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Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president, who was also the nation's oldest living president, died on Sunday at age 100. Prior to his life in politics, Carter was a peanut farmer and a U.S. Navy lieutenant. He was elected governor of Georgia in 1970 and U.S. president in 1976. James Earl Carter Jr. was born on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, and was the eldest son of Bessie Lillian Carter and James Earl Carter Sr. Carter had three younger siblings: Gloria Spann, Ruth Stapleton and Billy Carter. Carter attended Plains High School in 1941 and briefly studied engineering at Georgia Southwestern College before transferring to the Naval ROTC program at Georgia Institute of Technology. Carter earned admission to the Naval Academy in 1943 and graduated in the top 10 percent of his class. Carter was assigned to serve on the USS Wyoming in 1946. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1952 before resigning in 1953 to manage his family farm following the death of his father. See Also: A History Of Businessmen In Politics Carter’s career in politics began when he served as chairman of the Sumter County Board of Education in the early 1960s. Within eight years, Carter became governor of Georgia, where he championed government efficiency, ecology and continued desegregation in the South. Carter defeated incumbent Republican Gerald Ford in the 1976 U.S. presidential election and remains the last Democrat to win the majority of the Southern states in the general election. During his one term as president, Carter created 8 million jobs and cut the budget deficit despite near-record inflation and interest rates. He established the Department of Education, strengthened Social Security, appointed record minority applicants to federal jobs, expanded national parks and combatted an energy crisis by proposing a plan to decrease the consumption of petroleum and increase the use of nuclear power. In addition, Carter championed human rights, helped bring peace between Egypt and Israel, completed a nuclear limitation treaty with the Soviet Union and improved diplomatic relations with China. As a presidential candidate and as president, Carter also supported the LGBTQ community at a time when few public officials did. For example, in 1978, Carter urged California voters to defeat Proposition 6 (aka the Briggs Initiative), which would have barred gays and lesbians from teaching in the state's public schools. Voters rejected the anti-gay and lesbian measure by more than 1 million votes. When Carter ran for reelection in 1980, he was the first Democrat to endorse a gay rights plank in the party's platform. A combination of domestic economic trouble, extremely high inflation and a hostage situation at the U.S. embassy in Iran weighed on Carter’s popularity among the U.S. electorate, and he was defeated by Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential election. See Also: This Day In Market History: Jimmy Carter Blocks Iranian Oil Imports Following his stint in the White House, Carter focused his efforts on championing human rights causes around the world. Carter and his wife Rosalynn founded the Carter Center in 1982 with the goal of alleviating human suffering and advancing human rights initiatives. Over the years, the Carter Center has promoted and supported global democratic elections and worked to reduce and treat the spread of disease in impoverished regions. Carter was also well-known for his volunteer work supporting Habitat for Humanity. Twenty years after he left office, Carter earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts in peace, democracy, human rights, and social and economic development. Carter is the author of 30 books, including the 2006 New York Times Best Seller “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” Carter’s passion for music was portrayed in the 2020 documentary “Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President.” Carter is survived by his children Amy, Jack, Donnel and James Carter. His wife Rosalynn died on Nov. 19, 2023 at 96. Contributors: Elizabeth Balboa, Anthony Noto Photo: Jimmy Carter in 1977, Photo by Bernard Gotfyd, courtesy Library of Congress © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Goldman Sachs analyst sees starting point for year-end S&P 500 rallyKings fire coach Mike Brown less than halfway through his 3rd season, AP source saysNone

Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100U.S. stocks could start their year-end rally as early as this week, a top Wall Street analyst suggested Friday, as markets break out of their post-election malaise and power toward what could be a record year for the S&P 500. Goldman Sachs analyst Scott Rubner, the bank's global markets managing director who earlier this month pegged a year-end target for the S&P 500 of 6,300 points, says stocks are set for a solid holiday season bounce following a week in which the benchmark has gained around 1.3% to take its 2024 advance past 24%. "US equities have been in a consolidation phase all week, which is typical going back to 1928," Rubner said in a client note published Friday. "Next week typically starts the year-end rally, including some of the best trading days of the year into Thanksgiving.” Rubner said the year-end rally in an election year "typically extends into early January" before "typically fading right before Inauguration Day” on Jan. 20. Goldman Sachs data, which track the market's performance from Election Day to the end of the year going back to 1928, notes a 3.4% average gain for the S&P 500. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images This year the benchmark has printed more than 50 all-time highs and added nearly $6 trillion in overall market value and is on pace to deliver the best year-on-year advance in history. Stocks bull-market trend is continuing Wall Street analysts, many of whom are issuing new forecasts for 2025, are uniformly bullish on stocks heading into year-end, citing the combined impact of Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, a resilient domestic economy, and pro-growth policy proposals from President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration. Mary Ann Bartels, chief investment strategist at Sanctuary Wealth, sees the gains lasting even longer. Related: Nvidia earnings adjust chances for S&P 500 record year "We are in a secular bull market [and] we believe this bull trend has another five years," she said, adding that "the current phase is similar to the period of 1995-2000 and possibly from 1925-1929." During the mid-1990s, which Bartels described as the "first advancement to the Digital Era," stocks rallied 20% for five years straight while weathering outsized corrections tied to an Asia currency crisis and the collapse of the Long Term Capital Management hedge fund. Longer-term S&P target: 10,000? "For 2025, we expect the S&P 500 to continue its gains with a target range of 7200 to 7400 points," she argued, citing levels indicating a 24% gain from Friday's close on Wall Street. "But we believe the longer-term track is for the S&P 500 over the back end of the decade to reach 8,000-10,000 points," she added. "We believe this is fundamentally driven by the productivity gains from AI and a strong U.S. economy, aided by maintaining lower corporate taxes, lower interest rates, and the ongoing stimulus from the Biden Administration’s pieces of legislation that allows companies to continue to post strong earnings growth." Related: Analyst revamps S&P 500 target for 2025 Collective third-quarter profits for the S&P 500 are set to rise 8.8% from last year to $527.4 billion and are forecast to add another 9.8% over the final three months of the 2024. More Wall Street Analysts: LSEG data also suggest earnings will rise 14.1% next year, and a recent Wells Fargo update forecast the benchmark's overall profits at $275 a share amid the potential for new corporate tax cuts and looser regulation from the Trump administration. Goldman Sachs, meanwhile, sees the U.S. economy growing 2.5% next year, an above-trend forecast tied in part to a resilient labor market, slowing inflation pressures and robust consumer spending. Related: Veteran fund manager sees world of pain coming for stocksAs Tencent Video continues to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of the streaming industry, it is likely that more changes and enhancements will be introduced to further enhance the user experience and ensure sustainable growth for the platform.VIP members are encouraged to stay tuned for updates and announcements regarding future developments and improvements to the service.

As the holiday season approaches, gaming laptops emerge as one of the most sought-after holiday gifts for tech enthusiasts and avid gamers. With advancements in technology, these best gaming laptops offer impressive performance, immersive displays, and the ability to handle demanding titles with ease. Whether shopping for someone who enjoys casual gaming or a dedicated gamer, the following top gaming laptops are some of the best laptop recommendations to consider this year. The Razer Blade 18 is a premium choice for gamers who prioritise power and display size. Featuring a sturdy all-aluminium chassis and an 18-inch immersive display, it strikes a balance between aesthetics and performance. Configurable with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, it offers top-tier performance for the most demanding AAA games. While its larger size may limit portability, the Razer Blade 18 is an ideal home gaming rig. For those who value both performance and visual fidelity, this laptop is one of the best gaming laptops available this season. For gamers looking for a sleek design paired with powerful performance, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 stands out. With options for Intel and AMD processors alongside NVIDIA's RTX 40-Series graphics, it excels in both benchmarks and real-world gaming scenarios. Additionally, this model offers excellent value at a competitive price point, making it an ideal choice for serious gamers. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 is one of the top laptop recommendations this holiday season, delivering high performance without breaking the bank. When portability is a priority, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 excels. Known for its sleek design and high-quality OLED display , this laptop is a lightweight alternative to bulkier gaming machines. While it may not reach the extreme frame rates of its larger counterparts, its OLED panel delivers stunning visuals, making it ideal for on-the-go gaming. The latest iteration features an all-metal chassis, ensuring both durability and style. For anyone seeking a compact but powerful machine, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is one of the top gaming laptops to consider for holiday gifts. For gamers who demand extreme power, the MSI Titan 18 HX is a powerhouse. Equipped with an Intel Core i9 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, it handles the most demanding games with ease. Its 18-inch 4K mini LED display with a 120Hz refresh rate guarantees an immersive and smooth gaming experience. While it is heavier and less portable than other options, its performance and visual quality make it an exceptional choice for dedicated gamers. For those seeking top-tier gaming performance, the MSI Titan 18 HX is among the best gaming laptops this year. Alienware is synonymous with high-performance gaming laptops, and the m18 R2 is no exception. This robust laptop combines top-of-the-line components to deliver exceptional gaming performance across a wide range of titles. Additionally, the Alienware m18 R2 features customizable RGB lighting, enhancing the gaming atmosphere. With a unique and striking design, this laptop is not only powerful but also visually appealing. For gamers looking for power and style, the Alienware m18 R2 should be on their list of top gaming laptops for holiday gifts. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 strikes a perfect balance between portability and performance. Featuring the latest AMD processors and NVIDIA graphics options, it provides solid gaming performance while maintaining good battery life. The G16 also boasts a high-resolution display that enhances visual fidelity during gameplay. This laptop is an excellent choice for gamers who want a versatile machine that can handle both gaming and everyday tasks. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 is a great laptop recommendation for anyone seeking a high-performing, portable gaming machine . The market for gaming laptops persists and expands, providing wide options for consumers with regard to price, preferences and requirements. Every gamer that has been on the market for a new gaming laptop will be happy to know that regardless of one’s needs, whether it is performance, portability, or affordability, there is a best gaming laptop for each of them. Available in the market are the best gaming laptops, and this gives a guarantee that whoever is being shopped for will enjoy the best of gaming technology. Whether it is a powerhouse machine or a portable one, the various laptops enlisted above are perfect for this holiday season.

Northern Highlands is skating in unfamiliar territory. Defending a state title isn’t anything new, as it’s the third time the program is doing so since 2019. The manner in which it is doing so this winter is different. After the 2018 and 2022 championships, Northern Highlands had a heavy core of upperclassmen leading the charge. This time around a lot of weight is being put on the shoulders of underclassmen. Just six juniors and seniors occupy roster spots this season and the team has yet to play a game with a full healthy roster. “The freshmen and sophomores especially, it’s been a learning process,” said Northern Highlands head coach Jason Beswick. “Highlands believes extremely strongly in defense. These kids are not taught that in youth hockey right now, so they’re starting to come around.” 12/29 - 1:30 PM Boys Ice Hockey Final Northern Highlands 5 Randolph 0 Despite that, the team has stayed afloat and will enter 2025 on a hot streak. In the final test of 2024, Northern Highlands, No. 15 in the NJ.com Top 20, matched up with No. 10 Randolph in a rematch of last year’s North Jersey, Public final. Brent Beswick, one of the few seniors and the reigning Player of the Year, had a big performance at Mennen Arena that night with three goals and three assists and was at it again on Sunday. Brent scored twice and added two assists to make program history and support a 38-save shutout from Quinn DeBruyn in a 5-0 win over Randolph in the Ice Vault Classic at the Ice Vault in Wayne. The four-point afternoon helped Brent eclipse 200 for his career, becoming the first player in Northern Highlands history to do so. In the process, he also passed Patrick Erstling’s mark of 197 career points in 2010 to become the program’s all-time leading point scorer. Beswick stands alone at Northern Highlands Brent Beswick has been at the centerpiece of Northern Highlands’ recent historical success. The historic accomplishments on the horizon became a footnote in his mind given the stretch his team was going through. “My biggest focus was getting the team back on track,” Brent said. “We got off to a rough start. Just wanted to make sure the team’s getting back to the win column, and I’ve been focusing a lot on playing really good defense, so the points are just an extra bonus.” Northern Highlands won its first three games but dropped three of the next four. The final loss, which came against St. Joseph’s Collegiate (NY) gave the team a spark. It rebounded the next day with a 3-2 win over Darien (CT) and built on that with Sunday’s win over Randolph. In the last four games, Sunday included, those underclassmen have combined for five goals and 12 assists. Davin Friedman and Laken Rohdiek combined for two goals and six assists against Randolph. “Those freshman, sophomores have stepped up huge,” Jason said. “I always say be prepared to block a shot with your throat, and they’re prepared to do that. They’re doing it and right now we’re in a good place.” It was also a great cap on 2024 for DeBruyn, who didn’t play for the team last year after appearing in six games as a sophomore during the 2022-23 season. It’s a hard task taking over after the last two starting goalies, Daniel Moor and Reade Adams, both led the team to state titles. The shutout jumps his save percentage on the season to .934 and .960 in his last three starts. Sure there have been some hiccups, injuries and a learning curve but Northern Highlands is putting itself in a great position to defend its title as the top Public team in the state. “The last two games we’re missing three of our top six forwards, and guys just stepped up,” Brent said. “I think our defensive play led. We have high-end guys that can score big goals. With a stud goalie in net, I think we’re a pretty good team.” Brian Bobal may be reached at bbobal@njadvancemedia.com . Follow him on X at @BrianBobal. The N.J. High School Sports newsletter now appears in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter)The giant terror ants, known for their aggressive behavior and ability to decimate native insect populations, were intercepted by vigilant customs officers during a routine inspection of incoming cargo. The ants, each measuring over ten centimeters in length with formidable mandibles, were found hidden among the colorful wrappers of innocent-looking lollipops.

Nobel laureate in Physics Geoffrey E. Hinton receives his award from Sweden's King Carl Gustaf at the Nobel Prize ceremony in the Konserthuset in Stockholm, on Dec. 10. Pontus Lundahl/TT/Reuters Ryan Khurana is a senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and a contributing author to the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. A Canadian, Geoffrey Hinton, has won the 2024 Nobel Prize in physics for his groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence – largely conducted in domestic institutions – but we face a stark paradox. While celebrating this historic recognition, new Stanford University AI vibrancy rankings reveal that Canada fell from third in the world, behind only the United States and China in 2017, to 14th in 2023 over a wide range of AI metrics. This dichotomy reflects a troubling pattern: Canada excelled at foundational research but struggles to maintain leadership in advancement, commercialization and deployment. The federal government’s recent investment of as much as $240-million in Cohere, a Toronto-based AI leader, furthers Canada’s $2-billion Sovereign AI Compute Strategy. But when it comes to the regulatory environment, the recently proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA) threatens to exacerbate Canada’s challenges, potentially stifling adoption while failing to provide the clarity our AI ecosystem desperately needs. AIDA’s approach to regulation, while well-intentioned, raises several red flags. The legislation’s broad introduction of “high-impact” AI systems is to be defined in regulation. Yet the guidance that it will aim for interoperability with the European Union’s AI law indicates a propensity toward a similar lack of specification on the harms to be avoided, with significant penalties for not avoiding them. The proposed legislation attempts to exempt the development of open-source AI from the high-impact designation – something AI researchers criticized the EU for not distinguishing – based on the fact that “these models alone do not constitute a complete AI system.” The boundaries, however, between research and commercial application are increasingly blurred in modern AI development, with firms such as OpenAI and Anthropic engaging in both. Supporting research while restricting applications prevents the virtuous cycle of commercial-directed development that accelerates leadership and has been pivotal in enabling other countries to leapfrog Canada’s AI ecosystem. The solution isn’t to abandon regulation entirely. Rather, we need to fundamentally rethink AIDA’s approach. The goal should be to ensure that AI is developed safely, avoiding the catastrophic risks that the likes of Prof. Hinton and many others have increasingly worried about, while allowing for the practical use of current systems to expand. California’s AI safety bill, vetoed by the Governor after divided takes from Silicon Valley, demonstrated how to address legitimate AI safety concerns while maintaining a vibrant innovation ecosystem. Unlike AIDA’s focus on high-impact systems, California’s bill, SB-1047, focused specifically on “frontier” AI models, those requiring massive computing resources that could pose existential risks. The harms to be avoided are those that are caused by AI itself, of which there are potentially many. Where use could cause harm rather than the AI itself, SB-1047 leverages existing regulatory frameworks, such as consumer protection and privacy legislation. In Canada, there is an opportunity to take seriously AI safety concerns about alignment and AI failure that would provide leadership in ethical AI development. By focusing instead on improving Canada’s ability to build frontier models in line with values we would like to see embedded in AI systems, the downstream worries about potential harms in use can be further mitigated. We risk chilling adoption of AI if we regulate use based on unspecified potential harms and further limit Canada’s ability to support cutting-edge development. AI is a critical economic necessity, promising to kick-start a new era, with global consulting firm McKinsey forecasting as much as US$4.4-trillion in annual global GDP gained through AI-enabled productivity growth. Similarly, health care breakthroughs enabled by AI, such as AlphaFold, which earned DeepMind founder Demis Hassabis the 2024 Nobel Prize in chemistry, promise to redefine the future of health care and healthy societies. Canada has an incredible need for both productivity and health care advancement, given our rapidly aging population, and with our historical investment in this field, we should not allow this technology to be defined by the highest bidder. We’ve already demonstrated our capacity for world-changing innovation through the work of researchers such as Prof. Hinton. Now we need policy that builds on this legacy rather than constrains it. As the federal government considers AIDA, it must recognize that effective AI regulation should enable innovation while protecting against genuine harms. The current draft risks achieving neither and stifling the value of new investments. Without significant revision, we may find ourselves celebrating past achievements while watching our future leadership slip away.Liverpool came from behind to beat Leicester City 3-1 on Boxing Day and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table Liverpool have been warned that VAR's lengthy delay at the end of the 3-1 victory over Leicester City is the price that has to be paid for accuracy in the Premier League . Supporters were left frustrated late on when Cody Gakpo's goal was ruled out for an offside against Darwin Nunez in the build-up. The decision took three minutes to eventually decide on before the Stockley Park officials decided to agree with the on-field call. Soon after the incident, the Premier League took to social media to explain that the check had found Nunez to be in the offside position. Many fans have been left calling for semi-automated offsides to be introduced in the aftermath of this delay. This technology uses motion senses and cameras to adjudge whether a player is on or off. Analysing the decision on Sky Sports' Ref Watch, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher explained the delay was due to checks on Mohamed Salah's position too. Despite the time taken, Gallagher was keen to stress that semi-automated offsides should not be rushed through. "There were two checks, that's why it took so long," he explained. "People say it's infuriating, but this is what the people asked for. "Now you've given them the technology to get the decision right, this is the process, this is what we're told, this is what we've seen. We have come a long way in five years from where we were, we've got far more accurate decisions. "It is much, much better. Semi-automated offsides is a work in progress. "Maybe if it's going to take a long time, maybe wait until next season. When this is rolled out, it has to be 100 per cent, right now there are little tweaks needed." Semi-automated offsides have been used in major international tournaments and have proven to be quick at making decisions. However, 2025 is now the earliest that we expect to see it being used in the Premier League. In the end, the offside was inconsequential to Liverpool who now sit seven points clear at the top of the Premier League prior to Arsenal's clash with Ipswich Town on Friday night. Join our WhatsApp community, sign up to a newsletter or listen to our podcasts HEREIn summary, securities firms continue to see great potential in the real estate market, with opportunities for growth and innovation on the horizon. By tapping into the rising demand for quality properties and leveraging technological advancements, the real estate sector is expected to experience sustained growth and development in the years to come.

Venice Biennale Names Koyo Kouoh as Its New CuratorOnly one more half stands between Bradley and the win they were favored to collect coming into this afternoon. They have jumped out to a quick 36-30 lead against Valparaiso. If Bradley keeps playing like this, they'll bump their record up to 11-2 in no time. On the other hand, Valparaiso will have to make due with a 7-6 record unless they turn things around (and fast). Valparaiso Beacons @ Bradley Braves Current Records: Valparaiso 7-5, Bradley 10-2 When: Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 4 p.m. ET Where: Carver Arena -- Peoria, Illinois TV: ESPN Plus Follow: CBS Sports App Online Streaming: Catch select College Basketball matches on Fubo (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $14.00 We've got another exciting Missouri Valley matchup on schedule as the Valparaiso Beacons and the Bradley Braves are set to tip at 4:00 p.m. ET on Sunday at Carver Arena. Both are strolling into their matches after big wins in their previous games. Valparaiso will head into Sunday's game hoping to keep the good times rolling: they only won by three when they last took the court, which might have inspired the 50-point they dealt Calumet on Sunday. Valparaiso blew past Calumet, posting a 107-57 win. The Beacons' season wasn't pretty last year but it's starting to look like struggles are in the rearview. Valparaiso was working as a unit and finished the game with 24 assists. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Calumet only posted 11. Meanwhile, Bradley entered their contest last Saturday as the heavy favorite, and they fully lived up to expectations. They put a hurting on Canisius to the tune of 92-59. The Braves have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won four matchups by 23 points or more this season. Bradley's win was the result of several impressive offensive performances. One of the most notable came from Darius Hannah, who posted 16 points plus five rebounds. Hannah had some trouble finding his footing against San Fran. last Wednesday, so this was a step in the right direction. Duke Deen was another key player, earning 12 points along with five assists. Valparaiso has been performing well recently as they've won three of their last four matches, which provided a nice bump to their 7-5 record this season. As for Bradley, they pushed their record up to 10-2 with the victory, which was their tenth straight at home dating back to last season. Some high-performance offense is likely on the agenda as the two teams are some of the highest scoring teams in the league. Valparaiso hasn't had any problem running up the score this season, having averaged 80.4 points per game. However, it's not like Bradley struggles in that department as they've been averaging 82. With both teams so easily able to put up points, the only question left is who can run the score up higher. Valparaiso is hoping to beat the odds on Sunday, as the experts think they're headed for a loss. Anyone thinking of taking them against the spread should keep this in mind: the team hasn't covered the last five times they've played Bradley. Bradley is a big 13.5-point favorite against Valparaiso, according to the latest college basketball odds . Bettors have moved against the Braves slightly, as the game opened with the Braves as a 15.5-point favorite. The over/under is 150.5 points. See college basketball picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine's advanced computer model. Get picks now . Bradley has won 7 out of their last 10 games against Valparaiso. Jan 03, 2024 - Bradley 86 vs. Valparaiso 61 Feb 22, 2023 - Bradley 76 vs. Valparaiso 66 Jan 07, 2023 - Bradley 88 vs. Valparaiso 66 Feb 26, 2022 - Bradley 79 vs. Valparaiso 55 Jan 26, 2022 - Bradley 71 vs. Valparaiso 56 Feb 10, 2021 - Valparaiso 76 vs. Bradley 52 Jan 28, 2021 - Valparaiso 91 vs. Bradley 85 Mar 08, 2020 - Bradley 80 vs. Valparaiso 66 Feb 22, 2020 - Valparaiso 90 vs. Bradley 78 Jan 29, 2020 - Bradley 80 vs. Valparaiso 69Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office

Despite In-N-Out plans for Twin Falls, Outback Steakhouse says its stayingNoneAn exceptional amount of passing took place throughout the 2024 NTT IndyCar Series season. From road courses to ovals of three different sizes to street circuits, 43 drivers combined to amass 5842 passes across the 17 races. Ovals accounted for the largest portion of the passes, 64 percent in total, which speaks to the thrills delivered at the Indianapolis 500, World Wide Technology Raceway, the Milwaukee Mile, and the Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Speedway. IndyCar accumulated a lot of passing data last year, including total passes and passes for position. The data in the first category for total passes, which include those made when a driver is down one or more laps, is led by A.J. Foyt Racing’s Santino Ferrucci, who had a breakout season in the No. 14 Chevy on the way to placing ninth in the Drivers’ championship, and earned the distinction of being IndyCar’s ‘Passmaster’ for 2024. More IndyCar! The RACER Mailbag, December 25 De Ferran, Lombardi inducted into Team Penske Hall of Fame PREMA sets date for first IndyCar test Ferrucci completed more passes (335) than any other driver, and having been passed 155 times, he also has the best net rating for overtakes (180). Second on the list is Colton Herta, who also had a breakout year with two victories and a surge to second in the championship — his best to date — with the No. 26 Honda. Herta’s passes (315) were countered with being passed 146 times for a net (169) that also ranked second to Ferrucci. Third in total passes went to former Ed Carpenter Racing driver Rinus VeeKay (270/188, net 82); fourth was Andretti’s Kyle Kirkwood (268/169/net 99); fifth was Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin (256/124/net 131, which was third best), and sixth was former Arrow McLaren driver Alexander Rossi (254/137/net 117, which was fourth best). An important factor to consider in the passing totals was how drivers fared in qualifying. Ferrucci’s average starting position was 14.8, which meant he had plenty of positions to make up at most races. Herta’s average starting spot was 8.6, aided by three poles, which points to a need to overcome in-race issues more often than was desired. For McLaughlin, the best qualifier of the season with five poles and an average start of 6.4, it was a blend of extreme passing to counteract misfortunes and all of the passing performed as the season’s best driver in the laps-led category with 637. While Herta and McLaughlin, who chased home Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou to the championship, were among the leaders in total passes, the new champ was not, ranking ninth, which can be attributed to an average starting position of 8.4 and an average finish of 6.5. Palou actually trails teammate Scott Dixon and former Juncos Hollinger Racing driver Romain Grosjean in total passes (245/143/net 102), which speaks to his generally good performances in qualifying and staying up front at most races, eliminating the need to rifle through the field on a regular basis. Ferrucci (No.14) gets ready to make a move on Pietro Fitipaldi at Milwaukee. Brett Farmer/Motorsport Images And in the category of passes for position, the leader is... Ferrucci once again, which cements his Passmaster title for the year. Ferrucci (222 passes, passed 106 times, net of 116) tops all drivers in net rating and the total passes for position, and behind him, VeeKay moves forward into second (189/129/net 60) and Herta goes back one spot to third (171/92/net 79) ahead of teammate Kirkwood in fourth (162/121/net 41). Arrow McLaren’s Alexander Rossi was fifth (153/117/net 36) and Former Chip Ganassi driver Linus Lundqvist was sixth (153/139/net 14). Elsewhere, champion Alex Palou was 13th (124/76/net 46), which also speaks to spending most of the season nestled into the lead pack. McLaughlin was 17th in total passes (108/89/net 19), which was an-other testament to how much time he spent in the lead with nobody to pass. “All things considered, I think that we had a hell of a racing season,” Ferrucci told RACER. “We only had one mechanical DNF all year, and then we had only one crash all year. So I think it just goes to show my consistency, and my team’s consistency, and everything that we’ve done.” It’s an honor Ferrucci does not want to receive more than once. “It’s a cool stat to have, but it’s not something that I’m proud of, because while a lot of those passes were pretty awesome, it’s just not something I’d like to see next year. I’d like to be more upfront consistently,” he said. “It’s a bittersweet award, to say the least. I think it is a testament to my ability and skill and racecraft, but also I think that I can do better in other areas. We still did end up ninth in the championship, which is pretty damn good, considering where we brought the team from.” Never lacking in confidence, and as much as he doesn’t want to lead either category in the future, Ferrucci also takes pride in his ability to rack up passes. And at 61 percent, Ferrucci did most of his passing for position on the ovals. “I’m the last guy I’d want to see in my mirrors,” he said. “A lot of those passes that you see were forced errors. They had spotters at one point at Milwaukee going, ‘He’s behind you. There’s nothing you can do.’ I had so much fun.”

Abandoned mines in the US pose dangers to people and property when land gives way

Wildlife experts stress the importance of maintaining a safe distance from wild animals and avoiding any actions that could potentially agitate or endanger them. Bears, in particular, are known to be unpredictable in nature and should be observed from a distance to ensure their safety as well as the safety of human observers.Twin Falls High School's Nam Vo pauses for a photo Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at Twin Falls High School. Vo earned a full-ride scholarship to Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. Principal Nancy Jones says Nam Vo is a "quiet influencer" at Twin Falls High School. He exudes peaceful, calm vibes, Jones said, and the school needs students like that. Vo, a senior, recently earned a full-ride scholarship to Johns Hopkins University, which is worth about $90,000 a year for the next four years, in either engineering or medical research. "I know he'll crush both of those, whatever he decides to do," Jones said. Vo said it's been quite a journey for him and his family. His grandparents moved to the United States from Vietnam, he said, and his parents both left when he was young. He is the first generation in his family to attend college. He said the scholarship includes tuition, room, board, personal expenses, books and fees. Johns Hopkins is a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. "It's kind of something that's unbelievable for us because we haven't even really seen that much money," Vo said. Twin Falls' Nam Vo talks about his future Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at Twin Falls High School. Vo earned a full-ride scholarship to Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. Both of his interests in engineering and medical research are inspired by personal experiences. Vo has been a caretaker for his grandpa for his entire high school career, he said, with help from his grandma and uncle. He said doctors have been going back and forth with different diagnoses, but he's pretty sure it's ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. "This disease, like, it doesn't have a cure," Vo said. "So that's why I'm really wanting to go into medical research." He said it's been a role reversal, as he is now caring for the man who raised him. "I'm happy to be able to try to give back and care for him like he cared for me," Vo said. His grandpa is also part of his inspiration for his interest in civil engineering, with a focus on public transportation. He said he always viewed cars as symbols of freedom, but that changed when his grandpa lost the ability to drive. He said it would have been nice for his grandpa to get around easier and stay connected with people. "I feel like we think of cars as this independent thing that's really nice, but it also separates us so much," Vo said. Twin Falls' Nam Vo stops for a photo Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at Twin Falls High School. Vo earned a full-ride scholarship to Johns Hopkins University. His opinion on cars also shifted when he visited his aunt in New York City. He said he could hop on the subway to travel to other communities, and suddenly more places were accessible. "Going from Wall Street to Chinatown, to Manhattan, to all these different parts of the city," Vo said. "Going up into upstate and seeing farms." He said is considering a career in planning and development of public transportation and railway efforts. "I felt like maybe public transit can help by connecting people," Vo said. His scholarship to Johns Hopkins was made possible by a nonprofit called Quest Bridge , which connects high-achieving, low-income students to top universities. "It would be nice if more people knew about Quest Bridge because they are a great support for helping people get into their dream colleges who don't have all these resources," Vo said. Sean Dolan writes about education and politics for the Times-News . Reach him at 208-735-3213 or email him at sean.dolan@magicvalley.com . Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Education/Political Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

How are states spending opioid settlement cash? KFF Health News is trackingRoads are as old as time. They take us to places far and near, whether on foot, car, bus or motorcycle. The concept of roads as we know them now originated in the ancient civilisations of the Indian Sub-Continent and Mesopotamia, while paved roads were first introduced by the Romans who developed techniques to build roads using multiple layers of materials of crushed stone. They used crushed stone to help with the water drainage too. Some of these roads still exist in parts of Europe. The horse carriage and subsequently the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) powered car hastened the development of road networks all over the world. Incidentally, the very word “car” comes from Roman “Carrum” for “Wheeled Vehicle”. As the number of vehicles increased, it became apparent that better roadways should be built to enable faster speeds, which would cut down travel times. This gave rise to the concept of Expressways. Italy was the first country to build an Expressway – autostrada in Italian – exactly a century ago. The Germans then followed suit with the autobahns (which have no speed limit) and the Americans were next with their Interstate highways that begin with the prefix “I”. For example, I-90 is the Interstate highway that begins in Seattle and ends in Boston, a distance of 4,862 Km. I have had the fortune of traversing all three and it is a great experience. Expressway party Sri Lanka was late to the Expressway party, but there have been plans for several Expressways from the early 1960s. If you travel through Peliyagoda, you might have noticed a structure now used for hoardings and billboards, but which was originally the starting point for an Expressway to Katunayake. That became a reality only after the lapse of several decades. The Southern Expressway was Sri Lanka’s first, opened in 2011. Expressways are a boon to any emerging economy but these are essentially multi-generational projects which will see any financial benefits only after the loans are serviced over many decades, apart from the recurring maintenance costs. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has recently given instructions to expedite work on the 39 Km second stretch of the Central Expressway (a previous Government began this project, but it is in disarray due to various issues including allegations of corruption). Right now, only the 40 Km Meerigama-Kurunegala stretch is functional, so vehicles have to exit from Kanawha and use the normal road up to Meerigama. Thus the middle section must be built without further delay. Then only should the Government focus on the later stages from Kurunegala to Kandy and Dambulla. Once the entire Expressway is completed, access to the Northern, Eastern and Western Provinces will become convenient. The objective of this initiative is to provide safer and faster travelling facilities to the public. It will create an economic corridor with an appropriate connection among road networks. It is vital to extend the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system now operational on the Katunayake BIA Expressway to all other Expressways for the convenience of regular users. Sri Lanka has a comparatively big road network for an island of its size (total land area 65,610 Sq Km), with over 12,000 Km of A, B and C roads. Even some developed countries have much smaller road networks. Many bigger developing countries too are literally miles behind Sri Lanka when it comes to roads. The focus on the existing and proposed Expressway network has taken our attention away from the need to upgrade the existing road network especially in rural areas. This is important as the nearest town could be 20-30 Km away and a good road could mean the difference between life and death for a critically ill patient being taken to hospital. Much of our road network consists of B and C roads which weave their way in and out of rural areas. Some of them, administered by Provincial and local authorities, are not in very good shape. Regular viewers of news on local TV channels come across a news item or two highlighting the woeful state of a rural road almost every day. These roads are so dilapidated that State and private bus operators often refuse to run fearing damage to their vehicles. Walk for miles The result is that schoolchildren have to walk for miles to the nearest school and even critically ill patients have to be carried by a stretcher until a passing vehicle can be hailed on a proper connecting road. Farmers in these areas are unable to bring their produce on time to markets in the city. The economic and social damage is immense, to say the least. Residents living on either side of these neglected roads often say that local politicians promise at every election to repair their roads, but once they are elected, everything is forgotten. This pattern should hopefully change now. Even in so-called urban areas, there are some roads with huge potholes which have not seen the colour of tar for years. These must be repaired without delay. But at the end of the day, the road network can be widened and expanded only up to a certain extent. It is more beneficial to augment the public transport services in the long term so that the insatiable appetite for private transport is curbed somewhat, reducing the massive burden on the road network and also the fuel imports, as I argued last week in this column. Moreover, widening and building new roads rarely solves the problem of traffic in any city. The simple fact is that whenever a road is widened or a new one opened, traffic fills it to the brim sooner rather than later. In the end, no matter how many roads are available, traffic congestion will not go away. Parking woes add to the problem. In fact, while Expressways are no doubt vital, the President and the Government should focus on creating a better public transport network. Getting more private cars on the road is not the ideal solution, though the Government cannot deny anyone the right to buy a motor car in a democracy. Car imports are due to resume in February 2025 initially on a limited scale and we assume that there is a huge pent-up demand for brand new cars in the market. For an island such as Sri Lanka, even 10,000 new vehicles every year is a lot. Car imports But even amid the liberalisation of car imports, ways and means should be found to discourage car and other private vehicle use whenever possible. Private car purchases are minimal in cities such as London, Singapore, Tokyo and New York which have good public transport networks. Parking is scarce in some of these cities, another factor that inhibits car purchases. Some cities such as London already levy a Congestion Fee from cars entering the Central Business District (CBD) or a designated Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which New York will also be trialling from next month. The Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration made a serious blunder with the unilateral cancellation of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system planned for Colombo. This also set off a diplomatic spat with Japan, one of Sri Lanka’s closest all-weather friends. This had the potential to take at least 1,000 cars off the road on the Malabe-Colombo stretch alone, without even taking into account the five other proposed lines. Hopefully, this project will now get under way at last. Had it gone ahead as planned, we would have been using it by now. In fact, Dhaka, Bangladesh went ahead with its LRT around the same time and the trains are operational now while we are still stuck in limbo. There are also calls to replace the ageing fleet of SLTB buses with an electric, low-floor and disabled friendly bus fleet aligned to a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the major cities. A better public transport network will help alleviate the traffic woes in major cities and also prevent air pollution, making cities safer and more livable. Anyway, there is also a dire need to bring the private bus service to heel, as private bus crews have been allowed to run amok all these years, paying scant attention to passenger safety and welfare. Along with three-wheelers, they are the number one cause for serious accidents. There should also be a bigger focus on developing the rail network in line with developing the road network. I heard a radio news bulletin back in 1980 that Sri Lanka would “soon” get an electric train service. Nearly 45 years later, we are still waiting for it. Indeed, developing and electrifying the train network should have been done first, before plunging headlong into Expressways. If that was done at least three decades ago, electric trains running at least 150 Kmph would be running between various cities in Sri Lanka by now. It is indeed shameful that we have not been able to add much to our railway network, apart from a 13 Km line from Anuradhapura to Mihintale and Matara to Beliatta (35 Km). Not surprising, given that we actually truncated a line running all the way to Opanaike, which now terminates at Avissawella. An Expressway to Ratnapura, proposed by a previous Government, cannot make up for this huge loss. A clean, efficient, punctual and comfortable train service on any given line can help take at least 500 cars off the road during the morning and evening weekday rush hours. It will also enable people to ditch their cars for long outstation trips (Jaffna, Batticaloa and Trincomalee). The President must give priority to the electrification of the railways with foreign funding, at least the main two-three lines. That should form part of a holistic approach to addressing transport infrastructure issues in Sri Lanka.