GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Darryl Simmons II's 29 points helped Gardner-Webb defeat East Carolina 84-79 on Saturday night. Simmons also had five rebounds for the Runnin' Bulldogs (5-8). Anthony Selden shot 5 for 13 (3 for 6 from 3-point range) and 5 of 8 from the free-throw line to add 18 points. Isaiah Richards went 6 of 8 from the field to finish with 12 points. The victory snapped a five-game slide for the Runnin' Bulldogs. The Pirates (8-5) were led in scoring by RJ Felton, who finished with 19 points. Joran Riley added 18 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks for East Carolina. Cam Hayes also recorded 18 points and four assists. Simmons scored 11 points in the first half and Gardner-Webb went into the break trailing 37-35. Simmons' 18-point second half helped Gardner-Webb finish off the five-point victory. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Immigration measures announced as part of Canada’s border response to president-elect Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariff threat are starting to be implemented, beginning with a ban on what’s known as “flagpoling.” This is when someone who was in Canada on a temporary visa leaves for the U.S. then quickly re-enters Canada to access immigration services at a port of entry. The restriction on providing work and study permits to flagpolers takes effect today. Last week, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said that going forward temporary visa holders will have to apply online to extend their stay in Canada. The Canadian Border Services Agency processed more than 69,300 people who engaged in flagpoling in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. There are still rare exceptions where a person will be granted a work or study permit even though they meet the definition of flagpoling, including international truck drivers with a work permit, professionals under certain free trade agreements and American citizens. Miller first announced the plan to ban the practice on Dec. 17, alongside Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc who promised a border control package worth $1.3 billion. This includes removing the point value for having a job offer in Canada’s express entry immigration system. The stated goal of this change is to reduce and prevent immigration fraud. In a social media post, Miller said this will take effect in the spring and that it will be a temporary measure. A broader review of the express entry program is being conducted, and a future decision on the value of a job offer in that system will be made at that time. A labour market impact assessment, a key document required for an employer to hire a foreign worker, is currently worth 50 to 200 points in the express entry system. Applicants are not supposed to pay for these, but a black market has emerged where people are charging tens of thousands of dollars for these documents. Applications that are already in progress won’t be affected once this change takes effect. Miller also said the government is looking at ways to streamline Canada’s asylum system at that Dec. 17 press conference. This includes exploring options to “quickly deal with” illegitimate claims. The government’s broader border measures plan to respond to Trump’s 25 per cent tariff threat also includes enhanced aerial surveillance and drug detection efforts.
Why Trump's conflicts of interest look worse this time
Man arraigned on murder charges in NYC subway death fanned flames with a shirt, prosecutors sayThe government is working to make contact with a number of Australians in Vanuatu in the wake of a devastating earthquake that struck the Pacific nation. The death toll from Tuesday’s mammoth 7.3 magnitude quake has risen to 14, with hundreds of people injured and the main hospital in Port Vila “struggling to cope”. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it’s aware of “a number” of Australians in the region. A number of buildings have been flattened, with a desperate search-and-rescue operation underway to free people trapped beneath rubble. Vital water, power and communications links have been severed, hampering efforts, while the international airport is closed and all flights in and out of Vanuatu cancelled. A number of buildings have sustained significant damage. Picture: AFP A desperate search-and-rescue mission is unfolding. Picture: AFP A landslide at the international shipping terminal in Port Vila has suspended operations. Picture: AP International aid organisations fear the death toll will rise in coming days. Michael Thompson, who runs a business in the capital, described the “chaotic” aftermath as rescuers desperately search for survivors among the destruction. “We understand there are eight people trapped inside and the guys are trying to move slowly to get in,” Mr Thompson told ABC News. “It’s not a good scene.” Later, in a post shared to Facebook, Mr Thompson said three people were pulled from collapsed buildings overnight and rushed to hospital. Hundreds of people have been injured and Clement Chipokolo from World Vision Vanuatu told ABC Radio show The World that the number of causalities has been overwhelming. “There’s quite significant damage that has occurred. We observed as we drove around a number of building that were flattened completely,” Mr Chipokolo said. “We imagine that there are still some people that are under those buildings.” Local authorities have categorised the quake as a “mass casualty event”. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government has deployed urgent aid to Vanuatu. Picture: Jacquelin Magnay Basic aid, including clean drinking water, are urgently needed, and vital communications and electricity infrastructure has been impacted, hampering rescue co-ordination efforts. Vanuatu’s government has declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew from 6pm to 6am for the next seven days. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia is deploying immediate emergency assistance, including urban search-and-rescue teams and medical personnel. “We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide further assistance to the people of Vanuatu as the extent of damage becomes clear,” Senator Wong said. “Australia and Vanuatu share a deep and enduring partnership. We are family and we will always be there in times of need.” A building that’s home to several diplomatic missions, including the United States, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, has been damaged. New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said two of its local staff are unaccounted for. The US Embassy in Port Vilal has been significantly damaged. Picture: Michael Thompson Vanuatu comprises some 80 islands and has a population of about 320,000 and sits within the so-called ‘Ring of Fire’ seismic zone. “Port Vila, with a population of around 50,000, is the closest major urban area to the epicentre and likely experienced the strongest impacts,” Professor Behzad Fatahi, a civil and earthquake engineering expert at the University of Technology Sydney, said. The epicentre of the quake was about 30 kilometres from the capital city. It registered at a depth of 57 kilometres. “It is expected that this very strong ground motion near Port Vila has caused cracks in masonry walls, foundation instability, and tilting of vulnerable structures, especially in areas with soft soil,” Professor Fatahi said. “Secondary hazards, such as soil liquefaction and landslides, are also concerns, particularly in coastal cliffs and hilly areas west of Port Vila, where ground instability could worsen with aftershocks.” The inside of a building damaged is seen in Port Vila following a powerful earthquake. Picture: Tim Cutler via AP A look inside a damaged business in Port Vila. Picture: Tim Cutler via Getty The magnitude of the earthquake is comparable to the eruption of Mount Saint Helens in 1980, Associate Professor Fabio Capitanio from Monash University’s School of Earth Atmosphere and Environment at Monash University said. “The damage associated to such high energy earthquakes is expectedly large, although this area has a record of low seismic damage,” Dr Capitanio said. The United Nations has reported access to the international airport in Port Vila has been “severely limited due to road damage”. And foreign correspondent Dan McGarry told Associated Press that part of the airport’s runway is also damaged. Those in need of help are urged to contact the Australian Government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 6 261 3305. Originally published as Devastating scenes in Vanuatu as search-and-rescue mission steps up after 7.3 magnitude earthquake News Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News. More related stories World Chilling detail in 15yo school shooter photo An eerie photo has emerged of the teen girl behind a US school shooting, which left a teacher and another teenage student dead, and many others injured. Read more Business Breaking News ASX trades flat ahead of US rate cut The ASX 200 traded slightly down ahead of a major decision by the US Federal Reserve, just after the market hit a four-day high. Read moreTwo arrested for brandishing guns; 56 social media accounts displaying arms identified: Delhi Police
Health In Tech Announces Closing of Initial Public OfferingIt didn’t take long for incoming Michigan quarterback prodigy Bryce Underwood to make an impression on Wolverine nation. When the nation’s No. 1-ranked QB recruit strolled onto the practice field ahead of Michigan' s ReliaQuest Bowl matchup against Alabama, Wolverines fans collectively did a double take to discuss the impressive physical stature of the 17-year-old phenom. The 6-foot-4, 208-pound 5-star recruit and No. 1 player in the entire nation already looks like he's been sculpted in a lab to dominate Big Ten defenses, and the internet was quick to notice. "This reminds me of what Cam Newton looked like as a freshman at UF," one fan said on X. Another said, "That’s a 17-year-old? Goodness." Others were even more blunt with one saying, "This guy is a tree." Then there was the realization of Underwood standing next to junior QB Alex Orji, with another X user saying, "Jesus, man. Dude looks GROWN. Never really noticed till now." Michigan tipped to appoint new OC after flipping Bryce Underwood Bryce Underwood helping Michigan land 'monster' recruit at Alabama's expense Underwood officially signed with the Wolverines earlier in December and isn't wasting any time settling in, already giving high fives around the practice grounds to kid supporters of the program. A video of him with the team also showed Underwood building a sound connection and chemistry with his coaches. Although he isn’t yet listed on the team's current depth chart, which already features six quarterbacks, Underwood took the field already in full uniform and pads, seemingly taking reps. Seeing him next to the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Orji made jaws drop. Orji is an imposing presence himself, but still somehow looked smaller than Underwood to the point that the optics were impossible to ignore. After an undefeated 2023 season resulting in a National Championship, Michigan regressed with four losses. It will look to climb back to championship ways with a true successor to JJ McCarthy, who left for the NFL in 2024 and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings. Michigan's quarterback room is about to get even more crowded. Underwood’s arrival came before the signing of Chase Herbstreit, son of ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit , who also joined the program as an unranked recruit by ESPN. Yet, everyone knows the job will be Underwood's to lose after coming into the program with loads of hype. The five-star phenom from Belleville High School was the crown jewel of Michigan's 2025 recruiting class, and his signing was the culmination of a full-court press by quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell and wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy. 24/7 Sports ranked the recruiting class of 30 brand new athletes ninth in the nation behind powerhouse programs like Texas at No. 1, followed by Alabama and Georgia. DON'T MISS Michigan discovers consequences of Bryce Underwood flip as star decommits Will Howard backs up bold CFP statement he made after Michigan loss Kirk Herbstreit 'proud' as quarterback son Chase makes college commitment Underwood's path to becoming a Wolverine came after an extensive recruiting effort against Michigan's biggest rival, Ohio State . He took several visits with the Buckeyes but ultimately decided to denounce his prior commitment to LSU to join the Wolverines for a rumored NIL deal from the Wolverines, roughly worth $10 million. His choice to resume his playing player at the next level in his home state has paid off with the program's loyal fans, as well as several notable pillars in the city. The Detroit Pistons already hosted the QB at one of their games, giving fans an idea of what's to come for the brand-new local celebrity.
GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Matthew Downing threw for two touchdowns and ran for another to lead Elon to a 31-21 season-ending win over North Carolina A&T on Saturday. The game was tied at 7 in the second quarter when the Phoenix turned a fumble recovery into a field goal. That started a string of four-straight scoring possessions. Downing was 16 of 21 for 203 yards. Chandler Brayboy had 12 receptions for 118 yards with a score. Rushawn Baker ran for 106 yards for the Phoenix (6-6, 5-3 Coastal Athletic Association). Julian Bumper also had a 10-yard rushing touchdown on his only carry and Jamarien Dalton had a 30-yard receiving touchdown on his only catch. Freshman Cortez Lane returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown for the Aggies (1-11, 0-8), who lost their 11th straight. Justin Fomby threw for 190 yards and a touchdown pass to Daniel Cole and Shimique Blizzard ran for 87 yards and a TD. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25
Scott Turner, President-elect Donald Trump choice to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is a former NFL player who ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term. Turner, 52, is the first Black person selected to be a member of the Republican’s Cabinet. Here are some things to know about Turner: From professional football to politics Turner grew up in a Dallas suburb, Richardson, and graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He was a defensive back and spent nine seasons in the NFL beginning in 1995, playing for the Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. During offseasons, he worked as an intern then-Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif. After Turner retired in 2004, he worked full time for the congressman. In 2006, Turner ran unsuccessfully as a Republican in California’s 50th Congressional District. Turner joined the Texas House in 2013 as part of a large crop of tea party-supported lawmakers. He tried unsuccessfully to become speaker before he finished his second term in 2016. He did not seek a third term. Motivational speaker and pastor Turner also worked for a software company in a position called “chief inspiration officer” and said he acted as a professional mentor, pastor, and councilor for the employees and executive team. He has also been a motivational speaker. He and his wife, Robin Turner, founded a nonprofit promoting initiatives to improve childhood literacy. His church, Prestonwood Baptist Church, lists him as an associate pastor. He is also chair of the center for education opportunity at America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former Trump administration staffers to lay the groundwork if he won a second term. Headed council in Trump’s first term Trump introduced Turner in April 2019 as the head of the new White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. Trump credited Turner with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” The mission of the council was to coordinate with various federal agencies to attract investment to so-called “Opportunity Zones,” which were economically depressed areas eligible to be used for the federal tax incentives. The role of HUD HUD is responsible for addressing the nation’s housing needs. It also is charged with fair housing laws and oversees housing for the poorest Americans, sheltering more than 4.3 million low-income families through public housing, rental subsidy and voucher programs. The agency, with a budget of tens of billions of dollars, runs a multitude of programs that do everything from reducing homelessness to promoting homeownership. It also funds the construction of affordable housing and provides vouchers that allow low income families pay for housing in the private market. During the campaign, Trump focused mostly on the prices of housing, not public housing. He railed against the high cost of housing and said he could make it more affordable by cracking down on illegal immigration and reducing inflation. He also said he would work to reduce regulations on home construction and make some federal land available for residential construction. ———
ORRVILLE, Ohio , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The J. M. Smucker Company (the "Company") (NYSE: SJM) today announced the pricing terms for its previously announced cash tender offers (each, an "Offer" and collectively, the "Offers") to purchase up to $300 million aggregate purchase price, not including accrued and unpaid interest (the "Offer Cap"), of the Company's validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) notes set forth below (the "Notes") using a "waterfall" methodology under which the Company will accept the Notes in order of their respective acceptance priority levels noted in the table below (the "Acceptance Priority Levels"). The Offers are being made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase, dated December 3, 2024 (the "Offer to Purchase"), which sets forth a description of the terms of the Offers. As of 10:00 a.m. New York City time, on December 17, 2024 (the "Price Determination Time"), the Company expects to accept for purchase pursuant to the Offers the full amount of the 2.750% Senior Notes due 2041 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 1), the full amount of the 3.550% Senior Notes due 2050 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 2) and a portion of the 2.125% Senior Notes due 2032 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 3) validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Time (as defined below) on a prorated basis as described in the Offer to Purchase, using a proration factor of approximately 69.9%, so that the aggregate purchase price does not exceed the Offer Cap. The 4.375% Senior Notes due 2045 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 4) and the 5.900% Senior Notes due 2028 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 5) will not be accepted for purchase. The "Total Consideration" to be paid for the Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on December 16, 2024 (the "Early Tender Time") and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offers, includes an early tender premium of $30 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes so tendered and accepted for purchase (the "Early Tender Premium"), which will not constitute an additional or increased payment. In addition to the applicable Total Consideration, holders who validly tender and do not validly withdraw their Notes, and whose Notes are accepted for purchase in the Offers will also be paid any applicable accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, December 19, 2024 (the "Early Settlement Date"). The Total Consideration has been determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase by reference to a fixed spread for each of the Notes over the applicable yield to maturity of the applicable U.S. Treasury Security (the "Reference Treasury Security"), determined at the Price Determination Time as specified in the table below and on the cover page of the Offer to Purchase in the column entitled "Reference U.S. Treasury Security." The table below includes only the Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) at or prior to the Early Tender Time that the Company expects to accept for purchase pursuant to the Offers. Acceptance Priority Level (1) Title of Security CUSIP Number Outstanding Principal Amount Reference U.S. Treasury Security (2) Bloomberg Reference Page Reference Yield Fixed Spread (bps) Total Consideration (3) 1 2.750% Senior Notes due 2041 832696AV0 $300,000,000 4.625% UST due 11/15/2044 FIT 1 4.666 % +85 $700.18 2 3.550% Senior Notes due 2050 832696AT5 $300,000,000 4.250% UST due 8/15/2054 FIT 1 4.596 % +95 $730.52 3 2.125% Senior Notes due 2032 832696AU2 $500,000,000 4.250% UST due 11/15/2034 FIT 1 4.391 % +50 $833.04 All conditions of the Offers were deemed satisfied by the Company, or timely waived by the Company. Accordingly, the Company expects to accept for purchase, and pay for, $300 million aggregate purchase price of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) on the Early Settlement Date. Although the Offers are scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on January 2, 2025, unless extended or terminated, because the aggregate purchase price of Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) prior to or at the Early Tender Time exceeded the Offer Cap, there will be no Final Settlement Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), and no Notes tendered after the Early Tender Time will be accepted for purchase. Notes tendered and not purchased on December 19, 2024 (the "Early Settlement Date") will be returned to holders promptly after the Early Settlement Date. This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell securities. No offer, solicitation, purchase or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. The Offers are being made solely pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are serving as Dealer Managers for the Offers (each, a "Dealer Manager" and together, the "Dealer Managers"). Questions regarding the Offers may be directed to Goldman Sachs at (800) 828-3182 (toll free) or (212) 357-1452 (collect) or to J.P. Morgan at (866) 834-4666 (toll free) or (212) 834-3554 (collect). Requests for the Offer to Purchase or the documents incorporated by reference therein may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc., which is acting as the Tender Agent and Information Agent for the Offers, at SJM@dfking.com or the following telephone numbers: banks and brokers at (212) 269-5550; all others toll free at (866) 620-2535. The J. M. Smucker Company Forward-Looking Statements This press release ("Release") includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. The forward-looking statements may include statements concerning our current expectations, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events, conditions, plans and strategies that are not historical fact. Any statement that is not historical in nature is a forward-looking statement and may be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "will," "plan," "strive" and similar phrases. Federal securities laws provide a safe harbor for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information. We are providing this cautionary statement in connection with the safe harbor provisions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, when evaluating the information presented in this Release, as such statements are by nature subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements and from our historical results and experience. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: our ability to successfully integrate Hostess Brands' operations and employees and to implement plans and achieve financial forecasts with respect to the Hostess Brands' business; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits, including synergies and cost savings, related to the Hostess Brands acquisition, including the possibility that the expected benefits will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; disruption from the acquisition of Hostess Brands by diverting the attention of our management and making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; the negative effects of the acquisition of Hostess Brands on the market price of our common shares; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses, and charges and the risk of litigation related to the acquisition of Hostess Brands; the effect of the acquisition of Hostess Brands on our business relationships, operating results, ability to hire and retain key talent, and business generally; disruptions or inefficiencies in our operations or supply chain, including any impact caused by product recalls, political instability, terrorism, geopolitical conflicts (including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas), extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, pandemics, work stoppages or labor shortages (including potential strikes along the U.S. East and Gulf coast ports and potential impacts related to the duration of a recent strike at our Buffalo, New York manufacturing facility), or other calamities; risks related to the availability of, and cost inflation in, supply chain inputs, including labor, raw materials, commodities, packaging, and transportation; the impact of food security concerns involving either our products or our competitors' products, including changes in consumer preference, consumer litigation, actions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other agencies, and product recalls; risks associated with derivative and purchasing strategies we employ to manage commodity pricing and interest rate risks; the availability of reliable transportation on acceptable terms; our ability to achieve cost savings related to our restructuring and cost management programs in the amounts and within the time frames currently anticipated; our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to continue operating under our capital deployment model, including capital expenditures, debt repayment to meet our deleveraging objectives, dividend payments, and share repurchases; a change in outlook or downgrade in our public credit ratings by a rating agency below investment grade; our ability to implement and realize the full benefit of price changes, and the impact of the timing of the price changes to profits and cash flow in a particular period; the success and cost of marketing and sales programs and strategies intended to promote growth in our business, including product innovation; general competitive activity in the market, including competitors' pricing practices and promotional spending levels; our ability to attract and retain key talent; the concentration of certain of our businesses with key customers and suppliers, including primary or single-source suppliers of certain key raw materials and finished goods, and our ability to manage and maintain key relationships; impairments in the carrying value of goodwill, other intangible assets, or other long-lived assets or changes in the useful lives of other intangible assets or other long-lived assets; the impact of new or changes to existing governmental laws and regulations and their application; the outcome of tax examinations, changes in tax laws, and other tax matters; a disruption, failure, or security breach of our or our suppliers' information technology systems, including, but not limited to, ransomware attacks; foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations; and risks related to other factors described under "Risk Factors" in other reports and statements we have filed with the SEC. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances. About The J. M. Smucker Company At The J.M. Smucker Co., it is our privilege to make food people and pets love by offering a diverse family of brands available across North America . We are proud to lead in the coffee, peanut butter, fruit spreads, frozen handheld, sweet baked goods, dog snacks, and cat food categories by offering brands consumers trust for themselves and their families each day, including Folgers ® , Dunkin' ® , Café Bustelo ® , Jif ® , Uncrustables ® , Smucker's ® , Hostess ® , Milk-Bone ® , and Meow Mix ® . Through our unwavering commitment to producing quality products, operating responsibly and ethically, and delivering on our Purpose, we will continue to grow our business while making a positive impact on society. For more information, please visit jmsmucker.com . The J. M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein, except for Dunkin' ® , which is a trademark of DD IP Holder LLC. The Dunkin'® brand is licensed to The J. M. Smucker Company for packaged coffee products sold in retail channels, such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, e-commerce and drug stores, as well as in certain away from home channels. This information does not pertain to products for sale in Dunkin' ® restaurants. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-j-m-smucker-company-announces-pricing-for-cash-tender-offers-302334213.html SOURCE The J.M. Smucker Co.