jili update

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Maria Gakdeng tied her season high with 21 points and grabbed a season-best 12 rebounds, Alyssa Ustby added 19 points and 13 boards and the No. 17 North Carolina women beat Miami 69-60 on Sunday for their third consecutive win. North Carolina (13-2, 1-1 ACC) lost its conference opener to No. 13 Georgia Tech on Dec. 15 before nonconference wins against Florida and Norfolk State. Gakdeng made 7 of 11 from the field and 7 of 10 from the free-throw line. Indya Nivar finished with 11 points, five assists and three steals for the Tar Heels. Miami (11-2, 1-1) had its four-game win streak snapped. Gakdeng made a layup with 6:14 left in the first quarter that gave North Carolina the lead for good and Ustby followed with a 3-pointer to spark a 9-0 spurt that made it 16-7 about 2 minutes later. The Tar Heels scored eight of the first 10 second-quarter points to push their lead to 13 with 7:25 left in the second quarter before Miami scored the final seven points to trim its deficit to 39-29 at halftime. Jasmyne Roberts hit a 3-pointer for the Hurricanes that made it a seven-point game with 8:11 left in the third quarter but they got no closer. Nivar made a layup with 5:16 remaining until the fourth that made it 48-38 and UNC led by double figures until a 3-pointer by Roberts capped the scoring in the closing seconds. Hannah Cavinder led Miami with 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Roberts made four 3-pointers and also scored 19 points, 14 in the second half. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Left-wing politician Yamandú Orsi is poised to become the next president of Uruguay after his main challenger in the runoff conceded defeat Sunday and even the outgoing leader of the South American country congratulated him. His victory marks the return of a center-leftist government to Uruguay's presidency after five years of a conservative administration. But who is Yamandú Orsi? From a working-class family to heir of the left A teacher of history, folk dancer and former mayor, the 57-year-old politician is considered the political heir of former President José Mujica, who accompanied him in his campaign and praised him as a new leader able to find the right balance between the complex dynamics on the social, political and economic chessboard. Orsi was born on June 13, 1967, in the rural area of the Canelones department. His father was a vineyard farmer and his mother a seamstress. He has several similarities with his political godfather, such as the love for the countryside and a quiet lifestyle. Throughout the campaign, he was often photographed drinking mate, walking his dog and wearing casual suits. His administration is to take office next March, and like Mujica, he has said that he will not live in the presidential residence. He turned to the left after the dictatorship While living in the countryside, his sister taught him to read and write. But the young Orsi began to shape his political views and desires in the middle of the dictatorship in Uruguay, which lasted from 1973 to 1983. After the end of the dictatorship, Orsi joined the Popular Participation Movement led by Mujica, the ex-guerrilla leader who became president in 2010. He promises a renewed left in Uruguay Orsi focused his campaign on promoting friendly-environmental policies, promises to support small producers and social inclusion policies. He has also promised a renewal of the left by favoring dialogue with everyone, and he insisted during the campaign that he’s not planning any dramatic changing in the country of 3.5 million people. Although he says it’s important to promote social welfare, Orsi has had used a friendly tone toward the market and private sector.By LOLITA BALDOR and FATIMA HUSSEIN WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has chosen Keith Kellogg, a highly decorated retired three-star general, to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, who is one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for the incoming administration, will come into the role as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social account, and said “He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Kellogg, an 80 year-old retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence , was chief of staff of the National Security Council and then stepped in as an acting security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned. As special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kellogg will have to navigate an increasingly untenable war between the two nations. The Biden administration has begun urging Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its military by drafting more troops and revamping its mobilization laws to allow for the conscription of troops as young as 18. The White House has pushed more than $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more to Kyiv before Biden leaves office in less than months. Trump has criticized the billions that the Biden administration has poured into Ukraine. Washington has recently stepped up weapons shipments and has forgiven billions in loans provided to Kyiv. The incoming Republican president has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. As a co-chairman of the American First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, Kellogg wrote several of the chapters in the group’s policy book. The book, like the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” is a move to lay out a Trump national security agenda and avoid the mistakes of 2016 when he entered the White House largely unprepared. Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” Related Articles Trump’s proposed national security advisor U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) tweeted Wednesday that “Keith has dedicated his life to defending our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution.” Kellogg was a character in multiple Trump investigations dating to his first term. He was among the administration officials who listened in on the July 2019 call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which Trump prodded his Ukrainian counterpart to pursue investigations into the Bidens. The call, which Kellogg would later say did not raise any concerns on his end, was at the center of the first of two House impeachment cases against Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate both times. On Jan. 6, 2021, hours before pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Kellogg, who was then Pence’s national security adviser, listened in on a heated call in which Trump told his vice president to object or delay the certification in Congress of President Joe Biden ’s victory. He later told House investigators that he recalled Trump saying to Pence words to the effect of: “You’re not tough enough to make the call.” Baldor reported from Washington. AP writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.

Jimmy Carter, a man of implacable faith, lived his values

16-year-old Hockey Player, Colin Brown, Tragically Passes Away During Shooting Incident

Liberals plan to give $250 cheques to millions of Canadians, cut GST over holidays OTTAWA — The Liberal government is planning to give Canadians a tax break over the holidays and hand out billions of dollars in a move that two opposition leaders characterized as a trick to buy votes from frustrated people struggling with the high c Nojoud Al Mallees, The Canadian Press Nov 21, 2024 12:51 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes his way to Question Period in the House of Commons, in Ottawa, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to announce on Thursday a temporary GST break for certain essential items to help ease affordability pressures. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Listen to this article 00:02:46 OTTAWA — The Liberal government is planning to give Canadians a tax break over the holidays and hand out billions of dollars in a move that two opposition leaders characterized as a trick to buy votes from frustrated people struggling with the high cost of living. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement on Thursday, proposing to cut the federal goods and services tax on a slew of items over a two-month period. "Our government can't set prices at the checkout, but we can put more money in people's pockets," Trudeau said at a press conference in Toronto alongside Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. "The working Canadians rebate of $250 which will be sent to people in April, is going to give people that relief they need, and the tax break over the next two months is going to help on the costs of everything as we approach the holidays, as we get into the new year." The proposed GST break would begin Dec. 14 and end Feb. 15. The Liberals say it will apply to a number of items including children's clothing and shoes, toys, diapers, restaurant meals and beer and wine. It also applies to Christmas trees — both natural and artificial — along with a variety of snack foods and beverages, and video game consoles. Canadians who worked in 2023 and earned less than $150,000 would also receive a $250 cheque in the spring. That means the money would go to about 18.7 million people, costing the government about $4.7 billion. The GST break is expected to cost another $1.6 billion. The measures come as an inflation-driven affordability crunch has left voters unhappy with the Trudeau government. A federal election is slated to take place before next October, but could come sooner if the minority government falls before then. The Conservatives have maintained a double-digit lead over the Liberals in public opinion polls for months, as Leader Pierre Poilievre promises to slash taxes and government spending to restore affordability. High inflation has also put pressure on the Liberals to avoid introducing measures that would stimulate spending and fuel price growth. However, the prime minister dismissed the idea that this move could raise inflation again, noting that price growth and interest rates are down. "It allows us to make sure that we are putting money in people's pockets in a way that is not going to stimulate inflation, but is going to help them make ends meet and continue our economic growth," Trudeau said. Poilievre blasted the NDP and Liberals alike over the announcement, saying his party had a better idea: ending the carbon price permanently. "Today what we have is a two-month temporary tax trick that will not make up for the permanent quadrupling of the carbon tax on heat, housing, food and fuel," Poilievre said. He was referring to the Liberal plan to continue increasing the carbon price annually until 2030. The Conservatives have pledged to scrap the federal fuel charge, which is applied on the purchases of 21 different fuels. Proceeds from the federal consumer carbon price are returned to Canadians and small businesses through rebates. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said he's happy people will have more money in their pockets over the holidays, but criticized the Liberals for what he called an incoherent policy. He pointed out that when his party proposed increasing old age security for seniors under 75 — something that would cost an estimated $16 billion over five years — the Liberals said they wouldn't support the measure because it wasn't means tested to help the most vulnerable. "The Liberals have shown that when they need billions of dollars in order to literally buy votes, they find it," Blanchet said. Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy accused the federal government of taking the idea from his playbook. Last month, the province announced it would send $200 cheques to all Ontario taxpayers and their children as part of its own suite of measures designed to ease the effects of the affordability crisis. "We came up with the $200 rebate, but you know what the federal government can do is scrap the carbon tax," he said. "I mean, that is taking money out of people's pockets." In order to get the measures passed through Parliament, the Liberals will need the support of an opposition party. The New Democrats say they are poised to be a willing partner, taking credit for forcing the minority government to adopt their idea — although NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh insisted Thursday there was no negotiation between the parties. Last week, the NDP promised if it wins the next election it would bring in a permanent GST break on essential items including diapers, prepared meals, cellphone and internet bills. "This is not the way that we would have approached it," Singh said, adding that even though the proposal does not go far enough for him, "obviously we're going to support people getting a break." The changes will be part of the annual fall economic statement, which will need to pass through Parliament in order to take effect. The House of Commons has been embroiled in a stalemate for nearly two months as the Conservatives filibuster a motion demanding the government release unredacted documents related to misspending at a green tech fund. That means no legislation has been debated or voted on for more than eight weeks, because matters of privilege take precedence over all other House business. The NDP says it will not end the privilege debate, but instead will use a procedural measure to adjourn that debate for one day at a time to allow the tax measures to pass. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2024. Nojoud Al Mallees, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More The Mix Petition by RFK Jr. fan prompts water fluoridation vote by Montreal council Nov 21, 2024 1:33 PM Northvolt says Quebec battery plant will proceed despite bankruptcy filing Nov 21, 2024 1:26 PM S&P/TSX composite index gains more than 350 points, U.S. stock markets also rise Nov 21, 2024 1:24 PM Featured FlyerNVIDIA Co. (NASDAQ:NVDA) Shares Purchased by Generate Investment Management Ltd

Jimmy Carter: A brief bio

Election results on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean have set the background for the final stretch of campaigning for Irish parties ahead of polling day on Friday. Donald Trump’s presidential election victory in the US has brought heightened concern that his administration’s proposals around corporation tax and tariffs would significantly impact Ireland’s economic model. Mr Harris, leader of Fine Gael, has argued Ireland and other EU countries need to prepare for the possibility of trade shocks as he criticised the scale of Sinn Fein’s spending pledges as well as their saving plans. He said: “I think that is irresponsible, I think it is dangerous and I think it is reckless.” He accused Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald of not being able to say what her party was prepared to do in the event of an economic crash, adding that Fine Gael would borrow and stop putting money towards a rainy-day fund. Asked if the party was engaging in “project fear” to dissuade voters against Sinn Fein, Mr Harris said: “I call it ‘project truth’. It’s telling people what’s being discussed right across European capitals.” Ms McDonald told an RTE interview on Wednesday morning that a Sinn Fein government would also be prepared to start borrowing in the event of an economic downturn. Both Mr Harris and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, who were partners in the last coalition government in Ireland, have made clear they will not countenance Sinn Fein as a potential partner in the next administration in Dublin. One day after the only three-way debate featuring the leaders of the main parties, Mr Martin accused Sinn Fein of being “dishonest” about how they will fund their manifesto plans. Speaking in Dublin on Wednesday, he said he is anxious to get clarity on the issue. “I think Sinn Fein have been very dishonest, frankly, in terms of the funds, because if you go through their figures, and this is a matter of fact, not opinion, they’re predicting a surplus of a billion in 2026, a billion in 2027. “Even in 2025, they’re talking about a mini budget, which would mean reducing the surplus that we’re anticipating in 2025. “There’s a legislative obligation now on any new government to put 0.8% of GDP to one side, and into the funds. There’s no way you can do that with a surplus of a billion in 2026 or 2027, and we would argue they would not have enough funds next year either to put into the funds.” He added: “It means they have no room to manoeuvre if things go wrong, if there’s headwinds come externally, or there are shocks internationally, Sinn Fein is not allowing any headroom at all in terms of room to respond or to move it.” Ms McDonald accused the other two parties of conspiring to keep Sinn Fein out of government and prevent change in Ireland. She said the two men were now “indistinguishable” from each other as she claimed they were suffering “acute amnesia” in regard to their records in government. On a visit to Naas fire station in Co Kildare, she said: “To listen to them, you’d imagine they had just arrived on the scene and that they were going to come up with all of these solutions. “They have had ample chances, ample opportunity, to make things better, and they have failed, and in between the two of them I make the case that now we ask for our chance, with our plans, with our team, to demonstrate how change can happen, how your community, your family, yourself, can be supported when the government is actually on your side.” Mr Martin’s and Mr Harris’ coalition partner Roderic O’Gorman, the leader of the Greens, issued a warning to the public over a future government without his party. On Wednesday, he said it is looking likely that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will be returned to government – but cautioned they may not want the Greens to continue “fighting hard” on policies. He told reporters: “My sense is certainly the mood music from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael is that they’d like an easier life in the next government – and my concern is they use these small populist parties and right-wing independents.” Mr O’Gorman argued that the Greens could continue to provide stability to government at a time when economic shocks may be around the corner. As the Green leader suggested that relying on independents would be unstable, Mr Martin has also argued that “too much fragmentation would lead to incoherence in government”. Reflecting on Tuesday night’s debate, the Fianna Fail leader said the race remained “too close to call” while Mr Harris said it is “all to play for”. The leaders of Ireland’s three main political parties clashed on housing, healthcare and financial management in the last televised debate before Friday’s General Election. The tetchy debate, which was marked by several interruptions, saw the parties set out their stalls in a broadcast that commentators said did little to move the dial before polling day. The latest opinion poll on Wednesday put the parties in a tight grouping, with Fianna Fail slightly ahead of Sinn Fein and Fine Gael in joint second. After the 2020 general election delivered an inconclusive result, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, two parties forged from opposing sides of Ireland’s Civil War of the 1920s, agreed to set aside almost a century of animosity and share power – with the Greens as a junior partner. From 2016 to 2020, Fianna Fail had supported Fine Gael in power through a confidence-and-supply arrangement from the Opposition benches in the Dail parliament. Sinn Fein won the popular vote in 2020 but a failure to run enough candidates meant it did not secure sufficient seats in the Dail to give it a realistic chance of forming a government.

Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles make their second-to-last road trip of the regular season Sunday to face Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens. The NFC East-leading Eagles (9-2) have won seven in a row and play four of their final six games in Philadelphia, traveling only about 125 miles to visit the Ravens (8-4) this weekend and the Washington Commanders in Week 16. Sunday's game features the NFL's two leading rushers. Barkley (1,392 yards) and Henry (1,325) are far ahead of Green Bay's Josh Jacobs (944) in third place. Henry leads the league with 13 rushing touchdowns. Barkley (10) is tied for fourth and Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts (11) tied for second. The matchup also features two of the top candidates for Most Valuable Player honors entering Week 13 in Barkley and Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson, who won his second MVP award last season. Their competition includes quarterbacks Josh Allen of Buffalo and Jared Goff of Detroit, with Allen widely considered the favorite. "Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are phenomenal football players that help their team win football games, and Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley are phenomenal football players that help their team win football games," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. "Excited about the opportunity this week because it's our next one. It will be a really good opponent, really well coached, good players, good atmosphere that will be there. Excited about the opportunity this week. And we're going to have to be on it against a really good team." The showdown at M&T Bank Stadium also pits Baltimore's No. 1 offense (426.7 yards per game) and No. 2 scoring offense (30.3 points per game) against Philadelphia's No. 1 defense (274.6) and No. 6 scoring defense (18.1). The Eagles have held seven consecutive opponents to under 300 total yards, while the Ravens have gained at least 329 yards of offense in all 11 games. Philadelphia is coming off a 37-20 road win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night in which Barkley smashed the franchise record with 255 rushing yards. Baltimore also earned a prime-time win in Los Angeles, defeating the Chargers 30-23 in the "Harbaugh Bowl" on Monday night behind Jackson's three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing). Jackson said he's looking forward to the Barkley and Henry show. "I've known Saquon from high school. We were in the all-star game together and he jumped over somebody's head," Jackson recalled Wednesday. "So I've pretty much seen him before I even got to the league, college, anything. I've been knowing about Saquon, but Derrick Henry -- King Henry -- I'm with him every day and I'm seeing what he's capable of, so it's going to be a great matchup." Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith practiced Wednesday after sitting out Monday with a hamstring issue. Nose tackle Michael Pierce (calf) was designated to return from injured reserve. Tight end Charlie Kolar (broken arm) is out for several weeks and cornerback Arthur Maulet (calf) did not practice. The Eagles lost veteran defensive end Brandon Graham to a season-ending triceps injury Sunday. Wideout DeVonta Smith (hamstring) missed the win over the Rams and did not practice Wednesday. Neither did cornerbacks Darius Slay (concussion) or Kelee Ringo (calf). Philadelphia is 5-1 away from home this season -- 6-1 if you count their season-opening "home" victory against the Packers in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Baltimore is 4-1 at home. The Ravens hold a 3-2-1 lead in the series with the Eagles. They haven't met since Baltimore's 30-28 win in Week 6 at Philadelphia in 2020. --Field Level Media

Oportun Financial Co. ( NASDAQ:OPRT – Get Free Report ) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 108,700 shares, an increase of 28.9% from the November 30th total of 84,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 153,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.7 days. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Singular Research upgraded Oportun Financial to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, September 20th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $5.50. Read Our Latest Analysis on OPRT Oportun Financial Stock Down 4.2 % Insider Transactions at Oportun Financial In other news, insider Patrick Kirscht sold 8,403 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3.80, for a total value of $31,931.40. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 333,360 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,266,768. This represents a 2.46 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Also, Director Mohit Daswani purchased 7,420 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 13th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $3.90 per share, for a total transaction of $28,938.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 41,924 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $163,503.60. The trade was a 21.50 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . Insiders have purchased a total of 41,264 shares of company stock valued at $159,826 in the last ninety days. 9.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Oportun Financial A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in OPRT. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its stake in shares of Oportun Financial by 5.4% in the 3rd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 110,620 shares of the company’s stock worth $311,000 after buying an additional 5,628 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Oportun Financial by 4.9% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 311,450 shares of the company’s stock valued at $875,000 after acquiring an additional 14,683 shares during the period. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Oportun Financial by 28.6% during the 2nd quarter. SkyView Investment Advisors LLC now owns 67,500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $196,000 after purchasing an additional 15,000 shares during the period. Flaharty Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Oportun Financial by 75.0% during the 2nd quarter. Flaharty Asset Management LLC now owns 35,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $102,000 after purchasing an additional 15,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Oportun Financial in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $52,000. Institutional investors own 82.70% of the company’s stock. About Oportun Financial ( Get Free Report ) Oportun Financial Corporation provides financial services. The company offers personal loans and credit cards. It serves customers through online and over the phone, as well as through retail and Lending as a Service partner locations. The company was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in San Carlos, California. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Oportun Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oportun Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .