“Are you guys chefs or something?” It’s a question Oliver Poilevey, Marcos Ascencio and Alex Martinez get asked a lot when they tailgate at Bears home games. They hear it while setting up their butane burners and putting the blue-and-white tablecloths on their folding tables. They hear it when doing prep work. And they definitely hear it once the various dishes — seafood paella, truffle-topped soft scrambled eggs and brioche French toast with foie gras, for example — are ready and shared with those fortunate to be nearby. No surprise then that the answer is a resounding yes. Poilevey is chef/partner at Le Bouchon, Obelix, Mariscos San Pedro and Taqueria Chingon; Ascencio is chef/partner at Mariscos and Chingon; and Martinez is chef/partner at Mariscos. ( Taqueria Chingon ‘s last day in Wicker Park is Nov. 26, but the search for a new location is underway.) Season ticket holders for the last three years, the trio regularly bring their A-game to their tailgating at the 31st Street parking lot near Soldier Field — even if the Bears don’t bring theirs. Of the three, Poilevey is the biggest Bears fan and gets the most heartbroken over the team’s losses, while Ascencio and Martinez have learned to roll with the inevitable punches. Whether they’re doing a crawfish boil, steakhouse-style fare, or whatever the three conjure up, the menu planning often begins at the previous tailgate. “We’re constantly like, ‘Hey, what should we do next week?’” says Ascencio of the informal planning, which is sometimes influenced by the team the Bears are playing, or more often by what they have on hand at the restaurants. Poilevey admits having top-notch ingredients at their fingertips is a major advantage. For a recent tailgate, the plan was to do dishes that represented all their restaurants. At the end of one Saturday night’s service, the chefs gathered last-minute ingredients for the next day’s tailgate. A large plastic bin was stocked with steaks, duck breasts, caviar, cheese, butter and chorizo. Containers of various sauces, their names and dates clearly marked on blue masking tape, went into the bin too. “You don’t want to save too much of that stuff for the day of, especially if it’s a noon game,” Poilevey says. “You’re waking up at 7 a.m. after working the night before and you will forget something.” Aiding in the preparation process is a ready-to-go kit that includes the basics — dubbed “the Bear essentials” — such as towels, knives, seasonings, wipes, cutting boards and utensils. Post-game, the kit goes back to one of the restaurants where items are cleaned and replaced as needed. An avid camper, Ascencio takes charge of the kit. Ideally, everything goes back in the box, except for that time when the salt didn’t (don’t ask). On game day, Ascencio typically arrives first as his SUV is packed with the equipment, kit and coolers. The unpacking of it resembles those circus clown cars with item after item endlessly coming out. Setup, on the other hand, looks like a race car pit change with each chef quickly organizing their respective stations. Conversation isn’t needed as they know exactly what to do. Ascencio lights the charcoal for the small Japanese grill and sets up the paella propane cooker, while Poilevey readies the snacks, such as freshly shucked oysters, pate en croute and raw tuna topped with salsa negra. “We like to have something to eat as we work,” says Poilevey, who’s also in charge of caviar bumps. “This man never leaves the house without caviar,” quips his girlfriend, Sonia Balzak. Freshly baked croissants and doughnuts grabbed from Obelix that morning are unboxed. Meanwhile, Martinez is warming up duck consommé, which will be paired with maitake mushrooms that Poilevey has thinly sliced and placed into cups for easy serving. Chicken stock for paella is warmed up on a second butane burner. Once it’s done, Martinez will get started on the soft scrambled eggs prepared in a bain-marie. Their handiwork hasn’t gone unnoticed. “You guys are fun to watch,” says Clarence Boot of Naperville, who, along with two friends, has been eyeing the chefs from their neighboring spot. “You guys are doing it right,” adds Dick Patton, also from Naperville. After the duck consommé is served — a paper cup is MacGyvered as a ladle as they forgot to bring one — Martinez gets to work on the torre de mariscos, think a multi-layered cake but with tuna, octopus, shrimp and scallops. The fish tower rests on a bed of red and green salsas and is topped with sliced avocado. Poilevey steps away from his station to help man the grill and lightly sears Wagyu steak, octopus and duck breasts. Those are topped simply with salt and sliced, making for tasty finger food. “Typically, we’re not trying to put together really complex dishes with a bunch of ingredients,” Poilevey says. “It’s more about really great product, cooked well and seasoned right.” Little by little friends and co-workers arrive, as do the Champagne splits, bottles of wine and beer. The tequila comes out later. “They all know we tailgate for home games and are invited,” Martinez says. Ascencio is now in full paella mode, methodically adding each ingredient to the large pan. There’s chorizo, mussels, shrimp, calamari and squid in addition to the rice. Chicken stock is added in waves. At 10:30 a.m., the finished product is topped with peas and drizzled with a spicy crema before being handed out to anyone who asks, including some who have gotten to know the trio from previous tailgates and search them out. “If you’re making something nice, bring enough to share,” Ascensio says. “Spreading love is what food and hospitality is about.” “Oh, paella, holy s−−−,” shouts a guy walking by. “That’s a work of art.” At the parking spot next door, Robert McClendon of Crown Point, Indiana, has been watching closely, sampling dishes here and there. Initially, he wasn’t so sure about the paella, but after trying it, he comes back for a heaping plate to bring home to his wife. “I’m glad we got parked next to them,” he says. Sharing their culinary knowledge is a big part of the chefs’ tailgating experience. “It’s not only about cooking and enjoying that but also educating too,” Martinez says. “We like to show people what we do and introduce them to new stuff.” An added bonus: Some of those folks end up visiting the restaurants. By 11 a.m. attention turns to cleanup. There is, after all, a Bears game to go to in case you forgot. Like other aspects of their tailgating, that has a system too. Early on, Ascencio sourced out where still-warm coals and garbage can be discarded, a process that’s been ongoing. Another tip? “I always tell people when they tailgate to clean as you go,” he says. Similar to setup, the breakdown is equally disciplined, although now those co-workers and friends help. Soon the only evidence of their tailgating is a small piece of octopus on the ground. Then they start their 30-minute trek to Soldier Field. So why would these chefs want to spend their day off once again cooking for others? “We don’t turn this off. It’s in our blood,” Poilevey says. “We’re chefs for a living because we love to cook and host and that carries over to all other aspects of our lives.” Lisa Shames is a freelance writer.Wisconsin officer grabbing Nebraska coach's arm a 'misunderstanding,' police sayNoneThe expanded Big Ten is poised to be a major player in this season's College Football Playoff. The 18-team conference had three of the top-four teams in the AP poll this week — No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Penn State. A one-loss Indiana team is ranked 10th but is still very much a contender to make the playoff, given how many Southeastern Conference teams have three defeats or more. Indiana's rise has been perhaps the Big Ten's biggest story this season. Much of the spotlight was on newcomers Oregon, Southern California, UCLA and Washington, but aside from the top-ranked Ducks, that foursome has struggled to impress. Meanwhile, the Hoosiers won their first 10 games under new coach Curt Cignetti before losing at Ohio State last weekend. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 back in October, and if the Buckeyes beat rival Michigan this weekend, they'll earn a rematch with the Ducks for the Big Ten title. And it's entirely possible another matchup between those two teams awaits in the CFP. Dillon Gabriel has quarterbacked Oregon to an unbeaten record, throwing for 3,066 yards and 22 touchdowns in 11 games. But don't overlook Iowa's Kaleb Johnson and his 21 rushing TDs, and quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been a big part of Indiana's improvement. Penn State's Abdul Carter has eight sacks and two forced fumbles and could be one of the top edge rushers drafted this year. Oregon (11-0, 8-0), Ohio State (10-1, 7-1), Penn State (10-1, 7-1), Indiana (10-1, 7-1), Illinois (8-3, 5-3), Iowa (7-4, 5-3), Michigan (6-5, 4-4), Minnesota (6-5, 4-4), Washington (6-5, 4-4), Southern California (6-5, 4-5), Nebraska (6-5, 3-5) and Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) have already reached the six-win mark for bowl eligibility. Michigan State (5-6, 3-5) and Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5) can join them. There may not be many firings in general at the top level of college football. The prospect of sharing revenue with athletes in the future might lead schools to be more judicious about shedding one coach and hiring a new one. Who should be most worried in the Big Ten? Well, Lincoln Riley is struggling to stay above .500 in his third season at USC. Purdue is 1-10, but coach Ryan Walters is only in his second season. Maryland's Mike Locksley has been there six years and his Terrapins are 4-7, but this was his first real step backward after guiding the team to three straight bowl wins. Cignetti has shown it is possible for a coaching change to push a previously moribund program to some impressive heights in a short amount of time — but the improvement has been more incremental at Michigan State following Jonathan Smith's arrival. Sherrone Moore wasn't a completely unknown commodity at Michigan after he won some massive games in place of a suspended Jim Harbaugh last year. But in his first season completely at the helm, the Wolverines have declined significantly following their national title a season ago. The Big Ten is home to one of the most dynamic freshmen in the country in Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith. He has 52 catches for 899 yards and nine touchdowns. Highly touted quarterback Dylan Raiola has teamed up with fellow freshman Jacory Barney (49 catches) to lead Nebraska to bowl eligibility. Ohio State is on track to land the Big Ten's top class, according to 247 Sports, but the big news recently was quarterback Bryce Underwood flipping from LSU to Michigan. If the Wolverines do in fact keep Underwood in his home state, that would be a big development for Moore. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Noticing more ads every election? Blame a legal loophole Wisconsin politicians could closeJonah Goldberg Among elites across the ideological spectrum, there's one point of unifying agreement: Americans are bitterly divided. What if that's wrong? What if elites are the ones who are bitterly divided while most Americans are fairly unified? History rarely lines up perfectly with the calendar (the "sixties" didn't really start until the decade was almost over). But politically, the 21st century neatly began in 2000, when the election ended in a tie and the color coding of electoral maps became enshrined as a kind of permanent tribal color war of "red vs. blue." Elite understanding of politics has been stuck in this framework ever since. Politicians and voters have leaned into this alleged political reality, making it seem all the more real in the process. I loathe the phrase "perception is reality," but in politics it has the reifying power of self-fulfilling prophecy. Like rival noble families in medieval Europe, elites have been vying for power and dominance on the arrogant assumption that their subjects share their concern for who rules rather than what the rulers can deliver. Political cartoonists from across country draw up something special for the holiday In 2018, the group More in Common published a massive report on the "hidden tribes" of American politics. The wealthiest and whitest groups were "devoted conservatives" (6%) and "progressive activists" (8%). These tribes dominate the media, the parties and higher education, and they dictate the competing narratives of red vs. blue, particularly on cable news and social media. Meanwhile, the overwhelming majority of Americans resided in, or were adjacent to, the "exhausted majority." These people, however, "have no narrative," as David Brooks wrote at the time. "They have no coherent philosophic worldview to organize their thinking and compel action." Lacking a narrative might seem like a very postmodern problem, but in a postmodern elite culture, postmodern problems are real problems. It's worth noting that red vs. blue America didn't emerge ex nihilo. The 1990s were a time when the economy and government seemed to be working, at home and abroad. As a result, elites leaned into the narcissism of small differences to gain political and cultural advantage. They remain obsessed with competing, often apocalyptic, narratives. That leaves out most Americans. The gladiatorial combatants of cable news, editorial pages and academia, and their superfan spectators, can afford these fights. Members of the exhausted majority are more interested in mere competence. I think that's the hidden unity elites are missing. This is why we keep throwing incumbent parties out of power: They get elected promising competence but get derailed -- or seduced -- by fan service to, or trolling of, the elites who dominate the national conversation. There's a difference between competence and expertise. One of the most profound political changes in recent years has been the separation of notions of credentialed expertise from real-world competence. This isn't a new theme in American life, but the pandemic and the lurch toward identity politics amplified distrust of experts in unprecedented ways. This is a particular problem for the left because it is far more invested in credentialism than the right. Indeed, some progressives are suddenly realizing they invested too much in the authority of experts and too little in the ability of experts to provide what people want from government, such as affordable housing, decent education and low crime. The New York Times' Ezra Klein says he's tired of defending the authority of government institutions. Rather, "I want them to work." One of the reasons progressives find Trump so offensive is his absolute inability to speak the language of expertise -- which is full of coded elite shibboleths. But Trump veritably shouts the language of competence. I don't mean he is actually competent at governing. But he is effectively blunt about calling leaders, experts and elites -- of both parties -- stupid, ineffective, weak and incompetent. He lost in 2020 because voters didn't believe he was actually good at governing. He won in 2024 because the exhausted majority concluded the Biden administration was bad at it. Nostalgia for the low-inflation pre-pandemic economy was enough to convince voters that Trumpian drama is the tolerable price to pay for a good economy. About 3 out of 4 Americans who experienced "severe hardship" because of inflation voted for Trump. The genius of Trump's most effective ad -- "Kamala is for they/them, President Trump is for you" -- was that it was simultaneously culture-war red meat and an argument that Harris was more concerned about boutique elite concerns than everyday ones. If Trump can actually deliver competent government, he could make the Republican Party the majority party for a generation. For myriad reasons, that's an if so big it's visible from space. But the opportunity is there -- and has been there all along. Goldberg is editor-in-chief of The Dispatch: thedispatch.com . Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!

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When the Great Recession struck California 17 years ago and hundreds of thousands of workers lost their jobs, the state’s unemployment insurance system crashed. The employer-financed program quickly exhausted its thin reserves, due to a short-sighted political decision six years earlier. In 2001, the Unemployment Insurance Fund had a $6.5 billion positive balance. But the governor at the time, Democrat Gray Davis, owed big political debts to unions that financed his 1998 campaign. He repaid them by doubling unemployment insurance benefits, contending that the seemingly hefty reserve could cover them without raising payroll taxes on employers. When recession struck, the insurance fund soon leaked red ink and the state borrowed about $10 billion from the federal government to maintain cash payments. When the state didn’t repay the loan, the feds raised payroll taxes for nearly a decade to retire the loan. It should have been a lesson for political policymakers about instant gratification and financial responsibility, but it wasn’t. Shortly after the $10 billion loan was paid off, California was hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic, and upwards of 3 million workers lost their jobs as the state ordered workplace closures. Once again, the unemployment insurance program had virtually no reserves to cover the sharp increase in claims. Once again it borrowed from the federal government, this time for $20 billion, and once again its failure to repay forced the feds to increase payroll taxes. In addition to a double dose of financial problems, the Employment Development Department has also experienced managerial failures. In 2011 Elaine Howle, the state auditor, laid out the department’s shortcomings in a sharply worded report, but when the pandemic hit, they once again became evident. There were massive glitches in responding to legitimate claims for insurance benefits, while the department gave tens of billions of dollars to fraudsters. Meanwhile employers are still repaying the last loan, and the state’s insurance fund is continuing to run deficits, unable to cover current benefits of nearly $7 billion a year. With that history in mind, another watchdog agency, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, is urging a complete overhaul of unemployment insurance, declaring the system “is broken.” Noting that the current state payroll tax cannot fully cover current benefits, much less build reserves, the LAO report projects a “perpetually outstanding federal loan” to keep payments flowing that must be repaid with interest. The report proposes a four-part tough love approach to a crisis that has been building for more than two decades and cannot solve itself, to wit it advises the state to: There may be other alternatives, perhaps affecting benefits, but the main thing is that doing nothing will just perpetuate this crisis — even though the politics of the issue are daunting. It’s been a political stalemate for nearly a quarter-century, pitting unions seeking to protect, or even increase, benefits against employers who don’t want to shoulder increased taxes. Successive governors and legislative leaders have shunned engagement, preferring to kick the can down the road. Dan Walters is one of most decorated and widely syndicated columnists in California history, authoring a column four times a week that offers his view and analysis of the state’s political, economic, social and demographic trends.

No compromise on nuclear programme: PM Pakistan believes in constructive and productive dialogue to promote principles of democracy, says FO ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, terming the imposition of US sanctions on the National Defence Complex (NDC) and other entities as unjustified, on Tuesday maintained that there would be no compromise on Pakistan’s nuclear programme. Addressing the federal cabinet, the prime minister maintained that there was no justification for imposition of sanctions on the NDC and other entities as Pakistan has no aggressive designs against any country. He said that Pakistan has no intentions for aggressive use of the nuclear programme rather it is deterrence, and meant for defence of the country and nothing else. “This is only for defence of the country if God forbids there is any aggression against Pakistan,” he said. He also made it clear that not only he himself and the federal cabinet owns the nuclear programme but it also belongs to 240 million people of the country which is dearer to them and close to their heart. “The whole nation is focused and united on country’s nuclear programme,” the prime minister reiterated. Meanwhile, Foreign Office stated in very clear terms that it is fully committed to fulfilling all its international human rights obligations and explained that the recent military court verdicts have been made under a law enacted by the Parliament of Pakistan and in line with the judgement of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The Foreign Office was reacting to comments from the European Union, United Kingdom and the United States who in their reactions had criticised the military courts trials and verdicts, as ones which lacked transparency and were inconsistent with the obligations that Pakistan has undertaken under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). “Pakistan’s legal system is consistent with international human rights law including provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). It has remedies of judicial review by the superior courts and guarantees promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” explained the Foreign Office. Last Saturday the DG ISPR had announced the sentencing of 25 civilians by military courts to periods of two to 10 years of “rigorous imprisonment” in connection with attacks on military facilities on May 9, 2023. It had called the verdicts a milestone in dispensation of justice to the nation. The reaction of the Foreign Office was mainly directed at the European Union which under the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), offers “special trade incentives and grants Pakistan zero-rated or preferential tariffs on nearly 665 of tariffs lines, enhancing the country’s ability to export to EU markets”. Reaching out to the EU, the Foreign Office said that Pakistan believes in constructive and productive dialogue to promote principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. “We remain fully committed to implementing our commitments under the GSP Plus Scheme and core international human rights conventions,” it added. The EU in reaction to the military trials and verdicts of civilians had reminded Pakistan that said “in line with Article 14 of ICCPR every person is entitled to a fair and public trial in a court that is independent, impartial and competent, and has the right to adequate and effective legal representation”. It reminded Pakistan that the EU’s GSP+ beneficiary countries, including Pakistan, have voluntarily agreed to implement effectively 27 international core conventions - including the ICCPR - in order to continue benefiting from GSP+ status. The Foreign Office also stated that it was reaching out to its other international partners including the EU and assured to uphold the international human rights law, without any discrimination and double standards.

The decisive vote that could determine the fate of a state-proposed school curriculum under scrutiny for its heavy focus on Christianity will likely depend on a State Board of Education appointee who will only serve for one meeting and whom Gov. Greg Abbott favored over the Democrat voters elected to fill the seat next year. The seat for State Board of Education’s District 13, which covers parts of North Texas, was vacated earlier this year by Aicha Davis, a Democrat who successfully ran to serve in the Texas House. Tiffany Clark was the only candidate to run for the District 13 seat. She received more than 416,000 votes in the general election. Instead of appointing Clark to temporarily fill the vacant seat until her term officially starts in January, Abbott looked past her and instead appointed Leslie Recine, a Republican who will likely serve as the deciding vote on whether the controversial curriculum receives approval on Friday. Abbott appointed Recine four days before the general election when it was already clear that Clark, who ran unopposed, would win the race. A narrow 8-7 majority of the board signaled Tuesday that they would vote for the curriculum, with Recine on the prevailing side. Clark said she would have voted against the materials if she had been chosen to serve on the board for this week’s meetings. “I think that would have been the swing vote that was needed,” Clark told The Texas Tribune. “It would have been 8-7 in the other way.” Clark expressed disappointment and frustration with the governor’s decision to appoint Recine. She criticized Abbott’s choice to have Recine serve on the board for only one meeting, when the board was scheduled to vote on the curriculum, despite the governor having plenty of time to fill the position in the months prior. Davis resigned on Aug. 1. Clark said she believes Abbott chose Recine so she would vote in favor of the curriculum. “I just wish the state leaders wouldn’t play politics with our kids,” Clark said. Abbott’s office did not respond to a request for comment. Recine declined to speak with the Tribune on Tuesday. The State Board of Education will officially decide Friday whether it will approve Bluebonnet Learning, the curriculum proposed by the Texas Education Agency. The materials comprise a cross-disciplinary approach that uses reading and language arts lessons to advance or cement concepts in other disciplines, such as history and social studies. Critics, which include religious studies scholars, argue the curriculum’s lessons allude to Christianity more than any other religion, which could lead to the bullying and isolation of non-Christian students, undermine church-state separation and grant the state far-reaching control over how children learn about religion. They also questioned the accuracy of some lessons. Meanwhile, some parents, educators and historians raised concerns about how the lessons address America’s history of slavery and racism. Clark said she would have voted against the curriculum because she believes it forces Christianity “upon the masses” and ignores children’s family culture, values and beliefs. “There’s no way that I could be like, ‘my Baptist religion and Christian values are more important than your beliefs,’” Clark said. “I can’t see myself supporting that narrative in that context.” State leaders, including Abbott, have largely defended the curriculum. “The materials will ... allow our students to better understand the connection of history, art, community, literature, and religion on pivotal events like the signing of the U.S. Constitution, the Civil Rights Movement, and the American Revolution,” Abbott said in a statement earlier this year. Clark spent more than a decade working in a K-12 setting, both as a science teacher and a school counselor in the Dallas area. She spent six years as a DeSoto school board trustee and taught education at the University of North Texas at Dallas as an adjunct professor. Clark currently works for Communities in Schools of the Dallas Region, an organization that helps provide support services, including mental health, to schools. Recine currently serves as a political coordinator for a consulting agency, according to her LinkedIn account. A news release announcing her appointment also notes that she serves as a member of the Arlington Woman’s Club, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and the legislative committee chair of the Daughters of The Republic of Texas. She is also the daughter of two long-time educators.India's badminton ace PV Sindhu and her better half Venkata Datta Sai visited cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar's residence and invited him for their wedding set to take place in Udaipur. The picture of their wedding card has not viral on social media. Sachin Tendulkar took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a picture with PV Sindhu and Venkatta Datta Sai. He wrote, "In badminton, the score always starts with 'love' and your beautiful journey with Venkata Datta Sai ensures it continues with 'love' forever." "Thank you for personally inviting us to be a part of your big day. Wishing you a lifetime of memories and endless rallies of joy! @pvsindhu1," he added. Let us know! 👂 What type of content would you like to see from us this year? PV Sindhu re-shared Sachin Tendulkar's post on her Instagram Story and wrote, "Thank you so much. You are a tremendous source of inspiration to both of us." Image: PV Sindhu / Instagram When is PV Sindhu getting married? Sindhu's father PV Ramana has earlier told PTI. "The two families knew each other but it was only a month ago that everything was finalised. This was the only possible window as her schedule will be hectic from January. So that is the reason the two families decided to have the marriage ceremony on December 22. The reception will be held in Hyderabad on December 24. She will start her training soon after as the next season is going to be important." Who is Venkata Datta Sai? Venkata Datta Sai is an executive director at Posidex Technologies. Having earned his Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies from Foundation of Liberal and Management Education, Venkata is highly accomplished in various fields. The year 2018 saw him finish his BBA in Accounting and Finance from Flame University Bachelor of Business and followed it up with a Master's Degree in Data Science and Machine Learning from International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore. Venkata has also worked with JSW as a summer intern and an in-house consultant apart from managing an IPL team. Apart from this, he has been serving as Managing Director for Sour Apple Asset Management.

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DALLAS (AP) — Juan Soto gets free use of a luxury suite and up to four premium tickets behind home plate for regular-season and postseason New York Mets home games as part of his record $765 million, 15-year contract that was finalized Wednesday. The Mets also agreed to provide personal team security for the All-Star outfielder and his family at the team’s expense for all spring training and regular-season home and road games, according to details of the agreement obtained by The Associated Press. Major League Baseball teams usually provide security for player families in seating areas at ballparks. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.None

TALKING TRASH: LUCKY ENERGY DEBUTED AT ART BASELCALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / December 20, 2024 / FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. ("FLYHT" or the "Company") (TSX-V:FLY)(OTCQX:FLYLF) is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced court-approved plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") under the Canada Business Corporations Act wherein FLYHT has been acquired by Firan Technology Group Corporation (TSX:FTG)(OTCQX:FTGFF) ("FTG"), a global corporation providing solutions for aerospace and defense electronic products and sub-systems. "We are thrilled to complete this transaction with FTG, which marks an exciting new chapter for FLYHT." said Mary McMillan, Interim CEO and Executive Chairman of FLYHT. "By joining forces with one of the world's leading suppliers of aerospace and defense electronic products, we are well-positioned to accelerate our growth initiatives and better serve our customers. This union will benefit airlines and national weather agencies worldwide by ensuring that they have the right solutions to meet the communications and environmental challenges they are facing today." Brad Bourne, President and CEO, FTG Corporation stated "We are thrilled to have successfully completed the acquisition of FLYHT and we are confident that FLYHT will be an important part of FTG's future. As we had previously discussed, FLYHT increases our presence in the commercial aerospace aftermarket, and FLYHT's SATCOM product increases our presence on Airbus aircraft, via a licensing arrangement and both of these are strategic priorities for FTG. Going forward we see a path to ramping up sales of FLYHT's product lines and insourcing manufacturing of their product to other FTG sites. We have lots to do, but with the teams at FLYHT and FTG I know we can achieve our goals and create value for our shareholders." Under the Arrangement, FLYHT shareholders were able to elect to receive, for each common share of FLYHT held (a "Common Share") (i) CAD$0.1103 in cash and 0.0333 FTG Shares, (ii) CAD$0.3379 in cash (the "All-Cash Consideration") or (iii) 0.0495 FTG Shares (the "All-Share Consideration"), in each case subject to pro-ration (collectively, the "Consideration"). The Consideration is subject to maximum aggregate cash consideration of CAD$4.3 million and 1,300,000 FTG Shares. Shareholders who did not make an election were deemed to have elected to receive a combination of cash and FTG Shares for their Common Shares. As a result of the elections made by FLYHT shareholders, all holders of Common Shares who made an election will receive the following pro-ration: FLYHT shareholders who elected to receive the All-Cash Consideration will receive approximately CAD$0.3379 in cash and nil FTG Shares per Common Share; FLYHT shareholders who elected to receive the All-Share Consideration will receive approximately CAD$0.0588 in cash and 0.0409 FTG Shares per Common Share. The Common Shares are expected to be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange on or about the close of trading on December 30, 2024 and FLYHT intends to apply to cease to be a reporting issuer under applicable Canadian securities laws. FLYHT shareholders are encouraged to review: (i) FLYHT's press releases dated October 21, 2024, November 25, 2024, December 16, 2024, and December 18, 2024; and (ii) FLYHT's information circular and the related meeting materials, all of which are all available onSEDAR+under FLYHT's profile at www.sedarplus.ca . FLYHT shareholders who have questions regarding the Arrangement or require assistance should consult their financial, legal, tax or other professional advisor. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED EARLY WARNING REPORT INFORMATION In connection with the closing of the Arrangement, FTG has acquired beneficial ownership and control over 38,997,650 Common Shares, being 100% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares. Prior to closing of the Arrangement, FTG held no Common Shares. This press release is being issued, in part, pursuant to National Instrument 62‐103 - The Early WarningSystem and Related Take‐Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues, which requires a report to be filed under FLYHT's profile on SEDAR+at www.sedarplus.ca containing additional information respecting the foregoing matters. You may also contact Alana Forbes at investors@flyht.com to obtain a copy of the early warning report once filed. About FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. FLYHT provides airlines with Actionable Intelligence to transform operational insight into immediate, quantifiable action, and delivers industry leading solutions to improve aviation safety, efficiency, and profitability. This unique capability is driven by a suite of patented aircraft certified hardware products, AFIRSTM. Solutions include an aircraft satcom/interface device that enables cockpit voice communications, the transmission of aircraft data both inflight via satellite and post-flight via 5G, real-time aircraft state and fleet status analysis, and preventative maintenance solutions. FLYHT's hardware products can also be interfaced with FLYHT's proprietary relative humidity sensors to deliver airborne weather and humidity data in real-time. FLYHT is headquartered in Calgary, Canada, and is an AS9100 Quality registered company. For more information, visit www.flyht.com . About Firan Technology Group Corporation FTG is an aerospace and defence electronics product and subsystem supplier to customers around the globe. FTG has two operating units: FTG Circuits is a manufacturer of high technology, high reliability printed circuit boards. Our customers are leaders in the aviation, defence, and high technology industries. FTG Circuits has operations in Toronto, Ontario, Chatsworth, California, Fredericksburg, Virginia, Minnetonka, Minnesota, Haverhill, Massachusetts and a joint venture in Tianjin, China. FTG Aerospace manufactures and repairs illuminated cockpit panels, keyboards and electronic assemblies for original equipment manufacturers of aerospace and defence equipment. FTG Aerospace has operations in Toronto, Ontario, Chatsworth, California, and Tianjin, China. FTG's common shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol FTG. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Although FLYHT believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. FLYHT cannot guarantee future results, performance, or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are founded on the basis of expectations, assumptions and hypotheses made by the Company, including, but not limited to projected revenues. Such forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include but are not limited to global economic conditions; industry conditions, and supply chain delays. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. FLYHT undertakes no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Contact Information: FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. FNK IR LLC Alana Forbes Matt Chesler, CFA Chief Financial Officer Investor Relations 403.291.7437 646.809.2183 investors@flyht.com flyht@fnkir.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. View the original on accesswire.comDALLAS (AP) — Juan Soto gets free use of a luxury suite and up to four premium tickets behind home plate for regular-season and postseason New York Mets home games as part of his record $765 million, 15-year contract that was finalized Wednesday. The Mets also agreed to provide personal team security for the All-Star outfielder and his family at the team’s expense for all spring training and regular-season home and road games, according to details of the agreement obtained by The Associated Press. Major League Baseball teams usually provide security for player families in seating areas at ballparks. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Texas Instruments announces award agreement for CHIPS and Science Act fundingNone

The stocks that did the most damage in 2024 – and the ones that ruled

Penn State is heading into the new calendar year in impressive fashion, but one final challenge awaits as the Nittany Lions square off against Penn on Sunday afternoon in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions (10-2) have enjoyed a strong season to this point, highlighted by a win over then-No. 8 Purdue earlier this month. Most recently, the team topped Drexel 75-64 last weekend as Yanic Konan Niederhauser scored 18 points and Ace Baldwin Jr. chipped in 15 points and six assists. Penn State outrebounded Drexel 40-31 and grabbed 19 offensive boards, including six by Puff Johnson and three by Konan Niederhauser. "Offensive rebounds are extra possessions," Nittany Lions coach Mike Rhoades said. "That gets us to where we want to go to. Number of possessions, it's a better chance to win all the time." Konan Niederhauser has shot at least 50 percent from the floor in every game except one this season and enters Sunday's clash averaging 13.0 points, which is second-best on the squad. Baldwin comes in with 14.2 points to go along with 8.5 assists, which ranks among the top marks in the nation. That duo, in addition to Penn State's bevy of 3-point shooters, should give Penn plenty to handle defensively. The Quakers (4-8) have allowed at least 80 points five times this season, including in Sunday's 85-53 trouncing at the hands of George Mason. Offense was another major issue in that game, as Penn shot just 32.2 percent from the floor and committed 15 turnovers. "We played 3 1/2 games of really good defense over the last three weeks and the defense was poor in the second half (against George Mason)," Penn coach Steve Donahue said. "On the defensive end, making sure late in the clock we don't let our guard down, keep guys in front, and limit them to one shot ... when we do those things -- those simple things -- we're a good basketball team." Penn and Penn State have met six times previously, but not since 2017. The Nittany Lions lead the all-time series 4-2. --Field Level Media

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Police arrested a 26-year-old man on Monday in the Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO after they say a Pennsylvania McDonald's worker alerted authorities to a customer who resembled the suspected gunman. The suspect, identified by police as Luigi Nicholas Mangione, had a gun believed to be the one used in Wednesday’s attack on Brian Thompson , as well as writings expressing anger at corporate America, police said. Here are some of the latest developments in the investigation: Mangione was taken into custody at around 9:15 a.m. after police received a tip that he was eating at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 85 miles (137 kilometers) east of Pittsburgh, police said. Mangione was being held in Pennsylvania on gun charges and will eventually be extradited to New York to face charges in connection with Thompson’s death , said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. In addition to a three-page, handwritten document that suggests he harbored “ill will toward corporate America,” Kenny said Mangione also had a ghost gun, a type of weapon that can be assembled at home and is difficult to trace. Officers questioned Mangione, who was acting suspiciously and carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a U.S. passport, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. Officers also found a sound suppressor, or silencer, “consistent with the weapon used in the murder,” the commissioner said. He had clothing and a mask similar to those worn by the shooter and a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching one the suspect used to check into a New York City hostel before the shooting, Tisch said. Kenny said Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco and that his last known address is in Honolulu. Mangione, who was valedictorian of his Maryland prep school, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a university spokesman told The Associated Press on Monday. He learned to code in high school and helped start a club at Penn for people interested in gaming and game design, according to a 2018 story in Penn Today, a campus publication. His social media posts also suggest that he belonged to the fraternity Phi Kappa Psi. They also show him taking part in a 2019 program at Stanford University, and in photos with family and friends at the Jersey Shore and in Hawaii, San Diego, Puerto Rico, and other destinations. The Gilman School, from which Mangione graduated in 2016, is one of Baltimore’s elite prep schools. Some of the city’s wealthiest and most prominent people, including Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., have had children attend the school. Its alumni include sportswriter Frank Deford and former Arizona Gov. Fife Symington. In his valedictory speech, Luigi Mangione described his classmates’ “incredible courage to explore the unknown and try new things,” according to a post on the school website. He praised their collective inventiveness and pioneering mindset. Mangione took a software programming internship after high school at Maryland-based video game studio Firaxis, where he fixed bugs on the hit strategy game Civilization 6, according to a LinkedIn profile. Firaxis parent company Take-Two Interactive said Monday it would not comment on former employees. He more recently worked at the car-buying website TrueCar, according to the head of the Santa Monica, California-based company. “While we generally don’t comment on personnel matters, we confirm that Luigi Mangione has not been an employee of our company since 2023,” TrueCar CEO Jantoon Reigersman said by email. Mangione comes from a prominent Maryland family. His grandfather Nick Mangione, who died in 2008, was a successful real estate developer. One of his best-known projects was Turf Valley Resort, a sprawling luxury retreat and conference center outside Baltimore that he purchased in 1978. The father of 10 children, Nick Mangione prepared his five sons — including Luigi Mangione’s father, Louis Mangione — to help manage the family business, according to a 2003 Washington Post report. The Mangione family also purchased Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore in 1986. On Monday, Baltimore County police officers blocked off an entrance to the property, which public records link to Luigi Mangione’s parents. Reporters and photographers gathered outside the entrance. Luigi Mangione is one of 37 grandchildren of Nick Mangione, according to the grandfather's obituary. Luigi Mangione's grandparents donated to charities through the Mangione Family Foundation, according to a statement from Loyola University commemorating Nick Mangione’s wife’s death in 2023. They donated to various causes ranging from Catholic organizations to colleges and the arts. One of Luigi Mangione’s cousins is Republican Maryland state legislator Nino Mangione, a spokesman for the lawmaker's office confirmed Monday. Police said the person who killed Thompson left a hostel on Manhattan's Upper West Side at 5:41 a.m. on Wednesday. Just 11 minutes later, he was seen on surveillance video walking back and forth in front of the New York Hilton Midtown, wearing a distinctive backpack. At 6:44 a.m., he shot Thompson at a side entrance to the hotel, fled on foot, then climbed aboard a bicycle and within four minutes had entered Central Park. Another security camera recorded the gunman leaving the park near the American Museum of Natural History at 6:56 a.m. still on the bicycle but without the backpack. After getting in a taxi, he headed north to a bus terminal near the George Washington Bridge, arriving at around 7:30 a.m. From there, the trail of video evidence runs cold. Police have not located video of the suspect exiting the building, leading them to believe he likely took a bus out of town. Police said they are still investigating the path the suspect took to Pennsylvania. “This just happened this morning," Kenny said. "We’ll be working, backtracking his steps from New York to Altoona, Pennsylvania,” Kenny said. Associated Press reporters Lea Skene in Baltimore, Matt O'Brien in Providence, Rhode Island, and Cedar Attanasio in New York contributed to this report.As the year winds down, IMOLEAYO OYEDEYI captures some of the most dominant events that shaped political discourse and challenged the effectiveness of government policies for the masses Ibadan Explosion A series of explosions in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, shattered the early excitement of 2024, raising concerns about the escalating menace of illegal mining across the country. The blasts, which dominated public discourse for weeks, claimed two lives, injured several others, and caused widespread destruction of property. The explosions tore off rooftops and shattered windows, leaving many homeless for days and prompting costly government rescue operations. Binance Executive Detention In February, one of the most contentious issues in the country was the arrest and detention of Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, on charges of money laundering and operating without a licence. However, his detention was short-lived, as he was eventually released due to deteriorating health and diplomatic interventions. Kano Emirate Tussle The first half of the year witnessed significant political drama in Kano, triggered by the state assembly’s repeal of the law that had divided the city into five emirates. Governor Abba Yusuf swiftly signed a new law, resulting in the removal of five prominent emirs: Aminu Ado Bayero of Kano, Nasir Ado Bayero of Bichi, Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa of Rano, Ibrahim Abubakar II of Karaye, and Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir of Gaya. In a dramatic turn of events, former Central Bank Governor, Muhammadu Sanusi, who had been dethroned by the previous administration, was reinstated. However, Ado Bayero rejected the decision and moved to the Nasarawa palace. The two emirs, locked in a parallel leadership battle, continue to fuel tensions in Kano, making the emirate tussle one of the year’s most prominent issues. Cabinet reshuffle Amid months of intense speculation, President Bola Tinubu enacted a significant reshuffle of his 45-member cabinet on October 23, appointing seven new ministers, dismissing five, and reassigning 10 others to new roles. Notably, the ministers of finance, defence, and national planning, and two junior energy ministers retained their positions. The reshuffle also saw the Ministry of Niger Delta Development renamed the Ministry of Regional Development, the Ministry of Sports dissolved, and the Ministries of Tourism and Arts and Culture merged. The reshuffle sparked mixed reactions across Nigeria, with many questioning why some underperforming ministers were retained while others were dismissed. The public discourse surrounding these changes made it one of the year’s most debated political topics. Tax Reform Controversy Since Tinubu introduced his tax reform bills to the National Assembly in October, the proposals have become a major point of contention. The bills—comprising the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, the Nigerian Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, and the Nigeria Tax Bill—have sparked nationwide debate. Supporters argue that the reforms will ease the tax burden on 90 per cent of Nigerian workers, streamline tax procedures, support small businesses, and enhance tax collection efficiency. However, opposition from Northern lawmakers and leaders, including Senator Ali Ndume and Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, has been vocal. Critics contend that the bills could disrupt business operations and negatively impact state government revenue, particularly in the Northern region. National Grid Collapses A persistent issue throughout 2024 was the frequent collapse of the national grid, occurring no fewer than 12 times. These grid failures caused widespread blackouts across some of Nigeria’s largest cities, including Abuja, Lagos, and Kano, severely disrupting daily life and economic activities. The outages paralysed businesses in affected regions, resulting in staggering financial losses. Northern electricity distribution companies alone reported losses exceeding N74 billion, underscoring the urgent need for reforms in the country’s power sector. Prison Break in Suleja On the night of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, a heavy downpour flooded the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, sparking a dramatic prison break. The flood destroyed critical sections of the facility, including its perimeter fence, enabling the escape of 118 inmates. Although authorities later reported recapturing some fugitives, the incident raised serious concerns about prison security and disaster preparedness in Nigeria. The escape dominated the news for weeks, with many calling for urgent reforms in the country’s correctional system. Flooding in Northern Nigeria/Alau Dam Collapse A major humanitarian disaster in 2024 was the collapse of the Alau Dam in Borno State. On September 10, the dam’s embankment gave way, releasing an overwhelming 112 billion litres of water into low-lying areas in the Maiduguri metropolis and Jere Local Government Area. The resulting flood submerged entire towns and villages, displacing over one million people and affecting 414,000 residents. The catastrophe left hundreds homeless, prompting widespread sympathy and a swift response. Business tycoons and state governors donated over N13 billion to aid flood victims, highlighting the disaster’s devastating impact. Ondo and Edo Governorship Elections The off-cycle governorship elections in Ondo and Edo States were among the year’s most significant political events. In both contests, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared candidates from the All Progressives Congress—Lucky Aiyedatiwa in Ondo and Monday Okpebholo in Edo—as winners. In Ondo, Aiyedatiwa secured 366,781 votes, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Agboola Ajayi, who polled 117,845 votes. Similarly, in Edo, Okpebholo garnered 291,667 votes to beat PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who received 247,274 votes. However, the opposition rejected the results, citing allegations of widespread electoral fraud. Both cases are now before election petition tribunals, with hearings expected to gain momentum in the early part of 2025. #EndBadGovernance protest One of the most defining events of the outgoing year was the eruption of the #EndBadGovernance protests, also known as #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria. Between August 1 and 10, thousands of young Nigerians, frustrated by the soaring cost of living, took to the streets in mass demonstrations across all six geopolitical zones of the country. The protests quickly became a focal point in national discourse as they were met with brutal repression. Scores of protesters were killed, and over 1,000 were arrested across major protest grounds in cities such as Abuja, Lagos, Niger, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina. These demonstrations marked one of the most significant political movements of the year. Detention of minors over protest A controversial event that dominated political discourse this year was the arraignment of at least 76 detained #EndBadGovernance protesters at the Federal High Court in Abuja. They faced ten counts of charges related to alleged treason and conspiracy to destabilise Nigeria, contrary to sections 96 and 97 of the Penal Code Act. Among those detained were 32 minors, aged between 14 and 17. Their court arraignment sparked nationwide outrage, especially when national television broadcasts showed clips of the minors, appearing malnourished and sickly, writhing in pain on the floor of the courtroom. Four of the minors collapsed before proceedings began, further igniting public anger. Amid growing controversy, the court eventually granted the minors bail at N10m each, with stringent conditions. The Arewa Consultative Forum condemned the Federal Government for its treatment of the minors, calling the trial a blatant attempt to intimidate citizens and stifle their constitutional rights to protest and voice grievances. Rise in killings, kidnappings, and terror attacks Year 2024 saw a chilling rise in cases of kidnappings, banditry, killings, and terror attacks across Nigeria, making it one of the deadliest years in recent memory. From mass kidnappings to village assaults, the year was marked by shocking brutality. High-profile kidnappings included the abduction of at least 61 people from Kajuru village in Kaduna State by bandits disguised in military uniforms on March 12, and the kidnapping of 80 people, mostly women and children, by bandits in Zamfara State on April 19. In a particularly brutal attack on May 24, suspected Boko Haram militants abducted 160 people in Kuchi village, Niger State, while at least 100 more were kidnapped in Maidabino village, Katsina State, on June 22. Related News Iconic moments of 2024 in style Falana blames Police for deaths in stampedes across Nigeria Stampedes won’t halt palliative distribution – FG The year also witnessed some of the most horrific fatal attacks. Bandits killed 40 people during an assault on Zurak village, Plateau State, on May 24. On the same day, Boko Haram terrorists killed 10 people in Kuchi village. A few weeks later, on June 10, unknown gunmen killed at least 50 residents of Yargoje village in Katsina State. The killing spree reached a devastating peak on March 14, when 17 Nigerian Army officers were massacred during a peace-keeping mission in Okuama, Delta State. Among the fallen were the Commanding Officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, Lt Col Ah Ali, and several other military personnel. Students were also not spared, as the year saw numerous abductions. Nine students from the Confluence University of Science and Technology in Osara, Kogi State, were abducted on May 10, and 20 medical and dental students were taken from Otukpo, Benue State, on August 15. Northern Nigeria, especially Borno and Zamfara States, endured a wave of bombings that left over 18 people dead and more than 30 injured in different explosions. In response, the military launched major counter-terrorism operations. On May 21, Nigerian troops rescued 350 Boko Haram hostages, primarily women and children, from the Sambisa Forest in Borno State. Additionally, 974 terrorists were killed, 466 hostages were freed, and 1,157 terrorists from Boko Haram and ISWAP surrendered in February. Spiking inflation, naira devaluation, and CBN interest rate hikes A persistent trend throughout the outgoing year was the alarming spike in both nominal and food inflation, which stood at 34.60 per cent and 39.93 per cent respectively in November. The surge in inflation was largely driven by the soaring cost of food, which placed an immense strain on Nigerian households across the country. Similarly, the Naira endured frequent devaluations, becoming the third most devalued currency in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024. According to the Dataviz Economic Explorer, from November 2023 to November 2024, the naira depreciated by a staggering 51.79 per cent against the US dollar, based on the official exchange rate. This devaluation significantly increased Nigeria’s external debt, which rose by approximately N30.03 trillion from 2023 to June 2024 when evaluated in Naira terms. In response to this economic turmoil and to combat the mounting inflation, the Central Bank of Nigeria raised the interest rate six times throughout the year, eventually placing it at 27.25 per cent. This represented a cumulative increase of 875 basis points by November. National Anthem Change On May 29, Tinubu signed into law a controversial change to Nigeria’s national anthem, returning to the old version titled “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” which had been in use since the country’s independence in 1960. This replaced the version “Arise, O Compatriots,” which had been adopted in 1978. The decision to revert to the old anthem sparked mixed reactions across the country, particularly due to the swift pace at which the legislation was debated and passed by the National Assembly. The lawmakers’ performance further fueled public debate when they sang the chorus “On your mandate we shall stand” in unison before the president in the Red Chamber, intensifying perceptions of their rubber-stamp nature. Bobrisky and Simon Ekpa’s detention One of the year’s most talked-about stories centred on the imprisonment of controversial social media personality and cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, as well as pro-Biafran activist, Simon Ekpa. Bobrisky’s trouble began on April 3, 2024, when he was arrested and detained by the Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. He faced accusations of mutilating naira notes worth N490,000 and engaging in money laundering. This arrest followed the viral circulation of a video showing Bobrisky spraying naira notes at the premiere of the movie Ajakaju at Film One Circle Mall in Lekki, Lagos, on March 24, 2024. After being arraigned on six counts at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Bobrisky was sentenced to six months in prison without the option of a fine for abuse of the naira. However, his imprisonment became even more controversial when, upon his release on August 5, he appeared at a celebratory party just hours after walking out of jail. Many Nigerians were shocked to see him looking more radiant than ever, sparking suspicions about whether he had truly served his time in a custodial facility. This episode spiralled into heated exchanges involving Bobrisky, social media activist Martins Otse (also known as VeryDarkMan), the EFCC, and renowned lawyer Femi Falana over allegations of unpaid debts. This saga remained one of the year’s most divisive topics. In another high-profile case, Simon Ekpa was arrested on November 21 in Finland, alongside four others, on charges related to terrorism, including inciting violence and financing terrorism. According to Finnish media outlet Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court, facing charges of incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent. He was accused of orchestrating violent actions in Nigeria’s South-East region through social media from Finland. The Federal Government sought Ekpa’s extradition to Nigeria, but the Finnish District Court has set May 2025 for the hearing of his case. Dele Farotimi and Afe Babalola saga The dramatic feud between elder statesman Chief Afe Babalola and civil rights activist Mr Dele Farotimi dominated national discourse in the outgoing year. Babalola took Farotimi to court in both the Federal High Court in Ekiti State and the Ekiti State Magistrate Court, accusing him of defamation and cyberbullying. The revered legal icon claimed that Farotimi had besmirched his character in his book Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System. The case sparked widespread public outrage, with many questioning why Farotimi was being prosecuted in Ekiti, rather than Lagos, where he resides. The Ekiti Magistrate Court eventually granted Farotimi bail in the sum of N30m, with two sureties, but the controversy surrounding the trial continued to fuel heated debates across the nation. Fatal stampedes In just four days, a series of tragic stampedes across Nigeria claimed the lives of at least 70 people in Ibadan (Oyo State), Okija (Anambra), and Abuja. These fatal incidents sparked political outrage, with opposition parties accusing the current administration of failing its citizens. They described the stampedes as glaring signs of leadership failures and widespread poverty, drawing further attention to the nation’s deepening socio-economic crisis. Labour Unions Strike In June, the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) declared a nationwide strike due to the government’s failure to raise the federal minimum wage following an increase in electricity tariffs. The unions demanded an increase in the national minimum wage from 30,000 naira to 494,000 naira, but the presidency dismissed these demands as “unreasonable.” The strike dominated national discourse for weeks, plunging the country into darkness as union workers shut down the national grid and the nation’s power supply, according to the Transmission Company of Nigeria. However, after a prolonged battle, both the labour leadership and the Federal Government reached an agreement on a N70,000 national minimum wage. Opposition Verbal War with APC Over 2027 Presidency Another major issue in the outgoing year was the series of verbal clashes between the All Progressives Congress and opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party, regarding the 2027 presidency. The verbal war began when the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. George Akume, declared that there would be no vacancy in the presidential villa in 2027, claiming that the current administration had exceeded expectations. In response, the PDP and prominent Northern politicians, such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, condemned Akume’s assertion, arguing that the poor performance of President Tinubu’s administration would lead to its ousting in the next presidential election. Miss Universe Nigeria In August, Chidimma Adetshina, who represented Taraba State, was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024. Her journey to the title was considered remarkable by many Nigerians, reflecting resilience and grace, reminiscent of the Miss Universe South Africa incident, where she was disqualified. While she will be representing Nigeria on the global stage in Mexico, her victory was undoubtedly one of the most talked-about events of the outgoing year.None

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Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.OTTAWA — Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is brushing off Ontario's threat to restrict electricity exports in retaliation for sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, as the province floats the idea of effectively barring sales of American alcohol. On Wednesday, Premier Doug Ford said Ontario is contemplating restricting electricity exports to Michigan, New York state and Minnesota if Trump follows through on a threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada. "That's OK if he that does that. That's fine," Trump told American network CNBC when asked Thursday about Ford’s remarks on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. “The United States is subsidizing Canada and we shouldn’t have to do that," Trump added. "And we have a great relationship. I have so many friends in Canada, but we shouldn’t have to subsidize a country," he said, claiming this amounts to more than US$100 billion annually in unspecified subsidies. Meanwhile, an official in the Ford government says it's considering restricting the Liquor Control Board of Ontario from buying American-made alcohol. The province says the Crown agency is the largest purchaser of alcohol in the world. The province also says it could restrict exports of Canadian critical minerals required for electric-vehicle batteries, and bar American companies from provincial procurement. Ford doubled down Thursday on the idea of cutting off energy exports. The province says that in 2013, Ontario exported enough energy to power 1.5 million homes in those three states. "It's a last resort," Ford said. "We're sending a message to the U.S. (that if) you come and attack Ontario, you attack livelihoods of people in Ontario and Canadians, we are going to use every tool in our tool box to defend Ontarians and Canadians. Let’s hope it never comes to that." Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said the province would rather have co-operation with the U.S., but has mechanisms to "end power sale into the U.S. market" the day Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith ruled out following suit. "Under no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports," she said. "Our approach is one of diplomacy, not threats." Michael Sabia, president and CEO of Hydro-Québec, said "it's not our current intention" to cut off Quebec's exports to Massachusetts or New York state, but he conceded it might be possible. "Our intention is to respect those contracts, both because they're legally binding, but also because it's part of, in our view, a sound relationship with the United States," he said. "It's a questionable instrument to use in a trade conflict." Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew would not directly say whether Manitoba would threaten to withhold hydroelectric exports. "We are preparing our list and starting to think through what those options should look like," he said. "I'm not going to make specific news today about items that we're looking at." Kinew added that some premiers felt retaliatory measures wouldn't work in a call Trudeau held Wednesday. Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said "we have no interest in stopping" the export of energy to the U.S., adding that a trade war would hurt both countries. "We hope it is just bluster; we're preparing as if it is not," he said. Canada supplies more oil to the U.S. than any other country. About 60 per cent of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85 per cent of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada sold $170 billion worth of energy products last year to the U.S. It also has 34 critical minerals and metals the Pentagon is eager for. Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tax on all products entering the United States from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs. Canadian officials have said it is unfair to lump Canada in with Mexico. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Canada since has promised more border security spending to address Trump's border concerns. Ford said that will include more border and police officers, as well as drones and sniffer dogs. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press, Liam Casey in Toronto, Lisa Johnson in Edmonton and Steve Lambert in Winnipeg. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian PressMatt Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney general

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Wolverhampton has been named as the most difficult place to pass your driving test, according to a report which marks the top 100 most popular test centres in the UK based on their average pass rate. Since the pandemic, a significant backlog of driving tests has emerged in the UK, with most test centres now experiencing a waiting period of at least three to four months. Law Trucks compiled their Driving Test Report, which ranks the most popular test centres in the UK based on their average pass rate over a year. Key findings show Lancing is the easiest area to pass your driving test from these popular test centres with a 61.4% pass rate. Wolverhampton is the toughest area to pass your driving test, with a 32.4% pass rate. Goodmayes in London conducted the most tests over this period, with 26,042 in one year. This test centre also had the highest number of passes with 11,677. The top 20 hardest test centres include Wolverhampton, Speke (Liverpool), Featherstone, Chingford (London), Norris Green (Liverpool), Wednesbury, Leicester (Cannock Street), Luton, Greenford (Horsenden Lane), St Helens (Liverpool), Nottingham (Chilwell), and Birmingham (Garretts Green). In Wanstead, London, out of 9,623 cases, 3,882 passed making it a 40.3% rate. Plymouth in Devon saw 3,641 passes out of 9,037 cases also at a 40.3% rate. Cheetham Hill in Greater Manchester had 4,693 passes out of 11,552 - a 40.6% rate. Gateshead in Tyne and Wear reported 3,468 out of 8,482 - a 40.9% rate. Come and join The Daily Star on , the social media site set up by ex-Twitter boss Jack Dorsey. It's now the new go-to place for content after a mass exodus of the Elon Musk-owned Twitter/X. Fear not, we're not leaving , but we are jumping on the bandwagon. So come find our new account on , and see us social better than the rest. You can also learn more about The Daily Star team in what Bluesky calls a . So what are you waiting for?! Let's Coventry in the West Midlands had 3,858 out of 9,272 - a 41.6% pass rate. Dudley in the West Midlands saw 5,119 out of 12,177 - a 42.0% rate. Doncaster in South Yorkshire reported 3,426 out of 8,097 - a 42.3% rate. Lastly, South Yardley in Birmingham, West Midlands had 4,318 out of 10,190 - a 42.4% rate.Andrew Callahan: It’s time to forget about Jerod Mayo getting firedThe Guardian view on the fall of Assad: a tumultuous, fragile hope in Syria | Editorial

REFORM, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge ruled that the family of former NFL player Glenn Foster Jr., who died in law enforcement custody in Alabama, can pursue a lawsuit alleging his death was the result of excessive force. Foster, a former New Orleans Saints defensive end, died on Dec. 6, 2021, three days after being arrested and taken to jail in rural Pickens County for alleged speeding and attempting to elude police. A judge ordered Foster taken to a medical facility in Tuscaloosa for a mental evaluation. Foster was found unresponsive in the back of a law enforcement vehicle when he arrived at the facility. He was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later. His widow, Pamela Foster, filed a lawsuit against officers at the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and jail saying Foster had been beaten, shocked with a Taser and strangled while at the jail. The defendants then asked a federal judge to dismiss the case. U.S. District Judge Annemarie Carney Axon ruled Thursday refused to dismiss allegations of excessive force and failure to intervene. Axon dismissed other portions of the lawsuit. The ruling came a day before the third anniversary of Foster’s death. Foster appeared in 17 games for the Saints in 2013 and 2014.

Thursday, December 26, 2024 Facebook Instagram Twitter WhatsApp Youtube Personal Finance Education Entertainment Jobs Alert Sports Hindi Technology Complaint Redressal. Fact-Checking Policy Correction policy Authors and Team DNPA Code of Ethics Onwership and Funding Cookie Policy Terms of Service Disclaimer Contact US About Us More Search Home Personal Finance Post Office Scheme: Deposit 5000 rupees every month and become owner of... Personal Finance Post Office Scheme: Deposit 5000 rupees every month and become owner of 8,54,272 on maturity By Shyamu Maurya December 26, 2024 0 11 Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Telegram Post Office Scheme: Deposit 5000 rupees every month and become owner of 8,54,272 on maturity Post Office Recurring Deposit Scheme: This government small savings scheme operated by the post office offers interest at the rate of 6.7 percent, the maturity period for investment in this is fixed at five years. Post Office Scheme: Post Office’s small savings schemes are preferred for giving safe investment as well as great returns. One such popular scheme is Post Office RD which is a scheme to make a millionaire. By investing a fixed amount every month in this, you can deposit a fund of more than Rs 8 lakh in 10 years. Let’s understand the complete calculation... This much interest in this scheme of Post Office Saving schemes are being operated in the post office according to every age group, be it children, old or young. The Post Office Recurring Deposit Scheme included in these has emerged as a best option for investment. The maturity period in this scheme has been fixed for 5 years, which can be extended to 10 years. Last year in 2023 itself, the interest rate on investment in it was increased from 6.5% to 6.7%. You can open an account with just Rs 100 You can open an account in Post Office Recurring Deposit Scheme by going to any nearest Post Office. Investment can be started from Rs 100 in this, while no limit has been fixed for maximum investment. The maturity period of this scheme is five years. An account can also be opened in the name of a minor in Post Office RD. However, in this, parents are also required to give their name along with the document. Loan facility with pre-mature closure If you have opened an account in Post Office RD Scheme and are thinking of closing it due to some problem, then the facility of pre-mature closure is also given in this scheme of Post Office. Yes, if you want, you can close the account before the maturity period is over. Loan facility is also given in this. However, after the account is active for one year, only up to 50 percent of the deposit amount can be taken as loan. Talking about its interest rate, it is 2 percent more than the interest rate you are getting This is how you will collect more than 8 lakh rupees in 10 years If we calculate the investment and interest in Post Office RD, then if you invest Rs 5,000 every month in this scheme, then in its maturity period i.e. five years, you will deposit a total of 3 lakh rupees and Rs 56,830 will be added to the interest rate at the rate of 6.7 percent. After this, your total fund will be Rs 3,56,830. Now if you extend this account for another five years, then the amount deposited by you in 10 years will be Rs 6,00,000. Along with this, the interest amount on this deposit at the rate of 6.7 percent will be Rs 2,54,272. In this way, your total fund deposited in a period of 10 years will be Rs 8,54,272. Keep in mind here that TDS is deducted on the interest earned on investment in Post Office RD Schemes, which is refunded as per the income after the investor claims ITR. 10 percent TDS is applicable on the interest earned on RD. If the interest earned on RD is more than Rs 10,000, then TDS will be deducted. Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Telegram Previous article Pension New Rules: Government issues new guidelines for senior citizens employees regarding pension Shyamu Maurya Shyamu has done Degree in Fine Arts and has knowledge about bollywood industry. He started writing in 2018. Since then he has been associated with Informalnewz. In case of any complain or feedback, please contact me @informalnewz@gmail.com RELATED ARTICLES Personal Finance Pension New Rules: Government issues new guidelines for senior citizens employees regarding pension December 26, 2024 Personal Finance Passport Application New Service: Passport applicants will now be able to get their passport made sitting at home, new service launched December 26, 2024 Personal Finance Banking Rules: Cash deposit and withdrawal limit in savings account as per Income Tax, know the rules of IT department December 26, 2024 - Advertisment - Most Popular Pension New Rules: Government issues new guidelines for senior citizens employees regarding pension December 26, 2024 Passport Application New Service: Passport applicants will now be able to get their passport made sitting at home, new service launched December 26, 2024 Banking Rules: Cash deposit and withdrawal limit in savings account as per Income Tax, know the rules of IT department December 26, 2024 Income Tax Notice: Income Tax Department will now send notice to these people regarding tax refund, strict action will be taken? 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Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug useUroGen Pharma (NASDAQ:URGN) Earns “Buy” Rating from D. Boral Capital

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Industry leaders on CISA’s secure-by-design pledge: A great program with some issuesThe son of the Hong Kong democracy activist Jimmy Lai said Tuesday that his father’s trial in the Chinese territory was a “sham” but that he was “proud” of how he was handling himself in court. The 76-year-old media tycoon has been testifying for three days in Hong Kong about claims that he colluded with foreign forces, an offence carrying up to life in prison under the sweeping national security law Beijing imposed on the financial hub in mid-2020. The founder of the now-shuttered tabloid Apple Daily is also accused of “conspiracy to publish seditious publications”. His son Sebastien, who has been travelling the world to denounce his father’s arrest since he was detained in 2020, is following in real time the media coverage of his father’s testimony. “The trial is one of the first times in the last four years where I have any indication of how he’s doing,” Sebastien Lai told AFP in an interview in London. “He’s been kept in solitary confinement for the last four years. His health obviously has gotten quite a bit worse but from his statements, his spirit’s still strong and his mind’s still sharp.” On Tuesday, Jimmy Lai told the court he had advocated “peaceful resistance” against China’s erosion of the city’s freedoms and tried to “reduce violence” during huge democracy protests in 2019. “It’s quite heartbreaking seeing my father being dragged to court with all these sham allegations. But I’m also incredibly proud of him”,” Sebastien Lai said. “They’ve been trying to break him for four years but he’s unbroken.” – Hong Kong ‘on trial’ – Sebastien Lai, who has not set foot in Hong Kong for four years because of his fight to defend his father, said he had little hope of seeing him judged impartially. “It’s a complete show trial,” he said, noting that the three judges hearing the case were appointed by the government and there is no jury. United Nations human rights experts have called for the release of Lai, as have major Western governments including Britain. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer raised Lai’s case with Chinese President Xi Jinping when they met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil this month. “My father at every turn, at every crossroad, chose to do the right thing. And Hong Kong is showing you what the cost is of doing the right thing,” Lai said. Last week, a Hong Kong court sentenced 45 pro-democracy activists to up to 10 years in prison for subversion. Lai says his father’s trial demonstrates “a very clear decision by the government to criminalise everything that my father stands for, which is campaigning for democracy, the free press, free speech, freedom of assembly”. “Symbolically, they’re putting my father on trial, but also these freedoms that made Hong Kong great on trial,” he said. Lai said statements by Starmer and foreign minister David Lammy calling for his father’s release were “incredibly important” but did not go far enough. “The United Kingdom can decide whether they are a place that protects citizens from being arbitrarily detained or not,” he said, adding that the fact his father will turn 77 next month makes his case “very urgent”. “My father could die at any point given his age. It’s not just about freeing him now. It’s about saving his life.” With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.Iowa followed its lowest-scoring game of the season with a 110-point eruption the next time out. The Hawkeyes will be one week removed from that scorching effort when they host Northwestern in Tuesday's Big Ten opener in Iowa City, but rust won't be the only roadblock for a potential repeat showing. Iowa (6-1) also is bracing for stiffer competition in conference play while navigating an injury to Seydou Traore. The reserve forward suffered a sprained ankle midway through the first half of a 110-77 home rout of South Carolina Upstate on Nov. 26. Also missing frontcourt contributors Even Brauns and Cooper Koch, the Hawkeyes still flexed their resilience and depth. Brock Harding notched a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds and Owen Freeman netted 17 points as five Iowa players scored in double figures. "Coming off a loss, going into Thanksgiving break here, we've got a couple days off coming, it'd be easy to kinda (think), ‘All right, let's relax for this one, guys sit out,'" Harding said. "But I think we really locked in." Northwestern (6-2) overcame 40.8 percent shooting to defeat UNLV 66-61 in the third-place game of the Arizona Tip-Off on Friday in Tempe, Ariz. Brooks Barnhizer, a preseason All-Big Ten pick who was sidelined by a foot injury during the Wildcats' first four games, had team highs of 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists. He has scored at least 20 points in three of four games. Northwestern limited UNLV to a 42.1 percent effort from the floor. Matthew Nicholson propelled the defense with two of the Wildcats' seven steals to go with two blocks. "We're a defensive-minded team and, you know, our identity is just getting stops," Barnhizer said. "Everything else will take care of itself. So, the older guys were trying to come out here and do that tonight and I think we did a pretty good job of it." Strong ‘D' helped Northwestern's ball movement, too, as the Wildcats assisted on 15 of 20 made field goals. Northwestern went 8-for-18 (44.4 percent) from long range to improve to 3-0 this season when connecting on 40 percent of its 3-point shots or better. --Field Level Media

My Chemical Romance Posts Tribute to Late Drummer Bob BryarNoneNone

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save NEW YORK — George Joseph Kresge Jr., who was known to generations of TV watchers as the mesmerizing entertainer and mentalist The Amazing Kreskin, has died at age 89. Kreskin's friend and former road manager, Ryan Galway, told The Associated Press that he died Tuesday at his home in Caldwell, New Jersey, where he spent much of his life. Galway said Kreskin had not been feeling well in recent weeks but otherwise did not provide a cause of death. FILE - George Joseph Kresge Jr., better known as "The Amazing Kreskin," poses for a portrait in Toronto on April 24, 2007. Inspired by the crime-fighting comic book character Mandrake the Magician, Kreskin launched his television career in the 1960s and remained popular for decades, making guest appearances on talk shows hosted by everyone from Merv Griffin to Johnny Carson to Jimmy Fallon. Fans would welcome, if not entirely figure out, his favorite mind tricks — whether correctly guessing a playing card chosen at random, or, most famously, divining where his paycheck had been planted among the audience. He also hosted his own show in the 1970s, gave live performances and wrote numerous books, including “Secrets of the Amazing Kreskin” and “Mental Power Is Real.” Body matching description of missing 84-year-old found in Galloway Township Questions about Gillian’s Wonderland finances draw angry response from Mita 1 injured in Egg Harbor Township crash Absecon police detain suspect in dollar store robbery Pentagon refutes Van Drew Iran claims as New Jersey officials meet to discuss mystery drones Could American Airlines bus program lead to more flights at Atlantic City airport? These South Jersey bars and restaurants have transformed into holiday wonderlands Atlantic City now has more weed shops than casinos with dozens more on the way District overspending main focus for new Atlantic City school board member Ron Bailey Atlantic County suing NJ Juvenile Justice Commission over placement of youth offenders Large drones spotted in Philadelphia area as FBI investigates mysterious drone sightings in NJ Egg Harbor City church celebrates its inspiration with 1,700-year-old artifact Who are The Press 2024 Boys Soccer All-Stars? Northfield intersection to become four-way stop Former Galloway gymnastics co-owner accused of sex with minor to remain in jail Although he was a talk show regular, one host wasn't amused by a Kreskin stunt. In 2002, he claimed that a UFO would appear over Las Vegas on the night of June 2, and added that he would donate $50,000 to charity if he was wrong. Hundreds of people gathered in the desert, in vain. Kreskin acknowledged to radio personality Art Bell that his prediction was a hoax, a way of proving that the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks the year before had made people susceptible to manipulation. Bell called the ruse “lame, lame, lame” and banned him from his show. Galway said that Kreskin continued to make live appearances well into his 80s, and only stopped earlier this year after injuring himself in a fall. Kreskin never married and left no immediate survivors. “His career was his life. That was his marriage,” Galway said. “He was dedicated to his craft.” FILE - Mentalist George Joseph Kresge, known as "The Amazing Kreskin," attends a screening of "The Great Buck Howard" in New York on March 10, 2009. Germany players celebrate after Andreas Brehme, left on ground, scores the winning goal in the World Cup soccer final match against Argentina, in the Olympic Stadium, in Rome, July 8, 1990. Andreas Brehme, who scored the only goal as West Germany beat Argentina to win the 1990 World Cup final, died Feb. 20, 2024. He was 63. Brian Mulroney, the former prime minister of Canada, listens during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the Canada-U.S.-Mexico relationship, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Mulroney died at the age of 84 on Feb. 29, 2024. The Rev. James Lawson Jr. speaks Sept. 17, 2015, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Lawson Jr., an apostle of nonviolent protest who schooled activists to withstand brutal reactions from white authorities as the Civil Rights Movement gained traction, has died, his family said Monday. He was 95. His family said Lawson died on Sunday after a short illness in Los Angeles, where he spent decades working as a pastor, labor movement organizer and university professor. Lawson was a close adviser to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who called him “the leading theorist and strategist of nonviolence in the world.” Lawson met King in 1957, after spending three years in India soaking up knowledge about Mohandas K. Gandhi’s independence movement. King would travel to India himself two years later, but at the time, he had only read about Gandhi in books. Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Jerry West, representing the 1960 USA Olympic Team, is seen Aug. 13, 2010, during the enshrinement news conference at the Hall of Fame Museum in Springfield, Mass. Jerry West, who was selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame three times in a storied career as a player and executive, and whose silhouette is considered to be the basis of the NBA logo, died June 12, the Los Angeles Clippers announced. He was 86. West, nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” for his late-game exploits as a player, was an NBA champion who went into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1980 and again as a member of the gold medal-winning 1960 U.S. Olympic Team in 2010. He will be enshrined for a third time later this year as a contributor, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called West “one of the greatest executives in sports history.” Actor and director Ron Simons, seen Jan. 23, 2011, during the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, died June 12. Simons turned into a formidable screen and stage producer, winning four Tony Awards and having several films selected at the Sundance Film Festival. He won Tonys for producing “Porgy and Bess,” “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” and “Jitney.” He also co-produced “Hughie,” with Forest Whitaker, “The Gin Game,” starring Cicely Tyson and James Earl Jones, “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations,” an all-Black production of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” the revival of "for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf" and the original work “Thoughts of a Colored Man.” He was in the films “27 Dresses” and “Mystery Team,” as well as on the small screen in “The Resident,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and “Law & Order: SVU.” Bob Schul of West Milton, Ohio, hits the tape Oct. 18, 1964, to win the 5,000 meter run at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Schul, the only American distance runner to win the 5,000 meters at the Olympics, died June 16. He was 86. His death was announced by Miami University in Ohio , where Schul shined on the track and was inducted into the school’s hall of fame in 1973. Schul predicted gold leading into the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and followed through with his promise. On a rainy day in Japan, he finished the final lap in a blistering 54.8 seconds to sprint to the win. His white shorts were covered in mud at the finish. He was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1991. He also helped write a book called “In the Long Run.” San Francisco Giants superstar Willie Mays poses for a photo during baseball spring training in 1972. Mays, the electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players, died June 18. He was 93. The center fielder, who began his professional career in the Negro Leagues in 1948, had been baseball’s oldest living Hall of Famer. He was voted into the Hall in 1979, his first year of eligibility, and in 1999 followed only Babe Ruth on The Sporting News’ list of the game’s top stars. The Giants retired his uniform number, 24, and set their AT&T Park in San Francisco on Willie Mays Plaza. Mays died two days before a game between the Giants and St. Louis Cardinals to honor the Negro Leagues at Rickwood Field in Birmingham , Alabama. Over 23 major league seasons, virtually all with the New York/San Francisco Giants but also including one in the Negro Leagues, Mays batted .301, hit 660 home runs, totaled 3,293 hits, scored more than 2,000 runs and won 12 Gold Gloves. He was Rookie of the Year in 1951, twice was named the Most Valuable Player and finished in the top 10 for the MVP 10 other times. His lightning sprint and over-the-shoulder grab of an apparent extra base hit in the 1954 World Series remains the most celebrated defensive play in baseball history. For millions in the 1950s and ’60s and after, the smiling ballplayer with the friendly, high-pitched voice was a signature athlete and showman during an era when baseball was still the signature pastime. Awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2015, Mays left his fans with countless memories. But a single feat served to capture his magic — one so untoppable it was simply called “The Catch.” Actor Donald Sutherland appears Oct. 13, 2017, at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, Calif. Sutherland, the Canadian actor whose wry, arrestingly off-kilter screen presence spanned more than half a century of films from “M.A.S.H.” to “The Hunger Games,” died June 20. He was 88. Kiefer Sutherland said on X he believed his father was one of the most important actors in the history of film: “Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that.” The tall and gaunt Sutherland, who flashed a grin that could be sweet or diabolical, was known for offbeat characters like Hawkeye Pierce in Robert Altman's "M.A.S.H.," the hippie tank commander in "Kelly's Heroes" and the stoned professor in "Animal House." Before transitioning into a long career as a respected character actor, Sutherland epitomized the unpredictable, antiestablishment cinema of the 1970s. He never stopped working, appearing in nearly 200 films and series. Over the decades, Sutherland showed his range in more buttoned-down — but still eccentric — roles in Robert Redford's "Ordinary People" and Oliver Stone's "JFK." More, recently, he starred in the “Hunger Games” films. A memoir, “Made Up, But Still True,” is due out in November. Actor Bill Cobbs, a cast member in "Get Low," arrives July 27, 2010, at the premiere of the film in Beverly Hills, Calif. Cobbs, the veteran character actor who became a ubiquitous and sage screen presence as an older man, died June 25. He was 90. A Cleveland native, Cobbs acted in such films as “The Hudsucker Proxy,” “The Bodyguard” and “Night at the Museum.” He made his first big-screen appearance in a fleeting role in 1974's “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three." He became a lifelong actor with some 200 film and TV credits. The lion share of those came in his 50s, 60s, and 70s, as filmmakers and TV producers turned to him again and again to imbue small but pivotal parts with a wizened and worn soulfulness. Cobbs appeared on television shows including “The Sopranos," “The West Wing,” “Sesame Street” and “Good Times.” He was Whitney Houston's manager in “The Bodyguard” (1992), the mystical clock man of the Coen brothers' “The Hudsucker Proxy” (1994) and the doctor of John Sayles' “Sunshine State” (2002). He played the coach in “Air Bud” (1997), the security guard in “Night at the Museum” (2006) and the father on “The Gregory Hines Show." Cobbs rarely got the kinds of major parts that stand out and win awards. Instead, Cobbs was a familiar and memorable everyman who left an impression on audiences, regardless of screen time. He won a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding limited performance in a daytime program for the series “Dino Dana” in 2020. Independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman speaks with the media Nov. 7, 2009, at his campaign headquarters in Austin, Texas. The singer, songwriter, satirist and novelist, who led the alt-country band Texas Jewboys, toured with Bob Dylan, sang with Willie Nelson, and dabbled in politics with campaigns for Texas governor and other statewide offices, died June 27. He was 79 and had suffered from Parkinson's disease. Often called “The Kinkster" and sporting sideburns, a thick mustache and cowboy hat, Friedman earned a cult following and reputation as a provocateur throughout his career across musical and literary genres. In the 1970s, his satirical country band Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys wrote songs with titles such as “They Ain't Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore” and “Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in Bed.” Friedman joined part of Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue tour in 1976. By the 1980s, Friedman was writing crime novels that often included a version of himself, and he wrote a column for Texas Monthly magazine in the 2000s. Friedman's run at politics brought his brand of irreverence to the serious world of public policy. In 2006, Friedman ran for governor as an independent in a five-way race that included incumbent Republican Rick Perry. Friedman launched his campaign against the backdrop of the Alamo. Martin Mull participates in "The Cool Kids" panel during the Fox Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour on Aug. 2, 2018, at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. Mull, whose droll, esoteric comedy and acting made him a hip sensation in the 1970s and later a beloved guest star on sitcoms including “Roseanne” and “Arrested Development,” died June 28. He was 80. Mull, who was also a guitarist and painter, came to national fame with a recurring role on the Norman Lear-created satirical soap opera “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,” and the starring role in its spinoff, “Fernwood Tonight." His first foray into show business was as a songwriter, penning the 1970 semi-hit “A Girl Named Johnny Cash” for singer Jane Morgan. He would combine music and comedy in an act that he brought to hip Hollywood clubs in the 1970s. Mull often played slightly sleazy, somewhat slimy and often smarmy characters as he did as Teri Garr's boss and Michael Keaton's foe in 1983's “Mr. Mom.” He played Colonel Mustard in the 1985 movie adaptation of the board game “Clue,” which, like many things Mull appeared in, has become a cult classic. The 1980s also brought what many thought was his best work, “A History of White People in America,” a mockumentary that first aired on Cinemax. Mull co-created the show and starred as a “60 Minutes” style investigative reporter investigating all things milquetoast and mundane. Willard was again a co-star. In the 1990s he was best known for his recurring role on several seasons on “Roseanne,” in which he played a warmer, less sleazy boss to the title character, an openly gay man whose partner was played by Willard, who died in 2020 . Mull would later play private eye Gene Parmesan on “Arrested Development,” a cult-classic character on a cult-classic show, and would be nominated for an Emmy, his first, in 2016 for a guest run on “Veep.” Screenwriter Robert Towne poses at The Regency Hotel, March 7, 2006, in New York. Towne, the Oscar-winning screenplay writer of "Shampoo," "The Last Detail" and other acclaimed films whose work on "Chinatown" became a model of the art form and helped define the jaded allure of his native Los Angeles, died Monday, July 1, 2024, surrounded by family at his home in Los Angeles, said publicist Carri McClure. She declined to comment on any cause of death. Vic Seixas of the United States backhands a volley from Denmark's Jurgen Ulrich in the first round of men's singles match at Wimbledon, England, June 27, 1967. Vic Seixas, a Wimbledon winner and tennis Hall of Famer who was the oldest living Grand Slam champion, has died July 5 at the age of 100. The International Tennis Hall of Fame announced Seixas’ death on Saturday July 6, 2024, based on confirmation from his daughter Tori. In this June 30, 2020, file photo, Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., speaks to reporters following a GOP policy meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington. Former Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma died July 9. He was 89. The family says in a statement that the Republican had a stroke during the July Fourth holiday and died Tuesday morning. Inhofe was a powerful fixture in state politics for decades. He doubted that climate change was caused by human activity, calling the theory “the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people.” As Oklahoma’s senior U.S. senator, he was a staunch supporter of the state’s military installations. He was elected to a fifth Senate term in 2020 and stepped down in early 2023. The Oak Ridge Boys, from left, Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban, Duane Allen and William Lee Golden hold their awards for Top Vocal Group and Best Album of the Year for "Ya'll Come Back Saloon", during the 14th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Los Angeles, Calif., May 3, 1979. Bonsall died on July 9, 2024, from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Hendersonville, Tenn. He was 76. A Philadelphia native and resident of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Bonsall joined the Oak Ridge Boys in 1973, which originally formed in the 1940s. He saw the band through its golden period in the '80s and beyond, which included their signature 1981 song “Elvira.” The hit marked a massive crossover moment for the group, reaching No. 1 on the country chart and No. 5 on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100. The group is also known for such hits as 1982’s “Bobbie Sue." Shelley Duvall poses for photographers at the 30th Cannes Film Festival in France, May 27, 1977. Duvall, whose wide-eyed, winsome presence was a mainstay in the films of Robert Altman and who co-starred in Stanley Kubrick's “The Shining,” died July 11. She was 75. Dr. Ruth Westheimer holds a copy of her book "Sex for Dummies" at the International Frankfurt Book Fair 'Frankfurter Buchmesse' in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007. Westheimer, the sex therapist who became a pop icon, media star and best-selling author through her frank talk about once-taboo bedroom topics, died on July 12, 2024. She was 96. Richard Simmons sits for a portrait in Los Angeles, June 23, 1982. Simmons, a fitness guru who urged the overweight to exercise and eat better, died July 13 at the age of 76. Simmons was a court jester of physical fitness who built a mini-empire in his trademark tank tops and short shorts by urging the overweight to exercise and eat better. Simmons was a former 268-pound teen who shared his hard-won weight loss tips as the host of the Emmy-winning daytime “Richard Simmons Show" and the “Sweatin' to the Oldies” line of exercise videos, which became a cultural phenomenon. Former NFL receiver Jacoby Jones died July 14 at age 40. Jones' 108-yard kickoff return in 2013 remains the longest touchdown in Super Bowl history. The Houston Texans were Jones’ team for the first five seasons of his career. They announced his death on Sunday. In a statement released by the NFL Players Association, his family said he died at his home in New Orleans. A cause of death was not given. Jones played from 2007-15 for the Texans, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers. He made several huge plays for the Ravens during their most recent Super Bowl title season, including that kick return. The "Beverly Hills, 90210" star whose life and career were roiled by tabloid stories, Shannen Doherty died July 13 at 53. Doherty's publicist said the actor died Saturday following years with breast cancer. Catapulted to fame as Brenda in “Beverly Hills, 90210,” she worked in big-screen films including "Mallrats" and "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" and in TV movies including "A Burning Passion: The Margaret Mitchell Story," in which she played the "Gone with the Wind" author. Doherty co-starred with Holly Marie Combs and Alyssa Milano in the series “Charmed” from 1998-2001; appeared in the “90210” sequel series seven years later and competed on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2010. Actor James Sikking poses for a photograph at the Los Angeles gala celebrating the 20th anniversary of the National Organization for Women, Dec. 1, 1986. Sikking, who starred as a hardened police lieutenant on “Hill Street Blues” and as the titular character's kindhearted dad on “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” died July 13 of complications from dementia, his publicist Cynthia Snyder said in a statement. He was 90. Pat Williams chats with media before the 2004 NBA draft in Orlando, Fla. Williams, a co-founder of the Orlando Magic and someone who spent more than a half-century working within the NBA, died July 17 from complications related to viral pneumonia. The team announced the death Wednesday. Williams was 84. He started his NBA career as business manager of the Philadelphia 76ers in 1968, then had stints as general manager of the Chicago Bulls, the Atlanta Hawks and the 76ers — helping that franchise win a title in 1983. Williams was later involved in starting the process of bringing an NBA team to Orlando. The league’s board of governors granted an expansion franchise in 1987, and the team began play in 1989. Lou Dobbs speaks Feb. 24, 2017, at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Md. Dobbs, the conservative political pundit and veteran cable TV host who was a founding anchor for CNN and later was a nightly presence on Fox Business Network for more than a decade, died July 18. He was 78. His death was announced in a post on his official X account, which called him a “fighter till the very end – fighting for what mattered to him the most, God, his family and the country.” He hosted “Lou Dobbs Tonight” on Fox from 2011 to 2021, following two separate stints at CNN. No cause of death was given. Bob Newhart, center, poses with members of the cast and crew of the "Bob Newhart Show," from top left, Marcia Wallace, Bill Daily, Jack Riley, and, Suzanne Pleshette, foreground left, and Dick Martin at TV Land's 35th anniversary tribute to "The Bob Newhart Show" on Sept. 5, 2007, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Newhart has died at age 94. Jerry Digney, Newhart’s publicist, says the actor died July 18 in Los Angeles after a series of short illnesses. The accountant-turned-comedian gained fame with a smash album and became one of the most popular TV stars of his time. Newhart was a Chicago psychologist in “The Bob Newhart Show” in the 1970s and a Vermont innkeeper on “Newhart” in the 1980s. Both shows featured a low-key Newhart surrounded by eccentric characters. The second had a twist ending in its final show — the whole series was revealed to have been a dream by the psychologist he played in the other show. Cheng Pei-pei, a Chinese-born martial arts film actor who starred in Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” died July 17 at age 78. Her family says Cheng, who had been diagnosed with a rare illness with symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease, passed away Wednesday at home surrounded by her loved ones. The Shanghai-born film star became a household name in Hong Kong, once dubbed the Hollywood of the Far East, for her performances in martial arts movies in the 1960s. She played Jade Fox, who uses poisoned needles, in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” which was released in 2000, grossed $128 million in North America and won four Oscars. Abdul “Duke” Fakir holds his life time achievement award backstage at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 8, 2009, in Los Angeles. The last surviving original member of the Four Tops died July 22. Abdul “Duke” Fakir was 88. He was a charter member of the Motown group along with lead singer Levi Stubbs, Renaldo “Obie" Benson and Lawrence Payton. Between 1964 and 1967, the Tops had 11 top 20 hits and two No. 1′s: “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” and the operatic classic “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” Other songs, often stories of romantic pain and longing, included “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “Standing in the Shadows of Love,” “Bernadette” and “Just Ask the Lonely.” Sculptress Elizabeth Catlett, left, then-Washington D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt Dixon, center, and then-curator, division of community life, Smithsonian institution Bernice Johnson Reagon chat during the reception at the Candace awards on June 25, 1991 in New York. Reagon, a musician and scholar who used her rich, powerful contralto voice in the service of the American Civil Rights Movement and human rights struggles around the world, died on July 16, 2024, according to her daughter's social media post. She was 81. John Mayall, the British blues musician whose influential band the Bluesbreakers was a training ground for Eric Clapton, Mick Fleetwood and many other superstars, died July 22. He was 90. He is credited with helping develop the English take on urban, Chicago-style rhythm and blues that played an important role in the blues revival of the late 1960s. A statement on Mayall's official Instagram page says he died Monday at his home in California. Though Mayall never approached the fame of some of his illustrious alumni, he was still performing in his late 80s, pounding out his version of Chicago blues. Erica Ash, an actor and comedian skilled in sketch comedy who starred in the parody series “Mad TV” and “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” has died. She was 46. Her publicist and a statement by her mother, Diann, says Ash died July 28 in Los Angeles of cancer. Ash impersonated Michelle Obama and Condoleeza Rice on “Mad TV,” a Fox sketch series, and was a key performer on the Rosie O’Donnell-created series “The Big Gay Sketch Show.” Her other credits included “Scary Movie V,” “Uncle Drew” and the LeBron James-produced basketball dramedy “Survivor’s Remorse.” On the BET series “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” Ash played the ex-wife of Kevin Hart’s character. Jack Russell, the lead singer of the bluesy '80s metal band Great White whose hits included “Once Bitten Twice Shy” and “Rock Me” and was fronting his band the night 100 people died in a 2003 nightclub fire in Rhode Island, died Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. He was 63. Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez, a Hall of Fame golfer whose antics on the greens and inspiring life story made him among the sport’s most popular players during a long professional career, died Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. Susan Wojcicki, the former YouTube chief executive officer and longtime Google executive, died Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, after suffering with non small cell lung cancer for the past two years. She was 56. Frank Selvy, an All-America guard at Furman who scored an NCAA Division I-record 100 points in a game and later played nine NBA seasons, died Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. He was 91. Wallace “Wally” Amos, the creator of the cookie empire that took his name and made it famous and who went on to become a children’s literacy advocate, died Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, from complications with dementia. He was 88. Gena Rowlands, hailed as one of the greatest actors to ever practice the craft and a guiding light in independent cinema as a star in groundbreaking movies by her director husband, John Cassavetes, and who later charmed audiences in her son's tear-jerker “The Notebook,” died Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. She was 94. Peter Marshall, the actor and singer turned game show host who played straight man to the stars for 16 years on “The Hollywood Squares,” died. Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024 He was 98. Alain Delon, the internationally acclaimed French actor who embodied both the bad guy and the policeman and made hearts throb around the world, died Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. He was 88. Phil Donahue, whose pioneering daytime talk show launched an indelible television genre that brought success to Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and many others, died Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, after a long illness. He was 88. Al Attles, a Hall of Famer who coached the 1975 NBA champion Warriors and spent more than six decades with the organization as a player, general manager and most recently team ambassador, died Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. He was 87. John Amos, who starred as the family patriarch on the hit 1970s sitcom “Good Times” and earned an Emmy nomination for his role in the seminal 1977 miniseries “Roots,” died Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. He was 84. James Darren, a teen idol who helped ignite the 1960s surfing craze as a charismatic beach boy paired off with Sandra Dee in the hit film “Gidget,” died Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. He was 88. James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen has died. He was 93. His agent, Barry McPherson, confirmed Jones died Sept. 9 at home. Jones was a pioneering actor who eventually lent his deep, commanding voice to CNN, “The Lion King” and Darth Vader. Working deep into his 80s, he won two Emmys, a Golden Globe, two Tony Awards, a Grammy, the National Medal of Arts, the Kennedy Center Honors and was given an honorary Oscar and a special Tony for lifetime achievement. In 2022, a Broadway theater was renamed in his honor. Frankie Beverly, who with his band Maze inspired generations of fans with his smooth, soulful voice and lasting anthems including “Before I Let Go,” has died. He was 77. His family said in a post on the band’s website and social media accounts that Beverly died Sept. 10. In the post, which asked for privacy, the family said “he lived his life with a pure soul, as one would say, and for us, no one did it better.” The post did not say his cause of death or where he died. Beverly, whose songs include “Joy and Pain,” “Love is the Key,” and “Southern Girl,” finished his farewell “I Wanna Thank You Tour” in his hometown of Philadelphia in July. Joe Schmidt, the Hall of Fame linebacker who helped the Detroit Lions win NFL championships in 1953 and 1957 and later coached the team, has died. He was 92. The Lions said family informed the team Schmidt died Sept. 11. A cause of death was not provided. One of pro football’s first great middle linebackers, Schmidt played his entire NFL career with the Lions from 1953-65. An eight-time All-Pro, he was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and the college football version in 2000. Born in Pittsburgh, Schmidt played college football in his hometown at Pitt. Chad McQueen, an actor known for his performances in the “Karate Kid” movies and the son of the late actor and racer Steve McQueen, died Sep. 11. His lawyer confirmed his death at age 63. McQueen's family shared a statement on social media saying he lived a life “filled with love and dedication.” McQueen was a professional race car driver, like his father, and competed in the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona races. He is survived by his wife Jeanie and three children, Chase, Madison and Steven, who is an actor best known for “The Vampire Diaries.” Tito Jackson, one of the brothers who made up the beloved pop group the Jackson 5, died at age 70 on Sept. 15. Jackson was the third of nine children, including global superstars Michael and Janet. The Jackson 5 included brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael. They signed with Berry Gordy’s Motown empire in the 1960s. The group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and produced several No. 1 hits in the 1970s, including “ABC,” “I Want You Back” and “I’ll Be There.” John David “JD” Souther has died. He was a prolific songwriter and musician whose collaborations with the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt helped shape the country-rock sound that took root in Southern California in the 1970s. Souther joined in on some of the Eagles’ biggest hits, such as “Best of My Love,” “New Kid in Town,” and “Heartache Tonight." The Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee also collaborated with James Taylor, Bob Seger, Bonnie Raitt and many more. His biggest hit as a solo artist was “You’re Only Lonely.” He was about to tour with Karla Bonoff. Souther died Sept. 17 at his home in New Mexico, at 78. In this photo, JD Souther and Alison Krauss attend the Songwriters Hall of Fame 44th annual induction and awards gala on Thursday, June 13, 2013 in New York. Sen. Dan Evans stands with his three sons, from left, Mark, Bruce and Dan Jr., after he won the election for Washington's senate seat in Seattle, Nov. 8, 1983. Evans, a former Washington state governor and a U.S. Senator, died Sept. 20. The popular Republican was 98. He served as governor from 1965 to 1977, and he was the keynote speaker at the 1968 National Republican Convention. In 1983, Evans was appointed to served out the term of Democratic Sen. Henry “Scoop” Jackson after he died in office. Evans opted not to stand for election in 1988, citing the “tediousness" of the Senate. He later served as a regent at the University of Washington, where the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance bears his name. Eugene “Mercury” Morris, who starred for the unbeaten 1972 Miami Dolphins as part of a star-studded backfield and helped the team win two Super Bowl titles, died Sept. 21. He was 77. The team on Sunday confirmed the death of Morris, a three-time Pro Bowl selection. In a statement, his family said his “talent and passion left an indelible mark on the sport.” Morris was the starting halfback and one of three go-to runners that Dolphins coach Don Shula utilized in Miami’s back-to-back title seasons of 1972 and 1973, alongside Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick. Morris led the Dolphins in rushing touchdowns in both of those seasons. John Ashton, the veteran character actor who memorably played the gruff but lovable police detective John Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cop” films, died Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. He was 76. Maggie Smith, who won an Oscar for 1969 film “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and won new fans in the 21st century as the dowager Countess of Grantham in “Downton Abbey” and Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, died Sept. 27 at 89. Smith's publicist announced the news Friday. She was frequently rated the preeminent British female performer of a generation that included Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench. “Jean Brodie” brought her the Academy Award for best actress in 1969. Smith added a supporting actress Oscar for “California Suite” in 1978. Kris Kristofferson, a Rhodes scholar with a deft writing style and rough charisma who became a country music superstar and an A-list Hollywood actor, died Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. He was 88. Drake Hogestyn, the “Days of Our Lives” star who appeared on the show for 38 years, died Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. He was 70. Ron Ely, the tall, musclebound actor who played the title character in the 1960s NBC series “Tarzan,” died Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, at age 86. Dikembe Mutombo, a Basketball Hall of Famer who was one of the best defensive players in NBA history and a longtime global ambassador for the game, died Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, from brain cancer, the league announced. He was 58. Frank Fritz, left, part of a two-man team who drove around the U.S. looking for antiques and collectibles to buy and resell on the reality show “American Pickers,” died Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. He was 60. He's shown here with co-host Mike Wolfe at the A+E Networks 2015 Upfront in New York on April 30, 2015. Pete Rose, baseball’s career hits leader and fallen idol who undermined his historic achievements and Hall of Fame dreams by gambling on the game he loved and once embodied, died Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. He was 83. Cissy Houston, the mother of Whitney Houston and a two-time Grammy winner who performed alongside superstar musicians like Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin, died Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in her New Jersey home. She was 91. Ethel Kennedy, the wife of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, who raised their 11 children after he was assassinated and remained dedicated to social causes and the family’s legacy for decades thereafter, died on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, her family said. She was 96. Former One Direction singer Liam Payne, 31, whose chart-topping British boy band generated a global following of swooning fans, was found dead Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, local officials said. He was 31. Mitzi Gaynor, among the last survivors of the so-called golden age of the Hollywood musical, died of natural causes in Los Angeles on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. She was 93. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. He was 63. Jack Jones, a Grammy-winning crooner known for “The Love Boat” television show theme song, died, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. He was 86. Phil Lesh, a founding member of the Grateful Dead, died Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at age 84. Teri Garr, the quirky comedy actor who rose from background dancer in Elvis Presley movies to co-star of such favorites as "Young Frankenstein" and "Tootsie," died Tuesday, Oct 29, 2024. She was 79. Quincy Jones, the multitalented music titan whose vast legacy ranged from producing Michael Jackson’s historic “Thriller” album to writing prize-winning film and television scores and collaborating with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and hundreds of other recording artists, died Sunday, Nov 3, 2024. He was 91 Bobby Allison, founder of racing’s “Alabama Gang” and a NASCAR Hall of Famer, died Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. He was 86. Song Jae-lim, a South Korean actor known for his roles in K-dramas “Moon Embracing the Sun” and “Queen Woo,” was found dead at his home in capital Seoul, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. He was 39. British actor Timothy West, who played the classic Shakespeare roles of King Lear and Macbeth and who in recent years along with his wife, Prunella Scales, enchanted millions of people with their boating exploits on Britain's waterways, died Tuesday, Nov 12, 2024. He was 90. Bela Karolyi, the charismatic if polarizing gymnastics coach who turned young women into champions and the United States into an international power in the sport, died Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. He was 82. Arthur Frommer, whose "Europe on 5 Dollars a Day" guidebooks revolutionized leisure travel by convincing average Americans to take budget vacations abroad, died Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. He was 95. Former Chicago Bulls forward Bob Love, a three-time All-Star who spent 11 years in the NBA, died Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. He was 81. Chuck Woolery, the affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster, skewering liberals and accusing the government of lying about COVID-19, died Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. He was 83. Barbara Taylor Bradford, a British journalist who became a publishing sensation in her 40s with the saga "A Woman of Substance" and wrote more than a dozen other novels that sold tens of millions of copies, died Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. She was 91. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!WASHINGTON (AP) — The acting director of the Secret Service said Thursday that the agency is “reorganizing and reimagining” its culture and how it operates following an assassination attempt against Donald Trump on the campaign trail. Members of a bipartisan House task force investigating the attempt on Trump's life pushed Ronald Rowe on how the agency’s staffers could have missed such blatant security vulnerabilities leading up to the July 13 shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. At one point, the hearing devolved into a shouting match between Rowe and a Republican congressman. Rowe promised accountability for what he called the agency’s “abject failure” to secure the rally in Butler, where a gunman opened fire from a nearby building. Trump was wounded in the ear, one rallygoer was killed and two others were wounded. Another assassination attempt two months later contributed to the agency’s troubles. That gunman waited for hours for Trump to appear at his golf course in Florida, but a Secret Service agent thwarted the attack by spotting the firearm poking through bushes. The task force has been investigating both attempts, but it was the July shooting that dominated Thursday’s hearing. Its inquiry is one of a series of investigations and reports that have faulted the agency for planning and communications failures. The agency’s previous director resigned, and the Secret Service increased protections for Trump before the Republican won the November election. Rowe was repeatedly asked by flabbergasted lawmakers how problems so obvious in hindsight were allowed to happen. Rep. Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat, said it was “just wild to me” that at a time of tech advances, the Secret Service was using text messages and emails to communicate in real time about threats. He also asked Rowe why so many things went wrong that day “yet nobody said anything.” Rowe said the agency used to have a culture where people felt comfortable speaking up. “I don’t know where we lost that,” he said. “We have to get back to that.” Rowe said the agency is putting a much stronger emphasis on training — something previous investigations found was lacking — and on doing more regular reviews of events to see what went right and where improvements can be made. “We are reorganizing and reimaging this organization," Rowe told lawmakers. He said the agency needs to identify possible leaders much earlier in their careers instead of just promoting people to command positions because they have been around a long time. The hearing was largely cordial, with members of Congress stressing the bipartisan nature of their work and praising Rowe for cooperating with their investigation even as they pushed him for explanations. But at one point, Rowe and Rep. Pat Fallon, a Texas Republican, faced off — shouting over each other as other members pleaded for order. Fallon pulled out a photo of President Joe Biden, Trump and others at this year's Sept. 11 ceremony in New York and asked Rowe why he was at the event, suggesting it was to burnish his prospects at getting the director job permanently. Trump has not yet named his pick to lead the agency. “I was there to show respect for a Secret Service member that died on 9/11. Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes!” Rowe shouted. “You wanted to be visible because you were auditioning for this job that you’re not going to get!” Fallon later shot back. Rowe roared back: "You are out of line, Congressman. You are out of line!” “You're a bully,” Fallon said. This was the task force’s second public hearing and the first time that Rowe has addressed its members in public. The panel has until Dec. 13 to release its final report. Rep. Mark Green, a Tennessee Republican, said the agency’s conduct during the July shooting seemed almost “lackadaisical.” He said some of the issues that went wrong that day were ”really basic things.” “It speaks of an apathy or a complacency that is really unacceptable in an organization like the Secret Service,” Green said. The task force conducted 46 transcribed interviews, attended over a dozen briefings and reviewed over 20,000 documents. Members also visited the site of both assassination attempts and went to the FBI’s laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, to look at evidence. Rowe said Thursday that the agency's internal investigation , whose findings were released last month, identified failures by multiple employees. He noted that the quality of the advance work — the people who scope out event locations ahead of time — did not meet agency standards. He vowed accountability for those who fell down on the job. Many of the investigations have centered on why buildings near the rally with a clear line of sight to the stage where Trump was speaking were not secured in advance. The gunman, Thomas Crooks, climbed onto the roof of one of them and opened fire before being killed by a Secret Service counter-sniper. Rowe pointed to the failure to protect the building as the most glaring oversight that day. He also was asked about the morale of agents and new hires. Rowe said applications are actually up this year — the agency made a net gain of about 200 agents during the past fiscal year, meaning both new agents were hired and veteran agents retained.

Adobe earnings beat by $0.14, revenue topped estimatesThe Africa Military Games has started in the capital of Nigeria, Abuja, with the various armies representing their countries West African heavyweights Ghana and Nigeria rekindle their agel-long rivalry at the competition in Boxing The competition is expected to foster unity among the 54 countries in Africa following the second edition of the multi-sport event Don't miss out! Join Legit.ng's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now! The Africa Military Games in Abuja produced several thrilling encounters between the various countries participating in the competitions. It was also an opportunity for Ghanaians and Nigerians to take their rivalry to a new frontier. From Algeria to Zimbabwe, athletes in the military converged in Abuja last week for the exciting event. In a video that has since gone viral on social media , a Ghanaian army boxer engaged his Nigerian counterpart. In the short clip, the Nigerian, who was in an all-red attire could not stand the early punches as he got dazed by the Ghanaian. Read also Davido boldly slams TVC for criticising his remarks on foreign investors and Nigeria: “E no allow u sleep" PAY ATTENTION : Standing out in social media world? Easy! "Mastering Storytelling for Social Media" workshop by Legit.ng. Join Us Live! Ghanaians took to social media to react @RichieGonzalex posted : No be small punches the Alata man Dey chop @Benzema_DeGoat wrote : This blow dem dey call am “K) fie k) wu” @ComradeGaffar added: Lights over darkness be this @iamMCT7 posted: The Ghanaian was really too much on his strength. No defense. He will get exposed against a real threat @nanaezze tweeted: All the Eba still couldn't save my Naija Boxer @LampOil09 added: Look at the number of young boxers we have in Bukom and other areas, but because they can’t pay their way into the armed forces look at how dbee soldier dey throw punches like ebi roadside women fight... results of monetisation and politisation of institutions Nigerian artists thrill military at AMGA Several top Nigerian artists, including Olamide , performed at the competition's opening ceremony in Abuja. Read also Igbo man graduates from UK university, teaches Oyinbo lecturer cultural handshake on graduation day Also joining him were legendary musician D'Banj and Afronbeats singer Yemi Alade. The musician thrilled fans before the games began last week. Nigeria beat Ghana to win WAFU Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Flying Eagles of Nigeria have defeated the Black Satellites of Ghana to win the WAFU Zone B U20 Championship in Lomé, Togo. A first-half brace from Kparobo Arierhi was enough for Nigeria to lift the trophy despite a second-half consolation from Ghana's Jerry Afriyie. Both teams went into the finals, and their place at next year's Africa U20 Cup of Nations was secured. PAY ATTENTION : Legit.ng Needs Your Opinion! That's your chance to change your favourite news media. Fill in a short questionnaire Source: YEN.com.gh

BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri described “the Israeli occupying forces’ hostilities as blatant violations of the ceasefire agreement” as Lebanese authorities reported that at least two people were killed on Monday in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon. Berri called on the committee responsible for monitoring the ceasefire agreement between the Israeli army and Hezbollah to “urgently start carrying out its duties and oblige Israel to stop its violations and withdraw from the areas it invaded before anything else.” Hezbollah “is committed to its pledges,” Berri said. More than 54 Israeli breaches have been recorded, said Berri, who handled the ceasefire negotiations with the US envoy after being delegated to do so by Hezbollah. Berri’s protest came as the ministry of health said one person was killed in an Israeli drone attack near the electricity plant in Marjayoun. Lebanon’s state security said an Israeli drone strike killed a member of its forces — Cpl. Mahdi Khreis — while he was on duty in Nabatieh, 12 kilometers from the border. State security called it a “flagrant violation” of the truce. Security sources said Israeli attacks struck sites deep inside Lebanon. An Israeli drone fired three missiles at Hosh Al-Sayyed Ali village on the Lebanese-Syrian border. The Israeli army said it attacked military vehicles operating near Hezbollah military infrastructure in Bekaa, Lebanon. The Lebanese army said an Israeli drone struck an army bulldozer carrying out construction work at the Al-Abbara military center in the Hosh Al-Sayyed Ali area of Hermel, injuring a soldier. The Israeli army said that it was aware of the attack and that the incident was under investigation. Israeli breaches continued in the area invaded by the Israeli army, including demolishing houses and private and public facilities and carrying out airstrikes against Bint Jbeil, Maroun Al-Ras and Aitaroun, injuring one person. The Israeli army imposed a curfew on residents of the invaded area for specific hours. Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee continued to warn residents of this area, which includes more than 50 villages, against going back to their houses at the moment. Many residents fled the area 14 months ago. Berri denounced “the Israeli occupying forces’ hostilities, including demolishing homes in Lebanese border villages, carrying out air raids on Lebanese territories, as well as the latest strikes in Hosh Al-Sayyed Ali, Hermel, and Jdeidet Marjayoun, which resulted in casualties.” Berri said the Israeli actions “are blatant breaches of the ceasefire agreement, effective since 4 a.m. on Nov. 27, to which Lebanon fully adheres.” Berri questioned “the silence of the technical committee tasked with monitoring the agreement,” highlighting Israeli offences. He emphasized that “Lebanon and the resistance remain committed to their pledges.” Media reports stated that US envoy Amos Hochstein, who handled the ceasefire negotiations, sent a message to Israel regarding its “violations of the ceasefire agreement.” Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari claimed that Israel “adheres to the ceasefire agreement.” But, he claimed, the 60-day period for the Israeli army’s withdrawal from the areas it invaded according to the agreement is “a gradual process to ensure Hezbollah's threat is gone.” Hagari told Sky News Arabia: “Israel’s primary concern is to ensure its security and that it is not exposed to any threats.” He said the Lebanese people “must ensure that the border areas with Israel are free of weapons that threaten Israel's security.” According to a security source, the Israeli forces in a new incursion infiltrated the area near the Mays Al-Jabal government hospital. “These forces regard this location as part of their operational zone, having established a boundary restricting Lebanese residents from returning to their towns following the ceasefire implementation.” the source said, adding that the situation was expected to persist until the forces withdraw within 60 days. Adraee reiterated the Israeli prohibition on X: “Until further notice, movement south of the line of villages: Shebaa, Al-Habbariyeh, Marjayoun, Arnoun, Yohmor, Qantara, Shaqra, Baraashit, Yater, and Mansouri, and the surrounding areas of these villages is restricted.” He said that “anyone who moves south of this line puts themselves at risk.” The mechanism for monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement is scheduled to commence at the beginning of this week. The monitoring committee includes the US, France, Lebanon, Israel and UNIFIL representatives. The French Foreign Ministry said that Paris had informed Israel of the need for all parties to respect the ceasefire agreement. Over the past weekend, it said French authorities observed 52 violations of the ceasefire agreement by Israel in the space of 24 hours. Hezbollah, citing repeated Israeli ceasefire violations, carried out a strike on an Israeli military position late on Monday. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said Hezbollah's firing toward army positions "will be met with a harsh response." Hezbollah targeted the Kfar Shuba hills within the Shebaa Farms around 6 p.m. for the first time since the ceasefire went into effect. A political observer described Hezbollah's action as "a calculated response, as the Shebaa Farms are not included in the 1701 Agreement and therefore are not included in the ceasefire." Israeli media reported that two missiles were detected crossing from Lebanon into the Mount Dov area and falling in an open area, and two explosions were heard in the vicinity of the Ruwaysat Al-Alam site in the Kfar Shuba Heights. A Hezbollah statement said that the military operation it carried out was "in response to the repeated violations by Israel of the declared cessation of hostilities agreement, which took various forms, including firing on civilians and airstrikes in different parts of Lebanon, which led to the martyrdom of citizens and the injury of others, in addition to the continued violation of Lebanese airspace by hostile Israeli aircraft, reaching the capital Beirut." "Since the reviews of the relevant authorities to stop these violations did not succeed, Hezbollah carried out an initial warning defensive response targeting the Ruwaysat Al-Alam site belonging to the Israeli army in the occupied Lebanese Kfar Shuba Hills." The Israeli army later carried out raids on towns within the zone it declared south of the Litani Line. In other developments, the Lebanese government has increased its meetings to deliberate on strategies to deal with the piles of debris resulting from the Israeli demolition of residential structures. The move came as those displaced began to return to their homes in the less-affected regions of the southern suburbs of Beirut, the South, and Bekaa. Lebanon’s Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said: “We are faced with the challenge of reconstruction, everything that has to do with removing the rubble and where to put it. There will be full coordination with the relevant ministries and bodies.” After a meeting with the governors, he said that the “army and general security protect the Lebanese borders.” The minister asked the governors to “constantly cooperate with the security forces and hold sub-security council meetings to discuss what may happen.” The Beirut Southern Suburb Union of Municipalities said it continues to work on opening main and secondary roads by pushing rubble aside. Data, including the names of residents, were circulated and showed that Hezbollah had started counting the people who were affected and surveying the damaged areas. Meanwhile, the Islamic Gathering of Engineers has launched a drive to “recruit engineers and architects who wish to take part in the surveying and reconstruction efforts.”Gabriel mimics Gyokeres in cheeky goal celebration in Arsenal win over Sporting in Champions League

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In a move that could reshape the social media landscape in the United States, Donald Trump is pressing the U.S. Supreme Court to delay the enactment of a federal law that aims to either ban TikTok or compel its sale. The President-elect contends that he needs time after assuming office to negotiate a political settlement. The case pits TikTok and its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, against U.S. lawmakers who voted in April to outlaw the app unless it is divested by January 19. TikTok is seeking to overturn the legislation, and the Supreme Court has agreed to review the case. A decision against ByteDance could see the app effectively banned from American soil just a day before Trump's planned inauguration. Trump's legal stance highlights the complex intersections of free-speech rights, national security, and foreign policy. Free speech advocates argue that banning TikTok mimics censorship tactics of authoritarian regimes, while the U.S. Justice Department maintains that the app's Chinese ties pose an ongoing security threat. TikTok rebuts such claims, stating that its operations and data management are firmly rooted in the United States. (With inputs from agencies.)When life gets tough, many of us find it hard to lift our voices in praise. Honestly, during challenging and painful times, praise often feels like the last thing we want to do. It’s easy to let our emotions dictate our response, but as believers, we are called to live differently. We are meant to praise God not only when things are going well, but especially in our most difficult moments. It's during these struggles that our praise can have the greatest impact. The story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16 serves as a powerful testament to this truth. In Acts 16, we see Paul and Silas facing severe consequences after freeing a slave girl from a spirit of divination. If you’ve never read the story, I encourage you to check it out; it’s pretty cool. Instead of receiving gratitude, they were beaten and thrown into the innermost prison, their feet locked in stocks. In that dark place, they had every reason to complain or fall into despair. I’m sure you’ve been there before, in a dark season where you feel stuck and see no way out. Yet, at midnight, they made a bold choice: they began to pray and sing hymns to God. Their decision to worship — a deliberate act of faith — stands in stark contrast to the natural inclination to grumble when faced with hardship. As Christians, we must recognize two essential truths when navigating trials. First, spiritual opposition is a part of our journey. The Christian life isn’t a cruise ship; it’s more like a battleship. Facing challenges comes with the territory, and understanding that we’re in a spiritual battle equips us to withstand those difficulties. Second, trials are not random; they are part of God’s divine plan. Like Paul and Silas, we will encounter obstacles, but these experiences are tailored for our growth and provide an opportunity to glorify God. Through these trials, God teaches us resilience and deepens our faith. When we choose to praise in the midst of adversity, we activate a powerful force. The praise of Paul and Silas was the sound of hope in the den of despair, leading to an incredible miracle—an earthquake that opened doors and unfastened their chains. Their worship wasn’t just a way to cope; it became a catalyst for God’s power to break through. This profound act of faith not only liberated them but also captivated the attention of the jailer, who soon sought salvation, bringing his entire household to faith. I imagine that God and the angels of heaven looked upon these men, amazed that they approached their situation as Job did. Do you remember Job’s words? He said, “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.” Throughout the Scriptures, we find many instances where people could have easily given up, blamed God for their situation, and abandoned their walk with Jesus. But not Paul and Silas. They followed in the same steps of faith and praised God in the middle of their suffering. How about you? How do you handle the pain of life? How do you deal with unexpected changes in your plans? How do you behave when things go in a completely opposite direction from what you expected? Sign up to get our free daily email of the biggest stories! I wish I could say I’ve never grumbled or complained or had a lousy attitude when I was in a bad place, but I’d be lying. Over and over again, I’ve failed the test and had to repent for my perspective. My feelings are real. Your feelings are real. Life hurts—I get it. But here’s the thing: we haven’t been called to live by our feelings; we’ve been called to live by faith and to learn to praise in the middle of our prison seasons. By God’s grace, we learn to adopt a new perspective—one that humbly admits that we don’t have the right to get sour when God has been so good to us. Let me ask you: has God been good to you? I wonder what would happen if you chose to thank Him and praise Him when it’s the last thing you felt like doing. I’m willing to bet you would find the foundation of your situation changing, just as Paul and Silas experienced their prison walls shaking and soon discovered the freedom that comes from breaking the shackles of negativity. As we reflect on our lives, let’s consider the “prisons” we may be facing. What burdens can we break free from through praise? How can we intentionally offer thanks even when it's challenging? The discipline of praise is not just about enduring tough times; it’s about actively choosing gratitude in the face of adversity. By lifting our voices in worship, we honor God, demonstrate our faith, and hopefully inspire those around us to do the same. In every season, let us remember the power of praise—it can transform our struggles into stepping stones toward deeper faith and new opportunities for witnessing God’s goodness.

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The discrepancy in prices quoted by different institutions further added to the confusion and dilemma faced by the woman. At the lower end of the spectrum, some clinics offered the procedure for a mere $300, while others justified the $5000 price tag based on the use of advanced technology, experienced specialists, and additional services bundled with the treatment.Through her engaging personality and authentic approach, Li Sisi has managed to cultivate a loyal fan base, driving sales and increasing her online presence. By leveraging her existing fame and communication skills, she has effectively leveraged the power of social media to connect with consumers in a more direct and impactful way. This successful transition showcases her ability to adapt to changing trends and capitalize on new opportunities in the digital age.

Published 4:33 pm Thursday, November 21, 2024 By Data Skrive The New Orleans Pelicans (4-12) are keeping their eye on eight players on the injury report, including Brandon Ingram, heading into their Friday, November 22 game against the Golden State Warriors (11-3) at Smoothie King Center. The Warriors have listed two injured players. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET. Watch the NBA, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. In their last outing on Wednesday, the Pelicans suffered a 128-100 loss to the Cavaliers. In the Pelicans’ loss, Antonio Reeves led the way with a team-high 34 points (adding four rebounds and three assists). In their last game on Wednesday, the Warriors secured a 120-97 victory over the Hawks. Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points in the Warriors’ win, leading the team. Sign up for NBA League Pass to get live and on-demand access to NBA games. Get tickets for any NBA game this season at StubHub. Catch NBA action all season long on Fubo. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .

Despite the lower price tag, the property is still considered one of the most prestigious in Hong Kong, featuring a grand entrance hall, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, a home cinema, a swimming pool, and a private gym. The meticulously landscaped grounds offer a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, making it a rare find in the competitive Hong Kong real estate market.The new trailer showcases Aizen in all his glory, exuding an aura of elegance and danger as he makes his grand entrance. Dressed in his signature attire, with his trademark glasses and serene smile, Aizen's presence is enough to send chills down the spines of both fans and foes alike. The animation captures his essence perfectly, from his graceful movements to the subtle hints of his sinister intentions that lie beneath the surface.As the woman weighed her options, she delved deeper into the factors influencing the cost of root canal treatment. The reputation and expertise of the dental professionals, the location and setting of the clinic, the quality of materials and equipment used, and the complexity of the case all played a role in determining the price of the procedure.

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2. Tax Cuts and Incentives: In addition to higher government spending, we can expect to see tax cuts and incentives being introduced to encourage spending, investment, and consumption. By reducing taxes for individuals and businesses, policymakers aim to increase disposable income, spur entrepreneurship, and enhance competitiveness. These measures are designed to stimulate demand and catalyze economic recovery.MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Mike McDaniel has seen a change in quarterback Tua Tagovailoa over the past month. “He's found a way to improve the way he plays the position throughout the game,” the Dolphins coach said Sunday, after Tagovailoa threw for four touchdowns in a dominant 34-15 win over the New England Patriots. “The most monumental thing that you have to overcome as a quarterback is playing the position regardless of the ebbs and flows," McDaniel added, "so not changing how you play based upon positive or negative results and letting every play stand on its own.” Tagovailoa has mastered that ability to remain even-keeled during Miami's three-game winning streak, McDaniel noted, highlighted by his 317-yard passing performance on Sunday. The Dolphins (5-6) have a thin margin for error the rest of the season but have kept themselves afloat with a strong stretch that includes two-straight 30-point games. With their win at New England (3-9) in Week 5, the Dolphins have swept their division rivals in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1999-2000. Tagovailoa, who moved to 7-0 in his career against New England, entered the game with a league-high 73.4% completion rate and went 29 for 40. He has 11 passing touchdowns and just one interception since returning from injured reserve in Week 8. “We’re still below the .500 threshold, and it’s a long way to where we want to get to," Tagovailoa said. “We’ll enjoy this win, but this next one is going to be big for us.” The Dolphins have a short turnaround with a game at Green Bay on Thursday. Backup Skylar Thompson replaced Tagovailoa with about 11 minutes left in what was already a blowout, but a bad handoff on his first play resulted in a fumble that was recovered by cornerback Christian Gonzalez and returned 63 yards for a touchdown. It cut New England's deficit to 31-15, and Tagovailoa returned the next drive. Miami's defense held the rest of the way. Linebacker Tyrel Dodson intercepted rookie quarterback Drake Maye on New England's penultimate drive, then Miami stopped the Patriots on fourth down on the next. Jaylen Waddle caught eight passes for a season-high 144 yards and a 23-yard touchdown that stretched Miami's lead to 31-0 entering the fourth. Running back De'Von Achane scored on a 9-yard screen pass and then walked into the end zone for an 11-yard TD in the first half. Jonnu Smith finished with 87 yards on nine catches to continue his strong first season as a Dolphin. One week after catching two touchdowns with a career-high 101 yards receiving, Smith found the end zone for a 7-yard TD catch on the Dolphins' second drive. New England was shut out until tight end Austin Hooper got behind the Dolphins defense for a wide-open 38-yard touchdown catch from Maye to make it 31-7 with 13:43 left. Maye completed 22 of 37 passes for 221 yards with 26 yards rushing. But he couldn't overcome an overall sloppy performance by the Patriots in which they got nothing going offensively until the final quarter and had 10 penalties accepted against them. “I always say I hate losing more than I like to win," Maye said. "We got our butts whipped today, and it’s only up from here. We’ve got a bright future and the right players in there for the Patriots.” New England's best drive of the first half lasted 12 plays and covered 80 yards but included three accepted offensive penalties and ended in a missed 45-yard field goal by Joey Slye. The Patriots forced a Dolphins punt and moved down the field again on the opening drive of the second half, with Maye completing an improvised 10-yard throw on third down to receiver Kendrick Bourne. New England then tried a double pass with Bourne, whose cross-field throw fell short of Rhamondre Stevenson on 3rd-and-17. DeMario Douglas led the Patriots with 61 yards receiving. Antonio Gibson had six rushes for 30 yards. With the loss, the Patriots will finish their third straight season below .500. Its the first time since 1991-93 New England has had three straight losing seasons. “Once those guys cross the white lines, there’s nothing I can do for them,” coach Jerod Mayo said. "There’s nothing any coach can do for them. It’s my job to continue to prepare not only them, but our coaches as well.” Dolphins: LB Anthony Walker Jr. sustained a noncontact hamstring injury in the second quarter. He was helped slowly off the field by trainers and did not return. Patriots: Host Indianapolis next Sunday. Dolphins: At Green Bay on Thursday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

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AP Top 25: Alabama, Mississippi out of top 10 and Miami, SMU are in; Oregon remains unanimous No. 1Thai institutional investors see the domestic and global economies on a promising recovery path next year, on the back of anticipated interest rate cuts, as they express growing interest in sustainable investment, a recent survey by the Association of Investment Management (AIMC) has found. AIMC chairwoman Chavinda Hanratanakool said fund managers have a positive view of the Thai economy in 2025, supported by their expectations that GDP will tend to grow continuously, and that the domestic policy interest rate may be adjusted down to 1.75% by the end of the year to stimulate the economy. However, fund managers have concerns about political instability, which may be a factor affecting confidence, she added. With regard to equity investments, they will focus on medium to large cap stocks that have environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies, which are expected to generate better returns than general stocks. Prominent industries include commerce, tourism-recreation, technology, and finance. In terms of domestic bond investment, the focus is on medium and long-term government bonds and private debt instruments. Real estate investment trusts (REITs) and infrastructure funds are recommended as alternative assets while gold would account for a small proportion in their portfolio. In terms of the global economic outlook, institutional investors believe that the global economy will recover gradually, with positive factors including GDP growth in major economies and a downward trend of interest rates. The US policy interest rate is expected to be adjusted down to 3.5-3.75% by the end of 2025. When it comes to the global investment portfolio, they would focus on large and medium-sized stocks in developed markets such as the US, Europe (the UK, Germany) and India. Prominent industries include technology, finance, communications, luxury goods and utilities. In terms of global debt instruments, institutional investors believe they should invest in medium-term debt instruments in developed markets such as the US and Europe. With regard to alternative assets, investment should focus on REITs and infrastructure funds, which still yield satisfactory returns. "The survey revealed that asset management firms are focusing on ESG investment, with plans to launch new funds such as an ESG mixed fund, which caters to investors seeking tax benefits, and an ESG Foreign Investment Fund or Feeder Fund, which invests abroad to expand opportunities in sustainability," said Mrs Chavinda. AIMC believes economic recovery and the increasing interest in sustainable investment would support investment to show better prospects in 2025, she added.

With the 15 January target date for a new master agreement between union dock workers and US Gulf and East Coast ports rapidly approaching, the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) is urging both sides to push back the deadline. Negotiations between the dockworkers, represented by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), and the ports, represented by the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), have been stalled as each side is unwilling to budge on issues surrounding automation of ports. Container ships and costs for shipping containers are relevant to the chemical industry because while most chemicals are liquids and are shipped in tankers, container ships transport polymers, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), are shipped in pellets. They also transport liquid chemicals in isotanks. ACD President and CEO Eric Byer outlined the challenges hindering negotiations and emphasized the significant economic and public consequences of a contract lapse in a letter to both parties. Byer also highlighted the economic impacts the previous three-day strike caused to various industries and the challenges the chemical distribution industry would face if another strike were to occur. Other challenges are the 29 January start of the Lunar New Year, and the upcoming inauguration and transition to the new presidential administration. “In early October, during the three-day lapse in the master contract between the ILA and USMX, there was a substantial economic impact, weeks of supply chain disruptions, and challenges in getting necessary supplies to communities in the wake of the Hurricane Helene disaster,” Byer said in the letter. “Additionally, had the lapse continued for just a few more days, it would have resulted in ACD members losing stock of chemicals used for critical processes, such as water treatment.” In a 12 December post on social media, President-elect Donald Trump expressed his support for the dockworkers in the labor dispute. A strike would not have an impact on liquid chemical tankers, which transport most chems. For most traders and brokers who export polyvinyl chloride (PVC), much of their warehouse space is full and they are unable to book vessels until after the 15 January deadline because of the uncertainty. “This could make for a very challenging first quarter,” ICIS Senior Analyst Kelly Coutu said. Source: By Adam Yanelli, ICIS,Acute Intermittent Porphyria Global Market Report 2024: Market Size To Reach $5.6 Billion By 2028

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Chevron ( CVX -2.57% ) is already a free cash flow machine. The oil giant produced $5.7 billion in cash last quarter. Those funds and its strong balance sheet enabled the company to return a record $7.7 billion to shareholders via dividends and repurchases. The oil company aims to produce even more cash next year, which would give it more money to return to shareholders. Here's a look at Chevron's plans for the upcoming year. Drilling down into Chevron's 2025 plan Chevron recently revealed its 2025 capital spending plans. The oil giant expects organic capital expenditures to be between $14.5 billion and $15.5 billion. In addition, it anticipates capital spending at its affiliates to be in the range of $1.7 billion to $2 billion. Overall, these spending ranges represent a $2 billion decline from Chevron's capital spending in 2024. The oil company expects to allocate about $13 billion of that capital on upstream projects (oil and gas production), with two-thirds aimed at developing its U.S. resource portfolio. Chevron plans to reduce capital spending in the Permian Basin to between $4.5 billion and $5 billion. It's slowing production growth in favor of increasing its free cash flow. It will split the remaining money between the DJ Basin and the Gulf of Mexico, with the latter area on track to deliver several projects that will ramp its production in the Gulf by 300,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2026. Other notable investments include $1 billion on projects related to Gorgon LNG in Australia, $1.2 billion on downstream projects (refining), and $1.5 billion to lower its business's carbon intensity and grow its new energies businesses. Chevron is also investing capital in its Kazakhstan joint venture in a project that will start producing oil in the first half of next year and to expand its chemicals joint venture with Phillips 66 (CPChem). Cutting costs In addition to shaving its capital spending budget, Chevron is working to reduce some of its structural costs. The company previously set a goal to achieve $2 billion to $3 billion of cost savings by the end of 2026. To that end, the company expects to incur some near-term costs related to restructuring its business and selling non-core and higher-cost assets. It expects to record $700 million to $900 million in restructuring costs in the fourth quarter and $400 million to $600 million in impairments and other charges. Some of those costs relate to the company's portfolio optimization strategy. Chevron has agreed to sell its Canadian assets for $6.5 billion. It also agreed to sell assets in Congo and Alaska. These sales are part of a plan to divest $10 billion to $15 billion in higher-cost, higher-carbon assets by 2028. Those sales will enhance its financial flexibility. The company is also working to replace those assets with higher margins and lower carbon ones by acquiring Hess in a deal that could close next year. That needle-moving deal would enhance and extend its production and free cash flow growth outlook into the 2030s. The fuel to produce stronger free cash flow in 2025 and beyond Chevron's 2025 capital plan will exchange some production growth for greater free cash flow growth over the next year. The company is already producing a lot of cash. Its free cash flow after capital spending totaled $10.7 billion through the first nine months of this year. That has allowed it to return significant cash to shareholders while maintaining a strong balance sheet. Its leverage ratio was 11.9% at the end of the third quarter, well below its 20% to 25% target range. The company's strong free cash flow and balance sheet have allowed it to ramp up its cash returns to shareholders this year. It increased its dividend by 8%, accelerating from its roughly 6% annual pace in recent years. Chevron also repurchased $4.7 billion of its stock during the third quarter. That quarterly repurchase rate is toward the high end of its $10 billion to $20 billion annual target range for repurchases. With its spending falling and free cash flow likely to rise next year, Chevron should return even more cash to shareholders. It will undoubtedly increase its dividend (it has raised the payout for over 35 straight years) and could repurchase shares at or near the top end of its target range, especially if it acquires Hess. Poised for another strong year Chevron's low-cost operations produce a lot of cash. It expects to generate even more free cash next year by cutting capital spending and structural costs. That should allow the oil giant to return even more money to shareholders, which could give it the fuel to produce strong total returns. On top of that, Chevron has a massive upside catalyst from its pending deal to buy Hess, which could finally happen next year if it wins its arbitration case. These factors combine to make Chevron look like a very compelling oil stock to buy as we head into 2025.Celanese Corp. stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitors

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Baker Hughes ( NASDAQ:BKR – Free Report ) by 13.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 134,735 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 15,477 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc.’s holdings in Baker Hughes were worth $4,871,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of BKR. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Baker Hughes during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. acquired a new stake in Baker Hughes during the 1st quarter worth $34,000. Alta Advisers Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Baker Hughes during the 2nd quarter valued at $42,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Baker Hughes in the 2nd quarter worth $48,000. Finally, Quarry LP grew its stake in shares of Baker Hughes by 81.1% during the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,594 shares of the company’s stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 714 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.06% of the company’s stock. Baker Hughes Trading Down 1.4 % Shares of NASDAQ:BKR opened at $44.25 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $38.54 and a 200 day simple moving average of $35.63. The company has a market capitalization of $43.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.30. Baker Hughes has a 52-week low of $28.32 and a 52-week high of $45.17. Baker Hughes Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 4th were issued a $0.21 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 4th. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.90%. Baker Hughes’s dividend payout ratio is currently 37.67%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Susquehanna raised their target price on Baker Hughes from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a report on Thursday, October 24th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Baker Hughes from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Baker Hughes from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, October 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $43.00 price target on shares of Baker Hughes in a report on Thursday, October 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised Baker Hughes from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $40.00 to $42.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $44.59. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Baker Hughes About Baker Hughes ( Free Report ) Baker Hughes Company provides a portfolio of technologies and services to energy and industrial value chain worldwide. The company operates through Oilfield Services & Equipment (OFSE) and Industrial & Energy Technology (IET) segments. The OFSE segment designs and manufactures products and provides related services, including exploration, appraisal, development, production, rejuvenation, and decommissioning for onshore and offshore oilfield operations. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BKR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Baker Hughes ( NASDAQ:BKR – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Baker Hughes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Baker Hughes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .How do you solve a problem like eighth grade algebra ? Not the actual problems covered by the syllabus — the graphing of compound inequalities, say, or the untangling of scatter plots — but the question that’s at the heart of a fraught national debate: Who should get to take a high school level math class in their final year of middle school ? Portland Public Schools is the latest urban school district to take a swing at answering that question, after previous high-profile attempts in New York City and San Francisco yielded no measurable improvement in two different but equally important objectives: Diversifying middle school algebra classes and making sure that advanced math students leave eighth grade with a solid grasp on foundational algebraic concepts. The district’s experiment unfolds daily in Ernest Yago’s cheerfully cluttered math classroom at Faubion PK-8 School in Northeast Portland. Yago, a veteran math teacher, is piloting a new math and science-focused, hands-on elective that some seventh graders at his school take alongside their regular math class. So far, Portland’s new approach has narrowed the pool of students allowed to start high school math in eighth grade, though it is only in its first few months. And it is not yet clear whether the district has managed to boost the racial and ethnic diversity of those taking part. The hope is that the course Yago is debuting will broaden the spectrum of scholars in eighth grade algebra. By double-dosing students with math concepts in seventh grade — couched in an approach that stresses projects with real-world applications over worksheets — the thinking is they will be better prepared for the rigors of eighth grade algebra. In addition to Faubion, three K-8 schools on the city’s east side — Bridger-Creative Science, Astor and Cesar Chavez — plus Robert Gray Middle School on the west side are offering the elective. “I think that for some kids, algebra in eighth is pushing too fast, but there are a select few kids that are motivated and ready to do a high school class in eighth grade,” Yago said. “I want to honor that and make sure we offer it.” Kids who aren’t instinctively gifted mathematicians need to have the right background before jumping into algebra in eighth grade, Yago said. And he knows firsthand that that hasn’t always been the case, particularly in the post-pandemic years, when students returned to school still glued to their screens. Some kids come into eighth grade algebra in “la-la land,” with big holes in the background they need to succeed in the class, Yago said. That means taking time out of a packed curriculum to revisit the content they’ve missed, he added, like how to make a box plot and calculate a five number summary . “I try my best to cover what they need [in eighth grade algebra],’ but sometimes you have to fill in holes to make that progress, and then you are behind in curricular content,” he said. He’s got some hope “a good chunk” of the seventh graders in his math-and-science elective will be better prepared to tackle algebra next year, after getting more exposure to the material. After their current unit on graphing wraps up, he said, they’ll move on to a geometry unit, using proportional reasoning, expressions and equations to create blueprints for a scale model of a home they’ll design and build. Yago and his fellow teachers at the pilot schools are developing the curriculum for the course over the course of the school year, with help from two high school math teachers with experience teaching hands-on math. Yago’s students said they had varying reasons for taking his math elective. Some said they’d been put there or recommended for entry by teachers. Others said they want careers in the sciences. Aspiring engineers, doctors and computer programmers said they know taking algebra in eighth grade would help launch them on that path. “I want to be a pilot, and you need math for that,” said Liam Kaczenski, 12. He said he is determined to earn good enough grades in Yago’s class to qualify for algebra next year. For his graphing project, he charted how many siblings each of his classmates had and compared that against their stress level, hypothesizing that the more brothers and sisters, the higher the angst would be. It was true for him, he said, pointing at his twin sister Ana, who is also in Yago’s class. “I struggle with math sometimes,” Ana said. “But I want to be ahead in high school. This class helps me understand more topics.” Taking algebra in eighth grade sets students like the Kaczenski twins up for geometry in ninth grade, advanced algebra by 10th grade, pre-calculus in 11th grade and calculus by their senior year. Calculus is viewed both as a calling card for elite colleges and a prerequisite for eventual employment in the lucrative and growing engineering and technology industries. Waiting until ninth grade to start algebra means that, to get to calculus by senior year, students either have to double up on math or seek summer credits. Nationally and in Portland, white and Asian students have historically been overrepresented in advanced math classes and have outperformed their Black, Latino and Indigenous peers. In a bid to change that dynamic, San Francisco tried banning eighth grade algebra completely, a path Portland seriously considered emulating, to the chagrin of some parents . They argued that without an in-school option available, well-off families would hire private tutors for their children, exacerbating inequity instead of alleviating it. Then San Francisco Unified School District officials reversed course, after a decade’s worth of no algebra in middle school led to little improvement in equity, and Portland, too, pivoted. New York City, meanwhile, took the opposite tack, making algebra available to all eighth graders. But there too, Black and Latino students still scored way below their white and Asian counterparts. The district, the nation’s largest, has now shifted its focus to improving ninth grade algebra instruction. Portland is seeking to thread the needle, said Joanna Tobin, the district’s senior director for middle grade core academics. “We were just really frustrated with the research and the nationwide dilemma,” Tobin said. “We want to hold onto an advanced pathway and support our students getting there, if that’s their desire, and we also really do value grade level work.” In addition to piloting the seventh grade math and science elective, Portland raised the bar for which seventh graders get to take “compacted math,” a fast-track class that is the historical precursor to eighth grade algebra. It compresses the seventh and eighth grade math curriculums mostly into a single year. With the bar set higher this year, only about one-third of the district’s 2,870 seventh graders performed well enough on standardized tests to gain automatic entry into compacted math, compared to about half of last year’s seventh grade class, Tobin said. Under the district’s new system, entry doesn’t hinge solely on a high-stakes test, which sets Portland apart from the bulk of middle schools in the United States that offer algebra in eighth grade. A second pathway into compacted math — a teacher recommendation or parent request that a student be allowed to demonstrate that they are ready for the material even though their test scores are below the cutoff — appears to be far more lightly used thus far. Some parents have complained that the district was slow to get the word out about that option. Just 140 students completed a “performance task” to try to place into compacted math after missing the quiz and test cutoffs. Only 20 of that group ultimately joined the advanced class. (A sample question from the performance task: Imagine that your family ate one third of a pan of brownies and that you then gave six friends equal portions of the leftovers. How much of the total pan did each friend get. Please show your work!). “When you put up these roadblocks to getting into more advanced classes, you know who will make it in,” said David Stein, whose sixth grade daughter was able to test into seventh grade compacted math after a last minute scramble. “It will be the parents who get the emails, are able to process them and go through the effort to make sure their kid is eligible and enrolled in the program.” Portland doesn’t yet have good data on the demographics of who made it into compacted math this year, as compared with years past because of technical glitches, Tobin said. But she acknowledged that for now, “when it comes to the demographics, [compacted math] is not yet reflective of the diversity of our communities. Some of this will be a journey, and we’ll be seeing the growth at high school.” Every Portland middle school is offering at least one way into eighth grade algebra — either the seventh grade compacted math class or the career-related math elective — but it’s not clear yet that budgets or student interest will support every school eventually being able to offer both options, Tobin said. Yago, for his part, said he’d like to see the math and science elective expanded to eighth graders not taking algebra, on the theory that it will make them better prepared for ninth grade. “It’s made me rethink how to go about teaching math, with more inquiry and projects,” said Yago, who began teaching in Portland as a substitute nearly 30 years ago. “But it all does depend on the kids you have and the experience they have coming to you.” — Julia Silverman covers K-12 education for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her via email at jsilverman@oregonian.com . Follow her on x.com at @jrlsilverman.

MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) -Bayern Munich's Harry Kane scored a hat-trick with two of the goals in second half stoppage time, to give the league leaders a 3-0 win over visitors Augsburg on Friday and open up an eight-point gap at the top with their sixth straight clean sheet across all competitions. The Bavarians, who take on Paris St Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, are undefeated in the Bundesliga and on 29 points following their fifth consecutive league game without conceding a goal. Second-placed RB Leipzig, who travel to Hoffenheim on Saturday, are on 21 points. "We said at half time we should just keep going and create chances," Kane, who has scored 14 league goals this season, told reporters. "Thankfully we got the penalty and from there the game opened up." Kane has scored 50 league goals since joining Bayern last year, needing just 43 Bundesliga games to reach that mark, faster than any player in the league's history. Bayern have a busy schedule coming up with PSG on Tuesday before the trip to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga in a week. They cap off their 11-day four-match run with the German Cup last-16 clash at home to holders Bayer Leverkusen on Dec. 3. "We have a big week ahead with PSG in the Champions League then Dortmund then Leverkusen in the Cup. We're in a good moment, we're feeling good and should just keep the momentum up," Kane said. As expected Bayern had more than 70% possession for much of the first half but Augsburg had keeper Nediljko Labrovic to thank for a goalless first half after the Croatia international stopped efforts from Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala and Leon Goretzka, who also hit the crossbar four minutes after the restart. Labrovic then denied Michael Olise in the 51st but could do nothing to prevent Kane from scoring with a well-taken 63rd minute penally. The England captain was then awarded another penalty following a lengthy VAR review in stoppage time with Augsburg's Keven Schlotterbeck sent off for tripping him in front of goal. Labrovic was beaten by Kane once more after picking the wrong side again before the forward completed his hat-trick only seconds later after controlling a Goretzka cross with a superb first touch and then heading in. (Reporting by Karolos Grohmann, editing by Pritha Sarkar)NoneAustin Ekeler injury update: Commanders RB hospitalized after scary collision

Posted: Saturday, December 7, 2024. 11:00 am CST. By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: This week, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology launched USpace, a new initiative focused on learning through hands-on coaching. The Houses of Culture in Corozal and Orange Walk have been upgraded with technology to help communities build digital skills and foster innovation through culture. Visitors can access premium features, including computers, internet, coding and robotics training, competitions, Access501 to explore Belize’s heritage, and the People’s Archive Project to digitize culture in real-time. This initiative was done through a partnership with the Ministry, NICH, UNICEF, and the Belize National Library Service. The expansion of USpace will include turning all five remaining Houses of Culture nationwide and continuously adding new and engaging features. Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315. © 2024, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.STEVE FLOWERS: 'Big mules ain't all bad'

Ezewiro scores 19 and UAB takes down Alcorn State 91-74

What a long, strange trip it's been since space stocks stormed onto the stock market in 2021. Back in the dog days of the pandemic -- when most of America was quarantining, and many of us were day trading in meme stocks with government-issued COVID checks -- a series of unprofitable space companies decided to go public via the sketchy route of reverse-merging into already listed special purpose acquisition companies ( SPACs) . It didn't take long for most of these stocks to lose most of their value, as prices plunged 70%, 80%, and even 90% through early 2023 . But in 2024, investors (cautiously) returned to the market, and happier times may be here at last. Three space stocks in particular look interesting to me right now. Well off their lows following their initial public offering, BlackSky Technology ( BKSY 1.62% ) , Spire Global ( SPIR 5.67% ) , and Redwire ( RDW 9.37% ) still sit in an ideal range of two to four times trailing sales. Historical valuations tell me that this is the "right" price for a not-yet-profitable space stock . (And since I worked out that valuation, Lockheed Martin has confirmed it by acquiring Terran Orbital for 3.3 times sales .) There's no guarantee these three stocks will turn profitable. But I think at their present valuations, each is sufficiently cheap to be worth at least a small investment, with the goal of holding until they're either acquired (as Terran Orbital was) or they become profitable on their own -- and maybe for a long time afterward. Here's what you need to know about them. BlackSky Technology BlackSky, at $338 million in market capitalization, is arguably the cheapest of these three stocks. With 16 satellites in orbit, BlackSky operates as an Earth observation (i.e. spy satellite) company. It provides its government and commercial customers with what it calls "real-time space-based intelligence" by photographing objects of interest on Earth as often as 15 times per day. According to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence , the company sells primarily to U.S. government agencies such as the Department of Defense and National Reconnaissance Office. But BlackSky also sells internationally (to the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, for example) as well as to corporate partners such as Palantir . Financially, it remains a small fish in a big space pond, with annual revenue of only $107 million. It's also losing money -- $42 million over the past year. The company is also burning nearly $55 million in cash annually. Still, with $63 million in the bank, the company has more than a year to go before it starts to run out of money. With sales growing rapidly (they're expected to double through 2027), analysts polled by S&P think the company will turn free-cash-flow positive by 2026. Meaning BlackSky might have enough cash already to keep it going until it's generating cash on its own. Spire Global A second spy satellite company I have my eye on is Spire, and its story is even more interesting. Historically focused on providing satellite-based intelligence to monitor global shipping, it agreed in November to sell this, its biggest business, to the privately held commodity data and analytics platform Kpler for $241 million. On the one hand, this makes Spire a work in progress, as investors must wait and see what it will make of its remaining portfolio of products servicing the aviation, weather, and space industries, and its constellation of 100-plus satellites in orbit. On the other hand, the huge cash windfall from the Kpler sale will enable Spire to pay off all its debt and leave perhaps $170 million in cash on its balance sheet -- meaning half the company's market cap is backed up by cold, hard cash. With an annual burn rate of only $44 million or so, this gives Spire four years' lease on life, as it works to turn its remaining operations into a consistently profitable business. Redwire Redwire focuses on "space infrastructure" -- building things in and for use in space -- rather than launching satellites to provide imaging services from space. Valued around $800 million, Redwire is roughly as big as BlackSky and Spire combined, and it's arguably closer to generating free cash flow than either of the others. Its cash burn rate was only a few million dollars in 2023. It's likely to burn more than that this year, but analysts have this company pegged for positive free cash flow in 2025. With $43 million in the bank, Redwire almost certainly has enough to survive until it's generating cash on its own. Until one (or two, or all three) of these space companies turns officially profitable, assigning the right value to their shares will be an exercise in guesswork. BlackSky stock only costs 3.1 times annual sales; Spire has a 3.4 multiple, and Redwire is cheapest of all with a price-to-sales ratio of only 2.7. While I like Redwire's chances best, and I'm most skeptical of BlackSky, at these low valuations, my hunch is that all three of these companies are capable of surviving and thriving over the long term.

OTTAWA — Canada got back in the win column at the world junior hockey championship. It wasn't pretty. Oliver Bonk, Caden Price and Mathieu Cataford, into the empty net, scored as the wobbly host country picked up an unconvincing 3-0 victory over Germany on Sunday. Carter George made 25 saves to register the goaltender's second straight shutout for the Canadians, who were coming off Friday's stunning 3-2 upset loss to Latvia in a shootout. Nico Pertuch stopped 33 shots for Germany, which dropped its Group A opener at the men's under-20 tournament to the United States 10-4 before falling 3-1 to Finland. Canada entered with a 17-0 record all-time and a combined 107-26 score against Germany at the world juniors, including last year's 6-3 victory in Gothenburg, Sweden, and an 11-2 drubbing at the 2023 event in Halifax. Despite another sub-par performance, the victory sets up a New Year's Eve matchup against the U.S. for first place in the pool after the Americans fell 4-3 to the Finns in overtime earlier Sunday. Canada suffered one of the powerhouse nation's worst defeats in tournament history Friday when Latvia — outscored 41-4 in four previous meetings at the event — shocked the hockey world. And while the plucky Latvians were full marks for their victory, the Canadians were largely disjointed and surrendered the middle of the ice for long stretches despite firing 57 shots on goal. There was more of the same Sunday. Head coach Dave Cameron made a couple of changes to Canada's lineup — one out of necessity and another for tactical reasons. With star defenceman Matthew Schaefer, who could go No. 1 at the 2025 NHL draft, out of the world juniors after suffering an upper-body injury against Latvia, Vancouver Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio drew in. Cameron also sat forward Porter Martone in favour of Carson Rehkopf. Canada opened the scoring on the power play, which also had a new look after going 1-for-7 through the first two games, when Bonk scored from his normal bumper position in the slot off an Easton Cowan feed at 9:40 of the first period. Sam Dickinson then chimed a one-timer off the post on another man advantage before George, who was in goal for Canada's 4-0 opener against the Finns, made a couple of stops on the penalty kill inside a red-clad Canadian Tire Centre. Petruch made a big stop off Tanner Howe in the second before also denying Calum Ritchie from the slot on a power play, but the Canadians again looked completely out of sorts against what was a decidedly inferior opponent on paper. Berkly Catton hit another post for Canada early in the third. Tanner Molendyk also found iron. Unable to register a 5-on-5 goal against either Latvia or Germany through more than 120 minutes of action, Price scored on a shot that caromed off the end boards and went in off Pertuch with 4:58 left in regulation to make it 2-0 before Cataford iced it into the empty net on another nervy night for the 20-time gold medallists. LATVIAN REACTION The U.S. beat Latvia 5-1 on Saturday, less than 24 hours after the Europeans' upset of Canada. American captain Ryan Leonard said the Latvians were impressive — even on short rest. "That team's no joke," said the Washington Capitals prospect. "You can't really treat anyone different, especially in this short of a tournament." UP NEXT Germany will meet Latvia on Monday in a crucial game at the bottom of the Group A standings. Canada now turns its attention to Tuesday's clash against the U.S. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2024. Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian PressFor Major Labels, 2024 Was the Year of IndependentsIs it possible to start investing with £80 of Christmas money? Yes – here’s how!None

ISU men's basketball set to face Ohio State

AP News Summary at 6:21 p.m. ESTSmokers who quit for a week could save a day of their life, experts say

The decision by Tesco, Musgrave and the BWG Group came after a woman who said Mr McGregor raped her won a civil claim for damages against him. Nikita Hand, who accused the sportsman of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, won her claim against him for damages in a case at the High Court in the Irish capital. In a statement, a spokesman for Musgrave said: “Musgrave can confirm these products are no longer available to our store network.” The network includes SuperValu, Centra, Daybreak and Mace. A Tesco spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we are removing Proper No Twelve Whiskey from sale in Tesco stores and online.” A spokesperson for BWG Group said: “The products are no longer listed for distribution across our network of Spar, Eurospar, Mace, Londis and XL stores, including Appleby Westward which operates over 300 Spar stores in the south west of England.” It is understood that other retail outlets including Costcutter and Carry Out will also stop stocking products linked to Mr McGregor. He and some of his business partners sold their majority stake in the Proper Number Twelve Irish whiskey brand. He was reported to have been paid more than £103 million from the sale to Proximo Spirits in 2021. On Monday, a popular video game developer decided to pull content featuring the MMA fighter. The Irish athlete has featured in multiple video games, including voice-acting a character bearing his likeness in additional downloadable content in the Hitman series. Mr McGregor’s character featured as a target for the player-controlled assassin in the game. IO Interactive, the Danish developer and publisher of Hitman, said in a statement: “In light of the recent court ruling regarding Conor McGregor, IO Interactive has made the decision to cease its collaboration with the athlete, effective immediately. “We take this matter very seriously and cannot ignore its implications. “Consequently, we will begin removing all content featuring Mr McGregor from our storefronts starting today.” Last Friday, the High Court jury awarded damages amounting to 248,603.60 euros (around £206,000) to Ms Hand. Mr McGregor made no comment as he left court but later posted on social media that he intended to appeal against the decision.