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    NFL Thanksgiving: Picks for Dolphins-Packers, Bears-Lions, Giants-Cowboys. Will Miami be the big upset?The recent surge in Chinese assets has also been fueled by a wave of positive news, including the successful initial public offerings (IPOs) of several Chinese companies on U.S. exchanges. Companies such as Tencent-backed music streaming service Tencent Music, e-commerce platform Pinduoduo, and electric vehicle maker Nio have all seen their stock prices soar following their public debuts.

    One of the most significant initiatives introduced by some cities is the establishment of rental subsidy programs to help tenants facing financial difficulties. These programs provide financial assistance to qualified tenants, enabling them to continue renting in their current properties and reducing the risk of eviction due to inability to pay rent. By alleviating the financial burden on tenants, these subsidy programs contribute to the stability of the rental market and help maintain a healthy supply-demand balance.Assam Cabinet approves revitalization of BVFCLCruise into this holiday season with a non-traditional vacation

    In recent years, China has been actively exploring ways to enhance the efficiency and transparency of its healthcare system. One of the significant strides in this endeavor is the implementation of centralized procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical consumables. This strategy aims to streamline the procurement process, lower costs, and improve the quality of medical supplies. To further enhance the effectiveness of this approach, the authorities have recently introduced refined measures to strengthen the comprehensive supervision of the entire procurement process.With the increasing demand for diverse and engaging content on social media platforms, Kuaishou has continuously been seeking ways to enhance user experiences and provide more personalized and relevant content. The AI Director Collaboration Plan represents a strategic initiative by Kuaishou to leverage AI technology in the creative process and foster collaborations between AI systems and human filmmakers.None

    In a stunning display of skill and determination, the 6-time Champions League winner recently faced off against two iconic football clubs - none other than Real Madrid and AC Milan. The expectations were high, the stakes even higher, but this team rose to the occasion with a level of brilliance that left their opponents reeling.

    Marshall withdraws from Independence Bowl matchup against Army

    COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC” or the “Company”), the leading lessor of commercial aircraft engines and provider of global aviation service operations, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a transaction with Pratt & Whitney for the purchase of nine new PW1133G-JM aircraft engines, with all purchases expected to occur by December 31, 2024. Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engines enable up to 20% better fuel efficiency compared to aircraft powered by the prior generation of engines, are certified for operation on 50% sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) and have been successfully tested on 100% SAF. The transaction, valued at approximately $200 million based on Pratt & Whitney’s 2024 list prices, is another big step towards providing the most modern and in-demand engines to airlines over the long term. Pratt & Whitney is an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business. “We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with Pratt & Whitney as we continue to invest in cutting-edge, fuel-efficient, engines that deliver environmental benefits. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our growth strategy and will help our customers keep their A320 aircraft flying for the foreseeable future,” said Austin C. Willis, WLFC’s Chief Executive Officer. For more information on Willis Lease Finance Corporation, visit www.wlfc.global . Willis Lease Finance Corporation Willis Lease Finance Corporation (“WLFC”) leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair, and overhaul providers worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with engine and aircraft trading, engine lease pools and asset management services through Willis Asset Management Limited, as well as various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Through Willis Engine Repair Center ® , Jet Centre by Willis, and Willis Aviation Services Limited, the Company’s service offerings include Part 145 engine maintenance, aircraft line and base maintenance, aircraft disassembly, parking and storage, airport FBO and ground and cargo handling services. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements, which give only expectations about the future and are not guarantees. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based, except as required by law. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: the effects on the airline industry and the global economy of events such as war, terrorist activity and the COVID-19 pandemic; changes in oil prices, rising inflation and other disruptions to world markets; trends in the airline industry and our ability to capitalize on those trends, including growth rates of markets and other economic factors; risks associated with owning and leasing jet engines and aircraft; our ability to successfully negotiate equipment purchases, sales and leases, to collect outstanding amounts due and to control costs and expenses; changes in interest rates and availability of capital, both to us and our customers; our ability to continue to meet changing customer demands; regulatory changes affecting airline operations, aircraft maintenance, accounting standards and taxes; the market value of engines and other assets in our portfolio; and risks detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other continuing and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is advisable, however, to consult any further disclosures the Company makes on related subjects in such filings. These statements constitute the Company’s cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. CONTACT: Lynn Mailliard Kohler Manager Corporate Communications lkohler@willislease.com 415.328.4798

    College Football Playoff rankings show: Live coverage, updates, bracket reveal

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    Soap, home insecticides segments hit, Godrej Consumer Products expects flattish volume growth in India sales in Q3

    Neal Maupay aims savage jibe at parent club Everton after nightmare spell with the club - before boxing star and Toffees fan Tony Bellew hits back with x-rated responseAaron Rodgers and David Bakhtiari are close friends . So after the quarterback had a tough day in the office on Sunday during the New York Jets ' lopsided loss to the Buffalo Bills, the left tackle had his jokes. Besides leaving the field when the Jets had zero points before garbage time, Rodgers was sacked several times and broke the NFL record. He reached 566 sacks in his career, the most in NFL history by any player. Bakhtiari, who protected Rodgers' blindside for ten seasons, joked about the situation on social media. Hell yeah! Congrats @AaronRodgers12 another one for the record books!!!! https://t.co/6pSiccMhOd Aaron Rodgers has had a rough season for the Jets, and it looks like he will soon be released . If that happens, he might look for other options on the market, or simply decide to retire. David Bakhtiari was released from the Packers in March. He has played only 13 games since he suffered a serious knee injury late in 2020. The left tackle is still trying to return to the field, but there's no recent indication that he will be able to do so. Before the end of the regular season, the Jets will still face the Miami Dolphins next week at MetLife Stadium, which very well might be Aaron Rodgers’ final game as a Jet. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

    South Korean parliament rejects special counsel investigation bill against First Lady Kim Keon-heeNone

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has propelled stocks to monster gains over the last two years, starting with the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT. By now, investors are well aware of breakout stories like Nvidia and Palantir Technologies that have been early to capitalize on the boom, but there are likely to be plenty of other winners from the new technology. Some CEOs think AI could be as big as the internet, and big tech companies are already spending billions on this evolving technology in order to take leadership of what is expected to be the next major computing platform. However, there are still other opportunities to capitalize on the growth in AI. Let's take a look at two of them. 1. TSMC Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( TSM -0.70% ) hasn't gotten as much attention as chip stocks like Nvidia, but TSMC, as the company is also known, could be the most important company in the AI revolution. TSMC is the company that Nvidia and other fabless chipmakers like Advanced Micro Devices , Broadcom , and Qualcomm as well as big tech companies like Apple , Amazon , and Alphabet turn to for their chip production needs. In other words, it's a linchpin in the supply chain for both the semiconductor industry and artificial intelligence as so many companies depend on it to manufacture their products. TSMC has already begun to capitalize on the AI-driven demand as revenue in its most recently reported quarter jumped 39% year over year to $23.5 billion, and TSMC also generates impressive margins with an operating margin of 47.6% in the third quarter, showing its wide economic moat in the industry. The company looks poised to capitalize on continuing demand for AI chips since it handles roughly 90% of third-party manufacturing of advanced chips and works closely with companies like Nvidia on production. TSMC itself touts its "leading-edge logic, memory, and packaging technologies," and its chips go into a wide range of devices, including servers in the data center and edge devices like smartphones and appliances. While there's still some uncertainty in the AI boom, demand is likely to grow over the next several years. TSMC seems better positioned to capitalize on it than other AI stocks on the market. The stock has nearly doubled in 2024 but has more room to run as it trades at a reasonable price-to-earnings ratio of just 33. 2. Upstart Upstart ( UPST -5.62% ) is still well below its peak during the pandemic, meaning the stock has largely been forgotten even as it's started to rally again this year. Upstart uses proprietary AI technology to determine creditworthiness to originate consumer loans, and it claims that its technology is significantly better than traditional FICO scores. The company has also seen a recovery in its business, which it attributes to improvements in its model. Management noted that Model 18, its latest update, drove large conversion improvements in the third quarter, meaning more applicants ended up receiving loans. Upstart's business model is also a reminder that there are opportunities in AI beyond just generative AI. Beyond its own competitive advantage in loan originations, Upstart has significant upside potential because interest rates should eventually come down, encouraging more borrowing, potentially lifting the business to its earlier peak as demand for loans surged during the pandemic. While the company is sensitive to the macroeconomic environment, AI remains the key to unlocking the potential of the business as disrupting the broader loan ecosystem and serving as the de facto creditworthiness measurement would generate huge returns for Upstart, which is valued at just $6.5 billion. The business has returned to growth with revenue up 20% to $162 million in the third quarter, though Upstart is not currently profitable. However, there's a lot of potential for margins to scale up as the business grows.Forthright and fearless, the Nobel Prize winner took pot-shots at former prime minister Tony Blair and ex-US president George W Bush among others. His death came after repeated bouts of illness in which images of the increasingly frail former president failed to erase memories of his fierce spirit. Democrat James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr swept to power in 1977 with his Trust Me campaign helping to beat Republican president Gerald Ford. Serving as 39th US president from 1977 to 1981, he sought to make government “competent and compassionate” but was ousted by the unstoppable Hollywood appeal of a certain Ronald Reagan. A skilled sportsman, Mr Carter left his home of Plains, Georgia, to join the US Navy, returning later to run his family’s peanut business. A stint in the Georgia senate lit the touchpaper on his political career and he rose to the top of the Democratic movement. But he will also be remembered for a bizarre encounter with a deeply disgruntled opponent. The president was enjoying a relaxing fishing trip near his home town in 1979 when his craft was attacked by a furious swamp rabbit which reportedly swam up to the boat hissing wildly. The press had a field day, with one paper bearing the headline President Attacked By Rabbit. Away from encounters with belligerent bunnies, Mr Carter’s willingness to address politically uncomfortable topics did not diminish with age. He recently said that he would be willing to travel to North Korea for peace talks on behalf of US President Donald Trump. He also famously mounted a ferocious and personal attack on Tony Blair over the Iraq war, weeks before the prime minister left office in June 2007. Mr Carter, who had already denounced George W Bush’s presidency as “the worst in history”, used an interview on BBC radio to condemn Mr Blair for his tight relations with Mr Bush, particularly concerning the Iraq War. Asked how he would characterise Mr Blair’s relationship with Mr Bush, Mr Carter replied: “Abominable. Loyal, blind, apparently subservient. “I think that the almost undeviating support by Great Britain for the ill-advised policies of President Bush in Iraq have been a major tragedy for the world.” Mr Carter was also voluble over the Rhodesia crisis, which was about to end during his presidency. His support for Robert Mugabe at the time generated widespread criticism. He was said to have ignored the warnings of many prominent Zimbabweans, black and white, about what sort of leader Mugabe would be. This was seen by Mr Carter’s critics as “deserving a prominent place among the outrages of the Carter years”. Mr Carter has since said he and his administration had spent more effort and worry on Rhodesia than on the Middle East. He admitted he had supported two revolutionaries in Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, and with hindsight said later that Mugabe had been “a good leader gone bad”, having at first been “a very enlightened president”. One US commentator wrote: “History will not look kindly on those in the West who insisted on bringing the avowed Marxist Mugabe into the government. “In particular, the Jimmy Carter foreign policy... bears some responsibility for the fate of a small African country with scant connection to American national interests.” In recent years Mr Carter developed a reputation as an international peace negotiator. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his commitment to finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts, his work with human rights and democracy initiatives, and his promotion of economic and social programmes. Mr Carter was dispatched to North Korea in August 2008 to secure the release of US citizen Aijalon Mahli Gomes, who had been sentenced to eight years of hard labour after being found guilty of illegally entering North Korea. He successfully secured the release of Mr Gomes. In 2010 he returned to the White House to greet President Barack Obama and discuss international affairs amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula. Proving politics runs in the family, in 2013 his grandson Jason, a state senator, announced his bid to become governor in Georgia, where his famous grandfather governed before becoming president. He eventually lost to incumbent Republican Nathan Deal. Fears that Mr Carter’s health was deteriorating were sparked in 2015 when he cut short an election observation visit in Guyana because he was “not feeling well”. It would have been Mr Carter’s 39th trip to personally observe an international election. Three months later, on August 12, he revealed he had cancer which had been diagnosed after he underwent surgery to remove a small mass in his liver. Mr Obama was among the well-wishers hoping for Mr Carter’s full recovery after it was confirmed the cancer had spread widely. Melanoma had been found in his brain and liver, and Mr Carter underwent immunotherapy and radiation therapy, before announcing in March the following year that he no longer needed any treatment. In 2017, Mr Carter was taken to hospital as a precaution, after he became dehydrated at a home-building project in Canada. He was admitted to hospital on multiple occasions in 2019 having had a series of falls, suffering a brain bleed and a broken pelvis, as well as a stint to be treated for a urinary tract infection. Mr Carter spent much of the coronavirus pandemic largely at his home in Georgia, and did not attend Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration in 2021, but extended his “best wishes”. Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Mr Carter during his term as US president, died in November 2023. She had been living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Mr Carter said in a statement following her death. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

    OpenAI says it has no plans to release an API for Sora , its AI model that can generate reasonably realistic videos when provided with a text description or reference image. During an AMA with members of OpenAI’s dev team, Romain Huet, head of developer experience at OpenAI, said that a Sora API isn’t in the cards at the moment. “We don’t have plans for a Sora API yet,” he wrote . The reason could be capacity issues. OpenAI was forced to close applications for its Sora-powered video creation and editing suite shortly after its launch due to heavier-than-anticipated traffic. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman apologized on X. Sora, one prompt, cinematic AF pic.twitter.com/X8gzdes20M — Alex Patrascu (@maxescu) December 14, 2024 “We significantly underestimated demand for Sora,” he wrote . “It’s going to take a while to get everyone access. Trying to figure out how to do it as fast as possible!” OpenAI resumed sign-ups for Sora several days ago. Choosing not to prioritize an API for Sora threatens to put OpenAI at a disadvantage compared to one of its chief rivals, Google, which launched an API in limited access for its video-generation model, Veo , in early December. Google said this week that Veo’s successor, Veo 2 , which went viral for its impressively high-quality outputs, will get an API sometime in 2025. AWS has an API for its recently launched Nova Reel video model. And a number of startups focused on generative video offer APIs for their models. One firm, Runway, claims that its API has been used by “the world’s largest consumer technology companies to reliably generate millions of videos for their users.”

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    Fantasy football is a passion for many. Sometimes that passion pushes fantasy managers to make emotional decisions even when the data suggest otherwise. Each week during the 2024 NFL season, Liz Loza will attempt to strike a balance between what the data states and what the heart wants. This is called Facts vs. Feelings. I'm writing this week's column on Christmas Eve, feeling as though I should incorporate a Yuletide theme. The fact is, however, you're probably going to read this after December 25th. In which case, I hope that your holiday was merry and bright. Whether Santa slid down your chimney, the glow of Hanukkah is lighting up your evenings, or the bemusement of Festivus tickled your counter-culture soul, may the ritual of your choosing have brought you a comfortable sufficiency of your favorite things and people. If it didn't ... well, then notes for next year. Because we're already thinking about next year, aren't we? These final few days of 2024 are guaranteed to be stuffed with "spin it forward" takes and headlines selling us the "hottest new resolutions" for 2025. Many of us will pen mental manifestos about counting macros (because cutting carbs faded away with the flip phone and trucker hats) and prioritizing probiotics. Others will make public proclamations regarding intentional self-care while committing to grabbing those long overdue drinks with that friend who lives across town. It's all just wheel-spinning, really. Not that creating healthful change is frivolous. Or that I would ever doubt the authenticity of anyone's personal promises. Not at all. Rather, this specific space of time exists in such a liminal way that we can't help but feel disoriented. I don't want to dodder around in a fugue-like state but straddling the end of one year while not beginning the next invites a discomforting amount of confusion. Ripping off robust resolutions and organizing tool sheds offers us agency. Sitting still is tough. Distractions often provide us with deep delight. I'm not advocating for either. Though, I am planning to give "staying present" a valiant try. The concept is not novel. I've hinted at it throughout the season. Aiming to live in the now when the now is muddy, however, requires an accented amount of discipline. And who wants to talk about discipline on Dec. 27? Instead, why don't we just allow events to unfold? Maybe change things up when new data is discovered or different feelings bubble to the surface? Even if the calendar and the coordinating fantasy football season don't imply an expanse of hours or minutes with which to cull updated information. Who cares? We still have one, maybe two more weeks. And besides, if we can't control our circumstances, let's at least focus on how we react to them. So, don't let the purgatory of this period mess with your mentals. Ponder what it is you really want and then do that thing, taking full responsibility for any potential consequences. Trust your gut in late December as much as you did in early October and as much as you will in mid-January. Purge your garage with as much enthusiasm as a De'Von Achane Stan starting him at Cleveland. Or languish in cozies on the sofa with satisfaction similar to that of Bijan Robinson managers coming off of a third multi-TD effort. The stakes may be high and the time may be muted, but you remain the captain of your destiny in fantasy ... and life. Now, get out there and enjoy all of it. It's not too late to play for free There's still time to join or create a league in the No. 1 Fantasy basketball game. Your league starts fresh on the first scoring period following your draft. Create or join a fantasy basketball league on ESPN. Your championship run starts today! Sign up today! Brock Purdy , QB, San Francisco 49ers : Few players have seized an unexpected moment with as much vigor as Purdy. From being under center at the Super Bowl to being unceremoniously eliminated from the postseason 10 months later, the 49ers' QB has moved through an impressive number of obstacles. And, yet, he's battled through all of the disappointment and continued to produce. Purdy is currently fantasy's QB12 in terms of points per game, registering nearly 17 per contest. That's down just 1.5 points from his 2023 average. Certainly, not bad given the number of offensive stars that made early exits from San Fran's season. Moreover, Purdy has posted 20 or more fantasy points in four of his past seven games. There were two single-digit outliers (most notably the 'snow game' versus Buffalo) during that span and he tossed an ugly INT at Miami in Week 16, but his performances have been of starting caliber more times than not. Part of Purdy's appeal sneakily exists in his legs. The 24-year-old is QB8 in rushing fantasy points behind Jalen Hurts , Josh Allen , Jayden Daniels , Lamar Jackson , Anthony Richardson , Kyler Murray and Bo Nix . More specifically, Purdy is in the second tier of mobile QBs, averaging 3.9 fantasy points per game from rushing alone. That sets up nicely versus Detroit, as the Lions' defense has given up the third-most rushing yards per game (28.3) to opposing QBs. Speaking of the Lions' defense, it is banged up to say the least. As the injuries have mounted, so has the opposing offenses' production; all three signal-callers that have reached 22 fantasy points against the Lions this season have come over the team's most recent four games. The unit allowed seven passing scores from Weeks 1-12. That number jumped to eight over the most-recent four games. With Purdy playing for pride in what's expected to be a relatively close (+3.5) and high-scoring affair (51.5) , Mr. Irrelevant is in a position to make fantasy squads anything but. Alexander Mattison , RB, Las Vegas Raiders : The Raiders' backfield has been giving EOY energy since Josh Jacobs left town. Make no mistake; the team cast Mattison in an understudy role, but with Zamir White (quadriceps) and Sincere McCormick (ankle) both on the IR, the former Viking figures to receive top billing over the next pair of weeks. Even with Ameer Abdullah stumbling into a resurgence, Mattison found the spotlight in the passing game, converting four of seven looks in Week 16. The 26-year-old has handled lead back duties on five occasions this season, registering at least 16 touches and averaging 19.5 opportunities over the collection of games. His output in those efforts has been of the RB2 variety, as he's managed a solid 13.6 fantasy points per contest. He figures to post similar stats in a plus matchup at New Orleans. The Saints have allowed 17 rushing TDs to RBs, including a whopping three (to three different Packers running backs) this past Monday night. Mattison may not have been on early-season bingo cards but could be a perfectly-timed Band-Aid for facile managers seeking positional depth. Introducing the ESPN Smack Talk Fantasy Football Greeting Cards This 3-card pack offers the perfect blend of humor and humiliation, making sure your league's biggest underachievers get the recognition they deserve. Use code FOCUS10 for 10% off your order. Shop Now Terry McLaurin , WR, Washington Commanders : Talk about delayed gratification! The unlocking of Scary Terry has been a journey six years in the making. No matter the stumbling blocks or setbacks, McLaurin efforted towards ascent. That dedication exists not only on a macro level, but also from a micro POV. The chemistry between McLaurin and Jayden Daniels didn't happen overnight. At no point, however, did the duo stop massaging it into existence. Take, for example, their splits facing Philadelphia. McLaurin converted just one of two balls for 10 yards in Week 11. That number improved to a 5-60-1 stat line (worth 17 fantasy points) in Week 16. The evolution has been equal parts constant and consistent. Currently the virtual game's WR5 overall, McLaurin has posted 15 or more fantasy points in nine of his past 10 outings and in 11 total contests over the course of 2024. For context, those 11 games of 15-plus fantasy points ranks second-most in the NFL among non-QBs. Only Justin Jefferson has more (12), while Ja'Marr Chase and Jahmyr Gibbs are tied with the same number. The climb figures to continue in a game with major postseason implications on Sunday night. Washington will host a Falcons' squad miraculously still in the hunt for the NFC South crown and, with it, a playoff berth. With both offenses firing on all cylinders and Atlanta's defense allowing the highest completion percentage in the NFL (69.8%), McLaurin should put forth a commanding display. Additionally working in the wideout's favor is the fact that the Falcons have allowed a league-high (tied with the Texans) 20 receiving scores to wide receivers. That's got to make McLaurin investors feel pretty good about their chances of victory in Week 17. Alec Pierce , WR, Indianapolis Colts : No better way to close out the year than with a little YOLO. Pierce has brought the boom (and the bust) throughout 2024. Assuming he clears the leagues' concussion protocol (from a head injury suffered in Week 15), the explosive wideout figures to deliver more of the former, especially facing an ultra-generous Giants' secondary. Ranking first at the position in deep targets (29), Pierce is averaging an astounding 22.2 yards per reception (WR2). He's listed second among Colts' pass-catchers in routes run (353) and receiving yards registered (645) while leading the corps in air yards per target (21.41) and receiving scores hauled in (tied with Josh Downs for five). Pierce's downfield ability figures to be healthily exploited given the matchup. New York's defense has given up an absurd 62% completion rate on deep passes, which is by far the worst in the NFL, registering a full five points behind of the down-and-out Jaguars (57%). Interestingly, three of the six receivers who, like Pierce (21.5 yards, WR1), rank inside the top 20 in terms of aDOT have each logged season-high fantasy point totals when facing the G-Men: Calvin Austin III (20.4 FPTS, which included a kick return), Amari Cooper (27.6 FPTS), and Rashod Bateman (23.0 FPTS). The timing for Pierce and his managers could not be better. Editor's Picks The Playbook: Your fantasy football guide for Christmas Day games 2h Mike Clay Shadow Report: Your weekly guide to WR/CB matchups 1h Mike Clay Matchup rankings: Bucky Irving, Jayden Reed set up well 56m Tristan H. Cockcroft Chig Okonkwo , TE, Tennessee Titans : I am but a humble fantasy analyst, standing before you, and asking you to, once again, consider the underutilized talents of the Titans' second-most targeted pass-catcher. To be fair, it appears as though Mason Rudolph and I share an affinity for the tight end's receiving potential. Okonkwo -- who has drawn double-digit looks in back-to-back efforts -- has logged a healthy target share of 19% with Rudolph under center as opposed to 11% with Will Levis at the helm. Coincidentally, the Maryland product has also experienced an increase in snap share, up from 54% in Weeks 1-8 to 70% since Week 9. While Rudolph has not been perfect, he has provided the offense with an undeniable spark. So much so that the Titans are favored (-1) at Jacksonville in Week 17. Of course, much of that has to do with the state of the Jaguars' (briefly aforementioned) defense. Jacksonville has given up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing TEs, including 20.9 to Brock Bowers last Sunday. Chig may not be Brock, but his Week 16 effort (19.1) ranked second-most at the position, behind only the Raiders rookie. He has a solid shot to flirt with those numbers again this go-around, reminding managers that late is better than never. Yes, I just gave you two entire paragraphs of Mason Rudolph-adjacent analysis without a single on-the-nose reference. Happy New Year. Follow Liz on social @LizLoza_FFOne lucky winner could take home game's seventh billion-dollar prize during Christmas Eve drawing New Jackpot.com customers can claim a free Mega Millions ticket on their first play with promo code XMAS SAN FRANCISCO , Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With Christmas Day just hours away, lottery players across the country are preparing for an extraordinary opportunity to take home Mega Millions' seventh-largest Jackpot as a winner has not won the grand prize in the last 29 drawings, dating back to September 10th when a Texas resident took home $810 million . 2024 has already been a record-breaking year for the lottery as it hit the ground running with a massive $842.4 million Powerball win on New Year's Day. Shortly after, a second lucky winner took home a staggering $1.13 billion Mega Millions prize in March, followed by a $1.326 billion Powerball jackpot in April, all of which signify some of the largest prizes ever awarded. 2025 represents a significant year for Mega Millions players, as the game as they know it will undergo a variety of changes come April. The game will feature larger starting jackpots, expedited rollover growth, and better odds. Lottery courier services like Jackpot.com eagerly await these welcome changes, which will not only enhance gameplay, but also elevate player experience(s). "There's a lot to like about the upcoming changes to Mega Millions," said CEO and co-founder of Jackpot.com , Akshay Khanna . "Whether you're a casual player or avid lottery user, the faster-growing jackpots, improved odds, and built-in multipliers will offer an entirely new feel to the game - hopefully one that encourages new players to get in on the action. That said, we have a one billion-dollar prize just before Christmas and potentially the ultimate present for one lucky winner, a life-changing gift at that." While tonight's drawing occurs on Christmas Eve, the Mega Millions jackpot has been won just once on the "Eve." Back in 2002, a $68 million jackpot was won in New York , unfortunately going unclaimed. Currently available in Colorado , Massachusetts , Arkansas , New Jersey , New York , Ohio , Texas , and Arizona , New Jackpot.com customers can get in on the fun this holiday by scoring a free Mega Millions ticket on their first play by using promo code XMAS. Amid the Mega Millions frenzy, Jackpot.com remains committed to upholding responsible gaming protocols through the integration of modern conveniences and safety guardrails, one of the standout features of digital lottery platforms. Through responsible gaming protections including spend limits, default limits on daily deposits, access to local and national responsible gambling resources, self-exclusion, self-suspension and automated notifications that offer help should problematic behavior arise, Jackpot.com ensures safe and secure transactions and play. The platform is also the only lottery courier service to launch with iCap certification from the National Council on Problem Gambling . To get started, download the Jackpot.com Lottery App on the iOS or Android App Stores, or visit www.jackpot.com to learn more. About Jackpot.com Jackpot.com allows customers to order official state lottery tickets from their mobile phone, tablet, or computer. Currently available in Colorado , Massachusetts , Arkansas , New Jersey , New York , Ohio and Texas , Jackpot.com is expanding its safe and secure lottery courier service to additional markets across the US. 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    The Architect of India’s TransformationThe incident took place on Monday evening, when the suspect allegedly approached the executive as he was leaving his office in downtown New York City. Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunshots and seeing the suspect flee the scene on foot. The executive, who has been identified as a major figure in the healthcare industry, was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition.Brandon Nunez tosses 2 TD passes to help New Mexico State beat Middle Tennessee 36-21

    The case of He Miao serves as a stark reminder to all party members and public officials of the consequences of misconduct and wrongdoing. It underscores the importance of adhering to the principles of honesty, integrity, and ethical behavior in all aspects of governance and public service.NEW YORK — I’ll get you, my pretty! And your little pygmy hippo, too! Forgive us the shameless attempt to link the fantasy hit “Wicked” to the delightful Moo Deng . But, hear us out — there’s something the two have in common as the year draws to a close. Escapism. Whether we found it on the yellow brick road, or in videos from a Thailand zoo, or perhaps in unlikely Olympic heroes , we gravitated toward fantasy and feel-good pop culture moments this year. There were new trends, as always. “Brat summer” became a thing, as did “demure, mindful.” And for some inexplicable reason, we became obsessed with celebrity lookalike contests. There were breakups — Bennifer is, again, a thing of the past — and reunions: Oasis, please try to stay together for the tour. Yet some things stayed, remarkably, the same: Taylor Swift and Beyoncé kept on breaking records and making history. So, after a year where much changed but some things held steady, here’s our annual, very selective trip down pop culture memory lane: Lily Gladstone poses in the press room Jan. 7 with the award for best performance by an actress in a motion picture, drama for "Killers of the Flower Moon" at the 81st Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. January It starts as a cheery tweet from a beloved “Sesame Street” figure: “ ELMO is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” The answers hint at something deeper and more worrisome. “Not great, Elmo. Not great,” says one milder reply. Doing much better is the viral phenomenon called “BARBENHEIMER,” which makes its awards season debut at the GOLDEN GLOBES . But perhaps the most poignant moment comes from neither film: LILY GLADSTONE , first Indigenous winner of best actress in a drama for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” begins her remarks in the language of her tribe, Blackfeet Nation. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) kisses Taylor Swift on Feb. 11 after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in overtime during the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game in Las Vegas. February Valentine’s Day — a perfect time to settle into a sweet love saga via TikTok. Only that’s not quite what we get with “Who TF Did I Marry?,” REESA TEESA ’s depressing, fascinating, 50-part account of her disastrous marriage with a man who lied about absolutely everything. Meanwhile, if you're looking for a single week that encapsulates peak SWIFT cultural dominance , try this: she begins with the Grammys in Los Angeles (becoming the first artist to win album of the year four times AND announcing a new album), then heads to Tokyo for four tour dates, then jets back just in time for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas — where she shares a passionate smooch with boyfriend TRAVIS KELCE on the field of victory. Ryan Gosling performs the song "I'm Just Ken" from the movie "Barbie" on March 10 during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. March “What was I made for?” BILLIE EILISH sings at the OSCARS, channeling BARBIE . And what was KEN made for? Not entirely clear — but it's clear RYAN GOSLING was made to play him. His singalong version of “I’m Just Ken” is one of the most entertaining Oscar musical moments in years. Still, Christopher Nolan's “OPPENHEIMER” prevails, a rare case of the top prize going to a blockbuster studio film. Will it happen again in 2025? CYNTHIA ERIVO and ARIANA GRANDE sure hope so; as presenters, they make a sly reference to their upcoming juggernaut, “WICKED.” Speaking of marketing, people are obsessed with that bizarre “DUNE” popcorn bucket. Beyonce And BEYONCÉ carves her space in country music with “Act II: Cowboy Carter,” which will make her the first Black woman to top the Billboard country chart. Taylor Swift performs June 21 at Wembley Stadium in London as part of her Eras Tour. April Tennis, anyone? The game’s been around for centuries, but it’s having a cultural moment right now, helped mightily by “CHALLENGERS,” the sweaty romance triangle starring ZENDAYA, MIKE FAIST and JOSH O'CONNOR (40-love? More like 40-sex.) Elsewhere, a new era dawns: At midnight, SWIFT drops “THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT," then drops another 15 songs two hours later. The fascinating and disturbing “BABY REINDEER,” the story of a struggling comedian’s extended encounter with a stalker, debuts on Netflix. Ben Affleck, left, and Jennifer Lopez arrive Feb. 13 at the premiere of "This Is Me ... Now: A Love Story" at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. May It’s MET GALA time — or as it's known in 2024, another early marketing moment for “WICKED.” ERIVO and GRANDE make fashion waves on the carpet and then musical ones at dinner, with a soulful performance of “When You Believe.” If the “Wicked” tour is in full force, another one stops in its tracks: JENNIFER LOPEZ cancels her summer tour amid reports of both poor ticket sales and trouble in her marriage to BEN AFFLECK . It’s been an eventful year for J.Lo, who's released an album and movie called “THIS IS ME ... NOW" — both reflections on her renewed love with Affleck. June Welcome to BRAT SUMMER ! CHARLI XCX releases her hit “Brat” album , with its lime green cover, and launches a thousand memes. Collins Dictionary defines “brat,” its word of the year, as “characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude.” At the celeb-heavy SWIFT shows in London, we see PRINCE WILLIAM shaking it off, which is either charming or cringe, you decide. Even better: KELCE dons a top hat and tux and performs for one night. At another stadium across the pond, METS infielder JOSE IGLESIAS delights the crowd with his cheery number “OMG.” Stephen Nedoroscik is introduced June 29 at the United States Gymnastics Olympic Trials in Minneapolis. July Bonjour, it’s OLYMPICS time! In Paris! An audacious opening ceremony along the Seine is punctuated by a fabulous CELINE DION , perched on the EIFFEL TOWER , singing her heart out — in the rain, too. Controversy swirls over a scene critics feel mocks Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” (organizers say it does not). Olympic stars are born — including French swimming superstar LEON MARCHAND , rugby player ILONA MAHER , and bespectacled “Pommel Horse Guy” gymnast STEPHEN NEDOROSCIK , who nets two bronze medals and comparisons to Clark Kent. Baby pigmy hippo Moo Deng plays with a zookeeper Sept. 19 in the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand. Also capturing hearts: yep, MOO DENG , born this month. Her name means “bouncy pork.” Australia's Rachael Gunn, known as B-Girl Raygun, competes Aug. 9 during the Round Robin Battle at the breaking competition at La Concorde Urban Park at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. August This is them ... now: BENNIFER is no more. After two decades, two engagements and two weddings, J.Lo files for divorce. One union dissolves, another returns: OASIS announces a reunion tour. Everyone seems to want to get in on TikToker JOOLS LEBRON 's “ DEMURE, MINDFUL ” act — even the WHITE HOUSE press team. Back at the Olympics, in the new sport of breaking, we meet Australia’s RAYGUN , arguably neither demure nor mindful with her “kangaroo” move. Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani brings his dog Decoy to the mound Aug. 28 before Decoy delivered the ceremonial first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles in Los Angeles. Cute animal alert: SHOHEI OHTANI ’s perky pooch DECOY does a great “first pitch” in his Major League Baseball debut. Chappell Roan performs "Good Luck, Babe" on Sept. 11 during the MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. September One of the year’s biggest breakout artists, CHAPPELL ROAN , withdraws from a music festival after speaking out about frightening fan interactions. And more on the price of fame: In an excruciating moment, “Bachelorette” JENN TRAN , the franchise’s first Asian American lead, is forced to sit through a painful viewing of her proposal to her chosen suitor, after tearfully explaining how he’d later dumped her over the phone. Tran is keeping busy though — she’s announced as part of the new “Dancing with the Stars” lineup. Also on the list: rugby player Maher, and Pommel Horse Guy! Also, ANNA SOROKIN , dancing with an ankle monitor. Online fandom, meanwhile, is shaken when X is temporarily suspended in Brazil and celebrity stan accounts post tearful farewells, revealing to many across the globe that their favorite accounts are run by Brazilians. Miles Mitchell, 21, wins of the Timothee Chalamet lookalike contest Oct. 27 near Washington Square Park in New York. October “Dune” Chalamets! “Wonka” Chalamets! Thousands gather in Manhattan for a TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET lookalike contest, and things really get interesting when Chalamet himself shows up. He doesn’t enter the contest, though, and with his mustache, he may not even have won. The trend continues with contests for JEREMY ALLEN WHITE, ZAYN MALIK and — in a very Washington version — Kennedy scion JACK SCHLOSSBERG , who's been gathering a following with some interesting social media posts. New York Liberty Kennedy Burke dances with the mascot, Ellie the Elephant, during an Oct. 24 ceremony after a parade in honor of the Liberty's WNBA basketball championship at City Hall in New York. Turning to basketball, who’s that dancing with USHER ? Why it’s ELLIE THE ELEPHANT , the now-viral NEW YORK LIBERTY mascot. Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, right, appears Nov. 2 with Maya Rudolph on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" in New York. November MAYA RUDOLPH does a pretty good KAMALA HARRIS laugh on “Saturday Night Live,” but you know who does it better? HARRIS herself. The Democratic candidate makes a surprise cameo three days before the U.S. presidential election, following in the footsteps of HILLARY CLINTON , SARAH PALIN and others. Elsewhere in television, Bravo announces that “VANDERPUMP RULES,” the Emmy-nominated reality show that has lived through countless scandals, is entirely recasting its 12th season — apart from namesake LISA VANDERPUMP . As for MOO DENG , she doesn't have her own TV series yet, but our favorite pygmy hippo is generating plenty of merch . And THAT brings us back to ... Ariana Grande, left, and Cynthia Erivo pose for photographers Nov. 11 prior to the premiere of "Wicked" at Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City. December “WICKED” ! Director JON M. CHU ’s emerald-hued fantasy remains very very popular, to quote one of its buzzy show tunes, dancing through life and defying gravity at the multiplex. Moviegoers also come for “GLADIATOR II” and, in a veritable tidal wave, Disney's “MOANA 2,” which beckons us back to the seas of Oceania. Once again, 2024 seems to be telling us: Give people some whimsy, a place to escape, maybe some catchy tunes — and no one knows how far they’ll go. The stories and images that defined 2024. Searching for something? From queries about U.S. politics to cricket in India, Wikipedia has become a source of information for millions of people across the globe. From the Paris Olympics to the Super Bowl. From Simone Biles to Shohei Ohtani. And, of course, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. These are the sp... AP photographers assembled a visual catalog of our civilization as life in 2024 hurtled directly at us at every speed and in every imaginable ... In 2024, photographers captured glimpses of humanity, ranging from a deeply divisive presidential election, to hurricanes and fires that ravag... Associated Press photographers captured voters with raw emotions of joy, excitement, contemplation or sorrow. See entertainment's biggest moments in 2024, through the lens of Associated Press photographers. It beat five other finalists: demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy and lore. News anchors, politicians and other public figures in the U.S. struggled with these words the most this year. Is it any surprise Merriam-Webster's word of the year is "polarization"? Here are the other words that rounded out the top 10 for 2024. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

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    As the gaming community eagerly awaits the next chapter in the "黑神话" saga, one thing is certain: the game's popularity shows no signs of waning. With a dedicated fan base, engaging gameplay, and a commitment to delivering quality content, "黑神话" continues to captivate players and dominate social media conversations. Whether on PC, mobile, or potentially Xbox in the future, the allure of the mythical world of "黑神话" remains as strong as ever.In conclusion, the "Western Street Observation" platform serves as a shining example of how online advocacy can be a powerful force for positive change when the focus is placed firmly on promoting rights and justice. By leveraging its platform to amplify marginalized voices, challenge power dynamics, and advocate for systemic change, "Western Street Observation" embodies the transformative potential of digital activism in shaping a more just and inclusive society. Let us continue to support and engage with initiatives like "Western Street Observation" that prioritize rights and compassion in the pursuit of a better world for all.

    SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — In an era of rising authoritarianism, at the heels of a six-hour martial law decree that unfolded while many South Koreans slept, something noteworthy happened: Democracy held. The past week in Seoul, officials and academics warn, is what a threat to democracy looks like in 2024. It's a democratically-elected president declaring martial law over the nation he leads, asserting sweeping powers to prevent opposition demonstrations, ban political parties and control the media. It's members of the military attempting to block lawmakers from exercising their power to vote on cancelling the power grab. And here's what it took to defeat President Yoon Suk Yeol 's lurch toward government by force: Unified popular support for democracy. Legislators storming the National Assembly past midnight, live-streaming themselves climbing over fences. A politician grabbing at a soldier's rifle and yelling “Aren't you ashamed?” until he retreated. And finally, decisively, Parliament assembling a quorum and voting unanimously to cancel martial law. It was a victory for a hard-won democracy — and for the idea that checks and balances among branches of government must work to counteract each other's ambitions, as the American founders wrote in the Federalist Papers in 1788. But as the drama played out in Seoul, the scaffolding of democracy rattled around the world. In other countries, the grab for power might have worked. Other would-be authoritarians might have been better prepared than Yoon. In deeply polarized societies — the United States, for example, where Republicans are staunchly loyal to president-elect Donald Trump — there might not have been decisive support from the public or the opposition. The military might have used force. And the members of the legislature might not have voted as one to snuff out the attempted takeover. “President Yoon's attempt to declare martial law reveals the fragility of the rule of law in divided societies, especially those with governments in which the chief executive cannot be easily dismissed by the legislature," said Tom Pepinsky, a government professor at Cornell University who studies backsliding among democracies in Southeast Asia. Notably, he said in an email, “No members of President Yoon’s own party were willing to defend his actions in public." Nevertheless, Yoon’s surprise attempt to impose martial law revealed both the fragility and resilience of the country’s democratic system. Within three hours of his stunning announcement to impose military rule — claiming the opposition was “paralyzing” state affairs — 190 lawmakers voted to cancel his actions. In so doing, they demonstrated the strength of the country’s democratic checks and balances. Yoon’s authoritarian push, carried out by hundreds of heavily armed troops with Blackhawk helicopters and armored vehicles sent to the National Assembly, harked back to an era of dictatorial presidents. The country’s democratic transition in the late 1980s came after years of massive protests by millions that eventually overcame violent suppressions by military rulers. Civilian presence was again crucial in shaping the events following Yoon’s late night television announcement on Tuesday. Thousands of people flocked to the National Assembly, shouting slogans for martial law to be lifted and Yoon to step down from power. There were no reports of violent clashes as troops and police officers. “We restored democracy without having a single casualty this time,” said Seol Dong-hoon, a sociology professor at South Korea’s Jeonbuk National University. It’s virtually impossible for any leader of a democracy to pull off a transition toward martial law without a public willing to support it, or at least tolerate it. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, attracted millions of views as he began live-streaming his journey to the National Assembly, pleading for people to converge to the parliament to help lawmakers get inside. The shaky footage later shows him exiting his car climbing over a fence to get onto the grounds. The vote at the National Assembly was also broadcast live on the YouTube channel of Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik, who also had to scale a fence to get in. Yoon’s sense of crisis clearly wasn’t shared by the public, whose opinions, Seol said, were shaped predominantly by the shocking videos broadcast to their devices. “Ultimately, democracy is all about moving public opinion,” he said. “What was most crucial in this case was that everything was broadcast live on smartphones, YouTube and countless other media.” Opposition lawmakers are now pushing to remove Yoon from office, saying he failed to meet the constitutional requirement that martial law should only be considered in wartime or a comparable severe crisis — and that he unlawfully deployed troops to the National Assembly. On Saturday, an opposition-led impeachment motion failed after most lawmakers from Yoon’s party boycotted the vote. Yet the president’s troubles persist: The vote’s defeat is expected to intensify nationwide protests and deepen South Korea’s political turmoil, with opposition parties preparing to introduce another impeachment motion when parliament reconvenes next Wednesday. Han Sang-hie, a law professor at Seoul’s Konkuk University, said the martial law debacle highlights what he sees as the most crucial flaw of South Korea’s democracy: that it places too much power in the hands of the president, which is easily abused and often goes unchecked. Political scientists call what happened in South Korea an “autogolpe” — a “self-coup” — defined as one led by incumbent leaders themselves, in which an executive takes or sponsors illegal actions against others in the government. Yoon qualifies because he used troops to try to shut down South Korea's legislature. Self-coups are increasing, with a third of the 46 since 1945 occurring in the past decade, according to a study by researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and Penn State University. About 80% of self-coups succeed, they reported. In 2021, a power grab by Tunisian President Kais Saied raised similar concerns around the world after the country designed a democracy from scratch and won a Nobel Peace Prize after a largely bloodless revolution. In the United States, some have expresed worry about similar situations arising during the second administration of Donald Trump. He has vowed, after all, to shake some of democracy's pillars . He's mused that he would be justified if he decided to pursue “the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution.” That’s in contrast to the oath of office he took in 2017, and will again next year, to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution” as best he can. Nearly half of voters in the Nov. 5 election, which Trump won, said they were “very concerned” that another Trump presidency would bring the U.S. closer to authoritarianism, according to AP Votecast survey data. Asked before a live audience on Fox News Channel in 2023 to assure Americans that he would not abuse power or use the presidency to seek retribution against anyone, Trump replied, “except for day one," when he'll close the border and “drill, drill, drill.” After that, Trump said, "I'm not a dictator.” Kellman reported from London.South Korea's democracy held after a 6-hour power play. What does it say for democracies elsewhere?Atalanta has been making waves in the Serie A in recent years, and much of their success can be attributed to the strong performances of their players, with one standout player being Luis Muriel. Muriel's journey with Atalanta has been one of growth and development, and many believe that the team has what it takes to clinch the Serie A title. Years of experience and hard work have not only shaped Muriel as a player but have also prepared the entire Atalanta squad to handle the pressure that comes with competing at the highest level.

    Ross Barkley’s 85th-minute goal gave them victory in Germany after goals from John McGinn and Jhon Duran early in each half were cancelled out by Lois Openda and Christoph Baumgartner. That sent them up to third in the new league phase of the competition ahead of Wednesday’s games and with matches against Monaco and Celtic to come, Villa have an excellent chance of finishing in the top eight. Job done... in the end 😅 #RBLAVL #UCL pic.twitter.com/PRD1Hi1Q3A — Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 10, 2024 That would mean they would avoid a play-off round to make it through to the last 16 and Emery says that is the target. “Today was key. Juventus at home, we were thinking more to win but in the end we accepted the draw because it was important for a point to be more or less in the top 24,” he told Amazon Prime. “Today was a match we were thinking at the beginning was key to be a contender to be in the top eight with the last two matches to be played. “It is going to be difficult and we have to get some more points but we now have the possibility to achieve this option. “We are going to enjoy and try to get top eight but we have to be happy because we are in the top 24 and maybe even the top 16. “We weren’t contenders in the beginning to get there but now we have to accept it.” Leipzig, who are flying high near the top of the Bundesliga, are out after losing all six matches. They did pose a threat to Villa, who inflicted some of their own problems on themselves, notably a rare gaffe from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for Openda’s equaliser. But Emery was happy with his side’s performance. “I try to enjoy and always we want to improve and sometimes it is hard but today the team were performing well, playing seriously and I was enjoying it,” he added. “We tried to overcome the mistakes we made and we did. More or less we were playing consistently. One mistake and they score but then we played very well. “Champions League is very difficult and we have to expect that every team playing at home are feeling strong. We played with consistency and domination.”The statistics speak for themselves - after 15 games played, Chelsea has accumulated an impressive tally of points, only surpassed by the league leaders. Tuchel's side has demonstrated a solid defensive record, conceding the fewest goals in the league, while also showcasing their firepower in attack with a potent goal-scoring threat. The team's performances have been characterized by high-intensity pressing, quick transitions, and intelligent positional play, all hallmarks of Tuchel's coaching philosophy.

    Under the new regulations, medical procurement processes are expected to become more streamlined and efficient. By adopting a more flexible and nuanced approach to evaluation, healthcare institutions can now tailor their procurement practices to better meet their specific needs and requirements. This personalized approach not only enhances the overall efficiency of the procurement process, but also ensures that the quality of healthcare services remains high.In conclusion, the achievement of 600 Serie A appearances is a rare feat that only a select few have managed to accomplish. With players like Totti, Maldini, Buffon, and Zanetti leading the way, these footballing icons have set a high standard for future generations to aspire to. Their enduring legacy serves as a testament to the enduring power of passion, perseverance, and excellence in the world of football.

    All Times EST NOTE: Two points are awarded for a win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss. Top four teams in each division advance to playoffs. Laval 5, Toronto 4 Rochester 3, Charlotte 0 WB/Scranton 6, Hartford 2 Belleville 4, Manitoba 3 Iowa 5, Milwaukee 2 Syracuse 4, Cleveland 3 Hershey 3, Lehigh Valley 2 Providence 6, Bridgeport 3 Springfield 2, Rockford 1 Calgary 6, Tucson 3 Grand Rapids 5, Chicago 4 Henderson 6, Texas 2 Ontario 2, San Diego 1 San Jose 1, Coachella Valley 0 Abbotsford 6, Colorado 1 WB/Scranton at Providence, 3:05 p.m. Grand Rapids at Chicago, 4 p.m. Milwaukee at Iowa, 4 p.m. Lehigh Valley at Hershey, 5 p.m. Bakersfield at Ontario, 6 p.m. Coachella Valley at San Jose, 6 p.m. Colorado at Abbotsford, 7 p.m. Texas at Henderson, 8 p.m. No games scheduled Lehigh Valley vs. Toronto at Scotiabank Arena, 6 p.m. Manitoba at Calgary, 9 p.m. Hershey at Hartford, 7 p.m. Providence at Bridgeport, 7 p.m. Rochester at Laval, 7 p.m. Syracuse at Belleville, 7 p.m. Charlotte at WB/Scranton, 7:05 p.m. Rockford at Iowa, 8 p.m. Manitoba at Calgary, 9 p.m. Henderson vs. San Diego at Pechanga Arena, 10 p.m.By Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald (TNS) MIAMI — As her students finished their online exam, Arlet Lara got up to make a cafe con leche . Her 16-year-old son found her on the kitchen floor. First, he called Dad in a panic. Then 911. “I had a stroke and my life made a 180-degree turn,” Lara told the Miami Herald, recalling the medical scare she experienced in May 2020 in the early months of the COVID pandemic. “The stroke affected my left side of the body,” the North Miami woman and former high school math teacher said. Lara, an avid runner and gym goer, couldn’t even walk. “It was hard,” the 50-year-old mom said. After years of rehabilitation therapy and a foot surgery, Lara can walk again. But she still struggles with moving. This summer, she became the first patient in South Florida to get an implant of a new and only FDA-approved nerve stimulation device designed to help ischemic stroke survivors regain movement in their arms and hands. This first procedure was at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Lara’s rehab was at at the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, part of a partnership between Jackson Health System and UHealth. Every year, thousands in the United States have a stroke , with one occurring every 40 seconds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of strokes are ischemic, often caused by blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. For survivors, most of whom are left with some level of disability, the Vivistim Paired VNS System, the device implanted in Lara’s chest, could be a game changer in recovery, said Dr. Robert Starke, a UHealth neurosurgeon and interventional neuroradiologist. He also serves as co-director of endovascular neurosurgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, part of Miami-Dade’s public hospital system. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms, goes through exercises while her therapist activates the device during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA- approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) The Vivistim Paired VNS System is a small pacemaker-like device implanted in the upper chest and neck area. Patients can go home the same day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the stroke rehabilitation system in 2021 to be used alongside post-ischemic stroke rehabilitation therapy to treat moderate to severe mobility issues in hands and arms. Lara’s occupational therapist can activate the device during rehabilitation sessions to electrically stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain down to the abdomen and regulates various parts of the body’s nervous system. The electrical stimulation rewires the brain to improve a stroke survivor’s ability to move their arms and hands. Lara also has a magnet she can use to activate the device when she wants to practice at home. Her therapy consists of repetitive tasks, including coloring, pinching cubes and grabbing and releasing cylindrical shapes. After several weeks of rehabilitation therapy with the device, Lara has seen improvement. “Little by little, I’m noticing that my hand is getting stronger. I am already able to brush my teeth with the left hand,” she told the Miami Herald in September. Since then, Lara has finished the initial six-week Vivitism therapy program, and is continuing to use the device in her rehabilitation therapy. She continues to improve and can now eat better with her left hand and can brush her hair with less difficulty, according to her occupational therapist, Neil Batungbakal. Lara learned about the device through an online group for stroke survivors and contacted the company to inquire. She then connected them with her Jackson medical team. Now a year later, the device is available to Jackson patients. So far, four patients have received the implant at Jackson. Starke sees the device as an opportunity to help bring survivors one step closer to regaining full mobility. Strokes are a leading cause of disability worldwide. While most stroke survivors can usually recover some function through treatment and rehabilitation, they tend to hit a “major plateau” after the first six months of recovery, he said. Vivistim, when paired with rehabilitation therapy, could change that. Jackson Health said results of a clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet in 2021 showed that the device, “when paired with high-repetition, task-specific occupational or physical therapy, helps generate two to three times more hand and arm function for stroke survivors than rehabilitation therapy alone.” The device has even shown to benefit patients 20 years from their original stroke, according to Starke. “So now a lot of these patients that had strokes 10-15 years ago that thought that they would never be able to use their arm in any sort of real functional way are now able to have a real meaningful function, which is pretty tremendous,” Starke said. Vivistim’s vagus-nerve stimulation technology was developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas’ Texas Biomedical Device Center and is being sold commercially by Austin-based MicroTransponder, a company started by university graduates. Similar devices are used to treat epilepsy and depression . For Lara, the device is a new tool to help her recovery journey. “Everything becomes a challenge so we are working with small things every day because I want to get back as many functions as possible,” Lara said. Patients interested in Vivistim should speak with their doctor to check their eligibility. The FDA said patients should make sure to discuss any prior medical history, including concurrent forms of brain stimulation, current diathermy treatment, previous brain surgery, depression, respiratory diseases and disorders such as asthma, and cardiac abnormalities. “Adverse events included but were not limited to dysphonia (difficulty speaking), bruising, falling, general hoarseness, general pain, hoarseness after surgery, low mood, muscle pain, fracture, headache, rash, dizziness, throat irritation, urinary tract infection and fatigue,” the FDA said. MicroTransponder says the device is “covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance with prior authorization on a case-by-case basis.” To learn more about the device, visit vivistim.com. ©2024 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

    De Telegraaf: Several Premier League Giants Interested in En-Nesyri, but Sevilla Striker Unwilling to Leave & Dortmund Unwilling to SellIn addition to the improved language model, version 2.5 also introduces new features and functionalities that significantly expand the scope of Yuelingxi AI's applications. For instance, the updated system now supports multi-modal inputs, allowing users to interact with the AI using a combination of text, speech, and images. This versatility not only enhances the user experience but also opens up new possibilities for creative and interactive applications in various industries.

    The road to this historic moment has been paved with challenges and setbacks, but it is also a reflection of the resilience and determination of Chinese footballers to overcome obstacles and strive for excellence. The journey of the second Chinese player to start against Atletico Madrid is a testament to the power of dreams and the belief that with hard work, dedication, and perseverance, anything is possible.A long-standing rivalry will be transported from North Carolina to Annapolis as East Carolina meets NC State in the Military Bowl.

    Industry experts and analysts have weighed in on the situation, pointing out that incidents like this highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in the real estate sector. They have called for more stringent regulations and monitoring to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.

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    How often do you get headaches and backaches, feel overwhelmingly tired and want to fall asleep for the whole day after a long flight? All this can be avoided if you follow a few proven tips. OBOZREVATEL has selected 7 life hacks that will help make your trip as comfortable as possible. Wear a sleep mask and earplugs It is very difficult to relax on an airplane because of the large number of people and the noise. Passengers are constantly walking, talking, and eating. For many, this causes a feeling of increased anxiety even if they don't realize it. So, if you are going to sleep during the flight, take these inexpensive useful things with you that will provide additional comfort. By the way, by partially or completely blocking out light, the mask provides a faster transition to deep sleep and more intense melatonin production. This helps you get a better night's sleep in a shorter time. Take a travel pillow with you It would seem that everyone in the world knows about these pillows. Unfortunately, in reality, only a few people use them. The soft cushions help relieve excess tension from the cervical spine, making your posture more relaxed. By the way, there are even medical indications for using this pillow. These are various bone, joint, and muscle diseases that cause pain and discomfort. Bring a pillow or blanket for your lower back Another part of the spine that gets a lot of stress during a flight is the lower back. The fact is that most airlines have C-shaped seats on board. However, our posture is more like the letter S. Therefore, a small pillow, just a blanket or even some clothes will help relieve the pain that occurs after a long journey. Wear a warm jacket It may be warm on the plane and you won't need it. However, in most cases, air conditioners are turned on and the temperature is kept below 20 degrees. This is done for several reasons. Firstly, when it's cool, people feel better on a long journey, feel less nauseous and complain less often about pressure problems. Secondly, the dry air in an airplane causes less harm to people in such an environment. And the main reason is that everyone has their own comfortable temperature, so carriers try to find the average as much as possible. Thus, it's best to take some warm clothes with you so you don't get cold. Don't forget compression stockings You may not believe it, but these stockings will save you from leg fatigue. The sudden change in pressure that occurs when you climb and descend negatively affects blood vessels throughout the body. However, the extremities suffer the most from this. A tight elastic bandage, compression stockings, or comfortable shoes will help relieve the pressure and make the flight easier. Buy anti-seasickness medicine Unfortunately, many people experience nausea on airplanes. This is especially true for passengers sitting in the first and last rows. Turbulence, changes in direction and altitude put additional stress on the vestibular system, which can lead to unpleasant consequences. To avoid this, take a motion sickness pill before your flight. It will make the flight much more bearable. Prepare a high-calorie snack Flying is very stressful for the body. And in such conditions, a person begins to feel hungry faster. You may even feel dizzy and have abdominal pain. To avoid this situation, take a high-calorie snack with you. However, do not take fatty, fried foods. Give preference to sandwiches without mayonnaise and other sauces. You can also treat yourself to nuts and candied fruits. Thus, when preparing for a long flight, to take your hand luggage packing seriously. It should contain everything you need for a comfortable journey and your peace of mind.The Assad family's half-century rule over Syria crumbled dramatically as insurgent forces surged from a rebel enclave, capturing city after city with surprising speed and entering Damascus. This series of events forced President Bashar Assad to flee, signaling a remarkable turning point in Syria's 13-year civil conflict. Opposition forces met little resistance as the Syrian army disbanded, ushering in a new era of uncertainty and opportunity. The developments come as a shock after years of stagnation, with Assad's regime initially recovering significant ground with the help of Russia and Iran. As the insurgents, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, consolidate their gains, the rebel advancement challenges the status quo and demands urgent international diplomacy. UN and regional powers scramble to initiate discussions for a potential political transition in Syria. (With inputs from agencies.)

    WASHINGTON D.C. -- With right guard and cornerback ruled out of Sunday's game because of injuries, the will be without more than $100 million of salary cap space when they take on the . Martin was listed as doubtful and unlikely to play because of ankle and shoulder injuries and did not practice during the week. Diggs was listed as questionable with groin and knee injuries after taking part in two limited workouts on Thursday and Friday. The Cowboys already have quarterback ($44.6 million), defensive end ($20.4 million) and wide receiver ($10 million) on injured reserve. Martin counts $15.5 million against the cap, while Diggs counts $15.3 million. Cooks had his practice window to return from a knee issue last week open, but he was not added to the 53-man roster on Saturday. Tackle (toe) and defensive end (knee) were activated off injured reserve Saturday and both are expected to play against the Commanders. The Cowboys created the spots by placing safety on injured reserve with a shoulder injury and waiving defensive end . With Diggs out, the Cowboys still have not had their top three cornerbacks play in a game this year. Pro Bowl cornerback will make his season debut Sunday after missing the first 10 games because of surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot. Nickel corner is returning to the lineup Sunday after a one-week absence with a neck injury. With Martin out, will replace him. Two other linemen -- left tackle and left guard -- have dealt with injuries this week. Martin's availability for the Thanksgiving Day matchup against the is also in question as he has dealt with both ankle and shoulder injuries. The Cowboys elevated tight end from the practice squad with (concussion) out. Cornerback was also elevated for the second straight game.Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara released a statement Friday slamming the "100% false" media reports that suggested he had thrown his final pass for the Hawkeyes. McNamara has been sidelined since sustaining a concussion during the Oct. 26 win against Northwestern. Backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan has started the last two games for the Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) but is out with an ankle injury for Saturday's game at Maryland (4-6, 1-6). Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said earlier this week that Jackson Stratton will be the likely starter against the Terrapins if McNamara is unavailable. McNamara's cloudy status prompted speculation on a podcast this week that he was "not mentally ready to play." The podcast hosts from the Des Moines Register and The Athletic also suggested that McNamara -- who played three years at Michigan (2020-22) before transferring to Iowa -- is not "fit to play quarterback in the Big Ten right now." "We don't want to bury his career yet, but it does seem like that interception against Northwestern was his last snap as a Hawkeye," Leistikow said. McNamara, who passed for 1,017 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games this season, released a statement updating his current status. "My status is the same as it's always been -- a proud member of this football team," he said. McNamara said he has not yet been cleared to play. He said he was cleared to practice on Sunday but suffered an "adverse reaction" and was unable to practice this week and therefore unable to travel with the team to Maryland. "I have been working with the University of Iowa doctors and trainers, a concussion specialist focused on vision training, as well as engaging in hyperbaric treatments as frequently as possible," McNamara said. "I have every intention to play versus Nebraska next Friday night and I am confident that my teammates will return from Maryland with a win." Including his time with the Wolverines, McNamara has completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 4,703 yards with 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 34 games. --Field Level Media

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    KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) outshined other asset classes in the country for 2024, with its benchmark KSE-100 Index surging by 78%. This remarkable performance positioned PSX as the second-best performing stock market globally, trailing only Argentina, according to The News , citing a report by Topline Securities. Over the last 18 months, the PSX delivered an impressive 177% return in USD terms (169% in PKR), driven by macroeconomic stabilisation and improved external accounts, said CEO of brokerage firm Topline Securities Mohammed Sohail in a post on LinkedIn on Saturday. Despite the rally, the PSX’s market capitalisation remains at $50 billion, significantly below its 2017 peak of $100 billion. The decline is due to rupee devaluation, large dividend payouts and fewer new listings. As a percentage of GDP, the PSX is at 11%, compared to its 10-year average of 16% and a peak of 29% in 2017. Trading activity surged to record highs, with average daily volumes in the ready/cash market reaching Rs54 billion ($190 million) in December, a significant rise from Rs22 billion earlier in 2024 and Rs10 billion in 2023. Local mutual funds and insurance companies emerged as major buyers, capitalising on falling interest rates, while foreign investors were net sellers due to passive fund outflows. However, active Frontier funds showed confidence in the PSX, becoming net buyers in 2024. Notable developments included the government raising Rs2 trillion through Sukuk bonds and the PSX witnessing seven new listings that generated Rs8.4 billion, the highest in three years, Sohail explained. Looking ahead to 2025, the PSX — currently trading at a price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 6x — could sustain its positive momentum if political stability continues, per Sohail’s estimates Ample liquidity in the system, alongside key events such as International Monetary Fund's reviews, privatisation efforts and potential credit rating upgrades, will be critical factors shaping the market’s trajectory.fortune gems tricks

    BANGKOK — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world's third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Nissan Chief Executive Makoto Uchida, left, and Honda Chief Executive Toshihiro Mibe, center, and Takao Kato CEO of Mitsubishi Motors, right, arrive to attend a joint news conference Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) The ascent of Chinese automakers is rattling the industry at a time when manufacturers are struggling to shift from fossil fuel-driven vehicles to electrics. Relatively inexpensive EVs from China's BYD, Great Wall and Nio are eating into the market shares of U.S. and Japanese car companies in China and elsewhere. Japanese automakers have lagged behind big rivals in EVs and are now trying to cut costs and make up for lost time. Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi announced in August that they will share components for electric vehicles like batteries and jointly research software for autonomous driving to adapt better to dramatic changes in the auto industry centered around electrification. A preliminary agreement between Honda, Japan's second-largest automaker, and Nissan, third largest, was announced in March. A merger could result in a behemoth worth about $55 billion based on the market capitalization of all three automakers. Joining forces would help the smaller Japanese automakers add scale to compete with Japan's market leader Toyota Motor Corp. and with Germany's Volkswagen AG. Toyota itself has technology partnerships with Japan's Mazda Motor Corp. and Subaru Corp. Nissan Chief Executive Makoto Uchida, left, Honda Chief Executive Toshihiro Mibe, center, and Takao Kato, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors, right, pose for photographers during a joint news conference in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Nissan has truck-based body-on-frame large SUVs such as the Armada and Infiniti QX80 that Honda doesn't have, with large towing capacities and good off-road performance, said Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions. Nissan also has years of experience building batteries and electric vehicles, and gas-electric hybird powertrains that could help Honda in developing its own EVs and next generation of hybrids, he said. "Nissan does have some product segments where Honda doesn't currently play," that a merger or partnership could help, said Sam Abuelsamid, a Detroit-area automotive industry analsyt. While Nissan's electric Leaf and Ariya haven't sold well in the U.S., they're solid vehicles, Fiorani said. "They haven't been resting on their laurels, and they have been developing this technology," he said. "They have new products coming that could provide a good platform for Honda for its next generation." Nissan said last month that it was slashing 9,000 jobs, or about 6% of its global work force, and reducing global production capacity by 20% after reporting a quarterly loss of 9.3 billion yen ($61 million). Earlier this month it reshuffled its management and its chief executive, Makoto Uchida, took a 50% pay cut to take responsibility for the financial woes, saying Nissan needed to become more efficient and respond better to market tastes, rising costs and other global changes. Fitch Ratings recently downgraded Nissan's credit outlook to "negative," citing worsening profitability, partly due to price cuts in the North American market. But it noted that it has a strong financial structure and solid cash reserves that amounted to 1.44 trillion yen ($9.4 billion). Nissan's share price has fallen to the point where it is considered something of a bargain. A report in the Japanese financial magazine Diamond said talks with Honda gained urgency after the Taiwan maker of iPhones Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., better known as Foxconn, began exploring a possible acquisition of Nissan as part of its push into the EV sector. The company has struggled for years following a scandal that began with the arrest of its former chairman Carlos Ghosn in late 2018 on charges of fraud and misuse of company assets, allegations that he denies. He eventually was released on bail and fled to Lebanon. Honda reported its profits slipped nearly 20% in the first half of the April-March fiscal year from a year earlier, as sales suffered in China. Toyota made 11.5 million vehicles in 2023, while Honda rolled out 4 million and Nissan produced 3.4 million. Mitsubishi Motors made just over 1 million. Even after a merger Toyota would remain the leading Japanese automaker. All the global automakers are facing potential shocks if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on threats to raise or impose tariffs on imports of foreign products, even from allies like Japan and neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico. Nissan is among the major car companies that have adjusted their supply chains to include vehicles assembled in Mexico. Meanwhile, analysts say there is an "affordability shift" taking place across the industry, led by people who feel they cannot afford to pay nearly $50,000 for a new vehicle. In American, a vital market for companies like Nissan, Honda and Toyota, that's forcing automakers to consider lower pricing, which will eat further into industry profits. ____ Airbags, advanced driver assistance features, and high-strength materials mean that the safest cars today are far better at protecting people from injuries than ever before. Although most new cars compare well to their predecessors, some stand above the rest. The safest cars for 2025 offer excellent occupant protection and also do a good job of preventing accidents from happening in the first place. Based on testing data from the , or IIHS, and the , or NHTSA, these are some of the safest cars available today. Ranging from inexpensive compact cars and mainstream midsize sedans to stylish station wagons, posh luxury cars, and sporty coupes and convertibles, shares a list that has something for just about everyone. For those who prefer a higher seating position and maybe some added practicality, Edmunds' list of is for you. The stylish Mazda 3 has a lot to offer compact-car shoppers, including great looks, a composed driving experience, and reasonable fuel economy from its base 2.0-liter engine. It's also one of the safest cars in its class, earning a perfect five stars in NHTSA crash testing and sterling crashworthiness and collision avoidance scores from the IIHS. Its standard features are forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure prevention. With mature styling, a premium interior, and an efficient hybrid powertrain option, the 2025 Honda Civic is a great option if safety is a concern since it aces almost all of the IIHS' crash tests and earns a five-star safety rating from the federal government. It also comes standard with adaptive cruise control, lane departure prevention, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. The Civic falls short slightly in the IIHS' updated moderate overlap front test, which now accounts for rear passenger safety, but even so, it's one of the safest cars in its class. Reflective of parent company BMW, today's Mini Cooper is well constructed and features premium safety features that belie its small size, including automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning. Although the Mini hasn't been tested by NHTSA, the IIHS gives the Cooper its highest score of Good in the original driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side-impact tests. That said, the IIHS doesn't place the Cooper on its Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ lists since it hasn't been evaluated on the updated battery of passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, or side-impact tests. Expect the new-for-2025 Mini Cooper to earn decent crash ratings in those scenarios, especially since it shares its strong platform with the outgoing model. With its recent redesign, the Toyota Prius transformed from a frumpy little caterpillar to a stylish and efficient butterfly. It also became a very safe hybrid hatchback. Perfect scores in all of its government and IIHS crash tests, as well as a sophisticated system of collision avoidance technology, earn it top marks. It's also one of our favorite cars on the market, period, as evidenced by its status as a vehicle. The Honda Accord is among the safest midsize sedans on the market today thanks to excellent crashworthiness scores and a competent standard collision prevention system. It's a Top Safety Pick+, beating out rivals like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Subaru Legacy, and the Accord also earns a perfect five-star rating from NHTSA. Honda's hybrid-intensive product planning is on full display here—all but the two lowest Accord trims have a hybrid powertrain—and it's also among the most spacious cars in its class. Like its Honda Accord rival, the Toyota Camry is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with a five-star NHTSA rating. It also has a very impressive suite of driver assistance and safety technology, including lane departure prevention with active centering, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The Camry edges out the Accord in IIHS testing thanks to a more effective collision avoidance system, but both cars are remarkably well matched otherwise. The fully electric Hyundai Ioniq 6 offers excellent safety and collision prevention, with excellent scores across the entire line of IIHS tests. The Ioniq 6 hasn't been tested for rollover resistance by NHTSA, but it earned a four-star front safety rating and a five-star side-impact rating in government tests. Like most EVs, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 comes standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure prevention. It also offers up to 342 miles of all-electric driving in its longest-range trim level. The Acura Integra is a close mechanical cousin to the Honda Civic, so it's no surprise it does well in both the IIHS' and NHTSA's crash tests. The luxury hatchback is a Top Safety Pick+ and earns a perfect five stars in government testing. The AcuraWatch safety suite is standard on the Integra, bringing automatic emergency braking, lane centering, lane departure prevention, and adaptive cruise control. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a safe option in the popular small luxury sedan segment thanks to its good scores in IIHS crash testing. Mercedes' best-selling sedan also comes standard with automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning, which helps it earn a Top Safety Pick award. However, it hasn't been tested by the NHTSA. Both the Genesis G80 and the fully electric earn a Top Safety Pick+ score from the IIHS thanks to their good scores on the agency's crash tests, as well as a comprehensive suite of active safety features that avoided collisions with simulated pedestrians. The internal-combustion-engine G80 earned a perfect five-star safety rating from NHTSA, and although the Electrified G80 hasn't been tested by the feds just yet, it should likely excel in those tests too. The flagship Genesis G90 sedan competes with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series, and the South Korean automaker clearly hasn't skimped on safety in its fight against the establishment. Although it hasn't been subjected to the NHTSA array of tests, it aced almost all of its IIHS tests, and a long list of standard active safety and driver assistance features sets it apart from the stingy German makes that charge extra for them. With handsome styling and a well-finished interior, the Volvo V60 is a very appealing station wagon for those looking for such a thing. It's also quite safe, with good crashworthiness scores in the IIHS' original moderate overlap front and side-impact scores. Unfortunately, since it hasn't been tested with the updated versions of those tests, it didn't earn this year's Top Safety Pick award, but it was called a Top Safety Pick+ in 2022. NHTSA also gives the V60 a five-star safety rating. Although the Mercedes-Benz E 450 All-Terrain isn't a traditional wagon — it follows the lifted almost-crossover formula shared with the Audi A6 Allroad and Volvo V90 Cross Country — we'll take what we can get in this dwindling category. The All-Terrain hasn't been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but a previous-generation E-Class earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award, and Mercedes isn't the kind of company that goes backward when it comes to safety. The E 450 All-Terrain comes standard with automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning, though, at this price, Benz should just make other active safety features standard. With a five-star NHTSA safety rating, standard forward collision warning and emergency braking, and excellent IIHS crashworthiness scores on its original tests, the Audi A6 Allroad does a good job protecting people (both passengers and pedestrians) from crashes. However, since the IIHS hasn't subjected the Allroad to its updated side and moderate front crash criteria, it lost its Top Safety Pick+ status in 2022. Still, it should be a fine option for luxury longroof shoppers. Both the Ford Mustang coupe and convertible perform well in crash testing. The coupe received a five-star safety rating from NHTSA, and both variants scored decently on all the IIHS tests they've undergone. They also come standard with forward collision warning, lane departure prevention, and automatic emergency braking. However, the IIHS needs to test both models on its updated criteria before it will rate them. Although the government hasn't tested it, the Toyota GR86 aced all of its IIHS crashworthiness tests when it was new for the 2022 model year. Unfortunately, since it hasn't been subjected to the IIHS' updated testing since then, it lost its Top Safety Pick+ status. Still, this is a fun-to-drive, sporty coupe that comes standard with a long list of active safety features, and it's reasonably priced to boot. Mechanically identical to the Toyota GR86, the 2025 Subaru BRZ achieves the same safety ratings—who would have thought? It likewise received a Top Safety Pick+ score in 2022 that lapsed when the IIHS updated its criteria for 2023, but like the Toyota, it has a long list of active safety features to go along with its lightweight, rip-roaring sports car attitude. The Audi A5 lost its traditional two-door coupe body style after 2024, but the five-door Sportback body style remains before it's replaced later in 2025. Although it hasn't seen the IIHS' more stringent test regimen, its original crashworthiness scores were good enough to earn it a Top Safety Pick award as recently as 2022. The Sportback is the only variant to be tested by the government, where it earned a five-star safety rating. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.None

    I'M A Celeb's Coleen Rooney has revealed her surprising budget family holidays to Butlins - despite living in a £20m mansion. The media personality, 38, is currently competing in the popular ITV reality show. Addressing her fellow campmates, Coleen shared: "It kept coming on the TV, Butlins, Butlins . "So I went and it was Diversity that was on, it was the May half term I think." Continuing, Coleen told how son Kai "loved it so much" upon returning to school after the holidays. When his teacher asked what everyone had done, he replied: "I've been on the best holiday I've ever been on." Meanwhile, when the teacher enquired where he'd been, Kai replied: " Butlins ! Skegness." Campmate Alan Halsall - best known as Corrie's Tyrone Dobbs - remarked he'd been on a caravan holiday a few weeks ago. Coleen then shared about her caravan holidays in Wales with husband Wayne and the kids. She said: "We go a couple of times a year." Coleen added: "They used to have a band on called The Hut, you used to all take your own ale. "You all used to get up and sing a song!" Coleen also reflected on her childhood caravan holidays with her family. She shared: "We used to have [a caravan] when we were kids. "My dad bought it for £200 and it didn't have a toilet, so we had a dunny and we used to call it the p*** pot." The star joked: "We got £50 when it got scrapped, so we got our money 's worth." While campmate Melvin Odoom quipped in the Bush Telegraph: "I think I'm more bouji than Coleen!" I'm A Celebrity continues on ITV1 and ITVX. i'm A Celebrity is back for its 24th series, with a batch of famous faces living in the Aussie jungle. The Sun's Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars on the show this year.. Coleen Rooney - Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney , has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever. Tulisa - The popstar and former X Factor judge has made her triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year's I'm A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz, Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal. Alan Halsall - The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street, was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities. Melvin Odoom - The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. Melvin has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet - the Aussie jungle . GK Barry - The UK's biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women. She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers. Dean McCullough - A rising star amongst this year's bunch of celebs , Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live. Oti Mabuse - The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV's Dancing On Ice . Danny Jones - The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle , after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he's now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice , along with bandmate Tom Fletcher. Jane Moore - The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist is braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge - having recently split from her husband . It will be Jane's first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past. Barry McGuigan - Former pro boxer Barry is the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan. It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to bowel cancer . He told The Late Late Show in 2021: "She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache." Maura Higgins - The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard . Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year. Rev. Richard Coles - Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity , and he's ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star , said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: "Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth."

    Will Trump take Christopher Rufo’s conservative Florida vision nationwide?

    By BILL BARROW, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” the center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors . He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners . He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian , would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015 . “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” Former Associated Press journalist Alex Sanz contributed to this report.New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has acquitted a man in a POCSO case, saying the use of the phrase ‘physical relations’ by the minor survivor cannot automatically mean sexual assault. A bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma allowed the appeal by the accused, who was awarded imprisonment for the remainder of his life, and observed that it was unclear how the trial court concluded that there was any sexual assault when the survivor had voluntarily gone with the accused. The court asserted that the leap from physical relations or ‘samband’ to sexual assault and then to penetrative sexual assault must be established by evidence and cannot be deduced as an inference. “The mere fact that the survivor is below 18 years cannot lead to a conclusion that there was penetrative sexual assault. The survivor, in fact, used the phrase ‘physical relations,’ but there is no clarity as to what she meant by using the said phrase,” the court said in the judgement passed on December 23. “Even the use of the words ‘samband banaya’ is not sufficient to establish an offence under Section 3 of the POCSO Act or under Section 376 IPC. Though consent would not matter if the girl is a minor under the POCSO Act, the phrase ‘physical relations’ cannot be converted automatically into sexual intercourse, let alone sexual assault,” it held. The court said the benefit of the doubt ought to be in favour of the accused and, therefore, ruled, “The impugned judgement completely lacks any reasoning and also does not reveal or support any rationale for the conviction. Under such circumstances, the judgement is liable to be set aside. The appellant is acquitted.” The complaint in this case was lodged in March 2017 by the minor girl’s mother, alleging that her 14-year-old daughter had been lured and kidnapped from her home by an unknown person. The minor was found in Faridabad along with the accused, who was arrested and subsequently convicted for the offence of rape under IPC and penetrative sexual assault under POCSO in December 2023 and later awarded imprisonment for the remainder of his life.WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has promised to end birthright citizenship as soon as he gets into office to make good on campaign promises aiming to restrict immigration and redefining what it means to be American. But any efforts to halt the policy would face steep legal hurdles. Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the United States automatically becomes an American citizen. It's been in place for decades and applies to children born to someone in the country illegally or in the U.S. on a tourist or student visa who plans to return to their home country. It's not the practice of every country, and Trump and his supporters have argued that the system is being abused and that there should be tougher standards for becoming an American citizen. But others say this is a right enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, it would be extremely difficult to overturn and even if it's possible, it's a bad idea. Here's a look at birthright citizenship, what Trump has said about it and the prospects for ending it: What Trump has said about birthright citizenship During an interview Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Trump said he “absolutely” planned to halt birthright citizenship once in office. “We’re going to end that because it’s ridiculous,” he said. Trump and other opponents of birthright citizenship have argued that it creates an incentive for people to come to the U.S. illegally or take part in “birth tourism,” in which pregnant women enter the U.S. specifically to give birth so their children can have citizenship before returning to their home countries. “Simply crossing the border and having a child should not entitle anyone to citizenship,” said Eric Ruark, director of research for NumbersUSA, which argues for reducing immigration. The organization supports changes that would require at least one parent to be a permanent legal resident or a U.S. citizen for their children to automatically get citizenship. Others have argued that ending birthright citizenship would profoundly damage the country. “One of our big benefits is that people born here are citizens, are not an illegal underclass. There’s better assimilation and integration of immigrants and their children because of birthright citizenship,” said Alex Nowrasteh, vice president for economic and social policy studies at the pro-immigration Cato Institute. In 2019, the Migration Policy Institute estimated that 5.5 million children under age 18 lived with at least one parent in the country illegally in 2019, representing 7% of the U.S. child population. The vast majority of those children were U.S. citizens. The nonpartisan think tank said during Trump’s campaign for president in 2015 that the number of people in the country illegally would “balloon” if birthright citizenship were repealed, creating “a self-perpetuating class that would be excluded from social membership for generations.” What does the law say? In the aftermath of the Civil War, Congress ratified the 14th Amendment in July 1868. That amendment assured citizenship for all, including Black people. “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside,” the 14th Amendment says. “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.” But the 14th Amendment didn't always translate to everyone being afforded birthright citizenship. For example, it wasn't until 1924 that Congress finally granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S. A key case in the history of birthright citizenship came in 1898, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Wong Kim Ark, born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrants, was a U.S. citizen because he was born in the states. The federal government had tried to deny him reentry into the county after a trip abroad on grounds he wasn’t a citizen under the Chinese Exclusion Act. But some have argued that the 1898 case clearly applied to children born of parents who are both legal immigrants to America but that it's less clear whether it applies to children born to parents without legal status or, for example, who come for a short-term like a tourist visa. “That is the leading case on this. In fact, it’s the only case on this,” said Andrew Arthur, a fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, which supports immigration restrictions. “It’s a lot more of an open legal question than most people think.” Some proponents of immigration restrictions have argued the words “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” in the 14th Amendment allows the U.S. to deny citizenship to babies born to those in the country illegally. Trump himself used that language in his 2023 announcement that he would aim to end birthright citizenship if reelected. So what could Trump do and would it be successful? Trump wasn't clear in his Sunday interview how he aims to end birthright citizenship. Asked how he could get around the 14th Amendment with an executive action, Trump said: “Well, we’re going to have to get it changed. We’ll maybe have to go back to the people. But we have to end it.” Pressed further on whether he'd use an executive order, Trump said “if we can, through executive action." He gave a lot more details in a 2023 post on his campaign website . In it, he said he would issue an executive order the first day of his presidency, making it clear that federal agencies “require that at least one parent be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident for their future children to become automatic U.S. citizens.” Trump wrote that the executive order would make clear that children of people in the U.S. illegally “should not be issued passports, Social Security numbers, or be eligible for certain taxpayer funded welfare benefits.” This would almost certainly end up in litigation. Nowrasteh from the Cato Institute said the law is clear that birthright citizenship can’t be ended by executive order but that Trump may be inclined to take a shot anyway through the courts. “I don’t take his statements very seriously. He has been saying things like this for almost a decade," Nowrasteh said. "He didn’t do anything to further this agenda when he was president before. The law and judges are near uniformly opposed to his legal theory that the children of illegal immigrants born in the United States are not citizens." Trump could steer Congress to pass a law to end birthright citizenship but would still face a legal challenge that it violates the Constitution. __ Associated Press reporter Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report. Rebecca Santana, The Associated Press

    (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) , (THE CONVERSATION) When the Pew Research Center in 2020 that the proportion of 18-to-29-year-old Americans who live with their parents has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps you saw some of the hyping how it’s higher than at any time since the Great Depression. From my perspective, the real story here is less alarming than you might think. And it’s actually quite a bit more interesting than the sound bite summary. For 30 years 18-to-29-year-olds, an age group I call “ ” to describe their in-between status as no longer adolescents, but not fully adult. Even 30 years ago, adulthood – typically marked by a stable job, a long-term partnership and financial independence – was coming later than it had in the past. Yes, a lot of emerging adults are now living with their parents. But this is part of a larger, longer trend, with the percentage going up only modestly since COVID-19 hit. Furthermore, having grown kids still at home is not likely to do you, or them, any permanent harm. In fact, until very recently, it’s been the way adults have typically lived throughout history. Even now, it’s a common practice in most of the world. Drawing on the federal government’s monthly , the Pew Report showed that 52% of 18-to-29-year-olds are currently living with their parents, up from 47% in February. The increase was mostly among the younger emerging adults – ages 18 to 24 – and was primarily due to their coming home from colleges that shut down or to their having lost their jobs. Although 52% is the highest percentage in over a century, this number has, in fact, been rising steadily since hitting a low of 29% in 1960. for the rise is that more and more young people continued their education into their 20s as the economy shifted from manufacturing to information and technology. When they’re enrolled in school, most don’t make enough money to live independently. Before 1900 in the United States, it was typical for young people to live at home until they married in their mid-20s, and there was nothing shameful about it. They usually started working by their early teens – – and their families relied upon the extra income. Virginity for young women was highly prized, , not staying home where they could be shielded from young men. In most of the world today, it is . In countries where collectivism is more highly valued than individualism – in places as diverse as Italy, Japan and Mexico – parents mostly prefer to have their emerging adults stay home until marriage. In fact, even after marriage it remains a common cultural tradition for a young man to bring his wife into his parents’ household rather than move out. , aging parents were highly vulnerable and needed their adult children and daughters-in-law to care for them in their later years. This tradition persists in many countries, including the two most populous countries in the world, India and China. , we mostly expect our kids to hit the road by age 18 or 19 so they can learn to be independent and self-sufficient. If they don’t, we may worry that there is something wrong with them. Because I’ve been researching emerging adults for a long time, I’ve been doing a lot of television, radio and print interviews since the Pew report was released. Always, the premise seems to be the same: Isn’t this awful? I would readily agree that it’s awful to have your education derailed or to lose your job because of the pandemic. But it’s not awful to live with your parents during emerging adulthood. Like most of the rest of family life, it’s a mixed bag: It’s a pain in some ways, and rewarding in others. I directed before the pandemic, 76% of them agreed that they get along better with their parents now than they did in adolescence, but almost the same majority – 74% – agreed, “I would prefer to live independently of my parents, even if it means living on a tight budget.” Parents express similar ambivalence. , 61% of parents who had an 18-to-29-year-old living at home were “mostly positive” about that living arrangement, and about the same percentage agreed that living together resulted in greater emotional closeness and companionship with their emerging adults. On the other hand, 40% of the parents agreed that having their emerging adults at home meant worrying about them more, and about 25% said it resulted in more conflict and more disruption to their daily lives. As much as most parents enjoy having their emerging adults around, they tend to be ready to move on to when their youngest kid reaches their 20s. They have plans they’ve been delaying for a long time – to travel, to take up new forms of recreation and perhaps to retire or change jobs. Those who are married often view this new phase as a time to get to know their spouse again – or as a time . Those who are divorced or widowed can now have an overnight guest without worrying about scrutiny from their adult child at the breakfast table the next morning. My wife, Lene, and I have direct experience to draw on with our 20-year-old twins, who came home in March, 2020 after their colleges closed, . I’ll admit we were enjoying our time as a couple before they moved back in, but nevertheless it was a delight having them unexpectedly return, as they are full of love and add so much liveliness to the dinner table. When the fall semester started and our daughter, Paris, was still home taking her courses via Zoom, whereas our son, Miles, returned to college. We savored these months with Paris. She has a great sense of humor and makes an excellent Korean tofu rice bowl. And we enjoyed it, even knowing it wouldn’t last. That’s something worth remembering for all of us during these strange times, especially for parents and emerging adults who find themselves sharing living quarters again. It won’t last. You could see this unexpected change as awful, as a royal pain and daily stress. Or you could see it as one more chance to get to know each other as adults, before the emerging adult sails once again over the horizon, this time never to return. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: .

    Japan Commits $5.1 Million to Support Climate-Affected Farmers in Zimbabwe

    Former US President Jimmy Carter Dead at 100Top Democrat's staffer arrested and fired after alarming discovery in his bag Armed man with AR-15 ARRESTED on Capitol Hill By CHARLIE SPIERING, SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER, WASHINGTON, DC Published: 21:33 GMT, 2 December 2024 | Updated: 21:57 GMT, 2 December 2024 e-mail 28 shares 2 View comments A staffer for a powerful Democratic member of the House of Representatives on Monday was fired after he was arrested by Capitol police officers after they found gun magazines and rounds of ammunition in his bag. The Capitol Police revealed in a statement that 38-year-old Michael Hopkins was arrested on Monday morning after he put his bag through x-ray screening at the Cannon House Office Building. ‘USCP officers noticed what appeared to be ammunition on the x-ray screen. After a hand search of the bag, officers found four ammunition magazines and eleven rounds of ammunition,’ the statement read. Hopkins is a communications director for New York Rep. Joseph D. Morelle, the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee. Hopkins told the officers that he forgot the ammunition was in the bag, but he was still arrested by capitol police for charges of ‘unlawful possession of ammunition’ including one charge for ‘possession of a high-capacity magazine.’ Washington, D.C., has strict gun laws , including a 10-round limit on gun magazines and firearms are banned anywhere on the Capitol premises. 'In response to this morning’s incident, Mr. Hopkins is no longer employed by Representative Morelle’s office effective immediately,' Morelle's chief of staff Jo Stiles told reporters in a statement. Earlier Monday, Morelle’s office said in a statement they would cooperate with the investigation and gathering more information on the details surrounding the arrest. Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y. fired a staffer after he was arrested by Capitol Police for entering the building with gun ammunition in his bag ‘Our office is fully committed to cooperating with the investigation. As Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, Congressman Morelle is devoted to ensuring a safe and secure workplace for all,’ the statement read. Hopkins did not return a DailyMail.com request for comment. The Committee on House Administration is responsible for House operations and Capitol security. Staffers entering the capitol have been flagged and arrested before for possessing illegal weapons on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC . Capitol Police arrested 38-year-old Michael Hopkins for having ammunition in his bag Michael Hopkins was fired from his communications position in Rep. Joseph D. Morelle's office on Capitol Hill Jeffrey Allsbrooks, a logistics manager at the House Chief Administrative Office, was arrested by Capitol Police in 2021 after he entered the capitol complex with a gun in his bag. Allsbrooks told police he forgot he had the gun in his bag and pleaded not guilty. He was charged with Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Unregistered Ammunition and Possession of a Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device. In 2022, Allsbrooks pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of attempted possession of an unregistered firearm as part of a plea agreement. Capitol Hill police also routinely arrest individuals found on Capitol Hill grounds for the possession of firearms. In November 2023, Capitol Hill police arrested Ahmir Lavon Merrell, 21, for possessing an AR-15 rifle outside the Capitol complex. All weapons are prohibited on Capitol Hill, even if they are legally registered in another state. New York Politics Share or comment on this article: Top Democrat's staffer arrested and fired after alarming discovery in his bag e-mail 28 shares Add comment

    If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. The offers an impressive color screen, but it’s not for everybody. Luckily, if you don’t want to lock yourself into Amazon’s ecosystem, the is that’s on sale for an all-time low of $199.99 ($20 off) at and for Black Friday. You can also buy it for the same price from , and if you purchase it with a $50 gift card, the retailer is throwing in a $10 credit that’s good toward , , and audiobooks. Personally, I am a big fan of the Kobo Libra Colour. The waterproof e-reader features the same color E Ink technology used in the Kindle Colorsoft, along with the same crisp 300ppi resolution, which is halved in color mode. There are some subtle differences, though. For example, the Colorsoft’s screen appears more vibrant and neutral than that of the Kobo, and ultimately, preferred it. Still, that doesn’t make the Colour’s inferior. Its 7-inch screen is warm and bright, and Kobo offers an adjustable natural light slider if you want to change up the hue. The ad-free Kobo Libra Colour is a color e-reader with physical page-turning buttons and a 7-inch E Ink display. It also boasts IPX8 waterproofing and compatibility with the Kobo Stylus 2. However, perhaps the biggest selling points of the Libra Colour are the additional features it offers, which come at a cheaper price. It costs $80 less than the Colorsoft at $199.99, but unlike the Colorsoft, the Libra Colour offers stylus support (though you’ll have to purchase the ). That’s handy, particularly if you want to highlight passages in whatever you’re reading. What’s more, the Libra Colour features physical page-turning buttons, which I feel makes an e-reader more intuitive to use. The Libra Colour offers a few software perks, too, including native support for read-it-later app Pocket so you can read articles offline. You can even borrow free library ebooks directly on your Kobo, thanks to its built-in support for Overdrive. Obviously, the main drawback is that the Kobo doesn’t natively support Kindle books. That being said, you can still convert your Kindle library and read them on your Libra Colour, even if it does take some extra steps. / /Emi Martinez began the night by walking onto the field with his children and parading a pair of trophies for being the world’s best goalkeeper for the last two years. He finished it by producing an astonishing save that vindicated those awards. The Argentina international illuminated a 0-0 draw between his Aston Villa team and Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday by plucking the ball from behind him and scooping it off the goal line to deny Francisco Conceição what could have been the winner. Replays showed the ball was almost entirely over the line before Martinez hooked it clear, and the goalkeeper was quickly congratulated by his teammates. No save by Martinez will ever beat the one he pulled off for Argentina in the last seconds of extra time in the 2022 World Cup final , denying France striker Randal Kolo Muani and keeping teammate Lionel Messi’s dream alive of finally winning soccer’s biggest prize. He might just have run it close. It was fitting he produced his wonder save against Juve on the night he showed off the two Yashin Trophies he claimed at the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in each of the past two years. The most recent one came last month. As for Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, he finished the game relieved that what appeared to be a mistake in the final seconds of stoppage time didn't cost his team. Di Gregorio spilled a cross under pressure from Villa defender Diego Carlos and Morgan Rogers was there to poke the ball into the net. A goal was awarded by the on-field referee but after a two-minute check, it was ruled out for a foul on Di Gregorio by Carlos. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Steve Douglas, The Associated Press

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    NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart's sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are revaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups in business. The changes announced by the world's biggest retailer followed a string of legal victories by conservative groups that have filed an onslaught of lawsuits challenging corporate and federal programs aimed at elevating minority and women-owned businesses and employees. The risk associated with some of programs crystalized with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to make dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs a priority. Trump's incoming deputy chief of policy will be his former adviser Stephen Miller , who leads a group called America First Legal that has aggressively challenged corporate DEI policies. “There has been a lot of reassessment of risk looking at programs that could be deemed to constitute reverse discrimination,” said Allan Schweyer, principal researcher the Human Capital Center at the Conference Board. “This is another domino to fall and it is a rather large domino,” he added. Among other changes, Walmart said it will no longer give priority treatment to suppliers owned by women or minorities. The company also will not renew a five-year commitment for a racial equity center set up in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd. And it pulled out of a prominent gay rights index . Schweyer said the biggest trigger for companies making such changes is simply a reassessment of their legal risk exposure, which began after U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June 2023 that ended affirmative action in college admissions. Since then, conservative groups using similar arguments have secured court victories against various diversity programs, especially those that steer contracts to minority or women-owned businesses. Most recently, the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty won a victory in a case against the U.S. Department of Transportation over its use of a program that gives priority to minority-owned businesses when it awards contracts. Companies are seeing a big legal risk in continuing with DEI efforts, said Dan Lennington, a deputy counsel at the institute. His organization says it has identified more than 60 programs in the federal government that it considers discriminatory, he said. “We have a legal landscape within the entire federal government, all three branches -- the U.S. Supreme Court, the Congress and the President -- are all now firmly pointed in the direction towards equality of individuals and individualized treatment of all Americans, instead of diversity, equity and inclusion treating people as members of racial groups,” Lennington said. The Trump administration is also likely to take direct aim at DEI initiatives through executive orders and other policies that affect private companies, especially federal contractors. “The impact of the election on DEI policies is huge. It can’t be overstated,” said Jason Schwartz, co-chair of the Labor & Employment Practice Group at law firm Gibson Dunn. With Miller returning to the White House, rolling back DEI initiatives is likely to be a priority, Schwartz said. “Companies are trying to strike the right balance to make clear they’ve got an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome, and they want to get the best talent, while at the same time trying not to alienate various parts of their employees and customer base who might feel one way or the other. It’s a virtually impossible dilemma,” Schwartz said. A recent survey by Pew Research Center showed that workers are divided on the merits of DEI policies. While still broadly popular, the share of workers who said focusing on workplace diversity was mostly a good thing fell to 52% in the November survey, compared to 56% in a similar survey in February 2023. Rachel Minkin, a research associated at Pew called it a small but significant shift in short amount of time. There will be more companies pulling back from their DEI policies, but it likely won’t be a retreat across the board, said David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at New York University. “There are vastly more companies that are sticking with DEI," Glasgow said. "The only reason you don’t hear about it is most of them are doing it by stealth. They’re putting their heads down and doing DEI work and hoping not to attract attention.” Glasgow advises organizations to stick to their own core values, because attitudes toward the topic can change quickly in the span of four years. “It’s going to leave them looking a little bit weak if there’s a kind of flip-flopping, depending on whichever direction the political winds are blowing,” he said. One reason DEI programs exist is because without those programs, companies may be vulnerable to lawsuits for traditional discrimination. “Really think carefully about the risks in all directions on this topic,” Glasgow said. Walmart confirmed will no longer consider race and gender as a litmus test to improve diversity when it offers supplier contracts. Last fiscal year, Walmart said it spent more than $13 billion on minority, women or veteran-owned good and service suppliers. It was unclear how its relationships with such business would change going forward. Organizations that that have partnered with Walmart on its diversity initiatives offered a cautious response. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, a non-profit that last year named Walmart one of America's top corporation for women-owned enterprises, said it was still evaluating the impact of Walmart's announcement. Pamela Prince-Eason, the president and CEO of the organization, said she hoped Walmart's need to cater to its diverse customer base will continue to drive contracts to women-owned suppliers even if the company no longer has explicit dollar goals. “I suspect Walmart will continue to have one of the most inclusive supply chains in the World,” Prince-Eason wrote. “Any retailer's ability to serve the communities they operate in will continue to value understanding their customers, (many of which are women), in order to better provide products and services desired and no one understands customers better than Walmart." Walmart's announcement came after the company spoke directly with conservative political commentator and activist Robby Starbuck, who has been going after corporate DEI policies, calling out individual companies on the social media platform X. Several of those companies have subsequently announced that they are pulling back their initiatives, including Ford , Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s and Tractor Supply . Walmart confirmed to The Associated Press that it will better monitor its third-party marketplace items to make sure they don’t feature sexual and transgender products aimed at minors. The company also will stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual benchmark index that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees. A Walmart spokesperson added that some of the changes were already in progress and not as a result of conversations that it had with Starbuck. RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, senior director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program, said companies that “abandon” their commitments workplace inclusion policies “are shirking their responsibility to their employees, consumers, and shareholders.” He said the buying power of LGBTQ customers is powerful and noted that the index will have “record participation” of more than 1,400 companies in 2025."jili fortune gems

    Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Reality TV star Shaughna Phillips has shared some big news about her boyfriend, heavily hinting to her fans that he's been released from prison early. The Love Island beauty, who rekindled her romance with Billy Webb earlier this year, announced the exciting update on social media. The couple, who began dating back in 2020, have had a real rollercoaster of a relationship, which includes welcoming their first child, one year old Lucia, together. Last January, Billy was taken into custody following a drug raid and for his involvement in a major cocaine supply plot, a situation that left pregnant Shaughna utterly heartbroken at the time, reports the Mirror . In an emotional message to her followers, Shaughna expressed her joy and disbelief at the turn of events, sharing: ""If you had told me this time last year, that me and Billy would be taking Lucia to see Santa next Christmas , I probably wouldn't have let myself believe you. The best couple of days, this Christmas is going to be so special." Viewers were treated to an adorable glimpse of the couple with their daughter enjoying some festive magic, as mum Shaughna beams with happiness. Not long ago, she had made a plea to the public asking them not to judge her for choosing to stand by Billy and now heads towards a very merry Christmas with her little family reunited. Asked by fans on social media if she would be appearing on the next series of Love Island All Stars, telling fans: "If I was single, I deffo would... Alas I am not so I will be sitting on my sofa watching my friends getting up to tomfoolery. I'm very happy with my little life." One fan asked if it was difficult to find another partner when she was a single parent, the reality star replied: “Not when it's her dad.” Shaughna, who never shies away from keeping it real, previously shared her experience of taking daughter Lucia to visit prison. On her podcast, Oh, Baby with Shaughna and Holly, she got candid, saying: "I want to just put it out there that you can judge me all you want, but please don't let me know, because I feel like unless you've been in this position you can't really have an opinion on it." She confessed her change in perspective, saying, "Because before I was in this position, before I had a baby, if you had asked me would I ever, ever take my child into a prison, the answer would be absolutely not. Anyone that does that is crazy. "And then, lo and behold, I'm now in this position. And I think the thing is, we're always going to be co-parents." She continued: "And I don't want Lucia to think differently of her father. I would never, ever stop him from seeing her, ever." The Love Island 2020 star shared with OK! the tough decision to take Lucia for prison visits to see her dad weekly. "This is not something I expected to be doing. I never would have chosen this life for my daughter," she confessed. "It's not a decision I made lightly and I won't lie, the first time I took her was really scary and daunting. I don't think it hit me what was happening until I got into the building. I was so nervous but it was never a question for me. I always knew I was going to take Lucia to visit her dad."Global stocks mostly higher in thin pre-Christmas tradeNone

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    HELENA — MSU-Northern, Montana Western, and Montana Tech athletes were honored Wednesday with weekly Frontier Conference men's and women's basketball honors. In the NAIA Coaches' Top-25 Poll released on Wednesday, Tech's men, at 8-0, ascended two spots to No. 5. Rocky Mountain College's men received votes. Providence's women's team held at No. 6, while Carroll College fell from No. 9 to No. 21. Rocky Mountain College and Tech received votes. HisBadHorse, from Lame Deer, scored a career-high 29 points to accompany 13 rebounds and cap a 2-0 week for the Skylights. She was 13-of-19 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line Northern's 79-73 victory over Embry-Riddle. HisBadHorse also went 7-of-13 from the field for 15 points in Northern’s 76-58 home victory over Dickinson State (N.D.) on Monday, Nov. 18. Gruhler led the Bulldogs in their comeback 75-68 victory over Dickinson State on Friday. He totaled 22 points after shooting 8-for-11 from the field, converting 5-of-6 free throws. He added a pair of assists and grabbed nine rebounds. Davis stole the ball five times in the Bulldogs’ 77-71 home victory over Northwest (Wash.) on Friday. She also grabbed five defensive rebounds in the game and totaled eight. Diekhans led the Orediggers’ defense as they posted a 2-0 record in California last week. He pulled down 12 rebounds and added three steals in Tech's 42-30 defensive battle with California-Merced on Wednesday. He also had a block in the game. Diekhans collected seven rebounds in Orediggers’ 91-68 victory at Pacific Union on Friday.

    Today, December 25, is a very special day for all of us. Our nation marks the 100th jayanti of our beloved former Prime Minister (PM) Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji. He stands tall as a statesman who continues to inspire countless people. Our nation will always be grateful to Atal ji for being the architect of India’s transition into the 21st century. When he took oath as PM in 1998, our nation had passed through a period of political instability. In about nine years, we had seen four Lok Sabha elections. The people of India were getting impatient and also sceptical about governments being able to deliver. It was Atal ji who turned this tide by providing stable and effective governance. Coming from humble roots, he realised the struggles of the common citizen and the transformative power of effective governance. One can see the long-term impact of Atal ji ’s leadership in so many sectors around us. His era marked a gigantic leap in the world of information technology, telecom, and communications. This was particularly important for a nation like ours, which is also blessed with very dynamic yuva shakti . The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government under Atal ji made the first serious attempt to make technology accessible to the common citizens. At the same time, there was foresight in connecting India. Even today, most people recall the Golden Quadrilateral Project, which connected the length and breadth of India. Equally notable were the Vajpayee government’s efforts to enhance local connectivity as well through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Similarly, his government gave a push to metro connectivity by doing extensive work for the Delhi Metro, which stands out as a world-class infrastructure project. Thus, the Vajpayee government not only boosted economic growth but also brought distant regions closer, fostering unity and integration. When it comes to the social sector, an initiative like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan highlights how Atal ji dreamt of building an India where modern education is accessible to people across the nation, particularly for the poor and marginalised sections. At the same time, his government presided over many economic reforms that set the stage for India’s economic surge after several decades of following an economic philosophy that encouraged cronyism and stagnation. A wonderful example of Atal ji ’s leadership can be seen in the summer of 1998. His government had just assumed office, and on May 11, India conducted the Pokhran tests, known as Operation Shakti. These tests exemplified the prowess of India’s scientific community. The world was stunned that India had done the tests and expressed its anger in no uncertain terms. Any ordinary leader would have buckled, but Atal j i was made differently. And what happened? India stood firm and resolute, with the government calling for another set of tests two days later, on May 13. If the tests of May 11 showed scientific skill, the ones on May 13 showed true leadership. It was a message to the world that gone were the days when India would buckle under threats or pressure. Despite facing international sanctions, the then NDA government of Atal ji stood firm, articulating India’s right to safeguard its sovereignty while simultaneously being the strongest proponent of world peace. Atal ji understood Indian democracy and the need to make it stronger. He presided over the creation of the NDA, which redefined coalitions in Indian politics. He brought people together and made the NDA a force for development, national progress, and regional ambitions. His parliamentary brilliance was seen throughout his political journey. He belonged to a party with a handful of MPs, but his words were enough to rattle the might of the all-powerful Congress party at the time. As PM, he blunted the criticisms of the Opposition with style and substance. His was a career spent largely on the Opposition benches, but he never carried any trace of bitterness against anyone, even though the Congress party stooped to new lows by calling him a traitor! He was also not one to cling to power through opportunistic means. He preferred to resign in 1996 instead of following the path of horse-trading and dirty politics. In 1999, his government was defeated by one vote. Many people told him to challenge the immoral politics happening then, but he preferred to go by the rules. Eventually, he came back with another resounding mandate from the people. When it comes to commitment to protecting our Constitution too, Atalji stands tall. He was deeply impacted by the martyrdom of Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Years later, he was a pillar of the anti-Emergency movement. In the run-up to the 1977 elections after the Emergency, he agreed to the merger of his own party (Jan Sangh) into the Janata Party. I am sure it would have been a painful decision for him and the others, but safeguarding the Constitution was all that mattered to him. It is also noteworthy how deeply rooted Atal ji was in Indian culture. Upon becoming India’s external affairs minister, he became the first Indian leader to speak in Hindi at the United Nations. This one gesture showcased his immense pride in India’s heritage and identity, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage. Atal ji’ s persona was magnetic and his life was enriched by his love for literature and expression. A prolific writer and poet, he used words to inspire, provoke thought, and even offer solace. His poetry, often reflective of his inner struggles and hopes for the nation, continues to resonate with people across age groups. For so many Bharatiya Janata Party karyakartas like me, it is our privilege that we were able to learn and interact with a person like Atal ji . His contribution to the BJP was foundational. In those days, spearheading an alternative narrative to the dominant Congress showed his greatness. Alongside stalwarts like LK Advani ji and Murli Manohar Joshi ji , he nurtured the party in its formative years, and guided it through challenges, setbacks, and triumphs. Whenever the choice arose between ideology and power, he always chose the former. He was able to convince the nation that an alternative worldview from the Congress was possible and such a worldview could deliver. On his 100th jayanti , let us rededicate ourselves to realising his ideals and fulfilling his vision for India. Let us strive to build an India that embodies his principles of good governance, unity, and progress. Atal ji ’s unwavering belief in the potential of our nation continues to inspire us to aim higher and work harder. Narendra Modi is Prime Minister of India

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    A trademark filing from Trump Media & Technology Group DJT has the cryptocurrency sector on high alert. President-elect Donald Trump's pro-crypto stance has already led to Bitcoin BTC/USD hitting several new all-time highs since the 2024 election. What Happened: Fresh off of reports that Trump Media & Technology Group was looking to acquire cryptocurrency company Bakkt Holdings BKKT , a new trademark filing could further signal the media company's growing crypto aspirations. Trademark attorney Josh Gerben shared a post about Trump Media Thursday, shown as T Media Tech LLC on the patent filing, which trademarks "TruthFi." The filing was made with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Nov. 18, according to Gerben. Gerben lists the following elements of the trademark filing for TruthFi: Digital wallets Analysis and compilation of data and statistics for financial research purposes Payment processing of cryptocurrency and credit cards Management of financial assets Digital asset trading Benzinga has contacted Trump Media for comment on the trademark filing. Did You Know? Congress Is Making Huge Investments. Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool Why It's Important: Gerben told the New York Times the trademark filing could be a way for Trump Media to reserve the desired name if it goes forward with plans for a crypto business. While the trademark filing doesn't guarantee that Trump Media will enter the cryptocurrency sector, Gerben said there is a high chance of this. "In my experience, most of the time if a client is going to file an application, there is something going on," Gerben told the Times. The New York Times said Trump Media launching a cryptocurrency business could involve acquiring a company given its small employee count. The Financial Times previously reported that Trump Media was in advanced talks to acquire Bakkt, a cryptocurrency company backed by Intercontinental Exchange ICE . Bakkt said in June it was exploring strategic alternatives that could include a sale or breakup of the company. Trump does not have a role at Trump Media, but is the largest shareholder of the company he co-founded, with around 53% of shares. Donald Trump Jr. , his eldest son, is on the company’s board. The president-elect previously spoke ill of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency before reversing course before the 2024 election, a move that won him potential votes from single-issue cryptocurrency voters. An acquisition of Bakkt would push Trump’s media company and the president-elect deeper into the cryptocurrency sector, which comes after he promoted a crypto venture called World Liberty Financial with business partners. A push into the cryptocurrency sector by Trump's media company and the appointment of new pro-crypto executives in his White House administration could prove to be a win-win for the president-elect. DJT, BKKT Price Action: Trump Media shares gained 1.3% Thursday, closing at $30.49 versus a 52-week trading range of $22.55 to $79.38. Bakkt shares were down 1.6% to $31.10 versus a 52-week trading range of $5.57 to $68.75. Bakkt stock is down 41% year-to-date, but higher in the last five days by more than 140%. Read Next: A Hedge Fund Hit Big On Trump’s Rumored Crypto Acquisition And Could Be Up $14.15 Million Photo via Shutterstock. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death rowNone

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    Charged of alleged $265 mn bribe plot New Delhi: The combined market valuation of all ten listed Adani Group firms fell sharply by Rs 2.19 lakh crore on Thursday, more than double of what the conglomerate had lost when the US short seller Hindenburg brought out a damning report in January 2023. Shares of Adani Group firms fell sharply as billionaire Gautam Adani was charged by US prosecutors for allegedly being part of a scheme to pay $265 million (about Rs 2,200 crore) bribe to Indian officials in exchange for favourable terms for solar power contracts. Adani, India’s second-richest man, and seven others including his nephew Sagar have been charged with paying bribes to unidentified officials of state governments in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to buy expensive solar power, potentially earning more than $2 billion profit over 20 years. Adani Group denied charges of paying bribes, saying the allegations by US prosecutors are baseless. The group said it is compliant with all laws. It said all possible legal recourse will be sought. “The allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied,” the group spokesperson said in a statement. The stock of the group’s flagship firm, Adani Enterprises, plunged 22.61%, Adani Energy Solutions tanked 20%, Adani Green Energy plummeted 18.80%, Adani Ports dived 13.53%, Ambuja Cements cracked 11.98% and Adani Total Gas tumbled 10.40% on the BSE. Shares of Adani Wilmar declined 9.98%, Adani Power slumped 9.15%, ACC fell 7.29% and NDTV dipped 0.06%. Meanwhile, Kenya’s President William Ruto said on Thursday that he has cancelled multimillion-dollar airport expansion and energy deals with Gautam Adani after the US bribery and fraud indictments. Ruto said in a state of the nation address the decision was made “based on new information provided by our investigative agencies and partner nations”, without naming the United States. The Adani Group had been in the process of signing an agreement that would modernise Kenya’s main airport in the capital, Nairobi, with an additional runway and terminal constructed, in exchange for the group running the airport for 30 years. The widely criticised deal had sparked anti-Adani protests in Kenya and a strike by airport workers, who said it would lead to degraded working conditions and job losses in some cases. The Adani Group had also been awarded a deal to construct power transmission lines in Kenya, East Africa’s business hub.Belarus grants asylum to fugitive Polish judge wanted on spying allegationsNoneCouncil supports Safe Haven Baby Box in Berea

    Shatel: Unpacking Tony White's chess move to Florida State, no Nebraska-Iowa handshakeLook good, feel better! Experts reveal 10 ways to have a major glow up in the new yearFianna Fail and Fine Gael eye independent TDs as option to secure Dail majority

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