The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in the economic diversification process through the extraction of lithium prominently called “white gold” from oil field brines, marking a significant shift from historical dependence on oil towards other natural sources. The Kingdom’s state-owned petroleum company Saudi Aramco has just completed a pilot project that demonstrates the feasibility of extracting this valuable “white gold” mineral from its current oil fields near the sea. The extraction project is being conducted in cooperation with Lithium Infinity (Lihytech) – a startup founded based on the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabian mining company Ma’aden, and Aramco. Deputy Minister of Mining Affairs of Saudi Arabia Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer noted that the innovation was discovered at the university. “They are extracting lithium through the new technology developed in King Abdullah University for Science and Technology. They are in accelerated development in this regard,” Al-Mudaifer said quoted by Reuters . “They are building a commercial pilot at the oil fields. So the brines that come out of the field will feed into this continuously,” he added. The discovery aligns with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 as the country aims to diversify the oil-dependent economy. The extraction costs presently remain high in comparison to the traditional salt flat techniques, but Al-Mudaifer remains optimistic about the commercial potential of the project as the global demand for lithium continues to grow. Currently, Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are used to power up almost every electronic gadget from electric cars, laptops, and smartphones, to emergency lights, toys, and pretty every gadget used in daily life. Other key oil companies such as Exxon Mobil and Occidental Petroleum are also testing lithium extraction technologies pointing to a global shift towards green energy sources. Lithium has been confirmed as an area of interest for Aramco and the company has acknowledged the process of extraction. This is not only a source of additional revenue but a new history that Saudi Arabia is going to write for itself in the energy segment where the Kingdom will shift from an oil-dependent economy to a technology-driven hub of the world’s energy transformation. Lithium is known as “white gold” because of its silvery-white colour and its value in the market. The metal is the lightest and least dense solid element at room temperature. It’s also highly reactive and flammable. Lithium is abundant in the Earth’s crust, but it’s spread out very finely. Researchers estimate that there are around 200 billion tonnes of lithium in the world’s oceans, and 98 million metric tons in rocks and salt lakes on land.Amid renewed interest in the killing of JonBenet Ramsey triggered in part by a new Netflix documentary, police in Boulder, Colorado, refuted assertions this week that there is viable evidence and leads about the 1996 killing of the 6-year-old girl that they are not pursuing. JonBenet Ramsey, who competed in beauty pageants, was found dead in the basement of her family’s home in the college town of Boulder the day after Christmas in 1996. Her body was found several hours after her mother called 911 to say her daughter was missing and a ransom note had been left behind. The details of the crime and video footage of JonBenet competing in pageants propelled the case into one of the highest-profile mysteries in the United States. The police comments came as part of their annual update on the investigation, a month before the 28th anniversary of JonBenet’s killing. Police said they released it a little earlier due to the increased attention on the case, apparently referring to the three-part Netflix series “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey.” In a video statement, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said the department welcomes news coverage and documentaries about the killing of JonBenet, who would have been 34 this year, as a way to generate possible new leads. He said the department is committed to solving the case but needs to be careful about what it shares about the investigation to protect a possible future prosecution. “What I can tell you though, is we have thoroughly investigated multiple people as suspects throughout the years and we continue to be open-minded about what occurred as we investigate the tips that come into detectives," he said. The Netflix documentary focuses on the mistakes made by police and the “media circus” surrounding the case. JonBenet was bludgeoned and strangled. Her death was ruled a homicide, but nobody was ever prosecuted. Police were widely criticized for mishandling the early investigation into her death amid speculation that her family was responsible. However, a prosecutor cleared her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, and brother Burke in 2008 based on new DNA evidence from JonBenet's clothing that pointed to the involvement of an “unexplained third party” in her slaying. The announcement by former district attorney Mary Lacy came two years after Patsy Ramsey died of cancer. Lacy called the Ramseys “victims of this crime.” John Ramsey has continued to speak out for the case to be solved. In 2022, he supported an online petition asking Colorado’s governor to intervene in the investigation by putting an outside agency in charge of DNA testing in the case. In the Netflix documentary, he said he has been advocating for several items that have not been prepared for DNA testing to be tested and for other items to be retested. He said the results should be put through a genealogy database. In recent years, investigators have identified suspects in unsolved cases by comparing DNA profiles from crime scenes and to DNA testing results shared online by people researching their family trees. In 2021, police said in their annual update that DNA hadn’t been ruled out to help solve the case, and in 2022 noted that some evidence could be “consumed” if DNA testing is done on it. Last year, police said they convened a panel of outside experts to review the investigation to give recommendations and determine if updated technologies or forensic testing might produce new leads. In the latest update, Redfearn said that review had ended but that police continue to work through and evaluate a “lengthy list of recommendations” from the panel.
Historic Southside residents shared glowing reviews of a proposed Evans and Rosedale urban village that was revealed Thursday night. “Beautiful.” “Modern.” “Walkable.” But the biggest question on the minds of many: Where’s the grocery store? Initial renderings of the project unveiled to the public showed a dense mixed-use campus that includes multistory apartment buildings and townhomes, retail spots, casual dining restaurants, green spaces, a fitness center and other amenities that the city plans to construct within two years just north of the corner of Evans Avenue and East Rosedale Street. Currently, the area remains largely vacant as redevelopment plans have stalled for two decades, according to previous Fort Worth Report coverage . Kevin Newell, president and CEO of Milwaukee-based developer Royal Capital, said the urban village was designed with significant community input in mind. Get essential daily news for the Fort Worth area. Sign up for insightful, in-depth stories — completely free. “This is a vision of you all,” he told residents gathered at the Bethlehem Center during a Dec. 12 meeting. “Let us know if we’re headed in the right direction.” A grocery store tops the wish list for residents in the 76104 ZIP code, a historically Black area where the life expectancy is 67 years, the lowest in Texas , according to a 2019 UT Southwestern study. The area is known as a food desert since there are few grocers operating in the area. Southside resident Lisa Byrd said she wanted to see a Trader Joe’s grocery open in the 7-acre village that will be built north of the Ella Mae Shamblee Library and Evans Avenue Plaza. “I’m excited either way,” she said. “Anything is better than an empty field.” Officials said they were still trying to secure a food store for the project but acknowledged the challenge of luring grocers, who want an increased neighborhood population to justify opening a location there. Robert Sturns, the city’s economic development director, said the prosperous Near Southside District, west of Interstate 35W, “can’t get traction” to draw interest from grocers despite that area’s increase in residents with several new apartment buildings recently built or under construction. But, he added, the city “is not giving up on the concept.” The urban village plan does call for a market or bodega, but residents said they’ve waited decades for a grocery where they can regularly buy milk, bread, eggs and other food staples. They suggested the former Pinkston’s Mortuary building at 821 East Terrell Ave. could be an ideal spot for a grocery. The project is still being refined, developers said. Terrell Walter, development director of Royal Capital, said the company wants to develop the project to meet the desires of the neighborhood. New mixed-income housing would include 184 units with one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments as well as five “live-work” units in which tenants could use a portion of their living space for retail purposes, such as a nail salon. Three- and four-story apartment buildings would be built by the I-35W frontage road with attractive, two-story townhomes on Evans and in between the apartment buildings. The housing would offer a range of rental charges to make it affordable for all income brackets. One apartment building is targeted for residents 55 years or older. The project, which includes 247 controlled-access parking spaces scattered between housing units, emphasizes walkability and retail options for restaurants, food trucks, health and wellness, banking and other services. Green spaces are planned as well. The village’s modern design would be complemented by the use of historic red bricks to tie in with Evans Avenue Plaza and other historic buildings in the neighborhood. Bryan Mays, senior manager of capital markets and finance at Royal Capital, said the developer will seek more community engagement as it will take eight to 14 months to complete engineering and traffic studies and obtain approvals for architectural designs. Several community sessions will be planned. It will also take months to hire subcontractors and complete negotiations as the village’s design is refined and individual parcels owned by multiple entities are secured. “A lot of processes still need to occur,” Sturns added. Once those processes are completed, a groundbreaking ceremony will be scheduled. The project has taken decades to reach fruition. Fort Worth started acquiring tracts in the neighborhood in the 1990s and issued two unsuccessful calls for development proposals in 2002 and 2006. Royal Capital took over the project in the fall after Fort Worth officials launched a new search in March. That process commenced after the city dropped Hoque Global, its previous developer , late last year. City officials canceled the contract with Hoque Global because it had trouble securing financing for a proposed $70 million development under deadlines laid out by city staff. Hoque Global also struggled to attract minority subcontractors as the city’s incentive deal required; the company would have received $19.7 million in land, grants and payments from the Southside Tax Increment Financing District, the Fort Worth Report previously reported . To reach out to the community, Royal Capital held a Sept. 25 fireside chat at the Shamblee library to introduce team members to the community. During a block party on Oct. 23, more than 100 residents provided ideas and suggestions for Royal Capital to include in their vision for the project. Residents said affordable housing, a grocery store, retail shops, sit-down restaurants, green spaces and community venues were needed to improve the neighborhood after decades of promises by city leaders. The project has $4.5 million in dedicated city funding. Officials initially planned to use federal COVID-19 pandemic relief dollars but that plan was shuttered because of federal deadlines. As part of a special taxing district, a share of property taxes from the area is reinvested back into the community. Since the late 1990s, the city of Fort Worth has invested over $30 million in infrastructure, redevelopment and planning efforts. Transparency will be a big part of the project’s community engagement process, Fort Worth City Council member Chris Nettles said. “I will tell you that we are very intentional in what’s going to happen on this land,” he said. “And so that’s why, each and every time we go to the second phase, the next phase, we want to come to the community and share with you.” Developers and city officials said the area’s revitalization will coincide with the 2026 opening of the National Juneteenth Museum, currently planned to be built at the site of the Southside Community Center located at 959 E. Rosedale St. During a question and answer session, residents chimed in with multiple suggestions for the project. They’d like to see speed bumps to slow traffic down, more shading to endure Texas summers and improved security or police patrols in response to the neighborhood’s issues with people experiencing homelessness. Kristina Banda, a member of the Historic Southside Neighborhood Association, said she was excited and hopeful that the project would become a community asset. “The neighborhood has been asking for this for a long time,” she said. The Rev. Chad Steans, associate minister at Cedar Crest Cathedral in Dallas, said he was optimistic about the development. Steans grew up in the Historic Southside. “This would be nice if it can all come together,” he said. Johnny Lewis, former vice president of the Historic Southside Neighborhood Association, said he appreciated the efforts of Royal Capital and city officials. “They came in to listen to the community,” Lewis said. “That doesn’t always happen in areas with a lot of Black and brown residents. I’m hopeful because they’ll listen to us.” Added Mike Brennan, president of Near Southside Inc.: “If they can strike a balance between honoring the community and the history of the neighborhood and deliver a project that is forward-thinking, that would be a huge success.” Eric E. Garcia is a senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org . At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here . Related Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative for adhering to standards for ethical journalism . Republish This Story Republishing is free for noncommercial entities. Commercial entities are prohibited without a licensing agreement. Contact us for details. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License . 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Indiana State Parks offering free admission Nov. 29Amazon Cyber Monday deals LIVE: 101+ sales I’m shopping on TVs, laptops, Switch and moreThis year, we witnessed an impressive influx of innovative and creative designs in the architectural world. They pushed the boundaries of design and engineering to impressive heights. Ranging from groundbreaking infrastructure projects to eco-friendly marvels, this year displayed a remarkable array of architectural achievements. In our 2024 Wrapped, we have curated a collection of extraordinary projects that addressed different issues such as sustainability, urban connectivity, and innovative living solutions. We explore the unique features that make them stand out and why they are considered specimens of architectural excellence in 2024. Dig into this array of architectural achievements, while preparing for the fascinating designs 2025 holds in store for us. Called the , this structure is a marvel of modern engineering. It bridges the gap between two bustling cities in China’s Guangdong Province. It covers 15 miles and is a cross-sea tunnel and bridge system that connects Shenzhen and Zhongshan, cutting the travel time from two hours to only thirty minutes. It consists of different bridges and an underwater tunnel. It is an important project in one of the world’s most densely populated regions. The Link officially opened in June 2024 and broke around 10 world records, displaying China’s commitment to innovating and achieving large-scale construction prowess. It incorporates cutting-edge technology, such as the largest offshore suspension bridge anchor and the longest two-way, eight-lane immersed tube tunnel. The project is a fine specimen of engineering excellence. Its ability to withstand extreme weather conditions and high traffic volumes further emphasizes its robustness. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is not just an infrastructure project; it’s a testament to the possibilities of modern architecture and a significant step forward in connecting major urban centers. Designed by Tiny House Listings, is an affordable and comfortable house created for those seeking a minimalist lifestyle. It is built on a double-axle trailer and provides a cozy and compact living space that is perfect for two people. The towable dwelling features a 20-foot length and is the same size as most typical European tiny homes. It showcases a metal exterior and a stylish metal roof, which protect a 160-square-foot space with an open layout. The thoughtfully designed interior hosts a functional kitchen, compact living area, and a well-designed bathroom – making it an ideal fit for couples looking to downsize. The Lad Tiny Home efficiently uses space, and is affordable, making it a viable housing solution for those embracing the tiny home movement. Its design maximizes functionality without sacrificing comfort, offering essential amenities in a compact form. As housing costs rise, this tiny home represents a growing trend towards sustainable, low-cost living, making it an excellent addition to the architectural landscape of 2024. Constructed by Neom, in Saudi Arabia is designed to be a luxurious haven for superyachts and their owners. It can accommodate 300 superyachts and is equipped with an impressive “aerofoil” shelter that offers year-round protection from the sun. Jaumur is more than just a marina, it is designed to be a vibrant community. It will house 500 apartments, 700 luxury villas, two luxury hotels, and an international boarding school. It is interspersed with green spaces, and merges luxury with sustainability, making it one of the most impressive projects we’ve seen in 2024. Its ability to host large superyachts under a unique shelter demonstrates innovative design, while the surrounding residential and commercial amenities create a holistic living environment. The integration of green spaces and a deep-sea research center showcases a commendable commitment to environmental sustainability and scientific advancement Designed by Acorn Tiny Homes, the is pushing the boundaries of micro-living with its spacious and personalized design. The home is inspired by medieval literature and the color purple, in turn serving as a luxurious home that is more expansive than traditional tiny homes. It is 43 feet long and amped with a faux stone and wood exterior, as well as a unique roofline. The house also features a dedicated “catio” for feline companions. The interior of the home is spacious and cozy, equipped with a custom purple sofa bed, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves with a movable ladder, a gaming station, and a well-equipped kitchen, blending comfort with whimsy. The home’s design challenges the constraints of traditional tiny homes, providing ample room and amenities while maintaining mobility. The attention to detail, from the custom furniture to the cleverly integrated cat space, showcases a commitment to tailored living. As a symbol of the growing trend towards customizable and spacious tiny homes, the Purple Heart Manor showcases how downsizing can be comfortable and creative. Sometime back Michael Green Architecture (MGA) unveiled plans for a in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It will be the world’s tallest timber skyscraper, representing MGA’s efforts in modern timber construction. The skyscraper will be primarily built using mass timber, a material known for its fire resistance. The details of concrete usage are still unknown, but this innovative approach displays a new precedent for urban construction and challenges the utilization of traditional building materials. It promotes environmental sustainability, hence making its mark as one of the impressive architectural projects of 2024. This timber skyscraper represents an evolution in sustainable architecture, showcasing the potential of timber as a primary building material for large structures. Its construction will highlight the advantages of mass timber, including its environmental benefits and structural resilience. Since it will be the tallest timber building globally, the project challenges conventional architectural norms and encourages the use of eco-friendly materials in urban environments.
ORLANDO, Fla. — UCF coach Gus Malzahn is resigning after four seasons with the school. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the move, which will see Malzahn to leave to take the offensive coordinator job at Florida State. Malzahn previously worked with FSU coach Mike Norvell during their time at Tulsa under then-coach Todd Graham from 2007-08. The Knights ended a disappointing 4-8 season in which they lost eight of their last nine games, the longest losing streak since 2015. Malzahn, 59, was in the fourth year of a contract through 2028. His buyout, it is reported, would have been $13.75 million. He finished 27-25 at UCF but lost 16 of his last 22 games and was a dismal 4-14 in two seasons in the Big 12. After back-to-back nine-win seasons in 2021-22, the Knights went 6-7 in 2023 and 4-8 in 2024. People are also reading... This season started with high expectations as Malzahn made sweeping changes to the program. He retooled the strength and conditioning department and hired Ted Roof and Tim Harris Jr. as defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively. He also added nearly 50 new players to the roster, leaning heavily on the transfer market. UCF started by winning its first three games against New Hampshire, Sam Houston and a thrilling comeback at TCU, but offensive struggles saw the Knights tumble through a TBD-game losing streak to finish the season. Terry Mohajir hired Malzahn on Feb. 15, 2021, six days after he was hired to replace Danny White. The move came eight weeks after Malzahn had been fired at Auburn after eight seasons of coaching the Tigers. The two briefly worked together at Arkansas State in 2012 before Malzahn left for the Auburn job. “When he [Mohajir] offered the job, I was like, ‘I’m in.’ There wasn’t thinking about or talking about ...,” Malzahn said during his introductory press conference. “This will be one of the best programs in college football in a short time. This is a job that I plan on being here and building it.” UCF opened the 2021 season with non-conference wins over Boise State and Bethune-Cookman before traveling to Louisville on Sept. 17, where quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a fractured collarbone in the final minute of a 42-35 loss. Backup Mikey Keene would finish out the season as Gabriel announced his intention to transfer. The Knights would finish the season on the plus side by accepting a bid to join the Big 12 Conference in September and then by defeating Florida 29-17 in the Gasparilla Bowl. Malzahn struck transfer portal gold in the offseason when he signed former Ole Miss quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. Plumlee, a two-sport star with the Rebels, helped guide UCF to the American Athletic Conference Championship in its final season. However, Plumlee’s injury forced the Knights to go with Keene and freshman Thomas Castellanos. The team finished with losses to Tulane in the conference championship and Duke in the Military Bowl. Plumlee would return in 2023 as UCF transitioned to the Big 12 but would go down with a knee injury in the final minute of the Knights’ 18-16 win at Boise State on Sept. 9. He would miss the next four games as backup Timmy McClain took over the team. Even on his return, Plumlee couldn’t help UCF, on a five-game losing streak to open conference play. The Knights got their first Big 12 win at Cincinnati on Nov. 4 and upset No. 15 Oklahoma State the following week, but the team still needed a win over Houston in the regular-season finale to secure a bowl bid for the eighth straight season. From the moment Malzahn stepped on campus, he prioritized recruiting, particularly in Central Florida. “We’re going to recruit like our hair’s on fire,” Malzahn said at the time. “We’re going to go after the best players in America and we’re not backing down to anybody.” From 2007 to 2020, UCF signed 10 four-star high school and junior college prospects. Eight four-star prospects were in the three recruiting classes signed under Malzahn. The 2024 recruiting class earned a composite ranking of 39 from 247Sports, the highest-ranked class in school history. The 2025 recruiting class is ranked No. 41 and has commitments from three four-star prospects. Malzahn has always leaned on the transfer market, signing 60 players over the past three seasons. Some have paid huge dividends, such as Javon Baker, Lee Hunter, Kobe Hudson, Tylan Grable, Bula Schmidt, Amari Kight, Marcellus Marshall, Trent Whittemore, Gage King, Ethan Barr, Deshawn Pace and Plumlee. Others haven’t been as successful, such as quarterback KJ Jefferson, who started the first five games of this season before being benched for poor performance. Jefferson’s struggles forced the Knights to play musical chairs at quarterback, with true freshman EJ Colson, redshirt sophomore Jacurri Brown and redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk all seeing action at one point or another this season. This season’s struggles led to several players utilizing the NCAA’s redshirt rule after four games, including starting slot receiver Xavier Townsend and kicker Colton Boomer, who have also entered the transfer portal. Defensive end Kaven Call posted a letter to Malzahn on Twitter in which he accused the UCF coaching staff of recently kicking him off the team when he requested to be redshirted. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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Sean “Diddy” Combs will stay behind bars this Thanksgiving. After the Bad Boys Records owner’s legal team submitted the third appeal to have him released from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, ahead of his May 5 trial, the judge denied his motion for bail, according to NBC News. The Nov. 27 ruling said no conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community. The judge’s decision comes after two previous appeals from Combs’ legal team asking for him to be released from federal custody and a Nov. 22 court appearance which saw the 55-year-old and his legal team ask for a release once more. Combs’ lawyer Marc Agnifilo suggested during the court appearance, per NBC News , that Combs—who has pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking after his Sept. 17 arrest—should be relocated to a three-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where he will be guarded by a private security company, Patriot Security, and only allowed to call his attorneys. Agnifilo’s suggested parameters for Combs’ release would allow his family—including his children Quincy , 33, Justin , 30, Christian “King,” 26, Chance , 18, twins Jessie and D’Lila , 17 and Love Sean , 23 months—to be permitted to visit the residence, per NBC News. In his argument, Agnifilo cited another high-profile case involving Abercombie & Fitch’s CEO Mike Jeffries , who was charged with running a sex trafficking ring last month—including one count of sex trafficking and 15 counts of prostitution. Jeffries pleaded not guilty and was released on a $10 million bond as he awaits trial. He is currently subjected to home confinement with GPS monitoring, per Reuters . Meanwhile, the prosecution argued that Combs’ recent request for release could be “dangerous.” “He is paying his way out of custody,” prosecutor Christy Slavik said during the Nov. 22 court hearing, “And continues to flout the rules, he is a risk of flight, a danger to the community, he’s obstructing and trying to subvert the integrity of these proceedings.” Prosecutors also argued that Combs had been “witness tampering” behind bars during the court appearance, per NBC News. In a later 13-page document filed by U.S. Attorney Damian Williams Nov. 25 and obtained by the outlet, the prosecution argued further against the release of the rapper. Williams’ filing alleged that Combs had “blatantly flouted the law instructing family members and third parties to contact multiple potential victims and witnesses by using unauthorized means of communication” while in federal custody. The filing also alleged that Combs was behind a “social media campaign” for his birthday Nov. 4, which saw all of his children share a video in which they called their father in prison, including Sean Love leading a rendition of “Happy Birthday” in front of a cake. The prosecution argued that the Instagram post was “for the express purpose of influencing the jury.” Further, the prosecution argued that the parameters of Combs’ potential release do not protect “future violence and obstruction,” particularly the musician using a private security firm in the apartment, noting that Combs “simply cannot be trusted.” Combs’ attorney Alexandra Shapiro later responded to the filing, saying that his birthday post was “entirely innocuous” and adding that the rapper is already “drowning in a sea of negative publicity,” and that his social media posts—as well as any public statement—fall under his First Amendment rights. Keep reading to untangle all of Combs’ legal troubles. Search Warrants Executed on Sean "Diddy" Combs' L.A. and Miami Properties Federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed search warrants at Sean “Diddy” Combs ’ Los Angeles and Miami properties on March 25, multiple law enforcement sources confirmed to NBC News . The sources told the outlet the warrant was out of the Southern District of New York, and a spokesperson for HSI New York confirmed to E! News it “executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners.” Law enforcement sources told NBC News the music mogul was in the Miami area when the search warrants were executed. News about the investigation broke after Combs faced allegations of sexual misconduct in lawsuits filed by multiple accusers starting in November, with the musician denying the allegations. “Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday,” he wrote in a December statement posted on Instagram . “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.” Diddy’s Attorney Speaks Out The day after HSI executed the search warrants at Combs' L.A. and Miami properties, his lawyer spoke out . "Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs' residences," attorney Aaron Dyer said in a March 26 statement to E! News. "There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated." Dyer noted Combs “was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities.” “Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way,” his lawyer's statement continued. “This unprecedented ambush—paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence—leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits.” And Dyer expressed Combs' intent to defend himself. “There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations,” he added. “Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.” Details About the Raid Revealed As for what actually went down during the searches, multiple law enforcement sources familiar with the warrant told NBC News authorities with the Department of Homeland Security seized phones from Combs’ home in Miami before he was scheduled to travel to the Bahamas, and several sources familiar with the matter added that guns were discovered during the search . One source familiar with the matter also told NBC News three women and one man were interviewed by prosecutors and investigators from the Southern District of New York about allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault, the solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms purportedly tied to Combs. Diddy’s Associate Brendan Paul Arrested on Suspicion of Drug Possession On the same day the search warrants were executed at Combs’ Miami and Los Angeles properties, one of his associates, Brendan Paul , was arrested by the Miami-Dade police on suspicion of drug possession, a law enforcement source familiar with the matter told NBC News . According to the Miami-Dade arrest affidavit obtained by the outlet, Paul was taken into custody for allegedly possessing suspected cocaine and suspected marijuana candy. Prison records obtained by NBC News show Paul was released on March 26 after posting bond. “We do not plan on trying this case in the media,” Paul’s attorney Brian Bieber said in a statement obtained by the outlet, “all issues will be dealt with in court.” In May, Paul accepted a plea deal, with his lawyer Bieber telling People , "Brendan accepted the prosecutor’s offer to permit his entry into the diversion program which, after completion, the case against him will be dismissed in its entirety." Diddy Arrested in New York He was arrested in the lobby of a New York hotel on Sept. 16, 2024, according to NBC News. It's unclear what Combs has been charged with and if the arrest has any potential connection to the raids. “We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office," his lawyer Marc Agnifilo said in a statement to E! News. "He is an imperfect person but Is not criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges." Diddy Charged With Sex Trafficking & Racketeering After Combs was arrested based on the sealed indictment, the indictment was unsealed on Sept. 17. The 54-year-old was charged with racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; as well as transportation to engage in prostitution, according to court documents obtained by NBC News. The indictment alleged Combs “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct” for more than a decade, with prosecutors saying the purported behavior started around 2008. "To do so," the documents stated, "Combs relied on the employees, resources, and influence of the multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlled—creating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice." According to NBC News , Combs pleaded not guilty and was denied bail . “He’s going to fight this with all of his energy and all of his might,” his attorney Marc Agnifilo told reporters outside the courthouse prior to the arraignment, “and the full confidence of his lawyers." Diddy Is Held Without Bail in New York Facility Following his arrest, Combs was held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center where he was denied a $50 million bond. The music mogul was also placed on suicide watch, which a source told E! News is a customary procedure for high-profile inmates. He was since taken off. He was assigned the same area of the jail as cryptocurrency fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried, a source told NBC News. Comedian Jeff Wittek Says He Attended "Freak Off" Comedian Jeff Wittek , 34, came forward Sept. 29 to say he attended one of Diddy's "freak off" parties around 2010 in a Miami mansion. "It was like eight stories high and it just kept going up," Wittek said on Jeff FM , "and the higher you went, the weirder s--t was going on." " I saw live sex happen that night," he continued. "That's the first time I saw that happen ever in my life. And did I partake? No, but I got f--king drunk there." As Wittek put it, "It's just crazy. I was literally there. I lived through it." Diddy Accused of 120 New Sexual Assault Cases In an Oct. 1 press conference, attorney Tony Buzbee detailed that 120 people had come forward with new sexual assault allegations against the rapper. The allegations against Combs, Buzbee noted in a press conference with NBC News, include, "violent sexual assault or rape, facilitated sex with a controlled substance, dissemination of video recordings, sexual abuse of minors." A lawyer for the rapper, Erica Wolff , later responded to the allegations, emphasizing that Combs maintains his innocence. “He cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus," she said. " That said, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors." Diddy Accused of Abusing Minors One of the 120 accusers was only 9 years old when they were allegedly assaulted by Combs, their lawyer Tony Buzbee said in an Oct. 1 press conference, per NBC News. According to the attorney, “25 of the accusers were minors at the time of the alleged incidents." Diddy's Mom Janice Small Combs Defends the Rapper “It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies,” Janice’s attorney Natlie G. Figgers shared in a statement on her behalf to The Hollywood Reporter Oct. 6. “To bear witness what seems to be like a public lynching of my son before he has had the opportunity to prove his innocence is a pain too unbearable to put into words. Like every human being, my son deserves to have his day in court, to finally share his side, and to prove his innocence.” Beyoncé and Jay-Z's Lawyer Calls Out Piers Morgan Over Diddy Comparisons Beyoncé and Jay-Z 's lawyer spoke out after Piers Morgan 's TV guest Jaguar Wright claimed the couple had more “victims” than Diddy. "There’s rumors, and then there’s nonsense, and this is one step further,” lawyer Alex Spiro told TMZ Oct. 9. “This is a formal and pointed accusation of something.” Their attorney told Piers to “remove that false accusation," which the host later did and apologized. “As I noted in the moment," Piers said on his Oct. 8 show, "they were not present to respond or defend themselves. But now they have: their lawyer has contacted us to say those claims are totally false and have no basis in fact.”
UCF coach Gus Malzahn reportedly resigning to take Florida State OC job
INTUC seeks govt intervention to address unemployment in ThoothukudiEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Malik Nabers said calling the New York Giants “soft” after Sunday's embarrassing loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a mistake, although the star rookie receiver still plans to speak out when he thinks it's necessary. After talking with coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen and watching video of the Giants' 30-7 defeat , Nabers said Tuesday that "soft” was a poor choice of words. “I don’t think it was really soft. I think it was just a lack of technique,” Nabers said. “We were playing our butts off, we just lacked technique.” The Giants (2-9) trailed 23-0 at halftime and had run only 19 plays on offense. Nabers was not targeted in first the half but still finished with a team-high six catches for 64 yards. The No. 6 overall pick in the draft, Nabers said his rant after the game — in which he said the Giants' quarterbacks weren't to blame for the team's poor performance — was just the competitor in him talking. “That’s just how I’m wired. That’s just who I am,” he said. “I just don’t like losing. If I feel like if I had an opportunity to help the team win, I’m going to express that.” Nabers said not being targeted in the opening half was tough because his body is prepared to play and not doing anything throws him off his game. “You’re not getting involved early, then you’re not getting the feel of the ball, you’re not getting hit,” Nabers said. “After football plays as an offense, after you get hit, you’re like, ‘All right, I’m ready to go.’” Nabers has a team-high 67 catches, the most by a player in his first nine NFL games. He said he sees himself as a resource, someone who can change the game for the Giants. “I’m not going to just sit back just because I’m a younger guy and not speak on how I feel,” Nabers said. “They want me to speak up. They feel like my energy helps the offense, in a way, to be explosive. So, of course, I’m going to speak up if something doesn’t go my way. That’s just how I am.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
SINGER Tulisa made a surprise re-appearance on the I'm A Celebrity Coming Out show despite fleeing Australia just a day after her jungle exit. Mystery surrounded the former The X Factor judge after she wiped all trace of her time in the jungle from her social media accounts and opted not to stick around to attend the show's final. 5 Tulisa made a surprise appearance on I'm A Celeb via video message Credit: ITV 5 GK Barry played the message to her co-stars Credit: ITV The star has since said she opted to return back to the UK after being left overwhelmed following the experience and that it had been agreed between her and ITV that it would be best to fly home. Despite this, Tulisa still managed to make an appearance during the annual Coming Out show. As all of her fellow campmates reunited for one final night out at the luxury hotel following the end of the series, Tulisa made a surprise cameo via video message. GK Barry told her co-stars she had a pre-recorded message from Tulisa who was sending her well wishes to them all. Read More on Tulisa over it Tulisa fuels I’m A Celeb feud rumours with cast ‘snub’ A fresh-faced Tulisa said in the clip: "Hello everybody, I am so proud of you all, you all absolutely smashed it. "Go and eat into oblivion! "I am sorry I can't be there, I love you lots and see you soon!" The campmates cooed over the star's words as it cut back to Tulisa speaking to the camera from her hotel room before flying back to the UK. Most read in I’m A Celebrity 2024 TAT'S NICE I'm A Celeb's GK Barry and girlfriend Ella get matching tattoos amid rumours camp life Danny Jones reveals I'm A Celeb campmates had secret struggle not shown on camera wag way I’m A Celeb star GK Barry’s girlfriend fuels marriage rumours with telltale clue loved up Maura Higgins first words about Pete Wicks after I'm A Celeb exit revealed She said to the camera: "The best thing about camp was the people and having a giggle got me through the hard moments." It is only the second time she has addressed her jungle stint since departing with the first being when she uploaded a post to Instagram to look back at her time in camp on the day of the final. Tulisa appears in celeb round up on camp life In the post: "Looking back at some of my favourite moments from the @Imacelebrity jungle. "It’s been a whirlwind. Thank you to @itv for the experience and sending so much love to my Jungle Fam before the final tonight. Sorry I can’t be there to celebrate with you all." Tulisa accompanied the post with a collection of pictures from her jungle stint, marking the first time she’d publicly acknowledged her experience since deleting all traces of the show from her social media following her eviction. 5 Tulisa sent her well-wishes in the clip Credit: ITV 5 Her campmates looked joyous to hear from her Credit: ITV 5 She also spoke briefly to the camera following her exit Credit: ITV
Flag football uses talent camps to uncover new starsMichigan, Ohio State players brawl after Wolverines beat No. 2 Buckeyes. Police use pepper spraySANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 13, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In a groundbreaking move for the property management and inspection industry, DrBalcony ( drbalcony.com ) introduces its cutting-edge app, a pioneering digital platform designed to revolutionize the balcony inspection process. This innovative tool empowers homeowners, property managers, and Homeowner Associations (HOAs) with a streamlined, intuitive experience, eliminating inefficiencies and redefining how inspections are managed. With a user-friendly interface and advanced features, the DrBalcony App transforms what was once a complex, time-consuming process into one that is seamless and efficient. Users can now obtain instant quotes, create and manage projects, and schedule inspections—all with just a few taps on their devices. “At DrBalcony, we are passionate about reimagining property management through technology,” said Greg, VP of Sales of DrBalcony. “The app reflects our dedication to simplifying inspections while upholding safety and compliance standards. With over 2,500 inspections completed, we’re proud to offer a solution that sets a new benchmark for convenience and reliability.” FEATURES THAT SET THE DRBALCONY APP APART Instant Quotes: Receive transparent, accurate pricing for inspections without waiting days for a response. Project Management Made Simple: Track, manage, and oversee your inspection projects effortlessly from start to finish. Hassle-Free Scheduling: Book inspections at a time that works best for you—no back-and-forth emails or phone calls required. The DrBalcony App is tailored to meet the specific needs of California property owners, offering features designed to ensure the integrity of balcony structures while making compliance with state laws like SB 721 and SB 326 more accessible than ever. Learn more: https://drbalcony.com/services/ A SOLUTION BACKED BY REAL RESULTS “For years, the balcony inspection process has been frustrating and inefficient,” shared Omid, CEO of DrBalcony. “This app eliminates unnecessary complications. From instant quotes to straightforward scheduling, it’s a game-changer.” DOWNLOAD THE DRBALCONY APP TODAY The DrBalcony App is now available for download and marks a significant leap forward in property management. By addressing common pain points in the inspection process, DrBalcony ensures peace of mind for property owners, engineers, and HOAs, all while maintaining safety and compliance with California’s strict balcony safety regulations . About DrBalcony: DrBalcony leverages innovative technology to enhance balcony inspection, focusing on efficiency, safety, and customer-centric solutions. With a mission to simplify the complex, DrBalcony has become a trusted name in the balcony inspection industry, ensuring compliance and safety standards are met with ease. Learn more: https://drbalcony.com/ . Your property’s safety has never been simpler—download the DrBalcony App today! NEWS SOURCE: DrBalcony Keywords: Real Estate, DrBalcony, Balcony Inspections, home inspection, safety, app, solution, service, SB 326, SB 721, SANTA ANA, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (DrBalcony) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P122836 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/drbalcony-app-redefines-balcony-inspections-with-unparalleled-efficiency/ © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.