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where did the aztecs hide their gold Birmingham fairground ride ‘collapses’ with pic showing mangled seats – as cops and ambulances rush to sceneBy BILL BARROW, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors . He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners . He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian , would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015 . “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” ___ Former Associated Press journalist Alex Sanz contributed to this report.

1. A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit so they can relive the magic of the famously wholesome show The Joy of Painting by letting their inner Bob Ross create a masterpiece. The kit comes with three different numbered canvas designs, seven paint pots, a mini brush, and an easel. Promising review: "I have to admit I was skeptical because of the price and size. However, I got these for my husband for his birthday (he loves Bob Ross), and what a find!! We had so much fun mixing colors and painting. Would definitely recommend it. The fact that they are small makes them even more special. I wish there were more to paint!" — slb m Get it from Amazon for $7.99 . 2. A mini wacky waving inflatable tube guy if they need a fun (but silent) coworker at their WFH station. Promising review: " I opened the package and screamed for joy! As I placed the 9-volt battery, my hands were trembling with what was going to happen next! As I turned on the wacky waving inflatable tube man, I knew I have a friend for life. Someone you can really count on cheering you up when you are feeling down. He brought me such joy I started to cry with laughter and happiness. " — Robert Wurstner Get it from Amazon for $8.58 . 3. A delightful, reusable manatee-shaped tea infuser because their love of tea is deeper than the ocean itself. All they have to do is fill it with loose-leaf tea and then perch it on their cup. It'll look like this ~manatea~ is taking a much-needed spa day! Promising review: "So cute! Gave as a gift to a manatee lover. She loved this and uses it all the time." — Stephanie Hardin Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in four other styles). 4. A pack of mindfulness cards that they can use to help center themselves. Each colorfully decorated card has an inspiring phrase and a small mindfulness exercise. Help them get on the journey toward a daily meditative practice. It comes in a cute little box with 50 cards! Promising reviews : "These. are. adorable. I love this product! I got them for my bedside table to read daily with my husband. We take time each day to read the card of the day and practice that for a day or two!!! There are tons of cards, and some to design your own. I love the concept and feel as though I always pick the ones I need to hear. I love them as a decoration, super cute colors, and I love them for the content itself.. They are nice cards, and the box is sturdy...and the shipping was fast and came packaged well!" — Megan Knight "I gave these as stocking stuffers to my mom and sister-in-law. They thought they were great and really fun and unique." — Liz Delorme Get a pack of 50 from Amazon for $13.58 . 5. A fang-tastic Dracula-inspired wine stopper so they can enjoy their favorite cabernet for days to come. It also functions as a drip-free pourer because wasting any of that bloody red wine would be simply horrific. Promising review: "This adorable little guy is perfect to keep a seal on your bottle while also easily being able to pour another glass." — Luke Graham Get it from Amazon for $12.95 . 6. And a "Gracula" garlic crusher — just because the Count has a garlic aversion doesn't mean he can't help your friend mince a little for their homemade pasta sauce. And it'll only take them a few seconds! Promising review: "I got this as a Christmas present for someone who loves kitchen gadgets and Halloween. He loves it and still chuckles when he sees it. It's very easy to clean, easy to use, and crushes garlic well! Great gift and convenient gadget." — E. Johnson Get it from Amazon for $18.99 . 7. A too-cool-for-school liquid bubbler pen if they miss their lava lamp from 1998 but don't wanna throw off the aesthetic of their very adult home. They'll get a pack of three pens that each write in a different color: red, green, and blue. Promising review: "I broke up the three-pack and gave one pen as a gift for a class gift exchange and put the other two in stockings for Christmas. Good quality and approved by both the 8-year-old and 49-year-old husband who is a kid at heart! Definitely recommend." — Kindle Customer Get a set of three from Amazon for $17.99 . 8. A super cute shaved sheep plushie whose fuzzy woolen coat they can quickly and easily shear (aka unzip). Made of soft, eco-friendly material, this little guy might just earn the right to be cuddled every night. Promising review: "Oh my goodness. This little sheep is the cutest thing ever! I bought two to give away as gifts, but I am so tempted to buy another one for myself. It's so clever to unzip the 'wool' and see the 'sheared' sheep inside. Even the little tail. I would have adored this as a little kid (no pun intended)." — JMoen Get it from Amazon for $13.99 . 9. Or a simply huggable tiny hedgehog plush toy they'll wanna take on all of their travel adventures and mischievous escapades. If they're looking for a partner in crime, you'll be doing them a favor by stuffing this in their stocking. Promising reviews: "I bought this for my girlfriend's sister, and she loves it! It is incredibly soft and cozy. The first thing we did was hold it like it is shown in the photo, and instantly fell in love. Anyone who loves hedgehogs needs to get one of these." — Derek "Bought this as a Christmas gift for my BFF who loves hedgies. She squealed when she opened her present. 😂 She absolutely LOVES him, and even took him on her trip to Paris. It’s the perfect size to hold in your hand, and he is just so darned soft and cute. 100% recommend!" — A.H. Get it from Amazon for $10.95 . 10. Four bottles of sour cherry-flavored TicTacs that look like little lumps of coal if you know there's no way they're on Santa's Nice List. Promising review: "We love the flavor and they make super cute stocking stuffers for our kids every Christmas." — Jeanie B. Get it from Amazon for $12 . 11. A pair of handmade cassette-shaped earrings if they're longing for decades past. These cute earrings are sure to help them live out their vintage dreams. Without actually having to manually rewind anything. Promising reviews: "These are amazing. I wear these all the time and had to buy a pair for my sister because she loved them so much. Brings back good times!" — Cindy Andress "These earrings are a throwback to the '80s, and I absolutely love them. They are lightweight and aren’t too big or too small." — Shellers Get it from Amazon for $6.99 . 12. Or a pair of cowgirl boot earrings becuase they're H-O-T-T-O-G-O and need the world to know it. Help them rep the wild, wild (Mid)west! Promising review: "Love! These are so cute and so comfortable! I get so many compliments on them." — Jessica R. Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (available in seven colors). 13. A darling lil' llama-shaped stress ball for the person with an incompetent boss who asks them to convert a doc into a PDF even though they've shown Sharon how to do it a million and one times. They'll be able to squish and squeeze the llama to feel a little relief...then convert the doc. Promising reviews: "I got a few of these as gifts for coworkers, and they loved them! I thought they were super cute as well. They are soft and squishy and definitely match the stress ball expectations." — Purvi Patel "I tend to get rather stressed and have been known to accidentally obliterate stress balls. Thankfully, this llama is quite sturdy and hasn't shown any signs of wear and tear yet despite frequent and intense use over the past few weeks. Based on that, I fully expect him to endure for a long time to come." — Rachel L Get it from Amazon for $13.99 . 14. A super retro mini Atari game console with 10 games they can actually play! If they're a gaming legend, tell them to get their wrist ready to maneuver that joystick to victory. Promising review: "I've put probably 10 hours into playing with this little system. It's an excellent little Atari clone; the screen is crystal clear, the games play exactly as expected, the sound is great, and the controller is a joy. This is an absolute must for anyone who loves retro games." — Doug Welyczko Get it from Amazon for $19.99 . 15. A book of 642 tiny things to draw so you can give them the gift of curing boredom. This lil' guided journal will help them become the best doodler there is. BuzzFeed contributor Jonathan Mazzei owns this and says, "My girlfriend got me this book as a gift a few years ago, and it turned out to be even better than I expected! The prompts are super fun and help you to think outside of the box, even during those moments when you feel like you have no ideas. It's great to casually doodle in while passing time since you don't have to think of what to draw, but it also can be really helpful when brainstorming for creative projects. My girlfriend is a visual artist and graphic designer, and she loves using it to play around with ideas and make her think of things she never would have thought of without it. Plus, it's small and super portable! Highly recommend!" Get it from Amazon for $9.25 . 16. A pack of eight soda-inspired lip balms because they can't get through a day without chugging at least three Diet Cokes. Now their lips can stay moisturized as they reach for their fourth... Promising reviews: "Bought as a gift. They seemed excited as they love lip balm and soda, so it was a win-win." — Amazon Customer "Better flavors than any other brand of lip balm. Keeps my lips soft and supple all day. I highly recommend this pack if you love soda. The Coke really smells like Coke, and the other flavors smell just like the name on them." — Callie Get it from Amazon for $8.66 (available in 14 other scents). 17. A pack of six squishy Crayola fidget balls that they can stack, stick, or sling! The best part is the balls won't leave behind any residue. Whether they're being used as stress balls or as a wall ornament, these fidget balls are a ton of fun! And when the balls lose their stickiness, just clean them up with soap and water for them to feel like new again! Promising review: "Bought as a gift for teen who loves to fidget with objects and has anxiety. She was excited and immediately began playing with them. We all did! Great fun for any kid or adult. They feel great and sticks to everything without marking. Be sure to slowly peel them off. Leaves no residue or sticky/oily feel on hands or surfaces." — jean Get it from Amazon for $7.49 . 18. Or a pack of 16 slingshot chickens for pulling, stretching, and flinging at the wall or ceiling when they're feeling a bit bored, angry, or fidgety. Promising review: "I bought these as stocking stuffers for my boys — 4 and 11. Even the 4-year-old can shoot them easily and accurately! They play with them ALL the time. They don’t stick super well to the walls, but I found that to be a plus . They do eventually break down, but we still have at least half of them left six months later. I’m planning on getting more this Christmas; it may become a tradition!" — Katie Get them from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in two colors). 19. A set of four cutie-patootie silicone joystick caps for your friend who is never seen without their Nintendo Switch. Now, they can customize it a little more while adding extra grip so their thumbs don't slide off in the middle of an important battle. Since the set comes with two pairs, they could apply one pair to their main Joy-Cons and the other pair to their backup controller/Joy-Cons. Some reviewers did note these don't fit the first-party Switch Pro Controller that well. Promising review : "These joystick knob covers are so cute! I play Disney Dreamlight Valley on my Switch, and I thought these would be so cute to have when I play!! It was easy to put on, but I won’t lie that it took some maneuvering. If you have long nails or maybe tweezers to help wrap the bottom around, you should be good!" — Fantabulous Gabby Get it from Amazon for $8.09+ (available in 15 styles). 20. A deck of Disney princesses–themed playing cards because they live by Cinderella's words, "Where this is kindness, there is goodness," but they're also a total card shark and pull no punches during poker games. Note that either a blue or pink deck will arrive, not both! Promising review: "My daughters love card games, so I’ve purchased them new decks for Christmas every year. The cards always get a lot of use and end up banged up, but bicycle cards have the best feel (after breaking them in) and last the longest." — Daniel B Get it from Amazon for $9.05 (available in 11 other Disney-inspired themes). 21. A cute pickle wine stopper made of 100% food grade silicone to keep their red from turning into an undrinkable vinegar. Check out a TikTok of the pickle wine stopper in action! Promising review: "I bought this pickle wine stopper for my nephew and his partner. It keeps air out of the bottle with a snug fit and it cleans up easily after use. The fact that they love 'pickle' anything is an added bonus!" — Cynthia Get it from Amazon for $15 (available in four other styles). 22. A bag of Reindeer Farts cotton candy if they could use a sweet treat that came directly from Santa's finest. Promising review: " This was absolutely the best stocking stuffer of all this past year! Everyone, young and old, loved it! The laughs were many and the cotton candy inside was so good! Awesome product! I will buy again." — Peggy N Get it from Amazon for $8.95 . 23. A ceramic cowboy boot match holder and striker — nothing says yeehaw like starting a fire...to light a candle, of course. Matches aren't included with the boot, but you can grab them in lots of different colors on Amazon ! Promising review: "This matchstick holder is TOO CUTE. It goes perfectly with my cowboy hat incense holder. The strike patches on the bottom work great to light the matches. Would buy again." — * Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in two colors). 24. A screaming goat figurine because every now and then they need to scream but feel a little too self-conscious to let out their roar. That's where this lil' guy comes in. It'll do the screaming for them! It even comes with a book full of fun facts and trivia about the ever-majestic goat. Promising review: "This is a hilarious way to scream at the universe without hurting your throat. I often gift this to people who are struggling. It generates a smile and lets them know it’s OK to feel like screaming." — meggysmallz Get it from Amazon for $9.86 . 25. A beloved swinging duck car mirror accessory for when they're feeling a little lonely on their drive to work. Now they can go and get their quack on! Promising review: "Saw it one day when I was just browsing. That’s usually dangerous, I know. It’s actually heavier than I thought it was going to be, in a good way though. It’s not cheaply made. I’ve gotten a few laughs from people in other vehicles. Only side effect is if you get upset at other drivers, it isn’t very intimidating when you’re giving the mad stare. LOL. I was pleased with the purchase in all." — Charles Ramsey Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in lots of other styles). 26. A 28-piece pack of barrettes if they need to be dressed to the nines from head to toe. There's a great mix of colorful and chic barrettes to complement their ever-changing aesthetic. Promising reviews: "These were so cute and a large size. I originally bought them as stocking stuffers and could hardly bring myself to part with any of them . They're freaking adorable." — Maryanne "There is not one piece in this collection that I don't love. I was impressed with the variety of pearls/stones/and the gold-designed pins, as well as the fact that some are the snap barrette style, some alligator clips, and some more along the lines of decorative bobby pins. I'm 41 years old and very picky about not wearing anything that looks like it's made for someone much younger, and these are a perfect fit for my tastes. They are not only gorgeous but very functional as well. They hold a good amount of hair back or pinned up , and they feel secure in my hair the entire day. I'm thinking this would make for great Christmas gifts!" — Malinda Get it from Amazon for $9.98 . 27. Or a retro-inspired checkered hair claw clip so they don't have to wrestle with their hair, especially since you've seen that their hair tends to win those battles. These durable and scratch-resistant clips are designed to work with all hair types! Two Oh One is a small business making unique hair clips! Promising review: "This is a great hair clip. I’ve struggled with finding a claw clip that works for my hair, often getting ones that are too big. This one is the perfect size and holds my hair all day. I CAN'T stand when my hair outweighs the clip, and it falls down. It does not do that with this clip!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Two Oh One on Amazon for $8.99 (available in three colors). 28. A pack of six small sprout bookmarks because you've watched them shun people for dog-earing pages in books. And if they've got a bit of a green thumb, they'll likely love these even more! Promising review: "I absolutely love these bookmarks! Even though they are pretty small, they stay in the book, either opened or closed. They are really soft and rubbery, so they won't crack or break very easily. I can foresee these lasting for a long time. Since they come in a package of six, I can not only have one for my book for reading, but I can place these in the pertinent chapters that I am studying in my textbooks as well. They really come in handy for that! These cute, little sprouts were a great treat for the little that I spent on them!" — Aimée le Huitième Get a pack of six from Amazon for $7.99 . 29. All-natural cloud bath bombs since they deserve some spa-like treatment in the comfort of their own home. Plus, these shea butter bath bombs explode into a rainbow of colors! How fun is that?! Promising review: "These bath bombs are so cute. There are four individually wrapped clouds inside a beautiful box. The packaging is very, very pretty. I could imagine these being really fun for kids to get them excited about a bath, or as a great gift for someone who loves unicorns and rainbows! They make a nice stream of rainbow bubbles as soon as placed in the water and fizz for about five minutes or so. All the clouds smells wonderful and the bath made my skin feel very soft from the shea butter." — Rahil Memon Get a pack of two from Amazon for $9.99 (also available as a four-pack). 30. A whimsical UFO Bluetooth speaker if their music taste can only be described as "out of this world." Not only is this portable speaker cute enough to serve as decor, but it also functions as a night-light with two adjustable lights. Promising review: "Bought this for my daughter, and she loved it. The design is cute. Quality seems good for the price. Love the sound quality and ability to play any music. I’d have bought this just as a cute decor gift as well." — Nilay Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in four colors). The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

Cal staves off Sacramento State for third straight winBy Nikita Mahato On Wednesday, House Speaker and Louisiana Republican leader Mike Johnson made a controversial statement concerning toilets in the Capitol building. Reuters reported that Johnson stated individuals of each biological sex must adhere to designated single-sex bathrooms. His declaration comes in light of the election of Congress’ first openly transgender member, Democrat Sarah McBride. The Capitol toilet issue has become a subject of discussion after Republican Representative Nancy Mace introduced a bill to impose the restriction. She then admitted that her attempt to ban transgender women from female bathrooms inside the building directly targeted McBride. Mike Johnson issued a statement, noting that trans women should be banned from single-sex toilets in the Capitol as “women deserve women’s only spaces.” Johnson stated that such bathrooms inside the building should reserved for “individuals of that biological sex.” He further noted that members can use bathrooms available inside their private offices or opt for unisex bathrooms inside the building. However, the former option is a 10-minute walk from the House floor, where members attend sessions. Johnson’s statement comes after Representative Nancy Mace introduced a resolution to ban trans women from single-sex Capitol toilets. According to NBC News , reporters asked Mace if the action was a direct response to Democrat Sarah McBride’s election, who will soon join Congress as the first openly transgender person. The Republican politician responded with affirmative and continued, “I’m absolutely 100% gonna stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a women’s restroom, in our locker rooms, in our changing rooms.” McBride also responded to Mike Johnson’s Capitol toilet issue statement, calling it a diversion. She issued a statement, claiming her responsibilities are more than just a “fight about bathrooms.” She then assured her fellow Delaware natives, “I’m here to fight for all Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families” Nikita Mahato is a true-crime and news writer at ComingSoon and shows an aptitude for captivating storytelling, and extensive research, among other things. Her previous works can be seen on Sportskeeda. A proficient basketball player, Nikita has been involved with several non-profit organizations to be able to give back to the community. She also has a penchant for everything entertainment. Share article

Travis Hunter named AP player of the yearBest Black Friday Pokémon deals: 11 deals on cards, games and toys from $12 I'd add to my cart now

'Democracy and freedom': Jimmy Carter's human rights efforts in Latin America

Clippers hit the road looking to win, regardless of who’s on the courtAlyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians

With a focus on human rights, US policy toward Latin America under Jimmy Carter briefly tempered a long tradition of interventionism in a key sphere of American influence, analysts say. Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100, defied the furor of US conservatives to negotiate the handover of the Panama Canal to Panamanian control, suspended aid to multiple authoritarian governments in the region, and even attempted to normalize relations with Cuba. Carter's resolve to chart a course toward democracy and diplomacy, however, was severely tested in Central America and Cuba, where he was forced to balance his human rights priorities with pressure from adversaries to combat the spread of communism amid the Cold War standoff with the Soviet Union. "Latin America was fundamental and his global policy was oriented toward human rights, democratic values and multilateral cooperation," political analyst Michael Shifter of the Inter-American Dialogue, a think tank in Washington, told AFP. During his 1977-1981 administration, which was sandwiched between the Republican presidencies of Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, the Democrat sought to take a step back from US alignment with right-wing dictatorships in Latin America. An important symbol of Carter's approach was the signing of two treaties in 1977 to officially turn over the Panama Canal in 1999. "Jimmy Carter understood that if he did not return the canal to Panama, the relationship between the United States and Panama could lead to a new crisis in a country where Washington could not afford the luxury of instability," said Luis Guillermo Solis, a political scientist and former president of Costa Rica. Carter called the decision, which was wildly unpopular back home, "the most difficult political challenge I ever had," as he accepted Panama's highest honor in 2016. He also hailed the move as "a notable achievement of moving toward democracy and freedom." During his term, Carter opted not to support Nicaraguan strongman Anastasio Somoza, who was subsequently overthrown by the leftist Sandinista Front in 1979. But in El Salvador, the American president had to "make a very uncomfortable pact with the government," said Shifter. To prevent communists from taking power, Carter resumed US military assistance for a junta which then became more radical, engaging in civilian massacres and plunging El Salvador into a long civil war. Carter took a critical approach to South American dictatorships in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, suspending arms deliveries and imposing sanctions in some cases. But his efforts "did not achieve any progress in terms of democratization," said Argentine political scientist Rosendo Fraga. The American president also tried to normalize relations with Cuba 15 years after the missile crisis. He relaxed sanctions that had been in force since 1962, supported secret talks and enabled limited diplomatic representation in both countries. "With him, for the first time, the possibility of dialogue rather than confrontation as a framework for political relations opened up," Jesus Arboleya, a former Cuban diplomat, told AFP. But in 1980, a mass exodus of 125,000 Cubans to the United States, with Fidel Castro's blessing, created an unexpected crisis. It "hurt Carter politically with the swarm of unexpected immigrants," said Jennifer McCoy, a professor of political science at Georgia State University. Castro continued to support Soviet-backed African governments and even deployed troops against Washington's wishes, finally putting an end to the normalization process. However, more than 20 years later, Carter made a historic visit to Havana as ex-president, at the time becoming the highest-profile American politician to set foot on Cuban soil since 1959. During the 2002 visit, "he made a bold call for the US to lift its embargo, but he also called on Castro to embrace democratic opening," said McCoy, who was part of the US delegation for the trip, during which Castro encouraged Carter to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Cuban All-Star baseball game. "Castro was sitting in the front row and we were afraid he would rise to give a long rebuttal to Carter's speech. But he didn't. He just said, 'Let's go to the ball game.'" In the years following Carter's presidency, Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) would go on to resume a full-frontal confrontation with Cuba. Decades later, Barack Obama (2009-2017) opened a new phase of measured normalization, which Donald Trump (2017-2021) brought to an end. US President Joe Biden promised to review US policy toward Cuba, but hardened his stance after Havana cracked down on anti-government protests in 2021. "Carter showed that engagement and diplomacy are more fruitful than isolation," McCoy said. bur-lp-rd-jb/lbc/mlr/bfm/sst/bbk

Trump adviser vows unity over security during transition

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump was on the verge of backing a 16-week federal abortion ban earlier this year when aides staged an intervention. According to Time magazine's cover story on his selection as its 2024 Person of the Year, Trump's aides first raised concerns in mid-March that the abortion cutoff being pushed by some allies would be stricter than existing law in numerous states. It was seen as a potential political liability amid ongoing fallout over the overturning of Roe v. Wade by a conservative majority on the Supreme Court that includes three justices nominated by Trump in his first term. Trump political director James Blair went to work assembling a slide deck — eventually titled “How a national abortion ban will cost Trump the election" — that argued a 16-week ban would hurt the Republican candidate in the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, the magazine reported. “After flipping through Blair’s presentation" on a flight to a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in April, Trump dropped the idea, according to the report. "So we leave it to the states, right?" Trump was quoted as saying. He soon released a video articulating that position. At the time, Trump’s campaign denied that he was considering supporting the 16-week ban, calling it “fake news” and saying Trump planned to “negotiate a deal” on abortion if elected to the White House. Here are other highlights from the story and the president-elect's 65-minute interview with the magazine: Jan. 6 pardons could start in the ‘first nine minutes’ Trump reaffirmed his plans to pardon most of those convicted for their actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. “It’s going to start in the first hour,” he said of the pardons. “Maybe the first nine minutes.” Trump said he would look at individuals on a “case-by-case" basis, but that “a vast majority of them should not be in jail.” More than 1,500 people have been charged with federal crimes stemming from the riot that left more than 100 police officers injured and sent lawmakers running into hiding as they met to certify Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 victory . More than 1,000 defendants have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial of charges, including misdemeanor trespassing offenses, assaulting police officers and seditious conspiracy. Trump is open to holding detained migrants in camps Trump insisted he has the authority to use the military to assist with his promised mass deportations , even though, as his interviewers noted, the Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the use of the military in domestic law enforcement. “It doesn’t stop the military if it’s an invasion of our country, and I consider it an invasion of our country," he said. “I’ll only do what the law allows, but I will go up to the maximum level of what the law allows. And I think in many cases, the sheriffs and law enforcement is going to need help." Trump did not deny that camps would be needed to hold detained migrants as they are processed for deportation. “Whatever it takes to get them out. I don’t care," he said. “I hope we’re not going to need too many because I want to get them out and I don’t want them sitting in camp for the next 20 years.” Trump told Time he does not plan to restore the policy of separating children from their families to deter border crossings, but he did not rule it out. The practice led to thousands of children being separated from their parents and was condemned around the globe as inhumane. “I don’t believe we’ll have to because we will send the whole family back,” he said. “I would much rather deport them together, yes, than separate.” Musk prioritizes the country over his business interests, Trump insists Trump dismissed the idea that Elon Musk will face conflicts of interest as he takes the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency , an advisory group that Trump has selected him to lead. The panel is supposed to find waste and cut regulations, including many that could affect Musk's wide-ranging interests , which include electric cars, rockets and telecommunications. “I don’t think so," Trump said. “I think that Elon puts the country long before his company. ... He considers this to be his most important project." Trump acknowledges the difficulty of lowering grocery prices Trump lowered expectations about his ability to drive down grocery prices. “I’d like to bring them down. It’s hard to bring things down once they’re up. You know, it’s very hard. But I think that they will,” he said. Trump plans ‘virtual closure’ of the Education Department Trump said he is planning “a virtual closure" of the "Department of Education in Washington.” “You’re going to need some people just to make sure they’re teaching English in the schools," he said. “But we want to move education back to the states.” Yet Trump has proposed exerting enormous influence over schools. He has threatened to cut funding for schools with vaccine mandates while forcing them to “teach students to love their country" and promote “the nuclear family,” including “the roles of mothers and fathers” and the “things that make men and women different and unique.” Trump offers conflicting answers on future of abortion pills Asked to clarify whether he was committed to preventing the Food and Drug Administration from stripping access to abortion pills , Trump replied, “It’s always been my commitment.” But Trump has offered numerous conflicting stances on the issue, including to Time. Earlier in the interview, he was asked whether he would promise that his FDA would not do anything to limit access to medication abortion or abortion pills. "We’re going to take a look at all of that,” he said, before calling the prospect “very unlikely.” “Look, I’ve stated it very clearly and I just stated it again very clearly. I think it would be highly unlikely. I can’t imagine, but with, you know, we’re looking at everything, but highly unlikely. I guess I could say probably as close to ruling it out as possible, but I don’t want to. I don’t want to do anything now.” Trump says US support for Ukraine will be leverage for a deal with Russia Pressed on whether he would abandon Ukraine in its efforts to stave off Russia's invasion , Trump said he would use U.S. support for Kyiv as leverage against Moscow in negotiating an end to the war. “I want to reach an agreement,” he said, “and the only way you’re going to reach an agreement is not to abandon.” Does he trust Netanyahu? ‘I don’t trust anybody' Trump would not commit to supporting a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state alongside Israel, as he had previously. “I support whatever solution we can do to get peace," he said. "There are other ideas other than two state, but I support whatever, whatever is necessary to get not just peace, a lasting peace. It can’t go on where every five years you end up in tragedy. There are other alternatives.” Asked whether he trusted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , he told Time: “I don’t trust anybody.” War with Iran? ‘Anything can happen,’ he says Trump would not rule out the possibility of war with Iran during his second term. “Anything can happen. It’s a very volatile situation," he said. Trump mum on conversations with Putin Asked if he has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin since the Nov. 5 election, Trump continued to play coy: "I can’t tell you. It’s just inappropriate.” Trump insists he had the votes to confirm Gaetz as attorney general Trump insisted that his bid to install Matt Gaetz as attorney general ”wasn’t blocked. I had the votes (in the Senate) if I needed them, but I had to work very hard.” When the scope of resistance to the former Republican congressman from Florida became clear, Trump said, “I talked to him, and I said, ‘You know, Matt, I don’t think this is worth the fight.'" Gaetz pulled out amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations, and Trump tapped former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for the Cabinet post. Trump is open to changes for childhood vaccines Trump, who has named anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, did not rule out the possibility of eliminating some childhood vaccinations even though they have been proved safe in extensive studies and real world use in hundreds of millions of people over decades and are considered among the most effective public health measures in modern history. Pressed on whether “getting rid of some vaccinations” — neither Trump nor the interviewers specified which ones — might be part of the plan to improve the health of the country, Trump responded: “It could if I think it’s dangerous, if I think they are not beneficial, but I don’t think it’s going to be very controversial in the end.” Trump weighs in on family political dynasty “I think there could be, yeah," Trump said of the prospect of others in his family continuing in his footsteps. He pointed to daughter-in-law Lara Trump , who served as co-chair of the Republican National Committee and is now being talked about as a potential replacement for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, whom Trump has chosen for secretary of state. Melania Trump will return to the White House, he says Trump said the former and soon-to-be first lady Melania Trump will be joining him at the White House during second term and will "be active, when she needs to be.” “Oh yes,” he said. “She’s very beloved by the people, Melania. And they like the fact that she’s not out there in your face all the time for many reasons.” Jill Colvin, The Associated PressWisconsin faces its first losing season in 23 years and the end of a bowl streak when the Badgers host arch-rival Minnesota on Friday in the annual Big Ten battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe. Minnesota (6-5, 4-4) lost to No. 4 Penn State 26-25. Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) lost its fourth straight, 44-25, at Nebraska in a game that was not as close as the score. "Well 1890 is the first time we played this football team coming up and this is what it's all about," Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said of the rivalry. "And you wouldn't want to have it any other way, being able to end the season with one of your biggest rivals. I know our guys will be ready to go, ready to play." Wisconsin has 22 consecutive winning seasons since going 5-7 under Barry Alvarez in 2001, the longest active streak among Power 4 teams. The Badgers also have played in a bowl game in each of the last 22 seasons, the longest active streak in the Big Ten and third-longest in FBS. Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell is more concerned with the rivalry game than the winning season and bowl streaks. "I'm not downplaying it, I'm not saying it's not important, I'm not saying it's another thing that's on our plate," Fickell said Monday. "But when it gets down to this last week, it's about one thing, it's about the rivalry. It's about preparing to play in the most important game of the year." The Gophers have dropped their last two games after winning four in a row. Minnesota averages 26.6 points per game, while allowing 18.5, 15th-best in the country. Max Brosmer has completed 67 percent of his passes for 221 per game with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. Daniel Jackson is the top target with 69 catches for 802 yards and three scores, and Darius Taylor is the top rusher with 730 yards at 4.8 per carry with nine touchdowns. One week after leading Oregon after three quarters, the Wisconsin defense was shredded for 473 yards and five touchdowns by Nebraska. Braedyn Locke, who took over at quarterback when Tyler Van Dyke suffered an early season-ending knee injury, has thrown at least one interception in eight consecutive games. Locke has completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 180.6 yards per game, with 12 touchdowns and 10 picks. Tawee Walker is the leading rusher with 828 yards at 4.7 per carry with 10 touchdowns. He has failed to reach 60 yards in three of the last four games. Former Wisconsin and NFL standout JJ Watt posted on social media his assessment - and frustration - with the Badgers after the Nebraska game. "Losing happens, it's part of the game. Hearing announcers talk about how much tougher and more physical Nebraska & Iowa are while getting blown out ... that's the issue," Watt wrote on X. "We are Wisconsin. Physicality, running game, great O-Line and great defense. That is our identity." Wisconsin defeated the Gophers 28-14 last after Minnesota had won the previous two meetings. The Badgers have won 7 of the last 10 and lead the storied series 63-62-8. --Field Level Media

( MENAFN - EIN Presswire) Kristen Thomasino Global Humanitarian & Social Good Technologist Kristen Thomasino, Global Humanitarian, Social Good Technologist, 22x Author, 4x Show Host, Creator of Buddytown the App & The Social Good Experiment Kristen Thomasino, Global Humanitarian, Social Good Technologist, Public Speaker, 22x Author, 4x Show Host, Creator of Buddytown the App & The Social Good Experiment Kristen Thomasino, Global Humanitarian, Social Good Technologist, Public Speaker, 22x Author, 4x Show Host, Creator of Buddytown the App & The Social Good Experiment Kristen Thomasino, Global Humanitarian, 22x Author, Chief Data Scientist was the Keynote speaker of the World Women Forum in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Social Good Technologist finishes product development phase for The Social Good Experiment. LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, December 29, 2024 /EINPresswire / -- The Social Good News for Thomasino Media LLC is thrilled to announce that Kristen Thomasino, the CEO of Thomasino Media LLC and Buddytown Consulting LLC, is now available for public speaking engagements. An acclaimed 28-time award-winning social good technologist, Kristen has captivated audiences worldwide, with keynote appearances at prestigious events, including the World Women Forum in Paris, France, and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kristen's presentations cover a diverse range of topics, including social good, technology, the economy, education, health and wellness, environment, ethics, entertainment, community, and science. Her dynamic and inspiring speeches are tailored for all types of audiences, from students and educators to professionals and retirees. Key Highlights of Kristen Thomasino: *CEO of Thomasino Media LLC and Buddytown Consulting LLC *Editor in Chief of The Social Good News and Social Good Magazine *Awarded the Innovation and Excellence Award by Corporate LiveWire for Business Service Provider of the Year USA (2024) *Honored by Acquisition International with the "Most Dedicated Social Good Networking CEO 2024 USA" title *Winner of the "Best Technology & Social Good Application CEO 2024" at the Technology CEO of the Year Awards for her innovative application, Buddytown *Previous recipient of the AvidXchange Excellence Award and numerous accolades in fintech for social good and healthcare advocacy Kristen's resilience in the face of severe Fibromyalgia, a condition that caused significant mobility issues, adds a relatable and empowering layer to her speaking style. Her personal journey, coupled with her expertise in leading think tanks and developing influential B2B payment networks, solidifies her position as a thought leader in technology and social good. In addition to her speaking engagements, Kristen has recently joined FITECH as Vice President of Sales, where she will help real estate and construction organizations succeed with cutting-edge property tech and consulting services. Book Kristen Thomasino for Your Event Whether you're organizing a corporate meeting, board session, special event, or customer conference, Kristen Thomasino will bring a fresh perspective and valuable insights to your audience. Contact Information: For more information or to schedule an engagement, please visit or email .... About Thomasino Media LLC: Thomasino Media LLC is committed to promoting social good through innovative media and consulting services. Led by Kristen Thomasino, the company aims to make a positive, lasting impact on communities across the globe. For additional details, visit Kristen Thomasino's Public Speaker Page. Kristen Thomasino Thomasino Media LLC +1 424-234-9762 ... Visit us on social media: Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Other Learn About Kristen Thomasino Public Speaker Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above. MENAFN29122024003118003196ID1109039617 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.According to UFC President Dana White, No. 2-ranked Umar Nurmagomedov is next in line for a title shot against reigning bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. However, Nurmagomedov might have irritated White and the rest of the UFC brass with an image he posted on his social media on Sunday. Nurmagomedov has been embroiled in a feud with Dvalishvili on social media. Dvalishvili’s perceived hesitation to face Nurmagomedov in his first title defense—after winning the belt in September in the main event of Noche UFC —is at the root of the conflict. Dvalishvili took to social media on Saturday morning to praise No. 3-ranked Petr Yan’s win over Deiveson Figueiredo. Yan challenged Dvalishvili to a rematch, as the champion defeated him in March 2023, and Dvalishvili accepted. This sparked a tirade on social media from Nurmagomedov. Some suspect that Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, runs his social media account, but a short video featuring Nurmagomedov was posted to refute those suspicions. Amid the string of posts, Nurmagomedov shared an image of himself working out alongside his cousin and former lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov. In the image, Umar is wearing a PFL T-shirt. The PFL (Professional Fighters League) is a rival mixed martial arts organization that currently has Umar’s cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov, under contract. Usman is the Bellator welterweight champion, a title now owned by the PFL. It’s entirely possible Umar was simply wearing a random T-shirt available to him—especially if Usman was in the gym and, as family, they share clothing. However, the peculiar aspect is that someone chose to post an image of a high-profile UFC fighter wearing a PFL T-shirt. White has criticized the PFL throughout the year, focusing on its acquisition of Bellator and other business decisions. The biggest sticking point for White has been related to former UFC heavyweight champion and reigning PFL Super Fights champion Francis Ngannou. Ngannou left the UFC as its heavyweight champion and signed with the PFL. After scoring a KO win over Renan Ferreira in his only MMA bout since leaving the UFC, many still consider Ngannou the lineal heavyweight champion of the world. Ngannou’s departure represents perhaps the only significant loss the UFC has suffered in fighter acquisition and retention. Beyond the natural competition between the two promotions, Ngannou’s situation has added to the tension. That tension makes it unusual to see a UFC fighter posting an image of themselves wearing a PFL T-shirt. We’ll see if Nurmagomedov holds his position as the next challenger for Dvalishvili. Nurmagomedov will not fight during Ramadan (Feb. 28–March 25), and Dvalishvili seems to want to fight in March. If Nurmagomedov doesn’t get the first shot, it won’t be because of the T-shirt; it’ll be because Dvalishvili is ready to defend and doesn’t want to wait for the challenger.

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“My twin sister Nicola got sick when she was 24 years old. It was determined that she had stomach cancer and passed away two months to the day she was diagnosed.” Natasha Benn lost her sister to a rare and aggressive form of stomach cancer in 1993. Before Nicola, her mother had passed away from the same cancer when Benn was two. So did her grandmother, aunt, and great-grandfather. “My dad always thought it might be some kind of hereditary component to the type of cancer that my mom had, but it was never confirmed at the time,” Benn said. Shortly after Nicola's death, a gastroenterologist strongly suggested that Benn undergo surgery to remove her stomach, given the close genetic link between the twins. Nine months later, the young woman decided to go forward with full gastrostomy, unbeknownst to her if she was carrying the same ailment. Grieving the loss of her sister and uncertain if she had made the right decision, Benn received news six years later confirming her choice had been the correct one. After performing a biopsy on the young woman’s stomach, pathologists discovered traces of cancer in the organ’s lining - something that could not have been detected even with an endoscopy. Little did they know, the Benns, along with another family from Detroit, were part of a groundbreaking discovery that transformed the lives of countless families. For the first time in history, researchers identified a genetic mutation in Natasha’s stomach which they named CDH1. This mutation was found to carry an 83 per cent risk of developing stomach cancer and 60 per cent likelihood of lobular breast cancer. Thanks to the technological advances and research, organizations like BC Cancer can find this mutation through risk-free, non-evasive, and efficient ways. A simple sample of saliva, or blood, can be all that’s needed to determine if one carries the rogue gene. “Genetic testing can be helpful in clarifying whether or not you have an increased risk [of cancer] and then determining what's available in terms of screening and prevention for those specific types of cancer,” said Jennifer Nuk, leader in genetic counsellor for the BC Cancer Hereditary Cancer Program. For decades, identifying hereditary cancer solely relied on analyzing one’s family history, without having certainty if members were carriers of the ailment, explained Nuk. In the early days of genetic testing, means were limited, costly, and slow. Today, however, researchers can examine more genes than ever before with greater efficiency, at a higher rate, for a fraction of what it once cost. “We've had families that were seen years ago where it looks like there was something going on in the family... and we didn't find anything,” said Nuk. “Now we go back to test that same family [and] we're actually picking up mutations because the technology has improved so much.” Though many remain to be studied, Nuk and her team can now detect rogue genes causing numerous cancers including ovarian, breast, and colon. The lead geneticist added that the services offered by the program are twofold; genetic testing to identify individuals carrying mutated genes, and the provision of personalized care plans for those at increased cancer risk. “If we can figure out someone's at higher risk... we have a much better chance of offering better outcomes for the patient,” she said. People are provided with comprehensive information and a range of options, allowing them to make informed decisions about their next steps. As prevention is key to combating cancer, Nuk and her team will discuss and propose to their patients appropriate screening options, such as mammograms or MRIs, as well as preventative measures like vaccines and surgeries suited to their respective conditions. In turn, Nuk added that if one treatment can be given over another more invasive one, this will ultimately result in a better quality of life for individuals and benefit the overall health-care system. Since its inception in 1997, the prevention program has not only saved thousands of lives but also reduced health-care costs for taxpayers, freed up time and resources for other cancer patients, and alleviated the burden on B.C.'s hospitals. Benn and her sisters benefited from this very program. “My older sister did have the gene and decided to go through with the surgery and had her stomach removed,” she said. “[It] was riddled with cancer and she's still living today.” Her other sister, luckily, tested negative for the CDH1 mutation. Benn herself, facing a significant breast cancer risk from possessing the gene, opted for a preventative mastectomy. Reflecting on her journey, the self-proclaimed “cancer avoider” acknowledges the challenges she faced, including the grief of losing her sister and the uncertainty that followed her surgery. However, she strongly recommends the importance of prioritizing preventative care. “To have that knowledge and to be willing to [use it] is so important,” said Benn. “I know a lot of people avoid going to the doctor, especially when you might be feeling completely healthy, but you don't know what else is happening in your body. “Having a screening place that you can go to determine if you have a history of any kind of illness that you can prevent it in advance, why wouldn't you go?”HAILEY Bieber responded to Selena Gomez’s engagement news - but were left divided over her "intentions". Earlier today, pop star Selena , 32 flashed her huge diamond ring as she announced her engagement to Benny Blanco. The singer beamed in a series of snaps posted to her Instagram grid, with the caption: "Forever begins now." Model Hailey, who is married to Justin Bieber, shared her joy for the star by liking Selena's Instagram post - despite years of rivalry. But some fans are convinced were unsure how sincere the gesture was - pointing out their past "animosity". One wrote: "This is a nice gesture. Hailey’s always seemed like a fairly nice person who’s taken the high road through years of bullying. She’s also probably hoping Selena and her demented stans will leave her alone for good now. I’m happy for Selena, and I hope this marks a complete break from the social media nonsense of the past." READ MORE ON SELENA GOMEZ But a sceptical fan fired back: "Let's not pretend that there hasn't been animosity on both sides in the past. "I really think Hailey has grown up, but she wasn't a nice person as a teenager/young adult. "There are enough recipes of her being a bully in school, being mean to waiting staff etc. Selena isn't innocent either, don't get me wrong, but the sentiment that Hailey had no hand in their drama is simply not true." This person said: "Hailey is a better person than me because I would be holding a grudge against someone who was enabling their fans to attack me the way Selena was and never took accountability." Most read in Celebrity But someone else disagreed and added: "She’s probably secretly jealous and angry doing this to pretend to look good for (insert delusional reason)." On Thursday, Lose You To Love Me singer Selena held her left hand up to the camera to showcase the massive sparkler on a diamond-studded band. Another image saw her enjoying a cuddle with record producer and songwriter Benny as they snuggled on the floor, while one snap captured her freshly-manicured hand and engagement band in full glory. Selena was then captured gazing adoringly at her new jewellery piece as she enjoyed a sunny picnic. The Calm Down songstress had sparked speculation of her engagement back in September when she was seen sporting a gold band on her ring finger. This came just two weeks after Selena flashed a glittering ring on her engagement finger at the Emmy's red carpet. The two lovebirds confirmed their relationship in December last year and have been inseparable ever since. Over the last few months fans suspected Selena and Benny may have secretly gotten engaged - especially after she posted a mirror selfie with her ring clearly visible - and now their theories have been proved correct. After the official social media reveal, Selena's famous pals were quick to comment. Taylor Swift posted: "Yes I will be the flower girl." Actress Jennifer Aniston posted: "HONEY!! Congratulations sweet mama!" Ever since the marriage, The Wizards of Waverly Place alum and the Rhode skincare creator have had an up-and-down rivalry. Since Hailey started dating Justin, all eyes have been on Hailey's relationship with Selena. At first, fans were outraged and claimed that she stole Justin from Selena, but she has since put those rumors to rest. In September 2022, Hailey appeared on Alexandr a Cooper's Call Her Daddy podcast, revealing details about her relationship with the Baby singer and his ex. "I can say, period, point blank, I was never with him when he was in a relationship with anybody — that's the end of it," Hailey said on the show. The duo shocked the internet when they posed for photos at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures' 2nd annual gala in October 2022. It seemed like perhaps their rumored feud was over. However, on February 22, 2023, Hailey and Kylie Jenner were accused of trolling Selena and making fun of her eyebrows after Selena posted a TikTok video of herself with overly-laminated brows. While Kylie and Selena both came out and said there was no drama between them, Hailey remained silent. A few hours later, Selena commented on another TikTok video that discussed how she had been handling the 'mean girls.' In the post's comments, Selena wrote: "I love you," which sparked rumors that she felt the same way. On February 23, Selena commented on a TikTok video where Hailey can be seen gagging over the mention of Taylor's name. READ MORE SUN STORIES Selena commented in defense of her famous best friend. She wrote: “So sorry, my best friend is and continues to be one of the best in the game."

Morgan Rogers looked to have given Emery’s side another famous win when he slammed a loose ball home in stoppage time, but referee Jesus Gil Manzano ruled Diego Carlos to have fouled Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the goal was chalked off. Contact seemed minimal but VAR did not intervene and Villa had to settle for a point in a 0-0 draw. “With the last action, it is the interpretation of the referee,” the Spaniard said. “In England, 80 per cent of those is given a goal and it’s not a foul. It’s very soft. “But in Europe, it could be a foul. We have to accept. “Everybody will know, in England the interpretation is different. The England referees, when actions like that the interpretation is a clear no foul but in Europe that interpretation is different. “They have to be working to get the same decision when some action like that is coming. I don’t know exactly why but we knew before in the Premier League that it is different. A very controversial finish at Villa Park 😲 Morgan Rogers' late goal is ruled out for a foul on Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the match ends 0-0 ❌ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/MyYL5Vdy3r — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024 “In Europe for example we are not doing a block like in England and we are not doing in front of the goalkeeper in offensive corners the same situations like in England. “When the action happened, I was thinking here in Europe it’s a foul. In England not, but in Europe I have to accept it. “At first, I thought the referee gave us a goal. In cases like that, it’s confusing because he has to wait for VAR. I don’t know what happened but I think so (the referee changed his mind with VAR).” It was a disappointment for Villa, who remain unbeaten at home in their debut Champions League campaign and are still in contention to qualify automatically for the last 16. “We were playing a favourite to be in the top eight and usually a contender to win this competition,” Emery added. “We are a team who for a long time didn’t play in Europe and the Champions League and this year is very important. “We wanted to play competitive and we are in the right way. Today to get one point is very good, we wanted to win but wanted to avoid some mistakes we made in previous games. “We have 10 points and we’re happy.” Before the game Emery called Juventus one of the “best teams in the world, historically and now”, but this was an Italian side down to the bare bones. Only 14 outfield players made the trip from Turin, with striker Dusan Vlahovic among those who stayed behind. Juve boss Thiago Motta, whose side are 19th but still in contention to reach the top eight, said: “There’s just three games left to qualify. The next home against Man City, then Brugge, then Benfica. “One at a time, as we always did with the goal to qualify for the next round. “In the end we will try and reach our goal which is to go to the next round.”Business case for wind propulsion improves as decarbonisation rules kick in

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