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Council traffic engineers are proposing a range of measures to address problems stemming from the popularity of Flour bakery-cafe in a three-shop neighbourhood centre in Willarong Road, Caringbah. or signup to continue reading The proposals are being criticised by both residents and the business owners, who in recent months have been working together to find solutions. They believe the council's proposals create an "us versus them" scenario. A 105-page report by council staff is due to be considered by the Traffic and Safety Committee on Friday. Flour has had incredible popularity since being opened a year ago by James Cameron and Abbey Cadell, who were part owners of Grind Espresso at Cronulla. The council has since been deluged with complaints from residents about traffic congestion and accidents, pedestrian safety, night-time noise from delivery trucks, parking on verges and other matters. Proposed measures in the recommended option by staff include installing a pedestrian crossing slightly to the south of the bakery-cafe, making parking n front of all the businesses rear to kerb and spaces in front of Flour a Loading Zone for three hours each weekday morning and 1/4 hour parking at other times. Customers would be stopped from using a laneway to access parking at the rear of the centre, and the bus stop would be moved. Geoff Streater, who lives next door, and the business operators agree the proposed pedestrian crossing is in the wrong spot, next to driveways for Flour and his house, and should be moved north, roughly in front of the barber shop. Both also believe the council should have have consulted more. "The massive concern for everyone is that no one knew about this report, it was only by chance that it was sent to a resident," Ms Cadell said. "They put out a survey out and asked for our opinions, so we knew there would be a report at some point, but it has kind of turned up without our knowing. "I don't like any of the options. I don't think any of them fix anyone's problems - they upset more than they appease. "I know we are not traffic engineers, but if they had brought the businesses and neighbours together and came up with a solution everyone was reasonably happy with it, it would have been better than creating an 'us versus them' scenario, which they kind of have." Mr Streater said, "My beef isn't with the Flour owners. I do believe in recent months they have been trying to make change and work with us. "But we are all being stopped in our tracks by council. "We are all at a stage we want peace to work together, and it started to happen until council threw this one at us. "We are pulling together as one against the decisions of council." Jimmy Fairlie, who owns the property in which Flour is located, said the removal of car parking in front of, and at the rear, would force parking further up side streets. St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reporter covering politics, urban affairs, council, development and general community news.Email: mtrembath@theleader.com.au St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reporter covering politics, urban affairs, council, development and general community news.Email: mtrembath@theleader.com.au

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completed full five-on-five scrimmages with the on Monday and the team is hopeful he's going to make his season debut at some point after Thanksgiving, sources told ESPN. Monday marked the first time Middleton participated in five-on-five play during his rehab process as he works toward feeling physically ready for his season debut from double ankle surgeries in the offseason. He has been medically cleared to play for some time now, according to sources. Middleton has increased his on-court activity and has consistently completed 3-on-3 play over the past several weeks. Middleton is a three-time All-Star, a 2021 NBA champion and an Olympic gold medalist. Injuries have limited him to 88 regular-season games since the start of the 2022-23 season, but he has still been a productive player when he plays and the Bucks believe he can be a difference-maker after their 5-9 start. The 33-year-old averaged 15.1 points, 5.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds on 49% shooting last season.In your everyday life, time and space know how to behave. A kilometre is a kilometre, and an hour is an hour – no matter how late you are running. Perception is not reality. Einstein showed space and time were one thing, and it bends and warps. A decade ago, astronomers for the first time observed gravitational waves: universe-spanning ripples that move through space-time – and through us. This discovery proved to be only part of the story. Astronomers are finding our universe is so permeated by gravitational waves, the fabric of reality is constantly in flux. Australian astronomers have created the most detailed maps of gravitational waves across the universe to date. Credit: Carl Knox / OzGrav / Swinburne University of Technology / South African Radio Astronomy Observatory The picture that is coming into focus, says astronomer Dr Matt Miles, is one that shows the universe as a vast ocean, dark and powerful. “The Earth is really just a ship, being bounced across the waves. The universe is constantly changing size. Time is constantly changing. The Earth is just riding that wave.” In a series of papers published last week in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society , a group of Australian astronomers reveal the strongest evidence yet for what they call the “gravitational wave background”: the constant rippling of space-time. Einstein imagined space like a piece of stretched fabric, with stars and planets and black holes scattered across it. Their mass bends and curves the fabric. The moon orbits the Earth because it is trapped in the depression in space-time created by the Earth’s mass – it spins like a coin in a funnel. Now, on the stretched fabric of space, introduce a very heavy spinning object: a pair of super-massive black holes orbiting each other. University of Sydney researcher Dr Sean Farrell was part of an international team of astronomers which observed a star that had strayed too close to a super-massive black hole being torn apart. Credit: Ute Kraus These spinning objects create ripples that spread through the sheet: gravitational waves. As these waves pass through us, space is distorted just slightly. The Earth – and everyone on it – widens and then shrinks. Why don’t we notice? Because a fish that lives in the ocean does not notice the waves. “Waves and currents pass through the literal fabric they live in,” says Rowina Nathan, an astronomer at Monash University who co-wrote one of the papers. “It’s the same for us.” Scientists have been spotting single waves passing through Earth since 2015. The new papers show waves are rippling throughout the entire universe. The LIGO interferometer in Livingston, Louisiana, which is used to detect gravitational waves. The team took observations of pulsars, rapidly spinning remains of supernovas, which emit bursts of radiation with such regularity they can be used as cosmic lighthouses. Over almost five years, the team used the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa to measure the distance between Earth and 83 pulsars. They watched as the distances widened and shrank – by up to the size of a tennis court – revealing what Miles describes as a “cacophony of noise” from the many waves they could see. With this information, they have created the most detailed maps of gravitational waves across the universe to date. Exotic explanations The next question to answer: what is causing these waves? The simple answer, if you can call it that, is super-massive black hole pairs. We know they produce single waves; it is likely there are enough of them out there to set the fabric of reality constantly in motion. But there are other more exotic explanations. “The physics is a little wild,” admits Miles, an astronomer with OzGrav at Swinburne University who led two of the papers. The first is known as “cosmological phase transition”. In the moments after the Big Bang, the universe was so hot the physical forces, like electromagnetism, that govern our reality had not yet formed. Eventually, parts of the universe cooled enough for basic physics to start functioning. But – in theory – this did not happen everywhere at once. This produced regions within the early universe operating on different physical laws. As these regions – or bubbles – came into contact with each other, the different physics collapsed into symmetry, releasing huge amounts of energy – and, possibly, gravitational waves. The gravitational wave background may be the leftover ripples from the bursting of those bubbles. If that theory is not exotic enough, there’s a second: cosmic strings. When the regions of the early universe came into contact, rather than bursting, they may have created long fractures – imperfections in the fabric of space-time. “They get frozen in when the universe cooled from its very hot state. And you can’t get rid of them,” says Professor Eric Thrane, an astrophysicist at Monash University. As these long fractures move, they could also generate gravitational waves. “People really believe in these. We don’t know if we’ll ever be able to prove it,” says Miles. Gravitational waves further tell us the universe is a strange and wonderful thing. “The universe is this very exciting cosmic dance,” says Miles. “And the Earth is going along with the motions.” The Examine newsletter explains and analyses science with a rigorous focus on the evidence. Sign up to get it each week . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Science Space Liam Mannix is The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald's national science reporter. Connect via Twitter . Most Viewed in National Loading

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Trump's tariff threat a grim reminder of turbulent trade in first administration WASHINGTON — Donald Trump threatened the United States's closest neighbours with big tariffs this week, in a move that has reminded many of the unpredictable tactics the president-elect deployed during his first tenure in the White House. Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press Nov 26, 2024 1:06 PM Nov 26, 2024 1:20 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message President-elect Donald Trump gestures after speaking during an America First Policy Institute gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate, on Nov. 14, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Alex Brandon WASHINGTON — Donald Trump threatened the United States's closest neighbours with big tariffs this week, in a move that has reminded many of the unpredictable tactics the president-elect deployed during his first tenure in the White House. Trump said Monday he would use an executive order to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all goods coming from Canada and Mexico until the two countries stop drugs and migrants from illegally crossing the U.S. border. The announcement, made on Truth Social, brought swift responses from officials and industry in both countries who are bracing for chaos during Trump's second tenure. He has long used the threat of import taxes to pressure other countries to do his bidding, saying this summer that "the most beautiful word in the dictionary is 'tariff.'" It's unlikely the move would violate the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, which was negotiated during the first Trump administration. Laura Dawson, an expert on Canada-U. S. relations and the executive director of the Future Borders Coalition, said the president can impose tariffs under his national security powers. This type of duty has a time limit and can only be made permanent through Congressional approval, but for Trump, national security powers are like a "get out of jail free card," Dawson said. "This is exactly what happened in the last Trump administration," Dawson said. "Everyone said, 'Well, that is ridiculous. Canada is the U.S.'s best security partner. What do you mean our steel and aluminum imports are somehow a source of insecurity?'" But within the global trade system, she said, no country challenges another's right to define their own national security imperatives. Trump's first administration demonstrated how vulnerable Canada is to America's whims when the former president scrapped the North American Free Trade Agreement. The U.S. is Canada's closest neighbour and largest trading partner. More than 77 per cent of Canadian exports go to the U.S. Negotiation of CUSMA, commonly dubbed "the new NAFTA," was a key test for Ottawa following Trump's first victory. The trilateral agreement is up for review in 2026 and experts suspect this week's tariff announcement is a negotiating tactic. Scott Bessent, Trump's pick for treasury secretary, said in a recent op-ed that tariffs are "a useful tool for achieving the president's foreign policy objectives." "Whether it is getting allies to spend more on their own defence, opening foreign markets to U.S. exports, securing co-operation on ending illegal immigration and interdicting fentanyl trafficking, or deterring military aggression, tariffs can play a central role." During the initial CUSMA negotiations in 2018, Trump floated the idea of a 25 per cent tariff on the Canadian auto sector — something that would have been crippling for the industry on both sides of the border. It was never implemented. At the time, he did use his national security powers to impose a 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent tariff on aluminum imports, casting fear of an all-out trade war that would threaten the global economy. The day after announcing those levies, Trump posted on social media "trade wars are good, and easy to win." Former U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer recounted in his book that the duties sent an "unmistakable signal that business as usual was over." "The Trump administration was willing to ruffle diplomatic feathers to advance its trade agenda." It led to a legendary clash between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Trump at the G7 in Quebec. Trudeau said Canada would impose retaliatory measures, saying the argument that tariffs on steel and aluminum were a matter of national security was "kind of insulting." Trump took to social media, where, in a flurry of posts he called Trudeau "very dishonest and weak." Canada and other countries brought their own duties against the U.S. in response. They targeted products for political, rather than economic, reasons. Canada hit yogurt with a 10 per cent duty. Most of the product impacted came from one plant in Wisconsin, the home state of then-Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. The European Union, Mexico and Canada all targeted U.S. whiskey products with tariffs, in a clear signal to then Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his home state of Kentucky’s bourbon industry. Ultimately, Canada and Mexico were able to negotiate exemptions. Carlo Dade, the director of trade and trade infrastructure at the Canada West Foundation, said Trump is returning to the White House with more experience and a plan. But he suspects Americans will not like the blow to their bank accounts. Trump’s new across-the-board tariff strategy would not only disrupt global supply chains, it would also cause a major shakeup to the American economy. It's unclear if Trump will go through with them, or for how long, after campaigning on making life more affordable and increasing the energy market. "I think it will be short-term," Dade said. "The U.S. can only inflict damage on itself for so long." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National News Economic impact of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Vancouver estimated at $157 M Nov 26, 2024 1:45 PM Paul Bernardo denied parole after victims' families plead he be kept behind bars Nov 26, 2024 1:39 PM Trudeau, premiers to meet Wednesday after Trump trade threat Nov 26, 2024 1:30 PM Featured Flyer

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www okebet 168 com login NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The largest artificial intelligence data center ever built by Facebook’s parent company Meta is coming to northeast Louisiana, the company said Wednesday, bringing hopes that the $10 billion facility will transform an economically neglected corner of the state. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry called it “game-changing” for his state's expanding tech sector, yet some environmental groups have raised concerns over the center's reliance on fossil fuels — and whether the plans for new natural gas power to support it could lead to higher energy bills in the future for Louisiana residents. Meanwhile, Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, is expanding its existing supercomputer project in Memphis, Tennessee, the city's chamber of commerce said Wednesday. The chamber also said that Nvidia, Dell, and Supermicro Computer will be “establishing operations in Memphis,” without offering further details. Louisiana is among a growing number of states offering tax credits and other incentives to lure big tech firms seeking sites for energy-intensive data centers. The U.S. Commerce Department found that there aren’t enough data centers in the U.S. to meet the rising AI-fueled demand, which is projected to grow by 9% each year through 2030, citing industry reports. Meta anticipates its Louisiana data center will create 500 operational jobs and 5,000 temporary construction jobs, said Kevin Janda, director of data center strategy. At 4 million square feet (370,000 square meters), it will be the company's largest AI data center to date, he added. “We want to make sure we are having a positive impact on the local level,” Janda said. Congressional leaders and local representatives from across the political spectrum heralded the Meta facility as a boon for Richland parish, a rural part of Louisiana with a population of 20,000 historically reliant on agriculture. About one in four residents are considered to live in poverty and the parish has an employment rate below 50%, according to the U.S. census data. Meta plans to invest $200 million into road and water infrastructure improvements for the parish to offset its water usage. The facility is expected to be completed in 2030. Entergy, one of the nation's largest utility providers, is fast-tracking plans to build three natural gas power plants in Louisiana capable of generating 2,262 megawatts for Meta's data center over a 15-year period — nearly one-tenth of Entergy's existing energy capacity across four states. The Louisiana Public Service Commission is weighing Entergy's proposal as some environmental groups have opposed locking the state into more fossil fuel-based energy infrastructure. Meta said it plans to help bring 1,500 megawatts of renewable energy onto the grid in the future. Louisiana residents may ultimately end up with rate increases to pay off the cost of operating these natural gas power plants when Meta's contract with Entergy expires, said Jessica Hendricks, state policy director for the Alliance for Affordable Energy, a Louisiana-based nonprofit advocating for energy consumers. “There’s no reason why residential customers in Louisiana need to pay for a power plant for energy that they’re not going to use," Hendricks said. "And we want to make sure that there’s safeguards in place.” Public service commissioner Foster Campbell, representing northeast Louisiana, said he does not believe the data center will increase rates for Louisiana residents and views it as vital for his region. “It’s going in one of the most needed places in Louisiana and maybe one of the most needed places in the United States of America,” Foster said. “I’m for it 100%.” Environmental groups have also warned of the pollution generated by Musk's AI data center in Memphis. The Southern Environmental Law Center, among others, says the supercomputer could strain the power grid, prompting attention from the Environmental Protection Agency. Eighteen gas turbines currently running at xAI’s south Memphis facility are significant sources of ground-level ozone, better known as smog, the group said. Patrick Anderson, an attorney at the law center, said xAI has operated with “a stunning lack of transparency” in developing its South Memphis facility, which is located near predominantly Black neighborhoods that have long dealt with pollution and health risks from factories and other industrial sites. “Memphians deserve to know how xAI will affect them,” he said, “and should have a seat at the table when these decisions are being made.” Sainz reported from Memphis, Tennessee. Associated Press writer Matt O’Brien in Providence, Rhode Island, contributed to this report. Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96ASA's has discovered a cosmic collision, something that tells us that black holes are even more fascinating than we imagined This research aims to go further into what and offers new insights into supermassive black holes and their jets. have gravity so intense that light cannot escape them. In addition to being billions of times more massive than the Sun, they sometimes Unidentified object According to research by , a black hole in the distant galaxy Centaurus A, also called NGC 5128, about 12 million light years from Earth, has emitted powerful jets of plasma towards an unknown object, creating a strange V-shaped pattern in the X-ray spectrum. The source, located near the path of the jet from the supermassive black hole, forms a "V" with arms at least 700 light-years long, much farther than the nearest star to Earth, which is four light-years away. Astronomers have theories about what is happening, but , as it is too distant to observe its details, and not even the highest level technology can give them more compelling images It's not the first time We must go back in time to find a similar case of a black hole jet colliding with Centaurus A. What is new about this particular situation is the , something that definitely surprises scientists The jets from black holes are one of the most spectacular astrophysical phenomena. This discovery undoubtedly has a story to tell. is the only X-ray observatory capable of detecting these peculiarities, so scientists will continue to work to solve this mystery.

Meta to build $10 billion AI data center in Louisiana as Elon Musk expands his Tennessee AI facilityAs the highly charged battle to decide on real 'Sena' will be settled on November 23, Saturday, Thane's Kopri-Pachpakhadi has emerged as a crucial seat where Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is currently fighting against Uddhav Thackeray's faction leader Kedar Dighe. The Thane seat emerges as essential battleground as the Chief Minister has been winning this seat for every election, though with undivided Shiv Sena. This would be the first time when he is contesting on the seat after split in the Sena. Apart from looking forward to results, this seat holds importance for Shinde as his rival is nephew of Shinde's mentor the late Anand Dighe, who wielded immense influence in the Thane region as a Shiv Sena leader. Kopri-Pachpakhadi Assembly Elections 2024: Poll and result date The Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency in Maharashtra will go to the polls on November 20. The results for Kopri-Pachpakhadi in Maharashtra will be announced on November 23. Candidates for Kopri-Pachpakhadi Assembly Election 2024 The 2024 Kopri-Pachpakhadi Assembly election is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive race, with key political figures vying for the seat. Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde is contesting against his mentor's nephew, Kedar Prakash Dighe, from Uddhav Thackeray's Sena faction. Additionally, Babukumar Kashinath Kamble is contesting on behalf of the Lokrajya Party. 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The poll season was dominated by conflicting narratives ranging from the opposition's planks on economic distress, farmers's woes, the Centre's "discrimination" against Maharashtra and the BJP's alleged role in breaking up the two regional parties. Meanwhile, the ruling alliance touted its welfare schemes, development projects and the Hindutva agenda against what it slammed as the MVA's appeasement politics. The election featured two major political alliances competing for a majority: Mahayuti alliance (NDA): Led by the BJP, the alliance includes Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's faction of the NCP. Maha Vikas Aghadi (INDIA bloc): This opposition alliance comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar's faction of the NCP. Both groups campaigned extensively across the state, aiming to secure a mandate to govern Maharashtra. (with agency inputs) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

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If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. Have a DC Comics fan in your life? Welcome; you’ve come to the right place. Since 1934, DC Comics has been one of the largest comic book companies in the world, creating some of the most iconic superheroes in history, including Superman, Batman , and Wonder Woman. Recently, there has been a resurgence in this fandom, thanks to the release of popular movies like Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, The Flash, and Blue Beetle. In other words, now everyone wants to join the Justice League . During the holidays , we know how hard it can be to find the right gift , and we also know how challenging it can be to find a present for someone who has very specific interests. That’s why our experts compiled a list of the 15 best gifts for DC Comics enthusiasts. So whether they’re a Superman or more of a Harley Quinn, we have something for every DC fan. $67.85 $79.99 15% off $84.99 Let’s get one thing straight: LEGO sets are for every and any age (I’ve gifted one to my 27-year-old brother for the past ten holidays). Not only are they versatile — they can be used as decor for your office, bookcase, or displayed on your coffee table — but they also make a great activity for date night, game night, and everything in-between. This LEGO Batman set allows you to construct Batman’s HQ right in the comfort of your own home. It has six mini figurines, 581 pieces, and even comes with additional accessories like a city map, welding gear, and the Bat Mobile. $59.00 Loungefly is known for creating high-quality bags and accessories based on popular fandoms (they have products from every multiverse including Disney and Wicked ). Featuring DC’s The Flash, this red and gold mini backpack has the popular superhero front and center (but don’t blink, you might miss him), padded shoulder straps for all-day comfort, and multiple inside and external pockets to hold all of your stuff. $22.99 Get your favorite DC fan ready for the release of the new Superman film (hitting theaters July 2025) with this official movie t-shirt. With a classic, easy fit, and lightweight cotton material, it can be paired with their favorite worn-in jeans, some stretchy joggers, or perhaps, some thick-rimmed black glasses. $42.16 If you want a gift that will blow their socks (or cape off), you need to snag this limited-edition vinyl record while you still can. And trust me, it’s selling out faster than The Flash. With over 75 years of recordings from DC’s most popular comics — Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman, and more — it features tracks from television shows, movies, video games, and radio broadcasts. Plus, it comes with a fan poster and a four-page booklet, which at this point is just an added bonus. $25.87 $36.95 30% off With scents of Bergamot, Cedar, and Musk, this homesick candle will transport you right to downtown Metropolis (just make sure you leave before Lex Luthor arrives). Made with a premium cotton wick and natural soy wax blend, it has a burn time between 60 and 80 hours, so it will stay lit while you watch all eight Superman movies. $149.00 You know what they say: mallets are a girl’s best friend ( or were they diamonds? ). It doesn’t matter because this Harley Quinn-themed necklace has both. Designed in collaboration with GLD and Warner Bros., this pendant comes in 14k white gold, is plated with individual CZ stones, and has multiple different lengths to choose from. $20 $40.00 50% off From Aquaman to Wonder Woman, the DC Comics Encyclopedia is a complete A to Z guide of everyone’s favorite superheroes. With a foreword by celebrated comic artist Jim Lee, it has profiles of more than 1,200 characters, original never-before-seen art, and ground-breaking facts that you have to read to believe. $29.99 This wouldn’t be a list of the best gifts for DC fans without including Funko Pop! These tiny figurines started back in 1998 but shot to mainstream popularity in the last decade or so thanks to their appearance at Comic-Con. This Batman and The Joker 2-pack makes the perfect collectible item, stocking stuffer, or Secret Santa gift, and for only $9.89, what’s not to love? $395.00 Make her feel like the Wonder Woman she is with this special perfume collaboration between House Of Sillage and Warner Bros. Celebrating the super heroine’s 80th anniversary, this luxury item has notes of bergamot, jasmine, and vanilla. It comes in a striking 2.5-oz bottle and will help bring out her inner warrior. $32.00 Of course, you can never go wrong with a framed superhero print. Showcasing Batman and his sidekick, Robin, this retro piece of art is made with vintage dictionary text — unique to your specific order, so no two prints are the same. It has a matte and luster finish, two frame color options, and, most importantly, fast shipping. $78.91 $112.72 30% off Even superheroes need their rest, too. Created with 100% premium cotton, this woven blanket will keep you cozy and comfortable as you drift away with thoughts of Gotham City in your head. Use it as a comforter, living room decor, or even as your go-to throw for your next Batman binge-sesh. With size options ranging from 52×37 inches and 60×80 inches, it’s great for kids, adults, and everyone else on your list. $9.98 This gift is for the DC fan who wants to dress in superhero style but with a little more subtlety — à la Clark Kent. Available in a six-pack, these crew socks have the distinct emblems of DC’s celebrated characters, are made with 98% polyester material (which will help wick moisture away from your feet), and have a soft-to-the-touch feel. $85.00 So, while your DC super-fan may not have a cape, cowl, briefs, or boots, these Batman pajamas are the next best thing. Designed by Intimissimi, a purveyor of comfortable nightwear for men and women, these themed pajamas are made with 100% cotton, have an easy, relaxed fit, and are so comfortable that they’ll feel extra grateful they don’t have to patrol the streets at night. $14.99 Take Wonder Woman with you on your next adventure with this portable coffee mug . With a capacity of 18 fluid ounces, a secure, leak-proof lid, and dishwasher-safe approval, you’ll get the caffeine boost you need to feel just like Diana Prince. $64.99 This cerulean blue tie is one of my favorite gifts for DC Fans because it allows you to rep your favorite superhero (in this case, Superman) without being too literal. Made with 100% silk and featuring different scenes from the age-old comic, you can wear it to a special event, your next big meeting, or while covering a shift at the Daily Planet Newspaper .

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Kobe Sanders tied a season high with 27 points as Nevada claimed fifth place in the Charleston Classic with a 90-78 victory over Oklahoma State Sunday afternoon in South Carolina. Sanders helped the Wolfpack (6-1) earn a second win following one-possession games against Vanderbilt and VCU. After hitting the decisive 3-pointer with five seconds left in Friday's 64-61 win over VCU, Sanders made 7 of 10 shots, hit three 3s and sank 10 of 13 free throws Sunday. Nick Davidson added 223 points as Nevada led by as many as 19 and shot 58.9 percent. Brandon Love contributed 11 on 5-of-5 shooting as the Wolfpack scored 46 points in the paint and scored at least 85 for the fourth time this season. Marchelus Avery led the Cowboys (4-2) with 15 points and Arturo Dean added 13. Robert Jennings and Abou Ousmane added 11 apiece but leading scorer Bryce Thompson was held to seven points on 1-of-9 shooting as Oklahoma State shot 42 percent and 73.2 percent (30-of-41) at the line. After Avery's 3 forged a 12-12 tie with 13:41 remaining, Nevada gradually gained separation. The Wolfpack took a 24-15 lead on Chuck Bailey's jumper in the paint with 8:28 left but the Cowboys inched back, getting within 33-31 on a dunk by Avery with 4:11 left. Another Bailey jumper staked Nevada to a 40-33 lead by halftime. Nevada began pulling away early in the second half as it scored eight in a row for a 52-40 lead on a basket by Love with 16:44 left. A 3 by Sanders opened a 62-43 lead with 14:06 remaining before Oklahoma State charged back. After Nevada made eight straight shots, the Cowboys countered with 11 straight points and trailed 62-54 with 11:19 left on a 3-pointer by Avery. Thompson made his first basket by sinking a jumper with 10:37 left to get Oklahoma State within 64-56 left, and Keller's triple cut the margin to 70-64 nearly three minutes later. The Cowboys were within 78-72 on a basket by Avery with 3:56 remaining, but he fouled out about a minute later and the Wolfpack outscored Oklahoma State 12-6 the rest of the way as Sanders sank five free throws. --Field Level MediaJCPenney Black Friday Sale: $2.99 Towels & More Deals Up to 69% Offagent okebet login 。

I’m A Celeb fans call episode ‘most emotional ever’ and a ‘hard watch’ as campmates and viewers break down in tears

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is not escalating a war of words with Mexico, after the Mexican president criticized Canada’s culture and its framing of border issues. “I fundamentally believe that many conversations, when it comes to diplomacy, are always better when they remain private,” Joly said Monday during a teleconference from Brussels. The rift between the two trading partners started with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s declaration that he plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all goods from both countries unless they stop the flow of migrants and illegal drugs into the U.S. Several federal and provincial officials in Canada responded by saying the issues at the Canadian border are vastly different from the Mexican border. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for example, has voiced concerns that the level of Chinese investment in Mexico goes against the economic-security goals of Ottawa and Washington. Some premiers have called on Canada to negotiate a trade deal with Washington independent from Mexico, ahead of the 2026 review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, which replaced NAFTA during Trump’s last tenure in the White House. In a Monday press conference, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico “must be respected, especially by its trading partners.” She also noted that Canada has “a very serious problem with fentanyl consumption,” more than Mexico, and possibly as a result of some drug-decriminalization measures. “We are not going to fall for a provocation of which country is better,” she said, chalking some criticism from Canada up to political pandering. “Mexico should not be used as part of (Canadian) electoral campaigns,” she said. Yet Sheinbaum also said Canada “could only wish they had the cultural riches Mexico has,” saying her country has civilizations dating back thousands of years. Asked to respond, Joly said she is reaching out to Mexican officials after speaking with the U.S., including about the “very important trade agreement” that includes all three countries. “I know there has been many conversations in Canada about how we can work together and how we can, at the same time, protect our interests,” she said. “We have a positive relationship with Mexico, and we need to work with the country; that’s definitely my goal.” Christopher Sands, director of the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, said tensions between both countries played out in the NAFTA renegotiation, when there was limited communication between Ottawa and Mexico City. “The Canada-Mexico relationship has always been the weakest part of the triangle of North America,” he said. “There was a lot of feeling during the (CUSMA) negotiations that Mexico was willing to go it alone, and that Canada particularly toward the end was on the outside looking in, and had to fight its way back to the table.” He said Washington would rather have a trade pact with all three countries so it can limit the time and attention it needs on continental issues. “The U.S. is probably the most trilateral of all three countries,” he said, with a caveat. “I think Donald Trump looks at this going into 2026 and says, ‘Great, divide and conquer.’” Sands added that Sheinbaum and her predecessor have implemented nationalist policies that have been at odds with Washington. “The Mexican government has been moving in a direction which is antithetical to the North American project (through) nationalizing parts of the economy, by reversing energy reforms, by doing deals with the cartels. (They are) sometimes working co-operatively with the Americans in the borders, and sometimes not.” Sheinbaum indicated a week ago that she would be writing a letter to Trudeau. That has not been made public, although she did release a letter she had sent to Trump.Donald Trump will be crowned king of America and the uncrowned king of the world, in 2025. All eyes and ears will be on him. He loves astonishing everyone. However, America and the world, will be in a volatile churn. The biggest challenge before Trump will be to end the Ukraine and Gaza wars. There is too much casual talk about World War 3, without realising its perils. Never before, post-World War 2, have we been so close to another global conflagration. In 1962, during the Cuban crisis, there were two nuclear powers, America and Russia. Today, there are myriad players like China, North Korea, India, Pakistan and possibly Iran and Saudi Arabia. Ending wars Nukes are not marbles to play with. A nuclear war could pulverise this planet. Trump must play peacemaker. He may kiss, hug or scold Putin and Zelensky. But, he must make them holster their guns, to win global credibility. Yet, hopes should be pragmatic. Trump has to manage the quartet of Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. Perhaps Dale Carnegie’s axiom may work, “Win friends and influence people.” Wars will devour moneys. America will spend $ 895 billion on defence. NATO will spend $ 1.47 trillion on armaments. Russia has allocated $ 125 billion on defence. Sadly, wars boost business. Companies manufacturing armaments grew between 18% to 49% in Russia, Japan, Turkey and Israel. The world has ample money to fight. What it lacks is the leadership to stop the fights. France, Great Britain and Germany will wobble with unstable governments, weak growth and immigration. The Middle East will balance adroitly between American security and Chinese infrastructure investments. Sudan has 10 million displaced citizens. A brutal famine awaits. Syria will be unstable. Modi needs a vibrant agenda after his Parliamentary losses. Pakistan will struggle. Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand will prosper, away from global conflicts. Bangladesh will fester. Gargantuan task: Inflation Taming inflation will be the gargantuan task for global leaders. Prices of flour, rice, oil and sugar, have spiralled 7% to 15% in grocery shops in Asia and Africa. The poor eat less. If inflation is tamed, interest rates may fall. Then consumers may spend in restaurants and buy cars. Wars will strangle global GDP growth to about three%. America’s could grow by about 2.5%, Europe will struggle with about 1.5%. Britain will crawl at 1.2%. Many western economies are mired in a 2% to 3% growth-trap. They should innovate. America will tighten its borders to choke immigration. Trump may fly some immigrants back home. However, protectionist policies may backfire due to resultant higher local labour costs. Then, American products will become uncompetitive. Trump’s planned tariff-wars, to sideline China may flounder. China is the world’s factory. It invests in technologies, ports and railways in Middle East and Africa. Developing nations should create more jobs. They suffer 10% -15% unemployment. Hence, the desperate attempts to migrate. A happy man does not leave home. India will shine with 6%. Oil prices will hover at $ 75 per barrel. Prices may rise if the wars end. Gold prices will stabilise around $ 2,900 per ounce if political sanity prevails. Stock markets will be volatile. Electric vehicles (EVs) will get traction, but high prices may depress demand. Corporations will debate how to harness artificial intelligence (AI). Digitisation will gallop. It will also reduce jobs and kill customer service. If you have a complaint about your refrigerator or bank, you press buttons, hear recorded messages. But no salesperson talks. Wind and solar energy will contribute to around 17% of electricity consumed. Deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, is lowering production of maize and soya. Astronauts may talk on 4G phones, on the next mission to the moon. Drones will carry waste down, from Mount Everest. Marvellous! Expect to pay more for OTT streaming or accept commercial breaks. Tom Cruise will enthral in a new Mission Impossible sequel. Scientists may discover a one-jab Corona viruse vaccine and even a cancer vaccine. In 2025, our best hopes are to avoid a world war end the infernos in Ukraine and Gaza, tame inflation and create jobs. These are humble expectations. Hunger, poverty and inequalities continue; we can tackle them, only if we remove the Damocles’ sword of a world war. My soulmate Patricia says we will not celebrate New Year. She is commiserating with the families of over one million soldiers and civilians perished in the Ukraine and Gaza wars. “Hopefully, we will celebrate the cease-fires in 2025,” says Patricia. Good girl. That’s why I adore her. rkaneja@anejamanagement.com (The author was the managing director of Unilever Tanzania.)

Republicans push back against Democrats’ claims that Trump intelligence pick Gabbard is compromised

With the 2024 season officially over, we’ve been publishing final stat leaders in a variety of categories. This post is dedicated to team stats and will highlight goals for, goals against, goals for per game, goals against per game and goal differential.None

SHA will work, says DP Kindiki

Target Has the Coolest Black Friday Toy Deal for GamersRico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title with the Atlanta Braves, has died

With Ottawa's first notable snowfall expected Wednesday, the City of Ottawa says it will be closing the Chief William Commanda Bridge for the season. "Starting tomorrow, December 4, the Chief William Commanda Bridge will be closed for the 2024/2025 winter season as it will be unsafe for public use," the City of Ottawa said Tuesday in a post on social media . "New gates have been installed and will be used to open and close the bridge in the spring and fall as required." Ottawa is expected to receive around 10 cm of snow Wednesday. A winter weather travel advisory is in effect. The popular pedestrian and cycling crossing over the Ottawa River was not designed for winter use. City staff say they have looked into de-icing products, but none has been found to be suitable for the type of structure or the location of the bridge within the source water protection zone. A memo issued in early November said the city is not considering grooming snow for winter sports this year. The city said below-average levels of snowfall and higher than normal temperatures last winter made it impossible to assess the feasibility of alternate maintenance to accommodate winter activities. The span across the Ottawa River, known formerly as the Prince of Wales Bridge, opened as a new multi-use pathway for cyclists and pedestrians during the summer of 2023 after a $23.9 million renovation. --With files from CTV News Ottawa's William Eltherington Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks 19 Of The Best Stocking Stuffers For Teenagers 13 Of The Best Self-Care Gifts You Can Find On Amazon Canada The Ultimate 2024 Holiday Gift Guide For People Who Love Working Out Home Our Guide To The Best Sectional Sofas You Can Get In Canada Our Guide To The Best Electric Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) Our Guide To The Best Hydroponic Gardens In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) Gifts Here Are All The Gift Wrapping Supplies You Should Order Before The Holidays 17 Sweet Treats And Snacks That Make Great Stocking Stuffers 15 Gifts That'll Pry Their Eyes Away From Screens For A Bit Beauty Our Guide To The Best Self Tanners You Can Get In Canada 20 Anti-Aging Skincare Products That Reviewers Can’t Stop Talking About 12 Budget-Friendly Makeup Brushes And Tools Worth Adding To Your Kit Deals Black Friday May Be Over, But You Can Still Take Advantage Of These Amazing Sales On Amazon Canada It's Officially Travel Tuesday: Here Are The Best Deals On Flights, Hotels, And Vacations The Waterpik Advanced Water Flosser Will Make Cleaning Your Teeth So Much Easier — And It's 40% Off For Cyber Monday Ottawa Top Stories TRAVEL ADVISORY | Winter weather travel advisory in effect as Ottawa expects first notable snowfall 1 teen, 4 adults injured in crash involving school bus and vehicle in south Ottawa Jewish pro-Palestinian protesters occupy Ottawa Parliament building Chief William Commanda Bridge closing for winter as of Wednesday Power being restored after outage affects thousands in Gatineau Driver watching porn behind the wheel on Hwy. 417 facing fine, demerit points Thrifting gains popularity during the holiday season Pedestrian in Pembroke, Ont. hit by school bus seriously injured CTVNews.ca Top Stories Joly touts 'private' diplomacy as Mexico criticizes Canada's culture, trade Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is not escalating a war of words with Mexico, after the Mexican president criticized Canada's culture and its framing of border issues. Singh won't support Conservative non-confidence motion that uses his own words NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he won't play Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's games by voting to bring down the government on an upcoming non-confidence motion. Calgary man who drove U-Haul over wife sentenced to 15 years A Calgary man who killed his wife in 2020 when he drove over her in a loaded U-Haul has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars. Canada Post strike: Kids no longer need to mail their letters to Santa by the end of the week Canada Post says it has removed the deadline for its Santa Claus letter program amid an ongoing national workers' strike that has halted mail delivery leading up to the holiday season. Opposition leaders talk unity following Trudeau meeting about Trump, minister calls 51st state comment 'teasing' The prime minister’s emergency meeting with opposition leaders on Tuesday appears to have bolstered a more united front against U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats. Another case of 'zombie deer' disease confirmed in B.C.'s Kootenays Health officials have confirmed a fourth case of chronic wasting disease in B.C.’s Kootenay region, prompting calls for a swift cull to prevent further spread. Man severely injured saving his wife from a polar bear attack in the Far North A man was severely injured Tuesday morning when he leaped onto a polar bear to protect his wife from being mauled in the Far North community of Fort Severn. Video shows 'completely unprovoked' stranger attack in Vancouver, police say Police in Vancouver are searching for witnesses after a seemingly random and unprovoked assault was captured on video in the city's downtown core. South Korea lifts president's martial law decree after lawmakers vote against it South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's government early Wednesday lifted the martial law he imposed during a tense night of political drama in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Atlantic Snow, rain, and wind expected for Maritimes this week with early December storm A developing low pressure skirting colder air in place across eastern parts of the country will bring snow, rain, and wind to the Maritimes on Thursday. Cape Breton investigating last year of municipal credit card transactions The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) is investigating more than a year of transactions on a legislative credit card due to a lack of documents. N.B. woman dies after hit and run in Notre-Dame: RCMP A 40-year-old New Brunswick woman has died after she was struck by a vehicle in Notre-Dame, N.B. Toronto Walking pneumonia cases in Ontario have nearly tripled since 2019: report The number of walking pneumonia cases seen in Ontario this year is triple the amount of what was reported in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Process around Ontario Place redevelopment was 'unfair' and didn't follow rules: AG Ontario's auditor general is slamming the Ford government for failing to follow proper process around the redevelopment of Ontario Place, including a revelation that senior staff communicated directly with Therme Canada and other applicants while proposals were still being accepted. Winter weather travel advisory: Toronto expected to see its first snowfall Wednesday Toronto is expecting its first snowfall of the season this week. Environment Canada has issued a winter weather advisory for the city, advising of snow accumulations near five centimetres on Wednesday. Montreal Despite devastating poll, Quebec Premier Legault confident he’s here to stay Despite a devastating poll, Premier François Legault is confident that he will lead the CAQ troops into the next electoral battle in two years' time. Quebec doctors who refuse to stay in public system for 5 years face $200K fine per day Quebec's health minister has tabled a bill that would force new doctors trained in the province to spend the first five years of their careers working in Quebec's public health network. Quebec prisons on lockdown after correctional officer severely beaten Quebec prisons were in lockdown on Tuesday after a correction officer at the Sorel-Tracy detention centre was attacked this week. Northern Ontario Man severely injured saving his wife from a polar bear attack in the Far North A man was severely injured Tuesday morning when he leaped onto a polar bear to protect his wife from being mauled in the Far North community of Fort Severn. Insults on social media lead to real-life assault in northern Ont. A Mississauga First Nation woman has been charged with assault after she took offence to comments about her on social media. Five years after toddler's brutal death, Northern Ont. family struggles to find peace, justice A North Bay family is struggling to find peace and justice as the five-year anniversary of the brutal death of toddler Oliver McCarthy approaches. Windsor Survey raises concerns about cannabis-impaired driving in Ontario A recent survey conducted by CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) highlights an increase in cannabis use among Ontario drivers, sparking some concern about impaired driving. 'Times are tough and we're feeling the stretch': Still time to give this Giving Tuesday Dec. 3 is Giving Tuesday and the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation (CKHAF) is calling on the community for support to help purchase a new fluoroscopy machine for Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA). Leamington man facing several firearms charges Essex County OPP have charged a 42-year-old man with firearms-related offences following the execution of a warrant in Leamington. London 'A real gamut': LHSC highlights number of serious seasonal injuries ahead of the holiday season As we head into the heart of the holiday season, experts at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) are cautioning the public in order to help prevent serious injuries. Tire shops 'spinning' with winter tire changeover demand London tire and automotive shops remain caught off guard by the sudden arrival of winter. 'We can’t wait for perfection': Local advocates respond to AG’s criticism of province’s plan to fight homelessness and addiction Local advocates for the province’s new strategy to fight homelessness and addiction came to its defence Tuesday. Kitchener Why Wilmot is proposing a $580 tax increase in its 2025 draft budget The Township of Wilmot has released its 2025 draft budget which included a one-time capital infrastructure investment. Teddy Bear Toss happening tonight at the Aud Calling all Kitchener Rangers fans! The Teddy Bear Toss returns for tonight's game against the Brantford Bulldogs. Guelph Police looking for missing pregnant woman Guelph Police are asking for help as they search for a missing pregnant woman. Barrie Snow-clearing efforts stalled due to tractor-trailers stuck on many roads along Highway 11 Snow-clearing efforts continue on secondary roads that remain closed along Highway 11 on Tuesday. Woman dies in two-vehicle crash on Highway 118 in Haliburton An 87-year-old woman has died following a collision on Highway 118 in Haliburton County on Monday afternoon. Crown pushes for 6-year sentence for supervisor convicted in fatal crash case Victim impact statements were read in a Barrie courtroom on Tuesday ahead of sentencing for a man convicted of criminal negligence causing the death of a dump truck driver four years ago. Winnipeg Manitoba opening trade office in Washington, D.C. The Manitoba government is opening a trade office in Washington, D.C., next year. Every Winnipeg driver pulled over during checkstop program must give breath sample: police Every driver pulled over in Winnipeg as part of the police’s annual festive season checkstop program will have to provide a breath sample. Young Manitoba woman dies after medical emergency during dental appointment The Manitoba Dental Association (MDA) said it is investigating a critical incident where a young woman from the Morden-Winkler area died following a dental appointment. Calgary Person found dead in Taradale home with high CO levels: CFD A person was found dead in a Taradale home where emergency crews discovered high levels of carbon monoxide. Calgary man who drove U-Haul over wife sentenced to 15 years A Calgary man who killed his wife in 2020 when he drove over her in a loaded U-Haul has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars. Calgarians need to make more money to avoid homelessness than other Canadians: study New research suggests Calgarians need to make more money than people in other major Canadian cities in order to keep their homes. Edmonton Ex-Alberta teacher convicted of sex crime involving child for 2nd time Former Alberta teacher Brian Davison has been found guilty of one count of sexual exploitation in connection with an incident involving a child. U of A team repurposes culinary device to improve frostbite injury outcomes University of Alberta researchers have created a device they believe could significantly reduce the number of frostbite cases that end in amputation. Gibbons man charged with child pornography offences A 23-year-old Alberta man has been charged in connection with a 10-month-long child pornography investigation. Regina Regulations around foreign ownership of Sask. farmland need better enforcement, auditor finds The Provincial Auditor of Saskatchewan is recommending that the province improve its system of monitoring sales of farmland to foreign entities. Formal expectations needed for answering 911 calls: Sask. auditor reports The Provincial Auditor assessed the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s (SPSA) 911 call taking and dispatching processes for fire emergencies, focusing on the Provincial Emergency Communications Centre. Attempted murder charge laid after home invasion, series of hit and runs in Regina Two people in Regina are facing a list of charges following a series of alleged acts that include a home invasion, multiple collisions and attempted murder. Saskatoon Major power outage hits much of Saskatoon's west side A large power outage is affecting much of Saskatoon’s west side and portions of the east side of the city on Tuesday afternoon. Saskatoon city council raises property taxes 4.96% next year Saskatoon city councillors approved a municipal budget that will raise property taxes 4.96 per cent in 2025. Teenage girl among two killed in Saskatchewan First Nation house fire Vancouver BC SPCA to rescue up to 30 stray cats from one Kamloops home The BC SPCA is warning of the consequences of feeding stray cats after a person accidentally lured over 25 felines to their home in Kamloops, B.C. BREAKING | New Vancouver Art Gallery plan scrapped, board seeks new design The Vancouver Art Gallery has decided to start all over again and shelve plans for a new nine-level tower made of wood and glass, CTV News has learned. Taylor Swift fans flock to BC Place, days before Eras Tour lands in Vancouver Security fencing is going up around BC Place stadium in preparation for the final days of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour this weekend, while dozens of Swifties gather near by to feel the vibe and "breathe the same air as Taylor Swift." Vancouver Island Canadian military drones enter production, though Arctic modifications will be required Canada's first combat drones have now entered production, though the remotely piloted aircraft will require years of testing and significant modifications before the first units are delivered in 2028. Taylor Swift fans flock to BC Place, days before Eras Tour lands in Vancouver Security fencing is going up around BC Place stadium in preparation for the final days of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour this weekend, while dozens of Swifties gather near by to feel the vibe and "breathe the same air as Taylor Swift." Coroners inquest set for B.C. woman with Down Syndrome who starved to death The BC Coroners Service will hold an inquest into the death of Florence Girard, a 54-year-old woman with Down syndrome who died of starvation in 2018. Kelowna Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas. Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026 The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday. 545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day. Stay Connected'Major breakthrough in Mirror Justice for our Daughters campaign with key demands met'

Amazon is doubling its investment in Anthropic to $8 billion in a deepened collaboration on artificial intelligence, the companies said Friday. The e-commerce and technology behemoth will remain a minority investor in Anthropic, having pumped an initial $4 billion into the artificial intelligence developer late last year and becoming its primary cloud computing provider. "The response from AWS customers who are developing generative AI applications powered by Anthropic in Amazon Bedrock has been remarkable," said Matt Garman, chief of AWS cloud computing division. "We'll keep pushing the boundaries of what customers can achieve with generative AI technologies." Amazon is investing the additional $4 billion in Anthropic as part of an expanded alliance that includes working together on "Trainium" hardware to optimize machine learning, according to the companies. "We're looking forward to working with Amazon to train and power our most advanced AI models using AWS Trainium, and helping to unlock the full potential of their technology," said Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei. The announcement came just days after Britain's competition regulator cleared Google-parent Alphabet's investment in Anthropic, following a probe. The Competition and Markets Authority concluded that the big tech giant had not acquired "material influence" over Anthropic as a result of the deal, which was reported to have cost $2 billion. The British regulator is one of several global regulators concerned with reining in big tech companies and their partnerships with AI firms. In September, the CMA cleared Amazon's initial investment in Anthropic, saying it did not believe that "a relevant merger situation has been created." gc/mlmThe AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . BALTIMORE (AP) — Toby Nnadozie had 20 points in Coppin State’s 68-60 victory against Navy on Saturday. Nnadozie added three steals for the Eagles (1-12). Jonathan Dunn scored 13 points while going 4 of 13 from the floor, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and 4 for 6 from the line and added eight rebounds. Julius Ellerbe had 11 points and shot 3 for 9 (1 for 4 from 3-point range) and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line. The Eagles snapped a 12-game skid. The Midshipmen (3-9) were led in scoring by Austin Benigni, who finished with 23 points. Jinwoo Kim added 13 points and three steals for Navy. Jordan Pennick finished with 10 points. Coppin State took the lead with 3:38 to go in the first half and never looked back. The score was 28-22 at halftime, with Dunn racking up eight points. Coppin State outscored Navy in the second half by two points, with Nnadozie scoring a team-high 13 points after halftime. Coppin State plays Saturday against Georgetown on the road, and Navy visits William & Mary on Sunday. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title with the Atlanta Braves, has died

Damian Lillard Fires Back On Narrative That He's A Bad Defender

(The Center Square) – Billionaire and advisor to President-elect Donald Trump Elon Musk was denied by a judge this week a $56 billion compensation package for his work as CEO of Tesla, the successful electric automaker that pioneered EV technology in the U.S. The package had been approved by more than 70% of Tesla's board of directors. A Tesla shareholder who owned just nine shares of stock in the company sued to block the 2018 compensation agreement. In addition to blocking the package this week, the judge in the case, Delaware Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, awarded the plaintiff's attorneys $345 million, which Reuters reported is “one of the largest fee awards ever in securities litigation.” The Associated Press reported that “the fee award amounts to almost exactly half the current record $688 million in legal fees awarded in 2008 in litigation stemming from the collapse of Enron.” The ruling was widely criticized as government overreach into the private sector. Cathie Wood, founder and CEO of ARKinvest, called the ruling a "mockery." "Adding judicial insult to injury, Delaware Judge McCormick has ordered #Tesla shareholders to pay the plaintiff’s lawyers $345 million! The plaintiff owned 9 shares of $TSLA," Wood wrote on X. "McCormick is making a mockery of the sense of fairness essential to our American judicial system." Pershing Square CEO Bill Ackman wrote: "This decision and the payola for lawyers is absurd. We are going to see a migration of Corporate America from Delaware." The unique compensation package was high risk, high reward. If Musk hit all of his target goals to make the company hugely successful, as he did, then he would be awarded the compensation package. If he did not hit those marks, he would receive zero dollars. Musk and Tesla vowed to appeal. McCormick first voided the pay agreement in January, saying it was unfair and that the Tesla board did not negotiate well enough with Musk. Sign up to get our free daily email of the biggest stories! In response, a supermajority of more than 70% of Tesla shareholders voted to approve the payment package for Musk earlier this year, but again McCormick sided this week against Musk and Tesla shareholders. Musk called the ruling a form of “lawfare.” “Shareholders should control company votes, not judges,” Musk wrote on X. Many other Tesla shareholders blasted the decision and the attorney fee decision. "The lawyers, judges, and attorneys did not create net-positive shareholder value from this clownery," Alex Guichet, who said he is a Tesla employee, wrote on X. "They do not deserve a single dollar. We employees did. We supported the shareholder vote with our own yes votes too. This is wrong on so many levels." Shareholder Jeremy Goldman wrote: "The majority of the owners of the company have made their desires known and it's just crazy that a single judge can basically say haha, no. I don't really care what you want. Also pay a few hundred million for the privilege of being ignored." The plaintiff's attorneys praised the ruling. “We are pleased with Chancellor McCormick’s ruling, which declined Tesla’s invitation to inject continued uncertainty into Court proceedings and thank the Chancellor and her staff for their extraordinary hard work in overseeing this complex case,” attorneys from Bernstein, Litowitz, Berger & Grossmann, the firm representing Musk’s opponents, said in a statement. A November 2024 study published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform found tort costs amounted to $529 billion in 2022, or 2.1 percent of U.S. GDP. The study found that excessive tort costs hurt the economy. "In addition to having a substantial aggregate cost on the economy, a large portion of the total tort-related expenditures go toward litigating and defending claims and lawsuits rather than compensating claimants,” authors of the study wrote.It’s been decades in the making. On Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union (EU) and Mercosur, the South American economic bloc comprising Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, had struck a major trade agreement. The deal, which would create a free trade area covering more than 780 million people, came over vocal opposition from France and still needs to be approved by a qualified majority of EU member states and by a majority in the European Parliament before it goes into effect. What are the economic and political implications of this massive trade agreement? And what hurdles remain before it can be finalized and implemented? Our experts freely exchange their insights below. 1. Why is the deal moving forward now? On the one hand, this agreement has been in process for a long time, so at some point, the EU just has to move forward, and a fresh start with a new European Commission is a good excuse and as good a time as any. On the other hand, it’s hard to ignore that the main opponent of the agreement, France, is in a weak position politically, as is Germany, and that the portfolio structure of the new Commission gives von der Leyen more power to advance her priorities. Therefore, there is likely an element of “striking while the iron is hot” to the timing of the agreement. — L. Daniel Mullaney is a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center and GeoEconomics Center. He served as assistant US trade representative for Europe and the Middle East in the Office of the United States Trade Representative from 2010 to 2023. Both sides clearly felt the global circumstances made the deal even more important for their respective interests. From an EU perspective, it’s about having new destinations for EU exports if President-elect Donald Trump raises US tariffs and the Chinese economic slump continues. More broadly, it’s a win for the EU’s longstanding approach to economic security: instead of using economic coercion, the EU prefers to use the attractiveness of its single market to secure bilateral deals on market access. But this approach has become less and less fashionable, including in the EU, so von der Leyen felt the months ahead were the last chance to get a Mercosur deal ratified. But its passage is still far from certain. — Charles Lichfield is the deputy director and C. Boyden Gray senior fellow of the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center. The deal is moving forward now in large part because the negotiations have produced a text that most parties believe they can live with; the deal is “ripe,” so to say. But three other factors have been influential in why the deal is being signed right now: The most vocal opponent of the deal, French President Emmanuel Macron, has been politically wounded, perhaps mortally, by the collapse of Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government, although it remains to be seen whether he can marshal a blocking minority in the European Council. Von der Leyen is in a strong political position, and she knows there will be opposition, so she might as well get this done early in her term. This also allows her to give a gift to the country she knows best—Germany—which looks to the Mercosur countries as a valuable market. The Commission is well aware that it needs to be seen as engaging with developing countries, and it needs to bring them on as economic and political partners, especially as relations with the United States could become difficult. If you see this as, in part, a signal to Trump, you are probably right. — Frances Burwell is a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center and a senior director at McLarty Associates. The current geopolitical landscape—marked by rising global protectionism and economic uncertainties—has created momentum for finalizing the deal. Both blocs view this agreement as a strategic move to bolster economic ties and secure a stronger position in global trade. — Abrão Neto is a nonresident fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and a former secretary of foreign trade of Brazil. 2. What are the pros and cons for Mercosur members? For Mercosur nations, the agreement unlocks significant access to the European market, a major importer of key Mercosur exports, such as food and critical minerals. It also positions these economies to attract greater investment, driven by the EU’s stringent criteria. On the other hand, the influx of European manufactured goods will challenge Mercosur industries to modernize, digitalize, and boost efficiency to stay competitive. — Valentina Sader is a deputy director at the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, where she leads the Center’s work on Brazil, gender equality, and diversity, and manages the Center’s Advisory Council. The agreement improves market access for Mercosur exports, reduces costs for importing essential inputs and machinery, attracts foreign investment, and fosters economic growth and job creation. However, local industries might face heightened competition from EU manufacturers, and there is concern that EU-imposed environmental and sustainability standards could disproportionately affect Mercosur producers, potentially offsetting some benefits. — Abrão Neto 3. What are the pros and cons for the EU and EU member states? Improving trade integration with a significant part of the Western Hemisphere will be a useful diversification of the EU trade portfolio, as US-China and US-EU trade relations shift to a potentially more disruptive period with the incoming US administration. The other side of the coin is that providing agricultural market access to Mercosur has been very controversial, particularly in France (whose government is weakened, perhaps only temporarily, by political challenges from the left and the right). Some of the “sustainability” practices in Mercosur countries have also drawn controversy. So while this may be a wise economic choice, it could trigger significant political backlash. —L. Daniel Mullaney The pros are clear. In addition to better market access terms to Latin America for EU goods, the bloc hopes to access the critical minerals available in the ground in Mercosur countries and stymie China’s increasing influence in that sector. The cons are supposedly a glut of cheap Argentine beef and Brazilian bananas. But there are tough quotas in the deal, including a limit equivalent to one Mercosur steak per EU citizen per year. So European farmers’ objections are not entirely justified, although the complaint that they have to follow more constraints (on emissions and the use of fertilizer and pesticides) than Mercosur farmers do is probably more reasonable. —Charles Lichfield This agreement has the potential to bring serious economic benefits to the EU in terms of new markets. In 2023, the EU had a slight trade surplus vis-à-vis Mercosur, and certain European countries had a significant surplus. Germany’s surplus was nine billion euros, Belgium’s was three billion euros, and even France had a two-billion-euro surplus. These countries are all in a position to benefit from the Mercosur arrangement. But in every trade deal, there are winners and losers, and clearly some of the losers in France, especially the farmers, are very powerful politically. It is also true that critics of Mercosur have ignored some of the provisions in the deal that answer their concerns, such as a ban on imports of hormone-fed beef. In this partisan environment, the economic advantages of the deal may be cancelled out by the political disadvantages. The signature today will only exacerbate the anger of those in Europe who believe the Commission acts in its own interests and fails to protect the interests of European citizens. While the German government and mainstream parties may support the EU-Mercosur arrangement, there are many in that country who feel left out economically and who are likely to see this as another reason to vote for a Euroskeptic party. Thus, while the agreement brings many economic benefits, these might be outweighed by the political costs. —Frances Burwell 4. What do the next steps look like for the deal? The process involves legal scrubbing, translation into multiple languages, formal signing, and ratification by national parliaments in both blocs. While this agreement represents a historic milestone, significant political and stakeholder debates are anticipated, presenting challenges before full implementation. — Abrão Neto In the EU, the next steps are a likely challenging process of approval from the member states and consent by the European Parliament. The debate over the positive and negative aspects of this initiative will play out very publicly among relatively new actors in the EU institutions and member states. In the meantime, France’s and Germany’s political challenges may or may not endure. Fasten your seat belts and pass the popcorn! —L. Daniel Mullaney Further reading

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It's easy to forget to buy gifts, decorations or supplies for a festive lunch in the frantic lead-up to Christmas. or signup to continue reading Check the trading hours of major stores, supermarkets and bottleshops throughout each Australian state to find out when shops close on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day in 2024. Kmart stores are trading late on December 23, with many open until midnight, but shops close as early as 6pm on Christmas Eve. All stores are closed on Christmas Day and opening hours on Boxing Day vary between 8am and 10am. will be updated with individual opening hours for each store. BIG W stores will be closed on Christmas Day only but customers were encouraged to check the opening hours of their local BIG W by . All Coles supermarkets are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but closed on Christmas Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. Woolworths supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Store hours will continue as normal in the lead-up to Christmas with some varied trading hours on December 24. All ALDI stores will be closed on Christmas Day, and trading hours will vary for ALDI shops around the country on Boxing Day, with some stores opening an hour later than normal and closing an hour earlier. Normal trading hours apply to all Dan Murphy's shops on Christmas Eve. Some stores may extend trading hours, the liquor retailer said. All Dan Murphy's are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day from 10am to 7pm. Stores are open on December 24 and normal trading hours apply. BWS said in the lead-up to Christmas. All BWS stores will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen, with public holiday trading hours, on Boxing Day. First Choice Liquor Market stores are closed on Christmas Day but are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but are closed on Christmas Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars are open throughout the festive period but close on Christmas Day. Stores are open with normal trading hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores are trading late on December 23, with many open until midnight, but shops close as early as 6pm on Christmas Eve. All stores are closed on Christmas Day and opening hours on Boxing Day vary between 8am and 10am. will be updated with individual opening hours for each store. BIG W stores will be closed on Christmas Day only but customers were encouraged to check the opening hours of their local BIG W by . All Coles supermarkets are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but closed on Christmas Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. Woolworths supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Store hours will continue as normal in the lead-up to Christmas with some varied trading hours on December 24. All ALDI stores will be closed on Christmas Day, and trading hours will vary for ALDI shops around the country on Boxing Day, with some stores opening and closing later than normal. Normal trading hours apply to all Dan Murphy's shops on Christmas Eve. Some stores may extend trading hours, the liquor retailer said. All Dan Murphy's are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day from 10am to 7pm. Stores are open on December 24 and normal trading hours apply. BWS said in the lead-up to Christmas. All BWS stores will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen on Boxing Day with public holiday trading hours. First Choice Liquor Market stores are closed on Christmas Day but are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but are closed on Christmas Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars are open throughout the festive period but close on Christmas Day. Stores are open with normal trading hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores are trading late on December 23, with many open until midnight, but shops close as early as 6pm on Christmas Eve. All stores are closed on Christmas Day and opening hours on Boxing Day vary between 8am and 10am. will be updated with individual opening hours for each store. BIG W stores will be closed on Christmas Day only but customers were encouraged to check the opening hours of their local BIG W by . All Coles supermarkets are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but closed on Christmas Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. Woolworths supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Store hours will continue as normal in the lead-up to Christmas with some varied trading hours on December 24. All ALDI stores will be closed on Christmas Day, and trading hours will vary for ALDI shops around the country on Boxing Day, with some stores opening an hour later than normal and closing an hour earlier. Normal trading hours apply to Dan Murphy's shops on Christmas Eve. Some stores may extend trading hours, the liquor retailer said. All Dan Murphy's are closed on Christmas Day except for the Rowville and Burvale stores. Shops reopen on Boxing Day from 10am to 7pm. Stores are open on December 24 and normal trading hours apply. BWS said in the lead-up to Christmas. Most BWS stores will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen, with public holiday trading hours, on Boxing Day. Some stores in Victoria will open on Christmas Day. First Choice Liquor Market stores are closed on Christmas Day with the exception of the Bairnsdale store. Stores are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but most are closed on Christmas Day. Melbourne's Abbotsford store will open. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars are open throughout the festive period but close on Christmas Day. Stores are open with normal trading hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores are trading late on December 23, with many open until midnight, but shops close as early as 6pm on Christmas Eve. All stores are closed on Christmas Day and opening hours on Boxing Day vary between 8am and 10am. will be updated with individual opening hours for each store. BIG W stores will be closed on Christmas Day only but customers were encouraged to check the opening hours of their local BIG W by . All Coles supermarkets are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but closed on Christmas Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. Woolworths supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Normal trading hours apply to Dan Murphy's shops on Christmas Eve. Some stores may extend trading hours, the liquor retailer said. All Dan Murphy's are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day from 10am to 7pm. Stores are open on December 24 and normal trading hours apply. BWS said in the lead-up to Christmas. Most BWS stores will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen on Boxing Day with public holiday trading hours. Some stores in Tasmania will open on Christmas Day. Liquorland stores are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but most are closed on Christmas Day. Stores in St Ives, Launceston City, Hobart Gasworks, Mackey's, Elwick, New Norfolk, Claremont, Derwent, Valern, Brooker, Devonport, Furner's and Newstead will open. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Kmart stores are trading late on December 23, with many open until midnight, but shops close as early as 6pm on Christmas Eve. All stores are closed on Christmas Day and opening hours on Boxing Day vary between 8am and 10am. will be updated with individual opening hours for each store. BIG W stores will be closed on Christmas Day only but customers were encouraged to check the opening hours of their local BIG W by . All Coles supermarkets are open on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. Adelaide's metro stores are closed on Boxing Day but regional stores are open from 8am to 8pm. The regional supermarkets are in Berri, Mount Barker, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge Green, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Victor Harbor and Whyalla. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. Woolworths supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day. All regional stores are open on Boxing Day, except Millicent, but metropolitan stores are closed. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Store hours will continue as normal in the lead-up to Christmas with some varied trading hours on December 24. All ALDI stores will be closed on Christmas Day, and trading hours will vary for ALDI shops around the country on Boxing Day, with some stores opening an hour later than normal and closing an hour earlier. Normal trading hours apply to Dan Murphy's shops on Christmas Eve. Some stores may extend trading hours, the liquor retailer said. All Dan Murphy's are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day from 10am to 7pm. Stores are open on December 24 and normal trading hours apply. BWS said in the lead-up to Christmas. All BWS stores will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen, with public holiday trading hours, on Boxing Day. Liquorland stores are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but are closed on Christmas Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Kmart stores are trading late on December 23, with many open until midnight, but shops close as early as 6pm on Christmas Eve. All stores are closed on Christmas Day and opening hours on Boxing Day vary between 8am and 10am. will be updated with individual opening hours for each store. BIG W stores will be closed on Christmas Day only but customers were encouraged to check the opening hours of their local BIG W by . All Coles supermarkets are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but closed on Christmas Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. Woolworths supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Store hours will continue as normal in the lead-up to Christmas with some varied trading hours on December 24. All ALDI stores will be closed on Christmas Day, and trading hours will vary for ALDI shops around the country on Boxing Day, with some stores opening an hour later than normal and closing an hour earlier. Normal trading hours apply to Dan Murphy's shops on Christmas Eve. Some stores may extend trading hours, the liquor retailer said. All Dan Murphy's are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day from 10am to 7pm. Stores are open on December 24 and normal trading hours apply. BWS said in the lead-up to Christmas. All BWS stores will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen, with public holiday trading hours, on Boxing Day. First Choice Liquor Market stores are closed on Christmas Day but are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on Christmas Eve and most are open on Boxing Day. Stores are closed on Christmas Day. Shops in Altone Park, Gosnells and North Perth Charles St are closed on Boxing Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars are open throughout the festive period but close on Christmas Day. Stores are open with normal trading hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. The liquor store said that although some stores' opening and closing hours may differ, the . Kmart stores are trading late on December 23, with many open until midnight, but shops close as early as 6pm on Christmas Eve. All stores are closed on Christmas Day and opening hours on Boxing Day vary between 8am and 10am. will be updated with individual opening hours for each store. BIG W stores will be closed on Christmas Day only but customers were encouraged to check the opening hours of their local BIG W by . All Coles supermarkets are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but closed on Christmas Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. Woolworths supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day from 8am to 8pm. Gove supermarket has reduced trading hours, from 9am to 5pm, on Boxing Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Stores are open on December 24 and normal trading hours apply. BWS said in the lead-up to Christmas. All BWS stores will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen, with public holiday trading hours, on Boxing Day. Liquorland stores are open on Christmas Eve and most are open on Boxing Day. However, stores are closed on Christmas Day. The Alice Springs store is closed on Boxing Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars are open throughout the festive period but close on Christmas Day. Stores are open with normal trading hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some opening and closing hours may differ between stores but the , the liquor store said. Kmart stores are trading late on December 23, with many open until midnight, but shops close as early as 6pm on Christmas Eve. All stores are closed on Christmas Day and opening hours on Boxing Day vary between 8am and 10am. will be updated with individual opening hours for each store. BIG W stores will be closed on Christmas Day only but customers were encouraged to check the opening hours of their local BIG W by . All Coles supermarkets are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day but closed on Christmas Day. Opening and closing times may differ from normal at some stores but individual store trading hours are , Coles said. Woolworths supermarkets are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day. Individual store opening hours may change and the supermarket encourages customers to check the . Store hours will continue as normal in the lead-up to Christmas with some varied trading hours on December 24. All ALDI stores will be closed on Christmas Day, and trading hours will vary for ALDI shops around the country on Boxing Day, with some stores opening an hour later than normal and closing an hour earlier. Normal trading hours apply to Dan Murphy's shops on Christmas Eve. Some stores may extend trading hours, the liquor retailer said. All Dan Murphy's are closed on Christmas Day but reopen on Boxing Day from 10am to 7pm. Stores are open on December 24 and normal trading hours apply. BWS said in the lead-up to Christmas. All BWS stores will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen on Boxing Day with public holiday trading hours. First Choice Liquor Market stores are closed on Christmas Day but are open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. Some trading hours may vary from store to store and , First Choice Liquor Market said. Liquorland stores are open on Christmas Eve and most are open on Boxing Day. However, stores are closed on Christmas Day. The Red Hill and Milton Village stores are closed on Boxing Day. Liquorland said that although trading hours may differ from normal at some stores, individual store trading hours are . Vintage Cellars are open throughout the festive period but close on Christmas Day. Stores are open with normal trading hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. The liquor store said that although some stores' opening and closing hours may differ, the . Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. 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Where 960 kinders, schools must be built, and built bigBhubaneswar, Dec 15 (PTI) Over 3 lakh people from India and abroad have provided suggestions for the preparation of the Odisha Vision Documents for 2036 and 2047, officials said on Sunday. The suggestions were provided via email, WhatsApp, and the dedicated website of the government, they said. Also Read | AAP vs BJP Flashpoint: Delhi High Court To Hear on December 16 Plea Against 'Suppression of CAG Reports' by CM Atishi. In a statement, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said, "Thank you Odisha for coming forward with valued inputs for shaping Odisha's future." The vision documents were being prepared to build a 'Bikasita' or developed Odisha with the state's centenary in 2036 and 100 years of the country's Independence in 2047, officials said. Also Read | Assam TET Admit Card 2024 Out at madhyamik.assam.gov.in: Hall Ticket for Assam Teacher Eligibility Test Examination Released, Get Direct Link and Know Steps To Download. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been used to meticulously review and analyse the suggestions, ensuring that every voice is considered and the best ideas are incorporated into the state's strategic roadmap, the statement said. This innovative step underscores Odisha's commitment to utilising cutting-edge technology for enhancing citizen-driven policymaking, it added. Deputy CMs Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida also lauded the participation of a large number of people, emphasising the power of collective effort in realising the vision of a prosperous Odisha. The 17 areas in which the suggestions were being sought include agriculture and rural development, sustainable mining practices, tourism and heritage, urban development and climate resilience. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)NEW YORK , Dec. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global steel casting market size is estimated to grow by USD 7.27 billion from 2024 to 2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period. The report provides a comprehensive forecast of key segments below- Segmentation Overview 1.1 Automotive and transportation 1.2 Construction and infrastructure 1.3 Mining 1.4 Power 1.5 Others 2.1 Sand casting 2.2 Investment casting 2.3 Die casting 2.4 Centrifugal casting 3.1 APAC 3.2 North America 3.3 Europe 3.4 Middle East and Africa 3.5 South America Get a glance at the market contribution of rest of the segments - Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! 1.1 Fastest growing segment: The global steel casting market experienced significant growth in the automotive and transportation sector in 2023. Steel casting is a cost-effective solution for manufacturing various components in this industry, including drums, flywheels, engine casings, gears, suspension systems, steering systems, pipe fittings, exhaust systems, cylinder heads, and others. In automotive manufacturing, the increasing global volume of vehicle production will continue to drive demand for steel casting. Leading automobile producers, such as Germany , South Korea , Japan , India , and China , will contribute to this growth. Additionally, steel casting is extensively used in the railway and locomotive industry for components like chocks, derailers, heel blocks, joint bars, rail braces, railway tracks and lines, and other locomotive parts. In the aerospace sector, steel casting is utilized for manufacturing turbine engines and aircraft components due to its high quality and precision. The rising middle-class population, with an annual income between USD20,000 and USD150,000 , is expected to reach over 48% of the global population by 2027. This demographic's increasing spending power on domestic airline travel will fuel the demand for freight aircraft, leading to growth in the steel casting market for this segment. Overall, the automotive and transportation sector's expansion will significantly contribute to the global steel casting market's growth during the forecast period. Analyst Review The global steel casting market is witnessing significant growth due to its extensive applications in various industries. Automotive sector is a major consumer, with the increasing production of lightweight vehicles leading to a higher demand for aluminum casting and magnesium components. Die casting using sand molds is a popular method in automotive manufacturing, while the construction market relies on cast iron and grey iron metal for infrastructure projects and industrial products. Recyclable materials are increasingly being used to reduce environmental impact. The telecom industry utilizes stainless-steel castings for their durability and resistance to corrosion. Emission regulations drive the demand for iron casting in powertrains and engine components. The transportation, water supply, energy networks, and building & construction industries also contribute to the market growth. Skilled labor is essential for the production of high-quality steel castings, making it a labor-intensive process. Ductile iron and various alloys are used in various applications, including vehicle components, pipes, and engine blocks. Market Overview The Steel Casting Market encompasses the production of various types of steel castings, including those made from grey iron metal, ductile iron, and stainless-steel, using processes like sand mold and die casting. This capital-intensive industry caters to diverse sectors, with significant demand coming from the Automotive Sector for manufacturing engine components, transmissions, and lightweight vehicle parts using aluminum casting and magnesium. The Telecom Industry also utilizes steel castings for producing antennas and other infrastructure equipment. Regulations, particularly emission regulations, influence the market's growth, driving the adoption of lightweight casting materials like aluminum alloy and the increase in aluminum content in vehicle production. The European Union (EU) and other regional bodies set regulations that impact regional-level production numbers and penetration. The Metal Casting Industry's average selling price depends on the volume of components produced, material type, and process used. Foundry Equipment manufacturers cater to this industry, providing essential machinery for the production of castings. The market includes various types of castings, such as those for powertrains, body & chassis, and industrial products. The Building & Construction Industry and Infrastructure Projects also rely on steel castings for transportation, water supply, and energy networks. Alternative manufacturing processes like 3D printing and investment casting are gaining traction, potentially impacting the traditional steel casting market. The market's growth is influenced by vehicle type, regional-level production numbers, and regional-level penetration, with thousands of units produced annually. To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes! Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Venodr Landscape 11 Vendor Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio

Vote on Values, Not Appearance, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh Urges GhanaiansScience and Technology Daily: Promoting AI Governance Jointly

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) announces changes to the S&P Sri Lanka 20 index constituents as part of the 2024 Year-End Rebalance, conducted by S&P Dow Jones Indices. The exclusions and inclusions, as announced by S&P Dow Jones Indices, will take effect from December 23, 2024, following the market close on December 20, 2024. The S&P SL 20 index includes the 20 largest companies, by total market capitalization, listed on the CSE that meet minimum size, liquidity and financial viability thresholds. The constituents are weighted by float-adjusted market capitalization, subject to a single stock cap of 15%, which is employed to reduce single stock concentration. The S&P SL 20 index has been designed in accordance with international practices and standards. All stocks are classified according to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), which was co-developed by S&P Dow Jones Indices and MCSI and is widely used by market participants throughout the world. To be eligible for inclusion, a stock must have a minimum float-adjusted market capitalization of Rs.500 million, six-month median daily value traded of Rs. 0.25 million and have positive net income over the 12 months prior to the rebalancing reference date. For information, including the complete methodology, More details could be obtained from: www.spindices.comKlaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision via Getty Images Main Thesis & Background The purpose of this article is to evaluate the PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II ( NYSE: PML ) as an investment option at its current market price. This fund's objective is Consider the Income Lab I am a macro-focused investor with 15 years experience working in Financial Services. My niche is finding under-valued sectors and thematic ideas (metals, gold, crypto) at opportune entry points. The first half of my career was in New York, working professionally after college (BS - Finance and D1 Men's Tennis). I relocated to North Carolina for graduate school (MBA) and employment. I am fortunate to spend half my time in Charlotte and half in Asheville. I grew up in a middle-class family where a strong work ethic was mandatory (German/Slovak mother). I went to college with $10,000 to my name and I thought that was all the money in the world. Twenty years later, I'm fortunate enough to co-manage a seven-figure investment account with my wife, who is also an astute investor. I'm literally living proof that diligent saving and investing can be life changing. I make a habit of keeping my portfolio up-to-date, which my followers can see here. I take pride in writing about funds, stocks, and sectors that I actually follow and invest in, and I believe my followers appreciate that approach. Broad market: DIA, VOO, QQQM, RSP Sectors/Non-US: XLE/IXC; VPU/IDU/BUI, FEZ, SCHF, EWC Alternatives: Bitcoin, IAU (Gold) Stocks: JPM, MCD, WMT, FLUT Debt: BGT, Municipal bonds from North Carolina I also contribute to the investing group CEF/ETF Income Laboratory where I specialize in macro analysis. Features of CEF/ETF Income Laboratory include: managed income portfolios (targeting safe and reliable ~8% yields) making use of high-yield opportunities in the CEF and ETF fund space. These are geared toward both active and passive investors of all experience levels. The vast majority of holdings are also monthly-payers, for faster compounding and steady income streams. Other features include 24/7 chat, and trade alerts. Learn more. Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in PML over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.Foundation Stone For E-Bus Plant Laid

okbet opisyal Oil prices climbed by more than 1% on Monday as top importer China flagged its first move towards a loosened monetary policy stance since 2010 in a drive to bolster economic growth, state media reported citing a Politburo meeting. Brent crude futures were up $1, or 1.4%, to $72.12 per barrel at 1356 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up $1.09, or 1.6%, to $68.29. “The easing of monetary policy stance in China is likely the driver of the oil price rebounding, supporting risk sentiment,” UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said. China’s growth has stalled as a slump in the property market has hit confidence and consumption. China’s slowdown was a factor behind oil producers group OPEC+ last week deciding to postpone its plans for higher output until April. China will adopt a “moderately loose” monetary policy, according to an official readout from a meeting of top Communist Party officials, a term it last used in 2010 when it looked to support a recovery from the global financial crisis. “The announcement, however, is short on details,” noted Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM, adding credible price support in the form of revived Chinese oil demand would come only once consumer sentiment and spending improves. Loosening policy refers to actions by a central bank or government, such as increasing money supply, lowering interest rates, and implementing fiscal stimulus, to boost growth. Also supporting crude prices was uncertainty after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Syrian rebels announced on state television on Sunday they had ousted Assad, ending a 50-year family dynasty in a lightning offensive that raised fears of a new wave of instability in a region already gripped by war. “The development in Syria has added a new layer of political uncertainty in the Middle East, providing some support to the market,” said Tomomichi Akuta, senior economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting. “But Saudi Arabia’s price reductions and OPEC+’s production cut extension last week underscored weak demand from China, indicating the market may soften toward year-end,” he said, noting investors are watching for early signs of any impact on the markets from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s expected energy and Middle East policies. Top exporter Saudi Aramco on Sunday reduced its January 2025 prices for Asian buyers to their lowest level since early 2021. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Arunima Kumar in Bengaluru, Enes Tunagur in London, Yuka Obayashi in Tokyo and Siyi Liu in Singapore. Editing by Jason Neely and Mark Potter)

NoneOn Monday, farmers in Punjab staged a statewide bandh, effectively obstructing major roads and disrupting commuter traffic in protest of unmet government demands. This demonstration was organized by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. The bandh, scheduled from 7 am to 4 pm, witnessed farmers holding sit-ins at several key locations, including the Dhareri Jattan Toll Plaza on the Patiala-Chandigarh National Highway. Entry points like Amritsar's Golden Gate and Bathinda's Rampura Phul bore the brunt of the protest as roads were blocked. Even as the bandh halted normal operations, essential services were allowed to continue with exemptions for emergency cases, such as medical emergencies, airport journeys, and weddings. Meanwhile, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's hunger strike reached its 35th day, as farmers persisted in their demands, including a legal guarantee of the minimum support price (MSP), debt waivers, and justice for victims of past violence. (With inputs from agencies.)

Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman has recounted the final conversation she shared with her mother, Janelle Kidman, who passed away in September at the age of 84. “So, I’m doing that more. And I say that to other people in the world, and particularly women,” she continued. “I think we tend not to take care of ourselves; we take care of everybody else.” The Australian-American actress reflected on the profound impact that her mother’s last words have had on her life. “My grandmother left me with ‘be happy,’ and my mom said ’take care of yourself,'” she said. “I’m an older mother, so I want to be around for a long time for my girls,” she continued. “They’re amazing girls, and I’m lucky to have them. “So taking care of myself means that I can take care of them.” Kidman shares two daughters, Sunday, 16, and Faith, 13, with her husband of 18 years, country singer Keith Urban. The “Big Little Lies” star also shares two adopted children, Isabella, 31, and Connor, 29, with her ex-husband, actor Tom Cruise. Following their mother’s passing, the actress and her younger sister, journalist Antonia Kidman, released a joint statement on Instagram expressing gratitude to fans and followers for the support their family had received. “Every message we have received from those who loved and admired our Mother has meant more to us than we will ever be able to express. The actress—who was due to receive the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her new film, “Babygirl”—promptly departed the event to return to her family’s residence in Sydney, Australia. The film’s director, Halina Reijn, later read a statement from Kidman while accepting the prestigious award on her behalf. “I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina. The collision of life and art is heart-breaking, and my heart is broken.” Kidman has previously spoken about the profound influence her mother had in shaping not only her personal life but also her professional career. In a May 2020 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, the actress described her mother as her mentor, guide, and nurturer. “She’s given me the fire to pursue the career I have because I’ve always wanted to please her,” Kidman said. “But she also carved her own path and wanted her daughters to have the same opportunity to carve their own paths. “Mum didn’t necessarily get the career that she wanted, but she was determined that her daughters would have opportunities that were equal,” she added. “That’s given me my life. And she gave me my life, she and my dad.” Janelle Kidman married her husband, Antony Kidman, in the early 1960s. The clinical psychologist, who worked at the University of Technology Sydney in Australia, died in September 2014 at the age of 75. The couple added: “We are all heartbroken but knowing we are in the hearts and thoughts of others is so comforting.”

Tim Parlatore joins The Lead

Titans coach says WR Treylon Burks recently had surgery to fix partially torn ACL

Figure 1 Site Rendering of NOVONIX’s New Facility BRISBANE, Australia, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NOVONIX Limited (NASDAQ: NVX, ASX: NVX) (“NOVONIX” or “the Company”), a leading battery materials and technology company, announced today a conditional commitment to NOVONIX through one if its wholly-owned U.S.-based subsidiaries (“Borrower”), from the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) through the Loan Programs Office (“LPO”) for a direct loan of up to US$754.8 million ($692 million in principal and $62.8 million in capitalized interest) to be applied towards partially financing a proposed new facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee (the “New Facility”). The proposed financing is being offered under the DOE LPO’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (“ATVM”) Loan Program. If finalized, the loan would be applied towards partially financing the construction of the New Facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to manufacture synthetic graphite primarily for use in electric vehicle (“EV”) batteries. At full capacity, the new facility is expected to produce approximately 31,500 tonnes per annum (“tpa”) of synthetic graphite, which can support the production of lithium-ion batteries for approximately 325,000 EVs each year. China currently has over 95% market share for battery grade graphite 1 . The new facility is expected to reach full production capacity by the end of 2028 and is anticipated to create 450 full-time operational jobs and 500 construction jobs. Dr. Chris Burns, CEO of NOVONIX said, “This announcement is the culmination of years of hard work and is another critical milestone for our anode materials business towards our target production of 150,000 tpa in North America. This conditional commitment from the government to invest in our new facility continues to underscore the focus on localizing critical materials in the battery supply chain, such as graphite. Recent announcements from China to further scrutinize the export of battery-grade graphite to the United States highlight the importance of domestic production of high-performance, battery-grade synthetic graphite. Our offtake agreements with strong partners have strengthened our leadership in onshoring the synthetic graphite supply chain in North America and supporting the path towards U.S. energy independence.” This year, NOVONIX has signed binding offtake agreements to supply synthetic graphite to Panasonic Energy 2 , Stellantis 3 , and PowerCo 4 . To meet this demand, the Company has previously discussed plans to build a new facility in the southeastern United States which could expand up to 75,000 tpa or production capacity. This proposed ATVM Program loan would support the construction of the first phase of the New Facility and the initial production capacity of 31,500 tpa. NOVONIX plans to subsequently expand the production capacity of this site to its target of 75,000 tpa of synthetic graphite production, any such expansion being dependent on customer demand and access to additional financing. NOVONIX’s Riverside facility, also located in Chattanooga, is poised to become the first large-scale production site dedicated to high-performance synthetic graphite for the battery sector in North America. It is slated to begin commercial production in 2025, with plans to grow output to 20,000 tpa to meet current customer commitments. Previously, the Company announced that the DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (“MESC”) awarded the Company a US$100 million grant 5 and that it was selected for a US$103 million investment tax credit 6 towards the funding of the Riverside facility. Key terms of the DOE’s conditional commitment, including those set forth in a non-binding term sheet attached to the conditional commitment letter signed by the DOE, NOVONIX and the Borrower, include: The loan is for a maximum amount of US$754.8 million, which includes up to US$692.0 million in principal and up to US$62.8 million in capitalized interest and will be structured in two tranches based on a phased completion of infrastructure and production lines from a total eligible investment of US$943.6 million. The loan will be comprised of two primary tranches that will have terms of 15 years and 10 years, respectively, from the date of first payment of each. The first tranche will be to support the site and infrastructure for the New Facility and 21,000 tpa of production capacity, while the second tranche will support an additional 10,500 tpa of production capacity. An additional tranche to fund eligible project costs will be subject to repayment upon receipt of any proceeds derived from the monetization of any tax credit received by the Company or the Borrower related to the New Facility under the Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Allocation Program. The loan will be guaranteed by the Company and secured by a first priority security interest in all assets of the Borrower, equity interests in and, with certain exceptions, assets of certain of NOVONIX’s existing subsidiaries. Each advance of loan proceeds will have a separate interest rate set by the Federal Financing Bank under the general supervision of the Secretary of Treasury at the time that the respective advance is made. While this conditional commitment demonstrates DOE’s intent to finance the New Facility, DOE must complete an environmental review, and the Company must satisfy certain technical, commercial, legal, environmental, and financial conditions before DOE can decide whether to enter into definitive financing documents and fund the loan. A binding loan agreement from DOE is also subject to the satisfactory completion of due diligence by DOE, satisfaction of conditions precedent specified in the term sheet, approval of the NOVONIX Board, receipt of required governmental and third-party consents, and the negotiation and execution of binding loan documents. Once binding loan documents have been signed, NOVONIX and the Borrower will need to satisfy certain conditions precedent prior to loan closing, and / or prior to first and subsequent advances of loan proceeds. This announcement has been authorised for release by Admiral Robert J Natter, USN Ret., Chairman. About NOVONIX NOVONIX is a leading battery technology company revolutionizing the global lithium-ion battery industry with innovative, sustainable technologies, high-performance materials, and more efficient production methods. The Company manufactures industry-leading battery cell testing equipment, is growing its high-performance synthetic graphite material manufacturing operations, and has developed a patented all-dry, zero-waste cathode synthesis process. Through advanced R&D capabilities, proprietary technology, and strategic partnerships, NOVONIX has gained a prominent position in the electric vehicle and energy storage systems battery industry and is powering a cleaner energy future. To learn more, visit us at www.novonixgroup.com or on LinkedIn and X . For NOVONIX Limited Scott Espenshade, ir@novonixgroup.com (investors) Stephanie Reid, media@novonixgroup.com (media) Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains forward-looking statements about the Company and the industry in which we operate. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” or “would,” or other similar expressions. Examples of forward-looking statements in this communication include, among others, statements we make regarding our target production capacity and commencement of commercial production at our Riverside facility, our plans to build a new production facility and achieve initial and total production capacities, and our efforts to finance this new production facility with a loan from the LPO. We have based such statements on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Such forward-looking statements involve and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the timely deployment and scaling of our furnace technology, our ability to meet the technical specifications and demand of our existing and future customers, the accuracy of our estimates regarding market size, expenses, future revenue, capital requirements, needs and access for additional financing, the availability and impact and our compliance with the applicable terms of government support, including the DOE MESC grant and, if a definitive agreement is executed and the loan is funded, the LPO loan, our ability to satisfy the conditions precedent to our entering into definitive loan documents and to the DOE’s funding the LPO loan and, if the loan is obtained, our ability to comply with the restrictions and obligations under the loan documents, our ability to obtain patent rights effective to protect our technologies and processes and successfully defend any challenges to such rights and prevent others from commercializing such technologies and processes, and regulatory developments in the United States, Australia and other jurisdictions. These and other factors that could affect our business and results are included in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 20-F. Copies of these filings may be obtained by visiting our Investor Relations website at www.novonixgroup.com or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes, and actual performance and outcomes may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this communication. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement in this communication is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law. 1 Benchmark Minerals Intelligence Anode Price Assessment September 2024 2 Panasonic Energy and NOVONIX Sign Binding Off-Take Agreement - NOVONIX 3 NOVONIX and Stellantis Sign Binding Offtake Agreement - NOVONIX 4 NOVONIX and PowerCo SE Sign Binding Offtake Agreement - NOVONIX 5 NOVONIX Finalizes US$100 Million Grant Award from U.S. Department of Energy - NOVONIX 6 U.S. Government Selects NOVONIX to Receive US$103 Million in Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credits - NOVONIX A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9a660b84-f19e-4636-b981-d532b2029aceAAP FACTCHECK – Social media posts are falsely claiming demographic data shows Gaza’s population has grown since October 7, 2023, despite tens of thousands of Palestinians being killed in the Israel-Hamas war. The figure being widely shared online is a population growth projection for Gaza calculated in August 2023, and it does not account for population changes since then. A Facebook post making the claim features a bar chart comparing population changes during historic genocides. “Gaza population increased by 2.02% or 43,000 people since October 7th 2023. All historical genocides had population decreases of 25% or more. Source: The World factbook,” the caption said. The first instance of the claim appears to be a November 19 X post from Visegrad 24, a Polish news aggregator whose claims have previously been debunked . Many posts pointed to The World Factbook , a reference resource produced by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) with information and statistics about the world’s countries. On its Gaza Strip page, it estimates the 2024 population growth rate – the annual rate of change in population size – at 2.02 per cent. The CIA sourced the figures from the US Census Bureau’s International Population Estimates and Projections. In August 2023, the Bureau released population estimates and other demographic data up to 2100 for 40 countries and areas in its International Database (IDB). The projected annual population growth rate for the Gaza Strip was 2.02 per cent . The Census Bureau confirmed the CIA World Factbook used data from its IDB update in August 2023, before the conflict began. It does not consider any data after that time. In October 2023, Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli authorities. Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza has killed more than 44,000 people, according to Palestinian authorities. The Red Cross estimated that 6400 people were missing in the enclave as of July 2024, The Guardian reported. About 1.9 million people were internally displaced and Gaza’s population was facing disease outbreaks and “catastrophic” food insecurity in October 2024, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification , an initiative involving governments, the UN, NGOs and civil society groups. About 87 per cent of residential homes in the territory had been damaged or destroyed as of November 26, 2024, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. In July 2024, the UN estimated that the Gaza Strip’s population was 2.1 million, down from the 2.3 million initially projected for 2024 by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS). The UN figure was calculated after consultations with partner organisations and accounted for an estimated 110,000 Palestinians who had exited Gaza through Egypt. In July 2024, the PCBS revised its estimated population growth rate for Gaza from “about 2.7 per cent for 2023, to only about 1 per cent during 2024”. The bureau predicted significant decreases in mortality and birth rates due to “couples’ tendency not to have children as a result of the recent conditions” and a decline in the number of marriages. All information, text and images included on the AAP Websites is for personal use only and may not be re-written, copied, re-sold or re-distributed, framed, linked, shared onto social media or otherwise used whether for compensation of any kind or not, unless you have the prior written permission of AAP. For more information, please refer to our standard terms and conditions .Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister withdraws from President-elect Trump's DEA nomination

None

NoneRADNOR, PA — Hidden River Strategic Capital has announced a significant investment in Seedbox Solution, a company specializing in reusable packaging and fleet management for the seed industry. The funding, carried out in partnership with Granite Creek Capital Partners and Everside Capital Partners, enabled a management-led buyout of Seedbox’s previous majority owner and provided resources for the company’s future growth. Seedbox Solution focuses on making bulk, reusable seed boxes more accessible and cost-effective. The company operates globally but maintains a strong local presence with service hubs in the Midwest, including major facilities in Good Hope, Illinois, and Shenandoah, Iowa. By integrating deeply into customers’ supply chains, Seedbox delivers tailored logistics that meet the needs of seed producers. Following the investment, Seedbox’s leadership team, including Co-Founder and CEO Matt Dannenfeldt, will remain at the helm. Dannenfeldt expressed optimism about what the partnership will bring for the business. “The investment from Hidden River positions us to invest in a variety of growth initiatives to better serve our customers, including expanding our seed box wash and repair business and growing our unified box rental/service,” he said. “We will also be able to expedite the introduction of cutting-edge ‘smart box’ technology, allowing our customers to monitor seed product location, health, and status in real-time through the supply chain.” Hidden River’s investment aligns with its strategy of providing flexible capital to strong, innovative businesses. Todd Morrissey, Co-Founder and Partner at Hidden River, praised Seedbox’s leadership and vision. “We are thrilled to support the Seedbox management team as they continue to drive efficiency and innovation throughout the seed industry supply chain,” Morrissey said. “This transaction aligns perfectly with our investment strategy of providing flexible structured capital to strong businesses led by exceptional management teams. We see significant potential in Seedbox’s capacity to innovate and streamline supply chain logistics within the agricultural sector.” Seedbox Solution is poised to leverage this new phase of investment, focusing on technology innovation and service expansion to strengthen its position in the agricultural market. With ongoing support from Hidden River and its partners, the company aims to enhance its offerings while advancing supply chain efficiency for seed producers worldwide. For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN .

The Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes have something in common lately, and both teams are trying to shed recent labels. The teams have hit rough patches, making their meeting Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C., crucial for both sides. "I think we know we're in a little bit of funk here with our play," Carolina forward Eric Robinson said. The Hurricanes have lost three games in a row for the first time this season. Their 4-2 loss to visiting Seattle on Tuesday night came while putting just 19 shots on net, a low figure for the normally high-shot team. They had just seven shots through two periods. "We fought back a little bit, but we can't play two periods like that," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "We were not sharp." The Avalanche hold a 7-5-0 road record after a four-goal third period produced a 5-4 victory Tuesday night at Buffalo. Nathan MacKinnon scored twice and provided an assist in that game as his team rallied from a 4-0 hole. "We went into a couple of things, more details of what we need to do and what we need to see from every guy if we were to get back into that game," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. "They knew we needed to get more competitive. We definitely got more relentless on the puck." That was just Colorado's second victory in its last five games (2-3-0), with the other win coming in a shootout. So there's a lot to be concerned about for the Avalanche despite the big boost to begin a five-game road trip. "It's nice to see our team dig in," Bednar said. Carolina suddenly has stalled, failing to generate the scoring chances that have often defined the team. Hurricanes forward Martin Necas has a league-high 13 multi-point games, including a goal and an assist Tuesday. He certainly needs more help, and that's something that Brind'Amour has noticed. "Our top guys got to come and that includes everybody," he said. "If we're going to win, we have to have those guys being the top guys." Brind'Amour has adjusted line combinations, hoping to spark some of the forwards into more production. "I've done that, so that's not the answer," Brind'Amour said. "You got to look in the mirror and do your job. We're going to turn the page." There were encouraging aspects despite some dismal numbers for Carolina earlier this week. The Hurricanes have racked up 12 power-play goals across their last 11 games. Colorado goalie Scott Wedgewood, making his debut with the Avalanche, notched his first victory since October with Tuesday's relief effort at Buffalo, stopping all 22 shots. He began the season with Nashville. Wedgewood has had past success against Carolina, making 44 saves in his Dallas debut in March 2022 in a memorable outing in Raleigh. Carolina's 9-3-0 home record reflects back-to-back losses on home ice. Overall, the team has dropped five of its last seven games (2-4-1). Including Thursday's contest, the Hurricanes will play five of their next six games at home. "It's a great opportunity for us to come together and get back to our winning ways," Robinson said. "Everybody is working hard. Everybody wants to win." The visit to Raleigh marks the second stop on Colorado's five-game road trip. --Field Level Media"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 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Raphinha double guides Barcelona to 5-1 win at Mallorca

President-elect Donald Trump has filled the key posts for his second term in office, prioritizing loyalty to him after he felt bruised and hampered by internal squabbling during his first term. Some of his choices could face difficult confirmation fights in the Senate, even with Republicans in control, and two candidates have already withdrawn from consideration. Here's a look at Trump's choices: Trump would turn a former critic into an ally as the nation's top diplomat. Rubio , 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate before the slot went to JD Vance. Rubio is vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His selection punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator once called a “con man" during his own unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. Hegseth , 44, was a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends Weekend” and had been a contributor with the network since 2014. He developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth served in the Army National Guard from 2002 to 2021, deploying to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2011 and earning two Bronze Stars. He lacks senior military and national security experience and would oversee global crises ranging from Europe to the Middle East. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report recently made public. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and has denied any wrongdoing. Bessent , 62, is a former money manager for George Soros , a big Democratic donor, and an advocate for deficit reduction . He founded the hedge fund Key Square Capital Management after having worked on and off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, Bessent would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. Gabbard, 43, is a former Democratic House member from Hawaii who has been accused of echoing Russian propaganda. She unsuccessfully sought the party’s 2020 presidential nomination and left the party in 2022. Gabbard endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him. Gabbard has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades and deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. If confirmed she would come to the role as an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, spent several years in top national security and intelligence positions. Bondi , 59, was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist , Bondi also has served with the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-allied group that has helped lay the groundwork for his future administration. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush-money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appeared on Fox News and has been critical of the criminal cases against him. The Republican U.S. House member narrowly lost her reelection bid on Nov. 5 but had received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, Chavez-DeRemer would oversee the department's workforce and budget and put forth priorities that affect workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employees, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of a few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act that would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and penalize companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws in more than half the states. Lutnick heads the brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and is a cryptocurrency enthusiast. He is co-chair of Trump's transition operation, charged along with Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration, with helping the president-elect fill key jobs in his second administration. As secretary, Lutnick would play a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. He would oversee a sprawling Cabinet department whose oversight ranges from funding new computer chip factories and imposing trade restrictions to releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. Noem is a well-known conservative who used her two terms as South Dakota's governor to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions like other states, instead declaring South Dakota “open for business.” More recently, Noem faced sharp criticism for writing in her memoir about shooting and killing her dog. She is set to lead a department crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda as well as other missions. Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. Ratcliffe , a former U.S. House member from Texas, was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump’s first term. He led U.S. government’s spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. If confirmed, Ratcliffe will have held the highest intelligence positions in the U.S. Kennedy , 70, ran for president as a Democrat, then as an independent before he dropped out and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968 during his own presidential campaign. Kennedy's nomination alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Rollins , 52, is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for Trump's second administration. She is a Texas attorney who was Trump's domestic policy adviser and director of his office of American innovation during his first term. Rollins previously was an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry , who also served in Trump's first term. Rollins also ran the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years , sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential campaign, but was acquitted by the Senate. Collins also served in the armed forces himself. He is a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. The North Dakota governor , 68, is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump after he dropped out of the running. Burgum then became a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice in part because of his executive experience and business savvy. He also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump said Burgum would chair a new National Energy Council and have a seat on the National Security Council, which would be a first for the Interior secretary. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Wright is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. He also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. Wright said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The department is responsible for advancing the energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. McMahon, a billionaire professional wrestling mogul , would make a return appearance in a second Trump administration. She led the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019 in Trump’s first term and twice ran unsuccessfully in Connecticut as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University. She has expressed support for charter schools and school choice. Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI" and "we will do so while protecting access to clean air and water.” Trump often attacked the Biden administration’s promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referred to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often said his administration would “drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Greer is a partner at King & Spalding, a Washington law firm. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be responsible for negotiating directly with foreign governments on trade deals and disputes, as well as memberships in international trade bodies such as the World Trade Organization. He previously was chief of staff to Robert Lighthizer, who was the trade representative in Trump's first term. Former Georgia Sen. Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Wiles , 67, was a senior adviser to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. She has a background in Florida politics , helping Ron DeSantis win his first race for Florida governor. Six years later, she was key to Trump’s defeat of him in the 2024 Republican primary. Wiles’ hire was Trump’s first major decision as president-elect and one that could be a defining test of his incoming administration considering her close relationship with him. Wiles is said to have earned Trump’s trust in part by guiding what was the most disciplined of Trump’s three presidential campaigns. Waltz is a three-term Republican congressman from east-central Florida. A former Army Green Beret , he served multiple tours in Afghanistan and worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Hassett, 62, is a major advocate of tax cuts who was chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers in the first Trump term. In the new role as chairman of the National Economic Council, Trump said Hassett will play an important role in helping American families recover from inflation as well as in renewing and improving tax cuts Trump enacted in 2017, many of which are set to expire after 2025. Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. He led the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Trump's first administration. Democrats have criticized Homan for defending Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings in the first term, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Vought, 48, held the position during Trump’s first presidency. He founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank whose mission is to “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought also was closely involved with Project 2025 , a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that Trump tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump’s priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump’s first term. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump’s policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation’s economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people living illegally in the U.S. Scavino was an adviser in all three of the president-elect's campaigns and was described by the transition team as one of “Trump’s longest serving and most trusted aides." He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino previously ran Trump’s social media profile in the White House. Blair was political director for Trump’s 2024 campaign and the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and an assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump’s economic messaging during the campaign. Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump’s 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Leavitt , 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Warrington has served Trump as his personal attorney and lawyer for the campaign. Trump initially had tapped William McGinley to be White House counsel, but three weeks later said he instead was dispatching McGinley to work with his new Department of Government Efficiency. That panel will be run by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy with the goal of cutting federal spending. Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel has called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who have sought additional resources for the bureau. And though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel has said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and they were golfing at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Kellogg , 80, is a highly decorated retired three-star general and one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for Trump's second term. He has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues and served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence . Kellogg also was chief of staff of the National Security Council under Trump and stepped in as an acting national security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned from the post. Boehler is the founder and CEO of Rubicon Founders, a healthcare investment firm. He also served as the first CEO of the International Development Finance Corp. He would serve as Trump's lead hostage negotiator at a time when the U.S. is trying to secure the release of prisoners in Gaza and other regions around the world. The role has been held since 2020 by Roger Carstens , who was appointed by Trump and remained in the job throughout the Biden administration. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests. Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Huckabee has rejected a Palestinian homeland in territory occupied by Israel. His daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, served as White House press secretary in Trump's first term. Stefanik, 40, is a U.S. representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders dating to his first impeachment trial. She was elected chair of the House Republican Conference in 2021, the third-highest position in House leadership, after then-Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after she publicly criticized Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. A former acting attorney general during Trump's first administration and tight end on the University of Iowa football team, Whitaker , 55, has a background in law enforcement but not in foreign policy. A fierce Trump localist, Whitaker, is also a former U.S. attorney in Iowa and served as acting attorney general between November 2018 and February 2019 without Senate confirmation, until William Barr was confirmed for the role. That was when special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election interference was drawing to a close. Whitaker also faced questions about his past business dealings, including his ties to an invention-promotion company that was accused of misleading consumers. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. Navarro, 75, was a trade adviser during Trump's first term. He is a longtime critic of trade arrangements with China. Navarro was held in contempt of Congress and served four months in prison for defying a subpoena from the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Oz , 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime TV talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz’s bid for elected office. Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Bhattacharya , 56, is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. As head of the NIH, the leading medical research agency in the United States, Trump said Bhattacharya would work with Kennedy Jr. to direct U.S. medical research and make important discoveries that will improve health and save lives. Bhattacharya is a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine and was one of three authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, an October 2020 open letter maintaining that lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic were causing irreparable harm. Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. Former Rep. Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Atkins, a former SEC commissioner, is the CEO of Patomak Partners and a cryptocurrency advocate. Atkins has argued against too much market regulation and Trump said Atkins is a “proven leader for commonsense regulations.” The agency oversees U.S. securities markets and investments. The current chairman, Gary Gensler, has been leading the government's crackdown on the crypto industry. Chronister removed himself from consideration to lead the nation's top controlled substances enforcement agency, just days after being tapped for the post. Trump's announcement that he would nominate Chronister, who has worked for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office since 1992, was met with backlash from some conservative figures over his enforcement of lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his past comments he made that his sheriff’s office was not focused on enforcing federal immigration laws. Gaetz, 42, withdrew from consideration to become the top law enforcement officer of the United States amid fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed by the Senate. In choosing Gaetz, Trump had passed over more established lawyers whose names had been floated as possible contenders for the job. Gaetz resigned from Congress after Trump announced him on Nov. 13. The House Ethics Committee has been investigating an allegation that he paid for sex with a 17-year-old. Gaetz has denied wrongdoing. Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Zeke Miller, Farnoush Amiri, Lolita C. Baldor, Jill Colvin, Matthew Daly, Edith M. Lederer, Adriana Gomez Licon, Lisa Mascaro, Chris Megerian, Michelle L. Price, Will Weissert and Meg Kinnard contributed to this report.

Two-time WNBA champion Jewell Loyd requests trade from Seattle Storm: Reports

okebet agent login ph IRVINE, Calif. — Sims Lifecycle Services (SLS) has once again been recognized as a Representative Vendor in the 2024 Gartner® “Market Guide for IT Asset Disposition. ” In our opinion, this acknowledgment, our fifth inclusion in the Market Guide , highlights SLS’s commitment to delivering world-class IT asset management and disposition solutions that meet the highest standards of data security, sustainability, compliance and value return. We feel this recognition of SLS as a Representative Vendor underscores the company’s strong position in the market and our ability to support global clients in managing the end-of-life cycle of IT assets. According to Gartner, “Sustainability requirements are compounding the ongoing ITAD challenges of data security and sound reuse/recycling. Sourcing, procurement and vendor management leaders can use this Market Guide to navigate the ITAD market, assess growing compliance risks and identify representative ITAD providers.” “In our view, being included again as a Representative Vendor in the 2024 Gartner® “Market Guide for IT Asset Disposition” is not just a recognition, it’s a validation of our commitment to excellence and innovation in IT asset disposition,” notes Sean Magann, chief commercial officer at Sims Lifecycle Services. “We believe this inclusion highlights our ability to innovate in ways that not only safeguard our clients’ data but also drive sustainability and efficiency. It’s proof that we’re not just adapting to change, we’re leading it.” While inadequate data security and environmentally harmful recycling continue to be the biggest risks within the ITAD market, the report focuses largely on the financial and environmental advantages of device reuse and states that “ITAD is increasingly focused on the environmental sustainability benefits of extending the lifecycle of technology assets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and e-waste.” Refurbishment and redeployment of IT devices is expected to increase as organizations more fully recognize the carbon avoidance realized versus recycling. “ITAD,” the report maintains, “is crucial for IT sustainability, mitigating Scope 3 emissions and supporting the circular economy.” Gartner urges corporations to utilize industry-best ITAD vendors to “leverage the superior environmental sustainability (and budget) characteristics of asset reuse as your primary disposition process.” Sims Lifecycle Services provides solutions to extend the life of data center and enterprise IT assets, and the company recognizes the value in end-of-life electronics, components and materials. SLS works with hyperscale and cloud data centers to reuse and redeploy data center equipment. Fortune 500 companies are supported by SLS to navigate ongoing technology shifts by securely and responsibly managing the disposition of IT equipment and recycling of electronic products. IT asset disposition (ITAD) and electronics recycling services offered at SLS support the evolution of the electronics industry movement toward circularity. SLS clients benefit from data security, maximum IT value recovery, global compliance and sustainable IT use. As a responsible corporate citizen, and in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we continuously seek new ways to contribute to the circular economy. Visit the SLS website, for more information on the company’s global coverage and services offered or for media contact email: .AAC Seeks Transparency Over Ofali Agwu Digital Smart SchoolDarren Till is finally set to make his Misfits Boxing debut. On Sunday, Misfits announced that Till will face Anthony Taylor in an eight-round heavyweight boxing match as the main event of Misfits X Series 20 on Jan. 18 at Co-op Live in Manchester, England. In the co-main events, Wade Plemons faces Masai Warrior in a four-round heavyweight matchup. New main event CONFIRMED ✅ Anthony Taylor steps in to face Darren Till in Manchester, January 18th while Wade takes on Masai Warrior @MF_DAZNXSeries | @KickStreaming | @PrimeHydrate pic.twitter.com/REaqCvvQiS Till was originally supposed to face Tommy Fury ; however, Fury withdrew from their scheduled bout earlier this month, stating he believed Till would attempt to use “stupid MMA tactics” and that he is a boxer. Till, of course, mocked Fury, stating his comments about kicking were an attempt to build the fight. Nevertheless, Fury still withdrew and so now Till faces Taylor. Most recently, Till defeated Mohammad Mutie via TKO in an exhibition boxing match in July for Social Knockout. And fortunately, if Till does decide to go into his bag of MMA tricks, his new opponent won’t be too out of sorts. Though Taylor made a name for himself on the influencer boxing scene the past several years, he also has 11 MMA fights to his name, starting his combat sports career out in Bellator.

Six projects for innovation in green hydrogen technology from top educational institutions have been shortlisted for incubation at the Indian Institute of Technology's (IIT) Bombay. Supported by HSBC India Green Hydrogen programme, the initiative is a part of a three-year project unveiled by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in 2023. The aim is to develop innovative projects to position green hydrogen as a strategic alternative fuel. The programme received a large number of proposals from 6 IITs, the National Institute of Technology and Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research. “Of them, six projects have been shortlisted for incubation at IIT Bombay through a stringent process by a steering committee comprising industry experts and senior faculty from the institute,” said a release. They range from developing indigenous hydrogen storage systems that will help reduce significant carbon emissions from commercial vehicles to cost effective and sustainable hydrogen generators and alternative burners which will improve air quality. These solutions will be nurtured at the IIT incubation centre and refined for commercial readiness by the end of the programme period and comprehensively supported to build scale and enhance reach. “This collaboration underscores our firm commitment to supporting the Centre's visionary national green hydrogen mission which positions green hydrogen not just as a sustainable fuel, but as a cornerstone of the country's future energy landscape,” said IIT-B director Shireesh Kedare.

ORLANDO, Fla. — UCF coach Gus Malzahn is resigning after four seasons with the school. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the move, which will see Malzahn to leave to take the offensive coordinator job at Florida State. Malzahn previously worked with FSU coach Mike Norvell during their time at Tulsa under then-coach Todd Graham from 2007-08. The Knights ended a disappointing 4-8 season in which they lost eight of their last nine games, the longest losing streak since 2015. Malzahn, 59, was in the fourth year of a contract through 2028. His buyout, it is reported, would have been $13.75 million. He finished 27-25 at UCF but lost 16 of his last 22 games and was a dismal 4-14 in two seasons in the Big 12. After back-to-back nine-win seasons in 2021-22, the Knights went 6-7 in 2023 and 4-8 in 2024. This season started with high expectations as Malzahn made sweeping changes to the program. He retooled the strength and conditioning department and hired Ted Roof and Tim Harris Jr. as defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively. He also added nearly 50 new players to the roster, leaning heavily on the transfer market. UCF started by winning its first three games against New Hampshire, Sam Houston and a thrilling comeback at TCU, but offensive struggles saw the Knights tumble through a TBD-game losing streak to finish the season. Terry Mohajir hired Malzahn on Feb. 15, 2021, six days after he was hired to replace Danny White. The move came eight weeks after Malzahn had been fired at Auburn after eight seasons of coaching the Tigers. The two briefly worked together at Arkansas State in 2012 before Malzahn left for the Auburn job. “When he [Mohajir] offered the job, I was like, ‘I’m in.’ There wasn’t thinking about or talking about ...,” Malzahn said during his introductory press conference. “This will be one of the best programs in college football in a short time. This is a job that I plan on being here and building it.” UCF opened the 2021 season with non-conference wins over Boise State and Bethune-Cookman before traveling to Louisville on Sept. 17, where quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a fractured collarbone in the final minute of a 42-35 loss. Backup Mikey Keene would finish out the season as Gabriel announced his intention to transfer. The Knights would finish the season on the plus side by accepting a bid to join the Big 12 Conference in September and then by defeating Florida 29-17 in the Gasparilla Bowl. Malzahn struck transfer portal gold in the offseason when he signed former Ole Miss quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. Plumlee, a two-sport star with the Rebels, helped guide UCF to the American Athletic Conference Championship in its final season. However, Plumlee’s injury forced the Knights to go with Keene and freshman Thomas Castellanos. The team finished with losses to Tulane in the conference championship and Duke in the Military Bowl. Plumlee would return in 2023 as UCF transitioned to the Big 12 but would go down with a knee injury in the final minute of the Knights’ 18-16 win at Boise State on Sept. 9. He would miss the next four games as backup Timmy McClain took over the team. Even on his return, Plumlee couldn’t help UCF, on a five-game losing streak to open conference play. The Knights got their first Big 12 win at Cincinnati on Nov. 4 and upset No. 15 Oklahoma State the following week, but the team still needed a win over Houston in the regular-season finale to secure a bowl bid for the eighth straight season. From the moment Malzahn stepped on campus, he prioritized recruiting, particularly in Central Florida. “We’re going to recruit like our hair’s on fire,” Malzahn said at the time. “We’re going to go after the best players in America and we’re not backing down to anybody.” From 2007 to 2020, UCF signed 10 four-star high school and junior college prospects. Eight four-star prospects were in the three recruiting classes signed under Malzahn. The 2024 recruiting class earned a composite ranking of 39 from 247Sports, the highest-ranked class in school history. The 2025 recruiting class is ranked No. 41 and has commitments from three four-star prospects. Malzahn has always leaned on the transfer market, signing 60 players over the past three seasons. Some have paid huge dividends, such as Javon Baker, Lee Hunter, Kobe Hudson, Tylan Grable, Bula Schmidt, Amari Kight, Marcellus Marshall, Trent Whittemore, Gage King, Ethan Barr, Deshawn Pace and Plumlee. Others haven’t been as successful, such as quarterback KJ Jefferson, who started the first five games of this season before being benched for poor performance. Jefferson’s struggles forced the Knights to play musical chairs at quarterback, with true freshman EJ Colson, redshirt sophomore Jacurri Brown and redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk all seeing action at one point or another this season. This season’s struggles led to several players utilizing the NCAA’s redshirt rule after four games, including starting slot receiver Xavier Townsend and kicker Colton Boomer, who have also entered the transfer portal. Defensive end Kaven Call posted a letter to Malzahn on Twitter in which he accused the UCF coaching staff of recently kicking him off the team when he requested to be redshirted. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

OpenAI whistleblower death: Parents want to know what happened to Suchir Balaji after apparent suicideNEW DELHI: Government is pitching roads, renewables and rapid transit projects for development under the India-UK investment bridge and is willing to tailor the design based on feedback so that there is greater participation from global investors. Representatives from the City of London Corporation, officials from Niti Aayog and other ministries and companies from the UK and India, including foreign companies operating in India, discussed how projects could be identified. IPL 2025 mega auction IPL Auction 2025: Who got whom IPL 2025 Auction: Updated Full Team Squads Govt sources, however, said that the projects will not be given by nomination and companies from across the world, including the UK, will have to bid for them. Sectors such as roads and highways have seen foreign players virtually vanish from the space and instead small Indian developers fill that space. "We are receiving presentations from Indian partner companies and also from the UK companies. We have got major engineering firms like Mott Macdonald and Arup, which have global companies with huge global experience in infra projects. The plan is, between now and March next year, we are going to identify three projects with Indian govt which are likely to be in the sectors of roads, rapid transit and renewables. "Once those are agreed, we will be bringing to the table the expertise that the project management firms can supply. In due course, we expect that to expand to capital investment and capital coming out of London and out of the UK to support PM Modi's sustainable transport strategy. This is a two-year agreement initially, but we hope that it would blossom into a long-term partnership between London and the Indian govt because the growth in India is so spectacular and so fast that India needs friend and partners to support in delivering infrastructure ambitions," said Chris Hayward, policy chairman of the City of London Corporation. Hayward is the political leader of the entity. He added that a project pipeline is being readied, while insisting that it has to be a "win-win deal" for both sides. Hayward said that there is greater confidence in India now. "One of the challenges of this bridge is that British and other firms have had their fingers burnt. The whole market in India has developed or changed since those days. But, of course, the first thing is confidence building in the British companies that they are not going to get their fingers burnt." Asked if a bilateral investment treaty that is acceptable to the UK was a pre-requisite, he said: "There are negotiations still in play. For this to succeed, the Indian govt has to make it as easy as possible for UK businesses to participate. If barriers are put up that are unacceptable, then it will not work. Regulatory certainty is important for everything, the world over." Ready to Master Stock Valuation? ET's Workshop is just around the corner!

Sybiha Talked To MFA Of Argentina

NEW YORK (AP) — Top-ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans . Lamenting the contretemps, International Chess Federation President Arkady Dvorkovich said in a statement Sunday that he'd let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, and other “elegant minor deviations” from the dress code. He said Carlsen's stand — which culminated in his quitting the tournament Friday — highlighted a need for more discussion “to ensure that our rules and their application reflect the evolving nature of chess as a global and accessible sport.” Carlsen, meanwhile, said in a video posted Sunday on social media that he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship when it begins Monday. “I think the situation was badly mishandled on their side,” the 34-year-old Norwegian grandmaster said. But he added that he loves playing blitz — a fast-paced form of chess — and wanted fans to be able to watch, and that he was encouraged by his discussions with the federation after Friday's showdown. “I think we sort of all want the same thing,” he suggested in the video on his Take Take Take chess app’s YouTube channel. “We want the players to be comfortable, sure, but also relatively presentable.” The events began when Carlsen wore jeans and a sportcoat Friday to the Rapid World Championship, which is separate from but held in conjunction with the blitz event. The chess federation said Friday that longstanding rules prohibit jeans at those tournaments, and players are lodged nearby to make sartorial switch-ups easy if needed. An official fined Carlsen $200 and asked him to change pants, but he refused and wasn't paired for a ninth-round game, the federation said at the time. The organization noted that another grandmaster, Ian Nepomniachtchi, was fined earlier in the day for wearing sports shoes, changed and continued to play. Carlsen has said that he offered to wear something else the next day, but officials were unyielding. He said “it became a bit of a matter of principle,” so he quit the rapid and blitz championships. In the video posted Sunday, he questioned whether he had indeed broken a rule and said changing clothes would have needlessly interrupted his concentration between games. He called the punishment “unbelievably harsh.” “Of course, I could have changed. Obviously, I didn’t want to,” he said, and “I stand by that.”Kangan, Dec 27: In a true example of hospitality, the residents of tehsil Gund in Kangan area of Ganderbal district on Friday opened the doors of Masjids as well as their homes for the stranded tourists who got stuck along Srinagar-Leh highway amid the heavy snowfall. Besides the Jammu and Kashmir police team led by SHO police station Gund were seen providing a helping hand to the stranded tourists; the members and volunteers of Civil Society Tehsil Gund came forward and offered assistance to the stranded tourists. On Friday evening, many people living in and around tehsil Gund and Kangan shared their contact numbers on social networking sites inviting the stranded tourists to stay in their homes. “Any non-Kashmiri passenger/tourist stranded in Kashmir is cordially welcomed to stay at my home,” wrote a civil society Gund member. Many people asked the tourists and passengers from outside to stay with them as long as they wish. “Tourists and visitors stuck here in view of the heavy snowfall and slippery roads are welcome to stay at my home. I can accommodate 30 people,” Aijaz Shah, a local said. The Civil Society Gund also offered free accommodation to the tourists. Chairman Civil Society Gund has expressed gratitude to his members and volunteers and the police team from police station Gund led by SHO Lateef Ahmed for their efforts and support to the stranded tourists and to ensure their safety and well being.

Year in review Influential people who died in 2024No. 7 Tennessee 36, Vanderbilt 23ORONO, Maine (AP) — Christopher Mantis helped lead Maine past Holy Cross on Sunday with 17 points off of the bench in an 80-55 win. Mantis had five rebounds for the Black Bears (3-3). Quion Burns scored 16 points and added eight rebounds. AJ Lopez went 6 of 13 from the field (2 for 6 from 3-point range) to finish with 14 points. The Crusaders (4-3) were led in scoring by DeAndre Williams, who finished with 12 points. Joe Nugent added 11 points for Holy Cross. Caleb Kenney had 10 points. Maine took the lead with 11:42 left in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 35-26 at halftime, with Burns racking up nine points. Maine pulled away with a 19-3 run in the second half to extend a seven-point lead to 23 points. They outscored Holy Cross by 16 points in the final half, as Lopez led the way with a team-high 12 second-half points. NEXT UP Both teams play on Friday. Maine squares off against Elon and Holy Cross travels to play Virginia. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Botafogo won the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their history with a 3-1 victory over fellow Brazilians Atletico Mineiro on Saturday. Botafogo played almost the entire match with ten men after Gregore was sent off in the first minute but they showed impressive spirit and resilience to secure victory at River Plate's Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Midfielder Gregore was shown a red card after a wild, high challenge on Fauto Vera, forcing Botafogo to adjust their game plan, but Atletico failed to press home their numerical advantage. Veteran forward Hulk had an effort from outside the box saved by John but the team from Belo Horizonte created little pressure. Sensing the game might not be the rearguard action they might have expected, Botafogo began to show more attacking intent and they were rewarded in the 35th minute. Marlon Freitas's shot from the edge of the box ricocheted around a crowded box before the ball fell to Luiz Henrique, who fired home from close range. To their credit, Botafogo didn't retreat to defend their slim advantage and they were able to double their lead in the 44th minute. More from this section Atletico defender Guilherme Arana attempted to shepherd the ball back to goalkeeper Everson but Luiz Henrique snuck between the pair and went down under challenge from the keeper. After a VAR review, a penalty was awarded and Alex Telles confidently smashed home the spot kick to give Botafogo an unlikely 2-0 lead at the break. Atletico, who won the Libertadores in 2013, made a triple substitution at the interval and it paid off swiftly with Eduardo Vargas heading in from a corner. Inevitably, there was late pressure from Atletico, but Botafogo made sure of the victory when Junior Santos finished off a counter-attack deep in stoppage time. With the win, Botafogo earns the final of 32 places in next year's FIFA Club World Cup to be held in the United States. sev/jsCHECK OUT: Education is Your Right! Don’t Let Social Norms Hold You Back. Learn Online with LEGIT. Enroll Now! Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international events FCT, Abuja —The coordinator of the Citizens Coalition, Kelly Agaba, said the allegations of nepotism and favoritism toward President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Yoruba brothers are disturbing. Agaba said President Tinubu’s appointment is perpetuating a culture of divisiveness. He stated this during an exclusive chat with Legit.ng on Sunday, December 29. PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! “The appointment of a Yoruba man as acting Chief of Army Staff, despite protocol, raises serious questions about Tinubu's commitment to national cohesion. It's alarming that he's perpetuating a culture of divisiveness, which can have far-reaching consequences for our nation's stability.” The political analyst accused Tinubu of prioritizing tribal loyalty over national unity and the principles of federal character. “I'm deeply concerned about the recent appointments made by President Bola Tinubu. The allegations of nepotism and favoritism towards his Yoruba brothers are disturbing, to say the least. It's unacceptable that he's prioritizing tribal loyalty over national unity and the principles of federal character." Read also "They are calling for anarchy”: Bauchi governor threatens Tinubu over tax reform bills He added that: “Furthermore, the concentration of key appointments in the hands of his Yoruba brothers is a clear breach of the federal character principles. This kind of nepotism can only serve to exacerbate existing tensions and create new ones.” Speaking further, he said it is disheartening to see Tinubu continuing the APC's legacy of nepotism which Nigerians witnessed during former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration. “As a nation, we deserve better. We deserve leaders who prioritize national unity, equity, and justice. The APC's legacy of nepotism, as seen during Buhari's administration, is unfortunate, and it's disheartening to see Tinubu continuing this trend.” He urged Nigerians to hold leaders accountable for their actions and ensure that they work towards the betterment of the country, not just their tribe or region. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ng

Laura Woods shows off blossoming baby bump at Wembley as ITV host presents England Lionesses draw with United States

United States women’s head coach Emma Hayes admitted she initially grappled with how best to behave during ‘God Save The King’ ahead of her side’s goalless draw with England in their Wembley friendly. The billing of London-born former Chelsea boss Hayes against England’s Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman – arguably the best two bosses in the women’s game – had generated more buzz in the build-up than the players on the pitch, despite it being a rare encounter between the two top-ranked sides in the world. Hayes enjoyed her return to familiar shores but felt the US lacked the “killer piece” after they looked the likelier side to make the breakthrough. Elite meeting of the minds 🌟 pic.twitter.com/R4d8EArqTp — U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 30, 2024 Asked what was going through her mind during the national anthem, Hayes said: “I was definitely mouthing (it), and Naomi (Girma) and Lynn (Williams) could see that I was struggling with where to be and all that. “I got to the end of the anthems and I thought, ‘that’s so ridiculous. I’m proud to be English and I’m proud of our national anthem, and I’m also really proud to coach America’. “Two things are possible all at once. I don’t want to fuel a nationalist debate around it. The realities are both countries are really dear to me for lots of reasons, and I’m really proud to represent both of them.” The Lionesses did not register a shot on target in the first half but grew into the game in the second. US captain Lindsey Horan had the ball in the net after the break but the flag was up, while Hayes’ side had a penalty award for a handball reversed after a VAR check determined substitute Yazmeen Ryan’s shot hit Alex Greenwood’s chest. Hayes, who left Chelsea after 12 trophy-packed years this summer, said: “I’ve been privileged to coach a lot of top-level games, including here, so there’s a familiarity to being here for me. “It’s not new to me, and because of that there was a whole sense of I’m coming back to a place I know. I have a really healthy perspective, and I want to have a really healthy perspective on my profession. “I give everything I possibly can for a team that I really, really enjoy coaching, and I thrive, not just under pressure, but I like these opportunities, I like being in these situations. They bring out the best in me. “You’ve got two top teams now, Sarina is an amazing coach, I thought it was a good tactical match-up, and I just enjoy coaching a high-level football match, to be honest with you. I don’t think too much about it.” Hayes had travelled to London without her entire Olympic gold medal-winning ‘Triple Espresso’ forward line of Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith, all nursing niggling injuries. Before the match, the 48-year-old was spotted chatting with Wiegman and her US men’s counterpart, fellow ex-Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, who was also in attendance. England were also missing a number of key attackers for the friendly including Lauren Hemp, Lauren James and Ella Toone, all ruled out with injury. "This shows where we are at and we need to keep improving. It is November now. This is good but we want to be better again. We have to be better again." 👊 Reaction from the boss ⬇️ — Lionesses (@Lionesses) November 30, 2024 Wiegman brushed aside suggestions from some pundits that her side were content to settle for a draw. She said: “I think we were really defending as a team, very strong. We got momentum in the second half, we did better, and of course both teams went for the win. “So many things happened in this game, also in front of the goal, so I don’t think it was boring. “We wanted to go for the win, but it was such a high-intensity game, you have to deal with a very good opponent, so you can’t just say, ‘Now we’re going to go and score that goal’. “We tried, of course, to do that. We didn’t slow down to keep it 0-0. I think that was just how the game went.”Amazon Unveils Game-Changing Technology! Will ‘AMZN’ Redefine Gaming?

Among the key school education reforms instituted by the UPA government as part of the Right to Education were Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) and a ‘no detention’ policy up to Class 8 . Both sought to create a benign environment in school so that there was no pressure of final examinations and “standards” on the child. The CCE was to be executed from Class 6 , in discrete steps throughout the year, which meant no scary final test of just academic achievement based on a year-long curriculum. Whether those reforms contributed to the current situation or not, the reality is that a significant number of students passing out of primary school do not have foundational numeracy and literacy. And they do not seem to catch up by the time they leave middle school. Recognising the gap in achieving learning outcomes, the NDA government sought to do away with the no detention policy, in 2019, leaving it to the appropriate State governments . The CCE was given up too. But the COVID-19 pandemic intruded and made it impossible for schools to even consider detaining students. The recent notification of the Ministry of Education has removed the discretion given to State governments. It has mandated a final examination at the end of Class 5 and Class 8, which will assess a child’s competence. If he or she is not found to be competent, the child will be re-examined after two months after additional instruction. If the child fails again, he or she will be detained. The rules say no child should be expelled before completing elementary education. Practical necessity is driving this change in norms. Steps do need to be taken to address the gap in the learning outcomes achievement. An educated, capable and skilled population is needed to reap the demographic dividend. It takes an entire neighbourhood to educate a child, not just the school and parents. The dismal situation in learning outcomes is a collective failure of society that needs to be addressed. But it would take a lot more than this particular change in policy to trigger a turnaround. CBSE-affiliated and other private schools can easily implement the new policy. However, for some States, it will be a political hot potato. Private schools should not use this as an excuse to expel poor performing students — safeguards would be needed. A sad consequence of the policy is that it brings back a single final examination as an arbiter of a child’s promotion or detention. While NEET or the JEE may be taken as special cases applying to extremely competitive professions, to bring back one final test at the school level is a regression. The National Education Policy 2020, for instance, wants to replace summative assessment with formative, and promote self and peer assessments. It promises a “holistic, 360-degree, multidimensional progress report card” detailing the “progress and the uniqueness of each student”. The new detention policy does not reflect the NEP’s spirit. Published - December 28, 2024 12:20 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit education / school / right to education / test/examination / primary / teaching and learning / government / entrance examination / United Progressive Alliance / National Democratic Alliance / Coronavirus

– Presidential spokesperson has dismissed speculation of discord among the country’s top leadership, asserting that and his deputies, and , are united in their focus on governance and improving the lives of Zimbabweans. Charamba made the remarks in an interview on Friday, stressing that the government’s top echelon remains committed to addressing socio-economic challenges and fulfilling the promises of the ruling party. “There is no noise in the government cockpit. The president and his deputies are working seamlessly, focusing on issues that matter to the people rather than engaging in politics,” Charamba said. The comments come amid persistent rumours of factionalism within the ruling party, particularly between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga. These speculations have been fuelled by past events, including perceived rivalries during Zanu PF’s internal succession battles and key policy disagreements. Charamba, however, rubbished these claims, saying they are “a product of wishful thinking” by opposition groups and detractors. “This administration is focused on delivering tangible results, not on politicking. Those hoping for divisions within Zanu PF will be disappointed,” Charamba added. According to Charamba, the government is prioritising key development projects in line with its agenda, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy. He highlighted ongoing efforts in infrastructure development, agriculture, and industrial revitalisation as evidence of the leadership’s unified focus. “The president and his deputies are working together to ensure progress in energy generation, food security, and job creation. These are the pressing issues, not the gossip being peddled on social media,” he said. Zimbabwe is grappling with significant economic challenges, including high inflation, currency instability, and unemployment. Despite these difficulties, Charamba argued that the government remains steadfast in its objectives, buoyed by recent improvements in agricultural output and infrastructure investments. The spokesperson also pointed to recent engagements with international investors and regional bodies as signs of the administration’s commitment to repositioning Zimbabwe on the global stage. Critics, including opposition parties, have accused the Mnangagwa administration of failing to prioritise reforms that would stabilise the economy and address corruption. , ex-leader of the opposition , recently criticised the government for what he described as “window dressing,” claiming that real progress requires addressing systemic governance issues. As Zimbabwe heads into 2025, the unity of Mnangagwa, Chiwenga, and Mohadi could prove pivotal in navigating political and economic challenges. Charamba’s assurances aim to project an image of stability and focus, but analysts say the administration must address pressing issues such as foreign currency shortages, debt repayment, and political tensions to solidify its legacy. Observers suggest that maintaining harmony in the leadership ranks will be critical for ensuring the success of large-scale initiatives, such as the and the ambitious , both of which are key pillars of the Vision 2030 framework. For now, the government’s official line is clear: no turbulence, just progress.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. 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 president from Plains 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. And then, the world 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.” ‘An epic American life’ 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. A small-town start 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. ‘Jimmy Who?’ 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. Accomplishments, and ‘malaise’ 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. ‘A wonderful life’ 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. Bill Barrow, The Associated Press

The Purdue Boilermakers , led by quarterback Hudson Card , face the No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers , led by quarterback Kurtis Rourke on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 (11/30/24) at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. How to watch: Fans can watch the game for free via a trial of DirecTV Stream or fuboTV . You can also watch via a subscription to Sling TV , which is offering half off your first month. Here’s what you need to know: What: NCAA Football, Week 14 Who: Purdue vs. Indiana When: Saturday, Nov. 30 (11/30/24) Where: Memorial Stadium Time: 7 p.m. ET TV: FS1 Live stream: fuboTV (free trial) , DirecTV Stream (free trial) *** Here are the best streaming options for college football this season: Fubo TV (free trial): fuboTV carries ESPN, FOX, ABC, NBC and CBS. DirecTV Stream (free trial) : DirecTV Stream carries ESPN, FOX, NBC and CBS. Sling TV ( $25 off the first month) - Sling TV carries ESPN, FOX, ABC and NBC. ESPN+ ($9.99 a month): ESPN+ carries college football games each weekend for only $9.99 a month. These games are exclusive to the platform. Peacock TV ($5.99 a month): Peacock will simulstream all of NBC Sports’ college football games airing on the NBC broadcast network this season, including Big Ten Saturday Night. Peacock will also stream Notre Dame home games. Certain games will be streamed exclusively on Peacock this year as well. Paramount+ (free trial): Paramount Plus will live stream college football games airing on CBS this year. *** Here’s a preview capsule via the Associated Press: Purdue (1-10, 0-8 Big Ten) at No. 10 Indiana (10-1, 7-1, No. 10 CFP), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (FS1) BetMGM College Football Odds: Indiana by 28 1/2. Series record: Purdue leads 77-42-6. Sure, Indiana can reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket for the first time since 2019 and sweep its trophy games for the first time since 2016. But there’s a lot more at stake this time. A win would likely secure a spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff and could send them to the Big Ten title game — if No. 2 Ohio State loses to Michigan. Purdue, meanwhile, is playing for the trophy and pride as it tries to snap a 10-game losing streak in what could be coach Ryan Walters' final game with the Boilermakers. Purdue’s ground game vs. Indiana’s run defense. The Boilermakers have struggled to find balance all season and could have problems against Indiana’s physical defense — especially given this week’s stakes and the motivation from last week’s loss. Purdue had 19 carries for minus-4 yards at Michigan State. If the Boilermakers aren’t better Saturday, it will be another long night. Purdue: QB Hudson Card also could be playing his final game in West Lafayette. He had a strong start this season, then struggled before a concussion cost him a couple of games. He rebounded last week with a career high 342 yards and one TD, his best game against an FBS foe in 2024. He’ll need to replicate or improve on that this week to pull an upset. Indiana: DE Mikail Kamara and LB Aiden Fisher have been problematic for almost every offense this season. And while the defense played relatively well at Ohio State, expect both to send a strong statement that last week’s game was the aberration — not the norm — for the Hoosiers. Another loss would give Purdue a single season school record 11 straight and would match the 2013 team for the single season school record in overall losses. ... The Hoosiers have won only one Bucket Game since 2017. ... The Boilermakers have only had three winless seasons in conference play (1946, 1993 and 2013) since World War II ended. They’ve never lost nine league games in a season. ... The Hoosiers are trying to rebound from their worst offensive game all season (153 yards, 15 points). .... Devin Mockobee rushed for 14 yards in Purdue’s loss at Michigan State and needs 55 to become the eighth Boilermaker to reach 2,500 yards. (The Associated Press contributed to this report) Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

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BEIRUT — Hezbollah fired about 250 rockets and other projectiles into Israel on Sunday, wounding seven people in one of the militant group's heaviest barrages in months, in response to deadly Israeli strikes in Beirut while negotiators pressed on with cease-fire efforts to halt the all-out war. An Israeli bomb squad policeman carries the remains of a rocket that was fired from Lebanon on Sunday in Kibbutz Kfar Blum, northern Israel. Some of the rockets reached the Tel Aviv area in the heart of Israel. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike on an army center killed a Lebanese soldier and wounded 18 others in the southwest between Tyre and Naqoura, Lebanon's military said. The Israeli military expressed regret, saying that the strike occurred in an area of combat against Hezbollah and that the military's operations are directed solely against the militants. Israeli strikes have killed over 40 Lebanese troops since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, even as Lebanon's military has largely kept to the sidelines. Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the latest strike as an assault on U.S.-led cease-fire efforts, calling it a “direct, bloody message rejecting all efforts and ongoing contacts” to end the war. Hezbollah began firing rockets, missiles and drones into Israel after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack out of the Gaza Strip ignited the war there. Hezbollah has portrayed the attacks as an act of solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas. Iran supports both armed groups. The Israeli police bomb squad inspects the site after a missile fired from Lebanon hit the area Sunday in Petah Tikva, outskirts of Tel Aviv, Israel. Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes at Hezbollah, and in September the low-level conflict erupted into all-out war as Israel launched airstrikes across large parts of Lebanon and killed Hezbollah's top leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The Israeli military said about 250 projectiles were fired Sunday, with some intercepted. Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service said it treated seven people, including a 60-year old man in severe condition from rocket fire on northern Israel, a 23-year-old man who was lightly wounded by a blast in the central city of Petah Tikva, near Tel Aviv, and a 70-year-old woman who suffered smoke inhalation from a car that caught fire there. In Haifa, a rocket hit a residential building that police said was in danger of collapsing. The Palestine Red Crescent reported 13 injuries it said were caused by an interceptor missile that struck several homes in Tulkarem in the West Bank. It was unclear whether injuries and damage were caused by rockets or interceptors. Sirens wailed again in central and northern Israel hours later. Israeli airstrikes without warning on Saturday pounded central Beirut, killing at least 29 people and wounding 67, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. A flock of birds flies above the smoke from Israeli airstrikes Sunday in Dahiyeh, Beirut. Smoke billowed above Beirut again Sunday with new strikes. Israel's military said it targeted command centers for Hezbollah and its intelligence unit in the southern suburbs of Dahiyeh, where the militants have a strong presence. Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,700 people in Lebanon, according to the Health Ministry. The fighting has displaced about 1.2 million people, or a quarter of Lebanon’s population. On the Israeli side, about 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have been killed by bombardment in northern Israel and in battle following Israel's ground invasion in early October. Around 60,000 Israelis have been displaced from the country's north. The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for an "immediate ceasefire" in the Israel-Hezbollah war while on a visit to the Lebanese c... The European Union’s top diplomat called Sunday for more pressure on Israel and Hezbollah to reach a deal, saying one was "pending with a final agreement from the Israeli government.” U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein was in the region last week. Josep Borrell spoke after meeting with Mikati and Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally who has been mediating with the group. Borrell said the EU is ready to allocate $208 million to assist the Lebanese military. But Borrell later said that he did not “see the Israeli government interested clearly in reaching an agreement for a cease-fire" and that it seemed Israel was seeking new conditions. He pointed to Israel’s refusal to accept France as a member of the international committee that would oversee the cease-fire's implementation. The emerging agreement would pave the way for the withdrawal of Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops from southern Lebanon below the Litani River in accordance with the U.N. Security Council resolution that ended the monthlong 2006 war. Lebanese troops would patrol with the presence of U.N. peacekeepers. With talks for a cease-fire and hostage release deal in Gaza stalled, freed hostages and families of those held marked a year since the war's only hostage-release deal. “It’s hard to hold on to hope, certainly after so long and as another winter is about to begin," said Yifat Zailer, cousin of Shiri Bibas, who is held along with her husband and two young sons. Around 100 hostages are still in Gaza, at least a third believed to be dead. Most of the rest of the 250 who were abducted in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack were released in last year's cease-fire. Talks for another deal recently had several setbacks, including the firing of Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who pushed for a deal, and Qatar’s decision to suspend its mediation. Hamas wants Israel to end the war and withdraw all troops from Gaza. Israel has offered only to pause its offensive. The Palestinian death toll from the war surpassed 44,000 this week, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. On Sunday, six people were killed in strikes in central Gaza, according to AP journalists at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. How often do you buy something online ? A couple of times a month? A couple of times a week? A couple of times a day? Everybody's answer will be different, but collectively, it's done a lot: Online retail accounted for over $1 trillion of purchases in the U.S. in 2022 and a record $277.6 billion in the second quarter of 2023 alone. Retailers ranging from titans like Amazon and Walmart, down to local small-town shops work very hard to land their share of that business. Sadly and inevitably—so do criminals and scammers. At any given moment, they operate millions of bogus sites. So how can you spot those fake online shopping sites? Spokeo provides a guide. In the early days of the internet , it took some genuine skills to set up a website, but those days are gone. A quick search will show that there are lots of apps and services offering websites on a prefabricated "fill in the blanks" basis, and most web hosts provide those tools as part of the service when someone signs up with them. It's even easier on social media . If you were opening a "side hustle" business tomorrow from your home, you could set up your own Facebook page tonight in under an hour, with exactly zero knowledge of websites. Once that page is set up, you just need to throw a few dollars in the direction of Facebook's advertising department, and they'll start advertising your page to users. It's no harder to promote a website, except in that case, you'd give your advertising dollars to Google. This is a simplified overview, but the main point holds: Establishing a presence online has become a very democratized process, open to anyone with minimal skills and even the smallest budget for advertising. That's been a boon for legitimate entrepreneurs, but it also makes life very easy indeed for scammers. There are multiple types of bogus websites . Some are imposters, created to look very much like a legitimate commercial or government site that you're familiar with, such as Amazon or Netflix. Others don't imitate a specific site, but instead attempt to capture the look and feel of those sites in general (whether that be a retail site, a government or bank page, or even something relatively shady like a gambling or porn site). Next, scammers find ways to drive traffic to their site. Often that's through phishing texts or emails, but deceptive ads on social media or search engines like Google and Bing work just as well. Once a browser arrives at the criminals' site (or, in some cases, downloads their app), any number of bad things can happen. One is that they'll download malware onto your devices, which can capture passwords or steal personal information. A more straightforward risk is that the browser will cheerfully enter their personal and banking/credit card information, thinking they're making a legitimate purchase. That's largely why fake online shopping sites are so dangerous, and so useful to scammers and identity thieves. Most bogus sites share some or all of those characteristics, but shopping sites are a very specific type of bogus site with some quirks of their own. One characteristic to count on—whether the website directly impersonates a major retailer like Amazon, a niche retailer like MEC, or just positions itself as an anonymously general retail site—is that it will offer unusually low pricing on high-demand products. That might be a mass-market item like the latest gaming console, a suddenly in-demand item that's unavailable through normal channels (remember trying to get masks and sanitizing wipes during COVID-19?), or something as mundane as disposable diapers or high-capacity computer drives. Whatever the product, the advertised price will be low enough to get attention. The bogus site will have any number of ways to transfer a browser's money to its coffers, depending on the scammers' intentions and skillset. A few of the most common include: These are all aside from the potential to infect devices or steal payment information . Sites focused on identity theft might consider a faux purchase to be just the added gravy. How common is online shopping fraud? Well, the news is pretty bad. The FTC's 2022 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book recorded over 327,000 online shopping complaints, the fourth-highest category for overall complaints and second among fraud categories. You would expect these sites to be more prevalent during the final quarter of the year, corresponding to the holiday gift-giving season—Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas itself—and they are, but that doesn't mean you can relax during the other nine months of the year. The Anti-Phishing Working Group, or APWG, identified nearly a million fake or phishing websites during the first quarter of 2022 alone (not a busy time of year for shopping), for example. To be clear, only 14.6% of those were eCommerce sites, but that still translates to well over 140,000 bogus shopping sites. The true number is almost certainly higher because the APWG only tracks the ones that use a phishing approach. Many opt to simply buy advertising instead (or as well), and those won't be captured in the APWG's statistics. However you slice it, there's a definite risk of encountering these sites when you shop. The good news is that bogus shopping sites aren't hard to spot, once you're aware of the risk. They aren't built for permanence; scammers pull them together quickly and cheaply and then abandon them once they stop producing.That "just good enough" approach leaves plenty of visible signs you can detect. Below, here's what to look for when recognizing fake online shopping sites. Bad images Bogus sites don't have direct access to the real products' manufacturing images, so they resort to copying and pasting from legitimate sites. \That means bogus sites' product images (and often their fake logos, if they impersonate a legitimate site) are fuzzy and low-res. A URL that's slightly "off" Imposter sites obviously can't have the same URL as the legitimate site, so they'll usually have a URL that looks right, but isn't quite. They might have a typo in the name, or incorporate the real company's name into their URL in a non-standard way ("myfakesite.amazon.com.123xyz.com"), or—sneakiest of all—use a letter from a different language's character set , which looks the same to the eye, but not to the computer. Broken links The scammers may have simply copied and pasted user interface elements from a legitimate site, in which case many links on the site may be broken (or simply not clickable). Lots of missing elements A legitimate retail website will have several pages of legalese, often starting with a pop-up about its cookie policy or privacy policy. You should certainly expect to see a detailed document spelling out shipping policies, return and refund policies, and similar details. If those are missing or brief and vapid, it's probably a fake site. Limited options for payment Sites that plan to take your money and run will often show oddly specific payment options, from wire transfers to gift cards to cryptocurrency. The thing those payment methods have in common is that it's very difficult to get money back once it's spent. Sites geared around capturing your personal or payment information, on the other hand, may insist on getting your credit card. Typos, grammar, and linguistic errors Simple, silly language errors are often a red flag. Scammers may not be native English speakers, and it shows up in awkward or sometimes inappropriate phrasing. Errors in actual product listings aren't necessarily a smoking gun—you'll see them frequently on real Amazon pages—because they come from the manufacturers, who are often not English speakers. Language errors on the rest of the site are more of a concern. HTTP vs. HTTPS In the address bar of your browser, a legitimate retail site's URL will start with HTTPS, rather than HTTP, and will show a closed lock symbol. The majority of fake sites now also have an HTTPS URL and will show the lock (so this isn't as helpful as it used to be), but less-sophisticated scammers may miss that detail. You can automatically rule those ones out. And, of course, the biggest red flag of all is an unrealistically low price on the product you're looking for. We all want to get a really good deal, but that impulse will often lead you astray. If a shopping site fails those basic "eyeball" tests, the smart thing to do is just close that browser tab and walk away. If you want to dig deeper, or if you aren't sure, there are a few quick and easy ways to verify a site's legitimacy. Use a URL/website checker Remember those really sneaky fake URLs that use a letter from another alphabet? The best way to check those (and other problematic elements in a URL) is through a URL verifier/website reputation service, like the ones from URLVoid and Google . Just copy (don't click!) the link, and paste it into the checker. If the site is sketchy, they'll tell you. Look up the site on a registry Domain names all need to be registered and there are several lookup tools to check this, like ICANN's registration lookup (think of it as Spokeo for websites). If a site claims to be Amazon but was registered just a few weeks ago, that's a really big red flag. Similarly, if the site isn't located where it should be, or if the ownership data is obscured, that's grounds for concern. Turn to Google If you have a bad feeling about a particular site, do a quick Google or Bing (or whatever) search that pairs the site's name with keywords like "scam," "fraud," "bogus" or "ripoff" and see what comes up. If you get a lot of hits, that's definitely grounds for concern. Go Forth and Shop (Safely) If a given site fails any or all of those tests, then keeping your wallet in your pocket is definitely the smart choice. Instead of making the purchase, report the site instead to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center and the FTC's Report Fraud website. That will get the investigative wheels turning and may help protect someone less wary from falling victim to the scammers. As always, wariness and skepticism are your friends when it comes to avoiding scams. Don't click on links in emails, texts , or social media messages; instead, go to the company's site by typing the URL directly. If you search a company's page on Google, scroll down through the actual search results until you find it instead of clicking on the sponsored results or advertisements at the top. Most of all, remember the golden rule of scam avoidance: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Keeping those principles in mind, and using the tips given here to screen out dubious sites means you'll be able to shop 'til you drop (safely), despite the vast number of scammers out there. And that—as the credit card ads like to say—is priceless. This story was produced by Spokeo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get local news delivered to your inbox!It's time for "Sunny Side Up," the good news broadcast, with your host, David Pogue! Good morning! Well, you may remember 2024 as a year of bad news. For example ... what am I doing? Why would I remind you?!? But there was also GREAT news this year that you might have missed. We begin with ... murder hornets! Murder hornets These giant bugs arrived in Washington state four years ago from Asia . They can wipe out entire hives of honeybees, and even kill people. If they were to spread, that would be bad news. So, authorities set up traps, tip lines, and tiny tracking devices, and by December 18, entomologist Sven Spichiger announced: "Now we can officially say that eradication has been achieved, and it's a significant victory." Score: Humanity 1, Nightmare 0. "Murder hornets" eradicated in the U.S., agriculture officials say Overdose reduction But zero is only one good number; 20,000 is another – 20,000 Americans who didn't die of drug overdoses in 2024, compared to last year's total – a 17% decline, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . "The really great news is that we've seen a historic decline in overdose deaths in the past year – the largest decline in overdose deaths ever recorded in history," said Magdalena Cerdá, a professor of epidemiology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. So, why did this happen? "We have a lot of hypotheses," Dr. Cerdá said. "One of them is that there's been a really concerted investment in access to naloxone, which is a drug that can be used to reverse overdoses. Also, what we've seen is a shift from people injecting drugs to people smoking drugs. There's also been a decline in people just using drugs, like fentanyl, among adolescents and young adults." Within epidemiology circles, is this a big deal? "Absolutely!" she said. "Of course, there's still more than 90,000 people who died of an overdose in the past year; that's unacceptably high." The friendly skies once again Remember New York's LaGuardia airport? The one with low ceilings, narrow corridors, and not enough gates for today's big planes? It was dim and dingy. It was "hailed" as the worst airport in the United States. In 2015, then-Vice President Joe Biden famously remarked, "I must be in some third world country," when talking about one of America's busiest airports. So, in 2015, they started building a whole new airport, in stages, over and around the old one, and then demolished the original without ever shutting down the airport! The move to upgrade U.S. airports ("Sunday Morning") Speaking from LaGuardia, airport critic David Pogue has his verdict: "Well, one thing's for sure: It's not dim and dingy anymore! Now, it's big, bright and airy, flooded with natural light, more efficient security, super-cool art, including a computer-controlled waterfall. And the planes are now closer to the runways, so there's less sitting on the ground." The critics sing a different song now. They call it the best airport in America! At this point, there's only one thing left to do: Start the whole thing again, at JFK Airport! Artificial intelligence AI has been in the news almost daily this year – mostly about how scary it is . What gets less coverage is how AI is predicting the weather better ... adjusting traffic lights more efficiently ... and diagnosing diseases more accurately . But the biggest AI story of the year might just be AlphaFold. Its purpose is to map the shapes of proteins — infinitesimal, folded-up molecules, too small to see with a normal microscope. "For a long, long time, we've tried to figure out, 'What are the shapes of these?'" said John Jumper, director of the AlphaFold project at Google's DeepMind division. "Because if you get the wrong shape, you often get disease." Jumper says that if we knew the shapes of the proteins that cause many of the worst diseases, we could start making drugs to fix them. Before AlphaFold, the shape of a protein was determined through a laborious process: "Maybe a year of time, maybe $100,000 in expense to get a single answer, to get just one," Jumper said. But AlphaFold works thousands of times faster; this year, it finished calculating the shapes of all 200 million known proteins . The scientific world went crazy! The Breakthrough of AlphaFold 3: Revolutionizing Biological Research (Sidecar) 'It will change everything': DeepMind's AI makes gigantic leap in solving protein structures (Nature) Why AlphaFold 3 is stirring up so much buzz in pharma (PharmaVoice) Better yet, Google then offered its discovery to the world for free . Over 2 million researchers are already using it to tackle malaria, cancer, Parkinson's, COVID, diabetes, and much more. Jumper said, "I am certain that we have saved or will save lives with AlphaFold. We will have medicines that we didn't have because of this technology." This year also brought a little good news especially for John Jumper: He just won the 2024 Nobel Prize for chemistry ! Still more good news! Well, I'm afraid that's all the time we have. We won't be able to mention the 24 states that raised their minimum wage this year ... How the U.K. shut down its last coal plant ... How you can now renew your passport online ... The 800 school districts now using electric school buses , for cleaner air and fewer child asthma cases ... The first successful return from the dark side of the moon ... How the hole in the ozone layer is healing faster than anyone expected ... Or the postal service's new mail trucks . They may have a little bit of a platypus vibe, but they finally offer airbags, air conditioning, side doors for unloading, anti-collision systems – and most of them will be electric. Have a joyous new year, and remember: Bad news breaks suddenly, but good news happens everywhere, all the time. Good morning, everyone! For more info: Washington State Department of Agriculture Magdalena Cerdá, professor of epidemiology, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine AlphaFold (Google DeepMind) Story produced by Annie Iezzi. Editor: Emanuele Secci. David Pogue is a six-time Emmy winner for his stories on "CBS Sunday Morning," where he's been a correspondent since 2002. Pogue hosts the CBS News podcast "Unsung Science." He's also a New York Times bestselling author, a five-time TED speaker, and host of 20 NOVA science specials on PBS. For 13 years, he wrote a New York Times tech column every week - and for 10 years, a Scientific American column every month.

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Peter Dutton says he'll never stand in front of an Aboriginal flag as prime ministerSkiing is one of the best ways to enjoy nature in the winter and is one of the few activities that’s as fun to do alone as it is with others. However, whether you’re an advanced skier who likes to keep the good snow to themselves or prefer skiing with a posse of friends, protecting your head is an essential part of a good day on the slopes. With so many options on the market, finding the best ski helmet can be a challenge. If you’re interested in a simple solution that you can count on to protect you at all times, regardless of the conditions, check out the Sweet Protection Grimnir 2vi MIPS Helmet . If your ski helmet is too large or too small, it won’t perform correctly and may not provide any protection at all. To find the right size, measure the crown of your head and cross reference with the helmet’s size chart. Moreover, the helmet should be about an inch above your eyebrows. Make sure to consider your helmet’s adjustability before purchasing. Unfortunately, not all goggles fit with all helmets. Although you likely won’t have an issue with this, ensure that the helmet you want to purchase will work with your preferred goggles without leaving your forehead exposed. In addition to being a good fit for your goggles, the best ski helmets are capable of handling a variety of upgrades if they aren’t standard. For example, be on the lookout for helmets that have slots for audio in the earmuffs and that allow you to strap a handy goggle cleaning cloth to the side. In addition to durable materials and standard EPS shock absorption, the best ski helmets will include additional or new technology to enhance protection. When shopping for a new ski helmet, consider models with MIPS (multidirectional impact protection system) technology, carbon fiber construction or an integrated Recco reflector to get the highest level of safety. Top-quality helmets offer the best ease-of-use technology in addition to superior protection. Features such as magnetic goggle clasps that can be used with gloves, removable linings and dynamic ventilation that allows for directed airflow make your helmet more comfortable, especially during extended wearing periods. Entry-level helmets that provide basic protection usually cost around $60, while higher-end models with innovative technology start around $180 and cost upwards of $250. A. Although this may seem counterintuitive at first, it is not always worth purchasing the most expensive, highest-tech helmet. If you don’t ski often, and find yourself sticking to the easier slopes and staying at low speeds, a traditional helmet will provide all the protection you need. On the other hand, if you ski in the woods or in the backcountry, investing in high-tech helmets is a must, since the danger level is much higher than on the slopes. Sweet Protection Grimnir 2vi MIPS Helmet What you need to know: The Grimnir 2vi helmet from Sweet Protection is made from the finest materials on the market and includes all of the latest safety and convenience technology. What you’ll love: If you like to tackle challenging terrain and push the boundaries of your skills, look no further than the Grimnir to provide the utmost protection. Constructed out of lightweight and highly impact-resistant carbon fiber and reinforced with the latest MIPS technology, you can count on this helmet to keep you safe. Plus, it’s also quite comfortable to wear thanks to its numerous vents, Occigrip dial adjustment system and audio compatibility. What you should consider: State-of-the-art technology makes this one of the more expensive offerings. OutdoorMaster Kelvin Helmet What you need to know: If you’re on a budget, or don’t push the limits while skiing, the Kelvin helmet from OutdoorMaster is perfect for you. What you’ll love: Don’t let the price tag fool you — this helmet offers far more than the bare minimum in terms of features and technology. Constructed from a reinforced ABS shell and a super-absorbent EPS core, you can count on this helmet to project your most valuable asset. Plus, the Kelvin also offers lots of adjustability and unmatched ventilation for the price. What you should consider: While this helmet offers ample protection for the ordinary skier, if you’re a hard charger and prefer off-piste shredding, this helmet likely won’t be enough. POC Meninx RS MIPS Helmet What you need to know: Featuring a sleek design, durable construction and an abundance of serious safety features, the Meninx RS MIPS helmet from POC is high performance and reliable. What you’ll love: Designed from the ground up with safety and convenience in mind, this helmet is ideal for anyone who regularly hits the slopes and will appreciate the thought given to small details. For example, the strap buckle on the back that holds your goggles securely in place is magnetic, which makes it easy to use while wearing gloves or mittens. Furthermore, in addition to the dual-layer ABS shell and MIPS protection system, the Meninx RS comes with an integrated Recco reflector, which is an essential component of safe backcountry skiing. To top it all off, the helmet has an easy-to-use adjustment dial and plenty of ventilation. What you should consider: POC helmets don’t come in individual sizing, and are only available in grouped sizes such as medium/large, which can make finding the perfect fit harder. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. 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Nikki Giovanni, poet and literary celebrity, has died at 81Winthrop’s Braden Branagan brings the ball up the floor during the first half of a preseason tournament game against George Stevens Academy on Saturday in Winthrop. Mike Mandell/Morning Sentinel WINTHROP — The rims at Poulin Gymnasium probably don’t like Chan Ring very much – and if they could talk, they’d have told you as much Saturday. In the fourth quarter of a preseason boy’s basketball game against George Stevens Academy, Ring threw down a powerful dunk that gave the Winthrop a 17-point lead. The jam actually forced a momentary stoppage as it dislodged the rim on the north end of the gym, which officials had to pop back into place. “I’ve never seen it get stuck down like that,” said Winthrop Coach Todd MacArthur. “We haven’t had many basketball players that can dunk here, so that was a new one.” You can expect that kind of fun on winter nights at Winthrop High this season. After building the foundation with strong campaigns a year ago, the Winthrop boys’ and girls’ basketball teams are both primed for success this winter. The Winthrop boys return the entire roster from a team that went 12-8 last season. Winthrop has a potent scorer in Cole Bard and two strong guards in Braden Branagan and Carter Rivers. Between Ring (6-foot-5) and Ian Fuller (6-10), it’s also hard to beat the Ramblers’ size in the paint. “I’m a much better coach when I can coach big kids; I’ve had more of my success with them,” MacArthur said. “When we play inside-out basketball, that’s when we’re at our best version of us because that bang-it-inside-first mentality opens things up for us outside. We’ve believed in that philosophy for a long time.” That was the case for Winthrop on Saturday as the Ramblers got big plays such as Ring’s dunk (and a block just moments later) down low as well as some consistent mid-range shooting. They also forced George Stevens into a slew of turnovers in coasting to a 65-42 victory. “We like to move the ball around a lot,” Bard said. “We have so many people that can score – a lot of shooters, a lot of people that can attack the rim and a lot of size. ... Defensively, the key is pressuring the ball. We love playing defense.” Winthrop’s Ella Rice looks to pass as Maranacook’s Kayla Dubois defense during the second half of a preseason girls’ basketball game Saturday in Winthrop. Mike Mandell/Morning Sentinel The Winthrop girls are in a similar spot following a 13-7 campaign. The Ramblers return four of five starters in Kylee Mansir, Brynn Stubbert, Madeline Wagner and All-Mountain Valley Conference first-team selection Ella Rice. The Ramblers looked the part Saturday, winning 32-28 against a Maranacook team that also has the bulk of its team back after going 13-6 last season. Winthrop led by double-digits before the Black Bears tightened the game late against the Ramblers’ junior varsity unit. “This team just has such great chemistry,” said Winthrop Coach John Baehr. “I was very proud of that younger group being able to close it out, and our older players were into the game and cheering them on – they put them in position to be successful.” Winthrop is fielding a JV team this winter after several years of not having the numbers to support one. That, Baehr said, stands to better prepare the younger Ramblers for varsity game action later in the season to lessen the loads placed on some of their veterans. Those veterans, Rice said, are ready to make a run. They’ve fallen short of reaching the Class C South title game each of the past three seasons, and with the way things are lining up this winter, the Ramblers know they have a chance to reverse their fortunes. “I really want to make a run this year,” Rice said. “We’ve been trying really hard to do it my four years here, and we’ve been so close. I’m super excited.” Comments are not available on this story. Send questions/comments to the editors. « Previous

Wake Forest keeps trying new things early in the season, even if not all of the adjustments are by design. The Demon Deacons will try to stick to the script when Detroit Mercy visits for Saturday's game in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Demon Deacons (5-1) will be at home for the final time prior to three consecutive road games. Detroit Mercy (3-2) already has two more victories than all of last season. After a couple of narrow wins and a loss at Xavier, Wake Forest had a smoother time earlier this week in defeating visiting Western Carolina 82-69 on Tuesday night. Yet these are games when teams have to figure where contributions are going to come from in certain situations. The experimenting took a turn for Wake Forest in the Western Carolina game. Center Efton Reid III had limited minutes because of migraines, so there was a shift in responsibilities. Normal backcourt players Cameron Hildreth and Juke Harris logged time at the power forward slot. "That's just part of it," coach Steve Forbes said. "They did a good job adjusting. We ran a lot of stuff and there are several guys learning different positions. ... I give credit to those guys for doing the best job that they could do on the fly and adjusting to the play calls that we ran and the stuff that we changed." Wake Forest could excel if both Parker Friedrichsen and Davin Cosby can be consistent 3-point threats. Friedrichsen slumped with shooting in the first few games of the season and was replaced in the starting lineup by Cosby. In Tuesday's game, Friedrichsen drained four 3-pointers, while Cosby hit two. "It was really good to see Parker and Davin both make shots together," Forbes said. Not everything was solved for the Demon Deacons. Western Carolina collected 12 offensive rebounds, and that took some of the shine off Wake Forest's defensive efforts. "We can't be a good defensive team, or a really good defensive team, unless we rebound the ball," Forbes said. "It's demoralizing to your defense to get stops and then not get the ball." In Detroit Mercy's 70-59 win at Ball State on Wednesday, Orlando Lovejoy tallied 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists. "We got the ball to the shooters and playmakers," first-year Titans coach Mark Montgomery said. "You could tell by the guys' body language that we were going to get a road win. It had been a long time coming." On Saturday, the Titans will look for their second road victory since February 2023. The outcome at Ball State seemed significant to Montgomery. "We had to get over the hump," he said. "Our guys grinded it out." --Field Level MediaChancellor Rachel Reeves vows to take ‘iron-fist’ to Whitehall spending and demands Cabinet cut size of state

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Minneapolis, MN (MinnPost) WASHINGTON -- When this year began, Gov. Tim Walz's election as the new head of the Democratic Governors Association set him on a course to raise his profile - but who knew he would be at the center of the biggest political story of the year? Walz began 2024 focused on duties typical of a Minnesota governor: naming judicial appointments, announcing a new state infrastructure plan and naming the eight winners of the 2023-24 Name a Snowplow contest. The governor had problems, sure. He had to deal with the fallout of the $250 million "Feeding our Future" scandal, in which dodgy nonprofit groups claimed to distribute meals to schoolchildren during the pandemic. Instead, more than two dozen people involved were convicted or pleaded guilty to charges including fraud, bribery and money laundering. Walz also had to defend state spending that could lead to a future budget deficit and was concerned the DFL might not be able to hang on to its majorities in the state Legislature. But he faced a unique challenge in July when a group of Democratic governors wanted to meet with President Joe Biden to discuss concerns about the president's rocky debate performance with Donald Trump. As head of the DGA, Walz was in charge of trying to arrange a meeting between the governors and Biden, who had not reached out to those Democrats as concerns about the president's health escalated. Some of those governors, like Maryland's Wes Moore and Rhode Island's Dan McKee were Biden boosters. But others, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan's Gretchen Whitmer, had been floated as potential presidential candidates themselves. Walz walked out of the meeting with Moore and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, another Biden ally, and claimed all was well. "Yes, fit for office," the governor said in response to a question from a reporter, tamping down Democratic fears about Biden's ability to lead the nation. Walz's calming of the political waters became a turning point in his political career. How he handled the sensitive visit to the White House was appreciated by the Biden-Harris campaign team - and it put him on the radar when Biden decided he would not seek a second term. There were plenty of good VP candidates Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket, could have chosen as running mates, especially Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly. In fact, Las Vegas bettors gave Walz low odds at becoming the Democratic vice presidential pick. But no one campaigned harder than Walz. He took to social media and cable news shows. Americans who had never heard of him warmed to his Midwesternisms and his interactions with his daughter Hope, who became an internet star in her own right. Walz also came up with a popular insult to Donald Trump and his camp, calling them "weird" and boosting his candidacy as an effective communicator. Walz's Midwestern roots and his progressive record as governor also had an appeal to the new Harris for President campaign. Eventually, after what was characterized as a successful interview with Harris, Walz got the job. That's when his political and personal life zoomed in a totally different direction. No longer would Walz spend his days on the more predictable job of governing Minnesota. Now he was on the national stage, giving stump speeches across the country and enlisting his wife, Gwen, and daughter Hope to help during a compressed campaign for the White House. He also drew white-hot media attention, which resurrected his misstatements about his rank when he retired from the National Guard, the fertility treatments he and Gwen used to conceive their children and the timing of his visit to China's Tiananmen Square (he was not there during a military crackdown on protesters, as he has said.) Under pressure during his debate with Sen. JD Vance, Walz called himself a "knucklehead" for his misstatements. The governor was deployed to reach out to small-town and rural America, and try to connect with male voters who were cool to Harris. Gwen Walz also proved to be adept at giving political speeches. Like her husband, she deployed to key swing states that would decide the election. But the furious effort to win the White House failed, and Walz is now back home working out of the State Capitol in St. Paul. He has joined a long list of losing vice-presidential candidates, a list that includes Teddy Roosevelt, Walter Mondale, John Edwards, Sarah Palin, Paul Ryan and Tim Kaine. Most never won a national election after their attempt to become vice president. Walz was philosophical after his loss, saying the campaign gave him a good tour of the nation. But he also said he was "a little surprised" Americans rejected the Harris-Walz ticket. "It felt like at the rallies, at the things I was going to, the shops I was going in, that the momentum was going our way," Walz told Tom Hauser of KTSP-TV earlier this month. "And it obviously wasn't at the end of time." In an interview with MPR News, he also rued why he, the least wealthy candidate for vice president, did not connect with voters who preferred Trump. "I thought it was a real flex when the Wall Street Journal pointed out that I might have been the least wealthy person to ever run for vice president," Walz said on MPR. "And I thought that would be something people say, "Well, this guy knows where we're coming from. He's had to pay his bills, he had to and still does."" Walz, who had to leave his job as the head of the DGA when he became a vice-presidential candidate, is now one of the 23 Democratic governors who will, in one way or another, be forced to contend with Trump's agenda, which is likely to clash with their policies on health care, immigration, LGTBQ rights, education and other issues. In that interview with MPR News, Walz said there are redlines where he would fight against the policies of a Trump presidency and a GOP Congress, including any that restrict abortion access or those aimed at ending vaccine requirements in Minnesota's public schools Will he run for reelection? Walz says he hasn't decided yet. This story is provided as a service of the Institute for Nonprofit News’ On the Ground news wire. The Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) is a network of more than 475 independent, nonprofit newsrooms serving communities throughout the US, Canada, and globally. On the Ground is a service of INN, which aggregates the best of its members’ elections and political content, and provides it free for republication. Read more about INN here: https://inn.org/ . Please coordinate with edunbar@minnpost.com should you want to publish photos for this piece. This content cannot be modified, apart from rewriting the headline. To view the original version, visit: http://www.minnpost.com/national/2024/12/a-2024-lookback-gov-tim-walzs-very-weird-year/Jaipur: More than 500 of the 38,000 people who underwent screening for tuberculosis (TB) at the ongoing Mukhyamantri Ayushman Arogya Shivir camps in the state have tested positive for lung disease. With the aim of making Rajasthan TB-free by 2025, the health department started holding camps across the state on Dec 15 for early testing and diagnosis to facilitate treatment of the disease. As many as 3,050 people attending these camps were advised further screening for oral, breast and cervical cancer, said officials. In these camps, as many as 1.23 lakh people were screened for oral cancer so far, and 1,941 of them were advised further tests. As many as 54,089 women were examined for breast cancer, of whom 751 were advised proper evaluation. The screening programme also identified 358 people who have been recommended further tests for cervical cancer. Health department will continue to monitor the progress of the persons till they undergo confirmatory tests, said officials. In the first ten days of the camps, 62,940 people were screened for ENT diseases, and 15,190 of them were found to have these diseases. Of the total 2.21 lakh people screened so far, 23,541 were found to be suspected cases of diabetes, and over 27,800 of hypertension. "These camps provide rural communities with health screening, advice, and referral services for various health conditions, including cancer and TB. As many as 50 referral camps would be held at district hospitals," said director (public health) Dr Ravi Prakash Mathur. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword .Minneapolis, MN (MinnPost) WASHINGTON -- When this year began, Gov. Tim Walz's election as the new head of the Democratic Governors Association set him on a course to raise his profile - but who knew he would be at the center of the biggest political story of the year? Walz began 2024 focused on duties typical of a Minnesota governor: naming judicial appointments, announcing a new state infrastructure plan and naming the eight winners of the 2023-24 Name a Snowplow contest. The governor had problems, sure. He had to deal with the fallout of the $250 million "Feeding our Future" scandal, in which dodgy nonprofit groups claimed to distribute meals to schoolchildren during the pandemic. Instead, more than two dozen people involved were convicted or pleaded guilty to charges including fraud, bribery and money laundering. Walz also had to defend state spending that could lead to a future budget deficit and was concerned the DFL might not be able to hang on to its majorities in the state Legislature. But he faced a unique challenge in July when a group of Democratic governors wanted to meet with President Joe Biden to discuss concerns about the president's rocky debate performance with Donald Trump. As head of the DGA, Walz was in charge of trying to arrange a meeting between the governors and Biden, who had not reached out to those Democrats as concerns about the president's health escalated. Some of those governors, like Maryland's Wes Moore and Rhode Island's Dan McKee were Biden boosters. But others, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan's Gretchen Whitmer, had been floated as potential presidential candidates themselves. Walz walked out of the meeting with Moore and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, another Biden ally, and claimed all was well. "Yes, fit for office," the governor said in response to a question from a reporter, tamping down Democratic fears about Biden's ability to lead the nation. Walz's calming of the political waters became a turning point in his political career. How he handled the sensitive visit to the White House was appreciated by the Biden-Harris campaign team - and it put him on the radar when Biden decided he would not seek a second term. There were plenty of good VP candidates Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket, could have chosen as running mates, especially Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly. In fact, Las Vegas bettors gave Walz low odds at becoming the Democratic vice presidential pick. But no one campaigned harder than Walz. He took to social media and cable news shows. Americans who had never heard of him warmed to his Midwesternisms and his interactions with his daughter Hope, who became an internet star in her own right. Walz also came up with a popular insult to Donald Trump and his camp, calling them "weird" and boosting his candidacy as an effective communicator. Walz's Midwestern roots and his progressive record as governor also had an appeal to the new Harris for President campaign. Eventually, after what was characterized as a successful interview with Harris, Walz got the job. That's when his political and personal life zoomed in a totally different direction. No longer would Walz spend his days on the more predictable job of governing Minnesota. Now he was on the national stage, giving stump speeches across the country and enlisting his wife, Gwen, and daughter Hope to help during a compressed campaign for the White House. He also drew white-hot media attention, which resurrected his misstatements about his rank when he retired from the National Guard, the fertility treatments he and Gwen used to conceive their children and the timing of his visit to China's Tiananmen Square (he was not there during a military crackdown on protesters, as he has said.) Under pressure during his debate with Sen. JD Vance, Walz called himself a "knucklehead" for his misstatements. The governor was deployed to reach out to small-town and rural America, and try to connect with male voters who were cool to Harris. Gwen Walz also proved to be adept at giving political speeches. Like her husband, she deployed to key swing states that would decide the election. But the furious effort to win the White House failed, and Walz is now back home working out of the State Capitol in St. Paul. He has joined a long list of losing vice-presidential candidates, a list that includes Teddy Roosevelt, Walter Mondale, John Edwards, Sarah Palin, Paul Ryan and Tim Kaine. Most never won a national election after their attempt to become vice president. Walz was philosophical after his loss, saying the campaign gave him a good tour of the nation. But he also said he was "a little surprised" Americans rejected the Harris-Walz ticket. "It felt like at the rallies, at the things I was going to, the shops I was going in, that the momentum was going our way," Walz told Tom Hauser of KTSP-TV earlier this month. "And it obviously wasn't at the end of time." In an interview with MPR News, he also rued why he, the least wealthy candidate for vice president, did not connect with voters who preferred Trump. "I thought it was a real flex when the Wall Street Journal pointed out that I might have been the least wealthy person to ever run for vice president," Walz said on MPR. "And I thought that would be something people say, "Well, this guy knows where we're coming from. He's had to pay his bills, he had to and still does."" Walz, who had to leave his job as the head of the DGA when he became a vice-presidential candidate, is now one of the 23 Democratic governors who will, in one way or another, be forced to contend with Trump's agenda, which is likely to clash with their policies on health care, immigration, LGTBQ rights, education and other issues. In that interview with MPR News, Walz said there are redlines where he would fight against the policies of a Trump presidency and a GOP Congress, including any that restrict abortion access or those aimed at ending vaccine requirements in Minnesota's public schools Will he run for reelection? Walz says he hasn't decided yet. This story is provided as a service of the Institute for Nonprofit News’ On the Ground news wire. The Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) is a network of more than 475 independent, nonprofit newsrooms serving communities throughout the US, Canada, and globally. On the Ground is a service of INN, which aggregates the best of its members’ elections and political content, and provides it free for republication. Read more about INN here: https://inn.org/ . Please coordinate with edunbar@minnpost.com should you want to publish photos for this piece. This content cannot be modified, apart from rewriting the headline. To view the original version, visit: http://www.minnpost.com/national/2024/12/a-2024-lookback-gov-tim-walzs-very-weird-year/