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21 3 blackjack NoneCharles Barkley is letting everyone know how he feels about Donald Trump voters. The legendary NBA star turned Turner Sports analyst isn't afraid to talk politics. Barkley, one of the biggest voices in social media, is a registered Independent, who voted for Kamala Harris this year. But Barkley, who grew up in Alabama and starred collegiately at Auburn, has made it clear that he has respect for people on both sides of the political aisle. Barkley, 61, is a good example for the rest of us. TNT. Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl is one of Barkley's good friends. Pearl is a conservative and has spoken out in support of Donald Trump. While Barkley might have voted for Kamala Harris, he can still be friends and respect Donald Trump voters. He's tired of people sending him articles about Bruce Pearl voting for Donald Trump. “Oh, another thing. The next one of you fools, idiots and (expletives) send me an article about Bruce Pearl supporting Trump, I’m gonna punch you in your face. Bruce Pearl can vote for who he wants to. Bruce Pearl got two jobs, win basketball games and graduate players,” Barkley said on his podcast with Ernie Johnson . “People can vote for who they want to. I voted for Kamala. But like I said, we didn’t win...it’s all our faults for not having a game plan. We’re not having concerts and rallies. People want solutions, they want money in their pocket, they want the border secure.” Barkley's main point - "people can vote for who they want to" - is a good one. And while he might lean left and vote for Kamala Harris, he's not afraid to rip the Democratic Party, too. “The reason I think the Democratic Party and Mr. Biden, President Biden, is losing Black votes is they only care about Black people every four years,” he said earlier this summer. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Barkley, who is set to join ESPN with the rest of the "Inside the NBA" team in 2025-26, hopefully won't ever stop speaking his mind - on politics or anything else. Good for Charles Barkley.

Amritsar, Dec 30 (IANS): Samyukt Kisan Morcha chief Sarwan Singh Pandher on Monday urged the Punjab government not to "misuse" its power against the farmers and instead support them in their fight pushing their demands. Farmers in Punjab staged a statewide shutdown, 'Punjab Bandh,' on Monday, significantly impacting road and rail traffic between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The bandh, organised by Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, is part of ongoing protests at Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13. The farmers were stopped by security forces during their march to Delhi, prompting a push for their longstanding demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. Speaking with IANS, Sarwan Singh Pandher emphasised the strong support for the bandh, stating, "Three crore Punjabis have joined this protest, and around 95-97 per cent of the traffic across Punjab is halted. At Golden Gate, langar was organised from 5:00 a.m. to support the cause. Reports indicate roadblocks at multiple locations in Amritsar." Highlighting their demands, Pandher said, "The MSP guarantee is essential for the country's economy and the health of its farmers. Our demands also include loan waivers, 200 days of work under NREGA, daily wages of Rs 700 for labourers, and implementation of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution." "This is not just about farmers; it's about shopkeepers facing losses due to online businesses, privatisation of education and healthcare, and other issues," he added. Pandher criticised the Punjab government, urging it to support the farmers instead of misusing police forces, referencing past incidents like the Behbal Kalan firing. "The Punjab government should not misuse the police. Punjab government should stand with the farmers," he said. "Unless farmers and labourers nationwide unite, the government will not fulfil our demands. Punjabis are united today, putting immense pressure on the Modi government," he added. Prominent farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, 67, has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border since November 26 to push for the fulfilment of these demands. The bandh has caused significant disruptions to transportation and public services. The bus services across Punjab have been suspended. The Punjab Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) halted operations between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with private bus operators suspending services statewide from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in support of the bandh. Government and private institutions across the state remained closed during the bandh hours while emergency services continued to operate. Several groups, including traders, transporters, employee unions, toll plaza workers, ex-servicemen, sarpanches, teachers' unions, and social organisations, extended their support to the farmers' cause. Protest organisers clarified that emergency situations, such as medical emergencies, weddings, or funerals, would not be hindered. Provisions were also made for individuals travelling to airports for jobs or services.

Dame Esther Rantzen has urged MPs guided by their religious beliefs to be honest about why they will vote against plans to legalise assisted dying for the terminally ill. The broadcaster, who is terminally ill, has been a strong advocate for changing the law to allow dying adults to take their own lives in limited circumstances, without fear of their families being prosecuted for helping them. The 84-year-old revealed in December last year that she had joined Dignitas, to give her the choice of an assisted death in Switzerland. Ahead of a debate on the assisted dying Bill on Friday, Dame Esther said she was “heartened” by the fact Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood had disclosed it was her religion which was informing her opposition to the Bill. The senior Cabinet minister came under fire from Labour peer Lord Falconer for a strongly-worded letter to constituents in which she made clear her opposition to the Bill. Dame Esther told the broadcaster LBC: “I mean, what worries me is the number of people who are guided by their faith – that’s fine, that’s their choice, whether they’re Evangelical, Christian or Catholic. Yes, they have the right to choose, but please be honest about your real motivation.” The journalist and television presenter also said some opponents of the Bill had been “claiming facts which are not facts, distorting evidence, when really their reason is that they believe for faith reasons, religious reasons, that this Bill should be opposed”. In an interview due to be broadcast on LBC on Thursday morning, she reiterated her disappointment in Health Secretary Wes Streeting , “because ministers were asked not to campaign, and he has been very vocal in his opposition”. Ahead of Friday’s Commons debate, Dame Esther has written to MPs urging them all to take part and vote. After the debate, it is expected a vote will take place on whether to send the proposed legislation to a committee for further scrutiny. She said no matter which way MPs feel on the controversial issue of assisted dying, they should attend the debate and listen to both sides and make a decision because “every vote will be crucial”. In a letter in conjunction with pro-change campaign group Dignity in Dying, Dame Esther wrote: “Please forgive me contacting you to ask you to attend the debate on Kim Leadbeater’s Bill on Friday November 29, and please vote.” She described it as a “vital life-and-death issue” and one “we the public care desperately about”. She added: “So it is only right that as many MPs as possible listen to the arguments for and against, and make up your own minds, according to your own conscience, your personal thoughts and feelings.” She pleaded with MPs to attend and vote, “whether you agree with my decision or not”. She added: “This will probably not come before Parliament as an issue to debate for another decade. How many more will be forced to suffer until then?” Dame Esther has previously stated that while not well enough to be there in person, she will “certainly be glued to my television with my fingers firmly crossed that the vote will go the way the vast majority of the public want, and have waited for for so long”. In her letter on Wednesday, she acknowledged that any new legislation will “never apply to me as I have stage four lung cancer, and my time is running out”. She described herself as “fortunate” to have the choice of an assisted death at Dignitas, but repeated her views that to have to go alone for fear of her family being prosecuted is unfair. She said: “My family cannot accompany me there and support me, otherwise they will be investigated by the police for possibly assisting suicide which could mean a prison sentence of 14 years under the current law. “Is that really the way our legal system should treat patients and their families at the most distressing time in our lives?” Dame Esther noted that some people are opposed to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – which covers England and Wales only – based on their religious faith, but added: “Although some seem reluctant to declare that is the reason for their opposition to the Bill. “But I respect their decision.” Some people opposed to the proposals have raised concerns about palliative care and how that might be affected, or called for more focus on improving care instead of legislating for assisted death. But Dame Esther said: “It’s not a choice between better palliative care and assisted dying. “We all want the best possible palliative care. Terminally-ill people in the last six months of life are already being treated.” She said the “tragic truth” is that, no matter how good the palliative care is, “it cannot prevent some kinds of suffering”. Estimates published earlier this week suggested that more than 7,000 people a year – or roughly 20 per day – in the UK are in pain in the last three months of their life. The Office of Health Economics (OHE), which said it has no stance either way on the topic of assisted dying, said its estimates presumed the person was getting the highest standard of care available, likely to be in a hospice. This means the true number of people dying in pain is “likely to be significantly higher than our conservative estimate”, the organisation said.

Manchester United criticised over ‘offensive’ price increase for match ticketsPrimerica Household Budget IndexTM: Purchasing Power for Middle-Income Families Rose 2.8% in November Compared to a Year Ago

Pep Guardiola spoke of his relief after Manchester City finally got back to winning ways with a comfortable 3-0 defeat of Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. The champions had descended into crisis after a run of seven games without a win – six of which were defeats and the other an embarrassing 3-3 draw after leading 3-0. Four of those losses had come in the Premier League, heavily damaging their chances of claiming a fifth successive title, but they appeared to turn the corner by sweeping Forest aside at the Etihad Stadium. “We needed it,” said City manager Guardiola. “The club, the players, everyone needed to win. A good night’s work ? Thank you for backing us all the way, City fans ? pic.twitter.com/UOcKm0Y6Ry — Manchester City (@ManCity) December 4, 2024 “But it is just one game and in three days we are at Selhurst Park, where it has always been difficult. “We played good. We still conceded some transitions and missed some easy things and lost some passes that you have to avoid, but in general, the most important thing was to break this routine of not winning games and we won it.” Kevin De Bruyne, making his first start since September after overcoming a pelvic injury, made a huge difference to a side that appeared rejuvenated. His powerful header was turned in by Bernardo Silva for the opening goal and the Belgian followed up with a powerful strike to make it 2-0. The 33-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season but it was a strong riposte to recent suggestions of a rift with Guardiola. A sweet strike ? ⚡️ #HighSpeedMoments | @eAndGroup pic.twitter.com/WJOkfKo2zr — Manchester City (@ManCity) December 4, 2024 “I’m so happy for him,” said Guardiola of De Bruyne’s telling contribution. “Last season he was many months injured and this season as well. “I’m so happy he’s back. He fought a lot, he’s worked and he’s back with his physicality. The minutes he played in Anfield were really good and today he played 75 fantastic minutes.” Jeremy Doku wrapped up a pleasing win when he finished a rapid counter-attack just before the hour but there was still a downside for City with injuries to defenders Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji. Guardiola said: “For Nathan it doesn’t look good and Manu has struggled a lot over the last two months. We will see. “Phil (Foden) has bronchitis but when he doesn’t have fever he will be ready.” He said: “When you lose 3-0 and you say it was a good performance maybe people don’t understand, but I will not say that was a bad performance. “There are positive things for us in the game. Of course there are a lot of bad things, mistakes, but we had chances. “We didn’t achieve but I think we come out proud of ourselves because we tried. For sure, this game will allow us to grow.”An Expert Explains The Real Dangers of Microplastics to Human HealthStock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow record(The Center Square) – At a state budget hearing last month, the director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, David Rausch, reported to Gov. Bill Lee that a violent Venezuelan prison gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA), is operating “in all of our major cities. They are running human trafficking operations, that’s where they start. We are now talking with our peers throughout the country that they have a pathway to more violence.” In response, Gov. Bill Lee, an ardent supporter of border security efforts, issued a statement on X saying, “The border crisis is exactly why Americans voted for change. It’s not political – it’s about safety & security. TN will support @realdonaldtrump as he secures our border while delivering key resources for @TBInvestigation to stop illegal criminals from operating in our state.” Tennessee has long partnered with Texas’ border security mission Operation Lone Star. Earlier this year, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared TdA a foreign terrorist organization and Texas Department of Public Safety began creating a database to identify TdA members, characterizations, and arrests. No such database currently exists at the local, state or federal level. TdA members are known for violence, and have been accused of murder, kidnapping, extortion, bribery and human and drug trafficking, and linked to more than 100 law enforcement investigations nationwide, The Center Square has reported. In Texas, they’ve been connected to ATM and bank thefts, car jackings, execution style murders and assault of women and children, The Center Square has reported. Texas law enforcement officers have arrested more than 3,000 Venezuelan illegal border crossers; more than 200 are wanted, Abbott said. Multiple agency arrests are occurring in major Texas cities involving kidnapping, murder, drug and human trafficking. TdA crime has escalated nationwide after more than one million Venezuelans were reported illegally entering the country under the Biden administration, The Center Square exclusively reported. Rausch has been sounding the alarm after TBI has been involved in operations involving TdA arrests over the past year. Ahead of Thanksgiving, he announced a joint investigation involving the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Chattanooga Police Department, the state’s Human Trafficking Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations that resulted in the arrest of four men, including a TdA member. They were allegedly involved in a sex trafficking ring using a local hotel. The confirmed TdA member is also suspected of committing violent crimes in Chicago and New York City, TBI said. When announcing the arrest, Chattanooga Police Chief John Chambers said, “I want to make sure it’s crystal clear that CPD does not have issues with our Latino community members in Chattanooga, CPD and its officers are focused on criminal activity not ethnicity.” What makes TdA “different is they do move about,” Rausch said. “They remain transient until they get comfortable. If they get into an area where they feel like they are able to operate without impunity, then they will start to dig their heels in, as we have seen in some of the other communities. What we’re trying to do – and my purpose was, in introducing this information – was to ensure that all of policing in Tennessee understands we’re not going to let them get their foothold in Tennessee.” In March, TBI announced that an investigation into a multinational criminal organization linked to human trafficking in Middle Tennessee led to the arrest of a second alleged trafficker in Murfreesboro. TBI worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Metro Nashville Police Department, and the United States Marshals Service to make the second arrest. The investigation began last fall after TBI Human Trafficking Unit special agents uncovered a trafficking operation that allegedly lured women from Central and South America to the U.S. and forced them into commercial sex acts to pay off their debt to get to the U.S. One of the alleged traffickers was arrested last year. Rausch’s warning prompted several local jurisdictions to release statements. The Metro Nashville Police Department said, “This police department is well aware of Tren de Aragua and the criminal activity associated with its members. We have a heightened awareness for any such activity seen here.” The Knoxville Police Department and Knox County Sheriff’s Office said they hadn’t identified TdA members but were closely monitoring their jurisdictions. Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said there was no indication that TdA members were operating in the county. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The Memphis Police Department confirmed TdA activity. It said, “There have been two incidents in Memphis regarding Venezuelan gang activities. In 2023, officers located graffiti in the Appling Farms Station area. Additionally, on November 19th, 2024, ICE ERO arrested Luis Alejandro RUIZ-GODOY, who had outstanding warrants through INTERPOL. He was transported to Louisiana for deportation. Investigators with the Memphis Police Department have been and will remain in contact with our local, state, and federal partners concerning any new developments with Venezuelan gangs.” Chattanooga Police Department said “there was no evidence to indicate that the gang is actively operating in our city.” Two weeks later, TBI and CPD announced the multi-operation arresting sex traffickers, including a TdA member.

In Gaza's crowded tent camps, women wrestle with a life stripped of privacy

NEW YORK, Nov. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of common stock of Hasbro, Inc. HAS between February 7, 2022 and October 25, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 13, 2025. SO WHAT: If you purchased Hasbro common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Hasbro class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31157 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for more information. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 13, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements that represented the quality of inventory and the appropriateness of the levels of inventories carried by Hasbro and its retailers compared to customer demand. In truth, however, Hasbro had a significant buildup of inventory that it was struggling to manage and which far exceeded customer demand. As a result, defendants' statements about Hasbro's inventory, and what inventory levels reflected regarding demand, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Hasbro class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31157 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.We needed it – Pep Guardiola relieved to end Man City’s winless runTisca Chopra Shares A Fun Video With Darsheel Safary As 'Taare Zameen Par' Turns 17, Netizens Have Mixed Reactions

Diljit Dosanjh dedicates his Guwahati concert to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, wins internetFor Gaza’s women, the hardships of life in the territory’s sprawling tent camps are compounded by the daily humiliation of never having privacy. Women struggle to dress modestly while crowded into tents with extended family members, including men, and with strangers only steps away in neighboring tents. Access to menstrual products is limited, so they cut up sheets or old clothes to use as pads. Makeshift toilets usually consist of only a hole in the sand surrounded by sheets dangling from a line, and these must be shared with dozens of other people. Recommended Videos Alaa Hamami has dealt with the modesty issue by constantly wearing her prayer shawl, a black cloth that covers her head and upper body. “Our whole lives have become prayer clothes, even to the market we wear it,” said the young mother of three. “Dignity is gone.” Normally, she would wear the shawl only when performing her daily Muslim prayers. But with so many men around, she keeps it on all the time, even when sleeping — just in case an Israeli strike hits nearby in the night and she has to flee quickly, she said. Israel’s 14-month-old campaign in Gaza has driven more than 90% of its 2.3 million Palestinians from their homes. Hundreds of thousands of them are now living in squalid camps of tents packed close together over large areas. Sewage runs into the streets , and food and water are hard to obtain. Winter is setting in. Families often wear the same clothes for weeks because they left clothing and many other belongings behind as they fled. Everyone in the camps searches daily for food, clean water and firewood. Women feel constantly exposed. Gaza has always been a conservative society. Most women wear the hijab, or head scarf, in the presence of men who are not immediate family. Matters of women’s health — pregnancy, menstruation and contraception — tend not to be discussed publicly. “Before we had a roof. Here it does not exist,” said Hamami, whose prayer shawl is torn and smudged with ash from cooking fires. “Here our entire lives have become exposed to the public. There is no privacy for women.” Even simple needs are hard to meet Wafaa Nasrallah, a displaced mother of two, says life in the camps makes even the simplest needs difficult, like getting period pads, which she cannot afford. She tried using pieces of cloth and even diapers, which have also increased in price. For a bathroom, she has a hole in the ground, surrounded by blankets propped up by sticks. The U.N. says more than 690,000 women and girls in Gaza require menstrual hygiene products, as well as clean water and toilets. Aid workers have been unable to meet demand, with supplies piling up at crossings from Israel. Stocks of hygiene kits have run out, and prices are exorbitant. Many women have to choose between buying pads and buying food and water. Doaa Hellis, a mother of three living in a camp, said she has torn up her old clothes to use for menstrual pads. “Wherever we find fabric, we tear it up and use it.” A packet of pads costs 45 shekels ($12), “and there is not even five shekels in the whole tent,” she said. Anera, a rights group active in Gaza, says some women use birth control pills to halt their periods. Others have experienced disruptions in their cycles because of the stress and trauma of repeated displacement. The terrible conditions pose real risks to women’s health, said Amal Seyam, the director of the Women’s Affairs Center in Gaza, which provides supplies for women and surveys them about their experiences. She said some women have not changed clothes for 40 days. That and improvised cloth pads “will certainly create” skin diseases, diseases related to reproductive health and psychological conditions, she said. “Imagine what a woman in Gaza feels like, if she’s unable to control conditions related to hygiene and menstrual cycles,” Seyam said. ‘Everything is destroyed’ Hellis remembered a time not so long ago, when being a woman felt more like a joy and less like a burden. “Women are now deprived of everything, no clothes, no bathroom. Their psychology is completely destroyed,” she said. Seyam said the center has tracked cases where girls have been married younger, before the age of 18, to escape the suffocating environment of their family’s tents. The war will “continue to cause a humanitarian disaster in every sense of the word. And women always pay the biggest price,” she said. Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, over half of them women and children, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. Its count does not differentiate between combatants and civilians. Israel launched its assault in retaliation for the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on southern Israel, in which militants killed some 1,200 people and abducted around 250 others. With large swaths of Gaza’s cities and towns leveled, women wrestle with reduced lives in their tents. Hamami can walk the length of her small tent in a few strides. She shares it with 13 other people from her extended family. During the war, she gave birth to a son, Ahmed, who is now 8 months old. Between caring for him and her two other children, washing her family’s laundry, cooking and waiting in line for water, she says there’s no time to care for herself. She has a few objects that remind her of what her life once was, including a powder compact she brought with her when she fled her home in the Shati camp of Gaza City. The makeup is now caked and crumbling. She managed to keep hold of a small mirror through four different displacements over the past year. It’s broken into two shards that she holds together every so often to catch a glimpse of her reflection. “Previously, I had a wardrobe that contained everything I could wish for,” she said. “We used to go out for a walk every day, go to wedding parties, go to parks, to malls, to buy everything we wanted." Women “lost their being and everything in this war," she said. "Women used to take care of themselves before the war. Now everything is destroyed.” ___ Associated Press writer Fatma Khaled in Cairo contributed to this report.Former President Jimmy Carter left one last parting gift for president-elect Donald Trump after his death at 100 on Sunday. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs , the American flag should fly at “half-staff for 30 days at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories and possessions after the death of the president or a former president.” This means that on Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, all flags will be at half-staff in honor of the late president. The longest-living U.S. commander-in-chief, Carter died at his home in Plains, Georgia, his son, Chip, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sunday. Trump sent his condolences to Carter’s family in a Truth Social post Sunday, writing: “Those of us who have been fortunate to have served as President understand this is a very exclusive club, and only we can relate to the enormous responsibility of leading the Greatest Nation in History.” He added: “Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time. We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers.” One last gift from Jimmy Carter, all flags will be at half-staff on Inauguration Day pic.twitter.com/vQsl8wlrXY Mufasa: The Lion King and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 continue to bolster the box office’s holiday performance, with both films raking in over $60 million this week. After an initial disappointing opening weekend, Disney’s prequel to its beloved tale bounced back over the Christmas stretch, bringing in a domestic total of around $63.8 million since Wednesday. Meanwhile, Sonic 3 trailed slightly behind with an estimated gross of $60.4 million since Christmas. As both films continue to perform well domestically and overseas, other new releases like Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu also found surprising wins at the holiday box office—with the vampire flick posting $40.3 million during its five-day opening. Elsewhere, the Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown , is also on course to gross $23.3 million over the five-day Christmas stretch, while Nicole Kidman’s raunchy erotica for A24, Babygirl , reported a $7 million five-day opening. Wicked also continues to defy gravity, posting a global gross of $634.4 million and surpassing Mamma Mia! as the highest-grossing stage musical adaptation of all time. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Boxing Week sales are still in full swing, folks! As an avid J.Crew fan , I can honestly say that the brand’s discount-laden factory store (the brand’s online outlet) is a great way to get high-quality wardrobe staples without the big price tag. J.Crew Factory always offers discounts up to 40 percent off J.Crew, but for a limited time, you can unlock even more savings from already discounted items. Right now, J.Crew Factory is offering 70 percent off clearance items with the code SALE70 at checkout. Now’s the time to invest in evergreen staples like jeans and office-friendly blazers while they’re half off, or grab a few outwear essentials to round out your cold-weather lineup. The sale also includes tons of denim for just $50, pure cotton crewneck T-shirts for $20, and even new arrivals like NYE frocks and cashmere items. And the sale is not just for women; the gents’ and kids’ sections are equally full of additional savings. President Joe Biden let slip last year that former President Jimmy Carter asked him to give his eulogy—over a year before he died. Biden, 82, revealed the request after Carter, then 98, entered hospice care at his longtime home in Plains, Georgia in February 2023. “He asked me to do his eulogy,” Biden told a crowd of donors at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser about one month later. But Biden quickly caught himself, telling the donors “excuse me, I shouldn’t say that.” Carter died on Sunday, over two months after turning 100, his family confirmed. Speaking to reporters on Sunday night, Biden reflected on his decades-long relationship with the former president. “I’ve been hanging out with Jimmy Carter for over 50 years, it dawned on me,” the president said. “He used to kid me about it, that I was the first national figure to endorse him in 1976 when he ran for president.” Biden did not comment again on the proposed eulogy when he addressed the public. The president said he would be ordering a state funeral for Carter—the first since the death of former President George H.W. Bush in 2018. A TV news reporter was assaulted by a Colorado man who shouted during the attack, “This is Trump’s America now!” criminal court documents allege. Arrested on Dec. 18 in Grand Junction, Patrick Thomas Egan, 39, was held on suspicion of bias-motivated crimes, second-degree assault, and harassment. According to an arrest affidavit in the case, Egan allegedly followed the car of KKCO/KJCT reporter Ja’Ron Alex while he was on assignment, and told him at a stoplight: “Are you even a US citizen? This is Trump’s America now! I’m a marine and I took an oath to protect this country from people like you!” He then allegedly tackled Alex and put him in a headlock where he “began to strangle him” before his co-workers intervened and helped. Witnesses also said that it looked like Alex was having difficulty breathing during the attack, which the Associated Press reports was caught on surveillance footage. Alex later told police he believed he was targeted because he is a Pacific Islander. Egan is slated to appear in court on Jan. 2 to determine if formal charges will be filed. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. If you’re looking to revamp your at-home fitness lineup ahead of 2025 and don’t have hours to commit to exercising each day, allow us to introduce you to the CAROL Bike . The science-backed and AI-powered fitness bike is engineered to give you maximum results in the shortest time possible—and by the shortest time, we mean as little as five minutes. In fact, according to the brand, the CAROL bike is “proven to deliver double the health and fitness benefits in 90 percent less time compared to regular cardio.” Free Returns | Free Shipping Not only is it a huge time-saver, but the CAROL Bike is also designed to be personalized to the rider’s individual fitness levels, goals, and preferences, making the workouts easy to follow, time-efficient, and super effective. CAROL’s AI and Reduced Exertion HIIT (REHIT) technology optimizes the workout to your ability and fitness level, so every second matters. The personalized, optimal resistance levels are automatically adjusted as you work out—at exactly the right time—making the most efficient workouts easy to follow. “ CAROL Bike is designed to maximize training efficiency, with the shortest, most effective workouts, backed by science. And new rider-inspired features that give riders more flexibility to exercise their way,” says Ulrich Dempfle, CEO & Co-Founder at CAROL. You can try the CAROL Bike for yourself risk-free for 100 days, and the brand offers free shipping (7-10 business days) in the U.S. Kieran Culkin once got Mark Ruffalo high while on the job after switching out a prop joint with the real thing. In a profile with The Guardian published Saturday, Culkin recalled the prank his 17-year-old self concocted while starring alongside Ruffalo in an off-Broadway play in 2000, and explained that he “just watched” as Ruffalo took a draw of the “fake” joint before passing it to his co-stars on stage. “I’m like, ‘I thought this was a good prank. I’m stupid. Oh my God, I’m so sorry.’ But actually, they loved it,” Culkin remembered. “Mark says, ‘I haven’t smoked pot in 10 years; the second half’s going to be so much fun.’ There was this other actor who had never smoked pot in her life. She goes, ‘Is this what being high is? This is lovely.’ And then Phyllis Newman comes in and goes, ‘I haven’t smoked pot since the 1960s. Thank you, darling.’” The Succession star proceeded to express that he was “17 and stupid” and added, “I’m 42 now. I know better. I’m not going to try to get anyone high on stage.” President-elect Donald Trump is now the oldest living former U.S. president after Jimmy Carter’s passing at 100 on Sunday. Born in 1946, Trump is 78 years old—and is followed by George W. Bush, also 78, who was born just 22 days later. Bill Clinton, 78 himself, was also born in August 1946. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden, 82, is now the oldest living U.S. president and will be the oldest former president after Trump’s inauguration in January next year. Barack Obama is the youngest living former president at 63. Carter’s death was confirmed by his son Chip in a statement to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sunday. He died at his home in Plains, Georgia at 3:45 p.m. after entering hospice care in February 2023. Trump remembered the longest-living U.S. president in a Truth Social post Sunday, writing: “The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.” Loved ones of Hudson Meek, the teen actor who died in a car accident last week, gathered to celebrate his life on Saturday. The “celebration of life” service, held at a Baptist church in Homewood, Alabama, was livestreamed on the Baby Driver star’s Instagram. Several of the loved ones shared their favorite memories of the 16-year-old, and a choir sang in tribute. Fans expressed their appreciation for the service and their condolences in the comment section. “Wonderful celebration of Hudson’s life,” wrote user @melindaeubankswest, while @jeanniecmom added, “Praying for Hudson’s family at this difficult time. Fellow teen actor Grace Culwell shared in the comments that she was in attendance, writing: ”Such a beautiful service & so glad we were able to be there. Sending so much love & prayers to you all.” Meek died on Dec. 21 in from injuries sustained during a fall from a moving car on Dec. 19 in his hometown, Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Meek was known best for appearing in the 2017 crime movie Baby Driver alongside Ansel Elgort, Jon Hamm and Jamie Foxx. A post shared by Hudson Meek (@hudsonmeek) Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were spotted enjoying themselves at Jeff Bezos ’ holiday party at a high-end sushi restaurant in Colorado, on Saturday. The power couple appeared smiling and holding hands in photos, published by Page Six, that showed them departing the gathering at Matsuhisa’s location in Aspen. Their invite came after Bezos traveled to Mar-a-Lago earlier this month to bend the knee to her father, President-elect Donald Trump. Saturday’s event appeared to serve as a date night for Trump’s eldest daughter and his former adviser after they attended his Mar-a-Lago Christmas gala earlier this week alongside their three kids. The pair kept it casual for the gathering—Kushner wore a dark-teal button-down and black slacks, while Trump donned a brown suede dress, a tan leather jacket, and a pair of high-heel boots. Page Six reported that actor Kevin Costner also made an appearance at the party after being spotted earlier with Jennifer Lopez at a different nearby spot, although she was not at the Amazon founder’s event. Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez shot down rumors last week that they had married in the same resort town where the gathering was held. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. 2025 is quickly approaching, and there’s no better way to celebrate the new year than with 2024’s cocktail du jour—the espresso martini. It’s the perfect way to toast 2025 with sophistication, flavor, and an energy boost. Think you can’t make the buzzy beverage at home because you’re not a bartender? Think again. You can create this beloved cocktail effortlessly with just a cocktail shaker, fresh espresso, vodka, coffee beans, and Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur . It all starts in the land Down Under—Australia. Mr Black sources its ingredients, including 100 percent specialty-grade Arabica coffee, from local farmers and cooperatives. The liqueur is then slowly brewed with purified cold water to preserve its delicate, complex flavors. The result? A bittersweet masterpiece with bold flavor, balanced sweetness, and a lasting coffee kick. Its rich, coffee-forward taste is a crowd-pleaser, and the sleek bottle design adds a touch of elegance to any bar cart. Making an espresso martini is simple. Combine Mr Black , vodka, and freshly brewed espresso in a shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously until cold. Then, strain the mixture into a martini glass and finish with three coffee beans as a garnish. Skip the champagne toast this year and ensure you stay awake for the countdown to 2025 with a Mr Black espresso martini. Two Sasquatch hunters were found dead after they went missing while searching for the mythical beast on Christmas Eve . The men, aged 37 and 59, were found after a 60-strong volunteer search and rescue team joined authorities in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington State . They had intended to be home for Christmas Day, but a family member reported them missing to Skamania County authorities after they didn’t return by the morning. Police said the harsh weather conditions and their ill-preparedness for the forest contributed to the men’s deaths. Seven law enforcement agencies and the Coast Guard used canines, drones, ground teams and helicopters to locate them. “Their exhaustive search efforts resulted in bringing family members home to their loved ones,” the sheriff’s office said of the search teams. The force extended their “deepest sympathies and condolences to the families” involved. Andy Cohen’s biggest gripe with CNN star and New Year’s Eve partner-in-crime Anderson Cooper? Cooper’s annual giggle fit. Cohen explained to People why the anchor’s unceasing laughter adds extra chaos throughout their annual special. “Well, [it’s] that I have to be the straight guy,” Cohen said. “Literally, he’s in a puddle of giggles for the last 90 minutes of the broadcast, and I’m the one that’s hitting all the commercial breaks.” Cohen said he turns “into Mr. CNN for the last 90 minutes” while Cooper becomes “Mr. Bravo.” “It’s a very funny role reversal,” the Bravo star said. The longtime friends have hosted the CNN event together since 2017 after former co-host Kathy Griffin was booted in the wake of backlash for posing with a mask depicting the severed head of Donald Trump. Cohen and Cooper have found themselves in various antics since then— some alcoholic , some not —leading to Cooper’s own frustrations with the Bravo host. Cooper joked on Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live earlier this month that he constantly worries about “who [Cohen’s] gonna insult and what the clean up on aisle 3 is gonna be in the morning.”

KYIV, Ukraine — U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, shortly after a meeting in Paris with French and Ukrainian leaders, claiming Kyiv ‘’would like to make a deal’’ to end the more than 1,000-day war. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that Moscow and Kyiv have both lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers in a war that ”should never have started.” ”There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too many lives are being needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed,” he said, as he called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to act to bring the fighting to an end. Trump’s remarks came after a meeting Saturday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, that Zelenskyy later described as ”constructive." Speaking to reporters later that day, Zelenskyy insisted that any peace deal ”should be just” for Ukrainians, ”so that Russia and Putin or any other aggressors will not have the opportunity to return.” In a separate social media update Sunday, Zelenskyy asserted that Kyiv has so far lost 43,000 soldiers since Moscow’s all-out invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, while a further 370,000 have been wounded. Both Russia and Ukraine have been reluctant to publish official casualty figures, but Western officials have said that the past few months of grinding positional warfare in eastern Ukraine have meant record losses for both sides, with tens of thousands killed and wounded each month. ©2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at twincities.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.