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gba777 slot Robert Wickens moving up to IMSA GTD series in 2025 thanks to new Bosch hand controlsDALLAS — It was 24 years ago that baseball's Winter Meetings, in this same location, produced one of the wildest free-agent runs in history. Alex Rodriguez received a staggering 10-year, $252 million contract, twice as much as the biggest contract in sports history, and more than the total value of 18 MLB franchises. Mike Hampton signed the richest pitching contract in history, an eight-year, $121 million deal with the Colorado Rockies. The Boston Red Sox signed Manny Ramirez to the second-largest contract in history with an eight-year, $160 million deal. There was a record $739 million spent on 25 free agents at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. Now, nearly a quarter-century later, those meetings could look like a neighborhood bake sale with the amount of money that’s about to be distributed. Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings. Juan Soto is on the verge of signing a monstrous deal that will certainly exceed a record $700 million – perhaps even reach $750 million – two officials with direct knowledge of negotiations told USA TODAY Sports. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly comment. Soto's deal will eclipse Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million deal last winter with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and will pay Soto an average salary of at least $47 million a year for 14 or 15 years. And, oh yes, it will include opt-outs just in case it’s somehow undervalued in a few years. The New York Mets remain the favorites, executives say, but officials caution that the Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox are all in the same $700+ million neighborhood. The deal certainly will be a blessing for teams with exorbitant contracts, suddenly making All-Star outfielder Fernando Tatis’ 14-year, $340 million deal look like a bargain if the San Diego Padres ever decide to move him. Free-agent starters Corbin Burnes and Max Fried also are expected to receive deals exceeding $200 million at the meetings this week, and shortstop Willy Adames kicked off the meetings with a franchise-record seven-year, $182 million deal contract from the San Francisco Giants. Baseball executives, scouts, managers, and agents are scheduled to descend upon Dallas on Sunday, and by the time they depart for their flights back home Wednesday afternoon, there could be nearly $1.5 billion spent on free agents. Here at the five most intriguing free agents, top players who could be traded, and five teams to watch during the Winter Meetings: Juan Soto, top free agents set to cash in 1. Juan Soto : The guy who turned down a 15-year, $440 million contract in 2022 will be laughing all the way to the bank. He made himself an extra $300 million by waiting. It took A-Rod nine years and a change of teams to win a World Series championship after his record contract. How long will it take for Soto to get that second ring – and will it be with the same team that signs him to this historic this contract? 2. Corbin Burnes and Max Fried : They haven't thrown a pitch in more than two months, but their stocks have soared thanks to the contracts given to pitchers whose resumes pale in comparison. When Matthew Boyd receives a 2-year, $29 million contract without throwing more than 79 innings since 2019, when Luis Severino is getting $67 million over three years and Blake Snell is making an average annual salary of $36.4 million, Burnes and Fried should top $200 million. The San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox all lurk. The only drama is whether Fried goes ahead and signs before Burnes, or lets Burnes set the bar. Fried priced himself out of Atlanta, but is expected to sign with the Yankees or Red Sox. If Soto goes to the Mets, Fried could find himself in a nice bidding war between the Red Sox and Yankees. 3. Alex Bregman : Teams everywhere are being linked to Bregman, but the truth is that the Astros badly want him back, and the feeling is mutual. The trouble is that they are about $50 million apart. The Astros have a six-year deal worth $156 million sitting on the table – $5 million more than third baseman Matt Chapman received from the Giants but $26 million less than Adames – and Bregman is seeking in excess of $200 million. The Astros are expected to enhance their offer, but will it be enough to convince Bregman to stay? 4. Teoscar Hernández : Did the Dodgers meet with Soto and let people believe they actually are pursuing him just to help them sign Blake Snell , another Scott Boras client? Did they let the Soto rumors fester just to up the pressure on a Hernández reunin? Or did they jump into the original bidding to drive up the Soto price tag for everyone else? The truth is that the Dodgers should re-sign Hernandez to a three-year contract, with perhaps a fourth-year option, for somewhere in the $65-80 million range. The two sides have been seriously engaged in negotiations this week, but caution there’s still a gap. 5. Pete Alonso : Alonso says he loves the Mets and the Mets say they love Alonso, but something seems off. The Mets tried to sign him to an extension – seven years and $158 million, according to the New York Post – but it was flatly rejected. There’s no sign that the two sides have since talked, leaving everyone to wonder whether David Stearns, Mets president of baseball operations, even wants Alonso. He could easily turn to Christian Walker, the three-time Gold Glove first baseman, who should come at less than half the cost of Alonso. Alonso could be a perfect fit for the Seattle Mariners. MLB trade rumors surround top players 1. Garrett Crochet, White Sox : No player will command as much on the trade market than Crochet, the ace of the Chicago White Sox. They are asking for team’s top prospects, and no one blames them. He’s young (25), he’s cheap (projected to earn $2.9 million by MLB Trade Rumors ) and he’s a stud, striking out 209 batters in 146 innings last season. The White Sox have had serious talks with the Philadelphia Phillies, but rejected the concept of Alec Bohm and outfielder Justin Crawford. The San Diego Padres would love him, and have dealt plenty of prospects in the past, but told the White Sox they are hanging onto catcher Ethan Salas and shortstop Leodalis De Vries. The Red Sox lurk. In the end, the White Sox will trade him to the team that gives them the most prized prospects, and hope they never again experience anything like their embarrassing 41-121 season. 2. Cody Bellinger : He may make too much money. No one is going to assume the entire $52.5 million left in Bellinger’s contract (if he opts back in for 2026 at $25 million). The Cubs would love to dump the contract, even for a lesser return, but they’re finding precious little interest. Still, there’s got to be a team out there that is willing to bite the bullet on the cash, and realize he’ll be a significant upgrade. We’re talking about you, Mariners and Yankees. He’ll definitely be moved, but it may not be until later this winter or spring. 3. Jordan Montgomery, Diamondbacks : When your boss calls you one of the worst decisions in his baseball career and is angry that you opted back into your contract at $22.5 million, you don’t need a therapist to know that you’re not wanted. The Diamondbacks are shopping him everywhere. They tried to get the Cubs interested in a swap for Bellinger. So far, they’re striking out, but considering the soaring price of pitching, and the brilliance he showed on the Texas Rangers’ World Series championship team, there’s a better shot of snow flurries in Phoenix next summer than Montgomery wearing a D-backs uniform. 4. Alec Bohm, Phillies : The Phillies realize they can’t run it back with the same offense again in 2025. It can be the most explosive in baseball, but as they’ve learned in the postseason, their lineup can also be awfully easy to navigate for opposing pitchers. Something has got to change, and Bohm easily has the most trade value among Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh and himself. If the Astros lose Alex Bregman in free agency, you can be assured that Phillies president Dave Dombrowski will be immediately on the phone offering Bohm for Astros reliever Ryan Pressly – who’s being extensively shopped. 5. Nolan Arenado, Cardinals : Let’s be honest, the Cardinals want him off the books and Arenado wants out of St. Louis if they’re not trying to win. He still has three years, $74 million left in his deal but if a team is willing to assume the entire contract, they’ll have to only send only a few Imo’s pizzas in return. Arenado has a full no-trade clause, but would be Ohtani’s personal driver if the Dodgers were willing to take him. The Red Sox could present a nice alternative, too. There are only a few suitors who have expressed the slightest of interest, but both sides know that if Arenado is still on the team when they report to Jupiter, Fla., the distractions of potential trade talks could be a nightmare for everyone. Most intriguing teams at the Winter Meetings New York Yankees : In case the Yankees are ready to drown their miseries if they don’t re-sign Soto, all they have to do is look at the Padres to give them a $700 million shot of confidence. The Padres had Soto the entire 2023 season. You know what happened? They missed the playoffs. They traded him to the Yankees in the offseason, and they got better. The Yankees, if they don’t land Soto, can easily sign free agent Christian Walker for first base, sign Bregman or trade for Arenado for third base, trade for Bellinger to play center, move Aaron Judge back to right field, and still sign a frontline starter. Losing out on Soto could turn out to be a blessing in disguise. 2 . Boston Red Sox : They’ve talked a huge game all winter, and have been in strong pursuit of Soto. Yet, whether they land Soto or not, they can’t stop now. They have to sign Fried or Burnes, or even both. They could trade for Arenado too. The expectations are simply too high to sit back and tell everyone that they tried. 3. Baltimore Orioles : Yes, the days of losing 110 games a season are over. They’ve made the playoffs each of the past two seasons. But now much, much more is expected than just signing slugger Tyler O’Neill to a three-year, $49.5 million contract Saturday, especially with new ownership. The Orioles still have the best young players in the game, but if they’re not careful, that window will close in a hurry. Just ask the 2016 Cubs. If they don’t bring back Burnes, they better come up with a replacement. It’s also time to use those prized prospects as capital and Crochet should be in their sights. 4. San Diego Padres : The Padres, about to be hit with massive pay raises for Manny Machado, Tatis and Xander Bogaerts, could lose starters Dylan Cease and Michael King in free agency after the year. They need to win. And they need to win now. They’ve traded away a dozen prospects to become one of baseball’s most powerful teams, but painfully realize this could be their final year to compete for a title without taking a step back. They need at least one frontline starter, if not two starters, with Joe Musgrove out for the year and questions about how many starts Yu Darvish can make this season. Their dream scenario is landing Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki . He may be more essential to the Padres’ future than any team in baseball. 5. Atlanta : Come on, you know GM Alex Anthopoulos has some tricks up his sleeve after spending the first month creatively trimming about $38 million in payroll by trading Jorge Soler, letting catcher Travis d’Arnaud leave and restructuring two deals. They need at least one starting pitcher, if not two, with veteran starters Charlie Morton and Fried likely out the door. They also need a closer with Joe Jimenez expected to miss most of the season after undergoing knee surgery. They could also use a corner outfielder with Ronald Acuña expected to be out at least until late May. Keep an eye on Anthopoulos, who pulled off coups last winter by acquiring Chris Sale from the Red Sox and signing Reynaldo Lopez. Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast . Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more .

The long sports-filled Thanksgiving weekend is a time when many Americans enjoy gathering with friends and family for good food, good company and hopefully not too much political conversation. Also on the menu — all the NFL and college sports you can handle. Here's a roadmap to one of the biggest sports weekends of the year, with a look at marquee games over the holiday and how to watch. All times are in EST. All odds are by BetMGM Sportsbook. • NFL: There is a triple-header lined up for pro football fans. Chicago at Detroit, 12:30 p.m., CBS: Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears go against the Lions, who are one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl in February. Lions favored by 10. New York at Dallas, 4:30 p.m., Fox: The Giants and Cowboys are both suffering through miserable seasons and are now using backup quarterbacks for different reasons. But if Dallas can figure out a way to win, it will still be on the fringe of the playoff race. Cowboys favored by 3 1/2. Miami at Green Bay, 8:20 p.m., NBC/Peacock: The Packers stumbled slightly out of the gate but have won six of their past seven games. They'll need a win against Miami to try to keep pace in the NFC North. Packers favored by 3. • College Football: Memphis at No. 18 Tulane, 7:30 p.m., ESPN. If college football is your jam, this is a good warmup for a big weekend. The Tigers try to ruin the Green Wave’s perfect record in the American Athletic Conference. Tulane is favored by 14. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes works in the pocket against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of Sunday's game in Charlotte, N.C. • NFL: A rare Friday showdown features the league-leading Chiefs. Las Vegas at Kansas City, 3 p.m. Prime Video: The Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes are 12-point favorites over the Raiders. • College Basketball: Some of the top programs meet in holiday tournaments around the country. Battle 4 Atlantis championship, 5:30 p.m., ESPN: One of the premier early season tournaments, the eight-team field includes No. 3 Gonzaga, No. 14 Indiana and No. 24 Arizona. Rady Children's Invitational, 6 p.m., Fox: It's the championship game for a four-team field that includes No. 13 Purdue and No. 23 Mississippi. • College Football: There is a full slate of college games to dig into. Oregon State at No. 11 Boise State, noon, Fox: The Broncos try to stay in the College Football Playoff hunt when they host the Beavers. Boise State favored by 19 1/2. Oklahoma State at No. 23 Colorado, noon, ABC: The Buffaloes and Coach Prime are still in the hunt for the Big 12 championship game when they host the Cowboys. Colorado favored by 16 1/2. Georgia Tech at No. 6 Georgia, 7:30 p.m., ABC: The Bulldogs are on pace for a spot in the CFP but host what could be a tricky game against rival Georgia Tech. Georgia favored by 19 1/2. • NBA. After taking Thanksgiving off, pro basketball returns. Oklahoma City at Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m., ESPN: The Thunder look like one of the best teams in the NBA's Western Conference. They'll host Anthony Davis, LeBron James and the Lakers. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James dunks during the first half of a Nov. 23 game against the Denver Nuggets in Los Angeles. • College Football. There are more matchups with playoff implications. Michigan at No. 2 Ohio State, noon, Fox: The Wolverines are struggling one season after winning the national title. They could make their fan base a whole lot happier with an upset of the Buckeyes. Ohio State favored by 21. No. 7 Tennessee at Vanderbilt, noon, ABC: The Volunteers are a fairly big favorite and have dominated this series, but the Commodores have been a tough team this season and already have achieved a monumental upset over Alabama. Tennessee favored by 11. No. 16 South Carolina at No. 12 Clemson, noon, ESPN: The Palmetto State rivals are both hanging on the edge of the CFP playoff race. A win — particularly for Clemson — would go a long way toward clinching its spot in the field. Clemson favored by 2 1/2. No. 3 Texas at No. 20 Texas A&M, 7:30 p.m. ABC: The Aggies host their in-state rival for the first time since 2011 after the Longhorns joined the SEC. Texas favored by 5 1/2. Washington at No. 1 Oregon, 7:30 p.m., NBC: The top-ranked Ducks have been one of the nation’s best teams all season. They’ll face the Huskies, who would love a marquee win in coach Jedd Fisch’s first season. Oregon favored by 19 1/2. • NBA: A star-studded clash is part of the league's lineup. Golden State at Phoenix, 9 p.m., NBA TV: Steph Curry and the Warriors are set to face the Suns' Big Three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. • NFL: It's Sunday, that says it all. Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 1 p.m., CBS: Joe Burrow is having a great season for the Bengals, who are struggling in other areas. They need a win to stay in the playoff race, hosting a Steelers team that's 8-3 and won five of their past six. Bengals favored by 3. Arizona at Minnesota, 1 p.m., Fox: The Cardinals are tied for the top of the NFC West while the Vikings are 9-2 and have been one of the biggest surprises of the season with journeyman Sam Darnold under center. Vikings favored by 3 1/2. Philadelphia at Baltimore, 4:25 p.m., CBS: Two of the league's most electric players will be on the field when Saquon Barkley and the Eagles travel to face Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Ravens favored by 3. San Francisco at Buffalo, 8:20 p.m. NBC/Peacock: The 49ers try to get back to .500 against the Bills, who have won six straight. Bills favored by 7. • NBA. The best teams in the Eastern Conference meet in a statement game. Boston at Cleveland, 6 p.m., NBA TV: The defending champion Celtics travel to face the Cavs, who won their first 15 games to start the season. • Premier League: English soccer fans have a marquee matchup. Manchester City at Liverpool, 11 a.m., USA Network/Telemundo. The two top teams meet with Manchester City trying to shake off recent struggles. • Auto Racing: The F1 season nears its conclusion. F1 Qatar Grand Prix, 11 a.m., ESPN2 – It's the penultimate race of the season. Max Verstappen already has clinched his fourth consecutive season championship. - Seasons coached: 23 - Years active: 1969-91 - Record: 193-148-1 - Winning percentage: .566 - Championships: 4 Chuck Noll's Pittsburgh Steelers were synonymous with success in the 1970s. Behind his defense, known as the Steel Curtain, and offensive stars, including Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, and Lynn Swann, Noll led the squad to four Super Bowl victories from 1974 to 1979. Noll's Steelers remain the lone team to win four Super Bowls in six years, though Andy Reid and Kansas City could equal that mark if they win the Lombardi Trophy this season. Noll was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993, two years after retiring. His legacy of coaching success has carried on in Pittsburgh—the club has had only two coaches (Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin) since Noll retired. - Seasons coached: 21 - Years active: 1984-98, 2001-06 - Record: 200-126-1 - Winning percentage: .613 - Championships: 0 As head coach of Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington, and San Diego, Marty Schottenheimer proved a successful leader during the regular season. Notably, he was named Coach of the Year after turning around his 4-12 Chargers team to a 12-4 record in 2004. His teams, however, struggled during the playoffs. Schottheimer went 5-13 in the postseason, and he never made it past the conference championship round. As such, the Pennsylvania-born skipper is the winningest NFL coach never to win a league championship. - Seasons coached: 33 - Years active: 1921-53 - Record: 226-132-22 - Winning percentage: .631 - Championships: 6 An early stalwart of the NFL, Curly Lambeau spent 29 years helming the Green Bay Packers before wrapping up his coaching career with two-year stints with the Chicago Cardinals and Washington. His Packers won titles across three decades, including the league's first three-peat from 1929-31. Notably, he experienced only one losing season during his first 27 years with Green Bay, cementing his legacy of consistent success. Born in Green Bay, Lambeau co-founded the Packers and played halfback on the team from 1919-29. He was elected to the Hall of Fame as a coach and owner in 1963, two years before his death. You may also like: Countries with the most active NFL players - Seasons coached: 29 - Years active: 1960-88 - Record: 250-162-6 - Winning percentage: .607 - Championships: 2 The first head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Tom Landry held the position for his entire 29-year tenure as an NFL coach. The Cowboys were especially dominant in the 1970s when they made five Super Bowls and won the big game twice. Landry was known for coaching strong all-around squads and a unit that earned the nickname the "Doomsday Defense." Between 1966 and 1985, Landry and his Cowboys enjoyed 20 straight seasons with a winning record. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1990. - Seasons coached: 26 - Years active: 1999-present - Record: 267-145-1 - Winning percentage: .648 - Championships: 3 The only active coach in the top 10, Andy Reid has posted successful runs with both the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City. After reaching the Super Bowl once in 14 years with the Eagles, Reid ratcheted things up with K.C., winning three titles since 2019. As back-to-back defending champions, Reid and Co. are looking this season to become the first franchise to three-peat in the Super Bowl era and the third to do so in NFL history after the Packers of 1929-31 and '65-67. Time will tell if Reid and his offensive wizardry can lead Kansas City to that feat. - Seasons coached: 40 - Years active: 1920-29, '33-42, '46-55, '58-67 - Record: 318-148-31 - Winning percentage: .682 - Championships: 6 George Halas was the founder and longtime owner of the Chicago Bears and coached the team across four separate stints. Nicknamed "Papa Bear," he built the ballclub into one of the NFL's premier franchises behind players such as Bronko Nagurski and Sid Luckman. Halas also played for the team, competing as a player-coach in the 1920s. The first coach to study opponents via game film, he was once a baseball player and even made 12 appearances as a member of the New York Yankees in 1919. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963 as both a coach and owner. - Seasons coached: 33 - Years active: 1963-95 - Record: 328-156-6 - Winning percentage: .677 - Championships: 2 The winningest head coach in NFL history is Don Shula, who first coached the Baltimore Colts (losing Super Bowl III to Joe Namath and the New York Jets) for seven years before leading the Miami Dolphins for 26 seasons. With the Fins, Shula won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1972 and 1973, a run that included a 17-0 season—the only perfect campaign in NFL history. He also coached quarterback great Dan Marino in the 1980s and '90s, but the pair made it to a Super Bowl just once. Shula was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997. Story editing by Mike Taylor. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. You may also like: The 5 biggest upsets of the 2023-24 NFL regular season Get local news delivered to your inbox!Ventive Hospitality shares are set to make their stock market debut today after receiving strong response for its initial public offering (IPO). Ventive Hospitality IPO listing date is today, December 30, and the equity shares of the company will be listed on both the stock exchanges, BSE and NSE. Ventive Hospitality IPO issue was open from December 20 to 24, and the IPO allotment was finalised on December 26. “Trading Members of the Exchange are hereby informed that effective from Monday, December 30, 2024, the equity shares of Ventive Hospitality Limited shall be listed and admitted to dealings on the Exchange in the list of ‘B’ Group of Securities,” said a notice on BSE. Ventive Hospitality shares will be a part of Special Pre-open Session (SPOS) on Monday, and the stock will be available for trading from 10:00 AM. Ahead of the share listing, trends for Ventive Hospitality IPO grey market premium (GMP) today indicates a positive debut. Analysts also expect Ventive Hospitality shares to list at a premium to the IPO price. Ventive Hospitality IPO GMP Today Ventive Hospitality IPO GMP today is ₹ 70 per share, according to stock market observers. This indicates that in the grey market, Ventive Hospitality shares are trading higher by ₹ 70 apiece than their issue price. Ventive Hospitality Listing Price Considering the Ventive Hospitality IPO GMP today, the estimated listing price of Ventive Hospitality shares would be ₹ 713 apiece, a premium of 11% from the IPO price of ₹ 643 per share. Analysts also predict Ventive Hospitality share listing to be at a premium of around 10% to the issue price. “ Ventive Hospitality IPO received a decent response despite being priced at high valuations. So, I am expecting a positive debut for the company shares. One can expect the Ventive Hospitality IPO listing at around 10% to 12% premium,” said Arun Kejriwal, founder of Kejriwal Research and Investment Services. According to Akriti Mehrotra, Research Analyst, StoxBox, Ventive Hospitality IPO, oversubscribed 10.33 times, is set to debut today, with an 11% premium above the upper price band. “The company operates 11 luxury properties, including flagship hotels like JW Marriott Pune and The Ritz-Carlton Pune, benefiting from strong partnerships with global brands such as Marriott and Hilton. However, its reliance on third-party operators for 78% of its keys exposes it to reputational risks. Ventive also generates 41% of its revenue from annuity assets, providing stable cash flows. With a strong financial track record, including a 44% revenue CAGR, and plans for expansion, we recommend holding shares for medium to long-term growth,” said Mehrotra. Ventive Hospitality IPO Details The ₹ 1,600-crore worth Ventive Hospitality IPO was open for subscription from December 20 to 24 and the IPO allotment was finalised on December 26. Ventive Hospitality IPO listing date is today, December 30 and the Ventive Hospitality shares will be listed on BSE and NSE. Ventive Hospitality IPO price band was set at ₹ 610 to ₹ 643 per share, and the issue was entirely a fresh issue of 2.49 crore equity shares. Ventive Hospitality IPO received 9.82 times subscription in total as it garnered bids for 14.17 crore equity shares as against IPO size of 1.44 crore shares. The retail investors portion was booked 5.94 times, while the Non Institutional Investors (NII) portion was subscribed 13.87 times. The Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) category received 9.08 times subscription. JM Financial, Axis Capital, HSBC Securities & Capital Markets, ICICI Securities, IFL Securities, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, SBI Capital Markets are the book running lead managers of the Ventive Hospitality IPO, while Kfin Technologies is the IPO registrar. Read all IPO news here Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 ATLANTA (AP) — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent roughly 22 months in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife Rosalynn then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said he died peacefully Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’ PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — The 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, James Earl Carter Jr., died Sunday at the age of 100. His life ended where it began, in Plains, Georgia. He left and returned to the tiny town many times as he climbed to the nation’s highest office and lost it after four tumultuous years. Carter spent the next 40 years setting new standards for what a former president can do. Carter wrote nearly a decade ago that he found all the phases of his life challenging but also successful and enjoyable. The Democrat's principled but pragmatic approach defied American political labels, especially the idea that one-term presidents are failures. What we know about the deadly passenger jet crash in South Korea SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean officials are investigating the crash landing of a passenger jet that's one of the deadliest disasters in that nation's aviation history. Transport Ministry officials said the airport control tower issued a bird strike warning to the plane shortly before it intended to land and gave its pilot permission to land in a different area on Sunday. The Boeing 737-800 skidded off the runway, crashed into a barrier and burst into flames. All but two of the 181 people on board died. The Jeju Air passenger plane was flying from Bangkok to the town of Muan, about 180 miles south of Seoul, when the crash happened. South Korean authorities seek warrant to detain impeached President Yoon in martial law probe SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean law enforcement officials have requested a court warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol as they investigate whether his short-lived martial law decree this month amounted to rebellion. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, which is leading a joint investigation with police and military authorities into the power grab that lasted only a few hours, confirmed it requested the warrant on Monday. Investigators plan to question Yoon on charges of abuse of authority and orchestrating a rebellion. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east HOUSTON (AP) — A strong storm system is threatening to whip up tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Southeast, a day after severe weather claimed at least two lives as twisters touched down in Texas and Mississippi. Strong storms moving eastward Sunday are expected to continue producing gusty, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes through Sunday. That is according to National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira. So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, Pereira said, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed. A fourth infant dies of the winter cold in Gaza as families share blankets in seaside tents DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fourth infant has died of hypothermia in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by nearly 15 months of war are huddled in tents along the rainy, windswept coast as winter arrives. The baby's father says the 20-day-old child was found with his head as “cold as ice” Sunday morning in their tent. The baby’s twin brother was moved to the intensive care unit of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father says the twins were born one month premature and spent just a day in hospital, which like other Gaza health centers has been overwhelmed and only partially functions. Syria's de facto leader says it could take up to 4 years to hold elections BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s de facto leader has said it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans on dissolving his Islamist group that led the country’s insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview Sunday. That's according to the Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad’s decades-long rule, ending the country’s uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011. Azerbaijan's president says crashed jetliner was shot down by Russia unintentionally Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev says the Azerbaijani airliner that crashed last week was shot down by Russia, albeit unintentionally. Aliyev told Azerbaijani state television on Sunday that the aircraft was hit by fire from the ground over Russia and rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare. He accused Russia of trying to “hush up” the issue for several days. The crash on Wednesday killed 38 of 67 people on board. Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Aliyev on Saturday for what he called a “tragic incident” but stopped short of acknowledging Moscow’s responsibility. Croatia's incumbent president gains most votes for re-election, but not enough to avoid a runoff ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Croatia’s incumbent President Zoran Milanovic has swept most votes in the first round of a presidential election, but will have to face a runoff against a ruling party candidate to secure another five-year term. With 99% percent of the vote counted Sunday, Milanovic won 49% while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the ruling HDZ party, trailed far behind with 19%. Pre-election polls had predicted that the two would face off in the second round on Jan. 12, as none of the eight presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote.

Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise US prices and won't rule out revenge prosecutions

NoneA WALMART employee got lucky when she won a million-dollar lottery ticket after her holiday shift - and she wasn't even supposed to be working that day. The retail worker was in the right place at the right time when she stopped by the store's California Lottery vending machine while leaving her shift. Rebecca Gonzalez wasn't initially scheduled to work on Labor Day at Walmart in the City of Industry, which is about 20 miles east of Los Angeles, but she got a last-minute call from the store. She reluctantly agreed to work a short shift on her day off, she told the California Lottery. “It was Labor Day and they only needed me for three hours,” Gonzalez said. “I wanted to obviously be home with my family because we planned to barbecue.” READ MORE ON LOTTERY WINNERS Despite working three hours on what was supposed to be her vacation, Gonzalez decided to make the best of it by buying a lottery ticket during her shift. She originally planned to buy a Single Double Triple Scratchers game from the vending machine on her break but forgot about it during the busy work day. "I didn’t remember I was going to buy a Scratchers until I left for the night and passed by the machines,” Gonzalez told the lottery with a laugh. Her $10 lottery ticket made her an instant millionaire, winning the top prize. Most read in Money “I couldn’t believe it!” Gonzalez said. The Walmart will get a $5,000 bonus for selling Gonzalez her ticket. Over 200 Walmart Supercenters in California have lottery machines, lottery officials said. Gonzalez said she paid off her debt with the million dollars and is closing on a home with her husband. Despite the extra cash, she plans to keep her job at Walmart. “I’ve only told one person at work, and it was the manager who wanted me to stay late on a holiday,” Gonzalez told the lottery. "He couldn't believe it." Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history. Edwin Castro - $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 8, 2022, in California. Theodorus Struyck - $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California. Unknown winner - $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, in Florida. Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida - $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016. Unknown winner - $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina. Unknown winner - he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden - $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, from Maine. Unknown winner - $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois. Cheng and Duanpen Saephan , and Laiza Liem Chao - $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon. Yanira Alvarez - $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California. Wolverine FLL Lottery Club - $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021, from Michigan. Unknown winner - $842.4 million Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024, from Michigan. Four other California lottery players have also hit big in the past few months by playing with scratch-off tickets, lottery officials revealed. Wayne Sims bought his $1M Ultimate Cash game at Pearl Market in San Francisco. Two winners bought their winning tickets at liquor stores: Alex Vela from Circus Liquors in North Hollywood and Robert Befriends from Plma Liquor in La Palma. R. Abrahamian won a Multiplier Craze Scratchers game after buying it at a 7-11 in Burbank. Read More on The US Sun Meanwhile, a Mega Millions jackpot has grown to $489 million after months of no one winning the huge prize. While no one has won the massive sum, other players have been lucky enough to take the $1 million prizes along the way. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chase their losses Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling online .Conners, Tate lead Appalachian State over Sam Houston 66-63

[WT논평] Containment policy aginst China (1)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is underscoring his intention to block the purchase of U.S. Steel by Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel Corp. , and he's pledging to use tax incentives and tariffs to strengthen the iconic American steelmaker. Trump had vowed early in the presidential campaign that he would “instantaneously” block the deal, and he reiterated that sentiment in a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday night. “I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company” and will use tax incentives and tariffs to make U.S. Steel “Strong and Great Again, and it will happen FAST!” he wrote. “As President," he continued, "I will block this deal from happening. Buyer Beware!!!” President Joe Biden , like Trump, also opposes Nippon Steel's purchase of Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel. Biden’s White House in September said that it had yet to see a report from the secretive Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States , which was reviewing the transaction for national security concerns. The committee, which is chaired by the treasury secretary and includes other Cabinet members, can recommend that the president block a transaction, and federal law gives the president that power. Ahead of the November election, the proposed merger carried political importance in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state that Trump eventually won. Biden publicly sided with the United Steelworkers, the labor union, in seeking to reject the deal. When he announced his opposition in a March statement, Biden said: “U.S. Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated.” Nippon Steel has said it is the only company that can make the necessary investment in U.S. Steel's factories and strengthen the American steel industry. Both Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel on Tuesday released statements in support of the acquisition. "This transaction should be approved on its merits. The benefits are overwhelmingly clear. Our communities, customers, investors, and employees strongly support this transaction, and we will continue to advocate for them and adherence to the rule of law," U.S. Steel said. The deal follows a long stretch of protectionist U.S. tariffs that analysts say has helped reinvigorate domestic steel, including U.S. Steel. U.S. Steel's shareholders have approved the deal, but the United Steelworkers oppose it. In a statement Tuesday, the union said the deal carries “serious long-term implications for U.S. economic and national security.” “It’s clear that President Trump understands the vital role a strong domestic steel industry plays in our national security, as well as the importance of the jobs and communities the industry supports," the union said. The deal has drawn bipartisan opposition in the U.S. Senate, including from the incoming vice president, Republican Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, although the federal government's objections to the deal have drawn criticism that the opposition is political. Some U.S. Steel workers would prefer Nippon Steel acquire the company, given that it appears to have a better financial balance sheet than another potential buyer, Cleveland-Cliffs. U.S. Steel “provided a very, very good life for our families for a lot of years,” said Jack Maskil, a vice president at the Steelworkers local branch in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. “And we feel that with the Nippon deal that a lot more families for futures to come will be able to share the same.” West Mifflin Mayor Chris Kelly said he met with Nippon Steel executives and found himself satisfied by their commitments. Located southeast of Pittsburgh, West Mifflin is home to U.S. Steel's Mon Valley Works–Irvin Plant. “There’s no question in my mind that it’s the best deal moving forward,” Kelly said at a panel hosted on Tuesday by the conservative think tank Hudson Institute, where Maskil was also speaking. The Biden administration committee vetting the merger is scheduled later this month to decide on the acquisition or possibly extend the ongoing review. William Chou, a deputy director at the Hudson Institute specializing in relations with Japan, said that "President-elect Trump's view on the deal are important." But given the upcoming deadline, “It's up to President Biden to recognize how this deal will advance the interests of future generations of U.S. Steel union steelworkers.” Trump’s statement came two weeks after Nippon Steel’s vice chairman, Takahiro Mori, visited Pittsburgh and Washington to meet with lawmakers, local officials and workers in an ongoing persuasion campaign. That campaign has included Nippon Steel's promises to boost its capital commitments beyond the original deal and, more recently, a pledge that it won’t import steel slabs that would compete with U.S. Steel’s blast furnaces. As part of its proposed $14.9 billion purchase of U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel also pledged to invest at least $1.4 billion in USW-represented facilities, not to conduct layoffs or plant closings during the term of the basic labor agreement, and to protect the best interests of U.S. Steel in trade matters. ___ Boak reported from Washington. Marc Levy And Josh Boak, The Associated Press

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UCF, LSU face off with improved focus in mindUS Department of Justice Outlines Breakup of Google in Historic Anti-Trust CaseA jam-packed Wednesday night around the NHL includes a matchup between the Winnipeg Jets and the Los Angeles Kings . Welcome to NHL Predictions here at Last Word on Hockey , where each day we preview and predict the upcoming slate of NHL games around the league! Be sure to check out all of our predictions throughout the 2024-25 season and follow along your favourite teams. NHL Predictions Los Angeles Kings vs Winnipeg Jets Time: 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) TV: TSN3, FDSNW; ESPN+ This game has all the makings of a physical, grinding, playoff-style matchup. Winnipeg is coming off of a stellar 4-1 road win in Minnesota while Los Angeles is looking to rebound from an embarrassing 7-2 loss at the hands of the San Jose Sharks . This is the first meeting of the season between these two clubs. Winnipeg took two of the three meetings between the teams a season ago, and has a 6-4 record over Los Angeles in their last 10 meetings overall. The team that has failed to score more than three goals has lost the last four games between the two clubs. Hellebuyck: Goaltending Class of the NHL The Jets leaned heavily on Connor Hellebuyck in their win over Minnesota last game. In that contest, the Jets displayed their stellar team defense and their commitment to playing a 200-foot game in front of Hellebuyck. This is exactly what is needed when you’re on a road trip facing tough opponents. After making 43 saves, Hellebuyck has now won three straight starts and nine of his last ten overall. Every game he is providing evidence that he is the top goaltender in the NHL. Winnipeg undoubtedly has an advantage in the crease in every game they play and that stark advantage is apparent in their matchup with Los Angeles. With Darcy Kuemper on IR, David Rittich is handling the bulk of the load for the Kings. Los Angeles’ goaltending was a question mark prior to the season and is now even more so moving forward. Jets Road Record Regression Despite their win in Minnesota, Winnipeg’s road record has regressed back towards league average in the last weeks. Prior to playing Minnesota, the Jets had lost three of their last four road games; they had started the season 7-0 away from home. In those last four road games, they scored one or zero goals three times. Star forward Kyle Connor recorded just one goal and one assist in those four games and was held pointless in three of them. Not an encouraging trend. Though they bucked it slightly against the Wild, the Jets will need to get back to finding the back of the net. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has been a force at home this season, sporting a 6-2-1 record and have only five goals against in their last four home games. Adrian Kempe is on a Heater The Los Angeles sniper has been red-hot the last five games with five goals and seven points. He is one of the most crucial offensive players in their lineup and a catalyst for the team’s success. Though unexpectedly he has only scored two times against the Jets in his career (19 games played). Regardless, he leads the King in goals (10) and plus-minus (plus-9) this season and is on pace for a near 40-goal campaign. If Los Angeles is to win this game, Adrian Kempe must be involved offensively. NHL Predictions – Kings vs Jets We expect this game to be a breakthrough game for the big guns on the Jets. They have had tremendous contributions from their depth players over the last while, but this is a game for their stars. They will be uncontrollable in 5 on 5 play and make the difference on the power play. The Jets still boast the top power play unit in the league while Los Angeles sits 28th. That is enough to be what separates the teams on this night. Furthermore, the hot hand of Connor Hellebuyck continues to scorch. Prediction: Jets win 4-3 Prop Bet of the Night Even though we called out Kyle Connor earlier, we’re sticking with him in this one. It’s a game for the stars of Winnipeg; you must include Connor when you say star . The FanDuel Sportsbook line has Connor at +265 to record 2+ points in this game. In the last four games that Connor has recorded at least one point, three of them have been multi-point efforts. He is a streaky scorer and point-making; Crypto.com Arena is a grand stage for another multi-point game for him. Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions, some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

Rohit Sharma hits new low in Melbourne, India captain records embarrassing feat during IND vs AUS 4th TestLUSAKA, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese enterprises in Zambia should take a leading role in driving the country's innovation and aligning with global technological and industrial transformation, the Chinese ambassador to Zambia has said. "I urge Chinese businesses to seize emerging opportunities in Zambia in sectors such as solar power, green mining, information and communication technology, and electric vehicles, while expanding collaboration in green development and the digital economy," Ambassador Han Jing said on Friday night during the annual conference and business forum organized by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Zambia. The event included the awarding of certificates to Chinese enterprises in recognition of their contributions in various areas, including outstanding corporate social responsibility and employment advancement. The ambassador commended the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Zambia for its pivotal role in promoting trade and investment cooperation between the two nations. Zambian Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga praised Chinese enterprises for investing in value addition to the country's raw materials. "Our government is focused on promoting value addition to raw materials, and we are pleased that Chinese enterprises have already begun investing in this area," Mulenga said. He noted that two Chinese companies have established factories in Zambia to produce electric cables from locally sourced copper. "Zambia is learning lessons from China, which has made significant efforts to promote value addition to raw materials as a strategy for economic growth," Mulenga added. "We are grateful that Chinese firms have responded to our call for investment in value addition."

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