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https ph365 games Viewers were confused as Dean McCullough was voted for yet another Bushtucker Trial I'm A Celeb fans were confused by a comment at the end of tonight's episode. Sunday saw another edition of TV's toughest entertainment as the 12 campmates continued their bid to be crowned King or Queen of the Jungle. Ant and Dec ended the episode by confirmed who would be competing in Monday's Bushtucker Trial. Dean McCullough was devastated to discover he had once again been voted to compete in the dreaded trial. The episode ended with a live broadcast from the camp as his co-stars tried to comfort him. The Bushtucker Trial is named Jack and the Screamstalk and Coleen Rooney assured Dean it would be related to a fear of heights. The two competed on a Sunday's Bushtucker Trial together and she reminded her co-star: "You said crossing that bridge that heights don't bother you." Tulisa Contostavlos and Reverend Richard Coles were exempt from being voted for tonight's trial. At the end of the episode, the N Dubz singer also offered some words of reassurance as he said: "I know it's heights because it's what I'm medically exempt from." The broadcast quickly cut away from the camp after this comment and viewers following the show on social media platform X speculated whether they were meant to know that information. Matt said: "Anyone else hear that from Tulisa in the closing seconds of tonight’s #ImACeleb she knew the task would be heights cos she read it in the exemptions... not sure we were meant to hear that." Marian said: "Tulisa jumped out a helicopter, how’s she exempt from heights?" Matt added: "Tulisa saying she knows it’s heights as that’s what she’s exempt from? Did I dream her jumping out a plane at the start of the series?" Sunday's episode was a dramatic one as Coleen competed in her first Bushtucker Trial. However, before she took on Absolute Carnage, she shared a story about life in America when jetted across the Atlantic when her husband, Wayne Rooney, played for DC United. The 38-year-old revealed they were invited to the White House to meet Donald Trump during his first term as President. Trump wanted the former Everton FC striker to teach his son to play football. However, Coleen revealed how she was taken aback by a comment made by the the 78-year-old. She said: We walked in and we got to get the official photograph taken in front of the Christmas tree. So Donald Trump said to his son ‘see? Told ya, all the soccer players get the good looking girls." Coleen was unimpressed by the comment from the controversial President Elect and didn't mince her words as she said: "And I told my mum, I was like ‘dirty b*****d’.” Viewers following the show loved the comment from Coleen and said it's why she should win the show. Alicia posted: "Coleen calling Donald Trump a ‘dirty b*stard’ has ENDED ME, give this girl the crown"(BPT) - The new year is a good time to reset. From a fresh start on lifestyle choices, hobbies or pursuits, to the less exciting — but no less important — aspects of life, like memberships, contracts and even health insurance. Health insurance deductibles reset in the new year, so it's a good idea to keep that in mind as you plan for healthcare expenses. Any changes made to your health insurance plan during open enrollment go into effect as well. "Even if you spent hours researching your health plan before making a selection, there's always a possibility for the occasional surprise once coverage kicks in, which is why it's important to assess your healthcare coverage and address any gaps before January 1," said Doug Armstrong, Vice President of Health Products and Services at AARP Services, Inc. "AARP members can take advantage of benefits available to them to help find the coverage and savings information they seek." 1. Examine your vision coverage Eye health is important to quality of life, both in terms of moving around safely and appreciating your surroundings. Regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist or optometrist can help make sure your vision is sharp while also monitoring for any issues. However, many health insurance plans don't include vision coverage. If you do see a gap in your coverage, AARP members have access to information on vision insurance options that offer individual and family plans, featuring a large doctor network, savings on frames, lens enhancements, progressives and more. 2. Plan for prescriptions While several health plans offer coverage for prescription drugs, discounts can vary, especially when it comes to different types of medication. AARP ® Prescription Discounts Provided by Optum RX ® can help with savings. This program offers a free prescription discount card that can be used at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide for savings on FDA-approved medications. Additional benefits for AARP members include home delivery, deeper discounts on medications, coverage for dependents and more. 3. Confirm your primary care With a new health insurance plan, you might find that your primary care physician is no longer in-network or that they no longer accept your insurance. Perhaps you have relocated and are in the market for a new doctor. Whatever the case, there's no time like the present to search for a new primary care physician who meets your needs. If you're on Medicare, Oak Street Health can be a great resource. The only primary care provider to carry the AARP name, Oak Street Health provides primary care for adults on Medicare and focuses on prevention with personalized care to help keep you healthy — physically, mentally and socially. Benefits include same-day/next-day appointments where available, convenient locations, a dedicated care team and a 24/7 patient support line. AARP membership is not required to visit an Oak Street Health location. 4. Protect your smile Optimal dental care includes daily brushing and flossing and a visit to the dentist every six months. During your visit, the dentist can monitor for and treat any issues, such as cavities or gum disease. However, not all plans include dental insurance, which means you might end up paying out of pocket for your cleaning and other procedures. To avoid that, take a look at your coverage. If needed, explore information on dental insurance options that offer individual or family coverage for the most common dental procedures. Dental insurance generally pays for regular check-ups, so many people who purchase protection will benefit from it immediately. 5. Clarify your hearing coverage Hearing loss is a common age-related ailment. 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These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.Let inmates help train prison guards, says charity

If you want to sit around griping about the state of the world, don’t do it at a meeting of the St. Paul Optimist Club. They don’t call themselves “optimists” for nothing. The club members are “people who want to share the attitude of optimism,” said Margie Bodas, a member and one of the club’s many past presidents. “You need optimism or nothing will get done. If you don’t have optimism, you kind of just stagnate.” The Optimist Club of St. Paul , one of nearly two dozen chapters in Minnesota of Optimist International , definitely has not stagnated. One of the state’s oldest local groups, it celebrates its 100th anniversary this month. At a gala the club held a few weeks ago, a couple of dozen past presidents attended. The club has had a different president every year throughout that century, Bodas said, with the exception of a year during COVID-19. Also attending were young people who’ve received scholarships from the club, one of its most important projects. But underlying their array of community volunteering projects, the Optimists emphasize the importance of maintaining a positive outlook. It’s even written into the club’s official creed, which asks members to commit to a list of upbeat promises, such as “Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true,” and “Wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.” The strong emphasis on optimism subtly distinguishes the Optimists from other community service organizations, said Diane Koch, another member. Not that members of other groups are pessimistic, but if the Lions are known for recycling eyeglasses and Rotary places more focus on local economic growth, the Optimists are all about being hopeful for the future. “Optimism isn’t necessarily that you’re walking around giddy and smiling,” said Koch, who sometimes plucks a tenet from the creed to put at the end of an email. “It’s an attitude that ‘This too will pass. We’ll get through it.’” And the Optimist Club should know, having made it through the Great Depression and Dust Bowl era in the 1930s, World War II the following decade, the arms race in the decades after that, and assorted assassinations, protests and economic ups and downs over the years. Most current members don’t remember the early decades. But they may find it comforting to remember that the nation has faced challenges at least as potentially worrisome as conflicts going on today. In fact, it’s the club’s ability to rise above such conflicts that Bodas likes most about being a member. Unlike in many social situations, she gets an opportunity to meet people whose politics may differ, and engage in a shared passion for helping youth. For instance, club members get together monthly to cook a meal for members of the Jeremiah Program, an organization that supports single mothers and their children. “If you start with your differences you’re not going to get far,” Bodas said. Club members don’t spend much time debating differences of opinion, “but they’re there and we all know who thinks what,” she said. “And we still find things that we share together that are important to us. Neither of us is going to be able to change the other person. We are able to talk about it and still get together and do stuff. I just think that’s something pretty special these days.” Optimist Club members tend to skew middle-aged or older, most ranging from 40 to 80 but with a few members in their 20s and 30s (daytime meetings can be a hurdle for people with jobs and kids at home). There’s some ethnic diversity, Bodas said. Socioeconomically, most members are in the middle-class-and-up brackets. Beyond that, though, they include “real-estate people, morticians, construction people,” said Karl Olson of Minneapolis, who has been in the club for 48 years. (There was a Minneapolis group previously, but it’s no longer operating.) “My insurance agent was in the original chartered club and said ‘Karl, you’d be a real good person to be in Optimist Club,” said the 81-year-old Olson, who retired from 3M in 2004 and became a wine representative. “So I went to a meeting. ... It was the best decision I ever made,” Olson said. “I wanted to work with children.” Through the club, Olson volunteered in a program at a St. Paul high school for students who’d been missing class, and a different project involving kids in recovery. “We’d go there once a month and have pizza with these kids. We were role models, we’d play board games, play cards, once in a while go cross-country skiing or take them on hay ride,” he said. For 30 years the St. Paul Optimists have operated a Youth Appreciation program that this year provided $3,000 post-high-school scholarships for 15 students who’d overcome some substantial challenge and have plans for continuing their education. “A lot of these kids are immigrants, the first in their family” to pursue education past high school. “It could be culinary school, it could be a trade school, it could be Macalester College, could be anything,” Olson said. Many volunteer projects struggle to find participants who can make a long-term commitment; people’s schedules are busy and many would prefer a one off. One advantage of the Optimist Club is that it lets members pitch in on volunteer opportunities as their schedules permit, without requiring long-term commitments by individuals. “Let’s say you want to do bell-ringing for Salvation Army; that’s a four-hour commitment,” Olson said. “We meet with the Jeremiah Program every month. You can go whenever your schedule’s free. ‘You always have enough people that you don’t have to say, ‘Yeah I’m going to do that for the next year.’” And members do sincerely want to find ways to help their communities. That’s what has kept the club going for its first 100 years, Bodas said. “There’s just such a similarity in belief that you can do something,” she said. “There are just so many shared values that keep us together.”

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguayans on Sunday voted in the second round of the country's presidential election , with the conservative governing party and a left-leaning coalition locked in a close runoff following level-headed campaigns widely seen as emblematic of the country's strong democracy. As polls closed Sunday evening, turnout stood at 89.4% — around the same as during the first round last month in which the two moderate coalitions both failed to win an outright majority. Voting in Uruguay is compulsory. Depending on how tight the vote turns out to be, electoral officials may not call the race for days — as happened in the contentious 2019 runoff that brought center-right President Luis Lacalle Pou to office and ended 15 years of rule by Uruguay’s left-leaning Broad Front by a razor-thin margin. Álvaro Delgado, the incumbent party’s candidate who won nearly 27% in the first round of voting on Oct. 27, has campaigned under the slogan “re-elect a good government." Other conservative parties that make up the government coalition — in particular, the Colorado Party that came in third place last month — notched 20% of the vote collectively, enough to give Delgado an edge over his challenger. Yamandú Orsi from the Broad Front, who took 44% of the vote in the general election, is promising to forge a “new left” in Uruguay that draws on the memory of stability and economic growth under his Broad Front coalition, which presided over pioneering social reforms that won widespread international acclaim from 2005-2020, including the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and sale of marijuana . With inflation easing and the economy expected to expand by some 3.2% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, surveys show that Uruguayans remain largely satisfied with the administration of Lacalle Pou, who constitutionally cannot run for a second consecutive term. But persistent complaints about sluggish growth, stagnant wages and an upsurge in violent crime could just as easily add the small South American nation to a long list of places this year where frustrated voters have punished incumbents in elections around the world. With most polls showing a virtual tie between Delgado and Orsi, analysts say the vote may hinge on a small group of undecided voters — roughly 10% of registered voters in the nation of 3.4 million people. “Neither candidate convinced me and I feel that there are many in my same situation,” said Vanesa Gelezoglo, 31, in the capital, Montevideo, adding she would make up her mind at “the last minute.” Analysts say the candidates’ lackluster campaigns and broad consensus on key issues have generated extraordinary indecision and apathy in an election dominated by discussions about social spending and concerns over income inequality but largely free of the anti-establishment rage that has vaulted populist outsiders to power in neighboring Argentina and the United States. “The question of whether Frente Amplio (the Broad Front) raises taxes is not an existential question, unlike what we saw in the U.S. with Trump and Kamala framing each other as threats to democracy," said Nicolás Saldías, a Latin America and Caribbean senior analyst for the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit. “That doesn't exist in Uruguay.” Both candidates are also appealing to voter angst over the current government's struggle to stem the rise in violent crime that has shaken a nation long regarded as one of the region’s safest, with Delgado promising tough-on-crime policies and Orsi advocating a more community-oriented approach. Delgado, 55, a rural veterinarian with a long career in the National Party, served most recently as Secretary of the Presidency for Lacalle Pou and promises to pursue his predecessor’s pro-business policies. He would continue pushing for a trade deal with China that has raised hackles in Mercosur, an alliance of South American countries promoting regional commerce. "We have to give the government coalition a chance to consolidate its proposals,” said Ramiro Pérez, a street vendor voting for Delgado on Sunday. Orsi, 57, a former history teacher and two-time mayor from a working-class background, is widely seen as the political heir to former President José “Pepe” Mujica , an ex-Marxist guerilla who became a global icon for helping transform Uruguay into one of the region's most socially liberal and environmentally sustainable nations. “He's my candidate, not only for my sake but also for my children's,” Yeny Varone, a nurse at a polling station, said of Orsi. “In the future they'll have better working conditions, health and salaries.” Mujica, now 89 and recovering from esophageal cancer , turned up at his local polling station before balloting even began, praising Orsi's humility and Uruguay’s famous stability. “This is no small feat,” he said of Uruguay's “citizenry that respects formal institutions.” Orsi planned no dramatic changes, and, despite his call for a revitalized left-wing, his platform continues the Broad Front's traditional mix of market-friendly policies and welfare programs. He proposes tax incentives to lure investment and social security reforms that would lower the retirement age but fall short of a radical overhaul sought by Uruguay's unions. The contentious plebiscite on whether to boost pension payouts failed to pass in October, with Uruguayans rejecting generous pensions in favor of fiscal constraint. Both candidates pledged full cooperation with each other if elected. “I want (Orsi) to know that my idea is to form a government of national unity,” Delgado told reporters after casting his vote in the capital's upscale Pocitos neighborhood. He said that if he won, he and Orsi would chat on Monday over some yerba mate, the traditional herbal drink beloved by Uruguayans. Orsi described Sunday's democratic exercise as “an incredible experience" as he voted in Canelones, the sprawling town of beaches and cattle ranches just north of Montevideo where he served as mayor for a decade. “The essence of politics is agreements,” he said. “You never end up completely satisfied.” Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre in Villa Tunari, Bolivia, contributed to this report.

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Just in time for last-minute Christmas shopping, Kohl’s is having its Friends and Family sale right now through Dec. 24. Get an extra 25% off select products during the sales event with code SHOP25. The sale includes a popular cocktail maker that thousands have recently purchased, according to the Kohl’s website. Whether you want to gift the cocktail maker this Christmas or you’re looking to upgrade your bar and have it for New Year’s Eve and other parties to come, this is what you need. The BLACK+DECKER BEV cocktail maker with a bonus bar mat is $277.49 (originally $369.99 and pictured above). What’s great is you can pick this product up in-store for free if you order online. Just make sure the store where you want to pick it up at has it in stock. The device is made to connect directly with five standard 750-milliliter liquor bottles, letting you create more than 40 cocktails using cocktail capsules that are sold separately. It also has a self-rinsing feature after each drink and has a recommended cleaning mode to maintain hygiene every 30 days. It even has a “Party Mode” which triggers LED illumination which will make mixing cocktails all the more fun. More products in the Kohl’s Friends & Family sale to consider: Shark FlexStyle air drying & styling system for $249.99 (originally $299.99): This system uses advanced heating technology that regulates temperatures 1,000 times per second to ensure minimal heat exposure while styling. You can choose from four heat settings and three airflow settings. The device comes with essential attachments, including two 1.25-inch auto-wrap curlers that utilize Coanda; an oval brush for smoothing and volumizing; a paddle brush for straightening; and a styling concentrator for targeted airflow. Food Network 10-piece textured titanium nonstick cookware set for $134.99 (originally $179.99): One of the great features this cookware set has is its textured titanium-reinforced nonstick interior, which not only helps get the food off more easily but also provides durability against scratching and wear compared to traditional nonstick surfaces. Columbia men’s Steens Mountain full-zip fleece jacket for $34.99 (originally $46): It features elastic cuffs, a full-zip front closure and a zippered pocket, making it work for outdoor activities. Made as a regular fit, the jacket is made from 100% polyester. It comes in colors including Charcoal Heather, Light Gray Heather and Collegiate Navy. Serta Soothing Cool gel memory foam pillow for $59.99 (originally $79.99): One of the features that sticks out with this pillow is its cooling gel-infused memory foam layer. The layer helps regulate body temperature making it ideal for warm nights but also provides personalized comfort that conforms to your head and neck. The pillow promotes proper spinal alignment, reducing discomfort and minimizing tossing and turning. Stories by Kaylee Remington Toto, Christopher Cross and Men At Work Cleveland tickets: Seats under $35 Dec. 19, 2024, 11:30a.m. ‘A Saturday Night Live Christmas’ free stream: Where to watch today Dec. 18, 2024, 6:37p.m. Tyler Perry’s ‘Sistas’ season 8 mid-season FINALE free stream: Watch today Dec. 18, 2024, 6:12p.m. Kate Spade Outlet Kenzie mini crossbody bags under $57 Dec. 18, 2024, 4:43p.m. Stanley Pink Paradise tumbler restock: Buy before it sells out again Dec. 18, 2024, 3:25p.m. Kaylee Remington is the shopping and entertainment commerce reporter and metro reporter for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Read her work online . Generative AI was used to help produce an initial draft of this story, based on information from Kohl’s, which was reviewed and edited by cleveland.com staff.UVAS, Chinese firm agree on goat breeding research

GENEVA -- Saudi Arabia’s growing influence and massive spending in global sports ahead of being confirmed by FIFA as the 2034 World Cup host was detailed on Monday in a report that cited risks to good governance off the field. More than 900 sponsor deals — more than one-third traced to the $925 billion Saudi sovereign wealth fund — and a network of officials with overlapping state, business and sports roles were cited by Play The Game, a publicly funded sports ethics institute in Denmark. The oil-rich kingdom’s investment of tens of billions of dollars in soccer, golf, boxing, tennis, the Esports Olympics and a yet-to-be-built ski resort will get its most coveted prize next week from FIFA, the 2034 World Cup in men’s soccer. The close ties between FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were built since 2018 amid global criticism of the kingdom’s record on human rights , including for women, migrant workers and freedom of expression. “Saudi Arabia’s sports strategy seeks to divert attention from these realities, revealing the tension between the ideals of sport and the realities of power, money, and politics,” Play The Game’s Stanis Elsborg said in the report. FIFA passed a mandatory step toward the 2034 decision by publishing at the weekend an in-house evaluation of the World Cup hosting plan that offered more praise than critical analysis , including labor issues for how most of the 15 stadiums will be built. On Dec. 11 in Zurich, FIFA will host an online meeting to ask more than 200 member federations to acclaim Saudi Arabia as the 2034 host, 14 months after shaping a fast-tracked and narrow-focused contest that produced just one candidate. Nearly 50 of those voters have signed working agreements with the Saudi soccer federation, while the soccer bodies for North America, Africa and Asia separately struck cooperation deals or tournament sponsor deals with the sovereign Public Investment Fund (PIF), state oil firm Aramco and the planned megacity project Neom. “The awarding of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia is merely the culmination of years of strategic investments and behind-the-scenes manoeuvring,” said the report, called “Saudi Arabia's grip on world sport.” FIFA itself signed Aramco in April to an elevated World Cup sponsor category of “major worldwide partner,” worth a reported $100 million each year through 2027. The chairman of Aramco, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, also is governor of the PIF which has a goal to "deliver a strategy focused on achieving attractive financial returns and long-term value for the country.” He is chairman also of the LIV Golf project, new airline Riyadh Air, and English Premier League club Newcastle. “Aramco and FIFA intend to leverage the power of football to create impactful social initiatives around the world,” FIFA said in April. Saudi state and sports officials have consistently cited the crown prince's Vision 2030 program to diversify the economy beyond dependence on oil and modernize the traditionally conservative society while giving opportunities to a young population. Infantino has not taken questions from international media, nor held a news conference, in the 14 months since the Saudi candidacy was declared. No news conference is scheduled on Dec. 11 at FIFA headquarters after the closed-doors meeting. More Saudi commercial deals are expected after the 2034 World Cup decision, either for the 2026 edition being played in North America or the revamped Club World Cup being staged by the United States next year. “It’s very complex — there’s lots of interlinked parts,” Dan Plumley, sports finance expert at Sheffield Hallam University, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview on Monday. “We are living in a utopia if we think that sport and politics can be separated in the modern world because that’s impossible,” Plumley said. “There is always power, influence and money, which ultimately dictates the direction of travel.” ___ AP Sports Writer Steve Douglas contributed. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerNoneAP Sports SummaryBrief at 5:35 p.m. EST

Campaigning for this week’s national polls reached a climax over the weekend as several political parties held their final rallies nationwide before voters cast their ballots on ... If you are an active subscriber and the article is not showing, please log out and back in. Free access to articles from 12:00.

Synaptics SVP sells $33,030 in stock under trading planThe nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, which will be controlled by Republicans when Trump takes office Jan. 20, 2025. Rollins would succeed Tom Vilsack, President Joe Biden’s agriculture secretary who oversees the sprawling agency that controls policies, regulations and aid programs related to farming, forestry, ranching, food quality and nutrition. Rollins, an attorney who was the first female student body president and graduated from A&M in 1994 with an undergraduate degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. Rollins previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, another Aggie, and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. She worked as a litigation attorney in Dallas and also clerked for a federal judge in the Northern District of Texas after earning her law degree from the University of Texas. Rollins was among the people floated as a potential White House chief of staff. That job went to Susie Wiles, Trump’s co-campaign manager. The pick completes Trump’s selection of the heads of executive branch departments, just two and a half weeks after the former president won the White House once again. Several other picks that are traditionally Cabinet-level remain, including U.S. Trade Representative and head of the small business administration. Rollins is the second Texan Trump has tapped for his cabinet in as many days. On Friday, he said his choice to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development is Scott Turner, a former state Republican representative from Frisco. Turner’s and Rollins’ positions both require Senate confirmation before becoming official. Other Texans selected for the new administration are U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe for CIA director, former Hawaii U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who now lives in Leander, for director of national intelligence, and businessman Elon Musk, whose primary residence is Cameron County, for an unpaid position leading the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. Rollins, speaking on the Christian talk show “Family Talk” earlier this year, said Trump was an “amazing boss” and confessed that she thought in 2015, during his first presidential campaign that he would not last as a candidate in a crowded Republican primary field. “I was the person that said, ‘Oh, Donald Trump is not going to go more than two or three weeks in the Republican primary. This is to up his TV show ratings. And then we’ll get back to normal,’” she said. “Fast forward a couple of years, and I am running his domestic policy agenda.” Rollins told the Texas A&M Foundation in 2022 why she chose to run for A&M student body president. “I knew there would be people who doubted me, but I was confident that if I had the right vision and message, I could be elected,” she said. “I didn’t run to prove any political ideology but rather to show that Texas A&M elevates everyone. “We held rallies, knocked on a lot of doors and worked hard to ensure students knew I wanted to be a leader who heard and amplified their voices and needs. I think people saw that I was driven to serve every student, so the fact that I was the first female was a small detail in the bigger picture of an effective, impactful campaign.” She lives in Fort Worth with her husband, Mark, also Class of ‘94, and have four children together. Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp offered his congratulations. “Aggieland is very proud of our own Brooke Rollins for her appointment to Secretary of Agriculture," Sharp said in a statement. "From her time as student body president at Texas A&M University, she has shown remarkable leadership and interpersonal skills. We at the largest agriculture research university in the country could not be prouder of her.” Trump didn’t offer many specifics about his agriculture policies during the campaign, but farmers could be affected if he carries out his pledge to impose widespread tariffs. During the first Trump administration, countries like China responded to Trump’s tariffs by imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports like the corn and soybeans routinely sold overseas. Trump countered by offering massive multibillion-dollar aid to farmers to help them weather the trade war. President Abraham Lincoln founded the USDA in 1862, when about half of all Americans lived on farms. The USDA oversees multiple support programs for farmers; animal and plant health; and the safety of meat, poultry and eggs that anchor the nation’s food supply. Its federal nutrition programs provide food to low-income people, pregnant women and young children. And the agency sets standards for school meals. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has vowed to strip ultraprocessed foods from school lunches and to stop allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries from using food stamps to buy soda, candy or other so-called junk foods. But it would be the USDA, not HHS, that would be responsible for enacting those changes. In addition, HHS and USDA will work together to finalize the 2025-30 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They are due late next year, with guidance for healthy diets and standards for federal nutrition programs.

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Top 2025 New Year's resolutions and products to help you achieve them(BPT) - The new year is a good time to reset. From a fresh start on lifestyle choices, hobbies or pursuits, to the less exciting — but no less important — aspects of life, like memberships, contracts and even health insurance. Health insurance deductibles reset in the new year, so it's a good idea to keep that in mind as you plan for healthcare expenses. Any changes made to your health insurance plan during open enrollment go into effect as well. "Even if you spent hours researching your health plan before making a selection, there's always a possibility for the occasional surprise once coverage kicks in, which is why it's important to assess your healthcare coverage and address any gaps before January 1," said Doug Armstrong, Vice President of Health Products and Services at AARP Services, Inc. "AARP members can take advantage of benefits available to them to help find the coverage and savings information they seek." 1. Examine your vision coverage Eye health is important to quality of life, both in terms of moving around safely and appreciating your surroundings. Regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist or optometrist can help make sure your vision is sharp while also monitoring for any issues. However, many health insurance plans don't include vision coverage. If you do see a gap in your coverage, AARP members have access to information on vision insurance options that offer individual and family plans, featuring a large doctor network, savings on frames, lens enhancements, progressives and more. 2. Plan for prescriptions While several health plans offer coverage for prescription drugs, discounts can vary, especially when it comes to different types of medication. AARP ® Prescription Discounts Provided by Optum RX ® can help with savings. This program offers a free prescription discount card that can be used at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide for savings on FDA-approved medications. Additional benefits for AARP members include home delivery, deeper discounts on medications, coverage for dependents and more. 3. Confirm your primary care With a new health insurance plan, you might find that your primary care physician is no longer in-network or that they no longer accept your insurance. Perhaps you have relocated and are in the market for a new doctor. Whatever the case, there's no time like the present to search for a new primary care physician who meets your needs. If you're on Medicare, Oak Street Health can be a great resource. The only primary care provider to carry the AARP name, Oak Street Health provides primary care for adults on Medicare and focuses on prevention with personalized care to help keep you healthy — physically, mentally and socially. Benefits include same-day/next-day appointments where available, convenient locations, a dedicated care team and a 24/7 patient support line. AARP membership is not required to visit an Oak Street Health location. 4. Protect your smile Optimal dental care includes daily brushing and flossing and a visit to the dentist every six months. During your visit, the dentist can monitor for and treat any issues, such as cavities or gum disease. However, not all plans include dental insurance, which means you might end up paying out of pocket for your cleaning and other procedures. To avoid that, take a look at your coverage. If needed, explore information on dental insurance options that offer individual or family coverage for the most common dental procedures. Dental insurance generally pays for regular check-ups, so many people who purchase protection will benefit from it immediately. 5. Clarify your hearing coverage Hearing loss is a common age-related ailment. According to the National Institute on Aging , one-third of older adults have hearing loss, and the chance of developing hearing loss increases with age. Hearing aids can be an enormous help, improving socialization, boosting confidence and even helping to increase balance. However, many insurance plans do not include coverage for hearing aids. AARP ® Hearing SolutionsTM provided by UnitedHealthcare ® Hearing provides savings on hearing aids and hearing care . Members can save an average of $2,000 per pair on prescription hearing aids and 15% on accessories — no insurance needed. Plus receive a hearing exam and consultation at no cost and personalized support through a large nationwide network of hearing providers. 6. Consider physical therapy Often, the only times that people consider whether their health insurance covers physical therapy is if they already participate in it or after the doctor has prescribed it. As we age, though, physical therapy can be a useful tool in improving balance or recovering from an injury or procedure to help you remain active. Fortunately, the question of coverage or finding an in-network location doesn't have to derail you. AARP ® Physical Therapy At HomeTM by Luna accepts most insurances and Medicare and is available to members and non-members alike. Plus, Luna's experts come to you, so you can receive quality care from the comfort of your home. If you're creating an end-of-year to-do list, consider adding an assessment of your healthcare coverage. After all, the best time to realize you have a gap in coverage is before you need it. To learn more about AARP member benefits, visit aarp.org/benefits . AARP and its affiliates are not insurers, agents, brokers or producers. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.

Patriots turn their attention to the future after being eliminated from playoff contention

( MENAFN - Khaama Press) In Pakistan's western Thar Desert, Cholistan stands as a stark reminder of environmental challenges and socio-economic struggles. Once a vital part of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, this arid region now grapples with environmental decline and limited development. The Hakra River, which sustained life in this area for thousands of years, disappeared 166 years ago due to the construction of the Ottu Weir by the East India Company. Today, its dry riverbed stretches over 100 kilometers, symbolizing environmental transformation. This change has left approximately 1.2 million residents, mainly nomadic pastoralists, in a daily struggle for survival. The region's persistent drought underscores the urgent need for water management reforms. In May alone, over 50 livestock deaths were reported-a critical loss for pastoralist communities reliant on cattle for their livelihood. Water shortages in Cholistan highlight the pressing challenges of sustainable resource management. As one of the world's most water-stressed countries, Pakistan faces significant agricultural and food security risks, compounded by a projected 38% water shortage from the Indus River System Authority. The Punjab government's recent development initiatives aim to convert 1.2 million acres into farmland, potentially reshaping the region's socio-economic landscape. However, concerns remain about equitable resource distribution. Indigenous Rohilla communities have expressed worries about being marginalized as agricultural expansion progresses. Environmental experts warn of potential ecological consequences such as soil salinization and aquifer depletion, emphasizing the need for sustainable agricultural practices. Cholistan's challenges extend beyond environmental concerns to social and economic development. Community-driven water management systems, if supported by modern technologies such as solar-powered Riverbank Filtration systems, could enhance water availability. Drought-resistant crops like millet and guar offer promising agricultural alternatives, aligning with both environmental sustainability and economic viability. The human and ecological heritage of Cholistan is significant. The region hosts unique wildlife such as the Chinkara gazelle, Brela camel, and migratory birds. Additionally, over 400 archaeological sites linked to the Indus Valley Civilization hold immense historical value. Protecting these cultural and ecological assets requires a balanced approach that integrates conservation with development. Pakistan's broader development trajectory reflects similar patterns of underinvestment and regional disparities. Provinces like Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan face socio-economic challenges despite their rich natural resources and strategic importance. Addressing these disparities requires inclusive national policies that prioritize equitable development and infrastructure investment. Cholistan's story is ultimately about resilience and the potential for sustainable development. With community-centered policies, modern water management techniques, and an emphasis on preserving its unique heritage, the region could transform into a model of environmental sustainability and socio-economic progress. Cholistan's future rests on a commitment to development that respects both human dignity and ecological balance. MENAFN19122024000228011069ID1109014361 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.AP News Summary at 6:33 p.m. EST