lucky you lyrics Jimmy Carter has died at 100; longest-lived U.S. president

An eight-year-old boy from Charters Towers has become the first child in Queensland to undergo robotic-assisted surgery. Kruze Bott suffered from stomach pain for weeks that would come and go, before an ultrasound revealed one kidney was twice the size of the other. Doctors then discovered he had two ureteropelvic junction obstructions, which stopped urine flowing to his bladder. “Kruze had a blockage of the plumbing system of his kidney,” Mater Private Hospital urologist, Dr Janani Krishnan told 7NEWS. “He had blood vessels crossing the plumbing system, which caused a blockage from the outside, plus he had a blockage on the inside.” She said without intervention the blockages could lead to urinary tract infections and irreversible kidney damage. Kruze was originally due to undergo open surgery, which would have meant a long recovery and a big scar for an active little boy, which his mother, Jade Bott, wasn’t keen on. After being referred to Dr Krishnan, the family was excited to learn the eight-year-old was the perfect candidate for a robotic-assisted pyeloplasty. “She rang and said, ‘Hey there’s a new surgery, can we give it a go on Kruze?” Bott said. “We were thrilled for the opportunity for him to have it.” But while his mother was excited, Kruze admits he was nervous. Paediatric robotic-assisted surgery is performed all over the world in large numbers, but only one had been performed in Australia before this and none in Queensland. The $3.3 million da Vinci XI surgical system was purchased in 2021 by the Mater Foundation, using funds donated by Queenslanders. While almost 1,000 public and private adult patients have undergone surgery using the technology, in a partnership between Mater and Townsville University Hospital, extensive approvals were needed before children could undergo robotic surgery. With support from Cairns Urologist Dr Stefan Antoniou, Dr Krishnan removed the blockage and fixed the ‘plumbing’ of Kruze’s kidneys by taking healthy parts of the ureters and putting them together. She said the robot has better magnification than a laparoscope and she was able to perform the fine suturing required for a pyeloplasty with extreme precision. “He had minimal scarring,” Bott said. “He was up and out of hospital the next day, and a couple of days later you couldn’t even tell he had surgery.” Now fully recovered, Kruze has four small scars and said he was thankful to the doctors and the game-changing surgical technology. “I definitely wouldn’t be able to ride a bike, climb a tree, or swing on rope (if I’d had open surgery).” Dr Krishnan is now eager to set up a curriculum for paediatric robotics across Australia, as a blueprint for other centres to follow. “He was the perfect case and what made it even more so perfect was Jade, his mum, was extremely keen, extremely supportive of this,” she said. “To see him come this far, I’m very grateful that his body has done magic to heal himself well.”OpenAI to partner with military defense tech company

OpenAI to partner with military defense tech company

‘World at dawn of third nuclear age’, armed forces chief warns

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats reelected Chuck Schumer as party leader on Tuesday as the party moves into a deeply uncertain time, with no real consensus on a strategy as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. From left, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., gather after Senate Democratic leadership elections for the next session of Congress on Tuesday in Washington. Schumer faced no opposition in the party leadership elections, in which Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin was also reelected to the No. 2 spot and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar became the new No. 3. In a statement, Schumer, of New York, said he was honored to move the party forward “during this crucial period for our country.” “Our preference is to secure bipartisan solutions wherever possible and look for ways to collaborate with our Republican colleagues to help working families,” Schumer said. “However, our Republican colleagues should make no mistake about it, we will always stand up for our values.” While Schumer remains popular with his colleagues, it is a bleak moment for Senate Democrats, who were hopeful that they could hold the majority for the third election in a row. Instead they lost four seats and will be in the minority, 53-47, as Trump takes office and pressures the Senate to quickly confirm his Cabinet nominees. Unlike eight years ago, when opposition to Trump’s narrow election win fueled enthusiasm in their party, Democratic lawmakers and many of their voters are exhausted and looking for answers. So far, Democrats have stayed relatively quiet on Trump’s nominees and plans for office – a stark contrast from the loud opposition to Trump when he was elected eight years ago. Schumer has declined to comment on specifics of any nominees, instead allowing Republican reaction to dominate the conversation. On Monday, Schumer wrote a public letter to South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the incoming Republican majority leader, asking him to resist Trump’s pressure to allow him to appoint some of his nominees without a Senate vote and to insist on full FBI background checks for all nominees. But he has said little else about Trump’s upcoming presidency. While some have been more aggressive — Washington Sen. Patty Murray, a former chairwoman of the Senate Health, Labor, Education and Pensions Committee, said that Trump’s nomination of Robert Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department is “dangerous” and “nothing short of disaster” — several Democratic senators say they are saving their strength and figuring out a focus. “Everybody’s in kind of a wait-and-see mode right now,” said Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, who is part of Schumer’s leadership team. “Under the previous Trump administration, there was chaos all the time, all the time. And I do think it is important to pick your battles.” It’s still unclear which battles they will pick. And Democrats have differing opinions on how to fight them. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, who is also in Democratic leadership, says that “anyone who has a grand strategy is full of crap,” but thinks that Democrats, for now, “need to keep things simple.” “We need to talk about people, protect people, advocate for people,” Schatz said. “Do not talk about protecting institutions. Do not talk about advocating for institutions. It’s a not just a rhetorical shift, but an attitudinal shift. We have to remind ourselves, that we’re not fighting for programs and projects and line items and agencies or norms. We’re fighting for people.” Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said that he’s spent a lot of time reflecting, and “I don’t think anyone can claim this was a policy election,” and Democrats need to look at cultural issues. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman says Democrats just need to “pace ourselves” and avoid the “massive freakout” of Trump's last term. Democrats should be preparing, says Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal. He says Schumer is picking his battles “very thoughtfully and strategically.” “We’re thinking about how we protect against using the FBI, or the prosecutorial authority of the Justice Department for retribution against critics,” said Blumenthal. “How we elevate these issues in a way that American people understand them.” Democrats know better now, after eight years, “the extraordinary challenges we’re going to face,” Blumenthal said. Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. compete in the ice dance rhythm dance program at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Japan, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae) A discarded plastic bag floats in the waters of Botafogo beach in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) China's President Xi Jinping, left center, and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, walk into the Alvorada palace after attending a welcoming ceremony in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova competes against Great Britain's Katie Boulter during a Billie Jean King Cup semi-final match at Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., closes a door to a private meeting with Vice President-elect JD Vance and Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) A surfer rides on an artificial wave in the river 'Eisbach' at the 'Englischer Garten' (English Garden) downtown in Munich, Germany, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) A woman carries a gift basket as she arrives at a park to attend a friend's birthday party, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Kampala, Uganda. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Tania hugs her brother-in-law Baruc after rescuing some of their belongings from their flooded house after the floods in Paiporta, Valencia, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris looks at a monitor backstage, just before taking the stage for her final campaign rally, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) President-elect Donald Trump listens during an America First Policy Institute gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) A resident returns to his burned village, Monday Nov. 25, 2024, one day after a fire broke out leaving about 2,000 families homeless at a slum area in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Isaac Young rests his cheek on the family horse Rusty's forehead during farm chores before homeschooling, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Sunbury, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Students from anti-discrimination movements attack an Awami League supporter in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu) A young girl holds a "Black Voters for Harris-Walz" sign outside of Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris' election night watch party at Howard University, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams) A man looks from a damaged building a day after it was hit by a rocket fired from Lebanon, in Ramat Gan, central Israel, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) Visitors walk through the 'Cathedral' on the Christmas light trail as it returns for its12th year with a showcase of new installations set within the UNESCO World Heritage Site landscape of Kew Gardens in London, England, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Venezuelan migrant Alvaro Calderini carries his niece across a river near Bajo Chiquito, Panama, after walking across the Darien Gap from Colombia on their way north to the United States, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) An aerial view shows a packed parking lot at Citadel Outlets in Commerce, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, as early Black Friday shoppers arrive at the mall. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Israeli soldiers holding their weapons bathe with residents in a hot water pool coming from a drilling project which exposed a subterranean hydrothermal spring near Mount Bental in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, on the first day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) Voters stand in line outside a polling place at Madison Church, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Phoenix, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York) Molten lava flows on the road to the Blue Lagoon, Grindavik, after the volcanic eruption that started Wednesday, on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Marco di Marco) Firefighters and sheriff's deputies push a vintage car away from a burning home as the Mountain Fire burns in Camarillo, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Supporters of the Frente Amplio (Broad Front) celebrate the victory of candidate Yamandú Orsi in the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) People gather at the site where former Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed by Israeli airstrikes late September during a memorial ceremony in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla) Katia, 11, with her grandmother and mother sit in an armored minivan during en evacuation by the "White Angels" police unit in Kurakhove, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Anton Shtuka) People clean mud from a house affected by floods, in Algemesi, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Cattle stand on a heap of textile waste at the Old Fadama settlement of Accra, Ghana, Oct. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu) Family members accompany the coffin that contain the remains of Mexican actress Silvia Pinal, during a memorial service at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, in Mexico City, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Pinal, an actress from Mexico's Golden Age of cinema in the 1940s and 50s, died Thursday. She was 93. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario) A family arrive to cross into Lebanon through the Jousieh border crossing, between Syria and Lebanon, Nov. 28, 2024, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki) Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Aidan Bouman, Quaron Adams rally South Dakota past Tarleton State 42-31 in FCS second-round duel

In early October this year, Jitendra Pratap Singh, district magistrate at Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district saw a counterfeit water bottle labelled “Billseri” on his table during an official meeting. He immediately ordered a thorough probe and directed the food safety department in Baghpat to verify the authenticity of the mineral water bottles and take action. Upon investigation, the bottles lacked the mandatory FSSAI seal and were traced to a shop in Gauripur Nivada village in Baghpat district. Over 2,600 fake bottles were seized and destroyed, and the warehouse was sealed. The district administration emphasised the responsibility of private firms to prevent brand misuse and warned the public about health risks posed by counterfeit products. This incident sheds light on a growing issue beyond just counterfeit products: the quality and safety of the water we consume. While authorities focus on cracking down on fake brands, there is a broader conversation emerging about the water purification process itself and what we may be losing in the quest for “clean” drinking water. Beyond contamination, even legitimate bottled water may fail to provide the essential nutrients our bodies need. This brings us to a deeper concern about the hidden impact of modern water purification. Omkar Gaonkar, who works on soil and water pollution monitoring, emphasises the critical oversight in the purification process that results in the removal of natural minerals. “When water is bottled and subjected to industrial purification processes, we strip it of essential minerals that our bodies need to function optimally,” he explains. Natural water is rich in minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, which play crucial roles in bodily functions. He elaborates on the specific minerals that are often lost in the purification process. “For instance, magnesium is vital for energy production and muscle function, while calcium is essential for bone health. When these minerals are removed, the water becomes less beneficial,” he warns. This points to a significant dilemma: are we consuming water that merely quenches our thirst but fails to nourish our bodies? As water sommeliers suggest, the perception of ‘pure’ water has led many to overlook the fundamental nature of water’s mineral content. Fatimah Zohra, a nutritionist based in Delhi, echoes this sentiment, stating, “Purified water may quench your thirst, but it does little else for your health. The demineralisation process can lead to deficiencies that manifest in various health issues, from muscle cramps to bone health problems.” Many bottled water companies claim to add minerals back into the water after purification to restore its nutritional value. However, this process isn't perfect. Experts suggest that original water cannot be restored because every water source has a unique composition of minerals. For example, water sourced from Delhi will have a different mineral profile compared to water from another location. This means that even though companies may add minerals back into purified water, the result is not the same as the natural mineral composition. While it is possible to meet standard mineral composition guidelines required for drinking water, this doesn’t necessarily mean the water will provide the same health benefits as its natural form. According to Swapnil Shrivastav, founder of Uravu Labs, while the process of re-mineralising purified water is effective, it’s difficult to achieve a perfect restoration of the water’s original mineral balance. “I don't think a hundred percent restoration of the natural balance is possible,” he explains. Shrivastav emphasises the need to understand the composition of the water before it was purified, stating that, “It's very important to first understand what was there in the natural water to begin with, and then what you are removing and what you're adding back.” The effectiveness of the process can vary, as different natural water sources, such as spring waters, may contain varying levels of minerals like bicarbonates or magnesium. He also points out that the water testing process itself can sometimes be limited, with regular tests only accounting for 28 to 30 parameters, while more detailed tests can identify up to 60 to 100 trace minerals. “There are a lot of these trace minerals that are hard to quantify in regular testing,” Shrivastav adds. However, he asserts that it is possible to closely replicate natural mineral compositions in purified water. Shrivastav highlights that individual preferences and regional practices can also influence perceptions of water quality and mineral content. “In Europe, people drink sparkling water, while in India, most people don’t like it,” illustrating how cultural differences play a role in water consumption habits. Despite these challenges, his startup has managed to achieve significant success in re-mineralising purified water, demonstrating that while the process may not be perfect, it is highly effective in recreating near-natural water quality. The implications of consuming demineralised water extend beyond mere hydration. A recent Israeli study conducted by the Taub Center has raised concerns about the health risks associated with consuming desalinated water, which lacks essential minerals. The study found a correlation between magnesium deficiency and an increase in conditions such as type 2 diabetes and ischemic stroke and even cardiac problems.” “People often overlook the cumulative effect of mineral loss in their diet. Symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and even digestive issues may stem from insufficient mineral intake, particularly magnesium,” Zohra says. Increasing health concerns and unavailability of clean drinking water have led to the growth of the bottled water market in India. The major bottled water brands operating in India are Bisleri, Kinley, and Aquafina. According to the Trade Promotion Council of India, the packaged drinking water bottle market in India was valued at $24 billion in 2019. The market value of bottled water is estimated to reach over 826 billion rupees in 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 14.03 per cent between 2022 and 2030. The drinking water industry in India is regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the IS 14543 standard for packaged mineral water. As Shrivastav points out, “Companies must comply with these standards when selling bottled water; however, there are issues with duplicate and spurious water bottling companies that may not adhere to regulations.” Many manufacturers bypass mandatory BIS certification, leading to the sale of substandard water that lacks essential safety checks. Additionally, there are concerns over the depletion of natural water sources and the environmental impact of plastic waste generated by bottled water. The industry is also facing scrutiny for its over-reliance on purification processes that strip water of essential minerals, raising questions about the health benefits of commercially available water. The urban demand and tourism fuel growth, regulatory enforcement and sustainable practices remain critical to the long-term health of this sector. BIS plays a crucial role in ensuring that licensed manufacturers comply with the established standards for both packaged drinking and mineral water. Microplastics have become a growing concern in bottled water, with several studies revealing their presence in a significant portion of the products. A 2018 study by Orb Media, for instance, found that 93 per cent of bottled water samples from major brands contained microplastics, with an average of 325 plastic particles per litre. These tiny plastic fragments, less than 5 millimetres in size, can enter the water during the bottling process or from the plastic packaging itself. While the long-term health effects of ingesting microplastics are still under research, experts believe they can cause harm by carrying toxic chemicals or by accumulating in the body over time, potentially leading to inflammation or other health issues. The dangers of microplastics extend beyond their immediate health risks. Studies suggest that microplastics can act as carriers for harmful pollutants, such as heavy metals or organic contaminants, which can further exacerbate their toxicity when ingested. Moreover, the plastic pollution created by bottled water production and disposal only adds to the environmental crisis, as millions of tons of plastic waste end up in landfills and oceans each year. With the global consumption of bottled water on the rise, addressing the presence of microplastics in this industry is becoming increasingly urgent for both public health and environmental sustainability. Amidst the growing awareness of these issues, innovative solutions are emerging, Shrivastav and his team at Uravu Labs aim to provide a sustainable source of water that retains its mineral content. “We believe that harnessing moisture from the air can create a sustainable source of water that preserves its natural minerals,” he explains. “Our goal is to create a product that not only quenches thirst but also nourishes the body.” “The idea of extracting water from the air moisture is promising. It addresses both the scarcity of drinking water and the need to retain essential minerals. This could be a game-changer for public health,” says Gaonkar. This shift toward sustainable practices signifies a change in how society views water consumption. “If we can shift the focus to sustainable water sources that maintain their mineral integrity, we can significantly improve public health outcomes,” Shrivastav adds. In a market flooded with bottled water options, transparency is essential. Companies should be held accountable for their claims about mineral content and the health benefits of their products. If companies are adding minerals, they need to be transparent about the types and quantities of minerals they are adding. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs mandates that packaged drinking water labels must clearly display the name of the product, processor's name and address, brand name, batch or code number, date of processing/ packaging, details of any disinfection treatment, expiry date, mandatory ISI mark, MRP, net volume, FSSAI license number, and customer care information. All information on bottled water labels, as with all other food product, should be truthful and substantiated with facts, the International Bottled Water Association states. The journey toward improving our understanding of water consumption has only just begun. As consumers demand better quality water, industries must respond by prioritising both hydration and nutrition. By addressing the critical issue of mineral loss in drinking water, we can pave the way for healthier communities. “Pure water should not just quench our thirst; it should nourish our bodies,” Zohra concludes. The realisation that water is not merely H2O but a vital source of essential minerals reshapes our perspective on hydration. In this age of information, the onus is on consumers to become informed advocates for their health. “We have the power to drive change,”Shrivastav asserts. “If we demand transparency and quality, companies will have no choice but to adapt,” he adds. Natural mineral water is the highest grade of water, it means that the water is microbiologically pure and pristine without the presence of bacteria and other contaminants. It only requires simple filtration to remove sand or any turbidity, but the natural mineral composition is kept intact. Here are the four important minerals our water must contain: ● Calcium: It is important at all ages for healthy growth and bone development ● Magnesium: It is an important element in water as it’s been shown to prevent heart disease ● Sodium: It is more of a double-edged sword; we need a small amount to maintain a balance of water and minerals ● Fluoride: Fluoride is naturally found in water in some areas of the world and intentionally added in others to reduce levels of tooth decay Researchers have discovered bottled water sold in stores can contain 10 to 100 times more bits of plastic than previously estimated. A 2018 research on Synthetic Polymer Contamination in Bottled Water had first detected the existence of micro- and nanoplastics in 93 per cent of samples of bottled water sold by eleven different brands in nine countries. India has an expanding Bottled Water Market valued at USD 3,792.39 million in 2023, and it is expected to reach USD 8,922 million by 2030. Here are a few reasons on why bottled water may not be as healthy as you think it is: ● The water could be sourced from anywhere, it could even be tap water or from a municipal supply ● The common denominator for most is that water is purified through RO(reverse osmosis) along with other processes to increase shelf life ● All bacteria and contaminants are removed from the water to make it safe for consumption. However, the process also removes all the minerals in water ● For every litre of water purified using RO, at least three or more litres is rejected The result is bacteria-free water but it is also completely demineralisedExtendicare Inc. ( OTCMKTS:EXETF – Get Free Report ) declared a dividend on Tuesday, December 24th, investing.com reports. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 1st will be paid a dividend of 0.0282 per share on Wednesday, January 15th. This represents a dividend yield of 4.74%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 31st. Extendicare Stock Performance OTCMKTS:EXETF opened at $7.14 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $7.09 and a 200 day moving average of $6.41. Extendicare has a 52 week low of $4.74 and a 52 week high of $7.80. Extendicare Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Read More Receive News & Ratings for Extendicare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Extendicare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Businesswoman from Uzbekistan included in BBC 100 Women 2024

COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — For a pair of lower-level downhill events, this sure had plenty of Olympic medal-capturing and World Cup-winning ski racers. The stage belonged to Lindsey Vonn, the 40-year-old who took another step on her comeback trail Saturday with her first races in nearly six years. Vonn wasn't particularly speedy and finished in the middle of the pack on a cold but sunny day at Copper Mountain. Times and places weren't the mission, though, as much as getting used to the speed again and gaining the necessary points to compete on the World Cup circuit this season. Vonn accomplished both, finishing 24th in the first downhill race of the day and 27th in the second. She posted on social media after the FIS races that she had enough points to enter World Cup events. The timing couldn't be more perfect — the next stop on the women's circuit is Beaver Creek, Colorado, in a week. Vonn, who used to own a home in nearby Vail, hasn't committed to any sort of timetable for a World Cup return. “Today was a solid start and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again!” Vonn wrote on X. “While I’m sure people will speculate and say I’m not in top form because of the results, I disagree. This was training for me. I’m still testing equipment and getting back in the groove.” Lindsey Vonn reacts after her run at a downhill skiing race at Copper Mountain Ski Resort on Saturday in Copper Mountain, Colo. Her competition — a veritable who's who of high-profile ski racers — applauded her efforts. “I don't expect her to come back and win — just that she comes back and she has fun,” said Federica Brignone of Italy, a former overall World Cup champion and three-time Olympic medalist. “She's having fun, and she’s doing what she loves. That’s the best thing that she could do.” In the first race on a frigid morning, Vonn wound up 1.44 seconds behind the winning time of 1 minute, 5.79 seconds posted by Mirjam Puchner of Austria. In her second race through the course later in the morning, Vonn was 1.53 seconds behind Cornelia Huetter of Austria, who finished in 1:05.99. Huetter is the reigning season-long World Cup downhill champion. “It’s really nice to compare with her again, and nice to have her (racing) again,” Huetter said. “For sure, for the skiing World Cup, we have a lot of more attention. It's generally good for all racers because everyone is looking.” Also in the field were Nadia Delago of Italy, who won a bronze medal in downhill at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and Puchner, the Olympic silver winner in super-G in Beijing. In addition, there was Marta Bassino of Italy, a winner of the super-G at the 2023 world championships, and two-time Olympic champion Michelle Gisin of Switzerland. “For me, it was really a training, but it was fun to have a World Cup race level right here,” Gisin said. “It was a crazy race.” Vonn remains a popular figure and took the time after each run to sign autographs for young fans along with posing for photos. Lindsey Vonn competes in a downhill skiing race at Copper Mountain Ski Resort on Saturday in Copper Mountain, Colo. When she left the sport, Vonn had 82 World Cup race victories, which stood as the record for a woman and within reach of the all-time Alpine record of 86 held by Swedish standout Ingemar Stenmark. The women’s mark held by Vonn was surpassed in January 2023 by Mikaela Shiffrin, who now has 99 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in the history of the sport. Shiffrin is currently sidelined after a crash in a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont, last weekend. Vonn’s last major race was in February 2019, when she finished third in a downhill during the world championships in Sweden. The three-time Olympic medalist left the circuit still near the top of her game. But all the broken arms and legs, concussions and torn knee ligaments took too big a toll and sent her into retirement. She had a partial knee replacement last April and felt good enough to give racing another shot. “It's very impressive to see all the passion that Lindsey still has,” Gisin said. Also racing Saturday was 45-year-old Sarah Schleper, who once competed for the United States but now represents Mexico. Schleper was the next racer behind Vonn and they got a chance to share a moment between a pair of 40-somethings still racing. “I was like, ‘Give me some tips, Lindsey,’” Schleper said. “She’s like, ‘Oh, it’s a highway tuck, the whole thing.’ Then she’s like, ‘It’s just like the good old days.’" Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Canada 'Freedom Convoy' leader found guilty over trucker protest roleChiefs prepare a late holiday surprise for Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce to have a shot at history

Players must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through male puberty to compete in LPGA tournaments or the eight USGA championships for females under new gender policies published Wednesday. The policies, which begin in 2025, follow more than a year of study involving medicine, science, sport physiology and gender policy law. The updated policies would rule out eligibility for Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open this year by one shot and came up short in LPGA Q-school. Davidson, who turned 32 on Tuesday, began hormone treatments when she was in her early 20s in 2015 and in 2021 underwent gender-affirming surgery, which was required under the LPGA's previous gender policy. She had won this year on a Florida mini-tour called NXXT Golf until the circuit announced in March that players had to be assigned female at birth. People are also reading... “Can't say I didn't see this coming,” Davidson wrote Wednesday on an Instagram story. “Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.” LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who is resigning in January, said the new gender policy "is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach." Ross D. Franklin, AP File By making it to the second stage of Q-school, Davidson would have had very limited status on the Epson Tour, the pathway to the LPGA. The LPGA and USGA say their policies were geared toward being inclusive of gender identities and expression while striving for equity in competition. The LPGA said its working group of experts advised that the effects of male puberty allowed for competitive advantages in golf compared with players who had not gone through puberty. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who announced Monday that she is resigning in January. "The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.” Mike Whan, the former LPGA commissioner and now CEO of the USGA, said it developed the updated policy independently and later discovered it was similar to those used by swimming, track and field, and other sports. United States Golf Association CEO Mike Whan said the new policy will prevent anyone from having "a competitive advantage based on their gender." Matt York, AP File “It starts with competitive fairness as the North star,” Whan said in a telephone interview. “We tried not to get into politics, or state by state or any of that stuff. We just simply said, ‘Where would somebody — at least medically today — where do we believe somebody would have a competitive advantage in the field?’ And we needed to draw a line. “We needed to be able to walk into any women's event and say with confidence that nobody here has a competitive advantage based on their gender. And this policy delivers that.” The “Competitive Fairness Gender Policy” for the USGA takes effect for the 2025 championship season that starts with the U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball on May 10-14. Qualifying began late this year, though there were no transgender players who took part. “Will that change in the years to come as medicine changes? Probably,” Whan said. “But I think today this stacks up.” The LPGA “Gender Policy for Competition Eligibility” would apply to the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour and qualifying for the tours. Players assigned male at birth must prove they have not experienced any part of puberty beyond the first stage or after age 12, whichever comes first, and then meet limitation standards for testosterone levels. The LPGA begins its 75th season on Jan. 30 with the Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. Sports Week in Photos: NBA Cup, NFL snow game and more Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Adrian Kraus Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Abbie Parr South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Eric Thayer Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Andy Wong LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Gerald Herbert South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Themba Hadebe Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Godofredo A. Vásquez Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Andreea Alexandru Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Lindsey Wasson Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Asanka Brendon Ratnayake Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Andy Wong Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Robert F. Bukaty New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Julia Demaree Nikhinson Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Pat Hoelscher Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Ed Zurga Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Natacha Pisarenko England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Kirsty Wigglesworth Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Ng Han Guan Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Abbie Parr Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Robert F. Bukaty Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Stephanie Scarbrough Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Bruna Prado New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Julia Demaree Nikhinson Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter

ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” the center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A president from Plains A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. And then, the world Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors . He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” ‘An epic American life’ Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners . He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. A small-town start James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian , would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. 'Jimmy Who?' His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Accomplishments, and ‘malaise’ Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. 'A wonderful life' At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015 . “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” ___ Former Associated Press journalist Alex Sanz contributed to this report.THIBODAUX, La. (AP) — Byron Ireland's 22 points helped Nicholls State defeat New Orleans 73-70 on Saturday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * THIBODAUX, La. (AP) — Byron Ireland's 22 points helped Nicholls State defeat New Orleans 73-70 on Saturday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? THIBODAUX, La. (AP) — Byron Ireland’s 22 points helped Nicholls State defeat New Orleans 73-70 on Saturday. Ireland had seven rebounds for the Colonels (6-4, 2-0 Southland Conference). Trae English scored 18 points while shooting 7 for 13 (1 for 5 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line. Robert Brown III shot 3 for 6 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line to finish with 10 points. The Privateers (2-6, 0-1) were led by Michael Thomas, who recorded 16 points and nine rebounds. James White added 15 points for New Orleans. NEXT UP Nicholls State next plays Tuesday against Southern University at New Orleans at home, and New Orleans will visit Iowa on Sunday. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement

Nagpur Police investigating a racket involved in converting the Rs 2,000 denomination banknotes on commission, which were withdrawn from circulation by RBI, were baffled when the trail stopped with a peanut seller, leading to his arrest along with three others. One of the accused, Nandalal Maurya , sells peanuts and other snacks on a pushcart in the Samvidhan Square area where the Reserve Bank office and Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan are situated. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for Maurya used to hire poor men and women on commission to exchange bank notes of Rs 2,000 denomination. They used to submit their Aadhaar card details to RBI for legally exchanging these banknotes with Rs 500 currency, an official said on Sunday. Three other arrested persons are identified as Rohit Bawne (34), Kishore Bahoriya (30), and Anil Jain (56), who hails from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, believed to be the kingpin of the crime. On May 19, 2023, the RBI announced the withdrawal of Rs 2,000 denomination banknotes from circulation. The official said the police acted on a tip-off that Jain engaged Maurya in operating the racket after collecting the Rs 2,000 denomination bank notes from various "customers" based in different locations. Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program "Jain promised Maurya Rs 200 each for converting 10 notes of Rs 2,000 into Rs 500 currency notes," he said. Maurya visited the RBI office at Samvidhan Square and successfully exchanged 10 notes of the Rs 2,000 currency. After learning the process, he began hiring poor men and women and offered them a daily commission of Rs 300 for exchanging the banknotes at the RBI. Police raided Maurya's place on Saturday and recovered Rs 60,000 cash, including 120 notes of Rs 500 denomination. Police also found Rs 62,500, including a Rs 2,000 note and 120 notes of Rs 500 denomination, in Bawne's possession, and Rs 80,000, including 160 notes of Rs 500 denomination from Bahoriya. According to the initial investigation, the accused were operating under the instructions of Anil Jain, who allegedly possessed a large amount of demonetised currency, the official added. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )After a full Saturday shuttling her two kids to football and play-dates across Manhattan, Neha Ruch, 39, finally carved out a few precious minutes to exercise at 6.15pm. She didn’t even bother to change clothes before hopping onto her elliptical machine in a closet-turned-home-gym. After 15 minutes, the interruptions started. First, her husband poked his head in – their daughter was pleading for her to say good night. No problem, Ruch thought. She sat with her daughter for a while and then came back to the machine. But just as she was breaking a sweat, her son wandered over, asking for help finding something to do. She sighed and turned off the machine. “I had left the door wide open,” she said. After helping him, she surrendered to the couch. It’s a story that’s played out in millions of homes, as women feel pulled between taking care of themselves and taking care of family. In one recent study of 400,000 Americans, only 33 per cent of women met weekly recommendations for aerobic exercise, as opposed to 43 per cent of men. Other studies, including a 2017 study of 147 countries , have confirmed this phenomenon across ages and demographics. Experts say this exercise gender gap has a lot to do with the disproportionate amount of time and labour women devote to caring for the home and for others. It’s also consistent with research suggesting that, on the whole, women tend to prioritise other people’s health above their own, experts said. “They make the time for themselves when there is no one else to be taken care of,” said Stephanie Roth-Goldberg, a clinical social worker and therapist in New York. Among her patients, the attitude is, “Where can I sneak this in?” she said. Over time, this exercise shortfall can have serious implications on women’s health and quality of life . While women live an average of six years longer than men, they spend a greater percentage of their lives in poor health, suffering from conditions like heart disease, diabetes or depression. And yet a 2024 paper suggests that, compared to men, they may benefit more from the same dose of exercise. “Doing something was better than nothing for both,” said Dr Martha Gulati, the study’s co-author and the associate director of the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai Hospital. But, for reasons not fully understood, “women get more bang for their buck”. The gender gap starts in childhood, and the older we get, the harder it is to close, according to researchers. For example, starting in their tweens, young men still generally have greater access to sports facilities and athletic opportunities than young women, said Melissa Bopp, a professor of kinesiology at Penn State University who studies exercise and gender. In 2019 , about 3.4 million girls played high school sports, more than a million fewer than boys. As a result, she said, more men than women enter adulthood feeling confident in their physical abilities and comfortable in settings like gyms and weight rooms. Women also report feeling less safe when exercising, she added, and report much higher rates of harassment than men. Even when they do feel comfortable, women may not always experience the same emotional benefits. “Men often report that they’re exercising because they actually enjoy it,” Dr Gulati said, while research suggests that women are more likely to work out for appearance reasons, such as losing weight , which can make it less of a stress reliever . “If we don’t find joy, we won’t necessarily carve out time for it.” Experts say the greatest barrier to exercise for many women is free time – specifically, social norms informing how women should spend it , and the division of labour at home . Women, on average, have 13 per cent less free time than men, according to a 2024 report, primarily because they shoulder more unpaid household work. The report also found the group with the least amount is 35- to 44-year-old women, who have an hour less daily free time than their male counterparts. Even in homes where men and women share domestic responsibilities, women often find themselves with less control over their time, said Eve Rodsky, a writer and activist . When researching her book Fair Play, which offers solutions for more equitable divisions of labour, Rodsky interviewed 500 couples and found that men tended to take on responsibilities that they could plan around their work and leisure schedules, such as mowing the lawn or making home repairs. Women were more likely to shoulder tasks that had to be completed around other people’s schedules, she said, such as making kids’ lunches before school or cooking dinner. A 2023 survey found that only 4 per cent of mothers considered their own health as a measure of their success, while 31 per cent saw their children’s health in these terms. For some women, having to plan their workouts around other people’s needs can mean sacrificing sleep, Roth-Goldberg said, or social opportunities. “The roles that we typically play in our household aren’t going to shift just because we decide to run a marathon.” But even with these sacrifices, making time to move in a way that boosts your physical and mental health is often worth it, she added. One way to move more is to find a workout buddy. “For women in particular, having someone to exercise with is very important,” Dr Bopp said. Not only can it create accountability , she said, but it can also “help make you feel more comfortable in an exercise space”. Another trick, if you struggle putting your desire to exercise ahead of other people’s needs, is to reframe physical activity as being a part of your caregiving, Dr Bopp said. In other words: “Take care of yourself so you can take care of others,” she said. Lastly, remember that any movement is better than no movement, and grabbing a few minutes for yourself throughout the day can have a big impact over time, Dr Gulati said. And perhaps most important, experts said, celebrate the movement you are able to fit in. Among the couples she interviewed, Rodsky found that the women who successfully kept up long-term exercise routines were the ones who showed themselves compassion for ebbs and flows along the way. As for Ruch, who founded an advocacy group for women who choose to pause their careers after children, she’s working on “feeling good about the ‘good enough’ workout. For right now.” By Danielle Friedman © The New York Times Company The article originally appeared in The New York Times .I am obviously gutted for the boys because they put in a hell of a shift, a big improvement from Saturday and we have just played the best team, or one of the best teams in the league. They have quality everywhere, they are strong, they don't give up, they kept going and going and going. I don't think we got the rub of the green tonight, from the ref. I am not blaming him and I will be careful what I say, but we were told there was 45 seconds added on. I don't know why because there is only 30 seconds added on for a substitution. They score on 93min and 54 seconds, they'll come out with the excuse now of it being a minimum of three minutes, but it was way over. It was three minutes added. It's really frustrating because they are a team that don't need any extra help, so I am a bit disappointed it's like that. If we'd been the ones to score late and got the draw, it would have felt like a win, so I am a little bit frustrated and annoyed, but I am proud of my players tonight because they have just gone against a team with a budget three times ours, a big club going for promotion, slinging everything at it and they are littered with good players, so I am more than proud of my boys tonight. I thought Joe (Day) was brilliant, comfortable, mopping up everything he had to do. A lot of it was straight at him and it is a hell of a strike, but Ronan (Curtis) was playing for Portsmouth and he is a very, very good player. As much as I have mentioned the referee, we have to look at ourselves as well. We have missed a header, misjudged, then we have allowed him to cut in on his right foot, then we have left somebody who has a lot of quality, with a bit too much space on the edge of the box. Things we can learn from are that we took a goal kick on 93 minutes and 36 seconds I think it was, can we just boot it over the stand? Little things like that because that is 12 points now we've thrown away and that would make us second, or third on goal difference. You can see where my frustration is. Of course, but we have won our fair share with late goals as well. I have to give Port Vale some credit as well because they didn't stop. Even though they didn't hit the target much, they kept knocking on the door. We have to be more savvy and switched on, to stop that happening, giving them an opportunity to get a shot off in those kind of timings of the game. I always look at myself and the team first and they did get a helping hand tonight. No because I don't think they are all going at the end of games. It's nothing to do with fitness, you can see them all running non-stop, the boys are giving their all, we have won a few late on too. We are making changes, bringing on experience with Tom Pett and Matty Taylor, but Levi Laing has been out for a while, so it is what it is. We can't bring the likes of Ronan Curtis on, we can't afford those luxuries, which makes me even prouder of the players we have got because they are really giving everything and doing what they can. It was chalk and cheese. It winds me up a bit because I know the importance of the finances for the football club and we didn't turn up on Saturday, we know that. We lost the game and as fate would have it, they go and draw Man City away. I did text Karl Robinson last night and said I hope it's 16-0! We spoke after the game and I wished him luck of course because he's one of the good lads. I can have that kind of message with him. But the draw for the lower league games and I've been on the other end of it when we've had a good draw and it's made the club a lot of money, so to see teams like Bromley going to Newcastle, Morecambe going to Chelsea, Accrington going to Liverpool, it's been a good draw in terms of the League Two clubs. I am not one of these who is bitter and I am glad that they have something we didn't end up achieving. Yes and I have said it on Saturday, when we do come off it and we are not at our best, we tend to get beaten. We could have played better tonight, to be honest, but our energy was there, determination, we won a lot of duels. I saw a quote about having all the tactics and technique and go through everything as a manager, but if you don't win your individual duels, your first and second balls, that all goes out of the window. That's at the top of the game and it is no different at our level. I don't care where they are from, or if it hits him on the back of the head and went in because usually we could see that out when it gets so late. It's just a miskick from them, that goes over the top and I don't think he actually meant to do that. It was frustrating and it's gone against us, but they are a very strong team and would we have taken a point before? Possibly. I don't mean this to be disrespectful, but they are bringing in Ben Heneghan, who has played at Sheffield Wednesday and in the Championship and we are getting Ibra, who was on trial looking for a club. That's where we're at, two different ends of the spectrum. I have a lot of respect for the efforts the players are giving me. They are giving their all, they are a good group and I have to keep on top of them because they are learning the game. Stubbs was brilliant, Youngy (Luke Young), Liam Kinsella, Tom Bradbury had a good game I thought, Joe Day was quality and a calming influence, but you get that with experience because they know how to see out these games. The younger ones like Ethan (Archer) and Jordan (Thomas), in flashes they were dangerous and good, but they have a bit of a lapse, even Joel (Colwill) I thought was in and out of the game tonight. But they have definitely got bright futures and they are learning their trade so to speak to with us and I am sure they will go on and have very good careers, as long as they keep learning. I thought they were going to go 3-4-3 to be honest. They were more a 3-5-2, their rotations are good and their touch is good, so when the ball is going up to the strikers, they are linking it, which allows their wing-backs to push higher. They are a good team. I said to the players and I hope Darren doesn't take this the wrong way, but I don't think they are great at anything, but they are good at everything - that's Port Vale I would say. They are a well-oiled machine and whoever finishes above them will go up automatically. No, because it was one of those games. They have some injuries, but they are almost spoiled for choice. We have to carry on, dust ourselves down and I can't emphasise how proud I was of the players tonight. I do feel hard done by with the goal that has gone in, way over the added time. It is weeks more than months and there is no major structural damage to the ligaments. We will now have to see how quickly the swelling goes down and the bone bruising is pain free. I am glad we had a bit of good news on that because not only would he be a big miss, it would have killed us in January because when we are having to wheel and deal, another injury out that we can't replace because of the finances would really hurt us. I am trying my hardest and the players are trying their hardest not to get injured!

On Jimmy Carter’s Deep and Historic Connection With Musicians: Why He Is Remembered as the ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll President’Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 ATLANTA (AP) — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent more than a year in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife Rosalynn then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said he died peacefully Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’ PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — The 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, James Earl Carter Jr., died Sunday at the age of 100. His life ended where it began, in Plains, Georgia. He left and returned to the tiny town many times as he climbed to the nation’s highest office and lost it after four tumultuous years. Carter spent the next 40 years setting new standards for what a former president can do. Carter wrote nearly a decade ago that he found all the phases of his life challenging but also successful and enjoyable. The Democrat's principled but pragmatic approach defied American political labels, especially the idea that one-term presidents are failures. The Latest: Former President Jimmy Carter is dead at age 100 Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. He left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Jimmy Carter: A brief bio Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died at his home in Plains, Georgia. His death comes more than a year after the former president entered hospice care. He was 100 years old. Jetliner skids off runway and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. Officials said all but two of the 181 people on board were killed Sunday in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters. The 737-800 operated by Jeju Air plane arrived from Bangkok and crashed while attempting to land in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Seoul. Footage of the crash aired by South Korean television channels showed the plane skidding across the airstrip at high speed, evidently with its landing gear still closed. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east HOUSTON (AP) — A strong storm system is threatening to whip up tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Southeast, a day after severe weather claimed at least two lives as twisters touched down in Texas and Mississippi. Strong storms moving eastward Sunday are expected to continue producing gusty, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes through Sunday. That is according to National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira. So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, Pereira said, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed. Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli hospital says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery. Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center said his prostate was removed late Sunday and that he was recovering. Netanyahu’s office had said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Doctors ordered the operation after detecting an infection last week. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. Syria's de facto leader says it could take up to 4 years to hold elections BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s de facto leader has said it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans on dissolving his Islamist group that led the country’s insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview Sunday. That's according to the Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad’s decades-long rule, ending the country’s uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011. A fourth infant dies of the winter cold in Gaza as families share blankets in seaside tents DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fourth infant has died of hypothermia in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by nearly 15 months of war are huddled in tents along the rainy, windswept coast as winter arrives. The baby's father says the 20-day-old child was found with his head as “cold as ice” Sunday morning in their tent. The baby’s twin brother was moved to the intensive care unit of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father says the twins were born one month premature and spent just a day in hospital, which like other Gaza health centers has been overwhelmed and only partially functions. Musk causes uproar for backing Germany's far-right party ahead of key elections BERLIN (AP) — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in an early election on Feb. 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s stagnant economy. Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag, published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD.

Faye's 19 help Western Kentucky defeat Evansville 79-65

New images appear to show suspected UnitedHealthcare CEO killer in back of taxi

Scammers are a determined, creative bunch, and they’re hard to catch. Scammers will sometimes even trip up trained professionals. Many of us have received text messages claiming there’s a problem with either a U.S. Postal Service or UPS delivery. The best thing to do is to immediately delete those messages. But Eagle County Sheriff James van Beek received one of those messages very early one morning a few days after sending a package to relatives overseas. He followed the link, and about the time he’d finished his first cup of coffee, quickly canceled the card he used to try to “correct” what was ultimately a scam. But that’s how easy it is to fall for some of these schemes. “Sometimes people are using our numbers,” van Beek said, who added that his office receives scam reports “multiple times a week.” One of the most recent calls was from someone reporting a call that claimed a resident had failed to appear in “federal court in Eagle,” van Beek said. There is no such facility. Vail Police Chief Ryan Kenney said many scam calls are generated overseas. That means the information technology element of tracing those calls is “extremely challenging,” he said. Then there’s the jurisdictional component. Searching internet service providers in different countries, and even for different domestic banks, requires separate search warrants, Kenney said. Following a money trail also takes separate warrants, he noted. “Everything is manpower intensive,” Kenney said. And with only two full-time detectives, along with another officer who rotates in and out of that role, there aren’t a lot of hours to devote to those cases. Still, Kenney added, detectives take those cases “as far as we can.” Recovering lost money is difficult, at best. Avon Police Chief Greg Daly’s officers did recover some cash in a case he called “unique.” That case got the FBI involved and actually resulted in an arrest. Daly said the suspect sent an email, persuading the victim that his bank account had been compromised. Ultimately, the victim was persuaded to give cash to someone posing as an agent of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. That “agent” was then arrested in possession of the cash and is currently free on bond. “Our FBI partners told us this is happening more often” since cash is essentially untraceable, Daly said. Daly noted that many scammers “have degrees from scammer university,” and know exactly how to present themselves. But that doesn’t always work, depending on who’s on the other end of the phone. One potential victim, who’d been told to buy Walmart gift cards, was cautioned against it by the cashier at the store. At Avon’s police headquarters, a call from the scammer came in. Daly, who’s Irish, answered, and doing his best Liam Neeson impression, went into the actor’s soliloquy from “Taken” — “I have a certain set of skills ... I will find you...” That ended the call. Not long after taking office, van Beek answered the office phone and fielded a call from someone claiming to be one of his detectives. That didn’t end well, either. But, van Beek said, “The guy had it down. It would have convinced anyone else.” In addition to those calls, scammers are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence to copy the voices of either yourself or your loved ones. Daly said “99.999%” of those calls are scams, and the best advice is to call the police. To avoid having your voice cloned, local police are advising changing the way we answer our phones. When van Beek answers a call from an unknown number, he’ll say “Hello.” When asked if it’s him, he’ll then ask who’s calling. Kenney’s even more vague. “If it’s not a number you know, don’t even say ‘hello,'” he said. “It’s just safer.”NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers formally asked a judge Monday to throw out his hush money criminal conviction , arguing continuing the case would present unconstitutional “disruptions to the institution of the Presidency.“ In a filing made public Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers told Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that dismissal is warranted because of the “overwhelming national mandate granted to him by the American people on November 5, 2024.” They also cited President Joe Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted of tax and gun charges . “President Biden asserted that his son was ‘selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,’ and ‘treated differently,’" Trump’s legal team wrote. The Manhattan district attorney, they claimed, engaged in the type of political theater "that President Biden condemned.” Prosecutors will have until Dec. 9 to respond. They have said they will fight any efforts to dismiss the case but indicated a willingness to delay the sentencing until after Trump’s second term ends in 2029. Former President Donald Trump walks to make comments to members of the news media May 30 after a jury convicted him of felony crimes for falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York. In their filing Monday, Trump's attorneys dismissed the idea of holding off sentencing until Trump is out of office as a “ridiculous suggestion.” Following Trump’s election victory last month, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed his sentencing, previously scheduled for late November, to allow the defense and prosecution to weigh in on the future of the case. He also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier. He says they did not and denies wrongdoing. Taking a swipe at Bragg and New York City, as Trump often did throughout the trial, the filing argues that dismissal would also benefit the public by giving him and “the numerous prosecutors assigned to this case a renewed opportunity to put an end to deteriorating conditions in the City and to protect its residents from violent crime.” Clearing Trump, the lawyers added, also would allow him to “to devote all of his energy to protecting the Nation.” The defense filing was signed by Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, who represented Trump during the trial and since were selected by the president-elect to fill senior roles at the Justice Department. A dismissal would erase Trump’s historic conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office. Trump takes office Jan. 20. Merchan hasn’t set a timetable for a decision. Merchan could also decide to uphold the verdict and proceed to sentencing, delay the case until Trump leaves office, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court or choose some other option. Prosecutors cast the payout as part of a Trump-driven effort to keep voters from hearing salacious stories about him. Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels. Trump later reimbursed him, and Trump’s company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses — concealing what they really were, prosecutors alleged. Trump pledged to appeal the verdict if the case is not dismissed. He and his lawyers said the payments to Cohen were properly categorized as legal expenses for legal work. A month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for official acts — things they did in the course of running the country — and that prosecutors can’t cite those actions to bolster a case centered on purely personal, unofficial conduct. Trump’s lawyers cited the ruling to argue that the hush money jury got some improper evidence, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form, testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made during his first term. Prosecutors disagreed and said the evidence in question was only “a sliver” of their case. If the verdict stands and the case proceeds to sentencing, Trump’s punishments would range from a fine to probation to up to four years in prison — but it’s unlikely he’d spend any time behind bars for a first-time conviction involving charges in the lowest tier of felonies. Because it is a state case, Trump would not be able to pardon himself once he returns to office. Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes. Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as Melania Trump looks on at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican Presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives with former first lady Melania Trump and son Barron Trump at the Palm Beach County Convention Center during an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump visits his campaign headquarters, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican Presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives with =former first lady Melania Trump and son Barron Trump at the Palm Beach County Convention Center during an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump walk after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, with Melania Trump and Barron Trump, arrives to speak at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, joined by, from right, Melania Trump and Barron Trump, arrives to speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump walk after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.

Need some assistance with NYT Strands today? Today's theme — "Find your people" — isn't too tough, but the spangram itself is rather tricky to find. Below, we've compiled some useful hints for Strands #278, as well as the answers, should it come to that. We'll start off with some clues, before building up to the full answer for Strands #278, so read on if you need a little help. Warning: Spoilers lie ahead for Strands #278. Today's NYT Strands answer — Today's theme and hints The official theme for NYT Strands #278 is... "Find your people". And here's an unofficial hint from me: "By association". If you're still in the dark, here are some useful words to give you those valuable clue tokens: Still struggling? The spangram will give you a hint about the connection word. Today, it starts with 'F' and ends with 'P'. Scroll down to find out what it is... It's FELLOWSHIP. Today's Strands answers So, what are today's Strands answers for game #278? Drumroll, please... ...and the spangram was FELLOWSHIP. Strands #278 “Find your people” 💡🔵🔵🔵 🔵🔵🔵🔵 🟡 Hi Strands fans. A nice and easy one, once you get an answer on the board, though the spangram is one of those tricky ones that forms a circle (ironically and possibly intentionally around the word CIRCLE). Unfortunately, the theme of "Find your people" was a bit too obtuse for me to figure out right away, and I had to use a clue. When it revealed CLUB, I was kicking myself, but I now had a hitlist of likely words to look for. I duly found SOCIETY in the bottom left and GROUP above it at the top. BUNCH was neatly tucked beneath SOCIETY, and CROWD was to the right of GROUP. With this, I was finally able to figure out how the 'Q' on the right-hand side fit in: it was part of CLIQUE. I then spotted CIRCLE in the middle of the board, meaning I just had to follow the ring around it to spell out the spangram. No, it wasn't HIPFELLOWS. It was, in fact, FELLOWSHIP. Yesterday's Strands answers Reading this in a later time zone? You can find the full article on yesterday's Strands answers for game #277 right here .philucky07 。

Reviewers slam Pa. McDonald’s after worker tip leads to arrest in CEO killing

Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa are not available for the San Francisco 49ers when they enter Green Bay with designs on finding their finishing kick on Sunday afternoon. Purdy is out with a right shoulder injury and won't leave the sideline at Lambeau Field, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday, when he also declared Bosa out and confirmed journeyman Brandon Allen would make his 10th career start at quarterback. "Outside of here people haven't seen a lot of Brandon. But it's his second year (with the 49ers)," Shanahan said. "Obviously guys want Brock up, but guys are excited to see Brandon play." Shanahan said the 49ers are "a little surprised" Purdy experienced tightness and discomfort in his shoulder after an MRI exam on Monday that showed no long-term cause for concern. "The way it responded this week, it's really up in the air for next week," Shanahan said of Purdy's long-term prognosis. Allen's last NFL start on the road was with the Bengals at the Ravens in 2020. Allen completed 6 of 21 passes for 48 yards with two interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 0.0 in a 38--3 loss. "It's definitely an opportunity for me to go out and play well and put our guys in a good position to win the game," Allen said Friday. "And obviously we want Brock back and healthy and all that, but for time being, it is an opportunity for me." Purdy took the practice field Thursday with the intent to participate. His shoulder tightened significantly, and the 49ers ushered him off the field to meet with trainers. Purdy beat the Packers in the NFC divisional playoffs at San Francisco in January, but Allen is familiar to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. LaFleur was an assistant coach with the Rams during Allen's two-year run in Los Angeles. Allen broke into the NFL in 2016 with the Jaguars and is 2-7 in nine career starts. He went 1-2 with the Broncos in 2019 and 1-5 in six starts over two years with the Bengals in 2020 and ‘21. A victory against the visiting 49ers on Sunday would bolster the Packers' playoff chances, send a conference rival below .500 and avenge a bitter playoff defeat. Those seemingly rank in no particular order for the Packers (8-3), although they don't shy from living at least partially in the past ahead of a Week 12 showdown. San Francisco eliminated Green Bay 24-21 in the NFC divisional playoffs last season, scoring 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. "That's what you've got to sit with all offseason, is going back, watching the game, trying to see what you could have done better," Packers quarterback Jordan Love said. "What you could have done differently in that game. ... Just knowing that's the team that knocked us out, we're definitely hungry for this game." Ditto for San Francisco. The 49ers fell to 5-5 after last week's 20-17 home loss to Seattle, done in by Geno Smith's 13-yard touchdown run with 12 seconds to play. Still only a game behind NFC West-leading Arizona, the reigning conference champion 49ers are just 1-3 in division play and can ill afford to lose more ground. A visit to AFC East leader Buffalo awaits after the trip to Green Bay. While they're dealing with plenty of not-so-good news on the injury front, the 49ers do anticipate the return of other contributors. Cornerback Charvarius Ward, who missed the past two games following the death of his 1-year-old daughter, practiced Wednesday. Tight end George Kittle also is eager to play after a nagging hamstring injury sidelined him against the Seahawks. "Very excited," Kittle said. "Can't pass up playing the Packers, so no, I will be out there for sure." Allen was a three-year starter at Arkansas but has been a journeyman backup since entering the NFL in 2016 as the 201st overall pick of the Jaguars. Shanahan and LaFleur have been fierce competitors since twice working together, first as low-level assistants with the Texans in 2008, then on the so-called "dream team" staff in Washington that also included Sean McVay, Mike McDaniel and Raheem Morris; and two seasons with the Falcons (2015, 2016) where LaFleur was quarterbacks coach and Shanahan called the plays. Shanahan scored the most recent win over LaFleur in January. Green Bay has won seven of the past eight regular-season meetings between the franchises. But the familiarity and shared-brain approach to offense that has the coaches completed each other's play calls has led to some tight games. The past three at Lambeau Field were all decided by three points. Green Bay, which hosts a home game on Thanksgiving next Thursday, is starting a run of three games in 12 days. They'll play back-to-back Thursday games. Their Week 14 game is at Detroit. That might make it good news for LaFleur that surprising contributors have emerged of late. Packers wideout Christian Watson had a career-best 150 receiving yards on only four catches during last week's 20-19 road win against the Chicago Bears. His diving 60-yard reception in the fourth quarter put the Packers in position for Love's go-ahead, 1-yard scoring run with 2:59 to play. Watson entered the game with eight catches for 83 yards over his previous three contests, but LaFleur assured Watson remains a "big part" of the attack. "He's a guy who's got every measurable known to man in terms of the size, the speed, and it's not like those were easy plays he was making," LaFleur said. "He was making tough, contested catches." San Francisco will aim to generate more pressure against Love than the Bears, who sacked him just once. The 49ers collected four sacks against the Seahawks, with Bosa and Leonard Floyd contributing 1.5 apiece. Recent regular-season history between the Packers and 49ers at Lambeau Field has favored Green Bay. The Packers have won seven of their past eight home games against the 49ers and are 22-11 versus San Francisco at home all-time. Green Bay leads the series 34-28-1. --Field Level MediaUnai Emery explains what Morgan Rogers must improve after signing new Aston Villa contractThe Nigerian All-Share Index (ASI) wrapped up trading on December 5, 2024, on a slightly negative note, retreating by 60.88 points to close at 98,114.11. Despite maintaining its position just above the 98,000-threshold, the index recorded a modest decline of 0.06%, signaling a minor pullback even as market activity showed signs of life. In a notable turn, trading volume surged significantly, with a total of 722 million shares changing hands — a robust 38.52% increase compared to the previous session. Related Stories Market Wrap: All-Share Index climbs 472.43 points to 98,174.99 as GOLDBREW leads gainers, SUNUASSUR tops losers Market Wrap: All-Share Index gains 487.24 points as VITAFOAM leads gainers, PRESTIGE tops losers Market capitalization held steady at an impressive N59.4 trillion, buoyed by 8,495 individual transactions throughout the day. Among the day’s top performers, UPL led the charge with a 10.00% surge, closely followed by CORNERST, which also gained 10.00%. STERLINGNG rounded off the top three with a strong 9.98% increase. On the flip side, REDSTAREX led the losers, shedding 10.00% of its value, with FTNCOCOA following closely behind, dropping by 5.61%. In terms of trading activity, CHAMPION and FIDELITYBK emerged as the day’s most actively traded stocks, capturing the market’s attention with substantial volumes. Current ASI: 98,114.11 points Previous ASI: 98,174.99 points Day Change: +0.06% Year-to-Date Performance: +31.21% Volume Traded: 722.9 million shares Deals: 8,495 UPL: up 10.00% to N3.96 CORNERST: up 10.00% to N3.30 STERLINGNG: up 9.98% to N4.85 SUNUASSUR: up 9.98% to N4.63 GOLDBREW: up 9.84% to N4.91 REDSTAREX: down 10.00% to N4.41 FTNCOCOA: down 5.61% to N1.85 NPFMCRFBK: down 3.23% to N1.50 NEIMETH: down 2.78% to N2.10 PRESTIGE: down 2.50% to N0.78 On December 5, 2024, the Nigerian equities market experienced a significant uptick in trading activity, with volume rising by 38.52%. A total of 722 million shares exchanged hands, up from 521 million shares in the previous session. CHAMPION dominated the day’s trading, with a commanding 300.9 million shares traded, making it the most actively traded stock. FIDELITYBK followed with 48.5 million shares, while GTCO was not far behind, with 40.1 million shares changing hands. Other notable contributors included ACCESSCORP (35.6 million shares) and WAPCO, completing the top five with 29 million shares traded. Trading value: In terms of value, GTCO led the charge with a substantial N2.1 billion in transactions. WAPCO followed closely, with N2.0 billion in trade value, signaling continued investor interest. MTNN and CHAMPION also attracted significant attention, contributing N1.9 billion and N1.2 billion to the day’s total value, respectively. ACCESSCORP rounded out the top five with N858.8 million in transactions, further reflecting robust investor engagement in key stocks. Among the SWOOT stocks — those with market capitalizations exceeding N1 trillion — only ARADEL experienced a decline, shedding 1.48% during the session. Meanwhile, the FUGAZ group, which includes FBNH, UBA, GTCO, ACCESSCORP, and ZENITH BANK, saw positive price movements across the board. ACCESSCORP led the charge with a notable 1.84% increase, followed by GTCO with a modest 0.19% gain, and UBA with a slight uptick of 0.15%. On the other hand, FBNH saw a small dip of 0.38%, while ZENITH BANK experienced a more significant decline of 1.68%. If the positive momentum among individual stocks continues in the coming sessions, there is potential for the index to climb toward the 99,000 mark and surpass the N60 trillion market capitalization threshold. With bullish sentiment steadily building across multiple sectors and sustained investor interest, the Nigerian equities market is expected to maintain its upward trajectory in the near term.Football is for everyone: HE Sports Minister

Shares of Cisco Systems Inc. .css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);}.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link:hover.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link:hover svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);} .css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink{display:inline;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference){.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink{transition-property:color,fill;transition-duration:200ms,200ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1),cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);}}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink{transition-property:color,fill;transition-duration:0ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1),cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);}}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:hover:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveLink020);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:hover:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:active:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveLink030);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:active:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink030);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:hover:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:hover:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:focus-visible:not(:disabled){outline-color:var(--outlineColorDefault);outline-style:var(--outlineStyleDefault);outline-width:var(--outlineWidthDefault);outline-offset:var(--outlineOffsetDefault);}@media not all and (min-resolution: 0.001dpcm){@supports (-webkit-appearance: none) and (stroke-color: transparent){.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:focus-visible:not(:disabled){outline-style:var(--safariOutlineStyleDefault);}}}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link:hover.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link:hover svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);} CSCO inched 0.67% higher to $60.02 Thursday, on what proved to be an all-around dismal trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index SPX falling 0.19% to 6,075.11 and Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA falling 0.55% to 44,765.71. This was the stock's fourth consecutive day of gains.

RADNOR, Pa., Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Certara, Inc. (Nasdaq: CERT), a global leader in model-informed drug development, today showcases its impact on research by celebrating more than 100 publications secured in 2024 as well as the 12 Certara scientists included on the 2024 Stanford/Elsevier list, which highlights the top 2% of the most cited scientists across the globe. Stanford/Elsevier's Top 2% Scientist Ranking Now in its 7th iteration, the Stanford/Elsevier's Top 2% Scientist Ranking list includes the top and most-cited researchers globally in 22 scientific disciplines and 174 sub-disciplines and encompasses standardized data on citations, h-index, and a wide range of bibliometric indicators. The following Certara researchers appeared on Elsevier’s top 2% of the world’s most-cited researchers list in 2024, highlighting recent and career-long impacts. Amin Rostami-Hodjegan, Chief Scientific Officer at Simcyp Frederic Bois, Senior Scientific Advisor & Head of Mechanistic Modelling Hannah Jones, Senior Vice President, Head of Simcyp PBPK Modelling Services Hugo Geerts, Head of QSP Neurosciences Khaled Abduljalil, Senior Principal Scientist at Simcyp Karen Rowland-Yeo, Senior Vice President, Client & Regulatory Strategy Masoud Jamei, Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Simcyp Piet H van der Graaf, Senior Vice President and Head of Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Patrick Smith, President of Certara Drug Development Solutions Rajesh Krishna, Distinguished Scientist, Drug Development Science Stephen Duffull, Senior Scientific Advisor Trevor Johnson, Principal Scientist at Simcyp "Certara is a science-driven organization, and our scientists are world leaders in their fields. Our clients rely on us to deliver advanced biosimulation software and the expert advice needed to interpret results for optimal strategic decision-making,” said William Feehery, CEO, Certara. 2024 Publications Certara scientists and publications span the entire drug discovery and development process from early discovery through clinical, regulatory, and post-approval. Key highlights and trends evident in 2024 publications are grouped into two primary categories below. Value and Impact of Biosimulation Strategies and Execution in Drug Development Pediatric oncology drug development and dosage optimization Mechanistic modeling’s impact on first-in-human dose predictions and clinical validations thereof Exposure-Response Analyses to Inform Dosing Considerations and Labeling Impact of physiologically-based pharmacokinetics (PBPK) modeling on Global Health The role of pharmacometrics in understanding Variability in Clinical Trials Extended Model-Informed Drug Development: Beyond Clinical Trials and Regulatory Approval Best practices for implementing technologies that streamline drug submission and approval processes Diversity in Clinical Trial Enrollment and meeting requirements of the FDA Diversity Action Plan Using real-world data to inform clinical patient management and treatment guidelines for COVID-19 Unlocking the Synergies of Generative AI in Regulatory Writing Preventing chaos: The Critical Role of the Submission Lead To learn more about Certara’s publications, please visit: www.certara.com/resources/publication About Certara Certara accelerates medicines using biosimulation software, technology, and services to transform traditional drug discovery and development. Its clients include more than 2,400 biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and regulatory agencies across 66 countries. Learn more at certara.com . Certara Contact: Sheila Rocchio sheila.rocchio@certara.com Media Contact: Alyssa Horowitz certara@pancomm.comBoston, MA, Dec. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MiniLuxe Holding Corp. (the "Company") (TSXV: MNLX) today announces that as part of its standard disclosures, the Company has granted 1,103,269 options (against ~145M fully diluted shares) to certain leadership team members of the Company as part of its ongoing incentive program to award equity of options in lieu of cash compensation. The average strike price for these options is .36 CDN reflecting the price of MNLX at the time cash compensation was forgone by employees. In certain cases of senior leadership, equity-based options make up to 30 to 100 percent of an executive’s base salary compensation. Any new option awards continue to draw from the existing employee incentive pool with no net new incremental dilution to shareholders. There was delay in the formal announcement and grant of the options given that the Company was waiting for options to be returned to the pool to avoid any shareholder dilution that might come from an expansion of the pool. The options are subject to a 1-year cliff vesting schedule and are exercisable for subordinate voting shares of the Company for a period of 10 years following the date of grant. About MiniLuxe MiniLuxe , a Delaware corporation based in Boston, Massachusetts. MiniLuxe is a lifestyle brand and talent empowerment platform servicing the beauty and self-care industry. The Company focuses on delivering high-quality nail care and esthetic services and offers a suite of trusted proprietary products that are used in the Company’s owned-and-operated studio services. For over a decade, MiniLuxe has been elevating industry standards through healthier, ultra-hygienic services, a modern design esthetic, socially responsible labor practices, and better-for-you, cleaner products. MiniLuxe aims to radically transform a highly fragmented and under-regulated self-care and nail care industry through its brand, standards, and technology platform that collectively enable better talent and client experiences. In addition to creating long-term durable economic returns for stakeholders, MiniLuxe is expanding its reach through franchising, offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to partner with a brand recognized as the best nail salon franchise . MiniLuxe seeks to empower one of the most diverse and largest hourly worker segments through professional development, economic mobility, and ownership opportunities. For its clients, MiniLuxe offers best-in-class self-care services and better-for-you products, and for nail care and beauty professionals, MiniLuxe seeks to become the employer of choice. Since its inception, MiniLuxe has performed over 4 million services. For further information Christine Mastrangelo ‎Investor Relations, MiniLuxe Holding Corp. ‎ cmastrangelo@MiniLuxe.com ‎MiniLuxe.com

None

MERIT — Thirty years ago, Bland basketball coach Bryan Clark started the Tigers’ annual basketball tournament. Bland observed the 30th anniversary on Thursday night by changing the tournament name from the Bland Invitational, to the Bryan Clark Invitational. Clark and his family were present for the ceremony including his wife, Norma, their children Cody and Meghan, plus Cody’s wife, Brionne, and their children Crew, Asher and Ensley, and Meghan’s husband, Rudolph, and their son Rudolph III. “Coach Clark was instrumental in creating this tournament 30 years ago,” said the master of ceremony, Rodney Godwin. “The last nine years Bland ISD and the coaching staff have continued to strive to keep this tournament something we could be proud of and a tournament other schools would want to be a part of.” Godwin said naming the tournament after Clark will “forever keep his legacy.” Clark served 29 years at the Bland ISD as a coach, principal and then superintendent. He coached the Tigers to 302 victory in 15 years as a head coach and served as superintended for 14 years before retiring in 2015. Both of Bland’s teams opened the tournament on Thursday with victories. The Tigers beat Boles 76-44 and the Community junior varsity 49-43. Weston Wigington pumped in 34 points to lead Bland to the win over Boles and Ashton Stepp fired in 15. Wigington led Bland against the Community JV with 22 points and Stepp banked in 15 points. Bland’s Lady Tigers beat Quinlan Ford 52-33 and then Como-Pickton 68-38. Sadie Soto fired in 14 points to lead Bland over Ford and Nicole Spencer added 11. Jaden Smith and Ashley Valderrama both tossed in nine points for Ford. Soto shot in 24 points to lead Bland over Como-Pickton, while Marley Frazier tossed in 12 points Spencer and Makila Watson both added 10. The tournament, which started with pool play on Thursday, is to wrap up on Saturday with the girls championship game at 4:30 p.m. and the boys finals at 5:45 p.m. 30th annual Bryan Clark Invitational Thursday’s results Boys games Bland 76, Boles 44 B: Efren Aguirre 6, Weston Wigington 34, Eli Ferrufino 4, Mateo Alvarez 6, Teagen Hurst 8, Isaac Oleru 6, Ashton Stepp 15. Bland 49, Community JV 43 B: Dakota Blankenship 2, Weston Wigington 22, Mateo Alvarez 5, Teagen Hurst 3, Isaac Oleru 4, Ashton Stepp 15. C: Andre Bragg 17, Chase Williams 10, Alex Kresska 10. Saltillo 67, Ector 40 S: Heston Peeples 13, Mason Stillwagoner 15, Colby Cook 12. E: Jayce Adams 17, Keithlen Miller 12. Yantis 66, Community JV 32 Y: C.J. Madison 19, Anthony Lopez 10. C: Chase Willliams 10 Joshua Summer 8. Yantis 63, Miller Grove 43 Y: C.J. Madison 36.Alex Lopez 11. MG: Ryker Haivala 12, Christian 11. Girls games Bland 68, Como-Pickton 38 B: Cami Fernandez 9, Nicole Spencer 10, Sadie Soto 24, Zoey Lawson 3, Makila Watson 10, Marley Frazier 12. CP: Shyann Wetzel 11, Kati Calvillo 9. Bland 52, Quinlan Ford 33 B: Nicole Spencer 11, Sadie Soto 14, Marley Frazier 8. QF: Jaden Smith 9, Ashley Valderrama 9. Blue Ridge 45, Boles 44 BR: Avery Wood 15, JoJo Liescheski 8, Kenzie Baker 8. B: Avery Gatson 9, Mia Nowlin 10, Olivia Neely 12.

TIKTOK AND ITS SHALLOW CONTENT In an age where human connection and expression increasingly find their voice in the digital ether, platforms like TikTok stand as paradoxical beacons of liberation and confinement. They offer the promise of boundless creativity, yet tether millions to fleeting moments of validation. TikTok, with its staggering 1.8 billion active global users, has redefined not only how we communicate but also how we seek identity and meaning in a hyperconnected world. In Pakistan, where over 52 million users engage with the platform, it has emerged as both a stage for empowerment and a mirror reflecting societal tensions. While it celebrates individual voices and democratizes content creation, it also confronts deep-rooted cultural and moral sensibilities, sparking heated debates about its true cost. These questions go beyond mere technology, probing the nature of youth, morality, and the fabric of society itself in an era shaped by fleeting trends and digital spectacle. The concerns surrounding TikTok in Pakistan are part of a broader global conversation about the app’s role in shaping digital cultures. However, Pakistan’s unique cultural, social, and regulatory environment has amplified these debates, making TikTok one of the most controversial digital platforms in the country. While globally, TikTok has become a resourceful platform, used for education, social activism, marketing, and entertainment, the usage in Pakistan has taken a different turn. In regions like Europe and North America, creators utilize the platform to share educational content, discuss social issues, or offer tutorials on various topics. Due to geopolitical tensions with China in 2020, India banned TikTok, claiming worries over data privacy and national security. The prohibition was intricately linked to both the larger geopolitical crisis and anti-Chinese prejudice. However, prior to the ban, TikTok in India provided a platform for small enterprises, activism, and regional art, giving under-represented voices a chance to be seen by a larger audience. The rise of TikTok in Pakistan has sparked significant debates over its cultural and societal impact. While the platform provides opportunities for self-expression and has enabled aspiring talents to gain visibility and financial opportunities through endorsements, it is often criticized for promoting content deemed inappropriate for a conservative society. Viral videos featuring provocative dance moves, explicit language, and suggestive themes have drawn concerns from cultural and religious leaders, who argue that TikTok trivializes moral values and fosters behaviour that undermines traditional norms. TikTok’s popularity in Pakistan can be attributed to its accessibility, with a user-friendly interface and low data requirements that make it available even in remote areas. Its instant gratification model, through likes, shares, and comments, appeals to the youth’s desire for recognition and connection. While it serves as an escape for many and democratizes content creation, its widespread influence on the youth has raised questions about its long-term societal impact, particularly regarding the erosion of cultural integrity and intellectual growth. These concerns are not unfounded. TikTok’s algorithm, designed to prioritize engaging and sensational content, often amplifies videos that push boundaries. This creates a cycle where creators feel compelled to produce increasingly bold or controversial content to gain visibility. The lack of stringent content moderation tailored to local cultural norms exacerbates the issue, allowing inappropriate material to proliferate. The app’s addictive nature, coupled with its emphasis on likes, views, and followers, fosters a culture of constant comparison and validation. This can lead to psychological issues, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem among teenagers. The platform is also associated with several alarming trends, including dangerous challenges and risky stunts. Instances of young users attempting life-threatening acts for views have been reported, raising questions about the app’s role in encouraging reckless behaviour. The unregulated nature of TikTok makes it a breeding ground for cyberbullying, harassment, and exploitation, further endangering vulnerable users. A sustainable approach to TikTok in Pakistan requires a balance between regulation, education, and accountability. The government must collaborate with TikTok to establish stringent content moderation systems that respect local cultural norms while upholding freedom of expression. This could include deploying advanced algorithms and human oversight to filter out harmful content, coupled with transparency in enforcement. Simultaneously, digital literacy must become a national priority. Schools should integrate programs that teach online ethics, critical thinking, and the implications of digital behaviour, while parents are encouraged to play an active role in guiding their children’s online interactions. Empowering young users with the tools to navigate the digital world responsibly is essential to mitigating the platform’s risks. Outright bans, while seemingly effective in the short term, fail to address the root issues and deny the potential benefits of platforms like TikTok. Instead, Pakistan should focus on creating a supportive ecosystem that encourages positive use of the platform. This includes incentivizing the creation of educational, skill-based, and socially impactful content while discouraging sensationalism and vulgarity. Civil society can play a pivotal role by promoting campaigns that highlight the value of meaningful digital engagement. TikTok’s presence in Pakistan encapsulates the broader challenges of integrating globalized digital platforms into culturally distinct societies. If regulated thoughtfully, TikTok has the potential to serve as a powerful tool for creativity, connection, and economic empowerment. By fostering a collaborative framework between the government, platform operators, and the public, Pakistan can transform TikTok from a source of controversy into a medium that aligns with its societal values and aspirations. Such an approach would not only safeguard cultural integrity but also pave the way for a more constructive and inclusive digital future. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );

Tired of thinking about what gifts to get everyone this year? Artificial intelligence chatbots might help, but don’t expect them to do all the work or always give you the right answers. Anyone scouring the internet for deals is likely going to encounter more conversational iterations of the chatbots that some retailers and e-commerce sites have built to provide shoppers with enhanced customer service. Some companies have integrated models infused with newer generative AI technologies, allowing shoppers to seek advice by asking naturally phrased questions like “What’s the best wireless speaker?” Retailers hope consumers use these chatbots, which are typically called shopping assistants, as virtual companions that help them discover or compare products. Prior chatbots were mostly used for task-oriented functions such as helping customers track online orders or return ones that didn’t meet expectations. Amazon, the king of online retail, has said its customers have been questioning Rufus, the generative AI-powered shopping assistant it launched this year, for information such as whether a specific coffee maker is easy to clean, or what recommendations it has for a lawn game for a child’s birthday party. And Rufus, which is available for holiday shoppers in the U.S. and some other countries, is not the only shopping assistant out there. A select number of Walmart shoppers will have access this year to a similar chatbot the nation’s largest retailer is testing in a few product categories, including toys and electronics. Perplexity AI added something new to the AI chat-shopping world last month by rolling out a feature on its AI-powered search engine that enables users to ask a question like “What’s the best women’s leather boots?” and then receive specific product results that the San Francisco-based company says are not sponsored. “It has been adopted at pretty incredible scale,” Mike Mallazzo, an analyst and writer at retail research media company Future Commerce, said. Retailers with websites and e-commerce companies started paying more attention to chatbots when use of ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence text chatbot made by the company OpenAI, went mainstream in late 2022, sparking public and business interest in the generative AI technology that powers the tool. Victoria’s Secret, IKEA, Instacart and the Canadian retailer Ssense are among other companies experimenting with chatbots, some of which use technology from OpenAI. Even before the improved chatbots, online retailers were creating product recommendations based on a customer’s prior purchases or search history. Amazon was at the forefront of having recommendations on its platform, so Rufus’ ability to provide some is not particularly groundbreaking. But Rajiv Mehta, the vice president of search and conversational shopping at Amazon, said the company is able to offer more helpful recommendations now by programming Rufus to ask clarifying or follow-up questions. Customers are also using Rufus to look for deals, some of which are personalized, Mehta said. To be sure, chatbots are prone to hallucinations, so Rufus and most of the tools like it can get things wrong. Juozas Kaziukenas, founder of e-commerce intelligence firm Marketplace Pulse, wrote in a November blog post that his firm tested Rufus by requesting gaming TV recommendations. The chatbot’s response included products that were not TVs. When asked for the least expensive options, Rufus came back with suggestions that weren’t the cheapest, Kaziukenas said. An Associated Press reporter recently asked Rufus to give some gift recommendations for a brother. The chatbot quickly spit out a few ideas for “thoughtful gifts,” ranging from a T-shirt and a keychain with charms to a bolder suggestion: a multifunctional knife engraved with the phrase “BEST BROTHER EVER.” After a 5-minute written conversation, Rufus offered more tailored suggestions: a few Barcelona soccer jerseys sold by third-party sellers. But it wasn’t able to say which seller offered the lowest price. When asked during another search for a price comparison on a popular skin serum, Rufus showed the product’s pre-discounted price instead of its present one. “Rufus is constantly learning,” Amazon’s Mehta said during an interview. Shop AI, a chatbot that Canadian e-commerce company Shopify launched last year, can also help shoppers discover new products by asking its own questions, such as soliciting details about an intended gift recipient or features the buyer wants to avoid. Shop AI has trouble, however, recommending specific products or identifying the lowest-priced item in a product category. The limitations show the technology is still in its infancy and has a long way to go before it becomes as useful as the retail industry and many shoppers wish it could be. To truly transform the shopping experience, shopping assistants will “need to be deeply personalized” and be able, on their own, to remember a customer’s order history, product preferences and purchasing habits, consulting giant McKinsey & Company said in an August report. Amazon has noted that Rufus’ answers are based on information contained in product listings, community Q&As and customer reviews, which would include the fake reviews that are used to boost or diminish sales for products on its marketplace. Get local news delivered to your inbox!What does Big Tech hope to gain from warming up to Trump?

Adama Sidibeh confident he can rise above red card and goal frustrations to be St Johnstone star againSample Preparation Market Future Vision and Growth to 2031, Biotage AB, Danaher Corporation, F Hoffman La Roche, Illumina, Merck KGaA, PerkinElmerTechnology tiger of Africa Prateek Suri drives Maser Group to $5bn valuation

Rothschild is making waves once again: Former playboy gets tough in takeover tussle

Looking at all the mud-slinging in political, and electronic, life. It strikes me that ... A) SF's socialist path to power is unstoppable , no matter how many hijabs Mary Lou wears. B) Leo & FG seem to be taking more blame, for the mess. And FF are often hiding behind them. During the abortion vote, we saw a slightly rightwards shift from FF. C) coalitions are the normal in irish politics. Did Leo & Micheál do a deal ? You step out and I step in again. Discuss six monthe ago would have agreed with a FF Sein Fein Government next time around but recently after vote of No Confidence in Minister for Justice I think next Government will be FF and FG again with support from a few Independants. But we must NEVER FORGET the FF governments led by Ahern and Cowen. culmore said: six monthe ago would have agreed with a FF Sein Fein Government next time around but recently after vote of No Confidence in Minister for Justice I think next Government will be FF and FG again with support from a few Independants. Click to expand... Will there be enough Independents to make up the shortfall? Michael Healy-Rae and Danny Healy-Rae in State cars . Junior Minister for Craic and Junior Minister for having the craic and driving home after 6 pints. I think there's already a thread on the likely makeup of the next govt. FWIW, I still think SF/FF is the most likely outcome, but it's less certain than it would have been during the summer. It's certainly possible if not probable. Depends on the TD numbers. I don't think FF and SF are incompatible in the same way FG & SF are. SF are FF in their early days. SFF. Regardless next few governments will have very slim majority. There is a 50/50 split in politics at the moment. There could be a Ffg government again with a 2 or 3 majority or else a SF Soc Democrats PbP one. redneck said: Regardless next few governments will have very slim majority. There is a 50/50 split in politics at the moment. There could be a Ffg government again with a 2 or 3 majority or else a SF Soc Democrats PbP one. Click to expand... With the SF downward trend in the opinion polls I don’t think the “SF Soc Democrats PbP” option will have enough seats to form a government! It will be a FF or FG led coalition that has got rid of Meehole and Leo the Liar, a NEW BEGINNING , etc, bullsh1t, Right now, Mehole has the title of shortest ever serving Taoiseach but another 2 & a half years as Taoiseach after the next GE would see him leapfroging not only John Burton but also Reynolds and Cowen. Apparently politicians really care about such things, according to many in the media, Enda Kenny's biggest goal after the 2016 election was remaining Taoiseach until he overtook John A Costello to become FG's longest serving Taoiseach Golden Phoenix said: But we must NEVER FORGET the FF governments led by Ahern and Cowen. Click to expand... A working class lad from Donneycarney Google Image Result for https://i0.wp.com/media.central.ie/media/images/c/CharlieHaugheyOnHorseAtKinsealyJACQUELINEOBRIEN_large.jpg Hunter-Gatherer said: Looking at all the mud-slinging in political, and electronic, life. It strikes me that ... A) SF's socialist path to power is unstoppable , no matter how many hijabs Mary Lou wears. B) Leo & FG seem to be taking more blame, for the mess. And FF are often hiding behind them. During the abortion vote, we saw a slightly rightwards shift from FF. C) coalitions are the normal in irish politics. Did Leo & Micheál do a deal ? You step out and I step in again. Discuss Click to expand... Socialists? They'll be free market Tories next week...depending on how they see the electorate wanting things to go Johnny Zordan said: Right now, Mehole has the title of shortest ever serving Taoiseach Click to expand... Leath-taoiseach. Bruton, Reynolds and Cowen were full-term taoisigh not half-taoiseachs. The ultimate horror choice question for me is who would you pick as Taoiseach if you had to...Mary Lou McDonald or Simon Harris. storybud1 said: It will be a FF or FG led coalition that has got rid of Meehole and Leo the Liar.... Click to expand... Ditching those two, at least 3 months prior to any election. A certainty. FF FG reckon Paddy is thick enough to fall for the ploy. de valera's' giddy goat said: The ultimate horror choice question for me is who would you pick as Taoiseach if you had to...Mary Lou McDonald or Simon Harris. Click to expand... Well thankfully as stupid as they were appointing Leo over Coveney, I don't think they will ever let Harris near the leadership (especially after him being exposed as the leak from cabinet to the media) Steak-knife said: It's certainly possible if not probable. Depends on the TD numbers. I don't think FF and SF are incompatible in the same way FG & SF are. SF are FF in their early days. SFF. Click to expand... Fair enough, probably better to be tagged as early FF than to be tagged as late FF. FG are practically indistinguishable from late FF and vice versa. How are the punters supposed to differentiate between FG and FF at the next GE? An SF and FG coalition is more possible. The coalition of SF and FF would be too undermining for the identities of both. Plebian said: Fair enough, probably better to tagged as early FF than to be tagged as late FF. FG are practically indistinguishable from late FF and vice-versa. How are the punters supposed to differentiate between FG and FF at the next GE? Click to expand... How are FF and FG going to differentiate from themselves in debates pre election is the interesting one? Will they blame each other for the failure in addressing the health, housing and policing problem for example or both go with the but Sinn Fein route? Hunter-Gatherer said: A) SF's socialist path to power is unstoppable , no matter how many hijabs Mary Lou wears. Click to expand... The Shinners are not Socialist.

7 lucky number

Investors were already wary of Korean stocks. Then the country descended into chaos

Lebanon's Hezbollah movement fired heavy rocket barrages at Israel on Sunday, and the Israeli military said houses had been destroyed or set alight near Tel Aviv, after a powerful Israeli airstrike killed at least 29 people in Beirut the day before. Israel also struck Beirut's Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs, where intensified bombardment over the last two weeks has coincided with signs of progress in U.S.-led cease-fire talks. Hezbollah, which has previously vowed to respond to attacks on Beirut by targeting Tel Aviv, said it had launched precision missiles at two military sites in Tel Aviv and nearby. Police said there were multiple impact sites in the area of Petah Tikvah, on the eastern side of Tel Aviv, and that several people had minor injuries. The Israeli military (IDF) said a direct hit on a neighborhood had left "houses in flames and ruins." Television footage showed an apartment damaged by rocket fire. The IDF said Hezbollah had fired 240 rockets at Israel, of which many were intercepted, with sirens sounding across most of the country. At least four people had been injured by shrapnel. Video obtained by Reuters showed a projectile exploding as it smashed into the roof of a building in the northern Israeli city of Nahariya. The military warned on social media that it planned to target Hezbollah facilities in southern Beirut before strikes that demolished two apartment blocks, according to security sources in Lebanon. Afterwards, the IDF said it had hit command centers "deliberately embedded between civilian buildings." On Saturday, it had carried out one of its deadliest and most powerful strikes on the center of Beirut. Lebanon's health ministry on Sunday raised the death toll from 20 to 29. It said 84 people had been killed in all on Saturday, taking the death toll to 3,754 since October 2023. The current was began after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and captured about 250 hostages in their Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Israel says it believes Hamas is still holding 101 hostages, including 35 the military says are dead. Israel’s counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 44,000 Palestinians, according to the territory's health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated a terror group by the United States. The IDF did not comment on Saturday's strike on Beirut or say what it had attacked. Israel went on the offensive against the Iran-backed Hezbollah in September, pounding the south, the Bekaa Valley and Beirut's southern suburbs with airstrikes after nearly a year of hostilities ignited by the Gaza war. The Israeli offensive has uprooted more than 1 million people in Lebanon. Israel says its aim is to secure the return home of tens of thousands of people evacuated from its north due to rocket attacks by Hezbollah, which opened fire in support of Hamas at the start of the Gaza war in October 2023. U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein highlighted progress in negotiations during a visit to Beirut last week, before traveling to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, and then returning to Washington. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Sunday said a U.S. cease-fire proposal was awaiting final approval from Israel. "We must pressure the Israeli government and maintain the pressure on Hezbollah to accept the U.S. proposal for a ceasefire," he said in Beirut after meeting Lebanese officials. Israeli media reported that Netanyahu had convened a meeting of his security Cabinet for 5 p.m. (1500 GMT). Diplomacy has focused on restoring a cease-fire based on U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a 2006 Hezbollah-Israel war. It requires Hezbollah to pull its fighters back around 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the Israeli border, and the Lebanese army to deploy in the buffer zone. The Lebanese army said on Sunday at least one soldier had been killed and 18 more injured in an Israeli strike that caused severe damage at an army center in Al-Amiriya near the southern city of Tyre. The Israeli military said it regretted and was investigating the incident, and that it was fighting against Hezbollah, not the Lebanese Army. Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, said the attack "represents a direct bloody message rejecting all efforts to reach a ceasefire, strengthen the army's presence in the south, and implement ... 1701." Borrell said the EU was ready to allocate 200 million euros ($208 million) to support the Lebanese army.

Selena Gomez's real height finally confirmed after towering over Ariana Grande at luncheon

lucky 7 sardines None(NAPSI)—The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, but when the average American is spending nearly $1,000 on gifts, food, and decorations, they can also be the most stressful. For many, the pressure to create a picture-perfect holiday can stretch budgets a bit too far. Many of today’s shoppers seek advice from their favorite online influencers, sourcing creative hacks, recipes, DIY projects, and tips to keep the holidays magical without overspending. In fact, 69% of consumers say they value and actively seek out influencer recommendations. Now, questions don’t need to get buried in the comments. This December, TextNow is flipping the script on holiday stress by introducing the Holiday Hotline , a free resource to help you navigate the season, with advice a mere text away. Whether it’s finding affordable gifts, creating a festive dinner on a budget, or even learning how to save on your monthly bills, the Holiday Hotline can make things simpler, cheaper, and—perhaps most importantly—more joyful. TextNow Holiday Hotline: Expert Advice at Your Fingertips From December 5–10, TextNow’s Holiday Hotline connects you with relatable experts (aka some of your favorite influencers including social media creator and podcast host Remi Cruz, Kayla Savings, and Melissa Weiss) who will share their go-to tips for a budget-friendly holiday. Here’s what you can expect: • Holiday Budgeting 101: Learn simple ways to stretch every dollar and avoid those dreaded post-holiday bills. • Affordable Gift-Giving Ideas: Thoughtful, creative gifts that won’t break the bank. • Festive Decorating on a Dime: Transform your home into a holiday wonderland with budget-friendly hacks. • Stress-Free Holiday Cooking: Recipes and meal-planning tips to impress your guests. Need more advice? Just text the hotline at 310-299-3584, and you’ll get personalized, practical tips sent straight to your phone. Win $1,000 for Your Holiday Dinner As if free expert advice wasn’t enough, TextNow is also giving you the chance to win big this holiday season. Enter the $1,000 Dinner Giveaway for a shot at a $1,000 gift card to cover your holiday expenses—whether it’s for food, gifts, travel, or whatever else makes your season special. Entering is simple: 1.Head to TextNow’s Instagram . 2.Like the giveaway post. 3.Share your best holiday tip in the comments (bonus: share the post to your story for an extra entry). 4.The giveaway runs from December 5-12, with winners announced from December 13-16. Save More This Holiday Season TextNow is more than just a phone service—it’s a way to take control of your budget, not just during the holidays but year-round. • Free Phone Service: Unlimited calling and texting on the nation’s largest 5G network free. No gimmicks, no contracts. • Free Essential Data: Get free data for such essential apps as maps, rideshare, and email when you activate your SIM card. • Additional Flexible Data Plans: Add extra data only when you need it, with hourly, daily, or monthly passes. Getting started with TextNow is easy. Download the app to call and text for free over Wi-Fi or unlock free cellular service with a $4.99 SIM card. Learn More For more details, visit www.TextNow.com . Word Count: 491

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have not been whole on offense all season, the byproduct of injuries to Marquise Brown on the very first game of the preseason and a season-ending injury to fellow wide receiver Rashee Rice at the end of September. They are close to it now. And it showed on Saturday. Brown made his regular-season debut after recovering from shoulder surgery, and made his presence felt on the first offensive series against Houston. The Chiefs were driving downfield but faced fourth-and-2 at the Texans 30, and Brown came open across the field for a 13-yard reception, resulting in a first down and eventually leading to a Kansas City touchdown. Brown went on to catch five passes for 45 yards in a 27-19 victory that pushed the Chiefs closer to the No. 1 seed in the AFC. “I thought he did a great job,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “I missed him here and there on a couple of throws, but I thought he was getting open. He was winning against man coverage, which was huge.” In fact, as the Chiefs (14-1) prepare to visit Pittsburgh on Christmas Day, they now have a receiving group that can win against just about any coverage. Brown and first-round pick Xavier Worthy, who had seven catches for 65 yards and a score, have the game-breaking speed to beat man-to-man defenses. And three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins, along with four-time All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce, have the catch radius and veteran savvy to find the holes in any sort of zone. That makes the Chiefs offense as potent as it's been all season. “Kansas City made the plays. That’s why, you know, they’re at the top echelon of the NFL,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “They found ways to win, especially in situational football. they did a really good job on third down, staying on the field.” The Chiefs finished 7 of 13 on third down. They were 3 for 5 in the red zone and 2 for 2 in goal-to-go situations. That is the kind of efficiency they have had while winning the past two Super Bowls. “What can we do? The sky's the limit,” said Worthy, who has caught at least four passes in each of his past six games. “I feel like we're a hard team to beat. We just have to keep stacking.” What’s working The Chiefs defense, which had turned opponents over just 10 times in their first 13 games, has now created eight turnovers in the past two. That included two interceptions of Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud on Saturday. “They talked about breaking the seal last week,” said Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie, who had no interceptions in his first 48 games but has now picked off a pass in each of his past two. “You get around defensive backs, they talk about how it will come in bunches. I'm seeing it play out, being in the right place at the right time.” What needs help After piling up five sacks last week against Cleveland, the Chiefs struggled to capture Stroud on Saturday. They only managed two sacks, one of which was a cornerback blitz in the closing minutes that forced Houston to punt the ball away; the Chiefs were able to run out the clock on offense without giving the Texans another chance with it. Stock up The Chiefs started All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney at tackle for the second straight week, trying to solve their problem protecting Mahomes' blind side. He played admirably against a good Houston pass rush, and that was even more important when the Chiefs had to juggle the offensive line again following right tackle Jawaan Taylor's knee strain. Stock down Running back Isiah Pacheco carried nine times for just 26 yards, and he was stuffed on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 early in the second half, forcing a turnover on downs. Meanwhile, Kareem Hunt gained 55 yards on 11 carries and caught two passes for 24 yards, showing more versatility and explosiveness out of the backfield. Injuries DT Chris Jones (calf strain) and RT Jawaan Taylor (knee strain) did not finish the game against the Texans. LB Jack Cochrane will miss the rest of the season after fracturing his ankle. Key number 14 — The Chiefs matched the franchise record for regular-season wins, set during the 2020 season and matched two years ago. They have two opportunities to break it with Pittsburgh on Wednesday and Denver in their regular-season finale. What’s next The Chiefs visit the Steelers on Christmas Day. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Dave Skretta, The Associated PressNoneRiyadh Metro Successfully Delivered by Parsons-Led Joint Venture

Crescent Energy Announces Pricing of Upsized $400 Million Private Placement of Additional 7.625% Senior Notes Due 2032

MONTRÉAL, Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier Inc. (“Bombardier”) today confirmed that it has reached an agreement to settle its lawsuit against Honeywell International Inc. (“Honeywell”) that it initially filed in 2016 before the Superior Court of Québec . The settlement resolves the lawsuit and the pending request for appeal before the Supreme Court of Canada. The terms of the settlement agreement are confidential to both parties. About Bombardier At Bombardier (BBD-B.TO), we design, build, modify and maintain the world’s best-performing aircraft for the world’s most discerning people and businesses, governments and militaries. That means not simply exceeding standards, but understanding customers well enough to anticipate their unspoken needs. For them, we are committed to pioneering the future of aviation—innovating to make flying more reliable, efficient and sustainable. And we are passionate about delivering unrivaled craftsmanship and care, giving our customers greater confidence and the elevated experience they deserve and expect. Because people who shape the world will always need the most productive and responsible ways to move through it. Bombardier customers operate a fleet of approximately 5,000 aircraft, supported by a vast network of Bombardier team members worldwide and 10 service facilities across six countries. Bombardier’s performance-leading jets are proudly manufactured in aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. In 2024, Bombardier was honoured with the prestigious “Red Dot: Best of the Best” award for Brands and Communication Design. For Information For corporate news and information, including Bombardier’s Environmental, Social and Governance report, as well as the company’s plans to cover all its flight operations with a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend utilizing the Book and Claim system visit bombardier.com . Learn more about Bombardier’s industry-leading products and customer service network at businessaircraft.bombardier.com . Follow us on X (Twitter) @Bombardier. Media Contacts Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements based on current expectations, which may involve, but are not limited to: the coming into effect of the settlement agreement and the satisfaction and timing of conditions in connection therewith; and the effect of the settlement on the parties to the lawsuit and their business relationship. By their nature, forward-looking statements require the Company to make assumptions and are subject to important known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the actual effects or results in future periods to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Please also refer to the note on “Forward-Looking Statements” and the section titled “Risks and Uncertainties” contained in Bombardier’s published quarterly financial report for the period ended September 30, 2024 and annual financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.The Funniest Tweets About People's Spotify Wrapped

Continues IPOS Corporate Partnership as Emerald-Level Sponsor WARSAW, Ind., Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OrthoPediatrics Corp. ("OrthoPediatrics” or the "Company”) (Nasdaq: KIDS), a company focused exclusively on advancing the field of pediatric orthopedics, today announced plans to host educational and networking events at IPOS and its continued support of the event as an Emerald-Level sponsor. IPOS, a branch of the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America (POSNA), is a leading educational meeting for pediatric orthopedic surgeons. Over 500 pediatric orthopedic surgeons are registered to attend the meeting from December 3-7, in Orlando, Florida. "This year marks the 20 th Annual IPOS meeting, and I couldn't be prouder of our partnership with this surgical society, and our participation in this meeting,” said David Bailey, President and CEO of OrthoPediatrics. "IPOS is a great educational opportunity for early career surgeons, and our team is excited to connect with customers and share hands-on learning experiences with our new and innovative products. I'm especially excited to introduce our new Enabling Technology division as well as highlight all the great work we are doing in non-operative care through OPSB Specialty Bracing.” In addition to the exhibition booths (#1 - 3), wherein the Company will highlight their full suite of products, and feature its new Enabling Technology division with 7D, 3-D Side and the new Specialty Bracing division (OPSB), the Company is hosting several educational experiences for surgeons and other allied health professionals. OrthoPediatrics IPOS 2024 Events include: Pre-course Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 4:05pm ET Founded in 2006, OrthoPediatrics is an orthopedic company focused exclusively on advancing the field of pediatric orthopedics. As such it has developed the most comprehensive product offering to the pediatric orthopedic market to improve the lives of children with orthopedic conditions. OrthoPediatrics currently markets over 70 products that serve three of the largest categories within the pediatric orthopedic market. This product offering spans trauma and deformity, scoliosis, and sports medicine/other procedures. OrthoPediatrics' global sales organization is focused exclusively on pediatric orthopedics and distributes its products in the United States and over 70 countries outside the United States. For more information, please visit www.orthopediatrics.com. Investor Contact Philip Trip Taylor Gilmartin Group [email protected] 415-937-5406

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Democrats and Republicans agreed on at least one thing before November’s election: California would play a central role in determining control of the U.S. House. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * LOS ANGELES (AP) — Democrats and Republicans agreed on at least one thing before November’s election: California would play a central role in determining control of the U.S. House. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? LOS ANGELES (AP) — Democrats and Republicans agreed on at least one thing before November’s election: California would play a central role in determining control of the U.S. House. Indeed it did. Democrat Adam Gray’s come-from-behind victory over Republican Rep. John Duarte in a Central Valley farm-belt district Tuesday — the final House contest decided this year — gave Democrats their third pick-up of a GOP-held seat in the state, a small victory in a tough year for Democrats nationally. While Democratic wins narrowed the gap in the House, Republicans held their ground in two other toss-up contests that helped the GOP defend its fragile majority in Washington. Republicans won 220 House seats this election cycle, with Democrats holding 215 seats. Despite falling short of a majority, Democrats stressed that the party will gain seats next year, leaving the chamber even more closely divided. “Netting three seats was a very big deal,” Rep. Pete Aguilar, the third-ranking Democrat in the chamber, who lives in Redlands, east of Los Angeles, said in Washington. Democratic enthusiasm was tempered, however, by turnout figures that lagged the 2020 presidential election in the heavily Democratic state, even with Kamala Harris leading the Democratic ticket in her home state. Also, Republicans made incremental gains in the state Legislature. Voters overwhelmingly endorsed a ballot proposal that makes shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders again and increases penalties for some drug charges amid frustration over retail crimes, a proposal opposed by some Democrats. The election showed Democrats will need to pay closer attention to issues like crime and the cost of living, even in a state where the party holds every statewide office and dominates the Legislature and congressional delegation, Claremont McKenna College political scientist Jack Pitney said. In the House, Democrats “were hoping that California would push them over the top to gain a majority. But their gains elsewhere were not strong enough,” Pitney added, pointing to GOP wins in North Carolina. Gray won by a margin of less than 200 votes, with election officials reporting Tuesday all ballots had been counted. Duarte captured the seat in 2022 when he defeated Gray by one of the closest margins in the country, 564 votes. He was often listed among the most vulnerable House Republicans given that narrow margin of victory in a district with a Democratic tilt — about 11 points over registered Republicans. Gray said in a statement: “We always knew that this race would be as close as they come, and we’re expecting a photo finish this year, too.” In other Democratic House gains, first-time candidate Derek Tran ousted Republican Rep. Michelle Steel in a Southern California district anchored in Orange County, while Democrat George Whitesides toppled Republican Rep. Mike Garcia is a district north of Los Angeles. 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. In a district east of Los Angeles, Republican Rep. Ken Calvert again held off Democrat Will Rollins in a repeat of their 2022 contest. And Republican Rep. David Valadao kept his grip on a farm-belt seat, despite its heavy Democratic registration edge. The outcome will leave Republicans with nine of the state’s 52 U.S. House seats next year. Although California is often seen as a liberal monolith, a string of House districts has proved volatile in recent elections, spotlighting their importance to both parties. Democrats snatched seven seats from Republicans in 2018, then Republicans seized four from Democrats in 2020. In the 2022 elections, Republicans gained one seat, from 11 to 12, while Democrats dropped to 40 seats from 42, after California lost a House seat in reapportionment after the 2020 census. Overall, the state dropped to 52 districts from 53. The state played a pivotal role in securing the gavel for Republicans in 2022 and installing Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield as speaker. Advertisement AdvertisementzuMedia Announces fatSu Website

Ankara, Dec 3 (AP) The recent rapid advance by opposition fighters in Syria shows that Syrian President Bashar Assad must reconcile with his own people and hold dialogue with the opposition, the Turkish foreign minister said Monday. At a joint news conference in Ankara with his Iranian counterpart, Hakan Fidan said Turkey and Iran, which support opposing sides in Syria's civil war, have agreed to resume diplomatic efforts along with Russia to restore calm days after insurgents launched a lightning offensive and captured almost all of the country's largest city, Aleppo. The swift advance by fighters that Turkey supports was a huge embarrassment for Assad and it comes at a time when his allies — Iran and groups it backs and Russia — are preoccupied with their own conflicts. The push is among the rebels' strongest in years and raises the prospect of another violent front reopening in the Middle East when U.S.-backed Israel is fighting Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both Iranian-allied groups. Fidan, whose country has backed forces opposed to Assad, blamed the recent flare-up of the conflict on the Syrian government's refusal to enter a dialogue with the opposition that Turkey supports. “Recent developments show once again that Damascus must reconcile with its own people and the legitimate opposition,” the Turkish minister said. “Turkey is ready to make all the necessary contribution toward this.” Fidan's comments emerged amid Turkish frustration that recent efforts toward a reconciliation with Assad have fallen flat. The comments indicated that the shock offensive launched by opposition fighters could be aimed at pressuring the Syrian leader to engage in political talks. Turkey has been seeking to normalize ties with Syria to address security threats from groups affiliated with Kurdish militants along its southern border and to help ensure the safe return of more than 3 million Syrian refugees. Assad has insisted that Turkey's withdrawal of its forces from northern Syria be a condition for any normalization between the two countries. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who visited Assad on Sunday before traveling to Ankara, reiterated Tehran's full support for the Syrian government. Iran has been one of Assad's principal political and military supporters and has deployed military advisers and forces after 2011 protests against Assad's rule turned into an all-out war. Iranian-backed Iraqi militias have deployed in Syria to back the government's counteroffensive against the insurgents, an Iraqi militia official and a war monitor said Monday. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based opposition war monitor, some 200 Iraqi militiamen riding on pickups crossed into Syria overnight through the strategic Bou Kamal crossing. They were expected to deploy in Aleppo to support the Syrian army's pushback against the insurgents, the monitor said. Meanwhile, Associated Press video showed armed insurgents at Aleppo's international airport, one of them standing on a Syrian government flag and others tearing down a poster of Assad. Insurgents were also seen mounting abandoned aircraft and walking around airport grounds strewn with weapons and ammunition boxes. The rebel offensive in Syria has caused concern among neighboring countries that the conflict could spill over. In Iraq, Interior Ministry spokesperson Brig. Gen. Miqdad Miri said security forces have deployed in greater numbers to protect their large border with Syria. Fidan reiterated Turkey's support for Syria's territorial integrity, but suggested that Turkey would not hesitate to intervene against Syrian Kurdish militia groups that Turkey considers to be terrorists if they “exploit the environment of instability.” “It was a mistake to ignore the legitimate demands of the opposition and for the (Syrian) regime not to sincerely engage in the political process,” Fidan said. Turkey, he added, "will never, ever allow terrorist organizations that seek to exploit the environment of instability," Fidan said. “We will eliminate any threat to our national security and our people wherever it emerges.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed hope that the instability in Syria would come to an end “in line with the legitimate demands of the Syrian people.” He spoke Monday at a joint news conference with the president of Montenegro. Both Fidan and Araghchi said Turkey, Iran and Russia would convene a new three-way meeting to address the conflict in Syria. "We have decided to hold closer consultations and dialogue, and with God's permission, we will cooperate to further improve the situation toward peace and stability in our region,” Araghchi said. Russia, whose intervention in Syria's civil war on behalf of Assad was crucial in turning the conflict in his favor, has said it will continue to support him. “We continue our contacts at the appropriate level,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday. “A position will be formed regarding what is needed to stabilize the situation.” The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said the Assad regime has ignored Security Council resolutions and refused to come to the table. “We are watching that situation very closely, and we will continue to engage with partners in the region to find a path for the situation to go back to calm,” she said. (AP) NB NB (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic is returning to the Dallas lineup Monday night against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing the Mavericks’ two previous games with a left heel contusion. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic is returning to the Dallas lineup Monday night against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing the Mavericks’ two previous games with a left heel contusion. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic is returning to the Dallas lineup Monday night against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing the Mavericks’ two previous games with a left heel contusion. Doncic won last season’s scoring title with a career-best 33.9 points per game and is fifth in the NBA this season averaging 28.9, and seventh in assists, averaging 8.2. He had triple-doubles in three of his last four games, including his most recent appearance last Sunday with 45 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in a 143-133 win at Golden State. The defending Western Conference champions are 18-10, fourth in the West, and have won 13 of their last 16 games following their only losing streak of the season, a four-game skid from Nov. 8-14. 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 NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba Advertisement

A Dividend Giant I’d Buy Over TC Energy Stock Right Now

The French Parliament on Dec 4 backed a vote of no-confidence in Prime Minister Michel Barnier, ousting him and his Cabinet. PARIS – As France prepared for deepening political turmoil after a parliamentary vote on Dec 4 that toppled the government, one thing was clear: The paralysis risked unleashing a fresh wave of distress across one of Europe’s biggest economies. Business leaders, who had been grappling with uncertainty for months, say they are bracing for a hit to growth. Unions warn of widening layoffs. Thousands of civil servants, including teachers, hospital staff, airport employees and workers in the gas and electricity sectors, are planning street protests across the country for Dec 5. France’s economy was already in a rough patch when a deeply divided Parliament backed a vote of no-confidence in Prime Minister Michel Barnier, ousting him and his Cabinet and leaving the country without a functioning government or a budget for 2025 to rein in France’s troubled finances. Mr Barnier is likely to remain as a caretaker until President Emmanuel Macron appoints a new prime minister, and France will use the 2024 budget until a new one can be assembled. In the meantime, the government’s collapse “will make everything more serious and more difficult” for France, Mr Barnier said in a speech to Parliament before the vote. “At a time when economic growth in France is slowing markedly, this is bad news,” said Ms Charlotte de Montpellier, chief economist for France at ING bank. High energy costs and interest rates, a downturn in domestic industry, falling consumer confidence and a slowdown in business investment have left growth largely flat in France for the past two years. Political instability since Macron dissolved parliament in the summer and held snap elections that led to a more deeply fractured legislature caused businesses to further pause investment and hiring. The schism on Dec 4 risks ushering in “a new period of instability”, said the Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises, which represents the bulk of French businesses that make up the backbone of activity. “A France without a budget would open the door to a debt crisis, the consequences of which would hit economic players hard,” the group said. The turmoil heralds a sombre chapter for France, a cornerstone of Europe’s euro currency union. France has long been an engine of growth alongside Germany, but both countries have been steadily weakened since 2021 by Europe’s energy crisis and high interest rates, turning them from leaders of the bloc into laggards. But in recent months, fiscal troubles have piled on France’s problems. The country has been grappling with a ballooning debt and deficit, the result of unbridled government spending by Mr Macron since Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. That has fuelled concerns about the country’s creditworthiness by investors who have pushed France’s borrowing costs above those of crisis-scarred Greece. The problems have started to nudge up unemployment, ending a brief but intense spree of job creation that was largely supported by public spending. The jobless rate, which fell to a 15-year low of 7.1 per cent in 2024, rose to 7.4 per cent in the autumn. France’s industry minister, Mr Marc Ferracci, said thousands of additional job cuts are likely in the coming months. The challenges have only grown as the state of France’s overstretched finances has become apparent. With a deficit that has jumped to 6.1 per cent of economic output, from 5.5 per cent in 2024, the country is now in worse fiscal straits than Greece, Spain and Italy. The country’s debt has exploded to more than €3.2 trillion (S$4.52 trillion), or more than 112 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product. The deficit had already started to widen during Macron’s first presidential term, after the yellow vest popular uprising in 2018 over a proposed gasoline tax increase set off nationwide protests by people struggling to make ends meet. Macron unleashed billions in subsidies and stimulus to quell the social maelstrom. Two years later, Covid-19 hit. Mr Macron, vowing to do “whatever it takes” to support the French economy, deployed hundreds of billions in spending to help companies furlough workers at 80 per cent of their pay, effectively nationalising a portion of private payrolls to prevent mass unemployment. The government also provided billions in cheap state-backed loans for companies. Just as the economy appeared to be recovering, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 sent energy prices soaring. Mr Macron authorised another round of major government spending to shield households and businesses. “Growth was financed through public spending,” Ms de Montpellier said. But the sustainability of the relief was not addressed, she added. “People knew that it was not going to last forever; now it’s actually the case.” NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel nowThe assassin who cooly gunned down the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in front of witnesses on Wednesday morning made a head-scratching stop before he carried out his hit. New photos released by police show that the suspect dipped into a nearby Starbucks just before he descended upon the Midtown Hilton around 6:45 a.m. to fatally shoot the 50-year-old Thompson as he walked there to give a speech at an investors meeting. The new photos—pulled from security footage—revealed only the alleged gunman’s eyes and hands, as he was wearing the same black facemask and black hoodie he wore during the shooting. Police did not say if the mystery man ordered anything at the coffee joint or if—by some extreme luck—he happened to give his first name for his hypothetical order. Police said the gunman “targeted” Thompson and fled the scene on an e-bike after shooting the health insurance CEO in his calf and back. He remained at large as of Wednesday afternoon. Donald Trump ’s coming back home...to NBC. The president-elect will sit down with Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker for his first network interview since he won the presidency again last month. The conversation will tape on Friday before it airs on Sunday, and the network plans to release the full interview and transcript after it concludes. The sit-down marks a turn for Trump, who effectively shunned traditional media outlets in the run-up to the election in favor of either gabs with Fox News or lengthy debates with Joe Rogan. The interview comes more than a year after Welker launched her show with a Trump interview in September 2023, which critics— including at the Daily Beast —derided as unchallenging and ineffective despite Welker’s skill as an interviewer. Trump has previously derided Welker as “terrible,” “horrible,” and a “radical left Democrat.” The nights are longer, the weather is colder, and there’s no better time to get some sleep. Get ready for the winter with Bearaby’s Black Friday Sale , featuring up to 30% off all of the brand’s made-to-make-you-cozy bedtime essentials. Fall asleep faster and enjoy a more restful sleep with Bearaby’s soft and breathable knitted weighted blanket , made of 100% organic cotton. Made with a custom, plant-based material that the brand calls MelofoamTM, this soothing body pillow melts away tension and relieves pressure by providing support to your joints, neck, and back. This gently weighted sleep mask leverages a tension-melting clay material to cradle your eyes and block out light, giving you a first-class ticket to dreamland. Don’t sleep on this heated neck wrap , which cradles your neck, back, and shoulders to create a warm, calming comfort that will put you at ease. Alternatively, chill it in the freezer to help soothe sore muscles. If you buy something from this post, we may earn a small commission. A 60-year-old California art teacher died after being bit by a bat in her classroom, according to officials. Leah Seneng died on Nov. 22, a month after removing a bat from her classroom at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos. Before class started, the teacher discovered the bat and “scooped it up to take it outside,” unaware that it had rabies, friend and family spokesperson Laura Splotch told NBC News. Seneng thought she had just been scratched, and didn’t seek immediate treatment, Splotch said. After not having any symptoms for weeks, Seneng went on Nov. 18 to the hospital, where it was determined that the classroom encounter likely gave her rabies. Her condition quickly worsened and she died four days later. NBC News reported that it was the first rabies death in Fresnno County since 1992. According to the CDC , less than 10 people die each year in the United States. The teacher is survived by her daughter and husband. “It’s very shocking, still, to think that she’s no longer around because of something so random,” Splotch said to NBC News. Donald Trump’s secretary of defense pick, Pete Hegseth, said he would quit drinking if confirmed to the position, CNN correspondent Manu Raju reported Wednesday. “He views the job as so important that he volunteered that,” Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger told Raju. “I didn’t ask him.” The New Yorker published a bombshell report Sunday that alleged Hegseth had a history of drinking heavily at work while the president of a veteran’s advocacy group. Then several former Fox News colleagues shared with NBC News that Hegseth’s drinking was concerning and affected his job as a morning host. Hegseth denied having a drinking problem in an interview with Megyn Kelly on Wednesday, though he did not address the allegations about his behavior at work. Hegseth’s candidacy has been marred by a number of scandals, including multiple sexual assault allegations, infidelities and a leaked letter written by his mother calling him an “abuser.” Pete Hegseth told incoming Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker that he wouldn’t drink if confirmed to the job. “He views the job as so important that he volunteered that,” Wicker told me. “I didn't ask him.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Whether you’re looking for sleep support, stress relief, a little physical relief, or just a little something to take the edge off, Kind Oasis’ premium, hemp-derived cannabis edibles are the perfect treat. to relax and unwind without the smoke and carcinogens you inhale with a joint, whether it be a Delta, CBD, or THC-forward product. The family-owned cannabis company offers a wide range of handcrafted cannabis products made in small batches that undergo strict quality control and third-party testing, so you can rest assured you’re getting top-quality and extra-pure products with every order. Kind Oasis offers something for everyone looking to enjoy the potentially mood-enhancing benefits of cannabis, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned smoker looking to ditch the flames. Not sure where to start? Some of the brand’s bestsellers include its Delta-8 and Delta-9 gummies, which some users say offer very similar benefits to conventional and higher-dose THC edibles while being chemically distinct from traditional THC products subject to federal and state criminal bans and Delta-based products are often available for order and delivery online in almost all jurisdictions, even those without state-legalized marijuana. Kind Oasis offers a slew of different treats, from THC-infused seltzers (and flavored syrups that can be added to green baked goods and spiked coffee drinks!) to full-spectrum CBD gummies for those who prefer a mild effect (or live in regions in which THC is not legal). Whatever your cannabis needs are, Kind Oasis has you covered with a product that will give you the right feeling, no matter what you prefer: an active candy or sweet or a flavorful and relaxing beverage. The Satanic Temple will begin offering a religious studies program at a public elementary school in Ohio after a parent’s request. Seeking an alternative to the school’s Christian release program, a concerned parent at Edgewood Elementary school in Marysville, Ohio requested for a different program to be implemented at the school for non-Christian students. The school’s initial release program, organized by LifeWise Academy, sees students being removed from classes for 55 minutes each week to study the Bible or visit local churches. With the Satanic Temple’s new program, the Hellion Academy of Independent Learning (Hail), students at Edgewood can instead partake in “self-directed learning” and “good works in the community” once every month, where they’ll also have “inspirational guest speakers” and “tons of fun,” per the organization’s Facebook page . The Satanic Temple identifies as a “non-theistic” church, meaning it doesn’t believe in deities like God or Satan, but rather claims it is instead on a mission to promote pluralism among different religious views. “We aren’t trying to shut the LifeWise Academy down,” June Everett, an ordained minister at the Temple, told WCMH . “But I do think a lot of school districts don’t realize when they open the door for one religion, they open it for all of them.” M issing woman Hannah Kobayashi ’s Venmo account has reportedly been flooded with donations after news broke that she recently crossed into Mexico. The Hawaii native was initially reported missing by family on Nov. 11 after failing to board a connecting flight from Los Angeles to New York three days prior. The LA Police Department swiftly commenced an investigation into Kobayashi’s disappearance to determine if there was any foul play. On Monday, however, surveillance footage from Customs and Border Protection showed Kobayashi crossing into Mexico alone with her luggage, seemingly unharmed, the day before. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell disclosed that Kobayashi had been “classified a voluntary missing person” in a press conference on Monday, adding that foul play is no longer suspected in her disappearance. Following the update, Venmo users have been sending money and recommendations to Kobayashi for her apparent trip to Mexico, according to The Daily Mail . “I hope you’re safe. You don’t owe an explanation. Here’s some taco money, girl. Have fun!,” one user wrote. Another said, “Way to make it to Mexico girlie! Have a chicharron on me!” Frasier star Kelsey Grammer is set to release a memoir in 2025 about his sister, Karen, and her murder in 1975. Karen, who was 18 at the time of her death, was kidnapped by multiple men from her job at Red Lobster. She was later stabbed to death after being raped. In a People exclusive , Grammer talked about his sister’s memory, and the healing journey he and his family have been on since the tragedy. “It is not a grief book. It is a life book, a celebration of Karen’s life,” Grammer, 69, told the outlet. “From a loving brother, I invite you to meet Karen. To know her and remember her with me.” Grammer has faced multiple other untimely deaths in his family. His father was killed by a trespasser on his property when the actor was just 13-years-old, which was five years before his sister’s death. Then in 1980, his two half brothers dying in a scuba diving incident. The memoir, entitled, “Karen: A Brother Remembers,” is expected to be released in May 2025. “Fifty years hence, I learned that love, that our love, is forever,” Grammer said. Prince William and Prince Harry are engaging in yet another very public display showing how toxic their relationship has become by refusing, once again, to appear together at an award ceremony honoring their mother’s legacy. While Harry will appear via pre-recorded video at the Diana Awards tomorrow, William will not attend and instead handed out letters to the winners on Wednesday. It’s arguably a slightly less absurd solution than that employed at another awards ceremony for the charity in March this year, which saw William speak live at the event with Harry’s speech delayed till after he had left. Adding to the sense of bitterness back then, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, announced the launch of her American Riviera Orchard brand on Instagram minutes before William took to the stage. Prince William’s new letter seemed to adopt some Sussex buzzwords, with the future king writing: “I am so proud of the impact every one of you has had on your communities and beyond. You are driven by kindness and compassion and through this you are all changing the world for the better.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. It’s not every day that you can score a deal on a high-quality printer at a lower cost. Investing in a quality printer for your home or office is a game-changer, and while it’s not the most fun purchase, it’ll pay for itself in a couple of months. Fortunately, you don’t have to pay full price for a solid printer, thanks to HP’s current sale . Right now, you can score the HP Envy Inspire 7955e , the brand’s premium at-home photo printer for $70 off. If you’re looking for a solid holiday gift that they’ll actually use, the deluxe multi-purpose printer is a great choice—especially for photographers and anyone who works from home. The all-in-one printer is also designed with HP’s Wolf Essential Security system to keep your information secure and keep hackers out. Plus, unlike other printers that require you to get your hands dirty to replenish the ink, this one offers a 15-second mess-free ink refill experience with bottles that can be plugged into the tank. Say goodbye to messes and hello to your new printer . Best of all? For a limited time, score three months of Instant Ink with HP+. Donald Trump picked tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA, the president-elect announced on Truth Social. Isaacman currently serves as the CEO of the payments-technology company Shift4 Payments. The billionaire has also helped pioneer private space travel by funding Elon Musk’s SpaceX flights. “Jared will drive NASA’s mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in Space science, technology, and exploration,” Trump said in a post. Isaacman has been on two SpaceX flights, first in 2021 and most recently in September. “On my last mission to space, my crew and I traveled farther from Earth than anyone in over half a century. I can confidently say this second space age has only just begun,” Isaacman wrote on X following the announcement. “At NASA, we will passionately pursue these possibilities and usher in an era where humanity becomes a true spacefaring civilization.” Donald Trump has named former White House aide Peter Navarro as a senior counselor in his impending administration after the MAGA loyalist spent four months in prison for refusing to testify to Congress about the Jan. 6 insurrection. Navarro will serve as senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, the president-elect announced in a pair of Wednesday Truth Social posts , hailing him as “a man who was treated horribly by the Deep State, or whatever else you would like to call it.” Navarro was convicted on two counts of contempt for refusing to comply with a subpoena from Congress—prosecutors said he “chose allegiance to former President Donald Trump over the rule of law.” Hours after his release from prison in July, Navarro delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention. Now, he will be back in the White House. “The Senior Counselor position leverages Peter’s broad range of White House experience, while harnessing his extensive Policy analytic and Media skills,” Trump wrote in his announcement. “His mission will be to help successfully advance and communicate the Trump Manufacturing, Tariff, and Trade Agendas.”

The “Sunset” Nike Air Max Plus Golf Redefines Course StyleNone

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic is returning to the Dallas lineup Monday night against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing the Mavericks’ two previous games with a left heel contusion. Doncic won last season’s scoring title with a career-best 33.9 points per game and is fifth in the NBA this season averaging 28.9, and seventh in assists, averaging 8.2. He had triple-doubles in three of his last four games, including his most recent appearance last Sunday with 45 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in a 143-133 win at Golden State. The defending Western Conference champions are 18-10, fourth in the West, and have won 13 of their last 16 games following their only losing streak of the season, a four-game skid from Nov. 8-14. ___ AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nbaPublished 4:58 pm Monday, December 2, 2024 By Data Skrive Top-25 teams will be in action across six games on Tuesday’s college basketball slate. That includes the Holy Cross Crusaders taking on the UConn Huskies at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Watch women’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Get the latest news sent to your inbox Catch tons of live women’s college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle.

The right of transgender minors to access gender-affirming care has sparked debate in many parts of the United States, and it’s now heading to the U.S. Supreme Court. The court heard oral arguments Wednesday on a challenge, brought by young people who identify as transgender and their families, to a law in Tennessee that bans gender-affirming medical care for minors. It’s one of 26 states that have passed bans on gender-affirming health care for transgender children and teenagers, according to a CNN analysis of data from the Movement Advancement Project, a nonprofit think tank that advocates for LGBTQ rights. Gender-affirming care is a multidisciplinary approach that includes medically necessary and scientific evidence-based practices to help a person safely transition from their assigned gender – the one a clinician assigned them at birth, based mostly on anatomic characteristics – to their affirmed gender – the gender by which the person wants to be known. Although the term gender-affirming care came into the public’s lexicon fairly recently, Dr. Madeline Deutsch, director of the UCSF Gender Affirming Health Program in San Francisco, said the practice has been around for some time and is based on decades of scientific research. Major mainstream medical associations – including the American Medical Association , the American Psychiatric Association , the Endocrine Society , the American Psychological Association , the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry – have affirmed the practice of gender-affirming care and agree that it’s the gold standard of clinically appropriate care that can provide lifesaving treatment for children and adults. “While we are always assessing the strength of the evidence for this kind of care, every major US medical association has found that the medical evidence is strong and in support of centers that provides this kind of care and have been doing so for decades,” said Dr. Kellan Baker, executive director of the Whitman-Walker Institute, a health care organization that works on LGBTQ+ issues. This year, an extensive but controversial research review in the UK called the use of puberty-delaying medications into question, saying that the rationale for early puberty suppression was “unclear” and that any benefit for mental health was supported by “weak evidence.” The review — known as the Cass Review for Dr. Hilary Cass, the pediatrician who conducted it — has prompted providers in the UK to scale back their use of the treatment. However, its methodology have come under sharp criticism from some scholars and practitioners. The process typically starts with a conversation between a clinician and the individual. If the patient is a child, the conversation will also include the family when possible. “It’s to really get a better sense of what’s bringing them into the clinic,” said licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Melina Wald, co-founder and former clinical director of the Columbia Gender Identity Program at Columbia University Medical Center. “We are also looking to understand the child’s understanding of their own gender, gender expression and a history related to that.” After experts determine what the person needs, a multidisciplinary group of clinicians will design a plan for them. Depending on the person’s age, care can include mental health and support groups, legal help and sometimes medical help like hormones or surgery when a person is past puberty. “This is individualized care, not some one-size-fits-all-plan,” Baker said. A transition plan can be as simple as offering support to someone when they start using different pronouns, change their hairstyle or clothing, or use a different name. “When we support and allow people to do these things, their lives get better,” Deutsch said. Mental health care: Often, gender-affirming care will include counseling. A 2018 study found that the prevalence of mental health problems among transgender youth was seven times higher than among their cisgender peers. Mental health problems don’t necessarily stem from a person’s identity; a growing number of studies show that they often occur because of social discrimination and what’s known as minority stress. Stigma, marginalization , discrimination, bullying, harassment and violence can lead to feelings of isolation and rejection. People who identify as transgender may also need mental health help just to determine what their identity is, to come to terms with it and to find self-acceptance. Mental health care can also help people come out to their family and friends and develop coping mechanisms so they can be who they are in a world that isn’t always friendly or accepting. Gender-affirming care, studies show, lowers a person’s odds of depression and suicidality and is associated with improved well-being. Medication and surgery: Some people may also receive age-appropriate medical care like hormone treatments, puberty blockers, voice and communication therapy, gynecologic and urologic care and reproductive treatments. Typically, surgeries are offered only to adults. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health’s guidelines , which are considered the gold standard for gender-affirming care around the world, say this kind of care should provide a person “safe and effective pathways to achieving lasting personal comfort with their gendered selves with the aim of optimizing their overall physical health, psychological well-being, and self-fulfillment.” When children get to a certain stage of puberty – diagnosed by a medical provider – and still have a persistent, well-documented sense that their gender does not align with the sex assigned at birth, doctors and family may decide to move forward with reversible pubertal suppression , commonly called puberty blockers . Although not all patients choose this treatment, some research shows that gender-incongruent youth may feel increased distress when they start to develop secondary sex characteristics. These gonadotrophin-releasing hormone drugs were first used to delay puberty for people with what’s known as precocious puberty , when a child’s body changes into that of an adult too soon. Puberty blockers can keep secondary sex traits from developing for a few years, to give the child time to access support, explore their gender identity and develop coping skills, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. If a patient decides to stop treatment, puberty resumes. “That just basically puts everything on pause, and children can be on that for a couple of years without any ill effects, and it’s totally reversible,” Deutsch said. “If it’s stopped, then everything just continues where you left off.” Studies show that puberty blockers can reduce the distress that may happen when a child develops secondary sex characteristics such as breasts, an Adam’s apple or voice changes. Studies show that transgender adolescents who used puberty blockers were less likely to have suicidal thoughts than those who wanted the treatment but did not get it. Puberty blockers can also make a transition later in life easier, since the person did not develop these secondary sex characteristics. At this stage in the gender-affirming care process, after a thorough evaluation by a medical professional, a patient may also receive hormone therapy that can lead to gender-affirming physical change. Puberty blockers can carry some risks, and more long-term studies are needed, according to the Pediatric Endocrine Society . Long-term studies on fertility and bone health are limited and provide “varied results,” according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health guidelines say that before giving puberty blockers, the provider must make sure the person has demonstrated a sustained and persistent pattern of gender dysphoria or gender incongruence; they must have the emotional and cognitive maturity to provide informed consent; any coexisting mental health problems that could interfere with treatment or consent need to be addressed; the person needs to be told that there could be reproductive effects, and fertility preservation options should be discussed; and the child must have reached Tanner Stage 2 of puberty, which is when a girl starts to develop breast buds and a boy’s scrotum and testicles begin to increase in size. A pediatric endocrinologist must agree with this decision. Professional medical guidelines, with some rare exceptions, do not recommend puberty blockers, hormone therapies or surgery for children who have not gone through puberty. If such treatment is indicated, the clinician would first do a thorough evaluation in collaboration with the patient and their caregiver to understand the child’s unique needs. “I think one of the big myths out there is that there’s a sense that kids are rushed into decisions related to medical care, like hormone therapy or surgery. That’s just not the case,” Wald said. Deutsch agreed: “Kids don’t make stuff up about this, wanting to become trans because it’s trendy or something,” she said. “Trans youth and trans people in general do not have access to a hormone vending machine.” Some critics point out that youth who take puberty blockers may change their minds about their gender identity later in life. Several studies have shown that most people who opt for gender-affirming care don’t later regret their choices — including an October 2022 study in the Netherlands that found 98% of transgender youth who had started gender-affirming medical treatment in adolescence continued to use those hormones around five or six years later in adulthood. Among 3,306 UK Gender Identity Development Service patients included the Cass Review analysis, fewer than 10 patients detransitioned to their birth-registered gender. Questions about the benefits of puberty-blocking medications gained fresh attention in October when the author of a federally funded study was quoted as saying she had delayed publication of some of her results because of fears that they would be “weaponized” in a heated political climate. Johanna Olson-Kennedy, medical director at the Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, said that in the study , which she helped lead, puberty blockers did not appear to improve the mental health of 95 children ages 8 to 16 who were followed for two years to understand their mental and physical functioning as doctors used the medications to delay the physical changes associated with puberty. Some advocates for gender-affirming care for youth said this is a typical level of caution taken by researchers to carefully present and interpret scientific data. However, researchers said it remains critical to publish data; puberty blockers may have prevented a decline in mental health, even if they didn’t lead to improvement in mental functioning, but it’s impossible to know if the data isn’t released. If a child identifies as transgender or gender-diverse, research suggests that they know their gender as clearly and consistently as their peers who identify as cisgender or the gender they were assigned at birth, even if it conflicts with other people’s expectations about what a typical “boy” or “girl” is. Some critics of the process suggest that children should wait until adulthood to transition, but the American Academy of Pediatrics says in its guidelines that this approach is “outdated,” in part because it assumes that gender identity becomes fixed at a certain age, and the approach is based on “binary notions of gender in which gender diversity and fluidity is pathologized.” The group also argues that the approach was based on early studies with methodological flaws, limited follow-up and validity concerns. More recent research shows that “rather than focusing on who a child will become, valuing them for who they are, even at a young age, fosters secure attachment and resilience, not only for the child but also for the whole family.” Wald says that waiting to transition can create additional psychological distress for a child and can raise their risk of depression, suicidality, self-harm or substance misuse. “Withholding intervention means that the child is going to go through a puberty that is discordant with their gender identity and would ultimately mean that later, at the age of 18, there would be changes to their body that they would make it even more difficult,” she said. “These children and teens can be incredibly resilient,” Wald added. “With support and access to care, they will thrive and can be just as successful as any kid.” A 2022 analysis of data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and its Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that a tiny fraction of people in the United States – about 0.6% of those 13 and older, or about 1.6 million people – identify as transgender, according to the Williams Institute , a think tank at UCLA Law that provides scientific research on gender identity and sexual orientation. While the percentage of adults who identify as transgender in the US has remained basically the same, the number of young people who identify as such doubled – to 300,000 – from the last time the Williams Institute did the research in 2016 and 2017. It may not be a direct comparison, however, as the Williams Institute’s previous survey did not have survey data for younger teens and had to use statistical modeling to extrapolate based on adult data. The report cannot explain why more young people may be identifying as transgender, but it notes that more data has become available about this population. CNN’s Brenda Goodman, Meg Tirrell and Kristen Rogers contributed to this report.Three long days of counting in the General Election finished late on Monday night when the final two seats were declared in the constituency of Cavan-Monaghan. Fianna Fail was the clear winner of the election, securing 48 of the Dail parliament’s 174 seats. Sinn Fein took 39 and Fine Gael 38. Labour and the Social Democrats both won 11 seats; People Before Profit-Solidarity took three; Aontu secured two; and the Green Party retained only one of its 12 seats. Independents and others accounted for 21 seats. The return of a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael-led coalition is now highly likely. However, their combined seat total of 86 leaves them just short of the 88 needed for a majority in the Dail. While the two centrist parties that have dominated Irish politics for a century could look to strike a deal with one of the Dail’s smaller centre-left parties, such as the Social Democrats or Labour, a more straightforward route to a majority could be achieved by securing the support of several independent TDs. For Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and current taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, wooing like-minded independents would be likely to involve fewer policy concessions, and financial commitments, than would be required to convince another party to join the government benches. Longford-Westmeath independent TD Kevin “Boxer” Moran, who served in a Fine Gael-led minority government between 2017 and 2020, expressed his willingness to listen to offers to join the new coalition in Dublin. “Look, my door’s open,” he told RTE. “Someone knocks, I’m always there to open it.” Marian Harkin, an independent TD for Sligo-Leitrim, expressed her desire to participate in government as she noted that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael were within “shouting distance” of an overall majority. “That means they will be looking for support, and I certainly will be one of those people who will be speaking to them and talking to them and negotiating with them, and I’m looking forward to doing that, because that was the reason that I ran in the first place,” she said. Meanwhile, the Social Democrats and Irish Labour Party both appear cautious about the prospect of an alliance with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. They will no doubt be mindful of the experience of the Green Party, the junior partner in the last mandate. The Greens experienced near wipeout in the election, retaining only one of their 12 seats. Sinn Fein appears to currently have no realistic route to government, given Fianna Fail and Fine Gael’s ongoing refusal to share power with the party. Despite the odds being stacked against her party, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald contacted the leaders of the Social Democrats and Labour on Monday to discuss options. Earlier, Fianna Fail deputy leader and outgoing Finance Minister Jack Chambers predicted that a new coalition government would not be in place before Christmas. Mr Chambers said planned talks about forming an administration required “time and space” to ensure that any new government will be “coherent and stable”. After an inconclusive outcome to the 2020 election, it took five months for Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Greens to strike the last coalition deal. Mr Chambers said he did not believe it would take that long this time, as he noted the Covid-19 pandemic was a factor in 2020, but he also made clear it would not be a swift process. He said he agreed with analysis that there was no prospect of a deal before Christmas. “I don’t expect a government to be formed in mid-December, when the Dail is due to meet on December 18, probably a Ceann Comhairle (speaker) can be elected, and there’ll have to be time and space taken to make sure we can form a coherent, stable government,” he told RTE. “I don’t think it should take five months like it did the last time – Covid obviously complicated that. But I think all political parties need to take the time to see what’s possible and try and form a stable government for the Irish people.” Fine Gael minister of state Peter Burke said members of his parliamentary party would have to meet to consider their options before giving Mr Harris a mandate to negotiate a new programme for government with Fianna Fail. “It’s important that we have a strong, stable, viable government, whatever form that may be, to ensure that we can meet the challenges of our society, meet the challenges in terms of the economic changes that are potentially going to happen,” he told RTE. Despite being set to emerge with the most seats, it has not been all good news for Fianna Fail. The party’s outgoing Health Minister Stephen Donnelly became one of the biggest casualties of the election when he lost his seat in Wicklow in the early hours of Monday morning. Mr Donnelly was always predicted to face a fight in the constituency after boundary changes saw it reduced from five to four seats. If it is to be a reprise of the Fianna Fail/Fine Gael governing partnership of the last mandate, one of the major questions is around the position of taoiseach and whether the parties will once again take turns to hold the Irish premiership during the lifetime of the new government. The outcome in 2020 saw the parties enter a coalition on the basis that the holder of the premier position would be exchanged midway through the term. Fianna Fail leader Mr Martin took the role for the first half of the mandate, with Leo Varadkar taking over in December 2022. Current Fine Gael leader Mr Harris succeeded Mr Varadkar as taoiseach when he resigned from the role earlier this year. However, this time Fianna Fail has significantly increased its seat lead over Fine Gael, compared with the last election when there were only three seats between the parties. The size of the disparity in party numbers is likely to draw focus on the rotating taoiseach arrangement, raising questions as to whether it will be re-run in the next coalition and, if it is, on what terms. On Sunday, Simon Coveney, a former deputy leader of Fine Gael, said a coalition that did not repeat the rotating taoiseach arrangement in some fashion would be a “difficult proposition” for his party. Meanwhile, Fine Gael minister Paschal Donohoe said he would be making the case for Mr Harris to have another opportunity to serve as taoiseach. On Monday, Mr Chambers said while his party would expect to lead the government it would approach the issue of rotating the taoiseach’s role on the basis of “mutual respect” with Fine Gael. “I think the context of discussions and negotiations will be driven by mutual respect, and that’s the glue that will drive a programme for government and that’s the context in which we’ll engage,” he said. On Monday, Labour leader Ivana Bacik reiterated her party’s determination to forge an alliance with fellow centre-left parties with the intention of having a unified approach to the prospect of entering government. Asked if Labour was prepared to go into government with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael on its own, she told RTE: “No, not at this stage. We are absolutely not willing to do that. “We want to ensure there’s the largest number of TDs who share our vision and our values who want to deliver change on the same basis that we do.” The Social Democrats have been non-committal about any potential arrangement with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, and have restated a series of red lines they would need to achieve before considering taking a place in government. Leader Holly Cairns, who gave birth to a daughter on polling day on Friday, said in a statement: “The party is in a very strong position to play an important role in the next Dail. In what position, government or opposition, remains to be seen.” Fianna Fail secured the most first preference votes in Friday’s proportional representation election, taking 21.9% to Fine Gael’s 20.8%. Sinn Fein came in third on 19%. While Sinn Fein’s vote share represented a marked improvement on its disappointing showing in June’s local elections in Ireland, it is still significantly down on the 24.5% poll-topping share it secured in the 2020 general election. The final breakdown of first preferences also flipped the result of Friday night’s exit poll, which suggested Sinn Fein was in front on 21.1%, with Fine Gael on 21% and Fianna Fail on 19.5%.A Look at Transit’s Local Successes and Federal Challenges

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim hailed Arsenal as one of the best set-piece teams he has ever faced following the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal. The Gunners took two points out of Liverpool’s lead at the summit of the Premier League after Jurrien Timber and William Saliba struck in the second half – both from corners – to condemn Amorim to his first defeat as United boss. The hosts’ second-half strikes took their goals-from-corners tally to 22 since the start of last season – a statistic that is unmatched by any other team in the division. Asked if Arsenal are one of the best teams he has come up against on corners, Amorim replied: “If you follow the Premier League for a long time you can see that. “They are also big players and you see every occasion when (Gabriel) Martinelli and (Bukayo) Saka have one-on-ones, a lot of times they go outside and they cross, and they know that if the cross goes well, they can score, and if it is a corner they can score, too, so we have to be better on that. “You have seen in all Arsenal games that every team have had problems with that (corners). And the difference today was the set-pieces. “You see a goal and then the momentum changed, and it is really hard for us to take the full control of the game after that.” Timber leaned into Rasmus Hojlund at the front post before diverting Declan Rice’s set-piece into the back of Andre Onana’s net after 54 minutes to send Arsenal into the lead. Thomas Partey’s header from Saka’s corner then deflected in off Saliba’s shoulder with 17 minutes left. Arteta and the club’s set-piece guru Nicolas Jover embraced on the touchline as Amorim was left with his head in his hands. The Arsenal supporters cheered raucously every time they won a corner – landing 13 in all without reply. However, Arteta moved to play down the significance of Arsenal’s set-piece threat. “We need that, but we want to be very dangerous and very effective from every angle and every phase of play,” said Arteta. “Today we could have scored from open play like we did against West Ham and Sporting. Last year we scored the most goals in the history of this football club. Arsenal have won four consecutive Premier League matches against Man Utd for the first time ever! 💫 pic.twitter.com/biv1kvsJEP — Premier League (@premierleague) December 4, 2024 “Not because of only set-pieces, but because of a lot of things that we have. We want to create individual and magic moments, too.” Arsenal’s win against United – the first time they have recorded four victories in a row against the Red Devils in the league – was their fourth in succession since the international break. They will head to Fulham on Sunday bidding to keep the momentum going. Arteta continued: “The will to win is there. We try our best to do that. We won four in a row, but it doesn’t matter. We have to go to Fulham now, try to be better than them and try win the game. “It’s every three days that we play. It’s a crazy schedule. We’re going to need everybody and to mentally be very strong.”DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic is returning to the Dallas lineup Monday night against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing the Mavericks’ two previous games with a left heel contusion. Doncic won last season’s scoring title with a career-best 33.9 points per game and is fifth in the NBA this season averaging 28.9, and seventh in assists, averaging 8.2. He had triple-doubles in three of his last four games, including his most recent appearance last Sunday with 45 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in a 143-133 win at Golden State.(NAPSI)—The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, but when the average American is spending nearly $1,000 on gifts, food, and decorations, they can also be the most stressful. For many, the pressure to create a picture-perfect holiday can stretch budgets a bit too far. Many of today’s shoppers seek advice from their favorite online influencers, sourcing creative hacks, recipes, DIY projects, and tips to keep the holidays magical without overspending. In fact, 69% of consumers say they value and actively seek out influencer recommendations. Now, questions don’t need to get buried in the comments. This December, TextNow is flipping the script on holiday stress by introducing the Holiday Hotline , a free resource to help you navigate the season, with advice a mere text away. Whether it’s finding affordable gifts, creating a festive dinner on a budget, or even learning how to save on your monthly bills, the Holiday Hotline can make things simpler, cheaper, and—perhaps most importantly—more joyful. TextNow Holiday Hotline: Expert Advice at Your Fingertips From December 5–10, TextNow’s Holiday Hotline connects you with relatable experts (aka some of your favorite influencers including social media creator and podcast host Remi Cruz, Kayla Savings, and Melissa Weiss) who will share their go-to tips for a budget-friendly holiday. Here’s what you can expect: • Holiday Budgeting 101: Learn simple ways to stretch every dollar and avoid those dreaded post-holiday bills. • Affordable Gift-Giving Ideas: Thoughtful, creative gifts that won’t break the bank. • Festive Decorating on a Dime: Transform your home into a holiday wonderland with budget-friendly hacks. • Stress-Free Holiday Cooking: Recipes and meal-planning tips to impress your guests. Need more advice? Just text the hotline at 310-299-3584, and you’ll get personalized, practical tips sent straight to your phone. Win $1,000 for Your Holiday Dinner As if free expert advice wasn’t enough, TextNow is also giving you the chance to win big this holiday season. Enter the $1,000 Dinner Giveaway for a shot at a $1,000 gift card to cover your holiday expenses—whether it’s for food, gifts, travel, or whatever else makes your season special. Entering is simple: 1.Head to TextNow’s Instagram . 2.Like the giveaway post. 3.Share your best holiday tip in the comments (bonus: share the post to your story for an extra entry). 4.The giveaway runs from December 5-12, with winners announced from December 13-16. Save More This Holiday Season TextNow is more than just a phone service—it’s a way to take control of your budget, not just during the holidays but year-round. • Free Phone Service: Unlimited calling and texting on the nation’s largest 5G network free. No gimmicks, no contracts. • Free Essential Data: Get free data for such essential apps as maps, rideshare, and email when you activate your SIM card. • Additional Flexible Data Plans: Add extra data only when you need it, with hourly, daily, or monthly passes. Getting started with TextNow is easy. Download the app to call and text for free over Wi-Fi or unlock free cellular service with a $4.99 SIM card. Learn More For more details, visit www.TextNow.com . Word Count: 491

6 lucky number 2024 Almost every second business lacks confidence in deepfake detection, according to a new industry assessment. This particularly relates to uncertainty with detection, leaving firms vulnerable to rising fraud risks. The study also uncovers significant gaps in preparedness, particularly in the Financial Services sector, where the threat is growing. The study comes from Regula , a global developer of identity verification solutions. The key message is a gap in preparedness: nearly half of businesses admit they are only partially confident in their ability to detect deepfakes, leaving them vulnerable to escalating fraud risks. Based on Regula’s study, “ The Deepfake Trends 2024 ,” 59 percent of businesses consider video deepfakes a serious threat, while 58 percent feel the same about audio deepfakes. Certain industries and regions feel the impact more acutely : In the Financial Services sector, 66 percent of respondents rank audio deepfakes as a moderate to significant risk. Traditional banks are among the least confident, with only 49 percent feeling prepared. In contrast, FinTech companies report the highest confidence levels at 63 percent. In terms of national trends, Mexico leads globally in deepfake threat perception, with 83 percent concerned about video deepfakes and 85 percent about audio deepfakes. By contrast, only 50 percent of U.S. organizations express concern about video deepfakes; meanwhile, Germany ranks slightly higher, with 57 percent of organizations worried. Germany leads in uncertainty, with only 47 percent of businesses expressing strong confidence in their defenses, while the UAE (63 percent) and the U.S. (60 percent) show the highest levels of confidence. Notably, businesses that have previously experienced identity fraud are twice as likely to view deepfake threats as a major concern. Despite widespread awareness, on average, 42 percent of businesses admit they are only “somewhat confident” in their ability to detect deepfakes. To address the issue, the study reveals that businesses adopting online identity verification (IDV) early are significantly more prepared. Those with seven years of IDV experience report 20 percent higher confidence than recent adopters. However, tackling deepfakes in-house can backfire. Companies building their own IDV systems reported higher average losses—$515,000 compared to $444,000 for those using ready-made solutions—underscoring the complexity of fighting fraud effectively. The report also uncovers a disconnect between owners and managers where 76 percent of business owners are confident in their ability to manage deepfake threats. Yet only 47 percent of managers feel the same, reflecting the day-to-day challenges of mitigating fraud. Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.San Jose, California; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Sabres -166, Sharks +140; over/under is 6 BOTTOM LINE: The San Jose Sharks host the Buffalo Sabres after Alexander Wennberg's two-goal game against the St. Louis Blues in the Sharks' 3-2 shootout loss. San Jose has a 6-11-5 record overall and a 4-4-1 record on its home ice. The Sharks have a -21 scoring differential, with 54 total goals scored and 75 given up. Buffalo is 10-9-1 overall and 4-4-1 on the road. The Sabres serve 10.7 penalty minutes per game to rank third in the league. The teams meet Saturday for the first time this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Tyler Toffoli has nine goals and six assists for the Sharks. Macklin Celebrini has over the last 10 games. Rasmus Dahlin has five goals and 12 assists for the Sabres. Zachary Benson has over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Sharks: 3-4-3, averaging 2.4 goals, 4.5 assists, 2.7 penalties and six penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game. Sabres: 6-4-0, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.5 assists, five penalties and 10.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game. INJURIES: Sharks: None listed. Sabres: None listed. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Facility Opens, Aims to Produce 100 Million Doses a Year

Godrej Consumer, Welspun Corp, Poonawalla Fincorp, Paytm: Top stocks to watch for December 9Batteries Plus Celebrates Record-Breaking Commercial Sales Month, Surpassing Major Milestones in Franchise and Systemwide Commercial Growth

Wade Taylor IV racked up 19 points that included eight in the final 3:22 of the game as No. 22 Texas A&M outlasted Texas Tech 72-67 on Sunday afternoon in the USLBM Coast-to-Coast Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas A&M (8-2) led by as many as 11 points in the first half and by three at halftime before the Red Raiders surged to the front early in the second half. Down 52-49, the Aggies produced an 11-0 surge capped by a jumper by Zhuric Phelps to take a 60-52 advantage with 5:02 to play The Aggies' margin was just two points when Taylor went hard to the hole on back-to-back possessions for layups that pushed the lead to 64-58. A 3-pointer by Tech's Chance McMillian cut lead to three but Taylor, Henry Coleman III and Solomon Washington converted free throws over the final 27 seconds to provide the deciding points for A&M. Jace Carter added 16 points and Phelps had 12 for the Aggies, who have won four straight games. McMillian's 23 points were a game high, while Kevin Overton added 17 and Darrion Williams had 11 for Texas Tech (7-2), which had a three-game winning streak snapped. The Aggies ruled the game's first five minutes, blitzing to a 13-2 lead thanks to eight early points from Taylor and a stifling defense that forced Tech into four turnovers. The Red Raiders responded with an 8-2 run capped by a jumper by Federiko Federiko to close the gap to five points at the 10:57 mark. Texas Tech continued to battle back, clawing to within 26-24 with 5:16 left in the first half thanks to a 9-0 run. Texas A&M boosted the margin to as many as six points after Manny Obaseki hit a layup with 2:23 remaining before McMillian canned a pair of free throws with 41 seconds to play to pull to within 34-31 at the break. Overton led all scorers with 14 points before halftime while Carter paced the Aggies with 13. The Red Raiders pulled even on Federiko's jumper 46 seconds into the second half, went in front on a jumper by Elijah Hawkins with 18:22 to play and pushed their advantage to five points on another Hawkins jumper at the 16:30 mark of the half. The Aggies swung back, tying the contest at 49 when Washington sank a 3-pointer with 10:48 left, setting the stage for the furious finish. --Field Level MediaNone

6 lucky numbers today 1 to 49 NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Newcastle’s winning run in the English Premier League came to an abrupt end when goals from Thomas Souček and Aaron Wan-Bissaka gave West Ham a surprise 2-0 win at St. James’ Park on Monday. The Hammers rose into 14th place and the pressure on coach Julen Lopetegui was eased. The London club has been inconsistent all season and Monday’s win was just its fourth in 12 league games. West Ham was worth it in the end but the three points came courtesy of slack defending by the home side. Emerson whipped in an out-swinging corner after 10 minutes and, with Newcastle defenders rooted to the spot, Souček stole in to nod home the opener. Then eight minutes into the second half, captain Jarrod Bowen found Wan-Bissaka in the penalty box and he was left unchallenged and had time to fire an angled drive past Nick Pope. “The second goal ... if you settle on a lead it can come back to haunt you,” Bowen said. Story continues below video Newcastle brought on Harvey Barnes, and then Callum Wilson returned from a long-term back injury to make his first appearance of the season, but to no avail. “I said we needed a performance and we did that," Bowen said. “Newcastle always score at home so to keep them to a clean sheet and score twice ... it’s a tough place to come to. We did that perfectly.” The defeat ended a three-game winning streak for Newcastle and left the Saudi Arabia-owned club in ninth place, four points outside the top four. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

A lack of rules to help keep aging drivers — and you — safer on the streets causes serious, even fatal, consequences, Scripps News Cleveland found in a recent investigative report. So-called "mature drivers" (55+) were the most common variable in Ohio motor vehicle crashes over the last six years. State records show mature drivers were involved in 525,290 crashes between Jan. 1, 2019, and Nov. 12, 2024. The number of crashes involving mature drivers was higher than youth-related crashes and speed-related crashes. Despite those numbers, Ohio and other states have no special provisions to ensure older drivers are safe behind the wheel. Ignoring the risk "We really, as a society, mostly ignore it," said Sharona Hoffman , Case Western Reserve University, School of Law, and author of "Aging with a Plan: How a Little Thought Today Can Vastly Improve Your Tomorrow," which provides resources to help middle-aged and older adults deal with all aspects of aging, including driving. "There is not a good legal framework that tries to identify unsafe driving and address it," she said. Ohio is one of 13 states that does not have any regulations aimed at aging drivers on the roadways, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Other states have only enacted minor provisions, including more frequent license renewals and vision tests and requiring drivers to renew their licenses in person instead of by mail. Nevada and Washington D.C. require a doctor's note for drivers over 70. Only Illinois requires drivers to take another road test after they turn 75. Hoffman said driving decisions are mostly left to families. "Doctors often don’t get involved in that and so it’s up to families, and that can be extremely difficult," she said. Hoffman said older drivers often "don't want to hear they are a hazard," and families are often reluctant to engage in difficult conversations with loved ones about driving. At the same time, more older Americans are driving. The most recent Federal Highway Administration estimate is that there are over 34 million licensed drivers who are 70 or older in the U.S. 'If I wasn't there...' Even serious incidents can have little or no impact on an aging driver's license. Over the summer, Newburgh Heights Patrol Officer Russ Veverka was working his regular overnight shift on Interstate 77 when one car caught his attention. The driver was headed northbound in the southbound lane. At the same time, several vehicles were approaching from the opposite direction. "The one thing I’m not going to have is another vehicle hit head-on with another vehicle in front of me," he said. "I don’t think I could handle that at all." So from a grassy knoll near the Harvard Avenue bridge, Officer Veverka activated his overhead lights and drove onto the highway, blocking a lane. The driver saw him and stopped. The driver turned out to be a 65-year-old man who had been reported as a missing endangered adult earlier that day. A 4-year-old relative was standing in the backseat with no restraints. "Seeing that, my heart wanted to drop," Veverka said. The driver appeared confused and kept saying he was on Interstate 480. He had been driving around with the little boy for hours. After stopping the wrong-way driver, Veverka submitted form 2308 to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to request the driver take a road test. "That's the best we can do right now," Veverka said. But when Scripps News Cleveland reached out to the driver's wife, she told us nothing had changed. She said her husband is still driving, including picking up the 4-year-old boy from daycare. Jackson Township tragedy "We all have family members that we think, 'Eh, maybe they shouldn't be driving," said Jackson Township Fire Chief Tim Berczik. His department recently started outreach efforts to older drivers after reviewing the city's crashes over the last year. He found mature drivers were involved in eight fatalities in the city of approximately 44,000 residents, including a crash that killed a 69-year-old grandfather in October. Berczik said an 81-year-old woman crashed into Angello's 2 Go pizza shop when she accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal in her car. His staff is now showing older drivers how to stay safer in their vehicles, including proper seat and mirror placement. They also encourage anyone with concerns to be retested. "We're not talking in any way about, 'We need to take car keys away from senior folks,'" he said. "Make it a group decision that maybe we don't drive as much." He said mature drivers can limit the distances they drive, stop driving at night, or stick to familiar areas to keep themselves and others safer on the roads. 'Life is for the young..." Handing over your keys carries its own consequences. "We live in a society where our autonomy often depends on driving," Hoffman said. "They won’t be able to go to doctor’s appointments as easily, and they can become socially isolated, which is catastrophic for anyone, but especially older people." "If you are lonely, if you are not engaging with other people, that is a sure recipe for cognitive decline and other physical and mental health problems," she said. In a recent law review article, "Patient Autonomy, Public Safety, and Drivers with Cognitive Decline ," Hoffman and her co-author recommended doctors be required to send patients diagnosed with cognitive decline and other conditions for road tests. Right now, medical professionals are only encouraged to notify the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles about their concerns about a patient's driving. However, Scripps News Cleveland found only 18% of those drivers lost their licenses. Hoffman also said law enforcement officers should be trained to identify cognitive decline and report problem drivers. "I've had relatives who've driven into mailboxes, lamp posts, and parked cars and each time they have just gotten a warning or a ticket," she said. 76-year-old Brook Park resident Rose Ramsey said she isn't as confident in her driving skills as she used to be. "Once in a blue moon, I kind of forget the route that I was going," she said. "I'm planning on going a certain place and then I just kind of have to let the car lead the way." When she is worried about taking the wheel, she relies on her husband of 56 years, Kenneth. "I have my own chauffeur," she said. She supports requiring drivers to be retested as they get older. "John Q. Public and myself needs to be safe," she said. Ramsey said she knows that means she and her husband will eventually have to give up their own car keys. She admits it will not be easy. "I know it would be very difficult for us and yet I do understand that time is coming," she said. "Life is for the young, isn't it?" What should you do? If you're concerned about a loved one's driving abilities, Hoffman and Berczik both recommend the following: This story was originally published by Sarah Buduson at Scripps News Cleveland .

None

Ray'Sean Taylor, Ring Malith lead SIU Edwardsville over Ball State 82-69Nazarbayev University Crisis: Shigeo Katsu Demands Audit Transparency

Indiana aims to limit turnovers vs. Minnesota

BlackBerry shares climb after court dismisses former executive's claims

Oldest Known Wild Bird Has Been Spotted Again — And She's Got A New Boyfriend

Alex Jones on Thursday called Matt Gaetz “quite the stud” after a new allegation of sexual assault emerged against the former congressman. Gaetz, who had been picked by Donald Trump as his nominee for attorney general, withdrew his name from contention after he was contacted for comment on the CNN report about the alleged crime. In it, the same woman who said she had sex with Gaetz when she was 17 revealed that she had an additional underage encounter with Gaetz, involving another, adult woman. Jones, a far-right pundit and conspiracy theorist, took the news of the new criminal accusation as a chance to praise Gaetz for his sexual prowess. “I treat women super nice,” Jones explained to viewers of his show Infowars. “So does Trump. Women love me. And so, I mean, I know what’s happening to Gaetz.” Jones suggested that the allegations against Gaetz were being blown out of proportion, claiming that the victims, who were “super gorgeous,” surely thought Gaetz was “so nice.” “People are like, damn, Matt Gaetz is quite the stud,” Jones said, adding: “That’s it, we’re really bad people, we like women.” Donald Trump is considering creating a new White House position dedicated to overseeing cryptocurrency policy. According to Bloomberg , the president elect’s team is already vetting potential candidates. The post would be the White House ’s first crypto-specific job. Trump himself has several crypto businesses, having recently released his fourth collection of non-fungible tokens and helped launch the crypto venture World Liberty Financial. Throughout his campaign, the president-elect promised to cut back crypto regulations, establish a presidential crypto advisory council and fire current Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler, who has hammered the digital asset industry. In recent days, however, several crypto allies have visited Mar-a-Lago to discuss the White House crypto position. Ex-Coinbase and Binance executive Brian Brooks, also a potential candidate for SEC chair, met with Trump on Tuesday, sources familiar with the meeting told Bloomberg. Coinbase Chief Executive Officer Brian Armstrong reportedly also spoke with the president-elect this week. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Made In Cookware is known for quality kitchen tools that look as good as they perform. Its sleek, chef-approved kitchen essentials are for people who know that the plates matter as much as the food. That makes its full sets a great option for anyone looking for a little uniformity in their cabinets. To sweeten the deal, Made In is not only offering up to 30 percent off, but shoppers can also score freebies like Dutch ovens, frying pans, and wine glasses with select purchases. We’ve pulled a few of their best deals just in time for your turkey prep. The 10-piece Stainless Set includes everything a cook needs to get started in the kitchen. Each item was made in Italy and is compatible with gas, electric, and induction cooktops. These also come with a free Non-Stick Frying Pan for a limited time. Free Shipping The 7-Piece Copper Set offers elegance with peak performance. The copper was crafted in France and is safe up to 800° F. Right now, score a free Dutch Oven with your purchase. Free Shipping The Complete Tabletop Set is simple and timeless. Designed in the UK, these dishes are classically English and have a one-year no-chip guarantee. If you refresh your cabinets with these today, you’ll also receive a free Glass Wine Set. Free Shipping X , “the everything app ”, has it all, according to billionaire owner Elon Musk ’s preferred tagline. On offer today is a catty exchange between Musk, the world’s richest man, and the world’s second richest man, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos . Musk, a rabid supporter of President-elect Donald Trump who denies he goes around offering acquaintances his semen, tweeted on his social network that he’d heard “Bezos was telling everyone [Trump] would lose for sure, so they should sell all their Tesla and SpaceX stock 🤭.” Musk is the CEO of both companies, while Bezos owns rival space firm Blue Origin. Bezos shot down the claim: “Nope. 100% not true.” The buff-bodied online retail magnate certainly didn’t exhibit any preference for Trump’s opponent , Vice President Kamala Harris , during this year’s presidential campaign. In fact, he kiboshed an editorial page endorsement of Harris at the Washington Post , which he’s owned since 2013, provoking ire from hundreds of thousands of subscribers who canceled their subscriptions en masse. so funny the second richest man is bothering to respond to this pic.twitter.com/Bi4gADndvQ Florence Pugh opened up about the shock diagnosis that led her to freeze her eggs at 27. The actress revealed on the SHE MD podcast Tuesday that she was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, which affect fertility. “I had a bit of a worry last summer and I just wanted to go and get things checked out and then we ended up finding out information that I probably wouldn’t have known until I started having kids in another five years,” Pugh said. Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, the host of the podcast, diagnosed Pugh, who said she made the appointment after “a few weird dreams.” “It was just so bizarre because my family are baby-making machines,” she said. “My mom had babies into her forties, my gran... she had so many kids as well. I just never assumed that I was going to be in any way different and that there was going to be an issue with it, or that I had to think about it before I needed to think about it.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. As any true audiophile already knows, Amazon Music Unlimited has long been a reliable destination for an elevated listening experience. With millions of high-quality songs and an unparalleled collection of top ad-free podcasts, the platform’s catalog is curated to capture both your attention and your imagination. Now, Amazon is raising the bar with an exciting update: Audible is officially joining Amazon Music Unlimited, cementing the brand’s status as an all-in-one audio hub . Audible’s industry-leading catalog of audiobooks features an expansive selection of can’t-miss bestsellers, hot-off-the-press exclusives, and timeless classics to immerse yourself in. As an Amazon Music Unlimited subscriber, you’ll be free to select one book each month (of any length) and listen to it directly in the Amazon Music app . Whether you’re a fiction buff ready to dive into a thrilling new adventure or a non-fiction enthusiast looking to expand your horizons, Audible’s expansive collection is sure to have the right title that matches your tastes. Plus, when you’re ready to take a break from the book, you can seamlessly swap back to your favorite tunes and podcast episodes —all without having to leave the app. It’s all the audio that you’ll ever need, all in one place! Best of all, this game-changing update is arriving just in time for the holiday season: start a new subscription , and enjoy your first three months of Amazon Music Unlimited, completely for free. Audio art, conversation, and storytelling—all in one place. What’s not to love? Sign up today and get lost in the sound . A species of deep sea fish rarely seen at the ocean’s surface has been spotted numerous times on California beaches, and according to Japanese folklore it could be a bad omen. Three oarfish, which can grow over 30 feet long and are also known as “Doomsday Fish,” have been found dead on Southern California beaches over the past few months. Before that, researchers had only documented 19 beached oarfish in the state since 1901, reported The Sun . The most recent oarfish find was collected from Encinitas beach on Nov. 6, while the others were found on Huntington Beach in September and La Jolla in August. While researchers don’t know what’s behind the uptick, Ben Frable, a manager at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, told The Sun that it all could be due to a greater number of oarfish in the waters near California. Or it could be a shift in weather patterns. In Japanese folklore, oarfish are called the “messenger from the sea god’s palace” and their appearance is thought to be a precursor to earthquakes. Before Japan’s catastrophic 2011 quake, and following tsunami, dozens of oarfish were spotted on beaches. However, some scientific studies have cast doubt on the folklore. Kamala Harris retreated to Hawaii with husband Doug Emhoff for a week-long vacation on Tuesday, further shielding herself from the public eye after her loss to Donald Trump in the presidential election. The Federal Aviation Administration enforced a temporary flight restriction over Kona and Waimea on Hawaii’s big island from Tuesday to noon the next Monday, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. Harris’ vacation comes as Democrats try to push through more of Joe Biden’s judicial nominees before they lose control of the Senate in January. As the president of the Senate, Harris is often the tie-breaking vote for the Democrats’ slim majority. A Harris aide told NBC News that Harris delayed her trip in case she was needed to vote on any nominees, but the team is now anticipating she’ll be needed in December. “She will definitely be available for any tie votes,” another senior aide said. Chris Cuomo is once again opening up about his firing from CNN. “You only live going forward, and CNN is part of my past,” the anchor told People . Cuomo was axed from the network in December 2021, after advising his brother, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, on how to navigate sexual harassment allegations . (The elder Cuomo has continually denied any wrongdoing.) Chris was “livid” over his termination, and eventually sued CNN for $125 in damages. He resurfaced at News Nation , and while he told People that “living in the past is very poisonous because you can’t change it,” he did spend the bulk of the interview talking about the past and defending his decision to help his brother. (For whom, incidentally, he also voted as a write-in candidate for president.) “I never kept any secrets about what I was doing,” he said. “I’ll always help my family.” A New York lawmaker eager to cash in on a feud between Whoopi Goldberg and a Staten Island bakery showed up Wednesday at the Capitol with a box of the pastry shop’s signature sweet. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) set out boxes of Charlotte Russe cakes from Holtermann’s Bakery near the steps of the House of Representatives and demanded that The View host apologize for telling viewers the bakery had refused to serve her because of her politics. “This is a small business, and somebody going on national TV like that could break a business,” she told the New York Post . In fact, business has been booming ever since Goldberg accused an unnamed bakery last week of refusing to fill her birthday order. Her team managed to procure the desired dessert—a mini sponge cake with strawberries and whipped cream—by calling back and not saying her name. “Perhaps they did not like my politics,” Goldberg said at the time. Fans quickly recognized Holtermann’s packaging, and the bakery disputed Goldberg’s version of events. They’ve arrived! All the way from #StatenIsland New York, Whoopi Goldberg’s FAVORITE Charlotte Russe cakes from our 146-year-old staple Holtermann’s Bakery. Everyone’s been asking me about them so we’ll be handing them out to members and staff on the House Steps at 4:30! pic.twitter.com/5eZhaRJEa1 Are you an amateur photographer, a curious learner, or a budding entrepreneur? Adobe Creative Cloud can take your photos, skills, or business to the next level. This premium suite encompasses over 20 Adobe apps. Normally, a one-year subscription is $59.99 a month. For Black Friday, Adobe is lowering the cost of a year’s subscription to just $29.99 a month. Adobe Express and Lightroom are great for quickly editing photos–color adjustments, precise cropping, and removing unwanted background elements with generative AI. Use Photoshop and Illustrator to create gorgeous images and rich graphics for use online or in print. In addition to the apps, members also get access to over one million stock images, tens of thousands of fonts, and in-app tutorials to take their skills from novice to expert. Hurry, because this deal will expire on Friday (11/29). Jump in and let your imagination run wild today! If you buy something from this post, we may earn a small commission. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are calling for an end to remote work for federal employees, labeling it a pandemic-era “privilege” that taxpayers shouldn’t have to fund anymore. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Wednesday, the two nominees to head Donald Trump ’s proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), said requiring federal employees to return to the office full-time would lead to a wave of voluntary resignations, helping to shrink the government workforce. “If federal employees don’t want to show up, American taxpayers shouldn’t pay them,” they wrote. The proposal could impact more than a million workers, although only about 10 percent of federal employees are working fully remote, according to the Office of Management and Budget. The proposed remote working ban is among the first actual policies laid out for DOGE—named after Musk’s favorite meme-based cryptocurrency. In their op-ed, the pair said they wanted to target the thousands of rules and regulations issued by “unelected bureaucrats” every year as part of their mission to help Trump “cut the federal government down to size.” As the Journal reported , however, there could be a hitch to the remote working ban: DOGE may not have the legal power to order federal employees back to the office. After months on the market, the Los Angeles estate belonging to Sean “Diddy” Combs has finally attracted an interested buyer—but they’re offering half the asking price, the New York Post reports. Diddy listed the 17,000-square-foot home—which has 10 bedrooms, a 35-seat theater, and a sinister history—for $61.5 million in September, after purchasing it for $39 million in 2014. Real estate executive Bo Belmont is now offering $30 million ”to remove the stigma and focus on the charming elegance of this remarkable property,” he said in a press release . The Beverly Hills estate is one of the homes the feds raided in September, when they confiscated all that lube ; it’s also believed to be one of the sites where Diddy held his alleged “freak-offs.” An unnamed People source predicted earlier this month that finding a buyer who could “see beyond the headlines” would “definitely” be “an uphill battle.” Belmont, for what it’s worth, seems focused on the “beautiful, bucolic setting” and the “picturesque trees, foliage, and walkways‚” so at least that’s something.

NBA Spread and Total Picks for Today, December 25Lexus is this year celebrating its 35th anniversary of, as it says, “being a disruptor in the luxury vehicle segment”, and there’s plenty to celebrate from that time. Its history might be short relative to some of its European contemporaries, but there have been a plethora of influential vehicles that have brought the Japanese brand firmly into the luxury segments. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today There have even been some top-shelf performance vehicles that have elevated the brand’s reputation, while displaying what it and its Toyota parent company could be capable of. Lexus was launched by Toyota at a similar time as other Japanese luxury spinoffs like Acura (Honda) and Infiniti (Nissan), but while those brands have enjoyed success in specific markets like the United States, Lexus has been able to cement itself in a wider range of markets globally. Locally, Lexus Australia celebrated the occasion by hosting a media-only showcase in Melbourne. On display were a handful of its most significant cars, as well as a design concept that hints at what the brand could be producing in the near future. With that in mind, we’ve put together a guide to Lexus that focuses on its movements in Australia. Luckily, it launched in Australia just one year after its first model debuted, which means there aren’t too many differences between Lexus’ history overseas and locally. As it celebrates its 35th birthday, here’s everything you need to know about Lexus. Interested in a Lexus? CarExpert’s specialists can help get you in touch with a dealer MORE: Everything Lexus What is Lexus? Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of the Toyota Motor Corporation , and is headquartered in Nagoya, Japan. Though it officially got its start in 1989 with the launch of the LS400 sedan, the story of Lexus actually began as early as 1983. Then-Toyota Motor Corporation president Eiji Toyoda commissioned the Circle F project in 1983, establishing an intention to build “a car that is better than the best in the world”. What resulted was the assembling of a team of 60 designers, 1400 engineers and 2300 technicians. Titled the Flagship 1, Lexus put 450 prototype vehicles and 973 prototype 4.0-litre quad-cam V8 engines to the test over more than 4.4 million kilometres before the final product was ready to be revealed. Flagship 1 came to life in January 1989, when the brand showed off the LS400 for the first time at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). At the same time, the Lexus name was established. The LS400 launched in North America in the same year, and was quickly followed by the ES250 executive sedan a few months later. Lexus’ Australian adventure started in May 1990, when the LS400 arrived Down Under. More than 250 customers took delivery off the bat, and in the same year it took out Wheels Magazine’s Car of the Year award. It also heralded the beginning of a busy decade for the brand. The same V8 powertrain used in the LS400 was repurposed in the SC400 coupe, which launched in the USA in 1991. Another variant instead fitted with an inline-six engine – the SC300 – was introduced soon after. Australia would have to wait until 1992 before receiving a second Lexus model though, when the Toyota Camry -derived ES300 arrived. 580 examples were delivered in its first year on the market Down Under, and Lexus delivered its 1000th Australian vehicle in the same year. At a similar time the LS400 received a major update, which brought out Lexus’ now-longstanding Takumi craftsmanship philosophy. Takumi is the Japanese name given to master craftspeople who have dedicated their life to their craft. In 1993 the GS300 sports sedan was rolled out, followed by the all-new second-generation LS400 in 1994. Lexus took from Toyota’s successful LandCruiser to reveal the LX450 in 1995, intended to bring “luxury to the rugged SUV segment” when it entered production in 1996. In 1997 Australia received the GS300 for the first time, which arrived in its second-generation guise with a 3.0-litre inline-six engine. For the first time, Lexus also sold more than 1000 vehicles in Australia in a single year. Lexus introduced its first luxury SUV designed and built from the ground up in 1998 – the RX300 . In terms of Australia though, it wouldn’t arrive until its second generation was launched a few years later, which meant the new-generation LX470 of that year was Lexus’ first SUV sold locally. The last brand-new Lexus to arrive in Australia before the end of the century was the compact IS200 sedan, which went on sale in 1999. It featured a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine with a rear-wheel drive setup, and contributed to Lexus hitting the 10,000 local sales milestone. The third-generation LS went on sale in Australia in November of 2000. Called the LS430, nearly 300 patent applications were filed during its development that eventually brought new suspension, steering, brakes, and a larger 4.3-litre V8 engine. Also launched was the second-generation SC430, offered in both coupe and convertible body styles. It arrived in Australia in 2001, marking the sixth model in Lexus showrooms. The large GX470 SUV appeared in the USA in 2002, but in 2003 Lexus gave its first look at potential future hybrid power in the form of the LF-S at the Tokyo Motor Show. Under the bonnet was a hybrid V8, which previewed a future production powertrain. In that same year the RX330 went on sale in Australia, and Lexus delivered its 20,000th local vehicle. A prototype of the RX400h hybrid SUV was shown at the 2004 NAIAS, which was based on the RX330. In 2005 though, the first LF-A concept headlined at the NAIAS. Intentions were to leverage Toyota’s Formula 1 technology, which would provide a naturally aspirated V10 engine with more than 370kW of power, but a displacement of less than 5.0 litres. The world would have to wait for more on that vehicle, but in the same year the IS250 superseded the IS200 in Australia. In 2006 Lexus brought the LF-S concept into its production form with the LS600hL, powered by a 327kW 5.0-litre hybrid V8 with all-wheel drive – the brand’s most powerful hybrid engine to date. In the same year, Lexus brought its first hybrids to Australia in the form of the GS450h and RX400h. The ‘F’ name for Lexus’ performance cars appeared the year after; the name and logo inspired by Japan’s Fuji Speedway where its cars were tested and developed. Lexus’ first car wearing the badge was the IS F sedan, which boasted a 5.0-litre V8 with 311kW and 505Nm and a spate of handling and suspension enhancements over the standard model. Later in 2007, Lexus delivered its 1000th hybrid vehicle in Australia, followed by its 50,000th vehicle overall in 2008. The third-generation RX – including the RX450h hybrid – arrived the year after, at a similar time to Lexus confirming production of the LFA supercar. Its 412kW/480Nm 4.8-litre V10 engine was co-developed with Yamaha, and while production was limited to 500 units globally, only eight were allocated to Australia. In 2010 Lexus celebrated 20 years in Australia, and the CT200h hybrid compact hatch was shown off overseas for the first time. It arrived in Australia the following year as the most affordable Lexus ever, while the brand showed off its new spindle grille design with a concept of the fourth-generation GS sedan at the NAIAS. In 2011 Lexus was impacted by the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, which disrupted Japanese production and hindered short-term sales targets. Organisational changes by then-Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda also meant Lexus executives began reporting directly to their parent company’s chairman for the first time ever. Lexus’ new design language would appear again in 2012 with the LF-LC concept, which previewed the LC coupe . The LF-CC concept shown later in the year at the Paris Motor Show also pointed to the rear-wheel drive RC and RC F sports coupes, and Lexus hit the 75,000 sales milestone in Australia. In 2013 the next-generation IS arrived with a hybrid powertrain in local showrooms, while the ES returned for the first time in seven years with its own ES300h hybrid variant. In that year, Lexus Australia reached 10,000 hybrid vehicle deliveries. The RC F coupe became Lexus’ new halo performance car in 2014, and the NX SUV debuted in Australia the same year. The brand’s first hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle appeared in concept form in 2015, dubbed the LF-FC concept. Lexus began exploring other tech like a conceptual “Hoverboard of the Future” at the same time, and also achieved the 100,000 deliveries milestone in Australia. The LC500 entered production in 2016, featuring Lexus’ first 10-speed auto and followed by the LC500h hybrid two months later. More non-car related endeavours began in 2017 when Lexus revealed its Sport Yacht concept (previewing the 2019 LY650), while in Australia the brand’s 20,000th hybrid vehicle was delivered – its most popular hybrid models locally were the RX (7000 units) and the CT200h (6500 units). In 2019 the UX range arrived in Australia, and in 2020 Lexus’ local arm celebrated its 30th anniversary. At the same time, the brand achieved 30,000 local hybrid sales. Lexus’ first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) – the UX300e – arrived in 2021, coinciding with the expansion of the brand’s Encore ownership program that first appeared in 1990. In that year, one-third of all Lexus deliveries in Australia were hybrid vehicles for the first time. In that year, it was also reported Lexus would switch to an electric-only lineup by 2035 . That followed previous 2009 reports that it planned to become hybrid-only in Europe. The brand’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) arrived in the form of the NX450h+ in 2022, alongside the debut of the fifth-generation RX. An RX500h F Sport Performance joined the lineup, featuring Lexus’ first turbo-hybrid powertrain. 46.3 per cent of Lexus’ sales in Australia were recorded as either hybrid, PHEV, or BEV for the first time in that year. 2023 saw the arrival of the RZ450e SUV, which while being the second Lexus EV was the first on the dedicated e-TNGA electric platform later used on the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra . The LM people mover also appeared in 2023, as well as the LF-ZC and LF-ZL concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show – intended to show Lexus’ vision of future EVs. In Australia, Lexus also managed to deliver more than 10,000 vehicles (15,192) in a single year for the first time ever. 2024 marks the 35th anniversary of the Lexus brand, and the all-new LBX arrived in Australia for the first time. It featured a handful of Lexus-first equipment like a 1.5-litre three-cylinder hybrid engine, with its small SUV stature intended to appeal to a younger demographic. It was followed by the latest GX SUV – which arrived in local showrooms before Toyota’s related 250 Series-generation Prado – built in right-hand drive for the first time, headlined by the rugged Overtrail grade. Lexus also delivered its 50,000th electrified vehicle in Australia this year, with such powertrains accounting for more than 70 per cent of the brand’s Australian sales so far this year. The brand says it’s still committed to its target of selling only electrified vehicles in Australia by 2030. Interested in a Lexus? CarExpert’s specialists can help get you in touch with a dealer MORE: Everything Lexus What can you currently buy from Lexus? Lexus currently sells 11 distinct models in Australia, with its lineup dominated by SUVs. Note: All prices are before on-road costs. You can click the model names in the table above to be taken to their dedicated CarExpert showrooms. Given the breadth of Lexus’ range in Australia, the below information is intended to give a top-line overview of what each model is about. For further information, we’ll link to each model’s name to its dedicated price and specs article. Lexus’ only two sedans still sold in Australia are the ES and LS, with the LS being the larger of the two. The Camry-based ES uses a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine – with hybrid models adding an electric motor – and is front-wheel drive only. The LS meanwhile utilises a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6, with hybrids using a naturally aspirated version mated with an electric motor. They’re rear-wheel drive only and considerably more expensive than the ES. The third and final passenger vehicle in Lexus’ Australian lineup is the LC coupe , which is powered by either a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 or a 3.5-litre V6 petrol-hybrid engine. Drive is sent to the rear-wheels only through either a 10-speed auto or hybrid transmission respectively. Lexus’ most expensive vehicle is currently the LM people mover , which is hybrid-only but with a selection of two different powertrains depending on the variant. It started life as a rebadged Toyota Alphard/Vellfire, but has since become more disconnected. The remainder of Lexus’ model range is entirely SUVs. The smallest of the lot are the LBX and UX, though the two are fairly different. Smaller of the pair is the LBX , which is based on the Toyota Yaris Cross and powered exclusively by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder hybrid – though a hotted-up Morizo RR version (similar to the GR Yaris ) is coming next year. The UX , meanwhile, is similar to the Toyota C-HR and comes in petrol-only, hybrid, or fully electric guises depending on variant – the latter of which only appeared in Australian showrooms last year. There are also a greater number of variants compared to the LBX. Moving up in size brings the RAV4 -related NX SUV , which again offers petrol-only, hybrid, and PHEV drivetrains. The NX450h+ PHEV has been hit with supply issues that have meant it hasn’t been available to order in Australia for some time as the brand gets through order backlog. Then there’s the RX SUV , which is either petrol-only or hybrid. It shares a platform with the NX and ES, as well as Toyota’s Kluger , RAV4, and Camry. In contrast, the RZ is electric-only and built on a dedicated EV platform shared with the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra, as noted earlier. Finally are Lexus’ two largest SUVs. The first is the GX , which shares a platform with the Toyota Prado. Unlike the Prado, there’s no electrification (even mild) for the GX in Australia, which is instead powered solely by a 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine across the range. The LX is instead based on the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series. It commands an expectedly hefty price tag, and is available with either a 3.3-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel or a 3.4-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol. Interested in a Lexus? CarExpert’s specialists can help get you in touch with a dealer MORE: Everything Lexus Which brands does Lexus compete against? Being a luxury brand, Lexus primarily competes with European brands like Mercedes-Benz , BMW , and Audi in Australia. Not all are direct comparisons, but closest against Mercedes-Benz’s E-Class sedan is the Lexus ES, and against the more luxurious S-Class is the LS. In terms of SUVs, the most comparable models are the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and Lexus UX, as well as GLC-Class and Lexus NX. Both have high-end sports cars too, which means Lexus’ LC can be compared to Mercedes’ SL-Class . There are a fair few comparisons against BMW too. The ES competes with the 3 Series on price but the 5 Series on size, while the flagship Lexus LS sedan goes up against the BMW 7 Series . You can compare the smaller Lexus UX to the BMW X1 , the NX to the X3 , the RX to the X5 , and the GX to the X7 . There are EV SUVs to compare too, namely the Lexus RZ against the BMW iX3 . The final German manufacturer to compare against is Audi, and its upcoming A5 Sedan rivals the Lexus ES. The most direct competitor to Lexus’ LBX small SUV is the Q2 , while the rest of the two brands’ comparable SUVs can be broken down as UX vs Q3 , NX vs Q5 , and RX vs Q8 . In similar sense to BMW, Lexus’ RZ EV competes with the Audi Q6 e-tron . There are some less mainstream brands Lexus has as competitors too, namely Genesis , which rivals the LS with its G80 , the NX with its GV70 , and the RX with its GV80 . There’s also a comparison to be made between some Land Rover models. The off-road leaning Lexus GX rivals the Land Rover Defender , while the LX large SUV can be compared against the Range Rover . Interested in a Lexus? CarExpert’s specialists can help get you in touch with a dealer MORE: Everything Lexus How popular is Lexus in Australia? To the end of November 2024, Lexus Australia has delivered 12,369 vehicles this year. It’s a decent figure, but it’s 12 per cent down on its sales from this time last year. Compared to the rivals listed above, Lexus is behind Mercedes-Benz (18,303, down 17.8 per cent), BMW (23,876, down 1.3 per cent), and Audi (13,782, down 21.6 per cent). It remains ahead of Genesis on 1287 so far this year, a figure that’s 28.6 per cent lower than the same time last year. Lexus is also outselling Land Rover, which currently sits on 7352 sales for 2024 – though even that is down 5.5 per cent. The Japanese brand’s best-selling model continues to be the NX, of which 5619 units have been sold to the end of November this year. Next highest is the RX on 1871, followed by the LBX on 1355. Its lowest-selling car is currently the expensive LS sedan with 11 units. The RZ EV is next-lowest on 200, with the LM and LX next up at 265 and 504 respectively. All of Lexus’ models have experienced a decline in sales over the course of 2024 compared to 2023, with the UX experiencing the harshest decline of 65.3 per cent. The LX, LS, and ES are all also down by more than 40 per cent on this time last year. In contrast, annual Toyota sales are currently up 13.6 per cent on this time last year, though as Lexus’ broader-reaching parent company it does field a larger number of more approachable mass-market vehicles. Interested in a Lexus? CarExpert’s specialists can help get you in touch with a dealer MORE: Everything Lexus What’s next for Lexus? Lexus doesn’t have a large number of vehicles planned for Australia in the coming years, as the brand focuses on its more long-term goals that reach into the 2030s. Coming in the first half of 2025 is the hotted-up LBX Morizo RR , which is set to gain the high-performance 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbo powertrain from Toyota’s GR Yaris. With a rally-inspired all-wheel drive setup it’ll be a drastic departure from the standard LBX currently on sale, with a 0-100km/h time of just over 5.0 seconds. An eight-speed automatic transmission will be standard when it arrives in local showrooms. While it’ll also be available with a six-speed manual in Japan, you won’t be able to buy one in Australia. Beyond that, Lexus has outlined a series of goals for the coming years, and potential new models that could possibly make their way to Australia have been seen overseas. The first of which is the facelifted ES sedan, which was revealed in China last month . There has been no word on when or if the updated model will come to Australia at the time of publishing, though Lexus did secure a handful of trademarks that hint at potential electric ES sedans earlier this year. There have also been rumours surrounding a new supercar from the luxury Japanese brand , which will reportedly wear the LFR name and be a spiritual successor to the LFA. Already spied testing on public roads in Europe , the LFR is expected to be based on a Toyota racecar called the GR GT3. If it’s real, it’s possible the LFR could be revealed sometime next year ahead of a 2026 market debut. Lexus has also been giving though to its electrified future too, previewed by a pair of concept EVs that broke cover in Japan last year. It has previously been announced that Toyota aims to launch 10 new EVs by 2026 , with Lexus intending to sell only hybrid, PHEV, and EVs in Australia by 2030. A spate of trademarks have also been filed by Lexus in relation to potential future electric models, the first of which were expected to be revealed in 2026 but have been delayed to 2027 . Previous reports have also outlined ambitious goals for Lexus, which suggest it wants to become an electric-only marque globally by 2035 . Interestingly, that would mean it’d make the jump before Toyota. That being said, Lexus hasn’t outlined a clear timeline for exactly when it’ll follow Toyota in ditching petrol versions of cars that have hybrid alternatives, but it does still intend to do so before the end of the decade. Interested in a Lexus? CarExpert’s specialists can help get you in touch with a dealer MORE: Everything Lexus

Expert calls Trump taunts ‘churlish’, urges Canada to focus on coming trade warTORONTO , Nov. 26, 2024 /CNW/ - Franklin Templeton Canada today announced estimated cash distributions for Franklin International Multifactor Index ETF (FLDM), Franklin Global Dividend Quality Index ETF (FLGD) and Franklin Western Asset Core Plus Bond Fund - ETF series (FWCP). FLDM, FLGD and FWCP will be voluntarily delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) at market close on or around November 29, 2024 , and will be terminated at the close of business on or around December 4 , 2024. The ETF terminations were previously announced on September 25, 2024 . As detailed in the table below, unitholders of record at the close of business on December 3, 2024 , will receive a per-unit cash distribution payable on December 5, 2024 . These distributions are estimates only as of November 21, 2024 . If there are any changes to these distribution amounts, the final amounts will be announced on December 5, 2024 . Fund Name Ticker Type Estimated Cash Distribution Per Unit ($) Franklin International Multifactor Index ETF FLDM Smart Beta 0.551748 Franklin Global Dividend Quality Index ETF FLGD Smart Beta - Franklin Western Asset Core Plus Bond Fund - ETF series FWCP Active - About Franklin Templeton Franklin Resources, Inc. BEN is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. In Canada, the company's subsidiary is Franklin Templeton Investments Corp., which operates as Franklin Templeton Canada . Franklin Templeton's mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,500 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California -based company has over 75 years of investment experience and over US$1.6 trillion (over CAN$2.2 trillion) in assets under management as of October 31, 2024. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.ca and connect with Franklin Templeton on LinkedIn , X and Facebook . Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investments in mutual funds and ETFs. Investors should carefully consider a mutual fund and ETF's investment objectives and strategies, risks, fees and expenses before investing. The prospectus and fund/ETF facts contain this and other information. Please read the prospectus and fund/ETF facts carefully before investing. ETFs trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at prices above or below the ETF's net asset value. Brokerage commissions and mutual fund and ETF expenses will reduce returns. Mutual funds and ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Copyright © 2024. Franklin Templeton. All rights reserved. SOURCE Franklin Templeton Investments Corp. View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2024/26/c7315.html © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

SHOPPERS are racing to Aldi to snap up their huge Grinch teddies for Christmas. The supermarket is selling large £12.99 plushies, and they are flying off shelves ahead of December 25. 6 Aldi is selling a large Grinch teddy ahead of Christmas Credit: Facebook/Cheryl Louise Alexander 6 Shoppers have been sharing the teddies they have picked up for £12.99 Credit: Facebook/Cheryl Louise Alexander Many bargain hunters have shared how they got up at the crack of dawn to make sure they managed to get one for their families. One shopper uploaded a photo to Facebook saying: “Got our giant Grinch teddy from Aldi today. £12.99. “Managed to get it before the household woke up. My 2yo is happy.” Another wrote: “Got to Aldi this morning to get the grinch my kids so happy with him More on the Grinch BAH HUMBUG Savers warned about 'Grinch' cuts to 200 savings accounts - are you affected? CHRISTMAS STEAL B&M is selling Grinch Squishmallows & shoppers ‘need’ them for stockings “£12.99 don't miss out.” And a third commented: “Literally queued up this morning before it opened to get mine.” The “soft and cuddly” Grinch is approximately 90cm tall and you can choose from two designs, with one Grinch wearing a Christmas hat. The Aldi website states: “An excellent gift choice for a loved one who loves Grinch! Cuddle up this Christmas with this Grinch Soft Toy.” Most read in Fabulous BUDGET BRIDE I tried out Shein wedding dresses - the cheapest was £40, but a £116 gown won CHEERS! I tried UK's first trending drink delivery service - it's perfect for Xmas nights SNAP IT UP I make five figures a month & splash cash on surgery & business class flights FOOD FOR THOUGHT People are only just realising they’ve been making beans on toast wrong The furry green icon - played by Jim Carrey in the 2000 hit movie - has become a staple beloved character over the years, for both kids and adults alike. And it seems he has taken over the high street this year too. Shoppers race to Primark as brand new Christmas Grinch collection has launched in stores with matching items for the whole family B&M is selling Grinch Squishmallows and shoppers say they ‘need’ them for stocking fillers. Primark has also launched some new festive cafes themed on the beloved character. The retailer has partnered with Dr Seuss to create a Grinch’s green lair with a limited-edition menu at six Primark cafe locations across the UK. 6 Many people have snapped up the Aldi Grinch teddies for their kids Credit: Facebook/Cheryl Louise Alexander 6 B&M is selling Squishmallows themed on The Grinch for £18.99 Credit: Facebook 6 Primark has launched Grinch cafes in a number of its stores Credit: Primark 6 Primark is selling Grinch-themed Christmas pjs for the whole family Credit: Instagram/Primark Primark’s Grinch Cafes are sure to be a hit with fans of the furry character, with everything from green waffles and shakes to get in the anti-Christmas spirit. The Grinch cafe is open in Primark’s stores in Birmingham , Manchester Trafford, Manchester Market Street, Cardiff , Braehead and Edinburgh until the end of December. After tucking into themed drinks and food, shoppers can then check out Primark’s new Grinch-inspired range. This follows McDonald's bringing out Grinch Happy Meals . A history of The Grinch THE Grinch is a character created by Dr. Seuss and first appeared in the 1957 children's book, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The story features the Grinch, a solitary, grumpy creature who lives in a cave atop Mount Crumpit. Disliking the Christmas cheer of the nearby Whos in Whoville, the Grinch decides to "steal" Christmas by taking their decorations, gifts, and feasts. He u ltimately learns the true meaning of Christmas when the Whos celebrate despite their losses, prompting his heart to grow three sizes. The live-action adaptation starring Jim Carrey was released on November 17, 2000 and is a Christmas classic today.Kohl's names Michaels CEO Ashley Buchanan to assume top job, effective Jan. 15

Man Utd 2 Notts Forest 3: Ruben Amorim gets brutal reality check as visitors expose defensive woes to end 30yr hoodooOregon State faces a significantly short week, more plans for quarterback Gabarri Johnson?

Mikel Arteta hailed Arsenal ’s 5-1 win over Sporting CP as a landmark victory as he praised his players for finding their ruthless streak in front of goal. Arsenal ended a four-game goal drought on European soil as they routed the Portuguese champions, handing them their first home defeat at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in 418 days. Advertisement The victory lifts Arsenal back into the top eight automatic qualification positions of the Champions League group stage and Arteta was in no doubt that this was the best European away result of his tenure. “For sure,” he said. “Especially against the opponent that we played in their home. I don’t think they’ve lost here in 18 months. They’ve been in top form, they’ve been better than everyone they’ve played here. To play to that level with the fluidity that we’ve done today, very pleased. “The performance was there a few times when we have played big teams. We played PSG and we were exceptional again. We played Bayern and were exceptional. But we made some mistakes and it cost us. That’s the level. We have to be able to cope. You have to make it happen. That creates belief. We need that consistency because the ability is there.” Arsenal lost 1-0 to Inter in their previous Champions League outing but Arteta was happy with the performance and believes the different was their ruthlessness in the final third. “It’s true that the result is very different,” Arteta said. “But with the performance and identity of what I saw against Inter I was very pleased. I knew that in that pathway good things were going to happen in Europe. “Today we’ve been able to do that and replicate it and be more efficient in the opposition half. Very pleased because the team has played with so much courage. They are so good and watching them live I realise how good they are. “You cannot speculate. We had a period after 39, 40 minutes where we did that and I had to stop it because that’s the tendency that the team wants to do, to control it. We’re not very good at that. Unfortunately they scored very early in the second half and that created some momentum. We dealt with it really well. It’s a big performance, a big win and we’re really happy.” Advertisement Arsenal controlled Sporting’s 24-goal striker Viktor Gyokeres well but there was a late injury scare when centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes went off clutching his leg. “We don’t know,” Arteta said. “We had to make the change because he was feeling some discomfort. I was about to make the change for Raz ( Raheem Sterling ), poor thing, I couldn’t make the sub. We had to get him out.” Arsenal return to action against West Ham United on Saturday. GO DEEPER The Briefing: Sporting 1 Arsenal 5 - Statement win, majestic Odegaard and keeping Gyokeres quiet (Patricia De Melo Moreira/AFP via Getty Images)Robbie Avila scores 19 to lead Saint Louis over winless Chicago State 85-62

A change has been made to tonight’s men’s Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT Deadline. Eddy Thorpe has been removed from the match after being attacked backstage by a mystery assailant at the end of Tuesday’s episode of NXT. General Manager Ava posted to social media on Saturday that Thorpe has been pulled from tonight’s show due to the attack, and she will find a suitable replacement to take his spot in the men’s Iron Survivor Challenge. Ava said: “Due to the heinous attack he suffered this past Tuesday, Eddy Thorpe has been ruled out of the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge. We still don’t know who attacked Eddy, and we’re continuing to look into the situation. However, for Deadline tonight, I will find a suitable replacement to take Eddie’s spot in the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge.” WWE NXT Deadline streams beginning a 7 p.m. Eastern time tonight on Peacock. WWE NXT Deadline 2024 announced lineup:Injured cornerback Riley Moss could return to Denver's lineup at Cincinnati

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos' usually stout defense has been rocked ever since losing second-year cornerback Riley Moss to an MCL injury against Las Vegas in Week 12. Without Moss there to capitalize on opponents shying away from star cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the Broncos (9-6) have had to largely abandon their preferred man coverage in favor of zone strategies and the results haven't been pretty. They allowed 32 points to the Cleveland Browns when former teammate Jerry Jeudy caught nine passes for a career-best 235 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown. Only Jonathan Taylor's fumble at the goal line as he was about to score a 41-yard touchdown and give Indianapolis a 20-3 lead saved the Broncos in Week 15 and allowed Denver to seize momentum and get the victory. They couldn't stop Justin Herbert , who led the Los Angeles Chargers back from a double-digit third-quarter deficit for a 34-27 win last week that prevented the Broncos from ending their eight-year playoff drought. It also put more pressure on the Broncos to win Saturday at Cincinnati, where the Bengals (7-8) cling to hopes of catching the Broncos and deny Denver a wild-card berth. Moss has enjoyed a breakout season in Denver with 71 tackles, eight pass breakups and an interception in 12 starts. He played in 14 games as a rotation player his rookie season after recovering from core muscle surgery that relegated him to special teams and spot duty in 2023. “We were and have been super excited" about the third-round pick out of Iowa, coach Sean Payton said. "Obviously, the guy that plays opposite of Patrick is going to get a lot of business. All throughout training camp, he really rose to the occasion, battled, competed and throughout really a good portion of the season. “He’s a big reason why we were playing so well defensively,” Payton added. "The sooner the better when we can get him back in the lineup. Hopefully it can happen this weekend.” In Moss' dozen starts, the Broncos allowed 16.8 points per game. Without him, they've been allowing 26.3 points a game. Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase pose a bigger challenge to the Broncos than Jeudy and Jameis Wiston did for Cleveland or Herbert and Ladd McConkey did for the Chargers. Moss returned to practice last week and the Broncos will determine this week whether he's ready to return to the field or if it's better to keep him out until their season finale against Kansas City. The medial collateral ligament is on the inside of the knee that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. It’s one of four major ligaments that stabilize the knee and allow it to rotate. It typically takes a month to recover from an MCL sprain and the Broncos had their bye week earlier this month, meaning Moss might only have to miss three games. If the Broncos reach the playoffs for the first time since winning Super Bowl 50 in Hall of Famer Peyton Manning's last start, they'll likely need to have a healthy Moss opposite Surtain to have any realistic hopes of avoiding a one-and-done appearance. The Broncos got a scare when Surtain injured an ankle against Indianapolis two weeks ago and limped off the field in the closing minutes. However, he was a full-go at practice last week and had no issues against the Chargers. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

lucky 13 billiard hall Search your school’s results using our 2024 NAPLAN interactive guideTHE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Alyssa Naeher ended her national team career with one last win. The stalwart goalkeeper made two critical saves in her final match for the United States, and the Americans beat the Netherlands 2-1 on Tuesday. “I definitely wasn’t thinking about it during the game, just wanted to win the game and do what I could to come away with the ‘W’ for us to close out the year,” Naeher said. Lynn Williams scored the go-ahead goal in the 71st minute for the U.S., which won its fifth Olympic gold medal in France this summer and wrapped up the year on a 20-game unbeaten streak. The Americans were coming off a scoreless draw with England on Saturday at Wembley Stadium. Naeher announced two weeks ago that the European exhibitions would be her final matches. The 36-year-old goalkeeper played in 115 games for the U.S., with 111 starts, 89 wins and 69 shutouts. Naeher is the only U.S. keeper with shutouts in both a World Cup and an Olympic final. She was in goal when the United States defeated the Netherlands 2-0 in the 2019 Women's World Cup final . “I feel like in my heart I would love to keep going. In my head, in my body and mind, I feel like it’s the right time. And I think it’s the right time with this team as well as it builds towards the future and towards 2027,” Naeher said. “This environment, this team, is an incredible team to be a part of, but it’s also really hard and really challenging in a lot of ways as well. “I feel like I’ve given everything I have to give for this team and that’s why I feel at peace with that.” The Netherlands took the lead on center back Veerle Buurman's header off a corner kick in the 15th minute. Naeher prevented a second goal when she punched away Dominique Janssen's shot in the 38th. The United States drew even at the end of the first half on an own goal that deflected off Buurman and past Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar. Naeher slid to stop Danielle van de Donk's shot in the 69th minute before Williams, a second-half substitute, scored her fourth goal of the year and 21st of her career. “I wouldn’t say that this was our prettiest game of soccer ever. And sometimes that’s how games go. You can talk about tactics, you can talk about formations, you talk about everything, but the biggest thing was matching their intensity. Getting to the second ball, getting to the first ball. That was the shift that needed to happen,” Williams said about the team's second-half mindset. Naeher finished with six saves. She is not quite finished with soccer yet: She will continue playing next season for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League. “She’s been consistent again and again. Even when she’s been questioned at times in her career, she’s always found the answer,” U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. “Not only has she been a great player in this program, but let me tell you, she’s so loved by everyone, players and staff alike. She is the best teammate you could ask for and that just speaks volumes to the person that she is.” Lily Yohannes came in as a substitute in the second half. Yohannes, who has dual citizenship, opted to play for the United States over the Netherlands last month. She plays professionally for the Dutch club Ajax. The U.S. finished the year without the trio of Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith, who were left off the roster for the final two matches to rest and heal nagging injuries. The U.S. is unbeaten in 15 matches under Hayes, who took over in May. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss reveals cancer diagnosis, 6-hour surgery Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss says he is being treated for cancer and is recovering from major surgery. In an appearance on Instagram Live on Friday, Moss introduced himself as a cancer survivor and thanked his “prayer warriors” for their support. Moss says a cancerous mass was found in his bile duct, between his pancreas and liver. He says he had surgery to put a stent in his liver on Thanksgiving and then underwent a 6-hour procedure about a week ago to remove the cancer. He says he was hospitalized for six days and released on Friday. De'Vondre Campbell won't be part of the 49ers after his refusal to enter a game, Kyle Shanahan says SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said linebacker De’Vondre Campbell won’t be part of the 49ers moving forward after he refused to enter a game after losing his starting job. Shanahan said the team is still working through the options of how to deal with Campbell after he walked to the locker room in the middle of a 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Shanahan says the team is weighing its options, which could include a suspension or release, but that Campbell won't be part of the team for the final three weeks of the season. Trae Young, Hawks hoping to win big in Vegas at the NBA Cup semifinals LAS VEGAS (AP) — Trae Young might be the NBA’s biggest enigma. Young’s fans can point to numbers and say he’s an elite player. His detractors can point to numbers and say he’s overrated. Both arguments have validity. To some, his cocky ways are endearing. To others, they’re infuriating. This can’t be argued: He’s helping Atlanta author one of the season’s surprise stories. The Hawks are in the NBA Cup semifinals, set to play Milwaukee on Saturday before the other semifinal between Oklahoma City and Houston. The title game is Tuesday night. Analysis: Only LeBron James knows what's happening right now, and what's in his future LAS VEGAS (AP) — LeBron James was starring in Las Vegas at this time last year, the headline attraction while he and the Los Angeles Lakers were about to win the inaugural version of the event now known as the NBA Cup. That's not the case this year. “Personal reasons ... he’s taking some time” is what Lakers coach JJ Redick said this week when detailing why James was missing from practice. “Left foot soreness” is the reason why the Lakers have ruled him out of Friday’s game in Minnesota. There’s been trade speculation in recent days. It's all very different than a year ago at Cup time. Yankees get closer Devin Williams from Brewers for Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees have acquired All-Star closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-hander Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin. The Yankees also will send $2 million to the Brewers as part of the trade. A 30-year-old right-hander, Williams and his signature “Airbender” changeup are eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. He was diagnosed during spring training with two stress fractures in his back and didn’t make his season debut until July 28. Williams was 14 for 15 in save chances with a 1.25 ERA, striking out 38 and walking 11 in 21 2/3 innings. Cubs acquire All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in trade with the Astros CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs have acquired All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros, paying a big price for one of baseball’s best hitters. The Cubs sent third baseman Isaac Paredes, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and Cam Smith, one of their top infield prospects, to the Astros for Tucker, who is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. Tucker was limited to 78 games this year because of a fractured right shin, but he hit .289 with 23 homers and 49 RBIs for the AL West champions. New West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez says leaving for Michigan 17 years ago was a 'mistake' MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Rich Rodriguez says he regrets leaving West Virginia 17 years ago. Rodriguez was introduced as the coach at his alma mater on Friday. Based on the welcome he got from the thousands of West Virginia fans in attendance, much seems to be forgiven. Rodriguez told the crowd that he never should have left his home state. The 61-year-old coach says he's grown both as a person and a coach throughout his long career, and that his departure at the end of the 2007 season for a head coaching job at Michigan was a mistake. Rodriguez went 60-26 at West Virginia from 2001 to 2007. Lindsey Vonn to enter World Cup ski races next weekend in Switzerland in her comeback at age 40 BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (AP) — Lindsey Vonn will return to World Cup ski racing next weekend for a pair of super-G events in St. Moritz, Switzerland, as she continues her comeback at 40 years old. Vonn teased her return in an Instagram post through her sponsor, Red Bull, on Friday morning. She said “I hear St. Moritz is pretty nice this time of year.” The U.S. Ski Team then confirmed she will race in St. Moritz. She’s won five of her 82 World Cup races on the venue at St. Moritz. Picabo Street, a two-time Olympic medalist and Vonn’s former teammate, says “it’s the coolest thing ever.” Woman who falsely accused Duke lacrosse players of rape in 2006 publicly admits she lied RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The woman who in 2006 falsely accused three Duke University lacrosse players of raping her has admitted publicly for the first time that she made up the story. The accusations made national headlines at the time, stirring tensions about race, class and the privilege of college athletes. Crystal Mangum, who is Black, said in an interview with the “Let’s Talk with Kat” podcast that she “made up a story that wasn’t true” about the white players who attended a party where she was hired to perform as a stripper “because I wanted validation from people and not from God.” The former Duke players were declared innocent in 2007 after Mangum’s story fell apart under legal scrutiny. Belichick's bid to reshape football at UNC another sign of rising pro influence on college level CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's hiring of NFL coaching great Bill Belichick marks another sign of the growing influence of the NFL on college football. The challenges of managing the transfer portal and looming revenue sharing for athletes has led teams to take on more NFL-like structures to their programs. Belichick is set to structure North Carolina's program like an NFL front office. That includes hiring former NFL executive Michael Lombardi as general manager. At Florida, coach Billy Napier is interviewing general managers while saying the program is going to “a business model” to deal with a “major math puzzle.”

UMass football: Off the field questions dominating conversation as Minutemen head to No. 8 Georgia

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jason Zucker scored a tiebreaking power-play goal with 9:30 remaining and the Buffalo Sabres notched their third straight victory by beating the St. Louis Blues 4-2 on Sunday. Jiri Kulich extended Buffalo’s lead with a breakaway goal that went between Blues goalie Jordan Binnington’s legs with 3:41 to play. Tage Thompson had a goal and an assist against his former team as the Sabres won in St. Louis for just the second time in 12 years to sweep the season series. Zucker had a goal and an assist, and Jack Quinn had two assists for Buffalo. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 35 shots. Brayden Schenn and Nathan Walker scored for the Blues. Binnington had 12 saves. Buffalo scored on two of its first three shots, including its first of the game. Buffalo: After a 13-game losing streak (0-10-3), the Sabres have scored 17 goals while winning three straight. St. Louis: The Blues, who are tied for an NHL-low five power-play goals at home, went 0 for 4 with the man advantage. After Walker pulled the Blues even with 14:04 left in the game, rookie Zack Bolduc took a cross checking penalty midway through the third period that led to the decisive goal. The Sabres had scored on only six of 43 road power plays (14%) this season before going 2 for 3 on Sunday. Buffalo ranked 27th out of 32 NHL teams. The Blues play Chicago in the Winter Classic on Tuesday at Wrigley Field. Buffalo will play at Dallas on Tuesday night. AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhlIndia’s payments regulator is set to decide as early as Monday whether to curb the dominance of Walmart’s PhonePe and Google in the nation’s fast-growing mobile payments market, a move that could reshape how its billion-plus population moves money. The decision centers on UPI, or Unified Payments Interface, a network backed by more than 50 retail banks that has changed how Indians pay for everything from groceries to taxi rides. The platform processes over 13 billion transactions monthly, making it one of the world’s largest digital payment networks. It’s also, by far, the most popular way Indians transact online. At issue is whether the National Payments Corporation of India, which reports to India’s central bank, will enforce a rule limiting companies to handling no more than 30% of all UPI transactions . The rule, first proposed in 2020 , would particularly affect Walmart-owned PhonePe, which handles 47.8% of all UPI payments, and Google Pay, which processes 37.1%. The uncertainty has thrown a wrench into PhonePe’s plans to go public. The startup, valued at $12 billion and backed by Walmart, would be one of India’s most prominent technology IPOs. PhonePe’s co-founder and chief executive, Sameer Nigam, said in August that the startup cannot go public “if there is uncertainty on the regulatory side.” “If you are buying a share at Rs 100 and you price it assuming we have 48-49% market share, then there is an uncertainty about whether it will come down to 30% and by when,” said Nigam (pictured above) at a fintech conference. “We are requesting them [the regulator], if they can find another way to at least solve whatever their concerns are or tell us what the list of concerns is.” The issue also impacts the growth potential of numerous fintech startups that are attempting to make deeper inroads in digital payments. If the regulator imposes restrictions on PhonePe and Google Pay’s ability to onboard new users or puts a check on how many transactions they process, many other startups stand to gain grounds. The regulator is inclined to delay enforcing the cap again or may increase the limit to more than 40%, people briefed on the situation told TechCrunch. The agency has already pushed back the deadline several times, from January 2021 to 2023, and then to 2025, as it struggled with implementation. It has held talks with many stakeholders as recently as last week over the decision. Enforcing a limitation on the market share will impact the consumer experience, some of the people said. The situation highlights India’s efforts to balance technological innovation with market competition. UPI has been a cornerstone of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push to digitize India’s economy and reduce its reliance on cash. The system allows instant transfers between bank accounts using simple identifiers like phone numbers, making it more accessible than traditional banking services. A market share cap would mark one of India’s most significant interventions in its technology sector, which has attracted massive investments from global companies like Walmart, Google, and Meta. These companies view India, with its young, increasingly digital population, as a crucial growth market.

Search your school’s results using our 2024 NAPLAN interactive guide

lucky 5 Manchester United have reportedly warmed to the idea of cashing in on Real Madrid -linked defender Lisandro Martinez . Reports earlier this week linked the Argentine centre-back with a move to the Bernabeu, given their troubles at centre-back this season. Carlo Ancelotti has seen the likes of Eder Militao , David Alaba and stand-in Aurelien Tchouameni miss significant chunks of time, with the former two still out with serious knee injuries. After missing out on Leny Yoro in the transfer market over the summer to Man United, Real did not pursue any other targets, and ultimately have left themselves light in that department. The arrival of Yoro could be a factor in Martinez leaving for Real though, if he is deemed a suitable enough option to replace the defender in the long term at Old Trafford. New manager Ruben Amorim is expected to put his stamp down on the Man United squad, with numerous incomings and outgoings expected, and one could include Martinez. No move is set to materialise until next summer at the earliest, but talkSPORT claim that the club are possibly willing to cash in on the 26-year-old. Martinez has only been at Old Trafford since 2022, when he made the move from Ajax for north of £50m, but injuries have greatly reduced the impact he has made since the big-money move. Despite winning a trophy in both seasons at the club, Martinez has missed large periods since moving to Manchester, and he only featured in 11 league games last season, as the club failed to finish in the top four. That has also seen him lose his place in the Argentina side, with Nicolas Tagliafico preferred at left-back, and Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi ahead of him in the centre. Playing in 12 of Man United's 15 Premier League games so far, Martinez has not exactly covered himself in glory, like most of team mates, with Erik ten Hag receiving the sack back in October. Since Amorim's arrival, not much has improved, with the Red Devils suffering back-to-back defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest. Martinez came in for criticism for Forest's first goal on Saturday, being convincingly beaten in the air by Nikola Milenkovic , who headed the visitors ahead inside two minutes. There was also a lack of communication for Chris Wood 's goal in the second half, with Martinez letting the ball pass him on the goal line to nestle in the bottom corner and ultimately put the game out of reach . The Man United faithful will hope to see an upturn in form from their £50m defender when they travel to rivals Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.

Robo-advisor CEOs team up to transform retirement pension marketGorakhpur: Protests erupted at AIIMS Gorakhpur after an MBBS student accused a security guard of allegedly attempting to sexually assault her on the campus, officials said on Saturday. The incident occurred around 9 pm on Friday when the student was heading to her hostel near gate number four, police said. Guard Satpal Yadav allegedly passed inappropriate comments but she ignored him and walked ahead. He then allegedly followed her, forcibly grabbed her hand and attempted to drag her into the nearby bushes, they said. The student resisted and raised an alarm prompting other students to intervene, they added. In the commotion, students managed to apprehend the accused but other security guards intervened and allegedly helped him escape, the officials said. Enraged, students staged at a protest at the gate demanding Yadav’s arrest and action against those who aided his escape, they said. AIIMS officials and police rushed to the spot to pacify the students and by 12.30 am police detained Yadav from Pipraich. The protest was called off after assurances of strict action against the accused, they added. A case has been registered under Section 74 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, AIIMS Medical Superintendent Vikas Srivastava said. Yadav was intoxicated at the time of the incident, he added. Authorities are also probing the role of other guards and an unidentified biker, the official said. AIIMS Executive Director Prof. Ajay Singh termed the incident “grave” and assured stringent action against those responsible. Superintendent of Police (City) Abhinav Tyagi said that further investigation is underway.

Our Evening Tally take from our political team Fine Gael's Jennifer Carroll MacNeill the first TD elected in the country... Shocks, drops and ministerial meltdowns: What we’ve learned from the tallies so far 'It's clear the Green Party has not had a good day' - Roderic O'Gorman Don’t blame the electorate when Simon Harris is Taoiseach for Christmas, Kevin Doyle writes Irish Independent Election 2024 hub and live count centre Labour Party’s Francis Timmons bids farewell to Dublin Mid West election race Limerick County Count 1: Fine Gael's Patrick O'Donovan elected 'First time in 40 years my name wasn't on the ballot paper' - Howlin First count imminent in Galway East Greens and Labour battle for last seat in Dublin West Full tally for Louth with SF 1 and 2 as FG's John McGahon trails on 6.2pc 'We'll be talking to people about the possibilities of government' - McDonald Green Party's Martin arrives in Rathdown amid uphill battle for seat Sinn Féin dominate the tallies in Dublin Midwest Dublin Fingal West Count 1: Louise O'Reilly (SF) leads as four candidates eliminated Our Evening Tally take from our political team Dún Laoghaire Count 1: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill elected, no candidate eliminatedWASHINGTON (AP) — A person accused of accosting U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in a Capitol Office building pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to a misdemeanor assault charge. Witnesses told police that James McIntyre, 33, of Chicago, shook Mace's hand in an “exaggerated, aggressive” manner after approaching the South Carolina Republican in the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday evening, according to a police affidavit. Mace, who is identified only by her initials in a court filing, posted a string of social media messages about the incident. She said she was “physically accosted” at the Capitol, and she thanked President-elect Donald Trump for calling her Wednesday morning to check on her condition. “I’m going to be fine just as soon as the pain and soreness subside,” Mace wrote. Mace declined to be treated by a paramedic after her encounter with McIntyre, who was arrested Tuesday by the Capitol Police, the affidavit says. Mace told police that McIntyre said, “Trans youth serve advocacy,” while shaking her hand. Last month, Mace proposed a resolution that would prohibit any lawmakers and House employees from “using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex.” Mace said the bill is aimed specifically at Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride — the first transgender person to be elected to Congress. A magistrate judge ordered McIntyre’s release after an arraignment in Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Efforts to reach an attorney for McIntyre weren't immediately successful. The Associated Press

How The US Air Force’s B-52 Fleet Maintains Global Strategic PresenceContent Marketing Market to Grow by USD 654.78 Million (2024-2028), Driven by Social Media User Growth and AI-Redefining the Market Landscape - Technavio

Was Luigi Mangione Missing Before Brian Thompson Shooting? What We KnowSANTA CRUZ, Calif. – Two people were rescued when a California pier under construction partially collapsed and fell into the ocean Monday as the state's central coast was pounded by heavy surf from a major storm expected to bring hurricane-force winds to the seas off the Pacific Northwest, authorities said. Residents were warned to stay away from low-lying areas near the beaches around the Santa Cruz Wharf, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of San Francisco, as the storm rapidly gained strength. Recommended Videos “You are risking your life, and those of the people that would need to try and save you by getting in or too close to the water,” the National Weather Service's Bay Area office said on the social platform X. Lifeguards rescued two people from the water and a third person was able to swim to safety, officials with Santa Cruz Fire Department said. No one had serious injuries, Mayor Fred Keeley said. The mayor said the section of the wharf that collapsed had been damaged over time. The structure was in the middle of a $4 million renovation following destructive storms last winter. “It’s a catastrophe for those down at the end of the wharf," said David Johnston, owner of Venture Quest Kayaking, who was allowed onto the pier to check on his business. Tony Elliot, the head of the Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department, estimated that about 150 feet (45 meters) of the end of the wharf fell into the water around 12:45 p.m. It was immediately evacuated and will remain closed indefinitely. Some of the wharf’s pilings are still in the ocean and remain “serious, serious hazards” to boats, the mayor said. Each piling weighs hundreds of pounds and is being pushed by powerful waves. Gov. Gavin Newsom's has been briefed and the state's Office of Emergency Services is coordinating with local officials, his office said. Forecasters warned that storm swells will continue to increase throughout the day. “We are anticipating that what is coming toward us is more serious than what was there this morning,” the mayor said. Ocean swells along California's central coast could reach 60 feet (18 meters) as the Pacific storm gains strength through Monday, the weather service said. “A rapidly developing storm will bring hurricane force winds to the areas well offshore of the Pacific Northwest tonight,” the weather service's Ocean Prediction Center said on X. Winds off Oregon and Washington could peak near 80 mph (130 kph) and seas will build over 30 feet (9.1 meters), forecasters said. The end of the pier that broke off had been shut down during renovations. The portion, which included public restrooms and the closed Dolphin restaurant, floated about half a mile (0.8 kilometers) down the coast and wedged itself at the bottom of the San Lorenzo River. Those who fell into the water were two engineers and a project manager who were inspecting the end of the wharf, officials said. No members of the public were in the area. Building inspectors were now looking at the rest of the Santa Cruz Wharf’s structural integrity. Monday's collapse came about a year after the Seacliff State Beach pier just down the coast was battered beyond repair by a heavy winter storm. ___ Dazio reported from Los Angeles.Trump opposes TikTok ban, seeks delay so he can seek 'negotiated resolution' to save platform