panalo.999
Best Laptop Deal of the Day: Slash $200 Off a Gigabyte Gaming Rig
JIMMY Carter was a former US president who was elected to office in 1976 and served in the White House from 1977 to 1981. Here’s more about the beloved 100-year-old and his remarkable life in politics and beyond. Who was Jimmy Carter and how old was he? James Earl Carter Jr – known affectionately as Jimmy – was the 39 th President of the United States , serving one term in office from 1977 to 1981. The Democrat stalwart served as a Georgia State Senator from 1963 to 1967 and as the 76th Governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975. Jimmy remained active in public life after leaving the White House. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in co-founding the Carter Center. He paid tribute to his former Vice President Walter Mondale after his death at 93 on April 19, 2021, hailing him as "the best vice president in our country's history." Jimmy was raised in a wealthy family of peanut farmers in the southern town of Plains. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1946 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He went on to join the US Navy where he served on the submarines. Following his father’s death, he returned home to take over the family peanut business . As he went on to expand the business, Carter was motivated to oppose the political climate of racial segregation and support the growing civil rights movement. In the early 1960s, he became an activist within the Democratic Party and made his first foray into the world of politics. Carter was sworn in as the 76th Governor of Georgia on January 12, 1971. He declared in his inaugural speech that "the time of racial discrimination is over. ... No poor, rural, weak, or black person should ever have to bear the additional burden of being deprived of the opportunity for an education, a job or simple justice." President Carter then went on to live a relatively modest life in his old two bedroom house in his Georgia hometown. He died on December, 29, 2024, in Plains, Georgia - the same spot where he was born back on October 1, 1924. Who was his Jimmy Carter's wife, Rosalynn? Jimmy’s wife Eleanor Rosalynn Carter was born on August 18, 1927, and served as the First Lady of the United States from 1977 to 1981. The former First Lady, who was married to her husband for 75 years, was a leading advocate for numerous causes throughout her lifetime. She was politically active during her White House years, sitting in on Cabinet and policy meetings as well as serving as her husband's closest adviser. Rosalynn also served as an envoy abroad, with posts in Latin America. She and Jimmy first dated in 1945 while he was attending the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. It's believed Rosalynn had a crush on him after seeing him in his navy uniform. She agreed to marry her husband-to-be in February 1946 when she went to Annapolis with his parents. The two scheduled their marriage to take place on July 7, 1946 in Plains and kept the arrangement secret. The couple shared four children: John William "Jack" (b. 1947), James Earl "Chip" III (b. 1950), Donnel Jeffrey "Jeff" (b. 1952), and Amy Lynn (b. 1967). Due to Jimmy's military duties, the first three were born in different parts of the country and away from Georgia. They returned to Georgia when Jimmy’s father was dying. After purchasing their first television set, the couple became fans of the New York Yankees and claimed they never went to bed arguing with each other. Following their time in the White House, the couple established the Carter Center, a non-profit organisation in Atlanta . They were unable to attend Joe Biden's inauguration. This was the first time they have missed the ceremonies since Jimmy was sworn in as president in 1977. Rosalynn is a member of the Center's Board of Trustees and participates in many of the Center's programs, but gives special attention to the Mental Health Program. Upon the death of Barbara Bush on April 17, 2018, 91-year-old Rosalynn became the oldest living former First Lady at the time. How did Jimmy Carter die? Jimmy Carter died on Sunday 29, December, 2024 nearly two years after going into hospice care. His official cause of death is yet to be announced but his son Chip released a heartfelt statement confirming the death of his father. He said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love. “My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. "The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.” Carter, the beloved Democrat and Nobel Peace Prize winner, had experienced several health issues in recent years including melanoma that spread to his liver and brain. In 2015, he beat brain and liver cancer , but in 2019, his health began to suffer again. He chose hospice care over continuing medical treatment, the Carter Center announced on Saturday, February 18, 2023.
Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. At age 52, Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. Carter left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Here's the latest: The longest-lived American president died 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. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” The Carter Center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. In his 1975 book “Why Not The Best,” Carter said of himself: “I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry.” 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. After he left office and returned home to his tiny hometown of Plains in southwest Georgia, Carter regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world.Recession-Proofing Your Portfolio With GoldPublished 00:22 IST, December 30th 2024 As 2024 comes to a close, Google has published its Year in Search report, revealing the most searched topics across the world. As 2024 comes to a close, Google has published its Year in Search report, revealing the most searched topics across the world and what users looked most into the search engine. In 2024, the highest search traffic was driven by topics such as global elections, major news events, and sports events. Here’s a look at Top Trending Searches Across Globe Football tournament Copa America generated the most traffic searches on Google. Defending champions Argentina secured a historic 16th Copa America title, defeating Colombia 1-0 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida on July 14. Lionel Messi added another title to his illustrious career. The next in list was UEFA Euros which was held in month of June-July. Spain defeated England England 2-1 on July 14 and registered its fourth European crown. In 2024, India clinched the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, ending a 13-year wait for an ICC trophy by defeating South Africa in the final. The next on the list: 4. England cricket team's tour of India , 5. Liam Payne (One Direction band member) who passed away in November, 6. Donald Trump , 7. India vs Bangladesh , 8. iPhone 16 , 9. Paris 2024 Olympics , and 10. Catherine, Princess of Wales' who got diagnosed with cancer this year, were in the top 10 global searches across Google. Top 10 Most Searched News The 2024 news cycle on Google was dominated by the US presidential elections. President Joe Biden withdrew from the race for the White House, with the Democrats nominating Kamala Harris, who ultimately lost to the Republican candidate, Donald Trump. According to several reports, the year 2024 has been declared as the hottest year since the recording of temperature began. This caused a surge in global searches for the term on the search engine. Paris olympics was among the newsmakers for the year 2024. India registered 6 medals in the the Olympics. The tournament was marred with a boxing controversy where an Italian boxer Angela Carini went up against Algerian Imane Khelif. Khelif had been disqualified from the previous year's world championships due to a failed gender eligibility test. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted Khelif permission to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games. Hurricane Milton made landfall in the Gulf of Mexico, impacting several states of the US. According to estimates, more than $50 billion of infrastructure was damaged while several people were killed. In May, Israel initiated a limited operation in Rafah targeting Hamas militants. The operation quickly gained attention on social media, with the hashtag #AllEyesonRafah trending. A CrowdStrike update triggered a major IT outage, causing millions of Windows systems to crash in August. The disruption of critical services and business operations highlighted the risks associated with heavy reliance on technology. In July, Donald Trump was shot and wounded in his upper right ear by Thomas Crooks, a 20-year-old man in Pennsylvania. Crooks also killed one audience member and critically injured two others. The documentary on The Menendez Brothers was released on the streaming platform Netflix, which captured the sensational crime of murdering their parents. Brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez have pleaded their case. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a public health emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on August 14, 2024, which led to a surge in search traffic. Get Current Updates on India News , Entertainment News along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world. Updated 00:25 IST, December 30th 2024
NEW YORK — With the end of 2024 around the corner, you might be reflecting on financial goals for 2025. Whether you’re saving to move out of your parents’ house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated, said Courtney Alev, consumer advocate for Credit Karma. “Entering a new year doesn’t erase all our financial challenges from the prior year,” Alev said. “But it can really help to bring a fresh-start mentality to how you’re managing your finances.” If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they’re attainable for your lifestyle. Here are some tips from experts: Change your relationship with money Think about how you currently deal with finances — what’s good, what’s bad, and what can improve. “Let this be the year you change your relationship with money,” said Ashley Lapato, personal finance educator for YNAB, a budgeting app. If you feel like money is a chore, that there’s shame surrounding the topic of money, or like you were born being “bad at money,” it’s time to change that mentality, Lapato said. To adjust your approach, Lapato recommends viewing money goals as an opportunity to imagine your desired lifestyle in the future. She recommends asking questions like, “What do my 30s look like? What do my 40s look like?” and using money as a means to get there. Liz Young Thomas, head of SoFi Investment Strategy, added that it’s key you forgive yourself for past mistakes in order to move into the new year with motivation. Know your “why” When setting your financial resolutions for 2025, it’s important to establish the “why” of each, said Matt Watson, CEO of Origin, a financial tracking app. “If you can attach the financial goal to a bigger life goal, it’s much more motivating and more likely you’ll continue on that path,” Watson said. Whether you’re saving to buy a house, pay off credit card debt or take a summer vacation, being clear about the goal can keep you motivated. Watson also recommends using a tool to help you keep track of your finances, such as an app, spreadsheet, or website. Budget, budget, budget “After three years of inflation, your pay increases are likely still playing catch up to your monthly expenses, leaving you wondering where all the money is going,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. “Make that monthly budget for 2025 and resolve to track your spending against it throughout the year.” McBride said that you may need to make adjustments during the year as certain expenses increase, which would require cutting back in other areas. “Calibrate your spending with your income, and any month you spend less than budgeted, transfer the difference into your savings account, ideally a high-yield savings account,” he said. Pay down outstanding debt “Interest rates aren’t likely to come down very fast, so you’re still going to have to put in the hard work of paying down debt, especially high-cost credit card debt, and do so with urgency,” McBride said. Start by taking stock of how much debt you have now relative to the beginning of the year. Hopefully you’ve made steady progress on paying it down, but, if you’ve gone in the other direction, McBride encourages making a game plan. That includes looking into 0% balance transfer offers. Take control of your credit card interest rate “You have more power over credit card interest rates than you think you do,” said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. “Wielding that power is one of the best moves you can make in 2025.” A 0% balance transfer credit card is “a good weapon” in the fight against high card APRs, or annual percentage rates, he said. A low-interest personal loan is an option as well. You may simply be able to pick up the phone and ask for a lower interest rate. LendingTree found that a majority of people who did that in 2024 were successful, and the average reduction was more than 6 points. Set realistic, practical goals When planning for your financial resolutions, it’s important to consider how you’re going to make your goals sustainable for your lifestyle, said Credit Karma’s Alev. “It really is a marathon, not a sprint,” Alev said. Alev recommends setting realistic, practical goals to make it easier to stick with them. For example, instead of planning to save thousands of dollars by the end of the year, start by saving $20 a paycheck. Even when your plans are achievable, there are times you’ll get derailed. Maybe it’s an unexpected medical bill or an extraordinary life event. When these situations happen, Alev recommends trying not to feel defeated and working to get back on track without feeling guilty. Don’t bury your head in the sand “You can’t manage what you can’t see, so set a New Year’s resolution to check your credit score monthly in 2025,” said Rikard Bandebo, chief economist at VantageScore. “Be sure to pay more than the minimum on your credit accounts, as that’s one of the best ways to boost your credit score.” Bandebo also advises student loan borrowers to make all payments on time, as servicers will begin to report late payments starting in January, and missed payments will affect borrowers’ credit scores. Automate savings, where possible Automated changes, like increasing workplace 401(k) plan contributions, setting up direct deposits from paychecks into dedicated savings accounts, and arranging for monthly transfers into an IRA and/or 529 college savings accounts all add up quickly, McBride said. Slow down Your financial goals can encompass more than just managing your money better — they can also be about keeping your money safe from scams. A golden rule to protect yourself from scams is to “slow down,” said Johan Gerber, executive vice president of security solutions at Mastercard. “You have to slow down and talk to other people if you’re not sure (whether or not) it’s scam,” said Gerber, who recommends building an accountability system with family to keep yourself and your loved ones secure. Scammers use urgency to make people fall for their tricks, so taking your time to make any financial decision can keep you from losing money. Focus on financial wellness Your financial goals don’t always have to be rooted in a dollar amount — they can also be about well-being. Finances are deeply connected with our mental health, and, to take care of our money, we also need to take care of ourselves. “I think that now more than any other year, your financial wellness should be a resolution,” said Alejandra Rojas, personal finance expert and founder of The Money Mindset Hub, a mentoring platform for women entrepreneurs. “Your mental health with money should be a resolution.” To focus on your financial wellness, you can set one or two goals focusing on your relationship with money. For example, you could find ways to address and resolve financial trauma, or you could set a goal to talk more openly with loved ones about money, Rojas said.
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck announces plan to enter NFL draft after season-ending elbow injury Georgia quarterback Carson Beck on Saturday announced his plans to enter the NFL draft, five days after having season-ending elbow surgery . Beck, a fifth-year senior, made his NFL plans official on social media. Charles Odum, The Associated Press Dec 28, 2024 10:31 AM Dec 28, 2024 10:35 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) runs out of the pocket against Texas during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Georgia quarterback Carson Beck on Saturday announced his plans to enter the NFL draft, five days after having season-ending elbow surgery . Beck, a fifth-year senior, made his NFL plans official on social media. Beck suffered a right elbow injury in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime win over Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 7 in Atlanta. Beck had surgery on Monday to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Beck is expected to begin throwing next spring. He could have returned for a sixth season but instead will enter the NFL draft. Beck posted on Instagram: “The past five years at the University of Georgia have been nothing short of a dream come true and I will forever cherish the memories that have been made.” Gunner Stockton, who took over for Beck in the second half against Texas, will start for Georgia on Wednesday in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Beck has started every game of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He was 24-3 as a starter. Beck passed for 3,941 yards with 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2023 but had more difficulties with turnovers this season as he passed for 28 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He completed 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards before his injury in the SEC championship game. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football Charles Odum, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) NFL Inactive Report Dec 28, 2024 8:54 AM ESPN reports that Panthers to put Canadian Hubbard on season-ending IR Dec 28, 2024 8:26 AM Panthers place 1,000-yard rusher Chuba Hubbard on IR for final 2 games with strained calf Dec 28, 2024 8:22 AM
Horse racing tips: Templegate’s NAP won well at Ascot before and has loads more to comeNearly every autopsy of Vice President Kamala Harris’s stinging White House defeat begins with some variation of the phrase, “Voters pointed to the rising price of food as their chief concern...” True or not–and more on that later–the Trump campaign tied that tin can so tightly to Harris that everywhere she went complaints like “the high price of eggs,” “failed Bidenomics,” and “wouldn’t change a thing” got there long before she did. ADVERTISEMENT Try as she might, the Harris campaign didn’t mount an effective response–either in person or through its unprecedented $1.4 billion advertising budget–to counter the damaging claims. And the complaints had traction; for a month they rolled right over Harris. The Trump campaign wasn’t wrong about rising food costs in the Biden years; it was wrong, however, to blame it entirely on Biden Administration policies. The stage was set for higher prices–and not just in food–during the first Trump Administration's painfully slow initial response to the Covid-19 pandemic that took root in Jan. 2020. At least that’s what the best food price analysts on the planet, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS), noted in their latest “Food Prices and Spending” report on Nov. 1. According to ERS, “From 2019 to 2023, the all-food Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 25.0 percent–a higher increase than the all-items CPI, which grew at 19.2 percent over the same period.” While food prices increased less than transportation costs, “(T)hey rose faster than housing, medical care, and all other major categories.” So, yes, food prices soared during the Biden Administration but the rise wasn’t because Democrats lived in the White House, the ERS report continues. Instead, “Food price increases in 2020-21 were largely driven by shifting consumption patterns and supply chain disruptions resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic,” explains ERS. Recall the spring of 2020 when Covid hit the food market like a meteor. It knocked everything–production, delivery, sales, worker safety–miles from any semblance of normal. Hoarding then quickly undermined the food sector even more. ADVERTISEMENT Then two big shocks, neither related to American politics, slammed the slowly recovering food sector in 2022: an outbreak of deadly avian influenza (which, to date, has killed 71 million egg-laying hens and 14 million turkeys in the U.S.) and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a global leader in food exports. “In 2022, food prices increased faster than any year since 1979,” given the impact of both events, “which compounded other economy-wide inflationary pressures,” ERS says. Afterwards, however, “Food price growth slowed in 2023 and wholesale food prices and these other inflationary factors eased.” So, according to ERS, food prices spiked 25 percent between President Trump’s second to last year, 2019, and President Biden’s second year, 2022, due to a human pandemic, a poultry pandemic, and a bloody regional war between a global food superpower, Ukraine, and a global nuclear superpower, Russia. And that’s just one side–the grocery side–of a fluid, worldwide ag commodity market that “regularly rises or falls by more than 10 percent from one year to the next,” explains ERS’s food price report. For example, “In 2023 the production-weighted price” of corn, soybeans, and wheat “fell by 12.1 percent, while food prices increased by 5.8 percent.” In other words, food sellers boosted their prices by almost 6 percent while the collective price for “the top three U.S. field crops (that) comprise the majority of field crop inputs” in U.S. food dropped more than twice that amount. If the Trump campaign knew these facts, they simply ignored them and, instead, wisely began stockpiling tin cans and string.
Exeter City players in 2024 - how many can you rememberWASHINGTON (AP) — A person accused of accosting U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in a Capitol Office building pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to a misdemeanor assault charge. Witnesses told police that James McIntyre, 33, of Chicago, shook Mace's hand in an “exaggerated, aggressive” manner after approaching the South Carolina Republican in the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday evening, according to a police affidavit. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.The last six years have landed Canadian Kurtis Rourke firmly in the U.S. college football limelight. The 24-year-old Oakville, Ont., native will lead the upstart Indiana Hoosiers (11-1) into South Bend, Ind., to face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1) on Dec. 20 to open American university football's expanded playoff bracket. Rourke transferred to Indiana last December to boost his NFL draft stock after five years at Ohio University, where he began as a backup to his older brother, Nathan, then captured the 2022 MAC offensive player of the year award despite suffering a season-ending knee injury before heading to Indiana after the 2023 season. A win over Notre Dame would extend Indiana's stellar campaign while a loss would mark the end of Rourke's collegiate career. "Having six years is something not many people can say," Rourke told Canadian reporters Wednesday. "(It has been) very much a roller-coaster but I'm just grateful. "I've had four surgeries in college and only missed a handful of games. That's the biggest thing I come back to, that I've been so lucky to still play and have an opportunity to play (maybe) four more games and hopefully at a professional level." The six-foot-five, 223-pound Rourke will be eligible for the '25 NFL draft. Rourke has played a big role in Indiana — traditionally known as a basketball school — emerging as a Big Ten contender in head coach Curt Cignetti's first season. Rourke completed 202-of-287 passes (70.4 per cent) for 2,827 yards with 27 TDs and just four interceptions in 11 games and last week was named a finalist for the Manning Award, given annually to American college football's top quarterback. The only blemish on Indiana's record was a 38-15 loss to Ohio State before 105,751 spectators in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 23. Rourke was eight-of-18 passing for 68 yards in that contest and sacked five times. It's that experience Rourke and the Hoosiers are drawing upon as they prepare to visit Notre Dame Stadium, which has a seating capacity of roughly 77,000 but held 84,000 spectators for a 2018 Garth Brooks concert. "I don't know if it will be as crazy or as hostile an environment as Ohio State ... but I do expect it to be a pretty good environment," Rourke said. "We have some plans in place with the silent count if we need at any point to go to ... but ultimately just learning from the experience of Ohio State to handle it individually as well as an offence." Former CFL player Tino Sunseri is Indiana's quarterback coach/co-offensive co-ordinator. Sunseri spent three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2013-15), winning a Grey Cup as a rookie. Reaching the expanded playoff format in Cignetti's first season is a huge accomplishment for Indiana. But the school reportedly added 31 players via the transfer portal before the 2024 campaign. When asked how he appealed to incoming players, Cignetti said, "It's pretty simple, I win. Google me." Cignetti came to Indiana after posting a 52-9 record over five seasons at James Madison. Rourke said Hoosiers' players draw inspiration from their brash head coach. "Seeing your head coach on a national stage say what he said, 'Google me,' ... that just shows how confident he is in himself and the coaches," Rourke said. "And that just makes us feel like, 'Yeah, we're coming along with you coach.' "As the season went on we were like, 'Yeah, we can do this.'" Rourke suffered a right thumb injury that required surgery in Indiana's 56-7 win over Nebraska on Oct. 19. Fortunately, he missed only one start (31-17 victory over Washington) and returned to throw four TD passes in 47-10 decision over Michigan State on Nov. 2. "My thumb feels 100 per cent now," Rourke said. "It was hard missing that Washington game ... but I knew the team would have my back." It's no surprise Rourke has leaned upon his brother throughout his college tenure. The two are very close and Rourke said he began playing quarterback after watching Nathan do so growing up. Nathan Rourke rejoined the Lions in August after spending time in the NFL with Jacksonville, New England, Atlanta and the New York Giants. "We've been able to talk about ball but (also) life," the junior Rourke said. "Just having someone who's done it, who's been through the college experience, been through the NFL experiences and now the CFL to learn from and also bounce questions off him, it's been quite beneficial to have him in my corner." Rourke has hired an agent — Octagon's Casey Muir — and will work out this off-season in Fort Myers, Fla. As of Wednesday, Rourke said he's not been invited to the NFL combine, which begins Feb. 27 in Indianapolis. "I'd love to get an invite to the combine," he said. "That was one of my goals, honestly, when I got to college, which seems forever ago. "That would be awesome." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2024. Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
LONG BEACH – One of the perks of reaching the CIF Southern Section football championship games is that select members of the 28 finalist teams from the 14 playoff divisions meet in Long Beach for the champions luncheon, which was hosted at the Long Beach Marriott on Monday. The Glendora football team at Monday’s CIF-SS champions luncheon in Long Beach. Glendora will take on Murrieta Mesa in Saturday’s Division 6 championship game. (Photo by Fred Robledo). The Rio Hondo Prep football team at Monday’s CIF-SS champions luncheon in Long Beach. RH Prep will take on Warren in Friday’s Division 7 championship game. (Photo by Fred Robledo). The Pioneer football team at Monday’s CIF-SS champions luncheon in Long Beach. Pioneer will host San Gabriel in Saturday’s Division 14 championship game. (Photo by Fred Robledo) The El Rancho high school football team at Monday’s CIF-SS champions luncheon in Long Beach. El Rancho will take on Portola in the Division 11 championship game. (By Fred Robledo). The San Gabriel high school football team at Monday’s CIF-SS champions luncheon in Long Beach. They will face Pioneer in the Division 14 championship (Photo by Fred Robledo). The La Serna football team at Monday’s CIF-SS champions luncheon in Long Beach. La Serna is playing Palos Verdes for the Division 6 championship on Friday. (Photo by Fred Robledo) The Pasadena high school football team at Monday’s CIF-SS champions luncheon in Long Beach. PHS will take on Gahr in Saturday’s Division 13 championship game. (Photo by Fred Robledo). The Glendora football team at Monday’s CIF-SS champions luncheon in Long Beach. Glendora will take on Murrieta Mesa in Saturday’s Division 6 championship game. (Photo by Fred Robledo). The San Gabriel Valley was well represented with seven teams attending, including two that made their second straight trip to the finals luncheon, and one who’s last championship appearance was so long ago its team wore leather helmets the last time it played in a title game. That would be Pasadena, the feel-good story of this year’s group. Pasadena was 0-10 last season and stretched its losing streak to 13 straight before rallying to finish third in the Pacific League, and it did not slow down. Pasadena routed Lynwood 37-0 in Friday’s Division 13 semifinals to reach the championship game for the first time since 1947. Pasadena has won three championships, winning in 1915, which is more than a century ago. They also won in 1924 and 1933. Pasadena (7-6) will host Gahr (7-5) in Saturday’s championship game at 7 p.m. “I think it’s going to be good for the community,” Pasadena coach Ron Jones said of finally making it back to the finals. “It’s surreal that we’re here after all the adversity we went through at the beginning of the season. We never thought we would be in this building.” Bulldogs wide receiver Christopher Solis-Lumar transferred from Glendora, and was added to the team midway through the season following the sit-out period. “It’s a great experience, kind of a bittersweet moment,” Solis-Lumar said. “It took us a while to get here and not a lof of people thought we would get here, and for us to bring it back for the first time since 1947, it’s going to be something.” LA SERNA, RIO HONDO PREP LOOKING TO REPEAT La Serna and Rio Hondo Prep were both at the champions luncheon last year, and both went on to win championships. They get to compete for rare consecutive titles this weekend. La Serna won the Division 4 title and CIF State Division 2-AA championship last season. La Serna graduated several players from last year’s team, but improved over the season and defeated Summit 34-22 in the Division 5 semifinals. La Serna (10-3) will be on the road at Palos Verdes (8-5) playing for their second straight title and fifth overall. “This team was just determined to carve their place in La Serna football history,” La Serna coach Andy George said. “There wasn’t too many high expectations coming off a state championship team. But our team said you know what, we’re going to get after it.” Rio Hondo Prep certainly isn’t a surprise anymore. The small school with less than 75 boys on campus won its 15th sectional title last season beating Santa Monica for the Division 9 title, which was the first single-digit division title in the school’s history, having won most of its titles in eight-man or the old small school’s divisions. Rio Hondo Prep (10-1) is now in Division 7 and beat West Torrance 42-21 in the semifinals. The Kares have a giant task in the finals where it will take on Warren (6-7) in Friday’s championship at Arcadia high school. Warren lost in the Division 3 championship last year, and traditionaly competes in the top divisions. “If you would have told me a year ago we would be playing Warren in a CIF championship game, I would have said you’re crazy,” Rio Hondo Prep coach Mark Carson said. “It’s a great opportunity is how we’re looking at it. If we played them 10 times, they would probably win nine of them. We’re hoping to catch that one.” GLENDORA IN FIRST TITLE GAME SINCE 1989 Glendora has been the comeback team of the playoffs, overcoming big deficits in the quarterfinals and semifials to advance to the Division 6 championship, where the Tartans will be looking for their second sectional title and first since sharing the championship in 1989 with Ramona, a game that ended in a 28-28 tie for the Division 2-A crown. Glendora (9-4), who overcame a 21-3 deficit in the second half to beat Dana Hills 25-21 in the semifinals, will take on Murrietta Mesa (9-4) in Saturday’s Division 6 title game at Citrus College. Glendora offensive lineman Marko Luera talked about how determine the Tartans are to finish it off. “This team is special man,” Luera said. “I love every kid on this team, it’s a team thing. We’re going for it. We keep fighting. We don’t think the game’s over.” EL RANCHO IN FIRST TITLE GAME SINCE 1988 El Rancho (9-4) which has had to play home games at nearby school’s because its stadium is under reconstruction, has not let it distract them, advancing to Friday’s Division 11 championship, where it will be on the road against Irvine Portola (7-6). El Rancho is playing for the school’s fourth championship and first since 1968. The Dons last played in the 1988 finals and lost to Los Altos. El Rancho shared the title with St. Paul in 1968, and when they won it 1966, they were declared mythical national champions. The Dons also won in 1960. “This is remarkable,” El Rancho coach Adrian Medrano said. “Our program is trending in the right direction for a long time. We had a tough 2-8 season last year and a lot of those guys were part of that team and have been productive all year.” SAN GABRIEL, PIONEER IN ALL-AREA FINAL There is one championship that will produce an champion for the area. San Gabriel, which won the Division 13 title in 2022, is back in the finals for the second time in three years. San Gabriel (7-6) will be at Pioneer (8-5) in Saturday’s Division 14 championship game. “It’s amazing, all the freshman that were part of it (championship) the first time and I’m a junior now,” San Gabiel running back/linebacker Louie Navarro said. “I’m still young but now I’m playing a bigger role and it feels amazing. Pioneer is in the championship game for the first time ever. “It means a lot for it to be the first appearance in the whole school history,” Pioneer quarterback Amari Resendiz said of reaching the title game. “We’re going to see the whole community at the game and it’s going to be big.” CIF-SS FINALS SCHEDULE FRIDAY’S GAMES La Serna at Palos Verdes, 7 p.m. DIVISION 7 Warren vs. Rio Hondo Prep at Arcadia HS, 7 p.m. DIVISION 11 El Rancho at Portola, 7 p.m. SATURDAY’S GAMES DIVISION 6 Murrieta Mesa vs. Glendora at Citrus College, 7 p.m. DIVISION 13 Gahr at Pasadena, 7 p.m. DIVISION 14 San Gabriel at Pioneer, 7 p.m.DALLAS — With Juan Soto gone , the Yankees could trade for a top-tier rental for the second straight offseason. “We’re open to anything,” Brian Cashman said Wednesday morning as rumors involving Houston’s Kyle Tucker swirled around the Winter Meetings. The meetings began with Soto spurning the Yankees for a record-setting, 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets . Astros general manager Dana Brown then made it known that he would “listen on anybody” when asked if he’d consider trading Tucker and starting pitcher Framber Valdez. Like Soto, Tucker is a power-hitting right fielder who gets on base and bats from the left side. While not as gifted a hitter as Soto, Tucker is still a force who also offers more speed and better defense. Could he replace Soto ahead of his own walk year? “I would expect us to have conversations with all teams about what availability of players on their roster are, as well as all agents of players in free agency that we like, too,” Cashman said when asked if he’d be in contact with Brown. “We’ll check every box and ascertain price tags and that will be true of anything in the marketplace.” According to multiple reports, the Astros like Yankees’ right-hander Luis Gil, the American League Rookie of the Year , in a potential deal for Tucker. Meanwhile, the Cubs are also seen as suitors, among others, as Seiya Suzuki and Isaac Paredes are chips for Chicago. Last year, the Yankees traded five players — Jhony Brito, Kyle Higashioka, Michael King, Drew Thorpe and Randy Vásquez — to San Diego for Soto and Trent Grisham. It was a high price to pay for what amounted to just one year of Soto. The Yankees also paid the superstar a record-setting $31 million for 2024 to avoid arbitration. Tucker, scheduled to become a free agent for the first time next winter, is projected to make $15.8 million in arbitration this offseason. Were the Yankees to acquire the 27-year-old, they could try to engage him in extension talks like they did with Soto. However, it may be hard for Tucker to pass on a shot at the open market after seeing what Soto got. While Tucker won’t pull in as many dollars as Soto did, his age and talent should put him in line for a gigantic deal of his own. Limited to 78 games last season thanks to a shin fracture, Tucker hit .289/.408/.585 with 23 home runs, 49 RBI, 11 stolen bases and a 180 wRC+. The seven-year pro is a .274/.353/.516 hitter with 125 homers, 417 RBI, 94 stolen bases and a 139 wRC+ for his career. A three-time All-Star, Tucker also won the World Series with Houston in 2022. With Rōki Sasaki’s free agency underway, Cashman said the Yankees already have a presentation prepared for the Japanese ace as they await a meeting date. Sasaki grew up a big fan of Masahiro Tanaka, but Cashman declined to say if the former Yankee factored into the team’s pitch. “We’ve had some great [Japanese] players that have played here and enjoyed playing here,” Cashman said, highlighting Tanaka, Hideki Matsui, Ichiro Suzuki and Hiroki Kuroda. “But that doesn’t guarantee any individual’s decision piggybacking on those types. But I know those players are great resources to speak to the experiences that they had here.” Cashman saw Sasaki pitch for the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2023. He came away impressed, calling the right-hander a “big arm with a big desire to be great.” “His intent is to be one of the game’s greatest pitchers on the planet,” Cashman said. “We certainly would love to participate in allowing that to happen.” With the Yankees and Mets both interested in Sasaki — the 23-year-old’s age limits him to international signing bonus pool money — agent Joel Wolfe said that Sasaki could handle the bright lights of New York on Tuesday. However, Wolfe also suggested that Sasaki could benefit from a smaller market after negative experiences with Japanese media took a mental toll on the pitcher. According to Cot’s Contracts , the Yankees’ 2025 projected payroll is $258.1 million for competitive balance tax purposes after agreeing to an eight-year, $218 million contract with former Braves starter Max Fried on Tuesday. That puts them over the first tax threshold of $241 million. The second threshold is $261 million, followed by $281 million and $301 million. Last month, Hal Steinbrenner said he had yet to think about a target number for next year’s payroll. On Wednesday, Cashman was asked if a number had been communicated to him. He responded by simply saying that Steinbrenner said that all possibilities should be brought to his attention. “He’s fully invested and involved every step of the way,” Cashman said. “So he’s aware of all the price tags on the trade acquisitions, as well the free agents.” In spring training, Steinbrenner said that he didn’t want to trade top prospects Will Warren, Spencer Jones and Chase Hampton. Each went on to endure disappointing seasons in various ways, though, as Warren, who made his MLB debut, and Jones saw their numbers dip while the now-healthy Hampton suffered a flexor strain. On Wednesday, Cashman said he’s “open minded to everything” when asked about possibly trading members of the trio. “Certain guys, you’re more willing to discuss, and other guys, you’ve got a lot more trepidation in discussing,” he continued. “It’s just the nature of the beast.” With regards to Jones, Cashman said the outfielder is capable of more than he showed during a strikeout-heavy 2024 campaign . The GM called the Yankees’ sixth-best prospect, per Baseball America, a “physical beast,” but he noted bigger players sometimes take more time to develop. Cashman cited Dellin Betances and Aaron Judge as examples while talking about Jones, who is 6-6. “All those tools are real, so the excitement is all there,” Cashman said of Jones, who has displayed power and speed. “You also have to be patient.”Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. At age 52, Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. Carter left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Here's the latest: A somber announcement The longest-lived American president died 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. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” The Carter Center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. A Southerner and a man of faith In his 1975 book “Why Not The Best,” Carter said of himself: “I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry.” 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. After he left office and returned home to his tiny hometown of Plains in southwest Georgia, Carter regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world. Former Vice President Gore remembers Carter for life "of purpose” Former Vice President Al Gore praised Jimmy Carter for living “a life full of purpose, commitment and kindness” and for being a “lifelong role model for the entire environmental movement.” Carter, who left the White House in 1981 after a landslide defeat to Ronald Reagan. concentrated on conflict resolution, defending democracy and fighting disease in the developing world. Gore, who lost the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush, remains a leading advocate for action to fight climate change. Both won Nobel Peace Prizes. Gore said that “it is a testament to his unyielding determination to help build a more just and peaceful world” that Carter is often “remembered equally for the work he did as President as he is for his leadership over the 42 years after he left office.” During Gore’s time in the White House, President Bill Clinton had an uneasy relationship with Carter. But Gore said he is “grateful” for “many years of friendship and collaboration” with Carter. The Associated PressMother orca and children make 'grocery shopping' trip near downtown Vancouver
7 Steps to Help Keep Your Small Business Cyber Safe This Holiday Season7.0 earthquake off Northern California prompts brief tsunami warning
7 Steps to Help Keep Your Small Business Cyber Safe This Holiday SeasonNoneZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Croatia’s incumbent President Zoran Milanovic won most of the votes in the first round of a presidential election on Sunday, but must face a runoff against a ruling party candidate to secure another five-year term. With nearly all of the votes counted, left-leaning Milanovic won 49% while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the ruling conservative HDZ party, trailed far behind with 19%. Pre-election polls had predicted that the two would face off in the second round on Jan. 12, as none of the eight presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote. Milanovic thanked his supporters but warned “this was just a first run.” “Let’s not be triumphant, let’s be realistic, firmly on the ground,” he said. “We must fight all over again. It’s not over till it’s over.” Milanovic is an outspoken critic of Western military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. He is often compared to Donald Trump for his combative style of communication with political opponents. The most popular politician in Croatia, 58-year-old Milanović has served as prime minister in the past. Populist in style, he has been a fierce critic of current Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and continuous sparring between the two has lately marked Croatia’s political scene. Plenković, the prime minister, has sought to portray the vote as one about Croatia’s future in the EU and NATO. He has labeled Milanović “pro-Russian” and a threat to Croatia’s international standing. “The difference between him and Milanović is quite simple: Milanović is leading us East, Primorac is leading us West,” he said. Though the presidency is largely ceremonial in Croatia, an elected president holds political authority and acts as the supreme military commander. Milanović has criticized the NATO and European Union support for Ukraine and has often insisted that Croatia should not take sides. He has said Croatia should stay away from global disputes, though it is a member of both NATO and the EU. Milanović has also blocked Croatia’s participation in a NATO-led training mission for Ukraine, declaring that “no Croatian soldier will take part in somebody else’s war.” His main rival in the election, Primorac, has stated that “Croatia’s place is in the West, not the East.” His presidency bid, however, has been marred by a high-level corruption case that landed Croatia’s health minister in jail last month and featured prominently in pre-election debates. During the election campaign, Primorac has sought to portray himself as a unifier and Milanović as divisive. Primorac was upbeat despite such a big defeat in the first round. “I know the difference (in votes) at first sight seems very big,” said Primorac, who insisted that the center-right votes had split among too many conservative candidates. “Now we have a great opportunity to face each other one on one and show who stands for what,” he said. Sunday’s presidential election is Croatia’s third vote this year, following a parliamentary election in April and the European Parliament balloting in June.
SUSS program in PH: Let’s ‘Level Up’