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Key posts 5.37am PM defends his response to antisemitism amid Coalition criticism 5.28am Minister defends PM over reports he was heckled at synagogue Hide key posts Posts area Latest 1 of 2 Oldest Go to latest Pinned post from 5.50am Government claims Cross River Rail cost has more than tripled, foreshadowing lengthy delays By Felicity Caldwell The new LNP government claims Cross River Rail will cost more than $17 billion and not be ready until 2029. Labor had promised Cross River Rail would be delivered with a budget of $5.4 billion, with most construction finished by 2025 and passenger services starting in 2026. But the LNP says when finished, the tunnel must be independently certified by the National Safety Regulator, which would take at least two years, and also pointed the finger at lost workdays due to industrial action. The government says $5 billion was “hidden” and included integration works to connect the tunnel with the existing rail network, stabling to park the trains, a new signalling system, buses to carry passengers while stations and tracks were being built, and additional maintenance equipment. But opposition transport spokesman Bart Mellish accused Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg of “cooking the books”. “No government, business or person has included the cost of maintenance for the life of an asset when calculating the cost to build the project,” he said. Loading “It’s also concerning that the new government isn’t committed to a 2026 opening of the project. “Also, adding the cost of buses to be used across the whole of south-east Queensland to the project is also laughable.” Latest posts Latest posts 6.39am ‘It costs nothing to show respect’: PM slams Dutton’s flag pledge By Josefine Ganko Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s pledge not to stand in front of Indigenous flags at press conferences is evidence that Dutton is “always looking for division”. “It costs nothing to show respect,” Albanese told ABC’s RN Breakfast. “The flags were designated way back in 1995, it’s up to [Dutton] to explain why he has chosen to attempt to make this an issue.” Loading Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo, one of the key proponents of the Yes vote in the Voice to parliament referendum, also joined RN to discuss the issue. He said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, which Albanese had stood in front of since his election in 2022, were “important to us”. “We are in a country that tried to erase us and make us disappear, it’s a symbol that we are still here, and we exist,” he said. He said the move was a distraction from the Coalition’s lack of solutions for Australians who were struggling. “This is what Peter Dutton does, it’s his style of politics,” Mayo said, accusing the opposition leader of “punching down on Indigenous Australians”. “We accept that people voted no [in the referendum], but continuing to pretend we don’t exist by not standing in front of the flag, I don’t think that’s the kind of leader Australians want.” 6.19am Logan swimmers watched over by AI By Catherine Strohfeldt In a first for the state, Logan City Council has rolled out AI-powered surveillance systems at a town pool to safeguard against drowning. The technology at Gould Adams Park Aquatic Centre uses cameras focused on the pool to identify signs of struggle in the water, then sends real-time alerts on smart watches worn by lifeguards. Mayor Jon Raven said the alert system would give “greater peace of mind” to swimmers. “For those in our community who can’t swim or are not confident in the water – this could help save someone’s life,” he said. “While there’s no replacement for adequate supervision from parents, caregivers and lifeguards, this technology will be an extra layer of safety around pools.” The council said the cameras only detected generic behaviours, and could not capture facial or body imagery. It expected to continue rolling out the technology to other pools it managed across the next few years. 6.06am LNP blocks Labor move for more time to consider key youth justice bill changes By Matt Dennien Debate has kicked off in Queensland parliament over the government’s youth justice bill, with Labor trying – and failing – to have key parts delayed until early next year. Shadow attorney-general Meaghan Scanlon moved opposition amendments after the dinner break last night to address many stakeholders’ concerns about consultation lasting just days, and adverse outcomes. The amendments, voted down by the LNP and Katter’s Australian Party, would have returned more than a dozen clauses for “full and proper examination” by a committee. “While we acknowledge the outcome of the election and the policy that was taken to it by the LNP, that policy was in slogan and infancy form at best,” Scanlon said. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington accused Labor of simply trying to delay the laws and “laughing about victims ... about the people of Queensland who want to be safe in their homes over Christmas”. “All they want to do with this amendment is say to the people of Queensland, ‘Be afraid over Christmas. Be afraid on Boxing Day.’” Debate resumes today, with the bill set to pass by 5.30pm on Thursday with what Frecklington described as “technical amendments”, yet to be detailed, she would introduce to “strengthen and clarify the bill”. Advertisement 5.37am PM defends his response to antisemitism amid Coalition criticism By Josefine Ganko Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has delivered an extended defence of his response to antisemitism, in the wake of the terror attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne on Friday, and the vandalism in Sydney this morning. Facing criticism from the Coalition, including Liberal senator Jane Hume’s accusation that he had “emboldened and enabled” antisemtic crimes”, the prime minister detailed his initial response to the Adass synagogue firebombing. [On Friday], I’d been briefed by the AFP. I’d rung in to ... ABC Melbourne and responded publicly. We put out a statement. I’d spoken to Josh Burns, I’d spoken to Mr Spiegelman. I’d spoken to other Jewish community leaders as well. I visited a synagogue in Perth. On Saturday evening, we received a request for additional security funding, because the $20 million we had provided was almost expended. On Sunday morning, less than 24 hours later, I responded with support for $32.5 million of additional funding.” He continued that on Monday the National Security Committee met, and the authorities formally declared the firebombing an act of terrorism. The AFP operation Avalite was then formed and announced at a press conference. Albanese also pointed to other responses including the “landmark” ban on the Nazi salute and hate symbols, and the appointment of Jillian Segal as the special envoy to combat antisemitism. “We criminalised doxxing, something that was called for, but which unfortunately, the opposition voted against,” Albanese said. “We now have legislation before the parliament to criminalise hate speech, including the urging or threatening, of course, or violence against other individuals or groups because of who they are and what their beliefs are.” 5.34am Finding hot coffee baby attacker ‘may well be a slow burn’ By William Davis Bringing the man believed to have seriously scalded a Brisbane baby with hot coffee to justice will likely be a “slow burn” after he escaped to an unknown country. The suspect reportedly came up behind a young mother at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner about midday on August 27, and tipped the contents of a Thermos on her nine-month-old boy before running away. Loading Four days later – and just hours before investigators say they confirmed his identity – the man flew out of Sydney Airport to an unknown country. “That remains an active investigation, so you know that may well be a slow burn,” Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski told Brisbane Times yesterday. When asked for a rough time frame, he said it would be inappropriate to comment. “I can’t speculate on that. It’ll depend on the offender and our ability to identify, locate and bring him back to justice.” 5.28am Minister defends PM over reports he was heckled at synagogue By Josefine Ganko Labor Minister Clare O’Neil says reports that claimed the prime minister was heckled on his visit to the Adass synagogue in Melbourne on Tuesday were overblown. In an interview on Seven’s Sunrise , it was put to O’Neil that people yelled phrases at Anthony Albanese including “You’re late” and “Nice day for tennis,” referring to the tennis match Albanese played in Perth the day after the firebombing of the synagogue. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the Adass Israel synagogue on Tuesday. Credit: Justin McManus “I’d just say I saw some of the reporting of that, I think, you know, some of those people weren’t even from that local community,” O’Neil said. “I was actually at the Adass synagogue a little bit later that afternoon speaking to members of the community. People were grateful that the prime minister was there, they were pleased to have him there and of course to see him make that commitment to help rebuild the synagogue there and to invest to try to rescue those sacred Torahs that have been damaged in the fire.” Loading O’Neil said that while she was “sure there angry and upset people”, she did not think that was the “universal experience of having the PM there”. “The PM, in my view, has shown real leadership, he’s come to the synagogue, done the things people want a prime minister to do, he has made that commitment to rebuild the synagogue, has set up this task force to show we’re cracking down on any of this behaviour.” Advertisement 5.21am ‘An outrage’: PM condemns ‘another antisemitic attack’ By Josefine Ganko Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has responded to the antisemitic vandalism in Sydney’s east, the second time the suburb of Woollahra has been targeted in a month. Albanese said the incident was an “outrage” and “another antisemitic attack”. He said he would be briefed by the Australian Federal Police’s Operation Avalite, the task force that was assembled this week in response to the Adass Israel Synagogue terror attack in Melbourne on Friday. “I stand with the Jewish community and unequivocally condemn this attack. There is no place for hatred or antisemitism in our community.” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke also posted a statement to X, calling the attack an “abhorrent attempt to intimidate our Jewish community”. “It will not be successful,” Burke wrote. 5.14am A wet Wednesday on the cards Don’t forget your umbrella today – the Bureau of Meteorology predicts more rain across Brisbane, this morning and this afternoon, following the downpour late yesterday, although it should be clearing by this evening. The top temperature isn’t expected to hit 30 degrees – warmer days are ahead, however. 4.53am This morning’s headlines at a glance Here are the stories making the rounds beyond Brisbane this morning: The organisers of alternative music festival Good Things have been accused of ignoring allegations of sexual assault, harassment and anti-social behaviour – including men groping women, filming up girls’ skirts, and abusing those who turned down their advances. A group of Australian women who underwent hysterectomies after reporting severe side-effects from a permanent sterilisation device has lost a class action against pharmaceutical giant Bayer , with a judge noting that chronic pelvic pain was common for many women. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called out the influence of News Corp’s alleged bias, warning colleagues during a cabinet meeting that Rupert Murdoch’s media empire was openly working to back Opposition Leader Peter Dutton . ‘An insult to the intelligence of the American people’: The alleged shooter of a CEO in the US has broken his silence after his arrest. Tourists at the famous monkey forest in Bali have been crushed to death by falling branches . New York prosecutors have filed a murder charge against Luigi Mangione, 26. In the hours since his apprehension, his baffling journey from star student to murder suspect has begun to come into focus. Latest 1 of 2 Oldest Latest Oldest Most Viewed in National Loadingace value in blackjack 。

The Brooklyn Nets have been better than advertised this season as they currently hold a 10-14 record and sit eighth in the Eastern Conference standings. After trading away Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks in the offseason, the Nets officially began a true rebuild. Even with their solid start, they are still expected to be sellers at the trade deadline in February as they look to receive more young talent and draft capital. Recent reports are now suggesting that the Nets are open to moving a surprising trio of players. “The Nets have received trade interest and opened exploratory conversations around forwards Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Dennis Schroder, sources said," ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday. "The Warriors are among the teams that have expressed interest in those three players, sources said.” While the Golden State Warriors may be interested in all three players, they will have to compete with other teams to land the trio, especially Johnson, who has turned into one of the NBA’s hottest commodities in trade rumors this season. Johnson is averaging 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 48.8% from the field and 43.4% from three this season. The 28-year-old is a three-point sharpshooter and has already gained a ton of interest from many teams around the league. Finney-Smith will be wanted by many teams thanks to his 3-and-D potential. The 31-year-old forward is averaging 10.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game this season while also shooting 46.5% from the field and 43.2% from three, which would be a career-high. Expect many teams to call Brooklyn for him due to his elite defensive play as well as his knockdown three-point shooting. The other player mentioned in the report is Schröder. The 31-year-old point guard is off to one of the best starts to a season of his 12-year career. He is averaging 18.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game to go along with shooting 44.8% from the field and 38.5% from three. Schröder is a solid defender and reliable scorer who can work as a team’s starting or reserve point guard. With the Nets wanting to trade these players away, it is clear that their focus is on getting the highest draft pick possible in the loaded 2025 draft and also stocking up on as much young talent and draft capital as possible. More NBA: Cavaliers could add depth in trade for Nets' $80 million duo amid hot startNone

From wide-open flat bed, to loaded utility canopy, to fully packed multi-week expedition camper, the modular canopy camping system from South Africa's Alublack customizes the world's most rugged, unstoppable trucks into personalized adventure partners. Build the components up on the back of a Toyota Hilux or Land Cruiser or slide them off the truck completely and tow them on an equally rugged off-road trailer. We're not sure there's another system in the entire world that combines Alublack's hardwearing go-anywhere construction with sheer user-inspired flexibility. Alublack is the sister company of , and we're honestly having trouble figuring out which company gets office bragging rights for the most creative truck camping solution out there. We think we have to give the edge to Alublack thanks to its modular ecosystem of components buyers can build, tweak, adjust, adapt, rebuild, remove and scale down. Alublack was founded in 2022 with a focus on trays and utility canopies before rapidly growing its lineup with all kinds of modular equipment and accessories, right up to walk-in campers. It's designed its flexible truck system around some of the most capable platforms on the globe, showing components on the bare backs of Toyota Hilux and Land Cruiser 70 Series, Jeep Gladiator Rubicons, Ford Rangers and Isuzu D-Max trucks, to name a few. It builds on both single and double cabs, letting the buyer dial in just the right happy medium between compact vehicle length and passenger space. Each build starts by swapping out the stock pickup bed for Alublack's tray with headache rack. The tray mounts to the vehicle chassis via galvanized steel hardware with integrated vibration damping. With a wedge-shaped rear underbody, the tray boosts departure angle and brings along loads of storage space. Buyers now have a large flat bed for carrying cargo, along with a large rear drawer and two to four under-bed storage lockers on the sides. That might be enough for some tradesmen and day trippers, but what's the fun in stopping at the first piece in a modular product family that runs deep? As the short video below shows, buyers can mount various boxed walls, racks, and partial- and full-length canopies atop the tray to take storage and utility to the next level and beyond. We particularly like the "Weekend Warrior" and full camper setups that Alublack has developed. The Weekend Warrior is the gnarliest looking of the bunch, appearing more like an all-terrain military vehicle than a simple recreational adventure rig. But it performs the latter function with aplomb, dedicating most of its space to an open rack with half-height walls that drop down for access and double as worktops. Those walls can also be removed in seconds without any tools. The fully enclosed half canopy up front houses a fridge on an easy-access drop slide. The top of the Weekend Warrior system is designed to carry a rooftop tent, awning, etc., and the angled back houses a fold-out ladder and full spare wheel. Or at least that's the setup shown below. It can easily be completely rearranged as per the customer's wants, hopes and needs. Those looking for a more all-in-one camping experience can step up to Alublack's radical climb-in camper. Canopies like Alublack's are usually for housing equipment and general storage space, topped with a rooftop tent if and when camping space is needed. But Alublack turns its canopy into a properly integrated camper by cutting a hole through the canopy top and into the oversized Bundutop tent with electric-lift roof. The particular Alublack Camper pictured below is based on a single-cab Toyota Hilux and pairs a full and half canopy into a sturdy camping base. The half canopy up front houses is accessible from both sides of the truck, housing a drop-slide fridge, spare wheel, and space for firewood, a grill and other gear. The main canopy of the camper houses a slide-out Engel fridge/freezer, 205-Ah lithium battery system, inverter and electrical hardware, water heater and pump, and air compressor on the righthand side of travel. The lefthand side includes a particularly sleek slide-out dual-burner gas stove, drawers, a slide-out food pantry with extendable worktops, and an oven/air fryer. In place of a hard-mounted stainless steel sink, Alublack secures a pair of collapsible bowls at the rear corner next to the LPG tank carrier, just below a hot water outlet for hooking up the sprayer. The bowls remove and collapse for easy transport. As for water, that's stored in an 80- or 160-L fresh storage system with a quick tap integrated in the canopy just behind the right-side door. Around back, the hatch flips open for ladder access inside. With all that aforementioned equipment already taking up space on both sides of the canopy, there isn't any room left over for a dining or sofa lounge. Instead, there's just enough floor space to get in and climb up through the roof hatch into the tent. There's also an available slide-out toilet that can be used in the entryway space or outside and a shoe drawer for storing footwear away. The tent itself is a super king-sized Bundutop that lifts at the push of a button. Not only does the 10.1-foot-long (3.1-m) tent house a double bed, it has two seats on the floor to the sides of the rectangular hatch entry, providing the interior sitting space the lower canopy lacks – two campers can sit across from each other with their legs dangling through the hatch. It doesn't look like the type of lounge in which you'll spend the whole afternoon but is designed as an upright sitting option for escaping bad weather without having to lie down in bed. Of course, that's just a sample layout. Buyers can also get a canopy camper for a double cab truck, which lacks the half canopy; create a closed canopy/half-wall boxed bed system; or go a different route. And they can configure the canopy interior in different ways, loading it with storage and equipment options or keeping things more open. Alublack goes so far as to ask if the buyer has any preferred brands for equipment like refrigerators and batteries. We've seen a few canopy-camping systems with different levels of modularity, including the award-winning stackable system from Germany's and the from America's Dirtbox Overland. Alublack takes the concept to new heights, though, with a ridiculous number of standard options, configurations and compatible base trucks. Just to drive the point home, Alublack even offers the canopy systems on a trailer for those who might not want to dedicate an entire truck to weekend adventuring. The same trays, canopies and equipment can be planted on a rugged trailer. The canopies are also designed for easy removal and swapping. Taking a canopy off is as simple as removing four bolts, raising the canopy via four hydraulic-lift legs and driving the truck out from underneath it. If anything, Alublack's system might just be so modular as to be intimidating to some buyers. It's like a custom camper van build where you select not only the interior components and layout, but the size and style of the van cabin itself ... and whether it has a motor or tows behind a separate vehicle. We reached out to Alublack for more detailed pricing on the full camper model, but the company has yet to get back to us. Given the customizability of its products, we're not necessarily hopeful for a neat, bottom-line base price. We will update if we get a solid price figure or range, but what we know for now is that Alublack has a US distributor, so at least some of its hardcore safari truckin' gear is available in the States. Boise-based Long Range America is an overland company that specializes in high-capacity fuel tanks for long-mileage adventures. It doesn't show the full camper in its lineup of available Alucab layouts, but it does offer the replacement flatbed tray and empty canopy for US$16,950. That base unit also includes a full-length platform roof rack, spare tire carrier and rear-mounted ladder. From there, buyers can spec the canopy with storage and utility equipment like the slide-out kitchen pantry and fridge drop-slide up to a top-tier price of $22,952. Those prices are based on a setup for a short-bed Toyota Tacoma, and Long Range also offers models for the Jeep Gladiator and Toyota Tundra. Unlike Alublack itself, Long Range does have an , so you can spec out your own preferred setup and see how much the tab will be. Long Range does not advertise any equipment options, like refrigerators or electrical systems, so buyers might have to fill out the canopy themselves. While they're at it, they can add a rooftop tent on the platform rack to complete an overnight-ready adventure canopy-camper for roaming the US. Alublack's walkthrough video below provides a closer look at the details of the single-cab Hilux camper truck. The company also has some good videos of other setups on its . Source:

TOUCHING tributes for the late Jimmy Carter have started to flood in for the "extraordinary leader" who has died aged 100. Joe Biden and Donald Trump have led the heartfelt messages to the beloved former president whose death was confirmed by his family earlier today. Carter, the oldest president in history , and the only one to become a centenarian, has been survived by five other American commander-in-chiefs who have all left touching homages to the great man. President-elect Donald Trump remembered Carter for his leadership and urged Americans to keep the late president's loved ones in their " hearts and prayers". Trump wrote on Truth Social: "The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. "For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude. Read more on jimmy carter "Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time." He later posted a second statement which acknowledged the pair's political and philosophical differences but praised Carter's clear love for America. "He truly loved and respected our Country, and all it stands for," Trump added. "He worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my highest respect. Most read in The US Sun "He was a truly good man and, of course, will be greatly missed. He was also very consequential, far more than most Presidents, after he left the Oval Office." The man Trump is set to replace in the White House in just a few weeks time in Joe Biden described Carter as an "extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian". The fellow Democrat and close friend posted the loving tribute alongside his wife Jill. They said: "Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend." "He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together." Joe, 82, has now taken on the title as the oldest living president following the passing of Carter. Barack Obama - the youngest living American leader - commended the late humanitarian with his wife Michelle. They said: "Maranatha Baptist Church will be a little quieter on Sundays, but President Carter will never be far away — buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels. "Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from this remarkable man." Former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary also praised Carter's commitment to service. They praised him for his "long and good life" and applauded his belief in faith and selflessness. The final remaining president, George W. Bush, joined his wife Laura to call Carter “a man of deeply held convictions” who “dignified the office ". International tributes Tributes to the statesman even came from overseas as the UK's Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer lauded Carter's service. The British PM said he “redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad”. King Charles III also described the former US president as a “committed public servant” who “devoted his life to promoting peace”. Sir Tony Blair soon followed with a powerful statement. It read: "Jimmy Carter's life was a testament to public service; from his time in office, and the Camp David Accords, to his remarkable commitment to the cause of people and peace round the world over the past 40 years. "I always had the greatest respect for him, his spirit and his dedication. "He fundamentally cared and consistently toiled to help those in need." PRESIDENT CARTER Carter , the 39th president of the United States , has died after nearly two years in hospice care. His son Chip Carter confirmed the former president died at his Georgia home on Sunday around 3:45 pm ET. Carter peacefully passed away surrounded by his family who paid an emotional tribute to the former leader. His son Chip 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.” Public events will commemorate Carter in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. and a state funeral will be held, The Carter Center confirmed. The former president decided to live out the remainder of his days at his home in Plains, Georgia . 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. He became the longest-living president and the first to make it 100 years old. Carter's death came over a year after the death of his wife, Rosalynn Carter , who died on November 19, 2023, at age 96. Two days before her death, Rosalynn joined her husband in hospice care at their home in Georgia. The former first lady and fierce advocate for mental health was diagnosed with dementia in early 2023. READ MORE SUN STORIES Before his death, Jimmy Carter was the first to pay tribute to his wife of 77 years, "Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. "She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me."The Washington Commanders put kicker Austin Seibert on injured reserve Tuesday, just over 48 hours since he missed an extra point that would have tied the score with 21 seconds left against Dallas. Seibert also missed a field-goal attempt and another extra point in the loss to the Cowboys. He missed the previous two games with a right hip injury but said afterward he was fine and made the decision to play. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.

Michigan football fans are cheering after top high school football recruit Bryce Underwood flipped his recruit from LSU to U of M, a move that may have been helped by NIL ( name, image and likeness ) deals and a billionaire. What Happened : After winning the NCAA Football championship last season, the 2024 college football season has been disappointing for Michigan fans. The team currently has a 6-5 overall record, a 4-4 Big Ten conference record, and a lack of consistency at the quarterback position. Michigan may have their answer to the quarterback problems with the top recruit in the nation, who happens to be a quarterback, now set to attend Michigan in the future. Underwood, who attends Belleville High School in Belleville, Michigan, flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan with reports that an NIL package worth anywhere from $10 million to $20 million factored into the equation. Helping the Michigan NIL collective Champions Circle land Underwood was billionaire Larry Ellison , according to a report from FrontOfficeSports. Ellison, who is the co-founder and chief technology officer of Oracle , is the world's third-richest person, worth $206 billion according to Bloomberg . "We are very excited to keep Bryce home in Michigan as he continues to build his legacy," Champions Circle chairman Nate Forbes previously said. "I want to personally thank Jolin and Larry Ellison who were instrumental in making this happen by providing Champions Circle with invaluable guidance and financial resources." Champions Circle later issued a new statement, which removed the Ellison reference, instead simply saying "Larry and his wife Jolin." Champions Circle co-founder Roger Ehrenberg confirmed to FrontOfficeSports that it was "THE Larry Ellison" who was referenced. "Jolin is a Michigan alumna who is super passionate about the University of Michigan Athletics and was critical support for the recruitment effort," Ehrenberg said. Ellison divorced his fourth wife in 2010 and it was not previously announced that he had married again. The report said Ellison was photographed wearing a Michigan hat and sitting next to a woman wearing a Michigan hat at a 2022 tennis tournament. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy , who is a U of M alum, previously offered to help fund an offer for Underwood. While Portnoy celebrated in the announcement from Underwood, he also clarified his role in the NIL deal. "I'm getting tons of credit online for flipping Bryce. While I love credit, reality is I played a tiny roll. Rest assured there are Michigan Men + Women out there making things happen behind the scenes. I've never been more confident that Mich is poised to dominate in this new world," Portnoy said . Read Also: Elon Musk And Oracle’s Larry Ellison ‘Begged’ Jensen Huang For Nvidia GPUs At A Dinner: ‘Please Take Our Money’ Why It's Important : Ellison helping the University of Michigan Football team and also potentially getting secretly married could go down as big shocks in the world of sports and finance this week. While helping chip in a couple million dollars won't be a big deal for Ellison given his wealth, it comes as he is also helping son David Ellison and his Skydance Media company merge with Paramount Global PARA PARAA . As previously reported by Benzinga , Larry Ellison will become a controlling shareholder in the new media company after helping to finance the deal. Much of Ellison's wealth is tied to his ownership stake in Oracle, estimated at 42% of the company in 2023, and a stake in electric vehicle company Tesla, where he previously served on the board of directors. Ellison attended the University of Illinois, a Big Ten and Michigan rival, in the 1960s but did not graduate. Ellison also previously "rooted against University of Michigan sports teams" due to a breakup with a woman who went there, a previous report from the Tampa Bay Times said. Read Next: Elon Musk To End Year As Richest Man In The World? Prediction Market Says Yes, Higher Chance Than Larry Ellison Or Jensen Huang Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

With over five million units sold globally in the past year, Tineco reinforces its leadership in the industry SEATTLE , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Tineco is proud to announce that Euromonitor International, the world's leading independent provider of strategic market research, has recognized the company as the #1 global leader in the household wet & dry vacuum cleaner category * . With over five million units sold between July 1, 2023 , and June 30, 2024 , the honor reflects Tineco's commitment to innovation and quality in the home cleaning sector. Harnessing more than two decades of industry innovation, Tineco began its journey with a single vacuum cleaner. Pioneering industry excellence, a notable moment in company history was the launch of the first-ever smart vacuum to market in 2018, quickly followed by an inaugural smart floor washer in 2019, and an intelligent carpet cleaner in 2022. Today, Tineco products are enjoyed by 14 million users across key markets worldwide, including regions in North America , Europe , and Asia . Tineco is now a globally recognized market leader in smart home appliances across the floor care, kitchen, and personal care categories, with 975 patents and 577 registered trademarks across domestic and international markets. For three consecutive years, the company has also held the title of being the #1 wet & dry vacuum brand on Amazon in the United States , Canada , France , Italy , Australia , and Japan . "At Tineco's inception, we set out to simplify life and household tasks with the help of smart technology. Over the past 26 years, our robust R&D team has made significant investments and a steadfast dedication to setting the standard for excellence in floor care solutions," said Ling Leng , CEO of Tineco. "The honor of being named the #1 global leader in the wet & dry vacuum cleaner category by Euromonitor International is an incredible milestone achievement. This recognition fuels our commitment to continuing to innovate and push boundaries to bring exceptional products to market that enhance the lives of our customers worldwide. Looking ahead, we are laser-focused on making Tineco more accessible by expanding into new markets, introducing new advanced technologies to simplify our customers' lives, and expanding our product lineup to meet diverse needs." Tineco's flagship models, including FLOOR ONE Stretch S6 , PURE ONE Station 5 , and Carpet One Cruiser , combine intelligent features with superior power and user-friendly capabilities to revolutionize cleaning. Tineco's R&D team has carefully engineered each model to address real-world challenges and enhance user satisfaction by incorporating technological advancements and valuable consumer feedback. Specifically: A leader in the intelligent floor care category, Tineco smart models are equipped with Tineco's proprietary iLoop technology that adjusts suction power in real-time based on the mess detected, which not only optimizes battery power but also allows the user to visualize cleaner floors on the unit's display ring that will change from red to blue once the surface is clean. Guided by customer insights, all new Tineco models also feature self-cleaning capabilities that significantly streamline maintenance. Tineco products are available globally, with distribution in North America on Amazon, Tineco's official online store, and in over 10,000 major retail locations, including Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, and Canadian Tire. To learn more about Tineco and its entire portfolio of intelligent stick vacuums, floor washers, carpet cleaners, and more, please visit us.tineco.com . *Source: Euromonitor International ( Shanghai ) Co., Ltd.; measured in terms of 2023 H2 and 2024 H1 retail sales volume in the world; household wet & dry vacuum cleaners are defined as household cleaners that dispense clean water (or cleaning solution) to wash hard floors and vacuum the dirty water and garbage thereafter; research completed in Nov. 2024 . About Tineco Tineco was founded in 1998 with its first SKU as a vacuum cleaner and, in 2019, pioneered the first-ever smart vacuum. Today, the brand has innovated into a global leader offering intelligent appliances across home categories, including floor care, kitchen, and personal care. Tineco is dedicated to its brand vision of making life easier through smart technologies and consistently innovating new devices. For more information, visit us.tineco.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tineco-recognized-as-global-leader-in-emerging-floor-washer-category-302316066.html SOURCE TINECOTrump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it?CÎROC Champions Creative Ease with the 'Blue Dot Creative Residency': An Innovative Program Empowering Emerging Storytellers

Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire to end nearly 14 months of fighting JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel has approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Israeli warplanes meanwhile carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah before the ceasefire is set to take hold at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. What both sides are saying about the ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah A ceasefire deal that could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group won backing from Israeli leaders. The truce that is set to take effect early Wednesday raised hopes and renewed difficult questions in a region gripped by conflict. Hezbollah leaders also signaled tentative backing for the U.S.-brokered deal, which offers both sides an off-ramp from hostilities But the deal does little directly to resolve the much deadlier war that has raged in Gaza since Hamas militants attacked southern Israel last October. Trump vows tariffs over immigration. What the numbers say about border crossings, drugs and crime. WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is threatening tariffs on Mexico and Canada as he seeks to portray them as responsible for illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Over its tenure, the Biden administration has struggled with growing numbers of migrants arriving at the southern border. But this year, the number of people crossing the border without documents has actually been falling. That's due in part to stricter enforcement by Mexican authorities as well as asylum restrictions announced earlier this year by the Biden administration. When it comes to fentanyl smuggling, much of the deadly supply comes from Mexico though statistics show more than 86% of those sentenced for fentanyl trafficking crimes in the 12 months ending September 2023 were U.S. citizens. AP finds that a Pentagon-funded study on extremism in the military relied on old data Early this year, Pete Hegseth told a Fox News audience a new, Pentagon-funded study proved that the number of military service members and veterans involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection did not indicate a wider problem in the armed forces. Hegseth, Donald Trump's pick to head the Department of Defense, wasn’t alone. The Wall Street Journal’s opinion page highlighted the same report as evidence that extremists in military communities were “phantoms” created by a “false media narrative.” The X account for Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee posted that the study showed the focus on extremism in the military was a “witch hunt.” But The Associated Press has found that the study relied on old data, misleading analyses and ignored evidence that pointed to the opposite conclusion. How Trump's bet on voters electing him managed to silence some of his legal woes WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith move to abandon two federal cases accusing Trump of endangering American democracy and national security does away with the most serious legal threats Trump was facing as he returns to the White House. It was the culmination of a monthslong defense effort to delay the proceedings at every step and use the criminal allegations to Trump's political advantage, putting the final word in the hands of voters instead of jurors. The move just weeks after Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris underscores the immense personal stake Trump had in the campaign in which he turned his legal woes into a political rallying cry. Walmart's DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump's election victory NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart’s sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are re-evaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups in business. The changes announced by the world’s biggest retailer on Monday followed a string of legal victories by conservative groups that have filed an onslaught of lawsuits challenging corporate and federal programs aimed at elevating minority and women-owned businesses and employees. The retreat from such programs crystalized with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to make dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs a priority. Brazil’s Bolsonaro planned and participated in a 2022 coup plot, unsealed police report alleges SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election, according to a Federal Police report that has been unsealed. Brazil’s Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. Bolsonaro called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, that would have declared the vote fraudulent, to justify a possible military intervention. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Biden proposes Medicare and Medicaid cover costly weight-loss drugs for millions of obese Americans WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of obese Americans would be eligible to have popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound covered by Medicare or Medicaid under a new rule the Biden administration proposed Tuesday morning. The proposal, which would not be finalized until after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, could cost taxpayers as much as $35 billion over the next decade. It would give millions of people access to weekly injectables that have helped people shed pounds so quickly that some people have labeled them miracle drugs. New rule allows HIV-positive organ transplants People with HIV who need a kidney or liver transplant will be able to receive an organ from a donor with HIV. That's according to a new rule announced Tuesday by U.S. health officials. Previously, such transplants could be done only as part of research studies. The new rule takes effect Wednesday. It's expected to shorten the wait for organs for all, regardless of HIV status, by increasing the pool of available organs. The practice is supported by a decade of research, during which 500 transplants of kidneys and livers from HIV-positive donors have been done in the U.S. Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump's promised crackdown on immigration President-elect Donald Trump will return to power next year with a raft of technological tools at his disposal that would help deliver his campaign promise of cracking down on immigration — among them, surveillance and artificial intelligence technology that the Biden administration already uses to help make crucial decisions in tracking, detaining and ultimately deporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status. One algorithm, for example, ranks immigrants with a “Hurricane Score,” ranging from 1-5, to assess whether someone will “abscond” from the agency’s supervision.49ers QB Brock Purdy, DE Nick Bosa out, Brandon Allen to start at Green Bay

The leader of Ireland’s Labour Party has held talks with the Taoiseach and Tanaiste as efforts to form a new coalition government intensify. Ivana Bacik had separate meetings with Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris on Tuesday afternoon. Fianna Fail, which won 48 seats in last month’s general election, and Fine Gael, which secured 38 seats, headed up the last coalition in Dublin and are expected to continue that partnership into the next mandate. However, with a combined 86 seats, they are just short of the 88 required for a majority in the Dail parliament. If they wish to return to government together, they would need one smaller party as a junior partner, or a handful of independents. Both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have ruled out doing business with Sinn Fein, which won 39 seats. The centre-left Social Democrats and Irish Labour Party, both of which won 11 seats in the election, are seen as the only two realistic options if Fianna Fail and Fine Gael seek to convince a smaller party to join the coalition. In a statement, the Labour Party said Ms Bacik outlined key policy priorities in her meetings with Taoiseach Mr Harris and Tanaiste Mr Martin. “There was discussion in both meetings on policies and manifesto commitments on housing, health, climate, workers’ rights and disability services among other issues,” said the statement. “The parliamentary party will meet at 1pm on Friday where the party leader will provide an assessment of engagement to date and consider the outcome of these meetings.” A spokesman for Mr Harris said there had been a “constructive engagement” with Ms Bacik. “The Taoiseach is grateful for the time and engagement on a range of substantial policy issues,” he said. The spokesman said Mr Harris had also met independent TDs who are aligned together in what is called the regional group. “These meetings have been productive,” he added. Mr Harris and party colleagues are due to meet the Social Democrats on Wednesday. Fianna Fail deputy leader Jack Chambers and Fine Gael deputy leader Helen McEntee met on Tuesday evening for discussions on government formation, with the parties’ full negotiating teams set to meet on Wednesday. Fine Gael said the meeting between Ms McEntee and Mr Chambers was “positive” and focused on the “structure and format” of the substantive negotiations going forward. When the two parties entered coalition for the first time after the last general election in 2020, there was only a three-seat difference in their relative strength. That resulted in an equal partnership at the head of the coalition, with the Green Party as the junior partner. The two main parties swapped the role of taoiseach halfway through the term. With Fianna Fail’s lead over Fine Gael having grown to 10 seats following this election, focus has turned to the future of the rotating taoiseach arrangement and whether it will operate again in the next mandate and, if so, on what basis. There are similar questions around the distribution of ministries and other roles. While Mr Martin has so far refused to be drawn on the specifics, he has suggested that he expects Fianna Fail’s greater strength of numbers to be reflected in the new administration. However, Mr Harris has insisted that Fine Gael’s mandate cannot be taken for granted when it comes to government formation. Richard Boyd Barrett from People Before Profit-Solidarity, which won three seats, urged Labour not to “prop up” up a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael administration. “We think that’s a huge mistake,” he told reporters in Dublin. “They shouldn’t do it. They should learn the lessons of the past and actually work with other parties of the left to form a decent left opposition to Fianna Fail and Fine Gael and campaign on the issues that matter.” His party colleague Paul Murphy pointed to the experience of the Green Party, which lost all but one of its 12 seats in the election. “In reality, what is going to happen is a changing of the mudguard for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael,” he said. “And for those who are now auditioning to be a new mudguard for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, there is a very, very sharp and stark lesson in what happened to the Green Party – obviously almost entirely wiped out. “We think it is a very major mistake for anyone who has the perception of being left, with the votes of people who are looking left, to seek to go into coalition with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.”

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