The plate is her canvas. Imani Cohen never wants her dish to look too brown nor too starchy. She gravitates toward foods bright with luminous colors such as greens, purples and orange, during her weekly Saturday visits to the farmer’s market – a ritual she’s kept for herself and family as a way to be intentional in the foods she purchases for quality health and manifesting energy. “My relationship with food has expanded as my relationship with self,” Cohen said. “It is a reflection of my self love. Food is one of the ways we can spiritually and emotionally empower ourselves and gain control over our lives and autonomy.” Growing up in south central Los Angeles a lot of exotic vegetable ingredients Cohen’s mother loved to cook with were not always readily available in the neighborhood. “I never grew up with the concept of farm to table and wasn’t exposed to that,” said Cohen, who was raised near Crenshaw and Slauson. It’s why in 2020 her longtime homegirl, Olympia Auset, started a pop-up, SÜPRMARKT, in front of artist and educator Ben Caldwell’s storefront, KAOS in Los Angeles’ Leimert Park neighborhood to combat the existing food desert that dehydrates south central Angelenos. In July 2024, SÜPRMARKT upgraded into a brick and mortar oasis and became the first vegan grocery store in south central Los Angeles. Auset was disappointed that there were only three grocery stores within Crenshaw’s six-mile radius. She started SÜPRMARKT because she hated that residents had to travel miles into Manhattan beach, Marina Del Rey or Westchester to hunt for high value produce. “It’s out of our way,” said Auset, 33, who studied public relations and sociology at Howard University. Places such as Simply Wholesome, a Black-owned whole food store, has been a staple on Slauson Avenue and Overhill Drive but are more of an earth pharmacy and health restaurant v a grocery store. SÜPRMARKT is accessibly located at 3526 West Slauson Ave, resting inside a 1,908 sq ft free-standing home. Upon arrival, patrons are greeted by a patio with ample seating. Inside resembles “a cozy residential house with a carpenter-style touch”. Tunes of Bob Marley playing in the background fills the air with positive energy. Its aqua interior delivers a tranquil shopping experience. The market offers a well-stocked selection of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, including perfectly ripe mangoes, onions, yams, chard and dairy. Their open kitchen allows one to eat clean foods from their menu such as the signature “Everyday People” salad, cornbread, cabbage and vegan gumbo. Customers are also able to purchase items using funds through government- and community-assistance programs. Gaining access to vegan processed foods for SÜPRMARKT was difficult for Auset, who said she faced racism and discrimination. One distributor laughed in Auset’s face questioning, “vegan ice cream on Slauson?” Then denying her service citing the neighborhood “unsafe.” “I have had people do a lot of really weird things when we were going through our permit process,” Auset said. She wants to raise awareness of these problems to make access smoother for people who are attempting to make a healthier oasis in the communities needed most. Nearly one in five Angelenos – or roughly 2 million people – are food insecure, and is defined by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a lack of access to enough food for an active, healthy life due to money and other resources, according to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. “Food is the most culturally accepted form of genocide,” Auset said. “It kills more people than gun violence.” Residents in the four neighborhoods along the Crenshaw district – West Adams, Windsor Hills-View Park and Baldwin Hills – are more than likely to eat fast food and get food from liquor stores or vendors due to the lack of access to fresh ingredients in the area, according to a study done by students at the University of Southern California. “I focus on food injustice and food access, because I feel like it’s one thing that we have the ability to solve,” said Auset. However, Cohen suggests that the locals’ inner priorities define what food they have to eat in their hood. As the “Hood Healer” she pushes people in the neighborhood she grew up in to eat with the same self-love she does, and put their health first. Diets are “impacting our productivity”, she said. “We are functioning under high stress. Let’s start working on changing our diets.” She points to the Crenshaw Farmers Market, operated by Food Access LA, that serves a large swath of south central Los Angeles. The market features regional farmers, food and artisan vendors who bring a diverse selection of local produce as well as sprouts, breads, nuts, baked goods and delicious prepared food. Events are hosted monthly and include cooking demonstrations, tastings and children’s activities, according to their website. The Baldwin Hills Crenshaw farmers market exists at the Crenshaw Mall bringing sustainable food systems that benefit low-to-moderate income residents of Los Angeles and supporting California’s small- and mid-sized farms and local small businesses, their website says. “These markets are not well supported,” said Cohen, who began a social media movement on Instagram “Farmers Market Saturday” where she promotes and connects people to the farm-to-table experience and connect locals with Black farmers. Cohen and Auset are just one of the coalition of organizations working to make their community healthy in Leimert Park. Imani Gardens, founded by Darin Diggs, is another mission-driven farmers pop-up who vended in proximity to SÜPRMARKT. “I lost 65 lbs by adapting my body to foods that are made for us,” Diggs said. “Our people need to know that nature is them and they are nature.” Originally from Fullerton, California, Diggs remembers never having to wonder where the closest grocery store was in Orange county but noticed the opposite when he crossed county lines. “If I’m spending 8 hrs a week looking for healthy foods then I know my brothers and sisters aren’t,” he said. He did the work so the community didn’t have to by hosting pop-ups throughout Los Angeles providing seeded fruit, and sometimes delivery, too. For Auset, quality food is about one thing – keeping people alive. “Statistics are not just numbers, they’re actual people. I don’t want to go to my friend’s funeral when we’re 40,” she said.Ubisoft's Xdefiant Will Shut Down in 2025, Along With 2 Entire Studios - IGN Daily Fix

Media firm MONO threatens to sue over SET warning

LATHAM, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- AngioDynamics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANGO), a leading and transformative medical technology company focused on restoring healthy blood flow in the body’s vascular system, expanding cancer treatment options and improving patient quality of life, today announced that it will report financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 before the market open on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, followed by a Virtual NanoKnife System investor event. Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter Financial Results Conference Call The Company’s management will host a conference call at 8:00 am ET the same day to discuss the results. To participate in the conference call, dial 1-877-407-0784 (domestic) or +1-201-689-8560 (international). This conference call will also be webcast and can be accessed from the “Investors” section of the AngioDynamics website at www.angiodynamics.com . The webcast replay of the call will be available at the same site approximately one hour after the end of the call. A recording of the call will also be available, until Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET. To hear this recording, dial 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) or +1-412-317-6671 (international) and enter the passcode 13750571. Virtual NanoKnife Investor Event In an effort to provide investors more insight into the NanoKnife System and the Company’s strategy for the technology, the Company will be hosting a virtual investor event on January 8, 2025 at 9:30am ET. This event be webcast and can be accessed from the “Investors” section of the AngioDynamics website at www.angiodynamics.com . About AngioDynamics, Inc. AngioDynamics is a leading and transformative medical technology company focused on restoring healthy blood flow in the body’s vascular system, expanding cancer treatment options and improving quality of life for patients. The Company’s innovative technologies and devices are chosen by talented physicians in fast-growing healthcare markets to treat unmet patient needs. For more information, visit www.angiodynamics.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219061676/en/ CONTACT: Investors: AngioDynamics, Inc. Stephen Trowbridge, Executive Vice President & CFO (518) 795-1408 KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH ONCOLOGY CARDIOLOGY MEDICAL DEVICES SOURCE: AngioDynamics, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 05:00 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 04:58 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219061676/enNEW YORK — Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster, died from cancer, according to a statement from family released by CBS on Friday. He was 78. "He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten," his wife, Marcy Gumbel, and daughter Michelle Gumbel said in a statement. In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 because of what he said at the time were family health issues. Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. He signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties. In 2001, he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the U.S. to call play-by-play of a major sports championship. David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Greg Gumbel as breaking barriers and setting standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports, including in the NFL and March Madness. "A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time," said Berson. Dallas Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders, left, and running back Michael Irvin (88) share the Vince Lombardi trophy Jan. 28, 1996, as NBC commentator Greg Gumbel interviews the two after Super Bowl XXX in Tempe, Ariz. Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the network for NBC when it lost football in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998. He hosted CBS' coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during its four-year run broadcasting the national pastime. But it was football and basketball where he was best known and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS' NFL studio show, "The NFL Today" from 1990 to 1993 and again in 2004. He also called NFL games as the network's lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, including Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, leaving that role after the 2022 season. Photos: Notable deaths in 2024 Glynis Johns Glynis Johns, a Tony Award-winning stage and screen star who played the mother opposite Julie Andrews in the classic movie “Mary Poppins” and introduced the world to the bittersweet standard-to-be “Send in the Clowns” by Stephen Sondheim, died, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2023. She was 100. Adan Canto Adan Canto, the Mexican singer and actor best known for his roles in “X-Men: Days of Future Past” and “Agent Game” as well as the TV series “The Cleaning Lady,” “Narcos,” and “Designated Survivor,” died Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, after a private battle with appendiceal cancer. He was 42. Bud Harrelson Bud Harrelson, the scrappy and sure-handed shortstop who fought Pete Rose on the field during a playoff game and helped the New York Mets win an astonishing championship, died Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. He was 79. The Mets said that Harrelson died at a hospice house in East Northport, New York after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Dejan Milojevic Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević, a mentor to two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and a former star player in his native Serbia, died Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, after suffering a heart attack, the team announced. He was 46. Jack Burke Jack Burke Jr., the oldest living Masters champion who staged the greatest comeback ever at Augusta National for one of his two majors, died Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, in Houston. He was 100. Mary Weiss Mary Weiss, the lead singer of the 1960s pop group the Shangri-Las, whose hits included “The Leader of the Pack,” died Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, in Palm Springs, Calif. She was 75. Norman Jewison Norman Jewison, a three-time Oscar nominee who in 1999 received an Academy Award for lifetime achievement, died “peacefully” Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, according to publicist Jeff Sanderson. He was 97. Charles Osgood Charles Osgood, who anchored “CBS Sunday Morning” for more than two decades, hosted the long-running radio program “The Osgood File” and was referred to as CBS News’ poet-in-residence, died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. He was 91. Melanie Safka Melanie, a singer-songwriter behind 1970s hits including “Brand New Key,” died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. She was 76. Born Melanie Safka, the singer rose through the New York folk scene and was one of only three solo women to perform at Woodstock. Her hits included “Lay Down” and “Look What They've Done to My Song Ma.” Chita Rivera Chita Rivera, the dynamic dancer, singer and actress who garnered 10 Tony nominations, winning twice, in a long Broadway career that forged a path for Latina artists, died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. She was 91. Carl Weathers Carl Weathers, a former NFL linebacker who became a Hollywood action movie and comedy star, playing nemesis-turned-ally Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” movies, facing-off against Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Predator” and teaching golf in “Happy Gilmore,” died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. He was 76. Wayne Kramer Wayne Kramer, the co-founder of the protopunk Detroit band the MC5 that thrashed out such hardcore anthems as “Kick Out the Jams” and influenced everyone from the Clash to Rage Against the Machine, died Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. at Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles, according to Jason Heath, a close friend and executive director of Kramer's charity, Jail Guitar Doors. Heath said the cause of death was pancreatic cancer. He was 75. Ian Lavender Actor Ian Lavender, who played a hapless Home Guard soldier in the classic British sitcom “Dad’s Army,” died Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. He was 77. Toby Keith Country music singer-songwriter Toby Keith, whose pro-American anthems were both beloved and criticized, died Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. He was 62. Henry Fambrough Henry Fambrough, the last surviving original member of the iconic R&B group The Spinners, whose hits included “It’s a Shame,” “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love,” and “The Rubberband Man,” died Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, of natural causes, according to a statement from his spokeswoman. He was 85. Bob Edwards Bob Edwards, right, the news anchor many Americans woke up to as founding host of National Public Radio's “Morning Edition” for nearly a quarter-century, died Saturday, Feb. 10, 20243. He was 76. He's shown here with sports announcer Red Barber. Don Gullett Don Gullett, a former major league pitcher and coach who played for four consecutive World Series champions in the 1970s, died Feb. 14. He was 73. He finished his playing career with a 109-50 record playing for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees. Lefty Driesell Lefty Driesell, the coach whose folksy drawl belied a fiery on-court demeanor that put Maryland on the college basketball map and enabled him to rebuild several struggling programs, died Feb. 17, 2024, at age 92. Andreas Brehme 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. Golden Richards Despite the effort of Denver Broncos defensive back Steve Foley (43), Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Golden Richards hauls in a touchdown pass during NFL football's Super Bowl 12 in New Orleans on Jan 15, 1978. Richards died Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, of congestive heart failure at his home in Murray, Utah. He was 73. Richards' nephew Lance Richards confirmed his death in a post on his Facebook page. Richard Lewis Comedian Richard Lewis attends an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles on Dec. 25, 2012. Lewis, an acclaimed comedian known for exploring his neuroses in frantic, stream-of-consciousness diatribes while dressed in all-black, leading to his nickname “The Prince of Pain,” died Feb. 27, 2024. He was 76. He died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday night after suffering a heart attack, according to his publicist Jeff Abraham. Nikolai Ryzhkov Former Soviet Prime Minister Nikolai Ryzhkov attends a session of the Federation Council, Russian parliament's upper house, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 25, 2014. Ryzhkov, former Soviet prime minister who presided over failed efforts to shore up the crumbling economy in the final years before the collapse of the USSR, died Feb. 28, 2024, at age 94. Brian Mulroney 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. Akira Toriyama Akira Toriyama is pictured in 1982. Toriyama, the creator of one of Japan's best-selling “Dragon Ball” and other popular anime who influenced Japanese comics, died March 1, 2024. He was 68. Iris Apfel Iris Apfel, a textile expert, interior designer and fashion celebrity known for her eccentric style, died March 1, 2024, at 102. Andy Russell Andy Russell, the standout linebacker who was an integral part of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ evolution from perennial losers to champions, died Feb. 29, 2024. He was 82. Russell won two Super Bowls during a 12-year NFL career between 1963-76 that was briefly interrupted by a stint in the military. Russell played in 168 consecutive games and spent 10 years as a team captain. He was named to the Pro Bowl seven times. Russell remained active in the Pittsburgh community after retiring, writing several books and launching the Andy Russell Charitable Foundation. Ed Ott Pittsburgh Pirates' Ed Ott slides across home late out of reach of Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey to score the winning run in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the World Series at Baltimore, Oct. 11, 1979. Ott, a former major league catcher and coach who helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1979 World Series, died March 3, 2024. He was 72. He batted .259 with 33 homers and 195 RBIs in 567 major league games. Ott and Steve Nicosia were the main catchers when the Pirates won it all in 1979. Chris Mortensen In a photo supplied by ESPN, Chris Mortensen appears on the set of Sunday NFL Countdown at ESPN's studios in Bristol, Conn., on Sept. 22, 2019. Mortensen, the award-winning journalist who covered the NFL for close to four decades, including 32 as a senior analyst at ESPN, died March 3, 2024. He was 72. Mortensen announced in 2016 that he he had been diagnosed with throat cancer. Even while undergoing treatment, he was the first to confirm the retirement of Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. Mortensen announced his retirement after the NFL draft last year so that he could “focus on my health, family and faith.” Steve Lawrence Singer Steve Lawrence, left, and his wife Eydie Gorme arrive at a black-tie gala called honoring Frank Sinatra in Las Vegas on May 30, 1998. Lawrence, a singer and top stage act who as a solo performer and in tandem with his wife Gorme kept Tin Pan Alley alive during the rock era, died Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at age 88. Gorme died on Aug. 10, 2013. Naomi Barber King Martin Luther King III, right, the son of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., walks with his daughter Yolanda, and Naomi Barber King, left, the wife of Rev. King's brother, A.D., through an exhibition devoted to the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to King at the Martin Luther King Jr. Historical Site, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, in Atlanta. Civil rights activist Naomi Barber King died Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Atlanta, according to family members. She was 92. Paul Alexander A Texas man who spent decades using an iron lung after contracting polio as a child died March 11, 2024, at the age of 78. Paul Alexander's longtime friend Daniel Spinks says Alexander died Monday at a Dallas hospital. Spinks called his friend one of the "bright stars of the world.” Friends of Alexander, who graduated from law school and had a career as an attorney, say he was a man who had a great joy for life. Alexander was a child when he began using an iron lung, a cylinder that encased his body as the air pressure in the chamber forced air in and out of his lungs. Thomas P. Stafford Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford stands near the NASA Motor Vessel Retriever during training Aug. 23, 1965, in the Gulf of Mexico. Stafford, who commanded a dress rehearsal flight for the 1969 moon landing and the first U.S.-Soviet space linkup, died March 18, 2024, at 93. Chris Simon New York Rangers' Chris Simon celebrates his second-period goal against the New York Islanders, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2004, at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. Former NHL enforcer Chris Simon has died. He was 52. Simon died March 18, 2024, according to a spokesperson for the NHL Players' Association. M. Emmet Walsh M. Emmet Walsh arrives at the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards, March 1, 2014, in Santa Monica, Calif. Walsh, the character actor who brought his unmistakable face and unsettling presence to films including “Blood Simple” and “Blade Runner,” died March 19, 2024, at age 88, his manager said Wednesday. Laurent de Brunhoff "Babar" author Laurent de Brunhoff, who revived his father's popular picture book series about an elephant-king, has died at 98 after being in hospice care for two weeks. De Brunhoff was a Paris native who moved to the U.S. in the 1980s. He died March 22, 2024, at his home in Key West, Florida. Just 12 years old when his father, Jean de Brunhoff, died of tuberculosis, Laurent drew upon his own gifts as a painter and storyteller and as an adult released dozens of books about the elephant who reigns over Celesteville, among them "Babar at the Circus" and "Babar's Yoga for Elephants." Obit Angelos Baseball Longtime Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos has died at the age of 94. His family announced in a statement that Angelos, who had been ill for several years, died March 23, 2024. Angelos was owner of an Orioles team that endured long losing stretches and shrewd proprietor of a law firm that won high-profile cases against industry titans such as tobacco giant Philip Morris. Angelos’ death came as his son, John, was in the process of selling the Orioles to a group headed by Carlyle Group Inc. co-founder David Rubenstein. Peter Angelos purchased the team for $173 million in 1993, at the time the highest for a sports franchise. His public role diminished significantly in his final years. Joe Lieberman Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore, left, and his running mate, vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, wave to supporters Oct. 25, 2000, at a campaign rally in Jackson, Tenn. Lieberman died March 27, 2024. He was 82 and died Wednesday of complications from a fall. Lieberman nearly won the vice presidency on Democrat Al Gore's ticket in the disputed 2000 White House race. Eight years later, he came close to joining the GOP ticket as John McCain’s running mate. The Democrat-turned-independent stepped down from the Senate in January 2013 after 24 years. His independent streak often irked Senate Democrats he aligned with. Yet his support for gay rights, civil rights, abortion rights and environmental causes at times won him the praise of many liberals over the years. Louis Gossett Jr. Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries “Roots,” died March 28, 2024. He was 87. Gossett always thought of his early career as a reverse Cinderella story, with success finding him from an early age and propelling him forward, toward his Academy Award for “An Officer and a Gentleman.” He also was a star on Broadway, replacing Billy Daniels in “Golden Boy” with Sammy Davis Jr. in 1964 and recently played an obstinate patriarch in the 2023 remake of “The Color Purple.” Joe Flaherty Former cast members of SCTV, from left, Dave Thomas, Joe Flaherty, Catherine O'Hara, Andrea Martin, foreground, Harold Ramis, Eugene Levy and Martin Short, pose at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival on March 6, 1999, in Aspen, Colo. Flaherty, a founding member of the Canadian sketch series “SCTV,” died Monday, April 1, 2024 at age 82. John Sinclair John Sinclair talks at the John Sinclair Foundation Café and Coffeeshop, Dec. 26, 2018, in Detroit. Sinclair, a poet, music producer and counterculture figure whose lengthy prison sentence after a series of small-time pot busts inspired a John Lennon song and a star-studded 1971 concert to free him, has died at age 82. Sinclair died Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at Detroit Receiving Hospital of congestive heart failure following an illness, his publicist Matt Lee said. Larry Lucchino Boston Red Sox president Larry Lucchino, right, tips his cap to fans as majority owner John Henry holds the 2013 World Series championship trophy during a parade in celebration of the baseball team's win, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, in Boston. Larry Lucchino, the force behind baseball’s retro ballpark revolution and the transformation of the Boston Red Sox from cursed losers to World Series champions, has died. He was 78. Lucchino had suffered from cancer. The Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, his last project in a career that also included three major league baseball franchises and one in the NFL, confirmed his death on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Christopher Durang Playwright Christopher Durang appears on stage with producers to accept the award for best play for "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" at the 67th Annual Tony Awards, on June 9, 2013 in New York. Also on stage are actors, background from left, Shalita Grant, Kristine Nielsen and Billy Magnussen. Durang died Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at his home in Pipersville, Pennsylvania, of complications from logopenic primary progressive aphasia. He was 75. Jerry Grote In this Oct. 16, 1969 file photo, New York Mets catcher Jerry Grote, right, embraces pitcher Jerry Koosman as Ed Charles, left, joins the celebration after the Mets defeated the Baltimore Orioles in the Game 5 to win the baseball World Series at New York's Shea Stadium. Grote, the catcher who helped transform the New York Mets from a perennial loser into the 1969 World Series champion, died Sunday, April 7, 2024. He was 81. Schappell Twins In this July 8, 2003 photo, Lori, left, and George Schappell, conjoined twins, are photographed in their Reading, Pa., apartment. Lori and George Schappell, who pursued separate careers, interests and relationships during lives that defied medical expectations, died April 7, 2024, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. They were 62. Peter Higgs The University of Edinburgh says Nobel prize-winning physicist Peter Higgs, who proposed the existence of a sub-atomic particle that came to be known as the Higgs boson, died April 8, 2024, at 94. Higgs predicted the existence of the particle in 1964. But it would be almost 50 years before the its existence could be confirmed at a particle collider in Switzerland called the Large Hadron Collider. Higgs’ work helps scientists understand of the most fundamental riddles of the universe: how the Big Bang created something out of nothing 13.7 billion years ago. Higgs won the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work, alongside Francois Englert of Belgium. Ralph Puckett Jr. A retired U.S. Army colonel who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Korean War died April 8, 2024, at age 97. A funeral home says that Ralph Puckett Jr. died Monday at his home in Columbus, Georgia. President Joe Biden presented Puckett with the Medal of Honor in 2021, more than seven decades after Puckett was seriously wounded leading an outnumbered company of Army Rangers in battle. Puckett refused a medical discharge and served as an Army officer for another 20 years before retiring in 1971. Puckett received the U.S. military's highest honor from President Joe Biden on May 21, 2021, following a policy change that lifted a requirement for medals to be given within five years of a valorous act. O.J. Simpson O.J. Simpson, left, grimaces June 15, 1995, in a Los Angeles courtroom as he famously tries on one of the leather gloves prosecutors say he wore the night his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were murdered. Simpson, t he decorated football star who was acquitted of charges he killed his former wife and her friend but wound up in prison years later in an unrelated case, died April 10, 2024. He was 76. His family made an announcement Thursday in a statement on Simpson's X account. Simpson said last year that he was battling prostate cancer. Simpson’s gridiron legacy was forever overshadowed by the 1994 knife slayings of Brown Simpson and Goldman. A criminal court jury found him not guilty of murder, but a separate civil trial jury found him liable. Simpson's nine-year prison stint in Nevada was for the armed robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers. Eleanor Coppola Francis Coppola and wife, Eleanor, pose July 16, 1991, in Los Angeles. Eleanor Coppola, who documented the making of some of her husband Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic films, including the infamously tortured production of “Apocalypse Now,” and who raised a family of filmmakers, has died. She was 87. Coppola died April 12, 2024, at home in Rutherford, California, her family announced in a statement. Eleanor, who grew in Orange County, California, met Francis while working as an assistant art director on his directorial debut, the Roger Corman-produced 1963 horror film “Dementia 13.” Their first-born, Gian-Carlo, quickly became a regular presence in his father’s films, as did their subsequent children, Roman, and Sofia. After acting in their father’s films and growing up on sets, all would go into the movies. Robert MacNeil Robert MacNeil, seen in February 1978, who created the even-handed, no-frills PBS newscast “The MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour” in the 1970s and co-anchored the show for with his late partner, Jim Lehrer, for two decades, died April 12, 2024, at age 93. Faith Ringgold Artist Faith Ringgold poses for a portrait in front of a painted self-portrait during a press preview of her exhibition, "American People, Black Light: Faith Ringgold's Paintings of the 1960s" at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, June 19, 2013. Ringgold, an award-winning author and artist who broke down barriers for Black female artists and became famous for her richly colored and detailed quilts combining painting, textiles and storytelling, died Friday, April 12, 2024, at her home in Englewood, N.J. She was 93. Steve Sloan Alabama coach Bear Bryant, left, talks with his former star quarterback Steve Sloan, right, after practice in Miami for the Orange Bowl game New Years' night against Nebraska, Dec. 29, 1968. Former college coach and administrator Sloan, who played quarterback and served as athletic director at Alabama. has passed away. He was 79. Sloan died Sunday, April 14, 2024, after three months of memory care at Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, according to an obituary from former Alabama sports information director Wayne Atcheson. Ken Holtzman Oakland A's pitcher Ken Holtzman poses for a photo in March 1975. Holtzman, who pitched two no-hitters for the Chicago Cubs and helped the Oakland Athletics win three straight World Series championships in the 1970s, died April 14, 2024. He finished with a career record of 174-150 over 15 season with four teams and was the winningest Jewish pitcher in baseball history. Carl Erskine Carl Erskine, center, pictured with teammate Duke Snider, left, and manager Charley Dressen in 1952, after beating the Yankees 6-5 in Game 5 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium in New York, Oct. 5, 1952. Erskine, who pitched two no-hitters for the Brooklyn Dodgers and was a 20-game winner in 1953 when he struck out a then-record 14 in the World Series, has died. Among the last survivors from the celebrated Brooklyn teams of the 1950s, Erskine spent his entire major league career with the Dodgers. He helped them win five National League pennants from 1948-59. Erskine won Game 3 of the 1953 World Series, beating the Yankees 3-2. He appeared in five World Series, with the Dodgers beating the Yankees in 1955 for their only championship in Brooklyn. Erksine died April 16 in his hometown of Anderson, Indiana, according to a hospital official. He was 97. Whitey Herzog St. Louis Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog lets umpire John Shulock, right, know how he feels about Shulock's call on the tag attempt on Kansas City Royals Jim Sundberg by Cardinals catcher Tom Nieto, second from left, in the second inning of Game 5 of the 1985 World Series in St. Louis. Herzog, the gruff and ingenious Hall of Fame manager who guided the St. Louis Cardinals to three pennants and a World Series title and perfected an intricate, nail-biting strategy known as “Whiteyball,” has died. Herzog, affectionately nicknamed “The White Rat,” was a manager for 18 seasons, compiling an overall record of 1,281 wins and 1,125 losses. He was named Manager of the Year in 1985. Under Herzog, the Cardinals won pennants in 1982, 1985 and 1987 and won the World Series in 1982, when they edged the Milwaukee Brewers in seven games. He died April 15, 2024, and was 92. Bob Graham Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., gestures as he answers questions regarding the ongoing security hearing on Capitol Hill, June 18, 2002, in Washington. Graham, who chaired the Intelligence Committee following the 2001 terrorist attacks and opposed the Iraq invasion, died April 16, 2024. He was 87. His family announced the death Tuesday in a statement posted on X by his daughter Gwen Graham. Graham served three terms in the Senate and two terms as Florida's governor. He made an unsuccessful bid for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, emphasizing his opposition to the Iraq invasion. But that bid was delayed by heart surgery in January 2003, and he was never able to gain enough traction with voters to catch up. He didn’t seek re-election in 2004 and was replaced by Republican Mel Martinez. Dickey Betts Guitar legend and Allman Brothers Band co-founder Dickey Betts died April 18, 2024, at age 80. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer wrote the band's biggest hit, “Ramblin’ Man.” Manager David Spero told The Associated Press that Betts died early Thursday at his home in Osprey, Florida. He says Betts had been battling cancer for more than a year and had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Betts shared lead guitar duties with Duane Allman in the original Allman Brothers Band to help give the group its distinctive sound and create a new genre: Southern rock. Acts ranging from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Kid Rock were influenced by the Allmans’ music, which combined blues, country, R&B and jazz with ’60s rock. Mandisa Contemporary Christian singer Mandisa, who appeared on “American Idol” and won a Grammy for her 2013 album “Overcomer,” died April 18, 2024. She was 47. Mandisa gained stardom after finishing ninth on “American Idol” in 2006. In 2014, she won a Grammy for best contemporary Christian music album for “Overcomer,” her fifth album. She spoke openly about her struggles with depression, releasing a memoir that detailed her experiences with severe depression, weight-related challenges, the coronavirus pandemic and her faith. David Pryor David Pryor, a former Arkansas governor and U.S. senator who was one of the state’s most beloved and active political figures, died April 20, 2024, at the age of 89. His son, former two-term Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, says the Democrat died Saturday of natural causes in Little Rock surrounded by family. David Pryor was considered one of the Democratic party’s giants in Arkansas and remained active in public life after he left office, including serving on the University of Arkansas’s Board of Trustees. Roman Gabriel Roman Gabriel was known for his big size and big arm. He was the first Filipino-American quarterback in the NFL. And he still holds the Los Angeles Rams record for touchdown passes. Gabriel died April 20, 2024, at age 83. His son posted the news on social media. He says Gabriel died at home of natural causes. Gabriel starred at North Carolina State and was the No. 2 pick by the Rams in the 1962 draft. The Oakland Raider of the rival AFL made him the No. 1 pick. Gabriel signed with the Rams and later played with the Philadelphia Eagles. Andrew Davis Andrew Davis, an acclaimed British conductor who was music director of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and orchestras on three continents, died April 20, 2024. He was 80. Davis died Saturday at Rusk Institute in Chicago from leukemia. That is according to his manager, Jonathan Brill of Opus 3 Artists. Davis had been managing the disease for 1 1/2 to 2 years but it became acute shortly after his 80th birthday on Feb. 2. Davis was music director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra from 1975-88, Britain’s Glyndebourne Festival from 1988-2000, chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra from 1989-2000, then was music director of the Lyric Opera from 2000-21. Terry Anderson Former hostage Terry Anderson waves to the crowd as he rides in a parade in Lorain, Ohio, June 22, 1992. Anderson, the globe-trotting Associated Press correspondent who became one of America’s longest-held hostages, died April 21, 2024. Anderson was snatched from a street in war-torn Lebanon in 1985 and held for nearly seven years. Anderson, who was tortured and chained to a wall, wrote about his experiences in the best-selling memoir, “Den of Lions.” After returning to the United States in 1991, Anderson gave public speeches, taught journalism and, at various times, operated a blues bar, Cajun restaurant, horse ranch and gourmet restaurant. He also struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder. Bill Gladden British army veteran Bill Gladden, who survived a glider landing on D-Day and a bullet that tore through his ankle a few days later, wanted to return to France for the 80th anniversary of the invasion so he could honor the men who didn’t come home. It was not to be. Gladden, one of the dwindling number of veterans who took part in the landings that kicked off the campaign to liberate Western Europe from the Nazis during World War II, died April 24, his family said. He was 100. With fewer and fewer veterans taking part each year, the ceremony may be one of the last big events marking the assault that began on June 6, 1944. Duane Eddy Duane Eddy, a pioneering guitar hero whose reverberating electric sound on instrumentals such as “Rebel Rouser,” “Forty Miles of Bad Road" and “Cannonball” helped put the twang in early rock ‘n’ roll and influenced George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen and countless other musicians, died April 30 at age 86. With his raucous rhythms, and backing hollers and hand claps, Eddy sold more than 100 million records worldwide, and mastered a distinctive sound based on the premise that a guitar’s bass strings sounded better on tape than the high ones. Paul Auster Author Paul Auster has died at age 77. Auster was a prolific, prize-winning man of letters and filmmaker known for such inventive narratives and meta-narratives as “The New York Trilogy” and “4 3 2 1." Auster’s death on April 30 was confirmed by his literary representatives. Auster completed more than 30 books, translated into dozens of languages. He never achieved major commercial success in the U.S., but he was widely admired overseas for his cosmopolitan worldview and erudite and introspective style. Auster’s novels were a mix of history, politics, genre experiments, existential quests and self-conscious references to writers and writing. Dick Rutan Co-pilots Dick Rutan, right, and Jeana Yeager, no relationship to test pilot Chuck Yeager, pose for a photo after a test flight over the Mojave Desert, Dec. 19, 1985. Rutan, a decorated Vietnam War pilot, who along with copilot Yeager completed one of the greatest milestones in aviation history: the first round-the-world flight with no stops or refueling, died late Friday, May 3, 2024. He was 85. Steve Albini Music producer Steve Albini, seen in his Chicago studio in 2014, produced albums by Nirvana, the Pixies and PJ Harvey. Albini died at 61. Brian Fox, an engineer at Albini’s studio, Electrical Audio, says Albini died after a heart attack May 7. In addition to his work on canonized rock albums such as Nirvana‘s “In Utero,” the Pixies’ breakthrough “Surfer Rosa,” and PJ Harvey’s “Rid of Me,” Albini was the frontman of the underground bands Big Black and Shellac. He dismissed the term “producer” and requested he be credited with “Recorded by Steve Albini." Jimmy Johnson San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame football player Jimmy Johnson, left, is honored by owner Jed York before a 2011 game between against the St. Louis Rams in San Francisco. Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back Jimmy Johnson, a three-time All-Pro and member of the All-Decade Team of the 1970s, has died. He was 86. Johnson's family told the Pro Football Hall of Fame that he died May 8. Johnson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994. He played his entire 16-year pro career with San Francisco. He played in 213 games, more than any other 49ers player at the time of his retirement. Sean Burroughs San Diego Padres third baseman Sean Burroughs fires a throw to first from his knees but is unable to get Los Angeles Dodgers' D. J. Houlton at first during the third inning of a baseball game June 22, 2005, in San Diego. Burroughs, a two-time Little League World Series champion who won an Olympic gold medal and went on to a major league career that was interrupted by substance abuse, has died. He was 43. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s online records said Burroughs died Thursday, May 9, 2024, with the cause of death deferred. Roger Corman Producer Roger Corman poses in his Los Angeles office, May 8, 2013. Corman, the Oscar-winning “King of the Bs” who helped turn out such low-budget classics as “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Attack of the Crab Monsters” and gave many of Hollywood's most famous actors and directors an early break, died Thursday, May 9, 2024. He was 98. A.J. Smith A.J. Smith, a longtime NFL executive who was the winningest general manager in Chargers history, has died. He was 75. His son, Atlanta assistant general manager Kyle Smith, announced in a statement released by the Falcons that his father died May 12. Kyle Smith said his father had been battling prostate cancer for seven years. The Chargers won five division titles during Smith’s 10 seasons as GM. The franchise’s 98 wins, including the playoffs, were the sixth most in the league from 2003-12. David Sanborn Saxophone player David Sanborn performs during his concert at the Stravinski hall at the "Colours of Music night" during the 34th Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland on July 10, 2000. Sanborn, the Grammy-winning saxophonist who played lively solos on such hits as David Bowie's “Young Americans” and James Taylor's “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” and enjoyed his own highly successful recording career as a leading performer of contemporary jazz, died Sunday, May 12, 2024, at age 78. Alice Munro Nobel laureate Alice Munro has died. The Canadian literary giant who became one of the world’s most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history’s most honored short story writers was 92. Munro achieved stature rare for an art form traditionally placed beneath the novel. She was the first lifelong Canadian to win the Nobel and the first recipient cited exclusively for short fiction. Munro was little known beyond Canada until her late 30s but became one of the few short story writers to enjoy ongoing commercial success. A spokesperson for publisher Penguin Random House Canada said Munro died May 13 at home in Port Hope, Ontario. Dabney Coleman Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in “9 to 5” and the nasty TV director in “Tootsie,” died May 16. He was 92. For two decades Coleman labored in movies and TV shows as a talented but largely unnoticed performer. That changed abruptly in 1976 when he was cast as the incorrigibly corrupt mayor of the hamlet of Fernwood in “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,” a satirical soap opera. He won a Golden Globe for “The Slap Maxwell Story” and an Emmy Award for best supporting actor in Peter Levin’s 1987 small screen legal drama “Sworn to Silence.” Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi listens to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, not in photo, during a joint news conference following their meeting at the Presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, Jan. 24, 2024. Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and others were found dead at the site of a helicopter crash site, state media reported Monday, May 20, 2024. Jim Otto Jim Otto, the Hall of Fame center known as Mr. Raider for his durability through a litany of injuries, died May 19. He was 86. The cause of death was not immediately known. Otto joined the Raiders for their inaugural season in the American Football League in 1960 and was a fixture on the team for the next 15 years. He never missed a game because of injuries and competed in 210 consecutive regular-season games and 308 straight total contests despite undergoing nine operations on his knees during his playing career. His right leg was amputated in 2007. Ivan Boesky Ivan F. Boesky, the flamboyant stock trader whose cooperation with the government cracked open one of the largest insider trading scandals on Wall Street, has died at the age of 87. A representative at the Marianne Boesky Gallery, owned by his daughter, confirmed his death. The son of a Detroit delicatessen owner, Boesky was once considered one of the richest and most influential risk-takers on Wall Street. He had parlayed $700,000 from his late mother-in-law’s estate into a fortune estimated at more than $200 million. Once implicated in insider trading, Boesky cooperated with a brash young U.S. attorney named Rudolph Giuliani, uncovering a scandal that blemished some of the most respected U.S. investment brokerages. Boesky died May 20. Jan. A.P. Kaczmarek Jan. A.P. Kaczmarek poses with the Oscar for best original score for his work on "Finding Neverland" during the 77th Academy Awards, Feb. 27, 2005, in Los Angeles. Polish composer Kaczmarek, who won a 2005 Oscar for the movie “Finding Neverland,” has died on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at age 71. Kaczmarek’s death was announced by Poland’s Music Foundation. Carlie Colin Train bassist and founding member Charlie Colin has died at 58. Colin’s sister confirmed the musician's death Wednesday to The Associated Press. Variety reported Colin slipped and fell in the shower while house-sitting for a friend in Brussels. Train formed in San Francisco in the early ’90s. Colin played on Train's first three records, 1998’s self-titled album, 2001’s “Drops of Jupiter” and 2003’s “My Private Nation.” The track “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” hit No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also earned two Grammys. Colin left the band in 2003. He also worked with the Newport Beach Film Festival. Colin died May 22. Morgan Spurlock Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, an Oscar nominee whose most famous works skewered America’s food industry and who notably ate only at McDonald’s for a month to illustrate the dangers of a fast-food diet, has died of cancer. He was 53. Spurlock made a splash in 2004 with his groundbreaking film “Super Size Me,” and returned in 2019 with “Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!” — a sober look at an industry that processes 9 billion animals a year in America. Spurlock was a gonzo-like filmmaker who leaned into the bizarre and ridiculous. His stylistic touches included zippy graphics and amusing music. Spurlock died May 23. Richard M. Sherman Richard M. Sherman, one half of the prolific, award-winning pair of brothers who helped form millions of childhoods by penning classic Disney tunes, has died. He was 95. Sherman, along with his late brother Robert, wrote hundreds of songs together, including songs for “Mary Poppins,” “The Jungle Book” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” — as well as the most-played tune on Earth, “It’s a Small World (After All).” The Walt Disney Co. announced that Sherman died Saturday due to age-related illness. The brothers won two Academy Awards for Walt Disney’s 1964 smash “Mary Poppins.” Robert Sherman died May 25 in London in 2012. Bill Walton Basketball Hall of Fame legend Bill Walton laughs during a practice session for the NBA All-Star basketball game in Cleveland, Feb. 19, 2022. Walton, who starred for John Wooden's UCLA Bruins before becoming a Basketball Hall of Famer and one of the biggest stars of basketball broadcasting, died Monday, May 27, 2024, the league announced on behalf of his family. He was 71. Albert Ruddy “The Godfather” producer Albert S. Ruddy died May 25 at 94. The Canadian-born producer and writer won Oscars for “The Godfather” and “Million Dollar Baby,” developed the raucous prison-sports comedy “The Longest Yard” and helped create the hit sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes." A spokesperson says Ruddy died Saturday at the UCLA Medical Center. Ruddy produced more than 30 movies and was on hand for the very top and the very bottom. “The Godfather” and “Million Dollar Baby” were box office hits and winners of best picture Oscars. But Ruddy also helped give us “Cannonball Run II” and “Megaforce,” nominees for Golden Raspberry awards for worst movie of the year. Larry Allen Larry Allen, one of the most dominant offensive linemen in the NFL during a 12-year career spent mostly with the Dallas Cowboys, died June 2. He was 52. The Cowboys say Allen died suddenly on Sunday while on vacation with his family in Mexico. Allen was named an All-Pro six consecutive years from 1996-2001 and was inducted into the Pro Football of Hall of Fame in 2013. He said few words but let his blocking do the talking. Allen once bench-pressed 700 pounds and had the speed to chase down opposing running backs. Janis Paige Bob Hope and Janis Paige hug during the annual Christmas show in Saigon, Vietnam, Dec. 25, 1964. Paige, a popular actor in Hollywood and in Broadway musicals and comedies who danced with Fred Astaire, toured with Bob Hope and continued to perform into her 80s, died Sunday, June 2, 2024, of natural causes at her Los Angeles home, longtime friend Stuart Lampert said Monday, June 3. Parnelli Jones Parnelli Jones, the 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner, died June 4 at Torrance Memorial Medical Center after a battle with Parkinson’s disease, his son said. Jones was 90. At the time of his death, Jones was the oldest living winner of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Rufus Parnell Jones was born in Texarkana, Arkansas, in 1933 but moved to Torrance as a young child and never left. It was there that he became “Parnelli” because his given name of Rufus was too well known for him to compete without locals knowing that he wasn’t old enough to race. Chet Walker Boston Celtics' John Havlicek (17) is defended by Philadelphia 76ers' Chet Walker (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball playoff game April 14, 1968, in Boston. Walker, a seven-time All-Star forward who helped Wilt Chamberlain and the 76ers win the 1967 NBA title, died June 8. He was 84. The National Basketball Players Association confirmed Walker's death, according to NBA.com . The 76ers, Chicago Bulls and National Basketball Retired Players Association also extended their condolences on social media on Saturday, June 8, 2024. The Rev. James Lawson Jr. 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. Jerry West 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.” Ron Simons 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 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.” Willie Mays 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.” Donald Sutherland 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. Bill Cobbs 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. Kinky Friedman 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 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.” Robert Towne 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 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. James Inhofe 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. Joe Bonsall 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 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 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 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. Jacoby Jones 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. Shannen Doherty 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. James Sikking 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 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 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 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 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 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.” Bernice Johnson Reagon 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 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 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 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. Chi Chi Rodriguez 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 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 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. Wally Amos 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.” JD Souther 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. Dan Evans 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. Mercury Morris 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. Liam Payne 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 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 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 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 Phil Lesh, a founding member of the Grateful Dead, died Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at age 84. Teri Garr 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 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 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 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. Timothy West 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 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 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. Bob Love 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 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 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. Rickey Henderson Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, the brash speedster who shattered stolen base records and redefined baseball's leadoff position, died Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. He was 65. Will these predictions come true in 2025? | The Ethical Life podcast Obituaries Newsletter Sign up to get the most recent local obituaries delivered to your inbox.25 Cute, Cheap Stocking Stuffers From Walmart That May Be Small But Will Bring Major Joy

Stocks to Watch: Vedanta, NHPC, Reliance Industries, and moreBHOPAL (India), Dec 5 — Just after midnight as poisonous plumes of smoke wafted through the Indian city of Bhopal four decades ago, Gas Devi was born, gasping for every breath. Her feeble cries were drowned out by the screams of men, women and children as they ran to escape the cloud of highly toxic gas leaking from the Union Carbide factory on the night of December 2, 1984. Some 3,500 people were killed in the immediate aftermath, and up to 25,000 are estimated to have died overall in the world’s deadliest industrial disaster. Forty years later, the horror continues to blight the lives of those like Devi — as well as countless others born with deformities since that fateful night. Devi, a daily wage labourer, has constant pain in her chest, one of her lungs is not developed fully and she keeps falling sick. “My life is a living hell,” Devi told AFP, speaking at her shanty in Bhopal, the capital of the central state of Madhya Pradesh. Even if she wanted, she cannot forget the night she was born. “My parents named me Gas,” she said, her eyes welling up. “I believe this name is a curse. I wish I had died that night”. Twenty-seven tonnes of methyl isocyanate (MIC), used in the production of pesticides, swept through the city of over two million people after one of the tanks storing the deadly chemical shattered its concrete casing. As the white cloud of MIC shrouded areas close to the factory, people started collapsing in the streets. Nathuram Soni, now 81, was among the first to rush out. “People were frothing from their mouths. Some had defecated, some were choking in their own vomit,” said Soni. A handkerchief tied over his nose, Soni used his pushcart to carry his wailing neighbours, many of them infants, to hospital. Unrelenting tragedy Rashida Bee, co-founder of the Chingari Trust charity that offers free treatment to children of gas-affected families, believes those who died were fortunate. “At least their misery ended,” she said. “The unfortunate are those who survived”. Her trust has seen more than 150 children being admitted this year alone with cerebral palsy, hearing and speech impairments and other disabilities. She blames the disorders on the accident and the contamination of the groundwater. Testing of groundwater near the site in the past revealed cancer- and birth defect-causing chemicals 50 times higher than what is accepted as safe by the US Environmental Protection Agency. “This tragedy is showing no signs of relenting,” said Rashida, 68, who has lost several members of her family to cancer since the accident. “The soil and water here are contaminated — that is why kids are still being born with deformities.” Union Carbide, which was acquired by the Michigan-based Dow Chemical Company in 2001, routinely dumped chemical waste years before the disaster, campaigners say. Large evaporation ponds outside the factory were filled with thousands of litres of liquid waste. Toxins penetrated the soil and the water supplying several neighbourhoods. Dow Chemical did not respond to AFP’s request for comment. Tasleem Bano, 48, is convinced of a link between the plant and congenital illnesses. Her son Mohammed Salman’s limbs were splayed when he was born. “His twin brother died in the womb. Salman survived but he could not speak a word till he was six years old,” she said, showing her son’s braces that help him to stand. “Doctors say he is like this because of the gas,” said Tasleem, who inhaled the fumes as a young girl living close to the factory. Salman, 12, could only respond with a toothy grin when asked his name. Like Salman, hundreds of children at the Chingari centre struggle to speak, walk or eat their meals. ‘Corporate massacre’ At the nearby Sambhavna Trust clinic, there is a steady queue of gas survivors seeking treatment. “Data very clearly shows that mortality in the exposed population compared to a matched controlled (population) is much higher,” said Satinath Sarangi, founder of Sambhavna. “In 2011, we’d taken stock through our registered cohorts and we found there was 28 percent more mortality among the gas exposed.” Sarangi, 70, said the MIC fumes damaged the immune system of affected populations and caused chromosomal aberrations, something corroborated by medical research. “Children of gas-exposed parents have much higher prevalence of congenital malformations.” In 1989 Union Carbide, in a partial out-of-court settlement with the Indian government, agreed to pay $470 million in compensation to the victims. But the victims themselves were not consulted in the negotiations, and received just $500 each. The current owners have refused to pay further compensation for the catastrophe that continues to unfold till this day. In 1991, Warren Anderson, Union Carbide chairman and chief executive at the time of the disaster, was charged in India with “culpable homicide not amounting to murder”. But he never stood trial. Anderson died aged 92 in a nursing home in Florida in 2014. A plea seeking compensation of 500,000 rupees ($5,920) from the Indian government for each victim diagnosed with cancer or kidney ailments is languishing in courts. Rachna Dhingra, a social activist from the Bhopal Group for Information and Action, said true justice still evades the survivors. “Until today, not a single individual has gone to jail — even for a day — for killing more than 25,000 people and injuring half a million people, and contaminating the soil and groundwater,” she said. “People in the city are continuing to fight because there is no legal mechanism to hold these corporations accountable worldwide. “Bhopal has taught corporations how to get away with murder.” — AFP

Tech rally boosts indexes to record closing highs

Ostin Technology Group Announces Effective Date of Reverse Share SplitAfter serving Kelowna for six and a half years, Vice and Virtue Brewing is shutting its doors. The brewery announced on Dec. 9 that it'll be closing its doors on Dec. 21 and new owners will take over. Those new owners are the same as those who own Red Bird Brewing and will take over the lease on Jan. 1, 2025. According to Vice and Virtue co-owner Matt Wentzell, the sale has been in the works for the last few months. "We put a lot of work into this, so it's not like a decision that we took lightly by any means," said Wentzell. "We have five different owners and then all of us have different jobs and careers, but we've put a tremendous amount of effort into the brewery." Wentzell did admit that raising costs played a role in the decision as well as a decline in tourism this year. "To be honest, it's been difficult after COVID to have a brewery. Times are not good for restaurants or breweries or hospitality in general these days, right?" said Wentzell. "I'm sure I'm not the first person who's mentioned that. It's been challenging times, margins have been thinner and thinner. We had an opportunity where a new buyer came along with a very clear vision and the finances to be able to pull it off." But Wentzell and the other owners are happy with the sale and what Red Bird's plans are for the future. "We were really happy to be able to pass the torch to a new ownership group that's going to keep the space of the brewery and that definitely has a great vision," added Wentzell. "We're a community growing and thriving in the way that it should." The owners of Vice and Virtue were unified in the decision of the sale, despite how tough of a choice it was. "It's super bittersweet. Like we started this brewery in one of the original partner's garages, we were home-brewing," said Wentzell. "We identified an opportunity for craft beer here in town because it was kind of under-serviced here in Kelowna at that time. We wanted to give people some opportunity to give people another delicious craft beer option. And we did and I think we did a great job with that." Vice and Virtue opened on June 11, 2018, and Wentzell stated it wouldn't have stayed open without the help of the community. He added one of his highlights from the last few years is seeing people around town drinking their beer, whether at restaurants or buying them at a liquor store. As for the outcry and support the owners have received since Monday's announcement, Wentzell said it's been heartfelt. "I don't spend tons of time on social media these days, but I had to go on it and check out the responses," he said. "We have regulars who are so sad to see it go. It's honestly emotional to think about. The response has been overwhelmingly positive." Wentzell pointed out one story he heard, where one person reached out to them saying they had their first date with their partner at Vice and Virtue and now they're married. As for the future, the five co-owners have no involvement in what Red Bird is going to do with the space but say it will be kept as a brewery. Vice and Virtue is also giving its brewing recipes to Red Bird, so beers like Love Potion and Brave New World might live on. Additionally, Wentzell is encouraging the public to continue to support local. "People want to continue to have small independently run businesses, whether that's breweries like ours or distilleries, wineries, restaurants, clothing stores, anything, the time is now to support these local businesses before they cease to exist," said Wentzell. "It's tough times for a lot of local small businesses right now, and people in Kelowna really need to get out and vote with their wallets. Go support your favourite local things, because I know, you know, all of them can use their help right now. Whether that's buying a gift card gift over the holidays, or just going and spending money where you can."

Factors driving operational excellence at seaportsAnge Postecoglou has said he is happy Pep Guardiola signed a contract extension at so he has a chance to "knock him off" the summit. City confirmed on Thursday that after agreeing a new two-year deal. Guardiola is seeking an unprecedented fifth consecutive league title but despite 's last silverware coming in 2008, Postecoglou has never hidden his ambition of returning Spurs to serious challengers for the game's biggest prizes. When asked in a news conference whether there was any part of him that wanted Guardiola to leave City after a period of sustained success, Postecoglou said: "I look at it the other way -- 'imagine you knock him off?' That would be something, eh? And I'm at the stage of my life where I'd rather have a chance of knocking him off than missing that opportunity. In the right way, obviously. "I think when greatness is around, you want to be around it. Hopefully it challenges you to be like that as well. "I love the fact that there is a massive target out there that can seem insurmountable. It does for me anyway, raises my level, gets me going. "I keep saying, I lived the experience of equalisation of sport in Australia and it is great from a competitive point of view because everybody believes they can win but after a while I used to get frustrated with it because excellence tends to be capped at a certain point. It is up to everyone else to bridge that gap. "I love the challenge of that and I never see that as a bad thing." Postecoglou also insisted he had no concerns about the integrity of Premier League officiating despite . The 42-year-old was suspended last week by referees' body Professional Game Match Officials Limited pending an investigation after footage emerged in which he appeared to make derogatory remarks about and their former manager Jürgen Klopp. "I'm not across the detail of it but firstly, he's obviously made some poor decisions, made a big mistake," Postecoglou said. "He's a human being so you worry about his welfare. I'm sure he's getting good support around him. With our officials, rightly so, we hold them to the highest possible standard because of those things but I don't think just because one person makes a mistake that necessary means ... I'm not silly to think every official is perfect, like no manager is perfect or anyone else. We all make mistakes. "I never lose faith in the officialdom because if you do then it is a very slippery slope. I've worked in a couple of leagues where that was always kind of the undertone and I hated it because you kind of questioned everything. "I don't want to do that. I believe the officials. I believe in the integrity of the officials. I'll always abide by their decision-making and accept it."

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Global stocks pressured ahead of Fed decisionShares of GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. .css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);}.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link:hover.css-8459s-OverridedLink.css-8459s-OverridedLink:any-link:hover svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);} .css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink{display:inline;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference){.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink{transition-property:color,fill;transition-duration:200ms,200ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1),cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);}}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink{transition-property:color,fill;transition-duration:0ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1),cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);}}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:hover:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveLink020);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:hover:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:active:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveLink030);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:active:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink030);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:hover:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:visited:hover:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:focus-visible:not(:disabled){outline-color:var(--outlineColorDefault);outline-style:var(--outlineStyleDefault);outline-width:var(--outlineWidthDefault);outline-offset:var(--outlineOffsetDefault);}@media not all and (min-resolution: 0.001dpcm){@supports (-webkit-appearance: none) and (stroke-color: transparent){.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:focus-visible:not(:disabled){outline-style:var(--safariOutlineStyleDefault);}}}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010, interactiveLink010);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);}.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link:hover.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink.css-1y1y9ag-OverridedLink:any-link:hover svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020, interactiveLink020);} GEHC slumped 0.25% to $79.51 Friday, on what proved to be an all-around grim trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index SPX falling 1.11% to 5,970.84 and Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA falling 0.77% to 42,992.21. The stock's fall snapped a five-day winning streak.

Suspect in burning death of woman on New York subway train to be arraignedHere’s some good news for those who haven’t pulled the trigger on Sony’s latest VR headset. The PlayStation VR2 is on sale for $350 as part of a Black Friday deal, and it’s a bundle that includes the critically-acclaimed spin-off Horizon Call of the Mountain . This is a record low price for the headset, and that’s without a game that normally costs $60. In other words, this is one heck of a great deal. Sony PlayStation VR2 Call of the Mountain Bundle $350 $550 Save $200 This is a record low price for the headset and comes with a game. $350 at Amazon We enjoyed this headset and gave it high marks in our official review . The OLED displays are excellent, so the graphics are on point. The headset’s fit is comfortable and it includes built-in haptics for increased immersion. Haptics for your head? That’s a pretty novel concept. The headset also includes eye tracking technology and ships with two dedicated controllers, one for each hand. The company’s Sense controllers are eerily similar to Meta Quest controllers, with a large tracking ring, analog sticks, face buttons, triggers and grip buttons. As for Horizon Call of the Mountain , it’s a new entry in the beloved Horizon franchise, only in VR. There’s a whole lot of climbing, as indicated by the title, but also a refined bow and arrow mechanic that feels just right in virtual space. We hesitated to recommend this headset to everyone at its original price of $550, but it’s a no-brainer at $350. This deal is also available through Sony , if Amazon isn’t your bag. So what’s the catch? There’s only one. This isn’t a standalone headset. It requires a PS5 to work, though Sony did recently release an adapter that lets it connect to a PC . Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

Lambert gets the call with Ehlers on injured reserveMissTuni This article updates my review of RWJ published in May in light of current portfolio and recent performance. RWJ Strategy Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Revenue ETF ( NYSEARCA: RWJ ) was launched on 02/19/2008 and tracks the S&P SmallCap 600 Quantitative Risk & Value (QRV) provides you with risk indicators and data-driven, time-tested strategies. Get started with a two-week free trial now. Fred Piard, PhD. is a quantitative analyst and IT professional with over 30 years of experience working in technology. He is the author of three books and has been investing in data-driven systematic strategies since 2010. Quantitative Risk & Value Learn more Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

VANCOUVER — Taylor Swift's three-night run at BC Place, closing out the pop star's global Eras Tour, generated daily economic impact for Vancouver that could rival the 2010 Olympics and smashed data streaming records, industry figures say. The CEO of the B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association, Ian Tostenson, said the shows that ended Sunday had an effect that went far beyond other concert or sporting events in the city. Tostenson said Monday that his group estimates there was a $25 million boost for Metro Vancouver’s establishments for each of the three show days. In comparison, a sold-out, highly anticipated Vancouver Canucks playoff game brings an estimated $3 million a day in economic impact, Tostenson said. “In the context of comparing to anything else, it’s not even believable almost — it’s such a huge impact,” Tostenson said. “I was out a little bit on Friday and Saturday, and every place I went to was absolutely lined up and packed.” Tostenson said the concerts rivalled the Olympics in drawing fans from regions far beyond what a typical playoff hockey game would, and while it is difficult to compare the 2010 Winter Games to the Taylor Swift weekend, the events were in the same magnitude in daily impact on restaurants. “The financial impact of the Olympics was massive, (but) it was spread out over a couple weeks in different venues and stuff,” he said. “So, you didn't sort of feel this concentration that you saw with Taylor Swift.” Tostenson also said Swifties bumped up business across Metro Vancouver all weekend, with one major restaurant owner with multiple locations reporting full capacity not just at its downtown location but also in North Vancouver and Olympic Village. He credits the festive mood brought by fans that had an emotional effect on people in general, which in turn has a major impact on restaurants, an industry built largely on discretionary spending. People consume more when the mood is right, he said. “From a financial point of view, the Olympics probably had a bigger impact,” Tostenson said. “But ... I'm going to venture to estimate that this, on a daily basis compared to the Olympics, was stronger.” Telecommunications giant Rogers said data used during the last show was enough to stream Swift's entire music catalogue 9,450 times. It said in a statement that fans on the company's network set a Canadian record when they used more than 11 terabytes of mobile data in just a few hours at BC Place. The company's chief technology officer Mark Kennedy said Monday that is the equivalent of uploading 307,000 photos and 2,180 hours of video streaming. The previous record was set Nov. 21, when fans at Swift's concert in Toronto used 7.4 terabytes of data on the Rogers network. Music industry publication Pollstar also said Monday that Swift's 149-show worldwide tour brought in revenue of US$2.2 billion in its 20-month run. Vancouver Police thanked residents and visitors for a "safe and memorable weekend." Const. Tania Visintin said in a social media post that police spent months preparing for the shows. "We've had so much fun meeting people of all ages from all around the world, trading friendship bracelets and showing what a great city it can really be when we all look out for one another," she said. Thirteen Swift-themed lighting installations were set up at locations around the city to celebrate the singer's arrival. Suzanne Walters, a spokeswoman for Destination Vancouver, said most of the lit-up letters will be coming down over the next few days, but the “Swiftcouver” display downtown will stay until Dec. 13 — Swift’s birthday. Walters said the letters will be reused for holiday displays over the month of December and then be part of a pool of rentable supplies. Swift told the 60,000 fans in BC Place at Sunday's show that they were part of a tour seen by 10 million people, and that it was the most thrilling chapter of her life to date. She said the legacy of the tour will be "a space of joy and togetherness and love" that the fans have created. Swiftie Alaina Robertson echoed Swift's sentiments after the show, saying she shed lots of tears watching the "once in a lifetime" spectacle. Robertson — who travelled from Camas, Wash., for the show and wore a "Reputation" inspired outfit along with a temporary silver bedazzled snake tattoo — said she doesn't think any other concert will be able to compare. "It's going to be hard to beat," she said of the show. "She's changing the world of music. She's changing entertainment entirely, and to be at the tour with the crowd here, getting to do the friendship bracelets, getting to get dressed up — it's just love and joy and friendship, and it's been really magical to be a part of it." Fan accounts on social media platform X have posted photos showing a number of television and music stars at BC Place Sunday night, including actors Jenna Fischer, Aubrey Plaza and Jesse Tyler Ferguson as well as Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder. Taylor Nation, Swift's official management team, took to social media after Sunday's show to thank fans who "took part in experiencing the joy" of the Eras Tour. "We saw you spend hours designing your costumes, trading friendship bracelets, singing and dancing nonstop to the entire setlist, spreading love to everyone, and welcoming each city into our shared traditions," it said in a post to X. "While the tour has come to an end, your smiles, tears, and friendships will last a lifetime. Remember to hold on to the memories — they will hold on to you." — With files from Ashley Joannou, Brieanna Charlebois and The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2024. Chuck Chiang, The Canadian PressTulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria fallout

Amy Robach, T.J. Holmes’ exes Andrew Shue and Marilee Fiebig make red carpet debut as a couple after divorcesWorld Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News. Democratic utopia? Religious-extremist dystopia? Anarchic gangland rule? The world is watching tensely as Syria struggles to emerge from 50 years of Assad dynasty repression. The ex-prime minister of Syria’s fallen regime was led out of his offices under armed arrest. “I won’t leave, and I don’t intend to leave,” Mohammad Ghazi al Jalali said in a video statement. “I expect in a peaceful manner to guarantee the continuity of the public authorities, institutions and the safety and security for all citizens.” His sudden, uncharacteristic concern for the public good was mirrored by his captives. The terrorist organisation Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a derivative of al-Qaeda, promised an uncommonly tolerant transition of power. “Tomorrow morning when institutions start to conduct their business of services, security and policemen, I hope from everyone who carries a weapon to go to his base and to commit to his division, battalion or brigade,” added HTS commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani (whose real name is Ahmed al-Sharaa). “We will not accept or allow the chaos of arms or firing on the streets at all.” Al-Golani said his hardline Islamist group was working to form a new government. A map of reported control of terrain in Syria from the Institute for the Study of War. The success or failure of this transition will pave the way for the entire Middle East. As will any new government’s characteristics. Syria, after all, is a vast and geographically complex land with many diverse cultural groups. “We should not expect a democratic secular rule,” says Charles Sturt University Islamic Studies director Mehmet Ozalp . “The new government is also unlikely to resemble the ultra-conservative theocratic rule of the Taliban.” But Syria’s rebel factions are not the only forces attempting to shape the battered nation’s future. Russia still wants its Middle Eastern bases. Iran still wants a military and cultural “buffer zone” between itself and Israel. And, beneath the surface, Islamic State extremists are still striving to create their kingdom of heaven. “For too long, Syria has been neglected by the United States and its Western allies, which deemed the Assad regime unmovable, until they discovered it wasn’t,” argues Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) analyst Natasha Hall and International Crisis Group (CG) director Joost Hiltermann . This picture shows empty sells at Sednaya prison in Damascus, synonymous with the worst atrocities of ousted president Bashar al-Assad's rule. Picture: Omar Haj Kadour/AFP What is to come? “Levantine history teaches us to be deeply concerned when dealing with such a fractious society in trauma after a decade of internecine war, torn in different directions by various foreign and non-state actors,” warns London-based geostrategist Alexander Patterson. What unfolds over the next few days will likely set the scene for what will come. “Syria’s future, and the region’s, is filled with uncertainty,” adds International Crisis Group director Joost Hiltermann. “Clashes are already ongoing between the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) armed groups in the north and the Kurdish-dominated SDF (Syria Defence Force).” Now is the time for payback. Jubilant rebel forces must reward their backers. And the hunt is on for members of Assad’s secret police and privileged elites. But it’s also a time to establish a new pecking order. “The new leadership will now try to ensure there are no armed groups capable of contesting their rule, particularly remnants of the old Assad regime and smaller factions that were not part of the opposition forces,” predicts Ozalp. People in Damascus celebrate on December 9, 2024, after Islamist-led rebels declared that they have taken the Syrian capital. Picture: Bakr ALKASEM / AFP But will this be done in a manner that establishes the rule of law? Or as a continuation of the millennia-old culture wars? “Military collapses and local dealmaking would suggest that efforts to adapt existing structures may be the initial approach,” says Patterson. “The rebels would be well advised to be inclusive; an Iraq 2003-style purge of the Baath party would result in the same sort of broad insurgency that sparked – and mass executions would be even worse. This will be a key question to watch. “ And Syria’s victorious rebels represent an unlikely alliance. They are a diverse assembly of cultural groups, sects and political movements. “HTS will have to share power with other Syrians,” Patterson adds. “We may be unsurprised to witness a descent into chaotic power struggles between factions, or – if homework has been done – we may be surprised by a less radical government than HTS’s terrorist pedigree would suggest.” Terrorists, or freedom fighters? “Syrians are celebrating the fall of a dictator who put them through a protracted civil war and the end of his family’s half-century iron grip on the country,” international relations analyst James Horncastle writes in The Conversation . “But the opposition forces that brought him down in 2024 aren’t the ones supported by the United States and its allies in 2013. Fundamentalist groups, versus the Americans’ preferred moderate organisations, now dominate the opposition.” A woman reacts as people gather at Sednaya prison in Damascus looking for loved ones on December 9, 2024. Picture: Omar Haj Kadour/AFP Western nations rallied to support the “Arab Spring” uprising of Syria’s populace in 2011. But the battle against Islamic State quickly shifted their attention elsewhere. “Syrian opposition forces have undergone a stark evolution following years of struggle,” explains Horncastle. “The loss of western allies and the enduring nature of the Syrian civil war itself gave rise to increasingly radicalised voices. Most prominent among them is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.” The Sunni-Islamic HTS is designated a terrorist group by its primary backer - Turkey. But Turkey is less lenient towards ethnic Kurds seeking to establish a new homeland in Syria’s northeast. It has designated this US-backed community a terrorist organisation. And it has launched regular cross-border attacks on the group’s strongholds. “Meanwhile, thousands of Islamic State fighters remain in prisons in the northeast under SDF control,” warn Hall and Hiltermann. “Those fighters, should they escape or if cells should reemerge, would be a major spoiler for any post-Assad government and for the region.” Adding fuel to the fire is Israel’s invasion of the demilitarised zone on its border with Syria. It and the US have been conducting large-scale airstrikes against suspected chemical weapons depots, ammunition dumps and Islamic State encampments. In the meantime, Al-Golani appears set to be anointed the founding president of a new Syrian regime. But his success will depend on how power is distributed. Israeli soldiers stand near tanks near the border with Syria on December 9, 2024. Picture: Amir Levy/Getty Images “It seems the opposition was not prepared to take over the country so quickly, and they may not have a power-sharing agreement,” Ozalp says. “This will need to be negotiated and worked out quickly.” Fragile unity “It’s important to note that these disparate forces were never entirely united,” says Horncastle. “Instead, the Syrian opposition ranged from liberal and moderate elements to Islamic fundamentalist forces. The only thing that truly united them was opposition to al-Assad’s tyranny.” That unifying force has now fled to Moscow. And the power vacuum the dictator left behind is pulling in many different directions. “A radical Islamic fundamentalist government must remain the core assumption if HTS seizes power over the heads of others,” Patterson warns in his essay for the Royal United Services Institute. “This would not bode well for a country crippled by sanctions and reliant on Iranian fuel and foreign humanitarian aid.” So far, HTS chief al-Golani is making all the right noises. In an interview with CNN, he asserted that his circle of followers had evolved their interpretation of Islamic dogma. He sought to reassure listeners that he would protect the freedom and rights of different religious and ethnic groups. “The question of whether this tone will remain and whether other insurgent groups and opposition factions will follow his lead is another question,” argues Hall and Hiltermann. “As more Syrians return to the country, including various opposition leaders, there will be inevitable tensions.” People in Damascus celebrate on December 9, 2024. Picture: by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP And the reality on the ground is not pleasant. Syria’s economy has been all but destroyed. Some 14 years of civil war have slashed activity by 85 per cent. Infrastructure has been destroyed. Crops and orchards are left untended. Hyperinflation is running rampant. Now, the 4.82 million people who fled the tyranny and devastation (about one-fifth of the total population) are looking to return home. “Many people may find their homes looted or new families living in them. Armed groups within Syria and the exiled opposition may struggle for power,” the CSIS and CG analysts note. “Preventing further tragedy will require Western countries and Gulf Arab states, in particular, to reach out to the new leaders in Damascus and steer them toward pragmatic, if not democratic, governance. Having at last regained hope from the fall of the House of Assad, the Syrian people expect no less from the countries that have for so many years allowed the country’s agony to continue at their expense.” Jamie Seidel is a freelance writer | @jamieseidel.bsky.social More Coverage Chilling pictures of Syrian ‘death camp’ Shannon Molloy, Jack Evans and APF ‘Bloodthirsty’: World reacts to Assad downfall Heath Parkes-Hupton Originally published as Bashar al-Assad’s demise is unlikely to lead to peace More related stories News Pic of CEO suspect released, internet loses it Suspected killer Luigi Mangione’s arrest evoked a frenzied response on social media – but not for the reason you might think. Read more Animals Why cicadas are so much louder this year Summer means a lot of things: hot weather, long nights and loud cicadas. And those noisy insects seem to be turning up the decibels this year. Read moreJACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Greg McGarity had reason to be concerned. The Gator Bowl president kept a watchful eye on College Football Playoff scenarios all season and understood the fallout might affect his postseason matchup in Jacksonville. What if the Southeastern Conference got five teams into the expanded CFP? What if the Atlantic Coast Conference landed three spots? It was a math problem that was impossible to truly answer, even into late November. Four first-round playoff games, which will end with four good teams going home without a bowl game, had the potential to shake up the system. The good news for McGarity and other bowl organizers: Adding quality teams to power leagues — Oregon to the Big Ten, Texas to the SEC and SMU to the ACC — managed to ease much of the handwringing. McGarity and the Gator Bowl ended up with their highest-ranked team, No. 16 Ole Miss, in nearly two decades. "It really didn't lessen our pool much at all," McGarity said. "The SEC bowl pool strengthened with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma. You knew they were going to push traditional SEC teams up or down. Texas ended up pushing just about everyone down." The long waiting game was the latest twist for non-CFP bowls that have become adept at dealing with change. Efforts to match the top teams came and went in the 1990s and first decade of this century before the CFP became the first actual tournament in major college football. It was a four-team invitational — until this year, when the 12-team expanded format meant that four quality teams would not be in the mix for bowl games after they lose next week in the first round. "There's been a lot of things that we've kind of had to roll with," said Scott Ramsey, president of the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee. "I don't think the extra games changed our selection model to much degree. We used to look at the New York's Six before this, and that was 12 teams out of the bowl mix. The 12-team playoff is pretty much the same." Ramsey ended up with No. 23 Missouri against Iowa in his Dec. 30 bowl. A lot of so-called lesser bowl games do have high-profile teams — the ReliaQuest Bowl has No. 11 Alabama vs. Michigan (a rematch of last year's CFP semifinal), Texas A&M and USC will play in the Las Vegas Bowl while No. 14 South Carolina and No. 15 Miami, two CFP bubble teams, ended up in separate bowls in Orlando. "The stress of it is just the fact that the CFP takes that opening weekend," Las Vegas Bowl executive director John Saccenti said. "It kind of condenses the calendar a little bit." Bowl season opens Saturday with the Cricket Celebration Bowl. The first round of the CFP runs Dec. 20-21. It remains to be seen whether non-CFP bowls will see an impact from the new dynamic. They will know more by 2026, with a planned bowl reset looming. It could include CFP expansion from 12 to 14 teams and significant tweaks to the bowl system. More on-campus matchups? More diversity among cities selected to host semifinal and championship games? And would there be a trickle-down effect for everyone else? Demand for non-playoff bowls remains high, according to ESPN, despite increased focus on the expanded CFP and more players choosing to skip season finales to either enter the NCAA transfer portal or begin preparations for the NFL draft. "There's a natural appetite around the holidays for football and bowl games," Kurt Dargis, ESPN's senior director of programming and acquisitions, said at Sports Business Journal's Intercollegiate Athletics Forum last week in Las Vegas. "People still want to watch bowl games, regardless of what's going on with the playoff. ... It's obviously an unknown now with the expanded playoff, but we really feel like it's going to continue." The current bowl format runs through 2025. What lies ahead is anyone's guess. Could sponsors start paying athletes to play in bowl games? Could schools include hefty name, image and likeness incentives for players participating in bowls? Would conferences be willing to dump bowl tie-ins to provide a wider range of potential matchups? Are bowls ready to lean into more edginess like Pop-Tarts has done with its edible mascot? The path forward will be determined primarily by revenue, title sponsors, TV demand and ticket sales. "The one thing I have learned is we're going to serve our partners," Saccenti said. "We're going to be a part of the system that's there, and we're going to try to remain flexible and make sure that we're adjusting to what's going on in the world of postseason college football." Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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Chaikin scores 20 as Lafayette takes down Mercyhurst 77-73Democrats say they'll avoid election challenges on Jan. 6

A yearslong feud between two Native American tribes in the North Bay over a proposed casino outside Santa Rosa has escalated with a lawsuit. In a suit filed last week, attorneys for the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria are alleging "irreparable harm" to their tribe's sovereignty and sacred objects if a proposal moves forward for a Koi Nation resort-casino in an unincorporated area between Windsor and Santa Rosa. Plans for the casino-resort date back several years , as do accusations of "reservation shopping" by Graton Rancheria, whose Graton Resort and Casino lies just 15 miles south along Highway 101 from the proposed Shiloh Resort and Casino. While the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria have established sovereign territory just west of Rohnert Park, based on their historic ties to the county, they have argued that the Koi Nation's ties are less direct. As reported previously, the Koi Nation has been mostly landless for about 150 years, and their ancestors originally occupied land in Lake County, on an island in Clear Lake. They were granted a "rancheria" consisting of "uninhabitable" land south of Clear Lake early in the 20th Century, and according to a tribal history, they were told by Bureau of Indian Affairs that they would lose their rights to the land if they left it. "While the tribe was suddenly landless, the Koi Nation remained what it had always been: a federally recognized tribe with inherent sovereignty," the tribe says. Now fewer than 100 people, Koi Nation members settled in and around the Russian River in the 20th Century, and they have been working to claim a sovereign piece of land with the Department of the Interior for many years. They settled on a 68-acre former winery property on East Shiloh Road, which they purchased for $12 million three years ago, and they then partnered with the wealthy and well-resourced Chicksaw Nation of Oklahoma to build a 200-room hotel and casino-resort on the property. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors made a show of opposing the Koi Nation's plans in 2022, however the decision to establish sovereign lands lies with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Department of the Interior. Last week, the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria filed suit, as SFGate reports , accusing the agencies of not doing their due diligence in researching the Koi Nation's ancestral lands, which they contend were 50 miles to the north. The lawsuit came just as the tribe appeared to be poised to receive their federal approval, as the Press Democrat reported . Greg Sarris, the leader of Graton Rancheria, told the Press Democrat back in July that a decision to approve this new territory "violates in every way who and what we are." He went on to make a provocative comparison about the Koi Nation's choice of land, saying, "if the Department of the Interior accepts these definitions as a deep historical connection to the land, I can go down to San Francisco and get a few buildings there... I have a deeper connection to San Francisco than they do here. So [Graton Rancheria] should establish a site on Ohlone territory." Sam Singer, who has been serving as spokesperson for the Koi Nation, issued a statement accusing Graton Rancheria of simply trying to protect their own casino from competition. "There is no truthfulness or merit to the Graton Rancheria lawsuit which was made in bad faith," Singer said. "The lawsuit is an effort at gamesmanship to circumvent the [Bureau of Indian Affairs]’ legal and regulatory process to advance Graton’s own economic interest." Both Graton and the Sonoma supervisors appear to have held sway with the governor's office as well. As SFGate notes, Governor Gavin Newsom sent a letter to Bryan Newland, Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior, in August, asking them not to move forward with an approval for the Koi Nation site. Newsom noted in his letter that "caution is warranted when considering the potential expansion of gaming to land that is not currently eligible for gaming. This is particularly true in California, where the voters who legalized tribal gaming were promised that such gaming would remain geographically limited." Newsom added, "This historical context underscores the importance of striking a careful balance between the potential benefits of expanded tribal gaming and its potential impacts on surrounding communities." A decision on the East Shiloh Road site is expected by late December. Previously: Sonoma County Supes Vote to Oppose New Koi Nation Casino, But It's Not Really Up to Them

Even with technology taking over much of our day-to-day lives, board games still offer quality entertainment that can’t be beaten. Of course, the popular board games of today are a far cry from the games your parents grew up playing. Board games are perfect for encouraging your family to work together or for bringing your group of friends around the table for an evening. If you’d like to start up a weekly game night, let this helpful list of the most popular board games be your guide. Utter Nonsense Ages 8+ This game will have every player rolling in stitches with each ridiculous phrase that’s uttered. Combine crazy accents and hilarious phrases to impress the Nonsense Judge and win the round. The player with the highest number of wins ultimately wins the game, but the true fun of this card game is listening to your fellow players trying to say some of the most entertaining phrases of all time. This game is perfect for game nights or parties. Speak Out Ages 8+ This hilarious game is perfect if you have teenagers or are hosting a party with all adults. To play, you insert a mouthpiece that alters the sound of your speech, making every word sound silly. Set the timer and read one of the phrases on the cards and try to help your teammate guess what you’re saying. Speak Out easily provides hours of fun that even grandparents will love. Escape Room in a Box Ages 13+ What’s the next best thing to trying to break out of a room? Escape Room in a Box, of course. This thrilling, immersive game involves solving 2D and 3D puzzles in order to prevent a mad scientist from turning you and your friends or family into werewolves. Work together to escape your fate and use Amazon Alexa to enhance the experience. Codenames Ages 14+ This fun strategy game is perfect for anyone with teenagers. Form two teams and select a spymaster on each team. Using clues, spymasters try to help their teammates find all 25 of the agents they’re in contact with, hopefully without selecting the other team’s agents or running into the deadly assassin. This innovative game offers a challenging and rewarding time working together. ​​​​​​​Harry Potter Clue Ages 9+ Excite your kids on game night with this modern twist on a classic. Play as six recognizable Hogwarts characters — Harry, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Ginny or Neville — to solve the mystery behind a fellow student’s disappearance. It’s up to you to figure out who attacked the student, what bewitching spell they used and where it occurred. Watch out for the Dark Mark, moving staircases and secret passages as you travel along in this magical family game. ​​​​​​​Pandemic Ages 8+ If you’ve ever wanted to save humanity from a deadly outbreak, you’ll love spending an hour playing Pandemic. You and your teammates must fight to contain four deadly diseases threatening the human race. Players must learn to work with their teammates to control outbreak hotspots and treat diseases. Win the game by curing all diseases without wiping out humanity first. ​​​​​​​ Catan Ages 10+ This tactical 60-minute game will push your imagination to its limits as you embark on a journey across Catan. Acquire crucial resources as you travel, build roads, buildings, and cities, and be wary of the ruthless robber and other players halting you on your own road. Through careful trading and clever decisions, you can lead your travelers to victory in this role-playing game of limitless possibilities. Play again and again. Every game is different. Ticket to Ride Ages 8+ Train lovers will enjoy this innovative board game which has won numerous awards. This cross-country train adventure game mimics the concept of traveling around the world in 80 days. Collect train cars and claim railways across the country. Players earn the most points by establishing long train routes and connecting distant cities. Each game takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes to complete, and every adventure is different. ​​​​​​​5 Second Rule Ages 10+ This quick-paced game gives each player five seconds to name items on a certain topic. Although the topics are objectively easy —“Name 3 Mountains,” “Name 3 Types of Hats” or “Name 3 Super Heroes,” the pressure of the time crunch is likely to put you on edge. Race the clock and remain composed to win this game. You can even make up your own topics if you prefer. Half the fun is just hearing what other people blurt out, whether it’s relevant to the topic or not. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

1 2 Cooking is an art, but there are days when the slightest mismatch of ingredients ends up ruining the taste and texture of deliacies. Well, if you struggle with this issue, then here are some smart ways to fix the excess spice and improve the taste and texture of delicacies. So, follow us through these easy tips and enjoy! Add Dairy Dairy products like yogurt, cream, or coconut milk can help neutralize the spice in curry. Assembly Election Results Election Results 2024 Live Updates Maharashtra Assembly Election Results 2024 Live Updates Jharkhand Assembly Election Results 2024 Live Updates The proteins in dairy bind with the spicy compounds, reducing their intensity and making the dish creamier and milder. Balance with Sweetness A little sweetness can help balance out the heat. Adding sugar, honey, or sweet fruits like pineapple can tone down the spice, creating a more balanced flavor profile without making the dish overly sweet. Dilute with Liquid If your curry is too spicy, dilute it with extra liquid such as water, broth, or stock. This will help spread out the spice, making the dish more manageable while retaining its original flavors. Add More Vegetables or Protein Increasing the amount of vegetables or protein can absorb some of the heat, reducing the spice level. Ingredients like potatoes, carrots, or chicken can help balance the curry without overpowering the other flavors. Incorporate Acidity Adding a splash of lemon or lime juice, or a small amount of vinegar, can help reduce the perception of heat by balancing the spice with acidity. This brings freshness and cuts through the intensity. Serve with Rice or Flatbread Pairing your curry with rice or flatbreads like naan can help absorb some of the spice. The neutral starches provide a milder bite, making the curry more enjoyable without the overwhelming heat.North Carolina has sent shock waves across both the NFL and college football landscapes as it is finalizing a deal with six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick to replace Mack Brown as its next football coach. Needless to say, we have questions. Just last year, when a surge of assistants -- and multiple head coaches -- left the collegiate ranks for the NFL, some thought that would become an ongoing trend as college football shifts further away from amateurism and more toward a professional model. Belichick, at age 72, has done the opposite, and joins his former assistant -- first-year Boston College coach Bill O'Brien -- as head coaches in the ACC. Though Belichick has no experience coaching college football, his hire brings a level of panache that even a national championship coach like Brown could not bring. Super Bowl championships will do that for a coach. A program that has been mostly average over the past four decades, UNC has played second fiddle to its hoops team. Perhaps the name recognition alone will begin to change hearts and minds about how serious UNC is about altering the football narrative, and the wins and losses on the field. So how exactly will this work? What are his biggest challenges? Why UNC? Our reporters weigh in. -- Andrea Adelson Jump to: What CFB fans need to know Biggest challenges | Recruiting impact Why UNC? | Playoff chances What should college fans know about Bill Belichick that they may not from watching New England Patriots games? He is as much Professor Belichick as Coach Belichick. He loves to teach, taking after his late mother, Jeannette, who spoke seven languages and taught at Hiram College. So those who have played and coached under Belichick have often described the experience as getting a PhD in football, and that extended to media members in news conferences at times. While Belichick was notorious for being tight-lipped in news conferences relating to anything he believed compromised competitive advantage, he would often discuss at length the history of the game. He has a soft spot, in particular, for special teams, "situational football" and UNC alum Lawrence Taylor, whom he coached with at the New York Giants and calls the best defensive player in the history of the NFL. -- Mike Reiss What will be his biggest challenges going to the college game? Fair or not, one of the main reasons the Patriots moved on from Belichick was the belief that the players coming into the NFL respond to a more relational-type of coaching style. So this will put that belief to the test: How will his old-school, bottom-line coaching approach resonate with today's student-athletes? -- Reiss There is a reason former NFL coaches sometimes have difficulty as college head coaches, and vice versa. Though college is moving more toward an NFL model with revenue sharing and the transfer portal, one of the biggest differences is everything on a coach's plate beyond coaching his football team. Belichick is going to have to deal with the Board of Trustees, boosters and donors, and fundraise more than he has ever had to do -- that includes the traditional spring speaking circuit to drum up support and interest in North Carolina football. At UNC in particular, football is not the top dog. Basketball is; and fan interest often wanes if the results are not there. Even in the best of times, UNC football has a hard time selling out its stadium and generating the type of fan interest that automatically came with the Patriots. Then there is the world of recruiting -- which includes the transfer portal -- and sitting in the living rooms of 17-year-olds and their families to convince them to come and play for him, beyond just rolling Super Bowl highlights. There will be questions about playing time, academics (uncharted territory for Belichick) and, of course, NIL/revenue share payments. -- Adelson Belichick says he wants to run an NFL program at the college level. What does that mean for portal and recruiting? In the near term, Belichick's hiring will come with an immediate litmus test for his pull in the transfer portal market and on the recruiting trail. North Carolina has seen a handful of starters enter the portal during the program's weeks-long coaching search, most notably left tackle Howard Sampson , left guard Aidan Banfield , center Austin Blaske and linebacker Amare Campbell . Will any of those players withdraw from the portal to play for Belichick? If not, can he find high-level replacements for multiple holes in his starting lineup? As for high school recruiting, three of the nine members of the Tar Heels' 2025 class remain unsigned after the early signing period. If Belichick can retain those commitments -- most critically the pledge of ESPN 300 quarterback Bryce Baker -- it'd mark a positive start on the trail. Editor's Picks The Hoodie's a Heel: Can the NFL's greatest coach fix UNC's tarnished legacy? Sources: Belichick finalizing deal to coach UNC However, the bigger picture of Belichick's ability to recruit high school prospects and build a roster in the portal era stands as perhaps the most fascinating piece of his move to North Carolina. College programs are beginning to look more and more like NFL front offices in 2024, embracing NFL-style models of advanced scouting and roster construction as the power dynamics between coaching staffs and personnel departments shift in the NIL/revenue sharing era. In that sense, there's never been a better time for Belichick -- one of the sport's greatest-ever roster builders -- to land in the college ranks. Outside of Colorado 's Deion Sanders, there's now no bigger name in college coaching. But Belichick's allure with modern college athletes and his appetite for the still-relational business of high school recruiting will be tested, and it's worth noting as well that North Carolina is far from the only school that will be pitching itself as an NFL program at the college level. How exactly that looks like under Belichick and the results it produces are what will ultimately matter for the Tar Heels. Regardless, the decision to appoint Belichick marks one of the latest and most substantial signs yet of college football's ongoing march from amateur athletics to a professional model. -- Eli Lederman How surprising is it that UNC is the place Belichick returns to coaching? Extremely surprising. UNC has been described as a "sleeping giant" in broad terms because it has the potential to reach another level in football. But over its vast history, UNC has not quite been able to do that enough -- even under former coach Mack Brown. Twice. In his first tenure, Brown took the Tar Heels to multiple 10-win seasons and elevated the program, but it did not win any championships. In his recent tenure, Brown took the Tar Heels as high as a No. 10 ranking and developed two NFL quarterbacks in Sam Howell and Drake Maye , but failed to win 10 games in one season over the past six years. Since 1997 -- the final year Brown coached the first time around -- the Tar Heels have one double-digit win season (Larry Fedora, 2015). North Carolina has not won an ACC title since 1980, and there are reasons for that. Expansion has added more football schools to the league, while others, like Clemson , have invested far more heavily in football. At its core, North Carolina remains a basketball school, and its funding efforts will remain as such. While it appears UNC should have everything in place to win -- nice facilities, great recruiting area, a history of producing NFL talent -- the Tar Heels have simply not been able to do it consistently enough. Hall of Fame coach or not. -- Adelson Can Belichick and UNC actually make the playoff and/or win a title? Absolutely. Belichick might actually be one step ahead of his peers, even though this is his first foray into a head college coaching job. Now more than ever, college coaches need to operate their programs like the NFL -- with money, deals, moving roster parts -- everything Belichick made a living on at the pinnacle of the sport. Plus, he can fill his staff with assistants who can specialize in all of it. His name alone will draw NFL-caliber players, because who wouldn't want to compete for a Super Bowl-winning coach? Add all of that into the fact that the 12-team CFP is only likely to grow to 14 or 16 teams in 2026 and beyond, and it would be more surprising if UNC didn't compete for a national title. -- Heather Dinich

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Where I Live: Soaking up the urban life in South Main Village

Rockwell Automation Inc. stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitors despite daily gainspanelists Symone Sanders, Michael Steele, and Alicia Menendez practically wanted to bring out the popcorn as they recapped the ongoing incited by Department of Government Efficiency co-heads and billionaires, and . In a Saturday discussion on , the trio didn’t hide their glee as they recapped how Musk and Ramaswamy’s had soured relations with some MAGA die-hards after they suggested that Americans didn’t have the skills to compete with foreign workers in the tech space. “Honey, the girls are fighting! The girls are fighting!” announced Sanders. Steele added, “Oh, this is fun! This is fun! So, let me get this straight, Vivek Ramaswamy, he just didn’t write a tweet, he wrote a —” Menendez interjected, “Screed. It was a screed!” The “screed” in question being Ramaswamy’s in which he declared: “Our American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long...” He added, “A culture that venerates Cory from ‘Boy Meets World,’ or Zach & Slater over Screech in ‘Saved by the Bell, or ‘Stefan’ over Steve Urkel in ‘Family Matters,’ will not produce the best engineers.” The MSNBC panel seemed particularly amused by Ramaswamy’s apparent turn as a TV critic, with Steele musing, “I mean it just went on, and he laid out basically, ‘Y’all white folks out here should have been focused on doing a little bit more Urkel than anything else. Less Stefon.’” He added, “I’m tickled. I’m tickled by this. Who would have seen this coming?” The reason top tech companies often hire foreign-born & first-generation engineers over “native” Americans isn’t because of an innate American IQ deficit (a lazy & wrong explanation). A key part of it comes down to the c-word: culture. Tough questions demand tough answers & if... — Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) Sanders weighed in, “Well, I mean definitely not the folks that voted for Donald Trump, and certainly American workers.” Sanders continued, “But let’s be very clear, there is nothing wrong with people who are not from this country coming here, making a better life, contributing to the American fabric, okay? That’s something I fundamentally believe in. America is the land of the free, home of the brave, all that good stuff that Elon Musk was tweeting about. However, please don’t come for Americans.” Sanders, Bernie Sanders' former press secretary, then reiterated the “insanity” of Ramaswamy’s post and had a call to action. “And I would like—let’s be very clear—I would like white Americans to stand up. This is your calling card, honey, where is your banner? Because they’re coming for you!" she said, adding, “They say white and lazy. That’s crazy! That’s crazy! And if I said it, you would be coming for me! I would never say it because that’s insane!”

(CNN) — After recent burglaries at homes of professional athletes – including Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce – the NFL and NBA have issued security memos to teams and players warning that “organized and skilled groups” are increasingly targeting players’ residences for such crimes. An NFL security bulletin issued Wednesday and obtained by CNN, warns that players across multiple sports leagues are being targeted. Perpetrators “appear to exploit team schedules to target athletes’ homes on game days,” and appear to be using public records, social media, media reports and surveillance to gather information on their targets, it says. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Elon Musk defended his support for Germany's far-right AfD party in an opinion piece in the Welt am Sonntag newspaper on Saturday, prompting a senior editor to resign. The world's richest man doubled down on his comments from December 20 that "only the AfD can save Germany", writing that the anti-immigration AfD was the "last ray of hope for the country" at the "brink of cultural and economic collapse". Despite various branches of the AfD being labelled "extremist" by Germany's domestic security agency, Musk said the AfD's classification as far-right was "clearly false" as party leader Alice Weidel "has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka". With Musk set to play a key role in US President-elect Donald Trump's administration, the billionaire's interventions have triggered accusations of meddling in Germany's democracy. The country is set to head to the polls on February 23, with the AfD polling at around 19 percent of the vote. Musk's guest opinion piece in the Welt am Sonntag provoked outraged reactions and the resignation of the conservative title's opinion editor. "Today a piece by Elon Musk appeared in the Welt am Sonntag. Yesterday I handed in my resignation after it went to print," Eva Marie Kogel wrote on the social media platform Musk owns. Meanwhile the Greens' campaign director Andreas Audretsch wrote: "We must not allow the Elon Musks of this world, the Chinese state or Russian troll factories to undermine our democracies in Europe." The Association of German Journalists (DJV) protested against the "election advertising" allowed by the newspaper's editorial staff. "The German media must not allow itself to be manipulated into acting as a mouthpiece for autocrats and their friends," said DJV leader Mika Beuster. Even the Welt's new editor-in-chief Jan Philipp Burgard was compelled to disagree with Musk in the opinion piece, writing: "Even a genius can be wrong". Arguing that the AfD "is a danger to our values and our economy", Burgard pointed out that Bjoern Hoecke, the AfD's leader in Thuringia state, "has been convicted several times for using a banned Nazi slogan". Die Welt belongs to Axel Springer, Germany's most influential press group. Its lineup includes the Bild tabloid, the country's most-read newspaper. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.

Keion White Urges Patriots to Make Changes After Chargers Loss: 'What Are We Doing?'

SINGAPORE: My 87-year-old mother was always an independent, active person. But everything changed the day she fell at home and fractured her back and finger. She became wheelchair-dependent, and her cognitive abilities were also affected. This accident transformed the role of our migrant domestic worker (MDW) from Myanmar, Ms M, from focusing on housekeeping to becoming a full-time caregiver. With my mother’s increasing needs, the communication barriers between us and Ms M became more pronounced. The intensity of the situation even made us consider hiring a second helper. Despite these hurdles, an unexpected bond formed in our family. The employer-employee dynamic evolved into something more collaborative, as we worked together to provide my mother with first-class care. This experience made me realise how vital foreign domestic workers are as caregivers in Singapore’s ageing society. CRUCIAL ROLE OF MIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKERS IN ELDERCARE Beyond routine housekeeping, MDWs support seniors in a wide range of daily activities, including medication management, showering, feeding, and transferring them from bed to wheelchair. MDWs also accompany their employers to hospital appointments, and many work round-the-clock, such as helping elderly family members use the bathroom in the middle of the night. These demands can become overwhelming, draining both physical and emotional energy. It’s clear that families must support them in return - this requires moving past a traditional employer-employee dynamic. After all, MDWs aren’t just workers - they are live-in members of our homes. However, this relationship between families and MDWs isn’t without its challenges. Incidents of maids abusing the elderly , children and pets in their care occasionally make headlines in Singapore. On one hand, these news stories bring attention to the risks of domestic abuse and the need for vigilance. On the other, it may reinforce stereotypes and breed mistrust, overshadowing the often-underappreciated role MDWs play in caregiving. Instead, we must foster a relationship grounded in empathy, where support between MDWs and employers flows both ways. A NEW FORM OF KINSHIP In Singapore, families continue to prefer home care over institutional care to ensure a higher quality of life for their ageing loved ones. One study in Belgium on person-centred care reveals that older persons who have hired a live-in migrant care worker can reduce feelings of loneliness by building a trusting relationship with the carer. When employers and their families provide MDWs with warmth and support, the relationship moves beyond mere monetary employment into a form of emotional companionship that is essential for both the caregiver and the cared-for. Ms S from the Philippines has been an integral part of my godmother’s family for 16 years. In addition to managing my godmother’s daily needs, such as medication and meals, Ms S has become a cherished family member. She not only prepares delicious local dishes but also serves as a loyal companion on family trips. While the impact of this blurring of lines between employment and companionship may not be unambiguously positive or negative, it is evident that MDWs reshape the social dynamics of the families they’re employed in. The quality of eldercare often hinges on the constant adaptation and negotiation between the MDW, the elderly, and the family. STRENGTHENING OUR SOCIAL FABRIC Singapore employers can certainly do more to support MDWs. Building trust, exercising patience and leveraging technology are key to creating a more inclusive environment, one that flattens the hierarchy of command and encourages mutual respect. ​​​​ In our communication with Ms M from Myanmar, we use tools like Google Translate to help bridge the language gap, alongside pictorial sketches and gestures for clarity. Additionally, we encourage Ms S to attend orientation classes to familiarise herself with local languages and dialects. Likewise, we can make an effort to understand and appreciate the diverse cultures of the MDWs we employ. People remember how they were treated far more than what they were paid for the services they provided. Therefore, we can offer incentives beyond increased wages such as short overseas trips or a nice meal out for dedicated MDWs, where possible. Most employers aim to cultivate long-term relationships with the ideal MDW, as this reduces the stress of repeatedly searching for new ones and fosters a stable, respectful working environment. Ultimately, enhancing the support for MDWs will reflect our collective commitment to a more compassionate and equitable society. By valuing their contributions and addressing their needs with empathy and foresight, we can ensure that the caregiving ecosystem remains resilient and responsive. Kelvin Tan is the head of the Minor in Applied Ageing Studies programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.Argentina's economic activity fell by 0.7% in October compared to the same month last year. This marks the fifth consecutive month of year-on-year contraction, according to the country's official statistics agency, released on Friday. While the decline was notable, it was less severe than analysts' forecasts, which had anticipated a 2.2% contraction. This deviation from predictions highlights potential volatility in economic recovery forecasts. The consistent downturn underscores challenges facing Argentina's economy, as policymakers continue to grapple with financial instability and external pressures impacting growth. (With inputs from agencies.)The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , a bureaucratic first step that could eventually open the floodgates for fully driverless cars. But there’s a twist: the agency wants self-driving car companies to cough up more data. The proposed rules were first announced last year as the , also known as AV STEP. This program would allow the agency to authorize the sale and commercialization of more vehicles without traditional controls, like pedals and steering wheels, without hitting the annual cap on the number of exemptions to safety requirements. NHTSA is promising “an exemption pathway that is tailored for ADS-equipped vehicles,” suggesting a less onerous, time-consuming process for the release of fully driverless vehicles. In exchange, the agency is requesting more data from the companies that operate driverless cars, arguing that greater transparency is needed to foster public trust in the technology. “AV STEP would provide a valuable national framework at a pivotal time in the development of [automated driving system] technology. Safe, transparent, and responsible development is critical for this technology to be trusted by the public and reach its full potential. This proposal lays the foundation for those goals and supports NHTSA’s safety mission,” NHTSA Chief Counsel Adam Raviv said in a press release. “We encourage everyone to comment on our proposed program. By kick-starting the rulemaking process, the Biden administration is giving a pretty big end-of-the-year holiday gift to the companies that have been laboring for decades on autonomous vehicle technology without any national regulatory framework to guide them. The federal government has largely taken a back seat to in regulating autonomous vehicles, leaving states to develop their own rulebooks for safe deployment. Legislation that would dramatically increase the number of AVs on the road has been , with lawmakers at odds over a range of issues, including safety, liability, and the right number of exemptions from federal motor vehicle safety standards. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards is the government’s official checklist for everything a car needs before it can be sold to customers, including steering wheels, pedals, and sideview mirrors. Driverless cars typically don’t need these controls, forcing companies to request exemptions to safety rules from the federal government before they can put their vehicles on the road. But safety regulators keep a tight grip on these exemptions. There is a cap of 2,500 exemptions that each company is allowed to request. And to date, only one company, Nuro, has that aren’t large enough for human passengers. for its driverless Cruise vehicles before eventually giving up. (Earlier this month, GM said it would .) Whether AV STEP survives into the next Trump administration, though, is an open question. For one, the incoming president is reportedly looking to that requires companies operating vehicles with driver assist, as well as self-driving cars, to report crashes and injuries to the federal government. Scrapping the crash reporting rule would greatly benefit Tesla, which to date, has . And Tesla CEO Elon Musk is a close advisor and donor to Trump. The fact that NHTSA is choosing to highlight the “enhanced transparency” under AV STEP could lead some to conclude that this rule is dead on arrival. After all, Trump is currently trying to kill the only transparency rule currently on the books for self-driving cars. Still, Musk is also lobbying Trump to ease restrictions on fully autonomous vehicles in advance of Tesla’s plans to produce its own . So anything’s possible. Safety advocates are calling the notice of proposed rulemaking “premature” and unnecessary. In a statement, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety President Cathy Chase notes that the proposal is oddly timed, coming after the auto industry said it was in new vehicles by 2029. “With the auto industry vociferously stating it is not feasible to comply with parts of the AEB rule with widely used braking technologies in five years, allowing far more complex technology to control more driving functionalities without meeting minimum safety standards is incongruous at best and potentially deadly at worst,” Chase said.

As the final seconds came off the clock last Friday night at Canvas Stadium and the Colorado State football team rushed across the field to get their hands on the Bronze Boot, it was only fitting that the longest tenured Ram, Dane Olson, got his hands on it first.Photo credit: WorldCC MELBOURNE, Australia, Dec. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new report from World Commerce & Contracting (WorldCC) and Randstad Australia sounds the alarm on the state of procurement and contract management in Australia. The report, ‘Workforce Dynamics in the Modern Era: Bridging Skills Gaps and Embracing Future Needs’ , uncovers a profession grappling with a widening skills gap, uncertainty surrounding AI, and a lack of clear career pathways – all of which could hinder Australia’s competitiveness in the global market. The report, based on a comprehensive survey of professionals across Australia, paints a worrying picture: Skills gaps: While 76% feel confident in their analytical abilities, a staggering 90% recognise a critical need for upskilling in risk management. Adding to this, 74% of respondents acknowledge the critical need for improved tools and training, with just 15% considering the current tools available within procurement fit for purpose. Career paths: A mere 6.5% of procurement professionals have a clear understanding of their career progression opportunities. This lack of direction, coupled with the fact that only 46% are satisfied with current career development opportunities, contributes to a sense of career ambiguity and potentially hinders motivation and retention. AI apprehension: Perhaps most surprisingly, the research uncovered a widespread lack of awareness surrounding the impact of AI. Almost 50% of respondents don’t believe AI will significantly impact their roles in the near future. This points to a critical need for education and open communication to dispel myths and anxieties surrounding AI adoption. Adding to the concerns around career progression, Rachel Homer, National Manager - Procurement, Contracts & Supply Chain at Randstad Australia, warns: “The lack of clear career pathways isn’t just a statistic—it’s a barrier to attracting and retaining top commercial and contracting talent in Australia. Ambitious professionals need to see a future within their organisation. People leaders must prioritise building transparent, accessible career trajectories, supported by robust mentorship and development. This isn’t just about retention; it’s about cultivating the next generation of leaders who will drive innovation and elevate Australia’s competitive edge.” This need for a skilled and future-ready workforce is echoed by Tim Cummins, President at WorldCC, who emphasises the importance of proactive measures: “The future of procurement and contract management depends on a workforce equipped with the skills and knowledge to navigate an increasingly complex landscape. We need to move beyond simply acknowledging the skills gap and actively invest in upskilling the workforce. This means providing targeted training in crucial areas like risk management and AI, but also creating clear career pathways that empower professionals to grow and thrive.” Finally, the report also highlights the importance of fostering inclusivity and driving innovation. It calls on organisations to create a culture of collaboration where diverse perspectives are valued and employees are empowered to contribute their unique talents. “Workforce Dynamics in the Modern Era” is an essential resource for anyone involved in procurement and contract management. Download the full report today and discover how you can build a future-ready workforce: https://info.worldcc.com/workforce-dynamics-report-2024 About WorldCC World Commerce & Contracting is a not-for-profit association dedicated to helping its global members achieve high-performing and trusted trading relationships. With 75,000 members from over 20,000 companies across 180 countries worldwide, the association welcomes everyone with an interest in better contracting: business leaders, practitioners, experts and newcomers. It is independent, provocative, and disciplined, existing for its members, the contracting community and society at large. About Randstad Australia Randstad is a global talent leader with the vision to be the world’s most equitable and specialised talent company. As a partner for talent, we provide clients with the high-quality, diverse and agile workforces they need to succeed in a talent-scarce world. We help people secure meaningful roles, develop relevant skills, and find purpose and belonging in their workplace. Through the value we create, we are committed to a better and more sustainable future for all. Our national team of procurement, contracts & supply chain recruiters is composed of experienced recruitment consultants and full-time candidate managers, responsible for daily candidate generation. Our innovative sourcing techniques and technologies, combined with our extensive local procurement, contract, and supply chain industry connections, ensure we continually build our talent pipeline and provide our partners with access to the best talent. With 31 offices in Australia servicing the local market, and headquarters in the Netherlands, Randstad operates in 39 markets and has approximately 40,000 employees. In 2023, we supported 2 million talents to find work and generated revenue of €25.4 billion. Randstad N.V. is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam. Contact Information: Kate Hodgins Head of Marketing & Communications World Commerce & Contracting +44 7793 026783 khodgins@worldcc.com www.worldcc.com Mikaela Johnson Head of Communications ANZ Randstad Australia +61 2 80951747 mikaela.johnson@randstad.com.au www.randstad.com.au A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5167deb2-118d-4f86-8d57-7ceffc2e2ffe

Forte Biosciences CFO acquires $124,997 in company stockFox News senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram has more on President-elect Donald Trump's nominees from a busy Capitol Hill on Special Report. Left-wing nonprofit ProPublica is facing renewed scrutiny after an email exchange related to its recent unpublished story on Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth was released on Thursday. A media firestorm began earlier this week when Hegseth revealed on X that ProPublica, which he called a "Left Wing hack group" was planning to publish a "knowingly false report" that he was not accepted by West Point in 1999. Attached to the post was a photo of Hegseth’s acceptance letter signed by West Point Superintendent Lieutenant General Daniel Christman, U.S. Army. ProPublica editor Jesse Eisinger responded to the post , explaining that West Point public affairs had told the outlet twice that Hegseth hadn’t applied. "We reached out," Eisinger wrote. "Hegseth's spox gave us his acceptance letter. We didn't publish a story. That's journalism." TIDE TURNS IN FAVOR OF TRUMP DOD PICK PETE HEGSETH AFTER MATT GAETZ FAILURE Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, left, and West Point Military Academy, right (Getty) After intense criticism from conservatives online, with some questioning why ProPublica did not press West Point on the inaccurate information and publish a story on that aspect, Eisinger posted a lengthy X thread outlining the steps ProPublica had taken researching the story claiming and touting how they "care about accuracy" and being "intellectually honest" and had given Hegseth a "fair chance to respond to all of the salient facts in the story." Questions about ProPublica’s journalistic standards intensified shortly afterward when Daily Caller published an email from reporter Justin Elliot reaching out to Hegseth’s lawyer, giving him an hour to respond to the allegation that he never went to West Point and asking, "Why did Mr. Hegseth say he got into West Point when that is not true?" SAMUEL ALITO SLAMS PROPUBLICA AS 'MISLEADING' AHEAD OF REPORT ALLEGING CONFLICT OF INTEREST FROM SCOTUS BENCH Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Defense, makes his way to a meeting with Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., in the Russell building on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. (Tom Williams) "How can Mr. Hegseth be Secretary of Defense given that he has made false statements about getting into the military’s most prestigious academy?" Elliot asked. That email drew the ire of many on social media, who took issue with the accusatory tone of the email and the small window to respond to such a serious allegation, which suggested the story had already been completed without hearing Hegseth’s side. "ProPublica did not contact Pete Hegseth to get the full story," Red State writer Bonchie posted on X . "They contacted him to claim he was a liar while demanding a response within one hour not to offer his side, but to ask why he ‘lied’ and what else he ‘lied’ about." "This isn't ‘journalism.’ It's unethical garbage." "***Nothing*** in Jesse’s 11-tweet thread even hinted that ***this*** is how ProPublica actually approached the story— taking the falsehood from West Point, repeatedly asserting to Hegseth that he was a liar & implying he is unfit for SecDef, & giving him just one hour to respond," journalist Jerry Dunleavy posted on X. "ProPublica's Editor-in-Chief claimed that they gave @PeteHegseth a fair chance to respond to the West Point story because they ‘care about accuracy,’" Trump 2024 Rapid Response Director Greg Price posted on X . "According to this unhinged email obtained by @reaganreese, they straight up accused him of being a liar and gave him a one hour deadline to respond." REPUBLICAN MILITARY VETS IN CONGRESS ARE ON A MISSION TO GET HEGSETH CONFIRMED West Point cadets salute as U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III arrives for the 2021 West Point Commencement Ceremony in Michie Stadium. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) In a statement to Fox News Digital, a ProPublica spokesperson said, "Reporters do their job by asking tough questions to people in power, which is exactly what happened here. Responsible news organizations only publish what they can verify, which is why we didn’t publish a story once Mr. Hegseth provided documentation that corrected the statements from West Point." Fox News Digital reached out to West Point asking whether any disciplinary actions had been taken against the staffers for providing false information and why procedures had not been in place to prevent that kind of error. West Point directed Fox News Digital to its previously issued statement. "A review of our records indicates Peter Hegseth was offered admission to West Point in 1999 but did not attend. An incorrect statement involving Hegseth’s admission to the U.S. Military Academy was released by an employee on Dec. 10, 2024. Upon further review of an archived database, employees realized this statement was in error. Hegseth was offered acceptance to West Point as a prospective member of the Class of 2003. The academy takes this situation seriously and apologizes for this administrative error." In a letter to West Point this week, Republican Congressman Jim Banks wrote, "It is outrageous that West Point officials would so grossly interfere in a political process and make false claims regarding a presidential nominee." "Even in the unlikely scenario of OPA mistakenly making false claims not once but twice, it is an unforgivable act of incompetence that OPA did not make absolutely sure their information was accurate before sharing it with a reporter." This week's ProPublica controversy comes after the nonprofit, which has received millions of dollars from liberal foundations , faced strong criticism for its reporting on conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, which critics referred to as "hit pieces." Associate Justice Samuel Alito joins other members of the U.S. Supreme Court as they pose for a new group portrait in October 2022. (AP/J. Scott Applewhite) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "Journalistic inquiry into the private dealings of public officials is essential for our democracy. But honest inquiry applies the same standard to all people rather than single out those with whom one disagrees," Gretchen Reiter, senior vice president of communications at Stand Together, told Fox News Digital last year regarding ProPublica's reporting on Thomas. ProPublica's reporting on Alito prompted the justice to write a Wall Street Journal op-ed where he wrote, "ProPublica has leveled two charges against me: first, that I should have recused in matters in which an entity connected with Paul Singer was a party and, second, that I was obligated to list certain items as gifts on my 2008 Financial Disclose Report. Neither charge is valid." ProPublica stood by its reporting on Alito but acknowledged there are "lessons for ProPublica in this experience." Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter at Fox News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.None

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Councillor at the centre of Doug Beattie’s resignation removes UUP from social media accountsInvestor confidence was still recovering from recent stock market manipulations when a high-profile investment scam involving Dr Boon Vanasin, an 86-year-old hospital veteran, sent shockwaves throughout Thailand's business arena, causing damages of nearly 8 billion baht. Dr Boon, founder and former chairman of SET-listed Thonburi Healthcare Group (THG), became headline news after being accused of embezzling a massive amount of money through medical investment projects as a means to deceive the public. Police revealed that between December 2023 and October this year, 247 complaints were lodged against him at the Huai Khwang police station by victims who could not cash checks he issued. Dr Boon has fled the country, reportedly to China, while police have charged him and eight others on several counts, with damages initially estimated 7.5 billion baht. The suspects are accused of misleading people into investing in medical businesses promoted by Dr Boon, which police said did not exist. WHO IS DR BOON AND HOW DID HE BUILD HIS HOSPITAL EMPIRE? Dr Boon and his 79-year-old wife come from a prominent family. The doctor established THG in 1977 and continually expanded the business, making him well-known in medical and investment circles. Dr Boon earned the trust of his victims and the public after successfully listing the business on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in 2017. He was often quoted in news and regularly addressed public events. THG operates seven hospitals in Thailand and two overseas. According to the company's website, the group has 1,100 registered beds and a combined capacity to service 9,700 outpatients daily, making the group one of the leading healthcare providers in Thailand. Dr Boon was keen to articulate the narrative of Thailand becoming an aged society, with the global trend opening a vast opportunity for healthcare and well-being services and residences for senior clients. His standing enabled him to convince many investors to back his proposed projects. Dr Boon envisioned projects such as a cancer centre and a wellness centre in Bangkok, a condo on the banks of the Chao Phraya River for seniors, hospitals in Laos and Vietnam, and a medical intelligence project in Chon Buri province. According to police, the fraud was not the work of a single individual, but involves a network that includes family members and brokers who collaborated in the scheme. HOW WAS THE FRAUD EXECUTED? Dr Boon and his associates leveraged their social status and reputation in the medical business to persuade investors to join seemingly credible projects. He offered loan agreements with attractive interest rates to investors, issuing post-dated checks to cover principal and interest payments. However, these checks could not be cashed, leaving investors without the returns they were promised. Initially, Dr Boon paid the loan interest as promised to build confidence among investors. However, when the larger payments were due, he failed to do so, resulting in massive financial losses for investors. Finance permanent secretary Lavaron Sangsnit, who is also a board member of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said Dr Boon engaged in off-market fundraising by inviting lenders to invest, offering attractive interest rates and claiming the borrowed funds would be invested in various projects. To secure these loans, Dr Boon used shares of Thonburi Hospital, where he was a major shareholder, as collateral. For example, for a loan of 100 baht, he pledged 4 shares of Thonburi Hospital, which were valued at 25 baht per share at the time. As the hospital's share price increased, the number of shares required as collateral decreased proportionally. According to the SET, Dr Boon is the 17th-largest shareholder in THG, holding 5.8 million shares, equivalent to 0.68% of the company, valued at 90 million baht. Victims reported that Dr Boon and his family offered high-return investments with advance interest payments. However, when the principal and interest came due in 2023, there were payment problems, and many checks issued to investors could not be cashed, leading to widespread complaints to the authorities. WHO ARE THE VICTIMS? According to the police, there are several groups of victims, including private lenders who demanded off-market shares as collateral. These lenders provided loans to Dr Boon in exchange for high interest rates of 8-9%. They did not receive repayments as promised in agreements, and many were forced to sell their debts at a discount to minimise losses. Another group comprises major investors in the capital market, including business executives and wealthy individuals who invested in THG shares or projects that were non-existent. Other victims include medical industry leaders, such as doctors managing Thonburi hospitals. They were reportedly lured into investing tens of millions of baht in these projects. Also ensnared were business tycoons and members from high-profile families, including political families, as some shifted into business ventures and were encouraged to invest, according to the police. In addition, the owners of construction materials, telecom and real estate firms were listed as victims, lending significant sums to Dr Boon, noted the authorities. The final group of victims is retail investors, including THG shareholders. Retail shareholders who trusted the company and invested in THG shares suffered indirect losses from the financial damage and reputational harm caused by the scandal. The scandal also shook confidence in the already fragile Thai capital market, particularly regarding transactions involving off-market shares and the use of assets as collateral. WHAT IS THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGES? The initial damages claimed in lawsuits are estimated at 7.5 billion baht. However, total damages are estimated to reach 20-40 billion baht. The number of victims is currently 500-600 people, with more expected as investigations progress. There is speculation Dr Boon used his personal THG shares as collateral to secure loans amounting to roughly 2 billion baht. This may have been linked to his financial liquidity issues, possibly arising from unsuccessful large-scale investments. It is believed he sought additional funds to stabilise his personal finances. However, Dr Boon denied these allegations, asserting that no such pledging of shares took place. General investors are concerned because the activities involving THG shares led to questions about the company's financial stability. Stock prices have been volatile as investors want to know about past transactions, investments, and the allocation of funds for large projects that have yet to yield clear returns. HOW ARE THE INVESTIGATIONS PROGRESSING? THG's board of directors has initiated a thorough investigation into Dr Boon's past transactions and management practices, aiming to restore investor confidence and stabilise the company's future regarding large-scale projects and the management of working capital. Authorities said this case serves as a critical example of the risks associated with using personal assets to manage organisational finances, potentially impacting shareholders and investors on a broad scale. The police issued arrest warrants for two more individuals linked to Dr Boon's network, charging conspiracy to commit fraud and soliciting fraudulent loans from the public. The warrants were issued after victims revealed new evidence that both individuals acted as brokers or intermediaries, encouraging others to invest in the fraudulent schemes. In addition, an arrest warrant was issued for Nawara Vanasin, Dr Boon's former daughter-in-law who previously claimed her signature was forged. However, an investigation into her financial transactions revealed links to Dr Boon. Authorities are examining the authenticity of her signature. Dr Boon's network involved three main groups: Dr Boon and his family; company employees and document witnesses; and brokers or intermediaries. The police emphasised that any further implicated individuals will face legal action without exception. According to Mr Lavaron, the SEC is drafting regulations to control the behaviour of major shareholders in the market, aiming to prevent similar incidents. "To protect minor shareholders in the market, the SEC is preparing a draft regulation to control the actions of major shareholders if they intend to use their shares as collateral for loans, as in the case of Dr Boon," he said. Major shareholders will be required to notify the SET, which will allow authorities to monitor whether such actions might affect other shareholders. The measure is meant to enhance transparency for investors, said Mr Lavaron.

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Seahawks safety Coby Bryant scored the first pick 6 of his career on Sunday to give Seattle a third-quarter cushion against the Arizona Cardinals. He celebrated with a tribute to one of Seattle's favorite sons — a crotch grab in honor of Marshawn Lynch. It's a move that will surely cost Bryant some money while met with glowing reviews in the Pacific Northwest. The play took place midway through the third quarter as Seattle held a 7-3 lead. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray overthrew Michael Wilson on a fourth-and-1 pass from the Seattle 39. Bryant was there to pick it off. He then raced 69 yards down the left sideline to the end zone. When he reached the goal line, he leapt backward and grabbed his crotch a la Lynch to the delight of the home Seattle crowd. HOUSE CALL FOR COBY 🎱 — Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) The move was an ode to Lynch, the ex-Seahawks great who made the celebration his own much to the chagrin of the NFL. Lynch first pulled the move while scoring a touchdown in the 2015 NFC championship. The league for the gesture. The celebration has resurfaced multiple times since, with the most recent iteration just last week . Bryant, who's playing on the the third season of his four-year, $4.5 million rookie contract, should expect a fine in the same neighborhood. The Seahawks, meanwhile, are fully embracing Bryant's celebration on social media with a juxtaposition of Bryant's crotch grab next to Lynch's. Art But Make It... Marshawn. — Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) Who did it better?

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NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers formally asked a judge Monday to throw out his hush money criminal conviction , arguing that continuing the case would present unconstitutional “disruptions to the institution of the Presidency.“ In a filing made public Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers told Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that anything short of immediate dismissal would undermine the transition of power, as well as the “overwhelming national mandate" granted to Trump by voters last month. They also cited President Joe Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges . “President Biden asserted that his son was ‘selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,’ and ‘treated differently,’" Trump’s legal team wrote. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, they claimed, had engaged in the type of political theater "that President Biden condemned.” Prosecutors will have until Dec. 9 to respond. They have said they will fight any efforts to dismiss the case but have indicated a willingness to delay the sentencing until after Trump’s second term ends in 2029. In their filing Monday, Trump's attorneys dismissed the idea of holding off sentencing until Trump is out of office as a “ridiculous suggestion.” Following Trump’s election victory last month, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed his sentencing, previously scheduled for late November, to allow the defense and prosecution to weigh in on the future of the case. He also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier. He says they did not and denies any wrongdoing. The defense filing was signed by Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, who represented Trump during the trial and have since been selected by the president-elect to fill senior roles at the Justice Department. Taking a swipe at Bragg and New York City, as Trump often did throughout the trial, the filing argues that dismissal would also benefit the public by giving him and “the numerous prosecutors assigned to this case a renewed opportunity to put an end to deteriorating conditions in the City and to protect its residents from violent crime.” Clearing Trump, the lawyers added, would also allow him to “to devote all of his energy to protecting the Nation.” Merchan hasn’t yet set a timetable for a decision. He could decide to uphold the verdict and proceed to sentencing, delay the case until Trump leaves office, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court or choose some other option. An outright dismissal of the New York case would further lift a legal cloud that at one point carried the prospect of derailing Trump’s political future. Last week, special counsel Jack Smith told courts that he was withdrawing both federal cases against Trump — one charging him with hoarding classified documents at his Florida estate, the other with scheming to overturn the 2020 presidential election he lost — citing longstanding Justice Department policy that shields a president from indictment while in office. The hush money case was the only one of Trump’s four criminal indictments to go to trial, resulting in a historic verdict that made him the first former president to be convicted of a crime. Prosecutors had cast the payout as part of a Trump-driven effort to keep voters from hearing salacious stories about him. Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels. Trump later reimbursed him, and Trump’s company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses — concealing what they really were, prosecutors alleged. Trump has said the payments to Cohen were properly categorized as legal expenses for legal work. A month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for official acts — things they did in the course of running the country — and that prosecutors can’t cite those actions to bolster a case centered on purely personal, unofficial conduct. Trump’s lawyers cited the ruling to argue that the hush money jury got some improper evidence, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form, testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made during his first term. Prosecutors disagreed and said the evidence in question was only “a sliver” of their case. If the verdict stands and the case proceeds to sentencing, Trump’s punishments would range from a fine to probation to up to four years in prison — but it’s unlikely he’d spend any time behind bars for a first-time conviction involving charges in the lowest tier of felonies. Because it is a state case, Trump would not be able to pardon himself once he returns to office.Jimmy Carter, the self-effacing peanut farmer, humanitarian and former navy lieutenant who helped Canada avert a nuclear catastrophe before ascending to the highest political office in the United States, died Sunday at his home in Georgia. He was 100, making him the longest-lived U.S. president in American history. Concern for Carter's health had become a recurring theme in recent years. He was successfully treated for brain cancer in 2015, then suffered a number of falls, including one in 2019 that resulted in a broken hip. Alarm spiked in February 2023, however, when the Carter Center — the philanthropic organization he and his wife Rosalynn founded in 1982 — announced he would enter hospice care at his modest, three-bedroom house in Plains, Ga. Rosalynn Carter, a mental health advocate whose role as presidential spouse helped to define the modern first lady, predeceased her husband in November 2023 — a death at 96 that triggered a remembrance to rival his. "Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished," the former president said in a statement after she died. "As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me." Conventional wisdom saw his single White House term as middling. But Carter's altruistic work ethic, faith-filled benevolence and famous disdain for the financial trappings of high office only endeared him to generations after he left politics in 1981. "The trite phrase has been, 'Jimmy Carter has been the best former president in the history of the United States,'" said Gordon Giffin, a former U.S. ambassador to Canada who sits on the Carter Center's board of trustees. "That grated on him, because it distinguished his service as president from his service — and I literally mean service — as a former president." His relentless advocacy for human rights, a term Carter popularized long before it became part of the political lexicon, included helping to build homes for the poor across the U.S. and in 14 other countries, including Canada, well into his 90s. He devoted the resources of the Carter Center to tackling Guinea worm, a parasite that afflicted an estimated 3.5 million people in the developing world in the early 1980s and is today all but eradicated, with just 13 cases reported in 2022. And he was a tireless champion of ending armed conflict and promoting democratic elections in the wake of the Cold War, with his centre monitoring 113 such votes in 39 different countries — and offering conflict-resolution expertise when democracy receded. Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, nearly a quarter-century after his seminal work on the Camp David Accords helped pave the way for a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt in 1979, the first of its kind. "His presidency got sidelined in the historic evaluation too quickly, and now people are revisiting it," Giffin said. "I think his standing in history as president will grow." A lifelong Democrat who never officially visited Canada as president, Carter was nonetheless a pioneer of sorts when it came to Canada-U.S. relations and a close friend to the two Canadian prime ministers he served alongside. One of them, former Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark, once called Carter a "pretty good Canadian" — a testament to the former commander-in-chief's authenticity and centre-left politics, which always resonated north of the Canada-U.S. border. The pair were reunited in 2017 at a panel discussion in Atlanta hosted by the Canadian American Business Council, and seemed to delight in teasing the host when she described Clark as a "conservative" and Carter as a "progressive." "I'm a Progressive Conservative — that's very important," Clark corrected her. Piped up Carter: "I'm a conservative progressive." In 2012, the Carters visited Kingston, Ont., to receive an honorary degree from Queen's University. Instead of a fancy hotel, they stayed with Arthur Milnes, a former speech writer, journalist and political scholar who'd long since become a close friend. "He became my hero, believe it or not, probably when I was about 12," said Milnes, whose parents had come of age during the Cold War and lived in perpetual fear of the ever-present nuclear threat until Carter took over the White House in 1977. "My mother never discussed politics, with one exception — and that was when Jimmy Carter was in the White House. She'd say, 'Art, Jimmy Carter is a good and decent man,'" Milnes recalled. "They always said, both of them, that for the first time since the 1950s, they felt safe, knowing that it was this special man from rural Georgia, Jimmy Carter, who had his finger on the proverbial button." While Richard Nixon and Pierre Trudeau appeared to share a mutual antipathy during their shared time in office, Carter got along famously with the prime minister. Indeed, it was at the express request of the Trudeau family that Carter attended the former prime minister's funeral in 2000, Giffin said. "The message I got back was the family would appreciate it if Jimmy Carter could come," said Giffin, who was the U.S. envoy in Ottawa at the time. "So he did come. He was at the Trudeau funeral. And to me, that said a lot about not only the relationship he had with Trudeau, but the relationship he had in the Canada-U.S. dynamic." It was at that funeral in Montreal that Carter — "much to my frustration," Giffin allowed — spent more than two hours in a holding room with Cuban leader Fidel Castro, a meeting that resulted in Carter visiting Cuba in 2002, the first former president to do so. But it was long before Carter ever entered politics that he established a permanent bond with Canada — one forged in the radioactive aftermath of what might otherwise have become the country's worst nuclear calamity. In 1952, Carter was a 28-year-old U.S. navy lieutenant, a submariner with a budding expertise in nuclear power, when he and his crew were dispatched to help control a partial meltdown at the experimental Chalk River Laboratories northwest of Ottawa. In his 2016 book "A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety," Carter described working in teams of three, first practising on a mock-up of the reactor, then on the real thing, in short 90-second bursts to avoid absorbing more than the maximum allowable dose of radiation. "The limit on radiation absorption in the early 1950s was approximately 1,000 times higher than it is 60 years later," he wrote. "There were a lot of jokes about the effects of radioactivity, mostly about the prospect of being sterilized, and we had to monitor our urine until all our bodies returned to the normal range." That, Carter would later acknowledge in interviews, took him about six months. Carter and Clark were both in office during the so-called "Canadian Caper," a top-secret operation to spirit a group of U.S. diplomats out of Iran following the fall of the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979. The elaborate ploy, which involved passing the group off as a Canadian science-fiction film crew, was documented in the Oscar-winning 2012 Ben Affleck film "Argo." Carter didn't think much of the film. "The movie that was made, 'Argo,' was very distorted. They hardly mentioned the Canadian role in this very heroic, courageous event," he said during the CABC event. He described the true events of that escapade as "one of the greatest examples of a personal application of national friendship I have ever known." To the end, Carter was an innately humble and understated man, said Giffin — a rare commodity in any world leader, much less in one from the United States. "People underestimate who Jimmy Carter is because he leads with his humanity," he said. "I read an account the other day that said the Secret Service vehicles that are parked outside his house are worth more than the house. How many former presidents have done that?" This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec, 29, 2024. James McCarten, The Canadian PressChina Launches World’s Fastest High-Speed Train Prototype At 450 km/h | All You Need to Know

Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge PLAYER RATINGS: Which defender shone on a tough night? Whose passback opened the scoring? Who called his team together for a pep talk? By PAUL FORSYTH Published: 22:59, 27 November 2024 | Updated: 22:59, 27 November 2024 e-mail View comments Daizen Maeda's stunning equaliser earned Celtic a valuable point in a Champions League match against Club Brugge that could easily have got away from them. Brendan Rodgers ' side, who fell behind when Cameron Carter-Vickers' blind passback trundled past Kasper Schmeichel, looked distinctly second-best before half-time. But they dug deep after the interval and drew level when Maeda chopped inside his marker to shape a right-foot shot inside the far post. Celtic never reached the standards set against RB Leipzig last month, but they showed plenty of character. And their eight points from five matches keeps them on course to reach the playoffs. In the circumstances, it was a welcome point against an impressive Brugge side. Paul Forsyth analyses the individual performances. Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring a stunning equaliser for Celtic against Club Brugge Cameron Carter-Vickers can't believe that his blind passback has given Brugge the lead Trusty was Celtic's best player, reading the game well and dealing with the counter-attack Kasper Schmeichel - 7 Showed leadership by calling his team-mates together after the opening goal. Fingertip save denied De Cuyper. Alistair Johnston - 6 Unable to get forward easily, a lot of his work was defensive. Couldn’t quite provide the overlaps Kuhn needed. Cameron Carter-Vickers - 6 A nervy start culminated in his own goal. Wrongly assuming Schmeichel was behind him, he passed back without looking. Auston Trusty - 8 Needed all his pace when Brugge countered. Read the game well and covered when the defence was stretched. Greg Taylor - 6 Unable to make any impact in the first half. Did more work infield after the break, but was subbed on the hour. Arne Engels - 5 Too often posted missing when Celtic needed midfielders to show for the ball. Didn’t do enough defensively. Callum McGregor - 6.5 Often exposed by those around him, especially when Brugge turned the ball over. Influence grew as the game went on. Reo Hatate - 6 Not quite assertive enough when Celtic needed midfielders to stand up, but came close with a left-foot shot. Nicolas Kuhn - 7 Took too long to get involved but when he did, he was Celtic’s best attacking outlet. Drifted inside dangerously. Kyogo Furuhashi - 6 An early half-chance aside, had few sights of goal. A diligent back line had the measure of his movement. Daizen Maeda - 7.5 Properly tested by the right-back, who engaged him in a fascinating tussle. Chopped inside to score a stunner. SUBSTITUTES Bernardo (Engels, 59min), Valle (Taylor, 59), Idah (Furuhashi, 76), Forres t (Maeda, 76), Yang (Kuhn 87) Not used: Sinisalo, Scales, Palma, McCowan, Nawrocki, Ralston, Welsh. Brendan Rodgers - 6 Got a response from his team after a passive first half. CLUB BRUGGE (4-3-3) Mignolet 6; Seyes 7, Mechele 7, Ordonez 6, De Cuyper 7; Jashari 6, Vanaken 7, Onyedika 7; Skov Olsen 7 (Talbi 76), Jutgla 8 (Vermant 76), Tzolis 7 (Nielsen 90). Referee: G Kabakov (Bul) 6 Champions League Celtic Share or comment on this article: Celtic 1-1 Club Brugge PLAYER RATINGS: Which defender shone on a tough night? Whose passback opened the scoring? Who called his team together for a pep talk? e-mail Add commentPart 1: Bill’s NBA Six-Pack. Plus Peter Schrager on the Jets’ Downfall, Buffalo’s Leap, and Drake Maye.

CHICAGO (AP) — Cairo Santos had a field goal blocked — again. DeAndre Carter muffed a punt in the second half. And those were just the special teams mistakes for the struggling Chicago Bears. Santos' blocked field goal and Carter's turnover were part of another sloppy performance for Chicago in its fifth consecutive loss. The pair of miscues helped set up two of Minnesota's three touchdowns in a 30-27 overtime victory . The Bears (4-7) closed out a miserable three-game homestand after they won their first three games of the season at Soldier Field. They were in position to beat Green Bay last weekend before Santos' 46-yard field goal attempt was blocked on the final play of the Packers' 20-19 win . “It’s tough. ... When things just aren’t going your way, you gotta put your head down and just keep going to work,” tight end Cole Kmet said. “It’s not easy to do but that’s kind of where we’re at.” Chicago and Minnesota were tied at 7 when Caleb Williams threw incomplete on third-and-4 at the Vikings 30 early in the second quarter. Bears coach Matt Eberflus sent Santos out for a 48-yard attempt, but it was knocked down by defensive lineman Jerry Tillery. “I think it was the penetration with the trajectory of the ball,” Santos said. “Had the ball started 3 or 4 inches to the right of both those guys' hands, I think it still goes in through the uprights.” Brian Asamoah returned the blocked kick 22 yards to set the Vikings up with good field position. Sam Darnold then capped a six-play, 53-yard drive with a 5-yard TD pass to Jalen Nailor for a 14-7 lead with 6:29 left in the first half. It was the third blocked field goal for Santos this year, the most for Chicago in a single season since it also had three blocked in 2012. Santos also had a 43-yard try blocked in the fourth quarter of a 35-16 victory over Jacksonville on Oct. 13. The Bears became the first NFL team to allow three blocked field goals in a season since the Browns and Ravens each had three blocked in 2022. “Whenever that happens two games in a row we’ve got to make sure we take a hard look in terms of the protection, the technique and who we have in there,” Eberflus said. “So it's going to be a big thing to look at.” Chicago trailed 17-10 when it forced a Minnesota punt midway through the third quarter. Carter warned his teammates to get out of the way, but it hit the ground and bounced off the inside of his right leg before it was recovered by Bo Richter at the Bears 15. The Vikings turned the mental error into Aaron Jones' 2-yard touchdown run and a 24-10 lead. “Gotta get out of the way of the ball. That’s on me,” Carter said. “I let the team down today. Game shouldn’t have been in the situation it was in. I felt bad for the guys.” Santos and Carter both played a role in a late rally for Chicago. Carter had a 55-yard kickoff return, and Santos got an onside kick to work before making a tying 48-yarder on the final play of regulation. But the Bears stalled on the first possession of overtime, and Darnold drove the Vikings downfield to set up Parker Romo's winning 29-yard field goal. “We're losing in the most unreal situations,” Bears receiver DJ Moore said. “Now it's like the luck's got to go in our favor at some point.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLHome and neighborhood environments impact sedentary behavior in teens globally December 3, 2024 University of California - San Diego Adolescents worldwide are spending an average of 8 to 10 hours per day engaging in sedentary activities such as watching television, using electronic devices, playing video games and riding in motorized vehicles, according to a multinational study. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email The World Health Organization recommends no more than two to three hours per day of sedentary time for youth. However, adolescents worldwide are spending an average of 8 to 10 hours per day engaging in sedentary activities such as watching television, using electronic devices, playing video games and riding in motorized vehicles, according to a multinational study published in the Nov. 29, 2024 issue of the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity . The most notable finding of the study, led by principal investigator James F. Sallis, Ph.D., distinguished professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego, and colleagues from 14 countries, found that simply having a personal social media account was linked with higher total sedentary time in both males and females. Social media was also related to more self-reported screen time. "Although there is great concern about negative effects of social media on youth mental health, this study documents a pathway for social media to harm physical health as well," said Sallis, who is also a professorial fellow at the Australian Catholic University. "These findings are concerning, as excessive sedentary behavior has been linked to a range of health problems, including obesity, diabetes and mental health issues." Researchers analyzed accelerometer data from 3,982 adolescents aged 11 to 19 and survey measures of sedentary behavior from 6,302 participants in the International Physical Activity and the Environment Network (IPEN) Adolescent Study, which covered 15 geographically and culturally diverse countries across six continents. The number of electronic devices within a home, how many adolescents had their own social media accounts and neighborhood walkability were significantly different across countries. For example, adolescents from India had an average of 1.2 electronic devices in the bedroom and 0.5 personal electronic devices, while the average number of such devices in Denmark was 4.2 and 2.3, respectively. In India and Bangladesh, fewer than 30% of adolescents reported having their own social media account, compared to higher socio-economic status countries where it was over 90%. Parents reporting on walkability identified Australia as having high access to parks, while Nigerian parents reported no access, and parents in Bangladesh and India reported poor access. Traffic was a concern among parents in Brazil, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, and Israel, and concerns about crime were high in the first three countries. Adolescents who reported less recreational screen time lived in walkable neighborhoods and had better perceptions of safety from traffic and crime than others. Girls who lived in neighborhoods designed to support physical activity were less likely to be sedentary. Despite differences in culture, built environments and extent of sedentary time, patterns of association were generally similar across countries, said the study's lead author Ranjit Mohan Anjana, M.D., Ph.D., of Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialties Centre and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in India. "Together, parents, policymakers and technology companies can work together to reduce access to screens, limit social media engagement and promote more physical activity, thus helping adolescents develop healthier habits and reduce their risk of chronic diseases," said Anjana. The study's findings have significant implications for public health policy and highlight the need for further research into the causes and consequences of sedentary behavior among teenagers. Countries involved in study: Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, China, Czechia, Denmark, India, Israel, Malaysia, Nigeria, Portugal, Spain and United States. Story Source: Materials provided by University of California - San Diego . Original written by Yadira Galindo. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference : Cite This Page :AR Rahman reveals his pre-marriage agreement with ex-wife Saira Banu

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Darren Rizzi would be an unconventional choice to take over the New Orleans Saints' head coaching job on a permanent basis. That doesn't mean it can't happen. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Dolphins Deep Dive: Win sets up huge game vs. Packers. Perkins, Hyde break down victory over Patriots | VIDEO

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3 Americans held for years in China have been released, the White House says

VANCOUVER, BC , Nov. 25, 2024 /CNW/ - Africa Energy Corp. AFE (Nasdaq First North: AEC) ("Africa Energy" or the "Company") announces that the Company, through its investment in Main Street 1549 Pty Ltd. ("Main Street"), has formally become the operator of Block 11B / 12B offshore South Africa. View PDF version Main Street is currently in the process of obtaining all the important information from the previous operator, including drilling, reservoir and development engineering data. Main Street is in the process of completing the Environmental and Social Impact Report ("ESIR") and expects to submit the ESIR in the first quarter of 2025. The approval of the Production Right application will not occur until after the Block 11B / 12B joint venture receives environmental authorization in respect of the ESIR. Main Street currently holds a 10% interest in Block 11B / 12B . In light of the withdrawal of the joint venture partners as announced July 29, 2024 , and subject to all relevant regulatory approvals by South African authorities, Main Street expects to hold 100% interest in Block 11B / 12B . About Africa Energy Corp. Africa Energy Corp. is a Canadian oil and gas exploration company focused on South Africa . The Company is listed in Toronto on TSX Venture Exchange (ticker "AFE") and in Stockholm on Nasdaq First North Growth Market (ticker "AEC"). Important information This is information that Africa Energy is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication through the agency of the contact persons set out above on November 25, 2024 , at 5:30 p.m. ET . The Company's certified advisor on Nasdaq First North Growth Market is Bergs Securities AB , +46 739 49 62 50, rutger.ahlerup@bergssecurities.se . Forward looking statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects and opportunities, which are based on assumptions of management. The use of any of the words "will", "expected", "planned", "intends" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of certain future events. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, changes in oil prices, results of exploration and development activities, including results, timing and costs of exploration and development activity in the Company's area of operations and, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of funds required to participate in the exploration and development activities, or of financing on reasonable terms, availability of materials and equipment on satisfactory terms, outcome of commercial negotiations with government and other regulatory authorities, timeliness of government or other regulatory approvals, actual performance of facilities, availability of third party service providers, equipment and processes relative to specifications and expectations and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Actual future results may differ materially. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information. Neither 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 Africa Energy Corp. View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2024/25/c7308.html © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.La contracrónica del Barbastro – Espanyol, por Juan José Caseiro . La hostia de Barbastro Poca reivindicación y una hostia de campeonato, o de Copa, como quieran llamarlo. Y es que a veces es mejor no mentar a la bicha. Quiso Manolo crear un efecto motivador y el frío de Aragón le devuelve un boomerang que vuelve a hacer sonar las alarmas. Depreciación absoluta del producto: Pacheco hace tiempo que no para, Tejero y Sergi hicieron acciones impropias de futbolistas de primera, Kumbulla se mezcló en la mediocridad general y solo Romero, de los de atrás, aspiraba a limpiar imágenes anteriores. No hay excusa del césped porque estaba para todos igual: de los del medio, Bauza si aprovechó su turno, al revés que Aguado. Ünüvar tiene algo aunque pinta que tras la derrota ‘hasta aquí ha llegado’ y Roca debe decidirse a tomar riesgos en su juego. 47 centros al área y dos rematados: Cheddira de coronilla y Veliz en el 91: no hay más preguntas, señoría. Milla, Cardona, Justin, Král y Jofre. Alguien pudo pensar que estos lo remontaban, pero tampoco. Igual o pero que los reemplazados. Con la eliminación, vuelven los debates y si no lo creen, echen un vistazo en las redes sociales. Desastrosa imagen en los grandes y hasta en los pequeños detalles: miren las medias de algunos de los que han jugado. A los campos de fútbol, no se puede ir de sobrado. Que la liga nos sea leve y esto solo tiene una forma de borrarlo: llegar a Navidades con el equipo a salvo. ¡Hostia ya! Juan José Caseiro

Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong listens as evidence is presented during the first day of the medical marijuana civil trial on Oct. 29 in a lawsuit seeking to invalidate Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana petitions. A Lancaster County District Court judge ruled petitions circulated by Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana were legally sufficient on Tuesday, dismissing a legal challenge that sought to have the successful initiatives rendered void. Judge Susan Strong said attorneys for former state Sen. John Kuehn and Secretary of State Bob Evnen were only able to show a few hundred signatures were invalid on both petitions, well short of the number needed to declare them insufficient. “After reviewing the evidence, the court finds that they have fallen short,” Strong wrote in a 57-page order made public late Tuesday afternoon. “The court therefore declares that the ballot initiatives contain a legally sufficient number of signatures.” The ruling comes three weeks after both petitions won broad support in the Nov. 5 election. The first petition, which legalizes cannabis for medical use in Nebraska, received the support of nearly 71% of voters, while the second, which enacts regulations for medical marijuana, won the support of 67% of voters. Both initiatives are set to be certified by the Board of State Canvassers on Monday and will take effect 10 days later. The case originated when Kuehn, a staunch opponent of marijuana legalization in Nebraska, sued Evnen on Sept. 12 to stop the petitions circulated by Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana from being certified for the general election ballot. Evnen certified the petitions the next day hours after Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced criminal charges against a paid circulator for the ballot campaign who later admitted to forging signatures to petition sheets he found in a phone book. A week later, Evnen filed a cross-claim against Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, alleging the wrongdoing uncovered in the attorney general’s investigation could render tens of thousands of signatures invalid. His court filing asked a judge to determine whether the initiatives should be declared legally insufficient and removed from the ballot or the election results deemed void. The four-day civil trial , which ended on Nov. 4, focused on the actions of two circulators — Michael Egbert and Jennifer Henning — who described signing petition sheets outside the presence of a notary, in violation of the rules for those officials. Attorneys for Kuehn and Evnen, who was represented by Hilgers’ office, also pointed to what they described as sloppy or potentially fraudulent actions by circulators and notaries that may have affected enough voter signatures to sink the initiatives. In her order, Strong agreed to rule the signatures gathered by Egbert, who admitted to forging names he found in a phone book, as invalid and have them removed. Egbert, a paid circulator for the campaign from Grand Island, submitted 487 signatures on the legalization petition and 541 signatures for the regulatory petition. Strong also said signatures on petition sheets attorneys for Kuehn and Evnen had proven were improperly notarized by several people working for the Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana campaign would also lose the presumption of validity. That included 221 signatures on the legalization petitions and 285 signatures on the regulatory petitions, according to Strong's order. In all, Strong determined a total of 708 signatures on the legalization petition and 826 on the regulatory petition had lost the presumption of validity, while an additional three names signed to petition sheets after they had been notarized were also removed. "This case was about numbers," Strong wrote. "Thus, to prevail in this action, (Kuehn and Evnen) had to show that more than 3,463 signatures on the legalization petition and 3,357 signatures on the regulatory petition are invalid. "The plaintiff and secretary are well short," the judge added. Daniel Gutman, an attorney for Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, said in a brief phone interview Tuesday evening he was pleased with Strong's result. "We appreciate the court's thorough review of this case in an expedited timeframe and agree with the result," Gutman said. "We have always been confident in the process in which the campaign collected signatures, as confirmed by the court's decision today." On Tuesday, a spokeswoman for Hilgers said the attorney general was weighing his options for appeal. "We appreciate the court's time and thoughtful consideration in declining this matter," the attorney general's office said in an email. "We are reviewing the decision and considering next steps." Strong’s order follows resolutions reached in two other cases tied to the effort to legalize medical marijuana. Egbert, who hinted during his testimony that he was appearing in exchange for a reduced sentence in Hall County, pleaded guilty to attempted false swearing to a circulator’s affidavit days after the civil trial ended. In exchange for the guilty plea , Hall County Attorney Martin Klein agreed to reduce Egbert's charge from a Class IV felony to a Class I misdemeanor. Egbert, who admitted to forging the signatures of names he found in a phone book, was sentenced to pay a $250 fine. But the former Marine also told the court he was told he would be "covered" if he testified in the civil trial, though he had difficulty describing what that term meant, citing a neurological condition that sometimes affects his memory. And late last week, a Hall County judge dismissed two dozen criminal charges against a notary public accused of notarizing petitions outside the presence of the circulator. Jacy Todd, a York man who owned a CBD shop in Grand Island, was charged with 24 counts of official misconduct, a Class II misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Judge Alfred E. Corey III said while the functions performed by notaries are important, Todd was not acting as a government official when he signed petitions submitted by Egbert. Corey granted a motion to quash from attorney Mark Porto, saying there was no case law to use as a basis to bring criminal charges against Todd. Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com . On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.While President Joe Biden has cleared millions' student loan debt during his presidency, Congress could now approve a law that would increase student loan payments for a large number of borrowers. The College Cost Reduction Act is predicted to reduce the government deficit by $250 to $280 billion over a decade, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Specifically, Congress could save $155 billion from the law's changes to Pell grants and student loans and $127 billion from repealing and replacing Biden's SAVE income-driven repayment plan, which is currently facing legal challenges. North Carolina Republican Representative Virginia Foxx introduced the bill this year. If implemented, it would require borrowers to pay back what they owe on a 10-year standard payment and double the Pell grant award for juniors and seniors at college on track to graduate. "The positive aspect for these students is that Pell grant funding would increase," Michael Lux, an attorney and founder of the Student Loan Sherpa, told Newsweek. "Additionally, the goal of the act is to lower college costs, and to the extent that colleges lower prices, it could help some families. However, the act comes with a considerable downside." The bill would also eliminate PLUS loans for graduate students and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program, causing some concern over how it would actually end up impacting college affordability. There'd also be strict borrowing caps for students taking out loans. For undergraduates, the amount would be limited to $50,000, while graduate students would see a $100,000 maximum borrowing amount. "The borrowing caps could greatly restrict access to federal loans for students in expensive professional programs like law or medicine," Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of michaelryanmoney.com, told Newsweek . "Interestingly, high-income graduate borrowers might benefit from the capped total payments compared to existing income-driven repayment plans." Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, said ultimately the law could hurt low-income students who already struggle to afford college in the long run. "The act would in some situations double the amount of assistance low income students could receive in their final two years of undergraduate study through the pell grant system, which sounds great in theory," Beene told Newsweek. "However, the proposal also looks to make universities take more responsibility for unpaid loans, and that could lead to college costs rising to create a financial cushion for that increased liability. At the end of the day, it's difficult to see outside of additional Pell grant assistance how this really saves incoming students on the price of an education." Jessica Thompson, Senior Vice President at The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS), called the bill a "misguided approach" to increasing college access and lowering costs. "The reality is, the College Cost Reduction Act would increase financial burdens and risks for students and borrowers," Jessica Thompson told Newsweek . "We conducted rigorous analysis on the bill and found that it would increase monthly student loan payments for most borrowers. It could also leave some borrowers indebted indefinitely, as well as increase delinquency and default rates." Newsweek reached out to Foxx for comment via email. Now that Trump is reentering the White House and Republicans won the House, passing the bill could become even more likely, said Kevin Thompson, a finance expert and the founder and CEO of 9i Capital Group. "I do believe the new administration would be looking to cut costs anywhere possible, and if this is a net benefit for the incoming administration, I would foresee this being passed," Kevin Thompson told Newsweek. Those in favor of the College Cost Reduction Act say it would force colleges to lower prices by getting rid of PLUS loans for parents and graduate students, but not everyone is certain. "The problem for many current and potential students is that without the help of PLUS loans, they can't attend school," Lux said. "Fewer students who can attend school might push prices down, but it only helps those who can afford to pay out of pocket or qualify for private financing." Due to the divided political climate in Congress, substantial revisions might be necessary in order for the bill to gain wider support, Ryan said. "Republicans are generally supportive of its accountability and cost-control measures while Democrats are concerned about potential negative impacts on low-income students," Ryan said.

As the Broncos’ offensive menu continues to expand, Devaughn Vele is becoming one of the foremost beneficiaries. The rookie wide receiver is lining up all over the field, playing different spots and making an impact in several different ways. The seventh-round draft pick already had three catches in the first half of when head coach Sean Payton put him alone on the backside of a unique, 4-by-1 formation. The Broncos had Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin aligned into the boundary with running back Javonte Williams and jumbo tight end Matt Peart as an eligible receiver all to quarterback Bo Nix’s right. Vele pushed vertically up the field, gave a head-fake inside that kept cornerback Decamrion Richardson on his heels and then eventually snapped off his route to the inside. Nix pinned the ball on him for a 26-yard gain. Vele’s showed a knack for getting open and making plays since rookie minicamp in May. In recent weeks, though, his ascension has only accelerated. The 26-year-old has fortified himself as the No. 2 option at receiver behind Sutton and on Sunday he finished with six catches (nine targets) for 80 yards. Since he returned from being out four games — one due to a rib injury and three healthy scratches — Vele’s been on a 58-catch, 782-yard pace. In the three weeks since his playing time jumped to about two-thirds of Denver’s offensive snaps, he’s got 14 catches (18 targets) for 185 yards and a touchdown. Vele’s most recent game and his trajectory drew about as strong of praise as you’ll hear from Payton on Monday morning. “He’s been really good,” Payton said. “The strengths for him: Certainly, his hands. You guys saw it in camp — he’s got strong hands in traffic. He’s a guy that plays well over the middle. He reminds me a lot of Marques Colston, who I had in New Orleans for 10 or 11 years.” Colston, of course, was also a seventh-round pick in 2006, Payton’s first New Orleans draft class. He ended up catching 70 balls for 1,038 yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie, then going for 98 catches, 1,202 yards and 12 touchdowns in his second season. In his 10-year career, Colston racked up 711 catches, 9,759 yards and 72 touchdowns. Those are lofty marks, but Payton’s clearly been impressed with Vele. “Just in our staff meeting 20 minutes ago, I said, ‘We’ve got to continue to find touches for him,’” the coach said. They’ve already started putting him in more positions as the No. 1 target. The 26-yarder looked to be designed for him. So, too, was a late-game miss that came out of the same 4-by-1 set. Instead of breaking in, Vele went vertical — a wrinkle from the original look — and Nix just left the ball too far inside. Nix threw him two slants out of RPO looks and the Broncos put him in motion and used Lil’Jordan Humphrey to create a pick to get him open on third-and-short for a conversion. He caught a scramble-drill ball for 23 yards and went up to catch it even knowing he was going to get hit hard when he landed. He sat down in a soft spot in zone coverage. He caught a pass as the safety valve and got upfield for a first down. “Sometimes, as a coach, you feel like you’re stopping the progress by not getting him touches,” Payton said Monday, likening Vele earlier in the season to where running back Audric Estime is now. “And now — I don’t want to say we’re guilty as coaches, but oftentimes (you’re) afraid to play the rookies. And very quickly we’ve seen his growth.” Nik Bonitto . The Broncos’ third-year pass-rusher has racked up 10 sacks in his past 10 games. He’s turned into a high-end pass-rusher and gives Denver a pairing between him and Jonathon Cooper, , that’s easy to imagine building around long-term. Outside of the highlight-reel, game-sealing strip-sack on Sunday, though, Bonitto made plays against Las Vegas that he simply would not have made earlier in his career. Most impressively: Bonitto recognized two different screens — one to a running back and one to a receiver — in the first eight minutes of the game and ruined them by playing smart, alert football and hustling. On the first, Bonitto didn’t get fooled by Vegas’ motioning and stayed locked on Ameer Abdullah. Minshew had to throw the ball into the ground. On the second, he started roaring up the field but saw left tackle Kolton Miller and other Vegas linemen start to break out to block down the field. Bonitto swung around quickly and hit a dead sprint out toward receiver D.J. Turner. He took such a good line that he ended up directly in the throwing lane and forced Minshew to again throw it in the dirt. Bonitto’s first step and his bend are upper-echelon traits and will be what gets him paid. But playing smart, consistent football on top of that is what can make him a great all-around player. Payton put together a questionable play-calling sequence late in the fourth quarter. After Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson cut Denver’s lead to 26-19 with 3:38 to go, the Broncos took over at their 30. Payton’s inclination to dial up an explosive play to start the drive was understandable. Get in heavy personnel on first down — Peart checked in as a jumbo tight end — and then play-fake and throw the ball down the field. Nix, though, left a throw too far inside for Vele, who could not come down with a contested catch. Las Vegas had all of its timeouts, which meant Denver needed to get a first down to really go to work on the clock. Instead, two more incompletions led to a three-and-out. Total time run off the clock: 26 seconds. Payton defended the sequence without prompting Monday, saying, “We’re trying to win the game at the end of the game there. The last thing I was going to do was hand the ball off three times. They’ll use their timeouts. Then they’ll drive down the field.” The first-down throw was an aggressive and understandable decision. But missing it set the Raiders for one more chance. The Broncos defense, as it has often this year, rose to the occasion when Bonitto logged his 10th sack and forced a fumble to set Denver up in the red zone. Payton dialed up another pass above the two-minute warning on that series, too. By then, Denver had the game in full control. Still, going 0 of 4 plus two runs for 2 yards and rolling just 57 seconds off the clock over two late possessions is far from ideal. The Broncos’ offense hasn’t just shown signs of life recently. It’s revved into a gear that, while not elite, has not been seen in Denver since Peyton Manning retired. Denver’s scored 28 or more points in five of its last eight outings and in that span is averaging 25.3 points per game. The Broncos haven’t had more than four games of 28-plus points in a season since 2014 (10). In fact, they’ve only hit four twice (2015 and 2020). The rest: three once (2023), two each in 2016, 2021 and 2022, and one in each 2017-19. The Broncos still have some volatility. Their other three totals in the recent eight-game set were 10 against Baltimore, 14 against Kansas City and 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers. For the first time in a long time, though, the Broncos have an offense capable of putting a big number on the scoreboard.None

Adele became emotional as she told her fans she will miss them “terribly” during her final Las Vegas residency show. The British singer-songwriter, 36, launched Weekends With Adele at Caesars Palace in November 2022 and performed her 100th show on Saturday. Her run of sell-out shows at the venue, which seats around 4,000 people, has been a success but has also taken its toll. In July, she announced she would be taking a “big break” from music after her current run of shows. Videos posted online from her concert on Saturday show the singer getting tearful as she bid farewell to Vegas. “It’s been wonderful and I will miss it terribly and I will miss you terribly”, she said. “I don’t know when I next want to perform again.” She also said she got “closure” when Canadian singer Celine Dion came to watch her perform, admitting that she cried for a “whole week” afterwards. “It was just such a full circle moment for me because that’s the only reason I ever even wanted to be in here”, she added. Adele shared an emotional embrace with Dion after she spotted the singer in the audience during her Las Vegas show last month. In footage shared online, the British star can be seen breaking down in tears as they hug in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, which was built for Dion’s residency. The Rolling In The Deep singer has been vocal about her love for Dion over the years, hailing her as “Queen Celine” after attending one of her performances in an Instagram post in 2018. Dion reciprocated the love at the time, sharing a photo to social media of her posing alongside Adele, who was wearing the singer’s merchandise. She wrote: “Wasn’t able to do all my shows, but was thrilled that @Adele came to one of them.... I love her so much!! – Celine xx”. After their encounter at the venue, Adele said in an Instagram post: “Words will never sum up what you mean to me, or what you coming to my show means, let alone how it felt seeing you back in your palace with your beautiful family.”New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers got some good news on Monday, as he was removed from the NFL's commissioner's exempt list. According to the Boston Herald's Doug Kyed , the 29-year-old was removed because " the baseline suspension for a violation of the personal conduct policy involving the actions for which he's accused is six games, and he's already missed seven games." After the news was announced, Peppers took to social media to share his reaction to his reinstatement. On Instagram, the former Michigan Wolverine posted a photo of himself smiling with the caption"Smitle through it all, it's gon be alright!" A post shared by Jabrill Peppers (@teamjreall) As Kyed notes, the NFL may still impose additional discipline at the end of this process. The next step is the jury trial which will take place on Jan. 22. At this point, the league has permitted Peppers to return to the practice field and play for the Patriots. We will see if New England does the same. MORE PATRIOTS NEWS Winners and losers from Patriots’ Week 12 matchup vs. Dolphins Takeaways from New England’s loss to Miami Where Patriots sit in 2025 NFL draft order after Week 12 Patriots should consider coaching/front office changes

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ChiccoDodiFC/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Intro Over the past year, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena ( OTCPK:BMDPF ) has performed sensationally, +145%, but compared to the glories of the past it remains extremely distant. An investor unfamiliar with its history might believe Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of FCBBF either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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Andy Murray enters new chapter with Novak Djokovic as coach of long-time rival

President Bola Tinubu’s frequent trips outside the country, which are reportedly about 30, has attracted comments from many Nigerians, who view the constant trips as jamboree and waste of resources at a period the nation is experiencing serious crisis occasioned by fuel subsidy removal and floating of the naira by the current administration. It will be recalled that the president started his official travels in June 2023, a few weeks after he took the oath of office. His media team was quoted to have said that the purpose of the numerous travels was to strengthen Nigeria’s position on the global stage, foster economic growth, and address some of the country’s other challenges. However, data from GovSpend, a BudgIT Foundation analytics platform, revealed that between February 21 and July 19, Tinubu spent N2, 346,623,000 on foreign trips. Since then the expenditures incurred on foreign trips have increased because the President had embarked on several trips since July. Critics have, however, raised the alarm that the frequent foreign travels by the President have not yielded commensurable results to benefit Nigerians at a time they are facing excruciating pains owing to the policies of the government. They hold that the humongous amount of money expended on the foreign trips could have been better spent in fixing the nation’s infrastructures. Critics’ positions Comrade Emeka Nkwoala, Delta State chairman of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), has said that the trips are just a jamboree. He believes that Nigeria only needs a home grown solution to her myriad of challenges, saying that President Tinubu should sit at home and face these issues squarely. He said: “This travels are just jamborees. That’s not what is needed. We need a home grown solution to our myriads of challenges. Our President should sit at home and face these issues squarely. Nigeria ought to benefit from foreign direct investment (FDI) but that is not happening because the local investors in the country are not smiling. They consult them (intended investors), and their stories are not funny. “They face challenges of insecurity, high and multiple taxation; high and unreliable energy cost, volatility of the foreign exchange, inconsistent government policies and lack of government patronage, the list goes on. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must stop these travels and take up the task of nation’s building vigorously. He should also end hunger and hardship in the land, especially since the sudden removal of fuel subsidies.” Also, Chief Nkereuwem Udofia Akpan, a human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, says though there’s a Constitutional limit as to how long the President can be away from office without handing over to the Vice President, there’s no limit as to how many trips he can make abroad within a particular time frame. “But here is the deal, incessant travels fuels the rumour mills that he is unwell. Unless his handlers find a plausible explanation for the prolonged trips, then we are in for a constitutional crisis sooner or later,” Akpan said. A don at the University of Lagos, Professor Christopher Anyokwu, in his reaction, said: “Like every right-thinking Nigerian, I know his travels are not likely to do much by way of attracting FDI, inter alia. “Frankly, the less said the better. I’m utterly disappointed in this government as things stand.” His counterpart at the Delta State University, Abraka, Dr Boniface Chukwuma Anyanwu (Associate Professor), has also said that it’s only right that he travels for the benefit of justifying the CIA and its interest. He added: “But, what can possibly be relevant and beneficial from the travels that we’re not seeing from the beginning? About 30 times in about 30 months in office, and no sign of anything positive; why would Nigerians expect anything? “Can anything good come out of Nazareth? That question came from the Holy Book. Something more than good eventually came from Nazareth, you know. “But again, with the American CIA declaring the traveller as an asset or what was the word again, it’s only right that he travels for the benefit of justifying the CIA and its interest.” Presidency reacts But the Presidency has consistently maintained that the President needed to move around the world in search of foreign direct Investments (FDI) and to re-establish the nation as the premium economic powerhouse in Africa. In his response to the many criticisms against Tinubu’s frequent travels, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, said: “Such criticisms are misplaced and unfair. “Part of the job of a President is to travel to important global meetings to interact with other leaders at bilateral and multilateral levels. The President is the diplomat-in-chief and marketer-in-chief of the country. He represents Nigeria and Nigeria must never be missing at the table. “The president’s foreign trips have brought important benefits to the country. The Prime Minister just visited last Sunday on his way to the G20 Summit in Rio. “The last time an Indian PM visited Nigeria was 2007. India is now the 4th largest economy in the world and one of the top trading partners of our country. “The Indian PM invited President Tinubu to the G20 Summit last year and the government attracted $14bn dollars investment from Indian businessmen.” He added: “Some of these investments are in Nigeria and at the meeting in Nigeria on Sunday; the PM further assured the remaining commitments will soon be implemented. “On this current trip to the G20 Summit in Brazil, the Ministry of Agriculture signed on behalf of the Federal Government $1.2bn deal on food security that will advance private sector development in fertiliser production, hybrid seed technology and agric financing. “The deal is between the Federal Government and the Brazilian government. The job of a President is not only to stay in the office. A president must go out to market his country, to promote investment climate, people to people diplomacy and generate goodwill abroad. “These things can only happen when he embarks on these diplomatic shuttles. They are very important and essential for national development and progress. “President Tinubu gets invited for State Visits and Official Visits by world leaders because of Nigeria’s preeminent role in Africa and world affairs.”

SMITHFIELD, R.I. (AP) — Malik Grant rushed for 204 yards and three touchdowns and Rhode Island beat Bryant 35-21 on Saturday to capture its first league title in 39 years. Rhode Island (10-2, 7-1 Coastal Athletic Association) secured the program's seventh title, with each of the previous six coming in the Yankee Conference. The Rams tied a program record for total wins in a season with 10, first set in 1984 and matched in 1985. Hunter Helms threw for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception for Rhode Island. Grant also added his first touchdown reception of the season. Grant rushed for 47 yards on the first snap of the second half. He ran for 56 yards on the drive that ended with his 4-yard touchdown catch for a 20-14 lead. An interception by Braden Price on the ensuing Bryant possession set up another Grant rushing touchdown. Bryant scored in the fourth quarter to make it a one-score game, but a 15-play, 72-yard drive ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by Grant. Grant's 13 rushing touchdowns are tied for Rhode Island's single-season record set last season by Ja’Den McKenzie. Brennan Myer threw for 189 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for Bryant (2-10, 0-8). Dylan Kedzior rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown, and Landon Ruggieri caught eight passes for 105 yards and a score. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballInside Tess Daly and Vernon Kay's stunning home - from quirky pets to one thing causing unbelievable stress

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In the latest development of the Chinese football scene, former Chelsea and Shanghai SIPG star Oscar's naturalization process has taken a significant step forward. It has been reported that the necessary materials for his naturalization have been officially submitted to the General Administration of Sport of China, marking a crucial milestone in his journey towards becoming a Chinese citizen and potentially representing the national team in the future.

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With President Elect Donald Trump set to take office in January, U.S. immigration policy is expected to change dramatically, with enhanced deportations at the top of the agenda for the new administration. Ever since Trump’s recent electoral triumph, the logistics of mass deportation have been a hot topic of debate. Under the Biden Administration’s watch, more than 10 million illegal aliens have entered the U.S. While we don’t know the exact number of illegal aliens who currently reside in the U.S., the figure is likely around 20-30 million people. Trump campaigned heavily on reversing the damage of the Biden Administration’s border crisis through mass deportation and received a decisive mandate from the American people on election day to do just that. In the weeks since the election, the foundations of Trump’s mass deportation plan have begun to take shape. Just days after his election victory, Trump appointed Immigration Reform Law Institute Senior Fellow and former Acting ICE Director Tom Homan to be his “border czar,” signaling a commitment to carry out his mass deportation pledge. Reports have indicated that the Trump Administration intends to target criminal illegal aliens for the first round of deportation and all options appear to be on the table, including using the military to assist in carrying out the program. However, it’s possible that many illegal aliens will leave on their own before much of this is necessary. The best way to get illegal aliens to leave the country on their own is to make it virtually impossible for them to make money in the country. Many foreign nationals come to the U.S. because our wages and social safety net far exceed the quality of those in their home countries. In Mexico, for example, the minimum wage is less than $15 a day, while in many American cities the minimum wage is $15 an hour. What many Americans see as paltry wages, many foreign nationals see as an opportunity for generational wealth, which fuels the incentives for illegal immigration on a grand scale. In New York, for example, illegal aliens arriving in the city have been treated to free food, health care, and stays at luxury hotels. Of course, if you offer foreign nationals a grab-bag of free stuff and a significant increase in wages, it stands to reason they will do whatever is necessary to come here. Ending this incentive structure would go a long way towards solving America’s illegal immigration problem. There are many steps that can be taken to end the economic incentives for illegal immigration. These include heavily taxing remittances, banning illegal aliens from social welfare programs, and cracking down on employers that hire them. If foreign nationals understand they will not be allowed to earn wages or access America’s social safety net, most will stop coming, and many who are already here will simply head for the exits. This is why Homan has vowed to increase workplace raids in order to send a message to corporations that hiring illegal aliens over American workers will not be tolerated. This strategy has long been known as “attrition through enforcement,” and could be very effective at incentivizing illegal aliens to self-deport without the need to use force and expend resources. Of course, many illegal aliens will decide to stay in the country no matter the circumstances and they will have to be removed by ICE. This will spark some intense backlash from corporate America and activists who argue that it is cruel to attempt to force this specific set of illegal aliens to leave, but it is necessary to restore the rule of law in America’s immigration system. In a sovereign nation, no person who enters the country illegally can be given a free pass to stay as long as they want. The incoming Trump Administration has been given a clear mandate by the American people to fortify the border and remove those in the country illegally, and they appear prepared to implement that plan. While illegal aliens with criminal records and orders of removal will likely be the first ones to be deported, the goal should be to remove as many illegal aliens as possible from the country in order to deter future surges at the border. The work of reversing the Biden Administration’s years-long malfeasance at the border will be long and arduous, but it can and must be accomplished. William J. Davis is a communications associate for the Immigration Reform Law Institute, a public interest law firm working to defend the rights and interests of the American people from the negative effects of mass migration. The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller.

It's hard to believe that the first GTA 6 trailer made its debut almost a year ago to the day. With a record-breaking number of views on YouTube, the trailer has proven to be extremely popular with fans, who have pored over every detail ahead of the game's autumn 2025 release date. However, after 12 months without any additional footage or information about Grand Theft Auto 6, fans are starting to wonder when exactly GTA 6 Trailer 2 will make an appearance. Based on the latest online activity from Rockstar Games , it looks like we may finally have our answer. As spotted by a user on Reddit , Rockstar updated the GTA 6 YouTube playlist on December 2. The playlist was previously updated following the release of Trailer 1, which has led to speculation that a second trailer could drop later this week. One theory is that GTA 6 Trailer 2 will make its debut on December 4, exactly a year after the release of the announcement trailer. Other fans believe Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2 will headline The Game Awards, which takes place on December 12, or December 13 for UK viewers. Needless to say, Daily Express will keep this article updated with all the latest leaks and announcements, so keep checking back for more information. In the meantime, check out GTA 6 Trailer 1 for the hundredth time to get a good look at what you're missing. GTA 6 has been in the news a lot lately, after winning the first of many awards at the Golden Joysticks. Accepting the award for most anticipated game, a Rockstar Games spokesperson told fans to expect "mind-blowing things" from GTA 6. "There’s an incredible amount of people doing amazing things on Grand Theft Auto 6, absolutely mind-blowing things," a spokesperson said. "It’s an honour to be able to come up here and accept this award on everyone’s behalf. I wish more of us could be here. Thank you very much, everybody, and yeah, more to come." Needless to say, the bold claim of "mind-blowing things" to come has left fans desperate to hear more about the upcoming game. Meanwhile, during a recent earnings call, Rockstar Games parent company Take-Two once again confirmed that GTA 6 will launch next autumn , and that it will come to Xbox Series S , despite concerns that it may be too underpowered.TGA Player's Voice Final List Announced! Check Out the Latest TGA News!

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. (AP) — Jordan Sears scored 25 points, Jalen Reed had 21 points and 13 rebounds, and LSU defeated UCF 109-102 in triple overtime on Sunday to take third place at the Greenbrier Tip-Off. LSU trailed by 18 points early in the second half, then failed to hold a lead at the end of regulation and each of the first two overtime periods. The Tigers went up by five with a minute to go in the third overtime. UCF cut it to three, then Vyctorius Miller made a driving layup, Jordan Sears followed with a dunk and the Tigers were able to hold on when leading by seven. Cam Carter scored 20 points, Miller had 16 and Dji Bailey 14 for LSU (5-1). Darius Johnson had 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds for UCF (4-2). Keyshawn Hall had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Jordan Ivy-Curry scored 20. South Florida led by 15 points at halftime and maintained a double-digit lead for all but a few possessions in the first 11 1/2 minutes of the second half. UCF led 62-48 with 8 1/2 minutes remaining but Sears hit three 3-pointers and LSU drew to within 64-59 with 6 minutes to go. The Tigers scored the last six points of regulation to force overtime. In the first half, LSU led 15-13 about eight minutes into the game but the Tigers missed 15 of 16 shots while being outscored 25-3 over the next 10 minutes. South Florida led 40-25 at halftime after shooting 46% to 25% for LSU. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

NHS bosses have been ordered to prioritise emergency treatment for the sickest patients this winter rather than worry about targets. Health Secretary Wes Streeting called an urgent meeting with Amanda Pritchard, the NHS chief executive, and hospital and ambulance leaders. It comes amid huge pressure on the NHS, which has been hit by a 350 per cent increase in hospital flu cases compared to the same week last year. On average, there are nearly 1,100 people in hospital with flu daily amid fears of a so-called “quad-demic”. Mr Streeting told bosses to focus on keeping ambulances on the road and cutting deadly delays in A&E . He warned them off gaming the system to hit targets by rushing less sick patients through before complex cases. Read More on Health MUM'S WORST NIGHTMARE My baby girl died after doctors refused to induce me for 60 HOURS LONELINESS EPIDEMIC I only left house to put the bins out... then Lauren became my friend The Health Secretary said: “This winter I want to see patient safety prioritised as we brace ourselves for the coming months. “I’m asking NHS trusts to focus on ambulance delays, handovers and the longest A&E waits.” Ambulance patients should be offloaded to casualty within 15 minutes but NHS figures show 68 per cent currently wait longer, with one in seven waiting over an hour. Handover delays mean ambulances take longer to arrive at the next patient. Most read in Health LONELINESS EPIDEMIC I only left house to put the bins out... then Lauren became my friend ON THE CLOCK The Christmas tipples and foods you should avoid past 6pm to stay energised MUM'S WORST NIGHTMARE My baby girl died after doctors refused to induce me for 60 HOURS MISDIAGNOSED My sister felt a 'worm in her brain' - doctors missed it being killer disease Category 2 calls, including suspected strokes and heart attacks, currently take 42 minutes against the 18-minute target. Amanda Pritchard , NHS chief executive, said: “The NHS is already seeing unprecedented demand going into winter with flu cases quadrupling. Chancellor Rachel Reeves reveals new investment in the NHS ahead of Budget “We know services are set to come under even more strain.” Dr Adrian Boyle, of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “What contributed to hundreds of avoidable deaths per week last year was stays of 12 hours or more. “Efforts to reduce stays of this length must be given the same priority as treating people within the current target of four-hours. “This is a matter of life and death.” Other doctors hit back at Mr Streeting’s comments as unreasonable. Dr Tim Cooksley, of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The stark reality is not that hospitals and staff on the frontline are manipulating targets but that they are simply unable to deliver safe and effective care because there is insufficient workforce and capacity.” 1 Wes Streeting called an urgent meeting with Amanda Pritchard, the NHS chief executive, and hospital and ambulance leaders Credit: PA

In the end, it was Meryl Streep who emerged victorious, taking home the award for Best Actress and solidifying her status as a true silver screen legend. Streep's win was met with thunderous applause and a standing ovation, as critics and fans alike celebrated her unparalleled talent and undeniable star power.NHS bosses have been ordered to prioritise emergency treatment for the sickest patients this winter rather than worry about targets. Health Secretary Wes Streeting called an urgent meeting with Amanda Pritchard, the NHS chief executive, and hospital and ambulance leaders. It comes amid huge pressure on the NHS , which has been hit by a 350 per cent increase in hospital flu cases compared to the same week last year. On average, there are nearly 1,100 people in hospital with flu daily amid fears of a so-called “quad-demic”. Mr Streeting told bosses to focus on keeping ambulances on the road and cutting deadly delays in A&E . He warned them off gaming the system to hit targets by rushing less sick patients through before complex cases. Read More on Health The Health Secretary said: “This winter I want to see patient safety prioritised as we brace ourselves for the coming months. “I’m asking NHS trusts to focus on ambulance delays, handovers and the longest A&E waits.” Ambulance patients should be offloaded to casualty within 15 minutes but NHS figures show 68 per cent currently wait longer, with one in seven waiting over an hour. Handover delays mean ambulances take longer to arrive at the next patient. Most read in Health Category 2 calls, including suspected strokes and heart attacks, currently take 42 minutes against the 18-minute target. Amanda Pritchard , NHS chief executive, said: “The NHS is already seeing unprecedented demand going into winter with flu cases quadrupling. “We know services are set to come under even more strain.” Dr Adrian Boyle, of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “What contributed to hundreds of avoidable deaths per week last year was stays of 12 hours or more. “Efforts to reduce stays of this length must be given the same priority as treating people within the current target of four-hours. “This is a matter of life and death.” Other doctors hit back at Mr Streeting’s comments as unreasonable. Dr Tim Cooksley, of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: “The stark reality is not that hospitals and staff on the frontline are manipulating targets but that they are simply unable to deliver safe and effective care because there is insufficient workforce and capacity.”

76ers' star Paul George sidelined the next 2 games with bone bruise in left knee

3. Sydney, Australia

In conclusion, the shutdown of Manson Market serves as a reminder that law enforcement agencies are committed to combating cybercrime and holding those responsible for illegal activities accountable. By working together and leveraging international cooperation, authorities can effectively disrupt criminal operations and protect individuals and businesses from the threats posed by cybercriminals.

Matvei Michkov doesn't turn 20 for a couple of weeks, but he continues to play well above his years for the Philadelphia Flyers. Fresh off his second overtime goal in the last five games, Michkov leads the Flyers into Monday's home game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Philadelphia's first-round pick in 2023, Michkov joined the NHL prior to this season and has made a major impact on the young Flyers. He ranks second on the squad in goals (seven) and assists (nine) and has been earning more playing time under coach John Tortorella. Michkov scored in overtime Nov. 14 against the Ottawa Senators and turned the trick again Saturday, netting the decisive tally in a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. "There's not many moments you're going to get," Michkov said through an interpreter. "When you get the moment, you have to be cold-blooded and finish it." Saturday's OT goal was particularly notable as it capped a late-game comeback for the Flyers, who trailed 2-0 in the third period. Sean Couturier and Noah Cates scored down the stretch to set the stage for Michkov's goal off a perfect feed from Travis Konecny. "We kept our patience," Tortorella said. "I don't think we played poorly by any means, but when we're down 2-0, we had chances, we couldn't finish. ... I appreciate how the guys just stayed together, kept on playing." Philadelphia has spent the last month digging out of a 1-5-1 hole to begin the season. The Flyers can get back to .500 with a win Monday in the finale of their five-game homestand. "We got frustrated at times, but we stuck together and stuck to the same style of play," Couturier said. "We came back, showed some character in the third and capitalized on our chances and found a way to get the two points." Vegas earned two points in its most recent contest, as well, riding a five-goal second period to a 6-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Ivan Barbashev and Jack Eichel each registered a goal and two assists for the Knights, who have been consistently up-and-down over the last 10 games. During that stretch, the team has won two in a row, lost two consecutive games, then won two straight before losing two straight and then winning two in a row again. That inconsistency was on display against the Canadiens, as the Knights dominated the second period before allowing two goals in a third period that disappointed coach Bruce Cassidy. "Let's face it, in the third period we got off our game, they pushed us," Cassidy said. "I know it's late, but at the end of the day, good on (the Canadiens) to make a play." Still, Vegas finished with its highest goal total since scoring seven times Oct. 26 against the San Jose Sharks. "It's just our style of play," forward Keegan Kolesar said. "We wear teams down. We were able to capitalize on a couple of mistakes they made and we sent our nose to the net. ... That results in some goals for us." The Flyers and Knights have split 12 all-time meetings. The teams will meet again in Las Vegas on Jan. 2. This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.

What we think will get announced at the Game Awards 2024

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The Dallas Cowboys decided CeeDee Lamb is done for the season as he'll miss the remaining two games on the schedule. The decision was made after additional testing that revealed the "risk was too high" to play him. Now granted, it's fair to assume the timing to shut him down coincides with the fact that Dallas was officially eliminated last weekend leading up to their matchup against the Tampa Bay Bucs. With nothing to fight for anymore, ruling Lamb out certainly feels like waving the white flag. And though I wouldn't expect the Cowboys to sit all starters or anything like that, I do believe setting their sights on 2025 and beyond should impact their decision making regarding the lineup. Here are a few things that I should happen as a domino effect to the decision around Lamb. 1. Tyler Guyton should start at left tackle Guyton sitting on the bench has been one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. The Cowboys have started Chuma Edoga instead of their first-round rookie and even though Guyton has been undisciplined at times, I question if it's been the right call to sacrifice reps for the prospect who entered the league as a developmental project. That being said, as long as the Cowboys were "in the running," I understand Mike McCarthy starting who he thinks was his best guy. But now, it seems like a great opportunity to get Guyton some valuable opportunities to clean up his game in live action, which is totally different to whatever work he can get in during the offseason. I believe not starting No. 60 on Sunday would be a missed opportunity for the rookie. 2. More looks for Jonathan Mingo Since the Cowboys traded a fourth-rounder for Mingo , he's been targeted eleven times and caught two passes. It hasn't been pretty. With Lamb out, Mingo should receive more opportunities to get on the field. It's a perfect chance to get him involved and get an early look at him. Keep in mind, though his production has been disappointing, Mingo has two years left on his deal and the Cowboys were likely thinking about developing him more than he making an immediate impact. But him giving us something to be excited about is key over the next couple of games. 3. Honorable mentions Here are a few players I'd also love to see more from during the final two games of the season: DE Marshawn Kneeland: Though Carl Lawson and Chauncey Golston have earned their playing time, this feels like a game where the second-round rookie should get plenty of looks against top-tier offensive tackles. FB Hunter Luepke: He's been part of the lineup but I'd love to see Luepke getting some carries this game to see if anything clicks now that the offensive line has been much improved. WR Ryan Flournoy: Flournoy already had a big moment last weekend when he caught a deep pass for a 26-yard gain over the middle of the field. He'll likely get the start on Sunday and I look forward to seeing more targets for the fifth-round rookie. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.What went wrong on the onside kick that almost cost the Vikings?BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Quion Burns scored 17 points as Maine beat Canisius 84-79 on Saturday. Burns had seven rebounds for the Black Bears (8-5). Kellen Tynes scored 15 points while shooting 5 of 5 from the field and 4 for 4 from the line and added nine assists. Christopher Mantis had 15 points and went 5 of 8 from the field (3 for 5 from 3-point range). Jasman Sangha led the way for the Golden Griffins (0-11) with 26 points and three steals. Paul McMillan IV added 22 points and six assists for Canisius. Tana Kopa also had 16 points and two steals. The Golden Griffins prolonged their losing streak to 11 in a row. Maine plays Saturday against Stony Brook on the road, and Canisius visits Loyola Chicago on Wednesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Bottom line: While Arm-based PCs face some hurdles, their potential for growth remains significant, driven in particular by claims of superior battery life compared to previous generations. Intel, meanwhile, is making improvements to adapt to new market demands. The PC market is undergoing a significant shift as Arm-based processors gain traction, challenging the long-standing dominance of x86 architecture. However, this transition is not without challenges, as highlighted by Michelle Johnston Holthaus, interim co-CEO of Intel , during the Barclays 22nd Annual Global Technology Conference. Johnston Holthaus recently claimed that retailers are grappling with a high return rate of Qualcomm-powered machines. "If you look at the return rate for Arm PCs, you go talk to any retailer, their number one concern is 'I get a large percentage of these back,'" she said, attributing the issue to compatibility problems with common applications. Qualcomm was quick to respond though, "Our device return rates are within industry norms," a representative told CRN . The spokesperson further added that Qualcomm "expects 30% to 50% of laptops to transition to non-x86 platforms within the next five years." Regardless of one claim or the other, Arm-based systems are making inroads into the PC market. While Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite machines currently hold a mere 0.8% market share , the overall Arm-based client PC segment commands approximately 10% of the market. This growth is primarily driven by Apple's M-series processors, which have paved the way for wider Arm adoption. Intel, for its part, is acutely aware of the evolving landscape. "We [will] have more competitors than we have ever had. You will see more competitors enter the marketplace in 2025," Johnston Holthaus said, possibly hinting at rumors of MediaTek and Nvidia entering the Arm-based Windows PC market. Team Blue has been improving performance and power efficiency to match Arm-based rivals. "We took too long at Intel to become performance and power-oriented, and we made a massive leap with our Lunar Lake product last year," Johnston Holthaus said. For instance, Intel introduced a hybrid architecture in its latest processor series, combining Efficient-cores (E-cores) with Performance-cores (P-cores) to balance power efficiency with high performance. This design went beyond laptops and desktops and had a notable impact in Xeon 6 datacenter CPUs, which offer 3:1 rack consolidation and up to 2.6x performance-per-watt improvements over their predecessors. Intel is also collaborating with Arm to produce low-power SoCs using its 18A process and is already integrating AI hardware into its processors. The Lunar Lake architecture, for example, features a fourth-gen NPU capable of delivering up to 48 TOPS – a fourfold improvement over its predecessor. Laptops featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Pro and Elite chips were the first PCs to support Microsoft's Copilot AI features, positioning them at the forefront of the company's AI PC push. However, most AI PCs are gaining market traction through Intel and AMD's x86 processors instead. In Q3 2024, AI PCs accounted for 20% of all PC shipments, a 49% increase from Q2, driven by greater availability. Despite this growth, consumer interest in AI PCs and GenAI features remains modest. Intel and AMD devices, which represent about half of these shipments, are only beginning to receive support for Copilot. Meanwhile, Snapdragon X laptops are receiving high praises primarily for their extended battery life, often lasting a full day. Additionally, the upcoming end-of-life for Windows 10 is expected to drive a significant sales boost, as users upgrading to Windows 11 may inadvertently adopt AI PCs.Auburn soccer coach Karen Hoppa retires after 26 seasonsIn a significant move, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is all set to host the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 player auction, marking its first significant venture into cricket . The auction will be held on Sunday, November 24, and Monday, November 25, at Abady Al Johar Arena, also known as Benchmark Arena, in Jeddah . A total of 574 players have been selected from an initial pool of 1,574 names. Of the 574 players, 366 are Indian, while 208 are overseas, including three from associate nations. The auction will see 318 Indian uncapped players and 12 uncapped overseas players in contention. Featuring notable players such as Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, veteran England fast bowler James Anderson, and New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra. Saudi Arabia’s holding of the IPL auction signals its intention to elevate cricket alongside football , golf, and boxing in its sports investment portfolio under the Vision 2030 project. This is not the first time the player auction is venturing out of India. In 2023, the player auction was held at the Coca-Cola in Dubai .

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Rahul Chari, Co-Founder and CTO of PhonePe, announced a significant achievement for the app on November 19. PhonePe has garnered 6.4 million ratings on the Apple App Store in India, with an impressive average rating of 4.7 stars. This milestone makes it the highest-rated Indian app on the iOS App Store, surpassing popular platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The app’s exceptional user experience, fast and reliable transactions, and the trust of millions of users are key factors behind this success. PhonePe’s simplicity and effectiveness have helped it stand out in the competitive digital payments space. Expressing his happiness, Rahul Chari said, “We are thrilled to achieve this significant milestone on the App Store. It’s a matter of pride that over 575 million users appreciate PhonePe’s simplicity and reliability.” He emphasized the company’s dedication to providing a seamless experience for both iOS and Android users. Chari also highlighted how PhonePe has continuously adopted advanced technologies, such as SwiftUI for iOS, to enhance its user experience. He called this milestone a reflection of PhonePe’s commitment to innovation on a large scale. India’s First Non-Banking UPI App PhonePe launched India’s first non-banking UPI app in August 2016. In just a few years, it has become a leader in the digital payments industry, driving financial inclusion for millions of Indians. The app serves users across 99% of India’s PIN code areas, making digital payments accessible nationwide. Recently, PhonePe released its first annual report, showcasing its vision, strategy, governance, and financial growth. About PhonePe Group PhonePe is one of India’s leading fintech companies, with its flagship digital payments app at the forefront. Since its launch in 2016, the app has grown to over 575 million registered users and is accepted by more than 40 million merchants. PhonePe processes over 300 million transactions daily, with an annual payment value exceeding USD 1.8 trillion. The company has expanded into financial services, offering insurance, lending, and wealth management. It has also ventured into new tech initiatives, including Pincode, a hyperlocal e-commerce platform, and the Indus App Store, India’s first localized app store. PhonePe’s continued focus on innovation and user satisfaction has solidified its position as a leader in India’s digital payments ecosystem.

LOWELL, Mass. (AP) — Max Brooks' 26 points helped UMass-Lowell defeat Dartmouth 92-83 on Saturday. Brooks added nine rebounds and four steals for the River Hawks (8-4). Quinton Mincey added 20 points while going 7 of 10 from the floor, including 3 for 5 from 3-point range, and 3 for 4 from the line while he also had six assists. Martin Somerville shot 3 for 10 (2 for 5 from 3-point range) and 4 of 7 from the free-throw line to finish with 12 points, while adding six rebounds. The Big Green (4-6) were led by Connor Amundsen, who posted 28 points and six assists. Cade Haskins added 16 points for Dartmouth. Jayden Williams also recorded 11 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .CHICAGO (AP) — Jacob Meyer scored 23 points as DePaul beat Wichita State 91-72 on Saturday. Meyer shot 6 of 9 from the field, including 4 for 6 from 3-point range, and went 7 for 7 from the line for the Blue Demons (8-2). CJ Gunn scored 22 points, shooting 9 for 12, including 4 for 6 from beyond the arc. Isaiah Rivera shot 6 for 11, including 5 for 8 from beyond the arc to finish with 17 points, while adding seven rebounds. Harlond Beverly led the Shockers (8-2) in scoring, finishing with 14 points. Xavier Bell added 14 points for Wichita State. Quincy Ballard also had 12 points. Rivera scored 14 points in the first half and DePaul went into halftime trailing 47-42. Meyer led DePaul with 14 points in the second half and the Blue Demons outscored Wichita State by 24 points over the final half. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .