York, there are a few Irish and some United fans but not in New York, I didn't have a cap on and I hate wearing a cap." While Sheeran may not dominate Keane's playlists, the United legend – and his Sky Sports colleagues – still politely posed for a picture. Ahead of Ipswich's clash against Ruben Amorim's side, it was revealed that the pop star helped the Tractor Boys sign a player during the summer – just moments before getting stage with Taylor Swift at Wembley Stadium. Speaking at a Soccerex industry event in Miami, Ipswich chairman Mark Ashton joked that Sheeran is 'officially a part of our recruitment team'. He also described him as a 'local man' and 'global superstar' The club's chief executive said: "Ed jumped on a Zoom call with him at the training ground, just before he stepped on stage with Taylor Swift. Hopefully that was a key part in getting the player across the line." Try MUFC Pro NOW for free Subscribe to our brilliant app for the best way to enjoy the M.E.N's unrivalled Manchester United coverage. No adverts, pop-ups or distractions - just our brilliant content presented in the best way possible. Comprehensive, round-the-clock coverage of the Reds, with agenda-setting breaking news and insight from Samuel Luckhurst and our authoritative team of United writers Exclusive content for subscribers New interactive elements including (coming soon) quizzes to test your United knowledge. Try MUFC Pro for a front-row seat to the action at absolutely no cost for the first month. You can get started by downloading our app here on iPhone , or here on Android . If you a lready have our app, click on the ''MUFC Pro',' Subscribe' or ' Remove ads' links. *Free trial auto renews at £19.99 annually unless cancelled. T&C’s apply. Ad-free indicates that you will not be shown standard display ad formats with the articles that you read, selected articles may contain commercial messages/affiliate links where contractually required.

Madhushree Ghosh launched a supper club to help build community by sharing food — and ideas.These policy recommendations for the incoming US administration reflect discussion among experts from the United States, the United Kingdom, European Union member states, Ukraine, and Russia convened at the University of Michigan on December 2-3 and hosted by the Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia and the Atlantic Council. Russia—supported by China, Iran, and North Korea—remains a threat the United States and Europe must tackle through strength and resolve. If unchecked, Russia’s malign actions, including its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, will damage US political, military, and economic interests in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. President Donald Trump has an opportunity to conduct a more effective pressure campaign against Russia and seek an end to the war. Doing so will thwart Russia and its allies and reduce the chances of World War III. A winning strategy requires security and eventual membership in NATO and the European Union for Ukraine. Ukraine has made clear its willingness to join negotiations to end the war, while senior officials in the Russian government have dismissed offers for negotiations of a peaceful settlement. US interests will advance if Ukraine remains free and sovereign, and Russia fails in its aggressive war and is deterred in the future. Recommendations for the next US administration include: An early ceasefire along the existing lines can suspend the high-intensity war but must be linked with provisions for Ukraine’s security. A ceasefire must be enforced by troops on the ground. NATO’s European members should lead this effort, with US backup support. Defense guarantees will be a prerequisite to a durable end to the war. Eventual NATO membership is the optimal way to ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. Ukraine’s accession to NATO is not to be negotiated with Russia but should be settled between the United States, its NATO allies, and Ukraine. A NATO defense of Ukraine can be built on the foundation of its resources, fighting spirit, cutting-edge military technology, and battle-hardened army. This army, though the most powerful in Europe outside of Russia, will still need to be reinforced with outside support. The increasing capabilities of European militaries can provide additional backing that the Ukrainians need to deter a future war. US arms will be essential to this. As with West Germany, which joined NATO in 1955, NATO’s defense guarantee would apply only to that part of Ukrainian territory under control of the Ukrainian government. The United States should reject Russia’s demand for forced neutrality and de facto disarmament for Ukraine. The United States and Europe should not recognize Russia’s claims to Ukrainian territory and reject any change to borders by force—as done in the Stimson Doctrine of 1932 (Manchuria), the Welles Declaration of 1940 (Baltic states), and the Pompeo Declaration of 2018 (Crimea). As a NATO member, Ukraine would commit to restore its territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders through peaceful and diplomatic means. Before its accession, allies would take additional steps to integrate Ukraine into the Alliance, in particular by offering Ukraine a permanent seat at the North Atlantic Council and a Ukrainian general a seat at the Military Committee. Europe must do more for Ukraine’s security and its own. The United States and Europe should bolster joint activities and investments in their defense industries. The United States and its allies need a new policy of containment of Russia. This also includes maintaining hold on the immobilized Russian sovereign assets and restrictions on technology, and caution in lifting sanctions. There should be no return to reliance on Russian energy or other resources. Allies should be prepared to intensify economic pressure and make Russia pay the price should it violate ceasefire terms. The actions outlined here, which can earn the necessary Ukrainian public support, will bring peace to Europe, advance the security and prosperity of the United States and its allies, provide a check to would-be aggressors, and restore American global leadership: a clear winning strategy. The following experts participated in the discussions at the University of Michigan Symposium on the Future of Ukraine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their participation contributed to the recommendations above. No one participant is responsible for the recommendations and participation does not necessarily imply endorsement of all recommendations. Minna Ålander, research fellow, Finnish foreign policy, Northern European security, and NATO, Finnish Institute of International Affairs Stephen E. Biegun, former US deputy secretary of state Ian Bond, deputy director, Centre for European Reform Sławomir Dębski, professor of strategy and international relations, College of Europe in Natolin Daniel Fried, Weiser Family distinguished fellow, Atlantic Council; former assistant secretary of state for European affairs Alina Frolova, deputy chair, Center for Defense Strategies; former deputy minister of defense of Ukraine François Heisbourg, senior advisor for Europe, International Institute for Strategic Studies John E. Herbst, senior director, Eurasia Center, Atlantic Council; former US ambassador to Ukraine Assia Ivantcheva, former Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe official Natalie Jaresko, former minister of finance of Ukraine; distinguished fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center Dmytro Kuleba, former minister of foreign affairs of Ukraine Orysia Lutsevych, deputy director, Russia and Eurasia Program, head of Ukraine forum, Chatham House Vladimir Milov, research associate, Wilfried Martins Centre for European Studies; former deputy minister of energy of the Russian Federation Hryhoriy Nemyria, first deputy chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee, Parliament of Ukraine Alina Polyakova, president and CEO, Center for European Policy Analysis William B. Taylor, former US ambassador to Ukraine Geneviève Zubrzycki, professor of sociology and director, Weiser Center for Russia and Eurasia, University of Michigan This article also appears on the Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia website.

NoneMan United's clash at Ipswich is halted due to a fire alarm 110 miles away at Stockley Park - with VAR going down just before Ruben Amorim concedes the FIRST goal of his Red Devils reignThe Conservatives have called on Sir Keir Starmer to reject an international arrest warrant issued for Benjamin Netanyahu as they accused the Government of holding a “nonsensical” position on the issue. In a letter to the Prime Minister, shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel and shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick claimed the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) had “no proper basis in international law”. They said the UK’s refusal to explicitly say whether or not the Israeli premier would be detained if he arrived in the country “opens the farcical spectre of your Government trying to sanction the arrest” of an ally to Britain. Criticising the ICC warrant, the shadow ministers said: “It is hard to escape the conclusion this is an activist decision, motivated by politics and not the law.” They argued the court was established to pursue cases in instances where countries do not have robust and independent judiciaries, which could not be said of Israel. “The UK Government’s response to the decision has been nonsensical,” they said. “On Friday, the Home Secretary refused to say whether Mr Netanyahu would be detained if he travelled to the UK. “This opens the farcical spectre of your Government trying to sanction the arrest on UK soil of the leader of an ally of the UK, while you continue a diplomatic charm offensive with the Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping. “It falls to you to clarify the Government’s position – now. The Government must make clear that it does not support an arrest warrant being issued which has no proper basis in international law.” Downing Street on Friday indicated that Mr Netanyahu could face arrest if he entered the UK, refusing to comment on “hypotheticals” but saying Britain would always follow its “legal obligations”. The International Criminal Court Act 2001 states that a Secretary of State must, on receipt of a request for arrest from the ICC, “transmit the request and the documents accompanying it to an appropriate judicial officer”. Asked whether the UK would comply with requirements under the Act, Sir Keir’s spokesman said: “Yes, the Government would fulfil its obligations under the Act and indeed its legal obligations.” The ICC has issued a warrant for Mr Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Number 10 previously said the domestic process linked to ICC arrest warrants has never been used to date by the UK because no-one wanted by the international court had visited the country. It added that Israel remained a “key partner across a range of areas”. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It is important that we have a dialogue with Israel at all levels to reach the ceasefire that we all want to see, to bring an end to the violence, to protect civilians and ensure the release of hostages.” The ICC also issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas’s armed wing, over the October 7 2023 attacks that triggered Israel’s offensive in Gaza. A domestic court process would be required before Mr Netanyahu faced arrest if he set foot in the UK. The ICC said there are “reasonable grounds to believe” Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant were responsible for “the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts”. The court’s pre-trial chamber also found “reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant each bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population”. The impact of the warrants is likely to be limited since Israel and its major ally, the US, are not members of the ICC.

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LA JOLLA, Calif., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediciNova, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company traded on the NASDAQ Global Market (NASDAQ:MNOV) and the Standard Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Code Number: 4875), today announces the study update and interim analysis results from the Company’s COMBAT-ALS Phase 2b/3 clinical trial of MN-166 (ibudilast) in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) will be presented at the 35th International Symposium on ALS/MND held December 6-8, 2024 in Montreal, Canada. The highlights of the presentation, titled, “ COMBAT-ALS Phase 2b/3 Trial of MN-166 (Ibudilast) in ALS: Trial Update and Interim Analysis Results” ( Abstract # 302), include: Study Update: As of November 15, 2024, a total of 217 participants have been enrolled and 183 participants were assigned to either MN-166 or placebo group. Pre-defined interim analysis was conducted to evaluate the correlation between the 6-month and 12-month data and assess the 12-month double-blind phase trial design. A subset of patients from the full analysis set who had ALSFRS-R data at 6 months and at least one post-6-month data point. Correlation analysis of the Combined Assessment of Function and Survival (CAFS) scores at 6 and 12 months as well as modified CAFS scores and ALSFRS-R scores were evaluated. Positive correlations were observed between the 6-month and 12-month data for CAFS score (0.71), modified CAFS score (0.70), and ALSFRS-R (0.69). [Note: Values in parentheses are Spearman Rank Correlation coefficients] Positive correlations were also observed for Bulbar score (0.74), Fine motor score (0.71), and Gross motor score (0.67), but not for Respiratory score. [Note: Values in parentheses are Spearman Rank Correlation coefficients] Interim analysis results were reviewed and validated by an external independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), which recommended that the trial continue as per the protocol. MediciNova CMO and Director Kazuko Matsuda commented, "The interim analysis showed a positive correlation between the 6-month and 12-month data. We considered a change in the treatment period, decided to continue the trial with the current treatment plan based on the DSMB's recommendation. We believe these results will be valuable in designing studies for rapidly progressing diseases like ALS. As of mid-November 2024, over 200 patients have been enrolled and more than 180 patients assigned, if we continue to actively enroll in the COMBAT-ALS study, we expect to complete patient assignments by June 2025 with trial results expected in 2026. Concurrently, we have been supporting continued treatment for those patients wishing to continue MN-166 treatment after the 6-month open-label phase via the FDA's Expanded Access Program (EAP). Next year, the NIH-funded, large-scale Expanded Access Program trial is set to begin, and we look forward to the opportunity to provide access to MN-166 to more ALS patients.” About MN-166 (ibudilast) MN-166 (ibudilast) is a small molecule compound that inhibits phosphodiesterase type-4 (PDE4) and inflammatory cytokines, including macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). It is in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), progressive MS (multiple sclerosis), and DCM (degenerative cervical myelopathy); and is also in development for glioblastoma, Long COVID, CIPN (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy), and substance use disorder. In addition, MN-166 (ibudilast) was evaluated in patients that are at risk for developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). About MediciNova MediciNova, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a broad late-stage pipeline of novel small molecule therapies for inflammatory, fibrotic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Based on two compounds, MN-166 (ibudilast) and MN-001 (tipelukast), with multiple mechanisms of action and strong safety profiles, MediciNova has 11 programs in clinical development. MediciNova’s lead asset, MN-166 (ibudilast), is currently in Phase 3 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and is Phase 3-ready for progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). MN-166 (ibudilast) is also being evaluated in Phase 2 trials in Long COVID and substance dependence. MN-001 (tipelukast) was evaluated in a Phase 2 trial in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and a second Phase 2 trial in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is ongoing. MediciNova has a strong track record of securing investigator-sponsored clinical trials funded through government grants. Statements in this press release that are not historical in nature constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future development and efficacy of MN-166, MN-001, MN-221, and MN-029. These forward-looking statements may be preceded by, followed by, or otherwise include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "can," "could," "may," "will," "would," “considering,” “planning” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks of obtaining future partner or grant funding for development of MN-166, MN-001, MN-221, and MN-029 and risks of raising sufficient capital when needed to fund MediciNova's operations and contribution to clinical development, risks and uncertainties inherent in clinical trials, including the potential cost, expected timing and risks associated with clinical trials designed to meet FDA guidance and the viability of further development considering these factors, product development and commercialization risks, the uncertainty of whether the results of clinical trials will be predictive of results in later stages of product development, the risk of delays or failure to obtain or maintain regulatory approval, risks associated with the reliance on third parties to sponsor and fund clinical trials, risks regarding intellectual property rights in product candidates and the ability to defend and enforce such intellectual property rights, the risk of failure of the third parties upon whom MediciNova relies to conduct its clinical trials and manufacture its product candidates to perform as expected, the risk of increased cost and delays due to delays in the commencement, enrollment, completion or analysis of clinical trials or significant issues regarding the adequacy of clinical trial designs or the execution of clinical trials, and the timing of expected filings with the regulatory authorities, MediciNova's collaborations with third parties, the availability of funds to complete product development plans and MediciNova's ability to obtain third party funding for programs and raise sufficient capital when needed, and the other risks and uncertainties described in MediciNova's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and its subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. MediciNova disclaims any intent or obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements. INVESTOR CONTACT : David H. Crean, Ph.D. Chief Business Officer MediciNova, Inc info@medicinova.comLVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton, Société Européenne (OTCMKTS:LVMUY) Given Consensus Rating of “Strong Buy” by BrokeragesDavid Beckham called Kath Phipps “the heartbeat of Manchester United” as tributes from players past and present poured in following the long-serving receptionist’s death at the age of 85. A lifelong fan, she was an immensely popular figure with players, managers and staff at a club she joined four months after Sir Matt Busby led them to European Cup glory in 1968. Phipps initially worked at Old Trafford in the stadium offices and on matchdays, before Sir Alex Ferguson brought her to their Carrington training ground in 2000. The United great presented her with the League Managers Association’s Service to Football award in 2022, when Beckham was among those to pay tribute. “Forever in our hearts...,” the former midfielder posted on Instagram with a photo holding Phipps’ hand. “The first and last face I would always see was Kath sat at reception at Old Trafford waiting to give me my tickets for the game. “She was the heartbeat of Manchester United, everyone knew who Kath was and everyone adored her. “I moved up to Manchester at 15 and Kath made a promise to my mum and dad ‘I’ll look after your boy for you don’t you worry’ and from that first day till the last day I spent with her that’s exactly what she did. “Old Trafford will never be the same without your smile as we walk through those doors... We love you.” The club confirmed Phipps’ death on Thursday, leading to a flood of tributes on social media from those that worked with her. United’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney said: “The heart and soul of Manchester United. Everything what the club is about. “A legend who will be greatly missed. Thanks for the memories Kathy. Thoughts with family and friends.” Fellow United former player Patrice Evra said “losing a family member (is) never easy” alongside a photo with Phipps, who David De Gea thanked “for taking care of everyone”. Ex-United defender Rio Ferdinand said: “An absolute mainstay of Manchester United... Always welcomed me and everyone else who visited with a warm smile! Looked at life positively, incredibly selfless & would put others first! RIP.” Current squad members were also quick to pay their respects to Phipps. United skipper Bruno Fernandes reposted the club’s announcement with a heart emoji and Marcus Rashford said: “Awful news, admired by all at the club and beyond, you will be missed.” United defender Harry Maguire posted: “A legend that will never be forgotten. I will miss you. We will miss you. RIP Kath.” Right-back Diogo Dalot wrote: “We love you Kath. Thank you for showing everyday what this club is about and taking care of us.” Jadon Sancho, who is on loan at Chelsea ahead of a permanent United exit, said of Phipps: “I’m grateful that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you, such a lovely kind hearted soul. “She always made sure I was OK and always put a smile on my face whenever I felt down, I appreciate you Kath. My condolences go out to her family through this tough time.” United have yet to confirm what tribute will be paid at Saturday’s Premier League match against Nottingham Forest. “An omnipresent figure at Manchester United since the late 1960s, Kath worked for the club for over 55 years in a variety of roles, but her contribution went beyond any particular job title. “Kath was a one-woman institution, whose memory will be cherished by everyone at the club who had the privilege of knowing her. “She said last year: ‘I can’t imagine doing anything else’. Well, we can’t imagine the place without her.”

Cathie Wood’s Ark Innovation ETF is blazing trails in the artificial intelligence sector, thanks to its forward-thinking investments made long before AI became mainstream. The fund’s strategic moves have positioned it for remarkable success, especially in 2024. Palantir Technologies: A Data Powerhouse Palantir Technologies stands as a pillar in the Ark Innovation ETF, dazzling investors with a 380% stock surge in 2024. This phenomenal growth is driven by Palantir’s strong revenue performance and its strategic positioning within key stock indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100. Major government contracts continue to bolster its long-term potential, as the company embodies a shift towards data-driven efficiency and security. Nvidia: At the Core of AI Advancements Despite trimming Nvidia shares, Cathie Wood maintains a strong connection to the company through her other funds. Nvidia’s graphic processing units (GPUs) are crucial to AI applications, a fact reflected in a 180% rise in stock price this past year. CEO Jensen Huang sees broader opportunities for Nvidia in accelerated computing, expanding beyond AI and setting the stage for future growth. Tesla: Driving AI Innovations Tesla remains a flagship investment for Wood, marking more than an 80% increase in share value since November 2023. Market optimism about AI initiatives, including a potential robotaxi service, keeps Tesla in the spotlight. While valuations raise some eyebrows, the company’s commitment to leveraging AI reinforces its pioneering status in the automotive industry. As AI propels these companies forward, 2025 promises further exciting opportunities, with continued advancements in technology and market dynamics to watch closely. Investors keen on riding the AI wave should keep an eye on these transformative leaders. Investing in AI: Unpacking Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities in 2025 In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, Cathie Wood’s Ark Innovation ETF continues to set the benchmark for strategic investments in the artificial intelligence sector. The fund’s foresight in capitalizing on AI-related opportunities has created substantial market buzz, with significant implications for 2025 and beyond. Market Analysis and Predictions As 2024 paved the way for unprecedented growth in AI, 2025 holds the promise of transforming market dynamics further. Investors and analysts are closely monitoring how key players like Palantir Technologies, Nvidia, and Tesla will adapt to, and drive, the next wave of AI innovations. The burgeoning growth in AI solutions, from machine learning models to AI-driven automation, indicates a robust market trajectory where the integration of AI into various industries becomes not just beneficial but essential. Features and Innovations Palantir Technologies stands at the forefront, celebrated for its advanced data analytics platforms that cater specifically to government and large enterprise needs. The integration of AI in Palantir’s offerings allows for unprecedented data interpretation abilities, providing clients with actionable insights that drive operational efficiency and security. Nvidia , renowned for its cutting-edge GPUs, is not just an AI enabler but also looks to broaden its horizon through accelerated computing beyond traditional AI applications. CEO Jensen Huang’s vision indicates a diversification strategy that could redefine sectors such as healthcare, autonomous vehicles, and finance. Tesla , synonymous with innovation in the electric vehicle market, continues to harness AI for transformative initiatives like the anticipated robotaxi service. Tesla’s strategic AI endeavors underscore its goal to remain a vanguard in automotive technology, spotlighting its pioneering role in the integration of AI with mobility solutions. Challenges and Security Aspects Despite these advancements, the AI sector faces critical challenges, particularly in balancing rapid growth with ethical considerations and security concerns. As AI systems become increasingly integrated into business processes, safeguarding data integrity and addressing potential biases in machine learning models become paramount. Companies must navigate these intricacies to foster trust and maintain innovation momentum. Sustainability and Future Trends Sustainability in AI development is emerging as a key pillar, with enterprises seeking ways to reduce the ecological footprint of AI solutions. Companies are investing in energy-efficient data centers and cleaner production processes, aligning with global sustainability goals. As AI evolves, its applications in environmental monitoring and resource management offer promising avenues for sustainable growth. Looking ahead, the trend toward democratizing AI technology will redefine accessibility, allowing smaller businesses and startups to harness AI for niche applications, thus fostering an inclusive technological ecosystem. In conclusion, as Cathie Wood’s Ark Innovation ETF captures the essence of AI potential, investors should remain attentive to shifting market landscapes, emerging technologies, and the ethical considerations that influence this dynamic sector. The heightened focus on innovation and sustainability will undoubtedly shape the contours of AI’s future. For those interested in the broader implications of these trends, learn more about the broader strategies by visiting the Ark Invest official website.AUSTIN, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 18: The exterior of the Texas State Capitol on February 18, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) At the start of the new year, several new Texas bills will go into effect or new sections of old bills will be implemented. From the elimination of mandatory vehicle inspections to more ways to protect Texans’ personal data online, some changes are geared toward the state’s residents. Others clarify changes to government organizations, add courts and change the wording but not the meaning of written laws. Here are the new changes taking effect on Jan. 1, 2025: In 2023, the Texas legislature voted to remove mandatory vehicle safety inspections for noncommercial vehicles. Instead, the $7.50 fee will be assessed as an "inspection program replacement fee" that is added when the vehicle is registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles. New vehicles from the two most recent model years that have not been registered before will pay an initial fee of $16.75 that will cover two years. It does not remove emissions inspections where they are required. Counties that require emissions tests are: Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Montgomery, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, Williamson and El Paso counties. Bexar County will require emissions beginning in 2026. Commercial vehicles are still required to undergo a safety inspection. Those vehicles will not have to pay replacement fees. Related Texas won't require vehicle inspections starting Jan. 1, do you still need emissions testing? While vehicle safety inspections are going away for some Texans, residents in certain counties will still need emissions tests. Texans can authorize someone else or technology to opt out of having a company process the consumer’s personal information. House Bill 4 went into effect in July. Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, Texans will now be able to use internet browser settings and extensions, global device settings or links to websites that allow the user to indicate they want to opt out of giving their personal data. In order to use an automated process, it must be clear that the user is a resident of Texas and requires the user to make the choice. It cannot be the default setting. The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act gives Texans the right to know if a company is collecting their personal data, correct the data collected and opt out of that collection for targeted advertising, the sale of personal data or profiling that person. The legislature passed HB 1535 , which requires more transparency for the San Antonio River Authority as the population in the area that it serves has grown. While a majority of the act is already in effect, beginning January 1, 2025, the new fiscal year-end for the agency is Sept. 30. Passed in 2023, HB 3474 establishes new judicial districts for the state. The 477th judicial district will be established in Denton County on Jan. 1, 2025. The 499th judicial district will be established for Edwards, Gillespie and Kimball counties at that time as well. On Oct. 1, 2025, the 498th judicial district will be established in Kendall County. Other areas of the bill are already in effect, including several other judicial districts and the creation of new probate courts. House Bill 4504 makes changes to the way certain laws are written and compiled and arranged in a "logical fashion." The bill allows changes to various codes. The changes allow altering with changes to the meaning. Beginning January 1, 2025, Senate Bill 2 allows school districts to request more state funding if its budget comes up short after regularly received state funding and local taxes are calculated. The schools are given the money to make up for the loss of tax revenues because of the limitations on tax increases on elderly and disabled homeowners in the district. Additionally, beginning in January, the Texas Education Agency is required to post the maximum compressed rate for each school district. The maximum compressed rate is the tax rate per $100 of taxable property that the school district must implement a maintenance and operations tax in order to receive full funding. Other changes at the first of the year include the repealing of two tax discounts that expired in 2023 and 2022. Information in this article comes from the Texas Legislative Reference Library.Concerns raised over hospitality staff after smoking curbs ditchedMichigan athletic director Warde Manuel gets 5-year contract extension

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said he will lift his martial law decree, giving in to the parliament’s opposition, just hours after his dramatic move imposing it Tuesday. Yoon said in a televised address early Wednesday that he will “accept the National Assembly’s demand and lift the martial law through a cabinet meeting,” which he said he had called but its members hadn’t yet arrived. He will immediately lift the martial law when they convene, he said. Yoon, 63, stunned the nation, lawmakers and investors earlier by declaring martial law in a high-stakes move he claimed would prevent the opposition from trying to paralyze his administration amid a political rift that is set to deepen markedly. The South Korean leader’s political future will be put to test after his daring move, which caught even his fellow party members and foreign allies like the U.S. by surprise. “I request the National Assembly to immediately stop the reckless acts of paralyzing the functions of the state through repeated impeachments, legislative manipulation, and budget manipulation,” Yoon said in his earlier televised address. After Yoon announced he would lift the decree, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said its troops that had been mobilized for the martial law declaration have returned to their original posts as of 4:22 a.m., Yonhap reported. No unusual activities have been spotted from North Korea, it added. The move was viewed by analysts as a risky political play that was likely to backfire rather than an attempt to return to military-led regimes of the past. With his own government and party kept in the dark alongside the U.S. and other friendly nations, Yoon created a chaotic moment that left him isolated and even further from controlling the political agenda going forward. Early Wednesday morning, 190 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament unanimously voted to demand the lifting of martial law. The president had said his move was intended to protect freedom and constitutional order, that it wouldn’t have an impact on South Korea’s foreign policy, and that it would help eradicate the influence of North Korean supporters. A proclamation released after the address banned all political activities and strikes and said media would be subject to control of the Martial Law Command. Korean assets were battered during New York trading. The won suffered its sharpest drop since the global financial crisis to hit 1444.65 its lowest in over two years, before paring losses. Samsung Electronics’ London-listed shares fell as much as 7.2% then regained some ground. The finance minister and central bank chief met and promised to provide unlimited liquidity to markets if needed. The Bank of Korea will meet early Wednesday, just a week after a surprise rate cut partly triggered by heightened uncertainty generated by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s election victory. Adding to the sense of chaos, the nation’s largest union federation called a general strike in defiance of Yoon’s order. The shock announcement to impose martial law for the first time since the democratization of South Korea in 1987 caught even Yoon’s own party off guard. Han Dong-hoon, leader of Yoon’s People Power Party, condemned the move and vowed to stop it, in a sign of the president’s increasing isolation and his lack of consultation. The move also surprised the White House, prompting Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell to say that the Biden administration was watching the developments with “grave concern.” Yoon’s abrupt decision came after months of wrangling and deadlock in parliament between the president’s minority government and the main opposition Democratic Party, but with little expectation that the president would take such a drastic step. The opposition has been trying to force its budget proposal through parliament and has submitted an impeachment motion against the chief prosecutor after months of also trying to get Yoon’s wife prosecuted. Adding to the fractious political rift, the DP’s leader has faced multiple court cases and was convicted last month of election-law violations, barring him from running for president if it is finalized. Amid the political standoff, Yoon had vetoed a string of bills passed by parliament and at times angering his own party. His latest act ramped up tensions considerably domestically, while also creating high uncertainty abroad for the outlook of one of the world’s key suppliers of semiconductors and a stalwart U.S. ally in an increasingly complex security environment in Asia. Even though the martial law order lasted less than a day, the political instability it will generate is set to last two or three years, according to Lee Won-Jae, a sociology professor at at Kaist Graduate School of Culture Technology in Daejeon. “Martial law has lost its effect, so from this moment on, all state institutions exercising physical force, including the military and police of the Republic of Korea, are obligated not to follow unlawful or unfair instructions,” Han, the leader of Yoon’s party, said in a Facebook post. Yoon’s moves came at a time of high uncertainty for the nation as its trade-dependent economy faces potential tariffs from Trump’s incoming U.S. administration. Bloomberg Economics estimates that full imposition of tariffs on China, South Korea and other U.S. trading partners could reduce Seoul’s exports to the U.S. by as much as 55%. Meanwhile, North Korea continues to present a security concern as it deepens its ties with Russia, having sent thousands of troops there to help in Moscow’s war against Ukraine. Russia’s defense minister visited Pyongyang last week in the latest sign of talks between the two countries. Russia may help provide North Korea key technology for its weapons programs including its intercontinental ballistic missiles. “We shouldn’t be fooled — this has nothing at all to do with North Korea and all to do with domestic politics,” said Defense Priorities Fellow Daniel DePetris. China suggested its citizens residing in South Korea keep calm and try to avoid going outdoors for anything non-essential, the country’s embassy said in a post on social media Tuesday night. The embassy also asked Chinese citizens to comply with official orders from the Korean government and “use caution” over sharing political opinions. “The domestic uncertainty adds to the external pressures in recent weeks as the market is starting to price in the rise of higher U.S. tariffs under the new Trump administration,” said Aroop Chatterjee, a strategist at Wells Fargo. “Korea is an open economy sensitive to shifts in global export demand and spillovers from a weaker China.” While it remains to be seen if the short-lived declaration of martial law will have a lasting impact on markets and the economy, Yoon’s high-stakes move is certain to knock confidence in his leadership and his reliability as a bullwark of democracy in a nation with many authoritarian neighbors. “U.S. officials look to South Korea now as a beacon of democracy so for a president to pull a fast one like this is certainly shocking and unprecedented,” said DePetris. Bank of Korea’s monetary board, which unexpectedly cut the key rate last week, will also hold an extraordinary meeting Wednesday morning to discuss steps to shield the economy and markets. “From a near-term policy standpoint, apart from the market disruptions, uncertainty could also arise in the event of cabinet changes,” Goldman Sachs Group Inc. analysts Goohoon Kwon and Kamakshya Trivedi wrote in a note Tuesday. (With assistance from Maria Elena Vizcaino.) ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Navitas Semiconductor NVTS the only pure-play, next-generation, power semiconductor company and industry leader in gallium nitride (GaN) power ICs and silicon carbide (SiC) technology, today announced that Dr. Ranbir Singh, formerly Executive Vice President at Navitas and the founder and CEO of GeneSiC Semiconductor, has been appointed to Navitas' board of directors. "We are pleased to welcome Ranbir to the board of directors," said Gene Sheridan, Chairman, President and CEO. "Ranbir has led the industry with over 20 years of SiC innovation as the founder and CEO of GeneSiC; and 8 years prior to that at Wolfspeed (formerly Cree, Inc.) and brings deep industry knowledge to the board. We look forward to his contributions as we grow our business with next-generation, clean-energy power for an efficient and sustainable future." Dr. Singh joined Navitas with the acquisition of GeneSiC Semiconductor, which he founded in 2004. Dr. Singh has dedicated his life to the mission of high-performance, high-reliability silicon carbide technology, and is highly respected in the power electronics community, with several awards, over 200 journal and conference papers, a book and over 40 US patents. "I am excited to be joining the Navitas board at this pivotal moment as the company leads technical innovation with disruptive, wide band-gap technology, into fast-growing AI, EV and Mobile markets," said Dr. Singh. "Navitas is executing a significant transformation in the semiconductor industry, and it is an honor to have the opportunity to continue to contribute to the company's growth and innovation." Dr. Singh holds a Bachelor of Technology, Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, and both Master's and PhD in Electrical Engineering – Power Semiconductors, from North Carolina State University (NCSU), Raleigh. He was inducted into NCSU's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Alumni Hall of Fame in 2022. About Navitas Navitas Semiconductor NVTS is the only pure-play, next-generation power-semiconductor company, celebrating 10 years of power innovation founded in 2014. GaNFastTM power ICs integrate gallium nitride (GaN) power and drive, with control, sensing, and protection to enable faster charging, higher power density, and greater energy savings. Complementary GeneSiCTM power devices are optimized high-power, high-voltage, and high-reliability silicon carbide (SiC) solutions. Focus markets include AI datacenters, EV, solar, energy storage, home appliance / industrial, mobile and consumer. Over 300 Navitas patents are issued or pending, with the industry's first and only 20-year GaNFast warranty . Navitas was the world's first semiconductor company to be CarbonNeutral®-certified . Navitas Semiconductor, GaNFast, GaNSense, GeneSiC and the Navitas logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Navitas Semiconductor Limited and affiliates. All other brands, product names and marks are or may be trademarks or registered trademarks used to identify products or services of their respective owners. Contact Information Stephen Oliver, VP Investor Relations ir@navitassemi.com PR Image: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/513b17be-0667-4557-8fb3-d7665a6e81db . © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Pinoys help reshape Taiwan tourism

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos' usually stout defense has been rocked ever since losing second-year cornerback Riley Moss to an MCL injury against Las Vegas in Week 12. Without Moss there to capitalize on opponents shying away from star cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the Broncos (9-6) have had to largely abandon their preferred man coverage in favor of zone strategies and the results haven't been pretty. They allowed 32 points to the Cleveland Browns when former teammate Jerry Jeudy caught nine passes for a career-best 235 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown. Only Jonathan Taylor's fumble at the goal line as he was about to score a 41-yard touchdown and give Indianapolis a 20-3 lead saved the Broncos in Week 15 and allowed Denver to seize momentum and get the victory. They couldn't stop Justin Herbert , who led the Los Angeles Chargers back from a double-digit third-quarter deficit for a 34-27 win last week that prevented the Broncos from ending their eight-year playoff drought. It also put more pressure on the Broncos to win Saturday at Cincinnati, where the Bengals (7-8) cling to hopes of catching the Broncos and denying Denver a wild-card berth. Moss returned to practice last week and the Broncos will determine this week whether he’s ready to return to the field or if it’s better to keep him out until their season finale against Kansas City. But all signs point to Moss being on the field to help thwart Cincy's offense led by Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. “It's great to have him back,” Surtain said after practice Tuesday. “I mean, you talk about a guy who was playing lights-out before the injury, but to see him back out there with confidence, out there practicing, getting his mojo back, it brings a lot of confidence to the team, as well. So, it's good to see him back out there in action, for sure.” Moss has enjoyed a breakout season in Denver with 71 tackles, eight pass breakups and an interception in 12 starts. He played in 14 games as a rotation player his rookie season after recovering from core muscle surgery that relegated him to special teams and spot duty in 2023. “We were and have been super excited" about the third-round pick out of Iowa, coach Sean Payton said. "Obviously, the guy that plays opposite of Patrick is going to get a lot of business. All throughout training camp, he really rose to the occasion, battled, competed and throughout really a good portion of the season. “He’s a big reason why we were playing so well defensively,” Payton added. "The sooner the better when we can get him back in the lineup. Hopefully it can happen this weekend.” In Moss' dozen starts, the Broncos allowed 16.8 points per game. Without him, they've been allowing 26.3 points a game. Burrow and Chase pose a bigger challenge to the Broncos than Jeudy and Jameis Wiston did for Cleveland or Herbert and Ladd McConkey did for the Chargers. The medial collateral ligament is on the inside of the knee that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. It’s one of four major ligaments that stabilize the knee and allow it to rotate. It typically takes a month to recover from an MCL sprain and the Broncos had their bye week earlier this month, meaning Moss might only have to miss three games. If the Broncos reach the playoffs for the first time since winning Super Bowl 50 in Hall of Famer Peyton Manning's last start, they'll likely need to have a healthy Moss opposite Surtain to have any realistic hopes of avoiding a one-and-done appearance. The Broncos got a scare when Surtain injured an ankle against Indianapolis two weeks ago and limped off the field in the closing minutes. However, he was a full-go at practice last week and had no issues against the Chargers. NOTES: The Broncos waived veteran CB Levi Wallace, who had been inactive the past two weeks after giving up several big plays to Jeudy on Dec. 2. Denver also designated RB Tyler Badie to return from a back injury he sustained against the Jets in Week 4. Payton said he hopes to sign Wallace to the practice squad if he clears waivers. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflIsrael launches new airstrikes on Lebanon as leaders draw closer to cease-fire with Hezbollah

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'It’s not just about keeping warm, it's about keeping their spirits up' — Boise homeless shelters discuss challenges during winter operationsSuch bet are usually bad ones, which is why so many massive casino-resorts have been built on Las Vegas Boulevard. But it doesn't mean the organizers are wrong. They're counting on the minimum of $1 million in guaranteed name, image and likeness money that will go to each of the eight teams competing in the neutral-site tournament that begins Tuesday will create a precedent for other such events. EverWonder Studios CEO Ian Orefice, who co-founded Players with former AND1 CEO Seth Berger, compared this event to last year's inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament that played its semifinals and final in Las Vegas by saying it "did really well to reinvigorate the fan base at the beginning of the year." "We're excited that we're able to really change the paradigm in college basketball on the economics," Orefice said. "But for us, it's about the long term. How do we use the momentum that is launching with the 2024 Players Era Festival and be the catalyst not to change one event, but to change college basketball for the future." Orefice and Berger didn't disclose financial details, but said the event will come close to breaking even this year and that revenue is in eight figures. Orefice said the bulk of the revenue will come from relationships with MGM, TNT Sports and Publicis Sport & Entertainment as well as sponsors that will be announced later. Both organizers said they are so bullish on the tournament's prospects that they already are planning ahead. Money made from this year's event, Orefice said, goes right back into the company. "We're really in this for the long haul," Orefice said. "So we're not looking at it on a one-year basis." Rick Giles is president of the Gazelle Group, which also operates several similar events, including the College Basketball Invitational. He was skeptical the financial numbers would work. Giles said in addition to more than $8 million going to the players, there were other expenses such as the guarantees to the teams. He said he didn't know if the tournament would make up the difference with ticket sales, broadcast rights and sponsorship money. The top bowl of the MGM Grand Garden Arena will be curtained off. "The math is highly challenging," Giles said. "Attendance and ticket revenues are not going to come anywhere close to covering that. They haven't announced any sponsors that I'm aware of. So it all sort of rests with their media deal with Turner and how much capital they want to commit to it to get these players paid." David Carter, a University of Southern California adjunct professor who also runs the Sports Business Group consultancy, said even if the Players isn't a financial success this year, the question is whether there will be enough interest to move forward. "If there is bandwidth for another tournament and if the TV or the streaming ratings are going to be there and people are going to want to attend and companies are going to want to sponsor, then, yeah, it's probably going to work," Carter said. "But it may take them time to gain that traction." Both founders said they initially were met with skepticism about putting together such an event, especially from teams they were interested in inviting. Houston was the first school to commit, first offering an oral pledge early in the year and then signing a contract in April. That created momentum for others to join, and including the No. 6 Cougars, half the field is ranked. "We have the relationships to operate a great event," Berger said. "We had to get coaches over those hurdles, and once they knew that we were real, schools got on board really quickly." The founders worked with the NCAA to make sure the tournament abided by that organization's rules, so players must appear at ancillary events in order to receive NIL money. Strict pay for play is not allowed, though there are incentives for performance. The champion, for example, will receive $1.5 million in NIL money. Now the pressure is on to pull off the event and not create the kind of headlines that can dog it for years to come. "I think everybody in the marketplace is watching what's going to happen (this) week and, more importantly, what happens afterwards," Giles said. "Do the players get paid on a timely basis? And if they do, that means that Turner or somebody has paid way more than the market dictates? And the question will be: Can that continue?" CREIGHTON: P oint guard Steven Ashworth likely won’t play in the No. 21 Bluejays’ game against San Diego State in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Ashworth sprained his right ankle late in a loss to Nebraska on Friday and coach Greg McDermott said afterward he didn’t know how long he would be out.

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Paramount Plus has also launched their Black Friday deals a bit early, which includes getting Paramount Plus Essential for $2.99 per month, or Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME for the same price. Unfortunately, both deals are for the first two months. After that, you’ll be paying the regular price which starts at $7.99 for Paramount Plus Essentials and $12.99 for Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME. Now, while the annual plans are not discounted, they still have better values than the Black Friday Deal. Paramount Plus Essentials is $59.99 per year (or $5 per month), while Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME is $119 per year (or around $10 per month). Paramount Plus is what used to be CBS All Access and now has a ton of great content available. This includes being able to watch the NFL on CBS as well as UEFA Champions League Live. Now, on plans, you’ll see ads for sports since they are live. But on Paramount Plus with SHOWTIME, it is ad-free – except for live TV. This also includes content like Star Trek Picard, The Chi, Seal Team and much more. It’s a really good streaming service and definitely worth checking out for $2.99 per month. Sign up for Paramount PlusNetflix will have one of its biggest days Wednesday since the site launched in 1998 when it airs two NFL games for the first time. “NFL Christmas Gameday on Netflix” begins with a two-hour pregame show at 11 a.m., before Pittsburgh hosts Kansas City. Baltimore faces Houston in the second game. The streaming giant agreed to a three-year contract in May to carry Christmas Day games. Netflix’s 282.3 million subscribers in over 190 countries will be able to stream the games, marking the first time one outlet has distributed an NFL game globally. Netflix will have the games available in five languages — English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and German. The games will also air on CBS affiliates in Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Houston. NFL policy dictates that games on cable or being exclusively streamed must also be on an over-the-air station in the competing teams’ markets. It will also be available on mobile devices in the U.S. for those who have NFL+. The biggest reason is money. The league is getting $150 million from Netflix for the two games this season. It also continues the NFL’s moves into streaming — Thursday night games are in their third season on Amazon Prime Video and the “Sunday Ticket” package moved to YouTube TV last year. That’s true, but the league wasn’t about to give up Christmas after seeing the ratings. Last year’s three games averaged 28.68 million viewers. The early afternoon contest between the Las Vegas Raiders and Chiefs led the way, averaging 29.48 million. The Chiefs, Steelers, Ravens and Texans played on Saturday, giving them the same turnaround they would have if they played on Sunday and then Thursday. All four have clinched playoff spots in the AFC, but seeding remains up for grabs. Kansas City (14-1) can clinch the top seed — which would mean a first-round bye and home field throughout the playoffs — with a win over the Steelers. Pittsburgh and Baltimore are tied atop the AFC North at 10-5, with the Steelers holding the tiebreaker due to a better conference record. Houston (9-6) has wrapped up the AFC South and holds the fourth seed. Netflix hopes so. Brandon Riegg, Netflix’s vice president of nonfiction series and sports, said the system was stress tested, and then some, during the Nov. 14 bout, along with internet service providers reporting they were also overwhelmed by the surge that occurred before and during the fight. The bout peaked at 65 million concurrent streams, including 38 million concurrent streams in the United States. According to the website Down Detector, nearly 85,000 viewers logged problems with outages or streaming leading up to and during the fight. Possible? Yes. Likely? No. The largest audience for a streamed-exclusive NFL game was 23 million on Peacock for last season’s AFC wild-card game between the Miami Dolphins and Chiefs. Nielsen will measure the ratings for the Christmas Day games, with early numbers expected late afternoon on Thursday. It will probably beat kickoff for both games, but especially around 5:45 p.m. EST. That would be near halftime of the Ravens-Texans game, and when Beyoncé will be performing. Mariah Carey will kick off the day with a taped performance of “All I Want for Christmas is You.” There is no word if Taylor Swift will make the trip to Pittsburgh to watch her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Swift has been spending time in Kansas City since she wrapped up her Eras Tour two weeks ago. The NFL will have at least two games on Dec. 25 in 2025 and ’26, with Netflix slated to have at least one each year. Amazon Prime Video will have a night game with Christmas on a Thursday next year. Netflix’s worldwide partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment will begin on Jan. 6 when “Monday Night Raw” moves to the streaming service. On Friday, Netflix secured the U.S. rights for the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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