sphere 7 ran online

Australians on the frontline of climate change are fighting for their vanishing ancestral home. Can a landmark lawsuit against the federal government save their way of life? Uncle Paul Kabai steps barefoot along a beach near a fallen sacred tree and onto the mud and broken coral edging his Torres Strait island home. He looks to the horizon and listens to the sea. "I can tell when it's going to rain or I can tell there will be an easterly blowing tomorrow," he says. "I can tell by the seas and the waves." The tidal flat is littered with dead sea almond trees, roots clawing at the tropical air. Others strain out of the mud and seawater, soil washed from their bases by the scouring tides. Saibai people have long buried the umbilical cords of newborns beneath these trees while whispering the names of the wind and stars as gifts to the infants. Where Uncle Paul stands, islanders once grew yams, taro, pineapples and bananas, camping on the warm sands while they tended the crops. "But you can't put anything here now," he says and points across the mud towards the sea. "Where the water is now, we used to camp there. "See the mangroves? That's where the actual beach was." He raises a hand to show how deep the water gets when the king tides surge in. With each incursion by the rising waters, with every tree, campground and farming plot reclaimed by the ocean, the people of Saibai Island feel their culture, their children's futures and their ancestral roots dissolving beneath their feet. But Uncle Paul and the other islanders are not ready to let all that slip quietly beneath the waves, out of sight and mind of the rest of Australia. He's taken the fight, and the island's existential plight, 3,000 kilometres south to the dry and formal environs of the Federal Court in Melbourne. From above, Saibai Island appears almost uninhabited — wild and remote. Mangroves, scrub and swampy estuaries cover its flat landscape. For a narrow, 2.5-kilometre stretch along the island's northern shore, colourful houses perch on stilts by the waters of the Torres Strait, or Zenadth Kes, as it's called by the traditional locals. Papua New Guinea 's coastline is less than 4 kilometres away, a visible indication of just how remote this community is from the Australian mainland. And, impossible to miss, is the 2.3-metrehigh concrete wall that runs the length of the town foreshore to keep the sea at bay, a conspicuous reminder of the threat of the ocean. During the winter months, the water laps sedately at the base of the sea wall and at low tide children venture onto the rocky mudflat to collect sea life. Parents remind them to stay away from the water's edge. After a recent death, locals are alert to crocodiles lurking beneath the surface. Shakyna Dau-Menegi, of the Samu (cassowary) clan, used to spend her spare time looking for clown shells at low tide with other kids and her elders. Now, she uses that time to collect plastic water bottles from other islanders to recycle and raise money for sandbags to protect her community and "the loved ones who are buried here". At 10, Shakyna knows more about climate change than most Australians her age. She understands the sea is rising by 6-to-8 millimetres a year in the strait, a worrying development for people who live on average just one metre above sea level. The island is only 1.7 metres above sea level at its highest point. It's even more concerning during Kuki, the monsoon season between January and April, when the usually calm Torres Strait can transform into a beast that claws at the island. "When there's storms the island shakes," Shakyna says. "A lot of waters come in and out and we see little bits and pieces of land going away one by one. "I find it very scary." King tides during Kuki can peak at just under 4 metres sending waves crashing over the sea wall built seven years ago. Estuaries and creeks fill with seawater that spreads and inundates the roads. "We used to go fishing in the night on the beach," Shakyna says, "but now there's no beach and the seas are too dangerous, the currents are too strong." She fears her people will one day no longer be able to live on the island. "Without our culture we don't know who we are and where we come from," she says. "We need the island to build our confidence, our culture and our strength." Paradise in peril Saibai has a population of about 300, many of whom are traditional owners — the Koeybuway (Ker-bu-y) and Moegibuway (Migi-bu-y) people — and others who trace their heritage to the Western Province villages of PNG. Very few tourists, if any, pass through the tiny island airport that looks more like a bus stop. A bench seat and tin roof are the only protection from tropical showers and the scorching sun. Most of the people who use the airport are residents returning home, mainlanders visiting family, or government employees flying in to provide essential services for the island. When we arrive, we are mistaken for butterfly researchers. We're told they visit the island looking for new and rare species. The town has a primary school, supermarket, health centre, community hall, church, petrol station and a new addition, a coffee shop in Conwell "Nathan" Tabuai's home. It's the northernmost cafe in Australia. And Nathan's coffee is as good as the best on the mainland. There's also a shuttered and dusty wet canteen, no longer serving alcohol but still a centre for community gatherings. With no high school on the island, teenagers travel off-country to complete their secondary education. As cars trundle along pot-holed streets at walking pace, Saibai is the definition of a sleepy island village. Palm trees bearing coconuts line the shore and Hills Hoist clotheslines rotate in well-maintained front yards, taking floral dresses for a spin as they dry in a sea breeze scented with tropical flowers. The bright houses have paintings of animals proudly representing the totems of the seven clans on the island: Saibai Koedal (crocodile), Dhoeybaw (wild yam), Thabu-burm/Katbay (snake), Sui/Saydam (bird), Umay (dog), Ait Koedal (inland crocodile) and Samu (cassowary). Dogs roam the streets. Some are pets, some are wild and have to be watched. Everything runs on "island time", as the residents call it. Conversations and consultations voiced at an agreeable pace are key to the community. But underlying this leisurely lifestyle is a growing urgency to preserve what is left — and what can still be remembered — of the languages, culture and stories of this island paradise before it is reclaimed by the sea. Legal and climate experts liken rising sea levels and climate harms to “colonisation”. The ancient language of Kalaw Kagaw Ya (KKY) remains widely and uniquely spoken on the island. It's an ancestral thread in the fabric of modern daily life. "Language is the vehicle of knowledge that we carry with us," says elder Aunty Marianna Babia, who is documenting and preserving the language. "It's everywhere, in singing, storytelling and just everyday speaking to each other." In her floral handbag she carries a notebook to scribble down words she comes across. Trying to keep up with technology, she sometimes taps them into her phone. But while new words have been created for things like planes (boethal uruy) and cars (woeylal), many old ones have been lost, much like the soil that makes up the island. The number of fluent KKY speakers continues to diminish as people leave the island or pass away, and Torres Strait creole, a combination of traditional languages and English, becomes more dominant. KKY is now a critically endangered language, according to UNESCO, the Australian government and Torres Strait communities. Aunty Marianna fears the entire language could become extinct if the people of Saibai have to leave their island. "If you are living elsewhere ... you lose the names of things that are here — plants, animals, trees ... everything," she says. Passed down for millennia Elder Sedrick Waia, of the Ait Koedal clan, spends his days listening to traditional music on a speaker as he creates crafts. Uncle Sedrick's yard is full of his masterpieces hung proudly in readiness for a market stall. Each design has a meaning. The carving on a burubur (drum) represents the seven clans and is named Nathara Kubi — the roof of a crocodile's mouth. Many of his works are used by the local Muyngu Koekoper dance group for performances about the island's unique environment or Saibai warriors' historic battles. Speaking in KKY translated for us by Saibai Islander Barbara Ibuai, Uncle Sedrick explains the meaning behind some of the artefacts and the stories handed down from Saibai ancestors and told in dance. He says he's working to preserve the old stories, songs and language that form the foundation of Koeybuway and Moegibuway culture. It's a guarantee for an uncertain future. "We're not allowed to change them. It's forbidden," Uncle Sedrick says. "If Saibai ... sinks, we can take our old ways, our old songs, our stories with us when we go so that culture can remain. "There is a responsibility to pass it on to the new generations." The youngest of the Saibai generations gathers for the local school showcase and Uncle Sedrick plays a ukulele to lead the community in traditional songs. Raindrops sizzle on the hot road as little feet dance and elders play the burubur. Laughter and joy fill the humid air. The people of Saibai are very spiritual, Uncle Paul explains, and Gogobithiay (land, sea and sky) is how the island speaks to them. The umbilical cord burial tradition is one of the ailan kastom (island custom) practices symbolising cultural identity to keep connections to country strong. Uncle Paul's wind is Kuki (west wind) and star Methakurap, which appears over the west of the island as the sun sets. Constellations also tell islanders when the seasons are changing, what to plant and when to start hunting turtles and dugongs. Now, traditional hunting grounds have changed as those culturally important foods — and important sources of protein — move to new locations. Uncle Paul's grandfather was a seafarer and could navigate by the stars. "When the stars of the Tagai constellation faced upwards, it was dry season," Uncle Paul tells us on the deck of his home. Tagai was a great fisherman and features in many creation stories across the Torres Strait Islands. When Tagai's spear faces down, it indicates the monsoon and rough seas are approaching. In the westernmost part of town is Saibai's cemetery, where the dead lay under ornate headstones. It's a place islanders visit often, not just for funerals but to commune quietly with their ancestors. "It means a lot to the community because all our loved ones are here," Uncle Paul says. "I go to the cemetery once a month to talk to them. "We are cultural and spiritual people. We believe we ask them and our message will be delivered very quickly because they are already there." Graves are not just resting places for the dead. They are homes for them in the afterlife, decorated by families with painted totems and colourful tiles. "Once we have put the headstone on, that means the house has been built and blessed. They are now living in better places," says Uncle Paul, as he leads us to the grave of one of his sisters. But king tides repeatedly flood the burial grounds, bringing waves that smash the lovingly decorated graves. Some families are now contemplating the deeply distressing act of exhuming loved ones to relocate them to higher ground. "It's not culturally appropriate," Uncle Paul says. "We don't want to disturb them. They are sleeping." As global warming exacerbates storms and tides, Uncle Paul fears the sea wall will not be enough to save this sacred place and the community will be forced to leave both the island and their ancestors. For the past four years, Uncle Paul has been working with fellow Torres Strait Islander Pabai Pabai, from Boigu Island, north-west of Saibai, on a . They have argued in the Federal Court that the government has not done enough to protect their islands from climate change, and that reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions will be too little, too late to stop what they can see happening to their home now. The federal government has acknowledged that the Torres Strait Islands are vulnerable to the effects of climate change but denies it has breached its duty of care. Australia accounts for 4.5 per cent of global fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions and is among the largest fossil fuel exporters in the world. The Climate Targets Panel, an independent group of the country's most senior climate scientists and policymakers, estimates Australia's greenhouse emissions need to be , not 2050, to avoid irreversible damage to the Torres Strait Islands. The case is a first of its kind in Australia but other significant climate-related cases have been heard around the world. This year, Europe’s highest human rights court ruled member nations must better protect their citizens from the consequences of climate change. If Uncle Paul and Uncle Pabai are successful, they will seek damages and court orders forcing the federal government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions further and faster, which could have significant implications for Australia's mining and export industries. With the findings expected early next year, Saibai waits with nervous anticipation. "We're not going to stop. If we stop, Saibai will be under water," says Uncle Paul. "I'll have no land, I'll have no culture, I'll have nothing." Many Saibai islanders are hesitant to talk about what life could be like if they are forced to leave their ancestral home, like those who have already resettled on the Australian mainland, mostly in Bamaga and Seisia on the tip of Cape York. For some, the decision to stay or leave was made decades ago in meetings held by clan leaders after torrential rain and king tides flooded the village in the 1940s. One of the migrants to the mainland, Aunty Togiab McRose Elu, a Saibai Koedal clanswoman who goes by Aunty Rose, made the long boat journey with her father when she was a baby. "He was concerned about what the future was going to hold," she says. But for Aunty Rose, who lives in Brisbane, the children and grandchildren of those who left must be able to return. "As I get off the plane, I set my foot on the land, I know that I'm home. That's where I belong — here is the motherland," Aunty Rose tells us. "This is our land here, and the seas and the waters. The land on the mainland doesn't belong to us." The families who stayed are committed to holding on as long as they can and much of that determination revolves around the church on the foreshore. It's a neat, white building that would look unremarkable in most mainland suburbs but is the tallest building on the island. "There's only a few of us left but we have that feeling inside of us that we don't want to move until the church goes under," elder Neimeiah Dai says. Built by their forefathers from coral dragged from the seabed, it's the heart of the community, a symbol of faith, trust and belief. "It's our land we are fighting for," he says. "It is our backbone, our strength. If we lose that we lose everything." Credits Related stories Climate Change Environment Climate Change Related topics Cairns Climate Change Environmental Impact Federal Government Indigenous Australians Indigenous Culture Oceans and Reefs Torres Strait Islandssphere 7 ran online 。

Rashford, who came through the ranks at Manchester United, has been a key figure for the Red Devils in recent years. However, his form has dipped this season, and there are concerns about his consistency and effectiveness in front of goal. With several top clubs monitoring his situation, United have decided to cash in on the 24-year-old forward to fund potential new signings.House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minors

BOSTON (AP) — Forty years ago, Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie rolled to his right and threw a pass that has become one of college football’s most iconic moments. With Boston College trailing defending champion Miami, Flutie threw the Hail Mary and found receiver Gerard Phalen , who made the grab while falling into the end zone behind a pair of defenders for a game-winning 48-yard TD. Flutie and many of his 1984 teammates were honored on the field during BC’s 41-21 victory over North Carolina before the second quarter on Saturday afternoon, the anniversary of the Eagles’ Miracle in Miami. “There’s no way its been 40 years,” Flutie told The Associated Press on the sideline a few minutes before he walked out with some of his former teammates to be recognized after a video of The Play was shown on the scoreboards. It’s a moment and highlight that’s not only played throughout decades of BC students and fans, but around the college football world. “What is really so humbling is that the kids 40 years later are wearing 22 jerseys, still,” Flutie said of his old number. “That amazes me.” That game was played on national TV the Friday after Thanksgiving. The ironic thing is it was originally scheduled for earlier in the season before CBS paid Rutgers to move its game against Miami, thus setting up the BC-Miami post-holiday matchup. “It shows you how random some things are, that the game was moved,” Flutie said. “The game got moved to the Friday after Thanksgiving, which was the most watched game of the year. We both end up being nationally ranked and up there. All those things lent to how big the game itself was, and made the pass and the catch that much more relevant and remembered because so many people were watching.” There’s a statue of Flutie winding up to make The Pass outside the north gates at Alumni Stadium. Fans and visitors can often be seen taking photos there. “In casual conversation, it comes up every day,” Flutie said, when asked how many times people bring it up. “It brings a smile to my face every time we talk about it.” A week after the game-ending Flutie pass, the Eagles beat Holy Cross and before he flew off to New York to accept the Heisman. They went on to win the 49th Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day. “Forty years seem almost like incomprehensible,” said Phalen, also standing on the sideline a few minutes after the game started. “I always say to Doug: ‘Thank God for social media. It’s kept it alive for us.”’ Earlier this week, current BC coach Bill O’Brien, 55, was asked if he remembered where he was 40 years ago. “We were eating Thanksgiving leftovers in my family room,” he said. “My mom was saying a Rosary in the kitchen because she didn’t like Miami and wanted BC to win. My dad, my brother and I were watching the game. “It was unbelievable,” he said. “Everybody remembers where they were for the Hail Mary, Flutie pass.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

In conclusion, Wang Chuqin's response to Ma Long's challenge to make the match more fair underscores the importance of sportsmanship and fair play in competitive sports. With both players committed to ensuring a level playing field, fans can look forward to a thrilling and competitive match between two of the best table tennis players in the world. The upcoming competition between Wang Chuqin and Ma Long is sure to be a highlight of the table tennis season, and fans can expect a display of skill, athleticism, and sportsmanship that truly showcases the best of the sport.Smiths Group plc ( OTCMKTS:SMGZY – Get Free Report ) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 27,300 shares, a decrease of 16.5% from the November 30th total of 32,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 27,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.0 days. Analyst Ratings Changes SMGZY has been the topic of several research reports. Barclays upgraded Smiths Group to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, September 30th. Citigroup upgraded Smiths Group to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 28th. Get Our Latest Report on Smiths Group Smiths Group Stock Down 0.6 % About Smiths Group ( Get Free Report ) Smiths Group plc operates as a technology company in Americas, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates through four divisions: John Crane, Smiths Detection, Flex-Tek, and Smiths Interconnect. The John Crane division offers mechanical seals, seal support systems, power transmission couplings, and specialized filtration systems. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Smiths Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Smiths Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Forte added six rebounds and five assists for the Coyotes (9-4). Cameron Fens added 17 points while going 5 of 8 and 7 of 9 from the free-throw line while grabbing six rebounds. Isaac Bruns had 13 points and shot 4 for 10 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line. Marko Maletic led the Leathernecks (6-5) in scoring, finishing with 24 points. Julius Rollins added 13 points for Western Illinois. Sean Smith had 11 points. South Dakota's next game is Thursday against Utah Tech on the road. Western Illinois hosts Tennessee Tech on Tuesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

For the first time ever in their 10 season history, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks competed in the USL Championship title match, winning the cup 3-0. The team hosted Rhode Island FC at Weidner Field in front of a sold-out crowd and a national broadcast on CBS after a season of milestones. After winning the Western Conference Final at home for the first time in team history, the team had an opportunity that fans have only dreamed about for the past 10 seasons. The excitement that built up over the last week hit its peak Saturday morning as downtown Colorado Springs saw a sea of cyan and black hit the streets. Fans were lining up outside Weidner Field as early as 7:45 a.m. to celebrate and anticipate the 10 a.m. game kickoff, with the tailgate lot across the street beginning to fill up even earlier. Tim Owen, a board member for the Trailheads, the official supporters group for the Switchbacks, compared Saturday's game to the Colorado Springs equivalent of a Super Bowl. "I woke up happy, and getting up earlier on a weekend was totally worth it," Owen, who got up at 4:45 a.m. for the game, said. "It is definitely a different feel, it's like the Super Bowl of the USL here in the Springs." The Trailheads organized the tailgating lot, which was filled with excited fans decked out in face paint, glitter and even some hair dye. Brian Mcgary, who has been growing out his beard since the first game of the season, decided to dye it blue for Saturday's special game. "People make comments on it all the time, it makes people smile," Mcgary said with a laugh. "We make as much noise as possible inside, and it's a great release of the frustrations of a week to be able to just get out there, scream, and not have anybody looking at you like you're weird." Tailgaters were excited ahead of Saturday’s Switchbacks game! A major event for the team as they compete in the finals for the first time in their 10 seasons! @csgazette pic.twitter.com/LHzlCLeeIG It was a brisk morning ahead of the 10 a.m. start time for the soccer game, and merchandise tables surrounding Weidner Field were selling exclusion 10th season scarfs and shirts. According to the communications director Ashley Purslow, after winning the Western Conference Final, merch for the team was selling out quickly all week. Inside, it was a sold-out game, with standing room only tickets available in the days before the game. Purslow said the 8,000 tickets sold for the game originally sold out within 48 hours. An additional few hundred tickets were released just before Saturday, allowing even more of the community the chance to cheer on their home team. One long-time fan, Kristen Clingerman, got a little emotional when talking about the journey from the very first game the team ever played to Saturday's championship opportunity. "This is what we've been working for forever," Clingerman said. "Last game, I was just crying. We've been through thick and thin and this is so surreal." At nearly every Switchbacks game, one fan in particular stands out with his bright red hair and extravagant face paint both in tailgate lots and inside the stadium. Ben Currie, a member of the Kilted Hooligans, credits the team for many of the friends he has made over the years. "Every meaningful relationship I've built since I've moved out here comes from the stadium one way or the other," Currie said. "(The team) having massive success like this, when I'm kind of making some strides in my own life, it's a very cathartic feeling." Another fan in attendance also had a special story that started with him and his dad buying season tickets for the very first season of the Switchbacks. Jason Smith, who caught many other fans' attention with his costume for the game, cried all the way home after the team won the Western Conference Final. The team has a special place in his heart for helping him open up socially. Jason Smith, a longtime fan of the Switchbacks, drew lots of attention from other fans with his outfit for Saturday’s game! Had to snag a photo! @csgazette pic.twitter.com/8LxLWDBa3i "Everyone was so welcoming at the start, and we build and build over the years," Smith said. "It is just a family, we watch out for each other." In the last hour leading up to kick-off, excitement only continued to grow as DJs blasted music through the streets while a large group of supporters marched into Weidner Field. Supporters of the Switchbacks march into Weidner Field! @csgazette pic.twitter.com/I11P6JVnny At halftime, the Switchbacks were in the lead 2-0, holding complete control of the match in stoppage time. From outside the stadium, the cheers from fans echoed down the street as fireworks were shot off throughout the game. By the end of the game, the Switchbacks reached even more milestones by securing the cup and making Colorado Springs history. This season was previously tied with the 2022 season for the most home wins with 10 victories. That number officially jumped to 11 on Saturday afternoon. Energy from the fans was even higher following the conclusion of the match with the stadium erupting into cheers as the clock ran down. The ending score was 3-0. Even more fireworks launched into the sky with a cyan powder dusting the field. "The energy was palpable; I could feel it as soon as I walked in there," said Peter Burlingane, season ticket holder. "It's been amazing to watch this team. They started (shaky), and they went nine straight games unbeaten, and then they brought us to the championship and they brought home a cup."

Benchmark indices on Wall Street scaled new peaks on Wednesday after comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell ahead of the policy announcement on December 18. Share Market View All Nifty Gainers View All Company Value Change %Change The Dow Jones closed above the mark of 45,000 for the first time, the S&P 500 added 0.6% to close near 6,100, while the Nasdaq Composite outperformed, gaining 1.3%. The tech-heavy index is now 1.3% away from the 20,000 mark. All seven big-tech stocks ended higher, sending a Magnificent Seven-linked ETF to gains of 62% so far for the year. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund also ended at an all-time high, a first since July. Stocks surged after Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that the US economy is in "remarkably good shape." Powell also said officials can afford to be cautious as they lower rates toward a neutral level — one that neither stimulates nor holds back the economy. He spoke at the New York Times DealBook Summit in New York. “We view this as slightly hawkish — but stopping well short of challenging the market’s growing confidence that a December cut is the base case, which has been our view all along,” said Krishna Guha at Evercore. One of Powell’s favorite barometers of the economy — the Beige Book — showed economic activity increased slightly in November, and businesses grew more upbeat about demand prospects. Treasury 10-year yields declined four basis points to 4.18%. French bond futures held onto earlier gains after far-right leader Marine Le Pen joined a left-wing coalition to topple the government, setting the stage for further political wrangling that has weighed on the nation’s assets for months. “The current market environment is clearly ‘risk-on’,” said Steve Sosnick at Interactive Brokers. “Yet the evidence shows that someone has been buying insurance against a 10% correction in the S&P 500, even though — or perhaps because — we haven’t seen one in months.” “We remain tactically bullish into year-end given the positive macro environment, earnings growth, and a Fed that remains supportive of markets,” wrote JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s Market Intelligence Team led by Andrew Tyler. “It is sensible to play the market’s momentum and see low pullback potential until mid-January,” they said. A Bank of America Corp. indicator that tracks sell-side strategists’ average recommendations remains at its highest level since early 2022, in neutral territory, but much closer to a contrarian “sell” signal than a “buy.” In commodities, West Texas Intermediate fell 2% Wednesday as tepid US economic data undercut OPEC+’s progress on a deal to keep output constrained. Gold was little changed early Thursday after two daily advances. (With Inputs From Agencies.)AI Big Model Shuffling Year Might Begin: Market Entering Rational PhaseIn the vast and passionate landscape of English football, one team currently shines the brightest, captivating fans with their scintillating attacking displays. Yes, you guessed it right - it's none other than Chelsea Football Club. The Blues have been on a rampage this season, unleashing an offensive onslaught that has left both opponents and spectators in awe. With their recent post-match celebrations and tributes to the fans, Chelsea has not only asserted their dominance on the field but also shown their gratitude towards the loyal supporters who stand by them through thick and thin.

In conclusion, the appearance of the "lifesaving straw" rice has sparked a wave of curiosity and speculation about the future of corn as a primary crop. While corn's versatility and market dominance have been undisputed for years, the emergence of a new, resilient rice variety has raised questions about its potential to redefine the agricultural industry. As market sentiment undergoes subtle changes and farmers consider their planting choices, the landscape of the agricultural sector may be on the brink of transformation. It is up to stakeholders to navigate these changes wisely and seize new opportunities for growth and sustainability.

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

Tua Tagovailoa shoulders blame for Dolphins' 5-7 start and addresses criticisms of team's toughnessIn conclusion, while cosmetic treatments like Botox injections can offer aesthetic benefits, it is crucial for individuals to educate themselves about the potential risks involved and to prioritize their health and safety above all else. The incident of mild botulism poisoning serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and informed decision-making when it comes to undergoing cosmetic procedures.

Nuno, who took over as Tottenham's manager in 2021, has faced a tough start to the season, with the team experiencing mixed results and performances. However, Tottenham's management believes in Nuno's vision for the team and is steadfast in their commitment to giving him the time and resources needed to turn things around.Jordan De Goey's girlfriend goes public with 'sad' revelation about Collingwood champion

Mid-American Conference football goes all in on November weeknights for the TV viewersIn conclusion, the confirmation of a policy turning point at the December Political Bureau Meeting is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the Chinese economy, with institutions highlighting the strategic measures aimed at stabilizing and improving the macroeconomic situation, promoting domestic consumption, fostering innovation, and enhancing openness and reform. As the world continues to navigate through challenging times, the decisions made at the meeting are poised to play a crucial role in shaping the economic trajectory not just in China but also globally.

In conclusion, the confirmation of "Uncharted 4" and "Four Seas Brothers" at TGA has set the stage for an unforgettable celebration of gaming and storytelling. With the promise of new adventures, beloved characters, and thrilling performances, fans have much to look forward to as they prepare to embark on a journey unlike any other. Let the countdown to TGA begin!CISA Issues Guidance to Telecom Sector on Salt Typhoon ThreatIn addition to the exciting news about "Uncharted 4," fans of the upcoming stage adaptation "Four Seas Brothers" have also been treated to a special announcement. The cast of the stage version, based on the popular game series of the same name, has been unveiled, drawing widespread attention and acclaim from audiences around the world.