House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minors
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Broncos are 0-4 in Las Vegas, but in a matchup of teams heading in opposite directions, Denver has more at stake than trying to end a series skid. A victory over the Raiders puts the Broncos that much closer to an unexpected playoff berth, playing with a rookie quarterback and just a year after they went 8-9. The Broncos are 6-5 and coming off a 38-6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons , and would be in the playoff field if the season ended entering Week 12. Not bad for a team given a win total of 5 1/2 games at BetMGM Sportsbook. “Everyone understands the significance of where we are at this point in the season,” Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton said. The situation is quite different for the Raiders. They are 2-8, on a six-game losing streak and decimated by injuries. Las Vegas could enter this game without its top two running backs and a reshuffled line on offense, and defensively, the Raiders could have two linemen, three cornerbacks and a safety out of action. “Just been having some bad breaks, but nobody feels sorry for us,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. "Nobody feels sorry for me. You’ve got to roll out there with 11 players, and that’s what we’re going to do come Sunday.” The Raiders are badly in a need of a franchise quarterback and are in a logjam for the top pick in next year's NFL draft. Denver showed with this year's draft how valuable landing such a QB can be to an organization. Bo Nix was selected 12th — one spot ahead of the Raiders — and he is pushing for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was this week's top AFC player and rookie after completing 28 of 33 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns in the rout of the Falcons. “I think as we’ve gone on, Coach (Sean Payton) and I have found a good rhythm of what we both like, what we can kind of put out there on the field and what we can execute," Nix said. "Then the guys have kind of adapted to it, found our roles within the offense and executed at a high level. It’s just all about slowing the game down and processing things in a manner that you can handle.” Raiders tight end Brock Bowers also could have a say in who wins the season's top offensive rookie award. He is second in the NFL with 70 catches and his 706 yards receiving is 10th among all receivers. His numbers from a historical perspective are even more impressive. Bowers, the 13th pick in this year's draft , is fourth all time among all tight ends in catches through the first 11 weeks and he and Jeremy Shockey in 2002 are the only rookies at that position to have more than one game with at least 10 receptions. “This week's a brand new week,” Bowers said. “I've always got something to prove.” Payton still isn't entirely comfortable splitting carries between running backs Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime. Asked how he determines the right balance in his rotation, Payton said, “That's the $6 million question. It’s difficult. We know kind of what we have with those three players. I think it’s always hard to feed three. "I'm used to — and it’s easy — to feed two. So we kind of do that a little bit. I thought Javonte had some really good runs (last week). Certainly the game ends and we’re like, ‘Gosh, we have to get Jaleel more touches.’ So it’s a tough, but a good problem to have.” With injuries to running backs Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quadriceps), 10-year veteran Ameer Abdullah could get the start for the Raiders this weekend. He has just 17 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown this season and started just one game his previous six seasons. “I see myself as a starter,” Abdullah said. “I think every guy in the room does. I consider myself the best back on this team just like every back does. This is my opportunity to go out there and put my best foot forward.” Patrick Surtain II had a pair of interceptions, including one he returned for 100 yards and a touchdown, in the team's first meeting this season and that fueled the Broncos' 34-18 win in Denver . Both of the passes were intended for Bowers, who caught a 57-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Surtain isn't expecting the Raiders to avoid him Sunday, however. “You don't want to go into a game thinking they're not gonna throw it your way,” Surtain said, “because it's the pros at the end of the day, everybody's ready, everybody's capable.” AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton in Englewood, Colorado, contributed to this report. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Jimmy Carter had the longest post-presidency of anyone to hold the office, and one of the most active. Here is a look back at his life. 1924 — Jimmy Carter was born on Oct. 1 to Earl and Lillian Carter in the small town of Plains, Georgia. 1928 — Earl Carter bought a 350-acre farm 3 miles from Plains in the tiny community of Archery. The Carter family lived in a house on the farm without running water or electricity. 1941 — He graduated from Plains High School and enrolled at Georgia Southwestern College in Americus. 1942 — He transferred to Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. 1943 — Carter’s boyhood dream of being in the Navy becomes a reality as he is appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. 1946 — He received his naval commission and on July 7 married Rosalynn Smith of Plains. They moved to Norfolk, Virginia. 1946-1952 — Carter’s three sons are born, Jack in 1947, Chip in 1950 and Jeff in 1952. 1962-66 — Carter is elected to the Georgia State Senate and serves two terms. 1953 — Carter’s father died and he cut his naval career short to save the family farm. Due to a limited income, Jimmy, Rosalynn and their three sons moved into Public Housing Apartment 9A in Plains. 1966 — He ran for governor, but lost. 1967 — Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s fourth child, Amy, is born. 1971 — He ran for governor again and won the election, becoming Georgia’s 76th governor on Jan. 12. 1974 — Carter announced his candidacy for president. 1976 — Carter was elected 39th president on Nov. 2, narrowly defeating incumbent Gerald Ford. 1978 — U.S. and the Peoples’ Republic of China establish full diplomatic relations. President Carter negotiates and mediates an accord between Egypt and Israel at Camp David. 1979 — The Department of Education is formed. Iranian radicals overrun the U.S. Embassy and seize American hostages. The Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty is signed. 1980 — On March 21, Carter announces that the U.S. will boycott the Olympic Games scheduled in Moscow. A rescue attempt to get American hostages out of Iran is unsuccessful. Carter was defeated in his bid for a second term as president by Ronald Reagan in November. 1981 — President Carter continues to negotiate the release of the American hostages in Iran. Minutes before his term as president is over, the hostages are released. 1982 — Carter became a distinguished professor at Emory University in Atlanta, and founded The Carter Center. The nonpartisan and nonprofit center addresses national and international issues of public policy. 1984 — Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter volunteer one week a year for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that helps needy people in the United States and in other countries renovate and build homes, until 2020. He also taught Sunday school in the Maranatha Baptist Church of Plains from the mid-’80s until 2020. 2002 — Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 2015 — Carter announced in August he had been diagnosed with melanoma that spread to his brain. 2016 — He said in March that he no longer needed cancer treatment. 2024 — Carter dies at 100 years old. Sources: Cartercenter.org, Plains Historical Preservation Trust, The Associated Press; The Brookings Institution; U.S. Navy; WhiteHouse.gov, GallupNew Delhi : The Central Bureau of Investigation ( CBI ) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are set to start trials in some high-profile cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for Although the federal investigative agencies had filed several charge sheets against the accused - most of whom are out on bail - the trials had not been initiated. Most of these cases are at the stage of Section 207 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrpC), which requires that the accused be provided with certain documents used by the prosecution to buttress its case against the accused. In one of the high profile cases, CBI has concluded its arguments on framing of charges against former Union railway minister Lalu Prasad and co-accused. The need to kick-start trials also stems from the recent orders of the Supreme Court which, while granting bail to the accused, has repeatedly underscored the need to commence trials without delay. Besides completing investigations and starting trials, ED is also focusing on restitution of assets to victims. ET takes a deep dive into the high-profile cases in which agencies will try to commence the trial in 2025. 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In September 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had accorded sanction to prosecute Prasad. A month later, the sanction to prosecute 30 co-accused was also received from the authorities. CBI had previously received sanction to prosecute Prasad for his alleged involvement in the alleged scam. The agency had filed two charge sheets, elaborating his alleged role in illegal recruitment of employees in two railway zones - central and western. But CBI filed its final and composite charge sheet in the case, including all the remaining railway zones. Prasad and other public servants were also charged in the final charge sheet. It is for this final charge sheet that the agency had sought sanction from the authorities in June. CBI is awaiting sanction to prosecute a former government servant, RK Mahajan, private secretary to Prasad, following which the agency will argue on framing of charges against Prasad, his kin and co-accused. After CBI, the accused will be given an opportunity to counter the agency's contentions. The counsel of accused will demand discharge, following which the court will take a decision whether to start trial or discharge accused. ED has attached properties of Prasad's family worth ₹6 crore in connection with the case. The properties attached by the agency include Delhi and Patna properties, including a house in New Friends Colony. CBI, in its charge sheet, has described Prasad, his wife and son (Tejashwi) as "ultimate beneficiaries". All three have denied the allegations against them. IRCTC case This is another alleged scandal in which CBI has filed charge sheets against Prasad, Tejashwi Yadav and Rabri Devi. The agency has already concluded its arguments on framing of charges. The special CBI court has already made it clear that hearing needs to be "expedited" and "adjournments are to be avoided". The defence is yet to present its counter arguments, following which the court will pronounce its verdict on whether or not to frame charges against the accused. If the court decides to frame charges, it will mean commencement of trial. The trial hasn't commenced because a co-accused - former government official Vinod Kumar Asthana - had last year obtained a stay from the Supreme Court on framing of charges against him. Asthana has demanded quashing of cognisance of CBI's charge sheet taken by the special court. He had moved SC after the Delhi High Court dismissed his plea in October 2022, ruling "it would not be feasible to quash the proceedings at such an initial stage". CBI has moved an application for early hearing of its plea seeking to vacate the stay granted in favour of Asthana. The plea is yet to come up for hearing in SC. The CBI court in July 2018 took cognisance of a charge sheet against Prasad and the other co-accused registered a year earlier for allegedly making illegal gains by tweaking the terms of a tender for IRCTC hotel contracts. CBI had booked Prasad, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav and others in July 2017 for allegedly making ill-gotten gains by tweaking the terms of tender of IRCTC hotels. As per CBI, Prasad had colluded with the owners of Chanakya and Sujata Hotel in Patna through IRCTC officials and owners of a front company belonging to Prasad and his wife. Delhi excise policy case All the accused in the erstwhile excise policy case of Delhi have been released on bail. The case includes senior AAP leaders - former CM Arvind Kejriwal , former deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and others. The case is at the stage of Section 207 of CrPC. After furnishing of documents sought by the accused, CBI will argue on framing of charges. In a first, in May 2024, the ED filed a charge sheet against AAP as an accused under PMLA. AAP became the first political party to have been accused under anti-money laundering laws. ED invoked Section 70 (1) of PMLA to implead AAP as an accused. It will be significant to observe whether the court decides to charge AAP as an accused and start a trial against it. SC, while ordering release of the accused in the case, had recorded that the trial had not commenced. Granting bail to Kejriwal on September 13, the top court had slammed CBI. "It is imperative that CBI dispel the notion of it being a caged parrot," justice Ujjal Bhuyan, as part of a bench, had said in his judgment. "In a functional democracy governed by the rule of law, perception matters. Like Caesar's wife, an investigating agency must be above board," he had said. CBI's perception should rather be "that of an uncaged parrot", he said. VVIP chopper case CBI is likely to press for deciding its application seeking to segregate the trial. In December 2022, the agency had moved a special court, urging it to segregate the trial of the accused who have been served summons and joined investigation from those (accused) who have till date either not been served upon or have evaded the investigation. In its application, CBI argued that the accused who joined the probe cannot be denied their "right to speedy trial". The trial has yet to begin nearly 12 years after a probe was launched into alleged irregularities in an air force deal to purchase helicopters for transporting VVIPs. So far, CBI and ED have filed more than a dozen chargesheets in the case. However, the trial court could not make a decision on CBI's application seeking segregation of trial because CBI moved the Delhi High Court challenging orders passed by the special CBI court permitting a co-accused to inspect documents not relied upon by the agency. The appeal stated that the agency was required to produce only before the court all material collected by it during investigation which it proposes to rely upon. In July 2024, the CBI had informed the Delhi High Court that it had no difficulty if the accused inspected unrelied documents and statements of witnesses. The agency's stand had contrasted with its earlier position. The high court disposed of CBI's petition after the agency told it that "only for the purpose of expedience and without going into the merits, the present petition may be disposed of" and the accused "may be allowed to inspect unrelied documents and unrelied statements of witnesses". This meant the decks were cleared for the CBI to seek commencement of trial. The accused are being supplied documents, following which CBI will press its application for segregation of trial, said people in the know. Cash-for-jobs case (Bengal) SC in December directed the trial court to decide on framing of charges before the commencement of winter vacations or before December 31, 2024, whichever is earlier. The alleged cash-for-jobs scandal involves former West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee. SC ordered expediting the trial on a bail plea of Chatterjee. A bench headed by justice Surya Kant ordered that Chatterjee can be released on bail on or before February 1, 2025, in the money laundering case registered against him by ED. The bench directed the trial court to record the statements of prosecution witnesses who are most material and vulnerable in the second or third week of January 2025. Subject to the completion of these steps, Chatterjee can be released on bail. ED had also arrested Chatterjee's alleged associate, Arpita Mukherjee, in the case. Restitution of assets by ED After taking charge as the new ED director in August 2024, Rahul Navin had made it clear to sleuths that the focus must be on concluding investigations in key cases and initiating trials. The agency has also made significant progress in restitution of assets to victims. The agency has restored properties worth ₹22,280 crore to the victims or rightful claimants and the fight against economic offenders will continue unabated, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had informed the Lok Sabha in the winter session. ED has recovered assets worth ₹17,750 crore in connection with various cases involving fugitives Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi. Sitharaman had also informed that ₹14,131.6 crore worth of properties belonging to Mallya have been restored to public sector banks. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Croatia’s incumbent president wins most votes at polls but still faces runoff