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Judge rejects sale of Alex Jones’ Infowars to The Onion in dispute over bankruptcy auction

Well, our Matt Gaetz post was short lived. And, in hindsight, that should come as no surprise given the overwhelming opposition and allegations that continued to emerge. If you are a frequent reader of Budding Trends , however, you know we try to stay on top of the unending news cycle that is the cannabis industry and keep the masses up to speed. So, here we are again. Yesterday, the news broke that Gaetz withdrew his name, reportedly because the Trump administration concluded he would not have the votes to be confirmed. Little time passed before the new nominee was named. Enter former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. Disclaimer: As we state in all posts that relate to politics, we strive to avoid any semblance of partisan commentary in this space and, because this is a cannabis law blog, aim to focus exclusively on how current events or legal developments impact the cannabis industry. This article is no different. Back to how an Attorney General Bondi may affect the cannabis industry. The former prosecutor, who served as Florida’s head attorney from 2011-2019 before working for the Ballard Partners lobbying firm and then joining Trump’s legal defense team during his first impeachment trial in 2020, has not had the most pro-marijuana positions in her tenure. If we’re being honest, what we know isn’t going to make cannabis operators feel all warm and fuzzy, but at the same time, all hope shouldn’t be lost. As Florida AG, Bondi Opposed 2014 Florida Amendment 2 Before Florida Amendment 2, which would have legalized medical marijuana in Florida, landed on the ballots in the 2014 election and then failed to receive the requisite votes, Bondi’s office challenged the legality of the ballot initiative. In their filings, Bondi argued the amendment would have made Florida “one of the most lenient medical-marijuana states, allowing use for limitless ‘other conditions’ specified by a physician.” While Bondi’s efforts then to keep the measure out of voters’ hands failed, the votes to pass the amendment weren’t enough. Amendment 2 Passes in 2016, Without Bondi’s Opposition Unlike in 2014, Bondi’s office did not formally challenge the 2016 amendment. Instead, her office simply stated that she was concerned the new law would expand the use of marijuana among Floridians, especially in the youth population. The 2016 Amendment 2 ended up receiving over 71% votes in favor of medical marijuana, giving birth to one of the more robust medical marijuana programs in the country. Bondi Tried to Uphold Smoking Ban in Medical Cannabis Law But Lost The legislation that originally enacted Amendment 2 banned smokable forms of marijuana. Lawyers, led by famed personal injury lawyer John Morgan of Morgan & Morgan, challenged the ban and succeeded. Bondi’s office mounted opposition , arguing that because “elected members of Florida’s legislature emphasized that the amendment was exclusively about medicine... smoking is antithetical to good medicine.” Ultimately, the Florida Legislature heeded the lower court’s conclusion on the issue and passed SB-182 in 2019 to legalize smokable forms of marijuana within Florida’s medical marijuana program. Bondi Has a Strong Track Record Fighting the Opioid Crisis and Draws Praise from Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers During Trump’s first four years in office, Bondi served on his Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis. She also has worked inside Florida to help stop the illegal use of prescription drugs and combat the fentanyl crisis. Kim Rivers, CEO of Trulieve, took to X to praise Bondi’s efforts in that respect and quelled concerns that Bondi would hinder cannabis reform, stating: “I have always known her to be straight forward and very fair... She is passionate about ending the opioid crisis and did great work shutting down pill mills in Florida. She is an advocate for safe, regulated markets and I believe she will bring the same energy to end the fentanyl issues our country is facing.” Based on the foregoing, while Bondi’s position on cannabis isn’t unambiguously pro or opposed, perhaps the cannabis industry can take some solace in the (likely) possibility that, if confirmed as attorney general, she will adopt a stance similar to that of President-elect Trump , Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (nominee for new head of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), and others in the Trump administration on marijuana. At this point, all we can do is wait and see. Listen to this post

, born , is a prominent American rapper known for her distinctive voice and impactful contributions to hip-hop. Rising to fame in the late 1990s, she became a significant figure in the genre, particularly as a female artist in a predominantly male industry. Her debut album, , released in 1996, featured hits like and showcased her lyrical prowess and unique style. Throughout her career, Foxy has collaborated with several influential artists, including , with whom she worked on multiple tracks, most notably her 1996 hit . Known for her bold persona and unapologetic lyrics, she has often Recently, Foxy Brown made headlines for sharing a , just a day after and were implicated in a civil lawsuit accusing them of raping a 13-year-old girl at an afterparty in 2000. In her posts, she expressed shock and curiosity, using phrases like "WOW" and "WAIT," along with emojis that conveyed her feelings. While these messages coincided with the serious allegations against her former mentor, she Brown's support raises eyebrows , marked by both collaboration and speculation. Despite the recent turmoil surrounding the allegations, she has previously defended her connection with him. In October, she took to social media to refute claims that regarding their relationship, stating, " ." Additionally, she shared a screenshot of a YouTube video that suggested she was "breaking her silence" on Jay-Z, asserting, " ." This indicates her determination to maintain control over her narrative amidst the swirling rumors. As the lawsuit unfolds, both , with Jay-Z accusing attorney Tony Buzbee of attempting to blackmail him. He stated, " " Meanwhile, Combs' legal team has labeled the allegations a " ."Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin held a meeting with district collectors and monitoring officers on Tuesday to review the state’s preparedness for heavy rains and a potential cyclonic storm, as forecasted by the weather department. State Revenue Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam also participated in the virtual meeting. An official said that the Chief Minister inquired about precautionary measures in districts including Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, and Cuddalore disc. The district collectors assured the Chief Minister that adequate relief camps have been set up and medical teams with the necessary equipment are on standby. Nagapattinam district has mobilised 75 boats, 125 earthmovers, 250 generators, and 281 chainsaws. While Cuddalore District has 51 boats, 242 earthmovers, 28 generators, and 104 chainsaws. The state government has pre-positioned disaster response teams, mobilised first responders and volunteers, and ensured that state and district-level emergency control centres are operating round the clock with multi-department officials. Following the Chief Minister’s instructions, the government has deployed one State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and one National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team each in Thiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, and Cuddalore. Additionally, two NDRF teams have been stationed in Thanjavur. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai reported on Tuesday (November 26) that a depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression and is likely to strengthen further into a cyclonic storm by Wednesday (November 27). The RMC stated that the system over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining East Equatorial Indian Ocean is moving north-northwestwards at a speed of 12 km/h. As of Tuesday, the system is centred over the southwest Bay of Bengal near latitude 6.3°N and longitude 82.8°E, approximately: The weather department predicts that the system will continue to move north-northwestwards and intensify further into a cyclonic storm by November 27. Meanwhile, Chennai and its suburbs have been experiencing widespread rainfall since Tuesday morning. Light to moderate rainfall, with occasional heavy spells, has been forecast for the region through Thursday (November 28). The weather department has also forecast moderate thunderstorms and lightning accompanied by moderate rain for several districts, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, Villupuram, Kallakkurichi, Cuddalore, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Sivagangai, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, and Tirunelveli on November 26.LUQUE, Paraguay — Sake is perhaps more Japanese than the world-famous sushi. It's savored in the country’s pub-like izakayas, poured during weddings and served slightly chilled for special toasts. The that plays a crucial role in Japan's culinary traditions was enshrined on Wednesday by on its list of the “intangible cultural heritage of humanity." At a meeting in Luque, Paraguay, members of UNESCO’s committee for safeguarding humanity's cultural heritage voted to recognize 45 cultural practices and products around the world, including Brazilian white cheese, Caribbean cassava bread and Palestinian olive oil soap. Unlike UNESCO’s World Heritage List, which includes sites considered important to humanity like the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Intangible Cultural Heritage designation names products and practices of different cultures that are deserving of recognition. A Japanese delegation welcomed the announcement in Luque. “Sake is considered a divine gift and is essential for social and cultural events in Japan,” Kano Takehiro, the Japanese ambassador to UNESCO, told The Associated Press. The basic ingredients of sake are few: rice, water, yeast and koji, a rice mold that breaks down the starches into fermentable sugars like malting does in beer production. The whole two-month process of steaming, stirring, fermenting and pressing can be grueling. The rice — which wields tremendous marketing power as part of Japan's broader cultural identity — is key to the alcoholic brew. For a product to be categorized Japanese sake, the rice must be Japanese. The UNESCO recognition, the delegation said, captured more than the craft knowledge of making high-quality sake. It also honored a tradition dating back some 1,000 years — sake makes a cameo in Japan’s famous 11th century novel, “The Tale of Genji,” as the drink of choice in the refined Heian court. Now, officials hope to restore sake's image as Japan's premier alcoholic drink even as the younger drinkers in the country switch to imported wine or domestic beer and whiskey. the listing could give a lift to the country's export economy as the popularity of sake booms around the world and in the United States amid heightened interest in Japanese cuisine. “I hope that this will also be an opportunity for Japanese people to take another look at sake, shochu and awamori, which are the essence of their culture," Hitoshi Utsunomiya, director of the trade group Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, said in Tokyo. "I would like them to try it even once and see what it tastes like,” he said. Sake exports, mostly to the U.S. and China, now rake in over $265 million a year, according to the association. Japan's delegation appeared ready to celebrate Wednesday — in classic Japanese style. After the announcement, Takehiro raised a cypress box full of sake to toast the alcoholic brew and cultural rite. “It means a lot to Japan and to the Japanese,” he said of the UNESCO designation. "This will help to renew interest in traditional sake elaboration.” In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he was “delighted” by UNESCO's recognition of traditional sake-making techniques, and he congratulated those dedicated to preserving and promoting the tradition.

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump used his image as a successful New York businessman to become a celebrity, a reality television star and eventually the president. Now he will get to revel in one of the most visible symbols of success in the city when he rings the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday as he's also named Time Magazine's Person of the Year. Trump is expected to be on Wall Street to mark the ceremonial start of the day's trading, according to four people with knowledge of his plans. He will also be announced Thursday as Time's 2024 Person of the Year , according to a person familiar with the selection. The people who confirmed the stock exchange appearance and Time award were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. It will be a notable moment of twin recognitions for Trump, a born-and-bred New Yorker who at times has treated the stock market as a measure of public approval and has long-prized signifiers of his success in New York's business world and his appearances on the covers of magazines — especially Time. Trump was named the magazine's Person of the Year in 2016, when he was first elected to the White House. He had already been listed as a finalist for this year's award alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, X owner Elon Musk, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kate, the Princess of Wales. Time declined to confirm the selection ahead of Thursday morning's announcement. “Time does not comment on its annual choice for Person of the Year prior to publication,” a spokesperson for the magazine said Wednesday. The ringing of the bell is a powerful symbol of U.S. capitalism — and a good New York photo opportunity at that. Despite his decades as a New York businessman, Trump has never done it before. It was unclear whether Trump, a Republican, would meet with New York's embattled mayor, Democrat Eric Adams , who has warmed to Trump and has not ruled out changing his political party. Adams has been charged with federal corruption crimes and accused of selling influence to foreign nationals; he has denied wrongdoing. Trump himself was once a symbol of New York, but he gave up living full-time in his namesake Trump Tower in Manhattan and moved to Florida after leaving the White House. CNN first reported Wednesday Trump’s visit to the stock exchange and Politico reported that Trump was expected to be unveiled as Time's Person of the Year. The stock exchange regularly invites celebrities and business leaders to participate in the ceremonial opening and closing of trading. During Trump’s first term, his wife, Melania Trump, rang the bell to promote her “Be Best” initiative on children’s well-being. Last year, Time CEO Jess Sibley rang the opening bell to unveil the magazine's 2023 Person of the Year: Taylor Swift . After the Nov. 5 election, the S&P 500 rallied 2.5% for its best day in nearly two years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 1,508 points, or 3.6%, while the Nasdaq composite jumped 3%. All three indexes topped records they had set in recent weeks. The U.S. stock market has historically tended to rise regardless of which party wins the White House, with Democrats scoring bigger average gains since 1945. But Republican control could mean big shifts in the winning and losing industries underneath the surface, and investors are adding to bets built earlier on what the higher tariffs, lower tax rates and lighter regulation that Trump favors will mean. Trump has long courted the business community based on his own status as a wealthy real estate developer who gained additional fame as the star of the TV show “The Apprentice” in which competitors tried to impress him with their business skills. He won the election in part by tapping into Americans' deep anxieties about an economy that seemed unable to meet the needs of the middle class. The larger business community has applauded his promises to reduce corporate taxes and cut regulations. But there are also concerns about his stated plans to impose broad tariffs and possibly target companies that he sees as not aligning with his own political interests. Trump spends the bulk of his time at his Florida home but was in New York for weeks this spring during his hush money trial there. He was convicted, but his lawyers are pushing for the case to be thrown out in light of his election. While he spent hours in a Manhattan courthouse every day during his criminal trial, Trump took his presidential campaign to the streets of the heavily Democratic city, holding a rally in the Bronx and popping up at settings for working-class New Yorkers: a bodega, a construction site and a firehouse. Trump returned to the city in September to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Manhattan tower. At the stock exchange, the ringing of the bell has been a tradition since the 1800s. The first guest to do it was a 10-year-old boy named Leonard Ross, in 1956, who won a quiz show answering questions about the stock market. Many times, companies listing on the exchange would ring the bell at 9:30 a.m. to commemorate their initial offerings as trading began. But the appearances have become an important marker of culture and politics -- something that Trump hopes to seize as he’s promised historic levels of economic growth. The anti-apartheid advocate and South African President Nelson Mandela rang the bell, as has Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone with his castmates from the film “The Expendables.” So, too, have the actors Robert Downey Jr. and Jeremy Renner for an “Avengers” movie and the Olympians Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin. In 1985, Ronald Reagan became the first sitting U.S. president to ring the bell. “With tax reform and budget control, our economy will be free to expand to its full potential, driving the bears back into permanent hibernation,” Reagan said at the time. “We’re going to turn the bull loose.” The crowd of traders on the floor chanted, “Ronnie! Ronnie! Ronnie!” The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed in 1985 and 1986, but it suffered a decline in October 1987 in an event known as “Black Monday.” Long reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report.

'Moana 2' star Auli'i Cravalho proud to represent her culture as she returns to signature role

White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaignThanksgiving is always an engrossing period for Bitcoin. Over the past four years, Bitcoin - the dominator of the crypto world has seamlessly spotlighted its volatile nature and can brainwave many investors during Thanksgiving. Now, Bitcoin is preparing for another wave. This time, its aim is $100K, surpassing the all-time high of $99800. However, it's not the only crypto to surge. Here are the other 9 best crypto presale projects that are set to surge in the Post-Thanksgiving. Including Aureal One (blockchain for gaming and metaverse), DexBoss, and 5thScape. Let’s keep our eyes on the list to know them better. Listed above are some of the top 9 best crypto presale projects that you should invest in before 2024 ends. We know many investors think the Thanksgiving feast will only be served to Bitcoin investors. But it's not the truth. Many presale cryptos are set to surge in 2024. Massive gains are waiting for the investors who invest early in them. If you are looking for a huge gain upon your investment in the crypto market, look no further, just dive into the crypto presale pool and swim in to wave in the 2024 Post-Thanksgiving surge. Interested in gaming and metaverse platforms? Aureal One should be yours. Aureal One is one of the 9 best crypto presale projects for those who are enthused to experience gaming blockchain technology. As per market trends, it is believed that the digital gaming industry is expected to grow with massive gains of $250 billion by 2025. To take advantage of it, Aureal One is designated to integrate the gaming sector in its blockchain technology. Alongside, the metaverse is another industry that is upgrading and becoming the next era in the digital world. Hence, Aureal One's blockchain has integrated Metaverse as well. An added advantage over this blockchain network is its Zero-Knowledge Rollups technology, offering thousands of transactions per second with near-zero gas fees. All these innovations bring a unique outlook to the project and capture many investors' minds. Click here to know more about Aureal One The two ambitious and fascinating projects of Aureal One are: Darklume and Clash of Tiles. Darklume is a metaverse platform where users can own, build, create, socially interact, and trade digital assets in the decentralized platform. Clash of Tiles on the other hand is a gaming blockchain technology where players can use any cryptocurrencies to deploy, stock up on tiles, and wage a war with other in-game tile holders to gain DLUME points. What's DLUME? DLUME is Aureal One's native coin. With this indigenous crypto, you can access all the features in the Aureal One ecosystem. Currently, Aureal One is in the presale phase. The presale crypto price of DLUME is $0.00428082. It may skyrocket to $0.01 as a Post-Thanksgiving surge before 2024 ends. Looking to burst with massive growth and huge returns in the next bull run? Invest in Aureal One. Early adopters can join right away. DexBoss is an advanced blockchain technology that is designed with a decentralized finance network. This is one of the top 9 best crypto presale projects on our list. It will be the replacement for existing traditional DeFi platform users for betterment. How? This unique platform is designed to overcome the complexities of traditional DeFi projects. For instance, it is designed with a user-friendly interface, a deep liquidity pool, competitive transaction fees, and deep access to professional finance tools for liquidity farming, staking, and trading. Its robust roadmap aims to offer advanced trading opportunities like trading 2000+ cryptocurrencies from one dashboard, low transaction fees, and real-time user engagement. However, within the ecosystem, all these can be done by DEBO. DEBO is DexBoss’s cryptocurrency. Right now, it's in the presale phase. The presale crypto price of DEBO is $0.01 and may skyrocket to $0.15 in the next bull run. So, it's time for you to invest in DEBO for your future gains. 5thScape is one of the top contenders on our list. If you are looking for the best crypto presale to buy now, then go for 5thScape. This is an emerging blockchain gaming platform, a gateway to engage and experience the VR world. If you are a gamer, I’m sure you love this blockchain network. Because it is specially designed to attract gamers. This crypto project is an eye-pleasing design where you can enjoy the vision of the imaginary in reality. This is a Web3-based gaming blockchain technology built to offer enhancing features like VR and AR together through its VR headsets and VR ergonomic gaming chairs. Some of the stunning VR games included in the blockchain are MMA 3D, and more. However, to access all the premier features in this gaming ecosystem, you should acquire 5SCAPE, the native coin of 5thScape. Currently, 5SCAPE is in the presale phase. The presale crypto price of the 5SCAPE token is $0.00433 per token. It may surge to $0.01 in the upcoming days. Stay tuned and join hands with 5thScape presale offerings. One of the best Crypto Presale projects that every investor is thinking about is Crypto All-Stars. It is a meme coin culture that is specifically designed to attract meme coin delighters. Another apparent and significant feature of Crypto All-Stars is its Memevault. It's a painstaking place for the investors. Here you can stake all your STARS tokens as well as the meme tokens and get massive gains with huge staking rewards in the future. STARS is the native coin of Crypto All-Stars. You can stake them and triple your rewards by holding them in Memevault. This secure framework is currently in the presale phase. The presale crypto price of STARS tokens starts at $0.00138 and may skyrocket in the coming days. So, if you are looking to unlock high rewards in the future market, be an early investor of STARS. Another crypto project that is specifically designed for meme coins lovers is Pepe Unchained. It is one of the top 9 best crypto presale projects on our list. It is a layer 2 blockchain technology that aims to offer features like fast transactions with low fees, unique staking techniques, and smart contracts. This non-upgradable Ethereum-based platform is carefully designed to capture many investors' minds. The lucky draw of this blockchain network is its staking techniques. The robust roadmap of this crypto project aims to double the staking rewards of the PEPU holders with layer 2 technology. The token that empowers the Pepe Unchained Ecosystem is PEPU. Currently the. PEPU token is in the presale phase. The presale crypto price of PEPU is $0.01219. After the Post-Thanksgiving, it is expected that it could skyrocket with high returns. Make sure you invest in it before it's gone. Not all crypto projects are for gaming purposes, there are many projects that exist in the market for certain purposes. Likewise, Artemis is a new crypto platform where the blockchain is designed to incorporate online shopping in its space. It is a Decentralized shopping platform with added security and low transaction fees. On this platform, you can buy or sell any products with cryptocurrencies like ETH, SOL, BNB, and more. The native currency of Artemis is ARTM. The presale phase of ARTM is live in the presale market. The presale crypto price of ARTM is $0.0018, which is lower to invest in. In the future, it may skyrocket to a 160% increase rate with massive gains. Just don't miss out on the opportunity. Lucky are those who invest in LuckHunter. It is one of our top picks on our list. If you are looking for the best crypto presale project based on game themes, then LuckHunter should be your choice. It is a Casino-based blockchain gaming technology specially built for gamers. It is a combination of online Casinos and VR games. For people who are looking for online gambling with security and transparency, LuckHunter will serve their needs. Some of the 3D casino games included in the LuckHunter ecosystem are crypto slots, poker, and much more. However, to access all the features in the ecosystem, unlock the access to LHUNT. It is a native coin of LuckHunter. It's in the presale phase with the presale crypto price of $ 0.001 and is projected to skyrocket at $0.005. EarthMeta - polygon-based blockchain technology, is one the best crypto presale projects to buy now. We can also say it as EarthMeta is a virtual Earth. It is a real estate platform where you can purchase and trade virtual lands and cities as NFTs. You can even become the governor of your virtual city and rule a virtual empire within the ecosystem using a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO). The native currency of EarthMeta is EMT. Right now, it is in the presale phase. Currently, the presale crypto price of EMT is $0.015. it may skyrocket to $0.03 in the next bull run. Make sure to invest in it. One of the best crypto presale projects to buy now is Flockerz. This is an exciting Ethereum-based blockchain technology designed to change the meme coins market with the Vote-to-Earn technique. By participating in voting events people can earn their $FLOCK token with the help of Flocktopia (a decentralized organization of Flockerz). FLOCK is the native token of Flockerz. Currently, it is in the presale phase. The presale crypto price of FLOCK is $0.0059334. During the official launch, its price may skyrocket and provide 1300% massive gains to the early investors. Choosing the right and best crypto presale in the trendy market can be a tricky one. With Thanksgiving 2024, many investors wish to invest in Bitcoin for massive gains. But it's not the only giant that is set to surge in the market cap. These above-listed presale cryptos are also taking part in the Thanksgiving surge. If you are looking for 1000x rewards with a low-risk investment, I bet you should go with Aureal One . Each crypto presale projects listed in our list have special offerings. However, Aureal One offers innovative gaming and metaverse blockchain technology where a user can either purchase, trade, or entertain with a game to earn more crypto points. You're running out of time. It's currently in the presale state where early adopters can get the Aureal One’s DLUME at $0.00428082. Be early to invest before the presale ends.Japan's famous sake joins UNESCO's cultural heritage list, a boost to brewers and enthusiasts

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Alex Ovechkin has not missed many games during his two decades in the NHL with the Washington Capitals, and that remarkable durability is one reason why he is fast-approaching Wayne Gretzky's career goals record. The Capitals had lost 33 of their 59 games without Ovechkin in the lineup during his first 19 seasons, including 23 of 36 over the past decade. In stark contrast to that, they've won six of nine since the 39-year-old captain was sidelined by a broken left fibula — a testament to a roster built not only to help him break the record but prepare the organization for the post-Ovechkin era. “Ovi, he’s a legend, he’s special, he’s always going to probably lead the team in goals and we’re a better team with him, but we’re also a team where I think we’re not necessarily maybe relying on one or two players to win games,” said center Lars Eller, who rejoined the team in a trade from Pittsburgh a month ago. “We have four pretty strong lines, three D pairs and two good goalies. We don’t depend on one or two individuals, and I think that’s the strength of the team.” Depth fortified by the additions of centers Dylan Strome , Pierre-Luc Dubois and Eller, wingers Andrew Mangiapane , Brandon Duhaime and Taylor Raddysh, defensemen Jakob Chychrun, Matt Roy and Rasmus Sandin and goaltenders Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson over the past few years has been the key to remaining a playoff contender. Longtime general manager Brian MacLellan, who after the most recent makeover this past summer handed day-to-day duties to Chris Patrick and moved upstairs as president of hockey operations, excelled in keeping Washington's winning window open with Ovechkin in the second-to-last year of his contract. Veteran defenseman John Carlson said the infusion of talent “really lit a fire under everybody.” The Capitals led the Eastern Conference when Ovechkin got injured Nov. 18, and they remain atop the East more than three weeks into his absence. Fourteen players have scored a goal during this stretch, including six wins and an overtime defeat since losing the first two without him. “We’re a deep group,” said right winger Tom Wilson, the team's leading scorer during this stretch with nine points on five goals and four assists who expects to continue playing with a shield protecting his face after breaking a small bone in the sinus cavity area on the left side. "Everybody’s kind of stepping up on any given night. It’s a real group effort, and I think guys are really playing for each other.” Carlson, who along with Ovechkin, Wilson and now Eller upon return are the only players left from Washington's 2018 Stanley Cup championship team, also sees it as a case of younger teammates taking advantage of this chance. “There’s the colossal emptiness of it, but there’s also a lot of opportunity for guys who would never otherwise be there when he’s on this team,” Carlson said. “When someone goes down, it’s obviously always kind of a rallying thing where guys need to step up, guys need to fill in and play bigger roles and play more minutes. But I think the way that our team’s built is depth, and that’s been our strength this year is kind of contributions from everybody.” Ovechkin led all players with 15 goals when he went down, and the Capitals were the high-scoring team in the league at 4.33 goals a game. They still are, down just a tick to an average of 4.04, and their 16 goals from defensemen are a big reason for that after ranking second-last in blue line production last season. “We’re playing to our structure and doing what we want to do out there,” said Chychrun, who has eight points in nine games as part of an impressive start to his contract year. “We’ve got a D corps where everybody’s a really good player on that back end and can play in all situations and two-way guys and guys who have contributed offensively throughout their career.” Another major defense is second-year coach Spencer Carbery , who acknowledged the structure and playing standard as a good place to start but pointed the credit to veteran leaders like Carlson, Strome, Wilson and Nic Dowd for shepherding the Capitals through Ovechkin-less hockey. “They don’t go around the room and go, ‘Hey, we’ve got to do more, guys,’” Carbery said. “They don’t announce it, but what they do is they think about it and go: ‘OK, we’re missing him. I’ve got to step my game up and I need to bring more.’ And that’s not just on the ice, on the power play, on 5 on 6 when we’re defending a lead. It’s not just the Xs and Os. It’s in the locker room. It’s energy in practice. It’s all the things that he brings every day when he’s in the lineup and when he’s practicing.” Ovechkin skated before practice Wednesday and got an assist from longtime running mate Nicklas Backstrom, who stepped away 13 months ago because of a lingering hip injury. Carlson quipped, “I think Ovi wanted someone with a little more skill passing him the rock out there.” The day is coming soon when Ovechkin returns to team drills and then game action. The Capitals are doing more than stay afloat without him, but they'll welcome him back with open arms the moment he's ready. As Eller said, “Obviously I think we’re even better when he’s in the lineup.” ___ AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl Stephen Whyno, The Associated PressA South Korean legislative push to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived imposition of martial law fell through on Saturday after most lawmakers from his conservative governing party boycotted the vote. The defeat of the motion is expected to intensify public protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea, with a survey suggesting a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative party, but it is also determined to oppose Yoon’s impeachment apparently because it fears losing the presidency to liberals. Impeaching Yoon required support from two-thirds of the National Assembly, or 200 of its 300 members. The opposition parties who brought the impeachment motion had 192 seats, but only three lawmakers from PPP participated in the vote. The motion was scrapped without ballot counting because the number of votes didn’t reach 200. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Most ruling party lawmakers were boycotting a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority sought by the opposition to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived imposition of martial law, as protests grew nationwide calling for his removal. The likely defeat of the motion is expected to intensify public protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea, with a survey suggesting a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative party, but it is also determined to oppose Yoon’s impeachment apparently because it fears losing presidency to liberals. Impeaching Yoon would require support from two-thirds of the National Assembly, or 200 of its 300 members. The opposition parties who brought the impeachment motion have 192 seats, meaning they need at least eight additional votes from Yoon’s People Power Party. The opposition-controlled parliament began a vote earlier Saturday, but only three lawmakers from PPP took part with opposition members. If the number of lawmakers who cast ballots doesn’t reach 200, the motion will be scrapped at midnight without the ballot counting, according to the National Assembly. Opposition parties could submit a new impeachment motion after a new parliamentary session opens next Wednesday. There are worries that Yoon won’t be able to serve out his remaining 2 1/2 years in office because his leadership took a huge hit. Many experts say some ruling party lawmakers could eventually join opposition parties’ efforts to impeach Yoon if public demands for it grow further. If Yoon is impeached, his powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him from office. If he is removed, an election to replace him must take place within 60 days. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik urged ruling party members to return to the chamber to participate in the vote, stressing that it was closely watched by the nation and also the world. “Don’t make a shameful judgment and please vote based on your convictions,” Woo said. Democratic Party leaders visited a hall on the floor below the main chamber where PPP lawmakers were gathered, attempting to persuade them to vote. After being blocked from entering, they angrily accused the conservatives' leadership of preventing its lawmakers from voting freely. Earlier Saturday, Yoon issued a public apology over the martial law decree, saying he won’t shirk legal or political responsibility for the declaration and promising not to make another attempt to impose martial law. He said would leave it to his party to chart a course through the country’s political turmoil, “including matters related to my term in office.” People watch a TV screen showing the live broadcast of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's announcement at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) “The declaration of this martial law was made out of my desperation. But in the course of its implementation, it caused anxiety and inconveniences to the public. I feel very sorry over that and truly apologize to the people who must have been shocked a lot,” Yoon said. Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has struggled to push his agenda through an opposition-controlled parliament and grappled with low approval ratings amid scandals involving himself and his wife. In his martial law announcement on Tuesday night, Yoon called parliament a “den of criminals” bogging down state affairs and vowed to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces.” The turmoil resulting from Yoon’s bizarre and poorly-thought-out stunt has paralyzed South Korean politics and sparked alarm among key diplomatic partners like the U.S. and Japan. Tuesday night saw special forces troops encircling the parliament building and army helicopters hovering over it, but the military withdrew after the National Assembly unanimously voted to overturn the decree, forcing Yoon to lift it before daybreak Wednesday. The declaration of martial law was the first of its kind in more than 40 years in South Korea. Eighteen lawmakers from the ruling party voted to reject Yoon’s martial law decree along with opposition lawmakers. Yoon’s speech fueled speculation that he and his party may push for a constitutional amendment to shorten his term, instead of accepting impeachment, as a way to ease public anger over the marital law and facilitate Yoon’s early exit from office. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, told reporters that Yoon’s speech was “greatly disappointing” and that the only way forward is his immediate resignation or impeachment. His party called Yoon’s martial law “unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup.” The passage of Yoon’s impeachment motion appeared more likely Friday when the chair of Yoon’s party called for his removal on Friday, but the party remained formally opposed to impeachment. On Saturday, tens of thousands of people densely packed several blocks of roads leading up to the National Assembly, waving banners, shouting slogans and dancing and singing along to K-pop songs with lyrics changed to call for Yoon’s ouster. Protesters also gathered in front of PPP’s headquarters near the Assembly, angrily shouting for its lawmakers to vote to impeach Yoon. A smaller crowd of Yoon’s supporters, which still seemed to be in the thousands, rallied in separate streets in Seoul, decrying the impeachment attempt they saw as unconstitutional. Lawmakers on Saturday first voted on a bill appointing a special prosecutor to investigate stock price manipulation allegations surrounding Yoon’s wife. Some lawmakers from Yoon’s party were seen leaving the hall after that vote, triggering angry shouts from opposition lawmakers. On Friday, PPP chair Han Dong-hun, who criticized Yoon’s martial law declaration, said he had received intelligence that during the brief period of martial law Yoon ordered the country’s defense counterintelligence commander to arrest and detain unspecified key politicians based on accusations of “anti-state activities.” Hong Jang-won, first deputy director of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing Friday that Yoon had ordered him to help the defense counterintelligence unit to detain key politicians. The targeted politicians included Han, Lee and Woo, according to Kim Byung-kee, one of the lawmakers who attended the meeting. The Defense Ministry said Friday it suspended three military commanders including the head of the defense counterintelligence unit over their involvement in enforcing martial law. Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho has told parliament that Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun ordered the deployment of troops to the National Assembly after Yoon imposed martial law. Opposition parties accused Kim of recommending to Yoon to enforce martial law. Kim resigned Thursday, and prosecutors imposed an overseas travel ban on him.

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