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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by handing out more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations Monday, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining $147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it's possible that Buffett's children could die before giving it all away. He didn't identify the successors, but said his kids all know them and agree they would be good choices. “Father time always wins. But he can be fickle – indeed unfair and even cruel – sometimes ending life at birth or soon thereafter while, at other times, waiting a century or so before paying a visit,” the 94-year-old Buffett said in a letter to his fellow shareholders Monday. “To date, I’ve been very lucky, but, before long, he will get around to me. There is, however, a downside to my good fortune in avoiding his notice. The expected life span of my children has materially diminished since the 2006 pledge. They are now 71, 69 and 66.” Buffett said he still has no interest in creating dynastic wealth in his family — a view shared by his first and current wives. He acknowledged giving Howard, Peter and Susie millions over the years, but he has long said he believes “hugely wealthy parents should leave their children enough so they can do anything but not enough that they can do nothing.” The secret to building up such massive wealth over time has been the power of compounding interest and the steady growth of the Berkshire conglomerate Buffett leads through acquisitions and smart investments like buying billions of dollars of Apple shares as iPhone sales continued to drive growth in that company. Buffett never sold any of his Berkshire stock over the years and also resisted the trappings of wealth and never indulged in much — preferring instead to continue living in the same Omaha home he'd bought decades earlier and drive sensible luxury sedans about 20 blocks to work each day. “As a family, we have had everything we needed or simply liked, but we have not sought enjoyment from the fact that others craved what we had,” he said. If Buffett and his first wife had never given away any of their Berkshire shares, the family's fortune would be worth nearly $364 billion — easily making him the world's richest man — but Buffett said he had no regrets about his giving over the years. The family's giving began in earnest with the distribution of Susan Buffett's $3 billion estate after her death in 2004, but really took off when Warren Buffett announced plans in 2006 to make annual gifts to the foundations run by his kids along with the one he and his wife started, as well as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Warren Buffett's giving to date has favored the Gates Foundation with $55 billion in stock because his friend Bill Gates already had his foundation set up and could handle huge gifts when Buffett started giving away his fortune. But Buffett has said his kids now have enough experience in philanthropy to handle the task and he plans to cut off his Gates Foundation donations after his death. Buffett always makes his main annual gifts to all five foundations every summer, but for several years now he has been giving additional Berkshire shares to his family's foundations at Thanksgiving. Buffett reiterated Monday his advice to every parent to allow their families to read their will while they are still alive — like he has done — to make sure they have a chance to explain their decisions about how to distribute their belongings and answer their children's questions. Buffett said he and his longtime investing partner Charlie Munger, who died a year ago, “saw many families driven apart after the posthumous dictates of the will left beneficiaries confused and sometimes angry.” Today, Buffett continues to lead Berkshire Hathaway as chairman and CEO and has no plans to retire although he has handed over most of the day-to-day managing duties for the conglomerates dozens of companies to others. That allows him to focus on his favorite activity of deciding where to invest Berkshire's billions . One of Buffett's deputies who oversees all the noninsurance companies now, Greg Abel, is set to take over as CEO after Buffett's death. Even after converting 1,600 Class A shares into 2.4 million Class B Berkshire shares and giving them away, Buffett still owns 206,363 Class A shares and controls more than 30% of the vote.Delhi: BJP’s women wing protests against AAP’s aid scheme
Tuesday’s contest that pits the Furman Paladins (6-0) versus the Seattle U Redhawks (2-3) at T-Mobile Arena has a projected final score of 75-71 (based on our computer prediction) in favor of Furman, who is slightly favored in this matchup according to our model. Game time is at 11:30 PM ET on November 26. According to our computer prediction, Furman is a good bet to cover the spread, which is listed at 2.5. The two sides are projected to go over the 141.5 total. Watch men’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Place your bets on any men’s college basketball matchup at BetMGM. Sign up today using our link. Furman has gone 4-0-0 against the spread, while Seattle U’s ATS record this season is 1-3-0. In terms of hitting the over, games involving the Paladins are 1-3-0 and the Redhawks are 2-2-0. The teams combine to score 164.3 points per game, 22.8 more points than this matchup’s total. Bet on this or any men’s college basketball matchup at BetMGM. Rep your favorite players with officially licensed gear. Head to Fanatics to find jerseys, shirts, hats, and much more. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .GISD officials hoping for success, have plan in case of failure
Broncos cut Greg Dulcich
GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (AP) — Javan Buchanan's 28 points off of the bench led Boise State to an 83-82 victory against South Dakota State on Monday. Buchanan went 11 of 17 from the field (4 for 8 from 3-point range) for the Broncos (5-1). Alvaro Cardenas Torre added 16 points while going 6 of 13 (3 for 6 from 3-point range) while they also had seven assists. Julian Bowie went 4 of 4 from the field (3 for 3 from 3-point range) to finish with 13 points. Oscar Cluff finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Jackrabbits (5-2). Joe Sayler added 19 points for South Dakota State. Kalen Garry had 13 points and five assists. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Demystifying the Local AI Ecosystem to Inform Future Growth SEATTLE , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA), a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a robust, equity-centered technology sector that empowers thriving communities, today released a comprehensiv e report detailing Washington state's artificial intelligence (AI) landscape . The Washington State Artificial Intelligence Landscape report provides a deep dive into the state's AI ecosystem, highlighting key trends, challenges, and opportunities for growth. The report was developed in partnership with Moonbeam Exchange and by the WTIA Advanced Technology Cluster , which is funded through the Washington State Department of Commerce Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program. The report highlights Washington's leadership, strengths, opportunities, and areas for improvement. The report finds that Washington state ranks 6th across the US according to 5 key innovation dimensions (Startups, Government-Industry R&D, Government-Academia R&D, Investors, Jobs). Individually, Washington ranks: " Washington state is at the forefront as it extends its global expertise in cloud computing to power the next wave of AI ," said Nirav Desai, CEO at Moonbeam Exchange. "This report underscores the state's potential to become a global leader in AI. We are excited to collaborate with the WTIA to share these insights with the broader community." "AI is transforming industries and creating new economic opportunities," said Kelly Fukai , COO at WTIA. "This report provides valuable data and analysis that will help policymakers, businesses, and investors understand the AI landscape in Washington state and capitalize on its growth potential." The report offers actionable insights that will be used to inform economic development, workforce development, and policy activities across the state to foster AI innovation and development in Washington . These recommendations include: The full report is available for download here : https://share.hsforms.com/1RAtJGiVkSwaXLwuNoZXzQgr4oir . About WTIA The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) is a consortium that includes a not-for-profit member trade association, a federally and state regulated association health plan, and a for profit corporation providing business services. The organization's mission is to foster a robust, equity-centered technology sector that empowers thriving communities. We recruit technology companies and allies that view diversity as a competitive advantage, value collaboration as essential to sustainable growth, and fully embrace the opportunity to partner with and empower the communities in which we operate. Contact: Nick Ellingson , Advanced Technology Cluster Manager, Nick@watech.org View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/washington-technology-industry-association-releases-washington-state-artificial-intelligence-landscape-report-302315909.html SOURCE Washington Technology Industry Association
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Missed kicks. Poor tackling. Costly penalties. Week 12 was filled with sloppy play around the NFL, leading to some upsets and surprising outcomes. Jayden Daniels nearly led Washington to an improbable comeback down 10 in the final two minutes against Dallas only to fall short because Austin Seibert's extra point sailed wide left. After a field goal and successful onside kick, Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin on an 86-yard catch-and-run touchdown to bring the Commanders within one point with 21 seconds remaining. But Seibert's point-after attempt failed and the Cowboys returned the ensuing onside kick for a touchdown to seal a 34-26 victory. Special teams were atrocious for both teams. Seibert also missed his first extra point and Washington allowed KaVontae Turpin's 99-yard kickoff return for a score earlier in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys missed a field goal, had another blocked and had a punt blocked. "What a wild special teams moment of blocked punts, kicks, kickoff returns, blocked field goals, just a number of things going to that spot," Commanders coach Dan Quinn said. Washington (7-5) was a 10 1/2-point favorite over the undermanned Cowboys (4-7) but ended up losing a third straight game. The Houston Texans were 8-point favorites against the lowly Tennessee Titans and let the game come down to Ka'imi Fairbairn missing a 28-yard field goal that would have tied it with just under two minutes left. C.J. Stroud threw two interceptions, was sacked four times and the Texans (7-5) committed 11 penalties, including an illegal shift that negated a go-ahead 33-yard TD pass to Nico Collins on the drive that ended with Fairbairn's miss in the 32-27 loss. The Titans (3-8) averaged just 17 points per game before putting 32 on the scoreboard against Houston's defense that entered No. 4 in the league. "We didn't do anything well enough to win this game," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "Out of all the positives that we did have, there were way too many negatives. Too many negative plays. Score, get a penalty, get touchdowns called back. Get penalties on special teams. Just way too many negative plays defensively, like unexplainable explosives for touchdowns. We just didn't play good across the board." The San Francisco 49ers didn't have quarterback Brock Purdy, star edge rusher Nick Bosa and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams against Green Bay. That was no excuse for their undisciplined performance. The Niners committed nine penalties and their tackling was shoddy in a 38-10 loss to the Packers. The defending NFC champions are 5-6 with a trip to Buffalo (9-2) coming up. They're still only one game behind Seattle and Arizona in the NFC West. "I'm really not concerned right now about how many guys were missing. We didn't play good enough, so that's not a factor. But, when you are missing some guys, you do have to be better. When you have those penalties and we didn't stop the run like we did and we had those three turnovers in the second half, that's how you get embarrassed." Coming off their first loss of the season, the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs needed Patrick Mahomes' heroics on the final drive to beat Carolina 30-27. Mahomes ran 33 yards to set up Spencer Schrader's 31-yard field goal as time expired. Kansas City had 10 penalties, including a pass interference that gave the Panthers (3-8) another chance to make the 2-point conversion that tied the game with 1:46 remaining. On defense, the Chiefs (10-1) suddenly shaky unit gave up 334 total yards against Bryce Young and an offense that entered last in the NFL. "We've got to do better. We're doing good in the red zone but that's only a third of the field," Chiefs safety Bryan Cook said. "We will go back and look at the film to see what we're doing week to week, and see the tendencies that we're giving up, and just move forward from there. At the end of the day, we're all vets in the room for the most part. ... got to go back to the drawing board and see what we're doing and correct it from there." The Vikings allowed the Bears to recover an onside kick with 21 seconds left and Caleb Williams followed with a 27-yard pass to D.J. Moore to set up Cairo Santos' tying 48-yard field goal. But Minnesota won in overtime, 30-27. The Chiefs and Vikings overcame their mistakes in narrow victories. The Commanders, Texans and 49ers couldn't. They have to be better down the stretch to make a playoff run. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!The Miami Dolphins have made chicken salad, as they know. They’ve raised the Titanic to have some freshly-cut optimism. They know that, too. They’re also rich with record-stuffing, statistic-bulging victories against lesser teams again this season — and lacking in the kind of impressive wins that would again define them as anything substantial. Their best weapon heading to Green Bay on Thursday night is they know all this, too. “I’m excited to kill narratives,” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said after Sunday’s win over the New England Patriots . “So, let’s go. Bring it on.” Can’t beat playoff teams. Really can’t beat playoff teams on the road. Really, really can’t beat them on the road in cold weather. Those are the narratives stitched together across three years about these Dolphins. There’s no calling Ghostbusters to exterminate them. This team thinks it’s experienced enough heartbreak and falling short to embrace some necessary lessons of failure heading to the Packers (8-3) game. Related Articles “I’m very comfortable with narratives because they’re very predictable and retroactive,” coach Mike McDaniel said Monday. They can be starkly, painfully true, too. The Dolphins (5-6) were 3-12 against playoff teams in McDaniel’s first two years. Add two losses to Buffalo and another to Arizona this season — the Dolphins’ only opponents making the playoff cut today — and they’re 3-15. They’re 0-11 on the road against these teams. They’re 0-4 against them below 39 degrees. Or, if you want to go all Al Roker involving the weather, this franchise is 0-11 in similarly cold games since 2017. It’s expected to be around 37 degrees at kickoff in Green Bay (with a 48 percent chance of precipitation, nine mph winds and fair air quality). McDaniel thinks the Dolphins have a better handle on the weather issue since the 2022 playoff game in Buffalo when, ‘half the team had never played in cold before and it was my first time in that element with those guys. At this point, we’re a little more familiar.” But let’s talk like adults. This game won’t be decided by the bogeyman of weather. It won’t be about the road, either, as much as how the Dolphins handle the big moments that always separate champs from wannabes by the slimmest of margins. That’s not just in the NFL, where the Kansas City won its 10th game Sunday by another field goal, and Las Vegas lost its ninth when a final drive went nowhere. Pick any sport. Pick tennis. Roger Federer addressed Dartmouth graduates in June and noted, “Even top-ranked tennis players win barely half the tennis points they play.” Federer won 54 percent of his career points. That’s it. It’s barely believable considering his 20 Grand Slam titles. But his teaching point was he mentally managed the losing points across his career and, more importantly, won the biggest points. That’s where the Dolphins are Thursday. They’re in a big game, sure. And big games typically come down to a handful of plays they’ll need to win, the ones they didn’t in the last month in losing to Buffalo and Arizona. No such game-deciding plays were needed in comfortable, double-digit wins against the 5-6 Los Angeles Rams, 2-9 Raiders or 3-9 Patriots. Those wins were needed to right a trouble season. McDaniel’s East Coast Offense, a ball-control, Tua-at-the-controls update of Bill Walsh’s West Coast Offense, is clicking to 30.3 points on this three-game win streak. The defense hasn’t allowed more than 19 points over it. The special teams haven’t broken down once. But the Dolphins have typically looked strong in these kind of games against those kind of opponents. Now comes the other kind of opponent, the one they’ve had trouble beating. “I really don’t think this team has to be told it’s a big game,” McDaniel said. “This is game we’ve been building for.” Green Bay, at 8-3, is the last legitimate contender on the Dolphins schedule. Houston (7-5) is a borderline playoff team that plays in the weak AFC South. San Francisco, at 5-6, isn’t the opponent you feared in August. So, Green Bay is a measuring-stick moment for these Dolphins who are so full of feel-good after three consecutive wins. They should be, too. They also should heed Federer’s words to Dartmouth’s graduates that, “You want to become a master at overcoming hard moments. That is, to me, the sign of a champion.” Champions won’t be crowned Thursday. But some unwanted narratives can be dented. The legitimacy of this season’s turnaround is at stake. It’s on a national platform, too, which adds to the fun. Bring it on, as Tua said.
Israeli attorney general orders probe into report that alleged Netanyahu's wife harassed opponents
Gael Bustos is a lucky boy. He opened birthday gifts on Tuesday when he turned seven, and he got to tear open his Christmas presents the very next day. He just had one problem: the Pokemon figure he got as a gift was already in his collection. So on Thursday, Gael and his mom, Yessenia Bustos, walked into the Target at 6525 W. Diversey in Belmont Cragin to return the gift. And Gael knows exactly what he’s going to do with his refund. “I want a case for my Nintendo Switch,” he said. The Bustos are among many Americans heading to stores the day after Christmas to return gifts. It’s expected to be the biggest day for returns. The National Retail Federation estimated that 17% of items purchased for the holidays will be returned this year. But consumer advocates warn shoppers to heed store’s return policies, noting that many enacted changes this year. “Many major retailers continue to recognize the value of an easy return policy and therefore give customers more time to make returns, and don’t charge for return shipping,” said Edgar Dworksy, founder of Consumer World. “At the same time, others are taking steps to combat return fraud by restricting certain returns, or imposing shipping fees to discourage online returns and offset return processing costs.” Target shortened its extended holiday return policy by five weeks, now starting November 7 instead of October 1, according to a statement from Consumer World. Walmart no longer provides cash back for returns without a receipt under $10, and managers can accept or reject any item for return. But Walmart , like most stores, still offers extended holiday return periods where gifts purchased as early as October first can be returned until mid- to late-January, said the consumer group. And Amazon has also begun allowing some return-less returns where customers can keep some less expensive items in some cases rather than return them to avoid the costs of shipping and inspection. Dworsky advised shoppers to read a store’s return policy before heading out the door. Small stores are also seeing returns, though not at the scale of the major retailers. Stella Kukadia, manager at Timeless Toys in Lincoln Square, says the day after Christmas isn’t too busy with returns at the store. They usually get more returns in January from people who live further away from the city. The store, which specializes in retro toys, has a 30 day return policy for items in new condition but that can be flexible, Kukadia said. Shoppers will get store credit that doesn’t expire. Kukadia recommends anyone looking to return an item to the store to hold off a few days because their stock is usually limited after the Christmas shopping season. “There might not be as much stuff for you to choose from as there normally might be throughout the year,” Kukadia said. Consumer World also advised shoppers to avoid making returns the day after Christmas in order to miss the crowds and to instead go a few days after the holiday. That might not work for shoppers who want to get their returns out of the way. Tamika Tolar, 40, said she headed to the Northwest Side Target Thursday because she was concerned that if she waited, the store would hold her responsible for the issue with her item, a three piece Tupperware set. Tolar bought the gift for her food-loving mom on Black Friday, but when the gift was finally opened on Christmas, the family realized two of the three pieces were missing. “I figured if I came the day after Christmas I wouldn’t have that issue,” Tolar said, thankful that it didn’t ruin her holiday. “It’s just a Tupperware set.”Manmohan Singh, India’s reluctant prime minister, dies aged 92None
Lynne Roberts wasn't looking to leave as Utah women's basketball coach. Then she got a call from LA
Lou Carnesecca: A true New York sports icon worthy of the city's love
NoneEAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The game had suddenly gone sideways for the Minnesota Vikings , their 11-point lead on the Chicago Bears having evaporated in the closing seconds. They straightened it out in overtime, no sweat, because Sam Darnold simply hasn't been fazed. Save for his occasional rash of turnovers, in games the Vikings still managed to win, Darnold proved again on Sunday in defeating the Bears that he's directing a passing attack with the potential to be one of the NFL 's most potent. “I think he’s a mentally tough guy. I think he’s a physically tough guy. I think he’s confident in the guys around him, and I think he’s confident in our system,” coach Kevin O'Connell said after the 30-27 victory. “I think when he just continues to play quarterback at a high level, I think we’re a tough team.” After the defense forced the Bears to punt on the opening possession of overtime, Darnold led the Vikings on a 68-yard drive to set up the game-ending field goal while overcoming a 7-yard sack on the first play and two subsequent setbacks with a false start and a holding penalty. On third-and-10 from the 21, he hit Jordan Addison near the sideline for 13 yards. On first-and-15 from the 29, Darnold threaded a throw to Justin Jefferson for 20 yards after he'd muscled his way through Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson on a post route for the clutch catch after he'd been all but silenced all afternoon by a defense determined to constantly bracket him with double coverage. On second-and-11 from the 48, Darnold connected with a wide-open T.J. Hockenson underneath for 12 yards. Then two plays later off a second-and-8 play-action fake, he found Hockenson again on a deep corner route for 29 yards to put Parker Romo in prime position for the walk-off winner. “Just execute. It’s as simple as that. Just one play at a time," said Darnold, who went 22 for 34 for 330 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. “I think I tell the guys that every single time in the huddle, but that’s my mindset every single time I’m out there on the field, especially in that situation.” Even when Jefferson continues to draw an extraordinary amount of coverage , the Vikings with Addison, Hockenson, Aaron Jones and the rest of their crew running O'Connell's system have proven they have an offense that can go win a game when it's required. That wouldn't be possible without Darnold, whose career rebirth has helped spark the Vikings (9-2) become one of the league's biggest surprises in what's now its most difficult division. “He’s cool, calm, collected,” Hockenson said. "That’s what you want as the leader of the huddle.” The Vikings' defense ranks ninth in the league on third downs, allowing a conversion rate of 34.5% after limiting the Bears to a 6-for-17 performance. The Vikings are tied for first on fourth downs with an allowance of 36.4% after the Bears went 2 for 3. Both conversions came in the fourth quarter during touchdown drives. The Vikings also rank fourth in the NFL in opponent points per drive (1.52). The Vikings had seven possessions that crossed the 20-yard line in Chicago, but only three of them yielded touchdowns. Their lone turnover was the type of game-altering giveaways they've struggled to eliminate this month, a fumble by Aaron Jones at the 1-yard line that ruined a promising first drive. The Vikings are tied for 20th in the league in red zone touchdown rate (53.9%) and are 17th in goal-to-go touchdowns (72%). Addison had eight catches for 162 yards, both career highs, and a touchdown on nine throws from Darnold. The second-year wide receiver has had a quieter season than his rookie year, but he stepped up in a significant way on an afternoon when Jefferson was as smothered by the opposing secondary as ever. TE Johnny Mundt had the onside kick glance off his shin as he charged toward the coverage, and the first kicking team recovery in the NFL this season helped the Bears extend the game. Mundt also had the false start on the overtime drive. His lone catch was a 7-yard gain when he was stopped short of the goal line, one play before the lost fumble. Mundt played 33 of 71 snaps and Hockenson took 48 snaps with Oliver out. The Vikings lost LT Cam Robinson (foot) and LB Ivan Pace (hamstring) to injuries in the first quarter against the Bears, and O'Connell said on Monday those players were still in "evaluation mode." Oliver (ankle) will have an opportunity to return after being sidelined last week. 101.7 — Darnold's passer rating, which ranks ninth in the NFL. Darnold has posted a 100-plus passer rating in nine of 11 games this season. He had only 12 such performances in 56 career starts before joining the Vikings. The Vikings have four of their next five games at home, starting with Arizona (6-5) this week, Atlanta (6-5) on Dec. 8 and a rematch with Chicago (4-7) in a Monday night game on Dec. 16. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Buchanan scores 28 off the bench, Boise State downs South Dakota State 83-82GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador — A probe into the military's role in the disappearance of four children in Ecuador this month was delayed for almost two weeks, even though police had access to surveillance videos showing soldiers taking two of the children, The Associated Press has learned. The case of the children, aged 11 to 15, who went missing on Dec. 8 in the coastal city of Guayaquil after playing a soccer, has struck a nerve in Ecuador, with rights groups and the public demanding information about their whereabouts and asking that the case be investigated as a forced disappearance. The surveillance video was handed in to authorities a day after the children went missing, two persons familiar with the investigation told the AP. But an investigation of the military’s role in the disappearance was not announced until 15 days later. The two spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the case. The probe only started after the children's families went on local news channels and social media to demand more action from authorities. The security footage, showing men in military uniform grabbing two boys and driving off with them in a pickup truck, became public earlier this week. The two children in the video are believed to be among the four who disappeared that night. Get the latest breaking news as it happens. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . On Tuesday, four badly charred bodies were found near an air force base in the city of Taura, officials said, and they were looking into whether the bodies could be of the missing children. Later that day, 16 soldiers from the base were arrested. Investigators said it could take up to a month to confirm if the bodies are of the children because their fingerprints had been burnt off and forensic workers will have to extract DNA fragments from bones or teeth for identification purposes. People protest outside the prosecutor's office against the disappearance of four children who were last seen on Dec. 8 running away from a military convoy in Guayaquil, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. Credit: AP/Cesar Munoz The soldiers are due to appear at a hearing next Tuesday, where they are expected to be charged with the forced disappearance of the children, according to the Attorney General’s Office. Ecuador’s Defense Minister, Gian Carlo Lofffredo said Thursday that the 16 soldiers will also be questioned by a military tribunal and that the patrol linked to the disappeared children had not been authorized by officers at the Taura base. Ecuador’s police deferred questions from the AP about the videos to the national prosecutor’s office, which declined to respond. The Ministry of Defense and the Ecuadorean army also did not respond to questions about the footage. Violence in Ecuador intensified in January after a gang leader escaped from prison amid deadly riots. Two days later, members of another drug gang attacked a television channel and interrupted a live broadcast to make demands to the government. People protest outside the prosecutor's office against the disappearance of four children who were last seen on Dec. 8 running away from a military convoy in Guayaquil, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. The sign reads in Spanish "Where are our children? The four from Guayaquil, Ecuador." Credit: AP/Cesar Munoz President Daniel Noboa's government has leaned on the military to curb gang violence . However, the military has now been implicated in several abuses, including the disappearance of two children in August in the central province of Los Rios, and the case of a 19-year-old who was fatally shot by the military at a checkpoint on a road in Guayaquil. Noboa has promised to reduce violence as he prepares to run for reelection in February. But many Ecuadorians have expressed their discontent as the homicide rate has tripled in the South American country since 2021, and extortion by drug gangs has forced thousands of people to migrate to the United States.Singh calls on Ottawa to extend $250 rebate to cover seniors, vulnerable Canadians
MALAGA, Spain — As Rafael Nadal prepared to serve in what turned out to be the last tennis match of his career, a woman's voice broke the silence from the stands: "You make Spain proud!" Not long after that, Nadal was wiping away tears from his face and waving goodbye to his fans. His farewell from tennis was as emotional as expected when it came in Malaga on Tuesday, too soon for most. Nadal deliberately set up his swansong on a home court but Spain was eliminated in the Davis Cup quarterfinals and he and they couldn't complete his exalted career with a win. It was also heart-wrenching for his fans across Spain as they saw one of the country's very best — arguably its greatest sportsperson ever — finally call it quits. "It's clear that Rafa is the best athlete ever in Spain. He is on a different level than everyone else, by far," Feliciano López, a former tennis player and the tournament director of the Davis Cup Finals, told The Associated Press. "No disrespect to all other Spanish athletes, and we have very good ones, but no one has been able to inspire the fans the same way that Rafa did." López, who was Nadal's teammate in the Davis Cup, compared him to the likes of Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali, all athletes who transcended sports. "There is a very small group of athletes who, during their careers, were able to inspire people in a special way, going beyond sports," López said. "Rafa belongs to this small group. People everywhere in the world will remember Rafa some 40 or 50 years from now." Unable to overcome a string of injuries in recent years, the 38-year-old Nadal retired from professional tennis after more than 20 years on tour and 22 Grand Slam titles, two more than Roger Federer and second only to the 24 of Novak Djokovic, the only one of the Big Three still playing. The front pages of Spain's dailies all talked about Nadal following his farewell match — a 6-4, 6-4 defeat against No. 80 Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands. "It was an honor," the sports daily AS said. "Thank you, Rafa," Marca headlined. "Eternal," Mundo Deportivo said. It's hard to find any other Spanish athlete coming close to Nadal's fame and sporting achievements. Other Spaniards who have earned sporting greatness include five-time major golf champion Seve Ballesteros; five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Induráin, two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol; two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso; six-time MotoGP champion Marc Márquez; and four-time Dakar Rally winner Carlos Sainz. Spain also has a long list of successful soccer players, including World Cup winners Iker Casillas and Andrés Iniesta, but none with a status like a Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, who have transcended sports like Nadal. Nadal is also a two-time Olympic champion, and was Spain's flag-bearer during the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. He is adored in Spain just as much for his victories as he is for his passion and unwavering dedication, and is seen as an example for society in general for his values and humbleness on and off the courts. "Nadal makes us Spaniards feel proud. He represents the values of passion, camaraderie, solidarity. He will always be the image of sport in Spain," said Clara García, a 35-year-old fan who was in Malaga to watch Nadal. "It's not easy knowing that he won't be playing and representing Spain on the courts around the world anymore." Federer gushed about his friend and longtime foe's retirement in an open letter. "You made Spain proud, you made the whole tennis world proud. You have always been a role model for kids around the world." Nadal told the crowd in his farewell ceremony after Spain's loss that he always "strived to be better and achieve my goals from a place of respect, humility, and I valued all the good things that happened to me. "I've tried to be a good person, which was what mattered the most to me, and I hope that you have noticed that." Fellow tennis pros Djokovic and Serena Williams, as well as former soccer stars David Beckham and other athletes praised Nadal. "Thank you for so many incredible moments and memories as a tennis fan and for everything that you have done to inspire young people around the world," former England and Real Madrid player Beckham said. "My goodness, you will be missed," Williams said. Carlos Alcaraz, regarded as Nadal's heir in Spanish tennis — he already has four Grand Slam titles at 21 — said it will be hard to avoid the inevitable pressure that will come along with following in the footsteps of his idol. "I don't want to think that we have to continue his legacy. I don't want it to be a frustration if we don't reach the level that he reached," Alcaraz said. "If I achieve half of what he achieved, I will be happy. His legacy is going to be eternal." It wasn't quite clear what the future would hold for Nadal, who is an avid golfer and who has always been linked to Real Madrid. He has said in the past he would probably enjoy being the club's president one day. "My life will change radically," Nadal said on Wednesday after arriving home in Mallorca, where he also has the Rafa Nadal Academy. "I have to accept this change as something normal, and accept that my life will be different now than it was for the last 30 years or so. I'm excited about it, there is no doubt." One thing was certain: Nadal will never be too far away from tennis. "I'll retire from the sport but I will continue to be available for whatever is needed, and to being a good ambassador, which is what I have tried to do my entire life."
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