'AI textbooks' are coming to Korea. But is the country ready for them? Published: 30 Dec. 2024, 07:00 LEE SOO-JUNG [email protected] A person tests the prototype of an AI textbook at an edtech fair held in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, in September. [YONHAP] “AI textbooks” aren't physical textbooks — they're tablet apps — but they aim to be something even better. They include real-time practice questions and can analyze intonation and pronunciation as a learner speaks. An integrated model assesses each user's level of comprehension and tailors questions and explanations appropriately. Instructors can view each student's practice performance, assessed level and correct answer ratio. It's a textbook, but smarter — and personalized. At least, that's the Korean Ministry of Education's pitch. On Dec.2, the ministry unveiled authorized AI textbooks from private publishers, which are expected to be introduced over the upcoming four years — from 2025 to 2028 — to Korean classrooms. Elementary students to high schoolers, nationwide, will be learning from AI textbooks across English, math, social studies, sciences, history and technology. Incorporating AI into public and mandatory education will offer more personalized learning experiences, said the ministry, with each student provided a device of their own. However, on Thursday, the ministry's grand AI transition ran into a hurdle when the National Assembly demoted the AI textbooks to supplementary materials. The passage of an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, led by the opposition Democratic Party — even stripped AI textbooks of their "textbook" title, relegating them to "subsidiary references." However, Education Minister Lee Ju-ho said that introducing AI textbooks would be the "starting point of reducing educational imbalances," helping tackle the polarization of knowledge. He also said the selective use of AI textbooks could worsen the educational gap between AI textbook learners and those not having a chance to use them. In late November, Education Minister Lee also said AI textbooks would “awaken classrooms” and motivate students to study eagerly, preventing them from dropping out. However, such an awakening is unlikely to happen without resistance, nor will it come cheap. Scholars, students and teachers, despite the ministry's effort to incorporate contemporary technology in classrooms, have been less than enthusiastic. Due to the parliamentary measure, the AI textbooks' downgraded status could prevent the ministry from funding AI textbook distribution and upgrading classroom IT systems. While textbooks are mandatory at schools nationwide and funded by the state, using subsidiary materials is at the discretion of school principals. The parliamentary National Assembly Research Service calculated that subscription fees paid to textbook publishers would total between 1.9 trillion won ($1.3 billion) and 6.6 trillion won over four years. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education was set to earmark 203.7 billion won into system improvement and subscription costs. ━ An incomplete endeavor An employee of an AI textbook publisher demonstrates the program at the Sejong government complex on Monday. Left monitor shows the display for students and the right monitor shows students' academic progress. [NEWS1] Does AI add that much to a traditional textbook? Experts aren't so sure. Joo Jeong-heun, a senior researcher at the Seoul Education Research and Information Institute, believes the technology is not yet comprehensive enough to help students apply their knowledge. AI is “competent in delivering factual information but has limits in encouraging actual usage of learned knowledge in real life,” Joo told the Korea JoongAng Daily. “Digital educational content and AI lack intuitive thoughts, which are catalysts prompting people to apply learned knowledge in actual experiences,” Joo said. Joo said educational policymakers should evaluate how an AI textbook effectively triggers the transfer of learning rather than treating it as a tool for improving students’ grades. Fourth graders at Seoul Sinseong Elementary School participate in an English class using AI last May. Then-Seoul education superintendent Cho Hee-yeon also attended the class. [NEWS1] Prof. Kim Bong-jae from Seoul National University of Education’s AI value judgment design center said current AI textbooks do not encompass complex developmental characteristics, which are deeply related to emotional development and value judgment. “AI technology simply translates students’ behaviors and responses only into intellectual ability,” Kim said. “Only human teachers are capable of understanding the process and variables that influence student’s answer choices and reflecting those behavioral and psychological elements into the curriculum.” Prof. Kim believes AI textbooks in elementary schools would be “inappropriate” as the students undergo the most significant emotional and social developments during those years. He said using AI textbooks in middle and high schools would be “acceptable,” as those students are mature enough to handle the technology. Teachers try out prototypes of AI textbooks at an educational conference in Daegu in August. [YONHAP] But even high school faculty are skeptical about bringing AI textbooks into classrooms because of their potential to create more work for teachers. A total of 49 percent of 1,656 teachers in Gyeonggi answered that an AI learning tool dubbed High-Learning — developed by the provincial education office — was “meritless,” according to a survey by the Gyeonggi Teachers Union in October. The AI-powered High-Learning program has been up and running since September of last year. The union told the Korea JoongAng Daily that AI-based educational content was inefficient in terms of time management. “Device distribution, itself, does not complete education,” said Kim Hee-jung, a teacher’s union spokesperson, who pointed out that the widespread use of AI textbooks puts a number of additional tasks on an instructor's plate, such as troubleshooting a fleet of tablets and ensuring that students are logged into the correct server. “Based on experience, if one or two students forget their ID and passwords, teachers have to help their log-in process, which normally takes up around 20 to 30 minutes during class hours.” ━ Schools unready Six graders from Daejeon Neuriul Elementary School receive new textbooks for the fall semester in August. [NEWS1] The teacher’s union representative also doubted the ministry’s belief that AI technology would narrow learning gaps among students, citing “extremely low digital literacy” among high schoolers. The teachers’ union said that leaving students to study on their own digital devices could “polarize educational achievements.” A 2024 survey by the National Youth Policy Institute indicated that 63.9 percent of some 2,261 high- and middle-schoolers nationwide know little to nothing about generative AI. “On average, five percent of students in each high school classroom are capable of using ChatGPT,” Kim from the Gyeonggi teachers’ union said. Her remarks echo those other critics of AI have been making across sectors as the technology explodes — that it only benefits those who already know how to use it while leaving the rest baffled. Plus, Kim Hee-jung worries, struggling students might just use the tablets to play online games. People who object to the introduction of AI textbooks hold a press conference in front of the government complex in central Seoul last month. [YONHAP] Teachers also expressed concern about “lack of time getting familiar with AI textbooks before the spring semester,” which starts in March. Considering faculty reshuffle and relocation, slated to be complete in mid-February, teachers will likely have only 10 to 15 days to practice content in the AI textbooks — designated by each school before their relocation. “Teachers are unsure of the effectiveness of teaching accompanied with AI textbooks when lessons are given to students in an underprepared situation,” said Min Jae-sik, a representative of the union of middle school teachers. Min also noted that AI textbooks have an attached manual for teachers, but not for students. “Because there is no manual available for students, teachers have to address questions raised by students or solve their technical difficulties one by one,” Min said. ━ The silver lining Despite the uncertainties surrounding the need for AI textbooks and her own awareness of the technology's limitations, Joo pointed to AI textbooks as having the potential to become a “great learning tool.” “There are parts where simple and repeated exercises are crucial, and using AI textbooks for such purposes would amplify students' learning.” Joo has faith that teachers will figure out the optimal timing and usage of AI textbooks as they are well aware of effective teaching methods per each academic lesson. “Teachers will use AI textbooks once they are proven to be effective and well-made.” Education Minister Lee also stressed that surveys after AI textbook pilot programs revealed a "high" level of satisfaction. Lee told lawmakers this month that post-use reviews are what really matter. AI textbook publishers are also confident that their products will gain the trust of students, parents and teachers. Visang Education, an authorized AI textbook publisher, told the newspaper that his company would make an effort to provide “customized solutions” to students by automatically analyzing data about their behavior and achievements in real time. “AI textbooks will help students digest academic lessons through a personalized curriculum regardless of one’s learning speed,” a Visang spokesperson said. The official believes that the wary public attitude derives from vague stereotypes of AI in the education sector. “Learning with AI textbooks,” the spokesperson insisted, “would be a totally different experience.” BY LEE SOO-JUNG [ [email protected] ] var admarutag = admarutag || {} admarutag.cmd = admarutag.cmd || [] admarutag.cmd.push(function () { admarutag.pageview('3bf9fc17-6e70-4776-9d65-ca3bb0c17cb7'); });golden casino slots games 。

The Latest: Former President Jimmy Carter is Dead at age 100DETROIT – An important warning for online shoppers is to beware of bogus sales in their social media news feeds. You might see too-good-to-be-true prices on everything from tumblers to sneakers to beauty products and countless other hot holiday items. Don’t fall for it! Consumer Reports reveals how to spot the fakes so your real money isn’t wasted. Was the Grinch behind that ad for trendy holiday gifts that turned out too good to be true? In Bill Sipp’s case, it was an ad for lawn mower equipment. He needed two hard-to-find belt parts for his old Snapper mowers. He found a place that said they did have them in stock. However, after waiting a few days, his order was still pending. He tried calling them, but the phone number was no good. He then called his credit card company and was able to reverse the overseas charge. Bill is embarrassed once he realizes what he has done. But he’s not the only one with click remorse. According to a recent study by the Better Business Bureau, bogus online sales contributed to a 125 percent uptick in fraud reports. Scammers are ready to pounce on unsuspecting holiday scrollers. So, if an item is sold out everywhere else and you find it on a random website you’ve never heard of, there’s a good chance it could be fraudulent. Online shoppers might not even realize they’re buying from a third-party vendor and not directly from a reputable shopping website. This not only opens the door to fraudulent transactions but also faulty products. Unsafe products like pajamas that violate federal flammability standards and carbon monoxide detectors that don’t work have been sold by third-party sellers. The laws haven’t kept up with the emergence of online marketplaces, and, as a result, they aren’t providing legal and financial incentives for companies to keep consumers safe. That needs to change. Before you click ‘buy’, do your homework. If it’s a business you’ve never heard of, search for it on Better Business Bureau or elsewhere. If it’s a retailer you’re unfamiliar with, type in the name of the retailer with the word scam or review to see what other people are saying. Shop online with a credit card. Most offer fraud protection. If your order never arrives on your doorstep, dispute the charge. More: Consumer ReportsMONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — “As a meeting place, Ventana Sur was fantastic, the sales agent presence was good, focused on companies which really do buy, and the organization was impecable, run by highly dedicated and nice people,” said Antonio Saura, at Madrid-based sales agency Latido Films. Most other attendees would buy into that. Transferred for the first time since its launch in 2009 from its traditional Buenos Aires base to the heart of Uruguay’s Montevideo, this week’s Ventana Sur proved an upbeat affair, highlighting a clutch of titles likely to make A-List festival selection, plus some of the Latin America’s movers and shakers in the region and beyond, and the latest trends in an ever evolving regional industry. Following seven takeaways from Ventana Sur, Latin America’s weightiest film-TV market, co-hosted by the Cannes Festival’s Marché du Film, Uruguay’s ACAU agency and Argentina’s INCAA. Ventana Sur Hits: “Vainilla” “Vainilla” had many fans and some very big fans. “It’s the best work in progress I’ve ever seen,” glowed distributor Antoine Zeind at Quebec’’s A-Z Films. Backed by Stacey Penskie’s Redrum, a co-executive producer on “Narcos: Mexico” and producer on Rodrigo Prieto’s “Pedro Paramo.,” the stylish portrait of a family of seven women battling convention and eviction in late ‘80s Mexico, swept most of the board at Primer Corte on Friday, bagging five prizes, including the key Cine+ Award from Canal+, key for distribution in France. Ventana Sur Hits: “The Condor Daughter” David Puttnam said recently at the Seville Festival that the films he was interested in connected with audiences, but also had ideas and social relevance. “The Condor’s Daughter,” the latest from Bolivian multi-hyphenate Alvaro Olmos, a driving force in Andean cinema, looks to have all three in its intimate tale of a Quechua mother and daughter set against the sweep of history of mass emigration from the high Andes to big cities. Raising questions of multi-layered identity in convulsive times, the Copia Final standout looks to have several sales agents circling it. Fede Alvarez and Having Fun The major lesson from Fede Alvarez’s Ventana Sur masterclass wasn’t just what he said but how his said it. Looking back at his childhood, when he ripped it up making super hero movies for a dime, he spent much of the time laughing. Likewise when he showed photos of his first visit to Hollywood, to the Chinese Theater. Luckily his audience spent much of the time laughing along with him. Attempting to explain “how the hell” – a favorite phrase – an Uruguayan got to write and direct “Evil Dead,” “Don’t Breathe” and “Alien: Romulus,” he delivered one answer in the sense that he had so much fun filmmaking. Without passion, and a sense of fun in the broadest sense of the word, few creators can bring out of the best of themselves. Uruguay Uruguay has lately been gaining visibility through its own cinema and the possibilities of shooting here. Ventana Sur raised the ante, bringing the international market to experience first hand our landscapes and architecture, human capital and intangibles in other sectors,” says producer Agustina Chiarino (“The Heiresses,” “Monos,” “Don’t You Let Me Go.” Uruguay already welcomes multiple big shoots – one reason why The Mediapro Studio bought Cimarrón in 2022 – but there are far worse ways to demonstrate Uruguayan big shoot capacity than organising Latin America’s biggest high-level film market hand in hand with the Marché du Film, the world biggest film market. The fact the event has gone off without any major hitch is a significant achievement for Uruguay. Co-Production: Latin America’s Main Way Forward More than anything else, for sales agents Ventana Sur is an acquisitions market, observes Laurent Daniélou at Paris-based Loco Films. For producers attending the market, Ventana Sur has become a massive co-production forum as Latin America and Spain look to power-up bigger or more talent-driven titles which can cut through the crowd. Brazil, for which co-production has become a Holy Grail, can now dangle once more a minority co-production fund to fire up first partnerships with international partners. Productions are ever more sophisticated. Presented at Ventana Sur, animated feature “Small Town,” boasted two directors – stop motion maestros Walter Tournier and Cesar Cabral – and five producers from Brazil, Uruguay and Spain. Breakout Female Director Debuts Women directors are still a long way from parity in Latin America. The safety trickle of arresting debuts from female creators continues, however. Based in part on her own experience, “Vainilla,” for instance, marks the first feature from Mexican actor-turned-writer-director Maya Hermosillo. At Ventana Sur’s new Latam Series Market, the Netflix Award for Latin American Women Directors, a $5,000 cash prize, went to one of the section’s highlights, “Call Gloria!” (“Llamá Gloria!”), from Argentina’s Malenus Filmus, for a series expansion of her 19-minute short turning on an ebullient suicide helpline responder and a suicidal actress. Two Proyecta awards went to “Grass,” by Argentine writer-turned-director Ivana Galdeano, another to “I Thought I Was Swimming,” the feature debut of Uruguay’s Catalina Torres, a subtler portrait of LGBTQ passion in older age. More Buzz Titles Backed by Enfant & Poulet, a rising value on Mexico’s auteur genre scene, behind Tribeca winner “Huesera” and the anticipated “No Me Sigas,” from “Anything’s Possible” writer Ximena García Lecuona, Damiana Acuña Terminel’s “Lux Noctis” – another standout patently first feature from a female director – swept Blood Window Lab prizes. One of four titles among Animation! prize winners, securing a pitch at La Liga Annecy MIFA showcase, is “Baptism” the feature film debut of Chile’s Covarrubias who scored an Academy Award-nomination for best animated short in 2022 for “Beast.” Among titles screening at Ventana Sur was “La guitarra flamenca de Jerai Cortés,” the visually stunning but also moving feature debut of Antón Álvarez, better known as singer-songwriter C. Tangana. The Deals A score or more of deals Announced by Variety in the Run-Up and Duration of Ventana Sur: *“Emilia Pérez” star Adriana Paz is headlining ‘The Huntress,’ from Sundance winner Suzanne Andrews Correa, Mexico’s Záfiro Cinema and U.S. outfit The Population. *”Blancanieves” star Macarena Garcia will lead an all-star Spanish cast of Ventana Sur Proyecta title “Perseidas,” also including “Patria” lead Elena Irureta, “Flowers” Itziar Aizpuru and ‘The Last Night at Tremore Beach’ headliner Ana Polvorosa. *The cities of São Paulo, Montevideo announced at Ventana Sur a pioneering framework deal across multiple fronts, taking in truing and distribution, and channeled via Spcine and Montevideo Audiovisual. *Disney+ Latin America has hooked Chilean boxing pic “Dancing in the Ring,” committing to a theatrical release. *Chile’s Oscar-nominated “Bestia” director Hugo Covarrubias is prepping debut feature “Baptism,” teaming with co-writer Alejandra Moffat (“Chile ’76”) and Cociña and León producer Lucas Engel (“Los Huesos,” “My Tender Matador,” “Dry Martina”). *Highly active at Veatana Sur, Latido has boarded Walter Tournier and Cesar Cabral’s “Small Town,” a sign of building co-production between Latin America and Spain. *It has also sold top titles “They Will Be Dust,” “A Whale,” “Night Silence,” “Raqqa: Spy vs. Spy” and “Justicia Artificial” in key territories. *In the first of a series of announcements, Paul Hudson’s active Outsider Pictures has snagged North American rights to three International Oscar entries: Costa Rica’s “Memories of a Burning Body,” Spain’s “Saturn Return” and Switzerland’s “Queens.” *Newly launched Argentine Frondosa Foundation is teaming with Brazil’s Projeto Paradiso on a female screenwriter mentorship program. *Chile’s Alfredo Castro, Paulina Garcia and Luis Gnecco are joining voice cast of animated feature “Winnipeg, Seeds of Hope,” as EP Sebastian Freund’s Rizco Content Sales nabs international streaming rights. *Aria Covamonas’ buzzy animated feature debut ‘The Great History of Western Philosophy’ has been acquired by Miyu Distribution. *France’s Chakalaka Films has joined Colombian period drama “In All My Journeys I Am Returning,” selected for Ventana Sur’s Primer Corte. *Laurent Daniélou’s Loco Films has nabbed world rights to “Seeds of the Desert,” Colombia’s answer to “Mad Max.” *Latido acquired Eva Libertad’s “Sorda,” adapted from the director’s 2023 Goya-nominated short. *Spain’s Batiak Films, Elora Post House have boarded immigration horror feature ‘Tenants,’ in Ventana Sur’s Proyecta. *Dori Media’s hit drama “In Treatment” is returning to Brazil’s Globoplay for a sixth season. *France’s Srab Films is set to produce Colombian family drama “Name and Surname,” part of Ventana Sur’s Proyecta lineup. *Outsider Pictures has scooped U.S. Rights to Scandi Dramas “Stormskerry Maja,” “The Missile,” plotting a spring theatrical run. *Pacifica Grey has snapped up “Beloved Tropic” starring Berlinale Silver Bear winner Paulina Garcia. *Leading LGBTQ+ distributor TLA Releasing has pounced on U.K. and North American rights to Mexican gay romance drama “Dying Briefly” by Juan Briseño. *Argentine horror flick “The Witch Game,” dubbed in English using AI, has been acquired by Miracle Media for North America, U.K.

Notable quotes by Jimmy Carter

The best way to understand the findings of social surveys is to look up the exact questions addressed to the survey respondents. Wordings of survey questions might not be reported by the mass media, for lack of space or journalistic interest, but should be in the technical reports of the survey doer, in line with standard codes of professional ethics for opinion research. Thus, to clearly understand the recent crime victimization report of Social Weather Stations (SWS), see the technical report, “Families victimized by crime rise to 6.1 percent in Sept. 2024; victimization by cybercrimes rises to 7.2 percent; neighborhood fears stay high,” (www.sws.org.ph, 11/9/2024). It shows that the SWS numbers are not mere “perceptions” of crime, but actual instances of being burglarized at home, robbed on the street, having a motor vehicle stolen, being hurt by physical violence, or victimized by cybercrime, in the past six months, by a member of a statistically representative national sample of families. The SWS survey question-wordings have been very carefully maintained from the start—Feb. 1989 for (1) street robbery, (2) home burglary, and (3) physical violence, April 1993 for (4) carnapping, and June 2023 for (5) cybercrime—to the present, since the SWS intent is to monitor well-being over time. The SWS surveys have been quarterly since 1992, with no break except for the 2020 pandemic. All the raw data, and all the questions asked, are in the SWS archives. Incidentally, the latest incidence of victimization by cybercrime is higher than the combined sum of the other crimes listed. Cybercrime is the new scourge. The fears of crime in the neighborhood, on the other hand, are perceptions indeed, but SWS has separate numbers for them. The victimizations experienced by the people are much higher than those they report to the police—we know this because of past SWS surveys, sponsored by the Philippine National Police itself. (Reports of commissioned SWS surveys are open to research, after temporary embargo. The main reason for non-reporting of crime is the expectation that nothing will come of it anyway.) Survey researchers control only the questions, not the answers. I remember from the 1990s that the American Association for Public Opinion Research held a contest for the best slogan for its annual conference. The one I liked most was: “We may not have all the answers; but we have all the questions.” If one is already sure about the answer, then there’s no need to ask the question. The rationale for exposing a survey questionnaire is to demonstrate that it has no leading questions. If a survey sponsor asks that some leading questions be asked, the survey doer may reject the request, and cite the code of professional ethics as justification. Ethical research engenders respect, and repeat business. The answers to a multiple-choice question are part of the question. A survey question starts with its introduction, if any, and ends with the full listing of answers to choose from. If the research is seeking to explain some belief, attitude, intention, or behavior, then it is impractical to simply ask “Why?” This will easily result in as many one- or two-liners as respondents, i.e. hundreds, even thousands of lines to read through and try to classify. As a general rule, it’s more efficient for the researcher to group the possible answers according to the competing hypotheses: Reason A, Reason B, Reason C, etc. It’s alright to allow a few (say, up to three) multiple answers. Catch-alls like “none of the above,” and “other” are alright, if they are expected to get only single-digit results; be ready for some “no response” and “refused to answer” too. How about the “who will you vote for” question? As a general rule, a pre-election pollster should present the candidates’ names in exactly the same way as in the Commission on Elections (Comelec) protocol on election day: with correct spelling, nickname, party affiliation, and so forth, in alphabetical order (for senators) or in numerical order (for party list), as pertinent. Note that assignment of random numbers to the party lists has been introduced by the Comelec in recognition that mere location on the candidates list can affect the choice of voters. (Suppose that, at the end of the Comelec list, there is an empty box without a name? I wouldn’t be surprised if some voters shade the unnamed box, thinking it might be for a mystery candidate!) If dissatisfied with the questions of a survey, there’s the recourse of designing and implementing one’s own questions, and then comparing the answers. Competition is welcome; it is the means of validating science. —————- Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Contact: [email protected] .Huntley fills in for injured Tagovailoa, leads Dolphins past Browns 20-3 to keep playoff hopes aliveCanadian Dollar’S Tumble: A Perfect Storm Brews

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has rubbished suggestions of a rift with Kevin De Bruyne, insisting he is “desperate” to have the playmaker back at his best. A number of prominent pundits, including former City defender and club ambassador Micah Richards, have questioned why the Belgium international has not been starting games amid the champions’ dramatic slump. City have not won in seven outings in all competitions – their worst run since 2008 – with De Bruyne featuring only as a substitute in the last five of those matches after recovering from a pelvic injury. The latest came with a 12-minute run-out in Sunday’s demoralising 2-0 defeat at Premier League leaders Liverpool, a result which left City 11 points off the pace and fifth in the table. Richards said on The Rest is Football podcast it appeared “there’s some sort of rift going on” between De Bruyne and Guardiola while former England striker Gary Lineker added: “It seems like all’s not well.” Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said he felt “something isn’t right” and fellow Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville, the ex-Manchester United right-back, described the situation as “unusual, bizarre, strange”. Guardiola, speaking at a press conference to preview his side’s clash with Nottingham Forest, responded on Tuesday. The Spaniard said: “People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? No, I don’t want Kevin to play? “The guy who has the most talent in the final third, I don’t want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together? “He’s delivered to me the biggest success to this club, but he’s been five months injured (last season) and two months injured (this year). “He’s 33 years old. He needs time to find his best, like last season, step by step. He’ll try to do it and feel better. I’m desperate to have his best.” De Bruyne has not started since being forced off at half-time of City’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan on September 18, having picked up an injury in the previous game. Both the player and manager have spoken since of the pain he was in and the need to ease back into action, but his spell on the bench has been unexpectedly long. The resulting speculation has then been exacerbated because De Bruyne is in the final year of his contract but Guardiola maintains nothing untoward has occurred. He said: “I’d love to have the Kevin in his prime, 26 or 27. He would love it to – but he is not 26 or 27 any more. “He had injuries in the past, important and long ones. He is a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy. You think I’m complaining? It’s normal, it’s nature. “He’s played in 10 or 11 seasons a lot of games and I know he is desperate to help us. He gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can have. “But, always I said, he himself will not solve our problems, like Erling (Haaland) won’t solve it himself. We attack and defend together. “We want the best players back. Hopefully step by step the confidence will come back and we’ll get the best of all of us.”AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas’ education board voted Friday to allow Bible-infused teachings in elementary schools under optional new curriculum that could test boundaries between religion and public classrooms in the U.S. The material adopted by the Texas State Board of Education, which is controlled by elected Republicans, passed in a 8-7 final vote over criticism that the lessons would proselytize to young learners and alienate students of faiths other than Christianity. Supporters argued the Bible is a core feature of American history and that teaching it will enrich lessons. The vote allows schools in Texas, which has more than 5 million public school students, to begin using the material in kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms as early as next year. Republican lawmakers celebrated the vote, including Texas' powerful lieutenant governor, who has pledged to pass legislation next year that would follow Louisiana in trying to require schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Texas' approval “is an important step to boosting student outcomes statewide,” Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick posted on social media. What the material says Schools are not required to use the material, but those that do would receive extra funding from the state. In the newly approved kindergarten materials, one lesson on helping one’s neighbor instructs teachers to talk about the Golden Rule using lessons from the Bible. It also instructs the teachers to explain that the Bible is “a collection of ancient texts” and that its different parts are “the core books of the Jewish and Christian religions.” In a third-grade lesson about the first Thanksgiving, the material directs teachers to discuss how the governor of Plymouth said a prayer and gave a speech that included references to “several passages from the Christian Bible in the book of Psalms.” Teachers are then instructed to tell students the book of Psalms is a collection of songs, poems and hymns “that are used in both Jewish and Christian worship.” With the new curriculum, Texas would be the first state to introduce Bible lessons in schools in this manner, according to Matthew Patrick Shaw, an assistant professor of public policy and education at Vanderbilt University. Whether the lesson plans will be considered constitutional is up in the air, he said. Creating Bible-infused lessons The Texas Education Agency, which oversees public education for more than 5 million students statewide, created its own instruction materials after a law passed in 2023 by the GOP-controlled Legislature required the agency to do so. The lesson plans were publicly released this spring. “This curriculum is not age-appropriate or subject matter appropriate in the way that it presents these Bible stories,” said Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. Children who would read the material, she said, “are simply too young to tell the difference between what is a faith claim and what is a matter of fact.” Mary Castle, director of government relations for Texas Values, a right-leaning advocacy group, said there are “close to 300 common-day phrases that actually come from the Bible” and that students “will benefit from being able to understand a lot of these references.” A narrow vote More than 100 people testified at a board meeting this week that rung with emotion from parents, teachers and advocates. One Democrat on the board, Rebecca Bell-Metereau, said the inclusion of religions in addition to Christianity in the materials was not an “adequate attempt to change that bias.” “It seems to me like it is trying to place a Band-Aid on a gaping wound,” she said. One of the board members, Leslie Recine, is a Republican who was appointed to the board just weeks ago by Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to temporarily fill a vacant seat. She voted in favor of the curriculum. Days after her appointment, a Democrat who ran unopposed was elected to fill that same board seat starting next year. Bringing religion into schools Texas' plans to implement Biblical teachings in public school lesson plans is the latest effort by Republican-controlled states to bring religion into the classroom. In Louisiana, a law to place the Ten Commandments in all public classrooms was blocked by a federal judge earlier this month. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed the bill into law in June, prompting a group of Louisiana public school parents of different faiths to sue. In Oklahoma, the state's top education official has tried to incorporate the Bible into lesson plans for children in fifth through 12th grades. A group of teachers and parents recently filed a lawsuit to stop the Republican state superintendent's plan and his efforts to spend $3 million to purchase Bibles for public schools. ___ Lathan 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. ___ LaFleur reported from Dallas. Associated Press writer Jamie Stengle in Dallas contributed to this report. Nadia Lathan And Kendria Lafleur, The Associated Press

Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs win at the buzzer again, topping Panthers 30-27 on Shrader's field goalBREB suspends 7 over electrocution of IUT students on picnic bus

The images of China’s brand new warplanes, which appeared online this week, is a bold “invitation” to an arms race for a next-generation fighter, Dmitry Stefanovich, a military researcher at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, has told RT. The videos and photos posted to social media on December 26 show two previously unseen tailles jets – a larger diamond-shaped aircraft, and a smaller plane with an arrow-wing-shaped airframe. While Beijing stays silent on the matter, the display sparked discussion in international media, with some observers suggesting the aircraft could be the first sixth-generation fighter planes. “So far, we have only seen two variants of experimental aircraft,” Stefanovich said. “Presumably, one of them can be tailored for strike missions that involve attacks on ground and, perhaps, naval targets, while another one is tasked with dominating the skies and controlling the airspace.” The footage “demonstrates the general state of the development” of Chinese aircraft rather than sixth-generation planes specifically, the expert argued, noting that ‘sixth generation’ is a “loosely applied term.” Therefore, it is too early to draw definitive conclusions about the capabilities of the new planes, he said. Beijing will have to compete with American next-generation fighter programs, Stefanovich said. “While there are no game-changers on the horizon, China is explicitly inviting to participate in an arms race, at least in terms of quality,” he said. “We should not forget, however, that the US is the only country with an advanced-stage program for a new strategic bomber – the B-21 – which can be adapted for some of what we would call sixth-generation capabilities. The Chinese and Russian planes of comparable type have not taken off the ground yet,” Stefanovich said.Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, WR Jaylen Waddle out vs. Browns

NBA fans received an early look at the upcoming conversation between three of the greatest players in the sport on Tuesday. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant sat down for an "NBA OGs Convo" where they discussed their legacies and picked which skills they'd want to add from each other on NBA Today . The league previously announced that the full conversation will air on ABC on Christmas Day. This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis. For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app , homepage and social feeds—including Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok .

The US provided no evidence that China manipulates TikTok content inside the country, court says@properties Christie’s International Real Estate is the largest residential real estate brokerage firm in Chicago. It has a longtime presence in Harbor Country in Southwest Michigan and made a push into Northwest Indiana in recent years, opening offices in Crown Point, Schererville and Valparaiso. Over the past two decades, it has grown into the eighth largest residential brokerage in the United States with offices in the Chicago area, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia. Christies International Real Estate, a long-running global luxury brand @properties acquired in 2021, has more than 100 affiliates across 50 countries. Compass is eying both domestic and international growth in the acquisition. It plans to grow an independent affiliate network under the Christie's International Real Estate brand. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts “This partnership will allow us to empower strong independent brokerages and broker-owner entrepreneurs around the world who are Affiliates under Christie’s International Real Estate,” said Robert Reffkin, Compass founder and CEO. “Our companies share the same passion for empowering entrepreneurial agents. Together, we will be able to provide unparalleled resources and support to help everyone succeed and deliver exceptional client experiences.” Compass was founded in 2012 and is now the largest residential real estate brokerage in the United States by sales volume. “Compass shares our commitment to enhance the real estate industry through technology, marketing, and exceptional service and to embrace the local, independent broker through the Christie’s International Real Estate and @properties brands,” said Thad Wong, @properties Co-CEO. Wong and Co-CEO Mike Golden founded @properties in 2000. They grew it around the country partly due to their brokerage technology that allows brokers to manage everything digitally through one system. “This is a very complementary union that respects our unique brands and empowers agents to provide an even better experience for the clients they serve," Golden said.

( ) stock saw a positive improvement to its on Tuesday, with an increase from 69 to 74. IBD's proprietary rating identifies market leadership with a 1 (worst) to 99 (best) score. The score shows how a stock's price performance over the last 52 weeks holds up against all the other stocks in our database. Over 100 years of market history reveals that the market's biggest winners tend to have an RS Rating of at least 80 as they launch their largest price moves. See if Dell Technologies stock can continue to show renewed price strength and clear that threshold. Is Dell Technologies Stock A Buy? Dell Technologies stock has been trading below its 50- and 200-day moving averages. The tech stock is not in a proper buying range. See if the stock forms a new pattern or follow-on buying opportunity like a or pullback to the 50-day or 10-week moving average. In terms of fundamentals, the company has posted two quarters of rising earnings growth. Sales gains have also increased during the same period. Dell Technologies stock holds the No. 6 rank among its peers in the Computer-Hardware/Peripherals industry group. ( ), ( ) and ( ) are among the top 5 highly rated stocks within the group.

best online casino slots ( MENAFN - GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) Tamarind is a tangy, sweet, and sour fruit with its own peculiar flavor. It is used to make tamarind concentrate, which is used to make fruit juice, pickles, and sauces, among other things. Because of its antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiseptic characteristics, tamarind extract is used in culinary goods to enhance flavours and as natural additions. In addition, it is employed as a skin moisturising and bleaching ingredient in cosmetic goods. Tamarind extract can aid with common colds, fevers, stomach issues, conjunctivitis, and other ailments. NEWARK, Del, Dec. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The tamarind extract market is projected to reach USD 1,145 million in 2024, with sales estimated to grow to USD 1,987 million by 2034 at a steady CAGR of 5.7%. Tamarind extract, known for its versatility, is witnessing increased adoption across food and beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and household products. Powdered tamarind extract is anticipated to dominate the market, holding a 68.6% share in 2024. The growing popularity of ethnic cuisines in the US, Europe, and Japan, coupled with rising demand for functional beverages in South Korea, is driving significant growth. The tamarind extract market is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years, driven by the rapid expansion of the global food and beverage sector. A key factor contributing to this growth is the increasing demand for tamarind extract products due to their antioxidant properties, which help boost the immune system and reduce the risk of cancer. Additionally, the medicinal benefits of tamarind extract, including its high vitamin C and dietary fiber content, play a vital role in blood purification, further supporting market expansion. Moreover, the growing use of tamarind extract in the cosmetics and personal care industry is anticipated to drive its demand on a global scale. A crucial food additive with a unique flavor is tamarind extract. It enhances flavor and taste in a number of culinary products. Tamarind is used by the beverage sector to produce juice because of its ability to keep things cold. Tamarind offers a number of beneficial properties for your health, including antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, and antiseptic properties. Every household needs skin moisturizing and bleaching agents, which are made from tamarind in the cosmetics sector. Key Takeaways: Growth Drivers: The tamarind extract market benefits from several key growth drivers: Industry Challenges: Despite its promising growth trajectory, the tamarind extract market faces significant challenges: Key Industry Highlights: “The tamarind extract market's growth is a testament to the ingredient's versatility and increasing consumer awareness of its benefits. While challenges like limited cultivation and high costs persist, strategic investments in technology and sustainable practices present significant opportunities for market expansion. The next decade will likely see tamarind extract gaining a stronger foothold in global markets, especially with the growing demand for ethnic cuisines and natural ingredients”, says Nandini Roy Choudhury , Client Partner at Future Market Insights. Global Tamarind Extract Market: Regional Insights, Trends, and Growth Drivers India: Culinary Heritage Fuels Market Leadership India stands as a dominant force in the tamarind extract market, leveraging its extensive culinary and Ayurvedic traditions. The use of tamarind extract in packaged curries, sauces, and household applications drives demand, benefiting local producers and the economy. India is projected to achieve a CAGR of 5.9% between 2024 and 2034. Innovations in household cleaning have further bolstered demand. In August 2023, Hindustan Unilever introduced Vim Shudhham , a range of brass and copper vessel cleaning products featuring tamarind extract, exemplifying its versatility. Key Indian producers include: United States: Rising Popularity of Ethnic Cuisines The U.S. tamarind extract market is witnessing a surge, driven by increasing interest in Indian, Thai, and Mexican cuisines. Expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.7% through 2034, this trend fosters innovation in food and beverages. In 2023, Smirnoff expanded its Spicy Tamarind vodka flavor to over 15 new U.S. markets. Its Día De Muertos-inspired design highlights the cultural and flavor appeal of tamarind in the region. Thailand: Cultural and Economic Significance Thailand remains a key producer of tamarind extract, essential in traditional sauces and beverages. The market is forecasted to maintain a steady CAGR of 6.2% from 2024 to 2034, driven by sustainable sourcing and global demand for authentic Thai products. Emerging Markets: Europe, Japan, and Beyond Detailed Market Study: Full Report and Analysis: Category Wise Insights What is Tamarind Extract? Tamarind extract is a natural food product made from tamarind fruit. Tamarind extract is used as a flavoring agent in many cuisines and has a variety of health benefits. Tamarind extract is high in antioxidants and can help boost the immune system. Tamarind extract also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve joint pain. How Tamarind Extract is extracted from tamarind fruit? Tamarind extract is derived from the tamarind fruit, which is native to Africa. The tamarind tree produces an abundance of fruit, which is harvested and then dried. The dried fruit is then ground into a powder and used to make tamarind extract. What are the uses and benefits of Tamarind Extract? Tamarind extract is a natural product that has a wide range of uses. It can be used as a food additive, as a flavoring agent, or as a dietary supplement. Tamarind extract is also used in the cosmetics industry. Tamarind extract has a variety of benefits. It can help improve digestion, relieve constipation, and treat stomach ulcers. Tamarind extract is also known to boost immunity, fight infection, and promote healthy skin and hair. Industrial Distributers Are Propelling the Growth in Tamarind Extract Market The main driver of tamarind extract demand globally is the increased customer demand for healthy food products. Diseases that tamarind combats include conditions like the common cold, conjunctivitis, indigestion, and others. The blood-purifying effects of tamarind extract are also beneficial. Since research has shown that tamarind's antioxidant properties are crucial for preventing cancer and boosting the immune system, they are a significant growth driver for the global market. Due to the consumer health advantages, tamarind extract is used in the creation of pharmaceuticals. Fiber, vitamin C, and other nutrients are abundant in tamarind. It helps strengthen the immune system and prevent cancer. Due to the rising demand for natural food products or ingredients with outstanding health advantages, tamarind extract has seen tremendous growth over the years. Market Competitive Landscape The competitive landscape offers significant opportunities for key companies and manufacturers to expand their operations through strategic mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures. To maintain a strong market presence, industry players are focusing on diversifying product portfolios, adopting technological advancements, and ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory standards. Additionally, the rising demand for natural and sustainable ingredients is shaping strategic initiatives. For example, Kanegrade Limited, a UK-based supplier of natural food ingredients, has pursued acquisitions to broaden its product portfolio and strengthen its global footprint. Prominent Tamarind extract Companies Segmentation By Form: Powder and paste are two primary forms of tamarind extract. By End User: Cosmetics, household, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverages are key end users of this segment. By Sales Channel: The diverse sales channels of this segment are online retailers, supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, and specialty stores. By Region: Information about the leading countries of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, South Asia and Pacific, East Asia, and the Middle East and Africa is given. French Translation Le marché de l'extrait de tamarin devrait atteindre 1 145 millions USD en 2024, avec des ventes estimées à 1 987 millions USD d'ici 2034 à un TCAC stable de 5,7 %. L'extrait de tamarin, connu pour sa polyvalence, connaît une adoption croissante dans les aliments et les boissons, les cosmétiques, les produits pharmaceutiques et les produits ménagers. L'extrait de tamarin en poudre devrait dominer le marché, détenant une part de 68,6 % en 2024. La popularité croissante des cuisines ethniques aux États-Unis, en Europe et au Japon, associée à la demande croissante de boissons fonctionnelles en Corée du Sud, entraîne une croissance significative. Le marché de l'extrait de tamarin devrait connaître une croissance significative dans les années à venir, tirée par l'expansion rapide du secteur mondial de l'alimentation et des boissons. Un facteur clé contribuant à cette croissance est la demande croissante de produits à base d'extrait de tamarin en raison de leurs propriétés antioxydantes, qui aident à renforcer le système immunitaire et à réduire le risque de cancer. De plus, les bienfaits médicinaux de l'extrait de tamarin, notamment sa teneur élevée en vitamine C et en fibres alimentaires , jouent un rôle essentiel dans la purification du sang, soutenant ainsi davantage l'expansion du marché. De plus, l'utilisation croissante de l'extrait de tamarin dans l'industrie des cosmétiques et des soins personnels devrait stimuler sa demande à l'échelle mondiale. Principaux points à retenir : Moteurs de croissance : Le marché de l'extrait de tamarin bénéficie de plusieurs moteurs de croissance clés : Défis de l'industrie : Malgré sa trajectoire de croissance prometteuse, le marché de l'extrait de tamarin est confronté à des défis importants : Principaux faits saillants du secteur : (( La croissance du marché de l'extrait de tamarin témoigne de la polyvalence de cet ingrédient et de la sensibilisation croissante des consommateurs à ses bienfaits. Alors que des défis tels que la culture limitée et les coûts élevés persistent, les investissements stratégiques dans la technologie et les pratiques durables offrent d'importantes opportunités d'expansion du marché. La prochaine décennie verra probablement l'extrait de tamarin gagner une place plus forte sur les marchés mondiaux, en particulier avec la demande croissante de cuisines ethniques et d'ingrédients naturels )), déclare Nandini Roy Choudhury , partenaire client chez Future Market Insights. Marché mondial de l'extrait de tamarin : perspectives régionales, tendances et moteurs de croissance Inde : l'héritage culinaire alimente le leadership du marché L'Inde est une force dominante sur le marché de l'extrait de tamarin, s'appuyant sur ses vastes traditions culinaires et ayurvédiques. L'utilisation de l'extrait de tamarin dans les currys conditionnés, les sauces et les applications ménagères stimule la demande, ce qui profite aux producteurs locaux et à l'économie. L'Inde devrait atteindre un TCAC de 5,9 % entre 2024 et 2034. Les innovations dans le domaine du nettoyage ménager ont encore renforcé la demande. En août 2023, Hindustan Unilever a lancé Vim Shudhham , une gamme de produits de nettoyage pour récipients en laiton et en cuivre contenant de l'extrait de tamarin, illustrant ainsi sa polyvalence. Les principaux producteurs indiens sont : États-Unis : popularité croissante des cuisines ethniques Le marché américain de l'extrait de tamarin connaît une forte croissance, stimulé par l'intérêt croissant pour les cuisines indienne, thaïlandaise et mexicaine. Cette tendance, qui devrait croître à un TCAC de 6,7 % d'ici 2034, favorise l'innovation dans le secteur des aliments et des boissons. En 2023, Smirnoff a étendu sa saveur de vodka Spicy Tamarind à plus de 15 nouveaux marchés américains. Son design inspiré du Día De Muertos met en valeur l'attrait culturel et gustatif du tamarin dans la région. Thaïlande : importance culturelle et économique La Thaïlande reste un producteur clé d'extrait de tamarin, essentiel dans les sauces et boissons traditionnelles. Le marché devrait maintenir un TCAC stable de 6,2 % entre 2024 et 2034, stimulé par un approvisionnement durable et une demande mondiale de produits thaïlandais authentiques. Marchés émergents : Europe, Japon et au-delà Paysage concurrentiel du marché Le paysage concurrentiel offre aux entreprises et fabricants clés des opportunités considérables pour étendre leurs activités par le biais de fusions, d'acquisitions et de coentreprises stratégiques. Pour maintenir une forte présence sur le marché, les acteurs du secteur se concentrent sur la diversification des portefeuilles de produits, l'adoption des avancées technologiques et la garantie de la conformité aux normes réglementaires en constante évolution. En outre, la demande croissante d'ingrédients naturels et durables façonne les initiatives stratégiques. Par exemple, Kanegrade Limited, un fournisseur britannique d'ingrédients alimentaires naturels, a procédé à des acquisitions pour élargir son portefeuille de produits et renforcer sa présence mondiale. Entreprises importantes d'extraits de tamarin Segmentation Par formulaire : La poudre et la pâte sont les deux principales formes d'extrait de tamarin. Par l'utilisateur final : Les cosmétiques, les produits ménagers, les produits pharmaceutiques, les aliments et les boissons sont les principaux utilisateurs finaux de ce segment. Par canal de vente : Les différents canaux de vente de ce segment sont les détaillants en ligne, les supermarchés/hypermarchés, les magasins de proximité et les magasins spécialisés. Par région : Des informations sur les principaux pays d'Amérique du Nord, d'Amérique latine, d'Europe occidentale, d'Asie du Sud et du Pacifique, d'Asie de l'Est, du Moyen-Orient et d'Afrique sont fournies. Authored by: Nandini Roy Choudhury (Client Partner for Food & Beverages at Future Market Insights, Inc.) has 7+ years of management consulting experience. She advises industry leaders and explores off-the-eye opportunities and challenges. She puts processes and operating models in place to support their business objectives. She has exceptional analytical skills and often brings thought leadership to the table. Nandini has vast functional expertise in key niches, including but not limited to food ingredients, nutrition & health solutions, animal nutrition, and marine nutrients. She is also well-versed in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, retail, and chemical sectors, where she advises market participants to develop methodologies and strategies that deliver results. Her core expertise lies in corporate growth strategy, sales and marketing effectiveness, acquisitions and post-merger integration and cost reduction. Nandini has an MBA in Finance from MIT School of Business. She also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from Nagpur University, India. Nandini has authored several publications, and quoted in journals including Beverage Industry, Bloomberg, and Wine Industry Advisor. Explore FMI's related ongoing Coverage in Food and Beverage Domain: Discover the future of the pulse market ! Stay ahead of trends and unlock growth opportunities by reading our in-depth analysis. The global amla extract industry value reached USD 43.7 billion in 2023. Over the forecast period, the value is anticipated to rise at 5.7% CAGR. The fish roe enzymes and extracts market is estimated to grow from US$ 495.0 million in 2023 to US$ 1,038.45 million in 2033. Global sales of natural tea extract are estimated to total USD 5.4 billion in 2024 and USD 11.1 billion by 2034. Sales are projected to rise at a CAGR of 7.5% over the forecast period between 2024 and 2034. The spirulina extract market is estimated to be valued at US$ 58.9 million in 2024. The demand for spirulina extract is predicted to rise at a CAGR of 14.8% from 2024 to 2034. During the projected period, the Aloe Vera Extracts market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5%. The market value is projected to increase from US$ 3.5 billion in 2023 to US$ 7.3 billion by 2033. The maple extracts market is likely to secure a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period. The market is projected to be valued at US$ 2.18 Bn in 2022 and likely to be valued at US$ 3.90 Bn by 2032. According to Future Market Insights analysis, the yucca extract market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% during the estimated period. Rosemary extracts market is valued at nearly US$ 800 million in 2021. Rosemary extracts market is set to grow at 4.8% CAGR through 2027. The acerola extract market is set to be valued at US$ 19,513.3 million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach US$ 40,567.06 million by 2033. Overall demand for basil extract is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.3% between 2023 and 2033, totaling around US$ 82.0 million by 2033. About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, recipient of the Stevie Award, and a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) offers profound insights into the driving factors that are boosting demand in the market. FMI stands as the leading global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, consulting, and events for the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Consumer Technology, Healthcare, Industrial, and Chemicals markets. With a vast team of over 400 analysts worldwide, FMI provides global, regional, and local expertise on diverse domains and industry trends across more than 110 countries. Join us as we commemorate 10 years of delivering trusted market insights. Reflecting on a decade of achievements, we continue to lead with integrity, innovation, and expertise. Contact Us: Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware – 19713, USA T : +1-347-918-3531 For Sales Enquiries: ... Website: LinkedIn | Twitter | Blogs | YouTube MENAFN22122024004107003653ID1109022046 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

This article documents the behind-the-scenes work of volunteers at the Goldstream ‘Howard English’ Hatchery, from the moment salmon are harvested from the river during the fall spawning season to the return of their progeny years later. --- Born in the first half of the 20th century, Howard English began fishing and hunting in the South Island’s Goldstream area as a young adult. In the '60s, English started noticing the declining salmon population of the Goldstream River as he witnessed firsthand the impact of increasing extraction of water for drinking purposes, urban encroachment, highway construction, logging, and overfishing. After urging the federal government to take action and prevent a full-stream collapse, his plea fell on deaf ears. Taking this issue upon his shoulders and embarking on years of lobbying, English finally secured both the permits and funding required to build a small hatchery in the 1980s. Decades later, the Goldstream ‘Howard English’ Hatchery, which began as a one-man volunteer project with a single gravel incubation box, now operates a full-fledged salmon enhancement program and provides stock assessment research for Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Open year-round, operating six days a week, the facility relies on some 100 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, united by the shared goal of sustaining coho and chum populations in the Goldstream River system, explained hatchery president Ian Izard. Salmon harvesting Starting in early fall, and continuing to late November, volunteers head down to specific sections of the Goldstream River where fish traps were set earlier that same year. Day after day, wearing waders, they hand-pick salmon from the stream. Coho and chum considered ready to spawn are momentarily placed in a tank at the back of a pickup truck, while those not yet ready are released back into the water. Once the traps are emptied, the team returns to the hatchery, where the fish are transferred and triaged by species and gender into containment tanks. At this point, the salmon are held in line to have their semen, known as milt, and eggs harvested. Fertilization During the spawning season, the hatchery process sees anywhere from 30 to 60 fish daily. After a single well-placed blow to the head with a short metal club, volunteers provide salmon with a swift death. Sorted between male and female, the egg and milt intake is ready to begin. For females, a blade akin to a milk bag cutter is introduced in their vent to cut open the fish’s belly and give way to their bright-orange-red egg sac which is carefully placed in a metal bowl. For the males, one volunteer firmly runs their thumb down the salmon's belly while another holds a small plastic bag to collect the milt. Once both roe and semen are collected, they are combined, and water is quickly added to harden the eggs and ensure fertilization. Excess sperm, ovarian fluid, and blood are rinsed away before the eggs are transferred into incubation trays, explained Izard. He added that all fish carcasses accumulated throughout the spawning season are frozen and, in early spring, will be disposed of in strategic locations across Greater Victoria to return vital nutrients to the forest. Incubation Stored in a dark room, these incubation trays – designed to simulate river gravel nests, also called redds – will serve as homes for the eggs until they hatch and fledgling salmonids are ready to swim. Successfully fertilized eggs will develop a dark spot within the first month, marking the “eyed stage.” Unfertilized eggs, which look and feel similar to a hard-boiled egg yolk, are removed by hand. On average, coho eggs hatch in about seven weeks, while chum emerge after roughly four months. Once hatched, these nascent fish are now known as alevin. Without a fully formed mouth or digestive system, they live off the nutrients provided by a small yolk sac located on their belly. This phase spans from three to five weeks for coho and chum salmon. As they mature and undergo various physiological changes, the yolk sac is fully absorbed by the alevin which then becomes a fry. Maturing In the wild, once coho reach the fry stage and emerge from their gravel nests, they leave the river system, rushing out to begin their journey at sea. In parallel, when hatchery coho reaches this stage, it signals to volunteers that the fry are ready to be released back into the Goldstream watershed. Chum, however, spend up to a year-and-a-half in freshwater, where they feed, gain weight, and prepare for life in the ocean. To mimic these conditions, hatchery chum fry are transferred from their incubation trays to rearing tanks where they spend approximately 12 months and are fed a blend of fish meal and kelp. Before any salmonids are returned to the river, volunteers clip their small fleshy adipose fin to mark that they have been hatchery-raised. Throughout the entire process, the operation maintains a consistent survival rate of around 90 per cent year after year, noted volunteer Gladys Schreiner. Salmon return Despite experiencing several consecutive years of below-average returns, including last year’s 'disastrous' numbers when only 65,000 eggs were raised, this year looks more promising, highlighted Schreiner. With hatcheries across the province seeing their best returns in 20 years , the Goldstream facility is on track to collect around a quarter of a million eggs, with one-tenth being coho and the remainder chum. Already at work to raise the next generation of fish, volunteers are looking forward to welcoming some of the survivors back in three to five years.For the better part of the past century-plus, Rotax has been one of the most prominent names in the small aircraft engine market. While the company has changed its base of operation several times since its founding in 1920, Rotax has never wavered in its dedication to producing powerful, reliable engines for vessels like light aircraft and single-engine airplanes . If Rotax bosses have their way, the company will no doubt continue in that endeavor throughout the Century ahead. Over the years, Rotax has developed and manufactured dozens of different engines that have helped light aircraft enthusiasts and airplane home builders across the globe take to the skies. Of course, the aviation game is a far cry from what it was 100 years ago. As times have changed, so too have the power needs of even the smallest of aircraft. Rotax has, in turn, continued to refine its own engines to meet the needs of the times. The company has expanded the reach of its engine market, having developed powerful builds for other small vehicles like snowmobiles, jet skis, and side-by-side UTVs. They've even powered KTM motorcycles . At the moment, the manufacturer continues to build engines to meet the needs of vehicles in all of those market segments. And yes, a few of those engines rank among the most powerful Rotax has ever made. Given Rotax's long history of manufacturing engines for aircraft, it seems only fitting to begin with one of the more powerful offerings in its current lineup of builds made to give flight to light airplanes. Among the offerings in that line, the 915 iS engines are pretty punchy, to say the least, offering light aircraft aviators an impressive 141 horsepower at 104 Kw. Most Rotax aircraft engines are largely designed for 600+ weight class CS-23 and CS-24 models, and the 915 iS models are no different. This four-stroke piston build also boasts four air and liquid-cooled cylinders and is touted alongside other Rotax engines as boasting best-in-class power-to-weight ratio. Yes, Rotax's 915 iS engine is also equipped with a turbocharger, which is largely responsible for its robust power output. The engine also offers 12 or 24-volt electric starter options and packs a 24v power supply that can produce up to 800w of energy, leaving plenty of room to power vital instruments and potentially even an extra gadget or two. The 915 iS also comes with an Engine Management System (EMS) that should help with fuel economy and overall performance, an option that will no doubt be of use when operating at a maximum altitude of 23,000 ft. And with an estimated TBO (Time Between Overhaul) of 1200 hours, this Rotax should safely keep your plane in the sky for years before it's time for a revamp. Just FYI — the 915 iS is not currently the most powerful engine in Rotax's small aircraft line. That title actually belongs to the 916 iS/c, which, at a surface level, has a lot in common with the 915 iS. For instance, the 916 is also a four-stroke piston design with four air and liquid cooled cylinders. It also comes with redundant electronic fuel injection and a turbocharger, as well as an EMS, an electric starter, and a 24-volt power supply that might allow for extra creature comfort in the cockpit. Apart from those similarities, the 916 iS/c is a very different animal, and, unlike the two-seat friendly 915 iS, it is designed with 4-seat aircraft in mind. Yes, that means the 916 iS/c requires a little more power than its counterpart and is capable of pushing the ponies up to 160 HP while producing up to 142 ft-lb of torque. Perhaps more impressive than that uptick in power is that Rotax's engineers managed to deliver it without adding too much weight, with the 916 iS/c clocking in at 85.8 kg (or about 189 lbs) to the 915's 82.2 kg (or 181 pounds). Those stats have led Rotax to label its potent 916 iS/c as both a "milestone" and a "masterpiece" of small engine ingenuity. It's easy enough to see why they're so proud of the build, particularly as it also boasts a TBO of 2,000 hours. As noted, even as the aviation arena remains a sweet spot for Rotax, the company has indeed looked away from the skies to help power vessels bound for both land and sea over the years. As for vehicles in the former category, at a whopping 240 horsepower, the engine Rotax designed to power Can-Am's Maverick R side-by-side UTV — which, for the record, is dramatically different than an ATV — is easily one of the punchiest it's ever made. In fact, according to Can-Am, Rotax's turbocharged 240 HP 999T power plant is actually providing industry-leading power to its Maverick off-roader. The engine's dynamic output is only bolstered by the inclusion of Rotax's 54 mm tubeless turbocharger, and the build's actuated wastegate — a device that helps regulate the turbocharger's boost pressure — is apparently a first for the side-by-side sector. On top of that, the inline three-cylinder, four-stroke, fuel-injected engine is also the first of Rotax's off-road power plants to utilize a seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), which is available in automatic or paddle shifter. Coupled with the engine's dedicated drive modes, it makes it possible to tailor the driving experience to whatever you need on the day. With a trove of design features meant to bolster the engine's durability in the wild, you should be able to tackle whatever high mountain roads or dusty dunes you tackle in your Maverick R without worrying too much about damaging the powerful engine, giving it all that get-up-and-go. With Rotax providing some serious punch to the land-bound Maverick R, the manufacturer has developed an even more powerful engine for vessels primarily used in the open waters of the world. Said vessels are made by Sea-Doo, who has been manufacturing personal watercraft (PWC) for the thrill-loving masses since 1968. Despite a lengthy history in the water sports arena, the Sea-Doo may have reached its peak when it recently began offering the Rotax 1630 ACE 325 engine in certain jet skis, with that engine capable of producing a staggering 325 horsepower. At present, that powerful Rotax is only available as an option for three models of Sea-Doo: the RXP-X, the RXT-X, and the GTX Limited. As for that 325 HP, per Sea-Doo, it is indeed a record-setter in the personal watercraft game, with the purpose-built 1630 ACE 325 currently standing as the most powerful engine ever built for a PWC. Just for reference regarding the engine's power capabilities, the 1630 ACE 325 is capable of providing a Sea-Doo with legitimately head-spinning acceleration, going 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. It is, of course, worth wondering whether or not your average Sea-Doo rider actually needs or can even safely handle the sort of acceleration the Rotax engine delivers. But if you're a seasoned PWC enthusiast looking for the ultimate ride or a racer looking for a competitive edge on the water, the 1630 ACE 325 should more than suit your needs.No. 19 Illinois 75, Md.-Eastern Shore 55

Morningside quarterback Zack Chevalier, head coach Steve Ryan and Northwestern linebacker Parker Fryar headline the All-Great Plains Athletic Conference yearly honors heading into the postseason. Wednesday, the GPAC announced its all-conference selections along with its offensive, defensive and coach of the year which were represented by two of the top teams in the Siouxland area. Chevalier, the NAIA leader in passing yards (3,883) and touchdowns (38), has led the Mustangs air raid offense which has been unstoppable in the regular season. He was named GPAC Offensive Player of the Week three times during the regular season and passed for 300+ yards and at least three touchdowns seven times in 11 games. The California native was named GPAC Offensive Player of the Year for his efforts for commanding a Mustang offense that has outscored their opponents 524-147 and had four first team all-conference selections. In his 23rd season on the sideline with Morningside, Ryan helped lead the program to its ninth undefeated season in the GPAC in the last 10 seasons. He picked up his 12th conference Coach of the Year honor and now sits with 238 wins during his tenure with the Mustangs. Morningside led all GPAC schools in the Siouxland area with 19 total all-conference selections including eight first team honorees. Fryar was named the GPAC Defensive Player of the Year after leading a Red Raider defense that has allowed 87 points all season including eight games with seven or fewer points. The Waukee, Iowa, native finished the regular season with 82 wrap ups including six TFLs and 46 solo tackles. The 6-foot-3 linebacker flourished in his first year back in the GPAC after spending 2023 with the University of South Dakota, picking up his second conference DPOY in three seasons. Frayer is one of five Red Raiders to earn first team defense all-conference honors. 1st team offense: Zack Chevalier, jr.; Drew Sellon, so.; Aidan Queen, sr.; Jack James, jr. 1st team defense: Isaac Pingel, sr.; Dijion Walls, sr.; Malik Hampton, so. 1st team special teams: Laken Harnly, sr. 2nd team offense: Max Hough, so.; Lennx Brown, jr.;Mason Scott, jr. 2nd team defense: Colton Dreith, sr.; Landry Phipps, jr.; Cade Harriman, so. Honorable mention: Jakob Nelson, so.; Austin Jurgens, jr.; Tommy Fitzsimmons, fr.; Ryan Cole, sr.; Brady Schlaeger, jr 1st team offense: Konner McQuillan, sr.; Austyn Gerard, soph. 1st team defense: Trystin Voss, jr.; Jacob Dragstra, jr.; Parker Fryar, sr.; Tristan Mulder, sr.; Cody Moser, sr. 1st team special teams: Eli Stader, sr.; Ty Schafer, sr. 2nd team offense: Korver Hupke, soph. 2nd team defense: Korver Demma, fr.; Ben Egli, jr.; Kole Telford, sr. Honorable mention: Cam Morgan, sr.; Clayton Bosma, sr. 1st team offense: Kaden Harken, soph.; Nathan Warner, sr.; 1st team defense: Ian McDonald, sr.; Lucas Huttinga, sr. 2nd team offense: Nick Wellen, sr.; Parker Beck, sr. 2nd team defense: Cooper Hidalgo, sr.; Tyler Wierenga, sr.; Dan Jungling, sr. Honorable mention: Blade Koons, sr.; Keenan Valverde, fr.; Grant Hixson, sr.; Jordan Gall, sr. 1st team offense: Steven Whiting, jr. 2nd team defense: Tyler Wierenga, sr. 2nd team special teams: Cory Carignan, sr. Honorable mention: Kymani Fleurme, soph.; Brock Saya, soph.

The NFC’s No. 1 seed will come down to the final week when the Detroit Lions host the Minnesota Vikings. The winner takes the NFC North and gets a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage until the Super Bowl. The loser becomes the No. 5 seed and must play on the road in the wild-card round. The Vikings (14-2) held on for a 27-25 victory over the Green Bay Packers to set up the high-stakes showdown in Week 18. The Lions (13-2) visit the San Francisco 49ers (6-9) on Monday night in a rematch of the NFC title game. Win, lose or tie, they have to beat the Vikings again. Detroit beat Minnesota 31-29 in Week 7. The Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East and locked up the No. 2 seed with a 41-7 rout of the Dallas Cowboys. However, coach Nick Sirianni has a tough decision to make this week. Saquon Barkley is 101 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season record for yards rushing in a season. Sirianni has to decide whether to rest Barkley and most of his starters to prepare for the playoffs or let his star try for the 40-year-old record. The Los Angeles Rams (10-6) were on the verge of clinching the NFC West. They would lock it up Sunday night if the Commanders beat the Falcons. The outcome of the Atlanta-Washington game has a major impact on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7). If the Falcons win, they’d remain first in the NFC South and would win the division with a victory against Carolina next week. If the Falcons lose, the Buccaneers would take over first place and would secure the division with a victory over New Orleans next week. The Commanders would secure a wild-card spot with a win against Atlanta. If they lose, Seattle stays mathematically alive for a wild card and the Buccaneers could also find a path to the playoffs as a wild-card team. Three teams in the AFC have already secured their seeds. The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) won the AFC West weeks ago and clinched the No. 1 seed. The AFC East champion Buffalo Bills (13-3) are the No. 2 seed. The AFC South champion Houston Texans (9-7) are the No. 4 seed. The Baltimore Ravens (11-5) would win the AFC North and get the No. 3 seed with a win or tie against Cleveland next weekend or a loss or tie by Pittsburgh, which hosts Cincinnati. If they don’t win the division, the Steelers have already clinched a wild-card berth. The Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) also secured a wild-card spot. They’ll be no lower than the sixth seed. The final AFC playoff spot comes down to the Broncos (9-7), Dolphins (8-8) or Bengals (8-8). Denver clinches with a win or tie against the Chiefs. The Dolphins need the Broncos to lose and they must beat the Jets on the road to get in. The Bengals must win and the Broncos and Dolphins have to lose for them to get in. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Evil Kentucky mom Tiffanie Lucas gives chilling four-word response after murdering her two sonsFormer US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100

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EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has been placed on injured reserve after hurting his hamstring Sunday in a 30-27 overtime victory over the Chicago Bears. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has been placed on injured reserve after hurting his hamstring Sunday in a 30-27 overtime victory over the Chicago Bears. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has been placed on injured reserve after hurting his hamstring Sunday in a 30-27 overtime victory over the Chicago Bears. The move announced Tuesday means that Pace must miss at least the Vikings next four games. The Vikings also activated outside linebacker Gabriel Murphy from injured reserve and signed linebacker Jamin Davis off the Green Bay Packers practice squad. Pace, 23, had started each of the Vikings nine games this season. The 2023 undrafted free agent from Cincinnati had 56 tackles — including six for loss — and three sacks. Murphy, 24, signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent this spring. He was placed on injured reserve Aug. 27. Davis had joined the Packers practice squad Oct. 29 after getting released by the Washington Commanders a week earlier. Washington selected him out of Kentucky with the 19th overall pick in the 2021 draft. The 25-year-old Davis has 282 tackles, seven sacks, one interception, two forced fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in his NFL career. He led the Commanders with a career-high 104 tackles in 2022. The Vikings (9-2) host the Arizona Cardinals (6-5) on Sunday. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Advertisement

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Scotland defender Kieran Tierney has ended a five-month injury absence after being named in Arsenal's first-team squad for the London's club's Champions League visit to Sporting on Tuesday. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since June after suffering a hamstring tear against Switzerland at Euro 2024 but has been out of favour under manager Mikel Arteta since summer 2023. The Spaniard told Monday's media conference in Lisbon: "We have Kieran Tierney with us after a long injury. "It’s great news that he is back. He's been training with us and he is available to participate." Tierney has not played for Arsenal since a substitute appearance in their penalty shoot-out Community Shield victory over Manchester City after a 1-1 draw in August 2023. Having fallen out of the first-team picture, he spent the rest of the season on loan to Real Sociedad, making 26 appearances for the La Liga side, but remains under contract with Arsenal until 2026. Tierney has missed seven Scotland games since his latest injury, including all their Nations League group games. The news of his return from injury comes two days after Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn's return to the Norwich City side after missing six club games and four internationals. The 28-year-old helped the Canaries to a 2-2 draw away to West Bromwich Albion in the Championship after recovering from his rib injury. Scotland next face a double header play-off against Greece in March as they aim to retain their place in League A.Holiday shopping doesn't have to be stressful

By BILL BARROW, Associated Press PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — Newly married and sworn as a Naval officer, Jimmy Carter left his tiny hometown in 1946 hoping to climb the ranks and see the world. Less than a decade later, the death of his father and namesake, a merchant farmer and local politician who went by “Mr. Earl,” prompted the submariner and his wife, Rosalynn, to return to the rural life of Plains, Georgia, they thought they’d escaped. The lieutenant never would be an admiral. Instead, he became commander in chief. Years after his presidency ended in humbling defeat, he would add a Nobel Peace Prize, awarded not for his White House accomplishments but “for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” The life of James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, ended Sunday at the age of 100 where it began: Plains, the town of 600 that fueled his political rise, welcomed him after his fall and sustained him during 40 years of service that redefined what it means to be a former president. With the stubborn confidence of an engineer and an optimism rooted in his Baptist faith, Carter described his motivations in politics and beyond in the same way: an almost missionary zeal to solve problems and improve lives. Carter was raised amid racism, abject poverty and hard rural living — realities that shaped both his deliberate politics and emphasis on human rights. “He always felt a responsibility to help people,” said Jill Stuckey, a longtime friend of Carter’s in Plains. “And when he couldn’t make change wherever he was, he decided he had to go higher.” Carter’s path, a mix of happenstance and calculation , pitted moral imperatives against political pragmatism; and it defied typical labels of American politics, especially caricatures of one-term presidents as failures. “We shouldn’t judge presidents by how popular they are in their day. That’s a very narrow way of assessing them,” Carter biographer Jonathan Alter told the Associated Press. “We should judge them by how they changed the country and the world for the better. On that score, Jimmy Carter is not in the first rank of American presidents, but he stands up quite well.” Later in life, Carter conceded that many Americans, even those too young to remember his tenure, judged him ineffective for failing to contain inflation or interest rates, end the energy crisis or quickly bring home American hostages in Iran. He gained admirers instead for his work at The Carter Center — advocating globally for public health, human rights and democracy since 1982 — and the decades he and Rosalynn wore hardhats and swung hammers with Habitat for Humanity. Yet the common view that he was better after the Oval Office than in it annoyed Carter, and his allies relished him living long enough to see historians reassess his presidency. “He doesn’t quite fit in today’s terms” of a left-right, red-blue scoreboard, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who visited the former president multiple times during his own White House bid. At various points in his political career, Carter labeled himself “progressive” or “conservative” — sometimes both at once. His most ambitious health care bill failed — perhaps one of his biggest legislative disappointments — because it didn’t go far enough to suit liberals. Republicans, especially after his 1980 defeat, cast him as a left-wing cartoon. It would be easiest to classify Carter as a centrist, Buttigieg said, “but there’s also something radical about the depth of his commitment to looking after those who are left out of society and out of the economy.” Indeed, Carter’s legacy is stitched with complexities, contradictions and evolutions — personal and political. The self-styled peacemaker was a war-trained Naval Academy graduate who promised Democratic challenger Ted Kennedy that he’d “kick his ass.” But he campaigned with a call to treat everyone with “respect and compassion and with love.” Carter vowed to restore America’s virtue after the shame of Vietnam and Watergate, and his technocratic, good-government approach didn’t suit Republicans who tagged government itself as the problem. It also sometimes put Carter at odds with fellow Democrats. The result still was a notable legislative record, with wins on the environment, education, and mental health care. He dramatically expanded federally protected lands, began deregulating air travel, railroads and trucking, and he put human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy. As a fiscal hawk, Carter added a relative pittance to the national debt, unlike successors from both parties. Carter nonetheless struggled to make his achievements resonate with the electorate he charmed in 1976. Quoting Bob Dylan and grinning enthusiastically, he had promised voters he would “never tell a lie.” Once in Washington, though, he led like a joyless engineer, insisting his ideas would become reality and he’d be rewarded politically if only he could convince enough people with facts and logic. This served him well at Camp David, where he brokered peace between Israel’s Menachem Begin and Epypt’s Anwar Sadat, an experience that later sparked the idea of The Carter Center in Atlanta. Carter’s tenacity helped the center grow to a global force that monitored elections across five continents, enabled his freelance diplomacy and sent public health experts across the developing world. The center’s wins were personal for Carter, who hoped to outlive the last Guinea worm parasite, and nearly did. As president, though, the approach fell short when he urged consumers beleaguered by energy costs to turn down their thermostats. Or when he tried to be the nation’s cheerleader, beseeching Americans to overcome a collective “crisis of confidence.” Republican Ronald Reagan exploited Carter’s lecturing tone with a belittling quip in their lone 1980 debate. “There you go again,” the former Hollywood actor said in response to a wonky answer from the sitting president. “The Great Communicator” outpaced Carter in all but six states. Carter later suggested he “tried to do too much, too soon” and mused that he was incompatible with Washington culture: media figures, lobbyists and Georgetown social elites who looked down on the Georgians and their inner circle as “country come to town.” Carter carefully navigated divides on race and class on his way to the Oval Office. Born Oct. 1, 1924 , Carter was raised in the mostly Black community of Archery, just outside Plains, by a progressive mother and white supremacist father. Their home had no running water or electricity but the future president still grew up with the relative advantages of a locally prominent, land-owning family in a system of Jim Crow segregation. He wrote of President Franklin Roosevelt’s towering presence and his family’s Democratic Party roots, but his father soured on FDR, and Jimmy Carter never campaigned or governed as a New Deal liberal. He offered himself as a small-town peanut farmer with an understated style, carrying his own luggage, bunking with supporters during his first presidential campaign and always using his nickname. And he began his political career in a whites-only Democratic Party. As private citizens, he and Rosalynn supported integration as early as the 1950s and believed it inevitable. Carter refused to join the White Citizens Council in Plains and spoke out in his Baptist church against denying Black people access to worship services. “This is not my house; this is not your house,” he said in a churchwide meeting, reminding fellow parishioners their sanctuary belonged to God. Yet as the appointed chairman of Sumter County schools he never pushed to desegregate, thinking it impractical after the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board decision. And while presidential candidate Carter would hail the 1965 Voting Rights Act, signed by fellow Democrat Lyndon Johnson when Carter was a state senator, there is no record of Carter publicly supporting it at the time. Carter overcame a ballot-stuffing opponent to win his legislative seat, then lost the 1966 governor’s race to an arch-segregationist. He won four years later by avoiding explicit mentions of race and campaigning to the right of his rival, who he mocked as “Cufflinks Carl” — the insult of an ascendant politician who never saw himself as part the establishment. Carter’s rural and small-town coalition in 1970 would match any victorious Republican electoral map in 2024. Once elected, though, Carter shocked his white conservative supporters — and landed on the cover of Time magazine — by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Before making the jump to Washington, Carter befriended the family of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., whom he’d never sought out as he eyed the governor’s office. Carter lamented his foot-dragging on school integration as a “mistake.” But he also met, conspicuously, with Alabama’s segregationist Gov. George Wallace to accept his primary rival’s endorsement ahead of the 1976 Democratic convention. “He very shrewdly took advantage of his own Southerness,” said Amber Roessner, a University of Tennessee professor and expert on Carter’s campaigns. A coalition of Black voters and white moderate Democrats ultimately made Carter the last Democratic presidential nominee to sweep the Deep South. Then, just as he did in Georgia, he used his power in office to appoint more non-whites than all his predecessors had, combined. He once acknowledged “the secret shame” of white Americans who didn’t fight segregation. But he also told Alter that doing more would have sacrificed his political viability – and thus everything he accomplished in office and after. King’s daughter, Bernice King, described Carter as wisely “strategic” in winning higher offices to enact change. “He was a leader of conscience,” she said in an interview. Rosalynn Carter, who died on Nov. 19 at the age of 96, was identified by both husband and wife as the “more political” of the pair; she sat in on Cabinet meetings and urged him to postpone certain priorities, like pressing the Senate to relinquish control of the Panama Canal. “Let that go until the second term,” she would sometimes say. The president, recalled her former aide Kathy Cade, retorted that he was “going to do what’s right” even if “it might cut short the time I have.” Rosalynn held firm, Cade said: “She’d remind him you have to win to govern.” Carter also was the first president to appoint multiple women as Cabinet officers. Yet by his own telling, his career sprouted from chauvinism in the Carters’ early marriage: He did not consult Rosalynn when deciding to move back to Plains in 1953 or before launching his state Senate bid a decade later. Many years later, he called it “inconceivable” that he didn’t confer with the woman he described as his “full partner,” at home, in government and at The Carter Center. “We developed a partnership when we were working in the farm supply business, and it continued when Jimmy got involved in politics,” Rosalynn Carter told AP in 2021. So deep was their trust that when Carter remained tethered to the White House in 1980 as 52 Americans were held hostage in Tehran, it was Rosalynn who campaigned on her husband’s behalf. “I just loved it,” she said, despite the bitterness of defeat. Fair or not, the label of a disastrous presidency had leading Democrats keep their distance, at least publicly, for many years, but Carter managed to remain relevant, writing books and weighing in on societal challenges. He lamented widening wealth gaps and the influence of money in politics. He voted for democratic socialist Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in 2016, and later declared that America had devolved from fully functioning democracy to “oligarchy.” Yet looking ahead to 2020, with Sanders running again, Carter warned Democrats not to “move to a very liberal program,” lest they help re-elect President Donald Trump. Carter scolded the Republican for his serial lies and threats to democracy, and chided the U.S. establishment for misunderstanding Trump’s populist appeal. He delighted in yearly convocations with Emory University freshmen, often asking them to guess how much he’d raised in his two general election campaigns. “Zero,” he’d gesture with a smile, explaining the public financing system candidates now avoid so they can raise billions. Carter still remained quite practical in partnering with wealthy corporations and foundations to advance Carter Center programs. Carter recognized that economic woes and the Iran crisis doomed his presidency, but offered no apologies for appointing Paul Volcker as the Federal Reserve chairman whose interest rate hikes would not curb inflation until Reagan’s presidency. He was proud of getting all the hostages home without starting a shooting war, even though Tehran would not free them until Reagan’s Inauguration Day. “Carter didn’t look at it” as a failure, Alter emphasized. “He said, ‘They came home safely.’ And that’s what he wanted.” Well into their 90s, the Carters greeted visitors at Plains’ Maranatha Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and where he will have his last funeral before being buried on family property alongside Rosalynn . Carter, who made the congregation’s collection plates in his woodworking shop, still garnered headlines there, calling for women’s rights within religious institutions, many of which, he said, “subjugate” women in church and society. Carter was not one to dwell on regrets. “I am at peace with the accomplishments, regret the unrealized goals and utilize my former political position to enhance everything we do,” he wrote around his 90th birthday. The politician who had supposedly hated Washington politics also enjoyed hosting Democratic presidential contenders as public pilgrimages to Plains became advantageous again. Carter sat with Buttigieg for the final time March 1, 2020, hours before the Indiana mayor ended his campaign and endorsed eventual winner Joe Biden. “He asked me how I thought the campaign was going,” Buttigieg said, recalling that Carter flashed his signature grin and nodded along as the young candidate, born a year after Carter left office, “put the best face” on the walloping he endured the day before in South Carolina. Never breaking his smile, the 95-year-old host fired back, “I think you ought to drop out.” “So matter of fact,” Buttigieg said with a laugh. “It was somehow encouraging.” Carter had lived enough, won plenty and lost enough to take the long view. “He talked a lot about coming from nowhere,” Buttigieg said, not just to attain the presidency but to leverage “all of the instruments you have in life” and “make the world more peaceful.” In his farewell address as president, Carter said as much to the country that had embraced and rejected him. “The struggle for human rights overrides all differences of color, nation or language,” he declared. “Those who hunger for freedom, who thirst for human dignity and who suffer for the sake of justice — they are the patriots of this cause.” Carter pledged to remain engaged with and for them as he returned “home to the South where I was born and raised,” home to Plains, where that young lieutenant had indeed become “a fellow citizen of the world.” —- Bill Barrow, based in Atlanta, has covered national politics including multiple presidential campaigns for the AP since 2012.Dec 22 (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he favored allowing TikTok to keep operating in the United States for at least a little while, saying he had received billions of views on the social media platform during his presidential campaign. Trump's comments before a crowd of conservative supporters in Phoenix, Arizona, were one of the strongest signals yet that he opposes a potential exit of TikTok from the U.S. market. The U.S. Senate passed a law in April requiring TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest the app, citing national security concerns. TikTok's owners have sought to have the law struck down, and the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case. But if the court does not rule in ByteDance's favor and no divestment occurs, the app could be effectively banned in the United States on Jan. 19, one day before Trump takes office. It is unclear how Trump would go about undoing the TikTok divestiture order, which passed overwhelmingly in the Senate. "I think we're going to have to start thinking because, you know, we did go on TikTok, and we had a great response with billions of views, billions and billions of views," Trump told the crowd at AmericaFest, an annual gathering organized by conservative group Turning Point. "They brought me a chart, and it was a record, and it was so beautiful to see, and as I looked at it, I said, 'Maybe we gotta keep this sucker around for a little while'," he said. Trump met with TikTok's CEO on Monday. Trump said at a news conference the same day that he had a "warm spot" for TikTok thanks to his campaign's success on the app. The Justice Department has argued that Chinese control of TikTok poses a continuing threat to national security, a position supported by most U.S. lawmakers. TikTok says the Justice Department has misstated the social media app's ties to China, arguing that its content recommendation engine and user data are stored in the United States on cloud servers operated by Oracle Corp (ORCL.N) , opens new tab , while content moderation decisions that affect U.S. users are made in the United States. Sign up here. Reporting by Gram Slattery; Editing by Ross Colvin and Mark Porter Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Thomson Reuters Washington-based correspondent covering campaigns and Congress. Previously posted in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Santiago, Chile, and has reported extensively throughout Latin America. Co-winner of the 2021 Reuters Journalist of the Year Award in the business coverage category for a series on corruption and fraud in the oil industry. He was born in Massachusetts and graduated from Harvard College.

casino slots online free Chris Cenac Jr., the top center in the Class of 2025 according to the ESPN100, has committed to play for the Houston Cougars. The five-star recruit announced his decision Tuesday via the Bleacher Report's B/R App. Cenac previously said he wouldn't make his decision until the spring, but his stock soared over the summer after his impressive play on the Puma Pro 16 circuit with Dallas-based YGC, vaulting him into the national top-10 rankings. The 6-foot-10 New Orleans native was reportedly choosing between LSU, Auburn, Arkansas, Baylor, Kentucky, Tennessee and others before making the decision to join Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson's team. "I just like the coaching staff a lot, I like their plan to develop me and I like coming into a winning program," Cenac told 247Sports. "I'm looking forward to producing and just helping them win more. But the main thing was development and them being able to get me better so I can be ready for that next level." Cenac's rating of .9978 by 247Sports Composite makes him the Cougars' highest-rated commit in the modern era, according to multiple outlets. "They see me as a four who can kind of play all over the court and do everything," Cenac told 247Sports. "I can get rebounds, push the ball, shoot and play all over the floor." With Cenac joining other Houston commits like five-star shooting guard Isaiah Harwell, four-star point guard Kingston Flemings and three-star wing Bryce Jackson, Houston's Class of 2025 is ranked No. 2 in the nation by 247Sports and ESPN. --Field Level Media

The Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit against Google has taken another turn. After a court ruling that wanted to force Google to sell off its Chrome browser, the search giant has countered with a proposal of its own. While Google maintains its innocence and plans to appeal the initial decision, this counter-proposal aims to address the court’s concerns without the drastic measure of dismantling Chrome. Google’s proposal focuses primarily on contracts and agreements related to search distribution. It argues that the core issue at hand revolves around these agreements, not the existence of Chrome itself. To address this, Google proposes providing more flexibility to browser companies like Apple and Mozilla, allowing them to: X remove ads Offer Google Search while retaining the freedom to strike deals with other search engines. This ensures these companies can continue generating revenue while maintaining user choice. Establish multiple default search engines across different platforms and browsing modes. Imagine having a different default search engine on your iPhone versus your iPad, giving you more control over your search experience. Change their default search provider at least every 12 months. This measure prevents long-term exclusivity agreements and encourages ongoing competition. Furthermore, Google’s proposal addresses Android contracts by allowing device makers more freedom in pre-loading multiple search engines and decoupling Google apps from search and Chrome. This opens the door for rivals like Microsoft to compete more effectively for placement on Android devices. While Google acknowledges that these changes may come at a cost to its partners, it believes they effectively address the court’s findings without compromising user privacy, security, or America’s technological leadership. The company emphasizes that its success stems from innovation and providing a superior search engine, not from anti-competitive practices. Check out Today’s Best Chomebook Deals The legal battle is far from over, and Google’s appeal process is likely to be lengthy and complex. However, this counter-proposal signals Google’s determination to defend Chrome and its position in the search market. It remains to be seen how the court will respond to these proposed remedies, but for now, Chrome users and fans can breathe a sigh of relief. The browser we all know and love isn’t going anywhere just yet. advertisement Join Chrome Unboxed Plus Introducing Chrome Unboxed Plus – our revamped membership community. Join today at just $2 / month to get access to our private Discord, exclusive giveaways, AMAs, an ad-free website, ad-free podcast experience and more. Plus Monthly $2/mo. after 7-day free trial X remove ads Pay monthly to support our independent coverage and get access to exclusive benefits. Start free trial Plus Annual $20/yr. after 7-day free trial Pay yearly to support our independent coverage and get access to exclusive benefits. X remove ads Start free trial Our newsletters are also a great way to get connected. Subscribe here! Click here to learn more and for membership FAQ

Syria's former President Bashar al-Assad is in Moscow with his family after Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds, a Kremlin source told Russian news agencies, and a deal has been done to ensure the safety of Russian military bases. or signup to continue reading Russia's Foreign Ministry said earlier that Assad had left Syria and given orders for a peaceful transfer of power, after rebel fighters raced into Damascus unopposed on Sunday, ending nearly six decades of his family's iron-fisted rule. "Syrian President Assad of Syria and members of his family have arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds," the privately-owned Interfax news agency and state media quoted the unnamed Kremlin source as saying. Interfax cited the same Kremlin source as saying Russia favoured a political solution to the crisis in Syria, where Moscow supported Assad during the long civil war. The source said negotiations should be resumed under the auspices of the United Nations. Syrian opposition leaders had agreed to guarantee the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria, the source told news agencies. But some Russian war bloggers said the situation around the bases was extremely tense and the source did not say how long the security guarantee lasted. Moscow, a staunch backer of Assad whom it intervened to help in 2015 in its biggest Middle East foray since the Soviet collapse, is scrambling to salvage its position. Its geopolitical clout in the wider region and two strategically-important military bases in Syria are on the line. A deal to secure Russia's Hmeimim air base in Syria's Latakia province and its naval facility at Tartous on the coast would come as a relief to Moscow. The Tartous facility is Russia's only Mediterranean repair and replenishment hub, and Moscow has used Syria as a staging post to fly its military contractors in and out of Africa. Losing Tartous would be a serious blow to Russia's ability to project power in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Africa, say Western military analysts. Influential Russian war blogger "Rybar", who is close to the Russian Defence Ministry and has over 1.3 million followers on his Telegram channel, said the situation around the bases was a serious cause for concern whatever Moscow's official line. "Russia's military presence in the Middle East region hangs by a thread," Rybar said. "What anyone decided in high offices is absolutely irrelevant on the ground," he added, suggesting Russian forces at the bases had not taken the initiative to defend their positions in the absence of orders from Moscow. Russian warships had left Tartous and taken up position off the coast for security reasons, the Hmeimim airbase had effectively been cut off after rebels took control of a nearby town, Kurdish forces had started to block Russian facilities beyond the Euphrates, and Russian positions at an oil facility in Homs had been blocked, Rybar said. Earlier on Sunday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement the two military facilities had been put on a state of high alert, but played down any immediate risk. "There is currently no serious threat to their security," the ministry said as it announced Assad's departure from office and from Syria. The Foreign Ministry said Moscow was alarmed by events in Syria. "We urge all parties involved to refrain from the use of violence and to resolve all issues of governance through political means," it said. 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. 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Advertisement AdvertisementPALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HP (NYSE: HPQ) Fiscal 2024 GAAP diluted net earnings per share ("EPS") of $2.81, above the previously provided outlook of $2.62 to $2.72 per share Fiscal 2024 non-GAAP diluted net EPS of $3.38, within the previously provided outlook of $3.35 to $3.45 per share Fiscal 2024 net revenue of $53.6 billion, down 0.3% from the prior-year period Fiscal 2024 net cash provided by operating activities of $3.7 billion, free cash flow of $3.3 billion Fiscal 2024 returned $3.2 billion to shareholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends Fourth quarter GAAP diluted net EPS of $0.93, above the previously provided outlook of $0.74 to $0.84 per share Fourth quarter non-GAAP diluted net EPS of $0.93, within the previously provided outlook of $0.89 to $0.99 per share Fourth quarter net revenue of $14.1 billion, up 1.7% from the prior-year period Fourth quarter net cash provided by operating activities of $1.6 billion, free cash flow of $1.5 billion Fourth quarter returned $1.2 billion to shareholders in the form of share repurchases and dividends HP Inc. announces dividend increase of 5% Notes to table Information about HP Inc.'s use of non-GAAP financial information is provided under "Use of non-GAAP financial information" below. Net revenue and EPS results HP Inc. and its subsidiaries (“HP”) announced fiscal 2024 net revenue of $53.6 billion, down 0.3% (down 0.2% in constant currency) from the prior-year period. Fiscal 2024 GAAP diluted net EPS was $2.81, down from $3.26 in the prior-year and above the previously provided outlook of $2.62 to $2.72. Fiscal 2024 non-GAAP diluted net EPS was $3.38, up from $3.28 in the prior-year period and within the previously provided outlook of $3.35 to $3.45. Fiscal 2024 non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted net EPS exclude after-tax adjustments of $564 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition and divestiture charges, amortization of intangible assets, debt extinguishment costs, non-operating retirement-related credits, tax adjustments, and the related tax impact on these items. Fourth quarter net revenue was $14.1 billion, up 1.7% (up 2.3% in constant currency) from the prior-year period. Fourth quarter GAAP diluted net EPS was $0.93, down from $0.97 in the prior-year period and above the previously provided outlook of $0.74 to $0.84. Fourth quarter non-GAAP diluted net EPS was $0.93, up from $0.90 in the prior-year period and within the previously provided outlook of $0.89 to $0.99. Fourth quarter non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted net EPS excludes after-tax adjustments of $6 million, or nil per diluted share, related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition and divestiture charges, amortization of intangible assets, debt extinguishment costs, non-operating retirement-related credits, tax adjustments, and the related tax impact on these items. “We are pleased with our Q4 performance where we saw revenue growth for the second consecutive quarter, driven by steady progress in Personal Systems and Print,” said Enrique Lores, HP President and CEO. “With momentum heading into FY25, we are well-positioned to capitalize on the commercial opportunity and lead the future of work.” “In FY24 we drove non-GAAP EPS and free cash flow growth which allowed us to return approximately $3.2 billion to shareholders,” said Karen Parkhill, HP CFO. “As we look ahead, we are well positioned to deliver solid growth across revenue, non-GAAP net earnings, EPS and free cash flow in FY25. And given our confidence in the future, we are raising our annual dividend by 5 percent.” Asset management HP generated $3.7 billion in net cash provided by operating activities and $3.3 billion of free cash flow in fiscal 2024. Free cash flow includes net cash provided by operating activities of $3.7 billion adjusted for net investments in leases from integrated financing of $165 million and net investments in property, plant and equipment of $592 million. HP utilized $2.1 billion of cash during fiscal 2024 to repurchase approximately 62.7 million shares of common stock in the open market. When combined with the $1.1 billion of cash used to pay dividends, HP returned 96% of its free cash flow to shareholders in fiscal 2024. HP's net cash provided by operating activities in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 was $1.6 billion. Accounts receivable ended the quarter at $5.1 billion, up 2 days quarter over quarter at 33 days. Inventory ended the quarter at $7.7 billion, down 4 days quarter over quarter to 63 days. Accounts payable ended the quarter at $16.9 billion, up 7 days quarter over quarter to 138 days. HP generated $1.5 billion of free cash flow in the fourth quarter. Free cash flow includes net cash provided by operating activities of $1.6 billion adjusted for net investments in leases from integrated financing of $42 million and net investments in property, plant and equipment of $153 million. HP’s dividend payment of $0.2756 per share in the fourth quarter resulted in cash usage of $263 million. HP also utilized $900 million of cash during the quarter to repurchase approximately 25.4 million shares of common stock in the open market. HP exited the quarter with $3.3 billion in gross cash, which includes cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and short-term investments of $3 million included in other current assets. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash includes $15 million of restricted cash related to amounts collected and held on behalf of a third party for trade receivables previously sold. The HP board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.2894 per share on the company’s common stock, payable on January 2, 2025 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 11, 2024. This is the first dividend of HP's 2025 fiscal year and represents an increase of 5% from the prior dividend. Fiscal 2024 fourth quarter segment results Personal Systems net revenue was $9.6 billion, up 2% year over year (up 3% in constant currency) with a 5.7% operating margin. Consumer PS net revenue was down 4% and Commercial PS net revenue was up 5%. Total units were up 1% with Consumer PS units down 3% and Commercial PS units up 4%. Printing net revenue was $4.5 billion, up 1% year over year (up 2% in constant currency) with a 19.6% operating margin. Consumer Printing net revenue was up 3% and Commercial Printing net revenue was down 1%. Supplies net revenue was up 2% (up 3% in constant currency). Total hardware units were up 9.5%, with Consumer Printing units up 10% and Commercial Printing units up 9%. Outlook For the fiscal 2025 first quarter, HP estimates GAAP diluted net EPS to be in the range of $0.57 to $0.63 and non-GAAP diluted net EPS to be in the range of $0.70 to $0.76. Fiscal 2025 first quarter non-GAAP diluted net EPS estimates exclude $0.13 per diluted share, primarily related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition and divestiture charges, amortization of intangible assets, non-operating retirement-related credits, tax adjustments, and the related tax impact on these items. For fiscal 2025, HP estimates GAAP diluted net EPS to be in the range of $3.06 to $3.36 and non-GAAP diluted net EPS to be in the range of $3.45 to $3.75. Fiscal 2025 non-GAAP diluted net EPS estimates exclude $0.39 per diluted share, primarily related to restructuring and other charges, acquisition and divestiture charges, amortization of intangible assets, non-operating retirement-related credits, tax adjustments, and the related tax impact on these items. For fiscal 2025, HP anticipates generating free cash flow in the range of $3.2 to $3.6 billion. More information on HP's earnings, including additional financial analysis and an earnings overview presentation, is available on HP's Investor Relations website at investor.hp.com . HP's FY24 Q4 earnings conference call is accessible via audio webcast at www.hp.com/investor/2024Q4Webcast . About HP Inc. HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more. For more information, please visit http://www.hp.com . Use of non-GAAP financial information To supplement HP’s consolidated condensed financial statements presented on a generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) basis, HP provides net revenue on a constant currency basis, non-GAAP total operating expense, non-GAAP operating profit, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP other income and expenses, non-GAAP tax rate, non-GAAP net earnings, non-GAAP diluted net EPS, free cash flow, gross cash and net cash (debt) financial measures. HP also provides forecasts of non-GAAP diluted net EPS and free cash flow. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the tables below or elsewhere in the materials accompanying this news release. In addition, an explanation of the ways in which HP’s management uses these non-GAAP measures to evaluate its business, the substance behind HP’s decision to use these non-GAAP measures, the material limitations associated with the use of these non-GAAP measures, the manner in which HP’s management compensates for those limitations, and the substantive reasons why HP’s management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors is included under “Use of non-GAAP financial measures” after the tables below. This additional non-GAAP financial information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net revenue, operating expense, operating profit, operating margin, other income and expenses, tax rate, net earnings, diluted net EPS, cash provided by operating activities or cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash prepared in accordance with GAAP. Forward-looking statements This document contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. If the risks or uncertainties ever materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, they could affect the business and results of operations of HP Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries which may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, projections of net revenue, margins, expenses, effective tax rates, net earnings, net earnings per share, cash flows, benefit plan funding, deferred taxes, share repurchases, foreign currency exchange rates or other financial items; any projections of the amount, timing or impact of cost savings or restructuring and other charges, planned structural cost reductions and productivity initiatives; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, including, but not limited to, our business model and transformation, our sustainability goals, our go-to-market strategy, the execution of restructuring plans and any resulting cost savings (including the fiscal 2023 plan), net revenue or profitability improvements or other financial impacts; any statements concerning the expected development, demand, performance, market share or competitive performance relating to products or services; any statements concerning potential supply constraints, component shortages, manufacturing disruptions or logistics challenges; any statements regarding current or future macroeconomic trends or events and the impact of those trends and events on HP and its financial performance; any statements regarding pending investigations, claims, disputes or other litigation matters; any statements of expectation or belief as to the timing and expected benefits of acquisitions and other business combination and investment transactions; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements can also generally be identified by words such as “future,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” and similar terms. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our business and results of operations include factors relating to HP’s ability to execute on its strategic plans, including the previously announced initiatives, business model changes and transformation; the development and transition of new products and services and the enhancement of existing products and services to meet evolving customer needs and respond to emerging technological trends, including artificial intelligence; the use of artificial intelligence; the impact of macroeconomic and geopolitical trends, changes and events, including the ongoing military conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East or tensions in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea and the regional and global ramifications of these events; volatility in global capital markets and foreign currency, increases in benchmark interest rates, the effects of inflation and instability of financial institutions; risks associated with HP’s international operations and the effects of business disruption events, including those resulting from climate change; the need to manage (and reliance on) third-party suppliers, including with respect to supply constraints and component shortages, and the need to manage HP’s global, multi-tier distribution network and potential misuse of pricing programs by HP’s channel partners, adapt to new or changing marketplaces and effectively deliver HP’s services; the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its suppliers, customers, clients and partners, including logistical challenges with respect to such execution and performance; the competitive pressures faced by HP’s businesses; the impact of third-party claims of IP infringement; successfully innovating, developing and executing HP’s go-to-market strategy, including online, omnichannel and contractual sales, in an evolving distribution, reseller and customer landscape; successfully competing and maintaining the value proposition of HP’s products, including supplies and services; challenges to HP’s ability to accurately forecast inventories, demand and pricing, which may be due to HP’s multi-tiered channel, sales of HP’s products to unauthorized resellers or unauthorized resale of HP’s products or our uneven sales cycle; the hiring and retention of key employees; the results of our restructuring plans (including the fiscal 2023 plan), including estimates and assumptions related to the cost (including any possible disruption of HP’s business) and the anticipated benefits of our restructuring plans; the protection of HP’s intellectual property assets, including intellectual property licensed from third parties; disruptions in operations from system security risks, data protection breaches, or cyberattacks; HP’s ability to maintain its credit rating, satisfy its debt obligations and complete any contemplated share repurchases, other capital return programs or other strategic transactions; changes in estimates and assumptions HP makes in connection with the preparation of its financial statements; the impact of changes to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations, including environmental regulations and tax laws; integration and other risks associated with business combination and investment transactions; our aspirations related to environmental, social and governance matters; potential impacts, liabilities and costs from pending or potential investigations, claims and disputes; the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; and other risks that are described in HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). HP’s fiscal 2023 plan includes HP's efforts to take advantage of future growth opportunities, including but not limited to, investments to drive growth, investments in our people, improving product mix, driving structural cost savings and other productivity measures. Structural cost savings represent gross reductions in costs driven by operational efficiency, digital transformation, and portfolio optimization. These initiatives include but are not limited to workforce reductions, platform simplification, programs consolidation and productivity measures undertaken by HP, which HP expects to be sustainable in the longer-term. These structural cost savings are net of any new recurring costs resulting from these initiatives and exclude one-time investments to generate such savings. HP’s expectations on the longer-term sustainability of such structural cost savings are based on its current business operations and market dynamics and could be significantly impacted by various factors, including but not limited to HP’s evolving business models, future investment decisions, market environment and technology landscape. As in prior periods, the financial information set forth in this document, including any tax-related items, reflects estimates based on information available at this time. While HP believes these estimates to be reasonable, these amounts could differ materially from reported amounts in HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ending October 31, 2024 and October 31, 2025, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ending January 31, 2025, and HP’s other filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements in this document are made as of the date of this document and HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. HP’s Investor Relations website at investor.hp.com contains a significant amount of information about HP, including financial and other information for investors. HP encourages investors to visit its website from time to time, as information is updated, and new information is posted. The content of HP’s website is not incorporated by reference into this document or in any other report or document HP files with the SEC, and any references to HP’s website are intended to be inactive textual references only. Editorial contacts HP Inc. Media Relations MediaRelations@hp.com HP Inc. Investor Relations InvestorRelations@hp.com Use of non-GAAP financial measures To supplement HP’s consolidated condensed financial statements presented on a GAAP basis, HP provides net revenue on a constant currency basis, non-GAAP total operating expense, non-GAAP operating profit, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP other income and expenses, non-GAAP tax rate, non-GAAP net earnings, non-GAAP diluted net EPS, free cash flow, gross cash and net cash (debt). HP also provides forecasts of non-GAAP diluted net EPS and free cash flow. These non-GAAP financial measures are not computed in accordance with, or as an alternative to, GAAP in the United States. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in the tables above or elsewhere in the materials accompanying this news release. Use and economic substance of non-GAAP financial measures Net revenue on a constant currency basis excludes the effect of foreign currency exchange fluctuations calculated by translating current period revenues using monthly exchange rates from the comparative period and excluding any hedging impact recognized in the current period. Non-GAAP operating margin is defined to exclude the effects of any amounts relating to restructuring and other charges, acquisition and divestiture charges, amortization of intangible assets. Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted net EPS consist of net earnings or diluted net EPS excluding those same charges, non-operating retirement related (credits)/charges, debt extinguishment costs (benefit), tax adjustments and the amount of additional taxes or tax benefits associated with each non-GAAP item. HP’s management uses these non-GAAP financial measures for purposes of evaluating HP’s historical and prospective financial performance, as well as HP’s performance relative to its competitors. HP’s management also uses these non-GAAP measures to further its own understanding of HP’s segment operating performance. HP believes that excluding the items mentioned above for these non-GAAP financial measures allows HP’s management to better understand HP’s consolidated financial performance in relation to the operating results of HP’s segments, as HP’s management does not believe that the excluded items are reflective of ongoing operating results. More specifically, HP’s management excludes each of those items mentioned above for the following reasons: Restructuring and other charges are (i) costs associated with a formal restructuring plan and are primarily related to employee separation from service and early retirement costs and related benefits, costs of real estate consolidation and other non-labor charges; and (ii) other charges, which includes non-recurring costs including those as a result of information technology rationalization efforts and transformation program management and are distinct from ongoing operational costs. HP excludes these restructuring and other charges (and any reversals of charges recorded in prior periods) for purposes of calculating these non-GAAP measures because HP believes that these costs do not reflect expected future operating expenses and do not contribute to a meaningful evaluation of HP's current operating performance or comparisons to operating performance in other periods. HP incurs cost related to its acquisitions and divestitures, which it would not have otherwise incurred as part of its operations. The charges are direct expenses such as third-party professional and legal fees, integration and divestiture-related costs, as well as non-cash adjustments to the fair value of certain acquired assets such as inventory and certain compensation charges related to cash settlement of restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units towards acquisitions. These charges related to acquisitions and divestitures are inconsistent in amount and frequency and are significantly impacted by the timing and nature of HP's acquisitions or divestitures. HP believes that eliminating such expenses for purposes of calculating these non-GAAP measures facilitates a more meaningful evaluation of HP’s current operating performance and comparisons to operating performance in other periods. HP incurs charges relating to the amortization of intangible assets. Those charges are included in HP’s GAAP earnings, operating margin, net earnings and diluted net EPS. Such charges are significantly impacted by the timing and magnitude of HP’s acquisitions and any related impairment charges. Consequently, HP excludes these charges for purposes of calculating these non-GAAP measures to facilitate a more meaningful evaluation of HP’s current operating performance and comparisons to operating performance in other periods. HP incurs debt extinguishment (benefit)/costs includes certain (gain)/loss related to repurchase of certain of its outstanding U.S. dollar global notes or termination of commitments under revolving credit facilities. These (gain)/loss resulting from debt redemption transactions are partially or more than offset by costs such as bond repurchase premiums, bank fees, unpaid accrued interests, etc. HP excludes these (benefit)/costs for the purposes of calculating these non-GAAP measures to facilitate a more meaningful evaluation of HP's current operating performance and comparisons to operating performance in other periods. Non-operating retirement-related (credits)/charges includes certain market-related factors such as interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortized actuarial gains or losses, associated with HP’s defined benefit pension and post-retirement benefit plans. The market-driven retirement-related adjustments are primarily due to the changes in the value of pension plan assets and liabilities which are tied to financial market performance and HP considers these adjustments to be outside the operational performance of the business. Non-operating retirement-related (credits)/charges also include certain plan curtailments, settlements and special termination benefits related to HP’s defined benefit pension and post-retirement benefit plans. HP believes that eliminating such adjustments for purposes of calculating non-GAAP measures facilitates a more meaningful evaluation of HP's current operating performance and comparisons to operating performance in other periods. HP recorded tax adjustments including tax expenses and benefits from internal reorganizations, realizability of certain deferred tax assets, various tax rate and regulatory changes, and tax settlements across various jurisdictions. HP excludes these adjustments for the purposes of calculating these non-GAAP measures to facilitate a more meaningful evaluation of HP's current operating performance and comparisons to operating performance in other periods. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities adjusted for net investment in leases from integrated financing and net investments in property, plant, and equipment. Gross cash is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash plus short-term investments and certain long-term investments that may be liquidated within 90 days pursuant to the terms of existing put options or similar rights. HP’s management uses free cash flow and gross cash for the purpose of determining the amount of cash available for investment in HP’s businesses, repurchasing stock and other purposes. HP’s management also uses free cash flow and gross cash to evaluate HP’s historical and prospective liquidity. Because gross cash includes liquid assets that are not included in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, HP believes that gross cash provides a helpful assessment of HP’s liquidity. Because free cash flow includes net cash provided by (used in) operating activities adjusted for net investment in leases from integrated financing and net investments in property, plant and equipment. HP believes that free cash flow provides a more accurate and complete assessment of HP’s liquidity and capital resources. Net cash (debt) is defined as gross cash less gross debt after adjusting the effect of unamortized premium/discount on debt issuance, debt issuance costs and gains/losses on interest rate swaps. Key Growth Areas Key Growth Areas represent HP’s businesses which management expects to grow at a rate faster than HP’s core business with accretive margins in the longer term. HP’s Key Growth Areas are comprised of: Hybrid Systems: Video conferencing solutions, cameras, headsets, voice, and related software capabilities Gaming: Gaming PCs (Omen, Victus, etc.), HyperX and gaming accessories Workforce Solutions: Managed services (Managed Print Service and Device-as-a-Service), digital services and lifecycle services Consumer Subscriptions: Instant Ink, other consumer subscriptions and consumer digital services Industrial Graphics: Large Format Industrial, Page Wide Press (PWP), Indigo and Page Wide Industrial packaging solutions and supplies 3D & Personalization: Portfolio of additive manufacturing solutions and supplies including end-to-end solutions such as molded fiber, footwear and orthotics Material limitations associated with use of non-GAAP financial measures These non-GAAP financial measures may have limitations as analytical tools, and these measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of HP’s results as reported under GAAP. Some of the limitations in relying on these non-GAAP financial measures are: Items such as amortization of intangible assets, though not directly affecting HP’s cash position, represent the loss in value of intangible assets over time. The expense associated with this change in value is not included in non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted net EPS, and therefore does not reflect the full economic effect of the change in value of those intangible assets. Items such as restructuring and other charges, acquisition and divestiture charges, amortization of intangible assets are excluded from non-GAAP operating margin. In addition, non-operating retirement-related (credits)/charges, debt extinguishment costs (benefit) and tax adjustments are excluded from non-GAAP other income and expenses, non-GAAP tax rate, non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP diluted net EPS. These items can have a material impact on the equivalent GAAP earnings measure and cash flows. HP may not be able to immediately liquidate the short-term and certain long-term investments included in gross cash, which may limit the usefulness of gross cash as a liquidity measure. Other companies may calculate the non-GAAP financial measures differently than HP, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes. Compensation for limitations associated with use of non-GAAP financial measures HP accounts for the limitations on its use of non-GAAP financial measures by relying primarily on its GAAP results and using non-GAAP financial measures only supplementally. HP also provides reconciliations of each non-GAAP financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP measure within this news release and in other written materials that include these non-GAAP financial measures, and HP encourages investors to review those reconciliations carefully. Usefulness of non-GAAP financial measures to investors HP believes that providing net revenue on a constant currency basis, non-GAAP total operating expense, non-GAAP operating profit, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP other income and expenses, non-GAAP tax rate, non-GAAP net earnings, non-GAAP diluted net EPS, free cash flow, gross cash and net cash (debt) to investors in addition to the related GAAP financial measures provides investors with greater insight to the information used by HP’s management in its financial and operational decision making and allows investors to see HP’s results “through the eyes” of management. HP further believes that providing this information better enables HP’s investors to understand HP’s operating performance and financial condition and to evaluate the efficacy of the methodology and information used by HP’s management to evaluate and measure such performance and financial condition. Disclosure of these non-GAAP financial measures also facilitates comparisons of HP’s operating performance with the performance of other companies in HP’s industry that supplement their GAAP results with non-GAAP financial measures that may be calculated in a similar manner.Former Kentucky WR Dane Key set for transfer to Nebraska

India announces state funeral for former prime minister SinghROME (AP) — In 2020, it was a run to the Champions League quarterfinals just as Bergamo was becoming the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic . Last season, it was an upset victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final to end the German club’s European-record unbeaten run at 51 games. Atalanta keeps on surprising and its latest exploit was moving atop Serie A following a 3-1 win at Parma on Saturday for its seventh straight win in the Italian league. And to think that coach Gian Piero Gasperini considered leaving Atalanta toward the end of last season. Now, Gasperini has the chance to guide “La Dea” (The Goddess), as the team is nicknamed, to its first ever Italian league title. There’s a long way to go, though, and it should be noted that Atalanta is level on points with second-place Inter Milan, which routed Hellas Verona 5-0 earlier, and that Napoli has a chance to reclaim the lead when it hosts Roma on Sunday. Also Saturday, AC Milan and Juventus drew 0-0 at the San Siro in a match with few chances from both sides. Milan produced one shot on goal and Juventus created two. Atalanta's Mateo Retegui scored his league-leading 12th goal of the season, Ederson made it 2-0 before the break and Europa League final hero Ademola Lookman restored the two-goal advantage after Matteo Cancellieri had pulled one back for Parma. Retegui’s fourth headed goal of the season put him atop that category across Europe’s five major leagues, according to Opta, while Lookman volleyed in a cross from Juan Cuadrado after having two goals disallowed. Gasperini was sent off midway through the second half for protests. But he was smiling in the stands at the final whistle. Atalanta's 34 goals are the most in Italy, and trail only Barcelona (42), Bayern Munich (36) and Paris Saint-Germain (36) across Europe's top five leagues. Atalanta has won two and drawn two in the Champions League this season. Marcus Thuram scored twice for defending champion Inter at Verona. Inter was missing top striker Lautaro Martinez, who was out sick. But five goals in the first half made Lautaro’s absence a non-issue. Joaquin Correa opened the scoring 17 minutes in, Thuram then scored twice before more goals from Stefan de Vrij and Yann Aurel Bisseck. Correa nearly added another in second-half stoppage time but his effort hit the woodwork. Inter's only loss across all competitions this season was a derby defeat to Milan in September. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Five-star center Chris Cenac Jr. commits to HoustonIowa quarterback Cade McNamara released a statement Friday slamming the "100% false" media reports that suggested he had thrown his final pass for the Hawkeyes. McNamara has been sidelined since sustaining a concussion during the Oct. 26 win against Northwestern. Backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan has started the last two games for the Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) but is out with an ankle injury for Saturday's game at Maryland (4-6, 1-6). Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said earlier this week that Jackson Stratton will be the likely starter against the Terrapins if McNamara is unavailable. McNamara's cloudy status prompted speculation on a podcast this week that he was "not mentally ready to play." The podcast hosts from the Des Moines Register and The Athletic also suggested that McNamara -- who played three years at Michigan (2020-22) before transferring to Iowa -- is not "fit to play quarterback in the Big Ten right now." "We don't want to bury his career yet, but it does seem like that interception against Northwestern was his last snap as a Hawkeye," Leistikow said. McNamara, who passed for 1,017 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games this season, released a statement updating his current status. "My status is the same as it's always been -- a proud member of this football team," he said. McNamara said he has not yet been cleared to play. He said he was cleared to practice on Sunday but suffered an "adverse reaction" and was unable to practice this week and therefore unable to travel with the team to Maryland. "I have been working with the University of Iowa doctors and trainers, a concussion specialist focused on vision training, as well as engaging in hyperbaric treatments as frequently as possible," McNamara said. "I have every intention to play versus Nebraska next Friday night and I am confident that my teammates will return from Maryland with a win." Including his time with the Wolverines, McNamara has completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 4,703 yards with 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 34 games. --Field Level MediaTickets to the $1 Billion Mega Millions Draw available this Christmas Eve on Jackpot.com

Efforts to reduce the nation's persistently high maternal mortality rates involve state panels of experts that investigate and learn from each mother's death . The panels—called maternal mortality review committees—usually do their work quietly and out of the public eye. But that's not been the case recently in three states with strict abortion laws. Georgia dismissed all members of its committee in November after information about deaths being reviewed leaked to the news organization ProPublica . Days later, The Washington Post reported that Texas' committee won’t review cases from 2022 and 2023, the first two years after the state banned nearly all abortions. In Idaho, the state let its panel disband in 2023 only to reinstate it earlier this year. “They’ve become more of a lightning rod than they were before,” said epidemiologist Michael Kramer, director of the Center for Rural Health and Health Disparities at Mercer University in Georgia. RELATED STORY: Huge gaps in maternal and neonatal death rates show which states really care about life Here’s what maternal mortality review committees across the nation do and what might happen next: “Maternal mortality review committees are important because they are the most comprehensive source of information about maternal mortality that we have,” said David Goodman, who leads the maternal mortality prevention team at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The panels review deaths that occur during pregnancy or within a year after it ends, whether directly related to the pregnancy or not. Causes of death can range from hemorrhage during childbirth to drug overdoses to traffic accidents. The goal, Kramer said, is to examine maternal deaths and help "decide what we can do about them.” All states, a few cities and Puerto Rico have these committees. Their membership varies and may include OB-GYNs, maternal-fetal medicine doctors, nurses, midwives, mental and public health experts and members of patient advocacy groups. Most have representatives from several areas of expertise, which the CDC recommends . How members are selected also varies; people may apply, submit letters of interest, or be invited to serve. The selection shouldn’t be politically motivated, Kramer said, because “if there’s a systematic exclusion of certain data or certain perspectives” it’s difficult to truly understand what’s happening. First, the panels work with state vital statistics offices and epidemiologists to identify deaths associated with pregnancy by examining death certificates and looking for a pregnancy checkbox or a related cause of death. They may also search for links to birth and fetal death records, or delve into hospital discharge data, media reports and obituaries. Once they identify cases, they collect as much information as possible, such as prenatal care records, hospital and social service records, autopsy reports, and interviews with family members. Professional “abstractors” distill all this into case narratives, which committee members pore over. Most use a standardized review process developed by the CDC—and all panels can get help and guidance from the agency. They consider questions such as: Was the death pregnancy-related? What was the underlying cause? Was it preventable? What factors contributed? RELATED STORY: Olympic champion highlights Black maternal mortality following teammate's death States generally have privacy rules that protect committee members and people who provide information on the deaths. The groups then issue public reports that don’t name moms or hospitals but include overall findings, trends and recommendations. Some come out a couple of years or more after the deaths. Across the nation in 2023, Goodman said, 151 recommendations from those reports were implemented by communities, hospitals, medical professionals and policymakers. Georgia will rebuild its committee through a new application process, the state public health commissioner said. Texas' committee has been reviewing 2021 deaths and will start on 2024 cases at its next meeting, Texas Department of State Health Services spokesperson Lara Anton said in an email to The Associated Press. “Reviewing cases is a lengthy process and legislators have asked for more recent data. Starting the next review cycle with 2024 cases will allow us to provide that in the next report,” Anton said, adding that maternal and child health epidemiologists will continue to analyze and publish data for 2022 and 2023. In Idaho, the reconstituted review committee now falls under the state board of medicine, which licenses doctors, instead of the state's health and welfare department. It will operate like it always has, said Bob McLaughlin, spokesperson for the medical board. Members met for the first time in November and plan to issue a report by Jan. 31. Because the legislature wanted the most up-to-date information, McLaughlin said the first report will cover only 2023 cases, and the group will review 2022 deaths next. Goodman said he’s encouraged that every state has a review committee now—only 20 had them in 2015.Pope Francis will visit the French Mediterranean island of Corsica in December, days after skipping the reopening of Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral which was ravaged by a fire in 2019, the Vatican said Saturday. Francis, 87, declined an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the Notre Dame reopening ceremony in Paris on December 7. He will however head to Corsica's capital Ajaccio for a conference on the Catholic faith in the Mediterranean one week later on December 15, the Vatican said. Some French bishops were "annoyed" by the pope's decision to stay away from the Notre Dame gala, according to one bishop speaking on condition of anonymity. But the head of the Bishops' Conference of France (CEF) Archbishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort said: "The star of the Notre Dame reopening ceremony is Notre Dame itself." The pope had not wanted his presence to be a distraction from the essential point of the occasion, he added. "It's not a snub aimed at France," said another bishop. Francis's one-day trip to Corsica will be the first papal visit to the island, where 90 percent of its 350,000 population is Catholic, according to the local Church, and religious traditions remain deeply rooted. He will give two speeches, preside over a mass and meet Macron during his nine hours on the island, the Vatican said. "It is a historic event, we will give ourselves the extraordinary means to put on an exceptional welcome for the Holy Father," said Bishop of Ajaccio Francois-Xavier Bustillo said in a video posted on social media. Francis, who will celebrate his 88th birthday on December 17, has been to France twice since becoming head of the worldwide Catholic Church in 2013. He visited Strasbourg in 2014, where he addressed the European Parliament, and last year went to Marseille for a meeting of Mediterranean area bishops, where he met Macron. He has yet to make a state visit to France, one of Europe's main majority-Catholic countries. He is also yet to make state visits to Spain, the United Kingdom or Germany. The Argentine pontiff prefers visiting smaller or less established Catholic communities, from Malta to Mongolia. The Corsica visit was championed by the popular media-friendly Bustillo, who was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in September 2023. "It will not be a state visit, but a pastoral visit. It will be a beautiful moment, a moment of hope and joy," he told AFP. In addition, the head of the Catholic Church is scheduled to be at the Vatican on December 7-8 for a service at which he will create 21 new cardinals. Rescheduling appointments over coming months would appear to be tricky, given the multitude of events due to take place in Rome in 2025, a Catholic jubilee year. Bustillo is one of the active cardinals Francis has appointed in the Mediterranean region, with the pope keen they "work together to meet the specific challenges of the area", a bishop told AFP on condition of anonymity. Those issues include migration, global warming and interreligious dialogue. Corsica will be the 47th overseas visit for Francis and his third this year, after a long tour of the Asia Pacific in early September and a trip to Belgium and Luxembourg the same month. cmk-bur/tw/jm

Broadridge to Participate in Upcoming Investor EventTONIGHT'S Fife derby between Dunfermline and Falkirk was a thriller on the pitch - but was marred by shocking incidents off it. Both sides took a share of the points at East End Park after Kyle Benedictus' late equaliser for Dunfermline made it 3-3 in the Scottish Championship clash. It's always a fiery affair when the two clubs meet. And tonight's derby is one that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. We told you earlier tonight how fans defied stern warnings from the SFA and the government over the use of devices as fireworks were let off by both sets of supporters inside the stadium before the match. The ground was engulfed in smoke ahead of kick-off and punters continued to produce fiery displays during the match. The derby later descended into chaos as Dunfermline fought back from behind three times to snatch a draw late on. Wild celebrations broke out in the Falkirk end with fans invading the pitch after they thought Liam Henderson had netted the winner for their team on the 87th minute - before the Pars skipper made it level again in stoppage time. Shocking pictures show how around 100 seats in the away end were destroyed by rowdy supporters during the chaotic clash. Debris from the wreckage was left scattered on the turf next to the advertising boards behind the goal where the Bairns were shooting into during the second half. Most read in Football It's also understood players were allegedly targeted with missiles throughout the clash and at full-time. Objects such as coins, flares, fireworks and lighters were all allegedly launched in players' directions during the shocking scenes. Pyro devices were also allegedly launched onto the turf. SunSport understands several Falkirk fans were arrested. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football pageSenegal PM seeks to repeal contested amnesty law

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SRC on Show shines spotlight on local innovationNATO head and Trump meet in Florida for talks on global security‘Saturday Night Live” alum Kyle Mooney’s directorial debut “Y2K” makes for a fascinating test case for Gen Z’s appetite for all things 2000s. His comedic sensibility, honed through throwback TV parodies on “SNL,” is at once broad and hyper-specific. In the nostalgia piece “Y2K,” he hits the big signposts that will delight the younger generation craving the simpler times of a pre-9/11 world, but he also gets granular with late-’90s music, fashion and culture in a way that one could only understand if they actually lived through it. Zoomers just won’t pick up everything he’s putting down, and that may work against this otherwise exuberant and somewhat messy teen horror-comedy. Mooney and co-writer Evan Winter fuse the “big party” teen-comedy formula to “The Terminator” for their “Y2K” script, but it also feels like they just wrote down everything they could remember from the late-’90s era and threw it at the wall: Enron, the Macarena, PalmPilots, Limp Bizkit, the swing revival. Some are quite obvious and on the nose, others more arcane. Add in some teen-movie tropes, a list of outrageous horror-movie kills and a “TRL”-friendly soundtrack, and that’s essentially the movie. Jaedan Martell, one of the preeminent horror-movie sad boys (see: “It,” “The Lodge,” etc.), plays Eli, a dorky kid who loves his ebullient best friend Danny (Julian Dennison) and has a crush on Laura (Rachel Zegler), whom he hopes to kiss at the big 1999-2000 New Year’s Eve party after he finds out she’s broken up with her college boyfriend (Mason Gooding). But in a bit of revisionist history, the Y2K bug is real — so real, in fact, that all electronic devices and appliances band together into freakish robotic monsters in order to kill the teens, enslave the parents and achieve “the singularity.” Despite the deep wealth of millennium culture on display, “Y2K” doesn’t necessarily feel lived-in — it’s a bit too wink-wink, nudge-nudge with it, and it feels forced, especially with the wall-to-wall needle drops. There are fun nods to era-specific tribes and trends with quick nods to the swing kids, ravers and rap-rock skater types, but where Mooney and Winter’s approach excels is in the deep cuts for the real ’90s-heads out there, like Daniel Zolghadri’s character as CJ, a conscious hip-hop kid, wearing baggy khakis and a bucket hat, scolding his peers for their “corporate” music taste. Mooney is also a standout as Garrett, a burnout video-store clerk with white-guy dreads, who represents jam-band stinky-hippie culture. But references like this will likely sail right over the heads of a Zoomer audience — you simply had to be there in order to get it. Still, there’s something kind of profound in contemplating the year 2000, even if it is refracted through this silly lens. In the 24 years since, it’s been decades of terrorism, war, political instability, a widening wealth gap and rapid technological advancements that have rewired our culture, our brains and how we relate to one another. Perhaps 2000 was indeed a fundamental switch, which Mooney has zeroed in on through the imperfect but amusing “Y2K.” Ultimately, his project is a success, because he made this millennial — who was age 16 in 1999 — profoundly nostalgic for what seems a more innocent time. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

A.I.L.A. - Official Gameplay Trailer | PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted 2024 A.I.L.A. is a first-person horror game set in a near-future filled with immersive technology. Play as the sole game tester for a revolutionary new fictional AI. Survive intense horror experiences that prey on your deepest fears as the lines between virtual and reality begin to blur...A.I.L.A is coming 2025. Head over to Steam and Wishlist.

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Chicagoans brave cold weather for Wrigley Field Illinois-Northwestern football game, holiday eventsNoneMorgan Rogers’ fourth goal of the season, an Ollie Watkins penalty and Matty Cash’s finish put Villa 3-0 up after 34 minutes. Mikkel Damsgaard pulled one back for Brentford in the second half but the damage had been done as Villa ended their eight-match winless run in all competitions. Emery was relieved to end the unwanted streak but quickly turned his attention to the next fixture against Southampton on Saturday. “We broke a spell of bad results we were having,” the Villa boss said. “We started the first five or 10 minutes not in control of the game but then progressively we controlled. “Today we achieved those three points and it has given us confidence again but even like that it’s not enough. We have to keep going and think about the next match against Southampton on Saturday. “The message was try to focus on each match, try to forget the table. How we can recover confidence and feel comfortable at home. Today was a fantastic match.” Tyrone Mings returned to the starting line-up in the Premier League for the first time since August 2023. Emery admitted it has been a long road back for the 31-year-old and is pleased to have him back. He added: “Mings played in the Champions league but it’s the first time in the league for a year and three months. “I think he played fantastic – he might be tired tomorrow but will be ready for Saturday again. “It was very, very long, the injury he had. His comeback is fantastic for him and everybody, for the doctor and physio and now he’s training everyday.” Brentford fell to a sixth away defeat from seven games and have picked up only a solitary point on the road this season. They have the best home record in the league, with 19 points from seven matches, but they have the joint worst away record. Bees boss Thomas Frank is confident form will improve on the road. He said: “On numbers we can’t argue we are better at home than away, but on numbers it’s a coincidence. I think two of the seven away games have been bad. “The other games we performed well in big spells. I’m confident at the end of the season we will have some wins away from home.” Frank felt Villa should not have been given a penalty when Ethan Pinnock brought Watkins down. He added: “I want to argue the penalty. I don’t think it is (one). I think Ollie kicked back and hit Ethan, yes there is an arm on the shoulder but threshold and all that – but that’s not the reason we lost.”The most impressive ways to upgrade your home in less than 5 minutes & for under $30

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The S&P 500 continues to climb this year, and it's up nearly 24% as we get closer to the end of 2024. Although there's strong market momentum, there's also concern that valuations are inflated and the market could drop. The reality is that it's no different than any other time. No one knows with certainty where the market is going. So it's always important to be prepared for ups, downs, boring movements, and black swan events with a diversified portfolio, including secure stocks. Keep your eye on the goal -- long-term investing involves paying attention to where a stock could be in five, 10, or 20 years and longer and not getting too concerned by short-term events. If you can do that, you'll find some excellent stocks to buy. Dutch Bros ( BROS -1.67% ) and On Holding ( ONON 3.45% ) are two incredible growth stocks that are crushing the market today and could supercharge your portfolio over the next few years. 1. Dutch Bros: The new coffee shop on the block Dutch Bros is a small coffee shop chain mostly located on the U.S. West Coast, but it's rapidly spreading across the country and won't stay small for long. It has demonstrated strong growth throughout its years on the stock market, and it's opening stores at a fast pace. Plus, it's becoming sustainably profitable, and it has a long growth runway while it rewards investors who buy and hold. The market has gone back and forth about Dutch Bros, but the roots of a good business have been strengthening. It all starts with a great product, and Dutch Bros' fans love its coffee, service, and culture. It has a distinct feel and brand presence, and its store opening team makes sure its perfected formula is rolled out deliberately in each new store. As of the end of the third quarter, it has 950 stores in 18 states, and it plans to have as many as 4,000 stores over the next 10 to 15 years. Despite the challenging microenvironment, Dutch Bros has reported double-digit sales growth and increasing profits. In the 2024 third quarter, sales increased 28% year over year, and same-store sales were up 2.7%. That's not objectively a great showing for same-store sales, but it was a win given the difficult environment. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) were $0.16, solidly beating Wall Street's expectations. It looks like the only way to go is up. Don't expect linear movement, and the stock could rise and fall on the whim of a quarterly report. But Dutch Bros stock is crushing the market right now, up 54% year to date, and I expect that to continue. 2. On Holding: Challenging the footwear giants It's not easy to break into an industry already ruled by a few massive companies, but On is establishing a strong brand as the pinnacle of running shoes. Its shoes have a unique, tell-tale sole that loyal customers love, and On is leveraging its popularity to launch new shoes and a complete apparel collection. It recently rolled out an innovation it calls LightSpray that literally sprays a shoe onto a mold with a robotic arm in a three-minute process. It's just the latest way this small Swiss company is revolutionizing athletic footwear and making a name for itself. The results tell the story. Sales increased 32% year over year in the third quarter, driven by a 50% increase in direct-to-consumer sales. That says a lot about how On is connecting with its customers and creating relationships. It also helps fuel the highest gross margin in the industry, which expanded to 60.6% in the third quarter. The gross margin is also benefiting from On's premium positioning, and it has a high full-price sales rate. Customers are willing to pay for On's products, and its affluent and resilient customer base is paying up, inflation or not. On is just getting started. It has still barely penetrated most areas, even affluent ones where it's likely to amass strong sales. As of the investor's meeting last year, it had only 47% brand penetration in its own headquarters of Switzerland, and that figure was much lower in many U.S. cities. However, management said that brand awareness has surged since its presence in the Paris Olympics and a partnership with celebrity endorser Zendaya. On stock is up 96% this year, but there's still time to buy this market-crushing stock.

Share this Story : NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Calgary defenceman MacKenzie Weegar will have number retired by Nepean Raiders Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links Sports Hockey NHL NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Calgary defenceman MacKenzie Weegar will have number retired by Nepean Raiders The CCHL club will hoist his No. 52 to the rafters of the Nepean Sportsplex before they face the Cornwall Colts on Sunday. Author of the article: Bruce Garrioch Published Nov 22, 2024 • Last updated 16 minutes ago • 4 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account. MacKenzie Weegar of the Calgary Flames shoots the puck against the Boston Bruins during a game on Nov. 7. Weegar played for the Nepean Raiders in 2011-12. Photo by Rich Gagnon / GETTY IMAGES Article content This homecoming will be special for MacKenzie Weegar. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, or tap here to see other videos from our team . NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Calgary defenceman MacKenzie Weegar will have number retired by Nepean Raiders Back to video The Calgary Flames defenceman only gets back to Ottawa once during each National Hockey League season. Still, before he suits up against the Ottawa Senators on Monday night, he’ll be back in one of his old haunts. The 30-year-old Weegar, in his eighth full NHL season, will be on hand Sunday afternoon before the Central Canada Hockey League’s Nepean Raiders face the Cornwall Colts to see his jersey No. 52 pulled to the rafters of the Yzerman Arena at the Nepean Sportsplex. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. 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Activate your Online Access Now Article content Weegar suited up for one season with the Raiders before he left to join the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Halifax Mooseheads, but he made his impact felt with 13 goals, 37 assists and 50 points in 53 games in 2011-12. “It’s one of those moments when you lay in bed and think about it that you can’t believe it,” Weegar told the Ottawa Citizen from his Calgary home on Friday. “It’s quite the honour, but it’s going to be special just having all my family and friends there. “It will be weird to be back in the Sportsplex because you relive those moments, and there will be quite a few people there.” The season Weegar spent as a 16-year-old with the Raiders was special. That club won the CCHL title and advanced to the Fred Page Cup. He was approached by the Mooseheads midway through the season to join them, but and though Nepean coach Peter Goulet urged Weegar to make the jump, he opted to stay. “It was a year that made a huge impact,” Weegar said. “It felt like the NHL to me because I was a late bloomer. I was asked to play for Mooseheads and said no because I was too committed to the Raiders. I wanted to stay with this team, and Peter was pushing me to go. Sports Get the latest sport headlines and breaking news. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sports will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Article content Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “We were having a bit of a battle because I chose to stay and we won the championship because I felt the loyalty to him as a coach and my teammates. I felt like after that year I could turn this into a living and I could see being a hockey player after that.” He did leave after the season and had a chance to play with Nathan MacKinnon in Halifax. His mother, Louise and uncle/agent Matt Ebbs both encouraged Weegar to take the next step. “It was tough leaving home the first time. I cried like a baby leaving. I remember being on the front porch, crying, when I was going away,” he said. Selected No. 206 overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2013 NHL draft, Weegar has had to work for everything. He split the 2014-15 campaign between the ECHL and American Hockey League. He also spent two more full years in Springfield before making the Florida Panthers’ roster in 2016-17. Weegar signed an eight-year, $50-million U.S. deal with Calgary in October 2022 after he was dealt to the Flames as part of the trade that sent forward Matthew Tkachuk to Florida. The journey hasn’t been easy for Weegar. “I was carving my path in minor hockey. I was playing for the ‘A’ team when there was a ‘AAA’ team. I was always a step or league behind,” Weegar said. “You stay motivated and dedicated and you have great support behind you with my friends and family. Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “That’s why this is so special. You can’t just carve your path alone. You have to have people around you. Sunday isn’t just about me, it’s about everybody that’s helped me get to this point of getting a jersey retired. I have a lot of people who carved that path with me and I owe that to them as well.” The Raiders will also give Randy Watt, a coach, general manager and longtime Nepean executive a Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to the organization. Watt, battling ALS — known more commonly as Lou Gehrig’s disease) — led the Raiders with Goulet during the 2011-12 campaign. “What truly sets Randy apart is his deep connection to the Nepean community,” current Raiders owner Robert Kinghan said. “Whether engaging with fans or helping those in need, Randy’s presence reminds us that hockey is about people, not just the game.” Weegar’s best friend is Watt’s son, Brandon, and he is happy to be able to share this moment with that family. “It’s pretty emotional with Randy being honoured at the same time, just because of what he’s done for me and with Brandon and I being best buddies,” Weegar said. “I’ve been thinking about Randy and the impact that he had on me. Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “He always had a book with inspirational quotes and a couple have stuck with me. I watched the golden goal in 2010 on his couch with him and his wife, Debbie. They made you well-respected people with good manners.” Though Weegar wore No. 4 when he played with Nepean, the No. 52 he now wears will be pulled to the rafters. He has that number because it was worn by his cousin Craig Rivet, who suited up for more than 900 NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks and Columbus Blue Jackets. “Fifty-two is who I am. Everyone knows Weegar with No. 52 behind it, and, if that’s going to go up where people can I see, I want people to see the legacy that No. 52 has with my cousin and myself,” Weegar said. bgarrioch@postmedia.com Recommended from Editorial ALL TOO FAMILIAR: Ottawa Senators need to turn the page and climb standings - fast TAKEAWAYS: Senators lose fourth in a row as third-period rally falls short against Vegas Article content Share this article in your social network Share this Story : NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Calgary defenceman MacKenzie Weegar will have number retired by Nepean Raiders Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Comments You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments. Create an Account Sign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Trending Return-to-office rules broken by almost a third of Treasury Board staff: document Public Service Pat King found guilty of mischief for role in convoy protest News Special forces tracked former soldier’s social media, shared private info without consent Defence Watch No plans to buy first person drones for Canadian Armed Forces Defence Watch Ex-sex worker testifies about awkward encounter with Nikolas Ibey before he killed housemate News Read Next Latest National Stories Featured Local Savingsepic casino slots 。

The propaganda campaigns started even before rivalry weekend began. Then, after Miami lost its grip on a College Football Playoff spot , so many coaches, players and pundits crammed into the spin room that surely some fire code is being broken. We wouldn’t be having this debate if enough teams built their case on the field, but we knew playoff expansion risked watering down the bracket, so we’re left with a handful of teams with flawed résumés arguing for the final spot in a 12-team playoff. No coach works the spin room more vociferously than Mississippi’s Lane Kiffin . He turned his social media feed into a running pitch for his 9-3 Rebels, and he fired a direct shot at South Carolina, another 9-3 team under consideration. “It wasn’t even close,” Kiffin said Sunday, in reference to his team’s 27-3 win on Oct. 5 at South Carolina. "We could still be playing the game, (and) they still might not have scored a touchdown.” Direct hit from the spin room! OK, but what of Alabama, another 9-3 SEC team? The committee ranked Alabama ahead of Ole Miss last week. Both teams won rivalry games against bad opponents by two touchdowns last weekend. That suggests Alabama, at least, blocks Ole Miss’ path, but should it? Let’s unpack this. BOWL PROJECTIONS: Alabama back into the playoff as Texas, SMU move up RE-RANK: Texas moves up, Ohio State tumbles in NCAA 1-134 ranking Bubble watch: Alabama, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Miami Four teams populate the debate for the final playoff spot: Alabama, South Carolina, Ole Miss and Miami. A fifth team, SMU, would join the mix if Clemson beats the Mustangs in the ACC championship. For the sake of this exercise, assume the Mustangs wins the ACC and eliminates the Tigers. CFP bracket debate depends on what committee values most How you rank this quartet of bubble teams depends on how you value playoff credentials: Fewest losses earns the bid? If you favor the loss-counting contest, then Miami qualifies over three-loss SEC teams, but here’s where I struggle with the Hurricanes : Miami’s résumé ranks worse than that of Brigham Young, another two-loss that placed third in the Big 12. The committee consistently undervalued BYU, to the point that the Cougars aren’t in the playoff conversation. This despite BYU beating the ACC’s best team, SMU, on the road and owning a better strength of schedule than Miami. In the fewest-loss metric, BYU should earn the bid , but the committee shows no interest in that. Team with best wins earns the bid? Alabama owns the best collection of victories, counting pelts against three ranked teams – Georgia, South Carolina and Missouri – plus a trouncing of LSU in Tiger Stadium. Ole Miss also beat Georgia and blew out South Carolina. It lacks a third signature triumph. South Carolina headlines its résumé with wins against Clemson, Missouri and Texas A&M. Miami lags behind in this category, with best wins against Duke, Louisville and Florida. In the best collection of wins metric, Alabama should earn the bid . Reward the hot hand? This becomes South Carolina’s best argument. The Gamecocks won their last six games behind a stiff defense and an improving freshman quarterback, LaNorris Sellers. Miami lost two of its last three. (Can we just eliminate Miami already? Consider it done.) Ole Miss lost on Nov. 23 at Florida, the same day Alabama got blown out at Oklahoma. Nobody in this mix outplayed South Carolina in the second half of the season. In this metric, South Carolina should earn the bid . Value head-to-head results? Here’s where Kiffin shouts, “Scoreboard!” and where I struggle with the Gamecocks. Alabama beat South Carolina 27-25 on Oct. 12 in Tuscaloosa. Alabama used a fourth-quarter rally to win a game that wasn’t decided until the final play. That close result shouldn’t cripple the Gamecocks, but consider what occurred a week earlier, when Ole Miss stormed into South Carolina’s stadium and flat whipped the Gamecocks. Selecting South Carolina over a team from the same conference with an equal record that disemboweled the Gamecocks would diminish the idea that head-to-head results matter. And the committee says they do matter. Head-to-head results are one of the few measures stated explicitly among the CFP’s selection criteria . In a strict evaluation of head-to-head results, Ole Miss should earn the bid . Who has the ‘best’ losses? South Carolina’s three losses came against opponents who are either 8-4 or 9-3. Not bad, right? Well, two of those losses occurred at home. Alabama’s three losses all occurred on the road, but that includes a brutal 24-3 faceplant just two weeks ago to Oklahoma, a team that beat only one other SEC opponent. Alabama also lost to Vanderbilt. Ole Miss lost three games by a total of 13 points. However, its home loss in September to Kentucky (now 4-8) aged like milk left on a pool deck. I struggle to declare a “winner” in this category . Ole Miss lost to the worst team. Alabama lost to two 6-6 teams. South Carolina lost twice at home. How about the eye test? The committee says its duty is to select the best teams, with the caveat that five bids must go to conference champions. If there some straightforward could determine the best teams, we wouldn’t need a committee. Different sets of eyeballs value different teams. My eyes tell me that when each of these bubble teams fires its best fastball, Ole Miss slings the most heat, with a reliable defense and a (usually) competent offense. The Rebels dominated Georgia and smashed South Carolina. No other bubble team looked that good against such a caliber of opponent. By this metric, Ole Miss should earn the bid . Final verdict Unless the committee gets drunk on hurricanes, Miami has no case. If the committee values a two-loss team for the final spot, then pick BYU. That’s not happening, though. In the debate between Alabama, Ole Miss and South Carolina, each touts an argument, but holes mangle every résumé. Each team failed to earn its way on the field and that leaves them trying to talk their way in through the spin room's back door. Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer . The "Topp Rope" is his football column published throughout the USA TODAY Networ k. Subscribe to read all of his column s.

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Harris Dickinson toys with ambiguity in ‘Babygirl,’ and keeps a secret from Nicole Kidman Harris Dickinson was nervous to approach Nicole Kidman . Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press Dec 23, 2024 1:49 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Harris Dickinson, left, and Halina Reijn arrive at the premiere of "Babygirl" on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Harris Dickinson was nervous to approach Nicole Kidman . This would not necessarily be notable under normal circumstances, but the English actor had already been cast to star opposite her in the erotic drama “Babygirl,” as the intern who initiates an affair with Kidman's buttoned-up CEO. They’d had a zoom with the writer-director Halina Reijn, who was excited by their playful banter and sure that Dickinson would hold his own. And yet when he found himself at the same event as Kidman, shyness took over. He admitted as much to Margaret Qualley, who took things into her own hands and introduced them. “She helped me break the ice a bit,” Dickinson said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. On set would be an entirely different story. Dickinson might not be nearly as “puckishly audacious” as his character Samuel but in the making of “Babygirl,” he, Kidman and Reijn had no choice but to dive fearlessly into this exploration of sexual power dynamics, going to intimate, awkward, exhilarating and meme-able places. It’s made the film, in theaters Christmas Day, one of the year’s must-sees. “There was an unspoken thing that we adhered to,” Dickinson said. “We weren’t getting to know each other’s personal lives. When we were working and we were the characters, we didn’t veer away from the material. I never tried to attach all of the history of Nicole Kidman. Otherwise it probably would have been a bit of a mess.” His is a performance that reconfirms what many in the film world have suspected since his debut seven years ago as a Brooklyn tough questioning his sexuality in Eliza Hittman’s “Beach Rats” : Dickinson is one of the most exciting young talents around. Dickinson, 28, grew up in Leytonstone, in East London — the same neck of the woods as Alfred Hitchcock. Cinema was in his life, whether it was Christopher Nolan’s “Batman” films at the local multiplex or venturing into town to see the more social realist films of Mike Leigh and Ken Loach. “Working class cinema interested me,” he said. “People around me that represented my world.” Appropriately, his entry into making art started behind the camera, with a comedy web series he made as a kid, which he now describes as “really bad spoofs” of films and shows of the time. But things started to really click when he began acting in the local theater. “I remember feeling invigorated by it and accepted,” he said. “I felt myself for the first time and felt able to express myself in a way where I didn’t feel vulnerable and I felt alive and ignited by something.” At around 17, someone suggested that he should give acting a try professionally. He hadn’t even fully understood that it was a career possibility, but he started auditioning. At 20, he was cast in “Beach Rats” and, he said, just “kept going.” Since then, he’s gotten a wide range of opportunities in films both big, including “The King’s Man,” and small. He’s captivated as a male model in Ruben Östlund’s Cannes-winning “Triangle of Sadness,” an estranged father to a 12-year-old in Charlotte Regan’s “Scrapper,” an actor bringing an ex-boyfriend to life in Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir Part II,” the charismatic, tragic wrestler David Von Erich in Sean Durkin’s “The Iron Claw” and a soldier in Steve McQueen’s “Blitz.” But “Babygirl” would present new challenges and opportunities with a character who’s almost impossible to define. “He was confusing in a really interesting way. There wasn’t loads of specificity to it, which I enjoyed because it was a bit of a challenge to sort of pinpoint exactly what it was that drove him and made him tick,” Dickinson said. “There was a directness that unlocked a lot for me, like a fearlessness with the way he spoke, or a social unawareness in a way — like not fully realizing what he’s saying is affecting someone in a certain way. But I didn’t make too many rules for him.” Part of the allure of the film is the ever-shifting power dynamics between the two characters, which could change over the course of a scene. As Reijn said, “It’s a cautionary tale about what happens when you suppress your own desires.” She was especially in awe of Dickinson's ability to make everything feel improvised and the fact that he could look like a 12-year-old boy in one shot and a confident 45-year-old man in the next. Since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival earlier this year, the film has led to some surprisingly direct conversations with audiences spanning generations. But that, Dickinson understood, was what Reijn wanted. “She really wanted to show the ugliness and the awkwardness of these things, of these relationships and sex,” he said. “That sort of fumbly version and the performative version of it is way more interesting, to me at least, than the kind of fantasized, romanticized, sexy thing that we’ve seen a lot.” Dickinson recently stepped behind the camera again, directing his first feature film under the banner of his newly formed production company. Set against the backdrop of homelessness in London, “Dream Space” is about a drifter trying to assimilate and understand his cyclical behavior. The film, which wrapped earlier this year, has given him a heightened appreciation for just how many people are indispensable in the making of a film. He’s also started to understand that “acting is just being able to relax.” “When you’re relaxed, you can do stuff that is truthful,” he said. “That only happens if you’ve got good people around you: The director that creates the good environment. The intimacy coordinator facilitating a safe space. A coworker in Nicole encouraging that kind of bravery and performance with what she’s doing.” Dickinson did eventually get to the point where he managed to ask Kidman questions about working with Stanley Kubrick and Lars Von Trier. But he also kept one shattering possibility between himself and his director. “There is a world in which Samuel doesn’t even exist. He’s just a sort of a device or a figment for her own story. And I like that because it kind of means you can take the character into a very unrealistic realm at times and be almost like a deity in the story,” Dickinson said. “We didn’t talk about it with Nicole.” Lindsey Bahr, The Associated 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 Entertainment News Burt, the huge Australian crocodile who had a cameo in ‘Crocodile Dundee,’ dies at 90 Dec 23, 2024 2:00 PM Burt, the huge Australian crocodile who had a cameo in ‘Crocodile Dundee,’ dies at 90 Dec 23, 2024 1:30 PM Movie Review: Nicole Kidman commands the erotic office drama 'Babygirl' Dec 23, 2024 1:14 PM Featured FlyerBiden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did

NoneOTTAWA — Cowessess First Nation Chief Erica Beaudin says she is "disappointed' that Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer used clean drinking water legislation as a political "tactic." Bill C-61 recognizes First Nations have an inherent right to clean drinking water and commits the government to providing "adequate and sustainable" funding for water services in First Nations. It remains stalled at third reading in the House of Commons because of an ongoing privilege debate that has prevented the consideration of bills since late September. Today Liberal MP Jaime Battiste asked for unanimous consent to forward the First Nations Clean Drinking Water Act to the Senate but several MPs said no. Scheer, who's riding includes Cowessess, rose immediately afterward for a similar motion that also condemned the Liberal government for inaction but it was also defeated. While Cowessess doesn't currently have a boil water advisory, Beaudin says people in her community rely on bottled water because they don't trust what comes from their taps. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024. David Baxter, The Canadian Press

Jude Bellingham scores for fourth game in a row to ease Real Madrid's Champions League elimination fears in 3-2 win over Atalanta - before England star gets a big hug Micah Richards in post-match interview

The past week in the Russia-Ukraine conflict has seen intensive fighting along the front line, with active hostilities continuing in the southwest of Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), where Moscow liberated multiple locations, as well as in Kursk Region, where the country’s troops continued their effort to push out Ukrainian invasion force. Last weekend, the Russian Defence Ministry reported regaining control over the village of Novoivanovka, a small settlement located in the northwest of the Ukrainian-controlled pocket in Kursk Region. The development signalled the expansion of the Russian zone of control around one of the key roads running from the village of Korenevo to the town of Sudzha, the largest settlement under Ukrainian control in the area. According to the latest estimates by the Russian Defense Ministry, the Ukrainian invasion force has lost some 42,750 servicemen since early August when the attack on Kursk was launched. The invasion force also sustained heavy material losses, including up to 250 tanks, 189 infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), 130 armored personnel carriers (APC), more than 1,300 other armored vehicles and other hardware. Donbass offensive continues The Russian military has made new gains in the DPR, continuing their advance to the south of the city of Pokrovsk (also known as Krasnoarmeysk), the largest population center under Ukrainian control in the southwest of the republic. Over the past week, the Russian military reported making new gains to the south of Kurakhovo, a heavily fortified town stretching along the southern bank of the eponymous reservoir, located some 30 km to the south of Pokrovsk. The liberation of villages of Annovka, Vesely Gay, Yelizavetovka, Trudovoye, Ostrovsky and Uspenovka constituted the elimination of a Ukrainian-held pocket to the south of Kurakhovo, that stretched along the river of Sukhiye Yaly. The area has seen intense combat over the past few weeks, with the situation gradually deteriorating for Kiev’s troops. Another important milestone achieved this week was the liberation of the village of Stariye Terny, a settlement located on the westernmost tip of the Kurakhovo reservoir. The development further aggravates the situation for the Ukrainian troops stationed in the area, with media reports suggesting the town itself has already largely fallen under Russia’s control. The Russian military has also expanded its zone of control in the immediate vicinity of Pokrovsk, seizing control of the villages of Novopustynka and Pushkina, located a short way to the south of the city. Moscow’s forces are advancing westward in the area in an apparent effort to encircle the city and cut it off the main logistics routes. Active hostilities continued in the vicinity of the so-called Vremevka Ledge, a string of villages in the west of the DPR. The area saw active combat during the ultimately disastrous Ukrainian counteroffensive last year, with several settlements in the area seized by Kiev at the time. This week, the Russian military reported the liberation of Novy Komar, a small village located to the north of the two largest settlements of the ledge, Vremevka and Velikaya Novoselka. The capture of Novy Komar means the Ukrainian troops are left with only one major road to supply its force in the area. Fiber optics drones The Russian military has continued to expand the use of kamikaze drones guided through fiber optic wire that appeared on the frontline in numbers back in August. The drones debuted in repelling the Ukrainian invasion of Russia’s Kursk Region, spreading to other areas since then. The drones of the type are immune to any electronic warfare countermeasures or radio interference, as well as able to fly at extremely low altitudes and reliably enter buildings. At the same time, such UAVs appear to be somewhat less versatile and agile than their wireless counterparts, given that they have to carry a large roll of fiber optics cable beside the payload. A new video said to be shot in the south of the DPR shows a wired drone detecting a Ukrainian M113 APC, concealed in shrubbery. The UAV hits the vehicle in its rear with the transported infantry visible inside through the vehicle’s opened rear ramp. Another fresh video was taken by a fiber optics drone flying inside a building, appearing to be an agricultural shed with large sacks stashed inside. The drone finds a lone Ukrainian soldier and dives at him. The serviceman was able to fire a few shots at the drone yet apparently ended up killed in the strike. Footage said to be taken near the border village of Sverdlikovo, Kursk Region, shows the cable-guided drones taking out a German-supplied Marder IFV and a US-made HMMWV armored car. The IFV got hit in open rear ramp with multiple servicemen visible inside. The second drone hit the armored car parked in a wooded strip, capturing the blazing Marder during its approach. Both drones used in the attack appear to feature custom-made detonators utilising plastic insulation nails. The large flat cap of such nails provides a larger impact zone for the detonator and makes it more reliable, with the trick widely used by both sides of the conflict. The Russian Defense Ministry also released a fresh video taken in Kursk Region, showcasing the destruction of a US-supplied M1 Abrams tank in a double tap attack of fiber optics drones. The video shows the tank, generously covered with Soviet-era Kontakt-1 reactive armor and anti-drone nettings. The vehicle ends up hit in the rear of its turret and stops, emitting a thick plume of white smoke, footage shows. The disabled tank was hit by the second drone immediately after the first strike. The operator sent the UAV into one of the tank’s weakest spots - a large gap between the hull and the turret. While it was not immediately clear what happened to the tank’s crew, when the destroyed vehicle was observed by another drone, only its driver hatch was open, suggesting at least one crewmember was able to escape, footage shows. Lancet drones and new mystery high-precision weaponry The past week has seen continuing active use of the Lancet-family drones, with multiple new videos surfacing online showing the loitering munitions in action. The drones of the type have seen increasingly intensive use over the course of the conflict, serving as one of the key medium-range tools in Moscow’s arsenal. A fresh video that surfaced online this week purports to show the destruction of a Ukrainian T-64 tank near the DPR village of Novy Komar. The vehicle was hit by a Lancet drone as its crew apparently attempted to tow away another disabled tank, with its ‘cold’ silhouette barely visible in the thermal video. Another new Lancet video, said to be taken in Ukraine’s Sumy Region, a short way from the Russian border village of Alekseevka, shows the destruction of a US-made M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer. Kiev has received dozens of such systems, that now have become somewhat a rare sight having sustained heavy casualties. The M109 was detected at an apparently extensively used firing position, with numerous tracks visible on the ground. The howitzer sustained a direct hit, apparently suffering secondary detonation of its ammo stock, footage shows. This week has been marked by an emergence of a mystery video, presumably showing new high-precision munitions in Russia’s arsenal. The video, reportedly taken near the village of Basovka, Sumy Region, that is located some 7 km to the southeast of Ukrainian-controlled Sverdlikovo in Russia’s Kursk, shows a barrage of unknown projectiles hitting a Ukrainian position, with a tank, a self-propelled howitzer and a house used to accommodate troops sustaining direct hits. While some analysts attributed the strike to the Lancet-family drones, footage taken by the munitions themselves appears to be inconsistent with videos taken by any known varian of the loitering munition. Moreover, the incoming projectiles are not visible in surveillance drone footage featured in the clip, indicating they are pretty small in size and lack distinctive Lancet-pattern wings. The new munition is presumably a guided artillery shell or, more likely, an anti-tank missile, yet it remains unclear what system exactly, should it be ground- or aerial based, firing them. Long-range strikes exchange continues Over the week, the two sides continued the exchange of long range strikes, with the latest attack staged by the Russian military on Friday. The Russian defense ministry said the strike came in retaliation for the Wednesday attack on a chemical plant in Rostov Region, targeted by Western supplied munitions, including six ATACMS ballistic and four air-launched Storm Shadow cruise missiles. The Russian military said it successfully hit several targets in Kiev, including a command point used by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), a military plant and a position of a US-made Patriot anti-aircraft system. Multiple fires were reported across the city, with an office highrise sustaining heavy damage and multiple cars burned down. Footage circulating online suggests the high-rise was actually hit by a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile, with a large cloud of pre-made shrapnel visible during the hit and arguably moderate damage sustained by the building. The Ukrainian anti-aircraft defenses are notorious for repeatedly inflicting damage to structures on the ground, with the issue primarily stemming from Kiev’s practice of hiding anti-air systems in densely populated areas to protect them from Russian strikes. Later on Friday, the Ukrainian military staged an indiscriminate attack on the Russian town of Rylsk, Kursk Region. The town was hit by a barrage of missiles fired by US-supplied HIMARS systems and apparently packed with cluster warheads. At least five civilians got killed and a dozen injured in the attack. The strike sparked several fires across the town, with multiple buildings damaged and at least 15 cars burned down. The strike affected exclusively civilian areas with no military installations located in the area. According to recently-appointed interim governor of Kursk, Alexander Khinshtein, the attack damaged seven civic buildings, including schools and university buildings. Several multi-story residential buildings sustained damage as well. The strike also ruptured a pipeline, with some 88 residencies left without heating, the interim governor said.

golden casino slots Keeping pace with Hollywood’s perpetual awards horserace. Sign up for the newsletter here . Whether you call it “Glicked” or “Wickiator” (or even Justin Chang ’s preferred “Wadiator,” which sounds to me like a lot of hot air), this weekend’s simultaneous arrival of Gladiator II and Wicked feels like the closest thing we’ve seen to a true heir of “ Barbenheimer .” The comparison is inevitable — two huge films releasing on the same day, one girl-coded and one boy-coded — and perfectly reasonable, as long as you abandon any assumption that they will match or surpass the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon . These films can be very, very successful without beating their predecessors’ combined $235 million opening weekend. (Or, it must be said, their level of quality.) The same goes at the Oscars, where Barbie and Oppenheimer were the defining event of the 2024 awards season. The duo combined for 21 nominations and eight wins, including a Best Picture prize for Oppie . No matter how well they perform, Wicked and Gladiator probably aren’t coming close to that tally. That’s okay! Now that expectations have been set, let’s focus on the optimistic case. Putting aside the comparison to last season’s two-headed colossus, how well can “Wickiator” do this awards season? Both are arriving at precisely the right time. In this strike-marred season, consensus had it that the fall-festival crop was slightly weaker this year. Now, alongside Dune: Part Two , Wicked and Gladiator seem set to give the Oscars field a fresh dose of blockbuster oomph . Of the pair, Wicked ’s the one with stronger reviews and stronger box-office tracking , so that’s the one that’s making my Best Picture ten at the moment. But I wouldn’t be gobsmacked if Gladiator snuck in, as well: It’s an old-school masculine epic that could appeal to the Academy’s “meat and potatoes” voters, a bloc powerful enough to get films like Top Gun: Maverick and Ford v Ferrari into the Best Picture category in the past. Prospects are more mixed elsewhere above the line. The directors branch is notoriously snobby, which will be a tough row to hoe for Wicked ’s Jon M. Chu, who got his start directing films in the Step Up and G.I. Joe franchises. Gladiator II ’s Ridley Scott has some “overdue” equity — he’s never won an Oscar, not even when the first Gladiator won Best Picture — but Scott hasn’t been nominated for directing since Black Hawk Down , and this branch’s recent preference for highbrow auteurs suggests their tastes have moved on. Screenplay is a slightly better bet, as there are spots up for grabs in the Adapted race, where both Wicked and Gladiator are slotted. But at a combined run time of over five hours, some might suggest these movies should have featured more adaptation. Fortunately, both campaigns can count on a powerful supporting performance to bolster their bids. Denzel Washington has been almost unanimously acclaimed as the best part of Gladiator II . “You start to root for his relentless climb to the top,” Vulture’s Alison Willmore says of his turn as a political schemer who sports more rings than the human hand should be able to handle. Washington feels due more accolades; depending on how the race shakes out, he could even contend for the trophy that would mark his entry into Oscar’s three-timers’ club. Wicked ’s Ariana Grande feels less assured, if only because she’s more of an awards-season interloper than Washington. The pop star is awfully winning her first major film role — she had cameos in Zoolander 2 and Don’t Look Up — turning in a performance that, as our own Bilge Ebiri writes, “gives real comic shape to Glinda’s popular-girl frivolity.” With Wicked ’s Oscar buzz growing by the day, more pundits expect Grande to get in than not. Things are also looking up for Grande’s onscreen frenemy, Cynthia Erivo. “Erivo can hit the notes no problem, but it’s the work she does in close-up” that seals the deal for Variety ’s Peter Debruge : Her “subtler approach invites audiences under the character’s (green-tinted) skin.” Erivo’s arrival means an already stacked Best Actress race just got even tougher. I can’t say the same for Gladiator II ’s Paul Mescal, whose middling notices indicate he may not factor into a relatively weak Best Actor field. While the two movies will steer clear of each other in the acting races, it’s in the craft categories where they’ll truly go head-to-head. Here, too, Wicked looks to have the advantage, as it should benefit from the below-the-line races’ own form of gender essentialism. The musical looks to be the early frontrunner in female-friendly categories like Costume Design and Production Design. (Depending how bullish you are on The Substance , maybe Makeup & Hairstyling, too.) Gladiator II could compete there, too, but its best chance at gold will come in male-coded races like Sound and Visual Effects, where it’s up against Dune: Part Two . As for whether either of these films can follow Oppenheimer ’s path to Oscar glory, a part two or a part one hasn’t won Best Picture since the Godfather films back in the ’70s. So were that to happen, it would certainly be defying pundits’ expectations as well as gravity. Every week between now and January 17, when the nominations for the Academy Awards are announced, Vulture will consult its crystal ball to determine the changing fortunes in this year’s Oscar race. In our “Oscar Futures” column, we’ll let you in on insider gossip, parse brand-new developments, and track industry buzz to figure out who’s up, who’s down, and who’s currently leading the race for a coveted Oscar nomination. Something is happening here, and I do know what it is. While official reviews of James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic are still embargoed, I can tell you that the movie is better than anxious Dylanites may have expected. (If they can get past the fact it’s a very normal film about an abnormal man.) The film’s title isn’t just obeying the rule that says biopics must be named after an album or a famous lyric: To its credit, A Complete Unknown doesn’t try to solve or explain this most elusive of artists. Of course, it helps that Mangold can simply cut to a musical number whenever he wants. The same way Wicked benefits greatly from ending with “Defying Gravity,” this is a film with the equivalent of a dozen “Defying Gravity”s. Before Wicked ’s review embargo lifted, I would often encounter online cynics convinced the movie’s positive buzz was an act of corporate gaslighting by Universal. Not so! Reviews went up this week, and they’re almost as positive as the first wave of influencer reactions. Wicked superfan Richard Lawson says the film “does justice to the spirit of the stage musical, balancing its silliness with its pathos, its magical flights of fancy with its more grounded entreaties about tolerance and decency.” With Wicked on track for a $130-million-plus opening , a Best Picture field that was skewing arthouse looks to have added one more blockbuster to the mix. Anora , The Brutalist , Conclave , Dune: Part Two , Emilia Pérez , Nickel Boys , A Real Pain , September 5 , Sing Sing , Wicked Though Mangold has never been nominated for his direction, he’s steered a number of actors to Oscars recognition, including two winners in Angelina Jolie and Reese Witherspoon. His work on A Complete Unknown is in line with previous efforts: solid, proficient filmmaking that doesn’t draw attention to itself. If he couldn’t get nom’d for Ford v Ferrari , I can’t see Mangold getting in this year. However, I suspect that come March, one of his actors will have snuck inside the Dolby with the Mangold nom again. “Anybody expecting Chu to breathe life into Oz the way Peter Jackson did with Middle-earth in his Lord of the Rings epics will surely be disappointed,” writes our own Bilge Ebiri . But “when Chu does sink his teeth into the numbers, something wonderful can emerge.” If only the Globes had a separate category for Musical/Comedy directors, too. Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez ; Sean Baker, Anora ; Edward Berger, Conclave ; Brady Corbet, The Brutalist ; Denis Villeneuve, Dune: Part Two Slay, Timmy, slay. Chalamet had years to prepare to play Dylan — the project was originally announced in early 2020 — and he put the long delay to good use. At first it’s jarring to hear That Voice come out of That Face, but once you get accustomed to it, it’s hard not to be impressed by the way he immerses himself in the part, laying bare the petulance that lurks underneath Dylan’s genius. I’ve been looking for someone to take the fifth spot in Best Actor. Knowing the Academy’s affinity for music biopics, it may be him, babe. The consensus from those who attended last weekend’s Governors Awards was that Grant brought down the house with a zingy speech introducing honorary Oscar winner Richard Curtis. (“ Would we call it an Oscar?”) He’d probably need to have given Lincoln’s Second Inaugural to have a sniff at getting the Academy to consider his A24 horror film, but maybe there were some Independent Spirit Awards voters in attendance? Adrien Brody, The Brutalist ; Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown ; Daniel Craig, Queer ; Colman Domingo, Sing Sing ; Ralph Fiennes, Conclave No one fared better from the end of the Wicked embargo than Cynthia Erivo. While pundits and influencers gravitated toward the glitter of Grande, actual film critics are drawn to Erivo’s emotional depth. “She is the film’s Rushmore: charismatic, haughty, and vulnerable,” says Peter Bradshaw . “Her face exerts a planetary pull on everything else onscreen and an impossible thing to look away from.” It’s almost as if, without words we communicate with our eyes . A box-office tidbit courtesy of my colleague Joe Reid : Sony Pictures Classics put The Outrun back in nearly 150 screens, hoping to take advantage of the pre-”Wickiator” lull. Even that couldn’t get the Orkney addiction drama to crack the $1 million mark. Can Ronan’s candidacy, er, outpace her film’s underperformance? Cynthia Erivo, Wicked ; Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez ; Angelina Jolie, Maria ; Nicole Kidman, Babygirl ; Mikey Madison, Anora Jackson starred in the original 1987 production of The Piano Lesson , then returned to the play for its 2022 Broadway revival. (Most of whose cast reprises their roles for the film.) Before the season began, everything appeared to be lining up for the veteran to receive his first nomination since Pulp Fiction . But the process of adapting stage to screen robs Jackson’s character of his big moment, our Bilge Ebiri writes: “Presented with intercutting flashbacks, the gist of his story doesn’t lose its power, but the words somehow do. It becomes less about the man telling the story and more about the story itself.” As the movie hits Netflix this weekend, buzz has been dwindling. Norton has a reputation for being somewhat prickly, but the part of Pete Seeger unlocks the actor’s inner dork, which he lets fly for the first time since Moonrise Kingdom . Folkies may quibble with the film’s depiction of Seeger — he symbolizes the hidebound scene disrupted by Dylan — and I don’t know if there’s enough heft here for a nom. But as a human Kermit the Frog, he’s a gee-golly delight. Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain ; Clarence Maclin, Sing Sing ; Guy Pearce, The Brutalist ; Stanley Tucci, Conclave ; Denzel Washington, Gladiator II A newcomer to the cast (she takes over from Broadway’s Danielle Brooks), Deadwyler gives the standout performance in a film that’s been rejiggered to privilege her character’s perspective. “Deadwyler’s electricity powers both her sensual sighs and the defiant speeches she makes,” says Robert Daniels , who proclaims her the film’s “heart and soul.” As with Zoe Saldaña in Emilia Pérez , she’s arguably a co-lead. Still, I think this placement makes sense, since the film is an ensemble piece in which each character takes a turn in the spotlight. After her snub for Till we should never take a Deadwyler nom for granted, but this emphatic work deserves to make the Oscar five. The Dylan biopic has a love triangle in which both women are the Betty. As a fictionalized stand-in for an early Dylan girlfriend, Elle Fanning plays a continuation of her Ginger & Rosa role, a socially conscious, easily wounded activist. But I was most struck by Barbaro, who nails not just Joan Baez’s moral backbone but also her bright, clear soprano. (Full disclosure: She, Chalamet, and I took lessons with the same vocal coach.) A Complete Unknown may share the Anora problem of having two supporting performances that crowd each other out, awards-wise. Nevertheless, for an actress I only know from Top Gun: Maverick , this is a real breakout moment. Danielle Deadwyler, The Piano Lesson ; Ariana Grande, Wicked ; Felicity Jones, The Brutalist ; Saoirse Ronan, Blitz ; Zoe Saldaña, Emilia PérezUND falls at Illinois State to lose a fifth-straight game for the first time since 1986

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Musk and Ramaswamy's DOGE echoes past budget promises that faced big hurdlesWASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Sunday that the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad is a “fundamental act of justice” after decades of repression, but it was “a moment of risk and uncertainty” for the Mideast. Biden spoke at the White House hours after after rebel groups completed a takeover of the country after more than a dozen years of violent civil war and decades of leadership by Assad and his family. The outgoing Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump were working to make sense of new threats and opportunities across the Middle East. Biden credited action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syria’s backers — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He said “for the first time” that they could no longer defend Assad’s grip on power. “Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East,” Biden said, after a meeting with his national security team at the White House. Trump said Sunday that Assad had fled his country, which his family had ruled for decades, because close ally Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, “was not interested in protecting him any longer.” Those comments on Trump’s social media platform came a day after he used another post to decry the possibility of the U.S. intervening militarily in Syria to aid the rebels, declaring, “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT.” The Biden administration had no intention of intervening, according to Biden’s national security adviser. The U.S has about 900 troops in Syria, including forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held northeast to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group. Biden said he intended those for troops to remain, adding that U.S. forces on Sunday conducted “dozens” of what he called “precision air strikes” on IS camps and operations in Syria. The Syrian opposition that brought down Assad is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The Biden administration has designated the group as a terrorist organization and says it has links to al-Qaida, although Hayat Tahrir al-Sham says it has since broken ties with al-Qaida. “We will remain vigilant,” Biden said. “Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses.” He added that the groups are “saying the right things now.” “But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions,” Biden said. Assad’s fall adds to an already tense situation throughout much of region on many fronts, including Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza and its fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump, who takes office Jan. 20, 2025, made a connection between the upheaval in Syria and Russia’s war in Ukraine, noting that Assad’s allies in Moscow, as well as in Iran, the main sponsor of Hamas and Hezbollah, “are in a weakened state right now.” Vice President-elect JD Vance, a veteran of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, wrote on own social media Sunday to express skepticism about the insurgents. “Many of ‘the rebels’ are a literal offshoot of ISIS. One can hope they’ve moderated. Time will tell,” he said, using another acronym for IS. Trump has suggested that Assad’s ouster can advance the prospects for an end to fighting in Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022. Trump wrote that Putin’s government “lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine” and the Republican called for an immediate ceasefire, a day after meeting in Paris with the French and Ukrainian leaders. Daniel B. Shapiro, a deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, said the American military presence will continue in eastern Syria but was “solely to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and has nothing to do with other aspects of this conflict.” “We call on all parties in Syria to protect civilians, particularly those from Syria’s minority communities to respect international military norms and to work to achieve a resolution to include the political settlement,” Shapiro said. “Multiple actors in this conflict have a terrible track record to include Assad’s horrific crimes, Russia’s indiscriminate aerial bomb bombardment, Iranian-back militia involvement and the atrocities of ISIS,” he added. Shapiro, however, was careful not to directly say Assad had been deposed by the insurgents. “If confirmed, no one should shed any tears over the Assad regime,” he said. As they pushed toward the Syrian capital of Damascus, the opposition freed political detainees from government prisons. The family of missing U.S. journalist Austin Tice renewed calls to find him. “To everyone in Syria that hears this, please remind people that we’re waiting for Austin,” Tice’s mother, Debra, said in comments that hostage advocacy groups spread on social media. “We know that when he comes out, he’s going to be fairly dazed & he’s going to need lots of care & direction. Direct him to his family please!” Tice disappeared in 2012 outside Damascus, amid intensification of what became a civil war stretching more than a decade. We’ve remained committed to returning him to his family,” Biden said at the White House. “We believe he’s alive, we think we can get him back but we have no direct evidence to that yet. And Assad should be held accountable.” The president added: “We have to identify where he is.”

Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title when he hit a major league-best .366 for the Atlanta Braves, has died. He was 85. Major League Baseball , the players’ association and the Braves paid tribute to Carty on social media on Sunday. A family friend told Listín Diario — a newspaper in Carty’s native Dominican Republic — that he died Saturday night in an Atlanta hospital. “Carty was one of the first groundbreaking Latino stars in the major leagues, and he established himself as a hero to millions in his native Dominican Republic, his hometown of San Pedro de Macoris, and the city of Atlanta, where he was a beloved fan favorite,” the players' association said in its statement . The Braves said Carty left an indelible mark on the organization. “While his on-field accomplishments will never be forgotten, his unforgettable smile and generous nature will be sorely missed,” the team said in its statement. Carty made his big league debut with the Braves in September 1963. He batted .330 with 22 homers and 88 RBIs in his first full season in 1964, finishing second to Dick Allen in voting for NL Rookie of the Year. The Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta after the 1965 season, and Carty got the franchise's first hit in its new home on April 12, 1966, against Pittsburgh. Carty had his best year in 1970, batting .366 with 25 homers and a career-best 101 RBIs. He started the All-Star Game after he was elected as a write-in candidate, joining Willie Mays and Hank Aaron in the NL outfield. Carty batted .299 with 204 homers and 890 RBIs over 15 years in the majors, also playing for Cleveland, Toronto, Oakland, Texas and the Chicago Cubs. He retired after the 1979 season. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB The Associated Pressroyal casino slots 。

Closing marks second significant acquisition from RA Capital's Raven incubator in 2024, and first acquisition of a company built by Raven from a technology platform in-licensed from a large pharmaceutical company BOSTON , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RA Capital Management, LP (RA Capital), a multi-stage investment manager dedicated to evidence-based investing in public and private healthcare, life sciences, and planetary health companies, today announced that AbbVie has closed its $1.4 billion acquisition of RA Capital's portfolio company Aliada Therapeutics. Aliada's lead investigational asset is ALIA-1758, an anti-pyroglutamate amyloid beta (3pE-Aβ) antibody, which is in development for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial. ALIA-1758 utilizes a novel blood-brain barrier-crossing technology that enhances delivery of targeted drugs into the central nervous system. Johnson & Johnson (through its venture capital arm, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc.), RA Capital, and Raven (RA Capital's healthcare incubator) co-founded Aliada and co-led the series seed financing in 2021 to advance the MODELTM platform created by Johnson & Johnson scientists that was licensed to Aliada at its inception. "Congratulations to the Aliada and AbbVie teams and our fellow investors on the close of this transaction," said Joshua Resnick , MD, Senior Managing Director at RA Capital Management and former board director at Aliada. "The acquisition of Aliada is the second significant acquisition of a Raven-grown company this year, joining Novartis' $1 billion upfront acquisition of radiopharmaceutical developer Mariana Oncology in May." "Delivering therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier with a low-volume, subcutaneous injection would be revolutionary for treating Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders, and has long been a dream in the field," said Laura Tadvalkar , PhD, Managing Director at RA Capital Management and former board chair at Aliada. "We look forward to following ALIA-1758's progress through the clinic, as AbbVie advances this important medicine for Alzheimer's disease patients." About Raven Raven is RA Capital Management's healthcare incubator. Raven's experienced team of scientists, operators, and innovators bring deep sector expertise, insight and executional capabilities across therapeutics, diagnostics, devices, and services. Raven builds companies: from originating and incubating new ideas to accelerating compelling innovations and rejuvenating promising assets. About RA Capital Founded in 2004, RA Capital Management is a multi-stage investment manager dedicated to evidence-based investing in public and private healthcare, life sciences, and planetary health companies. RA Capital creates and funds innovative companies, from private seed rounds to public follow-on financings, allowing management teams to drive value creation from inception through commercialization and beyond. RA Capital's knowledge engine is guided by our TechAtlas internal research division, and Raven, RA Capital's company creation team, offers entrepreneurs and innovators a collaborative and comprehensive platform to explore the novel and the re-imagined. RA Capital has more than 175 employees and over $10 billion in assets under management. The companies presented herein were selected to demonstrate a potential successful outcome of a company being incubated within our Raven incubator. They are not intended to represent a complete picture of RA Capital's portfolio, its exposures, risks or potential for positive or negative returns. Past performance is not indicative of future results. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ra-capital-management-announces-close-of-1-4-billion-acquisition-of-aliada-therapeutics-by-abbvie-302329567.html SOURCE RA Capital Management, LP

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In addition to its technical enhancements, Yuelingxi AI Version 2.5 boasts a revamped user interface that prioritizes usability and accessibility. The updated design not only enhances the overall user experience but also streamlines the process of interacting with the AI platform, making it easier for both novice and experienced users to leverage its capabilities effectively.Transportation management system provider BeyondTrucks teamed with electronic data interchange (EDI) platform Orderful . The collaboration will see BeyondTrucks embed Orderful’s EDI platform into its multi-tenant software-as-a-service (SaaS) transportation management system, according to a Monday (Dec. 23) press release . “EDI of the past is opaque, time-consuming, expensive and just simply outdated,” BeyondTrucks CEO Hans Galland said in the release. “Now with Orderful as our partner, our customers can elect to use the Orderful portal to manage EDI transactions in a rapid intuitive manner for all transactions and all trading partners. We are eliminating the need for a custom integration into BeyondTrucks with each and every partner.” By embedding the EDI platform into BeyondTrucks’ system, the company builds EDI connections between shippers and carriers by converting EDI data via an API , the release said . The integration gives users real-time data synchronization, instant visibility, automated compliance checks and intuitive error handling. In addition, BeyondTrucks fleet customers can access the Orderful portal for visibility into EDI data from shippers. Fleets can view when shippers make changes to load information but don’t communicate them or that information is not passed through to the BeyondTrucks system. “By embedding our platform, BeyondTrucks customers gain real-time visibility and faster connections, eliminating the headaches of traditional EDI and enabling them to operate more efficiently,” Orderful Chief Revenue Officer Jonathan Kish said in the release. The trucking industry is critical to the U.S. economy, moving more than 72% of freight by weight. However, outdated payment methods hurt efficiency, leading companies to search for faster, digital solutions. The PYMNTS Intelligence report “ Fast-Lane Finance: Accelerating Payments in the Trucking Industry ” found that nearly two-thirds of trucking companies manage at least seven different types of freight shipping, each needing separate payment processes. These include trucking, rail and shipping containers, all involving distinct payment methods, creating extra work for accounting teams. “The reliance on manual payment methods is problematic as it increases the risk of errors such as duplicate payments or miscalculated charges,” PYMNTS wrote this month.

tips for casino slots Just about the last thing the need after Week 14 is a date with a Super Bowl contender. But in a year where virtually nothing has gone right for New York, misfortune has proven to be as inevitable as the weekly Saquon Barkley highlight. After losing on Sunday, , to the New Orleans Saints, the Giants’ losing streak reached eight games. Barkley ran for 124 yards. New York remained the laughing stock of the league. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) — When the referee whistled for the free kick just outside the area, Atletico Madrid forward Julián Álvarez quickly picked up the ball and moved in position to take the shot. “When I saw the free kick, I told Rodri (Rodrigo De Paul) that I felt confident with the shot,” Álvarez said. “And it was a great goal.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Clintons urge voters agitated by today's politics to remain involved in public service

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Attorneys for Meta shareholders asked a Delaware judge Monday to sanction the company’s former Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg and fellow Facebook board member and current White House chief of staff Jeff Zients for deleting emails related to the Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal , despite being told to preserve such records. The plaintiff attorneys contend that Sandberg and Zients used personal email accounts to communicate about key issues relating to their 2018 shareholder lawsuit that alleged Facebook officers and directors violated both the law and their fiduciary duties in failing for years to protect the privacy of user data. “Although Sandberg and Zients received a litigation hold requiring them to preserve documents from these accounts, they both knowingly and permanently destroyed electronically stored information from such sources,” attorneys said in a court filing. The plaintiffs say the former board members were either “reckless or intentional” in destroying documents, noting that Sandberg deleted communications to and from her Gmail account after only 30 days, even after being notified of the “litigation hold” to preserve documents. Zients never disabled an auto-delete function on his email account, even though he, too, received a litigation hold and consulted with lawyers, they said. RELATED COVERAGE Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass Meta to build $10 billion AI data center in Louisiana as Elon Musk expands his Tennessee AI facility Australian Parliament bans social media for under-16s with world-first law The plaintiffs argue that Sandberg and Zients should be prohibited from testifying about information they sent or received using their personal email accounts. They also say the burden of proof for any affirmative defense they present should be raised to a standard of “clear and convincing evidence,” instead of the lower standard of a “preponderance” of the evidence. Sandberg was deposed last week. Plaintiff attorney Max Huffman said Zients is “busy” and will be deposed in February “after there’s an effective transition in Washington.” Defense attorney Berton Ashman described the email deletions as “unfortunate” but argued that the plaintiffs have not shown that they were prejudiced in any way. “There’s no intent here to destroy relevant or responsive information,” Ashman told Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster, adding that there no “trove of missing emails.” “There’s no grand scheme or suggestion of bad behavior,” he added. Ashman said the vast majority of emails that Sandberg and Zients sent or received using their personal accounts were also received by other individuals at Facebook. He suggested that any emails that may have been deleted have been made available to the plaintiffs from other sources at Facebook. Huffman, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, said Sandberg does not deserve the benefit of the doubt. “She unilaterally controlled what was kept and what was destroyed,” he told the judge. Laster, who is scheduled to preside over a non-jury trial in April, said he wanted to see a transcript of Sandberg’s deposition before ruling on the motion for sanctions. Last year, the judge rejected a defense motion arguing that the lawsuit should be dismissed because the plaintiffs did not first demand that Facebook’s board take legal action before filing litigation themselves. He agreed with the plaintiffs that such a demand would have been futile because of doubts that a majority of the relevant Facebook board members, many with close personal and business ties to Mark Zuckerberg, would be willing to confront the CEO and founder of the company over its privacy failures. Laster noted that, in deciding on a motion to dismiss, he was required to accept the allegations in the complaint as true. The complaint alleges that Facebook officials repeatedly and continually violated a 2012 consent order with the Federal Trade Commission under which Facebook agreed to stop collecting and sharing personal data on platform users and friends without their consent. Facebook later sold user data to commercial partners in direct violation of the consent order and removed disclosures from privacy settings that were required under consent order, the lawsuit alleges. The company’s conduct resulted in significant fines from regulators in Europe and culminated in the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018. That case involved a British political consulting firm hired by Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign that paid a Facebook app developer for the personal information of tens of millions Facebook users. The fallout led to Facebook agreeing to pay unprecedented $5 billion penalty to settle FTC charges that the company violated the 2012 consent order by deceiving users about their ability to protect their personal information.Ontario passes divisive bill to remove, block certain bike lanesNone

Appeals court rejects emergency bid to ban transgender San Jose State volleyball player from championship tournamentJERUSALEM — The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants began early Wednesday as a region on edge wondered whether it will hold. The ceasefire announced Tuesday is a major step toward ending nearly 14 months of fighting sparked by the ongoing war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. Israel said it will attack if Hezbollah breaks the ceasefire agreement. The ceasefire calls for an initial two-month halt to fighting and requires Hezbollah to end its armed presence in southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops are to return to their side of the border. An international panel led by the United States will monitor compliance. People are also reading... The ceasefire began at 4 a.m. Wednesday, a day after Israel carried out its most intense wave of airstrikes in Beirut since the start of the conflict that in recent weeks turned into all-out war. At least 42 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. Bilal Hussein - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS The ceasefire does not address the devastating war in Gaza, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. There appeared to be lingering disagreement over whether Israel would have the right to strike Hezbollah if it believed the militants had violated the agreement, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted was part of the deal but which Lebanese and Hezbollah officials have rejected. Israel's security Cabinet approved the U.S.-France-brokered ceasefire agreement after Netanyahu presented it, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. In this screen grab image from video provide by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a televised statement Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Jerusalem, Israel. Uncredited - hogp, ASSOCIATED PRESS Israel says it will ‘attack with might’ if Hezbollah breaks truce Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” The ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troopsand U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor compliance. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” A police bomb squad officer inspects the site where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel, Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024. Leo Correa - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire and described it as a crucial step toward stability and the return of displaced people. Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday it had not seen the agreement in its final form. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state," he said, referring to Israel's demand for freedom of action. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Rescuers and residents search for victims Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Beirut, Lebanon. Hassan Ammar, Associated Press Warplanes bombard Beirut and its southern suburbs Even as ceasefire efforts gained momentum in recent days, Israel continued to strike what it called Hezbollah targets across Lebanon while the militants fired rockets, missiles and drones across the border. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in central Beirut — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously were not targeted. Residents fled. Traffic was gridlocked, with mattresses tied to some cars. Dozens of people, some wearing pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed overhead. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said peacekeepers will not evacuate. Israeli soldiers inspect the site Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024, where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel. Leo Correa, Associated Press Israeli forces reach Litani River in southern Lebanon The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah is required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have exchanged barrages ever since. Israel escalated its bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. Israeli security officers and army soldiers inspect the site Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024, where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel. Leo Correa, Associated Press More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut and Federman from Jerusalem. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed. 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PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) — When the referee whistled for the free kick just outside the area, Atletico Madrid forward Julián Álvarez quickly picked up the ball and moved in position to take the shot. “When I saw the free kick, I told Rodri (Rodrigo De Paul) that I felt confident with the shot,” Álvarez said. “And it was a great goal.” Álvarez, , has not been lacking confidence lately. The Argentina forward curled in the free kick shot in the 15th minute for the first of his two goals in the team’s 6-0 rout of Brest in the Champions League on Tuesday — the team’s biggest ever away win in European competitions. “We'll keep rotating who takes the free kicks,” said Álvarez, who also found the net in the 59th. It was Álvarez’s seventh goal in the last 10 matches, and third in his last three games across all competitions. The 24-year-old had a slow start to his first season with Atletico, scoring twice in 10 matches. “It was a matter of time before we started connecting well with each other,” said Álvarez, who joined Atletico after two seasons at Manchester City. “We have to stay on this path to keep improving.” Ángel Correa also scored two goals for Atletico, with Marcos Llorente and Antoine Griezmann adding one each. “We know that in this format of the competition we need to keep adding the three points and scoring goals," Álvarez said. "It's important to get the points and the goals.” Atletico was sitting in 13th place in the 36-team league standings. AP soccer:Maybe it was the host of the UN climate summit in Azerbaijan this month calling oil and gas a .” Or the US, the world’s biggest oil and gas producer, reelecting a president who says “ ” just before the conference. Then again, the biggest outcome — or disappointment, depending on how you look at it — was an incremental increase in the amount of climate aid wealthier nations committed to less affluent countries dealing with the consequences of other people’s pollution. Any way you look at it, the summit (called the Conference of the Parties, or COP) that fizzed out over the weekend was exasperating, particularly for delegates from parts...US special prosecutor drops criminal cases against President-elect Trump