Brazil’s Bolsonaro planned and participated in coup plot, police report allegesThe Occupied Territories Bill was blocked by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael because the US Democratic Party told them to, a Green Party minister has claimed. Junior Public Expenditure Minister Ossian Smyth made the claim on a podcast hosted by students of secondary school Blackrock College. “I think that the Occupied Territories Bill was blocked by Fine Gael and Fianna Fail because the Democratic Party in America asked them to block it. That's the reason,” Mr Smyth said. “Ireland has a lot of investment from American companies, who spend a lot of money here and employ a lot of people, and I don’t think Fianna Fail and Fine Gael want to upset them. “I think that is the reason the Occupied Territories Bill didn’t proceed, along with the fact they had advice from their Attorney General, their main lawyer in the country who advises the government, who told them there were problems with the Bill and it couldn’t proceed.” The Government had previously contended that the bill would breach EU law, but is now working to alter and progress the original bill after receiving updated legal advice and has now removed a technical obstacle known as a ‘money message’. The Government has said that a recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank allowed for a review of the Occupied Territories Bill. Independent Senator Frances Black tabled the draft legislation in 2018 that would ban the import into Ireland of goods and services originating in illegal settlements in lands deemed as occupied under international law. Following receipt of the revised legal advice from Attorney General Rossa Fanning, the Government signalled a desire to support the Bill, arguing the ICJ ruling had significantly changed the context. However, the bill was not progressed in the last Dáil.ATLANTA — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” the center said on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. “To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility,” Biden said in a statement. “He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.” Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors . He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners . He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian , would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015 . “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.”Croatia's incumbent president gains most votes for re-election, but not enough to avoid a runoff
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Right when the Los Angeles Rams' offense has dropped into a disconcerting slump, their defense has held three straight opponents under 10 points for the first time in decades. Although the Rams (10-6) are closing in on an NFC West title and another playoff berth with a five-game winning streak, the way they're doing it makes their postseason prospects quite unpredictable. The methodology has been strange, but the results are not: After holding off Arizona 13-9 on Saturday night, Los Angeles has won nine of 11 and is very close to claiming its fourth division title and sixth playoff berth in coach Sean McVay's eight seasons. “I’m proud of this group and the way they battled back,” Matthew Stafford said. “A lot of people doubted us, and a lot of people wrote us off at 1-4. To be able to sit here with our record what it is right now, I feel proud of this group.” The Rams hadn't held three straight opponents to single-digit scoring since 1975, but rookie coordinator Chris Shula's defense has done it with a strong front and a little luck on the back end, including the last-minute interception by Ahkello Witherspoon on a pass that deflected off star Arizona tight end Trey McBride's head at the goal line. Kyler Murray threw it before McBride was probably ready because Shula had called a zero blitz on first down at the Los Angeles 5. “I want to make more plays to make sure they don’t have to do as much as they did (against Arizona), but I’m proud of them,” Stafford said of the Rams' defense. "It’s awesome to watch where they were in training camp to where they are now. Shula is doing a hell of a job. We all knew he would. Those guys are playing hard for him.” But the Rams have scored more than 21 points just once during their five-game winning streak, their longest since their Super Bowl championship season in 2021. They’ve managed only three touchdowns in their last three games while scoring fewer than 20 points each time out, although that stretch includes games played in the rain (San Francisco) and in subfreezing temperatures (New York Jets). Against the Cardinals in Inglewood's ideal weather, the Rams’ offense still produced one TD, a season-worst 12 first downs and only 257 total yards — 139 fewer than Arizona. The running game struggled again, as it often does when all five starting offensive linemen aren't healthy, while the entire roster aside from Puka Nacua combined for just seven receptions for 60 yards — a surprising number for a McVay offense. “I don’t think there’s one thing I can point to,” McVay said Sunday. “I could go on and on about some of the things, starting with me, but then also about our execution in terms of getting connected in the run game, targeting the right way, making sure that the ball is going where it should go, and guys that I know are capable of playing the way that we’ve seen. If they do that, then I know that it’s not as far as sometimes it can feel like. But ultimately, we’ve got to do it.” What's working The young front four remains the strength of the defense. Jared Verse had a tremendous game on the edge against Murray and Arizona's running game, while fellow rookie Braden Fiske and second-year pros Kobie Turner and Byron Young all recorded sacks. What needs help The Rams again failed to establish the running game despite never trailing Arizona. Kyren Williams got his second-fewest carries of the season (13, with just five in the second half), while rookie Blake Corum was barely involved. Los Angeles' 3.9 yards per rush is the second-lowest mark in the NFL even though Williams began Sunday third in the league with 1,299 yards. Stock up Witherspoon not only made the game-saving interception, but the eight-year veteran who went unsigned until September also has seized the starting cornerback job from Cobie Durant, who didn't play on defense against the Cards despite being healthy again. McVay said Witherspoon's play during Durant's brief injury absence resulted in the change. Stock down Cooper Kupp had one catch against Arizona, and he has just 12 receptions in the past five games, matching the least productive five-game stretch of his eight-year career. Stafford has said the Rams need to get their Super Bowl 56 MVP more involved, and Kupp says he's healthy — yet it isn't happening. Injuries McVay believes the Rams stayed healthy outside of a stinger for rookie safety Kam Kinchens, but they felt the absence of RT Rob Havenstein, who injured his shoulder last week during an unpadded practice. Backup Joe Noteboom committed three holding penalties and got beaten repeatedly. Key number 4 — Stafford's consecutive games without taking a sack. That's the longest streak of his 16-year career, yet he has only one 200-yard passing game in that stretch. Next steps The Rams began Sunday preparing as if they'll play the Seahawks (9-7) next Saturday, although the game could happen a day later. McVay won't show his cards, but if the Rams have clinched, they seem likely to rest several regulars for the playoffs. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL Greg Beacham, The Associated Press
FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) — Nyle Ralph-Beyer's 20 points helped Sacred Heart defeat Division III-member Manhattanville 100-60 on Sunday. Ralph-Beyer also had five rebounds for the Pioneers (5-8, 1-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference). Anquan Hill scored 18 points and added seven rebounds. Griffin Barrouk had 16 points and went 5 of 8 from the field (4 for 7 from 3-point range). Andrew Saint-Louis led the Valiants in scoring, finishing with 26 points. John Ranaghan added 10 points for Manhattanville. Don Mays Jr. also had eight points. Sacred Heart hosts Canisius in its next matchup on Sunday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
The Motorola portfolio of smartphones for 2024 includes no less than 30 models. There has been a fresh set of Edge 50 phones, two new foldables, a handful of Moto G affordable devices and even a ThinkPhone as a nod to Lenovo – Motorola's parent company. There have been some impressive devices, while others disappointed. Here's our take on what went well and what flopped. Winner: Motorola Razr 50 Ultra/razr+ 2024 The world of foldables had a slower year than usual, but Motorola is one of the companies that made a huge gain despite the stagnation. The Razr 50 Ultra is one of the major reasons, as the clamshell improved over the already impressive predecessor. The foldable panel lacks any major creases, and the chipset was extremely fast for a phone in this category. The new razr is finally waterproof, and we got a telephoto lens as well. Only a few companies offer clamshell foldables outside of China, and we applaud Motorola for bringing the Razr 50 Ultra (sold as razr+ 2024 in the US) to international markets. Loser: Motorola Razr 50/razr 2024 While we are on the topic of foldables, we cannot miss the vanilla Razr 50 . Sure, the phone got some of the perks of the Razr 40 Ultra, but camera-wise, it failed to impress. There's also the abysmal performance of the Dimensity 7300 chipset, which feels like an insult to everyone willing to spend €800 on a smartphone. Motorola launched the Razr 50 (aka razr 2024 in the US) as a more affordable alternative to the Ultra, and as such, it is bound to come with some compromises. Sadly, it decided to remove the adapter from the box under the vague pretext of being environmentally conscious. This argument falls short, given the bulky case in the retail box. These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Winner: Motorola Edge 50 Neo Motorola managed to position this year's Neo in its own category – a light phone with a fairly small screen with the price and performance of a midranger. It is IP68-rated, the screen and battery are great, and it even comes with wireless charging. The Edge 50 Neo is also a lovely-looking phone. All its color options were co-selected with Pantone, and all five paint jobs are stunning. The Edge 50 Neo recently launched in Mocha Mousse, the 2025 Pantone Color of the Year. It is said to be inspired by cacao, chocolate and coffee. Sure, looks are subjective, but this new color is yet another bold push from Motorola. The color matching case is another nice touch about the Edge 50 Neo. These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. Loser: Motorola Edge 50 The Edge 50 family has five members, and the vanilla option is easily the most forgettable. While the phone does have a competitive starting price of €500, its dated Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset immediately puts it on the back foot. We reviewed the phone several weeks ago, and the battery test was downright unimpressive. Also, despite the Edge 50 having an OLED panel, Motorola omitted the AOD feature. However, it might be for good to keep the poor battery from being even more disappointing. Motorola Edge 50 The Edge 50 is not a total disaster. It still has a thin, light body, and the panel on the back is not slippery, making the phone easy to handle. The device is IP68-certified and military-graded for durability and resistance to extreme temperatures. The cameras are also nice, even if the app struggles to keep up. Winner: Pantone partnership We already discussed the Edge 50 Neo and its colors, but we must also mention Motorola's partnership with Pantone. It is pretty simple: The phone company is given the right to use trademarked names and paint jobs for its phones, while Pantone gets brand exposure and showcases its sharp colors on different materials, such as leather, plastic, and glass. Pantone is the go-to company for colors in a number of industries. It provides consistency and a reliable color guide, which print houses, factories, and manufacturing plants use. Speaking specifically about the Moto and Edge phones, we have seen some stunning options in the past 12 years. A number of phones, including the Edge 50, Edge 50 Ultra, and Razr 40 Ultra, are selling in Peach Fuzz, the 2024 Color of the Year. This year's top foldable received the Mocha Mousse treatment. Even when Motorola decided not to pay for the naming rights in the Moto G series, we still saw some daring colors, such as a Purple Moto G85, a Green Moto G35 and our favorite, a Twilight Purple Moto G55. Loser: Moto G series We wanted to pick one Moto G smartphone but struggled to determine which was the worst. So we present Motorola's biggest flop of 2024 — the Moto G series. We understand that Moto G phones are meant to be affordable, but Motorola cut too many corners to keep the price low. The G35 went for an unimpressive Unisoc chip while keeping the 5,000 mAh battery with 18W charging from the predecessor; the G55 was barely an upgrade over the predecessor, and for some reason, Motorola skipped on a Moto G65. Motorola Moto G35 The company did launch a Moto G75, which is currently more expensive than the Edge 50 Fusion despite its less powerful CPU, slower wired charging and basic camera set. The tour of disappointment ends with the Moto G85, which is hardly a worthy upgrade over the G84, despite some impressive feats like the improved main and selfie cameras. Notable mention: Firmware updates Motorola has been behind the competition when it comes to software updates for a while now. Luckily, the company stepped up its game in 2024 and extended its support substantially with the midranger Edge 50 Neo notably getting five editions of new Android OS. We don't count this as a win yet because promises are easy to make. We have to wait and see whether Motorola will follow through. Of course, the company also said some AI features are being developed, but once the promises start appearing on screen, we will count them as a win. These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales.Can you help solve this cold case in Sarnia?
FROM THE MARGINS Christmas is the season of warmth and togetherness. I spent Christmas week surrounded by family and loved ones. Though work continued, the Christmas spirit infused every moment: meetings were filled with shared laughter, and meaningful traditions brought joy to our offices. Whether through gift-giving, reflecting, or simply cherishing each other’s presence, the holidays reminded us of the love and connection that make life truly special. I hope this was true for everyone. In my last two articles, I wrote about the SineMaya Film Festival. “SineMaya,” derived from the words “Sine”(meaning cinema) and “Maya” (sparrow), is a unique community film festival within the country’s microfinance industry. It highlights the talents of participants in filmmaking, focusing on microfinance clients’ stories of hope, perseverance, and success. Since its inception in 2022, SineMaya has been a platform for uplifting voices that often go unheard. I was glad to share their journeys of growth, empowerment, and transformation through my articles. Elvira’s story The winners of the SineMaya Film Festival are awarded trophies, certificates, cash prizes, travel incentives, and products made by microfinance clients. While writing about SineMaya, I discovered the inspiring story of Elvira Guivencan, the talented artist behind the beautifully crafted trophies presented to its winners. Nestled in the heart of Paete, Laguna, a town renowned for its wood carving artistry, Elvira discovered her passion early in life. Growing up in her family’s chess factory, she displayed an innate talent for transforming raw wood into intricate works of art. While her siblings pursued other interests, Elvira embraced the craft wholeheartedly, carving out a life deeply rooted in tradition and creativity. In 1985, Elvira and her husband, Gilberto, merged their shared passion for wood carving to establish Guivencan’s Paete Handicraft. Starting from modest beginnings, the couple crafted religious items and resin-based artworks, which quickly gained recognition within their community. Through dedication and hard work, their enterprise flourished, providing for their family and serving as a testament to their artistic partnership. However, in 2007, their journey was tragically altered. Gilberto was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and passed away, leaving Elvira to shoulder the responsibilities of both the business and their family. Despite the heartbreak, Elvira’s love for her craft and her determination to honor the legacy she and Gilberto built gave her the strength to press on. Over the years, she faced numerous challenges, including the government’s logging ban, which restricted access to Batikuling wood—a staple material for Paete’s artisans. Later, the Covid-19 pandemic brought further hardships. Yet, even after suffering a mild stroke, Elvira remained steadfast, her hands continuing to carve out a brighter future for her family. SineMaya trophies Elvira’s journey of resilience was bolstered by her membership in a microfinance institution (MFI) in 2009, when she took her first loan of ₱5,000 to sustain her business. Over time, the partnership grew, as did her loan capacity. Each loan she received was invested into her business, enabling her to adapt to challenges and sustain her family. Beyond financial support, her MFI provided Elvira with opportunities to showcase her craft on larger stages. In 2022, she was chosen to create the Maya trophies for SineMaya. Since then, they have become symbols of creative achievement, awarded to filmmakers whose stories reflect resilience and community spirit. Her detailed designs embody not only her exceptional craftsmanship but also the shared values of perseverance and unity that SineMaya represents. For Elvira, crafting these trophies is a way to give back and inspire others, transforming her life’s work into a beacon of hope. A legacy of hope Elvira’s remarkable journey is immortalized in the Tig-aláni art exhibit, which is staged every December by an MFI in San Pablo, Laguna to celebrate hopes and dreams nurtured through microfinance clients’ passion and perseverance. The term “Tig-aláni” means season of harvest in Hiligaynon and is often used metaphorically to represent the fruition of hard work, dreams, and resilience. The exhibit celebrates this concept by showcasing stories and creations that embody the fulfilment of aspirations achieved through dedication, perseverance, and community effort. Now 60 years old, Elvira remains deeply committed to her craft, training her third child to continue the family business. She also dreams of establishing a small center to teach wood carving to local youth – hoping to preserve Paete’s rich artistic heritage and inspire the next generation to embrace this cherished tradition. Elvira’s story is a powerful reminder that no matter how arduous the journey, with steadfast resolve and the right support, every dream can grow into a boundless harvest of hope. As we approach the coming new year, let us cling to stories of hope, like Elvira’s. They are all around us, and will help us find opportunities hidden in each new day. * * * “Reach high, for stars lie hidden in you. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” - Rabindranath Tagore (Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip is a poverty eradication advocate. He is the founder of the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually-Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), a group of 23 organizations that provide social development services to eight million economically-disadvantaged Filipinos and insure more than 27 million nationwide.)
Napoli went through three different coaches during their Serie A title defence last season and ended the campaign in 10th place. Antonio Conte was hired in July and now they are ending 2024 level with Atalanta atop the Italian league again. Substitute Giacomo Raspadori scored a late goal and Napoli beat relegation-threatened Venezia 1-0 in their final match of the year. Napoli trail Atalanta only on goal difference but both teams are one point ahead of defending champions Inter Milan, who have a game in hand. "Even if I play cards with my daughter I want to win," said Conte, who was hired to get Napoli back into the Champions League. "Personally, I don't accept minimal goals. But we all know where we started and what the club's objectives are. "The squad is improving under every point of view. We just need to score more goals." Napoli had struggled to get the ball past Venezia goalkeeper Filip Stankovic, the son of former Lazio and Inter standout Dejan Stankovic. But Raspadori broke the deadlock in the 79th minute when he used one touch to fire in a loose ball from the centre of the area less than 10 minutes after he came on. "These are tough matches where it means a lot to come away with three points," Raspadori said. "We know we're on the right path." In the first half, Stankovic saved a penalty kick from Romelu Lukaku. Then in the second half Stankovic deflected a Lukaku effort off the post, one of 25 Napoli shots to Venezia's four. Also on Sunday, Juventus and Fiorentina drew 2-2 in a match that was briefly suspended because of discriminatory chants aimed at Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. Vlahovic, a Serbia international who played for Fiore before transferring to Juve three years ago, appeared to tell the referee about the chants. The ref then stopped play, gathered the teams and ordered a warning announcement to be made over the stadium's public address system. Juventus, the only unbeaten team in the league who have drawn more matches (11) than they've won (seven), and Fiorentina are both nine points behind the leaders. Elsewhere, AC Milan and Roma drew 1-1 at the San Siro and Torino came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Udinese.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remains marginally more popular than opposition leader Peter Dutton, but Labor is losing support to the Coalition in the nation’s two most populous states, according to the latest polling. A survey by Resolve Strategic for the Sydney Morning Herald shows that Mr Albanese has kept his personal edge over Mr Dutton by 38 to 36 per cent in NSW and 36 to 34 per cent in Victoria, and by wafer thin margin of 37 to 36 per cent nationally. However, the findings echo other recent polling that reflects voter disillusionment with the Labor party in the crucial states of Victoria and NSW, with a further strong swing against it in Western Australia — raising the risk that the current Government could lose its majority. The data revealed the Government’s primary votes had dropped from 33 to 29 per cent in both NSW and Victoria since the last election, with Victorian voters giving the Coalition its biggest boost in support since the 2022 election among the mainland states. The trend in Victoria has raised the Coalition’s primary vote from 33 to 38 per cent, while NSW voters have increased their Coalition support from 37 to 38 per cent. The results will mean Labor must stage a dramatic turnaround in next year’s poll, due by May 17, to win key electorates. The Government will pitch its promise that the cost-of-living crisis will ease in a second term. “A lot of Australians who’ll be pleased to see the back of 2024 can now be a bit more optimistic about the future,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers told The Australian in an end-of-year interview. Jake Dietsch He acknowledged that 2024 “was a difficult one” but “Australians have made some welcome progress together in our economy and that means 2025 will be better as a consequence,” he said. But another survey released last week by Newspoll showed that Labor remains vulnerable among disillusioned 35-49-year-old voters in NSW and Victoria, many of whom have mortgages and are unhappy with high interest rates and cost of living pressures. The suburbs of New South Wales, Sydney and Melbourne will be “ground zero” in the 2025 Federal Election, Kos Samaras, director of strategy and analytics at the Redbridge Group, told The Nightly. These were the areas where lower income constituents who were “feeling the pinch the most” lived in the greatest number, explained Mr Samaras. “This is where people have basically been forced to buy homes which they probably can’t afford, that they were able to afford when interest rates were very low,” he said. “And if they were to try to buy the same home now, with the current interest rate levels, they’d be unlikely to get the loan they need,” he added. The latest Resolve Strategic poll also shows a dramatic fall in support for Labor in Western Australia, where a ten per cent swing was crucial to its last electoral victory in 2022. The survey shows Labor down from 37 to 30 per cent since the election, and that the federal Coalition has increased its support in the state from 35 to 37 per cent. Resolve director Jim Reed told the SMH that the latest results confirmed his view that Labor would lose its majority at the election unless there was a significant change in popular support in the months ahead. “We’ve seen in recent years, here and abroad, that the axioms of politics no longer hold true,” he said. “A lot of modern polling is about having the flexibility and ability to look at things that have never happened before. “In 2022, we correctly anticipated that Labor would win with less than a third of the primary vote, that they would pick up seats in Western Australia, that the Greens would win seats in Brisbane, and that Liberal heartland would be taken by the teals. “This time around we’ll be looking for things that go against the received wisdom, like the possibility of a first-term government being voted out, the Liberals winning seats in Victoria, the Greens losing seats and independents being denied a second term.”Man in his 60s saved from transferring $600k in life savings to scammers for ‘better interest rates’
LISBON, -- Just when were starting to wobble, Martin Odegaard produced a match-defining moment of quality. Manager Mikel Arteta will hope that can apply to their season as a whole after a difficult run of results in which the absence of their captain was keenly felt. Managers bemoaning injuries is nothing new -- and it can often serve as a useful distraction from other issues -- but Odegaard's return from an ankle injury has coincided with a dramatic upturn in their performances, continuing with Tuesday's impressive 5-1 demolition of Sporting Lisbon in the . "He is an unbelievable player and the day he returned, there was a big smile on my face," said of Odegaard. "You can see the chemistry we have, how much I enjoy playing with him. So I am happy he is back and I hope he stays fit for the rest of the season." Sporting went into this game unbeaten across 19 matches this season and fresh off beating here at Estadio Jose Alvalade just three weeks ago, with 's hat-trick confirming his status as one of Europe's hottest properties. Manager Ruben Amorim has since departed for and Gyokeres was a peripheral figure on Tuesday night, with Arsenal's opening 45 minutes ranking as their finest half of football of the season. It was a quintessential European away performance: clinical in attack, disciplined and dogged in defence. Their 3-0 half-time lead -- coming through goals from , and -- was thoroughly deserved, the first two emanating from a right-wing combination Sporting simply could not cope with. Odegaard's tendency to drift to the right flank to link up with Saka is a familiar pattern of play, but one so many teams struggle to combat: found that out to their cost last weekend when being soundly beaten at Emirates Stadium. With showing promising signs of being a more-than-able deputy for regular right-back (he'll be out until the New Year following knee surgery), Arsenal's potency down that wing was such that 65% of their attacks came via that channel in the first half. Timber set up Martinelli for the opener, while Saka found Havertz for the second on 22 minutes. Gabriel's third was a header from a corner, extending their impressive set-piece record, but after put a dent in their defensive record with a near post finish two minutes into the second half, Sporting sensed an improbable comeback. Arsenal began to exhibit nerves. Passes were misplaced, the pressure began to build, goalkeeper was booked for timewasting. And then suddenly, Odegaard burst forward, cruising past Inacio and somehow, off balance but still purposeful, he worked his way into the box, where could only foul him and concede a penalty. Saka drilled home the spot-kick before substitute added a late fifth, but Odegaard was the chief architect. He has more touches of the ball (82) than any other Arsenal player aside from Timber (84) and he didn't even play the final 12 minutes, rested with Saturday's tricky trip to West Ham in mind. There is skepticism about the overall quality of the Portuguese league, but Arsenal made the gulf in class look massive here, which is to their considerable credit. For a start, Tuesday marked the first time Arsenal have scored five goals away from home in the Champions League since October, 2008. After coming into this game facing legitimate questions about their durability on the road in Europe -- Arsenal hadn't scored an away goal in this competition since December, during a run of one win in eight matches -- this was an emphatic response. Asked if this was the best European away performance of his five-year tenure, Arteta was clear. "For sure, especially against the opponent that we played in their home," he said post-match. "I don't think they've lost here in 18 months. They've been in top form, they've been better than everyone they've played here. To play to that level, with the fluidity that we've done today ... I'm very pleased." Arteta raised eyebrows when he described their 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan as the best they had played in a big European game for years, but that faith was thoroughly vindicated here. "It's true that the result is very different," he said. "But with the performance and identity of what I saw against Inter I was very pleased. I knew that in that pathway good things were going to happen in Europe. Today we've been able to do that and replicate it and be more efficient in the opposition half. Very pleased because the team has played with so much courage. They are so good and watching them live I realise how good they are." Arteta also believes the return of several players from injury has increased the competitiveness in training, which in turn raises the level of performance. That said, Odegaard's return feels most transformative when he plays like this. The learned it last weekend and on Tuesday, the Champions League got the same message.Criticising the federal government's 'unilateral decision-making', Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Information Secretary Shazia Atta Marri has warned such actions could have far-reaching consequences, stressing that threats or coercion could not resolve the party's serious issues with the government. Marri condemned the decision to construct six new canals from the Indus River, calling it a blatant violation of the IRSA Act and the 1991 Water Accord. "Whenever the 1991 Accord is misused, the PPP has raised its voice," she asserted. Speaking during a press conference on Sunday, the PPP leader said party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari didn't indulge in 'politics of ambiguity' and remained vocal when Pakistan's people were in distress. She further slammed the federal government for addressing the country's challenges superficially, presenting impressive statistics without tangible benefits for the public. "Bilawal is deeply concerned about the federal government's approach to addressing the country's challenges", she said. Referring to Bilawal's recent statements, Marri said that the Bhutto scion rightly pointed out that the people of Pakistan desired political and economic stability, relief from inflation and poverty, and demanded prosperity. However, she said, while the government presented impressive statistics, they did not translate into tangible benefits for the people. Addressing international criticism, Member of National Assembly (MNA) Shazia Marri remarked that when staunch supporters of Israel in the US spoke against Pakistan's defence assets, their local allies celebrated. She noted that these pro-Israel elements were not only advocating sanctions on Pakistan's missile technology but also supporting an accused in prison. Marri challenged PTI founder Imran Khan to openly condemn such actions if he truly believed these individuals were wrong to target Pakistan's defence assets. However, she noted his silence on the matter and declared that the PPP would not allow anyone to compromise Pakistan's interests. Shazia Atta Marri criticised the federal government for failing to convene a Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting, terming it a constitutional violation. She highlighted that the federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) had allocated only seven projects worth Rs77.2 billion to Sindh, compared to 34 projects worth Rs693.4 billion for Punjab, 21 projects for Balochistan, and 30 for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She also criticised the federal energy minister for his 'arrogant attitude' and 'unserious demeanour' in parliamentary sessions. Marri recalled that the minister admitted in the House to providing incorrect answers initially, only to correct them later. She stressed that the PPP's rejection of politics based on hatred and division should not be mistaken for weakness. Additionally, Marri condemned the federal and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa governments for neglecting the people of Parachinar, leaving them without support amidst their struggles. Shazia Atta Marri remarked that the enthusiastic participation from every corner of the country on the 17th martyrdom anniversary of slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had set a new precedent. She expressed confidence that the spirit and determination with which people had gathered in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh was a testament to their commitment to continuing the mission of Benazir Bhutto. She reiterated Bilawal's assertion that if Pakistan's nuclear assets or missile technology were ever under threat, the entire nation must unite to defend them. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our
The world’s fastest high-speed train, the CR450 prototype, has been unveiled in China. The formidable CR450 train is capable of reaching test speeds of 450 km/h, marking a milestone in global rail technology. The CR450 high-speed train Unveiled in Beijing on Sunday, December 29, the CR450 prototype is a significant advancement over the CR400 Fuxing trains currently in service, which operate at a maximum speed of 350 km/h. Most Read on Euro Weekly News Dystopian robot cop hits Chinese streets China’s artificial island airport set to transform Asian aviation According to the China State Railway Group Co. (China Railway), the train reached a record test speed of 450 km/h, with plans to operate commercially at 400 km/h. This could further reduce travel times and enhance efficiency across China’s vast rail network. The CR450 incorporates cutting-edge design enhancements, including aerodynamic windshields and lightweight materials. According to Shine News, these features also reduce interior noise by two decibels and increase passenger space by 4 per cent. China’s expanding high-speed rail network China boasts the world’s most extensive high-speed rail (HSR) network, spanning 47,000 km of operational tracks. Notably, The Economic Times reported that the Beijing-Shanghai line remains the most profitable route, while other lines are yet to achieve financial viability. China’s HSR network has profoundly impacted the nation’s economy and society. As Shine News reported, it has reduced travel times, boosted industrial activity, and enhanced regional connectivity. Despite some routes struggling financially, the network is a testament to China’s commitment to innovation and infrastructure development. View all travel news .
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Chilean prosecutors probe harassment complaint against President Boric, who says he's a victimBrazil’s federal police last Thursday formally accused Mr Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. “The evidence collected throughout the investigation shows unequivocally that then-president Jair Messias Bolsonaro planned, acted and was directly and effectively aware of the actions of the criminal organisation aiming to launch a coup d’etat and eliminate the democratic rule of law, which did not take place due to reasons unrelated to his desire,” the document said. At another point, it says: “Bolsonaro had full awareness and active participation.” Mr Bolsonaro, who had repeatedly alleged without evidence that the country’s electronic voting system was prone to fraud, called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, according to the police report, signed by four investigators. The decree would have launched an investigation into suspicions of fraud and crimes related to the October 2022 vote, and suspended the powers of the nation’s electoral court. The navy’s commander stood ready to comply, but those from the army and air force objected to any plan that prevented Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s inauguration, the report said. Those refusals are why the plan did not go ahead, according to witnesses who spoke to investigators. Mr Bolsonaro never signed the decree to set the final stage of the alleged plan into action. Mr Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or awareness of any plot to keep him in power or oust his leftist rival and successor. “No one is going to do a coup with a reserve general and half a dozen other officers. What is being said is absurd. For my part, there has never been any discussion of a coup,” Mr Bolsonaro told journalists in the capital Brasilia on Monday. “If someone came to discuss a coup with me, I’d say, that’s fine, but the day after, how does the world view us?” he added. “The word ‘coup’ has never been in my dictionary.” The top court has passed the report on to prosecutor-general Paulo Gonet. He will decide whether to formally charge Mr Bolsonaro. Rodrigo Rios, a law professor at the PUC university in the city of Curitiba, said Mr Bolsonaro could face up to a minimum of 11 years in prison if convicted on all charges. “A woman involved in the January 8 attack on the Supreme Court received a 17-year prison sentence,” Mr Rios told the Associated Press, noting that the former president is more likely to receive 15 years or more if convicted. “Bolsonaro’s future looks dark.” Ahead of the 2022 election, Mr Bolsonaro repeatedly alleged that the election system, which does not use paper ballots, could be tampered with. The top electoral court later ruled that he had abused his power to cast unfounded doubt on the voting system, and ruled him ineligible for office until 2030. Still, he has maintained that he will stand as a candidate in the 2026 race. Since Mr Bolsonaro left office, he has been targeted by several investigations, all of which he has chalked up to political persecution. Federal police have accused him of smuggling diamond jewellery into Brazil without properly declaring them and directing a subordinate to falsify his and others’ Covid-19 vaccination statuses. Authorities are also investigating whether he incited the riot on January 8 2022 in which his followers ransacked the Supreme Court and presidential palace in Brasilia, seeking to prompt intervention by the army that would oust Mr Lula from power. Mr Bolsonaro had left for the United States days before Mr Lula’s inauguration on January 1 2023 and stayed there for three months, keeping a low profile. The police report unsealed on Tuesday alleges he was seeking to avoid possible imprisonment related to the coup plot, and also await the uprising that took place a week later.