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being super game download Protesters storm National Assembly, details emerge"The Council of Autism Service Providers" And "ABA Centers" Partner to Ring Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchangeor signup to continue reading Victoria's Hume Region has seen growing investments into solar energy over the past few years, with the area being recognised by state and council bodies as a suitable location for the placement of solar farms. With market analysts projecting that Australia's solar output could (when compared to the nation's current estimated solar capacity), the development of solar farms across the Hume Region is set to play a major role in Australia reaching its Sustainable Development Goals. These trends haven't been ignored by Hume residents, with residential areas from Mitchell Shire and Mansfield all the way across to Towonga and Albury-Wodonga, all recording positive trends in solar investments across homeowners. The uptake of investments in (or 'solar photovoltaic systems') has also demonstrated that residents of the Hume Region are right on track to doing their part in Australia's flourishing solar revolution. We'll be taking a look back on the Hume Region's solar market growth over 2024, alongside showcasing projections of what's in store for the region's greening future. Currently, there are three established solar farms in the Hume Region, these being: Numurkah Solar Farm was the largest solar farm in Victoria at the time of its commissioning, but has since been usurped in size by Kiamal Solar Farm in Victoria's northwest. Alongside these three established solar farms, the Hume Region is also home to these developing solar farm projects: Alongside these three developing projects, there are estimates that more will come, with Greater Hume Council being supportive of emerging renewable energy projects, recognising the potential for solar farms to generate not just clean energy to power Victoria, but for local professionals and business owners as well. It's uncontested that Hume's solar farms are positioned to contribute significantly to the state's overall solar gains on top of providing solar energy to public service providers (i.e. Metro Melbourne, local power grids, etc.). However, there are reports suggesting that rooftop PV solar systems will end up of Australia's total solar energy output. This is because collectively, rooftop solar systems cover a wider combined area when compared to dedicated solar farms. With these figures in mind, local residents have been inspired to invest in their own solar PV solutions, contributing to the region's combined solar gains and maintaining the Hume Region's position as one of the state's largest solar producers, next to the Mallee Region bordering South Australia in Victoria's northwest. Here are the top towns leading the Hume Region in its monumental solar revolution: Historically, the benefit of solar farms over rooftop solar PV systems is that solar farms possessed the necessary infrastructure for solar energy storage via the use of battery cells. However, with recent advancements in the performance and capacity of for photovoltaic systems, residential households can also retain excess solar energy produced by their panels to power their homes virtually year-round, depending on the availability of solar energy. Simply put, the addition of solar battery investments provides residential solar investors with new opportunities to greatly reduce their reliance on solar farms or even on their local power grid. The ability to retain solar energy in greater amounts also provides improved potential for off-grid living in Australia, with solar battery technology being regarded as vital to the movement for self-sufficient households and neighbourhoods not only in Hume but across a diverse range of Australia's other regional areas as well. With solar battery investments, Hume Region residents can better harness their rooftop solar gains to accommodate not only their household's overall energy consumption, but can still make a profit by selling excess energy to their local power grid. This added fiscal benefit to solar PV system and battery investments has naturally positioned more Hume Region residents to make the green switch to solar solutions for their property. With the region's abundance of solar farms and developing solar projects, the Hume Region was already regarded as one of Victoria's highest regional producers of solar energy. Hume Region residents have the opportunity to build off of this momentum by continuing to be an example of solar readiness for wider Victoria. For Hume Region residents looking to make the switch to a solar photovoltaic system for their property and household, the best time to invest was yesterday. The second best time is right now. Make your move to solar energy today and join Australia's growing solar PV revolution. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? 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WASHINGTON — Jimmy Carter, the earnest Georgia peanut farmer who as U.S. president struggled with a bad economy and the Iran hostage crisis but brokered peace between Israel and Egypt and later received the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work, has died, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Sunday. He was 100. A Democrat, he served as president from January 1977 to January 1981 after defeating incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford in the 1976 U.S. election. Carter was swept from office four years later in an electoral landslide as voters embraced Republican challenger Ronald Reagan, the former actor and California governor. Carter lived longer after his term in office than any other U.S. president. Along the way, he earned a reputation as a better former president than he was a president -- a status he readily acknowledged. His one-term presidency was marked by the highs of the 1978 Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, bringing some stability to the Middle East. But it was dogged by an economy in recession, persistent unpopularity and the embarrassment of the Iran hostage crisis that consumed his final 444 days in office. In recent years, Carter had experienced several health issues including melanoma that spread to his liver and brain. Carter decided to receive hospice care in February 2023 instead of undergoing additional medical intervention. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, died on Nov. 19, 2023, at age 96. He looked frail when he attended her memorial service and funeral in a wheelchair. Carter left office profoundly unpopular but worked energetically for decades on humanitarian causes. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 in recognition of his "untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development." Carter had been a centrist as governor of Georgia with populist tendencies when he moved into the White House as the 39th U.S. president. He was a Washington outsider at a time when America was still reeling from the Watergate scandal that led Republican Richard Nixon to resign as president in 1974 and elevated Ford from vice president. "I'm Jimmy Carter and I'm running for president. I will never lie to you," Carter promised with an ear-to-ear smile. Asked to assess his presidency, Carter said in a 1991 documentary: "The biggest failure we had was a political failure. I never was able to convince the American people that I was a forceful and strong leader." Despite his difficulties in office, Carter had few rivals for accomplishments as a former president. He gained global acclaim as a tireless human rights advocate, a voice for the disenfranchised and a leader in the fight against hunger and poverty, winning the respect that eluded him in the White House. Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts to promote human rights and resolve conflicts around the world, from Ethiopia and Eritrea to Bosnia and Haiti. His Carter Center in Atlanta sent international election-monitoring delegations to polls around the world. A Southern Baptist Sunday school teacher since his teens, Carter brought a strong sense of morality to the presidency, speaking openly about his religious faith. He also sought to take some pomp out of an increasingly imperial presidency - walking, rather than riding in a limousine, in his 1977 inauguration parade. The Middle East was the focus of Carter's foreign policy. The 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty, based on the 1978 Camp David Accords, ended a state of war between the two neighbors. Carter brought Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland for talks. Later, as the accords seemed to be unraveling, Carter saved the day by flying to Cairo and Jerusalem for personal shuttle diplomacy. The treaty provided for Israeli withdrawal from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and the establishment of diplomatic relations. Begin and Sadat each won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1978. By the 1980 election, the overriding issues were double-digit inflation, interest rates that exceeded 20% and soaring gas prices, as well as the Iran hostage crisis that brought humiliation to America. These issues marred Carter's presidency and undermined his chances of winning a second term. On Nov. 4, 1979, revolutionaries devoted to Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, seized the Americans present and demanded the return of the ousted shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was backed by the United States and was being treated in a U.S. hospital. The American public initially rallied behind Carter. But his support faded in April 1980 when a commando raid failed to rescue the hostages, with eight U.S. soldiers killed in an aircraft accident in the Iranian desert. Carter's final ignominy was that Iran held the 52 hostages until minutes after Reagan took his oath of office on Jan. 20, 1981, to replace Carter, then released the planes carrying them to freedom. In another crisis, Carter protested the former Soviet Union's 1979 invasion of Afghanistan by boycotting the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. He also asked the U.S. Senate to defer consideration of a major nuclear arms accord with Moscow. Unswayed, the Soviets remained in Afghanistan for a decade. Carter won narrow Senate approval in 1978 of a treaty to transfer the Panama Canal to the control of Panama despite critics who argued the waterway was vital to American security. He also completed negotiations on full U.S. ties with China. Carter created two new U.S. Cabinet departments -- education and energy. Amid high gas prices, he said America's "energy crisis" was "the moral equivalent of war" and urged the country to embrace conservation. "Ours is the most wasteful nation on earth," he told Americans in 1977. In 1979, Carter delivered what became known as his "malaise" speech to the nation, although he never used that word. "After listening to the American people I have been reminded again that all the legislation in the world can't fix what's wrong with America," he said in his televised address. "The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America." As president, the strait-laced Carter was embarrassed by the behavior of his hard-drinking younger brother, Billy Carter, who had boasted: "I got a red neck, white socks, and Blue Ribbon beer." Jimmy Carter withstood a challenge from Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy for the 1980 Democratic presidential nomination but was politically diminished heading into his general election battle against a vigorous Republican adversary. Reagan, the conservative who projected an image of strength, kept Carter off balance during their debates before the November 1980 election. Reagan dismissively told Carter, "There you go again," when the Republican challenger felt the president had misrepresented Reagan's views during one debate. Carter lost the 1980 election to Reagan, who won 44 of the 50 states and amassed an Electoral College landslide. James Earl Carter Jr. was born on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, one of four children of a farmer and shopkeeper. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946, served in the nuclear submarine program and left to manage the family peanut farming business. He married his wife, Rosalynn, in 1946, a union he called "the most important thing in my life." They had three sons and a daughter. Carter became a millionaire, a Georgia state legislator and Georgia's governor from 1971 to 1975. He mounted an underdog bid for the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination, and out-hustled his rivals for the right to face Ford in the general election. With Walter Mondale as his vice presidential running mate, Carter was given a boost by a major Ford gaffe during one of their debates. Ford said that "there is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe and there never will be under a Ford administration," despite decades of just such domination. Carter edged Ford in the election, even though Ford actually won more states -- 27 to Carter's 23. Not all of Carter's post-presidential work was appreciated. Former President George W. Bush and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, both Republicans, were said to have been displeased by Carter's freelance diplomacy in Iraq and elsewhere. In 2004, Carter called the Iraq war launched in 2003 by the younger Bush one of the most "gross and damaging mistakes our nation ever made." He called George W. Bush's administration "the worst in history" and said Vice President Dick Cheney was "a disaster for our country." In 2019, Carter questioned Republican Donald Trump's legitimacy as president, saying "he was put into office because the Russians interfered on his behalf." Trump responded by calling Carter "a terrible president." Carter also made trips to communist North Korea. A 1994 visit defused a nuclear crisis, as President Kim Il Sung agreed to freeze his nuclear program in exchange for resumed dialog with the United States. That led to a deal in which North Korea, in return for aid, promised not to restart its nuclear reactor or reprocess the plant's spent fuel. But Carter irked Democratic President Bill Clinton's administration by announcing the deal with North Korea's leader without first checking with Washington. In 2010, Carter won the release of an American sentenced to eight years hard labor for illegally entering North Korea. Carter wrote more than two dozen books, ranging from a presidential memoir to a children's book and poetry, as well as works about religious faith and diplomacy. His book "Faith: A Journey for All," was published in 2018.

At least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank around the city of Tulkarem on Tuesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, including three people it said were killed by Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a second somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of the war in Gaza, with most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent. Israel's bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel in October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage by Palestinian militants. Around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza , although only two thirds are believed to still be alive. Here’s the latest: NUR SHAMS REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank — The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in and around the city of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank on Tuesday. The ministry reported three of the dead were killed by airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. An Associated Press photojournalist captured images of Israeli forces detonating an explosive device planted by Palestinian militants during a raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp. Israel has carried out several large-scale raids in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, ignited by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. While airstrikes were once rare in the West Bank, they have grown more common since the outbreak of war as Israeli forces clamp down, saying they aim to prevent attacks on their citizens. Israeli fire has killed at least 800 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, Palestinian health officials say. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. SAYDNAYA, Syria — A large crowd of Syrians gathered near a historic monastery in Saydnaya on Christmas Eve to witness the lighting of a towering tree adorned with glowing green lights. Tuesday's celebration offered a rare moment of joy in a city scarred by over a decade of war and an infamous prison , where tens of thousands were held. Families and friends stood beneath the illuminated tree — some wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops — while a band played festive music and fireworks lit up the sky “This year is different, there’s happiness, victory and a new birth for Syria and a new birth for Christ,” said Houssam Saadeh, one attendee. Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed hope for unity across all sects and religions in Syria, dismissing recent Christmas tree vandalism as “isolated incidents.” Earlier in the afternoon, pilgrims visited the historic Our Lady of Saydnaya Monastery, one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries, believed to be built in the sixth century. In Homs, a similarly grand Christmas tree was illuminated as security officers patrolled the area to ensure a safe and peaceful gathering, according to Syria’s state media. UNITED NATIONS -- Recent attacks on hospitals in North Gaza, where Israel is carrying out an offensive, are having a devastating impact on Palestinian civilians still in the area, the U.N. humanitarian office says. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed deep concern at reports that the Israeli military entered the Indonesian Hospital on Tuesday, forcing its evacuation. The humanitarian office, known as OCHA, also expressed deep concern at attacks reported in recent days in and around the two other hospitals in North Gaza that are minimally functioning – Al Awda and Kamal Adwan. OCHA said the Israeli siege on Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia and parts of Jaballiya in North Gaza continued for a 79th day on Tuesday, and while the U.N. and its partners have made 52 attempts to coordinate humanitarian access to besieged areas in December 48 were rejected by Israel. While four missions were approved, OCHA said the U.N. and its partners faced impediments as a result of Israeli military operations and “none of the U.N.-coordinated attempts to access the area have been fully facilitated.” Throughout the Gaza Strip, OCHA said that Israeli authorities facilitated just 40% of requests for humanitarian movements requiring their approval in December. WASHINGTON — A leading global food crisis monitor says deaths from starvation will likely pass famine levels in north Gaza as soon as next month. The U.S.-created Famine Early Warning System Network says that’s because of a near-total Israeli blockade of food and other aid in that part of Gaza. The finding, however, appears to have exposed a rift within the Biden administration over the extent of starvation in northern Gaza. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, disputes part of the data used in reaching the conclusion and calls the intensified famine warning “irresponsible.” Northern Gaza has been one of the areas hardest-hit by fighting and Israel’s restrictions on aid throughout its 14-month war with Hamas militants. UNITED NATIONS — Israel’s foreign minister has requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to condemn recent missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and to condemn the group's Iranian allies for allegedly providing the group with weapons. Gideon Saar said in a letter Tuesday to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States, which holds the council presidency this month, that the Houthis are violating international law and council resolutions. “This Iranian-backed terrorist group continues to endanger Israel’s and other nations’ security, as well as the freedom of maritime navigation, in flagrant violation of international law,” Saar said. “All of this malign activity is done as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region.” The U.S. Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to an email asking when the council meeting will be held. The Houthis have said they launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea – and on Israel -- with the aim of ending Israel’s devastating air and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli war in Gaza followed Hamas’ deadly October 2023 attacks in southern Israel. TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli military investigation has concluded that the presence of troops inadvertently contributed to the deaths of six hostages killed by their Hamas captors in Gaza. The hostages' bodies were discovered in a tunnel in late August, an event that shook Israel and sparked some of the largest anti-war protests since the war began. The investigation found that the six hostages were killed by multiple gunshots from their captors after surviving for nearly 330 days. The Israeli military’s “ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists’ decision to murder the six hostages,” the report found. According to the investigation, the Israeli military began operating in the area where the hostages were being held in southern Gaza about two weeks before their discovery, under the assumption that the chances of hostages in the area was medium to low. On August 27, hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi was found alone in a tunnel , causing the Israeli military to halt operations for 24 hours to determine if there could be other hostages in the area. The military discovered the opening leading to the tunnel where the bodies of the six hostages were located on August 30. A pathological report estimated the six hostages were killed on August 29. The six hostages killed were Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin , whose American-Israeli parents became some of the most recognized spokespeople pleading for the hostages’ release, including addressing the Democratic National Convention days before their son’s killing. “The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal,” the Hostages Families Forum said in response to the investigation. “Every passing moment puts the hostages’ lives in immediate danger.” JERUSALEM — The Israeli negotiating team working on a ceasefire returned from Qatar to Israel on Tuesday, the prime minister’s office said, after what it called “a significant week” of talks. After months of deadlock, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt resumed their mediation efforts in recent weeks and reported greater willingness by the warring sides to reach a deal. According to Egyptian and Hamas officials, the proposed agreement would take place in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of captive Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel says Hamas is holding 100 hostages, over one-third of whom are believed to be dead. On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “some progress” in efforts to reach a deal, but added he did not know how long it would take. CAIRO — Israeli soldiers took control of a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcing all the patients and most of the doctors to leave, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. Some of the patients had to walk to another hospital while others were driven by paramedics, according to Health Ministry spokesperson Zaher al-Wahidi. He did not specify how many patients had evacuated. The Israeli military confirmed its troops had entered the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Jabaliya as part of an operation searching for Hamas fighters. The army later said its soldiers had left the hospital. The military said it had assisted with evacuating the patients and had not ordered the hospital closed. However, al-Wahidi said only one doctor and maintenance person were left behind. The Indonesian Hospital is one of three hospitals left largely inaccessible in the northernmost part of Gaza because Israel has imposed a tight siege there since launching an offensive in early October. The Israeli army said Tuesday’s operation at the Indonesian Hospital came after militants carried out attacks from the hospital for the past month, including launching anti-tank missiles and planting explosive devices in the surrounding area. The Health Ministry accused Israel of “besieging and directly targeting” the three hospitals in northern Gaza. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, said Israeli drones detonated explosives near the hospital and that 20 people were wounded, including five medical staff. The Israeli military declined to comment on the operation around the hospital. DAMASCUS — Scores of Syrian Christians protested in the capital Damascus on Tuesday, demanding greater protections for their religious minority after a Christmas tree was set on fire in the city of Hama a day earlier. Many of the insurgents who now rule Syria are jihadis, although Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the main rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and spent years depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. It remains unclear who set the Christmas tree on fire Monday, which was condemned by a representative of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham who visited the town and addressed the community. “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations," the HTS representative said in a video widely shared on social media. "The Christmas tree will be fully restored by this evening.” On Tuesday, protesters marched through the streets of Bab Touma in Damascus, shouting slogans against foreign fighters and carrying large wooden crosses. “We demand that Syria be for all Syrians. We want a voice in the future of our country,” said Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church as he addressed the crowd in a church courtyard, assuring them of Christians’ rights in Syria. Since HTS led a swift offensive that overthrew President Bashar Assad earlier this month, Syria’s minority communities have been on edge, uncertain of how they will be treated under the emerging rebel-led government. “We are here to demand a democratic and free government for one people and one nation,” another protester said. “We stand united — Muslims and Christians. No to sectarianism.” DOHA — Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said that ceasefire negotiations to end the war in Gaza were ongoing in Doha in cooperation with Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediators. “We will not leave any door unopened in pursuit of reaching an agreement,” said Majid al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday. Al Ansari added that rumors the ceasefire would be reached before Christmas are “speculation.” The ceasefire negotiations come at a time when winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. Families of the approximately 100 hostages who have been held for 445 days in Gaza are also worried their loved ones will not survive another winter. In a press conference, al-Ansari also called on the international community to lift sanctions on Syria as quickly as possible on Tuesday. “The reason was the crimes of the previous regime, and that regime, with all of its authority, is no longer in place, therefor the causes for these sanctions no longer exist today,” he said. DAMASCUS, Syria — American journalist Austin Tice is believed to be still alive, according to the head of an international aid group. Nizar Zakka, who runs the Hostage Aid Worldwide organization, said there has never been any proof that Tice, who has been missing since 2012, is dead. Zakka told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday that Tice was alive in January and being held by the authorities of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad. He added that U.S. President Joe Biden said in August that Tice was alive. Zakka said he believes Tice was transferred between security agencies over the past 12 years, including in an area where Iranian-backed fighters were operating. Asked if it was possible Tice had been taken out of the country, Zakka said Assad most likely kept him in Syria as a potential bargaining chip. Biden said Dec. 8 that his administration believed Tice was alive and was committed to bringing him home, although he also acknowledged that “we have no direct evidence” of his status. TEL AVIV, Israel — Hannah Katzir, an Israeli woman who was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, and freed in a brief ceasefire last year, has died. She was 78. The Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the families of people taken captive, confirmed the death Tuesday but did not disclose the cause. Her daughter, Carmit Palty Katzir, said in a statement that her mother’s “heart could not withstand the terrible suffering since Oct. 7.” Katzir’s husband, Rami, was killed during the attack by militants who raided their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her son Elad was also kidnapped and his body was recovered in April by the Israeli military, who said he had been killed in captivity. She spent 49 days in captivity and was freed in late November 2023. Shortly after Katzir was freed, her daughter told Israeli media that she had been hospitalized with heart issues attributed to “difficult conditions and starvation” while she was held captive. TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's military said the projectile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, but it set off air raid sirens overnight in the country's populous central area, sending residents looking for cover. Israel’s rescue service Magen David Adom said a 60-year-old woman was seriously wounded after being hurt on her way to a protected space. There was no immediate comment from Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. It was the third time in a week that fire from Yemen set off sirens in Israel. On Saturday, a missile slammed into a playground in Tel Aviv, injuring 16, after Israel’s air defense system failed to intercept it. Earlier last week, Israeli jets struck Yemen’s rebel-held capital and a port city, killing nine. Israel said the strikes were in response to previous Houthi attacks.Mercurity Fintech Announces Unaudited Financial Results for First Half 2024

Dixon Electro Manufacturing, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dixon Technologies (India) Limited, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cellecor Gadgets Limited for the manufacturing of refrigerators and related components. Share Market View All Nifty Gainers View All Company Value Change %Change The collaboration aims to enhance the domestic production of refrigeration products under the ' Make in India ' initiative and cater to the growing demands of Indian consumers, it said in a statement. Cellecor Gadgets, a company in the consumer electronics industry, offers an extensive selection that includes mobile phones, smart TVs, soundbars, smartwatches, and a variety of home appliances, including refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, air coolers, geysers, and heaters. With this partnership, Dixon Electro Manufacturing is set to expand its footprint in the refrigerator market. Atul B. Lall, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Dixon Technologies, expressed his enthusiasm about the new partnership: “We are delighted to announce that Dixon Electro Manufacturing has entered into an MOU with Cellecor for manufacturing refrigerators and related components. This partnership not only broadens our customer base in the refrigerator segment but also represents a strategic milestone in our commitment to the 'Make in India' initiative, addressing the evolving needs of Indian consumers." Dixon Technologies has a diverse product portfolio across multiple sectors. The company manufactures consumer electronics such as LED TVs, home appliances like washing machines, lighting products including LED bulbs and tube lights, mobile phones, wearables, refrigerators, and telecom and IT hardware products. Dixon also offers services in reverse logistics, specialising in the repair and refurbishment of LED TV panels. Shares of Dixon Technologies closed 1.30% higher today, at ₹18,124. 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Here’s the lowdown: Visit the BTFD website , connect your wallet, apply the BIG50 code, and finalise your purchase. The coin’s performance speaks for itself: over $4.6 million raised and more than 60 billion tokens sold to over 7000 holders. Why did this coin make it to this list? BTFD’s presale performance, combined with its innovative features, proves it’s not just another meme coin but a pioneer in the space. Don’t miss your chance to grab this BIG50 deal as it’s only valid till 5th of January! 2. Snek Coin (SNEK): The Slippery Star of the Meme Coin Scene Snek Coin slithered its way into the crypto market with charm and cheekiness. Built around the beloved snake meme culture, SNEK taps into nostalgia while bringing a modern twist. This coin stands out for its community-first approach. It’s not just about making gains; it’s about creating a space where investors feel like they’re part of something bigger. Snek’s ecosystem includes a unique gamified staking mechanism. The longer you hold, the more your rewards grow. They’ve also hinted at collaborations with other meme projects, teasing a potential crossover universe of coins. That’s the kind of buzz that gets both newbies and seasoned investors itching to join. While Snek doesn’t boast the same presale fireworks as BTFD, it’s carving its own path by prioritising engagement. From weekly AMAs to quirky contests, Snek Coin is keeping its community active and loyal. Why did this coin make it to this list? Snek Coin’s community-centric approach and fresh ideas ensure it remains a top contender among the best meme coins to invest in right now. 3. Gigachad (GIGA): The Meme Coin for Alpha Investors If you’ve been online, you’ve seen the Gigachad meme — a nod to internet culture’s ultimate alpha male. GIGA takes this energy and channels it into a coin that’s all about standing out. With a tagline like “Invest Like a Chad,” it’s hard not to pay attention. What makes GIGA unique is its focus on exclusivity. They’ve created a members-only club for top holders, complete with exclusive NFT drops and early access to new features. Think of it as a crypto VIP lounge. But don’t mistake GIGA for style over substance. Its tokenomics are robust, with a deflationary model designed to increase scarcity and drive up value. Why did this coin make it to this list? Gigachad’s bold branding and innovative perks make it a standout in the meme coin space. If you’re looking for a coin with swagger, this is it. 4. Non-Playable Coin (NPC): Satire Meets Serious Gains Non-Playable Coin started as a satirical jab at the NPC meme but has since evolved into a legitimate crypto project. The coin’s premise? Mocking the monotony of modern life while giving investors a chance to break free from the ordinary. It’s a clever mix of humour and hustle. NPC has gained traction thanks to its DAO-driven model, where holders have a say in the project’s direction. This isn’t just a meme coin; it’s a social experiment in decentralised governance. Add in regular NFT airdrops and community events, and it’s clear NPC knows how to keep its audience engaged. Why did this coin make it to this list? NPC’s satirical edge and commitment to decentralisation make it one of the best meme coins to invest in right now. It’s proof that humour and innovation can coexist. 5. Simon’s Cat (CAT): A Purrfect Blend of Fun and Functionality Inspired by the internet’s favourite feline, Simon’s Cat brings a playful vibe to the crypto world. But don’t let the cute branding fool you; this coin means business. CAT’s ecosystem includes a charity initiative for animal shelters, making it a feel-good investment. The coin’s roadmap features plans for a P2E game where players can adopt virtual cats, earning rewards as they care for them. It’s like Tamagotchi meets blockchain. And with a portion of transaction fees going to real-world animal causes, Simon’s Cat is a project with heart. Why did this coin make it to this list? Simon’s Cat combines adorable appeal with real-world impact, proving it’s more than just a meme coin. Conclusion: The Time to Invest is Now The world of meme coins is as unpredictable as it is exciting. From the innovative features of BTFD Coin to the community-driven charm of Snek Coin, there’s no shortage of opportunities. Each of these projects brings something unique to the table, making them the best meme coins to invest in right now. Don’t wait too long to make your move. Whether it’s BTFD’s unbeatable presale offer or Gigachad’s exclusive perks, these coins are trending for a reason. Head to BTFD Coin’s presale page, use the BIG50 code, and start your journey today. Trust us, you don’t want to miss this wave. Website: https://www.btfd.io/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/BTFD_COIN Telegram: https://t.me/btfd_coin Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.

Drew Lock likely to start at QB for the Giants against the Colts on SundayMichelle Keegan announces pregnancy - she's expecting her first child with husband Mark Wright

In the second period of their first preseason contest against the Boston Fleet, the Montreal Victoire took a penalty. But instead of bringing on the team's first penalty killing unit, the players on the ice were stuck. The team wasn't allowed to change lines until after the first face-off, leaving Boston to match up its top power play unit with three Montreal forwards and a defender, none of whom are typically first-unit penalty killers. The tired Montreal players got stuck on the ice for the full two-minute kill, a massive advantage for Boston on the power play. Welcome to the PWHL's new "no escape" rule. It's one of several changes the league has made to try to improve play in its second year. In this case, it's aimed at increasing scoring in a league where goals were hard to come by last season. From the jailbreak goal to the no escape rule, the PWHL hasn't been afraid to try different things. (PWHL) For players, it means every person needs to be prepared to kill penalties at any time. At one point on a penalty kill in the game against the Fleet, Montreal forward Mikyla Grant-Mentis, typically an offensive specialist, found herself playing defence. "I would never want Grant-Mentis to play D," Victoire head coach Kori Cheverie said after the game, which Boston won 3-1. "She needs to score goals. She doesn't need to stop them." The idea came from the league's rules and competition committee, chaired by league advisors and retired players, Cassie Campbell-Pascall and Meghan Duggan. The committee, which also included representatives from the ranks of players, coaches and GMs, suggested several tweaks for season two. The league's hockey operations department, led by senior vice president of hockey operations, Jayna Hefford, had the final say on what the league would ultimately adopt. From linemates to lifemates, PWHL stars Poulin and Stacey navigate marriage and career Speed of PWHL game has Charge's Ronja Savolainen motivated to raise her level of play When they dug into data from last season, Hefford said league-wide scoring on the power play stood out. Power play efficiency was around 16 per cent, lower than the NHL average of 21 per cent. "Sixteen per cent feels low," Hefford said in an interview with CBC Sports. "It feels like we can do better than that." From 'jailbreak' to 'no escape' Trying different things has been a hallmark of the new league. First, there was the "jailbreak" goal, where a shorthanded goal frees the player from the penalty box. Then, the league let the team that finished atop the standings select its first-round playoff opponent among the third- and fourth-best teams. The league may not keep every new rule, but they're not afraid to try things and make mistakes, Hefford said. "We don't have to do it the way it's always been done, and we aren't just trying to be the NHL," Hefford said. "How can we make the game more engaging for fans is always a priority." WATCH | A burning question for each Canadian PWHL team ahead of 2nd season: 1 storyline for each Canadian PWHL team heading into the season 3 days ago Duration 7:30 Host Anastasia Bucsis is joined by women's hockey insider Karissa Donkin to preview the 2nd season of the Professional Women's Hockey League. Players and coaches learned about the new rule within the last few days, forcing them to adapt on the fly over preseason games this week. For a team like the Boston Fleet, which struggled to score throughout last season, it could provide opportunity. But it requires adaptation on the defensive side of the game. "You've got to know what you're doing, and you've got to be able to play every single position or at least know what their roles are so you don't get bitten," Boston Fleet captain Hilary Knight said. Edmonton to host PWHL neutral site game between Toronto, Ottawa on Feb. 16 A burning question for each PWHL team ahead of the league's sophomore campaign Boston head coach Courtney Kessel said both her team and Montreal "tried some tricks" in the first game with the new rule. But trying to game the system won't fly. The rulebook says a team will receive a delay of game penalty if the team "intentionally places too many players on the ice to cause a stoppage of play and create confusion about which players must remain on the ice in the application of the new rule." Automatic game misconduct for illegal hits to head In Montreal, Cheverie wasn't sure what to think of the new rule yet. As a fan of order, it has forced some chaos into Cheverie's brain mid-game. Cheverie's coaching specialty is the penalty kill, and she wonders how it will change the job for those players. The PWHL aims to add more clarity to its rules around bodychecking this season. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press) "I think that the purpose behind it is to create more scoring and that's OK, but I do really value the PK players on our team," she said. "With the jailbreak goal and now this rule about the PK, what role do our PK players have? We're taking more jobs away from players. We're taking roles away from players." While the "no escape" rule might be the most obvious change to the PWHL game in the second season, the league has also tried to add more clarity to its rules around bodychecking, and has opened up coach's challenges to delay of game penalties when the puck goes over the glass. If the coaching challenge is unsuccessful, the team will be assessed an additional penalty. First Person The PWHL is a gift for queer hockey fans like me There's also a league-wide drive to crack down on hits to the head. An illegal hit to the head will automatically result in a major penalty and game misconduct, and will result in a review with the league's central situation room. While the PWHL has embraced more physical play, Hefford is adamant that there's no place for hits to the head. "Considering the increase in physicality, there was nothing that alarmed us to do this," Hefford said. "I think it's just more generally as a hockey fan, we want the best players playing the game. We want to take care of everyone's safety no matter who it is on the ice, and we're just going to make sure that we get that right and we do everything we can to deter those kind of hits." After preseason games in Montreal and Toronto this week, GMs and coaches have the weekend to make their final roster decisions. Waivers will open on Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET, and teams must have their rosters finalized by Wednesday at the same time. Teams can have 23 players on standard contracts, plus three reserve players. The regular-season will kick off on Saturday with the Toronto Sceptres hosting the Boston Fleet at 2 p.m. ET at Coca-Cola Coliseum. The game will be streamed on CBCSports.ca, CBC Gem, and CBC Sports App.Lawsuit challenging Wisconsin wedding barn law allowed to proceed

( ) on Thursday reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings that topped Wall Street targets. HPE stock climbed amid strong revenue growth from artificial intelligence systems, mainly data center servers processing AI workloads. The maker of computer servers, networking equipment and data storage systems reported earnings after the market close. For the October quarter, HPE earnings rose 12% to 58 cents on an adjusted basis. Revenue rose 15% to $8.5 billion, the company said. Analysts expected HPE earnings of 56 cents a share on sales of $8.25 billion. Fiscal Q4 revenue from AI servers came in at $1.5 billion, up 16% from the previous quarter, vs. $900 million in fiscal Q3 and $400 million in the April quarter. Competition has heated up with ( ) in AI servers. For the current quarter ending in January, the company forecast adjusted EPS in a range of 47 cents to 52 cents, versus estimates of 49 cents. HPE said it expects revenue growth in the "mid-teens." On the , HPE stock rose more than 1% to 22.04 in extended trading. Shares were up 28% in 2024 prior to the HPE earnings report. Heading into the HPE earnings report, the tech stock had a Relative Strength Rating of 76 out of a best-possible 99, according to . HPE Stock: Juniper Closing Near? In early 2024, HPE agreed to buy Sunnyvale, Calif.-based ( ) for $14 billion in cash. The purchase is expected to close soon. HPE expects the deal to be earnings and free-cash-flow accretive in the first year post-close. However, HPE added significant debt to finance the transaction. Morgan Stanley analyst Meta Marshall on Thursday upgraded HPE stock to over-weight prior to the earnings report release. "With the close of the pending Juniper acquisition seemingly near, we think upwards of 40% to 50% of the pro-forma earnings power being driven by networking can help shares rerate to a (higher) multiple," he said in a report. "Combined with Juniper coming out of an inventory digestion and having new cloud customers, we are biased to think that there is more upside to Juniper's numbers in the near term vs. downside."WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InterDigital, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDCC), a mobile, video and AI technology research and development company, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per share on its common stock, payable on January 22, 2025, to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 8, 2025. About InterDigital ® InterDigital is a global research and development company focused primarily on wireless, video, artificial intelligence ("AI”), and related technologies. We design and develop foundational technologies that enable connected, immersive experiences in a broad range of communications and entertainment products and services. We license our innovations worldwide to companies providing such products and services, including makers of wireless communications devices, consumer electronics, IoT devices, cars and other motor vehicles, and providers of cloud-based services such as video streaming. As a leader in wireless technology, our engineers have designed and developed a wide range of innovations that are used in wireless products and networks, from the earliest digital cellular systems to 5G and today's most advanced Wi-Fi technologies. We are also a leader in video processing and video encoding/decoding technology, with a significant AI research effort that intersects with both wireless and video technologies. Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on Nasdaq. InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc. For more information, visit: www.interdigital.com . InterDigital Contact: [email protected] +1 (302) 300-1857

We make £1,000s serving pints onboard a BUS... punters don’t have a lot of room but they come back for moreTy Berry and Brooks Barnhizer lead Northwestern basketball to a 85-60 victory over Northeastern

or signup to continue reading Victoria's Hume Region has seen growing investments into solar energy over the past few years, with the area being recognised by state and council bodies as a suitable location for the placement of solar farms. With market analysts projecting that Australia's solar output could (when compared to the nation's current estimated solar capacity), the development of solar farms across the Hume Region is set to play a major role in Australia reaching its Sustainable Development Goals. These trends haven't been ignored by Hume residents, with residential areas from Mitchell Shire and Mansfield all the way across to Towonga and Albury-Wodonga, all recording positive trends in solar investments across homeowners. The uptake of investments in (or 'solar photovoltaic systems') has also demonstrated that residents of the Hume Region are right on track to doing their part in Australia's flourishing solar revolution. We'll be taking a look back on the Hume Region's solar market growth over 2024, alongside showcasing projections of what's in store for the region's greening future. Currently, there are three established solar farms in the Hume Region, these being: Numurkah Solar Farm was the largest solar farm in Victoria at the time of its commissioning, but has since been usurped in size by Kiamal Solar Farm in Victoria's northwest. Alongside these three established solar farms, the Hume Region is also home to these developing solar farm projects: Alongside these three developing projects, there are estimates that more will come, with Greater Hume Council being supportive of emerging renewable energy projects, recognising the potential for solar farms to generate not just clean energy to power Victoria, but for local professionals and business owners as well. It's uncontested that Hume's solar farms are positioned to contribute significantly to the state's overall solar gains on top of providing solar energy to public service providers (i.e. Metro Melbourne, local power grids, etc.). However, there are reports suggesting that rooftop PV solar systems will end up of Australia's total solar energy output. This is because collectively, rooftop solar systems cover a wider combined area when compared to dedicated solar farms. With these figures in mind, local residents have been inspired to invest in their own solar PV solutions, contributing to the region's combined solar gains and maintaining the Hume Region's position as one of the state's largest solar producers, next to the Mallee Region bordering South Australia in Victoria's northwest. Here are the top towns leading the Hume Region in its monumental solar revolution: Historically, the benefit of solar farms over rooftop solar PV systems is that solar farms possessed the necessary infrastructure for solar energy storage via the use of battery cells. However, with recent advancements in the performance and capacity of for photovoltaic systems, residential households can also retain excess solar energy produced by their panels to power their homes virtually year-round, depending on the availability of solar energy. Simply put, the addition of solar battery investments provides residential solar investors with new opportunities to greatly reduce their reliance on solar farms or even on their local power grid. The ability to retain solar energy in greater amounts also provides improved potential for off-grid living in Australia, with solar battery technology being regarded as vital to the movement for self-sufficient households and neighbourhoods not only in Hume but across a diverse range of Australia's other regional areas as well. With solar battery investments, Hume Region residents can better harness their rooftop solar gains to accommodate not only their household's overall energy consumption, but can still make a profit by selling excess energy to their local power grid. This added fiscal benefit to solar PV system and battery investments has naturally positioned more Hume Region residents to make the green switch to solar solutions for their property. With the region's abundance of solar farms and developing solar projects, the Hume Region was already regarded as one of Victoria's highest regional producers of solar energy. Hume Region residents have the opportunity to build off of this momentum by continuing to be an example of solar readiness for wider Victoria. For Hume Region residents looking to make the switch to a solar photovoltaic system for their property and household, the best time to invest was yesterday. The second best time is right now. Make your move to solar energy today and join Australia's growing solar PV revolution. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementRJ Godfrey and Tyrin Lawrence each scored 14 points to help lead Georgia to a 79-72 win over visiting South Carolina State on Sunday in Athens, Ga. Asa Newell and Dakota Leffew added 12 apiece for Georgia (12-1) which rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit. Silas Demary Jr. had 11 points followed by De'Shayne Montgomery's 10, as the Bulldogs won their seventh straight game, marking their best start to a season since 1930-31 (13-0). Reserve Jayden Johnson led South Carolina State (6-9) with 16 points, followed by Michael Teal's 13 and Wilson Dubinsky's 12. South Carolina State dropped its third game in four tries entering Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play on Jan. 4. Trailing 41-24 at halftime, Demary's triple and Montgomery's dunk began a 12-5 scoring run to open the second half, pulling Georgia within 10 at the 16:18 mark. After Teal's layup extended South Carolina State's lead to 50-39, Demary's basket stamped a 7-0 Georgia run, pulling the Bulldogs within four at the 11:17 mark of the second half. Dubinsky answered with a triple on the other end, but Leffew and Demary's layups began a 14-2 Georgia run -- which was capped with Lawrence's personal 8-0 spurt. Trailing 60-55, South Carolina State cut its deficit to one after Drayton Jones' four straight points. From there, Newell's three-point play jump started an 8-0 Georgia run, stamped with Montgomery's free throw with 3:42 left. After Davion Everett split a pair of free throws to pull South Carolina State within four with 1:44 left, Georgia made seven of its eight free-throw attempts to ice the victory. Georgia connected on just one field goal early in the game until Dylan James' layup trimmed its deficit to 7-5 at the 14:44 mark. After Johnson's basket put South Carolina State ahead 13-10, Leffew's 3-pointer followed by Montgomery's free throw gave Georgia its first lead with 10:27 left in the opening half. Godfrey's pair of free throws flipped the lead to Georgia with 5:30 remaining, before Dubinsky's triple gave South Carolina State a 24-22 advantage on the ensuing possession. Georgia was held scoreless until Somto Cyril's free throws snapped a 14-0 South Carolina State run with 50 seconds left. Johnson then capped the first half with consecutive 3-pointers, giving South Carolina State a 41-24 halftime lead. --Field Level Media

US sex-abuse watchdog fires investigator after learning of his arrest for stealing drug money DENVER (AP) — The U.S. Center for SafeSport abruptly fired one of its investigators last month after learning he’d been arrested for stealing money confiscated after a drug bust he was part of during his previous job as a police officer. Jason Krasley left his job with the Allentown Police Department in Pennsylvania in 2021 and was hired by the Denver-based SafeSport center to look into sensitive cases involving sex abuse and harassment. The center said it conducts multiple interviews and a “comprehensive background check” of potential employees. The center said it was looking into cases Krasley handled to make sure they were dealt with appropriately. Jim Larrañaga steps down at Miami, Bill Courtney takes over to finish season CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Jim Larrañaga has stepped down as Miami’s men’s basketball coach effective immediately. Larrañaga will be replaced by associate head coach Bill Courtney — one of Larrañaga’s best friends for the past three decades or so — for the remainder of the season. The now-former coach says he loves the university but believes it's the right time to step away. Larrañaga says "I’ve tried every which way to keep this going.” Larrañaga joins a long line of prominent college basketball coaches who have left their jobs in recent years citing the changes in the game and the challenge of coaching in the Name, Image and Likeness era. Detroit Red Wings fire coach Derek Lalonde, name Todd McLellan as his replacement The Detroit Red Wings have fired coach Derek Lalonde and named Todd McLellan as his replacement. The move a day after Christmas comes after the Red Wings lost 21 of their first 34 games this season. They're on a three-game skid. Assistant Bob Boughner was also fired and Trent Yawney hired to work on McLellan's staff. McLellan signed a multiyear contract to start his fourth NHL head coaching job. Lalonde was nearly midway through his third season with Detroit after winning the Stanley Cup twice as an assistant with Tampa Bay. Penn State offensive coordinator Kotelnicki's creativity has the Nittany Lions humming in the CFP Penn State's offense is thriving under first-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. The Nittany Lions are one of a handful of Power Four schools averaging 200 yards per game rushing and receiving heading into their College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Boise State. Penn State has one of the most unique offensive weapons in the country in tight end Tyler Warren. Warren has 92 receptions this season and has become a threat out of the backfield, rushing for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Pat Riley says the Miami Heat will not trade Jimmy Butler ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — If Jimmy Butler wants a trade, the Miami Heat have no plans to make him happy. Heat President Pat Riley — in a rare move — spoke out to address rumors Thursday, saying the team has no plans to trade Butler. It’s a clear sign that, if necessary, the team will be willing to let Butler leave as a free agent and get nothing in return. Riley says in a release distributed by the team "we usually don’t comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches.” Organizers say two sailors have died in Sydney to Hobart yacht race amid wild weather conditions SYDNEY (AP) — Organizers said that two Sydney to Hobart sailors have died at sea amid wild weather conditions that forced line honors favorite Master Lock Comanche to withdraw among mass retirements. The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, which administers the yacht race, has said that one sailor each on entrants Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline were killed after being struck by the boom, a large horizontal pole at the bottom of the sail. The race will continue as the fleet continues its passage to Constitution Dock in Hobart, with the first boats expected to arrive later on Friday or early Saturday morning. Haaland penalty failure and Fernandes red card pile on woes for City and United in Premier League Erling Haaland’s failure from the penalty spot and Bruno Fernandes’ latest red card have compounded the woes of Manchester City and Manchester United on another tough day for the two Premier League giants. City dropped more points in its improbably poor run of form by drawing 1-1 at home to Everton. Haaland had a spot kick saved by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 53rd minute. The four-time defending champions have only won one of its last 13 games in all competitions. While City is languishing in seventh place, United is even further adrift in 14th place after a 2-0 loss at lowly Wolverhampton. Fernandes was sent off in the 47th. Simona Halep withdraws from Australian Open qualifying because of knee and shoulder pain MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has pulled out of Australian Open qualifying and a tuneup tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, because of pain in her knee and shoulder. Thursday's news represents the latest interruption of her comeback from a drug suspension. Halep posted on social media that she was feeling poorly after participating in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi. The 33-year-old Romanian said she is planning to next enter the Transylvania Open in her home country, where play begins Feb. 3. Halep was granted a wild-card entry for qualifying in the Australian Open last week. Mahomes throws 3 TDs as Chiefs clinch AFC's top seed by breezing past the skidding Steelers 29-10 PITTSBURGH (AP) — Patrick Mahomes passed for 320 yards and three touchdowns and the Kansas City Chiefs locked up the top seed in the AFC for the fourth time in seven seasons with a 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The two-time defending Super Bowl champions raced to an early 13-point lead and were never really threatened by the Steelers (10-6). Pittsburgh has dropped three straight to see its chances of capturing the AFC North take another hit. Travis Kelce caught eight passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. Kelce also became the third tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 receptions, joining Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten. Jackson breaks Vick's NFL rushing record for QBs in Ravens' rout over Texans HOUSTON (AP) — Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson passed Michael Vick for the most yards rushing by a quarterback in NFL history in a 31-2 win over the Houston Texans in Wednesday. Jackson moved past Vick on a 6-yard run in the third quarter. Jackson had 87 yards rushing to give him 6,110 yards, moving him past Vick, who piled up 6,109 in his 13-year career.

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US News Today Live Updates on December 27, 2024 : US to scrap country quota for H-1B visas? Here's how Indian professionals are likely to be affected

Social critic and activist, Verydarkman, has announced the recovery of N78 million out of the N180 million allegedly stolen from his NGO’s account. This update follows his recent alarm on Instagram, where he revealed on Friday that his organization’s account had been hacked, resulting in the loss of N180 million. The announcement sparked widespread debate, with some questioning the validity of his claims. Addressing his followers in an Instagram update on Sunday, Verydarkman expressed gratitude for the progress made and provided insight into the ongoing investigation. Read also: Liverpool thrash West Ham after Man City win in Guardiola’s 500th game “Thanks to the people who called to check up on me. I also want to thank God for the process so far: we have been able to recover N78m, even though the suspect pointed out that the person he did with has run to Ghana, so hopefully, we would be going to Ghana very soon,” he said. The revelation about the suspect allegedly fleeing to Ghana suggests that the recovery process is far from over. Verydarkman’s followers and supporters continue to await further developments as efforts to retrieve the remaining funds proceed. Opinions Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs. As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake. If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause. Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development. Donate NowEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Drew Lock is likely going to start at quarterback for the New York Giants against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday when they try to end a franchise-record 10-game losing streak. Lock started against Atlanta last weekend and his status became an issue after the 34-7 loss when coach Brian Daboll said the 28-year-old was having an issue with his right shoulder. An MRI was done Monday and Daboll announced Tuesday that Lock would be his starter if he stayed healthy. “It came back good so rocking and rolling,” Lock said, noting he was hurt on a third down pass to Daniel Bellinger in the first quarter when Falcons linebacker Matthew Judon pulled his arm on the play. He finished the game. There were questions whether Daboll would switch back to Tommy DeVito after Lock threw two pick-6s and lost a fumble on a strip-sack against the Falcons. Lock has had three interceptions returned for scores in three starts this season, including two on tipped passes. Daboll said it was important to give Lock a couple of starts in which he was able to get all the reps in practice. “Knowing what we did the week before, take the things we need to get better at into this week and actually be able to go out there and do it is something I’m looking forward to,” Lock said. “Similar cadences with the guys, being in the huddle together. I think it can only be a positive for such a roller coaster out of that spot.” The one thing that might change this week is the Giants center. John Michael Schmitz has an ankle injury and he did not practice Tuesday. He left the locker room with a boot on his right foot. New York has moved veteran guard Greg Van Roten to center when Schmitz was hurt and Lock also worked with guard Austin Schlottmann as his center while playing in Denver. “I’m pretty familiar with all the guys that are rotating in there,” Lock said. The Giants have the NFL’s worst scoring offense, averaging 14.3 points. They benched Daniel Jones coming out of their bye week and days later released him after he requested it. DeVito has started two games and Lock three since Jones was released. New York has scored 59 points in those games, with 20 coming against Dallas in a seven-point loss on Thanksgiving. Running back Tyrone Tracy (ankle), wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee-foot), cornerback Greg Stroman (shoulder-shin), defensive tackle Cory Durden (shoulder), inside linebacker Micah McFadden (neck) and cornerback Dru Phillips (shoulder) also did not practice on Tuesday, which is usually a day off. The team will have off on Christmas Day and return to practice on Thursday. The Giants opened practice on Tuesday with the song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” blaring on the loudspeakers in their indoor practice facility. Jones, who is on the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, sent the Giants offensive linemen Christmas gifts. “DJ comes in, saves me and Tommy once again, and then takes care of the guys,” Lock said. “I expected nothing less from the guy. That’s just who he is, and cares about these guys still.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl