Earlier in 2024 a joint advisory was issued in the U.S. by the joint agencies responsible for security – FBI, CISA, and HHS. This was a warning the healthcare sector of BlackCat ransomware , following the group’s association with the Change Healthcare cyberattack. BlackCat, also known as ALPHV, is a ransomware code written in Rust. It first appeared in November 2021. The same name is applied to the threat actor who exploit it. How safe is healthcare now? To review the situation, Digital Journal heard from Andrew Costis, Chapter Lead of the Adversary Research Team at AttackIQ . To begin with Costis presents a reminder as to the key elements of the U.S. government security statement: “This advisory contains updates to the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and indicators of compromise (IOCs) associated with BlackCat from a December advisory and the FBI’s FLASH alert from April 2022.” As to the actual threat agent, Costis summarises the risk as: “BlackCat, a Rust-based ransomware family first identified in November 2021, operates under a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model. The group was disrupted by FBI operations last December. After this takedown, BlackCat administrators urged affiliates to target hospitals and critical infrastructure.” BlackCat operates on a ransomware as a service (RaaS) model, with developers offering the malware for use by affiliates and taking a percentage of ransom payments. Threat actors who work with BlackCat seek to gain initial access to IT environments and user accounts. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, such as remote desktop protocols, compromised credentials, and exchange server vulnerabilities. Of the different risk areas, healthcare is the most vulnerable according to Costis: The healthcare sector has been the most commonly victimized out of the nearly 70 leaked victims. The cyberattack on Change Healthcare, the largest healthcare payment exchange platform, has significantly impacted pharmacies nationwide, prompting the adoption of electronic workarounds” The best options are for the healthcare sector to prioritize cybersecurity measures. Costis recommends: “The vast amount of sensitive patient data stored within healthcare systems makes these organizations a dangerous target for ransomware groups, with the potential for far-reaching consequences. These attacks can cripple organizational operations and, more importantly, compromise patient health and safety.” Furthermore, Costis advises: “Healthcare organizations must now prioritize validating their security controls against BlackCat’s TTPs as outlined in the joint advisory leveraging the MITRE ATT&CK framework. By emulating the behaviors exhibited by BlackCat, organizations can assess their security postures and pinpoint any vulnerabilities. This proactive approach is essential to mitigate the risk of future attacks.” 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.Special counsel moves to dismiss election interference case against Donald Trump646jili 。

Former US president Jimmy Carter has died aged 100. Mr Carter, a former peanut farmer, served one term in the White House between 1977 and 1981, taking over in the wake of the Watergate scandal and the end of the Vietnam War. After his defeat by Ronald Reagan, he spent his post-presidency years as a global humanitarian, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. His death on Sunday was announced by his family and came more than a year after he decided to enter hospice care. He was the longest-lived US president. His son, Chip Carter, said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights and unselfish love. “My brothers, sister and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. “The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.” World leaders have paid tribute to Mr Carter, including US President Joe Biden, who was one of the first politicians to endorse Mr Carter for president in 1976 and said the world had “lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian”. He said: “Over six decades, we had the honour of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia. pic.twitter.com/aqYmcE9tXi — The Carter Center (@CarterCenter) December 29, 2024 “With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. “He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.” Irish President Michael D Higgins said Mr Carter was “a principled man who dedicated his life to seeking to advance the cause of peace across the world”. He added: “On behalf of the people of Ireland, may I express my sympathies to President Carter’s children and extended family, to President Joe Biden, to the people of the United States, and to his wide circle of colleagues and friends across the globe.” Mr Carter is expected to receive a state funeral featuring public observances in Atlanta and Washington DC before being buried in his home town of Plains, Georgia. A moderate democrat born in Plains in October 1924, Mr Carter’s political career took him from the Georgia state senate to the state governorship and finally, the White House, where he took office as the 39th president. His presidency saw economic disruption amid volatile oil prices, along with social tensions at home and challenges abroad including the Iranian revolution that sparked a 444-day hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. But he also brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, which led to a peace treaty between the two countries in 1979. After his defeat in the 1980 presidential election, he worked for more than four decades leading the Carter Centre, which he and his late wife Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope”. Under his leadership, the Carter Center managed to virtually eliminate Guinea Worm disease, which has gone from affecting 3.5 million people in Africa and Asia in 1986 to just 14 in 2023. Mrs Carter, who died last year aged 96, had played a more active role in her husband’s presidency than previous first ladies, with Mr Carter saying she had been “my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished”. Earlier this year, on his 100th birthday, Mr Carter received a private congratulatory message from the King, expressing admiration for his life of public service.Eva Longoria thinks America is a dystopia: Letters to the Editor — Nov. 23, 2024

Beirut: Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah are set to implement a ceasefire on Wednesday at 1pm (AEDT) as part of a US-proposed deal for a 60-day truce to end more than a year of hostilities. The text of the deal has not been published and Reuters has not seen a draft. Israeli soldiers organise equipment as stand on a tank near the border with Lebanon in northern Israel. Credit: Getty Images US President Joe Biden announced the deal, saying it was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities. Israel’s security cabinet has approved it and it will be put to the whole cabinet for review. Lebanon Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the deal, which Hezbollah approved last week. The agreement, negotiated by US mediator Amos Hochstein, is five pages long and includes 13 sections, according to a senior Lebanese political source with direct knowledge of the matter. Hezbollah fighters carry the coffin of a colleague. The Lebanese group is expected to leave its position in southern Lebanon to move north. Credit: AP Here is a summary of its key provisions. Halt to hostilities The halt to hostilities is set to begin at 4am local time (2am GMT) on Wednesday, Biden announced, with both sides expected to cease fire by Wednesday morning. The senior Lebanese source said Israel was expected to “stop carrying out any military operations against Lebanese territory, including against civilian and military targets, and Lebanese state institutions, through land, sea and air.” All armed groups in Lebanon – meaning Hezbollah and its allies – would halt operations against Israel, the source said. An Israeli Air Force F-15 jet fighter manoeuvres over northern Israel. Credit: AP Israeli troops withdraw Two Israeli officials said the Israeli military would withdraw from southern Lebanon within 60 days. Biden said the troops would gradually pull out and civilians on both sides would be able to return home. Lebanon had earlier pushed for Israeli troops to withdraw as quickly as possible within the truce period, Lebanese officials told Reuters. They now expect Israeli troops to withdraw within the first month, the senior Lebanese political source said. A Lebanese official told Reuters the deal included language that preserved both Lebanon’s and Israel’s rights to self-defence. Hezbollah pulls north, Lebanese army deploys Hezbollah fighters will leave their positions in southern Lebanon to move north of the Litani River, which runs about 30 kilometres north of the border with Israel. Their withdrawal will not be public, the senior Lebanese political source said. He said the group’s military facilities “will be dismantled” but it was not immediately clear whether the group would take them apart itself, or whether the fighters would take their weapons with them as they withdrew. The Lebanese army would deploy troops to south of the Litani to have around 5000 soldiers there, including at 33 posts along the border with Israel, a Lebanese security source told Reuters. “The deployment is the first challenge – then how to deal with the locals that want to return home,” given the risks of unexploded ordnance, the source said. More than 1.2 million people have been displaced by Israeli strikes on Lebanon, many of them from south Lebanon. Hezbollah sees the return of the displaced to their homes as a priority, Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah told Reuters. Tens of thousands displaced from northern Israel are also expected to return home. Monitoring mechanism One of the sticking points in the final days leading to the ceasefire’s conclusion was how it would be monitored, Lebanon’s deputy speaker of parliament Elias Bou Saab told Reuters. A pre-existing tripartite mechanism between the United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL), the Lebanese army and the Israeli army would be expanded to include the US and France, with the US chairing the group, Bou Saab said. Israel would be expected to flag possible breaches to the monitoring mechanism, and France and the US together would determine whether a violation had taken place, an Israeli official and a Western diplomat told Reuters. A joint statement by Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron said France and the US would work together to ensure the deal is applied fully. Unilateral Israeli strikes Israeli officials have insisted that the Israeli army would continue to strike Hezbollah if it identified threats to its security, including transfers of weapons and military equipment to the group. An Israeli official told Reuters that US envoy Hochstein had given assurances directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel could carry out such strikes on Lebanon. Netanyahu said in a televised address after the security cabinet met that Israel would strike Hezbollah if it violated the deal. The official said Israel would use drones to monitor movements on the ground in Lebanon. Lebanese officials say that provision is not in the deal that it agreed, and that it would oppose any violations of its sovereignty. Reuters Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here .

Zuckerberg’s surprising $1m Trump move

As the case continues to evolve, questions linger about the motives behind the actions of those implicated and the extent of their involvement in the alleged wrongdoing. Speculation abounds in the absence of concrete information, fueling rumors and conjecture about the true nature of the events leading up to this point. The public is eager for more information, seeking clarity and transparency in a case that has captured the imagination of many.The crackdown on account sharing by both Tencent Video and Ai You Teng reflects a larger trend in the streaming industry towards stricter authentication measures and anti-piracy efforts. As the demand for premium content continues to grow, companies are realizing the significance of protecting their assets and revenue streams from unauthorized access and distribution. By implementing measures to limit device access and crack down on account sharing, streaming platforms are not only safeguarding their business interests but also cultivating a more sustainable and user-friendly environment for their subscribers.5jili 。

As we mourn the loss of a shining star, let us also vow to never forget her spirit and the impact she made during her time on this Earth. Though her physical presence may be gone, her essence lives on in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved her. Rest in peace, dear influencer, your light will continue to shine bright in our memories forever.Two-time French Open runner-up Alex Corretja believes that Novak Djokovic has played a masterstroke by hiring former world number one AndyMurray as his new coach. The 38-year-old, who is regarded as the greatestplayer in the history of men’s tennis in the Open era, having won as many as 24Grand Slam titles, has recently hired the three-time Grand Slam winner as hisnew coach. The decision was a surprising one, considering that Murrayretired just a few months back, participating in the Paris Olympics doubles categorywith Dan Evans. The pair eventually suffered a defeat in the quarterfinals. Djokovicrecently parted ways with his former coach Goran Ivanisevic after spending sixyears together. The decision came after the Belgrade-born star failed to win a singleGrand Slam in 2024. It was the first time in seven years that Djokovic finisheda full season without winning a single major slam. Two-time French Open runner-upCorretja has recently spoken to Eurosport where he talked in detail about theimplications of the former world number one hiring Murray as his new trainer. The50-year-old admitted that at first he was ‘shock’ to learn that Djokovic hasdecided to hire the former world number one as his new coach but believes thatit might prove to be a masterstroke. “I was totally inshock,” he said. “I have to agree for, let's say, 10 seconds, 15 seconds andright away I thought, ‘what a smart move from Novak and from Andy, at the sametime'. I felt like Novak needs big and huge motivations, and he wants to bringsomeone special, someone that understands the game very well, which he's beenplaying for the last 15-20 years on Tour, and he just retired. He might helphim to try things that maybe he's shown in Andy that he didn't have thoseskills, and he's thinking about him. On the other hand, I felt like for Andy,it is a great opportunity. He knows the game very well. He knows the players,he knows the tactics extremely perfectly in his mind. He knows what it is to bethere, he knows what it is to be there a little bit older, feeling like theyoung guys pushing him, the way he needs to react, to defend and what he can doto hurt them. So I think he could ... maybe bring something to surprise theopponents.” A post shared by Novak Djokovic (@djokernole) This article first appeared on TennisUpToDate.com and was syndicated with permission.Liverpool FC Facing Speculation Around Key Players Arnold and Salah's Potential Departures: Turning Attention to Flimpong and K77

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Title: A Turning Point for Southeast Asia's Overseas Warehouses

After U.S. military officials reported they’re unsure who is behind the increasing number of drones reported in the skies above New York and New Jersey, Sen. Chuck Schumer on Sunday called for new technology to help local officials “determine what the heck is going on.” The Senate majority leader advocated for the Department of Homeland Security to deploy a special drone-detection technology called “Robin” in local airspace, which is also used to track the movement of birds. “Our local people who have questions about these drones should not have to shake an 8-ball for an answer,” he said during a news conference. Schumer’s demand came two days after New York’s Stewart Airport was temporarily shut down due to drone activity, prompting Gov. Kathy Hochul to call for action from the federal government. Federal officials announced Sunday they would deploy a new drone detection system in New York after calls from Hochul for more resources. U.S. Defense Department officials wrote in a press release on Saturday they’ve confirmed drone sightings above New Jersey’s Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle. Drones have also been reported recently above President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster Golf Club in New Jersey. “We have no intelligence or observations that would indicate that they were aligned with a foreign actor or that they had malicious intent," the release said, while also noting the military has “not been able to locate or identify the operators or the points of origin." The Defense Department release also claimed the military is “prohibited from conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations in the United States which might be used to determine the origins of who might be flying the drones.” But Schumer said he wants to deploy technology that helps give local governments answers. He said state and local leaders currently do not have the authority to use drone detection systems like the one he's calling for, and said he plans to co-sponsor a bill in Congress that would extend drone detection privileges to local officials.646-ph 。

VR Resources Closes Non-Brokered Flow Through Private Placement

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Blake Horvath set a Navy record with a 95-yard touchdown run and then scored a go-ahead 6-yarder with 4:34 left as the Midshipmen overcame an early two-touchdown deficit and stopped a late 2-point conversion attempt to beat Oklahoma 21-20 in the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday. The Sooners (6-7) got a 10-yard touchdown pass from Michael Hawkins Jr. to Jake Roberts with six seconds left. They then went for the win, but Hawkins was sacked by Justin Reed on the conversion try. “It was a great play that I was able to make,” Reed said, quickly crediting the rest of the defense. “We just made sure that we stayed composed after them just getting that touchdown.” Just two weeks after a dominating win over Army for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, the Midshipmen (10-3) reached 10 wins for the sixth time. The last 10-win season had been in 2019, which had been their last winning season. “Well, it’s the perfect ending,” second-year Navy head coach Brian Newberry said. “You’re down 14-0, I think it kind of symbolizes everything that these guys have been through, especially the seniors, symbolizes how things started. Things looked bleak, things weren’t going great, adversity and they kept scratching and clawing and fighting.” Horvath's record run on a sprint down the middle of the field tied the game at 14 late in third quarter. He then put Navy ahead for the first time on his 6-yard TD run, one play after he converted a fourth-and-3 with a 16-yard pass to Eli Heidenrich. “I thought if we go score right there, that might be the difference in the game. And it was,” Newberry said of going for it on fourth down in that 12-play, 66-yard drive that took 7 1/2 minutes. Horvath ran 18 times for 155 yards, and completed 7 of 12 passes for 92 yards. Alex Tecza had an 11-yard TD run for the Midshipmen. Oklahoma went up after Gavin Sawchuk’s 21-yard TD on the opening drive, when he had 37 yards after only 61 in his other eight games this season. It was 14-0 with 5:56 left in the first quarter after Hawkins rolled left, reversed field and got almost to the other side of the field before throwing to Zion Kearney for a 56-yard catch-and-run TD. “Came out pretty strong, but second quarter I think we got a little relaxed ... we weren't together as a team,” Hawkins said. “We got back on track after that, but going into a game like this, you have to stay on track the whole game.” Oklahoma wrapped up its first season in the Southeastern Conference with their second 6-7 record in coach Brent Venables' three seasons. The Sooners had a much different-looking roster than the regular season. More than two dozen players went into the transfer portal, and the Sooners were also without standout linebacker Danny Stutsman and safety Billy Bowman, who bypassed playing to begin preparation for the NFL draft. “Obviously not the year we wanted to have, but although there’s a lot of disappointment, there’s been a ton of growth,” Sooners hometown tight end Jake Roberts said. “You learn how to fight through adversity.” The takeaway Oklahoma: While the Sooners played in a bowl for the 26th consecutive season, they had 23 winning seasons in a row before Venables took over as head coach. ... Hawkins was hampered by at least six dropped passes while throwing to a group whose only scholarship receivers were freshmen. Navy: The Midshipmen are 2-0 against Oklahoma, the only other meeting a 10-0 win at Norman in 1965. They beat an SEC team for the first time since a 21-0 win over Mississippi in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day 1955. Up next Oklahoma opens Venables’ fourth season at home Aug. 30 against FCS team Illinois State. Venables has a 22-17 record. Navy returns Horvath and all of its offensive skill starters next season, which begins Aug. 30 at home against VMI. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballThe hottest topic in energy circles right now – apart from dealing with the – is battery storage, the plunging price of battery cells and its implications for a future renewable-dominated grid supported by flexible capacity. The CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator earlier this month noted in their draft GenCost report that in terms of price – down 20 per cent from where it was just 12 months ago. An annual assessment from Bloomberg NEF supported that assessment. Since then, an auction in China – the country’s biggest for energy storage – suggests that the price decline in battery cells, thanks to intense competition, technology and efficiency improvements and boosted manufacturing capacity, may be even more dramatic than that. According to reports out of China, the Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina) has attracted 76 bidders for its unprecedented tender of 16 GWh. The bids were opened on December 4, and according to PV Mag, has attracted prices ranging from $US60.5/kWh to $US82/kWh, with an averaging of $US66.3/kWh. It said 60 of the bids were below $68.4/kWh. The tender is for the supply of energy storage systems – specifically lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells – that will be built in 2025-2026. The winners will be announced after another series of round that will clarify supply chains, equipment quality and delivery ability. The price reportedly includes a comprehensive range of services beyond the delivery of storage equipment, including system design, installation guidance, commissioning, 20-year maintenance, and integrated safety features. “(These are) mind-blowing numbers,” said Marek Rubik, the founder of US-based battery technology company Fluence, and now a director of Saudi green energy project Neom. “(This is) system pricing, not cells,” he wrote on LinkedIn. This, of course, has great significance for the transition to renewables in the main grid, and potentially the shift to EVs in the transport sector. Battery project prices in – albeit still at a cost of around $A300/kWh, which would include local costs such as planning, labour and balance of plant. Just last week, new data from BNEF confirmed the CSIRO and AEMO estimates that battery storage prices had fallen 20 per cent in the last year. Its data showed that the price of lithium-ion battery packs had seen their largest annual drop since 2017, dropping to $US115 per kilowatt-hour – down from $US806 in 2013 and $US144 in 2023. BNEF cited a number of factors in the ongoing decline, including cell manufacturing overcapacity, economies of scale, low metal and component prices, adoption of lower-cost lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, as well as a slowdown in electric vehicle sales growth. Overcapacity, in particular, is high, with 3.1TWh of fully commissioned battery-cell manufacturing capacity around the globe, put in place ahead of what battery manufacturers expected to be increased demand for EV batteries. BNEF says the EV market remains the largest source of battery demand – although it has slowed this year – while the stationary storage markets have “taken off”, according to BNEF, with strong competition across both cell and system providers, especially in China. “The price drop for battery cells this year was greater compared with that seen in battery metal prices, indicating that margins for battery manufacturers are being squeezed,” , the head of BNEF’s battery technology team and lead author of the report. “Smaller manufacturers face particular pressure to lower cell prices to fight for market share.” BNEF noted that the $US115/kWh price point is a global average. It cited then that battery pack prices were lowest in China, coming in at around $US94/kWh. The latest tender results suggest another 20 per cent reduction is already in train. However, BNEF noted it is unclear what the future will bring. While low raw material prices have also helped push down costs, these prices could rise in the next few years, with the threat of increasing geopolitical tensions, tariffs on battery metals, and low prices stalling new mining and refining projects. “One thing we’re watching is how new tariffs on finished battery products may lead to distortionary pricing dynamics and slow end-product demand,” said Yayoi Sekine, head of energy storage at BNEF. “Regardless, higher adoption of LFP chemistries, continued market competition, improvements in technology, material processing and manufacturing will exert downward pressure on battery prices.” The China tender is part of PowerChina’s broader equipment procurement plan that were announced on November 13. These includes 51 GW of solar modules, 51 GW of inverters, 25 GW of wind turbines, and 15,240 prefabricated 35kV substations.THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VR Resources Ltd. ( TSX.V: VRR; FSE: 5VR ), (the " Company ”), or (" VR ”), announces it has closed the non-brokered flow-through private placement (the " FT Financing ”) for gross proceeds of $400,000 through the issuance of 8,000,000 units (the " FT Units ”) at a price of $0.05 per FT Unit. Each FT Unit consisting of one Flow Through common share (" FT Share ”) of the Company and one-half of one non-flow through common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant a " Warrant ”). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional common share ("Share”) at an exercise price of $0.08 per share for a period of 18 months from the closing date ("Closing Date”). The Company plans to direct the funds immediately towards drilling planned for January on its copper- nickel-PGE and copper-gold properties in northwestern Ontario, namely: the new chargeability anomaly at Silverback, and follow up drilling to the recently completed Phase 1 drill program at Westwood on the Empire Project. Red Cloud Securities Inc. (" Red Cloud ”) acted as a finder in connection with the Non-Brokered Private Placement. The Company paid a fee of $24,000 and 480,000 Compensation Warrants ("Compensation Warrants”) to Red Cloud in association with the FT Financing. The Compensation Warrants will permit the purchase of one common share in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.05 per common share for a period of 18 months from closing of the Offering. Use of Proceeds The gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Units will be used by the Company to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that will qualify as "critical metals flow-through mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures"), and are related to the company's mineral exploration projects in Ontario, Canada, on or before December 31, 2025, and the Company will renounce all qualifying expenditures in favour of such subscribers to the financing effective December 31, 2024. The securities to be issued hereunder will not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act”), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the "United States” or to "U.S. persons” (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) without registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or compliance with an exemption from such registration. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About VR Resources VR is an established junior exploration company based in Vancouver (TSX.V: VRR; Frankfurt: 5VR). VR evaluates, explores and advances large-scale, blue-sky opportunities in copper, gold and critical metals in Nevada, USA, and Ontario, Canada, and more recently, Canada's newest discovery of a diamond-bearing kimberlite pipe at its Northway project. VR applies modern exploration technologies and leverages in-house experience and expertise in greenfields exploration to large-footprint mineral systems in underexplored areas/districts. The foundation of VR is the proven track record of its Board in early-stage exploration, discovery and M&A. The Company is financed for its mineral exploration and corporate obligations. VR owns its properties outright and evaluates new opportunities on an ongoing basis, whether by staking or acquisition. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: " Justin Daley ” _____________________________ Justin Daley, MSc, PGeo President & CEO For general information please use the following: Website: www.vrr.ca Email: [email protected] Contact: Justin Daley, 604-865-5119; e-mail: [email protected] Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions or are those which, by their nature, refer to future events. Forward looking statements in this release, for example include but are not limited to: the general use of proceeds, that the Company will complete the Financing; that the Company will carry out exploration on its Ontario properties this winter. Although the Company believes that the use of such statements is reasonable, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. The Company's public disclosure filings can be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review the materials. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

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Superfoods come and go. The latest is the mushroom Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), which may have benefits for the immune system as well as reducing inflammation and improving sleep. This is according to the food producer Urban Farm. Lion’s Mane plus Shiitake mushrooms have health benefits, according to mushroom expert Elliot Webb (author of Growing Mushrooms at Home: The Complete Guide to Knowing, Growing and Loving Fungi ). Lion’s Mane: A Brain-Boosting Fungi? “ Lion’s Mane mushrooms ( Hericium erinaceus ) are showing incredible promise for their potential to support mental health and cognitive function,” Webb has told Digital Journal. “They may encourage the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, which could strengthen the immune system while also positively impacting brain health.” Webb highlights studies suggesting that lion’s mane could help with anxiety and mood: “In research involving participants with mild mental health complaints, those who consumed Lion’s Mane extract reported lower levels of anxiety and irritation compared to those who didn’t. This suggests lion’s mane may have calming properties, although more studies are needed to confirm this.” Native to North America and Eurasia, the mushrooms are common during late summer and autumn on hardwoods. For older adults, Lion’s Mane could be particularly beneficial. Here Webb explains: “There’s evidence that Lion’s Mane may help with cognitive decline. In one study, older participants with mild cognitive impairment who consumed Lion’s Mane over 16 weeks showed improved scores in cognitive function tests compared to those on a placebo.” Shiitake mushrooms may also be of benefit, indicates Webb: “Shiitake mushrooms contain beta-glucans, a type of dietary fibre that could support immune health and help reduce inflammation,” Webb says. “Their natural compounds may also help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, offering potential cardiovascular benefits.” Webb adds: “Shiitake mushrooms could help protect against chronic diseases associated with inflammation. They’re not just a culinary favourite but also a valuable addition to a balanced diet.” H. erinaceus contains diverse phytochemicals, including polysaccharides, such as β-glucan, as well as hericenones and erinacines. Both Lion’s Mane and Shiitake mushrooms may provide antioxidant benefits. Webb finds: “These mushrooms contain compounds that could protect cells from oxidative stress and reduce inflammation,” Webb explains. “This makes them a potential ally in maintaining overall health.” Proceed with Caution While the potential of these mushrooms is exciting, Webb advises caution: “Always consult with your doctor before introducing medicinal mushrooms to your diet, particularly if you have existing health conditions or take medication. It’s essential to ensure they’re suitable for you.” Digital Journal note : Many alternative medical practices are pseudoscientific, with the majority of treatments having no robust evidence of effectiveness or logical mechanism of action. The reader is advised to always seek professional medical advice. 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.

Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next

CINCINNATI — The look in Lou Anarumo’s eyes and the tone in his voice said more than his words ever could. When the question was raised about whether his message was still getting through to the players on his defense, the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive coordinator emphatically left no doubt regarding his opinion. “My message is getting across crystal clear,” he said. GO DEEPER No choice remains: Bengals must blow up everything on defense The Staten Island native with a reputation for bluntness delivered it while pressed into the most tenuous spot of a largely successful six-year run with the Bengals . “I know what it feels like when players — I think we all do as coaches at some point — feel like if maybe it’s not, it’s no different than being a teacher when you’re in the classroom,” he said. “If all eyes aren’t on you, you’ve got an issue. All eyes are always on me, and I have a great respect for all of the players in our room and I feel like they’ll give us their best and I feel like my message is getting across, to answer your question.” The Walkout: Steelers 44, #Bengals 38 🏈 What happens with Lou Anarumo? 🏈 Why Burrow's words today were especially poignant 🏈 What missed tackles?! 👕 Presented by @CincyShirts 🔗: https://t.co/CsRcgF0Vsu 📺: https://t.co/vlJkezTSzC pic.twitter.com/9aORdKVfJ6 — Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 2, 2024 The Bengals defense allowed 37 offensive points to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday and produced a laundry list of historically bad statistics during a season that’s flushed an MVP-level performance from Joe Burrow down the drain. His message in the aftermath of the latest debacle, one that unofficially ended the team’s playoff hopes, was also crystal clear: Put this on him. Advertisement “All of this starts and ends with me,” Anarumo said, offering a rare opening statement upon sitting down with reporters Monday. “How we play is certainly my responsibility. The players have done a fantastic job of preparing, practicing with energy, giving us our best. Proud of the way we’ve gone about that. I need to do a better job of making sure it shows up on Sundays.” Throughout the nearly 20-minute dissection of a game and season gone awry, Anarumo repeatedly reverted to the same theme no matter the tangent. “I’ve got to do better,” he said. Anarumo finds himself embattled during a season when he’s rotated players at nearly every position outside of linebacker, some due to injury but more in a desperate search for playmaking for a team allowing 36.4 points per game in seven games against teams currently in the playoff picture. The Bengals are 0-7 in those games, despite averaging 30.3 points. Despite having to scale back snaps for starters Vonn Bell , Sam Hubbard , Cam Taylor-Britt and a cast of others and the team’s facing five games mostly motivated by pride instead of playoffs, he held firm that these players aren’t faulted for effort or desire. That included doubling down on Geno Stone as the starting safety despite missing three more tackles Sunday, adding to his team-high number of 16. He said Stone, a free-agent acquisition from the Baltimore Ravens , is “all in” with his effort regarding tackling. That is a common theme in the dissection of what’s going wrong inside the building. The players are trying hard. They are practicing hard. Winning and doing it right matters to them. All those attributes just aren’t translating to Sunday when 14 missed tackles, according to PFF, led an endless list of physical and mental mistakes. “We’ve got to tackle better, there’s no question,” coach Zac Taylor said. “We’ve got to be on the same page with all the details. I think it’s simple as that. Find ways to create turnovers, get stops. Guys are accountable for it. Guys feel like they got punched in the gut. We all feel that way. All three phases, there are things we can do better to help us win a game. It’s not just one unit.” GO DEEPER Scoop City: Risers and fallers after Week 13 Yet, a simple play like Josh Newton and Jordan Battle biting inside on Justin Fields’ final rush of the game when the obvious play was to stay outside in case he runs the zone read as part of the package the Steelers have repeatedly used with him. Anarumo points out that fact was clearly illustrated and practiced during the week, but when it came time to make the play, they didn’t. And a chance to give the ball back to Burrow with an opportunity to win the game was lost. The play served as a microcosm of the bigger picture. Advertisement “They put Justin Fields in for a reason,” Battle said. “He’s a threat in the run game. That’s what he’s been the last few weeks. They put him in for key rundowns. It’s about reading our keys. We knew we had the edge, we knew we had to contain the edge, and he got outside of us and the game was over. Just doing the small things right and disabling plays like that.” The small things aren’t getting done right. They haven’t all season by any number of offenders. Taylor was asked to explain staying on the same page with all the details still being an issue defensively in Week 13. “I wish I could explain it,” he said. “It’s something we work through. I do feel good about the preparation, but that hasn’t shown up on game day as much as it needs to.” Zac Taylor speaks to the media going into Week 14 at Dallas. https://t.co/lg7EbhQVFz — Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 2, 2024 Taylor comes from an offensive background, serves as the primary play caller and mostly turns the defense over to Anarumo. That’s worked well, specifically in 2021 when Anarumo’s defense quietly drove the Bengals’ AFC title run and in 2022 when they ranked sixth in points allowed landing on the doorstep of back-to-back Super Bowl berths. Yet, in times like the past two years when the wheels have come off, he’s found himself spending slightly more time attached to the defensive process, just as he would for any issue that cropped up in a specific phase of the game. Offensive background or not, Taylor acknowledges responsibility for the defensive performance does land on his shoulders, too. “A lot, you can’t shy away from that,” he said. “Just because most of my knowledge is on offense and that’s how I came up, as the head coach, that changes. And you answer to everything. Again, obviously, there’s challenges when you’re calling plays and you’re on the offensive side of the ball. But there’s no excuse for it. You got 24 hours in a day and you’ve gotta make the most of it. I do everything I can to spend time with Lou and have knowledge what’s happening, what the issues are over there and doing everything that I can to help him.” Advertisement Inevitably, the pressure falls on the coordinator to salvage the final five games of this season despite all that’s spiraling out of control. It could be an effort to salvage his job. His focus hasn’t turned to that. All eyes are on keeping his message and connection with the players crystal clear. “There’s as much pressure in this league every day you walk into the building,” Anarumo said. “My focus is on our players and trying to get them better every day. That’s all I think about. I mean, we all know, as NFL coaches, what we signed up for. And like I said, my concerns are our players and getting them in the best position to be successful on Sundays. That’s all I think about.” Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox. document.querySelectorAll(".in-content-module[data-module-id='scoop-city-newsletter'] .in-content-module-img img ").forEach((el) => { el.setAttribute("style", "pointer-events: none;");}) Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox. (Photo of Lou Anarumo: Sam Greene / Imagn Images)What we think will get announced at the Game Awards 2024 - Polygon

646 jili Another weekend of downhill skiing at Loch Lomond Ski AreaUber Technologies Inc. stock falls Wednesday, underperforms market

(Bloomberg) — GE Vernova Inc. has signed multiple contracts to sell natural gas turbines for data centers that will use enough power to light up major cities, the company’s top executive said. Big technology companies are reserving turbines — the engines at the heart of gas-fired power plants — for their planned 5-gigawatt data center campuses, GE Vernova Chief Executive Officer Scott Strazik said Wednesday. The companies aim to get some of these massive facilities up and running as early as 2028, he said. In the last 30 days alone, GE Vernova has signed 9 gigawatts of reservations for gas turbines from customers including data center developers, Strazik said. “That’s just scratching the surface to what’s coming,” he said in an interview at Bloomberg News headquarters in New York. Artificial intelligence, new factories and the electrification of everything from vehicles to home heating is forecast to send power consumption soaring. That demand may be met primarily by fossil fuels, complicating major tech companies’ climate goals. In the US, electricity consumption is projected to surge by almost 16% over the next five years, according to a recent report from Grid Strategies. While Amazon.com Inc., Alphabet Inc. and Microsoft Corp. are all investing in nuclear, that buildout will take years and gas is seen as a key way to meet demand this decade. Research firm CreditSights recently scaled back its projections for wind and solar growth by 2030 and more than doubled its estimates of gas demand for data center growth over that period. Data center developers have been scouring the country for sites with enough juice to operate their big data-crunching operations. Sam Altman’s OpenAI LLC is among the tech companies promoting the need to build 5-gigawatt data centers that would help keep the US ahead in the global race to develop AI applications. Five gigawatts is typically enough to power about 3.8 million homes. GE Vernova didn’t say which companies have inked contracts for its gas turbines, but Strazik said they included data-center developers and other power-plant developers. All the new US orders for gas turbines will be built out of GE Vernova’s South Carolina factory, said Strazik. The company expects to book 20 gigawatts of global gas orders in each of the next four years and the US will account for more than half of that, he said. “The world is going to need more infrastructure built,” including gas pipelines and transmission lines, he said. “I don’t see a way that this isn’t an all-of-the-above infrastructure build for energy security and to support the economic growth required in the country.” GE Vernova’s discussions with data center developers include plans to reduce emissions, Strazik said. The company aims to start up carbon capture plants in the first half of the next decade at existing facilities, with some customers looking to use “every extra physical piece of real estate” for plants that capture carbon from the air, he said.

10-man Barcelona concedes two late goals in draw at Celta VigoNone

Pathstone Holdings LLC raised its stake in Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap ETF ( NYSEARCA:FMDE – Free Report ) by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 188,244 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 6,638 shares during the quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC’s holdings in Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap ETF were worth $6,054,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its position in Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap ETF by 1,799.9% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 340,793 shares of the company’s stock valued at $10,408,000 after buying an additional 322,856 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap ETF by 64.0% in the second quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 497,543 shares of the company’s stock valued at $14,653,000 after purchasing an additional 194,249 shares during the last quarter. FMA Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap ETF during the third quarter valued at about $2,807,000. Traynor Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap ETF by 397.4% during the second quarter. Traynor Capital Management Inc. now owns 80,904 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,383,000 after purchasing an additional 64,638 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gimbal Financial purchased a new position in Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap ETF during the third quarter worth about $1,454,000. Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap ETF Stock Performance NYSEARCA:FMDE opened at $34.97 on Friday. Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap ETF has a 52 week low of $24.98 and a 52 week high of $34.99. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $32.68 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $30.90. The firm has a market cap of $1.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.53 and a beta of 0.93. About Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap ETF The Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap ETF (FMDE) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in mid cap equity. The fund is an actively managed fund that invests in US, mid-cap companies. Stock selection is based on computer-aided analysis, which chooses stocks belonging to the Russel Midcap Index. FMDE was launched on Dec 20, 2007 and is issued by Fidelity. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FMDE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap ETF ( NYSEARCA:FMDE – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fidelity Enhanced Mid Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, has died at the age of 100. He died after spending more than a year in hospice care. Carter grew up on a peanut farm in Georgia and served in the U.S. Navy before turning to politics. He served one term as the president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. Following his time in the White House, Carter dedicated his life to humanitarian work, and was a major contributor to Habitat for Humanity. His post-presidential international diplomatic work earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec, 29, 2024. The Canadian Press

646jili com President-elect Donald Trump’s team submitted an ethics plan guiding the conduct of its members throughout the transition period that does not appear to include provisions for one key member of the team: the president himself. “There does not appear to be a provision addressing the requirement for the president-elect to address his conflicts of interest,” said Valerie Smith Boyd, director of the Center for Presidential Transition at the nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service. CNN has asked the Trump transition for comment on why there is no provision addressing Trump’s potential conflicts of interest. During his first term, Trump was repeatedly criticized by ethics groups for potential conflicts of interest relating to his businesses and brands. Both Trump’s and his family’s foreign business ties have also come under intense scrutiny throughout his time in office and on the campaign trail. Still, after winning in 2016, Trump took some nominal steps toward alleviating ethical concerns before entering the White House by pledging to relinquish control of his companies and put his business holdings in a trust, which was controlled by his two sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. He has made no such assurances this time. Rather, Trump lately has added potential conflicts of interest with some of his latest business dealings. Much of his wealth these days is tied up in stock for Trump Media & Technology Group, a newly publicly traded company that owns his social media website TruthSocial. While campaigning, he hawked several new products capitalizing on his name and fame, including a line of watches, some retailing for $100,000, that he launched through an opaque licensing agreement with a company of undisclosed origins. CNN traced the business to a shopping plaza in Sheridan, Wyoming, that is the registered address for dozens of other companies. Trump and his sons also kickstarted a cryptocurrency venture just weeks before the election, even as he promised to push through an agenda favorable to Bitcoin enthusiasts and investors. Trump has not said how he would guarantee that he won’t pursue these policies – with potentially massive implications for financial markets and the future of the US dollar – in the interest of benefiting his family’s new enterprise. The ethics agreement, posted late Tuesday to the General Services Administration’s website , otherwise “does appear to comply with most of the requirements in the Presidential Transition Act,” a law governing the protocols around transition activities, said Boyd. Updates to that act requiring the ethics pledge were introduced by Trump ally Sen. Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, and signed into law by Trump in March 2020. The plan requires transition team members to “avoid both actual and apparent conflicts of interest,” to “safeguard classified information” and “non-public information and other information that is not readily available to the public.” It also prohibits team members who have participated in lobbying activities in the last year or are registered as lobbyists, and forbids team members from serving as registered foreign agents while serving the transition. Each team member is required to sign the code of ethical conduct detailing those provisions. Trump’s team blew past a pair of September and October deadlines to sign agreements with the Biden White House and General Services Administration laying the groundwork for a smooth transition. Democrats and watchdogs sounded the alarms over potential risks to national security and continuity between administrations in the absence of those agreements. Three weeks after the election, the Trump team submitted its ethics plan and signed the White House agreement, but skipped the GSA agreement, saying in a statement that the transition “will operate as a self-sufficient organization” and that its “organizational autonomy means a streamlined process.” Trump’s team also has yet to sign an agreement with the Department of Justice to begin processing the security clearances needed for staffers to access classified information during the transition period, White House officials said, adding that “progress has been made towards an agreement.” The Trump transition did not immediately respond to CNN’s inquiry regarding whether it would enter into the agreement before Inauguration Day. CNN previously reported that Trump’s transition team is bypassing traditional FBI background checks for at least some of his Cabinet picks while using private companies to conduct vetting of potential candidates for administration jobs, people close to the transition planning said. Trump and his allies believe the FBI system is slow and plagued with issues that could stymie the president-elect’s plan to quickly begin the work of implementing his agenda, people briefed on the plans said. Critics say the background checks sometimes turn up embarrassing information used to inflict political damage. When he takes office January 20, Trump will have the authority to make his own changes to the security clearance system, which is largely based on executive orders. For instance, he could charge individuals he trusts to adjudicate the information found during background investigations and make a determination on clearance status, rather than the traditional federal experts who have traditionally managed that process. Still, Boyd said it was “promising” that progress has been made in the transition process. “We all continue to hope that agreement will be signed because it will reduce confusion if the Trump team has people with federally-vetted background investigations ready to go on day one,” she said. Trump’s team declined to sign an agreement with the GSA unlocking access to federal resources like office space and secure communications equipment, which has also raised concerns. In the absence of that agreement, Boyd said, Trump’s team “may not be operating on a federally-approved secure network,” requiring federal agencies to find ways to protect the sensitive information they share with incoming officials. The White House on Tuesday night provided guidance to various agencies relating to “best practices to facilitate secure information sharing” with the Trump transition team if needed, a White House official said. White House deputy chief of staff Natalie Quillian met with the Agency Transition Directors Council, which is comprised of senior career leaders at agencies across the federal government, and the deputy chiefs of staff for each department on Wednesday morning to discuss next steps for working with Trump’s agency landing teams, the official said. The Trump transition team signing the White House agreement, Boyd said, is a “really important step.” “Both parties should be commended on reaching an agreement to share information. The most concerning scenario would be if the incoming president’s team was not communicating with federal agencies. Now that the communication is open, we’re in a better position for sharing information about national security risks,” Boyd said.

Tron Sees Huge Volume as Meme Coin Buyers Leave Solana Many Are Also Buying into This New Crypto PresaleThe normally reliable centre-back passed the ball into his own net in the 26th minute after failing to spot goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel’s positioning. But a brilliant turn and finish on the hour mark from Daizen Maeda changed the game and ultimately earned the Scottish champions a 1-1 home draw. On the opener, Rodgers said: “Mistakes happen and it was just unfortunate. He’s played that pass a million times and it’s gone back and then we’ve been able to play forward. It was just one of those unfortunate moments in the game that happens. “But he’s a really, really tough character. He’s a great guy, he picked himself up. He was really strong and aggressive again in the game and got on with it and had a real bravery in the second half, because he was the one carrying the ball forward for us to start the attack.” Despite the gift, Brugge were worthy of their lead and Rodgers admitted his side were too passive in their pressing in the opening half. Some tactical tweaks – and the introduction of Paulo Bernardo – helped Celtic dominate after Maeda’s equaliser, although Brugge had a goal disallowed for a marginal offside. “I can only credit the players for the second half, because we had to fight,” Rodgers said. “And we’re still one of those teams that’s really pushing to try and make a mark at this level. So to make the comeback, score the goal, play with that courage, I was so pleased. “You want to win but I’ve been here enough times to have lost a game like that, but we didn’t. We showed a real strong mentality and we kept pushing right to the very end and the players did well. “I thought they showed great courage in the second half because we weren’t at our level in the first half. Sometimes a game like that can get away from you, but it didn’t. “We stayed with it, showed that determination, showed that mentality, never to quit, to keep going. And then we were much, much better, much freer in the second half. “So we’re on eight points, nine to play for. We’re still very much on course to get to where we want to get to and still three games to go.” Rodgers added: “It’s 20 games now and we’ve won 16 and drawn three and lost one, so it shows you the mentality is there, and especially at this level, you need to have that.”

As Californians, we understand the urgency of transitioning to a zero-emission future, but we must also ensure that our policies support both environmental and economic sustainability.Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge PLAYER RATINGS: Which defender shone on a tough night? Whose passback opened the scoring? Who called his team together for a pep talk?

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Joey Logano has seen and heard it all when it comes to his NASCAR Cup Series championship win this season, the third of his career. “Not a true champion,” and “Mickey Mouse” are just a couple of things fired Logano’s way in the aftermath of his victory in the season finale at Phoenix. Despite winning four races, three coming during the 10-race postseason, Logano finished the season with an average finish of 17.1, the worst of any driver in a championship-winning season. The legitimacy of both Logano’s championship, as well as the playoff system, has come into question as a result. But at this point, Logano doesn’t give much of a you know what. Speaking with Kenny Wallace on the latest “ Kenny Conversation ,” Logano called out his critics, telling them to “kiss my a--.” The “ @Kenny_Wallace Conversation” with @joeylogano is up now on YouTube! The now 3-time #nascar cup champ told some awesome stories & defended his title vs some of the online “haters” pic.twitter.com/E4S6l2tnPw Joey Logano sounds off on those questioning legitimacy of NASCAR Cup Series championship “The playoffs are here because everyone complained about it being a full season for one and it wasn’t exciting enough,” Logano said. “... Now, we got a system which I think is like freaking awesome. I love it. As a race fan, it is intense, it is pressure packed, it is do or die, people are willing to do the craziest things to try to win and we’re gonna complain about that now too? C’mon guys. I don’t really know how to explain how frustrated I get when I hear some of the stuff. I’m on social media, I see it — not a true champion, Mickey Mouse all this stuff — bottom line is we won three of the last 10 races. Pretty solid. We had five wins on the season, I kind of count Richmond a little bit even though we didn’t win but that was pretty dang close. The guy that wrecked me didn’t win the race either, so I don’t know. “I look at that like that’s almost a six-win season. That’s solid. To say we’re not a true champion, you better get checked out. We showed up when it mattered the most and that is the same as any other playoff system in any other sport. ... You can have a great regular season, and it will set you up better for the playoffs. It definitely does, there’s no doubt. Win the regular season championship, you get 15 points. You win more races, you get five each one. You win a stage, you get one point. Joey Logano’s even year magic continues in 2024 “All of that matters a lot because there’s a three-race series. Those guys showed up. The 45 [Tyler Reddick], the 5 [Kyle Larson], the 11 [Denny Hamlin] — those guys showed up with like 30 more points than me in every round. We had to overcome that. We started behind all of them. The facts are that they didn’t have a good playoff. If they didn’t have those playoff points, they’re not getting to the Round of 8. The 45 barely made it in at the Roval. If he didn’t have the playoff points, he’s not in. “So, my point is, it helped them get all the way to the Championship 4 when they did not have a solid nine races before that at all. We beat all of them, pretty much. I’m not taking anything away from them, but my point is the regular season matters so much, and we had to play behind the eight ball the whole time. We still had the opportunity to win the championship even though we didn’t have a great regular season. But we got hot when it mattered, we won the races that mattered and we won the championship because of that. And if you don’t like that, you can kiss my a**. That’s how I feel about it.” Logano has simply mastered the elimination style playoff format, adopted back in 2014. He joined elite company with his latest triumph, becoming just the 10th driver to win three or more Cup Series championships. This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.DENVER (AP) — Travis Hunter made a pair of proclamations Thursday: He’s for sure entering the NFL draft after this season, but not until he sees Colorado all the way through the College Football Playoff — if the Buffaloes make it there. The first was already a given for the draft-eligible junior who plays both receiver and cornerback. The second is a risk-reward play for a projected high first-round pick who averages around 120 snaps a game. In years past, it took two extra postseason wins to capture a national title. Now, it could take up to four additional contests. That’s more of a chance to shine, but also more chance for an injury. “I don’t think nobody will opt out because you’re showing NFL teams that you’re more focused on something else, other than the team goal,” Hunter said of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. “So I don’t think players are going to opt out of the playoffs.” Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders chatted Thursday in a set of Zoom calls about turning around the program at Colorado (from 4-8 last season to bowl eligibility), chasing a Big 12 title, turning pro — Hunter acknowledged he will “for sure” — and, of course, the Heisman race, where Hunter is currently the odds-on favorite in an award each wants to see the other win. “He’s deserving of it, and if it’s between me and him, I want him to get it,” said Sanders, whose 16th-ranked Buffaloes (8-2, 6-1 Big 12, No. 16 CFP ) travel to Arrowhead Stadium to face Kansas (4-6, 3-4) this weekend. “He does a lot of amazing things that have never been done before.” Countered Hunter: “I know he wants me to win it, but I also want him to win as bad as I want to win it.” Hunter is a generational talent shining on both sides of the ball. As a receiver, he has 74 catches for 911 yards and nine touchdowns. On defense, he has picked off three passes, even though teams are reluctant to throw his direction. Like he did in high school and now in college, he believes he can do both on the next level. But he understands the trepidation of the NFL team that picks him. “They don’t want their top pick to go down too early," Hunter said. “I like when people tell me I can’t do it, because they just motivate me to continue to do what I want to do.” Sanders is turning in a stellar season as well with 27 touchdown passes, one away from tying Sefo Liufau for the most in a single season in program history. He's projected to be one of the first QBs off the draft board. The future certainly looks bright at Colorado thanks to the legacies Sanders and Hunter under coach Deion Sanders. But that's a point to ponder later. “I can’t think too much forward past Saturday,” Shedeur Sanders cracked. “The main thing is winning the Big 12 championship. That’s the main thing we’re focused on." Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballWhat are the main challenges facing China’s relations with the European Union? Are they different from previous decades and, if so, why? India, Africa and Latin America – but not China – have been listed by the European Union as its next-generation strategic partnerships. In the EU’s view, its triple positioning on China – as a cooperative partner, an economic competitor and a systemic rival – is based on reality and objectively reflects the status and trajectory of Europe’s policy logic towards China. Meanwhile, China is still focused on the expectations of a bilateral relationship.

Officer kills pet dog mistaken for a coyote in Massachusetts town. The owner says it was unnecessary An animal control officer shot and killed a pet dog in a Massachusetts town after mistaking it for a coyote in an incident local police are describing as a sad mix-up. Police in Northbridge, Massachusetts, say the shooting happened on Tuesday after police received a call of a report of a coyote in a residential backyard. Police say the animal control officer went into the woods to look for the coyote and found what they thought was the animal in a threatening position and shot it. The incident happened as communities around Massachusetts and the country have dealt with an uptick in interactions between coyotes and people. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat sent to restaurants nationwide. Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli, which can cause life-threatening infections. No illnesses have been reported outside of Minnesota. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City.DANIA BEACH, Florida (AP) — Border Patrol agents are tasked with enforcing hotly contested immigration policies as many Americans at both ends of the political spectrum look askance at the border — and the agents. That's taking a mounting toll, so the agency is training more among its ranks to become chaplains and provide spiritual care for their fellow agents on and off the job. “That’s a really hard thing to deal with, as things tend to flip from one side to the other, and we’re still in the crossfire,” said Border Patrol assistant chief and chaplaincy program manager Spencer Hatch. Unlike the police or military, which recruit faith leaders to serve as chaplains, the Border Patrol trains mostly lay agents endorsed by their faith denominations to become chaplains through a 2.5 week academy. Their numbers have grown to about 240 from 130 four years ago. Three times a year, an academy is held at a different Border Patrol station. About a dozen Border Patrol personnel, plus a few Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management officers, graduated from the most recent academy, held near Miami earlier this month. The program, and a nonreligious, mental-health focused peer support program, were started by grassroots efforts in the 1990s. Chaplains stay in their regular jobs, but are on call to assist. Border Patrol agents say they're motivated by the desire to protect U.S. borders from security threats, including the powerful cartels that control much of the border dynamics. They also often rescue migrants lost and dying in the harsh deserts that line the southern U.S. border. But many agents feel the American public sees them as obstacles to migrants seeking a better life in the United States. They often tell their children to say their parent does “government work” for fear of reprisals, especially in the border communities where they live. That dissonance between upholding a duty they feel proud of, and getting called “terrible names” for it, adds an emotional toll to the already dangerous, often isolating work the agents do. That's where the chaplains come in — to help their fellow 20,000 agents cope and prevent the trauma from degenerating into family crises, addiction or even suicide. While most chaplains are Christian, with a smattering of Muslim and Jewish agents, they don’t offer faith-specific worship and only bring up religion if the person they’re helping does first. Rather, they are a comforting presence during critical moments like assisting a suicidal colleague, notifying a family their loved one was killed on the job, and counseling those dealing with addiction, survivor guilt and other traumas. Those are the scenarios that chaplains-in-training practice role-playing at the academy. They also learn about communication and family dynamics, because constant redeployments — some up to 9 times over 18 months during the record border crossings early in the Biden administration — affect their families too. Hatch teaches about the need to maintain both the “hypervigilance” of law enforcement and the humanitarian instinct to empathize with fellow agents as well as migrants. Many agents say they are especially affected by the plight of migrant children at the hands of smugglers. “One tries to give them support within the limits of what your work allows. I always have the biggest smile,” said a newly minted chaplain, Yaira Santiago, a former schoolteacher who runs a Border Patrol migrant processing center in Southern California. By relying on their faith, their commitment to help their colleagues, and their training, chaplains can make a difference. "Even in moments of uncertainty, your presence is often enough,” said Matt Kiniery, an agent in El Paso, Texas, for 15 years and a graduate of the latest chaplain academy. Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.Raju Thodasam Proves Third Time Lucky, Wins on BJP Ticket From Arni

Jimmy Carter, former US president and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, dead at 100: media reports

No. 2 Ohio State takes control in the 2nd half and runs over No. 5 Indiana 38-15 COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana 38-15. All Ohio State has to do now is beat Michigan at home next Saturday and it will earn a return to the Big Ten championship game for the first time since 2020 and get a rematch with No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks beat Ohio State 32-31 in a wild one back on Oct. 12. Man City routed 4-0 by Tottenham in fifth-straight defeat as crisis deepens for Pep Guardiola What started as an evening of celebration for Manchester City ended with the four-time defending Premier League champion falling to a fifth-straight loss in all competitions and facing a deepening crisis in a season that is threatening to unravel. A 4-0 defeat to Tottenham left City five points behind league leader Liverpool, having played a game more. Two goals from James Maddison inside 20 minutes at the Etihad Stadium stunned the home crowd. Pedro Porro scored a third for Tottenham after halftime. Brennan Johnson added a fourth in the third minute of stoppage time. City manager Pep Guardiola signed a two-year contract extension this week. Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton all won and closed the gap on Liverpool to six points. Florida knocks No. 9 Ole Miss out of College Football Playoff contention, 24-17 in the Swamp GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — DJ Lagway threw two touchdown passes, Montrell Johnson ran for 127 yards and a score, and Florida upset No. 9 Mississippi 24-17 on Saturday to knock the Rebels out of College Football Playoff contention. The Gators beat ranked teams in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2008 and became bowl eligible. The late-season spurt provided another vote of confidence for coach Billy Napier, who is expected back for a fourth season. Ole Miss lost for the first time in four games and surely will drop out of the 12-team playoff picture. Jennings has 3 TDs as No. 13 SMU routs Virginia 33-7 to clinch a spot in the ACC title game CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Kevin Jennings threw for a career-high 323 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another, and No. 13 SMU clinched a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game by routing Virginia 33-7. Isaiah Smith and Jared Harrison-Hunte each had two sacks to help the Mustangs extend their winning streak to eight. They would earn an automatic bid into the expanded College Football Playoff by beating 11th-ranked Miami or 17th-ranked Clemson in the ACC title game on Dec. 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina. UVa must beat rival Virginia Tech next week to become bowl eligible. No. 11 Miami pulls away late to beat Wake Forest 42-14 and move one win from the ACC title game MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Cam Ward passed for 280 yards and threw two touchdowns to Jacolby George on another record-breaking day, Mishael Powell ran an interception back 76 yards for a touchdown and No. 11 Miami pulled away late to beat Wake Forest 42-14. The 10-1 Hurricanes can clinch a berth in the ACC title game with a win at Syracuse next weekend. Ward completed 27 of 38 passes, plus ran for a score. Demond Claiborne had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown for 4-7 Wake Forest. No. 24 Illinois stuns Rutgers on Bryant's 40-yard TD reception with 4 seconds left PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Luke Altmyer found Pat Bryant for a catch-and-run, 40-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left, sending No. 24 Illinois to a wild 38-31 victory over Rutgers. Illinois was down 31-30 when it sent long kicker Ethan Moczulski out for a desperation 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds to go. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano then called for a timeout right before Moczulski’s attempt was wide left and about 15 yards short. After the missed field goal was waved off by the timeout, Illinois coach Bret Bielema sent his offense back on the field. Altmyer hit Bryant on an in cut on the left side at the 22, and he continued across the field and scored untouched. Same glitz and glamour for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and perhaps another Verstappen championship LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen returned to the Las Vegas Grand Prix as the defending winner of the Sin City spectacle and a fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship well within his reach. The Dutchman needed only to finish Saturday night’s race ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren to make it four straight for the Red Bull driver. Verstappen starts fifth and Norris is sixth. Norris can additionally lose the title if he fails to outscore Verstappen by three points on the neon-lit street circuit that zips down the famed Las Vegas Strip. The race is back for a second year and again promoted by Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1. Hidalgo leads No. 6 Notre Dame over JuJu Watkins and third-ranked USC 74-61 in big matchup out West LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hannah Hidalgo scored 24 points and No. 6 Notre Dame defeated JuJu Watkins and third-ranked Southern California 74-61 in a marquee matchup on the West Coast. Hidalgo had six rebounds and eight assists in front of several WNBA scouts. Olivia Miles added 20 points for the Fighting Irish, who improved to 5-0. Watkins finished with 24 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Trojans, who fell to 4-1. The Irish came out strong, taking a 20-10 lead in the first quarter, when Hidalgo had 11 points. They never looked back and stayed poised when USC came within three points three different times. Andy Murray will coach Novak Djokovic through the Australian Open Recently retired Andy Murray will team up with Novak Djokovic, working with him as a coach through the Australian Open in January. Murray’s representatives put out statements from both players on Saturday. Djokovic is a 24-time Grand Slam champion who has spent more weeks at No. 1 than any other player in tennis history. Murray won three major trophies and two Olympic singles gold medals who finished 2016 atop the ATP rankings. He retired as a player after the Paris Summer Games in August. Argentina's Racing wins its first Copa Sudamericana championship by beating Brazil's Cruzeiro 3-1 ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) — Gaston Martirena and Adrian Martinez scored first-half goals as Argentina’s Racing won its first Copa Sudamericana championship by beating Brazil’s Cruzeiro 3-1 in the final on Saturday. Martirena opened the scoring in the 15th minute and Martinez added a goal five minutes later to help give “La Academia” its first international title since 1988 when it won the Supercopa Sudamericana. Roger Martinez sealed the victory with a goal in the 90th. “Maravilla” Martinez scored 10 goals in 13 matches and finished as the top scorer in the competition. Kaio Jorge scored in the 52nd for Cruzeiro.

By BILL BARROW, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who tried to restore virtue to the White House after the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, then rebounded from a landslide defeat to become a global advocate of human rights and democracy, has died. He was 100 years old. The Carter Center said the 39th president died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died in November 2023, lived most of their lives. A moderate Democrat, Carter ran for president in 1976 as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad grin, effusive Baptist faith and technocratic plans for efficient government. His promise to never 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 said. Carter’s victory over Republican Gerald Ford, whose fortunes fell after pardoning Nixon, came amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over race, women’s rights and America’s role in the world. His achievements included brokering Mideast peace by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David for 13 days in 1978. But his coalition splintered under double-digit inflation and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His negotiations ultimately brought all the hostages home alive, but in a final insult, Iran didn’t release them until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan, who had trounced him in the 1980 election. Humbled and back home in Georgia, Carter said his faith demanded that he keep doing whatever he could, for as long as he could, to try to make a difference. He and Rosalynn co-founded The Carter Center in 1982 and spent the next 40 years traveling the world as peacemakers, human rights advocates and champions of democracy and public health. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Carter helped ease nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiate cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, the center had monitored at least 113 elections around the world. Carter was determined to eradicate guinea worm infections as one of many health initiatives. Swinging hammers into their 90s, the Carters built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The common observation that he was better as an ex-president rankled Carter. His allies were pleased that he lived long enough to see biographers and historians revisit his presidency and declare it more impactful than many understood at the time. Propelled in 1976 by voters in Iowa and then across the South, Carter ran a no-frills campaign. Americans were captivated by the earnest engineer, and while an election-year Playboy interview drew snickers when he said he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times,” voters tired of political cynicism found it endearing. The first family set an informal tone in the White House, carrying their own luggage, trying to silence the Marine Band’s traditional “Hail to the Chief” and enrolling daughter, Amy, in public schools. Carter was lampooned for wearing a cardigan and urging Americans to turn down their thermostats. But Carter set the stage for an economic revival and sharply reduced America’s dependence on foreign oil by deregulating the energy industry along with airlines, trains and trucking. He established the departments of Energy and Education, appointed record numbers of women and nonwhites to federal posts, preserved millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness and pardoned most Vietnam draft evaders. Emphasizing human rights, he ended most support for military dictators and took on bribery by multinational corporations by signing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He persuaded the Senate to ratify the Panama Canal treaties and normalized relations with China, an outgrowth of Nixon’s outreach to Beijing. But crippling turns in foreign affairs took their toll. When OPEC hiked crude prices, making drivers line up for gasoline as inflation spiked to 11%, Carter tried to encourage Americans to overcome “a crisis of confidence.” Many voters lost confidence in Carter instead after the infamous address that media dubbed his “malaise” speech, even though he never used that word. After Carter reluctantly agreed to admit the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979. Negotiations to quickly free the hostages broke down, and then eight Americans died when a top-secret military rescue attempt failed. Carter also had to reverse course on the SALT II nuclear arms treaty after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Though historians would later credit Carter’s diplomatic efforts for hastening the end of the Cold war, Republicans labeled his soft power weak. Reagan’s “make America great again” appeals resonated, and he beat Carter in all but six states. Born Oct. 1, 1924, James Earl Carter Jr. married fellow Plains native Rosalynn Smith in 1946, the year he graduated from the Naval Academy. He brought his young family back to Plains after his father died, abandoning his Navy career, and they soon turned their ambitions to politics. Carter reached the state Senate in 1962. After rural white and Black voters elected him governor in 1970, he drew national attention by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Carter published more than 30 books and remained influential as his center turned its democracy advocacy onto U.S. politics, monitoring an audit of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results. After a 2015 cancer diagnosis, Carter said he felt “perfectly at ease with whatever comes.” “I’ve had a wonderful life,” he said. “I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” Contributors include former AP staffer Alex Sanz in Atlanta. Be civil. Be kind.Opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh blamed the BJP for the violence in Sambhal, alleging the survey team was sent to the mosque by the party to nurture its "politics of hatred". Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav lashed out at the BJP, saying its government and the administration orchestrated the violence "to divert attention from electoral malpractice". "A survey team was deliberately sent in the morning to disrupt discussions about the election. The intention was to create chaos so that no debate on election issues could happen," he said at a press conference in Lucknow. UP Congress chief Ajay Rai said the incidents of violence were increasing day by day in the state under the Yogi Adityanath government. "When the Chief Minister of the state himself gives statements like ' batenge toh katenge ,' then how can there be an atmosphere of peace in the state? This is a completely planned incident," Rai in a statement said. The UP unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) called the Sambhal violence a planned conspiracy. Its secretary Heeralal Yadav questioned the hurry behind the survey of the mosque in contention. He accused the BJP of fomenting unrest in the state "in the name of temple and mosque" and appealed to the public to maintain peace. The CPI (Marxist-Leninist) also attacked the BJP, blaming it for the Sunday violence in which three people were killed. Sudhakar Yadav, the party's state secretary, said BJP, emboldened by its recent wins, was fuelling polarisation of communities and wanted to throw the state into the fire of communalism. Tearing the fabric of peace, and polarising communities was all in a good day's work for the "saffron brigade," he alleged. The BJP, in turn, alleged that the INDIA alliance had been trying to create unrest since the Lok Sabha polls. It said that those who do not agree with judicial orders should take legal recourse. Three people were killed and scores of others, including around 20 security personnel, were injured as protesters opposing a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque in Sambhal clashed with police on Sunday. Protesters torched vehicles and pelted stones at the police, who used tear gas and batons to disperse the mob. "Shots were fired by the miscreants ... the PRO of the superintendent of police suffered a gunshot to the leg, the police circle officer was hit by pellets and 15 to 20 security personnel were injured in the violence," Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said. Also Read: UP: Protest over Sambhal mosque survey turns violent; 3 killed, 20 cops among injured He said that a constable also suffered a serious head injury, while the deputy collector fractured his leg. Internet services have been suspended in Sambhal tehsil for 24 hours and the district administration declared a holiday on November 25 for all students up to Class 12. Images, purported to be from the spot shared on social media, showed mobs pelting stones at cops from atop buildings and in front of the Shahi Jama Masjid. Later, police were purportedly seen cornering and hitting people as they tried to disperse a large crowd in a narrow alleyway. A lane was shown in a video strewn with a scores of slippers, bricks, and stones. In another purported clip, some policemen in riot gear were seen firing gunshots in a street, while flames leapt and smoke billowed into the air in the background. Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar urged stone-pelters not to indulge in violence. "Do not spoil your future for these politicians," he is heard saying through his megaphone in one of the videos. Tension had been brewing in Sambhal since Tuesday when the Jama Masjid was surveyed on the orders of a local court following a petition that claimed that a Harihar temple stood at the site. (With inputs from PTI) Follow us on: Facebook , Twitter , Google News , Instagram Join our official telegram channel ( @nationalherald ) and stay updated with the latest headlines

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer is in coalition talks with the leaders of the SPO and liberal Neos. VIENNA - Austria's far-right Freedom Party won a state election in Styria for the first time on Nov 24 in an echo of September's general election and a new show of strength while national coalition talks continue without it. The election in Styria on Nov 24, which is home to Austria's second city, Graz, raises pressure on party leaders currently attempting to forge the country's first three-way government since 1949. It is only the second state which the eurosceptic, Russia-friendly Freedom Party (FPO) has ever won, the first having been Carinthia, the fiefdom of then-FPO leader Joerg Haider in his heyday in the late 1990s and early 2000s. “There’s been a landslide in Styria. I didn’t expect such a resounding result,” the FPO’s deputy leader in Styria, Mr Stefan Hermann, told national broadcaster ORF. A projection by pollster Foresight for ORF and news agency APA showed the FPO first on 35 per cent and the ruling conservative People's Party (OVP) second on 26.7 per cent. The estimate, based on a count of 95 per cent of votes cast, had a margin of error of 0.4 percentage points. It is the first time since World War Two that neither the OVP nor the Social Democrats (SPO) have won in the state bordering Slovenia where actor Arnold Schwarzenegger was born. The FPO will need a coalition partner to secure a majority in Styria's state assembly and form a government. Nationally, FPO leader Herbert Kickl continues to lambast efforts to form what he calls a “coalition of losers” by the parties that came second, third and fourth in September’s election. He argues that since the FPO came first he should have been tasked with forming a government. The FPO secured 29 per cent of the vote in September's election, meaning it needed a coalition partner to govern. Mr Alexander Van der Bellen, an 80-year-old former leader of the left-wing Greens, said in October that since no other party was prepared to govern with the FPO under Mr Kickl, he had to task Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the OVP as leader of the second-placed party with forming a government. Mr Nehammer is in coalition talks with the leaders of the SPO and liberal Neos. Styria's OVP Governor Christopher Drexler said the main issue raised by voters was why Mr Van der Bellen gave Mr Nehammer rather than Mr Kickl the task of forming a government, suggesting many voters backed the FPO in protest. “National politics dominated this election,” he said in a speech to supporters. REUTERS 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 nowWhat time is ‘Survivor’ on tonight? Stream season 47 episode 11 free

Former US president Jimmy Carter has died, almost three months after he turned 100 years old, his son Chip has confirmed. Carter's death comes just over a year after his wife and former first lady Rosalynn died at the age of 96 in November 2023. The former Democratic leader's cause of death has not yet been revealed, but he had spent almost the last two years of his life in hospice care, after making the move following a string of health issues. The Carter Center released a statement of the 100-year-old's death on Sunday local time. “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” Chip Carter said. “My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. "The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.” The statement said arrangements for Carter's funeral are still in the works. "There will be public observances in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., followed by a private interment in Plains, Georgia," the statement said. "The final arrangements for President Carter’s state funeral, including all public events and motorcade routes, are still pending." Carter was elected as the 39th president of the United States in 1976, defeating incumbent Gerald Ford, after previously serving in the Georgia State Senate and then as the governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975. He served his term with Walter Mondale as his vice president before being voted out of office in 1980 in favour of the Republican Party's Ronald Reagan. The former president has been credited with his efforts to combat inflation and unemployment in the country, while also working hard on domestic affairs. Some of his achievements include establishing a national energy policy to deal with the energy shortage, expanding America's national park system and creating the Department of Education to increase human and social services. He also dealt with a series of challenges during his time in office, including a recession in his final year in 1980, as well as the Iran hostage crisis - in which 53 US diplomats and citizens were held in Iran for 14 months and only released on the same day Carter left the White House. As he continued to fight off a number of threats to his health, including cancer, surgery to a broken hip and a series of falls, Carter went on to become the oldest living president in American history, surpassing George H.W. Bush who died at the age of 94 in 2018. Carter and wife Rosalynn were both born in Plains, Georgia. It is believed he will be buried next to his wife of 77 years at their longtime Georgia home in the same city. He is survived by his four children - Jack, Chip, Jeff and Amy, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Republican senator blocks promotion of general involved in Afghanistan withdrawal

Airports and highways are expected to be jam-packed during Thanksgiving week, a holiday period likely to end with another record day for air travel in the United States. AAA predicts that nearly 80 million Americans will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday, most of them by car. However, travelers could be impacted by ongoing weather challenges and those flying to their destinations could be grounded by delays brought on by airline staffing shortages and an airport service workers strike . Here's the latest: U.S. airlines are preparing for a Thanksgiving holiday rush, and so are the U.S. Postal Service, United Parcel Service and FedEx. Shipping companies will deliver about 2.2 billion packages to homes and businesses across the U.S. from Thanksgiving to Dec. 31, said Satish Jindel, a shipping and logistics expert and president of ShipMatrix. That’s down from 2.3 billion packages last year. Because the shopping period is a week shorter than in 2023, consumers are shopping further ahead of Black Friday and more purchases are taking place in physical stores, he said. The number of holiday package shipments grew 27% in 2020 and by more than 3% the following year during the pandemic. The numbers have been falling since then, with a projected decline of about 6% this holiday season. Looking to de-stress while waiting for your flight? Many airports have a fleet of therapy dogs — designated fidos and puppers that are eager to receive pets and snuggles from weary travelers. Rules and schedules vary from airport to airport, but the group AirportTherapyDogs uses online crowdsourcing to share the locations of therapy dogs across its various social media accounts. Today, Gracie, a toy Australian shepherd, and Budge, an English bulldog, wandered the concourses at Denver International Airport, and an American Staffordshire Terrier named Hugo greeted travelers at Punta Gorda Airport in Florida. Some airports even feature other therapy pals. San Francisco International Airport’s fleet of animals includes a Flemish Giant rabbit and a hypoallergenic pig. “We cannot live on the wages that we are being paid,” ABM cabin cleaner Priscilla Hoyle said at a rally earlier Monday. “I can honestly say it’s hard every single day with my children, working a full-time job but having to look my kids in the eyes and sit there and say, ‘I don’t know if we’re going to have a home today.’” Timothy Lowe II, a wheelchair attendant, said he has to figure out where to spend the night because he doesn’t make enough for a deposit on a home. “We just want to be able to have everything that’s a necessity paid for by the job that hired us to do a great job so they can make billions,” he said. ABM said it is “committed to addressing concerns swiftly” and that there are avenues for employees to communicate issues, including a national hotline and a “general open door policy for managers at our worksite.” Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services cast ballots Friday to authorize the work stoppage at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a hub for American Airlines. They described living paycheck to paycheck while performing jobs that keep planes running on schedule. Most of them earn $12.50 to $19 an hour, union officials said. Rev. Glencie Rhedrick of Charlotte Clergy Coalition for Justice said those workers should make $22 to $25 an hour. The strike is expected to last 24 hours. Several hundred workers participated in the work stoppage. Forty-four fights have been canceled today and nearly 1,900 were delayed by midday on the East Coast, according to FlightAware . According to the organization’s cheekily named MiseryMap , San Francisco International Airport is having the most hiccups right now, with 53 delays and three cancellations between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. EST. While that might sound like a lot of delays, they might not be so bad compared to last Friday when the airport suffered 671 delays and 69 cancellations. In an apparent effort to reduce the headaches caused by airport line cutting, American Airlines has rolled out boarding technology that alerts gate agents with an audible sound if a passenger tries to scan a ticket ahead of their assigned group. This new software won’t accept a boarding pass before the group it’s assigned to is called, so customers who get to the gate prematurely will be asked to go back and wait their turn. As of Wednesday, the airline announced, the technology is now being used in more than 100 U.S. airports that American flies out of. The official expansion arrives after successful tests in three of these locations — Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport. ▶ Read more about American Airlines’ new boarding technology Travel can be stressful in the best of times. Now add in the high-level anxiety that seems to be baked into every holiday season and it’s clear travelers could use some help calming frazzled nerves. Here are a few ways to make your holiday journey a little less stressful: 1. Make a checklist of what you need to do and what you need to bring 2. Carry your comfort with you — think noise-canceling headphones, cozy clothes, snacks and extra medication 3. Stay hydrated 4. Keep up to date on delays, gate changes and cancellations with your airline’s app ▶ Read more tips about staying grounded during holiday travel Thanksgiving Day takes place late this year, with the fourth Thursday of November falling on Nov. 28. That shortens the traditional shopping season and changes the rhythm of holiday travel. With more time before the holiday , people tend to spread out their outbound travel over more days, but everyone returns at the same time, said Andrew Watterson, the chief operating officer of Southwest Airlines . “A late Thanksgiving leads to a big crush at the end,” Watterson said. “The Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday after Thanksgiving are usually very busy with Thanksgiving this late.” Airlines did a relatively good job of handling holiday crowds last year, when the weather was mild in most of the country. Fewer than 400 U.S. flights were canceled during Thanksgiving week in 2023 — about one out of every 450 flights. So far in 2024, airlines have canceled about 1.3% of all flights. Drivers should know that Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons will be the worst times to travel by car, but it should be smooth sailing on freeways come Thanksgiving Day, according to transportation analytics company INRIX. On the return home, the best travel times for motorists are before 1 p.m. on Sunday, and before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on Monday, the company said. In metropolitan areas like Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Washington, “traffic is expected to be more than double what it typically is on a normal day,” INRIX transportation analyst Bob Pishue said. Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Mike Whitaker said last week that he expects his agency to use special measures at some facilities to deal with an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers. In the past, those facilities have included airports in New York City and Florida. “If we are short on staff, we will slow traffic as needed to keep the system safe,” Whitaker said. The FAA has long struggled with a shortage of controllers that airline officials expect will last for years, despite the agency’s lofty hiring goals. 5. Auto club and insurance company AAA predicts that nearly 80 million Americans will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday. Most of them will travel by car. 6. Drivers should get a slight break on gas prices . The nationwide average price for gasoline was $3.06 a gallon on Sunday, down from $3.27 at this time last year. 7. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 18.3 million people at U.S. airports during the same seven-day stretch. That would be 6% more than during the corresponding days last year but fit a pattern set throughout 2024. 8. The TSA predicts that 3 million people will pass through airport security checkpoints on Sunday; more than that could break the record of 3.01 million set on the Sunday after the July Fourth holiday. Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be the next busiest air travel days of Thanksgiving week. ▶ Read more about Thanksgiving travel across the U.S. Workers who clean airplanes, remove trash and help with wheelchairs at Charlotte’s airport, one of the nation’s busiest, went on strike Monday to demand higher wages. The Service Employees International Union announced the strike in a statement early Monday, saying the workers would demand “an end to poverty wages and respect on the job during the holiday travel season.” The strike was expected to last 24 hours, said union spokesperson Sean Keady. Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services cast ballots Friday to authorize the work stoppage at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a hub for American Airlines. The two companies contract with American, one of the world’s biggest carriers, to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs. ▶ Read more about the Charlotte airport workers’ strike Parts of the Midwest and East Coast can expect to see heavy rain into Thanksgiving, and there’s potential for snow in Northeastern states. A storm last week brought rain to New York and New Jersey, where wildfires have raged in recent weeks, and heavy snow to northeastern Pennsylvania. The precipitation was expected to help ease drought conditions after an exceptionally dry fall. Heavy snow fell in northeastern Pennsylvania, including the Pocono Mountains. Higher elevations reported up to 17 inches (43 centimeters), with lesser accumulations in valley cities including Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Around 35,000 customers in 10 counties were still without power, down from 80,000 a day ago. In the Catskills region of New York, nearly 10,000 people remained without power Sunday morning, two days after a storm dumped heavy snow on parts of the region. Precipitation in West Virginia helped put a dent in the state’s worst drought in at least two decades and boosted ski resorts as they prepare to open in the weeks ahead. ▶ Read more about Thanksgiving week weather forecasts Two people died in the Pacific Northwest after a rapidly intensifying “ bomb cyclone ” hit the West Coast last Tuesday, bringing fierce winds that toppled trees and power lines and damaged homes and cars. Hundreds of thousands lost electricity in Washington state before powerful gusts and record rains moved into Northern California. Forecasters said the risk of flooding and mudslides remained as the region will get more rain starting Sunday. But the latest storm won’t be as intense as last week’s atmospheric river , a long plume of moisture that forms over an ocean and flows over land. “However, there’s still threats, smaller threats, and not as significant in terms of magnitude, that are still going to exist across the West Coast for the next two or three days,” weather service forecaster Rich Otto said. As the rain moves east throughout the week, Otto said, there’s a potential for heavy snowfall at higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada, as well as portions of Utah and Colorado. California’s Mammoth Mountain, which received 2 feet (0.6 meters) of fresh snow in the recent storm, could get another 4 feet (1.2 meters) before the newest system clears out Wednesday, the resort said. Another round of wintry weather could complicate travel leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, according to forecasts across the U.S., while California and Washington state continue to recover from storm damage and power outages. In California, where two people were found dead in floodwaters on Saturday, authorities braced for more rain while grappling with flooding and small landslides from a previous storm . Here’s a look at some of the regional forecasts: 9. Sierra Nevada: The National Weather Service office issued a winter storm warning through Tuesday, with heavy snow expected at higher elevations and wind gusts potentially reaching 55 mph (88 kph). Total snowfall of roughly 4 feet (1.2 meters) was forecast, with the heaviest accumulations expected Monday and Tuesday. 10. Midwest and Great Lakes: The Midwest and Great Lakes regions will see rain and snow Monday and the East Coast will be the most impacted on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, forecasters said. 11. East Coast: A low pressure system is forecast to bring rain to the Southeast early Thursday before heading to the Northeast. Areas from Boston to New York could see rain and breezy conditions, with snowfall possible in parts of northern New Hampshire, northern Maine and the Adirondacks. If the system tracks further inland, there could be less snow and more rain in the mountains, forecasters said. ▶ Read more about Thanksgiving week weather forecastsMemphis beats No. 2 UConn 99-97 in overtime to tipoff Maui InvitationalAES Announces 2% Increase in Quarterly Dividendjili 646 casino login 。

Ghanaian striker Winfred Amoah scores in St. Polten’s 3-2 victory against Floridsdorfer AC

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — The goals are flying in again for Arsenal — and it just happens to coincide with the return from injury of Martin Odegaard. Make that eight goals in two games since the international break for Arsenal after its 5-1 hammering of Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday, tying the English team’s heaviest ever away win in the competition. Odegaard is back in Arsenal’s team after missing two months with an ankle injury . In that time, Mikel Arteta’s attack stuttered, with a 2-0 loss to Bournemouth and a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle dropping the Gunners well off the pace in the Premier League. There was also a 0-0 draw at Atalanta in the Champions League as well as a 1-0 loss to Inter Milan last month, when Odegaard made his comeback from injury as an 89th-minute substitute. Since then, Arsenal hasn’t lost and the goals have returned. After a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday came the cruise in Lisbon — and Odegaard was at the heart of everything as Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end. “He’s an unbelievable player,” Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka said of Odegaard. “The day he returned, there was a big smile on my face. You can see the chemistry we have. I hope he stays fit for the rest of the season.” Odegaard was involved in the build-up to Arsenal’s first two goals against Sporting — scored by Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz — and was fouled to win the penalty converted by Saka in the 65th to restore Arsenal’s three-goal lead at 4-1. Odegaard was seen flexing his leg after that but continued untroubled and was substituted in the 78th minute. The last thing Arteta would want now is another injury to Odegaard as Arsenal attempts to reel in first-place Liverpool in the Premier League. Liverpool is already nine points ahead of fourth-place Arsenal after 12 games. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

What to know about the Supreme Court’s latest culture war fight: Transgender careELKO — With a Dec. 31 deadline nearing for obligating all American Rescue Plan Act funds, Elko City Council members approved a revised distribution policy and agreed to release the promised $500,000 of ARPA funds to Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital for its new behavioral health unit. Elko’s total ARPA award was nearly $27.48 million following the COVID-19 related federal legislation enacted in March 2021. The city received the first $13.74 million installment that July and the remaining funds in July 2022, but had to follow ARPA criteria for allocations from the fund. As part of the expenditure plan, the Elko City Council committed $500,000 to the hospital in February 2022 for the new 16-bed, $3.2 million unit that is nearly completed. Hospital Chief Executive Officer Steve Simpson made the formal request for the money on Tuesday. He told the council the new behavior health unit is a “labor of love” and “I’m really excited about what this means for Elko.” The hospital expects to open the new unit in January, but a grand opening event was held on Nov. 20 for the third-floor unit though the work wasn’t quite finished. Simpson told the council there has been a change since then. Rex Mitchell, director of materials management at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital, shows off a patient room in the under-construction behavioral health unit on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. He said the new unit was planned as an adult and geriatric combined unit, but the hospital has since learned that a barrier between the adult and the geriatric beds is required. NNRH hadn’t planned for the barrier, so the 16-bed unit will be for adults only, no geriatric patients. “It’s disappointing now that population will go unserved,” Simpson said. Mayor Reece Keener said behavioral health calls have an impact on first responders. Steve Simpson, CEO of Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital, speaks at the dedication of the inpatient behavioral health unit on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. Simpson said there are now roughly 30 patients transferred from the hospital each month, many of them to Las Vegas, and he told the council a long-term outpatient treatment center is planned for patients after they are discharged. Councilman Clair Morris said years ago the old Elko General Hospital tried providing rooms for behavioral health patients, but “it didn’t pan out,” because most were indigent or homeless, so he wondered if the for-profit hospital had planned for a similar problem. Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital CEO Steve Simpson, far right, formally requests the funding from Elko's City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. “The data suggested to us that it would at least be break-even for us,” Simpson said. “It’s penciled out.” The hospital also had behavioral health beds about a decade ago that didn’t work out due to staffing difficulties. Aside from the $500,000 request and report on the behavioral health unit, the hospital CEO told the council the hospital may have the opportunity to “bring a more robust oncology unit back to the hospital.” The oncology unit was at the top of list ahead of behavioral health, in fact. Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital spokesman Steve Burrows, left, and Chief Executive Steve Simpson display the floor plans for a new behavioral health unit being constructed on the hospital's third floor. He said there may be a chance of a collaboration with Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, but “it’s not happening overnight. We will work on this over the next two years.” The Elko hospital provides chemotherapy now and has the “best infusion nurses on the planet,” but hopes to bring back radiation treatment because “it sucks” when cancer patients must travel for treatment, Simpson said. The hospital is also benefitting from a second source of water from the city using ARPA funds — a little more than $2.92 million — to install an 18-inch water line and pressure-reducing valve, according to the revised ARPA report. The city originally earmarked $10 million in ARPA funds to the general fund for payroll, various taxes and expenses to free up money to help with such projects as the hospital’s new behavioral health unit, and to help non-profit organizations that applied to the council for grants, as well as providing small business grants. City Manager Jan Baum said “it’s down to the very end of the ARPA, and we need to make sure it’s obligated accordingly as of Dec. 31, 2024, and included is $500,000 for NNRH in the policy.” The $500,000 for the hospital is in a special designation because it is a for-profit hospital, and Simpson told the council the money will be spent “rather quick.” She also told the council he city adjusted the amount of ARPA funds budgeted for projects that are underway with ARPA funding since any change orders after Dec. 31 won’t be covered. The federal deadline is for obligation of funds, but ARPA money can still be spent until 2026. ARPA spending in the 2023-2024 fiscal year showed no problems, according to Chad Atkinson, a certified public accountant with Hinton Burdick who presented the financial audit for the fiscal year that ended June 30. The audit states the city distributed $3.1 million to nonprofit organizations in the city of Elko for revenue replacement and hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic in fiscal year 2022. In fiscal 2023, the COVID-19 related contributions decreased to $1.3 million. For fiscal year 2024, COVID-19-related contributions totaled $379,670. The audit showed the general fund balance at the end of the fiscal year totaled nearly $20.05 million, which is up 10.98% from the prior year, while general fund revenue dropped 9.7%, or nearly $3.09 million from fiscal 2023. “This decrease is largely due to American Rescue Plan Funds received from the Treasury in July 2022 (FY23) in the amount of $4,261,567. This was the second and final installment of $10 million in ARPA funds for the general fund,” the audit states. General fund revenue totaled a little more than $28.56 million, and expenditures of $26.58 million for an excess of $1.98 million, but with the beginning fund balance for the year of $18.06 million the ending fund balance reached the nearly $20.05 million. Atkinson said the city’s general fund is “stable and in good shape,” and the council approved the audit. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Gainers SMX (Security Matters) SMX shares increased by 74.1% to $0.52 during Friday's pre-market session. The company's market cap stands at $1.5 million. Asana ASAN shares increased by 30.85% to $20.23. The market value of their outstanding shares is at $4.6 billion. The company's, Q3 earnings came out yesterday. Rubrik RBRK shares increased by 21.11% to $64.99. The market value of their outstanding shares is at $11.8 billion. As per the news, the Q3 earnings report came out yesterday. DocuSign DOCU shares moved upwards by 14.6% to $95.9. The company's market cap stands at $19.6 billion. As per the press release, Q3 earnings came out yesterday. Trident Digital Tech TDTH stock increased by 11.62% to $2.4. The market value of their outstanding shares is at $154.9 million. Castellum CTM shares moved upwards by 11.22% to $0.39. The company's market cap stands at $21.8 million. Losers BTC Digital BTCT stock decreased by 30.5% to $10.89 during Friday's pre-market session. The company's market cap stands at $45.1 million. Foxx Development Hldgs FOXX shares fell 10.51% to $4.43. The company's market cap stands at $32.2 million. Mawson Infra Gr MIGI shares fell 7.58% to $1.22. The company's market cap stands at $22.8 million. Samsara IOT shares fell 7.44% to $51.03. The company's market cap stands at $28.3 billion. The company's, Q3 earnings came out yesterday. Life360 LIF shares decreased by 6.86% to $47.69. The market value of their outstanding shares is at $3.5 billion. Next Technology Holding NXTT stock declined by 6.53% to $2.15. The market value of their outstanding shares is at $14.9 million. See Also: www.benzinga.com/money/tech-stocks/ This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Walmart's DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump's election victoryBrazil shares higher at close of trade; Bovespa up 1.74%FBI arrests man charged with planning an attack on the New York Stock Exchange

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You better not pout, you better not cry, because Santa Claus is coming to town! And he’s going to be visiting all the towns around the world to bring children their much anticipated gifts - hopefully even if they have been just a little naughty at times. Powered by his nine majestic reindeer, Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen, Santa’s sleigh is currently rushing through skies across the globe to ensure that children around the world get their well deserved gifts at the end of the year. And he has a lot to cover! Santa travels 300,000,000 miles tirelessly to deliver presents to children in around 75 million houses every year. And if your curious little ones want to know where Santa is at any given moment — WalesOnline and NORAD are at their service. North American Aerospace Defence Command have been tracking Santa as he makes his journey around the world for over 60 years and nothing gets past them. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter If you or your children want to see where Santa is at any given moment or when he’ll get to your house, you can check our livestream here on Facebook or head straight to the NORAD tracker here . NORAD said on its website: “While the tradition of tracking Santa began purely by accident, NORAD continues to track Santa. We're the only organisation that has the technology, the qualifications, and the people to do it. And, we love it! NORAD is honoured to be Santa's official tracker!”646jili login 。

33 Products I Wish Everyone Knew AboutBoston Consulting Group and Jones Day Highlight Success in Dallas' Premier Luxury Lifestyle Office Destination DALLAS , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Harwood International is proud to celebrate an extraordinary year, with 341,163 square feet of office space leased across the vibrant Harwood District . As Dallas' premier destination for luxury lifestyle office spaces, the District continues to attract world-class tenants with its unique blend of design-forward workspaces, walkability, and unparalleled amenities. This year's achievements include a landmark lease with global law firm Jones Day at the upcoming Harwood No. 15 and Boston Consulting Group 's (BCG) 7-year lease renewal for 69,624 square feet at Harwood No. 6 . Since 2008, Boston Consulting Group has called the Harwood District home. Known globally for its innovative approach to management consulting, technology, and design, BCG's decision to renew at Harwood No. 6 highlights the enduring appeal of Saint Ann Court . Designed by Shimoda Design Group , this 26-story architectural icon offers luxury lifestyle amenities such as the Rockefeller Sky Gardens, a private fitness center, The Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum: The Samurai Collection , and on-site dining at Saint Ann Restaurant & Bar and MICHELIN-recommended Mercat Bistro . Harwood No. 15, the next chapter in the District's evolution, will redefine the luxury lifestyle office with cutting-edge innovation, sustainability, and world-class design. The tower, designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates , represents the fourth collaboration between Harwood International and the world-renowned architectural firm. Set to break ground in 2025, Harwood No. 15 will provide an inspiring workplace experience that integrates modern sophistication with comfort and convenience. Spanning 19 city blocks, the Harwood District is a vibrant community that harmonizes hospitality, art, green space, and a Walk Score of 94—one of the highest in Dallas . With occupancy rates consistently exceeding 90 percent and some of the highest leasing rates in the market, the District has cemented its reputation as a destination for companies seeking a luxury lifestyle office experience. Harwood International's success is deeply rooted in its 40+ years of expertise, creating thoughtfully curated spaces where businesses and their employees thrive. This expertise extends beyond office leasing to include a robust hospitality portfolio of 20+ restaurants and the luxury boutique Hôtel Swexan , which earned MICHELIN recognition in 2024. Harwood's culinary excellence, exemplified by MICHELIN-recognized Stillwell's Steakhouse and Mercat Bistro, enhances the luxury lifestyle office environment, ensuring that tenants enjoy concierge-level service, exquisite dining, and exceptional experiences. As the Harwood District continues to grow, it exemplifies how thoughtful, design-forward development creates harmony between work and life. About Harwood International Founded in 1988, Harwood International is an international real estate firm with offices and developments in select niche markets including Dallas , Geneva , and London's West End. The company is recognized globally as a purveyor for building the finest developments in terms of design, location, and quality while creating cultural experiences within them that are beyond exceptional. Harwood International's leadership is based on its world- class experience, name-brand architecture, exacting finishes, and a focus on energy efficiency and green space. The firm has received numerous design and community awards, including recognition by ENR for the Best Office Project in the World for its Rolex Building. Please visit harwoodinternational.com for more information. SOURCE Harwood International

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has been ruled out for the second half of Saturday's SEC Championship Game against Texas after being injured on the final play of the first half. Texas' Trey Moore forced a fumble on Beck's pass attempt, appearing to injure the Georgia quarterback's throwing arm. Beck remained motionless on the field for a short time before joining the team in the locker room. Coach Kirby Smart told ESPN at halftime that Beck was done for the day. During the third quarter, Beck was seen with ice on his right elbow. Beck completed 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards and was sacked once before exiting. Georgia backup Gunner Stockton entered and led Georgia on a 10-play, 75-yard opening second-half drive, giving the Bulldogs their first lead at 10-6. Bulldogs punter Brett Thorson injured his left knee in the third quarter and was ruled out of the contest. He was taken off on a cart. --Field Level Media

The Colorado men’s basketball team has been able to overpower, and out-talent, its first four opponents. The Buffaloes are traveling a long way to face a whole new ball game. On Monday, the Buffs will face Michigan State in the opening round of the Maui Invitational, one of the most highly-regarded of college basketball’s early-season tournaments. It will be a powerhouse field as the tournament returns to Maui after being relocated to Honolulu in 2023 following the Maui wildfire. CU head coach Tad Boyle has described the tournament as a mid-term exam, with three games in three days against teams bigger and more skilled than the ones the Buffs took care of during their 4-0 start. The Buffs are looking at the tournament as an opportunity to show they plan to be much better than the team picked 15th in the 16-team Big 12 preseason coaches’ poll. “(Michigan State) has a good team. I’m not taking that away,” CU forward Assane Diop said. “But it’s not about them. What I feel like is this game can maybe change how people see us as a program. We’re 4-0 right now and just trying to go get a ‘Dub.’” The Buffs essentially had two days of activities, and practice, scheduled after traveling to Maui on Friday. It is the first time CU has played in the Maui Invitational since 2009, but the Buffs have enjoyed plenty of tropical business trips during Boyle’s tenure, now in its 15th season. Boyle’s CU clubs have twice played in the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu, in 2014 and 2018. More recently, the Buffs played three games at the Paradise Jam in the US Virgin Islands in November 2021. “I want our guys to enjoy the experience. Part of college basketball is enjoying experiences like this,” Boyle said. “Whether you’re going to a warm place or you’re going to New York City or you’re going to wherever. So I want them to enjoy the experience. “But I also want them to compartmentalize and understand when is the time for business and when is the time to relax and enjoy themselves, which I want them to do to a certain degree. We’ve got to do a good job as a coaching staff of being crystal clear on when those times are. Then it’s up to them to concentrate on the task at hand.” A rugged field awaits the Buffs with four of the top 10 teams in the latest Associated Press Top 25 on display. In the second game on Tuesday, CU will play either Memphis, coached by former NBA great Penny Hardaway, or second-ranked, two-time defending national champion UConn. In the opposite bracket, No. 10 North Carolina opens on Monday against Dayton, while No. 4 Auburn and No. 5 Iowa State square off in a first round matchup worthy of a title game, or even a Final Four showdown. For the Buffs, the actual results might be secondary to making certain they bring the requisite energy and intensity to the floor against the sort of foes they will see on a regular basis once Big 12 play begins. “Concentration is a skill that not all of our players have,” Boyle said. “The ones that don’t have it, we’ve got to sharpen it. It starts in practice and the film room, and understanding what your job is and going out and doing it.” TIPOFF : Monday, 3 p.m. MT, Lahaina Civic Center, Lahaina, Hawaii. TV/RADIO : ESPN2/KOA AM 850 and 94.1 FM. RECORDS : Colorado 4-0; Michigan State 4-1. COACHES : Colorado — Tad Boyle, 15th season (302-183, 358-249 overall). Michigan State — Tom Izzo, 30th season (711-296 at Michigan State and overall). KEY PLAYERS : Colorado — F Andrej Jakimovski, 6-8, Gr. (14.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, .364 3%); C Elijah Malone, 6-10, Gr. (14.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, .655 FG%); G Javon Ruffin, 6-5, R-Jr. (11.5 ppg, 3.0 apg, 2.5 rpg); F Trevor Baskin, 6-9, Gr. (10.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, .571 FG%); G Julian Hammond III, 6-2, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 3.5 apg, 2.5 rpg); F Sebastian Rancik, 6-9, Fr. (7.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 6-for-9 3-pointers); G RJ Smith, 6-3, R-So. (7.0 ppg, 2.0 apg, 6-for-11 3-pointers). Michigan State — G Jaden Akins, 6-4, Sr. (14.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.6 apg, .468 FG%); F Frankie Fidler, 6-7, Sr. (11.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg); F Jaxon Kohler, 6-9, Jr. (10.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg, .500 FG%); G Jase Richardson, 6-3, Fr. (8.4 pgg, 2.6 rpg, .6325 FG%); F Coen Carr, 6-6, So. (7.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, .593 FG%); G Jeremy Fears Jr., 6-2, R-Fr. (6.2 ppg, 6.2 apg). NOTES : Colorado played at the Maui Invitational once previously in 2009, going 1-2 with losses against Gonzaga and Arizona before winning the finale against Chaminade. ... CU has gone 1-2 in each of its last four trips to Hawaii, including appearances at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu (2014, 2018), the ’09 appearance at the Maui invite, and a 2008 appearance at the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu. ... The Buffs are 8-10 all-time in Hawaii. Three of those losses were against the University of Hawaii in true road games. ... CU and the Spartans haven’t met since Michigan State posted a 79-64 win in the first round of the 2003 NCAA Tournament in Tampa, Fla. ... The programs have met just four times overall, with the Spartans holding a 3-1 lead. Like Monday’s contest, three of those four games were played on neutral floors — the 2003 NCAA Tournament, the 1988 Far West Classic in Oregon, and the 1957 Big Seven Christmas tournament in Kansas City, which was the first meeting between the teams and CU’s only win in the series. ... Michigan State is coming off an eight-point home win last week against Samford, holding off Samford’s upset bid after trailing by 13 points early. ... The Spartans are shooting just .221 from 3-point range.

Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], December 30 (ANI/WAM): Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), reaffirmed the GCC's steadfast position on supporting Lebanon's sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity. He emphasised the importance of implementing comprehensive political and structural economic reforms to help the country overcome its ongoing political and economic crisis. Also Read | Mikheil Kavelashvili, Former Georgian Footballer, Sworn In As Georgia's President (Watch Video). This came during a phone call today between the GCC Secretary-General and Abdallah Bou Habib, Lebanon's Minister of Foreign Affairs. During the call, the Secretary-General briefed the Lebanese Foreign Minister on the outcomes of the 46th Extraordinary Session of the Ministerial Council Concerning the Developments in Lebanon. Also Read | China: Lottery Winner Defrauded of INR 11.5 Crore, yet To Receive Winnings Despite Court Victory. The final statement of the meeting underscored the GCC's ongoing commitment to joint efforts and cooperation aimed at enhancing Lebanon's security and stability while fostering development and prosperity for the Lebanese people. The Secretary-General highlighted that the statement also stressed the necessity of implementing United Nations Security Council resolutions on Lebanon, particularly Resolution 1701, as well as the Taif Agreement. These measures aim to restore lasting security and stability in Lebanon, ensure respect for its territorial integrity and political independence within its internationally recognised borders, and reaffirm the need for the Lebanese government to extend its authority over all Lebanese territory. He further emphasised the importance of continuing regional and international coordination and consultations on key issues to enhance security and stability in the region. (ANI/WAM) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)As Big Tech profit growth slows, investors hunt for a new thing The stock market’s growth engine is running on fumes. For years, investors have counted on the biggest technology companies to power equity indexes higher based on their strong earnings and expectations for even more profits in the future, most recently fuelled by the development of artificial intelligence services. Those days appear to be over, at least for now. And it’s forcing investors to think of other ways to play the latest equities bull market as it enters its third year, Bloomberg reports. The issue is profits. The Magnificent Seven tech giants -- Alphabet Inc, Amazon.com Inc, Apple Inc, Meta Platforms Inc, Microsoft Corp, Nvidia Corp and Tesla Inc -- are expected to post a combined earnings increase of 18 per cent in 2025, down from a projected 34 per cent for 2024, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence. Strip out Nvidia, arguably the biggest beneficiary of Wall Street’s AI mania, the rest of the group is expected to post a measly 3.0 per cent increase in profits in 2025. An 18 per cent profit expansion is good news for just about any sector -- but Big Tech. Should the estimate come to fruition, the high-flying cohort will fall behind health care in full-year earnings growth and not significantly above the materials and industrials groups. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Index’s earnings growth is projected to reach 13 per cent in 2025, up from 10 per cent this year. In other words, the tech giants are no longer setting the pace for Corporate America. “The Mag Seven is not necessarily going to be the engine of growth for the market that it has been for the last year or so,” said Julian McManus, portfolio manager at Janus Henderson. Investors are already responding. In the week through Dec 4, the information technology group had its largest outflow in six weeks at $1.4 billion, according a Bank of America note on Friday citing data from EPFR Global. Small-cap stocks, which have been trailing the broader market this year, had $4.6 billion of inflows, putting them at an annualized record high of more than $30 billion. McManus said he’s watching for upside surprises in free cash flow growth and sees alternatives to Big Tech all over the world, not just in the US, where he’s “significantly underweight.” He likes energy producers, which are benefiting from power-thirsty data centers and are a popular play, and sees opportunities in biotech as well as chip design software companies like Cadence Design Systems Inc. A big part of the search for Big Tech alternatives is purely about their stock prices. Just this week, the Magnificent Seven companies traded at 41 times projected earnings, the highest valuation multiple since early 2022, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The entire S&P 500 has seen a jump as well, with its ratio of 23 times the highest since 2021. But it’s still almost half the price of the tech giants’ valuations. “You’re being overly risky being in just the megacaps,” said Phil Blancato, chief executive officer at Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management. “You’re looking at companies that are trading at valuations that are quite rich. Some of the numbers for the rest of the S&P 500 don’t look bad, they look good. I’d rather buy the rest of the S&P 500 at 18 times (forward earnings) versus the entire S&P 500 at 23 or 24 times.” He isn’t alone in his scepticism. Wall Street pros like Michael Wilson, chief US equity strategist at Morgan Stanley, and Brian Belski, chief investment strategist at BMO Capital Markets, also see the equities rally continuing to broaden to sectors beyond Big Tech, a trend that began in the second half of the year. “Euphoria around megacap tech is evident in growth expectations for the Magnificent 7 approaching all-time highs, just when their earnings are slated to decelerate,” Bank of America strategists led by Savita Subramanian wrote in a note to clients this week. With the cohort accounting for about a third of the S&P 500’s weighting, “we see more opportunity in the average stock than in the index,” the strategists wrote. However, that isn’t to say all Magnificent Seven stocks are created equal. Because there’s one company that stands head and shoulders above the rest: Nvidia. Relentless demand for its accelerators used in AI computing has sent earnings soaring. Nvidia is projected to deliver $71 billion in profits on revenue of $129 billion next year, up 49% and 52%, respectively, according to the average of analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. This explains why the stock is the seventh best performer in the Russell 1000 Index this year with a 193% gain — and the only Magnificent Seven company in the top 50. Much of Nvidia’s success is being driven by spending from its megacap peers. Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and Meta Platforms are projected to show more than $200 billion in combined 2024 capital spending to beef up computing capacity. And they’ve pledged to spend significantly more next year. That’s great for Nvidia, but investors are questioning when those investments will pay off for the rest. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Mag Seven sort of break up because gravity is going to catch up,” Janus Henderson’s McManus said. Of course, Wall Street has underestimated Big Tech’s strength in the past. At the start of 2024, analysts were projecting earnings growth of 19% for the Magnificent Seven, and the group is now on track for a 34 per cent increase. And despite the numbers, the tech giants still retain their allure with investors, especially if the economy deteriorates. Scott Chronert, US equity strategist at Citigroup, likens the group to a defensive sector like consumer staples, whose products people need regardless of economic circumstances. The point being, megacaps remain a safe bet in uncertain times -- like now. “If you were to sell big tech, where would you go?” said Andrew Choi, portfolio manager at Parnassus Investments. “Do you really want to bet on rate-sensitive stocks where you need rates to go a certain direction? Do you want to chase places that have done well? Big tech remains the best, easiest answer for what you want regardless of what market conditions end up being.”