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Sunday, November 24, 2024 Ralph Taylor, a trailblazer in Caribbean tourism and hospitality, has emphasized the importance of focusing on entrepreneurship, tourism, and youth as the foundation for the region’s growth. Speaking in Barbados while accepting an honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) from The University of the West Indies (UWI) at its Cave Hill Campus, Taylor called for a unified approach to developing these sectors. Taylor commended UWI’s commitment to teaching entrepreneurship but advocated for a deeper focus on practical business projects, particularly those that empower at-risk youth. He stressed the need to build a robust ecosystem for youth entrepreneurship, involving collaboration among governments, private companies, nonprofits, youth organizations, media, and families. Taylor urged UWI to spearhead this movement through its entrepreneurship programs and the Cave Hill School of Business and Management. Taylor outlined the transformative potential of such initiatives, predicting benefits like economic diversification, job creation, new business development, innovative products, and an enhanced reputation for UWI. He argued that this holistic approach could boost not just the university but also local communities and the country’s economy as a whole. As a pioneer in the all-inclusive resort concept, Taylor brings unique insights to this vision. He currently leads Arcadia Hotels & Resorts, which owns The Soco Hotel in Barbados and The Soco House in St. Lucia. Taylor proposed an ambitious idea for UWI: developing a high-end resort on the Cave Hill campus overlooking the Bridgetown Port. Drawing inspiration from Cornell University’s student-operated hotel in the United States, Taylor suggested this initiative could elevate Barbados’ global tourism profile while equipping students with valuable hands-on experience. “The opportunity to blend academic learning with practical, real-world exposure would create graduates who are not only well-prepared for the hospitality industry but also capable of leading it,” Taylor remarked. Taylor envisions the resort serving diverse groups, including academic professionals attending conferences, international travelers, and students from around the world seeking an enriching experience. This initiative, he believes, would not only enhance UWI’s prestige but also contribute to Barbados’ tourism innovation and competitiveness. With his proven expertise in the tourism and hospitality industry, Ralph Taylor’s forward-looking ideas provide a compelling roadmap for sustainable development in the Caribbean, anchored by a commitment to empowering the next generation. This model would position the university program in a different space, ensuring that the region develops, recruits and deploys its best thinkers and the most competent leaders in tourism and hospitality management. “I think this is necessary if we are to be globally competitive and among the leaders in tourism and hospitality worldwide,” he stated. Dealing with at-risk youth across the Caribbean, he averred, was both urgent and deeply complex as rising levels of youth violence impose devastating effects on families and communities. “This violence, often rooted in economic disenfranchisement, social inequality, and a lack of opportunities, threatens our fragile tourism ecosystem and the ability to maintain our sterling global reputation.” Ralph Taylor, a prominent figure in Caribbean tourism and community development, has called for comprehensive policies and practical initiatives to reintegrate at-risk youth into society as productive citizens. Whether through employment opportunities or entrepreneurship, Taylor emphasized the urgent need to address the challenges posed by youth crime and violence in the region. Speaking on the issue, Taylor urged the private sector to step up and play an active role in resolving these societal problems. He stressed that meaningful contributions from businesses could help create pathways for young people to escape cycles of crime and instead build fulfilling lives. Taylor highlighted the significant contributions of the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) Institute of Criminal Justice and Security, describing its research as a critical foundation for understanding and addressing youth deviance. However, he urged UWI to extend its efforts by engaging more deeply with community groups and fostering connections that bring academic insights into real-world problem-solving. He called for increased community-based studies aimed at uncovering the root causes of youth violence. By working collaboratively with social organizations, law enforcement, and other stakeholders, Taylor believes UWI can play a transformative role in curbing this troubling trend. Taylor proposed a vision of a “democratic civic university” that partners closely with its surrounding communities to drive positive change. He argued that an institution’s success is not only measured by academic achievements but also by its ability to improve the lives of local residents. “A curriculum designed with the community in mind not only uplifts the people it serves but also strengthens the university’s programs and reputation,” Taylor stated. Taylor’s approach underscores the importance of collaboration between academia, the private sector, and grassroots organizations in tackling youth crime and violence. His call to action presents a framework for building safer, more inclusive societies while fostering innovation and economic growth across the Caribbean.Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83

Insights | Despite miles away, China is like a 'close neighbor': Ethiopian scholar

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Chase Artopoeus threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score to lead Chattanooga to a 24-17 victory over Austin Peay in a nonconference regular-season finale on Saturday. Chattanooga (7-5) jumped out to a 10-0 first-quarter lead on Jude Kelley's 28-yard field goal and Artopoeus' 9-yard touchdown toss to Javin Whatley with 42 seconds left. The score came five plays after Alex Mitchell intercepted a pass from Austin Smith, giving the Mocs the ball at the Governors' 26-yard line. Austin Peay answered in the second quarter with help from a Chattanooga turnover. Ellis Ellis Jr. picked off Artopoeus and the Governors took over at the Mocs' 30. Smith completed three straight passes — the last one covering 4 yards to Jaden Barnes to get Austin Peay within three points. Carson Smith followed with a 35-yard field goal to tie it at 10. Chattanooga regained the lead with 4:01 left in the third quarter when Artopoeus capped a nine-play drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. Smith had a 23-yard touchdown run to get Austin Peay within seven with 8:08 left in the game. The Governors drove to the Mocs' 30, but Smith's fourth-down pass fell incomplete with 41 seconds to go. Artopoeus completed 15 of 21 passes for 161 yards for Chattanooga. He had a 7-yard scoring toss to John McIntyre to put the Mocs up 24-10 early in the final quarter. Smith finished with 192 yards on 21-for-36 passing for Austin Peay, which finishes its first season under head coach Jeff Faris with a 4-8 record. Rusty Wright became the first Chattanooga coach to finish .500 or better in each of his first six seasons. Chattanooga snapped Austin Peay's nine-game win streak with a 24-21 victory on the road to close out the regular season last year. 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-footballUstby, Donarski lead No. 16 North Carolina women over Villanova 53-36 in Battle 4 Atlantis semifinal

Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (NASDAQ:TXRH) Shares Acquired by Natixis Advisors LLCThe new technology will be managed through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems and is expected to come into operation in late January 2025. This switch to a barrier-free Express Set Down system aims to enhance the overall experience for both drivers and passengers by streamlining the drop-off process. By removing the existing barriers, drivers will pass through more smoothly without the need to stop on exit, helping reduce congestion and improving traffic flow. The Express Set Down charge will need to be paid by midnight the day after making the drop-off, either online or by phone. No payments will be able to be made when exiting the area. Frequent users, including taxi drivers, will be able to register for an auto-pay account with full registration details available in the new year, while discounts for eligible local residents will be unaffected by the change. There will be prominent signage in the Express Set Down area to remind drivers of the new system once it is introduced. Anita Harrison, London Stansted’s customer operations director, said: "We recently announced our five-year £1.1bn investment programme that will deliver wide-ranging benefits at every touch point of a passenger’s journey while at the airport, and this initiative is an example of our commitment to enhance the travel experience at London Stansted. "The new barrierless system we will introduce in the new year will make dropping-off passengers quicker and more convenient, reducing driver waiting times and helping improve passenger flows. "We have seen these systems work effectively at other airports and in other settings, such as bridges, toll roads and tunnels and that is why we are confident it will improve the overall experience for users. "Full details of the new system will be available on our website early in 2025, with new signage also displayed in the ESD area advising users of the pending changes, but it is important to raise awareness now so drivers have advanced notice of the improvements we are bringing in.”

Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Christmas on Call’ on Hallmark, In Which First Responders Find Love — And Donna Kelce! — In PhiladelphiaArgentina's Racing wins its first Copa Sudamericana championship by beating Brazil's Cruzeiro 3-1LPGA, USGA to require players to be assigned female at birth or transition before puberty

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VANCOUVER, BC , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wondershare, a global leader in innovative software solutions, proudly announces the launch of Recoverit 13.5 , the latest iteration of its flagship data recovery software. The newest version introduces efficient external storage data recovery, enhanced multi-device compatibility, large video file recovery, a more intuitive user experience, faster and cost-efficient recovery, and robust data security features, making it the go-to solution for reliable, high-performance data recovery across devices. Building on over 20 years of expertise, Recoverit has become a leading desktop data recovery tool tailored for individual consumers, with a strong focus on video, photo and large video files recovery from any device. It provides professional and reliable data recovery solutions for a wide range of devices, quickly resolving data loss problems caused by accidental deletion, formatting, device damage, virus attacks, unknown error codes, and more. Key Upgrades in Recoverit 13.5: Industry-Leading Device & Operating System Compatibility New OS Support: Fully compatible with MacOS 15 Sequoia. Hardware Innovation: Optimized for the latest Apple Silicon chip series. Enhanced Storage Support: Full compatibility with Windows on ARM architecture, ensuring versatile performance across diverse environments. Powerful Recovery for External Storage Improved Recovery Functions : Enhanced capabilities for CFexpress cards, SD card ( SanDisk, Samsung, Kinston etc. ) and external hard drives ( e.g. Seagate, Western Digital, Toshiba ) , delivering a superior recovery process. Broadened Scenarios : Now compatible with RAID systems , gaming external hard drives , and AI PCs , ensuring support for a wider range of use cases. Enhanced Product Design and Features Expanded Functionality : New features include less ram occupation and the ability to resume scans , providing a comprehensive solution tailored to user needs. Upgraded Product Design: Enhance the expert/tech-oriented look by introducing Dark Mode and authorization optimization ( Files and Folders/Full Disk Access ) ; optimize compatibility with portable devices; implement a comprehensive UI/UX overhaul. Advanced Large File Recovery Superior Large Video File Recovery: Specially designed to handle large video files, such as: 4K , 8K those UHD video by full frame camera, delivering exceptional results for professionals and casual users alike. Commercial-Grade Advanced Recovery Features: Empower users with powerful recovery options for critical scenarios. Availability Recoverit 13.5 is now available for both Windows and macOS users, with pricing options tailored to diverse needs. Visit recoverit.wondershare.com for more details. About Wondershare: Wondershare is a globally recognized software company, known for its innovative solutions in creativity and productivity. Driven by the mission "Creativity Simplified," Wondershare offers a range of tools, including Filmora and DemoCreator for video editing; PDFelement for document management; EdrawMax, EdrawMind for diagramming; and SelfyzAI, Pixpic, FaceHub for image recovery and editing. With over 1.5 billion users across 200+ countries and regions, Wondershare empowers the next generation of creators with intuitive software, trendy creative resources, and a dynamic ecosystem, continually expanding the possibilities of creativity worldwide. Media Enquiries: Bingqing Yang [email protected] SOURCE Wondershare TechnologySwifties live-streaming Eras Tour concerts say they’re part of a ‘community’

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Trump-Hating Celebrity’s New Home Reportedly Wrecked By Flood After Fleeing America

We're quickly approaching the new year, and that means fans are speculating about what the next 12 months holds for their favorite pro wrestlers. Wrestling is a year-round business, so there is no beginning and end of the season like there is in most professional sports, but we still view the new year as a fresh start in many ways, especially in WWE when WrestleMania season kicks in. Between AEW and WWE, there are over 200 wrestlers working at every level. There is only so much TV time to go around, so that means bookers have to make tough choices about who to feature in prominent roles. There are some people at the top who are practically guaranteed to be given heavy screen time like Jon Moxley and Roman Reigns, but the rest of the rosters have to fight for every opportunity. Let's take a look at 10 people AEW and WWE need to push in 2025. Brody King has been featured as a member of House of Black, but he has proved on several occasions that he can shine as a singles star, too. His matches with Darby Allin have been well-received by fans, but he has come up on the losing end more often than not in that feud. While there is still life left in the HOB stable, seeing King get a run with a singles title in 2025 would raise his stock significantly. He is a talented powerhouse who has displayed the ability to work with opponents of any size to produce fun and brutal encounters. There is no reason why he shouldn't be a top contender for the TNT or International Championship at some point. Gunther was always the main focus of Imperium, but over the past year, Ludwig Kaiser has proved he is a valuable asset. Mr. A+ Everything is a great heel who can get the crowd to boo him at the drop of a hat, but his real value lies in his in-ring ability. Kaiser is a versatile wrestler with the ability to work with just about anybody. He is big enough to give powerhouses like Sheamus a good fight, but he isn't so big that he makes everyone else look small by comparison. He has enough speed to keep up with the high-flyers and enough technical ability to ground anyone. He's the kind of talent who can be trusted to put on a great performance every night. Lee Moriarty's technical ability has earned him praise and acclaim from across the wrestling world, but he is more than just a good hand. Moriarty has shown a lot of charisma in recent months. Joining forces with Shane Taylor Promotions has allowed him to embrace his heel side a bit more and show some of his character. Unfortunately, ROH is seen by fewer people than all other AEW programming, so his run as the pure champion and character developments have flown under the radar. Moriarty should be featured on AEW television more in 2025, especially if the company wants to live up to its "Where the best wrestle" catchphrase. His Final Battle match against Nigel McGuinness was a clinic and proof that he has more than enough skill to hang with the best in AEW. The NXT system has been hit or miss when it comes to creating homegrown talent for WWE, but one man who seems destined for greatness is Oba Femi. His power and athleticism already set him apart from most of the roster, but it's his presence that really makes him stand out. Few people are as intimidating as he is and that makes him valuable. The former North American champion has that indefinable quality that makes someone an ideal candidate to be a world champion someday. It's impossible to describe, but you know it when you see it. Femi's WWE future is bright as long as he stays out of trouble and keeps himself healthy. The only one who can get in his own way is himself at this point. Athena is the longest-reigning champion in ROH history and has had one of the best title reigns in all of pro wrestling, but the majority of fans have only seen a fraction of it. Just about every ROH title has been defended on AEW TV and PPVs, but for some reason, Athena is almost never included in these events. She has been carrying the ROH brand on her back for the better part of two years while having banger matches and producing great feuds. The fact that only a small percentage of fans have gotten to see it feels like a crime. When her reign eventually ends, Tony Khan needs to move her to AEW programming immediately. Not only would she be a great rival for many women on the roster, but she deserves a chance in the spotlight after all of her hard work. When Chad Gable aligned himself with The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile, a lot of us hoped it would be a great opportunity for all of them to finally be seen as the talented wrestlers they are. So far, that has not been the case. Gable and the Creeds have had some good matches here and there, but they have yet to be given a substantial push and a real storyline, and that is doubly true for Ivy Nile. She has the look, the physical ability and the skill to be a standout performer in the women's division. It makes WWE's lack of effort to push her confusing. She would have been a perfect choice to be the inaugural women's intercontinental champion, but WWE had her lose in the first round of the tournament. If she isn't given more to do in 2025, the only people to blame will be management because she has done everything WWE has asked of her, and she's done it well. AEW has a lot of women who are good in the ring, but it takes more than wrestling ability to be a top star. It takes personality, charisma and a willingness to do things other won't for the sake of entertaining the crowd. Harley Cameron has all of those qualities and more. She has only been wrestling for AEW since May but has already racked up 29 matches between AEW and ROH programming. Granted, she has lost most of them, but her growth in that time has been tremendous. Not only does she throw herself into every match without fear, but she has quickly become one of the most entertaining personalities in the company. She doesn't care if you are laughing at her or with her as long as she is making you laugh. She can sing, she can do ventriloquism, she can wrestle, and she can crack a joke. If AEW doesn't push her as a babyface at some point, it's going to be a huge mistake. When Shayna Baszler defeated Ronda Rousey in her last WWE match, it seemed like management was poised to give her the push she has deserved for so long. Boy, were we mistaken. The Queen of Spades should already be a multi-time women's champion at this point in her career, but for some mysterious reason, she has never been given that spotlight. She has one of the most legitimately intimidating personalities on the roster, and she has real skill to back it up. How she hasn't been positioned as a monster heel who bulldozes her opponents is a headscratcher. When the women's Intercontinental title was revealed, it seemed like a perfect opportunity for her, but WWE booked her to lose in the first round of the tournament. 2025 needs to be the year WWE finally commits to pushing her or it's never going to happen. Ricochet has been a great addition to the AEW roster, but the company needs to give him a substantial push in 2025 if it wants to get the most out of him. He's already proved countless times that he can steal the show against opponents of all sizes, but he's never been given a chance to really sink his teeth into the character side of the business. In WWE, Ricochet was rarely used to his full potential. He can be so much more than just a high-flyer, and AEW is in a position to let him prove it. He seems to be entering into some kind of storyline with The Hurt Syndicate. Whether it ends with him becoming a member of the group or its enemy is what remains to be seen. Even a run as the ROH world champion would give him the opportunity to show he can carry a brand. Let's just hopes he leaves some of his recent antics on social media in the past. Ever since Jacob Fatu arrived on the scene in WWE, fans have been interested in him. He has an aura that is completely unique, and that is something you can't underestimate in this business. Solo Sikoa had something similar when he was first called up to the main roster. He was the silent enforcer who struck fear into the hears of everyone, including his own Tribal Chief at times. Now, Fatu fills that role in the new Bloodline while Sikoa has grown into a vocal leader. The way WWE has booked him has helped add to his mystique. Fans went from not knowing much about him to wanting to see him challenge for championships in the span of a couple of months. At the very least, a run with the IC or U.S. title would allow WWE to test the waters. If he can have a successful midcard title reign, it wouldn't be surprising to see The Samoan Werewolf in the main event scene by 2026.By BILL BARROW, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors . He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners . He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian , would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015 . “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” ___ Former Associated Press journalist Alex Sanz contributed to this report.

No. 17 Clemson 51, The Citadel 14Alabama and Mississippi tumbled out of the top 10 of The Associated Press Top 25 poll Sunday and Miami and SMU moved in following a chaotic weekend in the SEC and across college football in general. Oregon is No. 1 for the sixth straight week and Ohio State, Texas and Penn State held their places behind the Ducks, who are the last unbeaten team. The shuffling begins at No. 5, where Notre Dame returned for the first time since Week 2 after beating Army for its ninth straight win. No. 6 Georgia moved up two spots, No. 7 Tennessee and No. 8 Miami each got a three-rung promotion and No. 9 SMU jumped four places for its first top-10 ranking since 1985. SMU has clinched a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game and would play Miami, if the Hurricanes win at Syracuse this week, or No. 12 Clemson . Indiana dropped from No. 5 to No. 10 following its first loss, a 38-15 defeat at Ohio State. The Buckeyes would play Oregon in the Big Ten championship game if they beat Michigan this Saturday for the first time in four years. The Southeastern Conference's hopes for landing four spots in the College Football Playoff took a hit with two of their teams losing as double-digit favorites. Texas, Georgia and Tennessee are the only SEC teams with fewer than three losses after Alabama lost 24-3 at Oklahoma and Mississippi lost 24-17 at Florida. Alabama and Mississippi each dropped six spots in the AP poll, the Crimson Tide to No. 13 and the Rebels to No. 15. Texas A&M was the third SEC team to lose, 43-41 at Auburn in four overtimes. The Aggies tumbled five places to No. 20 but would play Georgia in the SEC championship game if they knock off Texas this week. Losses by BYU and Colorado created a four-way tie for first in the Big 12. No. 14 Arizona State, picked to finish last in the conference, handed BYU its second straight loss and is the highest-ranked Big 12 team. No. 17 Iowa State earned a five-rung promotion with its win at Utah. BYU is No. 19 and Colorado, which lost to Kansas , is No. 23. If the four teams each finish 7-2 in conference play, it's Iowa State vs. Arizona State in the Big 12 championship game. No. 11 Boise State is first among the four ranked Group of Five teams. The Broncos got a one-spot bump despite struggling to beat a two-win Wyoming team. Tulane is No. 18, UNLV is No. 21 and Army is No. 25. Oregon, which was idle, was the consensus No. 1 team for the fourth straight week. The Ducks will be unbeaten in the regular season for the first time since 2010 if they beat Washington at home Saturday. Boise State's ranking is its highest since it was No. 8 in the final poll of the 2011 season. Arizona State's ranking is its highest since it was No. 12 in the final poll of the 2014 season. Indiana-Ohio State was the final top-five matchup of the regular season. The five were the most in a regular season since 1996. There also were five in 1936 and 1943. No. 24 Missouri, a 39-20 winner at Mississippi State , returned to the Top 25 after a one-week absence. Washington State's four-week run in the rankings ended with its second straight loss, 41-38 loss at Oregon State. SEC — 8 (Nos. 3, 6, 7, 13, 15, 16, 20, 24). Big Ten — 5 (Nos. 1, 2, 4, 10, 22). Big 12 — 4 (Nos. 14, 17, 19, 23). ACC — 3 (Nos. 8, 9, 12). AAC — 2 (Nos. 18, 25). Mountain West — 2 (Nos. 11, 21). Independent — 1 (No. 5). —No. 16 South Carolina at No. 12 Clemson: It's a Top 25 matchup for the first time since 2013. Clemson's 16-7 victory in Columbia last year was the fourth of five straight wins to end the Tigers' season. —No. 3 Texas at No. 20 Texas A&M: Stakes are high for the first meeting of longtime rivals since both were in the Big 12 in 2011. Winner goes to the SEC title game. 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-football

Bain Capital Specialty Finance, Inc. ( NYSE:BCSF – Get Free Report ) declared a — dividend on Monday, May 13th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be paid a dividend of 0.03 per share on Friday, January 31st. This represents a dividend yield of 10.1%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 31st. Bain Capital Specialty Finance has increased its dividend by an average of 3.8% per year over the last three years. Bain Capital Specialty Finance has a payout ratio of 6.5% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Bain Capital Specialty Finance to earn $1.87 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.12 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 6.4%. Bain Capital Specialty Finance Price Performance Shares of Bain Capital Specialty Finance stock opened at $17.70 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.41, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $16.97 and a 200-day simple moving average of $16.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.89 and a beta of 1.12. Bain Capital Specialty Finance has a 1-year low of $14.75 and a 1-year high of $17.79. Bain Capital Specialty Finance Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Bain Capital Specialty Finance, Inc is business development company specializing in direct loans to middle-market companies. The fund seeks to invest in senior investments with a first or second lien on collateral, senior first lien, stretch senior, senior second lien, unitranche, mezzanine debt, junior securities, other junior investments, and secondary purchases of assets or portfolios that primarily consist of middle-market corporate debt. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Bain Capital Specialty Finance Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bain Capital Specialty Finance and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

LOS ANGELES — He’d been battered for weeks, lingering on the turf in pain at various points in previous wins over Nebraska and UCLA, always game enough to return a few players later after gingerly limping off. But running back Woody Marks, long USC’s Iron Man at running back, couldn’t return after another blow Saturday against Notre Dame. After a first-quarter handoff for nine yards, Marks laid on the turf for a few beats before stumbling to his feet, appearing slightly disoriented as he entered a medical tent on USC’s sideline. He eventually returned to the sideline as redshirt freshman Quinten Joyner took his place, but walked off into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum tunnel at the two-minute mark of the first half as the CBS broadcast reported he’d be out for the rest of the afternoon . It was a massive loss for USC’s offense, and could’ve served as the end of Marks’ time in a Trojans jersey depending on his bowl-game decision. If so, what a run it has been for the Mississippi State transfer: finishing with 1,133 yards on the ground in 12 games, putting together one of the more complete seasons by any USC running back in recent memory. They came marching one by one down the barrel of the Coliseum, adorned with wreaths of honor, USC’s Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and Jaylin Smith and Woody Marks all exchanging hugs with Lincoln Riley as an early crowd erupted in claps for its program pillars. It was a moment of levity, USC honoring beloved seniors Saturday afternoon on the final day of its regular season. It was also, however, a sobering reality. With Mascarenas-Arnold, Smith and Marks went 138 combined tackles and four interceptions and 1,421 yards from scrimmage; with left guard Emmanuel Pregnon and center Jonah Monheim went two crucial pieces of a much-improved Trojans offensive line. Walking out from the tunnel on Senior Day, certainly, doesn’t provide an end-all, be-all on players’ futures. But it gave a hint, certainly, that several names who still carried eligibility – Mascarenas-Arnold, Smith, wide receiver Kyron Hudson – could be moving on come the winter. “We’ll have a few guys, obviously, who will have some decisions to make on if they go pro or if they stay and play another year,” Riley said Tuesday, when asked how he might adjust USC’s offensive personnel in the offseason. “Not a ton, but we’ve got a couple guys that have those decisions. We’ll just see. We’re going to try to get the right talent in here.” USC will be hard-pressed to add that talent, certainly, as eyes turn ahead to a bowl-game slot and the 2025 season. If every player honored on USC’s announced Senior Day graphic moves on , either via the NFL draft or the transfer portal, USC stands to lose 17 players from its offense, defense and special teams who started Saturday against Notre Dame. Here’s the breakdown: Offense: WR Kyle Ford, TE Lake McRee, RB Woody Marks, C Jonah Monheim, LG Emmanuel Pregnon, RT Mason Murphy, WR Kyron Hudson Defense: S Akili Arnold, LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, LB Mason Cobb, CB Jacobe Covington, DT Nate Clifton, DT Gavin Meyer, CB Jaylin Smith, CB Greedy Vance Jr. Special teams: P Eddie Czaplicki, K Michael Lantz It’s still probable, as Riley mentioned, that a few of those names elect to stay at USC for another season. McRee, Murphy and Hudson, in particular, are redshirt juniors and would likely see their draft stock elevated by a return for a prominent senior year at USC. Still, the Trojans will have major work to do in the transfer portal and with depth development this offseason, particularly at center, replacing Monheim, and cornerback. Related Articles Not a day after the NFL’s Chicago Bears canned head coach Matt Eberflus following a 23-20 loss to the Detroit Lions , former star quarterback and No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams was back at the Coliseum on for his USC jersey-retirement ceremony in a palate cleanser of a Saturday afternoon. Williams, the Heisman Trophy winner who conquered opposing defenses and NIL riches in his time at USC, took a moment to thank the Coliseum crowd upon leading the Trojans out of the tunnel Saturday. “Number 13 is back,” Williams announced over the PA, speaking in a microphone to wide cheers. “And not only – is in the rafters now, because of all of you.”Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin speaks about the party's "celebrity candidate" Gráinne Seoige, who polled at just 5% in Galway West , according to tallies.

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LSU-Vanderbilt score: Live updates, analysis from the Tigers' home game in Baton RougeA profile of literary icon Cormac McCarthy’s “secret muse” is causing Vanity Fair to catch a lot of flack, as other publications and social media users alike criticize the magazine for “messing up the literary scoop of the year.” The Telegraph notes Vanity Fair “ruined” the big reveal with “questionable writing,” while Defector wondered why the magazine’s profiler couldn’t just “write normally” about McCarthy’s “fascinating” muse Augusta Britt . The piece’s author Vincenzo Barney characterizes Britt as a “a five-foot-four badass Finnish American cowgirl,” before describing her and McCarthy’s decades-long relationship through Britt’s eyes, which began when she met 42 year-old McCarthy near a motel pool when she was 16 years old. According to the profile, Britt maintained a relationship with the author until his death last year at age 89—and that their relationship would inspire McCarthy’s books’ characters for decades. ADVERTISEMENT “I loved him more than anything,” she told the magazine in the piece, which obscures the disturbing details of the the runaway teen’s sexual involvement with McCarthy as she enjoyed his “protection” and escaped from a life “in and out of foster care.” For example, Britt only “jokes” that McCarthy is a “groomer”—a term she says she uses as a “defense mechanism” as Barney continues to tell the story in the most flowery and romantic of terms. Even the first sentence of the piece—“I’m about to tell you the craziest love story in literary history”—ignores that the romance in question involves a grown man and a teenager. A takedown of the piece in The Telegraph called Barney’s prose “terrible, overwrought, nonsensical,” adding, “It is so bad that it isn’t even funny.” The primary issue, however, is Barney “seems to treat McCarthy’s pedophilic interest in the vulnerable teenager as a great love story,” the site critiqued. Social media users agreed, with one posting a photo of Barney and accusing him of “glamorizing Cormac McCarthy’s pedophilia.” One reader called the profile an “international sex trafficking exposé” while another wrote that Barney was “positively drooling over the thought of an exploited, abused 16-year-old girl.” As social media users declare that Barney was “the last person on earth” who should have written Britt’s story and seemed “endlessly pleased with himself,” even those willing to accept Britt’s stance that McCarthy wasn’t a “creep,” for pursuing her a teenager, are horrified by the quality of the writing itself. In Defector ’s takedown of the profile, it notes that “There’s a sort of next-level tragedy in [Britt], depicted in so incredibly many (doomed) forms in somebody else’s words, finally deciding to share her story with the world, in her own words, and choosing as custodians of those words a writing and editing team that will send those words out into the world hideously adorned.” The Daily Beast has reached out to Barney for comment. And while he has not addressed the criticism directly, he does seem to be relishing the attention, reposting some of the harshest criticisms of his work on X.

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Sportswatch Daily ListingsCLEVELAND (AP) — Je'Shawn Stevenson scored 23 points as Cleveland State beat Midway University 116-60 on Sunday. Stevenson shot 8 of 11 from the field, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 5 for 5 from the line for the Vikings (8-6, 2-1 Horizon League). Dylan Arnett scored 18 points and added six rebounds. Tahj Staveskie shot 4 for 7 from beyond the arc to finish with 14 points. The Eagles were led in scoring by Jalen Cincore, who finished with 13 points. Decoreio Smith added 11 points and Creshaun Brown scored eight. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from . The Associated PressAI is expected to fuel Wall Street's tech hiring in 2025. Headhunters break down what you need to know to get a leg up.

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit and Green Bay , longtime rivals and current contenders, will have much at stake when they meet Thursday night in the Motor City. The NFC-leading Lions (11-1) are aiming to stay ahead of Philadelphia (10-2) in the race for the conference's best record and Minnesota (10-2) in the NFC North with a win against the Packers. Detroit can also clinch a spot in the playoffs with an 11th straight victory that would set a franchise record. “We’re in playoff football right now,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “This is the type of stuff that you live for and it’s also the type of stuff that gets you ready for the tournament.” Green Bay (9-3) also has a lot to play for because it can pull within a game of the Lions if it can split the season series with a slight upset as 3 1/2-point underdogs, according to BetMGM. “This game is going to be important for us moving forward toward the end of this thing and we’re going to treat it as such,” Packers safety Xavier McKinney said. Green Bay’s ability to slow down Detroit’s run game might be pivotal. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the first teammates in league history to run for at least 10 touchdowns in consecutive seasons, have combined to average more than 140 yards on the ground per game. The Packers limited San Francisco's Christian McCaffrey to 31 yards on 11 attempts and held Miami to 39 yards rushing in their past two games. It was the first time since 1995, and just the second time since 1950, that they gave up fewer than 45 yards rushing in two straight weeks. Montgomery ran 17 times for 73 yards and Gibbs had 65 yards rushing and a touchdown on 11 carries last month at Green Bay. “They played Montgomery the whole first half and then the second half they came with Gibbs,” McKinney recalled. “They got a good 1-2 punch.” Home field has not been an advantage in the series lately. The road team has won four straight games, going back to Detroit closing the 2022 regular season and Aaron Rodgers' career with the Packers in a 20-16 win at Lambeau Field. Green Bay has won five straight NFC North road games, including last year at Detroit on Thanksgiving. McKinney and Lions safety Kerby Joseph each have an NFL -high seven interceptions, leading the rest of the league by at least two. Joseph had a pick-6 in the most recent meeting against Green Bay and has picked off four passes in four games against the Packers. “He’s a ballhawk,” Packers quarterback Jordan Love said. “He’s going to make the plays when the ball’s in the air, so he’s definitely a guy you’ve got to know where he’s at.” Lions coach Dan Campbell was taken aback at a news conference recently when a reporter informed him Gibbs had a post on social media showing some of the team's strategy. “I'd rather our stuff not be out there,” Campbell said. Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur feels the same way, though he said it doesn't provide a competitive edge to see another team's terminology on a whiteboard. “Guys understand that nobody wants their information out there for the whole world to see, so we try to keep everything in house here,” LaFleur said. “But I don’t think it’s like the end of the world, either.” Both teams will play a third game in 12 days. “How the whole organization has handled this has been really impressive,” said Packers defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness, who had a sack in each of his past two games. After the game, each team will get a break. The Lions will host the AFC East champion Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15 and Green Bay plays at Seattle later that night. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

The telecommunications industry in Nigeria is facing a crisis as Airtel Nigeria reports an alarming average of 43 fibre cuts daily on its network. Over the past six months, the company has recorded a staggering 7,742 fibre cuts, prompting calls for immediate action to safeguard telecom infrastructure. Femi Adeniran, Director of Corporate Communications and CSR at Airtel Nigeria, sounded the alarm during a recent media briefing, describing the situation as an “epidemic” that threatens the backbone of Nigeria’s digital economy. He attributed the fibre cuts to a combination of construction activities, vandalism, and poor coordination among stakeholders. Adeniran emphasized the critical role telecommunications play in national development, noting that the infrastructure powers essential services across sectors such as healthcare, education, banking, and public safety. He warned that fibre cuts not only disrupt services to millions of Nigerians but also hinder business operations, delay government processes, and compromise emergency responses. “Imagine waking up to no internet, no mobile network, and no access to emergency services—all because a fibre cable was carelessly severed,” Adeniran lamented. “This is the harsh reality we face daily in Nigeria.” The issue has persisted despite recent policy measures. In August 2024, President Bola Tinubu issued an official gazette designating telecom infrastructure as critical national information infrastructure. Under this directive, wilful destruction of telecom assets is now a criminal offense. However, industry experts argue that policy declarations alone are insufficient without robust enforcement and practical interventions. “This isn’t the first time such measures have been announced,” Adeniran noted, referencing a similar declaration by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020, which failed to curb the vandalism crisis. Telecom experts and industry stakeholders have echoed Airtel’s call for urgent action. They highlight the need for a coordinated response involving government agencies, security forces, construction companies, telecom operators, and civil society. They called for stronger enforcement and penalties, regulation of construction activities, streamlined Right-of-Way (RoW) processes, adoption of technology, and public awareness campaigns. Industry analysts warn that if left unchecked, the current rate of fibre cuts could escalate, severely undermining Nigeria’s digital transformation efforts. Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, acknowledged the scale of the challenge and pledged to strengthen protective measures for the ICT sector.

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Held together with magnets for easy access, one features the Statue of Liberty while the other showcases the Eiffel Tower. “This is so clever, I can hardly believe how good it looks,” wrote . An absorbent stone faucet mat that keeps the area around your sink dry If your kitchen sink has a habit of collecting water around the faucet, you’ll love this quick-absorbing . Made with diatomite stone, it absorbs moisture in an instant, helping ensure your counters stay dry, clean, and stain-free. And it comes in a range of sizes and colors so you can find just the right match. “Water is absorbed almost immediately and the thick stone is much more pleasing to look at than the rubber mat that it replaced,” wrote one . A washer & dryer cover that gives your laundry room an instant upgrade This cute is a fantastic way to upgrade your laundry room and add a bit of style to an otherwise lackluster space. With eight strong magnets to hold it in place, the stylish cotton-linen cover also boasts storage pockets, making it functional as well. The pattern featured above comes in two sizes to fit a range of washer/dryer sets, and it’s also available in a seasonal design. This under-the-shelf drawer that adds extra storage space A clever solution you’ll wish you came across sooner, this helps you free up extra space and stay organized. Designed to attach to the bottom of solid shelves over 9.25 inches wide, it uses strong 3M adhesive for quick installation. “I live in a 100-year-old home with very little storage space... these are perfect for getting smaller items off of shelves,” wrote one . A sleek refrigerator deodorizer that lasts up to 10 years Never again open your fridge to the smell of unpleasant food odors. This , which is made with smooth stainless steel, uses catalytic decomposition technology to eliminate odors at their source, reducing bad smells and helping to keep food fresh for longer. It looks better in your fridge than a box of baking soda or activated charcoal, and it doesn’t require any maintenance. Best of all, it will last up to 10 years. This magnetic remote control mount that’s sleek & functional If you’re that person who’s always losing the remote, this is the perfect fix. This minimalist design features discreet magnets to keep things looking streamlined. Simply use the adhesive to attach one magnet to the back of your remote and adhere the holder to the back of your TV or anywhere else that’s convenient. It comes in your choice of white or black. “Very modern looking and easy to install and use,” wrote. A modern-looking towel bar that doesn’t require any mounting This is such a clever upgrade because it looks sleek and polished but doesn’t require any tools or adhesive to install. The brushed stainless steel finish adds a touch of elegance, while the foam backing helps protect your cabinets from scratches. It fits perfectly in just about any kitchen or bathroom. “Attractive brushed look and just the right size for a standard kitchen towel,” one wrote. “Highly recommend.” This genius leak detector that warns you as soon as water is detected You’ll be hard-pressed to wow your house guests if your bathroom is flooded or there is leaking under the kitchen sink. This clever is equipped with ultra-sensitive probes that alert you if there’s a water leak using a 100-decibel alarm that’s loud enough to hear from another floor. It has a waterproof, battery-operated design, and you can place it under the sink, near the washing machine, or anywhere that might be prone to leaks. Handy fridge liners that keep your shelves tidy & clean Rather than having to wipe down your fridge every time there’s a spill, use these handy to prevent things from getting sticky or congealed. Constructed with food-safe EVA material, they’re easy to clean and feature grippy textures on the bottom so they don’t slide around. What’s more, they’re available in four colors, as well as a multi-pack option. A versatile stovetop cover that creates extra counter space when you’re not cooking Designed for glass stovetops, this simple prevents scratches and spills while also providing extra counter space when you’re not cooking. Available in two sizes and two colors, the durable, heat-resistant mat can also be used as a drying mat, or a trivet for resting hot cookware. “This mat is awesome. [I] keep it on my stove top when not in use, but I also use it to put under my air fryer and crock pots to help protect my countertops,” one wrote. A set of multicolored cutting boards that are flexible & durable These make it easy to keep your meats and veggies separated while also looking good in the kitchen. They’re designed with a nonslip texture and a durable, flexible design, and one called them “love at first chop,” going on to add, “I’ve had lots of different [cutting boards] over the years but these are my favorite.” A motion-sensing night-light that saves you from late-night stumbling Whether you’re sneaking a midnight snack or making a bathroom run, this helps illuminate your path and prevent you from stumbling around in the dark. With adjustable brightness levels and a rechargeable battery, it turns on automatically when you pass by, providing just the right amount of glow for your late-night mission. This magnetic knife holder that looks modern & elegant Elevate your kitchen aesthetic with this that looks good while freeing up counter space. Crafted from stainless steel, it features a hidden mounting system that’s easy to install with the included hardware yet holds knives and utensils securely with a powerful magnet. “It is very strong and holds all my knives perfectly,” . A container for detergent tabs with an easy-open lid If the top of your washing machine is a sticky mess of detergent pods and dryer sheets, this will help you keep things tidy. Its airtight design keeps things dry, and the pop-up lid ensures easy access. It even comes with a scoop and decorative labels. “I absolutely love how nice, and functional these containers are for my laundry room. I put my dryer sheets in one, and downy scent beads in the other,” wrote. This brilliant sticky mop that’s like a giant lint roller for your floor From stubborn pet hair to food crumbs and dust, this genius can tackle it all, working like a giant lint roller. With perforated adhesive sheets, it picks up all of the light hair and debris that your vacuum misses. It’s made with a lightweight handle that makes it easy to maneuver, and it comes with 30 large sheets. “I have a white cat and dark rugs. The Lola roller has saved my life!” gushed. “So easy to grab it, roll it for a quick pick up, and peel off the sheets. Don't know how I lived without it!” Reusable cleaning cloths that can replace so many paper towel rolls Ditch the endless rolls of paper towels and grab these reusable instead. Made from a blend of wood and cotton fibers, they’re ultra-absorbent, and they’re durable enough to withstand repeated uses. One cloth can replace up to 15 rolls of paper towels, and they come in a wide range of fun designs and colors. A sliding magnet that keeps track of your dishwasher’s status With a minimalist design and sturdy stainless steel material, this is an attractive and functional way to ensure you never mix up clean and dirty dishes again. It has a strong magnet on the back, but it also comes with optional adhesive for dishwasher surfaces that aren’t magnetized. Just slide the bar to the “clean” or “dirty” side, depending on the status of your dishwasher’s contents. A dual soap dispenser that keeps your sink area chic & organized Take that zone where messy sponges and bottles clutter the sink and transform it into a streamlined, well-organized haven. This lets you store both dish and hand soap in one sleek, compact device — complete with a built-in sponge holder. Available in white or black, it’s a simple way to bring order and charm to your kitchen. This shower drain cover that helps catch hair before it can cause clogs Unclogging the shower drain is probably nobody’s favorite chore — but thanks to this , clogs may become a thing of the past. Designed to sit like a little basket over the drain, the genius gadget catches hair while allowing water to still pass through it. Simply wipe the hair away each time you shower. “This product has amazed me!” noted . “it is UNREAL at collecting hair!” Razor holders that protect your blades & declutter your bathroom In addition to providing a handy place to keep your razor, this helps prevent blades from getting dull too quickly. Even better, the protective cover opens automatically when you pull your razor out. The holder is easy to install with self-adhesive tape, and it frees up counter space too. “Perfect solution for razors! I love how they have a cap so they don’t constantly get wet,” wrote. Reusable storage bags that keep cheese in peak form Cheese enthusiasts everywhere need to have these stashed in their kitchen at all times. Made of a porous material, these don’t trap moisture and instead let cheese breathe, helping keep it fresh for much longer than a plastic baggie. Each of the 15 included bags also has space to write exactly what kind of cheese is inside, and even better, they’re reusable, so you’ll get a lot of use out of them. A bougie scented spray that makes every room smell better Spritz this versatile in any room, over your pillows, or on freshly washed linens to deliver a pleasant aroma that lasts. It’s available in a few different scent options, including a bougie santal fragrance, and the glass bottle is nice enough to keep on display. “The smell lasts loooong,” one promised in a review. A stylish, space-saving drying rack for cups & bottles This has a very specific purpose: it’s made to be a safe place to put glasses and bottles so they can dry quickly. The taller branches extend out at the top to ensure that glasses won’t fall over easily, while an open bottom allows for plenty of airflow. This is also retractable, so when it’s not in use, it can be made smaller and more compact for easy storage. A slicer that cuts bagels perfectly every time With over 19,000 five-star ratings, this is a reviewer favorite, and it’s easy to see why. It allows you to quickly and effortlessly slice your bagels perfectly in half (no more uneven pieces) and doesn’t take up a lot of space. Safety features like a holder cradle and clear acrylic safety shields protect your fingers from the sharp blade and also make this very easy to use. A strainer basket that attaches to your sink This small stainless steel is definitely convenient to have in your sink. The hanging design allows you to attach it without leaving it there permanently (it’s super easy to remove), and the durable stainless steel material is resistant to rust. You can use this for rinsing off small produce like berries, or keep it as a dry spot for sponges and cleaning brushes. A cordless scrubbing brush for removing tough stains This surprisingly powerful makes it easy to deep clean most surfaces with little effort on your part. It comes with four different brushes (large and small flat brushes, a corner brush, and a dome brush) that can get into almost every nook and cranny and works on surfaces like tile, bathtubs, and glass. The handle is expandable so you can use it for areas you can’t reach, and it’s rechargeable so it’s conveniently cordless. Elastic bands that keep your garbage bags in place Sometimes, no matter how tight you pull your trash bag around the garbage can, it sinks back inside, creating a potential huge mess. This set of three is meant to solve that problem. The large elastic bands are designed to cling around the can, keeping the bag firmly in place no matter how full it gets. One called them a “life saver,” noting, “they stretch very well,” while shared they “[...hold] the bag tight.” A hard-working colander that doubles as a prep & mixing bowl This is a very handy tool to have in the kitchen. The rotatable feature lets the strainer easily release excess water, while the lid has interchangeable attachments for slicing or grating produce, as well as a removable center so you can mix ingredients right inside. Or, you can use the bowl without the strainer to hold produce or other foods. It’s large and sturdy and has handles that make it easy to hold. A shelf that adds organized storage to your stove Free up counter space and get some extra use out of your stove with this handy . It’s designed to sit on top of the back of your stove, and has magnets along the bottom that keep it firmly in place. There are several dividers that make it easy to keep your items neat, and it’s a great spot for keeping oils, seasonings, and salt and pepper. Since it’s made of soft silicone, it’s easy to wipe clean and can even be placed in the dishwasher if needed. A clever rack that keeps the extra hangers neat I don’t know about you, but my extra hangers always end up in a very messy and large pile in the back a closet. The is a simple but genius solution that can neatly hold up to 50 hangers at once, keeping them all aligned and organized so they don’t take over. It’s lightweight enough to move around and frees up space. A sleek acrylic cutting board that protects the counter This is not only attractive to look at, it’s also functional. It gives you plenty of meal prepping space that’s gentle on knives, all without distracting from your beautiful counter. A lip at the edge allows it to stay firmly in place while also protecting your countertops against any accidental nicks. Sturdy stands for plastic bags that make them so easy to fill These make it simple to pour almost any type of food into your baggie of choice, whether it’s liquid-y like stew or soap, or bulky like produce. They have a wide opening and curved corners that securely hold gallon or quart bags, with flat bottoms that keep things stable. These are reusable and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. An adjustable organizer for food storage lids Food storage container lids are typically a pain to store neatly, but this makes it so much easier. It tidily holds up to 70 different lids and is very customizable — it comes with eight dividers you can put in whatever position you want, it’s expandable to a larger size, or it can be used as two separate items. An attractive soap dish that prevents water from pooling Traditional soap dishes can be the perfect place for water to pool and soap bars to dissolve. This aesthetically pleasing is an exception, with a leaf-like shape and self-drainage system that allows excess water to flow out instead of getting trapped under the bar of soap. It’s a pretty ceramic dish that sits in a rust-proof stainless steel holder, keeping it elevated and off the counter. Magnetic clips for hanging multiple towels on a rack Stylishly take advantage of the space on your towel rack with this three-pack of . They couldn’t be easier to use and they make it easy to hang several towels on your rack instead of just one. The magnets easily snap into and out of place, and they’re available in a few different colors if the burgundy isn’t your favorite. Eye-catching gold trim you can stick almost anywhere There are so many different ways to use this : It can create a pretty decorative accent on the wall, line picture frames to make them look a little more luxe, or stick onto cabinets to transform their overall look. The adhesive backing makes it easy to use and you can cut it to the size you want. It’s also designed to be dust-proof, waterproof, and easy to wipe clean. A colorful pouch that keeps tortillas at the perfect temperature Step up your game on taco or fajita nights by using this . It holds up to 15 tortillas and is microwave-friendly, allowing you to heat them up with ease. Once heated, you can leave them in there and they’ll stay nice and warm. It’s reusable, and the colorful print makes it fun and festive for use when company is over. Moving sand art that makes dynamic decor Think of this as the adult version of those sand art bottles you used to make and admire as a kid. It creates a very cool sandscape that is oddly hypnotizing to watch, with a 360-degree design that allows you to place it just about anywhere. This is definitely a conversation-starting (and mesmerizing) piece of decor. Chic, easy-to-install hooks for coats, towels, & more Made of metal with wood accents, these simple have a mid-century modern look to them that makes them quite versatile. They come with everything you need to hang them up and have a sturdy build — each of the two included hooks can hold up to 25 pounds. These can be used for coats, bags, towels, robes, and more. A multipurpose outlet cover with a motion-sensor light Replace your standard wall plates with these . They have a clean look to them, are energy efficient, snap on to install, and boast more than 6,000 five-star ratings. The motion-sensor night-light along the bottom, which automatically turns on or off when it senses movement, is energy efficient. They create a subtle, low-maintenance night light that also looks impressive for an inexpensive price. Sturdy plastic wedges that prevent furniture wobbling Most of us know that one table or chair that has one shorter leg or sits on uneven flooring, and wobbles constantly. You can minimize that annoying sensation with this 30-pack of . They can be propped underneath the wobbling leg in question, can hold up to 2,000 pounds, and have a blessedly steady feel. A handy magnetic bin for storing dryer sheets & more Keep your laundry area looking neat by utilizing convenient storage solutions, like this . It attaches right onto the side of your dryer and is the perfect organized space to keep dryer sheets in a tidy stack. It also clears up space on top of your dryer or washing machine, since, let’s be real, that’s probably where the box was sitting previously. A cabinet rack that holds onto plastic bags A collection of plastic bags can definitely come in handy, but storing them usually means stuffing all of them into one large bag and tossing that in the corner. Instead, try this . It’s a little rack that sits over your cabinet door, keeping one plastic bag wide open so you can easily stuff it with other bags, reusable totes, or garbage bags. It’s easy to add onto the cabinet and move as needed. A wall-mounted dispenser for tissue boxes & beyond Keep tissues, plastic baggies, or rubber gloves within easy reach with this It comes with everything necessary to mount to a wall and allows easy access for items wherever you put it. Once mounted, you simply stick the box inside. This is a space-saving solution ideal for small rooms, offices, or even near your bed. Covers for your refrigerator door handles to keep them clean The door handles on your stainless steel refrigerator are likely the first things to get covered in grime and fingerprints. These velvety slip over them to keep them clean. Velcro makes them simple to add and secure, and the gray color blends nicely with stainless steel, making them a pretty seamless addition. Adorable faux taper candles with a realistic flame These adorable snowman make the perfect seasonal decoration, whether you use them as a table centerpiece or on bookshelves or a fireplace. They’re electric and flameless, making them a safer option compared to real candles, but the “wick” flickers like a real flame. If you’re not into snowmen or the holiday theme, these are also available in simple white as well. A magnetic hanger that makes framing posters easy Finding the perfect print, large photo, or poster for your wall is only part of the process — you also need some sort of frame to avoid an unfinished look. This makes the task so simple. Just pop your artwork on one wooden frame piece, top it with another, and strong magnets will hold the item firmly in place. Since it’s so simple and low-key, it also won’t distract from the image you’re showing off. Stick-on hooks that keep your eyeglasses safe & in reach Keep your favorite sunglasses and important eyeglasses safe, intact, and in a spot you can always find them with these . They can be mounted to the wall with screws or they have an adhesive backing for an even easier option. The hooks themselves are made of soft leather that’s gentle on frames, with a subtle yet sophisticated look that lets you put them just about anywhere. An automatic night-light with a colorful glow This makes a cool addition to any space that needs a little extra light at night. It cycles through a rainbow of different hues or can be programmed to stay on only one color, with a cubed shape that gives it a modern feel. It also automatically turns on at night and off when it detects light in the morning, making it a low-maintenance choice. A clip-on cup holder so you can store your drink anywhere Think of this clever gadget as a : the strong clip allows you to attach it to the side of a desk, counter, or table, creating a stable spot for your drink almost anywhere. It’s great for adding extra storage to your tabletop or ensuring that a beverage isn’t going to spill all over whatever you’re working on, and it’s small and lightweight enough to take anywhere. A dishwasher magnet that keeps everyone updated on dish status Keep everyone in your home up-to-date on exactly what’s going on with the dishwasher by sticking on this . It goes onto the front and has a tab that allows you to move it to read “empty,” “clean,” or “dirty,” letting everyone else know exactly what they need to do with their dishes. It’s subtle and effective. An unexpected toothpick or cotton swab dispenser At a quick glance, this looks like a tiny succulent with a blooming flower in the middle. But when you look closer, you can see what it’s actually holding, which is most likely cotton swabs or toothpicks. This has enough space for a handful of either, with a lid on top to keep everything clean and secure. Stylish geometric trivets that can expand & contract Instead of stocking up on trivets in different sizes, try these offered as an affordable pack of five. The design features a flexible silicone covering that can be kept in for a standard square shape or expanded outwards to manage larger pots and pans. The silicone is heat safe up to 446 degrees Fahrenheit, and wraps around the stainless steel core — which makes these durable and rust resistant. A sink edge guard that helps prevent splashes & mess Protect the countertop around your sink and cut down on soapy, watery messes with this . It’s made of flexible silicone, so it helps prevent dishes from breaking or the sink from chipping, and also has raised edges around it to contain any spills and cut down on splashing. An attached caddy is the perfect subtle spot to keep your sponges. A hanging bin that neatly collects extra plastic bags If you’re looking for the perfect spot to neatly stash all of your extra plastic bags, consider this . At the top, clear plastic brackets simply hook over a door or cabinet, while the interior has plenty of space for plastic or tote bags. The straightforward design makes this simple and practical. A slim container that hydrates herbs to keep them fresher Left in the plastic baggie from the grocery store, fresh herbs won’t last very long. But when stored properly — with the right amount of air and a little bit of water, they can stay fresh for weeks. This is super simple to use: Add a little water to the bottom, put the herbs inside, and stick it in the fridge. Shoppers said it keeps herbs fresh “for weeks” and love the simple design. Waterproof shelf liners that are chic & easy to clean Add this to your pantry, cabinets, drawers, and even refrigerator and freezers for an extra layer of protection. It helps prevent stains and marks, is easy to wipe clean, and so simple to use — there’s no adhesive backing you have to stick on, it just grips to the surface. The fun prints add some personality and it’s available in a variety of sizes you can cut to fit. A handy table brush that removes every last crumb When it comes to cleaning, it makes sense to work smarter, not harder. Gadgets like this make that possible. With a hidden brush made of sturdy iron wire and bristles, this quickly and effortlessly brushes crumbs off of any surface. It’s small and lightweight, easy to grip, and does exactly what it’s supposed to. A handheld snack bag sealer that prevents food from going stale While this might look like a mini hair straightener, it’s actually a . Turn this on, let it heat up, and use it to effectively seal opened bags of chips, nuts, cookies, and more. This prevents air from coming in and keeps food fresh. One summed it up nicely: “No more stale chips or cookies. Not bulky, perfect size, great quality [...].” A super-absorbent stone drying mat that looks so stylish Cloth dish mats may be convenient for storage, but they have a tendency to get soggy, moldy, and smelly pretty quickly. This is an excellent alternative. It’s made of super-absorbent diatomaceous earth, which has lots of little holes that suck up water, helping moisture evaporate quickly. Stainless steel feet keep it from sitting directly on your counter and it’s easy to clean off with a washcloth.The aching Steelers still control their destiny in the AFC North. Their grasp, however, is slippingStock market today: Tech stocks and AI pull Wall Street to more recordsIn a flurry of nominations last week and over the weekend, President-elect Donald Trump added nine potential officials to his administration, including hedge fund manager Scott Bessent for treasury secretary, Brooke Rollins for agriculture secretary and Project 2025 author Russell Vought as head of the Office of Management and Budget. Most of Trump's picks share a certain quality: Loyalty. Bessent, for example, raised money for Trump's campaign, and both Rollins and Vought were part of the administration during Trump's first term in office. Rollins' selection as agriculture secretary rounds out Trump's choices cabinet-level secretary positions. RELATED STORY | Here's who Trump has asked to join his administration Trump and his cabinet appointments now face confirmation tests in the Senate, which are not a guarantee. Pushback from senators against Trump's first pick of Matt Gaetz for attorney general, for example, show that lawmakers are prepared to scrutinize and object to at least some of Trump's appointments. "The Senate, of course, under the Constitution, has the job of advising and consenting on nominations, and I take that responsibility very seriously," Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) told CBS' "Face the Nation." "It will be really important that the new Republican leader in the Senate uphold the Senate's prerogatives under the Constitution and not try to do an end run." Another concern, raised by President Biden's White House, is that the Trump transition team has not yet signed memorandums of understanding or ethics pledges that smooth the transition from one administration to the next. Without the paperwork in place, the FBI has so far not been able to conduct background checks into administration appointments.

AP News Summary at 5:04 p.m. ESTCARSON, Calif. — Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic scored in the first half, and the LA Galaxy won their record sixth MLS Cup championship with a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. After striking twice in the first 13 minutes of the final with goals from their star forwards, the Galaxy nursed their lead through a scoreless second half to raise their league's biggest trophy for the first time since 2014. MLS' most successful franchise struggled through most of the ensuing decade, even finishing 26th in the 29-team league last year. But the Galaxy turned everything around this season with a high-scoring new lineup that finished second in the Western Conference and then streaked through the playoffs with a whopping 18 goals in five games to win another crown. Sean Nealis scored for the seventh-seeded Red Bulls, whose improbable charge through the playoffs ended one win shy of its first Cup championship. With the league's youngest roster, New York fell just short of becoming the lowest-seeded team to win MLS' playoff tournament under first-year German coach Sandro Schwarz. Galaxy goalkeeper John McCarthy made four saves to win his second MLS title in three seasons. He was the MVP of the 2022 MLS Cup Final for the Galaxy's crosstown rival, Los Angeles FC. The Galaxy won this title without perhaps their most important player. Riqui Puig, the playmaking midfielder from Barcelona who ran their offense impressively all season long, tore a ligament in his knee last week in the Western Conference final. Puig watched the game in a suit, but his teammates hadn't forgotten him: After his replacement, Gastón Brugman, set up LA's opening goal with a superb pass, Paintsil held up Puig's jersey to their fans during the celebration. Paintsil put the Galaxy ahead in the ninth minute when he ran onto that sublime pass from Brugman and pounded home his 14th MLS goal — including four in the playoffs — in the Ghanaian forward's outstanding first season. Just four minutes later, Joveljic sprinted past four New York defenders and chipped home the 21st goal of his outstanding year as the Galaxy's striker. Nealis got New York on the scoreboard in the 28th minute when he volleyed home a ball that got loose in LA's penalty area after a corner. The Galaxy's usually shaky defense gave up another handful of good chances before reaching halftime with a tenuous lead. The second half was lively, but scoreless. Red Bulls captain Emil Forsberg hit the outside of the post in the 72nd minute, while Gabriel Pec and Galaxy substitute Marco Reus nearly converted chances a few moments later. The ball got loose again in the Galaxy's penalty area in the third minute of extra time, but two Red Bulls couldn't finish. The Galaxy bench rushed onto the field and prematurely celebrated a victory in the seventh minute of injury time, only to be herded back off for another 30 seconds of play. The Galaxy finished 17-0-3 this season at their frequently renamed suburban stadium, where the sellout crowd of 26,812 for the final included several robust cheering sections of traveling Red Bulls supporters hoping to see their New Jersey-based club's breakthrough on MLS' biggest stage. The Galaxy's Greg Vanney became the fourth coach to win an MLS title with two clubs. The former Galaxy player also won it all with Toronto in 2017. The club famous for employing global stars from David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Robbie Keane and Javier "Chicharito" Hernández rebuilt itself this season with lesser-known young talents from around the world. The Galaxy signed Pec from Brazil and the Ghanaian Paintsil out of Belgium, and the duo combined with incumbent Serbian striker Joveljic to form a potent attack that could outscore almost any MLS opponent. But the Galaxy also relied heavily on Puig, their Catalan catalyst and one of MLS' best players. Puig stayed in last week's game after injuring his knee, and he even delivered the decisive pass to Joveljic for the game's only goal.Johnathan Massie scores 14 off bench to lead North Texas over Houston Christian 62-46

Steelers CB Joey Porter Jr.'s 'serial killer mentality' is serving him well amid bumpy patchPITTSBURGH (AP) — Technically, the standings still show the Pittsburgh Steelers atop the AFC North. It just doesn’t exactly feel that way at the moment. While the Steelers still have everything in front of them even after a 34-17 loss in Baltimore on Saturday in which a pair of Russell Wilson turnovers and a battered defense starting to show signs of wear allowed the Ravens to pull away, the grasp they had on the division two weeks ago is now far more tenuous. There were no excuses offered afterward. Yet there’s also no time to pout either. Not with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs visiting Acrisure Stadium on Christmas Day. “The one thing I’m not going to do is keep my head down,” Wilson said shortly after a fourth-quarter pick-6 allowed Baltimore to pull away. “I know for us, we got so much great confidence in who we are and what we can do and how we’re going to respond.” If Pittsburgh wants the home playoff game that capturing a division title for the first time since 2020 would provide, it doesn’t really have a choice. To do it, the Steelers will likely have to beat the two-time defending Super Bowl champions on three days’ rest and then the Bengals in the regular-season finale, not exactly ideal opponents for an injury-marred defense that has given up more than 400 yards in consecutive weeks for the first time since the first three games of the 2019 season. Beating Philadelphia and Baltimore on the road even in the best of times is a tough ask. The Steelers came up empty twice in six days, and while Wilson’s turnovers didn’t help, Pittsburgh’s inability to match up with either team in the trenches could be a far bigger problem going forward if it can’t find a way to regain the physicality it showed earlier this season. True, the Ravens and Eagles have the two best running games in the league led by backs who are putting together Hall of Fame resumes. Still, every team the Steelers figure to face in the postseason will almost certainly try to follow the blueprint Philadelphia and Baltimore used so effectively. Pittsburgh’s truncated schedule — the visit by the Chiefs will be its third game in 11 days — means the tackling issues that have popped up of late will have to be addressed more in theory than in practice. It’s a less-than-ideal situation. Yet despite the step or two back recently, the Steelers believe that everything they want to do this season is still in front of them. That’s certainly true. Wilson — who knows a thing or two about winning this time of year — remains upbeat. “We can’t let a tough game like this take us into a negative state of mind because there’s a lot more to play for and a lot more we’re searching for, and we can still win the (AFC) North,” he said. “There’s still a lot of opportunity there, too, as well. And so we just got to buckle down and get back to work.” What’s working Being disruptive in the red zone. Minkah Fitzpatrick’s fourth-quarter pick of Lamar Jackson — his first in 26 games — was the fifth takeaway by the Steelers inside their 20 this season, tied for second most in the NFL. What needs help Just about everything else in the red zone. The Steelers allowed Baltimore to score touchdowns on its first three drives that reached the Pittsburgh 20. The other two ended with Fitzpatrick’s interception and a chip-shot field goal by Justin Tucker in the final minutes. Two short touchdown throws from Jackson to tight ends Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews bothered Steelers coach Mike Tomlin the most. “It is just too late in the year to have guys running open like that, to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin said. “So we’ve got some work to do this week and try to shore some of that up.” Stock up Calvin Austin III is the only wide receiver who seems capable of being a difference-maker with George Pickens out of the lineup. The 5-foot-9 Austin has nine receptions for 130 yards over the past two games, and while Wilson’s fourth down heave to Austin at the goal line in the third quarter fell incomplete, it also symbolized the faith Wilson has in a highly motivated player who thrives on being underestimated. Stock down Complementary football. The Steelers surged to the top of the division by having a team that thrived in all three phases. That hasn’t happened of late. The Ravens turned Wilson’s fumble into a 96-yard touchdown drive. Fitzpatrick’s interception appeared to give the Steelers momentum only to have Wilson give it right back with a poor throw that Marlon Humphrey turned into the clinching score. Injuries Pickens could return from the hamstring injury that has forced him to miss the past three games. Safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring), defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin), cornerback Donte Jackson (back) could also play after sitting out against Baltimore. The news isn’t as positive for starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (knee) and wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hip), both of whom left against the Ravens and did not return. Key number 39 — field goals this season by Chris Boswell, five short of the NFL record set by David Akers with San Francisco in 2011. Next steps Try to heal up quickly and beat Mahomes for the first time. The Kansas City star is 3-0 against the Steelers with 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl3,721 apply for 6 posts in Barnala courts

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WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden faces a stark choice as he contemplates broad preemptive pardons to protect aides and allies from potential retribution by Donald Trump: Does he hew to the institutional norms he’s spent decades defending or flex the powers of the presidency in untested ways. The deliberations so far are largely at the level of White House lawyers. But Biden himself has discussed the topic with senior aides, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive subject. No decisions have been made, the people said, and it is possible Biden opts to do nothing at all. Recommended Videos Pardons are historically afforded to those accused of specific crimes –- and usually to those who have already been convicted of an offense — but Biden’s team is considering issuing them for some who have not even been investigated, let alone charged. The president could, if he chose, issue blanket pardons to specific people whom Trump and his allies have threatened to punish. Or he could pardon a broad class of people — not unlike pardons issued to those convicted of federal marijuana offenses or those ensnared in the “don't ask, don't tell” military policies. Either way, he'd be using the powers of the presidency in a new way. Some worry that Trump and his allies, who have talked of enemies lists and exacting “retribution,” could launch investigations that would be reputationally and financially costly for targeted people even if they don’t result in prosecutions. The door has already been opened, given that Biden has extended a broad pardon to his son, Hunter , who was convicted and pleaded guilty in tax and gun cases. Biden explained that decision by saying he believed the prosecution of his son had been poisoned by politics. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has said Biden plans additional pardons before leaving office though she would not elaborate on the process. She repeatedly referenced “changing factors” that motivated the president to pardon his son despite promising he wouldn’t. She said Republicans have continued to try to see Hunter Biden investigated for an array of alleged offenses, a rationale that could support additional pardons for Biden aides and allies. It was two weeks ago that one of the president’s closest allies in Congress, Rep, Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, encouraged Biden to pardon his son Hunter. The morning after that conversation, Clyburn told Biden’s staff that he believed the president should also pardon those being targeted by Trump. “I was very forceful in my discussions with him about what I thought he ought to do regarding his son,” Clyburn said Friday. “But I also told them that I thought he ought to go even further, because all the noise about Jack Smith and Liz Cheney and Doctor Fauci and all of that.” Special Counsel Jack Smith has been investigating Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and for accusations he hoarded classified documents at his home. Liz Cheney, a conservative Republican , was the vice chairwoman of the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection and campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris. Fauci, an infectious disease expert, was instrumental in the government's response to the coronavirus. All have raised the ire of Trump. Clyburn said he told Biden’s team, only half jokingly, that because the Supreme Court has already said that the president has certain immunities, “let’s give that same immunity to Jack Smith for carrying out his duties and to, Doctor Fauci, Liz Cheney, they were carrying out their duties.” Among those mentioned publicly for possible presidential pardons, there are different sentiments on whether pardons would even be wanted. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi supported the president’s move to pardon his son, but has been silent on the speculation that Biden is considering additional pardons for her or others. A top Pelosi ally, Rep. Adam Schiff, the Democratic congressman who led Trump’s first impeachment, has panned the idea of pardoning Biden's allies. He says “the courts are strong enough to withstand” the worst of Trump’s threats. “I don’t think a preemptive pardon makes sense,” the incoming senator told NPR recently. “I would urge the president not to do that. I think it would seem defensive and unnecessary,” Schiff said. Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, who was the lead manager on Trump’s second impeachment, on the charge of inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, said members of Congress already are protected by the speech and debate clause in the Constitution, which protects them prosecution for participating in their legislative duties. Raskin said figures like Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and John Kelly , Trump's former White House chief of staff, would similarly be protected by the First Amendment. But Raskin said the question is, “Should they go through the criminal investigation and prosecution for not doing anything wrong? I think that’s why this whole issue has erupted.” Raksin added that with Trump promising to pardon hundreds of people who assaulted police officers on Jan. 6th, “I can hardly fault President Biden for exploring the use of the pardon to protect people from a fraudulent and unjust prosecution.” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he’s had no conversations with the White House regarding any preemptive pardons for current or former members of Congress. ___ Associated Press Writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report.CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson reserve guard Trent Howard will miss the 12th-ranked Tigers game with No. 16 South Carolina after tearing the ACL in his left knee at practice this week. Tigers coach Dabo Swinney announced Howard's injury Wednesday. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound fifth-year graduate has been a backup much of the season, but had to step into a starter's role due to injuries along Clemson's offensive line. “My heart breaks for him,” Swinney said. Howard came in on the second snap in a 24-20 win at Pitt two games ago when lineman Elyjah Thurmon was hurt on the first play. Thurmon had an ankle injury that required surgery and will not return this season. Howard got his fourth career start last Saturday in a 51-14 win over The Citadel. and was in line for another if injured starter Marcus Tate was unable to go after missing the past three games. Howard was listed as a backup on this week's depth chart. The Tigers (9-2) face the rival Gamecocks (8-3) on Saturday. —- Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP college football: and The Associated Press

Pete Hegseth's attorney has threatened legal action against a woman who accused President-elect Donald Trump's selection for defense secretary of sexual assault -- if she repeats what he calls "false" claims and his client ultimately fails to get confirmed. Tim Parlatore said in an interview on CNN Thursday night that a confidentiality agreement covering both her and Hegseth, part of a 2020 settlement with the former Fox News host, is no longer in effect, and that the unidentified woman, who filed a police report in 2017 alleging Hegseth sexually assaulted her in a hotel, is now free to speak publicly about the case. However, Parlatore said he would consider a lawsuit against the woman for civil extortion or defamation if she made what he called false claims that jeopardized his client's future in the Trump administration or "his future employment opportunities." "If she doesn't tell the truth, if she repeats these false statements, then she will be subject to a defamation lawsuit. But now that she -- and she's well aware of that, her attorney was well aware that because of the breach of the agreement that is no longer in any force, in effect, she is free to speak if she wants," the attorney said. MORE: Hegseth, Trump's defense pick, paid settlement to woman who accused him of sexual assault, lawyer says Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee that would hold Hegseth's confirmation hearings, told CNN Thursday that the threat to potentially sue Hegseth's accuser is meant to intimidate her and is "reprehensible." "What they're doing, essentially, is threatening or intimidating a potential witness," he said. Details of her allegations about the October 2017 incident were compiled in a Monterey Police Department report released last month. At the time, the woman told investigators that she encountered Hegseth at an event afterparty at a California hotel where both had been drinking. The woman claimed she did not recall how she ended up in Hegseth's room later and said he sexually assaulted her, according to the report. Hegseth "took her phone from her hands" and, when she attempted to leave, "blocked the door with his body," according to what she told investigators. Hegseth told investigators the sexual encounter was consensual. No charges were brought. However in December 2020, Hegseth paid the woman an undisclosed sum as part of a settlement because he feared his career would suffer if her allegations were made public, according to Parlatore. The woman, who is only identified in the police report as Jane Doe, has not publicly come forward. MORE: New details of Hegseth sexual assault claim documented in police report Hegseth has repeatedly reiterated that he was not charged and has denied the assault allegations. He has come under heavy fire over the last few weeks over news reports about the incident and other allegations of heavy drinking, mismanagement, extramarital affairs and other controversies. Trump has stood by his selection and Hegseth has dismissed questions about whether he would withdraw.

REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelanders voted to elect a new parliament Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call an early election. This is Iceland’s sixth general election since the 2008 financial crisis devastated the economy of the North Atlantic island nation and ushered in a new era of political instability. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Michael Croley | (TNS) Bloomberg News In the old days of 2016, when golfers visited the Dormie Club in West End, North Carolina — 15 minutes from the hotbed of American golf, Pinehurst — they were greeted by a small, single-wide trailer and a rugged pine straw parking lot. That trailer is now long gone. A gate has been installed at the club’s entrance and a long driveway leads to a grand turnaround that sweeps you past a new modern clubhouse that’s all right angles, with floor-to-ceiling glass. Seconds after you exit your car, valets are zipping up in golf carts, taking your name, then your bags, handing you keys to your own golf cart, and then zipping off to drop your luggage in the four-bedroom cottage where you’ll stay. A short walk past an expansive putting green you’ll find the pro shop — and then you’ll see the club’s most elegant feature: its golf course. The changes have all come about because Dormie Club was acquired in 2017 by the Dormie Network, a national group that owns seven private golf facilities from Nebraska to New Jersey. (“Dormie” is a word for being ahead in golf — the names were coincidences.) A key to the network’s success has been its ability to find clubs ripe for acquisition, with outstanding golf courses and existing on-site lodging or the room to build it, says Zach Peed, president of the company and its driving force. After investing in Arbor Links Golf Club in Nebraska City, Nebraska, in late 2015, Peed believed he saw an opening in the golf market: a new model of hospitality for traveling professionals who wanted a pure golf experience that eschewed the pools and pickleball courts of their home clubs. His clubs would become dream golf-only getaways for avid players and their pals. “Dormie Network’s concept was sparked by having played competitive golf in college, combined with an element of experiencing and understanding hospitality,” says Peed. “It made sense to blend the two to create golf trips that had more value than just playing golf. We want genuine hospitality to help create unforgettable memories and new friendships.” Part of that formula has been in the lodging strategy; in North Carolina, 15 four-bedroom cottages now are a short golf cart ride from the main clubhouse. In each, golfers all have their own king-size bed and en suite bathroom. A large common room is dominated by a flatscreen television along with a well-stocked bar and snacks. That ability to be both social, or tucked away in your room, extends to the expansive new clubhouse, where a high-ceilinged bar area with blond wood creates an inviting space for dining and drinking, and several hideaway rooms allow for more private diners with just your group. So far, their commitment to hospitality has been helping them expand in both membership and club usage in the increasingly competitive market for traveling golfers. Major players such as Bandon Dunes, Pinehurst Resort, and the Cabot Collection have created — or renovated — a new paradigm where golfers get dining and lodging that’s as showcase-worthy as the courses they play. Comfortable sheets and options beyond pub food aren’t luxuries anymore, but staples for many group trips. Dormie has answered that call by focusing on both the big details and the small ones, like having the dew wiped off each golf cart at dawn outside guest cottages before the day begins or having a tray of cocktails delivered to golfers as their final putt falls on the 18th green. These touches may seem over-the-top, but they stand out in a world where golf travel is increasingly popular — and expensive — after the pandemic lockdowns. Since 2020 there has been an explosion in participation in the sport, with new golfers picking up the game and avid golfers playing more: According to the National Golf Foundation, a record 531 million rounds were played in 2023, surpassing the high of 529 million set in 2021. Supreme Golf, a public golf booking website, reports in its latest analysis that the average cost of a tee time has increased to $49 in 2024 from $38 in 2019, a 30% increase. Those cost increases are also on par (pun intended) with the costs of private clubs and initiation fees during that same period, where membership rosters that were dwindling pre-COVID now have waitlists 50 to 60 people deep, according to Jason Becker, co-founder and chief executive officer of Golf Life Navigators, which matches homebuyers with golf course communities. “There’s been an absolute run on private golf. If we use southwest Florida as an example, where there are 158 golf communities, this time last November, only five had memberships available,” he said. That inability to find a club close to home has pushed avid golfers to look farther afield, choosing national memberships at clubs that require traveling, usually via plane, to play. Dormie has capitalized on this growing segment, offering two types of memberships: First, a national membership, where members pay an initiation fee and monthly dues just as they would at a local club, but instead of one club they have access to seven. The second option is a signature membership for companies, “which allows businesses to use our properties for entertainment needs and requires a multiyear commitment,” Peed says. The network also offers a limited number of regional memberships for those living within a certain distance of one of its clubs. Dormie Network declined to provide the cost of memberships or monthly dues and wouldn’t give membership numbers, but the clubs are structured to lodge roughly 60 golfers, max, on-site at any given property at any time. The total number of beds across the network’s portfolio of properties has increased from 84 in 2019 to 432 today. It saw a jump from 10,000 room nights in 2019 to 48,000 in 2023. This September, Dormie opened GrayBull in Maxwell, in Nebraska’s, Sandhills region. Dormie Network tabbed David McLay Kidd to build the course, who also built the original course at Oregon’s famed Bandon Dunes. Kidd says of the property GrayBull sits on, “It’s like the Goldilocks thing: not too flat, not too steep. It’s kind of in a bowl that looks inwards, and there are no bad views.” That kind of remote destination, where the long-range views are only Mother Nature or other golf holes, is what drives many traveling golfers these days. Peed says his team leaned on years of knowledge from Dormie’s acquisitions as they built GrayBull, which started construction in 2022. “We had an understanding of how our members and guests use the clubs that allowed us to take a blank canvas in the Sandhills of Nebraska and combine all of the greatest aspects of each Dormie property into one.” ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Two announce bids to run for Santa Fe mayor in 2025

BREAKING NEWS MLB legend Brandon Crawford announces retirement at 37 in emotional statement By OLIVER SALT Published: 18:47 EST, 27 November 2024 | Updated: 18:59 EST, 27 November 2024 e-mail View comments San Francisco Giants great Brandon Crawford has announced his retirement from baseball at the age of 37. Crawford, who became a two-time World Series champion in his iconic 13-year stint with the Giants, revealed it is 'time for the next chapter' after spending a season with the St. Louis Cardinals in an emotional post on Instagram. The legendary shortstop also thanked San Francisco for 'allowing me to live out my dream and be a part of so much throughout my career'. 'During this time of the year, I am constantly being reminded of the things in my life that I am most thankful for. Baseball is one of them,' Crawford said. 'Baseball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and for the rest of my life I will be thankful for the opportunities and experiences it has given me. 'Time is precious. I'm incredibly grateful for all the years I spent playing the game I love, but now it is time for me to spend it with the people who I'm most thankful for. Thank you to all of you who have there for me throughout the years. It's been an unbelievable ride...' As well as paying tribute to the Giants, Crawford also gave a shout out to the Cardinals - where he spent what turned out to be the final year of his baseball career. He then concluded: 'Baseball has given me, [wife] Jalynne, and the kids more than we ever thought possible, and for that we are so thankful. I wouldn't have been able to have the career that I did without their love and support along the way.' Crawford, who played college baseball for UCLA Bruins, was selected by the Giants in the fourth round of the 2008 MLB Draft. San Francisco Giants great Brandon Crawford has announced his retirement from baseball at 37 MLB Share or comment on this article: MLB legend Brandon Crawford announces retirement at 37 in emotional statement e-mail Add comment

Nvidia's Stock Was Down Despite Its Amazing Earnings. Here's What History Says Is Coming NextSwinney and Brown at memorial service for ‘giant of a man’ Alex Salmond

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hrough several body images, the were released showing a handcuffed inmate who was by prison guards before being stripped to his underwear, a fatal attack that is now being investigated by New York's top prosecutor, , The Post reported. The videos were made public by Attorney General on Friday, showing three correctional officers repeatedly punching, kicking and stomping on in an examination room on December 9 at the in upstate New York. Brooks, 43, who was serving a sentence for assault, . It is unclear what prompted the beating. "My deepest condolences to the Brooks family," James said at a press conference. "I do not take lightly the release of this video, especially in the midst of the holiday season." The brutal beating that killed Robert Brooks The videos, taken by four jail guards, show officers surrounding Brooks, who was handcuffed from behind, in the examination room before , and even in the lower torso. Several other officers could be seen standing around doing nothing even though blood was running down the right side of Brooks' swollen face. During the roughly 30-minute incident, Brooks was manhandled, and a guard appeared to strangle him for a moment as he was forced to sit at the examination table, reported. At one point, Brooks is taken to the wall where officers hold him there for a while, although the officers' bodies obscure what is happening. Brooks was finally taken back to the exam table where he was stripped down to his underwear and , as the video shows. None of the videos include any sound as the cameras were only in standby mode, James explained. Brooks was eventually transferred to Wynn Hospital in Utica and pronounced dead from "asphyxia due to neck compression" in the early hours of December 10, Syracuse.com reported, citing the Onondaga County Medical Examiner's Office. The case is being investigated "thoroughly" and there will be consequences James said his officer is and said his team met with Brooks' family so they could review footage of what happened. Brooks had been transferred on the same day as the incident from , New York, to , approximately 12 miles away, James said. Brooks was serving a after being convicted of first-degree assault in 2017 , the reported at the time. The state prison commissioner, , said he was by what he saw in the footage. "There is no excuse or rationalization for a vulgar and inhumane act that senselessly took a life," Martuscello said. He said the was conducting an internal investigation and would implement changes "to ensure that nothing like this can ever happen again within our facilities". The commissioner also said that, at the request of , he began the process of firing those involved and so far had . One employee resigned, he said. "This was a murder and people will be held accountable," Martuscello said. "These people are not representative of the culture of or anything that DOCCS stands for." , the Brooks family's attorney, said the public New York City officials ramped up security at in anticipation of the release of the images when the came out supporting Brooks on social media, according to police sources who expressed their in the city jail, although Brooks was not a member of the gang.k go ktv

Michigan, Ohio State fight broken up with police pepper spray after Wolverines stun Buckeyes 13-10None

Investing.com poll: Will a Santa Claus rally push stocks higher into year-end?Limited again, 49ers QB Brock Purdy still fighting sore shoulderFrom the Newsroom: News from holidays of the past

2 Reasons to Buy Gildan Activewear Stock Like There’s No TomorrowBut scientists are racing to find out F or millennia , people have altered food to please their palettes. More than 3,000 years ago Mesoamericans, living in what is Mexico and Central America today, cooked corn kernels in a solution of wood ash or limestone. The process, known as nixtamalisation, unlocked nutrients and softened the tough outer shells of the corn, making them easier to grind. Discover more Scientific publishers are producing more papers than ever Concerns about some of their business models are building The two types of human laugh One is caused by tickling; the other by everything else Scientists are building a catalogue of every type of cell in our bodies It has thus far shed light on everything from organ formation to the causes of inflammation How squid could help people get over their needle phobia Cephalopod ink propulsion is inspiring an alternative to syringes Norway’s Atlantic salmon risks going the way of the panda Climate change and fish farming are endangering its future Artificial intelligence is helping improve climate models More accurate predictions will lead to better policy-making

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Alabama faces a tougher roadblock than it might appear in its quest to maintain positioning for the College Football Playoff. Sure, Oklahoma has struggled in its first Southeastern Conference season. The Sooners (5-5, 1-5 SEC) have lost four straight conference games. The Sooners have fired their offensive coordinator and they have the worst offense in the league. But they have a tough defense, too. Linebacker Danny Stutsman, a midseason AP All-American, anchors a nasty unit that has kept the Sooners competitive in losses at Ole Miss and Missouri. He ranks second in the SEC with 96 tackles. Defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. has scored four defensive touchdowns since the start of the 2023 season, tied for the most nationally. Defensive end R Mason Thomas has seven sacks, with six coming in the fourth quarter of close games. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer is paying attention. “It’s going to take a great week of preparation,” DeBoer said. “A physical football team all around. Their defense is, I think, an extremely tough defense in all ways — just what they do with their scheme and then with their personnel, the way they fly around.” Plus, Oklahoma is motivated. It’s Senior Day for a program that would become bowl eligible with a win. Beating the seventh-ranked Crimson Tide could cure a lot of ills for the Sooners. “I think they know they could be a great example for what fight and what belief and what finishing and what improving and what proving people wrong looks like,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said. “And I think this is a group of guys that are committed to doing that.” Alabama (8-2, 4-2) has more answers than most. Jalen Milroe has passed for 15 touchdowns and rushed for 17. Freshman receiver Ryan Williams has 40 catches for 767 yards and eight touchdowns. “Yeah, incredibly explosive, and they have great playmakers everywhere," Venables said. “Certainly, it starts — everything goes through the quarterback.” There has been much talk about what a third loss would do to Alabama's playoff hopes. DeBoer said his team isn't focused on that. “I think we're really honed in and the guys really believe on and have understood the significance of really focusing on where we’re at right now,” he said. “We talk about the next play is the most important play, the next game is the most important game. We haven’t thought about anything beyond Oklahoma.” Heisman hype Milroe is only the fourth SEC quarterback since 2007 to have at least 15 passing touchdowns and 17 rushing touchdowns in a single season. The others won the Heisman Trophy during their seasons — Florida's Tim Tebow in 2007, Auburn's Cam Newton in 2010 and Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel in 2012. “I think it just starts with doing what’s best for the team, and that’s what Jalen is all about," DeBoer said. Arnold's improvement Since returning to the lineup early against South Carolina four games ago, Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold has completed 70 of 112 passes for 705 yards with five touchdowns with no interceptions. Still, his fumble that was returned for a touchdown in the final minute against Missouri was the difference in a 30-23 loss. Arnold has dealt with significant criticism all season. “That goes along with that position at a place like the University of Oklahoma,” Venables said. “That’s a position that’s a little bit ... it’s a bit like the head coach position. There’s a different type of microscope and there’s a different type of focus and that’s okay he’s got broad shoulders to handle that.” Questionable Barnes Oklahoma running back Jovantae Barnes ran for career highs of 203 yards and three touchdowns against Maine two weeks ago, then he sat out last week's loss to Missouri. He's listed as questionable on this week's injury report. He leads the Sooners with 577 yards rushing this season. Stepping in Venables is impressed with what DeBoer has done in his first year at Alabama since taking over for Nick Saban. “One of Kalen’s strengths as a football coach — a very successful coach — is he takes a group of players that he has, and their staff figures out what they can do,” Venables said. “They major in that, put them in position to be successful based on the players’ strengths. They’ve done a nice job of doing that throughout the course of the season.” Big games Oklahoma beat heavily favored Alabama 45-31 in the Sugar Bowl to cap the 2013 season, a game that helped pump energy into the Sooner program under Bob Stoops. Alabama got revenge in 2018, beating the Sooners 45-34 in the College Football Playoff. 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-footballDonald Trump Asks Supreme Court to Pause Potential TikTok Ban

W EBB CITY, Mo. — You won’t have your best athlete on offense, you’ll have to start multiple underclassmen on the offensive line and two tight ends that have no varsity experience. Oh, that top athlete is also your quarterback. So, you’re down your best athlete and the guy who touches the ball on every play. That message would be a cause for concern for any football coach in America. But that’s exactly what Webb City High School head coach Ryan McFarland had to deal with entering his second season at the helm of the Cardinals’ program. The Cardinals started three sophomores on the offensive line, two tight ends without varsity experience, and have had five different running backs playing due to injuries to many ball carriers. One staple has been senior starting quarterback Jackson Lucas. “The emergence of Jackson Lucas. He’s probably exceeded everybody’s expectations. We knew he had a chance to be really good but he’s been able to take over the games the last two games,” McFarland said. Lucas had to replace the speedy Gabe Johnson, who had to miss the entire season due to his injury from last year. Johnson started at quarterback most of the time last year for Webb City, he returned kicks and was just an electric athlete. Lucas played some quarterback at times because of his added ability to throw the ball but mostly played at wide receiver while Johnson — a sophomore — and senior Braden Mc-Kee played quarterback. McKee graduated and Johnson was out for his junior year so that brought Lucas to the sole responsibility of leading the offense. “I knew I had to step up and command our offense and make sure I can get us into the best play possible and make us an efficient offense,” Lucas said. The field general admitted the offense feels much better now than early in the year, and that’s showing. The team is averaging 28.4 points per game but has averaged just under 37 ppg over the last four games. Webb City (6-6) will try to continue that success at 7 p.m. Friday when it hosts Platte County High School (11-0) for a state quarterfinal game. Another boost has been getting players healthy. Running backs Andrew Elwell and Slade Hurd were supposed to be the lead backs but they’ve spent a lot of the year injured. As the backfield has gotten healthy, there have been more legs to get on the field and keep players fresh. Isaiah Tela was able to step in and make up for lost ball carriers along with Mason Williams, but now that Hurd and Elwell have been back, the offense has even more skilled runners in the backfield. “We had a lot of injuries early in the year, and we had to fight. A lot of younger kids got more playing time and we got experience. We struggled early in the year, but now we’re clicking,” Hurd said. Lucas leads the team in both rushing and passing. He’s carried the ball 203 times for 1,179 yards and 14 touchdowns. Tela has 81 rushes, 560 yards and three scores. Williams adds 44 carries for 444 yards and three touchdowns. Hurd has 81 carries, 373 yards and six scores. Elwell is the only other back with more than 30 rush attempts, and he’s gone for 34 touches, 150 yards and three scores. McFarland talked about how his offense was able to overcome such a sporadic look to the backfield week in and week out. It not only overcame a damaged offensive backfield, it turned around a 3-6 start to win a 24th district championship in 25 seasons. “They come in and they work hard,” McFarland said. “That’s credit to our seniors. I think losing close games — you hate to lose close games — but I think losing close games helped a little bit.” McFarland noted that his seniors have seen this program win a district championship every year since they’ve been alive except for 2022. Add to it that the program was winning one every year for seven years before they were born. That’s part of what drives this group — that pride they have and know everyone from Webb City has. “I think it’s just the pride in the program,” McFarland said. “The expectations in the program, the pride they have in the program and the legacy that these seniors are going to leave behind and not wanting to be the group that doesn’t continue that legacy. “Being a Webb City Cardinal on Friday nights is a big deal for these guys and they want to leave their mark on the program like the guys before them,” he said. Even though others may have overlooked the Cardinals after the sluggish start, the players knew what their coaching staff was capable of — and themselves too. “We knew coming into it we weren’t the team our record said we were. We knew we could keep fighting and eventually things would go our way,” Lucas said. “Coming into the playoffs, we had the confidence and knew we could beat anybody.” “It’s exciting getting to play football in November, so it’s all you can really think about,” Hurd said. “I like being the underdog and proving people wrong.”

Each week, the weekly magazine Shukan Jitsuwa (Nov 28) serves up a potpourri of newsy tidbits titled "News Scramble." "Scramble" certainly applies to the price of eggs, which, due to such factors as the unusually hot summer and spread of avian influenza is once again on the rise. From the end of October 2022 to early April of 2023, 84 outbreaks of avian influenza were reported across 26 of Japan's prefectures, resulting in the culling of some 17,710,000 laying hens. That was the equivalent of 10% of the nations' chickens, which sent up the price of eggs by a factor of 1.5 fold. So far from April of the present year, 11 outbreaks in 10 prefectures have led to the culling of some 856,000 hens. "Compared with the previous season, bird flu outbreaks this year declined by 87%, and the number of culled hens fell by 95%," a reporter for a nationally circulated newspaper told the magazine. "Nonetheless, Japan had record-setting high temperatures, leaving many birds in a debilitated state, leading to a fall in egg production." "According to a trade publication issued by JA Zen-Noh (the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations), as of October 25, the average wholesale price in Tokyo for a kilogram of M-size eggs was ¥274 -- representing a rise for the past three consecutive months," a journalist covering consumer matters was quoted as saying. "As the year-end and new year approach, egg demand will increase for sukiyaki, baked goods, oden (boiled hodgepodge) and other foods. If avian influenza persists, I suppose an eggu-shokku will be unavoidable." Somewhat ominously, during October, flu outbreaks were reported at poultry farms in Hokkaido, Chiba, Niigata and Shimane prefectures. Meanwhile, in the Diet elections held on Oct 27, Agriculture Minister Yasuhiro Ozato, representing a district in Kagoshima Prefecture, was defeated, forcing his resignation from the cabinet. Hopefully, writes Shukan Jitsuwa's reporter, the countermeasures by Kozato's replacement won't come too late. Aging dentists Along with aging of the general population, Japan is also seeing an aging of dentists. On Nov 6, the Teikoku Data Bank released a report on the trend toward failures of dental clinics. By the end of October 2024, 126 went out of business -- double the number in 2023 -- and of these, 25 had debts of over ¥10 million. This contrasts with 104 closures for all of 2023, clearly showing the profession is undergoing a host of problems. It's long been pointed out that Japan has more dental clinics than convenience stores, but recently along with supply and demand that affects the overall market environment, trained dental technicians are in short supply. What's more, the prices of silver and other metals used to fill cavities or construct dental bridges, etc., have undergone sharp increases, adding to costs, which can adversely affect the profitability of their operations. From April of last year, the adoption of the new My Number health insurance cards require online confirmation of a clinic's certification. This has required investment in pricy new equipment, which is believed to have pushed some clinics over the edge. True, more clinics have been buoyed by the rise in demand for cosmetic dentistry, such as whitening. However, that has also required investment in new equipment, pushing the older generation of clinicians to opt for shutting down, and in some cases declaring bankruptcy. It is ironic, the magazine writes, that while the number of elderly people who maintain their own teeth has been increasing, the dentists who should be caring for them are disappearing as they grow older. New type of internet fraud Finally, new type of fraud via internet sales has become increasingly problematic. It involves refunds for goods claimed to be "out of stock." In Tokyo so far this year 138 such cases have been reported to the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan, involving losses totaling some ¥150 million. Citing one case, last May the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department was contacted by a woman in her 40s who had ordered a product priced at ¥15,000 from a cut-rate internet shop. "The product is out of stock," the company replied. "We will refund your money via PayPay." Then the customer was sent a "confirmation QR code" via the Line messaging service. Afterwards the woman was tricked out of a "large sum of money" via instructions she was asked to enter via net banking. According to police, such fraudulent cases have been soaring among victims of all ages and both genders. The Consumer Affairs Center warns people to be especially suspicious of sites where 1) luxury brand items or famous maker goods are priced considerably lower than the going market rate; 2) merchandise with "strange or "unnatural" Japanese writing appears on the labeling; and 3) sites that don't post information about their refund policy. If an exchange of mails with the vendor takes place, alarms should be raised if a service representative informs a customer to the effect "A refund will be sent to you via 'XX-pay.'"

Presbyterian 67, Youngstown St. 42Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of Gavin’s political career

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k gogi megamall TARRYTOWN, N.Y., Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. REGN will webcast its presentation at the 43 rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Monday, January 13, 2025. The presentation is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. Pacific Time (5:15 p.m. Eastern Time) and may be accessed from the "Investors & Media" page of Regeneron's website at http://investor.regeneron.com/events-and-presentations.com/events-and-presentations . A replay and transcript of the webcast will be archived on the Company's website for at least 30 days. About Regeneron Regeneron REGN is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to numerous approved treatments and product candidates in development, most of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neurological diseases, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases, and rare diseases. Regeneron pushes the boundaries of scientific discovery and accelerates drug development using our proprietary technologies, such as VelociSuite ® , which produces optimized fully human antibodies and new classes of bispecific antibodies. We are shaping the next frontier of medicine with data-powered insights from the Regeneron Genetics Center ® and pioneering genetic medicine platforms, enabling us to identify innovative targets and complementary approaches to potentially treat or cure diseases. For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow Regeneron on LinkedIn , Instagram , Facebook or X . Contact Information: Investor Relations Ryan Crowe 914.847.8790 ryan.crowe@regeneron.com Corporate Communications Christina Chan 914.847.8827 christina.chan@regeneron.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Albanese facing a new mood of pick and kick

The high number of offsides by Mbappé raised questions about the effectiveness of Real Madrid's training methods and the player's ability to adapt to the opposition's defensive tactics. While Barcelona's high defensive line was clearly a factor in Mbappé's struggles, it also highlighted the importance of timing, communication, and discipline in executing attacking plays at the highest level.NANOBIOTIX to Introduce Vision for Transforming Drug Design and Development with Next Nanotherapeutic Platform on 19 December 2024

Medical misdiagnosis is a sinister truth, but many people don’t know how to address it. It can be life-threatening unless multiple opinions are sought. However, the recent revelation that Tishaa Kumar (20), the daughter of film producer Krishan Kumar and Tanya Singh, passed away due to a misdiagnosis was shocking. Tishaa died in July 2024. It was earlier reported that Tishaa died after battling cancer. Months after her death, her mother Tanya Singh shared a long note on social media, clarifying that Tishaa did not have cancer but died of “misdiagnosis”. The revelation has come as a shocker to many, who perhaps can relate to it. How does one ensure they are not misdiagnosed? “Medicine is a vast subject. There are specialities, superspecialities and sub-superspecialities. Despite studying all this for 10–15 years and having practiced for decades, it is not always possible to know everything in your chosen field of medical practice. Medicine is a continuously evolving science. New knowledge and developments keep happening continuously. Many of these may be proven wrong afterwards,” says Dr K. Sudhir Reddy, Consultant Orthopedic, Joint replacement & Arthroscopic Surgeon, Landmark Hospitals. Health misdiagnosis occurs when a medical condition is incorrectly identified or missed entirely, says Dr. Srikrishna R. Boddu, MBBS, MD (General Medicine), Consultant General Physician, Kamineni Hospital. “This can lead to inappropriate treatments, delayed care and severe consequences for patients. Commonly misdiagnosed conditions include cancer, vascular events (like strokes and heart attacks) and infections,” says Dr. Srikrishna. “Sometimes the symptoms, findings, and test results are so atypical that it may be extremely difficult to reach a diagnosis. The body response of different patients for the same disease also varies significantly, just like different people react differently in the same situation. Overall, medicine is not like mathematics. Diagnosis and treatment are like a judgement taken after considering so many factors combined with that doctor’s level of experience, knowledge, skills, and beliefs. Despite best intentions, it is not always possible to give the correct diagnosis,” says Dr. K. Sudhir. Today, medical degrees can be bought irrespective of your qualifications or pre-graduation marks. “Same is followed even in specialty and superspeciality examinations. This implies that securing a medical seat at Rank 1 is equivalent to securing a seat at rank 10,000,000. Now, with the advent of social media and digital marketing, you can buy customers, reviews, diagnostics, and drugs. This is the core problem of healthcare. It’s high time we need stringent regulations on healthcare and education; otherwise, we are going to be prey for consumerism, puppets in the hands of capitalistic, ruthless investors,” says Dr Jagadeesh Kumar V, Senior Consultant Physician and Lifestyle Specialist, Kims Hospitals. Dr Jagadeesh explains that in developed countries, all patients must be seen by an internal medicine specialist, as he is an expert in all systems. Only his referrals to other specialists receive consideration. Misdiagnosis can happen due to various factors such as atypical presentation of symptoms, lack of thorough patient history, and cognitive biases in clinical decision-making. Continuity: Keep continuity with one doctor who, by continuity of care, can understand your disease and your body better. Frequently changing specialists may lead to broken care and partial understanding of disease and may lead to misdiagnosis. Second Opinion: For critical decisions in healthcare, it is worth taking a second or third opinion. Most doctors may be reassured if you take a second opinion. If the same conclusion is supported by another doctor, it gives more confidence in the diagnosis and treatment for both the doctor and the patient. If the second opinion is different from the first, then it may lead to finding the correct diagnosis and rectifying any mistakes. Choose Wisely: Choose a doctor who can spend time on the case and patient, keep updating themselves with the latest scientific developments, etc. Treatment & Results: If with treatment the symptoms are not improving or the disease is not progressing as initially explained, you must go over the diagnosis all over again, including a second or third opinion. At the age of 15 and 1/2, Tishaa received a vaccine that may have triggered an autoimmune condition, leading to an incorrect diagnosis. if your child is experiencing “lymph node swellings,” pls take immediate action. make sure to get a second and third opinion before going in for a “bone marrow” test or a biopsy. lymph nodes can also swell due to emotional trauma. — Kishen Kumar’s wife TanyaSimilarly, ABC Bullion, a renowned gold dealer, has adjusted its selling prices for gold bars and coins to reflect the current market trends. The company has implemented a 3% reduction in prices across its product range, in line with the overall decrease in gold prices.

At the heart of the virtual live streaming industry lies the use of green screens, a technology that allows creators to seamlessly integrate themselves into virtual environments. These green screens serve as the canvas on which elaborate sets and backgrounds are digitally superimposed, creating the illusion of a realistic and dynamic space. While this technology has revolutionized the way content is created and consumed, it has also given rise to a shadowy industry built on deception and manipulation.BOCA RATON, Fla. , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Boca Woods Country Club is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newly redesigned Woods golf course. This momentous occasion took place on Sunday, December 8th at 12:00 PM , with a celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony marking the culmination of a remarkable $9M transformation that has captivated the attention of golf enthusiasts far and wide. More than 450 Members and distinguished guests from industry and government joined the Club for the ribbon cutting ceremony, cocktails and hors d' oeuvres. Attendees included PGA Junior Club Members standing aside past Club Presidents, sharing a commitment to excellence demonstrated by the investment to fully renovate the Woods Course. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a lifetime Boca Woods Country Club Membership accepted by Rees Jones . The outcome of this extensive renovation: a formidable championship golf course, meticulously designed by the renowned Rees Jones and delivered through the craftsmanship of LaBar Golf. Stretching to a maximum yardage of 7,043 yards, the course boasts key risk/reward decisions for the experienced golfer while offering better playable options for those less experienced. Some key highlights of the renovation include: Redesigned Greens: Completely rebuilt to provide smoother, truer, and more consistent putting surfaces. Enhanced bunkering: Strategically repositioned and reshaped to create visual appeal and challenge. Improved drainage: a state-of-the-art drainage system has been implemented to ensure optimal playing conditions year-round, even after heavy rainfall. New Tee Boxes: multiple tee boxes have been added and repositioned on each hole, providing players of all skill levels with a fair and enjoyable challenge. " The Woods course is now a true championship layout, playing to a maximum yardage of 7,043 yards." Said Jeff Gullett , Director of Golf. He continued, " Rees Jones has incorporated a combination of green complexes and bunkering that will test every golfer's ability. We are confident that our Members will be delighted with the results." The Woods golf course offers an inspired blend of challenging greens and strategically placed bunkers, promising to test the mettle of even the most seasoned golfers. The harmonious fusion of design elements guarantees a truly exceptional and unforgettable round of golf. What truly distinguishes the Woods course is its serene and secluded setting. Nestled away from the luxury homes that dot the community, the course immerses players in the tranquility of South Florida's nature, offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. " Bryce Swanson and I are pleased that the Woods Course at Boca Woods is reopening on time and on budget. The redesign of the golf course enhances the course's playability, strategy, and variety. The remodeled golf course will provide an enjoyable and thought-provoking experience for the Members and their guests on a continuing basis. It has been a pleasure to work with all involved in this project," said Rees Jones . This renovation is particularly significant due to Boca Woods' unique position in the golfing world. With 36 holes of championship golf and a limited Membership of only 590 golfers, Boca Woods provides an unparalleled level of exclusivity and access. The newly renovated Woods course further solidifies the club's reputation as a golfer's paradise, offering a rare combination of world-class amenities and a close-knit community of passionate enthusiasts. " It is amazing to witness the evolution taking place at this Club." Says David Sweet, General Manager/ COO. He continues, "In the last four years, Members have supported the development of modern amenities: a new Clubhouse with state-of-the-art virtual meeting spaces, a sports and wellness complex that offers 10,000 sq ft of fitness, modern racquet sports facilities including lights for night play, and now this championship course developed in partnership with the best names in the business. Rees has left his mark on Boca Woods, and the Club's future is bright!" Central to the course's allure is the masterful touch of Rees Jones , whose design philosophy seamlessly integrates the natural beauty of the surroundings with the strategic demands of the game. The result is a golfing experience that is both visually captivating and intellectually stimulating. "The Rees Jones' update to our Woods Course is inspirational. Coupled with renovations designed by Kipp Schulties on the Lakes Course, we offer a small community of players a wide range of golfing opportunities. As President of Boca Woods, I am proud of what we accomplished and the time frame we worked within. We listened to our players: men and women, scratch players and weekenders... the result is 36 holes of magnificent golf course architecture that challenges the best and offers playable options for every level. Our demographics say it all (reference the generations photo), and there are tee boxes for every player at every age to enjoy. Boca Woods is setting the standard" said Howard Mittleman , Board President for Boca Woods Country Club. The renovation of the Woods golf course represents a substantial investment in elevating the club's amenities, ensuring Members have exceptional golf experiences. The comprehensive project followed a $14.5M building and facilities renovation. For more information on the new Woods golf course or to inquire about membership opportunities, please visit bocawoodscc.com . The Club foresees many future investments, including the installation of TopTracer (technology owned and used by Top Golf Entertainment Group) on the driving range, sharing information about every shot for Members through fully integrated technology inclusive of ballistics scopes delivering multiple data points for every shot. About Boca Woods Country Club Boca Woods Country Club is an established residential country club community located in Boca Raton, Florida . Membership at Boca Woods offers extraordinary value in a golf community that features two championship golf courses and all the amenities that private country club living has to offer. Boca Woods Country Club is dedicated to providing a residential country club lifestyle featuring a community and club culture characterized by friendliness, civility and respect for its members and staff in an overall setting of refinement and casual elegance. Media Contact: membership@bocawoodscc.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grand-opening-of-the-rees-jones-woods-golf-course-announced-at-boca-woods-country-club-302334242.html SOURCE Boca Woods Country Club

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One of the primary issues raised by foreign media is the amount of playing time LeBron James is logging during games. Despite his age and the wear and tear on his body, James continues to play extensive minutes, often exceeding 35 minutes per game. This heavy workload is leading to speculation about whether the Lakers are overrelying on James and not managing his playing time effectively.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislative Republicans moved closer Monday to enacting a measure that would erode the powers of the incoming governor and other Democratic officials, and also placing on the ballot constitutional amendments that could buttress GOP voting and tax policies. Along party lines, the GOP-dominated state Senate voted successfully to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of a bill that in part would weaken Gov.-elect Josh Stein, the next attorney general in Jeff Jackson and other Democrats also elected in November as lieutenant governor and schools superintendent. Those changes are within a 131-page measure initially approved two weeks ago during a lame-duck session of the General Assembly. Republicans advanced the measure as their current veto-proof majority over Cooper likely will end after this month as Democrats won additional House seats. That will give Stein, who takes office in January, a better chance to use his veto stamp to block successfully bills he opposes. Cooper vetoed the measure last week , calling the bill a “sham” that does very little financially to help with Hurricane Helene recovery, even as “disaster relief” was included in the bill's title. He also said provisions altering executive branch powers were unconstitutional. One provision starting in the spring would end the governor's authority to appoint the State Board of Elections and transfer it to the state auditor, who will now be Republican Dave Boliek. The bill now returns to the House, where last month three Republicans voted against the measure. Such a margin, if left intact, could scuttle the attempted override expected next week. Senate leader Phil Berger said after Monday’s vote he was confident that House Republicans would have the votes to complete the override. Even then, litigation is possible. The GOP-controlled legislature has tried to change the election board’s makeup for several years by passing laws that have been blocked by courts, including one last year that would move board appointment authority from the governor to the General Assembly. As with the Senate's initial debate on the bill two weeks ago, the chamber gallery was full of bill opponents who call it a Republican power grab after the electorate chose Democrats to top positions in the Nov. 5 elections. Republicans are “not listening to the voters in North Carolina,” said demonstrator Della Hann, 64, of Southport. “There are checks and balances in government and they need to be respected.” But Berger said in a news release that the provisions "actually balance our three branches of state government so that North Carolina remains on a positive trajectory, free from Democratic party and liberal activist obstruction.” Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the Senate's presiding officer, ordered the Senate gallery cleared last month when visitors clapped once too often during a debate on the measure. On Monday, Robinson cleared the gallery again following disruptions after Cooper's veto message was read and right before the vote. “Everybody's got to go,” Robinson said before calling for a 10-minute recess. To avoid potential arrest, protesters left the Legislative Building or quieted down outside the gallery. Senate Republicans proceeded later to approve in separate bills proposed amendments to the North Carolina Constitution related to photo voter identification and a cap on income taxes. Each received 30 votes — exactly the number needed for a constitutional referendum. To be placed on ballots statewide in November 2026, these measures still would have to be voted on by the House by the end of the year and receive 72 votes. Constitutional amendments aren't subject to vetoes. One proposed referendum would, if approved by a majority of voters, amend the constitution to say all North Carolina voters must show photo identification before voting. The constitution currently only specifies that it's required for in-person voting. ID exceptions are allowed now and would remain with the amendment. The other referendum would set a rate cap on income taxes at 5%, down from the current 7%. Individual and corporate income tax rates are currently both below 5% in the state, and state laws separate from the constitution already direct that people voting by mail provide a photocopy of a qualifying identification. Senate Republicans backing the ID question said it's important to ensure that all forms of voting will be treated equally going forward as it relates to photo ID, which the GOP successfully got approved in 2018 but didn't take effect until last year. And with Republicans approving multiple income tax reductions over the years that have boosted the state economy, Cabarrus County Republican Sen . Paul Newton said, it's time again to let voters decide whether they should remain permanently lower. Democrats opposed to a lower tax cap say the state is already facing revenue challenges in light of lower tax rates that will make it harder to address major spending needs. Gary D. Robertson, The Associated PressThe price of bitcoin surpassed $100,000 for the first time on Wednesday, soaring to a fresh high as the world's largest cryptocurrency extended a rally set off by the election of former President Donald Trump. Bitcoin has climbed more than 40% since Election Day, when voters opted for a candidate viewed as friendly toward digital currency. Those gains have far outpaced the stock market. The S &P 500 has increased about 2.4% over that period, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq has jumped 2.6%. On the campaign trail, Trump vowed to bolster the cryptocurrency sector and ease regulations enforced by the Biden administration. Trump also promised to establish the federal government's first National Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. Trump said he would replace Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler, whom many crypto proponents dislike for what they perceive as a robust approach to crypto regulation. Gensler announced that he plans to resign on Jan. 20, 2025, the date of Trump's inauguration. The post-election euphoria has lifted other parts of the crypto sector. Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, has climbed 27%. Lesser-known dogecoin has skyrocketed about 140%, while litecoin has surged 35%. Shares of Coinbase, a top crypto trading platform, have increased more than 70% since Trump's reelection. The growth in recent weeks extends a remarkable turnabout for the once-beleaguered crypto industry. The sector entered this year bruised after a series of high-profile collapses and company scandals. FTX, a multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency exchange co-founded by Sam Bankman-Fried, collapsed in November 2022. The implosion set off a 17-month legal saga that resulted in the conviction of Bankman-Fried for fraud. In April, Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Changpeng Zhao, the founder and former CEO of major cryptocurrency exchange Binance, was sentenced to four months in prison in April after pleading guilty to charges that his platform had enabled illicit financial activity. The reelection of Trump marks the latest in a series of positive developments that have buoyed cryptocurrency this year. Those gains have been propelled, in part, by U.S. approval in January of bitcoin ETFs, or exchange-traded funds. Bitcoin ETFs allow investors to buy into an asset that tracks the price movement of bitcoin, while avoiding the inconvenience and risk of purchasing the crypto coin itself. Last month, options on BlackRock's popular iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) were made available for trading on the Nasdaq. The options, which provide a new avenue for bitcoin investors, allow individuals to commit to buy or sell the ETF at a given price by a specific date. While such investments typically come with additional risk, they can also make large payouts. IBIT inched upward 1% on Friday, reaching a record high of about $56. Bryan Armour, the director of passive strategies research at financial firm Morningstar, attributed the recent crypto surge to investors' anticipation of friendly policy under Trump, as well as the newly available options trading for bitcoin ETFs. Still, the performance of cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, has proven volatile, Armour added. The price of bitcoin could fall, especially if Trump encounters difficulty following through on his campaign commitments, he said. "As long as the narrative stays positive, there's always room to grow," Armour told ABC News before bitcoin reached $100,000. "I also think campaign promises don't always come to fruition." "It's still a highly volatile asset," Armour added.None

NoneGhana has introduced a new citizen-driven digital platform aimed at bolstering transparency in the electoral process. The iCollate app allows voters to actively participate in the collation of polling station results, providing a tool for real-time updates and evidence submission. Developed by Ghanaian ICT firm Wigal Vision Ltd, iCollate empowers citizens to upload election results, submit photos and videos, and access nationwide updates directly from polling stations. The app is available for download on both the Google Play Store and Apple Store, with additional access through the website iCollate.app and a shortcode ( 800 2024#) for feature phone users. “This app represents a collective effort by Ghanaians to safeguard our democracy and ensure transparency. iCollate lets citizens take an active role in ensuring elections are free, fair, and accountable,” said the project lead for iCollate. While the platform is not an official results declaration tool and does not aim to override the Electoral Commission’s authority, it serves as a citizen-led effort to improve the accuracy and integrity of election result collation. iCollate provides a vital opportunity for the public to verify results at the grassroots level and contribute to the integrity of the process. The introduction of iCollate highlights the growing role of technology in strengthening democratic processes, offering a more inclusive way for Ghanaians to participate in monitoring their elections. Call to Action for the Media The media is encouraged to leverage iCollate as a resource for real-time updates during the election period. By using data and visual evidence submitted by citizens, journalists can enhance their election coverage. The media is also urged to promote the app to the public, helping to maximize its impact and support transparency in the electoral process.

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Stock market today: Wall Street gets back to climbing, and the Nasdaq tops 20,000Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Announces $100 Million At-The-Market Equity Offering Program

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 4:49 p.m. ESTRams don't dominate, but they're rolling toward the playoffs with superb complementary football

Leaky roof forces Oregon Tech to cancel men's basketball exhibition Saturday with Seattle MountaineersWhile the internet is abuzz about the jingling keys that is generative AI, some of the biggest companies on the planet are preparing to unveil some of the biggest artificial intelligence integrations at CES 2025 . And many of those AI products from companies like Samsung and LG are focused on more practical AI solutions like home appliances. Here's a look at what we can expect at CES 2025. Samsung's AI for All home appliances The day before CES 2025 officially opens is expected to be a big one for major tech companies as many have planned press conferences on Jan. 6. Companies like Samsung will make their official announcements before finally showcasing the newly announced products on the CES show floor on Jan. 7. Samsung just announced the theme for its CES 2025 press conference: "AI for All: Everyday, Everywhere." The theme seems to coincide with a number of home appliance products that Samsung is poised to unveil at CES. Smart appliances appear to be a highlight of Samsung's CES offerings. The company just announced that it will be bringing AI to many home appliances such as refrigerators and washers and dryers. For example, Samsung announced that it will be bringing new refrigerators to CES with AI Hybrid Cooling technology. These refrigerators will be able to anticipate temperature changes based on usage and automatically adjust its cooling as a result. The Bespoke AI Washer and Dryer that the company will reveal provides a wash cycle monitor and energy monitoring. Samsung will also be showcasing its Bespoke Wall Oven which has an AI-powered recipe feature. While some of these features may not be entirely new to the home appliance industry, Samsung is highlighting new large touchscreens that will be implemented in these smart home appliances which provide a new standard in visual monitoring and control for consumers. Hisense brings AI recipes to the fridge Samsung isn't the only company introducing AI recipe features into its home appliances. Hisense will be bringing new ConnectLife home appliance features to some of its kitchen products. The company already announced an AI-powered recipe assistant as well as a Meal Planner with AI-powered suggestions that will factor in dietary needs, nutritional goals, and the user's available ingredients. The recipe suggestions can also be tailored to each individual member of a family. LG AI-powered TVs LG will undoubtedly be showcasing its new QNED evo TVs, which the company just recently announced, at CES 2025. LG's 2025 QNED evo TVs will bring AI-enhanced picture and audio to your favorite movies and shows. The TVs will introduce a new AI-powered feature called Dynamic Tone Mapping that will find the perfect HDR and brightness settings for each specific media. The AI will also provide similar audio quality improvements to LG's QNED TVs. AI will be able to take dialogue and boost these voices over background noise. The AI will also be able to convert 2-channel sound to virtual 9.1.2 channel sound. In addition to audio and visual enhancements, AI will also be coming to LG's new QNED TVs' remote controls. LG will unveil a new AI Magic Remote which comes with an AI button that will provide content recommendations and viewing choices. Voice-powered AI search, TV picture and audio customization, and even a generative AI gallery will also be offered through the AI-powered remote.Via When the story of global nickel prices is written for 2024, Indonesia and China will undoubtedly be the main characters. This is not only due to the former country’s high production output but also alleged violations of environmental rules and poor labor practices, which Indonesia has consistently denied. Indonesia is in global nickel production, accounting for 51% of the world’s total mine production. The country also sits on 42% of total global reserves. Because of this, it’s been a major investment hub for Chinese firms. According to SandP Global Commodity Insights, is projected to hit 2.1 million metric tons in 2024—over 50% of the expected global output and more than double its 2020 levels. In the rest of the world, the nickel story has turned sour of late. Everywhere you look, mines and smelters are either closed or about to be. Adding to the woes is the fact that benchmark nickel prices remained down in 2024 from the highs of 2022. The Economist says most sector experts blame these problems on Indonesia because of its , poor environment and labor laws and cheap coal power, a hot mix for those who want to undercut the competition. According to media reports, mining giant Vale is implementing across its global operations due to the continued decline in nickel prices. While the company has not revealed how many of its Sudbury, Ontario employees will be affected, it stated that the layoffs will mainly focus on “non-operating roles.” Nickel is vital to various industries and applications. Despite its relatively low profile, nickel is highly versatile, which makes it an essential component in many modern technologies and products. For example, nickel is a key alloying element in l, which is used in construction, transportation and consumer goods. It can also be used to create high-temperature alloys for aerospace, power generation and chemical processing. However, the most immediate reason for nickel’s prima donna status is its use in rechargeable batteries, such as nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, as well as in electronic components like switches, contacts and connectors. As electric vehicles become more popular in the West and other nations, nickel production and use continue to spike. Indonesia is planning to step on the gas pedal next year as far as production is concerned, as reports claim that its four major publicly listed nickel companies, PT Aneka Tambang (Antam), Merdeka Battery Materials (MBMA), Trimegah Bangun Persada (TBP Harita) and PT Vale Indonesia (Vale), are all in expansion mode. According to a report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, these firms want to within the next 5 years. Last year, these four companies produced 353,000 tons of nickel. At the same time, they generated 5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Indonesia managed to jockey itself into the number one position by implementing a ban on unprocessed nickel ore exports in 2020. Still, processing nickel for EV batteries carries a considerable environmental and carbon footprint. By Sohrab DarabshawGoogle on Wednesday announced the launch of Gemini 2.0, its most advanced artificial intelligence model to date, as the world's tech giants race to take the lead in the fast developing technology. CEO Sundar Pichai said the new model would mark what the company calls "a new agentic era" in AI development, with AI models designed to understand and make decisions about the world around you. "Gemini 2.0 is about making information much more useful," Pichai said in the announcement, emphasizing the model's enhanced ability to understand context, think multiple steps ahead and take supervised actions on behalf of users. The developments "bring us closer to our vision of a universal assistant," he added. The release sent shares in Google soaring by more than four percent on Wall Street a day after the stock already gained 3.5 percent after the release of a breakthrough quantum chip. The tech giants are furiously taking steps to release more powerful AI models despite their immense cost and some questions about their immediate usefulness to the broader economy. An AI "agent," the latest Silicon Valley trend, is a digital helper that is supposed to sense surroundings, make decisions, and take actions to achieve specific goals. The tech giants promise that agents will be the next stage of an AI revolution that was sparked by the 2022 launch of ChatGPT, which took the world by storm. Gemini 2.0 is initially being rolled out to developers and trusted testers, with plans for broader integration across Google's products, particularly in Search and the Gemini platform. The technology is powered by Google's sixth-generation TPU (Tensor Processing Unit) hardware, dubbed Trillium, which the company has now made generally available to customers. Google emphasized that Trillium processors were used exclusively for both training and running Gemini 2.0. Most AI training has been monopolized by chip juggernaut Nvidia, which has been catapulted by the AI explosion to become one of the world's most valuable companies. Google said that millions of developers are already building applications with Gemini technology, which has been integrated into seven Google products, each serving more than two billion users. Gemini 2.0's powers are expected to come in early 2025 to Google's search application, still the company's main money-maker. The first release from the 2.0 family of models will be Flash, offering faster performance while handling multiple types of input (text, images, video, audio) and output (including generated images and speech). Gemini users worldwide can already tap into a chat-only version of Flash, the company said, with testers given access to a multimodal version that can interpret images and surroundings. Google also said it was experimenting with a product that can use software apps, websites and other online tools, much like a human user. OpenAI and Anthropic have unveiled similar features. The company also teased a new version of Project Astra, a smartphone digital assistant like Apple's Siri that responds to images as well as verbal commands. arp/des

Quarterback Joe Burrow's home broken into during Monday night game: Officials

The Talbot County Department of Corrections extended its mission beyond the walls of the detention center by supporting local residents in need. This Thanksgiving season, staff members “adopted” two families from St. Mark’s Village, a senior and handicap housing development located at 212 Bay Street just behind the detention center. Deputy Director Cindy Green, who was recently promoted to her position, shared that the department provided food baskets and essential household items to Carolyn Hitch and Carl Fluharty, ensuring these residents could enjoy the holiday season. “At the Department of Corrections, we are committed to building and maintaining strong community ties,” Green said. “Through programs like this, we show that we are an active part of the community, helping those in need and working to make a positive impact.” Each year, the department also supports a Christmas initiative by adopting a family identified through the Department of Social Services. The department provides essential items such as household goods, clothing and gifts for children, ensuring families in need have a brighter holiday season. Additionally, the department facilitates an annual tradition where incarcerated individuals send Christmas cards to their loved ones, helping to maintain positive family connections during the holiday season. Throughout the year, the department continues to support local charities like Endless Vision, founded by Captain Bobby Johnson. This charity organizes events to raise funds for school supplies, winter coats and food for families on the Eastern Shore. Johnson’s work is focused on youth seminars, block parties and charity basketball games with other correctional facilities. These events help strengthen community ties, and Johnson is hopeful that in the coming year, law enforcement agencies will participate to further foster trust and collaboration. “We are always looking for ways to engage with the community and break down the barriers between law enforcement and the public,” Green said. “Our goal is not just to provide incarceration but to actively contribute to the rehabilitation and positive transformation of those in our care.” For more information about the Talbot County Department of Corrections, visit talbotcountymd.gov/corrections .

A fugitive gains fame in New Orleans eluding dart guns and nets NEW ORLEANS (AP) — For months, a fugitive dog known as Scrim has transfixed the city of New Orleans. The 17-pound mutt has gained fame eluding a tenacious band of citizens wielding a tranquilizer dart gun and night vision binoculars. He's already escaped two homes. Now his sightings are plotted on a crowd-sourced Google map. Animal rescuers hope to capture the renegade pooch and put him in a place that's safe and secure. But there's a backlash, fueled by the now-viral video of Scrim leaping out a two-story window, under the hashtag #FreeScrim, as some think the dog should be able to roam free. McConnell falls and sprains wrist after GOP luncheon, colleague says he is 'fine' WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell fell and sprained his wrist while walking out of a GOP luncheon on Tuesday, the latest in a series of medical incidents for him in recent years. That's according to a senator who was with him when it happened. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the No. 3 Senate Republican and a doctor, said McConnell walked back to his office after the fall with no assistance and had “a small scratch.” Medical staff were seen taking a wheelchair into McConnell’s office just before a scheduled weekly news conference. McConnell, who is stepping down from his leadership post at the end of the year, did not attend the news conference. Who is Tony Buzbee, the lawyer suing Jay-Z as part of civil cases against Sean 'Diddy' Combs? HOUSTON (AP) — High-profile legal battles are nothing new for Texas attorney Tony Buzbee. His latest is a lawsuit he’s filed against rapper Jay-Z. Buzbee is accusing the iconic rapper as well as Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting a minor at an awards show after-party in 2000. The lawsuit against Jay-Z is part of multiple civil cases Buzbee has filed on behalf of more than 150 people who allege sexual abuse and exploitation at the hands of Combs, who denies the claims. In his legal career, Buzbee has represented a variety of clients, including victims of sexual assault and well-known politicians. His critics say he’s full of bluster and bombast. Buzbee's firm says he's worked to “pursue justice against powerful figures.” OpenAI releases AI video generator Sora but limits how it depicts people SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — OpenAI has publicly released its new artificial intelligence video generator Sora but won’t let most users depict people as it monitors for patterns of misuse. Users of a premium version of OpenAI’s flagship product ChatGPT can now use Sora to instantly create AI-generated videos based on written commands. Among the highlighted examples are high-quality video clips of sumo-wrestling bears and a cat sipping coffee. But only a small set of invited testers can use Sora to make videos of humans as OpenAI works to “address concerns around misappropriation of likeness and deepfakes,” the company said in a blog post. Soto's record $765 million, 15-year contract with Mets reverberates through Major League Baseball DALLAS (AP) — Juan Soto’s record $765 million, 15-year contract with the New York Mets, the largest and longest deal in baseball history, has reverberated across the winter meetings. It stung the Yankees, who offered $760 million over 16 years to the All-Star outfielder. Soto’s deal sparked even greater expectations in a free agent market that includes pitchers Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, first basemen Pete Alonso and Christian Walker, third baseman Alex Bregman and outfielder Anthony Santander. Many small-market teams have long sought a salary cap but the consensus since the 1994-95 strike has been not to propose a hard limit. Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to change his family’s trust over Fox News media empire control rejected RENO, Nev. (AP) — A sealed document obtained by The New York Times says a Nevada commissioner has ruled against Rupert Murdoch’s effort to change his family’s trust to give his son Lachlan Murdoch control of his media empire and ensure Fox News maintains its conservative editorial slant. The commissioner concluded in a decision filed on Saturday that the two men had acted in “bad faith” in their bid to amend the irrevocable trust. Lachlan Murdoch is the head of Fox News and News Corp. The trust divides control of the company equally among Murdoch’s four oldest children after his death. A lawyer for Rupert Murdoch says he and his son intend to appeal the ruling. Greyhound racing is increasingly rare worldwide. New Zealand now plans to outlaw the practice WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand's racing minister says the country will outlaw greyhound racing, citing the injury rates for racing dogs. He says it will be shut down over the next 20 months, allowing time for those it employs to find other work and homes to be found for the 2,900 racing dogs. New Zealand is one of only a handful of countries where commercial greyhound racing is held. The industry body says the government has not recognized the progress it has made in animal welfare. The government passed an urgent law Tuesday barring greyhound owners from killing dogs as the industry winds down. Trustee over Infowars auction asks court to approve The Onion's winning bid A trustee who oversaw the bankruptcy auction of Alex Jones’ Infowars is asking a judge to approve The Onion’s winning bid for the conspiracy-filled platform. Trustee Christopher Murray took the stand Tuesday in the second day of testimony at a hearing where a judge is scrutinizing the satirical news outlet’s winning offer. He told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston that he was there asking a court to approve the sale of Infowars’ parent company to The Onion’s parent company. It is not clear how quickly Lopez will rule. The Onion wants to turn Infowars’ website and social media accounts into parodies. Still rockin': As a singer turns 80, the Christmas song she sang as a teen is a holiday staple NEW YORK (AP) — Brenda Lee's memories of recording “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree” are a little hazy now. But that's to be expected, since she was 13-years-old when it was made in 1958 and this month is celebrating her 80th birthday. The song has lived a remarkable life, and even unseated Mariah Carey's “All I Want for Christmas is You” at the top of the Billboard charts last year. Experts say the way it evokes a simpler time at the “Christmas party hop” is a key to its success. The song achieves the neat trick of sounding retro without being dated. Mass evacuation of Philippine villages underway after a brief but major volcanic eruption MANILA, Philippines (AP) — About 87,000 people are being evacuated in a central Philippine region after a volcano erupted with a huge plume of ash and superhot streams of gas and debris hurtling down its slopes. The eruption Monday of Mount Kanlaon on central Negros island did not cause any immediate casualties, but the alert level was raised one level, indicating further and more explosive eruptions may occur. Volcanic ash fell over a wide area, nine flights were canceled or diverted, schools were closed and a nighttime curfew was imposed in the most vulnerable areas. Mass evacuations were being carried out urgently in towns and villages nearest the volcano's western and southern slopes.

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For the second straight Major League Baseball offseason, a norm-shattering contract has been the talk of the winter , with Juan Soto agreeing with the New York Mets on a $765 million, 15-year deal that's the richest in baseball history. It comes almost exactly one year after the Los Angeles Dodgers forked out a princely sum of $700 million on a 10-year, heavily deferred deal for two-way Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani. They are believed to be the two richest contracts in pro sports history. The way it's going, a contract approaching $1 billion doesn't seem out of the question. But several factors are working against it — at least in the near future. There's reason to believe the megadeals for Ohtani and Soto are unicorns in the baseball world. Both players are uniquely talented, surely, but both also had unusual circumstances propelling their value into the stratosphere. Ohtani is the greatest two-way player in baseball history, capable of improving any team on both sides of the ball. He's also the rare baseball player who has true international appeal . His every move ( like his unexpected marriage announcement ) is followed closely in his native Japan, adding another 125 million potential fans who buy merchandise, watch him play and help fill the Dodgers' coffers. Then there's Soto — a four-time All-Star and on-base machine who won a World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019. The X-factor for him is he became a free agent at the prime age of 26, which is extremely hard to do under current MLB rules. Players have to be in the big leagues for six years before testing free agency. The precocious Soto debuted at 19 with the Nats, making him part of a rare group of players who reached the highest level of professional baseball as a teenager. That accelerated his free agency timeline. It's rare for players to debut that young, and rarer still for them to develop into stars and test the open market the first chance they get. Two recent examples are Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, who both reached free agency in 2019. Machado signed a free-agent record $300 million contract with San Diego, and Harper overtook him days later with a $330 million contract to join the Phillies. Most players debut in the big leagues from ages 22 to 26, which means free agency comes in their late 20s or early 30s. A typical example is Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who is one of this generation's great players but didn't hit the market until he was 30. Judge played three seasons of college baseball for Fresno State before getting drafted by the Yankees in 2013 at age 21 — already two years older than Soto was when he made his MLB debut. It took a few years for the budding superstar to reach the majors, and he was 25 when he had his breakout season in 2018, smashing 52 homers to earn AL Rookie of the Year honors. By the time he reached free agency after the 2022 season, he had already passed age 30. It's a major factor that led to him signing a $360 million, nine-year deal with the Yankees, which seems downright reasonable these days after the Ohtani and Soto deals. Two major trends are colliding that will make it harder for guys like Soto to hit free agency in their mid 20s. First, MLB teams have been more likely in recent years to take college players early in the draft, betting on more experienced talents. Just 10 high school players were drafted among the top 30 picks in the 2024 draft . Second, teams are more eager to lock up young, premium talent on long-term deals very early in their careers, well before they hit free agency. Sometimes before they even reach the majors. Since Soto, just two players have debuted in MLB before their 20th birthday — Elvis Luciano and Junior Caminero. Luciano hasn't been back to the majors since his 2019 cup of coffee. Caminero is now 21 and has only played in 50 big league games. Among those that debuted at 20: Fernando Tatis Jr. signed a $340 million, 14-year deal with San Diego in 2021, years before reaching the open market. Milwaukee's Jackson Chourio got an $82 million, eight-year deal before even reaching the big leagues. Young stars Corbin Carroll ($111 million, eight years with Arizona), Bobby Witt Jr. ($288 million, 11 years with Kansas City) and Julio Rodriguez ($209.3 million, 12 years with Seattle) also got massive guarantees early in their 20s to forgo an early free agency. The exception and wild card: Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be a 26-year-old free agent next offseason. Guerrero hasn't been as consistent in his young career as Soto, but a standout 2025 season could position him to threaten Soto's deal. More likely is that the player to pass Soto isn't in the majors yet — and might not even be in pro baseball. When 25-year-old Alex Rodriguez signed his record $252 million, 10-year deal with Texas in 2001, it took over a decade for another player to match that total, when Albert Pujols got $240 million over 10 years from the Angels in 2012. For many players, passing up life-changing money in their early or mid 20s is too enticing, even if it means that they might not maximize their value on the free agent market later in their careers. Soto was determined to test the market. He famously turned down a $440 million, 15-year offer to stay with the Washington Nationals in 2022, betting that he could make even more as a free agent. Not many players would turn down that kind of cash. Then again, that's what makes Soto so unique. And it's also why his $765 million deal could be the industry standard for some time. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb