Huawei Cloud unveiled Flexus, a revolutionary package of cloud services that aims to reinvent cloud computing for companies in Egypt. This launch aligns with Huawei’s ongoing commitment to driving digital transformation and fostering innovation in Egypt’s industries. The announcement was made on the sidelines of its participation in Cairo ICT 2024. Designed to meet the changing needs of small and medium-sized businesses, entrepreneurs, and developers across a spectrum of industries—including retail, software development, fintech, and e-commerce—flexus has risen to the challenge with a suite that combines high performance, scalability, and security as businesses demand more refined, flexible, and reasonably priced cloud services. By allowing companies to simplify their operations, lower costs, and attain more exact budgeting, Flexus presents a transforming solution for cloud computing. “In an era where cloud technology drives innovation and efficiency, organizations are increasingly looking for robust platforms that offer flexibility, scalability, and comprehensive management capabilities. This is why we launched “Flexus”, so businesses can harness the power of cloud technology to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and unlock new opportunities.” Jo Xu, CEO of Huawei Cloud Egypt said. Three main products from the Flexus suite are meant to satisfy different corporate demands. Designed for jobs including website development, e-commerce administration, and application development, Flexus L Instance, or FlexusL, is a lightweight cloud server with an easy-to-use, reasonably priced platform. Pre-configured application images let users save major time and effort by deploying solutions in just three steps, double the industry-average performance at no additional cost. Flexus X Instance, or FlexusX, has a special customizing option for companies needing more flexibility that lets customers select from over 100 vCPU-to memory ratios. By removing the inefficiencies of set configurations, this invention helps businesses to prevent resource waste and cut computation expenses by up to 30%. FlexusX is also the ideal choice for dynamic and high-demand workloads including e-commerce live streaming and game servers since it offers flawless hot upgrades free of service interruptions. Complementing these products, Flexus RDS offers a lightweight database solution driven by the MySQL kernel, therefore enabling improved operational efficiency and simplified management at a reduced cost than more conventional database services. Huawei Cloud’s Flexus closes a significant market gap and offers companies the means to meet evolving needs, therefore ensuring excellent performance and cost effectiveness. This vision complements the start of the Pioneer Experience Program, a joint project with local partners Dimofinf and Cloudypedia. Through customized cloud solutions for sectors including retail, fintech, and software development, the program helps Egyptian companies speed their digital transformation paths. Two Memorandums of Understanding signed with Dimofinf and Cloudypedia also marked the launch ceremony, so highlighting Huawei Cloud’s commitment to encouraging innovation and cooperation in Egypt. Through the most sophisticated public cloud infrastructure in the nation, these alliances underline Huawei’s position as a reliable technology partner by providing localized, ultra-large-scale cloud services. Jo Xu underlined how special Huawei Cloud is in offering highly available and scalable solutions that satisfy the requirements of Egyptian companies. Now accessible for Egyptian companies is Huawei Cloud Flexus; the Pioneer Experience Program invites companies to investigate the possibilities of this ground-breaking technology. Huawei Cloud is helping to shape a digital future that promises to benefit enterprises and sectors all around by letting them adopt a smarter and more efficient approach to cloud computing. It is worth noting Huawei’s booth is located in Cairo ICT Hall 2- 2C3 and AIDC: Hall 3- 3C7.ASX set to rise as Wall Street extends winning streakLOS ANGELES — Top-ranked South Carolina felt something it hasn't known in over 2 1/2 years. The sting of defeat after being thoroughly dominated in a 77-62 loss to No. 5 UCLA on Sunday. Gone was the overall 43-game winning streak. Done was the run of 33 consecutive road victories. And the No. 1 ranking it's held for 23 consecutive polls will disappear Monday. "This is what we usually do to teams," coach Dawn Staley said. "We were on the receiving end of it." South Carolina hadn't lost since April 2023, when Caitlin Clark and Iowa beat the Gamecocks in the national semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins (5-0) shot 47% from the floor and 3-point range, hit 11 of 14 free throws and had five players in double figures. "They actually executed our game plan to a T," Staley said. The Gamecocks (5-1) were held to 36% shooting, had just two players in double figures and neither was leading scorer Chloe Kitts, who was held to 2 points on 1 of 7 shooting. They never led, got beat on the boards, 41-34, and were outscored 26-18 in the paint and 8-1 in fast break points. They only made eight trips to the free throw line. "Our kids fought," Staley said, "but we ran into a buzzsaw." South Carolina did manage to limit 6-foot-7 UCLA star Lauren Betts, who had 11 points and 14 rebounds, despite no longer having a dominant center of their own. The Bruins responded by getting the ball to others and eight of their 10 players scored. "We did an excellent job on Betts and we got killed by everyone else," Staley said. Tessa Johnson was the only other Gamecock in double figures with 14. "We needed a lot more than Tessa today," Staley said. The Gamecocks never got their offense in gear, starting the game 0 for 9 before trailing 20-10 at the end of the first quarter. They were down 43-22 at halftime. "Our shot selection is something we're dealing with on a daily basis," Staley said. The Gamecocks outscored UCLA 40-34 in the second half, but the Bruins' big early lead easily held up. "Beautiful basketball by UCLA," Staley said. "You can't help but to love up on it cause it was fluid on both sides of the ball." Given that it's only late November, the Gamecocks have plenty of time to figure things out. "We had some really good contributions from people that don't play a whole lot and we could probably give a little bit more minutes to," Staley said. "Taking a loss will help us focus on anybody that we play." Get local news delivered to your inbox!
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday insisted at a meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump that any settlement with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine had to be "just", as fears grow in Kyiv on the position of the incoming administration. President Emmanuel Macron hosted three-way talks with Zelensky and Trump at the Elysee Palace, discussing what the incoming American president had termed a world that was a "little crazy". Hours after their meeting, the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden announced a new $988 million military assistance package for Ukraine. The package features drones, ammunition for precision HIMARS rocket launchers, and equipment and spare parts for artillery systems, tanks and armoured vehicles, the Pentagon said in a statement. Zelensky's meeting with Trump just before the three men headed to Notre Dame for the re-opening ceremony of the great Paris cathedral was his first face-to-face encounter with tycoon-turned-politician since his election victory. The meeting was of huge importance to Zelensky, given fears in Kyiv that Trump, who once boasted he could end Russia's war on Ukraine in 24 hours, may urge Ukraine to make concessions to Moscow. It also offered a unique chance for Macron to gain insights into how a second Trump presidency will look when he takes office in January. The trip to Paris is Trump's first international visit since his November 5 election win. "We all want peace. But it is very important for us... that the peace is just for all of us and that Russia, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin or any other aggressor has no possibility of ever returning," Zelensky said according to the presidential website. "And this is the most important thing -- a just peace and security guarantees, strong security guarantees for Ukraine," he added. Trump has scoffed at the billions of dollars in US military assistance to Ukraine and has spoken of forcing a quick settlement. But Zelensky also thanked Trump for his "unwavering resolve" describing the talks as "good and productive". Trump and Macron embraced and shook hands several times on the steps of the French presidential palace, with Trump given a full guard of honour despite not yet being in office. "It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that," Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for the talks with Macron. Despite tensions between the two men during his first term, Trump hailed his ties with the centrist French leader, saying: "We had a great relationship as everyone knows. We accomplished a lot." Macron told Trump it was "a great honour for French people to welcome you" for the re-opening ceremony at Notre Dame, which was devastated by a blaze in 2019 during Trump's first term. "You were president at that time and I remember the solidarity and the immediate reaction," Macron added, speaking in English. When he first took office in 2017, Trump's ties with Macron -- then also a fresh face on the world stage -- began warmly despite their obvious political differences. Their long and muscular handshakes -- which saw each man seek to assert his superiority -- became a light-hearted focus of attention before ties cooled, then soured, following disputes about climate change, trade and defence. Trump earlier wrote on his Truth Social platform that the United States should "not get involved" in the situation in Syria, where fast-moving rebel forces say they have begun to encircle the capital Damascus. The Republican's return to power has rung alarms in Paris and many European capitals after his promises on the campaign trail to force an end to fighting in Ukraine and levy tariffs on trading partners. In his own reaction to the discussions, Macron wrote on social media: "Let us continue our joint efforts for peace and security." European allies have largely enjoyed a close working relationship with Biden on the crisis in the Middle East, but Trump is likely to distance himself and ally the United States even more closely with Israel. In a sign of the importance of Trump's one-day trip to Paris, he was accompanied by his pick for White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles, as well as his Near East and Middle East advisors, Steve Witkoff and Massad Boulos, according to a guest list issued by the Elysee Palace. Tesla tycoon and Trump advisor Elon Musk, who was also on the line during a phone call between the incoming president and Zelensky last month, also flew into the French capital was present at the Notre Dame ceremony. sjw/adp/jj
SmartAsset and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. I have a 401(k) with $120,000 in it. I’m 74 and getting the required minimum distribution at the end of each year. Do I need a retirement planner to help handle the withdrawal? – Susan While technically you don’t need a financial advisor to handle your retirement account withdrawals, it can be useful to talk with one. Between deciding which investments to liquidate, navigating potential tax implications and making sure you withdraw the right amount to satisfy your required minimum distribution (RMD), having a professional in your corner can help you make the most of your retirement money. Do you have retirement planning questions? Speak with a financial advisor today . What Are RMDs? Required minimum distributions (RMDs) are the absolute minimum withdrawals that the U.S. tax code requires you to take from pre-tax retirement accounts. These distributions must be taken from most types of accounts, including: Traditional IRAs 401(k) plans 403(b) plans 457(b) plans SEP IRAs SIMPLE IRAs Rollover IRAs Since you haven’t paid any tax on this income yet, the IRS wants to make sure that you do. That’s why they force you to take distributions once you turn age 73 , regardless of whether or not you need the money. There are strict rules in place about the timing and amount of these distributions, with big penalties for getting it wrong. The IRS charges a hefty 25% of the amount not taken in time, and that can put a big dent in your savings. How to Calculate RMDs RMD calculations are based on the amount of money that’s in your pre-tax retirement accounts and your expected longevity. Start with the year-end balance from your retirement account from last year. Then look up the RMD factor factor that corresponds with your age from the appropriate IRS Life Expectancy Table . For example, imagine a retiree named Cameron with $150,000 in an IRA on Dec. 31, 2022. Since Cameron is 74 years old in 2023 and his situation fits the Uniform Lifetime Table (the table that most people use to calculate their RMDs), his RMD factor would be 25.5. To figure out his RMD, he then divides his balance of $150,000 by a factor of 25.5. That calculates to an RMD of $5,882.35 for 2023. You don’t have to take the RMD all at once – you can break it up into a series of payments throughout the year if that’s easier for you. You can also take more than your RMD if you need to. This is just the minimum withdrawal you’re required to take. (And if you want to talk through your RMD calculations with a professional, speak with a financial advisor .) How to Take Your RMDs Many people have multiple retirement accounts, and that affects their RMD calculations. Technically, you have to calculate separate RMDs for each of your retirement accounts. But you can take one big summed-up RMD from any of the accounts if that’s easier for you. For example, if you have five IRAs, each with a $2,000 RMD, you can withdraw $10,000 from just one of those accounts or any other combination, as long as you hit the $10,000 total. These aggregation rules have an exception: If you have more than one 401(k), you have to take separate RMDs from each one. There’s another special rule for workplace plans. If you’re still working and don’t own more than 5% of the company you work for, you don’t have to take RMDs from that company’s plan until you stop working there. Meanwhile, if you’re married, you and your spouse each must take your RMDs from your own separate accounts, even if you file a joint tax return. Taking an RMD is not quite as simple as taking money out of a savings account. Since most people’s retirement accounts are invested, you’ll probably have to sell off, or liquidate, investments to convert them into cash. That’s where working with an advisor can come in handy. (And if you need help finding an advisor, consider using SmartAsset’s free advisor matching tool .) The Tax Effects of RMDs RMDs increase your taxable income, so they also increase your tax bill. That can lead to a nasty balance that’s due when you file your annual income tax returns if you haven’t made any federal or state tax payments. In addition, RMDs increase your adjusted gross income (AGI), a tax number used to determine other aspects of your taxable income. For example, AGI affects your ability to take advantage of certain tax credits or deductions . In most cases, RMDs will increase your tax bill. In order to avoid IRS penalties, you may need to either make estimated tax payments or have taxes withheld from your distributions. Reducing the amount you need to take in RMDs will lower your AGI, your taxable income and your overall tax bill. (And talking with a financial advisor can help you finalize any questions you may have.) Planning for Optimal Withdrawals Figuring out the correct RMD from each retirement account is just your starting point. From there, you’ll have a few things to consider, including: Which retirement account to take the RMDs from Which securities should be liquidated to make the withdrawals Whether you should make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to avoid taxation on your RMD How much money you need to withdraw from your retirement accounts to live the way you want to Whether it makes sense to automate your retirement account withdrawals How much tax (if any) should be withheld from your distributions Whether your beneficiary designations are set up properly That’s a lot to navigate alone, which is why it often makes sense to work with a financial advisor. They can help you make sure you’re getting the most out of your retirement savings and not lose more than necessary to taxes. (And if you need help finding a financial advisor, consider finding one with SmartAsset’s tool .) Bottom Line Calculating your RMDs is relatively easy, but there’s a lot more that goes into effectively managing these mandated withdrawals, including which investments to sell and the tax impact of these transactions. While you might not need a financial advisor to do all of this for you, it’s a good idea to at least talk with one before you start taking distributions. Tips for Finding a Financial Advisor Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now . A lot goes into hiring a financial advisor. You’ll want to consider the services they offer, how much they cost and their credentials, to name a few. That’s why we compiled a comprehensive guide for finding and choosing a financial advisor . Keep an emergency fund on hand in case you run into unexpected expenses. An emergency fund should be liquid -- in an account that isn't at risk of significant fluctuation like the stock market. The tradeoff is that the value of liquid cash can be eroded by inflation. But a high-interest account allows you to earn compound interest. Compare savings accounts from these banks . Are you a financial advisor looking to grow your business? SmartAsset AMP helps advisors connect with leads and offers marketing automation solutions so you can spend more time making conversions. Learn more about SmartAsset AMP . Michele Cagan, CPA , is a SmartAsset financial planning columnist and answers reader questions on personal finance and tax topics. Got a question you’d like answered? Email AskAnAdvisor@smartasset.com and your question may be answered in a future column. Please note that Michele is not a participant in the SmartAsset AMP platform, nor is she an employee of SmartAsset, and she has been compensated for this article. Some reader-submitted questions are edited for clarity or brevity. Photo credit: ©iStock.com/PeopleImages, ©iStock.com/zamrznutitonovi The post Ask an Advisor: I’m 74 With $120k in My 401(k). Should I Get a Financial Planner to Help With RMDs? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset .As the battle amongst South Africa's biggest retailers continues to rage on, the tug of war for dominance in the low-cost segment is shaping up. This is particularly prevalent in the discount supermarket war between Shoprite's Usave, and Pick n Pay's Boxer. In the last financial year, Usave increased sales by 13.2% to approximately R11 billion in FY2024, while Boxer Superstores saw an annual turnover of R37.4 billion and trading profit of R2.1 billion (FY2024) With these ventures proving lucrative, these big brands are pursuing ways to turbocharge their expansion. Boxer on the JSE Boxer started as more of a rural or smaller-town operator, however, it has boomed since then. According to Pick n Pay, Boxer has a market share of 68% of the discount grocery retail market and an estimated share of 4.2% of the formal grocery market. As of October 2024, there are 308 Superstores, 162 Liquor Stores and 30 Build Stores across South Africa. Boxer has on average added a new store every week for the last 3 financial years and has experienced a 14% CAGR in store numbers over the same period. It grew its turnover at a South African market-leading CAGR of 18.6% between FY2022 and FY2024, with like-for-like growth of 7.7%. Its lean model, with fewer stock-keeping units (3,000 vs. 18,000 at Pick n Pay), helps keep costs low, allowing Boxer to negotiate favourable supplier prices and... Seth ThorneA melee broke out at midfield of Ohio Stadium after Michigan upset No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday. After the Wolverines' fourth straight win in the series, players converged at the block "O" to plant its flag. The Ohio State players were in the south end zone singing their alma mater in front of the student section. When the Buckeyes saw the Wolverines' flag, they rushed toward the 50-yard line. Social media posts showed Michigan offensive lineman Raheem Anderson carrying the flag on a long pole to midfield, where the Wolverines were met by dozens of Ohio State players and fights broke out. Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer was seen ripping the flag off the pole and taking the flag as he scuffled with several people trying to recover the flag. A statement from the Ohio State Police Department read: "Following the game, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an on-field altercation. During the scuffle, multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray. OSUPD is the lead agency for games and will continue to investigate." Michigan running back Kalel Mullings on FOX said: "For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game. It's bad for the sport, bad for college football. At the end of the day, some people got to learn how to lose, man. "You can't be fighting and stuff just because you lost the game. We had 60 minutes and four quarters to do all that fighting. Now people want to talk and fight. That's wrong. It's bad for the game. Classless, in my opinion. People got to be better." Once order was restored, officers cordoned the 50-yard line, using bicycles as barriers. Ohio State coach Ryan Day in his postgame press conference said he wasn't sure what happened. "I don't know all the details of it. But I know that these guys are looking to put a flag on our field and our guys weren't going to let that happen," he said. "I'll find out exactly what happened, but this is our field and certainly we're embarrassed at the fact we lost the game, but there's some prideful guys on our team that weren't just going to let that happen." The Big Ten has not yet released a statement on the incident. --Field Level MediaMaresca led the Foxes to the Sky Bet Championship title last season before joining Chelsea over the summer. Leicester famously toasted their improbable Premier League success in 2016 with an impromptu bash at Vardy’s house. But the venue for last April’s party was not at the striker’s abode, but at Maresca’s house when the players turned up unannounced at 2am. Maresca recalled: “The best present I had from last season was when we got promoted and they arrived at my home. All the team. “This showed the connection between the players; they could go for a party at a different place but they all arrived at my home. It was a fantastic connection and I will always be thankful for them. “I was at home celebrating with my staff and my family and about two o’clock in the morning all the squad was there. We celebrated all together. Last night at Enzo’s 🏡 💙 pic.twitter.com/dqP8BFsDn3 — Leicester City (@LCFC) April 27, 2024 “When I was a player and I won things I never thought to go to the manager’s home. That shows the connection.” Similarly to when they clinched the Premier League crown, Leicester were not actually playing when they found out they were promoted after Leeds lost at QPR. “To be honest I was at home watching the game and when it finished all the staff came over – and later the players,” added the Italian. “They didn’t knock on the door, they were in the garden and knocked on the window. What time did they leave? I don’t remember.” Vardy might not be having a party at the end of this season but he is still banging in the goals at 37 and Maresca rates the striker even more highly than England’s two top goalscorers – Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney. “People don’t realise how good he is,” added Maresca. “I know England have been quite lucky because of Kane and Rooney, this type of striker, they are fantastic. “But Jamie is, if you ask me, the best one.” Maresca returns to the King Power Stadium for the first time with Chelsea on Saturday, but he will be without captain Reece James due to a hamstring problem.
WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — Jordan Jones scored 20 points as Cent. Conn. St. beat Holy Cross 69-56 on Saturday. Jones added six steals for the Blue Devils (6-3). Abdul Momoh scored 12 points and added three steals. Devin Haid had 12 points and shot 4 for 8, including 3 for 5 from beyond the arc. Max Green led the Crusaders (5-5) in scoring, finishing with 15 points and seven rebounds. Tyler Boston added 13 points and five assists for Holy Cross. Caleb Kenney finished with 12 points, nine rebounds, two steals and three blocks. Cent. Conn. St. took the lead with 6:53 remaining in the first half and did not give it up. The score was 38-25 at halftime, with Haid racking up 12 points. Cent. Conn. St. pulled away with an 11-3 run in the second half to extend a six-point lead to 14 points. They closed out the victory over Holy Cross from there, as Jones led the way with a team-high 14 second-half points. NEXT UP Cent. Conn. St.'s next game is Sunday against Rhode Island on the road, and Holy Cross visits Quinnipiac on Tuesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Oregon already secured its spot in the Big Ten championship game, but the top-ranked Ducks have plenty to play for in their regular-season finale. Revenge may be on Oregon's mind when the Ducks host longtime rival Washington on Saturday in Eugene, Ore. Oregon (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) would perhaps be closing in on its second straight College Football Playoff appearance had the Huskies (6-5, 4-4) not dealt the Ducks their only two losses last season. Washington edged Oregon 36-33 in Seattle last October, then slipped past the Ducks 34-31 in the Pac-12 title game to secure a playoff spot for the second time in school history. Both teams joined the Big Ten in August. Third-year Oregon head coach Dan Lanning is 33-5 leading the Ducks. But he remains winless against the Huskies (0-3). Oregon plots to sprint out of its late-season bye after using time to heal injuries, but Lanning doesn't believe the break should stall the flow of an undefeated season. "It's always about what we're able to do on the field. Motivation is overrated," Lanning said. "Our guys have to want to go out there and execute at a really high level. Since the beginning of the season we've talked about playing our best football at the end of November. We're there. This is our opportunity to go play our best football against a good team." The Ducks could have star wide receiver Tez Johnson back from a shoulder injury this week. Johnson has missed the past two games. That would be good news for quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who would regain the team's leader in receptions (64), receiving yards (649) and receiving touchdowns (eight). Washington, under first-year head coach Jedd Fisch, is 63-48-5 all-time against Oregon but is just 1-12-1 when facing the No. 1-ranked team in the country. The Huskies are led on offense by running back Jonah Coleman, who has racked up 1,008 yards and nine scores on the ground this season. Coleman averages 5.8 yards per carry and has 36 runs of at least 10 yards. In the passing game, wide receiver Denzel Boston is tied for the Big Ten lead with nine in touchdown catches and ranks sixth in the conference with 764 receiving yards. Whom Boston will be catching passes from is not yet known, however. Washington has not revealed whether Will Rogers or Demond Williams Jr. will start at quarterback. Rogers has started every game for the Huskies but was benched in favor of Williams two weeks ago after throwing a pair of interceptions in a 31-19 win over UCLA. Fisch said he has a "good idea" of how he will use his quarterbacks on Saturday, and while he wouldn't go as far as to name a starter, he did say Rogers responded well in practices last week. "On the same token, Demond's energy and Demond's confidence showed up. His ability to jump right in and feel really good about leading the group whenever it was his turn... he did a really nice job there as well," Fisch told Seattle Sports. "I think both guys responded well to the week of practice, and now, really, it's important for us that the guy we believe will start the game gets a significant amount of reps in practice week. But as you know, we're not afraid to play two quarterbacks." --Field Level MediaSelfridges is selling Kate Middleton and Prince William baubles for £40 each The upmarket department store is selling a range of regal baubles this yuletide Read More: The truth behind viral Taylor Swift voting video that fooled Internet By JO TWEEDY FOR MAILONLINE Published: 11:42, 8 December 2024 | Updated: 11:49, 8 December 2024 e-mail View comments Many British households will be busy decking the halls this weekend, with the countdown to Christmas well and truly underway. And for those fancying adding a regal touch to their tree this year , upmarket store Selfridges has just the thing. The department store is selling baubles in the image of favourite royals - or at least that's the idea. For the princely sum of £40, plus a £5.95 delivery fee if you're buying online, you can snap up the glass baubles of Kate Middleton , Prince William and the King, as well as the late Queen Elizabeth II . While there are no Queen Camilla baubles being sold by the historic London store, a little research online reveals that a tree adornment of the King's wife can be bought elsewhere for just £18 at Christmasimaginarium.com. The website also has the Kate, William and King Charles baubles in stock, at less than half the price of Selfridges, The site describes the Princess of Wales' trinket as: 'A stunning depiction of Her Royal Highness Princess "Kate" this piece is sure to add a hint of regal sophistication to your Christmas decor, that is sure to be the talking point of all who see it.' The yuletide adornments measure around 12-13cm in height and are made of coloured glass. A very regal Christmas: A glass bauble of Prince William is selling at Selfridges for £40 A glass trinket depicting the Princess of Wales in a formal gown and tiara is also amongst the baubles being sold by Selfridges While Prince William's thinning thatch is given new life with a showering of glitter, his wife is wearing a white gown and tiara, with glittering epaulettes. The King, meanwhile, is seen in his full Coronation Day outfit. Celebrity baubles are increasingly popular as fans are keen to put their idols on their trees alongside more traditional decorations. Selfridges released a Taylor Swift Eras Tour Christmas tree bauble set last month. Swiftie Florence Goodrham, from London , took to her TikTok to showcase the festive sparkly decorations, which range from £40 to £16. With the pop star on the last leg of the Eras tour, some fans have considered decorating their whole tree with the ornaments for 'Swiftmas'. Florence, shared a clip showcasing all the Taylor-themed decorations, including an ornament of Taylor Swift in her sparkling Midnights playsuit for a pricey £40 . She captioned the video, which racked up nearly 300,000 views: 'I could not believe this table, it was begging me to take everything home and make a Taylor Swift Christmas tree.' The Prince has been given a smattering of glitter on his hair, meanwhile Kate has a full tiara and diamond earrings A Monarch fir your tree! Selfridges is also selling a depiction of the King on Coronation Day While Camilla's bauble isn't available at Selfridges, it can be snapped up at Christmasimaginarium.com for £18 And those wishing to pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth will also find a bauble in Selfridges As well as the American singer hanging on your tree, you can also get a pink and white 'Swiftie' decoration for more reasonable £26. Some of the other decorations relate to Taylor's famous song lyrics or her personal brand. Everyone knows Taylors love for her cats Meredith, Olivia, and Benjamin, so there is also an adorable kitty decoration. Meanwhile a crystal-embellished glass cherry decoration for £26 gives a hint to her Blank Space lyrics 'cherry lips, crystal skies'. A pink disco ball represents the song Mirrorball from her Folklore album and a rainbow flag for £16 represents her Lover song You Need to Calm Down. There is also a mini piano ornament for the tree and an engagement ring in a box - both representing her Evermore era and the hit song 'Champagne Problems.' Florence also spotted a silver cowboy hat - a nod to Taylor's first album, and a boombox for her Shake It Off video. Meanwhile, a diamond-encrusted pink guitar is also on offer to represent her Lover guitar from the Eras tour and even a skateboard to symbolise James - a character form the song Betty. Taylor Swift fans are rushing to Selfridges as the brand launch Eras Tour Christmas tree baubles Swiftie Florence Goodrham, from London , took to her TikTok to showcase the festive sparkly decorations which range from £16 to £40 With the pop star on the last leg of the Eras tour, some fans have considered decorating their whole tree with the ornaments for 'Swiftmas' Meanwhile, a diamond-encrusted pink guitar is also on offer to represent her Lover guitar from the Eras tour Florence also spotted a silver cowboy hat - a nod to Taylor's first album, and a boombox for her Shake It Off video Everyone knows Taylor's love for her cats Meredith, Olivia, and Benjamin, so there is also an adorable kitty decoration A pink disco ball represents the song Mirrorball from her Folklore album and a rainbow flag represents her Lover song You Need To Calm Down Swifties on TikTok were very excited about the Christmas tree decorations but some thought they were too expensive However, some claimed the ornaments were 'obscenely expensive' and many couldn't justify paying £40 for one ornament. One person said: 'Bought the Swiftie ornament during my last trip but it seems like I need to go back (£40 is obscene though even as a Christmas ornament connoisseur)' Another said: 'I nearly bought the swiftie one the other month but it’s like £26!!!' One excited Swiftie said: 'I'm already on my way.' A fourth said: 'I got a taylor ornament like that in NYC macy’s! for 20 dollars!' And someone else joked: 'I mean, if my toddler wasn’t gonna pull them all off within the first 3 seconds I’d be buying them all.' London TikTok Kate Middleton Prince William Share or comment on this article: Selfridges is selling Kate Middleton and Prince William baubles for £40 each e-mail Add comment
Winless in rivalry, Dan Lanning, No. 1 Oregon determined to tame HuskiesCourt ruling emboldens Pheu ThaiED SHEERAN was awkwardly asked to leave Sky Sports' live coverage after gatecrashing their interview with new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. Singer-songwriter Sheeran, 33, is a minority owner of his hometown club Ipswich and watched the newly-promoted side draw 1-1 with the Red Devils at Portman Road on Sunday. 4 Ed Sheeran crashed the Sky Sports panel during their interview with Ruben Amorim Credit: Sky Sports 4 Sheeran embraced former Liverpool and England midfielder Jamie Redknapp Credit: Sky Sports 4 The singer-songwriter is a minority owner of Ipswich Credit: Sky Sports 4 But he was politely told by Redknapp to move out of shot during the Amorim interview Credit: Sky Sports After the game, Amorim faced the Sky Sports panel following his first game in charge of Man Utd . Kelly Cates, Roy Keane, Izzy Christiansen and Jamie Redknapp were putting questions to the Portuguese coach when Sheeran came into shot in his Ipswich jacket. Cates said: "Ed Sheeran has come to join us. Ed we're just chatting to Ruben Amorim who may not want to talk to an Ipswich fan." Sheeran gave Amorim a brief wave as he hugged a beaming Redknapp. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL HIT AND RUN Car 'deliberately' ploughs into fans outside Premier League stadium after match Cates added: "But from an Ipswich perspective it was almost perfect," referencing his hit-single "Perfect". Sheeran replied: "I love it. I love being back in the Premier League." Cates then added: "We're really glad to hear from you," before Redknapp politely said to Sheeran: "You gonna come and say hello in a minute?" Sheeran proceeded to shake hands with Redknapp before he sheepishly walked out of shot. Most read in Football RED HOT SCOT Scott McTominay hailed as Serie A's best midfielder by legend of rival club HIT AND RUN Car 'deliberately' ploughs into fans outside Premier League stadium after match PHIL THE HEAT Latest on Philippe Clement's future at Rangers amid swirling sack rumours STAR SHOWING Ex-Celtic ace labelled 'most improved player' after starring vs Euro giants CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS And Cates ended the spontaneous segment by saying: "Thanks very much, Ed." Sheeran, who owns 1.4 per cent of Ipswich, has watched his side take four points from games against Tottenham and Man Utd. Roy Keane tells fan 'I'll wait in the car park' after furious pitchside confrontation following Ipswich vs Man Utd Kieran McKenna 's men sit 18th in the Premier League - their first top-flight season since 2002. They are only in the relegation zone on goal difference, with crunch games against fellow strugglers Crystal Palace and Wolves coming up in the next three weeks. Next up for The Tractor Boys is a trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Meanwhile, drama ensued with Sky Sports pundit Keane at Portman Road after he had a furious confrontation with a fan and told the supporter "I'll wait for you in the car park".
North Macedonian political party demands ban on TikTok after at least 17 students injuredThe truth behind surprise Hull City transfer links to Manchester United manBy Don Miller I’ve written a column for many Thanksgivings encouraging readers to express gratitude, even among difficult, sometimes mystifying circumstances. Such as right now. Each year brings its own challenges. The pandemic. Now, an incoming change in political leadership and direction and a nation divided. It’s climate change and taxes, the cost of housing. Crime. Gun violence. The Middle East. The pervasive influence of social media and the invasive threat of artificial intelligence. Maybe for you it’s advancing age or poor health. Financial problems. A family member caught up in the disease of addiction, or mental illness. Always something. Always will be. Amid the struggles in this broken world, life can seem capricious and unfair. Psychologists say gratitude has to be genuine to be effective. Forcing ourselves to be grateful – even this week – when we secretly hold on to resentments, or fear, can be counterproductive. And it comes off as mindless when expressing greeting-card gratitude for a broken-down car or spiraling credit-card bills, much less the loss of a loved one. So, it’s understandable why a statement like “be thankful always” can come off as an empty platitude. And yet, it’s no coincidence people showered with material blessings or gifted with physical beauty, superior talents, even great intelligence, often remain unsatisfied. People who find an overarching sense of gratitude in their lives often have suffered loss, or come up short on youthful dreams. They understand the world as it is, and remain humbled by their own character defects. Don’t take my word for it. Researchers have shown that exercising the free choice of gratitude will replace our anxiety and fear and bring health benefits that include better coping with stress, improved sleep, higher levels of love toward others, and, yes, a sense of inner peace. Gratitude as a daily attitude leaves me less consumed by possessions, more willing to help others, more spiritually aware. It takes my eyes off the irretrievable past and leaves me in the unfolding reality of the present, looking forward, with hope. Gratitude often includes expressing our thanks to others, and allows us to let go of self-reliance. And when I make this choice to be grateful, I stop being consumed by what others have and I don’t — or by resentment or anxiety. I can accept my journey through the valley of loss and walk back from the cliff of despair. There’s a spiritual principle at work: In everything, give thanks. For Christians, this is not optional. The Apostle Paul in the New Testament book of 1st Thessalonians (5:18) writes: “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you ...” And in his Letter to the Philippians (4:6), Paul, writing from prison, put it this way, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Do this, Paul said, and peace will flow through your inner being. But you may not be a believer or convinced these words have meaning. But they do. Because gratitude in the face of inevitable difficulties says, “I’m making a choice to trust, rather than be fearful.” And this kind of radical thankfulness, which says “yes” instead of “no,” invites me to share the promise with others, and unleashes inner freedom and the power to overcome the obsessive thoughts I have to grab more for myself. Keeping a daily gratitude journal is helpful. The discipline of regularly writing down events and encounters in the prism of gratitude can bring remarkable changes others will notice. And consider starting each day with a list of things to be truly grateful for. Family and friends. Someone we love or who loves us. For the freedoms we enjoy. For living in a beautiful place. For the certainty of the next sunrise. For forgiveness. For grace. Why wouldn’t I be thankful? Don Miller is the Santa Cruz Sentinel’s Opinion Editor and former Editor of the Sentinel and Monterey Herald.
The weekend was abuzz with news from the tech giant Apple Inc. AAPL . From the development of in-house modems to the anticipated launch of a foldable iPhone, the company has been making waves in the tech industry. Here’s a quick round-up of the top stories that unfolded over the weekend. Apple’s In-House Modem Development Apple is reportedly developing its own modem technology, internally named Sinope. This move could result in slimmer iPhones and introduce cellular capabilities to Macs and headsets like Vision Pro. The new modem is set to debut next year and will gradually replace components from Qualcomm Inc. QCOM over three years. Read the full article here. Revival of the Smartphone Market with Foldable iPhone Apple’s reported plans to launch a foldable iPhone in 2026 could breathe new life into the foldable smartphone market, which has been experiencing waning consumer interest. Display analyst Ross Young anticipates a growth of over 30% in the foldable market in 2026. Read the full article here. See Also: Tesla CEO Elon Musk Agrees With Apple Co-Founder Steve Jobs On Guiding Talent Tim Cook on Apple’s Future and His Retirement Plans Apple CEO Tim Cook shared insights on the company's future, touching on the iPhone 16's new camera button, Vision Pro sales, and AirPods' evolution. Cook also discussed the decision to add a physical button to the iPhone 16 for camera control, a departure from Steve Jobs’ aversion to buttons. Read the full article here. Apple Stock Hits New High Despite Sales Slowdown Despite a general market slowdown, Apple’s stock soared to a new 52-week high on Tuesday, closing at $242.65. This comes at a time when reports have pointed to iPhone sales lagging amid a lukewarm reception to new AI features. Read the full article here. Most Popular Free iPhone Apps in America The latest rankings of the most popular free apps on Apple’s iPhone in the U.S. reveal a strong inclination toward games, social media platforms, and productivity tools. Leading the pack is Block Blast, a puzzle game developed by Artemis Limited. Read the full article here. Read Next: Jeff Bezos Optimistic About Trump’s Second Term, Wants To Help Streamline Rules Photo courtesy: Shutterstock This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Rounak Jain © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.LOS ANGELES — Top-ranked South Carolina felt something it hasn't known in over 2 1/2 years. The sting of defeat after being thoroughly dominated in a 77-62 loss to No. 5 UCLA on Sunday. Gone was the overall 43-game winning streak. Done was the run of 33 consecutive road victories. And the No. 1 ranking it's held for 23 consecutive polls will disappear Monday. "This is what we usually do to teams," coach Dawn Staley said. "We were on the receiving end of it." South Carolina hadn't lost since April 2023, when Caitlin Clark and Iowa beat the Gamecocks in the national semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins (5-0) shot 47% from the floor and 3-point range, hit 11 of 14 free throws and had five players in double figures. "They actually executed our game plan to a T," Staley said. The Gamecocks (5-1) were held to 36% shooting, had just two players in double figures and neither was leading scorer Chloe Kitts, who was held to 2 points on 1 of 7 shooting. They never led, got beat on the boards, 41-34, and were outscored 26-18 in the paint and 8-1 in fast break points. They only made eight trips to the free throw line. "Our kids fought," Staley said, "but we ran into a buzzsaw." South Carolina did manage to limit 6-foot-7 UCLA star Lauren Betts, who had 11 points and 14 rebounds, despite no longer having a dominant center of their own. The Bruins responded by getting the ball to others and eight of their 10 players scored. "We did an excellent job on Betts and we got killed by everyone else," Staley said. Tessa Johnson was the only other Gamecock in double figures with 14. "We needed a lot more than Tessa today," Staley said. The Gamecocks never got their offense in gear, starting the game 0 for 9 before trailing 20-10 at the end of the first quarter. They were down 43-22 at halftime. "Our shot selection is something we're dealing with on a daily basis," Staley said. The Gamecocks outscored UCLA 40-34 in the second half, but the Bruins' big early lead easily held up. "Beautiful basketball by UCLA," Staley said. "You can't help but to love up on it cause it was fluid on both sides of the ball." Given that it's only late November, the Gamecocks have plenty of time to figure things out. "We had some really good contributions from people that don't play a whole lot and we could probably give a little bit more minutes to," Staley said. "Taking a loss will help us focus on anybody that we play." Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Trump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy, but this time could be differentAgripreneurs’ Forum ready to collaborate with new Govt. for economic revival and food securityFull disclosure: We shopping editors view Black Friday with a little more excitement than most. Scouring the sales makes us as giddy as a toddler opening presents on Christmas morning. So we've been in our element the past few days, working from dusk til dawn finding the best deals and steals worth your money. One of our favorite places to shop: . You can find our top picks in a range of categories (home, tech, fashion and more), but we couldn't help snagging a few goodies for ourselves, too. C'mon, we're only human. Szrsth Electric Scrubber Topvision Soundbar Serta Cooling Gel Memory Foam Bed Pillow, Set of 2 Loritta Warm Wool Socks for Women, 5-Pair Beautiful 10-Inch Ceramic Frying Pan Renpho Eye Massager Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker Westintrends Folding Adirondack Chair Imusa 6-Quart Stock Pot Greenworks Portable Leaf Blower Crocs Unisex Baya Clog Sandals So, with an eye towards holiday gatherings and gift-giving, here are some of the marvelous markdowns from big brands (Beats, Crocs, Beautiful by Drew Barrymore) we made off with. But don't forget — these are only while supplies last, so now's the time to add to your cart. Another helpful tip: If you're not signed up for yet, now's the time to do it. Through December 2, you can — that's 50% off — and score early access to Walmart's upcoming Cyber Monday sale (plus tons of other perks). "I have white marble mosaic tile in my bathroom and kitchen — and while it looks effortlessly chic, it actually requires a ton of effort to keep it clean. I've been using a grout brush for the last year, but this cordless scrubber will get rid of any dirt, crumbs and grime without any elbow grease. I especially love that it has an adjustable handle, so I don't even have to bend over to get the job done." — "Trust me — as a self-proclaimed movie buff and streaming fanatic, a soundbar is the one product I recommend to everyone I know. It's really one of the best investments you can make for your home entertainment setup. To put it plainly, TV speakers are pretty underwhelming across the board. A soundbar helps you achieve that movie theater sound and clarity from your living room and this one will only set you back $30!" "I'm pretty sure you're supposed to replace your pillows every one to two years and I'm embarrassed to say how long I've had mine — maybe that's why my sleep routine has been suffering lately?! This deal from Serta is amazing. Just $17 a pop for cooling memory foam pillows. At this low price, I think I'll get an extra pack for when I have guests during the holidays." "As someone who has poor circulation and perennially cold feet, I plan to stock up on these cozy wool-blend socks while they're marked down to just over $2 a pop. They're made with wool, cotton and polyester which means they're soft and warm with enough moisture-wicking power to keep your feet dry. And I love that you get a variety of colors in each pack, so I can mix and match with the rest of my winter wardrobe." — "Do I technically need another nonstick pan? No. But is this one so pretty that it would be criminal not to buy it at this price? Absolutely, yes. I cook a lot, so I know this gorgeous black pan will get plenty of use in my kitchen. One shopper in the comments compared it to the popular Caraway pans that are way more expensive and, well, that convinced me to grab it." — "If you suffer from migraines, the Renpho eye massager is a game-changer. It massages your eyes and applies heat to help relieve pressure and pain. It always goes on sale during Black Friday, but $69 is an incredible early discount." — "This $89 deal on Beats is worth checking out if you've been thinking about upgrading your headphones. I have to admit — I'm usually more of an over-the-ear guy but my now-ancient pair of Beats on-ears are the most comfortable headphones I've ever owned, and I've owned a fair few. Be sure to snag these quickly as I'm sure they will sell out." "I'm crazy about ice cream, but I'm also lactose intolerant. I dream about being able to whip up dairy-free ice cream that's delicious and decadent enough to be Oprah-approved." "We just spent an obscene amount of money building a new deck, so you better believe I'm eyeing all the Black Friday deals on patio furniture and accessories. I've always loved Adirondack chairs, but I'm over the maintenance required for anything made of real wood. So these high-density polyethylene chairs are just the ticket — they're practically maintenance-free, they're lighter, they're foldable, they're stackable ... what's not to love? The hardest part will be choosing a color." — "I love the classic blue-speckled look of this cooking vessel, and because it's made of metal, it'll quickly heat water, stock or anything else I want to boil in it. Plus, the enamel coating makes it easy to clean, and it's lightweight, so I'll be less likely to drop it when it's full!" — "It's that time of the year...when I sit down on an Adirondack chair and hear the crack, crack, crackle of dried leaves under my butt. Yes, I need a leaf blower! This brand is a Yahoo reader favorite and right now it's on sale for half off." — Nicole Sforza, Executive Editor "If I'm going to have a pair of backyard Crocs, they might as well be glam. I plan to make this glittery pair my throw-and-gos for feeling fancy while playing with the dog and pretending to be a movie star while gardening. (Or pretending to garden.)" — Want to save even more? Make sure you’re signed up for . It’s easy to . You’ll get free shipping and grocery delivery, savings on gas and prescriptions, exclusive access to major deals, and more. Plus, through December 2, you can — that's 50% off — and score early access to Walmart's upcoming Cyber Monday sale. (And by the way, those without Walmart+ still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
ATHENS, Ga. — This one’s going to hurt for a while. Ahead by 17 points at the half, by 14 with four minutes left in regulation, Georgia Tech tasted the most bitter of defeats. And instead of sweet, sweet victory over a most hated rival, instead of stunning a national power for whom a win Friday was widely assumed, the Yellow Jackets and their fan base once again have only heartbreak. What if Tech could have converted a fourth-and-1 (or a third-and-1) from the Georgia 25 early on? What if the Jackets hadn’t missed a 25-yard field-goal attempt in the second quarter? What if the Tech defense could have made only one play to stop any of Georgia’s three fourth-quarter touchdown drives? What if the Jackets could have converted a first down after taking possession of the ball with 3:33 left in regulation and leading 27-20? What if Tech could have scored on either of the two overtime periods when it had the ball second after a failed Bulldogs attempt and could have ended the game with a successful two-point conversion? What if, what if, what if? No. 7 Georgia 44, Georgia Tech 42, eight overtimes. For the seventh consecutive meeting, the Jackets fell to their in-state rivals, this time in a fashion that was like a gut punch followed by a kick to the face and finished off with strangers barking loudly in their face. But what ought not be forgotten in such a crushing defeat was the incontrovertible evidence that Tech has become a team to be reckoned with — in college football, in the ACC and undoubtedly in the state of Georgia. It took Georgia, a national championship contender playing in front of its vaunted home crowd — where it hadn’t lost in its past 30 games — eight overtimes to survive its archrival’s upset attempt. Only once in college football history have two teams played more overtimes, a nine-overtime game between Illinois and Penn State in 2021. That was the degree to which Georgia and Tech were evenly matched. This at the end of a regular season in which the Jackets beat two top-10 teams, won more regular-season games (seven) than they had won since 2018 and earned back-to-back bowl bids for the first time since their 18-year bowl streak ended in the 2015 season. If Georgia goes on to win the national title, the Bulldogs and their fan base will have to look upon that late November night at Sanford Stadium and feel thankful (and perhaps lucky) that the Jackets didn’t have one more play in them. It was so, so close. Entering the game as 17-point underdogs, the Yellow Jackets took control of the game from the start. They drove into Georgia territory on their first five possessions, twice scoring touchdowns, while forcing two punts, a turnover, a fourth-down stop and a missed field-goal attempt in Georgia’s first five times with the ball. They led 17-0 at the half, the first time the Bulldogs had been held scoreless through halftime since 2019. If anyone had doubted Tech’s capacity to take down the Bulldogs before kickoff, the time for disbelief had passed. Tech continued to control the game into the third quarter, with the Jackets answering two Georgia touchdown drives with a field goal and a touchdown. Quarterback Haynes King, his right (throwing) shoulder in much better health than it had been in Tech’s previous two games when his passing ability was severely limited, was at his gritty playmaking best. When he ran in a keeper from 11 yards out that (along with an Aidan Birr point-after try) put the Jackets up 27-13 with 5:37 to play in regulation, it seemed safe for Tech fans to start to celebrate. Indeed, Georgia fans began to leave Sanford Stadium, their expectations of victory dashed. But, as is the history of this one-sided rivalry, the talented Bulldogs had the final say. Georgia drove 75 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 27-20 with 3:39 left in the fourth quarter, then forced a fumble out of King on a fateful third-and-1 carry from the Tech 31. It followed another “what if?” — a King pass to receiver Abdul Janneh on second-and-13 in which Janneh was forced out of bounds just shy of the marker. Georgia exploited the mistake and tied the score with a 32-yard touchdown drive that finished with 1:01 left in the fourth quarter. In the wildest back-and-forth struggle in overtime, Georgia and Tech could not be separated, stuck to each other like magnets bound by titanium and sealed in a vacuum. Seven overtimes could not yield a winner. The two teams matched touchdowns and extra points (first overtime), then touchdowns and failed mandatory two-point tries (second overtime), then failed two-point conversion tries (third and fourth overtimes), then successful conversions (fifth overtime), then failed conversions (sixth and seventh overtimes). The seventh had a now-or-never feel for the Jackets. Going first, Georgia was stopped on a Carson Beck keeper when the Bulldogs borrowed from the Tech playbook with a fake toss by Beck and a run up the middle, a King staple. He was stopped short by safety Omar Daniels. Tech could now win with a conversion from the 3-yard line. Tech offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner dug deep from his own cache of plays, lining up both offensive tackles and both guards near the sideline. The resulting pass play yielded a pass interference against Georgia and now the Jackets had the ball at the 1 1/2-yard line. If the Jackets could just punch it in from 54 inches out, victory would be theirs. But King, carrying after a fake handoff, was tackled well short of the goal line. And in the eighth overtime, Georgia finally prevailed. King threw incomplete to receiver Eric Singleton Jr. and then Bulldogs running back Nate Frazier scored on a run up the middle. In the first minutes of Saturday morning, game (finally) over. Some Tech players walked straight to the locker room. King, who had played so valiantly, graciously wandered through the field finding Bulldogs players to congratulate before heading back to the locker room. There is one consolation for Tech and its fan base. Tech must have Georgia’s full attention now. It already had Smart’s. He has seen his colleague Key build this program and claim recruits that the Bulldogs have gone after, something that hasn’t always happened in this state. “This rivalry is good for our state, and that’s what Brent and I shared before the game and after the game,” Smart said. Where recent Tech-Georgia meetings have been so one-sided in the red team’s favor that it barely seemed like a rivalry and losses nothing to lose sleep over, that’s no longer the case. But on this cold night, that might have been about it. ©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reacted to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's announcement about the use of an Oreshnik medium-range missile against Ukraine. Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter) Quote: "Today, Putin has admitted taking the second step this year towards escalating and expanding this war. A new ballistic missile was used. Putin struck our city of Dnipro – one of the largest cities in Ukraine. This is a clear and severe escalation in the scale and brutality of this war - a cynical violation of the UN Charter by Russia. Let me emphasise: this is already Russia’s second step towards escalation this year. The first such step was involving North Korea in the war against Ukraine with a contingent of at least 11,000 soldiers." Details: The president said that Putin has taken both of these steps while ignoring global calls to avoid escalation. "He disregards calls from China, Brazil, European countries, the US and other countries," Zelenskyy stated. The president also recalled that Ukraine has used long-range weapons before, which is not a new development. Quote: "And we have every right to do so under international law. Our right to self-defence is the same as that of any other nation. When Russian missiles hit our cities, when Iranian-made Shahed drones attack Ukraine every night, when a North Korean contingent is deployed on our border, Putin is not only prolonging the war—he is spitting in the face of those in the world who genuinely want peace to be restored. The world must respond. Right now, there is no strong reaction from the world. Putin is very sensitive to such reactions. He is testing you, dear partners. It is clear to everyone who the sole culprit of this war is – who started it on 24 February and who continues to pour all resources into its continuation. He must be stopped. A lack of tough reactions to Russia’s actions sends a message that such behaviour is acceptable. This is what Putin is doing." Support UP or become our patron !